Cape Town > South Africa > Africa > Earth

#FF: Curated Favourites: June 2011, Part 2

noreply@blogger.com (Mandy J Watson) — Fri, 01 Jul 2011 18:54:00 +0000

During the second half of June: ICANN announced the creation of generic top-level domain names, @NonhleThema had some sort of fake meltdown but there was nothing worth favouriting, Independent columnist Johann Hari's admission that he sometimes inserted interviewee's written quotes into his interviews and passed them off as verbal quotes was transformed into a meme, @Jan_v_Riebeeck finally landed on Twitter*, David Pogue got himself into trouble... again, and Vodacom died a horrible (temporary) death at the most inopportune moment.

Restaurants: 97% of visitors to your website just want the address and phone no, not a Flash animation of a bloody artichoke.Thu Jun 16 11:26:56 +0000 2011 via TweetDeck Favorite Retweet Replymade-up stats
madeupstats

I think it's adorable that hotels give you envelopes and letterhead. "Dear Jane. I'm sending you a letter...FROM A HOTEL. Don't write back."Fri Jun 17 16:18:15 +0000 2011 via web Favorite Retweet ReplyDavid Malki !
malki

Dyslexic epistemologists want to know why it's Causal Friday.Fri Jun 17 17:50:10 +0000 2011 via Twitter for iPhone Favorite Retweet ReplyArch Stanton
toldorknown

No disrespect to hip-hop culture.

But, do you REALLY want to remember your 20s as "that dark decade when I had to manually hold my pants?"Sun Jun 19 22:55:59 +0000 2011 via Birdhouse Favorite Retweet ReplyMerlin Mann
hotdogsladies

ICANN has .cheezburger ? #protololMon Jun 20 12:28:41 +0000 2011 via TweetDeck Favorite Retweet ReplyChristian Heilmann
codepo8

I wonder where they make all those little stickers that say "MADE IN CHINA".Wed Jun 22 06:23:13 +0000 2011 via web Favorite Retweet ReplyJane Wiedlin
janewiedlin

"Tonight's forecast: Dark. Continued dark throughout most of the evening, with some widely scattered light towards morning." #CarlinQuotesWed Jun 22 17:24:19 +0000 2011 via TweetDeck Favorite Retweet Replykelly_carlin
kelly_carlin

Today i fell in love with a lifeguard. Wearing red board shorts. On Santa Monica beach in LA. I am such a cliche.Fri Jun 24 04:01:40 +0000 2011 via web Favorite Retweet ReplyCathy
COSMOcathy

No #London2012 tickets left for events taking place in the Olympic Park. Of course, it took me 22 pages of scrolling to discover this.Fri Jun 24 07:07:23 +0000 2011 via web Favorite Retweet ReplyMeg Pickard
megpickard

I like to end all my phone calls with "Ok, I'll see you later on at the party!" and then quickly hang up. Let them figure it out.Tue Jun 28 02:14:11 +0000 2011 via TweetCaster for Android Favorite Retweet ReplyTyler
BeerBatterBeard

I walked into the room and there he was. Lionel. "Hello," he said, shaking my hand "Is it me you're looking for?" #interviewsbyhariTue Jun 28 11:40:04 +0000 2011 via web Favorite Retweet ReplySam Wilson
MrSamWilson

"I think we're alone now," Tiffany sighed at me as we stood on the desert island, "there doesn't seem to be anyone around" #interviewsbyhariTue Jun 28 11:58:16 +0000 2011 via web Favorite Retweet ReplyMeg Pickard
megpickard

Something outside scared Freddie. Nervously glancing out of the window, he shrieked "I see a little silhouette of a man" #interviewswithhariTue Jun 28 12:39:28 +0000 2011 via web Favorite Retweet ReplySam Wilson
MrSamWilson

"You may say I'm a dreamer," said John Lennon, looking up at me fm his white piano. "But I'm not the only one." #interviewsbyhariTue Jun 28 20:22:15 +0000 2011 via TweetDeck Favorite Retweet ReplyToby Harnden
tobyharnden

If you work at Nintendo, I think a creative way to ask for a raise is to jump on your boss's head three consecutive times.Wed Jun 29 03:10:50 +0000 2011 via web Favorite Retweet ReplyJulieanne Smolinski
BoobsRadley

Bloody raining! I could have got a cool gig colonising the bahama's - but no, Africa. #CompanypoloticsWed Jun 29 06:46:32 +0000 2011 via Twitter for BlackBerry® Favorite Retweet ReplyJan van Riebeeck
Jan_v_Riebeeck

@feliciaday I do not know why you was autcorrected to upu. Or what an upu is.Wed Jun 29 07:02:06 +0000 2011 via Twitter for Android Favorite Retweet ReplyNeil Gaiman
neilhimself

BUS GAME: Strip naked behind a seat. As people get on, jump out, say you're from the future and that they need to get off the bus RIGHT NOW!Wed Jun 29 16:25:13 +0000 2011 via TweetList Pro Favorite Retweet ReplyGareth Aveyard
GarethAveyard

Last minute panic! We couldn't find Wills' passport anywhere! Luckily his Gran gave us a note telling Canada to let him in! #royaltourWed Jun 29 17:33:32 +0000 2011 via web Favorite Retweet ReplyNot Kate Middleton
HRHPrincessKate

Sunspots, Chuck Norris, aliens & agents with tendencies. We’re investigating all of them. Rough day which shouldn’t have happened.ApologiesThu Jun 30 16:28:07 +0000 2011 via HootSuite Favorite Retweet ReplyVodacom
Vodacom

I'm old enough to remember when David Pogue would read the WHOLE press release before misunderstanding it.Thu Jun 30 20:38:46 +0000 2011 via web Favorite Retweet ReplyMerlin Mann
hotdogsladies

*Ok, technically that happened on 14 June but no one noticed until he started up his ox wagon.

