Tails’ Blography

I’ve been thinking of doing various posts on products available in South Africa that I personally favour. I think, given that I’m currently at home with a cold today, that I will start with various medicines I swear by.

Firstly, I grew up being a bronchial ashmatic. This meant that the average cold could, and often did, progress into something worse, like bronchitus or pneumonia. Coupled with that, was my asthma. Having a cough meant the asthma became worse, and often left me using a nebuliser every few hours, just to provide the ability to breath properly.

In my adult years, I am now fortunate enough to not suffer too much from asthma, and it now also is a way for me to tell, fairly easily, when I’m going to get sick. If I find I wake up with a tight chest/asthma attack, I know something’s amiss. I will use my enhaler, but if its not just a regular attack but rather the onset of an illness, my body is affected differently by the enhaler, often resulting in the shakes. My hands become unsteady and my heart rate increases (sounds healthy, eh ). I also will require another dose within an hour or two. This is how I tell I’m getting ill. Its my super power! Just call me “Asthma Girl” haha!

Ok, so when I was ill, I was treated only with homeopathic medicine, and I acredit that to my lessened asthma and stronger immune system today. I continue to use homeopathic medicine to this day, and most surely will treat my kids with the same.

First up, Weleda’s Cold & Flu Remedy drops. (the image says “For Flu” but the new bottle says “Cold & Flu Remedy”).

This tastes a little nasty at first, but it is a taste one can get used to quickly. Its able to be taken neat, or with a little water (the latter being the more favoured). Basically, you take 15 drops at the first sign of the cold/flu. Then repeat two hourly with 8-10 drops. I find with a few days of this, I’m feeling a lot better. Weleda also make a great cough remedy, and post nasal treatment!

Price range: R100-R150 for 50ml

Next up, HerbaForce Tonzolyt.

This medicine tastes great! Its in tablet form, and melts under the tongue into a sugary powder. I know it says “For Tonsillitis” but it works for a sore throat too. I find that if by the evening I have a sore throat, two of these dissolved in my mouth before bed allows me to wake up with no sore throat the next day! This one I find works (for me) within a few hours. Seriously. After the initial two, its one every two-four hours.

Price range: R50-R100 for 100 tabs.

Next up, the tried and trusted Med-Lemon.

Not that this really needs introducing, but empty sachet into a mug, top up with boiled water, stir, and drink as hot as possible. Or make your own with one/two disprins, hot water, a squirt or few of lemon juice, and a teaspoon or two of honey. Guaranteed to make you feel better shortly, and best drunk at night before bed. Its also available in different flavours, but the original still remains my preferred choice.

Price range: R15-R30 for a box of 8 sachets.

Lastly, I recommend Natura’s Hay-F if you’re a sufferer of hay fever or just have a sniffly nose.

This (for me) works within half an hour, and works like a charm! Not much more can be said, except that last time I bought it, it was fairly pricey, but most certainly is worth it. I’m a huge allergy sufferer, from pollen to pet fur (except rats!), to dust…you name it. This works. Like. A. Charm!

Price range: R50-R100

Of course, with all medication, be sure to read the labels and precautions before using. And if you’re already on something, rather ask your doctor before adding anything to your medicine schedule. Most homeopathic medicines wont interfere with antibiotics, but its better to be safe than sorry.

Also, the prices are a rough estimate between what I remember them being the last time I bought them (usually one of any of these bottles last me around a year, if not longer!) and the prices I could find on the internet. Obviously prices may differ, hopefully to the better!

Where would you like to go on holiday?

Somewhere tropical, with lots of cocktails (60.0%, 3 Votes)
Somewhere cosy, like a mountain lodge (20.0%, 1 Votes)
Somewhere with lots of adventure, like snorkelling in the Great Barrier Reef/deep sea diving (20.0%, 1 Votes)
Somewhere unusual, like climbing Mt Kilimanjaro (0.0%, 0 Votes)
Somewhere close to home, like an hour or two out of town (0.0%, 0 Votes)
Somewhere cultural, like the Middle East or Egypt (0.0%, 0 Votes)
I’m not a holiday person (0.0%, 0 Votes)

Total Voters: 5

Seems like Tropical wins out! Good choice, good choice! New poll up, one about the dreaded lurgie – the Winter Cold!

