The last few months have been one busy thing after another. In fact, there have been so many that I've lost track of everything beyond the weekend just past.
I've been having quite a lot of beer talong with these busy weekends and I have to say that I will be avoiding it as much as possible for the next while. Last night was the final decider for me: my little brother gets home and he says he feels we chould go out for a drink or two together. I'm giving up on my social awkwardness as much as I can, so I said it sounds good. I just washed and changed my pants - jammies and Table View seafront don't mix all that well.
We get to Marine Circle, go around the corner and decide to try out Pakalolo - it's a really nice little place that stretches along the front of the building it's in. Quite a cookie-cutter-people place, but REALLY nice. So Cammy gets us beer and a shot (mine was, naturally, something sweet and caramelly) and we migrate to a table in the larger part of the bar. We plonk our derrieres down and start discussing, over the loud music (which no self-respecting bar is without), the tourist group behind me, girls (for him) and boys (for me).
I do not remember much.
I had my bottle of Castle, then he sent me to get us each a draught. Carling Black Label, which compared to the Castle was rather flat. I sit down again and realise by this time that I'm having trouble staying serious - total plus for me! I have my draught, finish Cammy's (since he drove) and we think, t
let's have one more drink - elsewhere. We thus toddle off to Monty's, another beachsront bar, not too much down the road from Pakalolo.
All I really remember from Monty's, besides being a REALLY nice spot, is that I reconnected with an acquaintance from Canal Walk (It took both of us a while to recognise each other - we both look different from the last time we saw each other), the barman only works the bar part-time (the rest of the time he's a rep for some or other alcies company) and the tour guide, Zenni.
This is where the beer starting gaining its points. We were short the last R 6 for the beers, which the barman graceously sponsored us. Then it hit me like a ton of bricks right between the eyes. When we got home, I tried to k@k Zan out for still being up at 11.30 (but she was studying and didn't write today). I got to bed and suddenly it's 12.36 and the beer made run to the Porcelain Throne a few times.
Thus: NO MORE BEER FOR A LONG WHILE!!
Monday, 19 November 2012
Sunday, 11 November 2012
Death
I have a number of years' experience as a tarotist. For those who don't know, I got interested the year I turned 14 thanks to Piers Anthony's novel "Tarot", which is, as my first mentor would know, a sci-fi novel, and plays off in a future in which most of humanity has left Earth for other worlds rich in the resources we need so badly.
Anyway, I got my first deck, David Palladin's Aquarian Tarot (with a blue wavey-scallopy pattern on the back, printed 1970 by U.S. Games, Inc) on the exact same day my uncle married his long-time girlfriend, Ruby. The date: 14 October 2000. I spent a large part of that day learning to shuffle my cards and coming to grips with the fact that I had no idea how to do so. I did my first reading a few minutes later (with the help of the LWB) and another that same night during the reception/supper thing.
The reason I brought this up is that, in my twelve years as a tarotist, I have very seldom read about death, or anything related to it.
I've heard of other readers, some of whom are mediums or such, who regularly read about it, and those who have passed on, or prepare those with dying family for when the family member finally passes.
Yesterday was the first time I did this. Please note: I don't remember much of the reading, but what I do remember I'll add.
The lady I read for I'd seen a few times. She walked past, looked around and said, "I think I'll sit by you today." Whenever she comes to the market, she told me, she had a reading of some kind done. I smiled, told her how the payment would work and she smiled and agreed. She sat down and shuffled the deck (the self-same Aquarian Tarot, which had been popular the whole of yesterday morning) and drew nine cards - this suited me, as I could actually do a nice 9-card spread for her. What I saw made little sense at first. The central card was the Five of Pentacles (Loneliness, or alone-ness), with two Majors before it, two after it, and four other Minors mixed into it. The first thing that popped to mind was a spiritual journey. Then there was mention of some kind of exile and recuperation and retreat, and finally something about balance. I told her what I saw and she confirmed some of it, wondered at others and finally told me a bit about herself.
She has terminal cancer and is tired.
When she told me, she got this funny look on her face and the tears started rolling. She didn't do the whole scream and weep thing, but she did explain that sh'ed made peace with the fact of her coming death and she'd accepted it. Of course, by this time I'd gone to sit next to her and comfort her, and when we both finally managed to calm down a bit I could read the cards properly for her. The interpretations and the messages came through hard and fast at this point and she looked at me and said, "That's so true." She'd been holding on for her children's sake all this time, and they kept asking her for two more years, but while she is physically fit and healthy (all things considered), she is spiritually ready and her soul is tired of hanging on. I showed her two cards and she turned to me with new tears in her eyes. I thought it was for the reading, but she said to me, "Thank you. Now I finally have the permission I wanted."
She'd been so caught up in holding on for her kids she'd not allowed herself to carry through with her decision.
