FRIDAY THE 13TH – THE RABIES DOG

For the superstitious people, Friday the 13^th is believed to be a day that involves bad luck, bad happenings or many misfortunes.

This day, Friday the 13^th of January 2012 proved the superstition right for the residents of Ngoina Road-Kericho County and the surrounding. I was there when a wild dog caused panic. It was not clear where it came from and as a sign, the usual ‘sound’ dogs started making strange cries and barks at the sight of the ‘insane’ intruder. Then people became alert and began the chase it starting from around 10.00 am in the morning. The wild dog, which we call in our local language T9 (pronounced; tee nine), made so many appearances and disappearances in tea bushes and crossing the highway while on the run. Clubs, machetes, rungus, throwing-stones, pangas, sticks and different kinds of tools were being carried around by the youths who chased the dangerous carnivore.

The energetic youths never gave up the chase even when the animal disappeared in the tea plantations several times. They followed it and surrounded the hiding points but unfortunately, the dog never rested inside there. It was crazy. The only sign that it was already out of the hiding point was the squealing barking of dogs after seeing their enemy. This attracted the attention of the chasers to the scene. Women too made prolonged shouts like, ‘uuuuuuui ndio huyo’.

Finally the wild dog was killed at around 3.00pm in the evening. Then as if to ensure that the animal won’t wake up again, it was set a blaze. It burnt and went up in smoke. Every one of the youths returned to their homes relaxed and happy. If the enemy would not have been killed, it would bit people as well as other animals and livestock hence endangering the livelihood of the community.

That was Friday the 13^th and especially to the animal because misfortune happened to it and for the local residents because they were no longer in peace when the first sight of the wild dog in the morning was heard until the killing of the dog when they sighed in relaxation. It is not yet clear whether anybody or any livestock was bitten by the rabies-carrying dog.

THE BUTTERFLY

As imperative as it is, I’m coerced by my inner guts to mention a spectacular thing that occurred during the festive season of this year. The scene is at my place and characters are my friends. This is not fiction but real.

The day was long. It was a Sunday, 24th. Digital cameras made random clicks as their users pressed the flash buttons mercilessly. The night that day came so fast that I couldn’t figure out how and why. Maybe I was busy. The drinks involving sodas were splayed on the table and I being one of the non-alcoholic-drinkers, I suited myself with a cold coke. My friends quenched their thirsts with wine. I being the odd one out, I felt as if I played my own music – and indeed I did.

When the exhaustion crept in, everyone felt sleepy. Silence also became the uninvited guest and filled the air. Most dozed off. I too headed for the bedroom. I switched on the lights and then a strange and beautiful object caught my eye. I stared for a moment trying to decipher the surprise that immensely intrigued and took the attention of my visual organs. It was the butterfly on my window curtain. What a strange creature. It had never flown before to my window let alone my room.

It immediately reminded me of my angel who was with me the same day. I thought if she had left it with me as a reminder or as a watcher of my actions! But all I knew was that it wasn’t a bad omen. So I never disturbed it. Maybe it was resting too because of exhaustion – what was it exhausted from anyway? Huh, I don’t know.

I later got into my pjs and jumped beneath the sheets and took a long sleep until morning when I was feeling as fresh as a newborn baby. My friends were still reeling in hangovers of the previous day.

My friend – butterfly – had left too, probably earlier than me. I didn’t even get a chance to say hi or something like good night or good morning. But the goodness is that it gave me a beautiful reminder that there are some things that can happen which are meant to take us back to thinking of other people.

If you ever find something like that in your place, don’t worry much. Just ask yourself why and don’t first think negatively about it. Start by thinking positive about it first.

“Cover me so that the old woman may cease”, she yelled.

Kwamboka (not her real name) and I were sitting together, alone by the swimming pool having a reluctant conversation which soothed our moment. Silence filled the air. Water waves reflected graphical wavelengths which sometimes made our minds wander far off. The conversation lasted upto late in the night when it was becoming cold. So we moved indoors.

