I have been watching the rescue of the Chilean miners. They have been underground, more than 600m under the ground for 69 days now. I have goosebumps.
Not only because a S.African company has been involved with the rescue attempt and has consulted extensively in getting the miners out sooner rather later, but also imagining the conditions that these men have lived under makes me stand in awe of man's capabilities.
Humanity over adversity.
30 degrees heat, 85% humidity, not having opportunity to clean or wash themselves, being couped in the dark with 32 others.
A global effort.
Ah-ah I could never. Makes me think of a father saying that he has to remind and/or force his daughter to at least brush her teeth!! haha!
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Pigspotter for President!
I love the Pigspotter!
The pigspotter uses twitter to warn his followers of speed traps. Whats wrong with that? You might as. I, for one, think its wonderful and seriously what harm does it do? If nothing else it keeps motorists within that vicinity under the speed limit.
But no! Here in this great country of ours where the ANC government is keen to introduce the Information Act which will take us 10 steps back instead of a leap forward, here the National Prosecuter(N.P.A) has brought charges against the Pigspotter saying that he is giving information that should not public and insulting the South African Police Service by calling them PIGS!! Haha!
And that is the big worry concerning the proposed Info Act...
Surely, the government cannot seek to avoid all possible harm that might arise from the disclosure of sensitive information. Some risk of harm has to be tolerated in a democracy because the dangers posed by secrecy - lack of accountability, abuse of power, infringements of human rights and a culture of impunity - can imperil the democratic order itself.
The pigspotter uses twitter to warn his followers of speed traps. Whats wrong with that? You might as. I, for one, think its wonderful and seriously what harm does it do? If nothing else it keeps motorists within that vicinity under the speed limit.
But no! Here in this great country of ours where the ANC government is keen to introduce the Information Act which will take us 10 steps back instead of a leap forward, here the National Prosecuter(N.P.A) has brought charges against the Pigspotter saying that he is giving information that should not public and insulting the South African Police Service by calling them PIGS!! Haha!
And that is the big worry concerning the proposed Info Act...
Surely, the government cannot seek to avoid all possible harm that might arise from the disclosure of sensitive information. Some risk of harm has to be tolerated in a democracy because the dangers posed by secrecy - lack of accountability, abuse of power, infringements of human rights and a culture of impunity - can imperil the democratic order itself.
Monday, October 11, 2010
Blonde Moment!!!
I have reversed out of my garage innumerable times but this one time, my mind scattered and distracted by unhappiness and discontent I reversed with vigour and scrappped the bottom of my driver's door along a small wall.
Damn! F**K!! And blast it!!
R8500 later. That should teach me to focus on what I am doing and I cannot even blame the cell phone!!
Damn! F**K!! And blast it!!
R8500 later. That should teach me to focus on what I am doing and I cannot even blame the cell phone!!
You forget...
Today I was told that I forget how good my life is.
And I can say with conviction that I do not and I am grateful for my good fortune. I like, everyone I suppose, mope around at times at the mundanity of everyday life.
I, sometimes, feel that maybe I could do, could have done more in and with my life. I just finished reading Joanne Fedler's book "When Hungry, Eat" and in her final chapter she says: "Keep a journal, make a note of the daily aspects in your life and never assume that noone would be interested."
I think that this is what my blog is about. A record of my random thoughts and maybe I can expand on it and add a daily entry. My daughter was little when my father passed on and the other day she says tell me the Dreams of my Grandfather and I want her to know him through my memories of him and yet even this powerful force in my life fades with memory.
Keep a record of this life, even if it is mundane, if not for nothing more than for the opportunity to look back at leisure.
And I can say with conviction that I do not and I am grateful for my good fortune. I like, everyone I suppose, mope around at times at the mundanity of everyday life.
I, sometimes, feel that maybe I could do, could have done more in and with my life. I just finished reading Joanne Fedler's book "When Hungry, Eat" and in her final chapter she says: "Keep a journal, make a note of the daily aspects in your life and never assume that noone would be interested."
