MoonsView

And now you know the REST OF THE STORY....

2009-03-25T11:51:00.000-07:00

Howzit Chinabean's

Before I chat about what's all been happening with me - I want to post a tribute to someone I only got to know recently when I relocated to the USA. His name is Paul Harvey, who died recently at the tender age of 90.

Paul Harvey Official website is here

From the Chicago Tribune (read the whole article here ) ... Paul Harvey, A Chicago radio man whose melodious voice and hearty "Hello, America" were cherished by millions for more than 57 years on national broadcasts that were an entrancing mix of news, storytelling and gently persuasive salesmanship, died Saturday. He was 90.

Called "the voice of Middle America" and "the voice of the Silent Majority" by the media for his flag-waving conservatism, Harvey died surrounded by family in a Phoenix hospital, an ABC Radio Networks spokesman said. The cause of death was not immediately available.

"Paul Harvey was the most listened to man in the history of radio," said Bruce DuMont, president of the Museum of Broadcast Communications. ...

I knew him with the "rest of the story" stories and LOVED them - hubby and I often would make a point to listen to his show and reruns of it.

So from time to time on my blog I am going to post a tribute to him with one of his rest of the story, stories. The first one I heard of his was a story about Fidel Castro and it was very interesting but I cannot for the life of me find it. Anyway here is one that I want to post for now - and later in this post is more stuff about me and whats happening in my life recently...

Macie's Grudge

James Macie was illegitimate, a stigma which would cling to him for the rest of his life.
He died wealth; he died revered and renowned scientist. But such were the laws of eighteenth-century England that James Macie was denied in life the rights of the most ordinary citizen, denied those rights because of his illegitimacy.

So James Macie held a grudge. A lasting and bitter grudge for the lifelong deprivation of his honor. And we, you and I, benefited from that grudge in a most remarkable way!
James Macie was born in France in 1765, the illegitimate son of a British duke.
With Jim's father more or less out of the picture, the boy's devoted mother, herself a woman of wealth, returned to England with Jim and immediately set about the task of achieving her son's official acceptance.
She got this far: Jim was decreed a naturalized British subject. Still, because of his illegitimacy, his rights were restricted at almost every turn.
He could not enter Parliament.
He could not hold public office.
He could not hold a job under civil service
He could not enter the Army, nor the Navy, nor the church.
He could not receive any grants of property at the disposal of the Crown.
Perhaps least fair of all, he could never hold the title of his true father, the Duke of Northumberland.
Jim grew up knowing those restrictions. Maybe that accounts for his desire to excel at everything. Whatever the motivation, he did excel.

In 1786, Jim graduated from Pembroke College and shortly thereafter launched himself upon a scientific career. Many sophisticated experiments and published results later, Jim became a respected scientist. While his scientific colleagues, no more talented than he, were being knighted for their accomplishments, Jim was denied that honor. Through no fault of his own, but because he was born illegitimate.

It is no wonder that James Macie held a grudge. He vowed never to marry, realizing that the stigma of illegitimacy would pass to his children. Yet in his lifetime James Macie conceived another form of immortality. And the idea in itself would serve as his personal rejection of the country which had rejected him.

When Jim died in 1829, he died a wealthy man with no heirs who could claim his vast fortune, In his will he sought revenge on England by leaving all of his money ... to the United States of America!

Jim had never even visited the United States. Yet by willing his fortune to us, he disinherited England as it had disinherited him.

In his will he specified that his money was to be used for the foundation of an establishment which would increase and diffuse knowledge among men and which would perpetuate his true family name, denied him at birth. The name he adopted later in life. The name Smithson.

And thus, the gift he gave us - the establishment which in reality represents the torment of illegitimacy - is today our country's most magnificent storehouse of cultural and scientific accomplishment.
It is called the Smithsonian Institution.
and now you know THE REST OF THE STORY.

I am so chuffed that I will still be able to hear Paul Harvey's friendly voice saying HELLO AMERICA as he goes on to tell another lekker interesting story

OKAY ONTO STUFF ABOUT WHATS HAPPENING WITH ME...

Yip I know long time no type huh! Well firstly - we got a new puppy - well actually we rescued her - her name is Tandi or Ivory we cant make up our minds yet - hubby wanted Blondie but I am not keen.

We were driving up a lonely country road after a day of very rare snowfall around these parts - and she stood in the middle of the road - as we approached slowly she followed the car and my heart just went out to her - I could count the ribs each one of them and the knots on her spine she was starving - she jumped up to the window and that was it - she needed food, water and shelter from the ice cold weather and I couldn't drive on.

The first 4 days with us she ate 9 pounds of food and drank 6 gallons of water - shame poor thing - anyway she is delightful and also naughty with chewing everything she can get her paws on - but we will get through this - we love her and of course Eddie has been walking around with a bloody hardon for 2 weeks now because as fate would have it 4 days of us having her she came on heat.

I tried to keep them away and managed pretty well but they wore me down the last couple of days during the "most dangerous" stage of the on heat process - Eddie who hardly barks started howling like you see in the movies - well that did it for me. So soon we may have puppies but I also think if we do it may not be too many (I am hoping this is the case) as Eddie is a cross between a basset hound and a traveling salesman - and Tandi is a short haired golden retriever - well that's what I was told - and she does look like one - anyway we shall see - Eddie has the build and height of a basset - so he wasn't exactly able to reach - I know that if and when she is ready she will allow it and make it possible - however I watched them most of the time and she got frustrated too and grabbed him from time to time and tried to pomp him hahahahah - as if to say - listen poepall THIS is how its done - bloody hell do I have to draw you a map?!

I have put out the word for her, we have had her now for 3 weeks and not seen one flier or anything and I have also called the local vet to find out if any one has called about a lost doggy - believe me if it were mine I would be out knocking door to door and we don't live too far from where we found her.

The vet said no one had called and so enjoy our new addition to the family. This actually happens quite a lot in the country and I think that really sucks when people get puppies and just cross the city limits to dump them and go home and leave them out here to fend for themselves - and she looks like she was one of those. She is about a year old and in 2 min taught her to sit and give me her paw for a doggy treat - now I don't have to even say anything just show her the treat and she sits and gives her paw - too cute!

I will post a pic as soon as I get the camera working - Ja the hubby has been at his best fiddling (and not in that special way heheheh) and so now the lovely digital camera we had no longer works like it should because he tried to make it electrical as well as use batteries. But when using the batteries one day forgot to take out the wires for the electrical connection and as a result more voltage went through than should of and fried it like an egg - so now I don't know! and I cant just pick up the bloody thing and use it I have to wait for Professor Papenfoos to get home! grrrrrrrrrrrr

So that is the one bit of news the other is and this I am over the moon about - my hubby bought us a new home for our 10th anniversary - so although I am up in the air I am also stunned and excited and all that goes with this including stressed LOL - the paper work is going through as I type - its a buyers market right now and we couldn't pass up this opportunity - as some of you know - we lost our home almost 2 years ago to a fire and have been renting for the past 19 months and doesn't that burn your bum hey having to pay someone else's mortgage off rather than your own.

Anyway hopefully we should be taking occupation within the next month or so - here is a pic of it - please note the maroon ANYTHING is the first thing that is going to be going - I am not a lover of maroon - it has a lovely fenced in back yard - the whole property is on half an ache, which is more than enough for us - it even comes with a jacuzzi - not sure if its working or not - anyway I am over the moon - here is a pic... Please note too that this pic was taken in the middle of winter...

So there you have it - I am one chuffed little cricket - the house is 8 min drive from hubby's work vs 40 min drive now - so its closer to town and I wont be out in the boonies - as far as we know, although it has a city address, hubby thinks it's just outside the city limits - which is also good because there are quite a few ordinances and rules and tariffs when living in the city limits, that you don't have living outside the city limits.

