A Swimming Time

CapitalK:

My brave 8 year old finished the gruelling CapitalK swim a week ago. I know how far it is, because I did it with her.
After almost a whole week of constant rainy and cloudy weather Midmar Dam was icy cold. It took my breathe away and Hannah had me really worried when over the first 100m her teeth chattered and she begged to get out. Fortunately she was able to relax and managed to get into a rythm soon after that before the further setback of swallowing a large mouthful water. She didn't panic even though the cold and fright could fluster a grown adult. After this Hannah reverted to breastroke to keep her head above water and made steady progress despite a form below her normally effecient pull-kick-glide.
When we turned into the back stretch after about 200m, I knew we would be fine. Hannah then started doing a combination of backstroke and backstroke-skulling which helped us make grood progress while making it easier for her to beathe.
From the last turn into the home stretch we were able to get into some steady freestyle. The end however always seems to take so much longer to get to at the end of a long swim so I wasn't surprised when Hannah asked, "why's it taking so long Daddy?".
The end didn't come a moment to soon, as we collected our medals and walked to our proud supporters.

Will we do it next year?

For sure.
Will Hannah have to pull her Dad along in a few years?

For sure.

Fun Galas:
Daniel officially became the 'froggie king' at the recent Seals Fun Gala. Everyone was amazed at his breastroke as he shot through the water at break-neck speed. No wonder its now his favourite stroke!

Brigitte Launches www.sareal.co.za

www.sareal.co.za was launched this week to showcase Brigitte and Justin's vision to promote authentic South African design products and trends.

www.sareal.co.za captures the freshness and honesty of the chosen designers work. The work profiled is a wonderful mix of traditional skills and perspectives reflecting a special fusion of the designers and artists individual experiences and influences.

It heralds the start of an exciting journey to expose these wonders to a broader South African and global audience.

German version to launch soon!

Brigitte launches SAREAL DESIGN at Garlington Show

September 27 2009

SAREAL DESIGN launches at the Witness Gracious Living Expo in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Families who run together..

About 2,700 runners and walkers turned up for the for the Maritzburg Spar Ladies on Sunday13 September. The event has grown significantly in a short time from an initial field of 400 only 4 years ago.
I think there are many reasons for its growing popularity.
Lets start with the cross-dressing pranksters who adorn themselves with 2 piece bikinis, wigs make-up and all manner of other outrageous female attire. This is one of the few occasions where straight men can legitimately dress in women's clothes in public. Its also the only way that dads can 'officially' enter and run / walk with their daughters.
Its also a great format for mothers and daughters, grannies and granddaughters, and family and friends to exercise and have healthy fun. Ask me about the excitement, planning and discussions that went on for weeks before the day. Phone calls and discussions to make arrangements for the online entries, registration and collection of the goodie bags and where and what time to meet. And that's not even mentioning the training runs and walks for weeks before. I took Hannah out for a shake down run a week before just to make sure she was ready for the 5km event. It was special for us (myself and with help from Daniel on his bike) to help prepare Hannah for her race.
Here are some more photos from the day:
1) Waves from Brigiite
2) Debbie charging d0wn the hill
3) Hannah and her cousin Emma in full stride
4) Happy and satisfied faces at the end - Hannah and Emma, and Debbie and Amy
5) Brigitte, Daniel and Gail tucking into their goodie bags at the end.

Celebrating 47 Years of Service

I was so proud tonight to be at my mom's farewell party hosted by her school, Gardenia (formerly Merebank) Primary. Edie (Rusty) Jacobs retires this year after 47 years as an educator (minus a few years to further her studies when I was a toddler).

That's quite something. Especially when you consider that I've had two careers and worked for more than five companies in my so far much shorter working life.

The tributes that were shared by her staff and colleagues this evening reminded us of some of her very special qualities - passionate leadership, warm and friendly hugs and an unwavering commitment to 'do things by the book'. There's so much more though - the enjoyment she gets from interacting with the children in her school and watching the enjoyment and excitement in their eyes as she jokes around with them, how she values family, and her absolute commitment to excellence in school management and doing everything possible to give every child in her school the best opportunity possible to reach their potential and grow to become healthy well-adjusted adults.

We will never know the number of lives she has shaped and influenced. What we do know however, is that her contribution was really significant and given whole-heartedly and selflessly.

Its about more than just the rugby

My parents recently had words with me about being too loud and noisy at the rugby. They probably have a point. My supporting screams or shouts of disbelief and anguish at poor play or inconsistent referee decisions are probably more than most people should have to endure on a Saturday afternoon.
Does being a loyal sharks / springbok supporter explain passionate shouts and screams?
Brigitte provided some useful insights when I chatted to her about the issues.
Watching a live game is about more than what happens on the field. Its about the whole experience - the anticipation of the planning and preparation, the jokes and chirps during the game, the analysis after the game, the joy of a game won and the heartache of a game lost. Its about the camaraderie of a team sport and living as if what happens in the stadium that day is all that matters. Its an escape from a world filled with the deadlines and demands of our work and social lives.
Maybe its not surprising then that the rules of the outside world don't apply and supporters feel it fine to scream and shout and jump about. And long may it continue!

"Its very nice by the sea"

The Afrikaans saying 'Dis lekker by die see' (its great to be at the sea) describes the feelings of joy and wonder of a beach holiday.
One of the many benefits of moving back to KZN is the ability to be at the beach in an hour and enjoy the natural wonder and pleasure of wind, sea and sand. Even in the winter months you can run and frolic in the waves and build sand castles with your kids. The hills are also really testing to get the lungs and legs working before a well-deserved tumble in the waves.

Playing the Glad Game

When you are feeling really low, one of the best things to do is to realise that no matter how bad you feel there's always someone in a worse position. It may sound unsympathetic and cold, but its true. Its called perspective.
Brigitte and I sometimes play the Glad Game to help us maintain perspective on what's important and how grateful we shoud be for the good fortune we have had thus far. What we cherish most are the memories, relationships and feelings of love and joy that have enriched our lives:
I'm so glad I'm healthy.
I'm so glad to be have been loved and to have loved.
I'm so glad our children were born in a free South Africa...

Wonderful Child

Brigitte and I waited a long time for Hannah to be born. And today she turns 8.
Happy birthday wonderful child.

She has a generous soul and is a wonderful generous person.
We are blessed.

Some of this was shared with us at the dress rehearsal for her school concert today.

Happy birthday Dad - My Hero!

Have you ever been in one of those workshops where you've been asked to identify the person you respect the most? Most of the answers are rather predictable - Mandela, Mother Teresa and Gandhi while other answers are clever or obscure providing insight into socialisation, worldview, aspirations and how well-read your fellow workshopees are. My Dad has always been my hero - except for between the ages of 15 and 19 when I thought he was unapproachable and super critical!
He's unflinching integrity and absolute commitment still inspires me today. He always knows the right thing to do and never considers doing anything else. His selflessness and personal sacrifice to ensure that his family are safe, secure and cared for still takes my breadth away.
Today is my dad's birthday - he's 60.
Happy birthday dad!
You are my hero.

Visiting Folks before Springboks thump All Blacks again

Sitting here in Toti with my folks gives me the opportunity to contemplate the second tri-nations game in Durban tomorrow. I reckon it may go one of two ways - either the boks will build on the win in Bloemfontein and score a whopping 40 points (tries for Fourie, Habana and Spies) or the All Blacks will come back to make it a close affair.
The only hope for the All Blacks is that the Boks have an off day and the cold wet weather from the Cape hits Durban early (and trust me, I was in Cape Town this morning and if only half that wetness gets here the 30 men on the field will be in for a tough day) giving them a chance to return to their traditional grunding game.
Here's to a win either way!

Good friends are really hard to get rid of

When we moved to Pietermaritzburg 2 years ago, I really thought we might lose touch with some of our friends or at least see less of them.
That's not the case.
During this July period we were blessed to have had the pleasure of visits from a number of really good friends:
- The Conradie's from Jhb
- Ang and Mard from Signapore
- The Haesloops from Aus
- Sheldon, Nicole, Sam and Sandra from Jhb
- The Ashton's from Jhb
- Justin and Chloe from Germany.
If anything, our time together has been longer and more intense than it otherwise may have been. It also reminds us how loved and important they are to us and us to them.
The only question they are asking now I guess is 'when will they be visiting us...'.

Toe into the water...

I'm new to the world of blogging (is that what you call it?) and am not quite sure what to expect.
Will it be like my great YouTube debut which has thus far amassed a total of 5 views (me and 4 of my closest family and friends have viewed Baby Smack Down). When my kids are old enough to get online that tally might rocket to 7!
Watch this space... there might be more coming soon...