To blog... or not to blog

2010-05-26T15:47:00.002+08:00

Yesterday was a regular morning like any other. Took my shower, got dressed and left the house. I pushed the elevator button and followed the flashing numbers until the doors finally opened at the seventh floor. I got in, pushed the G button and turned around. Then I saw them!The bags under my eyes looked enormous. Fluffy IKEA goose feather duvets were hanging limp under my eyes and then it hit me. This is the price you have to pay for having the honour of sleeping less than 3 hours in total.

Let’s rewind

Almost two years ago, I moved into my apartment building in Abu Dhabi. This building, known by local residents as the Pink Palace has pink window frames, pink pot plants, even pink glass. I mean, Barbie wouldn’t want to live anywhere else! The Pink Palace is built next to one of the largest construction sites in Abu Dhabi. The new ‘Central Market’ has been planned for many years and they started construction somewhere early 2008. I saw the floors rising one by one each day. Wait, let me rephrase that. I HEARD the floors rising one by one as they’ve been building this 70+ floor structure over the last two years. Living in the desert means that it’s easier to work during the night when the temperatures are lower. So for 24/7, construction is going on outside my bedroom window. I’ve taught myself to live through concrete pouring, large cranes dropping piles of steel for meters and even the millions of ants (workers) screaming at one another. Torrent sites have provided me with soothing ‘Forest sounds’, ‘Sea tranquillity’… anything… to help me sleep. I’ve tried meditation, melatonin and … yes… alcohol, just to have some sleep.

Enough is enough

Since Saturday night, two new sounds made their appearance on the block, ‘hammering’ and ‘grinding’. Well, if you count the fact that there are more than two hammers, one can’t ever assume it’s only two new sounds, can you? So, from 11 o’clock to 4am, this continues. And after a short pause, the mosques all over Abu Dhabi start with the morning prayer call.

So, at 2am on Monday morning, those hammers and grinder sounded like they were competing in the Olympics. I shoved my own fingers in my ears. No success. I tried the pillow on my head. Na da. Forest sounds. Nope. Waves crashing to Mozart tunes. No. Birds of Brazil. No. NO. NO.

I got up and marched towards my living room window with my camera in my hands. I needed proof. Concrete (no pun intended) proof. I opened the window and recorded what I had to live with at 2:20 in the morning. After this I phoned the police.

Policeman 1 : As-Salamu Alaykum.

Me: Hey sir! I live next to the Central Market and they’re making so much noise here. I haven’t been able to sleep at all for the last four days and –

Policeman1 : Arabia?

Me : Mafi Arabia. Can you speak English?

Policeman1 : *sigh* Wait! *blabbers in die background*

Policeman2 : As-Salamu Alaykum.

Me: Alaykum As-Salam. Do you speak English sir?

Policeman2: Yes.

Me : I live next to the Central Market and they’re making so much noise here. I haven’t been able to sleep at all for the last four days and…

Policeman2: Yes, they are building over there.

Me : *thinking… NO! REALLY???* Yes, I know they’re building over here, but they’re hammering and grinding at 2am in the morning.

Policeman2 : So, you can’t sleep?

Me : *thinking… no you idiot… I am sleeping at the moment. I have a tendency to phone the police office at this ungodly hour pretending I’m awake!!* No, sir. I can’t sleep, because it’s very noisy. *I open the window* Can you hear?

Policeman2: Wow, it is very noisy. And this at 2:30 in the morning?

Me: *thinking… unless we’re in two different time zones!* Yes sir. Can you PLEASE send someone to shut them up.

Policeman2: Ok, I’ll send someone. You wait outside.

Hell, with a splash of humidity

As you know, the summer is here and I arrived outside with bed hair standing in all directions, armed with my camera and video proof. Waiting. The humidity is super high this time of year and it was about 30 degrees Celsius out there. I waited still. Eventually I saw the patrol car and ran towards them.

Me : As-Salamu Alaykum.

Policeman3: Alaykum As-Salam.

