Well it’s all just so warm and fluffy at the moment. The email and comment responses to the “ANOTHER 2OCEANSVIBER CHOOSES TO LIVE THE HOLIDAY” article a few days back pays further homage to our mantra, Work is a sideline, live the holiday.

This, from Misha C, an ex-pat 2oceansviber based in the UK.

A toast..

Seth,

Casually closing the weekly chapter (loosely translated to drinking Champagne at my desk, reading 2oceansvibe.com, buying clothes on ASOS.com and searching for my dream-pad in The Mother City) I stumbled across your recently added post, ANOTHER 2OCEANSVIBER CHOOSES TO LIVE THE HOLIDAY. Apt? I think so.

Love it. Live it. The love is thick.

Now stop acting crazy and enjoy the weekend.

Misha

Aah, so much of nice.

Stay sexy, you guys.

Stunning!

Have a good weekend!

[thanks nic]

I’ve received quite a few emails and sms’s and calls about this ESPY Awards vibe that was on TV a couple weeks back. People were really “touched” by their Nelson Mandela “tribute.” For the uninformed, the ESPY Awards is an annual sports awards event created and broadcast by American cable television network ESPN.

The Arthur Ashe Courage Award was given to Nelson Mandela and accepted by his daughter and grandson. It was accompanied by a short documentary that linked Mandela’s already extraordinary life story to a signature sporting event, the 1995 Rugby World Cup .

Here it is. We’ll discuss further afterwards.

Look, it’s a very “moving” vibe which we, as South Africans, are obviously well aware of and proud of and all that. But I’m fascinated that they (ESPN) SUDDENLY do this 15 years after the 1995 Rugby World Cup.

And is it mere radical coincidence they (Hollywood) happen to be releasing a movie this year about the 1995 Rugby World Cup, called “Invictus” - starring Matt Damon and Morgan Freeman. God, such unbelievable timing!

And isn’t it EVEN MORE astounding to learn that Morgan Freeman did the voiceover for the footage at the ESPY Awards?

I smell a red herring here. Could it be that ESPN is in bed with Hollywood?

Look, that’s all business, I suppose – and it was Mandela weekend, or thereabout. But to rope Barack Obama into it as well, to essentially sell a movie!?

Come on, guys….[frowns]…very naughty.

Tsk, tsk.

* Previous 2oceansvibe articles about the Rugby World Cup and movie “Invictus” with Matt Damon and Morgan Freeman, some of which were reprinted in the Boston Globe, can be seen here, here and here.

* Find out more about this courageous Arthur Ashe fellow here.

[thanks dave]

I received an email a couple days ago from a 2oceansvibe reader. Now I get variations of these liberation emails from time to time and I don’t usually publish them. The last one was Alewyn, who quit his job, headed for Monaco and started a blog (story here).

People jumping for joy
(I’ve never used an image like that
It’s fairly amazing)

So it’s been a while since I gave you one of these and I was somewhat taken when this email arrived from a 2oceansvibe angel by the name of Claire.

Check it out:

Hi Seth

I must admit, I’ve only been an avid 2oceansvibe reader for a little over 7 months but I just wanted to write a special thank-you for the inspiration you have given me.

I’m one of those people who have always been interested in a bunch of things but never knew what/if/should I study. So I ended up going to AAA School of Advertising where I studied brand management and client service and at the beginning of this year started working at an ad agency. Although it has its perks I still feel/felt that I was working a 9 to 5, living for the weekend and trying to keep my head above water and deal with retarded clients. Whenever, I feel frustrated or stressed I’ll visit your blog to try get a dose of the vibe. Ever since I started feeling down in the dumps I have thought about how in my own way I can live the holiday. My biggest interests have always been fashion, cosmetics and art/interior decor so for me to live the holiday, I might as well do something I love which won’t feel like the dreaded W word (work. So although I am going to stick it out until next year to get some capital I have found a couple of designers and a women who brings in Top Shop clothing and have just placed my first small order.

So hopefully soon, I will be living the holiday.

Thanks again,
Claire

How cool is that?

