The end of the Noughts

The New Year is about to start and we've come to the end of the Noughts. What are we going call the next decade, the Teens? Today's photo is of the last light of the last day of the year at Emmarentia. To all my readers, have a great 2010.

Max and Rick

It has been slow couple of lazy days winding off the old year. Here is Max and Rick, Matthew's two Build-a-Bears. Matthew got Rick the leopard for Christmas to keep Max the tiger company.

Say Goodbye

The year has flown and the next one is nearly upon us. Just 52 more hours to go until the new year.

A choice has been made

Yes, I have been at the crossroads for sometime now, not sure which way to go but I can say finally that a choice has been made. This was not easy as a decision of this magnitude will affect the future of my family and me in a big way. But it is done and I feel that a weight has been lifted. It is going to be a mad rush next year but welcome to SAP. Matthew and Carol went to Benoni to watch the Spongebob Squarepants play and I stayed at home so all you have today is a photo of two vases in our lounge.

100 Hours until 2010

With the Christmas weekend nearly over there is just a few more days until the end of the year. It is actually 100 hours and 25 minutes to go. There are quite a few Joburgers who did not go away this year for the summer holidays, here is one family, Joe and Ingrid.

Goodwill Day

The day after Christmas is recovery day from eating all the festive food. For others it is Goodwill Day or Boxing Day when you give to those less fortunate. Here is Maxy and Patch, our two Italian Greyhounds, wishing you all a wonderful Day of Goodwill and don’t forget them.

Happy Birthday Jesus

Yes, today our family celebrated the birth of Jesus with a lovely family day at Ken and Simone's home. We had a lovely lunch, and then it was in the pool for the afternoon. Afterwards it was present opening time then dessert. Here is Simone with her son and our grandson Braeden who was in the Christmas spirit.

Is this the end?

With two offers, I am not sure which one to take. One offers security till retirement but not much growth and the other offers lots of growth with even overseas potential but not much security. So this might be my last day at Metrorail and so I needed a photograph of the team, well two thirds are already on leave which means this is not the full team. In the photo are José, Sello, Masilo, Khathu (seated), Jimmy, Leon, Mulalo, Thanyani and me.

Motloli

Motloli, one of the ICT Managers has asked us to stall on our decision until tomorrow to allow Metrorail time to get their offer finalised. Well tomorrow is the last day. We should know by mid morning which way we will be going.

Medical

We Metrorail contractors spent the whole morning at Braamfontein Clinic getting a full medical required by Metrorail for their contract offer. Yesterday Nambiti sent us their offer and now many of us are not sure which way to go. Will it be SAP or will it be stability? In the evening Carol, Matthew and I went to the Build-a-Bear shop in Sandton City to get Matthew's Christmas present. So welcome to Rick to the family. Here is a photo from Sandton City towards Randburg showing the construction boom.

Decisions Decisions

With two offers on the table which one will be the right one?

Eeny, meeny, miny, moe,
Catch a tiger by the toe,
If he squeals let him go,
Eeny, meeny, miny, moe!

Meanwhile back at Metrorail, Ntaoleng is holding up the marketing fort.

Attation

Attation (or was that supposed to be attention) customers we (that is KFC) are not able to sell Krushers and Milkshake machine out of order. By management. Well there goes our local KFC at Douglasdale. Last week I stopped at a new KFC that had just opened in Randburg on the way home to pick up supper and while waiting for my order I could clearly see the place where the food was prepared. Someone in the drive-thu had ordered a wrap and my stomach turned I watch them make it. A lady who prepared the food took out the tortilla with her bare hands and put it down on the counter then wiped the sweat from her brow with her right hand and proceeded to flatten the tortilla with the same hand. I was mortified. I asked a friend today who works at Yum Foods, the holding company here in Africa about the incident and he said that they don’t wear gloves as they tend not to wash their hands if they do. He said the lady should have been wearing a cap. So attation (attention) all us KFC lovers, make sure your server is wearing a cap.

Starcraft Saturday

With not much to do until Christmas Day we had a quiet Saturday at home. Here is Matthew playing Starcraft and he cannot wait until the long awaited Starcraft 2 is released next year.

Hamba nathi Khumbu

While Annah is on maturity leave Nkhumbudzeni or Khumbu for short (shown above) is standing in for her and doing a good job. Daleen is due anytime today. This year has been baby boom in the ICT department.