Me : Sir, thanks for coming! These guys are making such a noise. I haven’t been able to sleep for –

Policeman3 : Arabia??

Me : *sigh* Mafi Arabia. You speak English?

The blank facial expression said everything. My phone rings.

Me : Hello.

Policeman2: Hello. The police should be there now.

Me : Yes, thanks. They’re here, but they don’t speak English.

Policemen2: Oh, ok. But I told them. *hangs up*

Policeman 3 and 4 looks at me. I result to sign and sound language. *point point* They GUFFF GUFFF BANG BANGGG *point to my wrist where a watch should sit* NO … uh… MAFI SLEEP *pretend I’m sleeping*

I turn on the camera and show them the video footage.

Policeman 3 and 4 are agreeing in unison that it’s “Very BAD! TOO MUCH!”

FINALLY! EUREKA!! They feel my pain!!!

A man from the contraction site walks closer.

Policeman3: blah blah Arabic blah.

Worker : blah blah Urdu blah.

Me : *looks at worker* English?

Worker : Mafi Englezi (No English)

Policeman3: Arabia?

Worker: blah Urdu blah. Mafi Arabia.

Me : *SIGH!!!* You DUFFF DUFF GWARRR GWAARRRR 3 o’clock morning! BAD VERY BAD!!!

Policeman4: You want sue??

Me: *thinking… some English! Amazing! And are you kidding? I sue the Sheikh’s company? What’s the odds of winning that one??* Not sue, just sleep!

Eventually another man (looking like a supervisor )walks up. He asks what the problem is in English. He apologizes to the police in Arabic and asks me to follow him. The police wave and I follow, thinking how amazing this Babel of a city is.

The Supervisor wasn’t very happy that I phoned the police, but I told him that I had no choice as this has been going on for days. He handed me a cherry red hard hat and I showed him the origin of the sounds from hell. He came around the corner and we caught 4 ants with hammers and one with the grinder. He immediately told them to ‘drop their weapons’ and they followed orders. They looked very shocked to see the Gora (Hindi for white foreigner) on the site at this hour!! The supervisor apologized again and gave me his cell phone number, saying that if I have any more problems, I should phone him directly. I’m so honoured to have a Construction site manager on Speed dial now! Do you?

So here I was, wide awake, handing back the red hat and returning to the Pink Palace. It was after 3 and I had to wake up before six. I lied down on the bed and there it was. SILENCE. Absolute SILENCE. No concrete, no hammers, no grinder. Not a squeak. My subconscious was so used to having some kind of noise level, that I couldn’t sleep as it was TOO quiet. Well, isn’t this just nice? I do think that I fell asleep around 5ish, just after the morning prayer call. What a wonderful life, I lead.

So the bags under the eyes are looking more like flabby tummy fat than bloated gym balls today, a sure sign that a good night’s rest might be heading my way … very soon. Watch this space.

New Photo Album Uploaded

2007-06-01T00:08:00.000+08:00

Wawee - Northern Thailand

Avril goes 8 languages

2007-04-23T11:57:00.000+08:00

I honestly think that she or her producers are the smartest people ever in the music industry. What better way to record a hit, than recording a hit in 8 different languages. Yes, Avril Lavigne recorded her new single "girlfriend" in English, Japanese, Italian, Spanish, German, Portuguese, French and Chinese. Good on her.. and I'm sure she'll see the fruits of her labour. Check out the video here:

A Bella Sunset

2007-04-16T12:02:00.000+08:00

The other day, I spend some time with my Taiwanese goddaughter, Bella. She's getting so big lately and so cute.

MOVIE REVIEW - STRANGER THAN FICTION

2007-04-06T16:33:00.000+08:00

Harold Crick (Will Ferrel) lives his ordinary boring life, until he discovers that someone is following him. Well.. not so much following in the sense, but narrating his life to him.

He discovers that the narrator is trying to kill him, because she thinks he's just a fictional character. Yet, he's alive as you and me.

Emma Thompson portrays an amazing role as Karen Eiffel, proclaimed novelist. Unfortunately she's famous for killing her main characters every time she writes a best seller.

This movie is pure fun and you NEVER know what's going to happen until the end. It was one of the most entertaining movies I've seen this year and scores a full 10/10 in my score book.

MOVIE REVIEW : BRIDGE TO TERABITHIA

2007-04-06T16:23:00.000+08:00

I've always been a NEVERENDING STORY fan. Something out of the ordinary, and THE BRIDGE TO TERABITHIA will never fail you if you like movies like that.

The little actors are fantastic and I'm sure we'll see more of them in the future. I've never been a major fan of kid actors like Macaulay Culkin and surprisingly he didn't turn out much more than being Home Alone.

Terabithia is a story of true friendship. Of being children and not allowing society to make you bigger before your time. It reminded me of all the millions of possiblities there where when I was still young.

Unfortunately it does sometimes feel like there are too many days that pass and too little action, but overall the movie scores a 8/10 with me.

Not bad Disney. You're at least trying to bring back the magic in your latest movies!

Ladies... and Gentleman

2007-04-06T16:06:00.000+08:00

I've recently uploaded pictures of my trip to Chiang Mai, Thailand. We treated ourselves to a very good Ladyboy show - part of the SIMON CABERET group.

It's hard to imagine that the person on my right came into the world as a boy. Check out my pics on WEBSHOTS by clicking the picture.

Wow, Sukhothai

2007-03-17T01:30:00.000+08:00

Check out my pictures of my latest trip to Sukhothai, Thailand. It was absolutely out of this world to be able to walk amoung those historical ruins.

Just click on the picture above.

Pig Out!

2007-02-19T10:01:00.000+08:00

OINK! OINK!!

A happy Chinese New Year to you all. I hope that the YEAR OF THE PIG would be full of fun and fantastic adventures! Now you don't need any excuse for piggin' out!

Gong Xi Fa Cai!

Book Launch, 4th Feb 2007

2007-02-12T12:04:00.000+08:00

Click on the link below to see what happened at the book launch:

A Moment Like This...

2007-02-08T14:06:00.000+08:00

Last weekend

As you know by now, I had my official book launch of my first book: AFRO-DIZZY-ACT : A potent adventure of a foreigner in Taiwan in Taipei last weekend at the International Book Exhibition. It was such a special occasion in my life and it’s something that I’ll remember for many years to come.

Speeding to Taipei

The long awaited High Speed Railway was opened last month and we took advantage of getting to the capital city in style. Last Saturday morning myself, Moz and Sean made our way up to the HSR Station in Tainan county. It’s a bit out of town, but once you’re there, you appreciate the beautiful county scenery outside. The white and orange train pulled in fast and we got on. It was awesome to drive 300km/h for the first time in my life. It didn’t feel that fast though. I couldn’t believe that the usual 5 hour drive was now only 2 hours. It helps a lot. My artist buddy Jasyn met us on the train and we discussed what could await us that side of the island. Soon we arrived in Ban-Ciao in Taipei and we headed into the MRT (Mass Rapid Transit) towards the radio station.

Rusted Chinese

Not only did I have my first radio interview in my life. I was asked all questions in Chinese and attempted… stress on attempted to answer as much as I could in Chinese. It was scary! But I was so stressed out, that I probably used a LOT of wrong tones. However, I think it went quite well. The DJ was very well prepared and we had an awesome time.

Book Fair

Jasyn and I headed to the book fair which was held at the World Trade Centre next to the world’s tallest building, Taipei 101. I knew it would be big, but it was HUGE!!! If I say that there were thousands of people inside, I don’t lie. I couldn’t believe how many books there were. Russia, Japan and many other countries were represented there and we zigzagged through the people to get to our stand. They used the “big 5” animal painting that Jasyn did on the wall and our book was promoted next to Johnny Depp’s! Ha-ha. How cool was that?! We met our host who would host our public show on Sunday. Her name is Medusa and she’s from Taiwan. My book was all around me on all shelves, and it was really a feeling that I can’t describe to anyone.

