Wednesday, March 31, 2010
All this Bullshit about History and freedom songs is annoying
A defiant ANC has vowed to push for the continued singing of controversial liberation struggle songs for "generations to come" so that memories of the past can be preserved.
"Kill the Boer"
Judge Leon Halgryn on Friday ruled that the singing of such songs was unconstitutional.
So what we are saying is white people can also sing “kill the Kaffir” highly offensive to black people and wave there old South African flags around because that was part of white history?
No I say put a stop to all of this now stop all sides antagonizing each other.
History is exactly that "history" the past and in so saying some history needs to be left in the past. We will never live in harmony and as one nation as long as we keep opening old wounds with insensitive songs and speeches, that incite the populist mood. All that achieves is cheap tacky politicking. However tacky seems to be the flavour at the moment and cheap tacky politicking has incited wars and even Genocide in the past so beware!
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Speaking of Condoms this advert is a little over the top
You could call this ad "inappropriate" in the sense that it seems intended for someone with a 15-year-old boy's concept or idea of sex. This product still only has one legitimate use: to impress the cashier at the store when you're purchasing it or to fit your cart horse
Zululand Sucks if you big and tall!
Right I am so darn pissed today I have tried to get clothes that fit me in this darn town and to no avail. Now I know I am not the smallest guy around but also by a long shot in my circle of friends I am not the biggest. It seems all the pathetic clothing stores in this town of Richardsbay cater for the popular middle of the road sizes “Small, Medium and Large” if you lucky you will find a couple of XL or single extra larges.
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Ok so what happens to the big people who like myself wear a XXL shirt and size 40 pants you are lucky if you find anything. I know off hand at least twenty people bigger than myself I am only 1.86 meters some of my friends are 1.89 meters and all have the same gripe cant get clothes in this town. South African men are big for goodness sake what is with the clothing stores just keeping the quick moving popular sizes?
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Then we get to shoes and it gets even worse try to get a popular shoe not some crappy industrial boot or something but a decent fashionable shoe over a size Ten. Its almost impossible I wear an eleven or twelve and you cant find anything decent just in my family I know five or six men over size ten its just pathetic that we are ignored in the business world as been of no significance!
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I challenge some of our so called big brand names to open a “Big Section” for men you might be surprised at what business you get! We are so tired of going out of town to get clothes so in respect of clothing I am a afraid Zululand sucks big time
Monday, March 29, 2010
The end of the road for a Bull Elephant in Zimbabwe means food for the masses
So much for Red Bull having wings seems the brakes are more important than the wings!
Sunday, March 28, 2010
You have to read this Email sent to David and the up and down mails following about his Son Seb
From: Margaret Bennett
Date: Friday 22 August 2009 3.40pm
To: David Thorne
Subject: computer room
Hello David
I tried to call you but your phone is off. Just letting you know that Seb bought a flash drive to school yesterday and copied a game onto the school computers which is against the school rules and he has been banned from using the computer room for the rest of the term.
Sincerely, Margaret
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From: David Thorne
Date: Monday 25 August 2009 9.16am
To: Margaret Bennett
Subject: Re: computer room
Dear Maggie,
Thankyou for your email. I am not answering my mobile phone at the moment as I am experiencing iPhone envy and every second spent using my Nokia is like being trapped in a loveless marriage. Where you stay together for the kids. And the kids all have iPhones.
I was not aware that my offspring taking software to school was in breach of school rules. Although the game is strategic and public domain, not to mention that it was I who copied and gave it to him, I agree that banning him from access to the computers at school is an appropriate punishment. Especially considering his enthusiasm for the subject.
Also, though physical discipline is not longer administered in the public school system, it would probably be appropriate in this instance if nobody is watching. I know from experience that he can take a punch.
Regards, David.
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From: Margaret Bennett
Date: Tuesday 26 August 2009 10.37am
To: David Thorne
Subject: Re: Re: computer room
David
We would never strike a student and whether the software is pirated or not is not the issue. He denied having the drive which means he knew he shouldn't have it here then it was found in his bag so I feel the punishment is suitable.
Margaret
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From: David Thorne
Date: Tuesday 26 August 2009 11.04am
To: Margaret Bennett
Subject: Re: Re: Re: computer room
Dear Maggie,
Yes, I agree. Education and access to the tools necessary for such should always come secondary to discipline. When I was young, discipline was an accepted part of each school day. Once, when I coloured outside the lines, I was forced to stand in the playground with a sign around my neck that read 'non-conformist' while the other children pelted me with rubble from the recently torched school library. Apparently a copy of Biggles had been found behind a filing cabinet.