I emailed back, asking a few questions about what she will be doing, as I knew you might be interested.

Hi Seth

Didn’t think I’d get a reply. Wow!

The name of the store will be Lily-Jade. It will be a clothing boutique offering an array of women’s wear, refusing to be pigeon-holed. In other words: An attitude which is accessible to all and a bold product range Our clientele will be offered everything from basics to progressive trendy items keeping Lily-Jade ahead of the fashion and style curve. To the owners of Lily-Jade, myself, Megan Wall and Catherine Wall, combining style, design and affordability is a winning formula.

We aim to know our customers better, give terrific service, generally have a more interesting collection of clothes that will add to making customers feel special. We believe these are the kinds of features customers are looking for in a smaller, independent store.

Our clientele will be able to purchase an array of clothing sourced from overseas (we have just received stuff from TopShop in the UK), by selected South African designers and we are currently producing our own personal line. To begin we are going to build a very select database and sell through cocktail evenings and special open days and view-by-appointment only’s, but we aim to open a store by the end of 2010. Oh hail the death of the department store

Thanks

Claire

Well done, Claire! You are a TRUE 2oceansviber!

Good luck with that and keep us up to date on your vibe.

If you haven’t seen it, then you need to. Quite urgently, I might add. Well done to those of you that have seen it. We applaud you.

And if you start watching and stop before the end when the babies go through the cones, then you’re also doing yourself a gross injustice.

Check this out my little friend:

Those babies have got skillz, I said!

Mind you, The Ripper does that kind of shit the whole time.

Mother dearest is in Cape Town at the mo and, as you can imagine, required high levels of attention at all times prior to my Los Angeles departure – including daily shopping expeditions, lunches and dinners. Between finding time to write for you and my waistline, I needed to find some time without offending her.

As I was staying at my primary residence, the Cape Royale Hotel , I asked the concierge, Patrick, what he might advise.

“Easy,” he said, “there is a 5 hour treatment at the Cape Royale spa!”

Oh joy to the highest Gods!

The Cape Royale Spa
Mother went..

I presented her with the 5 hour special and off she went as I spent that day catching up on articles for you and fine tuning my hips in the gym!

This was the result – an email from Mother:

To: Seth Rotherham
Subject: Exquisite Yes ……….. Decadent Absolutely
___________________________________________

My Darling Only Child

Thank you for the most Exquisitely Decadent Day. Since being spoiled by the fabulous Spas in Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos never did I expect to find another Spa to compete…….but Yes for sure the Spa at the Cape Royale is sensational, from the charming staff , soothing ambience, and the Delightful Sericha who started my day with a full body massage……… Bliss, then in my haze a pedicure and manicure at the same time how cool is that ( thank you Kim for the manicure ) Lunch chosen from a menu with all your heart could possibly desire served up on the top floor at the pool deck . With 360 degree views of Table Mountain, the Atlantic Ocean and stunning Cape Town. WOW could there possibly be more YES YES YES an hour and a half facial the likes of what I have never experienced by Sericha. The Day is deservedly called “The Exquisite Package”

Thank you Thank you
My Love always
Mummy Dearest

Thank God!

Highly recommended, it seems..

We pause for a second to peruse Avril Lavigne, spotted on a yacht in the last week or so – somewhere in St. Tropez.

I must be honest, I’ve always had a soft spot for Avril. And that was before she started doing things like that. Although I am concerned at how her body is changing shape. Are we turning into a young lady?

It depends what you call a “young lady.”

Click here for some more shots of Avril, including what she was up to the night before that shot was taken..

Very naughty.

She may very possibly have to get a little hiding for that.

Well this U2 vibe has come full circle. First we gave you concert pics from Milan showing the crazy new stage they’re using for U2’s 360° World Tour (here ). Then we got some more pics of the weird and wonderful stage in the day (here). Then we had a competition for you to win two tickets to the U2 concert in their hometown of Dublin, Ireland (here). Then the tickets were won by Mandy F (here ).

And now, Mandy and co have just returned after the wildest weekend of their lives; (it’s good to break the sentence up) having experienced a U2 concert in their hometown with 84,999 other people !

