Wild about Weavers

Taking some time out from writing the new manuscript, which has been getting a bit intense. Time out means time for other creativity. In this case, my other passion, photography.

About a mile from where I live, amidst middle class suburbia is a tiny oasis - a pond (or very small dam) which attracts a whole lot of birdlife. Not least of all a buzzing, squabbling flock of weaver birds. The males are gearing up for the nesting season and there is a lot of nestbuilding and displaying going on. And a LOT of noise and plenty of attitude. But, they are rather beautiful - and comical.

We start with a piece of grass...

We find a suitable location...

We start to weave...

It's hard and thirsty work...

And a chap needs some time out...

Got to make sure the front entrance is just so...

The finished product...

Now to find a wife... (and hope she doesn't tear it apart)

See what I've made, it's beautiful, isn't it?

Look at me, I'm beautiful, aren't I - you know you wanna marry me and have my babies...

Baboons on my Roof

Baboons in the Vineyards

Val over at Monkeys on the Roof may well have vervet monkeys bouncing all over the roof of her home in the bushveld of Africa. You might say it’s understandable, even to be expected. But it’s an entirely other matter when it happens in the midst of suburbia.

Oh yes, imagine the exception I took when I found monkeys bounding all over my roof.

Okay, so they weren’t monkeys – they were baboons. And it wasn’t my house roof, it was my car roof, and they were not only bouncing on it but they were swinging on the wing mirrors, sliding down the windscreen, having games of chase over the bonnet and wiping their furry bums on my rear window. (I am still trying to get rid of the smudges and smears and paw prints.)

Sticky paw prints...

When I made so bold as to point out the error of their wicked ways – I was out of the car – yes, I would probably walk smack into a nest of vipers – I was roundly lunged and barked at by one hormonally challenged teen. (There’s this to say – adolescents, irrespective of species, are all the bloody same – stroppy and attitudinal!).

Of course, it was my own fault. I’d set off for a stint of late afternoon of photography in the vineyards just up the road and as I drove up the dirt track towards one particular spot, I spotted the baboons romping about at the restaurant/conference centre. The place is only open on Sundays which makes it fair game for the rest of week for the baboons who wouldn’t recognise a trespassers sign if it came up and nipped them on the nether regions. I suspect what made me carry on was the thought (well known by all photographers), “Ooh, cool photo opportunity!” and the fact that someone’s pet Daschund was being chased by the baboons. The owner, bless her blonde baffledness, had scarpered and was standing at the bottom of the road nibbling nervously on a well manicured finger nail – like that was going to do a fat lot of good. I knew if I drove towards the baboons my presence would give them something else to think about - and the dog, a suitably overweight and portly little chap who would have looked good in a large hotdog roll, would have a better chance of making it home to his foie gras on toast.

I suppose most others wouldn’t have even dreamed of getting out of the car when surrounded by a troop of baboons - but the thing is I sort of know this lot. They’re the local troop (I’ve even had them in my garden – oh joy – not!) and unlike many baboons who’ve been exposed to humans and become aggressive, this lot are quite laid back. You mind your manners and they’ll mind theirs.

Foraging between the vines
- I'll ignore you if you ignore me -

The leader of the pack was a huge male with a radio collar around his neck – he was so unphased by my presence he just ambled off down the dirt road (perhaps he still harboured visions of Daschund au Vin) – leaving me with Ma Baboon and the Brat Pack who varied in age from a couple of months to stroppy teens.

Ma Baboon

Monkeys (er, baboons) on my back

Contemplations

They were everywhere and I didn’t envy the restaurant owners as the baboons swung from the telephone wires, slid down the roof, played make believe - pretending the ivy trailing from the pines were monkey vines and they were Tarzan. They stole the last grapes from the vineyards, and played jungle gym on the chimney.

Ooh, look Ma, a swing!

Wheeeee!

Are you getting this - watch me slide, watch me slide!

Me Tarzan, you Tree...

The climbing frame - aka the chimney...

Butter wouldn't melt...

And then they discovered my car...

It's mine! No I saw it first, it's mine

Er, um, excuse me, actually, it's mine...