Previous Posts:
June 2011, Part 1, May 2011, Part 2, May 2011, Part 1

#FF: Curated Favourites: June 2011, Part 1

noreply@blogger.com (Mandy J Watson) — Fri, 17 Jun 2011 16:27:00 +0000

In the first half of June: winter hit South Africa (and the UK couldn't get rid of it), Londoners amused themselves with #londonliesfortourists, the Rapture and the Microsoft acquisition of Skype continued to generate witticisms, and half the world got to watch a central lunar eclipse.

Just finished recording new song called Tricks and it sounds cool!! As soon as I put some Celine Dion pan flute on there it'll be perfect.Tue May 31 22:36:46 +0000 2011 via Twitter for iPhone Favorite Retweet ReplyMissy Higgins
missyhiggins

It is very cold. I am warming my bed with a laptop charger. Surprisingly effective. I have a fever. Doctor Who keeps telling me I'm not realTue May 31 22:50:19 +0000 2011 via web Favorite Retweet Replymatthew du plessis
mattduplessis

Stuck in my first infinite loop: two Canadians saying sorry to one another.Fri Jun 03 04:58:55 +0000 2011 via Twitter for iPhone Favorite Retweet ReplyFrank Chimero
fchimero

Zen: .Fri Jun 03 08:58:59 +0000 2011 via TweetDeck Favorite Retweet ReplySam Wilson
GenreStories

Doctor Death has died. Asked for his reaction, Doctor Doom said "It was bound to happen." Dr No refused to comment.Fri Jun 03 15:38:15 +0000 2011 via TweetDeck Favorite Retweet Replypaul bassett davies
thewritertype

By the time Palin’s campaign is over Paul Revere will be firing AK-47s and setting bear traps.Fri Jun 03 22:32:26 +0000 2011 via web Favorite Retweet ReplyMike Monteiro
Mike_FTW

The Ryan Air experience is much like the hooker one. Budget and overrated. Then you're landed with a large bill...and possibly a disease.Sat Jun 04 10:34:18 +0000 2011 via web Favorite Retweet ReplyTake a wild guess.
Anildaaa

“WebMD is like a Choose Your Own Adventure book where the ending is always cancer” – @kellyoxford http://owl.li/5at83 via @twaggiesSun Jun 05 18:13:19 +0000 2011 via HootSuite Favorite Retweet ReplyLaughing Squid
laughingsquid

@wilw In golf, which is better, a -1 magic driver or a +1 magic driver? (This tweet is at ±3 to blow your mind.)Sun Jun 05 22:05:29 +0000 2011 via web Favorite Retweet ReplyMiranda
mandydax

Most TV ads: men are dumb, women are annoying, you're stupid & that's great, eat this fatty, America!, 4-hr erections, you're so alone.Mon Jun 06 03:01:26 +0000 2011 via Twitter for iPad Favorite Retweet ReplyJason Kottke
jkottke

War: The recruit sat in a circle of candles. The others got scared. "Satanist!" said the major. "No Sir! Scared of spiders, sir!"Mon Jun 06 07:08:00 +0000 2011 via TweetDeck Favorite Retweet ReplySam Wilson
GenreStories

Leaked Apple memo suggests that Steve Jobs’ keynote will conclude with the Rapture.Mon Jun 06 13:22:29 +0000 2011 via Tweetbot for iPhone Favorite Retweet ReplyI Love Typography
ilovetypography

Skype down...maybe they're updating it to Skype Plus Home Users Basic Advanced Edition, Service Pack 4Tue Jun 07 11:12:34 +0000 2011 via web Favorite Retweet ReplyBen Hamey
Hamey

95% of what's perceived to be sunlight actually comes from Boris Johnson's hair. #londonliesfortouristsTue Jun 07 18:31:30 +0000 2011 via web Favorite Retweet ReplyTake a wild guess.
Anildaaa

#londonliesfortourists running head first into the wall between platforms 9 & 10 will get you to HogwartsTue Jun 07 19:06:54 +0000 2011 via web Favorite Retweet ReplyDumble-fucking-dore
Evil_Dumbledore

People residing in South London have to pay a special 'aesthetic' tax as they enjoy a lovely view of North London #londonliesfortouristsWed Jun 08 08:55:10 +0000 2011 via web Favorite Retweet ReplyLucy Lyons
LucyLyons

A warm welcome to London! #londonliesfortouristsWed Jun 08 09:02:16 +0000 2011 via web Favorite Retweet ReplyMatthew Checketts
mpchecketts

#londonliesfortourists The so-called Gherkin was originally going to be inside a 3 million sq. m glass arcology project called The Jar.Wed Jun 08 09:04:52 +0000 2011 via web Favorite Retweet ReplyChris Hall
cshallwriter

#londonliesfortourists on the 3rd Friday of the month, every month you can see the Queen walking her Corgies in Hyde Park at 10am.Wed Jun 08 09:05:43 +0000 2011 via web Favorite Retweet ReplyAndrew Adley
Adley1

INSTALLING SUMMER.. ███████████████░░░░░░░░░░░░░░ 44% DONE
Installation failed. Please try again. 404 error: Season not found.Thu Jun 09 19:07:11 +0000 2011 via TweetDeck Favorite Retweet ReplyMatt Ogier-Russell
amuseboucheUK

Mum just tried to give me 'The talk' before writing the chapter. Hello mum I'm 19, I do actually know what 'bukkake' is.Tue Jun 14 13:27:49 +0000 2011 via web Favorite Retweet ReplyLily Herne
herne13

I think Eskom is switching the moon off now for load shedding. #EclipseWed Jun 15 18:40:17 +0000 2011 via Twitter for BlackBerry® Favorite Retweet ReplySheryl Goldstuck
buzbzz

The Green Lantern is susceptible to yellow. It used to be wood.
So a yellow boat.
You could defeat the Green Lantern with a big yellow boat.Wed Jun 15 21:43:42 +0000 2011 via Twitter for Mac Favorite Retweet ReplyRyan
secretsquirrel

Previous Posts:
201105B, 201105A

#FF: Curated Favourites: May 2011, Part 2

noreply@blogger.com (Mandy J Watson) — Fri, 03 Jun 2011 09:38:00 +0000

(Why am I do this? Read this.)

