Streaming down the left of your screen (hopefully): Just to get the newsletter going, a mini "slideshow" of me and Valencia. Michael had just got his new Motorola and it was only later he adjusted the camera to a higher resolution.

Setting: The House and Garden.

Date: Saturday, 20 March.

Time: Around 4pm, not long before Chernise and Ricardo's St James Beach wedding.

And by the way, this issue is dedicated to Chernise and Ricardo (because Chernise said so!)

I had invited Valencia along as my wedding partner, so her husband, Ashley, dropped her at my place and then Caroll (along with Ruth and Rowina) picked us up. Alas, no pictures of them are available at this time though they are welcome to submit a few for possible use in future ADTs. Perhaps Chernise will send me one of the photos taken of all of us on the beach. (Subtle Hint)

So hey, guess what, the web ADT is back by popular demand. You asked for it (okay, if not you then someone else), so now you have to read it, whether you like the background colour or not.

If you are wondering why I included that ancient Sunday's Child description in the special label I have given this issue, it's because I was born on a Sunday, not because I'm trying to hint that I'm gay. But that leads me to my next point. I think some people were wondering, in fact some of you even checked outright (which is great since it's good to know what goes through people's mind when you're being mysterious). Anyway I'm not, but so what if I had been? You must be exactly who you are. Not who other people expect you to be. Oh and I was reminded of the Sunday's Child thing when I saw that Will Young's new album is called Friday's Child. I haven't got it, but I do love his new song, Leave Right Now. But please don't, there's still a lot of newsletter left here for you to wade through. Yes, Debbie and Lauren R, I know the song is stuck in your head now. Sorry...

Speaking of Debbie, here are some photos taken with the camera of the super-famous Debbie on 29 December 2003...

Above: Debbie holding Hannah-ohnotheflashishurtingmyeyes-Joy at the Strand Street Spur.

Below: This time it's Daddy Mac doing the honours, same time, same place.

Above: Amanda, doing the Casual & Sporty Mom thing, taking a break from holding Hannah.

Below: Tamsyn and Melody, also chilling out at the Spur, with Melody enjoying being 29 for one last day.

Oh you haven't had enough of the old pictures yet? Here are a couple of even older ones...

Left: Khudu playing proud, concerned Father, not so long after the arrival of the twins, Botlhale and Lerato. Which one is which? You will have to ask Dad.

Below: Another pic of the girls, acting independent and clearly already on their way to being superstars. Awaiting more recent pics, Khuds. Apparently they are learning to walk these days. Or already running like Hannah-Joy?

 

 

 

Okay, back to the present now. Or actually the future since I'm about to write about April which hasn't reached us yet (unless you're reading this in April of course).

Yeah, so I'm going to be out of my home city from 03 April until 13 April. Not sure about after that yet, but I am due to return to Cape Town on the 13th just in time to vote the next day. The 14th is a public holiday on which all dedicated and proudly South African citizens may have their say.

Michael, Tamsyn and I are driving to Mossel Bay on Saturday and I have lots to do before we leave, so this newsletter might not be as full of news as I had originally intended. It would take too long and I want to get this newsletter out today (the 30th). Probably wishful thinking, but I'll see what I can do.

We'll be in Mossel Bay, staying at a self-catering apartment called Home at Bay (www.wheretostay.co.za/homeatbay/default.htm) until the morning of 09 April. Then we're going to Kimberley where we'll be staying in a chalet at the Riverton/Langley resort until we leave on the 13th. I've never before seen the Big Hole in Kimberley, so if you're lucky I'll fall into it and you'll never have to see my face or read my long newsletters ever again.

It's a vacation, of course, but I admit it wouldn't have happened if I wasn't determined to support the multi-talented and -faceted Garth Taylor on his tour of these two places. Cos as Caroll says, "He's your number one". Gotta go, need to go and it's going to be wonderful. And thanks to Tamsyn and Michael for always being there for me. They should walk around with "True Friends" branded on their foreheads. Then again, maybe not...

