Thursday, March 31, 2011
BlackBerry in a brown hole!
http://www.iol.co.za/news/back-page/stolen-cell-found-in-bergie-s-underpants-1.1050233
Stolen cell found in bergie’s underpants
March 31 2011 at 01:18pm
By Mandilakhe Tshwete
A cellphone thief was caught red-handed when a cellphone he hid in his underpants suddenly rang.
The bergie and his friend walked into a restaurant in Belvedere Road in Rondebosch on Tuesday night looking for food.
They saw the owner’s expensive Blackberry Torch lying on the counter, took it and ran away.
But the owner spotted them just in time and immediately contacted his security company, Sniper Security.
Sniper’s managing director Ridwaan Mathews says: “We received a complaint about the two coloured males who walked into an eatery and stole a cellphone.”
Ridwaan says his men got to the scene quickly and managed to catch the bergies.
“The owner of the business came and identified them,” says Ridwaan.
“When the security officers confronted the two suspects, they denied stealing the Blackberry and became extremely aggressive.”
The owner then decided to call his phone from another cellphone - and everyone was surprised when they heard music coming from one of the men’s groin.
“The client phoned his cell number and the phone rang on one of the suspects,” says Ridwaan.
“The security staff discovered that one of the suspects had hidden the Blackberry in his filthy, rotten, stinky underpants.”
Despite his cellphone’s close encounter with the bergie’s bum, the owner was only too happy to have it back.
“The cellphone is the latest Blackberry (worth R6 000) and he didn’t care if it was smelling or not, he took it back,” says Ridwaan.
The man decided against laying a charge with police. - Daily Voice
March 31 2011 at 01:18pm
By Mandilakhe Tshwete
A cellphone thief was caught red-handed when a cellphone he hid in his underpants suddenly rang.
The bergie and his friend walked into a restaurant in Belvedere Road in Rondebosch on Tuesday night looking for food.
They saw the owner’s expensive Blackberry Torch lying on the counter, took it and ran away.
But the owner spotted them just in time and immediately contacted his security company, Sniper Security.
Sniper’s managing director Ridwaan Mathews says: “We received a complaint about the two coloured males who walked into an eatery and stole a cellphone.”
Ridwaan says his men got to the scene quickly and managed to catch the bergies.
“The owner of the business came and identified them,” says Ridwaan.
“When the security officers confronted the two suspects, they denied stealing the Blackberry and became extremely aggressive.”
The owner then decided to call his phone from another cellphone - and everyone was surprised when they heard music coming from one of the men’s groin.
“The client phoned his cell number and the phone rang on one of the suspects,” says Ridwaan.
“The security staff discovered that one of the suspects had hidden the Blackberry in his filthy, rotten, stinky underpants.”
Despite his cellphone’s close encounter with the bergie’s bum, the owner was only too happy to have it back.
“The cellphone is the latest Blackberry (worth R6 000) and he didn’t care if it was smelling or not, he took it back,” says Ridwaan.
The man decided against laying a charge with police. - Daily Voice
Tell this to ANYONE in Linbro Park!
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Japan's suffering knows no end ...
Had Moses been around today, he would have considered Crocs to be a pestilence comparable with the seven plagues, Julius Malema and the Proteas. The poor old Japanese have to cope with this, after the quake and tsunami.
Many people have Tweeted and retweeted, so I thought it was worth capturing the story:
http://bit.ly/hHseRi
WASHINGTON — US shoemaker Crocs said it was donating 100,000 pairs of its clunky, colorful rubber clogs to victims of Japan's devastating March 11 earthquake disaster.
(They also hate Haitians)
The company also sent 80,000 pairs of shoes to Haiti after its 2010 earthquake disaster.
Many people have Tweeted and retweeted, so I thought it was worth capturing the story:
http://bit.ly/hHseRi
WASHINGTON — US shoemaker Crocs said it was donating 100,000 pairs of its clunky, colorful rubber clogs to victims of Japan's devastating March 11 earthquake disaster.
(They also hate Haitians)
The company also sent 80,000 pairs of shoes to Haiti after its 2010 earthquake disaster.
The most surreal pic of Earth and the moon
North of Africa and the Arabian Gulf, with the moon hovering. Taken by Russian space crews. Verry niiiiiice!
Why the Proteas choke, according to a psychologist
http://www.health24.com/news/Columnists/1-4618-4641,62031.asp
The more you tell sportsmen not to choke, the more likely they are to do it. The more they are lured in interviews to insist that they will not choke, the more likely it becomes. Thinking you (or "we") may have lost control, loses control. It's not the same as panic - in a panic you have no idea what to do. In choking you know exactly what to do, and have often done it before - you just don't do it.
The more you tell sportsmen not to choke, the more likely they are to do it. The more they are lured in interviews to insist that they will not choke, the more likely it becomes. Thinking you (or "we") may have lost control, loses control. It's not the same as panic - in a panic you have no idea what to do. In choking you know exactly what to do, and have often done it before - you just don't do it.
ANC Youth League website was hacked this afternoon
Back to normal, but this is funny! Hat doffed to Samantha Perry at ITWeb.
Update: If you can't read the small print, it says that Julius Malema is to step down as ANCYL president.
Update: ITWeb has posted a story: http://bit.ly/hOdGo9
And a bigger pic: http://on.fb.me/i4YLAK
Update: If you can't read the small print, it says that Julius Malema is to step down as ANCYL president.
Update: ITWeb has posted a story: http://bit.ly/hOdGo9
And a bigger pic: http://on.fb.me/i4YLAK
This is how they love cricket in India
India playing Pakistan. A single mall has six floors with people watching like this. This is the Inorbit Mall in Vashi/New Bombay, as advised by my colleague Usman.
Why India must win!
