Jodene is the co-founder of:
and founder of:
Published May 22nd, 2011
Some days become the most beautiful you have had in you don’t remember how long. It always seems to be the ones I’m dreading that turn out that way. Well, once I had decided that driving all the way to Benoni was out of the questions and opted to rather go with Greggie to church this morning, it was much less dread.
Knowing me, a whole lot in that one sentence won’t be making much sense. Firstly, for those of my dear readers who aren’t familiar with South Africa … Benoni is the first issue. You see, Greggie was born there and it has the reputation of being the city that is mocked and the brunt of the jokes most of all. My concern isn’t that … mine is that I won’t ever find my way there, or worse, I won’t ever find my way out.
Yes, the second alarm bell should be church and me in the same sentence. What is this pagan, moon dancing girl doing going to church?
Ahhh … it’s birthday week! Yes, Greggie celebrates his whole birthday week from Sunday to Sunday and it always being with celebrating Granny’s birthday at the start of it. So, although granny is Greggie’s granny, by default, she gets to be mine too.
Greggie doesn’t do the church thing either but Granny is very important in the congregation and today was a big day for her. I was proud of my friend for not missing such an special day for such an incredible woman. I could lie and say that’s why I went to church, but … that would be a lie. I didn’t want to drive there all by myself, so I got up at sparrows and headed out to early morning mass. The excitement on Granny’s face was worth the trip.
Believe it or not, I grew up going to mass with an old friend of mine, so I can do the entire service with all the Amens, piece be with you’s and Hallelujahs in all the right places. If you have been around for a long time, you know that a part of me has a special bond with the energy of Mary … but we didn’t go catholic today!
Granny … bless her, this is about how granny turned her birthday day into one of the most priceless moments (repeated moments) I have had in a long time.
For instance, when she leaned over (in the middle of mass) to tell me: “Now you see how the other half live!”
Or when it was time to stand up so the congregation could sing to her, how she leaped up onto the pew as if she were 21 years old again. Everyone stopped breathing and Greggie had to launch in and grab onto her as she stood there waiting to be sung. After the fact she did get horribly crapped out by her daughter (Greggie’s mom) that she could have died. Yes, granny could have toppled over the pew and died, but she sure would have had a whole lot of fun doing it.
Bless granny … she’s a bit of a drama getting into the car and walking in to the restaurant because her eyesight isn’t what it used to be. She moaned about the crowds in the restaurant and shoved herself in the far corner of the large family table, keeping a place for her dearest Greggie so that the birthday ‘kids’ could sit together. I could see the look on Greggie’s face when he was shoved in the corner … my best friend is an attention tart most of the time, but in his birthday week, he needs his own stage with lighting crew and audience.
My two highlights followed next:
The great grandkids are taking wine glasses, filling them with water and making them ‘sing’ as they rub their finger around the rim. One is getting it very right and the other is turning the glass and not his finger. Granny leans in to help … tells him to hold his glass … and shows him THE FINGER! “Use this finger,” she says in generational innocence while the rest of us collapse in a heap of hysterics. I can see Greggie’s eagerness to the that story at parties, repeatedly.
Then it’s time to get ready to go. For most girls that means applying lipstick. At my age, with a steady hand, I still battle to apply lipstick without a mirror … but granny!!! How do you tell her that she’s painted her face in a very granny colour? Oh granny … that’s why we love you!
I didn’t have the heart to take a pic of Sandy … the 14 year old Maltese poodle who is the walking dead. Well, she is to everyone else but granny. She’s blind, rotting from the inside and walks around in aimless circles, but granny loves her and she loves granny and no one dare take that away from these two very old ladies. While we all took turns to run off and pee before we wet our pants laughing, I couldn’t help but realise that sometimes the best ‘project me’ moments are merely a day spent with a very precious old lady and a beautiful family from a city that the brunt of all jokes.
To my dearest Greggie … Happy day 1 of a week that is all about you because you are that special. And for those who know my best friend through my constant mentions of him in my everyday life, his real birthday is on Friday, but feel free to wish him daily … I will be!
With courage, consciousness & a sense of humour
Published May 21st, 2011All of these lines across my face
Tell you the story of who I am
So many stories of where I’ve been
And how I got to where I am
But these stories don’t mean anything
When you’ve got no one to tell them to
It’s true…I was made for you
I climbed across the mountain tops
Swam all across the ocean blue
I crossed all the lines and I broke all the rules
But baby I broke them all for you
Because even when I was flat broke
You made me feel like a million bucks
You do
I was made for you
You see the smile that’s on my mouth
It’s hiding the words that don’t come out
And all of my friends who think that I’m blessed
They don’t know my head is a mess
No, they don’t know who I really am
And they don’t know what
I’ve been through like you do
And I was made for you…
All of these lines across my face
Tell you the story of who I am
So many stories of where I’ve been
And how I got to where I am
But these stories don’t mean anything
When you’ve got no one to tell them to
It’s true…I was made for you
Sometimes I get a song in my head and I can’t let it go until I figure out why it’s there. You’ll be thrilled to know that I do listen to music other than Country. I usually stumble upon the song in some unusual way, like this one. The first time I heard it I was watching the Grey’s Anatomy episode that everyone was bitching about. I did plan to do a blog on how I couldn’t believe that people didn’t see the symbolism and think it was one of the best episodes ever. Okay, the singing wasn’t always great, but holy macaroni, they did choose the songs damn well. This one in particular …
Then my remote control for the satellite broke and I was no longer able to fast forward past crappy ads. Of course, I believe that everything happens for a reason (even if the reason is only to make you stop and realise that things happen for a reason, but that’s the only reason). Then there was this ad which used the same song and I felt haunted by it!
