Words can be the most powerful or harmful weapon we have in our arsenal for life.What we say more often than not affects the people around us more than what we do or do not do.Whether you’re saying a genuine “I’m sorry” or whether you’re saying negative things to or about someone.
You know the old saying, “if you have nothing good to say, don’t say it at all.”This doesn’t mean keeping pent up anger and gossiping about someone to others.This means not saying it at all.If you have a problem with someone it’s best to sit down and openly and calmly discussing the issue.It also means being open to that conversation and taking responsibility for what you have done.Now sometimes this can be difficult and sometimes one or more people may not be receptive to this idea but at least if you try then you’ve done your best and no one else needs to be dragged into the situation.Because the words you use to talk about someone will ultimately come back to haunt you and then people are more hurt than they were before.
It works in reverse too.If someone has done something great then the words you use to congratulate them make a huge difference.It’s easy as saying “you know what, you’ve done something really cool, good work.”Or telling someone how you feel about them, as long as it’s genuine can really uplift someone “you’re an amazing person and I care about you.”Once you start using your words in that respect as a weapon to get your own way is where the problem starts.We all have a story about someone who has built us up using their words only to betray us with their actions or words afterwards.
Words can affect relationships, friendships, working relationships and can even affect the outcome of wars and the careers of politicians.Take for example the previous Australian Prime Minister who was caught on record calling the Chinese Government “rat f*^%ers.”Or the New Zealand Prime Minister referring to a certain Maori group as cannibals, which garnered him a lot of criticism and will most likely be stuck in people’s minds come the next election.The Rwandan genocide in 1994 was stimulated by words broadcasted on radio or the Ugandan President who won a lot of hearts by effectively consoling with the people after the July 11, 2010 bomb blasts in Kampala.Imagine if these words had not been spoken?The outcomes of many lives might be dramatically different.So you can see just how powerful words can be.
Most people probably don’t realise the impact our everyday words have.There’s a proverb in the bible “she opens her mouth with wisdom and on her tongue the law of kindness lies.”There is a lot of beauty and truth in this for it is when we open our mouths without thinking that we more often than not say stupid things.Now I am not saying I am above all this, nor am I preaching from any high horse.Just like all of you I am guilty of the same thing.The difference perhaps is now I am aware of this and will consciously put into affect a new law.A law governing MY mouth just as I hope you will consider after reading this.
I'm not sure exactly what to make of this...maybe you can tell me if this ingenious or damn lazy?
Metal rod beer holder that you stick in the ground for two reasons.
1. So your beer doesn't get kicked over by the dog
2. So you don't have to reach down as far to get your beer.
Trust an Aussie to come up with this.
Oh and the old geezer I met yesterday with this handy handy beer holder asked me what part of Europe I come from??? My lack of a rough, harsh, nasal Southerner accent was very confusing apparently...
I forgot how great the beaches are in Australia.There was this one time when a certain European took me to a beach on Lake Victoria touting it as a beautiful sand beach with lovely water but ummm yeah that’s not really something you should say to an Australian unless you can back it up with something like these pictures.I’d put a picture of Golo beach where I went in Uganda but it’s really not worth it.Redhead Beach in Newcastle is amazing with clear blue water and clean, shiny sand with a bright blue sky and white, fluffy cumulous clouds as the backdrop. So enjoy these ones and sorry if you're not near a beach!
This is the new video for Bliss n Eso an Aussie Hip Hop band...the video itself is an amazing achievement created using an insane amount of photos and amazing camera/editing work. The song is one that captured my heart and hopefully it will leave you feeling inspired, uplifted and revolutionary. It you ain't got that feeling for life do something about it. I've got the lyrics for you here too...get on it, get addicted!
I was born in the 80's with that summertime love
Then changed the whole game like what have I'd done
Out the gutter I come
To touch the bright sun
And from the highest heights motherf*cker I jump
Free in the sky of belief I can fly,
Ain't no tellin what they're sellin man they're sheep in disguise
Keep this in mind, I keep on my grind
I can do it any where when i do it and
Bitch I'll sleep when I die
Explosive, ferocious, get up get down that's showbiz
Power to the people that have freedom in their focus
I hope this helps you when your under the thumb
When you feel like nothing can save you
When you feel like jumpin the gun
Stop relax and remember even in the worst weather
You'll find a way across it, there'll be brighter days honest
So get up, get out and get somethin that's on the real
Forget what you were taught and show these people how you feel
Like
Who are you to tell me how to live my life
Cause I won't give this up
These are my shoes
My view
My cue
To say I do give a f*ck
And pretty soon I'ma bloomin it'll be alright
Everyday's another chance to ignite
Cause I'm addicted (Uh-Oh), I'm addicted (Uh-Oh) I'm addicted to this universal feelin called life
Since a foetus, explored life's subtle secrets
From my fingertips to my unique double helix
I can see history, I can see the past lessons
It's your right never be afraid to ask questions
How can every religion, claim to be the only one
How can they preach love — yet fight each other holding guns
I think the golden sun might be able to shed some light
I'd rather push peace and knowledge to defend our rights
These leaders in suits tell us to fight for one side
You think they got their sons and daughters on the frontline?
