National Women's Day

National Women's Day is an Annual Public Holiday in South Africa on 9 August.This commemorates the National March of Women on this day in 1956 to petition against legislation that required African persons to carry the "pass", special identification documents which curtailed an African's freedom of movement during the apartheid era.

On 9 August 1956, more than 50,000 women staged a march on the Union Buildings in Pretoria to protest against the proposed amendments to the Urban Areas Act (commonly known as the pass laws) of 1950.

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What a day! Today, on South Africa's National Women's Day, I got time to spend some quality time with my mom, Dolly, and my two princesses, Jodie (aged 6) and Jordan (aged 2). It was such a joy to see my kids having a blast... it also hit me that its been a while since I've just spend time with my mother for no apparent reason to be close to her! Here's hoping there'll be more time granted to me in future! #LoveYouMom!

So where's the wifey you ask? My wife - Rene - was invited by our sister-in-law to a High Tea! I used these few hours to spend with my girls and mother. Obviously I had to try and make some time for my wife, which came in an invite by my brother-in-law for a family get together over some potjiekos and even cray fish! That was truly enjoyable!

Now I'm focusing on what to do with the rest of my weekend! Today truly felt like a Saturday. And even for a winter day, Cape Town truly granted us all an awesome Winters Day with a lovely sunny day! Here's looking at the next year's Women's Day, God willing!

If you haven't had the time to spend some time with some the special women in your life - I do hope you'll take a day and make the most of their company! 

Yet another - Fuel price hike

The petrol price increased (yet again) last night by 32c a litre to R13-18 for unleaded petrol... R13-18! What is the world coming to? Where is it all going to end? Its not funny anymore!!! Gone are the days that we joked that the price of petrol will one day go above R10 per litre. Some of us are wishing it could return to those figures...

On the 2nd of January 2013 the price of petrol was R11-51. During the last couple of months that price was updated monthly and we are experiencing most of the losses. Check it again, since the beginning of the year the petrol price increased by R1-67. This might not seem much, but we are paying more for 1 litre of petrol than it cost for a 2 litre COKE!

If you normally threw in R250-00 at a time, it would mean the following:
   - Now, you'd get 18.968 litres
   - In January, it was 21-720 litres

Most of us estimate to run at least 10km/litre (car dependant), so we're doing about 30kms less! That's a trip to the beach, meeting up with a few friends, taking the wifey somewhere special... And we have to make up for it somehow...

But wait, its not just us... Taxi's, Busses, Shops - ALL feel the burden... and sooner or later the increase in petrol creeps into our daily lives with food prices and public transport fees following...

Now think on this:
The Minister of Finance announced on 26 February 2013 that the Fuel Levy and the Road Accident Fund on petrol will increase by 15.0 c/l on 03 April 2013. The Fuel Levy on petrol will amount to 212.0 c/l. The Road Accident Fund on petrol will amount to 96.0 c/l with effect from 3 April 2013.

Worst is that fuel levies never decrease if and when the petrol price decreases (if that ever happens). Meaning we'll never return to the low petrol prices of old... 

All we can do is hope and pray that we can adjust as quickly as possible - cause not matter what - we need to buy petrol to fuel our rides. Catch22, hmmm?


Quick history lesson:
The first four-wheeled electric car was built by the German engineer Andreas Flocken in 1888.

Family values

Trying to find myself made me realise that I need my family and friends in my life to guide me... But more than anything, I need my kids. I've tried to connect to all three (3) my kids over the weekend... Revano, Jodie and Jordan. What I found is that things were not going to be easy... But as I needed them, nothing will stand in my way to reconnect to my kids.... Or my wife, Rene.

I thank God for the opportunity to adjust my lifestyle, my routines... And getting the most out of my life!

Finding myself...

Recently I've had some major ups and downs in my life! I wasn't sure what exactly I had to do to get out of the rut. Needless to say things got out of hand quickly, starting in my family environment - something I vowed would never happen. But as they say: Never is a long, long time.

I had to make a decision, and quickly. So my option was... instead of taking things out on my family, friends and colleagues at work, I'd take a break away from it all (called my manager and asked for 2 days off) and rather reflect inwards - and find myself! Yes, find myself.

I took the opportunity to reflect on what makes me tick... if all this was perhaps not just me being upset for not achieving specific goals, or being stuck in routine, or not being there for my family and friends. Anything was possible. And I noted that once I started making small changes in my life, I noticed changes in others.

Question is, WHY?  Because the way I started treating people surrounding me different, they started treating me different. And it all started with me!

Have you taken the time to invest in yourself? Especially as of late? I hope you find the time too! And you'll notice that even the slightest change in oneself can make a big difference around you. Every bit helps!

Another day... Check-up Day

Today is check-up day... I need to get to the doctor just to re-evaluate my health status. I try and do it once every 6 months - as people always say: You can't put a price on your health...

 

Recently we've had the kids and cousins quite sick. My brother's youngest, Cody, even had to go for a quick operation on this nose / sinus. My little one, Jordan, had issues with her mouth... its all making you think about what they mean to you - and if you'll always be there for them in future!

 

Then I'm thinking of following up on my project ride - which isn't really getting anywhere - my 1971 Datsun P510 1600. It needs a lot of work, but I love it so much I can perhaps invest some time (and money) in it. Believe it or not, I even thought of selling her recently.

 

But whatever I decide, or the doctor says: I'm going to be positive and not let anything stand in my way from here on end.

 

Be blessed!

me

Keeping me busy

It looks like I've found a couple of things (interests) to keep my busy... or should I say - focussed. All just not to go through life with the same routine... need change... constantly... I easily fall within that mould, no hole! And I must say, I'm loving it...

First off, I've been giving some of my time voluntary to assist a trust assisting with study bursaries. Have invested a few hours, trying to give some of my "skills." Then I've also started another blog on one of my loves... the Datsun brand of vehicle. New release scheduled for this coming Monday - refer http://goo.gl/cBWdk.

Next, I should re-invest a lot of time into my kids... especially my son, aged 16. Seems when I have a new interest, I focus all of my energy there. Should find a middle ground somehow.. and soon. For the sake of myself, and my family.

Trusting you find yourself soon...
John

Time to reflect

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1 July 2013... That's today's date... I almost can't believe that 6 months have passed in this year! SIX MONTHS! This is  a good time to reflect... Where has the year gone? Its quickly running its race towards year-end...  And now I ask myself... what have I achieved so far?

Me that's stuck in my routine... going nowhere, slowly, encircling the sun as the Earth journeys aorund it effecting change of seasons... and I have nothing of value to show... or do I?

What have I wanted to achieve this year? Can't purely be to see the Year End? To survive the rat-race? Didn't I set about to make a change in myself and thus hopefully bring a small change to my family & friends, colleagues, etc?? Or is this too much to ask of myself?

I think there's still a lot that I can do... That's why re-examining its so crucial, its key - 'cause we can adapt! So I'm making a decision today - I'll achieve all of my goals this year... Let's re-align ourselves once again... change is good... but perfecting life is better!  ;-)