The Last Day of January
Note: The publishing of this post has been delayed by a few hours due to intermittent internet problems with the author’s connection.
After many hours spend in the African sun, the Atlantic Ocean and gazing at the deep blue sky, the Summer Vacation of 2011/12 has finally come to an end. Yesterday was the return to college for many of my friends, some of them would be morbid and depressed to go back I’m sure, some eager to begin writing yet another new chapter of their lives. However they feel though, no one can really deny that this vacation has been one of the best of recent memory. (more…)
It’s Beginning To Feel A Lot Like Christmas!
SUMMER VACATION EDITION
Christmas Day
First of all, Merry Christmas to all my readers and may you have the most wonderful and blessed day ahead of you.
Secondly, it finally feels like Christmas!! After polishing the floors, making jelly and eggnog and dressing the tree, it’s Christmas! Thank God, because I was getting mighty worried about the lack of cheer. I’ve just come back from church and although it was a sung mass (I HATE SUNG SERVICES!) it was a good service, for more reasons than one. (more…)
Friday Night Anarchy
Last night when we left residence, no one would have predicted the night we were on course to have. Pure stupidity was the drink of choice for most students in Grahamstown last night, and it didn’t go down so well with some. There are a whole list of firsts last night:
It was the first time that we…
…left residence at 18h00 for pre-drinks.
…drank pink jam jars.
…got into into Friars for free on a night we were supposed to pay.
…overly enjoyed a Southern Comfort promotion.
…more than one of us won memorabilia (purple hat, two green wigs and hundreds of necklaces).
…sat in the back of a police van.
…chaperoned another incapable soul back to residence.
…returned to Friars after leaving.
…heard Sunshine by David Guetta pump on the dancefloor.
By all intents and purposes, last night was one of the most insane nights out I have ever had. Anywhere.
Would I do it all again? Ask me next Friday!
If I Died Tomorrow…
Imagine if you knew when you were going to die… (more…)
Forty Days of Waiting
Today, even though today barely started for me yet, has been a Ethan Hunt-style “I can’t get out of bed because the bed will self-destruct” type of day. After waking up no less than three times in the wee hours of last night, for reasons I frankly have no idea, I slept well past my 06h00 goal, waking up at a peachy… I can’t believe it either… 11h00. Yes! A five-hour oversleep. I think that has to be some kind of record?
In the process, I missed a tut and two lectures. I feel pretty shit about it, trust me.
On a lighter note… Homesickness has finally pierced my experience-hardened outer shell after merely a week. Not as bad as a few months ago though, but regardless, I just really want to be home. I close my eyes and all I see are my loved ones. Well, there’s someone in particular who I see more often than not. I swear if I had a car I’d drive home just to see her every weekend.
Cape Town could not be any further than it is today, nor could this term be any longer. Unfortunately, I can’t help but wait…
Post-Springboks Ramblings
It’s pretty insane how much more you tend to appreciate people when you’re marginally drunk. Yes, I am typing this whilst a vile of brandy and vodka circulates through my body, but I can still understand, etc. Tonight was incredible. Not only did I offload a mountain’s worth of rubble upon another’s shoulders but also, I captured some truly memorable images too, mainly of my friends dancing like monkeys on the Springboks dance floor. (more…)
The Solace of The Winter Sun
It’s clearing up, slowly but surely today. Unfortunately, a break like this in the weather usually means the resultant destruction becomes all too real. Cotch Creek has officially transformed from a timid little stream into a proper river, leaving this mass of flotsam stuck under the bridge. There are still waves of water running down the streets, branches and leaves strewn across the pavements, leaks partnered with their respective buckets in the dining hall and residences: all this happened in just twelve hours. Insane how things can change so quickly.
Anyhow, it seems that the front has now moved over the town. I guess we’re safe for now.
After all that scouring the rain did on the land, it’s the Sun’s turn to console; evaporating the excess, warming up the cold, inspiring the flowers to bloom once again.
In light of this, as the seasons seem to mirror life so well sometimes, it’s time for us to clean up ourselves; Clean up our lives, our perceptions of life, our mantras, our beliefs. I suppose today is the best day to start living again, respecting the past but beckoning the future. Even though living from now on won’t be the same, smiling won’t be the same, breathing won’t be the same, we have to try. For her memory. For her. It’s time to change our attitudes about life.
As long as the Sun is in the sky, I know she’ll always be there warming us up, smiling down on us, keeping us all safe. Even after a rainstorm.
We should all learn to play under the sun more often.