During the second half of May: South Africans held municipal elections, the Rapture didn't happen (again), it was finally confirmed that South African photographer Anton Hammerl had been killed in Libya, and a 500-foot Bin Laden emerged from the sea near New York to terrorise the people of the US (and some Canadians).

Currently watching 2 indie singers have a sensitive whisper battle. It's really--oops. My typing is drowning them outTue May 17 02:33:28 +0000 2011 via web Favorite Retweet ReplySteve Bialik
stevapalooza

In my defense, it's exactly the kind of weird shit South African politicians do.Tue May 17 09:58:21 +0000 2011 via TweetDeck Favorite Retweet ReplyLauren Beukes
laurenbeukes

Dear political party,u tweeted me, smsed me,emailed & visited me. U said u loved me, needed me. When will I see u again after today?Wed May 18 10:25:36 +0000 2011 via Twitter for BlackBerry® Favorite Retweet ReplyLorenzo Davids
UrbanLo

Pretty happy. Perfect 300 at the bowling alley last night. Still don't know why they have a scale there.Wed May 18 15:15:42 +0000 2011 via HootSuite Favorite Retweet ReplyHomer J. Simpson
HomerJSimpson

I want to know what's beyond service delivery? Service delivery is meaningless if you have no psychosocial plans for aggrieved recipientsWed May 18 16:09:24 +0000 2011 via web Favorite Retweet ReplyUnathi Kondile
UnathiKondile

I'll make you a deal: if you're wrong on the Rapture, we get gay marriage.Thu May 19 11:56:13 +0000 2011 via Twitter for iPhone Favorite Retweet ReplyEric Morse
elmorse

The death of #AntonHammerl highlights the plight of freelances, who take risks - financial & physical - but must fight for fair payFri May 20 07:37:04 +0000 2011 via UberSocial Favorite Retweet ReplyRaymond Joseph
rayjoe

I bet the dinosaurs all died out in the velocirapture.Sat May 21 05:10:33 +0000 2011 via web Favorite Retweet ReplyJacktion!
Jacktion

I just stepped on a Lego piece in bare feet and accidentally won a krumping contest.Sat May 21 06:30:39 +0000 2011 via web Favorite Retweet ReplyMr. Won't
Brain_Wash

I think we should all pretend the #rapture is happening so that when Harold Camping gets left behind later today he'll be lividSat May 21 07:08:39 +0000 2011 via TweetDeck Favorite Retweet ReplyBrian Cox
ProfBrianCox

Turns out, you can make a random observation sound insightful by preceding it with, "Turns out."Sun May 22 19:55:36 +0000 2011 via web Favorite Retweet ReplyMerlin Mann
hotdogsladies

Did you know that an anagram of "Osama bin Laden" is "Obama with some letters left over"?Sun May 22 20:15:18 +0000 2011 via web Favorite Retweet ReplyAbby Spice
clapifyoulikeme

An ad for a penis pump, targeted at distinguished seniors, ran during Leonard Maltin. I guess I'm not quite ready for Leonard Maltin.Mon May 23 06:55:44 +0000 2011 via web Favorite Retweet ReplySeoulBrother
SeoulBrother

Crisis Of Faith: Dress for the job you want, not the job you have, they told him. But the scuba tank kept knocking over the communion wine.Wed May 25 10:15:47 +0000 2011 via TweetDeck Favorite Retweet ReplySam Wilson
GenreStories

"Forward!" he cried, from the rear ... and the front rank died.Wed May 25 18:54:05 +0000 2011 via web Favorite Retweet ReplyWil Wheaton
wilw

Interactive Feature: Trace Bin Laden's Path Of Destruction http://onion.com/iD61nt #500FootBinLadenWed May 25 19:30:05 +0000 2011 via HootSuite Favorite Retweet ReplyThe Onion
TheOnion

My thoughts go out to the families of those who have been crushed by the #500FootBinLaden. If you have footage of their deaths, let me know.Wed May 25 19:30:19 +0000 2011 via web Favorite Retweet ReplyBrooke Alvarez
BrookeAlvarez

Angry typist! At the coffee shop! Typing Angrily! For She Is Angry Typist!Thu May 26 14:17:02 +0000 2011 via Twitter for Mac Favorite Retweet ReplyRyan
secretsquirrel

Is it really necessary to write, "barely used" in your Bow-flex Craigslist ad?Sat May 28 16:40:08 +0000 2011 via Twitter for iPhone Favorite Retweet ReplyCache N. Hand
GreenLikeCash

1) Watch woman fall off treadmill.

2) Start to tweet about it.

3) Fall off treadmill.

4) Tweet from locker room in harrowing shame.Sat May 28 16:52:54 +0000 2011 via web Favorite Retweet ReplyErin
PortlandiaGirl

europe : currently debating internet freedom; south africa : currently 'debating' media freedomMon May 30 08:58:57 +0000 2011 via web Favorite Retweet Replyheidi inge
iheidi

Are you a thought leader? Fill out this form with your mind and submit it to google.com/jobs

[__________________]

We'll get right on that.Tue May 31 19:59:51 +0000 2011 via web Favorite Retweet ReplyMark Pilgrim
diveintomark

Oh and I know 'smoking fags' means assassinating people in same sex relationships in the US but I am British and this is a global village.Tue May 31 21:17:46 +0000 2011 via TweetDeck Favorite Retweet ReplySimon Pegg
simonpegg

#FF: Curated Favourites: May 2011, Part 1

noreply@blogger.com (Mandy J Watson) — Fri, 20 May 2011 11:01:00 +0000

Earlier this week during a conversation @alisonwestwood expressed enthusiasm regarding my Twitter favourites, which is (mostly) a curated collection of my favourite humorous, pithy, witty, sweet, cute, thought-provoking, and artistic tweets. When I'm having a bad day I often dip into it as I find it to be an instant mood lifter.

