Items by Vee

VIOLA's IRIS

• YES - IT WAS A BAD IDEA!

  Posted: June 30, 2008, 9:40 pm by Vee

  So after whining over the fear that I wouldn’t be able to do bungee jumping for my birthday, I managed to do so not without a pretty decent pack of 3 other insane peeps who agreed to come along with me. We left Nbi late and I can’t remember the last time I was [...]

• RULES TO LIVE BY (hilarious)

  Posted: June 26, 2008, 4:05 pm by Vee

  I got this via email, just thought I should share a few tips to help you get through life with the minimum of stress… -Circle the stain in permanent pen, so that when you remove the garment from the washing machine you can easily locate the area of the stain and check that it has gone. -Don’t [...]

• BIRTHDAY WEEK/END?!?!

  Posted: June 26, 2008, 12:51 pm by Vee

  The beauty of owning a blog is to be able to vent at any which time… so bare with me. It’s an exciting week/end mainly because for one I’m turning 21 years old for the 4th time tomorrow, which is quite exciting as I had been 18-till-i-die for a while before that. On top of that [...]

• RUGBY RUGBY RUGBY…

  Posted: June 26, 2008, 12:28 pm by Vee

  It’s taken me a number of days to recover from the annual event that is Tusker Safari Sevens! My chest & nose remain clogged but my spirit is surely still soaring over the Kenya 31-12 win over the defending champions the Emerging Boks of South Africa. Watching that game was indeed the culmination of the [...]

• THE OBAMA CRAZE IN KENYA & AFRICA…

  Posted: June 16, 2008, 1:05 pm by Vee

  “Oliech - Odinga - Obama” that was the recurrent chant that could be heard across the Nyayo Stadium @ the football match this passed Saturday. In addition to that I spotted a couple of flags that were the Kenyan flag on one side and the USA flag on the other (apparently stitched together). I am [...]

• SUPPORTING FOOTBALL IN KENYA…

  Posted: June 16, 2008, 11:21 am by Vee

  This passed Saturday I was privileged to be in Nyayo Stadium to watch our Kenyan football team - Harambee stars thrash out the Mugabe in the Zimbabwe team. I hear that this passed game was more organized in terms of people not pushing down the gates & causing havoc - in a bid to see [...]

• QCS POETRY :: CALL OUT :: ORANGE PEALS

  Posted: June 16, 2008, 10:37 am by Vee

  This is a call out to all poets around the word: Submissions are invited for the 7th E-book of the Quarterly Colour Series of Poetry. Please pass this along your mailing list so as to features as many poets as we can. Thank you for your support. Orange Peals ‘a sense of the light-hearted’ is the [...]

• FOUND IT!

  Posted: June 9, 2008, 2:38 pm by Vee

  I love this song… “I’ll Be” by Edwin McCain The strands in your eyes that color them wonderful Stop me and steal my breath. And emeralds from mountains thrust toward the sky Never revealing their depth. Tell me that we belong together, Dress it up with the trappings of love. I’ll be captivated, I’ll hang from your lips, Instead of the gallows of heartache that [...]

• FRIVOLOUS vs FAMILY FUN?

  Posted: June 3, 2008, 12:57 pm by Vee

  I know by reading the title you’ll immediately back up family fun! But you know that sometimes we find ourselves in situations where we have to choose between some loose mpango out of town and putting or taking part in a family function where one can catch up with & bond with family members. The [...]

• MAVUNO MEANS HARVEST!

  Posted: May 28, 2008, 4:03 pm by Vee

  I’m not entirely sure how much I have documented about my Spiritual lifestyle in this blog but I suspect it’s quite minimal. The reason for that is that since the age of nine I have been severely confused by the whole topic and I have delved into everything short of bribing my way into heaven [...]

• THE PROMISE OF THE 23rd PSALMS…

  Posted: May 26, 2008, 11:46 am by Vee

  The Lord is my Shepherd… THAT’S RELATIONSHIP! I shall not want… THAT’S SUPPLY! He maketh me to lie down in green pastures… THAT’S REST! He leadeth me beside still waters… THAT’S REFRESHMENT! He restoreth my soul… THAT’S HEALING! He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness… THAT’S GUIDANCE! For His name sake… THAT’S PURPOSE! Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death… THAT’S CHALLENGE! I will fear [...]

• NGWATILO ARISES!

  Posted: May 24, 2008, 1:25 pm by Vee

  I imagine a phoenix when I think of this lady… and nothing on the story of the bird rising from the ashes but just the majesty and beauty of the fabled creature. I first met her a couple of years ago and even did a piece on her called The Dare/Gold Dust. At the beginning [...]

• GOOD TO KNOW…

  Posted: May 17, 2008, 1:46 pm by Vee

  Yesterday was my first performance of the year @ Dass & I was pretty psyched! I missed the first half but it was surely made up for by the poets in the 2nd half! Imani, Naliaka, Paul, Maik Kwambo… you guys rocked! Had a lot of chit chat with Nali and we talked about having [...]

• ALL I NEED TO KNOW…

  Posted: May 16, 2008, 6:18 pm by Vee

  … I LEARNED IN KINDERGARTEN. Originally by by Robert Fulgham (remixed into a Kenyan Version) I read this book some years back and it really touched my senses because of it’s simplicity in knowledge. Indeed all things I need to know I learned in nursery. I was going to post the original version until my workmate remixed [...]

• my sense of you

  Posted: May 13, 2008, 3:27 pm by Vee

  by vee   i am intrigued by the infinity of sound it’s where our inner selves are found where our true spirits abound it’s the things you say that i refuse to hear the things i say that you ignore it the things about us others hear that make us fear   i am  tickled by the silkiness of skin it’s when we can really [...]

• EARLY MORNING Co TRAINING? LET’S CONSIDER…

  Posted: May 10, 2008, 2:36 pm by Vee

  I can’t beginning to explain how dramatic my Saturday morning has been. First a few hours ago I was @ The Zone in Westlands listening to some serious Reggae tunes till a weeeeeee hour of the morning, however, I was surely sound asleep while on the dance floor. This is why I prefer clubbing to [...]

• DAR & BACK…

  Posted: May 7, 2008, 8:14 pm by Vee

  I must say it was a fruitful & nice weekend trip, despite the two full days of traveling by bus and thus being dead tired. My sole purpose was to scout for a business partner for the family business; but I also got to find a lot of things to love about the distant coastal [...]

