20 Day Challenge - The end

So the 20-Day mission finally came to an end yesterday.

Was crazy hectic. I know I haven't really been updating you guys on the progress. I meant to, I swear I did. I've been so damn occupied, I couldn't even dedicate a few minutes to blogging about the days as they went by.

To say I have made some progress would be an understatement.

At the begining of this whole thing, I set out to achieve some things that I think I had always either been putting off or just hadn't done. In pursuit of achieving those, I ended up having done some other things I didn't even plan to.

Now for the details...

1. Design better stuff
   Though I did start work on some designs, I just never got around to finishing them. But I didn't wanna design things and rushing them off onto the internet, without being 100% happy with them. That's the graphic side done.
   The web side of things has proven to be quiet a journey. I'm in the process of designing two websites. One for at work and the other is a design for my business. You'll see both early next year.


2. Be more organised
   I though I had managed to get this done; until for some reason, I misplaced my ID. I guess that's what you get for messing up the organised chaos I had already gotten used to. At least I found it again. :)
   But apart from the ID issue, everything else is nicely organised. My business stuff is in order now. Especially my clothing company.


3. Quit Coke
   This was crossed out at the beginning, simply because I was a bit unsure about putting it up on the list. Not because I didn't wanna quit Coke, but because I wanted to see if I could actually do it. The first 10 days were a complete failure. I remember at some point I had two 2litre bottles in my fridge. LOL. I guess that was the final binge before going 100% cold-turkey. Which I did. (YAY!) I can proudly announce that I haven't had a drop of Coke in over two weeks. I'm back to the soft drink I lived off of back in my high school days - Sprite.


4. Love more
   Done. LOL. What you want me to say? I love more now. In every way. Over the past 20 days, I've gotten somehow closer to everything that's close to me. *if that makes any sense*


5. Achieve more
   No idea how I planned on measuring this. So I can't really say if it's done or not. Hmm... let's leave it at maybe. :)


6. Exceed expectations
   This I can safely say I have done and will still continue to. In all aspects of my life. I guess that old 'mantra' under-promise and over-achieve was in full effect over the past four weeks. Though I wasn't constantly exceeding expectations, I did give it my all. *must remember to look up 'mantra'*


7. Eat Better
   Eish... Ya, well... I tried. Actually I think I failed dismally. The reason I'm saying this is because over the past 20 days, I ate far worse than I thought I would. My food consumption (LOL) wasn't very constant. So I can't really say I was eating any better.


8. Eat more
   Uhm... Even though I wasn't eating better, I was definately eating more. Might not have been more often. But I was definately having huge helpings. Does that count? It was more like mini-binges really. :)


9. Experiment with food
   Done. I ordered, ate and cooked some things I wouldn't normally eat/order/cook. Nothing too abnormal. Just some things I had always put off. Which is what this whole challenge was about - getting things done.


10. Spend more wisely
    Something wrong with the English in that one... Anyway. I managed to become very money-wise during these past 20 days. If nothing else, this is definately one thing I can take away from this whole experiment - having spare money in my pocket. Such a nice feeling. :)


11. Save more
    Done! Can you see this smile on my face --> :) ?? [if not, then see #10]


12. Design more
    Done. See #1


13. Be more
    Well... This I've always been. Just pushed the envelope a bit further this time around.


14. Learn more
    Haven't really learnt too much. I mean, nothing more than usual. Nothing extraordinary. I've always been keen on learning new things, so there wasn't really much of anything to achieve here.


15. Live better
    To me, that translates into having less stuff to stress about. And to be honest, I can't even think of one instance (except for the ID thing) where I was actually stressing or worrying about anything. So yeah, living has been much better lately.


16. Stress less
    *I swear when I wronte #15, I wasn't aware the next one was stress-related. Nice.*


17. Be more aware
    I think the me before this challenge was a lot more laid back and I didn't really pay much attention to a lot of things, especially when it came to my business stuff and where money's concerned. But since starting this whole thing, I've been paying a lot of attention to the finer details in my life. And it has really really paid off. I'd recommend this to anyone.


18. Live more
    I've definately been living more. I've been more impulsive. Done some minor things without thinking twice (like I normally would) about them. It's been nice.


19. Do more
    This was on the list, not only for me to do more for myself, but mostly for the next person. I think I've achieved that. Fully.


