Hey Guys – thought I’d just give a quick reach-around and say a big thank you to our readers for another epic year. Yip – that’s right – we’re signing off now…

Some notes…

We’ve noticed a significant shift in the general vibe – especially now that Cape Town has become the main city on the planet and the Southern Suburbs its seat of power. The shift I’m referring to – and it’s coming up a lot lately – is to do with the news in general. I haven’t been approached by people in public regarding 2oceansvibe and its general content in a while. But it’s happening a lot lately. And I like it.

The original purpose of this news site – once my anointing as GQ’s Man of the Year 2010 was complete – was to hand-pick the topics that we think matter. And this service seems to be more important than ever before – as readers choose to tune out of the other news that tends to become a bit tedious and depressing. Even more so when you actually have no idea of the names or things they’re talking about. Like literally no idea. Also, I prefer a recap of where things are, rather than a running commentary.

As do you.

It seems our core readership is the same old crew that has been reading it for the last 20+ years, but now we’re all a bit more grown up. I mean that purely in terms of our age and responsibilities. But the mischievous nature and good (dark?) humour will always remain. And with growing up, this core group experiences new experiences – good and bad – at similar times. These changes are reflected in the tone and the news we’re curating for you.

‘Curating’ – such a toilet word. Apologies.

Close friends and loved ones pass away and we share in that grief. We hug at funerals and check ourselves, freshly reminded of our immortality. We live each day as if it were the last… for a period. Then we forget and start taking things too seriously again. Until someone else dies – then we send cameras up our arses and get that bedonnered Indian lady to check our moles. And so the cycle continues. But at least we’re taking care of ourselves and trying our best.

Age is a funny thing. I have mates who’ve done the hair replacement thing – good for them. I notice my lips looking older. Things seem to be creasing? My neck. Strange marks on my nose. I’m not one for a ‘lift’ of any sort… but that nose spot might require a visit to Skin Renewal. I’m fine with that. Nice to turn a head or two in the Groot Constantia vineyards during my morning trot. Have noticed that an increased athletic stance and puffed chest doesn’t seem to do the trick anymore.

Then in terms of the slogan – ‘Work is a sideline, Live the holiday’, I think we’re on track… We dine daily at Cafe du Cap (or ‘Little Davos’ as Ant Moore describes it) and we make our way around the region via Air du Cap. And who would have thought it would be the only commercial aircraft operator making daily trips to Plettenberg Bay this season? Very exciting indeed. So ja… all other operations are doing their bit and I think we’re staying true to the mantra. With more to come, of course..

Top memes I’m enjoying on Instagram? I just love the guy that asks for directions but his words don’t make sense. And people come closer and closer, asking ‘What?!’ until they realise he’s taking the piss. Fantastic. That, along with the guy that makes funny sounds in peoples’ ears from behind in supermarkets. Top quality stuff. Oh, and the guy who spins around and farts in public. He’s got my vote.

On the series front… Still making my way through Cate Blanchett’s Disclaimer. Fairly bland and slow for now.. but episode 3 is definitely worth a mention.. Wow – the slower the better in that case. Must revisit that one again. And again.

Bad Sisters 2 on the agenda. And I loved Perfect Couple. Can’t wait to watch Carry-On with Jason Bateman..

Oh, and I watched Moana 2 with my kid in the cinema the other day. Movie aside (she dies – jokes), I just want to chat about those Ster-Kinekor D-BOX seats – which shake and buzz, depending on what’s happening in the movie. I just want to report back that it’s absolute rubbish and not worth the money. And Vitality doesn’t give you any special for them – so you can give those a miss. My bum would prefer to relax while I watch, thank you very much.

Got a great podcast recommendation from my friend Victor – Check out the Diary of a CEO podcast – the episode with Walter Isaacson – the guy who wrote the biography on Steve Jobs AND Elon Musk. He actually lived with Elon for about 2 years. It’s a fascinating listen.

On the condiments front, we’ve finally found a replacement for Carmel Dill Gherkins. The Kühne Salz dill gherkins are the answer – and possibly the brand that Carmel copied before they were discontinued (a crime). Available at Olive Branch Deli next to Woolies on Kloof. And possibly at Hartlief in Constantia.

Have to pick up the kids – be right back…

Well, that was fun. Ran into Emma – we share true-crime series tips – she reckons the Netflix one called Laci Petersson is a cracker. Wife goes missing.. turns out he had a side chick – then she goes to the cops. I’m in!

