There are about 40 parties currently registered with the IEC for the elections in 2 weeks' time. The Mail & Guardian has put together a voter prediction site. There are about 10 or 15 questions you have to answer (all of them MCQ), after which the site tells you which party's policies you are most similar to, but only from the most well-known parties (about 10, I think).
I was pleased to see that the party they think I should vote for is the one I have voted for in the past. That at least tells me that I've been voting for the party most closely aligned to my own sentiments. I was interested to see them suggest another party though, that I hadn't considered, which was an equally good choice based on the few questions I had answered.
Wednesday, April 08, 2009
Sunday, April 05, 2009
Progress on the house
After waiting months for the plans to be approved, the remodelling of the house is moving apace. We're hoping to start decorating in about 3 weeks or so, meaning that we should be able to move in before the baby is born!
For those who didn't get our newsletter, the plans for the house are to extend all 3 bedrooms, create a new en suite bathroom and make the current en suite a family bathroom, build on a scullery and a new lounge.
I'm really sorry now that I didn't take photos before we started building, and now I can't seem to find the photos we took when we bought the house. Sigh. Anyway, here are some photos taken about a week apart, to show the progress. (Left photos were taken at the end of March, right photos are the same shots, a week later.)
This is the rear of the house - two bedrooms are extending into the garden, with the new en suite on the far left.
This is the new lounge.
It's still smaller than I'd like - it will be like moving back to the UK and their poky little houses, but it's a cheaper option than buying the size house we would like in the area we want. Isn't life always about compromises? Still, I am getting excited about it. It will be lovely to finally live in our own house!
And for those who would like to see where we are... There's a major road (A road for the UK types, M road for the SA types) just to the right of that grass, and then a railway line. Not too quiet, but I guess we'll get used to it pretty quickly. It's in the back of beyond though, as far as the suburb is concerned - really the most awkward spot to get to. The upside of that is that Nellie will able to ride in the street without too much worrying about getting knocked down.
This is how we are situated with respect to the Mountain. Unfortunately, the house is just at the wrong angle to make the most of the view of the Mountain. Long term plans include making a deck on top of the garage to take advantage of it. (Ha ha, long term as in - when we have money again... like never!!)
For those who didn't get our newsletter, the plans for the house are to extend all 3 bedrooms, create a new en suite bathroom and make the current en suite a family bathroom, build on a scullery and a new lounge.
I'm really sorry now that I didn't take photos before we started building, and now I can't seem to find the photos we took when we bought the house. Sigh. Anyway, here are some photos taken about a week apart, to show the progress. (Left photos were taken at the end of March, right photos are the same shots, a week later.)
This is the rear of the house - two bedrooms are extending into the garden, with the new en suite on the far left.
This is the new lounge.
It's still smaller than I'd like - it will be like moving back to the UK and their poky little houses, but it's a cheaper option than buying the size house we would like in the area we want. Isn't life always about compromises? Still, I am getting excited about it. It will be lovely to finally live in our own house!
And for those who would like to see where we are... There's a major road (A road for the UK types, M road for the SA types) just to the right of that grass, and then a railway line. Not too quiet, but I guess we'll get used to it pretty quickly. It's in the back of beyond though, as far as the suburb is concerned - really the most awkward spot to get to. The upside of that is that Nellie will able to ride in the street without too much worrying about getting knocked down.
This is how we are situated with respect to the Mountain. Unfortunately, the house is just at the wrong angle to make the most of the view of the Mountain. Long term plans include making a deck on top of the garage to take advantage of it. (Ha ha, long term as in - when we have money again... like never!!)
Lessons from Nixon's administration
At the moment, it seems like I get most of my news via Twitter, since I can't recall when last I watched the news (let alone the news headlines) or listened to the news on the radio. (I very, very seldom have the time to read a paper.) Today's headlines are rather depressing - firstly that poor Tsvangirai has lost his grandson a few mere weeks after losing his wife, and that it looks like the charges against Zuma will be dropped. My heart is downcast for Tsavangirai. I can't imagine his grief. My prayers are with him and his entire family.
This whole Zuma business is also rather depressing. On the one hand, I believe the courts to be fair and just, particularly the Constitutional Court. That means that, if Zuma is not charged, I have to believe there are good reasons for it - like the fact that maybe he's not guilty. On the other hand, I believe that most of SA's leadership is corrupt and not above accepting bribes or putting their own personal interests above that of the nation. If I'm right, that means that there is a HUGE possibility that the 'damning' evidence Zuma may have on Mbeki and others would prove so embarrassing for the government that the prosecutors have been ordered not to see justice prevail in the 'interests of national security' or something.
Zuma was acquitted 3 years ago of rape charges. I still believe he's guilty. Why? Because proving a rape is nigh on impossible in the current legal system. In this area, I have no faith in our justice system. I believe that Zuma is a crook, as well as a rapist, but I'm facing the facts that he will probably be SA's next president. Since I believe that most of SA's leadership are also crooks, that means I don't think much will change for us. We'll still be ruled by men (mostly) who are egocentric. Those few women in power are just as corrupt, in my books. There are a few notable exceptions in both camps. I wish these few stalwarts strength in the coming days and pray that more honorable men and women are voted into power. I'm afraid I don't hold much hope of that happening though - we live in a corrupt and fallen world; having corrupt leaders is par for the course.
As I've been contemplating this debacle though, I've been put in mind of US politics, and the Watergate scandal of Nixon's era (1974). I read the autobiography of Chuck Colson, Nixon's chief counsel, a long while back. During his prosecution and imprisonment, Colson became a Christian, and now heads up Prison Fellowship (amongst other massive achievements). His description of the time has similarities with the current situation with Zuma. Colson confessed that he was guilty - maybe not of the crimes that the rest of the administration was, but certainly he had committed various other crimes. Instead of avoiding a prison sentence, he took the honourable route of accepting a prison sentence, if the judge saw fit to hand one down, which he did.
Some people have argued that if you were falsely charged with some crime, you would do everything in your power to have those charges dropped. Surely going to court and presenting your evidence there is the best route to proving your innocence? Or am I misguided on this? Most guilty people will avoid court, because they know that once inside the courtroom the evidence against them will cause them to be convicted. Only guilty people seek to hide from the light of justice. Those who are innocent know they can withstand the scrutiny. Ergo, I must conclude that Zuma is guilty.
To my mind, we have here two examples of character: a guilty man who was prepared to take his punishment (Colson), and a man who is doing everything in his power to avoid going to court (Zuma). Who would you trust? Personally, I'd trust Colson. Personally, I don't trust Zuma at all. If he was as innocent as he claims, why not prove it in court? If Mbeki is as guilty as Zuma claims, the this country needs to know about it, and what better place to do so than in court?
I think the reason that Zuma is avoiding court is that, as I've said on this blog before, the ANC leadership has lost all perspective. They appear to have lost touch with their roots, their heritage, their raison d'etre. Once, they were concerned with human rights and justice for all. Now, it would seem they are merely concerned with power - retaining the power they have and getting more of it. That makes them no different to the NP of old.
The NP used physical violence to maintain their hold on SA society and to subjugate the majority of this population. The ANC today is using bribery, corruption and denial of the truth to attempt to hoodwink the uneducated populace into voting them into power again. Both routes would ultimately result in the ruin of this country. Abusing democracy, whether to have a secret army that goes around imprisoning & torturing people or to retain power in order to have access to personal wealth creation tools (e.g. bribes), while trying to appear as if you uphold it is treachery of the worst kind in my book. For this reason, I am supremely grateful that COPE has been established, and I hope that it wreaks havoc on the ANC's campaigning. I won't be voting for COPE, but I hope they garner a tremendous amount of support.
What this country needs most though, is for Christians across the political divide to get together and pray. I believe the future of this country is approaching a knife edge, or a cross-roads, and the path we take will either lead to our eventual success, or our eventual downfall (think Zimbabwe). I can see a future in which the ANC leads us into becoming another Zimbabwe. I can also see a future in which we become an even stronger nation. In our first democratic election, widespread bloodshed and rioting was predicted. It did not come to pass. I believe the reason was that the People of God got on their knees and beseeched God to intervene - and I believe he did just that. It seems to me that such a time is on hand again. "IF my people who are called by My name will humble themselves and pray, and seek my face, AND turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear them from heaven, forgive their sin and heal their land."* Isn't it time we corporately confessed again, that this nation might be saved from further corruption and ruin?
