Have we got the balance in life correct?

By Dean McCleland in Current Affairs, Opinion Pieces 0 Comment

In this regard, I am referring not to the work / life balance over which most working people agonise especially working mothers but how we should handle the life portion of the equation. A number of issues crossed my mind over the past week or two which reminded me that either I am focusing on what is truly important due to wisdom – some would call that experience – or due to stage of life – some would call that age.

Main picture: This cat does not accept that a box in which he curled up as a kitten was now too small
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Animals in Unusual Poses

By Dean McCleland in Animals 0 Comment

This is a series of photographs with animals in different poses, some fatuous and others charming but all evoke a pleasing response. Is this an animal’s innate ability or do they surreptitiously attend acting and drama lessons when their owners are not at home? Whatever the truth of these assertions, pets, especially kittens and puppies with their cute adorable expressions, make their actions even more lovable.

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The Golden Age of Air Travel

By Dean McCleland in Historical, History 0 Comment
Cabin service on board an intercontinental Boeing 707 during a flight with the West German airline Lufthansa, April 1967

Cabin service on board an intercontinental Boeing 707 during a flight with the West German airline Lufthansa, April 1967

What is the first thought when contemplating flying somewhere: cramped conditions with stodgy unappetising meals? Business Class is completely different experience but who can afford a seat which can cost anywhere from 5 to 10 times that of an economy class seat.

This series of photographs will reveal the elegance of flying during the 1950s and 1960s. Women would be dressed up to the nines and for the men suits and ties were de rigeur. In effect the whole plane was in current terms First and Business Class. The prices reflected that fact too. The plebeians were not allowed to lower the tone. There was no need to discriminate against them overtly. The price ensured that they could not enter these hallowed cabins.

Main picture: Passengers enjoy a drink and a game of cards in the cabin of an Imperial Airways plane in 1936

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Scott’s Fatal Polar Expedition contrasted with a Modern One

By Dean McCleland in History, Other Galleries 0 Comment

The ways in which Scott and Shackleton explored the Polar Regions is moribund. Even the manner in which Randolph Fiennes manhandled all his kit across Antarctica need no longer be the modus operandi. Whilst even his odyssey to the South Pole is remarkable in terms of endurance and tenacity, it lacked the one ingredient that continues to make Scott’s and Shackleton’s attempts enduring: no Plan B. 

Robert Falcon Scott was to die on the 29th March 1912 in his heroic attempt to become the first person to reach the South Pole. Amundsen, using dog sleds instead of manhandling their equipment, had beaten them to it. The only solace and consolation was to return with their samples which was the ostensible reason for the trip. Reaching the Pole first was pure bravado, vanity and for the glory of the British Empire.

Main picture: Robert Falcon Scott in full Polar regalia

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Churchill vs Lady Astor: The Age of Classic Insults and Witticisms

By Dean McCleland in History, Opinion Pieces 9 Comments

In a long-forgotten era, the telling insult did not incorporate foul language or invective using four letter words mainly commencing with an F. Instead they exemplified the participant’s erudition, class, intelligence and wit. The putative insults between Winston Churchill and Lady Astor exhibited Churchill’s mastery of this art form. What is less well known is Lady Astor’s equally acerbic tongue and repartee skills. This lack will be put to rights in this blog.

One of the witticisms that have not yet made it into the history books, is one of the classic Mike Paxtonisms – a fellow runner – that he is so prone to intone. If Mike should ever obtain the recognition due to him and that he so richly deserves, this is one that he will be remembered by:

“I am not saying he is a slow runner, but the organisers know the race is over when he finishes”

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His Master’s Voice: The SABC Betrayed

By Dean McCleland in Current Affairs, Opinion Pieces 0 Comment

The decision at a meeting of the ANC’s Party Communicators late last week that the SABC’s journalists should be “forced” to give President Jacob Zuma “even more love” on the broadcaster’s channels, is merely a long line in the political interference in the editorial policies of the delinquent and dysfunctional institution.

Before 1994 and the dawn of democracy, the SABC was rightfully regarded as the propaganda arm of the Nationalist Party. Under the tutelage and control of the NP, it was disingenuously called the SABC instead of the Nationalist Party Broadcasting Corporation [NPBC] as that would have been too blatant. Instead the SABC was packed with NP lackeys. The top echelons and their corner offices being reserved for the crème-de-la-crème, the Broederbond.

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What are you trying to do to me?

By Dean McCleland in Animals 0 Comment

Animals can be as expressive as humans. It is this attribute which endears them to us humans and ensures that we adopt them and pamper them. In this series of photographs, their human owners or companions are attempting acts as banal as attempting to wash them or take them to the vet.

In no uncertain manner do they demonstrate their displeasure at such a sadistic activity.

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My Unintended Journey from Communist to Racist

By Dean McCleland in Current Affairs 0 Comment

The abhorrent South African tradition of denigrating one’s political opponents by mis-labelling them continues unabated under the ANC. Instead of being castigated as being Communists, white opponents of the ANC are now being labelled as racists and black opponents as white apologists.

The first time that I became aware that I might have Communist proclivities was in the Army at 3 SAI Oudshoorn.  Continue reading

More Remarkable Playmates

By Dean McCleland in Animals, Nature & Animals 0 Comment

Yesterday’s blog showcased three separate stories on unusual animal friendships or playmates. Here is another. In this case it is between an elephant and a dog.

Barak, a Basenji dog – a breed from Central Africa, owned by a game ranger in the Kruger National Park, clearly has eyes for this elephant. In order to communicate better with the dog, the elephant reciprocates and gets down to the dog’s level.

This incident occurred in 2014 at the home of Louis Olivier who lives at Skukuza, the main camp in the Kruger Park.

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