Tale behind the tail

KatieB has a collection of different ornamental elephants and I also have some in a box in my old office, I had never unpacked them and put them in a place of honour like in my older office (I move a lot!). The reason being that I had a severe dislike of the place...

Since moving to the new office my mood has improved and as soon as our furniture and last alteration is done my elephants will be revealed!

So today I will tell the tale of my Elephant theory...

I never had a real reason why I had begun collecting elephants except maybe that my Mom also had a few but now I know... I am an Elephant person.

Elephant persons are people that dream big and do things in big ways but with grace, caring and gentleness, not in a brash way but one cannot miss it either. Gentleness and caring because if you have ever seen a mother elephant with a calf you will know why I say so, Elephant people also surprise others... all of a sudden they are there, doing what they do with enthusiasm and determination. Just like that big Bull Elephant surprised me one night in the Caprivi... we were on guard duty when all of a sudden the stars disappeared... we heard a gentle rumble and realised that this elephant was snacking on the berries of the tree above our bunker... we remained very quite and after what felt like hours he moved off just as silently as he had come.

So there you are, we are Elephant people, KatieB and I. We both care and regard our fellow humans with gentleness as we go about our adventures together, just like the elephants trekking over the savanna.

But the most amazing thing about elephants is that they can communicate on so many levels we humans cannot hear or even comprehend...and so can Elephant people.

Oh and some of us Elephant people are not like elephants... I am useless at remembering things if I do not jot it down or blog about it!

Another thing is the elephants never move faster than the slowest of the herd and are always passing on what they know and learn to the other herd members. Something I never used to do but find myself increasingly doing so. Passing on what I have learned at work never used to be a pleasure, now I find it an exiting thing to do. The same goes for my hobbies and interests, I find that sharing these is so much more pleasurable than when I was younger.

I think as we grow older we lose that aggressive competitiveness and become mentor minded. It sure helps make life less stressful and seeing the light of discovery in another persons eyes is amazing.

The title actually comes from one of the most endearing things elephants do... they very often walk trunk to tail behind the leader... secure in the knowledge that someone has taken the lead and will guide them to were ever they need to go.

"I meant what I said, and I said what I meant. An elephant's faithful, one hundred percent." Dr. Seuss (1904 - 1991), Horton Hatches the Egg

Zen and the art of collaboration

KatieB has some excellent pictures up from yesterday's racing, much better than I take for sure.
We have a new vision for the club and maybe a new name... I suggested Central Dirt Racers... hope it sticks. I just hope all these plans get implemented and that the people making all the suggestions have the guts to persevere and not once again leave it up to the few die hard's to carry the load. It would be great to have a place where dirt racing is the passion of all concerned. I know for one that come what may it is now ingrained in my skin and soul... The smell of wet dirt as a bike comes through a berm followed by the smell of expended racing fuel is like a sweet incense. How this became a passion is a mystery to me but since I get so much satisfaction in being involved I do not try and dissect it at all, I just accept it as another gift of love from God. I have always loved motorcycles but dirt bikes and the races have become a part of me. I will always be involved in some way or another.
I also enjoy getting things done as a team and we have such a bunch of willing people that love the sport as much as I do, I just hope that the new direction does not turn into a bureaucratic nightmare but with a good set of rules this will be avoided. So the quote is most fitting... MX riders lick gravity regularly...
Now to bed, it was a long meeting and a glorious ride home on Shrek... I did not even feel the chill! The streets are rather quite on a Monday night at 23:50... much safer than weekends at that time...
"We can lick gravity, but sometimes the paperwork is overwhelming." Wernher von Braun (1912 - 1977)

Plumbtucker

I feel like a beaver that has just completed a huge dam wall... tired but satisfied with a job well done... Thanks KatieB your team was great! Anton, the track was awesome. The medics were top notch! The riders that pitched up were great sports. All in all a MX race of note... the ones that were not there are the poorer for not going to the trouble to race. I hope the word goes out that the race was Megalicious! Hope KatieB posts some pictures as I was just too busy.
Since KatieB enjoyed the song so much from "Sabbatical" here are the words to Here With Me by Dido;

I didn't hear you leave, I wonder how am I still here,
I don't want to move a thing, it might change my memory
Oh I am what I am, I'll do what I want, but I can't hide
I won't go, I won't sleep, I can't breathe, until you're resting here with me
I won't leave, I can't hide, I cannot be, until you're resting here with me
I don't want to call my friends, they might wake me from this dream
And I can't leave this bed, risk forgetting all that's been
Oh I am what I am, I'll do what I want but I can't hide
I won't go, I won't sleep, I can't breathe until you're resting here with me
I won't leave, I can't hide, I cannot be, until you're resting here with me.
The afforementioned playlist is rather long, so tonight I am dispensing with posting it, maybe as a post of it's own.
So to bed I go... satisfied with life and the Universe as it is... Thankful to my Creator that He willed it so...

"The enemy came. He was beaten. I am tired. Goodnight." Vicomte Turenne, Message sent after the battle of Dunen, 658

Affirmative

Well the good news is that we are good to go tomorrow, just a pity some riders never checked their mail or our website and pitched today. Once we get competitors to enter before an event as the rules dictate we may avoid such misunderstandings. I hope my suggestions in this regard are followed through for 2008. Organising a race and not having any indication on entries is madness.
Something to do with all the lists and rules being exchanged this week made me think of this song by Savage Garden, some of the lines are not quite what I believe but in general quite a good set of affirmations for life.

