Sir Karani of Atapara

Doomsday: May 21st, the end of the world

2011-05-18T12:18:00.000-07:00

You must have heard it already: the clock will stop ticking on May 21, 2011. Some prophet has said it and there isnt much one can do but try a last minute transformation to being righteous. First though, we need to repent.

But is the world really coming to an end? More later in a detailed analysis of doomsday prophecies.

Post 8-4-4 discourse: a short narrative

2011-05-18T02:00:00.000-07:00

It is three weeks since since what I started over twelve years ago came to a close. There is much to say about the system but that is a story for some other day. The past three weeks have been as exciting as they come but not without an unjustified measure of boredom. The fact that I am writing this of course is an unequivocal pointer to being upbeat about things.

So, what have you been up to for the three weeks? I hear you ask. Beyond travelling and meeting friends and relatives, I have been reading a lot about freelancincing on the internet. While the school system pretended to prepare us to create jobs and all that, its primary purpose was to get us ready to work in already established institutions. That is why you find graduates in their thousands walking blindly, searching for jobs that are hard to get.

Given that I was reliably informed by friends who work online and make good money to boot that there is no place to be other than before your computer, I have bought myself a couple of internet bundles to satisfy my doubting Thomas instinct. While I am yet to do any job, I can assure you that whoever learns and masters the ropes of working online has his financial future guaranteed.

You may want to search for websites like odesk.com, essaywriters.net, elance.com among many others to confirm what I say here. Opening accounts is free but only those who succeed in the tests given get the jobs and money! So dont rush into tests but in stead take your time to read more about freelancing and the websites you want to work with. All the best

The Pathway to Integrity

2011-02-27T00:06:00.000-08:00

For the better part of this week, starting on Wednesday to Friday, a group of student leaders were engaged on a three-day seminar by the Kenya Anti-Corruption Commission (KACC). The theme of the seminar was "Visionary Leaders for a Corruption Free Society".

In Kenya, the topic of corruption has become fashionable and Prof PLO Lumumba, the Director Of KACC, attested to this. He pointed out that there are those who by the day are with the commission fighting against the vice, and yet at night, are the perpetrators of the same.

With the above in mind, allow me to delve into another equally fashionable subject of integrity without, of course, dragging you into the now-muddied waters of the pop culture it has created.

Often times, we hear and read remarks to the effect that people are born "evil". The other equally disturbing remark we read and hear is that one's environment determines his behaviour to such a great extent that environment alone, can be said to be the sole determiner of one's character.

While admitting that the environment plays a role in the determination of a person's character, I find it difficult to locate the mere fact of birth in the determination of the same. The environment bombards us with lots of information and realities that evidently shape our mental dispositions which in turn shape our behaviour.

It is wishful thinking to give prominence to environment over choice in the determination of a person's behaviour. Let us mention some names: Dr MLK Jr, Mahatma Gandhi, Mother Teresa, Mandela... etc. The commonality between these great people lies in their choosing the good over the bad, the environment they lived in notwithstanding.

The pathway to integrity is one of choice. We cannot, we must not, we should not, try to excuse our "evil" choices and blame our environment for making us do those things which we did not intend to. While determinism seems to be a popular thing to rely on when we go wrong, deep within ourselves we know that the wrong we did was out of choice.

With your indulgence, allow me to share with you three things which the Rev Dr Mageto asked us to remember if we would forget the rest. Know the good, desire the good and do the good. To become a person of integrity demands that one walks on the narrow path best described by the three things mentioned. The choice is yours!

Yet, another fire in Moi University ,Main Campus. Is tragedy courting us?

2011-02-02T10:46:00.000-08:00

This evening, a student's room in my hostel caught fire. The incident, which is the first of its magnitude in my close to four years stay here, has left most students shocked and scared. While the students are sorry for their comrades whose room caught fire, the thought that it could have been any of them has blunted their emotions.

The fire incident comes in the background of another outbreak a few weeks ago in which a supermarket serving the students and villagers. Of course, in stead of students and villagers helping out, they started looting the property. But that is a story for another post.

