Dressing the time away...

On an ordinary day - I wake up, pull on a pair of partially-torn black stockings and scrounge around for a skirt that will not fly away in Grahamstown’s ever changing weather, decide which black t-shirt is clean and head out to lectures with messy hair and no time for breakfast. On Tuesday 27th October, I did things a bit differently…

I was wearing jeans because my washing pile was almost putting Mount Everest to shame. The weather was hot. Cold. And then… hot again! Tabby and I therefore decided to walk to Steers for one of their amazing R3 soft serve ice-creams. The result of this was that we went on a spontaneous shopping expedition. Not the usual shopping, which was what I was planning on doing since I needed washing powder, but the ‘girl-kind’. The “getting stuck in small changing rooms, touching every item as you wander past isles of clothing, shoes, underwear, makeup, anything of interest, then pausing to go back yet again in case you have missed something” type of shopping.

In the magical land of Mr. Price, I came across a dress, of colours not red, black or white. Without even a thought of the journalism assignment, I decided it may be a good idea to broaden my horizons and my wardrobe, just a tad.

When I reported back to my peers in my journalism tutorial, and told them of my new experience, and the fact that I had bought a dress that was not black and was indeed a summer dress, their response was astonishing. In High School Musical unison, everyone turned to face me and said, “WHAT!?”

People who hardly knew me were perplexed and couldn’t believe their ears. I found the whole experience highly entertaining.

I now have a new dress, which took an hour to decide upon, and a story to tell many people.

Review and Spew

Blogging is an art. You have to have the right balance between visual appeal and content. With excellent visuals and sloppy content, a blog will not hold on to its readers. While if you have a blog which is over-run with text even though the content is of the utmost profound nature, people will not even bother to attempt your jumbled mess.

The layout of fellow Rhodes students’ blog, Write Side up the categories application, makes it easy to find blog posts with content relevant to the individual. Unfortunately, I was unimpressed with the overall appearance of the blog, as it lacked pictures and extra links.

The blog is far more light-hearted than the members profess it to be, and although the approach was refreshing I found my attention wandering to what the Smuts dining hall would do to make lunch unappetising today.

The blog burnt holes in my eyes with its incomprehensible use of text colour for a few of the older posts. This was to be the only impression of the blog to be left branded at the back of my brain. Not a good start.

As I paged through the blog, I noticed that there were empty posts, headlines without content and no indication as to who wrote particular posts. This blog is shabby and neglected.

Among all the negativity, there shone out a few interesting and amusing posts, an overall entertaining read.

This blog is one to view, but not one to particularly follow religiously.

Sushi Supreme - well for a Small Town

Sushi is one of my favourite meals and over the past few months I have experienced the greatest cravings for it. But what happens when you're stuck in a small town, reduced to a student budget and know that you're taking a chance by indulging in a potentially sickening experience – you take the risk any way. My parents always told me never choose fish meals from aeroplane menus and never eat raw fish from small dodgy restaurants. I guess now all I have to do is order fish on an aeroplane.

Last week Friday I decided to take the plunge. I went to a small restaurant tucked in the centre of Grahamstown called Yellow House. To accompany me on my journey I brought my ball and chain thinking it would be the wise thing to do considering I am reduced to a student budget and sushi is not the cheapest meal ever. I honestly was expecting the worst before we ordered three different sushi platters. The theory at the time was if we are having sushi we are going to have as many kinds as we could hoping at least one type would be good . After waiting about 15 minutes the platters arrived – my stomach cringed a bit knowing this could hurt tomorrow. Armed with chopsticks I picked up the first piece of sushi which happened to be a California Roll. I then in tradition covered it in wasabi and soya sauce - surprisingly it was AMAZING. After months of sushi deprivation the ball and chain and I somehow ate all the sushi leaving nothing behind except a couple of sesame seeds that managed to escape the feast. The following day I am glad to report, there were no symptoms of any kind of food poisoning.

The new experience of eating potentially life threatening cuisine from a small town restaurant proves that old wives tales are not always true – now it is time to put the next tale to the test. Fish on an aeroplane here I come.

