Soul Cleansing

I step onto the beach this fine morning. I pray that with each wave that washes over me I am able to release all hurt and anger within me. Wash it away; out of my soul. Fill me up with only goodness, love and life. I stand alone and I am perfectly at peace with this (idea) - for now...

Day of Reconciliation

An unexpected trip I decided to go on with my best friend who is like a sister with me, brought me to this place. We glided into King Shaka, and a short drive we were here in the north coast: Zinkwazi. A lot of change has happened in my life in the past couple months where I have been left feeling mixed emotions: sadness, anger, hurt, depression, hate... This trip is exactly what I needed at this moment in time. It has been so good for me to 'forgive and forget' however this is harder done than said. But it was perfect timing, with this trip and that the day I arrived, the beginning of my trip stared on the Day of Reconciliation (16th December). I have asked for guidance from Him how to do all of this... How to reconcile the past... Everyday is a step forward, and step closer to my sanity, peace and 'normality' - I welcome it with arms wide open.

Faith

I'm sitting on a moss covered bench in a secret garden at the 111 year old St. Peter Anglican Church in Melville. I feel so at peace. The door to the church is locked - that is fine, perfect - I would have not found this secret bench. There is music blaring in the distance - something that would have irritated me much, but the water trickling down the fountain behind me is calming. EXCATLY what I need. It's year end. My head is in a complete spin. Much change has happened, and I think I have finally lifted my heels that are so pain-stakingly digging in the dry earth everyday. I feel close to Him. At home. Beas, insects, buzzing, birds, pitter - patter, vroom... 

The air is fresh from the newly wet garden. So fresh I can smell the jasmine, the voluptuous roses, the soil and some other sweet smell I cannot think of right now... It will come.

Lord I pray for guidance, hope and humility, as I sit blissfully here upon You. 

Tropical Summer

This past weekend was a crazy one. Filled with tons of emotions, fun, laughter & tears. Something that I was not expecting, because all that I longed for was just reading in my bed. It was a surprise to be summoned out of bed by my mom… I took her to one of my (our) favorite pizza places in the whole of Jozi - Ant Cafe on 7th Street, Melville. We shared a delicious Italian pizza, and gobbled it before it even hit the table. The scene inside was just perfect. The moodiness in the air, the light, the time of day, and the atmosphere. We will be back my mom has demanded. And with that so will a bottle of wine beside us :-)

Red Summer Delight

Red Summer Raspberries - I planted these precious plants a year ago and they have just over taken a section of my garden. I'm not complaining because it gives me great satisfaction to wake up every morning, with the sun beating down on my back to pick more than a punnet full of fresh ripe reddish-purplish raspberries. There is nothing better than fresh grown fruits & veggies out your own garden. Surprisingly they are growing so well, despite the smallish drought that Jozi has been experiencing. Well I'm not too sure if you can call it a drought, but we definitely have not has as much rain as in the previous years. Or maybe could it just be in spite of COP17 that has recently taken place? Anyway I have my sweet tasting ripe raspberries which make me all fuzzy inside.

Room-mate

I wake up to this sight every morning - bliss. I especially love that it is summer and that by the time i wake up the sun is beading through my blinds, just asking me to open them. I love my space - my room. Its a 'pokey' 8 x 5m space, but it is something that I could live in the rest of my life. I do not need more than this. The past few years i have seen a transformation in myself. Moving from this crazy obsessed materialistic world, to something which is more grounded, down to earth and simpler. My priorities are much different now. I'm a big boy, so I keep getting told… But life is still hard, and this space is what I admire, I love. Theres nothing here. Almost symbolically like myself. Theres bricks, motar, plaster and paint. Nothing fancy. Just bare, plain, naked. What you see is (almost) what you get…

Faith

I'm looking at past photos that I have taken, and this second I would love nothing more than to have Mamma lying on my chest, claws digging into my chest while both our hearts connect with love and affection for each other. She is my friend, mother and my (security) blanket and I wish I was with her now... Because I know she would give me faith...

Daisy Delight

Summer is finally here, which brings a sense of happiness and smiles to my face. A very dramatic season in terms of all the different moods it plays out. Tonight is another moody night with silent lighting on the horizon, I sit here on my 'zebra' stripped couch fittingly placed by my bedroom window as I stare into the nights abyss. I should be happy and fulfilled - but I am not... Something is picking at my door - inside I'm scared, hurt, angry and confused.

Tomorrow is a new day and with it brings the light that I seek on a daily basis. Something that fills me with life, together with all other living organisms out there that roam this beautiful place.

Lord bring into the light what is in the dark, protect me and let my light shine.

A Red Affair

Therere is nothing better than a nice cup of plunger coffee. Red is a colour that I have in my bedroom - do not ask me why, I guess it just happened, but maybe it's because of the warm and love I get from it?

Lost Love

There are things on life we can never predict. Some come as shock, other with joy and surprise and some with great deep sadness. But such is life - this is change is one of the most beautiful actions in life. You can either ignore it or run with it. Running with it as fast as your legs can carry or go. However not everything seems crystal clear, so baby steps are needed at first - I'm crawling at the moment, with uncertainty of what is around the corner, but at least I'm in the forward motion, slowly in Gods care and grace. Slow, careful, so I can hear and appreciate his every move - for me, for MY LIFE. Time will pass and like the egg, the circle of life will continue, majestically, beautifully, uninterrupted as it has been doing for millennia.

Lord I pray for wisdom and understanding - and I pray for the strengthening and renewing of my mind. Amen.

