The peace treaty that started the war

The blind man came to bare witness
The deaf man came to hear the 'Hurrah'
The bachelors and their wives were present
So was the orphan accompanied by his parents

From nations far across the waters
They walked from home to the hall
Pulled the chairs and sat on the floor
Eagerly awaiting to see the young kings
Hugging from across the table
With a smile on their wrinkled faces
And signed the peace treaty that started the war

Letter To My MP

The Writer, P.O Box, 12345-00100, Nairobi, Kenya January 5, 2005

Dear MP,

Words cannot begin to explain how sorry I am for all that I have put you through for the past few years. I have thought long and hard about what happened and I realized how infuriated you must have been. First I started by taking your rightful title “Mheshimiwa’ from you which was accorded to you by birth right. Before your recovery from that, I demanded that we trade in you luxurious Mercedes Benz for a Volkswagen Passat. What was I thinking?? How could I subject you to the embarrassment of being down-graded you from a 5million vehicle to a poor man’s automobile that costs about 3million??

To add salt to injury, am now demanding that you pay taxes…am so sorry for this. It had escaped me that you still have a loan to pay – the one you took to build that mansion in Runda. Am told it has 8 bathrooms - all self contained. Am also told that if I continue demanding for tax from you, you’ll have to do away with the jacuzzi, gazebo, and swimming pool you were planning to add to your estate….a million apologies for that.

Before I forget, how are Mike and Michel doing??? Sources say that London is a lovely place to be, and not so cold around this time of the year. Is it true that you are now thinking of taking them to USA or Canada because education is cheaper there as compared to the Queen’s land? Am so sorry for failing to realize you have kids to educate and they need the best education money can buy. No parent who has kids to feed and educate should be subjected to the backbreaking imposition of paying taxes.

I also apologize for ruining Mrs. Mheshimiwa’s plans to go to London to do her hair and laundry. I forgot how the water in our taps are dirty and  most probably will ruin those  Christian Dior, Alexander McQueen, Mark Jacobs gowns she has. Wonder how I forgot that even Wanjiku is forced to take her clothes to either South Africa, or Seychelles to have them cleaned since we have no professional dry cleaners in our country and she cannot clean them herself.

Times are hard and a man got to do what a man got to do. From now henceforth, I’ll start minding my Ps and Qs – no interference in your hustle.

• Our country has vast land resource and you are allowed to grab them and develop them. There is no point of reallocating the IDPs in some of these areas, or giving it to the squatters and issuing them with title deeds.
• The  molasses plant, nothing was really coming out of that…the government was not taking care of it and you decided it’d be more profitable were it a private company. Thank god you took it.
• As for the maize, no need to wait till that point it gets contaminated with aflatoxin. Better eat it as early as possible, right?
• Our schools keep producing empty debes year after year. What’s the point of funding these institutions??? The money is better spent expanding your business empire, I’d say.

I am really sorry for creating the situation which I know I should have handled better. I admit that I am in the wrong by demanding you pay taxes, reducing some of your powers and can only say how sorry I am. I can promise you that this will never happen again and hope that you will give me the opportunity to elect you again in 2012 so as to prove this to you.

I understand that it might be difficult for you to accept my apology but hope that this letter will help. I will call you later this week to apologize in person(hoping your number will not be Mteja) and hope that you will be able to give me another chance.

Yours Sincerely

The Writer

If Tomorrow Never Comes

I’m sure most of us if not all have had these lyrics by Garth Brooks.

“If tomorrow never comes
Will she know how much I loved her
Did I try in every way
To show her every day
That she's my only one
If my time on earth were through
And she must face the world without me
Is the love I gave her in the past
Gonna be enough to last
If tomorrow never come”

I listened to the song yesterday and a storm of thoughts came upon me. It made me wonder; have I done enough, said enough, shown enough to those around me for them to actually get what I actually feel and thing of them?? No one thing is certain in this world other than death itself. One can be health and breathing one moment and gone the next carrying with them all that laid in their heart and mind. Well, I now take this opportunity to say that which is in my mind, heart, or even both. (Names not mentioned for security reasons)