• GROOVE BACK?

  Posted: May 7, 2008, 8:05 pm by Vee

  I haven’t written a new poem or revised an old one in months… can’t say that it’s been a lack of inspiration… actually I can’t say it’s been anything save for laziness & serious lack of interest in general. So it was quite a shock to me when last night, the desire to perform one [...]

• LET’S DO: RHINO CHARGE ‘08

  Posted: May 7, 2008, 7:56 pm by Vee

  It’s plain and simple guys.. IT’S THE FULL OUTDOOR MWENJOYOZ! No care in the world for days • drink • do what you want • see the charge motis up close • drink some more • see virgin kenyan territory that you never knew exsisted • meet other crazy random outdoorish people like you • dunda at [...]

• OUR DEEPEST FEAR…

  Posted: April 29, 2008, 1:28 pm by Vee

  “Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your [...]

• IN HINDSIGHT…

  Posted: April 29, 2008, 11:18 am by Vee

  I’m at a point right now in my life where I realize that I have to make some tough decisions… I have thoughts raging in my head, keeping me up most of the night and now I’m not sure I like this “growing up” bit of being an adult… no one gave me the break [...]

• CONGRATS TO SMOOVE!

  Posted: April 26, 2008, 2:33 pm by Vee

  After much whining about being broke and realizing life is short I decided to finally head to Club Galileos to attend the Jazz/Neo Soul night on Thursday. It was awesome, I enjoyed every minute of it esp watching Valerie Kimani growing into her own and holding her ground with two internationally recognized and acclaimed artists - Johanes [...]

• KENYA BURNING: PHOTO EXHIBITION

  Posted: April 21, 2008, 5:36 pm by Vee

  “Did Kofi Annan come for a cup of tea or for truth & reconciliation?“ This is one of the striking comments captured in a photo that was taken during Kenya’s dark times early this year. I spotted at this interesting photo exhibition currently going on at The GoDown Arts Centre (Dunga Road, near Car & General). [...]

• ReLaTioNSHiPS 101

  Posted: April 11, 2008, 6:22 pm by Vee

  It’s been an interesting passed one year. What with the elections coming & going the way they did, Kenya & Kenyans never being the same again… lots has happened. Most of all & esp for me, that I’ve actually clocked one year in my current relationship is quite a milestone. Why that is rated as [...]

• TAG YOURSELF…

  Posted: April 9, 2008, 6:10 pm by Vee

  I came across this in Estrella Dice’s blog. Pretty interesting. Tag yourself if you wish… 4 Jobs I have had in my life: 1. Graphic Designer 2. Voiceover talent 3. Host at PetroSains Malaysia 4. Telemarketer 4 Places I have lived: 1. Nairobi 2. Kuala Lumpur 3. In my head. 4. USA (various parts) 4 Countries I have been to on vacation: 1. Thailand 2. Singapore 3. Malaysia 4. USA 4 [...]

• TALK TO YOUR MP

  Posted: April 9, 2008, 5:39 pm by Vee

  I haven’t done my blog trotting in a long while but as soon as I did I reaped rewards! Check out Shailja’s post on being able to sms or call your parliamentary representative and giving them a piece of your mind regarding the current (or future) political impasse(s)! I’m not sure I have the guts [...]

• TEMBEA KENYA

  Posted: April 9, 2008, 5:32 pm by Vee

  I don’t know where I have been (and I suspect it’s been a very deep hole) that I found this website on an initiative by the Government of Kenya. It’s interesting that we had to go through the skirmishes for the government and Kenyans to realize the value of Domestic tourism! It’s good however that [...]

• FAME vs CONTENTMENT

  Posted: April 9, 2008, 5:12 pm by Vee

  I was reading an article in the Business Daily about Valerie Kimani and I got instantly confused over the idea that she can’t be accepted on home ground unless she does her music in Genge or Kapuka format! That her venturing into the neo-jazz genre that she has will damage the Tusker brand to it’s [...]

• GENERATION KENYA?

  Posted: April 7, 2008, 12:44 pm by Vee

  I see interesting stuff has been happening at Kwani? (save for the change of management and staff)… came across Generation Kenya. I might be the last to know about this but no matter I’m pretty excited about what is being planned. It definitely be something interesting for Kenyan artists to get on board with! [...]

• LOOSING HOPE?

  Posted: April 7, 2008, 12:31 pm by Vee

  After the political skirmishes at the beginning of the year, I can only guess what our brothers and sisters are going through in Zimbabwe! I can’t imagine last year’s elections being about throwing out the likes of Moi and him refusing to let go of power by blatantly stealing the elections. I think we would [...]

• ONE LONG MINUTE!

  Posted: April 7, 2008, 11:06 am by Vee

  Yup it’s been a long minute since I last posted anything. Much has happened since the last proper post. I went on a 7-day diet and added 1kg but trimmed down immensely but don’t ask me how such a phenomena went down. I also went on 3 week leave from work. Managed to sort many [...]

• QCS: INDIGO SMOOTHEES

  Posted: April 3, 2008, 6:22 pm by Vee

  Indigo Smoothees, is out. Indigo Smoothies is the sixth book of the Quarterly Colour Series of Poetry that is Published by Al Kags every three months. The first five were (in order) Gray Spots, Blue Smudges, Red Streaks, Green Piece, and Brown Steps. Indigo Smothees features poets from many parts of the world including Am’mi Eyal [...]

• GM DIET: DAY SEVEN & TURNING 40

  Posted: February 25, 2008, 2:03 pm by Vee

  No I didn’t turn 40! I am currently a mere fresh and young 20 year-old (OH HOW I WISH!). Anyway a cousin of mine did turn 40 yesterday & her husband & sisters organized a very intimate surprise luncheon in a lovely garden setting. It was a nice way to spend the day with family [...]

• GM DIET: DAY FIVE

  Posted: February 22, 2008, 12:10 pm by Vee

  Today is one cup of rice, 6 tomatoes & 12 glasses of water day! I think I had my breakfast too early starting to get a hunger headache. Meanwhile the passed few days were hard! I’ve been weak esp in the evening and as soon as I eat I fell asleep instantly. My jeans are [...]

