29 July 2008

Madame Zingara

It is that time of the year again - and the incredible Madame Zingara is back to WOW audiences. Last year was my first visit to this "sycedelic" "surrealistic" wonderworld ... and what a fantastic fantastic time we had. I will definitely be there this year. Here are the booking info - or click on the title link to go to their website - Welcome to the Theatre of Dreams ....


"Aphrodisia" premieres on August 19th at Montecasino.
Shows run Tuesdays to Saturdays.
Doors open 6:30 pm, and show commences 19:45 pm.
Ticket prices range from R325 to R375 per person (depending on seating area) which includes welcome drinks, a decadent four course dinner, and the spectacular show, Aphrodisia.
(Please note: we require a pre-payment of R175/person to confirm your booking)

For reservations contact: 021 426-2458 or 0861 MADAME (0861 623263) or 076 ZINGARA (076 946 4272). As we are experiencing a high volume of calls at the moment we do not wish to keep you on the line longer than necessary. Should you not be able to get through to one of our operators timeously, kindly pop us an email and we will return your call boxoffice@madamezingara.com

28 July 2008

QWELANE JOBURG PROTESTS

A reminder!!!!:
The protest against "the disgusting homophobia of Jon Qwelane as well as the shocking complicity of the Sunday Sun in choosing to publish and promote it," is set to take place between 2 and 3 pm.

The organiser, Michael Smolinsky, has urged LGBT Joburgers and their friends and supporters to take part: "Take an hour out of your day to be there, or take your lunch hour off. Help make the Sunday Sun fully aware of its constitutional obligations as we demand a retraction of the article and a commitment never to allow such blatant hatred to emanate from its auspices again!"

Qwelane’s July 20 article, titled Call me names, but gay is NOT okay..., equated homosexuality with bestiality, praised Robert Mugabe's oppression of gays and lesbians and encouraged the removal of the sexual-orientation clause from the constitution

Click here for the full article: http://www.mambaonline.com/images/features/sundaysun_small.pdf

or make your voice heard on facebook events:
Demonstration details:
Taking place in Johannesburg on Tuesday 29 July
Outside Media24’s offices
At Media Park
69 Kingsway
Auckland Park (off empire)
See you all tomorrow !!!

Why do people lie, especially to those they love?

I stumbled apon this very interesting article

Lying is a technique that is used to influence, control and manipulate other’s thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. Lying comes naturally, and most of the time, it happens with little awareness, effort, or thought. In fact, children start lying, quite effectively, early in life. And as adults, people continue to lie.

Not only is lying fairly common, but it can take several different forms. On occasion, people will tell a bold-faced lie. That is, say something that is explicitly not true. Most of the time, however, lying is best accomplished by what is left unsaid – a lie of omission. In this case, speakers leave out critical information (usually about who, what, where, when, or why) while leading hearers to believe that the complete story is being told. As Benjamin Franklin so keenly noted, “Half the truth is often a great lie.”

So why do people lie, especially to those they love?
Lying is typically motivated by one or more of the following factors:
Avoid Punishment
Lying is often used to avoid punishment or possible rejection. If a spouse or romantic partner is going to react poorly to the truth, generally speaking, people try to hide or conceal the truth. By nature, people are designed to avoid harm and punishment, even if individuals have to lie in order to do so. Again, children pick-up this skill early in life and people continue to lie as adults.
Seek Approval
Not only are people designed to avoid punishment, but people universally have a need for approval. Lying and deception are often used to create a favorable image or impression. People will go to great lengths, even using deception, if necessary, to create a positive image. Often this involves some self-deception as well – people start to believe their own false image is true.
Maintain Privacy
Everyone needs some privacy – a sense of independence, autonomy, and freedom. People like to feel in control, especially when it comes to giving out information about one’s self. Just because you are in a close relationship does not mean that you have completely given up your right to, or need for, privacy. So, lying and deception are very useful when trying to maintain a sense of one’s self that is autonomous, independent, and private.
Avoid Conflict
Couples rarely see eye-to-eye on every issue. And if couples were determined to (and some do), they could engage in never ending conflict on a range of issues. But, always engaging in conflict is damaging in any relationship. So, rather than argue about every issue that may come up, sometimes it is easier to avoid conflict by pretending to get along.
Regulate Power
Whether people like to acknowledge it or not, power differences are present in every relationship. Power involves having control when it comes to decision making. And power often switches back and forth between partners depending on the issue at hand. For instance, one partner might have financial power, while another partner may have social power (control in social situations). As a general rule, the person who lacks power in any given situation is more likely to lie in order to influence the outcome. For instance, kids are more likely to lie to their parents, employees are more likely to lie to employers, and the same holds true in close relationships. The person, who lacks power, is more likely to lie in order to get what they want. Lying helps individuals even out power differences that may exist.
- Article by Timothy Cole, PhD -
Mmmmm interesting isn't it ....