The Anatomy of the Rain
One can always take comfort in the sound of the rain. The gentle, soothing song the millions of droplets chorus, kissing the parched earth after a harsh Summer. I could fall asleep effortlessly listening to this. There are valuable lessons though to be learnt in something as mere as falling water.
This storm front is caused by a cut-off low pressure system being pushed down into the heart of South Africa from Namibia, I read in an article earlier. Although this type of weather is extremely rare for the interior, it is not unheard of. In South Africa, there are cities with water restrictions of all kinds in place at present. In Port Elizabeth, you’re apparently not allowed to wash your car or water your garden. In Mossel Bay and Beaufort West, things are so extreme that they are apparently having water’s version of “load-shedding” where water supply is cut off for a number of hours to ration it equally.
Even though this weather is wreaking havoc in some areas of the country, it is a priceless gift for others.
Everything we receive in life is a gift. Granted, some of the shit we go through is all very much pointless, but the people who get you through it is what matters. This past week would not have been bearable had I not had the love and support given to me by friends here, back in Cape Town and family. They have been my rain. My comfort after a long, long, barren Summer.
Everything leads my mind to her it seems. Listening to the rain now, I can hear her laugh as if she was right here with me. Some how I can’t help but imagine that this rain is all the tears being shed for her. All the people who’s lives she has touched pouring out their emotions literally. It’s honestly inconceivable to imagine that she will not have the chance to hear the rain as we do ever again. I’m sorry that I keep talking about her like that but she is really all I can think of now. The rain isn’t helping.
It’s her memorial tomorrow. I’m really not sure if I want to go. I want to pay my respects, of course, but I am not ready to accept that all this is real, that all this has happened, that things are really all over. I don’t want to say goodbye. Should I be ashamed because of that? No. I know that if roles were reversed she would feel the same way. I want to hold on to her forever and by saying farewell fabricates this idea that I’ll never see her again. It is too sudden. Too final.
Thinking of how fragile life is, it was my friends birthday yesterday. She turned 21. I spoke of her much on this blog, mainly in a good light. Recently, I have been feeling tinges of fervour, resentment, hostility… just negativity. She decided to begin a relationship with someone who has hurt her in the past. I understand that that’s her business, but honestly, I think it’s bullshit. After everything that I’ve learnt about life this past week, I know that it is too damn short to waste. To sell yourself short. To settle for anything less than perfect. She should know this. We’ve been though all this before. Actually no, this is not my place. I love her though. I love all my friends. I want to look out for them, and knowing that she’s making a mistake is not okay with me. But life’s life, and things will happen whether we try to stop them or not, as this week has shown everyone. There is, however, nothing wrong with trying.
Even though the rain is beautifully simple in its design, in its science, it still sucks to get caught in it.
Imagination’s Unpleasant Side
Warning: This post may contain language of a debatably controversial and/or explicit nature.
There are disadvantages of having an overactive mind. Firstly, you tend to internalize everything you construct out of nothing. Secondly, trusting people becomes hard as you see your own, usually bogusly untrue, perceptions of them. And lastly, you imagine what other people are doing at the same time… what you are missing. The latter, is what I am doing right now.
Just like a year ago, on this very day in fact, I’m lying in bed thinking about the person I’ve been giving the most thought to these past weeks. As it was then, when she gave birth to a beautiful, healthy little baby girl, I’m wondering if she’s okay. If baby’s okay. If everything is okay.
I hate ignorance – knowing facts, discovering more is what I live for. It would be a very stagnant and unfulfilled life if everyone just sat down and accepted that shit is how shit is, and it would always be that way. That’s bullshit in my opinion. Both her and I follow what out hearts intend us to – learn as much as possible. That’s what I love about her. She never just accepts things as the way they are. Yes, she has no choice in some instances, like all of us, but she still tries to make her own sense of the world. To me, this is probably the most important concept one should learn during life. Well, other than “it goes on”.
Anyway, I hope everything went smoothly. She was rushing around yesterday, sporadically falling asleep whilst chatting to me last night. I can’t believe it’s been a full year since everything began. I marvel at time – the way it cares not for anything and just continues without any account for the lives it controls. It’s truly amazing.
Happy 1st birthday little one. We love you.
- reddevilandy10
Cape Town, It’s Been Fun!