Affirmation :Savage Garden

I believe the sun should never set upon an argument
I believe we place our happiness in other people's hands
I believe that junk food tastes so good because it's bad for you
I believe your parents did the best job they knew how to do
I believe that beauty magazines promote low self esteem
I believe I'm loved when I'm completely by myself alone

I believe in Karma what you give is what you get returned
I believe you can't appreciate real love 'til you've been burned
I believe the grass is no more greener on the other side
I believe you don't know what you've got until you say goodbye

I believe you can't control or choose your sexuality
I believe that trust is more important than monogamy
I believe your most attractive features are your heart and soul
I believe that family is worth more than money or gold
I believe the struggle for financial freedom is unfair
I believe the only ones who disagree are millionaires

I believe in Karma what you give is what you get returned
I believe you can't appreciate real love 'til you've been burned
I believe the grass is no more greener on the other side
I believe you don't know what you've got until you say goodbye

I believe forgiveness is the key to your own happiness
I believe that wedded bliss negates the need to be undressed
I believe that God does not endorse tv evangelists
I believe in love surviving death into eternity

I believe in Karma what you give is what you get returned
I believe you can't appreciate real love 'til you've been burned
I believe the grass is no more greener on the other side
I believe you don't know what you've got until you say goodbye

Looking up the word on Wiki this is what you get;
An affirmation (from Latin affirmare, to assert) is the declaration that something is true.
This being so just affirms my belief that having a positive outlook is one of the secrets of being a happy person but it is something that you have to consciously think about every day, it does get easier though and soon becomes part of life like brushing one's teeth... so be assertive and affirm that tomorrow is going to be megaliciously awesome!
"It is always easier to believe than to deny. Our minds are naturally affirmative." John Burroughs (1837 - 1921)

Secrets and lies

Well the only lie is that there are no lies in this posting (that is oxymoronic) but the title just sounded good. Sometimes when one picks up a book in a bookstore you just know that you have to have it, so it was this evening on my way home. I stopped off at the Mall to get some Steers burgers and while waiting I popped in to Exclusive Books... saw that the new PopMech mag was out and then I saw the book... it lay beckoning... waiting to be opened and skimmed through... it had weight, far more than a book that size should have, like it contained a secret treasure waiting to be discovered... was it worth buying? Only time will tell if the secret of The Secret is revealed, so tonight it is me with the three B's... ummm no not Beer/Blonde/Book... but Book/Book/Bottle, hot water bottle that is plus my very own copy of Race to Dakar. The inspiration for my Big Dream , plus 3 cats as well... it is chilly and they usually come and pin me down on cold nights, not that I mind, having 3 living hot water bottles has it's advantages on crisp nights like tonight... Must try and get Long way Round as well...
L has been laid low by the winter bugs... so far I seem ummune and I ask for it to stay so each day, I hate having a cold or the flu, I would rather wrestle with a pack of wild boars thanks! I hope the meds start working soon, so glad she enjoyed the burger, I take that as a good sign. Gotta make some salad again tomorrow with plenty of sweet peppers, they have more Vit. C than citrus, especially the red or yellow ones...
Yesterday I also revealed a secret of sorts, albeit with much trepidation but in so doing got an answer that I had already known but having it confirmed today made me realise that by communicating with my whole being and with all tools available life becomes so much easier, both for myself and people I care deeply about. Looking back I can see I have made some progress in this thing called communication, something us men find so hard to do, we would rather go out "Hunting". More about that metaphor one day maybe, KatieB laid it out so well for me. Now where is that bow and arrow?
I just hope my communication tomorrow with the powers that be at MSA bear the same fruit.
This all reminds me of this song from yesteryear... 1983 in fact.

Talking In Your Sleep - Romantics
(Jimmy Marinos/Wally Palmar/Mike Skill/Coz Canler/Peter Solley)
When you close your eyes and go to sleep
And it's down to the sound of a heartbeat
I can hear the things that you're dreaming about
When you open up your heart and the truth comes out
CHORUS
You tell me that you want me
You tell me that you need me
You tell me that you love me
And I know that I'm right
Cuz I hear it in the night
I hear the secrets that you keep
When you're talking in your sleep
When I hold you in my arms at night
Don't you know you're sleeping in a spotlight
And all your dreams that you keep inside
You're telling me the secrets that you just can't hide
CHORUS
When you close your eyes and you fall asleep
Everything about you is a mystery
CHORUS

KatieB will appreciate the quote and yes, I am learning to tame the storm in my heart with sunscreen for my soul... communication, I really enjoyed our conversation this evening, there is an adventure in each one we have. No more Tsunamis for now... just a gentle brook running over pebbles, the water of communication gently shaping them as they rub against each other. Did I just write that? I think that is a keeper...
"The face is the mirror of the mind, and eyes without speaking confess the secrets of the heart." Saint Jerome (374 AD - 419 AD)
PS - Very wierd... can only put 200 characters in the labels field... have I got too many labels now?

