The past few weeks have literally flewn by. Bodyclock is still getting to grips with haphazard shifts that sometimes seem to double and roll into one another! But I had a moment to myself last weekend and went to see 'why did I get married too'! Hilarious, absolutely funny, I was in histerics especially at this lunatic psychopath of a wife who is suspicious of her husband's every move. And her voice phew! She can scream and kick up a real fuss! But I liked the drama side to it as well. Perry has a good knack to explore the multiple layers of human behaviour and emotions. However he always leaves one with questions regarding certain scenes that have been abruptly cut. The ending also left me wondering was that it? I'm assuming there is a third part coming. All in all though it was a good watch.
I've discovered this smoothie place around Dupont that I've become addicted to; they make the best smoothies hands down. They have these cute names too like 'escape to the bahamas' which is a mix of pineapple, lemon, ginger ale and strawberry icecream! I must've gained 50 pounds since my 'fattening discovery' lol!
On an intellectual note I've taken a liking to the works of Dr Ali Mazrui, a Kenyan african history scholar who's works are a unique blend of chronicles of the evolution of African history and a biographical take on life under colonial rule. What's fascinating is Mazrui's generation itself who were growing up in the midst of African nationalist rhetoric between the 1930's and '60's during the political battles of historical figures such as Nkrumah, Toure and Kenyatta.
Reading some of his material particularly his life story is highly recommended.
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
'discombombulated' bodyclock
As some schedule occurred this week my body has given me many raised eyebrows and question marks. I tell my body to stay up for work on monday night and sleep at 1am then wake up at 7am and work during the day on Tuesday. Body adjust at some point on Tuesday evening all hyper and full of energy thinking work has been changed to evenings only to be told again to sleep early to go to work Wednesday morning! I found myself very sleepy at some point this morning but then entered zombie mode so now am home having no work till Thursday evening but no sleep in sight...
I came across a story on NY times that disturbed me; the story of young Polish girls who solicit themselves as prostitutes in the shopping centres in exchange for designer clothes. Although the girls themselves do not consider this prostitution as no cash is exchanged, they nevertheless agree with strange men to exchange sex for a particular item. These girls known as mall girls are typically between 14 and 16 and come from a family with a single parent. They often abuse drugs or alcohol, and sell their bodies in search for self-esteem. The writer of the article said the girls did not accept money and called their clients “boyfriends” or “losers” to preserve the illusion that they are not prostitutes.
A film made to highlight this issue tells the story of four teenage girls who turn tricks in the restrooms of shopping malls to support their clothing addiction. The film has attained such cult status that parents across the country say they are confiscating DVDs of the film for fear it provides a lurid instruction manual.
The revelation that Catholic girls, some from middle-class families, are prostituting themselves for a Chanel scarf or an expensive sushi dinner is causing many on the streets of Warsaw to question whether materialism is polluting the nation’s soul.
In the film, the character Milena, the knowing and vampish queen of the mall girls, explains to Ala, her innocent protégé, how to target an affluent sponsor: “Look at a guy’s shoes, his watch, and his phone and you can tell if it’s expensive. It’s a start, right?” she explains. Love doesn’t exist, she adds, what matters is what you can get for sex.
The real-life mall girls say that after choosing a benefactor, they follow him into a shop, and seduce him by trying on clothes. Sex is exchanged only for an agreed item like a blouse, never for cash. It usually takes place in the stalls of bathrooms at the mall or in a car in the parking lot — a fact that has prompted intensified security at malls and forced the mall girls to seek out alternate venues.
What is particularly disturbing is the fact that this is taking place in a developed country with a considerably affluent government compared to third world countries.