• GM DIET: DAY ONE

  Posted: February 18, 2008, 12:17 pm by Vee

  Today is an all fruits day. So far so good… but I don’t know if I imagined smelling some roasted chicken… hope not. One might ask why I would blog about a diet when the country is in all this trouble. My answer is life has to go on plus it’s getting really depressing reading the [...]

• MY FITNESS PERSONALITY

  Posted: February 18, 2008, 12:14 pm by Vee

  As someone who loves to have fun, you may think it’s a total waste of time to engage in any exercise that isn’t fun. As a result, you may enjoy a variety of activities, which is great in many respects. Having so many interests may give you a leg up because you’re good at a [...]

• ANOTHER RED DAY

  Posted: February 14, 2008, 11:56 am by Vee

  Yup it’s upon us again… but i wish that we all wore red to show the blood spilt on our country’s soil since 27th of December 2007… that sea of red across the country of lost lives that didn’t know their day had come… Black color of the people - Red color of the blood spilt [...]

• CALL OUT: QCS INDIGO SMOOTHIES

  Posted: February 13, 2008, 4:16 pm by Vee

  This is a call out for entries into the sixth part of The Quarterly Colour Series of Poetry, Indigo Smoothies. The Quarterly Colour Series of poetry are a series of free ebooks, published by Al Kags every three months. The first five ebooks of the series are Gray Spots, Blue Smudges, Red Streaks, Green Piece [...]

• then what…

  Posted: February 6, 2008, 7:10 pm by Vee

  tears running down my face i’m saddened by the violence escalating at an erratic pace closing my eyes i imagine long lost innocence my country - no longer a virgin trigger happy police cock gun dramatically jumping from truck scared men & women run before their backs are struck child’s lips speak despair of lost family, singed flesh, smoke still rising in the air of politician’s narrowed scope unquenched [...]

• LET’S TALK

  Posted: February 4, 2008, 3:15 pm by Vee

  A year ago Violas Iris was about my little personal whiny problems such as the state of affairs of my hair, relationships, general life confusion and office boredom. Now, I wonder whether my middle-class ass (as comfortable as it was sitting at the computer) was like an ostrich with its head buried in the sand [...]

• DIARY BY SIMIYU BARASA

  Posted: February 1, 2008, 11:44 am by Vee

  When you find yourself talking with several guests of the morbid situation of your country during the wedding of one of your friends, you quickly realize there is something wrong with your country. When your National broadcasters show men being dragged out of public service vehicles and hacked to death by a mob of young [...]

• INSPIRING A NATION

  Posted: January 31, 2008, 12:29 pm by Vee

  (IRB.COM) Wednesday 30 January 2008 Benjamin Ayimba has set his players the target of another Cup quarterfinal in Wellington. It would be a huge understatement to say that Kenya’s preparations for the New Zealand and USA legs of the IRB Sevens World Series have been far from ideal. Political unrest has brought violence across significant sections of [...]

• MR. WERE

  Posted: January 30, 2008, 12:22 pm by Vee

  Dear Sir, Your death is indeed very saddening, not only because of the times Kenya has found itself in but because this young country has lost a young man who was ready to work for us. I watched the News yesterday as they paid tribute to you, your life & achievements. I applauded your work in [...]

• I AGREE…

  Posted: January 29, 2008, 12:34 pm by Vee

  US Senetors table Bill on Kenyan Crisis: In addition to wanting the Bill to state President Bush should support efforts facilitating dialogue the Bill …”proposes personal sanctions, travel bans, an asset freeze on PNU & ODM leaders and other actors who refuse to engage in meaningful dialogue to end the current crisis.” 29.01.08 Daily Nation [...]

• PEACE & JUSTICE

  Posted: January 28, 2008, 3:55 pm by Vee

  by Samson No justice, no peace or so the refrain goes. A young man is shot dead by police in full view of the media as a politician arrives in a luxury car to commiserate with those who have lost family members, No justice, no peace. Women and children are roasted to death in a church as [...]

• OF GOD & KENYA…

  Posted: January 22, 2008, 3:54 pm by Vee

  There is something that has been bothering me and that has been laying dormant at the back of my mind… Kenya has all these years prided itself in being a “Christian” country; as a matter of fact we even tout to the world that we have an 80% Christian population. Occasionally when the government or foreign [...]

• NEW LIFE

  Posted: January 22, 2008, 2:57 pm by Vee

  Since the world of election rigging, skirmishes & mass action dawned on Kenya I have been wondering about one thing… “Is it worth it  to bring a child into this world we live in right now?” One can’t go for 2 secs before hearing of someone’s death, or some distant economy collapsing et al… basically [...]

• DON’T FORWARD THIS

  Posted: January 22, 2008, 12:36 pm by Vee

  by Samson Most likely you are reading this e-mail from the comfort of your office or home or at Java as you sip a coffee or even from abroad. I could be wrong but in all likelihood most of us swapping these aggrieved e- mails have food in our fridges and money in our pockets even [...]

• LET US PRAY

  Posted: January 18, 2008, 11:17 am by Vee

  When was the last time we stood together united in our national prayer? I’m sure it was some school assembly some odd 10+ years ago where we rushed through the national prayer without much thought to what it meant to ask for things such as blessings, peace and harmony in our country. Now we know [...]

• CARRY ON LIVING

  Posted: January 18, 2008, 10:50 am by Vee

  A friend of mine managed to slap me into reality via an sms. She works in Eldoret at the referral hospital that got teargassed and shot at yesterday (the reason for such an uncalled for act wasn’t given. The same way the reason for the young man being shot dead on live TV was brushed [...]

• DAY OF PRAYER FOR KENYA - JANUARY 25th 2008

  Posted: January 18, 2008, 10:19 am by Vee

  “If my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray, I will hear from heaven, I will hear and I will come and HEAL THEIR LAND.” God, 2 Chronicles 7:14 On January 25th 2008, we are asking Every Kenyan, Every Friend of Kenyans, Everywhere to take time to make a concerted prayer [...]

• TAKE A FLYING LEAP

  Posted: January 17, 2008, 10:02 am by Vee

  Now when I started this blog I promised myself to never discuss politics as I tend to be very emotional about political issues and things I am passionate about - one such thing being my country Kenya. I have traveled around the world quite a sum and there is no place like this humorous, loving, [...]

