In search of adventure

Mind readers have a knack for understanding human psychology, which they use to create the illusion of being right, particularly when presenting choices for others to select. This can lead to the perception that one has been outwitted, contributing to a sense of vulnerability. These individuals often receive accolades for their exceptional cognitive strategies, which seem to reflect a high level of intelligence. Guess they practice continuously the way actors do in a set until the outcome achieves a level of remarkable finesse. However, the longevity of such a display of cleverness is typically short-lived unless the person has undergone extensive training to perform captivating mental feats that can evoke amusement or astonishment at their skillful deception to their audience.

Often, it is a spark of inspiration that awakens our yearning for adventure. A sedentary lifestyle lacks thrill and can dull the senses; it's monotonous to do the same thing repeatedly. We crave experiences that yield tales worthy of recounting. This desire often propels us into action. People go to great lengths to create memorable experiences. For some, the quest to explore life comes naturally, while for others, it must be carefully planned and nurtured. It's not always as seamless as it seems; it requires effort and cultivation.

I appreciate the natural way life provides for our needs without forcing it. However, expecting nature to take its course entirely is unrealistic for some people. Those with a strong work ethic, characterized by rigor and discipline, understand that success typically demands continuous effort. These individuals develop and refine their skills through repetition, building muscle memory, and expertise in their endeavors.

To find someone successful, they’ve likely invested over 10,000 hours into their skill, honing their prowess until they understand the potential causes of the innate quirks and nuances that may arise. It takes time to have consistency. You have to turn up daily and immerse yourself in the craft. Even with consistent effort, maintaining the routine can be a struggle. For instance, sometimes I find the journey of blogging a painstaking one. It's not that I have a shortage of topics to pen about. The struggle can sometimes be overwhelming, and you want to call it a day and quit. 

Just when you think of retiring and think, let me now concentrate on something that can improve my life. Like walking 10,000 steps a day, uninterrupted 8 hours of sleep, eating one meal a day, and drinking 8 cups of water, you realize that maintaining these wellness habits can be challenging. It reaches a point where as much as you want to maintain all these wellness routines unless you have a coach to help you with the process, you may just end up backsliding and revert to old habits. Naturally, we are wired to abhor routine because of its restrictive nature. What enslaves us and makes us caged, well, you can just drink when your throat feels dry. The flawless, glossy skin often attributed to water therapy becomes an elusive goal. The kind of visage that is associated with water therapy. Few people manage to capitalize on these wellness practices, but those who do often create a livelihood from it. They develop masterclasses on how to achieve these wellness goals, attracting many who want to try their secret methods.

Given a choice to travel the world, most people would seize the opportunity enticed by the adventure and enjoyment it promises. I would quickly grab that chance because I know it would offer a broader perspective on my worldview. But, traveling is not the only form of adventure that satiates our lust for discovery. The everyday experiences we encounter teach us valuable lessons that shape our future interactions. There are people we might prefer to steer clear of, yet we often find ourselves unable to do so as they become part of lifestyle.

Recently, an acquaintance of mine found himself in a precarious situation after being apprehended for driving under the influence. He was escorted onto the "Mariamu" lorry, and his vehicle was impounded and towed to the station. This anecdote highlights how, at times, we can outwit even the most elaborate processes designed to protect us and society. Upon arrival at the police station, amidst the chaos of processing numerous detainees, he took a gamble and slipped away in the opposite direction of the holding cells. Concealed behind a door, he assumed a false identity. In the ensuing disarray as the authorities organized the detainees, he emerged from his hiding spot. Mistakenly assumed to be an outsider caught up in the commotion, he was instructed to leave the station, as he seemingly had no business there at night. 

After escaping the police station, his next challenge was retrieving his car. It took him several days and numerous calls to get the car released from the police yard. Paying the tow guys was unavoidable, as they typically work in cahoots with the police. The key takeaway from this experience is the importance of opting for a cab instead of driving after drinking. Using a taxi can save you from the risk of accidents or getting caught by the police.

I later spoke with an Uber driver who explained that the cost of cash bail in such a case is 20,000 for the police and an additional compulsory 5,000 for the tow service. This experience, while adventurous in its way, underscores the lesson that if you've been drinking, it's far wiser to hail an online cab and retrieve your car later. Not only does this avoid legal troubles and hefty fines, but it also ensures your safety and that of others on the road.

After the narrow escape from the police station and avoiding the unpleasant odor of cells reeking of urine, he went again to the vibrant atmosphere of another club, opting for a taxi because his car had been confiscated. Unbeknownst to the authorities, he had slipped away. Later, he even considered surrendering to a traffic officer to confess, only to realize it would add the charge of escaping detention to his record. However, money has a way of softening the hearts of the police. By providing a bribe with no strings attached, he was able to go scot-free. Financial incentives have a way in which they influence outcomes, and it seems to hold true. Many people prefer this route over navigating the judicial process, which is often long and circuitous. This approach also saves time that would otherwise be wasted in the back-and-forth of legal proceedings.

He later told me about a person he knows who never offers bribes. If caught for any reason, this individual would endure the lengthy legal process instead of corrupting it, which is generally considered the proper way to handle such situations. I have bribed the police a few times for minor infractions like having a cracked windscreen, worn-out tyre treads, and speeding in areas where I missed the speed limit signs. For instance, if the limit was 50 kph and I was driving at 70 kph.