20. Try something new
    I dunno if I've done anything new lately. I think I've done the same things I've always done, maybe only a little differently than how I normally would. That's all. Nothing much has changed.
    *Maybe I should try something old next. LOL!*


21. Give more
    I overpaid my taxi guy a while ago. Does that count? LOL. I think what I've given more of has been my time more than anything. That's paid off nicely too. :)


22. Take less
    I don't even think I've been a taker all this time. I just think I have been more aware of what I take. Thereby minimising that more than normal. I can't think of a particular instance where I took less than the next person, but I'm pretty confindent in that I've achieved it.


23. Open more
    I've done this. I think my colleagues will be the first to attest to the fact that I've opened up more of my private life over the past few weeks than in the 12 months I've been here.
    Over the past 2 weeks (the past two Fridays), I've hosted parties for them at my place. That's gotta count for something right? :)


24. Blog more
    Done. But not as much as I would have liked to.


25. Take more pictures
    I think I over-achieved on this one. I was the designated photographer at the parties at my place, so I think that pretty much covers everything.


26. Love her even more
    I do/did and she knows it! :)


27. Design bigger and better stuff
    As you can see, I'm pretty obsessed with designing. Making it's third appearance on the list now. :)


28. Watch less TV
    I think this was in an effort to spend more time staring at my computer screen. I can't say there was much of a change there. But considering I managed to design some things, I can say I did this. Though I feel I should've/could've done more. It's cool though...

All in all, the challenge brought about some nice changes in my life. Made my a +1 better person. I'm not where I wanna be, but I now know what it takes to get there and that it is possible to get there.

Peace and love!

:P

read more...

20-Day Challenge: Objectives

A list of things I'l be doing over the next 20 working days (17 actually). I'm on a mission to...

• design better stuff


• be more organised


• quit Coke


• love more


• achieve more


• exceed expectations


• eat better


• eat more (YEAH!!!)


• experiment with food


• spend more wisely


• save more


• design more


• be more


• learn more


• live better


• stress less


• be more aware


• live more


• do more


• try something new


• give more


• take less


• open more


• blog more


• take more pictures


• love her even more


• design bigger and better stuff


• watch less TV (...uhm... no.)

Read on or stay tuned...

read more...

Before I die

I refuse to die before [in no particular order]:

1. Attending the Carnival in Rio de Janiero - Brazil
   
   What more could I possibly ask for? Happy people, music, singing, dancing and not to mention the hot hot hot weather!!!
   
   
2. Chasing cheese down a hill - Gloucester, England
   Might sound stupid to you, especially if you're a girl, but nothing beats anything that provides the rare opportunity to potentially break your neck in pursuit of... ...wait for it... a round of Double Gloucester Cheese down an extremely steep and uneven hill!!! YEAH!!!
   
   
3. Rocking it at the Cape Town Jazz Festival - Cape Town
   Again, a killa combination: music, a good time, some 1000+ people having a good time and some nice outdoorsy weather! Aint nothing better!
   
   
4. Rollercoaster-ing at Ratanga Junction - Cape Town
   
   1 reason: the adrenalin rush!
   
   
5. Bungee jumping off of something - The World
   
   see reason on #4
   
   
6. Chilin' on the ocean in Mozambique
   
   Beach + hot weather + Portuguese food = happiness
   
   
7. Going to the Umhlanga Reed Dance in Swaziland
   
   Two birds with one stone, (1) I'll be in Swaziland and (2) I'll be witnessing another history chapter added to the King Mswati book - him marrying yet another wife. As if 14 isn't enough. pshh!!
   
   
8. The Zulu Reed Dance in KwaZulu Natal
   
   I've always wanted to witness this. :)
   
   
9. Going to one of the Channel-O patries in Swaziland
   
   I hear they're the best parties to go to this side of the Vaal, I wanna be part of the temporary migration come December!
   
   
10. Being part of La Tomatina - Valencia, Spain
    
    The potential risk of getting hit in the eye with a tomato has always appealed to me. The mess of it all. I likes it!!
    
    

**Looks like this is gonna be one of those lists I need to update as I go along.
Hopefully I'll update it, unlike this one...

;)

read more...

A guide to success (GUARANTEED RESULTS)

Ok. Let me preface this by saying that... THIS WORKS!

As usual, this here post is filled with nothing but awesomeness, mixed in with some hardcore facts. Are you ready to change your life forever?? Huh? I can't hear you!!!!?

Right, let's rock...

As you may or may not know, I never finished my tertiary education. So that means I don't actually have a diploma or degree or anything along those lines. So first chapter (quick: grab a pen or print this page...) where was I?

Oh, first chapter: Drop out of school.