Bro from another mother

I wonder who went astray….your dad or mine….lol. But you the one person I’d count on when passing through butter or emery cloth. You are the one person that will tell me the truth even when it’s a bitter pill to swallow. For all that I thank you. O! and thanks for your stories, they always remind me am not the only one whose life is all twisted….hahaha

*******

Am sure out there in one of the parallel universe, a me is saying to a version of you

“When I see your face
There's not a thing that I would change
Cause you're amazing
Just the way you are
And when you smile,
The whole world stops and stares for awhile
Cause girl you're amazing
Just the way you are”

Musical accountant

Your wits and comic statements remind me of Hiro Nakamura……am not sure if this is the reason I got, or had (my mind and body seem to be communicating on different frequencies) a crush you :-)

The actor

Never in my life have I met someone who carries a past as heavy as yours so gracefully. Most people would be damaged or broken by now. At times I wonder if you are a serial killer….lol – most people as complex as you are turn out to be. I envy and admire you. I still admire your ‘John Travolta’ chin. Can I have it and sire kids with it??? Lol

The Hippie

Weed consumer, tree huger, and the only Oreo friend I got. You’re so horribly white it’s not even funny…..from your dressing, to your dancing. Were it not for the fact you were my friend, I’d have called Cartman to come kick yah ass…..lol

Doctor

You claim that my perspective of the world and all it holds is weird and psychotic….but I beg to differ. But on that note, u one complex fella, more like a rubik’s cube….am yet to decipher you.


Am sure most of you will think that using a blog to convey the above message is a sign of weakness and cowardice, but a brother got to start somewhere, right?? Now lemme gather more courage and soon I'll do it face-to-face

Bureaucratic Bureaucrats

If you thought that the government offices in Kenya got bureaucracy, then you probably haven’t tried our brothers in the pearl of Africa. These guys give bureaucracy and red-tape a whole new meaning. The true bureaucratic bureaucrats. Like one coasterian used to state, “Ham’toshi mboga”. I managed to make a trip over there past weekend to pick my certificate….was all excited. Had missed the place, some of my friends but had only a few days to go and come back since I now got obligations in the form of work.

The trip was lovely ‘d say. 12hrs by bus and loving every hour of it – well, apart from the Meru mama who was my seatmate. She had a million and one Qns that seemed never to come to an end. My mama taught me never to speak to strangers – I have no idea what her mama taught her. It was irritating since to begin with she was not allocated that sit. She just moved to that spot since it was empty and she had been allocated a sit at the back end…wish she had sat there and go all that journey being jotted up and down each time the bus runs over a pebble. Maybe, just maybe she’d get the wits to stop talking to strangers *mean* tihihi

I got to Uganda the next day, went over to a pals place for a shower and freshening up b4 hitting campus to begin the process. I got to my former Alma Marta

and went to the faculty to get my financial statement – it’s the 1st step towards getting ones certificate. So I approach this lady woman to ask for my financial statement and she tells me the system is down. Felt my plans coming down as a house of cards. On my way out, I decide not to go back to my pals but try the accounts office and see if that will bare any luck. I get there and they tell me to go back to my faculty and pick the document from there. I being the polite guy I am I tell him in the most calm and polite manner

“I’ve been there and I was Informed that the system is down.”

“The system is not down. Your faculty is the one that hosts the system and if I can access it, so can they.” He said

At that moment the picture of that woman’s fat face dressed in red outfit passed thru my mind like a slideshow. A smile escaped my lips. I set forth back to my faculty and decide to try a different person other than the woman. A guy was my pick and he tells me to go back to Senate building

to room 615 and tell them to upgrade the record 1st then get the financial statement. I obliged, but when I got to the office, they told me to go back to my faculty and pick it from there. I felt like screaming at some1, anyone. I wished I had a pillow to bite on and scream, but sadly I had none. Had no option but to go back. This office was now getting on my last nerve….felt like I was in an episode of Day Break – each time I think I’ve made a step forward am taken back to the start. The guy was busy typing something and told us to wait. It was taking a while so I decided to try lady #3. She exchanged words with the devil in red and smiled. I’ve been in that land for 5yrs so u bet I picked a few words here and there. From the little I could gather, the ‘Devil’ told her that she had told me the system is down but seems I don’t believe her…#3 laughed then told me to wait and see if she can access the system. I took a site Minutes later after she moved the mouse up and down without clicking anything, she turns to me and says

“The system is down.”

