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Friday, May 23, 2008
Drammen river
Drammen fjord
Sunset
Remembering the Origins - a continuation of the short story
Several of you asked if there would be more of the short story I posted last week. At the time, I thought not. It was just supposed to be a bit of flash fiction - a capturing of a moment in time. But then I fell to pondering - and you know what happens when I ponder - I run this risk of a whitter or a warble developing... And this is what happened:
The child blinked at the glaring light. Harsh and unfamiliar sounds accosted her ears. She stumbled, wearied not only by her journey into the new world, but also by the months spent hiding, creeping and outwitting the serpent from that other world.
“Oh, look, just look at her.”
The voice rang above the child’s head. It contained an edge of familiarity and it made her tremble.
A face peered down at her - then another. One had eyes that smiled with a wondrous delight upon her. But the other face. Those eyes were green, intense and madness flickered at their edges. The child’s heart quailed and she gasped. She tried to turn around and run but felt her legs betray her. They wouldn’t work, they were two frail appendages that seemed incapable of all but the most useless of movement.
A scream broke from her, uncontrolled, and tailed away into a wail that she felt would never end.
“Sssh, sssh. Hush now.” The voice was deep and awkward; it sounded as though its owner felt as out of his depth as she did.
“Give her to me,” said the first voice. Female.
The child shuddered.
No, screamed the essence of her being, don’t touch me. Stay away, stay away.
She felt herself lifted and rocked from side to side. Her wailing continued as though some primal part of her had taken control. Her heart twisted with anguish. After all those months spent evading the serpent’s constant search, here she was in the new world, and the serpent had found a way to follow her.
True, it had appeared in a new guise, but she was sure it was the selfsame creature. Something in her innermost being, a self that she felt she was fast forgetting, prompted her to remember, albeit dimly, the serpent’s visage. That glimpse of madness in the eyes, that voice, its edges tainted with a hiss.
But if it was the same creature, and she couldn’t be sure... what did it want with her? Would it kill her – as it had done her twin?
The child flailed with her legs and arms, seeking an escape, the wail rising up from her core.
“Sssh, sssh,” hissed the voice, “it’s alright, don’t cry so. Don’t cry. You’re safe now, I’ve got you. You’re with me now. You’re mine.”
No, she screamed, no, I’m not yours. I don’t belong to you. I don’t belong to anyone!
The child’s cries, her pleas were disregarded as though she spoke them in a foreign tongue.
Please, she wailed, please, let me go, I don’t belong here, I must have come to the wrong place. Please, please…
“I hope this crying and screaming is not going to carry on forever,” said the female voice, “I don’t think I can stand it.”
“She’s certainly got quite a voice on her,” said the male voice. “Here, give her to me. Come on, little one.”
The child felt herself passed from one set of arms to another, as though she was a rag doll. Why was she so helpless, why couldn’t she stop these people from manhandling her? And why didn’t they understand her? Why did they just ignore her voice, as though she were some halfwit, talking a foreign tongue?
Please, she whispered, trying again, please I think I’ve come out in the wrong world. I don’t think this is where I’m meant to be. You must send me back. This can’t possibly be right.
“Hush, little one, ssh, now.”
The arms that rocked her now were warm and strong. She stopped whimpering, gazed up at the brown eyes smiling down at her. She searched them for any signs of the madness she knew so well. Yes, there it was, but it was faint, almost undetectable. And the voice, the voice contained no hiss, just an occasional sibilance.
“There now,” said the man, “see, it’s not so bad.”
“Give her back to me,” said the woman.
The child felt herself passed again from one set of arms to the other.
She stared up, trying to hold her will, trying not to flinch, the terror rippling down her spine.
The green eyes, the madness streaming away from their edges, peered down at the child.
“Say Ma-Ma. Say Mama.”
The child screamed.
The child blinked at the glaring light. Harsh and unfamiliar sounds accosted her ears. She stumbled, wearied not only by her journey into the new world, but also by the months spent hiding, creeping and outwitting the serpent from that other world.
“Oh, look, just look at her.”
The voice rang above the child’s head. It contained an edge of familiarity and it made her tremble.
A face peered down at her - then another. One had eyes that smiled with a wondrous delight upon her. But the other face. Those eyes were green, intense and madness flickered at their edges. The child’s heart quailed and she gasped. She tried to turn around and run but felt her legs betray her. They wouldn’t work, they were two frail appendages that seemed incapable of all but the most useless of movement.
