A massive meteor which lit up the night sky above Johannesburg and Pretoria on Saturday 21st November has been captured on CCTV camera and the footage is spectacular. There was an earlier video, but its not nearly as good as this one.

Reminds me of the day i was born. (true story)

The clip was posted on Youtube two days ago and has already racked up 100 000 views.

Its only 13 seconds long so watch it.

Its worth it.

Im surprised it didn’t happen in Cape Town ( just kidding Joburg..you know i love you guys, but lets be honest… if this happened over Table Mountain it woulda been insane hey).

Good times

Wedding photos with a story to tell - by Simply Me Photography

A recent engagement shoot by Simply Me Photography

“Don’t want to pose in front of the fireplace? Good, because I wasn’t planning on asking you to.” – Leone, Simply Me Wedding Photography; Pretoria, Gauteng.

Perdekoop.co.za wedding ideas and services directory welcomes our latest wedding photographer – Simply Me Wedding Photography, based in Pretoria, Gauteng. Leone from Simply me wedding photography describes herself as a teller of jokes, calmer-downer of brides and, occasionally, kicker-outer of mother of the bride.  She not only guarantees great quality wedding pictures, but real smiles, real emotions, real laughter and real life!  Simply Me Wedding photography strives to capture more than just looks.  The Simply Me philosophy is that wedding photographs should tell a story … a real story – simple as it is profound – of a wedding, family, friends, and love.  Photography has come along way in the last few years and nobody is more excited about this than Simply Me Photography!  For more information or to book Simply Me as your wedding photographers in Pretoria, Gauteng, please click here!

Find wedding services in Gauteng – click here!

Find wedding photographers in Gauteng – Click here

Publica El País un interesante artículo titulado “Unos más iguales que otros en los telediarios”, allí se pone sobre la mesa el escándalo desatado por la Operación Pretoria y se abre el abanico de argumentos en torno a las ampliamente difundidas imágenes de los presuntos delincuentes de cuello blanco esposados y custodiados por la Guardia Civil desde sus casas hasta la Audiencia Nacional y viceversa, una vez han sido liberados sin medida de aseguramiento.

Una vez vuelven a su hogar, aún esposados, reciben engorrosamente una bolsa de basura azul que contiene sus pertenencias y es justo en ese momento en el que la opinión se divide entre los que aplauden la “justicia” que la imagen implica y los que encontramos la escena bastante humillante y por ende absolutamente violatoria de derechos fundamentales.

No es una cuestión de separar el rico del pobre y permitir con beneplácito que se publiquen imágenes del ladroncillo de barrio pero saltar de indignación cuando se trata de los altos políticos, ese no es el plan ni es medianamente cercano a un argumento serio.

La idea tampoco es gritar que todo este asunto de dignidad vs. información es una cortina de humo frente a un gigantesco caso de corrupción.

El objeto de esta entrada es la tangente de la protección de datos; sin ánimos políticos ni clasistas, mucho menos pretendo inmiscuirme en asuntos penales o administrativos, que para hablar del jodido sistema ya hay otros bloggueros por ahí.

El diario cita al ex fiscal Jiménez Villarejo quien puntualiza respecto de las imágenes oportunamente publicadas de los paseos de los implicados bien esposados: “La forma de tranquilizar a la población no es exhibir al acusado”. No se que nivel de tranquilidad necesitará ahora la sociedad y de necesitar alguna, mi recomendación sería -señor intranquilo, apague su tele-. La cuestión no va hacia el que percibe la imagen, para mi la importancia radica en el arañazo a la intimidad, el escupitajo a la credibilidad profesional, la híper-medieval medida del escarnio público.

El original concepto de “la pena de paseíllo o la pena del telediario” puede ser un boom que hinche aún más la inflamada barriga de los medios que cada vez adquieren una bizarra semejanza antropomórfica con el verdugo encapuchado y dienti-raído, así, micrófono y cámara en mano se lanzan al ataque del sindicado, eligiendo las imágenes que mas vendan que son justamente las que más destrozan al interesado.

Es legal, completamente legal por tratarse de periodismo y el daño causado no es indemnizable. Lo lamento señor sindicado pero está usted inmerso en un juicio público, le entregan sus pertenencias como basura en plena calle y su traje de diseñador no alcanza a cubrir las esposas ni su vergüenza. Si por mi fuera lo protegería un poco, pero no queda sino lamentarse de que esta vez ganó la información sobre la dignidad…el ¿bien común? Sobre la imagen particular, mejor dicho LOPD a tomar por…

Bien hace El País en mencionar fundamentos jurídicos respecto de la obligación de las Fuerzas y Cuerpos de Seguridad de respetar el honor y la dignidad de las personas y actuar en la forma que menos perjudique al detenido o preso en su reputación y patrimonio; sin embargo, no son ellos los encargados de proteger la imagen del detenido, ni les corresponde espantar los medios a porrazos. A ver si un día vende más la idea del respeto que el amarillismo, esperemos sentados.

Ok, let me start out first by saying that everyone is entitled to their opinions.

The first time I went to Jasmine Palace I was glad to see how it looked compared to the previous Chinese restaurant that was there. The decor is well lit and displays photos of places in rural China. There is also a few figurines that decorate the room, and the mirrors create the feeling that the restaurant is a little bigger than what it really is. But that is where the good news ends.

When I made a booking 5 days in advance, I specified that I wanted 1 order of Peking Duck to be made in advance and served as a starter, and that I would be arriving at 18:30 for 19:00. When I arrived at 18h45, the Peking duck that I ordered was not ready and after waiting for 15 minutes, I asked the waiter where it is. She told me that it was almost done and that I should go on and eat the other food that we ordered. After another 15 minutes, I asked the waiter again “Where is the duck?” She then told me that because we were not on time, they gave our duck to another table (who came in later than we did!!).

