Nothing To Play

You know how they say that when a woman looks in her closet full of clothes and say that they have nothing to wear? Well a gamers version is that they look at all the games they have and say that they have nothing to play. This is where I stand now, I have many games that I haven't completed and are just laying around collecting dust. I just can't bring myself around to play them and I don't know why.

Princess In a Basket

You have heard of cat in a hat, but what about cat in a basket? This area is now designated as Princess's sleeping area. It used to be on top of the table, but now that the basket is in the way it has become the new and improved spot to take a nice nap. If I were a cat that would surely be my favorite spot as well, nice pick! This is truly the life of a princess.

Little Soldier Boy

I remember when I was younger I used to play with a bunch of these, putting them in a formation against each other and played out a battle in my head. It seems kind of weird and a bit morbid having children imagine people killing each other in a battle, but I guess that was a different time. This little guy was found lying on the tv table, an old relic from the past.

Seeing him now reminded me of a short song from a cartoon I watched when I was younger. Avatar: The Last Airbender, was aired on Nickelodeon from 2005 to 2008 covering 3 seasons. The show, throughout its runtime, explored adult themes such as death, love, war, and more. It was a show that taught life lessons, but still appealed to its younger audience. The short poem like song, Leaves From the Vine, is about in the perspective of a father whos son died in a war.

Leaves from the vine

Falling so slow

Like fragile tiny shells

Drifting in the foam

Little soldier boy

Come marching home

Brave soldier boy

Comes marching home

Rain Season

Weather in South Africa can be unpredictable at times, but this is about the time when most of the rain comes down along with some pretty nasty storms. Today it was peace and quite with the sun shining bright then the next moment it was all rain, wind, and thunder. There are also times in the afternoon when there is a big storm but the sun is shining just as bright as a hot summer day. It really makes you think, what is up with the weather?

SMITE

 

Tonight was dedicated to SMITE night, a weekly event where the team comes online for the night to play as a full squad. Unfortunately we were not very successful and lost most of our games, frustrating everyone. We only play once a week so as not to get burnt out playing the game so much. We are not getting the best regular practice in but that doesn't really matter because we are just playing for fun. But man we are really bad sometimes...

Rooftop Gardening

Well today was quite the experience having to take out some plants that were growing in the gutter on the one side of the house. It looked like some leaves accumulated inside, with the water and some micro-organisms, and had biodegraded into mush that gave these plants the perfect environment to grow. I came along and then pulled out their roots and cleaned up the gutter a bit to try and stop that from happening again. 

That is nature for you, if you leave it long enough nature will reclaim what was once theirs. Thinking about it, who are we to stand in its way?

Game Night

Tonight is dedicated to the boys, playing games and cracking a cold one. About once a week we all come online and play some SMITE, which is a game with a similar style to Dota or LoL. It is a over the shoulder type view where you control your character directly, it also has a few different game modes including the classic three lane map. Tonight was a good day winning 3 out of our 4 matches against our enemies. We might play more this weekend and hopefully we are just as successful.

Spread the Love

What is better than having a cat to love and give scratches? Having two cats to love and give scratches at the same time. Paddington is usually the main cat that sticks around for some snuggles, and Minky is more rare to come by. This is the very first time that they are both wanting attention from me at the same time which makes this a very special moment indeed, especially since Minky is very adamant about her personal space with other cats.

Still Chrismas?

Here is the big question, when do you take the Christmas tree down? This is second to, when do you put the Christmas tree up? In this house the answer is whenever it feels too old, but that changes constantly. I have heard that a very select few don't even take it down and is a permanent decoration. This is only possible of course with the fake trees which is the leading form of Christmas tree for South Africa. But still the question stands when does Christmas end?

Practice

I've received this guitar as a gift from my father years ago, but I lost interest rather quickly. I regret that decision in my youth as I would probably be really good by now, maybe even have a few songs written. Two years ago I picked it up again and started learning, but there is still a lot to learn and I am just a beginner. Today was dedicated to practicing some basics, and slowly building that muscle memory.

