Did you ever hear of a mindless child
Yes of course, I’m one of them
I’ve tried death, I’ve tried God
I’m sorry pig, God won!

I love my girl, so gentle
She brings tears to my eyes
She prevented me from doing…
from writing my death poem

Friends of mine are dying
dying from themselves
I wish I could have helped
but I’m in the same boat!

Besides, it’s to late to help the dead
But I’d like another word
Maybe even the last word
Give me the first word God

She said she would help me
I just asked her to listen
And wished she would hold me
I love my gentle girl

Then there’s my friend
That was gone but now is back
And stronger than ever
I love my friends I have gathered here

I Love my girl
I Love my friend
I Love my Mom
Most of all, I Love God

I did the unthinkable after 10 years…I changed jobs! Yes I was part of the furniture, but I felt that I was the carpenter if that helps any. I just wanted to touch on this thing called ‘change’ or doing things that you thought you never could.

I want to tell a quick story about when a mad friend of mine started chatting about jumping out of a perfectly good aircraft at 3 000 foot! Obviously there is no reality in that until you start thinking about it, going through the motions in your head! It’s all good and well to say ‘YES’ lets go for it, when we going? But then the mad friend actually books it and asks for a deposit…bleksim.

Needless to say I could not back out then, so a few weeks later we were on our way to Potchefstroom where we would be ‘Free Falling’. We slept there the Friday night making silly jokes and nervous conversation around a braai with beers to calm our nerves.

The Saturday morning we started training, well it was more like a drill camp. These instructors make sure you don’t do anything stupid up there, by drilling cardinal rules into ones head. All in all the training took about 6 hours and we had to write a test as well, when we walked out of there we were miniature Para bats. Then they asked who is ready to jump, I think I put my hand up so that I could get rid of the nerves I had been feeling the last few weeks.

They crammed us into a Cessna (three of us rookies and a Jump Master – JM) like sardines, we sat back to front in a line behind the pilot with the JM at the door way. We were meant to check each others equipment but we were too busy praying at the time. Luckily the rule is that the heaviest jump first, so I had some more time to pray. The other two gents out weighed me by far so I tried to stretch my neck to see how this all goes down, the first thing that the JM said when we were over the drop zone is “throttle back”, I remember this as these were the words that made my heart become one with my Addams Apple every time I jumped. The pilot brought the plane to just under 200km/h and then the JM shouted “get your feet out”, this is when I looked forward again and prayed till it was my turn.

So there I was in a flash sitting between the door way and the pilot, at least through all the nerves I gave the pilot my camera so that I could have evidence of how stupid I was. So the plane slowed down and I got ready to throw my legs out, on command I threw them out only for them to be thrown back in by the 200km/h wind. The JM just grinned at me as I saw my life pass by, with more effort this time I got my legs onto a small plate just out the door way. Next I had to grab onto the strut of the wing which I did get right on the second attempt and I said well here goes nothing!

I pulled myself up wedging my parachute pack against the bottom of the wing so that I did not fall off without instruction. Now it was baby steps as I stepped onto the wheel of the plane and moved my hands up the strut to almost against the wing. I knew I had to step off the wheel and hang off the wing as was trained but just could not, I looked at the JM over my shoulder as if he was going to tell me this is all a dream and I can wake up now. But all he did was motion that I must ‘dangle’, I took a big breath and dropped my feet off the wheel. I looked back at the JM and shouted “CHECK IN” and he gave me the thumbs up to let go…

That’s when I realised that my first jump was a ‘night jump’ as it was very dark…but I opened my eyes after my parachute had opened! After doing all my checks I just looked out at the surrounding area that was made golden brown by the setting sun, arguably the most amazing site I have ever seen! Right there and then I thanked God for showing me this as not all get to see this and to experience this freedom. Like in life the next time I jumped it was a lot easier!

And as with my job move (that has impressed me above compare) I now cannot believe it took me so long and made me so scared to do things that involve change or that are out of the norm. You have only one life on earth so best you make the most of it!

There is chatter between them,
a hum in th morning silence
a feeling of content filled with excitement
a quest that must be conquered

The man with the gun climbs aloft,
silhouetted in the rising sun
Silence falls upon the crowd
as the final seconds run

The shot sounds, the silence is broken
the tension is torn
the vibration is felt
the feeling is stunned!

