POST PROMO: Blogger’s Greatest Hits attempt to make a comeback

EACH post I’ve ever written is like a digital child of mine - each given due attention and updated when necessary. However, as a parent, I naturally grow concerned over how some of my digital offspring are more popular than others.

They each have their own unique talents and personalities, and although popularity is a fickle thing, I can’t help feel that it is my fault as a parent that some of my children get more attention than others. Perhaps they weren’t labeled properly at birth, or their dad simply lacked the know-how of how to get them ahead in life at the time.

I have therefore made it my parental duty to promote some talented children of mine that still have much to offer and are yearning for your attention. Below are a few of my personal favourites from each category – my greatest hits trying to make a comeback. I’m certain that you will find yourself willing to adopt some of the following:

From Quite Interesting:

"Staring blankly at my keyboard the other day (as one does) I began pondering over the arrangement of the keys. “What’s up with that?” I heard the comedian within me say. I set forth on a cyber-galactic journey to discovery why my keyboard’s layout looks the way it does…" (Read more)

Santa Claus“So just who is that fat, old jolly guy in the red suit that parades around shopping malls at Christmas time – entertaining kids and scaring adults with his “ho ho hos”? It’s usually someone’s dad – the one (in any community of close friends) with the biggest beer boep…” (Read more)

"Do you ever use sayings such as “saved by the bell” or hear your grandmother squawk something like, “Heavens, it raining cats and dogs outside!” A lot of people still do yet have no idea where such phrases originate from. I got a little history lesson the other day which explained the dark truth behind some of these popular figures of speech..." (Read more)

From Web 2.0:

"Digital Blasphemy is by far one of the best places on the web to find incredible pc wallpapers. Ryan Bliss has made a career of creating digital desktop backgrounds that are simply amazing. He is also quite the generous type and offers a few of his digital artworks for free. I have collected several of these over the years and wanted to share my top 10 with anyone who appreciates such talent..."
(Read more)

Photofunia"There are some great digital photography websites out there that allow you to do some wondrous things with your own (possibly dull) collection of pics. Such sites also make you look really smart when your family and friends don’t know about them and ask, “how in the name of Luke Skywalker did you make your facebook profile pic like that!?”
(Read more)

"If you feel that you missed out on an opportunity to be pasted in your fellow matriculants’ yearbooks and be remembered forever, you can now do it online. With a little imagination and creativity, you could digitally create an entire yearbook of all your former classmates, whether you matriculated in the ’50s or the ’90s..." (Read more)

From Happy Friday:

"The video “Where the Hell is Matt?” has seen over 21 million views to date, so you’re likely to have seen it before, but if you haven’t, you should give it a watch. It takes you to a place of magic and joy and wonder – a place where all the bad in the world is forgotten for 4mins 29secs. It is one of the most viewed viral videos of its time and one of my top dancing videos..." (Read more)

chip-n-dale"There are no cartoons better than the hand-crafted animations of the 80s, which make today’s cartoons look rather crappy by comparison. The following make me slip into a nostalgic state and give me the urge to run around the garden naked climbing trees again. What? That’s not weird. It’s called my “inner-child” – eveyone has it… don’t they?" (Read more)

"Here you'll find a collection of humorous and memorable South African Facebook statuses I’ve come across over the past two weeks to illustrate my point that South Africans are pretty, funny people..." (Read more)

From Online tips & tricks:

"The video-web is an exciting place to be involved in these days, particularly because it is constantly evolving and simply brimming with potential. If you have untapped creative juices, or any original video-related ideas, there is nothing stopping you from making a contribution to the growing videosphere..." (Read more)

blogging 101"If the idea of blogging excites you, there is nothing preventing you from starting one today. There are several ways to go about this, but in the spirit of keeping things simple, there are two blogging sites I would recommend..."
(Read more)

"... here’s a much more controversial-friendly, and very easy way to learn the SA anthem if you don’t know it already. You’ll see that it’s as easy as ABC" (Read more)

From Gadgets & tech:

"Specifically since the introduction of Windows XP to Japan, more and more consumers have been taking their laptops and electronic devices to Shinto priests to be blessed against system crashes and technical failures..." (Read more)

"Our traffic nightmares may soon come to an end thanks to an invention known as the Shweeb. And this is not just some fancy new swear word, but the world’s first human-powered monorail" (Read more)

"I wrote a hand-written letter the other day and found that my hand-writing looked like barbed wire. I realised that it had been a good while since I had used any hand-writing skills due to my increasing reliance on typing everything. It seems obvious to me that the archaic technology of hand-writing is being slowly killed by digital technologies. Yet just when the patriotic hand-writers thought things couldn’t get worse, society unleashed something called “digital paper” or iPaper..." (Read more)

Reviews:

"The gaming chair came in attachable parts with a set of tools, a spider diagram, some Chinese instructions, and a note of encouragement. I half expected to find a small key, some coded message, a strange map and an enchan­ted ring" (Read more)

Aibo"I’ve been thinking of getting a puppy; one that’s potty-trained. Or perhaps a streetwise cat that can take care of itself. The thought that I could never find the time to raise a pup made me consider robot pets. Several of these can learn skills and tricks, recognise faces, voices, and colour; but they won’t pee on your carpet..." (Read more)

"Twisp is not a real cigarette, but a personal and portable vapouriser, that uses micro-electronics and a lithium polymer cell to evaporate nicotine in ‘smoke’ from a replaceable cartridge. The vapour does not smell nor does it contain tar, carcinogens or smoke particulate found in first and second- hand cigarette smoke, but it feels, tastes and looks just like the real thing..." (Read more)

Gaming & virtual reality

"It has been said that Wannado has redefined child entertainment by simulating a dream world where children are encouraged to take on and experience one or several adult professions. It features 60 Real-play venues and over 120 career possibilities – ranging from archaeologists, doctors, attorneys and TV hosts to fashion models, pizza makers, DJs and clowns..." (Read more)

VisionDome 5"As computer-processing power increases and even more realistic graphics are developed, the simulated environments produced by virtual reality systems will become even more believable than some already are. At the cutting edge of vitual reality is the VisionDome..." (Read more)

"Known as the godfather of modern videogame systems, the Atari 2600 (originally called the Atari VCS) helped spawn a multi-billion dollar gaming industry. Released in 1977, the Atari 2600 was the first successful console to use game cartridges and its influence can still be felt today in the Xbox, PlayStation, and GameCube..."
(Read more)

Cellphones & cellular technology:

"The Samsung Jet has opened up a whole new world of mobile web browsing with its high performance Dolfin web browser and revolutionary 3D cubic interface, allowing super-fast surfing. The device also supports the option of multi-window browsing – allowing one to surf up to five pages simultaneously..." (Read more)

iphone art"Some of the latest hype arriving in the wake of the new iPhone 3G S is an Apple application for the device called Brushes, which allows users to do more than just doodle on their iPhones. The images are “painted” freehand, using fingers and thumbs..." (Read more)

"The Health Concept Phone (pictured) is equipped with eNose technology, which effectively allows it to electronically “smell” what you eat and keep track of your food intake. It is able to ‘recognise’ food (and other things) by its unique chemical signature. Recommended for people who have a habit of eating with their eyes closed. Similar phones have the ability to emit a whiff of your significant other’s scent every time he or she phones..." (Read more)

Top videos:

  1. Cars in the Park
  2. Magna Carta live + interview
  3. White Mountain Folk Festival
  4. Blogtube: Proudly South African
  5. Splashy Fen: The 20th Big Splash!
  6. Miss nude Australia - Arianna Starr

Related post: Welcome and enjoy your stay

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SPLASHY FEN VIDEOS: Splashy’s 20th birthday jam

THE 20th Splashy Fen came and went in a drum-beat and proved to be one of the best ones yet. A diverse crowd of about 9000 people descended on the Ferraz farm in Underberg for five days of good South African music and festivities.

