For Whom the Bell (officially) Tolls

Death toll

Indonesia: 234,271
Sri Lanka: 30,957
India: 16,389
Thailand: 5395
Maldives: 82
Malaysia: 68
Myanmar: 61
Bangladesh: 2
Somalia: 298
Tanzania: 10
Kenya: 1
Total:
287,534.

Insights

Firstly, I need to add to more negatives to living in South Africa. One is ants. They are everywhere, and when you leave the kitchen they come out like rabid dogs. Have I not mentioned them before?
The second thing is banks. You have to go to the bank you mean to transfer money to, which means recently I have been running around to different banks. In Korea you can stand still in front of a cash machine and let you money do the running.

I woke up this morning after having a particularly distasteful dream. I was in Korea (that's not the bad part), but I was there with no phone numbers, and nowhere (seemingly to go). After I woke up I wondered why I didn't just call a recruiter - who would have had me in a job and an apartment within, possibly, an hour. I think the dream was just a metaphor for overall uncertainty.
1. Weekend of the 6th: SA Triathlon Champs, Richard's Bay OR SA Cycling champs (Gauteng) OR a wedding in Kroonstad and fashion show in Bloem
2. Weekend of the 12th. REM in Johannesburg OR the Argus in Cape Town
3. Post Ironman: CELTA in Johannesburg or Durban, and SendingFietstoer (PE to Strand immediately after the Ironman) OR Korea or Taiwan if I get some good leads from Daniel or working at the Department of English at Free State University (though in an entrepreneurial capacity), or at Quintiles, Xposure or more uncertainty.

In a world of uncertainty, one thing is certain. Natural Disasters.
I inadvertantly watched a National Geographic Documentary on what I thought was a slightly yawny topic by now: The Tsunami Disaster.
I still have an image in my head of a man, standing on a very wide beach - and this was shot from quite high above - while a black broiling wave slides quickly towards him. He does not move. Not to run, not to jump. The water simply engulfs him and he is gone.
The official number dead: 287,534
Missing: 114,922
This numbers become irrelevant on an hourly basis.

My own perception of the Tsunami that it is just like a Hawaiian pipeline, and you just need to be able to hold your breath for an extended length of time - probably no more than about a minute, which is doable if you have time to take a deep breath. I'm exaggerating. The thing is, it is not an individual wave, it is a wall of water, and behind that wall is the same height of water. It is a moving body of water, with several more behind it.
What's more is by the time this water has gone even a few metres inland, it is carrying so much debris that it becomes black and soup like and it is not a question of swimming in it, as making sure you get out of it and away from it. The surface in streets that are flooded are just cars and metal - just a black tin soup of sharp objects, scraping along. You get caught in that and any soft fruity objects get diced.

Basically this disaster made me forget about whining about Iraq. There are alll sorts of killers out there, so maybe we all just need to enjoy our lives, look out for each other and just try to stay healthy. Putting your nose in someone elses business may be altruistic, but you may not live long enough to enjoy the fruits of your efforts. Life has some difficulties hardwired into it. Life is kind've juxtaposed very closely beside SURVIVAL. If we are more than merely surviving, more than merely living, maybe we can live consciously, and thus happily and in harmony.
Thus simple things like getting up early in the morning, running through sleepy suburbia, may be one of the best ways we celebrate our lives in our bodies, wherever we are.

Week 17 Day 5-7

Sick so no training. Am guessing that I may be up and running by Tuesday.

Am looking now towards the next events - SA Cycling Champs, SA Tri Champs (Richard's Bay) and the Argus.

Whacko Universe?

Saturday was the weirdest day in the planet's history. Okay, slight exaggeration, but it was weird because of a crazy confluence of events...so crazy that might have been scripted by someone from 7de Laan or Bold.
I guess it started off with sms' from a friend saying he is getting divorced, and then degenerated into Strep Throat which is OOOOW. Basically, if you don't treat it, in a worst case scenario it can develop into a flesh eating disease. That gives you some idea of what the bug is up to getting cozy in the pharynx. Chewing your soft tissue.

I woke up at 6am and was obviously really disappointed not to feel up to the Tour de Bloem.

Was contemplating what to have for lunch when dad arrived back from Botswana - after having being there for 5 days he saw a jackal and a gecko. But apparently well worth it.