Winding down

With most of the managers on leave it is more peaceful at Metrorail. Just a week left then it is the Christmas break. Marius (shown above) promise to come round during the break to set up Matthew's LAN games.

Uno

It is Reconciliation Day in South Africa, previously known as the Day of the Vow. It was the day the Boers defeated Dingaan at the Battle of Blood River. Now we forgive and move on. So in the spirit of today Matthew and Brian play Uno.

Bongi in the Mist

Wow, the weather is acting strange. A thick mist has shrouded Johannesburg. Riding my Vespa to work this morning I expected strange creatures to jump out of the mist. I was just happy to arrive safely at work. Here is Bongi rushing to finish up all her work before going on leave.

Summer Cancelled

What happened to summer? A cold torrent fell from the heavens non-stop for most of the day. The storm water drains which are clogged up with rubbish could not handle the deluge. The temperatures have dropped by 10 degrees and this in the middle of our summer.

You’ll never walk alone

It is 04:00 Sunday morning and our guests have just left after a wonderful evening, well morning as well, was had by all. I am half asleep while I am typing this so I have an excuse for how I am writing. Here is Saskia, Kevin and Carol towards the end of the dinner party, taken about an hour ago. As you can see in the photo Kevin is an ardent Liverpool supporter

Saturday Night

Dee Dee na na na
Saturday night, I feel the air
Is getting hot
Like you baby
I'll make you mine you know
I'll take you to the top
I'll drive you crazy
Saturday night, dance, I like
The way you move
Pretty baby
It's party time and not one
Minute we can lose
Be my baby
Da ba da dan dee dee dee da
Nee na na na - be my baby

We had a dinner party at our house tonight, no last night as it is Sunday already. We invited Saskia and Carol's cousin Kevin. I did the starters (well it was my first attempt as shown above). It consisted of three pieces feta and spinach wrap in filo pastry with two slices of avocado pear and a cherry tomato. Carol did the main course which was roast chicken, rice, roast butternut, roast sweet potato and gravy. Saskia brought a fridge tart for dessert. It ended with French vanilla coffee. Our guests just left half an hour ago at 03h15.

A Weird Bunch

Yes if you seeing this, then you must be wondering what we get up too at the ICT Department in Metrorail. This time it is Daleen who had a baby shower just before her baby is due. This is what women do to each other; men just go out and celebrate or have a braai.

Initiation

Still no papers signed and the brokers for FNB phoned today about a post that has come up. In the meanwhile it was initiation time for Norman to be finally accepted in the elite group of Metrorail ICT. Refiloe and Ellen were keen to perform the initiation process.

Negotiations

We are still waiting for us to have a one on one with Human Resources but it has to happen soon. Here is Toys and Norman negotiating on the Metro way.

Fifty Fifty

Kevin, the owner of Nambiti, came to make all of the contractors an offer now that Metrorail's contract is over. Their offer is not final but we have to sit with Metrorail's Human Resources department to see what they have to offer.

The Techie and Suit

After the rush of November it seems to be slowing down. Here are two of the students, Thanyani dressed as he usually does and Mulalo dressed for an interview. Well we wish him luck.

Braelyn’s Dedication

Gary and Angie's families arrived early for Braelyn's Dedication at BBC. I was wonderful seeing them standing in front of the church with both sets of parents behind them. I don't have all the names but I will fill them in as soon as I get them. Okay in the front row is Gary, Ethan, Angie and Braelyn. In the next row is Charlize, Hayley, Norm (Gary's dad), Barbara (Gary's mom), Liz (Angie's mom), Bev and Vic (Angie's dad).

Let the weekend begin

After our monthly shopping at Northgate it was off to Braelyn 1st birthday party at Gary and Angies place. All the children including Gary and Braelyn had lots of fun around the pool. We all had a great time. Later this evening we are off to a dinner party at Jackie's house.

Motivation

It looks like there is only one more step to go before getting a direct 12 month contract at Metrorail and that is the motivation why they need me. So far it is looking good. In the meanwhile here is Pieter and Leon slogging away trying to get the ticket system working on the reporting side.

Safety Dance

We can dance if we want to
We can leave your friends behind
'Cause your friends don't dance and if they don't dance
Well they're no friends of mine
I say, we can go where we want to
A place where they will never find
And we can act like we come from out of this world
Leave the real one far behind
And we can dance
My, this "Men without hats" song is bringing back memories. Here is Refiloe showing the students (Lerato) her dance moves (with high heels nogal).

