Friday of Splendiferous Bargains

Today shall here forth be fondly remembered as Friday of Splendiferous Bargains. This is why:

Exclusive Books is having another one of their lovely book sales where you can pick up some pretty sweet deals. It was a great way to kick off the weekend, and though you kinda have to fight for space at the mountainous book-laden tables, it's a worthwhile endeavour. This morning's loot comprises the following...

After Dark (Haruki Murakami)

I loved 'Kafka on the Shore' so when I saw a novel by the same author I had to make it mine.

Lucky Man - a Memoir (Michael J Fox)

This isn't his latest book, which I'm also quite keen to read, but having grown up with Alex P. Keaton in Family Ties and then joining him on crazy adventures as Marty McFly in the Back to the Future movies I think this will be a really interesting read. Never mind the fact he seems to be a genuine all-round awesome guy with an amazing fighting spirit.

Friday Nights (Joanna Trollope)

Nothing like a bit of light-hearted chick-lit! 

The Darkest Evening of the Year (Dean Koontz)

I'm not ashamed to admit this - I really enjoy scary books. They're such a great escapism! I started reading Dean Koontz when I was about 15 and spent a good portion of my late teens ploughing through his spooky little stories. These days I rarely read his novels so when I spotted this one, I grabbed it right away. 

Crank (Ellen Hopkins)

Really not too sure how this one will turn out but I liked the look of it. 'Sounds like a scary psychological thriller - my FAVOURITE!

(and lastly...) 

Paddington: Now and Then (Michael Bond) 

Call me old-fashioned but I adore old(ish)-school stuff, like the original Winnie-the-Pooh (not the Disney version) and of course, Paddington Bear. So I was really chuffed to find this two-book pack released in celebration of the Bear from Darkest Peru's 50th anniversary. First there's A Bear Called Paddington, followed by Paddington Here and Now. Gorgeous! I grew up on this stuff and one day, when I have little sprogs of my own, I'll make sure they get a personal introduction to Paddington. And Pooh. And Rupert. And Rubarb and Custard. And the Wombles. And and and...

So the book sale was a winner. Especially being an unemployed copywriter, nothing makes this word nerd happier than Books On Sale. Well, except maybe for... A SHOE SALE!!!!!!

To put you in the picture, Cavendish is having one of their sidewalk sales so each shop in the centre has something on sale. But most of them (apart from Exclusives and the shoe shop) were doing it half-heartedly, with only a couple of rands off here and there. But the shoe shop, oh the shoe shop! Earlier this week I spotted a pair of shoes that were rather pretty and quite frankly perfect for the new work wardrobe I'm going to need when I finally find something. (Ahem.) But the shoes were about R350 - not hugely expensive but a little extravagent for someone with very little (no) income. However, this morning the gods were smiling on me and the shoes were on sale! R99!!!!!!! I mean, c'mon! If that's not a sign then I really don't know what is! Look!

Aren't they cute? 

And so that, my friends, is why today was a good day for bargains and a great start to a weekend that can only get better. I know this for a FACT because tomorrow I'm off to Grand West for the Top Gear show. Yes, THE Top Gear show with Jeremy Clarkson and (swoon) Richard Hammond! I'm so insanely excited not only because I have a serious school girl crush on Richard (he's so dishy) but I'm a genuine fan of the show - along with the rest of the world, that is. I can't wait to see what they'll be up to! So I'll be back to share all that soon. But in the meantime, I need to get cracking on my 'Marry me, Richard' poster. First impressions are so important, you know.

Isn't he cute?

Skillz. Jean-Claude gots them.

In true e-tv (SA) fashion, tonight's crappy Sunday movie is pretty ancient. Yes kids, we're talking about that amazing Jean-Claude movie Double Impact where he works extra hard and plays the role of  not one but TWO characters who just happen to be TWINS!!! Exciting stuff. Sadly, it's not the same movie where he does this...

 

...because THAT would be worth watching. Say what you like about the Muscles from Brussels but you have to admit, the boy has skills! Not sure if he can still pull off the splits these days but that's irrelevant because it's nice to think back and remember all the times he could (and did) do the splits, like this...

And this...

Oh yes, and this too...

Now if only Jean-Claude would teach Gerard that neat little trick, the world would be a much better place!

Yes, much better.

Stir the eggnog, lift the toddy, Happy New Year, everybody!

So did you have a good Christmas and a happy new year? I hope you did. Mine was pleasant and lovely, though it's completely flown by. Can't believe it's already time to take down the Christmas tree and get stuck into 2010. The date alone sounds completely futuristic - even Stanley Kubrik didn't think that far ahead when he made his sci-fi 2001: A Space Odyssey. To think it was 10 years ago that the dreaded Y2K was looming and people were flocking to supermarkets to stock up on Koo beans and corned beef. Not me though.

The end of a decade and the beginning of a new one. Cool. Let's see what this one brings.

As for resolutions? I'm not making any. Totally refusing to set myself up for failure, so I'm not going there. But I will say this - I really want to make this a year for being happy, and if that means working on finding my dream job, getting reunited with my inner skinny and falling head over heels in love, then that's what I'm going to do. Lately I've come across so many reminders that life's all about taking chances and making mistakes. And learning from them. So my motto for 2010 is to practice being brave. It's never come naturally to me but sitting at home playing it safe isn't working out so great either.

Anyhoo, on that note, "here's to wishing you a sturdy home, a large garden, many friends, good books and a fine wine!"

Slangevar x o x o