Twitter being what it is, much of this just vanishes into the stream history, so I'm going to start posting a curated selection on my blog twice a month, if I have enough, to give them a bit more permanence.

To begin, here's my selection from the first half of May.

Please note: The Twitter art can display incorrectly depending on browser and font so click through to see the original tweet if necessary.

Walked past the bar on my way to bed. I think the Eurotechno I heard was going ööntz ööntz ööntz, instead of the usual oontz oontz oontz.Sun May 01 21:08:04 +0000 2011 via web Favorite Retweet ReplyWil Wheaton
wilw

Prediction: Gitmo stays open, Patriot Act still strong, Whistleblowers still punished, more carnage and waste in Iraq, Afghanistan.Mon May 02 03:44:45 +0000 2011 via Tweetie for Mac Favorite Retweet ReplyXeni Jardin
xenijardin

Wishful thinkin rt @WouterLombard: Bin Laden dead! Does this mean i can travel with my creams, liquids & eau de toilette in my handluggage?!Mon May 02 06:20:02 +0000 2011 via Twitter for BlackBerry® Favorite Retweet ReplyTalya Goldberg
TalyaGoldberg

Speculative: To end racism, we found new ways to define ourselves. But a new power elite rose. Fucking Sagittarians.Tue May 03 08:34:28 +0000 2011 via TweetDeck Favorite Retweet ReplySam Wilson
GenreStories

My mother called to tell me she knew a girl that would date me, then we laughed SO uncontrollably hard that I had to remove my C-3PO mask.Tue May 03 15:16:31 +0000 2011 via web Favorite Retweet Replymatt
matttuff

@mandyjwatson Why Mandy? Why?Wed May 04 10:39:37 +0000 2011 via web in reply to mandyjwatson Favorite Retweet ReplySA Partridge
Sapartridge

#TWITTERART ╱╱╱╱╱╱╱╱
╱╱╭━━━━┳━━┳━━╮╱╱
╱╱┃━┳┓┏┫╭╮┃┏╮┃╱╱
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┣┳┳┳╋╋┻┻╋┻┻┫┣━━┫
┃┃┃┃┃┃╭╮┃┏╮┃┃━┳┛
┃╰╯╰╯┃┏┓┃┏╮┗┻━┃╱
╰━━━━┻┛┗┻┛╰━━━╯╱Wed May 04 14:34:35 +0000 2011 via web Favorite Retweet Reply▜▘▙▙▟▋▜▜▘▉▛▘ ▛▜.▛▝▛
tw1tt3rart

Celebs, politicians & fat cats get idolized. This must change RT @kenyanpundit: What can we do to nurture the creative class in Africa?Thu May 05 12:55:08 +0000 2011 via TweetDeck Favorite Retweet Replysiener
siener

I don't care if it makes my screenplay confusing, it is vital to my vision that the lead character be called INT. DAY. ESTABLISHING SHOT.Fri May 06 16:39:12 +0000 2011 via Birdhouse Favorite Retweet ReplyAvery Edison
aedison

#TWITTERART ┈┈┈┈┈┈┈
┈┏━╮┈╭━┓┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈
┈╰╭╮╭╮╭╯▔▔▔▔▔▔╲╭╮
╭━╯▍┊▍┊┊┊┊┊┊┊┊▕╋╮
┃▎▎┊┳┊┊┊┊┊┊┊┊┊▕╰╯
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╳╳╳╳┗╯╳┗╯╳┗╯╳┗╯Fri May 06 21:24:08 +0000 2011 via web Favorite Retweet ReplyGregory Wadsworth
aggregart

Announcement: "Skype to be renamed Microsoft Windows Live Hotmail MSN Video Chat Bing"Tue May 10 06:40:29 +0000 2011 via Twitter for iPhone Favorite Retweet ReplyJonathan Abrams
abrams

I'd just like to thank @halvorson and the Brain Traffic team for arranging a tornado warning so that we could tour the fire station.#confabWed May 11 02:54:26 +0000 2011 via Seesmic for Android Favorite Retweet ReplyKerry-Anne Gilowey
kerry_anne

I turned my iPhone onto "Airplane mode" and threw it up into the air. Worst. Transformer. EverWed May 11 13:57:07 +0000 2011 via TweetDeck Favorite Retweet ReplyKyle Judah
KyleJudah

CITING MODESTY CONCERNS, HIPSTER WEBSITE REMOVES “SEXUALLY SUGGESTIVE” MALE IMAGES FROM SIT ROOM PHOTO http://is.gd/tk5X6QWed May 11 18:57:14 +0000 2011 via Tweetie for Mac Favorite Retweet ReplyBen Smith
benpolitico

CT tech elite gather at #netprophet and all they can tweet about is the t-shirt cannon. #fail ?Thu May 12 09:20:44 +0000 2011 via web Favorite Retweet ReplyAnya Klaassen
AnyaFK

Maybe he's born with it. Maybe it's Suave Young Gentleman From Milan™.Thu May 12 12:00:03 +0000 2011 via Mobile Web Favorite Retweet ReplyRyan
secretsquirrel

Reading O: The Oprah Magazine and with features like "The O List" & "The O Food" you'd think the beauty section would be called "The O Face"Thu May 12 13:18:39 +0000 2011 via Twitter for iPhone Favorite Retweet ReplyJelisa Castrodale
gordonshumway

"I'm at my unhappiest when I'm not writing, but I hate writing." To paraphrase @laurenbeukesFri May 13 09:24:40 +0000 2011 via TweetDeck Favorite Retweet ReplyKhaya Dlanga
khayadlanga

