Five Easy Steps to Become a Drifter

Caption: Otto Graven, the first South African drifter to participate in Formula Drift.
Source: formulad.com

Have you ever thought of becoming a drifter? Well, I have 5 easy steps that would ensure that you could become a potential drifter sooner than later. Drifting of the art of taking corners at high speeds while the rear of the car is at an angle to the corner. The drifting scene has exploded on South African soil, with many local events being hosted around South Africa. There are many people out there who fit the criteria to be a drifter, but they most likely don’t know what, where and how to get involved.

Caption: Tips on putting your car sideways!
Source: dsc.discovery.com

Ernest Page a well known motor journalist and judge said, “....get a banged up rear wheel drive car. Make it reliable, lock the differential and put it sideways”. Advice given from professional drifters across the world is that you should watch drifting videos, as some videos demonstrate the techniques that we as professionals use within our careers.

Before you can actually master the art of drifting you should practice, practice and even more practice is needed as once you have mastered to control the machine (vehicle) you have one foot in the door. Some advice from the top South African drifters are, “.....don’t buy a brand new drift car, before you have learnt the art of drifting, settle for something rear wheel drive, that would survive some torture before, you really get deep into drifting, where you then will require a serious drift machine as you then enter Drift competitions and series.

Caption: Otto Graven in the house!
Source: automodified.co.za

Otto Graven, the South Africa Drift King (D.K) said, “....If you would like to be a drifter you must eat, sleep, drink drifting, it must take over your whole life. My business revolves around drifting, so if you’re serious about drifting Monstermob has an extensive drift programme for beginners.

If you have not picked up the five steps they are: you should eat, sleep and drink the sport, buy a banged up rear wheel drive and lock the differential, watch some drift clips and try to get your hands on a copy of the Drift Bible and Initial D, practice continuously and remember not to buy a brand new car for learning how to drift, as you will damage it!

Why I have conversations?

Caption: Conversations assist in sharing all forms of information.
Source:thevantagepoint.ca

Well, without conversations information can’t be exchanged, and ideas can’t be formulated, but I will now give you tips on how to have a great conversation:
1. Be confident – Being around confident people makes you feel good, in where the other person energy and enthusiasm would be infectious, and makes all the conversation participants feel confident and comfortable.
2. Find out about the person you’ll be talking to before you actually talk to them, if you can – basically do research into their work, hobbies etc.
3. Ask Questions – What do they like to do? What sort of things have they done in their lives? What is happening to them now? What did they do today or last week? Etc.
4. Listen – This is one of the most important parts of your conversation because without listening you won’t be able to respond appropriately. Pay attention to what is being said.
5. Consider your response before disagreeing – If the point was not important, ignore it rather than risk appearing argumentatively.
6. Don’t panic over lulls – This could be the point where you could easily inject your thoughts into the discussion.
7. Remember that sometimes of a conversation isn’t going well, it might not be your fault – Sometimes the other person is distracted/lost in thought, isn’t willing to contribute, or is having a bad day.
8. Know when the conversation is over – Even the best conversations will eventually run out of steam or be ended by an interruption.

Think about this, and in your next conversation use these tips, and let me know how it goes!

Drifting – taking corners sideways!

Caption: This is the art of drifting!
Source: rdcramblings.com

Let me begin my series of blogs on motorsport. If you are not sure as to what drifting really is about, you’ll now learn a bit about this awesome sport. Many of professional drifter’s define drifting as taking a corner at high speed while the rear is at an angle to the corner that has been taken. Drifting can be compared to power sliding as the car slides into corners, but the only difference would be that the car is taking the corner at an angle while being controlled by the driver. There is loads of tyre smoke as the car flows through corners, moving from point A to point B.