A scream broke from her, uncontrolled, and tailed away into a wail that she felt would never end.
“Sssh, sssh. Hush now.” The voice was deep and awkward; it sounded as though its owner felt as out of his depth as she did.
“Give her to me,” said the first voice. Female.
The child shuddered.
No, screamed the essence of her being, don’t touch me. Stay away, stay away.
She felt herself lifted and rocked from side to side. Her wailing continued as though some primal part of her had taken control. Her heart twisted with anguish. After all those months spent evading the serpent’s constant search, here she was in the new world, and the serpent had found a way to follow her.
True, it had appeared in a new guise, but she was sure it was the selfsame creature. Something in her innermost being, a self that she felt she was fast forgetting, prompted her to remember, albeit dimly, the serpent’s visage. That glimpse of madness in the eyes, that voice, its edges tainted with a hiss.
But if it was the same creature, and she couldn’t be sure... what did it want with her? Would it kill her – as it had done her twin?
The child flailed with her legs and arms, seeking an escape, the wail rising up from her core.
“Sssh, sssh,” hissed the voice, “it’s alright, don’t cry so. Don’t cry. You’re safe now, I’ve got you. You’re with me now. You’re mine.”
No, she screamed, no, I’m not yours. I don’t belong to you. I don’t belong to anyone!
The child’s cries, her pleas were disregarded as though she spoke them in a foreign tongue.
Please, she wailed, please, let me go, I don’t belong here, I must have come to the wrong place. Please, please…
“I hope this crying and screaming is not going to carry on forever,” said the female voice, “I don’t think I can stand it.”
“She’s certainly got quite a voice on her,” said the male voice. “Here, give her to me. Come on, little one.”
The child felt herself passed from one set of arms to another, as though she was a rag doll. Why was she so helpless, why couldn’t she stop these people from manhandling her? And why didn’t they understand her? Why did they just ignore her voice, as though she were some halfwit, talking a foreign tongue?
Please, she whispered, trying again, please I think I’ve come out in the wrong world. I don’t think this is where I’m meant to be. You must send me back. This can’t possibly be right.
“Hush, little one, ssh, now.”
The arms that rocked her now were warm and strong. She stopped whimpering, gazed up at the brown eyes smiling down at her. She searched them for any signs of the madness she knew so well. Yes, there it was, but it was faint, almost undetectable. And the voice, the voice contained no hiss, just an occasional sibilance.
“There now,” said the man, “see, it’s not so bad.”
“Give her back to me,” said the woman.
The child felt herself passed again from one set of arms to the other.
She stared up, trying to hold her will, trying not to flinch, the terror rippling down her spine.
The green eyes, the madness streaming away from their edges, peered down at the child.
“Say Ma-Ma. Say Mama.”
The child screamed.
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
The shredding and shame of the Rainbow Nation
As xenophobic violence rips its way across South Africa, displacing thousands of foreign migrants and political refugees, I find myself at a loss for words when subject to the cruelty, hatred and brutality of South Africans towards their neighbours. The tragic irony is that Zimbabweans, Malawians and Mozambicans all welcomed South African political refugees in the bad old days of apartheid, gave them hospitality and aided them in their struggle against the white minority government. But memories are short and the pressing poverty (and inherent violence) of South African society far outweighs issues of humanity.
And bear in mind that it is not only foreigners being attacked but local people too - Vendas, Pedis, Shangaans, have all been told to leave Johannesburg and go back to their own provinces (counties/states). The violence is also spreading to Durban and Cape Town.
There is a view that says a politically motivated third force is behind the wave of violence. This may or may not be true.
But the reality is, the truth, whatever it is, is deeply complex and Thabo Mbeki, in his usual and ineffective way, has called for yet another "investigation". As if that will solve the problem. The Times, in particular, has torn into Mbeki's policies, or lack thereof, as being a direct cause of the violence.
I leave you with this and suggest you look at the related links in the article too. Also go here. Or follow the various links from here.
And bear in mind that it is not only foreigners being attacked but local people too - Vendas, Pedis, Shangaans, have all been told to leave Johannesburg and go back to their own provinces (counties/states). The violence is also spreading to Durban and Cape Town.
There is a view that says a politically motivated third force is behind the wave of violence. This may or may not be true.
But the reality is, the truth, whatever it is, is deeply complex and Thabo Mbeki, in his usual and ineffective way, has called for yet another "investigation". As if that will solve the problem. The Times, in particular, has torn into Mbeki's policies, or lack thereof, as being a direct cause of the violence.
