eBooks and Paperbacks: It's Book Launch Month!

My Novel, Thorngate is now available as an ebook, either from lulu or from myself personally.

Click on the following links:
eBook - http://www.lulu.com/product/ebook/thorngate/17428193 (epub)

Paperback Novel - http://www.lulu.com/product/paperback/thorngate/17429354

I have made some changes to the book's blog, and added more photo's to the photo gallery :o)

The invitations are rolling out and the emailed/hand delivered/posted envelopes mean only one thing: it's all actually happening!!

I hope that all of YOU are following your dreams - NEVER give up.

Sandy Bigara

Microsoft Sam Makes a Move...

Hope this is readable! Too funny :o)

Racial Hatred and Feeling Homeless

My heart aches at the anger, racism and hatred that is so firmly directed at the white minority in South Africa.

This blanket of anger and resentment has settled over the youth and young adults like a disease. If only that anger could become determination - to study hard and finish school. To work hard, and smart. To work towards an economically viable and trusted (investors) receptacle for International funding... But no. It's easier to hate the white man. To stare me down whenever I am in your presence, to see the blank rage there. Directed at me. Because I am white.

Standing in my own suburb, waiting for a soft-serve with my giggling little girl (3.5yrs) who swings joyfully on the silver balustrade, and asks the tall african gentleman,
"Hello there! Why have you got a cheetah's tail on your head?"
To which he simply clicks his tongue at her innocence, and looks away, leaving her heart sore and confused - instead of sharing his fascinating inheritance with her. Standing in my own suburb, their suburb too. Waiting in line for my small order, I am stared at, hard. Unblinking stares directed at me, at us. When I smile or acknowledge the connection the look intensifies and I am afraid. I am afraid, 3 kilometres from my home.

Xenophobia, Genocide, Race Hatred, Misconceptions, Ignorance. These are the enemy.
"Robbing from the rich to give to the poor"
It won't work. It can't work. Because then everyone will be poor.
"Give a man a fish... He will eat for a day. Teach a man to fish... and he will have food for life."

I understand that it is hard - there are so so so so many poor Black South Africans. So many. But even if every White, Indian, Coloured or Asian South African handed over the total sum of their wealth and left... There would *still* not be enough to go around. And who would share it? The minute wealth is in anybody's hands: corruption sets in. You know it's true.

What South Africa needs is:
--Lower salaries for people in power - their annual earnings could sponsor the school fees of many, many government school learners. (R600 a year per child)
--A fully funded independent task team to expose corruption at *every* level of government, at within the Medical and Educational sectors (ghost teachers, medical aid fraud)
--Free education at government schools.
--Free basic health care - Clinics/Government Hospitals.
--Job creation - within airports, easily acquired tenders, malls, smme's, larger companies.

These are just some of the things that could be done to raise the standard of living across the board. This new africanised romanticised "Robinhood hand-me-down" mentality is dangerous.
DANGEROUS.
The masses are not being looked after.
The elderly are not being cared for.
Widows and orphans are not being sheltered.
People are not working - or even trying to get work.
They feel hopeless.
They are misled by Politicians or Media to have hope in the fanciful pipe-dream of shared wealth and land...

There are simply too many people. Too many people without a Matric. Too many people dreaming of a better life (via ancyl's vision of economic anarchy and hinted-at multicultural genocide) and, too many people *not* seeing a way to get out of the situation. It is very bleak indeed.

But, we are a very young Democracy. We have proven to the world that we can work as a team, that we can raise the standard. I just hope that we have the tenacity to stick it out for a while longer - give the next generation of 1994 babies a chance to raise the bar. We are flogging a young horse, expecting to ride a trained racehorse before we have even put a saddle on it for the first time.

I have taught for many years, my past students now range in age from 15 to 25 years old. I am friends with them on Facebook and see them growing, voicing opinions and preparing for life. I see hope in *them* they are focussed and hard-working. They are mixed race, mixed gender and mixed religion... And they are the future. I just hope that they are strong enough to pull families from poverty, create jobs, stifle this latent rage and motivate for positive change in South Africa. Or else we are all doomed.

I am just tired of being afraid, being made to apologise for the skin on my back. Being made to feel hopeless, sad, not welcome. Surely this is *my* country too? It's not. Apparently. Even though I am a third and fifth generation South African.

There is nowhere on earth that I can call home, and I am not welcome here, anymore.

Sandy Bigara

ELEnin - Should we be afraid?

The following link is very interesting,
I caution people to not believe every hyped-up Youtube video on the subject.

Watch the web for global Volcano eruptions, Earthquakes, Typhoons, Cyclones, Tsunamis and other anomalies like Mass animal deaths.

I don't know if this is the beginning of the end, but I do know that it is a time for introspection and loving one another.

Think about what is truly important to you.