It’s timing is amazing!
I’m feeling lonely again. It happens in spurts and it’s one of those times again. I’ve had the usual situation where I was flirting with someone and he was being very forward, excited to meet me … blah, blah and straight after meeting he was offish (that’s code for damn fucking rude). I keep getting back to being mean to myself and blaming the fact that I’m not a size 2 … but then I get over it quick enough (for half a minute) and it goes back to thinking that changing things about me will bring someone into my life.
The ‘sense of humour’ part of ‘project me’ is the fine line between laughing at life and laughing AT life. Yes, that’s how fine the line is. At the moment it is a big laugh that I keep saying I’m turning 40 but it’s really 3 years away. Sometimes the laugh is to prevent me from putting blindfolds on and walking down the street to put me out of my misery at the loneliness I can feel at times.
On the other hand, I have a dear friend who would give anything to be more than just friends and I just don’t feel the chemistry! So, I don’t even have a leg to stand on when I think no man on the planet would like me, because here is this sweet, kind, gentle, loving, incredible, friendly, honest man who is standing right in front of me and … chemistry sucks!
Months a go I promised to write a blog about chemistry for Organic O, but seriously, I still don’t know how to put it into words. I don’t know to explain it because I think it’s quite inexplainable.
So, today was supposed to be the end of the world is some way or form and it’s not over yet, but I’m taking my chances that I will wake up on the 22nd. I did have a slight pang on concern that people’s worlds as they know it would change and that’s why I wasn’t surprised to get the call from my sister. She woke up and my brother in law’s side of his face looked as though he had a stroke. Off it was to the hospital and a day of taking care of my nephews … guess how I coped? Anyone … no? … Okay, I’ll tell you! I ate! You know the story! I know the story, but the story has to change.
On the night of #D500 I announced that I would begin ‘project body’ and I haven’t really done much about it besides asking my sponsor for the blog, Niel of SlimLab, to help me with an eating plan. It’s not a diet (he hate those). It’s an understanding of what a decent portion size is and what makes up a healthy meal … my brain and my body can’t figure that out on it’s own.
Then I decided to make this end of the world thing count for something and I’ve decided that I do have the ability to do things differently … so I will begin to tell the story of emotional eating, hating gym and then kicking myself for it therefore causing more emotional stress and eating something else. Climb on the hamster wheel with me, why don’t you!
To end the day … I’m making dinner with the friend who I am blessed to have but can only offer so much of myself. My brother-in-law has balspalsy … and I’m planning on listening to the same song for the 100th time today!
With courage, consciousness & a sense of humour
Published May 20th, 2011
Remember when I received the letter from my friend in Holland and it will filled with flavoured condoms that you don’t get in SA? Well if tomorrow really is the end of the world and I didn’t get to taste the cola flavoured one, I’m really gonna be pissed off. I did contemplate blowing it up like a balloon and … oh … I’ll leave you with the thought!
The bottom line is that I’ve spent my day having a giggle at my friends who have had their bucket lists on display or have been unfollowed on Facebook by making fun of tomorrow.
Me … what do I think?
Well, I’ve always made it clear that I don’t fall for the literal interpretations of anything that floats out there in the psyche of mankind. I don’t mock it either and I don’t ever try change other people’s beliefs or think anyone is loopy for what they believe in.
I’m just glad that I’m not freaking out that tomorrow could be the end of the world and a curious part of me is wondering what the people who believe are doing right now? I’m wondering what they are feeling now and what tomorrow is going to be like for them. I’m also wondering what it would be like if I’m totally wrong and I find myself in the leading roll of my own Armageddon.
I do have a belief though and this is it … our consciousness definitely is on the shift! I’m a firm believer that there are times in the universe where their are shifts. I believe they can be that great the the entire consciousness of the planet can change and that it’s visible to see. I don’t believe that you wake up and it’s different. I believe that it’s gradual and I believe that it is happening right now.
I’m watching my life, my friends and families lives and the state of the world and at some moments I do feel as though the end is nigh! I’ve had another very draining and trying day and in my own way I’ve had ends. It might not be the 21st, but my world as I know has shifted significantly.
Firstly, it’s not just me … I know that there have been network and technology glitches all day long. I don’t believe in coincidence so I’m going to pressure that the planets are doing their thing and our man made wires and microchips are hating it.
