Selly Thiam's None on Record

I was watching this week's U-People episode and was happy to learn about Selly Thiam's None on Record.

None on Record: Stories of Queer Africa’s mission is to bring the stories of QLGBT Africans into the forefront of media and media-making. We are a web-based archive, a media-making production crew and community-building tool for the global African LGBT population.

Please support the project or visit the website at NoneonRecord.com.

For my African (or African identified) GLBT readers please consider submitting something to this projects:

We invite QLGBT Africans to submit original, unpublished essays, poems, short stories, plays, creative non-fiction, and visual art. We're looking for work that explores the lives of QLGBT Africans and how your experiences have shaped you emotionally, politically, socially, and culturally. We are interested in the ideas and experiences that make you African and QLGBT. We accept work from QLGBT Africans from the continent and those who have immigrated to other parts of the world. We also accept submissions from first generation QLGBT Africans born outside the African Continent. -- None on Record: Stories of Queer Africa Edited by: Notisha Massaquoi & Selly Thiam

Halfpenny post: Whoever heard of a 100-billion-dollar note

Zimbabwe, grappling with a record 2.2 million percent inflation, has introduced a new 100-billion-dollar bank note in a bid to tackle rampant cash shortages, the central bank said Saturday ... In January, a 10-million-dollar note was issued, then a 50-million-dollar note in April. In May, notes for 100 million and 250 million dollars were issued, swiftly followed by those for five billion, 25 billion and 50 billion.

from AFP Yahoo News 7/19/09

Now that is what I call ridiculous. Can you imagine trying to teach your kid basic math and using the purchase of candy / cookies as an example:

Ty: You have a 50 million dollars and Lemon Creams cost 10 million dollars. How many can you buy?
Kid: Long division or short
T: Let's practice long
K: How many zeros are in 10 million
T: (counting on fingers) 7
K: (15 mins later) 5
T: Good
K: How much were Lemons Creams when you were growing up?
T: 2 dollars (they were $1.65 when I was growing up)
K: 2 million right coz futhi futhi you can't buy anything for 2 dollars.

You get the gist right. BTW futhi means also / and.

Cherry Bomb: "The Ex-Factor"

What to do about those darn exes. In my opinion breakships are the wierdest thing. I have exes on both sides of the fence. One I'm still friends with because we just are who we are and there are a couple that I don't speak to. I called it off and that was that. Dont' call me don't page me, nuthing. It's done. I'm still friends with one of them because our friendship predated the relationship. Janay said it best in the comments section of the vlog:

It seems to be very beneficial to date a guy early on in life cause everyone I know including myself who had a long-term relationship with a guy is like bestfriends with the guy. Weird.

Yup that about summarizes our friendship.

Is it okay to date a friend's ex? IMHO ask. Dalila had an interesting answer:

• If it's a close friend ask
• If one's not so close give a courtesy information session i.e thought you should know we are dating
  
• If it's an acquaintance, when you see us out together you'll know we are a couple.

Statutes of limitations?? Something else to consider. If y'all are broken up, she's fair game.

Lesbian video from AfterEllen.com

Halfpenny post: Of life's changes

Today I decided to mark the day as a turning point in my life (had 2 interviews and a final). Usually when I declare something a turning point I get somn done, ie cut my hair, get a piercing etc. Today's is marked by a piercing. Now I should add that when I get piercings, they usually will be taken out at some point in time. I got my navel done to mark my 16th but took it out on my 18th, I got a cartilage piercing done freshman year as a reminder that the goal was to graduate come what may. When I graduated, I took the earring out. And thus I am able to keep the holes in my body to a minimum. The one that I got today is going to be one of the permanent ones because it marks my finally nailing down and actually following through with what I hope will be my career path. I am a techie by trade but am more of a people person. My challenge was to find an area that would let me tech out while still working with people. I can write code in several languages with no problem but let's be honest, it's not my calling. I can't sit in front of a monitor for hours on end, day after day. I need people.

Over the past year I have been looking into the field of Business Continuity / Disaster Recovery. The field is tech meets business analysis meets project management meets kinda-crucial-dont'-mess-this-up. And that is right up my alley. It's a lot of paperwork but it's also an opportunity to get out of doing the same stuff day in day out. You deal with people when you are doing a process analysis as you are documenting what it is that they do. These people have the potential to make or break your plan so you need to get them to trust you enough to give you the truth as it happens as opposed to the truth as management wants it to happen. You deal with upper management and need them to cooperate so that they will release employees when it's time to test the plan. All in all you kiss ass and smile while doing it.

I want to ultimately do this in the non-profit sector, but I will need to cut my teeth in the corporate world. As such I have been trying to find internships in the area that I can do part time so that I can gain the necessary experience. I'm on LinkedIn and recently connected with a lady who has offered to help me plot my career path. Hopefully by mingling with her I shall be able to expand my network of contacts in the field.

I've also been working on getting an e-commerce venture off the ground. It's almost set and I'll post the link on this blog once it's up and running. I'm helping a friend of mine with a web development project so that is keeping me occupied as well. All in all, my goal is to be out of debt (student loans, credit cards etc) within a year. End of year 2 I want to have made my first million. End of year 3 I want to be worth a million. Don't you even think of rolling your eyes at me... these goals are realistic. I just have to be willing to do the work to get me there. I am putting it out here so that you know where I'm going and what I'm going to achieve. There is a lot of power in putting your goals down on paper and then telling people about them. People will hold you accountable so you are forced to get moving on these goals.

I am quite honestly tired of being in the piss poor student category. For once I would like to go to a restaurant and order and not suffer a minor heart attack when the bill arrives. I would like to take an actual vacation not a trip to visit family coz housing is taken care of. I would like to be able to give my mother what she wants as opposed to what she needs. You know what ... I am going to be able to do that, I am telling myself that and putting it out to the universe. A year from now we will be writing a very different blog.

I intended to be brief but I guess I had more bottled up in me than I thought. Anyway good health and good fortune to you all.

BTW Congrats to Wujek Michal on his nephew's arrival !

Ty!

Blog post signatures

Once in a while I come across a blog post signature that I find hilarious. I think I'm going to start highlighting them as I find em. Today's comes from lifeisdandy from AfterEllen.

Who was the first person to look at a cow and say, "Hm i think ill squeeze those dangly things and drink whatever comes out."

Cherry Bomb: "The Polys"

Today the discussion revolves around poly ie polyamory and polyfidelity.

Guest question of the vlog was what is sex between girls. Interesting answers from all but Glo yet again takes the cup. Hers is yet again the quote of the vlog.

Quote of the vlog:

If you can get where you need to go while it's happening ... then it's sex.
-Glo Bigelow

Word if the vlog:

Fluidtration = Fluid exchange + penetration

U People Episode 34: "Coochie Magik"

The ladies give us yet another interesting episode. Today Christa Bell talks about some Coochie Magik and Sheism. Around the 7 minute mark there is a sampling of some of the 1500 names that Christa has collected. That's 1500 ways to call you vajay-jay ... God bless Dr Bailey for bringing that term back and Oprah for introducing it to us prior to that. Named yours yet?
I can honestly say I laughed out loud several times during this vlog so I hope you enjoy it as well.

Color Quiz

Inspired by Journey, I took the color quiz ... didn't realize how much in need of rest I was. One of my characteristics is listed as egocentric ... and note I am not disputing it. To some extent you have to be if you are going to write about yourself on a blog on a regular basis.

Ty took the free ColorQuiz.com personality test! "Urgently in need of rest, relaxation, peace, and a..." Click here to read the rest of the results.

black.womyn.:conversations

I came across black.womyn.:conversations by Tiona McClodden back when it was still in production. I am yet to see the full movie and am hoping that it along with U People can come to Chicago some time. 'The is a feature length documentary on black lesbians living in america...it features almost 50 black lesbian interviews..with a wide range of age, locations, and subjects...'. If it makes it to a city near you please go out and support it. It's black lesbians telling their stories and showing that what we go through today, someone's gone through it already and come out on the other side. In my humble opinion, we have it a lot easier than the lesbians of yore. In the US I most certainly have it easier than the lesbians of my country, especially those on the butcher side of the spectrum. Anyway enjoy the excerpt and support the documentary. The have myspace, blogspot and facebook.
Tiona writes

why.i.am.doing.this.film.
though the subject is broad I am attempting to present a well rounded view of the black lesbian experience as it relates to living in this world, nation, city, home, etc...as an out black lesbian myself it was important that I present an image for others to see that we are all not the same..and we walk this life in many ways other than being confined in our sexuality..we are artist, mothers, students, sisters, friends, lovers, as well as many other things..this is my first personal feature length project and out of everything that I have done it is by far the most important of any project that I have ever done...and more importantly i feel that the "film/tv/art world" must be "flooded" by several images of who we are as black lesbian women!!!

