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While it’s not my intention to do harm, I’m also not in the business of lying…

The Princess and I went for a last minute dinner last night at a little place called “The *** I*ali*n” on Kensignton drive, Durban North.  Like I said, I’m not in the business of doing harm, but really…It was pretty kak..

The vibe is definitely charming, but when it comes to the rest, it’s pretty straight forward, you know… in a Wimpy kind of way… I ordered the Palermo, which is a Pasta with Prawns in a Tomato based sauce.  What I think happened here, is Mr. Chef ran out of Italian tomatoes and drilled some “All Gold” in there – It really wasn’t too lukka.  Some credit must go to the chicken kebab Salad that the Princess ordered, it was quite tangy…

To round it off, I asked for some Cappuccino, and got some nice filter with foam on top……nice papa, nice…

I will let you figure this one out..

Bad Pasta..you always leave some behind..

Very sad…

Chill,

Stef.

Living the dream...

This past weekend I attended my third Long-Dollar tour, and can now confidently say that I have sufficient experience in this field…

If you were wondering; Long Dollar is an annual tour of Sun City, which takes place during the Nedbank Million Dollar Golf Tournament , started by myself and three friends (the tour that is, not the event..).  This year, we have grown to full capacity (8), and had an awesome time watching/playing golf, gambling, partying at the Tusk bar (the most exclusive bar @ Lost City) and jamming to David Kramer (Blokkies Joubert).  Although the “Eendhond” (Retief Goosen) did not come through for us at the end, we still loved following him around at the Gary Player Country Club.  Angel Cabrera (The Cab-dwogg), looked very aggressive this year, and I am not referring to his style of play, but to the way he stared people down around the greens – he’s a scary individual…Although it pains me, credit must go to the Ausie, Robert Allenby, who, through consistency outplayed the rest of the field….well done Al-dwogg, we still don’t like you very much…

Traditionally, the AGM is held at the Tusk bar (The Palace, Lost City), where certain decisions are made regarding the next year’s tour, which is then finally authorized/certified by our in-house commissioner of oaths John C.  In the absence of the regular bar staff (due to the recent strike), we were “blessed” with two fantastic “stand-ins”, Wynand and Ruan who, without blinking an eye, served  Biltong and Cashews (salted and peri-peri) throughout the evening, so much so, that dinner was never contemplated.  In past years, The Palace staff were very nervous of our intrusion of the Hotel, and tried their level-best to get rid of us.  This year was different.  We all agreed that we felt welcome at the Palace, and even got verbal confirmation from ad-hoc Management-Personal inspections.

The greatest honour of all, is being driven to and from the Palace in a Range Rover , and I know my friend Chris Royal is going to love this; TOP OF THE RANGE nogal.  Thanks Lefa, you made things a bit easier this year…Next year I might slip you a fifty…

Not many people can say that they have attended the Million Dollar golf tournament, drinks at the Cascades bar, Gambled at Sol’s tables, Rubbed shoulders with the “Elite” at the Tusk bar, and then a Steak and Kidney Garage Pie at the Engen-Rustenburg on the way back home, all in one day…Long Dollar….it’s almost too good to be true..

Thanks Brandwogg, Johnny, Mike, Gordy, Dean, Chris and the Jew – you’re a fine team..

Roll on Long Dollar 2010.

Lukka,

Stef.

Good morning Durban, it’s been a while…had some stuff that needed attention, but it’s all good now…

What I have for you today, is some serious bullshit…and I’m not kidding..I’m sure that most of you out there, will be able to relate to the pain that I endure on a daily basis…it’s called “Corporate Bullshit lingo”.  Have you ever felt like putting your fist through someone’s face after they abused you with this ‘unbearable” verbal insult?  I’m sure you have…It’s tough out there as it is, but dealing with this on top of all of your corporate issues… is just not Cricket…(even that saying is border line)

Because I’m good to you, and also because I care for you, I’m going to arm you with what could potentially infiltrate your “Happy Place”, and end all that is dear to you.  You want to look out for the big lines…usually thrown at you from the top (a.k.a Managment)…The List below, again, the tip of the Iceberg…please beware;

This is what really get’s me going…properly..

1.  “Going forward”…(By absolute worst…)

2.  “From a cost point of view”

3. “By C.O.B today..”

4. “Six of the one, half a dozen of the other”

5. “Just to give you a heads up..”

6. “Pushing the envelope..”

7. “Thanks for the “Assist” (Please, get the F$ck out of my office…now!)

8. “I’d like the team to sing from the same hymn-book”  (My blood now boils..)

9. “Let’s “Piggy-back” that prototype..”

10. “Please keep me in the loop..”

11. “Let’s touch base in the morning”

12. “Reinventing the wheel..”

13. “I want you to…(wait for it…, wait…) Champion this task…”(Best you also leave my office…NOW!)

14. “Upsetting the apple cart..”

15. “At the end of the day..”

That was hard.  I get really tense when I’m exposed to it, but in order to warn others out there, I do what I must…When you hear this rubbish, put your foot down…it’s not acceptable… Throw it back at those who hand it out.  Make sure you show your dissatisfaction when abused….

Don’t let them get you Durban…

(Please send me your Corporate Lingo – Leave them as comments to this page..)

Lukka,

Stef.