Silver Lining?

I haven’t been blogging much lately, mostly because I’ve been trying to avoid the negative slant that has been creeping into my last few posts. Yet, possibly because of the weather, I am still feeling kind of negative, which I’m also trying to avoid on this blog.

A Premature Hangover

Let me begin this post with a preface: I am a huge sports fan and have been looking forward to the World Cup for a couple of years. So it pains me when I write that my World Cup hangover may be starting before the tournament has even begun.

So, with that out of the way, I fear my World Cup hangover may be starting before the tournament has even begun. There are three principle factors that have precipitated this, the first being an experience I had trying to find accommodation in Rustenburg, having bought tickets for Australia vs Ghana at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium.

Hate to Say “I told you so”…

…especially in this case. I’ll admit that, despite my earlier pronouncements, I felt a foolish stab of optimism on reading the weekend papers adamantly declaring that Julius Malema would face a disciplinary hearing.

But no, turns out I was right when I wrote that “the ANC probably won’t discipline Malema too harshly and, if they do, they certainly won’t be open and approachable regarding the process.”

Something Good at the SAMAs

Sharlto Copely’s Distric 9 character Wikus van der Merwe has picked up a substantial cult following online. He even has his own catchphrase of sorts, “fookin’ prawns”, variations of which can often been seen in comments sections around the Web.

Inappropriately Serious Stuff

Typical. Just as we finally get uncapped Internet in South Africa, this happens. That may sound overly pessimistic, but the bills and provisions Doctrow mentions in his article are scary as hell, particularly the threat to enforce the bill in developing countries as a “condition of trade”.

Just Pictures

Heavy night last night; tired today. Fortunately, one of the benefits of a multimedia environment is that you can always use a couple of cool pictures to replace the thousands of words you don’t feel like writing.

Lost Causes

So the DA wants to establish an oversight committee on the Presidency. Regardless of the chances of this actually happening (and I’m pretty sure they’re non-existent), it feels slightly presumptuous, not unlike COPE’s attempt earlier this year to pass a vote of no confidence on President Zuma. 

And Also

Stuff I should have added to yesterday’s list of things I’m looking forward to: Treme, a new show from the guys who made The Wire.

I’m not a huge jazz fan, but it shares enough of The Wire’s pedigree (and a few cast members) that I’m willing to give it the benefit of the doubt. Also, John Goodman is one of my favourite actors, mostly based on the work he’s done with the Coen brothers.

Stuff I’m Looking Forward To

Winter is fast approaching and the change of seasons always makes it seem as if the year is moving a lot faster than it actually is. Along with the cold weather comes a certain amount of introspection, but rather than doing that I’ve decided to outrospect and compile a list of things that I’m looking forward to over the next few months:

A Worthy Sacrifice?

Today’s post is devoted to a man who has made a great and selfless sacrifice for the people of South Africa. Yesterday, BBC journalist Jonah Fisher selflessly placed himself in the firing line of Julius Malema’s hateful rhetoric and was ejected from a press conference for his troubles.