Tails’ Blography

I’ve made my first wedding decision! Yes. Yes I have!

Its not official, of course, since no money has been paid (still early days) but I’m definately certain this makes the top 3, if not the Top itself: I’ve found my baker!

Only, they dont know it yet.

Confused? Ok, let me help. It was the Boss’s birthday today, so as per our awesome company custom, we get cake. Well, usually its cupcakes. But because it’s the Boss’s birthday, we get cake. Decadent cake.

It arrived on the plate. I’d heard rumours of this “yummy cake” we get on “The Boss’s Birthday”. I was, as most sweet-lovers are, skeptical of this Yummy Cake. It couldnt be that delicious, could it? I mean, I’d had Spar’s Chocolate Mousse Cake, which even people in surrounding suburbs know of. And I’ve had Mugg & Bean’s Chocolate Mousse cake, which is also darn mouthwateringly good. So how yummy could this Yummy Cake be?

It arrived on a tray. I saw it from afar. When it was placed on my desk, alongside a smaller pastry, I marvelled at its rich, dark colouring, the edible gold dust glittering in the florescent lighting. I took up the plastic spoon and slowly pressed it into the cake. It was spongy. I good sign (probably meant it was fresh). I scooped up a chunk and tasted it.

If you’ve seen Ratatouille then you’ll remember the scene where the food dances in his mind (or mouth) in a swirl of colours. This is how this cake was for me. It was rich (but not too rich…I know this because most chocolate things make my teeth ache for the fillings they need), it was spongy, it wasnt dry, and it had layers of chocolate fudge in between the sponge. Not just one thin layer, but two layers! And the icing was thick on top (I heavily dislike skimping on icing!). It was Heaven.

And then it hit me: I love this cake! I almost felt like I was in the shop having a tasting. This was perfect! I quickly phoned one of our management team and found out where they bought it from.

Hmmm Taste and Flavours.

To me, there’s nothing hmmm about it. Its more like Ahhhh Taste and Flavours. But nontheless, these guys will make my wedding cake. How awesome that they do Cheesecake too! I heart cheesecake!

Call me silly, but I just had to phone my fiance (who works with me in a different dept and yell excitedly, “Have you tried this cake! This is our wedding cake!!!”) and then my mother to tell her about my first Wedding Decision. Such a small thing caused me much glee because its at least one thing semi-crossed off my list of things to organise. Yay!

The Community Chest Carnival is probably my most favourite carnival ever (website isnt updated for 2010, but I emailed them for dates for this year, see below)! I’ve been going ever since I was a child, and I still remember going with my parents, and my dad would find the large tower with the Red Feather logo on it and that would be our meeting point if we got split up (this was before cellphones, of course). We never needed to use the tower, but its a nice memory of mine.

The carnival itself is more of a food fair really. They have tents based on various countries and the authentic food you can buy there. For example, the China tent will have Chow Mein, etc, Italian will have pizzas and pastas, and the Mexican tent will have Tequila! They also have an oyster stall which definately have the best oysters I have ever tasted! And they’re priced great (last time it was R6 per oyster or R20 for 4) too which is a bonus. Also, if you go, you simply HAVE to try the Cannoli. A pastry tube filled with Ricotta sweet cheese and dusted with icing sugar…its divine!! Its one of the first places I seek out, and I buy at least two every time I go because they sell out quickly!

As well as food, they have stalls selling bric-a-brac, candyfloss, pancakes, corn on the cob, toys for kids, carnival games for prizes, etc. My most favourite place of all though is the Lion’s Club book sale. It is a HUGE tent (though it was smaller than usual last year) filled with books, all sold by the kilo. Last year it was R25 per kg and the guys are so nice there, they dont think twice to give you a magazine or three for free if its in your pile. I’m forever on the lookout for a young-adult series of books, which yes are now below my reading age, I still enjoy. This book sale is pretty much the only time I ever find them, so its like a tradition to go a-huntin’ for these books now.

They also have rides such as The Swings, a very scary cage version of The Boat (which goes all the way around!), Bumper Cars and other such rides. I find these creepy as they moan and groan while in use, and the prices are normally a little too high to be worth riding in my opinion. If you have kids or are younger and love rides, then it’s perfect.

If you’ve never been to the Community Chest Carnival, it’s definately something to try. It happens every year at the end of Feb/beginning of March and this year the dates and prices are:

Wednesday 24 February and Thursday 25 February from 18:00 to 23:00:
Adults (+18) R15.00
Children U6 (toddlers) Free
Family Ticket (Two Adults / Two Persons under 18) R 25.00
Persons under 18 R 5.00
Pensioners R 5.00

Friday 26 February from 17:00 to 24:00 and Saturday 27 February from 12:00 to 23:00:
Adults (+18) R 20.00
Children U6 (toddlers) Free
Family Ticket (Two Adults / Two Persons under 18) R 50.00
Persons under 18 R 15.00
Pensioners R 15.00

It’s at Maynardville in Wynberg. Just follow the cars and get there early if you want parking…it gets veeery crowded!

If you’re going for the books, go on a Wednesday as the books go quickly by Friday. If you’re also not keen on lots of semi-drunk kids, go during the week as well, as although there are bands per age group (you get a certain colour band if you’re over the drinking age limit, and you’re not allowed into drinking areas if you dont have that band), some kids still manage to get a little drunk, but its nowhere near what it was like when I was young and they didnt have bands!

Hope to see you there! I can’t wait!

PS: If you’re on Facebook, RSVP to the event and please invite your friends!

Dont worry, no spoilers! Just opinions (which you shouldnt read if you dont want to go into the movie with expectations….like if someone says, “oh the beginning was terrible”, while its not a spoiler, I find myself watching and waiting to see when the terrible beginning starts an ends…anyway, I digress…)

So my mom and I went to watch it together on Sunday night, and firstly, let me say, I have a huuuuuge girl-crush on Hermione!! Man, she’s HOT!!! Shew!! *rapidly fans face with hand* I thought my only Harry Potter crush was Severus Snape *lesigh* That button-down jacket he wears…oh my! Ok, now that that’s out of the way, I can tell you off the bat that I enjoyed the movie. But! I’m not sure if I enjoyed it for the movie itself, or just because its a Harry Potter movie and they’re always great.

As a standalone movie, I wouldnt say its that great. Also, if you havent read the book, you might find yourself a little lost as to who’s who and why so-and-so is doing this or that. I read the book when it was released (ages ago), and even I struggled to keep up with the story, often finding myself realising afterwards who the character from 5 minutes ago was.

I heard, before I watched it, that it ended suddenly. This may be slightly true, but I personally felt the ending coming, so it didnt surprise me by just fading to black or something as I expected from what I’d heard. Also having read the book helped, as the ending made sense. I guess I can agree that they could have beefed it up a little bit, or something..cant quite place my finger on it. I also felt they rushed through a lot of it, but this is only after thought, as while I was watching I didnt feel rushed at all.

So, if you count the movie as a means to an end (pairing ‘HP & the Order of the Phoenix’ with ‘The Deathly Hallows’) it was great. The special effects are awesome, Quidditch looking especially believable now, the characters are great as usual, Hermione is hot, Ron is bumbly and adorable, and Harry…well he’s perfectly Harry.

They left out some parts of the book I would have liked to have seen, and I’ll probably find more when I reread the book now, but I’m happy they split The Deathly Hallows into two parts, not rushing and cramming everything into one movie. So, bring on 2010 & 2011!

PS: Isnt this cute and fitting!

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!