Well that's about all the news - I have lots to say about this bloody bail out and AIG getting lekker bonuses and lekker geball hey! Those that got them, now have to pay 90% tax on them - I would prefer they did not get them to start with - but I am happy with 90% back rather than nothing - I'm sorry - I don't care what politics says or what legal documents say - a bonus is given when you do well - you don't get a bloody bonus when you run the company into the ground and expect us to bail you and you still get it - NO SIRREE BOB

Anyway China's take care of you and yours and if I don't see you thru the week I'll spot ja thru the window!

Hugs Moonie

So Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow!

2009-02-18T12:26:00.000-08:00

"Hear Ye Hear Ye

On Gobbler's Knob this glorious Groundhog Day, February 2nd, 2009
Punxsutawney Phil, Seer of Seers, Prognosticator of all Prognosticators
Awoke to the call of President Bill Cooper
And greeted his handlers, Ben Hughes and John Griffiths
After casting a joyful eye towards thousands of his faithful followers,
Phil proclaimed that his beloved Pittsburgh Steelers were World Champions one more time And a bright sky above me Showed my shadow beside me.

So 6 more weeks of winter it will be." Taken from

http://www.punxsutawneyphil.com/

and the history is here

http://www.punxsyhistory.org/history.shtml#Groundhog%20Day

So Spring will be here this time next month - Lets hope March isn't In like a Lion out like a Lamb - today we have a tornado warning - it is so weird where I am right now the sky is blue and sun is shinning but I can see in the distance these MASSIVE white/grey/black clouds that looks so angry and that is where the tornado warnings are - we are under a tornado watch.

Talking about Punxitawny Phil - I told my mother the whole story about ground hog day etc etc - and those of you who knew her will giggle at this - for those of you that don't - my mom was a character 2nd to none - she called a spade a spade and wasn't afraid of anything! Anyway I was telling her the whole story about how groundhog day is a huge thing and they have marching bands and the mayor and everyone attends to see if this groundhog sees his shadow or not and if he does it means that there will be 6 more weeks of winter and if not that Spring is around the corner - its a tradition in PA anyway I was telling my mother all this and she was listening with such enthusiasm and then after if all she says mmmmm now that is the biggest load of shit I have ever heard hahahaahahahahah

I got this in an email recently and although I have sent it out to most of my buddies I really think its funny and you may enjoy it and have a good laugh - so here it is...

True Story apparently!

A city councilman in Utah , Mark Easton, had a beautiful view of the east mountains, until a new neighbor purchased the lot below his house and built a new home.

The new home was 18 inches higher than the ordinances would allow, so Mark Easton, mad about his lost view, went to the city to make sure they enforced the lower roof line ordinance.

The new neighbor had to drop the roof line, at great expense !!!!

Recently, Mark Easton called the city, and informed them that his new neighbor had installed some vents on the side of his home..

Mark didn't like the look of these vents and asked the city to investigate.

When they went to Mark's home to see what the vents looked like, this is what they found...

Now that's what you call revenge hahahahaa and quite honestly serves the council man right - just because you can doesnt mean you should!

Well you can stick a fork in me because I am DONE - I know I need to blog more and more - I will other than that if I don't see you through the week I will see you through the window cheers chinas

WOW Jan's almost over

2009-01-22T09:56:00.000-08:00

Dit Kom Soos n' groot kak hey - its like one min youre gearing up for xmas and new year and before you know it its nearly Feb - I can tell you one thing I am tired of this bloody cold weather hey. First time in years I have been this cold.

Anyway I saw some pics of Cape Town recently and saw a new bridge or over pass they are building at hospital bend - thats going to be something and I also saw the stadium they are building for 2010 world cup - now that is a joll in the happening - I remember the rugby world cup and that city rocked for weeks.

Talking about a city that rocked - Washington DC had the party of parties hey on tuesday - I watched all the festivites on telly and I have to say I enjoyed it all - I love marching bands etc and all the pomp and ceremony. The sea of people was amazing - but I tell you it was bloody cold here that day so I can only imagine how cold it was there and although I know the atmosphere must have been incredible - I was quite happy tucked up under blankets with heaters and watching it at home.

I had to laugh a friend of mine has a bulldog - with such a cute and wonderful personality (2nd to my dog that is - sorry GG but The Edward takes preference) anyway she has her own tanning bed and was in it the other day. GG often tries to get in with her. She also falls asleep in it for what ever time she lays there - she told me that she woke up hearing a funny noise and as she turned her head there was GG, his head resting on the tanning bed right next to her shoulder, he was standing and FAST asleep snoring his head off hahahaahahahahah now isnt that just too cute man.

I have never been one that makes a lot of new years resolutions, that being said my for this year is simple - Laughter and lots of it - I am a person that likes to laugh and enjoy laughing and watching others laugh - so that is my mission to laugh and as often as possible!

My better half is out of town for work this week and comes home tomorrow (cant wait - dont like it when he isnt here) anyway before he left we were listening to music and he is a HUGE fan of Steve Hackett and found this song he wrote sung by Randy Crawford - and it is one of his favourites and he sat singing it to me while the music spoke to his soul - we have all been there when a certain song just talks to your soul its so beautiful to see and feel - and I loved watching him enjoy it and sing it - thanx my love...

As anyone that knows me, Supertramp is my ultimate mostest and bestest in the westest band so this ones for you honbun...

2008-12-24T10:57:00.000-08:00

'Twas the night before Christmas and Santa's a wreck

How to live in a world that's politically correct?
His workers no longer would answer to "Elves",
"Vertically Challenged" they were calling themselves.

And labor conditions at the North Pole
Were alleged by the union to stifle the soul.
Four reindeer had vanished, without much propriety,
Released to the wilds by the Humane Society.

And equal employment had made it quite clear
That Santa had better not use just reindeer.
So Dancer and Donner, Comet and Cupid,
Were replaced with four pigs, and you know that looks stupid.

The runners had been removed from his sleigh;
The ruts were termed dangerous by the EPA.
And people had started to call for the cops
When they heard sled noises on their rooftops.

Second-hand smoke from his pipe
Had his workers quite frightened.
His fur-trimmed red suit
Was called "unenlightened".

And to show you the strangeness of life's ebbs and flows,
Rudolph was suing over unauthorized use of his nose
And had gone on Geraldo, in front of the nation,
Demanding millions in overdue compensation.

So, half of the reindeer were gone; and his wife,
Who suddenly said she'd had enough of this life,
Joined a self-help group, packed and left in a whiz,
Demanding from now on her title was Ms.

And as for the fits, why, he'd ne'er had a notion
That making a choice could cause such a commotion.
Nothing of leather, nothing of fur,
Which meant nothing for him. And nothing for her.

Nothing that might be construed to pollute.
Nothing to aim. Nothing to shoot.
Nothing that clamored or made lots of noise.
Nothing for just girls. Or just for the boys.

Nothing that claimed to be gender specific.
Nothin that's warlike or nonpacific.
No candy or sweets . . . they were bad for the tooth.
Nothing that seemed to embellish a truth.

And fairy tales, while not yet forbidden,
Were like Ken and Barbie, better off hidden.
For they raised the hackles of those psychological
Who claimed the only good gift was one ecological.

No baseball, no football . . . someone could get hurt;
Besides, playing sports exposed kids to dirt.
Dolls were said to be sexist, and should be passe;
And Nintendo would rot your entire brain away.

So Santa just stood there, disheveled, perplexed;
He could not figure out what to do next.
He tried to be merry, tried to be gay,
But you've got to be careful with that word today.