Note Pads and Deadlines How Quaint

By: Ashleigh Beddow

There are plenty of rublogs afloat on the internet but it is often difficult for a reader to find a sharp needle in the hay stack. Few lack the zing that Note Pads and Deadlines boasts. Note Pads and Deadlines is an entertaining and fresh blog that cleverly concerns itself with issues that are relevant not only to first year journalism students but rather anyone who reads it. The blog follows four students from Rhodes University as they document their thoughts on issues that impact and concern them. Each post clearly paints a picture students personality and point of view.

The content of the blog ranges from how the students came to choose to study journalism, to well thought out opinions on local and international news and issues. The posts are easily read and understood accompanied by highly attractive, creative headlines and relevant links. The collaborative efforts of all the members enable the reader to engage with the blog and its authors.

The blog layout is craftily set out to match its name along with writing fonts on note pads that give the reader an impression of hand written notes. The blog is unfortunately lacking flair in colour and widgets together with a hefty degree of spelling mistakes within the posts. Once looking past these minor errors Note Pads and Deadlines is an impressive blog that takes the reader on a journey exposing life as seen through the eyes of students.

Aspiring jounos on the spot

It’s amazing how one’s perceptions change after they’re read or seen something, it could be a movie, a book or anything. I gave myself time to view my fellow journalism students’ blogs, something I don’t usually do and I was quite impressed by the way other people write. I browsed through all other blogs but I found the “wanna b journos” blog quite fascinating. Their layout template was unique and I’m sure I didn’t only grab my attention but every single person that checks out their blog as well. The first posts were quite boring because they were personal and totally irrelevant to journalism however as I went on reading the rest of their posts started getting more absorbed to their articles. Their choice of words is will certainly draw many readers’ attention not forgetting the pictures that accompany every single article postedThe first few posts are quite personal, that one may be disappointed by their content but as you go down to read other posts you’ll find them very powerful and significant for example there’s a post about abantu basemjondolo (people from slums) and the way they are denied their right to peaceful life by the government who want to move them every now and then because they don’t see the them appropriate enough to be situated in certain places yet the majority of south African citizens occupy informal settlements. http://wannabjournos.blogspot.com/2009/10/victory-in-settlements.html

cathedral caters for all

There’s one place many people forget to visit more especially when they’re working under pressure…church. Many people pass by and don’t even take notice of it and yet it’s the only place that connects you with God, where you can find peace of mind after a long day or week. The cathedral of st Michael and st George situated in high street was built in 1842. This building is said to be attracting many tourists but there are people who’ve been in grahamstown for more than five years but have never set their foot there. I chose to visit cathedral firstly because I’ve never been there myself however i've always wanted to visit  it but always told my self that i don't have the time. after my visit which took me a couple of hours i became aware that i need such calmness and spiritual and physical healness in my life no matter how busy iam three hours of visiting wouldn't hurt because it helped me find time to relax and stop thinking about deadlines, meetings and all that. If you’re feeling distressed, hopeless, or simply tired of doing the same thing or visiting the same places don’t hesitate visit the Cathedral and you won’t regret it as well.

Evolution of the Spectator

I can’t seem to tear myself away from the man I love and therefore I find myself accompanying to his favourite local spot, the gaming centre. Until recently I just sat there chatting and trying to make time pass quickly but then I was faced with the task of doing something out of the ordinary for an hour, well this hour turned into four. I set myself in front of the computer and clicked on the ‘start game’ button-the name of the game I chose was Dota- the next step was to choose my character, and wow what a tough choice that was considering all the diverse options I was faced with. After eventually picking a character the game had already started, I felt extremely disadvantaged being a ‘noob’- computer lingo for a ‘new gamer’-and not being at my starting position like everyone else. I fought the temptation to start over and began casting fiery balls at the opposing team when suddenly I could no longer see my character on the screen. To my disappointment I learned that I had died, ALREADY! My disappointment faded on my revival and I found myself focusing more intensely on avoiding the spells cast by my opponents. Four hours later and I could finally pull myself form the screen with a satisfied feeling of victory as my team DOMINATED! Phew, what an intense experience and what fun playing a game with and against your friends, you really could call it a team sport. I walked in a bored spectator and emerged a victorious ‘nerd’.