In the midst of some Linbro tension, a light moment (thanks to my mate Jeff Delaney for this!)
http://tinyurl.com/6xbaa6h
Indian model vows to strip for World Cup win
Women in India are encouraged to dress modestly at all times, but a brasher side to modern life has been exposed after a popular model vowed to strip naked if the nation wins the cricket World Cup.
"I'm a cricket fanatic and I'm a diehard supporter of my nation. India needs a lot of support and this is my way of supporting the team"
Poonam Pandey, 20, who features in a best-selling Indian swimwear calendar, said she wanted to provide an incentive to players by promising them she would bare all -- though whether her offer will be welcomed is not known.
http://tinyurl.com/6xbaa6h
Indian model vows to strip for World Cup win
Women in India are encouraged to dress modestly at all times, but a brasher side to modern life has been exposed after a popular model vowed to strip naked if the nation wins the cricket World Cup.
"I'm a cricket fanatic and I'm a diehard supporter of my nation. India needs a lot of support and this is my way of supporting the team"
Poonam Pandey, 20, who features in a best-selling Indian swimwear calendar, said she wanted to provide an incentive to players by promising them she would bare all -- though whether her offer will be welcomed is not known.
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Coming to a street near you, if all pans out in Linbro Park as we expect
UUpdate: If anyone considers this racist, obscene or extreme, they should think about the terrible, vile, obscene pig slaughter at the bottom of Clulee. So far, nothing has happened. Instead, criminal charges were laid against me. Go figure. Charges overturned, but the prosecutor asked for R2 000 lunch money, in front of witnesses.
Commission backs ritual slaughter
Mar 29, 2011 11:33 AM | By Sapa
Communities should continue to slaughter animals as a religious and cultural practice, the Commission on the Rights of Culture and Religion says.
Commission chairman Wesley Mabuza said conflict between animal rights activists and traditionalists were brought about by misunderstanding.
"They should listen to each other to understand one another," he said at the launch of guidelines on African ritual animal slaughter.
The Commission researched animal slaughter for ritual ceremony after the outcry over ANC heavyweight Tony Yengeni's slaughtering of a bull in a cleansing ceremony following his release from prison.
Animal rights activists objected to the slaughter on the grounds that the practice constituted cruelty to animals.
Mabuza said traditionalists believed the ritual was part of their culture and that objection to it was an infringement on their rights to freely practice their religion.
The Commission recommended that communities continue to slaughter animals for cultural and religious purposes, but that care be taken to consider the rights of other people who might be sensitive to the practice.
My personal statement on Linbro Park resignation
Apart from my blog, which just coincidentally is called linbropark.blogspot.com (a legacy from back when, and if I can change it, I will), I am out of here. I will also post on the DA's and ANC's vision for Linbro and am available to post news sent to me. Except for anything Nic ever says again. He has abrogated all rights.
Nic's sulphurous vitriol, continual sniping, his politicking, his legacy issues, his hidden agendas, his utter and filthy lies, his flirting with my wife and staff and journalists, his attacks, his innuendo, his unspeakable language, his bipolar nature, well, I have no time for them. One minute he calls you for assistance, the next minute he's posting the most awful filth. I'm not sure how he sleeps.
I can't do this. I am busy building businesses, and I am busy with tons of stuff. I have a family I love, a 15-year-old, a two-year-old, a wonderful wife, and 100 people who depend on me for their daily life, and dozens of clients to look after.
I cannot spend hours every day fighting this nonsense, with attacks coming out of left field every few days. My time is billable, after all.
One man can pull an entire neighbourhood down. He is a terrible distraction from daily life, and I lack the bandwidth or the will to fight something so intractable. It is of less than zero value.
I can't and won't be part of this any more.
Someone else, somewhere, can take Nic on, but for now, I don't have an hour or two a day to fight this absolute garbage.
I work 16 hours a day, I put in so much time for community work, and he slams left, right and centre.
Well, that's it. He can do his thing and someone else can fight this extraordinary human being.
Someone else must take over administrative rights on the CPF list, as I'm out of there, too.
Regards to all the fine people in this area. Good luck with dealing with Nic. I've had a bellyful, and I need to get on with the businesses I am creating. I am building while he destroys. No more.
Nic's sulphurous vitriol, continual sniping, his politicking, his legacy issues, his hidden agendas, his utter and filthy lies, his flirting with my wife and staff and journalists, his attacks, his innuendo, his unspeakable language, his bipolar nature, well, I have no time for them. One minute he calls you for assistance, the next minute he's posting the most awful filth. I'm not sure how he sleeps.
I can't do this. I am busy building businesses, and I am busy with tons of stuff. I have a family I love, a 15-year-old, a two-year-old, a wonderful wife, and 100 people who depend on me for their daily life, and dozens of clients to look after.
I cannot spend hours every day fighting this nonsense, with attacks coming out of left field every few days. My time is billable, after all.
One man can pull an entire neighbourhood down. He is a terrible distraction from daily life, and I lack the bandwidth or the will to fight something so intractable. It is of less than zero value.
I can't and won't be part of this any more.
Someone else, somewhere, can take Nic on, but for now, I don't have an hour or two a day to fight this absolute garbage.
I work 16 hours a day, I put in so much time for community work, and he slams left, right and centre.
Well, that's it. He can do his thing and someone else can fight this extraordinary human being.
Someone else must take over administrative rights on the CPF list, as I'm out of there, too.
Regards to all the fine people in this area. Good luck with dealing with Nic. I've had a bellyful, and I need to get on with the businesses I am creating. I am building while he destroys. No more.
We are trying to give the ANC a chance to puts its views here on the blog ...
The DA can't stop giving us information, and has its basic manifesto in place. Darren Bergman is available through any and every channel.