Cape Town is the most amazing place to grow up. Filled with, not only the beauty of people but nature too, it is truly a city apart. As you all know, I don’t spend much time there anymore. With academic commitments in Grahamstown (my current estimated destination), I spend a meager month or two home per year. Those few days I’m gifted with though, is all I feel I need. Every time I come home, I learn something new – be it about myself, life in general or just random non-useful information. This vacation, I’ve learnt how immensely important everyone in my life is to me. My friends are the bedrock of my confidence in my abilities, actions and even this blog. Without them, I would not be who I am today. I could credit them with so much of my maturation, of me “finding myself”. I am forever grateful and indebted for their presence in my life. Not to mention my family, who’s love and support have always helped me through many hard times – finally leaving Cape Town for one.
Regrettably, I leave them all behind tonight – for now. In a few weeks, I’ll be home again, sharing my new experiences, hopes, dreams, accomplishments all over again – and making more truly unforgettable memories to add to my extensive mental scrapbook. I love you all. See you all in June, and thank you for being there for me.
From Cape Town, this is reddevilandy10.
PS: In my mind I’m still hugging you. I love you anf baby especially. You’re always in my thoughts, and always will be.
The Puppy’s Furrow
Somehow I knew this would happen. I was so keen to go home, to finally be with all my loved ones. To see my friends. My family. To see Table Mountain and feel the sea breeze. But, right now, this moment, I miss Grahamstown. I miss all my new friends. I miss being able to walk everywhere. I miss the fact that your friends are right next door to you, literally, if you should need them. I miss it!
I don’t know why. I’m really happy to be home, but still, I have this horrible empty feeling here, almost as if I left the rest of myself there. These holidays to me, are starting to feel like one big waste of time. I’m not working. I’m not doing anything constructive, per se, although I am actually posting the first blog post in a while. Progress? I think not.
I have my Grahamstown 2010 playlist on repeat. It isn’t helping one bit. It’s just making me think of the insane year that I’ve had. From hitting rock bottom, and then having the most incredible second semester, to being melancholy and depressed now… I just can’t take this shit anymore.
I understand that my friends here do actually work, and yes, they cannot do things all the time. I can’t even do things all the time… I’m so close to being under the poverty line it’s not even funny… so it’s understood. But even then, Cape Town is just such an expensive place to live. I feel like I’m part of the problem. Sending me to Grahamstown is not cheap. My parents are probably in way over their heads, and being home just makes me feel as though I’m getting in the way.
I’m pretty much in the middle of yet another rut in my life. Yes, another one. I feel seriously unhappy. Screw life. I hate it.
When Friends Get Together
Having Corn Flakes at 01h30 in the morning? Only after a Thursday in Cape Town… and my word was it a good one. Finally re-united with my friends, the initial plan of Springboks was hampered by ill timing and long queues… but, surprisingly, up popped Tantra, one of my most hated clubs on the face of the Earth. Yeah, it seems nice on the surface, but once inside, you get bombarded by commercial crap, unrefined dance beats and some tracks that’ll make even the most alive fall asleep on the drinks rails. But, not tonight, Tonight they managed to bring back not only the essence of dance, but the essence of Grahamstown as well. It was manic! Yes, Cape Town is the place to be… I love it dearly, so much that it would be like a funeral for me to leave it’s fertile shores for good. Bu Tantra seemed to play all the tracks that reminded me of the good times of Grahamstown, as well as all the new friends I have made there. It was great!
Singing Mr. Brightside with Tash was probably the highlight of my evening! That song means so much to me! Of all the love that I have had, and love that I had lost over the past few years. I just means so much!
Anyhow, along with Monday night’s Boy’s Night, my week has been pretty special! With Warrick and I winning 8 games in a row, and winning 9 overall, Monday ranked pretty highly in my greatest days list. Today, well, tonight, was awesome! I love you guys so much! Tash, Shane, Bevan, Warrick, Dean, Dax, Matti, Shinead, Terri, Jason (Happy 21st bru!) and to all the others who make my life awesome, I owe you my being. You. Are. Amazing.
- reddevilandy10
The Final Mare
BEWARE: This post may offend some sensitive readers. You have been warned. Reader discretion is advised.
It’s only 01h15, but I’m home. After being beckoned to come out to embrace Grahamstown for the last time, even with a slight hangover, I obliged and now, unfortunately, smell of ten packs of Marlboro. Not only am I extremely happy, I am extremely disappointed too.
You know the unmistakable feeling of feeling insurmountably euphoric and then the next, feeling bottom of the earth unhappy? That’s how I feel now.
It’s a pity this night had to end. I really enjoyed it. Having to endure that the fact certain life choices may never actually be realised made me shiver inside. Amazingly, that life choice always happens to be one who you enjoy being with.
Yeah. The cold, unmistakable kiss of anger, resentment and utter pain.