The lesson from Nixon's administration is that when corrupt people genuinely admit (and repent of) their corruption and seek God's forgiveness, he raises them up again to become incredibly powerful individuals. So here's a gauntlet for Mr. Zuma: will you bow your knee to the Eternal God, forgo the power you so desperately seek to attain, and allow God to determine your future? For should you choose to do so, you may be surprised at what He gives back to you. If you choose not to though, be warned: 'This day I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live."** As a child of this nation, I hope and pray you make the right choice, Mr Zuma, because, potentially, the fate of this nations rests on your shoulders. To those who much is given, much is required. When you are called to give an account of the role you played in South African politics, and the leadership you have given this country, I hope you will be able to withstand the scrutiny - for your sake as much as for ours.
*2 Chronicles 7:14
** Deuteronomy 30:19
This whole Zuma business is also rather depressing. On the one hand, I believe the courts to be fair and just, particularly the Constitutional Court. That means that, if Zuma is not charged, I have to believe there are good reasons for it - like the fact that maybe he's not guilty. On the other hand, I believe that most of SA's leadership is corrupt and not above accepting bribes or putting their own personal interests above that of the nation. If I'm right, that means that there is a HUGE possibility that the 'damning' evidence Zuma may have on Mbeki and others would prove so embarrassing for the government that the prosecutors have been ordered not to see justice prevail in the 'interests of national security' or something.
Zuma was acquitted 3 years ago of rape charges. I still believe he's guilty. Why? Because proving a rape is nigh on impossible in the current legal system. In this area, I have no faith in our justice system. I believe that Zuma is a crook, as well as a rapist, but I'm facing the facts that he will probably be SA's next president. Since I believe that most of SA's leadership are also crooks, that means I don't think much will change for us. We'll still be ruled by men (mostly) who are egocentric. Those few women in power are just as corrupt, in my books. There are a few notable exceptions in both camps. I wish these few stalwarts strength in the coming days and pray that more honorable men and women are voted into power. I'm afraid I don't hold much hope of that happening though - we live in a corrupt and fallen world; having corrupt leaders is par for the course.
As I've been contemplating this debacle though, I've been put in mind of US politics, and the Watergate scandal of Nixon's era (1974). I read the autobiography of Chuck Colson, Nixon's chief counsel, a long while back. During his prosecution and imprisonment, Colson became a Christian, and now heads up Prison Fellowship (amongst other massive achievements). His description of the time has similarities with the current situation with Zuma. Colson confessed that he was guilty - maybe not of the crimes that the rest of the administration was, but certainly he had committed various other crimes. Instead of avoiding a prison sentence, he took the honourable route of accepting a prison sentence, if the judge saw fit to hand one down, which he did.
Some people have argued that if you were falsely charged with some crime, you would do everything in your power to have those charges dropped. Surely going to court and presenting your evidence there is the best route to proving your innocence? Or am I misguided on this? Most guilty people will avoid court, because they know that once inside the courtroom the evidence against them will cause them to be convicted. Only guilty people seek to hide from the light of justice. Those who are innocent know they can withstand the scrutiny. Ergo, I must conclude that Zuma is guilty.
To my mind, we have here two examples of character: a guilty man who was prepared to take his punishment (Colson), and a man who is doing everything in his power to avoid going to court (Zuma). Who would you trust? Personally, I'd trust Colson. Personally, I don't trust Zuma at all. If he was as innocent as he claims, why not prove it in court? If Mbeki is as guilty as Zuma claims, the this country needs to know about it, and what better place to do so than in court?
I think the reason that Zuma is avoiding court is that, as I've said on this blog before, the ANC leadership has lost all perspective. They appear to have lost touch with their roots, their heritage, their raison d'etre. Once, they were concerned with human rights and justice for all. Now, it would seem they are merely concerned with power - retaining the power they have and getting more of it. That makes them no different to the NP of old.
