Me!

Me!

Friday, April 16, 2010

16th April 2010






Pheuw.... Who is a tired girl? Me.... Pheuwee...... snore... snore...!!!

Went to bed far too late and got up far too early! So now I am just tucked in my bed catching up on all the internet business. Not to worry it is not all play, I work on here too! (I do!)

Marty and I were grabbed by a gay nun on Friday night who was outside of a bar in Long Street called Julep! Marty tried to escape but I was intrigued. Turns out this nun is a comedian, who would have guessed? (Note of sarcasm there! x) Sister Mary James is the name, and he is hilarious. We were convinced into buying two tickets for his show which was last Monday, and of course, me being the BIGGEST sucker in the world when it comes to someone selling stuff, we got two tickets! Marty was only slightly touched up, bum, thighs, tummy, biceps, nothing seriously major! Much to my amusement and his panic, and fear!!! Hee hee!!! I am a terrible girlfriend! Like when we are walking around a really gay area, I make him walk in front of me, just to see who checks him out... Hilarious stuff!!! It is only because he is so gorgeous, it is actually a compliment! xx

So basically we popped down to the show, which was great, and I shall do my best to promote it. I love spur of the minute things, and I love doing new and completely random things. It is the best way to live, and the best way to learn. We had a great evening, and needless to say Marty and I were picked on the most, I was called up to sing 'your the one that I want, ooh ooh ooh honey!' With ol' Sister Mary James! Funny, funny, funny! At the end of the evening a few of us went and had some sushi and chinese... (ooooh I am hungry...) And I was asked whether or not I would be interested in becoming the hilarious gay nun's protege! (sp?)

Me? A comedian, well I never!? I would like to think that I am quite funny and that my accents are rather good, but it is always when I am pissed! Sober stuff... No no no!!! Although, you never say never do you?! I didn't think I could act, and I got the part in a play called 'Scrubbers' and I succeeded in learning all the lines for a 90 minute play! I never thought I could do that, or not be shy doing something like that but I did it... So you know what?! I am going to give this comedian protege thing a go! We have rehearsals on Sunday... Eeek!

We won an auction for a dinner, bed & breakfast at a hotel in Hout Bay worth R1500, and we got it for R350, so very chuffed, we need a little romantic break! It will be lovely! Marty hasn't even been to Hout Bay yet! Think my beady eyes at everyone else bidding did the trick!!! Ha ha!!!

Busy old week it has been, did a very cool thing this week, but have to wait a couple weeks before I can say what it is... Marty and I are working on Saturday at the Roundhouse in Camps Bay tomorrow as human tables! Looking forward to it! We are doing an advert on the 2nd of May on stilts and then have very exciting things happening for the World Cup. Won't spill the beans just yet as I do not want to jinx it, but lets just say all you folk around the world, look out for us on TV!!! Woo hoo!!!!

Off to Durban next week for one of my beautiful friend's weddings, can't wait and then the month of May is dedicated to painting a HUGE painting (2.3m x 1.7m) for some Joburgites! So that shall be a big job, but very exciting!

Hope you all have a fabulous weekend. Catch you all soon. Mwah xx

Pictures:-
Marty & I doing a granny & grandpa act at Vortex, just outside Cape Town.
Me doing fire at the Afrikadabra party a few weeks ago at the Castle here in Cape Town.
Human Table... Love it!
Marty & I being human statues at a birthday party at the Butterfly Studios here in Cape Town.
Marty & Sister Mary James!!!


Friday, April 9, 2010

9th April 2010






Man.......

Sometimes I think that we were actually born to be on our own.... I find it so difficult trying to share my life with someone else?! How come so many people make relationships and marriages and all that jazz look so easy?! It is such a crazy thing?!

I have a wonderful boyfriend and I love him to bits, but gosh.... I find this stuff all just too much sometimes!

Perhaps we are all actually just mean't to be single, and have lots of friends rather than picking that one person, and saying, okay your it mate!? Why is it like this?! With all my little OCDness, my bossiness and my control freakness, I seriously think I am mean't to be alone... I don't know how or why Marty or anyone in particular wants to put up with all my nonsense sometimes... I really think I would be better off alone.... I could just be friends with everyone that way and then life would be swell...

