Uganda Best of Blog Awards.

The polls are finally up on The Kampalan so go on over there and vote for your favourite blogs. Voting ends on 27th February so see you in the winners' circle.

BHH Recap

And so it was, BHH I mean and it rocked. I was the first one there as I usually am only because I work so close to Mateos and finish work at 4 so I am basically idle till 6. I wasn't there long and who comes along but the blushing bride-to-be Be Silent herself. We talked about Tandra's latest post which reads like a Hollywood rom-com with none of the rom or com just the tears. We weren't there long when Carlo came with Pesh who despite not having a blog reads them religiously. Ivan was next, fresh from his gig on the radio (Vision Voice 94.8 they had better pay me for this) discussing which one in the couple should declare their wealth to the other, the man or the woman. Does this mean they are not allowed to talk about same sex couples?

Rachel was next and she was shortly followed by Mr. Back to Basics himself, Edmund with Tandra. Kissyfur came soon after and we had a newbie, Lucy decided to deign us with her presence. We introduced Pesh to her as Keitetsi and it was not pretty. Did I forget to mention Peter had been there for ages by this time? Flora came last but not too late and she invited someone along. Brian knows his series so he was fun. The whole night in general was a good one. We didn't get into the whole 'I am not my tribe' debate as we thought we would but we did get to see Ivan show off his Zune and Peter show off his Iphone. (But also boys!) The nomination sheets were handed out and the list will be out later on today. The night was soon over and we were all out of there by 9.30pm.

P.S There was no Guinness!

Blogger's Happy Hour

It is January so it is time for yet another BHH go here for details and an update on the 2007 Uganda Best of Blog Awards.

Night Rider

It is 2.00am and I am in my living room having just been dropped home from work. It is always so beautiful driving (or being driven) around Kampala at night and I thought I would share what that is like for me with you guys. Bear with me for I am an amateur, here I present Night Rider: A home made movie by me.If some images a are blurry and there is a bit of bumping, please, chalk it up to the moving car. I hope you enjoy.




If it is a bit bumpy or blurry in some places, please chalk it up to the moving car and not to my inexperience.

Later loverlies.

Only a few questions.

Despite there being no fuel in town, there was a massive traffic jam on my way to work today. This is so not good, the no fuel I mean. I was speaking to someone earlier today who called to my attention the fact that we are not the only ones suffering from the border closing. I had forgotten that Rwanda, Burundi, Congo and Sudan all benefit from neighbouring Kenya. If this carries on much longer, everything will eventually be priced much higher to factor in the price of fuel.
While we are on the subject of Kenya, what I want to ask, what gets me so incensed, is the machetes. Must it be machetes? I wonder about the human condition when one man can hack another to death and watch him die as he does this. We have an incredible capacity for evil as humans, we do. To burn up a church with women and children in it simply because they are not the same tribe as you is ludicrous and I cannot believe it is happening. Is there anything I can do, we can do to stop the madness? I also wonder about a man who starts out with a pledge to help his people but goes on to let this evil fester right under his nose knowing it is all his own fault. Does Kibaki not care? I know they say that power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely but how can he not care at all? How long will he not care? Now, I am not very political at all but it sucks to see what is happening and to have it happen only next door. Please don't let this turn into another genocide. Kenya, you are all very much in my prayers.


Year in Review

All in all, I have had a pretty interesting year.

I got my heart broken and met the love of my life.

I got a job, lost it, got another one and got a promotion.

I moved house and really love the one I'm in now.

I pierced my tongue and let the second piercings in my ear seal up.

I got green eyes which I assure you I love. (see banner)

I cried, laughed, sighed, danced, loved and lived.


The one still to come.

For the new year I resolve to

Blog more often (yeah right)

Care more practically (i.e. give alms and volunteer for good causes)

And the biggie, launch the Read-A-Book Literacy programme. (I want to promote the reading culture in primary school going children and I need all of you guys help to make this happen. You can start by giving me all your old children's books and promising to volunteer to read to the kids when I need you to.)

