Hello V.I members? How are all of you doing? I hope you are all fine. I am fine though, been a busy holiday which is very good for me otherwise I would have fallen into a state of deep depression.
Well then... Remember a couple of months ago, when Thomas, Angie, Shiku and Deno were talking about some guy called Mr. Legend? Yeah that's the guy...You guys talked about him heaps, well relatively a lot, that I could not get my mind off this guy who had very special music. The thought of his music not fikaing Ozland at the time, was as irritating as a thorn in the butt. I needed to know what was so special about him. Luckily, Aussies decided to give him a chance. In Feb/March, Mr. Legend came to tour Sydney and Melbourne (hmm these people think that Aussie consists of Melbourne and Sydney and Perth is non-existent) I am not complaining because his Get Lifted CDs hit Perth stores soon after. On Monday while I was window shopping, I came across his CD. I immediately bought the CD. Went to work and had a listen to it. Wow! Special indeed. Thanks for introducing me to his tasteful soulful music.
So, that's the major thing that has happened this week, I have listened to his CD everyday this week at work. Makes me perform better...it seems.
Great CD. I award it 41/2 stars out of 5. For those who don't have it get it.
Cheers.
Saturday, July 23, 2005
Friday, July 22, 2005
Reading briefs
I found this pieceWangari Maathai's views on Aids . My opnion is we should afford everyone, no matter on what pedestals they stand , a right to their opinon. She got where she is today out of her will to speak her mind and share her spirit. Correct her, set heer on the right track, but dont vilify her (or Thabo mbeki) for their rightfully owned and justified (arent they all) opinions.
Then this is what I call sensational, pointless reporting which appears to have serve other purpose but sucker punch me the african reader . granted such statements are embarrassing and can not be ignored, the article lacks focus and consistenty in theme. So to slap a headline like that on the story betraays an already disparaging outlook into the African mental model.
And this..this is what i call disruptive technology. Si mambo ya ipod this ipod that..Even though Apple stock prices would claim otherwise. Disruptive technology shouldnt just me measured by the degree of culture change, but the purpose of it. African entrepreneurs, be smart, invest in a technology that is changing Africa like no other. Wireless telecoms and communications software. And no you dont have to pay me for the tip. Deno feeling generous today..
Then this is what I call sensational, pointless reporting which appears to have serve other purpose but sucker punch me the african reader . granted such statements are embarrassing and can not be ignored, the article lacks focus and consistenty in theme. So to slap a headline like that on the story betraays an already disparaging outlook into the African mental model.
And this..this is what i call disruptive technology. Si mambo ya ipod this ipod that..Even though Apple stock prices would claim otherwise. Disruptive technology shouldnt just me measured by the degree of culture change, but the purpose of it. African entrepreneurs, be smart, invest in a technology that is changing Africa like no other. Wireless telecoms and communications software. And no you dont have to pay me for the tip. Deno feeling generous today..
Thursday, July 21, 2005
re:uchawi ndio!
for real, that woman made a deal with some dark forces. For a long time, movies have made more than books. But if an anticipated movie Like the Choc Factory can't hold its own against a fiction filled, bulky collection of whooha and rantings, then i guess the reading culture is catching on. It's a good thing dont get me wrong, i just cant understand how people can sit down for hours on end reading 600+ pages of what someone conjured from who-knows wat....that's strength!
I hear JK is now richer than the Queen of England. No mean feat in its own, and more to come not only from sales, but what about the 7th instalment of the series, i hear from a Harry Porter nut that it'll be "the one". So those records wont hold for too long.
Deno, si even us we ramble on about something..am thinking "Harry Kimani kwa Mavurugano ya Abun Wasi"!
ok, gotta work on the title, but it'll be rich with the jungle-lore of 'Aafreeca'!
I hear JK is now richer than the Queen of England. No mean feat in its own, and more to come not only from sales, but what about the 7th instalment of the series, i hear from a Harry Porter nut that it'll be "the one". So those records wont hold for too long.
Deno, si even us we ramble on about something..am thinking "Harry Kimani kwa Mavurugano ya Abun Wasi"!
ok, gotta work on the title, but it'll be rich with the jungle-lore of 'Aafreeca'!
Monday, July 18, 2005
iko uchawi
Saw this shit on the news but I had NOOOO idea it was this insane!
9 million copies in the first 24 hours!!!!!!!!
I rememebr my ol lady and me joking vile this JK rowling mithe has some serious uchawis goign on..I mean people make deals with the devil, but this time JK must have lobbied with a union bana for this deal....
