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• August 16, 2008
• 13:47

  Après l’amour, le repentir.

   » ‎ Kikuyumoja's realm

  Tags:  maisha  

  Is this already mainstream cinema?

  2 Days in Paris - a wonderful movie on sex, food and relationships.  And this although it beautifully covers the cliché of both the French & American’s inability to communicate in any other language then their own, the cliché of the French(wo)men always talking about sex & food, racist tendencies in a multicultural Paris (~ taxi driver scenes), the freedom of soixante-huitards and all of this embedded into never-ending neurotic conversations between all actors.

  If you already liked Before Sunrise & Before Sunset, you’ll definitely like this one.

  Here’s the final scene:

  I especially liked it being in both French & English, even the German version is in German and a subtitled French (that’s btw one thing I will never understand about Germany: dubbed movies. They usually dub all of them - which is also why most Germans have such a bad pronounciation of English words. If you never get to hear the original version, there’s no real comparison possible…sigh).

  

  

• 9:01

  Oh Beth, Beth, Beth….

   » ‎ Kenyanentrepreneur.com

  Tags:  Kenyan PoliticsBusiness  

  Have you guys seen this video? The slaughter houses in Dagoretti were closed for failing to comply with health codes and of course, Beth Mugo isn’t happy about it because these are her constituents. So, here she is arguing with the head of NEMA about why he was wrong and the guy stands his [...]

• 6:27

  Thembi’s AID’s Diary

   » ‎ Black Looks
  Thembi Ngubane spent a year recording her daily life and struggle living with AIDS in South Africa. The recordings are organised as “chapters” and start with a discussion with her mother about AIDS. Thembi is also blogging at “Thembi’s AIDS Diary Tour: South Africa” Via DigiActive Tags: Thembi Ngubane South Africa HIV/AIDS Blogging SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: "Thembi's AID's Diary", url: "http://www.blacklooks.org/2008/08/thembis_aids_diary.html" });

• 4:10

  My Evasive Nyama Choma

   » ‎ You Missed This
  Published earlier today: Kumekucha weekend special, secrets about Kibaki's health
  
  News that at least four abattoirs had been closed down in Nairobi sometime this week hit me hard. In fact it was a slap across my broad face. Nyama choma (roasted meat) and my mouth are sworn blood brothers. Yeah, and literally so.
  
  So, news that some principal slaughter houses in Nairobi had been closed down really jolted me. I started asking myself how I would get by the week with the thought that come weekend there might not be enough meat to serve the city thus I would end up not tasting my delicacy.
  
  My employer might have noticed my disenchantment with life itself for he called me the other day asking what was “eating” me. He also pointed out that my work output was lackluster (to use his word). He said this was unlike me.
  
  If only he knew what was bugging me, he might have sent me packing. Thank God he couldn’t read the thoughts that were doing their rounds in my head!
  
  The authorities say that these abattoirs are in a sorry state sanitation-wise. They are very dirty and pose health risks to the “nyama choma” patrons (like yours truly).
  
  But, seriously speaking, I thought fire can kill all manner of germs, worms and other such health risks that can “append their poison” in the meat I love so much. Roasted meat goes through fire, doesn’t it?
  
  Can someone please, puliiiiz, do something about this state of affairs. I, like so many other Nairobians, need to get back to work with all the energy I can and could muster. This is energy that I can only get from my favourite delicacy “Nyam Chom”.
  
  You slaughter house guys, clean up your act and make sure there is enough Nyama Choma to drown the city the moment I step out of the house this weekend. Somebody reading this?
• 4:05

  Kumekucha Weekend Special: Secrets About Kibaki’s Health

   » ‎ You Missed This
  Based on the information that I have received, it is now clear that the country has entered a very dangerous phase indeed.

  President Kibaki in recent times has displayed behaviour even in public which most Kenyans have missed. Few have been aware that they were witnessing subtle clues that clearly tell us that the country is in very dangerous waters indeed. However any trained medical eye will tell you a lot of things, mostly things no Kenyan would like to hear. Least of all now, when the country is desperately trying to recover from the mishaps of last December and January.

  But in private within the precincts of State House Nairobi, which the president has made his home, things are even more worrying.

  The president has problems waking up in the morning. No big deal about that, you may think. But when you compare him to former president Moi, you begin to understand the possible repercussions. Moi was always up at 4 am in the morning and would start by going through all the newspapers of the day. By 5 am when those Kenyans going to work early are beginning to stir, he would have already made lots of notes to act upon. This was around the time Moi would usually have his breakfast, if he did not have a breakfast meeting later that morning. On most mornings what would follow would be a briefing from the intelligence. Little wonder that as corrupt as he was, he always seemed to be on top of things.

