13 June

Yesterday South Africa's national soccer team, Bafana Bafana, played their third and final first-round game in the 2002 Soccer World Cup. Unfortunately they did not make it into the last 16. Still they probably did better than most people expected. They drew one game, won one and lost one. And the loss yesterday was with a score of 3-2 so hardly a disgraceful one, especially since it was to Spain, one of the favourites. Not one of South Africa's favourites at the moment though! And then we still might have gone through, but it was dependent on Paraguay's simultaneous performance against Slovenia and log statistics. Paraguay managed to go on ahead of us along with log leaders, Spain, because they had scored 6 goals in their three matches and we'd only scored 5. So it was a very close one. Impressively we improved on our 1998 World Cup debut where we lost all three first-round games. I must say before our team started playing the warm-up games, I was pretty negative about their chances, but I started watching them before the Cup started and also realised how important it was to back them despite their recent track record. I wish more people in this country could do the same - support our country instead of clinically predicting that we don't have a chance against other reputedly and statistically better teams. But I suppose it's a historical thing, especially when it comes to soccer. And anyway we do have many true believers to weigh down the critics and hopefully this will only take SA soccer further.

Onto rugby now, I promised you a picture of me and Johannes (Bolla) Conradie in the last ADT. You will probably have noticed it by now. Bolla has now also made it to the national team, the Springboks. So he's our national number 9 (ie. scrumhalf) at the moment and I don't think he'll be relinquishing that role for a long time. I couldn't watch the first test against Wales on Saturday the eighth of June because I was at the second day of the proofreading and copy editing course. However Michael managed to get me home in time to see most of the delayed broadcast on SABC 2. And it was 8-0 to Wales when I walked in so I wasn't impressed, but at least then I got to see all the points scored by the Boks and we won 34-19 in the end.

This Saturday Michael and I are going to watch the second (and final) test for the year against Wales. It's probably the only game for the Springboks at Newlands this year and I've never been to a live Bok game before, so I think it was worth the financial sacrifice. I haven't been to watch movies in ages and will probably not go again for a long time to make up for this cost! Western Province have eight players in the starting fifteen this weekend and another three on the bench so we make up half the national team. May they beat Wales even more convincingly than they did last weekend. I know they can do much better! Congratulations to Bob Skinstad for retaining his captaincy and I'm so glad Corne will be back this weekend. They will lead together as far as I am concerned and this can only be a good thing. If you see me wearing green on Saturday, you know why. The only gold you'll notice, though, will be on my Springbok beanie. I'm not big on wearing gold, although I hear gold is worth quite a lot at the moment so give me the cash equivalent rather!

Just to end off the sports talk (for now), I have watched a lot of World Cup soccer in the past couple of weeks and it's been lots of fun. Aside from the SA goals I especially enjoyed seeing the home sides (South Korea and Japan) scoring their goals. It's really emotional for them and just to see the reaction of the home crowds is amazing. Both sides are still in the running to make it to the top 16 if I remember correctly, and it would be fantastic if they did. I don't have a team I'm hoping will win, but that may change later.

We've got the Idols final on Sunday and I don't have a big favourite although I've been quite impressed with Heinz since he did his "Drops of Jupiter" a few weeks back. Apparently he's doing it on Sunday again so that should be enjoyable. Some of the best have already had to leave the show so that is disappointing, but hopefully with the exposure they've had they will still do really well in their musical careers. I think some of the really great didn't even make it into the top 11 so all the best to them too!

Sunday will be busy. We've got Father's Day and I also have a grandfather's birthday to celebrate. I'm pretty sure it's Michael's grandmother's birthday too. And it's South Africa's Youth Day - being a Sunday the actual public holiday will follow on Monday.

As for what has been happening rather than what's still coming up, I don't have too much breaking news.