And ati horaa for book lovers? haha JK and the publishers will say anything as they laughing all the way to the bank..Oprah look out.
if this is not some SPELL/HEX/UCHAWI/UGANGA {select as you please } then what is? I mean Harry Potter IP should be traded on the nasdaq or something.
aaargh can you tell i am just frustrated after my meagre earnings were made even more meagre by confounded INCOME TAX!?
Well atleast now you know. Dont mention money to me anytime soon.
9 million copies in the first 24 hours!!!!!!!!
I rememebr my ol lady and me joking vile this JK rowling mithe has some serious uchawis goign on..I mean people make deals with the devil, but this time JK must have lobbied with a union bana for this deal....
And ati horaa for book lovers? haha JK and the publishers will say anything as they laughing all the way to the bank..Oprah look out.
if this is not some SPELL/HEX/UCHAWI/UGANGA {select as you please } then what is? I mean Harry Potter IP should be traded on the nasdaq or something.
aaargh can you tell i am just frustrated after my meagre earnings were made even more meagre by confounded INCOME TAX!?
Well atleast now you know. Dont mention money to me anytime soon.
re: shaving bumps
it's funny the way we aspire for things others have, or look towards fastforwarding everything so that we can get ahead. sort of the-grass-is-greener-on-the-other-side mentality. i mean look at shaving for instance.
the guys in this blog (and the few women) can attest to this. in our youth, shaving looked cool. It was the Machismo thing. The satisfaction of holding that blade, and swathing ur face with foam...ahh heaven! ...or so u might think. You painfully and very quickly discover that shaving is a science that they forgot to teach us in school, but is aptly being offered at SOHK (school of hardknocks).
the way u hold the blade, how much pressure u apply, how long the foam was on...
but at least we have 'intelligent' blades in the likes of the Gillete Mach3,or Wilkinson Quattro. gone are the days of buyin wembes for that screw-loaded shaver that dad would kill you for, coz u used the blade to sharpen ur pencil!
we couldn't wait to do it, but now it's a painful chore. so ladies, dont stress the guy coz he has a few days of stubble. give it a rest coz God knows he deserves it! Tips:
the guys in this blog (and the few women) can attest to this. in our youth, shaving looked cool. It was the Machismo thing. The satisfaction of holding that blade, and swathing ur face with foam...ahh heaven! ...or so u might think. You painfully and very quickly discover that shaving is a science that they forgot to teach us in school, but is aptly being offered at SOHK (school of hardknocks).
the way u hold the blade, how much pressure u apply, how long the foam was on...
but at least we have 'intelligent' blades in the likes of the Gillete Mach3,or Wilkinson Quattro. gone are the days of buyin wembes for that screw-loaded shaver that dad would kill you for, coz u used the blade to sharpen ur pencil!
we couldn't wait to do it, but now it's a painful chore. so ladies, dont stress the guy coz he has a few days of stubble. give it a rest coz God knows he deserves it! Tips:
- for a smoother,closer shave, apply some vaseline to your face before lathering
- invest in a shaver with many blades eg. Mach3,Quattro as the reduce the strokes required
- apply the lather early and let it soak in.Better if u have foam that contains menthol,tea tree extracts,aloe,etc.
- use a shaving mirror!
- shave in a well lit environment
- moisten your forest well
- rinse the blade regurlarly
- when you get bumps, give ur face a rest
- use alcohol-free aftershave or shaving balm
or better yet,you can invest in a motorised shaving machine,with/without a smoother. Folks with sensitive skin may opt to avoid the smoother.
Wednesday, July 13, 2005
All in a days work
so my first week was last week, and in just by the swift drag of a week and some odd days have i gone from excited and excitable 'new guy' to disgruntled, swamped 'that guy'.
Granted it is a vastly rewarding experience working with people this talented, and that Im on a salary vs thoe dog gone hourly wages..it cant be that bad..can it?
Suddenly blogging about work doesnt seem that easy. Ive hit a very very static organizational culture that im afraid might swallow me up like the whale did Jonah. In this week Ive quickly learned
1) that no one really cares what u learnt in school - jus make it work- FAST.
2) Exteriors are highly decieving.(like whats new eh) Never judge a company from its product or sales. u gotta be in there in the wading through the mud to really understand whats the dilly with how it works.
3) Watercooler talk is addictive..I felt like a mbotch on steroids last week kaguaing everyones skeletons in the name of 'new guy curiosity'.
4) I like challenges. I abhor micromanagement.
