April 2007

Prayer day. posted on April 30, 2007 - 8:13am
Hey family, tomorrow is prayer day at Seguku prayer mountain. Carry your own transport. We are leaving at exactly 8am. If you come late, take a taxi and find us there. Now, thanks all who paid for the birthday party, for those who organised, for those who bought gifts, i really appreciate your efforts. Keep it up, there is a greater reward. My call is that we learn to keep time lest we be backtracked by the devil. Also let us not forget to keep written records. Write reports. Pray for each other daily, and strengthen each other. I enjoyed the party, thanks to whoever bought the cake, it is sweet. Otherwise I love you all.God bless.
Irreplaceable posted on April 27, 2007 - 9:54pm

So, I am on a study break, more like a thesis, stop to find my sanity break, and I am listening to Irreplaceable by Beyonce. That in itself is funny. But I thought I ought to drop in and let the whole world know that I love all my 'to-the-left, to-the-left" dance partners.I miss my little brothers: Sunshine for his sweet ways, and his cute smile that hasn't changed a bit in all these years. Joie de Vivre for all the donuts he made me buy when I was at home, but also for his tough love. Fidel for his all round happiness! There's always laughter with him around. Kazeyi for his newly learnt dance move (calypso - kinya-uganda style) and the thought of him seriously contemplating vocational school.

Fool's Paradise posted on April 25, 2007 - 1:09pm

Chapter FourteenMorgan Mushega walked into the prefect’s common room first thing in the morning and found Aida Namatovu sipping on a cup of tea and reading a textbook on some subject he didn’t quite catch. Morgan ignored her as he retrieved a soda from the fridge. Aida watched him opening it. “What, you’ve never seen a person open a soda before?” Morgan enquired.“No, I was just wondering when you were going to stop ignoring me.”“I’m not ignoring you.”“Well, you’ve been doing a very good imitation of it.” Morgan sighed and then took a sip of his soda. “Look, Aida, we’re two very different people who have to do the same job. Some things have gotten in the way, but I think we should concentrate on doing our duties and ignore our animosities towards one another.”

Fool's Paradise posted on April 25, 2007 - 1:05pm

Chapter ThirteenYet another hot afternoon found The Dudes seated at their usual spot by the basketball courts. As Kaye walked to join them, Alex commented on the fact that lately, Kaye had been unusually happy. Kaye plopped himself next to César. Theo leaned over and said, “Okay, out with it. A chow was seen via Suzanne.” Kaye grinned at his friend, “Let’s just say that things are going smoothly and their better than I expected!” Theo sighed dramatically, “There he goes being cryptic again! The boy will never learn to be open with us.” Alex laughed, “Ha, you must be studying the dictionary, your luzungu is just too styled up!” and he switches to an English accent, “cryptic and all that!” While everyone laughed at Alex’ mimic, César’s eyes narrowed as he observed Kaye. Something wasn’t right; there was shadiness in Kaye’s demeanour. The boy was hiding something.

Fool's Paradise posted on April 25, 2007 - 12:58pm

Chapter TwelveIn Alexandria, later in the afternoon, Maureen Mukasa found Cassandra Kamani seated alone in their room. “What’s your problem?” Maureen wanted to know.“Nothing.”“So, why the long face?”“I’m fine.”“Right, and I’m Mother Theresa. Hey, this’ Maureen your talking to. I know your moods and this’ not one of your good ones. So, what’s bothering you?”“Why can’t guys stick to one girl? Why must they be greedy?”“Okay, from your outburst, I guess you’re having problems with Kamal?”“It’s all those girls that are all over him! Why does he pay attention to them? He must be having a thing with one of them.” Maureen sighed, “Oh boy. Cassandra, Kamal’s one of the best-looking guys in the school. Girls have been chasing him long before you two started going out together. He’s constantly rejected them because he’s always been into you. So why would he start having a fling with any of them now that he’s with you?

Fool's Paradise posted on April 25, 2007 - 12:53pm

Chapter ElevenMonday morning started with Kaye Morrison in a disgruntled mood. Mondays always made him feel that way but he was more so because of what Theo had said the day before. He didn’t think that he intentionally set out to shut people out, he wasn’t even aware of it when he did.Theo needed to understand that but there was no getting through to him. The boy was determined not to see his side of things. He liked his friends but he just was not as outgoing as they were so it was not as easy to divulge information about himself as they were about themselves. At least he tried.