I think that this is what my blog is about. A record of my random thoughts and maybe I can expand on it and add a daily entry. My daughter was little when my father passed on and the other day she says tell me the Dreams of my Grandfather and I want her to know him through my memories of him and yet even this powerful force in my life fades with memory.
Keep a record of this life, even if it is mundane, if not for nothing more than for the opportunity to look back at leisure.
Thursday, October 7, 2010
CAN BILLIONAIRES WITH A CONSCIENCE MAKE THE DIFFERENCE?
I couldn't resist! Soon after posting my earlier post I came across this so as an addendum...
Bill Gates and Warren Buffett have caused widespread debate with their recent call on the wealthiest people in the world to give half their fortunes to charity, writes WMG Media. Some saw their move as unacceptable interference in the private affairs of others, while activists resurrected the argument that taxation would achieve social justice far more effectively than philanthropy.
The Gates Foundation is now by far the biggest philanthropic foundation in the world, with three times the endowment of its closest rival, the Ford Foundation, and has a truly global reach to its activities, reports The American Prospect, in an examination of the giving game.
One of the reasons that such foundations are needed is because efforts by national governments and international organisations to address world poverty, such as the United Nations’ Millennium Development Goals, have been rich in promises and poor in delivery. Melinda Gates believes that persistent nagging – including with powerful world leaders – is key to improving outcomes in neglected areas.
It is an approach they are hoping to expand upon. Along with Warren Buffett and David Rockefeller, Bill and Melinda Gates recently convened a series of secret meetings to convince other billionaires to become ‘Great Givers’, in line with Buffett's belief that “huge fortunes that flow in large part from society should, in large part, be returned to society.”
Over lavish meals, they convinced 37 other major money-makers including New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, media executive Barry Diller, Oracle founder Larry Ellison and energy tycoon T Boone Pickens to embrace their view that more money donated equals fewer problems, writes The American Prospect.
The American Prospect: Gatekeepers
But what works in one society does not necessarily work in another, writes WMG Media.
The announcement that Gates and Buffett would visit China to promote the Giving Pledge was met with a distinct lack of enthusiasm from China’s roughly 500 000 millionaires, reports Global Times. Columnist Mike Freier writes, “while strong Christian traditions and the frontier heritage have forged charity into an integral part of American society, in China altruism typically does not extend outside of the family circle.
“Statistics prove that their stinginess hardly is a unique Chinese attribute but is shared by rich people virtually worldwide from countries with a collectivist legacy,” argues Freier.
Global Times: China’s rich haven’t caught on to charity’s benefits
And then there is the small matter of what the motivation is and whether that should even matter, writes WMG Media.
Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg’s $100m donation to inner-city schools, made on the Oprah Winfrey show just hours before the release of an unauthorised biography and a film that depicts Zuckerberg in an unflattering light, is a case in point. A sceptical nation asks, was it all a PR stunt?
Bill Gates and Warren Buffett have caused widespread debate with their recent call on the wealthiest people in the world to give half their fortunes to charity, writes WMG Media. Some saw their move as unacceptable interference in the private affairs of others, while activists resurrected the argument that taxation would achieve social justice far more effectively than philanthropy.
The Gates Foundation is now by far the biggest philanthropic foundation in the world, with three times the endowment of its closest rival, the Ford Foundation, and has a truly global reach to its activities, reports The American Prospect, in an examination of the giving game.
One of the reasons that such foundations are needed is because efforts by national governments and international organisations to address world poverty, such as the United Nations’ Millennium Development Goals, have been rich in promises and poor in delivery. Melinda Gates believes that persistent nagging – including with powerful world leaders – is key to improving outcomes in neglected areas.
It is an approach they are hoping to expand upon. Along with Warren Buffett and David Rockefeller, Bill and Melinda Gates recently convened a series of secret meetings to convince other billionaires to become ‘Great Givers’, in line with Buffett's belief that “huge fortunes that flow in large part from society should, in large part, be returned to society.”
Over lavish meals, they convinced 37 other major money-makers including New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, media executive Barry Diller, Oracle founder Larry Ellison and energy tycoon T Boone Pickens to embrace their view that more money donated equals fewer problems, writes The American Prospect.
The American Prospect: Gatekeepers
But what works in one society does not necessarily work in another, writes WMG Media.
