Back to blogging :P

After taking a mild break, I'm back to start blogging again.

CHUCKLE

Rules of Bedroom Golf

This is too good to not share :)

> 1. Each player shall furnish his own equipment for play, normally one
> club and two balls.
>
> 2. Play on a course MUST be approved by the owner of a hole.
>
> 3. Unlike outdoor golf, the object is to get the club into the hole
> and keep the balls out of the hole.
>
> 4. For most effective play, the club should have a firm shaft.
> Course owners are permitted to check shaft stiffness before play begins.
>
> 5. Course owners reserve the right to restrict the length of the club
> to avoid damage to the hole.
>
> 6. The object of the game is to take as many strokes as necessary
> until the course owner is satisfied that the play is complete. Failure
> to do so may result in being denied permission to play the course
> again.
>
> 7. It is considered bad form to begin playing the hole immediately
> upon arrival at the course. The experienced player will normally take
> time to admire the entire course with special attention to well formed
> bunkers.
>
> 8. Players are cautioned not to mention other courses they have played
> or are currently playing to the owner of the course being played.
> Upset course owners have been known to damage a player's equipment for
> this reason.
>
> 9. Players are encouraged to have proper rain gear along just in case.
>
> 10. Players should assure themselves that their match has been
> properly scheduled, particularly when a new course is being played for
> the first time.
> Previous players have become irate if they discover someone else
> playing what they consider to be a private course.
>
> 11. Players should not assume a course is in shape for play at all times.
> Some players may be embarrassed if they find the course to be
> temporarily under repair. Players should be advised to be extremely
> tactful in this situation.
> More advanced players will find alternate means of play when this is
> the case.
>
> 12. Players are advised to obtain the course owner's permission before
> attempting to play the back nine.
>
> 13. Slow play is encouraged! However, players should be prepared to
> proceed at a quicker pace, at least temporarily, at the owner's request.
>
> 14. It is considered outstanding performance, time permitting, to play
> the same hole several times in one match.
>
> 15. The course owner will be the sole judge of who is the best player.
>
> 16. Players are advised to think twice before considering membership
> at a given course. Additional assessments may be levied by the course
> owner and
>
> the rules are subject to change. For this reason, many players prefer
> to continue to play several different courses.

Big ones or small ones

I'll bet that I had a few minds jump to some bits of anatomy, and I'm sure I'm going to disappoint some of you when I say that this blog is not about that!

I am speaking specifically about the social (mis)conduct in this lovely city called Johannesburg - that occurs mostly on the weekend but can also invade the working week.

Now for those not in the know, or in my realm - Friday nights tend to be rather pear-shaped... Arriving home between 3-6am is a norm, being smashed is expected and hating yourself the rest of the day is a definite.

But as I have alluded to in a previous post - my big ones are gone (well almost - the crowd went very quiet there :) ) I must be honest I love a big night out, but I am also getting to the stage where I truly enjoy a small group of friends going for a bite to eat, bit of banter and an early night to bed. Whats wrong with that?

The problem is - after dinner, having a few sharpies (aka boozes) most of the crowd tend to want to explode, converting a small one into a BIG ONE!

Yes I am getting old (I can't stop those numbers increasing like rings in a tree trunk) - this is not to say that I can't swim with the big fish (I am the big fish - ego.arrive()); I am merely re-visiting the value proposition of going out every Friday night blowing a 4 digit number on having an absolute blast that I can barely recall and wasting an entire day recovering. Doesn't sound too bad does it!? But it does, the responsibilities of all the little ventures, the extra bit of studying, the watching of DVD's that I keep buying and most certainly the reading of all the books I buy are greatly affected.

So I think it is time to implement a new strategy... 1 big one every so often and many small ones -this shall provide balance. Of course there are always exceptions and there is nothing quite like a spontaneous Big Night Out...

NB: Taxi's will be a standard requirement henceforth :P

Dating Season - A cricket analogy

I had a friend explain his concept of dating season (and due to him be a lazy S.O.B. - I am blogging it).

To begin with one must first understand that the dating season is not a pre-defined period but merely a length of time where the "player" is eligible to be a contender.

Eligibility is defined on the following basis:

-The Player is single.
-The Player has been cleared of all mental illness.
-The Player sports the correct attire.
-The Player is well aware of the playing rules.
-The Player's equipment is in good working order and has been cleared of any dangerous substances.
-Additional equipment may be utilised, if it is of a reasonable nature.

The rules are as follows:
1. The object of the game is for the Player to accumulate runs, whilst protecting his/her stumps from being dislodged.
a. The Player's score will be compared to the other players involved and he or she with the most runs is considered the victor.
b. The Player's innings may be calculated over many evenings, but and is not restricted to the number of deliveries played.
c. The Player's innings is considered over when of the out constraints have been reached.
d. The Player may be of either the male or female persuasion, the intention of this game is to play to the relevant opposite - although it has been known for some Player's to play for both teams.
e. A Team member will usually bat with the Player, although some players tend to prefer to bat alone.
f. The Team member or members may be required to aid the Player in accumulating as many runs as necessary. The Team member/s may also accumulate should the opportunity present itself.
2. Playing offensively will result in runs being awarded as follows:
a. A single for making contact with a prospect delivery
i. Contact is determined as conversation with the delivery
ii. The conversation must occur for a minimum of 3 minutes without interruption.
iii. Contact that is terminated for whatever reason before the 3 minutes is up but without an out constraint being reached is considered to be a "no-run" condition.
b. Two or Three runs will be scored if the Player manages to negotiate the delivery toward some sort of physical contact or free drink. A Player purchasing said drink to further enhance the innings will result in a "no-run" condition.
c. A boundary (4 runs) is scored when said interested party and the Player engage in some "tongue in cheek" behavior. This has a few different sporting terminologies: a lunge, a score, pulling in, tucking in, snogging, lashing and of course a kissing (French if you are really still unsure).
d. A maximum boundary is scored when the Player and the delivery make direct contact and leave the arena.
3. The Player may be considered out if any of the following occurs
a. The delivery has already been smashed for a boundary (or maximum boundary and is leaving the arena).
b. The delivery is unplayable leaving the Player stumped.
c. The delivery has been tampered with.
d. The delivery may be considered illegal if the authenticity is in question or the age of the action is not discernable - a proof of authenticity may be required before attempting to play said delivery.
e. A Run-out occurs when the either the Player or his team mate perform any behavior that destroys all hope of continuing the innings.
i. This will include any or all disturbing behavior (note Rule 2 of Eligibility has already been passed)
ii. Misconduct of any type - such as attempting to tamper with the delivery before obtaining permission.
iii. Playing the wrong delivery i.e. the team mate attempts to interfere with the Player's delivery.
Game play:
A Player will be expected to utilise his abilities to perform to be the best. It is important to note that many Players tend to end their innings (sometimes the season) prematurely when bowled over by a delivery (Stumps have been removed and are cart wheeling into oblivion). The season can continue indefinitely but it is assumed that the summer period is the focus period for all team players.
The better Player's tend to bat throughout the season, continuously accumulating runs while enforcing a high level of quality and conduct.

The Gym

I spend a lot of time at my gym ( I use this term quite loosely) – approximately an hour a day usually (for you lazy S.O.B. that’s more than you’ve thought of :) ). There are some characteristics of this gym that I think are worth discussing and I know SweetPea will certainly agree.
I believe when you involve yourself at a gym a certain understanding of the basic ground rules is a necessity:
1. Don’t interrupt someone training.
2. Your there to train, so train.
3. Do not stand around yakking – see point 2.
4. Do not bring your cellular phone with you – see point 2.
5. A sweat towel is actually necessary.
6. Put your weights back in THE RIGHT PLACE
7. I don’t have a problem with people that train with their romantic partners but FFS leave the kinky stuff at home (SP you know exactly who I’m talking about).
8. Gym is not a place to pickup chicks or guys etc – see point 2.
9. Don’t moan – no pain no gain, its true - rather stay home if you can’t handle that, because if I can hear you over my iPod you should not be there (or near me).
10. 20 Minutes of cardio isn’t going to do it… eating properly, being prepared and ensuring that you get into a routine will… so don’t moan if you eat fast food everyday and don’t see any improvements.
You could call these the 10 commandments.
Oh yes and Planet Fitness sucks!