She led and I followed. I shut the door. She dropped the curtains both in our living room and bedroom.

After sometime, I found myself holding her waist while standing and facing each other. She smiled. She giggled. Then she laughed. And laughed more. Then she laughed more and more loudly. I took away my hands from her. She didn’t stop her mirth. I watched her with a mixture of confusion and enjoyment. I didn’t understand why she did that. Then she moved towards the sofa. She began rolling herself on the sofa rigorously and vigorously. Her head shook until it became two heads in the process. Many hands emerged from her rolling body and they all pointed towards me and trying to reach for me. Then I heard a loud voice yelling from her, “Cover me so that the old woman may cease”. I couldn’t decipher that. Who was the old woman she was referring to? So instead of overloading my brain with questions, I acted accordingly. I grabbed a blanket and threw it over her, covering her whole self.

In a twinkling of an eye, she ceased. She rested. It was as if a heavy downpour came to a halt suddenly. Everywhere went dead silent.

Then I opened my eyes. I woke up. I check the time in my phone. It’s reading Wednesday, 01.26 AM. I am gasping. I am sweating. I am tired and my hands feel as if they have just been untied. I look around. No one is around, just me. I am in my usual bed. Then I realized that all this was a nightmare! Then I grabbed a pen and start writing down the whole scenario – before it disappears in my memory – to tell you about it.

What a nightmare!!

I went back to sleep.

Grandiose Approach

It is Sunday mid-morning and the aura is fine. I’m seated in this classy hotel in town. Soothing RnB music is playing softly in the background. The room is just cool and conducive for relaxing minds.

I’m feeling tired and bored so I’m trying to take a quenching sip of soda to relieve my guts. I came alone. In the room we are not many. The look through the glass window seems to go with all the thoughts in my mind.

To the left corner from where I sit, there is this dude whose phone is ringing. It brings my attention to life. The chiming sound of the ring tone enlightened my mood. I glance at his direction. He looks at the phone, probably to check who is calling. Immediately he reaches his ear with the phone and begins to talk in a very low tone. I draw my attention from there and continue looking through the glass. Instantly, I remember something. I think I saw something. I look back at him. He withdraws his hand from the ear and goes on facing a little bit downwards. Then I ask myself what exactly is he interested so much down there? It’s his laptop. OK. Fine. I’m settled. So is he watching? Is he playing a game? Is he doing online writing? Is he doing online marketing? Is he … is he? Or is he doing nothing? But I suppose he is not doing the latter.

The dude looks like he is a computer guru in the way his fingers are running all over the keyboard like heck. His tie is cocked well cupping the collars of his shirt. His black and well ironed suit matches his shining shoes. I mean, he’s just the epitome of a salaried person holding a high position in the ranks. His short well shaved hair matches his big head. Not to ill-talk him but yes, his head is big.  I guess he’s got brains unlike some of us who got balls. God made us differently, I appreciate that. And I’m satisfied with that.

Momentarily, another call comes. He reaches for the phone and this time round, he looks at it and makes a scornful frown and mocking smile. He hangs the call and returns the phone to its place. I’m not sure if he switched it off.

Being interested in his appearance, I think he might be someone who can connect me to a job available anywhere. As a youth looking for a job, we are advised to grab or make use of any available opportunity. I therefore make a move towards his territory. Before I sit opposite him, I remember to exercise respect as to never sit before you are told to or before asking for it. I stand beside him but he seems too busy to notice my intrusion. I salute him, “Good morning sir?” “Huh” he responds in a rather frightened and resentful demeanor while raising his head to look at me. “Oh have a seat.” He says it timidly quickly. I whisper a ‘thank you’ and sit comfortably. He goes straight to the point by asking me “How may I help you?” That’s when I realize that he really must be very busy. Such conversations, from my earlier experiences, need straight to the point answers, like ‘yes’ and ‘no’. They are ephemeral kind of conversations.

