Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Thursday, April 7, 2011
Parktown Prawn encounter
I used to stay in a house on top of the ridge of Aukland Park. We had frequent encounters with these 'Parktown Prawns'! Their feelers probe the air in front of them sensing even the slightest deviations in air movement, temperature and who knows what else. The armour plated, black, shining body looks ominous and well prepared to anything. Their eyes seem to be seeing everything and defiantly challenging you to attempt to eliminate them.
I tried a number of times but always felt I had been got the better of by this almost pre-historic creature from some demonaic past.
I had parked my car one night and in the light of the cars headlights I saw one jump and scurry to the side of the car - almost as if to greet me as I stepped out.
I stepped out; only the garage light was on but I could see the defiant insect was standing it's ground.
I have big feet and I was wearing big CAT style shoes.
I felt empowered.
I felt mighty.
I knew I was stronger that this bug!
I raised my foot, drew a deep breathe and brought my food down with impressive force - I weighed about 100kg and am about 6 foot tall.
The prawn was a gonner! I was sure of that.
Just before my foot hit the ground I felt something bash agains the sole of my shoe! The prawn sensed the danger and tried to get away - it was too late! The downward force and momentum was too great and my foot continued to make a resounding impact with the floor.
I could feel the shell, the armour plating of the creature crack and crush under the impact yet still I felt like it had tried to push back.
The gruesome black ooze was all over the sole of my shoe, inbetween the big tread of those combat boots I was wearing.
Lifting my foot and looking down, I saw the damage I had done.
I smiled smugly at what I had accomplished but gasped in digust at the putrid, sickening smell that was filling the garage.
As I looked at ground zero I saw some jerking and twitching. Most likely just the reflex actions and responses from the aweful impact, I thought.
Wiping my shoe on the floor as I walked I left the garage after closing the doors and switching off the light. I went into the house and retired to my bed knowing that I had elliminated one of these despicable insects. I had done my duty to human kind and particularly MANkind. I was a hero! I should get some kind of recognition for this act of bravery!
In the morning I told my wife and children of the dangerous encounter I'd had the previous night. They were horrified but at the same time glad and relieved that their father, their husband, their protector and hero had saved them from the horror of having to encounter this particular Prawn.
They wanted to see the carnage but were hesitant due to the lingering smell and the mess.
After breakfast we went down to the garage.
I stepped down the last step, walked through the door into the garage and looked at the cold concrete floor near the driver's door.
There was nothing!
No severed limbs, shell, crusty had outer covering.
No Fragments of feelers or parts of spiky legs.
Just a faint smudge of black on the floor with a tinge of putrid aroma still emenating from it!
I took the car from the garage.
We insepcted the whole of the garage.
There was nothing.
There was not even a satisfying trail of ants that could have cleared the battlefield.
Nothing, nada, niks!!
The Parktown Prawn had got itself back together again.
It had repaired its damaged frame.
It continued to live!!!
"I'LL BE BACK", seemed to be whispered eerily from the cold confines of the concrete, stone, brick and mortar of that garage.
I tried a number of times but always felt I had been got the better of by this almost pre-historic creature from some demonaic past.
I had parked my car one night and in the light of the cars headlights I saw one jump and scurry to the side of the car - almost as if to greet me as I stepped out.
I stepped out; only the garage light was on but I could see the defiant insect was standing it's ground.
I have big feet and I was wearing big CAT style shoes.
I felt empowered.
I felt mighty.
I knew I was stronger that this bug!
I raised my foot, drew a deep breathe and brought my food down with impressive force - I weighed about 100kg and am about 6 foot tall.
The prawn was a gonner! I was sure of that.
Just before my foot hit the ground I felt something bash agains the sole of my shoe! The prawn sensed the danger and tried to get away - it was too late! The downward force and momentum was too great and my foot continued to make a resounding impact with the floor.
I could feel the shell, the armour plating of the creature crack and crush under the impact yet still I felt like it had tried to push back.
The gruesome black ooze was all over the sole of my shoe, inbetween the big tread of those combat boots I was wearing.
Lifting my foot and looking down, I saw the damage I had done.
I smiled smugly at what I had accomplished but gasped in digust at the putrid, sickening smell that was filling the garage.
As I looked at ground zero I saw some jerking and twitching. Most likely just the reflex actions and responses from the aweful impact, I thought.