Here is the link:
http://alamongordo.com/mysteries/elenin-timeline/

Sandy Bigara

The Photo is taken from: http://jimmyprophet.wordpress.com/2011/03/01/the-planet-xnibiruelenin-brown-dwarf-event-timeline-2011/

Recipe: Chicken & Date Pan, On Jacket Potato

Double-Click on the Picture to see the comments :)

Chicken & Date Pan, On Jacket Potato

 
A splash of Olive Oil
2x Chicken breasts - roughly diced
1x Medium sized onion chopped finely
1/2 Chicken stock cube
1x Carrot - cubed into half cms
1x 5cm of English cucumber cut into half cm cubes
3 Dates pitted and chopped
Half tub of fresh cream (add more if needed)
1 Tbspoon of Royco's Chicken a la king cooking powder.
3 x Medium sized jacket potatoes washed.
 

1. Add onion, olive oil and chicken breast to the pan, fry up until chicken is tender and onion is soft. Add chicken stock cube and mix to break it up.

2. Add carrot, cucumber and date mix - stir up on a high heat until vegetables look done (stir fry style).

3. Lower the heat and add fresh cream, add a tablespoon of Royco's Chicken a la king (it makes the cream thicken and gives the sauce a great buttery flavour)

Royco's website: www.mealinspiration.co.za

4. Allow it to simmer for a few minutes, stirring constantly, then lower the heat until time to serve.

5. Place clean potatoes (jacket potatoes - in their skins) into a microwave safe dish, fill it 1cm with water, prick the potatoes and cook on high for 4 minutes. Turn over and check the softness, cook for another 4 minutes on high.

6. Remove the potatoes from the microwave safe dish, break them open (stack them, slice them or even mash them) and sprinkle a little cheese onto them, spoon the hot chicken mixture on top, garnish and serve.

 

This was a firm hit with my family - even the little kids ate all of their supper!

 

Hope you enjoy it!

Sandy Bigara

Update: First Motivational Talk

Don't forget to check out:

www.thorngateseries.blogspot.com

And email:
thorngateseries@gmail.com

...For YOUR own copy of my Novel: Thorngate. Do it before ELEnin arrives ;o) hee hee!

I have posted photo's in the Photo Gallery section of the book's blog. There's a cute one of my little daughter with the first book copies there as well - so cute!

Good News! Half of our book launch has been paid for by a generous fan! Now to organise it all beautifully!

I am giving my first motivational talk, and book reading, at a high school tomorrow, hopefully the students will purchase the book!

Have a great day,

Sandy Bigara

Mothers And Daughters UK

I have spotted a wonderful find... One of my favourite people on the PLANET has turned her incredible mind towards something fabulous, fashionable and new!

The lady in question? - Cristine Dyer. An awesomely talented lady with 'itchy fingers' for creating something beautiful!

Cristine has a great eye for detail and has a knack for making her home/s look tasteful and chic. Her list of available products is growing and she will 'make to order' as well. I just wish that I lived closer!
_____________________
The following is taken from the blog:

"I began this business due to "itchy fingers" and looking for a way to start supporting my family more. Currently, a stay-at-home mom to two beautiful children, I wanted to create something that would be accessible to both mothers and their daughters. I find myself often online, shopping for my children and my husband and rarely including something for myself. Mothers and Daughters creates an opportunity for you to shop for your daughters/babies and then pick up something for yourself. Or for you to pick up a "can't go wrong" gift for your mother/grandmother/aunt/friend.
If you would like to place an order, please use the Contact Me page or alternatively search for me on Facebook. Items will be available on eBay by 19 September 2011.
I am constantly sourcing items and playing with new ideas, so please bookmark this page and come back regularly to see what is new!
There will be a lovely range of Christmas items arriving at the end of October!!!
Please allow max 2 days for dispatch.
All prices are excluding postage.
Please note, due to UK Health and Safety, I am currently waiting for the Cosmetic Safety Assessment Package, which allows me to legally manufacture and sell bath bombs, melts and lip balms within the EU. I will then be joining the Guild of Craft Soap and Toiletry Makers. Both of these, ensure you that you are buying from a legal seller within the United Kingdom. - Cristine Dyer"
_____________________

Fantastic!

Cristine's contact details are on the Mothers & Daughters blog:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Mothers-and-Daughters/243463239032169
Please go to the Facebook Fan Page link (above) and click 'like' - Beautiful gorgeous things for all of us!

The blog site's address is:
-(Blackberry/Mobile) http://mothersdaughters-uk.blogspot.com/?m=1
- (pc/mac)  http://mothersdaughters-uk.blogspot.com

I hope that you find something lovely to buy if you are in the UK :o)

Have a great day,

Sandy Bigara

Indulge Yourself with Hannah's Decadent Delights

If you are online today, and live in Durban, KZN or, in the UK - please go to the following Facebook fan page and 'LIKE' it.

