End of 2008: The Year Regrets

We're are quickly entering 2009 and I find myself excited, happy and ready for the new year. I have high expectations for good stuff coming, need for lots of trips and starting things fresh and tidy in the coming year.

As expected with nature, the old year is dying and with it some of the stuff that I failed to do, my 2008 resolutions and some close attachments. I have had lots of achievements and some failures with the passing year and I present the top 8 things that I (regret) failed to do/have in 2008.

PS: They are in random order and numbering does not necessarily correspond to importance

1. Skinny Dipping
There is something about jumping in the pool with birthday suits. Those that have tried it before say it's an experience words can't describe but something you should try out on your own.
Am yet to overcome my fear/care about what some people around might say or think and just do it. Is there anyone around who wants in 2009 to trade in the bathing suits for birthday suits? We should indulge such an activity at one of those blogger parties.

2. Professional Lap Dance
Ever since Nsaba Butoro outlawed Kimansulo, It became such a difficulty finding a decent place for a proper boys night out. I must confess that I walked, moved and looked in almost the whole of Kampala even some suburbs in quest of a satisfactory lap dance and yielded no fruits. I've been to Nakulabye, Kansanga/Kabagala, Garden City, and Kololo to mention a few but no of these had the offerings of such a dance If you've had some success in this venture please let me know the venue. Now that I've moved to a system where this is actually permitted, In 2009, I am looking forward to a mixture of exotic dancers from all areas of the world. Am thinking I'll most definitely start with a Hispanic.

3. Get My Six Pack
It's only in 2008 that I thought seriously about my physical fitness and strength. I still could not afford any gym membership so I had to do with home made improvisations. I used to run about 5km every time I went out jogging twice a week, made my own dumb bells from mechanical gears and used to do up to 200 hard sit ups at one go like 3 times a week. This kind of activity was very common in the beginning of 2008 after I did the Dec 2007 10k MTN Marathon and sure enough, I had started getting those biceps and stomach abs most of you females drool @. I donno what happened but somehow along the way I lost it and my developing pacs went down the drain. Am still searching for this lost gus and hopefully I get it in the coming year.

4. Tell Her I love You
There is this nice, beautiful girl I once secretly liked and saw her again after what seamed to be a century. Sure enough, she still had the sparkle and the fire she had set up in me was not burned out. I just could not get her out of my mind and what ever free time I had, I was thinking of spending it with her. The more I think about her, the closer I get to the reality and can't deny the truth that what I failed to do when I last saw her was say "I love you" and kiss her goodbye.

5. Get Behind The Wheel
I only find it fun and easy to watch fast car races and talk about driving and if you hear me, you'll probably think am such a pro and could match the transporter guy when put behind the steering wheel. Reality is, I get all shaky and stiff when I take the driver's seat.
I promised my self a million times I'd go to that AAA driving school but somehow an excuse always popped up, the hike in fuel price consequently instructor fees was the last nail on the coffin for any hope of driving school. I do look back and sometimes wish I'd taken the leap and had one more skill bagged under my arm; but not all hope is gone, the new year brings lots of promise and I see myself cruising a mustang.

6 Buying Stanbic Bank Shares
Financially, I was not badly off when Stanbic placed their Ipo. Instead of doing the right thing and owning part of such a thriving bank, I choose to spend my money in other ways that would in no way bring back any long-term monetary return. I sure did lend my big brother some shs such that he could also invest in the bank and when I saw his first returns, I was filled with such envy and regret of course I refused to take back the shs I lent him with hope that I can convince him to co-own. A friend of mine said MTN would also float soon and I still have some shs saved up for the MTN Ipo, these things of shares are somehow better that pissing off your hard earned cash in the men's room.

7. Treated People Better / Been a Nicer person
There are times when I've not been myself and treated other people with selfishness, hate and malice. Although the number of people is actually less than the fingers on one hand, there are some random individuals whom I've not treated so nicely and I always wish I'd been a better person/friend. Maintaining a smile and treating all people as equal is one of my aims.

8. Learned a New Foreign Language
I always hated my French High School Lessons, It's not a wonder that I dropped it as soon as got into the electives stage. Little did I know at that time that English is not the only international language. I regret not taking any Spanish lessons with the local Catholic Priest who was offering free tutoring for a Spanish class, I only hope that it's not as boring and complicated as the French ones.


To usher in the new year, I'll sign off with a quote by Charles Swindell, a man who believes that a positive Attitude is the greatest strength you can have.

He says, “I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90 % how I react to it.”

What are your personal thoughts on 2008?

Iweechu'all


Happy New Year!!

After Math

Hellos,

It's great to be back to blogger world after the celebration of Christ's birth. Hoping that you all had a great merry time during the festive season and actually ate to the fullest.

