The 2010 World Cup in South Africa - Disaster In the Making
Posted: January 30, 2008
As you may or may not know, the next World Cup is scheduled for South Africa in 2010. Many present and former residents see this as a recipe for disaster, and for good reason. Most would agree that three of the major venues, Johannesburg, Durban, and Capetown are cities where lawless mobs of disenchanted blacks run rampant and threaten both classes on a regular daily basis. If you Google the Johannesburg Times, you will be shocked to find numerous stories every day about all different kinds of good and decent individuals, whose lives have been tragically cut short by crazed lunatics who never ever know their victims...and sadly, never will.
Consider the latest tragedy, Johannesburg businessman Sheldon "Sheldie" Cohen, shot dead while waiting for his 16-year-old son, Noah, to finish soccer practice. Cohen, the former chief executive of Amalgamated Appliances and a Harvard Business School graduate, was murdered around 8pm on Monday outside the Balfour Alexandra Football Club, in Highlands North. He was talking to his father, Jack, on his cellphone when fatally shot in the neck. Realizing something was horribly wrong, Jack leapt into his car and raced to the club. Sheldie's killer was one of three men who seconds before had tried to take the cellphone of another parent, Joss Miller who was waiting outside the clubhouse in her car, Miller told The Times she saw three men loitering around the clubhouse and the parking lot. “They walked past me and stood where Sheldon’s car was parked. “One of the guys came to my car, opened my door, slapped me and demanded my cellphone. That's when I ran screaming to the clubhouse. “Then, I heard a gun shot,” she said. Club vice-chairman Jorge Patricio was in the clubhouse when the men attacked Miller. “I was in the office and heard her screams in the parking lot,” he said. “Five seconds later I heard a ‘pop’.” Another parent, John Killos, said everyone heard the shot. So, it seems safe to assume that Cohen's son, Noah, had most likely heard his father's murder take place...pathetic, for sure. “We went down to the parking lot and, while we were standing there, Jack (Cohen’s father) drove in,” said Killos. Jack got out of his car and asked where Sheldie was. “ We went to his car and saw his body slumped towards the passenger seat,” Killos said. Club coach and director Mark Abro said he pulled Cohen towards the driver’s seat and realised that he had been shot dead. Abro said: “His body was slumped forward and two boys had tried to hold him up so he could breathe.” But, tragically, it was all for naught. Cohen, dead at the scene was described by close friends as a truly special individual...hugely charitable, caring, loving husband and committed to his sons. Devastated, as were many friends all over the globe, Jack Cohen looked “bewildered” and sobbed uncontrollably at his son’s house in Melrose North, where angry friends and family gathered Monday night.
If this anecdote is hard to stomach, imagine the number of potentially explosive situations just waiting to materialize when money-spending foreigners from all corners of the earth convene in South Africa in two years. Does this really sound like a place to stage the most watched sporting event in the world? It wasn't even a safe place for Sheldie Cohen to watch his son's soccer practice.
Internet Dating - What You See Is Not Always What You Get
Most people who surf the web on a regular or even limited basis, would probably agree that the internet has quickly become the most powerful resource a person can deploy in the search for everything from information to individuals...to buying just about anything...from a pizza to a Boeing 747. That said, meeting new people...especially for the purpose of starting a romantic relationship, or "dating," if that's your definition, is now not only commonplace, but also the preferred or only real choice. Busy work schedules, isolated locations, or any other scenario you can conger up, make the web a logical solution to finding Mr. or Ms. "right." Obviously, when you expose yourself to the scrutiny of internet dating, the hope is that the relationship that follows is the final chapter in your romantic life...but, as you can imagine, things change. Is there a check list one needs to rely on to guarantee success? I don't really know, in as much as people can bend their view of reality to fit the individual they're trying to impress or woo, so to speak. Or, what I have learned in the past four years, is that anyone can fill out a questionnaire, profile, or personality quiz, and create an individual that bears no real resemblance to the actual person! Furthermore, when men and women post their photos...as opposed to those of their favorite pets, or places to visit...something that always puzzles me...you can never be sure how current or close their photos are to reality. So, when you get the momentary courage to meet someone, that dose of reality that follows can be a sobering experience. Here's a few ideas I've tried to bring reality closer, before the whole thing gets started...and feelings get bruised.
First, if you begin communicating with someone who has no photo, you're just asking for disaster. There's a reason that people avoid showing themselves to you...usually, because they lack confidence in their perception of themselves...and figure, you will too. Sadly, they are usually right. The number of overweight people on the scene is massive, and many think it's not a problem. To get around this, they only post head shots or no photo at all. So, if you care about looks, you need to see photos, and full length ones as well. Many women seem to think that caviat...looks...is shallow. Are you kidding me? Looks and physical attraction are precisely what starts the whole process off. When you go to a bar or anywhere you choose to meet new people, you look around and try to find someone who attracts you, not someone wearing a sign that says,"I've got a great personality, so ignore that fact that I look like I'm related to the Michelin man."
But, as I found out, that doesn't necessarily insure that when you meet up, what you saw in the photos online is what you get. So, second, you need to ask if the pictures are recent or not. A month of pizza, pasta, and beer can even turn a beanpole into a starting offensive tackle or Mrs. Butterworth. Don't misunderstand me, I'm not judging what any person looks like...I'm just saying you have to keep it real and take what comes from that. So, my new rule of thumb is simply, no recent full length photo, no response. Fool me once, shame on you...fool me twice, and I need psychiatric counseling.
Still, that's just my opinion...I could be wrong...in the meantime, email me if you have a reaction or anecdote and I'll be delighted to add your thoughts to the madness. Good luck though, and remember, you've got to be in it, to win it. But, regardless of what you look like, short or tall...thin or heavy...just keep it real. You'll be happier you did.
After almost two years of unwanted exile, I returned to Aspen...excited to visit with my loyal client, Warren Klug at the The Aspen Square Hotel. But, no trip to town is complete for me, unless I stop in to chat with my old friend, Bob Braudis...freshly re-elected and Sheriff of Pitkin County for now over twenty years. Bob is so in tune with the pulse of his domain, that he becomes a virtual encyclopedia of valuable information...and suggestions regarding my webcam agenda. That said, perhaps my greatest admiration for Bob stems from the simple fact that he always makes himself available to me, regardless of whether I have called ahead for an appointment. He is, in sports cliche, totally clutch. We caught up, twice, and chatted about several interesting anecdotes, including his recent re-election, the passing of Ed Bradley, and the problems at Sardy Field with barometric pressure and red tape.
When I asked Bob about new locations, though, he quickly suggested Jimmy's American Restaurant...citing the interesting comings and goings for guests in town and locals alike. Seems as though there's a lot of live music to be heard...rock n' roll on Fridays and salsa on Saturdays, on the weekend. So, off I went to get some setup shots, besides the Cooper Avenue and Hyman Malls, along with Basalt and Carbondale...all spots I had wanted to try and entice into some new live webcams.
So, I'm getting ready to take off and I think to myself that the Sheriff's Office and views around the courthouse are kinda fascinating...why don't I surprise Bob with some setup shots of his workplace. What's the worst thing he could say to me..."thanks, but forget about it."
But, as luck would have it, he didn't, and actually was positive when he saw what I had seen that he never actually knew was there. The results of my various setup shots are now in your hands...so to speak. I have created a Poll on the aspenwebcam.com homepage, so interested web surfers can vote as to which location they would like to see added to the site. If you haven't already, click on the "Next New Cam Location" link on the Nav Bar (menu) and let us know what you think. It makes for interesting fadder with perspective clients like Aspen Sports/North Face and Morris & Fyrwald...both leading the current poll results (although the Courthouse and Jimmy's Restaurant are close behind).
Finally, you'll notice that we've added a banner supporting Mountain Rescue Aspen. This is a group of rugged, devoted individuals, who's sole purpose is to come to the aid of stranded or endangered skiers, hikers, or visitors in general to the mountains. Because they are volunteers, it is important to learn as much as you can about what they do...and how you can support them, if you feel inclined to do so. Please click through to their fine website and check out the information you come upon there. And as always, if your coming to ski or snowboard, stay within the boundaries of the resort. There's no award for losing your life in an avalanche.
(posted - Tuesday September 19, 2006) Saturday, the 16th of September, I travel just south of Algonquin Park, to Kawagama Lake, for a reunion with fellow campers I hadn't seen in over forty years. My driver, and gracious host for the weekend, was Martin Middlestadt, an old friend and now famous and gifted attorney in Toronto. For both of us, and the rest of the former campers, a lot of water had passed under the bridge by now...and yet the feelings and conversations shared this past Saturday were unusual to put it mildly. One would think that time had put a great distance between all of our lives, still the genuine care and interest in each others' stories and anecdotes was real and always present. While it is my basic nature to record these events, either by video or still camera, I realized that when it was over, there were many people that I had not had the time to chat with for any great length, or whose picture had eluded me. This made me somewhat sad. I wondered what it was that we all shared back in the mid 1960's, that created this unique bond between us.
Our lives had gone in so many different directions. Many of the campers that I met were now famous...doctors, lawyers, PhDs, you know...their success was more than enough to humble me. But then, I realized that as a web developer, I had the ability to tell this story to anyone interested and document the goings on in my usual way, and that sort of brought me back to level with so many of these talented people. I am, as always, a communicator. That's my job. It's what I do the best.
For those of you who read this blog please know that it was a great joy for me to take your pictures and that I already miss that amazing commeraderie and caring friendship that was so evident this past weekend. Stay well as your journey continues...and feel free to email me at any time you see fit. - JLH