the tip of africa

Poor pigeon

2011-10-05T20:45:00.000+02:00

Along the lines of my 'Do ducks have feelings' post a while back, I saw a pigeon try to return to it's nest that had been removed, eggs and all. The poor bird flew to the exact spot where the nest had been and walked around, presumably looking for trace of nest or eggs.

It's impossible not to feel that the pigeon is distressed. It will no doubt make a new nest and law more eggs but there must be biological/hormonal things at work that bind the bird to it's unhatched brood.

Things like this reinforces the reasons why I'm vegetarian.

U2 360!

2011-02-18T21:51:00.000+02:00

Animal farms

2010-08-25T12:02:00.000+01:00

Farms that raise and slaughter animals for consumption should perhaps consider using actual images of their product in their logos and branding rather than the cutesy drawings or cartoons they stereotypically use.

This would then not be contravening any false advertising regulations nor promoting the eating of cartoon food for nutrition.

Waiter, is that a slug in my salad?

2010-08-23T20:18:00.000+01:00

Except this didn't happen in a restaurant. Makes one wonder just what processes 'ready prepared' packaged vegetables have to go through. This poor little slug is miles from home, has been refrigerated and then unceremoniously dumped onto a plate and almost eaten by a giant!

At least Pick n Pay can rebrand their Herb Salad packs as organic, becuse there no pesticides can have been used, just ask the slug.

Making Poodle risotto

2010-08-19T16:32:00.001+01:00

For the past couple of weeks, we have been trying to wean the girls off dry Kibble and onto a home-made food. The idea of cooking dog food is not a new one. My mother used to cook dog food weekly: chuck anything you don't want from the fridge plus veggie peels and meat offcuts plus mielie meal and cook for ages. It had it's own unique smell that would fill the house for hours.

Kibble is just so much less hassle to get, dish up and it's odour free.

Then a few recent tweets between 'Babette and Mia' @poodlematic' and their pal @Poodzilla inspired me to give in and just turn onto my mother: home made dog food was on the menu. Thanks to @Poodzilla for this recipe!

Simmer 1kg chicken drumsticks in 1 litre water with chicken stock for 45 mins, then add chopped pumpkin, broccoli, carrots and a cup of rice for 15 mins more. Add a clove chopped garlic. Debone chicken and discard bones. Voila - Poodle Risotto!

After some messing around and experimenting I've come up with my take on the recipe:

800g chicken gizzards
800g chicken necks (these are supposed to be the softest bones a dog can safely eat)
500g chicken livers - keep till last
1.5kg assorted 'regular' vegetables (anything other than onion, mushroom, avocado)
1.5 cup brown rice
1.5 cup mielie meal
2 chicken stock cubes
2 table spoons olive or flax oil

Add 2 litres water to a large pan, add the stock cubes and meat except the liver. Roughly chop up the veg and add to the pot. Bring to a boil then simmer for 45 mins to an hour. Add the veg and rice. Add mielie meal and stir in well. Simmer for another hour or so then leave to cool on stove. When cool, add liver and oil and mix in well. The long cooking/simmering time makes the meat and vegetables soft. Don't worry about carrot or pumpkin being left behind - it all apparently tastes of chicken!

This makes around 6 - 7 kg of nutritious food and the girls love it! They get around 450 - 500g of it per day each.

Cost of ingredients is R45 - R60. Working at the top price equates to R2.50 per dog per day - and you know exactly what your dogs are eating. It takes some minor planning and a small amount of effort but it's worth it.

Dendrobium Kingianum

2010-08-19T12:16:00.001+01:00

Bought this dendrobium from the nursery at Montbello in Newlands the other weekend. It had tiny buds on the spikes and the eventual color was anyone's guess.
The scent is very sweet and strong and the flowers are a light pink color.
The plant is tolerant to our weather in Cape Town. To encourage flowering, it can be left outside in Autumn and winter. Just make sure the flower buds are protected from the wind.

The intrigue of trashy novels

2010-08-19T08:46:00.000+01:00

Naomi Campbell this, Jeremy Ratcliffe that. What I want to know is: what was Charles Taylor doing at a function hosted by Nelson Mandela in the first place (and probably paid for by the South African taxpayer)? Hasn't he always been a dangerous blood-thirsty warlord?

Sign in apartment complex

2010-08-09T08:57:00.000+01:00

OK, so it's more of a groaner than a funny one but still, always proof-read!

Why the puppy?

2010-07-20T05:48:00.000+01:00

What is the thinking behind using a puppy as a 'mascot' for toilet roll and associated products? Feathers, leaves or a sparkling clean waterfall might be more appropriate images but a happy live puppy?

Maybe the puppy thing is a throwback to the days of yore; before household papers were invented and humans still lived in close proximity with their animals. No wonder we refer to the dog as man's best friend but given our symbolic use of them I doubt the feeling is reciprocal.

Just wondering.

SWC 2010

2010-06-14T15:41:00.000+01:00

The FIFA Soccer World Cup kicked off last week (on Friday 11 June). The build up to the opening ceremony was very visible; if you're allergic to cheap flags you'd be in a whole world of pain right now.

Where was I at that special moment in history? Stuck in the Friday afternoon traffic listening to Grant and Anele on 5FM talking through bits of the opening razzmatazz. Not wanting to brave the Saturday combination of the Springboks v France at Newlands and Ghana V Someone-else at Cape Town Stadium, we gingerly attempted the Parade Fan Park on Sunday.

The whole thing is very well organised, signposted and has visible policing/security. The city did make a good effort to add SWC decorations around the place and to those who say Cape Town's gees is not as good as anywhere else: we have an amazing 'Wheel of excellence', Adderley Street lights at night, the largest Vuvuzela in the world, painted horses and a soccer-ball fountain and the main attraction - we just light the entire mountain at night off-season. Ha!

The wheel is 50 metres high and carries 6-8 people in an air-conditioned pod. You get 4 spins round and can take some nice pics and see views around the city and across the bay.

To show how friendly and welcoming we are I took part in conversation with some random tourists (from America), though given the recent recession and hard times we're still enduring it was difficult to refrain from stealing that lovely camera and trying for a wallet full of dollars.

There have been some unfortunate incidents so far: a young American visitor died while hiking down Table Mountain with his family and several groups of journalists have been robbed in Gauteng. All in all, well done South Africa and the City of Cape Town!

Everyone likes to moan

2010-06-14T10:26:00.003+01:00

It seems that even the super singing celebrity is not exempt from a good moan. Take for example, the lovely Shakira (who recently graced South Africa with her presence for the Soccer World Cup).

Not being enough of a fan to go and buy her latest CD to prove this point but purely based on the drivel that oozes across the airwaves and out of my car speaker, Shakira seems to have a moan in each 'song' she in. It could be that a studio dogsbody brings her her favourite treat while she is recording thus prompting her to let out an 'uhhhh' every now and then as she takes a nibble; or it could be that Female Manufactu-Pop-Star 101 teaches you that sex sells if you have little else to offer or really need to get into the top 20.

Feeding your best friend

2010-05-16T15:35:00.000+01:00

I've recently re-researched dog food based on conversations with a fellow dog owner. When Babette and Mia first adopted us we did the whole trial and error feeding method in order to find a food that they both enjoyed and agreed with their digestive systems.

There was a brief trial with Vondi's who come from a more home-made and holistic angle and a longer affair with the various large manufacturer's of dry kibble - which they are both on now. Montego has the best results with the poo factor and they both enjoy it but are starting to tire of the same old day in, day out.

The other consideration is not one that the Poodles really care about, and that is cost...

After a lot of reading, it would seem that the best option is the BARF diet or something as close to it as possible. The BARF diet is mostly raw meat (on the bone) with egg in shell, mushed veg and possibly fruit. Rice and omega oils can also be added. Which takes one back to Vondi's - essentially a ready-made version of the BARF minus the raw bones. Apparently Vondi 'slow cook' their food under 40c to maintain protein and enzymes in the meat.

The girls still get their daily Montego but also get a large handful of meat on the bone. Every morning a boiled egg in the shell. Next to experiment with is mushed veg and rice.

What is certain is that the meat and bones are a welcome addition and is something they now look forward to every evening.

There are alleged health benefits for moving to a more 'natural' diet and the argument is that any increased upfront feeding cost is recouped by a lack of vet and care bills later (and portion size is reduced due to better quality food and nutrient delivery).

The things we do for our best friends!

Anyone for a sub?

2010-03-28T11:07:00.000+02:00

Restaurant menus can be a good source of language errors. This one from an establishment in Swellendam.

Phalaenposis flower spike rescued!

2009-11-29T10:19:00.003+02:00

I was lucky to be given a Phalaenposis with a small flower spike. It belonged to a client who didn't have room for the plant. In trying to secure the spike to a stake, I managed to break the flower spike. Luckily not all the way through, but enough of a break for sap to come flowing out. Having grown up with a green-fingered mother, I decided to try and bandage the break rather than cut it off and wait till next year.