I only just recently saw on a T.V add that turkey has an ingredient that is used in some sleeping pills. I did have more than a lions share of turkey which explains my high slumber affinity & slight delay in getting back to posting.

Much as I was not feeling Christmasy at first, I did have more fun than I had expected. First, my weekend began early on Wednesday when I was told the office would be closed from Christmas eve in order to enjoy x-mas days much to my delight and wishing. I had so much fun moving around taking pictures, shopping for last minute presents and buying the food for the meal.

I only just opened my presents yesterday and was very happy with what met my eyes. No it was not some tech stuff like I had secretly wished for but things to add to my wardrobe. I now have a different tie for each day of the week, a 5 Kg chain and an LR suit.

Since I came, there are still clothes I've not got chance to put on, and more seam to be coming in. All the clothes I had in Ug could hardly fit in the tin case and I was fine with that but now, hmm am yet to get used to the diversity, only good thing is I've not done laundry for over a month.

My mum surprised me this morning when she said she was hoping to get an ipod. How did she know about that? My mum is kinda traditional and hates any tech stuff, she has hardly mastered how to use her own cellphone so you can understand why the ipod was a shocker.

I think my sister might have given her that bad ipod idea maybe even someone at her work but much as I love her more than the cost of the ipod, the $150(-tax) for the latest nano is a bit outside of my rather tiny budget. I mean even Santa went into recession and may kids did not get stuff from north pole.

All of a sudden I have nothing else to say. Well may be I should close by weechu a prosperous new year and thanks for the time together the past few months.

How was the festivity your side?

Any real resolutions for 2009?

Weeweechu

Rosita and Pedro have known each other for a long time and are very close.

One night when siting out in the back yard enjoying the night with a romantic full moon.

Pedro gets the urge and said, "Hey, mamacita, let's do Weeweechu."

Oh no, not now, let's look at the moon!" said Rosita.

Oh, c'mon baby, let's you and I do Weeweechu. I love you and it's the perfect time," Pedro begged.

"But I wanna just hold your hand and watch the moon." replied Rosita.

Please, corazoncito, just once, do Weeweechu with me."

Rosita looked at Pedro and said, "OK, one time, we'll do Weeweechu."

Pedro grabbed his guitar and they both sang.....

"Weeweechu a Merry Christmas, Weeweechu a Merry Christmas, Weeweechu a Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year."

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!

Uncovered.

I've always thought of myself as the one lurking in the shadows. Not the bad evil one but the good one, the one who you sometimes feel is watching over you and protecting you without taking any credit.

For the tech geeks, I'd say am kinda like the driver that runs a computer device, you never actually see it but things can jam if the device driver is missing.

For the others, I'd say am not the life of the party but the one who kinda watches your back and makes sure stuff goes right.

Today's post is an attempt at uncovering myself and somehow emerging from the shadows into the light. I've never attempted to explain my self before or let alone fully open to people but this is a start and will certainly be one of my resolutions in the coming year.


Today's random stuff

-------------------------------

The Christmas spirit has not yet fully engorged me, my tree is already up and the decorations are also unpacked but somehow was not amused by the snow the way I've seen in movies and efforts to make our snow man in the backyard with my sister were feeble and we failed to go beyond his big round bottom before losing the fire.

Somehow, getting to work was an easy thing. It was going to be a different day because I was going to see all my other intern mates from their respective sites and Monday is a kind of gathering of all the others for a debrief and you get to hear all their stories which are hilarious but I somehow hope I don't get to tell mine.

Some dude from work who I somehow told about my blogging and even threw in my blog address surprised me today during the short break. I meet up with him while heading back towards my seat and he was like..

Him: "Yo man, I've been reading your blog."

Me: Sure? (Thinking. O.K I was hoping he'd forgotten about that).

Him: "You write about us. You have to stop writing about us." starts shouting to others, Yo! this dude has a blog and he be blogging about us.

Me: (thinking.......Duh!! It's called my stuff I can write about anything)


This was completely striping me of my anonymity, I was at loss of words, how was I going to start telling all my peers about my works? Lucky me, I was saved because the break quickly ended.

Being of the shadows, this move was putting me in bright light and it was scary. It also got me thinking I should actually get to show my self more to my reader's and even write more.

Just last week. one of my internship supervisor's also came across one of my blog posts. No thanks to Google. I was also completely caught with my pants down and did not know what to say when they started talking about my yaip post. How do you start discussing yo stuff? I quickly went into defense mode and almost said I did not even know what a blog is because I felt I was out in the open. Somehow, it ended so quickly and I don't fully remember what they said about it.

None of my family member's even knows about blogging, I still even look at mine as a private and personal space open to only a few, preferably ones I've not yet known or met, but with all these blog clubs and parties things plus Google, anonymity is very difficult to maintain and I might as well as give up on it.