I could have gone all psycho on them, but that would have been a waste of a good reaction to stupidity. The chick is so blond that she could not actually note that from where I was sitting, I have a full view of her monitor and I could see that the only screen that was open was the Nero window. And people still wonder why my blood and that of our Uganda brethren is like water and oil. I stay put till the guy finished and he called me. Told him am from Senate and they’ve said I pick the document as it is. He prints it for me but not missing to complain bout how Senate thinks they have a lot of papers to waste. I picked my document, back to 615, it was signed and I was told to deliver it to room 501. It was almost lunch and the officers requested we go for lunch then come back later. I called a pal in who I was to hook up with, went for lunch then got back like at 2pm. I finally got my document

Always Tell The Truth No Matter What

A kid is in the playground one day and hears the word ‘Msenge’ shouted. That evening he goes back to home and asks the dad,

“Eeh baba, neno *Msenge* lamaanisha nini??

The dad embarased replies, “Lamaanisha rafiki mwanangu.”

A while later the kid gets to learn a new word….goes back home and asks the dad;

“Eeh baba, neno *Kuma* lamaanisha nini???

The dad both shocked and embarased tells the son;

“Lamaanisha Mwavuli”

One evening the son comes back with another new word picked from the playground.

“Baba, neno *Fira* lamaanisha??”

The dad is so emparassed that he cannot look the kid in the eyes…but he decide to reply

“Lamaanisha kuoga mwanangu.”

One day the rain is heavily pouring and the kid is indoors when there is a knock at the door. He goes to open and his dad’s friends are out there.

“Shikamo *Wasenge* wa baba??”

The visitors are infuriated by the kid’s utterance.

“Karibuni ndani na muziache *Kuma* zenyu hapo inje zinyunyize maji”

The men cannot believe their ears. They are infuriated. They ask the boy where the dad is for they’d wish to speak to him.

The boy replies, “Baba yuko juu yuafira”

ALWAYS TELL THE TRUTH. Its better than the alternative....

Birds - gods of gods

From the title of this blog am sure most of you think I'm insane, gone nuts, sick, twisted. Am sure some extremist will label me blasphemous. But before you go out of your way to give me titles, just spare me a minute to defend myself and see if I can show you why I believe the birds are the gods of gods. If by the end you're still not convinced to give me the benefit of doubt??? Well.....

We have been taught ever since we started learning that the gods are all seeing, powerful creatures that live in the skies. They look down on us from up above, seeing all, hearing all, being everywhere. Let me ask you, have I not just described birds? The gods are the kings of kings and when they project their voice, all mortals follow their direction; their command. Lets take the case of a Rooster, with its head adorn with the crown of fire, and when the Rooster(king) crows, does not every man, woman, and child get out of bed and start the days errand??

When It comes to religion and believes, the birds have been used here and there. The Eagle typifies power, resurrection and generosity. In the same way that a lion is considered the king of beasts, the Eagle is considered to be the king of the air and the messenger of the highest Gods. Mythologically, it is connected by the Greeks with the God Zeus, by the Romans with Jupiter, by the Germanic tribes with Odin and by Christians with God. The Dove is used by the Christians to represent Third Person of the Blessed Trinity......The Holy Spirit. It is also used as a symbol of peace.

The Crane is a symbol of long life and immortality, health, happiness, wisdom and good luck. The Falcon signifies, "A Light that Shines in the Darkness". The Nightingale suggests love and longing. The Owl is synonymous with death and darkness; yet it can also bring wisdom, insight and virtue. The Peacock heralds spring, birth, new growth, longevity, and love. The tiny Sparrow, represents the love of God for even the "least" among us.

