tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-213374522024-03-13T13:48:13.336+00:00Adventures in London Abovethe life and times of a lone south african possum in the uk city wilderness.Katie Possumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10620600652223829935noreply@blogger.comBlogger167125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21337452.post-83148553751013475772008-11-19T15:25:00.002+00:002008-11-19T15:28:22.923+00:00Moving on...Hi guys<br /><br />I'm closing down this blog (for a variety of reasons) ...<br /><br />if you're desperate to know where i'm hanging out now (online), email me (most of you know my email address) or leave a comment here.<br /><br />KKatie Possumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10620600652223829935noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21337452.post-85725153926148181722008-11-14T10:17:00.001+00:002008-11-14T10:17:41.147+00:00Kimberly Diamond Route<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><p><object height='350' width='425'><param value='http://youtube.com/v/78zK-DyOB3w' name='movie'/><embed height='350' width='425' type='application/x-shockwave-flash' src='http://youtube.com/v/78zK-DyOB3w'/></object></p></div>Katie Possumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10620600652223829935noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21337452.post-2683774016600404412008-10-15T13:20:00.002+00:002008-10-15T13:27:27.968+00:00Breast Cancer awareness & Journey of HopeSince it is Breast Cancer awareness month, I thought I'd throw my hat in the ring to tell you about the most amazing group of women who have really inspired me recently.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.journeyofhope.co.za/">Journey of Hope</a> is an initiative aimed at raising awareness about breast cancer, as well as money to fund reconstructive surgery for women who cannot afford it.<br /><br />Government health in SA will pay for a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">masectomy</span> at a gov hospital, but not the reconstruction after the fact, and any women will tell you how important that help would be to them in that situation.<br /><br />Here are the facts, and hope (source: www.journeyofhope.co.za)<br /><ul><li>One in 27 women are diagnosed with breast cancer</li><li>Cancer does not account for colour or race as 17.9% of white women, 24,4% of Asian women, 18,2% of coloured women and 13,3% of African women are diagnosed with breast cancer</li><li>With early detection and appropriate treatment, the survival rate is 95%</li><li>Due to ignorance and lack of information and awareness, many women die of breast cancer in South Africa when the picture could have looked much different</li></ul>Objectives for the Journey of Hope: <ul><li>To unite in our passion for creating awareness</li><li>Reach out to South Africans in an effective manner</li><li>Attend to selected major cities and outlying areas in South Africa</li><li>Assist in awareness through breast cancer support groups, HOG Chapters (Harley Owners Groups), and Hummer Clubs</li><li>Organise events for fundraising purposes to be able to give 12 women the chance to change their lives by undergoing breast reconstruction surgery </li><li>Spreading the message that breast cancer can be beaten if detected early enough</li></ul>(source: www.journeyofhope.co.za)<br /><br />Please visit their website, donate if you can, learn about cancer and support the ladies when they go through your town this week.Katie Possumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10620600652223829935noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21337452.post-8835281265282224822008-09-22T08:24:00.001+00:002008-09-22T08:24:05.668+00:00The rise and fall of Thabo Mbeki<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><p><object height='350' width='425'><param value='http://youtube.com/v/t0Jw6ao1u0s' name='movie'/><embed height='350' width='425' type='application/x-shockwave-flash' src='http://youtube.com/v/t0Jw6ao1u0s'/></object></p></div>Katie Possumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10620600652223829935noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21337452.post-39311957341925213382008-08-16T04:22:00.001+00:002008-08-16T04:22:06.252+00:00curiosity (almost) killed the cameraman<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><p><object height='350' width='425'><param value='http://youtube.com/v/8vZye09ckAo' name='movie'/><embed height='350' width='425' type='application/x-shockwave-flash' src='http://youtube.com/v/8vZye09ckAo'/></object></p><p>What I want to know when I look at this clip is: what the hell was he doing out of his vehicle?!? By the way, people I know know this camera crew, and, unlike how it appears, these are completely wild lions, not rehabilitated, half-tame ones!