Baking Day

A weekend is one of the best times to do some recitational baking. Baking brings joy in many ways, for the ones baking and the ones eating, and the best is when you're both. I have a sweet tooth and I enjoy baking when the mood strikes me, but the mood doesn't come around very often. Lynda did some baking today and made some of her home famous peanut butter cookies, which just makes my tongue dance with joy!

Star Wars Day

I know it is a late but I have started to watch The Mandalorian, well more like binge as I finished the first season today. The series reminded me of the original Star Wars and the Prequels (we don't talk about the sequels) and how those movies have expanded the boundaries of cinematic story telling and  the sci-fi genre its self. I believe that it is because of these movies along with some other influences that I have had a fascination with science fiction.

Star wars has been a massive hit over many years, which brought out the many marketing ideas such as toys and games. This bobble head is just one of them and is just left sitting on a shelf in its box, but thinking about it, who doesn't want a little baby Yoda sitting around. Maybe I'll get one.

The New Year

This blog was dedicated to following my father day by day through a photo, along with a paragraph or two explaining his day or his thoughts. Some readers will be aware that my father, Jerome, has passed away in the middle of last year due to health complications caused by SARS-CoV-2. His last post on 18 June 2020 was just a few days before he went to hospital to receive treatment. He is with his true father in Heaven now, and is happily looking down on us all.

It is a new year and with it comes fresh beginnings and new starts for everyone. It was always the plan for me to eventually continue what he started when the time came, my plan of course. What I didn't expect was how soon that time would come. Keeping up with a post everyday is a big endevor and is quite daunting, but hopefully with perseverance I can do it. So this is the beginning of my story, happy new year. 

Oh, and welcome to One Day in the Life of Matthew!

Day 84 - Kaptein span die seile

 

 Lockdown Day 84 - Level 3 Day 18 - Now I am not a big Kurt Darren fan but when I went over to Cherie and Graham's home to drop off a package for their daughter Courtney, an Indian Myna flew up and hopped up to me. Cherie introduced Kaptein to me. She told me that Kaptein was rescued by her neighbour and hand reared.  Kaptein lives a dangerous life in a land full of cats yet he doesn't stray far from the area.

When I heard what his name was immediately the Kurt Darren song, Kaptein, sprang to mind. I bent over and stuck out my finger to which Kaptein jumped on. After introducing himself to me, he flew to Cherie's to check out her shinny earrings which caught his eye. Ahh my Kaptein, span die seile.

Day 83 - Watchful Eye

 

Lockdown Day 83 - Level 3 Day 17 - What else can I do? It is freezing outside, surely it is going to snow today. Nothing fell last night as the weatherman predicted but what do they know. Anyhoo what to do. I drag myself out of bed, jump into a steaming hot shower. Ahh I swear a hot shower was just what the doctor ordered. 

By 9am I found myself at my desk, joined by Paddy and his watchful green eyes. Now what can I do to move forward...

Day 82 - Even Baboons Wear Masks

 

Lockdown Day 82 - Level 3 Day 16 - With a cutoff low, the weather has turned nasty with sleet falling this morning and snow forecast later today or tomorrow. Lynda and I went in to the local hardware shop to purchase a gas regulator so that Dael can use the larger 9kg gas bottle on our small gas heater instead of the 4.5kg that we had with the small heater. The 9kg bottles are easier to swap out compared with the 4.5kg you had to refill.

On our way to the hardware shop through horrible weather, we saw this statue of a baboon wearing a facial mask. So even baboon's know that it is wise to wear a mask in these trying times of CoViD-19.

Day 81 - Call the Plumber

 

Lockdown Day 81 - Level 3 Day 15 - Last night our tenant called me and showed me the newly developed problem of a blocked drain. It has been nearly 2 years since the drain was blocked last. I replaced a section of sewerage line 3 tenants ago so this came as a surprise. This morning Trio Plumbers arrived to unblock the drain. It wasn't long and it was running smoothly again.

Day 80 - Crying into my Omelette

 

 Lockdown Day 80 - Level 3 Day 14 - I can cry if I want to as it is my birthday after all. Happy birthday to me. Thank you everyone for all the well wishes. It is good to know that we are not alone.