22 July 2008

Miley Cyrus

While I am on the topic of new artists - I am sure you all have heard Miss Miley Cyrus on a "radio near you". She is better known as the star of the Disney Channel series "Hannah Montana".

If a familiar bell is ringing somewhere ... let me inform you. She is the daugter of ..yes you have guessed it - non other than the Billy Ray Cyrus (...my achy breaky heart - la la la la ...)


One of the things that made waves is that Miley Cyrus is trying to remain a virgin until she gets married (where have we heard this before ...Oooh yes... Miss Trailer (aka Britney). She says that she is going to stay a virgin until she gets married, and insists that she gets a thrill from staying pure.

Quite a contrast to the public image that she has, since posing topless for Vanity Fair in the picture below. She has a promise ring that she wears at all times and says that it’s a purity ring that symbolizes the purity promise that she has made to herself and her family.

Sam Sparrow

I had a debate if Sam Sparrow is cute or not ... well we were undecided on the subject - But his song Black&Gold (that has been on our airwaves) is soooo fabulous, that I gave in and agreed - "Yes!!" He is cute :)

His single “Black and Gold” has spent more than thirteen weeks on the UK top 40. His debut album has been on the UK top 40 for longer than six weeks.

When asked by Mark (from RockSellout.com) to explain what his hit song "Black&Gold" is all about, in a interview this year June, this is what he said:

"It’s quite abstract really. It’s about searching. I was looking for God obviously. You know, I grew up with religion in my life. I had a certain amount of faith for some time then. I was going through this kind of dark period really lost and no destiny. I was trying to find that feeling again…look for the meaning to life and if God existed. “Black and Gold” is kind of a way of singing about the Universe. The Black sky and the Gold stars and it became a pop song!"

Click on the title link to read the full interview with Sam Sparrow





The simple truth ...


Happy Birthday - Mannie !!!

Happy Birthday - Hope you had a fabulous time !! Hope all your wishes come true !!

Some wise words

Hi everyone :)

Looking around at what is going on in the world, it is sometimes hard to stay focus. War, hate, bombing, financial strain of most of the people in SA - not even to talk about the Zim crisis.

Sometimes it is the little things that gets you through the day. Be strong and always remember:"There is always someone worse of than you are"

Why worry?


21 July 2008

Plumbum - "Cradle your Mankind"

In May this year I did a story on Plumbum (our own Homegrown swim-and-underwear). I got such a sweet email from Preston at Plumbum that I decided to post a follow up.

They launched a limited edition Hibiscus Swim Brief at the Mr Gay SA 2008 on 31 May 2008 in Pretoria - which has proven that there is a need for something this ‘bright’. Here are some eye-candy (and the boys are not bad either - lol) - if you want to see more boys in their super-hot Plumbum gear go visit: http://www.coolconnections.us/MrGaySouthAfrica.html

Two facts about Plumbum I never knew is:
1) They were the 4th Regional Finalist in the SAB (South African Breweries) Kickstart Entrepreneurial Programme


2) They are a member of the Cape Town Fashion Council



Well boys - Plumbum is definitely a product on my birthday and xmas list

Looking forward to some exiting new stuff from this dynamic company.

PS: Preston - it is easy to be generous with articles if you have a winner product (which you guys clearly have :) - thanks for your email really appreciate it :)

14 July 2008

Happy Birthday - Madiba !!

Yes he is turning 90 years old. Born 18 July 1918 he has really made such an impact in all our lives - not just in SA, but also in the world.

Happy Birthday Madiba - You are truely a great Leader !!

Inspiration for the week ...


08 July 2008

The history of PINK

Have you ever wondered about colours. Well here is a bit of history on the colour Pink

Pink is a pale red colour that was first recorded in the 17th century to describe the pale red flowers of pinks, flowring plants in the genus Dianthus. The colour stands for beauty, grace and goodness.

Roseus is a Latin word meaning "rosy" or "pink". Lecretius used the word to describe the dawn in his epic poem "On the Nature of Things" (De Rerum Natura)

Shocking Pink (or neon pink) is bold and intense. It takes its name from the shade used on the box of perfume called Shocking, designed by Leonor Fini for the Surrealist fashion designer Elsa Schiaparelli in 1937.

In Western culture, the practice of assigning pink to an individual gender began in the 1920s. From then until the 1940s, pink was considered appropriate for boys because it was the more masculine and decided color while blue was considered appropriate for girls because it was the more delicate and dainty colour. Since the 1940s, the societal norm apparently inverted so that pink became appropriate for girls and blue appropriate for boys, a practice that has continued into the 21st century.

Well today - I think that men are not afraid to wear the colour - as it is after all ...just a colour