I've seen Garth (pic above stolen from his website) a few times since the last newsletter... in Wellington (13 March), Athlone (26 March), Pniel (27 into 28 March), but I'll just tell you a bit about the Generations Cafe occasion (27 Feb that turned into 28 Feb). If I don't, Verity will hang me. Though she will probably hang me for what I'm about to say anyway. Someone send this URL to her husband... argh!! Anyway, G-Man at the G-Spot... Bit of a mission for Verity to go, but she got it right... drove round to pick me up and nearly got hijacked! But she was alert and quick on the uptake. She sped up the road and did a swift turnaround at the end of our cul-de-sac (kinda like in that Peugot ad where the people injure their necks?) and hooted. Michael and I suspected it was her hooting, but we thought she was just being naughty, her way of getting my attention. Anyway she was really glad when Michael hurried out ahead of me. The would-be criminals had already buggered off, but she didn't know if they were about to come back. Verity was left with shaky legs for the rest of our trip (yes, David, she managed to drive perfectly well anyway). She was just like (apart from all the swearing of course) "Thank God those other things happened to me before. Thank God!" (their old house getting burgled while they were there and the other almost-carjackings seemed then like a preparation). Shame, the things Verity has to go through for me... She rocks. And God rocks. And funks... and together they stirred up some fun at the G-Spot!

First we picked Tamsyn up and then Verity dropped us at the club before going off to fetch her friend, Nicky (aka Naz). When the two of them arrived, we danced in a group, but Nicky and Verity decided they wanted to jazz a bit as well (this is a dance style designed for couples, in case you don't know, not that I know how to describe it), so Nicky asked a guy who was obviously having lots of fun, whether he would jazz with Verity. No problem. He really stood out in this black string-vest thing. We had spotted him before we started dancing. Apart from jazzing with Verity and Nicky, he also joined our circle, and really enjoyed Dancing Queen when it came on. I won't tell you the nickname Verity and Nicky had for him. But anyway, for some reason Tamsyn and I became separated from Verity and Nicky as the night continued and I saw them chatting to that guy on other occasions.

Garth was supposed to perform at 11 with the Cape Town band, Just Us, backing him. I think the band arrived late though I can't be sure what the delay was about. Little did I know (until two days later) that Verity was up to stuff behind the scenes. Tamsyn and I were in the front row in the middle when Garth came on and Verity and Naz on one side of the stage, sitting on the edge of it in fact, so we could see one another. Verity was meant to have been home by midnight, but it was way past by then. And I said if she had to go then I would ask Michael to fetch me and Tamsyn and this is what happened eventually. Verity and Nicky stayed for all but the last song Garth did. It was the first time they had seen him in action and they found it worth the wait. "We thoroughly enjoyed his performance! I had no idea he was so talented!" (This is what Verity said two days later.)

Anyway he danced as always while singing a number of songs (beautifully, of course), most of them his own, and took over on the keyboard for a bit. Then did an awesome NdiHamba Nawe (you know, the Mafikizolo song) drum solo. And then he said he had a surprise, that there was someone there who had sang his song, Why, for his Idols audition (I think the first one, in 2002). And that this guy, Ashley, was going to come on stage and sing it with him. Turns out Ashley is the string-vest guy. So there's me having a good laugh about this and really enjoying the duet. Ashley enjoyed it even more. Shyish, but so thrilled. "Thank you sooo much!" And when he left the stage, Garth says, "Clap for him like he's... Aretha Franklin!" I think Ashley liked that.