My dear friend, Nikki, can spot from a mile away when I’m not telling my whole truth in my blogs, but sometimes it’s so damn hard to share stuff while it’s so raw. I don’t want to upset anyone who might be reading it and who is personally involved and I don’t want to speak out of turn, but I always speak my truth as best as I can in the moment. On that note … I put a friendship down today. I don’t know what more to say than that at a point we realise that a person isn’t seeing us for who we really are. Today, I felt unseen and I can’t sustain a friendship like that. It made the day horrid. It made me unable to truly concentrate and didn’t make the (possible) last day of the world much fun!
I slept in my mom’s bed last night. I love living with my mom and we have the kitties floating around the house but I’m also as comfortable to close my door and hide away in my own space. I hope my lack of meditation doesn’t lower my chances of making till the 22nd of May because I’m still not in that ‘project me’ space to understand why I’m not doing what I love … meditating, doing my tantra exercise and moonlight rituals. It’s on the to-do list to work out if tomorrow has really been taken too literally. Last night I got home to my mom being worried about my sis who is going through her own rough time. The kitties were purring on the bed and I just didn’t want to leave. I felt like a little girl with a sore tummy who only wanted to sleep in her mommy’s bed. A big part is still this unexplained desperate missing of my dad right now. I’m thinking that, just in case tomorrow is the last day on this earth, I might just have another slumber party night with my mom and the kitties!
Once again, you can never be too sure so I’m super excited that Greggie is making seafood rissoto tonight and our friend, XXX, is making super yummy dessert!
Wherever you are … whatever you believe … I hope it’s you own belief and there is nothing to fear!
With courage, consciousness & a sense of humour
Published May 20th, 2011TWEETING A VISION
Twitter Blanket Drive, South Africa. www.twitterblanketdrive.co.za
In 2009 I signed up for Twitter. Hardly an early-adopter. I lost interest very quickly as no one was apparently interested in what I had to say, and ‘they’ were downright rude as they didn’t even acknowledge my presence on the social media platform. It took 6 more months before someone explained to me how Twitter worked.
It was only in January 2010 that I really started exploring the bustling social media platform. I was on maternity leave, it was a cold autumn day. And as I was lying warm in my bed a thought crossed my mind that it may be a very uncomfortable winter for many less fortunate people. By this stage of my maternity leave I was already firmly glued to my BlackBerry and more importantly to the Twitter community (albeit only about 200 followers at the time).
So, I did the natural thing and tweeted a call to action… In May I posted this Tweet:
… And an amazing thing happened;
In just 1 week the thought grew into a full blown national initiative by the South African Twitter community. 7 regions from Pretoria to the Overberg all confirmed their participation through 9 events all to be held on the same day and time across the country.
Nothing in it for any of the participants and organisers except to be a part of the 1st national social media fundraising initiative in South Africa. Venue sponsors came out of the Twitterverse, as did volunteers to assist with things like website design (who knew we needed a website?), drop-off points and PR. We even received support through ReTweets and messages of support from various NGO’s in the USA and UK who have a focus on Africa.
My Twitter vocabulary was growing by the day – as was my fascination with what was unfolding.
Then, just as things seemed to be under control; a Tweep had an idea to take #TBD to the rugby at Orlando stadium/Soccer City for the game between the Blue Bulls and the Stormers. Suddenly, #TBD went mainstream.
We ended up being talked about on various blogs, sports columns, news articles and podcasts. We knew we were a part of something awesome.
In the end we collected over 500 blankets and loads of bags of old clothing. Cash donations were also made directly to the beneficiaries selected. More than 200 Tweeps attended the TBD TweetUps and many more Tweeps made contributions at the various additional dropoff points.
(My father-in-law still jokes about me being interviewed on a rugby show – me, of all people who couldn’t tell you the difference between Butch James and Butch Cassidy. It is Butch James right?)
Here we are in 2011 and the blanket drive is back on the road and in full swing.
| Province | Area | Venue | Time | Twitter host |
| Gauteng | Sandton | Crowne Plaza Hotel, Rosebank | 6pm – 10pm | @MelanieMinnaar |
| Benoni | The Coffee Shop, Rynfield | 6pm | @jackiejvr | |
| West Rand | SilverStar Casino | 6pm | @ReneeEverett | |
| Pretoria | The Blades | 6pm | @sdiedericks | |
| Western Cape | Cape Town | NewsCafe at Artscape | 4.30pm | @alambchop |
| Hermanus | OCF offices, Gateway Centre | 6pm | @talitharabie | |
| Plettenberg Bay | Fynbos Ridge Country House | 6pm | @fynbosridge | |
| Somerset West | TBC | 6pm | @Helderberginfo | |
| Knysna | Mitchell’s Brewery beer garden | 2pm – 4pm | @marleneboyce | |
| KwaZulu Natal | Durban | Luna Rossa, Gateway S/C | 11am – 4pm | @waewest |
| Durban north | Livingstone Gastro Pub, Glenore Centre | 6pm – 8pm | @askashe | |
| South coast | The Bistro, Ramsgate | 6pm – 8pm | @SouthCoastLive | |
| Eastern Cape | East London | TBC | TBC | @slummiesgirl |
| Port Elizabeth | Vovo Telo Pizzeria | 6pm | @mon_tays |
RSVP’s are encouraged and can be done online via the official #TBD website; www.twitterblanketdrive.co.za
For anyone wishing to donate but who cannot attend any of the events, Williams Hunt dealerships nationwide are once again drop off points for blankets and clothing (no cash donations). Follow them on Twitter – @Williams_Hunt
As much as I resist formalising the initiative I am asked more and more to talk about #TBD, something which I find soul fulfilling. The bottom line is: “want to collect blankets – I don’t care how we do these and what ideas individuals/corporates come up with to collect a many blankets as possible (legally).
