Jordan

Like the jet-setter that I am, I find myself in Jordan. Enjoying the sites and sounds of a middle-eastern country that is slowly becoming the hub of modernisation in this part of the world. Like any modern country, the shackles of intolerance are slowly slipping. While there is still a lot that needs to be done, Jordan is fast becoming a 'Mecca' for tourists and businesses.

Petra is spectacular, one of those barely mentioned gems of the ancient world. Definitely a place that should be placed firmly on the map for anyone interested in antiquities. There is a little bit of everything for everyone. Fine, you may not enjoy looking at historical artefacts and monuments. What about cars? The late King Hussein has a spectacular car museum, which was recently updated with some truly rare vehicles. The night life in Jordan may be slightly sparse, especially outside of Amman, but can be quite good, if you know where to go, that is. Food in Jordan is top-notch, or should I say top nosh? Having an amazing choice of middle-eastern, eastern and western cuisine; ranging from the ultra dazzling six star kitchens of internationally acclaimed chefs, to the more reasonably priced local eateries.

Jordan is well worth a visit if you want to try an exotic trip to the the Middle-East without having to worry about some of the oppressive customs that are sometimes found in predominantly Muslim countries.

RICA, Media Tribunals, and More?

“What is RICA? RICA is the Regulation of Interception of Communications and Provision of Communication-Related Information Act. The customer registration section of the RICA, as set out by the South African Government requires everyone who has an active cellphone number or purchases a new Prepaid Starter Pack, to register their SIM cards from 1 July 2009.” Vodacom (and yes, that’s all the information you are given by Vodacom)

Now that I have your attention on what seems like useless information in actuality, I will try and dissimulate it. I find it interesting that they (and I am not talking about a proverbial ‘they’, but one that can be noted as being our ever so “reliable” government) have not worded the true nature of RICA. 

What is RICA exactly? Well, that’s easy. Have you ever watched Big Brother? If so, then you know a little about the concepts brought about in the novel ‘1984’, in which citizens are constantly monitored. Though the intentions of RICA may be less dubious, and probably has good reasons for its inception, one is left with a bit of an odd feeling of being watched, or more accurately, listened to, from the privacy of what has now become the new standard of telecommunications.

What I have found most troubling is the way that RICA has been handled. It seems terribly shady, every mentioning of RICA seems to be laced with bureaucratic jargon that the average citizen is left baffled with, and never once have I seen any documentation that seems to outline in nice friendly language what RICA is actually for. Everyone seems to speculate that it is for national security reasons, or maybe for anti-terrorism (a term that seems to have become clichéd in modern society).  

The CellC website states and I quote: “The aim of this legislation is to help law enforcement agencies to identify cellphone users and track criminals using cellphones for illegal activities”, the MTN website more or less states the same. Again, this is oddly unhelpful, the information is too sparse. Who regulates what, who, where and why? The MTN website states that “RICA is one of government’s key crime prevention initiatives towards making South Africa a safer place to live and work”. Interesting! Especially, when it comes down to crime and corruption within our government. Oh, but let’s not rush to any conclusions, since the information about RICA has been so forthcoming and insightful.

I totally abhor it when citizens of any country are left out of the loop of goings-on within their governments. Now that I have gone on my tangent of conspiracy theories, I am still left with some hope that it is not some plot to stifle all vestiges of free speech in the country, especially with the new Media bill that is slowly making its way into parliament that seems to stem from the current governments distaste for freedom of press (but let us not forget that this very same government had fought for this very right in the past). 

The Media Tribunal Legislation is another one of my pet hates. Again, any Conspiracy Theorist would be having a field day about how the government is trying to slowly monitor everything that a person does, and that one day there might no longer be any privacy, or maybe a camera in every room of every house, looking at your every move. Sounds comforting, in a slightly perverse Orwellian kind of way. (“Hey look, house 543.”... “Oh yeah! Take it off! Take it off!”... “Pass the tissues!”)

