Tuesday Beat: David Chifunyise Iyanai - Tauya Naye

Some 2001 urban grooves zim style.

Rough translation
We first met while we were in school. I realized there was some chemistry. 3 months later you met my aunt and she accepted your gift of Fanta [aunts are very important in our culture]. Today we got married and aunt is singing [at the wedding]. Bridal price was 16 cows, 3 piece suit, total 24K + nokia 3210.

Chorus is a song we sing when a bride is brought into the home. Translates into we've brought her complete with blankets - trust me it makes sense.

Half Penny Post: Weekly Rundown

Lo and behold Friday has arrived yet again.

I had absolutely nothing to do today and it was really nice. I made it down to the lake and was the only person there for the first 30 mins of my time there.

I am super stocked by the changes that are taking place in my family. Things are really looking up.

I've come to the realization that we mature as needed. It's not soo much an age thing. I am immature and own that fact. I'm leaving student mode behind gradually.

Some of you might be familiar with the actress Lisa Ray. She was diagnosed with Multiple Mylenoma not too long ago and has a blog where she talks about her treatments and her life in general. Check it out when you have a moment.

Tiona McClodden will be bringing black./womyn.:conversations... to Milwaukee on the 2nd of October. I've been dying to see it so I might make the trek north to see it. The link has all the details.

Have a great weekend!

Tuesday Beat: Ringo Madlingozi Oliver Mtukudzi - Into Yami

Musical legends Ringo and Tuku teamed up for this gem of a love song. It's sung in 3 languages - Zulu and Suthu(I think) are done by Ringo and Shona part is done by Tuku.

Rough translation:
All that is mine is yours. Hello beloved, how are you? It's been a while with me trying to talk to you. I just want you. I see you and get breathless. I speak only your name. My mind goes blank. Come closer and close the door. Take me, I have always been yours. All that is mine is yours. We will be together always. I love you and you love me.

Half Penny Post: Lessons from a break up

Is it really better to have loved and lost than to have not loved at all? I have to wonder.

I had someone that I cared for deeply and she did me the great service of dragging my heart through a crocodile mud pit and putting it on a spit to roast. Well if I'm honest I fell for her and didn't have a prayer in hell of surviving a relationship with her. I deign to use the word love because well that would put too much of a significance to the relationship but to some extent, she was my first love.

Am I better off for having had that experience with her? Maybe though I doubt it.

My list of requirement now includes is not psychotic which pretty much excludes most women because PMS makes everyone psychotic at one time or another. Am I better off then? Yes.

I am less willing to trust my heart when it comes women I like. My brain now rules that roost. If logic says no, that's it I'm walking away. Am I better off then? No.

She taught me how to pick myself up, and wipe off the dust and keep moving. I learnt that I am unbreakable. I might become bent out of shape, but sooner or later, I will straighten myself out and keep it moving. You will bend me but you will never break me. Am I better off then? Yes.

I pay more attention to people's actions and words. I spend more time observing than participating. Am I better off then? Maybe.

I lost several of my friends when shit hit the fan. That's the problem with having mutual friends. I was warned by one of our mutual friends that when shit hit the fan it would fracture the group and I would in all likelihood end up being the one to walk away from the group. I should have listened as it cost me several people who I'd known well and had planned to work on projects with. Am I better off then? No.

Am I happier now that we're not together? Yes.

SOO am I better off then for having had the relationship? I begrudgingly have to answer Yes.

img courtesy of http://harmanonearth.wordpress.com/2008/04/01/how-to-mud-heart/

Half Penny Post: Weekly Rundown

It's Friday!!!!!!!!!!!

