Formspring

By Richard | Published: June 19, 2010

I decided that I should get formspring, so without further adu, http://www.formspring.me/richardatuct

So if you’ve ever had any burning desire to ask me something, go absolutely WILD! (i especially encourage anonymous, kinky question)  #pretendididntsaythat.

On another completely unrelated note (and now for something completely different):

WordPress 3.0 just came out, I’ve done the upgrade and everything looks all SHINY! Can’t wait to see whats actually new!

Peace

Posted in Residence | 2 Comments

Bad bad blogger…

By Richard | Published: June 8, 2010

So I haven’t posted anything of substance in a rather long time, and I blame that mostly on exams and the fact that I left my name on the wall of Scrumpy Jack’s in Observatory. They decided to leave it there because I managed to drink 5 liters of beer. Next time I think 7 is the goal! Sadly i don’t have any pics from that, they probably would have been a huge help in trying to figure out how/when I got home that night!

But enough of me telling you how drunk I was… On to more exciting things!

Last week Tuesday I decided that I would not be able to fit any more boring Science stuff in my head, so I decided to head up Devils Peak with a couple(literally) of friends. I just have to say that the walk up is just amazing, it puts Table Mountain to shame and I would recommend that you go right away, but I dont want to encourage too many people to go up because the quiet is half of the charm!

Black Label should pay me for this one right?

One of the huge highlights  of the trip was the random meeting of Anna, a post-doc “Australian currently living in America” HIV researcher who caught up to us about a third of the way, asking “Is this the way up Table Mountain?” Of course in true South African Spirit we took her under our wing and it was awesome to have her along, chatting about Sciency stuff also helped me justify not studying…

Thats Anna looking all arty…

One of the coolest parts of the hike is that you can see the whole of Upper Campus from the top, its an interesting perspective to say the very least!

That trip was defiantly one of the better study breaks I have ever taken and I will be going back up there as soon as possible!

Have a look after the break for the rest of my photos…
Read More »

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Financial Woes – Steve Jobs & Bill Gates

By Richard | Published: June 2, 2010

Have you ever wondered what would Steve Jobs & Bill Gates talk about if they weren’t trying to kill each other?(ok maybe its just me)

Here’s your answer:

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Walk About

By Richard | Published: May 31, 2010

With 2 exams still to go today I had a crazy urge to just get out and and have some time away from res/books/uct/everyone.

So I took a drive up to Table Mountain, drove along Tafelburg Road until I reached a boom stopping me from going any further.

I quickly discovered why the road was closed:

It really is amazing whats all around us and we dont even know about it…

There are even a couple of spots along the way where you can garb a drink of water.

(I realise that there is a spelling mistake there, over it.)

So… When I need some time to myself and a bit of space to clear my head, I go for a walk along the most amazing mountain in the most beautiful city in the world, what do you do?

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Lets Show The World What Muhammad Looks Like!

By Richard | Published: May 27, 2010

Of late you may have notice that some people kicked up a bit of a fuss over a certain comic that the Mail & Guardian published recently.

So i though, why not get in on the action (maybe have some hate mail thrown my way) and put it up on my site.
So without further ado:
Shock and Horror I know right?
Just so that you have some background knowledge (and so you can pretend to be smart if you ever end up in a religious discussion), in Islam it is believed that depicting Muhammad in any way is a sin and thus, they got angry about the fact that someone dared to go against their religion… The first public outcry against a drawing of Muhammad was dricted towards a Danish comic who drew this . Of course the creators of South Park couldn’t miss out on the opportunity to poke fun at this, so they created an episode that depicted the characters battle with the airing of a Family Guy episode that shoed Muhammad.
Thus the facebook group “Everybody Draw Muhammad Day” was born. As one would expect there was a huge amount of outcry about this and now suddenly we have our one and only Zapiro getting in on the action. His attempt landed M&G in court the night before the comic was due to be published, with them winning the right to publish the controversial image.
So now we are back onto Zapiro’s comic and why people should/shouldn’t be upset about it. It very obviously against their religion, or is it? A bit of a search led me to this blog: “THE ASTUTE BLOGGERS” and more importantly to an article on the drawing of Muhammad. They tell us how it is in fact only drawings by Muslims that are an issue as the ban is bassed on stopping Muslims from committing idolatry. They go onto justify that point, feel free to read the post if your interested.
So VERY long story short: “Nothing to see here people, keep moving along”
Posted in Politics, other | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

World Cup Draw

By Richard | Published: May 24, 2010

Hey Guys, over the world cup I will be running a World Cup 2010 draw.