Fool's Paradise posted on April 25, 2007 - 12:51pm

Chapter TenEvening came and students were getting ready for night prep. Anthony looked at his friend who silently got his books as he headed out of their cubicle. Anthony stopped him with a hand on his arm. “What’s your problem?” James looked at the hand then at Anthony, “Nothing.”“Then, what’s with the attitude?”“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”“I don’t see you the whole day and now it’s like something is bothering you.”“Because I felt like being alone and I have nothing to say means that I have a problem?”“Yes.”“Think what you want. I’m off to prep.” Anthony watched his friend go and shrugged, deciding to take his word for it…for now.

Fool's Paradise posted on April 25, 2007 - 12:12pm

Chapter NineLater that evening, in Lilongwe, a senior girl’s dormitory, Imelda lay on her bed, chin resting on her hands. Juliana walked into the room she shared with her and noticed her staring into space. “What’s wrong with you?” Juliana wanted to know. Imelda just shook her head and Juliana sighed, “It’s obvious that something’s bugging you. Does it have anything to do with Alex?” Imelda turned onto her back, hands behind her head. “Why is it that I’m just about the only girl in the school who doesn’t get any offers from boys? Am I that unattractive?”“Don’t let it bother you. They’re just a bunch of fools who don’t know a good thing when it’s staring them in the face.”Imelda turned to look at her roommate. “Why do I get the distinct feeling that that it’s a particular boy we are talking about here? Don’t tell me César rejected you?”“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Juliana said primly.

Life! posted on April 20, 2007 - 2:33am

Worries! They are constantly around us. They are the unexpected birth of a child. One that we hadn't planned for but always turns out to be a blessing. In every situation of worry, pain, hardship, or tribulation, there is a lesson to be learned. My way might not be the best to deal with any of these things but it's not a constant way either. I have learnt that in wallowing I lose myself, in thinking, I submerge me into rivers of endless failures simply because I never stopped to be still. Negligence only causes myriads of illnesses of that same formerly unwanted but possibly blessing infant. It is in believing in the Him that we do not see and trusting in the grace that He gives that brings peace. Even if it is for a little time (because we are all human and we do lose that place now and again) we see the blessing that is life in Him. My problems are not bigger than me, my future is not mine to see, and my past has never been anyone's to judge.

Recap: my life seems to be… posted on April 16, 2007 - 9:17pm

It is spring and I definitely don't have to announce that to anyone who has terrible allergies like me. I thought I would escape the itching, the burning, the sniffling, the constant congestion but I thought too quickly, I underestimated the amount of nasty aggressive pollen that could stir up all the histamines in my body to react slowly but surely against me! LOL, maybe I am exaggerating but still… allergies aren't the most comfortable thing to deal with.It's been a long while since I've posted on here but that doesn't mean that the pilgrim has been stagnant. In fact, the reason for not posting as often is that so much has been happening. Easter was wonderful, filled with food, and where there is food, there is general happiness on my part.

Fading Negro posted on April 14, 2007 - 11:29am
How can I be proudOf a nation arrogant and loud?Worshippers of race before heartThose who murder the innocent in cold blood.Eh Africanism Oyee!*"Nze obudugavu mbupoye!"I will not rejoice with a nation That merries at the death of another.Tell me to get real-But am sorry I've lost that zeal,Innocent blood has been shedOn account of clogged heads.Is it not "For God and My Country"?Shall I kill because of unfair bounty?I thought we turn the other cheekI thought we forgive and forget?Check yourself. Are we really Ugandan?Are we the ones who glory in death of others,Are we so vengeful we don't thinkAbout the trouble spilled blood can bring?My Uganda is warm,My Uganda is calmSo where is this nation?Are we tranced by hatred?
To Love and Be Loved* posted on April 10, 2007 - 8:00pm

* Arundhati Roy, author of 'The God of Small Things' ... sums up perfectly where I want to be right now, and that's exactly where I am striving to go back to. Bless!

Fool's Paradise posted on April 10, 2007 - 5:58pm

Chapter EightEvening came and students made their way to the main hall. It was movie night. No one needed to be chased out of the dormitories because movie night was more popular than dance night. For many it wasn’t popular for the films shown but for the darkness it accorded. Only the senior ones, a handful of the Senior Twos and the low status students in the school hierarchy actually watched whatever was showing.For the first half-hour everyone paid attention to the screen, they all enjoyed the music videos but once they were over most people went about their business.The main hall filled up as students took their places. Boys sat on one side and girls sat on the other. That soon changed when the lights went off. The entertainment begun and most of the prefects went through the motions of monitoring but they too did as the people they were monitoring, discreetly of course.

Fool's Paradise posted on April 10, 2007 - 5:16pm

Chapter SevenFor the next two days, Cesar kept out of Laura’s way mainly because he was still angry with her. Juliana constantly sought him out but he didn’t mind, he found that he was enjoying her company. The buzz around St Andrew’s College was that they were an item.Theo was confused, he was sure that Aida wanted César; he had heard it from several sources that he considered reliable but this rumour about César and Juliana was very baffling. Maybe he needed to re-evaluate his sources. He brought up the subject with Alex, Kaye and Danston. Alex wasn’t interested, he was too busy fending off Imelda Ariko’s advances; Kaye was too absorbed in his relationship with Suzanne Aseya and Danston chewed him out for sticking his nose into things that did not concern him. Theo was miffed.

Observations posted on April 10, 2007 - 3:43pm

You've seen them, or maybe you're one of them. The men who think they own the world, the women who feel the world owes them. I call them the knights because of the way they take over the nightspots for their very own.
Sheraton Kampala Hotel, Kampala

Food For Thought posted on April 10, 2007 - 3:41pm

Urban KnightsNight falls and the bright lights of the city come on. The city takes on a new kind of life. Zoom in to the various nightspots, crammed with all sorts of nocturnal activities. In the more popular watering holes are a bevy of beauties, some so beautiful that they could make grown men cry. They undulate about, each trying to attract the most attention. The men, single and otherwise, follow them discreetly with their eyes, or so they think until a frown from a partner or a grin from a friend catches them out.

Fool's Paradise posted on April 10, 2007 - 3:00pm

Chapter SixWednesday afternoon after classes, The Dudes was sitting at their usual spot by the basketball courts. Kaye spotted Suzanne Aseya walking towards the swimming pool at the other side of the football field. He got up and followed her.Alex grinned and said, “Things are really serious with those two. So what’s up with you and Laura?” César Kamani shrugged, “The usual, why?”“I don’t know,” said Alex, “It’s just that lately you’ve been a little distant with her.” César sighed, “You’re right. It’s just that lately I find myself getting irritated by her.”“Why? You two seem so tight.” Danston interjected.“That’s the thing, I was hoping that we could be tighter but all she wants from me is sex.”“So? Man, most guys would love to be in your shoes!” Theo pointed out. César made a dismissive gesture, “You guys wouldn’t understand.”

The Plight of the Acholi Child posted on April 9, 2007 - 12:02pm
The sun rises and shades its radianceonto the earth.The wind blows across the hills and the valleysOver the rocks and mountainsbringing hope and joy to the creatures under the sky. But not so to the poor childBorn in the bush Lives in ‘protected’ campsYear in-year out20 years and over. Surrounded by all terrors in the landof misfortune.Weeping and wailingMourning and groaningAre your companions in life AIDS robbed you of parental love and care You face brutality, abduction and are sexually molested by they who shouldyour protectors be War shattered your very hope for survivalAnd now you are a laughing stock amongyour age- mates in the land where milkand honey flows. Displaced, depressed and traumatized Denied quality education, basic needs and protection
Easter posted on April 7, 2007 - 8:57am
Easter quotes. ( from www.Christianitytoday.com) SOCRATES mastered the art of dying; Christ overcame death as "the last enemy" (1 Cor. 15:26). There is a real difference between the two things; the one is within the scope of human possibilities, the other means resurrection. It is not from ars moriendi, the art of dying, but from the resurrection of Christ that a new and purifying wind can blow through our present world. … If a few people really believed that and acted on it in their daily lives, a great deal would be changed. To live in the light of the Resurrection—that is what Easter means.Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Letters and Papers from Prison
Einstein + Sex = God posted on April 7, 2007 - 8:37am
As a backslidden atheist, I was fascinated by a recent interview with Lee Strobel (The Case for Christ) and world famous philosophical atheist-turned-creationist, Anthony Flew (to watch, see LeeStrobel.com). After watching this 83-year-old Oxford professor, a fun apologetic equation popped into my mind that has proven effective with skeptics.Plain and simple -- top atheist, Anthony Flew, has changed his mind about God. He said that Albert Einstein was right when he felt that there must be intelligence behind the integrated complexities in the natural world. In simple English, that means that Einstein said that dead things like rocks, metal, plastic, light, and air are made up of such complicated systems that depend on each other to exist, that there must be some intelligent being that put them together. "Mr. E=MC2" said that.
Wonderful knowledge posted on April 4, 2007 - 8:00am
Bless you. How are you good people. I say you are good because Christ is in you. Yesterday I got a revelation in Church about who is in you. Most of us believe only the Holy Spirit dwells in us, but wait my sister, hold on my brother, You have the whole trinity living inside you, God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. Jhn 14:16And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;-> The Holy Spirit promised here. Jhn 14:23Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.
Pepper posted on April 3, 2007 - 5:58pm