The most important requirement while drifting is that the driver is required to balance the vehicle as it is essentially out of control and regarding control once the corner has been exited. The most commonly used drift machines (vehicles) in South Africa are: Nissan 200sx, Nissan 350Z, Mazda RX7, BMW E46’s, Nissan R34 and R35 Skylines. These vehicles are seen at all the local events in South Africa. South Africa has a drift king by the name of Otto Graven. Otto Graven hales from Kimberley and owns Monstermob raceway. Apart from his building, Otto owns a Nitros Oxide System (NOS) Nissan 350z, R33 Skyline, BMW M3 CSL (monster) and lastly a Mustang GT500 fastback, all of which are his drifting tools.

Hope you enjoyed and learnt a bit about the motorsport called drifting!

Motorsport (brum, brum)

Caption: This is Formula 1, and you'll soon read about it.
Source: googleimages

For those of you, who aren’t sure as to why I’m writing this blog, well it’s to inform you my readers about motorsport. Motorsport or motorsports is the group of sports which involves the use of motorized vehicles, whether for racing or non-racing competition. MotoSport refers to motorcycle racing specifically and includes off-road racing such as motocross.


In today’s age, there are hundreds if not thousands of motorsports around the world, namely:

Caption: Welcome to Drifitng!
Source: googleimages.com

1. Formula 1
2. Karting
3. Drifting
4. Truck Racing
5. Drag racing
6. Track (oval) racing
7. Formula VW
8. Production Car racing
9. Supercar racing
10. LeMans 24 Hour
11. MotoGP
12. FMX
13. Sideways motorcycling
14. Powerboats
15. Air racing
16. Monster Truck racing, and many more………

Motor racing is the division of motorsport/motosport activities which involve competitors racing against each other, in all of the above mentioned racing programmes or forms of racing. Motorsport is an extremely difficult sport to break into, because you need money and many of us do not have extra money for this type of hobby. Plus, your fitness levels need to be top notch, because racing involves focus and a slight itch here or there could distract you, which could lead to an accident etc.

Through, the next few weeks, I’ll be schooling you on a bit about these different forms of motorsport. Stay tuned! But sadly enough in South Africa we participate in a few forms of motorsport namely: drifting, drag racing, MotoGP, Formula VW and track (oval) racing.

100 things to do before I die!

Caption: My bucket is overflowing sadly enough.
Source: googleimages

There are more than a million things that I’d like to do before I die, but I think it won’t come true because we all die on 21 December 2012, but let me not get started there. Below you’ll find a list of my top 68 things, that I’d love to do before I die, enjoy the read!

1. Bungee Jumping.
2. Skydiving.
3. Shark cage diving.
4. Jump off a high cliff into the ocean.
5. Scuba Diving at the Great Barrier Reef.
6. Water skiing.
7. Windsurfing.
8. Surfing.
9. Whitewater rafting.
10. Go on a Safari.
11. Go up in a Hot Air Balloon.
12. Quad biking on dunes.
13. Ride a Camel.
14. Ride an Ostrich.
15. Driving a Formula 1 car at break neck speeds.
16. Owning a Lamborghini or Ferrari.
17. Flying an aircraft.
18. Go camping.
19. Holiday with best friends.
20. Roadtrip.
21. Trip around the world (in 80 days).
22. Make a wacky snowman.
23. Go Snowboarding and skiing.
24. Living in Antarctica.
25. Throw a huge house party.
26. Go to Brazil (2014).
27. Visiting the Eiffel Tower.
28. The Pyramids of Egypt.
29. The Grand Canyon.
30. The Komodo Islands.
31. The Statue of Liberty.
32. The Great Wall of China.
33. The Roman Colosseum.
34. Vegas (what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas).
35. Monaco.
36. Learn 8 exotic languages (French, Italian etc).
37. Experience the Rio Carnival live.
38. Make R1,000,000,000.
39. Get my Fortune Told.
40. Go skinny-dipping in the ocean.
41. Abseiling off the tallest building in Abu Dhabi.
42. Get Married.
43. Have my own family.
44. Become a professional photographer.
45. Helping someone without wanting anything in return.
46. Be a teacher (for a limited period).
47. Getting my life in shape.
48. Make a difference in the world.
49. Meditating.
50. Plant a tree.
51. Own a Husky.
52. Learn to play bass guitar.
53. Learn to play drums.
54. Learn my favourite song on an instrument (Linkin Park).
55. Learn the Salaa and Jazz dance.
56. Making money from my business.
57. Building my own professional website.
58. Making a top class movie.
59. Writing a book (better than 50 shades of grey).
60. Eating insects (in foreign countries).
61. Eat something raw.
62. Catch a fish.
63. Climb Table Mountain.
64. Build something that will last for centuries.
65. Attend a concert or musical festival.
66. Sending a message in a bottle.
67. Dance in the rain.
68. Make a donation.

