Walk to paradise garden



William Eugene Smith was an American photo-journalist most known for the vivid images he took during the second World War. He worked for both Newsweek as well as Life Magazine. Working as a correspondent during the Pacific phase of the war, Smith was injured by mortar fire. Unable to handle a camera he was forced to take a break from photography.

The iconic image of his two children walking into a forest clearing was one of the first he took after recovering from his injuries. It forms a stark contrast to some of his more gruesome images.

An image that I happened to take in a similar style to that of Walk to paradise garden occured while hiking the otter trail last year. Coming towards the end of a long days walk, it was an immense relief to leave the forested trail and relax beside the sea.

Having spent most of the day within the shades of the forest mainly taking pictures of birds, my camera was set to a high ISO and fast shutter speed. 

Crushed beliefs - London '12

The South African woman's soccer team has not had the best of starts to their Olympic campaign. They lost their opening round match to the Swedish team tonight. The result isn't a huge surprise based on Banyana's underdog status in the tournament. The match did  however challenge a few traditional ways of thinking.

Mainly my belief that all Swedish woman are hot. Having lost interest in the soccer quite early on(three nil down after twenty minutes will do that to you) I pulled out my notepad and began the complex process of choosing my personal 'Swede of the match'. 

I won't go into detail but suffice to say 'ability to kick a soccer ball' is not one of the requirements.

Having started with a full squad of eighteen I soon worked my way down to just a handful of peroxided lasses. The sea of yellow started playing havoc with my eyes, I developed tunnel vision and a severe migraine. But I would not admit defeat. I toiled for most of the second half but to no avail.

I was finally forced to conclude that their is not a single noteworthy 'belter' in the entire Swedish squad. Using this data as an accurate and reliable cross cultural demographic of Swedish woman one can extrapolate some shocking results. They are a nation of pale giants with crew cuts.

As the reality of this situation sank in I felt like a young child on their eleventh birthday. Having just missed the Hogwarts express... and being told that it doesn't exist. What is next? The Swedes don't believe in having a team masseuse?

While my whole belief system slowly crumbled  apart around me I barely registered a consolation Banyana goal. 

The match ended 4-1 to Sweden.

Note: An image search prior to publishing this article revealed that all observations are completely inaccurate. Except the final score of course.

Cavendish wins in Paris

A tour for the British. The victory by Mark Cavendish on the final stage of the Tour de France signals the end of the most successful campaign ever for British cycling. Trailing Cavendish over the line compatriot Bradley Wiggins secured the yellow jersey for overall winner.

The final lapped stage around the streets of Paris was given added excitement by a break that looked to push the teams of the sprinters all the way to the line. At times holding a lead of half a minute, the eleven man group looked hopeful to stay away. However in the last lap a combined effort by the teams of the sprinters brought them back into the mix.

The sprint never looked to go to anyone but Cavendish. A rare image saw the yellow jersey leading out the sprint before the Manx missile emerged from the field to obliterate the field. It is the fourth year in a row that he has won on the Champs-Elysees.

The stage was the culmination of three weeks of racing that saw a large number of cyclists dropping out through injury or so as to better prepare for the Olympics in a few weeks time. Attention now turns to London as cyclists vie for the chance to crowned Olympic champion.

Signalling the start of the games; the cycling road race is the first medal on offer. Other disciplines are the individual time trial as well as track events. The newly built Velodrome in London, nicknamed the Pringle because of its unique shape will host these events over the coming month.

'ttacks at le Tour

Rabobank rider Louis Leon Sanchez won the fourteenth stage of the Tour de France on Sunday with a solo break away with eleven kilometers to go. The hilly stage saw the peleton summitting two first category climbs and promised to be critical in the decision of who would wear the yellow jersey into Paris.

The team of overall leader Bradley Wiggins were able to control the peleton however and only allowed a small group off the front - including Sanchez. They were allowed to stay in front the whole day with none being close enough to pose a threat to Wiggins' lead.

The real talking point of the day was to come at the summit of the final climb of the day. French radio has reported that a fan had thrown tacks on the road. This caused a large number of riders to puncture and caused much confusion on the descent.

With so many riders being affected Wiggins, as the race leader decided to neutralize the rest of the stage. And so all the main contenders crossed the finish line with the same time.

Wiggins did manage to see the funny side of the incident and suggested that if the perpetrators were found perhaps (the police) 'can find a football match to take them too.'

The throwing of tacks was at one time common practice. During the pre-war years it was reported that fans would often throw tacks under an unpopular cyclists wheels to force him to stop. However since world war 2 it is something that is mentioned only as being from a by-gone era.

The Sabotaging of sporting events is not uncommon and the incident got me thinking of other instances of it.

The mention of the name Pieter van Zyl, is enough to bring shame to any South African. The pot bellied, beer swilling drunkard attempted to tackle referee Doug McHugh during the Springboks loss to New Zealand in 2002. Unfortunately for van Zyl, Ritchie Mccaw was first to the break down.