As mentioned earlier I finished off the proofreading and copy editing course. It was well worth it and I've still got heaps of course material to read through before I make myself available to do proofreading etc. Tamsyn and I quite enjoyed the experience. We started the second day ten minutes late because our car wouldn't start. Michael had the exciting task of driving us to the course on the second Saturday. Tamsyn's brother drove us on the first day. Incidentally he did so in a courtesy car because he'd had a horrible accident with a big rock in the road a few days before. Our car went for a service last week and Hyundai actually checked the battery on Michael's request because the car hadn't been starting too well. They thought the battery needed replacing but suggested he take it to a battery place because it would be cheaper. Unfortunately waiting until Saturday to do so obviously wasn't the best idea because then the thing wouldn't start at all. Luckily Shelley came to our rescue when I phoned her (early on a Saturday morning) and drove us to Gardens. We'd considered the train on both occasions because it's never nice to ask people to drive you somewhere, but Gardens is far from the Cape Town train station.

On Saturday the first, it was Michael's birthday and so I thought he deserved to sleep in rather than drive us to a course. Luckily Lynley could take us as planned despite his car accident.

I'd invited some friends around for snacks in the evening so had to buy all the goodies (no I didn't do any cooking or baking) on the Friday since I would only get home after five on Michael's birthday. Wadeegh couldn't make it to the evening thing, but treated Michael to lunch. Tamsyn had just moved into her new flat on the Friday as well so she was tired and had some more moving-stuff to do the Saturday evening so she couldn't make it to the party either.

It was all arranged at the last minute so there were a few others who couldn't make it either, unfortunately. However we had more people here than we actually had seats so that's not too bad, is it? Thanks to Wendy, Jef, Lauren and Trevor for helping with some of the prep - actually I think Trevor spent more time playing with one of Michael's birthday presents than he did with the prep, but that's cool. Too many cooks, as they say… But I repeat, there was no cooking. We had thirty candles on the caramel cake, none of them purple thankfully. Private joke. And thanks to the above-mentioned for coming to the party despite other things that would otherwise have taken precedence on the night. Thanks to Nadia, Shelley, Rudy, David, Kelvin, Belinda, Sharon, Verity, Nomfuzo, Skumbuzo, Alex and Mihle for making it as well. Michael enjoyed the evening and that of course was the most important thing.

Wendy went to Sun City with some colleagues this past weekend. She and her working partner, Lindsey, were finalists in a Loerie Awards (advertising) category this year. They were the only finalists at their agency so it was quite an achievement. There were two other finalists in their category and unfortunately there were no silver or gold awards given in their category on Sunday. But being a Loerie finalist is excellent anyway.

Lauren is busy with exams at the moment and has her last one on Friday. She'll be relieved to have a bit of a break. She and Trevor are going to Gauteng by train for a couple of weeks from the middle of next week.

Michael finished his exams last month already, but we don't know when he will get his results although he doesn't mind waiting. He's on a break from his studies at the moment, but back to the headwork after the public holiday next week.

Oh, we're waiting on Hyundai to do a few more things with our car. They're waiting on a last part to arrive and then we'll also get the aircon regassed or fixed. Then we'll know if we're ready to go ahead with the geyser getting replaced. No the oven and washing machine haven't been bought yet either. They're even less of a priority right now.

I'm going to watch some soccer now (Italy vs Mexico). And also do a bit more reading. I might be back later today or else tomorrow.

15:38

It was a draw. Mexico played brilliantly except that at the end of the game they were just kicking the ball around until the whistle went because, we assume, both teams had heard the result from the other game in the group and they both knew they were through to the next round. The commentator was disgusted.

18 June

It's been a while! I've just read that last paragraph about the end of the game between Mexico and Italy. Strangely enough I've just been watching Italy lose after Korea's golden goal. I was really pleased for the home team. I don't have anything against Italy. However, as I have mentioned before I love it when the host teams win. Japan lost today so it was brilliant to see Korea go through to the quarterfinals. Also there are four European teams in the top eight now so I wasn't keen on more of them going through. The other four are from North America, South America, Asia and Africa respectively. Each of them will play a European team in the quarterfinals now. Go Senegal!

