Is the Universe sneaky or not?

Lessons from my wife
Doves, they say, have an inbuilt radar system. They can find their way around under the most difficult conditions. Usually I am rather confident in my sense of direction and am not prone to losing my way (well in a manner speaking that is. How I came to land in this reality on this planet is an open question.)

Anyway, today my wife and I went shopping at Menlyn Park (in Tshwane, of which Pretoria is a very tiny part). Now, Menlyn Park, for those in Durbs, and the Cape, is a huge, sprawling shopping centre, which is fine. I suspect, though, that the creators of the complex have installed huge magnets at its centre that generates an energy force that only affects the male chromosome. Whenever, I go to Menlyn, I can't find my way around the centre; don't know the way back to the car, and have no idea where in the heavens the sun is shining - if it is still shining at all.

My wife (she has a very old soul, you know), who normally has more difficulties with east-west, north-south: no problem at all. She virtually knows all the passages, alleys, and above all the shops, yes the shops. So what happens, she leads me by the nose through the shopping centre like an aged Blue Bull (remember those ,folks? Yes, they won at some or other ball game.), from shop to shop. There is one consolation, though: I get to drink coffee at the Fascination Book store - can you believe it, we have those here in Gauteng as well.

On with business
After the somewhat expected shocker from the liquidators, I have received quite a number of calls from people who would like to join the Class Action. News here is, that there is a Cape Town group who seem to have progressed somewhat further than the, let's call it, Internet group. The suggestion is that the "Internet" group join hands with those in the Cape (imagine that - very long arms required) and pursue the matter in unison.

I am not yet at liberty to divulge the name of the attorney, because I must ask him first if I may do so. I am writing to him this evening, and will blog about his response. In the meantime, if you have changed your mind and also want to participate please send your details to edwafinclass@chromatique.com (If the link does not work, please copy the address to your email program.)

For those of you who are wondering, the Cape, of course is that place where creation ran out of soil, and was forced to create a flat-topped mountain, instead of a nice middle peak (peaks are dainty). The people there love it and practically pray to it. Of course the folks there are benefiting materially from the Universe's shortcomings as they have built a restaurant on top. "Come and see where the Universe ran out of soil, and have a cup of coffee but first you have to go up with a car suspended on two wires, after waiting in a loooong cue". Everybody wants to see where the world comes to an end.

Did I miss the clue?
The Universe has a way of sneaking up on one, and that is purely one's own fault: If you are not conscious of the moment, hey, it passes you by. But the Universe also has a irritating and persistent foible, so it comes back from another angle to rub your nose in it.

Those of you who did not notice the clue the other day, don't worry everything is under control, slumber on. Those of you who did pick up on the clue, good for you. This whole Edwafin issue is now becoming an intrigue of sorts, with some people seemingly trying to establish where the action is taking place, in a manner of speaking. So don't worry, I am heeding the Universe's nudge. You see, since we are all part of one great consciousness, we are also somewhere deep, perhaps hidden from awareness, aware of what is going on in another's reality (if that sounds like a contradiction - it isn't, ask me.) Of course flaying the skin, exposes the raw flesh underneath. Clear?

So for those, sneakingly ignorant individuals, who call me with seemingly total ignorance, and then proceed to proudly lift the veil from what they really seem to know - essentially everything: OK, it has been fun playing with you, let's now do grown-up things for a change. Play nicely; you have the money so be satisfied.

Please allow me to quote from another image of this great be-all. His name is Allen Tut, and it arrives daily, but this one seems specifically apt - enjoy:

I should think one would look fondly back over their shoulder, Mario, at all the times in their life when they were overcharged, tricked, or taken advantage of, because for every single one of these transgressions, they'll be paid back like a Rock Star on an international stadium tour, hanging out with the coolest cats, flying on private jets, eating Ho Hos, and being waited on hand and foot by their former transgressors. If that's their thing, you know.

And that's in addition to all of the other incredibly wonderful things that will be happening to them forever and ever, as they do for all people.

See you in the 'VIP,'
The Universe

Some fall for it and the Universe plays one on me

It is Monday and the news is scarce. A few actually believed me when I said that you no longer needed me. Got Ya!. No, you guys were so busy amongst yourselves that I decided to take a few days off. And then promptly you did the same. As a result "My Edwafin Investment" came to a virtual standstill on Saturday morning. Just can't depend on you, can I?

Well, I'm back and will be for a time.

