Friday, 28 March 2008
Thursday, 27 March 2008
Save The Scorpions
I received the following message today, which, I think, speaks for itself. From polls and recent television discussions, it seems that most people in this country would support Mr. Glenister's efforts to stop the disbanding of the Scorpions. If you share that sentiment, here's an opportunity for you to demonstrate your support:
SAVE THE SCORPIONS: WE NEED YOUR HELP AND SUPPORT
How can you help?
1.Send an email with the words: "Scorpions Yes" to scorpions@savare.co.za
or
2.Fax the same to 0880218521388
or
3.Sms the same to 35052.
Our company decided to help Mr Glenister to stop the disbanding of the scorpions. Two of us have been selected to give all our attention to the Hugh Glenister case and work 8 hours a day only doing this. An sms cost R5,00 and we donate 38% of this towards Mr Glenister's legal fees and all the other admin, printing, paper, service provider fees, our salaries etc is paid by our company. Thus costing Mr Glenister nothing. We do it purely because we believe it is our ethical and moral responsibility as a company. Mr Glenister is in the process of opening a bank account where people can donate sums of money to assist him, but for the man in the street a mere sms (once-off, no weekly subscription nonsence) is affordable and for a good cause.
thank you for your support.
Adie
SAVE THE SCORPIONS: WE NEED YOUR HELP AND SUPPORT
How can you help?
1.Send an email with the words: "Scorpions Yes" to scorpions@savare.co.za
or
2.Fax the same to 0880218521388
or
3.Sms the same to 35052.
Our company decided to help Mr Glenister to stop the disbanding of the scorpions. Two of us have been selected to give all our attention to the Hugh Glenister case and work 8 hours a day only doing this. An sms cost R5,00 and we donate 38% of this towards Mr Glenister's legal fees and all the other admin, printing, paper, service provider fees, our salaries etc is paid by our company. Thus costing Mr Glenister nothing. We do it purely because we believe it is our ethical and moral responsibility as a company. Mr Glenister is in the process of opening a bank account where people can donate sums of money to assist him, but for the man in the street a mere sms (once-off, no weekly subscription nonsence) is affordable and for a good cause.
thank you for your support.
Adie
Tuesday, 25 March 2008
Use Your Hindi
I love the net! The most unexpected things pop up when you're browsing. One of my comments to the motorcycle blog referred to the motorized tricycles used in Asia. That image was still clear in my mind, when what should pop up? India translation services!
IAFL Translation and Interpration Services render a translating, interpretation, dubbing / subtitle service, and they claim to respond to 95% of all emails within one hour!
They do translations to and from the Indian languages,as well as Arabic and Farsi. (And others in that sub-continent.) They also provide iterpretation services for seminars, conferences, trade shows, meetings, etc.
Not only that, but they do dubbing, sub-titles, etc., for television productions, documentaries and so on.
I find this relevant, because I live in a coutry where we have eleven "official" languages, apart from the languages spoken by huge communities such as Indian, Portuguese, Greek, Italian and so on. Hindi has a large following here, with television time slots dedicated to the Hindu culture and language.
Furthermore, we are doing more and more business with India and the other Asian countries.
So ... if you have business dealing with any of the Indian language groups, here's a site that enables you to communicate with them, and to promote your products and services, in their languages.
Now, use you new-found Hindi expertise and get us some motorized tricycles to hold up the Minibus taxis!
IAFL Translation and Interpration Services render a translating, interpretation, dubbing / subtitle service, and they claim to respond to 95% of all emails within one hour!
They do translations to and from the Indian languages,as well as Arabic and Farsi. (And others in that sub-continent.) They also provide iterpretation services for seminars, conferences, trade shows, meetings, etc.
Not only that, but they do dubbing, sub-titles, etc., for television productions, documentaries and so on.
I find this relevant, because I live in a coutry where we have eleven "official" languages, apart from the languages spoken by huge communities such as Indian, Portuguese, Greek, Italian and so on. Hindi has a large following here, with television time slots dedicated to the Hindu culture and language.
Furthermore, we are doing more and more business with India and the other Asian countries.
