Generation Next...

This has been an interesting beginning to 2011, where recent events have been slowly unfolding and the unthinkable happening. The Arab strongmen are slowly being forced out by their populace, in some places it has been violent (Libya, Yemen, Bahrain) and in some places more civil (Egypt and Tunisia).

As erstwhile strongmen in the developing countries quake in their boots at the power of the 21 century tools at the disposal of the populace, it is interesting to see what the outcome would be of the next two years as the vast world becomes condensed into a small playground where everyone becomes increasingly connected and integrated. The Saudi King to pre-empt any revolt, has showered the populace with goodies and threats at the same time (smooth!)...In a package worth $37bn, looks like he is buying the loyalty of his citizenry with the lavish benefits...$260 a month stipend if you are unemployed!...no wonder the unemployment levels are that high.
Anyway taking a closer look at all these turns of events, the driving force has been the youth. They communicate using twitter, facebook and other social networking platforms, and mobilize in numbers with a resolve to see their efforts at having meaningful leadership bear fruits and their rights to a decent way of life realised with the resources, however small they have.

 If you look at it critically, wasn't it the same youth who liberated Kenya during those colonial days and formed the first government. They were in their twenties, early thirties, etc, and have refused to hand over the baton ever since. What makes them think that the current generation of thirty, twenty something year olds can't hack it like they did. It is just being plain selfish of our leaders.
Like I was told when I was in Primary skool.."you are the leaders of tomorrow"....and then they added ..."tomorrow never comes"...Old age shall surely catch up with all ye old geezers, if not, technology shall make you as redundant as the post office, film cameras and the walkman.

Taking that first step!

I have been telling myself I have to revive some of my old habits, but true to my procrastinating self, I tell myself I will start tomorrow. One thing I know about myself is my reluctance to take that first step. As human beings, we are creatures of habit...we revel in our comfort spots and will not move or try anything new as we have an inherent fear of the unknown. Therefore if you are used to drinking your tea with one spoon of sugar, if there is only half a spoon left in the sugar bowl,...mayhem.

Anyway on to my resolutions and illusions. Back in high school I could do two novels in the space of the five class-going days, and combine it with my schoolwork....umm ok schoolwork was more of an extra-curricular activity back then. So around Jan this year, I formulated a "force me with my resolutions" gimmick. Any time I check into a bookstore or supermarket, I buy a book. Well if there is one thing I know I detest, it is buying something that I don't use. So I have four volumes already of double novels....I promised myself I will catch up on my Grishams...I had stopped at The Brethren, having kept pace with the author of reading his new works whenever he released a new book. Reminds me of campus where we couldn't wait for our resident bootleggers to download the latest episode of Prison Break. The longest piece of literature I had indulged in since the turn of the millennium was my 600 page Advanced Calculus book, that had historical excerpts of how them scientists and mathematicians came up with those weird solutions to age old mathematical problems....

Newton was idle when the apple fell...........I think!

Anyway most of my resolutions are usually made during the period of Lent, and for some reason I usually stick with them for about 30 of the 40 days. I have given up meat and booze and signed up for the local gym (Savings of which I am donating to charity with a small 'c' for clarity...so Charity haupati chochote!). You should try it....I know how difficult it is for especially some chimney friend of mine to kick a habit. I am waiting to see if this next attempt will work.

Day 3 into my resolutions I must say things are looking up. I am almost getting used to the routine, though it has coincided with one of the busiest period for me. Well the hottest furnaces churn out the best iron from the ore. I am ready to face it....So now the reading bit. Well that will be work in progress at this stage, I know once I get that first step out of the way, I will be difficult to stop.
To anyone reading this, have a blessed and solemn Lenten period...and to our Japanese brothers and sisters....pole for the tsunami!