The Death of the Newspaper – and one of the resulting questions that shall haunt us

Superman’s Clark Kent, Spiderman’s Peter Parker … all found work in a newspaper.

As you know, newspapers are a “dying” breed (thanks to the Internetz apparently).

If that is the case: does this mean the end of Superheroes (who wear blue and red colored spandex)?

I’ve found direction; it’s called “Forward”

For a long time, since I started this blog until this very moment, I admittedly had no direction for it. As much as I racked my brain and searched my soul for possible functions it could serve (including trying to ‘find myself’ and all that nonsense), I kept getting lost – which doesn’t help the “getting of direction” thing at all. Every time I pondered possible topics to blog on, it felt half-baked – and that sorta thing can give you a tummy ache!

Initially the idea was that this forum would be the extension of my Twitter account, i.e. that everything I couldn’t fit into a 140 characters, I would fit in here. Alas as with a certain percentage of amazing-but-pointless plans, that very quickly didn’t work out and had a lot to do with me thinking of this space as a separate entity. I contemplated writing about Marketing but I have to do that for work and this is (and always was) meant to be a personal blog, I didn’t want the “work” vs. “personal” lines blurred so it wasn’t an option.

For a long while “Random” was my approach, but that takes you everywhere without you actually going anywhere. Pointless.

And Then!
Whilst thinking about something that I hope to blog about soon, I had a revelation! No, not the religious type but the OMG-the-light-bulb-has-an-On-button type: MEDIA.

I got caught up with everything Marketing that I forgot all about the dealings I had with Media (if studying at Uni counts for as dealings that is). So from now on I plan to focus on providing commentary around Media that interests me, and shall throw in a bit of Random now and then for old times sake.

I had hoped that the New Year would bring with it some clarity, and it looks like it has. Yay 2010!

Sometimes the mind wanders far … too far

I sit alone in my apartment. The light’s are off and it is dark out. The wind rattles the door and windows as if to say, ”I own you !” and howls as though it’s trying to be a werewolf at full moon (except at a much higher pitch, and less “awoooooooooo’ing” and more howling-wind sounding).

In a moment of sheer childishness, I think to myself; maybe I should make ghost noises and dance around like one of those native tribal warrior people with a lone candle (instead of the traditional raging fire – its too windy to go out and collect firewood…).

But I’m really a grownup, so I snap out of that moment of sheer idiocy. I mean I could totally scare myself by doing such things!

What I don’t want for Christmas

Guilt
Having to find that perfect present, putting oodles of thought into it, and then … BAM! The receivor accepts it with a crestfallen look that’s barely disguised with lukewarm excitement. I shouldn’t feel an ounce of guilt for choosing an “imperfect” gift considering all I put a lot of thought and money into that gift.

To be lied to
The same ideas touched on under “Guilt”; unless you’re jumping with a mind-numbing amount of glee at receiving THE best present in the whole universe, a simply polite smile and a thank you would suffice. Do not tell me you “absolutely love love love it” when you don’t. Also, I’m not stupid, I can tell by your reaction that all that time, effort, thought, and money put into choosing your gift still means me that you’re never going to use it. Ever.

To go back to school, or a lecture
If I want to sit in health class, or Biology for that matter, and listen to how certain foods make you fat, I wouldn’t be here. No. I would be in class, being spoken to, in great detail, about human biological processes from people who know what they’re talking about because they studied it, and not because they read the latest issue of Cosmo. I will eat what I want, when I want, and as much of it as I want. And its freaking Christmas!

Soap
Everyone needs to be hygienic … on a daily basis. I know this, I buy and utilize the stuff often. Which is why soap is my shopping list, not my Christmas wish list.

… and finally …

To have to go through all of this in the first place!
I was born Hindu. Allow me to get away with a double negative when I say: Aint no Jesus in Hinduism! Also, I’m not even religious in the first place, so the reasons for me having to torture myself on an annual basis are beyond me.

Seeing as I’m already in the spirit of things (*jingle jingle*), here’s

10 things I would like for Christmas:
(in no particular order, all at once would be great by me)

1. For @choc_milk to blog
2. A Nokia N97 with a decent battery life
3. A car that washes and parks itself
4. Food to not expire so quickly
5. A stylist, to dress me and pay for clothing items
6. Capetonians to learn how to drive
7. A younger version of Gerard Butler, with an Irish accent
8. To be on Oprah’s Christmas show
9. A yacht
10. A book shelf with an endless supply of free books
11. … oh yea, and world peace

Invictus Movie Premiere

From the moment that I knew that I was going, right through to as I write this, I was excited. Like doing a happy dance in my head excited (consisting mostly of jumping up and down in one spot rather excitedly). One argue that my life isn’t really exciting and that can be proved by how many times I use the word “excited”, or the variations thereof, in this single paragraph. Or it could really be just that I drink a lot of coffee.