You might think this is the easy way out. Coz you might actually hate going to school and learning something at this point in your life. (note: 'school' in this article, refers to any form of tuition you may be recieving right now)

Here's why I'm saying you should quit school:

1. School can never teach you talent.

Yes, there's only one reason... And that's about it. School can guide you on how to harness whatever talent you're born with and actually put it to good use for the benefit of some large corporation. This is all good and well. But lest we forget one thing. You might actually not want to spend 40 years of your life wearing chinos to work for 40 hours a week. You might actually have dreams and aspirations you may wanna explore. Stuff that's not in your Management textbook. Stuff that only the university of life can teach.

You can spend your whole life fixing computers, but once you realise that you wasted a good 3-4 years learning about bits and binary only to wake up one morning, start cutting up some clothes only to become a renowned fashion designer. Then lesson one becomes ever more necessary. This isn't something you need to spend two days thinking about. You need a lotta time.

Maybe you're just one of those people who's had their whole life carefully planned out and cast in stone. Basically your life has always revolved around some sort of norm. i.e. You were born > went to kindergarten (creche) > primary school > middle school > high school > varsity > work > retirement home > death bed > grave heaven or hell > eternity.

Maybe that's just the way you were meant to live. Unfortunately for you, no one in the world can come and tell you that you're supposed to life in a different way to how you're living at the moment. No, not even me. It is your life afterall. So in the end, as you jot down the last words in your will, you'll come to realise you didn't actually live the life you wanted. I bet that's exactly what the guy who coined the phrase "live life to the fullest" realised as he lay on his death bed.

Anyway...

What I'm saying here is that you spend a large part of your life living the life that everybody else is living. This is what could pretty much be compared to a rat race: there's already a tunnel/path set out in fron of you, and before you even know you're halfway through it.

Chapter 2: Study IT (i.e. Information Technology)

Yes, the big bad highway where information meets technology. Funny enough, it seems this is the right path follow if you happen to find yourself somewhere in between the middle of lesson 1 (in school). If you don't actually wanna quit school. Don't fret. Just hang in there or just jump the boat and make the switch to IT.

All the great minds of this world studied IT. Some happen to have studied IT and actually dropped out halfway (that would be me). That right there is pure genius. Surely success is busy nibbling at your heels at this point.

I mean look at the richest dropout in the world - Mr William Henry Gates III. That's Bill Gates to you and me.

This dude, dropped out of school only to later become the richest man in the world at the ripe age of 38.

Now, I'm not saying if you quit school you'll be filthy rich by age 38. I'm just saying... you gotta follow your heart. ...and study IT ;-) LOL.

Another guy who studied IT but didn't get very far - Olebogeng Ledimo the guy behind the House of Olé fashion house.

A great example of talent versus tuition.

For gender equality purposes, I'm gonna throw a woman into the mix (even though the 2:1 ratio doesn't make anything equal) ...aaah, look at that womanly smile! :)

...aaah, look at that womanly smile! :)

Simphiwe Dana - she studied graphic design. But have you actually seen anything she's designed lately? I didn't think so. You wanna know why? Coz she decided to venture further into the creative field and become a musician. Not because she sucked as a graphic designer, but because she didn't see herself NOT doing what her heart really wanted. She didn't see herself on her death bed wishing for a second chance so she can stand in front of thousands of people and sing her heart out. And look where that got her... awards.

Chapter 3: Quit your job

Now, I'm partly a good advocate for this. (insert unapologetic self promotion face here)...

But I don't wanna talk about myself. The focus is on making you successful. Maybe even more successful than I am (again, insert relevant face here).

Do you hate waking up early on a Monday morning and already with it was Friday?

Then that right there is reason enough to leave.

Do you spend 80% of your time scheming on ways to make it big?

Another damn good reason for you to resign with immediate effect!

If you feel you can do ABC better than the next guy, then why not go for it? If you feel you'd much rather be selling donuts, then what are you waiting for?

If you hate taking instructions from your dropout boss. Then leave and become your own I-quit-my-job-for-this boss!! And make your own rules!

If your heart isn't in what you're doing then leave!! It's that simple!

Use the recession as an excuse if you have to...

Chapter 4: Love what you do, do what you love!

If you're sitting there thinking you've got no reason to quit anything. Then good for you. But do you have a degree in Phsycology and are busy typing memos for your dropout boss? That alone is enough to make you reconsider!

On the other hand, if you love typing memos and feel that phsycology degree makes you a better friend to your suicidal best friend, then cool. If you've found your passion doing what you love then, by all means, stick to it!

I'm glad to have lived (and still be living) a life that allows me to have done everything mentioned in this post.

Moral of the story...

Follow your heart! Do what you love doing! Drop out of school! Leave work! Do something with your life!!

