Sheena Gates

Izimvo has the honour of introducing popular blogger and editor of NerdMag.co.za, Sheena Gates.

Website: http://www.shebee.co.za
Twitter: http://twitter.com/ShebeeGee
Location: Johannesburg

Sheena was kind enough to answer the following questions for us:

Personal

Q: The all-important personal profile. How would a close friend introduce you at a social event?  i.e. Name, age, company, interesting fact etc.

A: This is Sheena.  She’s not well.  Better known online as SheBee, she’s 25 and striving to break into the digital world professionally.

Q: Tell us something that not many others know about you. This could be anything from a phobia to your favorite movie.

A: I’m horribly afraid of fish.  Lots of people already know that (and tease me endlessly) though, so I suppose I could tell you that my right foot is shrinking.  Truly.

Q: What do you enjoy doing when you want to get away from it all?

A: I’d love to say that it’s something as divine as tanning in the sun with a good book, but truthfully the sun hates me (you should check me peel!) and I can’t really lie still for very long unless I’m engrossed in a vampire series of some kind.

Blogging in South Africa

Q: Which local blogs do you read on a daily basis?

A: I’m terrible, I hardly ever go to the actual blogs (let alone comment) but I flip through my Google Reader at least twice a week and my absolute favourite blogs list as follows:

Baglett (http://baglett.blogspot.com)

Angels Mind (http://angelsmind.co.za) one of my very good friends who has finally found her happy ending.

ExMi (http://expensivemistakescheapthrills.co.za) a psychotic fellow illegal driver and very special mate of mine.

Cath Jenkin (http://cathjenkin.wordpress.com) my non-lesbian soul mate.

iMod (http://imod.co.za) a sexy Capetonian blogger I’ve followed for years who happens to have gotten engaged recently too.

Q: What advice would you give to South African bloggers wanting to turn their passion into a career? Is it possible to be a professional blogger?

A: Of course it’s possible, unfortunately not very often probable.  But keeping in mind that my blog is far from professional, and also that I probably shouldn’t be taken at face value for anything, it is my professional belief that you should keep at it, ensuring you have fun while you’re at it.  Don’t take sh*t from your troll readers (you’re not a true blogger until someone’s hating you on your own online turf, hey) and be nice to the advertisers.  The rest will follow.

Q: There is a fine line between promotion and spam, how do you promote your blog?

A: Other than Twitterfeed, I don’t promote my blog.  I used to belong to Amatomu in the hopes that other members would see me in the top ten and click the link, but that whole site went rather pear-shaped and so I did what everyone else was doing (I’m cool and original like that) and jumped the boat.  I think I might be with Afrigator still, come to think of it. They’re cool though.  Their sister, Adgator gives me free money, so how can I complain?

Q: In what other ways do you engage with your readers?

A: I try respond to all their comments in some way or another, be it in the comments section or in follow-up posts.  If requested to elaborate on things, I do if I’m in the mood.  I listen to them, chat with them and try to get to know them.  I love my readers.  More than I love cheese cake, even.

Q: Can you tell us about some of your most popular posts on your blog? What defines a good blog post?

A: Well, there was that one time I accidentally hijacked my own car.  Or the time I fell in front of my life-long one true love, Ryan Kankowski.  Those were legendary posts to write, if I say so myself.

What defines a good post?  I have no idea.  When I blog, it’ll be because I was inspired by one minute of real life action or a particular phrase in my head at the time.  When I get the urge, I have to sit down and write it there and then, or its lost in sands of time… and these are the days of our lives. I’m easily distracted, my mind is all: LOOK, A DISTRACTION! LET’S NOT DO THIS RIGHT NOW! And then it’s gone, forever and ever amen.  So yeah, what makes a good post for me?  One that’s finished…

Life in South Africa

Q: Have you or any of your immediate family been affected by crime? If yes, has it changed your perception of the country and the way you and your family live your lives?

