Tiah Beautement's Blog, page 165

The obsession

It began in April when I purchased a telescope. Husband's birthday present, you understand. It caused a bit of excitement. My husband. My son. A neighbour. The neighbour, having a bit of a laugh, taught my son the word nebula. My son's then four year old brain absorbed this information like a sponge and soon had a favourite - The Eagle Nebula. Which is yours? Small children can be rather persistent. They keep asking questions. They say the word, "Why?" quite a lot. You don't have to be one of...

Mgquolozana: A Man who is not A Man

I kept saying in the past I would blog about this book, and now I am: A Man who is not a Man, by Thando Mgqolozana USA, UK, SA I selected this book in a hope to gain more understanding about a cultural practise, the Xhosa initiation ceremony that marks a boy's passage into manhood. This rite of passage is often cloaked in secrecy and silence, while being the root of gossip and scorn by outsiders only exposed to the negative outcomes. Selecting a book whose storyline is based on the rite gone ...

Forget 'eye for an eye'

We now have an asshole for an asshole. Being an outsider I keep waiting for somebody to calmly and carefully explain to me what is going on around here: Why is a total asshole being considered for a pardon? But then it appears we're all supposed to be reassured that it's okay, this isn't just for friends, they can make a deal for "the other side, too" ... because they've got another really scary asshole, one so scary I thought they threw away the key years ago, and he can try for a pardon, to...

Thankfully I'm not famous, or I might be insulted

At the start of December I donated a copy of my own book to the main town library. Figured it was a bit much to expect them to have sought out the book, since so many others have equally shunned its existence. But I live here, and it would be nice to say, "Yes, and if you wish to read it you can check it out at the local library." Rather than, "Go to obscure internet site to buy it...oh heck, let me loan you a copy." The copy I donated was so new it was still wrapped up in...

Thankfully I'm not famous, or I might be insulted.

At the start of December I donated a copy of my own book to the main town library. Figured it was a bit much to expect them to have sought out the book, since so many others have equally shunned its existence. But I live here, and it would be nice to say, "Yes, and if you wish to read it you can check it out at the local library." Rather than, "Go to obscure internet site to buy it...oh heck, let me loan you a copy." The copy I donated was so new it was still wrapped up in...

Rediscovering Ebert

My blog has not been allowing me to "compose" as of late. Maybe it is on strike due to my poor posts? Is a blog allowed to do that? Back on Friday I was going to tell you that I, thanks to the lovely gang at Jezebel.com, have rediscovered Ebert. The Siskel-less Ebert, who I have now learnt is also "voiceless." I put the "voiceless" in quotes because while it is true he cannot speak, in the verbal sense, he still has a wicked voice in the online world. I do not twitter, but if there was ever a...

Life lessons

New parents count all the fingers... ...and then count the ten toes... Covering each one with kisses ... and then the decisions begin ...choices... ...which influence what is taught and what is learnt... ...would you send your child to a school where only one of these hands could attend? ...and yet I already know so many parents who have said yes, only the feet on the right can come in...

Cautious about Haiti

Haiti - what a heartbreaking mess. A catastrophe in a world where the word is overused. Money is pouring in and...and I have not donated a cent. I'm still thinking about it. And I know that what I just said is a hugely unpopular statement. But hear me out. Husband put it one way, "There are poor and starving right out our front door." Okay, not exactly on my doorstep, but drive for five minutes and I'm sure we'll see a few, or many. I don't like to play the "whose poorer" game. It isn't nice....

Not surfing eye to eye

I don't think this was my weekend. I tried to go surfing on Saturday. I thought if we went out right after low tide, the waves would still be small, especially since it was early in the morning. Er...not so much. And boy that ocean was sucking the water back. (I am the only one out of the two people who felt this way, so I could be delusional). At one point I fell off my board and...couldn't get it back. I stood there, as the water receded, and focused on staying upright while my board tugged...

Invictus: After the party

I've had a few people ask me about the movie Invictus, and the book. I have not seen or read either one. I may at some point, but am in no hurry. I think it is great that there is a "feel good" story about South Africa in the public eye. While South Africa has its faults, and there are many, the greater world media appears to banter around unfair stereotypes, especially as the World Cup comes closer. Example, the awful events in Angola. Terrible. But honestly, are we all sitting on the edges ...