The ground is feeling solid

Today I received news from the agents that officially this is my last month. Later on I received an offer for a 12 month contract. More news about this later on as I have not signed anything but it looks like I might be able to finish my month to month photo essay on the Gautrain Terminus at Braamfontein. As you can see what looks like the new parking garage for the station.

Aids Fiasco

Being Aids Day, Gauteng Metrorail arranged in October for a sports day. At first it was to be held at the Pretoria Showgrounds but due to finances was shifted to Manalodi. So this morning I went to my email to print the directions only to find out that it was cancelled at 5:22 this morning. What happened if I didn't go and check, I would have driven 2 hours to get there? This made me very upset. When I finally arrived back at Metrorail I found out that it was cancelled due to political reasons. I think some PRASA noses were put out of joint as they had organised an event at Park Station at short notice. Because of the fiasco not many Metrorail employees turned up. Here is Refiloe all kitted up for some soccer action but nowhere to go.

Toward the Unknown

I am not sure about my future at Metrorail with PRASA cutting back on the budget then cutting back some more. My contract is coming to an end at the end of December but here's to Metrorail renewing it directly with me. Holding thumbs. Things are going to be tough at the parastatal next year and its only saving grace could be the FIFA 2010. We have to wait and see. Chatting with Dolly (shown above) from Marketing and Communication it doesn't look too rosy with them either. When you have come to the edge of all light that you know and you are about to drop off into darkness of the unknown, Faith is knowing one of two things will happen: There will be something solid to stand on or you will be taught to fly.

Toy Run 2009 Johannesburg

Wow, there must have been way over 50,000 bikes there today. I will give an updated figure once I hear it in the media. I met up with a large group of Vespas at the Brightwater Commons in Randburg. At the start it was a bit bottlenecked but once we hit the N1 it was open road. Thanks to the marshals and Johannesburg Metro Police for all their assistance. Here is my modern Sophia parked among some classic Vespas and Lambrettas.

Windy Time Out

BBC had a Time Out day at Heronbridge where the youngsters played a game of cricket against the older men. This time the boys beat the men wait until but next time. There was a big water slide and Gary and I had a wild time sliding down. Here is Gary trying to compete with the wind.

Vespa Stretch

With the local Toy Run loaming we all decided to get our babies ready. I popped into the Vespa dealership in Wynburg to get my front brakes sorted. Here is Trevor with the 4 seater Vespa. I am not sure that it is legal for 4 to be on a bike. Now we just need to pray that it doesn’t rain because that will count me out.

In the dark

As for where we stand as contractors in Metrorail we will only find out tomorrow or Monday. Well it is out of my hands and I am just asking for favorable terms and that we will still be here for a long time. Here is Theo looking a bit perplexed but come what may.

Twilight Metro

Thuli, Momentum’s travelling nurse came to draw blood from me at Metrorail and do a number of medical tests for insurance purposes. At least I know that I am okay except for my weight problem. As you know I am not afraid of heights, it’s the widths that get me.

Year end 1

Year year is coming to an end very fast and so is my contract. There are many questions that remain unanswered. Today our Home Circle group had our year end dinner. As you can see in today's photo, Brian and Andy cutting up the Turkey. Uhmmm. While back at home our DSL line is still down. I think Telkom should change the "T" in its name to a "H".

Mosiuoa - Pandhla

Back into reality after such a wonderful weekend is not great. Our DSL line is down among other things. Well at least the sun is shining and Mosiuoa here is greeting everyone in his usual bouncy way. Greeting me with the words "Pandhla" which means bald one. Well he also has not much hair to write home about.

Beached Whale

No not the blue whale or any other majestic creature but me, the hippo, enjoying a relaxing hot stone massage. Yes all my wrinkles were ironed out beautifully. Martina, Louis and Guanta treated us to wonderful weekend that we didn’t want to end. But end it must. Carol and I were walking on air when we arrived at Gary and Angie’s home to pick up Matthew. Our treatment was not to end as our friends invited us to join them in their family lunch. It was the best weekend Carol and I have had for a long time. Thank you all who made it happen.

My First ...