Ya! I'm the king of the castle!

Hmm, now how do I get in?

Ooh, I can swing on this, what fun!

Hey! It's a jungle gym! Whoohooo!

Let it not be said that I didn’t have a couple of hairy (or is that furry?) moments – especially when one made it quite clear my car was his car. I mean, I don’t mind sharing, but I have my limits.

Okay, so it's not a new model, but it will do, he says to himself.

“Sod off, you hairy beast!” I barked, wondering if he was going to rip my windscreen wipers from their hinges.

“Ya talkin’ ta me?” He gave me a challenging look.

Stroppy Teen - "Ya lookin' at me?"

“Oh yeah, I’m talkin’ to you. Bog off!”

“ARF!” he bellowed and eyeballing me, lunged.

My mistake, never ever make contact with a baboon. It brings out the worst in them.

Hmm, time to retreat or confront?

“Ha!” I snapped with more fervour than I felt and turned my back on the little blighter.

I tried to phone D, thinking I may be in need of rescue, but he’d gone to sleep with the phone in silent mode – so much for my Prince Charming and his white steed.

Ultimately I found the best approach was to wander off – trying not to trip over the two youngsters who went tearing around my legs. And so, ignoring the chap muttering “what’s yours is mine” I took my shots of the vineyards – albeit with slightly trembling hands.

If I get on with taking photos perhaps he'll leave my car alone...

Snotty Teen eventually got bored, they always do, and I took the gap, rescued my car and left them to it.

A small baboon token left on my car - I call it "Baboon Art"...

The Noblesse Oblige Award - and why I blog... and some bees...

It’s award time again and this one seems a little different – requires some thought. Which means a bit of effort for those of us who are fighting with travel arrangements and other such related bureaucracy, and trying to forge ahead with a story that feels like it’s lost its way. Actually, the story hasn’t lost its way, but the writer has, temporarily, at least.

Face to face with a bee...

But on and on.

So here’s the Noblesse Oblige Award, given to me by Val from Monkeys on the Roof who weaves magic with her words about the African bushveld. Thank you, Val – now just get out there and write that book, girl – it will be something truly special, I know!


As Val said on her blog, this feels like a particularly special award – in that it makes you think about why you’re blogging.

The blurb accompanying the blog says:

The recipient of this award is recognized for the following: 1) The Blogger manifests exemplary attitude, respecting the nuances that pervades amongst different cultures and beliefs. 2) The Blog contents inspire; strives to encourage, and offers solutions. 3) There is a clear purpose at the Blog; one that fosters a better understanding on Social, Political, Economic, the Arts, Culture, Sciences, and Beliefs. 4) The Blog is refreshing and creative. 5) The Blogger promotes friendship and positive thinking.

The Blogger who receives this award will need to perform the following steps: 1) Create a Post with a mention and link to the person who presented the Noblesse Oblige Award. 2) The Award Conditions must be displayed at the Post. 3) Write a short article about what the Blog has thus far achieved – preferably citing one or more older posts to support. 4) The Blogger must present the Noblesse Oblige Award in concurrence with the Award conditions. 5) Blogger must display the Award at any location at the Blog.

Feasting bee...

I have to say, I’ve never thought of my blog doing the things listed above, mostly, I guess, because I first started blogging as a bit of a laugh with Atyllah the Hen, a fictional alien Chicken with Attitude. Let’s face it, as far as Atyllah was concerned, nothing was sacred and everything humanly was worthy of a potshot and a sideswipe. The blog, I know, ultimately offended several people as Atyllah called a spade a particularly blunt shovel. Still, I like to think that perhaps the old bird made people sit up and think about things more than once. She had, and still has, her place. Be warned.

Upside down bee...

By the time I moved on to blogging as Vanilla, I was tired of “being someone else” as it were and wanted to be able to blog more as myself, multifaceted beast that I am – I wanted a place to be able to express thoughts, opinions, share photography and artwork and just generally “witter and warble”. I will also admit that blogging has been something of an experiment in social networking and “marketing”. As an ex-marketing sort and a writer I was curious to see what sort of exposure a blog could provide and how one had to work it to gain maximum reach. I’ll tell you this much for nothing - a blog is bloody hard work and is, I often think, nearly unsustainable!