The truth is out there Scully

Sometimes you get whacked on the head while surfing the interwebs... Skywriter aka "Scully" is one of these gifted writers that have mastered the craft and make one realise that there is so much to do and improve upon.
On the other hand I do not blog to impress but to put my own thoughts, feelings and emotions into digital diary format to help me understand myself better. But I still stand in awe when I get whacked...

Another truth is that I have been baring my soul both here and in the real world, this can sometimes cause soul burn. Just like exposing your skin to the summer sun can cause it to blister and peel your soul can get burnt by wearing your heart on your sleeve, extremely painful and known to cause either permanent scars or to heal with no evidence that this ever happened, other times it actually transforms you making the sacrifice sweeter than the sweetest muscadel. I now have the knowledge that I have found a friend more precious than a tumultuous affair and worthy beyond compare... why do I then still miss the physical? Time will tell I suppose... looking back in 20 years time I will probably know the answer why this amazing friendship came across my path.

Then I also have this list of truths that I have found very helpful at such times, just like KatieB I think I will share what I found to be some important maxims in the daily grind of things, so here are 45 instructions for life...

1. Give people more than they expect and do it cheerfully.
2. Memorize your favorite poem
3. Don't believe all you hear, spend all you have or sleep all you want
4. When you say, "I love you", mean it.
5. When you say, "I'm sorry",look the person in the eye.
6. Be engaged at least six months before you get married.
7. Believe in love at first sight.
8. Never laugh at any one's dreams.
9. Love deeply and passionately. You might get hurt but it's the only way to live life completely.
10. In disagreements, fight fairly. No name calling.
11. Don't judge people by their relatives.
12. Talk slow but think quick.
13. When someone asks you a question you don't want to answer, smile and ask,"Why do you want to know?".
14. Remember that great love and great achievements involve great risk.
15. Call your mom.
16. Say "bless you" when you hear someone sneeze.
17. When you lose, don't lose the lesson.
18. Remember the three R's: Respect for self; Respect for others; Responsibility for all your actions.
19. Don't let a little dispute injure a great friendship.
20. When you realize you've made a mistake, take immediate steps to correct it.
21. Smile when picking up the phone. The caller will hear it in your voice.
22. Marry someone you love to talk to. As you get older, their conversational skills will be as important as any other.
23. Spend some time alone.
24. Open your arms to change, but don't let go of your values.
25. Remember that silence is sometimes the best answer.
26. Read more books and watch less TV.
27. Live a good, honorable life. Then when you get older and think back, you'll get to enjoy it a second time.
28. Trust in God but lock your car.
29. A loving atmosphere in your home is so important. Do all you can to create a tranquil harmonious home.
30. In disagreements with loved ones, deal with the current situation. Don't bring up the past.
31. Read between the lines.
32. Share your knowledge. It's a way to achieve immortality.
33. Be gentle with the earth...and yourself.
34. Pray. There's immeasurable power in it.
35. Never interrupt when you are being flattered.
36. Mind your own business.
37. Don't trust someone who doesn't close their eyes when you kiss them.
38. Once a year, go someplace you've never been before.
39. If you make a lot of money, put it to use helping others while you are living. That is wealth's greatest satisfaction.
40. Remember that not getting what you want is sometimes a stroke of luck.
41. Learn the rules, then break some.
42. Remember that the best relationship is one where your love for each other is greater than your need for each other.
43. Judge your success by what you had to give up in order to get it.
44. Remember that your character is your destiny.
45. Approach love and cooking with reckless abandon.

Of course my two favourite is the last one and number nine... typical for a Gemini I hear...
"The absence of alternatives clears the mind marvelously." Henry Kissinger (1923 - )

Mother of mine

Mom, on this day I miss you, you would have liked the new bike, you would have loved to meet KatieB, you would be proud of M being the fitness coach of the lady Free State Cheetahs and so impressed with what L has done so far, traveling all on her own to the States and back... you would have thought my crazy schemes and dreams are achievable... you never said "never". You were an inspiration to me and today on your birthday I miss you once again. So here is my tribute to you;
MOTHER OF MINE - Donny Osmond

Mother of mine you gave to me,
all of my life to do as I please,
I owe everything I have to you,
Mother sweet Mother of mine.

Mother of mine when I was young
you showed me the right way things had to be done,
without your arms where would I be,
Mother sweet Mother of mine.

CHORUS
Mother you gave me happiness,
much more than words can say,
I thank the Lord let me breath with you,
every night and every day.

Mother of mine now I am grown
and I can walk straight all on my own,
I'd like to give you what you gave to me,
Mother sweet Mother of mine.

REPEAT CHORUS

Mother of mine now I am grown
and I can walk straight all on my own,
I'd like to give you what you gave to me,
Mother sweet Mother of mine.
Mother sweet Mother of mine.

This quote sums up my mom's view that life is for living... she always encouraged us kids to be adventurers and try everything... within limits of course... maybe that is why she turned grey at a young age... I remember her face when we called out to her to come and watch us jump from the garage roof into the dam... that gap always seemed like the Grand Canyon... or when me and Pat were both in plaster from bike crashes and middle boet Howard seemed to take forever to come back from that "test ride". He came back, minus bike... the car he had hit was almost split in two... he had a few roasties and could describe his crash in detail as he arced over the little Opel just to land amongst the waiting bus passengers on the pavement... she hid the tears of relief. We love you mom. You did sterling work... even if I say so myself.
"The art of mothering is to teach the art of living to children." Elain Heffner, O Magazine, May 2003

We see the same thing, share the same dream.