• DO YOUR JOB

  Posted: January 14, 2008, 12:59 pm by Vee

  I am talking to the just elected MPs whether you were rigged in or actually won the vote fair & square (highly unlikely in some cases). Tomorrow Parliament re-opens and despite there being a strong possibility of a hang parliament… go in there and do your job! Take the battles to the parliamentary floor and [...]

• YES I AM A KIKUYU…

  Posted: January 13, 2008, 3:17 pm by Vee

  …but did it ever cross your mind that maybe I didn’t chose my tribe or where I was to be born? Has it occurred to you that just like you, my parent(s) struggled to bring me this far in life? That a money truck DIDN’T come every month to our Kikuyu home & drop cash [...]

• MY COUNTRY KENYA - CHAOS, DENIAL & PRAYER…

  Posted: January 9, 2008, 12:32 pm by Vee

  I am one of the Kenyan citizens who can’t even begin to take the atrocious things that have happened in our country to heart. Every time I think of Kenya at war I quickly turn the images in my head to the war torn streets of Somalia, the skulls of Rwanda, Indians leaving Uganda and [...]

• 2003 PREDICTIONS COME TRUE?

  Posted: January 9, 2008, 11:31 am by Vee

  This article was written by Mutahi Ngunyi in the Sunday Nation, Dec 2003 * Why our second liberation is yet to be completed * By MUTAHI NGUNYI This week I want to give a suggestion to President Mwai Kibaki: He should fire his speechwriter! If we lived in a ”banana republic,” these people would have actually been charged [...]

• MERRY CHIRSTMAS

  Posted: December 5, 2007, 6:38 pm by Vee

  ’tis the season… have a blessed one.

• WHAT’S MY BLOG RATED?

  Posted: December 3, 2007, 5:08 pm by Vee

  Nashville Dating

• NEWS NEWS NEWS

  Posted: December 1, 2007, 1:40 pm by Vee

  I love news. Note I didn’t say gossip but news. News is when the person themselves tell you some really tantalizing information. And I received three pieces of news yesterday. One exhilarating. The other exciting. And the other a bit sad but life is all about the good and the bad. At the end of [...]

• DOWN HERE IN HELL

  Posted: November 29, 2007, 8:12 pm by Vee

  by Van Hunt  I really love it when, I love it when we make mistakes. Because once again, it gives me a reason to complain, I love the battled lines, the battled lines we draw when crossin the mud Ooo I love it when we fight, standing on the verge of breaking up or making love (Verse 1) What would I do if we [...]

• INTERNAL IMANI @ ISK

  Posted: November 27, 2007, 1:15 pm by Vee

• NEW CLIENTS

  Posted: November 27, 2007, 12:46 pm by Vee

  There is something about getting a new client/account that is like smelling the inside of a brand new Mercedes. It’s like suddenly the sky is the limit & you have free reign to do what you wish with all creative inspirations under your wings. That’s maybe until you realize that all clients are the same; [...]

• HOW NOW BROWN COW?

  Posted: November 23, 2007, 2:47 pm by Vee

  Being bored for me is a ticket to changing my hairstyle. So here I am now with this short, organized mess of dyed brown hair and am itching for something new. Sadly by the time my afro gets to the levels of Sabre (So you think you can dance) it will be a cool 2-3 [...]

• I’M BORED

  Posted: November 20, 2007, 3:39 pm by Vee

  One of the harder things about blogging is getting a title that aptly expresses what it is you are planning to say in a post. “I’m bored” is quite apt for this particular post. I am bored I am bored I am bored. Don’t get me wrong, when I say I am bored it doesn’t [...]

• JAPANEASY!

  Posted: November 7, 2007, 11:24 am by Vee

      Japanese name

• WELL BEHAVED WOMEN?

  Posted: November 5, 2007, 1:01 pm by Vee

  I think not! In my opinion the GoDown’s Sigalagala 2 went superbly well with dazzling fashion shows hosted by African Heritage, Kikoromeo & Patricia Mbela. For music there was Millie’s stunning performance! The lady has an awesome voice; so hopefully we’ll be hearing more of her soon? Maybe one Friday at Dass? The Kwani? Poets performance [...]

• WOMEN BEHAVING BADLY!

  Posted: November 1, 2007, 5:47 pm by Vee

  @ THE GODOWN’S SIGALAGALA 2 3-6pm • Saturday 3rd Nov ‘07 MUSIC & STYLE BY • Patricia Mbela • Kiko Romeo • African Heritage ALSO FEATURING Kwani? Poets • Cindy Ogana Eudiah Kamonjo Naliaka Njeri Wangari Vee With Music by • Eunice FREE ENTRY

• A 10KM SIMPLE PLAN

  Posted: October 29, 2007, 11:37 am by Vee

  First thing off the list is to enlist friends to run with but if that doesn’t work suck it up and do it on your own. Incidentally you shall end up meeting people there that you haven’t seen in ages. Second thing is not to drink alcohol for at least three days before, it would be [...]

• I’M A GUARDIAN!

  Posted: October 26, 2007, 1:24 pm by Vee

  I’ve been taking those online tests and this is one of my temparaments at least according to The Keirsey™ Temperament Sorter®-II  THE GUARDIAN Guardians pride themselves on being dependable, helpful, and hard-working. Guardians make loyal mates, responsible parents, and stabilizing leaders. Guardians tend to be dutiful, cautious, humble, and focused on credentials and traditions. Guardians are concerned citizens who trust [...]

• LADY OF THE RING?

  Posted: October 25, 2007, 12:08 pm by Vee

  So five years later I finally removed my nose-ring. The once streak of silver across my nostril is gone and suddenly I feel lighter. Sadly thought I feel a part of me is missing. However, I intend to replace it soon but for now I want my nose to run free; no pun intended that [...]

• DARK MYSTERY?

  Posted: October 24, 2007, 4:26 pm by Vee

  As I look at my new blog theme I wonder if it’s too dark; dark like in am depressed or not upbeat about life, dark as in heavy like my soul is worn down. But in reality my soul is free and my mind (though tired) is upbeat. I just liked the reminder of the [...]

• CROWDS

  Posted: October 22, 2007, 6:34 pm by Vee

  by vee Smothered by the crowds I contend with from point A to B in all corners of Nairobi the Railways, Odeon & Kencom crowds eager to get home & spend their pay they who in the morning determined to make their way walked in droves to the city working finger to bone to gain respect - not pity Bothered by the hawker crowds peddling their wares competing for wananchi [...]