Using dry toilet paper, I wound a strip around the wound, letting the sap soak into it and added a mist of water to make sure it was fully damp and then left to dry. The spike continued to grow and buds developed.

After all of this, many of the buds eventually dropped off - I think from too much kindness. It seems, Phalaenopsis like slightly dry conditions when in bud and I was misting and steaming daily including on the growing buds and flower spike. There is one bud left with the growing tip seemingly still likely to produce one or two more, so hopefully I'll be rewarded with one or two blooms.

Dendrobium Kingianum

2009-09-11T16:17:00.005+02:00

My poor little dendrobium. I've not had much luck with orchids and just before winter this litlle guy looked like it was on the way out. After doing some research into it's growing conditions I discovered it's an Eastern Australia native and grows on rocky outcrops. It also needs cold weather if flowers are to form.

As we share the same seasons as Australia, I chucked it outside to ensure the wet, wind and cold of a Cape Town winter. The new cane shoots came up nice and strong and then 4 or so flower spikes formed. The trick is not to leave the plant to suffer our wind once the flower spikes are out. This lonely flower is the only one that made it past the winter storms and into the house. As it's been 2 or 3 years since it last flowered I'd forgotten how fragrant the flowers are. I'm sorry I didn't bring this plant inside fast enough!

At least I know what to do next year!

Hurrah for duiwe!!

2009-09-10T16:58:00.002+02:00

Came across this comment worthy article in which a carrier pigeon beats Telkom's ADSL service. While a bit of harmless fun, this 'race' does highlight a couple of important issues.

The first is Telkom's inability to admit it's service is lacking somewhat. They are very quick to place the blame on the customer and say they are not the primary provider. I do not use Telkom Internet as my ISP but regardless of who your ISP is, if you have a fixed line ADSL account billed by Telkom, they provide the bandwidth from your home or office.

At home we have a measly 384K line - the lowest package Telkom offers. At my mom's home, she has the 4096K line from Telkom and without doing proper speed tests, I swear I only see a minor browsing improvement when using the Internet at her house. Who would Telkom 'blame' for poor ADSL speed in this case?

The second is that we should respect pigeons more!

Poor old Lady Doreen

2009-09-09T22:15:00.001+02:00

I'm am so touched to have been contacted directly by the infirm Lady Doreen. Apparently her illness has affected her ability to proof read and write a sentence that makes sense but I guess this is what makes her heart felt plea all the more compelling.

I did take the time to write back to old Lady Doreen and she replied back with a one liner. Not quite the embossed stationery of the nobility response I was expecting from her Ladyship.

Beloved ,
My name is Lady Doreen Ashford , my address; 27, Lynton Avenue, Boston Spa, Wetherby, LS23 6BL, England. I am writing to you from my hospital bed, I have been hospitalized for very long time although am too old but I have been suffering from cancer and old age decease.
Indeed I contacted you for the purpose of handing over to you my heritage bank account one in London and the other in Africa, because recently my doctor confirmed to me that my sickness cancer which I have been treating for about 2years now is risking to take my life .
However, I wanted to confine this important project to you which is very important to me, that means to help the orphans, underprivileged children and then to provide sufficient fund that will enable you establish a small scale industry. To submit to the act which I expressed this desire as I'd like to donate what I inherited from our family WILL. I want to assure you as I will like you to understand all the steps about the project the amount involve is (£2M) Two Million British Pounds, and this sum is in both account I inherited it when our family properties and fund was shared to all the family members. I am a British woman.
I have given some people whom I want to give some but I want you to use some part of the money in your country to be able to help the poor, I don't want my money to be managed by greedy person, because unfortunately, as you may know that our leaders are not good morally also my money can be find in their accounts or used to buy luxury houses or to satisfy any desire of their kind.
Regarding that I had no family I have decided to bequeath my entire heritage I know you will be a person of good morality that could use this money to good purposes as I have specified all in the beginning of my message. I know it does not open the doors of paradise for me but at least I may have peace of mind knowing that
I contribute a little to make this world a better place to live right.
I expect to read from you.
Yours Sincerely.
Lady Doreen Ashford.

Keep left, pass right

2009-07-28T06:40:00.004+01:00

It's easy to spot the South Africans that have lived overseas for a period of time, because they're the ones that understand the (unwritten) rules of stairs and escalators.

Google Money Master. If it seems too good to be true...

2009-07-21T15:41:00.005+01:00

I was forwarded an innocuous looking link to look at. The link opens a review by a 'journalist' and skimming through the article down to the comments from many satisfied customers. Ah, the promise of being able to make money at home all seemingly 'backed' by the familiar Google logo and 'reported' on by what appears to be the web site of a newspaper, The Manchester News Gazette. There were links to the supplier's website. A mild fishy aroma was seeping from my screen.

A quick search for Google Money Master returns consumer complaint forums and blogs before the link to the product website. A quick scan through the complaints and it becomes clear that this product and it's associated costs are not really communicated that well to the unsuspecting punter. There also seem to be issues with trial days and the speed and frequency with which debits are made to credit card accounts.

There is a sign up cost of around US$2 and a monthly fee around US$70 but may be more (double). Small change if you can really make as much money as some of their happy customers are claiming to make.

Further digging reveals that this product has several names, is possibly being investigated by people that investigate things and may be in breach of Google's Adsense program (which is free to anyone anyway).

Is Google Money Master a scam or a sure fire way to make extra cash albeit a bit misleading? I'd prefer not find out the hard way.

References:

http://www.google.com/support/forum/p/AdSense/thread?tid=7c423ee5978f7bf2&hl=en

http://www.complaintsboard.com/complaints/google-money-master-kit-c206399.html

http://www.manchesternewsgazette.co.uk/

http://googlemoneymaster.org/

No such thing as a free SMS?

2009-07-17T20:42:00.004+01:00

A couple of weeks ago I received an SMS that needed me to reply to it in order the retrieve the SMS intended for me. Had I done so, I would have been billed R30. Initially I thought the R30 was some sort of promotional code or something. There was no way one SMS was going to cost that much. At least there is a warning that you will be charged and the cost is given. I bet they bank on people not reading the SMS thoroughly and just hitting reply.

If you don't believe me, see for yourself.

Rip off merchants

Cape of Storms

2009-06-24T14:25:00.004+01:00

There has been a humungous storm over the past couple of days. The Cape has been blown from all directions, rained on till there's no-where left that's dry and thousands of people have had to be evacuated from their homes.

The storm surge has been an issue all over the place and driving home from Blouberg today one can see that the beach car parks are full of foam from the waves - that's how high the water has come. I took a drive to the block of flats on the beach here in Melkbos and see that Mother Nature has completely washed away the sandbank they put in front of the flats after a storm last year. Given that sea levels are supposed to be rising, I'd be selling right now if I lived in that block!

If you're reading this and in the Cape, stay warm, dry and safe!

I really do know what you intend to do

2009-06-19T15:35:00.005+01:00

Completely finished today by the number of crystal ball drivers on the road today. You know the type. The ones who make a driving decision that will affect others but without informing you about it.

Turning without indicating. Changing lanes without indicating. Turning into the road without indicating. Doing any ****ing thing on the road WITHOUT indicating!

Must be something to do with it being Friday and a beautiful day. Either that or cars are coming with indicators as an optional extra to assist with financial constraints.

Using capital Letters in Sentences

2009-06-11T08:13:00.004+01:00

Although I'm no genius in the use of the English language, incorrect use of capitalisation is something that is becoming more and more prevalent, certainly here in South Africa. Perhaps I'll carry some spray paint around with me so that I can correct all those incorrect signs - and a permanent marker for restaurant menus.

Such is the evolutionary price language pays when the unwashed masses can read and write.

Roadside tai chi

2009-05-27T07:51:00.006+01:00

On the way back from dropping Jacques at Cape Town's airport early this morning, there was a man dressed in white doing an interpretation of tai chi slap bang in the central reservation of a normally fast flowing road (the start of the N7 Highway). It's a somewhat surreal sight to watch a man balance like a crane then morph into a grazing goat, in the hazy dawn light while sitting in traffic.

I wanted to take a photo but couldn't get my phone camera into mode in time. Kudos to the guy for not giving a flying fig what all the motorists gesticulating and laughing at him think!

The problem with democracy here

2009-05-25T06:34:00.004+01:00

One of the disadvantages of having an overly dominant party in a democracy is that it can forget it's not the only party and opinion around. Our ruling ANC fought long and hard to bring democracy to South Africa; but now that it's in power, if your opinion differs from the party line, you tend to be publicly humiliated on a personal and party level.

The sad thing about this is that not even people within the ANC are exempt.

You're damned if you do, and damned if you don't.

Despite this, our political challenges are not unique to our shores and as long as we can keep looking to the future without hanging onto the past too much, we should be fine.

My Old Pal, George

2009-05-16T10:03:00.006+01:00

If anyone reading this post is into old skool house, trance, hard house or acid - then have a look at GeorgeS DJ. George and I were at school together and I think his mix tapes rock!