*Oprah voice* You get a retweet! You get a retweet! You get a retweet! Everybody gets a retweeeeeeeeet!Fri May 13 10:23:06 +0000 2011 via ÜberSocial Favorite Retweet ReplyKhaya Dlanga
khayadlanga

Unfortunate how the lampposts above Pres Zuma's poster look like giant shower headsSat May 14 12:14:56 +0000 2011 via Twitter for BlackBerry® Favorite Retweet ReplyMarianneThamm
MarianneThamm

Social Media, Democracy, And The DA

noreply@blogger.com (Mandy J Watson) — Thu, 19 May 2011 08:18:00 +0000

Yesterday, a few hours after I had voted, the DA phoned me at home to try and canvas a vote by "reminding me to vote". I don't like it when financial institutions obtain my private information and cold call me, I don't like it when marketing agents obtain my private information and cold call me, and I don't like it when political parties obtain my private information and cold call me [or, for some people, send them SMSs]. Two of the three can definitely be told to stop or face legal recourse, yet somehow political parties are allowed to obtain personal information of registered voters and contact them.

I was incensed, primarily because of this but also because I live in a DA stronghold and it's just wasting money that could be used for a more important fight (after all the DA has been trumpeting service delivery, and that requires money), so I tweeted about it with a direct mention of @helenzille.

Just had the DA phone me at home to remind me to go and vote. What the hell, @helenzille? Stop wasting money and invading my privacy.Wed May 18 13:07:10 +0000 2011 via web Favorite Retweet ReplyMandy J Watson
mandyjwatson

Her @mention stream was crazy yesterday, as you can imagine, but she somehow saw mine and immediately replied. I appreciate that, though I still don't agree with the practice. (Premier Zille, if you should ever read this, I told the caller to remove my name from your contact list. I hope that request will be honoured.)

@mandyjwatson we are getting out the vote. That is what we do on election day. HelenWed May 18 13:12:50 +0000 2011 via Twitter for BlackBerry® Favorite Retweet ReplyHelen Zille
helenzille

@helenzille Some of us don't like being badgered. Pamphlets in the letter box will be fine next time, thanks. (And I already voted.)Wed May 18 13:14:28 +0000 2011 via web Favorite Retweet ReplyMandy J Watson
mandyjwatson

Last year I mentioned [scroll down to "What Was Good"] the respect that I have for Helen Zille and her use and understanding of social media [I'm inserting an asterisk here for the tweet I point to in the final paragraph of this post], so it was good to see that my previous experience was not an isolated case.

My tweet resulted in unintended consequences that were quite educational. I got a few irked responses from DA supporters, some of whom don't seem to understand that we live in a democracy (for the moment), I have privacy rights, and I have a right to criticise politicians and political practices. One, my new friend @michaelvarikas, was especially vocal and inflammatory, ironically doing the DA a huge disservice in the process. (IMHO. His passion is misplaced. If I voted DA, he's just pushing me away. If I didn't vote DA, he's not going to convince me to switch sides by calling me an idiot and telling me that I "use this country for my benefit" (whatever that means - verbatim he said "U use this country for ur benefit.." so I may have misunderstood as I speak English).) The lesson here is that it takes all types. I think.

More interesting to me as a tech journalist is that these responses (and there were also retweets) are all @mentions that contribute to your Klout score... so I guess the social-media lesson is to bait a well-regarded politician on Twitter.

Here's most of what happened after my conversation with @helenzille (I left out a few isolated/one-off tweets from others at the end):

@mandyjwatson Shame poor you!! Why don't you shut up and stop complaining!! Be grateful!!Wed May 18 13:36:24 +0000 2011 via Twitter for BlackBerry® Favorite Retweet ReplyMV
michaelvarikas

@mandyjwatson don't be rude Mandy... At least they are doing something!!!!@helenzilleWed May 18 13:36:48 +0000 2011 via Twitter for BlackBerry® Favorite Retweet ReplyKhile Abelse
Khile01

@michaelvarikas Be grateful for what? My rights being eroded? Wake up.Wed May 18 13:47:55 +0000 2011 via web Favorite Retweet ReplyMandy J Watson
mandyjwatson

@Khile01 Wasting money is not doing something. And it's not necessary in my area, which will win the DA.Wed May 18 13:48:25 +0000 2011 via web Favorite Retweet ReplyMandy J Watson
mandyjwatson

Pro tip: How to increase your Klout score: say something mildly inflammatory to a politician and wait for the rabid masses to shout at you.Wed May 18 13:50:20 +0000 2011 via web Favorite Retweet ReplyMandy J Watson
mandyjwatson

(PS props to @helenzille who replied to me out of the massive noise in her stream. Though I still disapprove of being called at home.)Wed May 18 13:52:11 +0000 2011 via web Favorite Retweet ReplyMandy J Watson
mandyjwatson

@mandyjwatson I am very awake that's why I am telling you shut up!! Ur rights are eroded when u getting raped not when the DA calls u idiot!Wed May 18 13:53:11 +0000 2011 via Twitter for BlackBerry® Favorite Retweet ReplyMV
michaelvarikas

@michaelvarikas Well, I'm sure the DA loves having such a vocal special representative such as you on its team.Wed May 18 13:55:31 +0000 2011 via web Favorite Retweet ReplyMandy J Watson
mandyjwatson

@mandyjwatson You should feel special that u even get a phn call! U use this country for ur benefit.. Go complain somewhere else seriously!!Wed May 18 13:57:53 +0000 2011 via Twitter for BlackBerry® Favorite Retweet ReplyMV
michaelvarikas

@michaelvarikas Please keep going because you, your ignorance, and your illiteracy are making me laugh so hard I might have to publish this.Wed May 18 14:02:02 +0000 2011 via web Favorite Retweet ReplyMandy J Watson
mandyjwatson

@mandyjwatson @helenzille had the time to answer you within 60 seconds. Now that's Cape Town efficiency!Wed May 18 14:04:34 +0000 2011 via Twitter for iPhone Favorite Retweet ReplyLarry Simon
simlar1

