My (His)Story
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Author Archives: michaeldekock
My (His)Story
Aside
(I did this for a school oral in 2012)
My parents were married for five years before I was born. They both led physically active lives when they met and the last thing on their minds were health problems. They kept themselves busy by playing golf, running road races, cycling, playing tennis and squash and hiking occasionally. So, after a year of marriage, they thought it time to start a family.
When my mom still wasn’t pregnant after a year, they were wondering if something was wrong. After many visits to doctors and many wrong diagnoses they put my mom on fertility drugs. Still, nothing happened in spite of prayers and medicine and many tears, I have been told.
In the meantime, they were becoming disillusioned and discouraged and stopped the whole process. But, influenced by a mutual friend, they visited a well-known gynaecologist in our city. This doctor – a gynaecologist – found that my mom had a heart murmur. With the help of ultra sound sonar it was found that she had a leaking heart valve due to having rheumatic fever as a child.
The gynaecologist and cardiologist advised my parents to have artificial insemination and get pregnant before having heart surgery. They went along with the plan, but after it wasn’t successful the first time, further examinations showed that the heart operation was first priority. It was quite a bit to chew on, because now my parents were faced with the possibility of never having children, because afterwards, being on anti-blood clotting medication, it would be difficult to become pregnant and/or bring a normal child into the world.
A month later my mom was in theatre, and after eight weeks she went for follow-up examinations. The cardiologist was impressed with her quick recovery, but it was the trip to the gynaecologist, though, that changed their – and our – lives. He found that my mom was already twenty weeks and three days pregnant with me!
There were absolutely no physical signs of pregnancy yet, except that my mom’s body still wasn’t functioning as it should have, which wasn’t out of the ordinary for her after having anaesthetics.
The head of cardiology at the hospital advised my parents to abort me. He gave them a long list of what could have gone wrong with my development and gave them five days to make a decision. After that it was too late for an abortion. My mom said that on that day she fell in love with my dad forever, because he rose to his feet and told the good doctor in no uncertain terms that they have no right to say ‘no thanks’ to what God has decided to give them.
On a sunny Friday morning on 6 September 1996, at three minutes past eight, I was born and my parents named me, Michael – meaning ‘who is like God?’ in Hebrew – to remind them constantly of God’s love, grace and faithfulness.
I was born without any of the abnormalities they were warned about… Although my best friend, Wilhelm would probably disagree…
I survived the anaesthetics, the cooling down of my mom’s body during the heart operation, three days without food, because of a mistake by the hospital personnel, and the antibiotics and all the medication afterwards. In retrospect they found that my mom didn’t ave to take the anti-blood clotting medication for nine days after the operation, which gave me just enough time to develop fully before she had to start taking it. To state how significant this was – she had another heart operation in 2005 and needed to start taking the medication the very next day after the procedure, even though they recycled her own blood!
If our Father sustains me, I will turn sixteen in three months’ time. I am not just a survivor. Just by every one of you calling my name, we are reminded daily of our Creator’s hand in our lives. Because of my parents’ belief I had not become another abortion statistic. I was born, in spite of everything, because our Father in heaven has a purpose with my life.
Read my mom’s more detailed version of this story on her website at http://www.thewritingclub.co.za/writingclub/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=52:michael-story&catid=48:faith-related-articles&Itemid=81
Happy Birthday, James Bond!
Happy Birthday, James Bond!
(from different sources on the Internet)
So, today I bring you one and the other about the James Bond story and would you believe, our friend 007 is with us already for 50 years (in 2012)!
The Man behind James Bond
The 007 adventure started with a man who lived his life much like James Bond. Ian Lancaster Fleming was born in London in 1908 and educated in England, Germany and Austria.
After working at the Reuters news agency, Fleming became a stockbroker. During WWII he worked as the assistant to the Director of Naval Intelligence in London, privy to many secrets. It was this experience that provided material for many of the characters and incidents in the Bond novels. Fleming was an intelligent man and participated in quite a few covert missions, which he crafted the plans for.
At age 43, Fleming settled at his Jamaican Estate, Goldeneye and produced his first novel, Casino Royale, in less than two months’ time.