Some news about the Class Action. The group is growing and we are discussing the possibility of including people who might not be able to participate because of financial reasons. If you are at all interested, even if you think you cannot participate because of possible financial implications, please add your name to the list. We will see if there is a way around it. The more souls the better for us all. Keep in mind that if you do not add yourself to the group and the case goes to court and we win the case, you will not stand to benefit from any court rulings in favour of the group. Send your info to edwafinclass@chromatique.com. Even if you are not interested in joining the group, you might know of investors who would like to join but might not have access to Internet communications. For those I will provide my postal address and cell number:

Edwafin Class Action Group
P.O. Box 16778
Lyttelton
0140

Cell: (+27) 0721931389

Last week the universe decided to announce herself by playing a trick on my senses. Synchronicity is when two things with seemingly no connections, but with some apparent similarities becomes part of one's reality. First I will present you with two seperate things:

1. Carol wrote me an intense email at the beginning of last week which I had promised to answer. Due to circumstances and time constraints I had to delay doing so for a few days. That would also give me time to contemplate my answer. However, I felt guilty for not responding to her mail sooner, and it was continuously in the back of my mind.

2. You may all have heard about Twitter. Twitter is an Internet things whereby you provide your name and then get "followed" by other "Tweeters". In turn you follow them. The process is by short internet messages (<=140 words) and once you have subscribed you receive a constant stream of short messages from people. Most make no sense and the whole thing seems like etheric spaghetti, heaving and breathing with a life of its own. Anyway, I subscribed and when I discovered I had enough of it stopped "following" people. However, like a Stephan King movie, the whole thing has a life of its own, and daily I receive "direct messages" from folks who have decided to "follow" me in any case. Thus I was looking at my email and saw the following message:

Hi, Dr Mario Koppers.

Carole Gardner (FitCoachCarole) is now following your updates on Twitter.

A little information about Carole Gardner:

15492 followers 1080 updates following 14565 people

Most of you will know Carol Gardiner as one of the ex-directors of Edwabond. She has made her appearance a few times on these pages, and have continued communicating with her a bit behind the scenes.

So I though: "Hey, Hey, how nice of her to follow me on Twitter, perhaps I should begin tweeting with her." I smugly commented to myself: "now you know what she looks like, as well as her partner." Just look at all the followers she has, and she is not mean in her following either.

So, as a model Twitterer I went to the website she advertised with her message (not shown here). W ow, I thought some more, she has left the finance business and has become a major fitness fundi - she now calls herself a fitness fundi. Not too shabby: from thin wallets to thin bodies, and her website is filled with the most peculiar posteriors pictures - flayed human-like figures.
Problem though. What do say (with only 140 letters) to an erstwhile CEO of Edwabond, now fitness fundi with a seemingly bloodthirsty preference for human flesh?

Then I looked again, and discovered that she had not only become a fitness freak, but she had moved to the USA. Once more I looked and then discovered the clue that the universe had left me so cunningly:

Ou rown Carole Gardiner of Edwabond is not the same as Carole Gardner, fitness maniac in the USA, the one has an "i" in Garner and the other does not.

Coincidence? Of course it is.

At last we arrive at Sanctus

I didn't think this would ever happen. For weeks now I have been wanting to address the "I told you so" phenomena. Today is the day.

First I need to make some announcements

Edwafin Insurance
Yesterday I quoted Patrick Stapleton as saying that the insurance policy they had had been allowed to lapse. A person, interested in joining the Class Action wrote me an email this morning which I partially quote below. I suspect she wants to remain anonymous, and therefore respect that:

I can confirm that Edwafin does have PL/Fidelity cover with Coleman Gold Brokers based in Hillcrest, Durban.
It is an annual policy that falls due for renewal in July.
So from what I can see, we can definitely lay claim.
Please lets also go this route.

Class Action
I think we have now gathered a good number of individuals who have shown an interest in participating in a possible Class Action against the (past)Directors of Edwafin. I have communicated with my Attorney, and asked her to consider the matter - the feasibility and timing, etc., so I am awaiting her response. Somehow I have a feeling that we may have to delay taking positive action, if any, until the liquidators have finished their job. However, suggestions are welcome. This is an urgent matter for most of us but whatever happens, it is not going to happen overnight so we have to let things happen according to the professionals.

Again, if you would like to participate in any possible Class Action, please send your details to edwafinclass@chromatique.com. It is confidential and at this stage and places you under no obligation. Once matters have progressed, you may have to reconsider your participation, but you will always be kept fully appraised through various media and a private website.

