Sunday, June 19, 2011

Neologisms

I'm pretty sure most families have made-up words they use, a kind of shorthand, or secret language only they understand.
For years I referred to assorted car parts as the "Gewurztraminer" When the broken engine noise in the Land rover could no longer be drowned out by turning up the radio I would waltz into the garage and airily inform the mechanic "The Gewurztraminer has gone. You should also check the bi-flapular valve, I think it's blocked"
I believe this approach served me well, he understood he couldn't pull the wool over my eyes when it came to fixing the car.
Now I'm perfectly aware that Gewurztraminer is an actual word, and is therefore a malapropism rather than a neologism, but let's not get pedantic - it serves as an introduction.

Lesson 1 - most people would refer to this as a washing machine.  I prefer Sockoloshe.

For anyone confused about the root of the word, just Google Tokoloshe.

Saturday, June 18, 2011

Durban

Another business trip last Monday, this time to Durban and just for the day. Since the flight itself is only 40 minutes it's do-able in one day.
Taking the 06h20 flight is much easier now that I've discovered valet parking (plus they clean your car if you ask them) and you don't have to take pictures of where you've parked to find your car again. Park right outside the departures terminal, hand over your keys and swan inside as if you're important.

The internet - every 60 seconds

Mind-boggling.

Infographic from mediabistro.com

Thursday, June 16, 2011

Meeting a hero

I wasn't fortunate enough to be at the 1995 RWC final, but Walter and I watched it at a fan park in Johannesburg. As I recall I couldn't talk for a few days afterwards, completely lost my voice from screaming my support.

But the moment when the 747 flew low and slow over the stadium still gives me chills.
 Image from Glogster.com Underneath is painted "Good Luck Bokke"

200 feet above the highest seats in the stadium in ZS SAN "Lebombo", a 747-200

And then last week we went to a book launch (The Springboks and The Holy Grail), written by Dan Retief, who knows more about rugby than anyone I have ever met,  and is a fabulous weaver-of-tales to boot and I got to meet the pilot - Laurie Kay
who indulged me with pilot talk. Thank you, Laurie, for being so patient!