The thing is though, I always seem to set myself up for these kind of moments. Honestly, I am no good at getting with girls anymore. I am no good. I may as well join the fucking air force and fly about just to crash because that’s what I do perennially. It seems as if that’s the only thing I’m good at. Don’t get me wrong though, friendship is something that will last a lifetime, but something ephemeral, that, my friends, is sometimes worth so much more.
I’m sitting here, half-sober, blurting out my most private and trivial thoughts to you, readers, I ask that you may empathize with me. I want to love some one who does not want to be in love with me. The scary thing? I’m all for it. BECAUSE it is love, readers, that allows one to make all decisions, regardless of hoe your life turns out. Regardless of what the circumstances may be. No, your only thought is about the one that you hold in your heart.
Love is about not giving a fuck about yourself, but putting all that time, care and effort into the one YOU love.
That is true love.
I can understand why it is so goddamn hard to find! I mean, what the fuck am I doing wrong? Is it because I care too much? Do I not possess a boyfriend bone in my body? What is it?
Anyone, please enlighten me! Because I am fucking sick of being single. It’s been best part of two years. 2008. That’s over 600 days. Do you know how that feels? It is not fucking comforting.
It is not something you can go to sleep to. Never have I slept any worse than I have after I come home from a party sober. Too see all the apparent lovebirds chirping amongst each other. Never!
I have had dreams of falling off a cliff, dying, butterflies being killed, but not once a happy ending?
I love my life, but at the same time, I despise it so much. To be honest, sometimes, hiding pain within happiness, is harder than not being happy at all. And that, my friends, is how I go to sleep tonight.
reddevilandy10
Welcome to the College Life
Two really early A.M. posts in the space of, what, three hours? Welcome to the college life readers. Turnitin is still being a selfish SOaB and I still don’t have that damn report – looks like it’s going to be a late hand in. Oh well, at least I have my psych 101 credit all wrapped up and garnished with a bow. That’s one positive!
Seeing that I have such an abundance of free time all of a sudden, let’s take you back, readers, to what was Saturday, October the 2nd, 2010.
Venue(s): Pirates and then Friar Tuck’s, Grahamstown.
Time frame: 20h00 till about 04h30am Sunday morning.
Objective(s): Getting my friend, Luke, totally legless. Happy Birthday bru!
So, this evening was always going to be a bit of a jigsaw puzzle when it ended. Somehow, you enjoy yourself even more when you know you’re get to play Horatio in the morning. You could feel in the air, the rainy, humid, almost Capetonian winter air that engulfed Grahamstown that evening, that things were going to get tragic. In total, Luke must have had about three litres of glee-inducing beverages. Me? In comparison? About 1.5. It wasn’t my birthday though to be honest… and I had made myself the designated cameraman!
We got to Pirates, kitted out with wide smiles from the not-so-well-diluted punch and were pretty upset when we learnt the lack of any drinks specials on the night. Nothing really happened here, except Warren (you’ve read about his previous escapades with Bushmansous, I’m sure) and JEF engaging in God-knows-what type of media tribunal political talk with someone who I’m sure is like a DA spy. I bailed, I didn’t want to think at that point in time. And besides, I wanted to enjoy my two slices of thick-based Pirates regina. That went down really well. So while the others were getting jam-jarred, I thought I’d have a draught and watch the MTN8 final. Yes, the Buccaneers won. Again.
We left Pirates just after 22h00, and scurried over to Friar’s through sticky drizzle… which just became more and more irritating as the night went on. By this time, those who had ordered a jam-jar each were pretty spaced and looked about ten percent dumber per essay than when the day began. Luke decided, once we arrived, to have a downing competition with another friend, Ryan, just to, well, finish the jug he had just bought, I guess. So they downed. Two full glasses each. Full of Russian. He then proceeded to order another jug. But this is the part of the story that starts to get really hazy in my mind. I, myself, had two double Russian specials, so I was pretty gleeful too. But what I don’t remember is why Luke and Warren decided to get up on the table. No one knows actually. It made one pretty epic video though! Apparently, those two had Zappa shots as well and about 20 minutes later, we were all on the dancefloor. Friar’s was pretty empty, not its usual self, especially for a Saturday…
I really can’t even remember how things unfolded after that. I remember being called a girl(in a much more derogatory way though) by JEF when I came from the bar holding a Russian, lemonade mix. I was thirsty okay! It’s not nice to judge. I downed it anyway. I was really starting to get hot too.
