The New Cape Town Stadium - Gearing up for the '10 World Cup

Washington Politicians

I voted for the Democrats because I didn't like the way the Republicans were running the country. Which is turning out to be like shooting yourself in the head to stop your headache.

- Jack Mayberry

Las Olas Art Festival

We drove up to Fort Lauderdale and the Las Olas Art Festival on Sunday and visited with the up-and-coming pop artist Ed King, who had some amazing pieces on display. There were hundreds of stalls. Here Sarah is becoming acquainted with some outdoor farm animal art.

Sunset Kayaking

Pic: The Brickell skyline from Key Biscayne.

We had a brilliant sunset kayak trip along the Miami skyline tonight.
A dolphin followed us for a while and a fish jumped right on Sarah's
lap!

Talks on Future Asian Union

In a very interesting recent development, China and Japan began talks in early October on building an Alliance. In the meantime, Russia, India, Australia, and other countries have been included in early talks on a future East Asian Community, similar to the European Union.

The global power balance is certainly shifting and it is fascinating to be able to watch history unfold in such a way.

Identifying Generation Y

Who is Generation Y?

I've since forgotten the finer details of my MBA lectures regarding the Silent Generation (those born before 1946), the famous Baby Boomers (our parents - born before 1959), and then us - Generation X (born between 1960-1979).

Generation Y or the Millennial Generation (born from 1980 onwards) are a truly different speciment, much more so then the differences noticeable between the preceeding three Generations. Their first mayor memory will probably be of the death of Princess Diana, the fall of the Berlin Wall, or maybe even the 1986 challenger explosion. According to the January 2006 newsletter of the National Association of Women Law Enforcement Executives, statistically speaking, “antidepressants, prescription medication and other behavior-altering drugs, such as RItalin, [making] Gen Yers the most medicated generation in history.” See, they also grow up in increasing socio-economic instability and tragedies, and their parents solve their trauma by sending them to psychologists and putting them on drugs prescribed by society.

This crowd grew up with technology, with rapid change, and in culturally, socio-economically, and politically diverse environments. They are young, affluent, educated, brass, very independant due to their parents generation's high divorce rate, and empowered. They are excellent networkers and travelling is not a big deal to them as it was to their parents' parents. They have a wide perspective of the world and are knowleagable of other cultures.

Gen Y grew up with the Internet, immersed in the digital world. What Gen X experiences as an information overload is no problem to them. They are used to intense multi-tasking: Texting while in a conversation, while listening to music on their iPod, while surfing the Internet. Texting, gaming, social networking, the use of hand-held devices, and the dissemination of personal information is part of their daily life.

They are less racially intolerant and more accepting of alternative lifestyles. They have much shorter concentration spans - one reason why the printed newspaper is dying. However, things have come easy for them and they get easily aggitated if things doesn't go their way. Ever seen a kid impatient with a slow Internet connection?! Or angry that a call dropped that was made halfway around the world?! The mere existance of the technology still amazes me!

Very importantly, being the first generation to grow up with the Internet, they have blogging, micro-blogging, texting, YouTube, Facebook etc - this Generation has an opinion about issues, brands, and corporate malpractices. They have a voice. Mainstream pop-culture has made them very aware of brands and issues, especially non-profit topics and grassroots development issues.

According to recent studies, approximately 95% of Gen Y in the US are registered on one or more social networking sites. They are financially savvy, more so then their parents. It is folly for marketers and communicators to ignore them. The landscape has changed.

South Beach Business Chapter - Social Night!

Our business chapter had our monthly social night at an office this time - and we played Twister! I'm way less flexible than I thought and had to bail early. Fun night.

Sarah's Birthday Night Out

After a week of research and a plethora of well-intended options -
advice from colleagues and friends, I had chosen a South Beach French
restaurant for our Thursday night special dinner. The occassion:
Sarah's 30th birthday.

It was supposed to be an evening of dazzle, special smiles, and
stylish dining. Like those college-era, romantic dating days when I
would turn on the charm at will. It was not to be.

As I parallel-parked the car in a side street close to the restaurant
I threw my back out so badly, I could hardly walk. I still find it ridiculous, even writing about it! This was minutes after jokingly telling Sarah that her youth was over!

This was only the start. As the we - Sarah the birthday girl and the
Hunchback of Notre Dame - stumbled into the French restaurant, Sarah
informed me that she does not eat French food. Did I not know this?
Did I not do a bit of planning first? After all, this is her 30th birthday. It's supposed to be special!

Things are a little hazy due to the excruciating pain in my back, but I think I
convinced her that there are a Plan B - another restaurant I chose,
just in case. Close by. We parked in Beach Rd, South Beach, and proceeded to
Fox Cafe. She daintily in her pretty outfit, me shuffling along like a crab,
hunched over from the pinched nerve.

Then it started pouring without any prior warning - Miami-style - and we darted as wet as drowning rats, through the nearest door. It turned out to be a gay male bar where we
waited out the tropical thunder storm -not the intimate, romantic atmosphere I envisioned for Sarah's 30th, but what the heck - she liked the music.

We finally had our dinner at (See pic) Fox Cafe (The worst food I've ever tasted, and the patio roof leaked in the driving rain.) and Sarah were able to show great character and laugh about the experience. What a gal!

Happy birthday Princess!

Lazy Weekend in Stuart, Florida

We spend a lazy, fun-filled weekend at the South African Termies in Stuart. We watched
some big screen Currie Cup rugby, ate way too much, and most
importantly, spent time out of Miami in order to restore my sanity.
Here we are in Hobe Sound hiding from the sweltering 90+ degree sun. Floated down the river, swam in the nearby ocean and had a jolly good time with our adopted family.

Thanks Art & Adele!

(South) Africa Enters the Space Race

The BBC reports that South Africa has entered the "space race" with a billion Rand satellite launched from Kazachstan recently. One can surely be elated over the many advantages of the program, but with a staggering unemployment rate of 22% in SA, it all becomes a wee bit dumb. Could these resources not be better spent on bio-technology and other sciences directlybeneficial to a needy population that has to be fed.

Canandaigua Lake, Napels, NY

Watkins Glen, NY