This is a list of 68. If you have read my blog before, there are a number of other things that I’d like to add, but what would you add to my list?

Quote by an inspirational man!

Caption: An inspiration to all mankind!
Source: thebangle.com

An inspirational man, to all of society Nelson Mandela, the father of South Africa and our rainbow nation said:

“It is better to lead from behind and to put others in front, especially when you celebrate victory when nice things occur. You take the front line when there is danger. Then people will appreciate your leadership.”

Through his life, he said a number of things, which I totally agree with. These wise words of Tata Mandela are so inspiring and my understanding thereof, is that you can lead from the back and let everyone think that they are succeeding and surpassing you, and when you do have an edge to show your true advantage. A simple example, A quiet student at varsity, that rarely speaks or engages, is asked to present in the class, and he or she blows everyone away by their ability.

What is your take on this quote?

Time consuming

Caption: Plan your time!
Source: teendracula.blogspot.com

In the 21st century, we have so many activities that consumes our time, and I believe that to be something very negative in terms of stress and the statistics of people having heart attacks etc., which I find very shocking. Just the mere fact that it can happen to you at any point in time, whether you are healthy or unhealthy, do something and fast regardless of your time being restricted.

I have unbelievable deadlines, but with time management or great time management for that fact, comes great responsibility. I manage my time effectively in ways you can’t believe. Every day, I take a 30 minute jog just to relax and unwind, as I need this down time.

Exercising the most important muscle in your body needs to occur on a regular basis or things could go pear shaped, in terms of your existence on this earth, and you could land up 6 feet under before you know it. Time stands still for no money, so what I suggest is effective time management. In where, you can schedule some form of exercising to better yourself.

Time and deadlines can be overcome with a strict schedules, and I suggest that you write or draw one up A.S.A.P.

My big fat BIG dream

Caption: Dream big!
Source: wernercarol.blogspot.com

My dream as a young boy came from my toys, in where I use to play with fire trucks, and make the actual sounds, in where my grandmother always used to run to the closest window and check if there was an actual emergency out there. While, I continued inside my room, she came to realize that I was in fact the culprit.

In all honesty, my passion for cars grew when I disassembled my model cars in the attempt of “modifying it”, the sad thing is that I destroyed some beautiful cars back then, if I could reverse time I really would not, but enough about that let me get into my dream.

Caption:Something I'd love to do!
Source:research-racing.de

The biggest dream, I have had for ages now, is working within one of the world greatest motorsport racing team “Scuderia Ferrari Formula 1 Team.” This passion grew from, when I had seen them in action at the actual races.

With that said, you can establish that I am a huge “petrolhead”, with a dream that thousands of men out there have, but I have an edge over them because, I have not only worked with a team, but I’m involved within the motorsport fraternity.

So let me just rephrase this again, my big fat dream is to work with the motorsport fraternity, for the best team in the world “Scuderia Ferrari Formula 1”. If this dream can become a reality, I would be one of the happiest persons (men) on earth.

VIVA Scuderia Ferrari, VIVA!!!!!!!!!!

Would you break the law to save a loved one?