</p></div>Katie Possumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10620600652223829935noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21337452.post-71020573866374982008-08-15T07:20:00.001+00:002008-08-15T07:20:52.530+00:00out of the frying pan, into the ... fridge?<div dir="ltr">After my last post about "sizzling" burn out, I thought it best to let you know that I am post-ten day holiday, and much more relaxed. <br><br>I am back at work, but with a new resolution. Obviously, there will always be stress and deadlines, but I have decided to put an end to staying late unless when necessary. I am a hard worker, and am more than happy to stay late to get a job done, but over the weeks my leaving time was creeping later and later. <br> <br>I need my downtime! but when I last blogged I had got into the habit of hanging out at work, frantically cramming in more stuff, sometimes for an hour and a half after when I should have left - not to meet an urgent deadline, but because ... um... well that's my point; just because.<br> <br>Anyway, I am trying to find the time to blog seriously, but I also dont hold out much hope. It'll probably stay this erratic, so until next time...<br><br>P.S. the wedding was wonderful! and beautiful! and Oxford was exactly the break I needed. If you know me well enough to be a facebook friend, the pics are up there.<br> <br> </div> Katie Possumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10620600652223829935noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21337452.post-4995128444248944342008-07-22T08:45:00.005+00:002008-07-22T08:57:43.234+00:00Sizzle (the wrong kind)<p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="font-size:11;">I am struggling to find "down time" to write anything of worth for this blog. I have been working flat out for the last two months. When I do have some time just for me, I tend to want to spending it with mates or on mindless exercises like gym and animated films. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="font-size:11;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="font-size:11;">I am also struggling to get up everyday, and feel sick all the time. As a result I have concluded that I am about a week away from total burn out. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="font-size:11;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="font-size:11;">Half jokingly, I looked up “burn out” through Google, and came up the list below: <a href="http://www.assessment.com/mappmembers/avoidingburnout.asp?Accnum=06-5210-010.00&gclid=CPe2mOGE05QCFQRJFQod5HPwlQ">The 13 signs of burn out</a>, of which I am proud to say, I am currently experiencing ten.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="font-size:11;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <ol start="1" type="1"><li class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="font-size:11;">Chronic fatigue - exhaustion, tiredness, a sense of being physically run down<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="font-size:11;">Anger at those making demands<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="font-size:11;">Self-criticism for putting up with the demands<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="font-size:11;">Cynicism, negativity, and irritability<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="font-size:11;">A sense of being besieged<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="font-size:11;">Exploding easily at seemingly inconsequential things<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="font-size:11;">Frequent headaches and gastrointestinal disturbances<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="font-size:11;">Weight loss or gain<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="font-size:11;">Sleeplessness and depression<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="font-size:11;">Shortness of breath <o:p></o:p></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="font-size:11;">Suspiciousness <o:p></o:p></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="font-size:11;">Feelings of helplessness <o:p></o:p></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="font-size:11;">Increased degree of risk taking<o:p></o:p></span></li></ol> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11;"><br /><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11;">Thank goodness I am taking leave in August!! I’ll be heading back over to the <st1:country-region st="on">UK</st1:country-region> (<st1:city st="on">London</st1:city>, briefly, and <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Oxford</st1:place></st1:city>) for Nick and Lucy’s wedding, which will be fantastic. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11;">Up-coming: more on the disaster of a dress I am having made for that (in another post).<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:11;" ><span style="font-size:100%;"></span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:11;" ><span style="font-size:100%;"></span><o:p></o:p></span></p>Katie Possumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10620600652223829935noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21337452.post-40188707744285483502008-07-09T13:24:00.002+00:002008-07-09T13:30:55.839+00:00Maropeng: new site showcase<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ss_jpMhrHmI/SHS8JytJ7HI/AAAAAAAAAFI/YDLpHBFYUUA/s1600-h/medium+screengrab.jpg"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ss_jpMhrHmI/SHS8JytJ7HI/AAAAAAAAAFI/YDLpHBFYUUA/s400/medium+screengrab.jpg" alt="" style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0pt; clear: both; float: left;" border="0" /></a> We have just finished the complete, and rather dramatic, redesign of <a href="http://www.maropeng.co.za">www.maropeng.co.za</a>.<br /><br />Here are two screengrabs, one of the new (top) and one of the old (bottom).<br /><br />Please go check out the <a href="http://www.maropeng.co.za">site</a>, and tell me what you think. We are really pleased with the final results.<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ss_jpMhrHmI/SHS8J4XWxzI/AAAAAAAAAFQ/nB4TV9uQuOw/s1600-h/medium+screengrab+old.jpg"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ss_jpMhrHmI/SHS8J4XWxzI/AAAAAAAAAFQ/nB4TV9uQuOw/s400/medium+screengrab+old.jpg" alt="" style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0pt; clear: both; float: left;" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://picasa.google.com/blogger/" target="ext"><img src="http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif" alt="Posted by Picasa" style="border: 0px none ; padding: 0px; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" align="middle" border="0" /></a></div>Katie Possumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10620600652223829935noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21337452.post-82521931629837606712008-06-06T11:36:00.002+00:002008-06-06T11:42:17.338+00:00anti-xenophobia march continued<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ss_jpMhrHmI/SEkhWP5dzCI/AAAAAAAAAEY/aCkLfL8M5rA/s1600-h/DSCF8077.JPG"><img style="CLEAR: both; FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ss_jpMhrHmI/SEkhWP5dzCI/AAAAAAAAAEY/aCkLfL8M5rA/s320/DSCF8077.JPG" border="0" /></a> <br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ss_jpMhrHmI/SEkhWWRnriI/AAAAAAAAAEg/ps_FOpmZa5I/s1600-h/DSCF8079.JPG"><img style="CLEAR: both; FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ss_jpMhrHmI/SEkhWWRnriI/AAAAAAAAAEg/ps_FOpmZa5I/s320/DSCF8079.JPG" border="0" /></a> <br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ss_jpMhrHmI/SEkhWu9sgqI/AAAAAAAAAEo/eE6veMnFkuw/s1600-h/DSCF8084.JPG"><img style="CLEAR: both; FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ss_jpMhrHmI/SEkhWu9sgqI/AAAAAAAAAEo/eE6veMnFkuw/s320/DSCF8084.JPG" border="0" /></a> <br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ss_jpMhrHmI/SEkhW0kSlBI/AAAAAAAAAEw/7xGwC_J-MHs/s1600-h/DSCF8094.JPG"><img style="CLEAR: both; FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ss_jpMhrHmI/SEkhW0kSlBI/AAAAAAAAAEw/7xGwC_J-MHs/s320/DSCF8094.JPG" border="0" /></a> <div style="CLEAR: both; TEXT-ALIGN: left"><a href="http://picasa.google.com/blogger/" target="ext"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; BORDER-TOP: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 0px; BACKGROUND: 0% 50%; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-TOP: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; -moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial" alt="Posted by Picasa" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif" align="middle" border="0" /></a></div>Katie Possumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10620600652223829935noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21337452.post-10452670309193701892008-06-06T11:30:00.001+00:002008-06-06T11:43:22.285+00:00Anti-xenophobia march thru Hillbrow, Johannesburg<a href='http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ss_jpMhrHmI/SEkgBG1zlgI/AAAAAAAAAD4/ZeK5QyKhSkE/s1600-h/DSCF8024.JPG'><img src='http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ss_jpMhrHmI/SEkgBG1zlgI/AAAAAAAAAD4/ZeK5QyKhSkE/s320/DSCF8024.JPG' border='0' alt=''style='clear:both;float:left; margin:0px 10px 10px 