Seemingly Innocuous

New reason to watch the new season of Hung

2012-01-29T15:00:00.001+02:00

Vote for Table Mountain

2011-10-17T13:29:00.001+02:00

Overheard

2010-10-20T16:00:00.000+02:00

Hey! I'm back. I've kept quiet for a while - mainly because I've been working my ass off, but also because I haven't had much to say. So in that vein (with nothing much of my own to say) - here's something I'd like to share with you. It was a reader comment on one of the News24.com letters. It sums up what I feel at the moment, despite the amazing things happening in terms of reform in the government and police.

"I'm a young white male and as such had nothing to do with apartheid. I love South Africa so much. I went for a job interview the other day and was told that because I was white, I couldn't get a job. I worked for my own money and put myself through University. This is not fair. One thing strikes me as odd. The whites voted in a referendum to end Apartheid but the blacks now will not ever end BEE because they hate us and want us all dead. I feel threatened in this country. This is not a black country. Whites have as equal right to be here as anyone does. The blacks came into SA from central Africa and the whites came from Europe, thus we are both foreign to the state of South Africa, hence we are both entitled to equal rights. BEE is racist policy and is further segregating our community instead of uniting us under one common identity. peace"

In a nutshell that's the problem. BEE - it's what's crippling the country. Sad sack, lazy people are getting the jobs that actually matter - and so essential roles are being fulfilled by lazy, incompetent slobs who don't do anything beyond draw a salary. They must be weeded out like a cancer. We are all equal, so the best man must get the job. Not the white man, nor the black man, the RIGHT man.

Real or fake?

2010-07-23T14:27:00.003+02:00

This is the picture sent around the world. People now say it could be fake. There is a video that confirms the incident, and newspapers in Cape Town report that the skipper is being charged for harassing the whale (there are laws as to how close you can be to a whale). The boat wasn't sunk, but the mast broke and there was blubber and whale skin on the boat. What do you think? Real or not?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ptvpwF9r4mM

Oh my, what a change I see!

2010-07-21T09:19:00.000+02:00

It's nearly 2 weeks since the end of the World Cup. But what an amazing time in the country. So much seems to have changed for the better! Things are working so much better and people are all on such a high. It seems that we have finally pulled together as a nation and we're doing things. It's small things, but heck it's nice. The bad intersection at the top of our road at work has just been redone. The highway revamp at the Koeberg interchange is coming along. The people at work are all putting in a little more effort. Even the garbage collectors seem to be leaving less mess when they collect in our street. The birds are chirping cheerfully (spring is in the air) and my new puppy is so lovely! I am so happy at the moment!

Suppertime

2010-07-14T15:15:00.000+02:00

Camino December 2009

2010-07-14T14:43:00.001+02:00

Here's a link to my web album of selected pics from December's trip.

Tattoo I got after the Camino

2010-07-14T14:19:00.002+02:00

I got it when I got back to SA from doing the Camino. I designed it myself, sort of. It's based on all the road signs that mark the route.

Apologies

2010-07-13T12:52:00.000+02:00

I am Proudly South African, and apologise for any nay-saying and negativity I expressed about our ability to host the World Cup. We pulled it off. With such style that I start to wonder what the problem is with service delivery in first place. If we all just pull together like this, in our day to day jobs - thinking about the greater good and knuckling down, then it will be so much better to live here. I mean, we've just shown that we can do it. Given the political will, and a reason to do so.

So what will the reason be to keep it all up? The keep the first world transport system, to keep the visible policing, to keep the steady supply of electricity, to keep the criminals off the street, to speed people through the justice system (instead of waiting more than a year for your day in court)... What will be the reason? Well, in all honesty, the results should be the reason. Life is so much better when everything works! So come on, let's all pull finger and do our jobs properly. Sort through paperwork quicker, fix that telephone line first time, and don't blame anyone else. Just do it!

Who is Jimmy Jump?

2010-07-12T12:32:00.001+02:00

And why is he trying to steal the trophy from Spain? (Well, put a hat on it...)

He's a serial pitch invader and most recently also got onto the stage at the Eurovision Song Contest. Well, actually, most recently he was on the pitch at Soccer City for the World Cup final - last night. How did this dick-head get into the country? If he's known for pitch invasions, like the bloody gorgeous Italian who ran on last week after getting in on a wheelchair (pretending to be paralysed so he could be seated in the special area near the pitch), he should have been on the watch-list. I dunno, do these guys have fake passports?

On the Youtube video of his antics at Eurovision, there is a comment "we need jimmy jump in the world cup". He must have read it. He ran on just before the match started and tried to put his signature hat onto the trophy. Security tackled him and about 15 guys manhandled him off the field. He's actually Spanish. Maybe he thought that incase they didn't win the trophy, he'd get it for them?

UPDATE - 13 July, 2010: He's been fined R2 000 by the special World Cup Court. He's apparently "retired" now that he "jumped" the World Cup. He plans to tour Botswana and other African countries before heading home. Oh well, at least someone is R2 000 richer. Lining some official's pocket.

It's all over

2010-07-12T09:37:00.000+02:00

Spain won. The octopus was right, including Jabulani in the Two Oceans Aquarium (our own homegrown version of Paul). The visitors are heading home, and the Xenophobic attacks are starting. Yes, reports have come in of Somalian stores being ransacked in townships. How utterly, utterly sad. Not for Spain though.

Nelson Mandela has waved Sepp Blatter goodbye, and so he leaves with the huge fortune of money he has managed to make from South Africa (hopefully someone robs him of it on the way to the airport).

Here at work, yes I made it in this morning, everyone looks very depressed and we are a little short-staffed. The excuses? -"I have some flu like symptoms and so am staying home," -"I'm having car troubles," -"I'm running late," and some staff have taken leave. I'm wondering what I'm doing here...

Sleeping puppy

2010-07-12T08:49:00.001+02:00

At this stage we are all legs. Next stage will be all neck and then finally we will look Whippet shaped. He is so adorable. He sleeps on my head sometimes, and then hooks his chin over my neck. I love him to bits!

Paul's future...

2010-07-09T14:34:00.002+02:00

...if Spain don't win!

Spain to win World Cup

2010-07-09T14:32:00.002+02:00

Paul the octo-oracle has spoken.

I ate octopus (pulpo) when I was in Spain, and it didn't agree with me. The flesh was fine, but that slimy skin on the outside made me feel ill. It's strange, because I'm sure I've eaten it before, many times.

If Spain win, do you think that they can celebrate by eating a traditional dish such as octopus? Or will this be one of those times where they leave it off the menu?