So we danced, from David Guetta, to Katy Perry, to just about everything else I’m sure. Luke was river-dancing. Ryan was dancing like bigbird from Sesame Street (and thus the birth of a great new nickname) and I? Well, I was… not sure what I was doing. I know it looked cool though! Some guys left again at 12, including another friend Tim, and his girlfriend, Sanam. They never go out with us. But was really great seeing them looking all awkward on the dancefloor – definitely not their usual habitat.
01h00 came and went by just as quickly. By this time, I had the mindlessness (epic fail alert) to go up to the bartender and ask for, and I kid you not, a “double coke and vodka.” Yes. I know. Judging by that alone I think it’s fair to say where my state-of-mind was.
In the end, only four of us remained: Warren, Luke, Carsey (Steve) and yours truly.
Of course, this is just a log of what happened, because what happens in Friar’s stays in Friar’s, but it’s really tempting to divulge more…
Mmm… naa, I’ll refrain this time!
We even managed to get a lift (the great part about associating with ladies who have vehicles in club environments at 4am) not only home, but to BP as well! We’re that good! I bought the usual: Squillos banana flavour and 10 ZAR worth of chips.
I’m pretty sure if we had not found a means of getting home that night by not using our own bodies, we would have found Grahamstown’s gutters extremely comfortable. Especially Luke, who was seeing some serious stars in that partly cloudly sky!
We got back to res at about 03h40 or so. I parked off on a couch, the others all found their one too. Out came the food. I spilled my Squillos which I was really, really upset about. Like, honestly, I was mortified.
We kept on having a debate on the girl-who-gave-us-a-lift-back’s name… We all thought Warren was playing the fool when he said her name was Ming-Yong but, it actually was! Well, not spelled like that but the French way or something to that effect.
Luke couldn’t remember phoning both his mom and his girlfriend. I helped him get to his door to as he couldn’t quite remember where he lived. The keyhole was a bit of a mission too… but eventually he opened the door.
I ran up the stairs (which, somehow, I can always seem to do 100% when spaced out of my mind), opened my door, jumped into bed and went straight to bed. I was knackered!
Lunch yesterday was very interesting. Bar the huge dehydration headache I had, we were all attempting to piece together the jigsaw of what was a truly immense night! It was one of those, when all you can do is laugh at the dumb crap you caught on the night before. One of those that you seriously regret the next morning due to the almighty headache felt in the morning. One of those where the bouncers pretty much applaud your exit, and are sad to see you leave. It was massive. Truly massive.
Cape Town is going to have to pull out all the artillery to live up to that night. Grahamstown is amazing with the right weather, atmosphere, date, and friends, it can match any other city in South Africa for value-for-money partying.
Moral of the Story: I think it’s only fitting that we have a moral of the story here. The moral, well, what I think the moral is: sometimes, a person needs to forget who he/she is in order for he/she to rediscover themselves. Don’t be afraid to enjoy your life, it’s yours after all, is it not? You should, however be afraid to not make the most of what is a really amazing gift given to us by the higher power of this universe.
Luke, bru, I hope that even though you did not remember much, that you’ll always remember this day as one for the internal scrapbook collection.
This has been a reddevilandy10 recollection. Over and out!
PS: Psych 102 semester essay has been completed, handed in and uploaded. Fingers crossed that it’s a good one!
Two-for-One-Tuesdays and Bushmansous
I’ve seen some really twisted things in my life. I can’t even remember most of those as my mind has something of a ‘self cleaning and preservation’ mechanism that deletes pointless crap like that. But tonight, I saw some truly messed up crap.
It’s Pirates’ two-for-one-Tuesday and all my friends and I are sitting down waiting for the pizzas to arrive (which were, mind you, freaking incredible… more on that later)and getting pretty bored too. So my one friend (Jef) decides to dare my other friend (Warren) to down half a bottle of Bushmansous. Now, if you’re not really familiar with the legendary sauce you can Google it or something, trust me it’s totally worth it.
Anyway, my friend decides to do it for a draught… and he freaking did it. Yeah he’s eyes were about to pop out of their sockets and he was like border-lining chunder-city but the the crazy freak did it.
So, I would like to dedicate this post to the first person I know who has either the lack of brains or the pure madness needed to take a genuine swig of Bushmansous. Here here!
And getting back to that pizza – God, it was amazing. Just picture waiting for 70 minutes for a thick base regina with extra cheese whilst drinking a Black Label draught and you’ll know what I mean. Pure emotion. Euphoria. Death to hunger!!!
I’m off now! Sleep calls! Night night!
- reddevilandy10
“Worth A Thousand Words”
Post Location: The usual Grahamstown venue.
Weather: Chilly, but not ridiculously cold.
Mood: Peachy, not too upset about anything.