What is most probably important to note is the vision that I carry in my heart for this project which is centred around the following pillars:
- Community for community. In this instance – Twitter community for local communities where events will be held.
- Friends with benefits – we will always endeavour to give back to charities represented on Twitter first, likewise – we will always look to support establishments with Twitter presence by selecting them as venues for our #TBD tweetups
- Uphold integrity of social media environment – #TBD will never belong to any one sole sponsor, the Twitterverse is diverse in its constituents and we will always be true to all our followers’ preferences. My preference will always be to drive promotion in the virtual space first.
- Anyone with shared goals can participate – this is not an exclusive project, the goal is to collect blankets for charity in the cold South African winter. If you can assist – we appreciate and welcome your efforts and will recognise these efforts – there will be no financial reward.
Most importantly, the spirit of #TBD is a bunch of people coming together around a common cause. That’s it. #TBD is not a registered NGO or charity – it is a facilitator of helping real people to do the good deeds that they wanted to do in the first place. (Earl would be proud: “Do good things and good things happen” – NBC sitcom)
Hope to see you on the 4th of June – or in real life somewhere where another vision is being fulfilled.
(Follow me on Twitter @MelanieMinnaar)
With courage, consciousness & a sense of humour
Published May 19th, 2011
Fantastic, another day of forgetting to blog and then rushing from one thing to the next. Yesterday a doctor friends said that in the medical profession you can only really count your success after you have been in practice for 1 000 days. It’s it ironic that he made such a statement when the last thing I feel like doing tonight is blogging.
You’ve all asked what happens on the days I don’t want to … so here it is!
I’ve sat the whole day trying to do quotes for socialising other people’s businesses (which is my passion) but I hate dealing with figuring out what to charge for each individual client. I come from the spa background where everything had a set price. A body massage was so much and a facial was so much. Cut and dry. No assessing what the person needs and evaluating my time. It stresses me out beyond belief. I am trying very hard to ‘project me’ myself right before going to my very dear friends for dinner … but I am frazzled.
It doesn’t help that the damn ‘A’ of my laptop keeps flying off after a sentence or two. That does make me put the brat down for a moment and say that I’m totally thrilled at the fact that a friend of Greggie’s and mine (God only knows if that is correct english … me/mine/I) spoke to his IT solutions guy and he’s more than happy to sponsor a laptop. There’s a dance of joy in there somewhere.
I now have to climb in the car and explain to my dearest business partner that he treats me exactly like my father used to. Not loving any of them any less … just don’t test me the whole time. My dad used to know how he wanted to word something and then he would let me type out a whole document and stand over my shoulder and correct spelling (yes … I’m a writer who sucks at spelling) and correct sentence structures. Greggie is the son of an English teacher … need I say more.
Today I told Greg that I’m missing my dad more than I have in a very long time. He told me that it’s because I’m doing so many new things and this is when anyone would need a father figure most of all. In so many ways Greg doesn’t allow for that co dependance of fathering but in another breathe, my father may as well have been alive and bugging the crap out of me while doing a quote that is supposed to be very exciting.
So I’m being a brat and I don’t care if I can’t leave for dinner on time … I’m getting this blog done. The only frustrating this is that it’s done …. with 10 minutes to spare and enough time to put on my lipstick!
PS … I didn’t tell you that a while back I committed to do work for a company for a certain amount of time (at no cost) to prove to them that social networking actually works. I’m now so pissed off at myself for thinking so little of me and my talents that I’m in this situation. On the other hand … I stick to my commitments and I’m in a state that I didn’t get to do as much networking as I would have liked! So truth be told … it’s not really aimed at the A that flies off the keyboard all the time, or my best friend and business partner that only trying to help me or the memory of my dad that would be saying “I told you so”.
It’s all aimed at me and ‘project me’ is supposed to fix it by telling my truth (hence the ratty blog), being conscious (hence the ratty blog) and doing something different (hence ending this blog, putting on lipstick and going out to see my friend). All in all, I didn’t fail as much as I feel I did and by tomorrow I will realise that I didn’t fail at all!
With courage, consciousness & a sense of humour
Published May 19th, 2011
Most people have only heard about things like bending metal with the mind, and have never had first hand experience of mind reading and the power of thought control.