We told her that we were not late but she ignored our statement. While waiting for another explanation we were forced to order the quickest meal on the menu which was chicken and vegetable spring rolls. The other speciality dish that I ordered in advance, (rock salt prawns) which was supposed to be served after the duck, came before the spring rolls.

My guests and I started to eat the prawns without any rice which I had to order separately. The spring rolls for starters still did not arrive until after we had finished the prawns and rice. After waiting an hour and 30 minutes, our duck finally arrived but it was dry and only half a portion!! I know this because I worked in a chinese restaurant for 10 years and know what a decent portion of Peking duck must be. When we looked at the other table that were served our duck, we saw that their portion was nearly double of what we received. All the other dishes we ordered came in 5 minute intervals.

While waiting for the bill, I decided to ask the manageress/owner what happened to our order as it was placed and requested i.e. that the duck was to be served as a starter, but came to our table an hour and a half after we started eating. She then had the arrogance to tell me that we were late and that it was our fault!!! Have you ever heard of such audacity!! We arrived within the specified time and to make matters worse, I confirmed the order four times with the waitress (twice on the phone before we arrived and twice while waiting at the table). The pricing is too high for the quality of food and service received, (R240-00 for 12 Prawns).

This site asks that I give a rating on the restaurants that I’ve been to, but I struggle to find a reason as to why I would even consider giving the Jasmine Palace one. The experience that I had left a very bitter taste in my mouth and could only be described as shocking.

I have no choice but to give it 0/5 or as Mark put it “The prawns were good though… but exceptionally over priced. They get a 0.00001 /5″.

To view their website, click here

Regards Tyrone Sam and Mark Hung

Today marks the beginning of my second week here in Pretoria, South Africa. As I mentioned in a previous post, my plan was to combat any homesickness or stress with lots and lots of running. On top of that, I’ve signed up as a GOTR SoleMate for the Atlanta ING Half-Marathon in March 2010, so I was determined to keep up my training  in South Africa.

When I left Atlanta, I could easily run 6 miles, and with a little extra effort could probably have handled 8 or 9. Despite that it had been a few weeks since I’d last run, when I hopped on the treadmill at my new gym in Pretoria I felt pretty confident that I’d be going strong for at least 45 minutes to an hour.

Twelve minutes later I was sweating profusely and frantically sucking air into my lungs as I fumbled on the unfamiliar treadmill to reduce my speed to a walk.

Devastated, I considered what could have happened. Could I really have gotten that out of shape in just a few weeks? Had I not gotten completely over my sinus infection? Was I still jetlagged? My confidence was shot as I contemplated having to slowly ramp back up to the distances it had taken me so much effort to achieve.

Thankfully, I’ve had the luck to befriend a personal trainer who works in my office. Upon telling her about the incident, she informed me that this reaction is normal due to Pretoria’s high elevation. I had absolutely no idea either that a) Pretoria sits so high above sea level or b) that my body would be so drastically affected by it.

In fact, Pretoria sits about 4,500 feet above sea level – while Atlanta is only 1,050 feet above sea level. From experience, I can tell you that that’s a big difference. According to WiseGeek.com:

“Living in a high altitude comes with some conditions, as the thinner air results in fewer molecules of oxygen taken in with each breath… On land, the body will compensate by increasing the breathing rate, heart rate and red blood cell production, allowing for an increase in oxygen flow to the brain and muscles. If the body is responding properly to the elevation, normal symptoms such as decreased appetite, increased bladder activity, insomnia, slight swelling of hands, feet or knees, and temporary breathlessness after exercising will occur.”

It was amazing – since arriving in Pretoria I have experienced all of the symptoms in bold above!

Now, I recognize that most of you won’t be spending two months in Pretoria anytime soon. But you may go on a business trip or vacation to a place with high elevation. It’s critical to be aware of this, especially if you are training for a race. Here are some quick tips for runners to adjust to high altitudes (from Mama’sHealth.com):

1. Take your time – Begin your altitude training with low- to moderate-intensity running for the first five to seven days.
2. Stay Hydrated – Dehydration naturally occurs at higher altitudes. Drink at least three liters (12 or 13 cups) of fluids per day.
3. Readjust to low altitudes – Once you descend to a lower altitude, wait at least five to seven days before you try to race again. The wait is needed to allow your body to reestablish blood-acidity and electrolyte levels.
4. Get plenty of rest – The increased breathing rate at higher altitudes often causes difficulty sleeping. Take naps and avoid caffeine and alcohol.

Luckily I followed some of these tips and have felt myself adjusting to my new height. I was thrilled during my morning workout today to complete a full three miles on the treadmill without stopping! I may maintain my endurance levels after all – in fact, I may even have surpassed them once I return to low-lying Atlanta!

I’ve survived my first weekend in South Africa. It wasn’t nearly as hard as I’d thought it would be. With the two friends I’ve made so far both out of town, I figured it’d be extremely solitary. And for the most part it was, but I found it more stimulating and relaxing than lonely.

It helped that a woman from my office invited me out with her and her friends on Friday night.  First we went to see a movie, “Inglorious Basterds.” I’m still up in the air on if I liked the movie. I know I didn’t love it, but I didn’t hate it like my companions did. It was a bit long, but I found it at times clever and humorous, despite the gore.