Amazing Friends

I have a few of these, but sometimes you meet someone and it’s almost as if you KNEW you had to meet this person in your life. By the time you’ve finished your first conversation, it feels like you’ve been friends for years. Well, I met Joan like this. An amazing girl from South Africa who invited my friends and me to join them for dinner at her place that night. We arrived there with my friend Connie who joined later. The house was homey and it felt so inviting. As I walked up, a Taiwanese boy walked up to Joan and asked her something. In 100% accurate Afrikaans!!! I almost fell on my back!! The WHAT?!?! Man, he could even say the rolling RRRR sound! Yes, Hans (as he was called) lived in Bloemfontein with his parents and came back to Taiwan some years later. It sounded so strange, but it was awesome. Joan also had other friends there and it was so nice to meet all these lovely people. Soon we made our own in-home dance floor and we boogied away. After a nice time, we left for one of the largest night markets Shin-Lin in Taipei, where I had a long awaited papaya milk.

Sunday, 4 February

Early Sunday we all made our way to the book exhibition. It was busier than the previous day and I almost arrived late for my own presentation. Ha-ha. We were greeted by the publisher and the South African Liaison Office who came to support me. It felt so special that my government was supporting me and helping show Taiwan what an amazing people we are in South Africa. There were quite a few people who attended. Jasyn and I had to sit on a stage and before we were asked questions, they introduced South Africa with beautiful clips. SA music was playing in the background and I felt like I was home.

"I couldn’t believe this

was really happening."

Pinch me!!

As I was sitting there, my friends Teresa, Leandra, Connie, Marcelle, Sean, Josh (bless your souls) and many others were supporting me from below. It felt so awesome. Again I had to try and speak Chinese, and this time it went worse, because the host, Medusa, asked the questions really quickly. Ha-ha. Hey! If Miss World can get an interpreter, so can I. So Jasyn came in very handy.

Soon I had to sign books, and immediately a line of people were formed waiting for signatures. I had goose bumps all over, cause I couldn’t believe this was really happening. We were later asked to leave the area and go back to the stand where I had to finish the rest of the signing.

MA LI OH DAI NI FUNG TAIWAN!!!!!

This is the Chinese name of my book and when I arrived at the stand, people were walking with HUGE posters with the book and screaming the name. My wonderful friends Connie, Moz and Sean joined in soon and everyone was shouting. I had to sit at a small table and sign books. This kept going for about 2 hours. A small girl loved the pictures in the books and asked her dad to buy her the book too. She was so shy, but had the courage to pose for a picture. We also sold some of our Pie*Say T-shirts and we proudly promoted Taiwan too.

Persian relaxation

The evening we went to an Iranian restaurant where we indulged in a much deserved Persian meal. It was out of this world. And we were also soon entertained with a belly dance performance. Wow! I was in awe. Those girls must have the guys go wacko in Persia!!! They are like goddesses … I totally understand why Samson in the Bible got tricked by one of them. Ha-ha.

Monday

Early Monday, Jasyn and I headed out for our second Radio interview. This one was a big station and the security was so tight. I sat and waited with posters surrounding me of all the famous Taiwanese singers and actors. Cooool! The interview went a little better, cause the DJ could speak and understand English, so I was much more relaxed.

Catch the train!!!

While Jasyn and I were interviewing away, my other friends were at the museum. We had to catch the 12:15 speed train back to Tainan. Problem is, if you miss the train, you forfeit the money. Jasyn and I was there at 11:50, but no sign on the other friends. Unfortunately they didn’t realize how the time would catch up with them, and I got a phone call that they’re on the bus. They even got the bus driver to skip all his stops and head for the Railway Station as fast as that bus could go. I can imagine something like a Keanu Reeves scene in Speed. By 12:12 Chariots of Fire started playing in my head while my friends stampeded like scared zebras around the corner in slow motion. We pushed our way through the gates and still had to run down to the train. At 12:14 we jumped on the train through any opening that we could find. 1 minute later we were speeding away to the south. What a close call! It took us half of the trip just to get our breath and color back. But, what an exciting way to end such an exciting weekend.