I wasn't feeling so great so I went to lie down and then the phone and doorbell rang, shortly after which I heard a pitter patter of footsteps, and eventually got up to see Tammy plundering the bathroom.
Quite odd seeing her after 2 years, and she was I think quite surprised to see me too. It was a bit ironic that she came to visit on probably my worst and most disappointing day since being back.

As if that wasn't enough, I went to Mimosa later and spotted her sister Sam, someone I once couldn't get out of my head day or night, couldn't bare to be without, someone I cried over - and there she was, no different to anyone else, sitting behind apane of glass. I felt no pang, no chill, just a sense of recognition and dull confusion - "Should I go and say hello..." I didn't even complete the thought, and decide either way as I got caught up in another conversation. Some minutes later when I looked back she wasn't there. And I didn't care.
I had a great sense of having come a long way and covered many huge mountains to get to where I am now. Just a sense of peace and calm, and power. It is odd to see someone who is your whole universe, and then the tides turn and you don't even complete a thought on whether to approach them to ask "How are you?"

I was whacko though, as I ordered a cheesecake which somehow I think the Strep Throat ordered. Cheesecake is just the perfect bacterial brew to cultivate more.

It shows you how things can change.
It shows that you can thrive again even if at some time you may find yourself naked and alone.
It shows that there is some magic and trickery up the sleeves of this, our Intelligent Universe.

I Have Strep Throat

Strep throat

(Please visit the website by clicking on the title of this post above, for the original content: www.chclibrary.org)

Definition

Streptococcal sore throat, or strep throat as it is more commonly called, is an infection of the mucous membranes lining the pharynx. Sometimes the tonsils are also infected (tonsillitis). The disease is caused by group A Streptococcus bacteria. Untreated strep throat may develop into rheumatic fever or other serious conditions.

Description

Strep throat accounts for between five and ten percent of all sore throats. Although anyone can get strep throat, it is most common in school age children. People who smoke, who are fatigued, run down, or who live in damp, crowded conditions are also more likely to become infected. Children under age two and adults who are not around children are less likely to get the disease.

Strep throat occurs most frequently from November to April. The disease passes directly from person to person by coughing, sneezing, and close contact. Very occasionally the disease is passed through food, when a food handler infected with strep throat accidentally contaminates food by coughing or sneezing. Statistically, if someone in the household is infected, one out of every four other household members may get strep throat within two to seven days.

Causes & symptoms

A person with strep throat suddenly develops a painful sore throat one to five days after being exposed to the streptococcus bacteria. The pain is indistinguishable from sore throats caused by other diseases.

The infected person usually feels tired and has a fever, sometimes accompanied by chills, headache, muscle aches, swollen lymph glands, and nausea. Young children may complain of abdominal pain. The tonsils look swollen and are bright red, with white or yellow patches of pus on them. Sometimes the roof of the mouth is red or has small red spots. Often a person with strep throat has bad breath.

Despite these common symptoms, strep throat can be deceptive. It is possible to have the disease and not show any of these symptoms. Many young children complain only of a headache and stomachache, without the characteristic sore throat.

Occasionally, within a few days of developing the sore throat, an individual may develop a fine, rough, sunburn-like rash over the face and upper body, and have a fever of 101-104°F (38.3-40°C). The tongue becomes bright red, with a flecked, strawberry-like appearance. When a rash develops, this form of strep throat is called scarlet fever. The rash is a reaction to toxins released by the streptococcus bacteria. Scarlet fever is no more dangerous than strep throat, and is treated the same way. The rash disappears in about five days. One to three weeks later, patches of skin may peel off, as might occur with a sunburn, especially on the fingers and toes.

Untreated strep throat can cause rheumatic fever. This is a serious illness, although it occurs rarely. The most recent outbreak appeared in the United States in the mid-1980s. Rheumatic fever occurs most often in children between the ages of five and 15, and may have a genetic component, since it seems to run in families. Although the strep throat that causes rheumatic fever is contagious, rheumatic fever itself is not.