@mandyjwatson ooohhh I'm so worried you a makeout mag publisher!! People are laughing at you right now for that stupid statement!Wed May 18 14:06:06 +0000 2011 via Twitter for BlackBerry® Favorite Retweet ReplyMV
michaelvarikas

@mandyjwatson no that was not for the DA that was from me to you!! I call out stupidity when I see it!!Wed May 18 14:08:12 +0000 2011 via Twitter for BlackBerry® Favorite Retweet ReplyMV
michaelvarikas

@mandyjwatson At least DA is not threatening the townships to take away there electricity if they don't vote ANC!!!Wed May 18 14:10:15 +0000 2011 via Twitter for BlackBerry® Favorite Retweet Reply✽JuanitaMulder✽
jmulder99

@mandyjwatson omg are you kidding?? Its election day.. Good on @helenzille and her team, be grateful that they care!! @CapeTalk567Wed May 18 14:26:31 +0000 2011 via Twitter for BlackBerry® Favorite Retweet ReplyLauren MK
LMKster

(Etc)

In case you're wondering:

Was I baiting @helenzille? No.

Was I baiting @michaelvarikas? Initially no but then he kept going....

I end with the following: in 2009, right after the general election, I arrived at the airport from Johannesburg at the same time as Helen Zille, who was on the verge of becoming premier of the Western Cape. I wrote about the experience in this blog post. And yes, two years later the DA has done a better job in the Western Cape than we've seen in years, but it can and should do better (...says idealistic me...), hence I think it is now appropriate to "quibble about issues", as I put it in my blog post. Right to privacy is one of the most important ones on my list and the DA's cold calling and the SMSs are an invasion of it, and its cavalier attitude about the numerous complaints is upsetting. Most people don't realise how fundamental privacy is to everything else. In our Big Brother society it is one of the hardest rights to retain and one of the first that is eroded. It is being chipped away at every opportunity, from many directions, some unscrupulous, others seemingly innocuous. When we lose it, we are all screwed. You can't get it back once it's gone.

Update:

Tail end of another long Twitter conversation generated due to this blog post:

@mandyjwatson you know what I am sorry if I offended you..Thu May 19 10:13:42 +0000 2011 via Twitter for BlackBerry® Favorite Retweet ReplyMV
michaelvarikas

@michaelvarikas And I apologise for baiting you. Friends?Thu May 19 10:16:23 +0000 2011 via web Favorite Retweet ReplyMandy J Watson
mandyjwatson

@mandyjwatson hahahaha friends for sure.. Have a great day.. ;-)less than a minute ago via Twitter for BlackBerry® Favorite Retweet ReplyMV
michaelvarikas

Truth and reconciliation in action.

Free Comic Book Day 2011: Cape Town

noreply@blogger.com (Mandy J Watson) — Mon, 09 May 2011 12:35:00 +0000

Another first Saturday in May, another worldwide Free Comic Book Day!

This year I once again attended the Reader's Den event at Stadium On Main in Claremont. The Wizards stores, which are across the way, also got in on the action and had comic sales and demoed card games.

Free Comic Book Day has been held since 2002 and Reader's Den has been involved since that first event, so this year Reader's Den celebrated 10 years of Free Comic Book Day participation with extra special prizes in its traditional 11am and 1pm prize givings, which offer people who buy merchandise and comics during the event a chance to win some really great prizes, including some comics and posters that were signed by the artists and creators, as well as some multi-comic gift packs and figurines.

As usual I didn't win but that's hardly the point - it's a yearly celebration of comic and geek culture and it's always lots of fun finding sale bargains and checking out the costumed characters who entertain the kids. Spider-man is a regular but this year he was also joined by Supergirl (no Superman this year) and Wonder Woman, who I'm sure sent many geeky hearts aflutter. Reader's Den also gave prizes to the fans who had arrived in costume, and there were some great creations this year, including Padmé Amidala, Princess Leia, and Captain America.

This year there was also a display of classic comics, going back to the 1940s, that were unlocked from the personal vault of the Reader's Den guys. The collection included an issue of Tales From The Crypt, some early Superman work, and a Spider-man movie tie-in comic that was signed by Stan Lee.

For my free comic I chose the Mouse Guard/Dark Crystal Flip Book (the preview has line art but the final product is in colour), though I was tempted to take the one with The Smurfs in it. The same free comics are made available to comic shops all over the world, so this is a great way to encourage comic culture, especially in cities where, unfortunately, the scene is rather small, as you don't feel as though you're some sort of backwater afterthought.

I had a great time, as usual, and I hope to see you guys all there next year. Diarise the date - 6 May 2012 - now!

Previously On Cape Town > South Africa > Africa > Earth:
Free Comic Book Day 2009: Cape Town
Free Comic Book Day 2007: Cape Town

#NationalOppositeDay: A Socially Conscious Meme

noreply@blogger.com (Mandy J Watson) — Fri, 22 Apr 2011 18:44:00 +0000

Earlier this week one of my friends mentioned the #NationalOppositeDay hashtag on Twitter so I searched for it as it wasn't in the trending topics and found a most curious underground meme building momentum. It was initiated by comedian Elon James White (@elonjames) and notable tweeters included a game designer, a couple of feminists, a couple of writers, and an information security professional.

Many of the tweets were hilarious. Within a few minutes I'd favourited half a dozen, viewed lots of profiles, and visited the web sites of Twitter users from all over the world to learn more about them.

This is a hashtag that is very unlikely to become a global trending topic because it involves social satire and marginalised groups, such as racial minorities, gay people, and women, so much of the majority is unlikely to find it in its timelines or consider it funny unless a celebrity of sufficient standing participates, at which point it may become overrun with idiots. (You know it's true.)

Therefore I've decided to preserve some of my favourites here before they drift backwards into the timeline void. If you enjoy them check out their authors or participate next time the hashtag gains momentum.