Rant-a-View Review

I took a look at one of my colleague group’s blog and what seemed like would be a rather tedious task soon turned out to be an interesting, informative experience. The name of the blog is Rant-a-View and these blogger's sure can rant. Ranting can be tiresome but I found myself reading the last post and trying to scroll down for more, their ranting is full of passion and for giving me something of interest to think about while doing an academic task I must say thank you. This blog was clearly set out making it enjoyable to look at and easy read. The issues that were covered in the posts were of great diversity and the personalities reflected by the posts were all very unique creating the perfect platform for a wide variety of readers. The writers all made their stance on issues very clear and bought fresh debates to the table. I found it very creative the way they included a little activity for the bored web-surfer to consume their time. I also thought it was extremely innovative to include a current ‘hot’ South African topic in the side bar of their blog with many interesting articles relating to the topic. The only thing I think the blog lacks is pictures attached to the articles to make it more visual friendly and not seem so intimidating however this blog achieved its purpose of making me think (which is a rare occurrence) so I would have to say that it is definitely a worth while read.

Racism stinks

It saddens me to see how our citizens are in a battle of race. Nothing seems to matter than spotting racists and which race should be rulling. A clear example of this can be seen from one of our government officials Julius malema, president of ANCYL (ANC youth league). Every time he opens his mouth… racist words come out and our government does nothing about it which actually gives me an idea that they are not against it but are hiding behind malema because they don’t want their names dragged into mud nonetheless it affects them because it raises a question of poor governance and favouritism.


For example City Press published an article (2009-10-11) on Julius where he demanded to see Ned bank chief executive Tom Boardman not his “junior black faces” to discuss the institutions’ withdrawal of its sponsorship for Athletics South Africa (SAA). He said the bank’s withdrawal showed that it did not trust Africans and it also projected that Africans can’t handle money. If it was for him we would be having a black country because he was quoted by the dispatch saying “Why is the African leadership not given an opportunity to occupy strategic positions in the economic sector? If you look at the security cluster, it is all Africans. Are we reduced to security? But he forgets one thing, that you work for a good position you don’t attain it because of your skin color.

http://www.citypress.co.za/Content/Politics/News/2259/c4b4a8834d364d8e8f8cd2639ecc8b42/11-10-2009-02-16/Malema_ultimatum
 
http://www.wonkie.com/2009/08/11/is-julius-malema-racist/

Silenced with a 'Z'

What really pounds on my nerves is how some people will refer to South Africa as a land rich and alive with possibility, without realising the implications of such a statement.

To what extent is this statement true? Can we voice our opinions openly or do we, as the ‘new generation’, have to hide behind bars, cower in corners and allow corruption to go unnoticed. Perhaps we should be taking the extremist approach like that of Jonathan Shapiro…

South Africa, as Zapiro thought, would be a great place to introduce an idea sparked off by a similar show in France. Zapiro thus began planning a show what was to be called, “ZA News”.

ZA News is a political satire documentary mocking many of our ‘favourite’ political figures. Unfortunately, being a ‘free’ people, the show was banned from Television. The SABC was scheduled to air the documentary. Thankfully for the actual ‘freedom of speech’ offer by the Internet, the show can still be viewed by those who are aware of its existence.

How can South Africa have the audacity to include in their Constitution that an individual has the right to freedom of speech, when a show of ZA news’ nature is unacceptable. The irony is that this show is not the first of its kind. Similar shows have been accepted in neighbouring African countries, and abroad.

Perhaps freedom is an illusion, for if it is not absolute, it cannot exist.

If you have not yet experienced the hilarious nature of ZA News, here are some interesting Links which shall enrich your mind, and give you laugh lines as deep as craters:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ScDi5dMa3HI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EZjPQjTBrlU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lKgvJBJq4Fw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RkDrSnJ2Vlo&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L8Aq042KPSg&feature=related

Shoot to kill: Trigger Happy Protectors?