Gilan Gork demonstrates these abilities in an entertaining and mind blowing way, as he bends metal with his mind, reads thoughts and even predicts events before they happen. He inspires his audience to recognise the real potential within us all. Viewers were riveted when he appeared on SABC’s 3Talk and won over three skeptics. Some viewers even called in to say old broken clocks and watches were working again!
“I have no super-natural powers. I am simply tapping into abilities that we all already possess. I believe that anyone can learn to do what I do. My passion is in enhancing your experience. To pull you into the mind, where everything is possible, and then back into reality with inspired perspectives,” says Gilan.
On a personal note I would like to thank you, Gilan, for sharing your project me story with my readers and me by taking the time for an interview. I am looking forward to having the opportunity to witness ‘the mentalist’ in action and to feel the inspiration of living your dream from the youngest age. Enjoy every step along your journey of your own ‘project me’.
What is your definition of happiness?
Happiness is a choice. That’s all.
If you could have everyone say one thing to themselves every day, what would it be?
I find that most of us are actually scared of success. We deselect ourselves by thinking that success is reserved for the people who deserve it for one supposed reason or another, such as a type of natural ability. I would have more people tell themselves, and truly believe, that their success is closer than it seems and that they are good enough to reach those goals as much as any other person who has reached theirs.
We all need someone to believe in us. Who is that person for you and why?
As clichéd as it may sound, my parents have always believed in me. Since I was the age of five my parents recognised my abilities and supported me in every way. Their belief that I could become anything I dreamed of gave me the freedom and “permission” to dream.
Describe the moment when you realised that you could achieve anything?
Success is often mystified from a young age. The time I realised that we can all achieve anything we want was after learning from great people who are as normal as you and I. Understanding that achieving anything was a matter of leading ourselves and controlling our daily habits was an unbelievable sense of gaining complete control over myself and these aspects of my life.
What have you always dreamed of being or doing and have you reached that dream?
I have always dreamed of being a top Mentalist, presenting to theatres of thousands and touching millions of people at home through their TV with messages of upliftment. I don’t believe that this is a dream that can ever be “reached”, but rather one which will keep growing as I reach more milestones.
When life gets in the way, what do you always remind yourself of?
Responsibility. I know that the word “responsibility” does not immediately strike as a very inspiring word, but the truth is that once we acknowledge that everything that we have and everything that we are in life, right now, is a result of our own thoughts and actions, then it gives power back to us to change anything in our life that we don’t like. So when life starts to get in the way, the natural thing to do is to blame something or someone for the loss of control, which really makes it worse. When I remind myself that my attitude and my actions are my responsibility then I feel empowered again!
We all have something unique to offer the world, what is yours?
I can inspire people to believe in their true potential. I do this by presenting my Mentalism abilities: feats of the mind that are usually deemed to be unrealistic. I can read other people’s thoughts, move and bend objects under the power of my mind, and predict events before they happen. I am not psychic. I am just tapping into abilities that we all already possess, and I use this to uplift other people.
How do you deal with the fears that could potentially hold you back?
I keep in mind two thoughts. The first one turns F.E.A.R. into an acronym that stands for False Evidence Appearing Real. This reminds me that the majority of my fears are based on thoughts or “situational evidence” that is not even real, and therefore whatever I fear does not really exist. If that doesn’t calm me down then I make a decision to feel the fear and do it anyways! We must all realise that every successful person has had to overcome fear so whenever I feel fear and decide to overcome it, I feel like I am following in the footsteps of the greats.
What do you believe we have lost sight of in the world as a whole?
I feel that generally, people have forgotten how to do random acts of kindness. We will happily go through days on end focusing entirely on ourselves and miss all those opportunities to perform little deeds of kindness that would have continued to spread seeds of upliftment beyond what we would see while continuing in our own personal worlds. The world would be a much better place if we all just genuinely cared more for the other person.
Gilan’s official website: http://gilangork.com
Follow Gilan on Twitter: ImTheMentalist
Gilan’s charity of choice: Reach For A Dream
Reach For A Dream fulfils the dreams of children between the ages of 3 and 18 who have been diagnosed as having a life-threatening illness by a medical practitioner. We do not discriminate based on race, culture, financial status or any other factor.
Each child living with a life-threatening illness is given a chance to dream.
Reach For A Dream believes that no child should live without hope. Childhood can be the most magical phase of the human existence, filled with dreams, aspirations and most of all… fun!
For children who have been diagnosed as having a life-threatening illness, the magic of childhood may be lost in the emotional, physical and financial strain of dealing with their illness. Reach For A Dream tries to alleviate some of this strain (which often affects the whole family), by creating a different environment for the child – one that is not focused on her/ his illness. We would like our children to find their laughter again and therein find the strength to live beyond their illnesses.
To donate to Reach For A Dream
Follow Reach For A Dream on Twitter
With courage, consciousness & a sense of humour
Published May 18th, 2011
My plans was the get the vote done and then blog tonight after all was done and dusted and I could share my experience, but the truth is … I need to sober up before voting.
