Friends AND Money: Never the twain should meet

Friends and Money, those two things go together like Reebok sneakers and a Robert Cavalli dress.

Yah, that bad!

Personally, i believe these two things are mutually exclusive events. Obviously there are some exceptions to the rules; like your girl/boy who always hits you back in time, as agreed and if you're lucky, with interest!

But i'm not here to preach about those rare souls, i'm here to talk about The Others.

The Others are those other friends who manage to melt your resolve on not lending money to friends. They convince you that they're good for it. They tell you that your donation is for a worthy cause (rent, medical problems, food etc). You being the kind hearted schmuck that you are, think "what the heck, i will help this friend and get my money eventually." It's a win-win situation right...wrong.

What ensues is a battle of wills! Any of the following situations can occur:

1. Friend is unreachable: phone goes automatically to voicemail and emails are not responded to;

2. Friend says they're still having a cash flow problem even though you could SWEAR she/he was wearing a new coat that's come out from [Insert name of flashy clothes store here];

3. Friend gets all defensive as though you are bothering them...even though it has been 3 mths already since the original transaction; and,

4. Friend fakes a case of amnesia and acts as though no money was ever exchanged to begin with.

In my experience, that person quickly goes from being a friend to a frenemy. That cash you lent them quickly gets written-off as a bad debt...not to mention, overtime so does the "friend"

What experiences do you guys have that have involved friends and money?

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The search continues: My search for that "perfect" phoenix tattoo continues! Yes, i know we've been here before, but y'all know i'm too chicken sh*t to get one. Until they actually find a way to numb the area that's being tatted (is that even a word), i will most like not go through with it.

Instead i will content myself with find amazing pics of body art and oooh and ahhh accordingly.

The specimen about is just absolutely gorgeous! I love where its placed and the design. It may be a bit too big and filled in (i like the more stencilled, spirally look) but yah, that item is a show-stopper.

Do any of you possess any show-stopping body art?

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Are you Comfortable? Why didn't i know about this song...why? okay probably cause he wrote it and performed it on an album that was released when noone knew who he was. Now i am gonna go in search of all the stuff he's ever done before the flashing lights hit him.

Heard it last night, nearly started crying (eish, i am a sap like that). The lyrics are so bitter sweet, we've all been there.

If you haven't heard it, get a hold of John Mayer's track "Comfortable"it will change your life (not because its by John...but because its good...it helps though that John is the one singing though).

excerpt from "Comfortable"

Our love was, comfortable and
so broken in

I sleep with this new girl i'm still getting used to
my friends all approve, say she's gonna be good for you
they throw me, high fives

She says the bible is all that she reads
and prefers that I not use profanity
your mouth was, so dirty

Life of the party
and she swears that she's artsy
but you could distinguish
Miles from Coltrane

Our love was, comfortable and
so broken in

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Chickens, may your weekends be filled with great weather, fantastic company, yummy food, endless drinks and minimal financial expense :-)

Love,

V x

Oh-bla-di, Oh-bla-da: Final Goodbyes

Life tends to have this annoying ability to gone on.

Some could argue that this inherent trait of life is it's saving grace. There's no time to wallow, no time to get lost in the moment because before you know it, the moment has dissapated like a fart in the proverbial wind...well some moments anyway.

Today it dawned on me that all my MJ mourning needs to stop now. It helped that the DJ on my favourite radio station announced this morning that they'd no longer be any MJ playlist or tributes, after yesterday's Memorial, it is enough now.

And speaking of the Memorial, wow, what a way to go! Thanks to the beauty of YouTube and real-time uploading, i got to see all the key parts. The highlights of the night where:

1. Mariah Carey choking up the first few notes to "I'll be there", asikana/shame;

2. My boy John Mayer's guitar tribute to "Human Nature". Damn, that was amazing. No words, just notes and it still reduced me to mush...talk about "strumming my pain with his fingers";

3. The wild card of the whole night, Shaheen Jafargholi belting out "Who's Loving You". That boy can SANG! I had heard about how he'd done great things on Britain's Got Talent, but hadn't heard first-hand till last night what all the fuss was about. Like K twittered last night, i hope Joe Jackson doesn't get any funny ideas about signing the boy onto his record label;

4. I was a little annoyed that Usher wore his shade through-out his performance, until i finally got that he was probably doing so to hide his post-crying puffy eyes...i would have still prefered to see his eyes though, it would have made his performance that more sincere; and,

5. Paris Katherine Jackson's speech BROKE me. That little girl did what few of us would have been capable to do at such at time. She also reminded us that 3 kids had lost their Daddy - heart breaking. I was a mess after that speech, a MESS.

The memorial achieved everything that the BET tribute did not. It was the final farewell for his fans, but for his family, their farewells will continue for the rest of their lives.

May God give them the strength to get through it all.

Sonnet II

"Time does not bring relief; you all have lied

Who told me time would ease me of my pain!

I miss him in the weeping of the rain;

I want him at the shrinking of the tide."

Edna St Vincent Millay

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On a gloomy, chilly Wednesday morning in Gauteng...sadly, it's business as usual

*sigh*

Have a blessed Hump Day chickens.

Love,

V x

On a MUST Know Basis

I don't do suspense...ever! Don't start telling me a story and then abruptly conclude, "Never mind" when you haven't finished what you were originally saying. I will inflict bodily harm until i get the grand finale, scout's honour!

It takes everything in me to read books without flipping to the end to find out how it all ends. Sometimes i'm good and will squirm my way to the end, most often than not, i will just flip to the back of the book and be on some, "Ooooooh, so that's what happens to [insert character's name]" tip.

Don't ever leave me with remote when watching anything suspense related, and this is not only limited to horrors and thrillers. I'm talking comedies, rom-com's, sport (eg the tennis this weekend)....i will even go as far as saying animal documentaries. If there's a squeamish, cringeworthy, nail-biting finish or ohmigosh-are-they-really-gonna-do that moment in any programme i am watching, i will switch channels, much to the annoyance of whomever's sitting in the room with me.

Family members revoked my remote control rights loooooong back, i supposedly can't be trusted :-)

So why am i telling you all this?

Well, because i recently found that i've been short-listed for a competition (that i entered no less than 20 times) for me and two friends to go and see Oprah live in Chicago. Last Friday when i was called with this fantastic news, i was told that i would be told the outcome today.

Today i got the call to tell me.........that me and the other 12 finalists had been invited to a dinner where a draw would take place to determine who goes on the trip.

SERIOUSLY!

I was hoping to be put out of my misery by this point...but noooooooooo, i have another 16 days-and-counting of this limbo-like state to put up with.

The good news is that i get more praying time in to ask the Big Man in the Sky to help a sista out. All prayers and good vibes from the blogville family are most welcome to (read: Help a sista out!).

Question: What would your rate yourself on the suspense-o-meter of life, love and all of that?

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Never Can Say Goodbye: I'm surprised my neighbours haven't called me out on my constant replay of MJ's hits...or rather, the five MJ songs i actually have on-hand, which probably makes my tribute extremely annoying to those listening in.

I am still in denial stage which makes his song, "Never Can Say Goodbye" very apt.

Sadly, even in death the man doesn't get a moment's rest. His funeral or memorial has become a Grade A Fiasco with an estimated 1 million people attending. What happened to resting in peace and all that? Now tickets are being sold, TICKETS!

So much for him resting in peace :-S

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Okay chickens, have a fabulous Monday and keep on smiling...or whinging, whatever makes you happy :-)

Love,

V x