The prizes will be as follows:

Winning Team: R1200
Runner-up: R600
Loosing Semi-Finalist Teams (2 Prizes): R300
Loosing Quater-Finalist Teams (4 Prizes): R100
Last Place in each Pool Teams (8 prizes): R50
32 tickets will be sold at R100 each and the places are on a first come first serve basis.
The draw will take place on Sunday the 30th of May at 19:00 in the Kilindini TV room and each of the participants will receive one of the 32 teams at random.
You will be able to collect your prize money and time from the 25th of July.
If you have any queries you can get hold of me on 0825867019 or by email me at: vagery@gmail.com
Please note: In the event of 32 tickets not being sold, the prize money will be reduced by the equivalent percentage.
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Fedics Strike Update

By Richard | Published: May 24, 2010

Just a quick one to update everyone on whats going on.

The strike is still in full effect, with the disgruntled workers currently ”picketing on the corner of Chapel and Main Road as they are now longer aloud on UCT property (See: Tugwell Invasion)

The kitchens are currently operation normally, if not better than they did before the strike and meals are served at normal times. The one very noticeable difference that members of Kilindini, College and Glen Res will have notices is the increased security when coming on to Lower Campus, students are asked for their student cards by members of CPS who look like they where drafted from the SANDF.

There is also a petition going around the residences asking for UCT management to terminate Fedics, either for the duration of the strike, or permanently, and find another catering company to provide our meal. The motivation behind this move is: “to give the striking workers a greater opportunity to be heard by placing Fedics on even footing with them” and “to minimise disruption to students during their exam preparation.” Personally I believe that what they are asking is impossible to fulfil and that the petition will not bear any fruit.

Thats about it for now.

Try avoid having your dinning hall trashed by angry workers! Oh wait… To late!

Posted in Residence, other | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Photoshop CS5

By Richard | Published: May 23, 2010

OM GAWD its AMAZING! Use that new uncapped internet and check this out!

Read my thought on the applications that this has for all of mankind after the break!

Read More »

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The end is nigh!

By Richard | Published: May 19, 2010

So I have good news and bad new for you all!

The Good News:

All my sources (cool hey, i have sources) are saying that the strike is going to be over by tonight, i.e. meals will resume tomorrow at breakfast.

The Bad News:

The strike is going to be over tomorrow… That means no more meal vouchers, no more “free” fast food from Rondebosch, no more AWESOME vibe while waiting for your Good Guy from Steers.

So as we head back to our normal/boring routine in the dinning halls, keep your memories of these last two days close to your heart while you sit late at night studying whatever it is that you are pinning your hopes and dreams on, let them carry you through these hard times until you get back to the home cooked meals and comfy beds that are awaiting you at the end of the exam period.

Remember you heard it here first!

Posted in The Real reason we are at UCT, other | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Tugwell Invasion

By Richard | Published: May 17, 2010

At about 12 o’clock today I was happily eating what was a surprisingly nice meal considering A, I was eating in res and B, all of the staff where striking.

This is about the time that the striking Fedics workers decided that they had enough of being peaceful about their industrial action and came running into the Tugwell dinning hall obviously intent on causing damage.

After sweeping our trays to the floor, overturning half the tables and breaking the juice and sauce dispensers, CPS managed to get in and chase them out. Luckily no one was heart, but I will admit that it was very scary seeing people so intent on wanton destruction.

So after taking a few pics (to follow), we all made our way out of the dinning hall, a little shocked, a little worried and VERY hungry!

So the outcome of that event are as follows:

  1. I am currently sitting with R140 worth of meal vouchers that I can use in Ronderbosch, along with 3000 other UCT students… At the same time, you see where I’m going with this?
  2. All meals are as of now cancelled until the strike is over
  3. I am feeling very happy after 2 burgers from Burger Night at Spur
  4. The Staff are in a worse position negations wise as they have broken the terms of their strike

I have to a tleast give them credit for making this strike last longer than last years one, which lasted all of, I don’t know, THREE HOURS!

So all in all, the students are happy(ish) Fedics isn’t really losing out on all that much money as they don’t have to pay any wages while the strike is on and the strike is still happening!

So who’s keen for Nando’s on the varsity tomorrow?

Posted in Residence, The Real reason we are at UCT, other | Tagged , , , , | 5 Comments