It is sad that a party such as the ANC has now fallen into such disrepute, especially when one takes a look at its past. In many parts of South Africa, people are afraid of voting for another party, some even under the illusion (or possibility) of certain death if ever they were to vote for another into government. Many speculate that this is due to lack of education, and they are probably right. 

Now you are probably wondering how I got so completely sidetracked and off topic. Well, I have not... yet. It all ties into the whole problem I have with RICA. How am I, as a citizen, supposed to trust a government that so far has not shown that it is looking after the best interests of its citizens?

It could be just me, but I’m going to go and make a foil hat. All this being watched by unknown government agencies seems too much like a bad made-for-television movie. The horror!

The oddity about truth (Stream of consciousness)

I always find it fascinating to find people who are unwilling to learn new ideas and ways of thinking. Especially when these individuals seem to be unable to open a book, a website, a newspaper, or any other form of media, and find that what they know might be wrong. It may take a bit of time to accept the fact that there are no certainties in life, but it does make things more interesting.

I enjoy reading about new scientific discoveries, I love reading about different modes of thinking, and I am bedazzled by the human ability to completely disregard all facts when they are presented to them. It says much about human ego and arrogance. We have brains, so it should be our prerogative to actually take the time to find out about the world, but this is not always the case. If you don't like an idea, then try and see how it is wrong, and formulate new ones, do not just accept everything you are told or read. Take the time to make your own discoveries!

I find biology to be very interesting, and have been reading about the 'Human Genome Project'. I found it fascinating to find out about genetic behaviour, and how it applies to all forms of life. This does make one pose the question of 'nurture vs. nature', and shows just how much we are influenced by our genetic memories. This does not mean that our genes are the only factors, and I would have to say that I find that both nature and nurture play equal parts in human mental/socio development. It is just interesting to see how one might have to delineate between the two. What has influenced a psychopath to kill, while another person with the same killer 'instincts' (or genes) might have total control over their psychotic impulses.

The more we discover, the more answers we are given, the more questions we ask. Some would view this as a bad thing, but I only see the beauty in it. Our natural curiosity has allowed us to adapt and evolve to such a point where we can adapt our very surroundings. The more we ask, the more answers we are able to get, and the more we are able to build on our vast collective knowledge of the world around us. Like the Pre-Socratic philosophers, we ask questions on how our world came to be, how the universe was formed, and we are slowly finding clues every day. Scientists are painting a beautifully complex perspective on the universe, and I am glad I am here to see it all unravel before my very eyes.

“Uncertainty is the only certainty there is, and knowing how to live with insecurity is the only security.” - John Allan Paulos

Just imagine what we will discover, and how these discoveries will change the very foundations of our world. We might not know everything, but at least we are trying to, and that is the important part. In the next century they will probably all be laughing at what we know today, they will be reading about our societies in history books, looking at our beliefs as myths, and find us as ridiculous as we find the people of the ancient word. The only truth is that, what we know now is only transient knowledge, and we will never be completely sure of anything.

Time

Time, that ever complex thing that always seems to allude one when it is needed. I have come to the conclusion that time is definitely not fixed, especially when it comes down to the individual that has to do something. Like Douglas Adams' famous quote "I love deadlines. I like the whooshing sound they make as they fly by", this is how it feels for anyone who has a deadline; they seem to come at you at breakneck speeds.

"I love deadlines. I like the whooshing sound they make as they fly by" Douglas Adams

This may be due in part to my ever growing number of 'hobbies' that seem to pop out of thin air when having to do anything that does not grab my interest. I am a procrastinator of note. It might be due to ADD, or ADHD, or some other acronym that describes my ever changing mood.

I have tried 'Time Management', but unfortunately could never get myself to stick to them, as I felt they ended up making life terribly dull and uneventful. I think that it is my adventurous nature.

South Africa's '1984' Crisis...

Being that I am unabashedly angry that the South African government now wants to legislate freedom of press, which seems elusively similar to what I had witnessed in Zimbabwe first hand when I used to live there, I can only start blathering asinine remarks at the sheer lunacy of such a concept.