Once, I was even caught not displaying the insurance sticker. Before being booked, I managed to bribe the officer and he let me go. Another time, I failed to stop when signaled by a policeman, who then took a motorbike to catch up with me and charged me for failing to stop. If you have some loose cash, they will easily accept it. My rule of thumb is never to part with more than 1,000 shillings for these petty offenses.

Most of the time, parting with money is not a premeditated decision, it's the lengthy processes that prompt an individual to expedite matters, albeit informally. You always opt for greasing the wheels of justice though it undermines the integrity of established procedures put in place. It's not until you encounter an irate and hostile police officer,  who is unapproachable and vociferous, unwilling to listen, shouting like a madman that you realize why some people develop PTSD when they think of police stations. They end up with unexplained anxiety in their law enforcement interactions.

Hasta La Vista Baby

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Kill your Darling

The quickest way to self-destruct is to give up on life and take no action regarding your prospects. That does not mean you will always be feeling despondent and indolent. Situations arise where responsibility forces you to forfeit and take the bull by its horns as much as you may not want to. The experiences we encounter are many and it is the most recent epic episode that remains in our mind that we keep on narrating. It ends up being a tedious story that is banal and lackluster. Once you realize that what you are saying sounds cliche and the listener has an idea of what you will say next, then it makes sense to cut it. 

Uber drivers have so many stories to tell if you engage them. Chaps like us do not know how to break the ice and I wait for the man behind the wheels to look at me and start a conversation. One cab driver who used to ply his trade at night used to harangue at the plight of the country's state and had an idea of just everything. Those were the days when online hailing cabs were not available at our arms disposal. The man would be high on khat and it made him talk as if the words he was narrating were having no end.

The bottom line is that if you engage a person, there is a possibility he will recount a certain hackneyed story that he normally repeats to his audience because it is what makes sense. The reason I love cabs is because there is never the same story you will experience with the same driver. What some of these drivers have seen, what they have heard, the scents and odors they have had to endure. They have a view of the past, present, and future. This may not be fixed into a shape when you look at it. But the signal from perceiving life through the three dimensions is a triangle of sorts.

A cab driver once told me that he used to work as a bike rider in one of the Arabian countries and ended up learning Arabic. The job was lucrative but he felt like the environment was not conducive to his stay because when it became excessively hot, he could not do errands he wanted to do. His eyes were now set on going to Eastern Europe to be a truck driver then slowly finding his way to the heart of mainland Europe.

Another recently told me that he has since accepted that sex will still take place in your cab whether you like it or not. Especially when you work at night when revelers are from having fun at night. He said that there are men who get inebriated at night and will offer you good pay to have the act with a lady in your car as you drive along. Some just do it because they are horny and some ladies even seduce you but you have to maintain that you are in business. The majority of ladies he took to destinations where an imposing SUV was waiting on the other end were girls in their early twenties or late teenage years. The ones who want a fast life. A man promises to give her twenty bob, (bob is slang for a thousand), and she is ready to do everything for the few hours they will be together.

She took a broken wine glass and started cutting her left arm deep enough to see white tissue and the skin separated. A stream of blood started flowing from her slit arm to the table and then down onto the floor. She had soft hands that looked tender and light in complexion. The people around looked with their faces blanched from shock. People will look at you harming yourself and do nothing. Standing in front of her, I took hold of the hand that held the broken glass before she good do any more harm because the scene was covered in blood. 

Bouncers were called to come and contain her because she was nervous and restless. She was a petite university student who seemed to fear what the future held. She kept on insisting that someone should hold her hand and when she had no one do that, she reached the broken glass and started harming herself with stabs that gorged deep. Only when blood started flowing did I realize that she saw what she had done that I managed to also come to my senses and forcibly prevent her from further self-inflicted injury. After the act, her voice was low and hoarse with exhaustion. The blood looked red on the floor and table. We moved to another table. What a night to behold.

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Monkeys on Typewriters

The ability to articulate thoughts clearly and effortlessly can often be misconstrued as a sign of factual knowledge or sound intelligence. As usual, we have flaws in our mechanisms of perception. Similarly, if you take a couple of monkeys and put them behind a typewriter, there is a high possibility that one might hit the keys and accidentally compose a masterpiece akin to a Shakespearean sonnet. However, the probability of the same monkey replicating this feat is ridiculously slim. This is known as the infinite monkey theorem: it is a rare but possible outcome driven by randomness that is not easily reproducible.

The tendency to underestimate the role of routine and discipline in achieving success is what I want to address. We are naturally inclined to resist obligations that demand physical effort, even though it is essential to pursue responsibilities without feeling coerced. An occasional blip is believing a certain level of comfort guarantees everything will align with our aspirations, and then it will be a happily ever after affair. However, when you don't ace it, you become nervous and show signs of battle fatigue, which becomes evident in your general mien. Eventually, you retreat and vamoose into the oblivion of yore.

Let's face it, nobody wants to burn out, yet the hustle culture is a relentless grind that we cannot avoid. What is sensible is to take time off and find your footing. Before you become successful, there is so much that is involved. It is a complex journey. Sometimes, you may have to take time off and hibernate for a while to find the drive to reignite your ambition. If you're to engage in a demanding process, then dive into the rigor wholeheartedly. Ultimately, gain invaluable insights from the experience.

