Postcards from the Abyss

I'm writing this to you on a borrowed laptop in the hopes that I will get a chance to post it. I am still without PC. Thanks to the local PC store my whole machine has been returned to HP in Joburg and so it seems I will be on a digital sabatical for some time yet.

After I lost my machine I felt it only logical that I take a day off work, so Friday was spent doing all those things D and I want to do, but can't, because the shops are always closed when we have time to do them. Such as fixing the basin in our bathroom. Now that was DISGUSTING. Ew. I have not the words.

Other stuff I did on my day off:

1.  I bought a copy of The Sims 2: Nightlife. I do not have a computer to play it on, but the manual is very pretty. ( Justin nearly laughed himself to death when I told him that, sympathy is not his strong point.)

2. I took the cat to be microchipped. The cat is NOT impressed. She spent the whole day wigging out. We put her in the car. She wigged. We took her into the waiting room with the dogs, birds, hamster etc. She wigged. We put her back in the car. She wigged. We took her home and figured: What the hell? She's traumatised already, so we gave her a bath. She wigged.

While we were at the SPCA: we waited for Mike, the vet, to see to her and when he came out he said, "Oh, is it your cat to be microchipped? Shame, man!" Well, if the vet holds something against you, you can be sure the cat will hold a grudge. It was only later, when I saw the needle, that I understood why. My god! That thing was huge! I'm a blood donor,  I've seen some pretty large needles in my time, but this one had an echo. The cat was a trooper, she didn't flinch. And afterwards we got to test it with the scanner: she beeped. Hehe. I kinda want one of those scanners to play with at home.

3. Went to library to return VERY overdue library books. I was very nervous about the fine, it was big and the library doesn't take credit cards. When I returned them I found out there's a returns amnesty at the moment. No fine. Score!

4. Rented some DVD's. 'Vanity Fair' - very girly movie, Darius was unimpressed. 'Flight of the Phoenix' - seemed good. I slept through the last bit, so I'm not really a great judge. Darius' lap is really comfy. Mmmmm

5. Went to Cash Converters and sold my lava lamp. I felt it was time I said goodbye. I suspect Darius is hoping that this is the first step towards me purging myself of my tree-hugging liberal ideas. Not luck there - sorry mate.

6. Took the freshly sorted contents of our change jar to the bank. Made R121.44. Speaking of banks: have any of the other girls who read this noticed that the security guards at banks don't so much as wave the metal-beeper thing in your direction? Whenever Darius and I go to the bank Darius gets practically strip-searched at the door but I get waved though, handbag and all. They don't even bother to give me a cursory scan. Part of me feels quite upset that I am not even seen as a tiny bit threatening. I am considering becoming a mule, I hear there is good money in that. Speaking of security checks: About two weeks ago, I went down to Durban for a medical scheme product lauch which was held in a casino. I went with a large, scary woman (Glynda) who is also a broker in PMB. Well, their was one of those typical security checks where you walk through the metal detector and a lady with a long stick checks your handbag. We went through no problems, only afterwards did Glynda announce that she had a gun in her bag. So much for security.

Now back to my weekend:

Magic took up a fair amount of my time. On Thursday night Jude, Darius and I drove down to Durban to collect stock for the tourney on Saturday and play in a small sealed deck tourney. Good side: I came fourth and snagged myself a 'Birds'. Bad side: I had pizza. Deep pan pizza is the devil's work. We had loads of fun though so I'm prepared for more penance. We had the delayed 'Ravnica: City of Guilds' pre-release on Saturday. Everyone seemed to like it - so hopefully this set will see more play than Kamigawa.

In an unusual turn of events I have been rather sick the past few days. So far I've had: a bladder infection( I know: overshare), endometritis? (the doc wasn't sure) and now I have a throat infection and the start of a cold. The doc gave me a course of antibiotics to which I protested (I don't like to take antibiotics unless it's REALLY necessary) - who ever heard of a three day course of antibiotics? They seem to have done the trick though. Except for the throat and cold - but two out of four ain't bad.

OMT has progressed a little, the magazine sorting is almost done and Darius finished his SWFF last night. Yay!

My cooking took a down turn last night when I tried to make pancakes - they turned out more like rottis. Very rubbery - I may make some more to use as mats for the car. Darius was a star, ate them without mocking me once, even though I know he wanted to. I drowned my sorrows by scoffing half a batch of fat-free brownies (add more penance). I will ask my brother for pancake lessons before I try that again.