Ironman 70.3 2015

So I have committed to entering and completing my first Ironman 70.3 Event in 2015. 

For those that are not sure what this is let me explain: The Ironman 70.3 is a Triathlon or Multisport Event that covers exactly that distance of 70.3 Miles. It sounds way more bad ass when converted into KM, so I digress. It starts with a 1.9KM Swim (1.2 Miles), you then transition into a 90KM Bike Ride (56 Miles) and then finally transition into a 21.1KM Run (13.1 Miles). The Elite guys finish this race around the 4 Hour mark, which is absolutely mind blowing quick!!

The entry fee for the race is R2000 but my goal is to raise enough money to make a sponsorship toward the 'Ironman 4 The Kids' Charity (http://www.ironman4thekidz.co.za), which requires an additional R5000 sponsorship. 

My training and progress will be closely documented on my blog and hopefully within 20-30 weeks of consistent training I will be race ready. The race is almost exactly a year away (51 weeks) and will be taking place on 25 January 2015 in East London. So once I reach race fitness it will be much easier to maintain until race day. 

All I'm asking for is a donation/sponsorship whether it be small or large, personal or from a company, every cent counts. 

If you are willing to make a donation or sponsorship please get in touch with me via one of the following channels.

Email: Nexo.Crimson@gmail.com

Facebook: Brendon Bowie

Twitter: @Nexo6236

Look forward to hopefully achieving the accompliahment of raising enoughoney and therefore being able to train and compete in the event in 2015.

Peace

-Nexo-

Madiba, Tata, Nelson Mandela

Madiba provided a place for people in my generation to grow up in a multi-racial and multi-cultural country. He almost single handedly paved a way for all South Africans to live in the country we do today. 

He created an evironment where bands like Die Heuwels Fantasties could colaborate with The Soweto Gospel Choir, JR and HHP for our 'National Braai Song'. Bands like Bittereinder teaming up with Tumi and Jack Parow, who created 'Tale Of Three Cities'. He created an environment for somebody like me to be able to sing along to songs like 'Shosholoza' sung by many different artists and 'Asimbonanga' by the culturally diverse Johnny Clegg. It has allowed me to grow up in a country where I can almost comfortably conversre with somebody whether you are, Xhosa, Sepedi, Sotho, Zulu and even a little bit of Venda. Albeit maybe just a greeting, but having 11 Official Languages shows this cultural diversity. 

We have shared great political moments, amazing sporting moments and huge advances in the daily lives of all South Africans. For this we will be eternally grateful. 

Today it doesnt matter if you are black, white or even coloured. It doesn't matter if you are Afrikaans or Zulu. Today is about South Africa, about Mandela. 

The famous raised fist of Madiba is symbolic of his struggle, his fight for the greater mankind. His fight for a better South Africa. 

RIP Madiba. As you said, "It's in your hands now". We will strive to make you proud, by continuing to live alongside every other culture and race in this country, peacefully and concertedly, for a better South Africa. 

Peace.

-Nexo-

This Is Tailor

My sentiments exactly! THIS is Tailor?!? What an amazing surprise. Not exposing yourself to certain bands/acts puts you in a position where you possibly miss something great... Something great like Tailor!

I tweeted on saturday night that her performance was goosebump-worthy! I really meant that! I had kind of the same reaction as to when I first heard Florence + The Machine. I do not want to compare her, as I feel Tailor deserves her own unique credit for her unique talent. 

The full on projection of her lyrics, even the high pitched notes, were so eerie (in a good way), and the conviction in the emotion portrayed was jaw-dropping. Every lyric, every time she strummed her guitar and every time she beat the drum was with a purpose and passion hard to rival! This girl means business! I'm so glad I can be a stakeholder! It has been a while since I was so affected by the talent of an individual, as I have been by Tailor. 

Right after her show, she anounced she would be selling some merch, so we bought two copies of her album and a shirt. I was a little star struck when talking to her about her performance as I couldn't put it into words how amazing she was. Hopefully she reads this and sees my true sentiment. 

Thank you to Tailor for showing me why I love our local music scene! People like this deserve to go beyond the ceiling in this country and deserve to reap all the benefits of their amazing talent! 

We will definitely be seeing Tailor at as many shows as possible in the future.

All photos are credited to Christelle Duvenage (check her website out here: http://www.christelleduvenage.com)

Thank you to Christelle for allowing me use her photos.

Peace

-Nexo-

Has To Be Done

So as much as I finally sat down and started this blog, I am going to put myself in a position to get out and get in shape. No more fucking around. No more excuses. I feel that if I put it on this blog I am no longer only accountable to myself but also to whoever may read this! My biggest fear is looking back a week, a month or even a year from now and wishing I had started today! 

This motivation has stemmed from various sources but mostly by my interest in Trail Running, Adventure Racing, Kloofing and also Obstacle Course Racing - a phenomena that is spreading quickly around the world! 

With the help of my sister-in-law (to be one day), she started a Charity called 'Tree Climbing Fish'. It's a charity that deals with bullying, the awareness thereof and then obviously to try and prevent it. This is something that I am very passionate about, as the environment we grew up was bad enough, but the kids now a days are growing up in situations more mature than they should be exposed to. So we have started an Obstacle Course Racing "team" to raise money and obviously awareness towards anti-bullying.

This is where getting in shape comes in. I used to be school boy fit, but with hours, days, weeks, months and years spent working very hard I have lacked on my general wellness. From exercise to nutrition, I slacked and I let go. To my detriment. It became a vicious circle, the worse I felt about myself and how I looked, the more I punished myself for it with my terrible ways and lifestyle. The amazing woman in my life always said, "If there is something that you don't like about yourself, change it!" So thats what I'm going to do. The thing is, there is somebody much busier than me, outside running right now... In the rain. So what's my excuse? I shouldn't have one, and I don't. 