Which is better; small losses that are succeeded by larger payoffs, achieved through preparation and readiness, or large losses that suddenly strike due to failure to take precautionary measures though glaring and leave you in a state of shellshock? Regrettably, we want to look the part but when it comes to doing the dirt, that is where we draw the line. Take coding mastery, for example, many have the ambition, yet few exhibit the discipline for the deep work required for excellence. You become blind or foolish to see the fact that to succeed, it is small, consistent wins that snowball into big results. You believe that you can ace a one-way route to perfection by being mediocre. When you neglect the fundamentals and fail to embrace the grind you may end up vanishing completely or become a struggling middlebrow.  

We are structured in such a way that we tend to avoid exposure to events that bring harm our way as a risk remediation strategy. That's why we adopt a defensive approach aimed at doing what is self-effacing. Why go the extra mile to be flagrant and obtrusive? Is it even worth the mental torture? If there is none, you remain discreet in your tracks. The desire to disrupt is not ingrained in many of us, even if it is, the strategy and the mental capacity to withstand the spikes and large consequences is inherently devoid in our spirit. 

Our instinct is to steer clear of situations that may expose us to harm as a risk remediation strategy. This is why we often adopt a modest, defensive approach focused on being self-effacing, hence prioritizing safety over boldness. There is little to gain from being flagrant and obtrusive—why endure the psychological strain? In the absence of compelling reasons, it's wiser to maintain a low profile. While the urge to shake things up isn't common among us, even those who possess it may lack the strategic thinking and emotional resilience required to handle and withstand the spikes and large consequences that can follow.

My mantra in life at the moment is to ensure I create quality content that has a small probability of being of high appeal. This conviction has led me to embrace the philosophy that crafting 800-1000 words is the sweet spot for my blogging adventure. I eschew the reliance on vague impressions for the sake of it. Extrapolating the cogency of what I am supposed to pen down for no apparent reason. Previously, I've mentioned that writing 800 words can be a 30-minute affair, but this rhythm is tested when it becomes a weekly commitment. It's easier said than sighting a black swan. Even if you ventured to Australia, hoping to see these elusive and majestic birds with their S-shaped necks, honking and trumpeting while gliding gracefully and unfurling their jet-black wings, you realize such encounters are rare.

My modus operandi has since changed regarding how to approach blogging.  I acknowledge my humanity and if I could have satiated my peche mignon of authoring, though abstruse at the moment, the ease of turning up would not have been belabored. While my posts may seem brief, the reality is that creating and refining content into something coherent and engaging can be incredibly time-consuming. It requires thorough contemplation, identifying gaps, and the coupling link. This process demands discipline, sacrifice, and a rigorous effort aimed at consistency. 

Preparing an 800-word article for publication might look like a molehill, but it quickly escalates to a daunting task akin to climbing Mt. Everest. Kudos to all the authors who effortlessly let their ideas flow from behind the screen because of furtive foreshadowing. Those who seamlessly weave their narratives, harmonizing rich, symbolic language with lyrical beauty, and ignite passion that 'strike like pebbles fetched from a brook.'

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A Chance, Kidney and Success

Most of us live in the musty footnotes of history. You exit the stage and become a bygone. You swiftly blend into a statistic, lost in the vast sea of data, irretrievable, and anonymous. In contrast, it is easy to pinpoint a heroic individual. That one person who never gets relegated to the dusty annals of history. His deeds are legendary and leave an indelible mark deeply felt and etched at the back of our minds. He leaves behind a rich legacy that lingers persistently in our consciousness, a testament to his unforgettable character. With his unique flair and charisma, he captivates us effortlessly. This person could be a speaker who made you laugh or moved you to tears, or a figure from a book, like Napoleon or Alexander the Great, whose influence remains vivid and unforgettable.

He is calm and measured, avoiding the explosive temper and hyperaggressive demeanor that can make those around him anxious. He makes you feel at ease, fostering a sense of tranquility that enhances conversational engagement, and his articulate, succinct speech makes you an excellent listener. He instills a sense of safety, making you comfortable enough to openly share your secrets without fear of future repercussions. He embodies the adage, "Heroes are celebrated for their heroic deeds, not for their victories or defeats." Despite a potentially tarnished reputation as a philanderer, when he sets his mind on something, he achieves it with remarkable success.

As you trudge through the journey of life, remember: "That which came with the help of luck will be taken away by luck." If you've ever read about lottery winners, you'll notice a common trait among them. Their newfound wealth is often rapidly and unexpectedly squandered because they tend to take excessive risks and make poor decisions associated with gambling. They are bereft of knowledge to steward their sudden windfall, leading them to splurge under a numbing false sense of security. Such an individual does not observe the barrel of reality regarding the fleeting nature of wealth. Easy come, easy go.

In a civilized society, there are many avenues for putting your megamillions into good use. An individual who has won 100 million overnight, probably after two years of betting, may consider himself a successful gambler. Ideally, this may distort your perception as it is not the reality of your prowess. It is a mistaken belief. When you cast a bet, there is a way it corrupts your mind. You think you are a winner and good strategist when in reality, it might just be a result of a stochastic process. Unlike Russian Roulette, which offers a 5/6 chance of survival, or a single football match with a 1/3 chance of predicting the outcome correctly, most gambling scenarios are unpredictable. A deep understanding of Monte Carlo methods is crucial to astutely making precise calculations, navigating the probabilities, mastering the odds, and determining an ideal bet size that wins when you wager.

The route less traveled is the lengthy and reliable one, yet the allure of shortcuts often overshadows this more secure path. We are conditioned to believe that the more perilous and treacherous the journey, the easier it is to achieve success. If you couple this with reducing the number of steps beyond the norm, you might be hailed as a genius. Consider the stark difference between a dentist and a gambler in how they make money. The dentist earns his wealth through a diligent and skillful process, drilling people's teeth and relying on his expertise and the location of his clinic. If a gambler and a dentist both have a similar amount of money, they might seem equally rich on paper. However, we often overlook the process behind their wealth. The dentist's earnings come from hard work and skill, while the gambler's fortune is through the whims of chance.

The dentist's wealth is the culmination of years of diligent study, perfecting his craft, and building a customer base. In the realm of finance, having a loyal customer base adds significant value to an entity's net worth. The wealth the dentist has accumulated is not dependent on randomness like that of the gambler. It is qualitatively different, reflecting years of sustained effort and experience. It is not a fragile glass house that shatters with a single stone. In contrast, the gambler's newfound fortune is akin to a precarious stack of cards, which can tumble from the slightest disturbance, since it lacks a solid base. Nowadays, gamblers are often euphemistically referred to as 'investors,' but the underlying reality of their wealth remains dicey.

A dentist possesses a strong work ethic, modus operandi, and stability. He probably has a dull career and is the epitome of the suburban family man. Still, he surprises you with the intellectual depth and sharpness of mind akin to an aerobics instructor. Aside from the millions in accumulated savings, his investment portfolio likely includes treasury bonds, bills, real estate, and a diverse range of stocks that yield steady income. Furthermore, he seeks advice from tax experts, estate lawyers, and reputable individuals of robust intellectual energy. The idea is to safeguard accumulated wealth from natural uncertainties and the potential depletion of assets. After all, there are countless ways to deplete funds compared to the avenues available for generating it.

On the other hand, the gambler may indulge in extravagance, misled by an illusion of stability. Driven by a desire to flaunt his newfound fortune, he might move to a wealthy neighborhood and expect admiration for his rags-to-riches story. In the gambling arena, they may perceive themselves as smart, but they are passé. He may adopt hobbies like wine collecting and listening to jazz music, believing they reflect his newfound sophistication. Soon, the gambler develops a 'refined' taste, fantasizing about exotic locations, seeking admiration from superficial sources like fatuous journalists, and imagining himself on the Forbes list of top billionaires.

However, the gambler remains unaware of the ignoble risk he's taking—the risk of losing everything. He might even leave his wife for an Instagram commercial model who fits into his new high-status way of living, abandoning a relationship deemed too ordinary and human amid his desire for a more glamorous lifestyle.

Hasta La Vista, Baby.

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Indisposed

About this season, there inevitably comes a point when you find yourself feeling under the weather, often without any prior planning or anticipation. You normally expect you will be as fit as fiddle and not even the slightest notion of dizziness crosses your mind. On occasion, you might wake up with a slight tickle in the throat, which often heralds the onset of something like a common cold. It's your body's early warning system, suggesting that it's time to take some extra care of yourself, perhaps indulging in warm gingered tea and ample rest, to ward off the impending sniffles and sneezes. 

If you know how to deal with the precursor, you nip it in the bud before it escalates and manifests in your entire body. For instance, you may take lozenges if you notice a subtle scratchiness in your vocal cords before it develops into a sore throat. If left unchecked, you end up catching a bug whose origin is uncertain, given the multitude of people we encounter daily. Suddenly, you find that you are not 100%. While it may not be a definitive sign of illness, it is a good indicator that your immune system is gearing up for a fight. Being aware of these signals puts you in a better position to timely take action to maintain your health.

Some people opt for a cautious approach, taking the physician's route, while others adopt a more laissez-faire attitude, hoping their bodies will acclimate. Regardless of whether you have insurance coverage or not, it's wise to consult a healthcare professional. An initial remedy may be to lie low and focus on getting better; this advice often slips your mind, or you may be unaware of it. It's important to remember that taking time to rest and heal is not just beneficial but necessary for speedy recovery.

While it is a smart move to take time off to rest and consult a doctor if symptoms persist, the folly in you may delay seeking medical attention until the situation worsens. Some may even turn to traditional remedies, such as herbalists, or home remedies, like Mwarubaini, to boost our immune system. Mwarubaini, for instance, is known to be effective for common colds when dissolved in hot water and inhaled as steam, aiding in the expulsion of pathogens from the body. Although I've never tried it myself, I recall my mother administering a similar remedy called 'yath afita' during my childhood. It was a pungent concoction that would not only make me sneeze but help clear out any congestion in the nasal passages.

This past week, I began to notice symptoms of an impending illness. It started with a dry throat, a sensation that seemed to loom in the distance and left me a bit uneasy. Soon after,  my stomach started feeling a little bit off. Then a bloated sensation crept in and I thought some over-the-counter drugs would work. Hoping to alleviate these symptoms, I opted for Eno. As the weather turned colder, I found myself battling a fever, compounded by a loss of appetite. Some fevers have a way of laying you down. They invade like a fierce toro bravo charging towards a matador in a bullring with magenta and gold capote as the only weapon for protection. The way the bull is bred, its aggression is matched only by its formidable physique. It is swift, nimble, and agile. And trained to target the matador who must expertly dodge the bull's horns and outmaneuver the charging beast.

