The olde wagon trail

Well, it's been a while since I last wrote.

A lot has happened; amongst other things I was retrenched in July, also I'm planning a trip through South Africa on the KLR650 i bought before the shit hit the fan.

The idea is to travel through the country and pay my way by working on a 'work for petrol basis'. Honestly you might think me mad, but if one has a permanent job it will never be possible. Best to do this while this opportunity is there for the taking.

If you live somewhere in South Africa or know of someone who can offer casual work(one week maximum), send me an e-mail and I can plan my schedule for your part of the world.

Any casual labour is fine, and I'm not scared to use some elbow grease if required. My first job I got here in Jhb to fund the video camera and camping equipment was disassembling old aircon machines for a large aircon company in Randburg. I've also been a barman and spent a short period working at an animal shelter.

Anything goes!

My first Trip was to Taung in the Northern Cape, and while walking the grounds of the old Chalk and Lime quarry I bumped into an old local(George) who's goat had been killed by a Jackal just that morning. The lad was pretty down, but was quite knowledgable on the area. I was looking to find the Buxton Falls, but instead he showed me one of only 3 Tufa-type falls in Southern Africa. It was fuckin amazing! I was also able to collect many antique goodies associated with the mining from back in the day. All in all a fantastic trip. I will post the video and some photos as soon as the editing is done.

Next trip is to Putsonderwater, and then.. who knows?

Ciao

Desert Rose

I dream of rain
I dream of gardens in the desert sand
I wake in vain
I dream of love as time runs through my hand

I dream of fire
Those dreams are tied to a horse that will never tire
And in the flames
Her shadows play in the shape of a man's desire

This desert rose
Each of her veils, a secret promise
This desert flower
No sweet perfume ever tortured me more than this

And as she turns
This way she moves in the logic of all my dreams
This fire burns
I realize that nothing's as it seems

I dream of rain
I dream of gardens in the desert sand
I wake in vain
I dream of love as time runs through my hand

I dream of rain
I lift my gaze to empty skies above
I close my eyes
This rare perfume is the sweet intoxication of her love

I dream of rain
I dream of gardens in the desert sand
I wake in vain
I dream of love as time runs through my hand

Sweet desert rose
Each of her veils, a secret promise
This desert flower
No sweet perfume ever tortured me more than this

Sweet desert rose
This memory of Eden haunts us all
This desert flower
This rare perfume, is the sweet intoxication of the fall


'Desert Rose' - Sting

The Mirror Image

Saturday evening after the Bulls match. Fireplace, Jack Tar and many reworks.

I suggest clicking for a larger view.

Background http://stock-by-crystal.deviantart.com/art/Decrepid-Room-3-54816118

Circus Dwarf http://lorivintage55stock.deviantart.com/art/Circus-Dwarf-Stock-80687418

Jellyfish http://two-ladies-stocks.deviantart.com/art/jellyfish-75647453

Lizard claw http://guavon-stock.deviantart.com/art/stock-lizard-claw-32924976

Mandrill http://nefarostock.deviantart.com/art/Mandrill-6-68480727

Textures - Chidog

me, myself and I..

I'm waiting for some stock approvals before I show the Manipulation I did the weekend. Here's glorious me in the meantime.

I have to say; I'm having so much fun with these manipulations that It's making me very lazy. Truth be told: I'm very busy doing a private job at the moment(since January) and it stops me from getting out there and taking photos. I should be finished with that end of June. Manips are a great way to while away the little free time I'm left with.

Dawn breaks

A manip I did on request. Something from 'Underworld' please..

Model/Face by Ahrum Stock - [link]

Background by Lover Zero - [link]

Canine Tooth by RgStock777 - [link]

Sword by Grimolfr Stock [link]

Black Knight by Madness - [link]

Visit the links please. Not only can you see what the images were before my work, but it also gives you a chance to show support to the artists of the original work. I am happy that they fill the large void while I get over my creative rut.

Four months..

20 February 2009 - received a call from the vereeniging vehicle theft unit; a Captain Simanga. We have found your car. It is in vereeniging, can you come and fetch it? I was silent for at least two seconds. Yes, I'll come fetch it! What did he think? I like paying the bank back for a car I haven't seen for almost a year? What condition is it I in, asked. It looks okay, he says. When can you fetch it?