Another time, because I desperately wanted a Battlestar Galactica jacket like Apollo in the television series, using brown house paint from the shed at home, I painted my denim jacket and used Araldite to attach brass door hinges as clasps. Feeling that it was an excellent representation and despite the oil based paint still being soaking wet, I wore it to school the next day. Unfortunately, the paint dried while I was sitting in Mrs Bowman's English class, securing me to the chair. After the school handyman cut me free, I was sent to the principal for damaging school property. My punishment was to scrape wads of chewing gum off the bottom of every chair in the school after hours. It took several weeks and it was during this lonely time that I created my imaginary friend Mr Wrigley. During class, when the teacher was not looking, we would pass each other notes regarding the merits of disciplinary action and how one day we would own real Battlestar Galactica jackets.
Also, if you happen to see Seb eating anything over the next few weeks, please remove the food from him immediately. He forgot to feed his turtle last week and I feel a month without food will help him understand both the importance of being a responsible pet owner and the effects of malnutrition.
Regards, David.
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From: Margaret Bennett
Date: Tuesday 26 August 2009 4.10pm
To: David Thorne
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: computer room
David
I hope you are not being serious about the food but I am forwarding your email to the principal as per school policy.
Margaret
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From: David Thorne
Date: Wednesday 27 August 2009 11.18am
To: Margaret Bennett
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: computer room
Dear Maggie,
Rest assured I would not really withhold nutritional requirements from any child. Except maybe that one that starred in the Home Alone movies. I read somewhere that a healthy breakfast helps concentration and have found, since replacing my usual diet of nicotine with froot loops, I am able to move small objects with my mind.
Just this morning Seb and I were discussing the importance of good nutrition which is why, if you check in his school bag, you will find a bag of rice, vegetables, a wok and a camp stove. The gas bottle can be a little tricky but has instructions printed on the side so he should be alright. Please remind him to stand well back and cover his face while igniting as the hose is worn and has developed a small leak.
Also, I am not sure what you are teaching in your classroom but Seb came home the other week talking about a healthy eating pyramid. I had to explain to him that pyramids are made of stone and therefore not edible so I would appreciate you not filling his head with these fanciful notions.
Regards, David.
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From: Margaret Bennett
Date: Wednesday 27 August 2009 2.05pm
To: David Thorne
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: computer room
David
I have no idea what your point is. I will speak to the principal about the ban but you have to understand that only government approved software is allowed on the computers and Seb knew this rule.
Margaret
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From: David Thorne
Date: Wednesday 27 August 2009 2.17pm
To: Margaret Bennett
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: computer room
Dear Maggie,
I understand the need for conformity. Without a concise set of rules to follow we would probably all have to resort to common sense. Discipline is the key to conformity and it is important that we learn not to question authority at an early age.
Just this week I found a Sue Townsend novel in Seb's bag that I do not believe is on the school approved reading list. Do not concern yourself about it making its way to the school yard though as we attended a community book burning last night. Although one lady tried to ruin the atmosphere with comments regarding Mayan codices and the Alexandrian Libraries, I mentioned to the High Magus that I had overheard her discussing spells to turn the village cow's milk sour and the mob took care of the rest.
Regards, David.
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From: Margaret Bennett
Date: Thursday 28 August 2009 11.56am
To: David Thorne
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: computer room
David,
I have spoken to the principal and in this instance we will lift the ban.
Margaret
Saturday, March 27, 2010
Back in Zulu land the Hippo Hideaway is the Ideal family getaway
It was a finalist in the AA Travel Guides and American Express Accommodation Awards for 2009. The cottages are arranged around a sparkling pool and large braai area with sets of tables, chairs and umbrellas for your convenience. From families with children as young as two, to couples on honeymoon, to people in their late 70s, everyone found something to do, whether it was taking a swim, relaxing near the pool, having a braai, playing on the swings or sharing some quality time with friends and family.
A friendly Shonah Hart showed us to our cottage, which to our delight was air-conditioned and fitted with all the necessities, decorated in an ethnic theme. The resort management definitely went the extra mile to make guests feel at home with a well-stocked hospitality basket filled with coffee, tea and other confectionery.
The kitchen was fully equipped with cutlery, braai dishes, crockery, pots, pans and cooking implements, as well as a fridge, stove and microwave oven. A handy laundry service is also available for guests.
We were also quite surprised to find that cleaning staff visit the place daily to clean up and even wash dishes, something that is not common at most self-catering resorts. The cottages had a gate and stairway leading to the park below. I found out that this was the hippos' regular hangout from speaking to security guard Veli Ndlovu, who told me: "The hippos come often and walk along the grass. They're really nice creatures and the guests are always so excited to see them come here."
We were spoilt for choice at the number of activities on offer, including turtle tours, boat cruises, whale watching, various forms of fishing, among other activities.
A friendly skipper talked us through the two-hour boat trip around Lake St Lucia and I was thrilled to see a wide variety of birds and other wildlife. The highlight was seeing the crocodiles lying on the river banks with their mouths wide open, as well as - of course - hippos.
Guests making their way out of the boat afterwards were entertained by Zulu dancers.
The resort's units consist of two sleepers (one bedroom) and four sleepers (two bedrooms), single and double bed arrangements and a honeymoon suite. Spending a holiday at this award-winning resort takes self-catering accommodation to a whole new level
Hippo's web site http://www.hippohideaway.co.za/about.html
Have you seen the new Twin Prop Floozy Bombardier?
Friday, March 26, 2010
What's all the Hype about Chat Roulette?
Well take a look at this and get some Idea what chat roulette is all about
chat roulette from Casey Neistat on Vimeo.
Closer to home I can bet you this guy is not going to enjoy his weekend!
The 30-year-old man was arrested by Road Traffic Inspectorate officers after they gave chase when he failed to stop. They said he had been under the influence of alcohol.
The man's Facebook profile suggests he was "very proud" of his Audi as the site has several pictures of the car, including one when it was unveiled when he bought it.
Traffic inspectorate spokesperson Zinhle Mngomezulu said: "This car was nabbed doing 252km/h on the N2 southbound. The owner was under the influence of alcohol and failed to stop when the traffic officers ordered him to do so". A traffic officer gave chase and the driver was apprehended in Amanzimtoti after traffic officers joined the chase, Mngomezulu said.
The man appeared in the Scottburgh Magistrate's court and was granted R5 000 bail. He is expected to appear in court again today.
In January, two drivers were given hefty fines in the Scottburgh Magistrate's Court for driving close to 200km/h on the N2. One received a R20 000 fine or three years for driving at 194km/h and the other was fined R16 000 or three years for travelling at 185km/h in a Toyota Corolla.
In December a 33-year-old man was fined R18 000 after he was caught speeding at 232km/h on his motorbike on the N2 near Scottburgh.
Its weekend again oh happy days time to Braai or BBQ and enjoy friends
The best cuts for grilling or braaiing are:
On the bone – T-bones, club steaks, prime rib (rib-eye or chuck – if well matured), short rip strip.
Off the bone – rump, sirloin (Scotch fillet, rib-eye, porterhouse), fillet.
To judge whether a steak is done, for a 2cm steak, allow about 3 minutes on each side for rare, and 4-5 minutes for medium.
What to use on your steak
±250g of meat per person
Teriyaki sauce
Lemon juice
garlic clove, lightly crushed
Olive oil
Course salt
- Score the meat at ±3cm intervals by cutting through the fat and membrane, to stop the meat from buckling.
- Rub each steak with teriyaki sauce, lemon juice and garlic and baste in oil. Pierce the meat with a fork to allow the marinades to penetrate well.
- Just before grilling, season with salt (if left on too long the salt has a tendency to draw the juices to the surface before the meat is sealed).
- Place the steak on a grill and cook, turning it no more than once as continual turning loses all the juices. Allow to stand for a few minutes before serving.
Thursday, March 25, 2010
A great piece by Grant Walliser on the abuse of power and want to be dictators in Africa
The name Zanu-PF used to be synonymous with liberation as was the ANC. It used to stand for the high ideals of fighting oppression at great cost to those who lead the fight. Across the globe, liberated, free-thinking societies and the media institutions that represented their views stood by Zanu-PF as they have stood by the ANC and their struggle.
Without this global support, generated mostly by journalists, it is doubtful that the world would have exerted enough pressure on Ian Smith and FW de Klerk to effect any real change. The world would not have known or cared. Through brave and incorruptible journalism both here in South Africa and abroad, the plight of the people in these countries was made known and a groundswell of support forced foreign governments to act.
It has become apparent, however, that few of the freedom fighters actually seem to believe in the ideals that they stood for. In power, they now oppress and victimise, they steal and foster corruption and they fabricate truths. They are becoming those that they despised. Zimbabwe is at the bottom of virtually every human rights index and every standard-of-living index available and Zanu-PF has put it there. The country is a joke. It is a mess. It is the very model of liberation reversed. It has no official free press; its journalists expelled or imprisoned or exiled. Its people are suffering like never before.
The image of Zanu-PF across the globe has plummeted with that of the country that they misrule. Mugabe is laughed at by virtually every member of every advanced economy on the planet. Why? Because the free press that he tried to cull, lives on stronger than ever on the internet and through other media around the globe. Through that free press we see him for what he is and not what he tells us he is. Through that free press alone, the behaviour of Mugabe is somewhat moderated and the people of Zimbabwe retain hope that their story will be heard and change will come yet again.