I leave you with this and suggest you look at the related links in the article too. Also go here. Or follow the various links from here.
Monday, May 19, 2008
Bitis Arietans - fortunately it didn’t bite
I have spent most of my life being thoroughly terrified by snakes. My usual response is to scream or freeze – even if it’s only a mole or grass snake. So I was somewhat taken aback by my response yesterday when encountering one of Africa’s most poisonous snakes – Bitis Arietans – the Puff adder.
click all images to enlarge
Puff adders are sluggish, slow moving snakes (unless they’re striking) that can reach up to a meter in length. Their preferred activity is lying around snoozing in the sun. They are so lazy that they will seldom move when encountered - but don’t provoke them. You do not want to face the consequences. A Puff adder’s venom is deadly and the snake can deliver between 100 to 350 mg of poison in a single bite. The venom causes necrosis – tissue death – and medical attention must be quickly sought or fatality will result. You’re getting the picture here, aren’t you, Puffies are not very nice. Because they just lie there like great big slugs, nicely camouflaged against the golden earth and stone of paths, the tendency of hikers to step on them, with unhappy consequences, is great.
So there we were yesterday, driving along a country road when I spotted something lying in the road. It reared up as we went passed and at first I thought it was a Cape Cobra. Armed with our cameras, D decided this was too good an opportunity to miss. So I swung the car around and headed back. D was out of the car like a shot and I was getting out when a dirty great SUV came roaring towards us – heading straight for the snake which was halfway across the road. D yelled, “Nooooo!”. I waved my arms around like a deranged monkey and the driver swerved at the last minute. But what was most amazing was the Puff adder’s reaction. It struck out at the car – a thing thousands of times its own size. The speed with which it moved was uncanny – rearing up off the ground, its jaws unhinged, fangs exposed, striking at the tyres whizzing past it. As the car sped off the snake stayed motionless for a moment, then dropped down and continued on its way.
We snuck up to snap away and generally invade its space. The curious thing was this: the Puff adder wasn’t remotely bothered by our presence, and I, curiouser still, wasn’t afraid of it. Yeah, I know, go figure. There I was, happily following the snake across the road and into the bush. Let me say though that I do not advise this kind of mad behaviour - predicated, I’m sure only because we were behind cameras (no, I’ve no idea what sort protection I thought that provided) and because I’d aged another year. Evidently advancing age makes one more foolish. We had the good sense, I think, to stay three to four feet away from the snake, and oh I do thank he who developed zoom lenses. Mind you, it might also have something to do with the fact that I saw the snake as symbolic. Snakes are symbolic of rebirth and healing – a fairly potent symbol, I thought, to turn up on my birthday.
Eventually, the Puff adder slithered under a bush and issued a heavy huff and puff. We took that, rather sensibly I think, as notice that we’d outstayed our welcome, and left the snake to find a sunny spot in which to doze away the rest of its day.
click all images to enlargePuff adders are sluggish, slow moving snakes (unless they’re striking) that can reach up to a meter in length. Their preferred activity is lying around snoozing in the sun. They are so lazy that they will seldom move when encountered - but don’t provoke them. You do not want to face the consequences. A Puff adder’s venom is deadly and the snake can deliver between 100 to 350 mg of poison in a single bite. The venom causes necrosis – tissue death – and medical attention must be quickly sought or fatality will result. You’re getting the picture here, aren’t you, Puffies are not very nice. Because they just lie there like great big slugs, nicely camouflaged against the golden earth and stone of paths, the tendency of hikers to step on them, with unhappy consequences, is great.
So there we were yesterday, driving along a country road when I spotted something lying in the road. It reared up as we went passed and at first I thought it was a Cape Cobra. Armed with our cameras, D decided this was too good an opportunity to miss. So I swung the car around and headed back. D was out of the car like a shot and I was getting out when a dirty great SUV came roaring towards us – heading straight for the snake which was halfway across the road. D yelled, “Nooooo!”. I waved my arms around like a deranged monkey and the driver swerved at the last minute. But what was most amazing was the Puff adder’s reaction. It struck out at the car – a thing thousands of times its own size. The speed with which it moved was uncanny – rearing up off the ground, its jaws unhinged, fangs exposed, striking at the tyres whizzing past it. As the car sped off the snake stayed motionless for a moment, then dropped down and continued on its way.