Wish me luck.

And another one.

I can't believe we are in another year. I remember the New Year's Eve of 2007 so vividly as if it were yesterday. Actually, a little better than yesterday considering it was way more fun. This is what I did for New Year's Eve yesterday. I watched Rent with my sisters. What did you do?

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

Can't be bothered to think of one.

I have been seeing this on may way to and from work everyday and I don't think I have ever seen a lazier attempt at decorating.

The taxi was moving so not the best shot but those light look like they were simply flung at the tree. Really? (You probably can't see the trees but that's what the lights are hanging on.)

Secret Santa

We had our own Secret Santa a bit late in the season but I got myself a pretty toilet bag. (Seen Here)

Also I had a camera for a while there which explains the above post.

Awesome Presents.

I have always wanted an excuse to take a picture of my eyes (as if Tumwi) and I finally got one. I am so feeling these right now. I got these for Christmas from my lover and it the most awesome present ever. Don't you agree?

Christmas at Work.

Yes, I am at work. Can you believe it? I had to wake up at the crack of dawn to come here and now I am sleepy as all fuck. I don't usually do mornings but I should be having dinner with the part of my family that is still stuck in Kampala with me.

It is strange how this feels like any other ordinary day, the people's complaints are the same, everyone here looks pretty much the same and nothing is happening. Oh, to be a kid again.

Will post later after the day is done and let you know how it has gone.

OMG! WTF!

I ran into some guy I used to go to school with and he looked me over and said "Congratulations" and I asked him what they were for at which point he reached out and touched my tummy.
I told you I had a pot belly but even I didn't think I looked pregnant.

Smorgasbord

Of (oh so ) Dry Men.

So last night I go out after forever and I remember why I stopped. There was a kasiki for one of my workmates at Pa Lui and I had to walk out every now and then to breathe. Anyway, the interesting bit happened when I was on my way home.

A bunch of us left the club and this guy asks where I live and it turns out we are neighbours so I take the ride he offers. We get to the exit and he meets two of his friends whom he decides to first drop in Wandegeya. This is cool up to the point we stop in Wandegeya and these guys in a white car park right next to us and the driver jumps out brandishing a gun, I think it was an AK47. Instead of the expected flash of life, I imagined being found shot to pieces in this guy's car whom I don't even particularly like and getting my pretty white vest all soiled with blood. Turns out, these guys followed us from Ntinda and tried to stop us (they didn't try hard, none of us noticed them) because this guy didn't have a number plate. He had a receipt for one though and it was all sorted. We eventually get on our way home and he parks outside my gate and tries to kiss me. I tell him I have a boyfriend and he asks me what that has got to do with anything. Now, this boy is starting to infuriate me and I want to make it clear to him that I don't cheat on my boyfriend, not because of how he would feel about it, although I am not saying this doesn't matter, but because I need to be able to live with myself. Oba, where has he been living? He assures me how in Uganda, women don't know what they want and therefore I can't know I don't want him until he convinces me that I do. WTF?! (This dude does not know my pedigree) I summarily tell him that even if I didn't have a boyfriend he still wouldn't even be close to the type of guy I would be with. I have never been so disgusted in my life, I got out of that car and into my house. I have been thinking, is this how all you guys feel? Do you think women don't have brains or that we don't enjoy sex and can therefore not be picky? Please tell me.

Padded Panties

My mom told me last night that there is a shop that sells padded underwear for women. I found that unbelievable and I can't wait to see them, apparently they are called bum panties. Aparrently they are all the rage and she keeps getting phone calls to give directions to where the shop is. If you feel you could use one, please let me know in the comments and I will direct you.

A Fine Balance

I just finished reading this book and right now all I can say is it is the saddest book I have ever read and what's worse it could all actually have happened.


See y'all on the flip side.

Pot Belly

I have put on a little weight, now I am not saying I am fat or anything but when I put my hand up to flag down a taxi, there is jiggling going on under my arm. I, however, am not complaining. After all,

"...even though I got
fat thighs, flabby arms
a pot belly, still give
good loving..."