Tagged

Ive been tagged by Cuteness;

Rules:

Each player starts off with 10 weird things / little known facts about themselves, and this rule MUST be stated in blog. Thereafter, 6 other people must be tagged, here goes;


I must state that most people that know me well will probably know all about my weird habits (but here goes anyway):

1. I am weird - thought I'd get this one out in the open.
2. I sleep very little, not by my choice mind you.
3. I have to find/have "balance" in everything (cause and effect etc) - Volume digits for example must always be an even number or a multiple of 5. Haha Cuteness we have a similar thing.
4. I am left handed yet tend to play sport with either my left or right hand (sometimes both - mind out of gutter).
5. I am currently a vitamin addict. If you've seen what I take in the morning you'll be shocked - my digs mates are.
6. I am addicted to communication, hence I speak all day on MSN, Skype, eMail and now Google Talk - this negates the time I speak on my phone and the number of sms's I send.
7. I tend to be too honest with people.
8. I need to be challenged
9. I spend a lot of time watching movies and series episodes (mostly while working).
10. I deplore ego

Lord Wiggly, Phlippy, Davey Crockett (my son you must become a blogger - I am your father therefore make it so :P) and Whiteboy (I don't know 6 bloggers hahahaa)

Taxi Please!

Hi there

There comes time in every adult's life where a decision is required to be made and stuck to. These types of decisions occur often and some are more ground breaking than others.

The decision I am had to make is due to a little episode that occurred on Saturday - after a standard Double R - big night out!

Without going into too much detail (I don't think it is really relevant), the following occurred. Leaving the 'haten at about 5:30, I was pulled over by one of those fine figures in blue and brown - Metro Traffic police. I was subjected to numerous breatherlisers (as the first 3 attempts retrieved null results) until a satisfactory (well to the police officer) result was obtained. I was in all senses over the "limit" and was placed under arrest. Now for no apparent reason that I can ascertain I was let off with nothing but a stern warning. The Angels were certainly looking after me.

There were quite a few thoughts rushing through my mind during this little episode:

- How could I be so stupid?
- What I am going to tell my friends, family and work colleagues?
- Will I survive the weekend?
- Is this breatherliser faulty?
etc etc

So I had to make a decision, based on the following possible scenarios:

1. Stop drinking to the Double R limitations and drink to the laws limitation.
2. Find and orchestrate a Designated Dave group and policy.
3. Get a taxi service.
4. Stop drinking.


I have done pt 4 a few times, but in fairness I quite enjoy a pot or 10... I do believe balance is important. Pt 2 requires people who are liked minded and committed - so far I know of one. Pt 1 is a possibility but then again do I really want to do this? Therefore my process of elimination pt 3 is the answer.

But this comes with a price - a lot of the time party venues tend to move with the group of friend which would mean either taxi'ing or catching a lift with a friend (dangerous because said friend might be boozed).

So there are additional considerations. Bottom line I am not going to jail for anything or anyone. There are a lot of my friends who read this and from now on when someone says have one more or I offer that extra drink, tempting as it may be - a "no" will be greated with a very sound understanding.

Double R - nearly DT-Jailbird over and out.

Skype, MSN, eMail and Collaboration

Right so here I sit at my laptop talking to a few friends simultaneously - how is this possible well the title should give you some idea. The concept of discussion and working to an end goal i.e. constructing and filling in a document is in my mind what collaboration is all about.

Now I work for a company that specialise in collaboration (well to a large extent) and as I remarked to a colleague today whilse at a French motor vehicle dealership (yes the French do make cars, fascinating!) because we are so exposed to a collaboration or process driven environment to such a high level we are constantly on the lookout for these situations and automatically assume a solution to the situation. Well at least I do.

So you can imagine how I can get when I speak to someone that either works for a company that does not allow tools such as Skype, MSN Messenger, Yahoo etc to be used - yes I know there are bandwidth considerations but lets be honest sending a mail to ask something that could be send via msn is hardly comparable (the email wastes a whole lot more). Enter the world of instant messengers!

Now picture this scenario... two work colleagues sit opposite sides of the office in order for them to communicate there are a few options:

1. Walk over and chat
2. Walk to get coffee and chat
3. Chat over the internal phone
4. Send and email
5. Instant Message

In points 1 and 2 - yes I would agree that you would probably do this as a break is a necessary evil and so is coffee... but you may be under a little bit of time pressure, or your colleague is, potentionally even on the phone etc...

