South Africa has the highest number of HIV infected people on the planet! (i'm not sure how they get the numbers from places like China and India). 5 Million! Yup! 10% of our population - or to put it into perspective - more than the whole European population of the country!
Salagatle!
LIU - Look It Up!
Saturday, December 01, 2007
Thursday, November 29, 2007
The gambler
I did some private research, and investigation / reading / asking, and came up with some frightening stuff on gambling!
For as long as I can remember I've always loved the games of risk. I don't really know what the attraction is, but I cannot go near a casino without taking a chance at the tables or machines, and even at my local Sports / Social Club where they have a couple of Cherry Masters, and a poker machine, I usually have a turn.
I think it could be the challenge to see if you can beat the machine / croupier / house. Or, to test and see if Lady Luck is on your side that day, or even just to have some fun.
However, for some it's a big problem. it would seem that it has the ability to consume your very being. It affects peoples lives both personally and physically. There are scary stories out there of people literally losing their shirts off their backs. Houses, cars, family heirlooms, furniture, wedding rings, everything gets pawned or sold just for one more turn of the wheel / hand of cards, spin of the reel. It's really a sad situation then. It is true that the most affected are the poor, who, with the promise of quick easy riches go and waste the little they have, but the nett effect on the big time gamblers, who start out with much, and end up with nothing is more to the point here.
I have met and spoken to two guys who lived in luxury security estates, had retired soon after turning 50 with more money and financial strength than they would ever need in their normal lives. Both are now divorced, both live with either a child of theirs, or in a rented room, and are dependent on a State old age grant of about ZAT730 per month to live on.
Stories of ZAR150k blown on one night, and another of ZAR500k on one hand abound. Between the, these tow guys must have blown close on ZAR25million in 2 - 3 years!!!
By the end their wives divorced them, the one was even abandoned by his children. Today, they regularly call on the local pub together, have a pint or two, and then leave. They won't go near a machine or casino, and the one won't even buy his cigarettes from a vending machine, or draw cash from and ATM, because it's too tempting! Can you imagine being in that place in time!!?
At the end of the day, it is described as a disease. I wonder though. Diseases are viral, or an effect of the cells which make up the body (my interpretation). Gambling, well, I don't know what I would call it, it's an addiction for sure, but a disease, I'm not sure.
There is a "Gamblers Anonymous" group available in South Africa, and all the casino's are obliged to add a special notice at the end of any advertising they do, to the effect of... "Winners know when to stop, blah, blah, blah....", but that's no consolation to the guys who have already lost everything, because at the end of the day, you don't realize you have a problem till it's too late, and everything is gone, because, lets' be honest, your luck has to turn sometime, doesn't it?
Salagatle!
For as long as I can remember I've always loved the games of risk. I don't really know what the attraction is, but I cannot go near a casino without taking a chance at the tables or machines, and even at my local Sports / Social Club where they have a couple of Cherry Masters, and a poker machine, I usually have a turn.
I think it could be the challenge to see if you can beat the machine / croupier / house. Or, to test and see if Lady Luck is on your side that day, or even just to have some fun.
However, for some it's a big problem. it would seem that it has the ability to consume your very being. It affects peoples lives both personally and physically. There are scary stories out there of people literally losing their shirts off their backs. Houses, cars, family heirlooms, furniture, wedding rings, everything gets pawned or sold just for one more turn of the wheel / hand of cards, spin of the reel. It's really a sad situation then. It is true that the most affected are the poor, who, with the promise of quick easy riches go and waste the little they have, but the nett effect on the big time gamblers, who start out with much, and end up with nothing is more to the point here.
I have met and spoken to two guys who lived in luxury security estates, had retired soon after turning 50 with more money and financial strength than they would ever need in their normal lives. Both are now divorced, both live with either a child of theirs, or in a rented room, and are dependent on a State old age grant of about ZAT730 per month to live on.
Stories of ZAR150k blown on one night, and another of ZAR500k on one hand abound. Between the, these tow guys must have blown close on ZAR25million in 2 - 3 years!!!
By the end their wives divorced them, the one was even abandoned by his children. Today, they regularly call on the local pub together, have a pint or two, and then leave. They won't go near a machine or casino, and the one won't even buy his cigarettes from a vending machine, or draw cash from and ATM, because it's too tempting! Can you imagine being in that place in time!!?
At the end of the day, it is described as a disease. I wonder though. Diseases are viral, or an effect of the cells which make up the body (my interpretation). Gambling, well, I don't know what I would call it, it's an addiction for sure, but a disease, I'm not sure.
There is a "Gamblers Anonymous" group available in South Africa, and all the casino's are obliged to add a special notice at the end of any advertising they do, to the effect of... "Winners know when to stop, blah, blah, blah....", but that's no consolation to the guys who have already lost everything, because at the end of the day, you don't realize you have a problem till it's too late, and everything is gone, because, lets' be honest, your luck has to turn sometime, doesn't it?
Salagatle!
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
Ode to my Princess
The Princess has turned forty,
It's a great age to be
It means you can be naughty,
As long as it's with me!
Although you might feel older
You really don't appear to be
any older now and here,
Than when we met my dear!
You are still my Princess,
Lady, and my best friend too
You still look sweet 16
Like you did when I met you!
The years will pass faster
And we will both grow old
But you need not fear
Your features are so bold!
Aging is not in you
Leave that part to me
I'll be turning 70 and
You will still look 33!
Salagatle!
It's a great age to be
It means you can be naughty,
As long as it's with me!
Although you might feel older
You really don't appear to be
any older now and here,
Than when we met my dear!
You are still my Princess,
Lady, and my best friend too
You still look sweet 16
Like you did when I met you!
The years will pass faster
And we will both grow old
But you need not fear
Your features are so bold!
Aging is not in you
Leave that part to me
I'll be turning 70 and
You will still look 33!
Salagatle!
Posting pics
I know some of you have the different options for links to your pictures.
Where can I find a link so that I can post my pictures, but limit the viewing only via my blog?
Salagatle!
Where can I find a link so that I can post my pictures, but limit the viewing only via my blog?
Salagatle!
The boy's shower....
Not sure if I have mentioned this here before, but since we built the house and moved in (3 years now) the boys shower has been leaking through to the slab, and the damn finds it's way down through the conctere and has damaged the ceiling right above the entrance hall.
We eventually - 6 months ago, got the builder back in and found that the water pipes in the wall going up to the shower head were leaking. So we chopped out the tiles and plaster, and redid the pipes, and all was cool.
Then, we chopped out the floor pan, and refitted a better drain system, and refitted the pan.
And now it leaks even worse! it seems that when the kids sstanfd in the shower, the sides butting up against the tiles moves away a fraction, but enough to allow the water to seep through, dam up underneath the pan, and then seep through.....
Last night I remover the shower door and side, and ripped out the floor pan. I then called my builder and asked him to present himself at my house this morning at 7 am. he did.
We had a look, and agreed, and finally the Princess agreed too, to throw out the floor pan, redo the door supporting walls (2 bricks high) redo the floor part and put in mosaic tiles. That was, there shoulkd be no more leaks, and we can get out entrance hall sorted out. Hope we can get this done soon.
Here are some samples of tiles we might / could use, subject to approval of the Princess!
I like this one!
This is a marble mosaic. 
Same as the first, just smaller squares.
This is my brothers shower floor.
Salagatle!
We eventually - 6 months ago, got the builder back in and found that the water pipes in the wall going up to the shower head were leaking. So we chopped out the tiles and plaster, and redid the pipes, and all was cool.
Then, we chopped out the floor pan, and refitted a better drain system, and refitted the pan.
And now it leaks even worse! it seems that when the kids sstanfd in the shower, the sides butting up against the tiles moves away a fraction, but enough to allow the water to seep through, dam up underneath the pan, and then seep through.....
Last night I remover the shower door and side, and ripped out the floor pan. I then called my builder and asked him to present himself at my house this morning at 7 am. he did.
We had a look, and agreed, and finally the Princess agreed too, to throw out the floor pan, redo the door supporting walls (2 bricks high) redo the floor part and put in mosaic tiles. That was, there shoulkd be no more leaks, and we can get out entrance hall sorted out. Hope we can get this done soon.
Here are some samples of tiles we might / could use, subject to approval of the Princess!
I like this one!
This is a marble mosaic. 
Same as the first, just smaller squares.
This is my brothers shower floor.Salagatle!
Monday, November 26, 2007
Xmas decorations
As per one of my previous posts, my brother was up for the party, and couldn't sit still for a minute.
First we put up the Xmas lights. The Santa on the sleigh which we made 2 years ago. The 3 meter tall Xmas tree from the same era. And finally the reindeer myself and LuckyL made earlier this year. Then we made a new star. And with some difficulty attached it to the side of the house. Then we decided to make another reindeer. So we stripped the star as we wanted the multi color lights rope for the reindeer, and remade it with a plain white light rope, and then used the multi color light rope for the second deer. Then we put it all up again. Looks damn fine, even if I must say so myself. Have some ideas for next year already to enhance the presentation.
Star and tree.....
You need to appreciate the star is about 1.8 meters high, the reindeer are a bit higher than that. It's a very big display. I'm thinking of putting a suspension cable along the side wall of the house for next year, and putting Santa with his sleigh, and 3 (yes three) reindeer, with a second sleigh behind him filled with gifts, along the side wall so that it shows across the valley. More people will benefit from it then.
Santa, sleigh, reindeer.....
First we put up the Xmas lights. The Santa on the sleigh which we made 2 years ago. The 3 meter tall Xmas tree from the same era. And finally the reindeer myself and LuckyL made earlier this year. Then we made a new star. And with some difficulty attached it to the side of the house. Then we decided to make another reindeer. So we stripped the star as we wanted the multi color lights rope for the reindeer, and remade it with a plain white light rope, and then used the multi color light rope for the second deer. Then we put it all up again. Looks damn fine, even if I must say so myself. Have some ideas for next year already to enhance the presentation.
Star and tree.....You need to appreciate the star is about 1.8 meters high, the reindeer are a bit higher than that. It's a very big display. I'm thinking of putting a suspension cable along the side wall of the house for next year, and putting Santa with his sleigh, and 3 (yes three) reindeer, with a second sleigh behind him filled with gifts, along the side wall so that it shows across the valley. More people will benefit from it then.
Santa, sleigh, reindeer.....
More on the party
The cake - edited to protect the innocent. Chocolate with Caramet topping.....
Some of the decor masks - one went missing during the evening.....
Typical table layout.
Him - a bit of a jester - her - perky, petite, veiled.....
Not sure who this was, maybe one of the Princess's older friends - but as the night progressed and she got into the wine she turned into a severe party animal.
I'm not sure this lady was invited. I think she just turned up, helped herself to one of the masks we had on the wall as decorations, and pertied. But, she was reasonably well behaved, seemed to only take a drink when a free round of tequilas was bought, and seemed to stay away from most of the married guys. However....
Everybody on the floor with masks on please!
Now, which guy out there looks available...mmmmmm....Salagatle!
Princess's party
So the Princesses 40th party has come and gone. It was a great success. I had my brother there taking photos. so we have about 250 pics to go through. Will post some here.
Firstly, may I just say a big thank you to all of you who sent wishes to the Princess. She says thank you very much, even though she did wonder who some of these strange women were....
A2Z - I did try to invite you, however the local Department of Home Affairs indicated that you were listed on the "Persona non Grata" list, and as such you could / would not get a visa. Sorry. But it would seem that possibly you are not black enough to be welcomed to RSA!
Jeannine, the DoHA indicated that as you seem to be into Books and Tea, there was a strong possibility that a) You are too clever, and b) you would not return to your own country, but would start a tea room on the corner of Beyers Naude Drive, and Republic road. And this was not acceptable as you would be upstaging some illegal Nigerian, or Mozambique, or Zimbabwean national... So, sorry for you!
The party was a great success. Everyone turned up with a mask, so we didn't have to hand out any forfeits. Some had the typical Venetian theme masks, some plain Zorro type masks, Spiderman was there, as well as Frankenstein.
Frankenstein, and his bride. She's kinda "scrumptious"!
This was a demented fellow, with half his mask torn off. Said he was savaged by his own dogs on leaving his home!
The Lady on the left made her own mask. Very enterprising and arty she is. The scary devil in the middle is her son. The two of them a\were the entertainment for the evening. They are such good singers (He made the final 50 in the latest South African Pop Idols / Idols show) On the right is his slag.
Spiderman, recently married I hear, and his slag in matching red? Nice couple, great mask boyo!
More to follow.
Salagatle!
Firstly, may I just say a big thank you to all of you who sent wishes to the Princess. She says thank you very much, even though she did wonder who some of these strange women were....
A2Z - I did try to invite you, however the local Department of Home Affairs indicated that you were listed on the "Persona non Grata" list, and as such you could / would not get a visa. Sorry. But it would seem that possibly you are not black enough to be welcomed to RSA!
Jeannine, the DoHA indicated that as you seem to be into Books and Tea, there was a strong possibility that a) You are too clever, and b) you would not return to your own country, but would start a tea room on the corner of Beyers Naude Drive, and Republic road. And this was not acceptable as you would be upstaging some illegal Nigerian, or Mozambique, or Zimbabwean national... So, sorry for you!
The party was a great success. Everyone turned up with a mask, so we didn't have to hand out any forfeits. Some had the typical Venetian theme masks, some plain Zorro type masks, Spiderman was there, as well as Frankenstein.
Frankenstein, and his bride. She's kinda "scrumptious"!
This was a demented fellow, with half his mask torn off. Said he was savaged by his own dogs on leaving his home!
The Lady on the left made her own mask. Very enterprising and arty she is. The scary devil in the middle is her son. The two of them a\were the entertainment for the evening. They are such good singers (He made the final 50 in the latest South African Pop Idols / Idols show) On the right is his slag.
Spiderman, recently married I hear, and his slag in matching red? Nice couple, great mask boyo!
More to follow.
Salagatle!
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