His love life was much like that of James Bond, but he eventually married the love of his life, Anne Rothermere, and had a son, Caspar, with her. Unfortunately, their marriage wasn’t very happy.
While recuperating from his first heart attack in 1962, he wrote a short story about a flying car, called Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, for Caspar.
Ian Fleming died at age 56 at Sandwich in Kent – apparently on his son’s birthday. After his death seven other authors were commissioned to write the James Bond novels.
A Bit of History
It’s not that well known, but there were two James Bonds before Sean Connery. Before the movies we came to love so much, there were also unofficial films, comic strips, a TV series, and radio shows and later on also electronic games starring 007 as a spy-hero.
Two of these early Bonds were portrayed by Barry Nelson in 1954 And Bob Holness in 1956. From 1962-1967 Sean Connery played the first Bond on the silver screen – as the 007 we know today. He was replaced in 1964 by Roger Moore. David Niven played Bond in 1967 in a rather weird, uncharacteristic, old Pink Panther-like version of a Bond-movie. He was replaced in 1969 by George Lazenby. After that Sean Connery played in another few movies from 1971 on and Roger Moore commenced his duty in the majesty’s service from 1973-1985.
In 1973 Christopher Cazenove portrayed Bond in a BBC documentary and in 1983 Sean Connery returned after he told his wife that he would never play 007 again. The name of that movie? Never Say Never Again!
Timothy Dalton was the first of the younger generation James Bonds from 1987-1989. Scottish Mama Mia singing star, Pierce Brosnan, saved the world from various villains between 1995-2002. He was followed up by the latest 007, the very serious Mr. Daniel Craig.
Daniel Craig even played James Bond in the opening ceremony of the 2012 Olympic Games alongside a parachuting queen of England.
Frequent Characters
Although their actors die, go on pension and are replaced by new faces, some characters appear in every James Bond movie. They are M, MI6’s boss; Q, the guy behind 007’s gadgets; and Moneypenny, M’s secretary, who is very in love with 007!
The Gadgets
Let’s be honest – James Bond is cool, but his gadgets are just fantastic and some movies had some outrageous stuff! (Although he went old school in the latest movie, Skyfall…)
The Cars
All of Bond’s cars are now on display at a museum in England. Bond’s BMW 750Li is personally my favourite Bond car, because it is the only 4-door Bond car and it is remote controlled with a phone!!! Unfortunately, as always, Mr Bond destroyed it.
Bond’s Aston Martin Vanquish/Vanish (as Q put it) had stinger missiles, shotguns, tyre spikes and can turn invisible. It could also perform a flip (when upside down) with the ejector seat.
The Lotus Espirit was able to turn into a submarine, with little fins and gas launched arrows.
I will stop here, otherwise I can go on forever…
And Then There Were the Girls
And of course, without them, James Bond won’t be James Bond! Actresses such as Ursela Andress, Linda Christian, Lois Maxwell, Zena Marshall, Claudine Auger, a former miss France, Joanna Lumley, who played Purdey, Jill St. John. Lana Wood, Jane Seymore, Brit Ekland, Kim Basinger, Barbara Carrera, Grace Jones, Maryam D’Abo. Minnie Driver, Teri Hatcher, from Desperate Housewifes, Hally Berry and Ava Green played in Bond movies. Some of them went on to become most successful Hollywood stars, while others’ careers died a bit after their 007 fame.
Some Facts you Probably didn’t Know about 007
- Sean Connery chose to donate his entire base salary to a Scottish education charity.
- A quarter of the world’s population have seen at least one Bond film.
- The first novel, Casino Royale, was published in 1953.
- Kate Westbrook wrote three novels based on the diaries of Moneypenny.
- Ian Fleming took the name for his character from one of his ‘heroes’ – an American ornithologist, Caribbean bird expert and author of the Definitive Field Guide Birds of the West Indies.
- A series for children novels, The Young Bond was written by Charlie Higson and, between 2005 and 2009, five novels and one short story were published.
- Bond films are produced by Eon Productions, the company of Canadian Harry Saltzman and American Albert R. ‘Cubby’ Broccoli.
- The Bond-movies are the second highest grossing film series, just behind Harry Potter. (But probably not for long, as Skyfall had just became the 11th movie to ever earned more than a billion dollars.)
