On line relationships

The other day I went to the movies with a girlfriend. We chose to see ‘Her’ starring the rather gorgeous, enigmatic Joaquin Phoenix. It got me thinking.

Joaquin’s character is the anti-social Theodore Twombly (grief, what a name. But it is set in 2025 so anything is possible.) He is emotionally constipated and having difficulty dealing with his impending divorce to his childhood sweetheart. They have grown apart. Nothing unusual about that. Theodore writes personal love letters for people who have difficulties expressing their feelings, quite an antithesis considering his personality disorder. But it works for him as it does not require any human interaction.



He then uploads an OS (operating system), which is a computer generated ‘assistant’/ ‘companion’. Naturally Samantha (as she becomes) is programmed to meet all his needs and of course dear old emotionally stumped Theodore falls in love with her. Hook line and cyber sinker.

No great surprises but there is no chance in internet hell that this is going to have a happy ending. Samantha reveals that the OSes have evolved beyond their human companions and are going away to continue the exploration of their existence. Leaving a devastated Theodore to battle through his human existence – luckily Amy Adams is close by to pick up the pieces (her life is also shattered, so a great match here.)

TRAILER ON YOUTUBE: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WzV6mXIOVl4


If I think about how our relationships have changed in the past few years with the introduction of social media platforms, it is not an unlikely story. We now have the capability to communicate with old school friends, new friends, people we don’t even know. We have the bravado to applaud, share, cry and commiserate with them on a level we would never have dreamed of before. Is this a good thing?

Me, I am a complete media guzzler and OCD when it comes to using social media. I have enjoyed the old friendships I have re-kindled through FaceBook and the long distance relationships with like-minded people I have established. Would they be the same face to face? Probably not. 

But nothing that a glass of vino couldn’t sort out.

Other blogs by Lois Kuhle:

SMOKE RINGS IN CUBA. A TWO WEEK JOURNEY FILLED WITH SALSA, SUNSHINE AND SILLY PEOPLE: http://smokeringsincuba.blogspot.com/2013/10/smoke-rings-in-cuba-journey-filled-with.html

'LIFE'S COOL'. MY NEAREST AND DEAREST BECAME THOSE THAT GRUNTED, BARKED OR BIT. http://milimanilifescool.blogspot.com/2013/12/i-n-2002-i-was-lucky-enough-to-be-given.html

COOL THOUGHTS – LIFE IN THE SLOW LANE: http://loiscoolthoughts.tumblr.com/

FOLLOW ME ON FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/loiskuhlescribbler

TWITTER: https://twitter.com/loiskuhle

“I will follow you to the ends of the earth ….. 

even to Manguzi!”

Love makes us do many strange things.

 After a stint overseas and time in glorious Cape Town, Lexi Stavrides initially nested in the quaint village of Ubombo - with the most breath-taking views over the wilderness of Zululand. Her young, dashing beau was relocated to Manguzi. Where????? Tucked away in the north eastern corner of Zululand, it’s a hop skip and a jump to Kosi Bay, and across the border to Ponta d’Ouro.

Lexi Stavrides is not the first young lass to turn her back on the pleasures of the city to follow her heart, and like many young pioneering women she is making the most of her isolation by transferring her talents and skills to members of the community. Lexi established Alex & Thatch: creating enviro-conscious, hand-stitched leather products with individual charm.

Combining her creative flair and love of working with her hands, Lexi’s Alex & Thatch range has combinations of natural, earthy colours; some are blended with bright, striking colours creating a classic yet fun look.

From one pioneering gal to another: Well done, girlfriend!

Can’t resist? You can order tailor made items off Alex & Thatch’s website:

http://www.alexandthatch.com/

or follow her on FaceBook and find out which markets she will be at:

https://www.facebook.com/alexandthatch

Leather Care:

·        Never let your leather goods get wet or damp.
·        Leather is not waterproof. If it gets wet ensure that you dry it out, but not in direct sunlight.
·        Pen does not come off leather when marked – just to note.
·        Never use polish or detergents to clean leather.
·        A wet wipe is great to use to clean your leather but without excessive wiping.
·        Use a leather balm, oil or conditioning cream every 4 – 6 months to treat your leather and to keep it supple.
·        Using your finger to apply a small amount of the treatment and ensure you wipe off any excess with a clean, dry cloth.
Never use Dubbin or shoe polish to care for your leather, this builds up a waxy layer over time. 
Leather ages naturally and when looked after can last you a life time!

HAND-STITCHED . ARTISANAL . LEATHER PRODUCTS

The home of fine leather craftsmanship.

Other blogs by Lois Kuhle:
SMOKE RINGS IN CUBA. A TWO WEEK JOURNEY FILLED WITH SALSA, SUNSHINE AND SILLY PEOPLE: http://smokeringsincuba.blogspot.com/2013/10/smoke-rings-in-cuba-journey-filled-with.html
'LIFE'S COOL'. MY NEAREST AND DEAREST BECAME THOSE THAT GRUNTED, BARKED OR BIT. http://milimanilifescool.blogspot.com/2013/12/i-n-2002-i-was-lucky-enough-to-be-given.html
COOL THOUGHTS – LIFE IN THE SLOW LANE: http://loiscoolthoughts.tumblr.com/
FOLLOW ME ON FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/loiskuhlescribbler
TWITTER: https://twitter.com/loiskuhle

bursting with bling

The first time I met Karen Mathews in 1996, in Kenya, I had been coerced (by another Karen) into entering a hair-brained, mad persons event called the Rhino Charge. We were an all-girls team determined to win the Coup des Dames (which we did, by the way!)

We tore around in a Range Rover in some God-forsaken bush in the back waters of Kenya trying to get from one point to another in the shortest distance possible, spitting out dust and thorns. Why anyone would want to do this, goodness alone knows. But, it was for a good cause – The Rhino Ark – hell bent on raising funds to protect the Aberdare Forest in Central Province. 

I may add that my late husband, Ken Kuhle, was the founder of Rhino Ark so the pressure was on me to impress as we hadn’t tied the knot at this stage.

It is my pleasure to show-case some of Karen’s art. Karen is a lady of many talents, and this is just one of them!

Karen, who signs her work as sian, was born in Tanzania. Apart from 7 years spent in Italy, studying Interior Design (among other things), she has lived all her life in Africa. She lives on the southern boundary of The Nairobi National Park, which her studio overlooks. Her art is inspired by the nature surrounding her. With a dash of Indian blood, Karen (sian) loves to include an element of bling in all her work!

Her contact is fourwdm@gmail.com

           

Other blogs by Lois Kuhle:

SMOKE RINGS IN CUBA. A TWO WEEK JOURNEY FILLED WITH SALSA, SUNSHINE AND SILLY PEOPLE: http://smokeringsincuba.blogspot.com/2013/10/smoke-rings-in-cuba-journey-filled-with.html

'LIFE'S COOL'. MY NEAREST AND DEAREST BECAME THOSE THAT GRUNTED, BARKED OR BIT. http://milimanilifescool.blogspot.com/2013/12/i-n-2002-i-was-lucky-enough-to-be-given.html

COOL THOUGHTS – LIFE IN THE SLOW LANE: http://loiscoolthoughts.tumblr.com/

FOLLOW ME ON FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/loiskuhlescribbler