The announcement that Gates and Buffett would visit China to promote the Giving Pledge was met with a distinct lack of enthusiasm from China’s roughly 500 000 millionaires, reports Global Times. Columnist Mike Freier writes, “while strong Christian traditions and the frontier heritage have forged charity into an integral part of American society, in China altruism typically does not extend outside of the family circle.
“Statistics prove that their stinginess hardly is a unique Chinese attribute but is shared by rich people virtually worldwide from countries with a collectivist legacy,” argues Freier.
Global Times: China’s rich haven’t caught on to charity’s benefits
And then there is the small matter of what the motivation is and whether that should even matter, writes WMG Media.
Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg’s $100m donation to inner-city schools, made on the Oprah Winfrey show just hours before the release of an unauthorised biography and a film that depicts Zuckerberg in an unflattering light, is a case in point. A sceptical nation asks, was it all a PR stunt?
Its been a while...
Have you missed me? I am not a very dedicated blogger, I know, but every now & again I hear something which makes me want to put it out there into cyberspace...
So our very own Julius Malema shot his mouth off once again!
I am by all means an ultra conservative capitalist. I believe that through your own hard work, you should reap benefits and no welfare government should in anyway impede on your proceeds. Each to his own. Pull yourself up from your bootstraps and fend for yourself... haha! A paragraph full of cliche's! No Boooker Prize here!
But back to Malema, he said something that got my antennae up. Free education needs to get funding from somewhere and why not from beneath our very own soil? Yes! He is back on that bandwagon, the nationalising of the mines. You have, to consider it though, surely. Those resources that are burieed under our land, do they not belong to all of us? And should we not use them to educate our future leaders? Why is Anglo the only one profiting? Do Anglo & other mining companies subsidise enough university bursary? It would be interesting to look into that!!
I can't stop smiling because I just saw a real-life person with the exact same profile as Homer Simpson!! Haha! And here I thought only in the imagination of a cartoonist!
So our very own Julius Malema shot his mouth off once again!
I am by all means an ultra conservative capitalist. I believe that through your own hard work, you should reap benefits and no welfare government should in anyway impede on your proceeds. Each to his own. Pull yourself up from your bootstraps and fend for yourself... haha! A paragraph full of cliche's! No Boooker Prize here!
But back to Malema, he said something that got my antennae up. Free education needs to get funding from somewhere and why not from beneath our very own soil? Yes! He is back on that bandwagon, the nationalising of the mines. You have, to consider it though, surely. Those resources that are burieed under our land, do they not belong to all of us? And should we not use them to educate our future leaders? Why is Anglo the only one profiting? Do Anglo & other mining companies subsidise enough university bursary? It would be interesting to look into that!!
I can't stop smiling because I just saw a real-life person with the exact same profile as Homer Simpson!! Haha! And here I thought only in the imagination of a cartoonist!
Sunday, September 5, 2010
Three Weeks On.
And so the strike by the public sectors continues...
As I have said before I am all for the proper remuneration for the vital services rendered by public servants, especially when our Ministers do not feel the repercussions of an economic downturn or the need to be frugal.
So one has to consider the President of Cosatu Zwlinzima Vavi's opinion of the ruling party when he describes them as a "predatory society." COSATU is part of an alliance with the ANC and the South African Communist Party, called the Tripartite Alliance. Although COSATU’s role in the alliance has been the subject of debate, since and because the organisation has been critical of some of the ANC government's policies. There are some affiliates who have argued for greater independence from the ruling political party, others have argued that the arrangement gives COSATU a political influence beneficial to its members. Three weeks on and the power struggle has become more than evident.
In this period Vavi has come close to being compared to Poland's Nobel Peace Prize Winner Lech Wałęsa. A man who went from leader of the Solidarity Trade Union to President of Poland. Lech Wałęsa organised a mass action of over 12 million workers, not all of whom were members of the union, to down tools against the Communist Government's use of violence against workers.
Are these the intentions of Mr Vavi? To gain leadership?
Is the S.A government guilty of violence against bottom of the food chain, public sector, by not meeting their demands of a 8.6% increase and a R1000 housing subsidy?