After the reading we sat talking for a little while longer and she told me next year was the year she had in mind for her leaving. She mentioned how she wants it to be quick and she's sure it will be, but just in case she's putting it out there. I immediately had a rare vision and saw her passing in her sleep. I didn't tell her but said that I'm more than sure it will be. She thanked me, I thanked her, and then ran to the restroom to finish my bawling and clean my face.
The Aquarian Tarot went unread for the rest of the day.
Anyway, I got my first deck, David Palladin's Aquarian Tarot (with a blue wavey-scallopy pattern on the back, printed 1970 by U.S. Games, Inc) on the exact same day my uncle married his long-time girlfriend, Ruby. The date: 14 October 2000. I spent a large part of that day learning to shuffle my cards and coming to grips with the fact that I had no idea how to do so. I did my first reading a few minutes later (with the help of the LWB) and another that same night during the reception/supper thing.
The reason I brought this up is that, in my twelve years as a tarotist, I have very seldom read about death, or anything related to it.
I've heard of other readers, some of whom are mediums or such, who regularly read about it, and those who have passed on, or prepare those with dying family for when the family member finally passes.
Yesterday was the first time I did this. Please note: I don't remember much of the reading, but what I do remember I'll add.
The lady I read for I'd seen a few times. She walked past, looked around and said, "I think I'll sit by you today." Whenever she comes to the market, she told me, she had a reading of some kind done. I smiled, told her how the payment would work and she smiled and agreed. She sat down and shuffled the deck (the self-same Aquarian Tarot, which had been popular the whole of yesterday morning) and drew nine cards - this suited me, as I could actually do a nice 9-card spread for her. What I saw made little sense at first. The central card was the Five of Pentacles (Loneliness, or alone-ness), with two Majors before it, two after it, and four other Minors mixed into it. The first thing that popped to mind was a spiritual journey. Then there was mention of some kind of exile and recuperation and retreat, and finally something about balance. I told her what I saw and she confirmed some of it, wondered at others and finally told me a bit about herself.
She has terminal cancer and is tired.
When she told me, she got this funny look on her face and the tears started rolling. She didn't do the whole scream and weep thing, but she did explain that sh'ed made peace with the fact of her coming death and she'd accepted it. Of course, by this time I'd gone to sit next to her and comfort her, and when we both finally managed to calm down a bit I could read the cards properly for her. The interpretations and the messages came through hard and fast at this point and she looked at me and said, "That's so true." She'd been holding on for her children's sake all this time, and they kept asking her for two more years, but while she is physically fit and healthy (all things considered), she is spiritually ready and her soul is tired of hanging on. I showed her two cards and she turned to me with new tears in her eyes. I thought it was for the reading, but she said to me, "Thank you. Now I finally have the permission I wanted."
She'd been so caught up in holding on for her kids she'd not allowed herself to carry through with her decision.
After the reading we sat talking for a little while longer and she told me next year was the year she had in mind for her leaving. She mentioned how she wants it to be quick and she's sure it will be, but just in case she's putting it out there. I immediately had a rare vision and saw her passing in her sleep. I didn't tell her but said that I'm more than sure it will be. She thanked me, I thanked her, and then ran to the restroom to finish my bawling and clean my face.
The Aquarian Tarot went unread for the rest of the day.
Sunday, 4 November 2012
Like calls to like and opposites attract.
Yes, I do realise that the title sounds a bit off, but how many times in our lives have we not heard one or both of these sayings when it comes to describing people and their relationships with others?
I bring this up because of some thinking I did over this past weekend (the Beltaine weekend) and two ladies chatting on the bus next to me on the way in this morning.
Please remember: this isn't an exact re-typing and might have been heard the wrong way (noisy bus and all that).
One of the ladies, today the worse-mooded of the two, was telling her acquaintance of a braai they went to last night at this lady's "friend" and how it didn't end up being all that. From what I gather, one of her kids has a SEVERE case of tonsilitus - it's so bad he has blisters in his throat - and after they'd eaten him and the guy the lady's seeing decided to roast some marshmallows (who else has had roasted marshmallows for breakfast before?)
Anyway, this child took two bites of his marshmallow and suddenly started screaming blue murder. It turns out this marshmallow was the straw that broke the camel's back (or the mallow that popped the kiddie's blisters) and he had ick apparently pouring out of his mouth. Gross much? The lady's "friend" apparently just stood there shouting at him or some such. So, they packed up and went home early.
In the next breath, she tells her acquaintance about this little girl she knows that's rather a cheeky child and constantly asks "why, why, why?". Maybe I've got the kat aan die stert beet but it sounds to me as if she has just as much trouble with other people's kids as what her "friend" has.
Thus the "Like calls to like" part of the title.
