Duck Feet

Duck Tales, oh that now that is bringing back memories, of Huey, Dewey, and Louie. Okay maybe that is not their names but ducks are not telling no tales of whose feet are those in the photos as they woddle their tails. So let me end by quoteing Dark Wing Duck, "Let's Get Dangerous!"

Designer Beards and Spandex

I woke up this morning feeling much better, as my normal was catching up after such a stressful journey down. It was an early start as I had to get to Hayfields Bible Chapel in Pietermaritzburg by the 9:30am family service. I know I am a stickler for the old country Brethren upbringing.

Since the early start, I stopped at Gillitts for coffee. Just turning off the highway at the Hillcrest offramp was like driving into another dimension, white people everywhere. Yes, I hardly saw any white people in Durban. Even the night I arrived at Glenwood, where I was staying following my GPS I was taken into some dodgy areas with prostitutes on every corner and seedy looking potential drug suppliers lurking in the shadows. Arriving in Gillitts, there was joggers and cyclists doing their Sunday normal. It only dawned on me when standing in the queue between a skinny tall blonde haired lady with sparkling white teeth and a hipster sporting his designer beard and spandex cycling shorts. I carefully looked around, I was surrounded by only white people. Toto, I don’t think we are in South Africa any more.

 

This Assagay, Bothas Hill, Gillitts, and Hillcreast bubble is not normal yet they seem to be living normal. I mean even Assagay is spelt incorrectly, Ass-a-gay, what happened to Assegai the Zulu short spear. So I quickly continued inland towards Pietermaritzburg and while passing Camperdown, I had to pull over to the side of the highway to witness a flock of about 30 yellow billed kites gathering at a termite emergence. I was in awe watching these raptors swooping and catching the tiny flying ants by the wings and eating all in flight. The spectacular flying displays of what could be the bird's version of a sardine run bait ball was mesmerising. What is happening, nothing seems normal in this place. Please pinch me.

I arrived at Hayfields, a little early and there was already a lot of cars in the parking lot so I walk into the main chapel hall and no-one, I saw nobody. I looked outside at all the cars then back inside, what did I miss the rapture? Oh no I don’t want to be left behind as nothing is normal anymore. Then I heard a faint sound coming from the room in the back, after peering in, ahhh how can I forget, breaking of bread with the faithful.

It was good seeing all the old folks and also the young folks that I grew up with, now looking old too. Interesting was today’s sermon by Paul Greeve, oh yes he is looking much older than I remembered, but his wife Dorothy hasn’t aged at all. I must say Dorothy reads my blog, thank you for your kind words today. Anyway I digress, Paul’s message was about what is normal. He used the scripture from Mark 1 verses 1 to 20 about this man living up in the graveyard. He cut himself a lot and was troubled by some bad spirits. When he saw Jesus, he ran to him as begged for help. To cut the story short, Jesus cast out a lot of evil spirits from the man into about 2,000 pigs whom then ran into the sea and killed themselves. Paul was asking what is normal, the troubled man asking for help, or the Jewish pig herders and the Jewish pig owners who then asked Jesus to leave as he caused enough trouble to disturb the normal.

Rabbi be gone. Thy powers brings loss to us. Our ways are not thine. Thou lovest men, we swine.

So what is normal, men sporting designer beards and cycling spandex shorts? Next is I wear speedos, no don’t Google that. Okay now back to normal, here is my best friend Robbie and his brother in law Kevin braaing up in misty Hilton. Nou gaan ons braai as nothing is as normal as it seems.

Stranger in the Crowd

I gazed over the crowded ballroom at the Johannesburg Country Club and suddenly felt a stranger, not that it was a tough crowd but strangely there was no one in this crowd that I knew, no one at the Celebration of Kevin’s Life.

For those who never had the privilege of knowing Kevin, and why we are celebrating a life lived to the fullest today, Kevin was about to finish the last 5km of the 260km Camino de Santiago pilgrimage, within sight of the Santiago Cathedral, he had a heart attack and was in a coma until he died a few days later. The news from Spain was a shock to all who knew Kevin and his wife Genevieve.