- 007’s parents were Andrew and Monique.
- In the novels, James Bond apparently had three wives – one, Teresa di Vicenzo died, while the other two, Kissy Suzuki and Harriett Horner became invalids. I couldn’t find out if they are still alive…
- 007 has a son named James Suzuki Bond!
And I thought that I knew what there was to know about James Bond!
And that in short was the story of James 007 Bond. The newest movie, Skyfall, is still showing in SA cinemas. If you haven’t seen it – go! It’s different, but good.
Happy b’day, 007! May there be many action-filled returns.
Stupid Laws
Stupid Laws
Hi everyone. This blog is going to be about – well – the heading says it all.
Horses are forbidden to eat fire hydrants.
This is from Marshalltown, Iowa, USA
How are horses going to eat fire hydrants??? The only way is if they suddenly become very intelligent and start hitting it with a hammer. Or put it in a shredding machine and then mix it with some hay.
It is illegal to get a fish drunk.
In Ohio, USA
First question – How DO you get a fish drunk?
Second question – How do you KNOW when a fish is drunk?
Third question – Why would you WANT to make a fish drunk?
All men must carry a rifle to church on Sunday. (Repealed)
Massachusetts, USA
This one was repealed, but it actually had good use. Every adult male must have carried a rifle to protect against Indian attacks. Very useful. I wonder if the Reverend had a hand gun?
If a steam locomotive is driven on roads, a man must walk in front of the vehicle with a red flag during the day and a red lantern at night to warn passers-by.
England.
Why would you drive a steam locomotive on roads? What about motor vehicles on railroads?
IT is illegal to die in the Houses of Parliament.
England again
How then are they going to punish the person who died? The death sentence perhaps?
Cats are not allowed to chase dogs up telephone poles.
Minnesota, USA
Sorry, can’t give any comment, laughing too hard!!!
It is forbidden to bring bears to the beach.
Here is one from Israel
Can someone please tell Mr Bean to leave his beloved bear at home when going to Israel?
If you are released from prison, it is required that you are given a handgun with bullets and a horse, so you can ride out of town.
Canada
If you give someone a handgun and bullets and a horse, they might as well cause havoc in the town and go back to prison again. It doesn’t make sense!!!
Minors are not allowed to purchase cap pistols, however they may buy shotguns freely.
Kansas City, Missouri, USA
Are they out of their frikken minds?!
Sources: http://www.stupidlaws.com, http://www.mirror.co.uk, http://www.dumblaws.com
Drunk Rhinoceros vs Hyper Active Snail
I’ve always wondered what would be the best, German or American engineering? Well, I have been in search of the best saloon car. First I want to tell you what my game plan was. Because no traffic cop wanted to give me a licence to do the real thing, I tested the cars on my PlayStation2 on:
1. handling;
2. speed; and
3. looks.
Fortunately, the Americans have a saloon in the sturdy, elegant body of a Chrysler 300C SRT- 8. The Germans on the other hand produced the a-bit-snaily-on-wheels Mercedes Benz CLS55 AMG. I personally think the companies are in a war about how many digits they can squeeze into the names. Why couldn’t they just name it after a famous person or poisonous snake or a flower or something and get it over with. They are both stunning to look at and they are both in class D. D for desirable, definitely. Now let’s get on to the first point of the test.
Handling
The Merc goes beautifully around corners, but the Chrysler steers like a drunk rhinoceros, because it doesn’t have enough power, it feels heavier than it seems and they say this is the sport version!
On to speed
Both cars go from 0-100km/h in about five seconds and has a stopping time from 100-0km/h of three seconds. But, the Chrysler’s top speed is 264km/h, while the Merc’s top speed is only 250km/h. The Merc has 39bhp more than the Chrysler, but the Chrysler is more gorgeous to look at. Both cars weigh almost two tons, but the Chrysler is Cr.56000 (Playstation currency) cheaper than the Merc. Unfortunately, I only got the Chrysler to get up to 245km/h, while with the Merc gave me more than 10km/h over its top speed limit.