In the 1990s, outbreaks of a virulent strain of group A Streptococcus were reported to cause a toxic-shock-like illness and a severe invasive infection called necrotizing fasciitis, which destroys skin and muscle tissue. Although these diseases are caused by group A Streptococci, they rarely begin with strep throat. Usually the streptococcus bacteria enters the body through a skin wound. These complications are rare. However, since the death rate in necrotizing fasciitis is 30-50%, it is wise to seek prompt treatment for any streptococcal infection.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of a strep throat by a doctor begins with a physical examination of the throat and chest. The doctor will also look for signs of other illness, such as a sinus infection or bronchitis, and seek information about whether the patient has been around other people with strep throat. If it appears that the patient may have strep throat, the doctor will do laboratory tests.


Treatment

Strep throat is treated with antibiotics. Penicillin is the preferred medication. Oral penicillin must be taken for 10 days. Patients need to take the entire amount of antibiotic prescribed and not discontinue taking the medication when they feel better. Stopping the antibiotic early can lead to a return of the strep infection. Occasionally, a single injection of long-acting penicillin (Bicillin) is given instead of 10 days of oral treatment.

About 10% of the time, penicillin is not effective against the strep bacteria. When this happens a doctor may prescribe other antibiotics such as amoxicillin (Amoxil, Pentamox, Sumox, Trimox), clindamycin (Cleocin), or a cephalosporin (Keflex, Durocef, Ceclor). Erythromycin (Eryzole, Pediazole, Ilosone), another inexpensive antibiotic, is given to people who are allergic to penicillin. Scarlet fever is treated with the same antibiotics as strep throat.

Without treatment, the symptoms of strep throat begin subsiding in four or five days. However, because of the possibility of getting rheumatic fever, it is important to treat strep throat promptly with antibiotics. If rheumatic fever does occur, it is also treated with antibiotics. Anti-inflammatory drugs, such as steroids, are used to treat joint swelling. Diuretics are used to reduce water retention. Once the rheumatic fever becomes inactive, children may continue on low doses of antibiotics to prevent a reoccurrence. Necrotizing fasciitis is treated with intravenous antibiotics.

Home care for strep throat

There are home care steps that people can take to ease the discomfort of their strep symptoms.

Take acetaminophen or ibuprofen for pain. Aspirin should not be given to children because of its association with an increase in Reye's Syndrome, a serious disease.
Gargle with warm double strength tea or warm salt water, made by adding one teaspoon of salt to eight ounces of water, to relieve sore throat pain.
Drink plenty of fluids, but avoid acidic juices like orange juice because they irritate the throat.
Eat soft, nutritious foods like noodle soup. Avoid spicy foods.
Avoid smoke and smoking.
Rest until the fever is gone, then resume strenuous activities gradually.
Use a room humidifier, as it may make sore throat sufferers more comfortable.
Be aware that antiseptic lozenges and sprays may aggravate the sore throat rather than improve it.

Alternative treatment

Alternative treatment focuses on easing the symptoms of strep throat through herbs and botanical medicines. Some practitioners suggest using these treatments in addition to antibiotics, since they primarily address the comfort of the patient and not the underlying infection. Many practitioners recommend Lactobacillus acidophilus to offset the suppressive effects of antibiotics on the beneficial bacteria of the intestines.

Some suggested treatments include:

Inhaling fragrances of the essential oils of lavender (Lavandula officinalis), thyme (Thymus vulgaris), eucalyptus (Eucalyptus globulus), sage (Salvia officinalis), and sandalwood (Aromatherapy).
Gargling with a mixture of water, salt, and tumeric (Curcuma longa) powder or astringents, such as alum, sumac, sage, and bayberry (Ayurvedic medicine).
Taking osha root (Ligusticum porteri) internally for infection or drinking tea made of sage, echinacea (Echinacea spp.) and cleavers (Gallium aparine) Osha root has an unpleasant taste many children will not accept (Botanical medicine).

Prognosis

Patients with strep throat begin feeling better about 24 hours after starting antibiotics. Symptoms rarely last longer than five days.

People remain contagious until after they have been taking antibiotics for 24 hours. Children should not return to school or childcare until they are no longer contagious. Food handlers should not work for the first 24 hours after antibiotic treatment, because strep infections are occasionally passed through contaminated food. People who are not treated with antibiotics can continue to spread strep bacteria for several months.