• HERE IS TO THE S.A BOYZ

  Posted: October 22, 2007, 12:19 pm by Vee

  Ok now let’s all take a breather, pump the chest and then scream with me, “YIPEEEEE SOUTH AFRICA WON THE WORLD CUP!!!!!!!” Here is to underestimating the spirit of rugby both in the Southern Hemisphere and in S.Africa. Yep you heard me am not going to be obnoxious as proclaim that African rugby is [...]

• FOR THE LOVE OF THE GAME…

  Posted: October 16, 2007, 7:36 pm by Vee

  I am always ready and willing to try something new this passed weekend tried my hand at rugby announcing. All this despite the thought of holding the microphone and hearing my voice across the whole stadium rooted me like super glue to my bed as I re-thought my promise to a friend that I would [...]

• EVENTUALLY EVERY FLOWER DOES BLOOM…

  Posted: October 16, 2007, 6:53 pm by Vee

  A long time friend of mine who has been a writer & a poet for as long as I can remember finally started a blog CRYSTAL BALLS. I remember when I started my blog a mere two years ago, I was super excited and couldn’t wait to log in and see what comments people had left [...]

• PHENOMENAL WOMAN

  Posted: October 4, 2007, 4:07 pm by Vee

  by Maya Angelou Pretty [...]

• WEEKEND @ ELDY

  Posted: September 27, 2007, 11:30 am by Vee

  I had a great weekend. Head up to Eldoret to see my pal Neema and it turned out to be more than I expected! First I had booked for Saturday morning but I was told it was best to travel on Friday night, alas it was fully booked! So up and early on Saturday (despite [...]

• AMIDST OUR DEAFENING SILENCE…

  Posted: September 27, 2007, 11:06 am by Vee

  AMIDST OUR DEAFENING SILENCE, ZIM HITS A NEW LOW
  By Al Kags // 27 September 2007 // Nairobi, Kenya. // 803 words.

  In Zimbabwe, Parliament has passed a bill, under the so-called indigenization of the country’s resources, that requires foreign owned companies in the already impoverished country to hand over at least 51% of their shareholding to black Zimbabweans. For Kenyans who are aware, this strikes a new low in the sadness and grief for the people of Zimbabwe.

  The indigenization process started out with the driving out of the white minority farmers from their farms, once rich with tobacco and other cash crops – and once the bedrock of the country’s economy. This has brought the country to its knees and anyone who has been watching will confirm that that land was not given to the black squatters but to President Robert Mugabe’s friends and supporters. Indeed, the squatters are not even squatters in many of those farms now. Certainly, the crops are long dead.

  The situation in Zimbabwe is special to Kenya because it is reminiscent of the dark days in the 1980s in Kenya, when the autocratic governance of former president Moi’s government saw the suppression of the people’s rights, wanton disregard for justice and the proactive bullying (an understatement) of the government’s critics, who were arrested, tortured, jailed and killed as a way of shutting them up.

  Zimbabwe’s Central Intelligence Organization is exactly reminiscent of Kenya’s Special Branch in those days. It has a huge budget to fund its ruthless operations (even while children lose their hair and skin in the worst – and final – stages of Kwashiorkor), it has unfettered access to the latest technology the world has to offer and it has carte blanche from the president to do whatever it takes to protect the government interests.

  People who criticize the government, even in private, are intimidated, arrested, tortured and killed. Their lives, livelihoods, reputations and families are at great risk – and this is why most Zimbabweans choose to stay out of it and remain silent, letting the grumbling of their hungry stomachs voice their discontent. And they are hungry.

  The streets of Zimbabwe’s capital, Harare are dark at night because there is no electricity but even in the shadows at 3am you will see hundreds of people walking purposefully. These people represent the one in five people in Harare who still have jobs. There is no fuel for the cars and bus rides are today a distant memory, but they walk to the bus stops and street corners where they wait for pick up trucks and the occasional passing car for a ride to work. It takes five hours to get to work many days for many people.

  At dawn, silent queues form in different places in the city – at petrol stations in the hope that some expensive petrol will be poured into tanks and jerry cans for cars that almost never move, at shopping centers where rumors have it that there may be bread or sugar or rice or some other scarce commodity and at hospitals, where there is the hope that at least a doctor will give some remedy, even if drugs cannot be found – or worse still afforded.

  At the shopping centre, even if the bread does come, the people queuing may not get it because the rumors also reached the ears of the also hungry police and ZANU-PF youth wingers, who loot the food as soon as it arrives.

  Many Kenyans can remember this sort of thing – even though we were lucky one might say – it did not get to be quite so bad. But this situation touches the raw nerves of many Kenyans. And yet, we are silent. Why has our leadership said nothing against Zimbabwe’s president Mugabe? Where are the voices of the likes of Koigi wa Wamwere, Ngugi wa Thiong’o, David Onyango Oloo, James Orengo, Raila Odinga and all those other patriots who felt the brunt of the atrocities of the 1980s in Kenya?

  Why is South Africa silent, yet a great number of Zimbabweans flee to South Africa – legally and illegally to seek sustenance for themselves and for the families they leave behind? Politicians and leaders only speak up when it is in theirs’ or their countries’ interest to take a stance. What do we have to gain from the continued degradation of Zimbabwe’s people? Are we waiting to see how comrade Bob does and if he is successful we can emulate him?

  Meanwhile, back in Zimbabwe, the new law that now waits to go to the senate, Zimbabwe’s higher house, where it is sure to pass will achieve little. Foreign companies that are already doing little business in light of the high inflation, the people’s much diminished buying power and the difficult environment, will have little choice but to close down.

  The only upside to that, perhaps, is that that worker can sleep more hours and conserve the energy that his malnourished body will need to find food for his children – if he can.

• THE FEAR OF HOME?

  Posted: September 18, 2007, 9:19 pm by Vee

  A Short discussion on the previous post got me reminiscing and also wondering as to why it is hard for Kenyans in the diaspora (I once included) cannot equate success and making it with our beloved Kenya. Why is it that the mentality that to still succeed one can make it in western countries such as US, UK and Australia? I don’t deny that the grass is greener on the other side, but could we stop for a minute and analyze this for a second.

