Many happy returns and all that

What a week. (Please excuse my lack of photographic evidence – I’m too lazy to download my phone right now).

The BigBoss showed a bit more of his true colours this past week. It’s kind of weird knowing that you’re being played and somehow being completely unable to do anything about it. It’s a feeling I hate – and I’m having none of that…ever again.

On Tuesday he saw a gap to make an example of me on a matter that I was quite clearly already worked up about and he just moved in for the kill. Very nicely done – smooth and effortless and very public. For the rest of the week I took to wearing a strip of camo round my wrist to remind me that I am a fighter and no one (and I mean NO ONE) gets to bully me like that without my say so.

I was going to call it my “Talisman” -> An object that is thought to have magic powers and to bring good luck. But I think I’ll go with just “Band” -> A thin flat strip or circle of any material that is put around things for example to hold them together or to strengthen them. Yip, that sounds about right…look I know it’s silly but wearing that little strip of camo was just what I needed last week to keep my head in the game.

Last week we also had a little recruitment drive for more members of staff here in our CT branch, and even though we didn’t find any suitable candidates I think there was a very clear message being sent from our selection of possibilities to anyone who might be paying attention. Incidentally we recruited more than 90 hopefuls without even placing an add or anything! All I will say further on this matter is that some of the large and well known companies in SA should be ashamed of what they pay their staff. Do you know that there are people working in CT earning R1600 per month to work from 09:00 to 19:00 five days a week?! Unbelievable…now if only they could pass an mini-IQ test we would have rescued some of them by now.

The good news is: We made it. Sparrow has returned and we saw him and Mrs. Sparrow on Friday when the BigBoss took everyone out for a farewell dinner. It’s unbelievably good to have him back.

We had massive celebrations on Friday – hard to say if it was for the BigBoss’ farewell or for the welcome back of Sparrow. The two themes just merged in one major merry-making chaos. I believe there was more of the same on Saturday, but I opted out so that I could spend some time with my cousin and catch up on some laundry during one of the first sunshine days in the last month.

On Sunday I went to see my aunt Ellen in Durbanville. We went out for Chinese for lunch (which I think possibly made me violently ill today since I’m just not used to it anymore), and later the afternoon we attended an auction for Persian carpets, paintings and antique furniture. My aunt bought a lovely rug for probably a third of it’s market value – from what I could see the other people there got a bit screwed. When I saw a rather dull looking painting being sold for R50 000, I told my aunt to be very very quiet and don’t even breathe hard or who knows what we’ll end up going home with! Yikes…it was interesting but not really my thing.

Last night Alexander and Chere’ returned home after their month away in KZN. It’s fantastic having them back! I can’t believe how much I’ve missed them. Xander bought us some solar molar contraption that apparently gives of some sort of pulse that will chase the little tunnel rats away for a 75 square meter area. Nice! Beats stuffing moth balls and garlic down every hole that appears to try and chase them away.

It’s really been a rough month for me, and it’s only the 14th now (Oh yeah, happy Bastille Day to all the frenchies), I didn’t even realise how much I depended on Sparrow at work and Xander at home before they both vanished for a month. I am absolutely exhausted. It’s really good to have them all back where they belong.

Expect more regular updates again soon…with pictures of course!