Flip through the latest issue of Gulf Weekly.
It's said that one of the most stressful things in life is moving home. Well, I completely agree! And that's what we spent the whole weekend trying to achieve. Though truthfully, my poor wife has been moving carloads every day for the past week.
We were hoping to move last week actually but had trouble getting the electricity turned on. Would you believe it, they weren't going to turn it on until the amount left unpaid from the previous tenant had been settled. Outrageous isn't it?
Unfortunately last weekend was also very busy work wise as well.
Thursday night was the annual St. Christopher's Teachers 'Bash'; when the faculty and staff let their hair down before embarking on those, oh so long school holidays and as usual it was a great night.
Now, I know some St. Chris students may be reading this and want to get the low down on gossip from the night. But, I'm not telling! (Not unless I'm bribed with a sufficient quantity of chocolate that is). Ha! We had a raffle early on and a big thank you goes out to my assistant, Ian Fellows, for helping on stage and giving out some amazing prizes.
As well as dancing into the early hours a few guests even sang Karaoke. Now I can't name and shame; but my goodness, what a racket. The night ended for me at around 1.45am, and as I just couldn't wind down, my head didn't hit the pillow till 3am.
Before I knew it 'later' that morning I heard my wife Wendy saying "Wakey, wakey, rise and shine; the removal men are here and want to take the bed and the wardrobe out first."
"What time is it?" I asked. "8am," was the reply.
Aaargh!
So I was turfed out of bed after only a few hours sleep to begin one of the most gruelling days of my life.
We packed, and they removed, we packed some more and they removed some more. Two truck loads later and we were at our new house staring at our life-time sum of possessions; all piled on top of each other spread throughout the living room.
I was booked to appear at the Seef Mall at 4pm and was desperate to close my eyes for a few hours before going. So I said 'thanks' to the removal team and collapsed in a heap, whilst Wendy continued to wander about in a daze trying to find a place for everything.
I eventually dragged myself out of bed and on to the next gig. Well, I was there on time, however, having never before been to Seef at that time on a Friday I found myself driving around in circles for a further 30 minutes before eventually finding a parking space.
At home Wendy and my daughter Hannah struggled on alone, before leaving to get some food to refill our empty fridge and to try to find our cat Fifi who'd taken one look at the removal men and done a runner.
Fortunately, our good mate and (ex)neighbour Paul had already let her into the old house where she sat hiding forlornly behind a curtain hoping to be remembered and fed.
Wendy put her into the cat carrier and brought her 'home'. She also bought a good supply of Kitty litter as we intended to lock here inside for a few days till she understood what was going on.
Meanwhile, I met with the gang from Mice Management and jumped on the stage with co-compere Mustapha who was from Kuwait and was great fun and very professional.
We did lots of games with the kids; like... pin the tail on the cow. "Why a cow" do you ask? Well, the promotion was for Tetra Packs. You know; the cartons for your juices, soups and, of course, for your milk as well!
One competition that was great fun was to see who could make the biggest milk moustache. You should have seen the faces.
We also had T-shirt relays with boys against girls on the stage. DJ Ollie did a great job and kept the music pumping. Many thanks also to Awal Dairy for all the giveaways. Some were given to the best painted face, the best singer and the best dancers too.
I finished up at the Seef Mall at 8.45pm, but was not finished yet. After negotiating the traffic for yet another 30 minutes I arrived at my next destination; Anne and Paul's big bash.
I admired the beautiful gardens and lovely white furniture. Black drapery adorned with lovely twinkling lights abounded and there were loads of big air conditioning units about to help folks keep their cool.
The theme for the night was 'Fairies', and it certainly looked magical. I asked where I would be working and was directed to an area beside the swimming pool where the team from "Music and Lights" had set up the equipment. But, (and here's the big but) I was under a canopy and there was no air-conditioning there at all.
Talk about HOT! During the course of the night I drank three two-litre bottles of water. This time my head melted into the pillow at 4am and I drifted into what I thought would be a lovely long sleep.
Unfortunately, I'd forgotten I'd pre-arranged the most important thing about moving; (ensuring uninterrupted sports channel access on satellite) and the next day phoning me promptly at 8am sharp was Babu our satellite and TV guru. He was at the 'old' house waiting for me and was ready to take off the satellite dishes and put them on to the 'new' house.
So I dragged myself up again and went over to the 'old' house to meet him. We all then came to the 'new' house and sorted out the TV, (which Wendy now informs me is on the wall crooked). I thought "hurrah, everything is finished"! But Wendy said "NOPE, it's not"; I'd let the removal men go when there were still around two carloads of stuff to bring over, including the pot plants? Oh NO! Off I trooped and with the help of big Paul I loaded up my car with the heaviest potted plants I've ever lifted.
Although I'm totally and utterly exhausted, it was worth all the upheaval and running around to finally be 'settled' in our lovely new home. Only it's still full of boxes and we don't know where anything is ... so everybody please come round and visit us but don't forget to bring your own cup and tea bag.
Now, where's my bed?
Good night and sleep tight
Krazy Kevin