I Feel Like…: Wasting time running around Cape Town making memories.
Song of the Day: “Daughters” by John Mayer.
Okay, so day three of the last term is over. I have taken down more notes in the four lectures today than at any other time in my short college career, I have attended every class… albeit half of English, and I plan to have a hardcore study session after this. On track? Yes indeed. These days will definitely be the cornerstone of my success, or well, my path to it, at least.
Anyway, the real point of this post was to elaborate on this one pondering I had yesterday…
Just how powerful are photographs? Or pictures, freeze-frames of time itself containing a symbolic meaning?
They mean so much more than words, don’t they? They’re incredible. I just saw at a picture of myself and a few (highly regarded and fondly loved) people back in high school and it brought back such vivid recollections. It isn’t always such a good thing though, I mean, you could bring back a really bad memory. Especially after you have tried so hard to bury that thought deep within your depository.
But, you know, sometimes being the better person is being able to submerge those reemerging feelings and emotions, take a step back, breathe, and let it go. It is, after all, over. It is a memory, a very bad one, that needs to be destroyed. It will be in due course. It just takes time.
The good photographs though, like the countless Christmas albums my family capture annually, those are the ones you hold on to. Those memories and emotions should be the driving force behind everything you do. It’s pointless living for yourself, solely for yourself, but life is worth so much more when you live for others. Especially for those who you love.
Everyone has that one thing that they’re live for. What is yours?
Term Four: The Final Stretch
Post Location: From my laptop. on my desk in my Smuts room, Grahamstown.
Weather: Extremely cold; clear; just above 10 degrees Celsius.
Mood: Tired but in a good frame of mind; determined.
I Feel Like…: Sitting at La Med with my friends, watching the sun set behind the ocean with a pina coloda in my hand.
Song of the Day: See below.
Having been at home this past week, it gave me a chance to catch up with the people who colour my life so vibrantly. Those who are always there for me, yes, even when I claim that they are not, I was deeply mistaken. The inspiration I have taken from those four days I got to spend with my friends and family will hopefully help me get through these next twelve weeks. The following twelve weeks will be the most crucial of my life thus far.
I begin examinations in eight weeks time, with one swot week in between, and three exam-state weeks in which I write six very important papers. Yep, so basically one could say that those three weeks will be the most important.
Anyway, getting back to my one week vacation – it really helped me refocus on why I am here. I figured that if I can get past this year, or more accurately this term, I basically have this degree wrapped up with a silver bow on it. I just need to graft for the next few weeks. I have realised that in the end, once I’m done with all this bullshit, I will be able to do exactly as I wish. I could work a bit, get a car, pay my parents back for the astronomical amounts that they’ve dished out in sending my ass here, and yes, eventually get my parents and more accurately, my mom, that kitchen she has always wanted.
It’s going to take bottles and bottles of energy drink, packet after packet of chocolate and hundreds of tons of breakfast cereal, but in the end, it will amount to something – something great.
For now, my short-term goals include passing this semester – and thus, the year; getting a part-time during the December holidays, earn a little cash for the following year; going absolutely bonkers with my friends for those three months that I will be home for; try to cut down on the convulsive mood-swings that I have way too often to be considered normal.
This term, I will try to be less dramatic, more factual and exact with my posts and more understanding to what people feel when I mention them in my blog.
I will, however, not hesitate to include what I want in this journal, as it is semi-private nonetheless.
I do feel like adding something extra to this blog… so, with that said, this is my inaugural “Song of the Day”
“Photographs” by Jamie Cullum.
This song reminds me so much of my recorded memories with the people I love. The lyrics go something like this:
“When I look back on my ordinary, ordinary life,
I see so much magic, though I missed it at the time.
When I look back on my ordinary ordinary, ordinary life,
I see so much magic, though I missed it at the time.”
And with that, I shall end. Friends, family, see you in November. Thank you for everything. Everything.
Musical Memoirs
Readers, I admit, I’ve given you guys a ton of depressing crap to read these past two weeks. So I thought, “Hey, you know what? You deserve better!” So, instead of telling the story of my life, I’m dwelling on the insignificantly sad and morbid details that’s only half of my life. I’m over that now. Time for a cheer!
Remember last night when I said that I turn to music in times of need and suggested a list of songs I couldn’t seem to let go of this week? Well, I thought I would carry on with this theme, only this time, mentioning the music that brings back memories of all the awesome times I’ve spent with the amazing people in my life!! Interested? Then read on…
Track #1: “Infinity” by Guru Josh Project
In 2008, Matric year, this track lit up MTV, Trace and yes, even Channel-O, like a bunch of Eskom employees putting their lighters up to Umshini Wam. Music channels all over the globe could not stop airing the video, and, who could forget a video like that? I mean, there’s definitely something incredibly hot about a bad ass girl in lingerie knocking down a wall with a sledge-hammer. Seriously, it doesn’t get better than that.