Shuttle bus home

2010-07-06T23:04:00.002+02:00

It was so fast and hardly any waiting. It was like being in a first world country. Loved it. The trip back to town was exciting. I was struck with an amazingly good feeling of pride in how we pulled it off as a country. And now I just hope that Spain wins. And that these first world installations remain in our city, properly utilised and maintained.

Fanwalk to the stadium

2010-07-06T22:58:00.002+02:00

Wow, wow, wow. What an amazing experience. I am so glad we did it. I had a silly smile on my face the whole time. Orange is not a nice colour, but it was everywhere including on many South Africans.

Late afternoon sky

2010-07-05T16:47:00.001+02:00

The view out the window this afternoon looks very scenic.

Nothing!

2010-06-29T09:25:00.001+02:00

Grrr!

The trap is set

2010-06-28T20:41:00.001+02:00

Cheese underneath. Nice gouda. Irresistable to mice. Watch this space.

Mouse problems

2010-06-28T15:50:00.000+02:00

We have discovered mice running around at work. Christo has been trying to catch the one in his office for about a month now. He's built a few traps out of cardboard boxes, with balanced tubes and oats. He's failed to even tempt the mouse. Then we started seeing signs of mice in other offices. My desk had a few droppings around my, um, mouse, and there were bite marks on the icing penguins (see the pics). We called in Rentokil. Then, one morning, Patsy saw a mouse in the copy department, calmly found a cardboard box, walked over to it, and placed it over him. He soon died that afternoon, succumbing to the poison he ate earlier.

Back at home, we discovered mice under the kitchen sink. We knew for a while because the cats had been camped out in front of the cupboard doors for hours on end. And it wasn't because we kept their food inside. My mom spotted mouse droppings in the one bucket we keep the cat food in. We kind of left it, thinking it was one mouse and it would soon be caught. No, this mouse bred. His family now live in the floorboards, under the kitchen sink. They come out and have parties, forgetting to clean up after they leave. The droppings are piling up now. We've debated it and decided poison is not on the cards. We have 3 dogs and 2 cats. One puppy who is chewing everything he can get hold of. Let's try mousetraps!

Two mousetraps were setup last night. I battled to set them, finally resorting to a huge chunk of cheese wedged onto the plate of metal. Clearly the wrong way to set it up. I was in the bathroom and heard a snap. I opened the cupboard and saw teeth marks in the one chunk, the other chunk was split in half from the trap mechanism. No mouse in sight. I reset them and went to bed. This morning all the cheese was gone, and only one trap had activated. So I went on a hunt. The internet. I googled "how to correctly set a mousetrap". I watched video after video. Then, I stumbled upon this: Wikihow. I am now going home to "put a block of cheese under the metal plate," not wedged over it! Let's hold thumbs for a successful hunt this evening.

Vuvuelas on Youtube!

2010-06-28T15:23:00.001+02:00

Poking around youtube and watching the funniest remix video, I saw a little icon of a football. I clicked it! Yes, I did! And voila, I was transported to the World Cup with the sound of vuvuzelas roaring loudly in my ears. Apparently you can add the soundtrack to any video you watch! I thought people said the sound was annoying?

Vuvuzela's - annoying people since 1660!

2010-06-24T09:33:00.000+02:00

My vote for hottest world cup player - Lucas Neill

2010-06-24T09:10:00.002+02:00

WELL DONE BAFANA BAFANA!

2010-06-23T14:23:00.000+02:00

You did us proud! The amount of cheer and positive energy in South Africa at the moment is bringing a lump to my throat. I certainly feel that the country has hit that "turning point", the so called "tipping point" and we are now heading into such an amazing and positive future. Our nation is pulling together. It's wonderful. Life in South Africa already looks better. The World Cup has been such an amazing influence on us all. People are saying things like, these people are so friendly, this place is beautiful, things are well organised, we don't want to leave.

So to everyone visiting our wonderful country I say this: please tell all your friends about this place!

My birthday was very special this year!

2010-06-23T10:32:00.000+02:00

Thanks everyone for all the birthday wishes and the amazing presents! I felt very special on Monday, and doubly so on Tuesday when all my friends came round for drinks and bunny chow. Thanks Leslie for the cooking, thanks Jacob for the organising, and thanks to everyone who came. I was spoilt rotten with many presents, one of which was a top notch ticket to the World Cup! Amazing seats and a great experience! Thanks Jacob! I'm sad it's all over now.

Another puppy pic

2010-06-21T09:59:00.001+02:00

Soccer World Cup 2010

2010-06-21T09:12:00.000+02:00

Trivia question: which country has hosted the most global sporting events over the past decade and a half? You don’t need me to answer that, do you?

Who's this terror in our midst?

2010-06-19T12:23:00.001+02:00

The cats are being pounced on at every turn, but they're taking it in their stride.

Cafe St George

2010-06-19T12:14:00.001+02:00

We popped into the old Crypt restaurant after setting up vestments etc for tomorrow and spotted this amazing logo. And I'm sipping on a large capuccino. I'm imagining the halo above it...

A light dusting of snow

2010-06-15T15:44:00.000+02:00

The temperature has dropped and overnight some snow fell on the mountains, including Table Mountain. It looks like a snow sneeze, compared to what I walked through in December!

He's finally home!

2010-06-11T19:31:00.001+02:00

We just collected him from his mom and dad and brothers. After SA drew one all to Mexico. He's had supper and did his first wee outside. All pooped from the excitement he's fallen asleep on the couch, taken over the duvet... We're calling him Lego. Yes, I know the votes were more London, but who said this was a democracy?

Bribery and corruption

2010-06-11T12:29:00.003+02:00

Nando's do very well with their satirical advertising. Here's a great example for the match tonight - SA vs. Mexico. Bribery and corruption, South Africa's national pastime.

It is so institutionalised that I think we should actually have a government Department of Bribery and Corruption. They can oversee all the big deals, making sure tax is paid on the money transactions, and they can take out government sponsored hits on the officials who don't play by the rules.

"Feel it, it is here!"

2010-06-11T12:08:00.002+02:00

Now, now, boys, not that bulge in my jeans... The World Cup Gees (fever). It is here! And the excitement is palpable. Vuvuzelas blowing through the night after the kick-off party last night. We watched live on HD, and found the excitement amazing. Shakira singing the World Cup song, along with the lead singer from Freshly Ground made my heart swell. Oh, it's going to be a month of fun!

Sad news about the death of Mandela's great grandchild. Really sad. But what can I say, drunk driving is an issue in South Africa. Until the culture changes it will always happen. And the lack of proper public transport, especially at night is also something that needs attending to. Let's hope the politicians get their act together soon and fix the infrastructure. Service delivery! We all pay tax boys!