The NP used physical violence to maintain their hold on SA society and to subjugate the majority of this population. The ANC today is using bribery, corruption and denial of the truth to attempt to hoodwink the uneducated populace into voting them into power again. Both routes would ultimately result in the ruin of this country. Abusing democracy, whether to have a secret army that goes around imprisoning & torturing people or to retain power in order to have access to personal wealth creation tools (e.g. bribes), while trying to appear as if you uphold it is treachery of the worst kind in my book. For this reason, I am supremely grateful that COPE has been established, and I hope that it wreaks havoc on the ANC's campaigning. I won't be voting for COPE, but I hope they garner a tremendous amount of support.
What this country needs most though, is for Christians across the political divide to get together and pray. I believe the future of this country is approaching a knife edge, or a cross-roads, and the path we take will either lead to our eventual success, or our eventual downfall (think Zimbabwe). I can see a future in which the ANC leads us into becoming another Zimbabwe. I can also see a future in which we become an even stronger nation. In our first democratic election, widespread bloodshed and rioting was predicted. It did not come to pass. I believe the reason was that the People of God got on their knees and beseeched God to intervene - and I believe he did just that. It seems to me that such a time is on hand again. "IF my people who are called by My name will humble themselves and pray, and seek my face, AND turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear them from heaven, forgive their sin and heal their land."* Isn't it time we corporately confessed again, that this nation might be saved from further corruption and ruin?
The lesson from Nixon's administration is that when corrupt people genuinely admit (and repent of) their corruption and seek God's forgiveness, he raises them up again to become incredibly powerful individuals. So here's a gauntlet for Mr. Zuma: will you bow your knee to the Eternal God, forgo the power you so desperately seek to attain, and allow God to determine your future? For should you choose to do so, you may be surprised at what He gives back to you. If you choose not to though, be warned: 'This day I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live."** As a child of this nation, I hope and pray you make the right choice, Mr Zuma, because, potentially, the fate of this nations rests on your shoulders. To those who much is given, much is required. When you are called to give an account of the role you played in South African politics, and the leadership you have given this country, I hope you will be able to withstand the scrutiny - for your sake as much as for ours.
*2 Chronicles 7:14
** Deuteronomy 30:19
Friday, April 03, 2009
About 10 weeks
I went for another scan earlier this week. The little man was sleeping, using a thickened portion of my uterus as a pillow, and honestly looked like he was snoring - mouth slightly open and 'breathing' through it! So cute!
He's lying breech at the moment, but as we have several weeks to go, that really is not a problem. Everything else was fine. He's been kicking up a storm recently, so I'm quite at peace that all is well in there. He's also been lying with his head right under my belly-button, and then rubbing his head against the nerves in that area - OWW!! I've been so uncomfortable and sore as a result that I've had to hold my belly up with my hands, to try to relieve the pressure of him pushing against that area. Not too pleasant.
Apart from checking vital stats, I also discussed induction dates and general labour stuff with our gynae. I was very relieved to learn that the system here is pretty much identical to the system in the UK. While I've done this twice before, doing it in a 'foreign' place and system was starting to stress me out - I don't deal too well with the unknown when my life and the life of my child are at potentially at stake.
Anyway, I will be admitted as an in-patient 2 days before the induction, so that I can have several steroid injections to help his lungs develop properly and have several different scans. Then, on the 3rd day (currently set for Wed 10th June, assuming we get that far), we'll induce. (The poor boy will never have the pool or other outdoor parties that Nellie will be able to have!) Initially, we'll use the gel, but if that doesn't work, we'll go for the oxytocin drip. My gynae was pleased to hear that I respond very well to oxytocin - 2 hours from the initial injection and the baby is out. However, she agreed that starting with it leads to a very vicious labour, so I'm all for starting gently with the gel instead, even though it means I'll probably be in labour for much longer than I was with either Nellie or Zoe. Shame - she nearly lost a baby this week to complications in induction, so I think she's had a big scare and is being overly cautious with me as a result.
Although both Nellie and Zoe's births were induced, they were both positioned correctly for labour (i.e. not breech). That bodes well for this pregnancy. With any early birth, and particularly with inductions, there is always the possibility that there will be complications. I'm hopeful that there will be none with this one.
So - about 10 weeks to go. On the one hand, that feels like a million years from now. On the other, it feels like just the blink of an eye. One thing I am grateful for is that it means I will have about 10 days after finishing work before he arrives. That will give me a small breathing space to sleep (unless of course we're still moving house around then!) and rest and prepare myself mentally.