So ... if you have business dealing with any of the Indian language groups, here's a site that enables you to communicate with them, and to promote your products and services, in their languages.
Now, use you new-found Hindi expertise and get us some motorized tricycles to hold up the Minibus taxis!
Sunday, 23 March 2008
....and the Revolution!
YES!! I've joined the Revolution against high petrol prices!
It began with the realization that there were some very nice-looking Chinese-made scooters out there at very good prices. Sitting helplessly in peak hour traffic, watching the fuel guage drop, inflamed the itch. The advent of planned power cuts, set to continue for the forseeable future, and even worse traffic snarl-ups in the face of the dark, lifeless traffic lights, made scratching an obsession.
Well, that's the excuse, anyhow.
But .... well, scooters with those little wheels and Johannesburg roads with all those potholes - (not filled with "pot", if you suddenly thought of immigrating) - well, I hestitated. Then I discovered that Honda had come to the party with a very neat little 125cc bike, called the e-Storm, at a price to compete with the scooters. Classy little bike, great quality. Good reviews. Not an open-road bike, but perfect for commuting.
Problem is, it's a bike that the youngsters like, not a mid-life crisis kind of bike. (Dunno where I was when I should have been having a mid-life crisis, but I'm much too old for that now. I think. Probably just couldn't afford it.) But, of course, with a full-face helmet, who is going to know that astride that sexy little bike is a helmet containing nothing but wrinkles? Until I dismount at the Mall, of course. But in the traffic I can behave like a teenager, with nothing but contempt for the establishment!
Up the Revolution!
It can be tough for a teenager, trying to raise a father respectably these days......
It began with the realization that there were some very nice-looking Chinese-made scooters out there at very good prices. Sitting helplessly in peak hour traffic, watching the fuel guage drop, inflamed the itch. The advent of planned power cuts, set to continue for the forseeable future, and even worse traffic snarl-ups in the face of the dark, lifeless traffic lights, made scratching an obsession.
Well, that's the excuse, anyhow.
But .... well, scooters with those little wheels and Johannesburg roads with all those potholes - (not filled with "pot", if you suddenly thought of immigrating) - well, I hestitated. Then I discovered that Honda had come to the party with a very neat little 125cc bike, called the e-Storm, at a price to compete with the scooters. Classy little bike, great quality. Good reviews. Not an open-road bike, but perfect for commuting.
Problem is, it's a bike that the youngsters like, not a mid-life crisis kind of bike. (Dunno where I was when I should have been having a mid-life crisis, but I'm much too old for that now. I think. Probably just couldn't afford it.) But, of course, with a full-face helmet, who is going to know that astride that sexy little bike is a helmet containing nothing but wrinkles? Until I dismount at the Mall, of course. But in the traffic I can behave like a teenager, with nothing but contempt for the establishment!
Up the Revolution!
It can be tough for a teenager, trying to raise a father respectably these days......
Thursday, 20 March 2008
BlogCatalog - The Place To Be!
After plugging away on my own since I started this blog, I discovered the blogger's site, BlogCatalog, this week. I wish I had joined them a year ago.
It's vibrant, the members are responsive, helpful and friendly, and quick to participate in discussions to which they can contribute positively. Now, instead of staring at my screen blankly, trying to figure out what to do or what choices to make, there's a forum of great people ready to participate, give advice and share experiences of the issue.
It is also a fantastic place to see a wealth of super blog sites and follow them. If you're a blogger and you haven't discovered BlogCatalog yet, I recommend that you get there now!
It's vibrant, the members are responsive, helpful and friendly, and quick to participate in discussions to which they can contribute positively. Now, instead of staring at my screen blankly, trying to figure out what to do or what choices to make, there's a forum of great people ready to participate, give advice and share experiences of the issue.
It is also a fantastic place to see a wealth of super blog sites and follow them. If you're a blogger and you haven't discovered BlogCatalog yet, I recommend that you get there now!
Tuesday, 18 March 2008
Sitemaps?!
