Useless (yet interesting) infographic of the day

I'm sitting in my 6th work environment over the span of 10 years. I don't think that's too shabby for someone who wasn't entirely sure what the hell they wanted to do with their life.

I've been in varied office spaces involving everything from colour correcting little tykes faces from purple back into a shade of human, to picking out Pantone shades for vases and duvet prints and yet one thing is constant – the ebb and flow of stationary on your desk.

One day you have 3 perfectly functioning black fineliners and then next you only have a crusty dry highlighter and 2 sandy Postit Notes that have lost their stick.
You try everything:
- Labeling your stationary reminiscent of being in Grade 1 (it feels ridiculous and there's a following compulsion to label your clothing when you get home...)
- Buying your self unique purple pens that the stationary department would never supply
- Buying a pink pen in case it's a male colleague who's the culprit
- Buying a HIDEOUS pen that surely no-one would want

None of these ideas will work! Because...

100% of office workers surveyed admitted to stealing a pen. This crime is unstoppable! (and go on... you know you've gotten home and found a pen in your bag and no real idea how it got there.)

Source: visual.ly via Keyna on Pinterest

Old and new memories

I didn't actually have much time this last week to stretch my brain muscle and come up with something to write.

Solution: Post some pictures I took while tidying and packing up my life to move into my new home.

It's an odd collection, but if you'd like to know me better here are a few odds and ends I took pics of to send to various friends (emphasis you'll find, should be placed on the word "odd")

I'm one of THOSE tourists. The ones who can't resist the mugs, the key rings or the spoons with the name of the place you're visiting on them

I'll always love you Cheetara. You will always have a place in my home - even if for now it's hidden safely from Neil in the garage.

I didn't expect to find so much of Lindsay still in my room and life... but I'm so happy I did. I still miss her all the time and I hope she would have loved my new home and have been proud of how eventually even I have to grow up a little.

Trace is actually visiting from the US at the moment. In a good way, she hasn't really changed since this photo was taken almost 10 years ago. Still kind, funny and beautiful.

THE pink bathroom. I should have gotten the tiles in this image so you could see the full, glorious effect. 

Apparently I don't keep only MY old student cards. What a weird surprise! (and no... I don't know why I keep ANY student cards. I just do)

Two very funny brothers. Glad I've known them for as long as I have!

Just one of those small examples of how caring Luce is.

After a 20-something hour flight out to London to possibly say goodbye to a sick friend in hospital, we arrived to find Lucy had come to pick us up at the airport, written instructions so we wouldn't get lost, cooked us supper and had hugs at the ready. 

And she's one of those people who has NO idea that what she does isn't every day normal behavior.

Once upon a time a group of friends drove to Durban for a weekend. Taking home a spur table piece seemed like a good idea at the time. As did fashioning a petrol cap from a red bull can.

Old friends: What ever happened to Frizzy? I hear he's happy and that makes me oddly happy too. 

Some boys are so funny. You just can't help loving them in the end...

Again, I  have no idea why I would have this, having never gone to Stellenberg myself, but it makes me smile and so I'm awfully glad it fell into my hands. I wish we'd already become friends when we were both this age  - I think highschool might have been more bearable for both of us. Definitely for me!

I remember when you guys met. I remember how happy I was for my friend. I remember a few years later taking this photo and still feeling happy for you :)

This morning I woke up and felt the same kind of happy for myself.

Word Mens

Man there are times where I feel an affection for Afrikaans more than I think I could ever feel for English.
Perhaps there's someone you know who has grown too big for their boots, their ego swelling till you feel claustrophobic in their company, and their actions so RIDICULOUS that you want to shake them.

Just tell them: "Word mens."

SO simple. What a bloody brilliant way to put it.

And if you feel you're in danger of becoming the person who has to have this said to them... try this.

A special thanks for the idea for this post goes to the wonderful Amanda. I remember as a kid thinking to myself, if I could just be as cool and vibrant as you... then wow, I would be happy. Seeing her this past weekend I realise nothing has changed really, even if I've doubled in height.
I'm still going to try and be as full of positive energy as you always seem to be!
(And I'll keep in mind for myself there's always someone cooler than I am :D)

We were talking about someone and you said she'd be happier if she just would just "word mens" and you're right. Humble is the way to go.

And an extra little "dankie aan Maresa". I learn WONDERFUL new Afrikaans sayings every single time I see you! How could I write something about "die taal" without including you huh? Plus you help to keep me firmly down to earth and I'm grateful.