All the single ladies

Unexpectedly received an erroneous CCMA arbitration award?

You thought you followed due process and amicably parted ways with a former domestic worker only to receive out of the blue a Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) arbitration award notification to reinstate the domestic worker and pay to pay the worker a sum of money for the period the domestic worker has not been in your employment.

What do you do? In a post on my blog on sectional title matters I answer the question in detail. Important: don't wait, you only have 14 days to submit an application, unless a good reason exists for having being withheld - CCMA Rule 9(3)(b) in particular.

It is further important to note that the CCMA Award should not have been a surprise in that CCMA Rule 18(3) specify that the CCMA must refuse to accept a referral document without evidence of service. Furthermore you should have received notice of hearing and the Commissioner must make sure that you had been properly notified: CCMA Rules 6 & 30(2).

Revised: 21 September 2010

Oh, No! The hot water tap is cold

Visions of a hot bath or shower after a hard day's work …

… vanishes as the water flowing, with the mixer set to the usual hot water side (or form the usual hot water tap), remains cold.

Unfortunately hot-water geyser-elements and thermostats only have a certain lifespan, which get drastically shortened if the water-supply in the area is interrupted for some or other reason and the elements of the geyser get exposed due to water usage/drainage. The geyser's thermostat regulates the element, by switching it on when the water-temperature drops below a certain level and switches off when the water reaches a certain temperature. As water is drained from the geyser, the geyser fills up and both the element and thermostat remains emerged in water. If for some reason the water do not fill up, it is best to switch the geyser off to protect the element, until the geyser has filled up again.

It is not necessary to replace the geyser if either the element of thermostat (or both) no longer works.

Switch the geyser off first.

Thereafter empty the geyser, by linking a pipe to the valve and then opening the valve to let the water run out to an appropriate place, for example the garden.

Undo the wiring to the element and mark which side goes where.

A special geyser spanner and substantial leverage is usually necessary to loosen the element.

Remove the element and buy a replacement element of the correct kind.

Replace the element and tighten it with the special geyser spanner.

Fill the geyser, while reconnecting the wiring and once filled, switch it back on. If the thermostat is still working, the geyser should now produce hot water again.

Replacing the thermostat is less of an hassle.

The geyser need not be emptied, but first switch the geyser off. Uncouple the wiring and pull the thermostat out of its tube-socket.

Push the new thermostat in, reconnect the wiring and switch it back on.

Sexuality even better later in life

Sex gets better while getting older, but requires some adjustments, such as substituting the penetration model, says sex therapist and author Dr Marlene Wasserman (aka 'Dr Eve'). There is a new emerging paradigm about the female sexual response cycle:

People live longer and are often active well into their eighties. Why not also enjoy the rich rewards of a healthy and fulfilling sex life? Download Enjoy (even) better sex Psychologies Aug-Sept2010 pp72-3

is aimed at the ageing reader wanting to continue enjoying sex.

Short eyelashes a medical condition

Blessed with long-thick eyelashes, I have enjoyed the verbal admiration of many women since I've been a little boy, less so as adult, but nevertheless. Reading Tim Dowling's piece in Mail & Guardian's Friday about Latisse prescribed in US as eyelash medication reminded me about how fortunate I am. Download Latisse a prescription medication Mail+Guardian Friday 6-12 August 2010-p17

Intrigued I did a search I found some very interesting webpages. The use of Bimatoprost has in December 2008 been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to lengthen eyelashes. This off-label cosmetic formulation of Bimatoprost is sold as Latisse. Normally Bimatoprost is used to control the progression of glaucoma and in the management of ocular hypertension by increasing the outflow of aqueous fluid from the eyes.

The Lattise webpage promotes asks the question: 'what if there was a product that didn't just imitate fuller lashes', as mascara does but 'actually made fuller lashes'. But before getting too excited, the FDA cautioned in September 2009 the downplaying of potential side effects associated with Latisse (bimatoprost ophthalmic solution) the eyelash drug, such as the potential risk of redness and changes in eye colour. Therefore ladies, read the promotional material carefully when it states that "Latisse" is capable of promoting eyelash growth and will be a valuable asset to the cosmetic industry as a prescription topical, only being available through physicians. Current reports confirm that the topical can stimulate eyelash growth, to make them longer and thicker. It is dabbed like an eye-liner at the roots of the eye lashes on the upper eyelid. A HydroPeptide® advert take advantage of the FDA cautioning and points out "side effects including bacterial eye infection, allergic reactions, excess hair growth outside the intended treatment area, and permanent changes in iris and eyelid pigmentation".

Trying to keep doing the undoable

Any overloaded system sooner or later collapses at the weakest point. Trying singly to cope; to keep up with the demands of work, parenting, household management, and, and, and …

Mark Rice-Oxley shares his breakdown-story, a major depression episode — the most terrifying thing that ever happened to him. All was well, he was functioning in overdrive … "A 'portfolio parent', part-time work, part-time home dad, part-time freelancer … long years of chaotic breakfasts, a messy school run, some exercise, a dash into London, 10 hours on a pin-ball newsdesk, back to release [his] wife for a school governors' meeting or a conference call or to move the house slightly to the left, And late for everything." Then:

• One day an overwhelming headache
• Liquid fatigue poured into his legs
• Surreal episodes of seeing the world through the bottom of a highball glass
• Incapable of facing people without panicking
• An urge to circulate and just as quickly to sit, only not to be able to and an urge to stand
• Lost appetite (or urge to overeat)
• Insomnia coupled to frightened and unable to keep still — wicket loops of empty hours of sleeplessness, but catastrophic thoughts
• Cannot endure watching television or concentrate to read a book
• Twitchy and unable to settle
• Heart pounding and ears full of white noise

A medical fact, an illness — broken chemical circuitry in the brain — depression! Unfortunately, "like wars of love affairs depression is a thing that is easy to get started but difficult to bring to a close". The four things that really helped for Mark Rice-Oxley are "meditation, love, time and therapy". Download Depression - The illness that is still taboo - Mail+Guardian 6-12August2010 pp18-19