“You are a great man with intellect and of importance to our society” I begin. “I’m asking you to just give me a short moment of your time to express myself. Actually, I’m looking for a job and if you know of a vacant position that matches my qualifications, I will be grateful if you let me know. I’m ….” I implore him to hook me up for a job.

“I’m sorry man; you got the wrong person to ask all that. If I were you, I can’t look for a job. My parents are rich and I get everything I want. If you don’t mind, I need to complete the last level in the game I was playing; so excuse me”. He rattled.

I curse the air in my lungs as I breathe out through my broad nostrils. What a jerk! Just playing a game? I become more confused than I was before I saw him. I get up slowly and voluntarily and squeeze myself out of the suddenly tightened atmosphere. Our conversation (if it qualified to be called so) took less than ten minutes. I’m back to my former seat, which is now cold. I call for Sprite. A few gulps and hiccup boringly.

I convince myself to assume that nothing like communication ever took place today. That no conversation happened. Then I subside.

Then I see myself as better off in someway. I’m educated. Learned. Enlightened. Now in the field looking  for a job. Thus I make life worth living. I struggle to survive. And so the saying goes, “every successful person has a painful story; accept the pain and get ready to success”.

I concluded that had I known earlier, I wouldn’t a conversation with a stranger.

For job hunting, a grandiose approach that was.

I finish my soda, pay the bill and get out, my hands delved in the side-pockets of my jacket. I’m ironically more energized and encouraged than before.

So ladies and gentlemen, be friendly. We all need each other in climbing this ladder. If you are fortunate, don’t look down upon others. Not all people are the same. Let’s respect each other. “No man is an island”.

Upcountry Birthday Bash

Waking up in the mornings at ushago feels so nice, but at times, awry. A timely crowing rooster detaches you from your morning deep and sweet dream (if you are lucky to have one). All you do, if disturbed, is to curse the sound of the rooster as your eyes blossom to the sudden not-so-dark night in the room. “Nkt, that cock. I’m gonna kill it”, that’s what you could mumble from the shortened sleep. But that’s a silent weapon; it won’t do anything to the top of the lungs crow.

I had gone upcountry for holidays and while there, I expected to see beautiful gullies, valleys, hills, morning dews, mowing cows, bleating sheep, croaking frogs and watch children play. Luckily I experienced them all except my mornings because of the earlier said rooster’s disturbances.

I used to go to a nearby river to take bath, sometimes swim like a fish and dive like a seal. You know how beautiful it is to see fish in crystal clear water when they swim with their tails and fins constantly in motion! I could sit there for like an hour and sometimes dip my hand to try to touch them but they were so cautious that they swim swiftly and come back to the same location later. I admired their silent conversation and union. One time I met two boys who were fishing in the same river and I managed to convince one to show me how to fish. Their faces were stony and I had to repeat my request to confirm if they had heard or not. They never said much. One looked at me sternly without saying a word. “Hey easy bro, I want no trouble, just a request” I said as I was kinda frightened by the look he gave me. He then handed me the fishing rod and pointed to me where from my inner understanding, I guessed meant the right place to catch fish. I stood up fast and walked towards it then swung the fishing line and waited anxiously for the fish to come out of the water. It was until the boy who gave me the fish rod came and showed me how to catch. I could see him raising and lowering the rod until I asked him why he kept doing that. He told me that it is easy to feel when the fish is pulling the hook and if it is, then you lift it up very fast to pull it out of the water. I giggled because that was logical. He looked at me again as if to ask what was funny. My stretched mouth quickly contracted and seriousness engulfed my face.

