Rock festivals, especially the outdoor camping types, are only for a certain breed of music lover. You have to be willing to trade the comfrot of your bed, clean bathroom and the often unnoticed warmth of four walls for a variety show of bands you probably have never heard of. But you will jam to their music anyway because the beer says so.
This weekend we went to Rocking the Daisies in Darling. I must say, as far as music festivals go, this one was great. Everyone was just so chilled and relaxed. Daytime weather was fabulous. Nights were cold and windy. But once again the beer said you will jam, and so you will!
Back to that 'special breed of person'. Picture this. Hay bales, mud, red dust, takeaway food in flimsy paper holders and unsteady drinks. The perfect recipe for ruining your clothes. So why oh why in heaven's name are people walking around in designer outfits! I couldn't bare to part with a pair of R1000 jeans just because I look good in them perched atop a hay bale!!!
Don't get me started on the teenagers dressed in micro-skirts, Ugg boots and warm jackets. The wind can still get under the skirt, you know! I guess someone has to make a pretty photo...
So bring on the dust and mud, I'm ready.
Tuesday, October 02, 2007
Wednesday, May 30, 2007
Do you know how to comment?
I love commenting on any issue. If I have an opinion, I will tell anyone who will listen. This isn't the most desirable quality, but it's one of mine and I love it!
However, commenting should be more like an eco system where we give to get. No one ever comments on my blog and it distresses me. Is it boring? Is it because no one reads it? How do I get more people to read it? Maybe I don't ask compelling questions that warrant compelling answers.
So here I ask the simplest of questions: If you happen to stumble across this little pathway into my daily life, leave a mark. Even a smiley face. Or a sad one if it made you sad. Something. I would appreciate it.
I eagerly await your quips, remarks, boos or "i love you"'s.
However, commenting should be more like an eco system where we give to get. No one ever comments on my blog and it distresses me. Is it boring? Is it because no one reads it? How do I get more people to read it? Maybe I don't ask compelling questions that warrant compelling answers.
So here I ask the simplest of questions: If you happen to stumble across this little pathway into my daily life, leave a mark. Even a smiley face. Or a sad one if it made you sad. Something. I would appreciate it.
I eagerly await your quips, remarks, boos or "i love you"'s.
Wednesday, May 02, 2007
A MayDay Portrait
Worker's Day in South Africa was a beautiful sight in Port Elizabeth yesterday.
The sun was shining despite a weekend of murky weather and threats of rain. Dusted off fishing rods, cooler boxes and fold-up chairs invaded the river banks. Surfers pretended the waves were bigger than they really were and had a jol in the sea. Gran and Gramps did a bit of cardio with a brisk walk along the beachfront. A few guys showed the Proteas how its really done - and put on a real show for the cars going by.
It seems almost everyone downed tools yesterday to enjoy being a South African. The portrait portrayed South Africans relishing the luxuries and idiosyncracies exclusive to us. No matter how kitsch or common, yesterday South Africa did what South Africans do. Well done...
The sun was shining despite a weekend of murky weather and threats of rain. Dusted off fishing rods, cooler boxes and fold-up chairs invaded the river banks. Surfers pretended the waves were bigger than they really were and had a jol in the sea. Gran and Gramps did a bit of cardio with a brisk walk along the beachfront. A few guys showed the Proteas how its really done - and put on a real show for the cars going by.
It seems almost everyone downed tools yesterday to enjoy being a South African. The portrait portrayed South Africans relishing the luxuries and idiosyncracies exclusive to us. No matter how kitsch or common, yesterday South Africa did what South Africans do. Well done...
Wednesday, April 11, 2007
Changing the world
Changing the world doesn't necessarily involve GreenPeace rallies, UN Missions to wartorn countries or anything of the like. I'm talking about changing the world you live in, every day.
That's what I am doing. I have sold most of my worldly possessions and am on my way to a working holiday in the UK. Things couldn't look brighter.
There is so much to complain about every day. I don't earn enough. My job isn't exciting. There is nothing to do in this town! I wish I was thinner/prettier/richer/more stylish. And while I will never deny the pleasure of a good bitch session, sometimes it just gets tedious. Especially when the subject matter is constant.
Doing something about it, now that's a real conundrum! Such a good idea in theory but in practice, much more of a pickle. However, I think I have discovered the catalyst in the mixture of complaining and doing nothing about it... FEAR. I am dead scared of change. I like things to stay the way they are. I am comfortable with it, and nothing is unexpected. I am so scared that I will make decisions that are forever, and there's no goign back. What if it doesn't work out? I will be devastated. But, if we don't try, we will never know. I might as well grow a shell and hibernate the rest of my life away. So I've decided to be brave. And remember, bravery is not the absence of fear, but action in the face of it.