black.womyn.:conversations....

Cherry Bomb: Player Please

If that title doesn't say it all I don't know what will. The ladies discuss the lesbian playa and what to do if no one likes your girlfriend. Jason Steele wrote an article in Chicago's RedEye not too long ago on how to deal with a friend's partner if you don't like them. Check out the article A new kind of couples' therapy time permitting. He offers up 3 strategies that ought to help you out if the vlog doesn't. Enjoy the vlog!

25 Reasons I Owe My Mother

Came across this and couldn't help posting it.

1. My mother taught me: TO APPRECIATE A JOB WELL DONE .
"If you're going to kill each other, do it outside. I just finished cleaning."

2. My mother taught me: RELIGION.
"You better pray that will come out of the carpet."

3. My mother taught me: TIME TRAVEL .
"If you don't straighten up, I'm going to knock you into the middle of next week!"

4. My mother taught me: LOGIC.
" Because I said so, that's why."

5. My mother taught me: MORE LOGIC .
"If you fall out of that swing and break your neck, you're not going to the store with me."

6. My mother taught me: FORESIGHT.
"Make sure you wear clean underwear, in case you're in an accident."

7. My mother taught me: IRONY
"Keep crying, and I'll give you something to cry about."

8. My mother taught me about the science of OSMOSIS .
"Shut your mouth and eat your supper."

9. My mother taught me: CONTORTIONISM.
"Will you look at that dirt on the back of your neck!"

10. My mother taught me about STAMINA .
"You'll sit there until all that spinach is gone."

11. My mother taught me: WEATHER .
"This room of yours looks as if a tornado went through it."

12. My mother taught me: HYPOCRISY.
"If I told you once, I've told you a million times. Don't exaggerate!"

13. My mother taught me: THE CIRCLE OF LIFE.
"I brought you into this world, and I can take you out."

14. My mother taught me about BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION .
"Stop acting like your father!"

15. My mother taught me: ENVY.
"There are millions of less fortunate children in this world who don't have wonderful parents like you do."

16. My mother taught me about ANTICIPATION.
"Just wait until we get home."

17. My mother taught me: RECEIVING .
"You are going to get it when you get home!"

18. My mother taught me: MEDICAL SCIENCE.
"If you don't stop crossing your eyes, they are going to freeze that way."

19. My mother taught me: ESP.
"Put your sweater on; don't you think I know when you are cold?"

20. My mother taught me: HUMOUR.
"When that lawn mower cuts off your toes, don't come running to me."

21. My mother taught me: HOW TO BECOME AN ADULT .
"If you don't eat your vegetables, you'll never grow up."

22. My mother taught me: GENETICS.
"I swear to God you're just like your father."

23. My mother taught me about my ROOTS.
"Shut that door behind you. Do you think you were born in a barn ?"

24. My mother taught me: WISDOM .
"When you get to be my age, you'll understand."

25. And my favorite: My MOTHER TAUGHT ME ABOUT JUSTICE
"One day you'll have kids, and I hope they turn out just like you!

Addend:
26. My mother taught me that anything can be a verb:
"You want money to go to the mall? You better mall that room!"

half penny post

Tis the 4th of July so Happy Independence Day. And who can complain about a day off and a long weekend to boot. I'll probably hang out with my mates and see what antics we can get up to. Half the weekend is dedicated to homework ... the bane of my existence.