Are the workers demands unrealistic?
How beneficial is the alliance with government now?
How long can this go on?
As I have said before I am all for the proper remuneration for the vital services rendered by public servants, especially when our Ministers do not feel the repercussions of an economic downturn or the need to be frugal.
So one has to consider the President of Cosatu Zwlinzima Vavi's opinion of the ruling party when he describes them as a "predatory society." COSATU is part of an alliance with the ANC and the South African Communist Party, called the Tripartite Alliance. Although COSATU’s role in the alliance has been the subject of debate, since and because the organisation has been critical of some of the ANC government's policies. There are some affiliates who have argued for greater independence from the ruling political party, others have argued that the arrangement gives COSATU a political influence beneficial to its members. Three weeks on and the power struggle has become more than evident.
In this period Vavi has come close to being compared to Poland's Nobel Peace Prize Winner Lech Wałęsa. A man who went from leader of the Solidarity Trade Union to President of Poland. Lech Wałęsa organised a mass action of over 12 million workers, not all of whom were members of the union, to down tools against the Communist Government's use of violence against workers.
Are these the intentions of Mr Vavi? To gain leadership?
Is the S.A government guilty of violence against bottom of the food chain, public sector, by not meeting their demands of a 8.6% increase and a R1000 housing subsidy?
Are the workers demands unrealistic?
How beneficial is the alliance with government now?
How long can this go on?
Saturday, August 28, 2010
With arms up in the air...
The temperature had dropped to a chilly 4 degrees Celsius and the clock was showing 23H45 in a gleaming luxury car as it zoomed past a township.
The passengers had lent their heads back and closed their eyes after being satiated by a feast for the eyes... a West End Show of glamour and glitz and Cadbury's Nutties. The driver glanced across at the outskirts of the township and saw a blazing fire. For a moment concerned, for surely that fire if unattended would torch the surrounding shacks! But on closer inspection it was obvious that circled around it were Friday night revellers with arms up in the air as if in praise of a God who seemed to have forsaken them and all who dwelled in this shanty town! Or maybe they were just having a good time with friends and a couple of beers, singing township songs that prompted a little dance of sorts?
Further on there seemed to be a flurry of activity as a young man start to run as his friends took after him. Were they too fooling around after a long hard week or was there something more sinister going on? Because surely the surroundings were only conducive to prompt evil-doings and not foolery?
The scene flashed past, that the thoughts did not linger for more than a moment and then it was onto the more affluent suburbs and the crowd around the fire and the youngsters fooling around were dismissed but not forgotten...
The passengers had lent their heads back and closed their eyes after being satiated by a feast for the eyes... a West End Show of glamour and glitz and Cadbury's Nutties. The driver glanced across at the outskirts of the township and saw a blazing fire. For a moment concerned, for surely that fire if unattended would torch the surrounding shacks! But on closer inspection it was obvious that circled around it were Friday night revellers with arms up in the air as if in praise of a God who seemed to have forsaken them and all who dwelled in this shanty town! Or maybe they were just having a good time with friends and a couple of beers, singing township songs that prompted a little dance of sorts?
Further on there seemed to be a flurry of activity as a young man start to run as his friends took after him. Were they too fooling around after a long hard week or was there something more sinister going on? Because surely the surroundings were only conducive to prompt evil-doings and not foolery?
The scene flashed past, that the thoughts did not linger for more than a moment and then it was onto the more affluent suburbs and the crowd around the fire and the youngsters fooling around were dismissed but not forgotten...