Wiping my shoe on the floor as I walked I left the garage after closing the doors and switching off the light. I went into the house and retired to my bed knowing that I had elliminated one of these despicable insects. I had done my duty to human kind and particularly MANkind. I was a hero! I should get some kind of recognition for this act of bravery!
In the morning I told my wife and children of the dangerous encounter I'd had the previous night. They were horrified but at the same time glad and relieved that their father, their husband, their protector and hero had saved them from the horror of having to encounter this particular Prawn.
They wanted to see the carnage but were hesitant due to the lingering smell and the mess.
After breakfast we went down to the garage.
I stepped down the last step, walked through the door into the garage and looked at the cold concrete floor near the driver's door.
There was nothing!
No severed limbs, shell, crusty had outer covering.
No Fragments of feelers or parts of spiky legs.
Just a faint smudge of black on the floor with a tinge of putrid aroma still emenating from it!
I took the car from the garage.
We insepcted the whole of the garage.
There was nothing.
There was not even a satisfying trail of ants that could have cleared the battlefield.
Nothing, nada, niks!!
The Parktown Prawn had got itself back together again.
It had repaired its damaged frame.
It continued to live!!!
"I'LL BE BACK", seemed to be whispered eerily from the cold confines of the concrete, stone, brick and mortar of that garage.
Monday, October 18, 2010
From Start to Start
From Start to Start?
I guess that doesn't make much sense but if you know what I'm talking about, it does!
It is about Elder Hall.
Three weeks ago he started his mission by entering the MTC to be trained.
This week he starts working in the mission field!
Early Wednesday morning he will be getting up, getting final packing and preparation done and then he will be taken to the airport! At the airport he will board a flight to Durban. He will be met at the airport and taken to the Durban mission home/office and from there he will be dispatched to his first area.
I imagine it has been three weeks of lots of learning and adjustment.
He has never been away from home for any extended period.
He has always had family and friends close by.
Food, what to do and all the other 'everyday' things have always happened without him having to give too much thought and attention to whats next.
Now, he will be looking after himself.
He is living, full time, with his companion.
He will be exposed to and have to accommodate other traditions, cultures and standards.
Manage his own finances sticking to a budget.
It is going to be a great experience for him because he is doing something that involves full time service, full time caring for others and focusing on the work he is doing.
I can hardly wait to get his first email or letter after he has arrived and settled down in his first area.
I guess that doesn't make much sense but if you know what I'm talking about, it does!
It is about Elder Hall.
Three weeks ago he started his mission by entering the MTC to be trained.
This week he starts working in the mission field!
Early Wednesday morning he will be getting up, getting final packing and preparation done and then he will be taken to the airport! At the airport he will board a flight to Durban. He will be met at the airport and taken to the Durban mission home/office and from there he will be dispatched to his first area.
I imagine it has been three weeks of lots of learning and adjustment.
He has never been away from home for any extended period.
He has always had family and friends close by.
Food, what to do and all the other 'everyday' things have always happened without him having to give too much thought and attention to whats next.
Now, he will be looking after himself.
He is living, full time, with his companion.
He will be exposed to and have to accommodate other traditions, cultures and standards.
Manage his own finances sticking to a budget.
It is going to be a great experience for him because he is doing something that involves full time service, full time caring for others and focusing on the work he is doing.
I can hardly wait to get his first email or letter after he has arrived and settled down in his first area.
Thursday, September 30, 2010
The start of a new era
Well, the great day in Darius’ life has at last come.
He started his mission today! We dropped him at the Mission Training Center in Roodepoort at about 10:30 am this morning. He will be there for 21 days and then he flies to the Durban Mission which includes the whole of KwaZulu-Natal, Lesotho, Swaziland and the Southern ‘half’ of the Free State.
We had a lovely 2 days with Tristan, Candice and Clarke staying with us. They came to our home in Pretoria on Tuesday evening. Tristan had only flown in from a week in Germany on Tuesday morning! It was lovely spending time with the whole family and enjoying each other’s company. Clarke woke us all early this morning – he was not in the mood for sleeping! We got ready quickly and by 7:15 we were all assembled together for family prayers and some scripture reading. We shared our testimonies of the restoration and at 07:45 we went to our chapel – Pretoria East – to meet President Vermuelen, our stake president. He chatted to Darius for a short while and then we all joined him in his office and he set Darius apart as a full time missionary – he became Elder Hall. What a choice and lovely blessing he got!