My PA, mandated to get the ANC to put its side of the view, writes: "Contacting the ANC is like trying to get the police to answer the phone while a crime is in progress. Have now sent an email to HQ requesting some assistance with her details. ANC Gauteng, Ekurhuleni, Germiston, Jeppe Street, Provincial and Regional offices have not answered any calls in two days and they want business to help keep them in power."
My PA, mandated to get the ANC to put its side of the view, writes: "Contacting the ANC is like trying to get the police to answer the phone while a crime is in progress. Have now sent an email to HQ requesting some assistance with her details. ANC Gauteng, Ekurhuleni, Germiston, Jeppe Street, Provincial and Regional offices have not answered any calls in two days and they want business to help keep them in power."
Democracy unstoppable, and information is the driving force
http://nyti.ms/e47Uk1
But now people know. They communicate through the clampdowns. They are Facebook-nimble. The despots gaze into their gilded mirrors and, to their horror, see not themselves but the people who will be silenced no longer. They wonder then if their own myriad agents can be trusted. They are caught in their own web. They flail; they have gone too far to turn back but cannot go forward.
But now people know. They communicate through the clampdowns. They are Facebook-nimble. The despots gaze into their gilded mirrors and, to their horror, see not themselves but the people who will be silenced no longer. They wonder then if their own myriad agents can be trusted. They are caught in their own web. They flail; they have gone too far to turn back but cannot go forward.
Memories of Fred Titmus and his lost toes
Sheryl-Ann, well known to so many in Linbro Park, and who worked here for a decade, mentioned the death of Fred Titmus to her husband, Tony, whose brother was the late Tiger Lance. Tony met Fred at Bloemfontein CBC where he was coaching, and pointed out to her that Titmus took many hundreds of wickets with just a right big toe. Geoff Boycott was there:
ST: Our next question comes from Greg in the UK and it concerns your former England team-mate who also played for Middlesex, the allrounder Fred Titmus who passed away recently. Greg asks: What are some of your memories of playing with Titmus, and how would you remember him as a cricketer?
GB: A very good competitor. He didn't say a lot but he was a very astute and smart bowler. He was a flight bowler more than anything - didn't push it through. He varied his flight, he spun it. There was no doosra in those days but he had more or less an arm ball that just drifted away. He also obviously had the straight-on topspinner. He was also a lower-order batsman who had a good defence, and he was a good square-cutter. That's sensible when you're mainly a bowler who can bat a bit and don't have all the shots like a batsman. He was smart with his batting and could get occasional runs.
Most people wouldn't know that he was my first opening partner in Test cricket. We were playing in Nottingham in 1964, the first Test against Australia. I was picked to open with John Edrich. Edrich stood on the ball during fielding practice in the afternoon, and overnight his foot had swollen up. Those days - I know it seems laughable today - we only had 12 players. We usually had an extra bowler. So we had to play all our bowlers because Edrich couldn't play, and Titmus had to open with me.
I also remember an incident in 1968. We had a few days off in Barbados during the England tour of West Indies. He was swimming in the sea just off the beach. If any of you has been in the water, you'd know that when you lift yourself up the side of the boat, your feet go underneath as you pull yourself up. When he got in the boat, he saw there was blood everywhere. His toes were hanging out. His foot had caught the boat's propeller, which sliced his toes. Fortunately his big toe was still there.
Whatever the surgeons did to him, he returned to play later on because the big toe apparently is the most important digit on the foot for balance. He could run again, but with a slight limp, and he played on and was still a very fine bowler. A good bloke to play with, a good professional.
This morning's high wind
Something like this happened in Linbro Park
In July last year, at 6am, I fell through a glass table, having walked into a glass door. Sunninghill treated me for the resultant injuries. The resulting embarrassment was excruciating.
Story not confirmed, but very funny, and forwarded to me by neighbour Steff Dembo.
A man was working on his motorcycle on the patio, his wife nearby in the kitchen. While racing the engine, the motorcycle accidentally slipped into gear. The man, still holding onto the handlebars, was dragged along as it burst through the glass patio doors.
His wife, hearing the crash, ran in the room to find her husband cut and bleeding, the motorcycle, and the shattered patio door. She called for an ambulance and, because the house sat on a fairly large hill, went down the several flights of stairs to meet the paramedics and escort them to her husband.
While the attendants were loading her husband, the wife managed to right the motorcycle and push it outside. She also quickly blotted up the spilled gasoline with some paper towels and tossed them into the toilet.
After being treated and released, the man returned home, looked at the shattered patio door and the damage done to his motorcycle. He went into the bathroom and consoled himself with a cigarette while attending to his business.
About to stand, he flipped the butt between his legs. The wife, who was in the kitchen, heard a loud explosion and her husband screaming. Finding him lying on the bathroom floor with his trousers blown away and burns on his buttocks, legs and groin, she once again phoned for an ambulance. The same paramedic crew was dispatched.
As the paramedics carried the man down the stairs to the ambulance they asked the wife how he had come to burn himself. She told them. They started laughing so hard, one slipped, the stretcher dumping the husband out. He fell down the remaining stairs, breaking his arm.
Story not confirmed, but very funny, and forwarded to me by neighbour Steff Dembo.
A man was working on his motorcycle on the patio, his wife nearby in the kitchen. While racing the engine, the motorcycle accidentally slipped into gear. The man, still holding onto the handlebars, was dragged along as it burst through the glass patio doors.
His wife, hearing the crash, ran in the room to find her husband cut and bleeding, the motorcycle, and the shattered patio door. She called for an ambulance and, because the house sat on a fairly large hill, went down the several flights of stairs to meet the paramedics and escort them to her husband.
While the attendants were loading her husband, the wife managed to right the motorcycle and push it outside. She also quickly blotted up the spilled gasoline with some paper towels and tossed them into the toilet.
