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words
it’s not a panasonic ad, i promise
They’re supposed to bring good luck. (Watch out for the subtitles.)
veggie therapy
Working in the garden can be therapeutic. Today I chopped down to size the 5m high Bougainvillea that was covering much of our new stoep, I supported the peas, laced the butternut plants through the lattice hedge for support and planted some gooseberry cuttings that I accidentally broke off. I hope they ‘take’. And …
This is hilarious. Go Tom Waits.
Lawsuits Tom Waits has steadfastly refused to allow the use of his songs in commercials and has joked about other artists who do. (“If Michael Jackson wants to work for Pepsi, why doesn’t he just get himself a suit and an office in their headquarters and be done with it?”) He has filed …
taking a break
Right, I’ve been horribly slack. I took a hiatus from all writing/photography/internet related things. The reasons? 1. We moved. 2. I needed a break from my head. 3. I needed to start fresh. And that’s about it. But I will make up for it.
oops
I haven’t blogged in three days. It’s the longest period I have not blogged. Hmm, guess I was busy painting, sanding, sealing, scraping the new flat, passing out in the evenings and getting up early to paint, sand, seal, scrape… I promise, I will make it up.
Toni Collette
Showtime gave us Weeds, The L Word, Dexter and Californication. Diablo Cody gave us June. Together they give us The United State of Tara, an edgy, but authentic comedy with a foulmouthed whopper of a script. Tara is a 35year old worn out wife and mother of a teenage slut and young …
i’m watching this as soon as it hits the big screens!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=buarPFzHmBw
Oudtshoorn
Oudtshoorn is so ‘n mooi dorpie. Die plakkate en ‘branding’ wat tydens die KKNK fees opgesit word is maar ‘n gemors.
KKNK dag 1
Die vlug was 2 ure vertraag, die Avis kar was nie reg nie, maar die Cul de Sac B&B het opgemaak vir alles. Meer daaroor bietjie later. Goed, hier is die res van die storie op 11 April 2010. 1Time. Die vlug George toe was vertraag. Gelukkig het 1Time ons die vorige aand …
the perfect sunday
I tried the new Nespresso blend, Tanzarú, with the wife – www.nespresso.co.za I sealed the floor of the new flat with a natural sealant – www.pronature.co.za I had a Windhoek Light under the trees while the wife finished a guerilla mosaic. I babaysat little Luca for an hour while his parents unpacked their new …
coffee from brazil
The one advantage of having friends who travel the world, friends who are as passionate as I am about the small things in life, is that they bring little gifts that excite me to no end. So my dear friend Shane returned from Brazil with a packet of organic Spress Café ground coffee! …
my little fig tree
Woollies sells these for R69.99 and you can grow them in a pot! The next step would be to buy and plant a lemon tree. Keith Kirsten is selling them for anything from R300.00 to R600.00. I can’t believe I have waited this long to start growing veggies! I love it. When …
phomudzo continued
The story that goes with this photo can be found at http://www.reneywarrington.co.za/?p=992
i will get there…
So I’ve caught up on sleep but spent they day sanding the floors of the new flat and cleaning the byproducts of sanding, which means I am barely able to type this message. Old age, what can I say? I am sealing the floors tomorrow and on Friday, shooting a wedding on Saturday and …
the post for the 20th, 21st, 22nd and 23rd
So I decided not to take a laptop, check email on my phone or go online at all from the 20th to the 23rd! And it was glorious. More detail will follow shortly, once I have caught up on some much needed sleep. 25/03/2010 Luca’s welcoming party I have learnt the hard …
what an honour
I have been asked to say something at the naming ceremony of this little guy.
my little helper
How I would have struggled today to get into all the little corners of the Rhodesian Teak floors without this little gadget…
my life without sinus! whoohoo!
