I have never been able to replicate the feeling. I have never been able to sleep that way. No 200 dollar down comforter could ever replace the comfort ye’Emiyes Gabi gave me. Oh and the Tara, woy Taraw. The old brown Tara, that was the key.
Yes, the key to the sound; the sound you hear when it’s raining; when it’s raining on the old brown leaky Tara! Continue reading ‘Woy Taraw’
Published by October 26th, 2006 in Childhood.Long ago before Bernos was alive, I used to kick it at Abesha and before that Seleda. Since Abesha is down and seems like it won’t come back, I’m have made some modification for my article on the Abesha webzine. I do miss that Seleda.
Whenever you are asked if you can do a job, tell 'em, 'Certainly I can!' Then get busy and find out how to do it" — Theodore Roosevelt
During America’s most drastic depression (1929–1939), there were extreme drops in the GDP, industrial production, and stock market prices. Businesses failed, unemployment was high, banks failed and loans were foreclosed. There was economic recession in every facet of American society. Known today as “The Great Depression,” it was a hard time for virtually everyone that lived in the United States.
As a freshman in College, I remember speaking to one of my professors after class. She spoke of her father-in-law, who was a blue-collar worker in New Jersey prior to the depression era. Similar to most families of low income, the family of John Doe (if she did mention the name I don’t remember it), was struggling to make ends meet. With no job and no hope of finding a labor-oriented job in the streets of Newark, John started looking at the classifieds. With no formal education and professional experience, John was not qualified to apply to the few posted job openings. John saw an ad seeking an experienced civil engineer to build a major bridge somewhere in New Jersey. He told himself he could do it; fabricated a resume and checked out some books at the local library. Then applied for the job and to his dismay; he was given the job. Over the next couple of years, he spent his days designing/building the bridge and his nights reading the books from the library. The bridge was completed. Continue reading ‘Mind is Capable!’
Published by October 25th, 2006 in Noteworthy.
Yes, I do all my Ethiopian friends with zero exceptions. You are self-seeking, inconsiderate and Woretegna for lack of a better English word to describe you.
I am incredibly independent. I have never needed encouragement or advise to accomplish menial tasks. If I do need information, I look it up. I have never needed a supporting cast outside of my family. I am emotionally independent. I do not need hoy hoy buddies.
Thus, I am an easy friend. I am your advisor, your encourager, your supporter, your entertainer and your friend. But, you on the other hand are none of those for me. I give and you take!
Yes, I am talking about you my Ethiopian friend!
Continue reading ‘Scorn you my friend!’
Published by October 24th, 2006 in Social.
This past weekend I was working with Blen Grafix finishing up a catalog that will be unveiled at the 4th Annual Blen Art Show honoring none other the late great Gebre Kristos Desta!
About a year and a half ago, we designed the first Blen Magazine; that was very successful. The Blen team learned a lot from the previous shows. In the past Blen had featured some artwork with questionable presentation and even questionable artwork IMHO.
The fix was that this year, the artists had to apply to get in; once they got in they had to provide 3 pieces of artwork from which the Blen team picked one or two. If the presentation is not up to par with gallery standards then the artwork would not be shown. And in the words of a goodfriend, blah blah… anyways I support! The show featuring many works of Gebre Kristos Desta and Wosene Kosorof will be eminent. Continue reading ‘Blen Who?’
Published by October 23rd, 2006 in Bernos, Design and Shameless Plug.
After many, many years I finally made a decision to do what my parents have begged me to do every time they visit. No it's not marriage, and I'm not having a baby but travel to Ethiopia. Year after year I had an excuse from — I have too much responsibility at work to I am just not ready to take the time off. The reality was I was terrified, mortified, and scared out of my skirt. Why? I had no idea. I didn't have any horrible memories to re-live, or any debt to settle it was just out right fear. There is nothing to fear but fear itself!
The day finally came when I purchased my ticket and I knew — it was too late to turn back now, I believe, I believe I'm boarding the plane. No refunds and no transfer of passengers name was clearly printed under the terms and conditions. The only thing that gave me comfort was that my sweet brother agreed to accompany me on this travel of a lifetime because he's just like that, sweet as a honeycomb.
I couldn't eat anything, or sleep the day before the trip. My brother assured me, "it's a long flight, you'll have plenty of time to sleep". God, I hope he's right, I mean he's almost always right, but what if he's wrong today after all he's only human. I wanted a net to catch the butterflies in my stomach and set them free, they must be suffocating by now God knows I am. Continue reading ‘Home away from Home’
