...at least in public.
Out of deference to all your finer feelings I am trying to stop clicking my knuckles. I love clicking the joints in my fingers, just so you know. And the link between it and arthritis is inconclusive. But I will from now one just be clicking happily in my own company. And in the company of my deskmate who doesn't care.
PATTOTE: Better living through a nice snapping knuckle.
Monday, February 19, 2007
Friday, February 16, 2007
Dreamy Beatles
I had the craziest dream the other morning. I was at a huge festival of some sort and I was surrounded by The Beatles (minus John). They were young and still had their 60s haircuts, but were dressed in clothes for our time. Oh and George's hair was nattily moussed and gelled. Anyway, they're getting ready to go up on stage to perform (for me!). I very firmly tell them I want George to sing, because he's my favourite (he still is). Ringo gets all upset and they all start fighting.
PATTOTE: Better living through The Great Goat. Even The Beatles can't get enough of me!
PATTOTE: Better living through The Great Goat. Even The Beatles can't get enough of me!
Thursday, February 15, 2007
Cricket World Cup
So my world cup fever is starting. I'm being positive but I think SA are in with the best chance they've had so far. We thumped Pakistan and India this past season, and are showing consistency in bowling, batting and fielding. And finally we're leading from the front rather than getting into trouble and relying on the middle order to rescue us. This could be our year!
The 15-man squad will be announced tonight. Here's who I'm picking and what I think of their abilities:
1) Graeme Smith (Finally found form. It's so vital for Smith to lead from the front, and with AB de Villiers in as well, he's needed to stabilise the top order. I'm grateful that he's stopped sending himself into bowl, because that always smacked of desperation).
2) AB de Villiers (I'm a huge fan. He's a gorgeous stroke player and lovely to watch. He's also come back from the doldrums of the India tour. His biggest failings can be put down to youth. He goes out in stupid ways because he picks the wrong balls or finds himself on the wrong foot. He looks like he's been working really hard and it's been paying off. And let's not forget his amazing fielding).
3) Jacques Kallis (There's no question here. And last night's game was just one more illustration that if he wants to he can belt 4s and 6s all over the place. He's allowed himself to gather a reputation of a slogger. I hope he'll let himself take a few more risks. His bowling is pinpoint accurate as well. Even when he's not taking wickets (which he has been of late, 2 in the game at Wanderers) he is economical. Worth his weight in gold).
4) Herchelle Gibbs (Can't leave him out, he's the fielder they can't go without. But oy, his batting record has been spotty. We'll see, because when he bats, he bats. 438 anyone?).
5) Ashwell Prince (He's developed the reputation as one of our middle order rescue guys, a reputation we hopefully won't need. He's nippy between the wickets, and with one of the big hitters on the other end - like Justin Kemp - is perfectly capable of winning a game on his own. Once again, let's hope we won't need him to do that. Every team needs a dependable unflashy player; Prince is ours).
6) Shaun Pollock (Do I really need to justify his place in the team? Oh, ok. Accurate, lethal, can swing the ball on a pitch that does nothing for anyone else, and can bat as if his life depends on it. 5/23. That was his most recent haul. From a man they were calling a has-been a year ago).
7) Mark Boucher (As indispensable as Pollock. His keeping skills are rock solid and his batting is inspired).
8) Justin Kemp (He's made a name for himself as the big hitter and has been compared to the awesome Brian McMillan. And his bowling goes as unsung as Big Mac's did. He took 2 wickets yesterday and has been making breakthroughs throughout the season. I think he's a useful change bowler and they should use his heeeeuuuuuggggeness more - he can thump a 6 out of the park).
9) Andrew Hall (Floats in and out of the team but always performs. He can bat and his bowling at the lower order is always productive. He pins them down and gets them out. He's going to be very valuable in the attack in the West Indies for his ability to restrict runs.)
10) André Nel (I've never been a fan of Nel, who often falls on the ludicrous side of aggression. But the man get's wickets. He'll have to, have to, have to work on his accuracy though. Extras lose matches).
11) Makhaya Ntini (As indispensable as Pollock. He's fast, he's innovative and he's good. He can also rotate the strike should we run out of batsman).
12) Charl Langeveldt (Has worked hard to become a really good death bowler. Can also bat if needs be. Also takes catches regularly. He'll play an important role if they allow him to).
