And so I dare to jump into this thread at a stage which is far removed from the OP but still focused on the subject. The vileness of hypocrisy is on display in political circles right now as never before!

I did go and vote this morning; I do still believe -- even in the face of much concern, doubt and even fear that we may not achieve what we hope for - that in doing so we will contribute to a viable future for our country as opposed to an outright calamity of looting, mismanagement and corruption. If 2024 cannot be the year of outright change it can be a year that ushers in a fundamental shift in the opinion of the masses; a rational and effective government for the next 5 years -- simply good governance to borrow RB's words - could culminate in the real change in 2029 (..for those of us who remain and survive that long).

So please do go ahead and vote RB - you are not alone!

JoJo52...

My most dear man.

I am beaming. No wonder I like you so much.

Quoted from you...



".....I did go and vote this morning; I do still believe -- even in the face of much concern, doubt and even fear that we may not achieve what we hope for - that in doing so we will contribute to a viable future for our country as opposed to an outright calamity of looting, mismanagement and corruption. If 2024 cannot be the year of outright change it can be a year that ushers in a fundamental shift in the opinion of the masses; a rational and effective government for the next 5 years -- simply good governance to borrow RB's words - could culminate in the real change in 2029 (..for those of us who remain and survive that long)....."


The laying of a foundation and a mindset different.

Let me correct myself.

Not only do I like you...I LOVE you too! (... and I know you shall keep it in context)


No doubt to cast my vote and hopeful thousands upon thousands shall too.


Ps. JoJo52....on my return to Durban you do know I shall have to have the pleasure of you again and again. Please?



RB.

Thank you RB; you of the beautiful mind and beautiful body.
Be safe as you venture out tomorrow - and may that hold true for us all!
And now, in this context.. back to the subject topic. (Winks)

YOU are beautiful JoJo52.

X.

VOTING DAY.

Eventually to have placed my x on the three ballot papers!

It felt good.

It felt right.

And even more so looking at the turnout irrespective of gender ,colour and creed the desire to be heard was strong.



The hope is that choices made are in favour of a SA that deserves that promise made in 1994...a Rainbow Nation full of hope and aspiration to be the face of the New Dawning Democracy and an example to the younglings of how to be respectable and responsible citizens asking for nothing more than good governance from those elected. ...the ripple effect being a strong economy and households not bending to the impact of inflation and joblessness.

The pie has been eaten in the last 30 odd years and if EVER there was a time to demand a change for the good of country and its people..it is NOW.


What a sad state of affairs it shall be if the fence sitters and pessimists and non voters , once again, tacitly lent their approval to a failed anc government.

As mentioned bfr, even a damaged ballot paper is better than nothing.

May there be a demand for a right to a better future when each of us places our mark.


To take the call away from the hypocrites and with great hope say...

AMANDLA!... to a shift in sentiment and a demand for good governance and accountability!

RB.

And with a coalition government looming and wondering who is going to jump into bed with whom.

Will the good of the nation be the first priority or, will dirty politics and agendas personal be the go to once again.

This was my piece written in 2019...

"...we hang the petty thieves and appointment the great ones to office.."

- aesop


dear president future...


should i call u a liar..?... for everything u represent is anti-democratic,

everything u represent is plutocratic,

from your flash cars,

the blue brigade that definitely belongs behind bars.

for, it flaunts the rules and regulations of the road

in the face of abiding motorist , a different code.

u live by pretence of not knowing the tragedy of the poor,

while nkandla and other ministerial homes spared no grandeur.

don't give me your sorry...!... don't give me your lies...!...

everyday i watch u , your chosen ministers, all reason defies.

so much u do that makes no sense, a precipitation

a maladministration,

of the power u were given by the good people of your land

and yet, with liars and criminals u knowingly band...?...

what is it u lack, what is it u fear

why is it that the corrupt your actions still steer?

a president past ...treasonous was his raping of a country so beautiful,

i would imagine your years to come would be dutiful,

to bring back hope, to restore the country's health

and in a long term economic sustainability a new found wealth .



dear president future...


high hopes are pinned to your position,

i do not envy the duty that awaits u for...u will have to be a masterful magician,

courageous and steadfast and firm in your will,

but, most important, the need your enemies to still...

with successes bountiful , the citizen your first priority,

and in that, u shall gain favour and the ability,

to wash out the corrupt the liar and the threat

of guptas and most of your ministers that destroyed your country and put it in debt.


