Midnight Intruder

The other night while sleeping on the floor of The Bandwagon HQ, i was awoken from an incredibly deep sleep. Shouts and raised voices pulled me out of my bed made of couch pillows. i walked into the passage, still half asleep, and was handed a spear. i looked up and saw Arn and Sern holding an African Gentleman, while Chris was throwing in some punches while tying his hands behind his back...... 

What?

Yes. Arn went for a smoke in the early hours of the morning, only to find an unknown man climbing through the window of the kitchen. He yanked him out and put him in a head lock. After a couple shouts Sern sprung out of bed (completely naked) and joined in with a few knees and punches. They then brought him inside and Chris got involved. By the time i got there most of the craziness had already gone down. But i still decided to hold the spear the wrong way round, just incase he made one last attempt to break free and i end up stabbing him. Would not have been good. The cops arrived a few minutes later and threw in some heavy handed punishment, then dragged him away.

We found out the next day that he left a little present in the form of a "shit in the tea towel" for us on the verandah. What a dick. And what a night.

This Is Africa i guess.  

Wow I need a camera.

So its been an age since i last wrote.

And a lot has happened.

i stumbled upon a job a couple weeks ago, thanks to a good friend by the name of Stuart. Went to an "interview" and then got a call the same night at 8:15 to go down to the eastern cape on a shoot the next day, for 10 days. i said yes.

My life of turned from being an unemployed couch surfer into a traveling editor/cameraman for D4 Productions, very quickly.

Our 1st stop was PE where we stayed over night at our still cameraman, Kelvin, cousin's house. Who happened to be a bodyboarder i have bumped into a few times. Then we shot through to Plett the next day to set up our first camp at Nature's Valley. i love going to that place. And for the next 6 days we (Andrew, Zayne, Kelvin and myself) chased some crazy bi-athletes over some of the most awesome terrain imaginable! As well as getting some of the most intense games of one bounce on the go, in some of the most remarkable settings.

It all ended in Wilderness, and after a quick edit of the mass of footage we had shot, we started the next leg of our journey at 10pm. The destination, Moolmanshoek in the Orange Freestate, for the 4 Peaks Mountain Challenge. What a drive. i must have fallen asleep at least 3 times behind the wheel. But we arrived safe and sound at 8:30 the next mourning to be greeted by breakfast.

A short nap latter and we were out and about, going through route maps and plans for filming the 24km long mountain climb happening the next day. With a highest peak of 2400m it was not going to be an easy day. But i got the start and finish duties so i stayed low altitude.

After being in the Cape for a week, the weekend seemed to fly by. And before i knew it i was back on my way to Durban with a bag full of dirty clothes that smelt like petrol. Good times. Especially because i do not have my own place to wash and hang everything.

Since i have been back its been full time employment for me, and resting my head anywhere that i can. Mostly with Chris and the good lads at The Bandwagon.

Last weekend was wild too. Watched some bands at the Durban Varsity and got extremely smashed on rum. Pocket Change where the show steelers for me.

Vader popped his hobbit head in the picture too. After the Uni we went and got very creepy on the Drum and Base dance floor at Willowvale. Very good times! Except for the walk home.

Saturday was Stoffels birthday. we went to paradise on the Palmiet river. what a spot. Swam and stuffed around in the waterfall while drinking moderately cold labels. And then cruised out to burn for the EastCoast riot. but after having car troubles we missed quite a few of the bands. Still had a kick ass time though. Slashdogs were extremely entertaining, and to be honest i cant even remember who played after them......

So now almost midway through the week i am still recovering. But i would not have it any other way. maybe a surf or two would be nice.

Oh yes and why the title of the blog? All these places i have been and not a single picture.

i hope you enjoyed the reading.

A catch up is in order

So a whole month has gone by since my last post. wow. I suppose I should have so much to tell. If only.......
I have been in Durban trying to find work, which in these economic times is no easy task. But my good friend Stuart did hook me up with some last week. so when that money comes in, it will be too nice!
This dirty little city has had quite a bit going on recently. Some absolutely mental gigs, parties and the occasional fun wave too. And not to forget Wong and Wesley were in town recently. The willowvale has been the haunt on most weekends, putting out some of the craziest 'dance till your limbs break' sessions I have ever taken part in. Stu managed to come out last weekend and made sure that I would not remember a thing. The mizers have been rocking my face off a bit. Always a terrific show to be apart of. And not to mention countless mindless time at The Bandwagon HQ. Which is due to be released shortly! exciting times. Check out www.thebandwagon.co.za
Also just been doing a lot of cruising. Carl, Cracker, Boychamp, Knuckles and Chris have been the regulars. Had quite a fun night out the other day with Carl and Cracker taking night shots all around the city. Steamy is the word I will use.



Too much fun can be had with a camera and flashes.

Oh yes. My cousin Brad and his new wife Amanda were out from the UK for the South African leg of their wedding. So a major shindig was had with the whole family. Very fun. Was good to see all the relatives again after such a long time.