Change

I was sitting romantically by myself watching the drama of this boring coffee shop that I so much love and hate. CHANGE: is what it's suppose to be! Change is good so I'm told... Change in seasons, change all around me. Change, change, change with pocket change. Together with it comes a form of resistance! GET OUT! Now, where's the exit? Follow the signs! Think and tap into that creative energy that looks, looms within you - that is screaming; softly, gently! L.O.V.E

Coffee addict

I have something to confess - yes its true, I'm a coffee addict! Now where's my coffee? :)

Sunrise

This was the beautiful sunrise this morning. Its a gorgeous sight! And its rising earlier ever so slowly everyday, but don't let it fool you, there is still one and a half months left of winter...

Orchid

My orchid is about to flower - like a butterfly climbing out its pod... I simply cannot wait!

Sun sets in the West...

Driving home back to the west is always full of emotions for me - but its also a time to relax and reflect on past times... And no better way than to say goodbye to a beautifully orchestrated day than with Gods gift of a wintery colourful palette of sun rays and 'butterflies'.

Beans about Coffee

I love nothing more than a fresh cup of coffee! Especially like in this instance freshly roasted coffee beans, from an amazing coffee and cafe shop in Dullstroom: Beans about Coffee. I have blogged about them before and their shop is simply amazing! Buckets of fresh beans everywhere - you can even hand select them if you want, or have them ground whilst you wait and sip on your cappuccino... Its a must visit if your in Dullies, and their prices are dam good, for the excellent varieties that they have. You'll simply go, 'beans about coffee'.

Bokke's Recycled Sky Planters

Patrick Morris has just released a new version of the whimsical favourite
made from recycled polypropylene plastic! Able to create a dynamic and
environmentally friendly hanging garden, these awesome recycled planters can
be suspended from the ceiling to give way to an alternative green space.

The cool designs won the 2011 Red Dot design award, for its use of recycled
materials and its integration of a Slo-Flo internal irrigation system that
is able to water the plants directly at their roots. And to make it extra
fool-proof for those with less than green thumbs, each plant even has a
little water level measure and a mess-free locking disk to hold in the soil.
Great for planting herbs, vegetables, or a variety of beautiful flowers,
these planters are an exciting evolutionary step to the typical garden. From
inhabitat.com.

Some inspiration

Unleash your creativity!

Millie's Fire

It was a sad day on Friday morning, to have witnessed the burning of Millie's on the N4. We arrived on the scene just in time to capture the destructive power of fire and wind combined. Within just 20 minute it was all over. Apparently a spark was all it took from lighting a fire within the fire place of this cosy restaurant - minutes later the thatch caught alight and it was over. No people were injured, and staff were caught in the act of helping put out the flames or their beloved work place. What will come of them in this desolate area? A fire chopper aided in the extermination and helped control the spread of the fire to the rest of the buildings. Great work on a wintery friday morning!

Catastrophe!

This cute little thing, is not all good looks - but the other night brought in the largest rat from the veld it could find! It was all blood, gore and guts over our lounge carpet! Thanks Mika! Cute little girl of mine...

Coffee?

The power had been out for several hours and now well into the morning. I needed my fix of caffeine. What better way than to brew fresh coffee on a cold winters morning in your fire! How innovative - I could think of nothing better!

Faith aka Mama

She had the Faith to come to the back door of the house on a stormy summers night with her two kittens, and Charles took them in with open arms. Now she has become the Mama of the house - always there for love and hugs, tears and laughter. She is my other 'Mama'. I love you!

Ranlords

Ranlords is a club on the 22nd floor in a building in Braamfontein - amazing views over look a world class city of Jozi. Egoli. Joburg. No matter what you call it, joburg is finally opening its arms and pulling people back into a lost cultural atmosphere. Ranlords was designed by award winning Joburg couple Silvio Rech and Lesley Carstens. A job well done, especially when you visit the males urinal!

Orange Juice

There is nothing better in this world than a freshly squeezed glass of OJ! Me loves! Another great thing about winter :)

Doo Bee Boobies

Probably one of the best shows I have seen - Doo Bee Boobies is showing at the Joburg Theatre till the end of the month, and is a must see if you are looking for fun, witty and hilarious comedy about 4 drag queens in a cabaret! I give it a 10/10. I didn't stop laughing once!

Winter

Winter is here - there are 3 things I love about winter; 1) the crisp perfect blue skies, 2) the crispness in the air the tingles your skin and 3) the amazing sunsets that mark the close of each day. There are only a few weeks left till the longest night of the year, and I can't wait!

Where Fashion Meets Architecture

This is the exhibition that we have been working on. Izuba Inafrica Architects whom I work for (a small 3 person firm, including me) designed the layout of this incredible space in down town Johannesburg, Arts on Main in the Maboneng precinct, is a 'newly' renovated derelict building that still contains its rustic history through time with touches of contemporary inserts. The launch of the event was last night, and hit off with a bang together with limitless supply of fermented potatoe juice made into those devil cocktails called Cosmopolitans and olive dunked Martini's. Well done to all who were involved!

Yellow Cappuccino

The smell of a great coffee gets the hairs on my neck to rise, and my heart starts to beat a little faster at the anticipation of that aromatic taste of pure bliss... Mmmmm

Last Light

Its the last of the day. The sun now goes down round 17:15. But that is soon to be short lived as the longest night of the year is a few weeks away! Then its only down hill from there to another gorgeous season, spring. But let's not jump the gun... there is still the highveld frost and cold to get through. Lord please protect my garden and cover it with your blood. Amen.

Random signs...

Got to love the random signs that are put up around a city! This one is in Rosebank.

Sunset Good-Byes

Cold. Chilly. Colourful. Scenic. Serene. Textured. Running. Laughing.
Sniffing. Forrest.

Love Aloes