quantum resonance

Pythonesque

Randolph Potter van der Westhuizen — Sat, 03 Jan 2009 09:57:27 GMT

Last night Marinus took me to see Pythonesque at Montecasino in Fourways. He managed (with my help) to keep it a secret right to the point where we sat down, which is admirable considering that I paid for the tickets and signed for them at the box office :)

The show, if you didn't know, is based on the death of Graham Chapman, who has to prove to Heaven that he is worthy of entry, using a series of skits based on the original Monty Python sketches. Imagine the parrot sketch, the "Bruce" sketch, the Cheese shop sketch, and the Lumberjack song turned on their heads and inside out. Hilarity ensues.

If you're a long-standing fan of Monty Python (as am I), or a second-cousin once removed of their work (as is my better half), you'll enjoy it. Fans will spot the sketches that are being mercilessly molested, and I admit to laughing out before most everyone else in the audience on several occasions.

Go see it.

Petrol price dropping again

Randolph Potter van der Westhuizen — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 13:02:49 GMT

w00t! Petrol is coming down again on Wednesday 7 January 2009, to R6.01 per litre, or 64 US cents (43.8p) at today's prices. To my US readers, that's $2.42 per gallon. Is that good?

Happy new year!

Randolph Potter van der Westhuizen — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 11:23:41 GMT

The subject line says it all, but here's to 2009. In an interesting bit of news, the 30GB Microsoft Zune player is affected by a ~~feature~~ bug which stops it working past 2008/12/31. Har har. Then again, I'm the guy who purposefully crippled an older version of ShutOff 2000 to stop working past 2007/12/31 and had to issue an emergency update because of it. In my defence, I wasn't expecting people to still be using it, but they do, so there we are! Maybe Microsoft felt the same about the 30GB Zunes.

Things you can only get away with saying at Christmas

Randolph Potter van der Westhuizen — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 15:55:32 GMT

1: I prefer breasts to legs.
2: Tying the legs together keeps the inside moist.
3: Smother the butter all over the breasts.
4: If I don't undo my trousers, I'll burst!
5: I've never seen a better spread!
6: I fancy a little dark meat for a change.
7: Are you ready for seconds yet?
8: It's a little dry, do you still want to eat it?
9: Just wait your turn, you'll get some!
10: Don't play with your meat!
11: Stuff it up between the legs as far as it will go.
12: Do you think you'll be able to handle all these people at once?
13: I didn't expect everyone to come at the same time!
14: You still have a little bit on your chin.
15: How long will it take after you put it in?
16: You'll know it's ready when it pops up.
17: Just pull the end and wait for the bang..
18: That's the biggest bird I've ever had!
19: I'm so full, I've been gobbling nuts all morning.
20: Wow, I didn't think I could handle all that and still want more.
21: Do you want stuffing?
22: How many do you think this bird will satisfy?
23: I usually give it a good old wash out before I stuff it.

New Year's Resolution

Randolph Potter van der Westhuizen — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 11:32:00 GMT

Same as the old one - be kind to animals and children, in that order.

MTNzania

Randolph Potter van der Westhuizen — Sun, 28 Dec 2008 15:55:15 GMT

In 1994, South Africa entered the cellular phone market. You could either get with Vodacom, 50% owned by the hated Telkom (and the other 50% by Vodafone, who now has a controlling share), or "the better connection", MTN.

In the last 14 years, MTN and Vodacom have been producing profits in the tens of billions of rands. MTN has reached out into Africa as well, cornering the Nigerian market too. These are big boys.

Anyway, this weekend, MTN's entire network crashed. Their. Entire. Network. Crashed. Okay, so maybe it happens, but we're talking a 14-year old company with billions of rand (or hundreds of millions of dollars) in profit every year. This doesn't happen. Then again, apparently it does.

Let's see what happens when the SABC tries to get comment.

When the national broadcaster phoned the help desk for comment, the "call centre spokesperson ... didn't want to be identified." I'm not surprised - I've had the same issue with my calls to technical support with almost everybody I've dealt with, primarily Sentech, M-Web, Internet Solutions and Hetzner Africa. If you do get through, you speak to someone who gives you their first name, no surname, and refuses to put you through to someone higher up the food chain. Plus, in most cases, you're treated like a criminal. There is no such thing as customer service in this country. But I digress.

According to the article (see related link), the call centre spokesperson "said that engineers were aware of the problem and were working around the clock to fix the fault. He said most parts of the country were affected. Officials from MTN were not available for comment, the broadcaster said."

That was yesterday. Today, as a follow-up, there's this article, which proves that call centre staff are the lowest common denominator, who read from a script, and can't think for themselves.

[Disclaimer - my first job was in a call centre. It was the most painful five months of my life.]

In the Smiters of Iniquity, what day is tomorrow?

Randolph Potter van der Westhuizen — Wed, 24 Dec 2008 13:22:49 GMT

As I posted in 2006:

22 May 2006 is the official founding day of the New Religious Order, or NRO, so we have declared it a Holy Day. 22 May will now be known as Bliksem Day. Henceforth, all days will be in the new calendar dated from BS 1.

BS 1 - 22 May 2006 - 21 May 2007
BS 2 - 22 May 2007 - 21 May 2008
BS 3 - 22 May 2008 - 21 May 2009

This means that tomorrow is BS 3.218. I'm not quite sure why this question was asked of me in the first place.

Smiters of Iniquity Shop

Randolph Potter van der Westhuizen — Wed, 24 Dec 2008 12:24:48 GMT

Some very basic products, like t-shirts, mugs and clocks, are available from the Smiters of Iniquity Shop. Let's see if this thing makes money.

Who woulda thunk it?

Randolph Potter van der Westhuizen — Wed, 24 Dec 2008 09:36:53 GMT

Robert Mugabe, despite his high ranking on the NMC list (see the Smiters Of Iniquity link to the right), said the funniest thing this week, as seen in The Star:

"America is stupid" - Robert Mugabe

Don't you love it? There are so many complex levels of irony in that statement.

Blog software sucks

Randolph Potter van der Westhuizen — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 16:49:11 GMT

I want to migrate my blog from simplephpblog to something running on MySQL. The trouble is, there's nothing that I like. I like this one, but it's not DB-enabled. The Moveable Types of the world look more complicated than necessary. Then there's the small matter of moving all the entries to the DB easily ...

Anyway, I had a good day yesterday.

It's my birthday ...

Randolph Potter van der Westhuizen — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 07:35:56 GMT

La la la

Shrek's first name: Barry

Randolph Potter van der Westhuizen — Sat, 06 Dec 2008 08:32:15 GMT

See related link for original source.

State of the Nation

Randolph Potter van der Westhuizen — Sun, 30 Nov 2008 18:04:47 GMT

I read on News24.com that 50% of matriculants last year actually passed, of which only 7% will find jobs. So extrapolating that out, 96.5% of all matriculants will be unemployed.

Something to think about if you're planning to drop maths and / or science. If you do, you're just another ~~dumbass~~ tomcruise.

