As you know, I am intrigued by people’s stories. I much prefer autobiographies over anything else. There’s nothing more interesting, I find, than hearing someone’s story and their own personal journey: what they’ve been through and what are the things that have made them who they are.
And if our drummer Rudi had a biography, it would be well worth the read. But rather than delve into the Benonian’s history (I’ll leave that to him to blog) I’ve once or twice found myself engaged in conversation with aforementioned Roo, and pondered his advisory role, both in my own life and that of the RCB.
If Rudi Engelbrecht was a psychiatrist, Dr Phil would be out of business. If he was MY psychiatrist, there would be drastic changes to certain aspects of my worldview.
For the uninformed, Roo and I agree on the main things: we’re both sinners saved by grace, nothing beats family time, and the answer to most of the world’s problems can be solved around a braai or over a popular Irish stout.
That said, it’s the finer details… and here’s where certain nuances in my value system would be instructed to change with regard to life on earth. For example:
• I’d probably have to trade in my Nikes for Doc Martins. You see, Rudi is fundamentally old school in many ways, and hails from the era where there was nothing more to radio than Barney Simon, and hard-rocking grunge was paramount. Doc Martins were, and still are, par for the course for any self-respecting, anti-establishment rocker.
• The sabbath would be observed concurrently with the broadcasting of F1 Grand Prix. Nothing, and no-one, interferes… no matter how big the crisis is. End of story.
• If the money became available, I would go out and buy a trok (bakkie). ‘Tis the way of the Dutchman.
• While driving my trok, talking to other drivers on the road as if they are a part of the discourse would become a way of life.
• A variety of gadgets are key ingredients to a working day. Keeping up with bits of electronic innovations which make your life easier – like voice-activated GPS for the car, hands-free bluetooth ear-pieces… the list continues to grow.
• Android over iPhone. (Sad, but true.)
• Two staple diets (along with lots of coffee) would be Discovery Channel and Car Magazine. These are modern-day masculinity trademarks for white boys born before Bieber. You watch. You read. You live by.
I really could go on and on… but I’m sure that you get the picture. Rudi brings some fundamentals to the RCB besides solid beats. Where would we be without him?
Any chance of a Prime Time Television talkshow for me then……..? Nobody..?
Need to get my Guinness on…
LMAO! Also, no-one but Roo can say “You stupid blerrie idiot, lookit what you just done, you banana-head, now I’m gonna have to clean up this mess you made, coz you can’t even do that right” WITHOUT opening his mouth. I think my average IQ goes up ten points every time he looks at me, just out of pure fear of seeming stupid 🙂
TV Talkshow? That would be a riot, bru… “And now, ladies and glentlemen, its time for You’re Talking Fertilizer, with your host, our beloved Roo ‘Stick It’ Engelbrecht!”
You can have a drum on set (preferably a bass drum), and when the victims, I mean ‘guests’, talk a lot of rubbish, you can klap them on the head with it 😉 I’d pay to be an audience member for that!