Let me not start on the number of nations that use birds in their seal, coats of arm, or emblem. The seal with the almighty Eagle the guardian of our world superpower USA, its also used by Germany, Russia, Romania, Poland, Mexico, Iraq, Indonesia, Yemen, Egypt, Ghana, Namibia. The Dove in North Cyprus. The Falcon in Kuwait's. The Hawk used by Syria, Libya. The Secretary bird used by South Africa, Sudan. The Ugandan Crane. This are just but a few states that use birds on their coats of arm, emblems, or seals. Oh! You all thought I had forgotten the Rooster on our beloved coat of arm, right?

As I finish up, I'll leave you with some thoughts to ponder upon. Why do we use the winds to make some creatures superior and divine in comparison with other?? The wings sets aside Pegasus to be a winged divine horse. In Christianity, a set of wings is what is bestowed upon the angels...the divine messengers of God. And here is a final thought. The birds are all knowing. Nothing gets done without them knowing its happening.....hence the phrase 'a little bird told me'.

Unknot and begin the unraveling.

All if not some of us can proclaim that at one point in their life they've ever felt down, like the road taken is untakable, that the burden they have is too heavy for them to carry, like they are

Atlas carrying the world over their shoulders. I have felt that at not one, two, or even three, but many times in my life. Of late the thing that almost pushed me to the edge was my endless search for a job. After putting too much effort to get to that esteemed institution called a university so as to get a decent job only to be dropping flat on my face each tym i try to flap my wings and fly. I managed to get this 'job' with one big firm in our city. The terms of the contract was a probational period of three months then permanent employment later. For those three months the responsibilities that were bestoed upon me were one that even a kindergartten student can do. Who wouldn't manage using a bucket and rug to wipe off dust??? I bared with the situation for the three months because i saw the light at the end of the tunnel. A permanent job. Three months after, I got to realize the light was dimming then finally switched off. 'To hell with the lot' I said, and downed my bucket and rug. Better enjoying hours of rest than being missused. Been enjoying my rest from that day....but once in a while I get out in the field and see if my wings can flap and fly me away.....I still fall down flat on my face to the point of wondering if the gods have something against me.

As much as things get worse, and am pressed between a rock and a hard place, there is one thing that gives me strength. I know that someone somewhere is having it worse. When I cry of a shoe, there is someone who is in a hospital getting ready for amputation to save his life. When I'm sad I didn't get cash for lunch, I'm reminded of those in northern Kenya who are struggling with drought and have been reduced to just a shadowy shell of skeletons wrapped with skin, of those in Dar-fur whom food is not only their worry but also trying to make every breath they have not their last - hoping tomorrow will be a much better day than the former. When I wonder what to do with my excuse of a phone(trust me, its one second away from meeting its maker through murder by smashing it to the wall), I take solace in the fact that I got a gadget that can call, text, and help me communicate with friends and family.

Its written that we fall just but to get back up again. So each tym I fall, I'll get up, dust myself and go back in the field and try to flap....flap...and flap some more. Maybe the skies are not ready for me yet, but when this bird starts to fly, by Jehovah, Allah, Indra, Zeus, or whoever is in charge of the heavens, the skies better be big enough for there is no landing this.

As I wand up, lemme leave you with a few words by Sheri Reynolds

“When I've used up all my rags and lies, rope and hair, fabric and love, when I'm out of twine and my loom is broken and there's still a story in me to tell. That is when I unknot and begin the unraveling.
My rugs are never finished. I use the same materials to make them over and over again, featuring something new each time and hearing a different tale. But sometimes they speak the most wisely when they are heaps of fiber on the pack house, intermingled and waiting.
If I sit with them silent for long enough, they will talk. Just listen, I can give them tongues. They speak like prophets.”

We are animals

I was once asked what would it take for me to kill someone. I struggled with the thought trying to come up with a smart answer for the question. " What would it take for me to kill someone?" Killing ma parents, raping ma child, ripping me off all ma wealth. this and more were among the thoughts that came to ma mind. justifiable reasons for me to wanna take a life. But again, is it worth it?