Spammer (Philip Copeman of TurboCASH): "Leave me alone"

Randolph Potter van der Westhuizen — Sat, 29 Nov 2008 18:18:45 GMT

A lot of things bug me (we all have issues, I guess), but when someone who runs a business like TurboCASH gets defensive and rude when I threaten legal action after my numerous requests to be removed from a mailing list go unanswered, this is the last straw.

Philip Copeman, of TurboCASH, refuses to speak to me. His last email said "leave me alone" when I asked how hard it was to read a simple request to be removed from a mailing list.

Philip Copeman, of TurboCASH, a company he runs in his own name, is hereby named and shamed, since the other people I've been in contact with have not been authorised to represent him.

Here are the details as provided to me, should I wish to take legal action against TurboCASH (run by Philip Copeman) for breaking the law by ignoring numerous requests to be removed from a mailing list.

Philip Copeman (remember, he runs TurboCASH)
5612275062088
Box 12728, 15 Cabernet Way
High Steenberg
Tokai
7945

This is why I love this country

Randolph Potter van der Westhuizen — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 10:08:57 GMT

A screen capture from News24.com:

Name and Shame of South African Spammers: Sahara Computers

Randolph Potter van der Westhuizen — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 20:01:38 GMT

The second crowd who can't seem to understand unsubscription requests is Sahara Computers. As in my previous incident with TurboCASH, I was receiving four copies of all their sales news. This is usually about ten emails a week, on average, including a price list exceeding 500KB. So, when the price list is sent out, I get over 1.5MB of spam.

I say spam, because I've asked them on at least two occasions to remove the domain and so far, nothing.

Name and Shame of South African Spammers: TurboCASH

Randolph Potter van der Westhuizen — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 19:54:26 GMT

I purchased a domain recently (in May 2008) that had just expired, and immediately started receiving emails from various newsletters that the previous owner had subscribed to. That was fine. I was able to find unsubscribe options in most cases, and was successful in all those cases. Except for two.

TurboCASH is the free alternative to Pastel and QuickBooks accounting software, and is maintained by Pink Software. I used it when it ran on DOS, and I used version 3 of the Windows version when I operated my own business. Naturally, I had my own subscription to their newsletter. Unfortunately, so did the previous owner of the domain I bought, as well as one of his staff members. I was getting the same email three times, every time.

I followed the instructions to unsubscribe, and received two confirmations, one for each address.

I did the same thing in June.

And July.

And August.

In September I just deleted the emails.

I got annoyed in October and sent their upstream ISPs an email respectfully requesting removal of emails to this new domain I bought. I received clear confirmation that it had been actioned.

Tonight I received thee more newsletters, two to the domain that was not supposed to get email anymore. I sent and email to everyone @ anywhere and will see what happens next.

---

EDIT: 22h03 - I got this reply after 21 minutes, on a Sunday night. Not bad.

---

Hi Randolph,

I have deleted you and have also discovered why previous deletions did not work. You appeared in our registered users as well as on our mailing list. Because of a shortcoming in our mailing program we had to delete the list and recreate it before sending.When it recreates the mailing list , it does so with reference to registered users , within which your were included.

I am certain that you appear on none now,
Kindly forgive the inconvenience,
Selwyn Wacks
Webmaster
Deleted Randolph

---

EDIT: 2008/11/28: Still getting spam. Obviously Selwyn Wacks is a tomcruise.

So long, Miriam Makeba

Randolph Potter van der Westhuizen — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 22:53:25 GMT

Good bye, and thank you for the music.

Kaploes - The English Version

Randolph Potter van der Westhuizen — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 15:08:06 GMT

Ra-ra-ree
Kick her in the knee.
Ra-ra-runt
Kick her in the other knee.

Vodacom = Vodafone

Randolph Potter van der Westhuizen — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 15:05:36 GMT

"Vodafone, the world's biggest mobile phone group by revenue, announced on Thursday it had agreed to buy a further 15% stake in Vodacom from Telkom for R22.5bn, giving it control of the mobile operator."

See related link.

Yes We Can

Randolph Potter van der Westhuizen — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 08:45:03 GMT

This is a transcript of Barack Obama's acceptance speech, taken from News24.com.

Hello, Chicago.

If there is anyone out there who still doubts that America is a place where all things are possible, who still wonders if the dream of our founders is alive in our time, who still questions the power of our democracy, tonight is your answer.

It's the answer told by lines that stretched around schools and churches in numbers this nation has never seen, by people who waited three hours and four hours, many for the first time in their lives, because they believed that this time must be different, that their voices could be that difference.

It's the answer spoken by young and old, rich and poor, Democrat and Republican, black, white, Hispanic, Asian, Native American, gay, straight, disabled and not disabled. Americans who sent a message to the world that we have never been just a collection of individuals or a collection of red states and blue states.

We are, and always will be, the United States of America.

It's the answer that led those who've been told for so long by so many to be cynical and fearful and doubtful about what we can achieve to put their hands on the arc of history and bend it once more toward the hope of a better day.

It's been a long time coming, but tonight, because of what we did on this date in this election at this defining moment change has come to America.

A little bit earlier this evening, I received an extraordinarily gracious call from Senator McCain.

Senator McCain fought long and hard in this campaign. And he's fought even longer and harder for the country that he loves. He has endured sacrifices for America that most of us cannot begin to imagine. We are better off for the service rendered by this brave and selfless leader.

I congratulate him; I congratulate Governor Palin for all that they've achieved. And I look forward to working with them to renew this nation's promise in the months ahead.

I want to thank my partner in this journey, a man who campaigned from his heart, and spoke for the men and women he grew up with on the streets of Scranton... and rode with on the train home to Delaware, the vice president-elect of the United States, Joe Biden.

And I would not be standing here tonight without the unyielding support of my best friend for the last 16 years... the rock of our family, the love of my life, the nation's next first lady... Michelle Obama.

Sasha and Malia... I love you both more than you can imagine. And you have earned the new puppy that's coming with us... to the new White House.

And while she's no longer with us, I know my grandmother's watching, along with the family that made me who I am. I miss them tonight. I know that my debt to them is beyond measure.

To my sister Maya, my sister Alma, all my other brothers and sisters, thank you so much for all the support that you've given me. I am grateful to them.

And to my campaign manager, David Plouffe... the unsung hero of this campaign, who built the best - the best political campaign, I think, in the history of the United States of America.

To my chief strategist David Axelrod... who's been a partner with me every step of the way.

To the best campaign team ever assembled in the history of politics... you made this happen, and I am forever grateful for what you've sacrificed to get it done.

But above all, I will never forget who this victory truly belongs to. It belongs to you. It belongs to you.

I was never the likeliest candidate for this office. We didn't start with much money or many endorsements. Our campaign was not hatched in the halls of Washington. It began in the backyards of Des Moines and the living rooms of Concord and the front porches of Charleston. It was built by working men and women who dug into what little savings they had to give $5 and $10 and $20 to the cause.

It grew strength from the young people who rejected the myth of their generation's apathy... who left their homes and their families for jobs that offered little pay and less sleep.

It drew strength from the not-so-young people who braved the bitter cold and scorching heat to knock on doors of perfect strangers, and from the millions of Americans who volunteered and organised and proved that more than two centuries later a government of the people, by the people, and for the people has not perished from the Earth.

This is your victory.