It’s not my fault. We were invited to some very dear friends for lunch and they had a treat on the menu … duck and cherry pie (without the pie). In the time that I was being born and learning to grasp the concepts of crawling and walking, there was a famous restaurant in downtown Johannesburg (in about 1975) called Gatrile sons and Co. Of course I had never heard of it, but I know my dad would have. Lunch was the original recipe and wine was flowing with a very heavy handed host and me happily drinking away seeing as though Greggie would be driving home.
Not once, while sipping on wine and savouring a recipe that my father would have known very well, did I think that I would have to drive to a poling station a few hours later.
So, we were cooked this treated by one of the original owners of this legendary restaurant. And if you don’t believe me, here’s an old article I found on the net: Gartile Cigar Page.
No one in my family eats duck but me. Okay, that’s only because dad isn’t around. I’ve had a lot of that with the build up to the elections … thinking about my dad not being around.
I haven’t cried about him in ages and even let #D500 pass without getting overly emotional that he was not around to see the birth of or success of me as a writer and blogger.
I don’t know why I associated voting with my father with such extreme emotion, but for some reason I stood in the shower and sobbed this morning. I never actually ever voted with him because he went just before poles closed and I always dragged my butt there early in the morning. We used to stand and queue for hours and he would tell us how he breezed in and out.
My dad taught us the power of voting and had something very patriotic about the very nature of our being. I remember my very first voting experience only because he drummed into us how important it was to keep our votes to ourselves because of the right we had to vote for our own reason.
I don’t remember anything about the elections that Mandela won beside landing in Johannesburg after a trip to London with my oldest sister. We had traveled London to find a piece for my father’s vintage E-Type Jaguar and she had forgotten it in the Heathrow airport. She was so upset and angry with herself that the air hostess separated us for the duration of the flight. All I remember is my father laughing … and somewhere along the line I voted.
We shared the love for duck, the belief that your mark could tip the scales and the belief that days like today won’t be remembered for the vote, but for something significant that happened. I will remember this day because it’s the first time I’m voting alone with my mother … at night! I bet I’m going to get there and it’s going to be a quite as he said it always was … because my dad had a way of always being right, except when it counted most 
With courage, consciousness & a sense of humour
Published May 17th, 2011
For a girl who hates having my picture taken, I sure have been in front of the camera a lot. I think it’s a combination of not shaking off the old issues that I carry and holding on a little too tight onto what I know I have the potential to look like in front of the camera.
It’s such a fine line between what I’m trying to explain to the world and what I know I mean. To make it worse, I am having one of the most most frustrating day I have had in a very long time. Bless my mother and Greggie who have decided I’m feeling like this because it’s an anti-climax after Sunday. Double bless them for thinking that saying silly things and trying to make me laugh is going to lighten the mood at all, but it’s nearly the end of the day and I haven’t had a moment to breathe and find time to do this blog. On top of it … it’s a tough blog that I have been dreading a little (okay, a lot!)
I am trying to adjust to the fact that look stunning as I am, but still know that my body has so much more potential. I’m also trying to give one incredible photographer the thanks that I have never, ever been able to give another photographer in my entire life. At the same time I still battle to explain myself fully without getting comments that I must get over myself and I’m pretty or someone will love me as I am.
This is the reason why I blog and why ‘project me’ has to be thought out and expressed at the end of every day, because I battle so much to explain me to me that I wonder how the rest of the world would possibly understand the space I get into around photographs.
I know I’m pretty … fact!
I know my personality shines through every picture that is taken of me … fact!
I know there are facial and body things that will never change unless I am plucked and tucked more than Cher … fact!
I also know that I have come a long way in losing well over 20kilos since the birth of my project me journey with myself.
I am not fixated on weight and I’m not overweight because I am unhappy. That’s always falls into the spiritual analysis of reasons why people carry weight. I’m the happiest girl I know. I’m the luckiest girl I know and I couldn’t ask for anything in my life to be more than what it is at this very moment.
On the other hand, I know that it’s perfection now slowly paves the way for more and more of my potential to blossom and what I am trying to achieve won’t be hindered if I never lose another ounce or put on a whole lot … or become as skinny as Twiggy!
My journey with my body has to with a little birthing issue. Had I been born at any other time I would not be the fabulous Libran I am, but had I not been the Libran I would not have the balance issues I have.
That’s literal too … I can’t do that posture thing where I balance on one leg and I have a lot of core strength issues to sort out after me back.
My gorgeous best friend loves having his picture taken and he’s a comfie tart in front of the camera … hence the happy Lifeology business shots that he intends to splash all over our website. While I adjusted my hair a dozen times before each shot and had no clue how to stand, he was happily being snapped away by Pat. On the other hand, it was amazing to watch Pat work and I could see that he understood all my concerns before taking each picture.
Back to balance before I go on about why I agreed to this sponsorship of a photographer who intends to take pics of my life in progress over the months that are to follow.
When I gym, I usually go to the extreme and injure myself so that I can’t train for months.
When I try go onto an eating plan I usually go so extreme that I make it impossible to adapt to a normal social environment.
