Tuesday, 13 August 2013
Tuesday, 25 June 2013
Interracial wha...?
Walk around joburg's hip spots and you run into more mixed couples than Verwoerd would be happy to see...
I've always been pretty open minded when it comes to dating. Local, foreign, black, white, yellow, male, fem...a good person is a good person. We're all heart, bones, muscle and blood underneath, right? And that's all that matters.
Obviously not everyone sees this truth, whether it's because of some ancient book or just downright stupid childhood conditioning...sadly we have to live amongst these kinds of people as they walk around with their noses pulled up like their opinions make the world what it is. How lame...?
The world is not your mothers house!
Imagine walking into a supermarket in bloody Blairgowrie to wrinkled old white Koos frozen in a state of shock with his trolley rolling down the middle of isle 6 staring at you and your white girlfriend while his jaw hits the floor. Or, uMam'Nandi - the cashier who slides your items through the scanner while shaking her head as if she's thinking "Hm! Waze wabalahla abantu bakini namasiko akho ntombi!!" Bleh.
As challenging as it may be, people who dare to get into interracial relationships are the future, especially here in South Africa. They are seeds of a better generation. One thing love should never be steered by is colour. Ain't nothing dumber than that!
Monday, 13 May 2013
Planet Of Attraction interview :)
Planet of Attraction (@PlanetAttract) tweeted at 2:59 PM on Mon, May 13, 2013: Our interview with biker, techy and @Official_SABC1's Vaya Mzansi presenter, @RadTulz17 http://t.co/S27LoGYx6X http://t.co/LaVTofszoM (https://twitter.com/PlanetAttract/status/333929451647803394) Get the official Twitter app at https://twitter.com/download
Saturday, 30 March 2013
Scootering at Scully Scooters with Lynne Scullard!
A little while ago I won myself a session at Scully Scooters via Twitter, where myself and 2 friends would be spoiled and taught how to properly ride a automatic scooter...! I've been riding motorcycles for a few years but had never ridden a fully AT scooter before! So it was a first for me too.
That's where I met Lynne Scullard, the founder of ScullyScooters and a wonderful lady who seems to share the same sentiments as I with regards to motorcycling and gaining independence in South Africa. What a refreshing spirit!!
We then headed outside for the practical task, which started with getting familiarized with our little scooters, getting them to move and eventually racing around the track....well, for me at least, found the little machines to be too much fun! Deshi was really serious about getting a hang of this riding thing without falling. While Michele was so nervous, I at times thought she was going to have a panic attack, she didn't seem to be having fun...which was a bit foreign to me to understand in the beginning but soon did.
After the outdoor jol in the sun, we went back inside to bask in all the theory about riding motorcycles on the road, safety included.
The most important thing that I walked away with and bear in mind everyday as I ride are Scully Scooters' Three Guiding Principles:
Our economy is not at the place where it should be. For our population, the state of our economy is simply unhealthy. How do we get more South Africans active in the economy? Give them mobility. That alone is probably the most important form of independence. The kind of independence that makes getting to work and/or starting ones own business easier. What's the cheapest way to get people mobile? Get them on scooters. Which is exactly what Scully Scooters is doing! They are showing people that they CAN choose independence! This is not rocket science.
The Rosebank area has caught on to scooter fever! So has Sandton with the 3-wheel Tuk-Tuks... Eventually, the rest of Jozi will too, then South Africa! And you can bet that Lynne will play a big hand at that, as she is already and doing such a great job at it!
For all info on Scully Scooters, their training courses, offer packages and programmes, check out: www.scullyscooters.co.za
Go on, get your neighbour, gardener, teenager, wife and even your boss riding... Life's just better on two-wheels!!
That's where I met Lynne Scullard, the founder of ScullyScooters and a wonderful lady who seems to share the same sentiments as I with regards to motorcycling and gaining independence in South Africa. What a refreshing spirit!!
Our Date!
Our session kicked off with a great lunch where I got to know a bit more about Lynne...where she started, why she started and where she hopes to see herself. And in turn she got to know a bit more about us and our friendship. We then headed outside for the practical task, which started with getting familiarized with our little scooters, getting them to move and eventually racing around the track....well, for me at least, found the little machines to be too much fun! Deshi was really serious about getting a hang of this riding thing without falling. While Michele was so nervous, I at times thought she was going to have a panic attack, she didn't seem to be having fun...which was a bit foreign to me to understand in the beginning but soon did.