Now that there's a two-day break before the quarters start, perhaps I can finish this newsletter! I've decided to include some comments I received by email after the last ADT. The purple print represents the email and the blue italics denotes my comments and response.

11 June - Tor in Norway:

Great newsletter. Here's a picture of the house, and as you can see there is gold hidden in the loft where Ruth keeps her hubbie…

Do you remember what I said about Ruth keeping him in the attic? And no, beautiful as it is, this is not a pic of our new home, and unfortunately I still don't have pics of it for the newsletter!

20 May - Khudu in Pretoria:

Thanks very please!!!

As you can see, Khudu has mastered the art of using those three important little words in the English language.

21 May - Marcia in Johannesburg:

I would like to write something for ADT - but after my move please. And the photos on the couch are absolutely STUNNING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Marcia, I think you have moved by now. Congrats on your new home - here's hoping that you will find some time, while frantically interior decorating, to write your piece! And thanks for your comment on the pics. I had some other feedback about them too, generally positive, but I think it was David Beukes who suggested that I don't have so many of me next time. It looks like his wish has come true!

20 May - Earl in Johannesburg:

Thanks for the reeeeaaaadddiiinnnggg material which I read during WORKING hours. Enjoyed what I read till I could not figure out which one was you in the last picture printed. They were all so cute so I gathered that you took the picture instead (please note that he is talking about the pic of the dogs in the last issue). Are you at some stage going to bind all the issues of 'Different Tune' together into a hard copy? If possible could I get a copy of the FIRST issue? Look forward to your next issue of ADT or maybe even your first open chat line, "Ask Mel".

I doubt that I will bind all the issues of A DifferenTune any time in the near future. I doubt there would be anyone who would want to read them all. This does remind me, though, that I still need to update my ADT flip file meant for all the originals and extra copies. I haven't done that in years, but at least the organising I did before we moved means they should all be in this room and mostly in one box! Perhaps when I get around to that I will see how many issues there actually are and go back to numbering them like I used to. You should have received a copy of the first issue by now, if you've returned to Joburg! I don't know about an "open chat line", but it does remind me of the old M.A.D. Ass. days when I was the guru, Dr Sludge and the Ass.-trologist all in one issue sometimes!

10 June - Earl in Cape Town: (yes, it's the same person as above - just couldn't stay away from the Cape)

What do you and your readers think about the IDOLS?? I am ****** off!!!

Well… you wrote this when they'd just dropped down to three, after Bianca got the fewest votes for the week, so I'll have to assume you were upset that she (and perhaps others??) fell out since I haven't replied to your email yet (sorry). Many people were moaning about syndicates and racism and whatever. I said right from the start when they were encouraging people to call in and vote as many times as they like for their favourite/s, that it would be unfair. It would mean that with the calls being costly it would be the "rich" who were likely to vote the people through. I mentioned earlier in this issue that there definitely were very worthy candidates who didn't go as far as they probably should've if we're looking at talent only. And there were some wonderful singers who didn't even get into the top 11, but in the end I think I've made my peace with it. The Idols contestants knew that people could vote as many times as they liked (which I suppose made "syndicates" legal too), and although some contestants said that they wished the process was fairer, they still continued which means that they were willing to accept the outcome. I actually voted every week except for the final. Then I didn't actually care any more who won. I didn't feel strongly enough about any one candidate any more so yeah. I don't have a problem with Heinz (I'm pretty sure I mentioned that earlier in this newsletter) and I'm happy for him. But for me, the UK's Pop Idol winner was more deserving than any of our top 3, but it's just by chance, I suppose, that I think Will Young has a warm, soulful voice and fabulous singing style! It's really mostly subjective anyway. The top 11 got heaps of exposure though so even those who dropped out will make it if that is what they really want to do! Good luck to them… well except maybe Cindy Bester…

20 May - Gerard in England:

Ta for the newsletter. Have you considered becoming a journalist? I think you could do it.