And I know you didn't do this just to win an election. And I know you didn't do it for me.

You did it because you understand the enormity of the task that lies ahead. For even as we celebrate tonight, we know the challenges that tomorrow will bring are the greatest of our lifetime - two wars, a planet in peril, the worst financial crisis in a century.

Even as we stand here tonight, we know there are brave Americans waking up in the deserts of Iraq and the mountains of Afghanistan to risk their lives for us.

There are mothers and fathers who will lie awake after the children fall asleep and wonder how they'll make the mortgage or pay their doctors' bills or save enough for their child's college education.

There's new energy to harness, new jobs to be created, new schools to build, and threats to meet, alliances to repair.

The road ahead will be long. Our climb will be steep. We may not get there in one year or even in one term. But, America, I have never been more hopeful than I am tonight that we will get there.

I promise you, we as a people will get there.

(AUDIENCE: Yes we can! Yes we can! Yes we can!)

There will be setbacks and false starts. There are many who won't agree with every decision or policy I make as president. And we know the government can't solve every problem.

But I will always be honest with you about the challenges we face. I will listen to you, especially when we disagree. And, above all, I will ask you to join in the work of remaking this nation, the only way it's been done in America for 221 years - block by block, brick by brick, calloused hand by calloused hand.

What began 21 months ago in the depths of winter cannot end on this autumn night.

This victory alone is not the change we seek. It is only the chance for us to make that change. And that cannot happen if we go back to the way things were.

It can't happen without you, without a new spirit of service, a new spirit of sacrifice. So let us summon a new spirit of patriotism, of responsibility, where each of us resolves to pitch in and work harder and look after not only ourselves but each other.

Let us remember that, if this financial crisis taught us anything, it's that we cannot have a thriving Wall Street while Main Street suffers.

In this country, we rise or fall as one nation, as one people. Let's resist the temptation to fall back on the same partisanship and pettiness and immaturity that has poisoned our politics for so long.

Let's remember that it was a man from this state who first carried the banner of the Republican Party to the White House, a party founded on the values of self-reliance and individual liberty and national unity.

Those are values that we all share. And while the Democratic Party has won a great victory tonight, we do so with a measure of humility and determination to heal the divides that have held back our progress.

As Lincoln said to a nation far more divided than ours, we are not enemies but friends. Though passion may have strained, it must not break our bonds of affection.

And to those Americans whose support I have yet to earn, I may not have won your vote tonight, but I hear your voices. I need your help. And I will be your president, too.

And to all those watching tonight from beyond our shores, from parliaments and palaces, to those who are huddled around radios in the forgotten corners of the world, our stories are singular, but our destiny is shared, and a new dawn of American leadership is at hand.

To those - to those who would tear the world down: We will defeat you. To those who seek peace and security: We support you. And to all those who have wondered if America's beacon still burns as bright: Tonight we proved once more that the true strength of our nation comes not from the might of our arms or the scale of our wealth, but from the enduring power of our ideals: democracy, liberty, opportunity and unyielding hope.

That's the true genius of America: that America can change. Our union can be perfected. What we've already achieved gives us hope for what we can and must achieve tomorrow.

This election had many firsts and many stories that will be told for generations. But one that's on my mind tonight's about a woman who cast her ballot in Atlanta. She's a lot like the millions of others who stood in line to make their voice heard in this election except for one thing: Ann Nixon Cooper is 106 years old.

She was born just a generation past slavery; a time when there were no cars on the road or planes in the sky; when someone like her couldn't vote for two reasons - because she was a woman and because of the colour of her skin.

And tonight, I think about all that she's seen throughout her century in America - the heartache and the hope; the struggle and the progress; the times we were told that we can't, and the people who pressed on with that American creed: Yes we can.

At a time when women's voices were silenced and their hopes dismissed, she lived to see them stand up and speak out and reach for the ballot. Yes we can.

When there was despair in the dust bowl and depression across the land, she saw a nation conquer fear itself with a New Deal, new jobs, a new sense of common purpose. Yes we can.

(AUDIENCE: Yes we can.)

When the bombs fell on our harbour and tyranny threatened the world, she was there to witness a generation rise to greatness and a democracy was saved. Yes we can.

(AUDIENCE: Yes we can.)

She was there for the buses in Montgomery, the hoses in Birmingham, a bridge in Selma, and a preacher from Atlanta who told a people that We Shall Overcome. Yes we can.

(AUDIENCE: Yes we can.)

A man touched down on the moon, a wall came down in Berlin, a world was connected by our own science and imagination.

And this year, in this election, she touched her finger to a screen, and cast her vote, because after 106 years in America, through the best of times and the darkest of hours, she knows how America can change.

Yes we can.

(AUDIENCE: Yes we can.)

America, we have come so far. We have seen so much. But there is so much more to do. So tonight, let us ask ourselves - if our children should live to see the next century; if my daughters should be so lucky to live as long as Ann Nixon Cooper, what change will they see? What progress will we have made?

This is our chance to answer that call. This is our moment.

This is our time, to put our people back to work and open doors of opportunity for our kids; to restore prosperity and promote the cause of peace; to reclaim the American dream and reaffirm that fundamental truth, that, out of many, we are one; that while we breathe, we hope. And where we are met with cynicism and doubts and those who tell us that we can't, we will respond with that timeless creed that sums up the spirit of a people: Yes, we can.

Thank you. God bless you. And may God bless the United States of America.

Kaploes

Randolph Potter van der Westhuizen — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 17:59:10 GMT

Kaploes, kaploes,
die branders slaan op my knieë.
Ek weet dit rym nie,
maar ek wag vir hoogwater.

Sitting at 10 751 page views now

Randolph Potter van der Westhuizen — Sat, 25 Oct 2008 16:36:13 GMT

The page has received over 10 000 page views now.

So I got 3000+ unique visits today

Randolph Potter van der Westhuizen — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 21:01:13 GMT

stumbleupon.com (referral) 3,015 83.38%

The page that someone thought was cool enough? See the related link.

What is mylonite?

Randolph Potter van der Westhuizen — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 16:15:41 GMT

"Mylonite is a ~~breccieated~~ brecciated metamorphic rock frequently found in a fault zone".

Blame Scott Adams. He is recycling phrases now.

Um, yeah

Randolph Potter van der Westhuizen — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 21:58:12 GMT

It's been a while, and I'm sorry I haven't posted anything. Work is insanely busy, and I forced myself *not* to work tonight. Home life just got interesting, with some prospects that will be taking a direction from 25 November. When that time comes, we will know a little better what's happening. And yes, I'm still extraordinarily happily married, so it's nothing to do with that!

P.S. I love my hubby more than ever.

Quote of the Week

Randolph Potter van der Westhuizen — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 11:36:07 GMT

But the political muppets dancing around and haphazardly spraying piss all over each other to mark their lucrative territories are not bright. And when I say not bright, I of course mean unbelievably fucking stupid. -- Chris Roper

See related link.

"Hatless Spawn of Satan's Bowels"

Randolph Potter van der Westhuizen — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 20:33:39 GMT

I have a new favourite insult, courtesy of today's Dilbert.

(See related link.)