Not down for war but down to get an education
we're all evil yet they push synthetic separation
but in this matrix I won't be failin to make it
this is my cosmos baby space sailin with Satan
I heard it's not where your from it's where your carvin' your view
I heard you don't have to wear a suit to argue the truth
And so
Who are you to tell me how to live my life
Cause I won't give this up
These are my shoes
My view
My cue
To say I do give a f*ck
And pretty soon I'ma bloomin it'll be alright
Everyday's another chance to ignite
Cause I'm addicted (Uh-Oh), I'm addicted (Uh-Oh) I'm addicted to this universal feelin called life
They spoon feed but I won't be taken that sedative
Cause my thoughts are way to precious to waste on the negative
I keep them critical yet positive to break the chains
Every dawn is a chance to make a change
Thinkin bout all the energy swirlin all around us
We project it, we get affected it's just profound stuff
Earth is my garden man I grew from it
I pay the youth homage cause I know their views honest
Can you read between the lines of the news comments
Fightin' over land just to take some fuel from it
I guess oil boils down to some cool profits
But war, what is it good for really who wants it?
Like
Who are you to tell me how to live my life
Cause I won't give this up
These are my shoes
My view
My cue
To say I do give a f*ck
And pretty soon I'ma bloomin it'll be alright
Everyday's another chance to ignite
Cause I'm addicted (Uh-Oh), I'm addicted (Uh-Oh) I'm addicted to this universal feelin called life
I'm sorry East Africa but I have to say this. Seriously, what the fuck is up with Avocado juice? It's just not right. Now I've tried a lot of things in my life that I thought would be gross and then after the first taste they've grown on me, so I'm not taste challenged? Anyway the point is, when it's fresh and cold it's like sculling a glass of runny guacamole which you can do without gagging too much. But and here's the but! Once that juice has been sitting in the sun all day it becomes a warm goo-like viscous liquid-ish drink that I suppose can best be described as fresh baby diarroea in a glass.
Then, I'm sorry but you go one better and mix it with milk and ice-cream and make the good old avocado milkshake...excuse me...I'm just throwing up as I write this...Wrong just isn't a strong enough word to describe the avo smoothie. Why is probably what I'm looking for though...Just why?
P.S. The avo juice is the lovely green one in the middle.
Yesterday was Remembrance Day and if I wasn't having internet troubles I would have posted this then. This is a time when all Australians reflect on the sacrifices we as a country have made and a time to remember all those who fought for us and our freedom. What better way than to do it with a bit of multi-cultural poetry. One of my life-long favourite poets Dimitris Tsaloumas captured me over 10 years ago with his poem Rhapsody of Old Men. I don't have a copy of it with me and I can't remember the whole poem so here is another Tsaloumas poem for your reading pleasure...
To The Reader II
If when you walk through the mist you notice birds
- ablaze like pomegranates
in the window and on the bearded roof of winter,
- if sometimes the dark tunnels
let you out onto the balconies of the Amazon
- to see without fear flesh-eating leaves
swallowing alive the straying beams of the sun,
- and if your rights are trampled
or for your country’s sake you’re led away
- to gaol and see how blood sets fire
to the wilderness in the people’s eyes,
- then know that you’re indebted to me, that if you doff
the music I clothed you in, the shudder will crack you,
- the mists will flood you, and you’ll perish.
Dimitris Tsaloumas
Lest We Forget.
(photo by Benjamin Pfeiffer from www.1adventure.com)
Nothing.Maybe how to make an awesome chocolate brownie but that’s probably it.
Things I learnt in Africa;
I learnt how to appreciate my down time, I learnt how to work really hard for not much thanks and persevere.I found love, I lost love, I found it again and again.I saw old friends, I made new friends, I felt my soul truly connect with people for the first time.I found a brother, well two of them.I found many sisters.I was adopted by Ethiopians, I ate with my hands.I learnt how to love food more eating with my hands.I learnt that eating at a place with open sewage running past it can make you sick for a week.I learnt not to eat pork once it’s been in the sun for too long and has gone green.I leant that malaria is the most annoying sickness you can have.I sung in public.I stopped singing in public.I learnt to relax and to calm down.I learnt that I can talk really fast, I also learnt to slow it down.I learnt how to love myself, flaws, faults and all.I learnt to love my imperfections and if someone can’t love me despite those then they’re not worth my time.I learnt forgiveness.I found faith.I found happiness.I found a really comfortable grey jacket on a matatu.I lost my favourite pair of pants.I learnt that some things aren’t worth getting upset over.Like the pants.