0;' /></a> <br /><a href='http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ss_jpMhrHmI/SEkgBcDYh4I/AAAAAAAAAEA/gi1v6cSgEwY/s1600-h/DSCF8025.JPG'><img src='http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ss_jpMhrHmI/SEkgBcDYh4I/AAAAAAAAAEA/gi1v6cSgEwY/s320/DSCF8025.JPG' border='0' alt=''style='clear:both;float:left; margin:0px 10px 10px 0;' /></a> <br /><a href='http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ss_jpMhrHmI/SEkgBzKiHpI/AAAAAAAAAEI/-TqEPAfKnjU/s1600-h/DSCF8052.JPG'><img src='http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ss_jpMhrHmI/SEkgBzKiHpI/AAAAAAAAAEI/-TqEPAfKnjU/s320/DSCF8052.JPG' border='0' alt=''style='clear:both;float:left; margin:0px 10px 10px 0;' /></a> <br /><a href='http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ss_jpMhrHmI/SEkgB_E9cJI/AAAAAAAAAEQ/oyEzVQDGa5I/s1600-h/DSCF8061.JPG'><img src='http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ss_jpMhrHmI/SEkgB_E9cJI/AAAAAAAAAEQ/oyEzVQDGa5I/s320/DSCF8061.JPG' border='0' alt=''style='clear:both;float:left; margin:0px 10px 10px 0;' /></a> <div style='clear:both; text-align:LEFT'><a href='http://picasa.google.com/blogger/' target='ext'><img src='http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif' alt='Posted by Picasa' style='border: 0px none ; padding: 0px; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial;' align='middle' border='0' /></a></div>Katie Possumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10620600652223829935noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21337452.post-51058779842727248932008-05-21T14:26:00.004+00:002008-05-21T14:33:17.879+00:00March against xenophobia in Johannesburg, South Africa<A HREF='http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ss_jpMhrHmI/SDQxIdbh0wI/AAAAAAAAADw/9kYR_eRUPQQ/s1600-h/xena.jpg'><IMG SRC='http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ss_jpMhrHmI/SDQxIdbh0wI/AAAAAAAAADw/9kYR_eRUPQQ/s320/xena.jpg' border=0 alt='' id='BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_' style='clear:both;float:left; margin:0px 10px 10px 0;'></A> <br /><br />Photo from <a href="http://www.mg.co.za">Mail & Guardian</a><br /><br />There will be a <strong>march to support immigrants and protest against xenophobia</strong>.<br /><br />Date: Saturday 24 May<br />Time: 9am<br /><br /><br />Place: Pieter Roos Park on Empire Road, cnr Queen Street, Parktown - near Clarendon Circle, Hillbrow<br /><br />Bring placards, banners, friends!<br /><br />Click <a href="http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=15121111655&ref=share">here</a> for more details.<br /><br /><div style='clear:both; text-align:LEFT'><a href='http://picasa.google.com/blogger/' target='ext'><img src='http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif' alt='Posted by Picasa' style='border: 0px none ; padding: 0px; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial;' align='middle' border='0' /></a></div>Katie Possumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10620600652223829935noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21337452.post-26910271979011567232008-05-16T10:53:00.001+00:002008-05-16T10:58:05.895+00:00Photoblog updated<A HREF='http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ss_jpMhrHmI/SC1nstbh0vI/AAAAAAAAADo/Xtep_BW22os/s1600-h/st+peters.jpg'><IMG SRC='http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ss_jpMhrHmI/SC1nstbh0vI/AAAAAAAAADo/Xtep_BW22os/s320/st+peters.jpg' border=0 alt='' id='BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_' style='clear:both;float:left; margin:0px 10px 10px 0;'></A> <br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Visit my photoblog <a href="http://www.ibehold.blogspot.com">here</a>.<br /><br /><br /><div style='clear:both; text-align:LEFT'><a href='http://picasa.google.com/blogger/' target='ext'><img src='http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif' alt='Posted by Picasa' style='border: 0px none ; padding: 0px; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial;' align='middle' border='0' /></a></div>Katie Possumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10620600652223829935noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21337452.post-34678327603710537582008-05-07T08:39:00.000+00:002008-05-07T08:39:25.442+00:00<div style='text-align:center;margin:0px auto 10px;'><A HREF='http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ss_jpMhrHmI/SCFqvCXA6fI/AAAAAAAAACw/_WxgMAC5m0M/s1600-h/nothing.jpg'><IMG SRC='http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ss_jpMhrHmI/SCFqvCXA6fI/AAAAAAAAACw/_WxgMAC5m0M/s320/nothing.jpg' border=0 alt='' id='BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_' ></A> </div><div