Exploring the World with the Fujifilm X-T2
What better way to launch a camera than to put it into the hands of photographers and put them in the kind of environment where they get to try all features? This is exactly what Fujifilm did to launch their new X-T2. They took a group of photographers (and me) to Pilanesberg National Park in the North West, near Sun City. But, before they let us play with it, they gave wildlife photographer Peter Delaney a prototype to shoot with and, at the briefing session in Pilanesberg, Peter talked us through what he loved about the camera, as well as shared images that he had shot with the Fujilim...
Fatherhood – An Ode To My Son
Nine years ago, my son was born and I started what I consider the most important job in the world – being a father. I remember having a conversation with two friends and, the two of us who are fathers, spent about 15 minutes moaning about lack of sleep, the cost of school, how you have little time for yourself, etc. The single, childless guy jumped in to say that he would never have children to which we responded, “How can you not?!!! It is the greatest blessing.” This left him baffled because we had complained so much. Fatherhood. Being a father is no child’s play and it comes with immense...
Riding Harley-Davidson’s 2016 Softail Slim S
It all started with a tweet. When I finally got my motorcycle license, I had a twitter exchange with the people over at Harley-Davidson about getting the opportunity to get my butt on a couple of their bikes. It was perfect timing, with their having recently launched their 2016 S Series of bikes. And, just like that, I was being dropped off by a friend at Harley-Davidson Johannesburg in Sandton to pick up the Softail Slim S. The Aesthetics There is something about a Harley-Davidson. It taps into emotions that you never thought you had. And the aesthetics makes you feel some type of way It...
How To Buy Products Directly From Magazines
Much has been said and written about the evolution of the media industry, especially the print space. Having worked in the magazine, it is a segment of the media industry that especially interests and intrigues me. Being a partner in a content and media consulting business, it is in my professional interests to continue to plug into developments in that realm. A significant part of the discussion around the traditional magazine business model has been how to make up for the diminishing advertising revenues which is where magazines generally made their money. With digital impacting on these...
Xiaomi’s Mi 5 Smartphone In Africa
The ‘affordable’ smartphone space is becoming extremely cluttered with most manufacturers looking at how to tap into the rapidly growing smartphone market, particularly in the developing world. Growing off the back of high sales in their home market, Chinese technology companies are expanding globally, in an attempt to break the dominance of manufacturers like Apple and Samsung. According to IT research and advisory company Gartner Inc, the three Chinese companies, Huawei, Oppo, and Xiaomi jumped into the top five, the first quarter of 2016. While Xiaomi, which was founded by entrepreneur...
Ro James’ Eldorado, Random Thoughts
Our influences often subtly guide our decisions in and perspectives of the world. With musicians, being able to tap into influences without becoming imitations that fall short is a real challenge. Many an artist has floundered because they are unable to find their voice beyond the musicians that influence them. Ronnie James Tucker, known as Ro James, has been able to establish his space amidst the multiple and diverse people and sounds that have inspired him, from David Bowie, Prince, and Sly and the Family Stone to D’Angelo, Notorious BIG and Otis Redding. Born in Stuttgart, Germany to a...
I Don’t Have A Death Wish
“Mindfulness is a state of active, open attention on the present. When you're mindful, you observe your thoughts and feelings from a distance, without judging them good or bad. Instead of letting your life pass you by, mindfulness means living in the moment and awakening to experience.” Psychology Today With the sheer weight of demands on our lives today, the idea of mindfulness or living in the present is becoming increasingly important. Our app ecosystem, incorporating social media, the internet, instant messaging, emails, etc. take up so much of our headspace and time in the physical...
Youth Development hits the NXT LVL
Lionel Messi started playing in his hometown team Club Atletico Newell’s Old Boys youth system at the age of 8. At 13, he moved, with his entire family to Spain where he trained and played at La Masia, Barcelona’s youth academy. Steven Gerrard joined Liverpool’s academy at 9. Cristiano Ronaldo signed with Sporting Club of Lisbon at 12. Andrea Pirlo made his Serie A debut for Brescia at the age of 16. Paul Pogba started playing for a club near his hometown in France at the age of 6, spending 7 seasons there. As with most sports, youth development in football is something that needs to take...