  Kenyans at home right now usually have this discussion (at random house parties and bars) and you will hear people say that they are better off in Kenya because they work only one job, club/drink Tusker all they want and have freedom as opposed to their brothers and sisters in the diaspora. Yet if the US Embassy was to call them the next day with an offer of a Green Card they will be the first to sell their car, family, furniture and what not at the blink of an eye.

  Then there are those that are away from home, have put in a good number of years into living abroad, come home see the developments that have been achieved (granted we are not functioning at 100% as a country but we are headed there) dismiss it as non consequential and get on the next plane to lala land. One of the worst times for me is when the summer bunnies come home and all their conversations are filled with “In the US this…”  and “ In the UK that…”  Note there are some decent conversations involving that start line but I hate the ones that put down all that we are doing here. Truthfully, I usually can’t wait for them to be all gone. If you can’t come home and appreciate what’s been done then don’t come home in the first place.

  But there are those that actually do miss home, but are afraid of coming and starting from scratch. The thought is that they are better off making it (whatever it may be to you) where they are and not in Kenya. Why is this so? I had the same fear not less than two years ago. The only thing that made me come home was that they refused to renew my visa, if they did… I really can’t hazard a guess as to where I would be now.

  Why when we have expatriates knocking down our doors to enter? Why is it hard to equate home with success? Why?

• GAME FOR CHANGE

  Posted: September 18, 2007, 2:59 pm by Vee

  If you’ve gone through my whole blog with a fine-toothed comb (I haven’t) you will come to realize that I get mighty restless when I am in need of change.

  It’s been 2 years this month since I returned from Malaysia. It was a big thing for me, I was scared, unsure that I would be able to get a job and make my way in this new Kenya (yes you heard me Kenya is all brand new since 2002, the hope that was there 2003 has faded but not the determination of a country to move on 100%). But I did fit in; I did find my way towards standing on my own two feet. I got and sustained a job through internship, probation and now permanent employment. I moved out of home & reacquainted myself with my ever-dramatic family.

  So now here I am… on the threshold of change. I have desired change for most part of the year, and as I write this I am certain that it’s coming soon. The restlessness is checking in… I’m scared though, new paths to travel on usually bring with them new challenges… but anything to get me out of my little comfort zone… I’m game!

• LETTING GO

  Posted: September 18, 2007, 2:52 pm by Vee

  Letting go of something is hard, especially if that thing is of sentimental value to you & also one of the greatest ideas you came up with while you were with someone you loved.

  Now it’s some 5 odd years later and it’s time to realize that holding on just because it was a big part of me for a while, it doesn’t help especially if it means battling with someone over the idea’s ownership & growth.

  Therefore, this here is a tribute to how much I valued that idea & the person; and to new beginnings and moving on to my own idea, it’s inception and growth.

• I WAS ON TV!!!

  Posted: September 18, 2007, 2:47 pm by Vee

  I was on TV!! I was on TV!!! Lah lah lah! He he he… well it was a small segment but there I was! My red head looking even more blazing and copper like in the camera’s lights. I feigned being blonde for the reporter but as soon as I had answered the question I loved the expression on her face… like “oh you really are smart!” LOL… too much too much! Anyway, that was fun to see, I just need to stop over gesturing! Looked like my hands were going through a fit.

  Last weekend was totally awesome; I went to Sara’s concert at FCC (that’s where the interview happened). The concert was off the hook, chain and boat! It was tight. I’m really proud of Sara. 5/7 some odd years ago we were rehearsing in the hoods of Arboretum, trying to make a choir. Didn’t go well but it’s great to see that one of us turned out great, talent, charisma and stage presence galore. Good on yah Sara!!!

  On Saturday I up and went to WaPI. I haven’t been there in ages and I just wanted to see wsup esp since Sprite took over sponsorship and my boy Muki’s role was replaced by Blaze! It was aiight. I found it lacked character and the pals I met there uttered the same concern. One said it’s the same damn crowd that wasn’t helping him in terms of business/sales of his merchandise. Another said she couldn’t place it but that something had been lost… as it was too much on hip-hop and less and less on underground. Not sure if I got that right but yeah that was the gist.

  The other reason I missed my Nz vs Portugal game (where I hear Nz wiped the floor with those our Portuguese pals) was to see Dead Prez. Truthfully I’m a rocker and I have no clue who these peeps were. But they performed and I realized I knew 50% of their songs, and some lyrics I had heard once in a while. So I wasn’t doing too badly as I stood on a plastic chair, barely seeing DP as they were hidden by the swelling crowd. That’s one good thing about the WaPI now, the crowds are massive and there were more new faces. I’ll pop by on an ordinary WaPI see what cuts. That is unless they keep bringing someone like DP to hype the event.

  It was a great weekend all around in terms of events, but emotionally I was a wreck! Unconsciously, I decided to take long walks and think things through. Everything resolves itself eventually but it’s how I deal with it when it’s burning my soul that matters to me. It’s all good now, the sun’s out and there are those stratified clouds in the sky… haven’t seen them in while.

• FADING AWAY BUT NOT FORGOTTEN

  Posted: September 11, 2007, 1:22 pm by Vee

  Six years later the memory of 9/11 fades from my mind. I suspect it might be due to the reason that I’ve been in my country for two years now, and the fear of returning home in a hijacked plane is no longer a threat.

  It might also be because I’ve come home and the atrocities that my fellow countrymen are undergoing and have undergone have become more real to me than an event that happened 6 years ago.

  The horror that has besieged Iraq in the hands of the US have also had a part in erasing two tall buildings crumbling into dust upon the heads of many who watched.

  The idea that no matter what I do vengeance is no longer in the hands of God… but of man and he reigns supreme in the throne of the oval room.

  Between then and now the Tsunami & Katrina happened… if reminded me that no matter how civilized and advanced we are nature has a sure way of putting us back in it’s place.

  The reason I remember this day? Is so that I can take time to remember the many other things that have happened to us as humanity between then and now.

  A moment of silence.