The fact that this stupendous, outrageous, malignant, legislation is even on the tables troubles me to no end. The government officials trying to sugar coat it with "It is in the countries best interests" make me livid. What does the government want to hide if it is now trying to stifle media freedom (something that I recall the ANC fighting a long battle to gain during the apartheid years). I agree with some points that were stated at a press conference, for instance that the media should be more responsible with what it broadcasts, but not at the expense of its freedom to report news that might inform the general populace, and might make them reconsider who they vote for in the next elections. Citizens want to know about corruption, and want to know how it is being handled, not just left in the dark idling around looking for what might be the light of truth (thank you Eskom, you make even overused clichés funny again).

It is sad. Once they implement such a draconian legislation, what will be next? A firewall that will censor internet content (Oh, wait. I heard that it was being considered as well). Surveillance of all calls made to and from mobile phones (Oh, yes. There's RICA). I feel like the protagonist in '1984', watched by unknown eyes. As citizens of South Africa we must make a stand against what is now developing into a oppressive regime no better than apartheid regime, which people, such as Mandela, tried to abolish.

Cape Town, Stellenbosch, Scarborough, and then Back Again to Pretoria!

Travelling around, and being a tourist in my own country, is a lot of fun. I enjoyed the fact that everyone told me how it would constantly be raining in the Cape at this time of year, and that it would be a miserable experience, and that I should of rather waited for summer. However, barring for one or two days, there was constant sunshine. I am a hopeful, or a hopeless, depending on the view you take, and have a tendency of doing the opposite to what people tell me to do, especially if I think I am right (which is most of the time... hey, at least I am not lying to myself, and to you).

The Cape was marvellous all the same. Cold, yes, but a delight to go and see again. I met a bunch of new people, strange as they may be (hey, I am a city guy, so everything seems slow and ethereal to me when I am out of my element!). It was quite fascinating to see how people in the Cape are more relaxed (or move at a slower pace), everyone in fact seems to go by their own time frame, service is slow (which drives people from Gauteng, like me, crazy), they seem to think that food does not get cold, and that people are never in a rush. They also seem to care more about enjoying life, and so this to me was a refreshing change. I always get stumped, or surprised, when people cannot seem to enjoy themselves, regardless of what they are doing. If you are not at least going to try and have fun, then why bother doing it? So, that aspect of the Cape really got me, the people seemed to have a sunny disposition.

As I have said before, at some point in my Blog, not sure where, and not sure whether I have really said it, my family is quite small (compared to the huge families you see all over the place), so we have a tendency of adopting family members (basically, if you are a friend, you are part of the family. I am omitting names, because you never know... I am a bit paranoid, every now and again). So it was nice to see my sister again, and my brother from another mother, who is also my other mother (quite the mouth full!). My sister has become quite the chef, having worked at very up-scale (five star) restaurants, and made some fantastic dishes, and won the hearts of the other chefs (She's my little sister, I am allowed to embellish!). My brother from another mother, who is also my other mother, works for some kind of golfing company designing web pages (or was it editing them?), and seems to be doing very well, even if he sometimes gets bored. My sister and he share a flat in Stellenbosch, which they were kind enough to share with us, they even had a spare bed for my brother and an inflatable mattress for me.

We drove down with a friend who was moving to Cape Town to live with his girlfriend, who also happens to be my sister from another mother, who is also my other mother, and the sister to my other brother. Stayed in Colesburg, and as you might have read, enjoyed it.

I am a people person (Most of the time. Some of the time. Well, only to people that I actually like...). So meeting people is what I do. I met my sisters boyfriend (Do not worry, I tried to be nice, and refrained from cleaning, playing with, or constantly eyeing, any weaponry, like some of the previous times! No joke!). He seemed a nice enough fellow, so we let him live, for now. We also met my brother from another mother who is also my other mother's boyfriend (Yes, he's gay. So what? Do you think we would let him 'live' with my sister for so long if he wasn't? Also, he is my brother, he's awesome, and one of my best friends. Some people, really!). He also seemed like a good guy, so we had to refrain from instilling the fear of death into him as well (actually, we are usually very good natured people, I just like to pomp ourselves up a bit, to make the story more interesting).