His sack was quite empty, limp to the ground;
Nothing fully acceptable was to be found.
Something special was needed, a gift that he might
Give to all without angering the left or the right.

A gift that would satisfy, with no indecision.
Each group of people, every religion'
Every ethnicity, every hue,
Everyone, everywhere . . . even you.

So here is that gift, its price beyond worth . . .
'May you and your loved ones enjoy Peace on Earth."

Lots of Love Moonie

Facts are stubborn things; and whatever may be our wishes, our inclinations, or the dictates of our passion, they cannot alter the state of facts

2008-12-02T06:09:00.000-08:00

My sister sent me this poster and I think its beautiful and needs to be shared - here are the words...

"In the midst of global crises such as pollution, war and famine, kindness may be too easily dismissed as a "soft" issue, or a luxury to be addressed after the urgent problems are solved. But kindness is the greatest need in all those areas -- kindness toward the environment, toward other nations, toward the needs of people who are suffering, Until we reflect basic kindness in everything we do, our political gestures will be fleeting and fragile.

Simple kindness may be th emost vital key to the riddle of how human beings can live with each other in peace, and care properly for this planet we all share. That idea is at the heart of everything the Human Kindness Foundation does."

--Bo Lozoff

I have not written anything on my blog for sometime as you can see - so here are a few of my thoughts about stuff that has happened ...

Merry Xmas and Happy New Year:
I know its not that time yet but I do want to say that I wish y'all a very Merry Xmas and a Happy New Year too - 2009 is going to be a good one I can feel it in my water.

For Mrs Airey:
Death leaves a heartache no one can heal, love leaves a memory no one can steal.
My friends Mom passed away this week - so to Zan, John, Christine and Ingrid - my thoughts and prayers are with you right now.

Happy Thanksgiving:
Since living in the USA I have to say, thanksgiving has become one of my most favourite holidays - lots of family and food and fun is normally had by all. We had a great one this year - so here is wishing y'all a fantastic thanxgiving - even if you don't celebrate it - I just want to say thank you for being in my life and you all know who you are.

Facebook:
Thank goodness for facebook - you know when I first joined Facebook I thought mmmmm just another bloody my space thang - but I have to say I finally get it hahahahaah - it is a way of keeping up with friends (who often go there and report whats going on in their lives) without actually connecting - which when life happens is hard to do when you are busy and with all the time zones and all you know - so its great - and I am really enjoying it - ok there are bells and whistels I could do with out but hey - most of the time its great to see how people are doing and that they ARE doing - when you just dont hear a word from them its hard to keep friendship alive then you know. So way to go Facebook

The US Election:
Well the elections are FINALLY over - I have to say these ones were mild compared to the 2 others I have been through - mild as in campaign ads that flung dung at each other - which I have to say I was very pleased to see as I was avoiding the news channels for this reason but with the ads you CANT avoid that its on EVERY station - thank heavens for DVD's.

Anyway its over and although I didn't vote for him - I am not upset about the new president elect. I wouldn't want to be in his shoes for all the money in China hey - seems there are so many expectations from every side for this person (to fail or not to fail - that is the question!) - who is just a man btw- I am going to have to keep reminding myself that fact because from the one side there are those that are acting like the Messiah has just landed to the other side that are short of shouting Armageddon - really find a happy place and remember he is just a man!

What I am most impressed about is that - and correct me if I am wrong please - from what I know - which isn't much - this is the first time I know of a majority voting someone in from a minority - and in my books thats something impressive. (even though Jessie Jackson is on my "most disliked peoples" list - seeing tears roll down his eyes when it was announced and Barrack was giving his speech - I felt empathy and got all verklempt too)

I have read over and over from the anti side - why he shouldn't have been elected - from not being born in the USA, to his Islamic faith - the fact that he has gone to a Christian church for 20 years is overlooked with "thats the plan all along" - I just roll my eyes and then remember THE ONLY speech I was impressed with during the campaign was Joe Liberman's - he voiced something that I have said many times over - you are an American 1st before a dem or rep - don't forget that! - when Bush was elected - I saw and heard for 8 years the most horrible words and actions come out of the mouths of some Dem's - and I don't mean "oh he is an asshole or a baboon" - and the very actions and words I heard and saw then - I am now seeing the very same ugliness from some of the rep. As the stomach turns!!! 2 peas out the same pod! - it is one thing having a different point of view - because with that you bring something different to the table - that being said having that difference and just bringing destructive points of view to the table is not constructive in anyway - I got so tired of negative comments and shout outs from those that hate bush with such a fervor that one tends to just switch off you know - really he too is just a man - I do not hold much faith in any politicians period - but I do know this because I had to study this to become a citizen - any sitting president CANNOT just sommer declare war - the senate has to take a vote.

So next time y'all out there that want to belly ache against Bush remember this please

Barack Obama was right when he said he did NOT vote for the war - HE WASN'T A SENATOR THEN!
The Vice President Elect - Joe Biden and the Secretary of State Elect - Hillary Clinton - voted YES for the Iraq war.
The 2004 elections, Bush opponents John Kerry and John Edwards - also voted YES for the Iraq war.
Check this out ... click here

So please just bare that in mind - politics as usual.

Weather its Bush, Obama, Clinton, Kerry, Blair, Brown or whom ever - some in my view are assholes some of the time others are assholes period - Kerry in my view falls in the latter - I don't know these people - the only way I am able to judge them is by trying to read their body language with others - because they can stand there and promise you the world - thats politics.

I remember when Gore ran again Bush - one day he was up Jack backside so to speak (big Tjomies) with Bill Clinton - photos with his arm around Bill Clinton's neck - and the minute he announced his run he dropped Clinton like a hot potatoe - had boggerall to do with him. That defined him right there for me - oh and besides the "I created the internet comment!" what a dork! - his gesture with his wife - as beautiful as it was and warm hearted - kind of made me think GET A ROOM Budro! hahahah he practically pomped her at the podium! joke hahahaha

I remember Bush too with his gestures - how he hugged his wife and how he commented on her - okay he too made some massive blunders when he opened his mouth LOL but same with Obama - his gestures towards his wife and kids are a delight to watch - I mean honestly who doesn't like to see a man love his wife and family huh? He too though said some doozies that I laughed at - which endures people to them I think because it shows they are human after all -

With Hillary and Bill Clinton - there is no love there - well it sure doesn't look like it - they are not demonstrative people at all together - and Bill Clinton to me is a very demonstrative person - when he talks he comes across very sincere (I can watch him talk for hours) - yet when they are together there is such an insincerity vibe - so I have to wonder whats up with that relationship - to me thats a business partnership not a friendship/ marriage - sorry thats how I judged that one

With Barack Obama thats a friendship and marriage - and thats important to me you know. I remember being very irate with Hillary for staying with Bill after the Monica thang because lets face it - it wasn't his first and probably hasn't been his last - or perhaps has who knows - all I feel is she stayed with him for power reasons only - after a while I thought well its not for me to judge her on her decision to stay with her husband - we all sit in the comfort of our own lives thinking well I would do this or that - and actually the truth is you don't know what you will do when and if it happens - you don't know what space you're going to be in when something like that happens you know - so although Hillary Clinton is not one of my most favourite people on this earth - I am not going to judge her on that decision anymore.

So thats how I feel - believe me I am saying all this and I have laughed my head off at some of the funnies I have read about Bush, Brown, Blair, Mbeki, Zuma, Obama, Clinton- you name it and I have seen some funnies and cried laughing - I am a firm believer in Don't Lose Your Sense of Humour!!!! - I have seen some truths or facts come out and they will thankfully always come out - who was it that said...
Facts are stubborn things; and whatever may be our wishes, our inclinations, or the dictates of our passion, they cannot alter the state of facts and evidence.