RB

And now to write a piece for 2024 and look to the next election and see how far we have gotten.....

Something i wrote many many moons ago after a few group sessions with people less privileged than myself.


Coincidence

A chosen road travelled where challenges faced make one deviate off the path travelled.

A perchance happening. A meeting unplanned.

Imprinted on ones mind forever. A ripple so intense to change choices made.

What is a coincidence.

Is it a coincidence to come across a crime and be able to stop or slow it down yet put ones own life in danger.

Is it a coincidence to witness a person in peril and be able help but, to the peril of ones own life.

Is it a coincidence to witness a situation so dire and not part of ones everyday but at the price of ones own sanity.

Is it coincidence to be hurled on a path less travelled.....and yet.....perchance.....it may just not be a coincidence.

Whatever our choices, in that instant, will stay imprinted on the vastness of existence. Not only affecting us but, others too.

Coincidence is not coincidence...it is a further defining of how much is potentially out of our control.

So.

When the chance presents itself and you find yourself, coincidentally, in a place you can help, without any devastating repercussions to yourself or others.....

May you be blessed 100 fold and rewarded richly for being the Good Samaritan that ended the misery of another

RB.


*******************


Humans and the importance of self. Why not.

The problem becomes when one stops listening to sound advise, taking on a demi-god attitude and shunning all and sundry in the wake of them offering their guidance.
To be a person of credibility does not mean one should lose ones humility. It doesn't mean a crown gets bestowed on ones head allowing rudeness, arrogance and aggressiveness.

A person of credibility, in the wake of their success....big or small....at the same time grows in kindness and acceptance of others, reaching out in ways different, leaving a positive impression. Their maturity of emotion, understanding criticism for nothing more than a pointing out of potential shortfalls that should be addressed.
They are not ashamed at these shortfalls but, silently and diligently apply themselves to bettering that wrong....coming out stronger in the end.
A person of credibility is very slow to judge and careful when doing so...understanding the ripple effect of words spoken in haste and bias.

They take note of their surrounding, the people around them, learning and listening.
They know how to respect and know the worth of everything they come across...they never forget their origins and thus....never disrespect the roots of another.
They are neither brash or loud...yet heard when choosing to speak. Their whisper louder than a shout
Their silence golden and their words even more.
They simply look to make their lives better and in the process make the lives of others lighter too.

A person of substance....a credible person....a rare commodity amongst us humans.

RB

www.esa.co.za/forum/thread.php


The above thread reminded me of this piece written many moons ago....did it lead to conversation, debate and attacks....ooooo! Toooooo much!

But, then again.....that is the point, engagement.



$$$$$$$$$$$$

Soul mate or Sole mate.


Bare with me...a write inspired by much discussion taken place around sensuality and partnerships.

Finding oneself in a space sensual, where emotions run high and the intimate self is laid bare, in more ways than one, it takes a huge amount of courage and understanding and acceptance of self to let go and take a leap of faith , believing that something good can be gained from such an exploit.

Before i continue, i would like to stress that, i, in no way, condone or promote any form of promiscuity but, matters sexual and sensual know to lead to unnecessary misunderstanding and breakdown in relations that could have been sorted if acknowledged and addressed....and thus my meandering post.

Recently, having had a conversation / debate with a gentleman, and then, being contacted by a stressed lady with respect to what she thinks is happening in her home, the duality of addressing sensuality and saying it is ok, i know will raise a few hairs on the backs of some people. But, possessing the maturity of emotion and logic, (quite an anomaly for logic tends to be without emotion) is needed in matters when it comes to intimate relations...and in most cases an outsider is able to do that rather than the parties involved in the crisis.