102,612 words, excluding these

Randolph Potter van der Westhuizen — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 20:17:58 GMT

My blog has 102 612 words, excluding this entry. In about ten years, I should have enough words to be equivalent to halfway through the first chapter of Stephen King's The Stand.

More madcap humour

Randolph Potter van der Westhuizen — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 19:01:55 GMT

Equally as funny as the failed $700bn nationalisation of private US banks are the antics of the Ferrari F1 team on Sunday, during the first ever night race. I laughed out loud when Raikonnen crashed into the wall four laps from the end.

Who needs the Large Hadron Collider anyway?

Randolph Potter van der Westhuizen — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 18:53:28 GMT

The US House of Representatives has defeated the $700bn emergency rescue package proposed to save their economy. I think it was Warren Buffet who said that if it doesn't go through, the market will go into a free-fall.

Did you hear that? It was the sound of millions of investors saying "Oh, shit!"

All of a sudden, I'm glad I left Nedbank when I did.

Goodbye, Connie

Randolph Potter van der Westhuizen — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 16:41:41 GMT

And rest in peace, Connie Haines, big band singer and Duchess of Idaho.

RIP Paul Newman

Randolph Potter van der Westhuizen — Sat, 27 Sep 2008 18:54:46 GMT

So long, and thanks for Butch Cassidy.

This Week in Batman: Poison Ivy and Dr Beetroot

Randolph Potter van der Westhuizen — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 05:58:39 GMT

Seriously, they're staying? What happened to loyalty?

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

And now Poison Ivy is running the country until the new guy is sworn in (Kgalema Motlanthe). I knew it would be a female, but Ivy? Heaven preserve us. At least it's only for 11 hours. What's the worst that could happen? ... Three hours left ...

At least Alec Erwin has quit. Good riddance to bad rubbish.

A statement from Desmond Tutu

Randolph Potter van der Westhuizen — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 17:14:07 GMT

(Reproduced from the related link)

Cape Town - A statement issued by Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu.

"I am deeply disturbed by recent events in our beloved county. The so-called recalling of the President of our land fits the pattern of the settling of scores and the throwing about of weight that has happened post-Polokwane.

" Why sack two Premiers with only a few months of their terms left to run and then to re-employ one of them in the Presidency if it is not to prove that there are new cocks of the walk?

"Why humiliate the nation's President in this fashion like the two Premiers with only a few months of his term of office left and that without giving him the chance to respond to any charges that the NEC might have laid?

"Ironically one of the reasons Judge Nicholson declared Mr Jacob Zuma's indictment invalid was that the NPA had not afforded him the right to explain why he should not be charged.

"President Mbeki has scored many significant achievements in our economy and in promoting peace in Africa, most recently in Zimbabwe. But he has made many enemies even within his party for his intolerance of challenges and dissent. South Africa puzzled many of our friends by odd foreign policy decisions that betrayed our history on his watch. Those enemies have got their revenge and are gloating as they rub his nose in the mud.

"There is nothing principled about that. It is good old fashioned tit for tat. It is arrogant, cynical opportunism, that at one moment they can, when judges find against them, call the judges 'part of a counter-revolution' and when they do find in their favour represent 'judicial triumph'.

"It is possible that a post-Polokwane purge will hurt some people who could also be plotting their revenge one day. Our country deserves better. The way of retribution leads to a banana republic.

"I am deeply disturbed that the nation, the State, South Africa, has been subordinated to a political party. 'South Africa belongs to all who live in it'; not to any political formation, however powerful.

"Perhaps now we will call for changes in our Constitution. Let our President be elected directly by all South Africans and let us abolish party lists. They are pernicious and produce sycophants. Let our representatives be elected directly by their constituencies. If the reports are accurate that Mr Zuma did not participate in this distressing debate and opposed the 'recall' of his comrade, then I commend him warmly.

"I pray that we will return to civility in our public discourse. Politicians must remember that even the most powerful parties bite the dust at some point especially when they forget those who put them in power.

"We have a wonderful country with wonderful people of all races. For goodness sake let us not sabotage it.

"Let us remember that the Freedom Charter declares: 'The people shall govern'.

"Please let us, the elders, not go to our graves with broken hearts."

ITLAPD

Randolph Potter van der Westhuizen — Sat, 20 Sep 2008 12:11:26 GMT

See related link.

Someone broke the LHC

Randolph Potter van der Westhuizen — Sat, 20 Sep 2008 12:01:52 GMT

"Spokesperson James Gillies says experts have gone into the Large Hadron Collider to examine the damage that halted operations soon after the start-up."

... And haven't been seen since.

And in other completely unrelated news, no one in this timeline has heard of Jesus Christ, and Arnold Schwarzenegger is president of USA.

Thabo Mbeki is out

Randolph Potter van der Westhuizen — Sat, 20 Sep 2008 11:23:51 GMT

The ANC has announced that Thabo Mbeki is to be recalled as president of the country.

The deputy president said she would go if Mbeki left, so it looks like the Speaker of the House will be sworn in as acting president.

Jacob Zuma cannot be president unless he is a Member of Parliament.

Only in Africa

Randolph Potter van der Westhuizen — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 19:48:32 GMT

From TFA (see related link):

"Free State ANC chief whip Playfair Morule has been fined R36 000 or 12 months' imprisonment for killing a man in a hit-and-run accident."

Don't you just love his name?

Poetry

Randolph Potter van der Westhuizen — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 20:53:21 GMT

I've updated my poetry page (see related link) with some pieces I found on my phone.

I like the song-like "Feel The Love", and the words in "Hungry For You". "Penelope-Anne" is meant to shock, and it does. "My Life For You" feels unfinished, but I liked how it sounded, so it's up there all the same.

Zuma Zuma, Gautrain, Blatter and Blather

Randolph Potter van der Westhuizen — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 22:38:49 GMT

In December last year, I predicted that Jacob Zuma's court case, set for 14 August 2008, would be struck off the roll or delayed. Last week, his application for having the current charges ruled unlawful, was successful. The National Prosecuting Authority was found to have been influenced politically. Interesting times ahead for our outgoing president. There's even talk of impeachment.

Meanwhile, said president is trying to placate the rest of the world over the Zimbabwe issue. The deal he brokered between Mugabe and Everyone Else is mostly pointless, but it's a good start. How quickly we forget that it took a long time for South Africa to get from CODESA to President Mandela.

In other news, FIFA's own president has stated that the 2010 Soccer World Cup is still going ahead in South Africa, and Zuma's likely election as SA president should not have any influence on this momentous occasion.

I'm not a soccer fan, so I don't really care either way, but I am very interested in the Gautrain's progress. The TBMs are making good progress, the airport's station is complete, and all signs point towards a high-speed rail link being finished according to schedule.

Work continues unabated. I have been at my new job for four and a half months now, and they're making me earn my money. I'm working on several projects concurrently, but the most important one is for a major financial institution, where I have designed the database and batch processing engine. I'm very excited and nervous about the whole thing. We're using SQL 2005 in a clustered environment, blade hardware, Windows 2008, Hyper-V, a Java-based decision engine, WCF, Windows Workflow back-end, and some very creative C# code.