It is still raining and Carol and I didn’t want to leave our cozy room but what awaited us was some pampering that we could not miss. After breakfast we went for our first pampering consisting of a hand massage and manicure and later in the afternoon a pedicure. Guanta, the manager treated us like royalty. Martina and Louis in the meanwhile had arranged for Carol and I to write a love letter to each other which was to be presented at the dinner table. Here is Carol, my queen enjoying the garden during a few breaks in the weather.

Hands on Retreat

Martina and Louis invited Carol and I through our good friend Gary to spend a romantic weekend at their boutique Guest House and Spa in Craighall. We arrived at Hands on Retreat in the rain just before seven and this warm beautiful room awaited us with a hot tub, a double shower and handmade leopard print slippers. But the hot tub would have to wait until later in the evening as dinner awaits us.

Hoam sweet hoam

Matthew did his first ever exams today, they were Maths 1 and Natural Science. We told him not to worry about trying to pass but just go in and enjoy himself. While Matthew was sitting doing his exams, I went to PRASA to see Malcolm. I decided to walk to 66 Jorissen Street from Wits Metro Park. Along the way, I walked past this interesting building, the Portland Place. It was not quite as run down as other buildings in Hillbrow for example but it stood out in Jorissen Street. The one shop to the right of the entrance is called Hoamwares and on the other side looks like a Christian shop hence the bibles stored on the second floor. It was the first floor which caught my attention with all the odds and ends that could be seen through the windows. I am sure people are living there and making it their hoam, I mean home.

Nice and shiny with a smile

I am sure this is an accident just waiting to happen. Here is Tshidi up on a flimsy chair cleaning windows. Uhmm I wonder what the risk department would say to this.

Unite Mzansi Unite

After that Ras whats-his-face butchered our national anthem at Saturday's rugby match between South Africa and France there is not much left to say about South African sport. Not to forget that we have an inter-sexed 800m runner and the national soccer team who play like girls but look like boys. So now the large building wrap that came off the Schlesinger building last week has finally been replaced by an Adidas advert which is calling us to unite behind our soccer team. Maybe Ras Dumisani, who was definitely smoking the weed when he sang the anthem, needs to sing at the 2010 FIFA opening ceremony which might give our soccer team all the spirit they need.

Shosholoza

At Metrorail things are going strangely the wrong direction to where I expected it to go. But never the less, I must hold my head up high and just go against the flow. In today's photo it looks very busy at the Shosholoza Meyl platforms of Park Station.

For Freedom and the Fatherland

When someone thinks about concentration camps they normally think of the Second World War and places like Auschwitz and Majdanek but they forget about the United States concentration camps for the Native American people in 1830s and the ones in the Philippines in 1900s. Spain also had them in Cuba in the 1870s. But today we were wondering around in the Krugersdorp area where one of the 109 (45 for whites and 64 for black Africans) concentration camps was built by the British in South Africa. Over 26,000 Boer women and children died in these camps but sadly I can't find the number of black Africans who also died. At the Burgershoop Cemetery Matthew wanted to know why there was so many small graves all in rows each one with a small headstone which read "Konsentrasiekamp 1899-1902 Rus in Vrede". Records indicate that 664 children under the age of 15 died here at the Krugersdorp Concentration Camp between 1901 and 1902. Somewhere I've read that there are over 1,800 concentration camp graves at the cemetery. Sadly the old cemetery is in very run down and is in need of major intervention. Rest in peace all those women and children who innocently died in a war fought over a hundred years in the quest for gold.

Without his hat

I went to the men's group at BBC this morning for a change as it was a beautiful summer's morning to ride the bike. At BBC, Nigel was there dressed ... well you can see for yourself. I suppose a hat makes a person. If Nigel had brought along a firemen's hat or even a Dutchman's hat it would fit right in place with his suspenders. But I must say that he needs them as it looks like he is losing weight.

Weekend bloom

The weekend is here again. It seems like at this time of the year, I am looking forward to my weekends where I can just vegetate. Today started off strong with a visit to Rosebank Union Church for some words of wisdom. The day will come when the risk to remain tight in a bud will be more risky than to blossom.

Robust work

It is going to be a hot summer as some cold fronts aren’t even denting the searing temperatures. While back in air conditioned offices at Metrorail we find Theo fixing some robust laptops for Sihle from rolling stock. I wonder how the boy from the foothills of the Drakensberg Mountains is finding the heat.