Gautrain up and running and ready for World Cup!

2010-06-09T11:09:00.006+02:00

It's the mammoth engineering project, a high-speed railway line connecting Jo'burg's International Airport (OR Tambo) with the business district of Sandton and eventually the CBD of Jo'burg. The final line will also connect Pretoria (the capital) with Jo'burg. The line from Sandton to the airport is now open. It's a mere 15 minutes to the airport. The highway takes anything from 45 minutes to an hour and a half.

So the most important use for this line will be jumping the grid-lock on the highways to the airport. No more missed flights. And Sandton is the unofficial CBD of Johannesburg, in the plush Northern suburbs. The JSE relocated there a few years back and most 5-star hotels are located there. The Pretoria line will also connect Rosebank and the CBD, mostly underground.

I recently watched National Geographic channel. There was a programme on the construction of the Gautrain line and I now have a new respect for the achievement. The tunnel boring machine, complete with decompression chambers, and the dangerous dolomite of the region make it quite the engineering feat. It also has the longest spanned bridge of any railway line built to date. Impressive. I think it's beautiful and can't wait to travel on it. It's another step closer to SA becoming a first world, developed country!

10 Reasons to visit South Africa for the 2010 World Cup

2010-06-08T15:31:00.005+02:00

It's been pointed out to me that I am very negative about the World Cup coming to South Africa. I would like to rectify the matter by posting 10 reasons to visit our wonderful country. So police, politics, crime, and human traficking aside, here are the positive aspects to South Africa:

1. Table Mountain (this is a must see)

2. South African Wine (please drink copious amounts of it)

3. Beautiful countryside and amazing beaches (take a road trip, and come back for the beaches in summer)

4. First world national roads (high quality roads between cities)

5. Friendly people (that's why crime is so high - we are very trusting!)

6. Wonderful climate (mild winters and summers)

7. Game reserves (safaris) with the Big 5! (Kruger Park)

8. The Garden Route: Surfing, Great White Sharks, Whales, Dolphins, forests.

9. Highest bridge swing in the world (similar to a bungee) at Bloukrans - I dare you to do it!

10. Amazing value for money (your pound/dollar or euro will buy much more than back home)

Despite the complaints about crime, South Africa is safer than many areas in the world, and because of the cosmopolitan nature of most of the cities there is a lot of tolerance for all cultures. In fact we celebrate diversity and welcome foreigners with open arms. We engage with tourists and are genuinely interested in their culture. We are also very proud of our own culture. And right now people are getting very excited about the World Cup, with tears in their eyes they are giggling with joy, waving flags and getting very emotional about it. Me too.

Looking cute

2010-06-08T15:22:00.001+02:00

Sleeping

2010-06-08T12:28:00.001+02:00

This is Lego asleep next to me on the couch, head resting in my lap. He is so cute.

South African's more scared of football hooligans than increased crime

2010-06-07T13:48:00.001+02:00

This is what I'm talkin about!

World Cup warnings

2010-06-07T11:49:00.003+02:00

It pains me to tell you this, but I have to. If you are coming here for the World Cup, best you know that we have a very corrupt police force. They will more than likely try to extract bribes from you, for infringements that are either made up or not really illegal. They will pull you over in a road block, whilst their "brothers", clearly inebriated, will be sent through unmolested. What is so tragic about this, is that most white South African's know this, and welcome it. The opportunity to pay a bribe, rather than go to jail, is far more important to them than having a good police force. We, as a people, have created the monster that is the SAPS (South African Police Service) today. We have played on the inherent corruptibility of the average police officer and used it to our advantage. The police have become criminals at our hands.

They are now so bad that when the SAPS stay in guest houses, for a conference, the owners have to search their vehicles (and not any other guests) for items like TVs when they leave. Yes, they are corrupt and they are thieves. Our police. The very people charged with preventing crime and protecting us from it. The latest news I read this morning was a report of a cash-in-transit heist in which the perpetrators were police officers! 'Cops' involved in deadly heist.

We've gone from one corrupt system (apartheid) to another (anc-corruption). The racial discrimination today is worse. If your skin is white you don't stand much of a chance, especially if you are dealing with anything government related. They call it BEE, black economic empowerment. It's a system designed to reverse the effects of apartheid. It's actually designed to enrich those few who have deemed themselves worthy. To enrich themselves at the expense of the people, who are just as black as they are. It's a corrupt, vile and racist policy spawned from the hatred and evil that has gripped this land for centuries.

Will this country ever get a good government? A good police force? Good morals? Is there hope? Or has the Rainbow Nation become a dead dream? As far as I'm concerned it has, all the colour has been sucked out of the rainbow. It's now black and white, well black and shades of black. Not white.

One week to go!

2010-06-06T08:42:00.001+02:00

A short visit to the puppies, I can't wait to get him home. We are fetching him next week. He's just fallen asleep next to me on the couch. I think we've settled on a name... Lego.

The best World Cup map by far!!!

2010-06-03T14:14:00.001+02:00

The best interactive World Cup fixtures map

World Cup excitement

2010-06-03T09:14:00.013+02:00

There is a tingle in the air. An air of anticipation. Cars are being adorned with SA flags, and wing-mirror socks. And those that way inclined are stealing them from said wing-mirrors and wearing them on their heads. Oh, the feeling of patriotism! I think that I shall not forget this World Cup for many years. It's possibly the biggest event that I will ever seen in my city. They've just put up a big wheel at the entrance to the Waterfront. Smaller than the London eye, but magic never-the-less. Apparently it travels around the world. I think I must take a ride on it. And, there is a giant vuvuzela on the unfinished flyover on the Sea Point side of town. Apparently it will sound every time a goal is scored. They whole city bowl should be able to hear that!

On the radio this morning they discussed the crime in the country. Apparently there's been a sharp decrease in robberies and cash-in-transit heists. They've attributed it to World Cup excitement. The criminals are being distracted by all the excitement. Sport, it seems, puts people in a different frame of mind. Less murders, robberies and hi-jackings. I just hope and pray that this is for real, and that the criminals aren't just waiting, biding their time, lulling us into a false sense of security. Already there are reports from police that we are to be more vigilant as their efforts will be focused on the World Cup. They predict an increase in home invasions, robberies and child snatching. Read this email that was sent to me by our Residents Forum Chairman. Ho Lee Schitt. I pray not.