• It's been a great couple of days and I do mean great! A fair number of ups and downs but great overall.
• School's back in session so lots of reading to do. I have 2 classes - 1 in law and the other in systems.
• RC classes continue and I'm really getting into the swing of things. I'm also learning from my classmates who are out in the Emergency Management field and their input on the problems that technology causes is really an eye opener. Through them I've also begun to pick up on what software I need to be learning. AWESOME! Class tomorrow morning ... not so awesome.
• I've been looking into PhD programs as I mentioned in an earlier post and this week I met with recruiters from New Zealand, UK and Canada. It was a great networking opportunity and because I already have a rough idea of what I want my thesis to be in, they were better able to point me in the right direction for resources on their campuses.
• Had job interviews that went soo well I actually have an offer. I am weighing accepting it or passing on it. There will be very large trade-offs either way. I need to have reached a decision by Sunday and I have a headache from thinking it through ... a workmate pointed out that its a good thing to be stressed out by having an offer as you could be just as stressed without an offer.
• Lots of stuff going on with my family. Mostly good. I hope to be able to post on it soon. I jus need to get permission ... you'll understand why when I post.
• Belated Happy Bairthday to Sheena! She has rounded the quater century mark.

img extracted from http://carollaradioblog.blogspot.com/2009/03/tgif-mfers.html

Random Post: My sister keeps getting hit on by queer women

As the title says totally random. Over the last 4 weeks my sister has been hit on by queer women on an average on 3 for her 1 for me. That has me thinking, I've got to be doing something wrong or I'm living in the wrong city. We've been joking about it being a sign that she really needs to reconsider her straightness. That we both got hit on at the same time the last time we were together really has me scratching my head.

My sis is a good sport about it and now has my blessing to send the kindly women my way. There's a new lesbian spot that opened up in DC that she was invited to so we are hitting it up the next time that I visit her (well the next time that she is able to go clubbing).

BTW, if you are in Chicago, Lenelle Moïse is in town on Thursday at Columbia U.

Tuesday Beat: Miriam Makeba - Jikel eMaweni

The late and great Mama Africa performed during the Graceland Concert in 1987. It is a concert that is near and dear to my heart because I was in the crowd with my father. Enjoy some of Southern Africa's finest.

Tuesday Beat: Malaika - Never Change My Mind

I am feeling nostalgic so the rest of this month's music will be some home stuff.

The video says it all and my posting it was inspired by Journey_Wmn's posted on just being herself. Song is really about how we deal with the external environment. Do we stick to what we feel is right for us or do we go by what everyone else wants us to say or do.

Translated roughly:

I don't care about what other people say or think. I've heard them speak and say we shall not make it. I don't care if you are big, I promise I will never ever change my mind. I love you I have chosen you. I will never ever change my mind.

Half Penny Post: Weekly Rundown

Salut! I have been a professional slacker but with good reason.

• Lots going on and several things coming into fruition. It's really looking to be a period of productivity. I am feeling good about the progress that I'm making and trust that we'll move even further.
• School's kicking off so we're on the home stretch. November is on the horizon. I'm still looking at PhD progs and have a grad school fair next week. Beauty of it is that it's schools from around the world so I'm stoked. BTW if I choose to go the academia route, it's to be in Informatics not Computer Science.
• I realised this summer that I've learnt and taught myself a lot over the last couple of months. Some tech stuff is second nature now and I've learned a website CMS. You know you're making strides when you email your main contact in tech support and he has never heard of your error because you've gone up a level from the regular user questions.
• I've got my first 2 certifications through RC and have another 8 or so to clear in the coming months.
• I'm in dire need of sleep. Late nights and early mornings have begun to take a toll on me. After work I used to pull 2 hours of studying, 2 hours of tv/ web browsing, 1 hour of phone (don't ask). Now it's 1 hour studying, 2 hours tv / browsing / school research, 2 hours on phone (with good reason - major change in priorities). And NO I'm not seeing anyone.
• Best response that I've ever heard to a what happened to you question: "A roof, a floor and a lot of space in between".
• Lenelle Moïse is going to be in town in 2 weeks. For the locals who wish to catch her performance and workshop, check the Columbia U (chicago) website.
  

Happy long weekend folks! Be safe out there. And our regularly scheduled programing will resume next week Tuesday.

Tuesday Beat: J-Shin - If I Fall in Love

Putting out some good vibes

It’s been 3 months, 4 days, 5 seconds till the minute,
But who’s counting?
And I ain’t never ever, not once thought about bouncing
They say you shouldn’t ask questions
you don’t wanna know the answer to
But I’m gon’ answer you
See, I could be in love with you
but you would not believe it
And I could say I love you
When you say it to make things easy
But, I’ve been down this road a time or two
That’s why I only say
What I feel for you