Gone Hof Love?

Why are we still talking about Steve Hofmeyer? Let me tell you the earliest memory I have of old Steve. I was in Grade 6, my family and I had just recently moved back from the US to Cape Town after spending several years there. Now, at that stage I knew about New Kids on the Block and that 3 Musketeers soundtrack - that was big then, but I'd never heard of Steve.

It wasn't until an English class oral assignment that I heard his name for the first time. The topic was "Predators," the red head who seemed to know so much more than a ten year old should, got up and proclaimed that Steve Hofmeyer was in fact, the world's biggest predator.

At that stage he had already fathered a number of illegitimate children and Natasha, well, she was still the face and heart of Kideo. Too innocent to fall prey to a minor South African celebrity who apparently, doesn't really care much for condoms. Anyway, a very public and embarrassing Ode to the Pumpkin Eater was anything but singing Hofmeyers praises when his extra-marital affairs went from incognito to exposed. I'm not really too interested in what Hofmeyer's justifications are and I don't think he really believes that he owes it to anyone - least of all his fans. So I have to ask...why are we still talking about Steve?

He's clearly made up his mind about how often and with whom he'd like to have sex with so...good for him? Not really that great for you mind you, if you've got anything that old Steve would like to explore. Briefly. I was reading an existentialist philosophy book this weekend and, in short and slightly out of context, Osho believes that the minute love becomes a relationship it becomes bondage. Yip. Fear, conditioning or insecurities are sometimes the motivation for getting married and essentially nailing down your one and only. Let it be a lesson to you ladies, gents...Steve?

Just imagine, if everyone stopped being together when they stopped loving each other, there would be so much more love in the world. Got me thinking about love and travel again. Travel is my first love, but that doesn't speak for the rest of the world. Especially not India. I've been to India and one of the cultural surprises I found was that despite the fact that you can't be openly affectionate, marriages are largely arranged, you can't be bare in too many places on your body, the notion of love and union are still regarded as the highest and most coveted human experience.

You'll be happy to know that India is now offering "divorce tourism." A nice trip complete with marriage counsellor to determine whether you and your bitter half really are on the road to nowhere - relationship wise. Crazy? Don't knock it till you've tried it, that's all I have to say. It could go one of two ways...bury the hatchet or burn at the stake. At least you'll have your answer. The tours are apparently being very well received by those couples about to call it a day. There's probably no better place to search your memory bank for traces of love than in India. Where some of the greatest and grandest gestures of love still stand and welcome foreigners to revel in their beauty and partial insanity. Who says you can't buy love? Couple of hundred rupees and its yours.

The alternative is to take a little trip, alone or in tow, and see for yourself if home is really where your heart is. Don't know where to go? Why not get Tourism Radio in your car today and start exploring the Western Cape and KZN. Why not? Or, if you'd like to go further afield, check out www.hummba.com for free audio travel guides and a pretty wicked mobile application. Keep a look put for the Paris tour coming soon...you won't be sorry. So fall in love, that's my take on it. Over and over again.

That's it from me and Steve on Convenient Theories For You...y'all have a nice day now, ya hear?