Hey, Mr Government Man - Person - I'm losing money and people are suffering for it, because of your indecision over the National Lottery Board.
Okay, I haven't actually won anything yet - ever - not even a little bit - but I have DREAMS, don't I ? Usually. But not now.
Every week, twice a week, I go through the painstaking decision process of who will get what when I win the Lotto. I figure it all out, including Trust Funds, donations, balanced investment portfolios; I search the property sections for sound buys that fit into that draw's budget. You have no idea how many people have benefitted over the years, albeit in my private world of good intentions.
Now I don't even have hope. Neither do they. And it BUGS me!
More importantly, there are numerous organizations that are supposed to benefit from the lottery - and it's not happening. Your indecision is depriving desperate organizations from help they deserve and should be receiving.
I know that it can be extremely difficult at times to find suitable companies or organizations to run it that DON'T have some or other government official on their board, or at least with a finger in the pie, but if you are that desperate - hey, I am willing to sacrifice myself for the good of the nation. I'll run it for you if I have to. BUT GET IT GOING AGAIN !
If you can't get it right, just speak to Trevor - (tell him I referred you to him) - and I'm sure he'll sort it out for you very quickly.
Oh, and when you do get it right, I hope that the first one will be the biggest guaranteed amount ever. I have a lot of people to make up to for the lost opportunities.
Monday, 30 April 2007
Monday, 23 April 2007
Ice Skating
"I can do this. I did when I was young. Look up, look up! I AM looking up. Then why am I seeing my heels? Make a fist, make a fist! Remember the rule or lose your fingers!
People are friendly here - they all seem to be smiling at me. Except one. My child. She appears to not see me. I guess she's just focused. Wow! I had no idea my body could do a figure 8! Make that a Q. But I can't feel the surface. Which way is down? Ouch! Got it. This is fun!"
That was before my daughter had any friends at the Ice Arena. Now she has friends. Lots and lots of friends. COOL friends. She's very good at skating now. Well into her second set of skates, in fact. Now I'm allowed to watch from the window. Provided that I keep moving.
If you haven't been initiated yet, try it. You'll never look back. (Unless you're on the ice, of course, in which case "back" may prove to be relative.) Keeps the kids occupied for hours. There's an arena at Northgate Mall and another at Festival Mall in Kempton Park, if you're in the Jozi area. I'm sure there are others, but those are the ones I know. Times are 10:00 am to 5:00pm, then again from 7:30pm until 10:30 or 11:00 pm, seven days a week. Entrance is R30.00, but you can buy a book of ten "Cheapskate" cards for R230.00, which is a fair saving. If you need to hire skates, they're R15.00. (Pays to buy a pair if your kid gets to be a regular.)
I never had time to read before. Now I never have enough books. I get to see movies. I've even met some of the other parents (to commiserate with) and ALL the security guards. (I'll forget the one who wanted to take me in for loitering.) I know every CD and DVD in Musica; every Special in Game. Made buddies at Incredible Connections (and to be fair, I have actually bought from them on occassion too). I actually enjoy clothes shopping. Even groceries are a cause for excitement. Had my eyes tested and new specs made up when the specials were on.
And, of course, I LOVE watching people at the Mall. Especially when they're watching me and they think THAT'S amusing. (Don't they have anything to DO?)
Oh, and I still have all 10 fingers.
Try it. With your kids, if they're not teenagers yet. If they are, clear out of there and have some special alone time. Oh, and remember, as far as your kids are concerned, NEARLY teenager equals teenager. From about 11, they're practicing to be teenagers, so you're not "cool" and getting colder!
Have fun. And if you see an old man wandering around the Mall in a world of his own - say "Hi" to me.....
People are friendly here - they all seem to be smiling at me. Except one. My child. She appears to not see me. I guess she's just focused. Wow! I had no idea my body could do a figure 8! Make that a Q. But I can't feel the surface. Which way is down? Ouch! Got it. This is fun!"
That was before my daughter had any friends at the Ice Arena. Now she has friends. Lots and lots of friends. COOL friends. She's very good at skating now. Well into her second set of skates, in fact. Now I'm allowed to watch from the window. Provided that I keep moving.
If you haven't been initiated yet, try it. You'll never look back. (Unless you're on the ice, of course, in which case "back" may prove to be relative.) Keeps the kids occupied for hours. There's an arena at Northgate Mall and another at Festival Mall in Kempton Park, if you're in the Jozi area. I'm sure there are others, but those are the ones I know. Times are 10:00 am to 5:00pm, then again from 7:30pm until 10:30 or 11:00 pm, seven days a week. Entrance is R30.00, but you can buy a book of ten "Cheapskate" cards for R230.00, which is a fair saving. If you need to hire skates, they're R15.00. (Pays to buy a pair if your kid gets to be a regular.)
I never had time to read before. Now I never have enough books. I get to see movies. I've even met some of the other parents (to commiserate with) and ALL the security guards. (I'll forget the one who wanted to take me in for loitering.) I know every CD and DVD in Musica; every Special in Game. Made buddies at Incredible Connections (and to be fair, I have actually bought from them on occassion too). I actually enjoy clothes shopping. Even groceries are a cause for excitement. Had my eyes tested and new specs made up when the specials were on.