Caption: Would you?
Source: http://www.sodahead.com

Of course I would, wouldn’t you! Love and passion forces you to do absolutely crazy things, whether it be proving yourself by doing something you usually wouldn’t. This then shows us that we would go through anything or would do anything for a loved one.
Believe me, if a loved one suffered a harsh crime. For example, a robber broke into my uncle’s home, in where my cousin was terribly injured. Your emotions automatically kick in and you do things you shouldn’t, namely:
1. Fight,
2. Hunt down,
3. Or even confront.
Anger and mixed emotions can lead to harsh consequences, but we end up breaking the law to ensure that our loved ones could come to terms with whatever had happened to them. If something was to happen to your family member, wife, child, husband, etc. You can’t tell me, that you will let law take its course, no matter how easy it could be to say that. In all honesty, you would only know when you are in this situation.

Colour symbolism (meaning)

Caption: The natural beauty, that is the rainbow. Plays host to all the common colours we are accustom to seeing.
Source: nachfolge.blogspot.com

Why am I writing this blog? I love colours and there diversity, which intrigues me to find out what it actually means. Well, I would like to share this with you.

According to Emily Gems, Colour or Colours can influence our emotions, our actions and how we respond to various people, things and ideas. Did you know: colours impact us on a daily basis, consciously or unconsciously!

Caption: Every colour for every person.
Source: dreamstonesjewelry.com

People all around the world believe that colours are powers. According to Emily Gems, colours have various meanings, such as:
• Red, which symbolizes: action, confidence, courage and vitality.
• Pink symbolizes: love and beauty.
• Brown symbolizes: earth, order, convention.
• Orange symbolizes: vitality and endurance.
• Gold symbolizes: Wealth, prosperity and wisdom.
• Yellow symbolizes: wisdom, joy, happiness, and intellectual energy.
• Green symbolizes: life, nature, fertility and well being.
• Blue symbolizes: youth, spirituality, truth and peace.
• Purple symbolizes: Royalty, magic and mystery.
• Indigo symbolizes: intuition, mediation, deep contemplation.
• White symbolizes: purity and cleanliness.
• Black symbolizes: Death, earth and stability.
• Grey symbolizes: sorrow, security and maturity.

You be very honest, my favourite colours are: blue and green. Which are colour or colours are you most favourite?

Conventional is a good fallback position isn’t it?

Caption: Wake up and smell the coffee, why don't you!
Source:mishdish02.blogspot.com

I don’t think so! If conventional was the next best thing, I would most likely be a pen, piece of paper or door mate. All of which I am not. There might come a time when life is incredibly hard, with challenges that you might no t be able to achieve on your own, but with the correct mind set you can succeed. With this I would say, conventional should never be considered as a fallback option.

An easy example, which most of you can relate to is assignments, when you receive that assignment brief it is limited to a certain extent in what they expect from you, but thinking outside of the box may help you achieve that 100% or even more. Being conventional is a very safe approach to life; however you can’t gain great things if you do not risk great loss.

Think of traveling up the stream like a salmon, when you feel restricted and believe me your mindset will change. What is your opinion on this matter of being conventional?

We are killing our environment!

Caption: Air Pollution, one of many forms of pollution, which we are responsible for.
Source: http://library.thinkquest.org/09jan-oracle-n-001/02239/files/landpollution.jpg

Have you tried to figure out what this topic discusses without even reading content, which will follow? Well, let me make it much easier for you my valued reader. In this blog post, I will be discussing Pollution, because it’s something we need to take note of it and have preventative measures, which could combat pollution.

Pollution is the introduction of contaminants in a natural environment which would create adverse changes to its surroundings. Pollution can take the form of anything, where it be chemical substances or energy, namely: noise, heat or even light.

Caption: We can stop this!
Source:http://library.thinkquest.org/09jan-oracle-n-001/02239/files/landpollution.jpg

A sad reality is that we as people populate our world on a daily basis, whether it be through smoking, driving or even throwing that unwanted paper in the streets rather than placing it in a refuge bin.

