I'm all for Beeld's right to comment on the eNaTIS debacle and the Editor's comment that the Department of Transport should spend more time fixing the problems than trying to gag his newspaper. However, when I hear about the security weakness in the eNaTIS system that allows thieves to gain access to vehicle owners' details, I would certainly hope that the newspaper did not intend to show its knowledge on the subject by describing HOW that can be done.
I am not suggesting that "Beeld" intended to do that. It's just that the incident does remind one of how difficult it is for people to NOT publish their hard-earned information. Publishing the "HOW to..." surely makes a publisher an accessory to crime rather than a part of the solution.
One wonders just what is happening in the Department of Transport. The e-NaTIS debacle, the on/off Mono Rail, Taxi conflict ...... not one's "dream job" at the moment. For the consumer, it's all very disturbing. I'm not at all comfortable with the idea of registering my vehicle at the moment.
But then, I guess South Africa isn't exactly a Comfort Zone.....
Thursday, 31 May 2007
Tuesday, 29 May 2007
Update on "Sunday Morning"
I've discovered that it was 18,000.00 U.S. Dollars, not Rand. In two suitcases. And of the three suitcases they had with them, the "Syndicate" knew exactly which two to take. No wonder they didn't invite the police .......
If only I'd known. I could have hit the Syndicate gentlemen when they went around the corner. Sunday snooze-ins suck!
If only I'd known. I could have hit the Syndicate gentlemen when they went around the corner. Sunday snooze-ins suck!
Sunday Morning
Sunday morning, 07:00am. A wailing and gnashing of teeth from the gentlemen in the flat next door. So loud, in fact, that I assumed they were talking to someone in Nigeria without using a phone. And the person in Nigeria was probably saying, "not so loud!" Eventually I had to go to their door to ask them to shut up.
It transpires that they had just been robbed. One of the gentlemen, the loud one (louder one, that is, even under normal circumstances - he speaks like someone with a naturally loud voice who is also deaf and doesn't believe it) had been "overseas" and had just arrived back that morning. As they got to the building, they were followed into the garage and robbed of R18000,00.
Had they called the police, I asked? The woman with them looked at me with the utmost pity and explained that all the police would do, would be to promise to keep their eyes open. (I guess they've had previous experience.) She went on to explain that it is a syndicate at work. They hang around the airport and then follow people home, where they rob them. I sympathised and asked if he could keep his voice down anyway. "He has something to shout about," she said. " He is really battling and they took all his money."
A question pops up in my naive mind: How does someone go overseas for a short period and come back with R18,000.00 in his pocket? And why in his pocket instead of a bank transfer? And how does this "syndicate" know who to follow?
I guess if he's a foreigner, he may not have a bank account.
2:30pm, Sunday afternoon. My young (13-year old) daughter suddenly gets up and marches to the front door, the line of her lips grim. "Daddy, please forgive me," she says quietly, "but now I am going to F--- them up!" And she marches straight out of the door to do just that.
Dilemma. Join her or stop her? I catch her at their front door and persuade her "not today - they are still traumatised. Tomorrow I'll help you if they don't shut up. Just give them today."
I really must find a hobby that gets us out more. Preferably one that pays R18,000.00 a week .......
It transpires that they had just been robbed. One of the gentlemen, the loud one (louder one, that is, even under normal circumstances - he speaks like someone with a naturally loud voice who is also deaf and doesn't believe it) had been "overseas" and had just arrived back that morning. As they got to the building, they were followed into the garage and robbed of R18000,00.
Had they called the police, I asked? The woman with them looked at me with the utmost pity and explained that all the police would do, would be to promise to keep their eyes open. (I guess they've had previous experience.) She went on to explain that it is a syndicate at work. They hang around the airport and then follow people home, where they rob them. I sympathised and asked if he could keep his voice down anyway. "He has something to shout about," she said. " He is really battling and they took all his money."
