Friday, September 3, 2010
thought of this?
africa
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
long days
Monday, July 26, 2010
familiar solutions
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
max's top 20 lessons for 2010
3. Play outside with kids
4. Switch to energy saving lights
5. Use public transport
6. Cycle to work when possible
9. Watch less tv
11. Learn another language
12. Have more braais
13. Separate trash and recycle
14. Recycle clothes
16. Steam food instead of frying
17. Prepare and eat according to planned menu
18. Walk and run more
19. Write another letter to the President
20. Celebrate by adding chocolate to milk
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
mature student
Thursday, June 24, 2010
driving the message
Monday, June 21, 2010
Friday, June 18, 2010
money going
vuvuzela
2010 world cup
It has been 7 days since the world cup got underway here. The biggest issues so far have been the adidas soccer ball called Jabulani and the monotone trumpet horn called the vuvuzela. We have seen several low key first round matches, with one or two highlights, Germany thrashing Australia 4-0 stands out for me. Some people are blaming the new ball, but Germany have shown it is possible to score goals. Poor aussies! Someone please tell them this is not Germany and the year is not 2006.
I have been going to the Champs Sports Bar on Main Road, Rondebosch to watch the games. It turns out that I like big screens. Also I am inclined to watch the games on DSTV for better quality over SABC. The bar is a favourite among the UCT students and a number of Africans from the north. On any match day it is full to the brim, even rugby matches get impressive crowds. I think that has a lot to do with Cape Town being a generally rugby-mad city. But over the last 7 days soccer has invaded and blocked out anything non-world cup related.
Personally, I have enjoyed seeing so many South African flags being flown. And now that they have finished all the construction and upgrades, all the roads are great! The world cup stadiums are superb and of course the mood everywhere you go is electric!
I have been impressed when watching the US, England teams, Argentina has been awesome, so has Netherlands and Germany. Brazil has not impressed me yet. As I write this, South Africa is on the brink of elimination after starting with a 1-1 draw against Mexico and losing 3-0 to Uruguay. Honestly, I didn’t expect much from the SA team hence I’m not disappointed. On the contrary, I bet against them so I’m 100 bucks up! I'm going to hold back on mentioning any other African team, because they have a tendency of being unpredictable if not disappointing.
On a more critical note, there are some annoying things about the world cup. For one, seeing so many people doing the same thing (in the name of pride for country) is the ultimate evidence of how conformity can go mad (and politicians love this). Second, the vuvuzelas are a unique unique symbol of South African soccer, but truthfully they are annoying. Lastly, spending money on extra world cup activities is also annoying. Oh, and another thing I'm pee'd off about seeing so many empty seats.
But you know, at least we've done something for the children.
Friday, May 28, 2010
weather controls my life
Thursday, May 27, 2010
soccer balls
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
max was blown away
The drive to this farm is breathtaking, and almost rivals the garden route. I was hosted there by a nice Afrikaans electrician, Dirk.
I spent time asking Dirk many questions while also posing for photos. I left the farm thinking its great that we can use wind for that purpose. As far as I know, wind is colourless and, a zero carbon source of energy. The size of one of those turbines is unimaginable and the blades are almost the length of a Boeing 737 wing. Totally completely awesome! But I'm not totally completely convinced.
Something tells me we probably need to know more about wind energy before becoming totally dependent on it, like we have with our black friends c.o.a and l. I'm going to have to read up on this, however as a conclusion for the purpose of this entry, its fair to say I was blown away.
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
identity
In the few days and weeks to come, the media will popularise issues around identity because that's what everyone will be asking. Who are these south africans and what do they have to offer the world? Finding the answer will be interesting.
It seems to me that to know your national identity is only good if the future is truly yours to decide. Unfortunately it is not, because there is always someone else in charge...the government, and who knows what direction they might decide to take next. Those who will bother to look at South Africa may find a very confusing definition of identity.
And here it is: a country with first world expectations engaged in an exciting process of self-discovery but also one of frustration because it finds itself in a third world reality.