There we were indulging in each others good company when conversation took on a serious note.
It revolved around sensuality and the need to acknowledge and understand the sensual and sexual needs of partners.
Due to the conversation being held with a gentleman, his comment was interesting as to the benefits of 'training' a new bride in the arts of intimate relations between husband and wife. A sort of 'school' where she would be taught how to please her man .
Of course...i had to ask him...that in return she would be pleased by her teacher?...for in order to reach that ultimate satisfaction and sweet spot, where both lovers are satiated and satisfied and understand each other..... it is a two way stream, is it not?.....and thus becoming a 'tarnished' new bride to be...?...acceptable?
My other question was based on how a potential bride is viewed and what is it that men, (many may not admit to it) look for in their potential wives and mothers-to-be of their children.
Derogatory words i shall use but, i am sure it is not a 'slutty' type of girl that admits to having enjoyed sucking cock and sleeping with a number of men and knowing to swing from chandeliers and taking it from behind doggy style screaming 'Ride me baby! Fuck me harder!"
This kind of girl is the epitome of a porn fantasy many men would love to indulge in but, prefer to keep it a fantasy and not bring it home.
And before anybody thinks i am judging such behaviour and classifying it as unacceptable...if that is what u do with your partner / lover / husband...mutually agreed upon and enjoyed in private...well, heck why not!!

it is not to say that wives and those that are mothers do not know to be 'slutty' and drive their other half up the wall, with their seductive sensuality but, somewhere along the line she may have lost herself in the role of being everything else than that which she could be, feeling less attractive and sexy....plus....her belief of what a decent good wife is all about, all of a sudden takes on a different look.
There may be that belief that being 'slutty' is religiously unacceptable, will make her other half think less of her and thus viewing herself above such 'unacceptable' and 'lowly' behaviour.

I find it strange and don't understand nor accept that something as beautiful as lovemaking and the possible discovery of each others bodies, in various ways, is viewed as sinful and lowly and that the Almighty would frown upon it and curse those that indulge.
But, i do understand that as humans, preconceived ideas and societies viewpoints, that anyway are so fucked and confused and change from day in and out, tend to carry sway and know to influence, even the strongest of mind and belief, leading to unhappy situations in the home and behaviour questionable and hurtful.

And now to the call from a lady who was clearly stressed and concerned about what she thought were the dabbling of her husband in lurid lustful desires.
Again, i am not saying there are not those that do not indulge in the unacceptable, but knowing the environment on offer for such an indulgence, it is sad that the first thought of her partner would be that he is weak of character and easily turned to lustful wanton escapades.

There is no one answer as to why the need to consider and indulge in matters intimate, out of ones home, for each home has its own dynamics and issues .

Is it weakness of character? Is it lack of intimacy? Is it a comfortable routine confusing it for satisfaction and happiness? A drifting apart yet accepting of each other?
The answer lies in being truthful with oneself and including the other half...wife or husband...as to one state of dissatisfaction.

I know, easier said than done.

I am a great promoter and advocate sensuality , erotica and all those wonderful human intimacies The Almighty has blessed us with.
For those who find it difficult to understand my unapologetic acknowledgement, maybe it be time to re-assess your understanding of what it means to be human, and learn to start living.....unapologetic and without judgement...with your partner of choice.

and in closing...contradictory it may be viewed as....

The question being....when we are with someone...are we looking for a 'sole' mate or a 'soul' mate...in both cases...are the possibilities for those idealistic of thought and wanting to look at the world through rose tinted glasses?
Am i saying it cant happen?
Not at all.
The right place at the right time is what it takes.
And for those who live happily in an unknown naive state of mind...why not...what counts is that it is your reality and of nobody else.
Many a time certain things are best left untouched...it knows to reap its rewards later in ones life.
The choice is yours...what u seek u will find....and once u find it...if it makes u unhappy, ask yourself why and don't project blame onto the world, but take the bull by the horns and sort it out...if u happy...blessed be your state of mind!!!