A question pops up in my naive mind: How does someone go overseas for a short period and come back with R18,000.00 in his pocket? And why in his pocket instead of a bank transfer? And how does this "syndicate" know who to follow?
I guess if he's a foreigner, he may not have a bank account.
2:30pm, Sunday afternoon. My young (13-year old) daughter suddenly gets up and marches to the front door, the line of her lips grim. "Daddy, please forgive me," she says quietly, "but now I am going to F--- them up!" And she marches straight out of the door to do just that.
Dilemma. Join her or stop her? I catch her at their front door and persuade her "not today - they are still traumatised. Tomorrow I'll help you if they don't shut up. Just give them today."
I really must find a hobby that gets us out more. Preferably one that pays R18,000.00 a week .......
Friday, 25 May 2007
Erin Brockovich
I saw the movie "Erin Brockovich", for the first time, on E-TV last night. Scary stuff. The suffering caused to innocent people by the GREED of corporations and individuals is too terrible for words. These families believed the lies fed to them by the Corporation and stoically suffered in silence, not believing the connection between their horrific health woes and the industry causing it. It highlights, once again, the enormous difference that one truly committed person can make - with the right support.
One wonders what the extent of such suffering might be in a country as fraught with corruption as this one is. Greed extends not only to blatant crime such as the masterminds behind car hijackings, etc, but to large corporations in legitimate businesses who sacrifice people for money. We have committed people and groups of people in this country, but do they really have the support of influential groups?
The team of "Special Assignment" is one successful example - they do magnificent work and they get results. There are various Welfare organizations fighting horrendous uphill battles against abuse, but with such sadly limited support.
But is there a central organization or body that one can go to in order to report suspected abuse against people such as in the Erin Brockovich scenario? The Police? Scorpions? Business watchdogs? David Bullard? Patricia De Lille? The Press? Who am I missing?
If you know of effective organizations, please share that information. I'd love to know.
One wonders what the extent of such suffering might be in a country as fraught with corruption as this one is. Greed extends not only to blatant crime such as the masterminds behind car hijackings, etc, but to large corporations in legitimate businesses who sacrifice people for money. We have committed people and groups of people in this country, but do they really have the support of influential groups?
The team of "Special Assignment" is one successful example - they do magnificent work and they get results. There are various Welfare organizations fighting horrendous uphill battles against abuse, but with such sadly limited support.
But is there a central organization or body that one can go to in order to report suspected abuse against people such as in the Erin Brockovich scenario? The Police? Scorpions? Business watchdogs? David Bullard? Patricia De Lille? The Press? Who am I missing?
If you know of effective organizations, please share that information. I'd love to know.
Thursday, 24 May 2007
Career Orientation Test
Are you in the right job? Need a career orientation test? Click on this link to www.jobs.co.za and do the online test. (You can also do a quick I.Q. test there (7 minutes), if you dare. I've just discovered, with some relief, that I'm actually "average"!)
I found the orientation test to be very acurate ... disturbingly so. I should have done it twenty years ago. Good to know, but disturbing to try breaking into a new career so late in life. Perhaps you should give it a go while you have time!
I found the orientation test to be very acurate ... disturbingly so. I should have done it twenty years ago. Good to know, but disturbing to try breaking into a new career so late in life. Perhaps you should give it a go while you have time!
Monday, 21 May 2007
How to relieve Stress
Need to relieve stress? Here's a simple, genuine, helpful site worth taking a look at! The answer is NOT one of the following:
1. Banging your head on your boss' s BMW
2. Loosening the backrest of your supervisor's chair
3. Adding Old Buck gin to the water jug in the conference room
4. Sending a fake copy of your death certificate to the SARS
5. Smearing "Deep Heat" on your colleague's gym shorts
6. Walk past a cop car, then run like hell around the block
7. Wearing a pink outfit with a slogan saying "Up the Bulls!"
8. Selling a copy of "Driving Made Easy, by Paris Hilton" on e-Bay
9. Selling season tickets for the Mono Rail at a Soweto taxi rank
10. Start rumours that George Bush will take up a position as ANC Spokesperson when he steps down from his present job.
Stress is something we have to live with, but dealing with it can be far simpler and more pleasant than going to extremes. Click here and make your day a better place to be!