After being treated and released, the man returned home, looked at the shattered patio door and the damage done to his motorcycle. He went into the bathroom and consoled himself with a cigarette while attending to his business.
About to stand, he flipped the butt between his legs. The wife, who was in the kitchen, heard a loud explosion and her husband screaming. Finding him lying on the bathroom floor with his trousers blown away and burns on his buttocks, legs and groin, she once again phoned for an ambulance. The same paramedic crew was dispatched.
As the paramedics carried the man down the stairs to the ambulance they asked the wife how he had come to burn himself. She told them. They started laughing so hard, one slipped, the stretcher dumping the husband out. He fell down the remaining stairs, breaking his arm.
Monday, March 28, 2011
Wal-Mart is coming: this is very funny
http://newsletters2.mg.co.za/servlet/link/6026/48712/6491826/465406
I never intended to shop at Walmart. Ever. After all, Sam Walton and family represented all I was raised to sneer at.
Update on Friday's storm: the Braamfontein bridge did collapse
 |
| Congratulations to Candice Bailey and her photographer, Itumeleng English. |
Linbro Park rape meeting being convened by Nic Nel
Nic writes: "Sandringham Police have asked us to organise a public meeting on the rape issue at the Linbro Park Tennis Club Thursday 31 March 2011 at 6PM."
He asks that "EVERYBODY must please attend and in particular our employees and other domestic workers."
He says: "Similar Community Meetings have already been held in River Park."
He asks that "EVERYBODY must please attend and in particular our employees and other domestic workers."
He says: "Similar Community Meetings have already been held in River Park."
DA and Linbro Park: a brief summary ... more to come
From Councillor Darren Bergman:
Linbro Park is one of Johannesburg's best kept secrets which lends itself to becoming an area of neglect by the City of Johannesburg.
It is my challenge to channel the passion and enthusiasm of Linbro Parkers into a unified and consulted community.
I will not rest in the ward, if elected, until I know that there are better roads and a marked improvement in the level of services in the area.
It is important that all members of Linbro Park exercise their right to vote and make a choice for a candidate and party that can and will deliver.
Remember, you vote in the government you deserve!
Linbro Park is one of Johannesburg's best kept secrets which lends itself to becoming an area of neglect by the City of Johannesburg.
It is my challenge to channel the passion and enthusiasm of Linbro Parkers into a unified and consulted community.
I will not rest in the ward, if elected, until I know that there are better roads and a marked improvement in the level of services in the area.
It is important that all members of Linbro Park exercise their right to vote and make a choice for a candidate and party that can and will deliver.
Shahid Afridi gets the wrong reply from God
Shahid Afridi prays: “Dear God, help me get back my form and help Pakistan overcome India in the semifinal.” Suddenly a voice from above booms: “ My son, I do not think I can help Pakistan beat India, as I have a conflict of interest.”
Afridi replies: “Is that because we are all God’s children whether we are born in India or Pakistan?”
And God replies: “No, it’s because I open the batting with Sehwag!”
Steff Dembo's power
Steff has been without power at 81 Clulee for five days now. Anyone who can help us resolve this issue, welcome. It's not just her: it's 20 or so other people who are in a caveman existence, losing thousands of rand worth of produce and getting nowhere. I will do all I can to mobilise, but anyone else who can assist, please do.
The DA's Cape Town Story
In the spirit of fairness and transparency, I am going to allow both the DA and ANC, and other parties if they wish, a chance to tell the world what they envisage for Linbro Park, through this blog.
Starting, today, with the DA.
Darren Bergman is running for the DA locally. He will give us his vision for Linbro Park on Wednesday.
The ANC has been invited to participate.
Viva, democracy.
Note: On a personal note, wherever the DA is in charge, things work, are clean, roads are fixed, stormwater drains cleared, billing systems work, compassion is the order of the day, corruption is relatively absent, and quality of life is far higher. The DA just makes things work, damn it. The way we all want.
http://www.da.org.za/campaigns.htm?action=view-page&category=9075&sub-page=9280
Starting, today, with the DA.
Darren Bergman is running for the DA locally. He will give us his vision for Linbro Park on Wednesday.
The ANC has been invited to participate.
Viva, democracy.
Note: On a personal note, wherever the DA is in charge, things work, are clean, roads are fixed, stormwater drains cleared, billing systems work, compassion is the order of the day, corruption is relatively absent, and quality of life is far higher. The DA just makes things work, damn it. The way we all want.
http://www.da.org.za/campaigns.htm?action=view-page&category=9075&sub-page=9280
Sunday, March 27, 2011
Our missing cat
He is a little darker than this today, but otherwise the same size and shape. All help appreciated.
Owlbox: this is what it looks like
Reger wanted to know what an owlbox looks like. Here we go. It is the greatest investment you can ever make in Linbro, given our prevalence of rats. More to come, if anyone wants to know, as to where to get or how to make one.
My ornithologist wife Karen and I come close to worshipping owls.
My ornithologist wife Karen and I come close to worshipping owls.
My former colleague Guy has posted this incredible pic of a storm over Sydney
No wonder Guy left PR to take up photography!
Giant butternut grown in Linbro Park
We scatter various seeds on our compost heap. This is one of the results. It weighs 4kg, and is our largest in five years. Matchbox provided for reference.
Saturday, March 26, 2011
Snake dies of silicone poisoning after biting model's chest
http://fun-loving-friends.blogspot.com/2011/03/snake-bites-models-bust-dies-of-silicon.html
Note: This woman is reported to have the most surgically altered body in Israel. Eish! This story is reportedly true and has been widely reported. It was first reported by ABC of Spain.
And here is a picture of the incident:
Orit Fox, a B-list model and actress initially looked comfortable during the shoot in Tel Aviv, wrapping the massive boa constrictor around her legs, waist and neck while doing her best.