After the movie we went to a restaurant/lounge called Pangea, where my friend’s husband was dj’ing. It wasn’t clubbing music though, very low-key and just my style for a Friday night. We sat around small tables on couches, drank good wine, ate decent food, and talked, for the most part, about AIDS in Africa. I know, only I could get psyched about that on a Friday night. But the group around me included people who were either from South Africa or had been here for a while – all working for either CDC or USAID – in other words, a bastion of knowledge from which I did my best to gain as much as possible. Not only that, but they had great tips for the best classes at the gym, info on a cheap Thai massage place that will blow your socks off (on my list for next weekend), and just general intel on living in Pretoria (including some frightening stories I’d rather not know about but suppose it’s good that I do…).

I got home around 11:30 p.m. and immediately called Michael on Skype. Can I just say that Skype is wonderful. Not only do we talk for free, with no delay or anything because my wireless Internet here is so good, but we also have video cameras so we can see each other! I ended up staying up until about 3 a.m. that night, responding to emails, writing blogs, and talking to Michael. Needless to say I didn’t make the 8 a.m. gym class I was planning to attend.

I did make it to the gym by a little after 10 a.m., and got in a long workout. Followed by sunning in my back courtyard – it’s right at the beginning of summer so the temperature is perfect – warm but not too hot. After that I walked up to the nearby mall, had lunch, and purchased a few items, including wine. I have to say it’s a bit scary to walk around outside after all the stories I’ve heard, even in daylight. And I must absolutely never walk around after dark. So I was back at my house by 6 p.m. and settled in to read and use the Internet.

First sign of trouble since I arrived – the Internet was down! NOOOO! This is my lifeline, and a long Internet-less Saturday night and Sunday loomed ahead of me. Thankfully the owner of the lodge where I’m staying let me borrow her mobile Internet thingamajig (don’t know how else to describe it). Great news, but I still can’t really use Skype as this Internet’s connection is super slow (sorry Lindsi and Jesi, I was planning to call but just can’t get the Skype working at all).

Sunday (today) I woke up a bit earlier and hit the gym again, including a hardcore pilates class with a very flamboyant male instructor. Afterwards I grabbed a smoothie and took a walk around the area, including to a nearby bird sanctuary where I got my first look at a South African blue crane. I’m generally not into birds, but this one was beautiful. I also scoped out nearby shops and restaurants so I’m not stuck at the mall every weekend. When I got home from these solitary adventures I headed down to the pool where I’ve just spent the past 2 hours dozing and reading. Not too shabby of a day. I’m supposed to have dinner with Patrick, Michael’s brother who lives here, this evening.

Tomorrow I take my first business trip within a business trip. One of the projects I’m helping with is a pilot test of a new tool CDC will use to assess its partners’ processes. I’m attending one of the assessments, which just happens to be in Cape Town, on Tuesday and Wednesday. Again – not too shabby, I’m pretty excited, not even so much about being in Cape Town (can’t imagine I’ll do much other than work) as learning more about these assessments. My job here couldn’t be farther from what I do in my regular job, and that is just fine with me. Speaking of, I guess I should write a bit about what I’m actually doing down here – but I’ll save that for the next post.

The one negative thing about my trip to Cape Town is that the government won’t pay for two lodgings during the same night. The thought of packing up my stuff in this house (I have really spread out here) is so horrible to me that I considered paying out of my own pocket for 2 nights. But yet again, South Africa surprised me. The owner of my lodge is an incredible woman. I called her to see if there was anything she could do, and to my surprise, there was. I just have to move all my things into the spare room, and she will lock that door, so that if she needs to rent it to someone else while I’m away, she can. And she won’t charge me. Unbelievable eh? Of course it will still be slightly inconvenient to move things to another room, but I’m not going to complain when she’s giving me such a deal.

I’ve pretty much covered the day-to-day. What I haven’t mentioned is how beautiful it is here. Sure, it’s a city, and I’m not seeing monkeys on the side of the road or giraffes in the distance like I did when I was in South Africa three years ago. But it has, to me anyway, that distinctly African feel despite its modernity. I didn’t realize that Pretoria is known as the jacaranda city. Jacarandas are trees (shorter than most trees but taller than bushes) with beautiful purple blossoms, and these trees line most of the streets in the city. They are starting to fade away unfortunately, due to the onset of summer, but I’m blessed to have been here soon enough to see them at all. Beyond that, the city appears, at least on one side, to be offset by rolling green hills. And I already mentioned how wonderful the weather is. There has been at least one afternoon rainstorm on most days since I’ve arrived, they are really pleasant and keep the air cool in the evenings.

Evidence of my tennis obession: Michael and I have gone to the US Open for the past 2 years and I imagine every year moving forward. We can sit for hours watching practices. We don't even eat or drink for fear of having to use the bathroom!

So I’m really into tennis (shocking I know). I am pretty much as hardcore as they get, especially considering that I’m really not good enough to be all that hardcore. So hardcore in fact, that the first item I placed in my suitcase when packing for South Africa was – you guessed it – a tennis racket.

I thought I would be golden. I’d Googled tennis in Pretoria and it seemed promising. And when I got here I found out there are courts right across the street from my office. Yet, one week in, I have yet to touch racket to strings – and it is KILLING me. Despite the abundance of courts, I haven’t been able to find anyone to play with. I’ve emailed some tennis clubs that I’ve found online, but have heard nothing back. No one in my office really plays, there don’t appear to be flex leagues in the City, and I don’t have a car even if there were.

In the meantime, my women’s ALTA team is,  literally as I write this, playing Round 2 of city playoffs. And, to make it even worse, my favorite league of the year starts in a few weeks and I’m going to have to miss half of the season.

Okay okay, I’ll stop complaining. I’m getting paid to live and work for two months in a beautiful foreign land.  And I did get a small fix today by stumbling across some tennis on TV – Fed Cup, USA versus Italy (USA isn’t doing so hot..) Just sayin though…where has all the tennis gone???

During my 2-month stay here in Pretoria, I’m staying in a private guesthouse associated with a local lodge. While most of my friends and family know that South Africa is quite different from most African countries, I don’t think they truly realize how much I am in fact NOT roughing it over here. Some examples…

The view of my guesthouse from the outside...note the one-car garage (with washing machine inside, which I don't even need to use this weekend because the maid washed my clothes today...)

The view from my front balcony (that's right, I said front, I also have an upstairs balcony and a back courtyard with flowers that will bloom in the next few days)

A view of my guesthouse pool.

And now the inside…

Modern dining room...

Modern kitchen with all the necessary items: full fridge/freezer, stove, sink, microwave, pots/pans, plates/bowls, silverware, glasses, even a wine bottle opener!

Not my favorite room in the house, per the blue pleather sectional couch, but at least I have a TV - and with more channels than I have at home.

Modern, sparkling clean bathroom (did I mention that I get daily maid visits and that she does my dishes if I leave them? i try not to leave them...but still!)

And finally...the master bedroom (yes, there's also a guest room, which I leave closed as I have no use for it) where I have a big comfy bed and spend most of my time while at home.

Of course things can’t be perfect. Pretoria is one of the most dangerous cities in the world in terms of street crime, house break-ins, violent assaults, etc. Thus…

The first set of barriers to keep people out of my house. I have to first unlock this outside gate to get onto my front porch, then a gate in front of my door, then the door itself. There are also bars on all the windows, and a barred gate at the top of the stairs known as a "safe haven" where I can lock myself upstairs at night. There are locks on literally every door in the house, including closets. And an alarm system.

As if the fortress in which I live were not enough (and I guess it's not), these are the gates by which you enter and exit my complex. The complex, as are all the complexes on my street, are surrounded by high walls so that from inside, you can't see the street or other houses.

Because of the danger, it’s not safe to walk around outside after dark. In fact, it’s not even all that safe to walk around in daylight, but what can I do? I don’t have a car. A CDC driver picks me up in the morning and drops me off in the afternoon, but other than that I’m on my own. A grocery store is only about a mile away, but again, only in daylight. And it is pretty dark here by 6:30 p.m., despite the fact that it’s summer. The sun rises at just before 5 a.m. though, so I’m trying to adjust my non-morning person habits while I’m here. There are U.S.-government approved taxi services that I can use if I’m okay paying – which I am, for some things. And I’ve met a few friends at work who have driven me around to various places. But I don’t imagine I’ll get a full understanding of this big city given how limited I am to my small part of it.

My wit BMW staan lui onder die Jakaranda wat haar vol pers glibberige blommetjies versier het.  Sy lyk so ampertjies verlydelik terwyl sy soos ‘n bruid daar onder al die blommetjies staan en wag tot ek weet die pers blommetjies so een een in die wind laat af waai.  Pers.  Die hele wêreld is pers die tyd van die jaar.  Soos ‘n groot blou kol na die winder wat geleidelik gesond word.  Maak ons reg vir die somer en die persigheid kondig Moederaarde se sweterige seisoen aan.  Maar nes alle studente weet kondig dit ook die eind eksamens aan. 

(SUG….) Eksamens is maar crap.  Wie wil nou op sonnige (of renirige in Pta) dae vir ure voor die boeke sit.  Wie wil nou eintlik elke bladsy annaliseer en die sige van jou prof. verstaan sodat jy net sekere werk leer?  Natuurlik wil ek mos baie eerder met ‘n groot sonhoed buite stap en in die warm son my lyf soos ‘n akkedis warm bak.  

Dis eintlik vreemd want tydens ‘n eksamen voel dit of ek myself dood swot maar na die tyd weet ek ek kon baie meer geswot het.  Maar hey as jy 51% kry het jy te hard geswot en as jy 52% kry het jy jou vriende afgeskeep. Haha…  Jy wonder nou seker waarom ek die hele pers gedeelte so beklemtoon het en die waarheid is… ek het gin idee nie.  Dink dis omdat ek enige iets tans sal doen om nie te swot nie.  Dis snaaks tydens eksamens kom ek agter hoe deurmekaar my klere is, hoe ek eintlik iets wil restoreer.  Hoe ek wil koekies bak en hoe my boekrak eweskielik nuwe skatte oplewer.  Ja, enige iets om nie ’n “pliggie” te wees en te swot nie.  ENIGE IETS. 

Ek bied aan om mense rond te ry, ek bied aan om melk en brood te kry, my niggie by die skool te gaan haal en tee te maak vir my oupa. En dan natuurlik om onbenullighede uit te dink soos waarom dinge pers is.  

Dan eweskielik (soos ek seker is jy weet) is dit sondag aand en jy’t nog nie geleer vir more se eksamen nie.  Vir die hoeveelste keer kan jy jouself skop want waarom het jy nie vroeër begin nie.  Maar Maandag na die toets besef jy jou klere kas is perfek georganiseer, jy het daai boek oor Israel en Palestiena gelees, al jou niggie se hoërskool geheime gehoor en dit alles terwyl jy 50% op jou toets kry.  

Ek dink dis die verkeerde tyd vir my om dit te besef en ek moet dit seker nie vir julle sê nie maar 50% is genoeg.  Die boeke, die stories van my oupa en om ekstra klere vir arm kinders te skenk beteken veel meer vir my en ek leer ook baie meer by die allerdaagse dinge.  So my punt is, wie gee om wanneer jy begin.  Begin net, slaag en maak vrye tyd om dinge wat jy nie normaal weg voor tyd kry te doen.