1. Banging your head on your boss' s BMW
2. Loosening the backrest of your supervisor's chair
3. Adding Old Buck gin to the water jug in the conference room
4. Sending a fake copy of your death certificate to the SARS
5. Smearing "Deep Heat" on your colleague's gym shorts
6. Walk past a cop car, then run like hell around the block
7. Wearing a pink outfit with a slogan saying "Up the Bulls!"
8. Selling a copy of "Driving Made Easy, by Paris Hilton" on e-Bay
9. Selling season tickets for the Mono Rail at a Soweto taxi rank
10. Start rumours that George Bush will take up a position as ANC Spokesperson when he steps down from his present job.
Stress is something we have to live with, but dealing with it can be far simpler and more pleasant than going to extremes. Click here and make your day a better place to be!
Friday, 18 May 2007
2010
We gotta get ready. In 2010 some guys are coming here to kick a ball. The whole country is being mobilized. A warning in a weekly school newsletter to parents warns of young girls being kidnapped to ensure that there'll be enough child prostitutes prepared for 2010. No doubt the drug lords are busily ensuring the efficiency of their networks as well.
Warn your daughters to be vigilant. It's not a joke. Snatching them is one way. Another way is getting them hooked on drugs, often without their realizing it, so that they'll do anything to get their fix. We live in a sick country. A country out of control when it comes to crime, regardless of what Mr Mbeki says.
I have no doubt that the World Cup will offer many entrepreneurial opportunities. I'm quite sure that we will be exporting more; HIV/AIDS amongst those exports.
For soccer fans, it's a very exciting event. For entrepreneurs, it's a very exciting event. For all sports lovers and those who love a great show, it's a very exciting event. I worry about the hangovers, when we count the human cost.
On the positive side, it's been a great motivation to improve the infrastructures in the affected areas. I hear of efforts to improve the public transport system. Haven't seen it yet, but we live in faith. I'm optimistic that the tourism industry will use the momentum to create an efficient infrastucture. I hope that part of that infrastructure will be to set up a controlled network of private accommodation sources that will still be able to offer inexpensive accommodation to tourists after the 2010 event, including for those of us living here. Perhaps an official website citing private accommodation in such a way that prospecive tourists would be able to plan an entire holiday route online, moving around the country along a chain of private establishments.
I assume that the advertising is well under control, down to the finest detail: pregnancy test kits with our flag, saying "Made in South Africa"; free condoms with our flag saying "DON'T make in South Africa". Tobacco products saying "Smoking is a health hazard; so is focusing on reading this label. Keep your eyes on your surroundings!" Keyrings for all hired vehicles saying: "We drive on the left side of the road here. Red robots should be treated as yield signs after 10pm at night, but don't get caught." A special World Cup 2010 instruction manual entitled "Who to Bribe and When". First Aid Kits carrying a warning "Don't get sick. You don't wanna see our hospitals. " And, of course, T-shirts saying "I Survived South Africa".
We gotta get ready.
Warn your daughters to be vigilant. It's not a joke. Snatching them is one way. Another way is getting them hooked on drugs, often without their realizing it, so that they'll do anything to get their fix. We live in a sick country. A country out of control when it comes to crime, regardless of what Mr Mbeki says.
I have no doubt that the World Cup will offer many entrepreneurial opportunities. I'm quite sure that we will be exporting more; HIV/AIDS amongst those exports.
For soccer fans, it's a very exciting event. For entrepreneurs, it's a very exciting event. For all sports lovers and those who love a great show, it's a very exciting event. I worry about the hangovers, when we count the human cost.