LOST in America

2007-01-25T12:26:00.000+08:00

LOST and HEROES are of my favorite shows of all time. Just because you never know what's going to happen. My dear South African friend Berdine walked around the airport the other day and guess who she found? Josh Holloway. Sitting there, minding his own business. He plays the character of Sawyer in LOST and he's such a "good bad" guy.

I can totally understand why Berdine smiled big time. Lucky girl.

Official Launch of A-D-A

2007-01-23T09:55:00.000+08:00

Click on the pic for a better view

Well, people are blogging about the book and we're getting a lot of good comments about it. I'm smiling all the way! Next week I've got a radio interview in Taipei ... (need to brush up on the Chinese.. Ha-ha)

The TIBE (Taipei International Book Exhibition) will be held from the end of January to the beginning of February 2007. AFRO-DIZZY-ACT will officially be launched on Sunday, February 4th. If you can make it, please join us.

The launching won't be near the book stand where the books are available. So make your way to A318 and support us there. I'll be around there most of Sunday to sign a few copies.

I'll bring my artist friend with who made the amazing illustrations. So just ask for Jasyn! He'll be the Taiwanese guy who can't stop smiling!

PIE*SAY spotted all over!

2007-01-17T11:46:00.000+08:00

Our souvenir T-shirt company enjoys making tees that bring a smile to faces all around Taiwan and now the world.

"The Guitar Slingers" is a new band in the Tainan area and they're doing really well for themselves. And they support Pie*Say.

And believe it or not, but Pie*Say has been spotted in France too!

For more information on the shirts, feel free to check out our cool website at http://www.piesay.com

AFRO-DIZZY-ACT... hits the stores.

2007-01-09T10:46:00.000+08:00

What an amazing feeling to see my hard labour on a bookshelf. Here with my co-partner and artist friend Jasyn in Pingtung city.

My first book is out....

2007-01-06T00:34:00.000+08:00

AFRO-DIZZY-ACT:

A potent adventure of a foreigner in Taiwan

Farewell 2006

2006-12-31T14:10:00.000+08:00

What an amazing year.

Fantastic times.

Great memories.

Life... rocks!

2006 - The good, the bad and the ugly

2006-12-30T18:44:00.000+08:00

I've done more than 2006 things this year. I've attempted things that I thought I'd never do and I've learned so much more about life, people and most important... myself.

Highlights outweigh the low points and a lot of it has to do with my new theory on life. Cut out the "energy vampires". Gosh, life is short and life is hard, and the last thing one needs in your life is someone who brings you down and make you feel much worse about who you are. I can seriously suggest this to all of you. Make a list of all your friends. Tick the names of the people that make you happy, people that always smile and care. And then seriously consider those who only phone you with problems or to tell you exactly how bad life is.

My year started by going to the Phillipines. What an amazing country, people and adventure. Part is this was because I spent it with two of my favorite people in the world. We met such amazing people and even had pictures with Tarsiers, the smallest monkey like creatures I've ever seen.

One of my most amazing highlights was my trip to the fabulous New Zealand - The land of the long white cloud. I pushed myself to the limits by doing so many things for the first time. Like Zorbing, white water rafting and my first skydive. I'll never forget that 13000 ft plunge! Bring it on any day!! I loved the people there and I want to go back there again. I also made amazing friends and I had the honor to learn about each one of them.

I also started my own business with a friend of mine in Taiwan. Pie*Say T-shirts hit the island with a storm and the ones who have them... love them. I found that so many places have nice souvenir shirts. Taiwan didn't... and if you see a need, fill it. That sounds like something Donald Trump would say. Haha. Here I'm in the McD's with my shirt. Check the girl taking a picture behind me. She thinks that I don't know what the shirt means. It reads in Chinese: "Although I'm smart, I'm still too stupid to read my own shirt!" Check out our other shirts at http://www.piesay.com

Well, after a long thought process, I decided on 2 movies which were my favorites this year. The first is the final installment of X-Men. Loved it. "Go out with a bang", I always say.. and that's just what they did. It was worth the wait.