This blog has also been modified now with some Feedburner ads, to see if I can increase my AdSense revenue. I upgraded my hosting solution about a month ago, and I need to make enough to cover my costs.

There's also a relaunch of a site in my stable coming soon, hopefully with enough appeal to drive traffic (and click-throughs) through the roof, and allow me to focus on how to spend my fortune.

Should reality hit harder than this dream, I have other plans up my sleeve. I've been poor once before, and I now have a husband, a house and two dogs to take care of.

One year

Randolph Potter van der Westhuizen — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 20:14:20 GMT

Sunday was our one year wedding anniversary, and I'm looking forward to the rest of our life together. Yay!

On Satanism, Swords and Slipknot

Randolph Potter van der Westhuizen — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 12:08:26 GMT

The country has been going on the last two days about an 18 year old boy who killed another boy at school with a sword, and then attacked two gardeners. The original reports described the boy as being dressed in a balaclava, with his face smeared in black paint. Details emerged later in the day about how the boy blamed Satan for his actions, and was dressed like the drummer in a band called Slipknot. He was also high on drugs at the time.

I'm fed up with people blaming a supernatural force for their own actions. I'm fed up with others believing those who blame a supernatural force for their actions. I'm especially fed up with those who blame *music* for "Satanic" acts. People must take responsibility for their actions, and parents need to reinforce this behaviour from birth.

In matric I did a speech for the Senior Best Speaker competition about this very matter. I didn't win the competition, but I feel the same way about it now as I did in 1994: music is *not* evil. If you take a psychologically troubled person and let their imagination get away with them, then they will try to find anything to blame except themselves. Now throw drugs into the equation.

Police have released statistics which show that violent crimes are usually as a result of drug abuse. There are countless articles worldwide defending this point of view (check Google), and I am inclined to believe it. Drugs cause an altered state of consciousness that affect a person's ability to tell right from wrong, and music and Satan are the convenient scapegoats.

So to all those people out there bringing up the heavy metal and Satan angle, stop your shit. It's tired and worn out and I don't buy it. For the amount of heavy metal music I've listened to, I should be a raving Satanist by now, killing cats and other humans by the dozen. I've only willfully killed one animal before, and I'm not proud of it (it was a hunting party, I was 14 and it was a hare), and although I joke about killing stupid people all the time, I don't act on it. Probably because a) I take responsibility for my actions, and b) I'm not high on drugs.

Vote PC Mall for good service

Randolph Potter van der Westhuizen — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 11:48:47 GMT

Last Tuesday, I bought a Linksys AM200 ADSL modem from PC Mall. On Thursday, I dropped them an email asking when I could expect delivery. Someone called Iain replied with a vague email about freight and suppliers and so forth, indicating that I'd be in for a bit of a wait. So I contacted a friend and acquired a borrowed unit to sync my line on Thursday evening.

On Friday, out of the blue, a delivery man appeared with a Linksys AM200 ADSL modem in hand, and my name on the delivery note, so I was pleasantly surprised. However, upon opening the box, I discovered a fault report dated 28 May 2008, for the exact model (I compared serial numbers), and not much in the way of "package contents". The plug wasn't even localised.

On Friday evening, I had to download the manual off the Internet using my borrowed router, and fought for a long time to get the connection working. M was frustrated to the point of going to watch a Ryan Reynolds movie, much to my chagrin.

Eventually it was all working, and I forgot about the whole thing until Monday morning, when I received a "Customer Feedback Survey" in my mailbox. This is what I wrote:

The device delivered was already opened, and included a bit of paper dated 28 May 2008 that the device (I matched the serial number) was faulty, and hand-written "NOT FAULTY" in orange highlighter over it.

The box did not contain the CD-ROM either, and I had to purchase a universal adapter to get the thing plugged in. I was forced to borrow an ADSL router from a friend to download the manual off the Internet, so that I could configure the ADSL modem I bought from you.

Overall, nothing has changed with Titan 5 since I dealt with them at Learning Channel Campus in 2001. Shocking service, second-hand goods at new prices. If I had been able to find the Linksys AM200 from another supplier, I wouldn't have even bothered with PC Mall.

I trust that my one-year warranty will be fulfilled from date of purchase, and that the fact that I received second-hand equipment will not enter into it, seeing as I paid price as new. I will keep the device, since it does work, but unless it breaks in the next 12 months, I hope I don't have to deal with you again.

As a matter of record, please tell Iain that either he was lying about the freight coming to South Africa, or he wasn't aware of the fact that you were going to sell me a second-hand device. You guys really need to get your story straight when dealing with customers.

Not five minutes after I submitted it, I received a phone call from the Managing Director of PC Mall, who assured me that this problem would be resolved. Shortly after that, the Procurement Manager phoned me, and promised to deliver a new modem within the morning.

He arrived soon after, with a sealed box, containing a new modem, plus all the things you'd expect to find, like a CD-ROM, some cables, and a localised plug.

So, I'd like to give kudos to PC Mall for turning a bad experience into a good one. This is my way to say that their customer service is exceptionally good. Well done!

Good news (sort of)

Randolph Potter van der Westhuizen — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 12:36:16 GMT

"Police are investigating how a controversial Zimbabwean politician - hell-bent on stalling the power-sharing talks - has come into possession of a R1,4-million armoured Mercedes-Benz allegedly registered with the South African government's VIP protection unit." (Source)

If you recall, I wrote about this very same vehicle trying to drive me off the road last year.

On the bright side, if you read the article, police are not very impressed with Justine Chiota. Neither am I, of course (see related link).

If they bother using Google at all, and ask me to testify, my original charge of attempted murder stands.

Too quiet ...

Randolph Potter van der Westhuizen — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 06:37:18 GMT

That's me, too quiet ... on the issue of Jon Qwelane's article this last Sunday equating homosexuality with bestiality. He must be fired by his newspaper, fined by the Human Rights Commission, and banned from writing in public media. He is no better than the Mugabe he praises, or Hitler before him.

Now I've seen it all

Randolph Potter van der Westhuizen — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 08:34:42 GMT

"The words 'Friendster', 'Klum', 'Nazr', 'Obama', and 'Racicot' are not recognized when you check the spelling in Windows Vista and in Windows Server 2008."

Let's analyse this for a second. Granted, Merriam-Webster have just added about a hundred new words to their collegiate dictionary, but I'm very confused. How are the above words English?

Anyway, if you have Vista or Server 2008, you would have seen something about an "Important" download for Windows in yesterday's monthly updates. In this case, one file of 62.9MB, to add the above five words to the dictionary.

The workaround, on Microsoft's website, is to add those words to the custom dictionary. Problem solved.

What a waste of bandwidth!

The effects of drugs

Randolph Potter van der Westhuizen — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 11:06:49 GMT

In the interests of public health and safety, I have reproduced an article from Health 24 in its entirety.

The original source is: http://www.health24.com/Man/Social_addi ... ,46964.asp

Special Report: Drugs

Forget everything you thought you knew about drugs.

Drugs may make you feel great, but the crippling damage they cause to the brain has remained unseen - until now. For the first time scans have shown exactly how these substances mutilate our minds - while psychiatrists deal with the fall-out.