Balance is something I have no idea how to relate to. I don’t know what is enough for me, when it is time to stop and when it is time to give me all. At the beginning of ‘project me’ I was a confessed recovering workaholic for those very reasons and it took being bed-ridden for months to get over myself. To be honest, there are glimmers of psychotic working days but I always have my best friend helping me see when enough is enough.
Now it’s time to tackle food and exercise in the same vein. I have been so grateful for the Slimlab sponsorship and the support of Niel to help me deal with the cravings and the constant remind that balance is key. It’s so easy in theory, but to put it into practice has been a daunting challenge for me.
Then one day I got a phone call from a photographer who thought I was sensual enough to offer a boudoir shoot to. I’m a big advocate for finding ways for woman to feel good about themselves and enhance their sexuality and sensuality in order to build the worth enough to reach the goals. Long winded sentence, I know … but I don’t believe that anyone should be out of balance or integrity with their bodies. I also believe that we each know what happy and healthy and sexy means to us. I have the happy and the sexy, but the healthy needs works. So Pat offered me a sensual photo shoot through his business Skyetor Photography which I will be planning in the next month or two.
Before he could even get me to agree to the possibility of sexy, sensual shots of a partially naked body, he had to get me comfortable in front of the camera. I was a miserable bitch on the day of this shoot, until he took the time to listen to my concerns and set up the studio and his angle of shots to make me feel comfortable. None of these shots are even too tampered with. He didn’t photoshop me thinner or take away my freckles … that wouldn’t be project me or worth his sponsorship … instead … he made me feel beautiful by working with what he had … the truth of who I am and a touch of lighting.
It doesn’t feel like the day to announce it because it obviously scares the crap out of me … but Pat and this incredible sponsorship are going to photography my new ‘project me’ journey called ‘project body’! It’s going to be stuff I have dodged talking about in the 500 days that have passed. It’s going to deal with what it’s like to binge, crave, doubt what I choose to eat, how I manage to avoid exercise and … blah … blah … all while being kind enough to myself to be my own best friend!
The timing is perfect … the support is unwavering … the audience is loving enough … and the body is ready!
Now take a moment to tell my Greggie how absolutely gorgeous he is …
With courage, consciousness & a sense of humour
Published May 16th, 2011Although I spend my life blogging thousands of words a day and Twitter might be limited to 120 characters but the possibility is endless, there are times when a picture truly does paint a thousand words.
I can’t begin to express my gratitude to everyone who embraced the excitement of my 500 days of blogging and I am thrilled to thank my latest sponsor, Skyetor photography for capturing my celebration so that I can share it with you all now.
So here it is …
Cafe Culture in Pineslopes Shopping Centre where the most gracious hosts with a special mention of the prego rolls that certainly are a signature delight! Kerry, thank you so much for the hospitality and for the incredible venue that you have. I can’t wait to host more Lifeology events there! Follow @cafeculturersa on Twitter.
To 6on13th for being an incredible sponsor of the #D500 event and for the awesome giveaway of the handbag that my mother won fair and square. We did a live Twitter competition where the person with the weirdest thing in their handbag won. Bless my mom … she had the original cover that her handbag was purchased in. Need I say more. To Bev, Mattie and Claire … I will never forget the enthusiasm with which you supported me and I look forward to so many more exciting functions together.
Thank you to The Residence hotel for providing chocolates that accompanied the info on all of my sponsors. I am blessed to have people who support Project Me: Hustler Extreme, Slimlab, Regim A, Thava Indian Restaurant, web new SA and Skyetor Photography
Let the Tweeting begin! In this picture is Melanie Minnaar from The Twitter Blanket Drive and Dean from UCit Social Buying.
Our very special mommies! On the left is Greggie’s mom and the right is my mommy … Hello mommies and thank you for the unfailing support in Lifeology and us two crazy kids.
And there in the background is JohnnyBoixxx and Hustler Girl’s Ponkie who isn’t on Twitter (as yet).
My beautiful friend, Hustler Girl who looks damn fine for feeling so sick! Thank you for making it to the event despite all your fluiness and for always supporting me!
Yummy … Cafe Culture officially rocks for the best prego rolls and potato wedges in town!
Greggie and I forgot to pose for pics (for a change) … so this is the one and only, but still a gem!
I choose things because they are pretty and they don’t have to make practical sense at all. I should have thought of that when I decided that the gerbera would be the icon for project me. What’s the joke … I look at plants and they wither away, but thanks to Hustler Girl, Greggie and Ponkie for the special gift anyway! Hold thumbs and let’s see if it lasts until #D1K.
My Twitter friend, @Champ_Payne, who has the ability to make nonsense sound like sense and then turns into the person I like talking to the most when sense is what I’m craving!
The awesome team from NewsClip SA, Joanne and Lindsey. It was such an honour to have you lovely ladies join the celebrations and thank you for embracing project me with such enthusiasm! I can’t wait for the interview
These 3 crazy kids are proof that Twitter has the ability to go beyond work and just bring new friends my way! Thank you so much to Mike, Liza and Harm for making my event that over the top amount of fun. Liza, not many people admit to following Kim Kardashian with such enthusiasm so you deserved the prize hunny!