...John Adams

I have also seen some real nasty comments about them all - those I just delete and ignore and take it from wenst it comes - which brings me back to the Poster at the top of this blog - Kindness

Well thats about all folks - I will pop in periodically - Jayne with a Why and Raven thanx so much for egging me on and all your support - I do enjoy your blogs and read them often. Jayne I cried laughing at that Fokol bottle and story - so funny I actually emailed it to all my buds - too funny - what a fantastic holiday that was huh. Raven WOW about the disney place fantastic - I cant tell you how excited I am for you.

I need to get my A into G and do some real life stuff - you take care of yoursevles
Ciao for now !

And you thought I farted and flew out the window huh?

2008-09-04T11:05:00.000-07:00

Well howdy folks - I haven't been in the mood to blog of late as you can tell - my last post being July - well to be honest I was also so caught up in the Olympics - I was glued to the telly - WOW wasn't that something hey - Way To GO China!!! I tell you the opening ceremony was out of this world - talk about fanbloodytasic hey - I got goosebumps. And then watched the swimming - bloody hell hows that Phelps guy - he is a dolphin I swear - so I am another Phelps Phan hey - shame and his mom well all the Olympians mothers actually I saw them going through their child's event as if they were doing it themselves - so cute hey.

And hows that Star from SA - Natalie Du Toit - one of the NBC broadcasters here in the States interviewed her just before her event and after the Olympics were over he said his most memorable moment that he will take with him all his life is to have been able to watch this magnificent woman compete - I had tears rolling down my face hey - way to go Natalie and all that with only half the leg-propulsion of your rivals. WOW.

I did have a list posted in this post earlier but it was long and didn't really work and Jayne rightly messaged me saying that it was long and hurt her eyes trying to read it and when I edited it - well needless to say a TOTAL screw up and then I thought Aggggg neeee FOKDIT - and deleted it - too much hassle.

Also talking about the Olympics which I didn't know - that little girl that the world saw singing - well she was lip syncing - because the little girl whose voice we heard was not pretty enough so they had her sing the song and that little girl appear - I thought what a bunch of assholes hey - I was so wowed at the ceremonies and so impressed at the whole Chinese nation for that show and what a wonderful experience type thing until I heard that and I thought my goodness that certainly left a bitter taste in my mouth!

So although I still liked the ceremony - those people that made that decision should be ashamed of themselves!!!!!!

Dr Randy Pausch A Shining Star

2008-07-30T15:18:00.000-07:00

Tribute to Dr Randy Pausch

I watched this on Oprah and couldn't believe what I was seeing - What an inspirational person this man is - I then found his entire lecture on you tube and watched it and OH MY GOODNESS - he lost his battle with pancreatic cancer last Friday and my thoughts and prayers go out to his family

I found his lecture to be so helpful and if you have the time please go and see it - you wont be sorry!

I love the many sayings he has and the one that really hit home base with me was - "You just have to decide if you're a Tigger or an Eeyore" - so true!

Thank you Dr Paush for your inspiration and your example.

My Very Own Yankee Doodle Boykie

2008-07-04T04:45:00.000-07:00

Hey there Husband, my sexy beasty here's wishing you a Fantabulous Birthday and many many more -

oh yes and

So tonight you can have your cake AND EAT IT hahahah
And I then break out into Song singing,

much to his cries of OH NOOOOOO not the Yankee Doodle Dandy song again!!!!! ...

I'm a Yankee Doodle Dandy by George M Cohan.

I'm a Yankee Doodle Dandy
A Yankee Doodle, do or die
A real life nephew of my Uncle Sam
Born on the 4th of July
I've got a Yankee Doodle sweetheart
She's my Yankee Doodle joy
Yankee Doodle came to London
Just to ride the ponies
I am the Yankee Doodle Boy!

Happy Birthday My Love!!!!
From your mad African woman with a bone through her nose!!!

Ya folks you laugh - He actually put that on a tag (personalized number plate) on my car except he wrote behind the wheel instead of bone through the nose - when I first met his folks I wanted to arrive at the restaurant with a bone through my nose hahaha - but couldn't find one - because when he told them I was coming to the USA to meet him - he was asked if I were a Hutu or a Tutsis - hahahahahah

Strange thing is he often drives my car hahahahaha you should see the looks we get!

Ciao all and have a happy 4th to those that are celebrating it and to those that arent have a great weekend.

Spot ya later china's

One Zambia One Nation

2008-07-02T22:57:00.000-07:00

I recently read Raven's (see link to her blog on the right) link to Ian Smith and thought it was so good I would email the link to my buddies too as I am sure a lot of them would like to read it. In the article it mentioned how Mr Smith would travel as prime minister - which really impressed me - and I recalled a memory as a kid of Kaunda's motorcade etc and got a response back from Cosmic and Raven which is just tooo funny to remain in emails so here it is ...

I wrote:

Wow, I haven't read this book - would like to - but thought this was interesting and perhaps you would too - and I am sure there are those of you out there that may have a different story about him - I for one am impressed with how he traveled unlike the fat cats.

I remember in Zambia when Kaunda drove in his motorcade - and for a radius of X amount of miles around him EVERYONE and I mean EVERYONE from cars to pedestrians had to stand still - I mean really if that isn't just a little much!!!!

I still remember when I was in my early 20's telling this very same story at a dinner with work colleagues and one guy I worked with - well his wife (funny she was south African and he was a Brit) kakked me out from a dizzy height telling me that she had read Kaunda's life story and how he struggled and what a hard life he had - I was totally ignorant to this fact - and didn't know what to say and as a result looked like a complete idiot - this was a total liberal recognizing someone that was ignorant and wanted to use her knowledge of the topic to totally belittle someone to put their point across which she was able to do - but I tell you she wouldn't get away with that with me today I would rip her a new one!!!

Anyway here is the link

http://www.frontline.org.za/news/tribute_ian_douglas_smith.htm

Cosmic wrote:" Ya I'm sure it would be very interesting indeed. As for the stupid cow who read the book on Kaunda and obviously knew everything about him.... I so wish you gave her carrots because I vividly remember that!!! Do your remember in the bioscope, before the movie started. they would play a film clip of a big brass band playing the national anthem. Everybody had to stand up and at the end of it all some "indigenous biped" would say in a deep voice. "ONE ZAMBIA ONE NATION" then you could sit down. When TV started... One Zambia one Nation.... When TV ended.... One Zambia One Nation, Faaargin Hell!!! Even the damn parrot would whistle the tune and, One Zambia One Nation the whole day long and then tell its itself, SHUTUP JIMMY!!!"

I nearly peed my pants I laughed so hard at that about the parrot!!!!

Raven wrote: "Oh Moonie, tell Cosmic I remember the 'One Zambia, one nation' speech...I nearly cracked up when I read it again after all these years...now, when my Ouma heard that jungle ape screaming One Zambia, One nation...she would shout back, 'One airport, one station'...hahaha..! I had forgotten about that trip....thanks for the memory!"