If, like me, you're a blogger and things like sitemaps and other technicalities are as mysterious as raising teenagers, there's hope for you. There's a wonderful blog site called LillyMouse, where a friendly, helpful young lady called Lilly simplifies the whole experience for us. Check it out.
Sadly, much like raising teenagers, we can't just feed them, gaze at them in awe and hope that somehow it'll all work out in the end. Lilly takes care of the blogging mysteries.
Now could someone please show me the site that does the same for raising teenagers?
Sadly, much like raising teenagers, we can't just feed them, gaze at them in awe and hope that somehow it'll all work out in the end. Lilly takes care of the blogging mysteries.
Now could someone please show me the site that does the same for raising teenagers?
Sunday, 16 March 2008
Back to Load Shedding
It's been wonderful! We have had power 24/7 for the past couple of weeks. Now we've been warned. Load shedding will commence again from the end of March. Only this time it's OUR fault. WE haven't done enough to conserve energy. We still had both lights on, cooked on two plates and dared to have separate baths.
If we haven't seen the light, then we must feel the darkness.
WE should have realized that government funding couldn't be wasted on the supply of services. It's been much more important to ensure that sufficient funds are available for the provision of the countless Commissions of Enquiries to investigate the countless "alleged" corruptions of countless government officials. Countless, because who is counting anymore? Judging by the published crime statistics, probably not the statisticians.
It costs money to finance the multitude of discussions that have to take place in luxury hotels concerning whether or not to create another Commission of Enquiry into another case of corruption that is about to be made public. First Class airfares don't come cheap. (They couldn't use video conferencing, of course, because the damn power keeps going off.) Of course, these costs could go down substantially once the Scorpions have been disbanded and stop making those infuriating allegations.
So .... get out the gas, make a flask of coffee, close your eyes and appreciate the neighbourhood's silence while you contemplate how naughty and unappreciative we consumers have been.
If we haven't seen the light, then we must feel the darkness.
WE should have realized that government funding couldn't be wasted on the supply of services. It's been much more important to ensure that sufficient funds are available for the provision of the countless Commissions of Enquiries to investigate the countless "alleged" corruptions of countless government officials. Countless, because who is counting anymore? Judging by the published crime statistics, probably not the statisticians.
It costs money to finance the multitude of discussions that have to take place in luxury hotels concerning whether or not to create another Commission of Enquiry into another case of corruption that is about to be made public. First Class airfares don't come cheap. (They couldn't use video conferencing, of course, because the damn power keeps going off.) Of course, these costs could go down substantially once the Scorpions have been disbanded and stop making those infuriating allegations.
So .... get out the gas, make a flask of coffee, close your eyes and appreciate the neighbourhood's silence while you contemplate how naughty and unappreciative we consumers have been.
Thursday, 13 March 2008
JOZIKIDS Easter Holiday Activities
From the JOZIKIDS newsdesk:
It's hard to believe that the first term is almost over and holiday time is here. If you need help to find ways to occupy your kids during the holidays, this is where you will find it.
CHILDREN'S BOOK FESTIVAL
The holiday season kicks off with an amazing festival for kids with book readings, activities and entertainment at Exclusive Books branches across the city in: Rosebank, Killarney, Cresta, Soweto, Hyde Park, Nelson Mandela Square, Greenstone Park, Monte Casino with entertainment provided by JOZIKIDS listers such as Antoinettes Marionettes, Rhythmania ,Experilab and The Mulbry Club. The important dates to check out on the JOZIKIDS calender for this event are March 15th,26th, 27th and 29th.
EASTER ACTIVITIES
To find any of the following events on JOZIKIDS, go to the calendar, click on the date that interests you, then click on the category called Easter Activities.
Chelynn' s Easter Egg Hunt & Puppet Show in Weltevreden Park, Jhb Mar 15
Easter Bonnet Competition & Egg Hunt at Princess Alice Adoption Home in Westcliff, Jhb Mar 15.
Fossil Easter Fair at Fossil's Hennopsrivier, Pretoria Mar 15, 16.
Easter Crafters Market at Bunny Park in Benoni, Mar 22.
Easter Market at Bryanston Organic Market in Jhb, Mar 22.