I try to avoid political commentary but I need to get this out of my system and now is as good a time as any. For those who've been wondering about my nationality, I'm Zimbabwean. Born and raised zimba ... well mostly raised. I've spent time in several countries in between. Anyway we had elections recently and it's been interesting reading the news commentaries. There are those who praise and there are those who condemn the results.
A good many people around me don't know I'm zimba but they do know I'm African. I've even suprised a zimba or two because my accent doesn't hint at zimba.
But I've digressed ... back to the elections. The results for the elections were a given .. seriously we have one candidate running, who else can win. Anyway the reason for my writing this was that I was happy to hear Nelson Mandela finally speak on the situation. He was very tactful in his chastisement but it got the point across. I quote "Nearer to home, we had seen the outbreak of violence against fellow Africans in our own country and the tragic failure of leadership in our neighboring Zimbabwe." It was quite a heartening remark. Kenyan and Tswana leaders have also made similar remarks. I am hoping that this will open up dialog in the region so that peace can be restored in my homeland.

K enough of the heavy stuff ...
You Know You're A Zimbo If...
You miss the smell of rain on a hot, tar road...
You horrify people by eating raw, dried meat (biltong)...
You sang rude or witty words instead of the originals to hymns in school assemblies...
You think the "All Blacks" are the Zimbabwe Tennis Team...

I'll post the rest later. off to the beach ... have a safe holiday.

BTW if anyone knows where I can find the song 'phola madisa (sizolalaphi)' let me know PLEASE!. I've searched high and low and can't find it. Actually 'reversa jive' would also be nice to have.

Of cars and emotions

Mid terms are upon us ... I'm in grad school and I decided to take summer classes. I am considering taking the Fall off so it was only logical that I take summer classes so that I wouldn't fall behind.

As to today's topic I thought I'd write about cars and the emotions they evoke. I will go ahead and throw in a warning: I love cars and do occasionally refer to them in the same way that people talk about their kids.

I have a car that I'm borderline obsessed with, the Bugatti Veyron. That car is automobile manufacturing at it's finest. It is the world's fastest car at present. There are to be only 300 in the world and all are hand built. The car tops out at some 250 odd miles per hour and will run out of gas in about 15 mins at that speed. At about $1.5 million it is no small item purchase. Throw in gas and you need another 100G.
As to the car's faults, it is ridiculously wide (I'd never park it on a side street), has enough trunk space for your wallet (and not you partner's) and did I mention the mpg that you get. I should rephrase that and say gallons per mile that you get. At top speed you will drive a whooping 63 miles.

Our local Bentley dealership has a Veyron in black. I was walking in the Gold Coast neighborhood one day (one needs inspiration when school gets tough) to see what cars were in parked in the streets and I walked by the Bentley dealership. Now ordinarily I'd just cast a glance at the Lamborghinis, Ferraris and Bentleys keep it moving, but out of the corner of my eye I saw it parked on it's own with a velvet rope around it. I almost tripped over myself trying to get around the corner to see it through the other window. It was a beauty to behold. The first time that I actually touched it (and it took some doing to be allowed to even touch it)and ran my hand over the smooth curves I almost wept. I felt the way most parents feel when they hold their first born child. I got misty eyed and I can't really explain the joy and awe that ran through me. Ofcourse I immediately called my brother all giddy and rubbing it in that I'd copped a feel of the old gal. I'm not an overly emotional person but cars do get me going. As a side note, for those who watch BBC's Top Gear, you know that May took the Veyron out for a speed trial and had a lot to say about this car.

Now most cars evoke some sort of emotion so I thought I'd break how car make me feel:

Joy:
Audi R8 (swoon worthy), make that most Audis

Kill me now:
Kia Rio, Chevy Aveo

Aaaaahh Sweet:
Smart Car
Mini
Yaris

Practical but not a sight for sore eyes:
Prius

feel a case of road rage coming on:
Crossfire
BMW Z4 coupe, most BMWs actually except for the ghastly SUVs/ Cross overs
Aston Martin DBS

Classy:
'08 Camry - I drove one for a weekend and had a hard time giving it back. I like Toyotas in General.

Oddly enough I now have a thing for hard tops. I'm no longer drop top crazy. I don't need half the world to see me go by (I just want you to hear my engine go by). Not to mention that I have more than enough melanin and don't need to aspire towards more.

Peace,

Ty