Matthew made me an awesome spinach, cheese, and ham omelette for breakfast which I enjoyed immensely in bed. Thank you Matt. And not to forget Lynda for my new jacket and tasty treats. Winter be join with you.

God has promised that "from now on I will tell you of new things, of hidden things unknown to you. They are created now, and not long ago; you have not heard of them before today." so that I can't say it was my idea but give God all the glory. He went on to say "I am the Lord your God, who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go" Yes and out of this storm God will be glorified. Here is my heart Lord, speak what is true. Happy birthday.

Day 79 - Shaved Ewok

 

Lockdown Day 79 - Level 3 Day 13 - Winter is truly here, and Lynda has been digging in the laundry cupboard searching for Jade's clothing that is too small for her. Here is one outfit that now fits Seun so nicely that he looks like an Ewok. Okay it is a long stretch but maybe a shaved Ewok? Okay that nose is certainly not from the Ewok genes. 

Winter we are ready for you!

Day 78 - How Not to Carry a Bike

 

Lockdown Day 78 - Level 3 Day 12 - I had to take a drive west and it was getting too cold for the bike which means that I am getting soft during this lockdown, ahhh shame. Anyhoo so here I was in my cage and saw this atrocity before me, a scooter being carried in such an undignified manner in the back of a hatchback on it's side. I could actually cry seeing this but anger had to be controlled. 

Well my mamma did teach me that I can't say a thing until I walk in their shoes, so I don't know what the circumstances are that lead to this horrible sight but this is not how you carry a bike on another vehicle. NO!

Day 77 - Antibiotic Loading

 

 Lockdown Day 77 - Level 3 Day 11 - The fast food industry is opening up slowly since Level 3 started. Today I had to go in to the bank to get a form filled out and to do some queries. At the bank they took my temperature, it was 36.0°C and I had to fill out a register for CoViD-19. 

After I had finished up at the bank and was about to head back home to safety, I saw that Chicken Licken was open, so I thought it best to get my boost of antibiotics, as you should all know that chicken is good for when you sick because it is packed with antibiotics.

Before entering the fried chicken outlet, I had to beat the lady wearing a mask and armed with a thermometer and sanitiser spray bottle. Another 36.0°C, I had defeated the lady and now had to challenge the counter lady for my fiery chicken wings. It wasn't long before I was antibiotic Loading. Now to conquer the world.

Day 76 - Seun the Pomeranian

 

Lockdown Day 76 - Level 3 Day 10 On Sunday evening another rescue was brought home, this time it as a Pomeranian called Snoopy but the kids are calling him Seun which is boy in Afrikaans. Strange even our tenant calls his pig dog Seun whereas his name is Murdock.

Today Seun was taken to the doggy parlour to be de-fleaed, de-wormed, and have his haircut before he can be integrated with our other animals. So here is Seun or is that still Snoopy?

Day 75 - Trust and Obey

 

Lockdown Day 75 - Level 3 Day 9 - Well here I find myself at the Department of Labour as it opened to the public for the first time yesterday due to the Coronavirus and as expected my now ex-boss, owner of WebSense Internet Solutions and Therabreath South Africa, still has not sent in the correct documents needed. It is like he is purposely not doing right thing, well that is what it feels like to me. This time Nomvula, the lady from Labour helping me, phoned my ex-boss who said the she must email the request to his email address and he would forward it to his accountants. So Nomvula sent the email so now we wait and trust that he would do the right thing.

So now here I am, in the middle of the corona virus pandemic without a job and yet I find that God is my paddle. I will trust that He has my future close to His heart.

Day 74 - Another Monday

 

Lockdown Day 74 - Level 3 Day 8 - Another week, another Monday, good Lord, how long can I go on like this? And the Lord answered me to truly humble myself. I am foundering in this storm and in this storm God encouraged me with tenderness that I should have joy in all circumstances, including this perfect storm that we find ourselves in as we are blessed with health, food on the table, and a roof over our heads. So thank you Lord for another Monday.

Day 73 - Soft Kitty

 

Lockdown Day 73 - Level 3 Day 7 - Soft kitty, warm kitty, little ball of fur! Happy kitty, sleepy kitty, purr purr purr!