Pre-premiere
I had less than an hour to get premiere-ready, and considering that I’m not very well coordinated in usual circumstances, I should have planned ahead for this. The numerous premieres prior to Invictus, involving me crammed in the centre of a bunch of star-struck Brits should’ve taught me better, people walking that red carpet are at their stunning best. My shoes didn’t match my accessories, and in usual Desrie style I said; “Stuff it.” and proceeded to leave my apartment. Before I could actually leave my building, my dress had flown to heights it shouldn’t have, and I’d almost slipped and fell to an embarrassing end. But it was OK, even as I plodded along the bridge at the V&A feeling much like a horse on heels, I was still … excited.

OMW there’s free stuff and .. stuff:
I got in line with my friend and worked through the nerves of being somewhere in something other than jeans. Thankfully I’m easily distracted, and I immediately got to my little game of “Spot the Celeb”. My celeb knowledge is rather limited so all I saw was Jeannie D and someone I thought was Neil McKenzie (it wasn’t him…).

The event was organized REALLY well. The nervous tension created from being parted from my dear mobile phone was soon vanquished once I took in the set up. Unfortunately being sans phone and camera, and too decent to sneak either in, I couldn’t take any pictures, so you’ll have to imagine it. Service staff were strategically positioned everywhere with food and wine floated past us, guided by the service staff.

Once we got over the novelty of free stuff (we’re only human!), we settled in and took in the atmosphere. I was starting to become rather paranoid and voiced my concern that a lot of people seemed to be looking at me. In my heart of hearts I really hoped it was because I was able to carry off the “mysterious” look, arousing the curiosity of everyone. My hopes were soon dashed when my friend said: “the alcohol is making you paranoid”

And so it beings
The lights eventually darkened in the foyer, and the speaker (a commentator so I hear) started the night’s proceedings. He announced PJ Powers who was going to belt out a few tunes. Now I don’t know about you, but Mango Groove reeks of the essence of South Africa. Listening to PJ perform was amazing (!!) and really added to the ‘Proudly South African’ vibe Invictus was sure to continue on. There was a brief speech from the Author who’s book inspired the movie and he shared his reasons for him, a non South African, writing the book. I think it’s safe to say that everyone in that room felt a few goose bumps after his talk.

We were then ushered into the cinema, still no sign of Morgan Freeman, we grabbed our drinks along the way and found popcorn keeping our eats company. After sitting down, there was the mandatory cinema speak on popcorn, as I uttered the words “I don’t really like popcorn” my entire box fell … all over the floor. We weren’t even there for 2 minutes … (I feel the need to hash tag here, I blame Twitter, #embarrassed).

There was quite the wait for the movie to start, and I was really starting to worry about Freeman. Our speaker did the welcomes and introduced a few of the personalities who joined us in the cinema we were seated in (there were 3 cinema’s to cater for the masses) one of which was Chester Williams. Then, at the precise moment that I had given up on seeing any foreign celebrity, Morgan Freeman walked in and was received by a standing ovation. He gave a few words, and introduced Matt Damon and Clint Eastwood’s video message – they couldn’t be there. At this point I was REALLY really excited!

The Movie
As if I wasn’t already really freaking chuffed to be South African, the movie went ahead and made me prouder. I still find it unbelievable that a movie that featured a number of foreigners in key positions, still maintained the feeling that it was made by someone who really loved their country, South Africa.

Freeman and Damon (heck lets throw Eastwood in there too) did a phenomenal job in their respectable roles. Freeman was the only person that could’ve portrayed Mandela in my opinion, and I’m sure that many people would agree. That said, portraying a personality as great as Mandela is a tough ask for anyone, and Freeman did it brilliantly. As for Damon, if I didn’t know better I would’ve thought him South African, for a greater part of the movie I forgot that he was in fact uber Hollywood actor, Matt Damon.

To everyone who’s too busy focusing on accents, or that foreigners are acting in the movie, I really do feel sorry for you. I hope that when you do eventually watch this movie, you’re too blown away by its sheer amazingness (I’m making that a word demmit!) to remember to be idiotic.

The only snag is that I left wishing I were in that stadium during that final match, I’m truly jealous of anyone who has had the pleasure of experiencing it. And I’m truly chuffed that Invictus, a movie, made me feel this way.

Well done to everyone involved in making it, and a great big thank you to the sponsors MTN for giving SA an opportunity to share in the magic that is great SA inspired cinema.