I came across a story on NY times that disturbed me; the story of young Polish girls who solicit themselves as prostitutes in the shopping centres in exchange for designer clothes. Although the girls themselves do not consider this prostitution as no cash is exchanged, they nevertheless agree with strange men to exchange sex for a particular item. These girls known as mall girls are typically between 14 and 16 and come from a family with a single parent. They often abuse drugs or alcohol, and sell their bodies in search for self-esteem. The writer of the article said the girls did not accept money and called their clients “boyfriends” or “losers” to preserve the illusion that they are not prostitutes.
A film made to highlight this issue tells the story of four teenage girls who turn tricks in the restrooms of shopping malls to support their clothing addiction. The film has attained such cult status that parents across the country say they are confiscating DVDs of the film for fear it provides a lurid instruction manual.
The revelation that Catholic girls, some from middle-class families, are prostituting themselves for a Chanel scarf or an expensive sushi dinner is causing many on the streets of Warsaw to question whether materialism is polluting the nation’s soul.
In the film, the character Milena, the knowing and vampish queen of the mall girls, explains to Ala, her innocent protégé, how to target an affluent sponsor: “Look at a guy’s shoes, his watch, and his phone and you can tell if it’s expensive. It’s a start, right?” she explains. Love doesn’t exist, she adds, what matters is what you can get for sex.
The real-life mall girls say that after choosing a benefactor, they follow him into a shop, and seduce him by trying on clothes. Sex is exchanged only for an agreed item like a blouse, never for cash. It usually takes place in the stalls of bathrooms at the mall or in a car in the parking lot — a fact that has prompted intensified security at malls and forced the mall girls to seek out alternate venues.
What is particularly disturbing is the fact that this is taking place in a developed country with a considerably affluent government compared to third world countries.
Friday, April 2, 2010
latest thoughts racing through my head..
So I've been away from the blogosphere for a wee bit now and for a good reason; I had an awseome time in Atlanta last weekend where the days were somewhat busy but nevertheless eventful. I was working on a story dealing with a Somali lady who was detained by the Atlanta police because she had circumcised her 10-month old baby. Now circumcision has been a longstanding practice in the East African community but what is a recently increasing development is folks carrying the practicie out in the US. Some of them take their children back to Africa and others make arrangements with local doctors/nurses or anyone known in the community to be familiar with circumcising children. This lady is still awaiting her sentencing but she is looking to do some time in prison since circumcision is illegal in the US. But many community members aren't aware of this and also seem to be unaware that this practice isn't a religious requirement.
I connected with some friends of mine in Atlanta who work with East African communities and run local health projects and radio shows who put me in touch with women who underwent circumcision as well as local doctors and district attorneys who have come across these cases. It was interesting to find out that circumcision breaks not 1 but 2 of US aggravated battery laws. Furthermore if the child was taken abroad a kidnapping charge could be filed against the parent/guardian. This story will run as a two-part report on my Diaspora program next week Monday and Wednesday.
Whilst there I went to the CNN center which is huge! They have their own shopping mall. I also went to the olympic park where the Olympics were held when Atlanta was hosting it in the late 90's. The flags of all the participating countries are still waving. I also went to Stone mountain which is a 5 mile hike upwards but when you get to the top and you look down, the scenery is simply breathtaking! You can see the whole city. Definitely a place to go back to.
I connected with some friends of mine in Atlanta who work with East African communities and run local health projects and radio shows who put me in touch with women who underwent circumcision as well as local doctors and district attorneys who have come across these cases. It was interesting to find out that circumcision breaks not 1 but 2 of US aggravated battery laws. Furthermore if the child was taken abroad a kidnapping charge could be filed against the parent/guardian. This story will run as a two-part report on my Diaspora program next week Monday and Wednesday.
Whilst there I went to the CNN center which is huge! They have their own shopping mall. I also went to the olympic park where the Olympics were held when Atlanta was hosting it in the late 90's. The flags of all the participating countries are still waving. I also went to Stone mountain which is a 5 mile hike upwards but when you get to the top and you look down, the scenery is simply breathtaking! You can see the whole city. Definitely a place to go back to.
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