Here's a quick list of other inspirational drop outs:

1. Michael Dell-founder of Dell Computers: billionaire - he read chapter 2, and loved it
2. Steve Jobs-co-founder of Apple Computers: billionaire - also inspired by chapter 2
3. Steve Wozniak-co-founder of Apple Computers - him too
4. David Geffen-co-founder of Dreamworks, SKG
5. Larry Ellison-founder of the database company Oracle: billionaire - chapter two manifests itself once again
6. William Hanna-of the cartoon producers Hanna-Barbera - chapter 3 & 4
7. Sheldon Adelson-real estate and casino owner: billionaire
8. Jack Taylor-Enterprise Rent-A-Car: billionaire

read more...

Some stuff you don't even know

Ok, considering the controvesy caused by what I posted on my birthday, I think it's only fair that I reveal a bit more stuff you didn't know about me.

Is that ok?

Ok, let's go. I was gonna number these, but I don't wanna limit myself to a number.

I'll probably fill this in as the day goes on. So you'll probably only see this at the end of today. Which is basically in four hours. Unless I decide not to post it today, then you'll have to wait for tomorrow.

Still, whenever you see this the above paragraph wont even matter.

So here goes.

1. I think about my dreads almost on a daily basis.
2. I never know what to wear until I actually have something on, then take it off and wear something else.
3. I sleep naked (most of the time) Considering how hot and humid it is where I live, you can't blame me.
4. I have 3 pairs of 'spectacles' aka prescription glasses.
5. I don't always wear my glasses.
6. I wear one pair more than the others.
7. My wrists+hand area is almost identical. Right = Brown leather strapped watch + thumb ring. Left = Brown leather arm band + middle finger ring!
8. I have two beauty spots on each hand.
9. I sometimes talk to myself about myself.
10. I laugh at my own jokes. I don't need your laughter LOL!
11. I don't talk too much.
12. I can't stand people who raise their voice. For whatever reason. Especially if you shout even if you're holding a mic. I think that's dumb.
13. I always think people could do things differently. No matter what it is. In whatever field/industry.
14. I'm passionate about people. Real people.
15. About 95% of my friends are female.
16. 95% of the contacts on my phone are females.
17. I talk more on the phone than I do in person.
18. I like writing.
19. I have an opinion about almost anything you can think of.
20. I win most arguments. Hands down. I argue based on facts more than anything.
21. I used to be very good at drawing with a pencil and a pad in high school; till I decided to burn it and start a new one. (it got full) Haven't started since.
22. I don't regret anything. Except #21 I think.
23. I prefer black pens over any other.
24. I make doodles while on the phone and in meetings (who doesn't?) Mostly arrows. Or my initial signature (the kind you sign at the bottom of each page of a contract).
25. As much as I love cooking, I get lazy to cook for myself. (Especially when I'm alone)
26. I make a killa cup of coffee.
27. I put a lot of time and effort into my weekend breakfasts. Especially on Saturdays.
28. I spend too much time behind a computer screen.
29. I play Solitaire when I'm bored or can't sleep. I only play the games that have either 1 or two aces on the floor.
30. Of the 11 official languages, I hear & understand 9. The other two I don't consider South African.
31. I'm a tribalist.
32. I think in English sometimes LOL! Actually most of the time.
33. I took typing class in high school.
34. I also did music.
35. I listen to almost every type of music. Minus 80% of gospel.
36. I like walking around barefoot.
37. I like walking around naked. The advantages of living in a huge townhouse by yourself. There's no need for me to dress. The least I can do is wear boxers.
38. I'm right handed.
39. I cut my nails every other Friday. Religiously so.
40. I don't really like watching TV.
41. I like reading. A lot. But I don't think I'm not much of a book fan either. I wonder why.
42. I like (and prefer) brown leather.
43. I prefer female friends over males anyday.
44. I get self conscious around strangers.
45. I have a deep-ish voice. I think it's gonna get deeper as I grow up.
46. My first born is gonna be a girl.
47. I'm gonna love the mother of my child during their pregnancy. Even if she eats gerkins with peanut butter. I heard they do this.
48. I wanna stop wearing glasses, but I'm short-sighted. :(
49. I prefer wearing jeans and a t-shirt to work.
50. I think I should've been either in advertising or marketing or being a stylist or something along those lines. Though I love the line of work I'm in.
51. I love clothes. Pity I can't really afford them sometimes. :(
52. I'm looking forward to seeing the older version of me. With family, wife, kids and everything. The car I'm gonna drive... just everything.
53. I'm a big dreamer.
54. I get excited by my dreams. Especially when I'm all alone, and I get down to even the finest detail of how I'm gonna realise that dream.
