Woke up early this morning, looked out the window, blue skies, saw the dude mowing the bowling green just outside, nice brisk breeze, another fine day to be alive isn’t it? Amen.

Yo wait before I go on Munier Sydow (look him up on FB ☺), if ever there was an meneer, eligible bachelor, its me but you are a very close second, I joke, ladies if u keen, he wont be on the shelf much longer esse, u’ll miss out….happy bday for the 14th Jan, My man Zarif, 31st December happy birthday cous, ah sorry about this ladies but this one got snapped up. Sorry I missed it gents

What’s going on good people? You don’t call, you don’t write, you don’t even send pigeons, I mean really. Wait let me tell you what’s going on ne, I was thinking the other day nah man this cant be, shaiza I am starting to feel like Chuck from the movie Good luck Chuck. Have you seen it? Well it’s a movie about this dude who starts to notice that any lass he gets with ends up in a relationship or hitched soon after he and this lass end. Yip that’s me, but the difference here is we don’t necessarily have to get together, all that’s required is me liking you and BOOOM u married, engaged or in some or other relationship, so if you are struggling holler at a brother….gonna charge tho damnit ☺!! Congrats to you tho, and you all know who u all is, well pleased for you!

Which leads me plum to a topic I have been discussing at lengthy with a few of my mates, and also read in one of the books I am currently reading, and that is the story of diamonds. I don’t get it. If the time comes for me to find a rock I will cos my momma didn’t raise no fool? But I’d be lying…blatantly if I told you that I got it!!

I am no jeweler but my understanding of the rock is that its coal that has been morphed by heat and time. Yes it’s the hardest of all natural materials and it shines etc, but I don’t get it! A few decades ago the word was losing interest in diamonds and thy were about to disappear and then De Beers along with some high class advertising company came up with the slogan “Diamonds are forever” and kazaam here they still are in full force. Now somebody anybody phuleeeease tell me their value. Yeah I know you can use them for cutting, refracting light and enhancing the sound in some speakers but I mean really. I know what you are thinking… and gold? What’s its use, but you’d be surprised, like I was. Gold has a good few use, its very good substitute for teeth, very popular in the Indian capital, Durban as well as in the Hip Hop world ☺, jewelry, currency, electronics, computing, glass making, giving it to Usain Bolt because he came first, aerospace and even in the medical realms. Aparently its good for the treatment of some arthritis and some forms of cancer too.

So anyway last year I was chatting to this lass and we were talking about rings and stuff she thought I was joking…as usual but anyway. So we spoke about a 3-carat stone. I did some research. A 3 carat, marquise shaped, D colour, 1F rock would set me back R1.3mil now tell me am I smoking Tik? I mean a couple of hundred more and that’s an Audi R8 right there, better still an unborn childs first few years school fees ☺. a 1.5, F colour, mid-range clarity will set you back R140k that’s a deposit on a house.

Ey, now don’t get it twisted, I will do what I have to do (like paying insurance ;)), if and when I have to do it but man I just don’t get it and I sure hope that someone can show me the light because everyone I have spoken to doesn’t seem to get it either…

A gemstone fair enough, but some person put a value to it, people die or worse still get massacred. Wars started, people displaced, limbs amputated, kids brought into and up in war, why? So some wealthy person can show their love and appreciation for another through the purchase of this stone? Because these people that die for these stones or kill for them will never really get its true ‘value’ I mean they get what arms or like say $100 maybe more, and its sold for plenty times that…someone enlighten me please

Anyway just some thoughts in my head, reignited by this book I am reading the Winner stands alone by Paulo Coelho, speaking of which I must go back and finish it. So you all enjoy your phuza Thursday and your weekend, hope I see you at the Met if you are in Cape Town.

Birthdays
25th Anna Schutz
27th Ingo, Tania
28th Belinda, Stilwell, Sarge
29th Lyndal
30th William Marais

And that’s a wrap folks…

The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy. Martin Luther King Jnr

I was just about to quietly slip into deep slumber when I drifted off to my not so regular meditations about the world and life and all of that and I guess I was just inspired to write to this weeks blog. As I sit here at 2am about to type, many topics float into my mind and hopefully one of them will be captivating and thought provoking enough to share with you all

Here’s a question I have often batted around in my head over my almost 34 years on this earth. That question is why were we not all made the same imagine what a peaceful world this would be. Anyway, as you all know nowadays I tend to have quite a bit of time on my hands (and that will come to an end soon, because I am getting over this), and other than trying a few little ventures that don’t seem to want to go anywhere, I have this yearning to learn more. This yearning for more has my remote oscillating (may not be the right word but I like it so gonnakeep it) between The news channels, South Park, the Islam channel, TBN and ofcourse SuperSport and ESPN oh yes and occasionally FTV, but I am so over that channel now.

