Are you more of a corporate manager, or a children’s show presenter?
Do you have the time to enter an ultramarathon or are you better off focusing on the problems in front of you?
Will a holiday away actually be relaxing for you? Or should you rather sleep in at home?
Will you benefit from buying that new iPhone, or should you put the money into a savings account?
I think all of the options above are valid. They just need to match up with the rest of your life to avoid angst.
I was referred a book today. I love referrals. They are the polar opposite of the random, googled, cold-called experience.
Whether it is for a contractor’s services, a new restaurant, a new employee, a new product, or for a well written explanation of a concept – it is far easier and more enjoyable to digest the unknown if it comes as a referral from someone you know and trust.
People are prickly. If you came into my house shouting at me to buy something I’d push you out.
Speak to me for four years consistently on a topic. Speak to me in a neutral venue. Be respectful. Build a track record you can show me over the years. Then maybe I’ll buy what you’re selling.
Maybe.
We were looking for a beach today. We found a creek at low tide which was so great it reminded me of Kenya.
The sand was soft and golden, the water was cool and the sun baked us warm from above.
Fish were exposed in the shallow water. We tried to catch them in a net and we were joined by a couple of dogs on their walk. It was a dog paradise.
South Africa lacks the tropical humidity and heat of Kenya, but today was close. Low tide was calm, hot and water flowed in as the tide changed.
Life slowed down for a while which is always good.
My time as a teenager obsessed with sport has run out, of course. I’m older but I still love sport. I wish I could have the chances I had again. It makes me nostalgic to think of chances missed. But I digress.
This morning I took one of the girls to the clubhouse (we’re staying at a golf resort, leaving tomorrow – which reminds me I need to play again before we go) for a drink and snack. Still early, there was a golf competition about to get under way. There must have been around 60-70 teenagers all warming up, practicing putting and looking very serious about the game ahead. My guess is it was a junior provincial tournament.
South Africans have very high standards for organising sport and youth in sport. There is so much for a child to do in SA compared to other countries, especially in Africa. This applies to most sports. As they grow up, my girls can surf, play soccer, netball, hockey, squash, swim, cycle, run, and have the facilities to do it for years and at a high level if they choose. This is unique in Africa.
The teenagers were funny to watch. There is a certain seriousness mixed with awkwardness that attaches itself to teenage sport. I remember it well.
They had a hot day well spent under the African Sun.
So what shall we do with our 24 hours?
Today I played golf under the African sun. I then watched the sun go down with my two baby girls. It’s also my wedding anniversary so I bought my wife a present. We have a good marriage. 6 years now.
A day well spent. But the sun still reminds me of passing time.
Tomorrow needs exercise, communication, and creativity. It needs love.
Another one like today will do just fine. A good day.
Can a civilisation function without free speech?
It is my personal belief that more speech is the only answer. Yes even hate speech. Even the most vile, racist, biased, twisted, evil ranting should be allowed, if only to point to and say out loud – “This is bullshit”.
Before I learned how to drum, all I heard was guitar and voices. I wasn’t listening for the drums as an instrument in any music I heard.
Once you start listening for new things in music, it opens up a whole world. This is something I love. I have recently tried to listen out for any horns sections in songs – there’s a surprising amount of horns out there!
Back to drums – as a backing instrument it rarely gets the credit it deserves. Consider this an effort at shining the light on two examples.
Muddy Waters’ “Mannish Boy” has impeccable blues drumming. It kicks off the track and keeps it rock solid so that he can moan and growl on top. It’s so hard to drum slow and strong like this.
An easier one to hear: Ringo in the Beatles’ “Ticket to ride” adds syncopation and a lurching thump. This beat keeps an otherwise very average song up in the clouds.
Listen for the drums :).
They creep up on you, those “middle aged guy” things. Seeping into your life. Maybe examples will help.
One massive desire I have is for a room to be used by me as a place to relax and pursue hobbies away from the rest of the family. I want a Man Cave really bad.
With this realisation I concede to middle age. Now excuse me while i spend my day grumbling about what’s on the radio, and discussing the state of politics.
Not really. But my back is sore. And I do want that man cave.
I’ve commissioned my good friend Mart over at avelingartworks.com to create a new profile picture. I love the existing one but I don’t want to infringe on copyright rules as it was sourced on the web.
New one looks great so far! Can’t wait for the finished product!
Chimpwithcans 