Sunday afternoon naps, purrfect for little soft kitties such as Minky, fast asleep on our bed while the warm afternoon sun streams through the window. Surely this would make Sheldon's mom very proud.

Soft kitty, warm kitty, little ball of fur! Happy kitty, sleepy kitty, purr purr purr!

Day 72 - Road Gang Strikes Again

 

Lockdown Day 72 - Level 3 Day 6 - Since the National Coronavirus Lockdown started 72 days ago the Johannesburg Roads Department have been operating on skeleton staff even though the other Johannesburg Municipality departments such as Water and Sanitation have been fully operational. As for the roads well here we are, our roads are full of potholes that the general public have to repair the roads themselves.

Today the Roodekrans Neighbourhood Watch got volunteers together and started repair the really serious potholes, the ones that were damaging cars. Thank you RNW for doing what you doing and showing the local government how to do their work.

Day 71 - Varkhond

 

Lockdown  Day 71 - Level 3 Day 5 - Next month we will be getting new tenants in our garden cottage which means we will be seeing the last of Murdock the Bull Terrier or a Varkhond in Afrikaans. No we not that sorry to be seeing the last of him as not only has he chewed up the electrical cables feeding the outside lights in the front of the property but also the irrigation system's pipes and sprinkler heads. As in Afrikaans it is called a Varkhond or directly translated a Pig Dog because of its pig like appearance and its looks like only a mother would love. Although it gets on with other dogs it tends to be a one dog family dog as it can be obstinate as they are independent and very, very stubborn.

Day 70 - Matt Minks

 

Lockdown Day 70 - Level 3 Day 4 - So life goes on. Lynda is back at work. The Corona virus is sure getting closer to home. Our suburb had only 3 cases until the end of May but now since Level 3 has jumped up 10 new cases, eish. We have many retirement villages, and one of them went into strict lockdown as it has 1 case in their high care ward, no one going in or out in that village. Lynda's 85 year old dad is in hospital in Cape Town. He is very frail but test results have come back negative. 

Minky and Matt are sure becoming best of friends as can be seen in today's photo.

Day 69 - Bird of Paradise

 

Lockdown Day 69 - Level 3 Day 3 - I need to get this garden in the front all cleaned up. Here are some of the Strelitzia flowers in full bloom in our garden. The are better known as the Bird of Paradise flower as you can clearly see. One of the people who came to view our garden cottage has signed the lease and is moving in at the end of the month. They are a young couple getting their first home together away from there parents. 

This is a new start for everyone as I am out looking for new opportunities to move forward.

Day 68 - Not at Work

 

Lockdown Day 68 - Level 3 Day 2 - Sigh, I supposed to be at work, making a living but here I find myself at home still while many have gone back to work. All I know God is in control and I must have faith. I am good at what I do and I am starting to get responses to enquiries. Yesterday I helped a company set up their AdWords account. Today I went to the Labour Department only to be turned away because they are only opening up to new applications next week. Spoke to my lawyer about my CCMA application. Chatted with a potential client who was referred to me by a blues musician And by afternoon I found myself watching Dr John Campbell on the television. 

We enjoy John as he gives down to earth news and advice about what is happening in this sorry Corona virus world we live in. And no he is not frowning at my stinky feet as they are not stinky at all. Talking about the CoVid-19, it looks like that it is getting too close for comfort. Lynda's dad who is 85 and in a retirement village in Cape Town was taken to hospital today. He is very frail and is running a temperature. He has cancer as a comorbidity which makes his case a little worrying. Now we wait for the test results.

 

Day 67 - Monday Chaotic

 

Lockdown Day 67 - Oh dear must people start going back to work today as be enter Level 3, well most except hair dressers, hospitality staff, restaurants staff, and of course me, as I have become a victim of someone scuttling the boat to save himself.

Anyhoo! Today is chaotic as bottle stores open and I found that the queues for alcohol were way longer than the food queues. Go figure.

But for me and my family life goes on. Here is Matthew and Minky becoming best of friends. Minky has always been a peoples cat, always loving people but not other cats.