We snuck up to snap away and generally invade its space. The curious thing was this: the Puff adder wasn’t remotely bothered by our presence, and I, curiouser still, wasn’t afraid of it. Yeah, I know, go figure. There I was, happily following the snake across the road and into the bush. Let me say though that I do not advise this kind of mad behaviour - predicated, I’m sure only because we were behind cameras (no, I’ve no idea what sort protection I thought that provided) and because I’d aged another year. Evidently advancing age makes one more foolish. We had the good sense, I think, to stay three to four feet away from the snake, and oh I do thank he who developed zoom lenses. Mind you, it might also have something to do with the fact that I saw the snake as symbolic. Snakes are symbolic of rebirth and healing – a fairly potent symbol, I thought, to turn up on my birthday.
Eventually, the Puff adder slithered under a bush and issued a heavy huff and puff. We took that, rather sensibly I think, as notice that we’d outstayed our welcome, and left the snake to find a sunny spot in which to doze away the rest of its day.
Saturday, May 17, 2008
Happy Birthday and another Meme...
click images to enlarge
Happy Birthday to me
Happy Birthday to meeee
Happy Birthday, dear Vanilla
Happy Birthday to meeeeeeeeee!
Yep, it’s that time of year, tomorrow is my burfday - another year younger another year stronger… Well, I can dream, can’t I? Whaddayamean, how old am I? You must be kidding, I’m not telling you that! I mean I don’t want to destroy any of your illusions, now do I?!
And now, time for some light-hearted fun. I’ve been tagged by Janey over at Whittering On to do A Meme About Various Things. It’s a title which inclines me to think that someone wanted to create a meme and be nosy without having any obvious end or purpose… Mind you, do any of these wretched memes ever have any real purpose... Cynical old me, must be a symptom of age...
A Meme about Various Things
What were you doing ten years ago?
Watching my father die, having to sell his business and discovering there was a lot more to me than I thought there was.
Realising my marriage was on the rocks.
Falling foul of and falling out with my then-stepdaughter.
Discovering I was going to be retrenched – sooner rather than later.
Reclaiming my self by starting to have a mid-life reawakening!
1998 was a foretaste to the very rude awakening that was 1999.
What are five things on your to-do list for today (not in any particular order):
Wake up
Get up
Have a shower and brush teeth
Do the grocery shopping.
Go to bed.
What are some snacks you enjoy?
I’m not a snackish kind of person – I generally exercise discipline in the snack department. Mostly, I’d sooner have a banana. But I’ll nibble crisps/chips and dark chocolate occasionally. I do love popcorn but it doesn’t love me.
What would you do if you were a billionaire?
Leave South Africa (mind you, I’ll do that without being a billionaire!).
Buy a villa in Tuscany or Switzerland.
Create a foundation to aid the environment and wildlife or choose an existing NGO with which to work and support - either wildlife, environment or child abuse.
Travel lots.
Splurge on some designer outfits. I lurve Armani and Ferretti – hey, what can I say, I have my materialist side too, you know!
Invest the bulk of it in order to create another billion... and found another foundation.
What are three of your bad habits?
Drinking juice directly from the bottle.
Procrastinating.
Piling up more and more books next to my bed.
What are five places where you have lived?
Cape Town, South Africa
London, England
Guernsey, Channel Islands
Dublin, Eire
Durban, South Africa
What are five jobs you have had?
Shop assistant/window dresser
Scriptwriter/Video Director-Producer for a corporate
Marketing executive and copywriter
Marketing and Communications Manager
Marketing Director
What were the last five books you read?
I don’t suppose you’re going to believe me if I tell you I actually can’t remember….
So, let me rather tell you what I am reading:
100 Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez
Author Author by David Lodge
What I Was by Meg Roshoff
Anansi Boys by Neil Gaiman
Emmanuel’s Book channelled by Pat Rodegast – again.
Remember, I did say there were piles and piles of books next to my bed…
What five people do you want to tag?
Um… Kimy, Taffiny, Helen, Rambler, Bart - and anyone else who wants to do this!
Friday, May 16, 2008
Angelina Jolie Expecting Twins!
The Cannes Film Festival was about one feature only, the Jolie-Pitt duo and soon to be family of 8!
No matter what she does, she still looks great, and while we can't steal Pitt, we can at least try her hair - CLICK ANGELINA'S PICTURE TO TRY.
Sky Watch Friday # 10
Akershus Fortress (Oslo)
Gulskogen gård (Old farm)
Akershus Fortress
Same shot but cropped and turned up side down.
For more Sky Watch photos, visit Wigger’s World.
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