INDULGENT DELIGHTS
http://m.facebook.com/profile.php?id=202688293100033

I have known Hannah Sampson Edy for over a decade, she is an incredible person - a loving wife and mother to three gorgeous children - and she still finds time to create stunning sewn designs, and bakes up a storm! She is a creative all-rounder and plays classical piano as well, hearing her sing is a real treat :o)

Her baked and sewn creations display her 'all round' talent - her work is described as 'classy' and after viewing her: cakes, tarts, cheesecakes, brownies,baby buntings, cushions, sleep-time doudou's and even her fantastic design: a blanket that clips onto the front of your pram (so that your baby can sleep peacefully and/or not get sunburned/wind blown) and doesn't blow away! No more pinning and tucking blankets that flap all over the place! - I am seriously impressed!

Hannah does hold Open Days for her Indulgent Delights range and if you 'like' the page you can find out when the next open day will be.

If you have a look through the Fan page's Photo Albums, you will see an array of scrumptious goodies that are made-to-order. Her prices are fair considering what you get... Wouldn't mind sinking my teeth into a gorgeous White Chocolate Brownie right now... Nyom!

Let's support our local artists!





Sandy Bigara

This Is For You

You know who you are, this is for you.

It is only when you're at your lowest, that you realise who is truly behind you. Treat your loved ones with care, be respectful, honest and upright in your dealings with others.

Don't let another squash you, don't let anyone rain on your parade, we're all made with purpose so shine on regardless.

Those who try to still your flame: burn on.

Those who pull you back, clip your wings: fly on.

You are a survivor, living with intent. You know who you are - you're reading this and thinking: yes!

You know that you are not living up to your full potential, but the prospect of actually 'making it' is terrifying: GO FOR IT.

I hope that you succeed.

Sandy Bigara

Frankie Beagle: Stunning South African Talent

Join Frankie's Fan Page on Facebook!
Frankie Beagle Fan Page

Stage Name

I asked Frankie where she found the inspiration for her stage name; the answer was quite simple… Frankie used to perform under her maiden name: Frances Charlton, but found that she was leaning more towards an edgier name for herself. The answer was right under her nose… her nick name is “Frankie” and her married surname is “Beagle”… Voila! Frankie Beagle. Gorgeous!

Home Turf

Frankie and her supportive husband Jordan hail from Gauteng or, Jozi as she lovingly calls it. \

1. What topic do you find crops up again and again in your song writing?

Celebrating the delighfully humourous imperfection in ourselves, love and humanity. Oh, stars also come up a lot…

Favourite Performance Venue

In Jozi – Shepstone Gardens and The Bioscope are Frankie’s fave’s as for Durban, she has played at Splashy Fen and loved it!

Give Thanks

I asked Frankie about people who have encouraged her and motivated her, supported and uplifted her – she answered instantly:

Jennifer Fergusson - “I am a HUGE fan, she is favourite SA artist” Jennifer and Frankie did a gig together at the beginning of the year and Frankie really loved the experience.

Shotgun Tori – for being so incredibly supportive.

Song Writing Groups/Clubs/Classes - in Jozi, for the influences and motivation of the song writing community.

2. Who is the love of your life? And how did you meet?...

Jordan, he lured me into what would be my first photographic darkroom at 19 and taught me how to...print :o)

Style / Influences

Folk, RnB are her musical influences.
Artists who have inspired her are: Nina Simone, Fiona Apple, Regina Spektor, Ane Brun.
Her music is also influenced by Art Movies.

This is noticeable when listening to her album “The Sound” her lyrics and musical direction are superb, artistic and tasteful. Just stunning.

3. If you could go on a wild crazy adventure, what would you do? And where would it all take place...?

Travelling up Africa and playing music in the most unexpected or rural places with a troup of songwriter friends… Or selling everything and doing volunteer work around the world.

Embarrassment

I asked Frankie what her most embarrassing moment was on stage… after a good laugh she remembered a time when she forgot her lyrics mid-song and swore in front of the crowd!

She also added “But that was along time ago!”

The Voice of an Angel

Contact Us
http://www.reverbnation.com/#/frankiebeagle
http://www.myspace.com/francescharlton
email: frankie@beagle.org.za
0823265831 or 0835606996

4. What instrument would you love to learn to play? And why?...

Piano. My mother was an outstanding pianist and teacher she tried to teach me but I was stubborn & lacked discipline & focus. Stupidly, I thought guitar would be easier.  Guitar is the perfect traveller's instrument but piano is such a widely expressive & old instrument that has been woven into almost all music we hear, making it so accessible to the heart's ear. Maybe I will still learn.

 

Ultimate Goal

Touring overseas. Building an overseas fan base and getting into festivals in South Africa and Abroad.