The African Accent

• The African Accent Is Moving

  Posted: October 17, 2009, 5:20 am by Mwistar

  Hey guys!
  I am slowly transitioning to my new home:
  http://theafricanaccent.wordpress.com
  I have not quite settled in, but feel free to check it out.
  

• … Mumbai International

  Posted: October 10, 2009, 7:13 am by Mwistar

  I bought a finance textbook from India. Including the shipping, it still cost almost two thirds less than what my local bookstore sells it for. It is legitimate of course: It dons a sticker (with a hologram) from the publisher… you know ... the kind that somehow make items feel authentic and genuine. (I should get those things for first dates ... just a thought). The difference between my ‘international edition’ and the book offered here is colour. The sticker is the only thing that is not black and white on my book.

  So, I’m reading chapter 18, and I pick up an obvious contradiction. An error where two ideas have been transposed in a sentence, skewing the whole concept being explained. A simple editing mistake. But just to make sure, I decide to approach the mwalimu to make sure I’m not seeing my own things.

  Very awkward encounter. His adrenaline level was very high. I could tell he was quite tense even as I pointed out the paragraph in question. He took the book in his hands. Trembling. The pages were flapping audibly. It's impossible to read a book vibrating at that frequency. I could even feel the cool air being fanned. It seemed to me like he was scheming an evil device, to jump me at any moment when I least suspected it.

  Was it my black and white book? Maybe he is passionate about the subject and, because he cares so much, he was upset that the error went unnoticed by the writer. Either way, I wasn't about to stick around to find out. I chose flight from the stocky professor, of course, with my Mumbai International Edition safely back in my possession.

• Change you can believe in

  Posted: October 6, 2009, 3:07 am by Mwistar

  Hey guys!The African Accent is almost a year old. I have thoroughly enjoyed the experience. In an effort to stay relevant,and interesting, I am recapping, reflecting on, and applying all the lessons I have learned thus far. There will be a few changes within the next few weeks with regards to the page layout, and content. Basically, I am rebuilding the blog from scratch, in an effort to stay relevant, interesting and more informative. Also, I will be introducing a more predictable structure to my blogging frequency.I shall keep you posted. Please be patient. In the mean time, enjoy this puzzle of Samburu dancers. (click on the bottom left 'play' button to start)
  
  

• Recession Bites: Back On The Grid

  Posted: October 4, 2009, 6:04 pm by Mwistar

  Why lie, life without a cell phone is hard. So, I started shopping again. This time, I am determined not to sign up to the usual Canadian phone companies that charge ridiculous cell phone rates. Last week, I stumbled on the best deal I have ever seen.

  For $20/month, Witel will give me a phone number from practically any country, caller ID and voicemail, free incoming calls, and unlimited calling to at least 48 countries. Beat that Rogers Wireless!

  The only catch is that I need an IPhone, or the mostly unrated Witel Jetter handset that they are offering for $60. But still, not a bad deal at all.

• Adolf Hitler Sex Video

  Posted: October 2, 2009, 4:53 pm by Mwistar

  As an African, I am used to public awareness advertisements warning about the AIDS epidemic. I thought I had seen them all, until a German ad firm managed to shock me senseless.

  Their campaign slogan is: AIDS is a mass murder. The ads feature some of history’s infamous (i.e. Adolf Hitler, and Saddam Hussein) performing raunchy acts that are sure to leave a lasting impression, and possibly dampen plenty-a-mojo for years.

  Effective or not? You be the judge.

  WARNING: The video features sexually explicit material

  (courtesy of adsoftheworld.com)

• Thirsty Thursdays: chasing distractions

  Posted: October 1, 2009, 4:17 am by Mwistar

  (It’s not about my fellow blogger, Chasing Distractions)

  Somebody confessed to me that she can not have sex unless she is drunk. She can’t even imagine sober 'rubs' (WTF). However when I think about it, I am less than qualified to pass any judgement on her. I couldn't imagine a booze without a cigarette until very recently.

  After that disturbing confession, I am more determined than ever to stop smoking. To prove to myself that I could do it, I went ahead and bought a pint of Heineken, sat close to the smoking section of the bar, and willed myself to drink and not smoke.

  The beer tasted damn good; probably because my taste buds have had time to recover and rejuvenate since last week. My willpower wavered at one point, and I actually lit a cigarette. It was awful. Plus, the look that my date threw my way came with a shiver cold enough to extinguish the gaff after just two puffs. Exhilarating!

  I think I have found a distraction to chase instead of idle thoughts of smoking.

  Last week’s poison count – nominal

Blah blah blah

Fish cakes

Alas a fish cake.

Yet more fish cakes

Guess what ... yeah ... fish cakes.

The end of the fish cakes