Hi, how you?

Hey Seth!

Hope you having a cool time in LA!! Thought I’d send you a few pics of the concert – it was INCREDIBLE!!! Best night EVER!! 85000 people!!! CRAZY!! And the 2oceansvibe chaperone, Ross, is such an awesome guy!! He took such good care of us!! We had such a party!!

Thanks SO SO SO much!! Really appreciate it!! Had he best time! Jamie and I continued the party on Tuesday morning at temple bar and missed our flight!!! Stupid us – so had to pay for a whole new ticket!!! But…worth it!!

Thanks for everything!

Love Mandy and Jamie

Stunning!

As we continue to peruse the pics of the dream come true:

[I went quite big there]

“Madness”
(Robbo)

Yes, Bono – we know..

Something to take The Edge off..

The Temple Bar
Owned

So, all-in-all,…a success?

ps. you know the concert was just down the road from the

[See what it took to win that competition, here]

Scroll down slowly.

Just take it in.

Let it come to you.

It’s in another league.

The same league as this guy:

I know – there’s not much more that you can ask of me.

[thanks jonty]

You’ll recall the article and video I gave you a few days ago, of Formula 1 racing driver, Felipe Massa’s accident after being hit in the head by a flying car part (here ). He nearly died but is injured and unable to continue racing in the foreseeable future.

That’s all very well, but the BIG news is that seven-time Formula One champion Michael Schumacher will replace injured Ferrari driver Felipe Massa for the rest of the season.

I know! I’m pinching myself as we speak!

Michael Schumacher
Seven-Time Champion

Check this out (Telegraph):

Michael Schumacher returns to Formula One with Ferrari

Earlier on Wednesday the Bild newspaper in Germany had reported that Schumacher would come out of retirement and drive for his former team, for whom he currently works in advisory capacity.

Ferrari confirmed the move on Wednesday afternoon saying the German would replace the injured Brazilian driver Felipe Massa until the end of the season.

Schumacher said on his own website: “The most important thing first: thanks God, all news concerning Felipe are positive. I wish him all the best again.

“I was meeting this afternoon with Stefano Domenicali and Luca di Montezemolo and together we decided that I will prepare myself to take the place of Felipe.

“Though it is true that the chapter Formula 1 has been closed for me since long and completely, it is also true that for loyalty reasons to the team I cannot ignore that unfortunate situation. But as the competitor I am I also very much look forward to facing this challenge.”

[more here]

In the words of Murray Walker (which he got from me), “Anything can happen in Formula 1, and it usually does!”

Aah, happy days.

Let’s celebrate with a gratuitous photo of Michael and me.

Seth and Mike
*cough* ’scuze the Judrons..
they were borrowed..

And it’s GO GO GO GO!!!!!

Schumacher’s career:

Teams: Jordan, Benetton, Ferrari

Races: 249

Championships: 7 (1994, 1995, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004)

Wins: 91

Podiums: 154

Career points: 1,369

Pole positions: 68

Fastest laps: 76

First race: 1991 Belgian GP

First win: 1992 Belgian GP

Last win: 2006 Chinese GP

Last race: 2006 Brazilian GP

2009: ???

UPDATE:

While conflicting reports continue, we prefer reading this one and this one.

And, of course, there is always the official Michael Schumacher website. CLICK HERE for that.

[thanks phil]

The owners of the Sears Tower, the tallest skyscraper in the United States (Chicago), inaugurated last week four glass box viewing platforms. These balconies are suspended 1,353 feet (412 meters) in the air on the 103rd floor. They are 10ft high and 10ft wide and can hold 5 tons with their 1.5 inch thick glasses.
Really impressive and definitively something to try…

Thought you might enjoy that.

Quite hectique!

[thanks juan]

Quite hectique. A Renault Clio cleaned a palm tree in Buitenkant Street, Cape Town, last night.

Car accidents aren’t our favourite topic here on 2oceansvibe, but a car ending up in this position is not something you see everyday.

[source:facebook]

Aerial View
Source: Riaan vdw

Apparently another car cleaned the Carlucci’s in town.

