Money makes the world go round

I am finally back and breaking the silence :) Enjoy!
Lyrics: Money, Money, Money [Joel Grey]


M.C. and SALLY:
Money makes the world go round
The world go round, the world go round
Money makes the world go round
It makes the world go round

A mark, a yen, a buck or a pound
A buck or a pound, a buck or a pound
Is all that makes the world go round
That clinking, clanking sound
Can make the world go round

Money, money, money, money
Money, money, money, money
Money, money, money, money, money

If you happen to be rich and you feel like a night's
entertainment
You can pay for a gay escapade
If you happen to be rich, and alone, and you need
A companion, you can ring tingaling for the maid

If you happen to be rich and you find you are left by your
lover
Tho you moan and you groan quite a lot
You can take it on the chin
Call a cab, and begin to recover on your fourteen carat
yacht

Money makes the world go round
The world go round, the world go round
Money makes the world go round
Of that we both are sure
On being poor

Money, money, money, money
Money, money, money, money
Money, money, money, money, mon

When you haven't any coal in the stove and you freeze
In the winter and you curse to the wind at your fate
When you haven't any shoes on your feet and your coat's
thin as paper
And you look thirty pounds underweight

When you go to get a word of advice from the fat little
pastor
He will tell you to love evermore
But when hunger comes to rap, rat-a-tat, rat-a-tat
At the window, see how love flies out the door

For money makes the world go round
The world go round, the world go round
Money makes the world go round
The clinking, clanking sound of money

Money, money, money, money, money, money, money
Get a little, get a little
Money, money, money, money
Mark, a yen, a buck or a pound
That clinking, clanking, clunking sound
Is all that makes the world go round
It makes the world go round

Hiatus

So the holidays have finally hit South Africa : D some of us will be lounging around on beaches, others are working (yay...not). Since I'll be working and lounging (on the couch that is) Under the Sun will be on hiatus until the 17th of June. Enjoy life people, I'll be back before you know it!

Minor Operations: When Everyone Thinks You're Screwed

So during my school vacation (its always during vacation!) it was discovered that after nearly three months of being constantly sick, I had tonsillitis. So bad, that even though this was the first time, I was told to have them removed immediately. We went to see a specialist, and Bob's your uncle the operating date was set for Monday the 23rd of April. Meaning tomorrow.

The funny thing is that I am completely fine. I'm not stressed, or worried, I just want it over with. In fact I'm pretty excited to spend my first night in a hospital. Everyone else however, is not taking it so well. And that's putting it very lightly.

My mom has religiously bought medicine, and now provisions for my recovery week. Provisions like kid's toothpaste, marshmallows and purity (baby slop). She has sworn not to leave my side until she is forced to.

My stepfather, who generally keeps his distance when I'm sick, has taken to giving me inspirational and motivational speeches every five minutes. Which sort of makes me feel more like I'm going off to war instead of getting a simple tonsillectomy.

My step mom has advised strongly against taking my tonsils out, since I may need them in the future. I have no idea what she thinks I'll do with them. My father has decided to keep his distance and only said good luck now and then. I almost prefer that.

My very nosey grandmother phones every chance to tell me that I must:" Instruct your mother to look after you properly." She then phones my mom anyway to harass her.

My teachers look at me like I'm a mental patient, my friends say goodbye as if they'll never see me again and I'm pretty sure my boyfriend is going grey. The only other happy person about it is my cousin's boyfriend who suggested that i ask for my tonsils in a jar, add some glow stick juice and make a nightlight. Are we seriously the only ones that don't think its that major?

A tonsillectomy is a pretty straight forward 20 to 30 minute operation which has been done millions of times. The recovery time is about a week. I don't understand why people are pretending I'm going to die. Do they like the drama? Do they want to comfort themselves? Or do they just want to scare the crap out of me? Either way, I'll report back next week.

P.S We reached more than a thousand page views this week. The first milestone. Thanks to everyone reading :)

The Titanic: 100 Years Later

April 14th, on an icy night, and on the early hours of April 15th, the RMS Titanic plunged to the depth of the ocean, killing 1514 people. This year marks the 100 year anniversary of the sunken vessel. I thought I'd put up a few pictures to remember the biggest maritime disaster of all time.