13) Paul Harris (I haven't seen a lot of him but I think he's a spinner worth watching. The only really good and effective spinner we've ever had was Pat Symcox. I think Harris shows talent and he could be very useful).
14) Roger Telemachus (He's been tried and tested and he's fairly dependable as a backup bowler. He can get punished quite badly though because of bad line and length. But he's useful with a bat and adds depth to the lineup).
15) Robin Petersen (I'm not a fan. I don't think he's lived up to expectation but he spins the ball. And has performed with the bat in the past. We need another spinner but I think I'd rather go with the unproven but more exciting Harris).
PATTOTE: Better living through CRICKET! I'm very excited.
The 15-man squad will be announced tonight. Here's who I'm picking and what I think of their abilities:
1) Graeme Smith (Finally found form. It's so vital for Smith to lead from the front, and with AB de Villiers in as well, he's needed to stabilise the top order. I'm grateful that he's stopped sending himself into bowl, because that always smacked of desperation).
2) AB de Villiers (I'm a huge fan. He's a gorgeous stroke player and lovely to watch. He's also come back from the doldrums of the India tour. His biggest failings can be put down to youth. He goes out in stupid ways because he picks the wrong balls or finds himself on the wrong foot. He looks like he's been working really hard and it's been paying off. And let's not forget his amazing fielding).
3) Jacques Kallis (There's no question here. And last night's game was just one more illustration that if he wants to he can belt 4s and 6s all over the place. He's allowed himself to gather a reputation of a slogger. I hope he'll let himself take a few more risks. His bowling is pinpoint accurate as well. Even when he's not taking wickets (which he has been of late, 2 in the game at Wanderers) he is economical. Worth his weight in gold).
4) Herchelle Gibbs (Can't leave him out, he's the fielder they can't go without. But oy, his batting record has been spotty. We'll see, because when he bats, he bats. 438 anyone?).
5) Ashwell Prince (He's developed the reputation as one of our middle order rescue guys, a reputation we hopefully won't need. He's nippy between the wickets, and with one of the big hitters on the other end - like Justin Kemp - is perfectly capable of winning a game on his own. Once again, let's hope we won't need him to do that. Every team needs a dependable unflashy player; Prince is ours).
6) Shaun Pollock (Do I really need to justify his place in the team? Oh, ok. Accurate, lethal, can swing the ball on a pitch that does nothing for anyone else, and can bat as if his life depends on it. 5/23. That was his most recent haul. From a man they were calling a has-been a year ago).
7) Mark Boucher (As indispensable as Pollock. His keeping skills are rock solid and his batting is inspired).
8) Justin Kemp (He's made a name for himself as the big hitter and has been compared to the awesome Brian McMillan. And his bowling goes as unsung as Big Mac's did. He took 2 wickets yesterday and has been making breakthroughs throughout the season. I think he's a useful change bowler and they should use his heeeeuuuuuggggeness more - he can thump a 6 out of the park).
9) Andrew Hall (Floats in and out of the team but always performs. He can bat and his bowling at the lower order is always productive. He pins them down and gets them out. He's going to be very valuable in the attack in the West Indies for his ability to restrict runs.)
10) André Nel (I've never been a fan of Nel, who often falls on the ludicrous side of aggression. But the man get's wickets. He'll have to, have to, have to work on his accuracy though. Extras lose matches).
11) Makhaya Ntini (As indispensable as Pollock. He's fast, he's innovative and he's good. He can also rotate the strike should we run out of batsman).
12) Charl Langeveldt (Has worked hard to become a really good death bowler. Can also bat if needs be. Also takes catches regularly. He'll play an important role if they allow him to).
13) Paul Harris (I haven't seen a lot of him but I think he's a spinner worth watching. The only really good and effective spinner we've ever had was Pat Symcox. I think Harris shows talent and he could be very useful).
14) Roger Telemachus (He's been tried and tested and he's fairly dependable as a backup bowler. He can get punished quite badly though because of bad line and length. But he's useful with a bat and adds depth to the lineup).
15) Robin Petersen (I'm not a fan. I don't think he's lived up to expectation but he spins the ball. And has performed with the bat in the past. We need another spinner but I think I'd rather go with the unproven but more exciting Harris).
PATTOTE: Better living through CRICKET! I'm very excited.