We took a few photographs outside the chapel and we left in convoy – all 2 cars – to the Mission Training Center. We were able to see his room he will be sharing with 4 other Elders and then we said our goodbyes. Phew, it was quite emotional! Kaleela found it very hard to say goodbye to her brother!
Now Darius has dedicated 2 years of his life to serve the Lord – he has prepared well for this, he has put aside many of his old ways and habits and has taken his preparation very seriously! He will be an excellent missionary and I know the Lord will bless him as Darius serves Him.
I am very grateful for the support Darius has had from his Mom, his older brother and his sister. I am also very grateful for the support and encouragement that everyone who knows him has given – we don’t stand alone and sometimes in the most imperceptible ways, great influence is wrought!
Missionaries love getting mail.
Send Elder Hall a letter by addressing it to
Elder Darius Hall
P O Box 1741,
Wandsbeck, 3631
South Africa
He started his mission today! We dropped him at the Mission Training Center in Roodepoort at about 10:30 am this morning. He will be there for 21 days and then he flies to the Durban Mission which includes the whole of KwaZulu-Natal, Lesotho, Swaziland and the Southern ‘half’ of the Free State.
We had a lovely 2 days with Tristan, Candice and Clarke staying with us. They came to our home in Pretoria on Tuesday evening. Tristan had only flown in from a week in Germany on Tuesday morning! It was lovely spending time with the whole family and enjoying each other’s company. Clarke woke us all early this morning – he was not in the mood for sleeping! We got ready quickly and by 7:15 we were all assembled together for family prayers and some scripture reading. We shared our testimonies of the restoration and at 07:45 we went to our chapel – Pretoria East – to meet President Vermuelen, our stake president. He chatted to Darius for a short while and then we all joined him in his office and he set Darius apart as a full time missionary – he became Elder Hall. What a choice and lovely blessing he got!
We took a few photographs outside the chapel and we left in convoy – all 2 cars – to the Mission Training Center. We were able to see his room he will be sharing with 4 other Elders and then we said our goodbyes. Phew, it was quite emotional! Kaleela found it very hard to say goodbye to her brother!
Now Darius has dedicated 2 years of his life to serve the Lord – he has prepared well for this, he has put aside many of his old ways and habits and has taken his preparation very seriously! He will be an excellent missionary and I know the Lord will bless him as Darius serves Him.
I am very grateful for the support Darius has had from his Mom, his older brother and his sister. I am also very grateful for the support and encouragement that everyone who knows him has given – we don’t stand alone and sometimes in the most imperceptible ways, great influence is wrought!
Missionaries love getting mail.
Send Elder Hall a letter by addressing it to
Elder Darius Hall
P O Box 1741,
Wandsbeck, 3631
South Africa
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
CHAPTER FOUR - Starches
The vegetable kingdom produces vast quantities of starch. It is present in particularly large proportions in all grains, the roots and stems of many plants. Starch molecules are long-chain carbohydrate molecules, closely related to each other as you will see in CHAPTER FOURTEEN. (Be patient, it will still be published!) Nutritionally they are very important, but because modern commercial practices have led to their being "cornered" by vested interests, many of the products arising are so unnatural that they now constitute a threat to man's well-being. I have enlarged a little on this theme in chapter fourteen.
Wheaten products and potatoes feature strongly in the diet of many people. For ourselves we have always favoured whole-wheat bread over other breads, and potatoes cooked in their jackets. As pointed out later on, we know that we cannot be sure that we are getting truly whole-wheat meal so, having conducted this study, we are now cutting down our consumption of our bread to two slices each and then only two or three times a week! We have considerably reduced our usage of potatoes too! At this point a modified Atkins approach is used - "COUNT ALL STARCHES and DI-SACCHARIDES".
Wheaten products and potatoes feature strongly in the diet of many people. For ourselves we have always favoured whole-wheat bread over other breads, and potatoes cooked in their jackets. As pointed out later on, we know that we cannot be sure that we are getting truly whole-wheat meal so, having conducted this study, we are now cutting down our consumption of our bread to two slices each and then only two or three times a week! We have considerably reduced our usage of potatoes too! At this point a modified Atkins approach is used - "COUNT ALL STARCHES and DI-SACCHARIDES".
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