With winter rains and cold temperatures on the increase we might just have some snow on the mountains during the World Cup. Last weekend, for instance, saw a fresh dusting on the Riviersonderend Mountains above Greyton towards Villiersdorp. I saw it on the way home from our "dirty weekend" in Brandfontein. It's melted by now, with temperatures in the city as high as 26 degrees yesterday... But there's another cold front on the way. The two loud thunder-claps last night ringing in the arrival of a new cold front.

I tell you what, no matter which way you look at it, this World Cup is going to be big. And my new HD decoder is going to make it even bigger!

World Cup fears

2010-06-02T09:03:00.002+02:00

I know that most people are scared of travelling to South Africa, amidst news reports of increased crime, human trafficking and terrorism. But those fears are all unsubstantiated. And frankly, as South Africans, we are far more fearful of the visitors themselves. The Football Hooligans. Yes, it's a present and clear danger that we are fearful to face. The mobs of mad, enraged football fans descending on the quiet, peaceful city centre of Cape Town. Beating up our waiters, raping our women and damaging our property.

Let me explain. The murder and crime statistics are skewed and don't reflect the actual on-the-ground reality. Most murders happen in slums (squatter camps) and most murderers know their victims. Most crimes and hi-jackings happen in Gauteng province where there is "money lust". Basically, it's the richest part of the country, and gold flows in the streets, not literally - but it's everywhere. The criminal element is attracted to Jo'burg where they try - again and again - to get rich. But crime doesn't pay. They end up living from hand to mouth, lavishly spending their ill-begotten spoils of crime on loose women, fast cars, drugs and alcohol... until they eventually hit the bottom - or die, end up in jail or reform. Most of the time the violence and crime is self contained. It's limited to the criminal underground, and only sometimes does it spill over into mainstream society. We live in the hopes that they simply end up wiping each other out. So the problem "takes care of itself". But the football hooligans will be in our clubs, our pubs and our streets. And that is scary.

A social misfit

2010-06-02T09:01:00.001+02:00

One day Youtube, Twitter and Facebook will combine to make the most time consuming website known to man. We will call it... "YOU TWIT FACE".

Dog for sale

2010-06-01T09:48:00.003+02:00

I laughed my head off when I read this. He looks so beautiful, but I'm sure he eats a lot... well, read what the owner says in her sales pitch:

Dog for sale
Free to good home. Excellent guard dog. Owner cannot afford to feed him anymore, as there are no more drug pushers, thieves, murderers, or molesters left in the neighborhood for him to eat. Most of them knew Jethro only by his Chinese Street name, Ho Lee Schitt.

Our weekend away

2010-05-30T16:12:00.001+02:00

I spent the weekend on a friends farm near Agulhas, we have just been to the tip of africa where the two oceans really meet. Not at Cape Point as everyone lies to the tourists.

Soccer World Cup 2010

2010-05-28T09:05:00.004+02:00

Yes, I know that all those phrases are trademarked to Fifa, but I have gone ahead and used them anyway. I'm daring.

So far this year I've blogged a few times, not every day like last year. But I think that it's time to resurrect the old blog.

I've just read a news item about the World Cup. The US has issued a travel advisory to their citizens travelling to SA during the World Cup. They suggest that terrorism and crime will be increased over the period, and that public transport is bad - so they must use hire cars. And they must lock their doors, keep windows closed and not wear jewellery. At night, dark intersections must be treated with caution and to leave space to make a hurried getaway (don't stop too close behind the car infront... it might be a hijacker).

These are all wise words. But, the World Cup is probably going to be the safest period we have ever known in South Africa. And hopefully it will leave behind a legacy of excellent policing and heightened security, far beyond the month of World Cup. I pray for this. Quite honestly there is crime here, and it's bad. Well, historically bad. But we all live here very happily. And there are amazing security measures in place country-wide. So let's not be alarmist. The thing is not to be stupid and invite the criminals by flaunting expensive watches while walking in the street, and not to carry expensive cameras around town. Always travel in groups. Keep your wits about you. They watch you. All the time. From the moment you arrive at the airport, and they follow you to your hotel or apartment. I have heard the stories. South African's are never short of horror stories to tell you. They rape and murder you first, asking questions later.

The value of life is nothing, entrenched since the first European stepped foot on Africa's shores. The hardened criminal is a product of war ravaged Africa, and post apartheid South Africa. They know no other lifestyle. Here we can't leave anything lying in the yard or on the front porch. It has to be bolted or welded down. It's not like Europe. Or America. It's the wild west here folks! Poverty is bad, worse since the ANC has been in power. Enriching all their cronies at the expense of the voters. People have to murder just to put food on the table - because they are too lazy to work for it!

Laziness, it's why most of the jobs are taken by black people from other parts of Africa. Our lot sit at home in the township, drinking beer and sending their wives into the towns to work as maids. But the South African maid is lazy. They get to work late, eat all the food in the house and leave early. Employing a Zimbabwean or Malawian is probably the best move you could make.

If you ever want to see a culture of non delivery, bad service and bad attitude - come here. Phone a bank, Telkom or any government department. Heck, phone your expensive medical insurance company "Discovery Health" and you'll soon realise that you are in Africa. They don't know what good service is. They've never experienced it, it's foreign to them. Does it sound like I'm ranting? Hell yes, I have reason to.

But, when I lived in the UK I found dealing with banks, telephone companies and rental agents just as difficult. But there something took weeks to happen - not months. You weren't sent through a labyrinth of automatic services when you phoned, to finally be cut off when Nomsipho answered 30 minutes later. Frustrating as hell.

I'd like to advise that tomorrow I will be posting all the positive things about our country. It will be a much longer list. Promise.

Baby London

2010-05-14T17:38:00.001+02:00

He's so cute.

My puppy

2010-05-13T22:35:00.001+02:00

And I think his name might be London, after much debate. But we still have some time.

The new puppy

2010-05-13T12:35:00.002+02:00

I'm so excited about getting the new puppy in a month's time. He'll be 8 weeks old then. I've never had a new puppy. I've always had kittens and someone else has had the dogs. For instance, my first dog (a black and white collie) was a puppy when I was a baby. So that doesn't count. Next was a dog left at our new house by people who emigrated (a lassie collie). Then my dad got a Rottweiler, but we lived with my mom. Next was my ex, who had three fox terriers. One we got whilst I was living with him - but Jackson was already a year old - abandoned by another family who emigrated. And now Jacob has two Italian Greyhounds. The new puppy, a whippet, will be the first dog I've actually got as a puppy - and that can more or less be called 'mine'. This is still largely up for debate. But suffice to say me and Jacob are getting a puppy. But he already has two dogs that he says are 'his'. Just saying... By the way, the cats are definitely 'mine'. Especially when I'm told, "your cats wake me up in the middle of the night"...

