neo-habitant's regret

I have Mover's Envy.

Fuck.

So there I was, living in a place for five years, and not four months after moving out, the coolest spot in Joburg pops up just over the road.
Exactly opposite where I used to live.

And this place has shades of New York written all over it.

My old flat in Illovo, fuck.
For years – years – the shop opposite me was a motorbike mechanic brothel, basically. Twenty years-worth of brake fluid on that floor.

Filled with grease monkeys wearing pleather jackets who'd comment on my ass/boobs/whatever, when I walked past.
What happens after I move [to suburbia?] Rose Boys moves on in.

The pavements are all painted pink and black, there are benches, tables and buckets of roses outside, solid concrete tables inside [made especially so that people can dance on them], and the most amazing martinis I've ever yet to drink.

Rose Boys was an institution at Atholl Square a few years back, and it has since re-emerged, right on my old fucking doorstep.

Anyway, whatever, it's still only like 2 kilometres away now. I guess.

Last night I went out for dinner with Doc there. He's always been a regular at Rose Boys, and knows the hostess by first name, hug-hug-kiss-kiss like. And so he suggested I have a birthday party there in September. Yes please, how amazing!

I figure The Attic in Parkhurst has been done too many times for too many birthdays recently, so this should be a nice change.

Our meals arrived so quickly as well.
Although I saw Doc the whole weekend, we didn't manage to really catch up, so it was great having a few martinis and a meal with one of my best friends on the planet.

We can be very honest with each other, and to me, that is so important. That's what distinguishes a best mate – we can always be honest and know it only comes from deep caring and love. And I include all of my best mates in this, the one's that know me backwards and love me all the same.

Mates that know what you're thinking, say if you're out of line, celebrate your successes and just as equally: be there when things are really really really shit. Doc is doing so well with his new business – his beautiful imported furniture from India. I'm so proud of him.

'Tis true what they say about friends and family.

Anyway, that's all very sentimental. Tomorrow we go to Greece.
Oh. The. Excitement. Around. This. Office.

And in other news, the sweetest, most unexpected source (oh trust me on this one), is trying to set me up on a blind date. Bless her heart. I think it's hilarious.