I still recall with a smile a certain night George and I went to Troll at The Sound Shaft. Way to go for keeing Troll alive, my friend!

I'm not very good at blogging

2009-05-16T09:59:00.002+01:00

We all fall victim to the latest fads and for a while, I was into the whole blogging thing. Then I got busy and I got lazy. My last post was almost a year ago and that promised a slew of writing activity. So here I am, writing again - while trying to figure out where to go with the blogs.

This post is a start :-)

Priority change

2008-06-06T05:52:00.002+01:00

I think I'll start posting again. Now that there is theoretically less to worry about, I should hopefully regain the momentum to post every now and then.

Cute wittle puppy

2007-06-27T05:43:00.001+01:00

I'm vegetarian for two reasons. The first is health; the way we treat our foodchain has to be unhealthy. The second is ethics; I just don't buy the spoon fed argument that we are omnivores and 'supposed' to eat meat. Supposed to according to who?

Without getting all preachy as we all have our own morals and standards, whether you eat meat or not can't excuse a person from behaviour such as this. Teaching a puppy a lesson with a chainsaw is hardly the action of an intelligent or civilised person. It's sad to be a member of the same species as this animal.

Your past is online

2007-06-22T05:26:00.001+01:00

Some time back (and given the huge gaps between posts these days, it may be some time back) someone from my past found my blog on the net. Apparently she was googling me. Then more recently, I was googling old school and childhood pals and came across blasts from the past in a scary and WTF way. Now it seems, all these social/community websites are enabling us to piece together bits of our personal histories.

In days of yore, when you left your little hamlet for the paved gold streets of faraway splendour, that was it. One way outta there and no looking back. Now we can relive and refind our past right in front of your face at work.

For someone who scraped a living out of technology for a few years, this stuff still blows me away. I must be getting old :-)

Random thought

2007-06-22T05:23:00.000+01:00

Is Capital spending like shopping with a capital S?

Mother Nature gets her own back

2007-06-08T10:28:00.001+01:00

Whilst it's never nice when people are killed, there is something that smacks of peotic justice when a tropical storm threatens and stops oil production and causes damage and destruction in the middle east. Oil consumtion is one of the most likely factors of global warming and climate change, threatening hundreds of millions of people and costing who knows what to come.

Way to go nature!

What the?

2007-06-05T05:06:00.000+01:00

Every morning I drive past a home made sign for a business here in Cape Town. The sign says "Aquatic Tropical Fish". I thought all fish were aquatic in some shape or form? A non-aquatic 'fish' would be a reptile or mammal surely?

Who writes these?

2007-03-09T06:07:00.001+02:00

A friend forwarded me one of those civilian-action tear jerker crime emails concerning a little girl in Pretoria that disappeared mid Feb 2007 and was recently found dead. Her body ended up in a storm water drain and was eventually washed out to where it could be found. The main suspect is a 25 year old man who is godfather to one of the little girl's friends.

So, a concerned citizen about crime (and we have lots of those in South Africa) took it upon themself to start a chain email highlighting the plight of little Sheldean and her family. In order to show solidarity to the family and to show the government the citizens are revolting, the email asks us to all wear a pink tshirt and jeans - the clothes Sheldean was wearing the day she disappeared.

Where the hell is a grown man supposed to find a pink tshirt and jeans at a day's notice? Thats what I want to know!

Wow!

2007-01-20T07:03:00.000+02:00

On my way to work, I had seen the 'comet' headlines everywhere but never in my life did I imagine what I would see. At dusk yesterday, around 20:30ish, the beach car parks in Bloubergstrand were packed with comet McNaught watchers. It was damn windy too with sand blowing in your face. As the sun set, the comet lit up; and it was unreal. I can really understadn how folk of yore were petrified of anomalous celestial events.

Think back if you will, to a mediaeval tapestry depicticing a comet. The Bayeux tapestry springs to mind. Woven into the fabric a star with a triangular shaped 'tail' streaming from it. Well, it really was like that. No jokes. The tail of the McComet was huge and if you held your hand up, occupied roughly half a hand of space.

We tried to take pics and as soon as they have been downloaded from the camera, will post them. In the mean time, these are borrowed from IOL - link here.

C'mon guys

2007-01-05T15:14:00.000+02:00

Women seem to always complain about men leaving the toilet seat up. Shouldn't we rather be countering with 'why do you never put it back up'?

Cape Town's first sunset 2007

2007-01-02T19:25:00.000+02:00

I'm trying to make more of an effort to put finger to keyboard and actually do the blogging thing, so in the spirit of blogging activity, here is a gratuitous photograph of sunset over Cape Town, new year's day 2007. Photo taken probably at 20:30ish with my Kodak point and snap thingy :-)

I tried the same photo pointing towards Table Mountain but that didn't come out. Happy New Year!

Hurrah for Japanese marine 'science'

2007-01-01T09:47:00.000+02:00

Not content with over fishing their own waters in pursuit of a tasty raw meal, those whale studying Japanese folk have broken two records. The first for photographing the elusive giant squid in it's natural habitat (ie, alive in the water) and now most recently, for actally catching one (which died while being hauled on board) a 'research' vessel.

“We believe this is the first time anyone has successfully filmed a giant squid that was alive,'' said Kubodera, a researcher with Japan's National Science Museum. “Now that we know where to find them, we think we can be more successful at studying them in the future.''

Yes - I'm sure you will be more successful.

“Sperm whales need from 500 to 1,000 kilograms (1,100-2,200 pounds) of food every day,'' he said. “There are believed to be 200,000 or so of them, and that would suggest there are quite a few squid for them to be feeding on. I don't think they are in danger of extinction at all.''

No, of course not. Unlike the tuna - almost fished into extinction; and whales - almost fished into extinction; not to mention the thousands of other staple diet fish that are so rare these days, I'm sure the giant squid will be perfectly happy and safe in this world of collapsed fish stocks.

Calamari anyone?

The small things

2006-11-22T09:49:00.000+02:00

It's been a stressful few months. Starting a new business, paying rent, employing people and dealing with all the associated people management and money issues. The crescendo was reached yesterday when my rather pricey watch being 'misfiled' by the jewellers who were replacing the glass... They calmly tell me this over the phone while I'm at a neighbouring business telling them their hard drive has died - and ALL their data was on it... And I have one reader who made me smile on this stressful baking Cape Town morning. That made it alll worthwhile. Thanks Howard!

It's been three months

2006-11-21T18:08:00.000+02:00

Almost three whole months since last post! Not that anyone reads them or cares but heck, if even just to satisfy my own ego - I really need to post something soon!

What's with the voice

2006-08-29T18:13:00.000+01:00

I have posted before about the moany warble singing that seems to be all the rage - but having heard Shakira's latesty effort on the radio recently, this topic had to come up again.

Not only does she sound like she's singing through her nose while being dragged over gravel, but those sudden 'screamy yodel high-low drop' moments are something else. It certainly isn't pleasant on the ears.

One step back

2006-08-19T06:36:00.000+01:00

This is just what we need: some first world renowned bigwig waxing lyrical about how backwards our AIDS policy is - which it is. Why does our new 'democratic' government bother to go to these AIDS functions at all? People already think Africa is backwards enough without our irrational compounding to this perception. South Africa seemed to be heading forwards - away from it's past. A new democracy, shiny happy society, a role model for the world. Recently, the house seems to be showing it's weaknesses; are the cards falling?

Also interesting to note how the 'state' is noted to flex it's muscle to dissident voices. Sound familiar South Africans? Have we really ushered in an age of new democracy or is this the last government in black clothing?

Clarity from chaos

2006-08-12T18:10:00.000+01:00

On the way home this afternoon, one of the random rush hour topics discussed (as it will still be for many) was the recent attempt to blow up planes by British muslims.

As young South Africans, we decided that we tried to be as impartial and embracing as possible. Yet despite the somewhat liberal attitude, should we be sat on a plane and we saw a potential Muslim with full-on beard board the plane - we would likely be scared and shift quickly towards the counter-terrorism camp. Thusly, we would refrain from flying as much as possible.

Clarity. If many people feel the same, there will be a significant drop in air travel and this can only be good for the environment. Bonus.

Name solution

2006-07-26T04:34:00.000+01:00

I posted not so long ago about the name changes happening in South Africa. Seemingly a new name or two every seven years or so seems to be the new precedent. This means that everyone reading this not from our lovely country, will need to pop out and buy new atlases due to the whim of a despot or two here.

Regardless, I have come up with two simple and elegant solutions that can not offend anyone, not be politically aligned with anyone, nor be a somewhat 'iffy' memorial to a somewhat arguably 'iffy' politician. Change all of South Africa's names annually. In all 11 languages and to commemorate every politician, sports person and/or artist. This way, we all get our 15 minutes of national fame. It would cost billions, but think of the benefit to the printing and sign making industry!

Solution 2 is the beauty: rename everything now after phone book codes. Joburg becomes 011. Cape Town 021. Durban 031 etc etc. Thus, the identity crisis stricken Joburg's airport (Jan Smuts International (after a politician) to Joburg International (nice and neutral) to OR Tambo International (swinging back to a politician) 011 International Airport. No nationalism, politicians or bigwigging involved.