My dearest friend and sponsor, Niel who taunted me before the event and told me he couldn’t make it, would be running late, was coming in slip slops … and anything else to frazzle my nerves. Thanks for the support my hunny … you truly are one in a million (take that any way you like!!)
Within this crowd are some magical people who I can’t begin to thank for making the build up to #D500 and the night so spectacular. I met so many of you for the first time last night and I felt as though I have known you forever.
A special thank you to Norwin and Joslyn for your incredible support.
Then there are my dear friends Bryan and Trevor who embrace the whole Twitter, blogging, social networking thing with so much to learn … lol … but I’m there to help! You never know …
What would Greggie be without sporting a handbag? Thanks to him and Kerry from Cafe Culture for making the Kathy competition giveaway such fun.
On this note, I have to say a special thank you to my best friend and business partner for an amazing evening and for being the MC for the night. Greggie, you post for day 500 was beyond words and I am so excited to travel each day of of the journey to the days that follow, with you by my side!
There’s mommy and Kerry with the winning bag!
And lastly … here’s me! The happiest and luckiest girl in the whole wide world! Thanks to each of you, online and off, for making #D500 so spectacular.
So many people asked me if it would be the last blog and other asked where-to from here! No … it’s far from the last and I’m never one to say where anything is going judging from the place I started and the unexpectedly magical place I ended up.
I want to take a moment to thank my dearest blogging friends, Traci and Nikki for such special messages that Greggie read out to all my guests. To Robbie, I’m so thrilled that you took the time to send your message to me and I thank you for the dedication to commenting on my blog after all these days. To my Soldier Guy all the way over there in Canada … you are one special person and thank you for the message.
One message I want to share with you is from my friend Alexes AKA One Cluttered Brain who does these awesome vlogs and dedicated on just to me. My brainy friend … while everyone else danced and moved to your dedication … I cried … thank you for taking the time and for making my milestone such a treasured one. This vid is not to be missed
With courage, consciousness & a sense of humour
I know you love me, now comment! – project me day 508
This is a first for ‘project me’ and completely out of my comfort zone, but that’s what makes it so ‘project me’ appropriate. On the other hand, it’s been a long time coming and the fact that I can’t hold back anymore is purely out of all the love and support I am surrounded by. I don’t know how many bloggers get the love, encouragement and support that I get and that’s what’s frustrating the hell out of me.
Shoo … it was good to get that load off my chest … the frustrated part … and no I get to tell you why!
Unless you are in the social media or blogging world you just won’t get the power of a comment. You won’t get what it means to have the smallest comment on your blog and what it does for the esteem of the blogger, never mind the reputation and thumbs up from the blogging community.
If you think I’m begging for comments, I’m certainly not … I’m just stretching out the teacher in me and kinda sorta redirecting all the love that I receive on a daily basis.
Greggie says that maybe people don’t know how to comment on the blog and I do know that I have to make my blog friendlier from the mobile platform, but I’m going on the theory that YOU don’t think your one word or repeated gesture of love counts for much. You are so … so … wrong!
In a day I will get a whole lot of thumbs up on my Facebook post. I will get Tweets on how fab my blog was. I get direct mails, BBM’s, sms’s and even phone calls … but I don’t get the comments. I wish I had it in me to say “Okay, now that that little message and go repeat it on the blog, please!” but somehow I just don’t do that enough.
Do you realise that your ‘another great post, Jo’ or ‘I totally agree, Jodene’, would make the biggest difference in my life, for two reasons.
1 … as a blogger, every comment does something to the momentum of writing on a day that I can’t believe I was ever dumb enough to get this started. Your comments are my fuel and my reminder that I’m not writing to an audience of three (my mother, my Greggie and me). You can never say ‘hi’ enough or ‘I’ve been here’ too many times. Not because I’m begging you to … but because you do it on so many other platforms anyway!
2 … It doesn’t matter if I blog for 2000 days, if the world doesn’t see my blog as interactive with my readers then I don’t have the proof that anyone has been here to read and left their mark. I kid you not, I read some blogs that get 50 comments a day and sometimes all they say is “I agree” or “Good one today” or “you are funny” … but that blog has 50 comments, I have 2 … and I’ve most probably had more beautiful people pass by my day!
‘Project me’ is about speaking my truth and then doing something about it and I have been carrying this around for me for so long now. It’s a tough one to write because it’s like the “say you love me” story. Now you say it and now I say: “You are only saying it because I told you to say it!”
However I try phrase it … I’m a blogger and you’re a reader and a blogger desires nothing more that to know they are being heard!
I am so grateful to each of you for every Tweet, like, smiley sms, praise over dinner and comment to my mother on my beautiful way of writing! Don’t stop … it’s my inspiration! But do me a favour … give yourself the gift of making you important enough to know that your little comment inspires me more than I could possibly inspire myself. I live by the philosophy that all we need is one person to believe in us … and to me, that person is you!
With courage, consciousness & a sense of humour