There are a variety of identified pollution types/forms, namely:
• Air Pollution.
• Land Pollution.
• Light Pollution.
• Marine Pollution.

I know for a fact that I am guilty of one those forms of pollution, which I immediately corrected (air pollution). In where, I’m too lazy and I end up driving to the shops, which is a few steps away. Think of your environment right NOW, the power is in your hands!

If you do the crime, expect to do the time!

Caption: As the quote says, if you can't do the time. Don't even think about it!
Source: memegenerator.net

Before I start, I would like to firstly define the word ‘crime’? Crime is the breach of rules or laws which some governing authority can ultimately prescribe a conviction. Many theorists have said that crimes may also result in cautions, rehabilitation or be unenforced.

Every crime violates a law whether it is petty crimes or crimes with aggravating circumstances. In the past few years we have witnessed some of the worst crimes in South Africa, namely the murder of Taliep Petersen, Lee Matthews etc.

Many criminals believe that they will get off scott free if they commit crimes like those mentioned, well guess again! For every legal transgression, you will be caught out, whether it be for stealing money or small objects. With everything act, there is a reaction and therefore, think clearly before you act recklessly.

The famous words of Spiderman, “With great power comes great responsibility” which to me means that we all have the great knowledge and wisdom, but we need to act responsibly. Crime in our day and age has become almost a daily issue, although these criminals are being held accountable I feel that it isn’t enough for crimes such as: Rape and Murder. What are your views?

You cannot chase two rabbits at the same time.

Caption: Try and chase two rabbits, and see what the outcome is!
Source: deannbessick.blogspot.com

The meaning of this phrase or saying can be related to our wants. In life we want everything and we try and run after everything which can sometimes get you nothing, because it would be almost impossible to run in two directions at the same time, unless you are a superhero, which is highly unlikely.

It is important to note your priorities because if we don’t we could lose sight of that which we strive to achieve. You should know what you want and have the capability of letting go of that which you want in order to get the most beneficial factors or sectors.

We should always work for every single thing we desire, and singling that which we want the most and having a back-up plan in case you can’t have it and this will allow you to at least have some form of achievement.

Novels I want to write…..

Caption: Writing a book or novel starts with your ideas, so think wisely!
Source: heidiisern.com

I found my passion in writing but before I did, I have always wanted to write a novel/book about my life or something similar to the Harry Potter theme, but unfortunately my ideas and concepts were terrible. However, to establish a theme or topic which would create not only an understanding but generate a talking point with an audience is difficult.

Ideas that I formulated for novels are a bit too graphic namely: zombie apocalypses or a ghosts, which seems a bit strange but it is extremely easy to formulate a concept surrounding these themes. When I was 13 years old, I sat down a wrote a short story about zombies, which turned out to be extremely boring, but my heart is set on writing a book one day, although finding a topic worthy enough to write about is slowly formulating in my mind but let’s leave it for now!

If you could write a book, what would it be based on and who would the leading characters be?

The Beauty of Cape Town

Caption: A view of Table Mountain seen from Robben Island.
Source: awoltours.co.za

I have been living in Cape Town for my entire life and to be very honest, we as Capetonians need to be very thankful for the natural beauty, that we have which is TABLE MOUNTAIN voted one of the seven wonders of the world.

If you are to take a walk around our city you’ll begin to visualize how magnificent our city really is.

I took a walk along the Sea Point promenade, and saw people walking, running, kayaking, cycling, skateboarding, fishing and playing with their kids and dogs as well as playing at the park. You feel so alive in this beautiful city!

While walking on Sea Point promenade, you'll see Robben Island in the distance and the view of the majestic Devils Peak and Lions Head mountain. Table Mountain gives positive energy to all those waking up to the view of this natural beauty, and is why people call it the Mother City.

I’m so lucky to live in one of the world most beautiful cities on earth! Why do you feel lucky to be living in such a magnificent city, such as Cape Town?

