Piggy Back V Need For Speed

'Round and 'round the garden like a teddybear, one step, two step, tickle you over there- This was, once upon a time, a massive laughter jerker. It has now become a "what the hell?" reaction jerker. Instead, children are entertained by Virtua Fighter and Need For Speed What happened to the age of games? I mean proper games that encourage interaction. Physical games that force you to learn people's names or the numbers they have chosen to be for the duration of a game? Where are games like "There's a party 'round the corner" that forced kids to blush at the idea of having to reveal their girlfriend or boyfriend's name, or worse still, revealing no-one at all?

Although these games seem primitive in the era of TV and pocket size computers, but theytaught us so many valuable lessons. For example, playing on the merry go round alone is no fun because you cannot turn it and be on it at once. This taught us selflessness and the art of depending on each other. Then while playing catch, the tennis ball would land in the neighbour's yard and because of our being petrified of them, we would just make a new ball out of plastic and cellotape and paper and the games would go on. This taught us to think on our feet and to be inventive and creative in our inventions. The games nowadays motivate kids to need themselves and cash. No money, no fun. Less friends, more PSP for me. In our time, when your mom would pick you up at a friend's house, you would be keen on having more playtime because your mom would mingle with your frineds mom over tea. Nowadays, moms do not know what their kids watch or what games they play, although they buy them. Parents do not know their neighbours or other kids whom their kids can mingle with.

I may be highly backward and thick, but its just a thought...
How awesome would it be to introduce interactive games again? How about where kids interact with each other instead of imaginary people on the other side of a screen? Bring back the fun of actually going to the zoo instead of watching national geographic channel. How awesome would it be to actually know who your neighbours are because you need to play soccer together.

You Are Born Alone, You Will Die Alone, So Get Used To The Company

More and more people's lives are driven by the pursuit of happiness in the form of money, success, recognition and romance or "love". Meanwhile, more and more, people like me are becoming highly annoyed with this retarded pursuit and wondering what the point is. Money pays the bills. Success and recognition provide satisfaction and a sense of fulfilment after all the hard work it takes to achieve these. "Love" ...um... "love "does what again?

I have had my fair share of relationships and everything from minor crushes to heart wrenching emotional attachments and dependancies on significant others. So far I can summarise my experience as one which brought momentary joy, emotional drain, excitement, unbelievable amounts of stress and mental exhaustion in addition to the large amounts of insecurities raised by some of the advice and comments I have recieved from the people I have been with. Basically it has done more harm than good, because at the end of it all, I either get hurt or hurt someone.

So what is the point? "To find someone to marry", some say, "To not end up alone", says another. "To have someone to share your life with", "to have a special bond with someone, an emotional connection", I've been told. But truly, what is so wrong with being on your own? I mean its not like you don't have friends and family and other things. "Love", well, that type of love, is not everything. What is it that a romantic "love" relationship can achieve, (besides sex), that cannot be achieved one's interactions with cousins, nieces, nephews, uncles, aunts, parents, best friends, other friends, acquaintances, alcohol-for some, and food?

So here is what I propose. "Love" is just a reason for people to justify their dissatisfaction with themselves and their lives. A reason for them to continue searching, for something which is either all around them or not there at all, either way, there is no need to search for it. A reason for them to fill the silence in their lives with a familiar voice. A reason to avoid self discovery and instead, get to know the other person better. A reason to turn their backs on their flaws by pointing out the flaws of another. A reason to depend on someone other than themselves, blame someone other than their own being for the wrong which have nothing to do with the person facing the blame. A way to fish for compliments and seek for affection as a reward for the affection they too have shown by means of words, gifts and actions. An excuse for public displays of affection, which are all actually a cover up for the loneliness and insecurity the people displaying this affection actually feel. A means to avoid being sellfish because they have been led to believe that it is wrong. A means to distract oneself from the truths one should be facing by fabricating pleasant looking, soothing lies. A reason to never face life or its battles on your own.

"Love" is not neccesary. "love" is unpredictable. "Love" is conditional. Love hurts. It is one of those things you can die for and live without. Babies are born one by one, even twins. A coffin only has space for one person. Why waste time finding someone you will spend so much learingin to live with, only to spend just as much time learning how to live without? You were born alone and will die alone. I reckon you should get used to the company.

I may be wrong, and I may feel differently tomorrow, but I know that I am not the only one.

The Zoey behind Zoey

The names I respond to are Simphathisiwe, Nkosisiphile, Ntando, Nomvuzo, Lindiwe, Zoey, Cassandra Sibeko, with Sibeko being the surname of course. My home language is supposed to be isiSwati, but we generally speak in English, I blame my brother, because when I was born I found him speaking English and I pretty much played along. Home is in Springs, Johannesburg, but because I am at Rhodes University doing a dual major in Journalism and Law, I am in Grahamstown for the next 5 years.

What I do for fun is watch movies, listen to music, sing, eat, laugh, think about food and things to laugh about. My favourite colour is blue and my favourite place is any MacDonalds outlet which opens 24/7. I love pets because they are cute and cuddly, but I am not keen on the amount of responsiblity involved, they are worse than kids. I love kids. I'd like to think that I am a friendly person, sometimes too much, but I have been told a few times by a few people that I am mean and cold. Needless to say, those people were probably bitter because I said no to one or more of their questions. Sore losers!!! I love my friends and family is very important to me. In my heirarchy of things that matter, I'd say that God comes first, followed by my mom, followed by me, followed by my dad, followed by the entire Sibeko clan, followed by friends and significant other(s).

I think a lot and these are often crazy thoughts, so I camouflage my thoughts with the things that I say. I am excellent at pretending and improvising but I sometimes hate the fact that I am. Most of what I do is to make those around me happy, because their happiness ultimately equals my happiness. In fact, while most people study so they can be rich, I am studying so that I can get a well paying job in order to make "Hope In A Box" a successful independant venture. What is hope in a box? An initiative to put smiles on sad and sometimes sick faces of children in orphanages everywhere, using shoe boxes filled by generous people with kinds hearts who know that giving is more rewarding than getting.

My pet peeves-things that erk me- are public urination, dishonesty, arrogance, selfishness and people who don't answer my calls- this includes if they didn't hear the phone ring because it was on silent. WHY IS YOUR PHONE ON SILENT, RETARD? I absolutely hate peanut butter, the colour pink, people who don't answer their phones, violence (unless food is involved), abuse of any sort and crime. I am allergic to animal fur, grass, feathers, bohemian grass, mayo, honey, dirt and messy people. My greatest fear- SNAKES- Enough said.

I love food, friends, family and fun. My favourite quote is: "The greatest lesson you'll ever learn is to love and be loved in return". My weakest weaknesses are; lack of punctuality, the fact that I speak my mind and the fact that I find it VERY hard to trust people. My strongest strengths are; I speak my mind. I am very good at everything I do and the ones I suck at, I work hard at until I own them... Now, to the juicy bit, the moment we have all been waiting for. Am I single? Nope, I'm triple!! Lol.

Stay tuned...
xoxoxoxoxo