September 2007

Unbelievable, truly unbelievable, I have to share this with you. A few weeks ago Barry Bonds broke arguably the greatest individual record in any team sport. The ball with which he did it has recently been purchased from the guy who caught it in the stands by Marc Ecko the fashion mogul for $753,000!

Nothing special there, UNTIL you click here and see what he now intends doing with the ball. Poor Barry Bonds, I’m willing to bet this thing either ends up in space or in Cooperstown with a big fat asterisk on it. I can’t wait to see what happens, just for the record I voted for option A and Marc Ecko voted option B …..I wonder if Barry will bother voting!

Having just got back to London I am now off to the States yet again for another 2 week trip to Dallas and Chicago. As always I am looking forward to it as both the people I work with and the friends I have made over there always make my trips to the States enjoyable.

Of course having been in Chicago as much as I have over this past baseball season and going to Wrigley as often as I do I have become a massive Cubs fan. And guess what, they are currently in first place and heading for the playoffs, so there is no better time to be in one of my favourite places in the world. Could this be the year the Cubbies win the World Series and break their 99 year curse…….

During my last visit to Wrigley a couple of weeks ago I took this video of the guys I went with, as I was driving that night I didn’t have as many Mai Tai’s as they did. The Cubs had just beaten their closest rivals and the Cubs victory song was belted out over the sound system. The video was linked to by a number of websites lambasting Cubs fans for being annoying drunks, which is ridiculous considering the game was over and the guys were just having a laugh and enjoying themselves without bothering ayone else. The guy at the end of the vid is taking the piss a bit though.

My body is only now beginning to return to its normal state after the week long hammering it has just taken in France. Partying until 6am (sometimes even later) every day for 7 straight days is not what this man machine has been designed to do.

The Rugby World Cup is now in full flow and it was a fantastic to be in France during the opening week to watch South Africa smash Samoa and then totally destroy England. In fact, destroy is not a strong enough word, England were lucky to get no points!

In between all the partying and general chaos that ensued around our house in Paris we did manage to savour the food, cafe culture and general experience that goes with spending a week in Paris. It is still way down on my list of city’s I enjoy visiting but the general atmosphere in France during this World Cup along with the great people we met has endeared me slightly more to the Parisienne way of life.

I have added a small selection of photographs from the week in Paris, including our trip out to the Champagne region. Click here to see photos.

After almost 2 months in the USA, travelling back and forth between Dallas and Chicago, including a little side journey to the Big Easy, New Orleans, I m now back in London. I might add only temporarily though because for the next 9 days I will be in France watching the Rugby World Cup.

The number varies throughout the week but at any one stage there will be up to 13 South Africans in the 4 bedroom house I have arranged within spitting distance of the Eiffel Tower in the heart of Paris. We’re turning the house into our own Bok Town, complete with SA flags all over and a constantly playing sound system blaring out David Kramer, Johnny Clegg and Leon “every 4 years” Schuster!! If you’re gonna be in Paris drop us a line and join the party………..did I mention the house has an outdoor Jacuzzi and a bar?

Finally I have recently uploaded a number of photos from my recent travels:

Photos of my trip to Las Vegas to see the De La Hoya v Mayweather.

Photos of the Cubs game at Wrigley Field against the Braves including a “riot” and the manager fighting! The turnaround point for the Cubs season, they’re now in first place. Go Cubbies!!

Photos of the Tour de France prologue held in London.

Photos from a wild Friday night on the tiles in Chicago with Pat out from SA and local friends. Please note the charming facial hair (I have yet to upload the photos from the 70’s night that prompted this).

Photos of my trip down to Iowa to play in a golf tournament with friends. I also drove to the famous Field of Dreams, Captain Kirks future birthplace and went to check out an Amish community (felt like an “Amish safari”).

Lastly photos of my trip to New Orleans where I met interesting musicians, barmen, party animals and actresses e.g. Angelina Jolie!! What a great city, I have faith in their post Katrina rebirth. More on this later.