I am glad KatieB saw the same sunset I saw yesterday and hope she gets better soon, it was one of those cloud enhanced ones we often get in winter as a cold front moves over our part of the world. Fortunately this was just a very high level front and will not influence the balmy weather we are having at present, I hope this continues till Sunday. But some rain before the weekend would be a bonus Lord... getting rain is like a bonus for us, watering the track is expensive even with us now having our own sprinkler system and not being reliant on hiring tankers.
Eww I spoke too soon, since writing that paragraph this morning I have seen the week's forecast... we better get out the warm stuff, seems like it may be a chilly weekend.
I have been typing up the notes/minutes of our recent meeting between a club member and our committee... I was pleasantly surprised by the meeting, we all agreed that the aim of the club is to host as many off road races as possible and to be a place were off roaders can come and have fun but with the proper safety aspects in place. So while doing this one of the songs that came up was this one... quite apt for what has happened at the club and in my life as well... we all want the same thing in the end...
Belinda Carlisle - The Same Thing
We dream the same dream
We want the same thing ...ooh...
We dream the same dream
We want the same thing ...ooh...

Here is my case
We've got no time to waste
Cuz we want the same thing

We're fighting a war
But we don't know what for
Cuz we want the same thing

I know we're different now
Different as night and day
But still I want you
I just want you to stay

I wanna take this chance
I want to be with you
Cuz what you're looking for
I am looking for too

We dream the same dream
We want the same thing ...ooh...
And all that we need is to
See it together
We dream the same dream
We want the same thing ...ooh...
For now, for love, forever, amen

I look in your eyes and
I know deep inside that
We want the same thing

Breaking the chains that
Just keep us in shame
Cuz we want the same thing

No matter what we say
No matter what we do
Beyond the battle lines
Baby we know what's true

We dream the same dream
We want the same thing ...ooh...
And all that we need is to
See it together
We dream the same dream
We want the same thing ...ooh...
For now, for love, forever, amen
As to my feelings this Monday... what Monday blues?
Saw another amazing sunset, I took a ride out to the track on Shrek to measure the step in the caravan I want to fix and drop off the pruning saw for Hendrik to trim the trees at the start.
It was a soft pink, a most chilled out pink like some watermelons are. Candy floss pink, and of course I did not take the Camera!
"May I never miss a sunset or a rainbow because I am looking down." Sara June Parker

Corrosive Transformer

This weekend I have been in in a Blue Funk. I know I have to get a few things done but am in this horrid mood, not very good company and I seem to be as emotional as a teen. I wondered why and thought I may just read my horoscope to see if I could get cheered up somewhat, I mean they usually are so vague and positive I may even feel better so I went to a site and got this back after filling in my profile.
Saturday - Maximum restraint
During this time you are touchy and unsure of yourself, and so you are easily hurt or insulted, or you tend to be hurtful yourself - there may be triggers for these situations but in reality no obvious cause. Maximum restraint is called for in interpersonal interactions. You should really treat everyone with kid gloves to avoid doing harm to your relationships or to yourself. If you are already in dispute with someone, you should try to avoid this person at this time. Whatever it is about, an argument or difference of opinion that you want to settle or continue during this time, it would only lead mutual hurt.
Maybe that is why I decided to stay at the Karting all day... the one person there that I have a slight disagreement with about the Moon Hoax and other Conspiracy Theories before tried once again to convince me... I sensed a need to run away or punch him in the face... I only phoned M to find out what his plans were for the day... Felt that the less people I talked to the better. On the way home I picked up some salad things as I wanted to cook some boerewors and chips with salad. I was pleasantly surprised that L had made some Macaroni and Cheese with mince... no need for cooking so we had a decent meal and after watching TV we went to bed...
Sunday - Your negative side
Weak, transient effect: Today during the day you are inclined to keep your feelings and innermost thoughts to yourself. A sense of loneliness or isolation frequently accompanies this period of time, or depression and a general sense of pessimism. Domestic problems may also accompany this influence, usually because you feel that in some way your domestic life is not giving you what it should. This is part of a larger feeling that you are not getting support or assistance from anyone or anything, which may or may not be true. Your real problem is either that you are cut off from your emotions or that your emotions are too unpleasant to deal with. This influence may force you to briefly experience what you consider to be your negative side. Thus there is a strong conflict between what you think of yourself and what you think you should be.
Yeowch! This is scary... That is spot on, this morning I had woken up really feeling funky, I had these weird dreams and I think I actually cried in my sleep, my pillow was damp! My feelings are not A1 at present, in fact they are rather a deep shade of purple tinged with magenta. The reason being I dreamed that I had lost a friend and it really upset me because at present this friend is precious to me, however if we were to have met over the weekend I think my corrosive mood would have dissolved it like a pearl in vinegar... that cannot be allowed to happen.
So all this has made the muse in me put these words down to try and make sense of my feelings.