Don't get me wrong though, I am not saying it in a sad and miserable way... I am just trying to grasp all this relationship stuff. I have had only one serious relationship in the past I would say. Although when I look back now, I guess I was still young and didn't know anything different. I now live with my boyfriend, do almost everything with him, have to deal with every little thing that comes with all this malarky... Its nuts! He is not me, and I am not him, so how do you make it work?!

I like to have things done how I like them done. I am right in everything that I decide to do. (Most of the time!) I don't want anyone telling me what to do. I just want to get on with the things I want to get on with. How do you fit someone else in, and their needs, and then my needs, and that other thing called 'our' needs... It really is a lot of work! It is not an easy thing I tell you....

Once again, I am absolutely not dissing Marty one bit, I am just trying to understand the whole concept of relationships, why we have them, what the point is... etc etc...

It is times like these that I just wish I knew all the answers, what the point of everything is you know?! I have done some stupid, stupid stuff in my life so far, and I am not even really old yet am I?! How have I managed to do such stupid things? Why didn't I ever think about the consequences? What on earth did I benefit from any of it?! I have no idea... I honestly don't.... I just have no idea about a lot of stuff a lot of the time.

I hope there are other people out there who feel the same? I hope it is not just me and my slight madness that makes me think about things like this... I have been told several times that I think about stuff too much, but I can't help that! How do you stop your mind thinking about things?! I persevere with everything... I am happy most of the time... I have a wonderful boyfriend who does adore me... I adore him too.... I like Cape Town... I miss London... I hope that this is the correct path I have chosen.... I wish I was still 22 and not nearly 29..... I wish I had all the time in the world.... I wish I didn't have to get old... I wish wrinkles never existed... I wish food wasn't fattening... I wish I had pockets of money... I wish so many things.... But mainly I wish that I could get my head together and understand all this love & life business.....

Perhaps then I would be okay?

Perhaps there are people out there who think about stuff just the way I do?

Perhaps I should stop thinking about stuff as much as I do?

What do you reckon?

Thursday, April 1, 2010

1st April 2010































I cannot believe how much stuff I have... It is ridiculous! I am a proper hoarder... (Hope that is how you spell it?!)

I shipped 25 boxes from London... 25!!! Isn't that the most absurdly ridiculous thing you have ever heard?! For goodness sakes, I am only 28... I have seven million pairs of shoes, clothes, clothes, clothes, some I haven't even worn for years... I have jewellery, earrings, bracelets, hats, socks, scarves, head bands, bra's, underwear, stockings... More than enough for at least 20 people!

I have magnets, magnets, magnets (I love my magnets though!) I have a magnet from every single place I have been, but not just the country magnets, even the state magnets...

Zimbabwe, South Africa, Botswana, Mozambique, Zambia, Egypt, Jordan, Dubai, Israel, South Korea, Australia - Perth - Sydney -Melbourne - Great Ocean Road, Jamaica, America - Las Vegas - Phoenix - New York, England (won't even name all the England ones as that is just ridiculous!) Scotland, Ireland, Switzerland, Germany, Brussels, France, Czech Republic, Hungary, Spain - Madrid - Ibiza - Menorca -Majorca, Canary Islands - Tenerife - Gran Caneria, Italy - Venice - Florence - Bologna - Pisa, Greece - Athens - Ios - Paros - Naxos - Spetses - Mykonos, Portugal... That is all I can remember now! Think that is it?!
(Perhaps I sound like I am showing off a bit, but it is also nice for me to write it all down and see what I have done!) Ooooooh... That is why I miss being in London! It is so easy to pop to Europe you know?! Guess I can now do the African countries! I still haven't been to Namibia and that is pretty close to Cape Town. There is this huge festival in Tanzania in August which hopefully we will work at?! That would be awesome! I would also like to go to Malawi... It is mean't to be gorgeous... There is definitely lots to do here, we just need to save some money now hey?!

Back to the crazy hoarding.... Now that I am pretty much a professional performer (yay!) I have cupboards full of fancy dress stuff, head pieces, wigs, masks, eye-lashes, feathers (and more feathers,) accessories, bags of stilt pants, angel wings, butterfly wings, belts, crazy cat-suits... It is like a bloody fancy dress shop in our apartment at the moment!

We bought a couch and a bed last week which have not yet arrived. I cannot wait to get rid of all this old mismatching furniture... I will feel so much happier! Although it does not end there because I need LOTS of cupboard space, so cannot wait till we can afford it all. We will have to have a giant cupboard and book shelf in the lounge for extra storage! I feel as though we are just staying in this apartment, but it is not yet ours you know?!

Then there is the painting that I do, the paint, the glitter, the stones, the glue, the paintbrushes, the canvas, the art books, the spray paint... That takes up a WHOLE lot of space, and needless to say we have my paintings plonked all over the house!

You don't even want me to get started on the books.... Aaaaaah! I swear I could start my own library... That is what happens when you work in publishing houses... I worked at two during my stay in London, so cheap books.... Therefore.... Natalie goes completely OVERBOARD! I tried to calculate the other day just how long it would take for me to read all my books, it would be years and years... And that was working on an average read, when sometimes I don't read for months! Too busy doing other stuff to actually relax and read... I really need to sort out my time management....

Then of course, there are the African sculptures, masks, drums, chairs... I already have more than enough here, and I left most of it in London! I guess you could say that I am proud to be an African, but man oh man, there is no need! I live in Africa again now, so perhaps I need to stop that collection....

I started collecting plates as well as magnets (and badges - for my backpack) when I first started travelling, but luckily stopped that a few countries ago... I think that is my mothers fault... She has plates on her wall and I guess I thought I could do the same, but for goodness sake it is not necessary! Magnets are more than enough!

Why am I like this I wonder?! I hate it! It stresses me out, it makes me feel clogged down you know?! It is a huge responsibility and I need to sort myself out soon, or else I will be on one of the 'Clean your house' shows.... Please NO!!! I honestly think I have OCD you know?! I am like that with my food too?! I hate people eating my food, using my things, making mess, I am very pedantic with all most everything... It is ANNOYING!!! Does anyone have any advice for me?! I could honestly do with some right now... We do not have enough space in our new apartment, and I need to learn how to get rid of things, and break down the clutter in my life, because I tell you what, I am sure I will be happier?!

Looking forward to the tips peeps! Come on... Get busy!

xx Happy Easter for this weekend too! xx

Wednesday, March 31, 2010

31st March 2010



























1st of April tomorrow, can you even believe it? That is ridiculous.

So... I am feeling a little worse for wear today. Had a friend of a friend come to Cape Town for a holiday, from Alaska mind you! So we all went out for dinner and then a whole lot of drinks & shots & drinks & shots! Thank goodness today of all days, I do not have a proper job. I felt so sorry for Marty this morning having to get up early and head off to work. Think I will have to cook him a lovely yummy dinner tonight so that he is happy!

It has been a very busy and productive week though, and I am finally getting my visa application running smoothly. I definitely need to get that done as soon as possible, so that I can have at least one semi normal job... It is just better that way I think! I went for an interview at a very fancy hotel at the Waterfront, and they want me to get in touch when I am 'legal.' Fingers crossed that it will be a success. I think I would actually enjoy working in a hotel you know? Lots of people around, lots of tourists, I would definitely enjoy it. (Maybe some free food?! Hee hee!)

I do so wish I just had one thing that I was interested in doing, all these crazy odd things that I do... painting, writing, photography, dancing, fire dancing (and now breathing I might add!) stilt walking, human tables, human statues, angle grinding, face painting, babysitting, care work.... It is just ridiculous! Why can't I be a normal person, and focus on one thing?! I suppose the one good thing is that (it is not good) I cannot model anymore, due to the 10kgs that appeared last year at some stage in various places... Very depressing stuff... I keep trying to run, dance, do crazy things, but nothing seems to be shifting... Maybe this is it... I am getting old, and I have passed my best years, and now I am middle aged.... Aaaaah! Seriously?! That can't be happening?! Please....?! I really was hoping for just a few more years you know?! At least four?! Before I have to face getting old.... What is going on?!

Getting pretty settled here it seems, often can't believe that I am no longer in London, but I am happy and life ticks on you know?! My little sister is heading back to London, I hope she enjoys herself, meets some new and amazing people, and travels the world a little more. Gosh I miss her, and my mummy & daddy! I guess I always will. Wonder when I will see my brother again too... If only Zimbabwe was a better country and we could all live there like the rest of the world can? It is so unfair you know?! Lets just hope one day we can all be together, even if it is just for a little while...

Pics on this blog is of my new artwork that is for sale here in Cape Town.

Thursday, March 25, 2010

Midnight 25th March 2010















Well..........

I have not written for ages! Been a
busy busy bee I have! So much going on, lots to tell... But... It is late now! I am pooped, so will do my best on a little round up!

Started a wedding photography course on Monday, was extremely excited, but turned out to be a load of rubbish! The chick taking us for the course was definitely a scam artist and very unprofessional. I actually learn't more from the other girls on the course... Anyway.... today we staged a coup!!! We sent the cleaner out with the rest of her stuff, we all hid in the house and told her we didn't want to continue. Luckily we only paid her half the fee on Monday, because I felt uneasy from the minute I met her. It is amazing how accurate your gut instinct can be sometimes you know?! So the four of us students did our own photography day today, and it was awesome! I had to fill in as a model for a few hours (not so good at the moment, with the added 10 kilos from last year! Eeek!) Then we had two lovely friends of Jacky's come along in their wedding dresses for us to shoot, which was great! Marty came after work, and was a fill in groom for us too! What a giggle! We even managed to persuade them all to jump in the pool in their wedding dresses! Great pictures! Then.... Of course.... I was forced to as well! Chilly lady I was!!!

Jacky is this most amazing woman, she offered to have the course at her house, and even though it has been a waste of a week in some ways. I have met some lovely girls and I know now that I especially have at least one or two really awesome new friends in my life. It is amazing how things work out sometimes?! Everything really happens for a reason you know?! I completely believe that in every way. We have only spent a few days together but I feel like we have known each other for years, Marty and I are still here now, and will probably sleep over tonight! Life is a great thing, and the different and amazing people in this world, make it an unbelievably, amazing experience.

We had an extremely active weekend last weekend, we did three stilt jobs, and made some amazing new contacts. We are doing a few fire shows this weekend, and then next week Thursday I have my first 'Afrodizzyacts' job! (My new little performance company!) Woo hoo! I am super happy, completely nervous, but very excited! One human table (me,) one human statue (Marty of course!) And a giant skull prop for in front of the door of the venue! I will upload pictures once the party has happened, just super proud of myself, and looking forward to doing some more events in the next few months!

Time for bed... Missing my family, missing my wonderful friends spread far and wide. This year has made me realise how fragile life is. We must love as much as we can, do as much as we can, and make as many people as happy as we can. What more could you ask for?!

Want to send special get well soon wishes to my beautiful friend 'Bob' Adam Shelton, who has had major brain surgery. I love you so much. Don't you dare go anywhere anytime soon, and let me know how you are doing as soon as you can. Wish I was there to help xxx

Sunday, March 14, 2010

14th March 2010





Well well well... We have had a really productive weekend, so we are both very chuffed! Well, actually just a productive Saturday!

Friday we didn't do anything productive, but we had a lovely evening. Marty and I started running a few weeks ago with some friends along the sea point promenade and with a lovely new lady called Michelle. She is a running coach and has taught us all sorts of good things about running, and our endurance is definitely getting better and better each week. Anyway, she had us over for a feast of a dinner, so we could catch up on 'so you think you can dance!' The awesome dance competition that is held in the States, that I am hooked on! Man, those folk can dance!!!! (Say that with an American accent, sounds better!) We all had lots of chatties, and it was a great evening.

Then on Saturday, we were up and off to Builders Warehouse, as there are several things we need for the flat, plus I am in the process of making some funny props for my new company. Well let's just hope it turns into a company! You shall see all the pics in good time!