Less than a month ago at the Pretoria Voortrekker Monument, President Jacob Zuma voiced his support for the implementation of the amendment to Section 49 of the Criminal Procedure Act. The amendment or 'shoot to kill' policy as it has been coined permits police to shoot in self defence during dangerous situations. Zuma claimed the act is meant to "send a strong message to criminals".

The new amendment has stirred up many debates around issues such as the violation of human rights and whether police may abuse the amendment becoming 'trigger happy' in unnecessary situations. However when statistics are analysed it is clear that extraordinary measures need to be taken in order to combat crime. Statistics on South African crime rates reveal that on average 50 people are murdered every day, business robberies have risen by 45% and house hold robberies have increased by 27.3%. Zuma was not far from the truth when he stated that "we have an abnormal crime problem in South Africa". Recently South Africa has been placed second on the murder-per-captia crime statistics with only Columbia in front.

Crime and violence are no new leech to the citizens of South Africa, the new amendment may appear as an extreme alternative and not the most diplomatic way of reducing South African crime, but when talking has provided no real results the only option left is that of force.

Cannabis Behind Bars

Alcohol is legal, cigarettes are legal and both are highly taxed placing a huge impact on South Africa’s economy. Alcohol leads to impairment of perceptions making for irrational thought processes and careless aggressive behaviour which in turn leads to many deaths. Cigarettes are proven to be one of the most addictive drugs and lead to many illnesses and can harm even those who do not smoke but who simply come into contact with the smoke. What then makes Cannabis illegal and alcohol and cigarettes legal? There is no medical evidence that Cannabis is as harmful as cigarettes, Cannabis does not cause aggression, you cannot overdose on Cannabis, there is no proof that Cannabis is addictive and there is no statistical or medical evidence that Cannabis leads to doing other drugs. The legalisation of Cannabis would mean that the police could spend their time on more important, harmful criminal activities, the jails would then be less overcrowded, agricultural opportunities would arise creating more employment and the economy would sore. Nationwide it is estimated that the annual turnover in the informal dagga agriculture is twice that of the legal liquor trade, imagine the income generated if it were to be taxed! The South African Police Service has even abandoned its war against ‘tokers’ saying that resources would be “freed up to focus on more serious crime”. There would be clear benefits from the legalisation of Cannabis so why are far more destructive substances legal but Cannabis is not?

http://cannabisni.com/world-wife-cannabis-news/934-sa-popcru-puffs-up-a-storm-over-push-for-dagga-legalization

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v_QQxWYNecw

Newspapers should be used to clean mushy pea stains…

The time has come, when all matrics across South Africa begin to tremble. The department of Education is ready, the students possibly ready, and the teachers wishing their darlings “good luck” and the hope to not see them in school uniforms next year.
Newspapers follow this mayhem closely, as though every year an article to reassure students, parents and teachers is of utmost necessity. The Herald on friday, 16 October, printed an article, “Matrics ready for exams, says Bhisho”.
The article appears to be aimed at people whom are not concerned with the level of education – it is not aimed towards parents of pupils, pupils or teachers but to the general public. The article states that the matric students of 2009 aim towards achieving a “higher pass rate in their final examinations”, even though the article only consults with authority figures and fails to speak to students. How can one believe that the matrics can be ready, if you have not yet consulted with them?
Students should have been added into this piece. Articles such as this one causes me realise the ideologies newspapers are feeding its readers. Students are the unimportant, but ironically important in his particular situation, and are thus completely ignored. Perhaps there are conflicting opinions with regards to the trial exams, between the authority figures and the opinions of the students. This article is yet another example where journalists are reporting on subject in a way which ignores the main important people and sources. Some articles in the paper should just be used to clean up dirty mess.

Eishkom Never Ceases to Amaze!

