Posts Tagged Friends
‘Au Revoir’… Matey
Posted by Hans Haupt in Family, Get Together, Life, Personal on September 17th, 2009
This morning I went to the airport to bid farewell to my cousin and his family who have immigrated to Sydney, Australia.
This is not the first time that they have immigrated. As a matter of fact it is the second time. The first time they went to Dubai, where they lived for about three to four years before returning to South Africa. However, they always knew that Dubai would only be a temporary change. Going to Australia on the other hand, is an entirely different scenario. For this time they have immigrated in an attempt to begin a completely new life.
As a result, a farewell was held for my cousin and his family on Sunday 13th September 2009 at Gilooly’s Farm. You may have a look some of the pictures in the album below.
Saying goodbye is never easy. This time around though, I knew that I would be seeing them soon, thus delaying any emotional responses to their subsequent departure. Nevertheless, it still was not easy to have said ‘goodbye’. So this is for you, my cousins.
I know that my time is coming. For those who do not know, my family and myself have been thinking about immigrating for many years now. Unfortunately, we have not taken any ‘permanent’ measures to ensure a way of immigration. However, my plan has always been to complete one year of my Masters studies in South Africa and the final year in Australia. As a result, and should everything go as planned, I will leave for Australia by March of 2010 (next year). I will most likely post about this, in more detail, at a later stage. So… do not be a stranger!
Until the next time “Milieunairs”!
Sushisha Madness – Raughing out Roud: Lound 2
Posted by Hans Haupt in Family, Festivities, Friends, Get Together, Life, WTF on August 14th, 2009
Recently my arm has been feeling a lot better. Although I cannot drive yet, I do have the insatiable urge to get out and do anything, just to have some fun. Being homebound for almost four months can have that effect on a person. As a result, and because the last time was so much fun, I organised another session of Sushisha Madness. What prevailed has affectionately become known as, “Raughing out Roud: Lound 2”!
The all too familiar venue was none other than ‘Sushisha’, the Eastrand’s one and only Sushi and Shisha bar, located next to Jimmy’s Killer Prawns in the Key Largo Centre in Boksburg. Shisha, for those not in the know, is basically, what we in South Africa would colloquially call, ‘Hubbly Bubbly’ (also known as Hookah). Humorously, we never even had any ‘hubbly’ but we did devour the delectable Sushi that was on offer!
As it so happens, every Wednesday and Thursday Sushisha have a special where, for only R99, you may “eat as much sushi as you can”, just as long as it if from the conveyer belt. What with the recession and all, this is a great deal. A deal so good that, even when full, we could not help but abuse our already distended stomachs.
Talking about money, I am actually thinking of writing a blog post about ‘Recession Antidotes’. Basically a how to guide of going out and having a great time for less than one hundred bucks. In fact, over the last several weeks, I have gone to a few places and had amazing times for, remarkably, less than that. True story.
What was supposed to be an evening between close friends, eventually turned into an orgy of familiar strangers. You know how it goes. One friend requests the invitation of another, who just to happens to invite another two people, and so on and so forth. So from a manageable group of eight, we ended up with a distinctive gathering of 18, plus a birthday girl. Needless to say, the evening actually worked out incredibly well. It was great to meet new people, rekindle old acquaintances and, of course, spend time with good friends.
Personally, I do not think that Sushisha was prepared for us all, considering how we filled a majority of the venue. I kid you not when I say that we were actually making the Asian sushi chefs sweat like Chinese factory workers. The moment a new dish was created, we vacuumed it off of the conveyer belt. Much to the detriment of a few other customers who were left patiently waiting for our ravenous hunger to subside. In hind sight, I am quite sure that the ‘maître d’ regretted seating us so fantastically close to the mouth of the conveyer belt. Even so, the manager kept on sending over ‘shooters’ to our table. Perhaps in an effort to draw our attention away from the tiring sushi chefs. I have got to say, it was a clever move. Not only did it make us all even ‘happier’, but it spurred on the ordering of even more salacious beverages. Which lead to the formation of entirely unforgettable memories and moments. “Ra ha ha”!
Ultimately, a great time was had by all with many new memories to boot. Check out the photographic album for all the ‘Engrish’ influenced moments.