BE BRAVE. BE BOLD.
That's what I am doing. I have sold most of my worldly possessions and am on my way to a working holiday in the UK. Things couldn't look brighter.
There is so much to complain about every day. I don't earn enough. My job isn't exciting. There is nothing to do in this town! I wish I was thinner/prettier/richer/more stylish. And while I will never deny the pleasure of a good bitch session, sometimes it just gets tedious. Especially when the subject matter is constant.
Doing something about it, now that's a real conundrum! Such a good idea in theory but in practice, much more of a pickle. However, I think I have discovered the catalyst in the mixture of complaining and doing nothing about it... FEAR. I am dead scared of change. I like things to stay the way they are. I am comfortable with it, and nothing is unexpected. I am so scared that I will make decisions that are forever, and there's no goign back. What if it doesn't work out? I will be devastated. But, if we don't try, we will never know. I might as well grow a shell and hibernate the rest of my life away. So I've decided to be brave. And remember, bravery is not the absence of fear, but action in the face of it.
BE BRAVE. BE BOLD.
Monday, March 26, 2007
Monday, February 19, 2007
London: Thunder or Blunder?
I want to go on a working holiday to the UK. I never thought I would say that. It's done, old and hardly as adventurous as in year's gone by. I have always been afraid of doing the ordinary and being well, ordinary.
But I am no different from the average 23 year old university graduate. And I am desperately searching for my place under the sun where I can be an active contributor to society.
I've been unhappily employed for over a year now doing things not even remotely associated with my passion and skill. Sometimes unemployment seems not so bad. So after this limbo year, I have decided to sell all my worldly possessions and go to the UK for two years on a working holiday.
I imagine the opportunities there are in abundance and the possibility of making oodles of cash is just too much to pass up. I know it's not a certainty, but nothing here is either.
Since I graduated, all the professionals in the journalism and radio industries have been advising me that Port Elizabeth is going to get me nowhere. Being a small town girl at heart I believed that if anyone could make it as a journalist in PE, it was me. I am not sure if my ego was inflated or I just haven't tried hard enough, but it didn't happen. Thus I set off in search of greener pastures.
This is big. For me, its huge. It's bigger than deciding what to study, which institution to attend, and realising I am with the love of my life. Everything before this moment seemed much easier. I have always had a clear trajectory while now I feel lost. It's as if every road appears to be made of yellow bricks, but which are spray-painted, and which road is true yellow brick?
This expedition could end disastrously, but if I don't do it, I am going to end disastrously. I don't know if I am being too lax and should be working harder at forging my career. I do however know that for the first time in a long time I am truly excited about something.
I spend night after night hoping my mom or brother would give me a sign telling me this is the right or wrong thing to do. I know it is in vain because the whole point of this is to decide for yourself, and live with the consequences. Now that's scary...
But I am no different from the average 23 year old university graduate. And I am desperately searching for my place under the sun where I can be an active contributor to society.
I've been unhappily employed for over a year now doing things not even remotely associated with my passion and skill. Sometimes unemployment seems not so bad. So after this limbo year, I have decided to sell all my worldly possessions and go to the UK for two years on a working holiday.
I imagine the opportunities there are in abundance and the possibility of making oodles of cash is just too much to pass up. I know it's not a certainty, but nothing here is either.
Since I graduated, all the professionals in the journalism and radio industries have been advising me that Port Elizabeth is going to get me nowhere. Being a small town girl at heart I believed that if anyone could make it as a journalist in PE, it was me. I am not sure if my ego was inflated or I just haven't tried hard enough, but it didn't happen. Thus I set off in search of greener pastures.
This is big. For me, its huge. It's bigger than deciding what to study, which institution to attend, and realising I am with the love of my life. Everything before this moment seemed much easier. I have always had a clear trajectory while now I feel lost. It's as if every road appears to be made of yellow bricks, but which are spray-painted, and which road is true yellow brick?
This expedition could end disastrously, but if I don't do it, I am going to end disastrously. I don't know if I am being too lax and should be working harder at forging my career. I do however know that for the first time in a long time I am truly excited about something.
I spend night after night hoping my mom or brother would give me a sign telling me this is the right or wrong thing to do. I know it is in vain because the whole point of this is to decide for yourself, and live with the consequences. Now that's scary...
Tuesday, January 30, 2007
Silence is silver
If presented with the choice between losing your sight or your hearing, most people I have spoken to would choose the latter. I cannot disagree. That doesn't mean I'd like to lose my hearing either.
Music is my favourite toy. Without it I am like a child put in the corner. Very naar and I think the world is against me.