Not ideal.

Please be careful out there guys.

[thanks sam]

UPDATE FROM 2OV READER:

Hi Seth,

The two accidents happened about 20m from each other. The Renault hit the tree in front of the 4 Seasons (Flats not hotel) and another parked in Carlucci’s, taking out the concrete balls that “protects” the entrance. Sorry to the new management.

Check this picture I took:

 

 

Gareth

PS: Reading Wolf of Wall Street – thanks for the tip.

Well this is certainly one for the books! Please enjoy this ad which was found in a recent issue of South Africa’s Autotrader Magazine.

AWilliams Hunt used car dealership seems to be taking the art of used car sales to the next level.

I think they meant “Our Prices are AS good as the legend”

I’m amazed. I mean, using Michael Jackson in an ad is one thing, but using it to sell CARS…hah..well that’s just another thing altogether! And, given that this particular Williams Hunt dealer is in RANDBURG, you’d think the bosses at the company would have slammed the idea of aligning their company with the deceased “moffie.”

The issue of it being legal or not is something we can delve into another time, but, for now, can we just focus on the process that they may have followed here?

With the global economic crisis going at full blast and used car sales being in the dwang, the marketing team were probably told to “think out the box.”

Delarey (Manager) would have said to the team, “Come on, boys – we need a new angle! What is the biggest news in the world at the moment?”

“Michael Jackson, Sir!” was the reply from the somewhat soft Andries, who was wearing a white sock and a black shoe.

“Ok….,” pondered Delarey, “and how do our carrrrrs [rolling the "r"] relate to that MOFFIE!?”

“Well, sir, he was the kind of pop. So we can say that our prices are…”

[Andries stops for a second to give it a little more thought - then spits it out, excitedly]

“We can say that out prices are AS GOOD as him!!!!” – He smiles, stoked, snorting with glee.

Delarey beams, like a proud father (he is his father) “That is fucken brrrrrilliant, Andries!!!” “Do it!!! Do it NOW!!!!”

We’re going to make MILLLLLLLYINS!!

[thanks neil]

Friday the 13th is a staple in horror movie history. The slasher film franchise has come a long way and has struggled to break the vicious (yet popular) cycle of blood, boobs and boozing.

Jason Voorhees, the masked psychopath is to slasher films what James Bond is to espionage and they both share one irritating trait… they just won’t die! Jason has been decapitating teenagers for nearly 3 decades, with 12 movies under his belt. It’s got to the point where you’re probably wondering who’s stupid enough to go camping at Lake Crystal?

Read the rest of this entry »

She’s been very quiet, old Mavis and her rabid fan base out there will be pleased to see her featured here again. This actually happened before I went to South of France in June, but the story only came full circle when I was back in Cape Town a couple weeks ago; this article being the result.

You will recall Mavis was hemorrhaging cash from me before I left for Provence. Someone died and she had to go to The Eastern Cape for a funeral. She was gone for a week, which blew all her cash for that month. So I gave her the usual interest-free zero-payback loan scheme that we have been developing over the last few years. How it works is I give her money and she never has to pay it back – although every time she swears she will. She says I can gradually take it off her pay, but, if I do, then she’ll ask for another loan half way through the next month. I actually made up a saying to describe the process, I call it a “vicious circle.”

Use it, don’t use it (also mine).

So anyway, just before I left for for a month visit to our house in Menerbes (which, in turn, means that Mavis will be getting a month off – paid leave) she felt she would surprise me by washing my car. Hopefully that would rinse away any memory of the debt.

You what? [pause] You say it’s “SWEET” of her?

Oh really?

And is it still “sweet” of her when you discover that she was using a VIM on the tough spots?

Do you know what a VIM is? It’s basically wire wool.

One of these guys:

Ja, I thought you would enjoy that. Do you think the green part is good for a car’s coat? No, it’s not. It’s probably worse than putting Carol Boyes stuff in the dishwasher. Mavis has done that as well.

Well enjoy this, which is a pic I took of ONE of the EIGHT tough spots that she gave a real working. I thought I’d use it for an article about how she ballsed up, but I never had the energy to complete it until now.

