Okay where did I put that cream?

Here is Kenneth, Carol’s oldest son with their first born. “Spike” David Hales was born at 16h15 yesterday afternoon. Spike is just a place name until they can decide on a name. Being a first time dad is not easy with so many things to remember and all of a sudden you’re have somebody depended on you. Now changing nappies is supposed to be easy if you can remember where you put that cream. Added to this good day of visiting the new grandchild is that Sophia came home from the Vespa agents. Although I am R2566 out of pocket at least she back home safely.

Yeeha

Here is Carol, the proud grandmother of her third grandchild. It is a 50cm boy weighing in at 3.44kg. I don’t have a name yet but have my guesses what he will be called. Congratulations Kenneth and Simone on a healthy baby boy. At the same time the Blue Bulls (not my team but the only South African rugby team remaining) beat the Chiefs from New Zealand 61 – 17 in the Super 14 final. Yeeha!!!

Rushed Friday

Today was a rush day as I had to finish work for the client, Kimberly-Clark, who came to check the progress then it was off to Metrorail for final preparations for Monday. Well you may ask what the big fuss about this Monday is. Well it is the launch of Metrorail’s new Gauteng Express. It is the second Business Express that will be running between Johannesburg and Pretoria. I have done invitations, emailers, flyers, brochures and now a slideshow for the LCD screens at the launch. I may even have to pop in again tomorrow for changes to a slideshow. It just has to be perfect as the new Minster of Transport will be at the launch. Today’s photo is of Juan who is doing the video editing for the Kimberly-Clark presentations.

TBE

The ICT Department at Metrorail Gauteng South caught the Tshwane Business Express to Pretoria this morning to meet with the Gauteng North ICT people. Since we have merged into one Gauteng department this is the first time I got to meet some of them. It was my first trip in the TBE although I have been in the older Soweto Business Express a couple of times. As the TBE passed through downtown Johannesburg I was a bit disappointed in the litter and rubbish strewn along the rail reserve. This needs urgent attention as we don’t want our 2010 visitors seeing this.

Sick Sophia

Sophia, my Vespa, is due for her big 12,000km service next week but yesterday on the way to Metrorail she started to make a rattling sound from the general area of the engine. It sounded like a plate had come loose. On the way back it got even worse. She sounded so bad that I had to call the service centre who came and picked her up today. It broke my heart hearing Sophia sound so sick and I was feeling down all day. I had to use the Mercedes to Metrorail today which meant that I had to park on Platforms 11 and 12. Here is a shot from my parked car.

Risky Business

With lots of things coming to a head here at Metrorail things are getting quite hectic. This is the second visit from the Risk Department to our floor in just as many days. This time it is Sibongile popping in without her laptop just for a visit.

Relax

Mpho seems to settling down nicely in Marketing and Communications Department. At least she’s lasted longer than the last person. Here she is updating the news section of the intranet. I in the meantime had to start working on a new product launch presentation for Kimberly-Clark.

Valentine

I heard yesterday via the gossip grapevine that Maia and Tony (shown) are making plans for a future together. With Maia being in Bulgaria I simply couldn't ask her, so this morning Tony confirmed it. Although it is not official yet, he gave me permission to mention it. Maia is making plans to come back to South Africa. Well I must say that is great news and I am happy for Maia.

You’re getting Old

Yes it is one of those times when one of your friends decides to have a BIG 0 birthday. Gary has just turned 50 years old. Woo Woo! Gray I think that you should demand a recount. Family and friends all joined to celebrate Gary's nifty fifty at a breakfast at the Rivonia Bowling Club. Here is Gary, on the right, with Mike. He doesn't look 50, 49 maybe, but never 50!

Jackie

I made all the changes to the Confederations Cup soccer posters but the corrections only arrived at mid day so it has to wait until Monday if there are any more changes to be done. Jackie, the main boss of the Risk Department, made a visit to our neck of the woods which afforded me the opportunity to take this photograph. Anyway I feel like I am coming down with something fluey, so the sooner I get home, get medicated and in bed the better.

Over here José

Today started off quietly but ended in a rush when the Confederation's Cup work had to be submitted with the changes for approval today. When? TODAY! So it became hectic towards the end of the day with even Sibusiso phoning me at home at 8pm asking what time will I be in tomorrow. Oh boy it looks like it is going to continue. Well weekend is nearly here. It seems that Norman is becoming a popular subject for my photos, well it's the things that he does in the office that makes me want to keep my camera handy. Here he is with Ayanda trying to get José's attention.

Hey Mickey

I seem to be slowly getting on top of things. Things at Metro are still plodding along even though I don’t know for how long. Most businesses seem to be slowing down but I have a way that will help them get more eyeballs which should in turn keep them in the black. Talking about finances here is Fehmida or affectionally known as Mickey. I don’t know how she got that nickname but what I do know is that she works in the Finance Department of Metrorail.