Lost without you - Robert Le Noury
Hot salty tears flow down my face
Thinking about you
To be lost without you would be unbearable
Thinking about you
You said you are not ready for more
You want my friendship
That is a given, it is unquestioned
But thinking of you
Hot salty tears flow down my face
Thinking about you
To be lost without you would be unbearable

Back from the mall... L wanted to go to the movies so just before lunch we went to the mall, bought tickets to see Transformers, had lunch at Catch22. The trout was delicious but the service was lacklustre, do not think I will be there again. (See the foul mood thing again?)
Transformers was awesome... the TV trailer does not do it justice, I was blown away by the CGI animation of the robots. At least that made me feel somewhat better. The Simpsons trailer had us laughing too, I just hope those were not all the gags... The Arnie character's line "I vos voted in to lead, not read" is classic.
Got to see a beautifull sunset as well, went to the track and moved the caravan just before sunset, the Cirrus clouds turned orange then pink as the sun set. Wish I had grabbed the camera!
So all in all I am feeling much better, Monday may just be a good day after all.
"I am a kind of paranoiac in reverse. I suspect people of plotting to make me happy". J. D. Salinger (1919 - )

Drop of a hat

When I clicked on Winamp tonight it started of with Dakota by Stereophonics... great song with a good beat by the way. Then I realised that it has been more than a week that KatieB and I have last had some adventure together... I miss that! I must compile a list of drop of a hat adventures to do for when we both get a break from normal life. My personal adventures this week have been to just get all my stuff at work up to date but that is more like ">Mission Impossible than an adventure. So untill I get that list figured out my main aim is getting all in place for next weekends MX, taking more steps in the Ops GOF planning and trying my hand at graphic designer for the Big Adventure's website.

Dakota - Stereophonics
Thinking about thinking of you
Summertime think it was June
Yeah think it was June
Laying back, head on the grass
Children grown having some laughs
Yeah having some laughs.

Made me feel like the one
Made me feel like the one
The one
Made me feel like the one
Made me feel like the one
The one

Drinking back, drinking for two
Drinking with you
And drinking was new
Sleeping in the back of my car
We never went far
Needed to go far

Made me feel like the one
Made me feel like the one
The one
Made me feel like the one
Made me feel like the one
The one

I don?t know where we are going now
I don?t know where we are going now

Wake up cold coffee and juice
Remembering you
What happened to you?
I wonder if we?ll meet again
Talk about us instead
Talk about why did it end

Made me feel like the one
Made me feel like the one
The one
Made me feel like the one
Made me feel like the one
The one

I don?t know where we are going now
I don?t know where we are going now

So take a look at me now

So this weekend will be a "go with the flow" type of weekend, I may check out the Karting on Saturday and see how the track fixing goes as well. The scorer Caravan must also be moved. So I have enough to keep me busy...
Bisonburger from the herd that appeared in 'Dances With Wolves.' On the menu at Al's Oasis in Oacama, South Dakota

Backblogging

Should one backblog? that is when you blog about something after the fact so to speak but make the date correct for the subject. I do sometimes and have been doing so for my 12 Days with Shrek journal. I do not think it is cheating but it does show a chink of procrastination I suppose.
Anyway... I will be backblogging sometime about Bill Flynn, my favourite South African actor. I see his memorial service will be on the 23rd July... hamba gashle Bill. I bet the Angels are in hysterics at present with your tales. Maybe God needed some cheering up.
I have a motorsport meeting later that I am not looking forward to... I am not good in confrontation, especially with numbskull's.
6 hours later...
The meeting actually went well... there were no fisticuffs and some good points were raised... but I have this deja vu feeling that this has been said and done before... now to see if the words will become deeds. We all want to promote dirt racing in it's various forms.
The only thing I regret is that I had to turn KatieB down for coffee, I would have rather done that than a stressful meeting. The quote sort of sums up my feeling about my love for being involved with dirt racing and the club affairs. I just detest the politics involved...
That is why I like adventureing with Katieb... there is no hidden agenda or facade... we are who we are... I love it that way...
"Play: Work that you enjoy doing for nothing." Evan Esar (1899 - 1995), Esar's Comic Dictionary

Doing a Charley

Charley Boorman in the book "Race to Dakar" mentioned that the reason he did the race was because he had been asked by the publisher "what next?" after "Long way Round" and he had said "do the Paris to Dakar rally"... he was then quoted on the flyleaf of the book and felt he had to put his money were his mouth was... so here I am doing a Charley.

The idea is born and the domain is up and running but very skeletal at present. This is what greeted me when I had googled cape2capeglobaladventure...

and this is the graphic I cobbled together this evening for the website... it still needs some work but I am quite happy with the idea so far.

While at the Prowlers MCC I threw the idea around to some of the blokes and no one shot it down... had a drink and toasted Shrek once more then came back home to code... step 2 has now been taken. Got another poster up for the regionals as well...