Another movie which was totally differerent was OPEN SEASON. Of all the computer animated movies I saw this year (and I basically saw them all), I liked this one most. I haven't enjoyed a movie like this in a very long time.

My favorite song was and still is NO PROMISES from SHAYNE WARD. Wow. This song just stirrs me in all the right places! Go Shayne! Keep up the good work...

Click on the picture to view it on on YOUTUBE. It's just out of this world.

Largest Earthquakes in 100 years Shake Southern Taiwan

2006-12-27T11:00:00.000+08:00

Rescue workers at a collapsed home in southern Taiwan

How scary is it for someone that's from a country with very little earthquake history, to experience what I did last night. I was teaching in the countryside on the fifth floor in a class filled with 34 students.

At around 20:26, the kids started shouting "DI ZHEN". I told them "No Chinese", but then I realized they were saying Earthquake. Suddenly the whole building started shaking and stirring. Everyone was seated except for me. I almost fell down and grabbed onto the white board and the nearby cubboard.

Half the kids were hysterical. The other half were laughing. In a situation like this, it gets very scary, because what do you do? Go on? Or go out? I knew it would be impossible for us all to get down in a minute, so I told them to sit still and wait it out. As soon as everything seemed okay, another earthquake shook us up and down 8 minutes later.

This time more kids looked scared and we immediately moved to a lower floor. The quakes were measured 6.9 on the richter scale, but Americans measured them at 7.1 and 7.0.

As far as I know only one person was killed and a few injured, which is a miracle concerning the power of the quakes. There was also no Tsunami alert.

This now happened 2 years after the huge Tsunami swept across the Indian Ocean.

I think that Boxing day should honestly be considered the next Friday the 13th.

AFRO-DIZZY-ACT... just after Christmas

2006-12-19T09:38:00.001+08:00

It's with great pleasure that I want to share the following link with you.

As you know, I'm publishing my very first book in Taiwan soon. After lots of discussions, it was decided that AFRO-DIZZY-ACT : A potent adventure of a foreigner in Taiwan would be out at the end of January.

I'm not allowed to share too much of this book with you yet, but we have a local magazine here that got permission to use an excerpt of the book. I'd love to share it with you.

If you come to visit Taiwan, whether you're the Queen Mother herself, there's something you can't avoid. And that is the day that you walk into a squatting toilet.

Read all about my first experience with the porcelain hole. Click on the picture below:

Karma is out there!

2006-12-12T10:56:00.000+08:00

Don't Give Up - Because You Are Loved

2006-12-01T09:23:00.000+08:00

There is not a person in this world whose singing voice I love more than that of Josh Groban. This guy has an angelic voice that has the power to touch my innermost soul. I was so glad to hear that he is releasing a new CD.

How many times in today's life, we just want to throw up our hands and say: "I quit!" Your job. Your family. Your finances. Your life.

One of Josh's new songs is called "YOU ARE LOVED". And it teaches us not to give up when times are hard. Because no matter how busy we are or how hectic our lives are... somewhere in this world somebody REALLY cares about us. And that should be enough reason to go on.

It's a pleasure to share the lyrics with you. Look at the video here:

And all South Africans would be proud. They recorded a SA favourite... "Weeping" with Ladysmith Black Mambaso on the new CD. Go Africa! Spread your song! Ha-ha.

"You Are Loved (Don't Give Up)"

Don't give up

It's just the weight of the world

When you're heart's heavy

I...I will lift it for you

Don't give up

Because you want to be heard

If silence keeps you

I...I will break it for you

Everybody wants to be understood

Well I can hear you

Everybody wants to be loved

Don't give up

Because you are loved

Don't give up

It's just the hurt that you hide

When you’re lost inside

I...I will be there to find you

Don't give up

Because you want to burn bright

If darkness blinds you

I...I will shine to guide you

Everybody wants to be understood

Well I can hear you

Everybody wants to be loved

Don't give up

Because you are loved

You are loved

Don't give up

It's just the weight of the world

Don't give up

Every one is to be heard

You are loved

A Tian What???