For over a week I have been using a neti pot on a daily basis. And although it is still early days, I am convinced my sense of smell has improved drastically! Not to mention the absence of sinus headaches, nasal congestion, sore eyes and tender cheekbones! It is not difficult to use and …
my life of crime
If I was inclined towards a life of crime I can certainly commit a ‘fingerprint-less’ crime tonight. After two days of sanding our parquet flooring I don’t have any fingerprints left! Not even my laptop, which has a fingerprint ID function, will accept my sandpapered index fingerprint. But it’s a great feeling to sand …
films to miss
Even the trailer is shockingly bad… The success of this trilogy is not a good sign for the creative future of humanity. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q1D5goGz0SY&feature=fvhl
an awesome Louis Armstrong track
Don’t know if it is legal for me to post this track, but it is just so inspiring I though it would be worth the risk. It is called (What did I do to be so) Black and Blue and it is off the album Original Columbia Jazz Classic: Satch play Fats. …
One last Gaga post
There is no one like her out there. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GQ95z6ywcBY
Original Columbia Jazz Classics
After 2009, the year of shrinking budgets, it has been decided to cut my iTunes extravaganzas. I have been given a budget, or quota rather, of one album per month. With a figure of roughly R160.00 in mind I visited my local Musica last night. It is interesting to see how one’s perception of money changes ‘when …
Blaauwklippen
If you can get your hands on a 2005 Blaauwklippen Cabernet Sauvignon you are in for a treat. http://www.blaauwklippen.co.za/index.php?id=1252&L=6
another version of the post on March 8th
Sitting at a hotel bar drinking a glass of expensive whiskey on your own is a pretty miserable ending to a pretty miserable day. There is no one to taste the peat, see the view of Joburg or tell about the loneliness that crept up on me today. I navigate to the contacts …
to be continued…
Everyone’s gone home and I’m left sipping a glass of Lagavulin whiskey in the hotel bar. It’s a pretty sad fucking ending for a pretty sad fucking day, that’s for sure. I navigate to the contacts on my phone. Even though I know I won’t find a name of anyone left in Joburg that …
so i was wrong about the best actress Oscar…
I like Sandra Bullock as much as the next person, and have always thought she was a bit underrated, but to win an Oscar for ‘The Blind Side’ was quite a surprise. Well done, anyway, Sandra.
a visit to the farm
The one advantage to growing older, and believe me there are quite a few advantages, is that you settle in your skin and come to appreciate the meaningful people in your life. So, there was no better way to spend my Saturday afternoon, than on the farm on the back of the Isuzu surrounded …
one to miss out on
Even the trailer looks shockingly bad. The one-liners are beyond corny. I just can’t see Jake Gyllenhaal, which I think is a brilliant actor, as a butch Persian prince/soldier. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UQ0rIr_405c&feature=fvst
die begin van die tweede rondte
Goed, so die eerste poging tot ‘n boek is nog nie gepubliseer nie. Mens kan egter nie wag daarvoor nie. Die tweede storie wil nou uit. Hmm, hier is die eerste paar woorde. We were married in the veld. On a sweltering December afternoon we faced each other under a canopy of …
My ma sê…
…ek moet ophou met my Gaga posts. Duidelik vind sy haar nie so inspirerend soos ek nie.
waiting for the oscars (written for www.litnet.co.za)
Of course Avatar is going to clean up at the Oscars! It will be a great pity though. Yes, it was groundbreaking in terms of animation and the much needed lesson in biodiversity was conveyed in a ‘cool’ medium that would engage younger audiences. Yet the incredibly pompous James Cameron forgot all about narrative, …
die troepe in die tuin
Ek het al drie tarentale in ons Parkwood kompleks se tuin gesien. Twee grotes en ‘n kleintjie. Vanoggend is ek egter verras deur die groepie wat voor ons woonstel verby jaag. Daar was maklik 15 tarentale en een deurmekaar hoender wat gedink het hy is ‘n tarentaal. Verbeel julle! In die hartjie van Johannesburg. …
die pick n pay antie
Dit is in die Pick n Pay waar ek haar raakloop. Daar is niemand agter haar in die tou nie en ons wil almal die 5uur verkeer mis. Ek sit my organiese worteltjies neer. My R10 is reg. Eers toe kom ek agter al haar kruideniersware is reeds opgelui. Sy en die kassier wag vir …
Veggie update
Our carrots survived our ten day absence. So did the lemon basil, beetroot, strawberries and Cape Gooseberry. I am afraid that our two tomato orphans are looking somewhat frail. The one has a strange white fur growing on the stem, the other is a bit floppy and its joints are swollen. Hmm, I am consulting …
I will stop…
…posting Gaga videos one day. But not just quite yet. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=exwZXQoHkwg
ek wil hierdie wyne proe…
http://www.time.com/time/travel/article/0,31542,1913387,00.html Is enige iemand lus vir ‘n trippie Frankryk toe?
the mandala, the walk to the harbour and red wine on the beach
To be posted as soon as my sinus clears up. Screen is hurting my eyes.
the post for the 19th…
…should have been a review of the Cape Town Natural and Organics Fair. It might be one day late, but I am still reading all the pamphlets. Watch this space. Right, a few cool things I picked up: 1. The Cape Town Green Map. A fold out map listing the parks/gardens …
taking performance art to the masses
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LB_GE03lQDw&feature=related
cupid
A valentines dinner of lightly smoked Snoek, roast unions and butternut and fresh salad at dusk, on the borrowed balcony in a wind still Vredehoek overlooking Cape Town.
