The neighbours that live behind us have had a party from Friday evening and as of today (Sunday 14h00), all we heard was singing - sounded like choir practice, loud music, kids playing in the pool but screaming on top of their voices - non stop - and then this morning at 07h45 we were woken up to a choir of voices.  After peeping over the fence, annoyed, there must have been about 20-25 people there. 

Now I dont mind my neighbours having parties - every now and again - and making a bit of noise up to midnight which i think is a reasonable time to "give it up".  But to continue with the noise the whole week-end is a little ridiculous.  And this happens almost once every 3 weeks where a week-end becomes a social spot for what seems to be a whole community.

At no point were we even told that this would happen - AGAIN - and it is becoming a little frustrating.  I wonder if there are any laws against this kind of disruption?

   

There was a recent article containing the above pictures stating that this Iranian boy was being punished for stealing bread and that this was based on Shariah Law.  Firstly they clearly do not know what Shariah law is about and if they had a clue on Islam itself, they would understand that children of this age are not punished for stealing food.  What the writer failed to show is that WHERE in Shariah law this is found. 

Now after much investigation and after seeing this I couldnt help but think of "street" performers because the child was not being held down, the male had a microphone, his arm was placed on a thick blanket, etc etc.....(knowledge, understanding and logic apply here). 

It turns out that the original pictures were taken from a 2005 Iranian weblog on peykeiran.com. They are credited to "Siamak Yari" The two-part article is no longer on line, but some sniffing around turned it up nevertheless (a good reminder that whatever one publishes on the Internet is potentially there forever!):

http://web.peykeiran.com/net_iran/irnewsbody.aspx?ID=22394 contained the first four pictures.
http://web.peykeiran.com/net_iran/irnewsbody.aspx?ID=22395 contained the last four pictures.

The second part contained three pictures that are omitted from the e-mail. These are those pictures:

Siamak Yari Street magicians perform the well-known trick of driving a car over somebody's arm which remains unharmed.

Siamak Yari Street magicians perform the well-known trick of driving a car over somebody's arm which remains unharmed.

Siamak Yari Street magicians perform the well-known trick of driving a car over somebody's arm which remains unharmed. image:46948:5::0

The publisher of this article was interviewed and he categorically stated that the reader failed to take not of the corresponding caption to these pictures.  He mentioned that this was part of a Maareke giry or street magic act.

Considering that the writer did not take time off to do research on the above article, I would be sceptical as to what other lies are published in his blog/s.  It amazes me that somebody can misconstrue something so innocent and yet lable it a religious practice without proof.  I was also told once before by the same writer that the majority of the citizens of Sweden were atheist, hence their total good, moral lifestyle, only to find out that this was also a lie - 80% are Christian (hence their good, moral lifestyle).

Free speech should be proven and honest (unlike the above).  According to the Quran (religious book), it encourages people to prove it wrong - which therefore allows freedom of speech, with proof.  I am sure the Bible has something similar.  Free speech has always been based on proof, however free speech that has been offensive and abusive in any form normally carries no proof.

One thing I have learnt is not to believe anything I read or hear until proven.  People will slander religions, cultures, races, etc for their own hateful reasons.  People must also remember that millions were killed by atheists (ie Stalin - 20 million, Mao - 23 million, Phol Pot - 3 million).

You are never going to get agreement and acceptance by any group which means free speech could potentially be detrimental to a normal society.  The one thing we can count on is TRUTH. 

I now dare the writer to apologise for the above as I am sure it would have offended many!! 

I have been waiting for this movie to come out because it looked like a really good, FAMILY, viewing.

Step Brothers
What a disappointment.  It all began with the bad language which we hoped would diminish as the 8 year old and 15 year old were watching with us.  Almost every second word was F*&#@ which started to irritate me after about the first 15 minutes.  Then came the "what i will do with your mother bit" which almost prompted me to put it off and then the final crunch came when the one step brother physically placed his testicles on his other step brothers drum set (whether actual testicles or fake, the fact was that they showed it).  That was when i turned it off - it was far from family viewing, embarassing to be quite honest.  The concept behind the type of comedy would have been brilliant but without the sordid language and visual put offs.  If you are planning to view it with kids, mother in law or mother then dont bother - quite disrespectful.  If you find this kind of stuff densely amusing then i suppose take it.  Just a waste of money and not for the family.

Eagle Eye
Absolutely brilliant.  From the time you put the movie on until the end there is non stop action - brilliant story, great actors and a real thrill.  No time to even put the kettle on.  Highly recommended

This sexy, sassy message that contains a Valentine
Is all because I want the Samsung phone to just be mine
To hold, to feel within my grip, excitement when it rings
To chat away to all my friends - what happiness it brings
It's mine this valentine - DIVINE!!

 




Of recent times we have been either forced to buy take-outs because of electricity issues (still hits now and again), or working late and needing to do a quick eat.

Macdonalds, Nando's, Kentucky, Something Fishy, Debonnaires and Scooters food is awful. There used to be a time when you walked in and could get all of the aroma's, whether it be in the take-out facility or once you have dished up in the home.  NOTHING!!!!  And not only are the foods bland, it is more expensive and you get less than before - smaller burgers with tons of chips, very little sauce, smaller chicken pieces, horrible kentucky mash and gravy and coleslaw (these used to be my favourite), less cheese on the pizzas with tiny bits of meat if you order a meat extreme and the bases are so dry you could use them for frizzbies.

What is happening.  has the economy forced everybody to give less and charge more and to hell with the taste - it seems like it.  These experiences have recently made me think outside the box and create quick dishes that can be cooked/prepared and eaten within half an hour.  It is fresh, i can garnish as i like and the family love it - strangely enough i now save about R230 a time when cooking and not buying out.