style='clear:both; text-align:CENTER'><a href='http://picasa.google.com/blogger/' target='ext'><img src='http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif' alt='Posted by Picasa' style='border: 0px none ; padding: 0px; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial;' align='middle' border='0' /></a></div>Katie Possumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10620600652223829935noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21337452.post-28370881120171934942008-04-18T08:38:00.005+00:002008-04-18T13:28:58.101+00:00house-breaking lessonsIt hasn’t been a fun few days…<br /><br />Last week, while house and dog-sitting in Montgomery Park, Jono and I had an extremely scary experience. It started off with me being a bit of an insomniac the last few weeks. As a result, I usually find myself awake at about three am most mornings, staring at the ceiling and wondering what’s up with my over-active brain. Well, Wednesday last week, I was lying awake when the dog next door started barking.<br /><br />“Maximus” is a great dane, so when he gets going he has a penetrative bark. I was cursing him and almost drifting off to sleep when my car alarm started. My first thought was “not again!”, because the damn thing was faulty when originally installed, so I figured it was playing up again.<br /><br />I got out of bed and wandered into the hall in a dazed state, muttering under my breath about dogs and alarms. Suddenly there was a crash at the far end of the house. Down the passage and across the lounge (about 10 or 12 metres away from me) the glass door into the back yard had just been smashed open!<br /><br />Without even a split second of thought, I knew what was happening. The barking dog, the car alarm … we were being broken into! While in the house! Two steps later I was back in the bedroom, leaning up against the door (which wasn’t closing), yelling for Jons to call the cops. He was already up and on the phone to 10111 (South Africa’s version of 911).<br /><br /><b>Mistake number 1: not having the security company number on our phones.</b><br /><br />The ancient and blind terrier we were supposed to be looking after was in the next room. Woken by the smashing glass, she wandered into the hall and started backing incessantly. In my non-reasonable panicked state, I almost opened the door to get her. I kept thinking, “please, please, don’t let them kill the dog.”<br /><br />Twenty minutes of panic later we were still waiting for the cops to arrive. I called 10111 again. At this point I completely cracked. I was crying on the phone to the cops, and listening to him trying to get hold of the flying squad guys. Ten minutes after that they arrived. NOTE: we are five minutes from Linden and Melville cop stations, but these guys came from Brixton (20 min away).<br /><br />Then the guy on the phone says, “You have to go open the door for the cops”. In fact, when I told him we were not sure if they were still in the house and I was too scared to leave the locked bedroom, <i>he told me to tell my boyfriend to go!</i> Like I’m going to say to Jono to go out alone!?! <br /><br />We listened at the door, and heard nothing more than the dog barking, so we unlocked it, and armed only with the phone and a hammer that had been in the room, made our way to the front door.<br /><br /><b>Mistake number 2: the mace spray and panic button that were in the house, were sitting by the front door, rather than within reach.</b><br /><br />We opened the door, and about 15 cops stepped out of the shadows, armed to the teeth. They were extremely professional, entering the house and garden, making sure no one was secreted anywhere, and then talking us down from our wide-eyed terror. If only they had arrived quicker, I would have nothing but praise for them.<br /><br />With the lights on now, it was revealed that the burglars had taken the laptop from the dining room table, but nothing else seemed disturbed. The cops gave us instructions and reassurances and left. By now it was 5 am and we were never going to sleep.<br /><br /><b>Mistake number 3: Leaving the laptop right next to the glass-only door, with the light on in the room.</b><br /><br />The aftermath of this was a horrible visit to Sophiatown police station (because Linden and Parkview told us to go elsewhere), and a scramble to get Maxidor thingies fitted to the unprotected glass windows. It also meant a few sleepless nights and a very jumpy Possum. Oh, and seriously rethinking the lack of precautions we had taken.<br /><br />This is first time I have ever been personally affected by crime in SA, and all things considered we got off very lightly. I hope it doesn’t happen again, but it may. At least I know now not to be too complacent, and have learnt from the above mentioned mistakes.