Bear Fruit

‘According to trend watchers, defriending will be the trend. Large numbers of people will delete vague acquaintances from their networking sites, such as Facebook, and Linkedin, because they only want to keep quality contacts. It has to do with slowing down, the need for quality time, and perhaps some network site fatigue, according to all sorts of trend blogs, which seem to echo each other.’

I just read the above snippet in an online newspaper, it confirms my feeling about the whole networking issue. I’ve mentioned in a previous post that someone refuses to reply to a friendly email that I’d sent responding to the invitation that I received from the same person. In the meantime I’ve sent another email making her aware of her non-responsive manners. I told her that it’s okay if she doesn’t want to stay in touch but that I’d like to know where I stand. So far no reaction… I was assertive but friendly so obviously the next friendly thing to do is to defriend her from the network.

I’ve always seemed to look for excuses or reasons to justify other people’s behaviour but I’ve learnt over the last few weeks that the only way to find out what’s on a person’s mind is to be clear about things and be straightforward, in other words assertive. I’m not used to being assertive and I have put myself in situations that became utterly frustrating because of this. I take full responsibility and I can’t blame others for misreading my mixed signals. I’ve changed my ways, since it didn’t make me happy having to deal with the consequences and I’ve noticed that it started to bear fruit!

If I can get rid of clutter in boxes than I should definitely be able to get rid of the clutter in my social life. The other situation seems to be slightly improving as well although I’m reluctant to trust this person to keep her promise and pay me back my money. The good thing is that if there’s no progress soon that I’ve collected enough facts to see a solicitor over time and trust me, I will… the friendship is finished as far as I’m concerned. It hurts in a way, because I’ve know this person for a long time but she broke my trust many times over the last three year so it’s best for me to let go and move on.

I have some exciting news but it’s all depending on a few circumstances so I’m going to be a bit cautious. I’ve had to deal with so many disappointments that I’ve decided not to mention anything until there is some real results. That way I won’t have expectations and I won’t disappoint myself if things are canceled once again. One has to do with a possible job offer the other has to do with a new study that I’ll start and a future plan I’m working on that involves a partner in crime… I’ve teamed up with someone but it’s all still very fresh so we have to discuss the details and plan soon.

If all goes well, I will let go of the old career slowly while preparing for the new career. I’ll have a meeting on the 8th of June to see if the study is what I expect it to be. If so, than I’ll need to prepare a case to make sure that I’ll get the funding. I have a lot of work to do in the next couple of months but it feels good to be working on my future… it does! I already met some really nice people who offered help even when I didn’t ask, they just did… Those are the kind of people I’d like to surround myself with, people who appreciate you for who you are, quality contacts and possible friends…

It all starts to bear fruit!

© Dreamstime – Mouthwatering

Healthy Drumming

I’m back into doing my exercises again and eating healthy food. So no fish and chips, no Kentucky Fried Chicken, no carbs… emoticons/wink.gif It’s hard though because I’m having cravings every now and then and it’s so easy to order take-away instead of cooking. So far I managed to eat yoghurt and fruit in the morning, one cup of coffee [I’m addicted but I manage] and a banana. Lunch snack: a small amount of pumpkin seeds, and a handful of pecan nuts, a piece of goats cheese. Dinner: two types of veggies and either fish or meat plus three capsules of fish oil. Drinks during the day: fruit juice [without added sugar!!!], mainly cranberry juice with a combination of grapes or raspberries, or blackberry juice. I tend to forget the water but I’ll try harder, two liters a day is just too much for me at times.
In the morning I watch the news and then some silly show while I do my exercises. I want to start running again but AS. is not really up to it yet he has a knee injury. It means I’ll have to get up at six in the morning and run for an hour [including warming up etc.] The park is just around the corner, all woodland and no proper paths so it would be more like ‘cross-country’ running really… I normally get up at seven, AS. has to leave at eight to go to work. Yesterday and the day before yesterday he went cycling which seems to be hectic here. He did well though and it takes him 35 minutes which is good! Since there are hardly any cycle lanes it’s quite an experience to cycle in busy traffic. He wants to buy a bicycle for me but I’m not sure about that, it’s so different over here from what I’m used to. This city is just not ready for cyclists I reckon and wearing on of those stupid helmets is not something I’m willing to do, never had to wear one before so why would I want to wear one now? They should get used to people on bicycles and be more careful…
CS. invited us to join her and IS. tonight, she got this invitation;
We would like to invite you to experience our Event Drum Café on the 13th September 2006, attached is a press release on the event.
Acclaimed South African drumming company Drum Cafe who have wowed audiences all over the world with their Interactive drumming events for corporate and private clients is now open to the public. Please do send us your email address for entry at the door on the night. Look forward to having you there on this great night!
So we’re going out tonight which is good because I’m getting a little bit fed up with staying home all day long sorting out my crap. Yesterday I tried to make phone calls to a number that can’t be reached from abroad. It’s the cell phone company that needs my money, instead of telling me that they could no longer take it out of my account they blocked my phone. The only way to get a hold of them was sending them an email with my explanation. I also asked for a telephone number but they refused to give it to me. I received a short note thru sms… Sounds like Chello/UPC practice and I’m not sure if I will accept that. I might ask one of my friends to make the phone call for me since I can’t do it from here, quite annoying that is. They just want to make money using these 20ct per minute numbers and don’t tolerate people living abroad leaving them no alternative at all. Good service hey?
Well I’d better get ready and sort myself out. I have no clue what to wear, we’re going to be drumming so I guess a skirt is out of the question. I’ll have to go thru my wardrobe and see what’s there. Today is not as sunny as the previous days. Last night I woke up by the sound of the rain falling on the roof, it was quite loud and cosy in a way. So today is a cloudy day, with some showers every now and then. I don’t mind it’s just that I’ll have to find the right things to wear for a day like this. I. will pick me up and drive us down town to the Times building where CS. works. AS. is nearby so we will all meet up at some bar for a drink and perhaps a meal too. I’m looking forward to this! I’ll bring my camera… Bye for now!
Now here’s a picture of AS. on his first working day, ready to go and join all the other suits *grin* Something I meant to put on here earlier just didn’t have time yet…