Pt 3 may be an option unless your on the phone - but there are considerations such as should it be discussed open (in an open plan environment) or is there additional information that is required as part of the conversation.

Pt 4 requires opening up Outlook or the application that you use to send email and constructing an email based on the least amount of structure required for this medium. Now sending this email requires the recipient to wait for it to be delivered to his or her inbox... they will be required to open it... to click reply to all etc and reply... Yes I am making it sound like a long process its not really couple of minutes depending on the context.

Pt 5 is a little more adhoc than email, it is pretty much a case of open, select recipient (if they are online) type text wait for response. In most cases the recipient will have a window open up with message displayed or a already open window will flash. The recipient opens up replies and collaboration begins. The beauty of this form of communication is that the users can chat very quickly and pass information across a medium in a very unstructured form. From an infrastructure perspective it takes a load of the internal mail server - this is a good thing!

Both Pt 4 and 5 could occur whilst on the phone, in between working on a document etc...

What is quite humourous to note that in a company where collaboration via email or instant messenger is the norm, the workers can sit right next to each other and still use the electronic means of communication - LOL.

This is my favourite topic of discussion and I will be attempting a few more articles in the coming weeks exploring the concept...

Double/R

Hi I am Double R and I have a problem

I am never really known myself to be squealish - ok except for spiders and snakes... but only a little :) But there are two words that bring intense terror the second that I see them. I know that I am not the only one - Phlippy has suffered under this enormouse pressure as well - this does bring me some solice.

The worst bit is that I tend to frequent places of interest where I know that these words will be clearly visible... and I will (even though I am now clearly petrified) move closer and closer until it is too late. I am enveloped and cannot escape.

These two words are "DVD SALE" and they have a controlling influence at the moment.. my witch doctor says that by admitting that I have a problem I might get some control of it.
The worst two places - well worst be an operative word, I find it difficult to avoid Phase 2 in Sandton (advertising royalties pls or DVD discount haha) or Look and Listen in Hyde Park.

An hour or so of "just looking" while the pile of DVD's in my hand grows and grows and grows is quite normal and it takes super human effort as I leave to just put them down and realise that I have about 20 DVD's at home that I haven't watched yet (they're still in their plastic ;P) so I don't need these yet...

Moral Issue

Once upon a time in a land far far away... just kidding - my head hurts! Explanation to follow....

I have a friend, let’s call him Full stop (FS), said friend is a golfing buddy - quite a character incredibly good value... well he must be he’s one of my friends :P

To get you, the reader up to speed:
FS has been known to attend a few of the company "do's" the last one being the Xmas party - one of my "smaller" ones... (I will at some stage tell the story of my first week at the Imperial - my place of occupation.) Right I digress (hangovers are great - NOT!)...

So FS arrives at said Xmas party with his boss in tow - for the purpose of this blog and to try and stay on the moral high ground for as long as possible we'll call her Skank [SLAP] sorry Chick.

Right now at the time of arrival (FS and Chick), the boys and girl (we are in IT) were at the stage of Most-Hammered (I think a blog on my terminology would be good at some stage - chuckle) - this stage is when you’re ready to drink everything and anything cause this party is going to explode! FS introduces everyone to his boss Chick and we all start chatting... now Chick is quite competitive but in a silly kind of way - everything is a competition, which is fine if you can actually compete. A few drinks get administered Chick and I start getting a little friendly and FS pulls me aside and gives a speech... to which I am confused until he drops a little bit of information - she's married.

Aha strategy re-align...

Chick has not been wearing a wedding ring so I don't feel like a total toad and I subtract my involvement with her amicable - well I thought I did at least - no harm no foul. To be blunt at this stage she is overs... (that is basically the queue to be taken home to pass out). Ok this occurs and we end up at that terrible place the 'haten. :)

Ok so now up to speed the story continues:

FS has a little get together for his birthday last night... no problem - fantastic little prawn braai, mostly good conversation, mostly good company, a "bit" of liquor. I say mostly because FS has invited Chick.

I have no problem with the verbal lashing I received from Chick because I "abandoned" her at the Xmas party last year - bluntly I reminded her of your little LIFELONG COMMITMENT and my rule on clearly not getting involved with any woman that has made such a commitment - or do I mind the complete lack on anything intelligent to be added to the conversation from her part, or even the constant attempt to compete with me (or the rest of the people involved in the conversation) in everything that I said or discussed - to very honest and direct (as I was to Chick last night, I will paraphrase) “Chick, there is really no competition to speak of”.