And then Verity and Nicky left, so it was only when Verity called me two days later that I discovered the following: At some point Verity said something to Nicky like, "He'd better get his ass here soon" (Garth) and then Ashley said, "Yes, I want to sing tonight! Did you know I was in Idols?" (or something like that) and then they said to him, "Why don't you go and ask his manager or someone if you can sing on stage?", so he goes and then eventually comes back to them and says, "I'm singing!!" And of course Verity and Nicky request that he dedicates the song to them and he says, "No, I'm singing to everybody!" Shame, but I don't think they minded. I do think part of the delay then was caused by Garth and Ashley probably doing a quick rehearsal in the back. When Garth finished his performance he was like, "Come say hi to me backstage if you haven't said hi before." And I'm like, "Hey and what if we've said hi before??" And he's like, "And if you've said hi before, come say hi again..." That's right! And then he was describing the Islands in the Stream video to me cos I missed the beginning of it on TV. "It's all silly stuff, but I didn't want it to be like a love thing, I just wanted it to be..." And we both said, "Fun. Yeah."

Okay, enough about all that. You have no idea how long it takes me to get through some of the stuff I write about. I write a line and then I jump up to put the radio on or jump up to change the frequency. Or I walk into the garden. Or I dance to some funky song on the radio...and then suddenly it's two songs, three... just so that I don't have to go back to this damn newsletter which is like a record that wears my heart on its sleeve. I was telling Verity earlier, it feels sometimes like I'm exposing my soul, but there are reasons I have to do it anyway. Thanks for your supportive words, bud, I needed them. It's not easy to be open and honest (yet protective of the most sacred stuff) because it makes you vulnerable to criticism and you can get hurt. And I'm sure some people think what the hell am I doing going to all these GT shows, am I desperate or something? Isn't it just a little pathetic? But actually, no, I'm not pathetic. And I know what I am doing and I'm doing it for all the right reasons. And I thank those of you who have been so incredibly supportive of me. Even though, like Tamsyn and my mother have both said, I am the only one who can truly know what I am going through. And thank you to everyone who has played some part in sponsoring me through this period. Don't worry, I won't always be without money and your generosity will come back to you. And though it looks like I am not working, since I don't have a normal job, I am actually on a mission (or even more than one mission, to be honest) and for want of a better phrase, the fruits of my labour will be apparent to others soon. And will continue to be seen... And I have been asked quite often when Look Inside is coming out. God knows. There's your answer in two words. Cos that book was written by me, but not planned by me and I don't know exactly when it's going to be done, but it will be, you can count on that. And sorry if I sound like a psycho. I know I'm sane and healthy. I feel it inside in ways that are close to indescribable right now. Not that anyone has actually questioned my sanity, but believe me I have. And I know I am doing far better than I ever have in my life. I'm really living. I have direction and the right direction for that matter. And I'm not a bloody idiot either. I know who I am. Okay, I feel better now. Amazing how much good positive talk can do.

Anyway here's a crazy picture for you. Taken on Human Rights Day, Sunday, 21 March. Not sure who that freak is (probably on drugs), but I thought it might lighten the mood of this newsletter a little.

Right: Oh and here's another one Tamsyn said I look like an angel in. As opposed to the wicked little thing I really am I guess! Taken on the same day. Bit blurry, but anyway.

These were taken specifically for the newsletter. Actually I originally had no intention of making that tongue one public, but what the hell. You are fortunate in that you are not getting to see the whole selection of photos. After all, how many pics of me do you really want to see in one issue? And I am only putting so many in here to make up for the last three ADTs which were colourless emails.