In a figure hugging red and white striped dress, which revealed maximum cleavage, she gamely tried to take their bonding to the next level by licking the snake's face. As she manoeuvered the animal into position for the 'kiss' Fox loosened her grip on its neck, and after being licked the reptile reacted angrily.
It aimed straight for Fox's prized assets and sunk its teeth deep into her left breast. An assistant rushed in to help her pull the snake off and after a few seconds of struggle the creature released its grip. The peroxide-blonde model was rushed to a nearby hospital and given a tetanus shot. However, the snake wasn't so lucky and died from silicone poisoning.
Note: This woman is reported to have the most surgically altered body in Israel. Eish! This story is reportedly true and has been widely reported. It was first reported by ABC of Spain.
And here is a picture of the incident:
Orit Fox, a B-list model and actress initially looked comfortable during the shoot in Tel Aviv, wrapping the massive boa constrictor around her legs, waist and neck while doing her best.
In a figure hugging red and white striped dress, which revealed maximum cleavage, she gamely tried to take their bonding to the next level by licking the snake's face. As she manoeuvered the animal into position for the 'kiss' Fox loosened her grip on its neck, and after being licked the reptile reacted angrily.
It aimed straight for Fox's prized assets and sunk its teeth deep into her left breast. An assistant rushed in to help her pull the snake off and after a few seconds of struggle the creature released its grip. The peroxide-blonde model was rushed to a nearby hospital and given a tetanus shot. However, the snake wasn't so lucky and died from silicone poisoning.
Lord of the Dance in 3D ... knitting needles in my eyes, rather, please
Thanks to Monique for bringing this to my attention.
Tap dancing, line dancing, Irish choreographed dancing, anything like Riverdance or Michael Flatulence's Lord of the Dance ... rather French kiss a bullfrog.
www.lordofthedance3d.com
Tap dancing, line dancing, Irish choreographed dancing, anything like Riverdance or Michael Flatulence's Lord of the Dance ... rather French kiss a bullfrog.
www.lordofthedance3d.com
Our 6 big chokes down the last 15 years
Warning: makes for painful reading.
http://www.espncricinfo.com/icc_cricket_worldcup2011/content/current/story/508048.html
http://www.espncricinfo.com/icc_cricket_worldcup2011/content/current/story/508048.html
And more on our okes who can't swallow
Choke. It's the only word that matters. After a campaign filled with renewed hope, experiments that worked, personnel changes, a new-age psychological plan and five clinical wins in the group stage, when it mattered most, nothing had changed. South Africa choked.
Stay away from Sunninghill!
Update: IOL reports a man was swept away across the highway in Alex:
http://www.iol.co.za/news/south-africa/gauteng/joburg-bridge-collapses-in-floods-1.1047523
Update: I popped in there and met a Sunninghill CPF forum and otherwise active community member, Judith Taylor. The Star was also there. These are the first pics to be published. The Star will publish tomorrow.
More pics to follow. The cables are telecom cables which were swept away in the torrent, which crested 3m above normal levels. The bridge did not collapse, and it was the Sandspruit, not the Braamfontein, unless I was at the wrong place, which did not seem likely. It was damaged, though, and there were dozens of Neotel technicians restoring telco connectivity.
http://www.citypress.co.za/SouthAfrica/News/Bridge-collapses-on-Witkoppen-Road-20110326
Bridge collapses on Witkoppen Road
2011-03-26 09:37
A bridge along Witkoppen Road in Johannesburg’s northern suburbs collapsed this morning due to heavy rains, according to metro police.
Chief Superintendent Wayne Minnaar said the bridge crosses over Braamfontein Spruit, which is the longest stream in Johannesburg.
It collapsed between Rivonia Road and Witkoppen Road in Sunninghill at 5am.
Johannesburg Emergency Services on Saturday morning were also searching for a man who was washed away while crossing a pedestrian bridge on 21st Avenue in Alexandra on Friday afternoon.
Spokesman Percy Morokane said he and the bridge were washed away due to heavy rains.
Ellen Chauke, a spokeswoman for Alexandra residents, said the man was the third person to go missing in the river in less than three weeks.
She said many homes on the river banks were flooded in Friday's downpour.
http://www.iol.co.za/news/south-africa/gauteng/joburg-bridge-collapses-in-floods-1.1047523
Update: I popped in there and met a Sunninghill CPF forum and otherwise active community member, Judith Taylor. The Star was also there. These are the first pics to be published. The Star will publish tomorrow.
More pics to follow. The cables are telecom cables which were swept away in the torrent, which crested 3m above normal levels. The bridge did not collapse, and it was the Sandspruit, not the Braamfontein, unless I was at the wrong place, which did not seem likely. It was damaged, though, and there were dozens of Neotel technicians restoring telco connectivity.
http://www.citypress.co.za/SouthAfrica/News/Bridge-collapses-on-Witkoppen-Road-20110326
Bridge collapses on Witkoppen Road
2011-03-26 09:37
A bridge along Witkoppen Road in Johannesburg’s northern suburbs collapsed this morning due to heavy rains, according to metro police.
Chief Superintendent Wayne Minnaar said the bridge crosses over Braamfontein Spruit, which is the longest stream in Johannesburg.
It collapsed between Rivonia Road and Witkoppen Road in Sunninghill at 5am.
And this sums up the chokers' exit
http://blogs.espncricinfo.com/zaltzman
South Africa’s patent Achilles heel, their elongated tail, was exposed, and New Zealand maintained ruthless pressure. Where India beat Australia with decisively good play, South Africa lost to New Zealand due to decisively bad play. Only Johan Botha was dismissed without batting error. The Kiwis closed out the victory through their own excellence, but the game turned on an outbreak of self-inflicted South African chaos. South Africa placed New Zealand’s hands on their own throat. New Zealand gleefully and clinically completed the strangle.
Smith’s men needed 4.5 per over for 25 overs with 8 wickets in hand, with one certified and one potential future greats of the game at the crease. Constricting bowling should not have been enough. If making pivotal errors of decision-making and execution at crucial stages constitutes a choke, then this was certifiably a choke. A fast-acting, quick-spluttering, unHeimlichManoeuvrable choke. And it was painful to watch, even as an Englishman.
South Africa’s patent Achilles heel, their elongated tail, was exposed, and New Zealand maintained ruthless pressure. Where India beat Australia with decisively good play, South Africa lost to New Zealand due to decisively bad play. Only Johan Botha was dismissed without batting error. The Kiwis closed out the victory through their own excellence, but the game turned on an outbreak of self-inflicted South African chaos. South Africa placed New Zealand’s hands on their own throat. New Zealand gleefully and clinically completed the strangle.
Smith’s men needed 4.5 per over for 25 overs with 8 wickets in hand, with one certified and one potential future greats of the game at the crease. Constricting bowling should not have been enough. If making pivotal errors of decision-making and execution at crucial stages constitutes a choke, then this was certifiably a choke. A fast-acting, quick-spluttering, unHeimlichManoeuvrable choke. And it was painful to watch, even as an Englishman.
Friday, March 25, 2011
First in a series of unfortunate headlines
"Deputy: Strip Search Finds Crack Between Buttocks" -- WYFF-TV (South Carolina)
Geoff Boycott on Michael Yardy's depression: such a compassionate man
"I'm surprised, very surprised," Boycott told the 5 Live Breakfast Show. "But he must have been reading my comments about his bowling, it must have upset him. Obviously it was too much for him at this level. If any blame is attached it's partly to the selectors because I'm sorry, he's not good enough at this level."
Update: Boycott then said: "I've been, with respect, a better player… so I've not been in the position where my quality of play has been poor and got to me mind-wise." Boycott proceeded to muse on his own setbacks and lack of depression: "I've been lucky, I've been good enough.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2011/mar/27/geoff-boycott-depression-jack-nicholson#history-link-box
Update:
By Richard Hobson (The Times)
ANDREW Strauss became the most celebrated critic of Geoffrey Boycott yesterday (Friday) when he accused one of his predecessors as England captain of demonstrating a "fundamental misunderstanding" of the depression that forced Michael Yardy to pull out of the World Cup squad and return home.
Players have been angered by Boycott's simplistic view linking the illness to cricket ability and then putting it in the context of his unflattering view of Yardy's bowling during the tournament.
Those comments were widely condemned by individuals and groups including Sane, the mental health charity.
James Anderson, on his Twitter page, hinted that the BBC should not have interviewed Boycott on the subject. "There is not getting it and not having a grasp of the modern game or life in general," Anderson wrote.
Strauss was one of the few members of the squad to be made aware that Yardy was managing the illness on tour and was also close to Marcus Trescothick when his England opening partner at the time began to suffer from something broadly similar in 2006.
"I think [Boycott's comments] showed a fundamental misunderstanding of the issue," Strauss said.
Update: Boycott then said: "I've been, with respect, a better player… so I've not been in the position where my quality of play has been poor and got to me mind-wise." Boycott proceeded to muse on his own setbacks and lack of depression: "I've been lucky, I've been good enough.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2011/mar/27/geoff-boycott-depression-jack-nicholson#history-link-box
Update:
By Richard Hobson (The Times)
ANDREW Strauss became the most celebrated critic of Geoffrey Boycott yesterday (Friday) when he accused one of his predecessors as England captain of demonstrating a "fundamental misunderstanding" of the depression that forced Michael Yardy to pull out of the World Cup squad and return home.
Players have been angered by Boycott's simplistic view linking the illness to cricket ability and then putting it in the context of his unflattering view of Yardy's bowling during the tournament.
Those comments were widely condemned by individuals and groups including Sane, the mental health charity.
James Anderson, on his Twitter page, hinted that the BBC should not have interviewed Boycott on the subject. "There is not getting it and not having a grasp of the modern game or life in general," Anderson wrote.
Strauss was one of the few members of the squad to be made aware that Yardy was managing the illness on tour and was also close to Marcus Trescothick when his England opening partner at the time began to suffer from something broadly similar in 2006.
"I think [Boycott's comments] showed a fundamental misunderstanding of the issue," Strauss said.
My mate Duncan's dog has to wear this for a fortnight
With five dogs, we know all about Victorian collars. Three of our pooches have had to wear them. Duncan's other bullie, Emma, howled for days while Max was at the vet getting his ear fixed. Duncan hardly slept a wink. Our labbie, Bella, smashed her Victorian collar inside three days. Good luck, Duncan!
Today's Protea limerick
I couldn't be any broker
If I'd played Warnie at poker
I feel like a louse
I bet the darned house
On a team led by a choker
If I'd played Warnie at poker
I feel like a louse
I bet the darned house
On a team led by a choker
The good news about climate change ...
Remarkably, crop yields are at an all-time high, and the Sahara is retreating. That's what this blogger says, and it seems stats support him.
http://blogs.forbes.com/jamestaylor/2011/03/23/global-warming-is-creating-perfect-crop-conditions/
http://blogs.forbes.com/jamestaylor/2011/03/23/global-warming-is-creating-perfect-crop-conditions/
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Depression is real ...
A good friend of mine across the highway suffers from depression. Michael Yardy has done the right thing.
http://www.espncricinfo.com/icc_cricket_worldcup2011/content/current/story/507748.html
Yardy withdrawn from World Cup
Michael Yardy, the England allrounder, has been withdrawn from England's World Cup squad after suffering from depression. He returned to the UK ahead of England's quarter-final against Sri Lanka in Colombo on March 26.
http://www.espncricinfo.com/icc_cricket_worldcup2011/content/current/story/507748.html
Yardy withdrawn from World Cup
Michael Yardy, the England allrounder, has been withdrawn from England's World Cup squad after suffering from depression. He returned to the UK ahead of England's quarter-final against Sri Lanka in Colombo on March 26.
Think twice about taking part in Earth Hour this weekend
http://www.newser.com/story/114865/earth-hour-wont-solve-our-energy-climate-change-troubles-bjorn-lomborg.html
Earth Hour' Is a Joke
We need real green solutions, not just 'feel-good' movements: Bjorn Lomborg
(Newser) – This Saturday night, environmental activists are calling on the world to dim the lights for “Earth Hour”—a nice idea, but one that may actually be counterproductive. Look at it this way: "If everyone in the world participated in this year's Earth Hour, the result would be the same as turning off China's carbon emissions for roughly 45 seconds,” writes author and activist Bjorn Lomborg in USA Today. It’s “symptomatic of an environmental movement that has become too focused on hollow, feel-good actions that at best only inch us in the right direction."
We need real green solutions, not just 'feel-good' movements: Bjorn Lomborg
(Newser) – This Saturday night, environmental activists are calling on the world to dim the lights for “Earth Hour”—a nice idea, but one that may actually be counterproductive. Look at it this way: "If everyone in the world participated in this year's Earth Hour, the result would be the same as turning off China's carbon emissions for roughly 45 seconds,” writes author and activist Bjorn Lomborg in USA Today. It’s “symptomatic of an environmental movement that has become too focused on hollow, feel-good actions that at best only inch us in the right direction."
This is a very clever piece of vandalism ...
There is a new McDonalds going up 3km from Linbro Park. Anyone who has ever resented buying their children McDonalds will enjoy this. The venue is McDonalds in Long St.
(Credit to http://10and5.com/2011/03/24/mcdonalds-outdoor-defaced/)
(Credit to http://10and5.com/2011/03/24/mcdonalds-outdoor-defaced/)
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
My good mate Brian Bakker says Graeme Swann is an oxygen thief
Well, he is way, way ahead of Fred Titmus, who died yesterday, and was the greatest exponent of his craft in his day.
Fred played over the span of five decades. To put that into perspective, the late Eddie Barlow played over four decades, and he seemed indestructible. Clive Rice, John Traicos and Peter de Vaal also played over four decades. Gary Player played pro golf for four decades.
Swann will never play this long (life has changed, Swann is absurdly wealthy and enjoys the good life), but he is easily the most successful spinner England have produced in half a century.
Who says so? Scyld Berry.
Addendum: Note from where Titmus is delivering the ball, and the thin Mike Gatting behind him and the helmetless batsman backing up. Omar Henry did me in Cape Town with one of these 26m deliveries. The late Stuart Leary nearly did, but he bowled it from 30m.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/cricket/international/england/8401946/Fred-Titmus-former-England-and-Middlesex-bowler-was-a-master-of-his-craft.html
Fred played over the span of five decades. To put that into perspective, the late Eddie Barlow played over four decades, and he seemed indestructible. Clive Rice, John Traicos and Peter de Vaal also played over four decades. Gary Player played pro golf for four decades.
Swann will never play this long (life has changed, Swann is absurdly wealthy and enjoys the good life), but he is easily the most successful spinner England have produced in half a century.
Who says so? Scyld Berry.
Addendum: Note from where Titmus is delivering the ball, and the thin Mike Gatting behind him and the helmetless batsman backing up. Omar Henry did me in Cape Town with one of these 26m deliveries. The late Stuart Leary nearly did, but he bowled it from 30m.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/cricket/international/england/8401946/Fred-Titmus-former-England-and-Middlesex-bowler-was-a-master-of-his-craft.html
The ugliest cricket stadium in the world: Headingley
Whoever designed and executed this should be forced to listen to Boney M for a week.
Update: The locals in Yorkshire agree.
http://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/sport/cricket/chris_waters_disgruntled_members_throw_stones_at_21m_greenhouse_1_3202818
Update: The locals in Yorkshire agree.
http://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/sport/cricket/chris_waters_disgruntled_members_throw_stones_at_21m_greenhouse_1_3202818
A link between the murder of Cyril Beeka and Linbro Park
UPDATE: Carte Blanche led with this tonight, in a definitive broadcast. It was mind-blowing to see the people all brought together. Link is defective, but follow this tomorrow: http://beta.mnet.co.za/
UPDATE: Sunday Times chronicles the trail of death and destruction relating to Radovan Krejcir. All of it happened to our direct east, from Edenglen to Bedfordview, to OR Tambo.
http://www.timeslive.co.za/local/article988999.ece/Krejcir--four-years-of-murder-sleaze-and-mayhem
702's Stephen Grootes provides an excellent backgrounder on the Beeka hit and more:
http://emma.thedailymaverick.co.za/servlet/link/3890/48464/4252125/463095
UPDATE: Beeka exposed as SA spy
Startling evidence has emerged that murdered underworld kingpin Cyril Beeka was an intelligence operative working for the South African government.
This has blown the lid on a spy-versus-spy drama within the country's intelligence agencies that pits national police boss General Bheki Cele against those loyal to his predecessor, Jackie Selebi.
http://www.timeslive.co.za/local/article988986.ece/Beeka-exposed-as-SA-spy
UPDATE: As a courier company, RAM specialises in importing diamonds in its bags, as reported by investigative journalists. The entire Beeka-Radovan-Jackson saga revolves around bringing stuff in and out of the country. No culpability inferred or implied, but you can see why the presence of a difficult neighbour such as RAM would interest me. I am at heart an investigative journalist.
UPDATE: This is what Cyril Beeka's hit looked like.
