Sizzle (the wrong kind)

I am struggling to find "down time" to write anything of worth for this blog. I have been working flat out for the last two months. When I do have some time just for me, I tend to want to spending it with mates or on mindless exercises like gym and animated films.

I am also struggling to get up everyday, and feel sick all the time. As a result I have concluded that I am about a week away from total burn out.

Half jokingly, I looked up “burn out” through Google, and came up the list below: The 13 signs of burn out, of which I am proud to say, I am currently experiencing ten.

1. Chronic fatigue - exhaustion, tiredness, a sense of being physically run down
2. Anger at those making demands
3. Self-criticism for putting up with the demands
4. Cynicism, negativity, and irritability
5. A sense of being besieged
6. Exploding easily at seemingly inconsequential things
7. Frequent headaches and gastrointestinal disturbances
8. Weight loss or gain
9. Sleeplessness and depression
10. Shortness of breath
11. Suspiciousness
12. Feelings of helplessness
13. Increased degree of risk taking

Thank goodness I am taking leave in August!! I’ll be heading back over to the UK (London, briefly, and Oxford) for Nick and Lucy’s wedding, which will be fantastic.

Up-coming: more on the disaster of a dress I am having made for that (in another post).

my script writing debut

This morning, one of my company's biggest clients (and the people I spend all my waking hours on these days), Earth-Touch, launched its first TV offering, a wildlife programme called Wild-Touch, on South African television station SABC2.

The programme will be broadcast, daily (Monday to Friday) at 10.30am, and shows very recently filmed wildlife, with commentary from the crew in the field.

I have been involved with the scripted content; what the presenter says, voice overs and intros into pieces. Oh, and also the Did you know inserts.

I am also very involved with the writing and maintenance of the Earth-Touch blog, which was nominated and short-listed for three SA blog awards this year (although we didn't take any home).

Even though it is very short (30sec-1min) bits, it was pretty exciting to hear my words on TV, and the show is of particularly high quality footage and editing.

The images and video is mostly taken from the wildlife footage that the Earth-Touch film crews provide, a lot of which is available to download freely and in both high definition and standard definition on their website

SA blog awards last night, and adventuring in Cape Town

I attended the SA Blog Awards last night, not as katie possum, but representing a blog i work on at work. We were nominated in three categories (best SA podcast, best green blog, and best group blog).

Unfortunately we didnt taken any home, but I still had a really fun night - especially getting to meet people I've "known" in the blogosphere for a while now.

And of course, there are other work reasons for me to travel down to Cape Town. This morning I attended a press conference for FX Africa who were announcing that Schalk Burger is their new brand ambassador. Had a chance to interview Schalk, who was lovely, and about 8 feet tall!!

This afternoon I am off to the Mayibuye (sp?) archives at UWC for another feature I am writing.

I have to run back to my research and interview transcribing, but thought I'd write this quick note to share what I've been up to... mostly loving Cape Town.

Look, Ma! A real post!

Let’s get straight in there: I haven’t really blogged in ages. Sure I put up a couple of random Youtube videos and a link or two, but it’s been sporadic and impersonal.

My excuse? The last three months (maybe four) have been a time of upheaval for me. I had to prepare to leave the UK, my flat, my job, etc. Then ship all of our stuff (every second hand book and coat in Britain) back to South Africa. Suddenly, Jono’s graduation was upon us, his folks were in town, and I was on holiday (read: unemployed).

I returned to South Africa in early December, with plans to take the whole month to be a beach bum and live off my folks for a while, while looking for work. The plan was beautiful, the implementation - shaky. I did hang out on beaches, and get to know my tiny nieces some more, but managed to hack into my meagre savings quite substantially.

Suddenly, halfway through the second verse of Auld Lang Syne, I found myself living with my in-laws in Mpumalanga, and commuting to Jo’burg for job interviews. Thankfully, it turns out I am a lot more desirable in South Africa than I was in the UK, and in a month I was offered exactly the job I was looking for.

I’m a Journalist and New Media Writer for a design and content production company. I really like the role, the people, the bosses, the garden furniture and communal meals on Tuesdays and Thursdays!

Still, I am not quite on my feet. This is my third week of work, and I’m squatting at a friends’ place, with her boyfriend and mom (just so that I am properly in the way). Jono is looking for work (anyone looking to hire a genius?), and when he knows where he’ll be working, we’ll find a place to live.

So, why am I still blogging since I started in order to chronicle my overseas experiences and now I am back? No idea, truly. I like it. It’s an outlet. I emulate those I admire, etc, etc. I am hoping a purpose for this blog will evolve. Otherwise, I’m open to suggestions…

2007

Wow! Well that happened quickly, huh?! barely got my head around 2006 and its over and now i have to train myself to write this weird "7" thingie-majig. Well, happy new year!!! I'm trying not to look back at 2006 with any clarity, because with the blurry aid of hindsight, it seems like a wonderful, challenging and BIG experience, but the moment individual events come into focus, the whole year seems terrifying and horrible. I'm amazed I'm alive, have worked, paid bills, etc. Anyway, as I said best not to focus on it.

The holiday was amazing, but its back to real life again and the dreaded job hunting - more of that to follow, I'm sure. I've very little energy for blogging right now, so this is just a chance for me to stick my hand up and be counted as present, I'll start participating in class activities again soon.

Love and optimism to you all for the brand new shiny year!

Xxx Possum