After the outdoor jol in the sun, we went back inside to bask in all the theory about riding motorcycles on the road, safety included.
- 100% Accountability
- No Excuses
- No Accidents
Our Sentiments:
Why, like other developing African countries, does South Africa NOT have millions of people considering motorcycling as a form of transport? Is our public transport structure that great that we don't see the need to seek independence? Are we not bothered by the constant petrol price hikes? Or can we simply blame lack of exposure and fear of the unknown?Our economy is not at the place where it should be. For our population, the state of our economy is simply unhealthy. How do we get more South Africans active in the economy? Give them mobility. That alone is probably the most important form of independence. The kind of independence that makes getting to work and/or starting ones own business easier. What's the cheapest way to get people mobile? Get them on scooters. Which is exactly what Scully Scooters is doing! They are showing people that they CAN choose independence! This is not rocket science.
The Rosebank area has caught on to scooter fever! So has Sandton with the 3-wheel Tuk-Tuks... Eventually, the rest of Jozi will too, then South Africa! And you can bet that Lynne will play a big hand at that, as she is already and doing such a great job at it!
For all info on Scully Scooters, their training courses, offer packages and programmes, check out: www.scullyscooters.co.za
Go on, get your neighbour, gardener, teenager, wife and even your boss riding... Life's just better on two-wheels!!
Smartphone Train!
So yeah, smartphones have taken over! I tried to resist but I've finally jumped on that gravy train!
Why I wasn't into them before:
1. I was always broke.
Well, not entirely true, but let's go with that. Really, spending over 5K on the latest smartphone just to be cool and be part of the IN crowd? That's silly! Especially when you know that in a few months, the latest version of that same phone you have would be released and it would be dubbed "SO MUCH BETTER!!". Seriously?!!? FOMO ain't worth that.
2. I hate being like everyone else.
It's like when someone walks up to you and says, "Nice dress! My friend has the exact same one!"...*crickets*...I guess I really am a girl after-all! Damn. I don't like sharing much, I'm all about exclusivity...even if it means being stuck in the dark ages (which I was...for a while). Very dark and unique place, I was the only one there. Awesome.
3. I ALWAYS had something better to spend my money on!
Like what??? Biking...duh! Bikes, riding gear... that stuff's expensive...and makes me happier than a phone ever could! I could buy a baby-scoot with the price tag on most of these smartphones... Yes, that's generally how I measure whether something is worth buying or not. Your currency is Rands, Euros, Dollars, mine is Bikes.
A change has come!
I was using a small phone with a local carrier logo on it to make and receive calls & texts, and an old Nokia (ancient) which ONLY served the purpose of going online...that is it! If I tried to make it do other fancy things, it would just lay there and die. For the passed couple of months I've been featuring on that song about "Getting A Better Phone"...I'm not so sure I was serious about getting one, though. I mean, my phones could make calls, receive calls, send texts and manage my emails...what more did I need? Well apparently I need instagram, BBM, 16-32GB on-board memory, 8MP camera, 4G, LTE, a phone that senses when I've fallen asleep then switches off its screen, did I mention the screen must be HD...nan'nani...
So, [with the push from Durban thieves who stole my belongings, cellphones included, while I was having a nice time at the beach in the wee hours of the morning after the MetroFM Awards] I went and got myself the Samsung Galaxy S3. Because even with the newly released iPhone5 and Blackberry Z10, it's still ranked the best smartphone around! I wanted to experience the hype myself. Also, I got the Blackberry Curve 9320, just to get the BB experience, and because it was on the TechRadar.com Top 20 Smartphone list until a few weeks ago, had a reasonable price tag...and happened to be the only BB there. Must be something to it!
While we're on BB, I honestly love the idea behind BIS. It has been the source of affordable internet access for millions around the world!! Which is something that even our local cellular networks have robbed our people of with their ridiculous data rates, have you seen them??? For 100MB data bundle, Vodacom will charge you: R49.00, MTN will charge you R80.00, 8ta will charge you R40.00, and CellC will charge you R15.00, being the better of them all...but STILL! What happened to us being a 3rd world country and being treated as such??? They're killing us! We've recently seen MTN do away with BIS... I say that's BS.
Anyway, I am so sold on smartphones, phablets, tablets and all the cool apps one can download or even programme! I even have RADFAM-RAUCK supplying them now!
Oh and..... Yes, I know... The S4 is out *face palm* Allow me to be Ray Charles to that tu.