5) I have no life. really. Someone save me. this is a cry for help. I did not even get a chance to see the Jazz Festivel the ONE time in 4 years im actually in montreal for the summer.
6) You cant change personalities (atleast not in a week!). You CAN change attitudes. I need a magic wand to change attitudes!
7) Africans are grossly underrepresented in the game development community. So are women.. :-(
8) Living close to work is not as fancy as i thought it would be..It has ended up meaning that I trot in later than Id like, and stay in after-hours far far more than is healthy. The mind is a dangerous weapon..
9) Dont drink Ethiopian/Italian-blend coffee first thing in the morning: your piss will smell funny. atleast mine does.
10) 2 weeks is eternity when u havent gotten paid and YOUR (vs ur folks) are paying the bills.
11) The world can conspire agaisnt you, slinging at u a series of juxtasposed disappointments: for what purpose..hmm Only I can determine that. can I roll with the punches?
12) I actually missed this therapuetic feeling of typign away my worries. Need to do this more often.
ciao amigos.
Granted it is a vastly rewarding experience working with people this talented, and that Im on a salary vs thoe dog gone hourly wages..it cant be that bad..can it?
Suddenly blogging about work doesnt seem that easy. Ive hit a very very static organizational culture that im afraid might swallow me up like the whale did Jonah. In this week Ive quickly learned
1) that no one really cares what u learnt in school - jus make it work- FAST.
2) Exteriors are highly decieving.(like whats new eh) Never judge a company from its product or sales. u gotta be in there in the wading through the mud to really understand whats the dilly with how it works.
3) Watercooler talk is addictive..I felt like a mbotch on steroids last week kaguaing everyones skeletons in the name of 'new guy curiosity'.
4) I like challenges. I abhor micromanagement.
5) I have no life. really. Someone save me. this is a cry for help. I did not even get a chance to see the Jazz Festivel the ONE time in 4 years im actually in montreal for the summer.
6) You cant change personalities (atleast not in a week!). You CAN change attitudes. I need a magic wand to change attitudes!
7) Africans are grossly underrepresented in the game development community. So are women.. :-(
8) Living close to work is not as fancy as i thought it would be..It has ended up meaning that I trot in later than Id like, and stay in after-hours far far more than is healthy. The mind is a dangerous weapon..
9) Dont drink Ethiopian/Italian-blend coffee first thing in the morning: your piss will smell funny. atleast mine does.
10) 2 weeks is eternity when u havent gotten paid and YOUR (vs ur folks) are paying the bills.
11) The world can conspire agaisnt you, slinging at u a series of juxtasposed disappointments: for what purpose..hmm Only I can determine that. can I roll with the punches?
12) I actually missed this therapuetic feeling of typign away my worries. Need to do this more often.
ciao amigos.
Saturday, July 09, 2005
Lolosoni challenges tradition
After reading my favourite mad Kenyan woman's take on the ills of tradition This washington post article on Rebecca Lolosoni was an eye opening illustration of the pent up courage of the African woman.
A Place Where Women Rule, isgood case of where the right questions with regard to tradition and culture are being asked.
But my concern is when this battle for rights will be clouded by the allure of self sufficiency & autonomy -> the number 2 reasons for the erosion of family unity. Si tutafute UMOJA?(which is ironically the name of Lolosoni's village)
African Family values are in jeorpardy, and no ones talking about it. Watch the divorce rates skyrocket in the meantime.
A Place Where Women Rule, isgood case of where the right questions with regard to tradition and culture are being asked.
But my concern is when this battle for rights will be clouded by the allure of self sufficiency & autonomy -> the number 2 reasons for the erosion of family unity. Si tutafute UMOJA?(which is ironically the name of Lolosoni's village)
African Family values are in jeorpardy, and no ones talking about it. Watch the divorce rates skyrocket in the meantime.
Thursday, July 07, 2005
gazuntite!
damn vicki, ur makin my mouth water. U sound like the real chef, am still in the neanderthal stage of eggs and tea! by the way am sure y'all have heard about the pizza G thing. not sure i'll be able to make it mite be going to Naks to see a sick relative, my cuz is being operated on but y'all have fun.
have y'all checked out www.mountkenyaacademy.com ?
have y'all checked out www.mountkenyaacademy.com ?
RE: Africa Simama!