"It's all knowing what to start with. If you start in the right place and follow all the steps, you will get to the right end." Elizabeth Moon, The Speed of Dark, 2003

Keys to the Keep

It has been two days and I need a vacation! Tomorrow I have to go tell my new boss that I need 3 new screens... yep, one packed up earlier this year, one packed up while on leave and the other one went berserk today. It keeps on flashing between a pink hue and normal plus everything seems out of focus... this is the one I use for my PC at home so it is mine! I brought it to the office while the first one went in to be diagnosed and I have been waiting since for the upper Echelon to decide if I should or not get a new screen... I will not bring my new flat screen from home! My work laptop also died just before I went on leave... it needs a new power brick... so I cannot use that as a backup machine... eish! I feel like a gardener that has just broken the rake handle, bent the spade and broken the fork's tines... toofless and tool less!
So this evening I took Shrek for a short ride to de-stress and the clock went over to 4006 kilos! Will be needing that second service pretty soon by the way I am putting on kilometres.
Taking a break today I visited Danette's new blog and one of her missives on what happens to blogs when people pass on made me decide to hand over a set of keys to someone I trust. I don't want those left behind having to fight to get hold of things like what happened to Gut Rumbles. I want a smooth transition for those remaining behind... so to speak. So henceforth you will notice another name under "Contributors", my friend and fellow Adventurer KatieB. Please feel free to re arrange the furniture my dear... but leave the couch where it is... the cats are wont to lie on it in the late afternoon sun...
I also started to put into motion another dream... albeit a very tentative step but as they say, every journey starts with the first step. One has to start somewere you know, may as well be a virtual adventure at first.
KatieB sent me a text message or 2 while I was registering the domain... but I think I may have answered her in a distracted way... sorry for that, I can't multitask like she can. Even Winamp has been playing a very disjointed selection but at least one was appreciated, I always used to code to Vangelis and Pinta, Nina, Santa Maria is 13 odd minutes of his music.
If you have visited my fellow adventurer's blog and read her expose on the word Adventure you may smile reading this closing quote... we are planning to go pulling some beards.
"When a resolute young fellow steps up to the great bully, the world, and takes him boldly by the beard, he is often surprised to find it comes off in his hand, and that it was only tied on to scare away the timid adventurers". Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803 - 1882)

Duct Tape for the Soul

I still have a score to settle with that Cherub, he and Murphy are on my hit list... but I know the crush is over and I have a friend for life. As Dr Phil says "What were you thinking", must have been all that wind in my ears the last two weeks! They say the wind whispers and puts ideas in our heads...
As I sat pondering our last conversation this played over the headphones:

All I Really Want - Alanis Morrisette

Do I stress you out
My sweater is on backwards and inside out
And you say how appropriate
I don't dissect everything today
I don't mean to pick you apart you see
But I can't help it
There I go jumping before the gunshot has gone off
Slap me with a splintered ruler
And it would knock me to the floor if I wasn't there already
If only I could hunt the hunter

And all I really want is some patience
A way to calm the angry voice
And all I really want is deliverance
Do I wear you out
You must wonder why I'm so relentless and all strung out
I'm consumed by the chill of solitary
I'm like Estella
I like to reel it in and then spit it out
I'm frustrated by your apathy
And I am frightened by the corrupted ways of this land
If only I could meet the Maker

And I am fascinated by the spiritual man
I am humbled by his humble nature
What I wouldn't give to find a soulmate
Someone else to catch this drift
And what I wouldn't give to meet a kindred
Enough about me, let's talk about you for a minute
Enough about you, let's talk about life for a while
The conflicts, the craziness and the sound of pretenses
Falling all around...all around
Why are you so petrified of silence
Here can you handle this?

Did you think about your bills, your ex, your deadlines
Or when you think you're gonna die
Or did you long for the next distraction
And all I need know is intellectual intercourse
A soul to dig the hole much deeper
And I have no concept of time other than it is flying
If only I could kill the killer

All I really want is some peace man
a place to find a common ground
And all I really want is a wavelength
All I really want is some comfort
A way to get my hands untied
And all I really want is some justice...

The song sort of put in perspective all the chaotic amazing things I have experienced these last few weeks, well sort of... the "apathy" line is pure bull... but the one about dropping pretenses is true... This got me realising that more than once my music collection has pulled me from the brink of some chasm or another and helped me resolve this thing we call life, duct tape for the soul of sorts. That and my three manuals, The Book and two sets of lists for life...
It is true that music soothes the troubled soul. Whoever discovered that was a genius... I think that person lives on as Winamp!
The following poem from the website link sums up my thoughts up perfectly.

Musical Healing
by Kate Clifford

I grasp upon musical notes to save my tortured soul.
Tortured by the anguish I have allowed into this lifetime.
Notes bring pain from inside, humming through my lips.
I feel it leaving like a prayer with words I cannot say.
Releasing a sorrow of pent up dreams forever broken.

Ripping guts, unspoken pain screams to the universe.
Fears are leaping as the music continues to play on.
A prayer forms in energy that I do not understand.
Lips quiver as I feel the answer without thoughts.
Musical notes break chains I have not yet named.

Hearing the flute begging me to dance with life energy,
I can’t help but snap my fingers to the irresistible beat.
Inside vibrations lift me to a new feeling of exultation.
Not one word spoken as the humming continues on.
Pain releasing a new healing with these musical notes.
Now I understand why we enjoy multifaceted music, it blends with us multifaceted humans in such a wonderful way, another Gift we should be grateful for, just like friends...
"Duct tape is like the force. It has a light side, and a dark side, and it holds the universe together." (Just like friendship.)
Carl Zwanzig (This is the first time I am adding to a quote... makes that truism seem more like wisdom!)