I did humour her a bit to attempt to compete in a shooter competitions, but that was more for FS's sake than hers. PLEASE NOTE THAT SHE IS WEARING HER WEDDING RING - this is important to the rest of the story.

Now we're having a good time but Chick getting a little too friendly with all the lads at the party and very heavy with FS, Import (a friend of the big Guy who is now living in London) and myself. Fair enough Import and I are playing the game but we are also monitoring FS and Chick.

Morale issue #1 arrive…

Chick begins to offer some sexual favours all round and do mean all round, not one male team member that I am aware of (and this includes the gentlemen with their fiancee’s / girlfriends) was left alone at this stage… Some pretty graphic offerings too..

Moral issue #2…

At this stage there has been a lot of alcohol consumed, the lads are ready to party but FS and Chick are not really coherent… and seemed to have migrated to the couch in a distributed location. The lads head out, in search of the lesser spotted “Party Harder” venue… we ended up at a few choice establishments… choice in that we would probably never choice to go again! Back to the story – Chick and FS slept in the same bed, which I don’t have a problem with if the two people are adults and respect sanctities of marriage etc. I am NOT saying something happened – I am merely stating that in this case I it has seriously set off my Moral alarms.

FS and the big Guy are going to have a chat – I hope for FS’s sake he did not do anything…

SIGH random night in the end – as they happen :P

8 legged freak...

What is it about spiders that freak people out!?

To set the scene...

Last Friday, I attended my second day of an economics course (for those who have done this will know that 9 hours of Macroeconomics is pretty heavy).. I returned home to get ready for a 21st. My brother's best friend GayLord (happily named hahaha JKM)...

Anyway SweetPea, Screech (explanation will follow) and I were sitting in the living room watching a bit of rugger - discussing a digs' issue... when SweetPea out of the blue tells Screech "Don't look at the wall and go to your room..." Screech complies straight away - I guess there is some sort telepathy between the women in our digs (note that I am male - and I %^%# all clue to what was transpiring) . So I take a look over my left shoulder and there it is a Wolf Spider (bout the size of Microsoft Mouse - BG I want advertising royalties pls :) ) in the middle of the wall.

SweetPea moves into Screech's room, and I stand up - now I am not a fan of anything that crawls or slithers (yes my friends would ask why? some girls I have been involved with fit into that category - hence why I'm not a fan.. :P ) - anyhoo I'm thinking what the hell to do...

SCREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM

Screech lets one out - I tell you I must have jumped 5 ft...

Anyhow - I opened the doors to the patio and walked around to open the front door... my plan to move the freak out one way or the other... grabbing a curtain rail - like a joust (Knight in shining armour like) I manage to coax the freak outside... Mission complete... Girls return to normal, spider has disappeared - double R heads to 21st..

Meanwhile that little SOB has snuck into SweetPea's room... SP had headed off to the 'Haten so she was unaware of this little varmint till Monday...

Arriving home from work that afternoon, SweetPea informs me of the said varmint hiding above her door... after close inspection Spidey seemed to have expired.. enter my trusted joust for a little confirmation.. You'd think that a "little" spider would be scared of two humanoids with a big stick - negative, the possum impersonating spider attacked the stick.. crazy crazy crazy!

Anyway SweetPea at this stage had moved to safety - her bathroom and I had decided it was time to bring out some alternative measures... namely hurling slippers, slip slops and one times shoe at Spidey to get him to move...

No Luck...

In fairness I wasn't sure what to do ... and we decided waiting for Jem (the other guy in the house) to see if he could provide some valued input...

I had to leave for hockey, but they managed to catch this beast you had for the better part of an hour kept us rather busy...

It was rather amusing to see +-150Kg's of human (SP and I) held at ransom by probably 0.5kg of spider :)

Random Photos

Well, if there was anything to make a night full of fun - RANDOM PHOTO's it is...

I recently took a little trip, the goal to purchase a descent digital camera - mission accomplished.

