I am sure there are many places where one should not attempt to use one's laptop !!
In the bath is one prime and obvious example, by the pool is probably another, yet another
bad place is in a taxi and I will not elaborate on my reasons for that !!
But a new "no no" to be added to the "Places where one must not use a P.C." is on the
treadmill ......
I really only wanted to utilise the excellent Tel One directory that Zimbabwe
telecommunications offers on the internet. Just google Tel One Zimbabwe and hey presto,
and if you enlarge the font majestically, you can read the entire Zimbabwe telephone book
without your specs too !!
And once I had found the number I needed, the number of the Australian High
Commission, I was then going to kill two birds with one stone, jog on the treadmill and at
the same time try and get through to the High Commission to ask a question about visas.
Now we all know, not only Zimbabweans, how difficult it is to get through to a real live
person in a government establishment.
Press one for visa, press 2 for passports, press three for consular matters etc etc etc ad
nauseum.
What perfect place to while away the time, pressing buttons on the telephone, then
hanging on for hours and hours, whilst steadily and merrily jogging on the treadmill, one
ear hooked to the phone, the other ear to the i pod, where the Opera Babes were singing
"Ave Maria" as only they can !!
The looking up the phone number with the computer balanced precariously on the consol
turned into a debacle, probably because the computer was leaning on the "up" speed
button ....
I had not realised just how fast I was going, as not all women can multi task, but when my
ear phones blew off in the slip stream, I realised we had a problem....
However my athletic prowess is legendary and I managed to leap legs apart and straddle
the running belt, computer balanced in one hand, phone in the other and i pod dangling
by the ear phone cord, ominously close to the screaming red hot tread of the treadmill !!
Nothing daunted I slowed the pace down, placed the computer on the floor, set the font at
the biggest possible, and started to dial .... and to dial ..... and to dial......
I tried every single number listed under the High Commission and then found a delightful
lady, (probably the Ambassadors wife ) who gave me the correct number, probably
wondering why this very out- of -breath lady was calling her as if she were some sort of
consular receptionist !!
Forty minutes later I got through to visa section, but between singling along vociferously
with the Opera Babes, and jogging gently but firmly for longer than I had intended, I was
in no condition to voice my request.
" My husband has a South African Passport" I grunted hoarsely (sounding suspiciously like
a heavy breather)
"No said the very nasal visa lady, this is not the South African embassy"... "No No" I
squeaked breathlessly praying she would not hang up, "I have a South African passport
and I need an Australian Tourist Visa "
It was at that moment that ZESA played its usual Friday morning trick on me .... the power
went off ....
Now only those familiar with a treadmill will know about the alacrity with which a treadmill
can stop. All the forces in creation work together in jet propulsion !!
If you are tall like the previous owner of the treadmill, one Brendan Beaumont, chances
are you could do an elegant somersault into the next room. But if you are small like me,
watch out !!
The excess adipose tissue that I am endeavouring to lose in this exercise regime, pushed
me flying forwards with Titanic force. My ribs were lined up for perfect impact with the
hand rail.
My ruddy and sweaty face went crashing into the LCD on the consol and it was then that I
found out that HeeHoo does not always tell the truth.
LCD, he said, stands for Liquid Crystal Display, well let me tell you there was nothing at
all liquid about it all, as I found out with my front teeth embedded in the display.
The poor lady from the embassy had probably never heard words or sounds quite like that
before in her life, and she possibly hung up in terror.
Extricating slowly and painfully myself from the tangle, collecting my front teeth from the
treadmill dashboard, I continued my telephone quest. Finding the number again I phoned
in trepidation.
The phone funnily enough was answered almost immediately, and the voice said. This is
the Australian High Commission, we are closed right now for the weekend, please phone
again on Monday ........
Beloved husband of Sandra and father to Darrell and Andrea passed away on Tuesday 29th
July 2008 6.45am, after a brave battle with Pancreatic and Liver Cancer. He was buried in
Inhassoro, Mozambique.
Email sandymoz@tdm. co.mz
Sonny Steyn:
Sonny was relieved of his pain and called to rest in Mozambique on Tuesday 29th July
2008 after a short but bitter battle against cancer. My heartfelt sympathy to Sandy, Darryl
and Partner and Andrea and partner and all the family on the passing of Sonny. With my
love always Liz Norman
CONDOLENCE
to Peter Johnstone and family,
on the day of Carole's Funeral at the Church of the Ascension,
saddened by the news of Carole's passing, and remembering the many concerts we
enjoyed with you in Bulawayo, we offer you our sincere condolences,
and celebrate with you a life well lived
Tony and Vivien Hyland, Durham, UK
CONDOLENCES
Molly Watson - My special and beloved friend who passed away on Monday 28 July in
Leicester England. Molly will be sorely missed in WI circles.
My love and sympathy to Phil and Francis.
Sandy
sandra.linder@ virgin.net
Molly Watson - Love and condolences to Phil and the family.
Betty Petrie
In Memorium.
Flemming - Helen Elizabeth. Beloved wife of Colin and mother of James. Sadly passed on a
year ago today (29th of July). Our thoughts are with you all at this time.
Kindest Regards
From everyone at the Bulawayo Morning Mirror.
Condolences : John Stephen passed away on 26th July 2008 - special friend of Butch,Pam
and family for many years.
Johnstone : Carole
My most sincere sympathies to Peter, the Johnstone, and Issells families on the sad loss of
their courageous and beloved Wife, Mum and Grandmama. Carole was a very special lady
and
will be deeply missed by all who was privileged to know her.
I am thinking of you all and wish you love, light and strength.
Liz Norman.. Galashiels.. Scotland
Did you greet a fellow Zimbabwean on the way to work this morning?
You won't get that warm smile and acknowledgement anywhere else in the world!
Three things in human life are important. The first is to be kind. The second is to be kind.
And the third is to be kind. --Henry James
"Nil carborundum illegitimi"
" A cause may be inconvenient, but it's magnificent. It's like champagne or
high heels, and one must be prepared to suffer for it."
- Arnold Bennett -
Everything has beauty, but not everyone sees it. --Confucius
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