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
:-)
I’ve seen that look somewhere before
Your sorrow’s like an open door
You’ve been this way for much too long
Somebody must have done you wrong
But one day the sun will shine on you
Turn all your tears to laughter
One day your dreams may all come true
One day the sun will shine on you
I’ve seen that look so many times
I know the sadness in your eyes
Your life is like a wishing well
Where it goes, only time will tell
One day the sun will shine on you
Turn all your tears to laughter
One day your dreams may all come true
One day the sun will shine on
Say goodbye to the lonely nights
Say goodbye to the northern lights
Say goodbye to the cold north winds
Say goodbye to the autumn leaves
One day the sun will shine on you
Turn all your tears to laughter
One day your dreams may all come true
One day the sun will shine on you
One day the sun will shine on you
One day the sun will shine on you
Your sorrow’s like an open door
You’ve been this way for much too long
Somebody must have done you wrong
But one day the sun will shine on you
Turn all your tears to laughter
One day your dreams may all come true
One day the sun will shine on you
I’ve seen that look so many times
I know the sadness in your eyes
Your life is like a wishing well
Where it goes, only time will tell
One day the sun will shine on you
Turn all your tears to laughter
One day your dreams may all come true
One day the sun will shine on
Say goodbye to the lonely nights
Say goodbye to the northern lights
Say goodbye to the cold north winds
Say goodbye to the autumn leaves
One day the sun will shine on you
Turn all your tears to laughter
One day your dreams may all come true
One day the sun will shine on you
One day the sun will shine on you
One day the sun will shine on you
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Workers rights!
I must say that although I tend to lean toward the right when it comes to economic policies, I do believe that workers must be taken care of by their employers and should never be exploited.
This belief becomes even stronger when it comes to the public service and the government as employer. A government such as ours who promises essential services to all its people must surely look after those offering the service. So teachers, nurses and doctors should be very well looked after, so that they in turn can look after everyone, from the young school goer to the elderly.
When demands for an increase in salary and certain benefits are reasonable and your employer offers much less,you, as worker, should have the right to protest in the form of a strike. However, when the protest takes on an almost murderous streak by means of not allowing non striking workers and volunteers to meet the needs of the sick and elderly, I have to draw the line. Surely a compromise needs to be reached.
This belief becomes even stronger when it comes to the public service and the government as employer. A government such as ours who promises essential services to all its people must surely look after those offering the service. So teachers, nurses and doctors should be very well looked after, so that they in turn can look after everyone, from the young school goer to the elderly.
When demands for an increase in salary and certain benefits are reasonable and your employer offers much less,you, as worker, should have the right to protest in the form of a strike. However, when the protest takes on an almost murderous streak by means of not allowing non striking workers and volunteers to meet the needs of the sick and elderly, I have to draw the line. Surely a compromise needs to be reached.
Thursday, August 19, 2010
Freedom.
I was intrigued at who made the cover of TIME magazine this week.
An American 51 year old novelist by the name of Jonathan Franzen, he joins only a few other American authors who have ever made the cover, one being Salinger.
His new book Freedom, which took him nine years to write, they say will probably out sell his previous book The Corrections which sold over 2.8 million copies world wide.
I like what is said about him: "...allegations of elitism that are leveled against him are not only untrue but the opposite of true. He's one of contemporary fiction's great populists and a key ally of the beleagured modern reader."
I think I'm off to Exclusive Books to buy a copy of Freedom and I think I also want to be one of the 2.8 million world wide who have The Corrections. So I'll be hunting that one down too! How can I resist when his writing is described as unshowy almost egoless perfection?
A man? Egoless! This I have to see.
An American 51 year old novelist by the name of Jonathan Franzen, he joins only a few other American authors who have ever made the cover, one being Salinger.
His new book Freedom, which took him nine years to write, they say will probably out sell his previous book The Corrections which sold over 2.8 million copies world wide.
I like what is said about him: "...allegations of elitism that are leveled against him are not only untrue but the opposite of true. He's one of contemporary fiction's great populists and a key ally of the beleagured modern reader."
I think I'm off to Exclusive Books to buy a copy of Freedom and I think I also want to be one of the 2.8 million world wide who have The Corrections. So I'll be hunting that one down too! How can I resist when his writing is described as unshowy almost egoless perfection?
A man? Egoless! This I have to see.
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Monday, August 16, 2010
Is this how it goes?
So when Mittal failed to apply together with Kumba for the rights to mine the iron ore in the Thabazimbi mine, the government promptly gave more than 20% of the rights to Imperial Crown Trading, irrespective of the fact that Kumba had applied for the full rights. Should their application rather not have failed? How can you only get part rights?
Imperial Crown Trading then promptly said that Kumba could no longer supply Mittal with iron for cost less 3% as has always been the arrangement. Do they realise when they do this that it is the consumer that will carry the increase? The consumer being their own.
So to end the dispute, Mittal pays Imperial Crown R800 million for the rights on the Thabazimbi mine. Who are the instant millionaires? And what have they done to deserve it besides form a company that has not existed until a few months ago?
•Mabelindile Archibald Luhlabo;
•Mojalefa Mbete;
•Prudence Zerah Mtshali
•Pragat Investments (Jagdish R Parekh)
•Phemelo Ohentse Robert Sehunelo; and
•Zebo Lesego Edwin Tshetlho
Arcelor will pay R 800m for the stake, which will be payable subject to terms and conditions, including, inter alia, completion of a due diligence exercise to the satisfaction of ArcelorMittal South Africa (JSE:ACL).
According to the Mail and Guardian:
Zebo Lesego Edwin Tshethlo
Tshethlo is apparently a municipal manager of the Kgalagadi district municipality.
Phemelo Ohentse Robert Sehunelo
An advocate, Sehunelo served as Northern Cape provincial director of housing and city manager of Kimberley, but now holds business interests in the Northern Cape. He served on a ministerial task team on mining procurement in the Northern Cape and is a business partner of well-connected Kimberley businessman Trevor Pikwane. Pikwane and Sehunelo are involved in the controversial proposed Bongani Minerals tungsten mine in the Western Cape as well as in Kimberley Consolidated Minerals.
Mabelindile Archibald Luhlabo
Luhlabo was a founding director of the Mineworkers' Investment Company, though he resigned in 1999. He is also active in the diamond industry.
Prudence Zerah "Gugu" Mtshali
Mtshali is the former assistant in the ANC treasury department and reportedly Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe's long-term romantic partner. Oddly, both Luhlabo and Mtshali reflect their addresses as the humble home of one of Pikwane's employees in Kimberley's Pescodia township.
Mojalefa Landlord Mbete
Son of well-connected businessman Lazarus Mbethe, he has extensive business interests in the Witbank area, notably in coal mining.
What impression do we give to the outside world when we, by voting in this government, give to the outside world? Do we think when our mining industry goes abroad to talk to investors that they will not question dealings such as these? And then... Do we defend the industry or do we defend the government?
No wonder they are also gung-ho to muzzle the press too!!
It makes me shudder!
Imperial Crown Trading then promptly said that Kumba could no longer supply Mittal with iron for cost less 3% as has always been the arrangement. Do they realise when they do this that it is the consumer that will carry the increase? The consumer being their own.
So to end the dispute, Mittal pays Imperial Crown R800 million for the rights on the Thabazimbi mine. Who are the instant millionaires? And what have they done to deserve it besides form a company that has not existed until a few months ago?
•Mabelindile Archibald Luhlabo;
•Mojalefa Mbete;
•Prudence Zerah Mtshali
•Pragat Investments (Jagdish R Parekh)
•Phemelo Ohentse Robert Sehunelo; and
•Zebo Lesego Edwin Tshetlho
Arcelor will pay R 800m for the stake, which will be payable subject to terms and conditions, including, inter alia, completion of a due diligence exercise to the satisfaction of ArcelorMittal South Africa (JSE:ACL).
According to the Mail and Guardian:
Zebo Lesego Edwin Tshethlo
Tshethlo is apparently a municipal manager of the Kgalagadi district municipality.
Phemelo Ohentse Robert Sehunelo
An advocate, Sehunelo served as Northern Cape provincial director of housing and city manager of Kimberley, but now holds business interests in the Northern Cape. He served on a ministerial task team on mining procurement in the Northern Cape and is a business partner of well-connected Kimberley businessman Trevor Pikwane. Pikwane and Sehunelo are involved in the controversial proposed Bongani Minerals tungsten mine in the Western Cape as well as in Kimberley Consolidated Minerals.
Mabelindile Archibald Luhlabo
Luhlabo was a founding director of the Mineworkers' Investment Company, though he resigned in 1999. He is also active in the diamond industry.
