Number Two

April came and April went. The seasons are locked in an epic battle; fought to a stalemate.

Today was another day at work where Sam Self-Confidence, who lives on my right shoulder, told me I was redundant in the company. So I pretended to look busy in between actually looking for something to do. I managed to move my computer from “my” spot, as I was evicted on the basis that the person to whom that spot actually “belongs” is returning on Monday from maternity leave. I also wiped off some desks with a damp cloth and made some suggestions to mundane problems. Any day of work you can walk away from without feeling totally depressed was a Good Day™.

Each day, however, holds the promise of new knowledge. Mine came in the form of an SMS which told me that an old friend of mine was getting married today in a church which is five minutes' walk from where I work. I could quite literally hear the wedding bells. I had ignorantly believed that I would be invited, but c'est la vie. Shocked, initially, yes, but I can't be upset about something so beautiful. In all fairness, my friend's parents didn't really recognise me; his sister did, but forgot me name. So yes, I haven't seen them in a very long time. And I have never met the bride. Point is, I'm glad for them: he's a great guy and I'm glad for them. I pray that they will find happiness beyond any of their wildest imagination and that their lives together will be blessed, fruitful and long. At least I got to wish him and his family congratulations.

The thread that ties everything together is a another friend who was looking for a place to stay tonight. I haven't seen this friend in a long time, a good and dear friend, and my heart was aching for months. On Saturday he contacted me that he was in the country again and I nearly jumped out of my skin. Tonight it is my pleasure and honour to host him after the reception of our mutual friend. Nothing bad came of this day. But there was euphoria.

My Stalker

I now officially consider myself being stalked. A few weeks ago, I started receiving calls on my cellphone from a “Withheld” number. Whenever I answer these calls, the person on the other side immediately hangs up. At first it only happened once every couple of days, now it happens a couple of times a day. The called persists, whether I say something when I answer or not. Because the number is withheld, I am not sure whether I shall be able to trace it. This also means that I cannot block the number. I also simply can't ignore calls from “Withheld” either, as my brother's number is also “withheld”.

I you are reading this and you are my stalker, please grow up and face me like an adult, whatever your beef is with me.

GeekDinner 5/7

Yesterday I attended the seventh Cape Town GeekDinner, “Garrulous Grape”, which is also the fifth one I attended. Along with “Dangerous Drumstick” (the one at Summerville in Camps Bay), this was one of the GeekDinners which I enjoyed the most. The experience was largely dominated by good company, interesting new people and excellent food. I have to admit that I started feeling like a GeekDinner veteran when I elicited several “wows” from people when I told them that this was my fifth GeekDinner. I have never felt uncomfortable at a GeekDinner and it is not cliquey at all, but I suppose that, as with everything else, some are better than the rest. This one was definitely one of the better ones.

Our venue was Greens in Plattekloof. The food was... well, let me put it this way: I could not chew slow enough to absorb the magnificent taste of it all. Definitely thumbs up.

For a long time I have endeavoured to persuade some of my friends to join us at a GeekDinner, but the enthusiasm was always less than convincing. But, after this one, it appears that there is an entire group eager to get in on the event. The Stellenbosch posse seems to be swelling; soon we shall have a majority vote over the venues. ;-)