Zwartkops Quad Centre Easter Egg Hunt in Centurion, Mar 22.
Untangled Marionettes Shadow puppet show about Easter at Cedarhill Ministries in Westcliff, Mar 23.
Friends of the Rail Easter Bunny Steam Train to Cullinan or Rayton, Mar 24.
Easter Parade in the Walter Sisulu Botanical Gardens, Roodepoort, Mar 24.
Go Kart rides from Dirks Entertainment at the Hartbeespoort Skou, Mar 21-24.
HOLIDAY PROGRAMS & ACTIVITIES
Here are some wonderful activities to keep your kids stimulated and entertained. Booking is essential as spaces are limited.
ARTS/CRAFTS Craft Workshops at Smudge, a children’s art centre in Craighall Park, Apr 1-6, 8-13, 15-20, 22-27.
Pottery Workshops with Spine Art in Weltevreden Park, Mar 25,26,27,28; Apr 1,2,3,4; Apr 8,9,10.
Scribble and Splot Art Classes in Fourways, Apr 11,15,16,22,15,29.
Seed Pod Studio in Fourways. Mar 27,28,29; Apr 7,8,9,10,12,15,17,18,22,25,29.
ANIMALS Pretoria Zoo Holiday Programs about reptiles, mammals, baby animals and more. Mar 25-31, Apr 1-4, 7-11.
COOKING Ushef Cooking School in Olivedale, Sandton. Mar 26,28, Apr 2,3,9,11,30, May 3,10
DANCE The Dance Company in Olivedale, has dancing, karaoke, survivor and more on offer Apr 7-11
HORSE RIDING Horse Haven Pony camps for beginners through to experienced riders. March 25-28, April 15-18.
Esperanza Horse Riding Camp in Pretoria. No riding experience required. Mar 24-28.
Shepherd's Fold Pony Camp full day or sleepover in Elandsdrift, Jhb, Apr 8-10 & Apr 15-16.
SCIENCE Experilab Science Workshops, daily Mar 31-Apr 4, Apr 7-11
TENNIS International Tennis Academy in Parkview/Melville, Mini Tennis (3-6yrs) 2hr session or 1/2dy(from 6yrs) 4hrs. Mar 31- Apr4
TEENAGERS Circle of Life Workshops for Teenagers at Crystal Essence in Petervale/Bryanston Mar 25+26, Apr 2+3, Apr 7+8, Apr 16+17, Apr 21+22, Apr 28+29.
HOLIDAY THEATRE/SHOWS
Beatrix Potter’s Peter Rabbit and Friends at the National Children's Theatre in Parktown 3 Mar-26 Apr.
Wizard of Oz at the People's Theatre in Braamfontein, Mar 3-Apr 19.
James and the Giant Peach at Joburg Promusica Kidz at the Roodepoort Theatre, Feb 25– Mar 29.
Swan Lake on Ice at Monte Casino Theatre in Fourways, Mar 6-Apr 6.
Babe, the Sheep-Pig at Emperor's Palace in Kempton Park, Mar19 -Apr 6.
Sleeping Beauty Ballet with the Jhb Philharmonic Orchestra at the Civic Theatre in Braamfontein, 29 Mar–13 Apr
HOLIDAY CAMPS
Gecko Valley Performing Arts Camp, Vaal River, Mar 24- Apr 2.
Adventure n Beyond, Krugersdorp, Mar 30 -Apr 4.
Sugar Bay Resort, Zinkwazi, 5 camps: Mar 23-30, Mar 30 -Apr 6, Apr 6-13, Apr 17-27, Apr 27 -May 4.
Flipflop Gymnastics Camp, Hartbeesport Dam Holiday Resort Mar 28-30.
See Holiday Animals above for pony camps
FAMILY HOLIDAYS
Coral Tree Guest House in Port Elizabeth offers a free city tour.
Dolphin EnCounters and Halo Gaia Holistic Tourism for swimming with dolphins in Mozambique.
THE JOURNEY
My Mini Fun Box Summer 2007/8, designed for long car journeys or aeroplane trips to keep children entertained
The Listeners Library for renting quality children and adult audiobooks to make the time fly.