Last week I was in Johannesburg, 400km south of Sequoia Gardens, my hometown before I settled permanently on the farm. Johannesburg has been described as the biggest man-made forest in the world – until 20 years ago gardens in even less affluent suburbs were large, and the climate is the best in the world: not too hot in summer, nor too cold in winter,  little wind, summer storms that bring plenty of rain, few mosquitoes and other bugs… and early November it is at its most beautiful when the thousands of Jacaranda trees fill the streets and gardens.

The Bougainvilleas (Bougainvillea glabra) growing into Jacarandas (Jacaranda mimosifolia) are iconic in Johannesburg, in shades from brick red to dark purple, but this is, I believe, the best I’ve ever seen as a composition!

 The next photo I took the same day in Pretoria, which has called itself the Jacaranda City for years. It is from an area where the average temperature is a good 5 degrees warmer than Johannesburg, though only about 35 km away. There are three different climbers into the lilac Jacaranda; purple Bougainvillea (scarcely visible here), pink Zimbabwe creeper (Podranea ricasoliana) and salmon and orange Trumpet Vine (Bignonia radicans). In addition there is a white Brugmansia (Brugmansia candida) on the pavement and between it and the Jacaranda in the garden there is a red Australian Flame Tree ( Brachychiton Acerifolius). What a glorious mix of strong but harmonious colour, and on what a grand scale the composition is!

EL ARGUMENTO DE LA PELÍCULA:

La «operación Pretoria», en la que han sido detenidas importantes personalidades de la política y el mundo empresarial catalán, ha desvelado la existencia de «una compleja red» de tráfico de influencias «para controlar» proyectos urbanísticos en su beneficio.

La red defraudó 44.754.000 euros (más de 7.446 millones de pesetas) a los ayuntamientos barceloneses de Santa Coloma de Gramenet, Badalona y San Andrés de Llavaneras, con ramificaciones en Andorra, Suiza, Gibraltar, Portugal, Madeira e Islas Caimán, para blanquear el dinero.

Luis García Sáez, conocido como “Luigi” (ex diputado del PSC) y que fue expulsado del PSC en 1992 tras estar imputado por estafa urbanística, es el nexo de unión o “conseguidor” y uno de los máximos responsables de la trama, erigiéndose en «consejero de facto o en la sombra» del alcalde de Santa Coloma, Bartomeu Muñoz del PSC-PSOE. Manuel Dobarco, concejal de urbanismo de Santa Coloma, habría obtenido un beneficio de 8.026.000 euros.

El ex alto cargo con Pujol Lluís Prenafeta (ex Secretario General de Presidencia con CIU) habría percibido al menos 637.590 euros, la misma cantidad que el ex consejero de Economía Macià Alavedra, ((ex Conseller de la Generalitat) quien, según el auto judicial, sólo entre mayo y junio de este año podría haber blanqueado 300.000 euros.

Mientras, ayer se ha sabido que la empresa municipal de promoción inmobiliaria de Santa Coloma Gramepark, situada en el epicentro de la trama, está al borde de la quiebra técnica, con un agujero de 85 millones de euros.

LOS 9 IMPUTADOS

Bartomeu Muñoz (Alcalde de Santa Coloma de Gramanet PSC-PSOE): Asociación ilícita, cohecho, fraude de subvenciones, fraude y extracciones ilegales, falsedad en documento oficial y mercantil. Prisión incondicional.

Luis García Sáez (ex diputado del PSC): Asociación ilícita, blanqueo de capitales, fraude de subvenciones y falsedad en documento oficial. Prisión incondicional.

Macià Alavedra (ex Conseller de la Generalitat de CIU): Asociación ilícita, blanqueo de capitales. Prisión incondicional.

Lluís Prenafeta (ex Secretario General de Presidencia de CIU): Asociación ilícita, blanqueo de capitales. Prisión incondicional.

Manuel Dobarco (Concejal de Urbanismo de Santa Coloma PSC-PSOE): Asociación ilícita, fraude de subvenciones, falsedad en documento oficial, fraude y extracciones ilegales. Prisión incondicional.

Pasqual Vela (Director gerente de Servicios PSC-PSOE): Asociación ilícita, cohecho, fraude y extracciones ilegales, encubrimiento. Libertad bajo fianza de 25.000 euros.

Lluís Casamitjana (Empresario y Presidente de Espais): Asociación ilícita, blanqueo de capitales, tráfico de influencias y fraude fiscal. Libertad bajo fianza de 500.000 euros.

Josep Singla (Empresario y Presidente de Proinosa): Asociación ilícita, tráfico de influencias. Libertad bajo fianza de 500.000 euros.

Manuel Carrillo (Empresario y Consejero Delegado de Limasa Mediterránea): Asociación ilícita,

LA CRÍTICA DE LA PELÍCULA:

En la operación Pretoria, escandalizan las imágenes y no el botín.

El Tribunal Superior de Justicia de Cataluña (TSJC) y la consejería de Justicia han criticado que los detenidos en la operación “Pretoria” fueran expuestos esposados ante los periodistas y han exigido que se respete su “derecho a la dignidad”.

La presidenta del TSJC, Maria Eugenia Alegret, ha manifestado que le parece “mal” el trato dado a los detenidos del ‘caso Pretoria’, ya que considera que “la pena del ‘paseíllo’ o la pena del ‘telediario’ no está prevista en el Código Penal”. (Señora Presidenta, está claro que si estuviese prevista atentaría contra el derecho de libertad de información y expresión que es lo único que faltaba)

El presidente de la Audiencia Nacional, Ángel Juanes, ha ordenado la apertura de un expediente informativo para aclarar lo ocurrido y determinar las circunstancias en las que los detenidos fueron expuestos ante los medios de comunicación a las puertas del tribunal, según un comunicado difundido anoche por esta institución.