WARNING: Those who have their feet firmly on mother Earth, you may want to stop reading.
Yesterday we spoke about the comments of anonymous, who instructed us to suspend our own thought processes, and to place all our confidence in the findings and decision of the liquidators, courts, police and other similar social constructs. My argument was to do so would be to deny our own experience of reality and essentially submit to the limitations and restriction imposed on us by groups of collective conciousness. (I tried to make that in one sentence, biut alas: no.) Anonymous's supposition is that the liquidators necessarily have the investors interest at heart. In a way yes - according to the description of the structure. First of all, though, they have their own interests at heart - money for them., it is their way of earning money. Thereafter we get the salaries that still need to be paid (including those of the directors I suspect), other primary and preferred creditors, court costs etc. not necessarily in that order. Then, and only after all those beuaties have been paid, it is the debenture holder's turn. About the legal issues I have my doubts as well, as they will have to make a appraisal whether any legal action instituted by them would be successful. Even if they decided to do so, and they win a case in court, it appears to me it will most probably be a criminal case. If so, and found guilty, those charged may go to jail or be fined, but that money does not go to the investors, it goes to.... I can not imagine a criminal court ordering any directors to pay damages to investors- a civil court action would be required for that.

Anonymous obviously meant well, as those are the values imprinted on us by those who want us to conform to their concept or idea of what reality should be. Imagine a sea of souls, all standing flat-feet on planet earth - they are the planet. Here and there, though, you have a few who stand on their toes because they regard it important to stand out above others. Now, keep in mind, excellence is a characteristic that needs to be admired but usually that results in souls with imposing statures. However, standing on your toes to achieve the same leads to cramps in one's legs and butt pains in others.

This phenomena is commonly "sanctimony", and is derived from the word sanctus or holy. (Of course that is a clue - didn't you get it?) As such it is also a quality or archetype most of us have to some degree, that is unless you are truly holy, and then you would probably not be around much. How does one recognize this archetype? They usually display the following qualities:

• They utter expressions such as: "I told you so", "when will we ever learn?", "this should never haven been allowed to happen", etc.
• Frequently they utter their profound statements after some or other calamity, but not necessarily always.
  
• Frequently they make wildly loose and vague statements that sound profound and learned, but actually bridges two different - often contradicting - realities. Yesterday's comment was about this phenomenon.
• There is the expectation that the receiver will suspend all his own thought processes and substitute them his by those of the sanctimoner.
• The sanctimoner earnestly believes that his statement is a reflection of reality, and that all other realities should therefore be incorrect and changed.

As a classically trained musician and academic I have encountered countless sanctimoners in my current sojourn on this planet. Not so much the practical musicians - either you can play an instrument well or you can't - but amongst the academics of our culture sanctimony is rampant. I have often found it most humorous that those who have the least to offer, suffer from the greatest degree of sanctimoniousness (oops!).

Here is an example. Personally, I can't stand male operatic singers, neither most females either. Their exaggerated bleating and bellowing just does not please my sensibilities (there is/was one exception and that is the late SA Deon van der Walt, a most sensible singer). Now, the fact that I don't like these huffers and puffers of noisy wind does not make them bad musicians, and does not give me the right to pronounce them as worthless to the music world. It is just my taste. It has no further implications to creation.

Yet in academia, a sanctomonier will inflate himself by merely stating that such and such a composition is "bad", or that it was a bad performance or musician. keep in mind the points I mentioned above. This person immediately assumes control over total reality by expressing his personal taste as a universal truth. Done! I'm that important. Society has become so gullible that these folks often rise to the top in their sphere of activity.

We have encountered a few of said archetypes on our blog as well. Most irritating are the "I told you so'ers". Can you see the imagination at work here. The perpetrator may be a journalist, and since most of humankind have lost the ability to communicate telepathically, we have to do so via the phone, or in person or in newspapers. Perhaps this person did, through his limited communication medium, tell or warn some about the possible dangers of investing with Edwafin. This does not imply that the message was disseminated universally in the first place. It also does not imply that his message has universal truth. By its very nature, this kind of statement is very apt following a misfortune of some kind. Imagine that Edwafin had not folded and after five year you have received your money back with interest. How many I told you so's would you have received then as opposed the ones that are uttered now. That is called benefiting from the opportunity. Of course, they miss the point of investing completely. Investing is about making money from money often with a risk factor involved. It is not an exact science, and nobody has all the answers. It is done daily on the stock exchange, and in a variety of other methods. our debentures were merely an option that we followed. As I have stated in the past, where would the cutoff point be as far as interest rates are concerned. Currently 5% would be a lot in the UK. Again they miss the point totally, and have you noticed how little concern these folk really have about those that have lost in the process. Of course not, because it is about the ego - sanctimoniousness.