A strange thing happened to me this weekend. I went home to attend my cousin's engagement party. And went to see this man about the possibility of doing some vocal training. Turns out it was an audition and I am now part of the KZN Youth Choir. Quite crazy. Never ever considered joining a choir before. but I think I might go check it out. Could be very beneficial.

So that has pretty much been my last month. Will try make things more interesting and get some pics up. Quite difficult with out a camera.....

A Week In The Bin

So this may be another boring blog with no photos. But I will try get some up.
I have now re-entered the world of unemployment. My beard has started growing and my days are a bit lazier. Well most of them. I have been back in Durbs for the last week. Good times. Watched some awesome bands last weekend. City bowl and pretty blue guns rocked my world, was a super sick show. Got my dance on hard!
Then I have managed to surf a bit this week too. south coast has had some very fun swell, so we scored some sick Colonels. What an awesome wave. One of my favorites for sure. And then a little bowl in town yesterday too.
Last night I went to a reggae night at the Winston pub. So chilled. Was good to see a few of the friendly faces out. Got my drink on solid though. Then on our way home we got pulled over by the boys in blue and thankfully for my mate they were willing to let him go after a small tender was paid. Got to love a corrupt police force.
Woke up this morning on a little nest made of pillows in a friends flat feeling pretty darn terrible to be honest. But it has been a decent day none the less. lazy, but good.
And oh yes, how could I forget. My laptop is broken and its going to cost a handsome sum to fix it. Super stoked about that.

Well thats all the news for now. Might be heading back to Gtown soon, which will not be that rad, but will definitely save more money there.
Will keep you posted.

Times ahead

So I have a lot of things running through my mind at the moment.
One of them being that at the end of the month I am once again unemployed. Good times....
But its also good news because it means I can move back to the Dirtbin and get my life on track.
Get A job.
Start a band.
And who knows what else.

So a different post, but there it is.

Wild Weekend

Well I know photos make a blog, but i got none at the moment.
So I went to the wedding of one of my good mates, Don. What a rad day. There was free bar but I could not capitalize cause I was driving. but hey. Still an awesome day. Then I got chatting to my friend Justin. It went something like this:

Me: hey Justy what you up to tonight?

Just: I'm going to Durban to visit my girlfriend and cousin.

Me: Sick. When you coming back?

Just: Tomorrow.

Me: I'm coming with you.

And that was that. The night was set in motion. I left Nottingham Road like a bat out of hell and got some things together. Got to Tasha's house just after 8 and headed to Thunder Road Dinner. Got some beers down and then Shadow Club came on and changed my life once again. They are too good. Even in a venue not renowned for good sound they shredded. And with the crew the the good times were had. A quick visit to steers and a munch on the couch before a good sleep.

So if I get some pics I will put them up.

Until then.

Weekend Fulfillment

Where do i start....
My Aunts birthday was one good night. Got to have a good old fashioned shin-dig with my cousins who i have not seen in a while. Some hubbly was smoked and a lot of time was spent chatting around the fire. I hit the sack at about 2:30am only to awake at half 5 for my next adventure...

I picked up peter the mussel eater in Gtown and then headed off to meet up with Stoffel in Westville. The we hit the South Coast high way till we hit Umzumbe. Checked the surf and then Giffy made his entrance in a style only Giffy could, with 6 cold black labels. The surf was not too great but fun would be the word. Then we waited for the rest to arrive. They came at different intervals and then eventually the party got under way. One of the many highlights would be Giffy crashing his bike shortly followed by Dane going over the handlebars into his own car. A great little jam took place with Ryan, Dane and me. With the highlight being Peter ejecting his dinner and doing things that i am not too keen to repeat. The night ended somehow I can't remeber...

We woke up and checked the surf to be greated with favourable conditions. Stu and Wesley arrived and we hit the water. Too much fun. Little left and right jems breaking on some shallow rock. After a long and healthy surf a much needed chill period ensuied until we went for an afternoon surf at the point in some less than average waves.
The night was a heavy one. We ran out of booze, so a lot of theft went down. The we tried to hit up the Mantis and Moon, only to be turned around as we arrived. Who would not turn away a bunch of drunks led by giffy dressed like a rockstar wearing sunglasses at midnight who addressed the manager in German when he clearly was a Portugeus speaker.

Monday greated us with some super fun waves again. We had Granti in the water with us too. After a decent surf a solid game of one bounce went down. Craig and Stu definately took the cake. The drinking started early again after a quick stock up trip.
Drinking games where the flavour of the final night. And way too many of them. Which is the reason why I had the savage hangover that I did on the final morning for the pack up and departure.
A long drive back to the district was fueled by KFC and conve from Pete and Craig.
Well i can't really say i am glad to be home. But i was happy to not have to travel anymore.
So another good one goes down.

Here are some other pics













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