The bull analogy may not be flawless, but it underscores a crucial correlation. Just as the bull charges into the ring, unpredictable and potent, illness can strike unexpectedly, leaving one vulnerable and unprepared. When interacting with others during this season, the risk of infection looms, especially in social settings where contact is prolonged. The virus, much like the charging bull, maybe in its final stages of exiting from its host's body. Without taking proper preventive measures, one becomes susceptible to its impact as it lodges itself in the immune system, ready to wreak havoc.

After a while, if your body does not succumb to indisposition and you are bedridden, you always can go back to what you do best. Health is wealth and it should be safeguarded with utmost discretion. The same way that the secret service guards the POTUS with ironclad vigilance.  If you feel like you need attention, don't hesitate to visit a health center with qualified and certified medics who can check, diagnose, and recommend some medication to improve your health. On the other hand, some individuals rarely fall ill due to their dominant and allele genes. You rarely hear that they called in sick; that's just about them. 

Hasta La Vista, Baby.

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Let's Try Again

You are enveloped in the comfort of your bed; the ebbs and flows of a neon-pink vision dance in the darkness behind your closed eyes. How this color subtly flutters within your thoughts, almost imperceptibly, is beyond your cognition. It should symbolize fun moments, pleasant things, exquisite modernity, and a feminine touch. Are butterflies neon pink? Don't they spread their wide wings and appear like bright petals in mental imagery? It turns out, the neon pink glow emanating from the bedside table was responsible for casting the room in a mesmerizing iridescence.

It's five am, the moonlight filters through the curtains. The morning breeze feels wonderfully cool, just as it ought to. Normally, you do not need an alarm. Your sleep flow is like a tidal pattern, and the body instinctively senses the tide change in sleep. On this particular day, the eyelids droop heavily, the back aches, and you try to recall parts of the vivid hue that soaked you in a wet dream.

You want to eject out of bed like a videotape, which is then tenderly encased and stored for a nostalgic replay. But you are human, this time around, too groggy, too sore. You are not used to this, the visual puns and metaphor. A defeatist mindset leaves a desire to continue hugging the warm and soft duvet and imbue a sense of rest, curled up as happy as a cat snuggling. The mind is slow and turns leisurely like a beautiful carousel between the moments of sleep and wakefulness. It gradually shifts gears, from first to second then to a gentle third. There is no launch control to thrust you into swift action.

This is the day you wake up and suddenly the creators block attacks akin to the force of a Spartan spear. You toss and turn in bed and ponder what to scribe, but the artiste in you, born to defeat the forces of malevolent dullness with the sword of sensual creativity, fails in connotations. As a living thing, you want to scamper and scramble out of this fantastic cemetery with bits of skeletons and skulls pulling you invisibly as if in a horror movie. This is the day you wake up with a shuddering yawn. You lazily switch on the lights and an apprehensive moment ensues. It was meant to be a typical day, filled with the usual playfulness and energy, yet somehow inspiration seemed elusive, hiding just out of reach.

It feels quiet at first, then you hear the whispers of the wind awakening the world, and the vicious hiss out of nowhere creates a careless bliss. This is a paradise for those who have known hard times. This is the city of rootless survival and restless vile. It struggles to keep desperate folks from jumping to their deaths from the top of unguarded apartments that kiss the polluted skyline. It kills ambitions and creates a night that is full of light. Soon, sunshine will maul darkness and violently scatter the moon's reflection. A day like this should feel fresh like chopped liver and peaceful like a tonsured priest at the altar. 

Gathering the little meaningful effort you have, you draw aside one curtain, open the wide window, and look out across to see nothing but a concrete jungle. Unusual as it is, you strip off the pajamas, go to the bathroom, and stand naked under the cold shower for a few minutes. This is to invigorate the peptic glide, to awaken the sluggish rhythm of life within. Afterward, you clean your teeth and gargle the sharp mouthwash to get rid of the bad lingering aftertaste of the night from your mouth. An hour later, you are still in your seat, mulling about what to compose. You have reached a tacit kibosh. Even if you try to come up with incidental or indecorous images that imprint themselves scaldingly on the mind's eye, the ruin is yonder. It is a time to undergo the process of a “cleansing breath.”

Efforts to think clearly, express meaning, and join the journey of discovery, seem futile. Upon reviewing the initial pedagogy of your script, there is an urge to consign it into flames, incinerate it to ashes, and banish it from existence. Nothingness lingers in the mind. Impossible it is to ripple into action again. With the incredible refusal of inertia, you put your nose to the grindstone, but risk confusing yourself with a fatal flow. What could have been left to rest turns into gibberish. A nervous giggle rents the air and pierces the cozy silence, “Poor Anan, come back to bed.” It's the dystopian voice of a lady. Reverberating and giving the illusion that her thighs will offer the solution to your sere and emphatic struggle to improve your prose in a flash.

“This will be a page-turner that lures you into the contours of asphyxiation. Trust the process and let the world accord you your roses, hazin accolades deserved.” You self console. You want to heed her advice. It's like a cliffhanger that leaves you contemplating. Should I go back and savor the warmth of the bed and a seductive and sensuous temptress, or should I just brave the situation and resist the temptation of fleeting pleasure? As always, the flesh is weak. When faced with a choice between two divergent paths, it's human nature to opt for the path that is familiar and promises an instant reward. 

Hasta La Vista, Baby.