About 10% of strep throat cases do not respond to penicillin. People who have even a mild sore throat after a 10 day treatment with antibiotic should return to their doctor. An explanation for this may be that the person is just a carrier of strep, and that something else is causing the sore throat.

Taking antibiotics within the first week of a strep infection will prevent rheumatic fever and other complications. If rheumatic fever does occur, the outcomes vary considerably. Some cases may be cured. In others there may be permanent damage to the heart and heart valves. In rare cases, rheumatic fever can be fatal.

Necrotizing fasciitis has a death rate of 30-50%. Patients who survive often suffer a great deal of tissue and muscle loss. Fortunately, this complication of a streptococcus infection is very rare.

Prevention

There is no way to prevent getting a strep throat. However, the risk of getting one or passing one on to another person can be minimized by:

Washing hands well and frequently, especially after nose blowing or sneezing and before food handling
Disposing of used tissues properly
Avoiding close contact with someone who has a strep throat
Not sharing food and eating utensils with anyone
Not smoking.

Terms:
Lactobacillus acidophilus
A bacteria found in yogurt that changes the balance of the bacteria in the intestine in a beneficial way.


Resources:
BOOKS
Professional Guide to Diseases. 5th ed. Springhouse PA: Springhouse Corp., 1995.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

This health encyclopedia is made possible by the Dr. Joseph F. Smith Trust Fund. Dr. Smith was a surgeon who resided in Wausau from 1908 to 1952. In addition to his surgical practice, Dr. Smith possessed a strong commitment to community service and medical education. The agreement which created the Dr. Joseph F. Smith Medical library was signed in July of 1948.

Copyright 1999-2001. The Thomson Corporation. All rights reserved. MyDiseaseDex(TM) is a trademark of Micromedex, Inc.

Medical Library, 333 Pine Ridge Blvd. Wausau, WI 54401, Phone: 715-847-2184, Fax, 715-847-2183
www.chclibrary.org 

Sick People

This picture is called 'Sick People'.

I am taking Corenza C, which may be inducing drowziness, and a feeling of weakness. I am not sure if it is effective, because my condition may be bacterial. I have been eating a lot of fruit, drinking a lot of fruit juice, which may have just been too much sugar in my system.

When my cellphone's alarm went off at 6am, I did not get up this morning to do the Tour De Bloem. I am really sorry not to have raced it, because I was really gearing up for it, even had the wheels couriered down, and it is probably the last cycle race for a while. I may still have a chance of entering the Argus, but that is just a week before the Ironman.

I will relax over the next day or two and try to build up my immunity. The important thing is to be able to do this race in 3 weeks.
I will watch some TV today and just relax and not be stressed about anything. 

Week 17 Day 5 - Is It Possible?

I entered the Ironman today. R2150. I have a sore throat today, headaches, a slightly elevated heartrate and a slight fever, so have not trained at all.

I will decide later this evening whether to cycle in tomorrow's Tour de Bloem (although I have already entered for that event).

Had an interesting day today. Met Susan and had a rivetting chat with her about TEFL in Singapore, CELTA in Bloem and in general. She's a great contact. Ran into Lena at FNB and also had an interesting dialogue with her. She is doing her Masters now, and getting ready to write a book for women on fitness and training.

I went very quickly to Cyclotech to buy some energy gels. Don't feel like racing tomorrow but maybe I just need to rest and take it easy tonight.

Anything is possible...

Week 17 Day 4

Cycle 47km
Time: 1:34
Average speed: 30km/h
Average Heart rate 138/Maximum 163
Temperature 29 average (33 max)
1391 Total calories

Cycled out to Glen to meet Jean. Shortly after almost got blown off my bike by the gust coming off a truck, sucking my front wheel. Enjoyed the ride with Jean although he rode into me coming onto the Kimberley offramp. I think it is a sign of two pretty decent riders if you can have an impact like that, and wobble, but not fall.

Have a sore throat today - it's sore when I swallow, and have had headaches (which I never get) throughout the day. Feel run down and legs are extremely tired. Felt out of breath on the climbs, and despite the heat, arms went goosey. Jean said, 'You must be depleting.'
It is about time to sign up for the Ironman so obviously it is time also for my body to finally give out as has been the pattern over the last 2 years.