Until the next time “Milieunairs”!
Hans’ Brady Bunch 24th Birthday Bash!
Posted by Hans Haupt in Festivities, Life, Personal on June 9th, 2009
I am now officially 24 years of age.
This year my birthday fell on a Friday. So, to celebrate, I went out with my parents, Aunt Magalie and Freddy, to the Butcher Shop in Nelson Mandela Square. We had a great time especially considering that there were these lovely pieces of jailbait sitting at the table next to us, also celebrating a birthday. Freddy eloquently tweeted about it citing “celebrating Hans’ birthday with him, while he’s staring at the rack behind me…”. Yes, good times! However, the real party only took place on Saturday.
For my 24th birthday I was privileged enough to be able to take close friends and family to watch Wayne Brady perform live in the Big Top Arena at Carnival City (all expenses paid). Hence the blog title Hans’ Brady Bunch 24th Birthday Bash.
To cut a long story short we all had an absolutely incredible time. It was legend… wait for it… dary! Wayne Brady must be one of the most talented people alive. This is not an over exaggeration. Honestly, I have never seen anyone perform with such a high degree of versatility. From singing to pure unadulterated adlibbing, he was spectacular. Even days after watching the show, friends and family who attended still cannot stop taking about it. If you have not seen Wayne Brady perform live, do yourself a favour and do so. Even if you are not a fan, it is, without a doubt, money well spent.
After the show, we all headed to Carnival Cities ‘Lotta Foods’ buffet area to continue the party. It was here that we were all able to eat and be merry! As always, my moms famous chocolate cake made an appearance, along with the gorgeous Charlize Theron!
Okay, Charlize was not physically there, perhaps only in spirit… and on my cake! To decorate my cake, my folks put together this pretty cool and totally geeky rice paper print, of a very sexy Charlize Theron who is, allegedly, thinking the following:
“Benoni boys are HOT! Happy Birthday Hans”! (Love it!)
Overall, this was one of my best and most memorable birthdays. Consequently, I would like to send out a great thank you to all those who managed to make my day just that much better by being there. You all know who you are! Additionally, I would like to give an extra special shout out to my parents. Thank you so much for everything mom and dad, without you both and the Lord above, none of this would have been possible. You both mean the world to me!
What about the presents you ask? Quite simply, I have been spoilt rotten, by my parents as well as by my fantastic friends and family. Some of my gifts from my folks are still on order. Do not worry, you will now what they are soon enough *wink wink*.
Until the next time “Milieunairs”!
HA-HA Chair – Episode 2: Royal High’s (Two Years later… still GA GA!)
Posted by Hans Haupt in Entertainment, Family, Friends, Life, OMG, Personal, Seriously?!, WTF on March 12th, 2009
Well, for all you fans who have been begging for the return of the mystical and improvised HA-HA Chair, and yes there have actually been people who have honestly been asking for more, the wait is finally over! A new and debauches sequel has officially been created.
After more than two years in the making, give or take a month, since the creation and airing of the “pilot” episode of the HA-HA Chair, Hans’ Milieu is finally pleased to present:
HA-HA Chair – Episode 2: Royal High’s
This episode stars yours truly, Hans Haupt, my dear seductively and awesomely inappropriate friend, Lezanne Wolmarans and, last but not least, my wickedly strange and funny cousin, Wichard Fella.
A blurb of the episode can be found below the embedded video. Press play and go GA-GA for the HA-HA!
06/Mar/09
This is the long awaited (over two years) second episode, of the ‘HA-HA Chair’ impromptu series, entitled: Royal High’s.
HA-HA Chair focuses on two individuals and the experiences brought on by the mystical red ‘HA-HA Chair’. As the series expands, additional characters and story arcs will develop.
BE WARNED: You will not get the 10 minutes of your life back from watching this video! HA-HA!
Please note: an age restriction of 16 is present due to sadism, sexual innuendos, dark humour, mild language & (if you’re lucky) partial nudity.
Until the next time Milieu Pals!
The Red Carpet screens: Watchmen
Posted by Hans Haupt in Entertainment, Friends, Life, Movies, The Red Carpet on March 9th, 2009
As most of you should know, my latest group, The Red Carpet, had its first screening last week Friday (06 March 2009). The movie in question: Watchmen.