The crowd of festival goers ranged from metal-studded Goths to colourfully-clad hippies, whose Splashy spirits remained high whether they were jiving to a great South African band or chilling down by the riverside. The weather was kind this year and brought four full days of KZN sunshine.

Often a serious detox, a long shower and some much needed R&R, I put together two videos that I hope encapsulate the Splashy experience for any of those who couldn’t make it to Splashy Fen’s 20th birthday jam. Enjoy.

Splashy videos: The 20th Splashy Fen

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Splashy Fen videos: 2009 highlights

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** Click here to see videos from last year’s Splashy Fen **

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The 20th Big SplashTHINK of a band or solo performer that instantly brings to mind a personal highlight from the memorable history of SA’s longest-running music festival and chances are they’ll be on the roster at Splashy Fen in Underberg this Easter weekend, 9 - 13 April.

The idea of a grand showcase was born when festival organisers set about planning the Big 20th Splash – a celebration of the landmark 20th festival. They agreed that it would be only fitting to honour those artists whose performances are so fondly remembered and have made their mark on countless throngs of festival-goers over the years.

“We recognise that these acts are in one way or another the ‘legends’ of Splashy Fen,” said farm owner and festival director Peter Ferraz. “This inspired us to feature as many of them as possible during the four days of the festival.”

According to Ferraz, some of the highly popular, featured artists have the distinction of having been invited back again and again over the years, while others have delivered legendary performances and simply “hit the spot” for audiences and organisers alike.

“It was only when we started working on the line-up that we realised just how many truly special performers we’ve been privileged to host at the past 19 festivals,” added Ferraz. “Given that there are only a limited number of slots available, this made our task extremely difficult but hopefully festival-goers will be as pleased with the end result as we are.”

THE 'LEGENDS' LINE-UP
Sid KitchenSyd Kitchen
is perhaps the most recognisable of all contemporary local musicians, plus he hasn’t missed a single Splashy Fen since the first, pioneering gathering in October 1990.

Describing the sense of great occasion that he feels about being part of the Big 20th Splash, he said: “As the only human being alive to have played every single Splashy festival, being honoured as a ‘legend’ at the birthday special is momentous in all senses of the word.”

“I’ve performed at festivals right across the globe, but the uniqueness of Splashy always makes me feel like I’m back home – they even have a road at the festival named after me – and if it ever happens that I’m not invited to play, I’ll be really, really upset!”

Tony Cox is also a veteran of the inaugural festival in 1990 and played three more times during that decade before returning in 2007. He said that even though the interceding years had “gone by in a blinding flash”, he still clearly remembered his first Splashy performance.

“On that first, very cloudy day, the sun came through just as I played and illuminated the stage. So if it rains this year, let’s hope the sun does that same trick again! Splashy certainly has come a long way and I wish it many more years of even greater success.”

Nibs van der SpuyNibs van der Spuy is another maestro with deep Splashy roots, who has performed at an amazing 11 festivals thus far, either in a solo capacity or as an integral part of former bands, Plagal Cadence and Landscape Prayers. He described the idea of sharing a stage with other pioneering musicians, many of whom he hasn’t seen in a long time:

“… It makes me feel that the Big 20th Splash symbolises the festival going back to its roots…completing a full circle, if you will, which is really fantastic!”

Miriam Backhouse harks back to the earliest days and has played at over 10 festivals since then. The former is an icon of the UK’s folk renaissance during the early 70s, whose enduring popularity led in recent years to the CD release of her ultra-rare first album, supported by regular UK tours and opening doors to a whole new audience.

Fiona Tozer - a featured artist honoree at Splashy Fen in 2006, is synonymous with the local folk movement and, over the years, has appeared in solo mode plus with collaborative endeavours Bona Fide, Odyssey and Quark.

Shawn Phillips will be gracing the Splashy stage for the second time. The 66-year-old Texan globetrotter who currently lives near Port Elizabeth has accumulated an enormous worldwide fan-base and catalogue of albums since releasing his first long-player in 1965.