In some ways, I really don't feel ready for this. I don't feel ready for the sleepless nights, leaking sore boobs, dirty nappies, and the MESS. I don't feel ready for dealing with Nellie's inevitable jealousy. I don't feel ready for any of this baby stuff again. But then I remember that right now I'm looking at it from the outside. When he's here (please God, let him BE here!), I will have my love for him, and my hormones, to get me through. This time around, I will have Priscilla to help during the day, and BOTH grandmothers only a phone call away.
I'm really starting to get excited about the birth now. I've been so nervous about forming a bond with this child, just in case. Now that he's moving so much though, it's impossible to ignore him, or the developing bond I feel for him. And now that I feel that bond, I am getting excited about meeting him. Of course, we're only just entering the danger period now, and so the likelihood of losing him increases with each passing day. In many respects, it feels so ironic. I'm trying not to think about it though. I'm trying hard to be positive and to think that he's going to make it just fine. I pray he does, because I'm not sure how I would cope if I lost another one. But he's definitely not going anywhere just yet - that much is clear: as I write he has decided to wake up and is dancing and kicking. How I love being able to feel him move!
(Tertia - you are so amazing, my friend, to have survived the loss of your babies as you have.... you are an inspiration to me on a daily basis! Thanks for your honesty and your 'bare it all' approach to blogging.)
He's lying breech at the moment, but as we have several weeks to go, that really is not a problem. Everything else was fine. He's been kicking up a storm recently, so I'm quite at peace that all is well in there. He's also been lying with his head right under my belly-button, and then rubbing his head against the nerves in that area - OWW!! I've been so uncomfortable and sore as a result that I've had to hold my belly up with my hands, to try to relieve the pressure of him pushing against that area. Not too pleasant.
Apart from checking vital stats, I also discussed induction dates and general labour stuff with our gynae. I was very relieved to learn that the system here is pretty much identical to the system in the UK. While I've done this twice before, doing it in a 'foreign' place and system was starting to stress me out - I don't deal too well with the unknown when my life and the life of my child are at potentially at stake.
Anyway, I will be admitted as an in-patient 2 days before the induction, so that I can have several steroid injections to help his lungs develop properly and have several different scans. Then, on the 3rd day (currently set for Wed 10th June, assuming we get that far), we'll induce. (The poor boy will never have the pool or other outdoor parties that Nellie will be able to have!) Initially, we'll use the gel, but if that doesn't work, we'll go for the oxytocin drip. My gynae was pleased to hear that I respond very well to oxytocin - 2 hours from the initial injection and the baby is out. However, she agreed that starting with it leads to a very vicious labour, so I'm all for starting gently with the gel instead, even though it means I'll probably be in labour for much longer than I was with either Nellie or Zoe. Shame - she nearly lost a baby this week to complications in induction, so I think she's had a big scare and is being overly cautious with me as a result.
Although both Nellie and Zoe's births were induced, they were both positioned correctly for labour (i.e. not breech). That bodes well for this pregnancy. With any early birth, and particularly with inductions, there is always the possibility that there will be complications. I'm hopeful that there will be none with this one.
So - about 10 weeks to go. On the one hand, that feels like a million years from now. On the other, it feels like just the blink of an eye. One thing I am grateful for is that it means I will have about 10 days after finishing work before he arrives. That will give me a small breathing space to sleep (unless of course we're still moving house around then!) and rest and prepare myself mentally.
In some ways, I really don't feel ready for this. I don't feel ready for the sleepless nights, leaking sore boobs, dirty nappies, and the MESS. I don't feel ready for dealing with Nellie's inevitable jealousy. I don't feel ready for any of this baby stuff again. But then I remember that right now I'm looking at it from the outside. When he's here (please God, let him BE here!), I will have my love for him, and my hormones, to get me through. This time around, I will have Priscilla to help during the day, and BOTH grandmothers only a phone call away.