Just to add to this btw - I remember my mother telling me of how she was nearly jailed - it was a HUGE gedoente - by law every shop, business etc had to have a picture of Kaunda hanging somewhere - I was a toddler so didn't know where exactly - I think she said on the front of the business in the window like a license clear for all to see - my mother ran a restaurant at the club house in Kalulushi - someone had taken a cigarette and burned out the eye's of Kaunda's picture on the front of my mom's restaurant - she got into big shit for that and had to do some explaining down at the station - they were going to jail her and fine her a huge amount apparently and finally after many hours of explaining they let her off lightly but she had to replace the photo with a undamaged one IMMEDIATELY - she said she was very lucky to get off with that - so much for the hard done by poor man huh - funny how you hear stories of people that have had such a hard life and then when they get the power they then treat others badly. One would think that seeing that they had first hand knowledge on how it felt they wouldn't do that to others hey?- anyway all this sounds so familiar - I remember seeing a program on North Korea - now theres a scary guy and of course that egotistical SOB in Zimbabwe - those drums are beating boys hear them well!!!

Zimbabwean Drums

2008-07-01T21:41:00.000-07:00

I was pleasantly surprised yesterday - I turned on the radio and heard Laura Ingraham giving a real work over about what is happening in Zimbabwe and why aren't the powers that be doing anything about it, why are so many so quite - I have to say this is the first time I have heard ANYTHING about this on radio or telly - not that that says it has not been talked about, I just hadn't heard it yet - except for the odd occasionally mention on the ticker. So thank you Ms Ingraham - I emailed her show last night and asked her to go and look for this poem - then after me doing a search myself, I thought I would post it here and if by chance my email gets read she can come here and see it - so if you are reading this Ms Ingraham, this is for you.

Zimbabwean Drums - Author Unknown

The drums are calling old man, and they are louder by the day
They are calling you to judgement and now's the time to pay
For the wrongs you've done your country and the trust betrayed
So hear those drums swelling, hear well and be afraid

You came to power on waves of hope that you would make your mark
In a land that shone in Africa like diamonds in the dark
In simple faith the people put their trust in your care
And were repaid by the Fifth Brigade and the CIO and fear
Twenty eight years of motorcades and lavish trips abroad
A nations heritage is lost through patronage and fraud
The Chiefs grow fat while people starve and famine stalks our homes
On idle farms the weeds grow rank and cover cattle bones
The youth are taught your slogans but even as they sing
The drums of change are beating for the truth is seeping in
The demagogue has feet of clay and lies will not sustain
The shattered land that once seemed free and will be so again
Too late to blame the drought, the Brits, the whites, the MDC
For all know where the finger points with cold finality

So hear the drums, old man, and listen to them well
They foretell of your end days and they have much to tell
For he who sows the seeds of hate will reap the grapes of wrath
So tremble in your bed at night, at the end of your sorry path

Well Blow Me Over With A Feather

2008-06-30T18:08:00.000-07:00

I tell you I just smaak this bloody internet - lately - thanx to SA Reunited and Friends Reunited giving free membership now - so now I don't have to just nudge people I can actually email them and also thanx to Facebook - I have managed to get in touch with people way way back into my past.

I have to say I was absolutely delighted and blown away to get hold of this oak...

When I was 4 years old my sister (pictured in the pic) took a bet with me saying that I would never marry - apparently as fondly told by both parents - I called this good look'n fella up and announced my intentions and asked if he would marry me and he replied Jaaaaa Alison hahahahah - well over the years life took over and that oakie and this chickie took their separate paths - until yesterday when I got the most delightful email in my inbox after doing a search and inquiring about whether he is or isn't the one I asked to marry me when I was 4 years old.

Isn't the world a small place - he is married to a lovely lady - they make such a handsome couple and their daughter and her hubby look like a happy family. He is a grand pappie too, to boot as well as a serious biker - not sure what type of bike he has but I sure will find out hahahah JAYNE WITH A WHY - I'm thinking of you here. Rev that Harley baby!!!!

Here are some more pics of us toddlers...

This is my mom, the oak and moi in the kiddies pool taken in Zambia I am not sure if it was Kalulushi or Kitwe or if Kalulushi was a suburb of Kitwe but anyway ...

I remember my mom having a fond smile when wandering down memory lane with this one of N's mom complaining that she couldn't get him to get out of nappies, so my mother asked if she could give it a try and well - he did the deed and she put him in the bath with his shitty nappy and said "nou was dit" (now wash is) and locked the door - jaaa Bee was a kwaai tannie - and she said about 10 min later she heard this voice shouting, Beeeee Beeeeee Beeeeee hierdie kak stink!!!!!! (this shit stinks) She giggled when telling this story and said he learned very quickly after that and shortly afterwards wasn't wearing nappies any longer.

This one was taken at my birthday party I have no idea how old I was on this day, the Oakie pokie hahaha is in the background checking out the booty!

This was taken sometime later as you can see - a little older but still big cannonies...

I think the last time I saw him I was about 10 or 11 years old - I will never forget - as embarrassing as this was - I still remember rolling on the floor laughing. My folks and I went visiting one time and him, his sister and I were playing hide and seek. Well the sister was counting and him and I hid under his mothers dressing table on our haunches - well I nearly platzed - we were as quiet a mice, we saw the sis walk in and he said shhhhh not a word and we were quiet.... you could hear a pin drop and the next thing I farted KLIP HARD well I nearly died - and he said "Agggg Neee Alison het jy get poep" well I laughed, he laughed and of course our secret hiding place was compromised. Needless to say the game was over - but I will never forget that because I was knapping hey and I thought I would just slip it out quietly and it wouldn't make a noise well shoooot fire - never mind noise it sang by going up a few octaves and then down hahahahahahah - I know I was also very embarrassed - funny what one remembers hey.

Anyway its just wonderful to be in contact with him and his family again - and N if you are reading this I am so chuffed - you look well and so does your family - but folks I just had to share that with y'all - isn't technology just blerrrrry marvelous hey - I am just so happy. Spot ja later China's!!!

The Blue Angels Graced Our Local Skies

2008-06-30T12:54:00.000-07:00

This past weekend we had the phenominal Blue Angels grace our skies in Huntsville. On Saturday the hubby and I went out for lunch with my darling outlaws and afterwards we drove out the the airport to see if we could see the Blue Angels Airshow. We thought that we could park on the side of the interstate and see the show instead.
First let me give you a little history on the Blue Angels:

At the end of World War II, Chester W. Nimitz, then the Chief of Naval Operations, ordered the formation of a flight demonstration team to keep the public interested in naval aviation. The Blue Angels performed their first flight demonstration less than a year later in June 1946 at their home base, Naval Air Station (NAS) Jacksonville, Florida. Flying the Grumman F6F Hellcat, they were led by Lt. Cmdr. Roy “Butch” Voris.

Only two months later on August 25, 1946, the Blue Angels transitioned to the Grumman F8F Bearcat. One year later, the 1947 team, led by Lt. Cmdr. Robert Clarke, introduced the now famous “Diamond Formation.”

By the end of the 1940’s the Blue Angels were flying their first jet aircraft, the Grumman F9F-2 Panther. In response to the demands placed on naval aviation in the Korean Conflict, the team reported to the aircraft carrier USS Princeton as the nucleus of Fighter Squadron 191 (VF-191), Satan’s Kittens, in 1950.
The team reorganized the next year and reported to NAS Corpus Christi, Texas, where they began flying the newer and faster version of the Panther, the F9F-5. The Blue Angels remained in Corpus Christi until the winter of 1954 when they relocated to their present home base at NAS Pensacola, Florida. It was here that they progressed to the swept-wing Grumman F9F-8 Cougar.
The ensuing 20 years saw the Blue Angels transition to two more aircraft, the Grumman F11F-1 Tiger (1957) and the McDonnell Douglas F-4J Phantom II (1969).
In December 1974, the Navy Flight Demonstration Team began flying the McDonnell Douglas A-4F Skyhawk II and was reorganized as the Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron. This reorganization permitted the establishment of a commanding officer vice a flight leader (Cmdr. Tony Less was the squadron’s first official commanding officer), added support officers and further redefined the squadron’s mission, emphasizing the support of recruiting efforts.
On November 8, 1986, the Blue Angels completed their 40th anniversary year during ceremonies unveiling their present aircraft, the new sleek F/A-18 Hornet, the first dual-role fighter/attack aircraft now serving on the nation’s front lines of defense.
In 1992 more than one million people viewed Blue Angel’s performances during a 30-day European deployment to Sweden, Finland, Russia, Romania, Bulgaria, Italy, the United Kingdom and Spain. This was the first European deployment in 19 years.
The 2007 show season brought out more than 15 million spectators. Since 1946, the Blue Angels have performed for more than 427 million fans.