Er… See my personal email to you :) Thanks, though.

3 June - Asyia in Johannesburg:

Got back a couple of weeks ago from being abroad for close to three months - good to be back home!!! Glad to hear that there are constants, like your newsletter, still going strong after 6 years!

Nice that you think it's going strong :) Some might say it's too much about me. I think it used to have a broader coverage and perhaps it will go back there again! I've certainly tried to pull my friends into it in this issue!

11 June - Asyia: (after I asked her where she'd been and why she was glad to be back. I wanted to share her reply with you)

I was in Canada. The reason I'm glad to be home is because firstly South Africa is the best country in the world! And the Afro-pessimism out there is too depressing. A lot of the world sees Africa as this cesspool of poverty, disease and crime. It's a real shame considering all we have to offer the world. Our worst export are ex-South Africans, I'm afraid. They don't paint a very balanced picture - very annoying!!!

Indeed! Welcome back to the best country in the world!

22 May - Kelvin in Cape Town:

Believe it or not, but I finished your latest ADT newsletter in one hour and on the same day I received it. This must count for some sort of record :-). No, I was not bored but was actually looking forward reading it because I have not talked to you for some time!!!

Ta! And thanks for your visit yesterday (19 June). Ah the bliss of sitting on the patio in deckchairs in the sun while other people are working! Hey I have to get some joy out of being unemployed to weigh up against the guilt of being a burden/disappointment/worry to some of those close to me! Anyway Kelvin thanks also for taking us to have lunch with Marlene at Kingsbury hospital. I must admit it is a little weird to be eating macaroni cheese at a cafeteria in a hospital, but it was great seeing you, Marlene, enjoying your new job away from UCT. And thanks for the complimentary lunch!

22 May - Karen at work in Cape Town:

Just to let you know, I've spent 10 min in the toilet reading your newsletter. This phone never stops ringing.

Listen, Karen, I amended your email slightly for family reading. Kevin, your wife's potty mouth gets quite bad sometimes and thanks by the way for taking the time to read my newsletter! Karen, thanks for taking desperate measures just to be able to read my newsletter in peace. Looking forward to seeing you soon!

20 June

I've been having more Windows troubles, so it's been a struggle trying to finish off this issue. We will attempt an upgrade or else I will have to find some acceptable Linux way to do my newsletter next time.

Just some additional news before I run away:

Michael and I went to watch the rugby at Newlands on Saturday. It was wet and it turned out to be a low-scoring game (19-8), so it wasn't as exciting as it might have been. However the Boks beat Wales (who are much happier playing in the rain than we are) and we had a super view of two of the tries (one of which we would have preferred didn't happen at all since it was a Welsh one). I also loved the Welsh choir and our own African drumbeat music before the game. The part where we sang our national anthem was pretty powerful too. Verity called me a couple of days before the game and told me she was going to be an usher there, but we didn't get in touch while at the field. We didn't get there very long before the start and had to arrange a towel on our seats and contend with other people's umbrellas. I'm sure Verity was just too busy pushing the drunk people into their wet seats! When they play Argentina on the 29th, I'll be watching it on TV, somewhere somehow! I first have to make a plan to watch the SA A Team come up against Argentina on the 26th though. There's also the under 21 Rugby World Cup happening in SA at the moment. How often will we get to beat a team 135-0? I'm not sure if Romania sent the correct u/21 team? Maybe they thought they were coming to play soccer?? Anyway here's hoping we win that - it certainly looks like we're serious contenders!

I must admit I've been spending a lot of time watching the soccer instead of, for example, reading that course material mentioned before. But there are only eight games left now and although I will of course watch all of them, there's not really an excuse any more not to get other things done too. As usual I do a bit of reading every day. Currently it's Ruth Rendell's "Adam and Eve and Pinch me".

Apologies to sensitive readers for the scarcity of photos and abundance of sport stuff in this issue!

Melting chocolate wishes, Melody