  Several sources have also told this blogger that the president has serious problems these days remembering stuff. On several occasions he has even forgotten the names of his own children during introductions. Now, pray tell me, how does a person govern when they cannot remember things. How on earth do they even make decisions, let alone quality decisions?

  Another even more worrying symptom is the fact that the president repeats himself a lot when talking. Incidentally this has also come out in the public most notably when he addressed parliament during the historic debate on the Anan-peace bills that created the current grand coalition government power sharing deal.

  In private he mutters things to himself a lot as he hobbles around State House. Interestingly this habit emerged in public shortly before last years’ general elections in a most fascinating incident. A BBC journalist asked the then incumbent presidential candidate about his options should he lose the elections. Kibaki muttered almost under his breath in Kiswahili something to the effect that he wondered whether the journalist had a brain. Several journalists present heard and understood what the president had muttered almost to himself. None dared report it. Only the Standard carried a description of the incident tacked away in a small paragraph deep inside the newspaper. In the excitement of the general elections then many missed it.

  So what do the doctors say about the president’s condition? Indeed because of the lack of information, all sorts of rumours have been flying all over the place. Still one doctor told this blogger that the symptoms described are what one would expect as the aftermath of a stroke. The doctors confirms that in that kind of condition one is clearly not capable of executing the duties of a president let alone handle the pressures of the office.

  Analysts paint a very grim picture of the possible repercussions and they do so by taking us back to the events of last December. Decisions were made then that led to the blood bath we saw in January this year. Even when the crisis began there are many decisions that were not made which would have saved numerous Kenyan lives.

  You see under the current constitution the presidency in Kenya is all powerful and whatever decisions are made or not made at State House, they impact on almost every Kenyan irrespective of their political affiliation.

  The president’s handlers knowing very well what is happening have instead chosen to carry out several PR antics to fool Kenyans about the president’s true health status. One such gimmick is the recent decision to have the president honour many of engagements at his Harambee house office. Another one is the purported inside story leaked to a daily newspaper that suggested the president is very good friends with the PM Raila Odinga and is voluntarily ceding and delegating a lot of things to him. The truth is that increasingly the president is not fit to govern and is only too happy to get all the help he can from the energetic Raila Odinga.

  However this has led to what is shaping up to be a fierce power struggle within the top echelons of Kenyan leadership where VP Kalonzo Musyoka is now fighting with everything he has to hold onto the presidency even as a looming cabinet re-shuffle places his fate on the balance. The truth is that Kalonzo’s political usefulness to Kibaki and PNU ended with the formation of the grand coalition government and now more pressing political considerations, like the Kibaki succession have made their way to the top of the agenda, leaving the VP very exposed indeed. We will discuss that in more detail in my explosive post tomorrow.

  In my latest Kumekucha Confidential issue I give a sneak preview of some of the detailed inside information on the man who could easily rise to the presidency as per the constitution id president Kibaki was declared unfit to handle the office. Most of this information will leave you numb with shock and it is free. Subscribe now by Sending me a blank Email right away

• 2:12

  Bush puncture repair gadgets in Masai Mara

   » ‎ AfriGadget

  Tags:  Jua Kali  

  On a recent trip to the worlds greatest natural wonder (well, ok, one of!), the wilderbeeste migration in the Masai Mara, we had the pleasure of discovering an extraordinary bush vehicle repair outfitters in the lovely slum village of Talek, after our extortionately expensive rental car suffered from not one, but three flat tyres.

  If you haven’t been to the Mara during the spectacular migration, then you might find it hard to imagine our frustration - try rousing 5 kids and 4 adults at 5 am, pack them and lunch and head off to the Mara River to witness for the first time in our lives, the crossing of thousands of wilderbeeste, zebra, gazelles, lions, - images of crocodiles leaping for the bleating calves … adrenaline racing with anticipation…..and then “poof”, a flat, right at the edge of the Mara reserve.

  No big deal right - just change the tyre and continue. Five minutes delay? No, 3 hours later,  we’re screaming at the rental agent because the key for the spare tyre’s lock does not work! Aaarrrggghhhh

  With second car we head to Talek hardly expecting to find an outfitter who can repair tubeless tyres.

  This is what we found.

  

  Finding punctures in a converted wheel barrow - there were 15!

  A modified wheel barrow full of silty water and a bit of detergent to find the holes. We stopped counting a  15 - it was very depressing! I don’t even remember  going over a thorn bush either!Should have been my first warning - these tyres were seriously worn and thin.

  The air compressor system comprised a tank and engine and a compressor unit - the last part was an adaptation from an airconditioning unit off a vehicle! Very creative.