My new puppy

2010-04-26T13:36:00.001+02:00

His name is Liquorice, to join the other two with a name beginning with L. He's still with his mom for 10 weeks.

Life after the Camino

2010-02-02T10:57:00.002+02:00

I'm finding myself more grounded and focused on things. But that's not the same for Jacob who has just resigned his job with nothing to go to. But things could be worse. We could be living on the street without a warm meal guaranteed. So I am very grateful that I have a job, a home and my pets. I've started the new year on a strange foot. The job is slightly at the back of my mind actually, and I'm focussing on things like odd jobs around the house, and gardening. I'm not really worried about what the future holds, but rather concentrating on the present. Well, I'm making plans for the future (I have some ambition) but I'm not focussing on it. Now I must just get back into my routine of work, eat, work, gym, eat, sleep, repeat. But I'm fighting against that. What's that? I think I hear the garden calling...

Santiago de Compostela

2010-01-04T16:30:00.001+02:00

After 300km on foot with a 12kg backpack, through snow, rain, ice and wind, sometimes all at once, we have reached Santiago. Quite emotional, although I held back the tears. I whispered into Saint James' ear my reason for doing the Camino, and we have donned the tourist hat to walk the city and take in the best of late night shopping the city has to offer. I am so glad we are staying in a plush hotel tonight. The rain has not stopped since last night. Not once. I thought Cape Town was wet in winter!

Santiago de Compostela

2009-12-29T23:07:00.002+02:00

We arrived yesterday at around 3pm, with much moaning and groaning. I composed a blog post on my cellphone and then discovered that I had been softlocked. It's the mobile company's safeguard to prevent excessive spending on a contract account. And for some reason the mobile roaming was more than my limit. All I have been doing is blogging and texting. Oh well, it's not a huge amount. So here we are, Santiago de Compostela. 15 Days later and a very tiring 300km on foot, through rain, snow, more rain, wind and rain and rain, followed by rain... sometimes all at once. You get the picture. And I am tired. Finished. I'm still going to post the blog that I composed on arrival, just as soon as my phone is unlocked in the next few days - so all will be explained, with a nice picture of the Cathedral in Santiago. We leave early tomorrow morning for Barcelona, after a wonderful time in this magical city. Adios! Hasta luego. (sic)

Almost there...

2009-12-27T23:26:00.001+02:00

Just 20km tomorrow, a push but we'll do it easily. It's a strange feeling being at the end. A journey that was so exciting in the beginning, becoming second nature after so many days, almost boring with the sameness of it all. I wonder what tomorrow will bring? Will I burst into tears when I reach the end? Will I fall to my knees and kiss the ground? One thing I know for sure, this journey has changed me and my life will never be the same. How does it come about that a simple walk through the countryside has such an effect? Maybe it's the time spent thinking, the realisation that life still holds much meaning even if lived from a simple backpack without a bed guaranteed at the end of each day. Or maybe it's the single mindedness of a purpose built path that has to be walked day after day - that gives a meaning - even if for just this moment of my life.

Almost there

2009-12-26T22:04:00.001+02:00

One step at a time...

Merry Christmas everybody!

2009-12-25T11:21:00.001+02:00

It snowed last night, so the ground is covered with a thin layer of white. It all looks so pretty. Bye what a wonderful day, with blue sky and sunshine. Feliz Navidad!

Triacastella to Sarria to Portomarin

2009-12-23T21:28:00.001+02:00

We left the wonderful town of Triacastella and it's constant rain, cute son at the Albergue, surprise supper and amazing hospitality. We were in a private room and the other pilgrims had opted for other rooms in the valley so we didn't see them again, except for Acacio and Orietta on the next day. Off we plodded in the rain, with a simple breakfast of toast and coffee. We took the route to Samos and by early lunch had the huge monastery in sight. We spotted the others down on the road but missed them in the village. A tour through the monastery really brought home the significance of our journey and for me was an absolute highlight of the walk so far. Afterwards it took ages to get to the next stop. Winding through valley after valley following a swollen river, we thought we would never arrive. We did. In Sarria we found a lovely Albergue that had a fire room with a selection of liquor as well as a lounge and a bath with infrared heaters. We shopped for waterproof clothing and ate supper by stopping, by chance, at a small bar where we bumped into the Brazilian and Roman. Next day we left with a wonderful breakfast in our tummies that Jacob made. Cursing the rain we continued on. A surprise stop at a vending machine rest stop, followed by lunch in a rustic kitchen shared by a local farmer. The sun came out and the rain cleared. We didn't have far to go. Both of us in very good moods, we made good time to Portomarin. A dreary town on the edge of a dreary lake. We got a little lost a first but found a bar with an Albergue and settled down to a beer, tea, a short trip to the post office to send unwanted stuff on, supper of unappetising octopus, showers, an unexplained rash, and finally bed.

From great heights to three castles

2009-12-21T20:44:00.001+02:00

My last blog was from the amazing albergue in Ruitelan where they woke us in the morning with Ave Maria. We got dinner and breakfast which prepared us well for the climb to Ocebreiro. The good weather made it hot going until I was down to a thin sweater. As we crested the mountain the wind kicked in and the temp dropped. The trees were covered in icicles. We tried to stop for lunch but had to wait till 2 when they started serving. We sat by the fire waiting. At 2 we got up and left and headed to another bar where we met fellow pilgrims from the night before. They ordered for us and we ate well. Apparantly the town is run by a small mafia of families, and they make a killing with the tourists who come to look at the snow. We ate special cheese from the area which is served with honey. The man, who's name I forget for now, is personal friends with Paulo Coello and he is organising us to meet him when he is out for the world cup with the Brazilian team! In the morning we woke to a blizzard. There was mist and then heavy snow. We followed the road, stopping once for coffee, missing the only place serving breakfast, and descended into Galicia in the snow turning to terrential rain. We arrived soaking wet in Triacastella, or three castles, and ate a late lunch. Miserable and cold and tired and sore. Remind me again why I'm doing this?

No cafe con leche?

2009-12-20T12:28:00.001+02:00

It's a small village called La Laguna. I was hoping for coffee in the town bar. It's closed, like most places in winter. Oh well, at least it's -5 and sunny.