Was reading the Red Pepper just recently and came across something that struck me as odd. The Red Pepper journalist was interviewing a Retired Cardinal (or someone big in the Church, I forget). This journalist was asking the Clergy man about what the Vice President should do on account of his sex scandal. The Clergy man said (forgive my inexcusable grasp of specifics) that he'd read about the sex scandal in The Red Pepper, and if it was true, the VP should resign.That was amusing. the Clergy man reads the Tabloid.This story reminded me of a time back then, when the Red Pepper was an underground tabloid. Which no self-respecting clergy man would admit to reading... in that same tabloid. A friend of mine told me his dad would buy it at the corner, from a really shady-looking dealer. Crack-coke style. How far the tabloid has come.

Unerasable Sin posted on April 3, 2007 - 5:25pm

One of the strangest posts of mine by far, but here goes.Been going through my small anime collection and came across what I felt at the time, was the saddest song I ever heard. It was the ending theme to FMA, called Kesenai Tsumi by Nana Kitade. The entire song was in Japanese, and get this, its a pop track. The title loosely translates to Unerasable Sin. I can't help but be fascinated by the Japanese language whenever I come across it. It always seemed to me quite emotive and expressive. In a strange way, listening to it, I always felt Japanese was a language of images. In a way, I felt they spoke of pictures. Hard to explain, but when someone would speak of a place, even with the subtitles, I felt I could see the pink cherry blossoms falling slowly in the wind. I'd see large gardens and tall temples. It was the strangest thingAnyway, I looked up a translation to Unerasable Sin

To Whom It May Concern II posted on April 3, 2007 - 6:57am

Wake me up with a surprise phone call just to say you couldn't wait to hear my voice, that I needed to be the first person you heard when I opened my eyes. Tell me tenderly that I am as beautiful as the morning sun and that you're heart dances fervently each time you think of me. Remind me of how feverishly enticing our love is. Wake me up and tell me you love me, whisper in my ear unexpectedly that I take you back to the sweet whiff of passion fruit on a warm African day, that my freshness is comparable only to that feeling you get from quenching a desiccated thirst. Wake me up before I leave this state… this unnatural anticipation, doubtful depression, blissful disaster… this state… I can't stay here too long, no! I can't allow it.

Fool's Paradise posted on April 2, 2007 - 4:59pm

Chapter FiveThere was the usual commotion in Ouagadougou before lights-out as the boys prepared for bed. There was still some excitement after the dance. Some of the boys were heard complaining about how the dance had bored them because there hadn’t been anything special about it. “That’s because you had no byanas to kaboozi and dance with,” someone said to the laughter of the whole dorm. The boys felt it prudent not to respond because it would spark off a series of taunts that could be rather scathing. The prefects came in with their usual superiority and made sure that everyone was in their beds, then switched off the lights. It was eleven thirty.Midnight came and went, as did one o’clock. César tossed and turned in his bed restlessly waiting for the time he could go to Danston’s room. “Eh, relax,” whispered Alex from the bed above, “It’s almost time; damn, one would think that you’ve never had a chow before.” There were chuckles from Theo and Kaye.

... posted on April 1, 2007 - 6:37am

Be not afraid of sudden fear, neither of the desolation of thewicked, when it cometh. For the Lord shall be thy confidence, and shall keep thyfoot from being taken. (Proverbs 3;25-26)