Book: How to build a happy sandpit - Colin J Brown

 

Really enjoyed this book as it focusses on a very important aspect of building a business  - having the right team on board.  I especially liked the fact that it focusses on inputs based on research from South African companies and how they select their teams, grow them and also knowing when and how to eliminate 'Sand Kickers.'

 

Highly recommendable read 9/10 - would go so far as to say it was one of my favourite books this year.  

Race: Velocity Silverstroomwater CANCELLED

A couple of weeks back I realised with a shock that I should be training a lot harder, in fact put some effort into a training program for the upcoming Bay to Bay in January. When I saw the Velocity race for this weekend, I saw it as a great opportunity to work in a half marathon ahead of B2B. It was out on the West Coast road, about 13kms from Melkbos. It was an early morning start, and I was LAZY! Sadly the race was cancelled, apparently not all the paperwork, marshals, water stops etc. were in place. It was quite disappointing, but it was nice to see some of the familiar faces.

So, the next day I did manage to get a 21km run in with two fellow Harriers. We ran from Hout Bay to Noordhoek! A first for me - have always been daunted by that route, but it was beautiful. The uphill back was crazy, but wow, what a feeling of accomplishment when you reach the top, and even more so when you reach your car again!

Restaurant: Raggafellas, Hout Bay

This is one of my favourite places in Hout Bay - we don't go there that often, but when we do we know that we will have an amazing plate of food served. 

FOOD: Their burgers are AMAZING! However, today I opted for their fresh tuna salad, which was sublime. Tuna perfectly prepared, anchovies, garlic croutons, crispy bacon and an egg (did not expect the egg, but it worked well!) The only thing that I was not too keen on was the lettuce, not a fan as it is, and especially not when it is white / yellow in colour. But the rest of the dish was incredibly tasty. All the flavours and textures worked really well together. 

DRINKS: Savannah Light and Mark had a Weiss Beer - very refreshing.

SERVICE: Very good and friendly.

PARKING: We walked, but there is ample on the side where Checkers is.

VALUE FOR MONEY: Yes, very good value for the quality of food.

RECOMMENDABLE: Definitely 8/10

Race: GrowthPoint Sundowner 10km, V&Waterfront

There are just SO many races at Sea Point - yes it is great for a nice flat race, but that is only if you are a fan of flat race; I am not. With that said, it was actually quite a nice race, a beautiful evening, a bit of wind, but nothing too hectic. Therese, Michele went together and registered when we got there. The race started at the back of the V&A Waterfront, at the helipad. The start was horrible - there were A LOT of people participating, and a lot of sweating bodies queuing up (it was a very warm afternoon!). A lot of trampling over each other as we made our way out of the Waterfront to the promenade. It did ease up and get better later. 

Time wise it was not great 01:07:50-something.

Race: AVBOB 15km, Tyger Valley

I realised with a start at the beginning of the week that the Bay to Bay is less than a month away and I've not done a huge amount of training for it yet! 

Investigated what other races are on this year, and was glad to see the AVBOB one. Was especially keen to do the race at the promise of watermelon and the choice between a glass or medal at the end of the race. 

Was super happy to see a fellow Harrier and we ran at a casual pace the whole race. Part of the way we ran with 70+ Boet from Spartans. Wonderful to run with the two guys. Made the run go so much faster. 

Run took 01:43:something. Not that great a time, but a great race. As from the photo I opted for the glass. The watermelon was wonderfully refreshing. 

Super proud of the other Harriers, all were sub 60 and a couple of prizes awarded too!

Restaurant: Knife, Century City

It was another day with back to back meetings. I managed to have a quick bite to eat over lunch time at Knife, Century City. 

FOOD - I had their lunch time special, a Knife's Steak Sandwich (R55), it was delicious. The meat was deliciously soft, perfectly cooked and was complimented by a very tasty mushroom sauce, rocket and onions. The roll was soft. I am a sucker for crisps, so really enjoyed the crisps it was served with. A surprisingly delicious, no fuss lunch.

DRINKS - pineapple juice. 

SERVICE - Quite friendly.

VALUE FOR MONEY - the lunch time specials definitely are. 

PARKING - there is parking but generally quite full. You can also ask Knife to stamp your parking ticket if you've had a meal there. 

RECOMMENDABLE - yip, I will definitely go back there for more meetings. (8/10)

www.knife-restaurants.co.za 

Race: Pollmoor Night Race 10kms

This was my first visit to Pollsmoor. One of (the many) reasons I love running and races, is that it takes you to places where you would not normally run.

Thérèse, Michele and I ran it. Initially I thought it was on Friday night, but luckily someone at Harriers told me it was Weds night. The race link I had looked at was from 2012! I was almost 2 years late for this race!

Had to get a temporary license, have misplaced one of my license numbers and if you don't wear both you could get disqualified. 

Thoroughly enjoyed this race. Got chatting to a fellow runner (Jane) and it went a lot faster. Sadly still no sub 60; 01:07:something. Not great, but happy with how I felt afterwards. 

Book: Once Upon a Circus...

The more I get involved and learn about Zip Zap Circus, the more I realise just how amazing they are. As they say, they are more than 'just an act'. There is so much more to this incredible socially responsible circus, providing education and a space to those that fall in between the cracks in society. 

This book celebrates their 20 year anniversary. What a journey, written from Brent van Rensburg's perspective, it wonderfully captures the history, even caused some tears as I realised just what they have been through and deal with on a daily basis. Brent and Laurence are inspiring and the passion and fun showed in their work shows that they have a winning formula. 

This book beautifully captures their 20 years and is highly recommendable to read. 

Book: Digital Minds, 12 Things Every Business Needs to Know AboutDigital Marketing

An interesting read about digital marketing. One of the key things that I have taken from this book is confirming the importance of having an integrated marketing strategy in place.  There are so many difference opportunities and elements to take into consideration with online, social-media and e-mail marketing and of course, something all too often neglected - the measurement of it all.  Digital marketing has evolved to something highly technical and intricate and definitely something to get experts on board to manage instead of trying to learn as you go long.  

Book: Nothing Left to Steal, Mzilikazi Wa Afrika

From the minute I heard the interview that Redi Thlabi had with Mzilikazi Wa Afrika on 702 earlier this year, I could not wait to get my hands on a copy of his book - Nothing Left to Steal. It was one of the few books that I could not put down, and every opportunity I could, I read a page. 

What this man has been through is bizarre beyond comprehension. The bribery and corruption that he exposed, really saddens me in terms of what is going on behind the scenes. Our hard earned cash that gets paid in taxes that sponsors Minister trips abroad for their own jollies really irks me. 

I have a deep respect for Wa Afrika, having been beaten up so many times, having to face death threats and people tempting him with bribes, but because he is a man of integrity he did not even sniff at the bribes, and rolled with the punches. In his radio interview he said that he has received more death threats in his life than gifts. 

So as much as I am really sad about the state of affairs of the country, it definitely is not the vision that Madiba had (Long Walk to Freedon is still one of my favourite reads), it is comforting to know that we have people like Wa Afrika around to expose the wrong-doings. 

This is a highly highly recommendable book - not one dull moment.