Once again we did over 2000 kilos in a week... to say our bums are numb is an understatement... that being said we had an amazing seven days break and had a good time getting in touch with family again. Rain gear in Smithfield... and all the way to Sheppie. The bridge over the Orange River at night... Umdlodi... at last a decent Java. Full Moon... Waning Moon the next evening... Cormorant drying it's wings on the rocks... Ballito and more coffee... Argyle Arms... do not let the cover of a book fool you... a warm bed and good food for the weary travelers. The Berg... The Tree... reminds me of two other trees... One being the Easter Tree... the other was one I wrote a poem about. Putting it up down below... Lichens pass from the other end... Red mountains... and mountainous clouds... Moondancer taking in the view from the edge... Almost home... Here is the poem, not meant to be pretty but fitting with what we as Christians believe; The Tattered Tree
The smell of Semtex frightens even the vultures. The horror of shreds of bone and sinew hang in the tattered trees. Inglorious, unjust, incomprehensible inhumanity. How can one justify gaining freedom by making victims out of the very people you claim to be standing for?
Time is supposed to fade the memory, but today it seared my mind again just like that day! Today another tribe is claiming to be a savior, more evil than before they slaughter kith and kin. They claim to be of divine ordination.
When will those blinded by worldly rights become aware... that the condescending stance is but a weakness in the eyes of those that contemplate the downfall of the very freedom that these rights ensconce? That these rights are used as weapons to tear themselves asunder.
How many more of these tattered trees must humanity endure? What must be done for peace to endure? Then I remember another tattered Tree with it's unbearable load. That's when I sink to my knees and pray... This Easter once more I realized how much we have to strive to live up to the example that was show to us on that Tree... Love one another as I love you... Galatians 2:20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
Found some handy luggage for Shrek today, made to fit and with the right logo to boot. This will make those weekender's easier to do with enough room for at least 2 pairs of socks and underwear! For longer excursions I will still have to figure out a way to accommodate two backpacks as panniers. If all goes well we will be trying out this set up over easter in KZN. Hopefully I will get to see some of my family down there this time. "Travel, in the younger sort, is a part of education; in the elder, a part of experience." Francis Bacon
Before there was the movie I had my very own bucket list called If Wishes Wus Fishes over on my website. Amazingly a lot of the things have come true, albeit in ways I never thought of, or are in the process of being realised. Some I may delete and there are a few I may add... more on my wish list later... Back to the movie, I think the combination of Jack and Morgan was brilliant but I am not giving away too much, if you have not seen it do so ASAP... put it on your Bucket List! As I mentioned in my last blog, this movie makes you think and the theme song "Say" by John Mayer is great...
John Mayer "Say" Lyrics
Take out of your wasted honour Every little past frustration Take all of your so called problems Better put them in quotations Say what you need to say (8x)
Walking like a one man army Fighting with the shadows in your head Living out the same old moment Knowing you’d be better off instead If you could only Say what you need to say (8x)
Have no fear for giving in Have no fear for giving over You better know that in the end its better to say too much Than to never to say what you need to say again
Even if your hands are shaking And your faith is broken Even as the eyes are closing Do it with a heart wide open Why? Say what you need to say (25x) Words that carry a lot of meaning in today's hectic life... we so often forget to say to our loved ones how we really feel, how much we care, how much we appreciate them and how much joy they bring to us... A line from the movie I found very insightful was; “You know, the ancient Egyptians had a beautiful belief about death. When their souls got to the entrance to heaven, the guards asked two questions. Their answers determined whether they were able to enter or not. ‘Have you found joy in your life?’ 'Has your life brought joy to others?’" This is something I have come to realise as a great truth even before I saw the movie and I want to make this my life motto... so I ques it goes onto the Wish list!
Three people, each with a story to tell of perseverance and courage. Each song as unique as the persons performing them. Each one has brought meaning into my life both with the way they handled adversity and with the way they put passion into their music and at the same time each song has a special meaning to me...
Roxette - Salvation (1999)
[via FoxyTunes / Roxette] "Salvation" Lyrics I can barely remember my past Everything seems to disappear so fast But I recall being jealous and alone Gazing at the dreams going by
I started my life when you knocked on the door Found something inside I didn't dare to ignore Now I do believe in flowers on the moon I'll swim beside the golden tide
You crashed by the gate Captured my fate, salvation My eyes couldn't see, I hardly breathed I was diving so deep, salvation
I'm down in the study holding on to my luck Will you still love me when I call you up? I gave you my body, the power over me Come on, bring out the best in me, ohh yeah
You crashed by the gate Captured my fate, salvation My eyes couldn't see, I hardly breathed My heart was asleep, salvation
Some will get broken Others will get lucky like me meeting you Don't pass me by
Salvation Salvation
You crashed by the gate Captured my fate, salvation My eyes couldn't see, I hardly breathed I was down on my knees, salvation
Some will get broken Others will get lucky like me meeting you Don't pass me by Don't pass me by
I found salvation, ooh yeah You bring me salvation, ohh I found salvation You bring me salvation, ohh yeah
"In 2002 Marie Fredriksson was diagnosed with a brain tumor in the back of her head. She then endured months of chemotherapy and radiation treatments and it was not certain she would make it. She received some permanent damage to her brain, losing the ability to read and count, some vision in her right eye, and some loss of movement in her right side.