Anyway I was so blown away by their show - it is pure synchronized swimming in the skies and with machine nogal!!!! We decided to come back on the sunday with deck chairs, camera and watch the entire show. We got there around noon and well you know I love flying anyway - but don't have any aspirations of becoming a pilot - I just love being in the air and taking off and landing always have always will.

But these guys are something else - from loop de loops, upright spins, hammer splint tunnel to 9 spiral downward spins and mirror image loops and flying. I found myself saying WOW quite often - we saw the Red Eagles Air sports team from Georgia do their display as well as the A10 warthog plane - I tell you this guy - Captain Brown, did a 1400 foot turn loop and those engines roared - he also showed the power of plane when doing a strafing run - Jaaa I had to ask the Man about that one too - basically a dive to strike - and then within 30 secs after the run he is ready and able to do another - thats quite phenomenal in an aircraft I would say.
Anyway what I know about the army and air force is really slim - I am just amazing at how these amazing pilots maneuver these planes like I do my hand when listening to a beautiful piece of music. ITS WOW!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zWxqZfkEElc

This is the video we took of Captain Browns show...(JUST SOME FYI HERE The husband thinks he is Stephen Spielberg and has DISABLED the embed thingy on his You Tube - copyright issues he says - I still don't see the implications of it all - net n' groot pain in die gat if you ask me but anyway - so as a result until he changes it - you will have to click on the little square link under the URL now to view it - *&^%$#@#@ jaaaa well no fine

Anyway a tragic thing happened at the show yesterday - which actually canceled the rest of the show and the Blue Angels didn't fly. As you can see from the clouds in the above mentioned video - btw it just looked like a little rain storm would hit us - we of course came FULLY prepared........NOT - me in my new dress the hubby bought the day before - real pretty I must say - well when the storm started it reared up to a micro burst and winds of 48 miles an hour - which didn't seem bad at all until the gazebo's (in the video you see them to the left of the screen) well they were blowing like tissue paper in the wind.

These were all sponsored tents or Chalets as they called them - meaning all the VIPS - as my mother would say very important poopalls - but jokes aside - they were blowing around and 12 people were injured from flying debris and when the husband saw that he said WIFIE its time to waai and we ran - at this point - pap nat en vokal titsling - here I am running after the hubby with a deck chair on my head and flip-flops on - people were running and children were screaming it was a nightmare.

But shame a tragedy happened in all this mayhem a generator fell onto a 5 year old little boy and he lost his life - some of the smaller planes were blown over too - so it was a pretty bad storm - and I tell you by the time we got to the parking lot which was about a quarter of a mile away - the storm was over but there were 10's of thousands of people - and we were ALL LOOKING FOR OUR CARS.

What a nightmare - I eventually just sat and looked after the deck chairs while the hubby searched for our car and believe me we weren't the only ones - FINALLY we got home around 5pm.

It is very sad about the death of that little boy and I want to send out our condolences his family - shame when it happened the generator also hit the little boys father but caught his hand I think they said anyway - it is very sad.

I can tell you this next year when and if the Blue Angels grace our skies I for one will most definitely be going to see that show they are awesome!!!

This is a tribute to the Blue Angels I found on You Tube - it was created by Patrick (jpcullen70) and I got it from his you tube account - I think its the best of what I could find - they are truly amazing so enjoy - the pictures of the Blue Angels above were also taken from you tube pictures - the ones we took on the sat were with a cell phone so are not good at all - when the husband finally sends them to me ill take a look see and post them but for now these are much prettier - I will write again soon Ciao for now chinabeans

Adios Saudi Oil! - Let a Bug Poop in your Tank

2008-06-18T13:19:00.000-07:00

I can just see the slogans now - Get a Scoop of Bug Poop / CRAP: Completely Renewable Available Petroleum or Completely Renewable Arse Petroleum hahahahaha. I think its time we all say goodbye to the Middle East's oil and the hold the oil companies (whom ever they are and all their cannonies) have on the world/people/countries - welcome to the new bug that eats waste and excretes petroleum.

Read the article ....

I just had a fantastic week - My gabba from Cape Town Di well her son Patrick came to stay with us for a week - He is a sailor does charter sailing all over the world mainly in the Med and Caribbean - he is taking some time off and just traveling the world at the mo - anyway I was sick but so excited that I didn't care - I may be coughing like a cowboy but I refused to be in bed. Van another friend of mine and myself jolled with Patrick all week - we went to the Space and Rocket centre - they went up all the rides I chickened out - I have been on that space shot once before and nearly had to go home and change my knickers so although I'm usually a bok for a joll - when I am not well its another story - we also went to Point Mallard a water park near us and it was so much fun - again they all went on the slides etc I just chilled in the wave pool which was divine as its been as hot as hell here and its only the bloody beginning of summer.

We had friends over for a braai (fish and burgers - those that don't eat fish had burgers) We were going to launch Patrick's rocket he bought from the Space and Rocket centre but we left it too late and it got too dark and we were also a bit nervous launching it around the house as there are neighbours too what if the bloody thing fell over and still launched into our HOUSE!!!! YIKES hahahahah - Anyway the evening turned out great and the food was good. We launched the rocket off later on in the week - see the video below...

We went out on Friday night to a really nice Italian restaurant and I FINALLY found some place that HAS calamari and KNOWS how to cook it too so I for one will definitely be back there - their name is Carrabbas Italian Grill - really good food and lovely atmosphere.

I really giggle here when I ask about Calamari , or kidney or oxtail and I get these looks - like eewwwww from some people and then I giggle and say you say ewwww to Calamari yet you sell pickled pigs feet or pickled eggs in a jar eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeewwwww hahahahahaha

Funny how in different places there are so many weird things huh - like frogs legs now I will eat snails up the ying yang but don't bring frogs legs near me - or raw oysters - smoked or cooked I just love them but raw - eeeewwww gross its like snot going down your throat.

Anyway back to Patrick - Here is Patrick and Van's Space Shot...

Patrick's Rocket Launch or Rocket Man as Mark has started to call him. You will hear my voice in this one - I didn't realize the camera had sound - hahahahah I sound drunk here and Eddie is barking at the rocket thinking its his toy hahahaha

Anyway y'all thats about it from me y'all come back now ya hear!! Hamba Kahle, Sala Kahle

Check out my Slide Show!

2008-06-07T15:59:00.001-07:00

Arguing With Myself

2008-05-25T08:07:00.000-07:00

A good friend of mine recently sent me an email with a link to a ventriloquist/comedian's video on you tube and it got me thinking, about how hard that is, to talk so clearly without showing it and then the trail of thought went to talking to oneself - well I have to say - I talk to myself often - when I am alone - I have fat conversations with myself, discussions, arguments, you name it and I've done it hahahah they say - I am still trying to find out who the hell they are?? - but anyhow they say that is the first sign of madness - quite honestly I find it a way of venting too - so those people who say they don't - are lying - we all do, some are just more verbose about it than others!