The morning breeze is shadowed,
shadowed by the runners
the first morning rays
dancing on their perspiring faces

The road stretches out in front of them
like a desert directing infinity.
The quest begins
and now they must do, what must be done!

Now we all grow up with challenges in our lives and some we accept and others we deny. But when we have something that is in our minds, maybe a push-over challenge or just a lump of ladder then we belittle them like calling the pig just a piggie? Are you sure you want to call Mister pink belly just a pig?? Or do you first want to catch and control Mr pink… and then assess again before he whips your ass into pignalation!!

In a movie (and on stage recently) I was amazed by Mr Pig (aka Pumba) as I feel the same by calling the ‘Fish’ just another hike…The fish…should be called : Mr Fish!

The Fish River Canyon is not a day trip. 90Km’s of water, rock, sand, stone and blistering heat!!

Another fact that they happen to forget or not to mention is that it has claimed so many lives! But what a spiritual experience it turned out to be none the less, here we go:

Day one

It took us about 3 hours to climb to the bottom of the Canyon as one of our members was ill.

We had a relaxing swim in the river at the “Start” point and this was seen as lunch.

We only progressed another 2km as half the group was tired from the long hall down the Canyon and we were concerned that we might not find a suitable area to camp again before dark ascended upon us.

Our first night was at “First Rest Pools” and the name was fitting to the occasion!

Day two

This day took us to just passed the 10km mark so we took it as 12km in the first two days and started getting worried (slow going)! Especially when a group of people come hiking passed you and they are doing the hike in 6 days and not 5 like our selves!

It must be said that the river was very high indeed which forst us to do some boulder pioneering on the edge of the gorge and really slowed things down.

Another miss jugment was not crossing the river in time to take the first ‘important’ inside bend at “Wild Fig Bend”.

Day three

At this point we realised that we would be playing ‘catch-up’ from now on and woke up just before the sun rose and ended up having breakfast at “Palm Springs”.

We kept the pace aggressive and it would be the last time that we would see the ‘six day hikers’ but met with a new group of ‘Poms’ that were doing it in 4 days but started a day later than our selves which put them on the ball park with us! Gave us (me) some hope at that stage.

We had lunch (our last official lunch) break at “Reef xxxxxxxxxxx” and it was definitely one of thee greatest highlights of the Fish as it was a smooth rock embankment with lots of water and son. Here we played, washed and ate to our hearts content which I believe gave us the energy to press on with vigor!

We ended up at “Table Mountain” after a sand storm or two with the Pom’s about a K infront of us, we thought we had done about 18km and were at 30km in total.

Day Four

Realising we had 60km to do in 2 days we woke up in the dark and started packing! Breakfast was consumed along the way…

We pushed on well and kept an eagles eye out for our first short cut, we found it after a ten minute lunch ‘loop en sook’ and we took it! It is high so if you have a phobia of heights maybe ‘klapping a toon’ is better! There after we hit the second short cut soon afterwards and we took it with all eagerness! This one was a long shorty though and as much as we wanted to get passed “Four Finger Rock” we ended up at its base! We however saw the Brits summit this before sunset and knew they were still just a spit away.

Day 5

We knew that we had a bigger day than the day before ahead of us and the nerves were apparent and the tempers were flaring! But what held us together was the fact that we had come so far together and there was only one fifth left for us.

We passed the Causeway still in the morning and felt good about the road ahead, things got better when one of our leading hikers saw a “unofficial short cut” and we took it to our advantage!

We came out at the final “Official” short cut where we had a rest/lunch and then had our last Boulder climbing session of the hike just after the river crossing.

We were soon passed “Stock Kraal” and wisped passed the 80km mark with a tight left hander which brought us up to “Almost There”.

The last five kilometers were not tuff exept that the sand is soft and deep and that you think you are a spit away as the pipes to the resort from the river start just after your final river crossing! It was a long last 5km!!!!