Recently, we received a very nice comment from an anonymous. It said something like "Some would describe you investors as foolish, but you did nothing wrong, you were the victims..." Something along that line. Can you spot it? This is called "borrowed" reality, or transference of sanctimony.

Then there is the other famous one: "Will we ever learn?" In the absence of a particular person to direct the question to, it is made as wide as possible: "we". Obviously, although stated as a question it is in reality a statement that is secretly combined with a shake of the head. Any bets that this person did not include himself in the "we". This soul unquestionably had a field day telling all those millions of people who lost over $24 trillion on the recent stock market crash: "Will we ever learn?"

To all the investors who have now lost money to Edwafin, at least we have provided the sanctimonious with additional status. Without us, where would they be?

Edwafin gets honest and I get the physical once over

Final Honesty
Yesterday, midday I - like I suspect many of us did - received an sms from Edwafin. It stated the company's regrets that the court had placed them in provisional liquidation. The previous sms from Patrick was on 15 December 2008 - the day our cheques were cancelled - telling us that they were closing shop for the holidays. There we have two truths via sms, and in between nothing but conjectures, evasions, agression and BS. Congratulations Patrick, at least you didn't close shop with a lie.

Handsome Me
Amongst all the anonymi to this page we have had very few antagonistic ones. Obviously anomousnesses are ideal for those with small frontal lobes, as they will remain unknown. But that is in itself a falacy: - the universe knows them, and then they have to look at themselves every now and then in the mirror, and presto there we have anonymous, face to face. I do appreciate the other anonymi for coming up for me. However, I'm not offended and would like to express my compassion and understanding for the pain and hurt anonymous experienced yesterday. It reminds one of the story of the wife who loved her husband dearly, like a god he was. Then he did the unforgivable and she discovered it. She could not beat him up, he was too strong and she still loved him. She turned around and kicked the dog for which she otherwise had great fondness, but conveniently he was there. I was happy to be your dog for the day and am glad that you spend so much time in cyberspace with me. What puzzles me somewhat - and that is not so unusual in itself - is which picture anonymous has been looking at. For your info, the chappie at the top of the page, under the Edwafin logo, is Patrick Stapleton, himself not too shabby. However, I'm right at the bottom of the page, inconspicuous and unaffable.

Short note to Marc
Thanks for siccing me in your report for FIN24 (click here) and pointing out my confusion with isses and are's.

Am I closing the Blog?
One anonymous wondered if I was closing down the blog. I have thought about it, but I don't think it is time yet. There is still too much that needs to happen. Yes, Edwafin has closed its doors but there is still the process of liquidation that needs to take place, while I am still collecting names and suggestions for a possible class action. In connection with the possible class action, I intend to start a sister blog to this one as soon as the number of interested persons have reached a certain level. This new blog will only be open for viewing and posting to members who want to participate. More about this in due course.
If you do insist though, I will remove my picture from the blog as I do not wish to affront your sensibilities for beauty.

The Court Order
A good number of readers have downloaded the Judge's order from my web site, and I'm sure that most will agree that the Judge's arguments are immaculate and sensible, and that the conclusion that he reached could hardly have been different. As sad as it all is, it does restore some confidence in some processess of our society. Somewhere though, some confusion must have arisen. I'm sure that Patrick had told us that 20 DMC cars were on order. Perhaps a few were cancelled in the interim.

Actually events overtook me somewhat, and I should have realized that it would. But I was going to devote some time to the Klynsmith mystery. It all seems a bit pointless now, doesn't it. however, I would like to thank one of our anonymousses, for cheeting by clicking on the picture and peeping at the names of the photos the other day. To make things worse, you compared me with Carole Gardiner. You are banned from these pages for life - yours or mine which ever takes the longest.

It is now Saturday 15:30 and as I was writing the last line, Gardiner left a new comment on our blog. As promised I have published it and I won't comment - you can do that. However, please note that Mario and the various anonymousses have now become a new unified individual. It is called creating a new manifestation - Marinymous.

Carole: nothing would please me more if you could and would vindicate yourself. You are a part of our reality, as we are part of yours. If we could co-exist in harmony it would help elevate the conciousness of the universe - even if it is ever so slightly. That is why you are welcome to keep on commenting on this blog and I will continue to publish your comments. To make it easier for you, please become a follower of the blog and contribute to the blog in your own name instead of as "anonymous".

Deep rumblings: what will emerge from the mist?

Excitement is not part of my day. Yes, many have looked forward to today in anticipation, but whatever the court may decide, it is not going to be a happy end to our dilemma; no celebratory outcome. Even if the company is finally sequestrated, there is still some way to go, and the question for some time will be: "how much will I get back". If the company is placed under Judicial Management, well, you'll probably have a few more gray hairs when the finish-line is finally reached. That is not so much my concern though, as I have few hairs left, and my beard is as grey as can be already.

As I have said in the past, my wife and I have essentially accepted the loss of money, but matters are just not that simple. A few have made many promises to many; they have signed contracts ensuring the return of money. Even after it was clear that their undertakings were unsustainable, these humans have continued to broadcast all kinds of unbelievabilities (heh-heh the spell checker doesn't like that one). Not only have they demonstrated their own naivety, but they have tried to make fools of the 4000 investors. Perhaps we were foolish, some would say and I still have something to say about that when the opportunity arises - perhaps when the dust has settled and the horizon is back in view. The fact that investors believed what was told them, promised and demonstrated to them, and thereby acted in their own interest, for their own benefit, may be described as foolish by those who know more, better, and generally have an exceptionally high IQ, but it still does not give anybody cart blanch to take others for a seriously detrimental ride. Add to that that the promises were supported, given credibility and sanctioned by institutions such as CIPRO, DTI, FSB, NCC, and SAVCA (and possibly a few others that fell below the radar), the situation is elevated to societal fraud where a smaller part of group reality are victimized by a much larger part of the reality of planet earth. Naturally, as we have seen, these institutions hide behind rules, regulations and the law as well as anonymous silence - also characteristics imbued to them by society, so that is our own fault perhaps. When I was a bit younger, the was a song about "silence is golden", I have come to the conclusion that silence is an ass. In silence truths can't be told, responsibilities cannot be accept, and in silence one can die a slow (or fast) death with a knife in your back.

The law, yes the law ...

As a result the pinnacle of the iniquitous situation is Edwafin, and what has now emerged to be the Famous four plus one (Verona seems to be some kind of groupie - however she does upset the symmetry - let's face it fivesome sounds awkward). Ironically, some of the earlier directors have left the stage, hands bloodied and consciences heavily tainted. (By the way, anonymous has also provided us with the First name of Klynsmith. It is Robert or just old Bob for short.)

Of course there is the law. Yes, the law ...

Anonymous submitted a comment this morning mentioning the possibility of a class action, and I must admit the thought has struck me some time ago already. For those not in the know, here is my non-specialist understanding of the process: a group of people who have been wronged by another person, or group of persons, collectively employ legal resources to sue the perpetrators. They share the cost, if any, but also benefit collectively from whatever the results of such a case may be. This has become very popular in the USA where fat people collectively have sued hamburger joints for selling grease, or where smokers have sued cigarette companies for causing their lungs to become a darker shade of brown. It is strange but it is true - like my inherent tendency to be decent and still refer to Stapleton as Mr.

The idea is that if enough of the investors can stand together, they may sue the directors of Edwafin (and possibly others), singularly and/or collectively for causing the predicament we now find ourselves in - perhaps to recover money (if you are very optimistic) but possibly more so to satisfy our retributive lust.

I am prepared to set the ball rolling by trying to find out who might want to participate in such a class action. There are many steps to be taken though, and we have to be certain of what we will be suing for, who we will sue, and why we will be suing. There are possibly many aspects I haven't thought of and that will be the domain of the legal people involved.

So what I propose to do is provide everybody with an email address to which you can send a note expressing your interest in participating. This does not mean that you commit yourself, but are only interested in the possibility of such action. However, you would need to provide your name and email address (or other method of contacting you), and if you like a cellphone number (for sms's), so that we can correspond with you and tell you about any progress. Your details will be kept safe, confidential, not divulged to anybody, and should you at any time decide to withdraw from the enquiry, your information will be immediately removed without questions.

What would be helpful, is if you could also provide us with your views and suggestion regarding the procedures and any other aspect of the matter. Keep in mind the more investors that we can get to participate, the better the spread of the costs. There are many other benefits I can think off, but before we get there, we first have to decide if it is going to be worth our while.

If there are any investors out there that are contemplating, or have already started, a similar action, this may be the time to stand together as others may be interested to participate in your action.

Should this effort get off the ground I undertake to set up another blog exclusively for this purpose, with only private access to those who would like to participate in the class action. Thus away from prying eyes.

The email address is edwafinclass@chromatique.com.

We'll see.