Another wishlist

Slept late and just pondered the fact that this is the last day before work starts again, got us some Steers burgers and then went out to the track. Got back at 5 ish did the dishes and updated some postings then watched Charlies Angels on TV... The song Turning Japenese made me think of Anton and his liking of Pearl Jam... then this one played on Winamp...
PEARL JAM - Wishlist
I wish I was a neutron bomb, for once I could go off
I wish I was a sacrifice but somehow still lived on
I wish I was a sentimental ornament you hung on
The Christmas tree, I wish I was the star that went on top
I wish I was the evidence, I wish I was the grounds
For 50 million hands upraised and open toward the sky

I wish I was a sailor with someone who waited for me
I wish I was as fortunate, as fortunate as me
I wish I was a messenger and all the news was good
I wish I was the full moon shining off a Camaro's hood

I wish I was an alien at home behind the sun
I wish I was the souvenir you kept your house key on
I wish I was the pedal brake that you depended on
I wish I was the verb 'to trust' and never let you down

I wish I was a radio song, the one that you turned up
I wish...
I wish...
Sometimes I get blown away by how this bit of software can sense my mood... so as I prepare for bed I leave my wishlist with One who knows best, He will be the one who will have the wisdom that I do not have at present.
"It's just human. We all have the jungle inside of us. We all have wants and needs and desires, strange as they may seem. If you stop to think about it, we're all pretty creative, cooking up all these fantasies. it's like a kind of poetry."
Diane Frolov and Andrew Schneider, Northern Exposure, Mister Sandman, 1994

Deja Dreams

I am busy with my "missing days" and should have them more or less complete by Sunday night... working through 615 photo's to pick the right ones takes time...

However... I have this feeling of deja vu hanging around me and the song Missing by Everything but the Girl is haunting me... just like No Mercy's version did last week... but for a different reason. Did I come on too strong? Did I cause a Tsunami? I am like a dog looking for that bone he buried last week... but the Boss has moved to another house! Is this another And Dreams Were Dreams episode in my life... I really hope not.
Winamp has just played Dreams by the Cranberries... I think I will finish up now and go to bed... to dream.
Cranberries - Dreams

Oh my life is changing everyday
Every possible way
Though my dreams, it’s never quite as it seems
Never quite as it seems

I know I felt like this before
But now I’m feeling it even more
Because it came from you

Then I open up and see
The person fumbling here is me
A different way to be

I want more, impossible to ignore
Impossible to ignore
They’ll come true, impossible not to do
Impossible not to do

Now I tell you openly
You have my heart so don’t hurt me
For what I couldn’t find

Talk to me amazing mind
So understanding and so kind
You’re everything to me

Oh my life is changing everyday
Every possible way
Though my dreams, it’s never quite as it seems
’cause you’re a dream to me
Dream to me

However it plays out I will always be friends... One of today's quotes from The Quotations Page sums up my feelings...
"Why shouldn't things be largely absurd, futile, and transitory? They are so, and we are so, and they and we go very well together." George Santayana (1863 - 1952)

Tridecaphobia

This sucks... getting shot in the foot is not funny... taking a risk and falling on your face hurts... and it is Friday the Thirteenth! That somehow makes perfect sense... I think Cupid is a moron and may well be Murphy in disguise.

I used to get angry when things did not go my way but here I am thinking that just maybe I was like some desert dust storm smothering everything as it rolls over the landscape... I don't know how but I am sure this will work out, I just need to stand back get some perspective... What I do know is that I do not want to lose a friend by acting like some lovesick puppy that whines all day... or some fool making a nuisance of himself.

Sand Storm, 26 April 2005. Al Asad, IRAQ - Scary... if this is what my enthusiasm looks like I would also take off and run! Link on the page title will take you to the Google Video of this event.
"It was a bright cold day in April, and the clocks were striking thirteen."
George Orwell (1903 - 1950), "1984", first sentence

Take some time

to check out a friend of mine's blog, I just hope she updates her latest adventures. Or else she will not get keys to my Castle!

Took the Beast out for a run to Brandfort today, slight breeze but the outrun was cool... had the most wonderful breakfast of Bacon and Pancakes!

Thanks to the Bulgarian hosts, lesson learned, never judge a book by it's cover.

Thanks also to my co adventurer katieb4me for picking up the tab... dit was lekka. Must try and visit the lion park next time... keeping our paws to ourselves of course.
We had quite a laugh while photographing the church as I made that remark...

The visit to military graves was rather depressing as the old graveyard is in a terrible state with knocked down headstones and general lack of upkeep... another reason I want to be turned to ash when I go to the Happy Hunting grounds... no need for my earthly remains to take up space while I am hopefully cavorting with Angels and singing Trance Hymns to God. Which made me think of this song by Tina Cousins... forgive me if I may have put the words up before but they fit in with what I experienced today.