I've heard someone was bashed to death by a baseball bat over a video game feud. A man taking his kid for holiday only to butcher them, then commit suicide because the wife was suing for custody. A 12 year old kid shot to death because he was openly gay. A man lighting up a cigarette and putting a tanker ablaze because he was not willing to pat with 100/= to get fuel from the overturned tanker. The end result being 100 plus people dying and others in critical condition.

A neighbor turning against a neighbor just because he speaks with a different tongue. A father hammering all 10 fingers of his son just because he took 5/= from the counter. A lady boiling a kettle of water as though preparing a cup of tea, or better yet, getting ready to prepare a meal of ugali only to find that the final destination of that hot water will be to the face of that fair lady she perceives to be after her lover. A mother sunk so deep in debts to the point that the zeal to live is drained from her eyes finally holding her months old child by the legs and smashing its head against the wall. Painting the wall with a mixture of brain and blood, later cutting open her wrist. A son who has some land dispute with the mum taking a hoe and driving it in her head. These are some of the causes that has brought one mortal to ending a life of another.

Its stated that man is the only creature that kills for fun. Much as we are placed above other animals, they kill for food, protection of family and territory. Can the same be stated about we mortals?? We don need a reason to kill - no. Not really. We are animals, and humanity is just but a line that keeps us in check. Its what distinguishes us from the other animals. Do away with it and we are no different to the cannibals of the Serengeti.

The Nairobi International Trade Fair

If you are a Kenyan living in Nairobi, you know what dominated the whole of the week past - The Nairobi International Trade Fair. All roads were leading to the show grown along Ngong road. From primary schools, secondary schools, to the prestigious tertiary institutions. All who were taking agricultural related entities were headed there.

That is not to assume that all that were in the show ground were all interested in the agricultural sector, or had a stake in the sector. Each person had their own intentions of going there. The good thing is that the gates were open for all who had that small monetary contribution to offer. Students going there for academic purposes, entertainers, parents taking there kids for a weekend out, shoppers who were looking for goods at a reduced price, business entities showcasing their wears, alcohol slaves who came for the infamous DS, and this being Nairobi, how can we forget our beloved pickpockets :-)

This year round I was tasked yet again with the responsibility of being my cousins guardian in the event. I was in charge of both security, and finance. So I woke up early, and unlike most men...I took my usual 2hrs of preparing myself(NOHOMO). Took the route from Eastlands and headed to town. Took another matatu to the Nakumatt Junction where I was to meet my uncle and my cousin. From there it was straight to the show ground. Upon arriving at the gate, I came in contact with one of my worst enemy - a queue. It took us like 40mins or more to get past the entrance and into the grounds. Once in all that my mind was occupied with was finding one cold drink capable of freezing my entire body.

So we started going round the grounds pretending to be interested with whatever they were showcasing. All that was important to me at that moment was my cousin(now that I had found a cold drink) and all that was important to him was the fun fare. So we went to the fun fare and the 1st stop was the merry-go-round. Now, for all those who are over 20 and have never taken that ride, my word of advice is "DON'T".

Intellect + possibilities + final destination kind of movies = a freaked merry-go-round rider

Wen the ride started, I curled my legs from fear of hitting the tents below(naive me thinking that the sit was that low). As speed accelerated, all I was seeing was the possibilities of the chain snapping and sweet Innocent I landing butt first...with a thunderous bang on Ngong road. As I was picturing all this, my 10yr old cousin had escaped my mind. All I was thinking of was Me, Me, Me, and some more Me. The ride started to slow down and the fear of hitting the tents came back...and like a good church boy, I curled my legs again.

After the ride...I needed something to cool me down, so a sugar rush was a best option. Cotton candy does the trick just fine. Walked around with my ball of pink cotton, pinching and eating...sharing it with my cousin. Next stop was the bumper ride. Now that was a kids affair because I don't see myself inside one of those mini rides and all other car drivers are 13 and above years younger than me. After the ride, my cousin saw this tent with the writings "Kichwa bila mwili" and being a kid that he is, he was eager to see a man hiding under the table only leaving his head above a table to give the impression of a head on a plate talking. He went in and mins later came out saying that that stupid head has a body(mhhhh...a sharp kid i see. or is it stupid headless man who cant hide his body well?? I'll never know).