Prudence Zerah "Gugu" Mtshali
Mtshali is the former assistant in the ANC treasury department and reportedly Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe's long-term romantic partner. Oddly, both Luhlabo and Mtshali reflect their addresses as the humble home of one of Pikwane's employees in Kimberley's Pescodia township.
Mojalefa Landlord Mbete
Son of well-connected businessman Lazarus Mbethe, he has extensive business interests in the Witbank area, notably in coal mining.
What impression do we give to the outside world when we, by voting in this government, give to the outside world? Do we think when our mining industry goes abroad to talk to investors that they will not question dealings such as these? And then... Do we defend the industry or do we defend the government?
No wonder they are also gung-ho to muzzle the press too!!
It makes me shudder!
Saturday, August 14, 2010
Friday, August 13, 2010
The Connectors...
Have you ever heard of the Six degrees of Separation?
I have, but I was never sure what exactly it meant, until I recently started reading Malcolm Gladwell's The Tipping Point. I know, I know a little far behind the trend but I never said I was a trend-follower! I do get around to it though, eventually.
It really is fascinating. In it he talks about different kinds of people and one group of people is the connectors. A connector is someone who knows so many people that eventually anyone you are trying to connect with will always be directed to you through a connector. Their group of friends and acquiantenances constitutes a huge varitey of different people from different walks of life. A friend of mine is a true example of a connector.
She genuinely likes people, she will talk to anyone, stranger or not. We go on our daily morning walk and she will greet and wave at, at least a handful of people within that hour. She, however, will not do what we all tend to do and give the obligatory wave or nod. If she can, she will always ask "How are you?" in the most genuine of ways. Funnily enough the person responding will always have something more to say than "Fine thanks, and you?" They will most of the time elaborate, like today when we were told that a storm-drain cover was stolen during the night.
I find as we get older we tend not to be bothered with people, that they can become a little tedious or even boring because we've heard their story so many times. But a connector will find something of interest in everybody and will take the effort to continue that acquaintance.
Out of all the groups, I would like to be a connector, because they have never allowed themselves to become cynical toward their fellow man.
I have, but I was never sure what exactly it meant, until I recently started reading Malcolm Gladwell's The Tipping Point. I know, I know a little far behind the trend but I never said I was a trend-follower! I do get around to it though, eventually.
It really is fascinating. In it he talks about different kinds of people and one group of people is the connectors. A connector is someone who knows so many people that eventually anyone you are trying to connect with will always be directed to you through a connector. Their group of friends and acquiantenances constitutes a huge varitey of different people from different walks of life. A friend of mine is a true example of a connector.
She genuinely likes people, she will talk to anyone, stranger or not. We go on our daily morning walk and she will greet and wave at, at least a handful of people within that hour. She, however, will not do what we all tend to do and give the obligatory wave or nod. If she can, she will always ask "How are you?" in the most genuine of ways. Funnily enough the person responding will always have something more to say than "Fine thanks, and you?" They will most of the time elaborate, like today when we were told that a storm-drain cover was stolen during the night.
I find as we get older we tend not to be bothered with people, that they can become a little tedious or even boring because we've heard their story so many times. But a connector will find something of interest in everybody and will take the effort to continue that acquaintance.
Out of all the groups, I would like to be a connector, because they have never allowed themselves to become cynical toward their fellow man.
Thursday, August 12, 2010
Resilience!
I recently got a glimpse of Elizabeth Edwards, the ex-wife of the former American Senator John Edwards, promoting her book "Resilience".
I had to wonder if all men who have affairs, are these narcisstic, egotistical monsters who are in desperate need of having their ego stroked by any woman who comes along, or are there those who are in a relationship that has failed them in some way? And then, would the wife also not be in that same situation? So we have two unhappy people together but reluctant to be apart so they try and make the best of a bad situation.
However, as soon as another woman appears on the scene, then the wife is the victim!
The 30 years of standing by her man somehow negates the fact that she was miserable and unhappy at his side.
Surely, when one is in a relationship that does not fulfil all one's need, one should always bare in mind that the other person feels the same way.
You may ask yourself why stay together then? And often, its the fear of the unknown, or one has become complacent, often it has to do with finances.