I learnt that hand washing clothes everyday is hard and I don’t like it but if you don’t do it for a week or two things are much worse.I found a new tolerance for dirt.I also found that no matter how hard I try sometimes feet cannot be as clean as you’d like them.I finally learnt how to stop peeing on my feet every time I use a pit latrine.I learnt how to hold my breath for a really long time in said pit latrine.I found that a piece of rope and some wood with holes in it can make a pretty good set of hanging shelves.I learnt how hard it is to carry heavy loads for long distances on your head.
I found wisdom, everywhere.I found that hitch hiking on the back of trucks down the highway can make you very dirty.I learnt patience, tolerance and acceptance.I heard things said that I never thought I would hear, such as; “what you don’t have rocks in your rice?”I said things I never thought I would say, like; “I’m sick of all this damn witchcraft!”I got angry, I got sad, I learnt how to deal with these emotions and deal with myself when I didn’t.I learnt to forgive myself as well as others.I learnt that I am more comfortable with myself in Uganda than I ever have been Australia.I found out what my passions in life are.I developed a greater passion for life.I reaffirmed my path, I also made new ones.I followed my dreams.I learnt how important it is to follow your own dreams than someone else’s.I learnt truth in the words “I’d rather fall myself, than let you drag me on down.”
I found out that no matter how long I stay in East Africa I will never be graceful getting in and out of matatu’s or on and off boda’s.I learnt to love the fact that I’m not graceful.At least that gives me something to laugh at myself about in hindsight.I learnt that I can dig for hours on end, I also learnt that I hate digging.I learnt that no matter how long I have to stay away from Africa for, my heart will always, always be here and every second of everyday of my life will be dedicated to my goals and my dreams.I learnt to understand, I learnt to be understood. I learnt to dream, sleep, stay awake until far too late to drunkenly watch sunsets.I learnt that I don’t want to drink alcohol anymore and most importantly I learnt that drinking a bottle of Jamaican rum when you have malaria is a really, really bad idea.
My birthday.Probably the best one I ever had since I was ten years old and my friend Declan and I had to carry a massive tarpaulin down the street back to his house.What we did with the tarpaulin I’m not entirely sure but it’s one of those memories you randomly recollect at odd times. So anyway, I know this is a belated entry but I thought I would trek back in time as I’m on my journey home.
July 14th 2010. It wasn’t an overly happy day as we were still reeling from the July 11th terrorist attacks in Kampala. It was a little bit too close to home and almost everyone knew someone that had passed away, myself included. Kampala is a small city once you’ve been there a while. I think it hit me so hard because it was just too close, I wasn’t worried for myself I mean we were safely in the bush. I was worried for people that I couldn’t get hold of, the families and friends of my friends and for everyone in Uganda who I hadn’t met. I was worried for the country and what lie ahead in Uganda’s future, and the hardest thing for me is not being here for the people I care about.
But I digress! My birthday actually turned out great all things considering. Comfort, Whisper, Conrad, Roger, my dog and myself trekked up to Nkozi Hill. Carrying nothing but whiskey, red wine and a packet of Pringles we watched the sunset and talked, laughed and enjoyed each other’s company. At one point Comfort disappeared to get firewood, being the Ninja that he is he came back with a tree. We spent the night sitting around the fire talking about god knows what until it got too late, too cold and the fire started to die down. It’s one of my favourite memories.
That hill is easy to get up, insanely difficult to slide down when you’ve had a bit too much to drink.
Travelling from Mombasa to Nairobi.It sounds fun, you get to see the Savannah one last time as you make your way to Nairobi to leave.But it’s not.It’s hot, sweaty, uncomfortable and the guy behind you is on his phone the whole way and there’s a good chance the only hairy Kenyan will be next to you wiping his sweaty, hairy arm against yours the whole way.
But the scenery ain’t too bad.I was really hoping that I would see something cool before I leave for a long time.We are driving through the Savannah after all so you kind of expect something.What was my last wild animal going to be before I depart?I was in luck!Baboons...I freaking love baboons.Then just chewing away on the roadside at some stray grass were two zebras.Two!They’re like the prison inmates of the horse world with their genetically pre-determined uniforms.Then more baboons, dammit baboons can’t be the last thing I see!
Just then two massive giraffes appear in my window frame!With my face firmly glued to the window, not just for the view but also because the further I was to the window the further away I was from sweaty arm man.Four more giraffes chewing slowly away at some acacia some into sight, marvellous, I thought!It does not get much better than this.All of a sudden the bus slowed down to enable the passengers to see six more giraffes trekking across the plains making their way to the acacias.Pay for a safari you say?Bah!I just had one included in my low, low bus fare!