Wednesday, February 14, 2007
My First Poem
When I was five I took part in a poetry eisteddfod. I had to memorise a poem, stand up in a long room and declaim it to the best of my dramatic ability. I remember one little girl (frizzy red hair, Christelle maybe?) bursting into tears. Yes, I was an insufferably smug little brat. Anyway, I still remember the poem:
"Ek tel my katjie op my skoot
en streel haar sagte pels.
Woer, wir, woer, wir spin sy,
dis hoe sy met my gesêls."
I practised it clutching a little white stuffed cat; The Mother and The Father claimed props would aid the drama. "Ek tel!!!!! My Katjie!!!! Op!!!! My skoooooot!!!!" or something to that effect. Never has a cat been more movingly stroked. Or painfully strangled. Your call.
For my non-Afrikaans speaking readers: I put my kitty on my lap, and stroke her soft fur. Voer, vir, voer, vir, she purrs. That's how she talks to me.
"Ek tel my katjie op my skoot
en streel haar sagte pels.
Woer, wir, woer, wir spin sy,
dis hoe sy met my gesêls."
I practised it clutching a little white stuffed cat; The Mother and The Father claimed props would aid the drama. "Ek tel!!!!! My Katjie!!!! Op!!!! My skoooooot!!!!" or something to that effect. Never has a cat been more movingly stroked. Or painfully strangled. Your call.
For my non-Afrikaans speaking readers: I put my kitty on my lap, and stroke her soft fur. Voer, vir, voer, vir, she purrs. That's how she talks to me.
Friday, February 09, 2007
Nothing to add
I have nothing really to add today, other than to say come Monday I will be trying to post everyday, whether I have anything to say or not. I know, you're all reeling in disbelief, but occasionally even I have nothing to say. In the meantime I'm planning my weekend. This will include sleeping, chocolate, packing, repacking, cutting myself on cardboard boxes, getting wrapped in masking tape and watching the cricket on Sunday.
For those you playing at home, I'll be the one wearing the green helmet.
PATTOTE: Better living through doing nothing.
For those you playing at home, I'll be the one wearing the green helmet.
PATTOTE: Better living through doing nothing.
Thursday, February 08, 2007
Waa's daai?
I met a brand new taxi driver this morning. He was all bright and shiny and had a new car smell about him and everything. He stayed under the speed limit. He checked his blindspot! Everytime the guard told him what the next stop was he asked: "Waa's daai?" And all the passengers sighed. It was a long trip.
Thursday, February 01, 2007
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
Woohoo!
The final Harry Potter book is being released on July 21 this year.
Where will I be then? Must pre-order!
The final Harry Potter book is being released on July 21 this year.
Where will I be then? Must pre-order!
On the Move
Yesterday brought several surprises:
1) My citizenship application to the UK will take 4-5 months, not the 3 months originally stated.
2) When it eventually is processed my passport will take another 6 weeks.
3) My lease ends earlier than I thought so I have to be out of my flat end of Feb.
4) I can only ship my stuff in April so it has to be stored until then.
5) I may still be stuck in South Africa in June because my South African passport is in the clutches of the nefarious British Home Office.
All in all, not the best fun day ever. Thankfully, I've found a furnished month-to-month let from beginning of March, so that's one thing off my mind. It means living with just a suitcase of clothes for God only knows how long, but I can deal with that. Someone at work is also happy to take care of my boxes until I can get my shipping organised. Der Fuhrer is skipping at the fact that he doesn't have to interview anybody yet to replace me. I just want to leee-aaaa-vvvv-eee.
1) My citizenship application to the UK will take 4-5 months, not the 3 months originally stated.
2) When it eventually is processed my passport will take another 6 weeks.
3) My lease ends earlier than I thought so I have to be out of my flat end of Feb.
4) I can only ship my stuff in April so it has to be stored until then.
5) I may still be stuck in South Africa in June because my South African passport is in the clutches of the nefarious British Home Office.
All in all, not the best fun day ever. Thankfully, I've found a furnished month-to-month let from beginning of March, so that's one thing off my mind. It means living with just a suitcase of clothes for God only knows how long, but I can deal with that. Someone at work is also happy to take care of my boxes until I can get my shipping organised. Der Fuhrer is skipping at the fact that he doesn't have to interview anybody yet to replace me. I just want to leee-aaaa-vvvv-eee.
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