Tokesan -- Wandering Jonser

Ok, here is my own resolution. I resolve not to make any resolution at all. That is not entirely true though. Before the end of the year, while lying up in bed counting the ceiling tiles (really more effective than counting sheep) I must have come up with some 20 items that could go on my resolution. Then I fell asleep and didn’t remember when I woke up. My 13 year old asked me what my resolution was and I escaped and told him that it was to help him with his resolution. He totally bought it, he replied, “So, your resolution is to help me successful in school?” “Yep,” was my response. I can’t remember ever keeping a resolution, lucky that I am one of those peoples that never have to worry about weight – keeping certain weight or living healthy is peoples most common resolution. Most of what I will resolve to do this year is private, other than the obvious – keeping up with the bills! Resolutions are like goals, one has to keep running tab, write them down and actively commit to them. I...

Ummm, "Hip-hop is the culture of transformation" That's the first of this I am hearing. I guess it is because I am not hip. However, I agree with the article, the election may be over but the real work begins, and like Barack mentioned he will demand more of everyone of us, perhaps in little ways like the country demanded citizens participation during the world war. But I doubt the hip-hop community have the stomach for anything that altruistic. I really hope that the hip-hop community that is claiming to contribute to Obama's success will take cue from the future president - he is ever impeccable in his appearance, whether in suit or rolled up sleeves. Enough of this hip-hop fashion - saggy baggy pants, long white/black t-shirts flowing to the ankles! When I see the pictures and films from the 70s, other than skin, one can hardly tell whites and blacks apart in what the wore. And then came hip-hop and everything and people went out of their ways to look different, s...

It is quiet sad to learn of the death of Miriam Makeba, however sad, I am glad it happened while she was doing what she loved most - singing. She will surely be missed. Those of us that grew up in Africa in the 70s wil especially remember her as our first glance of her talent was at the FESTAC, Festival of African Arts and Cluture that was hosted in Lagos, Nigiera in 1977. Then only the elits and most of them resided in Lagos, were able to see her on televison, and of course that period in Nigeria Lagos had the best TV reception. Those of us that lived in the hinterland we re able to see her perform through the grainy B7W tubes. As a 15 year old or so back then, it was amazing to see her then, her fantastically beautiful back-up singers, agile dancers and her supremely soulful voice evoking the South Africa yearning for freedom in the throes of apartheid. I am glad Miriam Makeba had a wonderful, accomplished life and may she rest in peace. If anyone has the chance to see her on VHS, o...

Part of the process of donating for a candidate is to become a member of the candidate's website. So I became a member of the Obama's campaign and receive regular email updates, (numerous, I might add). On October 7th I was asked and I believe hundreds of thousands of people were asked to write to editors of local news saying why they support Barack. Here is what I wrote: I was an ardent Hilary Clinton supporter and the reason I supported her was because I knew that if she won we will be getting two presidents for one. To me the Clintons are very hard-working and focused and that is the kind of leadership we need. I reserved my support for Obama until he took the lead in the Democratic race back in April. I contributed to Clinton's campaign and didn't think about it much before switching my support to Barack Obama. In Barack, I believe we are going to have a truly, honest, hard working President. We need to throw our supports fully behind him through the election period...

Here is an idea for you but I know it will nver fly... Every year we have these destructive floods in the Midwest of the country. And evidence has shown that because of the effects of global warming, there will be more disasters of this nature in the coming years. Why not device a way to harvest the water run-off from the floods and transport them to other parts of the country that is prone to drought? If that is too complex, why not store the excess water in underground tanks or lakes for subsequent transportation to drought areas? The idea is not actually far fetched. We can transport oil though pipelines across the country and even from Alaska. Therefore transporting water across thousand of miles should not be that difficult. Since the construction of the Alaskan pipeline, there have been better technology and developments that will add to the feasibility of this project. The only stumbling block I see is the lack of will, precisely, lack of political will. The government seems not...

I have heard that certain email is going around by about Barack Obama’s background. This email is obviously being circulated by through the grass root, and the way grass root movements spread information, soon the content will take up a life of its own and derail the promising presidential candidacy of Barack Obama. A friend of my wife’s sent this email to her a couple of weeks ago, and I was disappointed but neglected to take it seriously and dismissed it with a wave of my hand that only ignorant people will believe the content of the email. It certainly did not start then; it has been going around since about middle of 2007 as Obama’s candidacy took more serious tone. But it dawned on me that it was these same ignorant people that elected President Bush to a second term in office! The email focused on Obama’s allegedly Muslim background and upbringing and how we cannot allow a Moslem to lead the great country. This email that I got was from someone that I know, and am certain it was ...

I finally got a device that could be used as a media plaher and believe it or not it is called the Popcorn Hour or Network Media Tank, Model A-100. It took about 2 and half months to get the device because the company, although not well know, has developed sort of a cult following that the Media Tank is often sold out as soon as the batches are manufactured and released. To get the product you will have to register on the company’s website and you will be informed, by email, when your allotment of the media tank is available. You will then you have two to three days to accept and make a purchase. After that, it takes additional two weeks or so to receive the product. I have used my Vista Ultimate PC as a HTPC (home theater PC) since I got in June 2007. To do this the PC would be moved from the office to the living room near the flat screen TV for the night. It was too much of a headache. At $179 plus shipping, the media tank quickly eliminated the need to do this. The device is no bigg...