Was my radio on?

Realising you might be a camp staffer:

• While in the toilet you think "Is my radio on?"


• Laundry becomes a four letter word--other staff may lend you clean t-shirts and trousers, but it ends there!


• You have a water bottle. That you actually use and threaten harm to anyone who takes it.


• Bear, baboon, scorpion, and teenagers run when they see you coming.


• Zoolander may have a look, but you use THE look daily.


• Fish fingers seem like normal breakfast food. And what's wrong with burgers three days running?!


• Speaking of which, you have a camp wardrobe and a skinny wardrobe.


• The army has nothing on your acronym skills. As in, The PD is looking for the APD to meet him/her in the KDA so they can deal with a PDA case. And it all makes sense!

Rocklands is looking for camp staff! If you want to be part of the cool group visit www.rocklandscentre.co.za and hit the volunteer tab for an application.

Nuclear bunker/carpetball table

If you been following Paddy's blog, you'll have noticed a wee thing he refers to as the nuclear bunker. This would be South Africa's first carpetball table, right here at Rocklands Centre! It's probably the most sturdy carpetball table ever built--unless you know of a metal table somewhere...

I've noticed that Paddy fails to mention the copious amount of glue used to join the carpet and wood. Shaun and Paddy really seemed to like this stage of the table making. Hmmmm. Then we all had gourmet sandwiches and coffee!

Come back here to see the finished product!

Rocklands on the Cuting Edge

We are going to be the first South African, perhaps even African, campsite to have a carpetball table! I am soooo excited! Stay tuned for photos and spare-words as Paddy and Shaun attempt to put the thing in the upstairs games room. That's right. Upstairs--hee hee!

Cupcake inspiration

I saw these 'cupcakes' (fairy cakes to our Brit friends) while on holiday. The tasty treats are actually wool felt and glass seed beads. So cool!

Thought I'd post a photo here to remind myself that there are super creative people in the world. If you want to see more creative stuff, check out Paddy's blog and see what he's able to do with permanent markers and paint!

Attacking Baboon

No, we did not attack the baboon--as the title might suggest. Shaun got a wee bit to close to the babies, and a baboon came after him. Threw him to the ground and otherwise stated his claim.

So, my family need not worry about me being killed, maimed, or injured by: bad water, stabbings, muggings, theft, rape, murder, outrageous tourist prices. I just have to worry about staying out of the baboons' way and all should go well with me!

Considering that the baboons freak me out, I don't envision me trying to lure them into my cabino with giant fruit platters...

Amy Carmichal never had to deal with baboons.

Democrat in the House

Right. So Paddy actually beat me to the televison set this morning--6.30 am--and we both waited in breathless anticipation (although Paddy may have just been there because he couldn't sleep) to see who won the US presidential race. Obama! Then I made coffee and went to work. Still, it's nice to know America may one day very soon be safe for all people again (not just the Republicans).

And, we have muchos personas internacion here for an SU conference. It is really nice to hear all the different languages! Shame that I didn't keep up with my high school Spanish...