CIU se desmarca de Alavedra y Prenafeta, los expulsa y se queja del trato de la Policía

El PSC también suspenderá de militancia a Bartomeu Muñoz, Manuel Dobarco y Luis García Sáez. (Siempre se dice en estos casos que es para defender su inocencia)

El político Pujol criticó con dureza las formas que la Guardia Civil dispensó a los dos «grandes históricos» del partido y consideró que las imágenes que se pudieron ver de los ex dirigentes esposados fueron «desproporcionadas» y supusieron una «vejación pública y un escarnio innecesario». (Y del dinero ¿qué?)

LA DOBLE VARA DE MEDIR:

Ahora los políticos y hasta la Presidenta del Tribunal Superior de Justicia de Cataluña, se rasgan las vestiduras porque las imágenes de los personajes implicados en la corrupción se pueden ver en la televisión y todo ello porque pertenecen a los grandes partidos, pero sin embargo nadie criticó ni dijo ni “mu” cuando se vieron las imágenes de los implicados en la operación Malaya como la del Alcalde de Marbella, Julián Muñoz, del partido político Grupo Independiente Liberal (GIL), a Roca y otros.

sobrado.esmiweb.com

José Sobrado García

Si hem de fer cas a les enquestes publicades per diferents mitjans de comunicació, així com el CIS, sembla que a l’electorat de dretes li excita morbosament sentir a parlar de casos de corrupció, les fosques trames urbanístiques endureixen el seus membres virils i humitegen les seves fantasies nocturnes; només així s’explica que Millet, Gürtel i Pretoria catapultin CIU-PP a governar Catalunya, Valencia i Madrid. Analitzem el perquè de tot plegat!

Quan un votant progressista s’assabenta de la menor ombra de corrupció reacciona immediatament castigant als partits que l’han protagonitzat amb una abstenció fulminant, no així els ciutadans conservadors i neoliberals que en el lloc on nosaltres tenim la ètica, ells alberguen una fascinació sadomasoquista per la virilitat corrupte i un patrioterisme folklòric que percep l’Administració Pública com una dòcil serventa sempre disposada a que el senyoret li magregi l’entrecuix o el mamellam d’amagatotis.

Ja ho deia César García Muñoz en un article de El Pais de dissabte passat: els italians voten a Berlusconi massivament per que la cultura política masclista d’aquell país sofreix d’una malaltissa enveja per les festetes amb prostitutes, als seus setanta anys, així com per l’entorn de gomina i limusines que rodegen a les orgies de corrupció del seu President.

“Quin mascle!” “Quin home!” “Qui pogués estar al seu lloc” “Has vist com roba? Segur que la té com un campanar”

Es evident que tanta auto-repressió sexual judeocristiana havia de trobar la seva vàlvula d’escapament… però havia de ser a costa dels pressupostos públics?

Curiosa forma tenen de servir a la nació,a la que tan diuen defensar i estimar, que violant-la cada cop que poden. Clar que, com ells son uns patriotes, després de cada cop de puny un petonet: Millet roba a Catalunya, si, però després fa una donació il•legal a CIU o al PI i aquí pau i després glòria! Sempre trobarem algun andalús a qui acusar d’espoli fiscal o algun immigrant a qui culpar de prendre’ns la feina.

I mentre els votants conservadors son cada cop més a prop del orgasme col•lectiu, bavejant davant els rellotges de Juan Costa, l’escriptora pepera Maria de la Pau Janer (candidata a Consellera de Cultura Balear amb el corrupte Jaume Matas) es va queixant de l’emmanillament de Macià Alavedra, Prenafeta & company. No serà que ella també es sent embriagada pel morbo de les manilles i vol participar del cotarro?

Tenen sort els imputats del cas Pretória de no tenir-me com a Ministre del Interior. Em limitaria tan sols a aplicar el mateix protocol que la Guàrdia Civil amb els anti-sistema: ofegament a la banyera i elèctrodes fins que confessin on tenen el darrer cèntim. I encara si no passo les imatges del interrogatori al Canal Club Super 3 en prime time. Que n’aprenguin!

Blue Bulls campeões da Currie Cup 2009!!! 23º título na história para o time de Victor Matfield e Morné Steyn! Ano perfeito para eles e festa em Pretória!

Mas o fim de semana teve muito mais: semi-finais da Air New Zealand Cup e novo líder no Top 14 francês! Vamos à 1ª parte dos Resultados do final de semana.

Blue Bulls e Free State Cheetahs entraram em campo na cidade de Pretória para decidir o título de 2009 da Currie Cup sul-africana. O estádio lotado por torcedores azuis só pensava em uma coisa: revanche contra os Cheetahs. 2005 e 2006 estavam frescos na mente de todos, anos de triunfo dos Cheetahs sobre os Bulls na final da Currie Cup. Bakkies Botha, controverso segunda linha dos Bulls, não teve papas na língua após o jogo e afirmou que sim, o que seu time mais queria era a revanche. Fora isso, os touros azuis precisavam voltar a vencer o campeonato nacional, título que não conquistavam desde 2004.

