Democratic Alliance Students Organisation – poster

Driving home this evening an hour on our national broadcaster (SAFM) was dedicated to the controversy that this poster has created.

My wife and I are both members of the D.A. (Democratic Alliance.) I of course had no idea what the controversy was about but had to see what had caused all the fuss.

Does this offend you?

Facebook link and comments

So, I’ll ask the question again, does this offend you?

Update Jan 25 – The ‘controversy’ made front page news in my daily today, I’ve reproduced the article for your further reading…

Continue reading “Democratic Alliance Students Organisation – poster”

Waterstone’s Sonnet -Jan Poetry Comp.

I’m found high up, a tiny crescent mark
a comma wand’ring from its rightful place
abused by every ill-read grocer’s clerk
some oft’ used plural noun to sore deface.

When I’m true placed, behind all proper nouns
the power of possession, I’ll at once confer.
I’m in mid-word?  I beg thee, spare thy frowns,
you’ll know the missing letters I do there infer.

A worthless vestige, or some antiquated sign
I never was.  Sad victim of some Ad-man’s pen
will never be, until the writing of the final line
means to us all the great, and last, amen.

When the rules of English usage they defile,
ALL the many Waterstones must we revile.

Cancelled appointments

there has been a lot in the press about people who either do not turn up for doctors appointments ar turn up late and the cost to the NHS, now I do agree people that miss appointments should take some responsibility for a no show or lateness;  but this seems to be all one sided.

The last time I went to the doctors (18 months ago) my appontment was for 6pm and I finally got in to see the doctor at 6.50. I too am self employed and if I miss work I do not earn money, yet I am not allowed to claim for my loss of time.

My colleague went to the doctors 2 weeks ago to be told to come back as the doctor had not arrived at the surgery. Once again a lost morning.

I have taken the unusual step of charging others for my lost time and it seems to be working. British gas lost one of our payments (company not home) and after 6 months of us sending in all the info they decided to send an official letter that they will take me to court for non payment, at this point I got involved in the dispute. The amount (all of £7.20) was finally traced and down to them changing our account number and not informing us. I sent them a bill for £400 being my charge rate for work outside of our premises; they paid £100. Did the same with BT and they settled half the invoice.

So from now on when I receive a call from my dentist confirming my appointment and telling me that if I am late or a no show they will charge I tell them if they keep me waiting more than 15 minutes I will charge them, so far I have got in within 10 minutes every time.

Elephants in trouble – Kruger National Park

Last week saw some pretty serious rain and flooding up in the Northeast of the country. Sunday Times reports here (Flood victims help each other) and here (Six killed in Mpumalanga floods.)

While reading about the tragedy online this series of 3 short videos caught my attention, I thought that I’d share…

Continue reading “Elephants in trouble – Kruger National Park”

Trial By Jury

I was recently lent the DVD set, ‘The Jury’ (Series 2) by a visitor from England. For those who have not seen it, it tells the story from the point of view of various jury members who have been summoned to a case involving the retrial of a man convicted of murder, but whose conviction was overturned on appeal. At the same time that the trial is taking place, a bill is being discussed in Parliament that proposes the ending of trial by jury. It was an enjoyable drama with some interesting characters, plots and sub-plots. Continue reading “Trial By Jury”