The Titanic soon after its departure on April 10th, 1912

The Titanic as she might have sunk

Part of the wreck on the ocean bed

The other half of the wreck

Haunting proof of someone that was once living

A survivor, known as the "Unsinkable Molly Brown". She persuaded one of the lifeboats to go back and rescue more survivors

The band that never stopped playing

One of the propellers

A newspaper article announces the loss of hope

The port side of the Titanic, before the tragedy

Many lives changed in the aftermath. Some questions remain unanswered. But 100 years later, we still grieve the loss, and wonder what could have saved those people on that night of unexpected terror.

But Inside I'm Screaming: Being Isabel

Isabel hauls herself out of bed and puts her shorts on over her boxers. “Okay, okay,” she says to no one in particular as she walks down the hall to the medicine distribution window. After swallowing the controlled substances that will beat back nature until the next dispensation-all have foreboding names with too many late-alphabet consonants like Serzone, Zyprexa, Trazodone- she shuffles back to her room and crawls back into bed, this time assuming the foetal position.

Doesn’t anybody else see how meaningless this is? How we are all consumed with our chores, which are ultimately useless because with the swipe of a broom we can all be swept away into the abyss. Here I am in a mental institution, trying to get better so that I can go back into the world and rush from job to job, killing time until I die of something other than suicide. I take medicine to help me deal with the nothingness of my life. Millions of us have to take pills to distract us from the sheer boredom of it all. We hurry from thing to thing like ants when we’re all going to end up suffocating anyway.

“Isabel.” The voice on the other side of the door sounds like Kristen’s. “We’re getting ready for the morning meeting. You coming?”

Isabel looks at her watch.  An hour has passed.

"People look at me and they see this happy face, but inside I'm screaming. It's just that no one hears me."

This is a small excerpt from But Inside I'm Screaming by Elizabeth Flock. I have never found a more accurate account of what Depression is truly like.

Everyone feels like an Isabel sometimes.

The Valentines Ball: A night of friendship

So last night my friend Leizelle and I went to our school’s Valentines ball. Which, basically, means they decorated the school hall and hire some half-baked DJ to play music. Sounds fun right? I’m kidding, but actually the people make it fun.

Instead of doing the usual awkwardly –sticking- with- one- partner- thing, we found  a group and danced with them. I loved how everyone would switch partners, and it didn’t matter at all. We danced and talked and laughed, mainly at our one friend’s poor dancing ability, and yes we tried to teach him! But it was about just enjoying what you were doing, and a night of new friends.

I’m sure some people ended up heartbroken last night, and some friendships were spoiled. Things like this dance cause good and bad things, and some people may have been unfortunate. For them I’m sorry.

I’m so glad we decided to go. Now its back to school, rehearsals and work. But, in our sub-conscious, all of us are anxiously awaiting the next one!

To everyone: Happy Valentines Day

The Age of Barbies

Everyone knows them. They're the women who breeze through life, platinum cards flashing. Their luscious golden locks guarantee every door is opened for them.

They are the Barbie’s of the world.

I don’t understand the worlds obsession with blondes. Nowadays its as if they are revered above everyone else, and its not right. We received a visit from my stepsister recently, a suicidal blonde (she dyed by her own hand), and she asked me if she could dye my hair blonde. And she was genuinely shocked when I refused. I’ve always been a brunette, and several people have suggested blonde to me.

And my only thought was that I'd rather shave my head.

When I look at the stars in Hollywood, its obvious that blonde is now ten a penny. Cameron Diaz, Blake Lively and Reese Witherspoon are prime examples of this. No matter what they do, they always seem to look alike, and use the same style. Its nice and all, but it gets tedious.

Then, when you see Penelope Cruz, Jessica Alba or Christina Hendricks cross the red carpet its instantly memorable. There is something more distinct about them, something raw that stays in your memory.

I'm not a blonde hater, some of the best people in my family are blonde, including my mom. I just don’t think there should be this much pressure to change your hair colour to something that only suits a select group of people.

We’re all different. That’s what makes us amazing.  

The House Of Lies: What People Try To Hide!

I have finally decided to uncover the truth to the world. This may shock or horrify you, but I believe its time. My own family is guilty of this, and so is most of the world.

Generally, your home is in a state of comfort. That means there may be a few dishes, unwashed, in the basin, some newspapers on the table, some breadcrumbs scattered around. Nothing will be done about this...... Until someone is coming to visit. Then, with the madness of the Dunkirk evacuation, it must be cleaned. Innocent (mostly) teenagers are kicked out of bed, orders flying through the atmosphere. Harassed mothers use flannel cloths to wipe down anything that doesn’t talk back, heavily stressed with a manic look in their eyes.

