A while ago I was having a conversation about how to have a good conversation. Ironic, I know!
I once had a conversation about the act of saying ‘No.’ The dude was reading a book titled ‘How to say no,’ or a reiteration of it. Apparently, the dude was tired of people making demands of his time.
Seinfeld Ologist would say some of our conversations are about nothing. A conversation about nothing is appealing as long as it’s not elevator talk.
How are you? Fine; how is work? It’s Ok; how was your weekend? good!”
It’s expected that everything is fine, and the person asking the question is not really asking a question rather enhancing the casual ‘hello!’ by elongating it to casual questions. This way he can act as if he is interested in how well you are coping with life.
Continue reading ‘Conversations’
Published by Nolawi March 12th, 2009 in Advice, Social and Thoughts.
It was the fall of 2000, in my dorm room and as I was setting up my desktop when I fell in Love with Hip Hop. Outkast’s “spottieottiedopaliscious” was the first song I downloaded. My brother had some of the best tapes and records growing up. Eventually, music became some sort of therapy for me. When I hit a wall or some hard times, I end up listening to all kinds of music.
In 2004, I remember watching this video on MTV from a up-and-coming rapper from Somalia called ‘Soobax‘. I was fascinated how he was able to get away with a hook that is entirely sung in Somali and get featured on MTV. Even though I didn’t understand it, I was in love with the beat and his rap verses.
His name is K’naan and little did I know, his journey and story is one to be told. And that’s exactly what he is, a storyller. His latest album is aptly titled Troubadour, which according to wiki has Latin roots and loosely translates to “invent” or compose”. Also, its lesser known etymology in Arabic points to its various meanings of ‘finding’, ‘love’, and ‘music’. The latter would be a better representation of the album. Troubadour is filled with 14 solid tracks. With his opening track, “T.I.A (This Is Africa)” which K’naan clearly demonstrates his street cred to rappers and takes listeners on a trip through the streets of Africa while sampling Bob Marley’s “Simmer Down” which is quickly recognizable.
Forward to another track ‘Somalia’ where he introduces the listener to the current troubles of the country and its people by putting a face to the struggle. My personal favorite is “Dreamer” and is pretty much self explanatory/ It’s about following and chasing your dreams even if it’s hard. ‘Bang Bang’ feat Adam Levine opens up with a classic line from Pharcyde’s “Passin’ Me By”: “and there she goes again, the dope is ethiopian…”, which clearly is a nod to his fellow East Africans. Continue reading ‘Troubadour Experience’
Published by beshou March 9th, 2009 in African, Bernos, Current Issues, Music and Personal.
I was having a conversation with my mother and she was explaining to me how our actions describe us.
She used an analogy to describe what she means, ‘there are some unusual things individuals do and other usually do not do.’
If we were talking law, I think she is talking about circumstantial evidence. I like gabi, so where ever I go — meaning if it’s a girlfriends house or a family members place and I am staying there for an extending period of time I ask for a Gabi.
I wrap myself in the Gabi and relax myself. Now that evidence she referenced was that a Gabi is used folded — it’s not a blanket, it’s not suppose to cover whole body — but I like it covering my whole fold so I unfold it.
The word is MeneTel the Gabi or YeTenetele Gabi if the act of unfolding a Gabi is not descriptive enough for you. I have been known to annoy people in the family by MeneTeling their Gabi. Hence the circumstantial evidence Nolawi was using this Gabi. Continue reading ‘Circumstantial Gabi’
Published by Nolawi March 3rd, 2009 in African and Social.
This is not about being blunt, or rude. It’s just expressing how you feel!
Sometime you just have to say it. You did this to me and it makes me feel this way. So I said it, and he said no need to be rude, I am busy.
I know for a fact he is busy, and I know after telling him what I felt that he most likely didn’t forget intentionally.
I feel better, because if I didn’t say it I would remember it for the rest of the year or so. I just want to make the issue disappear from my head and not be angry about it.
Venting
I call it venting, and it lets steam out of your ears, nose and other body orifices. That in turn keeps you cool and going along. Continue reading ‘So, Say It!’
Published by Nolawi February 25th, 2009 in Advice, Open and Thoughts.
I am a calm person, and I would like to think that some really bad news is not going to rattle me too much. Sometime the news is anticipated and sometimes is unexpected.
When its unexpected, I get shocked but I am calm, I would wait for it to sink in. So it takes a while to for me to get really upset by it.
Ten hours later I would be like,
oh sh!t, I can’t believe this sh!t, SOL“
One of my not so good friend is seeing a therapist, although he can’t afford the 130$ an hour twice a month at this time; he has said that it has done his anxiety attacks so much good. Continue reading ‘Shitty News’
Published by Nolawi February 20th, 2009 in Advice, Help and Personal.
