Self discovery

After reading Deno's blog on knowledge of self, the idea of self discovery has lingered in my mind. This i realised a few minutes ago... (as i was walking to the kiosk round the corner to buy some airtime for a 100/-... US$1.2). It came to my mind, as i reflected on my activities over the last two weeks, that it is in the company of my peers that i distinguish myself and make a clear identification of my self.

That probably sounds extremely mundane.... i knew that 8 years ago- but its just made full sense. I had the opportunity of travelling to Msa on a retreat with some young adults from NPC - Karen. And i got to enjoy the company of a group of young christians with very strong and different personalities. In my interaction with them, i was inspired by the vision in the hearts and minds of many of those guys. The clarity of mind and purpose... the strength of their conviction in the power of salvation... their hunger for relationships with meaningful purposes... all this got me by surprise. There is actually a hope for this country.

Back to self description... as i interacted with a few of the guys, i saw who i wanted to be like. And the happy part [for me] was that these guys were making the steps that i've been fearing to make. They were... beating the path (so to speak) that i want to take. They had taken the risks that i've been fearing to take. It became much clearer to me, that the faint dreams in my head cld actually materialise and blossom. Oh, it was extremely fulfilling.

That aside, i was also impressed at the sobreity with which these guys discussed women. I've had the unpleasant opportunity to sit with guys who discuss chiles like tomatoes huko being sold at the Tusker stage! But these guys, actually had quite some positive vibe... constructive discussions about relationships & the direction they should take... the prudence and/or imprudence of many things that many guys ordinarily wldnt give too much thought.

The foregoing might sound very ambiguous, but i now believe that the company that i keep or keeps me... , will truly build and mould my character, and contribute (and probably determine) my accomplishments, and shape my future.

hey!

hey guys? kwani the blog design changed? am just in this kacyber checking the blogs and noticed the new design. had a good day with kibet-some swimming, some drinking (not alcohol), some talking and some eating. cheers guys have a good christmas.

Affirmative action!??!

Read this article on the Daily Nation of jana... that reported that the Ministry of Education is formulating a policy to limit the number of KCPE private school graduands joining top national public schools.

The Govt seems to have realised that they aren't really doing an excellent job at providing free education, prob. because the free education isn't helping its intended beneficiaries progress academically. Given that the elite of our beloved country many times carry the day, i strongly doubt that the intended policy will see the light of day.

But what if it does.... sad situation. The Ministry will be punishing the parent who sacrificed to make significant investment in the education of his child in a bid to allow the parent who didn't make any such sacrifice gain entry into the top nation institutions.

Affirmative action is, in my view, the wrong move to take. Somebody should take responsibility for the fallacy of free primary education, and make it right!

Google Transit - Just plain cool

Yet another of the reasons i want to work for google (cmon..u didnt know??) - they reward their employees with time to work on their own passions..something that is begrudgingly hard to do in my current Job.

So check it out, Google transit, allows you to do what youve always wanted to do..planning those small pesky trips in new cities or even in your eon neighbourhood.
It only works for Portland Oregon, but in no time will be all over the place.

A key Business Op for Africa following this is to develop the underlying structure for such data. System developers In Africa unite! We need such digital utilites yesterday!

Knowledge of self?

I wont concede whats making me feel so warm and fuzzy inside. It might just fizzle away, I'm wont to take that risk.

You will notice i changed the look and feel of this whole place - hence yesterdays renascence. I've realised since that i have made it a habit to be reborn, in every sense of the word. I enjoy stooping and rebuilding from worn out tools. I love the challenge of what the new will feel like - the fleeting promise of a new day, a high in its own right. It is in this time that I want reach out to others, to share , to revel in the brotherhood of my peers.

My fear is that I also secretly sadistically look forward to the flip side of that cycle - the death of things, the collapse, the very need to be reborn. What this reflects is a bizarre ambivalence that makes up the juice that keeps me ticking - day to day -week to week. It is in this time that I am, as so succincly put by Simon and garfunkel, a rock, an island, protected by my books (work) and poetry (programming). I find great solace in silence, in soaking in m own presence.

Whenever I resign to such 'who-am-I' thoughts, I am often tied down by the age old conundrum of nature vs nurture - and the evidence to point to both arguments is compelling enough to make me forget about the work i actually have to do - which is why i'll take this cue and head off to work. it'll be a good day - Carpe deim, or more appropriately , F U Monday blues...

Here I go..armed with a blurry knowledge of self - better than none at all.

Renaissance

I have come to accept that my writing skill set is now almost as acutely atrophied as my arm and chest muscle, but don't count me out yet from this blogging game, yet.

Perhaps my silence might have belied the vast amount of excitement and activity (read: fake it till you make it) currently going on in my life.

Ok really, I cannot believe I got through that with a straight face. Last few weeks have been a confirmation of what I always suspected - the mundane routine of corporate life really is the noose that tightens around ones entrepreneurial passions.

However not to cast an entirely dark cloud over the last few months - there have been some light moments, not in any order:

* Permanent Residency in Canada

* My rebirth into video gaming

* Job INsecurity

* I'm going going ..back back.. to NAI NAI

* Sibling Pride

* A delicate dance with Depression

* My Vision for Nchi Yetu Daily

I shall proceed writing about these as individual posts ... with such bludgeoning honesty that even I'm looking forward to it.

Listening to:
This way - Dilated peoples feat Kanye West

RE: till the wind bloweth my way

Tis done now, not to be undone. I scaled the heights and conquered the mountain. As I rest by the fountain and quench my thirst, I ponder, "Does anyone really care/know what the hell am talking about?!"
Howdi folks. Just about to clear my exams. Been a long time, running scripts,late-night crash courses in Unix/Linux, coupled by the very tribulations of being a young man in modern day Nairobi. Atleast now I can kick back and take a short respite, as I will indulge myself in MCSE over the short break. Atleast I get to see my chic moro, after 4 months! Kui,pliz be happy for me, coz I know u can relate......
By the way Deno,u stil at EA? Am asking coz been spending my time (poorly) playing NFS- most wanted deadly stuff. wat u workin on?
let me bid thee farewell, for the belly of the beast rumbles (for real am hungry).
gotta switch to de-caf.....