And I cant help but wonder why.

We are just human. The visitor is coming to see YOU, not a five star hotel. They understand that some people work full-time and don't necessarily have domestic help. Its  unfair to expect a house, any house, to look like a property brochure.

So here it is: HOUSES CAN BE CLUTTERED! ITS NOT ILLEGAL!

I think its time that we stopped lying to ourselves and others. Accept what you see or walk into.

So now, I will have coffee, and leave the cup unwashed.

Yeah, bad ass alright.

Just a Note to the Readers

The school year has barely started and I'm already craving another vacation. Going back to school just to hear nagging speeches about how this is the beginning of the rest of your life is frustrating. But it’s the sad truth, life is changing.

No-more playing around or relaxing. Study study study.

So from now on I’ll be posting once a week on weekends. I apologise, but with teachers and parents breathing down my neck I have no choice.

Hopefully I’ll be able to tell an interesting story by Sunday.

Luck everyone!

I Hate Your Guts; How I Found a Lifelong Partner in Comedy

Going to a new school is never easy. Everything looks different, everyone is a stranger.

And having some random chick you barely know hate you doesn’t help at all.

She was in my french class. A tall, skinny, dark haired girl. One who looked daggers at me every time I walked past or raised my hand. I had barely even spoken to her, how could she dislike me so intensely? Well, if she was going to play that game, so was I.

She was going to get a taste of her own medicine.

But then something so unbelievable happened, all my plans just failed. We both auditioned for the school musical. On the same night. And after that, she wasn’t that girl from french class anymore. She was Leizelle. A funny, smart and mad as a hatter possible friend that I spoke to almost every day.

She was the wittiest person I had ever met. Her retorts were so sharp that if you challenged her it was officially Hara-Kiri. She always had time for a joke, a comforting word. And although she was the nicest person I knew, she was never afraid to stand up for herself or others. She was a genius, and I loved anticipating what crazy thing she would do next. Knowing her, it was bound to  be hysterically funny.

I’m sad to say I didn’t gain a friend.

But I did gain a sister.

And I think that is way more kick-ass.

She is one of the only people I know that makes you laugh so hard you have to lie down to recover, gasping for air and tears streaming from your eyes. We share relationship woes, discuss new possibilities and always share food. Now if that isn't a sign of family, I don’t know what is.

She's a singer. She's a model. She's a dancer. She's a comedian. She's a therapist. She's a baby-sitter. She's a philosopher.

But most of all, she's my sister.

For Lei :)

The Torture that is High School: It Never Ends

One of my favourite bands of all time, Bowling for Soup, have a song named “High school never ends”. And not only is the song good, but there have never been truer words spoken.I think it must suck to suffer right through high school, then graduate thinking you would get away from “those people”. You find a job, and walk in prepared for the mature adult world.

Ha freaking Ha.

“4 Years and  you think for sure

That’s all you’ve got to endure

All the total dicks, all the stuck-up chicks

So superficial, so immature.

Then when you graduate

You take a look around and you say “Hey wait!”

This is the same as where I just came from

I thought it was over

Well that’s just great”

Your boss is the typical head boy or girl. They demand respect and are deemed the smartest and most responsible people in the office. Top of the food chain. You, just starting an internship or job shadowing, are the rookie. The Fetch-me-coffee-twerp rookie. You could just, if you stand on your toes, see the bottom of the food chain.

Welcome to the corporate business world.

Your colleagues will be like your classmates. There will be the typical jocks, their sport glory days just visible after all this time. They will talk about upcoming games and matches. Then you will find the anti-social people. They are like the loners in high school. They never come to business functions, and say little to nothing about themselves. Very mysterious-like.

You will also find the “nerds”. People with unusual, or different hobbies. The people that are excluded for no reason. The populars have to grace the office with an appearance of course, perfectly groomed. They will be either very nice, or snobbish beyond. And then, luckily, you get the people. No descriptions, or add-ons. Just normal, nice, every day people who come to work to make a living.

And the conversations in the office will be just like the song:

” The whole damn world is just as obsessed with who's the best dressed

And who's having sex.

Who's got the money, who gets the honeys, who's kinda cute

And who's just a mess.

And you still don’t have the right look, and you don’t have the right friends.

Nothing changes but the faces, the names and the trends...

High School Never Ends.”

Guess we should get used to it while we can then..

Bowling for Soup- High School Never Ends music video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jrxI_euTX4A&ob=av3e