Socks

I must go down to the sea again

The lonely sea and sky

I left my socks there

I want to see if they’re dry

Yep, driving down to the coast tomorrow for a few days. See y’all next week. Have a truly wicked weekend.

How democracy in South Africa is being nursed along

Following the publication of my post yesterday about the ANC’s shocking understanding of democracy, it has occurred to me that democracy is being kept alive on life support.

This then is the postscript to The ANC’s perception of democracy is terrifying.

This may sound overly dramatic to the majority who voted the ANC into power, but the parties that you spurned at the polls, are in fact the only thing keeping this country from being not only a kleptocracy, but a dictatorship as well. Yes, the minority parties are in fact protecting you from the ANC.

Ironic, isn’t it?

The much vaunted Constitution is barely coping in keeping greed, corruption, cronyism, fascism and hunger for power at bay, being under constant attack by the ruling party. Were it not for the Public Protector, the minority opposition parties in Parliament and the reliable preservers of justice still left in the Judiciary, who knows where this country might be today.

Don’t believe me? Go on shooting yourself in the foot then.

Let the world know…

This…

Irreverence FTW!

The primary reason for creating this blog was to deliver irreverent commentary on the strange beliefs that people cling on to for dear life. I had a second blog which I used to cast derision on the shitty things that politicians do.

I decided to merge the two because ideology and politics seemed like a match made in heaven, and it kinda made sense for me to take the piss on both these forms of lunacy on the same forum.

After a while I decided that since there were so many other things that were of interest to people, I would not limit myself to just writing about strange beliefs and dirty politicians. And so the part about “… just about anything else not as perplexing or vile…” was born. However of late I have not focussed nearly enough on the irreverent bit and seemed to drift off into posting a lot of stuff about everything else.

Nothing vex’s someone more than when you try to burst their ideological bubble. It may seem cruel, and I sometimes feel a little remorseful afterwards, but the eventual benefits of making someone see things differently, even if a little, is to my mind worth the effort. I have had lengthy debates arguments here with some of my commenters. Nearly all invariably grow weary and never come back; a fairly large number exit with the traditional, but very annoying parting shot “I’ll pray for you.” Yeah, you will not believe how many people are praying for me. I’m truly blessed.

I am all too familiar with the adage that you’re not going to convince someone to change their mind by poking fun at their beliefs. Fuck that! Sometimes it’s the only way. The other benefit is that I too have learned from this process. I harboured many ideological beliefs, some of which have been modified, others turned completely on its head, more still totally discarded.

Anyway, I think I’m gonna start being irreverent again with my very next post. Until then…

2013 in review

The WordPress.com stats helper monkeys prepared a 2013 annual report for this blog.

Here’s an excerpt:

The Louvre Museum has 8.5 million visitors per year. This blog was viewed about 81,000 times in 2013. If it were an exhibit at the Louvre Museum, it would take about 3 days for that many people to see it.

Click here to see the complete report.

And today is…

Thank you…

I’ve been remiss in not often thinking about all those people who work late into the night and on weekends, while the rest of us get to enjoy life.

I’m referring to those who keep the wheels of industry turning, those who provide essential services such as in the hospitals, the doctors, nurses, firemen, policemen, paramedics, and those who serve us at shops and restaurants. Off course I’m forgetting to mention the many, many others, but you know who I mean.

And oh, the men in uniform who are supposed to keep your country safe, protecting the innocent from the wars created by the petty ideologies of stupid politicians. You too.

Thank you, thank you, thank you.

And…

Happy days, ladies

It appears that I may be running around tomorrow, and it’s National Women’s Day here in South Africa.

So,

May your days be forever happy ladies…

 

Blog High Five

The guys over at WordPress have just reminded me that I’ve been blogging five years today.

That’s small potatoes compared to some veterans here, but for a part-timer like me it’s a big deal. Thanks for sharing this journey with me; all of you who comment and follow. Now where’s that bubbly? Cheers!

 

Mum’s Day

Happy Mother’s Day y’all…

It’s another year away from home, so I’ve been listening to some Mother’s Day compilations online today and thought I’d put together one of my own. Here’s my tribute to all the moms out there.

The White Stripes – I Want To Be The Boy To Warm Your Mother’s Heart

Afro Celt Sound System – Mother

John Lennon – Mother

The Shirelles – Mamma Said

Pink Floyd – Mother

That last one by Pink Floyd is rather cynical, but since I love this song and the band, I hope most mothers will indulge me.