If I take my desk at home there are still a lot of cables hanging around the unfriendly neighbourhood of my feet. My ‘wireless’ mouse and keyboard still need batteries to operate and they both work off a base station that is wired in any rate! My modem still needs power as well as the router with individual transformers, so they are still ugly wireless objects. Then there is still a printer, camera station, GPS connector, monitor, speakers, earphones…I think you get the point…cable tiers nightmare!

The biggest, fattest, ugliest cable of them all (other than the monitors serial) is still the power cable to the computer it self. Any power cable is a nasty thing especially as mentioned above when it is accompanied by a transformer. So how about we just get our power from out of space!! Now that you are imbued with aching stomach muscles I just need to reiterate…lets get our sparks from the heavens and lets toss those ankle tapers in the bin (recycle bin if you have in your country).

There are two things that can make this a reality: a microwave and a crystal glass!
Well not quite but almost, let me explain. David Criswell (University of Houston) has spoken about sending electricity to earth via microwave. All that you would need is a lot of solar panels on the moon that will catch the rays and transmit it to earth, a few thousand receivers here and a rectennae to convert it to electricity and we’re set to go.

So how do we get the shocker to charge our laptops, cell phones and electric toothbrush wirelessly? Simple, with the crystal glass of course! Its called non-radiative energy transfer. If we all know what electromagnetism is then we are at a good start, the problem with it though is that it emits energy in all directions and the other coil needs to be very close for it to receive the electric charge. With non-radiative energy however it is transferred in resonance to another unit by using the resonance of its own coils to transfer more directly to another coil with the same resonance. Almost like a crystal class being twined and making the other glasses of same shape and disposition vibrate around it, hit the right pitch and they all shatter together! In this all the units with the same coil resonance will not shatter but receive a direct electric charge, with no wires attached.

Obviously they are still trying to increase the range of this but it is already sitting at over 5 meters. So lets all go down to our local store and get us one of these non-radiative energy kits hey? Not for the next few years I guess…we will have to face those revolting wires just a tad longer.

Creaking floor
Tainted smell
Within my heart I claw
Climbing an anxious well

Seeing him I freeze
Who is this, is it he
Clothed in masqueraded frenzies
Those eyes well as may be me!

Inside I cry with no shame
I stand brave within domain
This man has no blame
He looks within, there is pain

I shuffle to see if he can see
My insides bleed to be conceived
Within a mask he looks at me
I see a beauty not believed

Stop Starring!
Stop Starring!
Love to all you bring
You are a true feeling

Now that day has past
You rip my heart apart
The tears of joy that you cast
And to the majestic “jy moet praat”

Remain the soul not the face
As in interlace we must give thanks
You will rise up in grace
As always in person you hold ranks

As the water speaks so do you
I know you’ll watch our through
You are one of future true
Our best confidante dear Jack is true

For those of you that are not from around here (South Africa) the title (Afrikaans) to this post means “Wait a bit” in English and “ちょっと待って (chotto matte)” in Japanese

This is also a common name of a member of the Acacia tree family (Acacia Caffra) that has the ability to hook onto to you and not let go! This tree is found in Mpumalanga, Gauteng, Northern Province and North-West. We happened to be in the Northern Province when we encountered this lovely but potentially troublesome tree.

We were on a hiking trail by the name of…you guessed it: ‘Wag ‘n Bietjie Trail’!

We tackled this hike end of September 2006 which is still pretty much winter in SA but you do this when hiking in the North as it gets as hot as hell in summer months.

This trail is situated just north of Warmbaths that is now called Bela Bela and is a spit away from Johannesburg and Pretoria. The trail is ranked ‘easy’ but due to some purely marked trails it may become a challenge as we discovered!

The first days hike was meant to be a breeze 8km (the second day 14km) or so but after lunch we started getting the feeling that the map was just not agreeing with the trail no more, what we didn’t know at this point is that we had missed the turn off to our overnight hut a while back! We even lost the trail at a stage and in an attempt to find it my buddy Jack and I tasted the full wrath of a Wag ‘n Bietjie tree, trust me on this one…you don’t ever go near one of these…’Little shop of Horrors’ can go sleep! The full trail is either shorter than what is noted or we are super hikers, by late afternoon we realised that we had hiked the full two day hike in less than a day finding ourselves back at base camp where we had started the morning!