One of those moments

After all the seriousness of yesterday, we at ICT Department can still find time to laugh at ourselves because we can. If we can’t laugh at ourselves then who can we laugh at? Here is literary the head our department, Norman, leading the way. We not worthy, oh mighty one, for we shall never cease to be amused.

And Action!

Well I can’t write much about what happened this morning other than how I was amazed by the number of fire women there are. What happened to the good old firemen? Have they left to the happy fire fighting grounds or just to better pastures? Anyway once my lungs are clear from the toxic fumes and you’re buying the beers we can talk off the record about what happened or didn’t happen this morning.

Harvard 7526

Matthew, Justin and I went to the Rand Airshow and although the kids just wanted to play and climb into the static displays, I enjoyed myself watching the flying displays. The SAA B737-200 Cargo plane did some spectacular flybys. I would have loved to seen some of the bigger SAA planes do a flypast or two. Here is a North American Harvard. A large number of them were bought by the South African Air Force and were operated from 1942 to 1995 as the basic trainer. This is still in its original military colours. After the first Harvard display they all lined up along the flight line and revved their beautiful radial engines at full throttle much to the delight of the public.

The Y Factor

This morning I joined a group of men at the Balalaika Hotel in Sandton to listen to Dr Shingai Mutambirwa about health and sexual issues of men over 40. Wow it was refreshing listening to Dr Mutambirwa who has this way of speaking that puts you at ease. Afterwards Gary Bailey spoke about his Game Plan 2010. Back at home Matthew had his friend Justin for a sleepover. So far they are behaving well.

Out with the old, in with the fast

Working with such large files my computer at Metrorail is battling to keep up. So the powers that be decided that my computer must go and a kick butt spec is to be drawn up and ordered but in the meantime a temporary machine is being put together. Well 8GB of Ram is better than 2GB. So what happens to the old computers? Here is Sello writing off some old hardware.

Khathu

I heard today that one of the technicians Mpho will be leaving Metrorail to take up an offer in Polokane. This is his replacement Khathu. The poster that was accepted yesterday now has to be branded for Shosholoza Meyl and Autopax so I better get cracking.

Who’s the Man?

I did an urgent job last night for PRASA that had to be approved this morning. Anyone wanting FIFA Confederation Cup tickets at a very discounted price? Look out for posters at Park Station or Pretoria Metrorail ticket offices soon. My artwork has been approved today so it is just finalising a few things then off to the printers. So who’s the man? Here is Theo showing how it is supposed to be done. For all my hard work let me see if I can get two tickets for the Italy vs Brazil game or for the Final.

Popeye

I'm Popeye the biker man,
I'm Popeye the biker man.
I'm strong to the finich Cause
I eats me spinach.
I'm Popeye the biker man.

I'm one tough Gazookus
Which hates all Palookas
Wot ain't on the up and square.
I biffs 'em and buffs 'em
And always out roughs 'em
But none of 'em gets nowhere.

If anyone dares to risk my "Fisk",
It's "Boff" an' it's "Wham" un'erstan'?
So keep "Good Be-hav-or"
That's your one life saver
With Popeye the biker man.

I'm Popeye the biker man,
I'm Popeye the biker man.
Some call me Greg
But that will get dem biffed.
I'm Popeye the biker man.

Monday Monday

It was a quiet day at Metrorail with all the permanent staff in Pretoria getting to know the new Regional Manager. But I had a lot of catching up to do and the less people interrupting the better. It was quite a nippy day and when I needed a break I took a walk outside in the sun. While on my break I took a few snaps of the Shosholoza Meyl’s electric units.

Mother's Day Concert

Today started off with Matthew and I making large breakfast for Carol and giving her a large Thank You mug brimming with Swiss chocolates. Then we were off to the Mother’s Day Concert at the Zoo. We found a great spot close to the pavillion under the oak trees with their leaves turning brown and the air had a slight nip. This is the 18th mother’s day concert held at the Johannesburg Zoo and this time it must have been record numbers as it was packed. As usual Richard Cock entertained us with the Johannesburg Festival Orchestra while soloist Sam Peo and Craig Urbani sang. Carol enjoyed her day listening to soothing music under the majestic oak trees.