<br /><br />P.S. Before any of the racist internet trolls (who used to stalk me online) get too high and mighty: my happy South Africa perspective is not damaged. I love this country, but it makes me sad that all the wonderful people in our country have to live like we do. I do see it changing in the future. I hope I’m right.<br /><br />P.P.S. Prompted by <a href="http://sarocks.co.za/2008/04/18/step-up-or-shove-off-talk-with-your-feet-dammit/#comments">this post</a> and the discussions in the comments section thereof, go make your voice heard against crime in SA:<br /><br />1. <a href="http://sarocks.co.za/2008/04/14/desmond-dube-talks-to-sa-rocks-about-the-million-man-march/">SA "Rocking" an interview with Desmond Dube</a> about Million man march.<br />2. <a href="http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=27936316912">Million man march facebook group</a>.<br />3. <a href="http://www.millionmanmarch.co.za/">Million man march (against crime) website</a>.Katie Possumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10620600652223829935noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21337452.post-43799273074982474182008-04-17T10:58:00.000+00:002008-04-17T10:59:01.610+00:00Excuses for not blogging<div style='text-align:center;margin:0px auto 10px;'><A HREF='http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ss_jpMhrHmI/SActcwWrv3I/AAAAAAAAACo/2idAoyf2QfQ/s1600-h/puppywee.jpg'><IMG SRC='http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ss_jpMhrHmI/SActcwWrv3I/AAAAAAAAACo/2idAoyf2QfQ/s320/puppywee.jpg' border=0 alt='' id='BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_' ></A> </div><br />Not really my excuse...but more interesting than "busy as all hell"<div style='clear:both; text-align:CENTER'><a href='http://picasa.google.com/blogger/' target='ext'><img src='http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif' alt='Posted by Picasa' style='border: 0px none ; padding: 0px; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial;' align='middle' border='0' /></a></div>Katie Possumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10620600652223829935noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21337452.post-67384342772800270282008-04-08T06:53:00.005+00:002008-04-08T07:15:34.399+00:00my script writing debutThis morning, one of my company's biggest clients (and the people I spend all my waking hours on these days), <a href="http://www.earth-touch.com">Earth-Touch</a>, launched its first TV offering, a wildlife programme called <a href="http://wildtouch.co.za">Wild-Touch</a>, on South African television station SABC2.<br /><br />The programme will be broadcast, daily (Monday to Friday) at 10.30am, and shows very recently filmed wildlife, with commentary from the crew in the field.<br /><br />I have been involved with the scripted content; what the presenter says, voice overs and intros into pieces. Oh, and also the Did you know inserts. <br /><br />I am also very involved with the writing and maintenance of the <a href="http://blog.earth-touch.com">Earth-Touch blog</a>, which was nominated and short-listed for three SA blog awards this year (although we didn't take any home).<br /><br />Even though it is very short (30sec-1min) bits, it was pretty exciting to hear my words on TV, and the show is of particularly high quality footage and editing.<br /><br />The images and video is mostly taken from the wildlife footage that the Earth-Touch film crews provide, a lot of which is available to download freely and in both high definition and standard definition on <a href="http://www.earth-touch.com">their website</a>Katie Possumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10620600652223829935noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21337452.post-78088586334010998922008-04-07T11:53:00.001+00:002008-04-07T11:54:42.705+00:00my photoblog<div style='text-align:left;margin:0px auto 10px;'><A HREF='http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ss_jpMhrHmI/R_oLVfNIdiI/AAAAAAAAACY/vEUyVKk_9dI/s1600-h/nimble+fingers.jpg'><IMG SRC='http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ss_jpMhrHmI/R_oLVfNIdiI/AAAAAAAAACY/vEUyVKk_9dI/s320/nimble+fingers.jpg' border=0 alt='' id='BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_' ></A> </div><br /><br />I've revived my photoblog. Check it out <a href="http://ibehold.blogspot.com/">here</a>.