55. I've never been in a cop car.
56. I've never seen the insides of an active prison.
57. I'm unconfortable around dodgy looking people. And I promise to kick their asses if they should try something (in my head though).
58. I'm over protective of my female friends.
59. I can love without being in love. When I do I love with all of my heart.
60. I can't hide my hate.
61. I've had great experiences with strange people in strange places. Ecpecially when I needed help. I think I look innocent enough for them to feel safe with me. :)
62. I've been mistaken for a girl. A lotta times. I think the deep voice helps in this case.
63. I don't smile at strangers.
64. I'm not always audible.
65. I hate raising my voice.
66. I taught myself how to drive.
67. I don't get along with my dad. Though I look and sound just like him.
68. I never wake up on time. Even if I set the alarm, I always wake up 15 minutes later.
69. I don't wake up and get out of bed immediately. Even if I'm late. There are people who do that!
70. I like black gadgets. I have two black phones. I also like white gadgets. :/
71. I didn't know what my name really meant until like 2 years ago.
72. I gave myself a middle name. After my father and my grandfather. Wanted to keep it in the family.
73. My grandfather used to play the trumpet. And he was damn good apparently. I'm gonna buy one.
74. I keep a lot of notepads that I write in but never refer back to. They just full of doodles anyway. :p
75. People think I'm a nice guy. But that's after I decide whether I like you or not. Otherwise, you'll never know what kinda person I am.
76. I always have to have toothpicks after eating anything. Except yogurt. LOL!
77. I'm missing my mother right now.
78. I wanna travel the world. See places. Do things.
79. I think I grew up too fast.
80. I'm always the youngest in almost everything.
81. I'm a go-getter. I'm just lazy to go get.
82. I used to be very forgetful. Hence the notepads all over the place.
83. I used to be the shortest in class up until late in high school.
84. I've had dreadlocks for over 6 years.
85. I own property.
86. I have all my bank cards from when I first started working. And all my credit cards.
87. I don't have credit at any store. Anywhere.
88. I don't use credit. I buy everything cash. Long story.
89. I can cut people completely out of my life.
90. I don't talk to people as much as I should.
91. I'm a bit anti-social.
92. I don't have to tell you that I'm a creative.
93. I taught myself how to swim.
94. I can't float. :(
95. I still have all my access cards from all my previous jobs.
96. I'm a bit of a collector.
97. I know more than most people I know. That worries me.
98. I don't know exactly what my talent is. I mean that 1 thing I'm really good at.
99. I don't sing in the shower. I talk. I complain about buying a shower head every time I'm in it, then forget about it when soon as I'm out.
100. I used to be obsessively compulsive about washing my hands.
101. I don't like shaking hands.
102. I don't hold onto escalators in malls. I don't know why people do that.
103. I hate sloppy people.
104. I hate a lot of things about a lot of people.
105. My password doesn't change. It's always the same thing. Might be in spelt differently (which I sometimes forget) but it's always the same. All over the web.
106. I have a lot of profiles on a lot of websites.
107. I've had my heart broken.
108. I wish I didn't have to come to work.
109. I know a lot of peoples' inner-most secrets.
110. I was pretty smart during my school years. :)
111. I don't know how good I am at DIY. I like paying artisans to do things for me. It's what they're good at afterall.
112. I can't bake. I've never tried.
113. I'm not too sure how to use an oven.
114. I can do wonders with a microwave oven though. :)
115. I prefer chicken over any other type of meat. You can't got wrong with chicken.
116. I laugh at wit more than slap-stick comedy. Basically I prefer Chris Rock over Leon Schuster.
117. I'm obsessed with knowledge.
118. I always wanna know how something works. Even if I don't ask. I think about it.
119. I hate it when people expect me to talk about my blog posts. It's like being a comedian and people always ask you to tell them a joke. A simple "I liked your piece" is more than enough. Thanks.
120. I'm always thinking of getting more tattoos.
121. I can talk nonsense at times.
122. I like being serious.
123. I don't have a bubbly personality.

I think that's about it for now. There you go. A collection of random things you might not have known about me.

Whenever I think of something to add here, I will just post an update.

Like this:

Updates:

124. I don't really have a nickname. I never introduce myself by any of the nicknames people give me.
125. I like reading number plates as a full word. e.g. DLT = delete.
126. I like taking pictures.
127. I got my first camera on my 11th birthday. It's with my mom. I hope she still has it.

read more...