As to what the blog has achieved thus far – well, it has led me to “meet” some interesting people from far and wide – and that tells me that we’re far more connected and at one than we ever were – and that, I believe, is a huge and important step forward for humanity. The more the people of the world connect, the more we realise we are more the same than we are different, the more chance we have of creating a global harmony and oneness.

Drilling bee...

As for what else the blog has achieved – I tell you what – why don’t you tell me what you think it’s achieved – share your thoughts with me so I can know how the blog impacts upon you – if it indeed does.

I’m not going to cite old posts, there are really too many I could point you to – my personal experiences of nearly dying, experiences of xenophobia in South Africa, my recent posts on the elections in SA, short stories that I’ve written, photographs that I've taken in the African bush and on foreign shores – the blog takes no particular form and was never meant to.

And as with all awards, I presume I’m meant to pass this on. If you’re a regular reader of this blog, you know my thoughts on that. I believe that every blog I read offers something of value, something that inspires or encourages – be it a predominantly photographic blog, a blog of ramblings, a blog about writing, a humourous blog. I don’t believe that anyone I blog with doesn’t in some way, great or small, promote a better understanding on a social, political, economic, arts, culture, sciences or belief level.

Honey bee...

So, when I say I award the Noblesse Oblige Award to you – yep, that’s you reading this blog, right now, this very minute - then I truly and deeply mean it from the bottom of my heart (not the heart of my bottom…). So this award goes to you – and that means I want to see it posted on your blog and I want to see you writing a Noblesse Oblige post. All good children will get a gold star (or not…).

But yes, the award goes to you. Yes, I do mean, you, oh doubter (you know who you are, you think because I’ve not mentioned your name I don’t mean YOU – well I do!) So, yes, you.

And a bug...

Pictures - and a meme

"Heron Eclipse"

The words have been used up today. I did think of sharing a short story I've been messing with but, well, just but... Maybe another time, eh?

"Floral Notes"

Instead I'll share with you some dabblings from the digital darkroom and a meme-thingy which I found over at Rob's Inushuk Adventures some time ago. I've been saving it up for one of these "wordless" days. Feel free to do it if you haven't already.

It's the 100 Things I Have Done meme - the things I've done are in blue. Those which I haven't are in black.

I HAVE...

1. Started my own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band (I've jammed with friends but I'm not sure that counts)
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower (no, but I've wished on many shooting stars ie meteors)
6. Given more than I can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland/world
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sung a solo
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched lightning at sea
14. Taught myself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown my own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitchhiked
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb (I've held a cheetah cub, does that count?)
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset (both)
31. Hit a home run (so long as Rounders counts!)
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of my ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught myself a new language (we-ell, I've tried...)
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa (was born there and still live there...)
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had my portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing (I always wonder how deep the sea has to be qualify to answer this sort of question - and I caught a great white, not a marlin...)
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris (not to the top, only halfway up!)
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud (you should have seen those mud pies!)
54. Gone to a drive-in
55. Been in a movie (does it count that I scripted and directed it and it was corporate video production and not a real movie?)
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business (does starting a small NGO count?)
58. Taken a martial arts class (I'm hoping to start Qi Gong soon, if that counts...)
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies (no, but I was a Girl Scout/Guide)
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp (no, but I have visited Yad Vashem the Jewish Memorial to Holocaust victims in Jerusalem)
67. Bounced a check/cheque
68. Flown in a helicopter (but I have flown in a light aircraft)
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London (never saw the point of that one)
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book (not yet!)
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had my picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible (just the New Testament)
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating (do fish and shellfish count? If so, yes.)
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life (does saving my own life count?)
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake (no, but I've paddled in the Dead Sea!)
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee (no, but I talk to bees and they sing to me...)
100. Ridden an elephant (no, but I've walked hand in trunk with an elephant!)