Traffic lights affect brainwaves

2006-07-23T06:53:00.000+01:00

Have you noticed how when you are far back in the traffic queue at a red stop light, your reactions exceed those of your fellow drivers near the light by a factor of ten? Your mind pre-empts the change to green. Your foot is already slowly depressing the accelerator when the colour change happens. Yet, the three or so cars in front don't move! They sit and they sit and they sit. Then the front one moves forward slowly. The gap between it and car two widens and widens and widens. Then, and only then, does the queue start to move.

It all happens in slow motion. You and the impatient person you can see in your rear view mirror are all hot under the collar and wondering why the people in front of you were issued with licenses in the first place.

Until the fateful day when you are at the front of the queue waiting for the light to change to green. Then and only then do you realise, brains do not operate at peak efficiency close to traffic lights...

Like a proud parent

2006-07-19T21:07:00.000+01:00

The new franchise business that my two partners and I started (three full months at the end of July 2006) managed to make it into the group 'achievers' lists for the first time. Based on sales, our sales person has made it into the top 20 and our business into the top 5 in our 'specialist franchise' category. That was a great way to start the day for us all. None of them read this blog, but well done all! I feel as chuffed as a proud parent :-)

School holidays

2006-07-18T06:27:00.000+01:00

Not having the dubious pleasure of having offspring, the every-few-monthly ritual of school holidays affects millions of people the world over. No doubt, everyone experiences the same phenomena.

The number of total people in a population is relatively stable, providing an unexpected plague doesn't hit. People are born and people die. This said, the number of parents and children remains steady. When school is on, traffic is a nightmare. Jams, jams and more jams.

However, come school holidays, the road to work is paved with gold. No traffic jams; no having to get up before the birds to beat the traffic; no getting home after the owls have gone to sleep to miss the traffic.

Yet - and here's the quandary - despite this, the number of people at work remains the same - and people arrive and leave at more or less the same time. If this is true, then why is traffic worse when the kids are at school? And I'm not talking about schools on every road causing jams - just your regular everyday freeway/highway.

It's as if road logic somehow uses an alternate reality during school term. People travel back and forth faster and more randomly when children are present. Or cars split into four, occupying the space of four and lack of driving ability of four while maintaining the illusion of one.

During school term, sitting in the jam - it's all working people. No kids bouncing around in the back on the way to school. During school holidays, it's all working people. No kids bouncing around in the back on the way to the beach.

What the fuck?

It's a sign!

2006-07-14T15:49:00.000+01:00

You have to smile when it all comes together beautifully. This sign is (or was sometime during 2004/5) posted outside the Spar supermarket in Olivedale, Johannesburg. Do you think they have a problem with 4X4 and SUV drivers, perhaps? Just one smallish victory for car park etiquette.

Where are the Brangelina when you need them?

2006-07-11T04:50:00.000+01:00

The Nambians (the country put on the wold map by Brangelina) have taken to culling baby cape fur seals. The reason? As there are so few fish in the sea, the seals are competing with humans, thus they are a threat, so kill them and eat them, thud. This is African logic at work - and you have to admit - there is a logic there.

What the Namibian government doesn't see, is that it is humans who have overeaten the fish in the first place and that managing fish stocks properly, as well as curbing the appetitie of parisitic humans, is the correct way to handle the situation. Of course, the fact that the seals aren't in decline due to there being no base food for them either, does not work it's way into their reason for culling - another slightly warped logic.

Culling is just the way to not attract international celebrities, who tend to be quite polarised on cuddly cutesy issues. Way to go Namibia. There goes your celebrity beach birth dollar money!

Only in Africa

2006-07-10T21:55:00.000+01:00

A name is a name is a name. Emotive to some - not important to others. Regardless of where your name loyalties lie, what South Africa seems to be expert at is changing them. By whoever, after whoever.

Take Johannesburg's airport: Jan Smuts airport, to Johannesburg International Airport to O.R Tambo International Airport. Three names in the space of 11 years. Once, to get rid of the past. Twice, because - well, just because.

Take the northern-most part of South Africa. Used to be the northern Transvaal, then the Northern Province and most recently, Limpopo. Again, all in the space of 11 years.

Take the tabled changes for another province formerly known as Natal, currently known as KwaZulu Natal and possibly soon to be known just as KwaZulu.

Our problem is that there are just too many stakeholders. Everyone wants their 15 minutes of fame - despite promises to keep things neutral and politically 'correct'.

But a name is a name is a name. Heck, my mother still refers to Rhodesia and South West Africa. Does she care what the sign says on the town outskirts? Not really.

Perhaps we could get donor funding on standing order to foot all the continual and ongoing name changes? What do you say donor countries? It will certainly keep all the map-makers busy worldwide and provide income for them for generations.

How traffic cops could make more money and save lives

2006-07-10T12:28:00.000+01:00

Cape Town's ever efficient traffic police like to make their money by targetting rush hour drivers. Not ones to stop the violent drunk driving accidents that happen at night by having random speed traps at night, they know their 'cash cow' is the 9-5 worker.

Capetonians love jumping red lights. Amber seems to mean accelerate to warp speed and cross the intersection as fast as possible before the oncoming traffic hits your car.

So, to make really efficient money during 9-5, the traffic cops should set up at intersections with traffic lights. Not only will they get optimum speed fines due to the warp speed light-jump factor, but will also get to issue a second ticket for illegally jumping a red light.

Everyone wins.

When animals attack

2006-07-09T06:51:00.000+01:00

People often forget that animals are animals. They have minds of their own (yes - a cognitive process of sorts) and thus, are apt to do things their way which may not be the human way. Perhaps we are too comfortable in our shrink-wrap society where the closes we get to an 'animal' in our day to day lives is as a slab of coloured meat on a polyurethene tray in the supermarket. People have been known to get out of their cars to pose for photos in Africa's national parks - and pay for it dearly. A female hiker was mauled by a wild bear last week in Alaska. People get injured and killed by sharks. But all of this happens in the wild, the animal's habitat.

Spain, on the other hand, has mastered the art of tormenting cattle to the point where they become so enraged, they charge. Even if 'domesticated', it's never a good idea to be on the receiving end of a large animals' charge. Anyone with a huge dog will vouch for the strength and weight when they jump on you. Anyone silly enough to partake in the Pamploma festivities - and even professional matadors - really do get what they deserve.

Animals aren't to blame when they attack, it's mostly people who are at fault. Respect the wild, people.

Skills are not relative

2006-06-30T21:20:00.000+01:00

Driving a physically larger motor vehicle or driving a very expensive car does not automatically make one a better, or more superior driver. You 'should' be a better driver, as the higher-end cars come with all the mod cons and luxuries these days.

Lights and wipers that switch on automatically. Sensors to help you park. Headlights that light round bends. Hoods that disappear in seconds at the touch of a button. With all that automation, you'd think that luxury car drivers would have more time to think about using the indicator, wouldn't you?

The lady driver thing

2006-06-28T21:45:00.000+01:00

I did comment about this not too long ago, but while happily adhering to the speed limit on my way home, I couldn't help but notice that all the speeding and aggressive driving was done by.... women! Especially those in the ecosystem killing 4X4's.

So much for them being the more careful driver, worthy of less crippling insurance premiums. Men, free your females today. Put their car insurance in their name and watch our premiums come down drastically!

Jack(ie), the parrot

2006-06-26T20:31:00.000+01:00

Jack is a three month old African Grey parrot now residing with the in-laws. The bird hasn't been sexed yet but my guess it's a he. Failing that, should he in fact turn out to be a she - the name becomes Jackie! Simple.

Welcome Jack(ie)! May you have many fun filled, messy fruit and seed filled years ahead!

A long way from Europe

2006-06-18T19:26:00.000+01:00

Cape Town is at the tip of Africa. The bottom most tip of Africa. The furthest from Europe you can get on our continent. This is why it is surprising to see cars with South African registrations but EU style number plate flags. Your car's number plates are either South African, or not. Weird. If you miss Europe that much, carry a photo of the Matterhorn in your wallet or handbag, or go back once a year for a holiday.

Much like the few cars spotted in the UK with South African flags on.

Statistics

2006-06-17T06:42:00.000+01:00

We have a car insurance company that excludes men from it's policies. Allegedly, females make for better and safer drivers. Yet, my humble eyes on the road see mostly accidents as a result of female driving. Perhaps male drivers cause more costly accidents but the vast majority seem to be caused by women. So why the special policies?

Perhaps when looking at accident stats it only seems that men cause more accidents as many women could have their car insurance paid for by and in the husband's name. Statistics and lies.

How the wheel goes round

2006-06-17T06:29:00.000+01:00

You would have to have been living in the dark ages to not know that there was a big hoo-ha in South Africa regarding race. Whites oppressing everyone else etc etc. Then, then country gets democracy, a majority government is democratically voted in.

