nonprophet.org.za

Music has been around us for as long as we can remember. It was there to console us when we were rejected by that guy / girl we were trying to get with. It was there during the happy times, and the downright shit times.

Right now, Paolo, across my desk from me at work is swearing at his monitor, (more likely his dodgy code) while listening to Tiesto. Me, I’m listening to the sound of the aircon, it’s a constant sound that’s keeping me grounded in my thoughts, but that’s besides the point. Music has been pretty much a constant in most of our lives, made possible by the fact that your hearing is pretty much intact and lobes on the side of your head do a good job of propping up a set of headphones. The music we consumed in our childhood is the music that shapes us. We’ll always refer to “our” music as “classics”. Strange? Ask one of your parents which music they listened to while growing up…

If your life had a soundtrack consisting, say 14 tracks, songs important to you for whatever reason… what would those tracks be? Can you list them? Why not hit us up in the comments!

Here are my 14 tracks, in no particular order:

1. Starship - We built this city
2. Billy Joel - We didn’t start the fire
3. Luther Vandross and Janet Jackson - The best things in life are free
4. Simon Harris - Louder than a shotgun
5. Neil Sedaka - Oh Carol
6. Skeelo - I Wish
7. House of Gypsies (aka Todd Terry) - Samba
8. Basement Jaxx - Where’s your head at
9. Jungle Brothers - I’ll house you
10. Skunk Anasie - Secretly (Armand Van Helden’s remix)
11. David Bowie - China girl
12. DJ Jazzy Jeff and The Fresh Prince - Summertime
13. LL Cool J - Momma said knock you out
14. Mel and Kim - Respectable

* Streaming audio clips by cduniverse.com.

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Looks like next year’s going to be an interesting one, as far as the telecommunications industry in this country is concerned. Below follows an excerpt from a press release by GTS, I thought was worth sharing:

As Goal Technology Solutions (GTS) is gearing up to take on South African telecommunications and broadcasting in 2007, consumers can expect a strong competitor to fixed-line operators and MultiChoice as well as a few brand new extras.

GTS uses PLC (power-line communication) to bring a triple play offering of broadband internet access, voice telephony and television programming directly into the home via an established electrical connection. “In essence this means that you can get all your telecommunications and broadcast packages from a single service provider that enters your home through a single plug point,” explains CEO Adrian Maguire.

Basically, GTS are going to provide broadband communication and pay-per-view television channels via a regular outlet in your home. They claim that their offering will run at up to 90Mb/s which is 22 times faster than Telkom’s broadband offering.

They hope to have their broadcast license well before the middle of next year and CEO, Adrian Maguire added, “Our business model has been developed to ensure job creation and sustainable skills transfer and above all, to provide all South Africans with a multifarious communications offering that they can afford.” Which sounds like a good plan to me. Hell, anything that’s better and cheaper than Telkom’s current offering will be welcomed with open arms.

Their ADSL ISP service pricing is pretty good too. More reading at goal.co.za

What do you think? Hit us up in the comments!

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Most of our personal history is inherited from our folks at some point, though mostly over dinners or lunches and other family gatherings. Some of the time it’s embarrassing, like when your folks bring out the pics of you with an afro as a kid or the buckteeth you rocked in Sub. A (Grade 1). Apart from these, there are other events in your life that can only be related to you by your parents, things you don’t know or were too young to remember.

At the office party the other day, a colleague mentioned that he was born on a farm in the Eastern Cape. He mentioned the name of the farm and it’s approximate location, relevant to other common landmarks and towns. Even though I don’t remember what they were right now, I do recall thinking about this and how it applied to me. What was my personal history?

Well, I was born in Medi-Park hospital (now, Medi-Clinic, located in the CBD), in Cape Town on a Tuesday at just after 6am in the morning on the 26th day of July in 1977. My parents were living in a suburb on the Cape Flats called Surrey Estate which is a small neighbourhood just outside Athlone along Klipfontein road…

Do you know where you were born? I’d like to know… Why not post it in the comments? Or send me an email.

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I’m not one of these people, like my Dad, who can argue the front, back and side of a political view. I have no inclination nor interest in politics of any kind (which includes those associated with family gatherings and the like). Who needs that shit?

As a South African living in the 80’s I know enough about PW, to know that he was one of the last big sticklers for Apartheid, a stifler of democracy. But now that he’s gone, other politicians can’t react quick enough to get a good word in.

As the news of PW Botha’s death has filtered through the media, we hear more and more reports from politicians, opposing politicians at that, now jumping on the “What a great guy he was” -wagon. Everyone and their dog is making releases to the press expressing their sadness of his passing, yet just 10 years ago, couldn’t wait to “bust a cap in his ass”. Hypocrites.

Maybe it’s a testament to just how two-faced politicians are, regardless of their side of the fence.

