Return of the Blog

It's safe to say that Saffa Dude is officially up and running again (although let's call it a light jog for now). After a bit of a hiatus, the blog has been brought back, with a new layout nog al (we hope you like it).

Going forward, with the help of a couple contributors, we hope to explore even more avenues of laid-back, humorous drivel and egomaniacal opinion - all with the aim of tickling your funnier bones, even if only for a few minutes each week.

After all, Saffa Dude is committed to pumping out the same chilled-out vibe that we cultivate in our own lives and spreading it to others. We do enjoy a good chuckle as much as the next man (we probably enjoy a good alcoholic beverage more than him too). So it is that we feel the need to share these thoughts with you.

It's here for your entertainment. Take what you will!
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The Dead Horse Theory

Dakota Native American tribal wisdom, passed on from generation to generation, says:

"When you discover that you are riding a dead horse, the best strategy is to dismount and get a different horse."

However, in educative, corporate and governmental Southern Africa, more advanced strategies are often employed, such as:

1. Buying a stronger whip.

2. Changing riders.

3. Appointing a committee to study the horse.

4. Arranging to visit other countries to see how other cultures ride dead horses.

5. Lowering the standards so that the dead horse can be included.

6. Reclassifying the dead horse as 'living impaired'.

7. Hiring outside contractors to ride the dead horse.

8. Harnessing several dead horses together to increase speed.

9. Providing additional funding and / or training to increase dead horse's performance.

10. Doing a productivity study to see if lighter riders would improve the dead horse's performance.

11. Declaring that as the dead horse does not have to be fed, it is less costly, carries lower overheads and therefore contributes substantially more to the bottom line of the economy than do some other horses.

12. Rewriting the expected performance requirements for all horses.

And of course ...

13. Promoting the dead horse to a supervisory position!

If you understand the above, then you are obviously a South African.
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Switzerland joins Schengen Visa Scheme

SD's friends in the travel industry have alerted me to the fact that the list of countries that South Africans can travel visa free has shrunken by one. And its a European favourite.

From 12th December 2008, Switzerland will become part of the Schengen visa scheme, and those usually requiring a Schengen visa will no longer be able to enter with their residency status alone (as is currently the case). Those entering Switzerland prior to 12th December may still enter on the existing residency rule.

For those travelling in the holiday season between 12th Dec 08 – 5th Jan 09, the Embassy are currently issuing visas valid for Switzerland only. These applicants must be travelling by air to Switzerland only, and not already holding a valid Schengen visa. The Embassy recommends if you have a client wishing to travel between these dates who will require a visa, they should apply as soon as possible.

We have been informed by the Embassy that submission for Swiss visas will be by personal application only, by appointment. If you are in London this can be arranged by calling 09065 771222. There is no current indication how far ahead appointments are being made. Once submitted, if all requirements have been met and the applicant is not referred, processing will take 2 working days.

Another one bites the dust....

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If you can drive like that, drive an ambulance

Sticking with our motorsport theme today, I thought I'll share this beauty. I dont need to say much about this, just watch the video and keep your jaw from dropping (its fly season).


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The Power of Dreams turns to Hours of Screams...

Honda announced today that Jenson and his mates at the Honda F1 team are out of a job as the the Credit Crunch hits the first F1 team. They are all due to receive a letter before Christmas confirming they are to be made redundant.


O my shattered nerves!!! If Honda has problems staying in F1 are we going to see Formula 1 racing with just 2 teams next year??? Not sure it will be any different from this year. Maybe we should just give the trophy to Lewis now and call F1 off next season.

Honda's Racing team employs about 800 people directly with their HQ in in Brackley, Northamptonshire. They are now looking for a buyer and hopefully the team can be sold and we'll see their name change and still be in the running for 14th spot.

According to the BBC News

Honda will assume the existing debts, and, it is understood, will sell the team for a nominal figure - perhaps as little as £1, said BBC sport correspondent Adam Parsons.

Honda have won only one race in the past three seasons and last year achieved only one podium position thanks to Rubens Barrichello.

Jenson Button is the other driver in the team.

The team's total budget for the past year, including work done in Britain and Japan, is believed to be just short of $500m.

Adam Parsons said this was "a stunning shock" for motor racing.

He said Honda was considered one of the best funded and most dedicated teams, despite its poor results.

Who wouldnt be interested to buy all that investment at Credit crunch Prices? I am starting a pool and have added my life savings (£2.43).

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SA Blogs: Links Added

I have added some links to some popular South African blogs that I read. See the "What we read..." section on the right or click continue reading to find out more.

Here they are in no particular order...

ChumpStyle
Urban Ninja
Wat Kyk Jy?
Keo
2Oceansvibe
Splattermail
Baglett
SA Rocks
6000 miles from civilisation...

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Saffa's Song of the Week [wk49 - 08]

The Enemy - Away From Here

This is an oldie but its a goody and sums up perfectly how I felt about work this week.
They have a sound that has to grow on you. I find it a bit like the same process of getting to know and love Kings of Leon. I have seen them live twice at UK festivals and have to say that I was surprised at how many of their songs I know without actively following the band. Here is The Enemy's website is saying about what they are up to these days:

Scheduled for release in April 2009, The Enemy are currently recording the eagerly anticipated follow-up to their all-conquering debut album 'We'll Live and Die in These Towns' at studios in Coventry and London with producer Mike Crossey (Arctic Monkeys, Razorlight, Foals, The Zutons). The Enemy recently confirmed their biggest headline tour to date for March and April next year which concludes at London's Brixton Academy. All of the twenty-two shows at major venues are either sold out or will soon be.

'We'll Live and Die in These Towns' hit the top of the album charts and was soon certified Platinum, ensuring The Enemy's status as one of the UK's biggest bands in the process. They also earned a plethora of major awards including NME and Q's Best New Band and XFM's Best Debut Album. Having played at the Reading and Leeds festivals and the BBC's Electric Proms, they also headlined NME's Rock & Roll Riot tour before heading to Japan for the first time. They also made history with two phenomenal homecoming shows at Coventry's Ricoh Arena.

Buy: We'll Live and Die In These Towns (MP3)

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