The man in the big black car...

So this afternoon, my mom and I were standing at a traffic light [yeah I call them that these days – Robots seems so like backward! (*insert attitude-fueled head movement from side to side & vigorous finger wagging plus an annoying ear piercing twang*)]

We were at the corner of Outspan & Rivonia Road in Morningside and I had been thinking all day about how out of place I feel in this place. How awkward I feel with the values and beliefs I hold dear. Makes me feel like they are flimsy. Like my ideas about the real importance of money are absolutely outdated and unrealistic.

In this place there are so many big flashy cars, flashy shiny shoes, flashy hair weaves, big flashy houses, shiny-skinned girls, with shiny lips, with expensive taste in clothes, social settings and fat-walleted men. Oh, don’t forget the nails.

I feel awkward here.

I have the most busted out feet in the history of a woman. I dare you to look at them. Double dare you to touch them! And would pay you to massage them - its an invitation Seriously. And it’s because I actually do stuff with them. You know, like hiking, walking barefoot in & around the house, and I love outdoorsy things. You know, ordinary stuff. Point is I use my feet, for something either than getting them to look good. (Okay I have to admit, I should sort them out, but why really? What is the pressing reason?)

Recently I have been feeling quite inadequate. Asking myself why I have not accumulated much (of anything let alone wealth) after so many years of giving of myself and of my talents. Why am I still in a financial position that forces me to look at selling my beloved Ruby, so I can have some extra bucks. I work damn hard. Harder than most people I know but I just don’t see it in my lifestyle. Come the 15th I’m outta cash & stressing big time.

Anyway with this back drop in mind. Back to the story – my mom & I have just come to a stop at the red traffic light. As we approach I take extra notice of the car standing beside us. A big black jeep with a wealthy looking man smoking out of his car window, he’s wearing a black shirt & a pair of dark sunglasses. Handsome too.


I don’t realise it but I must have been noticeably analyzing him. He looks right back and says “Hi”, “Hi, how are you?” I reply slightly surprised (not typical Joburg behaviour, I think), “Good thanks” he replies. “How has your day been?” he asks, I take a deep sigh taking stock of what a hectic day I’ve just had (beginning with a missed flight from Cape Town & all of a sudden ,in an instant it feels crazy, that I find myself where I am) with a deep sigh I begin to answer ”Wow, ridiculously, hectically busy & tiring actually, yours?”, he shakes his head “It’s mad isn’t it? We run around so busy all the time”, “Yes, its crazy!” I retort, “Right now, I’d rather be on an island somewhere actually enjoying my day” he says, we both stop to absorb that fantasy. He continues “You know I’ve spent so much time running around, working hard to get all these things, and now I’ve got them and realise that I was happier as a 22 year old with no money” The robot turns green and we both have to drive off.

What a deep meaningful conversation.

In that one, short conversation at a traffic light in Morningside I get the reassurance I’m after. I am not on the wrong path at all. And, I don’t need all that flash & cash to be happy. I’m better off as I am. A 22 year old with not much at all, but having a helluva lot of great, fullfilng experiences. Cash or not.