Went to the Arthur Nathan but the pool closed at 5pm and huge black clouds were swilling above the pool and the jeep.
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Weather With You

Shit happened today:

1) Nearly got blown off my bike by a sidegust from truck.
2) Jean rode into me at about 40km coming off the N1.
3) Adre still has not actioned my Unit Trust despite the Budget coming out and probably causing a spike in value.
4) Went to the bank to enter Ironman but had to transfer funds at the bank of the creditor. What a dumb, antiquated system. Banks closed exactly at 15:30 so I still hadn't done what I set out to do.
5) Terrific deafening thunderstorm caused all the dogs to crouch under the phone. When I walked away, one of the dogs caught a cable and ripped the answering machine onto the floor, breaking it.
6) Had a fiery conversation after dinner which left a bad taste in my mouth.
7) Am feeling not 100% healthy.

Need to survive this week intact. Good things today were the photos of Arthur Nathan pool (and the trip down memory lane), and cycle with Jean and had a good meeting with Yolande during lunchtime.

Also changed the Zipp's sprocket and have inserted the rear wheel.
Need to rest up tomorrow for Saturday's race.
 

Submerged Childhood

I took some of my very first strokes in this pool, and met a swimming coach who would coach me for another 7 years, culminating in me eventually being the fastest 11 year old swimmer in the Free State (in the 50m Freestyle). 

Shallow Hal

The pool is really shallow on the one end and the currents are really strong too. I know it is so shallow you can just anout scrape the bottom of the shallow end with your fingertips. This makes it a nice pool for kindergarten kids to train in and learn to swim. I have some clear memories of coming here from nursery school (David Davidson) just across the road. Now the nursery school is not even there any more. 

Too Short

This pool almost never gets used, and is never used for galas since it is about 48.5m long which means it is not the official Olympic standard (50 metres). The same is true with the University pool, although I believe it is only half a metre short - not very much. 

Drowning

My mother came here once and found herself in the deep end. She couldn't swim, and she sank to the bottom, kicked herself up, and repeated this for a long time, obviously desperate and panicking. She never did learn to swim after this experience, which I understand was quite horrifying for her, especially with all the people around her, and beside the pool, totally oblivious to the peril she found herself in. 

The grand old dame of swimming pools in Bloem. This was where I came when I was in kindergarten and where I did the first training sessions. 

Summer is wearing thin, and time is running out. I entered today for the Ironman. It's a critical period. I don't feel 100% healthy as has been the case in the previous two attempts. I'm not sure if that kind of consistency is good. Have headaches, and get goosey (as though from the cold) even though I'm hot and in the sun. 

Cat sitting under the lunch table. Wake me up when the food is ready... 

A sign of summer. A lawnmower moaning during the late afternoon. 

Ready for lunch? 

The Zipp's have arrived and are waiting to fly... 

Which City Would You Most Like to Visit?

This is definitely not South Africa. It's a big world, and this is the Big Apple. This is probably the most impressive city in the world, especially in terms of architecture and grandeur. Do you agree?

I've been to other interesting cities like Edinburgh, Paris, London, Seoul, Kuala Lampur, Singapore, Cape Town and I think I'd like to see New York or LA soon.

I'd also like to see Reykjevik, Rome, Amsterdam, Rio, Sydney and St Petersburg. 

New York

Haven't been there, but want to see it before it gets nuked by Al Qaida. 

Don't Turn Your Back On South Africa

Here's why life in South Africa is good for me right now as opposed to life in Korea right now:

Good:
Summer
Clean air
Delicious grub (Nando's, Steers, homecooked veggies etc)
Savannah Dry(that's an alcoholic drink)
Being able to swim in a lane with no one else in it
Having food cooked for me at home
Having my bed made for me at home
Living in a house (with DSTV and a swimming pool, and a big garden)
Playing with pets
Cycling with CJ or Hannes
Chatting to dad about Bush
Beautiful and interesting girls
Sparletta Creme Soda
Primi
Driving again
Driving a Jeep
Riding on quiet country roads
Being able to see the sky
Seeing lightning, and the atmosphere of thunderstorms almost every afternoon
Being able to speak English to everyone and being understood
Cycling races
Spar
Liqui Fruit and Ceres
Biltong
Hard but brief rain storms
Going to the farm with friends and having a marshmellow braai
Using a cellphone (not that you can't in Korea, just that I never bothered)
Holidays
Old and new friends
Melons (the orange ones)
Fishpaste
Cafe Rossini
Traumerei
Blonde girls with blue eyes
Being able to draw money from an ATM after 22:00
Not having to sit on the floor or take shoes off when going into a house
Wearing slip slops
Cleavage - it's everywhere!
Being recognised by people while walking down the street outside my house
Wanting to drive around and take pictures because the environment is so lovely
Running through leafy suburbia and not being worried about traffic or smog
Getting an all over tan
Finding enchantment in places like Hobbit House and swimming in Die Veldskoen dam (and not being chased away)
Arriving 15 minutes before my flight at the airport and still being allowed to board
Seeing so much vitality in nature - birds in the garden, animals on the side of the road
Seeing so many cyclists in the mornings, and almost all greet you
Getting something you ordered from a bike shop the next dayHaving lunch in someone's home, or dinner (which is usually a barbeque)
Having to choose how to spend an afternoon between going to yoga, a cricket match, or swimming
Just feeling happy to be who you are, where you are.

Bad:
Slow internet
Can't play computer games like Counterstrike
No one to speak Korean to, and have to resist wanting to say, 'Jincha' or 'Pali pali'.
Missing some friends back in Korea.
Miss the speed and efficiency of my computer

Overall:
Good to be here, but when the season's change, will be awesome to step back into the East as spring springs...
Unless I can find something useful to do here, and something creative...something Peter Pan would approve of...


 

Freedom to Train

Look at the layout of this gym. Space, and equipment in pristine condition.

Hannes gave me about 10 or 11 free passes since my 1 month membership has just run out. I might do a few ab and spin workouts here in addition to a few swims late at night. 

Going to Gym in South Africa

This is the Virgin Active indoor pool at Noordstad. If this was Korea there would be about 5-10 people in each lane. 

Week 17 Day 3

>Easy Day

Cycle 0:45
Distance: 20km
Average Heart rate 115/max 158
Very easy cycle. I actually menat to go at least 30-40km but Hannes just wanted to test out his newly assembled Carbon Fuji frame.
Came home at about 7am and read the paper and drank coffee for half an hour in our cycling clothes, and Hannes still wearing his helmet. It felt a bit crazy!

Swim (outdoors): 0:36
Distance: 2km
2x500m (7:45's)
2x250m (3:45)
10x100m (2:21)
Arms felt quite sore from yesterday, foot is a bit better, legs felt very very tired on the bike, so it is just as well I took it easy today.

Zipp wheels arrived at Cyclotech, and Hannes gave me 10 freebie vouchers for Virgin Active. These will come in very handy now that my membership has expired. I also want to join some of the ab and spinning classes as training is scaled down. I need to pick up swimming distance, do a few 4's and 5's, and run more often but a bit shorter and possibly even slower. I think I must avoid hills in order to look after this injury.

I need to pick up the cycling distance later in the week too. Would like to hit 300km again.

Total hours for the week so far is not looking bad at all. 

You Are My Sunshine

I grew up here, at the Stadium Pool. I swam before and after school, and on Saturdays. I seemed to spend all my free time here. The water is always crystal clear, and the glassy clear skies and yellow sunbeams bounce in the water.

It is so nice to swim through networks of light that fire off the floor of the pool in chains and silver webs. It is so nice to be swimming in an outdoor pool again, feeling the sun on your skin, and the water moving around your head. In indoor pools they always insist that you wear a cap. 

Reflections

Look into the pool and see yourself... 

Going Up

This is one of the versions for the front of the business card. I just want to change the v.d Leek to van der Leek, and maybe have the 'Writer, Teacher, Triathlete' not pointing downwards. 

"Here's My Card..."

These pictures form the back of the business card I am developing with a designer.
Top left, going clockwise: windsock at Nature's Valley, lying a wheat neat the Thames, Maidenhead, on Clifton beach, being told the last of the swim caps had just been given out (and about 40 minutes before getting back to the beach with hypothermia), inside a glacier below Mont Blanc (Chamonix), near St Malo in France, and on the top of Kilimanjaro. You like? 

Thought For The Day

Always look on the bright white side. Don't be a pain on the ass!