Everything Under The Sun #100convos #12

"I was just watching a documentary on The Large Hadron Collider - its nice to know to that in a world where there are wars and people are dying of Ebola, that humanity can work together to explore the deeper meaning of the universe."

Ryan... Best Friend, Doctor, Knight in Perfect Outfit, Board Game Champion. The above is a direct quote of what he said this evening as walking into the kitchen to make me a perfect roast chicken. Yes, brains and cooking skills.

A large chunk of our evening was spent on a discussion on mental illness and it's classifications. Riveting but not for this forum. I can safely report that I am only neurotic, not psychotic. It was only two hours later that Ryan brought up Robin Williams - I think depression has been looming in the back of many minds today. Ryan said that he was surprised at how emotional he felt about Robin Williams death, probably more so because of the way he died. "He really was a unique individual"

He read me a touching story shared by Norm McDonald via Twitter. Given the nature of Twitter, it's not easy to just paste a direct quote, but the gist of the story is Norm meeting Robin backstage at Letterman, what follows is some hilarious improv between the two of them. Look for it here if you like https://twitter.com/normmacdonald

On a totally different note, and perhaps some clever humour is appropriate. Ryan shared a recent fantasty with me of walking along Long Street with a palm full of Veet and slapping hipsters in the beard - therefor forcing them to shave. Apparently there are "too many hipster beards!"

He also shared a startling food fact "tuna is more of a fishy fish, hake is more of a chickeny fish" - this theory was recently formulated over lunch with his mom and partner at a little place called "Joe Fish".

Reading this all now, it seems quite a range of topics, but that's why I love spending time with Ryan, we talk about everything under the sun.

Globe Trotter #100convos #6

I first met Joanne at midnight on Long Street, through a mutual friend, almost five years ago. About a week later, I and said mutual friend rescued Jo from a horrid blind date. We made a plan to gym together and haven't looked back since. We have flirted, we have dined, we have cried, we have danced and we have laughed A LOT. Jo left South Africa 21 months ago and I miss her terribly.

 

Thank goodness for technology, we can chat whenever we want to, I'd be miserable without the contact! We had our conversation over Whatsapp.

Jo has lived in Cape Town, Lyon and Dubai in under 2 years. I asked her to tell me something that she's learnt through living in 3 cities in under 2 years.

“Don’t stick with what you know. Try something new and meet different people. It will surprise you how nice different can be. They have a South Africans in Dubai group here in Dubai. And they all stick together and socialize with each other mostly.”

And you don't?

“I just feel it’s close minded because they are missing out on a world of experiences and different point of views. My friends are French, Brazilian and Polish. I don’t even know any South African people here – except my mom!”

Culture differences between the 3 countries?

“SA and France had a big culture difference. But I found it refreshing. Dubai is such a melting pot of cultures because there are so many different ex pats. In some cases it is very similar to SA as we know it, other times it’s a world apart - I guess it depends where you hang out. I guess one thing about the culture here, is a lot of people are very concerned about image and money. I miss South Africa’s more laid back fashion and club/restaurant scene.”

South Africa misses you Jo!!

 

 

An Artist #100convos #2

I met Eugenia about a year ago, through my boyfriend at the time. Self professed social butterfly, whiskey connoisseur and artist. Rarely seen without a glass of champagne in hand, a familiar face at both Bascule and The One & Only. Rumour has it she grew up in a castle in Scotland. Eugenia is a force unto her own.

Over a lazy lunch at Tashas, we caught up on gossip as Eugenia has been away for a few months. Eugenia draws people to her with her magnetic personality, and as a result has many adventures - never a dull moment around this vivacious lady. She remains very down to earth, imparting her life manta "We're all fighting battles that none of us know about, always be kind."

As a "topic" for this blog, I asked her why she paints, she replied without missing a beat.

"Because that's what I was born to do. When someone asked who I am, I say I'm an artist, without even thinking about it. And I think its important to be generous with your talents."

She went on to explain how we are all blessed with talents; that many artists create to gain money and fame . Eugenia honestly just loves to paint and aims to share her talents. She wants to make art accessible. She is involved with charities associate with animals and children. Her eyes sparkle when she speaks of an upcoming gala in aid of lions. Last year's gala, for rhinos, saw two of her works auctioned off. In her own words, "To be able to make money for the rhino's - as an animal lover its brilliant."