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Undressing youself, The echo effect

Once in a while, it's essential to break away, have a debut in the unmined, and see a poignant reflection on the losses brought about by obstinate sedentation. A chance to peer beneath the surface of the familiar and cultivate a reverse-engineered outlook that melds everyday experiences from moving parts into a new synergy of working parts. Along the way, you encounter the full spectrum of life's emotions: clarity, suspense, dilemma, manifestation, humor, pain, and epiphany. It's a divorce from lingering desires, a moment to appreciate life's subtleties as if measured by a teaspoon, with the finesse of an artist's touch upon tender fingertips. So, step out, catalog the mental inventory of your thoughts, and allow yourself to indulge in the richness of existence to find out what sparks joy.

During a random walk late last year, I encountered an individual who struck up a conversation seemingly out of nowhere. He shared an observation about how Africans tend to overlook and underappreciate the milestones they achieve in life, implying a lack of adequate recognition and reward. While I couldn't ascertain whether this perspective was racially bigoted against African people, it resonated with a certain truth that was difficult to refute entirely. Our dialogue was prompted by the sight of a recent graduate walking home with a female companion. It sparked a conversation that unfolded against the backdrop of a late afternoon stroll, a routine I customarily indulged in at that time of day.

Several weeks after our initial encounter, I crossed paths with the chap again in a different locale, again ambulating. In the unspoken code of men, names are rarely exchanged, so I've dubbed him T Makeli. A moniker that makes you want to list down things when you read or hear that name. Maybe he is a farmer, a mechanic, a potter, a barber, or a caretaker. Upon greeting him, it was clear from his perplexed look that he was wondering why a stranger was acknowledging him. He didn't immediately recognize me or recall our previous interaction. Unlike those who might explain such a situation, I chose not to elaborate, sensing his overwhelming confusion. His look reminded me of the guileless bewilderment of a child who can't quite remember where they've seen you before, despite a sense of familiarity. 

I recall T Makeli sharing with me that their family was accustomed to eating traditional vegetables ("mboga za kienyeji"), and whenever he passed an exam, his mother would prepare omena for them to celebrate the achievement. This was the delicacy they craved, the one they eagerly waited for with bated breath. Poverty might have been their portion, but this simple pleasure was sensational.

In my childhood, being rewarded for achievements was uncommon. My upbringing dictated that attending school and passing exams was simply part of life's routine. A vivid memory I have is of the time I invited my parents to a medium-high-end restaurant, a place we often visited to enjoy the ambiance after school with my fellow pupils. As we perused the menu, my father immediately remarked on the steep prices, leading us to depart in favor of a more affordable eatery, despite his initial agreement to explore the establishment.

In light of this, I concluded that this man was strapped for cash. Luxury was not his portion. His approach to life seemed to mirror his financial situation. Which I assumed was anchored on the hardness of a minimalism and a frugality on steroids. In contrast, I've adopted a different perspective on my life's philosophy. I've embraced a reward system for myself. Whenever I achieve a significant milestone, I prioritize celebrating before considering any repercussions. While these festivities might seem typical, they are intentional and richly merited. They are moments of discovery that transform into cherished memories. They involve going to the club, savoring my favorite whiskey—Jack Daniels—and enjoying it with friends. It's a departure from the usual drinks we're accustomed to, but I find it adds a special touch to the occasion.

Many individuals tend to purchase tangible items. Conversely, I allocate minimal time to such visible entities. For instance, while others have upgraded to smart TVs, I continue to use a traditional television set, which adorns my wall without a connection to an aerial or set-top box. Its use is limited to monthly occasions when I connect it to my laptop, primarily to enjoy music. For yours truly, the true value of a purchase is derived from the immersive experience it provides, rather than its frequency of use. 

Anticipating life's unpredictability is something I've come to enjoy. Despite attempts to plan my days, I find myself drawn to spontaneity and the thrill of unexpected experiences. Structured schedules don't just work. While I appreciate the concept of investing in items that can grow in value over time, I find words to be more captivating given their ability to evoke emotion. My style of composition is variant, sometimes vibrant and lively, other times direct and succinct.

In my opinion, there is a significant correlation between the desire for the fine things in life and the quest for attaining them. Being nurtured in an environment that fosters success often propels individuals towards prosperity, assuming there is no settling for mediocrity. This is the crux of existence. The tendency to fulfill only average expectations is our tipping point. That may even apply to tots. Kids are like sponges, soaking up what we tell them. If they never hear they can achieve greatness, they might just settle for "good enough." And that's how mediocrity becomes the norm. It is our role to make the possibilities appear attainable. And it applies even to adults. 

We often settle for less due to various reasons. It could stem from fear that our efforts won't be appreciated or rewarded adequately. It might also be a result of having a limited mindset or lacking the confidence to ask for what we truly deserve. Many of us find ourselves in this situation because we haven't been encouraged to expect more and strive for better.

Hasta La Vista, Baby.

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Random Musings

April heralds the season of showers. A time when the sky is packed tight with grey, pregnant clouds. The dark afternoon formations suddenly leave a mysterious canvas in the blue sky, and the bright hue swiftly evanescent with no prior notice. The onset of rain brings with it an air of positivity. It's the rhythmic drumming of raindrops for me; how they impinge upon the earth releasing a natural aroma and filling the air with a delicious scent.

There's a palpable sense of delight when you're snug in bed and the downpour begins, your heart palpitates with joy expectant of splendid slumber. It's a sign that you will have an awesome night, rich with the sounds and scents that you long for. The rain ushers in serene peace and sobriety, offering a harmonious blend of calm and a hint of sensuality during the ambrosial hours. A juxtaposed palette of real tranquillity with a sultry feel.

