An overview of the past two weeks.
• Things that inspired me
• Something that I’m #grateful for
• Somebody that inspired me
• One change I made in my life
• Something I made
• Image of the week
• What I’m working on
Inspiring Things:
Brett Kebble on buying his wife’s wedding ring:
“Marrying the little redheaded firecracker sitting a few feet away from me is one of my greatest victories as a man. I think back to walking around the jewellery store with her, helping her pick out the perfect ring that we couldn’t even kind of afford. It was a fantastic time and now I have a copy of
the slip of paper we got along with the ring; a copy that will never fade, be misplaced or destroyed.”
Pierre de Vos on the “Accountability, transparency and bribing of
Journalists:”
Nevertheless, this saga does raise serious questions about the ways in which politicians or other powerful and rich individuals or groups could pervert the democratic process by bribing journalists, columnists or other opinion-makers.
Last week judge Bennie Griesel released an internal ANC report (after having a so called “judicial peep at it in terms of section 80 of the Promotion of Access to Information Act (PAIA)) along with a short judgment giving reasons for this. It is very surprising, to say the least, that Griesel J released the report, despite the fact that the ANC might have wanted to appeal his judgment.
As I understand these provisions of PAIA, what should have happened is that the learned judge should have ordered the ANC to hand over the report to Independent Newspapers and the ANC would then have had the opportunity to decide whether it wished to appeal the decision or whether
it would hand over the report as ordered.
In my opinion the judge committed a serious blunder and the ANC had every reason to complain – on legal grounds – about the premature release of the report. The problem is that the blunder cannot be corrected as the report now forms part of the judgment and can be read by anyone.
Clearly, journalists and columnists are not in exactly the same position as politicians. Politicians are elected, journalists and columnists are not. Politicians make decisions about how our money should be taxed and how the taxes should be spent, journalists and columnists do not. Politicians can ride the gravy train, journalists cannot. Some politicians have enormous power: they can give instructions to the police to shoot and kill people, they can order the invasion of Lesotho (and how did that one work out for you honourable Mangosutho Buthelezi?), they can legally instruct spies to spread lies about perceived enemies of the state. Journalists and columnists can do none of these things.
The argument that journalists, columnists and civil society leaders should therefore be held accountable in exactly the same way as politicians can therefore not be sustained. Claiming that they exercise more power than the President who can make life and death decisions about our future is, quite frankly, absurd and also obviously self-serving.
Ali Luke’s article tiltled: “9 ways to motivate yourself to write.”
It was great source of inspiration. Granted, I’ve been writing a teensy bit less this week than last, but the whole process became easier when I followed her steps.
The Painted Hive
Blogger Kristine’s Diary to decorating her home.
My décor style is very different from hers, nevertheless, I still enjoy her posts and pictures.
#GratefulFor
A place to live. I roof over my head. And even though we sometimes have problems with the water, or the stove, or a slightly not-clean apartment, I still have a safe place to call
home. Not many people can say that.
Inspiring Person:
SheBee (Sheena Gates) also known as SA’s Blog Queen (A title I’m still aiming for…) from
If These Walls Could Talk. I follow her blog religiously. In fact, I stole the #GratefulFor segment from her site.
I’m sorry….
One Change:
(Zen Habits’ Leo says you must ONE small change at a time, instead of 20 at once.)
Wake up early, EVERY WEEK DAY.
Edit 23 Feb – Yes, I’m still stuck with this change. My alarm is set for 04H45AM. I have to be at work at 07H30 (some days I’m at work from anytime between 06H00 and 06H30, so those days don’t
really count.)
So far, I’ve only managed to get up early for a total of… wait for it… three days! Progress, I tell you!
Those three days were glorious. I got up before 5, made some coffee and had me-time. I wrote articles, did research, job hunted, applied for some jobs, read, done some studying. All the good stuff I don’t have time for during the week.
Something I Made:
UHM…. Nothing….
BUT! I’m working on a gift for somebody. It’s a LOTR map (Take a look at my products page if you don’t know what I’m talking about.
Okay, I’m not really working on it, per se… But I already know who I want to give it too, I have the stuff I need. In my defense, my laptop crashed. All my image editing tools are on my Laptop (not my Netbook, or my work PC.) So as soon as I have my laptop in working condition again, the map shall
be made.
Image Of The Week:
Not my own – I stole this from one of those chain mails send around by the employees who don’t
have enough work to fill their days….
What I’m working on:
Writing articles:
Lots and lots of articles.
My goal is to
a) earn a profitable amount of $,
b) get my name out there and built a better Resume. (Oooh, note to
self: make a page on this site with links to my writing.)
c) get a better page rank.
My First e-book:
Once all the writing and editing and re-writing is done, the e-book will be
available to the public. However, all my subscribers will get a free copy
So, you see that little block thingy to the left of this article? It says “blog me, baby!” with an inviting field to type your email address in? Yes, that one.
Go. Sign up. And you’ll receive a free copy once I’m done with my book.
My newsletter Campaign:
I recently wrote an article on RichWP about auto responders, and realized how neglected my own account is. I don’t think I even finished filling out my profile. And I don’t want the hordes that are going to sign up (any moment now. any… moment… now…) be left feeling disappointed and unsatisfied. So, the account will be updated/upgraded, regular news letters will be planned, written and sent timeously.
And that’s my week!
What have you been up to?
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