Until this year's incidents, there were a few others in the last academic year. Most of the fires have been allegedly caused by electrical faults. But then again, that should form the the thesis of another post.

Worthy of note however is our ability to react to these accidents and prevent the occurrence of more disasters. There university has put up fire assembly points within the campus and the horse pipes are working (they are used for cleaning, daily). This, however, is not the issue.

In today's incident, it emerged that students are not prepared for such disasters. The confusion that characterized the evening, the false alarm in the other wing of the hostel, the conflicting information and such things all show that students are totally not prepared for such incidents.

Therefore, there is need to continuously carry out drill sessions and talks for the students to know what to do should this happen again, here or wherever they will be. It would be a plus to the world if unto it are given people who can skillfully deal with disasters in addition to their other skills. We can no longer rest easy and assume that somehow we will survive any disaster. Such complacency with ignorance can lead fatal endings to already tragic stories.

The world does not pause to heed your cries

2011-01-27T01:56:00.000-08:00

I have met countless people who endlessly talk about their tribulations. While I do not object to people opening up, and sharing what bothers them, I am a little disturbed by those among us who think we should stop what we are doing and listen to them.

The world does not, cannot, must not, will not, stop to heed the cries of any one of us. Yes, life is difficult. But wait a minute, who said it would be easy? Who promised you that upon your entry into the world, only the good things awaited you? If nobody promised you anything in particular, why are you complaining? What premise do you have?

That sounds tough, even irrational but I do contend that it is how things are as I see them. We cannot go on complaining of how bad the situation is, for complaints alone, wont change the nature of things. We must proactively engage ourselves in those activities that have for their express purpose, the extermination of those things we find disagreeable.

The theory of the survival of species makes known to us that only those among us who can muster this "difficult" life will survive today to breed tomorrow! Those of us who will die in the battlefields of today's problems might as well start preparing for the world to come. Perhaps there, you will be given a second chance!

Therefore, in lieu of complaining, crying, lamenting e.t.c about the unfairness of today, let us pause to think of how best to resolve the issues that are before us.

Worry not over that which you cannot change

2011-01-24T08:03:00.000-08:00

When Jesus saw his disciples troubled over what the next day had in store for them, when he realized that humanity was struggling even with the unknown, when he saw that people were wasting a lot of their energies with that which they had not in their control, he told them something that may appear to be very simple: he told them not to worry about tomorrow for it would take care of itself. He categorically told them that enough for the day was its own troubles.

Interestingly, paradoxically even, since his time to date, the people of this world have not fully comprehended the wisdom of his words. They have been troubling themselves with things which they did (don't) have control over. Anxiety of what is before each one of us seem to dictate the nature of the lives we live.

I have watched an interesting movie on Tibet (I don't remember the title) in which one of the actors gets very philosophical. Thinking of the nature of the nature of reality surrounding him, he opines that one should not worry over that which they cannot change for no amount of worrying can change anything. He adds that if you can do something, do it; if you cant, let it be.

The words are surprisingly simple. perhaps that explains why most of us dont take them seriously. We rubbish them as common sayings that mean nothing beyond the words themselves. However, the philosophy in them is profound and can impact greatly on the life of the person who takes them seriously.

The challenge therefore is for each one of us to see the amazing wisdom in the apparently simple utterances. The choice before us is to choose to struggle today and live it to the fullest,or to die slowly today worrying about tomorrow.

As for me and my house, we have made our choice. Have you?

Eldoret Town Review

2011-01-02T11:04:00.001-08:00

Parks

Eldoret Town Review

2011-01-02T11:04:00.000-08:00

Parks

http://www.addthis.com/bookmark.php?v=250&username=xa-4d0382aa62ef311f

2011-01-02T10:58:00.000-08:00

http://www.addthis.com/bookmark.php?v=250&username=xa-4d0382aa62ef311f

Palin Pause, Pose and Listen to Nyong'o

2010-12-06T00:59:00.001-08:00

Prof Anyang' Nyong'o wrote in yesterday Sunday Standard that Sarah Palin's new book portends ill for America and the world.

