Thursday, August 28, 2008

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.

39 comments:

Jadedally said...

I feel like watching the Hardy boys and drinking some martinis after reading that...

kyknoord said...

You don't think they were waiting for you to leave, do you? Nah, that's just paranoid - or is it?

Peas on Toast said...

Alison - it's a must! You can only two cocktails there: a cosmopolitan martini (deee-licious) and a normal martini.

They go straight to your head, be warned. Do it!

Peas on Toast said...

Kyk - Nah, that crossed my mind too.
Maybe they were like, 'oh god, she found us.'

;)

Jadedally said...

it's almost 1am and in a city that never sleeps whatelse is there to do but live a little ;)

Peas on Toast said...

Alison, are you in New York? Oh my God, you lucky bugger!

OK scratch Rose Boys, it's completely lame. Whereabouts are you?

(God I love the World Wide Web!)

Jadedally said...

yes I am indeed in the big apple... in Greenwich Village to be precise...

the www rocks

Peas on Toast said...

Cheese and rice that's cool. You're possibly by far my coolest reader that's made herself known, just based on location.

Even cooler than that dude who lives in Toronto and thinks he actually knows me.

So what do you do Alison? Are you a born and bred New Yorker?

Jadedally said...

no orginally from Iowa -- but moved to the big city 3yrs ago...

I am a lawyer well just became really, passed the bar 6 months ago!!! I think the examiners were high...

I feel sorry for the poor soul I to have represent!

Peas on Toast said...

Alison - a lawyer in New York. Good God you're glamourous! Can we be friends?

And well done on passing your bar exam, I've heard it's a psycho bitch from hell!

Lemme see...geography...Iowa, Bill Bryson, Des Moines?

Jadedally said...

well look who knows her regions.. well done peas!! I am actually from Cushing Iowa.. no one's heard of it!!!
we can so be friends!!!
lawyer in NY is not as cool as Ally Mcbeal made it seem! but it has it's martini advantages!! :)

Mich said...

Peas.. I am trying set an exam for my second years and martinis and possible parties and dancing is not helping my concerntration!! ;)

JL said...

Hey Alison. This is a comment for you because Peas has betrayed me - I used to be her new best stranger friend but I live in the same city as her and she's all like "OMG A REAL LIVE NEW YORKER" and then in my head I was like... "COOL! A REAL LIVE NEW YORKER" too - which kinda makes me not upset with Peas because I'm the same and now you have to read my blog too Alison. Are you getting this?

Sorry I haven't commented in a while Peas... work's been kicking my ass. Are you posting from Greece - because then Alison, You and I can have like this comment conference from 3 (three/troi/drie) locations around the globe and be all modern in the web and shit! Or we could just acknowledge that this in fact has been going on for a while anyway.

And then Godzilla had babies and they made a sequal. Happily ever after!

Peas on Toast said...

Alison - oh yes, and Ally McBeal is so very 1994, so you can raise the flag to new coolness. Shitters I'm jealous!

I have spent a week of my little humble life in NYC, and was blown away.

Peas on Toast said...

Elle - have a martini my girl, it'll make the exam that much more exciting! Good luck babe x

JL - ah my little The Kindness Stranger I Know, you do realise that has its own award right? And that I continue to spread the love of the most amazing stranger in the world with the soft melodies of the Bump series? ;)

Yip I'll be posting from Greece - mainly when I'm working - but it won't be regular - you know, after a few ouzos or trip to the Turkish coastline are a priority, let's face it.

Oh my word, A REAL LIFE JOBURGER! :)

JL said...

There ya go. Shout out to the Joburgers, although New Yorker sounds less like food. Let's move Peas. We can start a bloggers rehab centre for all the people who freak out when international people comment on their blog and for those who lose jobs because a) they don't do work because they blog, b) lose their jobs because they blog about work.boss c) because it would be cool to work as people who fix bloggers because that's like admitting we're better than them at it.

K. ByE!

PS I don't mean that Joburgers aren't cool - and such and such.

PPS Spread the love Peas.

PPPS I had to add this one because the two PSesses above looked lonely.

Jadedally said...

@JL - I sure I wll read blog what's the url??

@Peas - I intend to raise the bar!! there are very HOT guys and oppertunity for bang bang action at the DA's office!!!

