Sketching, Being a DJ, Early Mornings

Apparently, the "email this" button isn't working. I'll add a new button which allows you to have my posts sent to your email address. Hopes this helps.. Let me know if there's anything else you'd like me to add by leaving a comment.

Now, with the admin out of the way, my three thinks for today are:

Sketching - What a soothing hobby. I spent the whole day sketching while I was working yesterday, and the day just flew past. I go through phases, artwise. For a few months, I do nothing but sketch. Then I paint for the rest of the year. Painting has a magic of its' own, but for now I seem to be in my sketch phase. Best part is, you don't have to be particularly good at it. You can always erase your mistakes or burn the evidence. Imagine life could be that easy. Without going down that philosophical route, though, I suggest you try it. Your options are wide open, too. If a colleague annoys you, do a Michelangelo and pay tribute to them in form of an unflattering sketch. Michelangelo famously added Biagio da Cesena to the fresco Last Judgement in the Sistine Chapel. Cesena complained that the work was too risqué for the Vatican, so Michelangelo painted him as the Gatekeeper of the Underworld, with ridiculous donkey ears to boot. The Vatican's old Master of Ceremonies is now immortalised as an idiot. Told you it was great to sketch at work.

Being a DJ - I had the privilege to work in the radio industry for close to 5 years. I worked at small community stations, and massive commercial ones, but they are in essence all the same. I ran a local station's breakfast show for over a year, which was the best time of all. There's something loose and crazy about that slot - you can do anything you want (apart from setting the studio on fire and swearing at the government on air, à la Mark Esterhuysen). Some of my best memories include: pulling some guys off the street as they were coming out of the gym, and making them sing after the news bulletin; pranking a local student dormitory and getting them to evacuate for no reason; accidentally singing along to a Mika song when I forgot to put the mic off and having the sms lines flood with sarcastic comments; and going to work in my pj's (that was probably the best). However, I've had some questionable experiences, too. I once walked in on the graveyard DJ as he was passed out on the floor, cradling a bottle of Jack Daniels. He'd left a Placebo song on repeat and listeners were A-N-G-R-Y. There's no beating the thrill, though. Your sole purpose as a DJ is to make people happy. It always amazed me to think that I had the opportunity to add a smile to someone's day, eventhough I'll never meet them and they could be 100km's away. I really, really miss it. But, I believe in seasons. Right now, I'm moving into a new season where I feel I want to, have to, write. I'm enjoying it a lot, but every now and then, I miss the instant satisfaction of having my voice heard exactly when I want. Here's the link to the Mark Esterhuysen clip. Shocking, with a lot of swearing (I did warn you), but don't you envy him just a little?

Angry News Reader

Early Mornings - I've mentioned previously that I need to leave the house at 05:20 every morning to be at work on time. I'm not a morning person. At all. I grumble and moan, squinting at the light. My feet feel like they can't bend when I get up too early and I often find myself wobbling around the house, my hair sticking in all directions. Pretty picture, huh? That said, I must now solemnly admit that I am getting used to this getting-up-in-the-dark thing. I am even beginning to like it. No promises, though, but I'll keep you updated.