Zuma Spear: Getting all their dicks in a row

This is one of those occasion where 140 characters are simply not enough, and beforehand, I apologise for the language, I will wash my hands with soap as soon as I hit publish.

The Zuma Spear. Fuck. My initial reaction is “what a bunch of idiots!”. But, wait, are they? [They being the ANC and COSATU]. 

Driving to work this morning I drove past four beggars. Their shoes are falling apart, their clothing are merely means of covering up. One of these beggars should be in school, preparing for July exams. But wait. Even the children in school cannot prepare for their July exams because they don’t have books. These children are not only deprived from theoretical learning but also from the wonderful world of Dr Seuss and Beatrix Potter, but those are luxuries –much like food. 

Tonight, members of the ANC and COSATU, when you enjoy your steak, vegetables and rice (drenched in gravy), and raise your glasses to celebrate your well-earned victory over the City Press and pat yourself on the back for being so clever, spare a thought for the man sleeping on the stairs at a shopping centre. The man you swore to house. 

Think of the child who will never know the joys of going to bed with a full tummy, let alone Dr Seuss. The child you swore would never be hungry again. 

The child who desperately wants to improve his life but isn’t getting the tools he needs to do so. The child you swore would receive an education. 

Think of them. 

The people are wearing your party’s t-shirts, President Zuma. They have placed their faith in your abilities to improve their lives and give them hope for a better tomorrow. Instead, you allow a canvas to cover up the real issues.

Yes, today the ANC and COSATU march because of some dick, while they smear close the real issues.

Tulip, fetch!

This is something that I simply had to share – Tulip playing fetch. Admittedly it would not have been worth a share if Tulip was our dog, but she is not, she’s our cat. Yup, our cat plays fetch.

One would think that this is not normal cat behaviour, but I have come to the conclusion that it is perfectly normal for Tulip to play fetch, because of two reasons;

1. This is a special game she plays with bf, she never brings the ball back when I throw it. In essence she has CHOSEN who she’d like to play this special game with.

2. Tulip just had to prove that anything a dog can do – a cat can do better, and look cuter.

Gearing up for THE challenge

I seem to enjoy taking on challenges lately. Early last year I decided to change careers, so I enrolled into Unisa and started my BA in Psychological Counselling. In June I started a new job, in an industry I didn’t even know exists, and in December we moved out of our flat and into a house. Ok, so the last one isn’t quite a challenge, but it was a big change.

As I type this I am mentally preparing myself for my next challenge – the USN 12-Week Challenge.

Bailey Schneider took up the challenge roughly seven weeks ago and I’ve been following her progress. Last week I saw some “slightly older” pictures (before USN) of Bailey, and then some new ones. My jaw dropped and suddenly I had this thought, “hey, maybe I could…”, and so I started stewing over the thought.

Oddly enough Bailey’s slimmer figure is not what inspired me to take up the challenge, it is her attitude towards it that made the difference. Not once did Bailey say she wants to lose 20kg, or look like Heidi Klum (after all the airbrushing) – Bailey’s goal is to be the best version of herself.

For me, therein lies the secret to ensure my success – to be the best version of myself.

 

So instead of obsessing to look as good as what “she” does (referring to women we so blindly idolise) or try and fit into society’s version of perfection, I will embark on the USN 12-Week Challenge to look MY best. For me.

However, before I start this challenge, I first need to complete another – round one of exams, which conveniently ends AFTER the JoburgWine Show.

To my faithful study-buddy

I use to know what was happening in Grey’s Anatomy, the CSI Trilogy, The Good Wife, Desperate Housewife, Private Practice and whatever was showing during M-Net’s primetime.

These days I watch about every second episode of Desperate Housewife, only because it is the final season, and ok, I hardly miss an episode of CSI Miami. I love Horatio’s one-liners. But when it comes to Grey’s Anatomy, I really couldn’t care which doctors are shagging, or whose rights Alicia Florrick is defending in the next hour.

When I get home the only thing on my mind is that night’s study session. Some nights are easy. Other nights are not so easy.