Thursday, May 13, 2010
remediation
cape town
I've only ever read about these MLCs, but since the start of May I have truly experienced cape town winter; Wet, cold and miserable! It is my first and mostly certainly terrible winter yet. Melbourne wasn't this b(rrrrrrrr)ad!
Monday, May 10, 2010
When I play
Say hello to my Adidas HS4 stick. It retails at just under R1000 at Sportsman's Warehouse. Most good sticks are well over that figure. The grip on this one is great but the power is lacking mainly because of the 15% Carbon/5% Aramid/80% Glassfibre ratio. Basically more carbon equals more power.
Then for shoes, I chose to play with my Salomon trail runners, because I already owned the pair when I started playing. Hockey shoes are similar to soccer trainers because both are designed for grip on flat well cut grass or artificial surfaces. Hockey is mainly played on astro (artificial surface). They are sturdy comfortable shoes and it will be a while before I change over to another pair or brand. You wont find many people playing hockey in these shoes, but then again everywhere you look feet and shoes have occupied a glorified position in society. Each pair wants to be different from the next, and this desire to be different is increasingly evident in shopping malls and now on hockey fields.
My shin guards are pretty standard. Grays has always been a big name in hockey, and I am sure most of hockey players use grays shins. This particular type is designed to have a mold-to-your-shin effect and by my estimates is the most widely used by field and astro players.
Some of the other equipment not included are gum guards, gloves, socks and playing clothes etc.
Thursday, May 6, 2010
internet quiet time
Today I tried to do a quiet time through this site, but with all the adverts and different fonts types and sizes, my eyes were wandering all over the page. As it turned out, it wasn't much of a quiet time. Big mistake on my part.
I did however learn that when clouds are full of water, it rains. So give, give and give as much as you can. I just wish my eyes were a little less distracted.
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
plastic surgery
I went looking and finally settled on a plastic replacement instead of wood or porcelain. It was totally like performing plastic surgery. I had the gloves, bolt cutters, pliers, screw drivers and ofcourse the new seat which, in the line of thinking I'm presenting here, can be taken as a new face.
But to be honest, it feels slightly weird to be sitting on a seat the I installed myself. Do people do that? It's certainly a first for me. Just like it would be weird for a plastic surgeon to date a woman he's performed plastic surgery on.
Luckily I'm not a plastic whajima'call. I just enjoy the serenity of taking a crap on plastic.
Monday, May 3, 2010
the millions
So today I find myself asking "what if I tried to live on R9.20 a day?".
I could definitely get 1 loaf of bread. Thank God for bread. But I would not afford a house, so that means I won't have access to clean water. I can forget about getting to work the next day. I will not make next month's rent. I certainly won't afford a car. No movies for me. Sorry KFC and McD, but I can't afford your cheapest menu options. Hope I don't fall sick, because R9,20 won't get me to the nearest hospital or clinic.
I have lived in South Africa for over 25 years and I know of its harsh and unforgiving reality, and if 12 million people are living in extreme poverty, you better believe it. The urban areas seem to be full of potential but there's an undercurrent of neglect and desperation. That is why pickpocketing and petty crime in some parts of Johannesburg can be directly related to extreme poverty. The rural areas are the most heartbreaking because the demands for help and the accompanying sense of dependency seem bottomless.
The challenge that we must all take up, as presented by the Global Poverty Project, is to realise that extreme poverty and the issues around it are important, urgent and related to all of us. Our generation can end extreme poverty and to overcome it we must join up in our numbers to make it happen.
Friday, April 30, 2010
losing faith in democracy
I hope you understand that I am in support of democracy because it enables change of whole countries and ideology. However democracy plays best in the field of numbers. In other words, change can happen if you have enough numbers behind a cause.
This then should be encouragement for me (and us) to join up in movements to end extreme poverty. We should do this in huge numbers. But if I have to wait for another march, protest, conference or summit to see the living conditions of the poor improved then I feel deeply disillusioned.
My solution ... may sound immediately controversial, but what hey, this is the internet: I think it is time we took the fight to end poverty away from governments and back into the hands of people.