Anyway, I can’t possibly forget all those nights in Claremont with my friends, and this track always made it on the playlist. Even though the lyrics made absolutely no sense at all, it was somewhat, addictive. It was deservedly the king of all dance anthems for a few months, and what a reign it was. I still listen to it now and then.
Track #2: “Unbelievable” by Craig David
The most girly track on my list, this song was basically the theme song for my ex and I. The days of playing tracks on meager 20MB Samsung mobiles, with my girlfriend relaxing between my legs, using my knees as arm rests. My hands always smelt like peaches after she tried to smooth out the wrinkles in them. I used to love spending my breaks with her.
There wasn’t another place in the world I would have rather been back then, than with her. The song itself symbolized exactly what I felt for her, and even though it was way back in 2006, when I was but a wee little boy, it was real. Too bad our relationship ended a few times and after that, neither one of us could handle the song without throwing up just a little in our mouths. When I hear the song now though, I still think of her, how I miss her and how I wish that certain things just never happened. But, it also reminds me of how much she has helped me grow as a person. I am forever grateful Sunshine.
Track #3: “Right Now (Na Na Na)” by Akon
Aah! It was the 17th January 2009. My friend, Shane had just turned 18 and we wanted to give him the greatest coming-of-age birthday night ever! So, as good friends would do, we took him to the premier nightlife spot in Cape Town, commonly known as Long Street. Oh yes we did! We started the evening off at Baghdad’s (yes, that’s the name of an actual lounge – awesome, huh?) where we bought him his birthday drink – that’s an altogether different story – ended up at Stones and then back at B’s.
When we returned though, we heard a song. But, it wasn’t just any song, readers, it was the song of the moment. And, at 3.45am, 15 minutes before B’s was due to close, all of us ran downstairs from the bird’s nest to the empty dancefloor, and we danced our [expletive] asses off. Right Now, at that moment (no pun intended), was the greatest party track ever. Sadly though, we got kicked out of B’s a few minutes later. We all still wanted tequila shots. Then again, looking back at it all, Shaney boy was pretty smashed already! Just kidding bra! Hope you had an awesome night!
Track #4: “One Love” (full album) by David Guetta
Last Summer, which in Cape Town lasts from about November to March, my friends and I experienced what is now known, as David Guetta Fever, or DGF. A condition associated with pumping out French-based house beats in a white Nissan Sentra and Camps Bay’s long, white beach. It’s amazing how every time I listen to a track off this album now, I can still feel those rays of sunlight on my face, that cool wind through my then-long hair and the sound of that little 1.6 litre engine as it tried as hard as it could to haul all five of our asses up Kloof Nek. It’s magical!
The best memory though, was of Valedictory Day 2009. It involved Dean piloting the late great Nissan Sentra, Gabs sitting shotgun and finishing her knitting assignment for college and Shane and I at the back, being chauffeured around. Can you guess what album was playing for the rest of the day? Yes. One Love baby! We spent one awesome day on Clifton 4th beach, and then left as the sun set over the water. Was truly a great day! (See the photos I took here Matric 2009 Valedictory, Clifton 4th Beach)
Of course, this album affected us all Summer; so naturally, the symptoms of DGF were quite bad at Springboks for the remaining Thursday nights of the season – even at Galaxy that one really crazy week! Memories slowly became our anthem. When Love Takes Over was another group favourite, but that was even more overplayed than Infinity. And then, Toyfriend was given its chance to shine! Awesome album. My homesickness remedy at the moment, but it tends to distract me when I work. I wonder why.
Track #5 & #6: “I Gotta Feeling” by Black Eyed Peas & “Bad Romance” by Lady Gaga
Okay, now, I know what you’re thinking: “How the hell can the two of the most overplayed songs in history carry one significantly special memory along with it?” Readers, believe me when I tell you, this was one insane night. Possibly the best I have ever had at Springboks.
That evening, my two love interests shattered me, it was officially my last party in Cape Town until June, and I had no wish to leave my hometown just yet. Needless to say, I needed some release therapy. My friends and I took residence on a balcony bench outside the club for most of the night. There, we just chatted, mainly about my girl problems and then about Dean’s. And when we finally decided to come in due to the rain, the tracks began to pump. Now, I’m not one to start a movement, but sure as hell five minutes later we were all jumping up and down in a circle shouting “Tonight was a [expletive] [expletive] night!” Yes. I started it. Just like MC Hammer started the Running Man. Yeah, I am that good.