I'll work on this "giving up" project and hopefully even get my kid sister to guest blog on my page.

That's just some of the stuff I thought about today.

How did yo week start? Oba you've already made that trip up upcountry?

Hopefully this brings you some holiday spirit

One Week Later

The break from my self was only to last one week, this was such that I could not engage in my daily routine of doing things but to instead do things at will and instinct. One week indeed seamed too long and a lot happened in between.

Mr & Mrs Blogger's block decided to move in to share my muzigo. Apparently Cheri had chased them away and when they came knocking, they said that they only wanted chai, I should have known better because they completely took over the crib before even the tea was served. To an extent that whenever I sit down in front of knight, they came up with all sorts of tactics to make me loose focus and instead pay attention to them. Now that they have stepped out for some Christmas shopping, I can take these few Min's to give a recap of my vacation from myself.


Friday: I went in for my health Insurance appointment almost an hour early, the normal me would have used African time and been an hour late. It was such a long wait but the young chic who finally came for me was not only super hot but also very friendly and wow !she was such a flirt. Ideally, I'd have played along with her flirting game but I was locked away somewhere. I did not even get her name, phone number or email but she'd have been a great hang out pal. Which reminds me of some new series called "My Own worst Enemy" on NBC.


I finally started with my work internship site on Tuesday, It was such a long distance from home that I had to use 3 trains to get there. Normally I'd look for the shortest and quickest route but what about? It's a training and testing center(computer stuff) with the stuff mostly being Chinese, I was not surprised by this seeing that the area is almost like a mini china town. I liked the place at first sight, the china peoples are really great to work with and they are very friendly.


Lunch time was most interesting. Unfortunately, the site does not offer lunch which means I have to fish this out of my already shallow pocket. I went to some Chinese food place and they had quite an appealing menu, it was amusing to see frog, cat & dog among the menu items but I opted for rice, chicken & mushroom something which was very tasty and worth the 6 bucks I spent. Am still a long way off from trying tadpole soup but the dude I work directly with was taken back when I told him about the cherished nsenene mbu how do you eat insects?


M/w I can't do any thing with the other chic I promised to follow, that technically, am her client and that those things are not allowed. These Americans hmmm they are always deep thinking I'd not yet even made any pass or possibility of such action and she was already way ahead. Am yet to show her my intentions are pure and not even 100miles near to what she's thinking at the moment. For now am certain my pals Enrique, Igiss & Coochie Coo will show me a way forward with such scenarios.


Finally, The normal me is back, I learnt over the past week that am such a rude snob -that's what 15 people think even some bus driver. I decided to cut work today just because I can and bought myself Christmas presents from Amazon just because I have a new credit account and wanted to use it.


That's almost it, I can hear the aliens at the door, I have to post this before they come in. Somebody please help!!! How do I get rid of the Bollocks couple? I'd hate to have them around during this festive season.

Still Tired.

My weekend was rather short.. From Friday till Monday, I've been moving around like some maniac.
Yes! Finally, I decided to go out and explorer Manhattan, such a feat of course can't be done in just one weekend but I grabbed that GPS, packed a few stuff and hit the road. I did eventually over worked myself and still feel tired from all that moving but at least I know most of the West side.

I can't really start to write down & share some of the drama and fun bits. For thy is not up to it so, here are some few pics to summarise the tour.

If too small, click on pics to see the full format photos.

Madison Square.


This guy was on my case and even wanted me to pay a visit to his tree house.


Random

The cold forced me to don the ninja out fit and that's how tall the Empire state building is. That lady kept looking at my food through the whole meal.


Dinner

China town. The food!! This is how the Thai peoples eat..delicious.











Yeah, I finished almost everything and was pleased with the preparation.

Some Library / Bookstore

Games, Now On Demand

Museum of Natural History


Facing the fallen terrors

Sea World










Times Square



Have to take leave for about a week from myself to regain my strength.

Arios

Resolution?

Who wants this?

Adventure

Oh!!! How I so wish I could drive!! Problem is, I just can't face my fears and get behind the wheels of those menacing metallic horses. My first attempt at taming one of these beasts was a hilarious mess I remember driving straight into the then Jinja road round-about in a friends car and I left him yelling in the car and took a taxi back home.

When I moved to the big apple, a pal warned and mentioned how I'd have to gain driving skills to manage this place effectively but I quickly dismissed him saying such stuff is for only chosen few for I'm happy taking rides in the passenger seat. But after yesterday's mix, his words came rushing back in and maybe, just maybe I should probably do something to face my phobia of controlling the metallic horse. My mum would be the happiest, she has been bugging me since day one to get my driving license in order to become her personal chauffeur but I always claim business rather than my phobia.