You can close a newspaper office down, you can ban publications from sale and you can even murder journalists. You can’t stop the free flow of information on the internet. Blogging has created more journalists and social commentators than ever before. The free press will never die. A dictator could not even do it in Zimbabwe.
Let that be a warning to Floyd Shivambu, Julius Malema and their herd of sycophantic, amateur ANC anarchists here in South Africa. No matter how powerful you get, no matter how draconian your methods you will never squash the free press in this country. You may ban the internet here one day, sue all the newspaper cartoonists and close all the newspapers, but the stories will still be told all over the globe. For every journalist you shackle, ten will rise up. You are being watched, as the apartheid government was watched. You will be judged by the greater world as they were judged.
It is ironically apparent that Julius and Floyd have abundant aptitude to become the new oppressors. They are the new censors, the corrupt and the vile junior leaders that shovel the riches of a nation down their gullets while protesting that the poor have nothing. They do this with their boots on the neck of the common man. President Zuma seems to think they will mature into good, ethical leaders with the interests of the people at heart one day. That, logically, is a public admission of the fact that they are anything but ethical or good leaders at present. One wonders, therefore, why they have gone so far in the ANC thus far. One also wonders if this is honestly the best we can do. Do we one day have to see Julius Malema meeting with Obama? Can our nation not deliver a more worthy representative onto the stage of the world?
In cases such as this, it is possibly the sole responsibility of the free press to moderate the behaviour of these people. They will never be great and benevolent leaders doing great things for our society. That much is already apparent. They are populist thugs with their paws in the cookie jar. They are sound-bite, banner-waving politicians that rely on flash to hide the distinct lack of substance. Thanks to the free press we know this already. The free press will therefore help to keep them on the straight and narrow and get the best out of them that we can hope to. They will expose their failings, expose their corruption and broadcast it all to the world. The free press will conceivably be the only balancing force to their actions.
Floyd. Julius. The free press is watching you and we will never back down. Get used to it.
Original Post http://www.thoughtleader.co.za/grantwalliser/2010/03/24/speakza-the-free-press-will-never-die/
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
OMG did anybody read this rant from David Bullard about Julius Malema
Julius Malema's erectile dysfunction
Malema's combination of stupidity, greed and arrogance make him a man to be feared.
JOHANNESBURG - The Out to Lunch column this week celebrates its first birthday hosted by Moneyweb. So I am cracking open the pink Moët, shaking the bottle up a bit and splashing it over the grateful poor. Let them not eat cake. Rather let them feel the froth of a good French bubbly on their proletarian skins. Like Julius, I come from a struggle background and will never forget my cheroots. I once struggled to get upgraded on a flight to Zurich (from Business up to First obviously) and I also struggled to get a table at The Ivy in London. Someone called AA Gill was sitting at the table I wanted. I even struggled to work out why the Paper for the Poephol led with such a non story last Sunday when so much had been happening during the week. The middle class have been facing a cash crunch ever since the global financial markets went into a tail spin well over a year ago. Fortunately the editor and staff of the City Press spend less time propping up the bar at Katzy's and managed another fine front page lead on JuJu and his allegedly ill gotten gains.
Predictably Julius came back fighting although he hasn't given any convincing answers as to where he gets all that money (and R54m is quite a decent current account balance) or apologised for his collapsed bridges; now fondly known as his "erectile dysfunctions". This week he labelled Helen Zille a "satanist" and cast aspersions on Patricia de Lille's pulling power with the opposite sex. Not that any particular lady has been linked with JuJu. One would have thought that JuJu's popularity with the media would have lead to all sorts of revelations about his love life, or lack of. Maybe this is what City Press are planning to serve up this Sunday while the Paper for the Poephol astounds us with the shock front page revelation "Poor people have less money than rich people". OK....no more ST bashing this week but the aptly descriptive variation on the ST slogan "the paper for the people" came up at a gathering of like minded ex-ST readers the other day at lunch and it was too good not to share. We may even print some T-shirts.
The antics of Julius Malema may be good for a laugh now but they remind me of the early days of Idi Amin. Young JuJu is already allowed to travel in a car with no number plates with no fear of prosecution. He refuses to give answers to the media as to how he acquired such wealth in such a short time and he may even enjoy special status with the Receiver of Revenue. In the face of overwhelming evidence that he's a sleazebag the ruling party remain silent. Perhaps they have their own plans for JuJu but maybe they are quietly chuckling to themselves and saying "that's my boy". If it's the latter then we really are up shit creek without a paddle. We will look back on 2010 not as the year we hosted the FIFA World Cup but as the year the cancer that destroyed the country was first detected and identified. We've had some low lifes before, and many of them from the ANCYL, but Malema's combination of stupidity, greed and arrogance plus his willingness and ability to lie with a straight face make him a man to be feared. We may be chortling at his antics now but we won't be laughing when his goons start kicking in the heads of his political enemies. If JuJu wants something JuJu gets it so there'll be no argument about the nationalisation of the mines whatever JZ may have said to Gordon Brown. It won't be JZ's government any more so it will have been no lie for him to say that "my government have no plans to nationalise the mines". Things change quickly in Africa and a verbal contract isn't worth the paper it's written on as Sam Goldwyn once said.