Now ride the crest of erotic sensuality and smile at the image of your satisfied being. There will be those who love u dearly and will smile with u and ride the same crest.

RB.

...and now again, the dawning of new hope and progressiveness....

Will it hold?

Has there been a political maturity among those elected?


Below quote and write 2017 and then Ramaphosa stepped in

THE CORRUPT MUST GO

Quote from Daily Maverick:

"Government's view of the economy could be summed up in a few short phrases:
If it moves, tax it. If it keeps moving, regulate it. And if it stops moving, subsidize it."

Ronald Reagan

.......




so u look my way and want my support

could it be only because u were caught

a change of tactic required

in the hope of not being fired.


an awakening has brought about a change

not only sanity but corruption to derange

it is time people are held accountable

to shoo them out of office acceptable.


how funny that even though we knew

to point out the corrupt was our due

yet somehow we turned a blind eye

to our monies in corrupt officials pockets fly.


what is it about the masses oppressed or not

the freedom to speech be forgot

easily swayed by media and who knows who

the reality of the rot exposed only by a few.


so stoned be those pioneers who say it as it is

in pure luxury the corrupt laugh with bliss

and thank their lucky stars for the dormant mass

for to call them stupid would be crass.


in our desire to believe in the goodness of the elected

in their failure to live up to the promised and expected

a dullness and misapprehension begins to settle

for it looks ahead, lies a real battle.

RB.



Plus this......

A CHANGE IN PACE...REALITY CHECK

To educate a man in mind and not in morals is to educate a menace to society.

- Theodore Roosevelt

...

People ask the difference between a leader and a boss. The leader leads, and the boss drives.

- Theodore Roosevelt

...


The most important single ingredient in the formula of success is knowing how to get along with people.

- Theodore Roosevelt

...


The boy who is going to make a great man must not make up his mind merely to overcome a thousand obstacles, but to win in spite of a thousand repulses and defeats.

- Theodore Roosevelt

...

Great thoughts speak only to the thoughtful mind, but great actions speak to all mankind.

- Theodore Roosevelt

...


The unforgivable crime is soft hitting. Do not hit at all if it can be avoided; but never hit softly.

- Theodore Roosevelt

...

AND LAST BUT NOT LEAST


The first requisite of a good citizen in this republic of ours is that he shall be able and willing to pull his own weight.

- Theodore Roosevelt

EXTERNAL EXPERIMENTATION.

Over a period of time the want of something becoming an eventual realisation....that tattoo....choosing it carefully, knowing it be inked for life...a story written on ones skin for all to see ...a tell on who one may be.

Then the Hairstyle....that a phase, able to be changed with a visit or two or three...the colour too, a mood expressed? a feeling....lifestyle...? Does the slickness of hair say a personality slick...that unruly bush a happy carefree spirit? or is it merely a statement of fashion?

And with the passing of time, so fashion changes and dictates what garb shall be donned...again an expression of person...for all to see.
The fashion crazy, the brand seekers, those that don't care to be fashionable....making a statement in the expressive simplicity of not caring to fall in the rut of being a "Kardashian" lookalike for it be too plasticy and false...its intrigue lost.

So the exterior be the expression of the interior...an experiment continued through life till death bring an end to it? What is it that sways us to change? is it the influence of that around us, forcing us to conform in order to be accepted? Or, is it simply 'nice' to dabble in change...a mini holiday, escaping now and again from the mundane.

Whatever it may be, how interesting to look in on oneself and notice the changes and ask the question....was ones character, ones personality, the same through all these stages of expression, or was there a subtle change time and time again....leading to a product new , by the time one bids this fair world goodbye.

The art of knowing ones self...the art of knowing to be dynamic with honour and integrity in ones maturity and growth, through external experimentation, making ones good character shine through brighter than ever before...or the reveal of a character lost, ever searching.....

RB.