Then, it was home and a major rush to get Marty painted with big red hearts all over his chest and back, with bow-tie, top hat and cuffs! Oh he looked so cute! I was in a red catsuit with hearts on my cheek, red lipstick and lots of ribbons tied everywhere. We rushed to Long Street, as of course we were late as usual, so it was a quick change into our stilt pants and stilts of course (and knee pads... just incase!) We were working for a hen party at a place in Green Market Square called 'Mumbo Jumbo.' An awesome little bar that has upstairs and downstairs areas for parties, hen nights, stag do's etc. Would highly recommend it! We held up the large sign as the bride to be arrived, congratulating her. Had a few drinks with all the girls, and then made our way up long street popping into all the bars, clubs and restaurants handing out our business cards! We were received really well by all, some more than others, but that is how it always goes! We had lots of pictures taken with all kinds of people, and even got a R5 tip from one man which was funny!!! We were not on the money making mission, but later on in the evening we were actually given R200! So hey, we shall not say 'no!' They absolutely loved us in 'Mama Africa!' A gorgeous traditional African restaurant on Long Street, full of tourists. We must have had over forty pictures taken in about ten minutes! The manager was very cool, and said he would definitely call us for work sometime! Hooray for that! Now we need some real bushmen outfits and crazy head pieces so we fit in better! The other place that really enjoyed for us was 'Cape to Cuba,' who have a lot of themed evenings and the manager turned out to be a Zimbo! From Mazoe! Love that!

We rushed back to the hen party and hour and a half later and did a quick fire show for the girlies, who had by now had a fair few drinks and loved it! Then it was on to this wicked club, called 'Hemisphere,' on the 31st floor of the ABSA building. What amazing views of Cape Town! They should turn it into a restaurant during the day or something! Beautiful! We were in the VIP area which was fun, Marty and I went in with our old people masks and danced liked hooligans! Let's hope they want us back there sometime to work! That would be cool! Perhaps next week that is where we should head to on Saturday on our stilts with another crazy costume! We are working next Friday as stilt angels for the '2Oceansvibe' party at St Ives, in Camps Bay, which is mean't to be an awesome party! Things are picking up! Wouldn't it be nice if I just didn't have to get another job?! I could do all this crazy stuff at the weekends and some evenings during the week, and then during the day I could just paint!!! That would be my ideal life!!!

So, it is Sunday now and we are both hanging some what, so I shall sign off as we are about to eat a delicious concoction of a curry (which tastes yummy!) And watch 'Sherlock Holmes!' Hope you have all had a great weekend too! Bye!!!! x

P.S Pics are some of the places we popped in to on stilts! The interior is Cape to Cuba which looked awesome inside!

Monday, March 8, 2010

8th March 2010



















I have been back from Zimbabwe now for five days, and it has been a busy five days at that! I was so happy that I got to go back to Zimbabwe for Joey, and my wonderful mum kindly paid for my flight back from Bulawayo to Johannesburg so that I could stay for a few more days which was very nice of her. It is never good to see your family for a day or two, especially when I am probably not going to see them again for another eight months or so... We had a great few days, despite the fact that they were mad with me for getting home on Sunday morning from the night before! Bad girl, but we were partying for Jo Jo, and we ALL were so I have been forgiven! Eeeek! I do not think my parents will ever except the fact that I am a grown up. I will always have a curfew I am sure! At least if I am staying with them! I wonder if I will be like that with my kids one day?! Hmmm...?!


Marty picked me up from the airport after he finished work. Every Wednesday we go to the cinema as it's half price, and we are cheap skates! So I arrived, delayed, of course and we rushed off to the Cape Town Waterfront to see the movie 'The Lovely Bones.' I actually read the book a while ago, which was lovely, and it was nice to see how they adapted the movie. It always interests me watching movies, especially when I have read the book first. It is a very sad story about a young girl who is murdered, and she tells the story as she goes along. She is stuck in between heaven and earth because she has unfinished business until the murderer is found. Anyway, it shows the writer's idea of heaven, which looks just amazing. Waterfalls everywhere, beautiful big moons, suns, planets, fields of golden corn, water, forests... So much more, just beautiful. So when the end of the movie comes (I haven't ruined it, I promise!) She makes her way into heaven, and I got really upset, wondering whether that was where Joey had gone, and if it is anything like that. Marty just hugged me and I cried and cried, until we were the last people left in the cinema... Then the most amazing thing happened.. Which I will get to in a minute...


You see, the whole day on the aeroplane, I was looking out at the clouds. The clouds on the flight from Joburg to Cape Town were just spectacular. More beautiful than any other clouds I have ever seen. I kept on hoping my minds eye would show me something that I could think was Joey. I was hoping I would see him darting about the clouds, with all the gorgeous angel girls, (okay I suppose that is a bit far fetched!) I know... But I was hoping to see something that would make me think of Joey, and that I could take it as a sign that he was okay. I didn't see anything. I guess part of me thought I wouldn't anyway, but you always just hope don't you?!