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Monday, April 26, 2010
everywhere you go
2050
In 40 years time, the world will have 9.2 billion people, and I will be Jacob Zuma's exact age (68). The current life expectancy of a black male in South Africa is 49. In 2050, Zuma will be 108 years old. Will he be alive? All signs point towards NO. He will definitely be dead. Perhaps in that time, when he’s dead and climate change has wiped out our ecosystems, we will realise that polygamous people who needed more resources to support themselves were selfish.
Friday, April 16, 2010
fire and loss
Friday, March 26, 2010
got a fax
I wish to state upfront, I am not running an employment agency. I work as an environmental consultant (although of late I've been very impressed with the title 'environmental analyst'). From time to time, in my line of work I put up public notices inviting expressions of interest or comments on development projects. Yeah, I know what gibberish! Well, we use vague and legal language in our public notices much the same as rich people use high razor wired fences to secure their homes (if that home is in the 2nd, 3rd or 4th world, the 1st world doesn't count because of foreclosers, so no need for security there). In our case the 'razor wire' is used intentionally to avoid misguided petitions from joe publics. If you're on my side of the fence, this is a good thing. But this is only an academic truth, because if you're on Joe’s side, you see it as evidence of a flawed system which actively acts to exclude some people by using complicated language. I think the legal term for it is discrimination.
I'm sorry Joe. I left a message saying I don’t have work for you, but you must keep looking. Here's are 3 options: 1. Write a letter to your member of parliament and the equality court, and explain that you're suing for discrimination because no one wants to hire you. 2. If he/she doesn't respond in 30 days, burn a tyre and chant violent songs outside his/her home (also wear something red). 3. Your final option, keep sending those job applications to every notice you see.
*no his/her real name
Thursday, March 25, 2010
jumping airs
I'm not always this stupid. But sometimes I think that its easier to go through life by acting stupid. Its certainly worth laughing at yourself once in a while. So, for all this was worth: hahaha.
Did I tell you I sold my bmx to buy a mountain bike? The bmx was a social tool to see how many bones I could break, but the other guys always beat me at it. Doing airs and jumping concrete slabs was a thrill though. I think a mountain bike is much more than that. For one, I use it to cycle to work, so it saves me money. Secondly, I cycle along some adventure tracks around where I stay. Third, I hear its aerodynamics are a hit with the ladies! But, truth be told, I miss that little bmx. Its rhymes with max so easily.
Monday, March 8, 2010
mervin
Cape Town is experiencing 40+ degree temperatures today. Mervin, the soccer ball, happened to be outside in the sun when the weather delivered a massive heatwave on the southern tip of Africa. This is Mervin's story. "I was just sitting there when I suddenly popped", he said. In the photo, he is shown sitting in the back seat of my car where the incident occurred.
Preliminary medical reports suggest that a total re-constructive surgery may be needed. In the mean time, the local authorities have advised Mervin and other soccer balls to find the nearest beach or stay indoors.
As a concerned owner and responsible citizen, I have taken the initiative of setting up a relief fund. I call it the 'Mervin Heat Concern'. Donations will go towards his cosmetic surgery and and possible burial expenses. Please send 10 Rand to 66 Loch Road, Rondebosch 7700.
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
plain stupid
With this not-so new revelation, I think it would be a waste of time to explain the benefits of monogamy to the current president of South Africa.
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Monday, February 22, 2010
Friday, February 19, 2010
dear mr president
burn the donut
There are too many dangers associated with body weight, such as low popularity scores. Seriously though, other dangers are medical and mathematical. Did you know that 1 glazed donut contains 204 calories? Now if you were to do 15 minutes on a treadmill you only burn 102 calories! Did you also know that 30 minutes of golf can burn 153 calories and 60-minute volleyball game can burn 204 calories? (Thanks tipstolose15lbs.com). Still the donut wins and the fat grows. More accurately, when you consume more calories than you burn, the result is fat. When the fat grows, the heart and muscles become weaker.
Now, I am a reasonable man, and as a reasonable man, I have surrendered my quest to gain weight and body fat because it will have 2 possible consequences. No. 1 it will lower my social status, already at a record low, thus proving that body fat and popularity have an inverse proportionality (in that order). No. 2 the quest will make me fat.