Thank heavens for the blue tooth invention hey - I now have a really good excuse when I'm driving down the road talking to my merry little self and some Ou tannie looks at me having a major chin wag and I am alone in the car - at least now she says oh shes on one of those funny little things that fit into the ear hahahahaha isn't technology bloody marvelous!!!!

There was this ventriloquist that won the America's got talent competition and he was amazing his name is Terry Factor and this was my intro to him and it melted our hearts I must say...

There is a comedian/ventriloquist here called Jeff Dunham and he has several characters he does - this is the guy/link I mentioned earlier that a friend of mine had sent me and I laughed so hard I had to share it with you - although I am familiar with Jeff Dunham's work I had never seen this video so check it out. He introduces two of his characters called Peanut and Jalapeno on a stick - too funny - so enjoy...

He has several characters I must say one of our favourites is Walter - he is a grumpy old man and honestly reminds me so much of Walter Matthau - who I laugh at just looking at his face.

Anyway here is Jeff Dunham and Walter...

Part 1:

Part 2:

Part 3:

Seeing that I live in the deep South I have to post Jeff Dunham's Character Bubba J...

He has several other characters, so for a good laugh check them out on you tube - look for Achmed the dead terrorist, Melvin, and Sweet Daddy D to name but a few others.

Anyhoo enjoy talking to yourselves and even answering yourselves back ( I do that too hahahaha) its when you DON'T DO what the voices in your head tell you to do that you have to start worrying hahahaha Ciao china's check you later!

See See Senoraaaaaaa

2008-05-19T20:10:00.000-07:00

I yaaaa ya yaaaa Si Si Sen youraaaaaa, My sistaaaa Belindaaaa She pissed out the windaaaaa right on my new sambreroooooooooooo

Well it's Tuesday today - yesterday I went to have the eyeballs tested for the first time in my life - well actually I had an eye test when I got my drivers license in South Africa and was told by the oak with the funny mossie attached to his face - dayam his moustache looked like he had cut it while bundu bashing in his 4 x 4 - up over the ear, down the side - zoop over the lip and under the nose and dips and up and well you get the pic! - anyway he said I could see better with one eye than two - real comforting words as he hands me my license hahaha but hey at 17 who cares what some old ballie says to you - I remember running out and shouting YAYAYAYA down the passage at the local DMV and waving my license at all the poor guys sitting waiting for their test results on their written test!

Well anyway the eyeballs are still there - need some glasses for driving and night time - but then I'm getting on in age so I guess its time. My friends father was an optometrist and she told me he always maintained that after 40 a woman needs glasses - I laughed at my other friend when she had to get them - after complaining she couldn't see her food hahahahah - now I guess its my turn - so the teasing will start - what goes around comes around huh hahahahah.

But I tell you the doc's breath stank hey - I nearly said to him hey Doc you need a mint hey! but was a little worried at him lobbing on $'s onto the bill - like the time my Mom went to Kak en betaal (Zan's way of saying Pick N Pay) and she went off at the price of cheese hey because just last week it was this much and then now its that much and look here is one the same size and check the diffs in price - she went on and on at one of the workers there - and the capie guy says to her - ag ladie rather take the cheap one and let some other lady complain hahahahahahahahaahs - she found that so bloody funny hey - made her day.

My Mom always taught us to go to the top when complaining - if you don't get satisfaction right there and then go to the top.

Well let me tell you this little tale of two titties! My Mom and I needed to go and get some veggies and we were cleaning the house and really looked like to bergies - I had different coloured socks on and an old pair of track suit pants and a t-shirt - slopppppy delux! - and my mom had her sloppy pants on and her slippers nogal - and a doek on her head more like a turban type thingy but still a doek - hahahah and we get there and the tommies were rotten and they were expensive and my mother being the woman we all know - a real vat nie kak woman - Aunty Rotter will attest to that one - anyway she calls the manager over and complains bitterly about the price and they are rotten to boot - well he took one look at us - and must have been having a real kak day too - he told her in no uncertain terms if she didn't like his prices she can leave and not come back - this is out local store mind you!

Well she was so pissed off hey - she marched out of there and we get home and she gets on the phone and starts calling - I have no idea who the hell she speaks to but it sounded like the entire Spar company hahahah - this mind you is the spar and their ad's on telly are spewing out how fresh their produce is and just how bloody marvelous they are - they even had that DJ from Radio 5 the Irish guy somebody Bailey - cant think of his first name - anyway he said if you're not satisfied call me as part of their ad campaign well - sure enough Beryl calls hey and kaks all over them!

Well 2 days later there is a knock at the door and I open hahahahahaah and here stands one of the employee's from the Spar - with a note of apology from the manager who asked us to leave - and a HUGE hamper of fresh veggies and fruit - hahahaahahah - the 3 of us ate off of that for some time hahahahah.

I tell you talking about food stuffs etc - things sure are going up and up in prices hey - I know the rest of the world has been complaining for a long time or at least a few years that I know - friends and family have been telling me - but we are feeling it now with the gas prices hiking up like they are - but hows this... In April and May 2006 these were the prices in the different countries...

Venezuela - $0.12 per gallon (p/g), Kuwait - $0.78 p/g, Argentina $2.21 p/g, China $2.40 p/g, South Africa $3.70 p/g, Germany $6.10 p/g, Rome $6.15 p/g, UK $6.36 p/g and Norway $6.99 p/g - in May 2006 the price in the USA was $2.90 p/g and today its averaging at $7.73 p/gal. So I guess the rest of the world has been feeling it for sometime now - its about time we did too.

Personally I cannot wait for the day we can tell all the oil companies/suppliers thanx but no thanx - and get into our electric cars or hydrogen cars. The tesla is really a nice car hey - very pricey right now but really cool (http://www.teslamotors.com)

The only thing I don't really like is its a convertible - not overly keen on them. But hey all I can say - Opec and the like - start counting your days as they are numbered!

I have to say my favourite car is the beetle I just love them - always have and always will - I really would like one of those new beetles (well they are not so new now - new to me that is hahah) And it has to be lime green!!! - hows this one I found cute man!

I remember when I was still living in Suspension City - someone had taken a bright yellow bug and converted it to a noddy car I LOVED IT HEY - it was for sale at one time but I couldn't afford pout pout - it looked like this car ...

But painted like Noddy's car ...

Cute as a button!!!!!

Hows these VW Commercials I found heheheheh...

and

I have so many stories to tell y'all about my beetles - but thats for another day - I'm off - need to get some real life stuff done - so - what do you call 2 bugs that live on the moon? Luna Ticks!!!!

Now this is what I call bloody marvelous!

2008-05-13T09:18:00.000-07:00

A Chinese peasant has made a solar water heater - using only beer bottles and hoses. The beer bottles lie on a board in rows, all connected by hoses which allow cold water to flow through them and be heated by the sun. "I invented this for my mother. I wanted her to shower at any time more comfortably," says Ma Yanjun, a carpenter, of Qiqiao village, Shaanxi Province. "A real solar water heater is too expensive to me, so I came up with the idea of making one on my own. "I hope this invention can be promoted nationwide, and allow mothers in undeveloped rural areas to have a hot shower." Ma has now helped more than 20 families in the village to make and install their own beer bottle solar water-heaters. He says he will build a public bathroom for the village using his invention when he has the money to buy enough beers.

The article...
AMAZING HEY!