This was the day I SMSed my friend, Paul to ask if he was going to see us before he left the country yet again. Helen had told Michael a couple of days before that Paul was in town until the 24th. This was not long before she left for her New Zealand holiday. Hope it's going fantastically, Helen! And then Paul phones me and says, "How did you find out I was here?" Nice, Paul, nice. Haha, but then he arranged to visit me on the morning of the 23rd. As usual he ended up arriving earlier than originally anticipated. "Not spoiling your plans, am I?", "No Paul, I just need to clean this place up", "Don't worry, I'll help you sweep." Sure. But he did help me hang up the washing (to some extent). And then we went to have lunch at the UCT Club. Met up with Michael at the visitor's centre and were graciously allowed to park there even though we weren't supposed to. And then we got to Paul's friend, Eden (currently studying at UCT), just outside the club. He was feeling weird cos he'd just handed in an essay and wasn't used to the feeling of not having a millstone around his neck or something. Three of us ordered chicken schnitzel, funny how that kind of thing happens hey. Eden wasn't very hungry so he got something smaller. Paul's younger brother, Val, was due to meet us there too. He's studying Primary School Education at UCT, but he's also a writer. I hadn't seen him up close in around ten years (?) because that's probably how long it's been since I've been to Paul's parents' house. Anyway he arrived not long before Paul and I had to leave again because Paul had to fetch his mother at her art class. So I suggested he fetch her before taking me back home so that he wasn't late for her. Worked out fine, except that Paul was frustrated that there doesn't seem to be a nice way to get from Pinelands to Kenilworth. There isn't a good way, is there, Verity? Anyway it was good to catch up with Paul. He's currently on a six-week assignment in Vietnam and who knows, maybe I'll see him again in May or maybe he'll be in Australia for a holiday with his girlfriend who lives in the Phillipines.

Speaking of Australia, I hope Marcia and Dion are enjoying their holiday there. And that they had a good time in Singapore too. They left Joburg on the 25th of March, my mother's birthday. We called her on her big day since we couldn't be there to spend it with her. She's doing fine, getting into her new job etc. Hope you got the birthday card, Mom!

A lot of people I know have been travelling somewhere lately. My aunt, Bette, got the opportunity to go to Mauritius on the 17th, Gerard went to the USA (from the UK) on the 20th (good trip? I know I owe you an email), Helen went to New Zealand on the 20th and not sure, but Ruth might have moved back to Australia (from Norway) on that day too (another person I owe an email)...

Chowing a slice of swiss roll now. The 7-Eleven actually makes some things pretty well. Won't catch me buying meat there though...

Okay here's another picture. L-R: Tam, Mel, Sam and Shirl. This was also taken on 21 March (in case you think I hardly ever change my clothes).

Michael, Tamsyn, Sameera, Shirleen and I had a coffee/whatever get-together at the Mugg & Bean in Constantia. Shirleen, who is an optometrist, was having an unusual weekend in that she had three days in a row off work (she usually works on most Saturdays, but she had the previous day off and Monday was a public holiday because Human Rights Day fell on the Sunday). I know you can't see my new specs properly in this pic, but Shirleen did them for me! She did a thorough eye test on me on 10 March and helped me choose my frame. I took a train to Heathfield, walked to my Dad and then he drove me to Blue Route for the test. I would have walked from Retreat station, but he insisted on giving me a lift. Thanks, Dad. And thanks again, Shirleen, for all your help and professionalism... Sameera recently started a new job at Groote Schuur Hospital as a Medical Officer at the Breast Cancer clinic and though it is hard work she feels as if she is in the right place. But she's also doing a course, so she's pretty stressed out. Tamsyn is on the lookout for another job and is anticipating getting away from the current one for a short while when we go on this trip. Michael is trying to finish off a few assignments before the trip too, not an easy task, but all will work out in the end.

While we are away, Ross and Lauren's friends, Sarah and Dave are coming to Cape Town (from Durban) for a holiday, so they'll be staying at our house. Lauren will be on holiday until the 12th because UCT's first term comes to a close at the end of this week. Despite a couple of yukky tests, Lauren seems to be doing well in her third year of Genetics. 85% for a Biochemistry test is not bad! She and Ross are going to watch a half-price Tuesday movie tonight.

Michael had the opportunity to see his father on Sunday evening. Rob was in Cape Town on business and they were both invited for a braai at the home of family friends. So that was good for them, to see each other for the first time this year.