And then of course their is that crazed Irish father's rights activists. He is becoming a familiar face at sports events. Not only has he interrupted a Formula one race but also the Olympic marathon in 2004. His exploits in that race cost a Brazilian athlete the gold medal. I wonder if he has qualified for the London games?

Speaking of the London Olympics; G4S the security company contracted to supply 10 000 trained security staff for the London games has failed to deliver. Reports in England state the level of security personnal provided by the company is way below what is required. Just days before the Torch is to be lit, the army has been forced to supply more troops to fill the vacancies.

South African's everywhere have no comment on the situation.

Plugging your own hole

What is it with people. I was unwillingly listening to a radio interview between DJ Fresh and a minor SA celebrity the other day and was greatly disappointed with what I heard. If the industry of 'celebrities' aren't careful I predict they will soon find themselves on the trash heap. Just on top of conservatives and flight attendants.

The interview went fine. I am sure for someone who is a fan of auto-tuned electro pop and/or is a regular reader of Heat magazine, it must have been a feast for the ears. For me however it was simply a lesser evil than the Jennie Chrys-Williams debate about why restaurants should serve water bottled on source. Surprisingly, Johannesburg municipal water is some of the cleanest in the world and we should be proud to bottle it. Bottled in Brakpan has a nice ring to it, a business opportunity for the more entrepreneurial out their.   But I digress.

Coming towards the end of the allotted time for the interview, DJ Fresh allowed this particular artist free reign to say what she wanted. In media talk its called plugging. A chance to say what the artist actually wants to say. Everything up til that point has simply been idle chit chat (often script written and rehearsed) to keep us listening and 'enthralled'.

Jumping at the opportunity, she promptly stated her twitter handle. That was it. Well not really. She had to spell it of course because no artist worth the beans has a twitter handle that's spelt like it sounds. As the interview ended and Fresh went on to another segment, I was left flummoxed.

Surely the broadcast industry hasn't become so desperate as to entertain such tripe? Surely the artist in question doesn't believe that such a desperate form of self advertising is going to increase her exposure? Surely the listeners aren't buying this bull shit?

What is this world coming to... what am I coming to?

@chianosky

British hopes gutted as Federer triumphs

The great British hope has failed. Scotsman Andy Murray lost the Wimbledon final to stalwart Roger Federer on Sunday. As the final speeches were said, a rather dejected looking Murray revealed just how much pressure comes with holding the hopes of a nation on your shoulders.

While thanking his supporters, emotions got the better of him and he had to take a minute to compose himself before continuing. Tears flowed as he tried to make light of the situation, saying that he was getting closer to winning every year. It seems that the dry patch for British tennis (1936 was the last time they registered a win at their home event) will go on another year.

Murray started strongly, dominating the first set 6 games to 4. However a break in play due to rain signaled a shift in the momentum of the match. After the roof had been closed, Federer dominated proceedings. He took the next three sets comfortably and showed sparks of his previous best.

The win marked a return to form for the Swiss star and was his first grand slam win in three years, a record leveling seventh at Wimbledon. It also ensured his return to the world number one ranking which was made even sweeter by the presence of his twin daughters on center court - the first time they had watched him play.


The players will return to the All England Club on the 28th of July for the start of the Olympic competition. 

Celebrations at the US embassy

EW News reported yesterday that nearly 70 grenades had been stolen from a vehicle transporting them to a military base in Pretoria. The fact that they were taken while the 'guard' was asleep is burning to be made fun at - but I will resist. Its just too easy. 

What is really troubling me is why someone would want that many grenades in the first place. Why not just two or three? Even the best suicide bombers would suffice with eight (or so i'm told). And heaven forbid they were stolen for this purpose... what target could possibly be deserving of an attack? This being peace loving South Africa and all.

Using historical trends as my only source of data -  I determined it would be the United States embassy. Its a monster of a building situated on the corner of Rivonia and Sandton Drive. The building oozes confidence and gives the impression of being a fortress of sorts. American flags fly proudly as a constant reminder to all who dare look at her.

I drive past the embassy every day on the way to work. Rivonia road tends to form a massive traffic jam outside its gates so I have spent a fair amount of time scrutinizing its security (in only the most innocent of ways). If an attack were to occur on that particular target one dare not think what the repercussions would be. 

Drone strikes aside it would make morning traffic even more nightmarish than it already is. In all the possible blast situations that I have played out in my head (in only the most innocent of ways), their is not one where Rivonia road isn't harmed. Potholes are one thing, having to avoid blast craters is something completely different.

Thankfully however, reality does not always align with my twisted imagination. If so, South Africa's position in the international community would have been dealt a crippling blow yesterday - as well as having made me late for work. 

Instead, it was later reported that the grenades were not in fact explosives but rather pyrotechnic devices that, 'simply illuminate when ignited'.  It is unclear whether or not this is a PR spin to try and quash public fear or if the SA military was genuinely robbed of its fireworks collection. Either way a collective sigh was released across the country.

And in the US embassy they prepared for a party, hot dogs were grilled and beers opened. The traditional fourth of July celebration was in full swing. I'm told the fireworks display was better than ever.