• VINDICATED

  Posted: September 10, 2007, 1:19 pm by Vee

  by Dashboard Confessionals

  Hope dangles on a string
  Like slow spinning redemption
  Winding in and winding out
  The shine of it has caught my eye

  And roped me in
  So mesmerizing, so hypnotizing
  I am captivated

  [Chorus]
  I am Vindicated
  I am selfish
  I am wrong
  I am right
  I swear I’m right
  I swear I knew it all along

  And I am flawed
  But I am cleaning up so well
  I am seeing in me now the things you swore you saw yourself

  So clear
  Like the diamond in your ring
  Cut to mirror your intentions
  Oversized and overwhelmed
  The shine of which has caught my eye
  And rendered me so isolated, so motivated
  I am certain now that

  [Chorus]

  So turn
  Up the corners of your lips
  Part them and feel my finger tips
  Trace the moment, fall forever
  Defense is paper thin
  Just one touch and I’d be in
  Too deep now to ever swim against the current
  So let me slip away [3x]
  So let me slip against the current
  So let me slip away [4x]

  [Chorus]

  Slight hope
  It dangles on a string
  Like slow spinning redemption…

• BEING GRATEFUL

  Posted: September 10, 2007, 12:40 pm by Vee

  It was mentioned to me that maybe I’m not grateful because I whine about things I want to have or want to do. That got me thinking… what’s all that about? What does it all entail this act of being grateful? Can’t I dream, desire or want to want more than I already have? I have a great family, comfy home, good job, awesome friends, and interesting activities… spiritually - well God & I are on this long walk where of late I’ve meandered off on my own tangent… But still am I not grateful if I do everything I do to the best of my ability, while wanting to learn more and wanting to share my life, its lessons and joys with others? Am I being ungrateful when I talk of a deeper desire that’s in me to do more – must more & much better?

  I believe there is the life we are supposed to live and there is the one we choose… I want to live the one I’m supposed to… I want to wake up and go forth to the world knowing I am adding to its value by what I do… it’s not that I’m not feeling like that now about my life… just that I know am only at the beginning of a very long journey… what I have now (that I’ve been blessed to have) is all part of this big plan… unfortunately I tend to be impatient… so maybe when I say I want to taste a little, smell a whiff or just hear a bit of the bigger picture… I might sound ungrateful for what I have right now… so what is being grateful… what’s that about… must I get on my knees and thank God every time? Well I do that… I whisper to Him when I can (that’s a my bad)… but I think if I do what He has given me to steward to the best of my ability…then I am… or am I?

  What is being grateful!?

  I wrote that a while back and was unable to blog it because, well, you can sense that I was a bit ticked off & rage was oozing from every pore of my fingertips. I can’t for the life of me remember what/who made me so mad.

  As I read it again a different feeling came to me. I felt grateful in the sense that a small quiet peace settled upon my heart. I think between then and now I have enjoyed friends, family, life and a whole new way. I’ve learnt to appreciate not because I must but because I want to. Don’t get me wrong I still ponder on the things I’ve mentioned above, but I realize I don’t need to be vindicated by anyone but by God.

  He alone holds my scales and He only can tip them in his favor. His favor being what he wants for me; which can only be for my good. Of course occasionally I will fight over it with Him but then again He has sent many things my way this year that help me understand him more… Not at my GOD but my Lord, my Father and my Friend.

  So what is grateful?

  It’s that light & quiet peace that lies upon your heart when you ponder on what you’ve been blessed with.

• WHAT’S A GIRL TO DO?

  Posted: September 7, 2007, 7:05 pm by Vee

  It’s in the air… not sure what exactly but yep sniff sniff it is. The day started off well with clear sunny skies, and y’ll know how much I love sun on Fridays! What can a gal say… then now the month ahead is primed and ready! RUGBY WORLD CUP is on! I don’t know what more to say… maybe I’ll say it after watching the opening match between France & Argentina! Cheers and here is to good health!

• TIME TO REST PLEASE…

  Posted: September 3, 2007, 12:46 pm by Vee

  It’s those small things that if you keep on postponing find a way of ganging up and biting you in the ass. So that’s what I went to sort out on Friday as I took one day off. Lots of stuff got done, some that were exciting and sort of unplanned for… like dying my hair.  I am still yet to figure out what color my hair is, but I know in different light it looks like another color altogether. It’s great to be back at work but truthfully those one-day leaves never amount to much rest. I need a couple of weeks off… head somewhere far, do something new and or just be…

• HERE’S TO FRIENDSHIP

  Posted: August 27, 2007, 7:06 pm by Vee

  I’ve been trying to gather my thoughts and emotions just enough to express how the month of August has been special and meaningful to me. My very good friend came home from France for her holidays and despite not being able to spend every waking moment with her I was able to spend just enough to fill my heart with bliss. To add to the cream of my month a cherry was added when another friend came from SA and the last week was extra splendid. They’ve both returned to their respective countries now but I remain smiling. I’ve been able to share my heart and fun moments with them, my family and other friends.

  Yet over the past few weeks I’ve wondered why it has been that some part of me would wither & die until I saw my friends, but now I’ve realized that am not sharing the things I love about me with the new friends I have been blessed with since I came home. This now is my resolve that I won’t sit and whine that I don’t meet people who share with me what I love but that I shall seek to share those things I love with those I find along the way… they don’t necessarily have to love it like I do but at least I keep on doing those things that make me happy. With that in mind I toast to friendship both old and new and to the families that come together because of such friendships.

• …AND THEY CAME HOME…

  Posted: August 27, 2007, 11:47 am by Vee

  Yeah went for Homecoming and it was awesome! I dunno if I can add more to it but yeah that was great! Good location, company, organization… it was ti-i-oght!

• HOMECOMING

  Posted: August 21, 2007, 1:56 pm by Vee

  

  Yes y’ll Shu is back and this time his brought with him Les Nubians. 1NS was great the last time, brought out a side of Nairobians you rarely see and this weekend will definitely be no different, as we will listen to nice and grown music… So see you there:
  7.30pm • Friday 24th • Club Galileo • 3000/= •
  7.30pm • Saturday 25th • Sarit Centre • VIP 2000/= •  Regular 1000/=

• WEATHER CHANGE

  Posted: August 16, 2007, 2:19 pm by Vee

  In Kenya we are slowly coming out of our winter (which when compared to the rest of the world is child’s play, but it still remains our coldest time of the year).

  With the change in weather comes the change in many other things such as outlook on life. We are fast moving towards the end of the year, to elections ’07 and partying, traveling and enjoyment galore. It also means one starts to wonder if they achieved what they set out to do by year’s end…

  I’m not sure I had much planned except changing my job and traveling to Ethiopia in September for their millennium celebrations… neither of which look like they are happening soon… so I wait. Things have their own time and rushing them makes everything more difficult.