I am so grateful - after 5 long gruelling days and nights, my sick little dog is now running around, and talking to me with her little moans and groans that she normally does.  BUT...................
now my other little one has it as well.  He is now lying around - a little more active but still not himself...so i will do the same as before and keep a vigilant watch over him, feed him with water and mielie meal with a syringe and keep him comfortable.  Seems almost like some kind of bacteria that has gotten into them.  Dont know anywhere near enough about dog diseases so i have to wing it a little.  Lets hope he is ok. 

I was given a little puppy (cross jack russel) which was being ill-treated by the previous owner.  I have to be honest, i couldnt really afford a dog, but I also couldnt bear the thought that this dog was being abused - considering it was only 7 weeks old.  I must say at this point I am not an animal person per se, but abuse of animals I will not tolerate and will do what i have to to help.  I have now had her for about 2 months now and she is so beautiful.  A few days ago she stopped eating, her hair began to fall out a little and she lost weight quickly.  I got quite worried and called the local SPCA who said i should contact Booysens SPCA as they had a vet on site.  I called the "sister" who told me that he would see the dog (the dog was very thin at this point and still not drinking or eating) but that i had to pay an amount proportionate to my salary.

Now I am very aware of the SPCA policy.  If a person is unemployed they will look at the animal and administer care of any sort, but if you are working then you pay a % based on your gross salary.  Not wanting to lie to her, i openly told her that I was the bread winner as my husband had not worked for the last 6 years and that every cent of my salary was accounted for (car, bond, school fees, food, etc) - ialso have two school-going children.  We do not live extravagantly - in fact we live exceptionally simply.  She was not interested at all.  She told me that if i worked, i should pay.  I asked her whether they could at least give me some telephonic advice based on the symptoms and she refused.  After asking her whether i should sit and let the dog die, she said she couldnt help.  I wanted to ask her if my "unemployed" husband could bring her but felt like i was being deceitful and didnt bother.

Considering the economic times we are living in (many people are unemployed), i feel they should make conscessions in some instances.  I felt this could have been one considering the dog was so sick (personal opinion) because i was getting totally disturbed about the health of this little one of mine.  I phoned at least 3 other vets who said the same - some even wanted to charge for phone advice.  The minimum charge was about R350 - and that was before administration of medicine and any other application she might have needed.  My hands were tied and all i could do was try what i could.  She is still very weak, but i have been force feeding her with warm, mielie meal in fluid form as well as water - with a syringe.  She has been like this for about 4 days and is still lying around and very weak.  But I am hoping she is picking up as she moves around a little more than before and she has been allowing me to syringe feed her more freely now.  Hopefully she will get through this.  Any advice is welcome - something that I can give her that is affordable but works.

This whole incident has made me realise that although people run businesses, and in the case of SPCA which is a non profit organisation which is also being run like a business, but whatever happened to the good old days when innoculations were covered and paid for by the government (these used to be held on certain days in the month at municipal buildings or schools).  What happened to general concern - empathetic solidatrity with whatever your plight might be.  And lets forget about animals for a moment - what about PEOPLE!!!

Do you know that hospitals turn away patients if they do not have a medical aid or if they are specific plans, they have to pay an up front amount before admission.  Medical aid patients get in and are treated for 5 days for basic anti-biotic application - non medical aid patients are sent home to recover on their own with the "simple" medicines.  I am lucky and i have a medical aid, but what happens to those even less fortunate and their baby becomes gravely ill.  I have worked with people who have been turned away leaving them distraught and not knowing what next to do.  Terrible and so stressful.  I feel like this at the moment about my dog. Thank God my children would be covered under medical aid.

What has happened to the humane side to people.  It has become like money making scheme - no matter what the consequences and no matter what the situation.

Thank heavens my little dog is still alive and hopefully she will pull through this, but i have to say that if she does not I will most definitely not keep quiet.  They should look at circumstances of families who are willing to do what they can for animals without trying to suck them dry in the process.

One last point.  An injured cat got into my yard over December and not knowing who it belonged to i called the local SPCA.  It did not have a neck-chain on or have any telephone number, but a beautiful cat.  They came to collect the cat - which was not that injured in my opinion - but the guy said he was going to put it down.  It could have been somebodies pet but for the SPCA, while i am sure they have their hands full with strays, it was easier and cheaper to put it down than try to take care of it and find a home. 

With attitudes like this, who knows what it would lead to.

 What has happened to the corporate world of late.  15 - 20 years ago corporates still appreciated the input of those who showed committment, enthusiasm and loyalty.  Today it is so different.  It is all about making money and being productive at the workers expense.
I have spent the last 2 years, giving 200% toward setting up a new division nationwide as well as provide support in Botswana - infrastructure layout and setup, staff training and development around the country and locally, systems application and training, selling (with targets) as well as marketing.  I have forfeited family time, travelled extensively, got all staff up to speed in terms of understanding and application, spent hours working into the evening trying to catchup, got in early, left late - one person - new division - the only person in the Africa group with the experience - and all for what. 
Disappointingly they feel it is not enough.  And this comes from the American voice of the business.  Forget that they are unfamiliar with our markets and business culture.  Forget that they have never met me.  Forget that South Africa stands out above the rest - even as a growing market.  But it is still not enough.
To think we spend our lives trying to please others, who ultimately mean nothing to us, and the people who do - you sacrifice everything.
Time to change.  It has taken a long time to catch on but, hell, life is short.  Loyalties count for nothing so why give to something that will give nothing in return.  Even if it is a simple "thanks"

Israeli Soldiers Resisting the Occupation

Why We Refuse to Fight

by Rami Kaplan