On the positive side, it's been a great motivation to improve the infrastructures in the affected areas. I hear of efforts to improve the public transport system. Haven't seen it yet, but we live in faith. I'm optimistic that the tourism industry will use the momentum to create an efficient infrastucture. I hope that part of that infrastructure will be to set up a controlled network of private accommodation sources that will still be able to offer inexpensive accommodation to tourists after the 2010 event, including for those of us living here. Perhaps an official website citing private accommodation in such a way that prospecive tourists would be able to plan an entire holiday route online, moving around the country along a chain of private establishments.
I assume that the advertising is well under control, down to the finest detail: pregnancy test kits with our flag, saying "Made in South Africa"; free condoms with our flag saying "DON'T make in South Africa". Tobacco products saying "Smoking is a health hazard; so is focusing on reading this label. Keep your eyes on your surroundings!" Keyrings for all hired vehicles saying: "We drive on the left side of the road here. Red robots should be treated as yield signs after 10pm at night, but don't get caught." A special World Cup 2010 instruction manual entitled "Who to Bribe and When". First Aid Kits carrying a warning "Don't get sick. You don't wanna see our hospitals. " And, of course, T-shirts saying "I Survived South Africa".
We gotta get ready.
Thursday, 17 May 2007
TV Guide
In case you need to do some TV programme planning, I have added links to SABC TV Guide and e-TV under the " Things To Do" list in the frame to the right. I hope you find it useful.
Wednesday, 16 May 2007
Another Perfect Day
This morning I woke up in a place where the new Traffic system, eNaTIS, is working properly and queues are a thing of the past. The ANC are really excited about Tokyo Sexwale's availability as a prospective President. Electricity isn't a problem in Cape Town anymore, because they have found a way to contain the all the hot air from Parliament to warm the city through the winter months. Illovo and Wanderers were announced as the venues for a Straight Pride Festival. I had quit smoking forever.
Strange how one hallucinates during Nicotine withdrawals, isn't it?
Strange how one hallucinates during Nicotine withdrawals, isn't it?
Monday, 14 May 2007
Mother's Day Postscript
Well, Mother's Day is over for this year. For some , it went very well. For those of you who were disappointed, saddened, angered or felt let down - don't let the bastards get to you.
The Captains of Commerce love to create days to make people celebrate and spend money in the process, but there is seldom a thought for the people who are hurt by those occassions because they either don't have anyone, or because they are unable to celebrate it. The Day serves as a painful reminder for children who don't have mothers; and perhaps painful for mothers who are mothers no longer. In South Africa, the reality of both groups is on the increase. (Please note, Justice and Health Departments. You deserve to grovel on those days)
To those who are mothers no longer, or not yet, perhaps you would like to consider the possibility of teaming up with kids who don't have mothers, on those days in the future? If you do, just bear in mind that a mother for the day does not release the kids from their pain of not being with their real mothers on the day. You cannot substitute - you can only share in their despair by being a friend and a mother-figure; and by lightening their burden for the day by some fun and caring. However, it could be a lot more fun for both parties than sharing the day with friends who have happy families, which only highlights a sense of loneliness in those who don't. Realistically, unless it is already known territory to you, it may be safer for you and the kids if a group of mothers hosts a group of children. Better chance of success in untested territory. Just a thought. Who knows? Perhaps the experience could introduce you to something that lasts longer than just a day.
If you are not aware of opportunities in your area, you could try using the Social Welfare links on this site, or write to me and let us see if I can point you in the right direction.