<div style='clear:both; text-align:CENTER'><a href='http://picasa.google.com/blogger/' target='ext'><img src='http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif' alt='Posted by Picasa' style='border: 0px none ; padding: 0px; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial;' align='middle' border='0' /></a></div>Katie Possumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10620600652223829935noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21337452.post-43346979407692101672008-04-03T10:05:00.003+00:002008-04-03T10:13:49.916+00:00SA blog awards last night, and adventuring in Cape TownI attended the SA Blog Awards last night, not as katie possum, but representing <a href="http://blog.earth-touch.com">a blog</a> i work on at work. We were nominated in three categories (best SA podcast, best green blog, and best group blog). <br /><br />Unfortunately we didnt taken any home, but I still had a really fun night - especially getting to meet people I've "known" in the blogosphere for a while now.<br /><br />And of course, there are other work reasons for me to travel down to Cape Town. This morning I attended a press conference for FX Africa who were announcing that Schalk Burger is their new brand ambassador. Had a chance to interview Schalk, who was lovely, and about 8 feet tall!!<br /><br />This afternoon I am off to the Mayibuye (sp?) archives at UWC for another feature I am writing.<br /><br />I have to run back to my research and interview transcribing, but thought I'd write this quick note to share what I've been up to... mostly loving Cape Town.Katie Possumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10620600652223829935noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21337452.post-56560350023711588132008-03-27T09:00:00.003+00:002008-03-27T09:02:51.699+00:00Postgrad? Seriously??!Just submitted my blog for another random "how X is your blog?" test, but this one is truly bizarre, considering I have barely hit words longer than two syllables in the two years I have been blogging.<br /><br />What do you think they base this on?<br /><br /><a href="http://www.criticsrant.com/bb/reading_level.aspx"><img style="border: medium none ;" src="http://www.criticsrant.com/bb/readinglevel/img/postgrad.jpg" alt="blog readability test" /></a><p><small><a href="http://www.criticsrant.com/"><br /></a></small></p>Katie Possumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10620600652223829935noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21337452.post-37861622090314378312008-03-10T14:50:00.004+00:002008-03-10T15:34:08.702+00:00Toto, I dont think we're in Jo'burg anymore...So, as previously stated, I am NOT a Jo'burg girl. I am an Eastern-Cape-learnt-to-drive-in Grahamstown-bait-my-own-hook kind of girl, playing at being a Jo'burg girl, and, to be honest, it is quite an adjustment.<br /><br />Other than finding work (maybe even more so), the biggest challenge faced so far was presented to me last week, when I arrived at work and was told to turn around and drive out to the airport immediately to fetch someone.<br /><br />Since every other time I have been there, other people have driven, and given my skillful avoidance of all highways (except for the day I drove into town), this was pretty daunting!<br /><br />Long story short, I got lost! This was less my fault than you'd imagine. Turns out the navigator who came with me can't really read maps, and was too shy to say we'd taken a wrong turn and gone half an hour in the wrong direction.<br /><br />Eventually I pulled over to ask someone for directions. We stopped at a scrubby looking golf course possibly in Kempton Park (I was lost, how should i know?). The place was called St Andrews, and, to my absolute "confuddlement", was staffed by three mildly liquored (at 10:30am) Scots!<br /><br />"Och, aye, lassie. Just a wee drive from here. Oot the parrrrking lot, straight at the traffic lights..."<br /><br />no kidding - thought I'd just left Scotland.Katie Possumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10620600652223829935noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21337452.post-83187580011978973262008-02-26T11:18:00.001+00:002008-02-26T11:18:38.299+00:00Jou Moer<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><p><object height='350' width='425'><param value='http://youtube.com/v/FaD7cWk4i_c' name='movie'/><embed height='350' width='425' type='application/x-shockwave-flash' src='http://youtube.com/v/FaD7cWk4i_c'/></object></p><p>This is hysterical! </p></div>Katie Possumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10620600652223829935noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21337452.post-16586323486242068202008-02-20T10:05:00.000+00:002008-02-20T10:06:40.391+00:00Look, Ma! A real post!<p class="MsoNormal">Let’s get straight in there: I haven’t really blogged in ages. Sure I put up a couple of random Youtube videos and a link or two, but it’s been sporadic and impersonal.