Bowling

Of late the options for entertainment around town have expanded from 'Go home early' to include putt-putt and bowling.  A veritable  entertainment bonanza. (That one was for all of you in the Cape).

Eager to support this development, we unsuccessfully organised a trip to bowling on Saturday afternoon.  It wasn't a bad trip, infact housmeate Nic, Cath and I had a good match; Nic taking it after a strike in the 7th.  Strike's are important.  I get this now.

In winter, I avoid taking my socks off.  At all costs - even social.  It's been very winter here for the last few days, and so I was still wearing my 12 year old (age, not size) grey school socks that I sleep in.  Then someone told me I had to take my shoes off to bowl.  They have no toes, or heal or ball... they're like lacy fishnet socks minus the sex appeal.

But I guess if you're going to look like a pauper in public - at least you won't stand out at the casino.  Sad but true.

Dancing lesson #3

Without shame, and without practice... we were back for dancing lesson 3 with Charles last night.  This time there were witnesses.  4 witnesses.  That's like 1600 Facebook friends who could potentially see a photo of me attempting a chasse spin, and if those friends each clicked like... we're talking half a million people.  Technology has brought new concerns.

We're improving.  I had my doubts after the Tango two weeks back, but I felt undeniably better last night.  I managed to learn new names of moves, including something called the grapevine.  Next, I hope to own the moves.

Something I've found hard to get the hang of is knowing when to break out the trusty swing turn, going into a corner.  I find myself running Cath into the wall while I try and fit in an extra forward basic.  Have you noticed how many dancing terms I've used.  You can't fault my vocabulary.

(Lessons with Charles Edwards, Contact on: 073 341 6830)

James Pearce Park

The question is, Who was James?  And why did we name a park after him?

Was he a wedding photographer - the first of many to bring couples to the park for wedding photos?  Did he forget his wooden picture frame (and old suitcase) at home that day, and instead take the happy couple to a wooded area - rather than a sandy dune?  Was this just a fortuitous moment in history, with a dash of indecision at the municipality about what to name this grassy amenity...?

Calm before the storm

There were no wedding parties around on Saturday, only a dog show.  That's funny because I'm referring to our game of rugby - though there was actually a legit dog show happening in the field next door.  Had we played a game of rugby against the dogs, it probably would have been tight - appose-able thumbs or not.

The best player on the field was Nathan - and he's 8.  The rest of us took turns protecting the neighbouring picnic from rugby ball aerial attack, as Nate belted it with everything his 8 years could muster.

It wasn't until the frisbee made an appearance that a sense of calm returned, as if the battle of Britain had ended and people could once again venture outdoors.

Safety shoes

On Thursday we're doing a shoot at a local factory complex.  The regulations are as tight as an anxious bum in a horror movie - so we went to buy safety shoes at lunch today.

winning at safety.

The average shopper at Domoney Brothers is probably mid 50s, drives a dirty Hilux and wears a reflective vest more often than he wears shorts which covers his knees.  He usually orders a pair of boots for his entire team, aka the guys sitting on the back of his Hilux.  Such was the vibe I got from the cashier when one of us, who shall remain nameless, commmented "These will look good with jeans".

To highlight the build quality, there is a cross section of a boot on display.  Its an actual boot they've cut in half with an angle grinder (note the steel toe cap).

We suspect the cashier was enjoying our visit.  It was hard to tell, but much like we enjoyed our pitstop in another sub culture, maybe they enjoyed the change too.

Dancing lesson #2

In time...

Tuesday, it was back into Cambridge for another dance lesson with Charles.  We hadn't practised, apart from a solo attempt while I was waiting for the kettle to boil the other morning.  It was that or I was going to pass out on the couch.

I've decided that being completely shameless is the way to go.  There are no witnesses, and I'm paying for it - so I've prioritized items and ignore those near the bottom of the list.  Things like "Move gracefully..." don't feaure yet.  But, "Where should my left foot go now..." are up there.  I'm assuming Charles has seen worse because he keeps it together.

This week we did the Argentinian Tango.  Seemed like the obvious next step after slow waltz.  It was infact, a good move.  The dance is split into sets, each one turns you 90 degrees.  Sets are easier to remember.  Now to source some Shakira music.

Dancing lesson #1

It occurred to me that before we hit lesson 2 tomorrow, I should take a moment to recap our first Dancing Lesson.  It's not often I have fresh material, so let me not waste it.

It went down in a Church hall, at about 7:05pm last Tuesday.  We met our instructor, Charles, heard a bit about the traffic coming out of Gonubie and then got stuck into the slow waltz.

Cath and I go to a lot of weddings.  No offence to anyone who's wedding we have ever been too, for realz.  While dancing in a giant circle is fun, its also good to be able to swing around the circle as a couple, when they inevitably play Kaptein.  That's the dream, and in time we will achieve it.  We will also know a lot about Gonubie's traffic problems.

I've taken away some key points from our first lesson.  One is that girls are by and large along for the ride.  Also, that dancing is surprisingly structured, its got all these 45 degree angles.  And unusual names for things you do with your feet.... like "whisk".  And other names I can't remember.  I had one of those "Drive C is full, please delete something to continue" moments after learning the swing turn.

Optimistic depiction of us in the future

Shopping trip

I went shopping with Kyle at lunch today, and came back with a bounty of interesting items...

I'm not sure Jesus would buy a mug with his name on it for R45...

Apologies to anyone who owns one of these, but wow! kitch!

I don't know what kind of big ass under pants would require a peg of this magnitude.

This is like, the best thing ever... only... the worst thing at the same time.

Anyone got a dead relative?  We got you covered...

I must own this cow print blanket.

Do you like Roses?  Do you like Loufes? Then how about this?