Anyway talking about going green - aren't you all getting a little tired of Mr Al Gore (or is that BORE - yawn yawn) telling the world its all our fault this planet is such a kak plek? When he then gets into his big hummer and goes home to his mansion- who's electricity could light up a small town - granted he has since put in solar energy, but I guess not before he made all the bucks telling us how we suck! Don't get me wrong I am all for doing my part - but I just get a little PO'd when celebs or is that plebs hahhaha tell us we are all at fault and what we should be doing and yet they themselves dont do it - ummm Sheryl Crow said we should only use one sheet of loo paper to wipe your bum - wat jy waar kry!!!!! THATS NASTY!!!! - eeewww streptococci comes to mind!

I am so chuffed that spring is here hey well gee almost summer now - but all the blooms - my jasmine is blooming so beautifully for the first time I might add - I have had it for 2 years and not seen one flower on the bloody thing then come to find out that I haven't been watering it enough hahahahah - yip my mother had the green fingers and my sister has - I don't - never paid attention - except to the sweet peas .... NOT - this bugged me so much, my mom asked me once to plant the sweet pea's for her and I so didn't want to do it - all I wanted to do was party! anyway I reluctantly took the seeds and BLIKSEMED them into the ground in temper - I mean I could be missing out on some party right now MAA!! - well that season my mother had her best spread of sweet pea's she ever had. Burnt my ring so because every flipping year after that I HAD to plant the bloody sweet pea's hahahahahahahah - I guess there is a lesson to be learned in all that.

My sister is planting like crazy as my nephew is going to be married this year and they are having the reception in her garden, so she is planting like there is no tomorrow in order to have her garden looking like an eden - she is so good at decorating and the like that I know its going to be stunning - can't wait to see the pics - will post a few when they come.

Last year I tried to grow my own tomatoes - but I wanted to try those upside down planting ways so that they basically hang - well let me tell you what a waste of time and energy that was - I was told firstly tommies LOVE water and 2ndly because its upside down - you have to water them even more because of the water running away from the root and to water them everyday. Well shitfar I watered my meilie off and got like 2 tommies - eventually I thought jou moer - you want water pray for rain - well I would water it like once a week if it was lucky the rest was thanx to the rain - and that is when I got the most of the tommies from that - but I tell you never again. What I did love though was I took an old bath and filled it with good soil and drainage and planted herbs - parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme - yes that was hubbies suggestion - I also had basil and chives in it and it was lovely - nothing nicer than fresh herbs at your fingertips - well when we get into our own home I will do that again.

I actually prefer it in a bath type container - much easier to control and handle - I also want to get some honey suckle too as I just love the smell of that - so fragrant. The soil where we are now is not that great for growing anything other than weeds and grass hahahah - I would have to spend quite a bit on mulch and stuff like that to make it rich growing soil - and I don't want to do it here as it's a rental. So once we are in our own spot then I will do it and have loads of fun - perhaps start my own compost heap - but for now I will stick to pot plants - hahahahahah talking about pot plants - I sure got some funny looks from the sales lady when I asked where their pot plants are in the shop hahahahah its called POTTED PLANTS around these part - pot plant is a wacky tabacky plant hahahahahahahaha.

Well y'all take care now - time for me to go and mow the lawn and get my exercise in too - I think we are in for some bad weather, I heard the weather man jumping around a bit - but from what I can see its beautiful blue skies - so I am off like a bad smell...

Our Hearts Are With You Di

2008-05-09T23:12:00.000-07:00

My Dear Friend Di lost her darling father to cancer this week and I want to take this time to send her and her family my love and burn a candle for her Dad - Such a wonderful man - originally from Natal and what nice soul - salt of the earth - he spoke fluent Zulu - was amazing to hear - he was a sugar cane farmer - full of life and fun and lots of jokes and always smiling just like his daughter. Anyway this is for Di's Dad.

The pics below - These are pictures I recently received from my friend Zan, which were taken in our home we lost to a fire last year - kind of cried when I saw these as I haven't been back to the site since the fire, even though we still have a storage trailer there.

I thought they were lovely pics of Zan, my hubby and Eddie - who is like my child - the pic of me is one of yester year - taken many many moons ago - I will not post pics of me of late as I have put on so much weight!

Anyway these are lovely pics of my friend Zan and the rest - good memories and fun was had by all.

Check out my Slide Show!

2008-05-09T22:24:00.001-07:00

Back in the world of business

2008-05-06T19:14:00.000-07:00

Well today was my first day back in the rat race - after a 4 year sabbatical from the working life - well office - a womans work is never done - actually that is not true really - well not for me - my hubby doesn't mind cooking and cleaning and doing his share if need be.

I just think as a rule - the one that stays home should be the one that cleans and does the house work - but when both are working its shared.

I must say after not being at work for so long - 4 years is the longest I have not worked - sure is tiring hey but SUCH a good feeling.

I am temping at the moment so its only for a few days - I think its cool for now and also I can then decide when I want to work. Although I can see that I wont BE saying no to any assignments anytime soon as I am THRILLED to be working again - should have done this a long time ago. The only time I would though is if one of my gabba's come out to visit from overseas and then I can have that time off - but for the most part its work as usual or should I say till the next assignment or hopefully a permanent position I really want comes along.

Anyway so far so good and I will let you know how it was by the end of this assignment for now - I feel good, I am tired but its a good tired and I need to get to bed so night all and SALA KAHLE

My First Blog and Posting!!!! Roll out the barrel!

2007-02-17T10:15:00.000-08:00

Welcome to my blog or is that smog? Not really sure what the hell I'm going to be posting here - actually came across this by accident trying to leave a comment for a friends blog. But now that I have had to go thru this process ...

Please note that this is MY blog and if you don't like what I say, by all means leave a comment or 3 but if you get abusive I will just delete it and if you don't like what I have said then skedaddle! Another thing my spelling sux so I will obviously do the spell check etc etc but if you find typo's and things are not grammatically correct - correct me with kindness please - no need to get abusive! And FYI - I use a LOT of slang

I'm a s'affie living in the heart of dixie surrounded by hills - or is that hillbillies hahahahahaha. Love them - actually I love all walks of life - I love people - I enjoy all cultures - although there are some I am not too keen on - but we wont go into that right here! Live and let live is my general motto - I am not big on punctuation as you will find out and I use a lot of slang - I love different characteristics of people and their use of slang and dialects - whether its regional or just sommer how they used to say it a home - I love it and makes this world a very colourful place to be in, in my estimation.

I love the USA and even though I love South Africa I don't think I will be moving back. Although I miss a lot of things from there. The thing I miss the most is the sense of humour, I believe that there is no sense of humour on earth that can come close to that of a South African - and don't get me wrong I love the Australian, Brit, American and yes even the German sense of humour and for those that have the notion that Gerrie's don't have a sense of humour - you are so so so so wrong!

I miss the cape town sense of humour too and let me tell you that is almost only found in Cape Town - Things like now is the hour for cauliflower! - Jay, Jay (fingers pointing in all direction) is 'n nothing, 'n nobody, a FULL STOP! - I giggle when I think of those.

Of course I miss the normal things like, bovril, boerewors, biltong (although the hubby has managed to build a neat biltong drying box and has made some delicious billies). Other things like smoked snoek, fresh hake from the fishhoek fisheries - What I wouldn't give for a piece of that right now - and steak and kidney pie from kak 'n betaal yummmmmmmy - funny how its all food stuff hahahahahahaah.

I also miss the beautiful Cape scenery, nothing like driving to work over chapman's peak to avoid all the traffic jams on the M2 or is that M5? Cant remember.

The most important thing that I miss are my friends & family. But thanks to the wonderful world of technology I can chat to them over Skype with camera's a glowing and coffee cups a going so it feels like you're visiting.

So here I am in Alabama, I became a USA citizen in May of last year. That was something I must say - very emotional day for me and proud day for my hubby.

Well I hope you visit from time to time and leave comments - I will sign off from here for now and spot ya later!