And the media won't fare too well either. JuJu will by that time have declared himself emperor for life and will be throwing huge parties and feeding the likes of Stephen Grootes and Justice Malala to his pet lions and videoing it for YouTube.
If you think Malema is a joke look at his supporters. Are they livid that he has bilked the poor and lives a life of luxury? Of course not. To them he is the man who, along with people like Jimmy Manyi, is finally going to put the whites in their place. These are the chaps whose destiny it is to foment racial hatred. It's only a matter of time before white bank accounts will be frozen and redistributed to the needy. The argument will be typical Malema logic....you can't need the money if you leave it in the bank earning interest. Whites will not be allowed to leave anything to their descendants and white businesses will need to be black owned. No sorry.....my mistake....we already have that one don't we? Rather like the Jews before World War 2, whites will look back and wonder why they never saw it coming. Well they probably did but they were too timid to speak out for fear of being labelled racists.
After 24 years as a trader in the global financial markets David Bullard decided to opt for an easy life and became a journalist. His iconic "Out to Lunch" column has been running for 16 years and is as offensive as ever. Not that he gives a damn...
Original Link http://www.moneyweb.co.za/mw/view/mw/en/page292677?oid=473275&sn=2009+Detail&pid=287226
My Nieces alerted me to this one and man it works like a Bomb and its Yummy Chocolate Mug Cakes
- 1 large coffee mug
- 4 tablespoons plain flour (do not use self-rising)
- 4 tablespoons sugar
- 2 tablespoons baking cocoa
- 1 egg
- 3 tablespoons milk
- 3 tablespoons oil
- 3 tablespoons chocolate chips (optional)
- Small splash of vanilla
- Chocolate syrup (optional)
- Whipped topping (optional)
- Add dry ingredients to mug, & mix well .
- Add egg & mix thoroughly.
- Pour in the milk and oil and mix well.
- Add chocolate chips (if using), vanilla, mix again.
- Set mug in the microwave & cook for 2½ to 3 min at 1,000 watts.
- Cake will rise over the top of the mug, but don't be alarmed!
- Some report that 2½ minutes works best. It depends upon your microwave. So, watch carefully to not over do it!
- Remove from microwave.
- Allow cake to cool a little, then tip out onto a plate, if desired.
- Drizzle with chocolate syrup and top with whipped topping, if desired!
- This can serve 2 if you care to share!
Seriously awesome and original photography by Tim Macpherson
Over the years, Tim has received a huge amount of recognition for both his commercial and personal work, with much coming from the AOP and Communication Arts, as well as appearing in the Graphis Photography Annual and Lurzers Archive. Other awards have come from International Photography, Schweppes Portrait and International Portrait competitions. Tim loves travelling, which he does assiduously, having recently returned from a pleasure trip to India, where he shot some of the beautiful pictures on this site, and even more recently from N.Y. where his presence is ever more called upon for local advertising campaigns.
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What is wrong with People and guns we have sick people out there!
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"When you witness something like that it makes you lose faith in humanity. It was so grotesque. He just kept pummelling it with bullets," said Jeff Dennett, a neighbour who notified the police. Dennett, who lives on Map of Africa Road, said he heard gunshots coming from his neighbour's property about 4.45pm on Friday. "I ran over and saw he had trapped the baboon in a cage using bread as bait."
"He had shot the poor thing at least 20 times with a .22 calibre gun. I ran back home to get my cellphone to phone the police and he just kept shooting. He was oblivious to the fact that what he was doing was wrong. "He shot it in the face, chest, neck. The gun wasn't powerful enough to kill the animal outright, or maybe he wasn't shooting properly. There was blood everywhere."
Dennett phoned the SPCA and the police. By about 5.30pm, the man had stopped shooting the baboon. The police soon arrested the man, while the SPCA assessed the baboon's vital signs, said Dennett.
Salome Botha, a senior inspector with the SPCA, said the animal had been enraged. "It was sitting there bleeding; it had so many holes in its body. He was trying to get out and couldn't and this guy kept shooting. He shot it in the nose and all over except in the brain. Maybe if he just shot it properly it wouldn't have suffered."
