oburoni azonto

I didn't think I'd post any more Azonto vids but i couldn't resist this one

Deliberate delusion

I wish I could express what I'm really feeling


I can but I still wouldn't matter


I would but it wouldn't change a single thing with which I am dealing


So gone, it can't be brought back but my puny brain refuses to get fatter





I really wish I could transform the thoughts into words, not concealing


I can but the response would just fester


I would but it would not bring me healing


So in silence I suffer; a fool to you, a jester.





I really wish I wasn't thinking about you. I'm pretending


I can always succumb: the memories, always petting


I would but this reality is not as exciting: dull, dead, uninspiring


So in dreams and delusions I will stray so my mind can roam, no fettering





I really wish this wasn't so unhealthy. 'It' I must surely be losing


I can snap out of it but the alternative I find is too unnerving


I would but to be thrust into the big bad world with no guidance, no counselling


*shudders* not half as compelling

Astrology or coincidence?

I *heart* birthdays.
I will be one of those mums who plans her baby's 1st birthday soon after he's born and will continue throughout his life, regardless of his feelings about the day. 
I cannot understand people who don't want to celebrate the miracle of their birth and the continuous marvel of life and growth and God's Grace. It's borrowed time and can be snuffed out any minute. celebrate the milestones! I just can't understand them.
I have a birthday coming up in 1 week 2 days 3 hours 28 minutes 20 seconds (and counting down). But for once I don't have it covered. All I want to do this year is fly away. Literally. Into a tree or cave and hibernate, I'm knackered. Hopefully it is the malaria or whatever it is that I have gone to contract talking and I will snap out of it and be perky soon. *fingers crossed*
 Anyway, I just came across this eerily accurate description of myself. I'm not a fan of astrology, maybe it's because my star sign is a goat..I mean really, how did I not end up as something sexier. Aponky3 paa, smh. but this is majorly on point:

December 23 Capricorns have a great deal of emotional pluck (pumps fist). If plans fail, they simply start again (what else can you do?? duh!). Because of their good attitude and ability to motivate others, they make excellent mentors. Although they may seem scatterbrained, they have great organizational abilities (so true, I somehow manage to pull stuff together). Witty and intelligent, they are exceptionally verbal for people of their sign (oh, the others are quiet ehh?)

Friends and Lovers: Because they have such a likable nature, December 23 individuals make friends effortlessly but are unlikely to reveal confidences (my excuse is that I forget and/or hope you do the same) or ask for advice (I am almost past that..). Love is a permanent and practical factor in their lives (love which I can't find, but yeah). They value stability and do not usually seek separation or divorce unless there is no alternative (one of my worst 'fears' is divorce).

Children and Family: December 23 natives love the traditions of family and typically have happy memories of childhood (yes! I still remember most of what happened when I was a little kid. I was sooo happy! aww! *reaches for childhood album*). Though their upbringing is likely to have been strict, they look at this as positive (I hated my mum especially, she was awful!! but I love her too much now). They are good parents who do everything to provide stability for their child (I sure will). Though they promote fun, they are strict on discipline (none of that friend-parent stuff till you're old. I will beat them into submission).

Health: People born on this date have a common-sense approach to good health.(*scratches head* I do?) By not overdoing anything (Lmao, really? one of the things said to me the most is "relax"), they reap the rewards without losing out on the occasional need to indulge a bad habit. Health problems are typically minor, but problem skin is not unknown (that facial better have me looking like Halle Berry). If they make water their main beverage, the skin condition is likely to clear up (did my mum put them up to this??? *raised eyebrow*)

Career and Finances:

People born on this date are serious about career ambitions (i be serious pass! waay too serious). They work hard, learn quickly (that's me!), obey the rules (even when I don't want to), and they know that professional shortcuts can be deceptive. They often spend a great deal of money on home decorating ("nesting" I was told), with an eye for antiques and other objets d'art that will increase in value (ooook! Eyes, start working on that).

Dreams and Goals: To climb to the top without fudging the rules is a common goal of December 23 people (yup, no corruption for me, so help me God. making it the right way). They know what they want and are willing to work (mega) hard to get it, no matter how hard that may be. They never blame setbacks on anyone but themselves. If a goal becomes impossible to fulfill, they replot the course.(Plan B -G if necessary)

You should embrace: Details (the little things and the fine print), imagination (I have embraced it and for this reason I do not watch porn or horror films), a personal agenda (I'm working on that)

You should avoid: Stress (I am in the wrong profession), demoralization (I live in the wrong country), indifference (a name pops into mind, personifies that word)

So how is most of this so accurate? and does that mean all people born on the 23rd of December around the world automatically have these same characteristics and ideals?? Mind blowing isn't it. I do not want to encourage any hocus pocus but check yours out at: http://tlc.howstuffworks.com/family/birthday-astrology-guide.htm and let me know how close to home yours hit or if it was a disastrous miss. 