At the bar now – it’s getting dark – know I have to finish this… glass of Optima lined up, with the last few pieces of my Rotherham pizza from Butlers. Not sure if that’s been paired before – you know – officially. I’ve paired it a few hundred times and don’t know a better pairing, to be honest. But don’t believe me – let’s see what ChatGPT has to say about it:

The Anthonij Rupert Optima pairs beautifully with the Rotherham pizza from Butler’s Pizza. The wine’s rich notes of dark fruitcake, cedar, cocoa, and subtle dried lavender enhance the smoky bacon and savoury salami. Its fleshy, soft palate and refined tannins balance the saltiness of the feta, while the wine’s spice-tinged oak and lingering dry finish cut through the pizza’s richness. The depth of this Bordeaux-style blend complements the pizza’s bold, meaty profile, creating a balanced and indulgent pairing where each sip of Optima elevates the flavours of the Rotherham to a gourmet experience.

Note the spelling of ‘complement’ – an easy error to make. Different to when you ‘compliment’ someone. Or me, for that matter.

On that note – I just want to make CLEAR two spelling/grammar issues that don’t seem to be fixing themselves. Restaurateur does NOT have an N. Please pronounce it accordingly. And secondly – something I battled to explain to Dave Moffatt (he was tired at the time, mind) – is the CLASSIC I vs. Me. I’m seeing this one crop up a LOT (lots of CAPS as the Optima goes down) lately. Especially on the ‘socials’ (terrible word). I see a lot of peeps on Instagram using ‘and I’ as a catch-all. Please, guys, do not presume that it just BECOMES ‘I’ if you leave yourself to the end of that bit.

Here’s the trick – you say it as you would without the other person in the sentence.

“That wine belongs to me”.

So it stays as ‘me’, if we say, “that wine belongs to Dolf and me.” It doesn’t become ‘Dolf and I’. You wouldn’t say “That wine belongs to I”. Unless you’re an idiot.

Are you an idiot?

But if I say “I’m going to Alibi to buy some cannabis”, it stays as ‘I’ when “Dolf and I are going to Alibi to buy some cannabis.” Got it?

THINK!

Jeez.. running out of Optima (and Pink Cookies) here..

We’re going to keep an eye on P Diddy – that will be blockbuster stuff early next year. And now with the Jay-Z curveball… things are going to become quite spicy. Did you catch Jimmy Carr’s quick summary?

My God, the power just went out. Not used to having a meter… wow – it really is all happening. Mum’s upstairs – just told me the power went out. Like the instant darkness wasn’t enough of an indication. Yes, darling.. all in hand..

Kids shouting in the background – their internet lifeline temporarily paused. At least we’ve removed Roblox from the iPads.

Let’s get the Sonos going again… There we go.

Got some smooth bossa genre with a Brazilian tip playing on the Sonos now – my new vibe at home. In Constantia now for a few years, in case you thought I was still in Camps Bay. Things got a little cramped there, what with Rob Brink down the drag. Not that the hierarchy at Caprice has changed.. God bless you, Dave.

Ja.. so then, in terms of Trump – look – let’s see what happens. If you think about it, he’s in a far stronger position than if he had two terms in a row. He’s had an extra four years interim – getting his soldiers in line – and now has another four. Basically three terms.. Cleveland was the only other US president with a similar scenario, albeit with a different landscape – the Panic of 1893 and all. God, I remember it like it was yesterday. And so does Chat GPT.

On that very topic (nice to add ‘very’ for emphasis), the missus, unsolicited, deep-dived into JFK Jnr’s death last night – as is her wont, to bring up and demand (immediately) answers to completely unrelated topics. And so aircraft piloting issues aside – which we dissected – she remarked how JFK Jnr. had recently launched GEORGE Magazine before his untimely death – which presented a fresh theme that presumed politics was busy merging with pop culture. An astute observation, given where we are now..

Optima finished. New stock arriving soon.

I think that covers it for now, friends. Dada needs to have a bath and a sleep. Then a little 8,5km trot, followed by 100 sit-ups and 100 push-ups. Naked. I do the 100 sit-ups without a break. Then 5 sets of 20 push-ups with 1-minute intervals. VC asked how low I go – says it’s a waste of time if don’t go low enough.

Turns out I go all the way down until my penis touches the floor.

Is that cheating?

Catch you in 2025 – it’s gonna be a good one x

Ps. Big thanks to Heinrich, Tayla, Alex and co for keeping the vibe going through the year. Truly outstanding. No one knows the punishment of being up-to-date with the news on a daily basis. Thank you