  

  Modified compressor

  

  In the end we had to opt for converting a tubeless tyre into a tube tyre - and this is the gizmo that was used to remove the tyre. It was completely home made and very effective. We found an old inner tube with just about the right dimensions at one of the tented camps, 350 shillings and 3 hours later we were on the road again!

  

  Once back on the road Mara never fails to impressWe witnessed the crossing

  

  Wildebeeste crossing the Mara River

  It was well worth the hell to get to the crossing point - and of course this is where we experienced puncture no. 2! Crazy place for a puncture as you aren’t allowed to step out of your car while animals are crossing. Hours later It was back to Talek jua kali puncture repair for us!

  

  Yeah, the predators were in good form too

  After 3 days of stunning experiences we headed back to Nairobi on what may easily be described as the worlds worst road. That was where the new tubed tyre went totally bezerk on us and exploded ripping the tube completely in half! Turns out the tyres were so worn that the wires in the tyre  simply ripped the tube open. Nice one!

  We discovered that the spare lock could be opened with a good whack! with a tyre spanner and off the lock fell. Away we went.

  Words of advice to anyone renting a 4×4 to go on a major trek to Mara or anywhere in Kenya - check everything  before you go, take rental company managers personal cell no with and make sure you have credit and full phone charge, take a second car if you can, and a fundi (without my brother I’d probably still be on the road side - thanks a million Dom!). Despite the annoying hassles of the rental car and the unbelievable road, the trip was well worth it. I refused to pay for the lost day and was so glad to see the back of that damn rental car - the agency didn’t quarrel.  Gonna buy my own safari car now.

• 1:00

  Where Am I Going to Spend Eternity, My Favourite Website and My Favourite Movie

   » ‎ The Displaced African

  Today is all about answering questions from my namesake, Tony, who runs one of the biggest websites in Naija according to Alexa, Naija Ecash. I also answer the most interesting question I have received so far, from Mo Ma. These answers definitely don’t show me in the best light, but you asked and so I answer…..

  If You Have any Questions You Would Like Me to Answer

  Then please read this post, where I talked about this little question and answer session.

  

  Tony asks:

  Which is your favorite website?

  My Answer:

  This really depends on what I am after. I learn best by watching videos and so you can find me on Google Videos looking for videos on all sorts of topics all the time though I am currently obsessed with finding Timothy Ferriss and Jay Abraham videos. Some sites I can’t mention here

  Considering my freelance work as a blogging consultant and freelance writer and all the projects I have to get done, I spend huge amounts of time on Rentacoder.

  I also spend a lot of time on:

  a) The Blog Mastermind website and forums.

  b) Yaro Starak’s latest posts on blogging.

  c) Searching for podcasts on Itunes.

  d) Reading stories by a man called Jon who I met a while back.

  e) Leaving comments on gal africana’s and Kelly’s blog.

  f) Searching for information by Jay Abraham and Timothy Ferriss and so on and so on and so on.

  Tony asks:

  Which is your favorite movie?

  My Answer:

  I actually did a post on this some time ago on 7 Movie Classics. Add to that list:

  a) Get Smart - Steve Carell is pure comedy, pure comedy, no one else can make fun of himself so well with such a serious face.

  b) Pretty Woman - Go fig, I am simply drawn to this storyline.

  c) Short films by Roy Ston Tan : I got a chance to catch this guy at the Melbourne International Film Festival two years ago and adored his work.

  d) Great Happiness Space: Tales of an Osaka Love Thief: Any movies that explain succesful relationships or relationship tips that can help men, I like. There is a lot to be learned from this movie about “hosting clubs” in Tokyo.

  e) La Vie En Rose: Not this movie specifically but movies like it that take me back in time and draw me into a world separate from my own. That having been said, La Vie En Rose was pretty powerful…….

  Tony Asks:

  Where are you going to spend eternity?

  My Answer:

  If there is indeed a hell, I think the way I live is a clear indication that I am going there. As I go, I will be thankful for all the blessings I received while alive, but I think if we are to peruse the good book on all the verses that discuss how to get into the “Book of Life” I am clearly not on that guest list.

  I find it hard to believe in an eternal hell, I must say. A temporary hell, yes. But a permanent hell, when there is a God who is pure love and made us in His own image……this might be outside of my own understanding but the concept of hell just doesn’t add up. Here’s to hopping that John was just a raging schitzophrenic.

  Mo Ma Asks:

  What is an incubus and how exactly does the state of Woody Allen’s over-easy omelet threaten world peace as far as the Solomon Islands and Elephant Seals are concerned?

  My Answer: