The Casual Observer

My Mid-Life Crisis: How did I attempt to regain my lost youth?

By Dean McCleland in Personal, Running 2 May 2014 0 Comment

What did it take me to get over my mid-life crisis in my early forties?

Maybe the whole world was not aware that I was having a mid-life crisis but I certainly did. I was forced to confront the fact whether life was slipping me by when I received an invitation to the 25th Reunion of the 1971 Matrics of the Alexander Road High School in Port Elizabeth.

Up until that point I would have rated my Personal Satisfaction Index as fair to good. I would never have rated it is as excellent because intrinsically I realised that I could have done better. That feeling was certainly more visceral than intellectual. But now I was forced to confront the issue from a practical point of view rather than in some indecisive way.

Review of the Movie – The Kingdom – on Blu-ray

By Dean McCleland in Movies & DVDs, Reviews 2 May 2014 0 Comment

Summation: Action packed movie with religious and political undertones

Rating: 3 out of 5

Being set in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, one would expect that there would be a clash of cultures as well as religion. Being the heart of Wahhabi territory, one can imagine that religious fanaticism would be a factor and so it proves to be.

A cabal, a terrorist cell, attacks an American compound where foreigners are forced to live in order to avoid contact with Saudis as much as possible. During the middle of a baseball game, they strike, killing 100 American citizens.

The Saudis are intent on identifying the perpetrators for the simple reason that they are fellow Saudis. As the Wahhabi’s despise the West and believe that by even being present on holy Muslim soil, is heresy, they target both the Americans & the Saudis for allowing the American in Saudi Arabia.

People causing Stress in one’s Life: Do we really need them?

By Dean McCleland in Current Affairs, Opinion Pieces 2 May 2014 0 Comment

A Personal View – May 2014

Some 26 years ago, I consciously and intentionally enacted a firm rule in the Quo Vadis Hiking Club. As I regarded the hike as a holiday, I did not need a person in the Club who was always argumentative, negative or made it unpleasant in some way for the rest of the members. In life, we all have to deal with the nit-pickers, the arguers and the narcissists, but not while I was on vacation.

Executive Pay: The Dirty Secret is Finally Exposed

By Dean McCleland in Current Affairs, Opinion Pieces 1 May 2014 6 Comments

A Personal View – May 2014

Warren Buffet must handily be the most well respected investor in the world. His astute investments over a lifetime have proved to be unrivalled in comparison with other investors. The homilies that he relates at the Berkshire Hathaway AGMs in Omaha, Nebraska are legendary. Berkshire Hathaway averaged an annual growth in book value of 19.7% to its shareholders for the last 48 years (compared to 9.4% from S&P 500 with dividends included for the same period), while employing large amounts of capital, and minimal debt.

The Narvik Landings Fiasco: In its wake why was its progenitor Churchill appointed as Prime Minister

By Dean McCleland in History, Military History 1 May 2014 0 Comment

A Personal View – April 2014

The Parliamentary Session in the British House of Commons on the 9^th May 1940 was acrimonious. The emergency debate revolved around the catastrophe in Norway.

This campaign had been Churchill’s brainchild as the First Lord of the Admiralty. As Churchill rose to speak, he instinctively knew that this speech would probably be the most important speech in his entire political career. At 64 years of age, his life-long ambition of holding high political office could possibly remain a pipe-dream.

Main picture: Untrained British forces landing at Narvik, Norway

Social Media: Is there Life after Death?

By Dean McCleland in Other Opinion Pieces, Religion 30 April 2014 0 Comment

A Personal View – April 2014

Last Sunday’s 21km Race run in the Kromdraai / Muldersdrift Area was appropriately called The Cradle of Mankind. It is an amazing run; out of the hustle & bustle of Joburg with game farms dotted about. It is also a haven for cyclists as there are wide shoulders to accommodate two abreast.

The course is very undulating but not very steep apart from the start at Kloofzicht, a cosy lodge and spa with dams and streams. Being decidedly slower nowadays and a backmarker to boot – I refuse to be called tail-end Charlie in case somebody confuses it with a sexual activity – I was forced to admire the scenery as I did not have any of my usual running mates such as Myer to accompany me on the journey.

Ashley Wood – In Memoriam

By Dean McCleland in Personal, Running 30 April 2014 4 Comments

The Meeting

Like plenty of other great people in my life, I met Ashley Wood on a run. It was a half-marathon in Hammanskraal. Through dusty streets & past ramshackle shacks we scurried. I tried my level best to catch a runner in the pink vest in front of me but he would not slacken his pace. His speed never varied as he strided effortlessly in front of me with his long legs. Then at the 15km mark, his pace slackened off for the first time. Now was my opportunity. I kept on pushing until I drew level with him and then slowed to his pace.

Elizabeth – the Movie

By Dean McCleland in Movies & DVDs 29 April 2014 0 Comment

Summation: Lush production highlighting the intrigue, politics and religious conflict during this era

Rating: 5 out of 5

This was certainly not a carefree period for a monarch to reign in England let alone a woman. By breaking with the Catholic Church when the Pope would not grant him a divorce, King Henry VIII had formed the Church of England. This had caused a rift with the Catholic Church. Queen Mary 1, Elizabeth’s half-sister was fiercely Catholic whereas Elizabeth was just as committed religiously but as a Protestant. As such Mary despised Elizabeth and attempted to convert her to Catholicism. Mary’s advisors, chiefly the Duke of Norfolk, attempted to have Elizabeth executed for treason. Mary agreed to her being send to the Tower but relented and instead put her under house arrest. Before she can again be convinced to execute her, Queen Mary 1 dies of ovarian cancer.

The Internet & Blogs: How Accurate, Reliable & Trustworthy are they?

By Dean McCleland in Opinion Pieces 28 April 2014 0 Comment

A Personal View – April 2014

Supposedly the internet has liberated mankind. It has allowed the dissemination of information and bypassed censorship imposed by the authorities. The posting of video clips exposing nefarious practices & indiscretions has become legendary.

What did it replace? As a medium of communication, the newspaper, had numerous failings, foremost amongst them were lack of immediacy and depth. What it had in its favour was well researched facts. This focus on accuracy was driven by necessity. It was liable to be sued for libel if it got its facts wrong.

How does the internet compare against the traditional information providers?

Hitler: Was he complicit in the death of his half-niece Geli Raubal?

By Dean McCleland in History, Military History 28 April 2014 0 Comment

A Personal View – April 2014

Hitler was unable to form normal relationships with other people. During WW1 he rarely if ever fraternised with his fellow soldiers but studiously avoided them. Bravery he had in abundance which is attested by the fact that he was awarded the Iron Cross not once but twice; one was First Class while the other was Second Class.

Fellow soldiers describe him as a loner. He was considered for promotion but it was declined on the basis of his anti-social tendencies.

Main picture: Hitler with his niece Geli Raubal