Os Bulls começaram o jogo com uma pressão fenomenal, colocando 24 x 0 nos primeiros 25 minutos. Hougaard anotou o primeiro try logo aos 4 minutos de jogo, e Bryan Habana anotou outro, após bela troca de passes com Fourie du Preez. E outra magnífica jogada de Du Preez resultou no segundo try de Habana e larga margem de pontos para o time da casa. Contudo, em campo estava o “time da virada”. Os Cheetahs chegaram à grande final da Currie Cup por sua capacidade fora do comum em reverter resultados. A arrancada final rumo à segunda fase foi prova disso. E eles não haviam chegado à final para entregar a taça tão facilmente. Guiados pelo abertura Jacques-Louis Potgieter, que fez excelente torneio em 2009, os Cheetahs conseguiram dois tries, anotados por Frans Viljoen e Corne Uys. Mas os touros azuis contavam com o sensacional Morné Steyn. Mesmo perdendo muitos chutes, o abertura springbok anotou 21 pontos para seu time, e garantiu a vitória na etapa final da partida. Nico Breedt ainda fez o terceiro try de Free State, mas a reação parou por ai. 36 x 24 para os azuis. Blue Bulls, 23 vezes campeões sul-africanos! E dobradinha em 2009! Super 14 e Currie Cup foram para Pretória. O ano foi azul! Segundo o técnico dos Cheetahs, Naka Drotské, os Bulls são hoje o melhor time provincial do mundo.

Escalação das equipes:

Blue Bulls: 15 Zane Kirchner, 14 Francois Hougaard, 13 Jaco Pretorius, 12 Wynand Olivier, 11 Bryan Habana, 10 Morné Steyn, 9 Fourie du Preez, 8 Pierre Spies, 7 Dewald Potgieter, 6 Deon Stegmann, 5 Victor Matfield (c), 4 Bakkies Botha, 3 Werner Kruger, 2 Derick Kuün, 1 Gurthro Steenkamp.

Reservas: 16 Bandise Maku, 17 Rossouw de Klerk, 18 Danie Rossouw, 19 Pedrie Wannenburg, 20 Heini Adams, 21 Burton Francis, 22 Gerhard van den Heever.

Final: Blue Bulls 36 x 24 Free State Cheetahs, em Pretória

Free State Cheetahs: 15 Hennie Daniller, 14 Lionel Mapoe, 13 Corne Uys, 12 Meyer Bosman, 11 Danwel Demas, 10 Jacques-Louis Potgieter, 9 JP Joubert, 8 Ashley Johnson, 7 Frans Viljoen, 6 Heinrich Brussow, 5 David de Villiers, 4 Nico Breedt, 3 WP Nel, 2 Adriaan Strauss (c), 1 Wian du Preez.

Reservas: 16 Richardt Strauss, 17 Coenie Oosthuizen, 18 Izak van der Westhuizen, 19 Kabamba Floors, 20 Tewis de Bruyn, 21 Louis Strydom, 22 Fabian Juries.

A Currie Cup também teve definidos os duelos de promoção/rebaixamento. O Mpumalanga Pumas conseguiu a tão almejada promoção, derrotando o Boland Cavaliers por 40 x 3, em Witbank. Pumas na Currie Cup 2010 e Boland rebaixado!

Na outra partida, os Leopards venceram os Eagles e garantiram a permanência na elite no ano que vem. Os Leopards sairam perdendo o jogo por 18 x 0, mas reagiram na segunda etapa. O placar terminou em 18 x 17 para os Eagles. Como o primeiro jogo teve o placar de 47 x 42 para os Leopards, a permanência foi garantida. Por muito pouco!

Resultados:

Mpumalanga Pumas 40 x 3 Boland Cavaliers, em Witbank

SWD Eagles 18 x 17 Platinum Leopards, em George

Canterbury e Wellington receberam Southland e Hawke’s Bay pelas semi-finais da Air New Zealand Cup 2009. A final poderia ser histórica, com os visitantes se enfrentando pela primeira vez em uma final nacional. Histórica como esta edição do certame. Imprevisível, equilibrada e emocionante rodada a rodada. Mas a Air New Zealand Cup terá um final repetido. Canterbury e Wellington se enfrentarão na final na cidade de Christchurch, igual o ocorrido no ano passado.

Canterbury impôs seu jogo sobre Hawke’s Bay, aproveitando bem as chances de ataque e segurando brilhantemente o poderoso e sempre acertivo ataque dos Magpies. O placar de 20 x 3 refletiu a impressionante solidez de Canterbury, que não pôde contar com seus all blacks em campo. Whitlock, Ross e Brett anotaram os três tries dos anfitriões, garantidos na final.

Na outra partida, Wellington e Southland fizeram uma dura e equilibrada partida na capital neozelandesa. Três tries para cada lado, a diferença esteve nas penalidades. Os Stags (Southland) cometeram excessivos penais, cruciais ao final da partida. Weepu converteu nada menos que 5 penais e garantiu a vitória dos leões de Wellington. O try de Dane Coles (segundo dele na partida) no final do jogo foi a pá de cal nas esperanças dos homens do extremo sul. 34 x 21, e sétima final em onze anos para Wellington.

Resultados:

Canterbury 20 x 3 Hawke’s Bay, em  Christchurch

Wellington 34 x 21 Southland, em Wellington

Final: Dia 7/11, Canterbury x Wellington, em Christchurch

O Top 14 francês tem novo líder! O Perpignan voltou à ponta com vitória apertada mas vital sobre o até então líder Castres. A vitória em casa por 17 x 15 foi obtida com muito sofrimento. Os catalães anotaram primeiro um penalty try, mas não conseguiram durante toda a partida impor seu jogo sobre os adversários. E foi isso que fez com que o Castres mostrasse suas limitações. Contra uma equipe que não se impôs, apesar das conhecidas qualidades, Castres teve ele que mostrar o seu jogo e tentar impô-lo. E fracassou nisso. Não anotou um try sequer e deu espaço, no final da partida, para o try decisivo do Perpignan, anotado por Guirado. 17 x 15 para a USAP.