What has incurred subsequently is what I have termed Random Photo Nights (RPN's). The goal of the night is to have a few sharpies (thats booze for the uninformed) and just get as many photos with the PIC's (Partners in Crime namely - Phlippy,Lord Wiggly, Davey Crockett and I) involved. Cuteness has been known to make a random appearance... We have never had a night where we haven't had a ball! The value of people that we have met and gotten to know - is well ginormous (thats really high)! Big up to the Peeps!

So if you see a rather rowdy bunch of blokes, with a camera talking bout Random Photos it could be us :) Join have a blast ;P

I'm back!

It is a very rare occassion that I feel the need to comment on an actual night or even a profound moment, but last night has to got to go down as one of my best nights ever.

I went out with the Crockett and the GG (german greek – it’s a short story for lata) for a “non” valentine evening. The plan was to watch some cricket at the local watering hole and then potentially head off to Frankies…

We stuck to the plan ;) (As good well behaved gentlemen do)

That’s where the good well behaved gentlemen portion of the story ends…
Can you say party HARDER!!!

I have titled this blog “I’m back” for the sole reason, that for the first time in a long time I actually don’t have that nagging thought that I’m lost – if you’ve ever been there you’ll understand what I mean.

Maybe I’ve finally gotten over that serious heart break from that special someone (who I still view as special but in a potential different light now) or may I have finally broken that code that I always look for when I’m trying to understand something – in this case I have finally broken the code to me.

Just a thought – well for me anyway :)

The point is now have an explanation on how I tick... I have an answer to the question that I have been asking myself for as long as I can remember (those that wish to go and throw up now may do sooooo ;) )... So glad to be me right now!

Hit Counter

So I thought it'd it be a good idea to put a hit counter on my site. I think though my counter is either broken or I'm getting way more viewing that I could imagine.

If this is the case, MANY MANY thanks for coming :)

Hope to see you again soon!

Sports and the people that abuse it!

I have been playing sport since the tender age of 3 and have had the opportunity to specialise in one or two sports - heavy training, intense focus, the works.... And to be very honest at this stage of my life I really don't mind what I play because I am just keen get out there and compete...

Now in my 20 years of sport I have had a wide range of involvement in many different ones; -Soccer,Hockey,Cricket,Baseball,Softball,Tennis,Squash,Action cricket,Golf etc.

I have coached, played, assisted and umpired - and regardless of what I have done, the same consistant trend has followed. Each of these sports requires a certain amount of time allocated to practise, understand and of course to play.

The scope of this blog or the question I am trying to fathom an answer to; is based on my own previous experience, in the last couple of years with one or more provincial, club and even a national team. Why spend all that time involved if you are not giving it your all?

In my mind if you want to compete, you not only need to be physically fit - and each sport has specific fitness requirements i.e. being able to swim 3Km might be a benefit from a stamina perspective but your not going to run the 100m's any faster - but mental fitness, being able to handle that BMT (Big match temperament) situation or pushing the body through that last bit of physical effort is such a rare quality (that can be nurtured if a willing participant is available) and definitely is the make or break of any good team.

Yogi Bera once said "Ninety percent of the game is half mental." Ok in fairness it doesn't really add up and may sound a little crazy, but he was American and a catcher (for the Yankees) - so you have to be a little lenient. He is right though in his way the game - in his case baseball, but it applies to everything - is 90% mental.

I am digressing a little here, but the point I am trying to make is preparation is a key component to being competitive... It boggles my mind to think that sportsmen (and women) tend to rely on God given talent even to provincial level. I have personally witness some really gifted sportsmen breakdown because they do not have the solid backup discussed in the previous paragraph.

I am constantly amazed at the outlook or approach that some of my team-mates will present in a given situation. Sporting codes aside, it is intensely frustrating to watch a team get selected, not on merit but on "who’s my best friend" or "the right colour" or "the best reputation"... This is just plain stupid unless your entire team selected on those criteria is actually the best in the relevant position (the odds of this are incalculable!). What is the point of playing a game if you don't want to be at your best? There is an argument about playing for fun - no one has fun if you’re not at your best, even in a drinking league. To watch your team crumble around you in a tough situation is probably the hardest feeling I have ever had to digest - I definately don't understand it. Maybe I just expect too much from people?

I will never forget when I played U10 baseball we had to learn this pledge:

"I trust in God,
I love my country and I will respect its laws,
I'll play fair and strive to win,
But win or lose I will always do my best!"

Pity more sportspeople weren't exposed to that as I child.