Wouldn’t you know it giraffes would not be my last group of animals (aside from cows, goats, sheep and chickens) but low and behold a herd of animals was up ahead.What was it?I was excited?What could it possibly be?What would my final animal sighting be?Camels.A big, dirty, stinking herd of camels.Spitting and peeing everywhere.Trust a camel to ruin my good time again.Bloody camels.
What a beautiful day. Sitting on the white sands of Nyali beach in Mombasa drying off in the hot sun after swimming in the cooling ocean waters. Life is sweet. The salty smell of the ocean in the air, the palm trees blowing in the breeze. Ahhhhh..............relaxing, there's nothing that could ruin this. Oh wait you have a camel.
The exchange;
Camel Guy: "Muzungu lady for you special price, you want to ride my camel?"
Me: "No thank you."
Camel Guy: "Why?"
Me: "I don't really want to ride a camel."
Camel Guy: "I take you up and down the beach"
Me: "No. But wow your camel is peeing right next to me can you move the camel?"
Camel Guy: "Camel has to finish before moving."
Me: "oh...okkkkk...."
So ten minutes later the camel's bladder is now sufficiently empty and camel guy and his money maker continue to hook and pimp along the beach stretch. I wondered when that camel smell was going to leave too. It wasn't going anywhere. Camel pee is an insanely strong odour that lingers, festers, grows and develops in the nostrils as the pee soaks into the sand. The pee smell didn't leave but I sure as hell legged it out of there.
Shawarma. Possibly the greatest late night meal ever. Besides junk food in Colombia...ahhh memories...
There's this little roadside diner in Mombasa that sells the arabic (?) inspired delicacy and it is the best. For those not in the know, Shawarma is a tasty pile of meat, chips, salad and lots and lots of sauces. With a bit of extra chilli powder it's like a spicey, saucy mess on your plate with a bread roll that you eat with your fingers.
The only problem I have with this particular roadside diner is the cats. There are cats everywhere. Crawling around your feet begging for scraps like the paupers of the animal kingdom. When it rains the smell of dirty, wet cat permeates the air and makes it almost impossible to enjoy your meal...almost.
Now this leads me to the question. Is that really beef in my Shawarma? It doesn't exactly look like beef, or smell like beef or even taste like beef. It's hard to tell with all that sauce. With all those cats around I start thinking one day, what's a really cheap alternative to beef? One that just walks around you and is easily caught...**chokes on meat** Oh dear lord no! They wouldn't! They couldn't! You know after all my time travelling I have learnt sometimes if something tastes good, it's probably better not to ask just in case you don't like the answer.
Now if you'll excuse me I have to go get me some Beef (Kitty-Cat) Shawarma!
Have you ever loved someone so much that what other people thought didn't matter? Like that time you dated a white girl or a black guy and even though so people judged you for your choices, it didn't matter. Why should someone else's opinion matter right? Skin colour is irrelevant because you're in love and noone can take that away from you.
What about the time you dated a girl that your boys didn't approve of? She called too often and the boys felt she just wasn't cool enough and preferred you single. But you didn't care because she made you happy, every time your phone beeped you couldn't wipe the smile off your face. Those un-cool things she did just turned you on and made you laugh. And ladies you know you dated a guy once that your girlfriends didn't like. He was a bum, he couldn't afford to take you out to a fancy restaurant, he couldn't pick you and your girls up for a night on the town and there was no way you could take him to the baddest club because he was more comfortable in daggy threads than the latest trends. But did you listen to your girls? NO! Because playing video games in his stinky room was the most fun you'd had in ages and sharing a rolex in Kabalagala was the most romantic night of your life.
Not caring what anyone thought just made you stronger, I mean it's not like it's illegal to date, love or be with whoever you want. Sometimes we just have to turn a blind eye to our family, friends and societal judgment...it's not like you're going to end up in the newspapers for loving someone.
What if the person you loved was someone of the same sex? What would you do if the GOVERNMENT said you couldn't love them? Can you even imagine what it must be like to be told you're wrong, there's something wrong with you and you're going to be treated like a criminal for loving someone. Not only would you be scrutinised by everyone you know but your face put in a newspaper and be investigated, tried and imprisoned. What for? For love. Who you love is subject to outright ridicule and punishment in Uganda.
Do people honestly think that criminalising (and if Bahati has his way murdering) homosexuality is going to eradicate it? Can anyone be that oblivious and ignorant? Really? All that we are doing is driving homosexuality further underground and forcing people to live a lie. Think about it guys, what would you do if someone said; "No! Don't love that person."