Oh the rugby! I said I would probably not say much about it this year, but Valencia objected and then I even went to watch a live game this past weekend, so *sigh* I guess I have no choice but to say a bit about it. Where are the Stormers on the Super 12 log at the moment? Second? I think so. Good for you, guys! Now for the tour... may try-inducing blessings rain down upon you while you are in Australasia! Yeah anyway, Caroll suggested a few weeks ago that we go to the rugby while the Stormers are still playing at Newlands. In fact she was quite adamant that she wanted to experience a live Newlands game for the first time and she said she would try and organise comps. We couldn't go on 20 March because we had Chernise and Ricardo's wedding to attend. So that just left 27 March. By the time the wedding came around we had already decided to go and then before the ceremony took place, Kelvin and Valencia also expressed interest in going. In fact when I got an SMS from Andy to say that Flat Stanley would be performing at Maynardville at the Annual Barleycorn Festival (sounds a little hillbilly, doesn't it, Andy?) on the 27th and told them, "Funny, I just got a message about something else that's at the same time as the rugby", Kelvin was like, "We are going to that rugby!" You see, he had been planning to go to the Stormers/Brumbies game that day, but it clashed with the wedding, something obviously much more important. Anyway, Andy, sorry, but I had to go with them. I have diarised your Green Dolphin performance on 06 June though!

Anyway we couldn't get comps in time, so on Friday (after a long process of trying to figure out which tickets to buy) I went off to Newlands to purchase five Jan Pickard seating tickets on my poor little credit card 'cos in addition to me, Kelvin, Caroll and Valencia, Belinda (Kel's wife) also came. I got fully refunded the following day though and this included my ticket being paid for my Kel and Caroll, and thanks for the boerewors roll too, Caroll! Kel and Bel collected three of the tickets from Michael early on Saturday afternoon while I was at Tamsyn's place because they were due to pick up Valencia on their way to the rugby. Caroll took her kids to the Simonstown Navy Festival and then dropped them in Kuilsriver before racing back here to collect me. We missed Mandoza performing Nkalakatha before the game. Glad the others enjoyed that, but it seemed they enjoyed even more the Stormers doing their stretching exercises etc right in front of them. Yes even Kelvin, hahahaha. But anyway after Caroll parked at the front end of a bus parking bay in the Main Road, we power-walked to the stadium (luckily I knew my way around) and got to our seats just a couple of minutes before the Bulls ran out onto the field. And then the Stormers came out and won as I knew they would, or I sort of knew anyway. We all had a great time and some guy gave Valencia a photo he had taken of Breyton Paulse singing at some or other function as we were leaving. Just 'cos she was wearing a number 14 Paulse shirt and he just felt the need. She was delighted!

Oh and I promised Lauren's friend, Lauren, that I would write a paragraph about her winning a R50 Shoprite voucher on the train the other day too. For some reason Metrorail were having some promotion and giving away prizes on the train if you could answer a Metrorail-related question correctly. First you had to be approached though and the person Lauren was with got asked what colour the line was on the station that you weren't meant to cross (yellow) and when that won her a voucher, Lauren said, "Can't I win something too?". Apparently the guy had one voucher left, so he asked if she had a weekly ticket and she was like, "I have a monthly." Even more impressive of course. So there it was.

Three nights before Wendy returned to Scotland, Andy (from Flat Stanley) took us out for dinner. Very, very sweet of him. It happened on 01 March and we went to The Butcher's Grill in Claremont. It was my first time there and though its speciality is steak, something I hardly ever eat, there were other things I could choose from and I must say I was very impressed with the chicken curry I had. Michael, Lauren and Ross were there too and we all had a wonderful evening. Of course I managed to stir Andy up to the point where he told me he was deleting me from the Flat Stanley mailing list and, "I don't want that March newsletter, bru!" Well you are getting it! Oh and I know I advertised the Flat Stanley website the last time, but I'm going to advertise it again now because it wasn't ready until... today? Well I got an SMS from Andy earlier saying "check it out" basically and it's definitely got stuff on it now and looks real professional-like. You'd never say he typed it all in with just two fingers hahaha. It's www.flatstanley.co.za.