I don't have anything against straight people. I have a good friend who's straight! But they don't have to flaunt it. #NationalOppositeDayWed Apr 20 16:22:03 +0000 2011 via web Favorite Retweet Replycsween
csween

I don't think our audience would be able to empathise with a white male protagonist in our video game. #NationalOppositeDayWed Apr 20 17:02:21 +0000 2011 via web Favorite Retweet ReplyDeirdra Kiai
deirdrakiai

I kicked a dude in the bits but he wanted me to. I could tell because he dressed slutty. #NationalOppositeDayWed Apr 20 17:06:31 +0000 2011 via Twitter for iPhone Favorite Retweet ReplyNot long for Ma
shortformayhem

I just called tech support and they put some dumb BOY on the line, can you believe it? That's a woman's job, honey. #NationalOppositeDayWed Apr 20 17:18:07 +0000 2011 via web Favorite Retweet ReplyCassandra Lease
Themiscyra

My grandma used to tell me I would look so much more butch if I could just gain a little weight. #NationalOppositeDayWed Apr 20 17:20:12 +0000 2011 via web Favorite Retweet ReplySweet Machine
sweetmachineSP

I'm sick and tired of all these games where you have to rescue a prince. #NationalOppositeDayWed Apr 20 17:26:35 +0000 2011 via web Favorite Retweet ReplyDeirdra Kiai
deirdrakiai

I've been asked to plan safe space rooms for straight white men at SF cons. Any suggestions on what you'd like to see? #NationalOppositeDayWed Apr 20 17:28:22 +0000 2011 via web Favorite Retweet ReplyDan Holzman-Tweed
HolzmanTweed

"Oh, you're not interested in me because you're straight? Well, in that case, how about we have a threesome?" #NationalOppositeDayWed Apr 20 17:29:44 +0000 2011 via web Favorite Retweet ReplyMary Maxfield Brave
missmarymax

this white dude got so touchy when i asked him to riverdance at the employee picnic. what? dont they all do that? #nationaloppositedayWed Apr 20 20:17:02 +0000 2011 via TweetDeck Favorite Retweet Replydeluxvivens
deluxvivens

#NationalOppositeDay is totally helping me be productive...( #NationalOppositeDay) Wed Apr 20 17:57:01 +0000 2011 via Twitter for iPhone Favorite Retweet ReplyNot long for Ma
shortformayhem

Geek Girl Dinner Cape Town Launches

noreply@blogger.com (Mandy J Watson) — Thu, 27 Jan 2011 10:00:00 +0000

[ Flickr: View From The Ambassador Hotel, Bantry Bay, Cape Town ]

Above: The view from the top of the Ambassador Hotel in Bantry Bay. It has very little to do with this post but isn't it amazing? Look closely at the stacked decks of swimming pools.

On Tuesday I attended the Geek Girl Dinner Cape Town planning event, an informal get together organised by Mariska du Preez, which was held at Salt, a restaurant in the Ambassador Hotel in Bantry Bay (and which featured in a key scene in the movie Flashbacks Of A Fool, with Daniel Craig). We gathered to establish whether there would be interest in such events, who would like to be involved, and what we should do.

I went more out of curiosity, not only to experience this restaurant that I've heard so much about but because I have been attending the Cape Town GeekDinners for years and although I am generally not in favour of activities that centre around gender I was interested to see what the attendees would be thinking in terms of a Geek Girl Dinner, although I initially felt a fair amount of trepidation as large groups of women can be quite intimidating (to me, anyway).

I arrived early (I know!) by accident (there you go!) and parked on the roof, which is where the photo above came from. It was a beautiful day, late-afternoon muted light, hot weather with cool breeze....

What an amazing time it was. The group, of course, predominantly comprised women but a few brave men attended too (they are welcome by invitation of a member in order to prevent the ratio from flipping the wrong way). The atmosphere was so different, as was the tone of the conversations. I was quite fascinated. Around the tables there were the odd discussions that touched on fashion, there was a lot of business talk and even more introductory conversations as people got to know each other, and I caught the tail end of one about planning, organisation, and charting for project/schedule management that included mentions of stationery and all I could think was "that's so logical and I've never heard men speak like this ever!".

I also personally had an epic conversation about gaming (as one must).

I realised that most of my conversations about technology are with men, because most of my friends are men, and most of the tech journalists I know are also men. Yet here I was surrounded by accomplished women from all over the city (and surrounds) who speak my language and, surprisingly, while the content is the same, the presentation is a whole new world to me, but just as interesting.

I'm not sure what's up next - Mariska printed out forms, remembered pencils, and let us fill them up with comments at our leisure, which she will be collating - but I'm keen to see what happens.

Oh, and the service at Salt was excellent. We only had a light version of high tea so I don't know what's on the full menu and would probably balk at the prices (as I do) but it's been a long time since I've seen waiters manage a large group so well. They also fitted us in in between the lunch and dinner sittings (a pre-approved plan, of course) and were accommodating when we ran over time by about 45 minutes.

The view from inside the restaurant is also breathtaking.

(A side note - I tried a cappuccino (R16). It is well priced and was made properly, with good microfoam, simple latte art, and proper balance of espresso and milk. There was a very, very slight burnt taste to the coffee (almost unnoticeable) but on the whole it's one of the best I've had in years (/one of the few I've had in years that wasn't bad). Unfortunately I can't comment with more depth because I was engrossed in what was going on and wasn't paying attention to the drink. I will have to return... if nothing else that view requires a second look!)

Happy New Year

noreply@blogger.com (Mandy J Watson) — Fri, 31 Dec 2010 17:55:00 +0000

Among other things (...many other things...) I had intended to finish my #NaNoPoMo posts this week - I didn't quite manage to do it in November because I started running out of ideas due to the limitations of the set of words and each poem took, on average, an hour, and when you have end-of-year work breathing down your neck and constant drama in your email it becomes increasingly difficult to find the time until that one precious week in December when everyone goes away (virtually).

