What's on my mind today!

[Bob Molloy]

Yes, Mike, the Dutch did try a slight relaxation of drug controls, particularly on cannabis but with mixed results, due largely to non-cooperation from surrounding states.
One of the results was an influx of drug tourists, in Holland only to get high without hassle from the cops.
What is needed is international cooperation in the lifting of all drug controls and free government supply of addictive drugs on prescription to registered addicts. Cannabis should be licensed and taxed, with personal - i.e. non-commercial - production permitted.
The cost savings and other benefits to taxpayers would be enormous.

[Dalene Steenkamp (Coetzee)]

 

My friend Len whom I have known for 26 years has passed away this morning at 5am in Windhoek due to cancer after a long and hard struggle ... and my heart is so sore for the loss and in empathy with his wife and kids.  Last e-mail I got from him was on Monday  -  got one from him every day of the week in the mornings with a single bible verse and then he would tell me how he feels and how strong his faith is and how he is praying and how he has made peace with the path that was layed out for him!

Salut my friend --  I'm going to miss you but will never forget you  !!  I know you're on a great lake, rowing a superb kano now ...   (one of his last wishes -  we used to go rowing together for excersise back in the day).

Darn  -  he had his birthday on the 21st Jan  -  every year we would call each other and Len (not the best singer in the world at all) would sing to me....  who'se gonna sing to me now ??? 

[SandyB]

So sorry to hear of the loss of a good friend Dalene ,,,  sad fact is  this  is the time space  we all seem to be finding ourselves in ,,
From me ,,, love ,, cherish ,, all we  find  in our life space ,, those special friends ,, they are gifts ,,,

[Rhona]

  Dalene

[Michael Alexander]

Shook my head in disbelief when I realised how belly up ALex Bay has gone, is it really true that there are 13 pupils pregnant at the High School Over there?

How many kids from Oranjemund attend school over there?

I was also wondering what the reason could be for the tale doing the rounds that a number of Previously advantaged folk taking the kids outta the schooling system up here and shipping them south to high school next year? Are they worried that the school might stumble and become a semi state school? Are they worried that the school might no longer be able to afford the high standards it currently delivers? I know one parent reckoned that with the new fee's next year, it would actually be cheaper to send their offspring to boarding school.... another commented that they worry that their child cannot reach their full potential as the child is good in sports and this school no longer offers top notch sports as it was in the old days..... plenty of food for thought in that rant.....

just my 2 cents...

[Michele Alexander (Voden)]

I find it very hard to believe that parents can find it cheaper to send their children off to boarding school than to keep them at the local high school. Apart from the school fees that the parents are now responsible for, what about the hostel fees, transportation costs, all the necessary trips up and down to get the children settled, various out week-ends, cellphone allowances? I know of children that will be equipped with laptops - what about the insurance costs to cover this? Never mind all the extra's that children need for hostel living - extra bedding, clothing, the increase in pocket money for all of those extra activities for which the children are being sent away for in the first place?
I agree that at this stage there are more opportunities regarding subject choice at the outside schools but surely that is also something that the local high school could look into - if only they got the necessary support from the parents.
As for extra mural activities - there are a number of sporting clubs who are often going away on tours, look how well the OPS children did at the recent Science Fair held in Rosh Pinah and Windhoek, the school always take part in the yearly Eistedfodd that is held in Springbok.
Yes Oranjemund is remote and our children need to realize that not all towns are like this but after asking for a high school for as far back as I can remember surely we should try and support it?
Heaven help me next year if Shannon decides she wants to go off to boarding school!

[Michael Alexander]

Heaven help me even more...... 

[Dalene Steenkamp (Coetzee)]

Matric exams ....  Susan is writing her first exam paper today  -  CAT ...  !

I'm not stressing .... I'm not stressing .....



Spoke to her early this morning  -  she's okay and relaxed.

I know she'll do good ...  she is a good student and worked hard throughout the year.  She hopes for at least 4 distinctions (maths and 'skeinat' are her worry subjects).

All the best to all the other students out there for you exams.  Our thoughts and prayers with you all  -  just do your best !

[Bertie Horak]

@ Dalene - send our good luck wishes!!! Sure it will go well.
@ Michele - I agree. There's just as much opportunities there in Oranjemund. I remember all the tours we did, competitions (gymnastics, choir, music, athletics, karate, art, etc). When I went to boarding school, it was clear that we were way ahead of the other "locals" as far as education and had a much greater life experience.  Oranjemund might have been a small town, but all the things available to keep you busy was MUCH more interesting and rewarding than the kinds of exposures I would have had in other bigger central towns. What's more fun? ... building a raft at the river, sleeping over in the dunes of the desert listening to and seeing wild animals, OR, a shopping mall in a city where you can buy drugs and crime...
I miss Oranjemund. When will my life be organized over here so I will be able to visit??????

[Paul (Pepe) Freemantle]

@ Dalene, all the Best and Good Luck Wishes to your daughter. I am sure she will exceed her expectations as she has worked hard. The amount of effort you put in will be the result. This is a saying I always told my sons and it works.

@Bertie and Michele, I agree with you whole heartly with what you say. Was the best upbringing and exposure in the World!!!!

[Dalene Steenkamp (Coetzee)]

Thank you - will carry your good wishes over to Susan.

Like you all say  -  regarding education and all other aspects of our 'development' to prepare us for life in the world outside has put us, who came from Oranjemund, in a privilaged spot compared to other children  -  measured up against what we found once we went to boarding school.  At that stage we just took it for granted, but looking back on it all, one has to realize and give credit to the company, the school, the town and mostly  -  the people.  My dad did not even work for the company, but we were always treated as part of the 'family' and included in everything on the same level as everyone else and we were given the same opportunities.

I think it is a mind set thing :  most always think that you will find the grass greener on the other side of the fence and it is not always the case. 

[Michael Alexander]

Phew! aLMOST  a crises, just went to the SPar genset to make sure it was all ready for Sunday's Power CUT..... got the fright off my life to find the whole one side of the unit covered in black gunk diesel, on further investigation it turns out that the other shift had a problem and the diesel lube cap had come off spraying the entire unit , they already had the mechanic there a month back and everything had been sorted, except for the clean up..... add that to mondays list...

Went to the Lodge last night for a braai, was pleasantly surprised to find 20 odd folk down there ...... pleasant evening....

[Michael Alexander]

Was going to organize the beginning of Social Bowls on Friday Night, but just checked the weather report is showing a maximum of 17 degree's and a minimum of 11 degree's for friday and rain on Saturday, where on earth has the summer gone to?

In the back of my mind , for at least the last 4 years, whenever I was down at the beach, walking the dogs, I would always think about how many diamonds were under those waves, I wondered back then already, how one could retrieve the stones..... over the years, I formed an idea, where you could safely mine  at least 100m from the high water into the waves, without putting a man's life at risk..... Now I am no engineer and do not know stress and strains, but I cannot see how my idea cannot work..... sure there shall be flaws in the plan..... and I know the mine actually wants to mine at least 1000m into the surf, but if your mine is battling to recover carats surely 100m in multiplied by at least 50km of workable tidal zone is plenty until we can develop the technology to go deeper.....
Gonna draw a rough sketch of my plan and post it in here to let you guys get involved....

Heard there were a few break in's over the weekend in our town over the weekend, will post on the telegraph board once I have more info....

It;'s gratifying to walk around the town and see houses being painted again...

Yesterday, we had our first house inspection in about 8 years, the lady concerned seemed genuinely interested in all my cracks and cupboards..... let's see where it leads.....

Wondering what I will be doing with my Saturdays' now that I am removed from the rugby shackles that have enslaved me over the last few months....

It was reassuring to read the online mining journals yesterday and see how all the diamond mining companies are returning to profitability again, the demand is picking up.....

Sad to see on BBC news this morning how the once great British Navy is being reduced to a 3rd world nation status.... all the cuts happening in the UK are now effecting their military and one wonders if it is now not time to refrain from calling that nation GREAT Britain , but simply Britain.....

There we go, my rant for the morning, and don't forget it's only 2 and a bit years before the solar flares destroy the world.... hehehehe

[Rhona]

My mind is full of cotton wool today - feeling a little fluey so best not come too close  ............and for those of you who are interested - We have 65 sleeps till Christmas 
Already the shops of getting stocked with their chocolate and biscuit selections 

[Michael Alexander]

Why don't you just remove the cotton from your mind, perhaps you will feel better then?