I don't know if it is because of this weight gain (almost all of the weight is on my ass, arms and former abs, I really do have a kind of a potbelly) or because of all the pregnant people I have been meeting lately (almost all my friends are pregnant or already have babies) that I had a very vivid dream last night in which I was pregnant. Very pregnant. I actually felt my stomach was stretched to the limit and the strange thing is (strange thing? What am I saying? All my dreams are strange) a moment before I was pregnant, I was not. I was walking around the mall, minding my own business when suddenly I look at myself and I am in this very nice dress with a humongous tummy. I was so stocked with how I looked I was walking up to strangers and getting them to feel the baby kick. So weird.

*The lyrics are from a Freshly Ground song I am really loving right now.

BHH

WHO SHOWED UP.


Carlo and I were the first there, as usual. (It is as if we have no lives!)

Ivan was not far off (which I found strange seeing as he had an exam that only started 2 hours before he showed up.)

We moved tables because, even as pretty as Carlo and I both are (and we are) the idiot waiter had not served us for 45 minutes. We finally got drinks (which I am chalking up to Ivan's arrival, the waiter obviously thought him cuter than us. Must be those dainty little fingers.)

Rev then walked in brandishing the book I lent him like a weapon.

We seriously considered getting him thrown out seeing as he doesn't exactly blog anymore. (What am I saying, exactly? He doesn't blog at all.)

Ed was next looking a bit dressed down compared to his last appearance and this was quickly explained. He is on leave. (Oh, to be on leave.)

Glenna and David were next and it was becoming quite the crowd. Glenna still had some work to do to beat a deadline and so she left David at the mercy of Rev who briefly accused him of being a spy for the CIA at which point we agreed that the only information David would give the CIA is the growth status of Rev's dreadlocks. (Quick Aside: These guys are together and have known each other since they were 10 years old, how cool is that?)

Rachel was next with Hellen in tow. It was good to see Hellen although I did accuse her of not RSVPing my Facebook invite and it's always nice to see Rachel, well..., because she is Rachel and I still have a huge cyber-crush on her. And she brought books, bless her.

My lover finally made an appearance. Albeit a short one, it was a nice one. He got time to float the idea of a literary magazine and open his birthday present.

Flora was next and she looked nice. We got to talking about lingerie and where one can purchase said lingerie. (Where can one purchase quality lingerie?)

Peter showed up last and took out his laptop and proceeded to be anti-social by actually watching Family Guy.

All in all, I think it went pretty well. December is up to another one of you. I sent out invites, put up a kalango and did The Kampalan. I pass the baton on.

BHH

This thursday, same place, same time.

Here By Me by 3 Doors Down

So I am at work and completely bored out of mind. You wouldn't think that is possible, what with having to be a motor mouth to do this but I finish a call and I can't remember what I have just been saying. So what do I do to aleviate this, search for lyrics of songs that I like and post them here. Sorry guys, false alarm post.

"Here By Me"

I hope you’re doing fine out there without me
‘Cause I’m not doing so good without you
The things I thought you’d never know about me
Were the things I guess you always understood

So how could I have been so blind for all these years?
Guess I only see the truth through all this fear,
And living without you…

And everything I have in this world
And all that I’ll ever be
It could all fall down around me.
Just as long as I have you,
Right here by me.

I can’t take another day without you
‘Cause baby, I could never make it on my own
I’ve been waiting so long, just to hold you
And to be back in your arms where I belong

Sorry I can’t always find the words to say
But everything I’ve ever known gets swept away
Inside of your love…

And everything I have in this world
And all that I’ll ever be
It could all fall down around me.
Just as long as I have you,
Right here by me.

As the days grow long I see
That time is standing still for me
When you’re not here

Sorry I can’t always find the words to say
Everything I’ve ever known gets swept away
Inside of your love

And everything I have in this world
And all that I’ll ever be
It could all fall down around me.
Just as long as I have you,
Right here by me.