From the height of ecstasy to the depths of hell. As quick as a flash. Then brain damage for the rest of your life. This is what the latest street drugs can do to you.

And even after you've stopped, these drugs can scorch the delicate tissue of your brain and change you into a monster capable of the most horrifying acts of violence. Or leave you in a dark well of depression, from which nothing will be able to save you.

It doesn't matter which drug you try, even if it's only once - you have to know you're playing with fire. The stuff you're smoking, sniffing or shooting up is going to hit your brain with the force of a lightning bolt.

It's not the moral custodians, teachers and religious ministers who say so. It's hardened policemen, chemical scientists and psychiatrists who are witnessing the effects of these drugs with bewilderment.

Forget everything you thought you knew about drugs. Nothing can prepare you for the havoc now caused by charlie and crystal, hot ice, china white and liquid ecstasy.

And it's not happening somewhere else, it's happening here in our neighbourhoods, schools and universities, to normal teenagers who "just wanna have fun" and adults who should know better.

It makes the drugged-hippie era look like a Sunday school picnic. Modern drugs are so much more powerful, so much more intense, taking you to ecstatic peaks of euphoria and energy - then dropping you into the depths of despair. No wonder it's called a crash.

Until recently no one knew the extent of the devastation caused in your brain by this chemical violence. Now we're beginning to find out. And it's not a pretty sight.

* Midwives are holding babies born with their intestines outside their bodies.
* Policemen are handling the victims of merciless crimes.
* Neurologists, with the help of the latest technology, are assessing the extent of the brain damage being caused.

If you think this is bad you should prepare yourself for the next drug wave about to hit the country, says superintendent Casper Venter of the SAPS forensic laboratories.

There's the drug called yellow honey, a deadly new form of marijuana that is seven times stronger than normal dagga and can cause a brain meltdown. This drug surfaced in Los Angeles recently. The SAPS Narcotics Bureau predicts it will gain a foothold in South Africa soon and will make the tik problem look like child's play.

Many local drugs have an added danger - when they're manufactured in someone's loo, kitchen or warehouse, you have no idea what they really contain. Street drugs are often cut with highly addictive heroin to ensure you become physically dependent. On top of that street drugs can be sold in hugely concentrated form; sometimes they are up to 1 500 times more powerful than the dose the human body can safely handle. It's like pouring jet fuel into an old jalopy.

Street drugs may also contain harmful impurities. For example, a chemical in mandrax tablets can cause lung cancer. In the wake of drug use follow the crimes associated with it.

Violent crime in the Western Cape has increased enormously and is attributed to the dramatic rise in the use of tik. "We're seeing more and more that when people are murdered, they're not stabbed or shot once or twice, but as many as 60 times.

Tik changes the brain chemistry and numbs the reactions of users. Killing or raping someone is nothing to them,'' says Venter.

The nine most common street drugs

The substances discussed here are illegal and are listed in the South African Drugs and Drug Trafficking Act, Act 140/92. The most common street drugs abused in South Africa are classified according to their effect on the brain. There are three main classes: uppers (stimulants), downers (depressants) and hallucinogens (which cause you to see strange things).

Uppers (stimulants)
Uppers include cocaine, crack, Ecstasy, tik, crystal meth or methamphetamine, amphetamines, ephedrine and khat. These substances stimulate the brain and increase the heart rate. Young people use them to feel stronger, more energetic and more decisive. Typical signs of stimulant use are a reduced appetite, high energy levels, insomnia, dilated pupils, talkativeness, irritability, anxiety, increased excitability and hyperactivity, abrupt mood changes, impatience and nervousness.

1. Cocaine
Street names: blow, charlie, coke
This mind-altering drug, extracted from the coca bush in Peru, Bolivia and other mountainous countries, was once the glamour drug of the rich and famous but now more and more children are experimenting with it.

The heaven:
A feeling of exhilaration, euphoria, hyperactivity, self-confidence, heightened awareness and boundless energy. The rush takes place five to 10 minutes after snorting cocaine.

The hell:
Some users will experience headaches, tremors, apprehension and insomnia after a single dose. Larger doses may lead to teeth grinding and compulsive acts such as scratching and finger tapping. Users may hear voices and suffer from extreme paranoia, extreme anxiety, irrational ideas and aggression. An overdose can result in a seizure, panic attack, cardiac arrest, stroke, difficulty breathing and death.

Effects on the body:
Your pulse rate increases, your blood pressure rises and your pupils dilate. After long-term use you'll look emaciated, your sex drive will decrease, your nose will always be running and you'll get frequent colds. Cocaine is psychologically and physically addictive. Once the high wears off, addicts are left craving more stimulation.

Effects on the brain:
Cocaine interferes with the natural secretion of dopamine and serotonin, two of the brain's chemical messengers that transmit feel-good sensations. As a result, these neurotransmitters accumulate and trigger the trademark "high".

The scary fact is cocaine eventually depletes the level of neurotransmitters to such an extent that depression, apathy, fatigue, anxiety and suicidal depression can set in and may last for months.

If the depletion is total and permanent even the best antidepressants will be futile and the user may never be able to escape from the darkest depression. Some also develop Parkinson's disease which leaves them with a tremor at an early age.

2. Crack
Street names: rocks, freebase
Crack is a cheap and deadly form of cocaine, turned into smokeable ''rocks'' with the use of additives. Crack is coke intensified and kicking a crack habit is three times as difficult.

The heaven:
Feelings of wellbeing, mental exhilaration and euphoria. The high is intense but lasts little over 10 minutes.

The hell:
The euphoric feeling is quickly followed by devastating depression equal in intensity, creating the need to smoke again and again. This cycle of highs and lows causes an addiction that takes hold faster than with any other drug.

Effects on the body:
The same as for cocaine but intensified. Users may see snowlights or halos. Their heart rate may become irregular, increasing the risk of a heart attack.

Effects on the brain:
Because it's smoked it delivers a high dose of the drug to the brain in less than 10 seconds - with a potency five to 10 times greater than snorted cocaine. The assault on the brain is quicker and more profound. It alters the biochemical state of the brain by changing the dopamine and serotonin receptors and depleting the stores of these two feel-good neurotransmitters. This damage can be permanent, leading to severe paranoia, lasting suicidal depression or murderous rage.

3. Ice
(Crystal methamphetamine)
Street names: crystals, crystal, meth, rock, candy, batu, glass, LA glass, super ice, hot ice, LA crystal, Hawaiian salt
This newer and deadlier form of crystallised methamphetamine is nearly 100 per cent pure methamphetamine. Odourless and smoked in glass pipes, it is more lethal than crack and cocaine, and seemingly more addictive.

The heaven:
Within seconds smokers feel an intense wave of physical and mental exhilaration. The effects may last from four to 14 hours.

The hell:
Intense feelings of anxiety, depression, sleeplessness and fatigue, and eventually psychosis. Toxic psychosis similar to paranoid schizophrenia can also result from heavy short- or long-term use.

Effects on the body:
Users need ever-heavier doses to reach the same high. Prolonged use damages the lungs, liver and kidneys.

Effects on the brain:
Brain damage as with tik, but to a greater degree.

