Valentine's Day: The Date

Valentine's Day has come and gone and I was lucky enough not to face it alone. I have been on some amazing Valentine's dates, but this one was truly stunning. This year I got to share it with someone I have known for several years, he was my best friend in High School and we have always kept in touch throughout the years. Every time I see him it's like no time has passed, we literally laugh at anything and everything. At first he wanted to take me out for dinner but as you all know finding a place to eat on Valentine's Day is never an easy task. He, however, planned a surprise for me instead. I love surprises, the guessing game never gets old.

We met in front of the Cape Grace, at the Waterfront, and took a stroll to the shopping center. All the restaurants were filled to capacity by couples. We headed to Primi Piatti for some cocktails, awaiting my lovely surprise, a ride on the Cape Town Ferris Wheel, well that's what I call it. I kind of knew what it was from the beginning but didn't want to be a party pooper. The wheel was lit up with red, pink and white lights, it looked absolutely stunning! It was the busiest I have ever seen the wheel, people were queuing to catch a glimpse of Cape Town by night.  

The ladies were greeted with a single red rose, so at least I can say I got my rose on Valentine's Day. Everyone that went on the ride also enjoyed a glass of J.C. Le Roux's Le Domaine, I would have much preferred an entire bottle though, wishful thinking I know. The view was breathtaking, I tried to take as many photos as I could but the darn windows kept reflecting my flash. One doesn't realise how stunning our city looks at night.

We ended our evening off with some Mc Donald's, original I know, but to be honest their Cajun Chicken burger beats any meal from any fancy restaurant, plus I got to catch some of the Champions League football. Win-Win situation for me. All in all I had a super evening, proving once again that Valentine's Day is definitely not as bad as people make it out to be.

All The Single Ladies

Valentine’s Day, a day filled with chocolates, flowers, teddy bears and little notes from secret admirers, how can one not love the feeling Valentine’s Day brings? Although I am single I still love to hear the stories that other people have planned for their loved ones. The effort some people put in to get their crush to notice them is enough to put a smile on my face for the day. Yes some people believe it is only a money making scheme and that love can be celebrated on every other day of the year, but there is just something extra special about Valentine’s day. There is hope that love still exists in today’s modern world and that people still care enough for each other to go the extra mile.

Valentine’s Day is has no target market, it appeals to all, no matter the age no matter the relationship. It is an opportunity to remind your family that you love them, your friends that you care about them, your boyfriend/girlfriend that you thinking about them and your crush that you want them! Valentine’s haters need to be shot with Cupid’s arrow!

Many years back, thanks to Oprah’s extensive knowledge in books I was lucky enough to stumble upon one of the most useful books I have ever purchased. It has truly been my relationship Bible throughout the years. Perhaps it is why I am still single, but I would rather be single and waiting than be with some who is just not that in to me. Most of you have all seen the movie but I suggest you read the book. It’s called He’s Just Not That Into You written by Greg Behrendt and Liz Tuccillo. I love the design of this book, the colours and artwork appeal for women and every one of us has stared at our phone waiting for our crush to call at some point in our lives!

I took a little extract from the book, ladies always remember these pointers because you deserve better than the tool you are running after now!

• An excuse is a polite rejection. Men are not afraid of “ruining a friendship.”
• Don’t get tricked into asking him out. If he likes you, he’ll do the asking.
• If you can find him, then he can find you. If he wants to find you, he will.
• Just because you like to lead doesn’t mean he wants to dance. Some traditions are born of nature and last through time for a reason.
• “Hey, let’s meet at so-and-so’s party/any bar/friend’s house” is not a date.
• Men don’t forget how much they like you. So put down the phone.
• You are good enough to be asked out.

If you have to be the aggressor, if you have to pursue, if you have to do the asking out, nine times out of ten, he’s just not that into you! Move on because you deserve a man that will give the world to be with you!

To all a Happy Valentine’s Day, make it count, because you might not get another perfect opportunity to tell someone exactly how you feel!

Paul van Dyk Gatecrasher Summer Festival

Music Festivals is one of the things I always look forward to when summer arrives and this festival was no different. There wasn't much advertising done around this event but news of it spread like wild fire. The line-up was mouth watering and anyone who knows good music would have definitely tried to get their hands on a ticket. From the likes of Haezer to Niskerone and the headlining act, Paul van Dyk (PvD), one would have thought that this was going to be the event of the year! The ticket price was reasonable considering the line-up, but being me who likes to save, I thought I should try my hand at entering a competition. My friend told me about a competition that Review Me was running, I won double tickets to the event and decided to take her with me. None of the other girls wanted to join so it ended up being a 3 man mission as her boyfriend joined us too.

We left for the event late Saturday evening, but things were off to a less than perfect start, we missed the turn off into the site as they didn't have any markings to show where the turn off was so we had to continue straight until we found a safe place to make a U-turn. When we got to the site we had to wait for about 40 minutes to get into the actual event. The parking was also poorly set out and no one was there to allocate parking spots to the cars, so we ended up parking right at the top of the field. 

As with most parties alcohol always plays an important role. Alcohol was not allowed into the event so we decided to car bar before we went in. The security was more worried about people bringing alcohol in than anything else. The drinks at the bar were over priced and the bar closed at around 1:30 am. Water couldn't even be order from the bar. I thought that was absurd as the party carried on until the next morning. The food stalls were just as disappointing, there were like 5 different food stalls and they were all ridiculously overpriced, at the one store I bought a falafal shwarma. It was filled with just two falafal balls and topped with salad for R40, I couldn't believe it! The venue wasn't very pleasant either, it was sandy and there was loads of dust which was made worse by everyone who was stomping to the music.

Other things that annoyed me was how freaking dirty it was there, there were none or very little cleaners, the toilets were a mess, and there were papers and cups everywhere on the floor. It looked like a junk yard in the morning. There was only one section of toilets at the entire venue and they were the dirtiest toilets I have ever used! I feel there should have been some toilets by the main stage as it would have been more convenient.

The visuals at the main stage looked as if it was a windows '97 screen saver, I could speak louder than the music and while we are on the topic of sound the speakers at the electro stage blew just before Vava was about to play. Instead of trying to resolve the issue, they cut the music. The situation was handled very poorly by the organizers. Apparently the music also cut out during Niskerone's performance earlier on in the night.

With big events like this medical staff should always be on hand. My friend had an asthma attack during the night due to all the dust. When I rushed her to what seemed to be a medical tent it was vacant, no tables, no beds, no nothing. There was only one medic present and she was sitting in her camping tent, when I asked her to help my friend, she was reluctant and told my friend she should have brought her pump. She eventually helped her out after we caused a scene. 

The design of promotional elements were also very poor, take a look at the banner they had on the side of the stage, rather boring hey?

If it wasn't for the awesomeness that is Paul van Dyk, I feel the event would have possibly been one of the worst outdoor party experiences I have ever had. With great friends comes a great party, so besides the poor organisation by the Soundscape team I still had an awesome time. Next time international artists should rather perform at our well known festivals with good reputations. Not festivals that have never been heard of and that are filled with people who have never experienced a proper outdoor festival. Soundscape should be ashamed and I feel they should send out a public apology to all of those who spent money on an event that was nothing short of an epic FAIL! Thank goodness I got my tickets for free!