Infecting the city
We’re leaving for Cape Town today. My wife is participating in the Spier Infecting the City public arts festival. For more info go to: www.suchinitiative.org or www.twitter.com/suchinitiative or http://www.infectingthecity.com/2010/whats-on/productions/mandala-for-healing We will be posting images and video on the Such Initiative site from Monday onwards. In the meanwhile have a look at the pics …
goeie vriende
My vrou (en Ed die boer) kan Cassandra Wilson se musiek nie verdra nie. Ek (en Bertus die dominee) voel anders oor die Amerikaner. Dus luister ek my ‘Glamoured’ CD net wanneer ek die huis vir myself het. ‘Glamoured’ bevat van Cassandra se eie komposisies, maar ook Sting, Bob Dylan, Willie Nelson en Mudday Waters covers. En …
tussen hemel en aarde
Terwyl die gaste eet, hardloop die gillende kleuter weg in haar Tinkerbell kouse, met kom-vang-my-armpies in die lig en jaag ek haar oor die blokkiesvloere van die gang, verby twee plastiese skopfietse en om die glas koffietafel in die sitkamer.
‘n goeie dag
Vandag is ‘n goeie dag vir baie redes. Een, my vrou het onverwags vroeg huis toe gekom. Daar was genoeg tyd vir ‘n organiese espresso en ‘pecan nut pie’. Twee, ons tamatie saailinge het hulle tweede blaartjies en ons aangenome tamatieplant se eerste twee tamaties is aan die rooi word. Drie, my …
landskroon wines
Vanaand drink ons ‘n 2007 Landskroon Cabernet Sauvignon. Dit is gewoonlik ‘n 4Ster John Platter wyn. Behalwe vir die 2007 wat ‘afgemerk’ is na ‘n 3.5Ster. Platter sê “Ripe, dark berry & tobacco nuance in heartwarming 07 (3.5Ster). Flavoursome & approachable, shade sofer than 06.” Landskroon sê “STYLE: Full-bodied with ripe mulberry fruit …
gaga at the grammy’s
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qe1sbr8H5zc Ag, the link above no longer works, because the Grammy organisers are going around harassaing everyone who uploads Grammy clips! Try the following link instead. The sound and visuals are not as great, but what can one do? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dlOvfUTHfxY
The Hurt Locker (FILM)
I rushed to the DVD shop tonight, thinking that I was too late. I had ‘2 days in Paris’ in mind. I made it and had a quick look at the ‘new release’ shelf. The Hurt Locker was out! I have been waiting for this film for months. It scores 97% on Rotten …
o gats
I did not blog on the 29th and the 30th! My excuse? I was having a glorious weekend with my wife. I think that is a good enough excuse. If, after 12 years of being together, your wife is enough of a distraction to prevent you from switching on your laptop, I count myself as fortunate. BUT …
‘Hellboy II’ as the new ‘art film’ (Written for www.litnet.co.za)
Many moons ago, as the manager of a photographic gallery, I naively thought if I opened both of the gallery doors and put up the “Open” sign it would be obvious to the general public that they would be welcome. Still, they hovered at the entrance and asked permission to come in! They were intimidated …
waar was my kamera?
Op pad gym toe, siek ek voor in die pad dobber ‘n spikkel aan die linkerkant. Van nader af sien ek eers die grys hare, toe die maroen elektriese aangedrewe stoel/fietsie/rolstoel ding. En ek weet die antie gaan Pick n Pay toe. Ons moet albei regs in die parkering indraai. Ek hou stil agter haar en …
sondag
Vandag is ‘n goeie dag want my ernstig gestremde broer, R.B, lê nie in die hospitaal nie. Die 4 paramedics wat gisteraand na 21:00 om sy bed gestaan het, het besluit hy is okay dié keer. Sy pap lyf en uitdrukkinglose oë is nie genoeg rede om hom te ontwrig met ‘n ambulans rit hospitaal …
Adventureland (Film)
Have to sleep now… Will write more about this very cool film tomorrow.