2006-11-18T08:09:00.000+08:00

Have you ever heard of something called a "Tian Deng"? No? Well, then you'll have to watch my latest YOUTUBE video. It was my friend Connie's birthday on November 4th and we decided to treat her to her very first TIAN DENG. Click on the video underneath to find out more.

WARNING : PARENTAL GUIDANCE IS ADVICED FOR FURTHER VIEWING

If you can't view it here, just click the link underneath to see it:

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

BBQ Weekend

2006-11-12T23:37:00.000+08:00

A bunch of us had a great BBQ/Braai this weekend in Chaiyi. The company and food was great.

Everyone wore their pie*say T-shirts.

Sean's little nephew came to visit too and he's darn cute. You won't believe how much he looks around at the age of two months. Those eyes are just sucking up everything around them.

Connie (left) and Marcelle (right) are two of the nicest people you'll meet around here and with friends like these, one can only be sure of having a great time.

Want to see more about the pie*say T-shirts?

Check out the website at http://www.piesay.com

Feels Like Home

2006-11-06T10:32:00.000+08:00

Man! Did I have a great weekend! I went to Taipei where the Liason Office had a party for fellow South Africans! And it rocked! I was surrounded by my own people, telling jokes and enjoying things that we had in common.

The Taiwanese waiters were so amused at how 'happy' we all were and I think every one who went there had an amazing time! We had great food and the drinks were on the house! How cool is that?

The best part of the night is when our roots started calling us back. Soon we started moving tables away and started dancing South African style or SOKKIE as it is known back home. And DID we Sokkie!! Again I felt truly proud to be called South African.

The Long Kiss Goodnight

2006-10-27T09:04:00.000+08:00

Big apologies that I haven't updated my blog in a while. Things were quite busy here the last few days and I was blessed by my cousin and her hubby coming to visit me here in Taiwan. We had so much fun... spoke Afrikaans... and saw lots of stuff. I was very proud of them, because they probably ate everything they were given. That's a big step already.

I'll try to update the blog more regularly. Thanks for all of you who read what I'm up to.

Skydiving in NZ

2006-09-25T08:44:00.000+08:00

Due to public Demand, I'd like to repost this article on my blog

I’d like to be cremated

On Friday 18 August, the bus picked a few of us first timers up from the lodge we stayed at. It was a nice day and all the way there we shared with each other how scared we were and how we prefer to be buried (for if some parachute doesn't open during the course of the day). I was all big mouth and did what I'm good at: Mr. Motivational Speaker. But, as soon as I arrived and I saw people jumping out of airplanes the size of the "T" on a computer keyboard, I started to slowly go into a semi-panic mode. (very well hidden if I may say so myself).

Stuart – my new best friend

We were divided into planes and with my luck I was the only first timer with all these experienced guys. Something went wrong with their schedule and I was suddenly moved in front of all my friends. Oh great! Now they can see how I become grass food / fertilizer! I was thrown into my uniform and was quickly introduced to Stuart. The man who would jump with me and who had my whole life in his hands. I'd prefer getting to know someone over a beer first before you trust them with your life! But alas, the small army airplane was propelling outside, and I had to hurry up.

Lucky 13

Closely packed like sardines the 8 of us (including the pilot) made our way into the air. The cameraman kept on pushing his camera into my face and I could feel that I didn't look too relaxed. He showed me his altitude watch and we were at 3000 feet. Everyone in the plane kept on looking at me, because I was the one who decided on their fate too. It would be my choice to drop from 12000 or 13000 feet. Lucky 13?! Bring it on!! So, I told them "Let's do the 13000!". They all sighed with relief and appreciation. (All these crazy people that jump our of planes)

Mother nature - help me now

I calmed myself down and looked at the view outside. It was awesome. We were jumping over the smallest National Park in New Zealand called Abel Tasman. Surrounding the park were snow-capped mountains and white beaches. It was just fabulous. For 30 minutes we just climbed higher and higher.

“This is the FBI – you have the right to answer my questions before you throw me out of a plane”

Then I started with my inquiry to Stuart before he flung me out of an airplane. "How many people had died around you?" "How many jumps have you done?" "What's your address that I can come and spook at your house if you drop me". He reassured me that everything was going to be okay. I had one request though. “PLEASE tell me 1 minute before everyone starts jumping out like crazy crackers”. They told me they would.

Forgive me father, for I have sinned…

It was also so destined for me to be last. I was supposed to look at how everyone fell down and be sucked out before my very eyes. The turbulence and 13000 feet wasn't too nice either and as the small plane bumped around in midair... I quickly forgave all my enemies and made sure that I was ready to go to a better place.

YEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHH!!!!

"We're going to jump" shouted the one guy as he pulled open the side door. This was my queue and I started to shout like a Mad Maori! "Yeah!!!!" "GO!!!!" "YEEEAAAAH". They all looked at me as if I have just reached that thin line between sanity and madness, but they took it as a go ahead and two by two our plane had more space.

The time hath cometh

It was my time. Now or never. Stuart (obviously by now attached to my back) pulled and secured the bands around us and we moved forward. Back out or go for it? The utmost fear grabbed onto every cell in my body. Adrenaline is what would keep me alive now. Stuart pushed hard and my legs literally fell out of the airplane. He told me to pull them in under the plane. As he moved forward, my body actually fell forward too and as I fell forward, I saw the earth under me for the first time. Just me and the ground 13000ft below me. But then it happened!

Yeah, Yeah!? What happened?

Oh, chill. Keep your socks on!! I’ll tell ya! It happened. I felt the most peace in my life when looking down at that ground. I was an angel floating between the clouds and nothing could harm me there and then. Stuart pushed my head back and I was as calm as a canary on a Sunday flight. He threw himself forward and we tumbled down head first. Every cell in my body that were filled with fear before, felt as if they all released at the same time and the feeling is something that I can describe to no one.

Let’s sing… “And I’m freeeeeeee…. Freeeeeeee falling!!!”

As soon as we were safe distance from the plane, Stuart tapped my head and I spread my wings …uhm … I mean arms. Now for the free fall. 55 seconds freefall at 200km/h. The adrenalin spurted so much in my system, that I could make anyone believe that I was a V8 engine! When I saw the camera, I started entertaining. Swam in the air. And more than once I did the Maori face with the big eyes and tongue out. This was my HAKA to the Sky to say that I have conquered it! Whoooo hoooo!

Peace… piece by piece

After the free fall, Stuart opened the parachute and we were pulled for quite a distance back up into the air. And then all was calm. It was so quiet. And I just appreciated our beautiful nature and I realized again how much we take for granted. Who needs to go to a museum in Paris to see genuine art? I had it all right under me. A tapestry of green, blue and snow-capped mountains.

I did it!!!

I shouted like a berserk baboon once I saw my friends wave at the bottom and we landed very smoothly on the grass. Bring it on!!! It was by far probably the most amazing experience of my life! I totally understand why Stuart was close to 14000 jumps. I could get addicted to that. Now, if there’s anything you do in your life before you die, try this. You won’t regret it. And 3 of my friends had fears for heights. And they all loved it. It’s different than standing on a high building. I promise!

Now, if you want to see this all for yourself… check out my own personal video of the whole experience! Enjoy!!!!

CLICK HERE TO SEE ME JUMP ON VIDEO

This was my HAKA to the Sky to say that I have conquered it!

The importance of a password

2006-09-23T14:45:00.000+08:00

You might notice that I've been moving blogs like crazy, but I truly forgot the password of my account: http//kameelperd.blogspot.com
So feel free to check out my previous blogs and let's hope that I can keep this password.

Welcome AGAIN... to my blog.