Wednesday 30 May 2012

Whiling my time away


Call me crazy. I call it fun.

  This may sound weird, but I love getting carried away doing housework. I don’t consider it a chore; and it is not something my wife ever has to ask me to do. It is one domestic activity that I take pleasure in.

I can easily while a Saturday morning away cleaning the bathroom, fixing a cupboard, hanging a door or vacuuming. I don’t consider cleaning an activity that only women can or should have to do any longer.

Have we as men not evolved far enough to know how to operate a vacuum cleaner? Some men insist on going partying and drinking over weekends. I don’t do either; it’s just not my scene. I’d rather be boring and stay at home and maintain my castle for my queen and me.

Our greatest strengths are our greatest weaknesses.

"Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely. Great men are almost always bad men." – Lord Acton 1887.

Mr Zuma has a new ride? Oh no, sorry its the Green Goblin.

 If anyone knows Marvel Comics, then you’d be familiar with Spiderman and his illustrious career as a crime fighter.  He has come up against a few real baddies in his day, the Green Goblin being the ultimate. The good thing watching these flicks are is that we always know that good triumphs over evil.


More often than not the villains were good and possessed great strength but it’s that strength i.e. their genius that eventually turned into greed. In their desire for more power, their greatest strength became their greatest weakness. 

Sound familiar? It is greed that is tearing the fabric of South African society to shreds. All we need to do is look at our president who has become so intoxicated on his own (dictatorial) rule he considers it his right to nullify an artist’s freedom and expression of speech.

South Africa is fraught with baddies, many of whom would put Spiderman’s enemies to shame. Rabobi, oh Rabobi, where art though? We need you. A word of advice, your first stop may need to be the Union Buildings in Pretoria.

Tuesday 22 May 2012

BLUE is the Colour

Wipe away those tears, OUR future looks very bright!
  On Saturday, 19 May 2012, Chelsea Football Club etched its name in the annals of European football history by winning the 2011/ 2012 UEFA Champions League title; it’s first in its 107 year history.

Every fan on the 19th was rewarded (when our captain lifted the cup high above his head) for their undying support through the dark months and trophy less years, and in doing so silencing all critics.  After a dismal season, compounded by the late introduction of a new interim coach, attitudes within the team changed so dramatically, giving rise to one of the most awe inspiring reversals of team fortunes the European soccer fraternity has ever seen. 

Witnessing an emotionally distraught Chelsea 4 years ago in Moscow, we can now safely say that those ghosts have been laid to rest and as ardent Chelsea fans we now look forward to a new era in the club’s history. Well done to the team, well do to the manager, without whom we would not have achieved the milestones (i.e. winning the English FA Cup and UEFA Champions League) and last but not least, the owner. Thank you.

The lesson we can learn from Chelsea IS that no matter what the obstacle is in your path, through strong and trustworthy leadership; a belief in oneself and one’s ability and most importantly through teamwork, no task is insurmountable.

Today and every other single day, BLUE is the Colour. Proudly Chelsea!

Try a cliché

  What is a cliché? A cliché was a printing plate cast from movable type. This is also called a stereotype. When letters were set one at a time, it made sense to cast a phrase used repeatedly as a single slug of metal. "Cliché" came to mean such a ready-made phrase (Wikipedia, 2011).

In that case in an age where “Time is Money” a readymade phrase pays for itself. Only problem is that one always finds the slightly dimmer members of society using clichés (out of context), in an attempt to wow their audiences with their brilliance.

When will someone just set them right? Or is it simply to must fun to sit in amazement thinking “Are you an experiment in Artificial Stupidity?” I reckon we’ll never rid the world of clichés or stupid people. Moral of the story is to think before you speak OR simply just shut up if you haven’t got anything of value to speak about.

Wednesday 16 May 2012

Feelings follow behaviour

Feelings follow behaviour as much as they precede them. What really matters is the manner in which one deals with the feeling OR manages the subsequent behaviour.

Who said you can't walk on sunshine everyday?
  An earlier blog post of mine relates to this very phenomenon. We are what we do and similarly how we behave dictates how we feel. Controlling and eliminating negative emotions will have a positive effect on how you behave, which in turn will have a positive effect on how you feel thereafter. Mathematically speaking it could be represented as the following equation:
  
EMOTION = BEHAVIOUR = FEELING

It all starts with a conscious decision NOT allowing a negative emotion to dictate your behaviour. A controlled behavior will in turn result in a less negative feeling, allowing one to confidently and positively walk away from an e.g. an irate employer, partner or uncooperative colleague. Not allowing a poisonous emotion to affect your behaviour will leave you in a rather positive mood.

It isn’t easy, but with constant practice and training of a conscious mind, mixed with an upbeat attitude, can leave you walking on sunshine, no matter the circumstance.

Paying it forward


All it take is one good deed at a time.

  I was a ‘beneficiary’ of this very recently. Standing in front of the pay point in the mall I inserted a somewhat worn R20 note into the money tray. To my dismay it repeatedly refused to accept the note. A young woman standing behind me tapped me on the shoulder saying “I know the feeling when that happens” and handed me a five rand coin to pay for the parking.