One day whilst watching the Islam Channel a guy was on there and he was discussing this self same question. He said something that I found quite profound, imagine if we were all made the same, all males and every country was exactly the same, language, the same, cultures the same, how boring would life be then? We wouldn’t have the opportunity to learn from one another like males learn from females and vice versa (well we should be learning but alas we all think we know best ☺) learning from different religions, different cultures, for example when we as in us so called makwere kweres came to the eastern cape, I remember clearly that the big fashion was the ladies knocking out their front teeth it was called a love gap, they also used to also shave off all their hair. Then along came the hair extensions and the African dresses etc. You watch TV and see the rap videos and then you go onto the streets and you see young kids, all dressing the same low hanging jeans, tattoos everywhere, speaking the same. Everyone wants to live in a crib that shows on MTV cribs. Diversity really makes the world stronger, if the mind is strong enough to embrace it ofcourse. Sheesh imagine if every country was the same, an industry like tourism wouldn’t exist because why would I want to go anywhere? They’d be just like us. Anyway I found it quite an interesting little piece and thought I’d share it.

But I guess a counter to this would be if the world was made everyone looking the same, speaking the same, thinking the same, well we wouldn’t know any better so it would be all good ☺

Anyway in my quest for knowledge, I have also found myself asking a question. A question that has been reverberating in my head every time I hear the news and hear about a young baby that was born with its heart out of its body, or a friends child who has cerebral palsy, a Hurricane in Haiti an earthquake in Haiti, famine in Africa, Togolese football players who bring joy to many being shot and killed, general civilians walking down the street in Iraq or Afghanistan being killed in a bombing I could go on…The question I ask is why does God allow bad things to happen to good people. So I started thinking and ofcourse reading.

Now for this question to hold any water, one would have to assume a few things, first being that God does exist, because if you don’t believe in a higher being well then this whole question is mote, so for the sake of moving on I believe that God exists and if you don’t, well then assume that we all believe in a higher being. The next question would be that there is such a thing as a good person. Now this I can categorically say doesn’t exist. We all have had wicked thoughts and deeds. Remember that lovely lass with the low cut top and short skirt, you saw earlier? Remember the thoughts that ran through your mind as you thought of what you would do with her? That right there is wrong. Remember the thoughts you had of that dude who is trying to s crew you over, remember what you wished would happen to him…evil I tell you. Remember when that guy cut you off this morning in traffic? Just purely by the fact that we are humans we are impure of thought word and deed. The thing with us as humans is the fact that we have free will and our choices aren’t always in line with that which is deemed to be good. The ability for someone to exercise their free will can adversely impact me. Lets say for example I had to be robbed…God Forbid, but say for example I had to be, am I a good person, nah man. Good intentions most of the time but I falter…frequently, so should I feel aggrieved if something happens to me sure, its human nature to think why me, but the answer to that is simple, why not me? It was someone’s free will being exercised and unfortunately his pooh landed on my doorstep. Its very simple, as with everything in life every action has a reaction. He exercised his free will, I lost for what I believe is no reason, but s/he is likely to get caught and punished or some ill or good fortune will find him as a consequence. In my case I will benefit from an insurance payout perhaps which may benefit me or some other ill or good fortune might befall me or someone who is associated to me…bigger picture…but that we speak about later

Lets use Haiti for example, now that’s a tragedy in a massive way, but before we go blaming a higher power lets think for a moment. For centuries we as humans have been raping this continent in the quest to gain wealth. We dig large trenches and blast away rocks hoping to find pieces of yellow rock we call gold, hardened coal we call diamonds, black combustible liquid we call oil. We chop down forests, create artificial gasses. We want to be richer, the world faster, create more, consume more. Now all this in my mind is disrupting the natural equilibrium of the earth and its core, its only a matter of time that something will have to give and guys and girls I am no geologist but that time is fast approaching I say. We don’t care so why should the earth care? I know I sound quite cold and heartless, but it is what it is. America’s foreign policy and its perceived hatred of the Muslim world lead to those attacks on September 11., on the flip side, it could also be seen as the actions of certain extremists that lead to the tragedy in which 3000 people lost their lives. But then there is Zimbabwe for example, where inaction is leading to many people suffering, hence infiltration by those fleeing their strife entering into South Africa. Which results in a strain on the country’s economy, which leads to distrust and anger by the indigenous people of this land…xenophobia…free will…choices…consequences