@Elle - you have so got come back to New York!!! it's not the same without you guys.. come back!!!

PS - OMG REAL LIFE SOUTH AFRICANS!!!

Peas on Toast said...

jl - God I love you. I already asked you if we could get married, but no dice. Should we elope to New York? I'm keen as mustard.

Alison - there are very HOT guys and oppertunity for bang bang action at the DA's office!!!

Dude, I'm coming over. (Next year...after I've paid off South America. But I'm coming over. So tell the DA to keep me a seat next to him in the court room.)

Jadedally said...

anytime!!! the DA has vested interest in visitation rights! it's never boring I tell you!! just yesterday my boss got a little action or should I say the sectary got a little action from the boss.. if you know what I mean

Revolving Credit said...

So, did you pop in and say hi to Lucas while you were there?

Peas on Toast said...

No ways! This is better than Judge Judy!
Lemme guess...they were litigating sub judice on his desk right? ;)

Peas on Toast said...

Rev - you know what, I thought about it. I parked outside and we walked in and my guilt almost got the better of me. But then I thought it through: would he start crying? Would he try and manhandle Doc because he'd think Doc is my boyfriend? Would I understand what he was saying? (He's not helluva coherent.) And I thought I'd save it for another time. Poor old Lukey Luke.

Jadedally said...

close -- but better yet check it out www.jadedally.wordpress.com

oh dear I am shamelessly advertising my blog hehehe

Peas on Toast said...

Not shameless at all! This is what blogging is all about - sharing the link love baby!

Yes and just because you're the most glamourous reader to pop in, your blog is going on the blogroll dollface!

Jadedally said...

Thanks a bunch!!! I just started the blog... a friend of mine used to blog; she's the one who introduced me to your blog through her cousin(Elle). they've been asking me to start blogging and it's better than therapy!

Mich said...

Peas you didn't! one New Yorker and they get link love! PMB is so galmourous! Howick is like 25mins away and there's a waterfall!! but no we dont get link love.. it's the cows isn't?? :(

JL said...

Alison: click on my name and it will take you yo my page. My blog is there. I want to be a lwayer because I think I would fit in. They all have abbreviations instead of real names like me! It's settled, I'll be DA JL in NYC! Woot!

Peas: Thanks for letting me pimp myself on your blog - that makes us married. But before we make it official in the Apple you have to get the DA outta your system.

Cam said...

Geez...hows this?

Peas...we can postpone coffee if you wanna get married to JL rather... ;)

Otherwise please can you text me which building you're in...

Miss T said...

Greece tomorrow?! Damn....well enjoy lassie. I wish I was back there already myself

Peas on Toast said...

Elle - so sorry my doll! I didn't even realise I hadn't link loved you! Consider it done! :)

Alison - it's way better than therapy, I totally agree!

Ches - see you now now punk, yay!

Miss T - Did you go to Greece, oooh I must check this out!

Jadedally said...

and much more fun... though my analyst is quite the fella!!! but rules rules

Charmskool said...

Omigoshalooly! I am peeing from jealousy. You are going to Greece for work! Qelle travaille! And martinis at a place that sounds great. Wottapitti my joburg connections aren't the dancing on the table types. Now if I could just transport my kaapie buddies with me in september when I'm in Jozie.....

Peas on Toast said...

Charm - if only!! ASnd if you find yourself up here, best you come and share a margarita with me! :)

I know, we are also about peeing in our pants from excitement around here. Just a pity I have a PILE of work to do before we leave in 24 hours :(

po said...

I am getting a strong case of "city inferiority" right now. How does "Royal Leamington Spa, UK" float your boat? Haha.

Not quite NYC, but this one time, in the Royal LS, there were these floods that were really rather bad. People got their legs wet. They still talk about it.

Peas on Toast said...

Po - I love the 'how does it float your boat?' reference. Nice flood pun there :)

The Divine Miss M said...

Enjoy the trip to Greece Peas :)

Be as bad as you can be!

Peas on Toast said...

Miss M - thanks so much babe!
I'll definitely do my utmost best ;)

The Divine Miss M said...

Good.

You'd better come back knocked up after having contracted a VD.

Wouldn't be a true greek holiday if not ;)

Miss T said...

Yup was there for a week about a month back...pure heaven!