But the ordeal was not over: "We had to wait until about 7pm, while the baboon was still alive in the cage. The police were too distraught and too affected to shoot the animal themselves, and had to call a professional hunter who put the animal out of its misery," said Dennett.
It is believed the gunman, who could not be named at the time of going to press, appeared in court yesterday and has only been charged with firing a gun in a residential area.
SPCA chief executive Allan Perrins confirmed the incident and said violence towards baboons would only exacerbate any problems with the animals. "He should have called authorities who would have relocated the animal or at least dealt with the problem in a far more humane manner.
"The problem is, when you take out a baboon, you upset the hierarchy. He can expect mayhem on his property in the next few weeks."
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Seriously amazing times we could all be taking holidays in outer space soon!
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The spacecraft, brainchild of British entrepreneur Richard Branson, took off nestled under the wing of its mothership White Knight Two (WK2).
In the future, WK2 will carry SpaceshipTwo to around 50,000 feet (16 kilometers) before dropping the smaller spaceship and allowing it to fire up its rocket motor to launch into space.
Monday's test flight, which lasted just a few minutes, was the first in which both aircraft went aloft without separating. The test flight was carried out about 130 kilometers (80 miles) northeast of Los Angeles.
Branson announced the flight in a brief statement on his Twitter micro-blogging site.
Virgin Galactic aims to become the world's first commercial company to promote space tourism.
Monday, March 22, 2010
The big tax debacle and are middle class South Africans really coping?
I first read this article on Salmagundi's Blog and was really shocked to realize "Hey that's my situation"
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South Africa’s middle classes – the backbone of our tax systems – aren’t coping with their expenses. Economist David Roodt pointed out that people earning between R100 000 and R500 000 a year (that’s between about R8 000 and R40 000 a month) are ‘most definitely taking huge stress’: ‘They are the taxpayers in the economy,’ he said, ‘but they are not at the receiving end of the (money raised in) taxes.’
The Sunday Times article accused the middle classes of irresponsible spending during the ‘fat’ times – taking advantage of easy credit, the article says, they ‘splurged on homes and cars’ and ‘did not save’.
Costs have rocketed astronomically – but our earnings haven’t; in fact, most of us are earning the same today as say five years ago! As time went by and we realized earnings weren’t keeping up with our expenses, We cut back:
Time passed and things didn’t improve. Electricity prices rose, petrol prices went through the roof, food became significantly more expensive. We rebonded our properties and, of necessity, began drawing a little money out of the surplus each month to pay our bills.
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When that avenue dried up most of us tried to sell our properties the problem, of course, is that we are South Africa's middle class, and the properties we’re trying to sell are middle-class properties – in other words, we’re trying to sell our assets to people who’re in the very same boat as we are. We’d dearly love to sell our properties and alleviate our debt loads, but we can’t: the people we’re trying to sell them to don’t have the money to buy them! The South African middle class is fast running out of ready cash.
Almost two years ago, in July 2008, a hearing held by the US’s congressional Joint Economic Committee warned of exactly this situation in America: what was happening financially in that country, they said, wasn’t just a middle-class ‘squeeze’ but the beginnings of an actual collapse.
At the hearing, Harvard law professor Elizabeth Warren pointed out that while inflation-adjusted average household income in America had declined by $1 175 since 2000, basic expenses for an average household had increased by more than $4 600. She said, ‘Seven years of flat or declining wages, seven years of increasing costs, and seven years of mounting debts have placed unprecedented stress on ordinary families. By every critical financial measure, these families are losing ground … the strong middle class that has been the backbone of the American economy … is in jeopardy.’
What happens when the middle class collapses? When most of us have lost our jobs and/or our houses, and can’t support ourselves, never mind pay the taxes that keep the country running?
It’s a worrying scenario in a country full of people who want everything for nothing where riots erupt for services however when those services do become available nobody wants to pay for them! When the middle class get tired of been milked what will happen? Well that time is fast approaching the middle class are being taxed to death to carry the non paying class or the class who feel entitled to it all at no cost. It’s a model that was doomed from the start it’s just a matter of time!
A lot of Hot Talent at the Kick off Concert of the World Cup Soccer at the Orlando Stadium in Soweto
A jam-packed line up of international artists and South African musicians was announced on Wednesday for the Fifa World Cup Kick-Off Celebration Concert, which will take place at the Orlando Stadium on Soweto on 10 June.
Alicia Keys, John Legend, Black Eyed Peas, Amadou & Mariam, Angélique Kidjo, BLK JKS, Juanes, Shakira, The Parlotones, Tinariwen, Vieux Farka Touré and Vusi Mahlasela will perform on the eve of the opening match of the first FIFA World Cup™ on African soil.