4. Ecstasy
Street names: XTC, e, Adam, MDMA
Ecstasy is a rave or party drug and is often taken to enable the user to dance through the night. It's knocked together like tik. Why does it have such a coolsounding name? Because pronouncing methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) would leave most drug users utterly perplexed.

The heaven:
There's an enhanced sense of pleasure, increased self-confidence and loads of energy, peacefulness, acceptance and empathy. The high lasts between four and six hours.

The hell:
Users may develop blurred vision, sweat a lot, clench their teeth or bite the inside of their cheeks and suffer seizures, nausea and vomiting. Used regularly for a long time or in large doses it can change you into an extremely depressed and paranoid person who suffers from panic attacks.

Effects on the body:
Even in small doses Ecstasy can be dangerous to people with heart disease and asthma. Large doses can lead to overheating of the body and brain, dehydration, water retention, stroke and heart attack.

Effects on the brain:
Ecstasy affects your brain by increasing the release and activity of at least three neurotransmitters (serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine), and when it depletes these stores, especially the serotonin stores, it can lead to chronic depression. Psychiatrists say they are experiencing an increase in psychotic episodes and permanent brain damage among Ecstasy users.

Danger: Many knocked-together street drugs are sold as heroin or cocaine substitutes to naive or desperate users under the misleading name of designer drugs. Chances of an overdose are high because you don't know what you're buying.

5. Methamphetamine
Street names: tik, tik-tik, crystal, meth, crystal meth, crank, uppers, speed
Tik is also a knocked-together drug and is sold in the form of powders, pills and capsules that are sniffed, smoked or injected. It can be manufactured at home from medicines that are available over the counter.

The heaven:
Like cocaine and crack, tik leads to increased alertness, energy and self-confidence, a heightened sense of sexuality and euphoria.

The hell:
Aggression, violence, psychotic behaviour, memory loss and heart and brain damage. Long-term users face insomnia, psychotic episodes, paranoia, hallucinations and collapse.

Effects on the body:
Trembling hands, increased heart rate and sweating. An overdose can result in stroke and heart failure. Long-term use leads to an increased risk of hepatitis C and HIV as the drug is injected and often prompts risky sexual behaviour.

Effects on the brain:
Tik acts as a stimulant, similar to cocaine - but stays in the system for longer. The exhaustion of the brain's dopamine supply is extremely worrying. A tik addict loses up to half his dopamine supply every two years, compared with the five to 10 per cent every 10 years for the average person. Dopamine helps to regulate coordinated movement and as soon as its levels drop by 15 per cent, the victim develops Parkinson's disease, characterised by head and hand tremors.

In the Western Cape there are already young tik users who have Parkinson's. Psychiatrists are also worried about the increase in cases of schizophrenia and psychosis among tik users. It seems as if tik damages the human brain to such an extent that users start acting like extremely aggressive psychopaths. This is reflected by the Narcotics Bureau's observation that murders and rapes by tik abusers are becoming a lot more senseless and aggressive. Babies born to moms who used tik during pregnancy have a greater risk of developing Parkinson's disease in their childhood years. Much worse: the birth of babies with intestines developed outside their tiny bodies is a regular occurrence at some Cape Peninsula hospitals.

Downers (depressants)
These suppress or delay certain brain functions. Depending on which part of the brain is being suppressed, they are divided into sub-groups: either narcotic or tranquillising substances such as heroin or substances that make you sleepy such as mandrax.

6. Heroin
Street names: smack, mud, china white, brown, Mexican brown, brown sugar, gear, H, horse, junk
Heroin is produced from the resin of the opium poppy and is the most dangerous and addictive narcotic. Pure heroin is a white, odourless crystalline-like powder with a bitter taste. The browner the colour, the more impurities it contains. It is often diluted with starch, sugars such as glucose, powdered milk, baby powder, washing powder, strychnine or other poisons before being sold. It is smoked, snorted or injected.

The heaven:
A profound sense of warmth and wellbeing envelops the user and blocks feelings of pain and insecurity.

The hell
Within six to eight hours symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, chills, excessive sweating and muscle and bone pain may follow. The real hell starts with the withdrawal symptoms which can set in within two days after the last fix.

Effects on the body:
First it leads to suppression of pain, drowsiness, heaviness of the limbs, shallow breathing, a weak pulse, dry mouth and pinpoint pupils. Long-term use causes liver damage, poisoning as a result of additives, bacterial infections, abscesses, arthritis and infection of the heart lining and valves. High dosages can result in a seizure, coma and death. Babies born to mothers who abuse heroin during their pregnancy may be born addicted.

Effects on the brain:
Heroin is quickly changed to morphine in the brain, which acts on certain receptors to give that feeling of utter bliss. But the brain reacts by creating fewer of its own feel-good endorphins. Heroin destroys the chemical balance in the brain to such an extent that the user starts to experience pain in the absence of any injuries. Rapid mood changes and confusion are the result of the chemical changes in the brain.

7. Mandrax
Street names: whites, buttons
South Africa has the highest per capita mandrax abuse in the world. Mandrax (methaqualone) tablets are usually powdered and smoked with a mixture of cannabis or tobacco in a bottleneck pipe called a "white pipe" or "witwyf".

The heaven:
You feel totally laid back, at peace and without a care in the world. You're giving the world the proverbial finger.

The hell:
Take too much of it and you'll feel nauseous, lose consciousness or fall into a stupor.

Effects on the body:
Mandrax users can develop physical and psychological dependence on the drug, constantly craving its effects, but needing more and more to get the desired high.

Effects on the brain:
Mandrax use alters the brain chemicals, suppressing brain function so that the user becomes like a zombie.

Hallucinogens
These psychedelic drugs distort reality, plunging the user into a dream world where everything is distorted and colours become audible and sounds visible. Taken in large quantities they scramble your brain, resulting in delusions and hallucinations. They also rev up the brain, causing mood swings that can vary from euphoria to the deepest depression or violence. Sometimes the loss of self and depression can be so severe that suicide is possible.

8. Cannabis
Street names: dagga, weed, marijuana, dope, grass, pot, ganja, hash, hashish
In South Africa cannabis is grown in rural areas and sold as a means to put food on the table. Cannabis contains more than 426 known chemicals including the mind-altering substances known as THCs (tetrahydrocannabinols).

The heaven:
You feel euphoric and relaxed.

The hell
Panic attacks, hallucinations, flashbacks and memory loss.

Effects on the body:
It causes frequent sinusitis and bronchitis and may cause infertility in men and women. Lung cancer is a real risk. It may harm an unborn baby, leading to miscarriage, stillbirth or early death. Fetal marijuana syndrome - characterised by lower birth weight and developmental abnormalities - is five times more common than fetal alcohol syndrome.

Effects on the brain:
THC changes the brain chemistry that governs feelings, memory, the senses and co-ordinated movement.

9. LSD
(Lysergic acid diethylamide)
Street names: acid, blotter acid, microdot, white lightning
LSD is an odourless and colourless drug available in two forms: paper stamps impregnated with LSD or micro-tablets ("microdots'') containing LSD in very low concentrations per tablet.

The heaven:
It seems as though you have your senses crossed, giving you the feeling of hearing colours and seeing sounds. Taken in large enough doses, LSD produces delusions and visual hallucinations.