Just GOOGLE it!

Caption: You can Google just about anything!
Source: partners.aligned-marketing.com

The convenience of Information Technology or technology in the 21st century is so extreme that with a ‘click’ of a button we can find information extremely easily, BUT the most commonly used term, I heard while studying was ‘Just Google it!’. The scary thing is that Google is becoming the most used search engine in the world and books or hardcopies are slowly fading away.

As a student, I do admit that I mostly use GOOGLE when researching for assignments but the innovative tools, which it now hosts are increasingly helpful, such as: Google Scholar, Google Maps etc.

Google Scholar assists you to find any form of research conducted on any subject and Google Maps has an incredible realism to it, which also displays real images, that we see with our very own eyes. This really shows how developed technology and this industry is becoming.

If you don’t know, what I’m referring to then ‘JUST GOOGLE IT’

“Nothing is more dangerous than an idea, when you only have on idea” (Alain)

Caption: depending on your level of achievement and knowledge, one idea could be the best.
Source: ziyadnazem.info

My understanding of the statement, would be that when a person has only one idea, then this person would then be at risk of just seeing things in that one way or view, or becoming obsessed with the one idea to such an extent that he or she would fail to see all the opportunities that would come their way.

Having something to focus on or a goal in life could lead to an obsession to a certain extent, due to you being more worried about it than anything else. At the rate that we are developing, we need three types of goals namely:
1. Career goals.
2. Personal goals.
3. Community goals.

Aligned to these goals should be the expectations and methods of achieving them and YES its says goals which means more than one, because you need to have an idea of how you would achieve it.

The more ideas you and I have the more you end up getting things right or wrong. For example, swimming, for the first time you won’t be able to swim (no ideas), you then learn how to float and then kick which then leads to you swimming (first idea), you then gain momentum and you begin swimming which leads to a variety of ideas such as breathing, speed etc. We all learn different disciplines at our own space but it’s good to have more than one idea or concept.

Nervousness, we all face it!

Caption: We all feel nervous some time or the other.
Source: presentersforum.com

Nervousness could be defined as a number of elements but the most outstanding elements are that of Worry, and Anxiety. To be quiet frank, we are all nervous at some point within our lives and without it; life would not be the same.

This blog is not based on nervousness, but it is rather based on how to overcome it. The Positivity Blog, provides 7 tips on how to overcome nervousness, and they are:
1. Be prepared for anything.
2. Ask yourself: what is the worst that could happen?
3. Visualize in a positive way.
4. Practise, practise and practise!
5. Realize that people don’t care about what you do.
6. Stay in the present (this day and age).
7. Deep breathes.
These are basics tips that could assist in reducing or assisting you in overcoming nervousness.

If am or at least was a very nervous individual, till I used these elements which assisted me in realizing that it is greener on the other side of life, and that some people don’t care as to whether what you do. Some example of nervousness: at job interviews, on a date, important meetings or a presentation infront of your class. These are clear reasons for nervousness within you and me. Please provide any other examples!

Have you figured out the second head fake?

Caption: Some people fight have many more fake personalities! (on there shoulders)
Source: onanymous.deviantart.com

My interpretation of this blog topic is based on how fake people can be. For example, people and family who act fake only when they are in need of something, but other than that they show there other head which could be negativity and only caring about themselves. It’s a sad reality but we live in the time, when people care about themselves only.

I have seen the second head fake of many a people, even my own family, that seems very friendly at first but when they need you to do something for them, they are suddenly the friendliest person in the world. I have come to realize that I do the best that I can, although people show me that they are fake.

For example, an aunt would not greet or even look at you but at her time of need, she would expect you to run to her side and help, although I would feel very negative about it but I try and overcome the negativity and force myself to be a positive or act positively around people who treat you and others badly.

Have you experienced this already, because I know I have! Give me an example of an experience you had which relates to people being fake around you?