I started training a while a go, but work got in the way. So it was patchy, and so were my results! I have lost 5kgs and kept it off, but still need to lose more. Also, its not really about the weight, I don't have a goal weight, I need to get in shape. Feeling better and looking better! 

Not sure I will publish any before/after pics, maybe once I actually look better! 

Here is to my journey...

"Nobody ever said it would be easy, but it will definitely be worth it!!"

Peace

-Nexo-

Getting Knifed For My Birthday

Every year, for the past 3 years, I have attended VredeFest, because it is for a good cause and it is always near my birthday! The bands that perform each year are usually great so that's an added bonus!

This year I'm deciding to do something a little selfish. I'm going to attend a band's show of MY choice! How lucky could I be this year? 

A question was posted on twitter the other day asking, "If you could listen to only ONE track by a local artist/band for the rest of your life, what would it be?" Without hesitating my reply was '16 Stitch - Collapse Of Air'. This was the band that got me into the local music scene. I would literally travel as far as possible as often as possible to go and watch their shows! I couldn't get enough of their energy! 

At a stage the act disbanded (for reasons I still don't know)... And another one started. In about 2009 another singer joined the band, with the rest of the band remaining the same. A somehow sharper, more mature nature came about! This new act is known as 'Newtown KNIFE Gang'. 

I have only been fortunate enough to see them live twice, but both times were power nights. Since seeing them at the Monster Energy New Years party a couple years ago, I have been yearning to see them live again. Just because I have not seen them live does not mean I have not been listening to their music! 

Their self-titled album was released at the end of 2011 and has been on repeat ever since! Their expected energy and great musical structure shine through on every single track. It is not about comparing them to their previous setup but rather about progressing on their new venture and growing the tight knit unit they prove to be! Favourite track on the album is 'Catacombs' with Spencer's perfect mix of screamo and melodic lyrics. Nick's unstoppable beats and the guitarists' melodies! Other tracks worth mentioning are, 'Lotus Eater', 'Listen' and then the obviously popular 'The Shape Of Things' and 'Read Between The Lies'. This is one of those albums that you never have to skip to your favourite track(s) as the entire album is worth listening to from start to end. Every. Single. Time. Also a band that are able to match their live performance with their album production quality! They always put on a show!

Seems like a perfect way to spend my birthday! Lets hit it hard on Saturday! Arcade Empire and Pretoria I hope you ready for whatever NKG is willing to throw at us... Spencer, Nick, Paul, Gareth and Warren... BRING IT!

Peace 

-Nexo-

All For A Good Cause

Last night we attended a show at Arcade Empire to support a band for a good cause. ISO had all their gear stolen at OppiKoppi and now they were having a party at Arcade Empire, with all proceeds going towards new gear. Along with ISO were one of my favourite acts... Bittereinder! 

The band (ISO) have such a great vibe, and Richard just grabs everybody's attention while they're playing. I don't want to link it to a morbid topic, but ISO are so tight while they're playing, it's like they would take a bullet for one another. We were so spoilt with songs like, 'No Fire', 'Everytime' and my favourite ISO track 'Heaven'! Richard leads from the front, but still does not steal attention from the entire bands presence. What a tight tight tight set! I'm really glad that we could help this band out with something! They totally deserve it! We really did pay double and it was worth every cent! 

"B-I- To the double T-E-R- To the E-I-N-D-E-R, now that you know just who we are... get your hands up lekker deur mekaar!" Bittereinder were up next and like always, they provided the beats and the crowd provided the "bons"! 

While Peach and Louis were setting up, making sure every aspect of their production was ready, Jaco sat quietly near the back of the crowd right by our table. It was like the calm before the storm. He knew what was about to happen! We couldn't wait... 

The mix of old and new songs was awesome, at one stage they mixed up 'Bliksem' off their newer album with 'Tale Of 3 Cities' from their debut album. I don't feel its necessary for them to have old and new, because it was as if everybody in the crowd knew every single track. Bittereinder has that kind of die hard following in Pretoria (and I'm sure around the rest of the country too, as could be seen at OppiKoppi). We know and love ALL their songs! The crowd jumped, bounced and waved their arms the entire show! The bass was tested at Arcade Empire! Jaco gave us a shout out as to why they had the show last night, which is also the theme of this post.

ISO are the kind of band that should never be denied the opportunity to create music. Not only is it these guys' income, but they get to express something so incredible through their music that we all get to share with them. This, more than the money, is what makes it worth it. Richard, I hope I can be a part of whatever else we can do to help you guys raise enough money to get all your gear replaced! Thank you to Arcade Empire for hosting a such a rad gig, thanks to the other acts that supported ISO and finally thanks to every single person that came out to support the cause! 

Peace

-Nexo- 

Lets do this!

There is going to be a massive party at Arcade Empire Tonight, so if you are in Pretoria, best you be there!! We have rounded up as many people as possible to get the greatest effect from this show! 

Moe Joe, ISO and Bittereinder are teaming up to put a gig together to raise money to try and replace some of ISO's gear that was stolen at Oppikoppi last month. This is a very tragic and unfortunate incident. Completely unbelievable that somebody would do something like that! We need to help Mr Brokensha and crew out, anyway we can! 

So not only will you be getting a great show from some of the most talented artists this country has to offer, right here in our 'hood... But this is for a really good cause! I think I will pay double cover charge to help just that little bit extra!!

Peace

-Nexo-