In "Opposites attract", I'm thinking about some of the guys I've been out with before, specifically one of my exes. Also a J, he is the exact opposite of me: very nicely dressed all the time (even only in swimming shorts and sandals), his hair styled just-so and rather metropolitan, quite deep-pocketed and quite showy. Look at me: I dress in jeans and cotton T-shirts, tackies when I'm not in the shop (or slip-ons), with long hair either tied in a ponytail or a knot, and I'm not particularly fond of being half-naked in front of others - when I am, I'm in boardshorts; also, I like to fade into the background. Yes, I have my moments when I show myself to the world (normally at our monthly tarot meetings), but directly after I'm done I try and turn invisible, and my pockets are rather shallow.
Yet, my relationship with J1 worked, even if only for a short while. We had fun, and we did things together like any normal couple would do. Our personalities were just VASTLY different.
So, ja, I don't know why we even still have those two sayings. They don't mean much in our modern lifestyles because we no longer have such a rigid social class system (despite how we LOVE to rag on about cliqués). We are such a diverse country with such an open social culture that we never had the "chance" to implement a caste system. So I say again, down with these two sayings.
Now, about Beltaine...
It was the first Beltaine I'd ever celebrated, either as part of a group or a solitary Pagan, and it was stunning. There weren't many of us (a large number of people either cancelled or didn't rock up at all) and out of a number of stalls, there were eventually only five. We had no day visitors either. But, once the sun had set, we really went into things. We didn't behave badly, and there was no animosity between anyone present. We danced the Maypole to great mirth and even got T tied to the "stake" to be "burned as a witch" - not my words, but rather effective, and a visual pun like no other on the night. Z also came to see what we'd done to T, but he ran away when I tried to tie him to his partner. Who knew someone wearing a caftan and gumboots could run so fast...? I blame the Maypole dance before-hand for my being unable to catch him.
All in all, I was again reminded: you really don't need more than a few people to have a party.
Blessed be!
I bring this up because of some thinking I did over this past weekend (the Beltaine weekend) and two ladies chatting on the bus next to me on the way in this morning.
Please remember: this isn't an exact re-typing and might have been heard the wrong way (noisy bus and all that).
One of the ladies, today the worse-mooded of the two, was telling her acquaintance of a braai they went to last night at this lady's "friend" and how it didn't end up being all that. From what I gather, one of her kids has a SEVERE case of tonsilitus - it's so bad he has blisters in his throat - and after they'd eaten him and the guy the lady's seeing decided to roast some marshmallows (who else has had roasted marshmallows for breakfast before?)
Anyway, this child took two bites of his marshmallow and suddenly started screaming blue murder. It turns out this marshmallow was the straw that broke the camel's back (or the mallow that popped the kiddie's blisters) and he had ick apparently pouring out of his mouth. Gross much? The lady's "friend" apparently just stood there shouting at him or some such. So, they packed up and went home early.
In the next breath, she tells her acquaintance about this little girl she knows that's rather a cheeky child and constantly asks "why, why, why?". Maybe I've got the kat aan die stert beet but it sounds to me as if she has just as much trouble with other people's kids as what her "friend" has.
Thus the "Like calls to like" part of the title.
In "Opposites attract", I'm thinking about some of the guys I've been out with before, specifically one of my exes. Also a J, he is the exact opposite of me: very nicely dressed all the time (even only in swimming shorts and sandals), his hair styled just-so and rather metropolitan, quite deep-pocketed and quite showy. Look at me: I dress in jeans and cotton T-shirts, tackies when I'm not in the shop (or slip-ons), with long hair either tied in a ponytail or a knot, and I'm not particularly fond of being half-naked in front of others - when I am, I'm in boardshorts; also, I like to fade into the background. Yes, I have my moments when I show myself to the world (normally at our monthly tarot meetings), but directly after I'm done I try and turn invisible, and my pockets are rather shallow.
Yet, my relationship with J1 worked, even if only for a short while. We had fun, and we did things together like any normal couple would do. Our personalities were just VASTLY different.
So, ja, I don't know why we even still have those two sayings. They don't mean much in our modern lifestyles because we no longer have such a rigid social class system (despite how we LOVE to rag on about cliqués). We are such a diverse country with such an open social culture that we never had the "chance" to implement a caste system. So I say again, down with these two sayings.
Now, about Beltaine...
It was the first Beltaine I'd ever celebrated, either as part of a group or a solitary Pagan, and it was stunning. There weren't many of us (a large number of people either cancelled or didn't rock up at all) and out of a number of stalls, there were eventually only five. We had no day visitors either. But, once the sun had set, we really went into things. We didn't behave badly, and there was no animosity between anyone present. We danced the Maypole to great mirth and even got T tied to the "stake" to be "burned as a witch" - not my words, but rather effective, and a visual pun like no other on the night. Z also came to see what we'd done to T, but he ran away when I tried to tie him to his partner. Who knew someone wearing a caftan and gumboots could run so fast...? I blame the Maypole dance before-hand for my being unable to catch him.
All in all, I was again reminded: you really don't need more than a few people to have a party.
Blessed be!
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