The Captains of Commerce love to create days to make people celebrate and spend money in the process, but there is seldom a thought for the people who are hurt by those occassions because they either don't have anyone, or because they are unable to celebrate it. The Day serves as a painful reminder for children who don't have mothers; and perhaps painful for mothers who are mothers no longer. In South Africa, the reality of both groups is on the increase. (Please note, Justice and Health Departments. You deserve to grovel on those days)
To those who are mothers no longer, or not yet, perhaps you would like to consider the possibility of teaming up with kids who don't have mothers, on those days in the future? If you do, just bear in mind that a mother for the day does not release the kids from their pain of not being with their real mothers on the day. You cannot substitute - you can only share in their despair by being a friend and a mother-figure; and by lightening their burden for the day by some fun and caring. However, it could be a lot more fun for both parties than sharing the day with friends who have happy families, which only highlights a sense of loneliness in those who don't. Realistically, unless it is already known territory to you, it may be safer for you and the kids if a group of mothers hosts a group of children. Better chance of success in untested territory. Just a thought. Who knows? Perhaps the experience could introduce you to something that lasts longer than just a day.
If you are not aware of opportunities in your area, you could try using the Social Welfare links on this site, or write to me and let us see if I can point you in the right direction.
Friday, 11 May 2007
Mxit - mixed blessing.
Mxit - your best friend, or something you wish your family had never discovered? If you haven't heard of it yet, ask your kids. (Or use this Mxit link)
It surely has its blessings, but the dangers are any parent's nightmare.
I'm one of those people who wants my child to have a cell phone. I need to know that she has that contact with me whenever she needs it. (Or is it that I can have contact with her...?) Shopping malls are huge places to try to find a kid. In fact, many of the big stores like Pick 'n Pay seem to swallow up a child while you're trying to decide on which detergent you can't live without and she just knows that the cosmetic counter is more of a life and death issue. Or if I need her to bail me out when we're shopping for personal items and she goes scooting off to look at a pair of jeans, leaving me all alone in the ladies section with a bra in my hand, exploring its suitability. (As if I'd know the difference.)
Anyway, your child has a phone. Your child has friends. You have a fixed income. Which isn't so fixed the moment it hits your account - it shatters into fragments. And from those fragments you have to pay for your convenience - and your child's cool image. That's where Mxit comes in. SMS's may not be as expensive as calls, but they still get pretty pricey when they turn into teenage online discussions. When the kids are connected to each other via Mxit, it only costs a few cents for them to chat to their heart's delight.
However, that's where it should stop. (With me, anyway.) Monitored connection to known friends. Chat rooms are OUT for children. (And spouses, if you happen to have one of them.) We all know about the dangers to them, with some of the sewage we have in our society passing itself off as humanity.
Convenience: cost and social connectivity to friends. Danger: (apart from lethal sewage contamination) Addiction.
I was amazed to find how quickly Mxit becomes their master - and they are very willing slaves. Rush home from school to get onto Mxit (In the car: "Did you bring my phone? DID you bring my PHONE?!!!) Homework becomes an obstacle to Mxit. Late at night the blankets develop a strange pinging sound, which doesn't go away with tuning. (Or maybe it does : "I'm CHUNING you, my girl, give me that phone!)
The addiction factor is a very serious issue, as it is with any addiction. Undermine the effects of online addiction at your peril, especially for your children. Mxit needs to be monitored and some ground rules adhered to. And this is where I'd like to refer you to the guru of this subject, a guy called Ramon Thomas. Check out his Website on online safety, or his blogsite , and get a copy of his "Parents Guide to Mxit." You may also find it worthwhile to get his newsletter or to book him for a talk at your school or club.
Oh, in case you're wondering - no I don't use it personally. I may be all thumbs when it comes to DIY or fixing things, but I don't seem to have enough of them to cope with cell phone messaging!
It surely has its blessings, but the dangers are any parent's nightmare.
I'm one of those people who wants my child to have a cell phone. I need to know that she has that contact with me whenever she needs it. (Or is it that I can have contact with her...?) Shopping malls are huge places to try to find a kid. In fact, many of the big stores like Pick 'n Pay seem to swallow up a child while you're trying to decide on which detergent you can't live without and she just knows that the cosmetic counter is more of a life and death issue. Or if I need her to bail me out when we're shopping for personal items and she goes scooting off to look at a pair of jeans, leaving me all alone in the ladies section with a bra in my hand, exploring its suitability. (As if I'd know the difference.)