In other news, I realise I havent added a card tutorial in a while…I have a few ideas, I just need to find the time to make & tape them :/ Next weekend is OC, so thats out…but possibly the weekend after…

Also, my fish tank filter just broke. Which sucks. I dont have spare cash right now to replace it, but I have to :/ Poor fish needs his filter. Sigh.

Last night myself, my bf, my family and a few others were treated by my aunt to The Rocky Horror Picture Show being presented at The Barnyard Theatre in Willowbridge.

We sat on the balcony overlooking the stage and audience, so we had great seats. We got there early, ordered pizza, I bought a bottle of wine which I shared with my mom, and snacked on chips and sweets which we brought in. I’ve never seen the Rocky Horror movie (yea yea!), so I went in armed with only the synopsis in my head that I had read a few hours before leaving. I knew the gist of the show, and I tell you, I loved every minute of it!

Of course, the moved quickly through the movie, and added humour here and there, and of course everything was theatrical. The singing, accents, and costumes were spot on (so I was told ) to the movie, and I found myself enthralled all the way through!

Half time brought lots of chatting, more wine, and I got to meet one of the cast and I snapped a photo (with her permission). The make up was brilliant, I just had to get a shot! After half time we all got up and did the Time Warp, as instructed by “Dr Frank N Furter”. Lots. Of. Fun!! Then the show continued and once again I was enthralled. Posters of “Rocky Horror” were being sold and my cousin bought one and managed to get it signed. After the show, I managed to meet three other cast members, namely “Dr Scott” and “Columbia”, and I was glad I got to thank them for a fantastic performance.

We werent allowed photos of video of the show, and I was too chicken to try my luck, so you’ll have to make do with seeing the photos I got before the show (click each for larger), at half time, and after the show. The show ends today for Cape Town, but they’re showing in JHB next, so if you’re there – you’ve GOT to watch it!

The poster of “Rocky Horror”

Michael and I (the camera makes us look pinker than normal…I swear!)

The view from our seats

The view to the right of us

Looking directly over the railing at the audience below

On of the cast members who came by at Half Time

Last night the bf, myself and two other friends went to see the Boswell Wilkie Circus: Pirate Experience at Grand West Casino. Let me first explain that I’m a huge sucker for the circus. If you’re easily embarressed, dont go with me. I clap when they ask, I sing when they ask, I probably would get up and dance, if they asked. I love bringing out the inner child in me, so I thoroughly enjoy visiting the circus.

Anyway, basically the circus was performed around an “island” which consisted of a pool of water, sand, pirate treasure chests, lanturns and skulls on poles – very authentic-looking. The ship was moored next to a jetty, on which various stunts were performed. I wish I could explain the stunts, but they wouldnt do any justice, and they were pretty strict on cameras/video footage so the photo you see here is the only photo I managed to take, and its not very explanatory either haha. The costumes were great and the various artistes were fantastic! There were no animals and most of the stunts were done from ropes and trapeze bars and ribbons.

The show ends tomorrow, so if you want to see it, book at Computicket asap. I recommend seat blocks B, C & D (or H, J & K). Leave the floor area for if you have kiddies. We sat in block E and we struggled to see what was happening on the ship itself, albeit very little was done there. I must add, the standard wasnt quite up to what I remember of the Boswell Wilkie name, so dont judge BW circuses on this particular show.

So I’ve been taking a few photos here and there this weeked, but the weather has been nothing but rainy, so not many great shots.

However, the ones I’ve got so far, I am happy with, and I still have to get used to the camera, and how it feels and works, so my shots can only get better from here

So enough from me, here are some quick shots that I like

Gizmo, in B&W

Rozwell

Macro water droplet

Another macro water droplet, but this one I was hoping would have more light in the droplet

Macro water droplets

Gizmo-paws

A silly Gizmo photo