It’s on these not-so-easy nights that I become aware of, and appreciate, my study-buddy. Since Meeko and Tulip joined our family of two in January, Meeko has been with me during those late nights. I dedicate this blog post to Meeko, the most faithful study-buddy ever!

 

 

 

 

Jozi life is buzzing!

Before I became a part-time student I had quite an active social life. I still love going out, but don’t quite get to do it as often as I’d like to. I found that people tend to think because we don’t have an “ocean”, there is nothing to do in Joburg. Wrong. Wrong. The Jozi life is buzzing!

Here are some hotspots for you to indulge in;

Fun family activities

• Star gazing – http://www.planetarium.co.za/
• For cheese, picnic and wine lovers – http://www.vangaalen.co.za/
• Rosebank Food Lovers Market – http://www.jozifoodmarket.co.za/
• Go to the Zoo. I love the zoo, it is by far one of my favourite outings, and no, you are NEVER too old.
• The Home Of The Chicken Pie. En route to Magalies is a café come restaurant. While the chicken pies are not what they use to be, the burgers are amazing. Plus the kids get to run around.
• Bruma Lake Flea Market. Why not indulge in some shopping, or just walking about.

Museums

• History lovers – http://www.apartheidmuseum.org/
• Bensusan Museum of Photography and Library – http://www.photography-now.com/institutions/I7399633.html?land=ZA
• Bernberg Museum Of Costume – http://www.places.co.za/html/bernberg.html
• The Voortrekker Monument – http://www.voortrekkermon.org.za/
• Constitution Hill – http://www.sa-venues.com/attractionsga/constitution-hill.htm

Leave the kids at home

• Beer Tour – http://www.worldofbeer.co.za/
• Gilroy’s Beer – http://www.gilroybeers.co.za/. I *heart* Gilroy’s! Good food and good beer. Even if you don’t like beer, you’ll like Gilroy’s.

Or go Meandering. The Magalies (http://www.magaliesmeander.co.za/) and Harties (http://www.hartiesmeander.co.za/) Meander respectively have loads to offer.

This covers such a small percentage of things to do in Joburg. So this weekend, whether you have children or not, go and do something different, and, when in doubt, Google.

Note: No night-life places have been included because I don’t do the club thing. The latest dance tunes will make me lose my mind and I believe there is a special place in hell for LMFAO. \m/

I must confess, I am disappinted

I love children’s novels. I have a section on my bookshelf dedicated to Roald Dahl, Hans Anderson, Dr Seuss, A.A Milne, and my two prized possessions – my first fairy tale book (received sometime between 1983 and 1984 from my godparents) and my first children’s Bible, which was a Christmas present from my grandparents. 

My most recent acquisition is the Beatrix Potter collection. Some of my favourite tales, all wrapped in a gorgeous box;

Over the weekend I read The Tales Of Two Bad Mice. I nearly cried. On page 18 I spotted the following; “Hunca Munca had another disappintment.” Disappintment? 

I must confess, I am disappointed with the editors at Frederick Warne & Co. and I am fairly sure Ms Potter would be just as disappointed. I have not been able to get past it and read another tale, much to my disappintment. 

I will keep on writing

Yesterday I finally went live with my blog – a brave step. Let me explain;

I first “started” my blog in September 2009, but I never wrote anything – it was just there, dormant. In a previous lifetime a large chunk of my job involved writing. While I did it, I was often, consistently, told what a crap writer I am and that clearly I have no comprehension of the English language. (I am by birth Afrikaans so my 'is and are', 'was and were', are often a tad muddled).

Despite criticism, which I didn’t take too well – otherwise I would’ve started blogging years ago, I persevered. Practice makes perfect, right?

While I have no dream of becoming a writer, I do believe that in any business you should at least try and string a sentence together, without disintegrating the language completely, and heavens! Pick up a dictionary ever so often.

Bill Stout once said that it didn’t matter whether or not you could write well, but that you should write bravely. It is because of these words that I will keep on writing – bravely.