Mark Forrester - Independent digital designer and online entrepreneur

I’m at Johannesburg airport at some ghastly hour of the morning wondering who eats at Ocean Basket at this time of the morning? Well I can see at least 8 people doing so. Anyone for a fishy seafood platter for breakfast at 6.30am?

I’ve been terrible at updating this blog in the last couple weeks, most of you don’t even know that I have been in Cape Town for the past week already. I’m here for a work/holiday/summer visit. Any excuse to escape the cold weather in London.

I am in Johannesburg specifically for the 27dinner that happened last night. This was my first 27dinner experience and also the first time I had met two of my great business partners at Afrigator, Justin and Stii. It’s been 8 months and a lot of hard work and never a face to face meeting, the joys of the modern world. It was a particularly special evening because we had some exciting Afrigator news to tell, that was of course after the customary Eskom power failure. (more…)

I am proud to say I am no longer a Windows LG notebook user, I’ve converted to the dark side and am now turbo charged with a Leopard Macbook Pro.

I’ve spent the past week painstakingly moving all my documents, files and folders, iTunes music, design applications and instant messenger tools across to my new love affair. All I need to do now is move my archived mail folders. Eeeek :( (more…)

10 days ago I ordered 2 t-shirts from the US based Oddica.com. I bought the t-shirts in the October sale, 2 for $34, with a $10 postage fee.

Today I received my package in the post and I was most impressed. Inside the lovely packaging were my two branded American Apparel t-shirts, along with some complimentary postcards, stickers and 2 badges with the matching designs printed on them.

Anyone selling a product online can learn a lesson from these guys. They could have sent me my t-shirts in a generic brown paper bag with a receipt attached. Instead they have paid special attention to the packaging of the product, creating more of an experience when opening your branded goody bag.

First impressions count and Oddica have assured themselves of a repeat purchase from me.

1 South West train to Putney Bridge with a good few Springbok supporters and a lot of English poms.

12 English Football chavs (rough estimate), trying out as rugby chavs for the day at Putney Bridge station hurling abuse and finger signs at Saffas.

3 packed floors of green and gold supporters, equipped with Vuvuzelas, Castle lager and boerewors rolls, swaying to Johnny Clegg tunes. (Recommended brand: Zulus)

0 drop kicks by Wilkinson.

6 points to England.

15 points to the Springboks.

1 Jake White, 1 Eddie Jones, and 1 Thabo Mbeki

Add ingredients together, mix well and add a few more pints of Castle lager.

Sprinkle with 1 packed double decker bus trip home to Wimbledon with half very merry Springbok fans singing Shosholoza, half depressed, deflated Poms.

Leave to set. Enjoy results for next few weeks/months/4 years.

Photo source: News24