Archive for March, 2011
Monday, March 21st, 2011
Isidingo is almost back to its glory days when it was the best soapie in the country – writing and acting-wise. Remember the days of Bra Derek and Phillipa? And the mining stuff. Oh and the Buller house.
A lot of the upturn has to do with the fact that stories no longer revolve around only Barker Haynes and Cherel de Villiers.
Villains are best when they’re sparingly used and when their dastardly deeds are redeemable somewhere along the line.
And don’t even mention Farrow and Lesedi whose characters were nothing special but hogged screen time.
The le Roux family took a bit of getting used to, but they’re now fully integrated in storylines. And that is what soapies are about. Families.
Who gives a damn about ON-tv or the hotel business or the game farm/ casino stuff. Unless it is in relation to core families.
I love Cherel and Sophia’s relationship of pure dislike. Sophia has turned into such an interesting character. Far from the one who first came onto the show.
I like that she has Cherel’s number, but doesn’t always know what to do with it.
It’s so realistic that Cherel, who has gotten away with murder (literally) isn’t dumbed down just so a child like Sophia can get the upper hand. But Sophia makes you want to root for her. You get her frustration and animosity. Hello… Cherel drugged her mother and plotted to marry her father!
Cherel herself is much better with the le Roux storyline than with Barker Haynes. Sorry but I wished Barker had died. I think it would open far more storylines with him gone.
Especially for Kimberley who is absolutely fabulous. Sometimes even I believe in her innocent act.
Kimberley would be so much better fighting it out with Cherel – without Barker puppeteering her every move – and being torn between her two loves Len Cooper and Daniel le Roux. Manipulating one and being manipulated by the other.
And Daniel is such a typical soap opera hero. Sweet and so gullible. How can you not like him?
His brother Benjamin just irritates me though. The only le Roux I find unwatchable.
Even Ma Agnes and Zeb Matabane’s little romance is entertaining. A far cry from their recent stories.
I also like the love triangle with Priya, Rajesh and Frank. And that they’re not going there, but the possibility exists.
Lolly used to be a more interesting character. She’s just a tiresome one right now. I enjoyed her time away! They should put her in other stories away from Frank and Calvin. That just doesn’t work.
There’s so much more that I like about this current Isidingo.
I hope the writers/producers etc. keep the stories fresh and don’t get too caught up in one or two stories to the detriment of the programme.
And please get rid of characters or put them (and that includes Barker) in the background for a while. Otherwise I vote with my remote.
Posted in soapies | 2 Comments »
Sunday, March 20th, 2011
Pick n Pay’s latest marketing tool isn’t new at all. Many other retailers have loyalty programs, including Clicks.
But somehow this new smart shopper card Pick n Pay is marketing on tv and Facebook – with smart shopper app and all – is making me take note. Clever marketing by the way.
Calling the card a smart shopper card is…smart too.
We like our retailers and everyone else for that matter to think of us as smart people 
Even when they’re taking our hard earned money on a regular basis.
And we all need to grocery shop, like it or not. Being offered rewards for a horrible (for me) chore can only be good.
Currently I shop at Checkers because I dislike the layout of the Pick n Pay store in my local mall. So we’ll see whether convenience and comfort wins over offers of rewards.
Anyway, the Pick n Pay smart shopper card will reward customers with 1 point for each R1 spent and also double, triple and bonus points on special offers.
At the end of each quarter shoppers will be able to spend their earned points at Pick n Pay.
Apparently all you have to do is apply in-store with your ID number and start shopping.
I might go check it out on Monday since I have to go shopping anyway.
Because whether I use the smart shopper card or not, I like the whole campaign and the way it’s been rolled out on tv and on social media at the same time.
I think they’ve just outsmarted other retailers.
Posted in marketing, shopping | 95 Comments »
Sunday, March 20th, 2011
Monday morning started with quiet meditation, a Christian prayer and a Buddhist mantra. I was leaving nothing to chance!