She wouldn’t accept payment and I can only conclude that she did it out of the goodness of her heart. Like she said, she knew what it felt like. I don’t know who she is, but thank you whoever you are. Next time, when I see someone in a similar predicament, I will do everything in power to assist in whichever way. Who said that the world can’t become a better place by performing one good deed at a time?

Wednesday 9 May 2012

It is better to practice a little than talk a lot


Your life will never be the same again!

  Loosely interpreted, as a Christian I am called to emulate the life and example set by Jesus Christ. He lived obediently, saying little, he practice what he preached. Having difficulty understanding?

Let me explain it to you. Jesus loved all (and even went as far as dying for all to show them HOW much he loved them). Jesus didn’t just walk around during his life simply telling the world he loved them; he backed it up with putting into practice that which he preached. He chose to live by example governed by obedience.

So what’s the moral of the story you may be thinking? Another bible story you think? No, I am writing this too tell you that IF you’re looking for a perfect role model turn to Jesus. Live by example, practice what you preach and speak as little as possible. Words will be here today and gone tomorrow. Living an obedient life will leave an indelible mark on those you meet or still to meet. You may even inspire someone else (no matter their religious belief or stance) to emulate your life.

Image: http://lh4.ggpht.com/aX4bGlwISEN0bZKRXJFrkbLscxWzIkQooZ9vOmh9QPmygk_6rZvJxV_drxc-BVrLLjoh=s110

Being a part of history


It takes more than just a team to build a car

  Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine that one day I’d be part of making history. I am fortunate to be a part of the CPUT Champions of Engineering team that will be going to the UK in July to compete in the Formula Student Competition at the Silverstone Grand Prix circuit.

What many people don’t realise is that to be a part of history inevitably means being part of a team. Team members can be as close as biological family e.g. the Jackson 5’s or as close as family by virtue of a dream e.g. the 1995 and 2007 World Cup winning Springbok Rugby teams. 

Being a part of successful team isn’t easy, as there’s always an issue between team mates. This is an unavoidable feature that if dealt with properly can bind the team in its pursuit of success. The Champions of Engineering team is no different. Each member had to put aside their personal aspirations for the good of the team. Since doing this we work more cohesively and have come to realise that as a team, WE carry the hopes of not only an institution or a country, but both.

This weight we willingly bear as a team, and as a result thereof I can unreservedly say that we are perfect examples of the Together Everyone Achieves More philosophy. Secretly we all know that we will never be the same after this experience, having made history together as CPUT.

Image courtesy of: Mpho Ndou, 2012. Champions of Engineering

Wednesday 2 May 2012

Are we dumb yet?


Who needs a bank when you have a trusty mattress.

 So the ASA has ruled that both Standard Bank and FNB are to withdraw their advertisements as they are misleading.

Now IF anyone has taken the time to read my last blog they’d know that this is something that I have had an issue with for some while now. Our banks are making loftier promises by the month in order to attract new customers.

Standard Bank and FNB let me tell you a secret. The key to attracting new customers is to ensure that YOUR staff is adequately trained and that they do that which your ad campaign says you’ll do.

Stop playing childish games with one another (at our cost) and start doing that which you’re supposed to, by offering the South African public sector world class customer service making us your priority. We have brains and IF we see that you’re actually trying to meet OUR needs we will consider giving you our money for safe keeping.

Wedding cake in the middle of the road

ATTENTION: Do not ever attempt to carry a large cake alone because this could result in injury to you and to the cake.


Some things just do not go together.

  And despite the warnings this still happens, often with disastrous consequences which will linger forever. More often than not it’s an over confident drunken groom at the root of the tears and years worth of entertainment.

It is gut wrenching to witness a nervous bride watch her new (drunken) husband carry a tiered wedding cake to the car. As always, an annoying (know it all) mother in law has a few stern words before the action; but a young cocky groom (always) knows better. 

He confidently lifts the cake up in one swoop and starts his dash toward the car as if he were a rugby player making a run for the try line. In true rugby club fashion his boozed up mates cheer him on from the sidelines.

Much like watching a rugby game, our groom in this case is like the forward who is not the most agile player in team. But on receiving the ball, his initial reaction is to hesitate but then starts his run for the line, convincing himself that this is HIS time to prove all his detractors wrong (i.e. coach = mom in law). He gets into his stride and light-footedly side steps his opponents (= the odd chair and family member) carrying the prized cargo toward the line which now comes into sight, followed by a general sigh of relief by the crowd.

But then; it happens.

The sigh of relief quickly turns into a gasp followed by the customary (as if choreographed) “oh shit” followed by muffled sniggers. Our groom has just spilled the cake. He stands in utter disbelief at what has just happened, not realising the extent of his all mighty cock up. The bride comes out. He looks at her. It dawns on him.  

Whether it’s a drunken groom or clumsy rugby player such ‘mistakes’ will be remembered for years to come and may even land up on YouTube. And just when you think you’ve lived it down, sorry mate but after 10 years of hiding somebody is going to remind you of that bitter (with icing sugar) sweet day.

Image: http://www.bride.ca/