Nice one..

Pretty rad, hey?

But don’t worry, I didn’t get angry with her. I thanked her for cleaning the car and just mentioned that she shouldn’t do it again, as she scratched it without (I assume? ) knowing. In eight places.

So I left it as it was and headed off to the South of France and Mavis went off to wherever she goes on holiday – probably Mauritius or the Cayman Islands where all her loot is stored. When I returned to Cape Town and moved into my primary residence at the Cape Royale Hotel in Green Point, I received an email from a guy called Neil. You’ll enjoy this, because this is a prime example of how “the vibe” works.

So he tells me that he has just opened “PLUSH”, a boutique Cape Town car wash. Boutique is one of my favourite words, so I kept reading. It seems the cape town car wash is located in the underground car park of that block in Green Point where Vida e is (”Port side” is the name of the block, I believe). Melissa’s also used to be there but they have been replaced by Bravado (ex-Bravo from Mouille Point – I went there, it’s good – try it). That’s a pity for Melissa’s but what do you expect when you charge over R700 for a sandwich and dive head-first into an overly-ambitious Waterfront shop?

Boutique is what you want

He tells me it is just next door to The Cape Royale Hotel. I asked him if he knew that I stayed there and he replied in the negative.

“Good Lord, well there are too many coincidences to not bring my car to you. Do you do scratches?” I asked.

“Yes we do scratches and dent removal.” He claimed the moment and went on, “We do everything from window tinting and sticker removal to plastic/vinyl restoration, mag repair and fallout removal!”

I had no idea what fallout removal was/is and I still don’t but it’s sounds pretty impressive.

I dropped my car off at 10 and got it back a few hours later, looking like this:

That’s what I’m talking about!

All 8 scratches were gone and the car looked brand new. That’s all I’m saying.

They’re our current cape town car wash of choice. And it’s not just me that thinks so – the amount of +R1 million cars there tells a story (they do ALL cars, obviously).

Use them. Mention 2oceansvibe and you’ll probably get a discount.

It’s amazing how that story fell into place and, in a way, I’m almost glad that Mavis scratched my car. In.eight.places.

Wow.

It’s a “classic” Afrikaans song by a guy called Nic Stevens called “Toeter Skoeter” and is basically about a guy with a hooter on his water scooter (ie jetski).

Whilst minimal command of the Afrikaans language does help when watching this, it isn’t entirely necessary as the visuals are enough to kill you on their own.

Can you believe that just happened?

I would have definitely taken the bird in the white shorts, rather than the rah-rah skirt.

[thanks matthew]

Here in Los Angeles, the heart of La-la-land, anything is possible. There is a saying I made up many years ago, which Murray Walker stole from me and it goes like this: Anything can happen in Los Angeles, and it usually does!

Take, for example, the tabloid magazines. Now, it’s one thing reading the likes of Heat and Us Magazines, which give their variation of something which might resemble an element of the truth. But they PALE in comparison to the real hard cores, who spew out about 10 shades of shit on a weekly basis.

Behold:

This stuff you genuinely can make up

Can you imagine working for Globe ? Can you imagine the staff meetings? They must have a series of columns up on the wall and each “journalist” goes up and jumbles it up. The first column has famous names, the second has scandalous topic, and the third column a place and the last, a reaction.

The journo’s should pick something from each column before the “editor” comes in to the meeting.

“Good morning everyone. Right, what did you suck out of your thumb today, Parker?”

“Umm, I thought maybe Obama, with a gay lover?”

“Hmm, nice… I like the way you’re thinking, Parker. And where exactly is this lover?”

“INSIDE the actual White House!!”

“Superb, you are getting very good at this. And is there any extra spin on the story? Is there anything else your brain farted?”

“Yes, enjoy this…. Michelle Obama is FURIOUS!!!”

The editor freezes, with his mouth agape. He takes off his spectacles, shakes his head in amazement and says to the rest of the team, “Is this kid hot or WHAT?!”

Massive applause as the previous header article about Michael Jackson dying three times gets moved down the front cover.

Awesome!