Dear Rene

Carol and Matthew headed back to Johannesburg today while I represented our family at my Aunt Rene's 67th birthday party (shown above). My Aunt Rene is the artist in the family and signs her paintings under her maiden name Regina West. It was an hour and half ride on my Vespa using all the back roads to Garsfontein. I thought that I would be caught in the rain that showered down on JZ presidential inauguration in Pretoria but it was over as I approached and the sun was doing its best to make an appearance. It was good to see that part of the family again as I don't go often to Pretoria even though it is close. So now South Africa has a new president, Carol and Matthew are back home safely, Aunt Rene is another year older and I enjoyed my ride to the other side of the boerewors curtain. Here's to many more years, Auntie Rene.

Something in the water

There is something in the water at the ICT Department of Metrorail. Ayanda just had a baby, Ellen is nearly there and Daleen (shown above) has just announced that she too is pregnant. Oh save us. Maybe that is why I am battling to lose weight.

Close-up

Work is starting to pile up and I must just be careful to stay on top of things at eScience. It is like walking on a knife’s edge. At Metrorail it looks like they still deciding who is going to win the tender which will replace me. So it looks like I might be here till June. Anyway we have JZ Presidential inauguration this Saturday with free trains being provided by Metrorail, the Metrorail Regional Manager’s road show on Monday and Prasa CEO’s road show soon after that in the pipeline so I will be busy at Metrorail too. Here is Sibusiso checking the flyers announcing the free trains and schedules for this Saturday.

Ouboet Elvis

Well there is this chap working in the revenue section of Metrorail called Elvis but is commonly called “Ouboet” which means “Old Brother” because as far as anyone can remember he has been part of the furniture. Here he is about two weeks after his wedding in the MIS section finding out more information about Durban. I believed he was dressed as Elvis Presley on his wedding day. The King is alive in Boksburg! He is a big Blue Bulls supporter but his new wife is a Sharks supporter. Ouboet wants to surprise her by taking her down to Durban on the train to watch a Sharks game in the Shark Tank. For those of my readers who don’t know about the South African rugby. The Blue Bulls and Sharks are rugby teams from Pretoria and Durban respectively. The Shark Tank is the Sharks’ home stadium in Durban. Here’s to the Sharks winning the Super 14.

Back to normal

With all the long weekends finished it is back to normal well almost as Carol and Matthew are away on the South Coast for an extended holiday and I have to fend for myself. Ayanda returned from maternity leave today and had to settle in. You can notice from her last photograph that her tummy is all flat and back to normal.

Tired Monday

After a good long weekend on the East Coast I caught the Greyhound back to Johannesburg while Carol took the car down to the South Coast for the rest of the week. Lucky her, she has an even longer holiday while I had to get back to work. I left Durban last night at 10pm and arrived up in Johannesburg at 5am and walked straight into work at Metrorail. I thought that I would be able to get some sleep on the bus but with my legs so long and the space allocated smaller than coach/economy class on an aeroplane there was little hope. Here is the progress on the Gautrain Terminus at just after 5am. Feeling of awe and wonder included.

Reunion

Today was the big day, when I met my sister Julie again since 1996.But before that we spent the morning at Addington Beach. The waves were small and the sea surface like a mirror. Matthew did not want to leave but we had to as my reunion was barrelling up. Anyway I was not sure that I would recognise Julie since I last saw her the week of my dad’s funeral when she was only 14. She arrived with her husband, David, in tow and like me she seemed nervous at first but Carol soon put her at ease. They have been married for six months now I did not even know she was married. I only found out she was in the country six months ago through my cousin Jo-Ann who has kept in contact with her. David is a systems analyst and is from the Indian Ocean island of Mauritius. This made Carol happy as she has someone else to practice her French on even though it is with a Creole accent.

Even Grannies are doing it

Today was spent at the uShaka Marine World on Durban’s beachfront. Matthew rode on all the rides non-stop and was very tired at the end of the day. Even Carol (shown above), a granny, showed Matthew how it is done to his amazement.

The Camerons

In Pietermaritzburg we popped in to see my best friend Robbie who started Solar Sales in the Midlands. We ended up having lunch at Rhoda and Kevin’s place in Hayfields and saw their mom Gene who was like a foster mom to me. Here is Gene looking just the same as I remember her over 25 years ago. She hasn’t aged a day. After booking in at our B&B in Amamzimtoti we pop in to see Ann and Barry, my late dad’s sister and her husband. It was a meeting of friends and family day today instead of Workers Day.

Vuyo

Tomorrow is Workers Day and we have a long weekend ahead of us. We plan to drive down to the East Coast and spend some time relaxing and catching up with friends and family. But before we do I had to pop into Metrorail for some work. That’s where Vuyo comes into the picture. Vuyo works for Marketing and Communications Department of Metrorail and does not like here photo being taken. I had to wait for the right moment to get her best side, which is demonstrating using her hands. Later on we had our two friends, Tim and Liz from Casablanca over. They are also going down to Kwa-Zulu Natal but only in three weeks time.