NEW JOZIKIDS CATEGORIES
We have added several new categories you may want to check out such as:
to learn - about pets
to shop - skin care/bath and wendy houses
for schooling - special needs
for transport - for kids
If we've left anything out please let us know and have a wonderful holiday.
Regards
The Jozikids Team
info@jozikids.co.za
011 482 4310
www.jozikids.co.za
It's hard to believe that the first term is almost over and holiday time is here. If you need help to find ways to occupy your kids during the holidays, this is where you will find it.
CHILDREN'S BOOK FESTIVAL
The holiday season kicks off with an amazing festival for kids with book readings, activities and entertainment at Exclusive Books branches across the city in: Rosebank, Killarney, Cresta, Soweto, Hyde Park, Nelson Mandela Square, Greenstone Park, Monte Casino with entertainment provided by JOZIKIDS listers such as Antoinettes Marionettes, Rhythmania ,Experilab and The Mulbry Club. The important dates to check out on the JOZIKIDS calender for this event are March 15th,26th, 27th and 29th.
EASTER ACTIVITIES
To find any of the following events on JOZIKIDS, go to the calendar, click on the date that interests you, then click on the category called Easter Activities.
Chelynn' s Easter Egg Hunt & Puppet Show in Weltevreden Park, Jhb Mar 15
Easter Bonnet Competition & Egg Hunt at Princess Alice Adoption Home in Westcliff, Jhb Mar 15.
Fossil Easter Fair at Fossil's Hennopsrivier, Pretoria Mar 15, 16.
Easter Crafters Market at Bunny Park in Benoni, Mar 22.
Easter Market at Bryanston Organic Market in Jhb, Mar 22.
Zwartkops Quad Centre Easter Egg Hunt in Centurion, Mar 22.
Untangled Marionettes Shadow puppet show about Easter at Cedarhill Ministries in Westcliff, Mar 23.
Friends of the Rail Easter Bunny Steam Train to Cullinan or Rayton, Mar 24.
Easter Parade in the Walter Sisulu Botanical Gardens, Roodepoort, Mar 24.
Go Kart rides from Dirks Entertainment at the Hartbeespoort Skou, Mar 21-24.
HOLIDAY PROGRAMS & ACTIVITIES
Here are some wonderful activities to keep your kids stimulated and entertained. Booking is essential as spaces are limited.
ARTS/CRAFTS Craft Workshops at Smudge, a children’s art centre in Craighall Park, Apr 1-6, 8-13, 15-20, 22-27.
Pottery Workshops with Spine Art in Weltevreden Park, Mar 25,26,27,28; Apr 1,2,3,4; Apr 8,9,10.
Scribble and Splot Art Classes in Fourways, Apr 11,15,16,22,15,29.
Seed Pod Studio in Fourways. Mar 27,28,29; Apr 7,8,9,10,12,15,17,18,22,25,29.
ANIMALS Pretoria Zoo Holiday Programs about reptiles, mammals, baby animals and more. Mar 25-31, Apr 1-4, 7-11.
COOKING Ushef Cooking School in Olivedale, Sandton. Mar 26,28, Apr 2,3,9,11,30, May 3,10
DANCE The Dance Company in Olivedale, has dancing, karaoke, survivor and more on offer Apr 7-11
HORSE RIDING Horse Haven Pony camps for beginners through to experienced riders. March 25-28, April 15-18.
Esperanza Horse Riding Camp in Pretoria. No riding experience required. Mar 24-28.
Shepherd's Fold Pony Camp full day or sleepover in Elandsdrift, Jhb, Apr 8-10 & Apr 15-16.
SCIENCE Experilab Science Workshops, daily Mar 31-Apr 4, Apr 7-11
TENNIS International Tennis Academy in Parkview/Melville, Mini Tennis (3-6yrs) 2hr session or 1/2dy(from 6yrs) 4hrs. Mar 31- Apr4
TEENAGERS Circle of Life Workshops for Teenagers at Crystal Essence in Petervale/Bryanston Mar 25+26, Apr 2+3, Apr 7+8, Apr 16+17, Apr 21+22, Apr 28+29.