Across the valley from Molinesca to Villafranca

2009-12-19T19:56:00.003+02:00

Yesterday was pain pain pain. We walked 22km until we couldn´t go no more. And then had to go some more. The Albergue was closed. So on we plodded, in the freezing snow that was turning to slush and then freezing into dangerous patches of ice, to Villafranca - in the end we walked 31km and arrived after sunset. The albergue was such a sight for sore eyes. The hostelier was a German woman who fell in love with the Camino, walking it many times - some of them starting in Berlin! And now she lives on the Camino, running the Albergue in Villafranca. A hearty meal of "stew" with potato, chickpeas and greens (perhaps kale); followed by fried eggs and churizo. Yohurt for desert. In the morning we woke early and joined the rest of the pilgrims for breakfast. A german guy, crazy and fun, and Mario - who we met the night before last in Foncebanon on the mountain. They left and were going to walk until O´cebrairo. The german getting the hostelier to take his backpack so he could walk faster... We said no. We left last and walked together, alone, through town and the next valley. We saw Mario later that night in Riorga, he didn´t make it all the way to O´cebrairo. The german, obviously, had to go all the way. Lunch was in a truck stop hotel and my, was it big. The "meal of the day" or "pilgrams meal" is around 10 Euro and enough to feed an army. We easily eat it all and burn it off. Okay, have to go dinner is served in the best Albergue on the Camino. Jacob just got a reki massage on his feet and his blister tended to. We also helped Mario book his return flight home - he slipped me some money to pay our dinner... "it´s the least he could do" he said, for our help that has put his worry to rest.

Okay, enough snow

2009-12-18T13:40:00.001+02:00

Overnight in the mountains with snow all night, we awoke to a foot of snow that was difficult to walk through. We stuck to the road but it was slow going. Every step slipping backwards a bit. Snow flakes in the eye hurt! It took an age to come down and we took a wrong turn. Slightly upset and very tired we found an Aubergue right at the end of town. No heating and a crazy lady squatting there. To make matters worse she could speak English. We ate back in town and had a strange night's sleep. Leaving in the morning I had a strange feeling to hurry away. This 'quest' we are on is certainly an adventure. Each stranger we pass says 'Buen Camino'.

Let it snow!

2009-12-16T14:46:00.001+02:00

Day 3 we awoke to the start of the snow. It snowed steadily the whole morning. We skipped breakfast, again, because the unfriendly barman was late and by 9.30 everything was still closed downstairs. We spent 4 hours in the snow. And by lunch we were starting. Now we are eating amazing soup. Buen Camino!

Camino day 2

2009-12-16T14:34:00.001+02:00

We stopped at Astorga for lunch after a beautiful walk through the countryside. Jacob and I had a chocolate drink which made him feel ill so he skipped lunch. We headed on to the next town to stop for the night. Nothing was open so we had to go on. In the end we walked 20km and were exhausted. Tomorrow we'll take it easy.

La puerta de Camino

2009-12-14T19:51:00.001+02:00

Here's a sample of some of the amazing doors of the Camino. This is in a little town called Santibanez de Valdeiglesia. Where we went to our first Catholic service. The priest ran through the ceremony like his house was burning down, and he dashed to his car to go to another town where his services were required. He does 3 towns in the area.

Finally on the Camino

2009-12-14T17:47:00.001+02:00

Well, we were in Leon but were advised to skip the walk through largely industrial areas so the bus brought us here to Hospital de Orbigo. We're on the way to lunch now. It is so exciting to finally be on our way!

Complicated carbohydrates

2009-12-13T18:55:00.001+02:00

Here we ate lots of them. It's a Spanish pub where we had a bite to eat and a drink. Anthony met up with us and took us shopping. But I was so tired, and the people were too many. Of course we got lost on the way back to the hotel, trying to avoid the main square. It took a lot of willpower not to fight but we were soon in our bed and watching tv. An early night.

Madrid

2009-12-12T21:27:00.001+02:00

We have finally arrived at the hotel. We made an excellent choice. And my first impression of Spain is the place is amazing. The people are very polite and friendly. Wow, this is going to be an amazing trip.

Departure Cape Town

2009-12-11T16:53:00.001+02:00

We are off! Our plane is the far right one. Turkish Airlines. I am so excited. Tomorrow Spain!

Camino de Santiago de Compostela

2009-12-09T09:54:00.004+02:00

It's almost time. I've half packed my backpack. I've bought everything I can think of and now I have to start weighing it. And leaving behind things I don't really need. I've got quite a bit of training in. I've run every time I'm at gym, for about 15 minutes. I've walked as much as I can bring myself to. I'm fit. I should be fine. My feet are pretty accustomed to long distances. On Sunday night at the Killers concert we walked 16km and the next day I was fine. Really.

So why am I walking this crazy 340km through northern Spain in the dead of winter? Well, I don't really know. But I think that somehow, in a roundabout way, I have been called to it. It'll take a lengthy explanation to understand why, but maybe in the next few posts it will reveal itself. Suffice to say that I am very eager to start. I'm sitting at work with the happiest feeling I have had in years!

Tick the appropriate box:

2009-12-09T08:04:00.001+02:00

☐ Human

☐ Dancer

The Killers closer up

2009-12-06T23:28:00.001+02:00

At the Killers concert

2009-12-06T21:11:00.001+02:00

Eventually

The Rose window

2009-11-22T22:40:00.001+02:00

We go to St Georges cathedral every sunday. I enjoy the service thoroughly and it's something that brings Jacob and me closer to each other and it reinforces our spiritual beliefs. It's the reason I've decided to go on the Camino at the end of the year. Well, there's lots of reasons but the cathedral is one of them. It's helped me see the side of the world I should be paying attention to.

Hiking on the mountain

2009-11-21T17:30:00.001+02:00

I took this pic of my shadow standing on the beacon near Rhodes memorial.

Cape Town stadium

2009-11-21T16:31:00.001+02:00

The mo is going

2009-11-17T20:34:00.001+02:00

I was supposed to grow it for the month of november, for cancer fundraising, but it has to go. It's ugly and irritating. I'm shaving it off right now. Moustache fail.

Sunday in the forest

2009-11-15T15:45:00.002+02:00

We are living in such a beautiful city. This forest is moments away from home. Exploring it each weekend is wonderful. We take a different path each time. And we only turn back once good and tired. Hopefully by the time we start the Camino we'll be super fit. I saw lots of pretty flowers that I took tons of pics of. Yes, Tristan - the japanese tourist - is back!

Later, with Spanish...

2009-11-14T17:40:00.001+02:00

And English subtitles. Jacob has been learning Spanish for the end of the year, and the cats are taking a keen interest during his revisions.

Any suggestions?

2009-11-14T17:36:00.001+02:00

At the supermarket this afternoon I saw this real live pigeon sitting on the suggestion box. How he got there is a mystery, but any suggestions are welcome. Just ask...