They then take turns to redress the injustices of the past by passing laws to ensure this a) never happens again and b) that favour is given to some above others (fine, we all have guilt and will let that one go for a few years).

Then, things appear in the media. A society for certain race groups. Politicians say derogatory things about certain race groups. Politicians and people say they wish certain race groups would basically move to another country.

Sound familiar South Africans, Germans, British, Americans, Australians - anyone?

Yes. The world's youngest and funkiest democracy is teetering on the edge of the slippery slope of all the 'isms' you could wish for. Let's just hope the framework put in place to protect our fragile democracy holds tighter water than the political system.

Is our number up?

2006-06-06T04:55:00.000+01:00

Today is yet another of those, 'on the third stroke of the fouth minute of the fifth hour' days. The emails have been fast and furious about it. No doubt Google's search servers have been straining with requests.

666

I was somewhat surprised to actually wake up today seeing as the day had already started somewhere else and today is aparently the end of the world - so to those who are reading this after I write - I know the confusion you must be feeling!

The ladies in the office will no doubt be somewhat miffed that those email predictions didn't happen but hey, next year will be the seventh second of the seventh minute of the seventh hour....

Poor performance

2006-06-05T20:47:00.000+01:00

My blogging of late, has been pathetic. Really pathetic. From a pretty good average of a post a day to a miserly once a fortnight. The truth is, having just taken on three real estate franchises, my plate has been a little on the full side. All this and making this venture (with my partners) a new career (and a massive learning curve). My car wakes the early bird!

Apologies to anyone who cares. Happy surfing to anyone who doesn't :-)

IE, the new Firefox?

2006-06-03T07:07:00.000+01:00

I'm not a Microsoft fan, but even when you drive a Ferrari, sometimes it's interesting to have a look at what Kia are doing, just for interest sake.

So, having used Firefox, Opera, Mozilla, Safari and Konqueror for years it was no revelation to see that IE 7 has finally caught up with the rest of the pack. Tabbed browsing? Security features? Pages that render properly? Yawn. Show us something new and interesting Microsoft. Using IE is like catching your food by clubbing it with a stick.

Oh but then, don't they squash, bully and assimilate the competiton rather than innovate and write good, stable code? Lets see how similar to Linux and OS X the imminet Microsoft ShortHaul (Viiiiisssssttttaaaaa) happens to be, shall we?

Has to be a worldwide thing

2006-05-24T19:28:00.000+01:00

The inspiration for this post came from a fellow blogger (6000 Miles from Civilisation). One of his pet peeves is also one of mine - and surely has to figure high on many other's lists.

Fog lights.

And it isn't just the BMW drivers. It's the bakkie (pickup) drivers. It's the planet destroying 4X4's. It's the micro vehicles. In short, the flippant use of vehicle fog lights has in essence, become the luminary equivalent of rayon trousers. They are cool to those that have them, but oh so silly when used unnecessarily (note: rayon can only be used in a disco environment as foglights should only be used when foggy).

The final irk is towards the manufacturers of said fog appliances. Why, oh why, do many vehicles not have separate front and rear fog lights? The one thing worse than an idiot with front fogs on, is the idiot who'se rear fog light is on while sat in a traffic jam.

In response to a request

2006-05-22T14:48:00.000+01:00

Cape Town can be a very windy place, so here you see our wind friendly plant collection. When we lived in Johannesburg, we had a larger, more leafy collection - but many of them didn't make the transition too well, so they ended up in the care of someone better able to cope with protecting delicate plants from the relentless wind.

Alls' well that end's well

2006-05-17T19:36:00.000+01:00

Languages evolve. That is a given. What is less of a constant is the way we use our languages. Take one of the most maligned characters in the English language, the apostrophe. Who can say with certainty that they really remember or understand, with certainty, how an apostrophe should be used. Some people feel so strongly about the little squiggly character that there are societies devoted to its preservation.

Should we really worry about where it is placed in a word when we all seem to understand what message is being conveyed anyway?

On my way to work, a shop paints specials of the day/week on it's exterior wall. Choose between Egg's or Sardines. Hmmm.

The wheel of life turns

2006-05-17T04:54:00.000+01:00

Sunday was like any other day really. We ended up rearranging the plants on the balcony and with this process came some cuttings that would look nice in one of the planters in our complex. On the way to the planter, we came across a huge grasshopper, on the tarmac, basking in the sun. After some reminiscing about grasshoppers and school days, we went and planted the cuttings. Having forgotten about the grasshopper now, on the way back I promptly stood on it. It was only when I heard the crunch, that I realised what I had done. As a vegetarian, it's a particularly distressing thing to do.

One could take the view that it was the hoppers time to go but heck, why did I have to send it on?

My redemption came later that afternoon when we came across a mole in the middle of the road. A young boy way trying to move it out of harms by kicking it gently, but the mole blindly insisted on moving further across the road. Sensing a karmic moment, I leapt out the car and guided the mole to the soft grassy verge where it still wanted to cross the road. A sharp kick moved it to a softer sandy spot and the thing started digging for all its worth.

One life taken, one life saved (hopefully).

Lax. Very lax.

2006-05-05T19:50:00.000+01:00

I have been rather preoccupied in my new office this week and have neglected by blog postings. Three of us have opened up a real estate franchise in Cape Town and the learning curve is big and ongoing. Once the dust settles, posting will hopefully be back to normal.

Anyone wanting to buy or rent a home in the best coastline in Africa (Cape Town Waterfront to Camp's Bay) or anywhere else in South Africa, get in touch with me!

Meow prrrr mauuu

2006-04-27T20:06:00.000+01:00

This is Tabby lazing in the afternoon sunshine after coming home from the vet today. She is much better now that the leg has been amputated. The bone was dead and her leg muscle completely wasted. No doubt she was being poisoned by the dying limb as she has her appetite and sparkle back. As she has effectively been hopping around on three legs for a month or so, she not seem to miss the leg so much now it's actually gone.

It's still heartbreaking to see this done to an animal, but Tabby lives - and she thanks all those who wished her well from the bottom of her kitty heart. Prrrrr prrrrr prrrrr.

Some respect, please

2006-04-27T06:32:00.000+01:00

I don't buy the newspapers on purpose and haven't done for years. They are so full of negative news and swayed opinion that you get better info from gossiping with neighbours.

RSS feeds are a better way to browse the news as they allow for more selective reading without feeling ripped off. This headline sticks out of this morning's feed from IOL: "Hero throws himself in front of runaway truck".

Without reading the story, the first impression is: Oh my God!

After reading the story, and being mildly humbled, the reaction is: Go with God.

I'm not religious by any means, but that man deserves to go to a better place.

Tabby - the (almost) final chapter

2006-04-26T12:57:00.000+01:00

For anyone that has been following, Tabby went in for her third operation today. The bone in her leg has died, so the vet has had to amputate her right hind leg. Many animals live with three legs, so at least this way she survives. However, thanks to some ignorant child and some even more ignorant parent(s), Tabby has suffered a great deal of physical pain. Forget the relative expense of all the operations, time off work and treatment, it has been enough of a trauma for those who care about her.

Lets hope she can now get on with things on three legs and that the people responsible are now happy with what they have done.

Sigh

2006-04-26T06:45:00.000+01:00

With the whole blog traffic thing, it is really unfortunate when embedded content is set to play automatically. Not only is it presumptuous and intrusive but not the best way to browse blogs at work (for those of us at the beck and call corporate pay master).

It is much like open source and standards based software and web design. Make your application or site as accessible and portable as possible and reach the widest possible audience. The moment you start embedding and making things too fancy or proprietary, you start excluding audience.

Anyway, embedded stuff is fun for some so I'll just exercise my Net democratic right to block those sites, no matter how informative or entertaining the content is. What is one lost viewer amongst millions?

Ruminate and Maunder

2006-04-25T20:08:00.000+01:00

It's funny how fads and trends happen. Muse and ramble and all derivatives thereof are 'words du jour'. Do people use them in real life? Ramblers are people that walk across the countryside, and possibly whilst doing so, muse upon their lives and work. But in real life, ramblers are as rare as the lesser striped vampire bat pigeon.

Thesaurus.com gives these alternatives:

Main Entry: muse
Part of Speech: verb
Definition: think about
Synonyms: brood, chaw, chew over, cogitate, consider, contemplate, deliberate, dream, feel, meditate, moon, mull over, percolate, pipe dream, ponder, puzzle over, reflect, revolve, roll, ruminate, skull drag, speculate, sweat over, think, think over, turn over, weigh, woolgather
Source: Roget's New Millennium™ Thesaurus, First Edition (v 1.1.1)
Copyright © 2006 by Lexico Publishing Group, LLC. All rights reserved.

Main Entry: ramble
Part of Speech: verb 2
Definition: talk aimlessly
Synonyms: amplify, babble, be diffuse, blather, chatter, depart, descant, digress, divagate, diverge, drift, drivel, dwell on, enlarge, excurse, expatiate, go astray, gossip, harp on, maunder, meander, prose, protract, rattle on, stray, talk nonsense, talk randomly, wander
Source: Roget's New Millennium™ Thesaurus, First Edition (v 1.1.1)
Copyright © 2006 by Lexico Publishing Group, LLC. All rights reserved.