I Quit My Job For My Children
It’s an ordinary Monday, in that blurry space between autumn and winter, when the sun seems to beat a hasty retreat into alternate hemispheres. I am sitting on a beat-up plastic chair watching a boy - my son - go through non-stop drills at football practice, his orange football boots reflecting the fading sun’s rays. Twice a week, most weeks, I sit watching my son at football practice. This particular Monday, when he is done, we hop into the car, rush through to pick up his younger sister from kindergarten and head through to swimming lessons. And, at home, I sit with him as he does his...
Daniel Wellington Watches
In the fashion, style and accessories worlds, Instagram has been a great tool for sharing. Whether it is brands highlighting their products or individuals sharing their aesthetic and style, Instagram provides a foundation for telling stories in a very visual (obviously) way. I have found many an item that I ended up ordering online on IG. Daniel Wellington watches are one of those brands that I’d seen and was on my list of items to order. I still wear watches. I like watches that reflect my style and my mood. Daniel Wellington’s backstory makes for great telling: a young Swede called Filip...
Thierry Mugler: A*Man Pure Tonka
Thierry Mugler is the quintessential renaissance man. Having studied classical dance and been part of the ballet corp for Rhin Opera, he also studied interior design before going on to flourish as a fashion designer. He has also produced photography books, directed film – shorts, advertising and videos. This includes the video for George Michael’s Too Funky (which has always been one of my favourite songs and videos), and collaborated with the Cirque du Soleil. Another realm Thierry Mugler has explored to great success has been in fragrances. Despite being a fragrance collector of sorts, I...
Let The Ride Begin, Life On Two Wheels
There is a time for everything. And when it comes to my life, the time for a motorcycle was definitely not in my 20s. I was a bit of a speed freak and I probably would not be writing these words, if I had explored bikes then. Three years ago, as I drifted into my 40s, I decided that it was time to try life on two wheels. My clichéd line was “I reckon I’m at the age where I can ride somewhere on a Sunday for pancakes, especially because I love pancakes.” At that point, my only previous experience with riding a bike was attempting to ride in a friend’s yard at 16, dropping it on my thigh and...
Men’s Style: Tread+Miller Gentleman’s Club
The Cape Union Mart Group, while synonymous with outdoor clothing and gear, launched Tread + Miller, a men’s footwear and accessories store in August 2015. Having recently opened their 13th store at the Mall of Africa, the demand for the brand has surpassed their expectations. The store design, style and aesthetic is very gentleman’s club with wood, brown leather and shoe shine facilities. Their positioning is a focus on men with the women’s section being minimal and very much in line with the men’s footwear. The brands they carry include Sebago, Sperry, Caterpillar, Crockett & Jones and...
A Weekend At The Jaguar Simola Hill Climb
The annual calendar in South Africa is filled with many a gem that doesn’t register beyond specific audiences. I had heard about it but never really engaged until I was invited by Jaguar to attend the Jaguar Simola Hill Climb in Knysna between May 6th and 8th, 2016. To begin with, Knysna is a beautiful part of the country and where we were put up, the Leisure Island Lodge, was exquisite. We stayed in Leisure Island Villa which used to be the owner of the Lodge’s home and is now available for short-term rental while it is on the market. With views of the ocean and the Heads, it was an effort...
Play: Sony Wireless Headphones MDR10-RBT
The headphone landscape has, over the last decade or so, been reinvigorated by the iPod and the smartphone sector. I, for one, probably listen to more music on a daily basis on my smartphone than I did, in general. At least since my Walkman and Discman became obsolete. Walk through the streets of many a city and town and you will see many a person with headphones on – whether in- or over-ear. Plus, Beats By Dre, in a way, made headphones a lifestyle item by aligning themselves with musicians, sports people and other public personalities. Choosing a pair of headphones has become as...
Finding New Balance
There’s something about a well-told story that gets me every time. And, today, as consumers, we want to hear stories that truly resonate with us, as opposed to typical marketing mumbo jumbo. I connect with stories. Like a great bass line in a song, a good story hooks me totally. I like sneakers. I collect them, but my collection has always been functional, from my North Stars and Gypsies in the 70s and 80s to my British Knights, Adidas Sambas and Shelltoes, Converse All-Stars, Jack Parcells, Pumas, etc in the 90s and 00s. When I was a sprinter, a couple of lifetimes ago, my spikes were Nike....