Hell, I would have fetched it right there and then if I had transport to get there, and if I knew that I was going to have to wrench it from their cold black hands, I would have. Since coming into contact with Captain Simanga I came to realize that all the stories were true; racism is alive and kicking in the good old, new South Africa.

It has taken four months and I finally have my car, but it is yet to be mine. So far it still belongs to the government, and if I don't go through the whole process, they can stop by and take it back any time they feel like. Much like the doctor advises you to go through the entire drug prescription, eventhough you feel much better after 3 or 4 doses.

Mostly I guess I should be grateful that I have my car back at all, and as Inspector Maloi put it; you've waited a year to have your car, what is one more visit to get it back? Six gone, one more visit indeed.

On the 20th of February i heard the good news. The following Monday I took leave and I was there(bright and early) to collect it. I waited an hour or so and finally got to see the car. Apart from changing from a perfectly respectable commuter to a township bling bling model, it was in pretty good shape. Nice new shiny chrome mags(which I was advised to say were mine, otherwise they remove them and you have to have your car towed home), A nice GT strip along the back and smashing new logos changing it from a Ford to a Mazda. Cool..

I was warned by B's father(who accompanied me, since the car actually still belonged to him, as it was stolen before I could change ownership) that I must list at least 5 things I recognise about the car otherwise this could become a very lengthy process(Oh Really?).

So now I stand at the threshold of my final visit. Inspector Maloi is the only fellow in the entire unit, including the tannies in archives, that went to school, and I was pointed in his direction by an old toppie who has been there many, many times. The inspector was very dissapointed and embarrassed that it had taken them so long to get this far. I was told by others that if you're lucky enough that your file was assigned to Maloi, you are out of there in two days max. That would be two days following each other. Like Monday and Tuesday of the same week!

So contrary to what I've been led to believe, Maloi tought me all the short-cuts in a matter of an hour's chat. 'Go home, punch the engine number back on the engine block(the old one was ground off), get hold of a certifified copy of the I.D. of the current owner(B's dad),and come see me when you're ready.

Let me just explain how things would have gone without this advise from Angel Maloi: 'you must come back on tuesday, the man who punches the numbers is not in on Monday' .. You return next Tuesday, only to find that there is a Police function in Vereeniging and they're only working a skeleton crew(which reduces the working force of 6 to 2, excluding the 'punch man'. So finally you get the number stamped. 'Okay we are finished now, do you have the certified copy of the owner's I.D. please' .. 'You didn't say I needed that' ..and he explains perfectly sanely for someone that has worked there for a hundred years; 'it is not your car, no? It dawns on me and I smile sheepishly. 'No it is not, I will get it for you. So you get through all that, and when you return it will be something else, and more, and more, until they drive you insane enough and all you want is to forget about the fuckin car. It would have been less stressing never going to the cops for a month, after which they send it to the crushers, and you're problem gets loaded on a truck destined for a metal smelter somewhere in The Vaal triangle.

Here's my advise: say mm and ahh, when the cops phone to tell you that they found your car, and then forget about it. Don't fuckin even think about it!

Assassin on a Bridge

Model - by NikxStock http://nikxstock.deviantart.com/art/Nervosa-96971963

Skull - by rgstock http://rgstock777.deviantart.com/art/Human-Skull-2-27846023

Bridge - by Cab Gdl http://cab-gdl.deviantart.com/art/Bridge-at-night-24514538

The tattoo brushes and bullet-hole brush I forgot to tag to the original owners, so if you recognise your work; a great big thanks from me.

I love using Nikx's stuff, and I wish she had more full-body work that I can play with, but she doesn't do requests.. pity.

Fried Fish Re-worked

Okay, this is Fried Fish with the new background.

Please pop in at all the wonderful artists, without whom's stock, these manipulations would not be possible.


Angel Fish by DimondDoves

[link]

Hummingbird by Spohia T

[link]

Light Bulb by Katibear-stock

[link]

Model by nikxstock

[link]

Kettle Spout by Chamberstock

[link]

Bubbles By Chozi

[link]

Background by Tigg stock

[link]

Chain Brush by jen-ni

[link]

The easiest part - He, he, - Brass handle by Andre