Mouse Bird Balls and Meringues

Mouse Birds:

I have a huge tree outside my bedroom. I have a double story and in the morning I look at the birds congregating in the branches for all the yummy stuff like fruit and seeds I put out for them. A month or so ago I noticed the big round feathery thing in the tree and once I had my specs on my face I realised it wasn’t a whopping big fat rotund bird - it was a huddle of mouse birds! This is how they were keeping warm. The birds on the outside of the ball take turns clambering up their buddies backs and push their way down into the middle…The little guy, or gal, on the inside has to face the cold until it’s his turn again to clamber up and push his way in. Very cute; I just love watching them in the morning – they hang in this ball and catch the morning sun beams. In the photo – not such a good one (and nor in good focus) - shows a big round grey blob – that’s the mouse bird ball.

Meringues:

Today was a stunning day; warming up thank goodness. The cold spell was awful and today I almost felt that spring was here…

So full of the joys of spring…….I decided that there was nothing better to celebrate this summery feeling than with strawberries, cream and meringues. I dove into the kitchen to knock up a quick batch but nothing is really quick, is it? I couldn’t quite remember how old the eggs were and I didn’t have enough sugar. So off to the shops and back again…then got stuck into making the meringues which actually only take about 15 minutes. Then you put your feet up for a couple of hours while they gently bake.

Every time I make meringues I think of my friend Judy….. And I laugh my way through the process. Once I asked Judy (who is the reigning Meringue Making Queen) what heck did one do with all the egg yolks – especially if you have made a huge batch of meringues? Judy’s reply: put the yolks in an airtight container in the fridge and when they turn green chuck them out……Enjoy the weekend.

Adventure Feats

This is something for all you armchair adventurers..... make a note in your diary and dont forget to buy your tickets. Lisa is putting on this wonderful event that spotlights our amazing South African adventurers.... the speakers promise to be inspirational and entertaining and will probably make all that adventure stuff sound like a walk in the park! From Lisa's Blog FEAT Posted: 14 Jul 2010 03:42 PM PDT The cat is now officially out of the bag. My new project I hinted at a few weeks ago is happening! It is called FEAT and aside from its apt dictionary meaning of 'a noteworthy or extraordinary act or achievement, usually displaying boldness or skill', it is also an acronym for Fascinating Expedition and Adventure Talks. FEAT is an evening of time-limited presentations by South African adventurers. Each speaker develops their talk according to strict guidelines that they've been given by me. As a result, each presentation will take exactly seven minutes. Although the people invited to speak have accomplished amazing feats, they have very specific topics to talk on. It's not about, "I climbed Everest" or "I rowed across the Atlantic"; their topics are focused on an element of their adventure. The other joy of this format is that the audience is exposed to a variety of topics, adventurers, expeditions and information during the evening; not just one talk on one topic for an hour. And, even if the speaker is not the most dynamic presenter (some people are naturals, some people are not), they're only on the stage for seven minutes and they're speaking according to a structure. This keeps the talks on track, pacy and interesting. There are 12 speakers at this first event, which is scheduled for Thursday, 7 October 2010. FEAT will be held at Wits Theatre, a lovely cosy venue. Being a conservative type, I went for a venue with a theatre feel and a reasonable amount of seats (only 367; other venues had less than 200 seats, which is too small). I'd rather have tickets sold out and people braying for more, than having a massive venue with empty seats. And, in terms of presenting this event and getting it off the ground, costs are a factor and they go up exponentially for hire of bigger venues. That will come later when FEAT is established. Although the live speaker format will be phenomenal, I also have a big picture in mind around to include adventure films and books coming out of SA. It's about time that SA's adventurers get mainstream recognition. Tickets will be available from Monday, 2 August 2010 on Computicket. Friends, please book then and there so you don't miss out. This will really be a situation of snooze, you lose. Today, Thursday, publicity around this event starts. But first, I have some special thanks to make. Deon, from Go Multi, was out running with me the day before I started putting this together. I told him the idea, he jumped for joy and immediately gave me Go Multi magazine's support to promote the event. The four sponsors involved with the event all jumped at being involved: Biophys - my dear friend Michael Graz, who is an adventure racer and crazy ultra runner too, always finds time to read - and support - my ideas between flying from one country to the next (his company Biophys is a consultancy focusing on operations and technical processes and systems within biotech and food technology industries - including environmental management). Buff - Eric was positive from the start, seeing the potential of this event without hesitation. Buff is a great brand to partner with FEAT because no event or expedition can possibily be completed without Buff headwear. I think that I am 'the person with the most Buffs in SA' - I've been collecting for 10 years. Capestorm - Ian was the second person I told about FEAT, the night I started putting my plans together, and he immediately agreed to CAPESTORM getting involved. Hi-Tec - Although Shayne is Hi-Tec's brand manager, he is also an adventurer, having biked up Africa a few years ago. He gets FEAT. Adri, AR friend and ADAC squad member, is a graphic designer. I asked her if she could come up with a design for the logo. She got it spot-on from the start - I love the colours, clarity, fun-feel of it. She is also assisting with the design work for the promotional posters and other graphic elements. William, another AR friend, is helping with visual elements for the evening. He came with me with Wits a few weeks ago to test projection and to make sure that the images can be seen from every seat in the house. On the night William will literally be running the show. Matt, AR Club member, runner and producer of the Volk & Fordyce series, is just as excited about FEAT as me. We're looking into various film elements from YouTube to others. I'd also like to compliment Wits Theatre and Computicket; I've had wonderful support from them and efficient service from the start. The Theatre is delighted to have FEAT there and as Wits is my alma mater, I'm delighted to have FEAT there. And then there are dozens of friends that I've mentioned FEAT to and I'm overwhelmed by their support and encouragement, suggestions of speakers, offers to MC, direct parking etc. In fact, even strangers - like the guy at the signage company - are unbelievably supportive; they just love the concept of FEAT. And, most importantly, the speakers for this first FEAT evening - Alex Harris, Andrew Kellet, Cobus van Zyl, Darron Raw, Kyle Meenehan, Mandy Ramsden, Marianne Schwankhart, Mike Blyth, Peter van Kets, Pierre Carter, Ray Chaplin and Riaan Manser - all said yes immediately. Some I know, others I've not yet met in person. Regardless, they said yes enthusiastically and I'm delighted to have them at FEAT. They are FEAT. So, today is kinda officially the day it all starts, especially in terms of media and publicity. Very, very exciting. FEAT website is http://www.featsa.co.za/