"Through Time"

And here's wishing all of you a very happy and loving Valentine's Day!

Creative Expression and Sycophancy

I read somewhere the other day that photosharing sites like Flickr and Picasa spell the death knell of professional photography. And, as a friend said, “Well, with digital Joe Soap can now take a thousand photos to get the one perfect shot.” Given that I’ve always shot off an entire roll of film in search of the one perfect shot, digital is right up my street. And it must be said, there is some stunning photography on the photo sites - and I really would urge you to go and take a mooch around if you want to indulge in some sheer beauty and creativity for a while. You can see from the photographs that people really have a passion for their hobby and many in fact turn it into a true art form or into way of earning an income by sending work to stock photography and greeting card companies.

But as much as there is all this great photography out there, there is also another phenomenon…

I’ve spoken before about the sycophancy that exists in and around the social web and many others have also commented it – and a good number of arguments have arisen. But if one thought it could get bad in blogosphere, you should see it in action on a site like Flickr. (Note, I'm using Flickr as an example because it's the site with which I'm most familiar but there are several photosharing sites out there like Webshots, Dropshots, Photobucket and, as I've already mentioned, Picasa.)

I signed up to Flickr as I wanted a place to post and store my pics without cluttering up my blog, but having been there for a while now I’ve noticed this other phenomenon. As with blogs there is a comments feature. There is also an awards feature. And this is where the madness really starts. Now while I’m all for a bit of fun, reciprocity and mutual admiration, I’m less keen on rank insanity and rampant sycophancy. And boy is there some rampant sycophancy on Flickr.

It seems one of the aims of some people is to rack up as many comments and awards as possible. To gain or give an award you have to join one of the gazillion photographic groups on Flickr. Could be nature photography, macro photography, animal photography, flower photography, blue ribbon, platinum, gold star, envy of, my winner etc photography. There are more groups out there than is imaginable. And for every award given and received, the receiver, if posting the awarded shot to said group is generally obliged to comment on or provide an additional award to others in the group. So it’s a case of someone was nice to me, now I’ll be nice to you. Kind of a play it forward thing. The trouble is it can get totally out of hand. And if you've been given several awards it can take hours doddling from group to group dispensing complimentary largesse.

Take the case of Nameless Wonder. Frankly, I’m convinced Nameless Wonder must be running a social experiment in sycophancy and self gratitude. Nameless appears to visit numerous people where Nameless leaves a string of awards. (For the life of me I can't work out how Nameless chooses which photo to praise because it seems quite arbitrary.) Needless to say, one then feels obliged to return the favour and post an award or two on Nameless’s photos. But here’s the thing. Nameless’s photos are “ornery” at best. Yet, Nameless, because of the award “generosity” shown to others garners bundles of awards on the odd photo which is posted every now and then. I cannot for the life of me believe that the awards are given with any degree of sincerity because the photos simply don’t merit it. It is all, I’m sure, about “you scratched my back so now I’d better scratch yours" with the subtext, "because (ultimately) I want more backscratching from you”. It opens up an interesting psychological debate (which could be the subject of a whole post) about the neediness and desire for self gratification to which we seem so inclined.

The other instance is Nameless Wonder 2. This Wonder has over two and half thousand contacts. Can one actually keep track of so many people? He is a member of more groups than I can count. His approach seems to be as follows: You see a photo of his which you genuinely like. You leave a comment complimenting the work and maybe bestow an award. Next thing you know, you’re one of his contacts and so the mutual admiration society is expected to develop.

Frankly, I just can’t be doing with it. As much as I enjoy photography, I don’t do it to gain the approval or admiration of others. I do it because I love it. I post my work to Flickr not because I want kudos but because it’s a place to store some of my better work (i.e. it’s a good backup system) and where my friends can, should they so wish, see what I’ve been up to. It also provides those who don’t know South Africa in its multiple facets with a chance to take a peek.

Creative expression is one of the greatest gifts given to us and there is some truly stunning work out there that deserves praise, but honestly, this insane butt-licking that goes on, well, erm, it’s actually just a bit too egocentrically icky.