Down time

*This was written earlier this year when I had a few weeks off - I really thought I  had posted it!

So I find myself "between gigs" again. This is the life of a freelancer. And something I will never get used to is the post wrap depression. The jump from spending 10hrs + for however many days it takes with the people who depend on you to know everything  - Where are the toilets, what's for lunch , how far is the next location, how do I get there, is it going to rain? What are we doing next, do we need blood in the next scene. Now much of this is warranted but with the popularity of smart phones and easy access to google, I really feel that many of these questions do not need me to answer them. It really is easier to ask someone rather than look it up yourself , isn't it? I have caught myself doing this, but more often than not I am the one people turn to before google.

So what to do with down time?
I have made a few phone calls sent a few emails for work, and almost caught up on The Walking Dead (Marathon viewing) . I still need to have a cleaning frenzy and should probably buy some new clothes as all my work pants are starting to fall apart. I did sacrifice a pair for the sake of an empty room and a much needed cartwheel. Trust me, it needed to be done!! And thank god I wore underwear that day!
I plan to catch up with friends, go to the museum (There's a new one), write (yes, this blog counts), should get some work on my car done, should do some work on the apartment  (but that can wait, and it requires funds that I do not have)

I have been struggling for way too long. I am working as hard as anyone else but without the financial reward. I really need to stop whinging about it and find a better paid job. My life is not about the money but for years I have been putting things on hold. Things like a holiday, new car, work on my home. Why have I not been able to achieve them? Because I have stagnated!!!!
How many times in this blog alone have I said I needed a change? Yep, still waiting on it. Still can't see it!

So I was out with my girlfriends the other day. Three are mothers and the other is wanting to be one. It was seen as sad news that she wasn't pregnant. So I tried to lighten the mood by announcing that I too, was not pregnant, and that was a good thing. They didn't find it amusing in the least.

I have been reacquainting myself with my culture. The recent death of my grandmother brought about many traditions and ceremonies that need to be conducted to ensure a comfortable afterlife for the deceased. I love it. It also means spending time with my parents and learning about the traditions that are slowly disappearing and losing their authenticity as we get watered down in this society.
I am saddened at how surprised my aunts and uncles are that I am willing to take the time to participate in these ceremonies and that I choose to participate out of interest not duty.

I have been to 3 funerals this year. Makes you think. Peoples lives are measured by the amount of offspring they produce, it all comes down to family.
I put together sideshow representations of 2 lives for 2 funerals this year. My sister realized that if we were to show her life in photos right now she would be dressed in shorts and sneakers for much of it. We don't dress up like they used to. A generation that put on their best clothes to go traveling abroad, a generation who went to balls. We don't do it anymore and despite almost everyone having a camera in their pockets these days, there aren't many photos of us. Can you imagine a funeral of the future and a slideshow of Facebook selfies being what our lives are remembered for?

More opinions about men today and the tale of Tinderella

SO I wrote this while waiting for a tinder date who was running late - bad start!!

Regular readers and friends will know about my attitude towards traditional dating and coupledom so you know this is not normal for me. This particular blog is also a little more revealing than I usually like to be on here.

I decided to give this Tinder thing a whirl. After speaking to various friends and colleagues about their experiences with Tinder I thought "What the hell?". I have been on there for about a month and I am quickly starting to lose interest. It was great for a while, just like a game. If I was waiting for someone or on a bus, instead of playing Candy Crush you could 'play' on Tinder. My friends (married and single) were totally entertained by it when I showed them my account. It was FUN!

BUT with every guy I meet on here the more I am convinced that it can't be found in one neat package. Different men/people are good for different things.

So there will be huge generalizations here but there are 2 main camps of men. Most on tinder are after a "quick hook up". Easy, simple, no further explanation required but here is an amusing video I came across on Facebook about Tinderella.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bLoRPielarA

Some chat too eagerly giving the impression that they aren't used to talking to girls. Or they just have no idea how to chat at all!! And even after initial contact all you get to start a conversation in an uninspired "hello"?!

There are some genuine sweet guys on here. Their intentions are a little more complicated. But so are mine. Some keep chatting hoping they will still get the hook up. 

Some just send you nice messages like any friend might. And that intrigues me. 

Losing interest now.

If they are a little too keen and haven't asked you a single question about yourself - who you are, what you like, what you do? Then you kinda know what they are after and then make your choice whether to pursue it or not.

Some don't know how to have a conversation. Fair enough a text conversation may not be the best indication but I'd like to know people who can string a sentence together. If your text game is that bad then go old school and try using your phone as a phone and  call me!

And when they ask for your number a little too soon it usually leads to inappropriate photos landing in your text inbox. Hey - if that's your thing, go for it, who am I to judge?

Date  Scenario 1 - my summary was the more he talked, the less interested I became but he had really good wine so I stayed a little longer than I should had. Now I don't care how good your wine is - he was a bad kisser so NO thanks.

Date Scenario 2 - he was keen via text so I agreed to meet up. Oh dear! No thanks. I really should listen to my gut more.

Date Scenario 3 - The pretty boy who can communicate fine by text, it's working then you meet up and getting conversation out of him is like pulling teeth. Luckily knows how to kiss a girl and is absolutely gorgeous - but I'm not that shallow. 

So where is Mr tall dark and gorgeous, who knows how to kiss a girl, have a good conversation and appreciates a smart capable woman. Does it exist? Am I expecting too much for it all to be wrapped up in one neat package. Maybe...

Too many people I see settle for near enough is good enough thinkng they can change their partner. And I listen to them whinge about their lives and their partners! Just accept it! And I say this about all facets of life - you chose it, if you don't like it, if you are not happy then change it, do something about it. 

Anyhoo, all this 'research' has inspired me to start writing a new story, which is a good thing.