As usual, the rain presents the perfect time to indulge in a steaming cup of tea. One that is delicately light and creamy with a hint of mint, ushering in cherished moments and wrapping around the neck like a warm scarf. The mug that you tightly grip with your hands, and the warmth sinks into the bones. It provides a little solace, with the steam rising across the face to spread warmth on the nose and cheeks. The drink provides a momentary escape, a soothing elixir that transports you beyond the shadows of the past, the discomfort of the present, and the uncertainties of the future. 

Sometimes, I take a gander through the window to observe the straight, silvery, and smooth streaks spiral into a torrent of deluge. How the heavy, hopeless raindrops strike and seep through every crevice, leaving a feeling of adhesion and cohesion. The way flashes of lightning precede a long thunderous sound like some grand piano, then it settles into a continuous soft rumble. The way thunder can terrify with significance and have an overwhelming scope. You feel like the current ebullient regularity should continue irrespective of it giving vibes of a beautiful, delicate crass.

At the year's outset, I found myself striding through the rain. January panned out differently. I had somehow mistaken the gravity of the situation, hardly noticing the clouds were converging in a confident sky. I fondly recall how cool breezes coursed into transparent eddies. The winds shifted from soft to strong in less than a minute, roaming at large like an unannounced visitation.

Vulnerability sets in once the heavens open to let fine drops furiously outpour in an unmetered way. The sudden torrents force you to shelter under an extended balcony, as the narrow streets are further constricted by balconies that jut out, encroaching upon the space ordinarily reserved for roads. As the rain intensifies, people vanish as if by magic, revealing our collective apprehension of the rain. I met a certain lovely young lass, fresh out of high school, who engaged me in a conversation, and she wanted to be employed.

She was an irrelevant teen I felt like I could fall in love with. I had to highlight that part for no apparent reason. She expressed a desire to engage in honest and legitimate work, eschewing the path of illicit endeavors like working as a stripper. My encounter took place in Githurai, a locale unfairly stigmatized by a reputation for crime and substandard housing. Although crime is prevalent in the area, I have always remained unscathed, feeling safe walking on the cabro-paved roads during the day.

After showing signs that the rains would subside, I decided to saunter back to my crib. When it rains for a while, it feels like freshness is poured back to earth, resulting in a new creation. The solemn thunder has tremendous powers in the way it roars, evoking raw power during the aftermath of rain. I had to cover a distance of about 2 kilometres, and I was thoroughly soaked to the skin by the time I arrived in the house.

I chose to straddle back instead of vehicular motion. I didn’t care, though. I took in the sight of how the ivy clustered on the walls of solitary residences and the lurid marsh green grass blades lined the curb. Huge drops of rain smote my face in earnest. The liquid spines soaked my hair and poured down my forehead, running down to blind my eyes and stream from my nose. My lenses blurred and I could not see clearly as tiny raindrops did not provide enough oomph to overcome water’s tendency to adhere to the glass. After it all I went back to the devoted warmth. The well-disposed threat of familiarity of my house. Then I felt the elusive sense of ease breeze in. I realized am not a pluviophile.

Hasta La Vista, Baby.

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Five horses and The Belgian Draught

 The world is a marketplace of ideas and it all depends on how you put across your opinion. If you are convincing and believable, people will buy into your ideas and adopt them as the gospel truth even though they may be full of half-truths, falsehoods, and propaganda. That is the reason why a lie told many times ends up as a credential.

The infallibility of human nature is the reason why we have to allow dissenting ideas that we would not since it would be like being muzzled in a way. I am not an expert in matters of opinion and I would love to learn how people reason. The way you convince others that perhaps this is how matters are and that is how they should be henceforth.

It's the thought process that matters in our endeavors. What you think is what you become and society comes in to assist in propagating that ideology. We make simple the complex and the converse is also true. The rationale with which you approach an issue is the reason why it may fail or succeed depending on the input you put into it.

I won't say that I am lethargic as a person, but I seemingly find myself in a situation where I just do not feel like doing what I should have done prior. Time is moving fast and age will catch up. When it does, you will look back and feel like you should have made strides in your life. Which may be impossible to reserve. For instance, a 60-year-old who would have loved to be a teacher may find herself unable to do so because the circumstances do not allow it due to age advancement.

Every day when I wake up, I have wished I could adhere to the 5 am club rule. I have not yet read the book on how to harness genius-grade productivity and use it as a companion for a life lived beautifully. It does not feature among the books I would love to engross myself to find value and pursue as a life tenet. Maybe I read it and see if it applies in my case. If it does not, like most of the good books I have read, they become gems in my daily composition.

Whether it is me or most people are apathetic, I have no idea. I am one type of person who has to sometimes force myself to do what I do not want yet I have routinely done in the past. It is waking up in the morning, time management, and the whole issue of being disciplined and remaining committed to a course.

Luckily, all is not lost because when I decide to engage, I fully get immersed in the action and forget about the world around me for a few minutes before I think about the need to connect again with the rest of the world. The world is a stage, and we have various characters in it. You resign to the fate that life presents since that is the life you have somehow got used to. Once you have resigned to fate and let the situation take its course, there is a high likelihood you will never fully recover if you take no immediate action.