My headaches

2009-11-09T11:02:00.002+02:00

They are finally going away. I've changed to a herbal toothpaste, called Miswak, which seems to be very good for me. Nice fresh breath and clean teeth. But no headache. So either it was the triclosan, the flouride, or the bleach. But I think I found the actual reason today...

My bonsai

2009-11-09T11:01:00.001+02:00

The acacia tree has just got it's leaves back, after a long time without. For a while I thought it was dead.

What you looking at?

2009-11-08T09:15:00.001+02:00

It wasn't me at all.

Circular halo around the sun

2009-11-02T14:40:00.001+02:00

Amazing sight, but it hurts your eyes!

Headaches

2009-10-30T15:46:00.003+02:00

I've still got them, dammit! I've decided to get my hair analysed by a local doctor who has helped a few of the girls at work. They went on a detox diet and now feel fabulous! He specialises in nutrition and works out a health plan for you based on your hair mineral analysis. I've cut some hair out and popped it in an envelope. I called and left a message for him. Apparently he is also gay, which I only found out yesterday, after I called him, yet the girls have been seeing him for a few months. I thought that's the first thing they would have mentioned to me. But these days people don't care about it. Mmmm. Oh, and apparently I don't write very well (Nadia just said so..), so I'm off to sulk. No, wait. It's nearly 4 o'clock on a Friday. That means alcohol time! The bar is open...

Headaches from toothpaste?

2009-10-27T10:11:00.004+02:00

I haven't blogged in ages. Mainly because I've lost interest, but also because I've continued having headaches and don't feel motivated to do anything. My life is a bit boring as a result.

I recently had a thought. Perhaps my toothpaste is causing my headaches, because my teeth feel funny and my jaw is always tight and clicks when I move it around, and I am constantly forcing air into my ears as a sort of relief to the tension. So I changed my toothpaste from Colgate Total Plus Whitening, back to the original Colgate Total. And voila! My headaches are clearing. Last night and this morning I used the normal, non-whitening version. I am feeling so much better. I did a little reading on the net about toxic chemicals in toothpaste and I am shocked! How can they put all these chemicals into the stuff? Are they idiots? So I suggest that you all take a look at the brand of toothpaste you use, and be careful of what's in it. Colgate Total Plus Whitening is obviously a dangerous concoction of harmful chemicals that I have been slowly poisoning myself with! I'm ready to abandon Colgate completely – if I see the headaches are clearing permanently. I might be so bold as to contact them and make an issue about it. I mean, I have all the medical records to prove it! It's made my life miserable for the last few months (I've used 2 tubes of the stuff...).

My rather tall amrylis

2009-10-21T22:43:00.001+02:00

It's more than a year since it kbt flowered. But it is so beautiful.

District 9

2009-09-25T13:18:00.004+02:00

I saw District 9 a few weeks ago, and really really really enjoyed it. I left with a strange sense of "This is the best story and movie I think I have ever seen" even though I know a few people weren't really wowed by it. But then again I am a sucker for science fiction movies. The recent Star Trek was amazing. It's the new style of cinematography that is coming out of Hollywood. Pure magic.

Here's a strip from the local paper:

Caster Semenya

2009-08-27T08:56:00.003+02:00

If you unscramble the letters it spells: "Yes, a secret man." Check it out for yourself!

For anyone not in the know, Caster Semenya is at the centre of a world-wide row over whether or not she is infact a man. She's an amazing athlete, having just won gold in the World Athletic Championships, running the Women's 800m in a record-breaking time.

Headache diary: Day 2 without headache

2009-08-20T10:52:00.004+02:00

In between the last post and this one there were no days free from headache. But, today I got up and was headache free, and I don't know if I'm gonna jinx it by saying the rest of the day will be pain free, but I have my hopes. If I don't have that what else do I have?

Without a headache I am happy and can make jokes, even smile! Actually, it's weird – almost like I have bipolar disorder... But I don't.

I saw the neurologist again yesterday and he's increased the dosage of the one medication I'm on for the chronic tension headaches (because it showed signs of working when he started it), but the meds for cluster are not going to change (it's helped reduce the severity from 10/10 to about 6/10) , he's just added some melatonin for me to take at night.

For anyone interested, cluster headaches are extremely painful, start quickly, last a couple of hours (for me) and then go. It's a feeling like having a stitch (which runners get in their ribs), directly behind your eye and also extends to the jaw, ear and sometimes can be felt behind in the neck. It's a burning pain. Always on the one side only. My left. It's a constant pain that can drive you insane, make you very anxious, and even hit your head to get rid of it. Jumping doesn't make it worse, so it's very much a nerve thing. My nose also blocks up on the left side, my eyelid droops, and my left pupil dilates. My eye waters slightly, but not much. It feels like it's gonna pop out, so I keep pushing at it to relieve the pain. Maybe if the pain was worse it would? But I don't think I could take more pain. They call them clusters because of how they occur, in batches, arriving out of nowhere and lasting a few weeks, with a few per day. And then they're gone, only to return the next year at the same time. They are also called 'suicide headaches' because of the intense pain that can drive a sane man to kill himself. What's so absurd with this headache, is that no pain killers work for it. Nothing. Some people describe it as 'being like having a limb amputated without anaesthetic'.

On the other hand, my tension headaches are pretty constant, and increase in pain as the cluster arrives, almost as if the cluster causes the tension - or at least exacerbates it. (My headaches are giving me a headache, what a novel thought.) After the pain leaves the eye (the cluster) I'm left with a very tight head, a feeling as if I have too much blood in it and it's going to explode. The pain is concentrated in my forehead. Moving my head hurts, especially forwards. My eyes are tight in their sockets, and it feels like a muscle cramp in my face. The pain is bad, if the worst cluster was a 10/10 this is an 8/10. That's what happened night before last.

What I don't understand is that all the headaches started with a mild to strong pain in my sinuses, 2 months ago. And then suddenly the other headaches arrived at the same time.

Headache diary Day 1

2009-08-13T11:30:00.003+02:00

Today I awoke with a clear head, a little sleepier than usual, but headache free. As the day has wound on I've had a few little sharp tweaks inside my head - but nothing constant. The mist and cotton wool feelings seem to have cleared as well. I wasn't anticipating the pills to work so well, but hey - I'm not complaining. Although my headache has not completely gone, it seems to be much better and I can focus on things and not cringe too much because of pain. It's almost like I had to stop thinking before, because it hurt.

3 out of 4 not bad...