A: Yip.  Once, my blanket was stolen right off my bed while I was sleeping.  The dudes also made off with my step-dad’s wine collection.  But we caught those buggers within hours because they drank the stolen goods and passed out on the railway track not very far from the house.  Chops.

More seriously, my little brother is an SAP Dog Unit member and was shot in the head while on duty earlier this year.  He almost didn’t make it and that changed our whole family’s perspective of South African crime.  It made it more real for all of us.  And it makes me cross how lahdidah we’ve all had to become about it.  It shouldn’t be this way.  But no, in this country or the next one or even the one after that, there will always be crime.  I won’t let it affect my perception of SA, it’s a gorgeous country and it’s MY gorgeous country.

Q: Have you ever considered emigration? If yes, where do you think you would emigrate to?

A: Yes I have.  My dad, other mother & baby sister immigrated to Land of The Oz.  I almost went with them, but changed my mind at the last-minute.  I think if I went anywhere, it would be on a long and well-deserved holiday, nothing more.

Q: If you were given the opportunity to sit down with the president, what advice would you offer him?

A: Easy, peasy:

1. Dude, change your fashion style – can you say “laaaaaaaaaaame”?
2. Fire Juleeee-yus.  He’s doing you no favours.
3. More importantly, keep up the good work!

Q: To which three attractions would you first take an international visitor?

A: esCape Town: Quay 4 at The Waterfront to experience the worlds greatest Pina Colada.  My friend Sue Rutherford introduced me to them.

Hoburg: Brightwater Commons Mimmo’s – they have the best pizza and a music orchestrated water fountain of awesomeness.

Dirtbin:  Taco Zulu’s in Florida road.  It’s run by a bunch of geek surfer boys and has a kick bum Mexican influenced menu, with loads of stickers and funky Rasta art all over the place to round off an amazing Durban vibe.

Life in Johannesburg

Q: Having recently moved to Johannesburg, what have been the biggest differences from your life in Durban?

A: For one, the boys open my doors here, they’re much less Neanderthal than most of the Durban boytjies.  There’s a different vibe here, people work hard but they play hard too.  My life is crazy up here, my boyfriend and I are on the go all the time and we literally have to schedule some quiet time at home.  I promise, you should see what my Google Calendar looks like.

I miss the ocean though, and sometimes even the humidity.  Especially in Winter when I’m walking around whining about the cold and plugging my heater into the nearest available power point.

Q: Who makes the best breakfast in Johannesburg?

A: There’s this awesome little unassuming place called Nikita’s near Hartebeesport Dam.  Their breakfasts are fit for a king and the service from Alfred, the head waiter is top-notch.

Q: Where are you doing your Christmas shopping?

A: I’m loving the online shopping vibe this year.  My Goodies is a good place to start.  Cresta Mall is also up there if I absolutely have to go shopping in person.

General

Q: If you could pick anyone as your mentor, who would it be and why?

A: My mom.  She’s awesome.  She’s overcome so much emotionally and personally, yet she can still kick back on the deck at home and make us all giggle. At the age of 40 she decided she hated her career, gave it all up and studied for a few years and now is the owner of her own little empire.  I’m very proud to be her daughter.

Q: Favorite gadget that you could not live without?

A: My Blingberry (it’s a bedazzled pink & white Blackberry).  No, my Mac.  No, no, definitely the Blackberry.

Q: One book that you would make required reading for all matric pupils?

A: The Spud series.  A must read for all South African scholars.  Educational too.  Okay, not really, but highly entertaining.

Q: Where would you like to wake up tomorrow?

A: In bed with my better half, on a beach somewhere in Zanzibar.  Where he will feed me chocolate covered edible glasses of bottomless Pina Colada.  A girl can wish, right?

Q: Who would you most like to read about on Izimvo?

A: Angel Swemmer of Angels Mind.  She’s an inspirational [ex] single mother helping those in need, supporting those who support those who suffer from ADHD.  She also bakes the best cupcakes on planet Earth, plans weddings and has the most amazing personality I’ve ever known.

We’d like to thank Sheena for taking the time to answer our questions and wish her every success for the future.