The third point I’d like to raise about this would be the idea of a bigger picture. Maybe maybe maybe there is a bigger picture? Maybe when things do happen to us and they don’t feel so great at that time, maybe it was all part of a master plan that was to be revealed a little bit later on?
Now when I grew up we read the story of Joseph, a good young man who had too much time for his older brothers. The older brothers disliked him cos their pops dug Joseph more than them. So what they did was they sold the bra into slavery. For years the dude got it. He lost for no reason. Well no reason apparent to him or us as the readers of the story. Anyway as time goes by he becomes the second most powerful person in Egypt. Anyway there is a huge famine in the land of his birth and his brothers had to go to Egypt to buy food. Joseph was there to save them. He lost initially but in the end they all won. Another analogy that I read about which was quite profound , was that of a little child who gets his/her inoculations. Now needles are not pleasant, but here u r as a baby or a youngster, bawling your eyes out whilst the adults just park off and watch you. I am sure thoughts of what have I done to deserve this excruciating pain run through your mind but yet, your parents know the bigger picture….

Anyway who knows…

Maximum respect must go out to Teddy P who has sung to me so many times, may he rest in peace, I’ve been so many places, ive seen so many things, but none quite so lovely as you…more beautiful than the Mona Lisa….Aye ye TP

Birthdays
17th Pongs
19th Priya Deshpande
21st Chris de Coning, Clayton Stewart

Maximum respect to you all and keep on fighting the good fight.

Y

“…In New York, Concrete jungle where dreams are made of, Theres nothing you can’t do, Now you’re in New York, These streets will make you feel brand new, The lights will inspire you, Lets here it for New York, New York, New York” Emprie State of mind Jay Z

Even though I kinda understand, it always baffles my mind what a big who ha we all tend to make about the turn of a new year… People splash out big tom to throw crazy parties, guys and ladies alike head out and buy outfits, get hair done just cos the calendar changes from 2009 to 2010. Yes a new year brings kind of a clean slate, 12 mths within which you can achieve goals we set for ourselves, but my question is why wait till the turn of a new year, why not set a goal right now? I mean the 12 January 2010 will never come again in my lifetime, so tomorrow can be my new year, Inshallah (I like that term, God willing for those who don’t understand) there will be another 12 mths before the next 12 January…

On that note let me wish you all you wish yourself for the year ahead, if its good, health, happy times, more alcohol, more boys/girls, more drugs, more money, more power, well if that’s what gets you up in the morning, then that’s all I am wishing you boss more of what you want for you not what I think you want for you capish? ☺ It dawned on me the other day that ey man just cos I think my peeps will be chuffed with good health and prosperity doesn’t mean that’s what they what they wish for themselves, so I wish you all you wish for you, may 2010 be your year.

Even before the year turned I had this butterfly kinda feeling about the future, and it hasn’t failed yet. There is that quiet optimism brewing in me just about people and my interactions with them this year, I think the universe has got an interesting ride ahead this year. I cant say that I set myself any resolutions per se I did however look at my life and made a conscious effort to be better at a lot of things. I will tell you guys some of them now so that if I ever interact with you in a manner that is contrary to what I have written you will reprimand and remind me, cos man it’s a tough life out there and I know I for one cant live it on my own.

So I made a few undertakings with myself nearing the end of last year. To get my health seen to, a not so pleasant step I took yesterday but looks like all is ok where the doc checked so happy days. My biggest thing this year and beyond is to be sincere at all times, say what I mean and mean what I say as respectfully as possibly ofcourse. I want to be continually honest and eternally humble and also want to live in a way that the creator intended of me, yes that is hugely subject to interpretation and mistakes will be made but that’s my biggest undertaking. I don’t want to judge anyone, cos who the potato peel am I to judge and lastly and by far my toughest, this foul mouth has gotsta take a chill….It’s a mighty one but its one for the rest of my life so help me ☺ but yeah I said it!!!