Goede Hoop Merlot/Cab Sav 2001
Wanneer dit by wyn koop kom, het ek drie reëls. 1. Dit moet ‘n 4ster John Platter wees. 2. Dit moet nie meer as R55 kos nie. 3. Ek probeer om nie dieselfde wyn twee keer te koop nie. Glo my, hierdie goeie, goedkoop wyne bestaan. Makro en ek ken mekaar al intiem, en alhoewel …
the nerdy bookclub
‘On Chesil Beach’ by Ian McEwan, was not an easy read, but certainly a brilliantly crafted book. The relationship between Edward and Camilla stays on a knife’s edge throughout – at any given moment, and there are plenty of those, things could go horribly wrong or surprisingly well. I will not reveal which way it went. …
die gemors wat ek maak…
. . . as ek wheat-free, sugar-free, dairy-free pannekoek bak. Om op ‘n Dinsdagmiddag, sommer vir die lekker, vir jou vrou blueberry pancakes te bak wat sy in die kombuis moet kom eet oor jou tweede pannekoek nog in die pan braai, en jy bietjie wil gesels, is nogal awesome. Hier is die resep …
Die blou oog man in my familiefoto’s
Hy lê, in die hospitaalbed, met die laken opgetrek tot onder sy ken. En dit oor ek gespot het om hom te kielie tot hy hoes. Hy het longontsteking, maar hy kan nie hoes nie. Ook nie praat of skryf of loop nie. Hy is 67 jaar oud.
die volgende insetsel in die kortverhaal…
Die beginpunt van die hartseer, en gevolglike agterdog teenoor die mensdom, lê ek voor my suster se deur, voor haar gevolgtrekking dat ek haar kinders, wat vir my die wêreld beteken, gaan aansteek met my abnormale, perverse voorliefde vir vrouens. Ja, ek is, soos die vrou by Binnelandse Sake gesê het toe sy ons …
bietjie rof, maar ongelooflik mooi
Nou net Import/Export klaar gekyk. Dit is 23.57. Geez, baie eksplisiet, baie baie, eksplisiet. Beautifully shot. Beautiful integrity. Rotten Tomatoes gee dit 85%.
die begin van ‘n kortverhaal…
Dit is vroeg skemer op die plaaswerf. Die bye drom om die honde se waterbak en die rose blom vreemd wit in die spreilig. Ed hou dit so los en wild. Jy moet daardeur skuur om in die huis te kom. Ek hou ook van die verwelkoming.
more about the veggies…
Little Afrikanertjies (Marigold) keep the bugs away from the veggies… So we are growing them in masses.
Mini and Max tomatoes
I bought these pre-prepared organic tomato ‘parcels’ at Keith Kirsten in Rosebank. (I did however see them at Cape Town International Airport too.)
veggies
Today was the first day in our journey towards growing our own organic, non-gm veggies. Whoohoo! We (the wife and I) planted tomatoes, basil, gooseberries, basil, strawberries, butternut, baby marrows, basil, green peppers, celery, rocket, basil, chicory, basil and chillies. Okay, so the wife did all the planting, but I searched the …
playing nurse
Jan 1st What made my day today? I surprised my sniffling, feverish, bedridden wife with little treats such as Lindt dark chocolate, red grapes and ice cold watermelon. I watched the compelling, haunting ‘Waltz with Bashir’ alongside her. I am listening to her, as I am typing this post, chuckling away …
Lucia de Lammermoor, Anna die Rus en ek (RANTS)
Lucia de Lammermoor, Anna die Rus en ek… (Geskryf in Afrikaans 17/03/2009) My vroegste herinnering aan opera, kan ek self nie onthou nie. My ma vertel dit wel graag. Rondom 1978 het sy en my pa sommige Sondae oggende, in Kroonstad, wakker geword met die klanke van opera wat deur die huis weergalm. Die …
PJ Harvey – The ‘rooi rokkie’ performance (RANTS)
PJ Harvey – The ‘rooi rokkie’ performance (Written in English 22/10/2008) Google PJ Harvey, Rid of Me and Big Day Out together on Youtube. You will find a performance that my sister in law calls the ‘Rooi Rokkie’ Performance. Watch it. Over and over. PJ is skinny, with long arms and legs, a …
Overturned (RANTS)
Overturned (Written in English 12/07/2007) So last night I am driving home from Alberton to find another truck overturned on a specific circle onramp where trucks overturn regularly. The only thing that still surprised me was the support from the Ekurhuleni Police. There were three bystanders, probably including the driver of the truck, …
Wat is lekker? (RANTS)
Wat is lekker? (Geskryf in Afrikaans 05/07/2007) Om vir jouself te werk en op ʼn Woensdag oggend bloot te besluit jy ry nou Carletonville toe vir jou goeie vriend, Bertus, se verjaarsdag. Om ʼn bottel organiese rooiwyn uit te soek en jou bydrae te maak teenoor die omgewing. Om in Afrikaans te …