Jody Daniel: Blog

Hi there. Just a reminder that "Stray Cats Hunt in Darkness" Chapter 4 will be up later today. (My later today) So happy reading. And keep the comments and emails coming. I like to hear from you!

To my friends in the USA: About my time zone: As my one editor said: "LOL. You're living in the future! Are there flying cars yet?" Sorry to disappoint you all. Nope, no flying cars, but we're working on it! Once we have it, I'll send a couple east-wards around to you! It will then reach you a day BEFORE we made it! (Only one problem. Australia and LA will get it first.)

Keep safe!!

Bye 4 now!

You know, something that is quite obvious to me, can be confusing to others that is not familiar with the term. Or a term used by me in the text of a story. It also demonstrates the individual development of one language in different parts of the world.

English came to South Africa around 1803. Since then, developed in the local environment to such an extent, that today, a word or a term used in everyday use, in South Africa, is either non-existent, not known or misinterpreted in other parts of the world.

One such word or term is "Ash-patato" I use in the text of "Stray Cats." One reader picked it up and asked for an explanation. So, I thought there might be others that will have the same query. Okay, I'm not that good at English, so I brought in the Experts. GOOGLE. (LOL)

The best definition of the word can be found at: https://web.facebook.com/wernersafrikaanslibrary/posts/word-of-the-day-aspatatterm-of-endearment-usually-used-when-an-innocent-mistake-/543942479041604/?_rdc=1&_rdr

BUT, before you head over there, I copied the text for you. So here goes:

Word of the day: "aspatat"
Term of endearment usually used when an innocent mistake was made. Somehow sounds more girlie to me, so also descriptive of a cute (young) girl.

Examples: "Jou aspatat, jy het jou skoene verkeerd om aan." You silly billy you have put your shoes on the wrong way round." (ok, maybe to a 6-year-old...?)

"Jy is jou ma se aspatat." You are your mother's sweet-heart.
Other forms: 'patat' nothing sweet or innocent about it, but sweet in taste - sweet potato! (Staple diet of wood choppers in the Knysna forest in the early to mid 19th Century) Literally 'ash potato' as it was cooked in the hot coals.

So as you can see, the word developed in the Knysna forest and is forever engraved in the SA community, be it English, Afrikaans, Indian or what ever of the other languages spoken here.
So! When Dave speak to Lucy and refer to her as "Ash-potato" he means "Sweet-heart."

Sorry, I didn't realise that some were not familiar with the term.

I hope that helps for all of you that was afraid to ask.

ALSO: Congratulations USA! On my external blog you have now surpassed South Africa in the views of the blog. (412 to 354) (Europa and Asia are way down, but there together with Ukraine and Croatia!

Stay Safe!
Bye 4 Now!!

Hi there. Two things are up for today:

ONE:
I don't know who did it or why, but I came to notice that "Return To Sender" has been nominated for the Clitorides awards, in three Categories. Also, "Jody Daniel" had been entered in the Category: "Best New Author."

This is a very nice surprise, and I am truly honoured. Thank you! It is much appreciated, as I did not expect the story to even get one download or comment!

TWO:
There has been much debate, emails to me, and comments, regarding the left-hand Pilot In Command reference of the McDonnell Douglass MD 530 F.

Here is the explanation:
First; be aware that MOST USA manufactured helicopters: - Main Rotors spin counter-clockwise and MOST European Helicopters: - Main Rotors spin clockwise. This is a very big difference in operation of the aircraft if you are not aware of the tendencies associated with the torque of the engine on the airframe.

Also: The MD 500 series of helicopters IS AVAILABLE with either DUEL control, Left-hand control, Right-hand control, or even (in the 3 front seat configuration) with middle seat control!

The tail-rotor of the MD 500 series, is located on the left rear of the tail-boom, thrusting to the right to maintain the lateral control and counteracting the engine torque.

To add to the advantage to the left seat Pilot In Command for long-lining. It has to do with translating tendency. As you know, for translating tendency, the aircraft wants to drift in the direction of tail rotor thrust. With the 500 series, the tail rotor are mounted on the left side of the aircraft, so it wants to drift to the right. To compensate for translating tendency, you have a small left cyclic input to counteract the drift, so while in a hover, the aircraft will have a slight lean to the left.

This slight lean allows for you to have a better sight picture of the load in sling load or long-lining. Another reason for the left seat Pilot In Command in long-lining is that using the collective becomes much more comfortable and easier to control, since you lean into the collective, instead of leaning away from the collective.

The other reason for lifting with an American made machine from the left, apart from being so easy leaning out the left door, is the way she wants to fly. When you are on maximum loads, the nose wants to go to the right, so as you are moving off, when seated on the left you can see where you are heading. When you are on the Right-Hand side you need a lot of left pedal input to see what's going on in front of you.

So, in essence, it is the way the bird's configured: Left-Hand Drive or Right-Hand Drive, that will determine how you fly it. The most MD 500 E and MD 530 F airframes I was in contact with, were configured Left-Hand Drive. Also, if you buy a second-hand one, take what you get! Else many mullahs for re-configuration!

We had two MD 500 E airframes in our inventory of 19 helicopters and 23 fixed wing aircraft. BOTH MDs were Left-hand drive. Both very capable aircraft, nippy and a pleasure to fly. (Being small with short tail-booms, you had to be careful on take off and in a hover.)

BTW - You can get the Bell 206 series also in Left-Hand Drive! (LOL)

Hope this helps!

Bye 4 now!

Well, between the "load shedding" and the rain… AND a 1.3 metre Egyptian Cobra in my garden! Phew! I eventually got chapter 3 done.

Someone asked: "What is Load Shedding?" Well, another term is what the Californians call "running brownouts." Here in SA, it's when the power guys (Eskom) don't buy coal, or diesel or uranium, or whatever it takes to turn the generators. They blame "equipment failure." Yeah, right! I call it "incompetence." (Maybe I should get Oyster50 to come give them some pointers.)

Okay, that means that for part of the day or twice a day WE DON'T HAVE ELECTRIC!

Those of you that want to see what the cobra looked like, head over to my external blog. I'll post a picture there. We didn't kill it. Caught it and released it, FAR, FAR away in a game reserve. BUT not near me!

BTW - I don't seem to get comments about my grammar these days. Either you got used to my style, or the new Editor is doing his job well. Saying that, I come to notice that there is also a difference between the two editors. One (very good) does a good job in getting the flow of the story going. But sometimes I see things that he's changed, slip by the other guy, and vice versa. So, if you still spot something, let me know. I appreciate the mails.

Stray Cats chapter 3 will be up later today. Enjoy. Maybe a surprise towards the end... No Spoilers.

Bye 4 now...

A very good day to ALL. Chapter 2 of "Stray Cats" will be available later today. I have also updated Chapter 1 with the correct format. I just hope it is now being rid of the Gremlins that hit the first posting.

Chapter 3 of "Stray Cats" is currently in the making. Depending on conditions here in SA, (Looks like we're heading for a HARD lockdown) I will be posting it by the end of the week.

Pray that the local Provincial borders will not be closed, as that would mean, the Redhead and me WON'T be going on our scheduled Holiday. I was looking forward to it, as I would then have more time to spend on writing. While the Redhead lounges around the pool, I would get the time to write instead of read. (LOL) (I have a nice book by Dan Brown I wanted to read.)

So, stay safe and stay healthy.

Bye 4 now!