And, of course, I LOVE watching people at the Mall. Especially when they're watching me and they think THAT'S amusing. (Don't they have anything to DO?)
Oh, and I still have all 10 fingers.
Try it. With your kids, if they're not teenagers yet. If they are, clear out of there and have some special alone time. Oh, and remember, as far as your kids are concerned, NEARLY teenager equals teenager. From about 11, they're practicing to be teenagers, so you're not "cool" and getting colder!
Have fun. And if you see an old man wandering around the Mall in a world of his own - say "Hi" to me.....
Wednesday, 18 April 2007
eNaTIS - eNuff?
Yesterday, 'Outlook' informed me that the entry "Transfer Title Holder" was four weeks overdue, so I sprang into action.
Now a visit to the Traffic Department is not to be taken lightly. Go first thing in the morning, before they open, and you're likely to stand outside for an hour, in line with all the other people getting in early to avoid the rush. In the afternoon, you'll hit the rush of people using their lunch hour to do the deed, then later you'll confront those trying to beat the day's closing time. So you have to time it with military precision to get in when the early morning's rush has subsided and before the lunchtime rush begins. Theoretically. I think.
Well, I got it right. I filled in whatever forms I could at home, confidently entered the date, gathered all necessary evidence, double-checked everything, made sure I had my chequebook and Book of Life, then hit the road. I arrived at the Sandton Traffic Department at about 11:00 am and just KNEW how clever I was! There was ample parking available, even one under a tree! I marched up to the entrance, cautiously gleeful, subconsciously wondering why so many people were sitting around listlessly outside. The gate was locked. An A4 sign said very simply: "These offices are closed until further notice."
Listless eyes suddenly came to light at the entertainment of yet another confused face walking in semi-circles and reading the sign again and again, hoping it would somehow change.
"Do you know anything about this?" I asked one of the grinning faces.
He nodded happily. "Closed!"
"Any idea why, or for how long?"
"No. It's been closed for a week already."
I approached a lady and a couple of gentlemen selling chips, sweets and passport photos. After all, they were stationed there, so they would know.
"The computer," one of the men nodded sagely. "One of the links is missing. They've been down for a week now, but they were going to open again yesterday." He shrugged. "Your guess is as good as mine," he said sympathetically.
The lady added: "Motor mechanics doing a heart transplant ....better phone before you try again."
To my surprise and delight, all was revealed on the evening news! The National Traffic Department was cutting over to a new system. Haven't we all experienced the frustrations that go with that necessary event? But all was well, we were assured, and the System was up and running! "So get yourselves down to your Traffic Office tomorrow," we were exhorted. I did. At about 10:00. Sandton Traffic office was still "Closed until futher notice."
I had a look at their website, though. Could be good once they get it all running smoothly. If you're interested, you can find it at www.enatis.com (eNaTIS = (South African) National Traffic Information System) Now you know.
Now a visit to the Traffic Department is not to be taken lightly. Go first thing in the morning, before they open, and you're likely to stand outside for an hour, in line with all the other people getting in early to avoid the rush. In the afternoon, you'll hit the rush of people using their lunch hour to do the deed, then later you'll confront those trying to beat the day's closing time. So you have to time it with military precision to get in when the early morning's rush has subsided and before the lunchtime rush begins. Theoretically. I think.
Well, I got it right. I filled in whatever forms I could at home, confidently entered the date, gathered all necessary evidence, double-checked everything, made sure I had my chequebook and Book of Life, then hit the road. I arrived at the Sandton Traffic Department at about 11:00 am and just KNEW how clever I was! There was ample parking available, even one under a tree! I marched up to the entrance, cautiously gleeful, subconsciously wondering why so many people were sitting around listlessly outside. The gate was locked. An A4 sign said very simply: "These offices are closed until further notice."
Listless eyes suddenly came to light at the entertainment of yet another confused face walking in semi-circles and reading the sign again and again, hoping it would somehow change.
"Do you know anything about this?" I asked one of the grinning faces.
He nodded happily. "Closed!"
"Any idea why, or for how long?"
"No. It's been closed for a week already."
I approached a lady and a couple of gentlemen selling chips, sweets and passport photos. After all, they were stationed there, so they would know.
"The computer," one of the men nodded sagely. "One of the links is missing. They've been down for a week now, but they were going to open again yesterday." He shrugged. "Your guess is as good as mine," he said sympathetically.
The lady added: "Motor mechanics doing a heart transplant ....better phone before you try again."
To my surprise and delight, all was revealed on the evening news! The National Traffic Department was cutting over to a new system. Haven't we all experienced the frustrations that go with that necessary event? But all was well, we were assured, and the System was up and running! "So get yourselves down to your Traffic Office tomorrow," we were exhorted. I did. At about 10:00. Sandton Traffic office was still "Closed until futher notice."
I had a look at their website, though. Could be good once they get it all running smoothly. If you're interested, you can find it at www.enatis.com (eNaTIS = (South African) National Traffic Information System) Now you know.
Wednesday, 4 April 2007
Health check
My computer is an unhappy little fellow at the moment. Need to do a health check.
I'll get back to normal production when we have a clean bill of health.
I'll get back to normal production when we have a clean bill of health.
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