We know started taking walks around the ground bumping into the thousands of people who had graced the ground too with their presence. The sight of school kids brought back memories form ages ago. A group of 4 boys....2 older, and 2 somewhat younger. The group stopped at a Farmers Choice stand and all but one boy purchased some sausages. From the looks on his face one could see the yearning and desire the boy had for some sausages too. But sad that he came to the show will a thin wallet. For a moment my cold heart melted and felt like buying the boy a sausage or two. But just as quick as the thoughts came to mind, they were as quick to exit.

We finished our walk around the ground and started heading for the exit. Through the back entrance, to Jamuhuri estate, to Ngong road, and finally Junction. As I was parting with my cousin, his last words were "I had fun. Si next year tutaenda??" And from that...all I can say is "Till next year again"

Narcissistic Son of the Soil

Its evident that I have no romantic bone in my body. And if I did have one, lets just say its one of those rids the male species is told to have been knocked out and the rib taken from them. Reason am stating this is because, a while back I was at a friends place for a sleepover. And most if not all of us know how people most of this things go. Was sat at the sofa and my friend started to kiss me. She is cute and all, so I played along. A few minutes later we were both naked caressing, kissing.....well, u get the picture. The episode went on to the climax and after ones get to the peak....we 'cum' down. So we headed for the showers, took a shower and we were back to the sitting room. She served me dinner and we started watching a movie.

After the dinner and all, she comes to me with the pretext of 'let's go and sleep. Its late and I we both have an early morning'. Yah, right! I had just started watching another movie and I requested her to let me finish the movie then we go to bed. She kept insisting that we both retire to bed though it was may before midnight (I never get to bed before midnight).

So I told her to let me finish the movie then we can both retire to bed. At this juncture it was clear to her that I kinda value the movie more than her. I posses not mind reading powers so I can not state how that made her feel. She gracefully took an exit and went to bed. I watched that movie, finished it, then started another one. At around 4pm I woke up and found the movie running. So i turned everything off and slept on the sofa. 6:35am I tap on my shoulder wakes me up from one interesting dream. From the look on ma host's face she is not that pleased with me. I woke up, took a shower, prepared myself and departed without as much as being offered a cup of coffee, or tea.

Does my behavior make me a narcissistic son of the soil?? Well, that is anyone's guess. As far as I am concerned, the number one person I try to appease is I. The rest are in a queue behind. I know what most people would have done that night, but as I keep telling people, am not most people. It profits a man not to assume a virtue he poses not. For the soul that I let down, all I can say is............ Well, I don't know what to say.

Football is Here

Its 2010...the year for Africa. Ever since twas announced that South Africa will host one of the most coveted cups...everyone around me seem to have just got a shot of the Africa pride. Never have I seen such unification in my Life....the MTN advert of a man narrating bout the world cup could be no less true.

The games have started and everyone seem to be backing any African team on the field...not forgetting that they are not ever children of that nation. The sweet buzzing sounds of the vuvuzela fills the field every time an African state is in the field. But I wonder, what will happen when it comes to that point where 2 African nations will have to face each other?? Who will the people support??But that is not the biggest of my worries. What I wonder most is, what will come to replace the football madness once the games are over???

The madness though carries on. From people spending their savings for that trip down to the south....to a big Bravia screen for they that a trip is just but a distant dream for now. But the biggest of them all is on facebook. Like half my friends list have changed their profile pics to country jerseys with a players number but their name on it...to minute by minute update of what is happening on the field. Truth be told...I find it a little bit annoying. "People, we most...if not all watching the game...so stop with the minute by minute update. Before you posted the foul, corner kick, poor attack strategy..I had seen it and a commentator commented on it too."

But all in all, this is a once in a life time opportunity. Let us celebrate it. To be honest, we not sure if the opportunity will come around anytime soon. Lets now wait and see if Africa as a continent is ready to host the Olypics.

Ever Seen A Donkey?

Ever seen a donkey

worked with a donkey

or a monkey

played with a monkey?

touched money?

yes, money

money to buy

buy a donkey

or a monkey?