But by 8.35am all semblance of the early morning peacefulness had disappeared into thin air.
UNISA’s servers were down (again) and I had three assignments due. And then we had our team meeting at work. Which I only attend because I’m obligated to do so by our staffing policy. I checked!
Monday was no different.
One thing led to another, as these things sometimes do, and before you could say “OHMMM”, I was a mad mess.
Tuesday started with more meditation and prayers at home. Such lovely mornings I have…
Back at work I was called into a meeting with two managers. (We love meetings at my place of work.) I was reasonably and calmly told why I should still be doing a task I no longer wanted to do.
And which I was told in December that I would no longer have to do.
“You are so good at it.” I was told “and giving the job to someone else would not work as well.”
I felt my brown face turn blood red and before I knew it I interrupted them. With a not so calm voice.
“You are not leaving me any room to grow,” I almost shouted. Almost cried, almost embarrassed myself.
But I didn’t care!
I was being held back to do a task they could train a monkey to do?
Hell no!
I was seeing my new career float into thin air before it had even started.
“No,” said one manager in a reasonable, calm voice. “Just hold on and be patient for a little while longer.” “We’re working on a plan.”
Why didn’t she just say that at the start of the meeting?
However, a lesson was learnt.
There’s a time for quiet prayer and there’s a time for allowing my emotions to get the better of me.
I’ve been given all sorts of advice recently. Be patient, be strategic, be less emotional…
And I take some of the advice. Because I don’t know all the answers.
However, there comes a time to raise your voice so you can be heard. Just as a reminder to yourself and others that you have a voice.
Believe me… I will use mine when I have to.
Posted in Life, office | No Comments »
Saturday, March 19th, 2011
The Cobras seem to have caught the attention of Capetonians this season and it paid off for fans! A home final and a Pro20 series win.
For the first time in years I heard people getting excited about local cricket. I know of many people who went to the game Friday night. And all week the talk was Cobras cricket.
As a long time WP cricket fan I find it very exciting and refreshing.
Congratulations Cape Cobras! Hope the marketing people at WP cricket takes note for next season.
Then this morning the Proteas did the same by beating Bangladesh at Cricket World Cup 2011.
I don’t want to jinx them by writing too much
Well done to the Proteas cricket team for topping their group and reaching the CWC2011 quarter finals.
And for good measure – the Stormers took the Bulls apart in very measured, yet satisfying fashion.
Well done Stormers and welcome back Peter Grant! 23-13 win against the Bulls at Loftus is good going.
Hope the Stormers continue their brilliant defence overseas too.
In all an epic sporting weekend for supporters of Cape Town teams. Long may they continue.
Posted in cricket, rugby | 1 Comment »
Monday, March 14th, 2011
As you might have noticed from the topic title, I’m in search of a guru.
Like any self-respecting modern day woman, I recently logged onto Twitter and typed #guru in the search bar.
Truth be told, I would prefer not to meet my guru in person. (I read Eat, Pray, Love if you are wondering.) And Twitter just seemed right for that.
But good heavens! How many geek gurus are there on this planet?
And more importantly, how did the world function without them up to now?
I’m not however in the market for twenty year old gurus with ideas of becoming the next Mark Zuckerberg.
Charlie Sheen was another popular option. He has apparently man alone invigorating the US economy.
While I might need a financial guru that is not what I’m currently looking for.
Plus I’m not sure if Charlie is as crazy as a loon or a brilliant warlock…uhmmm marketer.
My target needs to be something more…substantial, however. But not too substantial.
Someone who can guide me spiritually. But not direct me to a religion.
Someone who doesn’t use the word spiritual. Or wear sandals. Unless it’s a she and the sandals have heals. High heals if possible.
It would also help if said guru didn’t look like a guru. Or speak like a guru.
Definitely no incense!
So my search continues…for now.
Somewhere out there (on Twitter) there has to be someone who can dolt out great advice and words of wisdom in 140 characters or preferably less.
Is that too much to ask?
Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »
