Better Ways for Better Days

Image from zazenlife.com

It has only been 14 days into 2013 and, to my surprise, quite a number of people are already feeling crushed by life. Some are planning their December festivities already - in JANUARY. I mean, the year has just begun. Nonetheless, I stumbled across some pick-me-ups and inspirational quotes I believe can really change a person's frame of mind, for the better. So, if you are going through a barb-wired obstacle or just generally feel discouraged and despondent, here are links to better days ;-). There's plenty to choose from so let's get the motivation circulating.
Push Positivity.

http://www.guideposts.org/inspirational-quotes/wisdom

http://www.inc.com/geoffrey-james/12-great-motivational-quotes-for-2013.html
http://agbeat.com/lists/117-inspirational-quotes-for-a-prosperous-new-year/
http://www.slideshare.net/braveish/13-inspirational-quotes-to-motivate-you-in-2013-15804844

Potty Trained Much?

What is it with males and their peeing-on-the-toilet-seat habit? Why don't they wipe it after their little "mishap"? Especially when it's a communal toilet. I can deal with taking the toilet seat down every now and then (not really), but wiping a grown male's bodily fluids is too much for me to handle. Call me angry, but, try wiping a toilet seat while pressed.

Picture from Google

A thirteen year old might miss and not wipe; above that age, however, one would imagine that guys have the mental capacity high enough to alert them that someone else has to sit there - duh! I mean, the same logic that compels a person to scrub the toilet bowl after defecating and leaving a trail - disgusting, I know - should easily prompt "men" to wipe the toilet seat. Why are you missing at that age anyway? Unless the room is spinning or something. It's not like the toilet bowl is the size of a bullet hole, so why can't men pee straight?

Picture from Google

All I'm saying is clean up after yourself. We don't need to know that you have been given the gift of being able to pee on the toilet seat.

IMPORTANT: Women please don't sit on public toilets - it is a serious health risk.





*SPECIAL THANKS TO TSHOLOFELO "BULL" LETSHOO*

The OMG Generation

Kim Kardashian: www.stylelist.com

 Isn't it a bit shocking how people's news interests have deflected? Took a turn for the worst if I may say. I was browsing through twitter when I came across a headline, by a tabloid publication - or it seems to be - that read "Kim Kardashian's new hair colour". And I'm thinking so what? I mean, unless if I'm living in the future, people change their hair colour all the time. How significant is Kim's case?

Justin and Selena, how cute.......? www.justjaredjr.com



Is that what's newsworthy today? Excuse me for displaying journalistic tendencies here but this is a bit worrying. Yes, there are different aspects to journalism that much I agree but can people really be interested in Kim's hair colour that much to the point where it makes headlines O_o? That's extremely scary.
I got even more disappointed when E! posted tweets like: how cute are Justin Bieber and Selena Gomez - something to that effect (don't quote me on that), I personally think its beneath them. And "Selena Gomez shows off her flat stomach on the red carpet" - did someone just say "huh" with me right now? Senseless right?! Believe it or not, such content does appeal to some people.

www.stealthestyle.com

  

As much as there is supply for tabloid, there's a reciprocated demand. Tabloid newspaper and magazine owners and editors saw a gap in the market and seized the opportunity. What the people want the people get. And its a win-win situation in this case because the demanders feast their eyes while the suppliers feed their bellies - it's one big happy family.

www.realbollywood

Don't get me wrong, I do keep up with the Kardashians every now and then, and I often feel Jerseylicious; these people's lives are rather interesting. Being in the journalism field, I'm sort of obliged - by myself - to follow certain celebrity news sites, just to keep myself in the know as much as possible. Ironic as it may seem, these sites do entertain me to a certain extent but tabloid journalism is not my cup of tea.

www.derekwebb.co.uk

In all honesty though, current affairs are becoming a thing of the past to a lot of people, especially the youth. Some don't even turn to the news to check tomorrow's weather. As a result, you find people walking in flops on a rainy day - ignorance will cost you my friend. How sad.

Anyway, who am I to judge - different trains for different brains. It's such a relief to know that my blog readers are news oriented........ Right? If not, my friend who is uninformed is still my friend :).

Addicts This, Loafers That!

Picture from blogs.roanoke.com

Okay, I'm a person who gets irritated by people with no ambition, with no passion for life whatsoever. People who hang around street corners from the AM to PM. Who'd rather smoke away their lives. They just get to me.

It upsets me to see how people conform to just about any habit society throws at them. And what frustrates me even more is their lack of interest to deviate from the norm. Because that's what it is these days, nyaope is the norm - along with self-pity, settling for just about anything, caucuses on street corners discussing the demise of Sipho. That's the norm for people with normal mindsets. Kasi mentality if I may call it that, because that's where I'm from and where I witness such. I can only speak for myself, but I'm quite certain that many will nod in agreement.



Picture from english.cntv.cn



 But that's all we do, complain about it. Everyday we go on and on about loafers and smokers and addicts and dealers and this and that. A mighty few of us (me excluded) have actually taken the time to talk to nyaope or wunga addicts - or any addict for that matter - and try to reach out to them. Instead we look at them with side eyes and curse them under our breaths every time we come across one. Yes they can be a nuisance at times but they are only human. Truth is, we are just like them - instead of smoking our issues away, we try to complain them away. That doesn't help much now does it?

Picture from wordpress.integrat.co.za

So what then Smarty Pants? What do you suggest we do?

Honestly, I don't think anyone has the ability to save the world but Jesus. But there is something we can do. Talk to these people, listen to what they have to say. Establish the logic behind their actions, analyse their reasoning, refer them to institutions, do something.

I'm a complainer - self-confessed and noted by many - but I've realised that if you can't change a situation don't complain about it, and if you can, do something. In this case, the latter is very much attainable.

These people need encouragement just as much as you did when things were falling apart at school, at home, at work, etc. Surely their lives aren't all peaches and cream if they have to resort to such measures. These are people's spouses, siblings, offspring - as I mentioned, they are only human.

Think about it. And while you do, here is a list of rehabilitation centres from a province of your choice: http://www.tnt.org.za/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=91&Itemid=128

Unfortunately, I was unsuccessful in trying to find free rehabilitation centres but if you know of any feel free to post it as a comment.

The list in the link above was provided by TNT | The Naked Truth, a highly informative website. If you are affected in any way by substance abuse I recommend that you visit this website at http://www.tnt.org.za/.

Do the right  thing.

Listen Hear

I was having a conversation about hearing with my cousin the other day. How do you enhance hearing? Which vegetable does one consume for that - since carrots enhance eyesight? Is there some chemical, vitamin exercise routine, activity, anything really, that can deal with hearing loss? Because I, for one, don't want to to lose my hearing as I age. I don't want to be the "huh?" grandma, I refuse.

So what then? How can I possibly prevent losing my hearing? All my cousin could say was "Uhm, that's probably the section I failed in Med school". So, I resorted to one of my many mottos in life: Google before you speak.

Earphones can be detrimental to your ears.

You, who constantly listen to music through earphones. You, who feel the need to play music at a remarkably loud volume even when you are alone in the house or car - all day everyday. You, who insist on always travelling in deafening taxi's (this day and age). This is for you.

Let's not fool ourselves and think that we live in an era where we are invincible and immune to this, this and that. Reality is, hearing loss comes with the territory of ageing. For some it's inevitable, but, for others it can be prevented. Turns out, hearing can be enhanced after all.

So I took to Google and came across a blog by John Goldmann, 5 Ways to Improve Your Hearing, which I found particularly interesting and relevant. Three of Goldmann's five points really stood out for me.

1) Maintenance:
This is for those who prey on loud music. Try to avoid that as well as plug-in earphones - rather go for those that nestle around your ear.

2) EENT check-ups:
Regularly checking your eyes, ears, nose and throat (EENT) can improve not only your hearing but can help maintain all your senses as well.

3) Vitamins and Medication
Don't we all just hate this section?! Well if your hearing is failing you this might be just what you need. Goldamm mentions 4 vitamins that can bring a bit of volume to your ears: Acetyl-carnitine (150mg a day), alpha-lipoic acid (150 mg a day), glutathione (50 mg a day), and coenzyme Q10 (60 mg a day). I've never heard of these but judging by their names, they probably do a good job. And lucky for some, I linked them to definitions and explanations.

These are just some of the ways you can improve your hearing. It is imperative to make use of the necessary precautions now while you still can, than spend the rest of your life being a "huh?" statistic. It might be too late to help your grandparents out but u may still have a chance. This, or live with hearing-aid devices for the rest of your old life.

For a variety of info visit:
http://www.google.co.za/search?q=supplements+that+improve+hearing&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a.

A Spectator of Life.

I spent most of my life procrastinating and secretly hoping for a miracle to happen. As though if I put my dreams off long enough they would be more attainable - crazy as it may seem. Uhm.... that didn't work out quite well. Actually, it didn't work out at all. Nonetheless, I've learnt something from this tendency - if I don't get up and claim my dream, someone else will.

Spectator's Look is one of many of these dreams - a window through which my experiences and perceptions are projected. Not only from an aspiring journalist's point of view but also from a spectator of life. A documentary of my thoughts. With this blog, I hope to inspire, inform, enlighten and entertain.

WARNING: This blog may insult some people, it's not my intention. It might cause a warm sensation in your heart; make you laugh, breathless, speechless; make you want to share it (highly recommended); may encourage you in some way - mission accomplished.

Feel free to join me on this journey. If it's not your thing, no problem - I can't possibly please everyone.

Welcome aboard.