Well, in any case, so my brother and I (my actual, genetic, comes from the same mother, brother) explored Stellenbosch flat. It was quite the walk from one corner to the other corners. We tried to vary where we ate, and tried all the not-too-expensive restaurants and eating places (we went to the restaurant where my sister works once... and had scones and coffee). Tried to see some of the sites, which there are some in Stellenbosch, but it is a student village after all, so you easily see everything in a short amount of time. Luckily, we met an awkward (an inside joke) German and his girlfriend who took us to go see Scarborough, where her father had a brilliant holiday home. We picked Mussels from the beach, then cleaned and cooked them. They were delicious and we're still alive! We drove past Khayelitsha, one of the world largest informal settlements, and it is huge! 

Image1: The Awkward German and my Brother cleaning some Mussels

Image 2: Sunset on Scarborough

After Scarborough, we got back to Stellenbosch. We decided that a trip to Long Street, in Cape Town, was in order. We went during the day on a Saturday (a mistake as we were later told), it was empty, with only a few places open. It was interesting, but they say one should rather go in the evenings, because that's when it really comes alive (will have to make a note of that). So, I did the whole touristy thing of taking photos and warding away hobos (or Bergies as they are 'lovingly' named).

We had a fantastic time in all. The weather was not too bad, and we were actually very lucky. The people of the Cape were awesome, and I enjoyed all their idiosyncrasies. We stayed there for three weeks and it was time for us to go back home to Pretoria. So we boarded our bus, one of the most uncomfortable ways to travel (will have to avoid it, for future reference), and got back home safely, and in one piece!

Colesburg to Cape Town

Colesburg has a quaint middle of nowhere tourist trap charm to it. Made up of mostly little guest lodges, and mini churches. You can walk from one side of Colesburg to the other in under 10 minutes.

The guest lodge we stayed in was clean and hospitable. Though, if we had a problem with it, we could most probably cross the road, or go to the next house to see another. The owner told us that the area is very safe, and that there is almost no crime, and that was the reason for him retiring there. Being from Gauteng, we were left sceptical, especially since the house was circled with a high wall and barbed wire fence. I was the first to suggest we explore the town, and the others seemed less than keen. The town, basically a tourist location, is dead this time of year, with one or two people appearing out of the woodwork. It was suggested that Colesburg would be the perfect place to film a Zombie movie, which was not too far from my original idea of chainsaw wielding locals, maybe with a cannibalistic lust to boot.

Colesburg has some amazing buildings, and worthwhile for anyone who likes to escape the bustle of big cities, and finds that they preffer a quiet little town as their holiday destination, and they would want to stay in a guest lodge... I seem to go in circles, but I cannot seem to stress how many of them there are. Every house seems to have a little swinging sign with the words 'Guest Lodge' emblazoned on it.

So as we leave the sleepy little town of Colesburg under the blanketed night sky and head towards our next destination, I can only say that, luckily, I escaped without getiing eaten by zombies or chopped up by bloodthirsty locals. Colesburg is a very sacchirine sweet town, too sweet for words actually, and a lovely place as a stop over.

To the Cape, the grand adventure...

Woke up at the crack of dawn, the sky only just showing the first small glimmer of light, the rooster having not even had time to cry yet, this was going to be a trip to remember.

Through sleepy eyes we packed the car, full of the things we would need for our trip, and then some. We checked that we had everything, that we had made all the necessary arrangments, and that we were set to go, and so we packed ourselves into the car and off we were.

We have been driving for hours by now, our co-pilot even fell fast asleep and made snorring sounds with mouth wide open, yet luckily our pilot was wide awake, and continued couragously with the journey, with some mild bemusement at the expense of the co-pilot. Rock music on the radio playing, and rather boring flat countryside for miles round, we three were the lone-rangers (it sounded cool, though if you think about it, lone we were not, and probably closer to the three stooges than actual cowboys), on the dusty trail to the great wonders of the Cape.

It would be a grueling journey, but through perseverence we would get to our distination in one piece... We were going to stay in a dodgy inn in Colesburg, where we might get butchered by chainsaw wielding Boere AWB hockey-mask wearing locals, but most probably escape, and make the story more interesting than just saying that we slept well...

Poetry

Tryst to the Politician
I have listened to your fetid lies
self effusing charlatan.
You demonstrated your impalpable hatred,
your inept insight into the world.

Bleed the very lives you wish to save,
corrupt the good, break the past,
belie those that have made a difference.
Sing your false songs of revolution.
We have had true heroes.

Your name will be tarnished by history,
forgotten in time,
all that will remain is the joke that was your legacy.
Not everyone lives to kill,
singing it aloud for all to hear.

We are a nation under one flag,
culturally diverse,
a beautiful dream that will come to pass.

I wrote this poem after listening to Malema (ANC Youth League president) speak on TV one day. He was someone with so much hatred that it seemed to ooze from his every word. I could not believe that this man was trying to incite more racial hatred in a country that has such diversity and beauty. As South Africans, we live in a country that should be an example to the world, we should strive to strengthen our distinct culture of tolerance, and make this a place we can all be proud of.

Random Thoughts

I've always liked making people think, about everything, so it is of no surprise that I sometimes play Devil's Advocate when my friends and I are in a deep conversation (fine, sometimes they are not so deep, but we do try to be intellectual most of the time, except when discussing sweets).

I just love posing questions, even when I already know the answer. It allows me to see what others think, or how they react to a certain topic. I find people interesting, or maybe I should be more precise, I find the world interesting, and everything is bound to get me thinking, reading, researching and learning. I am a very inquisitive individual. I can never take anything at face value, if someone tells me something, I have to go find out about it.

I suffer from insomnia, which means I get very little sleep done, which can lead to terrible boredom, so I read about anything and everything. So when people start saying something that I find incorrect, I just have to argue. I have had many arguments about the most trivial things, which has allowed me to learn and teach at the same time. Nothing bothers me more than someone being closed minded about something, especially if they do not fully understand it. My favourites have been topics revolving around evolution, and the all too oft used slur of "it's just a theory". Which just makes me upset that they have not read up on what a 'Scientific Theory' is, and also most of the time, shows that they have not even taken the time to read up about the evolutionary theory, which has brought so many interesting hypotheses forward, and is everyday being proven with new discoveries.

The world is too interesting to leave everything to the unknown. The human spirit, if you like, is always striving for knowledge, and that is how it should be. Why should one group, or individual, have the right to restrict the progression of the human mind in a world filled with so much wonder.

Love of the World

I must say that I have a deep love for the world. I find beauty in everything, and sometimes find it sad that others are unable to enjoy it as much as I do. People seem so bent on making themselves and those around them unhappy, that they forget that the world can teach them, and show them so much.

Even with all these diverse cultures, religions, races, languages, people end up having the same needs and wants. Everyone is looking for happiness, self-fulfillment, and a rich (and by rich, I do not mean monetary) life. Though we are all unique individuals, we all strive for the same goal, a good life worth looking back on.

Not everyone can follow the same path to the 'ultimate' goal of true happiness, and I think this is a fact that is all too often forgotten. Some need religious, or spiritual upliftment, and others find more comfort in rational thought and logic. Those that try to comform destroy their ability to find themselves; unless that is what they truly want, but then they should not judge how others try to discover their own place in the world. Discovery is part of the mystery and wonder of the world. Everyone should have the right to be different.

I have tried my best to understand prejudice, and how it works, but found the old answer of: "if you are not comfortable with yourself, then how can you accept others", to be the best answer so far. I have many friends from diverse backgrounds, some have been subjected to racial, to gender, to sexual, to cultural, to language, to religious, prejudice. To me, they all come from the same place, insecurities with ones self. If you are truly comfortable with yourself, why would you be afraid of the 'other' (and I mean this in the form of the 'other' being people who are not like you). I may be a little bit of an idealist, but I cannot see why people cannot learn to enjoy, respect, and live with each other.

Some people will say that it is the way they were brought up, but I find that a poor excuse. People are able to learn, so what makes it so difficult to actually find out. You have the right to be an individual, and so make a choice to enrich your life and educate yourself about other people, and in the end find out who you truly are.

The only prejudice you should have is the one against prejudice.

Our House in the middle of our street...

I just have to say that I love meeting people, talking with them, learning about them. There is nothing more poignant than making new friends.

My friends are from so many different backgrounds. Not one of them is the same; each being a veritable individual. We have our arguments, discussions on worldly issues, random banter, and jokes, but accept each other implicitly. I find it is the differences that make these individuals so interesting, and I find them all unique and wonderful.

I pride myself on being a good host to those that visit my house, no matter the circumstance. Friends are always welcome to pop by, and they know they can find a bed, a shoulder, and an ear, in good and bad times. My house has seen a world of people enter its doors, people that come from so many different worlds to my own.
 I have always believed that 'variety is the spice of life', and that it is the differences that make everything more interesting, and it is through that that I have learned to enjoy people more. I have always tried to learn from people, and tried to see how the world seems to them, and I am sometimes surprised by how they answer.

My house is always open to a friendly face, a story, and a cup of coffee between friends, and I hope that people start to understand that it is not through violence and intolerance that we will change the world for the better, but by being understanding, and always keeping an open mind, and a smile.

By Bike

Today, I decided to go to work by bicycle. I wont lie, and say that I was trying to be environmentally friendly, but rather that I am still oddly struggling to get my drivers license, due to a rather unfortunate series of events.
Let me make it clear that I do actually know how to drive, but unfortunately I do not know how to bribe. South Africa has its little quirks, like any country, and one of them is the annoying K53 license, the people who give you the test are hell bent on failing you any chance they get, and believe me when I say, that sometimes the only way to actually get your license in SA, is to grease a few palms.

I decided on going by bike, firstly due to the fact that I do actually enjoy driving around on my bike, and secondly, that I have no other real means of transport, other than asking friends, or my brother, to take me.
I give art classes, predominantly in Oils and acrylics, but I do dabble in the uncharted world of water-paints and gouache. Packing a rucksack with all my brushes, paints, palette, and canvas. I set off to work on my bike at around 7:30, thinking that my trip would take me about an hour, which it did not. I took all the roads that I knew would get me there the fastest, and that were also the most scenic. Why make a trip boring too? I really do love South Africa, there is much left to be desired for sure, but it is truly a beautiful country.
I have been to many places in the world, having been brought up in Zimbabwe, Belgium, and Greece, and also having traveled extensively through Europe and parts of Africa. I have the one advantage of having grandparents in both France and SA, meaning that I 'have' to go visit them both. So I can say without a doubt that I do live in a wonderful country.
I run ever second day, about 10km, and find biking quite different. I was told that it works a whole set of different muscles than running, and I am sure he is right, but I cannot say that I run for that reason, and definitely am not a fitness fanatic. The reason why I run is that it gives me time to think, and to get away from what I usually do everyday. I think of it as meditative.

Maybe it's because this is a stream of consciousness, but even I have lost the point I was trying to make. So I will just leave you with: I started looking all fresh faced and bushy tailed, and arrived looking sweaty and bedraggled.

One of my poems

Untitled

I can hear the sheep all bleating,
hateful looks, all fleeting.
They wish, they want,
they cannot get,
the one true thing they need.

I have heard the preachers praying,
that their jobs are not worth playing,
that they could do with a dime or two,
to find that last liquor drop.

They try to buy their way to paradise,
their broken heart they try to cauterise.
All singing the song that they should have,
the world by a tiny shoestring.

Hugo de Groot 2009

 

Maybe it is the way I look, or the way I act, but people always seem surprised to find out that I actually write, and that sometimes I even go so far as to write poems.  