Sometimes, I find I just want to let go. Sometimes, I lose hope and feel like what I am doing is not worth the struggle. The good thing is that it comes after I have finished what I need to do and pondering on what to do next. The next day, I wake up fresh and go back to start again because it is good to be back to what you normally do. And you passionately pursue the endeavor like you have started afresh.

The worst is when you decide to take a break and create the impression you will consider taking up from where you left. That is a fallacy that we engage in and more often than not the outcome is, that you end up leaving it to the dogs. There is a high chance even if you pick up from where you left off, you will not achieve the same outcome.

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The Job Market Queasiness

Securing my first job felt like stumbling upon a coveted opportunity, akin to discovering a rich platinum deposit. The murky world of employment is laborious and tough. Jobs are transient, and the sheer pith of comfort is what we should strive to overcome. You discover there is more to a career than just a paycheck. You need to be in constant motion. Interestingly, I've observed a widespread appreciation for local cuisine. As a nation, we aspire to have locally curated eateries selling standard recipes. The challenge lies in operationalizing the outfit to transform it into a franchise. This would involve opening multiple branches funded by local investors, akin to how citizens eagerly invest in government bonds and bills.

Honesty and integrity are paramount in the job market. Transparency and a clean professional record are non-negotiable. While practical skills and experience hold weight, academic qualifications often become crucial, especially in competitive scenarios. A degree may seem trivial until it becomes a prerequisite for a desired position. Strong academic credentials not only demonstrate a foundation of knowledge but also a dedication to learning and growth. Education should be seen as an investment in acquiring the skills and knowledge necessary to thrive in your career path.

I fondly recall the days when I eagerly aspired to be associated with a corporate entity. This was my take on the typical path; transitioning into the workforce, drawing a salary, and embracing adult responsibilities. Often, the next phase is succeeded by matrimony, followed by family planning. Then come the goals of purchasing a car, building a house, and investing for the future. It's a familiar lifestyle that many of us are accustomed to. 

Landing a job marked the initial stride in my quest to achieve the goals I had set forth. A decade has flown by since my graduation, and the picture is quite different from what I had envisioned. The milestones of owning a car, getting married, and buying a house remain on my to-do list, illustrating that life's journey often takes unexpected turns.

Certainly, I care, albeit not with the expected intensity. There are moments when I ponder if I've missed out on fulfilling certain expectations during the opportune times. There was an opportunity for marriage that I let slip away, hindered by deep-seated apprehensions. Perhaps, at that juncture, marriage didn't seem like the right path for me. As for finances, I tend to spend freely, without much thought. I value experience over possessions. You might be conflicted to think I indulge in excess and enjoy savoring life's pleasurable moments.

Looking back, I realize there's not much I can claim as my own, and surprisingly, it doesn't weigh heavily on my mind. Even the laptop I'm currently using isn't mine; it's on loan from the company. I used to own some laptops but chose to distribute them for free. Now, with this company-issued equipment, I'm restricted from installing software. Should I attempt to do so, it would trigger an alert to the administrators.

If you catch the attention of hawk-eyed admins, they won't hesitate to hold you accountable for violating company policies. And that means being under the radar. The framework that companies employ to safeguard their infrastructure is exceptionally robust and complex. It encompasses a vast array of measures that sometimes I find myself thinking, "I will utilize whatever access rights I have been granted. Beyond that, life continues." 

The primary reason we interview for jobs is to secure a source of income. However, it's considered inappropriate to directly express this to the recruiter by saying, "I'm here for the money." Such a statement could jeopardize your chances during the interview process. Consequently, many candidates refrain from showing too much enthusiasm and adopt a more reserved demeanor until an offer is extended. If successful, you accept the offer; otherwise, decline courteously.

As a corporate employee, I am obligated to comply with the company's rules and regulations. This often entails maintaining a modest and cooperative attitude. In many cases, voicing concerns or asserting oneself, especially regarding compensation, is not advisable unless your contributions are recognized and valued by the employer. If you have demonstrated significant value to the organization, that could provide stronger grounds to leverage for fair compensation. Conversely, if the company has played an instrumental role in your professional development, your treatment and compensation will likely align with their standards and expectations. You have not shown ingenuity in small matters.

There will be a point where, as an employee, you will quiver with revulsion. You may have entered the workforce with high hopes, believing that your qualifications and certifications would secure you a favorable position and pay. Yet, unexpectedly, you find yourself in a role that's worlds apart from what you envisioned, tasked with beginning afresh. At that point shadows of gloom loom over your destiny, far removed from the deal you thought you made. You feel like you are in a conundrum. The intensity of the situation is so clear and so plausible. However, despite the turmoil, there's a sense of calm that settles in when the day is done.

Some, like yours truly, are trapped in a state of inertia, unable to muster the courage to update their resume. The thought of revising it feels daunting and overwhelming, akin to a bitter taste or something apocalyptic. There is beauty in brevity. The entire process of job applications is rife with regret, making it a dreadful endeavor. It has created a fallacy of inflexibility and the danger of being indoctrinated that jobs are hard to find.  You feel like you are in trouble, floundering in a swamp and you need an employer to throw a rope your way to save you from drowning. It can feel like being stuck in quicksand, desperately waiting for an employer to extend a lifeline. In a bid to escape this rut, you might consider hiring a recruiter to revamp your resume and usher in positive energy. There's often the allure that a new employer will offer greener pastures and a better working environment.

Hasta La Vista, Baby.

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