I think I'm Romano-Spanish

I made paela for Sunday lunch today and we opened an old Barbera d'Alba made by our friends at Erbaluna. I enjoyed it so much that for a moment I suffered an identity-crises. It was only when I looked up and saw the Simons mountains that I realised I am actually, truly African.

Ocean Symphony

It is early on a Sunday and me and Annelie are the only people on the beach on a windy morning. The waves roar as a backdrop to the high pitched gulls. As the sea reaches out up the beach, I can even hear the hiss as the bubbles burst at my feet. The wind is rough in my hair and I hear it pushing against my eardrums. Maybe it is the contrast with my recent visits to big cities, but I know that I belong here close to nature.

Arden and Oupa

Rushing from the airport, I was in time to share some time with Arden before bedtime. He snugged close to me with one of his books. Flipping the pages we discussed the tribulations of Max the mouse and his four friends: Mollie, Kasper, Freddie and Loeloe. He impressed me with his vocabulary and keen observation and then he showed me something that I could not do: placing his big toe in his mouth.

Dense fog at Dubai

All the passengers are on the plane, doors closed and ready for push-back. The delays caused by the dense fog here this morning have a ripple effect and we expect to only get clearance in another hour. This means that I am likely to only be home more than three hours late. I should learn to be more patient and accept the things I cannot change.

Singapore Dawn

Last time I was in Singapore (about six weeks ago), I blogged about the sun rising over the sea. I was on the 43rd floor of the Marina Bay then. My room is now on the 40th floor of the Swissotel. I once again experienced a beautiful dawn this morning, but different; with spectacular buildings in the distance reflecting on the water.

Emirates Business Lounge Dubai

Strange how the best experiences (if one is exposed to it frequently) ultimately become mundane. It is probably close to twenty times that I have passed through the business lounge in Dubai this year. Something that I experienced as awesome is now irritating me; why do I have to stand in a queue for the showers and why can't the free Wifi not be faster? How do I ensure that I remain humble and thankful - like I want to be?

Dogs hunting imaginary mouse

Our two dogs are set on finding the mouse in the bushes. It is fun to watch them stick their heads into the Noem-Noem's, tails wagging, small, quick yelps. They have caught a mouse in these bushes before, but I think it is the memory that now spurs them on.

Attending IBM launch at Capitale

Capitale is a prime event venue in lower Manhattan. Originally built to house the Bowery Savings Bank early in the previous century, it is a prime example of Italian Renaissance architecture and truly a grand old building. It was therefor somewhat ironic that IBM choose to announce their new computer architecture; Flex, in this old spectacular building from yesteryear.

Central Park sunshine

Central Park, New York is such a special venue - right in the middle of Manhattan. A large tract of undeveloped land, surrounded by skyscrapers and some of the most expensive real estate in the world. Me and Annelie enjoyed a cup of tea in the park on a chilly sunshine, spring day. The trees and the lawns were framed by the skyscrapers in the background.

Italian fare in Boston

The food was simple yet exquisite. The setting was plain yet authentic. The service was homely yet professional. The three of us had a great dinner at Nico in the Italian district. Izak had a stuffed veal, Annelie the signature gnocchi and I a duck breast. The wine was a Montelcino from Castello Banfi. Nothing to complain about.

Easter sunday with Izak in Boston

Me and Annelie were blessed to see our son for a day. We joined him rejoicing that our Lord has risen with other believers in a small chapel on the MIT campus. We also met Max (a colleague-student) and his girlfriend. We braved the cold and explored the city with thanks in our hearts: our son is doing well in this foreign land.

A380 to New York

Me and Annelie flew on the new A380 from Dubai to New York. We had seats on the business class upper deck and did have a drink in the little pub at the back of the plane. The plane is a marvel of aero-engineering and it is backed up by the dependable Emirates service. Three things that I did not like: it felt like the plane had a sickening oscillation at cruising speed, the seats actually felt narrower than the 777 seats and the large business class with the galley at the back complicated serving meals.

Birthdaywishes

In a previous era, I would have received all of my birthday wishes in person. Some of the family might have phoned. This time, for my fifty-fifth birthday, the majority of my birthday-wishes were delivered digitally. Many suppliers sent generated eMails and texts. But it is the many friends that utilised Skype, Facebook, eMails, eCards and others, that I really would like to thank.

Moonset

I undertook a painful run just before sunrise on Friday. The moon was low on the horizon and slightly obscured by a solitary cloud. The streetlights competed with the brightness of the moon and lost. There was a slight chill in the air.

Dinner with Ernst and Catherine

Seeing that we were planning to travel on my birthday, Annelie prepared a leg of lamb for Thursday evening. Ernst and Catherine joined us for a memorable meal. I decanted a 1997 Frans Malan and we talked till late. I am truly blessed.

I bought a suit from Martin Delport

Martin Delport Mens Outfitters has been around in Cape Town as long as I can remember. They will open a brand new store in Bellville, next week and was selling suits at half price to get rid of stock. I obtained a pair of suits as part of this deal and was served by the original Martin himself. It was such pleasure to see someone in action that still feels passionate by what he does.

I killed a Pigeon

We have this problem with the marks that Rock Pigeons leave on the balcony at home. I like these birds a lot and would not mind them sharing the balcony with us, but this has become impossible as they are in the process of filling the area with their droppings. Therefor, I recently acquired a capable slingshot with which I killed a pigeon on Saturday. It was weird to experience the adrenaline when I realised that the pigeon was hit and actually falling from the air.