The title is my own disambiguation of the more popular “Six Degrees of Separation” — influenced by an email conversation I had with a reader.
It’s such a small world aydel?
If I had a cent for every time I heard that one! I would still be poor; even so I have heard so much that I would hardly run out of change.
The phrase actually refers to the impression that:
…if a person is one step away from each person they know and two steps away from each person who is known by one of the people they know, then everyone is an average of six “steps” away from each person on Earth. Source
The Small World Experiment
Another one of those books; you see at the book store and never ‘grab to buy’ because you know you will never actually sit down to read it. I have hundreds, maybe it’s the sense of visual aesthetics but I remember a cover even if I don’t remember the title or the author. Continue reading ’3° of Separation’
Published by Nolawi August 21st, 2008 in Social and Thoughts.
Michael Phelps after the swimming section of the Beijing Olympics now holds 16 Olympics Medals. He has won 16 Olympic medals: six gold and two bronze at Athens in 2004, and eight gold at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing.
He was favored to win 8 and he won 8. Big deal, good job! Yes its an amazing feat and he should be proud but the kids body was made for swimming. There was no competition at all in some of the events. He broke all the world records.
You see I root for the underdog; I root against those who are the best. To me
Success should not be judged by your achievements rather by the overwhelming odds you overcome. Continue reading ‘Phuck Phelps’
Published by Nolawi August 18th, 2008 in Current Issues and Social.
If you have been to those mini-marts at a gas station or made a trip to ethnic store, you are more likely to see these brightly colored phone cards hanging behind the counter. The cards are usually sold in denominations of $2, $5, $10, and $20. Oftentimes, they are the only reliable way for immigrants to stay in touch with their families in Africa, Asia or Latin America.
However, consumers of these cards are being ripped off to the tune of millions of dollars. I sometimes use these cards to make calls to Ethiopia, from the U.S., and if I have to list all those little things that annoy me most in life, this is by far my #1 pet peeve. Continue reading ‘Calling Cards are Rip-Offs’
Published by Ted August 14th, 2008 in African, Current Issues and Thoughts.
If you drink coke you probably have seen the new promotion for the Beijing Olympics.
Coca Cola as always is an official summer Olympic sponsor continuing its profitable tradition and promoting its product around the world; with consumers in more than 200 countries.
My little brother has been saving the Amharic Coke cans – part of the collectible promo coke has been selling for its part in the Beijing.
An oxymoronic coincidence – Coke and China go together very well. Coke has the same branding color as Lou Dobbs calls it “communist china.” red around the world. Continue reading ‘African Coke Guide’
Published by Nolawi August 12th, 2008 in African, Current Issues and Social.
Back in February of this year, I decided to take a ten day trip to Addis in May. When I told my family and close friends about my planned trip the immediate question I got was, “why ten days, is everything ok?” Well everything was ok but I did not divulge the honest truth. I told everyone I was going to help my mom prepare with her trip to the US. Well, that was partially true. But, the honest truth was, I was making the trip to attend the Seventh Annual Ethiopian Music Festival. This year the festival was dedicated to the one and only Girma Beyene.
Girma Beyene, was extremely influential in carving out what is now termed the Ethiopian Golden Era. His influence in the vinyl years as an arranger, composer, pianist, vocalist and band leader far exceeds other heavyweights of the era.
His compositions and arrangements are now being performed and recorded by bands such as Either Orchestra, Antibalas, Le Tigre des Platanes, The Ex, & Badoum Band. Continue reading ‘VIVA GB!!!’
Published by Ethio Jazz August 8th, 2008 in Music, Podcast and Thoughts.
