Author: Cindy Visser

This is a so true. Thank you my dear friend Shantelle Houston.

I drive 4 hours a day to work and back and the passing of cows along the way munching grass and just being cows  just makes it alot manageable and happier. 

 

I never thought I would hear myself say it… I miss Joburg!

There I said it. The chaos, the madness, the hustle and the bustle. The thick layer of smog that hits you as you enter the city. Everything about it, and I of course, and true to form, had to realize it only because I moved away from it.

If you think you’re shaking your head join the club with my folks, my friends and most of all myself. For four years since moving back to Joburg from Cape Town, I have been moaning and groaning about how I hate Joburg and wished I’d never moved back and blah blah blah…

Well blah blah blah I miss it.

So last week I went to Joburg for work and to see my folks for Easter and let’s not forget my Chloé. Besides almost being in a head on collision, honestly don’t understand the nerve of drivers. We are all heading for a destination and by you taking chances you ain’t going to get there.

Anyway, after arriving I could could feel the energy of city people. Maybe because this one horse town living really makes you crave even Joburg which is fine because you made me appreciate the little things. Joburgers have a way about them, that madness and camaraderie spirit that shouts we’re in this together so may as well have fun doing it.

Even a visit to the butcher and the friendly faces of strangers, just a smile or a knowing look and even a thank you gesture while driving. As I have said over and over again it costs nothing to be decent and kind but again maybe my living location once again has shown me just how rude or just how decent your average crazy Joe can be.

Ah big city life… Try to get by! That’s the easy part because the people make it!

That other song… Take me back to the beach, where we were young and free… Yeah, no sure, but holiday only.

Thank you Joburg, once a city girl always a city girl and I love it!

XXX

When the shit hits the fan the unexpected are considerate regarding your situation and the parties you thought would be understanding have proven not to be; and once again guide us down the road of trust. To trust or not to trust! Who to trust and who not to trust!

Recently I was left in a very unsettling situation, the company I had given all my time and hard work to, a year of giving of myself, and all I expected back was the security of having a job; especially in this day and age as well as a steady salary as we can never run away from responsibilities. I have no issues with this and am diligent when it comes to these things, let’s just say I always have and will always work my bum off as I know I have responsibilities.

To my shock and horror, and without going into too much detail, the company was flagged, salary not paid and by the second month I realised that I wasn’t going to get paid for another month, something that I just couldn’t have. Responsible mode kicked in to find a new job and I’m very grateful to have found one with a very reputable international global giant where my fears have been put to rest once again.

However this is not about the job that’s a glitch in our lives I guess we all have to go through and guess it pushes us in a direction of not taking things for granted. Trust me my dream of living on a deserted island, serving cocktails in my bikini all day long is still there in the back of my mind but money makes the world go round and in my world I need to live.

Moving on…

During this time I notified my debtors of my unfortunate situation and I must say their feedback and assistance was fantastic. Yes of course I got the one or two calls of threats and impending doom but after I casually and calmly explained my situation, a plan of action was put in place and all is well.

Now comes my disturbing WTF moment… This absolutely blows my mind. Houses and cars and assets we all agree belong to the banks until we are all paid up and when you work out what you owe its well into the millions but it’s workable and we pay our impending debt but it’s life and we have a home and a car and all is well.

Service providers of life and health insurance have to be the most inconsiderate persons I have come across. Even the good folk who insure my car gave me a grace period. But not the life and health.

Now think about this… Stress according to statistics is the number one killer right? A situation like mine presents itself and stress level goes out of wack, you can’t see a doctor to prescribe meds to keep your heart rate in check because you miss one payment and your policy is cancelled, trust me you can call and beg and plead they don’t care. Rather sell your soul to Satan himself because that’s what you in for when dealing with these callus self centered egotistical bottom feeders. I’m sure even bottom feeders have more integrity then this group. I have no name to call them or reference I can give because they’re lower then low.

So you have a heart attack because you can’t go to the doc, no money to pay cash either, hospitals won’t take you because you need to be pre-booked or given medical aid approval before they look at you. Ok government hospitals are there and I have no issues there as they are fantastic, probably better then the private hospitals, but the time you wait for a doc to see you or admit you is the issue.

It’s sad really but this is reality, so for all intents of purpose you get really ill and need more time off before you work again or you die. And if that’s the case of being ill well I think at that point death is a blessing… Again very very sad.

Then your life policy kicks in, they help with dreaded decease or should anything happen with work they’re supposed to take care of you. That’s laughable because I think out of everyone I got the worst service from them.

Then you got to think now this was two months of my life. Two months, that’s all;  but let’s rather penalise me and punish me for two months when for months and years have had the debit order go off with no hassle and no arguments….

Get my point…

I’m think I’m just fed up of making these service providers out there rich and let’s face it it’s all a pyramid scheme and have we not learnt from this?

Gosh I could go deeper and deeper into this, into my conspiracy theory on this topic but let’s leave this right here where it is.

Food for thought? Not unless they taking that out your mouth too…

I’m just saying

XXX