But enough about me, trust everyone is well rested, spent some quality time with the people that matter, not those who we need around us because we think they validate us but rather those who regardless of where you are in your life you can turn to and they give you that sense of damn man this is what its all about!! If you are up north and freezing your little so and so’s off stress not because as cold as it is now, at the end of the month just remember its 12 : 1 if that stuff does it for you, if not then remember the rest of the world is about 2 hrs away and pretty affordable, or the fact that the crime there is allegedly less than it is here, every cloud does indeed have its silver lining.

Those of you in SA, yes the crime is a bit of a drag, racism definitely does still exist, come to Cape Town and you will see what I mean, but that is a challenge man, watched the movie Invictus a while ago it showed me how we can all make a change if our hearts and our intentions are pure, yup even you, every year I preach the same story, but how true is it, feed a man and you think he will find it in his heart to harm you, most cases not. If you are still in this lovely land of ours, just look out of your window and look at the lovely day that you have been blessed with. The opportunity to go to Pick n Pay, ya I know a lot of us are taking a bit of a sidestep from Woolies times she is tough ne. Take a look at your means of transport, the place you live in you are indeed a blessed somebody. Wherever you are in this world trust you me if you are reading this, your life is alright with you and if its not well the power is squarely within your grasp should you really desire to change it.

My biggest gripe over the last few week has been the fallout because of the matric results. The results just seem to be getting worse. From where I sit it’s a factor of many things, but the sad thing is everyone wants to blame government. I will defend them tooth and nail on this. Perhaps they could do more in some areas but the enormity of the gaping hole that they picked up 16 years ago cant be plugged just nje. If they focus on just education and leave the transport system alone we will be bleak and so it gets worse, but the beauty now is it seems that they seem to grasp the severity of the situation. If I had to in my limited knowledge and experience have to summarise the situation, I would think it starts from the grassroots of a childs education. There is no way you can tell me that all the ills a child has learnt in the preceding 10-11 years of schooling can be rectified in matric, its insanely difficult. A child needs to be taught the basics well from their formative years and this is built up to a level where they can sit for their final examinations before proceeding to tertiary level.

Now how can they get it right….the quality of the teachers. Now that is a big problem here cos as far as I know they aren’t paid a helluva lot in SA and some tend not to care too much. Now for me what would make sense is to cap the amount that government officials are allowed to spend on cars, travel and housing and throw that in the pot to train and pay teachers. Money, I guess isn’t everything for everyone because if the heart isn’t in it, try as you might you wont give it your best. But it’s a start. Put all teachers through continual training and testing. Their results are based upon the numbers passed regarding their classes. Incentivise them.

The syllabus, make it relevant and of a high standard, don’t ever drop standards. The syllabus must be the same across all the different schools. All schools should teach the same things. What would be great in an ideal world would be for like the big private schools to adopt a promising not so well to do school in the same area/province and help them out. You want to build a better country and life for all that’s how it starts
Then it’s the parents and the students, I know a lot of my mates are married and having children, remember how it used to be when we were growing up, a parent was always there, and when u messed up u knew what was in store for you so you hardly messed up. That discipline needs to be back man drinking and sleeping around at 13/14/15 is not normal, its not cool its not on. Failing a subject is not oh well better luck next time sort it out now, you cant be in a night club if you are under 18 cos you are not supposed to be drinking no matter how lovely your legs look in a mini skirt you little…ey R Kelly stay away I trying to talk here ☺

Ag I guess you can tell how much this topic irks me because every year it’s the same story, then people don’t make it to varsity and then the cycle continues and the chasm grows wider between the haves and the have nots. Because lets face it, to get a decent enough job nowadays you need experience and very few people are willing to hire you if you to gain that experience if you don’t have the education to back you up. I am not saying getting a degree is the be all and end al of everything but what it does show a potential employer is your ability to apply your mind and also to see something through..

So what to do? I mean this is a problem that is beyond most of us maybe, but I am sure you have a friend with a kid or a helper or something, tell them the importance of schooling if you are in a position to assist with school unifom or books or something gooi maar bietjie…

EACH ONE HELP ONE…

Birthdays
3rd Karabo
4th Sengetile Tshabalala
5th Pranuksha
6th Ebbs and Ingrid
8th Jordan and TK
10th Brendan and Chantal h
11th Pops
12th Tsakane
13th Nontando
16th Ann-Louise

Have an absolutely you 2010 people chat soon and regularly. Mail me back from time to time I miss ya’all and would love to know whats going on in your lives

Y