Giving Grief a Deadline

Can someone develop inertia?  It sounds a bit like reversing backwards.  Well whatever it is, I’ve got it. When my mum died, my happy pills kept the black dog at bay for the first few months.  Its departure was replaced by an emptiness, a desire to do nothing.  So that’s what I did. Now, twenty [...]

Read Full Post »

Where were you on 11 February 1990?

I feel a bit embarrassed today. I have no idea what I was doing twenty years ago when Madiba was released from prison. I do remember that I on 11 February 1990, I was 24, lived in Tableview and drove a 1976 Ford Escort called Sunshine. I don’t think I even knew who Nelson Mandela [...]

Read Full Post »

I Did It!

In October, I committed to writing a 50,000 word novel during November.   Being the serial procrastinator that I am, I knew I’d have to prod myself, and I did this with several support groups – I recruited writing buddies online and in the flesh.   It’s been an awesome experience.  Worldwide, 170,0000 lunatics submitted 2,017,483,647 words [...]

Read Full Post »

The Flip Side

I went to a rehearsal at 19h30 last night, and traffic cops prevented me from going onto Wynberg Hill, which had been the scene of a horrific accident. I stopped and asked for details, expecting to be shooed away. But the officer was very polite and told me that a truck had overturned, and both [...]

Read Full Post »

Armstrong Fever

So which one did you think of? Neil or Lance?   Both of these men have had massive media coverage in the last few days: for Tour la Lune and Tour de France.   Forty years ago, Neil and his mates were toasting their successful return from the moon landing. Springbok Radio captured the moment. [...]

Read Full Post »

State of the Nation: Education

Sometime last century I did a degree through Unisa. We only had two lectures a year, so we formed study groups and scrounged old exam papers. We worked hard and were proud when we got a distinction. This week I wrote two Theory of Literature papers. There have been no lectures and only one video [...]

Read Full Post »

55 Pilot Whales beached at Kommetjie

Started at 7.30 this morning. No survivors. Story and some pics here and here. In other news, North Korea says it has carried out its second ever nuclear test. “As with all marine mammals pilot whales are very sensitive to seismic disturbance” (Source: indymedia) Are there any dots to join in this picture? Just asking.

Read Full Post »

I’ve met the Black Dog.

The one that gnaws at my stomach, reminding me to worry: I’ve forgotten something; hurt someone with a thoughtless word; I’ll never complete what I’ve set out to do. It walks in my shadow all day, telling me there’s no point to it all, so why bother? Sometimes it sleeps, releasing me into a place [...]

Read Full Post »

SA Blog Awards 2009

Thanks to Dolce for the prod – nominations are now open. There are loads of categories, and if you have no idea who is worthy of your vote, here are some of my favourites: Most Humorous (Witty, comical and written to induce uncontrollable laughter): Kyknoord, Peas on Toast Best Original Writing on a South African [...]

Read Full Post »

Ink

My reaction to tattoos is much like my reaction to caged tigers. An averse fascination. Or is it a fascinated aversion? Either way, I’m interested in the story behind its acquisition. Muffin Manor is currently under invasion by Vikings. Two 19-year old nubile wenches from Sweden. Delightfully young and thin and firm and beautiful girls. [...]

Read Full Post »

Packing it up

It’s been quite interesting packing up mum’s home. She was a smoker, and the walls of the rooms where she spent most of her time have a deeper tinge of yellow than say, the bathroom. Yesterday I took down the cuckoo clock. A gift to my dad on my return from a ‘Today’s Tuesday it [...]

Read Full Post »

2008: Annus not so horribilis

January: Decided that being phoned on the beach on 3 January by clients whose VAT payments had bounced, sucked. So I gave up my business. Still a few clinging to the apron strings. February: Played soccer with Flutts and clare. Still limping. March: Did my 13th Argus Cycle Tour, marshalled, cycled and handed out medals [...]

Read Full Post »

Perhaps they’ll listen now…

“What do you think, Dusty?” I think you’re an idiot. “I don’t know, sir.” “Come on Dusty, you must have an opinion?” I do.  And don’t smile at me with those disgusting teeth.  You make me sick. “It’s nice, sir” “Just nice?  Surely you can see the beauty in those words?” Yes I can, but [...]

Read Full Post »

Eat Eat Eat. Fat Fat Fat.

 I’m a sucker for new products. Especially for baaaaaad food. Yesterday was a double whammy… Bokomo Premium Double Chocolate Rusks: I was a responsible consumer and noted that they were similarly priced to the normal rusks. But when I got home and opened the box I noticed the large expanse of emptiness above the bag. [...]

Read Full Post »

Winter Solstice

(This is as a result of a challenge from marijayn at onelongminute.com) My brain has only made one connection with Winter Solstice in the last two weeks since the challenge was posted. And that is that the page on my pc remains as clean and white as a winter solstice snowdrift.

Read Full Post »