And if you think that was all… it wasn’t. We ended up doing all the actions to Bad Romance after that. With my sister waiting outside, we decided to stay until it ended. And believe me, those ten minutes made that night worthy of a place among the best of my life! My friends are just awesome!
Track #7: “Wonderful World” by James Morrison
But performed however, by Sarah-Jane and Angelo Thomas. A mighty fine rendition I must add. It took place over the two-week holiday I had back in Cape Town last month. My friends and I finally decided to see Sarah and her brother live at Cafe Sofia in Greenpoint. I even remember the weather that day: a crispy, fresh sea breeze blew across the city and there wasn’t so much as a cloud in the sky. It was a beautiful evening. And as my friends and I took seats near the middle of the restaurant, my eyes met another pair of gorgeous big round gleaming chocolatey-brown ones. When the lyrics from Wonderful World began to roll off her lips, I couldn’t help but sing along!
And what made that night even more memorable: we all slept over at Shane’s, ordered McDonald’s at 3am and went to the 9am Good Friday church service the next morning. Or, at least I did anyway! It was also the night in which we began the Neighborhood Pool League – yes, yet another post altogether!
Track #8: “Again” by John Legend
It was the night of my going-away braai, before I left for Grahamstown, and my friends and I were relaxing outside around the fire with SoCo & Lime in hand, listening to some great music on my PC. Now, I was happy, but there was one person missing from that braai, and I was waiting for her, patiently. Eventually, she phoned me. “Andy, where’s your house again?” Lol. Well, eventually she found it with the help of a barefoot board-shorts clad homeless-looking dude running down the street trying to direct her. I’m not saying who that guy was.
After supper, we were all pretty emotional. Fire and alcohol does weird things to people, I swear. But anyway, she was sitting next to me, her legs somehow entangled with mine, my head resting on the near arm of my chair, her fingers running through my hair. Then this song came on, which created one unforgettable moment. As I looked up at her, there was a twinkle in her eyes, and it wasn’t just the fire’s reflection on them, nope. It was as if she really, really, really wanted to stay like that with me forever. A few minutes later, just like that, her parents arrived. She went home. And me? Well, Bevan, Tash, Dean and I spent most of the morning sitting by the fire, watching the stars and braaing chops and sausage. I, though, felt like I let go of something I wasn’t ever going to get back. And guess what? I was right.
This song always reminds me of her now.
Track #9: “Hips Don’t Lie” by Shakira and Wyclef Jean
Yep! It was 2007 and my issues were pretty real back then already. But, there was this one girl I used to confide in. Her name was Natalie, and she was awesome. When Shakira decide to release this song, everyone tried to shake their hips as she does in the video. Not many could, but Natalie was the exception. It scared the crap out of the guys at first but then, it just seemed to put us all in a trance. She even made me download the song in class to my phone so that she could show us all. It was seriously fun times!! I haven’t spoken to her in ages. Strange how relationships just form one day and die the next.
She gave me Shakira’s album, Oral Fixation, as a gift that year. It was really adorable. Now, every time I hear a track off it, I think of her. By the way, Nats, if you ever read this, I apologise for dumping all my problems on you. It wasn’t a cool thing of me to do.
Track #10: “Everytime We Touch” by Cascada
Back in 2006, a bunch of guys and girls came together and put on a fashion show at Wynberg Boys High. I swear, I walked out of that hall deaf, depressed and, looking back on it now, an ass.
A girl who I failed to introduce to Shane took up half of his seat that night. I don’t think he’s forgiven me yet actually. Anyway, during one of the scenes, the biggest song of 2006′s Summer came on. At that moment, everyone got up (I kid you not – remember this was a fashion show) and started dancing. And yes, I repeat: it was a fashion show. Pretty damn insane! That place was bouncing.
Of course, what I remember most about that night, was how I made an ass of myself in front of Dean’s parents. It was one of the first meetings and, like a fool, I whipped out my full Kaapse-taal heritage. Looking back now, I’m really glad I’ve improved on that first impression. I’m even considered family now!! I mean, I am family!!
And that’s the great thing about most of these memories: I’ve shared them with truly special people, who I hope I’ll have the pleasure of making even more memories with in the future.
I hope you have enjoyed this little insight into the more pleasant side of my life!! There’s a lot more than this 2000 word post to come in the upcoming weeks! Trust me.
Until then, I’m out!
- reddevilandy10
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