Anyway, your child has a phone. Your child has friends. You have a fixed income. Which isn't so fixed the moment it hits your account - it shatters into fragments. And from those fragments you have to pay for your convenience - and your child's cool image. That's where Mxit comes in. SMS's may not be as expensive as calls, but they still get pretty pricey when they turn into teenage online discussions. When the kids are connected to each other via Mxit, it only costs a few cents for them to chat to their heart's delight.
However, that's where it should stop. (With me, anyway.) Monitored connection to known friends. Chat rooms are OUT for children. (And spouses, if you happen to have one of them.) We all know about the dangers to them, with some of the sewage we have in our society passing itself off as humanity.
Convenience: cost and social connectivity to friends. Danger: (apart from lethal sewage contamination) Addiction.
I was amazed to find how quickly Mxit becomes their master - and they are very willing slaves. Rush home from school to get onto Mxit (In the car: "Did you bring my phone? DID you bring my PHONE?!!!) Homework becomes an obstacle to Mxit. Late at night the blankets develop a strange pinging sound, which doesn't go away with tuning. (Or maybe it does : "I'm CHUNING you, my girl, give me that phone!)
The addiction factor is a very serious issue, as it is with any addiction. Undermine the effects of online addiction at your peril, especially for your children. Mxit needs to be monitored and some ground rules adhered to. And this is where I'd like to refer you to the guru of this subject, a guy called Ramon Thomas. Check out his Website on online safety, or his blogsite , and get a copy of his "Parents Guide to Mxit." You may also find it worthwhile to get his newsletter or to book him for a talk at your school or club.
Oh, in case you're wondering - no I don't use it personally. I may be all thumbs when it comes to DIY or fixing things, but I don't seem to have enough of them to cope with cell phone messaging!
Wednesday, 9 May 2007
'Work from home' ads illegal
News24.com reported the following on 09 May 2007:
"Johannesburg - Advertisements offering work from home opportunities are now illegal, said the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) on Wednesday.
The ASA welcomed the regulation, which was issued by the department of trade and industry.
"The regulation makes various work from home 'opportunities' illegal. These include opportunities to 'fill envelopes' and 'type labels' - two scams against which the ASA has issued various rulings," said the ASA.
"Consumers are reminded that if they see ads of this type, they can lodge complaints with the ASA on complaint@asasa.org.za or fax 011 781 1616." "
I must confess that I was surprized to see that announcement. I wonder how many types of 'work from home' opportunities this covers?
Anyway, be warned that this regulation has been issued, especially if you're considering taking up an opportunity that requires networking in the form of placing such adverts.
Please Note that I will be filtering these "work from home" ads from this site on a continuous basis, so if any of them do appear here, it will only be temporary while the filtering takes effect.
"Johannesburg - Advertisements offering work from home opportunities are now illegal, said the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) on Wednesday.
The ASA welcomed the regulation, which was issued by the department of trade and industry.
"The regulation makes various work from home 'opportunities' illegal. These include opportunities to 'fill envelopes' and 'type labels' - two scams against which the ASA has issued various rulings," said the ASA.
"Consumers are reminded that if they see ads of this type, they can lodge complaints with the ASA on complaint@asasa.org.za or fax 011 781 1616." "
I must confess that I was surprized to see that announcement. I wonder how many types of 'work from home' opportunities this covers?
Anyway, be warned that this regulation has been issued, especially if you're considering taking up an opportunity that requires networking in the form of placing such adverts.
Please Note that I will be filtering these "work from home" ads from this site on a continuous basis, so if any of them do appear here, it will only be temporary while the filtering takes effect.