When my beautiful Granny died last year, almost exactly to the day, the greatest thing happened whilst we were burying her. My Granny was the BIGGEST Elvis fan alive, she had Elvis mugs, Elvis ashtrays, Elvis handbags, Elvis T-Shirts, Elvis badge's, an awesome Elvis clock (that actually sings every hour! 'It's one o'clock baby, and you are always on my mind!' Say it with an Elvis voice!) plus much much more! She had nearly every LP he ever did, honestly, you wouldn't believe it, all the stuff she had! Anyway, when she died at the great age of 88, (I would much rather she was still around) we had her buried. It was a very sad time, but when we got to the grave yard and the whole process was going on, we had Elvis playing from the car radio, as it was only right that we should. Just as her coffin started going into the ground, the song came on... 'Return to sender, address unknown!' Can you believe it! Well, we all just giggled and knew that my Granny was telling us that she was okay, and that she was up there with Elvis jiving away!


So... Let me get back to what I was going to say... The movie had finished and everyone had left, Marty was trying to console me but I was very tearful. I think I will always get upset when I think of Jo because he was such an awesome guy and I will always think about him, and miss him. The actors, directors, producers names were coming up on the screen. This lady was singing this ordinary kind of movie-ending-song in the background, when, out of nowhere... Dogs started howling! In the song! Now that was one of Joey's trademark things, howling! We even howled at The Celebration of his life when the Chinese Lanterns were let off into the sky! It was nuts, and I thought I was hearing things! There were no dogs in the movie, well not of any significance anyway, the song was just an ordinary song too! It just came out of nowhere! I started to laugh! Well actually I was crying and laughing at the same time, have you ever done that?! I just knew that it was Joey telling me that he was okay. I know some of you may think it strange, but I just knew! There were many things as to why we went to that movie, on the day I arrived back, I was tired, Marty had booked it, we almost didn't go, but, I tell you what! I was so glad we did, it gave me that little piece of mind that he was okay, which made me feel okay. So I hope that whoever else needs it, something like that happens to them too! I know it is only silly, but little things like that help, even if it is just coincidence!


After the movie we got home to a COCKROACH infested flat! Shit shit shit!!! We literally walked in and the bloody bastards were everywhere! On the floor, on the walls, on the ceiling! My word! I was freaking out! The flat immediately to our left had a Chinese dude living there, and he had been evicted because his flat was a tip, so guess what! Welcome little cocks to our flat! (They say that the Chinese actually eat cockroach's – grrrosssse!!!) I was having a major tantrum, Marty was trying to collect them up, and I was just squishing them, left, right and centre! Apparently though, you are not mean't to kill them, as their eggs go everywhere, but I didn't care. 'DIE' I say!!! Thank heavens, our new lovely Landlord had already given us the key for our new flat, which is only around the corner from this other 'holiday' apartment! We went traipsing down the road at two am the following morning with as much as we could carry to our new place. After which it was as many visits as possible to collect all our stuff and get the hell out of there! They seem to disappear some what during the day, but popping back there the following evening was like take two! How many cans or big spray can you get through and they still don't die! I even half squished one and the other half of its body went skittering off! Nothing kills them! Aaaahhh!


We are all good now, and settled in our new place. Have a lot to do, and some furniture to buy, some painting to be done, and a maid to find, but we shall get there! I have a few different interviews this week, and my lovely friend Angie is so kindly helping me with my CV, which is a major issue! I almost need three different ones for all the different crazy and normal jobs that I have done in the last ten years of my life! I think she must regret offering to help me when she saw my blurb of stuff!


I am very excited though as I hear she is a pro at these sorts of things! I shall sign off now, and fill you in later on in the week as to what I have been getting up to. Hope everyone is well, and appreciating all the good things they have in life. Not everyone can do that, so make the most of what you have. Don't ever waste a thing! We only get one shot at this life.... X


P.S The pics are of my Granny with her various Elvis stuff and then two of her when she was younger! Wasn't she just gorgeous! x