In America by Heart: Reflections on Family, Faith and Flag, Palin, argues Nyong'o, re-ignites rascist tendencies.

The good Prof faults Palin for having issues with Michelle Obama's assertion that after campaigning for her husband, "for the first time in her adult lifetime she was really proud of her country."

Nyong'o reminds Palin of the America of the sixties and seventies. He however is skeptical and wonders whether Palin with "her common garden philosophy and ruther rustic junior school civics, ...remember who Dr Martin Luther King Jr was and how he relates to what Michelle says today".

My knowledge of African American literature stirs in my misty soul the painful experiences of Blacks right from the days of slavery.

Palin can have free lessons from me as to the nature of slavery, how it was sustained and what the Blacks thought and think of it.

Back to Nyong'o. For him, Palin's 'philosophies' smacks of "the spectre of the pure but violated Aryan race".

He warns that "when mediocrity climbs the ladder of power, and pretends to dine with philosophers like Plato, then we should know that Armageddon is beckoning to prey on our worst fears and to unleash some of the most intolerant ideas into the lexicon of governance in the world's most powerful nation. It will come in the guise of patriotism, exceptionalism or some form of populism not yet known to humankind".

Lets hope she has heard. And somebody needs to tell that to these Kenyan tribal chiefs!

The Four Noble Truths: A Budhist Insight into Life

2010-12-03T10:40:00.001-08:00

A few experiences in my life and that of others, some recent and others old, move me towards sharing this with you.

With your tacit indulgence, let me take you briefly through four truths of life as understood by Budhists.

First, life is suffering. Nothing new there, I guess. Pain and agony characterise life.

Second, suffering is due to attachment. Imperfection and impermanence is the juice of our reality. Clinging to things of this world, which can never last nor be perfect, is the best recipe to hurting.

Third, suffering can be overcome. Sigh of relief. Choose not to be attached and choose not to suffer.

Fourth, there is away of doing this (three above). Follow the eightfold path. Google!

Examine your life. Find out whether at the root of your suffering, lies attachment to fleeting things and experiences. Now, what about a paradigm shift?

Writing good poetry

2010-11-29T08:28:00.001-08:00

Over time, my experience in writing poetry has made me aware of the difficulties poets, especially beginners, face before writing anything.

One of the major challenges we face is lacking modesty of admitting that our work is mediocre, requiring a lot of reworking.

In lieu of admitting that the poem we are so passionate about is poorly done and therefore needs to be re-written, we spend so much time brooding. And that is our folly.

A realization that writing is a continuous process of re-writing is the only way towards perfection. We cannot be good at what we do if we do not take seriously what others thinks of our work.

And that reminds me of my own experience. On several occassions, I have told to find a subject for my poetry, be in control of it and 'refrigerate' it until such a time that I can return to it with an objective mind.

Its through following the above that I have been able to make an amazing improvement in my art, from mediocrity to something publishable. And I am still learning, still perfecting.

Another thing that has led to the improvement has been my membership to a writers club. The ideas of the critical readers have been of great help.

To write well, one needs more than talent. You need skill, patience and a passionate but sober attitude in your art. Reading others also helps to shape you. The exposure to several styles and concerns is of great help too.

Good poets know that they have no excuse of doing something bad when the good is within their reach. Read, write, share and listen.

Notes on CV writing

2010-11-27T21:07:00.001-08:00

I have realised that a majority of the people looking for jobs have poorly done CV's.

The common mistakes include bad English (spelling and syntax), poor layout, cheap ugly papers, unnecessary details e.t.c.

One of the sure way to the dust bin for your CV is for it to be guilty of the above charges. In addition, those of us with lengthy CV's should leave out the litter. Keep your CV short. No one wants to read ten pages of what you did twenty years ago.

Your CV is your marketing tool. Sell yourself well.