Unfortunately, it's turned out to be one of the worst weeks of the year, including, among other punches in the gut, the death of a friend, and those things always send me into quite the complicated contemplative spiral, which resulted in me completely losing interest in doing anything I'd planned to do. (It might also have been the relief at having one whole week of quiet, in which almost no one is making demands of me, so my natural inclination is to respond by doing nothing. And once you're stuck in inertia... well....)

So I will get back to everything, hopefully soon, but definitely eventually.

Meanwhile, happy new year! May the best of this year (and at least there were some highlights) be the worst of next year. Be safe.

#NaNoPoMo 23: Trapped

noreply@blogger.com (Mandy J Watson) — Tue, 23 Nov 2010 21:59:00 +0000

Another one that sat on the fridge for days because I had so many problems with it.

View the #NaNoPoMo Collection.

#NaNoPoMo 22: @vhata In Hospital: A Tragedy (In 5-7-5)

noreply@blogger.com (Mandy J Watson) — Mon, 22 Nov 2010 21:59:00 +0000

View the #NaNoPoMo Collection.

Context:

Hey, y'all, send beer and tasty treats to bed G13, Cape Town Mediclinic, Hof Street! (Disguise it as something healthy. Cod liver oil?)3:21 PM Nov 22nd via Twitter for iPhoneJonathan Hitchcock
vhata

#NaNoPoMo 21: Summer Nights

noreply@blogger.com (Mandy J Watson) — Sun, 21 Nov 2010 21:59:00 +0000

View the #NaNoPoMo Collection.

#NaNoPoMo 20: Water: A Senryū

noreply@blogger.com (Mandy J Watson) — Sat, 20 Nov 2010 21:59:00 +0000

I used nine new magnets in this one, which I think is a record. I've wanted to write a poem with "pool care" in it for weeks (the two magnets were next to each other on the sheet).

View the #NaNoPoMo Collection.

#NaNoPoMo 19: Perception Deception

noreply@blogger.com (Mandy J Watson) — Fri, 19 Nov 2010 19:39:00 +0000

This one has been sitting on the side of my fridge for about two weeks. I had the first two statements in place and I desperately wanted a word that would allow me to end it using a rhyme with "her" (I had a few options for the third statement that I could adapt as necessary). I left it and kept coming back to it hoping that there would be a word in the collection and I was just missing it (which has happened a few times before). Today I eventually decided to concede defeat and go in a different direction, otherwise it would be likely that this would remain on my fridge, unfinished, forever.

That would be sad.

Then I got stuck again trying to figure out what to title it.

#NaNoPoMo 18: Freedom

noreply@blogger.com (Mandy J Watson) — Thu, 18 Nov 2010 21:59:00 +0000

I used at least three new magnets in this one (soar, as, please).

#NaNoPoMo 17: Release

noreply@blogger.com (Mandy J Watson) — Wed, 17 Nov 2010 21:59:00 +0000

I struggled for over a day with the last line because I just didn't have the words I needed for what I wanted to do. I may have arranged as many as 10 different endings, trying to find words that would work together as well as work with what I was trying to do (very limited alliteration as well as some rhyme) and say. I'm not happy with what I eventually had to use. Frustrating.

#NaNoPoMo 16: Plagiarism

noreply@blogger.com (Mandy J Watson) — Tue, 16 Nov 2010 21:59:00 +0000

#NaNoPoMo 15: Moment (5-7-5)

noreply@blogger.com (Mandy J Watson) — Mon, 15 Nov 2010 21:59:00 +0000

Not quite a haiku, not quite a senryū, just 5-7-5.

#NaNoPoMo 14: Time Crisis: A Senryū

noreply@blogger.com (Mandy J Watson) — Sun, 14 Nov 2010 21:59:00 +0000

I know this one is terrible but I wanted to write a poem that was a bit meta. It was complicated by a mess of tenses in the magnet set.

(Also, "Time Crisis" or "Crisis Time"? Technically it was a little bit of both!)

#NaNoPoMo 13: Forbidden: In Senryū

noreply@blogger.com (Mandy J Watson) — Sat, 13 Nov 2010 21:59:00 +0000

You can rearrange this one's lines in all sorts of configurations so it became difficult to choose the order.

#NaNoPoMo 12: Emergence: A Senryū

noreply@blogger.com (Mandy J Watson) — Fri, 12 Nov 2010 21:59:00 +0000

(For the purposes of this senryū "fiery" is two syllables.)

#NaNoPoMo 11: Solitary Man: A Senryū

noreply@blogger.com (Mandy J Watson) — Thu, 11 Nov 2010 21:59:00 +0000

#NaNoPoMo 10: Chasm

noreply@blogger.com (Mandy J Watson) — Wed, 10 Nov 2010 21:59:00 +0000

It's not quite what I wanted. I needed the words "see" and "slow" for the specific arrangement I was after. I don't think I have them. I certainly looked. (I've been caught before with words I thought I didn't have that then manifested a few days later.)

#NaNoPoMo 09: Presence

noreply@blogger.com (Mandy J Watson) — Tue, 09 Nov 2010 21:59:00 +0000

If the word "gises" existed this would have been perfect. (I have a "rise" magnet.)

I'm slowly back posting some entries. I was waylaid by meetings and press functions and work so I couldn't get to this. It usually takes about an hour to arrange one because of a lack of words I want to use, as well as a lack of tenses normally used by human beings and a deluge of words people don't use in poetry unless they're mad*.

Sample: ...um, actually, nevermind. I just went to have a look and I think I may have been taking some of them too literally. If you shove "heart" next to most of them they make sense.

Onwards, then... (though I only have one "heart" tile).

*So, yes, I shall be attempting some attempts.

#NaNoPoMo 08: (Re)Birth: A Senryū (Of Sorts)

noreply@blogger.com (Mandy J Watson) — Sun, 07 Nov 2010 22:14:00 +0000