  But either way change of weather to a sunnier outlook makes me feel brighter that despite what I’ve not done… there is still time… and if it’s never done… there are many more things to achieve. So here is to our Kenyan Spring…

• I AM PHOEBE…

  Posted: August 13, 2007, 7:05 pm by Vee

  Which Friends Character Are You?
  	You are Phoebe. You’re the weird kid with odd habits. Most people don’t know it, but you’re kinky in bed. Your childhood memories aren’t your best, but why do you care? There’s plenty of time to make up for your lost childhood now that you’re an adult.
  Find Your Character @ BrainFall.com

• I AM PHOEBE…

  Posted: August 13, 2007, 7:05 pm by Vee

  Which Friends Character Are You?
  	You are Phoebe. You’re the weird kid with odd habits. Most people don’t know it, but you’re kinky in bed. Your childhood memories aren’t your best, but why do you care? There’s plenty of time to make up for your lost childhood now that you’re an adult.
  Find Your Character @ BrainFall.com

• KWANI? BLOG FINALLY HERE

  Posted: August 6, 2007, 3:43 pm by Vee

  Kwani? Blog - Yes people it has been a while in coming but it’s finally here along with other tasty good things & events for us this August. Log on and you’ll be kept posted. :0)

• ENDS REFUSING TO MEET.

  Posted: August 4, 2007, 3:26 pm by Vee

  Yeah it’s one of those days… that span into months. Somehow the ends are running away from each other. The moment I get a hold of one the other slips and disappears! But I’m positive about it all coming together very soon. Working weekend it is!

• 19 DAYS AND COUNTING

  Posted: August 3, 2007, 6:05 pm by Vee

  We call them many things handicapped, disabled being some of them; and I’m sure there are politically right ways to address them but I think we should just say Humans. They are like us if not smarter through experience in life. I mean some people have all their limbs and body parts intact yet we never do anything worth writing home about. Yet it has come down to this… that the Kenyan Society has watched them relegated to begging for their livelihood. Who were they disturbing when they strapped Simu ya Jamii racks on their wheelchairs? Whose life was severely affected when you bent down and bought your stick of cigarette or tropical sweet while you walk your way through the city? The answer is none. In pursuit of a ‘clean’ city we have managed to throw out the baby and the bath water. We are not only dealing with the loss of livelihood but the dirt we’ve been sweeping under the carpet is coming out into the light. Why must they be treated any less? As they sit in protest outside Nation Centre I beg that we think about not only their livelihood but also who they are to us in society…. change that thought and think of them as you & me.

• SMELLING PURPLE

  Posted: July 30, 2007, 11:24 am by Vee

  blue the color of taste
  you kissing me
  me kissing you
  me doubting
  you reassuring
  me learning let go
  and us learning to fly.

  red the color of touch
  you holding my hand
  me pulling away
  you trying again and again
  finally my hand seeking yours
  we holding on to tomorrow

  green the color of sound
  you telling me of your love
  me fleeing from the thought
  you continuing to say it
  my heart learning the meaning
  and we savoring the feeling

  yellow the color of sight
  you asking me to give us a try
  on that day in the colored garden
  as the fingers of the sun
  streamed through the trees…
  that early sunday morning

  so I beg to know
  why was it that I
  touched red
  tasted blue
  heard green
  saw yellow
  when did I begin
  to inhale
  to love
  to live
  when did I begin to
  smell purple

• THE SECRET

  Posted: July 30, 2007, 11:13 am by Vee

  Yes it finally got to me, watched it twice this weekend, and shared it with everyone I could think of. The idea behind it is stuff is very simple, it’s things I already know but just didn’t think that they belonged to the same infinite idea.

  I liked the presentation as well. It wasn’t that old faddy daddy way of presenting life changing ideas… they actually put some creativity into it which made the ride worthwhile.

  The Secret as been chasing my subconscious since Jan… so for it to finally sneak into my life through a friend and after exams, work stress and my desire for change having reached it’s peak… I must say the timing was superb… meaning I must do something about it.

  Watch it when you can…

• IT’S TO *@$%

  Posted: July 24, 2007, 9:09 pm by Vee

  I handed in my time-sheets to my boss and he asked me it was possible that for the passed one  month I’ve been doing an average of 70/40 hours a week! YES I HAVE! and am tired. Taking leave two days this week but it’s for exams! So that don’t help! Well I guess that’s life in advertising… I got myself in here I’ll have to either stick it or leave it!

• CALL OUT: QCS POETRY - BROWN STEPS

  Posted: July 23, 2007, 9:14 pm by Vee

  After collating all the data, I am happy to let you know that the immediate past Quarterly Colour Series e-book, Green Piece, was read by 175,000 people across the world (maybe more but this is from the people that fed back.) It has been a great success and it is because of your support. The series has drawn the attention of diverse people in the world, some of whom have communicated great things about the series.

  This is a call out to all poets - professional and amateur.

  The time has come to publish the next book of the series, Brown Steps, the stuff that drives our lives. Brown steps is about social issues - from politics (in general), issues like corruption and all, the idiosyncrasies of life, the gap between rich and poor etc. I’m hoping that the submissions will not be the usual cynical, bitter submissions on politics and rich people but that it will also have some easier to read stuff on our lifestyles (rich or poor), our cultures, our histories, our people. I’m looking for fresh perspectives and delivery for the poetry that talks about the stuff that drives our lives.

  The Quarterly Colour Series is a series of poetry e-books that are published by Al Kags every three months. The first of the Series was Gray Spots , the next was Blue Smudges, then came Red Streaks and last quarter there was Green Piece. If you haven’t read them, do read them and share them.

  The poetry is distributed for free via email and the rules of engagement for all is read it, share it, republish it, recite it, do what you want with it - Just ensure you say where the poetry came from and who wrote it. The writers retain the rights to their work. The published work is selected entirely on the editor’s discretion. Do forward this call out as widely as you can.

  If you are a poet or simply dabble in poetry and would like to get read by a lot of people, feel free to send your work (as many poems as you wish) in a MS word document by Monday August 13 2007 to qcspoetry@gmail.com.

Blah blah blah

Fish cakes

Alas a fish cake.

Yet more fish cakes

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

The end of the fish cakes