At the moment I have a problem with my ears. I have an infection that won't go away, and hearing is becoming harder. The reality dawned on me that my hearing (and my health) is so much more precious than what I give it credit for. I don't want to imagine not being able to listen.
Listen. We don't do that enough as a nation. I don't do enough of that. I am so busy talking my ears only hear my voice. Maybe they needed a break:)
My silence is silver because my sound is gold. The sound of my favourite song, my boyfriend's guitar, the wind I profess to detest, and if I may say so myself, my own voice. I have a lot left to learn and say.
Music is my favourite toy. Without it I am like a child put in the corner. Very naar and I think the world is against me.
At the moment I have a problem with my ears. I have an infection that won't go away, and hearing is becoming harder. The reality dawned on me that my hearing (and my health) is so much more precious than what I give it credit for. I don't want to imagine not being able to listen.
Listen. We don't do that enough as a nation. I don't do enough of that. I am so busy talking my ears only hear my voice. Maybe they needed a break:)
My silence is silver because my sound is gold. The sound of my favourite song, my boyfriend's guitar, the wind I profess to detest, and if I may say so myself, my own voice. I have a lot left to learn and say.
Monday, January 29, 2007
A Swan Song
I am not sure if I have mentioned my infatuation with a South African band called Fokofpolisiekar before. If not, then I have a lot to tell.
However, now is not the time to do a timeline and a history lesson.
What is important is the latest developments in the band's career.
"Swanesang" by Fokofpolisiekar came out in August 2006. This title scared me a little, not many others seemed to notice the innuendo. Shows continued and the album has been a fantastic success. Today a press release was issued divulging details of the band members' individual plans for the next few months. Individual plans? Heart palpitations arrived. To calm all the nerves it was reiterated by the spokesperson for FPK's record label that the band was NOT BREAKING UP. They were all just taking a few months to pursue their personal interests.
The lyricist and one of the finest writers to grace the pages of South African newspapers is taking a creative writing course. Like he needs it. However, the picture just seems to fit perfectly into the mural of FPK. Some other band members are going back to university, and others are pursuing solo careers for a while.
FPK's fandom has rocketed and all with good reason. It's not about quality, creativity or popularity. FPK's music is like mayonnaise. It's more than the sum of its parts. It is how it's all put together. But, a mayonnaise needs quality ingredients. And if you are still following my extended simile, the band needs good musicians.
That's why I am excited for the band member's solo projects because if they take care of their individual creative souls, imagine the product when they come back together. I am so confident that when FPK's next album comes out (no matter how long it might be from now) we will all be shot out of the water with amazement.
I have so much gratitude for FPK music. It has inspired me, incensed me, torn me up inside and put me back together again. I'll be clutching my CD's, wearing my Tshirts 'till they are grey, and singing my heart out until we here from them again.
"May you all have a fantastic journey. Hou die Stippel lyn dop op die N1 (ons wil nie van nog 'n ongeluk hoor nie asseblief) en onthou die berge altyd."
Forever fanatic
Sam
However, now is not the time to do a timeline and a history lesson.
What is important is the latest developments in the band's career.
"Swanesang" by Fokofpolisiekar came out in August 2006. This title scared me a little, not many others seemed to notice the innuendo. Shows continued and the album has been a fantastic success. Today a press release was issued divulging details of the band members' individual plans for the next few months. Individual plans? Heart palpitations arrived. To calm all the nerves it was reiterated by the spokesperson for FPK's record label that the band was NOT BREAKING UP. They were all just taking a few months to pursue their personal interests.
The lyricist and one of the finest writers to grace the pages of South African newspapers is taking a creative writing course. Like he needs it. However, the picture just seems to fit perfectly into the mural of FPK. Some other band members are going back to university, and others are pursuing solo careers for a while.
FPK's fandom has rocketed and all with good reason. It's not about quality, creativity or popularity. FPK's music is like mayonnaise. It's more than the sum of its parts. It is how it's all put together. But, a mayonnaise needs quality ingredients. And if you are still following my extended simile, the band needs good musicians.
That's why I am excited for the band member's solo projects because if they take care of their individual creative souls, imagine the product when they come back together. I am so confident that when FPK's next album comes out (no matter how long it might be from now) we will all be shot out of the water with amazement.
I have so much gratitude for FPK music. It has inspired me, incensed me, torn me up inside and put me back together again. I'll be clutching my CD's, wearing my Tshirts 'till they are grey, and singing my heart out until we here from them again.
"May you all have a fantastic journey. Hou die Stippel lyn dop op die N1 (ons wil nie van nog 'n ongeluk hoor nie asseblief) en onthou die berge altyd."
Forever fanatic
Sam
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