He described his 1994 debut Splashy appearance as

“the start of my lifelong love for South Africa…I feel immensely honoured to have been invited to play at the Big 20th Splash and to appear with such outstanding musicians.”

Chris Chameleon takes to the Splashy stage for the fifth time – three of which were with the colourful and entertaining Boo!

OTHER BIG NAME BANDS
Other acts to look out for include The Rudimentals, Dan Patlansky, The Hairy legged lentil Eaters, Heather Mac and The Brills, Brendan Jury, Tim Parr, Avatar with Steve and Tara Fataar, Madlala Kunene, Ilan Lax and Friends, Squeal and Sugardrive.

Add to that the likes of Watershed, Hot Water, Goldfish, City Bowl Mizers and Habit To, and you’ve got a well-balanced, 90-strong line-up second to none.

THIS YEARS' MC
MC-in-chief will be the somewhat outlandish Dorien du Toit, who stamped his particular brand of humour on the festival and will be remembered by many Splashy veterans for his eight stints during the 90s.

Describing his style as “off-the-wall, keep-sanity-at-bay”, he said that showcasing the legends of Splashy Fen was a “lovely and symbolic gesture…a salute to people who have played a big part in making Splashy what it is today.”

TICKET PRICES
Tickets are available at selected Game stores (R400), Computicket (R450) and at the festival gate (R500). Children under 12 pay R50 – tickets at the gate only. The price includes camping for the entire long weekend.

For more information and the latest festival news, visit www.splashyfen.co.za or contact Pedro on 082 892 6176.

Click here to watch videos of last years' festival

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Splashy Fen festival - The Ultimate Outdoor Experience

PREPARATIONS for the 20th Splashy Fen Music Festival taking place this year are already well underway and festival-goers making the annual pilgrimage to Underberg in KwaZulu-Natal can expect a special celebration to mark this major milestone in the festival’s history.

Over the years, Splashy Fen has evolved from a small gathering of hippies in the mountains into one of South Africa’s premier festivals, widely recognised for its contribution to promoting local music by providing a platform for close to 1 500 artists and has even helped kick-start many successful music careers.

Happening over the Easter weekend from 9-13 April, Splashy Fen 2009 will once again offer a diverse four-day programme of top and up-and-coming live acts, including featured performances by a number of Splashy legends.

A limited number of discounted tickets are now on sale at selected Game stores for R400. If you miss out on this promotional offer, then tickets are also available at Computicket (R450) and at the festival gate (R500). Children under 12 pay R50 - tickets at the gate only. The price includes camping for the entire long weekend.

If you haven’t been to a Splashy yet it really is a great experience. If you have, the organisers are looking for stories, photographs and video footage from Splashy Fen’s early years, and would also like to hear from any Splashy veterans who’ve been to all (or many) of the previous festivals.

All contributions are welcome and can be emailed to splashyfen@gmail.com. Here are some of my videos from last year’s festival (produced for the Natal Witness). Enjoy!

Splashy Fen - The Ultimate Outdoor Experience
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Splashy Fen 2008 Highlights
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Splashy Fen 2008 - The Music
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Splashy Fen 2008 - The Performers
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Splashy Fen - In the Beginning...
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*** Click here to see videos from the 20th Splashy Fen! ***

For more information, visit www.splashyfen.co.za or contact Pedro Carlo
on 082 892 6176.

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VIDEOS: White Mountain Folk Festival 2008

THE White Mountain folk festival is an annual event that takes place near Giant's Castle in the Central Drakensberg region of Kwa-Zulu Natal from 24-28 September. If you have been to Splashy Fen before, this is basically a mini-version of that whole scene, only with more acoustic-type music and more of a relaxed, family vibe.

This was the third White Mountain festival and the event seems to be growing in popularity. I highly recommend it and suggest booking accommodation in the lodge if you're not the camping type. It is during the rainy season after all.

White Mountain Festival 2008
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If the above video doesn't play you can watch it here

White Mountain highlights
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Meet James – the ultimate festival hippie
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