The value chain, from A to Zim
Most of us who pick up a magazine or newspaper rarely think about the value chain resulting in the words we read ending up on paper.
In 2007, I was invited to write for thoughtleader.co.za which I grudgingly accepted. In hindsight, this was one of the best decisions I ever made because it led me to meet Sarah.
These pieces were published at thoughtleader. The title comes from Sherlock Holmes. I liked it because we in the 4th Estate are a club that keeps government in check; and I, like Diogenes, am a cynic.
‘The beatings will continue until morale improves’
It's 5.24am on Saturday morning in the northern suburbs of Africa's financial capital. I've just finished two hours re-editing a DVD for the big-screen display at the hottest party in town tonight. (Club Y at Carfax, Newtown, if you must know.) Now, there's the obligatory wait for the video to render. (That's geek speak for "processing the special effects".) This leaves me time to catch up on overdue reading, including the letter from the president on the ANC Today newsletter.
The best symbol of a united nation
Tuesday midday in GP: A R29 “business lunch special” at a Chinese restaurant in Rosebank with a colleague followed by filter coffee and baklava at Fournos around the corner. And as I used my finger to wipe the last drops of honey from the plate, I sighed in satisfaction: “What is this life if, full of care, we have no time to stand and stare?”
And then I caught myself: “Wait a second, we do have time to stand and stare.”
My companion agreed. We smugly clinked coffee cups together and headed back to work …
Lying, traitorous blackguards
It’s Friday and into my mailbox pops the words of another famous blogger. Herewith the words of El Presidente …
To remind all of us of what it means to be a member of the ANC, at our 2005 National General Council, I quoted the Oath contained in the ANC Constitution, to which all ANC members, who join and remain members of our movement of their free will, must subscribe. The Oath says:
Mine’s bigger than yours — for now, anyway
Most good jokes can be carried off with just the punchline. Note the following:
“No signora, ees not my feenger …”
“I tried to stop swallowing, but it was all one piece!”
“Declawed? I thought you said deboned?”
“So the bear picked up the rabbit and wiped his ass with it.”
“Perhapth I should rephwase that: Can I thee her wun awound a widdlebit?”
“The rabbi answered sadly: ‘My wife is from Minsk.’”
“Because it was stapled to the chicken”
“I knew if I waited long enough, I’d get a hot meal.”
“Peter! I can see your house from here!”
A man who helped me dream
“Having done several thousand interviews in all media, I’m now completely fed up with talking (even about myself). Everything anyone needs to know will be found in my own writings … ”
In defence of David Bullard …
(I must be out of my flippin’ tree! … Writing this particular blog, I mean. Might just as well swim out past the shark nets after acupuncture. Oh well, bring ‘em on …)