Manners, Manners and WTF!?

It has become more and more apparent to me that the human race is falling into a rut. This rut has some pretty negative connotations and is beginning to lead us into a disastrous place, a place where survival of the fittest may mean a movement back into the dark ages, a time where killing your brother is part of becoming a great warlord (Genghis Khan did it, and he is considered a hero to some and a villain to others).

Quite simply the human being is forgetting that the simplest bits of what being human are all about. What is it that differentiates us from mere animals? Is it not that we treat our weak (weak may not necessarily be a sign of strength in this case) and aged with some level of humanity (interesting choice of word here and you will see why further on).

Take for example the situation that I had the displeasure of being involved in this morning:

"Whilst popping into my local food depot - yes I require a relatively large quantity of protein (please see http://www.phlippysaurus.blogspot.com/ - Mad Protein post :) ) I was asked by a rather vertically challenged lady to pass her some produce from the top shelf. Being that I am a tall lad it was merely a stretch, grab and pass - easy enough... and being that I am usually quite well mannered with a "There you go Ma'am" I passed the product to the "nice lady" and turned to carry on my basket loading.

There was little warning for the verbal abuse that I received from the second I had let go of the said product.

My friends that know me well can attest to my being quite happy to hurl some abuse when required; but its usually directed at someone I know well... there is of course the usual chirp whilst involved in some sport or other...

But I have never to this day (including this day) insulted or patronised a stranger of any creed, size, height etc on purpose for no reason, so to be told that I have insulted someone by merely doing them a favour (and showing said person a little respect) is totally ludicrous. In my mind it made no difference that this woman was dressed like my 13 year old niece and was no less than a day older than 60. I was merely doing what I would do for anyone – helping when/if I can.”

I wonder where society is headed if the so-called elders that we are to follow, respect and learn from; cannot distinguish between a helping hand and an insult - I guess there are more cracks in society than I had initially thought.

So my question is, how would you define humanity? Is there really a problem or was this dear Madam part of the exception – gee I hope so!?

The Lesser Spotted Intelligent Yank

Sitting at home watching a decent bit of South African sport - rugby! an interesting topic arose.

When it comes down to the wire which is more entertaining American football, Ozzie Rules, Rugby Union or Rugby League (15 man or 7 man) ... there is no real correct answer it is purely a matter of personal opinion.

What did get raised (which is really the focus of this posting) as a pretty laughable (or scary dependable on your outlook) is the clear and present lack of basic intelligence represented by the American population. Based on their 1st world rating, the average "man in the street" should be able to point out on an atla where the USA is and where for example Sydney is. The statistics for the failure in this test is gobsmacking... I would hate to misquote but some where in the region of 3 in 5 cannot answer this correctly.

I have had the pleasure of travelling extensively and there is a high ratio (in comparison to other nationalities) of stupid Yanks trudging around the world [9/11 did slow them down for a good bit of time], wasting valuable oxygen.

This is by no means to say that other nationalities are rocket scientists, but when you think that America is supposed to be the number 1 world power, and its majority population (lets not forget their leader) are pretty much on the double digit IQ level! It begs this one thought - who is deciding to press that button? I am of course speaking of the nuclear / WWIII catalyst.

Sitting in an Ice Fridge (drinking some lovely vodka) in Hong Kong last month, chatting to a mechanic from the USS Eisen***** I was presented with the much awaited breath of fresh air, this bloke could actually string a sentence together and actually was aware where South Africa is! Needless to say we drank more vodka and surprisingly provided some decent intelligent conversation.

I made careful note of the date and time of this chance meeting as it is a rare occasion to meet an Intelligent Yank!

double R - signing off :)

Welcome Welcome Welcome

Due to popular demand (or rather lack there of - my friends were doing it and I do hate to miss out on fun stuff like this), I deemed it necessary to create a blog for the pure enjoyment of providing my opinions (yes you can get them here for free :) ), providing something of forum for topics of interest to me (yes, ME and you will notice its my blog and I'll say what I want!) and most importantly providing an area where my favourite form of entertainment can be expressed - that is the commonly occuring "throwing of abuse" :)

So feel free to say what you like; enjoy the blog for what it is intended for - do not attack anyone personally - keep it on the high ground... and it will all be swell!

regards

double R ( real name kept secret for security purposes)