Why we are animals

2006-04-25T18:26:00.000+01:00

Grade 11 children robbed at gunpoint at school. Nice.

Humans are the worst animals

2006-04-25T16:27:00.000+01:00

Hot on the heels of the shooting of Tabby, this story surfaces where a person drags his Jack Russell behind his car!

Out of all the animals on the planet, we have to rank as the most despicable. Not only do we wreck our habitat, but we breed like bacteria, we destroy and torture other species and best of all, each other. Mother Nature normally remedies these quirks and imbalances but of course, humans now think they are clever and can control Nature. Hmmm.

Hurricanes, floods, landslides, earthquakes, drought, pestilence, disease, overpopulation. We haven't really got to grips with any of those.

Mother Nature 1: Humans 0.5.

Not tested on animals

2006-04-24T15:13:00.000+01:00

We constitute but one household out of billions worldwide, but our small effort to reduce consumption and promote a healthier environment consists of:

* actually switching off unused computers and monitors (six of them is a real drain on energy)
* using Enchantrix products as much as and where possible - less harsh chemicals can only be better for skin and the water supply
* separate bins for paper, plastic, glass for better recycling
* changing cars to Smart. Much better fuel usage stats!
* eliminating vampire appliances where possible
* timers on heaters. no big deal for you in the west but power is very cheap here, so we just leave things on all day
* reducing fridge/freezer setting to save power
* becoming vegetarian for health, energy and water conservation and ethical reasons

Bear in mind that South Africa has no environmental legislation to speak of, so our homes are generally poorly insulated and recycling centres few and far between. End-user initiative is all we can rely on till the government gets with the eco-programme! Hopefully what little we can do helps in some way.

What have you done to help the environment?

Thunderbird

2006-04-24T14:09:00.000+01:00

Mozilla have released Thunderbird 1.5.0.2. Stability and some security issues have been addressed. Thunderbird is a pretty cool Mail application that runs on most platforms (this one isn't universal binary for our Macintel brethren). It is much better as a mail client than Outlook Express and whilst not as enterprise grade as Notes or Outlook, all great things start small.

Damn the RIAA

2006-04-23T07:46:00.000+01:00

A while back I made a pledge that I would not buy another 'music' CD that had copy control or DRM technology on it. Why? Because why support bullies who turn us, the person on the street, into their equivalent of pirates, terrorists and evil no-good doers.

Yes, just the mere thought of moving songs from a bought CD to an MP3 player is illegal. Forget that you have 'rented' the music indefinitely too - leave the country or state and you may have to hand you music back to them and re-buy it wherever you surface. Technically - you also need a copy of the CD for each place you intend listening to it. Want it on you iPod? Have a second copy lying around. Want to rip it to your computer? Have a third copy lying around handy. Different companies will have different regulations, but they are all as draconian as each other.

What a load of rubbish. We should all boycott copy controlled discs, no matter how much you want the music and maybe, just maybe, the record companies will start listening to their customers. Support independent record labels and artists as much as you can. Make a stand against the bullies!

Tabby continued

2006-04-22T11:25:00.000+01:00

Almost a month ago, I wrote how some hooligans had shot Tabby the cat with a pellet gun. Well, after two operations on her leg, the vet today said that she needs another operation to try and fix and correct it. The pins and wiring they did have not taken. They now need to insert a plate. Failing this, Tabby will need to have the leg amputated.

This is not fair on any animal, and people should think twice before buying guns of any sort for their offspring. Children should be taught to respect life, not how to dispose of it. Children that are taught to respect life would not go out of their way to cause suffering to someone's pet.

There is a special place for people like that. Nuff said.

Land, land, glorious land

2006-04-22T07:46:00.000+01:00

Land ownership. The ability to build a castle for you and your family. Many people the world over strive for this one basic right - the ability to own your own land. In some places, it isn't possible. In others, such as South Africa, it is.

One of the legacies modern South Africans have to live with is the contentious issue of who has rights to land. Many people were forced of the land they lived and worked on to make way for white or state land ownership. Since 1994, these 'landless' people were then given a platform to reclaim what was 'theirs'. Theirs not in terms of ownership as such but theirs as in, that was where they lived.

The government has been negotiating with farmers who 'own' contested land and this year, started losing patience with the delay tactics and cries of foul play from many current landowners. The goverment is now playing tough. Sure, agricultural output may suffer as a result but surely at the very least we owe it to these people to get something back?

We don't want to see Zimbabwe style land-grabs as this will spook the public and foreign investment. What we want to see is a happy balance - a status quo where everyone wins. The farmers are asking exorbitant compensation in return for ceding 'their' land. Compensating for land value, business value and projected income is not something the government can afford. So why not buy the land - give it to the people and then broker a deal where the farmer leases the land - keeps his business and trains the new owners?

The government isn't just taking the land, it will pay what it deems to be a fair market related price. The government doesn't want to eliminate all white farms - it wants to convert 30% to black ownership.

Come on farmers. We need to achieve the bigger picture together. South Africa has done so well so far - lets keep it positive and constructive for all our benefits.

If celebs were talented

2006-04-22T05:28:00.000+01:00

What is it with the fascination we have with celebrity? Today's celebrities generally 'make it' because of a pretty face, not talent. This means we don't necessarily love them for their intellect or talent.

The fascination then runs further - what they do with their lives, how they do it and who they do it with. Why? Will the world come to a grinding halt because Brangelina split? Will millions of lives be saved because Tom Cruise eats placenta?

'Celebrities' are not normal people. They are wacko people with good PR. They are created by the media and digested by the people. Perhaps then, our fascination towards them is warranted, so that the normal, talented actors, actresses, musicians etc can live their lives and careers in relative peace and normality while the faux talent spotlight hogging loonies get chased around the world.

Gaia thanks you

2006-04-21T16:32:00.000+01:00

Fuel (gas) is at its all time high all over the plant. An energy crisis of sorts looms. Climate change is real (forget the arguments about how and who), it is here. Oil is destined to start drying up and goodness knows what effect this will have on economies and societies. Alternative energy is somewhat underfunded, misunderstood and under-used.

Do your bit for the Earth. There are 6.5 billion of us, each making many decisions per day that have a miniscule but aggregate and direct effect on our home. The future home for our offspring will be a different one from the one we know. Lets try and make it as hospitable one as possible?

Read this article from Livescience.com for enlightenment. The article is summarised below.

1. Change light bulbs
2. Drive differently, or drive a different vehicle
3. Control your temperature
4. Tame the refrigerator monster
5. Twist some knobs
6. Plant smartly
7. Invest in green energy
8. Go organic
9. Buy recycled
10. Be a minimalist

If nothing else, doing the above saves you money.

Hee hee, who hee?

2006-04-21T05:57:00.000+01:00

My post 'Know your geography' was a kind of lighthearted look at how bad we are at knowing where countries are in a globalised world. Americans tend to get singled out but we are really all as bad (though not quite as bad).

The icing on the cake, cherry on the top of the icing came yesterday with the very formal and highly important meeting between President Bush (USA) and President Hu Jintao (China) at the White House. All the world looking, reporters staring (the odd one protesting), cameras flashing - and the announcer misidentifies the Chinese National Anthem as coming from Taiwan...

OK people that work in the White House:

China is formally known as the People's Republic of China. The big country that threatens the rest of the world with its growing consumerism and demand on our fragile eco-system and energy resources.

Taiwan - the breakaway country that wants independence from the People's Republic - a major thorn in the side for the Chinese, identifies itself as the Republic of China.

Whether Taiwan is recognised or not is another matter. You just don't mix up things like that at important state visits!

Oh dear.

Please wear your seatbelt

2006-04-20T08:47:00.000+01:00

American singer, Ashanti was performing in Johannesburg over the Easter Weekend. Tragically, her cousin Quinshae Snead was involved in a car accident and was killed. Quinshae was in a BMW X5 with bodyguard Steven Arend when they were hit by a speeding car that was apparently being pursued by police. The BMW was hit with such force that it flipped, spun and tossed the bodies of the two occupants out. Quinshae was hit by another vehicle on the road - which most likely killed her.

OK. The driver that hit them was unlicensed and running from the law. This is bad. He was allegedly doing 180Kph on an urban road. Bad. Someone died and someone is in hospital with severe injuries. Bad. The two BMW occupants were flung out the rolling car, the seatbelts are intact. This means they were not wearing them. Bad.

The fact that someone lost their life is terrible, but you take your life into your own hands when you insist on traveling without protection. Someone else can cause an accident (as in this case) which can have a devastating effect on those involved.

I feel sorry for the driver that hit the injured Quinshae. Complete nightmare for all involved.

RIP Quinshae and condolences to your family..

We ship in some Kulcha

2006-04-20T07:18:00.000+01:00

The problem with the New Worlds is that they are so... new. Even though the 1600's are a long way behind us, and to prove it we have our fair share of threadbare clothes and dusty manuscripts in museums, none of the New World has anything on the Old World, when it comes to Regal Majesty, splendour, panoramic shots of ancient vineyards, cicadas chirping in the olive groves, Mamma's in black buying sun kissed vegetables and fruit in a Mediterranean market, and art.

Yes, we all have 'art' dahling - but there is art and then there is ART.

South Africa has managed to ship out some of Picasso's works which are being shown at the Iziko, South African National Gallery in Cape Town. The exhibition has already enjoyed a five week stay in Johannesburg.

This is no mean feat for a country many think is overrun with lions on every street corner. Picasso is of course, a modern painter, so he could have been born anywhere in today's world - but there is still something awe inspiring in being able to host the works of a great European painter. The big endorsement, in my view, is that the exhibition's insurers lowered the premium for moving the works - as they think we are such a safe country to exhibit in. I think that they know that our criminals are too busy doing the cellphone and wallet thing to worry about painted bits of paper from the Old World.

Poor wee animals

2006-04-19T13:45:00.000+01:00

Regardless of how climate change is happening, the reality is that it is happening. A phenomenal amount of species are likely to be extinct my the middle of this century (scientists reckon 25% will die off). Even if we are not responsible (debatable), we will still have to live during a 'dying'. Not as great as some of the other 'dyings' of pre-history, but a grim prospect nevertheless.

This article illustrates the reality of it affecting wildlife. I guess, humans have enough on their eco-conscience with hurricanes, tornadoes, floods and sandstorms this week. If you have time, think about the animals.

Know your geography!

2006-04-19T12:02:00.000+01:00

At school, we used to tease the teachers in latin, history, math and other 'useless subjects'.

"We'll never need to know that",
"Eeeeew - what use is that in REAL life, Sir?"
"Do you think I'm not going to use a calculator when I leave school?"

This is of course HIGHLY generalised - I know that not everyone falls into the following but for many of our North American and sadly, many of our contemporary European friends - it is IMPORTANT to listen up in geography. The world is NOT flat. The centre of the world is NOT America. Johannesburg does NOT have lions and 'tigers' running round the streets (tigers come from Asia, which is NOT part of Africa). Sorry to shatter any illusions, but that's just how it is in real life.

We all know the invasion of Iraq was an error based on an inability to a) find any proof that war was needed and b) actually correctly recognise any country outside of US borders, and thus, instead of attacking Iran, the US invaded Iraq.

Unless of course, miffed that the Romans, Greeks, Phonecians, Babylonians, Egyptians, Persians, French, Spanish, Chinese, Japanese and Portuguese have all had a go at empire building, the US is trying to paint it's map pink. Still, all empires crumble at some stage. Rock on China!

Crazy Monkey

2006-04-18T13:32:00.000+01:00

I'm not sure how MTV programming works on a global scale, but in South Africa (most likely broadcast from the UK) one of the many mini-fillers broadcast is Crazy Monkey. They are four South African guys that do weird stuff with a webcam - a kind of anti-Jackass. Anycase, I was sad to read now that one of them and his friend have been found murdered over the weekend. Its reassuring to know that the police have already managed to apprehend at least five suspects who seemed to have stolen goods on them.

The fact that the police would rather spend public resources on catching speeding motorists at peak hours, or fining affluent motorists for using a cellphone when something like 50% of murders go unsolved in South Africa, shows where their priorities really lie.

Can the kettle now call the pot black?

2006-04-18T05:58:00.000+01:00

South Africa had, and currently has issues. Issues about wealth distribution, crime, ecology, bio-diversity, bad drivers, access to clean water, race, access to electricity... Hang on. Race? Did we not have our first free and fair elections in 1994 when our Government peacefully and swiftly changed from white to black? So why do we still have issues about race? Were these elections not brought about by financial and economic sanction from country plus dog? South Africans were persona non grata almost everywhere. Even our aeroplanes were restricted in the countries they could fly over. The Germans, the Frenchs, the Americans and many other countries were quick to politically point the finger. Many continued to trade - albeit in a roundabout and underhanded way. The only country that really remained somewhat friendly was Britain.

After our Government changed in 1994, many non-blacks lost their jobs in an effort to redress job inequality. Laws were then put in place (whether viewed as rightly or wrongly in an allegedly democratic society) to force employers to adhere to racial bias when hiring and for companies to pass majority ownership to blacks. Within the black/non-black grouping there is unofficial weighting, where employment of mixed race or Asians does not 'count' towards Black. One can just never be white or black enough it seems. So, many haves turned into have nots and vice versa. Many non-whites emigrated if they had the means to (some family link to another country) or the money to buy in somewhere.

On the whole, everyone in South Africa seems to get along just fine. There are incidents of alleged racial hate and those that pull the old race card left, right and centre - but for a country that was teetering on the brink of civil war - we haven't done too badly. Our population groups still tend to live in their own pockets and mini-societies but are no longer legally segregated. Lets just hope (and if fitting) pray that it doesn't all come apart as it seems to be doing in utopian Europe and utopian America.

Race now seems to be becoming a bugbear. The recent French riots, the apparently spiralling issues in Russia, race issues in Germany, Holland, Britain and now America? America? The land of the allegedly free; the place which although segregation was once legal, abolished it and now seems to be re-adopting it. America, the place emerging democracies look at for inspiration - places like South Africa and more recently, Iraq.

It would appear that the predominantly American generated War on Terror is de-globalising the world. A knee-jerk reaction that has bred distrust and brews hatred. Looking at South Africa as an example of a previously paranoid country, societies that fear themselves or anyone 'different' use power, fear and laws to control people. In this article by David W Boles, he discusses "the new law passed last Thursday by the Nebraska Unicameral to racially divide (or let'’s call it “State Sponsored Vivisection by Race)— the Omaha Public Schools into three distinct Racial districts: White, Black and Hispanic". (Link to the same topic - Washington Post)

That is just scary. We all know that racial tensions will exist. We all know that in urban areas, cultures tend to group together. Some experts say we should just learn to live with our racial issues instead of trying to control them with rules and laws - much in the same way that overweight people may expect to get teased every now and then. The fact that this should happen in America at all, is what is so weird. Yes, people vote and majority wins, blah blah - but to redefine school districts and decision making into population groups? Nebraska might as well just go all the way and sub-divide those groups by income, gender, religion, physical ability and sexual preference - or where is a cross hispanic caucasian partially disabled femle low income catholic lesbian going to be educated?

In South Africa, we had the whole white, black, asian and coloured thing. Schools for us, schools for you. Great for the sign-making businesses but not much else. In its wisdom, our then government considered 'Asian' to be Indians only. They forgot the Chinese and Japanese, who as a result, were given 'honorary white' status. What the heck? Never mind what happens when inter-racial marriages have children. There is no white and black. We are all people. We all need to learn to live with each other.

Our genes show that we are all, yes - all (even you in Nebraska), decended from a small group of early-humans that came from Africa. So in a funny peculiar way, we are all 'black' anyway. Come on Nebraska - just get over your issues! Or perhaps, pass a law that forces a population group into every third house on every street - white, black, hispanic, white, black, hipanic - and just make everyone get along!

Experiment over

2006-04-14T06:27:00.000+01:00

After a brief experimental love affair with Google Adsense, it has been removed from this blog. We all have a right to want money - but for the vast majority becoming a blog.com multimillionaire just isn't going to happen the way the way blog marketers would have you believe.

Neither are blogs the necessarily the right method for pushing products. The traffic generators have made me come to this conclusion. Odd, that the means to create traffic to generate a blog revenue stream should have the opposite effect. For me, reading humourous, profound or light-hearted comments that are surrounded by 'click me, buy me, send me money' or followed by a 'buy this book or buy these things' blog just detracts from the original aim, the content.

The quasi freedom and democracy that the Net affords gives people the right to do what they want with their cyberspace. The key is putting things in the 'right' place. Its just a shame that trying to turn words into fast easy money has detracted from some of the valuable insight and experiences being shared. Long live hobbies!

If you happen to be looking for photo stock

2006-04-14T03:37:00.000+01:00

There are a few photo blogs around. Nice as it is seeing them, the owners probably won't be so impressed if they start seeing their pics turning up places other than where they were 'made public'. Especially not so impressed if someone else claims copyright and makes a fortune! Such is the nature of releasing your words or pictures to the public Net.

Enter Morguefile and stock.xchng. Both these sites offer quality stock photos, many of which are suitable for print reproduction. Morguefile leans towards the more 'classic' and stock.xchng towards the 'funky'. Between them, there are thousands of pics that are more or less free to use, anywhere, as long as correctly attributed, or permission asked for. Photographers range from entry level to semi-professional and then some. Check individual pics for usage rights.

Do ducks have feelings?

2006-04-12T19:21:00.000+01:00

The oddest thing was taking place by the road on my way to work this morning. A large duck, perhaps even an Egyptian goose, was standing in the cycle lane of a dual carriageway road that carries the morning traffic to the city. The duck was facing away from the wind, feathers all being blown in the wrong direction (birds prefer to face into the wind). As my car inched closer towards the duck, I could see it had its head to the tarmac, nudging what seemed to be a yellow ball.

It was a dead duckling/gosling. There this wild bird was, nudging the lifeless chick with cars passing within a metre or so of it, while it tried to get the chick to move. It could just be a natural urge to move the chick to safety, but even still - it was one of those heart stopping moments you wish you could capture on film.

Chocolate time!

2006-04-11T19:36:00.000+01:00

Easter is almost here, despite being a bit late this year. South Africans love their sweets and chocolate is no exception. Chocolate is one of those magic foods. Its so yummy (at least quality chocolate is), conveys images of sheer decadence and yet, is edible minimalism at it's best. Those who genuinely dislike some form of chocolate are few and far between.

This picture has done the email rounds but it too cute not to use seeing as it's the right season. As it has done the rounds I'm assuming its more or less in the public domain. If not, please let me know and I'll remove it immediately!

How well do you know yourself?

2006-04-09T17:44:00.000+01:00

Got a heads-up to this project from BBC News. Project Implicit is an online study by Harvard. There are a series of tests, either for fun or as part of the study, that ask a few minutes of your time in return for some key pressing in response to word and picture associations. There may not be any personal revelations, or you may find, that you aren't the person you thought you were!

EDIT - I was called to task on my choice of the word 'prejudice' - see comments on the post.

This from their info website:

"Project Implicit is a Virtual Laboratory for the social and behavioral sciences designed to facilitate the research of implicit social cognition: cognitions, feelings, and evaluations that are not necessarily available to conscious awareness, conscious control, conscious intention, or self-reflection. Project Implicit comprises a network of laboratories, technicians, and research scientists at Harvard University, the University of Washington, and the University of Virginia. The project was initially launched as a demonstration website in 1998 at Yale University, and began to function fully as a research enterprise following a grant from the National Institute of Mental Health in 2003."

Dictionary.com defines prejudice as:

prej·u·dice P Pronunciation Key (prj-ds)
n.
1. An adverse judgment or opinion formed beforehand or without knowledge or examination of the facts.
2. A preconceived preference or idea.
3. The act or state of holding unreasonable preconceived judgments or convictions. See Synonyms at predilection.
4. Irrational suspicion or hatred of a particular group, race, or religion.
5. Detriment or injury caused to a person by the preconceived, unfavorable conviction of another or others.

The auto-editorial and learning ability of the net is indeed amazing.

Reason to smile

2006-04-09T06:08:00.000+01:00

We're all probably aware of the idea that it takes fewer muscles to frown than it does to smile. For the ones who like shortcuts, that's good enough reason to smile. However, some recent research seems to show that just thinking about laughter (or happy thoughts, happy thoughts) is enough to elevate one's mood. The spin-off? "would appear to carry important, positive implications for wellness, disease-prevention and most certainly stress-reduction."

That makes sense. The lady in the article's photo is on the phone. We've all no-doubt experienced that post funny event elation - you have a laugh with a pal on the phone and are still smiling (to oneself), walking around with a lopsided grin, way after the call has ended.

Smile, think laughter, laugh, and have a nice, relaxed Sunday!

Street racing

2006-04-08T07:21:00.000+01:00

This rather unfortunate incident in which a young father and his son lost their lives is somewhat surprising if it was legally allowed to happen. What on earth were spectators doing in the centre of what had become a racing track? The road in question is a nice fast road to drive on but is not meant to be a race track. The crowd seem to blame the driver. They are all as much to blame as each other!

Racetracks are meant for racing, roads are meant for driving. Lets keep it that way, shall we?

The future of the operating system

2006-04-08T05:43:00.000+01:00

With all the recent kerfuffle over new Mac hardware being able to dual-boot with Windows XP, it seems hardly surprising that the Mac community would polarise into the 'I'll never do it', "I don't care" and "Of course I will" camps. This eWeek article poses an interesting hypothesis - that software will be king and the operating system, almost irrelevant thanks to virtualisation. Worth a read, if you find these things interesting!

Slight pause

2006-04-07T05:42:00.000+01:00

Currently on a two week course with a gruelling homework and daily test schedule, so almost all other activities are on hold till the course is over.

Good things can come from bad

2006-04-04T06:06:00.000+01:00

The recent power crisis in the Western Cape allegedly cost business R5 bn (just under a billion US dollars at today's exchange rate), not to mention the stress everyone in the entire province was put under. Eskom, the parastatal engergy company still has issue with energy delivery in the province, mostly due to bad planning and future proofing.

However, a recent local news headline was that a potential site for a wind farm has been identified (and boy, do we have a lot of wind) and this, something I have never seen before - actively promoting the use of using less energy through door to door swapouts. This means, that the energy company will physically visit homes and give you something energy efficient for your current energy-hungry item - such as a lightbulb. Thanks, Eskom - you have partially redeemed yourselves!

Does this affect IE blog browsers?

2006-04-02T05:06:00.000+01:00

Blog surfing using either Blog Explosion or Blogmad in Safari, Firefox or Camino browsers on a Mac will every now and then cause a browser freeze, then crash. This is a minor nuisance in the tabbed browsing world, where you may lose other useful information at the crash. By a process of deduction, its the flickr photo links and mostly, the embedded stuff people place in their blogs. Its not the Mac, but Real Media, Windows Media Player, Quicktime, music, radio - it's all at fault.

Whilst almost all bloggers in the 'exchange system' use some form of embedded scripting or widget, its a bit overkill with the embedded stuff that loads on page load. You click, you're waiting the 30 seconds. You're busy minding your own business surfing on another page when out of nowhere, music starts. And it's most definitely not in your iTunes collection!

Synergy

2006-04-02T04:35:00.000+01:00

Although this is by no means a new application, Synergy is a great piece of open source software if you have more than one computer sitting at your desk. With versions for Mac OS X, Linux and Windows, Synergy allows you to share one keyboard and mouse across multiple computers. Alll you need to do is install Synergy on the relevant machines, decide which one will be the synergy server (the screen, keyboard and mouse you'll use) and a little bit of configuration.

The windows one works in a nice little window. Linux needs some config file edited, of course and OS X has Synergy KM - the GUI version with an icon in Preferences.

Connor Gerber

2006-03-31T06:48:00.000+02:00

Normally, I'm not one for promoting charity but this little boy lives in our area, and the posters and events organised are so visible it's hard not to miss and learn more about him each time you see his face. He needs treatment in the US for his illness, neuroblastoma. His mom and dad started Connor's fund as a last ditch attempt to save their boy.

If you live in South Africa and can afford R10, SMS Connor to 38130. You are apparently welcome to check the validity of this by emailing info@1callasap.co.za or 0861 111 777. His mom and dad give their cell numbers on the website, so if in doubt you can call them direct. I'm sure Connor and his folks would also be appreciative of anyone anywhere else that can afford to donate - details are on the website.

Any money left over from Connor's fund will go towards other children with this disease. The photo of Connor on this page comes from his website and was taken at a beachfront fund raiser here in Bloubergstrand this February.

the tip of africa

Poor pigeon

U2 360!

Animal farms

Waiter, is that a slug in my salad?

Making Poodle risotto

Dendrobium Kingianum

The intrigue of trashy novels

Sign in apartment complex

Why the puppy?

SWC 2010

Everyone likes to moan

Feeding your best friend

Anyone for a sub?

Phalaenposis flower spike rescued!

Dendrobium Kingianum

Hurrah for duiwe!!

Poor old Lady Doreen

Keep left, pass right

Google Money Master. If it seems too good to be true...

No such thing as a free SMS?

Cape of Storms

I really do know what you intend to do

Using capital Letters in Sentences

Roadside tai chi

The problem with democracy here

My Old Pal, George

I'm not very good at blogging

Priority change

Cute wittle puppy

Your past is online

Random thought

Mother Nature gets her own back

What the?

Who writes these?

Wow!

C'mon guys

Cape Town's first sunset 2007

Hurrah for Japanese marine 'science'

The small things

It's been three months

What's with the voice

One step back

Clarity from chaos

Name solution

Traffic lights affect brainwaves

Like a proud parent

School holidays

It's a sign!

Where are the Brangelina when you need them?

Only in Africa

How traffic cops could make more money and save lives

When animals attack

Skills are not relative

The lady driver thing

Jack(ie), the parrot

A long way from Europe

Statistics

How the wheel goes round

Is our number up?

Poor performance

IE, the new Firefox?

Has to be a worldwide thing

In response to a request

Alls' well that end's well

The wheel of life turns

Lax. Very lax.

Meow prrrr mauuu

Some respect, please

Tabby - the (almost) final chapter

*Sigh*

Ruminate and Maunder

Why we are animals

Humans are the worst animals

Not tested on animals

Thunderbird

Damn the RIAA

Tabby continued

Land, land, glorious land

If celebs were talented

Sigh