Why I wasn't into them before:
1. I was always broke.
Well, not entirely true, but let's go with that. Really, spending over 5K on the latest smartphone just to be cool and be part of the IN crowd? That's silly! Especially when you know that in a few months, the latest version of that same phone you have would be released and it would be dubbed "SO MUCH BETTER!!". Seriously?!!? FOMO ain't worth that.
2. I hate being like everyone else.
It's like when someone walks up to you and says, "Nice dress! My friend has the exact same one!"...*crickets*...I guess I really am a girl after-all! Damn. I don't like sharing much, I'm all about exclusivity...even if it means being stuck in the dark ages (which I was...for a while). Very dark and unique place, I was the only one there. Awesome.
3. I ALWAYS had something better to spend my money on!
Like what??? Biking...duh! Bikes, riding gear... that stuff's expensive...and makes me happier than a phone ever could! I could buy a baby-scoot with the price tag on most of these smartphones... Yes, that's generally how I measure whether something is worth buying or not. Your currency is Rands, Euros, Dollars, mine is Bikes.
A change has come!
I was using a small phone with a local carrier logo on it to make and receive calls & texts, and an old Nokia (ancient) which ONLY served the purpose of going online...that is it! If I tried to make it do other fancy things, it would just lay there and die. For the passed couple of months I've been featuring on that song about "Getting A Better Phone"...I'm not so sure I was serious about getting one, though. I mean, my phones could make calls, receive calls, send texts and manage my emails...what more did I need? Well apparently I need instagram, BBM, 16-32GB on-board memory, 8MP camera, 4G, LTE, a phone that senses when I've fallen asleep then switches off its screen, did I mention the screen must be HD...nan'nani...
So, [with the push from Durban thieves who stole my belongings, cellphones included, while I was having a nice time at the beach in the wee hours of the morning after the MetroFM Awards] I went and got myself the Samsung Galaxy S3. Because even with the newly released iPhone5 and Blackberry Z10, it's still ranked the best smartphone around! I wanted to experience the hype myself. Also, I got the Blackberry Curve 9320, just to get the BB experience, and because it was on the TechRadar.com Top 20 Smartphone list until a few weeks ago, had a reasonable price tag...and happened to be the only BB there. Must be something to it!
While we're on BB, I honestly love the idea behind BIS. It has been the source of affordable internet access for millions around the world!! Which is something that even our local cellular networks have robbed our people of with their ridiculous data rates, have you seen them??? For 100MB data bundle, Vodacom will charge you: R49.00, MTN will charge you R80.00, 8ta will charge you R40.00, and CellC will charge you R15.00, being the better of them all...but STILL! What happened to us being a 3rd world country and being treated as such??? They're killing us! We've recently seen MTN do away with BIS... I say that's BS.
Anyway, I am so sold on smartphones, phablets, tablets and all the cool apps one can download or even programme! I even have RADFAM-RAUCK supplying them now!
Oh and..... Yes, I know... The S4 is out *face palm* Allow me to be Ray Charles to that tu.
Wednesday, 13 February 2013
Motorbiking 101 - Different Types of Bikes
The world of motorcycles is very interesting. It is like one big family, however, you get different kinds of bikers: those who ride to get from A to B, those who ride socially, those who ride for sport, those who ride for sheer passion (I'll explain this one in another post), those who ride because you like your pizza hot and those who ride simply because they have the pockets to.
Sports bike/Superbike:
Naked bike:
Cruiser:
Tourer:
These bikes are specially designed for touring. One could use any bike to tour but manufacturers give this particular bike features that would address the specific needs of the touring biker, like: larger fuel tanks for long ranges between fill-up stops, larger displacement fairings and windshield that offer a high degree of weather and wind protection, they have a large top box and panniers for luggage, and offer a upright and comfortable riding position which minimizes fatigue from hours, days, weeks of riding. Under the Tourer umbrella, you also find: the Adventure Tourer, which allows you the combined benefits of a Tourer and a Adventure bike, the Sports Tourer, which also allows you to tour with a little speed, and the Full Dress Tourer, which is a complete package...I'd say it's a house on wheels. It comes built in with heated seats, speakers, can reverse!! Yes, for real!
On/Off-road Bikes:
Adventure Bike:
These bikes are used for...well...adventure... They are long-distance touring machines capable of burning off pavement or shooting rooster tails on back-country dirt roads. They are do-all bikes that allow riders the flexibility to accessorize and make the bike what they want.
