Swimming / Travel / Road carnage / Gimmicks!

As reported in another post, my little guy is swimming the Midmar Mile open water race this weekend. So we plan to drive to Durban this afternoon or tomorrow morning.
Just heard on the radio that there has been a 20 car / 6 truck pile up on the main highway to the coast. Brilliant! The detour will add 2 hours to the trip if the mess isn't cleared on time and the road reopened!!
Damn stupid bloody idiot drivers.
You would think when it's raining, and misty and all fogged up that the people on the roads would take more car. But NO! Many don't switch on their light, almost no one slows down! In fact some speed up, thinking the quicker they get through this bad weather, the better. Dunmbfnucks!!!!

So we got a truck carrying ethanol, lying on it's side, and leaking. We got some people trapped in their cars. We got jaws of life, ambulances, helicopters..... All over the place.

Fnuckit!!!!

Anyway, will be off line for the next 2 - 3 days.
Will post results of the race then. Hoping junior will break the 30 minute swim time this year!!!

http://www.midmarmile.co.za

Salagatle!

Now I've seen it all........
Swimming goggles with a built in mp3 player...... damn!!!!!

Copy of my letter to the local rag....

For some time now I have been following the saga with regards the "SALE" of the Krugersdorp sports stadium to the Kaiser Chiefs soccer team.
I have noted the fact that the mayor does not respond to questions from this newspaper. I have read about the impact on the schools athletics, Khosa cricket, gymnastics club, etc. However, to date I have not seen anything around the affected parties getting together and challenging this decision! Surely there must be a case for stopping this process?
Consider that about 10 schools are affected (approx. 1200 pupils per school), as well as the various sporting bodies. Probably a total of betwen 10,000 and 15,000 people will be affected.
At R10.00 per person this is between R100,00 and R150,000 in a kitty which can be used to employ some serious lawyers to look into the legality of this decision, and, if possible, to challenge it in a court of law.
I mean come on! This venue was built over many years by the residents of Krugersdorp, NOT the mayor, or any of his cronies, or the ANC, or any other political party, but by the residents. We built it specifically for the purpose of what it has been to us for all these years, a place where we can ALL enjoy the various sporting events which we ALL enjoy, as one level or another. You cannot tell me that the mayor can righfully get rid of, it so to speak.
I have heard some talk in my local club around the issue, but no-one seems to have a straight answer, so I'm not too sure if there is much misinformation going on, or if there is just no input / output from the mayors office.
If there is a motivation for the sale, insofar as the new "tenants" will be spending many millions to rebuild/ reshape the current configuration for soccer, surely it stands to reason that they could spend that money building a whole new stadium.
This could be done in an area which would be more appropriate. It could be more accesible to the surrounding areas. It could be deigned with the right / required parking spaces, and traffic controls. And away from the residential area, where it won't become a problem.
Fianlly, if this is a means to bring in much needed funding, then even more reason NOT to let it continue. This cannot be lagal. Just as moving on of OUR baby grand pianos from the Town hall to the mayors house cannot be legal. In my books, it is theft. And given a few more of these incidents, and I may be the one to go down to the local police station and lay that charge of theft!!!
Watch this space!!

Article about this fiasco on the city's web page:-

Soccer greats support sports hub
23 December 2005
By Mogale City Reporter
PLANS to build a world-class sporting precinct in Mogale City received a major boost when former professional soccer players recently threw their weight behind the project.
The players met at the Bob van Reneen Stadium under the auspices of Soccer Legends. Hosted by Ace Ntsoelengoe, the only South African player to feature in the Soccer Hall of Fame, soccer greats from the 1970s and 1980s were present.
Khalefa Mabalane, president of Soccer Legends, said, "The purpose of the structure is to empower former soccer players and to provide a platform for them to network."
Former soccer greats should position themselves to play an active part in the 2010 Fifa World Cup, he added, calling on the stars to upgrade their skills to adapt to changed circumstances.
"We need to acquire new skills - that is the only way we can survive." Speaking at the gathering, Mayor Lentswe Mokgatle unveiled plans to build an international soccer precinct in Mogale City, complete with hotels and new stadiums.
"Plans include the construction of stadiums for soccer, plus a world-class cricket and rugby stadium." He said cycling and athletics were to be relocated. Demolition would take place in January and stadium would be ready for use by the end of 2007.
Trott Moloto, the former Bafana Bafana coach, said Soccer Legends looked after those heroes who had plied their skills on the soccer pitches of the past.
"The development project needs great support from everyone." Moloto welcomed political support for the organisation and expressed his appreciation to the mayor for his support. "We really appreciate this support. "When the new stadium is built, our one wish will be for the names of soccer legends from our generation to be engraved on a plague. We don't want to be forgotten."
Soccer Legends was established in 2003.