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I played at a 30th birthday in Milnerton last weekend. Here are few things I learnt from that experience…

• Everyone has a favourite song
• Everybody expects to hear their favourite song upon requesting it with the DJ
• Everyone expects the DJ to have their favourite song and also find the time to play it during the course of the evening
• Just because you’re chums with the person footing the DJ’s bill, doesn’t mean you can request shit…
• There are a significant amount of people who still love Tina Turner’s music…. surprisingly.
• If your boyfriend’s a crack-smoking loner musician without a day job, please don’t let him play (his guitar) at your party… despite his best intentions. His set will probably be depressing, sucking the juice right out of the party, and you’ll more than likely end up crying.
• I get paid regardless of whether you have a good time or not, though it does make my job much more enjoyable if you do.
• Belly-dancing is the shit!

Here are a few snaps from the evening:

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Are you an IT professional? Yes? No? Who cares! We need your input. You see, the wife is slaving away at the studies again and one of her projects calls for a sampling of “real data”, so being the incredibly good husband I am… I created a little survey.

Here’s where you come in: If you are South African, and work in any IT-related field, try your hand at our survey by simply clicking here. Your input is greatly appreciated.

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This via the official press release:

“The latest version of MXit, version 5.0, is available for download from noon on Monday 25 September 2006 with the company expecting over 50 000 downloads of the software in the first day.”

Paedophiles around the country were intially excited about this prospect, though Herman Heunis, managing director of MXit, had the following to add.

“…files can only be shared between contacts. This means that users will only be able to send and receive files from people they have actively accepted as contacts and with whom they are willing to communicate.
Users will not be able to post files in open forum chat rooms due to security reasons.”

Well, there goes that passtime..

Related reading

• Mxit creator takes parents to task
• Mxit rejects allegations

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One year ago nonprophet.org.za was started out of the dusty remains of what was known as digitalsewer�. It was created to escape a formula, albeit unique, which had grown tired and was in desperate need of an update. I needed a place where I could express myself as myself and not a caricature I had invented, which had no life beyond that of it’s own asshole.

Of course, I’m not saying there was anything wrong with assholes (before a whole lot of you start to get offended) but the idea was five years tired by then and it needed an update. A fresh start even. Not to mention, that I’ve discovered that Knysna isn’t such a bad place afterall.

Seeing as I have a habit of establishing these site as brands, here’s our logo (see above left), a year late, but within budget. And while I’m still doing the sales / marketing pitch…

Why not express you love for nonprophet.org.za with your wallet, and buy a Nonprophet T-shirt today!

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Summer,

It’s a beautiful day in the city today, definitely more than the reported 20°C. It’s this kind of weather that makes me hate day being stuck inside an office, 14 floors above everything else, with the chair I’ve been sitting in for the last 4 hours, now a permanent part of my body, attached to my ass.

The job’s still good, got loads to learn although I have learnt a crapload in the 2 and a half months that I’ve been here. It’s amazing when looking at my projects list, the great number of things I’ve done while I’ve been here.

Anyway, I can’t wait till you’re here so we can spend time on the beach doing nothing, talking with my peeps, listening to happy dance tunes, making vodka cocktails and wearing shorts.

See you soon,
jk

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I was awoken this morning to the sound of a thousand birds all trying to talk at the same time. Much like crazy bustle I encounter these days on the early morning train rides to work. Though, honestly, that hasn’t happened much… catching the early train, that is.

I’ve decided to brave the South African rail system despite all the unpleasantries that people have mentioned to me regarding safety and well, safety. It’s the primary concern. Of course no one will tell you what the benefits are, they’re probably all taking the train secretly themselves, hogging the wealth as it were.

For starters I get to work earlier, and most of my previous colleagues will vouch for this, I’m not one for getting to work ontime, let alone early. I’m also saving a crapload of cash as I’m no longer filling up the car on a weekly basis. Incidently I’m also saving the cash I usually tip Zolani the petrol jockey. This counts as I regard myself as somewhat of a good tipper as I can’t find any other reason why he’d beat his colleagues in a sprint to my car, dive-tackling anyone who dares to get there before he does. This on it’s own is a huge cost-saving. Also seeing as I’m driving less, the car is also saving wear, if you really want to count cents and then there is the occasional benefit of excerise if I am indeed late for a train.

All saved, I get to take the train with a good cross-section of the South African population. Businessmen, nurses, mop boys, black kugels and common criminals all use it. Some out of necessity, some because they saving for a large electronics purchase. The bottomline here is that it’s cheap, and at least 60% safer than it used to be when I was still studying.

The secret to avoiding being dicked with is simply to “act like you’re supposed to be there”. If you start acting all cautious and shit, you’re asking for someone to relieve you of your cellphone, wallet, shoes, etc. Even if someone does want your stuff, they’ll need to find you alone and not in the presence of some security “official”. That said, it’s reasonably safe.

It’s a real alternative to beating the high cost of petrol in this country and at R20 per week, the only thing cheaper is walking.

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