Tuesday, 8 May 2007
Mother's Day Blues
'But it's the THOUGHT that counts!' Bull----. The only thing that the thought counts is the cost. The last time that phrase is true is just before you enter adolescence. After that, you'd better have an offering to back up the cute picture you made yourself!
Of course, that's just from a Dad's perspective. Mother's Day is wonderful for the kids. Wonderful or traumatic, but certainly emotional for the mother. And most wonderful of all, of course, for Commerce. For the Dads, it's only a tad less frightnening than Father's Day, a month later, when you have to fork out all over again - only this time you don't have control over your credit card, because what they're buying you is a secret.
Problem is, most of us can never give a mother what she's worth - and you'd better believe that. So we start to compromise according to the budget. Then our conscience deploys a little tool called emotional blackmail and the budget goes out of the window. But Fathers tend to be unimaginative compared to the fairer gender, so after all hints have been interpreted, all decisions made and all purchases have been concluded, an innocent remark will tell you just how wrong you were and you have to dash out again, credit card bucking frantically in your hand. The mystery of Mona Lisa's smile? Look at your wife's face on Mother's Day. You'll NEVER KNOW!
Oh, well, I suppose Mom has the same torment for Father's Day. But Moms, would you like to know the secret of the perfect Father's Day gift? It's a CREDIT NOTE for what he spent on Mother's Day!! Tied with a ribbon.
No, please don't believe that. It's just not true. Because when all is said and done and the preceding trauma has passed, there's a warmth in our hearts on the day that melts the cold in our wallets. Our biggest regret about Mother's Day is that we cannot possibly give you what you deserve and what the whole family would love to give you. When the day passes, those sloppy, melting hearts in us tell us that we'll know EXACTLY how to do it better next year. But, of course, poor apes that we are, we won't know any better than we did this year. And once again you'll bear us patiently and clean up the mess on Monday when we're all squawking and screaming again.
Perhaps Mona Lisa was Da Vinci's mother..... and he gave her paints for Mother's Day .... and the poor woman had to pose for him ....that might explain the smile...
I wish you the happiest of Mother's Days !
Of course, that's just from a Dad's perspective. Mother's Day is wonderful for the kids. Wonderful or traumatic, but certainly emotional for the mother. And most wonderful of all, of course, for Commerce. For the Dads, it's only a tad less frightnening than Father's Day, a month later, when you have to fork out all over again - only this time you don't have control over your credit card, because what they're buying you is a secret.
Problem is, most of us can never give a mother what she's worth - and you'd better believe that. So we start to compromise according to the budget. Then our conscience deploys a little tool called emotional blackmail and the budget goes out of the window. But Fathers tend to be unimaginative compared to the fairer gender, so after all hints have been interpreted, all decisions made and all purchases have been concluded, an innocent remark will tell you just how wrong you were and you have to dash out again, credit card bucking frantically in your hand. The mystery of Mona Lisa's smile? Look at your wife's face on Mother's Day. You'll NEVER KNOW!
Oh, well, I suppose Mom has the same torment for Father's Day. But Moms, would you like to know the secret of the perfect Father's Day gift? It's a CREDIT NOTE for what he spent on Mother's Day!! Tied with a ribbon.
No, please don't believe that. It's just not true. Because when all is said and done and the preceding trauma has passed, there's a warmth in our hearts on the day that melts the cold in our wallets. Our biggest regret about Mother's Day is that we cannot possibly give you what you deserve and what the whole family would love to give you. When the day passes, those sloppy, melting hearts in us tell us that we'll know EXACTLY how to do it better next year. But, of course, poor apes that we are, we won't know any better than we did this year. And once again you'll bear us patiently and clean up the mess on Monday when we're all squawking and screaming again.
Perhaps Mona Lisa was Da Vinci's mother..... and he gave her paints for Mother's Day .... and the poor woman had to pose for him ....that might explain the smile...
I wish you the happiest of Mother's Days !
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