Kwa vile dadangu Cowi ametamka mambo yanayo tuhusisha sote, ningependa kumuunga mkono. Huko peke yako mama, kwa vile hata mimi nimesimama nakuwasikiza wanakenya wenzangu wakilalamika eti mambo ni mabaya, na wao wenyewe hawafanyi jambo lolote la kuimarisha hali yao. Kazi yao nikulalamika bure, na mmoja wao anapojaza titi, na kujimudu, wako hapo papo kumkata chini.
ok that was a phase, but the days of insha didnt pass by just like that. Ifeel the pain, especially with this G8 thing going on. My learned brother tells me that kenya was not eligible for debt relief merely because we don't fall into that category. Trust the African mind to politisize everything..from a famous American line" it's coz we're black!"
lets not stand by and just critic things without offering a solution. We're good at that, we take comfort in our comfort zones of hopelessness, helplessness. The Japs realized that no one was gonna give them any favors after WW2, so they got their sh*t together. Can't we do the same?
Ok, about G8 i believe our arguement holds some water. We should reinforce it with wat Hon.Kituyi said the other day. We should press these Big Boys to stop unfair trade practices and level the playing field. Some of the taxes they impose on our produce, yet granting their stuff benefits and shieding their markets is not ethical, even after claiming that theirs are globalized economies.am just pissed to the bone!
but we have to style up too. for example, 40% of our coffee and tea produce is wasted due to poor packaging. This is compounded by the fact that eg. the Brits only buy the high grade unbranded stuff, which they promptly package and brand 'English Breakfast Coffee'. This is the real stuff that we gotta fight.
ok that was a phase, but the days of insha didnt pass by just like that. Ifeel the pain, especially with this G8 thing going on. My learned brother tells me that kenya was not eligible for debt relief merely because we don't fall into that category. Trust the African mind to politisize everything..from a famous American line" it's coz we're black!"
lets not stand by and just critic things without offering a solution. We're good at that, we take comfort in our comfort zones of hopelessness, helplessness. The Japs realized that no one was gonna give them any favors after WW2, so they got their sh*t together. Can't we do the same?
Ok, about G8 i believe our arguement holds some water. We should reinforce it with wat Hon.Kituyi said the other day. We should press these Big Boys to stop unfair trade practices and level the playing field. Some of the taxes they impose on our produce, yet granting their stuff benefits and shieding their markets is not ethical, even after claiming that theirs are globalized economies.am just pissed to the bone!
but we have to style up too. for example, 40% of our coffee and tea produce is wasted due to poor packaging. This is compounded by the fact that eg. the Brits only buy the high grade unbranded stuff, which they promptly package and brand 'English Breakfast Coffee'. This is the real stuff that we gotta fight.
Hello
Hey guys, it's been long. This is 20% due to the fact that I have bloggers'/writers' block. 30% due to the fact that it is very difficult for me to access the net, since I live in the gicagi area of Perth. 50% because I am working almost everyday from morning to night. So,.... can you imagine I have absolutely nothing of interest to write about, but I will write something coz Kibet told me to blog and well it is my day off. My mind is becoming absolutely stagnant it is being filled up with stupid Aussie issues. Further, coz of living in gicagi, I don't get to meet my friends as frequently as I would want to discuss relevant political or global issues. I also don't get the time to buy or read books, or even go the library to stimulate my poor mind.
So, I decided that the only thing that'll excite and stimulate me brain abit is cooking. Yes, I have turned to cooking. I am becoming a sort of connoisseur in chicken cooking and dessert making-men! I make a mean white chocolate souffle. My housemates now call me 'the crazy eccentric chef'. Crazy and eccentric because when my housemates decide to help me prepare something, I am always irritatingly watching them making sure they get things right. I go completely spastic when things go wrong and so I end up doing things on my own, at times. Yesterday I yelled at one of them for not stirring a chocolate and butter mixture with a spoon, for crying out loud she was using a knife and fork, jeez! Anyway guys take care, but before I possibly disappear again for a long time, here is a chicken and rice recipe to remember me by. It's easy peasy enjoy!
Orange Cream Chicken
Ingredients
300-500g chicken breast (skin on or skin off it's your choice), diced
1/2 cup of like 50-100% orange juice
1 onion, chopped
Mushrooms, optional
Thickened or heavy cream -1/2 a cup or less/150ml
30g (more or less) butter (depends on how greasy you want the chicken. Hint:the less the butter the better-30g is almost perfecto)
Salt for seasoning, optional
Method
1. Saute the onions in the 15g butter and 1/2 cup orange juice, until there is no moisture left. Put it aside.
2. Saute the chicken with the remaining 15g butter until brown. Don't forget to add the salt when sauteeing. Then add the 'orangised' onions and the cream. Stir, let it boil kidogo-I leave it cooking for about 3-5 minutes or until the cream becomes brownish-orangish in colour, then I remove it from the heat. Serve over rice (below).