This historic music event will take place in front of a capacity stadium audience of 30,000 will be broadcast to hundreds of millions more worldwide.
“We are thrilled to have a concert of such magnitude and performing talent raise the curtain on the first FIFA World Cup in Africa. It is testament to the universal and unifying power of football and music, and will start the competition off on the right note – of celebration,” said FIFA Secretary General Jerome Valcke.
All net proceeds from the concert will be donated to 20 Centres for 2010, the Official Campaign of the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa, whose aim is to achieve positive social change through football by building 20 centres across Africa offering education and healthcare services as well as football training to disadvantaged communities
Sunday, March 21, 2010
Chicken and Leek Strogonoff because the weather is drab and I need comfort food
This is a really tasty cross between a French fricassee and a Russian stroganoff. If you put some rice on to cook, you can quickly make the dish in another pan and by the time the rice is done everything will be ready. Will work well with beef and pork as well as any firm white fish.
Oil for cooking
2 large leeks quartered length way and then sliced into 1cm strips
250g portobello or oyster mushrooms
4 chicken breast skin and bone removed sliced into 1cm lengths
¼ cup butter
2cups dry white wine
1 cup water
2 cups fresh flat leaf parsley (include the stalks and reserve 2T for garnish)
500ml single cream
I lemon
Salt and pepper to taste
- Heat the oil and butter in a large frying pan. Add the leeks, white wine and water. Season with salt and pepper and allow to simmer for 5min with lid ¾ on.
- Add the chicken, parsley, cream and mushrooms. Stir in and bring back to the boil. Reduce the heat to a simmer and allow to cook for 10min covered.
- Take off the heat and squeeze the juice of 1 lemon and stir in well. Season to taste. Serve with rice.
TIP: to add colour add some chopped red peppers when the chicken goes in. beef would also work well replace the white wine for red.
http://www.wickedfood.co.za/blog/chicken-and-leek-strogonoff.html
What the Hell can't we even take our dogs for a walk in safety now? A despicable act by a stupid Psycho!
As they were leaving the car park, another man arrived at the beach with his dog, an Alsatian.
"Fromel jumped out of the bakkie and there was an altercation between the two dogs," said Van Niekerk.
Van Niekerk said the owner of the Alsatian then took out his gun and shot Fromel. Twice.
"We pleaded with him to put the gun away," said a clearly upset Van Niekerk, who is from Gillitts. "We were too scared to come between him and the dog, fearing that he would shoot us too, but he just took his gun out and shot my dog."
Local resident Trevor Heath, who was walking his daschund on the beach, said it was "an alarming sight" to see the man shoot the dog. "I had passed Wynand and his friend walking their dog a few minutes before and the boerboel did not appear to be aggressive towards my dog. It is pretty normal for dogs to have an altercation and I see one almost every Saturday, but I have never seen anyone shoot somebody else's dog," he said.
Heath said he could not understand why the man had to shoot the dog, when it had already sought shelter under the owner's bakkie.
He said the man did not appear to show any remorse after shooting the dog.
"However when the police arrived he said he was sorry for what he had done."
Wynand said that his dog was not violent. "Fromel got along with everyone and he was on my bed last night," he said.
"Clearly this guy was not afraid of my dog, because he chased it and Fromel hid under my bakkie. Even when we apologised and pleaded nicely for him to put his gun away, he didn't, and when he shot him, I just couldn't believe it."
An angry Potgieter said that people like him should not have a gun licence. "If he can easily shoot a dog, then what will stop him from doing worse?" he asked.
Heath also asked the same question. "People who do that are a danger to society. The situation had been defused, so was there really a need for him to shoot the dog in cold blood? This is why there needs to be a tighter law to determine who is eligible to carry a gun."
Wynand called his wife Carla. When she arrived she burst into tears at the sight that met her.
"He was such a sweet dog and never gave us any trouble," she said. "It is going to be difficult coming to terms with our loss."
They left Fromel at the SPCA in Kloof for the vet to do an autopsy and take out the bullet for evidence.
Durban North police said that both parties came to give their statements, and the alleged shooter was not arrested because further investigation needed to be done. Measures to track down the alleged shooter, whose name is known to the Tribune, were unsuccessful.
Saturday, March 20, 2010
And you thought the Vuvuzela could only make an Annoying noise
Vuvuzela Orchestra plays Shosholoza from Pedro Espi-Sanchis on Vimeo.