For The Red Carpet’s first screening, I decided to go big. How big? IMAX big! If you have not already watched a ‘Hollywood’ blockbuster in an IMAX theatre, then please do yourself a favour, and do so. The sound and picture clarity, not to mention size of the screen, are spectacular in IMAX theatres. The experience is usually breathtaking. Presuming of course you are sitting toward the back of the cinema and not in the second row from the gigantic screen. Which, as Murphy’s Law would have it, is exactly where we were seated.
Courtesy of the ongoing Johannesburg road works and the incapable drivers that are South Africans, we arrived 30 minutes too late for the six o’clock (pm) screening. This was after over three and a half hours, and 150 kilometres, of traffic induced congestion. Note to self: never make plans before seven o’clock (pm) on a Friday if the venue is more than 10 kilometres away. Needless to say, our handsomely reserved tickets had been forfeited. As a result we had no other choice than to accept what was available for the nine o’clock (pm) screening of the movie. Best available tickets for a group of seven? Second row from the front.
Have you ever been seated in the very first few rows of a normal cinema? Unless you are inherently blind, it is, in my honest opinion, a less than pleasurable experience. Now imagine that scenario, but for a screen that is over eight stories high. Seriously… we all came away from the experience with, and I kid you not, sore necks, blood shot eyes and pounding headaches. I would equate watching an IMAX film like this to having a mild brain aneurysm or stroke. Despite the less than adequate seating arrangements, the movie itself was very good.
One of the best aspects of the movie would have had to have been the visuals and special effects. I have commented, time and time again since watching this film, that if someone had to take stills of particular scenes in the movie, that you could use those stills as panels within a graphic novel. Thus, in a pure literal sense, the movie perfectly captures the graphic novel from which it is based. Although I have never read the infamous Watchmen graphic novel, I can clearly and vividly imagine what the novel must be like. Furthermore, never have I been more impressed with a pure digitally created and computer generated character, than I have been with Dr. Manhattan. The only tell tale sign that Dr. Manhattan is in fact a digital illusion is apparent when the character speaks. Although his eyes, skin and genitals have all been recreated flawlessly, it is Dr. Manhattan’s mouth, and its flawed motion, which betray this characters true origin.
One of the strongest aspect of this movie would have to pertain to its story. Unlike conventional ‘super hero’ related movies, the characters within Watchmen are multilayered and somewhat believable. Furthermore, the heroes of the story are flawed, and as a result, all is not what it appears to be. My cousin Freddy summed it up perfectly with the following excerpt from his blog: “Watchmen at its core is a look into superhero ethics and morality. It is refreshing to see superheroes from this perspective as this theme is hardly played on in most comic books. You get a taste of it sometimes but never to the extent of realising how a superhero could view right from wrong and how best to serve mankind. Another point that was refreshing was the concept that the superheroes in watchmen aren’t all ’super powered’, they are mostly humans with the agenda to do good. This has been a staple of the ‘dc-universe’ and I suppose the most appealing part of the human ’superhero’ is that it is accessible to anyone. I must say that the ‘origins’ of the characters played an important part in seeing the humanity of the superhero in question”. I do not wish to elaborate further, for fear of spoiling the plot. Simply put, the movie has a rich politically driven and drama oriented feel that is complimented by a love triangle (with obligatory sex scene) and copious amounts of action related blood and gore.
The Red Carpet rates Watchmen: 08/10
Raughing out Roud – Sushisha Madness
Posted by Hans Haupt in Entertainment, Friends, Get Together, Life, OMG, Personal on February 11th, 2009
Last night I laughed. I laughed hard and true. It was the first time, since learning about Mark’s death and subsequently the deaths of Deon and Rensche, that I have been able to laugh like I did. It felt as if a great weight had been lifted from my subconscious. I was able to breathe again, to purge the stale tainted air from my lungs and psyche. I felt reborn. I felt like myself again.
Yesterday I had arranged to meet with my friend Dale. We were most likely just going to go out for dinner and catch up. However, another friend of mine called, Bernard, and informed me that he was up from Cape Town and would like to visit. As a result, I decided to throw together a quick ‘Get Together’ with various family and friends. Following with my ‘Year of the New’, I am always ready and willing to have a good time!
For the venue I decided we would all meet at ‘Sushisha’, a Sushi and Shisha bar next to Jimmy’s Killer Prawns in the Key Largo Centre in Boksburg. Consequently, I have been wanting to try out Sushisha for some time and figured that this would be the perfect opportunity. Shisha, for those not in the know, is basically, what we in South Africa would colloquially call, ‘Hubbly Bubbly’ (also known as Hookah). Humorously, we never even had any ‘hubbly’ but we did devour the delectable Sushi that was on offer!
The evenings participants consisted of myself, Dale, David, Bernard, Kirsty, Gideon, Allan and my cousin Terence. Kirsty, in this circumstance, was the incredibly lucky token ‘chick’. Heh heh.
Through the course of the evening I was introduced to the concept of ‘RoR’. I am sure that most people reading this entry are familiar with the short hand ‘LoL’ (Laugh out Loud). Well, ‘RoR’ is the ‘Engrish’ equivalent – “Aroh! Doo yoo wan sum fly lice wit dat?”. Heh heh. As you may have guessed, speaking with an oriental accent became the evenings theme and, subsequently, varying amounts of hilarity ensued. Just thinking about that night has my lips curled into a mischievous grin of pure delight. I would elaborate more on what happened ("’Raughing out Roud! Arro flends who likee cone shape rights and saki glabbing dorra katz"! RoR!), but most of what did occur would most likely fall into the category of ‘you had to be there to get it’. In essence it was truly a magnificent evening, one of many more I hope and wish to have in the future and beyond!
Mark Anthony Da Mata: 8th May 1985 – 18th January 2009
Posted by Hans Haupt in Friends, Life, OMG, Personal, Seriously?! on January 22nd, 2009
A dear friend of mine, Mark Anthony Da Mata, passed away in the early hours of Sunday 18th January 2009. The irrevocable loss I feel is indescribable. This is the first time I have lost a friend in death. Mark was a very close friend of mine whom I had known for over five years and whom I will miss dearly.
My sincerest condolences, love and support go out to Mr & Mrs Da Mata, his beloved parents, and Michelle, his cherished sister.
The funeral will take place at Saint Luke’s Methodist Church (43 Kosmos Road, Wilropark, Roodepoort) on Thursday 22nd January 2009 from 14:00 (2pm).
As a good friend of Mark’s, I have been asked to say a eulogy and to be a pall bearer. The following is the eulogy I have written for one of my best friends:
Mark Anthony Da Mata
8th May 1985 – 18th January 2009
I can still remember the very first day I met Mark, over five years ago. It was our first day at Monash University. As I walked through the primary quad, I heard a distinct voice accompanied by a cacophony of laughing. That unique voice belonged to Mark and the laughing to a group of friends who, over time, would become very close – almost all of which are here today.
From Mark’s Colgate smile and warm demeanour to his caring eyes and infectious laugh, everyone knew that when Mark was around there truly was never a dull moment to be had. I cannot recall how many times we would all burst out laughing, often mid lecture, to something Mark had just uttered about the Lecture, Lecturer or something completely off topic, but somehow, ridiculously relevant. Without a doubt some of my fondest memories of Mark are from our days at University.
I have always admired Mark’s character and his ability to always say what was on his mind, regardless of the often hilarious repercussions, which always allowed him to walk into almost any situation fearlessly and without hesitation. I do not think I ever told Mark this, but it was through our friendship that he had the greatest impact on my character and the person I have become today. He taught me to never be afraid to speak my mind and to always accept myself for who I am because, as he would always say, “you’re fabulous”.
Mark was a beautiful, kind and gentle soul who touched many lives with his love. It has been my absolute privilege to have been his close friend and to have had him in my life. The times we shared will forever be cherished, never forgotten and will always have a special place in my heart. To one of the greatest friends I will ever know, this is not the end but merely a new beginning with our Heavenly Father. I know that if Mark was here now, he would most likely turn toward me and say “Garra, enough now, pull yourself together, everything will be all right”.
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