And everything I have in this world
And all that I’ll ever be
It could all fall down around me.
Just as long as I have you,
Right here by me.

Some think this is the best song ever, give it a listen sometime.

I'm out of here.

Love, as I see it.

If any of you read my blog at all last year, you know I was head over heels in love for the first time and you also know how devastated I was when it ended. Those of you who know me personally, you know how broken up I was about this and I want to say something about that; I don’t think I really knew what love was then. Sure I saw myself married to this man and “our” house and kids, I saw everything and I think that was our problem. I was so caught up in tomorrow that today was just in my way and I believe it was the same for ‘Sir, whom I loved’ to borrow a phrase. Our relationship never existed in the here and now but always in an ideal we both had of this perfect life we were going to have. You will remember, Iwaya especially, me saying I would be broken if this ended and indeed I was but the point I am trying to make here is that if this hadn’t happened, there is no way, in a million years, I would be as happy as I am now. Being in love and being heart broken taught me to truly love, to live in the love. And I tell you there is no better feeling than that of knowing this moment is awesome, this moment is (I hate to say it and sound corny) precious. Imagine a lifetime of precious moments, I know it’s hard, joy overload, we are not conditioned for so much happiness but I say to you, embrace it. (I’m starting to sound decidedly odd.)

Love is odd, indefinable, but the late night texts on my way home up till I get there making it feel like he is right there, that is my definition. Writing this while smiling the whole time, defines it. Being able to be my own person aside from him yet having him be such an integral part of me, defines it. Laughing at terrible jokes together but also discussing the identity crisis of a trans-gendered infant, defines it. I know, I know it could not be more right.

Carpe Diem, my friends. It’s worth it.

Finally, a work-related post.

Some guy called me and told me his son had eaten his airtime. That was the funniest thing I had ever heard.

Parenting and all it's attendant bullshit.

I showed my mother the video of me bungee jumping and for the first time in my life, I saw her look old.

I told her when I was going but I guess the abstractness of it all stopped it from sinking in for her and so now, so many months after I did it, I have forgotten how it felt, is when she gets how horrifying a concept it is. I don’t know if I should have shown her or left her in her ignorant bliss.

I didn’t like seeing he old, I don’t want my children to some day age me n 15 minutes either but what goes around comes around, who knows what form of soon to be thought up extreme-come-this-close-to-death sport my kids will engage in about 20 years that will stop my heart beating for a minute? I don’t, but that is one day I can definitely wait for.

That book review I promised.

Since I read this book, I have read about 3 others but luckily for me I found a review I had written some time back and I still agree with it. The book is

If Nobody Speaks of Remarkable Things by Jon McGregor.

If you read alot then you know that there is usually one book which just seems like a drop of rain in a desert of okay-written, not so memorable books and this book is one of those.

You will think about it a long time after you have read it and you will want everyone to read it so you can have someone to talk to it about. It's books like this that give book clubs a reason for existance. In fact, I implore each one of you to read it so we can talk about it at the next BHH.

I loved this book, it is so beautifully written, so in fact, that I could not pick just one passage for an excerpt post, you need to read all of it. When someone writes so hauntingly about a rainy afternoon for the better part of 10 pages and still makes you want to read the rest of it; when you get shivers and actually hear the rain, you know you're onto something golden.

I didn't want this book to end and the only way I can think of doing this is to get all of you to read it so we can talk about it for the rest of our lives.

Nice reading.

Yet Another Job.

Yes, I know I have been gone a while and this is why.

While my last job availed me constant access to the internet, this one doesn't. Oh, did I mention I have a new job. I started training last week and will officially begin working on Monday after I have done a test on Saturday. The position is that of a call centre agent at UTL. Please don't prank call me, on second thought do. It will be nice to hear a friendly voice on the other side of the line.

Anyway, thought I should check in and say whats up.

Heads up, my next post is going to be about a Book so I will kinda be calling it in. I am sure I willl have alot of interesting things to talk about now.

See y'all soon.