Arab Rice
Ingredients
1 cup of rice (do the math if you're cooking more rice)
11/2 cup boiling water
Salt, pepper, pilau masala etc etc
5-10g butter and 1 tsp oil
Method
1. Pre-heat oven to 2oo-210 degrees celcius.
2. Melt butter and oil at the base of baking dish.
3. Stir in the 1 cup of rice. Add in 3/4 cup of boiling water and put in the oven. Let the water boil into the rice.
4. After the water has boiled into the rice, add the remaining 3/4 cup boiling water (mixed with the salt, pepper and pilau masala etc etc) and put back into the oven for 30 0r so minutes.
You can check if the rice is ready by putting a fork into the rice. If there's no moisture then you are ready to gormandise the food.
Bon Appetito.
So, I decided that the only thing that'll excite and stimulate me brain abit is cooking. Yes, I have turned to cooking. I am becoming a sort of connoisseur in chicken cooking and dessert making-men! I make a mean white chocolate souffle. My housemates now call me 'the crazy eccentric chef'. Crazy and eccentric because when my housemates decide to help me prepare something, I am always irritatingly watching them making sure they get things right. I go completely spastic when things go wrong and so I end up doing things on my own, at times. Yesterday I yelled at one of them for not stirring a chocolate and butter mixture with a spoon, for crying out loud she was using a knife and fork, jeez! Anyway guys take care, but before I possibly disappear again for a long time, here is a chicken and rice recipe to remember me by. It's easy peasy enjoy!
Orange Cream Chicken
Ingredients
300-500g chicken breast (skin on or skin off it's your choice), diced
1/2 cup of like 50-100% orange juice
1 onion, chopped
Mushrooms, optional
Thickened or heavy cream -1/2 a cup or less/150ml
30g (more or less) butter (depends on how greasy you want the chicken. Hint:the less the butter the better-30g is almost perfecto)
Salt for seasoning, optional
Method
1. Saute the onions in the 15g butter and 1/2 cup orange juice, until there is no moisture left. Put it aside.
2. Saute the chicken with the remaining 15g butter until brown. Don't forget to add the salt when sauteeing. Then add the 'orangised' onions and the cream. Stir, let it boil kidogo-I leave it cooking for about 3-5 minutes or until the cream becomes brownish-orangish in colour, then I remove it from the heat. Serve over rice (below).
Arab Rice
Ingredients
1 cup of rice (do the math if you're cooking more rice)
11/2 cup boiling water
Salt, pepper, pilau masala etc etc
5-10g butter and 1 tsp oil
Method
1. Pre-heat oven to 2oo-210 degrees celcius.
2. Melt butter and oil at the base of baking dish.
3. Stir in the 1 cup of rice. Add in 3/4 cup of boiling water and put in the oven. Let the water boil into the rice.
4. After the water has boiled into the rice, add the remaining 3/4 cup boiling water (mixed with the salt, pepper and pilau masala etc etc) and put back into the oven for 30 0r so minutes.
You can check if the rice is ready by putting a fork into the rice. If there's no moisture then you are ready to gormandise the food.
Bon Appetito.
Tuesday, July 05, 2005
It Does matter if you are black or white.
So its been a long time since I blogged but I've been reading and seeing wagwanning in the area.
My best friend wrote something down today that really got me thinking.IT DOES MATTER IF YOU ARE BLACK OR WHITE
I thought of how many Africans out here are infuriated by our systems and standards.Of how many have the nerve to voice it and how many the courage and vision to do something about it. Because what's real is that the numbers diminished per category and worse still too many of us are hiding behind the nothing can be done or I can't do anything about it or I'll wait till things get better to stand up and be counted for Africa.
So whats your take.
I'm ready to take my stand just not too sure how to implement.
My best friend wrote something down today that really got me thinking.IT DOES MATTER IF YOU ARE BLACK OR WHITE
I thought of how many Africans out here are infuriated by our systems and standards.Of how many have the nerve to voice it and how many the courage and vision to do something about it. Because what's real is that the numbers diminished per category and worse still too many of us are hiding behind the nothing can be done or I can't do anything about it or I'll wait till things get better to stand up and be counted for Africa.
So whats your take.
I'm ready to take my stand just not too sure how to implement.
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