How it started
Some crazy instinct took over me when I received a call on my way back home and I jumped out of the bus only to find myself in the middle of nowhere. Some elderly guy I tried to talk first asked me for money and when I said I was out, he went away cursing and could not listen to me, the next person wanted to sell me crack and calls back to that office and home did not yield any fruits. How unbecoming of me but I was determined to go for my appointment.

To cut the long story short, I took about 5 buses before finally reaching my destination. One gentleman I met taking his son home and showing him the bus routes and numbers was of immense help. He made me avoid the $2 /bus fare for two of the transfers and advised me to use the African accent with the rest of the drivers to get to my destination without having to pay anything and it worked. You see I made a stupid choice in getting off my home bound bus and I actually had no money on me.

Destination at Last
This was not all in vain the person I went to see was fiercely hot and I was charmed by everything she said, I did not want to leave her office and the K.b was flowing. See thing is I was only there to get help with my health insurance but some how forgot this and spent over two hours in there trying to sell my self and even landed on a Job posting which would suite me considering it has stuff to do with computer's -Ive already sent in my resume.

It's bad I had to call her back and ask for train fare which felt awkward considering it was form someone you'd just had a love at first sight moment. She did walk out with me until we could get change and I was short of giving her a huge hug and peck for being so nice & beautiful. Should I follow up?

I got back home 2hrs later exhausted,cold, hungry and with a splitting headache. This did not stop me from going to dell.com and getting my self a TomTom & some other stuff much to the charging of my mum but that's another storo.
This Friday marks the end of my first 4week Internship orientation, hopefully we're shipped off to the work sites this Monday for the real dance, but today, it's party time for completion. Am looking forward to the pizza, shiken wings and whatever else is thrown at me tomorrow at work.

Have a great weekend

The Scribbler Award!!

I interrupt regular posting to bring a special announcement, In the short span of my blogging, I have received a award "THE SUPERIOR SCRIBBLER AWARD"

This award was presented to me by blogger Kinshar of Kinshar's world. I do not remember how I stumbled onto her blog but all I can say is once I found it, I always found myself going back for more. I find her to be a rather strong, fun and open minded woman who does not sugar coat stuff when she gets down to do her thing with her blog. Am honored that she gave me the award. Thanks Kinshar!

Now that I have the award, it gives me chance to also have some power and authority to give it out as I please Hahahah(evil laugh). However, just like any other awards, I am bound by the rules that are attached with the giving out process. The rules are rather short and straight forward.

Rules:

• Each Superior Scribbler must in turn pass The Award on to 5(five) most-deserving bloggy Friends.
• Each Superior Scribbler must link to the author & the name of the blog from whom he/she has received The Award.
• Each Superior Scribbler must display The Award on his/her blog, and link to this Post,which explains The Award.
• Each Blogger who wins The Superior Scribbler Award must visit this post and add his/her name to the Mr. Linky List. That way, we'll be able to keep up-to-date on everyone who receives This Prestigious Honor!

I must admit it was a really hard call to come up with only five out of the many bloggers and blogs that I had to choose from but somehow it had to be done and without further delay, I present The scribbler award to

Miss Cheri, of "Sugar & Spice"
She was typically my first choice because when I did start on my blog, she was there and such a big encouragement and help. Reading her blog made me more connected and aware of the surroundings around me and I realised how vital it was to share & spread the blog love. I did think she was the blog queen at a certain point but this was confirmed when I realised I was one of her subjects and always getting back to hers. Hail the blogrean Queen!!

Princess, of "Seamless"
I had to include her because being my neighbor, I might get water splashed in my face for not mentioning her. No seriously the reason she's on my list is because of her writing, which I find so captivating and always makes interesting reading. Writing from a college view point even makes her blog more appealing.

Nevender of "Bloom"
This dude just had to be on my list purely because I found his thoughts and blog rather real and connecting mostly talking with a religious affliction. He seams to be one you'd easily get along with and does always compete for socks with me.

Ivan of "Edge(EOI)"
I've heard stories that he's among the grandpa's of blogging in Uganda. Sure enough I could easily believe this because he has such a wide network of blogger pals. I credit him for introducing me to more of Ugandan blogs/bloggers when he talked about the Blogsville which typically has a list of most of the other bloggers and in this way, I was able to connect and widen my network. Also I can easily Identify with most of his musings.

Lulu of "Where beauty Lies"
She's good, very good. I found her blog rather easy to navigate through and her free style of writing was unique. Of course she throws in the occassional poems once in a while which I always find deep.

Lastly, Oh!!!! Am out of awards but there are some still out there whom I belive also deserve the award. Antipop, B2B, S.K, Robyn, Tandra, Eddsla, Channel, Weak dudes and Ug gal to mention but a few, you'll really made giving out the award difficult but I still gots the love for you.....Besides, there is always next month so keep the spirit flowing

A big thanks to all for attending this month's awards have a great day all!!