This was a collaboration between the Vuvuzela Orchestra and the famous South African opera singer Siphiwo Ntshebe for the gala evening of the WEF held in Greenpoint in 2009. Shosholoza can be said to be South Africa's Soccer Anthem. As is usual with African music the band members have to dance at the same time as playing a syncopated arrangement for seven notes. The song should be heard loud and clear during the 2010 Soccer World Cup.The story of Jesse James cheating on Sandra Bullock with this thing below is now viral in more ways than one
You Have to go and see the Nude Pics and comments
"I'm only posting these nude/topless photos of Michelle "Bombshell" McGee so future generations will know we spent the latter half of March estimating just how many genital sores Jesse James received by having an affair with The World's Tattooiest Little Nazi and learn from our mistakes. On that note, let the record show this writer guessed 87, 12 of which looked like Hitler smiling.
"Its such a shame really that some guys cant keep there
Dicks in there pants when they married and then to top it all they Bang somebody like this"
Go Take a Peek Here
http://thesuperficial.com/2010/03/the_michelle_bombshell_nudes.php
Talk about building solid relations and not shedding any Blood
The remains of a female "vampire", buried with a brick jammed between her jaws, have been found in Venice, Italian researchers say.
Skull had a brick jammed in the mouth
The brick is thought to have been used to prevent the woman feeding on victims of a plague which swept through the city in the 16th Century.
Experts said the discovery supported the medieval belief that vampires were behind the spread of plagues like the Black Death.
The skeleton was unearthed in a mass grave from the Venetian plague of 1576 - in which the artist Titian died - on the small island of Lazzaretto Nuovo in the Venice lagoon.
Situated around two miles north east of Venice, the grave was used as a sanatorium for plague sufferers.
Matteo Borrini, of the University of Florence, said: "This is the first time that archaeology has succeeded in reconstructing the ritual of exorcism of a vampire. This helps... authenticate how the myth of vampires was born."
Shrouds used to cover the faces of the dead were often decayed by bacteria in the mouth, revealing the corpse's teeth, and vampires became known as "shroud-eaters".
"To kill the vampire you had to remove the shroud from its mouth, which was its food like the milk of a child, and put something uneatable in there," said Mr Borrini.
"It's possible that other corpses have been found with bricks in their mouths, but this is the first time the ritual has been recognised."
The succession of plagues which ravaged Europe between 1300 and 1700 fostered the belief in vampires, mainly because the decomposition of corpses was not well understood, Mr Borrini said.
Gravediggers reopening mass graves would sometimes find bodies bloated by gas, with hair still growing, and blood seeping from their mouths and believe them to be still alive.
According to medieval medical and religious texts, the "undead" were believed to suck the remaining life from corpses until they acquired the strength to return to the streets again.
While legends about blood-drinking ghouls date back thousands of years, the modern figure of the vampire was encapsulated in Bram Stoker's 1897 novel Dracula.
Hey my Indian China's from Verulam and Phoenix get a look at this Exhaust system and weep
Friday, March 19, 2010
Weekend Braai time give this a bash with a few beers
MARINADE 3 crushed garlic cloves 1tsp freshly chopped thyme or 1/2 tsp dried 1tsp freshly chopped oregano or 1/2 tsp dried 1 cup buttermilk 2 tbsp lemon juice 1/2 tsp salt 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper splash of sweet sherry (optional)
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Preparation: Spread leg flat. Combine all marinade ingredients and pour into suitable dish. Add the meat, coating thoroughly. Marinade , turning occasionally for 10 - 12 hours. Drain and reserve the marinade. Braai over hot coals until tender (aprox 30 - 40 min). Baste regularly with reserved marinade. Serve with corn on the cob and a good Salad dont forget the Beers ;0) |
The Big Bully Fifa at it again!
Fifa orders Kulula to withdraw advert
Mar 19, 2010 9:44 AM By Sapa
Fifa has ordered budget airline Kulula to withdraw an advert that says it is the "Unofficial National Carrier of the You-Know-What", according to a Johannesburg newspaper report.
The airline announced on networking site Twitter: "Oh dear, letter from Fifa's lawyers says we broke their trademark of the use of 'South Africa' and think our non-WC ad was about soccer...
...
"Even the use of our national flag was an issue. It's absolutely outrageous. We've signed over our country, its symbols and our economy to one Sepp Blatter. Nasty."
Officially, the airline said it was "surprised" to receive a letter from the world football body demanding it withdraw the adverts, reports The Star newspaper.
"They said we cannot depict the Cape Town stadium, we can't use soccer balls, or the word 'South Africa', and the depiction of the national flag is not allowed," said marketing manager Nadine Damen.
"We can't make any reference to the World Cup. They also told us we cannot use the vuvuzela, which, in our view, is representative of the people of South Africa and their love of football."
Hell I have to get me one of these
BEER THROWER
MARK MySpace Video
I want one perfect for those games on tv