AWB secretary general storms off TV interview

This is hot news right now in South Africa and people are having a fat laugh about "Touch me on my studio." Watch the clip and you'll understand!

You can read the story here.

The following clip is of AWB General Secretary, Andre Visagie losing his temper and threatens when interrupted by Political Analyst Lebohang...



 

Happy Birthday, Brother!

Today, Thursday April 8 2010 is my brother's birthday.

Happy Birthday to my one and only brother - Darmesh. He's really one of the finest human beings I know who has turned into a fine young man.

Over the years, he's not only been a sibling, but one of my best friends. He makes me angry, he irritates me, makes me laugh and gives some of the wisest advice for someone his age. I guess this is a big plus for having a sibling.

Being away from home, I miss him a hell of a lot, but luckily our time difference isn't too much of a killer and we chat on nearly a daily basis.

I wish you a long life of good health, wealth and happiness!

 

 

 

Bicycle Parking in Seoul

This was the first time I saw this: Parking for bicycles at Jamsil Station in Seoul.

    

Touch screen at Sindorim

Found this pretty cool. Touch screen at Sindorim subway station. You can browse certain web pages on it. 

 

McKnight at Night in Seoul

 

Last week, on Thursday, April 1 2010 R&B singer, Brian McKnight was in town for a concert titled McKnight at Night. My tickets were booked only a week before the show and the excitement built up also knowing that Korean heart-throb, Tae-Yang of Big Bang fame was going to open the show for Brian.

 

So after work, my friend YK and I endured a stuffy subway to get to Jamsil Stadium in Seoul. The first stop was to get our tickets before grabbing some grub. I recognized the venue as it was the same place where Big Bang had their concert back in 2008.

The only thing I was a bit bummed about was that we were sitting in full view of staff who were stopping people from taking pics. I took this one just before the concert started.

Tae-Yang performed Where you At and Wedding Dress. I tried to get a video, but only succeeded with 7 seconds. I saw tons of other people taking pics and vids, but I guess my luminous green camera stands out in a crowd - I don't know! Anyways... I missed his solo concert a while back, so I was pleased that I got to see him on stage again.

Tae-Yang performing Wedding Dress.

Here's a tiny clip:

At this point, I have to mention (and confess) that I didn't know many of Brian McKnight's songs. Although, my favourite number is Back at One. Apart from this song and a couple of others, don't ask me about titles!

After Tae-Yang's performance, two guys opened up on bass guitars. I elbowed my friend saying, "Hey, those are the guys from Burger King!" About an hour before the concert, YK and I had a mini gourmet dinner of fries and coffee (!) in the ice cold as the place (Burger King) was jam-packed.

A group of guys caught my attention because... well - foreigners in Korea stand out and one of them had dreadlocks with a beanie, something I'm sure I hadn't seen since I was in South Africa. They were wearing yellow waistcoats with STAFF written across the back. I thought they were just that...only to realize that the were Brian's sons - Brian Junior (BJ) and Niko who were on tour with their dad.

When Brian appeared on stage (a better view was to watch the big screens for extreme close ups!) I fell in love immediately. I don't know what it was - his smooth voice, his smile, the way he talks with his eyes, his half-unbuttoned shirt or his gyrating movements that left me wanting more even after the encore!

Here's a short clip of Brian singing Back at One

Brian called Tae-Yang back for a duet My Kind of Girl which rocked the crowd.
Note > This video is not mine.

Brian's sons, BJ & Niko performed for a short while, and even though they've probably done this plenty of times, I couldn't help but think how proud he (Brian) must be as a dad to share the stage with his two sons. Here's a pic of BJ - who, by the way has a killer voice.

Brian also called a lady from the audience onto the stage. Her name was Joon and I know for a fact that every single woman in the audience were squealing and squirming in their seats as Brian grazed his finger over her cheek while he sang to her. I know this, because YK and I were doing just that! I don't blame Joon if she didn't sleep that night!

Part of whether I enjoy a concert or not is how much interaction and chemistry exists between the performer and the audience. Brian has performed in Korea before and I actually didn't know how popular he was here till recently. I felt that he had a good connection with the crowd which made me like him even more.

I think what makes this singer so sexy is that he doesn't even try. Sexiness seems to ooze so naturally when he sings and moves to the music.

Usually after a concert, I leave as soon  as it's over to avoid the stampede to the subway station. I even missed Whitney Houston's encore to get out of the stadium quickly. But this concert... for this concert, I sat tight waiting for the encore. Even after it, I sat - just in case he came back! 

Here's a clip of the encore:

Of course I know I shouldn't do it, but I really couldn't help but compare this concert to the previous one I'd been to. In February, Whitney Houston kicked off her world tour in Korea. And it fell flat. She failed miserably to entertain and impress the Korean crowd and other reports claim that she was a flop in other countries too. Of course, she was performing after a decade, but still - was it an excuse for her to just sound plain stale and tired?

The following day, Brian and his team went over to Japan where they performed in Osaka and Tokyo.
   

April Fool's!

I've never April Fooled anyone before...until this year! I have no idea how the idea came to me, but I thought of catching my parents out.

I sent my mum & dad an e-mail telling them about a "big fight" I had with my co-worker after class. I told them that the school authorities got involved and that I was fed up and resigned. I went even further - to say that I was going to the immigration office the following day to cancel my visa and that I made a provisional booking to go back home the next week.

Mum called me with a bunch of questions about what was happening. She told me that she was going to make a few calls to try and arrange my belongings to be shipped back to SA. Throughout the conversation, I had to bite my tongue from laughing, even though I was smiling from ear-to-ear.

After we hung up, I sent both my parents a text saying, "April Fool's!!! GOT YOU! Hahahaha!"

It worked! ...and on my father - who can be a prankster at times, but is never (I mean never) caught out!

So I figured if it worked on my parents, it could work on a few friends in Korea! I sent a text to a few people saying that I suddenly had to go back to South Africa and I apologize if I don't get to meet them to say goodbye. A few people were sharp and replied saying "Ur kidding" while others sent long soppy messages about how they were going to miss me.

The rest of them eventually figured out that I was April Fooling them ;-)

However...a week later, I realize that a select few STILL don't know that I was kidding. Oops!
 

Trade movie popcorn for yogurt?

One of the best things about going to the movies is the popcorn, right? What do you think of this? Just read this on the CNN website:

(CNN) -- Some silver screen couples were just meant to end up together: Bogey and Bacall, Harry and Sally, Saturday matinees and ... a cup of low-fat yogurt?

If Sony executives get their way, U.S. moviegoers will have the option of healthier snacks with their flicks -- and they won't even have to smuggle them in.

In a recent speech at ShoWest -- the country's largest tradeshow for the movie theater industry -- Sony Pictures Entertainment Chief Executive Michael Lynton called upon concessionaires to supplement classic, high-calorie soda, candy and popcorn options with more healthy fare like fruit, granola, yogurt and vegetables with dip.