I woke up one morning when the weather was fine. Sun shone brightly that day, birds sang melodious chirping. I prayed and thanked God for that glory. The same day was my birthday; 22^nd of August. It was one of the happiest times in my life for living upto one year older and wiser. I even remember me calling one of my friends as early as five in the morning. He started by saying a sleepy happy birthday. “Oh thank you very much. So you are aware too of my birthday huh!” I said. “Of course, how can I forget it, man?” he contributed. “Sure”, I added. After that I felt glad because that was an assurance that somebody somewhere remembered me in my birthday.

I had invited a couple of friends for the celebration and most of them turned up. Some even came with drinks, I knew that they brought them for themselves because I am not a fan, I don’t drink. There was this girl, dressed in red, with long legs, baby face, small beautiful bag, decorous hair-do, glowing lipstick; I am running out of words to describe how gorgeous she looked. While I was having the introduction of guests, she appeared rather at the far end of the entrance to the hall. I lost attention to the nearby hanky panky talk and cheek-kissing greetings. I was a bit shorter than most of ladies who turned up so every time they cheek-kissed me, they had to bend a little bit lower to my level (which I didn’t feel comfortable). When the red beauty appeared, the loud communication near me became dead silent as if I had suddenly been dropped in a vacuum where I could see outside but hear nothing. My eyes gazed at her as she blatantly walked forward. My consciousness was revoked when my close friend pat on my shoulder and asked, “Are you alright?” “Yes, yes perfectly fine.” I quickly looked at his face and replied without taking much time to think about what he just asked me.

The name of the girl was Victoria, she later introduced herself so. I was speechless. Every time she talked, I looked at her lips as if not to miss every word that came out of her mouth and also see how her lips twisted in a manner to shape each word well to come out eloquently and audibly.

The party went on well where we had a quite remarkable feasting and socialization which compared to none. I also managed to learn a lot from attendants for example how friendship is built and maintained and how it can be determined by attendance to any invitation. But most of my time, I was preoccupied by the thoughts about the cutie whom I don’t remember inviting. The day was the happiest I have ever experienced in my time.

I excused myself then looked for the lady and decided to take her around, showed her some places she might be interested to see and take delight in. We overlooked at some steep hills and projecting spurs which made the general geographic view spectacular. Being a humorous nature I am, she kept laughing all the time when I said something funny. I liked it too because I knew inside me that it was something that I learnt one time which said that if you want to win a lady, make her laugh. It worked for me. She lost and I won, ha ha! I’m not laughing, that was my achievement. We came back later and found that everyone was almost getting exhausted. Music played loudly, dance styles mired and joy flowed to me realizing that all was because of my birthday.

Fred*, one of my friends, came over to my shoulder and whispered to me, “Man, you gotta be kidding me, where did you get yourself an angel?” I just smiled and said nothing.

It was around seven in the evening when the party came to a halt. I could see many running their fingers over the buttons of their cell phones. I understood that they were probably exchanging mobile numbers for later communication or unions or dates, whatever it would be, that was none of my business. The party was adjourned and my queen of the party left but something inside both of our hearts had been planted. I escorted them for a while and they all left happily and promised to be around again next time. I was all smiles all the time and I felt so sad when it was ending because I wished it would never end. But they say, “Everything that has a beginning must have an end”.

That was my birthday party.

Making the right Decision

“You need not leave your room. Remain sitting at your table and listen. You need not even listen, simply wait. You need not even wait; just learn to become quiet, and still, and solitary. The world will freely offer itself to you to be unmasked. It has no choice; it will roll in ecstasy at your feet.”

- Franz Kafka

My readers, a times you are faced with a situation that requires you to make the right decision. Making that right decision is not an easy process. Frank said it (in italics above).

Therefore, according to you, how do you make the right decision?
Let’s share.

Learn To Say Thank You

When I was a kid my parents used to tell me thank you for even just picking something small and taking it to them. They would assure me that I’ve done something incredible that I deserved to be thanked for. I smiled and felt wholesome, felt loved and yearned to do more. That’s what teachers in school teach pupils/students all the way from nursery to a higher level of education. Thanks to the teachers because the whole teaching process is shaping up of an individual to fit in the society in their future.

…Saying thank you is a virtue that should be cultivated and nurtured because it soothes. For example, when someone makes a mistake that qualifies to be unforgiven, take time and say ‘thank you’ though could be awkward, then perhaps the wrong doer would be judged by his/her deeds. You could see him/her approach you later and say ‘I’m sorry’.

It is not only good manners to say thank you but also beneficial to self. I believe that  being grateful can improve well-being, physical health, can strengthen social relationships, produce positive emotional states and help us cope with stressful times in our lives.

In a case of job interview, sending a thank you letter is a good way to reiterate your interest in the job and to remind the interviewer why you are the best candidate. Hiring managers think more highly of the candidates who appreciate the chance to interview, so it’s worth your while to say thank you for the opportunity.

If anybody offers assistance, doesn’t matter how big or small the assistance is, don’t be narcissistic but it is worth a while to appreciate it. It goes a long way and builds trust between the two of you. The appreciated party will always feel obliged to assist in future because you did nothing much but recognized his effort and he was contented in his heart.

Our creator, the Almighty God should always be thanked for. He created heaven and earth and placed us there to worship Him. If you are healthy and feeling no pain in your body or any sickness at all, you should never be having any reason as to why you are not thanking Him. Many sick people are in hospitals, others in their homes and they are all asking God to remember and give them back their health. God hears them all. In some instances, when we fall sick perhaps Malaria, we think of God, when we are faced with any difficulty, we think of God and pray profusely. Actually it’s not wrong to do that but it is good to think, thank and call upon God in prayer at all times; be it in sickness or health.

Waking up every morning to see another day set for you is not something usual. It is a privilege that God has allowed us to live and worship Him. I also believe that it is another chance given to us to straighten up our ways to match what God intended for us. We ought to always thank God!

So in short, what are we supposed to do? Should we sit around and look at things the way they are? No! Learn to say thank you!

Blogging To Boost Your Career

Blogging, blogging, blogging. That is the word that keeps ringing on the mind of someone who is looking to increase the chances of their online presence . It has become an online tool to communicate with thousands of people world wide. Blogs come in different formats, they could be specific or general in ideology.But as they say, a good blog is the one that has a specific topic, well, let’s find out.

The goodness of a blog is that it is easy to create, manage, customize and update. Examples of blogging sites that I know include; WordPress, Blogspot and Blogger. I know that there could be many others out there and they are good.

Employers nowadays could be using this tool as a way of finding their ideal candidates to fill the vacant positions in their organizations. So it is futile to say that a larger percentage of job applications made online are captured and thus many successful applicants as compared to other forms of applications.

OK, so now what? That is the question that could be spinning in your mind now. Fine. There is always something that can be done, right? And it is never too late.  If you were to search (which I think you should) from the internet now about jobs, boosting a career and many related keywords, at least, if not at most, you will find a site that mentions about blogging as the technique of presenting yourself. That’s why a blog needs a blogger to Choose a unique topic of what his or her blog is about. Choosing a topic should be the priority or rather the first priority.

According to my research on the internet, the following is a list of what the blog should entail.

• Choosing a unique topic
• Content should be Professional
• Regular writing (updating)
• Marketing of your blog
• Responding to comments

The list could be endless but the above, according to me, are the most recommended.

Blogs are also a way of expressing oneself in various number of ways. By my experience, someone can be very good in communicating through writing compared to word of mouth and vice versa. I guess that’s how we are and why we are different!

So what’s your opinion? Do you have a blog? How do you manage yours? Well, comment below if you have something to add.

Mid-Morning Bird

Good morning everyone. It’s a beautiful, brilliant morning that the sun’s rays are radiating and permeating the window blinds, shining with glory. This morning I have just one thing to write about, not that I have missed important subject to write on but this one is very intriguing to me, that’s why.

There is this bird, I think the name given to it is Passer Motitensis (google the images for that) and in my local background, it’s got a name. There is one instance that gets me thinking whenever I look at the bird and what it usually does, it’s amazing. I mean, it always comes at mid morning and passes across my door while hopping (just like any other bird when moving on the ground) then halts for a short time and incline its head to look at me then hops again and then flies through a open  window at the far end of the corridor. I don’t know if it “knows” me, or just trying to give me a morning greeting or whatever! Maybe it is sent to give me a good luck for the day’s activities. Maybe I am yet to find out it’s reason at my door-step.

I am not always superstitious about birds but perhaps other animals. All I know is that if this was a bad omen, it would have taken place long time ago. I like the bird though so much that when it delays to come at the usual time, I kinda look around to check if its is coming. Perhaps I am fond of it too. And when I don’t see it I know that maybe it’s on the way. So I have also developed a habit which whenever the bird arrives at my door, I wave my hand as if to say hi too. Then all it does is halt for a moment and look at me then do the usual hop and flying through the window.

Inside my deep thoughts I know that the bird communicates with me in one way or the other. That’s what I believe. When it is gone, sometimes I am coerced to say “thank you for dropping by” with a smile (but not loudly because someone can hear me and Then reluctantly know that it has heard my greetings too. “Tomorrow is another day buddy” is what I follow it with when it starts flapping its wings flying off through the window.

Nature is something that God is the only one who has control over. Some things happen and all that a human being has got to do is thank Him for everything. There is a reason for every happening.

You don’t appreciate something until you lose it

I am sitting on a blue plastic chair making uncountable looks at the view of buildings’ roof tops. I am up at the balcony seated at the far end corner. One leg folds over the other in intervals as if exchanging shifts. I am in black jeans and holding a pen, piece of paper and a novel called Reluctant Fundamentalist written by Mohsin Hamid.

Blue plastic chair

The vehicles below are moving normally, some hooting, some silent, some I don’t know… aura is just lively. Pedestrians too are walking with gusto. Sometimes a look to the sky is followed by a giggle. Not that I’m traveling a road leading to madness, nor that I am already a lunatic exercising the norm. But it’s this novel I brought with me that coerces the cackle to jump out of its boundaries for a protracted bout. It is full of humour. The book’s writer must have hit the corners of his mind to come up with how to engage a reader to live (metaphorically) the contents.

My spirits are buoyed by the life that the writer reflects about how he was in America. He tells of his life and his fiancée back there. He loved her so much that he couldn’t forget to talk about her.

Love

While reading, I am compelled to write about something but I don’t know what to write about. I am not the only one in the hood – writing hood – who falls a victim of the same scenario (you want to write but don’t know what to write).  Any other writer can tell you the same. As I read the Reluctant Fundamentalist, I am bound to remember how hard and painful it is to lose something you never cared for so much, only to realize later that it was of core importance. An example is relationships. Just like what Mohsin Hamid talked about his time in America. He now reflects it with  enthusiasm. He realizes that his existence abroad mattered a lot.  Another instance is when someone might be loving you, taking care of you and enjoying every moment of your being together. But in one way or another, you might not be taking keen look at the privilege. At the effort.  The l-o-v-e. The agape. But it is so sad to only, and I repeat only realize when the relationship is broken or over (for whatever reason) that the person sacrificed a lot to make every moment pleasant.

Freedom

The other instance is freedom. There are different kinds of freedoms that people have. It is the best thing to enjoy freedom given. But when the same freedom is lost, you will miss it so much and regret every action that triggered the loss. Enjoy every minute of your freedom and cherish it. Relish it… Sometimes there is no next time.

In order not to fall into the pit of “you don’t appreciate something until you lose it”, learn to appreciate any assistance offered, opportunity given, love, freedom and so on and so forth. It goes a long way by recognizing whatever small good it is.