 

Often, writing is personal, an expression of self, and much like art, writing is ego. Many will exclaim that their writing is just a form of reporting, and has no egocentricity. However, most of them are lying, they write because they want to express themselves. 

I love writing as much as I love drawing or painting; it allows me to confront my fears, make peace with the world, find a solution to a problem, calm the mind and ease stress. I find that writing allows me to enter another world, a place to allow my imagination to run wild, and to place my thoughts.

Furry Friends

One of my many weaknesses is my love of animals.I cannot seem to help it. I have adopted quite a few street animals in the past, and most probably will end up caring for more in the future. It is always a boon to return home to wagging tails, and soft 'meows', from your furry friends.

Madness... nah!

Madness has always been one those things that I could never quite understand. Just because a person thinks differently than you, acts differently, does not necessarily mean they are mad. It might just be that you are the mad one for having such average thoughts, that you end up falling into the trappings of delusion.

I have known for a very long time that I did not want to have the average life, I could not fathom how anyone could be happy with leading a life that was empty of excitement and novelty. Some people are happy with all the ideals of a normal life, but I just cannot find it in my heart to allow myself to fall into the social norms set out for us. I understand the need for stability, but it is one of those things that I have never been able to adhere to. Maybe I am mad, but then, so are the people who have changed the world.

Dread of Morning

I don't know what it is about mornings. There is something so dreadful about having to get up in the wee early hours of the morning and then setting out for the day, maybe it is due to my suffering sometimes from insomnia, or the fact that even when I'm sleeping I have a tendency of waking up at random, but the fact remains that I dislike the whole morning procedure.

I have always found trying to figure out what I want for breakfast a pain, there is only one certainty, and that is, that there is going to be coffee involved. Coffee is basically 'the' lifeblood for the tedium that is mornings, without it I am sure I would not be able to function normally. However, food is always a problem, eating something is fine, but the having to prepare it too, is a schlep. I try to avoid breakfasts that are too involved, those huge 'bacon and egg, with toast, and cereal, and, and, and...', and rather stick to something small, like an apple with a rusk (a type of a biscuit especially made for dunking in coffee, just so that some of my non-South African friends can know what I am talking about). It might seem like too little, but it is enough to get me going, and then maybe have a bigger lunch.

Getting dressed, or actually finding the right clothes has never been one of my problems, and it is not because I have impeccable fashion taste, quite the opposite, I don't really care what I wear, as long as it is comfortable. I keep all my clothes as simple as possible, never owning colours that don't go together, and making sure that everything can be washed with the minimum amount of effort. I am lazy that way. I like to be able to pull any clothes out of my cupboard knowing that they will work together no matter what combination I get.

I think the worst part about mornings is the part where you actually wake up, and then have to will yourself to actually get up. It's a struggle, even if there is something I really want to do. I know the old adage of "The early bird catches the worm", but if I could kill the bird afterwards, I would be just as happy and maybe a little avian homicide would help me sleep a little better, especially since those d*** birds seem to get up pretty early to start their chorus of chirps and whistles.

First try, first thought

It might be a little conceited, but I want the world to know that I exist, and that I want to experience the world like no other, or maybe more accurately, like people that think as I do. I have always been fascinated by every facet of humanity, culture, and a little of everything in general, so it might come as no surprise that I have not found what I really want out of life.

People like me, and most probably you, are dreamers, trying to find the ideal in everything. We spend our time with our heads in the clouds metaphorically, and sometimes literally. We would have been explorers in times past, looking for the unexplored, trudging through the jungles and finding the rare unseen world.

I have travelled extensively, I have seen many parts of the world, but I want to see more of it. I grew up as the child of a Diplomat; never living in one place for more than four years at a time. I seem to be more attuned to travel than most, and maybe that is why I want to see more. If I could find my way to travel everywhere I would do it in a heart beat.

I want to write my thoughts down, what's going on around me, show how I see the world, and maybe you'll find some resemblance of yourself in my writing. I have never walked a conventional path, and probably have no direct route to any of my goals, but hopefully through writing on this blog I will find some cohesion to my world.