O grande jogo da rodada talvez tenha sido entre Clermont e Stade Français, pelas qualidades dos dois times. Jogo muito equilibrado que terminou com um try salvador de Ollie Philips, aos 76 minutos, colocou o Stade Français na frente do placar, impondo o desesperado ao time amarelo, que via a vitória já muito próximo. Brock James não permitiu a derrota de sua equipe acertou um penal, no minuto derradeiro. Empate em Clermont-Ferrand. 19 x 19.

O outro jogo emocionante foi realizado em Paris. O Racing Métro recebeu o todo-poderoso Toulouse, e precisava muito vencer para se aproximar da zona de classificação para o mata-mata final. Com o histórico Stade Yves du Manoir lotado, os racingmen foram para cima e lideraram no placar o jogo todo, sempre com Toulouse na cola. Os dois tries anotados no início do segundo tempo, pelo abertura Wisniewski e pelo asa Leo’o, foram respondido logo em seguida pelo Toulouse, pelas mãos dos T5 Servat e Lamboley, fazendo o time do sul encostar no placar. Wisniewski anotou mais um penal e garantiu a vitória de 27 x 20 para os parisienses.

Vamos às demais partidas. o Toulon, sem Wilkinson, enterrou o Bayonne, em pleno País Basco, por 14 x 8, deixando o adversário na zona de rebaixamento; o Albi foi mais uma vez derrotado, desta vez pelo Montpellier, em jogo muito apertado; Bourgoin e Brive ficaram no empate, em mais uma partida decepcionante do time de Corrèze (Brive), que se aproxima agora a passos largos da zona de descenso; e o Montauban derrotou o Biarritz, calando as provocações bascas de antes da partida.

Resultados:

Perpignan 17 x 15 x Castres, em Perpignan

Racing Métro 27 x 20 Toulouse, em Paris

Albi 15 x 18 Montpellier, em Albi

Bayonne 8 x 14 Toulon, em Bayonne

Bourgoin 14 x 14 Brive, em Bourgoin-Jallieu

Clermont 19 x 19 Stade Français, em Clermont-Ferrand

Montauban 14 x 5 Biarritz, em Montauban

Classificação, após 11 rodadas:

1 – Perpignan – 35 pontos

2 – Castres – 34 p.

3 – Clermont – 33 p.

4 - Toulouse - 31 p.

5 - Toulon – 30 p.

6 - Biarritz – 28 p.

7 - Stade Français – 27 p.

8 - Racing Métro – 27 p.

9 - Montauban – 25 p.

10 - Bourgoin – 22 p.

11 –  Montpellier – 21 p.

12 – Brive – 20 p.

13 – Bayonne – 17 p.

14 – Albi – 9 p.

Pela Pro D2, a segundona francesa, o Narbonne se recuperou da derrota na última rodada e venceu com folga o Dax, e agora é o terceiro colocado. A liderança ainda é do Agen, que bateu fácil o Mont de Marsan. O segundo posto é do Oyonnax, que venceu Aix-en-Provence, colocando o rival de volta na zona de rebaixamento. Mas a vice-liderança do Oyonnax pode ser provisória, já que o Lyon poderá em breve roubá-la. Isto porque a partida entre Lyon OU e Tarbes foi adiada.

Resultados:

Grenoble 9 x 9 La Rochelle, em Grenoble

Colomiers 17 x 13 Lannemezan, em Colomiers

Pau 17 x 11 Union Bordeaux, em Pau

Lyon OU x Tarbes, em Lyon – adiado

Agen 37 x 8 Mont de Marsan, em Agen

Auch 34 x 23 Aurillac, em Auch

Aix-en-Provence 3 x 16 Oyonnax, em Aix-en-Provence

Dax 3 x 17 Narbonne, em Dax

Classificação, após 9 rodadas:

1 – Agen – 33 pontos

2 – Oyonnax – 29 p.

3 – Narbonne – 29 p.

4 – Lyon OU – 8 jogos, 26 pontos

5 – Grenoble – 24 p.

6 – Tarbes – 8 jogos, 22 pontos

7 – Pau – 21 p.

8 – Dax – 21 p.

9 – La Rochelle – 20 p.

10 – Auch – 19 p.

11 – Aurillac – 18 p.

12 – Mont de Marsan – 18 p.

13 – Colomiers – 16 p.

14 – Union Bordeaux – 16 p.

15 – Aix-en-Provence - 13 p.

16 – Lannemezan – 4 p.

Just sending a little love to I Love Cupcake – they did the cupcakes for my wedding, which not only looked great but tasted amazing too. With eighteen delicious flavours like Tiramisu, Lemon Cheesecake and Brandy Chocolate, at only R11 each, there’s something for everyone. They’ll even decorate the cupcakes to suit your party’s colour scheme. They have shops in Joburg, Centurion and Parkhurst, or visit them online here. The photo’s are by Brenchè Loubser and Kyle Tee.

Congratulations to the Bulls and tough luck to the Cheetahs. Fourie du Preez was outstanding to create three tries against the run of play.

At least the Cheetahs won two of the three national titles with the 0/19 and 0/21 teams beating the Lions and the Sharks selectively in their finals at Loftus on Saturday. Well done Cheetahs were all proud of you!!!

Here an image of Victor Matfield running onto the field in his 5oth game for the Bulls.

More images of the three games on www.supermedia.co.za

Gerhard