I'm really starting to get excited about the birth now. I've been so nervous about forming a bond with this child, just in case. Now that he's moving so much though, it's impossible to ignore him, or the developing bond I feel for him. And now that I feel that bond, I am getting excited about meeting him. Of course, we're only just entering the danger period now, and so the likelihood of losing him increases with each passing day. In many respects, it feels so ironic. I'm trying not to think about it though. I'm trying hard to be positive and to think that he's going to make it just fine. I pray he does, because I'm not sure how I would cope if I lost another one. But he's definitely not going anywhere just yet - that much is clear: as I write he has decided to wake up and is dancing and kicking. How I love being able to feel him move!
(Tertia - you are so amazing, my friend, to have survived the loss of your babies as you have.... you are an inspiration to me on a daily basis! Thanks for your honesty and your 'bare it all' approach to blogging.)
Some steel please
Tomorrow G & I will have been married for 11 years. Sjoe! We've actually been together since April 1994 (bar the 6 months we broke up), making it 15 years.... While I can obviously remember a time BG (before G), it's difficult to imagine that life again. It's also not a life I would choose for myself.
As I reflect on the past 11 (or 15 years, depending on how far back I want to go), I can recall the heady feeling of being utterly in love. I can also recall the months when I was convinced the marriage was over & just wanted out. I recall the highs of falling pregnant, and giving birth to Nellie, and the low of losing Zoe. I recall the terror of moving to London, and the joy of moving back home. I recall how our marriage, our love, our relationship has been through such ups and downs.
There is no-one, with the possible exception of my parents, who knows me better. Not only does this man know all my faults and weaknesses, but he loves me anyway. We both know I'm high maintenance, yet he faithfully and lovingly continues to "maintain" me. We both know I can be a grouchy, hormonal, self-absorbed cow, yet he lovingly continues to serve me.
This man, while he has his faults, continues to be towards me as Christ is towards his Church. He is an incredible husband and father, and my bestest friend in the whole wide world. (And friends are really important in a woman's life.) While I have no doubt that I would eventually cope should anything happen to him, I honestly hope I never, ever have to face life without him by my side.
This year, we've decided not to celebrate our anniversary on the day. Rather, we're going to take a day next week, while Nellie is at nursery, and have a whole day just by ourselves to indulge each other - starting with breakfast at Kirstenbosch. I can't wait! A whole day, just him and me - no kids or pets to worry about, no work to interrupt, and no computer to tempt us away from each other.
After 11 years, we're supposed to give each other the gift of steel. I'd love to buy him a proper sword, but haven't the money to buy the quality of sword I'd consider. So... what else? He's not much into wearing rings, and he's already got a beautiful watch... oh wait! I've just thought of the perfect gift! Practical, hopefully not to expensive, and VERY significant for our relationship. Now, how am I going to get it in time without him finding out????
As I reflect on the past 11 (or 15 years, depending on how far back I want to go), I can recall the heady feeling of being utterly in love. I can also recall the months when I was convinced the marriage was over & just wanted out. I recall the highs of falling pregnant, and giving birth to Nellie, and the low of losing Zoe. I recall the terror of moving to London, and the joy of moving back home. I recall how our marriage, our love, our relationship has been through such ups and downs.
There is no-one, with the possible exception of my parents, who knows me better. Not only does this man know all my faults and weaknesses, but he loves me anyway. We both know I'm high maintenance, yet he faithfully and lovingly continues to "maintain" me. We both know I can be a grouchy, hormonal, self-absorbed cow, yet he lovingly continues to serve me.
This man, while he has his faults, continues to be towards me as Christ is towards his Church. He is an incredible husband and father, and my bestest friend in the whole wide world. (And friends are really important in a woman's life.) While I have no doubt that I would eventually cope should anything happen to him, I honestly hope I never, ever have to face life without him by my side.
This year, we've decided not to celebrate our anniversary on the day. Rather, we're going to take a day next week, while Nellie is at nursery, and have a whole day just by ourselves to indulge each other - starting with breakfast at Kirstenbosch. I can't wait! A whole day, just him and me - no kids or pets to worry about, no work to interrupt, and no computer to tempt us away from each other.
After 11 years, we're supposed to give each other the gift of steel. I'd love to buy him a proper sword, but haven't the money to buy the quality of sword I'd consider. So... what else? He's not much into wearing rings, and he's already got a beautiful watch... oh wait! I've just thought of the perfect gift! Practical, hopefully not to expensive, and VERY significant for our relationship. Now, how am I going to get it in time without him finding out????
He's a nutcase
It's official. My husband is a nutcase. I love him dearly, don't dream of wanting anyone else in my life, adore him; but he's still a nutcase.
You heard it here first: Darling dearest is going to swim the Robben Island to the mainland race next year. You know - the race in some of the strongest ocean currents in the world, in icy water (gotta love that old Benguela current!) with swells and sharks...?? Yes, that one!
Who was his inspiration for this minor feat of madness? The human polar bear - Lewis Gordon Pugh (the guy who swam 1km in nothing but a speedo & some duck fat at the North Pole - his aim was to raise awareness about climate change) . Lewis spoke at G's school this week. Now, he's inspired at least 4 of the male staff there to take on this smaller-scale challenge. They had originally planned to swim it this year, then discovered that the race is in a few weeks time - 27th April.
OK, granted, my darling dearest needs a goal and some people to keep him accountable if he's ever going to get serious about exercise. I love him all the more because he's actually serious about getting some exercise, and has found a challenge that not only excites him enough to make the effort to get the exercise, but he's found a challenge that is actually achievable for him. (He's not much of a cyclist, and forget running!). And granted, they will be wearing wetsuits, which they're allowed to do because they'll only be doing it as a relay (so he's not actually swimming the whole way.... on this occasion.
So I say, what the heck! He's mad as a hatter, but that only makes him more lovable and more my hero. I'll support him all the way - so much so I'll even swallow some anti-nausea tablets, hop on a boat and follow him as he swims to encourage him!
You heard it here first: Darling dearest is going to swim the Robben Island to the mainland race next year. You know - the race in some of the strongest ocean currents in the world, in icy water (gotta love that old Benguela current!) with swells and sharks...?? Yes, that one!
Who was his inspiration for this minor feat of madness? The human polar bear - Lewis Gordon Pugh (the guy who swam 1km in nothing but a speedo & some duck fat at the North Pole - his aim was to raise awareness about climate change) . Lewis spoke at G's school this week. Now, he's inspired at least 4 of the male staff there to take on this smaller-scale challenge. They had originally planned to swim it this year, then discovered that the race is in a few weeks time - 27th April.
OK, granted, my darling dearest needs a goal and some people to keep him accountable if he's ever going to get serious about exercise. I love him all the more because he's actually serious about getting some exercise, and has found a challenge that not only excites him enough to make the effort to get the exercise, but he's found a challenge that is actually achievable for him. (He's not much of a cyclist, and forget running!). And granted, they will be wearing wetsuits, which they're allowed to do because they'll only be doing it as a relay (so he's not actually swimming the whole way.... on this occasion.
So I say, what the heck! He's mad as a hatter, but that only makes him more lovable and more my hero. I'll support him all the way - so much so I'll even swallow some anti-nausea tablets, hop on a boat and follow him as he swims to encourage him!
Thursday, April 02, 2009
Creepy crawlies
Everyone has at least one "animal" that gives them the creeps. A few days back now, Baggins chased & caught a huge grasshopper in our garden. Watching the grasshopper gave G the grils (Afrikaans word meaning 'shivers' or the creeps). (Hey, did you know that all locusts are grasshoppers, but not all grasshoppers are locusts?) I wouldn't want to pick one up, mind you - the spines on the legs don't make for comfortable insect contact.
G's reaction got me thinking about creepy crawlies, and why we react the way we do to them. My grillerige 'animal' is the cockroach. Ugh! Even just thinking about them makes me get goosebumps and shiver. Since our kitchen has been infested though, I'm getting better at dealing with them. I can now squish the baby ones with my fingers with no adverse emotional reaction. It's still the large American cockroaches that bother me.
Then today, 6000 miles had a post about the coconut crab. Crabs, like grasshoppers, are not 'animals' I'd readily pick up - too easy to be nipped by their claws, but I like crabs. For one thing, they taste really yummy on a braai. The photo of the coconut crab gave me the grils though. If you've been to the Two Oceans Aquarium and seen the spider crabs there (which stand about 1m tall and have a leg span of about 2m), then you will already know that a crab is not a crab is not a crab. The coconut crab is so-called because it can slice a coconut in half with its pincers.
Just think about that for a moment. How huge does a crab's pincers have to be to be able to achieve that feat? Pretty big. How big is the crab that has these pretty big pincers? Huge. It's body is about 40cm in length. It's leg span is about 1m - that's longer than my arm!
Don't believe me?
This is not a photo-shopped photo. OK, the bin may be on the small side, but you get the idea. I wouldn't want to come across this creature in the dark... or even in the light, for that matter, unless I had a long stick and a big rock to hand.
But why is it that we find some organisms terrifying, when actually, we are the bigger and stronger of the two? Like spiders. Why are so many people scared of them? Most spiders, even the venomous ones, are too tiny to bite you (or if they can bite you, you get such a small amount of poison that it won't do anything to you). Take the Daddy Long-legs spider. Probably one of the most venomous spiders in the world, but it's little mouth is so small as to render it harmless to humans. Good thing too, as you'll find them all over the house/ garage.
Or caterpillars. Wriggly little worm-like creature that can do you no harm. Yet get one on your clothes and you'll probably jump or shriek, or something. Why? Why are big old humans so afraid of teeny tiny creatures? Are we just complete woeses, or is there an evolutionary advantage to being afraid of something smaller than you? If so, what is it, because I'd dearly love to understand this phenomenon.
That said, I'm not going to spend more time trying to figure this out. I'm going to bed, to sleep, perchance to dream... and spuriously swallow my requisite number of spiders. (Yup, that myth that we apparently swallow 8 spiders in our sleep per year is exactly that - a myth. It was made up as evidence of the stuff gullible people believe simply because they read something online.) Sleep tight. Don't let the bed bugs bite, or the monster under the bed.
G's reaction got me thinking about creepy crawlies, and why we react the way we do to them. My grillerige 'animal' is the cockroach. Ugh! Even just thinking about them makes me get goosebumps and shiver. Since our kitchen has been infested though, I'm getting better at dealing with them. I can now squish the baby ones with my fingers with no adverse emotional reaction. It's still the large American cockroaches that bother me.
Then today, 6000 miles had a post about the coconut crab. Crabs, like grasshoppers, are not 'animals' I'd readily pick up - too easy to be nipped by their claws, but I like crabs. For one thing, they taste really yummy on a braai. The photo of the coconut crab gave me the grils though. If you've been to the Two Oceans Aquarium and seen the spider crabs there (which stand about 1m tall and have a leg span of about 2m), then you will already know that a crab is not a crab is not a crab. The coconut crab is so-called because it can slice a coconut in half with its pincers.
Just think about that for a moment. How huge does a crab's pincers have to be to be able to achieve that feat? Pretty big. How big is the crab that has these pretty big pincers? Huge. It's body is about 40cm in length. It's leg span is about 1m - that's longer than my arm!
Don't believe me?
This is not a photo-shopped photo. OK, the bin may be on the small side, but you get the idea. I wouldn't want to come across this creature in the dark... or even in the light, for that matter, unless I had a long stick and a big rock to hand.
But why is it that we find some organisms terrifying, when actually, we are the bigger and stronger of the two? Like spiders. Why are so many people scared of them? Most spiders, even the venomous ones, are too tiny to bite you (or if they can bite you, you get such a small amount of poison that it won't do anything to you). Take the Daddy Long-legs spider. Probably one of the most venomous spiders in the world, but it's little mouth is so small as to render it harmless to humans. Good thing too, as you'll find them all over the house/ garage.
Or caterpillars. Wriggly little worm-like creature that can do you no harm. Yet get one on your clothes and you'll probably jump or shriek, or something. Why? Why are big old humans so afraid of teeny tiny creatures? Are we just complete woeses, or is there an evolutionary advantage to being afraid of something smaller than you? If so, what is it, because I'd dearly love to understand this phenomenon.
That said, I'm not going to spend more time trying to figure this out. I'm going to bed, to sleep, perchance to dream... and spuriously swallow my requisite number of spiders. (Yup, that myth that we apparently swallow 8 spiders in our sleep per year is exactly that - a myth. It was made up as evidence of the stuff gullible people believe simply because they read something online.) Sleep tight. Don't let the bed bugs bite, or the monster under the bed.
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