My friend Kevin, who I met a few years back at one of the earlier Joburg Photowalkers meetups, had a friendly smile and character that a person was naturally drawn to. Every photowalk that I arrived to, Kevin was quick to come over, welcome me and catch up with his big smile. Now here I stand at the celebration of his life and I knew no one at the chapel or ballroom. No photowalkers that I knew if there were any there. Yes there were lots of family, work colleagues, beer brewers fraternity, water polo players, Delta Park runners, and many many friends but I knew none of them. If Kevin was here he would have quickly come round and drawn me in with his warm friendly way of doing things, and I will be a stranger no more.

Kevin’s requiem, The Pilgrim, a beautiful hymn that we were told that both Kevin and Genevieve loved was softly sung at the chapel in St David’s Marist Inanda by Carol while Jude played on the harp.

“My soul doth long to go where I may fully know the glory of my Saviour; and as I pass along I’ll sing the Christian song, I’m going to live forever.”

Live forever, reminds me a little of that Alphaville song Forever Young. Who wants to live forever, would that be the words that will remind me of Kevin, live forever. Anyways so there I was a stranger in a crowed room, with images of Kevin projected on the screen, I stood knowing that one day in the forever future, Kevin was going to come over and welcome me as if we never parted. And until that day I am going to live life to the fullest. Here's to you Kevin.

Little Nutbrown Hare

“Guess how much I Love you?”

“Not you Kevin, but Little Nutbrown Hare that you are holding.” Having a grandchild you get a little too use to the adventures of Little Nutbrown Hare and now I found Little Nutbrown Hare.

“Guess how much I Love you?”

“I love you as high as I can reach,” said Little Nutbrown Hare. “I love you as high as I can reach,” said Big Nutbrown Hare. That is very high, thought Little Nutbrown Hare. I wish I had arms like that.

A Long Day

Wake up at 4:30am. Coffee. Wash. Medicine. Leave for work at 5:30am. Arrive at work at 6:30am. Breakfast. Nespresso. Start working on month end reports. Hand in resignation. Feel the pressure wash away. Water. Reports. Eat last night's leftovers. Yummy. Water. Chat with CEO. Update web content. Water. Reports. Nespresso. Leave work at 5.15pm. Sit in traffic. Pull the remaining hair out of my scalp. Pick up Lynda at 6.30pm. Arrive 7.00pm at BBC for Alpha Course. Juice. Supper. Juice. Watch DVD. Water. Group discussion. Leave BBC at 9:40pm. Stop for fuel. Arrive home 10:30pm. Feed dogs. Wash. Medicine. Bed. Sleep. ZZZZ

It has been a long day.

Do you know who I am?

So far these last few days I have been to three year end functions but tonight was my first Christmas one. Our homies had our annual Christmas dinner of roast beef and turkey with all the trimmings at the Sim's home. Our annual dinner was kind of like a large Thanksgiving dinner, well in a way it was. We were all thankful, especially me who had lots to be thankful for.

We had two guests join us for our dinner tonight; they were Kevin and his lovely wife Andrea. Kevin is one of the pastors at BBC and with him been here we'd hope the dinner would be an orderly one, not :-P Kevin was good fun and they fitted well into our rowdy home cell group. So who do you think this is in my photo tonight?

Rugby Breakfast

At first I thought I had woken up in the wrong country inhabited by leprechauns but it was Kevin about to tuck into some bacon, eggs and toast at the BBC Men's Breakfast and Rugby. Yes it is the Springbok versus Fiji game in the 2011 Rugby World Cup held in New Zealand.

After a good hearty breakfast we all settled down to watch the national team do us proud. I think British journalist Mark Reason painted our team quite accurately when he wrote "Bakkies Botha compared himself to an old tractor that smokes a bit first thing in the morning, but rumbles along once you get it going. He could have said the same of South Africa. The paint is peeling and the rust taking hold at the edges, but you get the feeling that the Boks machine has just come out of the shed after a winter under cover." After the close oh so close Wales near toppling of South Africa last Sunday, this game you did get the feeling that the old tractor is starting to rumble along nicely with a 49 - 3 win and the British journalist a bit worried at sight of the old tractor chugging into view down the road.