In January 2003 Roxette were awarded the 'Royal Medal with Blue Ribbon' by King of Sweden Carl Gustaf XVI. The ceremony was the first event at which Fredriksson appeared after her operation."
The way she handled this crisis in her and her family's life will always inspire me. The song is a reminder how blessed I am...
Rosenstolz & Marc Almond - Total Eclipse
[via FoxyTunes / Rosenstolz] Big shots, argue about what they've got, making the planet so hot, hot as a holocaust. Blow up, every thing's going to go up, even if you don't show up, in your chemise Lacoste. Total eclipse, it's a total eclipse, it's a total eclipse of the sun, world come to this, with the total eclipse, just a slip of your lips, and you're done. Fallout, nobody left to crawl out, if someone calls we're all out, turning into French fries. Last dance, let the entire cast dance, due to dismembered, last dance, as we get atomized. Total eclipse, it's a total eclipse, it's a total eclipse of the sun, world come to this, with the total eclipse, just a slip of your lips, and you're done.
"On 17 October2004, Almond was badly injured in a motorbike accident in London, in which he was a pillion passenger. Although the initial prognosis was considered poor, he was discharged from Royal London Hospital on around 6 November2004 and was said to be making a "remarkable" recovery. Two months later he was giving press and TV interviews saying he could not wait to get back on stage. His recovery was, however, to take longer than he thought, involving several operations and counseling for post traumatic stress disorder."
Marc's latest show is sold out, a sign that he has recovered and overcome the injuries sustained, he somone that clearly is not a quitter. Truly a case of not judging a book by it's cover. The song is a favorite for the way it is executed, brilliant singing from both Marc and Nina Hagen.
"I Believe In You" Lyrics I don't believe you know me Though you know my name I don't believe the faults I have Are only mine to blame
I don't believe that magic Is only in the mind I don't believe I'd love somebody Just to pass the time
But I believe in you And I believe in you
I don't believe that beauty Will ever be replaced I don't believe a masterpiece Could ever match your face
The joker's always smiling In every hand that's dealt I don't believe that when you die Your presence isn't felt
But I believe in you And I believe in you But I believe in you And I believe in you
And if you ever have to go away Nothing in my world could ever be the same Nothing lasts forever, but together 'til then I'll give you everything I have, again and again
'Cause I believe in you, I believe in I believe in you, I believe in I believe in you, I believe in I believe in you, I believe in
'Cause I believe in you And I believe in you But I believe in you And I believe in you
I believe in you, I believe in I believe in you, I believe in I believe in you, I believe in I believe in you, I believe in
I believe, I believe, I believe in you
"Her children's book, The Showgirl Princess, written during her period of convalescence, was published in October 2006, and her perfume, "Darling", was launched in November. On her return to Australia for her concert tour, she likened her cancer battle and chemotherapy to experiencing a nuclear bomb, and expressed her determination to resume her career."
The poise and manner in wich she handled this crisis showed that although she may have come across to some as being shallow she really has character and a strong positive outlook, a role model for her fans. All of these stars are shining examples of belief in a positive outcome even in the face of adversity. They have Joy in their lives and they share it with us through their music. The song... well I think it speaks for itself... My quote comes from "Bucket List", go see the movie... it will make you think and make you laugh... we both found it wonderful to watch last night... I am thinking I have a blog all about the topic. "Laugh till you cry"
We went to Rouxville this weekend for me to clerk the Rouxville 200 off road race, stayed with the Heyn's family who were "hosting" the main part of the event activities on their farm. It is a small world when I found out that their son was a friend of my kids. Sadly he had passed away last year in September. Even in their sorrow they found place to remember what their son loved most and the organisers also dedicated the race to him. I hope that somehow the event helped them in the healing process after the loss. We will miss you Phillip but you will never be forgotten.
Inspecting the route... KLR style! We had great fun doing the shorter route, albeit at a lesser pace than the competitors. The day before... Race Day at 07h30... the first competitors set up pit facilities. Documentation, the ladies sorting out the entrants. Riders briefing... pointing out the things to remember.
First pair off... Even the local Constabulary lent an enthuisiastic hand. All seems to be in place, the Route Marshal and COC sharing a joke. Race Control... before the radio fried. Hold still for your tick! Tick marshal at work at Race Control. Even the rain gave us a break, sunset after a pretty good day. Trophies and the COC's drink waiting for the results to become final. "Next year we will do it this way" doing some retrospection about the day's race. Andre, Carel myself and Francois discussing the event and some of the inccidents and feedback from the riders. As usual we could never please them all but one thing was clear... they all said it had been well marked and organised. Unfortunately we had two injuries and we wish both riders with speedy recovery.
Our hosts were amazing and we have new friends for life...
"Traveling there was really boring so I headed for the ditch. It was a rough ride but I met more interesting people there." Neil Young
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