AND THEY GOING TO DO ALL OF THIS DEVELOPMENT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE CITY, WHERE ALL THE LAND IS ALREADY BUILT UP!?!?!?!?!?

Then, if anyone is interested, here's a link to the town:-
http://www.mogalecity.gov.za/residents/index.stm

And an cutting from one of its pages......

What facilities does Mogale City have?
Mogale City has a wide range of facilities for its residents, including:
twenty-seven schools and educational institutions;
four hospitals;
an airfield;
a renowned athletic and cycling sports stadium; (TAKE NOTE)
a 1 400 hectare game reserve with luxury exclusive facilities and plenty of game;
dams with 14 hectares of water coverage;
five railway stations with 116 trains daily;
an 18-hole golf course;
an acclaimed cultural centre with modern facilities; and
an interesting museum.It is also the seat of various regional, financial, governmental and educational institutions.

Some pics and stuff.......

Hout Bay. Took the princess to Cape Town some time in 2004. Did the usual tourist things, and ended up in Hout Bay for lunch. And I took this pic. Yea, me. Not a google download this!!

Funny thing this digital photography. In the old days, you were more careful when taking pics, had them developed, and put them into an album you looked at every now and then.

Nowadays you click away like mad, download onto your pc...... and never look at them again!

So I've decided I'm going sort them in catgories,
pick the top 10 for each occasion, and have them printed and put into an album.

Makes for easier sharing with family and friends, and might get looked at more often.

that's how I found this one. I remember being most proud of this shot, but didn't even bother to print it at the time. And eventually forgot about it.


This is a typical sunset in a place called Koffiefontein (Coffee fountain). We have some friends who own a farm out there. It's a small place, on the outskirts of the Karoo. Cause of settlement was originally a diamond mine, but this has just been closed down. Much poverty in the area, with no prospects whatsoever.

Town is typical:- dusty sand roads, except for the main road going through the center of town which is tarred, 1 traffic cop, 3-4 policemen, 1 filling station, 1 butcher/grocer/green grocer. 1 Hotel, 5-6 shebeens (illegal liquor outlets)......

Am I employable??

Had a call from a friend in OZ yesterday (Tues. 7/2). He had seen my blog about the "Mutual seperation" and was concerned. Gave me some insight on how this company might be thinking.
Interesting to say the least. At least he and his family seem well settled in their new country.

Sent out my CV today. Think I might have a go outside of the IT world for a change. Been here too long, and actually find it to be a sick place right now. When you have some time think about what the IT companies do... and decide if you think any of it makes sense.
I'll eplain my train of thoughts at some other time.

Anyway, I have a technical background, having qualified as a Fitter and Turner many years ago. Then also got into Mechanical design draughting (probably the best job I ever had). From there I moved on to sales, mining / conveying / filtration. Then worked for myself for 5-6 years in sales. Most money made here. Middle man. No manufacturing, just the midle man between maker and user. Damn fine place to be. Had to shut that down cause of the looming "Black Tidal Wave" which was expected in '94 with the so called first democratic elctions held here.

Anyway, the company I sent my CV to does materials handling. I'm thinking with my mechanical / design / sales / IT backgroung maybe I can offer a bit more than the next guy. And I wouldn't have to work in a damn suit anymore!!!

Will keep u posted on events as they occur.
For now, must run. The Princess bemoans the fact that I am typing, and not chatting with her.
Later all.... Salagatle

Elections in souf efrika.... and mayoral rule

And so It's municipal / local election time again in sunny souf efrika! And as usual all the crap is up on posters hanging on all the street lamps. The "official opposition" as they call themselves, the DA party have based their entire politicking on slating the current incumbents, mostly the ANC at present. It's all about better finances, better service delivery, less corruption, less crime, blah, blah, blah!

The ANC on the other hand, have spent a lot of money on posters in the other official languages. Obviously they are placing their bets on the Non-white majority. Unfortunately my priveledged upbringing didn't include learning any of the other 10 official languages, so I am not in the position to elaborate on their strategy, suffice to say that there is some serious own back patting with regards what they claim to have achieved in the past 10 yrs. Or so they say!?!?!

Alas, methinks they are going to win again anyway. I don't think the voting majority have reached the point of maturity yet where they vote with their heads instead of their hearts. To them it's a matter of "Rather a corrupt, non-delivering" ANC led council, than a white led council. And so the rot continues.

Here where I live our esteemed mayor decided he'd like to have one of the baby grand pianos in his house, and so had one uplifted from one of the smaller ballrooms at the town hall, and delivered to his private residence. Not sure how it was done, but I'm willing to bet it was loaded onto the back of a 8 ton truck by labourers, and unloaded the same way. Who cares if it's out of tune now, now one plays it anyway,or if it could have got damaged, they would have just put it right back and no one would have known how the damage had occurred. Picture it"
"Eeee, Sipho, why eees thet pianoo standing sow skeeeu? It seems thet wan off her legs she ees broken?"
"Eee! Oh, eye donno! Eye em shure eet was laik dat when we took over from the previous regime. Anyway comrade, eet ees not a cultural piece of musical instruument, so eet don't metter. We can hef eet moved out to the storroom. Ok?"

Another fast one he has pulled on us is closing down the town / city stadium. This is the venue which was used by all the schools for their annual athletics meet, by the local squash club, gymnastics, karate clubs, and the cycling club as it had a proper cycling track!

But no more. His lordship the, flat nosed arse, has decided that he is going to lease / sell it to Kaiser Chiefs, a big, popular local soccer team.
They will rip the place apart, and refit it to the tune of many millions of rands as a soccer stadium.
Fnuck knows where they will find parking for the masses expected to attend the matches. And don't worry that its common place for the spectators to riot and destroy the stadium, and private property outside if the game doesn't go their way. No problem sez he, we'll insure an increased police presence if required.

HEHE, this in a town where when you call the cops to come out, the usual response is "We don't have enough vehicles", or, "We will come as soon as possible" (translated this means you'll be lucky if you ever see us!!)

Anyway, luckily we don't live to near to the future scenes of violent hooliganism!!
But it could cost us!

Seems like the affected parties are too apathetic to fight this decision either. Not sure what the legalities are, but I'm sure that something could / should be done!

Ragheads

have gone f'ing ballistic. So someone released some cartoons LAST YEAR, and now they get pissed off? What happened between Sept and Feb?
A bit slow on the uptake, or some other insidious hidden meaning to all of this? Just another Excuse to behave like f'ing animals, burning stuff belonging to non-muslim / westerners!!!

For my moneys worth they should all be deported to a single point of containment, Afghanistan / Iran / Iraq, who cares. All together. On their own. F'ing crazy pots.

What a way to win over sympathy! Geeezzz!!!!
Personally I've had enough of them. Even here in SA, we got a self proclaimed Muslim who got caught bribing the deputy president.
And he's a regular at the high life clubs in Durban, been spotted smoking cigars, drinking alcohol, and keeping the company of some very pretty girls, non of which are his wife.

And when he's approached for comment re his trial / conviction / appeal, he says god will take care of him, the truth will out!!

Definitely not the God which countless religions around the world bow down to. Not the God who some believe created the universe.
*********************************************************************************
Two Iranian women sitting on a park bench, looking at photos of their kids.
One says, "They were so beautiful as babies!"
The other replies, "Yes, but the blow up so quickly!"

Well, thats my thoughts about this fiasco. I dont garner much love for these radicals. Dont have time for anyone who tries to push his beliefs / opinion onto others. As far as I'm concerned, you get what you ask for.

Going to be a long one methinks...
Nuff sed on the religious front..........Salagatle!

This 'n that.... and stuff

Had some interesting responses on my previous blog, the one about the retrenchment offer. Seems like some do care after all. Thanx to you all.

This Friday we in for a long trip again. My youngster is swimming the Midmar Mile. http://www.midmarmile.co.za. Its an open water race, 1600 meters. Usually fun, but a drag for me cause I got to drive all the way to Durban, 650km more or less, on Friday or Saturday morning, sleep over till Sunday morn, drive early to the dam, and then after the swim, drive the 500 odd KM back home.
Ahh well, the kid enjoys it, and its better than having to drive him to some detox center for addicted children or summing as stupid!!!!
The princess is being her usual self, worrying about packing the right clothes, food, etc. etc.... damn, we only going for 2 days. How hard can it be?
But that's her.

Two weeks later, Princess, youngster and the queen are flying back to Durban. Little guy has been selected to swim in the SA National gala for Level 1 swimmers. 4 days at the pool side. I think not.
So, got them cheap seats on the plane down, got free car hire using voyager miles, and got a 75% discount on a 5 star hotel compliments of a very dear friend who works for the hotel group. So it's not going to cost an arm and a leg...
Me and the big guy will just see to ourselves back home.

Speaking of the queen, her apartment is coming on nicely. Placed the order for the Built in cupboards, and kitchen cupboards, and stuff yesterday. Expect installation by the end of February. Decided to put in granite tops for the counters. Not much more expensive than the postform chipboard stuff, but a damn sight nicer, stronger, cleaner... So it will match our house's finishes as well.
By then everything else will be done, and she'll be moving in.
She still hasn't sold her current place, but is thinking maybe to keep it, rent it out, and enjoy the extra income. Sound good to me.
That way she also keeps the asset, and it can only increase in value. We will see how it pans out.