The next game saw Ireland defy all expectations by beating the Wallabies (Australia) 15 - 6 which no doubt had the leprechauns dancing in the streets. Much later in the evening I joined the leprechauns with a chilled evening of braai, wine, Fruit Ninjas and Guitar Hero.

Living next door to Carol

Here is Kevin with one of his creations. His may be blue but mine was broken a long time ago. I have tried to fix but the pieces didn't quite fit. Today I had a fight about Matthew's future schooling needs. We seem on opposite ends of what we understand and not willing to compromise. Sigh.

Downer Day

Although the weekend is upon us, I am feeling down due to two let downs today. Had a meeting with Kevin (shown above) to discuss future work. Tomorrow will be a better day.

Just about livid

I just got the car back after 3 weeks at the panel beaters and Carol has another accident. Sigh. No double sigh. My work session at the agency was postponed until tomorrow. All I had left to do was go have coffee with an old friend to discuss possible work.

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

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.

Long Weekend

Yes it is the Easter weekend ahead with Friday and Monday being holidays. This of course gives Metrorail’s managers something to be happy about. Here is Norman celebrating with Kevin in his usual fashion. On the way home my way was blocked by protesters. What they were toy-toying for beyond me. It is election month after all. Another thing one group wants to lengthen the skirts of the women toilet signage. At first I thought that this was an April fool’s joke that had gone horribly wrong but it is election month after all and in about two weeks time we all vote for longer skirts. Not!

Swan Lake

At Sandy’s 50th Birthday Party, her husband Andy, Gary, Kevin and Brian (hidden behind Kevin) preformed a 10 minute parody on the Swan Lake. It was ballet like you never seen before. Instead of graceful ballerinas we got bumbling elephants. I think this has ruined ballet for me. The audience was rolling in the aisles in fits of laughter. The boys are back in town.

What Deadline?

Deadline, what deadline? Oh that deadline, well that has come and gone with not much happening. They wanted me to do the Intranet in SharePoint but I am still waiting for a decision on where they will be hosting the server, Head Office or here at Wits Metropark. Well it is like the old army days of hurry up and wait. Anyway it is my manager at Metrorail’s last day with us. Kevin, shown in today’s photo has been absconded to Head Office.

First ICT Meeting

We started today with Metrorail’s ICT’s first departmental meeting of the year now that everyone is back from their summer break. Not everyone is in the photo but here is half of the department in one photo. Round the table from the left is Refiloe, Daleen, José, Kevin (behind the hands), Ayanda (standing), Motloli, Masilo,Ellen and Thembinkosi. Behind them against the back glass are Mokgosi and Theophylus.

Back to normal

January is going to be a hard month but by the end of May life will have levelled out. Here is Kevin, my manager at Metrorail looking all surprised when he sees my camera.

Tigga Wannabes

Yes the Saturday Men’s Group has bounced into the new year. Here are five good Christian men who come to the early Saturday get together. Notice the new fashion statement, stripes that would make any Tigga proud. My friends are from left to right Mike, Joe, Rob, Kevin and Gary.

Year End Two

Nambiti who I am contracted through to Metrorail, had their yearend function today. It was a braai which was nearly washed out as the heavens opened up with such a downpour that Noah would have been proud. Here is the big boss of Wits Metrorail, Paul sizing up Kevin the big boss of Nambiti. I must say since the last Nambiti function which I attended in 2006, the company has grown.

MIS Braai

At Metrorail's ICT department, every month different sections take turns and host a team building function. This month was Management Information Systems turn, which I am contracted to. We decided to have a braai (the local word for barbeque) at Vosloo's Gat. It is the local pub at Rolling Stock's Braamfontein Yard. "Vosloo" is someone's surname and "gat" means hole in Afrikaans, in other words Vosllo's drinking hole. I call it Vosloo se Gat which puts a vulgar spin on the name. Taking about Afrikaans, the word "mis" means animal dung, I think I will stick to the acronym MIS. From the feedback, I must say that the four of us in the MIS section did a good braai. Here is Leon and Kevin sharing a joke.