Roger Longstaff & The Japanese Camera Crew

Moving house is probably one of the most stressful things one can embark apon. It's not only the realisation, that in fact you have become the world's biggest hoarder, without breaking a sweat and without even knowing you were doing it so efficiently. It also looks like you will only need to make a couple of trips, then all of a sudden, 5 trips later you have half moved, it's unreal. Another thing one gets to do is re-buy all the essential household things. Cleaning product, cloths, sponges, dishwashing liquid, etc, which is a real pain.
I have now moved from the seagull infested suburb of Sea Point, to the tranquil existence of Hout Bay, which seems to be on another planet in comparisson. At night, not a sound, which makes a change from the ever present street corner "bergie" experience of " Jou Ma se p&*!" and the roar of cars up and down the road and the dominance of Police sirens at all hours of the morning. I'm a bad sleeper at the best of times. I still can't sleep, it's too quiet. Perhaps I'll become used to it and then get my "log-like" sleep sessions back, like I used to have prior to the SADF ruined it for me.
The other thing is that whenever I ride anywhere it's straight up a hill. Not that I mind hills all that much, but it always helps when you have warmed up a bit, especially at my age. Suikerbossie isn't that fab first up, with cold legs.
We had a rip roaring party for my team mate Keith's 42nd Birthday last weekend and I may have destroyed every bit of training I had done on my bike since June in one evening, great fun. The party will be remembered for numerous reasons, none more than Russell now being re-named Bambi. Keith's ridiculous Hugh Grant in Love Actaully dance moves & Dave's (aka Roger Longstaff, the new RBS Team Mechanic) emergence as a stud of note. The theme song for the rest of the year will be Bob Sinclair's La La Song, and the realisation too that our team manager only wants the best for her boys on the race team. Totally groovy party. I also now know that Tequila has a marvellous influence on me, I just can't remember what it is.
I have also entered the Engen Dynamic Challenge race which is a seeding race for the Argus, not that thats too essential, but it is a provincial Classic, so the racing should be decent. There is a slight climb after about 40km, but the field's contenders should stay together over there and to the finish where there is a downhill sprint. Just gonna try and get some legs back for the Amashovashova, as I feel my bike form has disappeared. My favourite race of the year and a chance to watch th Sharks play at home and see my old buddy, Marco Conte. Marco will decribe often, with total disgust, how I used to clean him up at 100m hurdles at St. Peter's Prep School, an event he rated himself at, so much so, that he continued it seriously throughout high school. He did only go to Kearsney College and St. Andrew's, so the athletics standard wasn't obviously very high. He hasn't ever gotten over those pubescent days of inevitable defeat and humiliation.
It should be a fun time and I always look forward to going to Durban to race, something very vibey about KZN which appeals to me.
Well done to the Kiwi's for beating the miserable Pakis. Grant Elliott you little beauty, you remembered everything I taught you in Holland. I also love it when Pakistan lose, because when they win, they win badly. Then there's much over exhuberance and showiness. Bigger than the game type behaviour. It belies the very nature of their virtues and cultures they profess to hold so dear to their hearts...the growing of ridiculous sized beards, peace loving and apparently God fearing. They could almost fit in in Noordhoek or Kommetjie. As for Afridi, don't get me started. Boom Boom indeed. Did he actually kill Bob Woolmer, or was that a malicious rumour someone started?

Pity about the final though, tough blow losing so many players of the quality of Oram, Vettori & Ryder for the one Day game anyway. Not sure about Ryders physique, he may be mates with Graeme Smith and follow the same diet.

Just another note on the Proteas. 3 Senior players, 4 weeks from the start of the Champions Trophy were seen out drinking and engaging in all night socialising on a Wednesday, then the Thursday and finally at HQ on the Friday in Cape Town. No wonder they were Dog Shit in the tournament, thats the sort of preparation I expect from myself, not proper cricketers, representing proper cricket countries....