Well at least it had a farm dam converted into a swimming pool that we abused immediately. We then approach the Farm Manager as one is not allowed to drive to the overnight hut with your own vehicles (Not good for the wild found in that camp), he immediately jumped to action and loaded us up into his make-shift ‘Landy’ and off we went. Just as well I took his cell number when he dropped us off as we later realised that the water in water tower was pungent to say the least! So the manager came back to help us out and we had clean water again. Around the fire with a glass of wine that evening we realised how lucky we really were…if we had taken the trail to the over night hut we would have sat without water!!

So even though we hiked our tails off that day and complained about the trail markings…the Almighty had a plan!

It is created from light
Or is it the creator
Not just an anomaly
But to us continual plight

Some see only shackles
To me it rules, controls
Consumes the abyss in an instant
With this, men have fought their battles

Maybe it is your white dove
Scratching heart, thumping!
Elation it does string
This thing, we call Love!

Inspired by Iso

But on a weekend hike it is something that is a joke for a moment or two and then it can become life threatening. Hikes are all good and well as long as there is someone in your group that is experienced and that there are aids in the form of a map that is concise, accurate and legible and relative to the surrounding area and a trail that is well marked would be a bonus!

So we had the afore mentioned but for the latter we were dwindling apostles only preaching to the way side as we stuttered through the Baviaanskloof!

I asked my self as the group did what the hell is a peace of heaven doing in the hands of misguided ‘authorities’? This is but another part of the puzzle of
Eden and we were not enjoying it purely because if the map says X km then it should be, or are you meant to know that it might be a whole lot more?

Luckily this hike was so beautiful it made it all worth the while. There was not much game to speak of but the mountain range, rivers, waterfalls and forests were something to write home about! The accommodation was also interesting as we slept in huts that looked like caves (nice touch), and at first sight it did make some of us shout for joy!! Another first was ‘bucket showers’ that with a bit of effort could turn out to be one hell of a nice wash session. There were also some of the most majestic views as we ascended steeply against the gorge, especially the look out where we looked onto a prestigious waterfall!

All said and done I would love to do it again some day, with a GPS that is!

At the end of the weekend I realised one thing…the ‘Unknown’ could have scared us and sure did try but the amazing group of friends we found our selves in was the ‘Known’ and that is all that mattered!

As I started searching I started with what I remembered as my favourite game or the interaction and connection with my best friend Robin, and then I realised that there were many different phases as the hardware changed.

The first thing that jumped into my mind was “Leisure suite Larry” but realised that this was I played on a 286 or 486 and came later in life when I was in my sexual prime as a teen and obviously the thing to come to mind, so I tried a bit harder.

A lot of emotion ran back and hit me like a ten pound hammer!

I started to remember “Ghost Busters” and worked my way backwards…

I said to my self what the hell was the first…

Other than the Café games and “Pac Man” on the Atari because Atari was definitely the first ‘platform’ I played on…it was…”Manic Miner” on the ZX Spectrum 48k!

Yes that was the game that first kept me captivated for months on end! But not as much as its follow up “Jet Set Willy”!

These were the first ‘colour’ games that changed my world as a child and the first platform that we owned – ZX Spectrum 48k.

So I found a great sight (as I looked no further) called http://www.worldofspectrum.org/ and it gave me what I wanted, not only a glimpse of what used to be but I could actually play some of them real time on their sight using a 48k Java Spectrum Emulator – how cool.

With time I remembered other greats like “Jet Pack”, “Atic Atac”, “Movie” and “The Great Escape”.

Well all and all it was a great remembrabce for me as a kiddie and as a teen and most of all the fact that my Dad (only bread winner financially) kept a secret for a long time after we got back to Jozi after a few months in theMother
City. A lot of speculation by my self and my boet got us frustrated before our surprise that would change our lives!!!

Yes that day when my Dad got home with a thorough-bread ZX in his boot…don’t remember the car but I sure remember the colour of the ZX…black with the rainboe trim!!

I remember my Dad paying up to R300, that was like R3000 in my terms today – a lot of money! But the beautiful part was the fact that a Father would give this to us but yet limit us to its exposure?

Good for you, I now say, as what am I?

A Software Developer…

One thing I know for sure is that the Lord had more influence in me being a Software Devloper than me being an Engineer.