Then on the following evening we had dinner at our grandparents' house in Retreat, also a cheerful occasion. And finally on Wendy's last night here, we had a braai at our house and our dad came over for that. Ross's mother was in town then as well and she popped in to meet my dad. Tamsyn stayed for dinner too. It went very well, Michael really did a great job with the meat.

Wendy is still on the lookout for a new job, although she has a promising Thomas Cooke follow-up interview coming up late in April. Meanwhile she might waitress. She's missing Cape Town, but I hope she had a great time in Edinburgh this past weekend. She was looking forward to going.

After we took her to the airport on the 4th where we had cappuchinos and, in Michael's case, a hot chocolate, Shirleen and I went to watch Ashraf's play at the Baxter. The one he wrote and acts in. The re-released, reworked Salaam Stories. It was the opening night and Ashraf had set aside two comps for me. It also meant snacks afterwards, a really, really fantastic selection of stuff. Shirleen and I were truly impressed. Er and of course we enjoyed the play too! Good to see it again, new bits and all. Had a nice chat with Ashraf afterwards. Busy boy. But still so sweet... We must do something again, Ash. No, really! Big party coming up for you this year?

Oh I have a dental appointment tomorrow, something I am not looking forward to at all and I hope some good stuff happens in the morning to put me in a good mood before the thing. I am sure the dentist will tell me to get out as soon as I open my mouth. Shame.

Had my flu shot recently. Over in one second though the tender swelling lasts a couple of days.

I must say an official congratulations to Ricardo and Chernise on their marriage. Definitely a success and the reception was great, such a nice vibe there... back to Joburg tonight right? May your future together be... wonderful!

Oh, Shirleen, I must tell you this bit, when they played the music at the wedding there was almost like a de ja vu thing because something happened in pretty much the same way it did at your birthday party which was, oddly enough, exactly three months before the wedding now that I think about it. No coincidence, I suppose, three being an important number... Chernise and Ricardo opened the dancing with the song, Zoom... just one look and then my heart went boom... (hey, weird, I was wearing Zoom shoes to the wedding) and then there were a few songs and then Garth's Why came on (oh, Rowina's husband and son were doing the music, but believe me, I did not request anything, just like it was all in the deejay's hands at Shirleen's party) so of course I went onto the dancefloor, taking a few of the others at the table with me. And then Only With You came on and then Islands in the Stream. Exactly like at your party, Shirleen, a GT triple-play, same songs, same order. And, like at yours, it really got the dancing going! And I knew. I knew. Like I always know.

There's more news, but enough now, I think.

Below: Finally, the posey pic (21 March). Now you know where I do most of my dancing.

Current favourite dance tune: Officially Missing You by Tamia (the coin drops one... man, that song funks)

Current favourite slowie: She Believes in Me by Ronan Keating

Current favourite line: "Ooh babe, you set my soul on fire, that's why I know that you're my heart's only desire." Sung by Lee in the band Blue, in Signed, Sealed, Delivered, I'm Yours.

"People are like stained-glass windows. They sparkle and shine when the sun is out, but when the darkness sets in their true beauty is revealed only if there is a light from within." ~ Elizabeth Kubler-Ross ~

"Be more concerned with your character than your reputation because your character is what you really are whereas your reputation is merely what others think you are" ~ John Wooden ~

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NB. This ender changes from time to time: This issue is only available on www.adt.org.za unless otherwise organised. A DifferenTune is a sometimes publication, previously known (for issues 1.1, 1.2 and 2.1) as A Different Tune. It has existed since I, Melody Joshua, created the November 1995 issue. All correspondence and contributions should be addressed to me at melody@adt.org.za or 2 Chesterton, Blackheath Road, Kenilworth, 7708, South Africa. Everything printed in ADT has been written and edited by its creator unless otherwise stated. Back issues are available on request. They will be sent free of charge for private, non-moneymaking purposes at the leisure of the creator or immediately for a small fee of three South African Standard Postage stamps per issue. Foreigners, aliens and exiles may send me 100 grams of Cadbury's milk chocolate per issue instead.