Tails’ Blography

So during my holiday in PE, I was commissioned to do a photoshoot for my future in-laws and their families, which of course I did (yes, I took a while to edit them). The day was a sunny one, with some cloud cover, which I do like as it adds a little detail to the photos and makes the sky more interesting (ironically none of the photos posted have clouds in them). It also provides partial shade so faces arent completely burnt out.

The shoot was fun, though I was a little nervous…being family ‘n all that. Especially future family. Eek, talk about pressure! Screw up the shoot and well things might not be so hot in the marriage department. Haha ok I’m only joking about that part…*gulp*. No really, I’m kidding. Hehe.

All the same, the shoot was commenced with shots of tequila – yes, I wish all my shoots could start like that! I think some of the family were a little nervous, but I think things got underway and ran smoothly quite quickly.

Anyway, here are some sneak preview shots…(feel free to leave comments):

Overall I’m happy with them, but wrangling large families is not really one of my strong points hehe.

So unfortunately, (or is it fortunately), I dont have any photos from New Years Eve itself, but rest assured a great time was had by all!

We were invited out to the Misverstand Dam by a Warwick, a friend of the bf’s, and we happily agreed to go! Its a holiday resort with, well, a huge dam where people can waterski/wakeboard/swim/fish/etc. The last time I was there was around 9 years ago so I was keen to go back and see what had changed.

The evening was started with a “Booze Cruise” in our hosts’ speedboat, where we anchored few km’s out into the river. After being joined by two other boats and tying them together, we were ready to bring out the booze and chill. Most of the time was spent bobbing about in the river with our lifejackets being worn as nappies which enabled us to sit comfortably with our drinks in hand whilst floating about. I’m sure we all looked rather silly, but it was great fun!
After about an hour or two, we headed back, had a braai and got ready for the party ahead, which was a little rougher than I thought haha! My poor bf got two drinks spilt on him whilst we were inside dancing, so we ended up hanging out outside the place with a bunch of other people. Drinks were flowing and being passed around and thankfully I actually didnt get drunk! My drinks for the evening were as follows: 3x glasses of Graham Beck Blanc de Blanc Brut Champagne (though I may be incorrect about which champagne exactly – its the only label that looked familiar now), numerous swigs of champagne from the bottles being passed around (by people I knew, not just anyone haha), 1x SoCo & Lime, 3x Redds, 1x Jagermeister, 3x Jagerbombs (Jagermeister & Red Bull), swigs of tequila from a bottle being passed around, swigs of Po10cy (a caffine-fueled alcholic shooter), and a swig or two of a double brandy and creme soda.

Ended up going to bed at around 2am and woke up at around 9.30ish and had a fantastic breakfast of bacon and eggs! Then got ready to take the bf out to learn how to wakeboard!! Warwick graciously taught the bf to wakeboard, and by his 3rd try he was up!! Albeit for about 3 seconds hehe but on the 5th time he had an awesome ride of a good minute or few, which sounds short, but really isnt while you’re out there – I was so proud of him! He eventually tired and let go by choice, sinking graciously into the water, giving me a nice photo op! Then we headed home to laze about for the rest of the day. Another quieter booze cruise followed later that afternoon, where I took my camera along and got some scenic photos. We left promptly afterwards as the sun was setting and the drive back home was a long one, and got home at around 9.30pm. My bed never looked so good before! Hehe.

So, I hope you saw in the new year in a great way, and may the best of last year be the worst of this year!

The view from our place

The bf learning to wakeboard

Comfortably going on his 5th try!

Chillaxing

Yes, I was there too ;P

Our host, Warwick, going Titanic-style

So on Sunday my bf and I left for our holiday in Port Elizabeth (PE). We take turns spending Christmas with each other’s family and this year it’s his Christmas with his family. We flew up, which is always fun, though I have to ashamedly admit, I get airsick. There’s just something comforting about the rumble of tar under car wheels that an aeroplane just doesnt have. I’m fine with take-off and landing, though I’m still not 100% used to it (apparently I pull funny faces during each of these events, but I dont believe that haha), its the turning in-air that gets me. Gag!

Weather has been pretty good. Did some light swimming yesterday, but by the evening the wind had picked up (about the only time I’ve seen PE live up to its name of “The Windy City”) and then it rained for the rest of the evening. Unfortunately I dont get to sleep in, as there appears to be a pack of rather bored dogs next door, who do nothing but sit and bark…starting at 7am!!! I dont even get up at that time for work!! Sigh. I like to sleep in on my holiday…is that too much to ask?!?

I’m looking forward to Christmas, though I’m missing my family and pets. Found some photos of Xeon on my cellphone and I got all choked up looking at them My old cronky. I really miss her.

Not much else to report, I’ll probably post again after Christmas, so may I take this time to wish my (however many) readers a very Happy Christmas! May the day be filled with family and friends, and may you be filled with festive spirit. God bless, everyone!

A boat outside Die Strandloper restuarant

So after more than half a year gone by, I needed a holiday! I tried to organise some friends, new and old, together for a weekend away at Langebaan (inspired by my upcoming 5 year anniversary with Michael), but unfortunately circumstances dictated that it would be only Michael and I.
   I was sad, but what better way to spend an anniversary than with the person you love and only the person you love!?! In preparation, I made a Banana Bread in my dad’s bread machine… um, well, lesson learnt: mix cake recipes’ ingredients yourself and dont trust machine to do it properly for you (like they say it will – though the bread comes out great)!

The Banana Bread That Wasnt Quite Done

*sigh* And the inside wasnt cooked properly, so it was like eating dough….I still ate some though haha.

The weekend got off to a rocky start….was supposed to have hair cut and coloured before I left, but mom didnt plan for cutting, so I ran late on leaving for Langebaan while she fitted me in between her other customers (thanks, Mom! ). Also tried to make some Sesame Seed Snaps but both batches didnt come out properly
Then we left for Langebaan, arrived, realised Michael forgot his bath towel and slipslops, and we forgot coffee and sugar, and that we didnt plan anything for dinner that night. We dashed off to the shops, to arrive back to find our keyhole lying on the floor…someone must have tried to get in! We had to then use the back door thereafter. *sigh*

The second day was better, cloudy at first, but gorgeous day by noon – spent most of the day wandering around semi naked (whaaat? it was our anniversary weekend after all ) and tanning in the sunroom while reading, playing cards, and backgammon. Went for some walks on the beach in town, walked through the shops to see what had changed since our last visit (April 2007). Came back home and lazed about until dinner at Driftwoods (if you go to Langebaan, you HAVE to eat at this restaurant, or at the least try their cocktails – YUM!!).

Went to Driftwoods and got our regular table in the corner, overlooking the beach. While we were waiting on our food, we saw a seal diving around in the waves! I ordered a Bahana Rama (very rum-and-coconutty), and Michael ordered Love on the Rocks (like a Sex on the Beach, only with cranberry juice instead of OJ and grenadine). For food, I ordered the Seafood Tagliatelli was was simply outstanding!! There was so much seafood I couldnt believe it!! And it was my first time eating clams too! Michael ordered the sirloin (they gladly swapped it for rump at his request) and calamari (which I tasted and was great!). We were so full afterwards, we had to practically be rolled home!

The last day was spent relaxing, shopping, taking photos on the beach and at Die Strandloper, and cleaning up and preparing to go home. Photos can be seen in Recent Photos slideshow.

All in all it was one of the best weekends I’ve had in a looooong time, and one that wont quickly be forgotten.
Here’s to another 5 years (at least) with my wonderful and caring man!