What about a carrot

seen a carrot

played with a carrot

or maybe a ballot

ever touched a ballot

carried a ballot

held a carrot

dipped it in a ballot?

Bring me a hen

buy me a hen

cook me a hen

or a pen

buy me a pen

not cook me a pen

for my current pen

is an ink-less pen

Now that is life.

my life

But a good life

needs a wife

who has life

not a dead wife

from a past life

like my wife.

Job or Career

Was off for the past 2 days....felt so goo. so relaxing...so peaceful. But at one point, that break had to come to an end. Friday morning at 7:30am I report to the office. Upon arrival am handed the company Inter Badge by my supervisor and an allowance of last weeks work. I wait for the rest of the team to arrive. They all get their cards from the supervisor wen they arrive, then directed to me for their share of the allowance. We wait fo one hour...then 2...on the 3rd hour the supervisor comes back with a list. On it is the work schedule for the weekend to come. Am told that I have work on a Saturday at 12pm. The rest are told about their schedule. "You are now free to go about your business" says the supervisor.

Its 11am and am wondering where I'll go, what I'll do with the remaining part of the day. "Its too early to go back home" I say to myself. So I decide a stroll in town will do for me. I pop into an Mpesa joint to send cash to a friend in Uganda. A gun shot is heard from across the street I step out and see people rushing up and down. Some to the direction of the gun shot, others away from it. I choose the latter since am full aware that bullets have no GPRS navigation system directing them straight to the intended target...at times they decide to choose another path.

I get into a cyber to check on my mails as I wait for a friend we do lunch. I open my blog and wonder what to write about... As I sit In the cyber, I can't help but wonder, "Why did I wake up at 8am only to be freed at 11am?" Makes no sense. But the greatest question I ask myself even now as I type this, "Do I have a Job or a Career?"

Here lived a great street sweeper who did his job well.

I finally came to closing down my facebook account after I saw it was just a means of creating a bunch of lazy, monitor-glued, sit-glued , none-productive humans being. I decided to take up reading to cater for the endless hrs I was spending on facebook. Tis true what they say, "the fastest way to get rid of an addiction is by finding another one."

From my newly (not really newly, but more of a habit that needed to be returned) acquired habit of book reading, I picked a copy of Ben Carson book 'Think Big' and started page after the other. Reading how the author gave nothing but the best reminded me of the words our reverend/civil right activist. He said,

"If you are called to be a street sweeper, sweep streets even as Michelangelo painted, or Beethoven composed music, or Shakespeare wrote poetry. Sweep streets so well that all the hosts of heaven and earth will pause to say, 'Here lived a great street sweeper who did his job well."

So in whatever u decide to do, just give it ur all....and all the hosts of heaven and earth will pause to say, "Here lived a great street sweeper who did his job well."

That untill that day

Freedom is one of the expensive commodities in this world, mostly paid for with guns and blood of the patriots. Though it is the essence of every man to be free, the right is like a myth to most pple; to be thought of but not experienced. But the day when we all can say we are free was best described by HIS EMPEROR HAILEE SELASSIE when he said;

"That until the philosophy which holds one race superior and another inferior is finally and permanently discredited and abandoned: That until there are no longer first class and second class citizens of any nation: That until the colour of man's skin is of no more significance than the colour of his eye: That until the basic human right are equally guaranteed to all without regard to race; That until that day, the dream of lasting peace and world citizenship and rule of international morality will remain but a fleeting illusion, to be pursued but never attained: And until the ignoble and unhappy regimes that hold our brothers in Angola, in Mozambique and in South Africa in subhuman bondage have been toppled and destroyed: Until begoty and prejudice and malicious and inhuman self interest have been replaced tolerance and good will: Until all Africans stand and speak as free beings, equal in the eyes of all men, as they are in the eyes of Heaven: Until that day the African continent will not know peace: We Africans will fight, if necessary, and we know we shall win, as we are confident in the victory of good over evil"

Until that day that all men can say we are free, I can never be free, until that day when all can say, express and show what they think without fear, I can never be totally free. I can never be what I ought to be until you are what u ought to be.