The point is that I have to wonder why all this is forgotten once a third party is involved and the wife, or the husband in some cases, then calls foul? As if everything was always okay and how it was still something that they both wanted.
I do feel for the woman who is genuinely content and knows that it is not perfect but what is and does not see it coming. That is heartbreaking. However, how often is that the case?
The cheating husband is always portrayed as a monster but just as women are quick to point out that behind every bitch there is a man who made her, surely behind every monster is a disgruntled, grumpy, unhappy woman.
I could be so wrong here but somehow Mrs Edwards made me think that there must be another side to every story. And is that not the case in everything.
I had to wonder if all men who have affairs, are these narcisstic, egotistical monsters who are in desperate need of having their ego stroked by any woman who comes along, or are there those who are in a relationship that has failed them in some way? And then, would the wife also not be in that same situation? So we have two unhappy people together but reluctant to be apart so they try and make the best of a bad situation.
However, as soon as another woman appears on the scene, then the wife is the victim!
The 30 years of standing by her man somehow negates the fact that she was miserable and unhappy at his side.
Surely, when one is in a relationship that does not fulfil all one's need, one should always bare in mind that the other person feels the same way.
You may ask yourself why stay together then? And often, its the fear of the unknown, or one has become complacent, often it has to do with finances.
The point is that I have to wonder why all this is forgotten once a third party is involved and the wife, or the husband in some cases, then calls foul? As if everything was always okay and how it was still something that they both wanted.
I do feel for the woman who is genuinely content and knows that it is not perfect but what is and does not see it coming. That is heartbreaking. However, how often is that the case?
The cheating husband is always portrayed as a monster but just as women are quick to point out that behind every bitch there is a man who made her, surely behind every monster is a disgruntled, grumpy, unhappy woman.
I could be so wrong here but somehow Mrs Edwards made me think that there must be another side to every story. And is that not the case in everything.
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
Exercise... love it or hate it!
There's something in it though. And one only realises it once one gets into it. I am no fitness freak by any means and there are times when I do not miss it when I take a break but ask me how I feel after one hour of spinning and the answer is always one big smile!
And thats what that something is!
I could go into the entertainment value of the different characters one encounters in the spinning class of the Virgin Active but that not the point of this posting.
Its just to say that that old saying an active body makes for an active mind and a feeling of well being, there's something to it.
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
Coming out of winter's slumber!
Looking at the blog, it looks so forlorn. I have the excuse that I went into hibernation for the winter and I hope that from now I will be adding more frequently to it. It must be said that I have missed this forum of just saying what floats around in my head and if nothing else, it remains a source of entertainment for myself and a form of expression. Now if someone else can gain from it too! Well... that would be a bonus!
This was such a GOOD weekend! I had the most interesting conversations. Yes! You read right,conversations, plural! I know! I know! Most times there is never anything of interest whose source is a conversation!But like I said this weekend, I was tickled. It went from discussing the book The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint Exupéry, to how big is our universe! You should look at this link... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=17jymDn0W6U. Very, very fascinating!
In between all this, the subject of how different men are from women was also briefly touched on.
All in all a very good weekend and hopefully a sign of what the rest of the week will hold.
This was such a GOOD weekend! I had the most interesting conversations. Yes! You read right,conversations, plural! I know! I know! Most times there is never anything of interest whose source is a conversation!But like I said this weekend, I was tickled. It went from discussing the book The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint Exupéry, to how big is our universe! You should look at this link... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=17jymDn0W6U. Very, very fascinating!
In between all this, the subject of how different men are from women was also briefly touched on.
All in all a very good weekend and hopefully a sign of what the rest of the week will hold.
Thursday, February 4, 2010
and he just burst in uninvited...
Two days ago, Loneliness burst in and took up residence. He brought a friend along, Depression. Most unwelcome guests and yet they have managed to permeate my existence and suck the life out of me...
I can feel Loneliness climb into bed with me and wrap himself around me in a vice-like grip.
I will be rid of them both but until then I'll wallow in it for a while.
I can feel Loneliness climb into bed with me and wrap himself around me in a vice-like grip.
I will be rid of them both but until then I'll wallow in it for a while.
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