Pray - Tina Cousins
What a miracle is life
the fields are high and fruit is ripe
so hold out your hands
yeah, hold out your hands
And you're the same as me
you breathe the air I breathe
and we don't understand
yeah, we don't understand

And if you don't ask questions
you won't know why
so say a prayer for the dying
while there's still time. So

Pray for good and pray for love
Pray for peace and pray it's enough
pray for salvation, pray that we're right
pray for one day we open our eyes
And pray for them and pray for us
pray one day we can live as one
pray for the children whose time is to come
just pray they forgive us for the stupid things we've done

We all see the same sun
each day a golden praise is sung
to the wonder of man
yeah, to the wonder of man
And when we look why can't we see
all the riches that are free
oh we don't understand
yeah, we don't understand

And if you don't ask questions
you won't know why
so say a prayer for the dying
while there's still time. So

Pray for good and pray for love
Pray for peace and pray it's enough
pray for salvation, pray that we're right
pray for one day we open our eyes
And pray for them and pray for us
pray one day we can live as one
pray for the children whose time is to come
just pray they forgive us for the stupid things we've done

Just a pity we could not find the Blockhouse at Karee... maybe next time? Although I was quite impressed how the bike handled in some real rough stuff. The best dual purpose bike by far.
By the way the Beast will now be henceforth referred to as Shrek... he is a Beautiful Beast as well because of his heart of gold and he is also green!
Hopefully us three will have many adventures together, both great and small...
"Life is either a daring adventure or nothing. Security does not exist in nature, nor do the children of men as a whole experience it. Avoiding danger is no safer in the long run than exposure."
Helen Keller (1880 - 1968)

Free State Dino

Cool, I never new we had these roaming around as well, I thought all that was found in our ancient sediments were the more crocodile like critters.
"Scientists have described a new primitive dinosaur species, Eocursor parvus, which lived in the Late Triassic - about 210 million years ago.
Unearthed in South Africa's Free State, the creature appears to have been a small, agile plant-eater."

No mercy for the lonely

Woke up humming "Missing" by No Mercy and for the first time I had an urgent need to get home, I miss my kids and cats but I miss something else as well.
The Yatclub... a highly recommended establishment for weary travelers. This was taken as I digested a breakfast of note... I had my own mini loaf of freshly baked bread and the most delicious omelet made by the host Des.
The tranquility of the dam at the Yatclub, now I saw why Des said he changed the name to Yatclub... this stretch of the Grobbelaars's river is scarcely big enough to float a canoe.
These clouds made up my mind that I needed a warm mug of coffee... back in Bloem preferably!
One went before me... So I am not the only crazy biker out in the freezing cold... making wee breaks to errrr strech the legs... cold weather and 3 cups of strong coffee do not help the miles go by.
The desolation of Karroo vistas... my heart is sometimes as hungry as these vast places... I am craving someone to share my dreams with again and somone has been texting me a few times this trip that I feel may just be the one to share with. I may be wrong...
Last picture of the trip as I stood freezing on the Lootsberg pass... there was even more snow around the corner! From here we had crosswinds, headwinds, tailwinds, a few drops of sleet and a conviction that something needed to be done...
Reaching Middelburg I decided to brave the wind and try for Colesberg, maybe staying overnight. When I saw the distance between Colesberg and Bloem I sent a text request for sustenance... ETA 7 pm it is. I think this is when the little arrow took effect. The rest of the day is history and engraved in my heart forever... Tomorrow is bright with possibility.
"Sometimes I think we're alone. Sometimes I think we're not. In either case, the thought is staggering." R. Buckminster Fuller (1895 - 1983)
Day 12 of 12 Days with Shrek

Ronnie's What?

Morning breaks while I wait to be picked up to get reunited with the Beast.
Life sprouting from decay and the circle continues... I made it to Century City and The Canal Walk shopping centre, signposting for the canal Walk was rather obscure though but after using some logic I figured out was going on, just sorry I took no pictures though. Got to Mug&Bean easily as I had parked right at the entrance it was at. Met H as well as our Union Rep! She was also visiting her kids in the Cape... H seems quite happy but we did not get much chance to talk... L was shopping! and only arrived after a while, she is having a ball with mom and I am glad they could be together again. Finished up mu brunch for the road and we said our goodbyes... I want to get home... somehow the song Missing is ringing in my head as I head north up the N1 to Worcester and the turnoff to Route 62...
The valley where my and M's favourite sauce is made! This is also the Koo valley that Route 62 goes through. Scenic beyond description.
Someone else doing Route 62 in a V12 Jaguar... fellow seekers of the highway's treasures...
A stiff breeze blows as I dismount at the den of iniquity that I had heard and read about... but do not judge a book by it's name.
The best bouncer in the Klein Karoo, if he growls at you, you are asked politely that your presence has offended the bouncer and that you had better be on your way... he never growled once while I was there...
Ronnie tending to his patrons needs, I wish I had more time to spend and hear about all the stories this interesting man has to tell... I will be back!
The road from here to Oudsthoorn was very good and had some good twisties especially outside Calitzdorp, fortunately it only got dark as I approached Oudtshoorn... I found the Yatclub that Ronnie had recomended very easily and they made me feel very welcome... I walked up the street to the Dros and had supper while watching the Sharks trounce WP... as I walked back Missing played in my head again...
Day 11 of 12 Days with Shrek

One last fling

Postnet's securicats...
The team, Rudi, Jan and Graham...
The steed and me in armour... that reflective harness made more than one motorist notice me...
On the way to Worcester before I saw the oil...
Stranded in a wooded glade, back at Mountain Breeze while Justin awaits the elusive seal...

Day 10 of 12 Days with Shrek