These are small motorcycles with a step-through frame and platform for the riders feet. They are very cost efficient, easy to maintain and have very little fuel consumption... Basically your get-around bike! They generally use either a continuous variable transmission (CVT), or a manual transmission with the gearshift and clutch control built into the left handlebar. Scooters that boast engines of over 250cc are referred to as "Maxi Scooters" or "Scooters on Steroids"... Scooters on Steroids, yeah, I like that!
Commuters:
I'd actually forgotten to add these... *gasps* How could I when this was my first bike?? These bikes will take you from A to B, from Home to School to Work and back! They are for the everyday rider, more than perfect for scholars and students. They are also very light weight, wouldn't advice riding them near trucks...yes, I have a few funny personal stories about this. Commuters are affordable freedom defined! Totally awesome, I loved mine...aaah, the good old days...before Debonaires started putting boxes on them! Nx!
When you're a biker, you meet a lot of people who'll come up to you and tell you about how much they want to buy a bike. Some go as far as asking you which one to get... Err...I find this one a little tricky. How do I answer that?
See, first you need to determine WHY you want to ride and feel the need to own a motorbike. Secondly, you need to know about the different types of bikes there are out there... I mean if you're going to ride, you want to ride a machine that's going to be aligned with your needs, wants, desires and uhm...childhood fantasies.
Let's have a look at all the different bikes one can get:
Sports bike/Superbike:
These bikes are all about high performance, they are meant to be ridden really hard and really fast! With that said, they are very unforgiving machines! Definitely not for everyone, even though everyone thinks they should ride one.
Naked bike:
These bikes are essentially sports bikes without much bodywork or fairings (covers). I reckon they sometimes look better too. Raw. Aggressive. Sexy.
Cruiser:
These bikes are designed for laid-back riding. Many of them have limited performance and turning ability due to their low-slung design. Careful how low you go in that corner, nothing cute about a scraped pipe. Certainly not for those in pursuit of being fast and furious... Chilled and stylin'? Sure.
Tourer:
These bikes are specially designed for touring. One could use any bike to tour but manufacturers give this particular bike features that would address the specific needs of the touring biker, like: larger fuel tanks for long ranges between fill-up stops, larger displacement fairings and windshield that offer a high degree of weather and wind protection, they have a large top box and panniers for luggage, and offer a upright and comfortable riding position which minimizes fatigue from hours, days, weeks of riding. Under the Tourer umbrella, you also find: the Adventure Tourer, which allows you the combined benefits of a Tourer and a Adventure bike, the Sports Tourer, which also allows you to tour with a little speed, and the Full Dress Tourer, which is a complete package...I'd say it's a house on wheels. It comes built in with heated seats, speakers, can reverse!! Yes, for real!
On/Off-road Bikes:
With the basic design of a dirt bike and features of a road bike, such as indicator lights, provision for licence plate and slightly lower height.... This bike is a triple threat ready to take on tar, gravel and trails. Quite comfortable too. These are, in my opinion, the best bikes for beginners. Very forgiving machines that are a joy to ride everyday.
Adventure Bike:
These bikes are used for...well...adventure... They are long-distance touring machines capable of burning off pavement or shooting rooster tails on back-country dirt roads. They are do-all bikes that allow riders the flexibility to accessorize and make the bike what they want. Scooters:
These are small motorcycles with a step-through frame and platform for the riders feet. They are very cost efficient, easy to maintain and have very little fuel consumption... Basically your get-around bike! They generally use either a continuous variable transmission (CVT), or a manual transmission with the gearshift and clutch control built into the left handlebar. Scooters that boast engines of over 250cc are referred to as "Maxi Scooters" or "Scooters on Steroids"... Scooters on Steroids, yeah, I like that!
Commuters:
I'd actually forgotten to add these... *gasps* How could I when this was my first bike?? These bikes will take you from A to B, from Home to School to Work and back! They are for the everyday rider, more than perfect for scholars and students. They are also very light weight, wouldn't advice riding them near trucks...yes, I have a few funny personal stories about this. Commuters are affordable freedom defined! Totally awesome, I loved mine...aaah, the good old days...before Debonaires started putting boxes on them! Nx!
That's as brief as I could get summing up some of the different types of motorcycles one can get to legally ride on our public roads. Soon, I'll tackle purely off-road and competition bikes... Most tend to look pretty much the same for those who don't know much about them, so I'll break it down for you!!
Next time :)
@Rad_Tulz_17 on Twitter
@Rad_Tulz_17 on Twitter
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