Darkness (30/10/10)

2010-10-30T12:45:00.001-07:00

Darkness,
what mystery do you hold?
Your magic makes known
what before was hidden
Like good alcohol
you lay bare all hearts
Thieves, harlots, rapists_
the scum of society_
get their acts better
when covered generously by you
But not them alone.
Leaders, whatever you
conceive them to be
live their true selves
in your tight embrace.

Under the shy moon (22/10/10)

2010-10-25T07:36:00.001-07:00

Outside, under the shy moon
hidden by a translucent cloud,
the winds blow not. The trees
like good sentries stand still
and guard the omnious night.

The naive moon light only
magnifies the darkness, our
footsteps compound the silence
and the echoes of the cry of the
distant owl mocks this tense night

This night is fractured, crickets
chirp a crooked dirge, and the
stagnant air embraces the song
with all its long gone life.
Death smiles from everything.

Dawn drags itself but what
does it hold in its clenched fist?
When the sun chases this coy moon
what mystery would then unfold?
I stagger, alone, broken-hearted.

You are your enemy!

2010-10-25T07:15:00.000-07:00

Brother, what is the point
of these periodic sobs of yours?
Are you not the slave who sees
another buried shallowly and laughs?
Aren't you the rat, dumb with haste, who
fails to see the one ahead drop into a hole?
When a man digs a hole to trap others,
he's to blame if he becomes his own victim.
When a farmer disturbs bees during day,
he should curse his god for his foolishness.
Remember you were warned against them,
but big people seem to have their way with you.

Pluck me (5.10.10)

2010-10-05T11:44:00.001-07:00

I'm that yellow fruit
ripe, full of life,
the perfection beyond you,
the fullness you constantly desire,
but fail to attain.

I'm that star up above
shining on your darkness
I'm the light you detest,
the truth you so much hate.

I'm that gentle flowing stream
pure, divine, serene.
You can only but dream
to relax, nourish, as I do.

I'm that dark green leaf,
fat with life, calm
with nature. My presence
magnifies your inadequacy.

I'm that rose flower
early in the morning
a dew resting on my petal.
I'm at home with myself.

Pluck me, for I'm more
than these. I am
what you're against, but
secretly yearn to be.

It is finished (1/10/10)

2010-10-01T11:00:00.001-07:00

After the test
she mumbled:
"It is finished!"

My heart fell
and twitched
in the acids below.

Memory brought
the heat and fierceness
that melted the rubber.

Gloomy eyes grew grey
and the day begun
to mock me for what I had done.

In the mirror myself
in the eye
I could not look.

Past pleasures perished
and was born
untold bitterness

that chokes me
like rust in a water pipe.
Now, the unborn

will severely pay
for our sin.
What a fate!

I'm not afraid ( for Honesty Oimbo )

2010-09-29T12:47:00.001-07:00

no,
i'm not afraid.
another's hangover
of a powerful past
scares me not.
its just that
i'm still laughing-
at those searching
for socrates in dictionaries.
infantile dreams
of lateblooming
se seko's and amin's
tickles me.

Do we what with a people like this?

2010-09-29T08:02:00.001-07:00

You'll see them strut about
in confusion, heads full of clout
They'll stagger without hope
not knowing how to cope

In this darkness they grope
making stage their preferred stop
Their, sorrounded by bottles brown
our tomorrow they fervently drown

With the dew they troop back
a battalion that has killed its luck
Songs stagger from their mouths
reclaiming perceived noble births

Do we what with a people like these
followed everywhere by hungry fleece
Mercy? I hear you say no please
just let them savour the illusive peace!

Hos and Holes (12/06/10)

2010-09-28T03:09:00.003-07:00

Ho ho ho hos!
Ho ho ho holes!
Bottoms sexily sway
to a rythm Jamaican
to pass poverty away

The bait is swallowed
and they with muscles firm
savor the amnesty of shackles
Now, just because of a peep,
they'll join by the hip

Dawn breaks religiously
and the residue of tourists
paired with girls wickedly
go to unmarked slaughterhouses.