Be honest with yourself, after all if you can't admit the truth to yourself who can you tell?

Vocabulary lesson: funny but serious

...It is not the drivers of lorries and tanks who have brought pains to Nigerian people,

NO!!
Rather, it is because of the failure of government,
Benin-Ore-Lagos road today is in a state of CALAMITY, so, if the roads is in a state of ANOMIE, If driving through the roads is engaging in a MACABRE dance, CULPABILITY is that of government.It will be SARDONIC. It will be LUGUBRIOUS,and it will be a state of DISMAL ABYSMAL if parliament does not rise this morning to fix CULPABILITY where culpability is...

I have done the hard work for you:

• Calamity: a state of deep distress or misery caused by major misfortune or loss OR disastrous event marked by great loss and lasting distress and suffering 
• Anomie: social instability resulting from a breakdown of standards and values; also : personal unrest, alienation, and uncertainty that comes from a lack of purpose or ideals
• Macabre:  having death as a subject : comprising or including a personalized representation of death OR dwelling on the gruesome OR tending to produce horror
• Culpability : meriting condemnation or blame especially as wrong or harmful
• Sardonic:  disdainfully or skeptically humorous : derisively mocking
• Lugubrious: mournful or dismal
• Dismal : showing or causing gloom or depression OR lacking merit : particularly bad
• Abysmal : having immense or fathomless extension downward, backward, or inward OR immeasurably great : profound OR immeasurably low or wretched

definitions provided by: http://www.merriam-webster.com/

My first question was: is he a lawyer? lol.

How many words did you know?? Are you as well read as you thought you were? 

Gorillas, Lions and the Battle for the Jungle

I'm home sick, I woke up with a lovely bouquet of seemingly unrelated symptoms that have knocked me flat out. So I'm home trying to study for a test I have tomorrow.
Anyway, got of the phone with someone I have grown to admire a lot and the conversation was full of so much positive energy that I feel better. (Will give you details about that later)
I have grown to admire this young man because of his work and because he turned out to be very deep different from what I initially judged thought.
*drum roll*
Yom (he looks serious and dignified in this photo...not to say that he usually isn't *innocent look* lol)

I read his note and it made me feel so...revolutionary! I wanted to do 'something'! So I am sharing it with you. Here's to everyone who hates the 'system'; the nonsense we have to go through for the simplest things and longs to change it. First,be the change you want to see and be comforted in the knowledge that the other lions and lionesses are gathering and we'll support each other.

LIONS IN WAIT VS GORILLAS IN SUITS!

They think they reside in positions of power, they think they decide but that position is ours,

We are the minds, we were raised in the green grass and blossomed into flowers.

We posses the antidote

To evolve into lions, for long our system consisted of antelope

Our thought processes live in the world the white man tried to conceal from us.

We are the open minded

We refuse to be sold the common dream of pensions after a life led mechanically

Free spirits, the Bold, champions of the beautiful.

Prostitutes to diversity in the face of adversity.

Older generations may claim hope is not an emotion they can invest in us

But they forget our unity even if stemmed from Azonto sits us above the short sighted division caused by their shallow minded politics.

So don't fuckin sit there smugly acting like you are a refined product talking about; there's no hope for the youth,

U destroyed our hope with your selfish desires and insurmountable greed you were narrow minded zealots who still!! even at the prime of your mature years cannot see beyond ewe and Ashanti, Ga and Fanti.

tribalism should have died when Ghana was born.

Instead you placed all the tribes on a burning coal pot and fanned the flames with your strongest. arm.

So what if I Sag my pants, at least I'm open minded enough to have an "Ashanti" as my best friend.

We think along completely different lines so when you are calling it Ghanaian hospitality I'm calling it ass kissing shamelessness

And when I sit at a table with "white" people, there's no way I'm letting them belittle my country no chance in hell. Even if they're paying for "dinner".

You are cowards!

I do not steal, I do not cheat I do not suppress the growth of my own brother. We do like to have fun.

But that doesn't mean we don't know Britain or America's main interest in Libya was to suppress the establishment of the African monetary fund, or that oil is the main reason behind the united state's middle eastern tirade.

That does not mean we do not know the current GDP is 13.6 or that you have signed a greater chunk of our oil reserves(our suposed savior) over to the western world

We just refuse to talk abut these things because YOU make it look so distasteful so unappealing with your barrages of insults your threats of violence, your psychotic rants that scares most of us in silence.

Some of us will not be quiet anymore.

And let no man raise a tongue of objection towards me demanding respect,take your respect and put it where the sun does not shine.

I will respect you on the basis that you care about me and my generation and from what I can see they don't give a damn!!

Sometimes You watched in silence, other times you took part and helped the western world get rid of all Africa's lions, through coups, uprisings and this fragile concept of democracy.

Scary part is some of you would not mind plunging us into war and chaos just so every public office can hang a picture of yourself on their walls

You are not men!

real men don't buy or sell their Adam's apples.

Real men earn their Adam's apples after serving under the voice of truth and reality and compassion, real men look into the future, real men look beyond their families and beyond the children of their children.

Real men are sources of inspiration!

None of you inspire me.

And the very few who might have, enjoy their success in silence acting oblivious, so yes they too have become sheep in a society governed by wolves, so when they're told to eat grass they ask whether u want them to bleet after that.

Should you really be offended when they call us monkeys?

Because to have his needs satisfied, An alpha male gorilla beats members of his own family(nation) with a stick, you do so with financial and political power, also the gorilla is said to be very protective over his family and beats his chest to ward off enemies. Reminds me off u, only difference is, the noise u make is empty.

Keep making your noises, we are coming, slowly and gradually we will sit in the thrones and hopefully some of you will still be alive to witness the thresholds to which we will take this country.

That is when you will come to the realization that even though u lived in Ghana u were dead to the concept of mother GHANA.

We are in the time of the Gorillas in suits,

but the lions,

O the brave lions will roar again.

-yom writer poet

inspired by and dedicated to

solomon kotei quashie,

sherif christian bello.

zaaki harun,

yoofi peyo odamten,

rodney hyde longdon

frederick nana akuffo,

hardy labaran,

kofi tetteh,

Kwesi essah,

carl engman,

quasi adu,

graham sebastian

makafui mandevu adevu and every other lion [Yom! and lioness!!!] in waiting .......


http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=10150454422514312

poor lonely dictator

Nando's is hilarious.
I don't think Uncle Robert finds it funny though...



I would love to see Papaye or Frankies try something like this (in a Ghanaian context of course)
I'm joking. It will never happen.

AZONTO practice

I am completely taken with this Azonto craze, unfortunately I have as much body/dance coordination as a crab...i merely scuttle sideways. I miss the days of grinding, a lot of effort but not many steps *sigh*. Been looking at a lot of videos when i'm bored. I am determined to learn.


My mum's fave video and  i'm in love with these boys (and their sound effects) can one of them come and give me lessons please:



i saw this and : 0_o ummmm...... :x *falls off chair laughing*
I am so distracted by those large muscles I didn't see any of his moves.( Did his shorts have to be so tiny?? and why isn't he wearing a shirt?? )







I can't believe he danced for almost 14 minutes and I consistently saw new moves! This my new tutorial video btw.


practice makes perfect (i too can do it :D )
(i cant embed this video for some reason)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=Vk98nruBcg4

Eco tourism or something close: Nzulezo

I should have written this eons ago but I was having some issues with my laptop and had to have it replaced. Anyway,I was working about 2 or 3 weeks ago and the job involved a  wee bit of travelling around Ghana. Thanks to that I finally got to see Nzulezo pronounced, much to my amusement, Nzurezo by the people who live in the area. I have been wanting to visit the town on stilts for quite a while, so when the business people I was travelling with decided to make a pleasure stop I was all for it.
It was quite an interesting afternoon.  We had to go off the main road  and travel over or about 20km off the tarred road to reach the closest town: Beyin (pronounced Benyiri, or something like that), and then travel an hour by canoe to the village and an hour back. The settlement is a UNESCO Heritage site,I think (http://whc.unesco.org/en/tentativelists/1394/ )
Honestly,it was very unsettling for me to be surrounded by so much water but the guys paddling our canoe were absolute darlings for resolutely chatting with me the whole distance to get my mind off the feeling.

Anyway, at the dock was a lovely 'cafe' manned by a spanish man (or so our guide said) It didn't seem like he spoke much English though, so I took their word for it. I loved his elephant sink!!! Genius!
(quick question: why don't Ghanaians think of these things? Such places are 90% of the time owned by a foreigner....????)
(I will explain why he, the Spanish guy, is 'significant' later)
I took all the photos with my blackberry so sorry about the quality.

1. the 'dockside' cafe: Cafe Puerto

2. I love this sink!! 

3.  the bar

4. The 'dock' (you can see the motor boat just beyond the woman's boat if you strain a bit)

5. A man made channel was constructed, reportedly by the government of the Netherlands, to join the natural lake. 

6. The water isn't so deep, about 4 feet.

 7

8. sorry there are so many shots, I found the view breathtaking...or maybe it was just to take my mind off the water,, which was impossible!!  lol.

 9

 10

11. NZULEZU!!! (after about an hour on the open 'sea') (that's a guest house under construction)

 12

13

14. The Church of Pentecost

15. The School

16. there are a couple of bars and I saw a guest house

 17

18. lured him ,after a long courtship, with Club Orange

 

19

Anyway, this is all well and good. but the beauty of the place wasn't what was on my mind when I was leaving it.
On the way there I was made to understand that Nzulezu is being preserved as an eco-tourism site. The people and their dependence on the river forces impresses upon them to keep the balance. They eat and drink from it, and rely on it as a source of transport. The guide/rower was very passionate about it, insisting - when I asked why we couldn't use a motor boat because we were in a hurry - that such activities will destroy the quality of the water which the people in the village rely on for their every need. He further explained that such motorised activity was allowed in emergencies but forbidden on a daily basis.
(here comes the significance of the Cafe Puerto guy)
I had noticed there was a motorised boat at the dock (picture 4) so at this point I asked who it was for and  expected to hear that that was the boat used in emergencies but (BAM!)
I was told the owner of the cafe used it to get to and from his home - which is on the bank of the river directly opposite Nzulezu. (The same man is building the guest house in the village itself as well picture 11 and 12)
I could not believe it (sorry, I am not exaggerating..I keep having these lapses where I forget where I am, ie Ghana, where lighter skins and hair, except albinos, are revered and worshipped). All the passion that the guide/rower had exhibited  vanished completely when I asked why that man was allowed to use  a motor boat since it fouled the water with oil. He seemed rather sad, shrugged and said "You know how things are"

20. someone's limo, latest model ;) 

I was incensed by the injustice of it all. Ghanaians lying down and allowing them to be used as doormats as usual.
This was until I got to the village ans saw this....

 21

 22. (forget that hen though, they even have sheep!!! )

 23

 24

 25

26

After seeing the kind of damage ,I feel, they are doing to the river themselves, the Spanish man can race up and down 10 times a day and I won't care.
I thought eco-tourism involved low impact visits to fragile or pristine areas, mostly to educate the visitors, raise awareness and funds. It can't be ecological  to dump rubbish directly into the river. Or tip untreated human waste straight into it. Or pour food waste right in there. Or bath into the river. All this must surely affect the pristine balance of the eco system. They probably do not realise this or how far reaching the effects can be.
But as if that was not bad enough, they DRINK from that same river!!!
*faints*
I believe God takes extra care of us in these parts, otherwise how else would they still be alive?? and seem so well??
The people themselves, are in my unsolicited opinion, destroying the very river they rely on for life...gradually. It was a very big river so it will take some time, but with reports of men having four wives and no source of recreation at night but sex it might not take that long.
My hyper active imagination pictures solar power or hydro-electric technology being harnessed to bring the people a better life. Phones must be charged in town at times! In 2011 that's a bit much, no?. The people have built a school and pay the teacher themselves so they have the right idea about some things. I imagine a proper dock being built and an annual eco-logically friendly regatta being organised, probably sponsored by one useless network or another, to raise funds to maintain the village. Zoomlion (my heroes) could think up some wonderful waste collection or recycling system and the villagers could be trained to maintain it and man the luxury and/or minimalist retreats that will be built there.
Dreamer huh? *shrugs*

It rained as we were paddled back to the dock, and as I tried hard not to panic as my mind conjured up a torrential storm which filled the boat with water and tipped us into the crocodile (yes! we saw a "small" one our way to the village) infested waters. Due to this I forgot about my eco dreams for a while. But seeing the children returning from school paddling their own boats, when I couldn't row continuously for 10 minutes, strengthened my resolve to at least say something about it.
Who knows? Maybe someone will be listening. Maybe someone who can will do something, or tell me what I can do, short of going to pick the rubbish up myself.

[side note: I had no Airtel reception for most of the journey! such crappy service but i had full reception in the village!]

If anyone has visited Ganvie along Lake Nokoué in Southern Benin; I would love to hear about it. Is it any different from Nzulezo??

Francis (guide/rower) Nzulezo/ Beyin Amazuri project: 0241152811 
Ps. Just so we're clear ,I listed the guide's number here so you can call him to ask about tours or information or make a donation to the School or some other useful purpose. No disrespect of any sort was meant.
Thank you.

An Expected Guest

"Someday someone's going to walk into your life and you'll understand why it never worked with all the others" 

Where's this person from?

For how long are they going to be around? 

And why have they come?

Why have they left the place that they were from??

And what will make them stay here if I want that person to stay?

Before this person gets here what am I to do? 

Build my empires and try to fit them in when they come?

or patiently twiddle my thumbs so I'm idle enough to notice them walk into my life? 

Will this entry be subtle or dramatic?

Will I notice? Because I have a lot of things going on. 

If I miss this entry will it be a disaster?

Am I doomed to suffer loneliness and despair? 

Or is it a recurring walk-in till I look up and that glow fills the room?

What about now?

Do I cry myself to sleep over what I don't have? 

Or pine for you till you come? 

Or snore in indifference and enjoy my liasons with my bed?

When will you come? 

How will I know?

What shall I wear? 

Who will you be? 

Will I like you?

Will you like me? 

But I'm far to busy to figure all this out now. 

But each time the door opens, I'll look up, just in case it's you.

Sarkodie's U go kill me on CNN........by mistake though, lol

Appeal For Funds

Uh-oh!! it's raining again!! HEAVILY! we can't afford to lose more lives because of rain.
President Mills says he's going to source for funds to construct  storm drains. So please whichever coutry it is that we're begging from, pay up fast!! We need the money ASAP!!

my heart goes out to all those who have no roofs over their heads :(

heaven shelter them

It won't be pretty in the morning *sigh* but we can only pray...and complain, and curse....and forget when the sun comes out again...

Do you wanna be a star????

I don't watch a lot of TV, it's usually quite depressing or boring and I can find most of it on the internet anyway. Anyway, I happened to see a snippet of some programme on some channel (forgive the vagueness). The presenter was asking a young man, who I cannot identify, if he knew and had what it took to make it as a musician.
I also have a few non-Ghanaian (and some older Ghanaians) asking what "the azonto" is all about. I will now  proceed to kill two birds with one stone.
I have done some careful research and I have the answer to the interviewer's question. Take notes, in case anyone else wants to make it big in that field. I am proving my hypothesis with video clips (yes,any excuse will do)

• Sunglasses!!

You need shades! The more the merrier. This is also especially helpful if you're not very good looking, your expensive, designer [looking] shades will dazzle the masses. But if you wear them as visual appeal enhancers please remember not to take them off for interviews etc after you make it big.

•  The Azonto beat and/or Azonto moves

Please note that this is what is currently hot, so jump on the bandwagon Now or engineer The Next Big Thing.
The Urban Dictionary defines it as: An original Ghanaian dance in which involves rigorous hip movement and silly facial expressions.
I must add: It may also involve mock punching motions, kicks, jerky neck motions among others. Thrives on embellishment, so "feel free"
Illustration:


for further practice, any of these will do:

•  Be as cute as a button, it helps. 

For some of you it is too late as your gene pool may have already conspired against you. Don't panic, refer to step 1.
It might also help if you get a trendy hairstyle and make friends with musically-inclined athletes.

• The tune must be danceable!! WE WANT TO DANCE!!! we don't care what you're saying. 

• If you don't av a signature move get a Catch phrase or a killer chorus!  that might just do the trick

Catch phrases: Sarkodie: obidip)nbidi * Richie: you know the name right * Kwaw kese: abodam *repeated while mock-smashing your fist against the side of your head*

Killer choruses:
Ajeii - R2Bees
Bossu Kena! - Five5
Dance like a butterfly - Xigi

The point of this is that the rest of the song becomes...well, irrelevant to a large extent. They'll chime in at the chorus eg

                                                 *scrolls at the bottom on the screen*

We are sorry we have come to the end of transmission for today. GTV, station of the Nation

a page from "Living with the Natives" by Dr. V. Settled and Mr. J.J.C Smith

                                                      CHAPTER 3: DRIVING

Super fast reflexes and lightning fast reactions.


Sensitive hearing.


Intuition...you must think for and anticipate every move of the others.


Pilot-grade eyesight.


Ability to think on your feet.


Must be cool, calm and collected.
Must have stamina.

These are not the attributes listed on an ad for a superhero or secret agent.
Far from it.
These are skills you must possess to be able to drive in Accra or Kumasi. ( I'm pretty sure these skills are transferable). The natives drive in a manner only they understand. The roads signs and markings are for beautification of the city and are apparently not in actual use.

When you set off from home you need your sensitive ears to decipher what the honking horns are saying: "get out of the way, you idiot!" or "I want passengers". Do not be alarmed.
You need to think for the other morons road users, especially trotro and taxi drivers. These people seem to be very well trained in the art and science of infuriatingly artful stupidity on the road. Most of the razor sharp reflexes and responses will be employed to fend off their lunges and crossings.
Alternatively submit to them, a few scratches or near  accidents may occur plus longer journeys.

You need stamina to survive the mind numbing traffic. Manual or automatic, porshe cayenne, Bentley or nissan bluebird '(A' registration) "obiara ny3 obiara", (as the natives say). We all stand still and fume, literally and figuratively. The old trotro to your left will provide thick black smoke from its exhaust that you will smell through air conditioning and tightly shut windows.
You need to be cool, calm and collected or you might develop a heart condition at worst, very high BP at best, if you're a regular commuter-driver. Failing this you may morph into the Hulk (green tint not included with humans with melanin) when road rage takes over. Let me add that without the green hue your brilliance may not be recognised and you may resemble a screaming idiot.
The excellent eyesight is needed to spot potential nonsense before it happens. You probably need xray vision but failing this having your wits about you will suffice. More often than not there is only a split second indication of what the driver is about to do. Your xray vision must spot this from metres or centimetres away so you can respond accordingly. (Used in conjunction with super fast reflexes)

The ability to think on your feet is two-pronged. There is no chapter on walking/pedestrians because i do not advice or recommend it. The life of a pedestrian is fraught with danger and maybe short; the end maybe brutish. When you find yourself on your feet,THINK and get into a car. At least the surrounding metal will protect you better than your own skin. If you must walk be quick&careful, especially when crossing roads. Remember that the Zebra crossing may be one for beautification and not in actual use

                                                                                                                                                         45

Movies I should see but can't: The Dead

I hear there's a lovely Nb. i'm using this word very, very loosely, film out called The Dead, with Prince David Osei and good old David Dontoh, among others. It's an international movie, though low budget, but it's great to see not one but two Ghanaian actors in it. I hope they don't ham it up too much and say anything cringe-worthy. I am not a fan of horror films (Dear Michael [Jackson] had to die before I got over my fear of Thriller. That cackle sends me diving for cover *shudders*

Hopefully a film like this will inspire the local horror (literally) film industry to try a little harder and look beyond their usual witches and deities for inspiration...,ok, maybe that's asking too much for now,  perhaps better special effects would be nice. (Even I can watch those movies)

Synopsis:

When the last evacuation flight out of war-torn Africa crashes off the coast, American Air Force Engineer Lieutenant Brian Murphy (ROB FREEMAN) emerges as the sole survivor in a land where the dead are returning to life and attacking the living.

On the run in a hostile and inhospitable parched landscape, where sudden death lurks around every sun-burnished corner, Murphy has to use his wits and ingenuity if he is to get home alive to his family.

When Murphys path clashes with that of Sergeant Daniel Dembele (PRINCE DAVID OSEI), whose village has been torn apart by the reanimated dead, they join forces. The two desperate men from two very different cultures fight side by side to survive across the incredible vistas of Africa as the world succumbs to the deadliest of viruses.

In the first zombie road movie set against the spectacular vistas of Africa, the Dark Continent becomes a dead zone. A stunningly shot horror fantasy announcing the arrival of the Ford Brothers on the global genre scene, THE DEAD is as much an emotional journey through terror terrain as it is a physically demanding and beautiful-looking one. Shot in life-threatening, never-before-seen locations in Burkina Faso, French-speaking West Africa, and Ghana, including the Sahara Desert, on 35mm film by the award-winning Ford Brothers, THE DEAD is one of the most unique zombie movies of all time.

Taken from: thedeaduk.webeden.co.uk/#/synopsis/4554841749

So far it's receiving pretty good reviews, unfortunately I am a wuss, so I will not be watching it. Such a big one, in fact, that I couldn't bear to embed the trailer, lest I see some of it while I was at it. 

Just the sight of the zombie's face on the movie poster sent such a chill down my spine that I will say my prayers fervently, cover my head with pillows and sleep with the lights on. 

For those of you who enjoy crapping in your pants and that sort of thing, happy viewing!! 

Prince David Osei

David Dontoh

Niggling questions :)

Androgynous is defined as having the characteristics or nature of both male and female or

                          neither specifically feminine nor masculine or suitable to or 

                          for either sex for eg. androgynous clothing.

Ever so often I like wearing suits and a tie or bow tie or braces and brogues to experiment androgynous looks. Nothing special about that. 

We've all met at least one person whose gender we immediately couldn't decipher, right? But it usually becomes apparent pretty soon - as in the cases of very pretty boys and extremely boyish girls.

This is different. And Special!

The first time I saw Andrej Pejic I was completely blown away. I could NOT and still CANNOT believe he is a man! His waist is probably smaller than mine and I'm pretty small!

He's pictured here (for Brazilian label Auslander's Spring 2012 campaign: 

I need to know: Where are his....u know...bits??!?

He looks extra girly beside Rico the Zombie

I still can't believe it and do a double take every time..

every single time..

smh.

It's not even fair.

Ps. Is there a picture of his bits anywhere??? ...he has...bits..right?? 

o_0
right??
pps. Any black men this androgynous?? just curious 

Surprise!!!

Surprise!!! I usually don't like surprises (unless it's a surprise birthday party, hint hint hint)
Neither does Ghana, apparently. Especially surprise rainfall!
Oops. No one told the rains that...truth is expected or unexpected: the value is the same!
see : http://alawyerinheelsandanapron.blogspot.com/2009/06/vultures-and-other-relatives.html (wrote that in 2009, 2 years later : ta-daaa!!)
People shared these with me, so I'm sharing with you.
Should I bet that next year, maybe sooner, I'll have some more?? (and the year after that..and after..and after) ...I'm just saying...

http://edition.myjoyonline.com/pages/news/201110/75420.php

This picture was rightly titled "y3 b3wu nti y3nda? - they're already in trouble but there's nothing they can do about it so they might as well have a pint,lol

Vultures and our other Relatives
Update (Friday, 28th October 2011):
Ironically, while I thought we were safe and sound from all flood water and damage high up on the 2nd floor -3rd,if you count the ground floor as 1-  my dad's Benz which had gone to the garage/mechanic to be sprayed or something was completely filled up with water. Who knew it had a second purpose as a cup!? smh.
Now begins the process of dismantling it, well movable parts, so it can dry out; draining it of all oils and water and then calling an electronics expert. Apparently the same fate befell Rana Motors and the other car people on that road: brand new cars all submerged *sigh*
(does that mean they'll sell them for cheap???)

As as today 11 people have lost their lives, well that's the figure that was reported (http://www.ghanabusinessnews.com/2011/10/28/eleven-deaths-recorded-in-accra-floods-%E2%80%93-nadmo/). I don't have any figures for the damage to property, doubt that anyone does.
So here in Accra, as hot as it is, we're hoping for no more rain.

Celebrating deaths

I was almost determined not to write about Brother Gaddafi, there are too many fires raging already...but my mind is endlessly debating the matter and won't let me sleep.

It's 12.15am now and I see no end in sight. I have a 12hour school day ahead so I'm humouring myself so I can get some rest. Pardon me for this looong post and if my thoughts are all jumbled, I'm sleepy.
I just read Gaddafi's last speech (and commented on it, see above) and I cannot believe that I feel so much sympathy for someone who was probably one of the worst tyrants of our time. I have no doubt in my mind that he had his country's interests at heart and was working towards them. I went as far as wishing some of our politicians could take a cue from his focus. His personal excesses are another matter altogether but now, most of what I have are questions. Hence this boxing match in my mind that's keeping me up right now.


I can't help but think of Nkrumah and Gaddafi, Ghana and Libya and draw parallels. We also had a visionary who had the dream of uniting Africa and turned rogue too. I can't help but think: What if it has been Ghana in Libya's position? We have oil (and a couple of other things) too. If we were supposedly being 'terrorised' by a visionary despot would the world rush to our aid and intervene? Would the level of development that Nkrumah would have probably achieved be enough to keep us happy? Would we have rebelled at all, instead of being Ghanaian and grumbling in our bedrooms and smiling outside them? Would we have literally stuck a stick up his ***e in the end?? :(

I can't help but see the irony of the Libyan situation:

Gaddafi got to power by removing a monarch and then proceeded to establish his own by grooming his son(s) for the hot seat and ruling for over 40 years.

Gaddafi was relentless against his enemies, some were tortured, killed, some disappeared others fled. The result of absolute power is absolute corruption, so are we surprised? In the end he was pursued by NATO and its allies in a similar fashion: relentlessly.

Gaddafi hated foreign intervention and yet he has meddled in the destinies of many African countries, helping many leaders to and out of power. Yet he yelped the loudest about the foreign invasion in his own country. Or because his interventionist tendencies were towards Africans it doesn't count?

But who has helped his people (and other Africans) immensely? In Libya electricity was free. There was no interest on loans, banks in Libya are state-owned and loans given to all its citizens at 0% interest by law. A home considered a human right in Libya –Gaddafi vowed that his parents would not get a house until everyone in Libya had a home and he lived in a tent for most of the time. All newly weds in Libya receive $60,000 Dinar (US$50,000) by the government to buy their first apartment so to help start up the family. Education and medical treatments are free in Libya. Before Gaddafi only 25% of Libyans were literate. Today the figure is 83%. Libyans who want to take up farming career,would receive farming land, a farming house, equipments, seeds and livestock to kick-start their farms –all for free. If Libyans cannot find the education or medical facilities they need in Libya, the government funds them to go abroad for it – not only free but they get US$2,300/mth accommodation and car allowance. If a Libyan buys a car, the government subsidized  the price by 50%. The price of petrol in Libya is $0.14 per litre, the cheapest in the world. Libya has no external debt and its reserves amount to $150 billion – now frozen globally. If a Libyan is unable to get employment after graduation the state would pay the average salary of the profession as if he or she is employed until employment is found. A portion of Libyan oil sale is, credited directly to the bank accounts of all Libyan citizens. A mother who gave birth to a child receive US$5,000. Gaddafi carried out the world’s largest irrigation project, known as the Great Man-Made River project, to make water readily available throughout the desert country
The same Gaddafi. hmmmm.


The Worst West hail freedom and democracy but no single state in the West has been able to take care of their people to the extent that Libya could. In fact, aren't they all facing financial meltdowns of various proportions or recovering from them? All I see are pots calling the kettle black. At least Gaddafi was balsy enough to do his dirty work himself. The West does theirs with diplomacy and legalised wars. But who are they really accountable to? The UN and ICJ?? They have very flexible precedents, making it hard to predict...actually, rather easier to predict outcomes: if you're 'against' them you will lose.


And what about Somalia, Ethiopia and Rwanda? and other problem spots on our continent? Hasn't the UN seen them? Hasn't the US and France seen them?? Or must they dye and pour all their cooking oil into a hole before they can get the world's attention?

What is the AU doing?? what do they even do??


Ghanaians hail Nkrumah as a hero now, there's even a holiday in his honour now. But if I understood the historical accounts correctly we drove him away amidst celebrations. So now we have managed to separate the visionary from the (potential) despot, haven't we? Can't this be done for Qaddafi? There seem to be as many sides of Qaddafi as there are spellings of his name. So could there have been no good in him?? Why do I forsee Bra Qaddafi being hailed (universally) as (more of a) hero in the future?



What exactly is freedom??

Is it the right to say and write what you damn well like and damn the consequences? Do as you please with no repercussions?

Would you consider responsibilities a freedom?

More of a burden than wings,no?

Which would you rather be: an uneducated man making his way through life, as free as a bird.

Or an educated-for-free, housed man with access to free healthcare, a well paying job, unemployment benefits, etc in a gilded cage?

Can humans really be pleased?

Or ever satisfied?

It seems as if the more that is done the more we realised we lack.

All I have are questions.



Gaddafi was obviously not a perfect man but who is? He was a brutal man, but don't judge so quickly, do you know what potential you have to be cruel? Be careful not to judge too harshly. In primary school if you were ever allowed to write names of talkatives in class didn't you slyly eye that boy in your class who, the day before, shoved you from behind, sending you sprawling into the sand. As you remembered your humiliation and the sand grinding between your teeth, the thought that you could punish him with your new found power must have been very,very satisfying. Wouldn't you have written that name down? Now multiply that power by a million, visualise your enemies and tormentors and tell me you don't have the potential to be a despot.
You see..it's not that straightforward is it?


I subscribe to the view that Africans need benevolent dictators as leaders. (do not start picketing yet, wait and listen)
Not the kind who will murders us in our beds and keep us cowering but the ones who will crack the whip to keep us in check. Make the hard decisions needed to move us forward. So democracy may not be the best vehicle for political activity in Africa, where many societies are not yet solidly united for a common purpose. We're still polarised; divided along ethnic and tribal lines. The levels of literacy alone will make if difficult for the least amongst us to understand why we're tightening our belts. All that man knows is that he must eat. And come election time out the leader goes. So what's the way forward? Think about it. What other system could possibly work? But with the kind of politicians we have there seems to be no other safeguard except get rid of them when they oppress us. But what is oppression? and who defines it? not having enough to eat or wear is oppressive, no? *sigh*
All I have are questions.

The world is a very scary place as far as I am concerned right now. All I have is questions and every answer can be argued a hundred ways, raising a hundred other questions along the way. There is something to be said about people who celebrate the deaths of others, I just don't know what it is, but I know it's not good. There must be a reason why ill should not be spoken of the dead, has their judgement not come to them?

All I want to do now is sleep and hope intervening thoughts and similar nightmares will vanish.




Muammar bin Mohammad bin Abdussalam bi Humayd bin Abu Manyar bin Humayd bin Nayil al Fuhsi Gaddafi enigma, despot to some, redeemer to others, undeniably the driver of development in Libya, relentless pursuer of his enemies, 'mediator'/meddler in affiars of African countries, pushed to the wall and murdered in the worst fashion...perhaps not dissimilar to treatment meted out to enemies, but undeserved nonetheless. RIP