2009-08-12T13:21:00.004+02:00

I've been diagnosed with cluster headaches as well as tension headaches, along with my usual sinusitis.

Basically, I started off about 5 weeks ago with a sinus infection and flu. I had a bad headache localised around my nose and deeper inside my head. It didn't go away and I was waking up with headaches as if I had a hangover. I visited the doctor who prescribed antibiotics and cortisone tablets and nose drops. The headaches didn't go away, infact they got worse. I was sent for a CT scan of the sinuses and they picked up a deviated septum with a natural growth in the hollow space of the bigger nostril. I was sent to an ENT specialist. He said the sinuses were clear so it wasn't a sinus headache. He could operate but wouldn't guarantee relief from the headaches. He put me on a nasal spray and together we worked out a plan to stop taking painkillers. So basically he did nothing. I weaned myself off the Sinutab (which contained Codeine) and soon I wasn't taking any pain medication. Which was very difficult, as the pain just got more intense. A few days later I got the most horrific headache with pain centred around and behind my left eye. My teeth went numb and I paced about at work, hitting my head to try to relieve the pain. I lay down and soon discovered it was worse. This was intense pain, but I remember similar headaches a year ago. It was a familiar pain, sometimes I got them getting into a hot car or when I skipped lunch. I got home and took a Nurofen. The pain went, either on it's own or with the painkiller. Who knows for sure? The dull headache returned and this time it was accompanied by pain, almost like bruising, in the place behind my left eye. The next day, Wednesday, I was at work and around the same time (lunchtime) I got another sharp pain behind the eye. This time it was worse and lasted longer, at which stage, around 4 o'clock, I left work and drove home. I could hardly drive and don't know how I didn't crash (but home isn't far from work). I got home and luckily Jacob was there, I rushed in and made a grab for the Nurofen and collapsed in bed. He called the ENT and told him that the headaches hadn't gone and that they had got worse. The upshot of it was that I was admitted to hospital, and so an hour later I was on a drip getting pain medication (only paracetamol). In hospital I saw a Specialist Physician (but only the next day late in the afternoon). He thouroughly examined me, and ordered a few tests. I forgot to mention that the ENT had sent me for an MRI which was clear. I was lying in bed fearing the worst, when in walked another doctor. A neurologist. He quizzed me thoroughly. His parting words to me, as he looked for my file and nurse was that it was "cluster headaches" and he prescribed some sort of pill (later I found out it's a carbon channel blocker). The severe headaches didn't return but the main headache lingered for most of the hospital stay. In the morning I was taken to his rooms for an injection – a nerve block in my left nerve at the back of my head. I stayed another day in hospital waiting for results of the other tests and was finally released on Saturday morning. My head was feeling better, but the pain medication was to thank for that. The saga continues... along with the headaches. Once home the headaches returned, being off all types of pain medication and then back at work the severe eye pain returned. I have gone back to the neurologist (at the headache clinic) and he now wants to treat me for tension headaches as well as cluster.

I think that at this stage I'd be very happy if someone would just chop it off, to be perfectly honest.

My pet tarantula

2009-08-07T18:17:00.002+02:00

Isn't he cute?

Another ethical South African company...

2009-08-04T22:11:00.002+02:00

... or not. This time Vodacom has struck with a R15 charge on my new 3G contract. I have recently signed up and do not recall asking for "itemised billing". Who the fuck am I gonna phone with a 3G? It's a data card and modem. Hello? So I called them to sort it out. The lady there says, "Do you not want that? You don't remember asking for it? Then I am happy to remove that for you sir." My thoughts are that with each new contract it is surreptitiously added on and charged until the bill payer notices. That could easily be a few hundred thousand subscribers. It's like that double debit order Health and Racquet were taking in December months, when people had a Christmas bonus and were on holiday... They also hoped no-one would notice. Thankfully they went bankrupt and Virgin Active bought them out.

My new reading/computer glasses

2009-08-04T10:18:00.001+02:00

I look like someone that should be taken seriously, right?

My new desk friends

2009-08-03T10:55:00.002+02:00

They're made of icing so they might not last long... One of the designers at work did them for her son's 2nd birthday - cake decorations.

Sad news

2009-08-02T15:31:00.004+02:00

Maia passed away during the night and when I found her this morning I burst into tears. I'd left the heater on overnight so that she was nice and warm and could be comfortable. But it was all too much for her tiny body, she'd been drinking water offered to her (but not eating) and had been to the vet 3 times to be injected. He still remarked at how she'd held on for so long. We all got our hopes up. We've just buried her in the front garden, tears streaming down my face. I picked some sweet peas from the porch and placed them over the grave. I had asked God to spare her, but maybe hamsters aren't meant to be kept in cages... For her short time on earth she was very loved. Hopefully she's in heaven with all the other furry critters that are so darn cute and lovable. Good-bye Maia, I loved you. Dammit, there come those tears again.

(PS Although I read the blog FU Penguin, I love cute animals!)

A sad day...

2009-07-30T11:46:00.003+02:00

Maia the hamster had to go to the vet today. She had a runny tummy last night and was covered from head to tail, underneath, with poo. And she looked so beat up and sick, struggling to move around the cage. I popped her into a shallow, warm bath with a touch of dettol and washed her off. There was also a bit of blood that must have come from her intestines.

The vet said she had Wet Tail, a near to fatal condition that young, weaned hamsters get. It's a bad bacterial infection that causes diarrhoea. So he gave her an antibiotic injection and said that if she makes it through the night to bring her for another tomorrow. The sad part is that it is nearly always fatal. He's hoping that it is simply diarrhoea and she might get better. But if it is Wet Tail she won't make it through the weekend.

Booo hooo hoooo! And she was such a nice hamster!

Racism alive and well in Africa...

2009-07-20T09:37:00.003+02:00

In the news this morning: "No white people allowed", read the sign. A sign on a ferry in Nigeria, where a group of visiting parliamentarians were supposed to board for a sightseeing trip. Most of the group would have been allowed on board, but the few that would have to stay behind were quickly vindicated by their colleagues who started protesting the heinously racist policy. They ended up spending 3 hours gaining support from fellow parliamentarians from other African countries, and eventually the trip was cancelled. Apparently the ferry company's policy was for 'security reasons'. I'm sure that the sign was a mistake and should have read, "No white powder allowed." The Nigerians are notorious drug dealers back in SA, where whole suburbs are overrun with immigrants who are seemingly above the law. There are areas of Parklands in Cape Town where the sign would be more appropriate (both versions of it).

Jasmin

2009-07-16T19:03:00.001+02:00

Jasmin flowers, the first of many hopefully.