HOLIDAY THEATRE/SHOWS
Beatrix Potter’s Peter Rabbit and Friends at the National Children's Theatre in Parktown 3 Mar-26 Apr.
Wizard of Oz at the People's Theatre in Braamfontein, Mar 3-Apr 19.
James and the Giant Peach at Joburg Promusica Kidz at the Roodepoort Theatre, Feb 25– Mar 29.
Swan Lake on Ice at Monte Casino Theatre in Fourways, Mar 6-Apr 6.
Babe, the Sheep-Pig at Emperor's Palace in Kempton Park, Mar19 -Apr 6.
Sleeping Beauty Ballet with the Jhb Philharmonic Orchestra at the Civic Theatre in Braamfontein, 29 Mar–13 Apr
HOLIDAY CAMPS
Gecko Valley Performing Arts Camp, Vaal River, Mar 24- Apr 2.
Adventure n Beyond, Krugersdorp, Mar 30 -Apr 4.
Sugar Bay Resort, Zinkwazi, 5 camps: Mar 23-30, Mar 30 -Apr 6, Apr 6-13, Apr 17-27, Apr 27 -May 4.
Flipflop Gymnastics Camp, Hartbeesport Dam Holiday Resort Mar 28-30.
See Holiday Animals above for pony camps
FAMILY HOLIDAYS
Coral Tree Guest House in Port Elizabeth offers a free city tour.
Dolphin EnCounters and Halo Gaia Holistic Tourism for swimming with dolphins in Mozambique.
THE JOURNEY
My Mini Fun Box Summer 2007/8, designed for long car journeys or aeroplane trips to keep children entertained
The Listeners Library for renting quality children and adult audiobooks to make the time fly.
NEW JOZIKIDS CATEGORIES
We have added several new categories you may want to check out such as:
to learn - about pets
to shop - skin care/bath and wendy houses
for schooling - special needs
for transport - for kids
If we've left anything out please let us know and have a wonderful holiday.
Regards
The Jozikids Team
info@jozikids.co.za
011 482 4310
www.jozikids.co.za
Monday, 10 March 2008
He's a Simple Man
Zuma understands the basic philosophy of getting along. He is simply trying to be all things to all people. And it's all so simple!
To the poor, he is a simple man. He knows that they appreciate that.
To wheeler-dealers, he is a simple man. And do they appreciate that!
To the medical profession, he is a simple, soap-and-water kind of a guy. No flies on him (even when there should be and it should be closed).
To the business community, he is a simple man. No bulls or bears. He just gets your goat.
And why are we so surprised that he'll talk about the death penalty? It's all so easy. Just leave the criminals on the streets where they are now. After all, these are the streets of South Africa. They're likely to die anyway. It's not as if they're safely behind bars....
He's a well-read man. He knows that when Simon Says, everybody does. Simon is simple. Just be simple and say. And say and say. No problem.
Why be complicated? That's a legacy of Apartheid. Just keep it simple. Relax. Be happy. Let the ANC panic. You just chill. Take a cold shower if you have to - it can work miracles.
Oh, and smile a lot. It perplexes the shit out of the journalists.
To the poor, he is a simple man. He knows that they appreciate that.
To wheeler-dealers, he is a simple man. And do they appreciate that!
To the medical profession, he is a simple, soap-and-water kind of a guy. No flies on him (even when there should be and it should be closed).
To the business community, he is a simple man. No bulls or bears. He just gets your goat.
And why are we so surprised that he'll talk about the death penalty? It's all so easy. Just leave the criminals on the streets where they are now. After all, these are the streets of South Africa. They're likely to die anyway. It's not as if they're safely behind bars....
He's a well-read man. He knows that when Simon Says, everybody does. Simon is simple. Just be simple and say. And say and say. No problem.
Why be complicated? That's a legacy of Apartheid. Just keep it simple. Relax. Be happy. Let the ANC panic. You just chill. Take a cold shower if you have to - it can work miracles.
Oh, and smile a lot. It perplexes the shit out of the journalists.
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