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">My excuse? The last three months (maybe four) have been a time of upheaval for me. I had to prepare to leave the <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">UK</st1:place></st1:country-region>, my flat, my job, etc. Then ship all of our stuff (every second hand book and coat in <st1:country-region st="on">Britain</st1:country-region>) back to <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">South Africa</st1:place></st1:country-region>. Suddenly, Jono’s graduation was upon us, his folks were in town, and I was on holiday (read: unemployed). </p> <p class="MsoNormal">I returned to <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">South Africa</st1:place></st1:country-region> in early December, with plans to take the whole month to be a beach bum and live off my folks for a while, while looking for work. The plan was beautiful, the implementation - shaky. I did hang out on beaches, and get to know my tiny nieces some more, but managed to hack into my meagre savings quite substantially.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Suddenly, halfway through the second verse of Auld Lang Syne, I found myself living with my in-laws in <st1:state st="on"><st1:place st="on">Mpumalanga</st1:place></st1:State>, and commuting to Jo’burg for job interviews. Thankfully, it turns out I am a lot more desirable in <st1:country-region st="on">South Africa</st1:country-region> than I was in the <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">UK</st1:place></st1:country-region>, and in a month I was offered exactly the job I was looking for.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">I’m a Journalist and New Media Writer for a design and content production company. I really like the role, the people, the bosses, the garden furniture and communal meals on Tuesdays and Thursdays!</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Still, I am not quite on my feet. This is my third week of work, and I’m squatting at a friends’ place, with her boyfriend and mom (just so that I am properly in the way). Jono is looking for work (anyone looking to hire a genius?), and when he knows where he’ll be working, we’ll find a place to live.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">So, why am I still blogging since I started in order to chronicle my overseas experiences and now I am back? No idea, truly. I like it. It’s an outlet. I emulate those I admire, etc, etc. I am hoping a purpose for this blog will evolve. Otherwise, I’m open to suggestions…</p>Katie Possumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10620600652223829935noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21337452.post-83850419340113815882008-02-19T12:31:00.002+00:002008-02-19T12:33:55.659+00:00Don't worry, we're from the Internet!Anonymous vs Scientology:<br /><br /><a href="http://deathboy.livejournal.com/1082404.html">http://deathboy.livejournal.com/1082404.html</a>Katie Possumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10620600652223829935noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21337452.post-28303249078266283502008-02-15T06:37:00.002+00:002008-02-15T06:45:19.321+00:00more funny stuff I found on the internet while avoiding work and real blogging<h2>Stupid E-mail Disclaimers and the Stupid Users that Use Them</h2> <p>We thought it would be a fad. Ok, we <b>hoped</b> it would be a fad, destined to go away as quickly as it came. Unfortunately, those worthless e-mail legal disclaimers still pollute the internet. Written by overzealous lawyers that don't seem to realize the <s>stupidity</s> futility of their effort, poorly worded legal gibberish tries to force you into binding contracts to protect their careless mistakes. One of their employees just fires off an e-mail full of corporate secrets? No worries! That legal disclaimer will ensure the unintended recipient deletes it without question! Wishful thinking douchebag lawyers.</p><br /><br /><p>Continues <a href="http://attrition.org/security/rant/z/disclaimers.html">here</a>.<br /></p>Katie Possumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10620600652223829935noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21337452.post-81916935057354423052008-02-13T14:35:00.001+00:002008-02-13T14:35:44.378+00:00The Humans Are Dead<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><p><object height='350' width='425'><param value='http://youtube.com/v/WGoi1MSGu64' name='movie'/><embed height='350' width='425' type='application/x-shockwave-flash' src='http://youtube.com/v/WGoi1MSGu64'/></object></p><p>Yay! Too funny!</p></div>Katie Possumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10620600652223829935noreply@blogger.com0