On a personal note or two

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I am in the process of researching a couple of blogs I have in mind. And also having fun with a little contest that I am running. As a result, I am sort of in between and dangling a little bit. Thus I am going to use this opportunity to share a thing or two that is filling my life right now. You may find it mundane, although I hope not.

Waterless

I live in Johannesburg, South Africa and I am a city boy. My childhood was spent in Durban and most of my adult life in Johannesburg. There are things that I am very used to. When I flick a switch the light comes on. When I open a tap water comes out.

Once or twice a year for the past fifteen years I get to go to a very rural area of Zambia. Most of the area is a game park and the people there live the same way they lived a 100 years ago. We camp in tents and have to dig toilets, collect water from the river and build showers. We work with the people there in all kinds of great projects and that is why I go. Some of my teammates go because they love the camping. They love that they have to work to get water or a shower. I prefer the city life. The electricity, the malls, the roads, even the traffic.

Then two days ago a part of our area's electrical infrastructure burned to the ground. It directly affected our city's ability to pump water into water towers all over our area. Suddenly the taps in my home, at my office and all around me were dry.

I'm not writing this to lament my terrible circumstances. It was 3 days and definitely not the end of the world. It is merely to make this point. After years of city life and convenience, not thinking about things like water in a tap, I am so very grateful to have this convenience again.

My children have taken to announcing that they are going to the toilet by high-fiving one another and stating with joy, 'I'm going to flush!'

Sometimes you have to lose something to appreciate it.

High School Reunion

This Saturday I will be attending a small, impromptu reunion of some of my high school friends. Some of them I have not seen in 30 years! I am very excited and seem to think back on childhood memories more often as my anticipation grows.

If we stick to our pattern, this may be the last time in our lifetimes that some of us meet. This is not terribly upsetting since I did not see them for 30 years and that was OK. But I think while in school this thought would have been very upsetting. Back then these guys filled my days and my thoughts. They were my world.

I hope that the hours we spend together on Saturday will add to many great memories of 12 formative years shared and now remembered with joy.

It feels awkward sharing such random thoughts with you. Hope you do not mind too much...

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