Cyril Beeka was murdered in a hit in Cape Town on Monday. He was, IOL reports, "the national head of security for the courier company RAM Hand-to-Hand". Many will know the problems we have had with overcrowding, pig slaughter, loud music and more in Clulee with regard to RAM employees.
Beeka had been implicated in some of the most astonishing underworld activities. Jackie Selebi, Lolly Jackson and more are linked to this terrible saga.
Try and follow this saga as it unfolds. Stephen Grootes is reporting it on 702:
http://www.ewn.co.za/articleprog.aspx?id=62283
The Cape Argus has this report:
http://www.iol.co.za/news/crime-courts/beeka-s-gangster-links-1.1045679
And this schematic ...
UPDATE: Sunday Times chronicles the trail of death and destruction relating to Radovan Krejcir. All of it happened to our direct east, from Edenglen to Bedfordview, to OR Tambo.
http://www.timeslive.co.za/local/article988999.ece/Krejcir--four-years-of-murder-sleaze-and-mayhem
702's Stephen Grootes provides an excellent backgrounder on the Beeka hit and more:
http://emma.thedailymaverick.co.za/servlet/link/3890/48464/4252125/463095
UPDATE: Beeka exposed as SA spy
Startling evidence has emerged that murdered underworld kingpin Cyril Beeka was an intelligence operative working for the South African government.
This has blown the lid on a spy-versus-spy drama within the country's intelligence agencies that pits national police boss General Bheki Cele against those loyal to his predecessor, Jackie Selebi.
http://www.timeslive.co.za/local/article988986.ece/Beeka-exposed-as-SA-spy
UPDATE: As a courier company, RAM specialises in importing diamonds in its bags, as reported by investigative journalists. The entire Beeka-Radovan-Jackson saga revolves around bringing stuff in and out of the country. No culpability inferred or implied, but you can see why the presence of a difficult neighbour such as RAM would interest me. I am at heart an investigative journalist.
UPDATE: This is what Cyril Beeka's hit looked like.
Cyril Beeka was murdered in a hit in Cape Town on Monday. He was, IOL reports, "the national head of security for the courier company RAM Hand-to-Hand". Many will know the problems we have had with overcrowding, pig slaughter, loud music and more in Clulee with regard to RAM employees.
Beeka had been implicated in some of the most astonishing underworld activities. Jackie Selebi, Lolly Jackson and more are linked to this terrible saga.
Try and follow this saga as it unfolds. Stephen Grootes is reporting it on 702:
http://www.ewn.co.za/articleprog.aspx?id=62283
The Cape Argus has this report:
http://www.iol.co.za/news/crime-courts/beeka-s-gangster-links-1.1045679
And this schematic ...
Unique interview next week
I am going to be interviewing Alex Eliseev of 702/Eyewitness News regarding his experiences in Japan. He is there with the South African rescue team. This is the kind of devastation he has snapped. I look forward to posting a transcript and my first podcast on this blog, and sharing his experiences, which sound beyond harrowing.
Update: This is now the costliest natural disaster of all time. Cost: Well over R1 trillion and rising, with more than 20 000 dead or missing.
Update: This is now the costliest natural disaster of all time. Cost: Well over R1 trillion and rising, with more than 20 000 dead or missing.
Another legend goes ...
http://www.espncricinfo.com/england/content/current/story/507644.html
Fred Titmus played a lot of cricket in South Africa. I never played with him, but I did with John Emburey, who rated Titmus one of the finest technicians the game has seen. Mike Selvey confirms it in this tribute.
Not a great day, then. Fred Titmus and Liz Taylor gone, in one day.
He played for 33 seasons, scoring over 22 000 runs and taking 2 830 wickets.
They don't make them like this any more!
Not a great day, then. Fred Titmus and Liz Taylor gone, in one day.
He played for 33 seasons, scoring over 22 000 runs and taking 2 830 wickets.
They don't make them like this any more!
Vodacom getting an image remake
http://www.techcentral.co.za/vodacom-globe-in-a-jam-causes-a-jam/21989/
My good mate Duncan has posted this. Very funny!
My good mate Duncan has posted this. Very funny!
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Julius Malema's best friend tells us how life ended on Mars
http://bit.ly/euHBpj
Chavez says capitalism may have ended life on Mars
Chavez says capitalism may have ended life on Mars
Democracy arriving in our last enclave
I have followed King Mswati III's life with great interest since my son James started asking me questions about him. The man is one of the last true despots in the world. And he is definitely going down.
http://www.iol.co.za/sundayindependent/king-declares-war-ahead-of-swazi-uprising-1.1045316
King ‘declares war’ ahead of Swazi uprising
March 22 2011 at 12:31pm
Maureen Isaacson
The Jasmine Revolution that has spread its discontent from North Africa has taken fire in Swaziland, and Swazi King Mswati III has declared war on his own people, an NGO warned this weekend.
In the wake of Friday’s mass protests in Mbabane, the Swazi capital, Lucky Lukhele, spokesman for the Swaziland Solidarity Network, said the protests, which also took place outside the Swazi consulate in Johannesburg, were “a trial run” for an uprising that is to take place all over Swaziland on April 12.
http://www.iol.co.za/sundayindependent/king-declares-war-ahead-of-swazi-uprising-1.1045316
King ‘declares war’ ahead of Swazi uprising
March 22 2011 at 12:31pm
Maureen Isaacson
The Jasmine Revolution that has spread its discontent from North Africa has taken fire in Swaziland, and Swazi King Mswati III has declared war on his own people, an NGO warned this weekend.
In the wake of Friday’s mass protests in Mbabane, the Swazi capital, Lucky Lukhele, spokesman for the Swaziland Solidarity Network, said the protests, which also took place outside the Swazi consulate in Johannesburg, were “a trial run” for an uprising that is to take place all over Swaziland on April 12.
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