The hell:
Mental disorders such as schizophrenia and severe depression.

Effects on the body:
Increased heart rate, increased blood pressure, numbness and weakness.

Effects on the brain:
LSD affects a large number of chemicals in the brain, including the neurotransmitters dopamine and serotonin. The drug may also increase the levels of a substance called glutamate in very specific parts of the brain, over-stimulating the brain cells and causing an "electric storm'' . Each electric stormcauses hallucinations, but can lead to permanent changes.

Spying on your brain

New technology has allowed doctors to pinpoint the areas of the brain most affected by drug abuse. One method is the brain Spect (single photon emission computed tomography) which uses gamma rays to construct two- or three-dimensional images of active brain regions.

With a brain Spect doctors can look at the damage done by impaired blood flow caused by various drugs, explains Dr Pieter Botha of the department of radiology at Tygerberg Hospital in Cape Town. Drugs such as alcohol, cocaine or marijuana impair the effectiveness of blood vessels in the brain, constricting blood flow to certain areas. On scans these affected areas show up as "holes" in the brain.

Fact:
Nowadays more and more drugs are manufactured so they can be smoked - this way the effect can be experienced much faster. When one smokes tik (methamphetamine), for example, it reaches the brain within 30 seconds and gives you a high but when swallowed it takes 10 to 15 minutes to get to the brain.

There are four steps to drug dependency

1. The experimental stage.
2. The recreational phase. You don't actively try to acquire the drug, but partake when your friends offer it to you.
3. The regular-use stage. You obtain the drug yourself and make sure you always have a stash. You use drugs once or twice a week.
4. The dependency phase or addiction. At this stage drugs will be the most important thing in your life and any attempt to separate you from the drug will be met with fierce resistance. Drug addiction is a deadly disease if not treated. No wonder it's described as a "journey to nowhere".

All in your mind

Did you know although the brain registers pain from the rest of the body it can't feel pain itself. There are no pain sensors inside the brain.

YOU Pulse; Summer, December 2007

Billion dollar cabbage

Randolph Potter van der Westhuizen — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 10:54:14 GMT

My great aunt, who is a resident of Harare, Zimbabwe, went shopping this week. She bought a cabbage and a gem squash, and some meat. The expedition cost Z$1 billion. And now, because of the escalating violence, she has an armed escort and 24-hour security where she lives.

She wakes up every morning at around 2am, so that she can do her washing, because the water runs out by daylight. Fortunately, living on the same electricity grid as Mugabe has its advantages - she gets water and electricity.

"Keep your laughter down to 30 or 40 decibels"

Randolph Potter van der Westhuizen — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 15:06:02 GMT

That's what the GM said to me as he asked for help.

As I walked around the corner and looked at the screen, rotated 90 degrees, a laugh escaped me before I could contain myself.

Fortunately it was easy to fix, and he plans to do it again to annoy the receptionist.

Good bye, George Carlin

Randolph Potter van der Westhuizen — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 20:47:31 GMT

The legend that was George Carlin died on Sunday evening, Santa Monica time.

We'll miss you, George.

"'Older' sounds a little better than 'old,' doesn't it? Sounds like it might even last a little longer. ... I'm getting old. And it's OK. Because thanks to our fear of death in this country I won't have to die — I'll 'pass away.' Or I'll 'expire,' like a magazine subscription. If it happens in the hospital they'll call it a 'terminal episode.' The insurance company will refer to it as 'negative patient care outcome.' And if it's the result of malpractice they'll say it was a 'therapeutic misadventure."'

""We're all fucked. It helps to remember that."

Sarah Connor? blam (Part 2)

Randolph Potter van der Westhuizen — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 07:18:19 GMT

The machines are coming. See related link.

"Hijackers now use pool acid"

Randolph Potter van der Westhuizen — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 12:44:57 GMT

Durban - Hijackers are using pool acid to attack motorists, KwaZulu-Natal police warned on Monday.

Spokesperson Superintendent Zandra Wiid said in a recent case in Rivonia, a motorist had stopped at a traffic light when a well-dressed man approached the car.

"He used a syringe and sprayed pool acid on the victim's face. He suffered severe burns," she said.

Wiid said police in other provinces had been alerted to the new method.

Although no such cases had been reported in KwaZulu-Natal, Wiid said motorists had to be aware of the new tactic.

"Motorists should be careful and not wind down their windows for anyone and keep all doors locked. It is important to always be alert," she said.

See related link.

And then he blocked the whole of China

Randolph Potter van der Westhuizen — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 16:17:25 GMT

Well, for the meantime anyway. I have blocked China from my server, as well as half of Spain apparently (one errant ISP's IP range kept coming up in my logs).

With luck, this will reduce the load on my server, as well as the traffic volume.

FLEC006.exe

Randolph Potter van der Westhuizen — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 09:42:05 GMT

I had this bug on my PC for the last month, which coincided with an update of my Intel motherboard drivers, so I thought I had downloaded some dodgy drivers.

To my relief, after a full scan of 300GB of files under another OS, I have removed the bug and managed to get NOD32 reinstalled. Yay!

Ho' say can you see ...

Randolph Potter van der Westhuizen — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 07:41:39 GMT

John McCain, the Republican candidate and old white man, is going to win the US elections, mainly because everyone has forgotten how a Republic works. The popular vote counts for absolutely nothing. The Electoral College, made up by old white men, chooses the president. That's how GW got in. Do you honestly think they'd choose a black man or a ~~transvestite~~ white woman?

Anyway, if Obama does become president in the next elections, I'll eat tomato.

P.S. For those of you sharp enough, this was nothing more than a thinly-veiled way for me to refer to Hillary as a transvestite.

"Houston, we have a problem ..."

Randolph Potter van der Westhuizen — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 07:30:48 GMT

"... When can you send a plumber?"

I normally don't do toilet humour, but this one is begging to be lampooned. Excuse the pun.

The toilet (only one?) on the International Space Station is broken, apparently with a "bypass" to deal with "liquid waste". "Solid waste" isn't a problem, apparently. They even have "special bags" to collect urine. If it were an African in Space (a la Mark Shuttleworth), he would have rigged up something out of an old Coke bottle and a hole in the side - i.e. pressure differential, also known as an air-assisted pump.

I wonder who's paying the bill for sending up a space shuttle to change a toilet pump. I heard those things are dangerous. Shuttles, not toilet pumps, although from personal experience, the latter can be quite deadly too.

See related link.

Sarah Connor? blam

Randolph Potter van der Westhuizen — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 07:11:05 GMT

Max du Preez, well-known (and well-respected) journalist, has made an interesting and I dare say accurate description of our Governor of the Reserve Bank, Tito Mboweni. He uses the words "Terminator", and "robot-like" in his continual increase of the interest rate to combat inflation. While this is hardly the forum for economic discussion, I think it's amusing that the three people in charge of our economy's names all start with "T": Thabo, Trevor and Tito. That makes T3 ...

I know it's too early for bad puns, but I think it's funny in an ironic sort of way. Especially how M and I have just bought a house two weeks before the interest rate is due to go up again.

See related link for Max's article.

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