Second-guessing

One of my friends didn’t invite me to the movies because she thought I was too busy. (That is one of the hazards of telling people you are busy!) I have blogged about my 2 x jobs and she just thought I would be working and probably tired as well.

However, in this instance she second-guessed me – I would have really loved to have gone to the movies and to have spent a bit of catch-up time with her.

This small incident made me sit up though – I suddenly became aware of lots of second guessing going on all around me. Not about me per se, but I have been hearing people saying things like:

“He/she might not like that so maybe we shouldn’t say anything / or do that”,

“If I phone him/her they might say they cant do it.”

“If I have to go all that way, they might not like my new product and then what?”

“If I go on that new road, there might be a lot of traffic and I might be late”

“If I go to that new movie I might not like it”

I think by now (second guessing I am) you get the picture. How much angst do we cause ourselves, and the people around us, by trying to guess the outcomes of, very often, the most mundane things in our lives? Here’s the thing…..”they” just might be able to do it and if they cant you can always try someone else. Try the new road or movie or you will never know what you have missed. Phone that person – they just might not be too busy or tired.

Sometimes though, the things we want to do might be really daunting and difficult to do alone and we will second-guess ourselves into stagnation – nothing goes forward and it feels like we have taken a dozen steps backwards. We have all been there and know what it is like to try or face new challenges. It can be emotionally and physically draining. At times like this, a friend comes in handy. Ask a friend to be your sounding board, hand holder or advisor – talking about and sharing helps…it gives clarity to your thoughts, fears and you might even get a different perspective on it.

On Being Humble

Last night my brother asked what had happened to the Happiness Soup blog…..well, doing a full time and a ¾ time job has left my brain a bit addled…and a bit jaded …… which I have discovered is not conducive to creativity! I have been missing writing so I thank him, well I think so, for the kick in the you know what, and thought I would write about this is a topic which I have been thinking about for a little while now..…so here goes:

I keep hearing on interviews, the radio, TV, read in print that this or that person is a humble man, or the person himself is humbled by whatever he is doing/saying/looking at. Being humble or humbled seems to be the accolade of choice these days and the highest compliment you can pay someone.

So. I looked up the word Humble on my online dictionary and it says:

* not proud or arrogant; modest * having a feeling of insignificance, inferiority, subservience, * low in rank, importance, status, quality, etc.; * courteously respectful * low in height, level, etc. * small in size.

Now, I hardly think that in terms of describing themselves or others as humble they mean that they are insignificant, inferior, low in rank or importance or even vertically challenged. No, they mean that the person is not proud or arrogant – he is not too big for his boots; he is down to earth, one of the guys, a regular sort of chap. And sometimes “they” even go as far as saying “you wouldn’t believe it, but deep down he is a very humble man”. Grand praise indeed!

These accolades seem to be heaped on a pretty normal, average person who has found himself in a position of power or celebrity. The fact is, that this guy probably does come from fairly humble beginnings and through damn hard work, Machiavellian intrigues or sheer luck has landed himself in the public eye. And the fact is, he probably is a really nice guy (and why shouldn’t he be) and is displaying traits of mindfulness…..Yes, that word again. He is aware (mindful) of himself, his surroundings and the people around him; and he is behaving like a reasonable and rational human being, a creative and constructive member of society and all those good things….well I certainly hope so. I am not at all sure why we should even feel that we should have to comment on his “humbleness”.

I guess as well, you might think I am being a bit sexist in only referring to he/him….and I suppose in a way I am. Why? Well because to date, I haven’t heard Helen Zille say Lindiwe Sisulu is really a humble person at heart, or heard Angela Merkel say that Hillary is, deep down, a very humble small town gal. And nor, have any of my friends said to me, (yet) “you really must meet Gill, you will like her, she is very humble”!

So, I do think this is a guy thing and I will be constantly amused by this accolade *grin* ….and I am amused by these words from a great female leader:

Don't be so humble - you are not that great. -- Golda Meir