Looks
The Chrysler looks like it was styled by Al Capone and the grille is way too big, but that’s what makes this car unique. And beautiful. The Merc looks like a snail on wheels, but the frameless windows are very cool. You have to force the Merc’s boot to close it properly. Both car’s interior are equal in beautifulness (if that is a word), but the Chrysler has that, JE NE SI QUA.
Now to the big question
Which one to choose? Well, if I had to buy a car to drive to work every morning, I’d buy the Merc and if I had money to blow on a car it would be the Chrysler. Personally, I don’t care if the Chrysler looks like a fat cat with mad cow disease on roller skates. I still would want one.
Specs
|
|
Merc |
Chrysler |
|
Engines |
V8 |
V8 |
|
Max power |
469BHP |
425Bhp |
|
Transmission |
Manual |
Automatic |
|
0-100km/h |
4.6 sec |
4.9sec |
|
Top speed |
250km/h |
264km/h |
|
Safety factor |
8 |
8 |
|
Price |
Cr.106,000 |
Cr.50,000 |
Chronicles of a 21-year old Beamer
I just love our old Beamer. It has a lot of good and funny memories. It also has a few bumps and scratches, but it is still going. It has a 1.6 liter, 4 cylinder engine and it was the base model, but it has a M-sports pack. It gives the car a bit more power, better handling and it has a little spoiler on the boot.
My parents bought the 1991* (this is still in dispute) BMW 3-series second-hand 19 years ago. (*According to Top Gear and some other resources it is not sure if there was a 1991 model. Chances are that it might be a 1988-1990 model.)
I love our old Beamer, because it has a lot of good memories. My parents told me that they drove it to Hermanus, in the Western Cape Province of South Africa, with our young Labrador, Milo, sitting in the front with my dad, while my mom and I occupied the back seat – I still only three months old and travelling in my carry cot. They also changed my nappies on or in the boot of the car. Eeeow! Nowadays I sometimes sit on the boot and watch the neighbourhood go by…
Our Beamer has given us a lot of trouble over the years. I started pushing it at the age of five and kept going. (I am turning 16 in a few months’ time.) I always joked that, when we decide to buy a new car, I want to feel how heavy it is, before buying.
It has broken down countless times – on holidays and everywhere in Pretoria, the city where we live. Lately it refused to start on Fridays after grocery shopping at the local super market. It has broken down on an off ramp on the high way – fortunately just after my mom felt the power went while driving at 120km/h in the fast lane. She had just enough power left to change lanes in time. One (Friday) afternoon my mom and dad arrived home in a tow truck after a doctor’s appointment – both sitting on the only passenger seat, with our little blue Beamer catching a ride on the back. That was probably the day when my father realised that we needed a second, more reliable vehicle.
So, we went on a car hunt and four months later we came home with a (very heavy) bakkie. For those of you who don’t know what a bakkie is – it is a pick-up truck. We bought a 2005 Mazda Drifter double cab, which by the way, I fell in love with from the very first ride. Maybe, because so far, I didn’t have to push it yet!
I have had many a plan for that little Beamer of ours. My parents wanted to get rid of it, but I convinced them otherwise. I wanted to turn it into a 4X4 Jeep-like convertible. Another plan was to supercharge and turbo charge that little 1.6 liter engine. (I actually still want to.) And then I wanted to turn it into a grand ‘tourer’ – something like a four-door an Aston Martin DBS Volante. What will come of my plans, only time will tell.
We fixed one problem by replacing his battery, but there are still a few things to be fixed, such as the thermo stat, the braking pads, the brakes, the clutch, the exhaust pipe and who knows what else. So, for now, our little Beamer is still fighting, although not so fit anymore.
One thing is sure though, he is going nowhere. In a few years’ time I will get my licence (in South Africa that only happens at 18) and the Beamertjie will be my student car. Then he and I will start making our own memories together.
Hello world!
Hello World!
My name is Michael De Kock. I am fifteen years old and living in Pretoria, South Africa. First of all, I am a HUGE car fanatic. I love cars and I can tell you a lot about them. I also like playing Playstation and watching TV.
I hope to be blogging for a long time and I hope to become a motoring journalist one day. I really hope I don’t bore you with my blogs.
michaeldekock 