Many people in South Africa may find themselves resorting new ways of generating energy by April 2010 due to Eskom’s failure to keep up with the demands of South Africa’s power consumption. October 13th the National Energy Regulator of South Africa was faced with a proposition by Eskom to increase their electricity tariffs by 45% annually for the next three years to support their expansion programme. Consumers are outraged as the hiked tariffs would take an average suburban households electricity bill from R760 a month to R3,000 by 2012. The poor, however, will receive double their monthly allocation of 50KW of free electricity placing these extra costs on the shoulders of the taxpayers of South Africa. This just seems like another ploy for the ANC to keep their supporters happy and win votes. Hiked electricity tariffs will result in middle to upper class citizens spending less money on resources that bring income into the country, this in turn will result in higher inflation rates and manufacturing companies will be forced to cut costs by retrenching many of their poor factory workers in order to fit their electricity bills so how can this be of benefit to anyone other than Eskom themselves? Here is something that is really going to knock your socks off...Companies like BHP Billiton, the BIGGEST power consumers in South Africa will not be expected to pay the increased tariffs because they have had long standing contracts with Eskom, this will result in us paying for electricity that we don’t even use! What I find most amazing is that Eskom has money to waste on giving their top guns huge bonuses, I don’t see why as consumers we must pay for their cushioned lifestyles.

My inspiration:

http://www.fin24.com/articles/default/display_article.aspx?Articleld=1518-1786_2556081
http://www.busrep.co.za/index.php?fArticleld=5202514
http://www.timeslive.co.za/opinion/editorial/article151538.ece
http://dispatch.co.za/atticle.aspx?id=351898

First mainly Vegetarian spider discovered

Nature has its way of startling us and this time a spider has done the job. Normally spider species feed on other insects and a bit of plants but Bagheera Kiplingi (the spider) prefers feeding on leaf tips rather than on its fellow creatures and it is the only spider known to consume solid vegetative plant. Many biologists and authors both in field observation and chemical analyses confirmed that the spider’s tissue only show herbivorous characteristics.
This type of spider also known as beltian bodies, that is the nutrient-rich growths on acacias usually consumed by the ants that defend the trees in a symbiotic relationship have incredibly advanced sensory cognitive skills and eight legged agility thus this makes it hard for their predators to catch them.
Biologists discovered this rare creature in the forests of Central America and it’s the first spider found to be feeding primarily on plants. Bagheera has been named after a panther in Rudyard Kipling's The Jungle Book and it lives in acacia trees. Few other creatures like this were found to be feeding on small quantities of nectar but did not rely on nectar as their staple diet.
This kind of spider has been observed to be a jumping spider and its herbivorous nature was first discovered in 2001 in Costa Rica by Eric Olsen from Brandeis University in Waltham, Massachusetts. Bagheera males are the only known examples of caring fatherhood among spiders. They help the mothers to look after their eggs and young and both parents remain with the young after they hatch.



http://www.news24.com/Content/SciTech/News/1132/fd06d63a7da949069a5790b6dec85789/16-10-2009-12-01/Vegetarian_spider_found

OR
http://esciencenews.com/articles/2009/10/12/first.mainly.vegetarian.spider.described

The Optimistic Santana challenges the odds

Joel Santana is no stranger to scrutiny after accepting the position of South Africa football coach in May last year. Bafana Bafana - currently 73^rd on the FIFA World Ranking – as of June this year have suffered defeat in eight of nine friendly matches including the latest 1-0 defeat on Tuesday to 96^th ranked Iceland. According to citypress.co.za Santana and his team are still optimistic about reaching the 2010 World cup Final.

Santana who is paid R1.4 million monthly is looking as though he does not have the magic needed to transform Bafana into a winning team before the 2010 FIFA World Cup. A recent report on iol.co.za states that The South African Football Association (Safa) president Kristin Nematandani said Santana had until the next two friendly games against Japan and Jamaica in November to pull Bafana right. Santana on the other hand according to sport24.co.za dismissed calls for his head in stating he knows of no national coach who was fired as a result of losing friendly matches.
It seems as Bafana and their Brazilian coach are looking at the glass half full in the build up to the 2010 World Cup despite the fact that SAFA see it as evidently empty. South Africans and media alike need to stop condemning the fate of our team. Bafana Bafana having home ground advantage will undoubtedly put on a performance not to be missed.

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