There's a turkey hanging around our yard.
We are going to eat it.
So, here are some Before photos. After is coming later.
Delicious.
Bye.
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Day number [enter number of day here]
Today I had a good day for some unknown reason. Nothing particularly good happened, I was just bouncy. Like a ball.
A big, white, bouncy ball.
So that's nice for all of you. You can all feel warm inside now.
Not much news still - I'm still taking it easy on the drumming front. I did a little bit today and am currently working on talking drum stuff. There you go. Information.
I also 'finished' off a new song the other day, it's about the Pom Pom Eskimo and it's in the player on the right. It's a song I've been wanting to write since Year 9 drama class (long, stupid story... can't be bothered) but haven't known how (and still aren't convinced that I do). Listen. Be nice.
On the election front - the re-election for the President happened and the NDC (National Democratic Congress) won. This seems to be good and has made lots of Ghanaians happy. CHANGE is coming!.
I'm still looking for it though. Has anyone seen the change yet?
Hello?
Umm. An ATM stole 200 cedis from me today - I have to try and get it back, which is poo (well, getting it back's not poo, but having to run around hoops is).
That's about it.
Sorry for using the word 'poo', it was childish and crude and I apologise from the heart of my bottom.
Chow.
A big, white, bouncy ball.
So that's nice for all of you. You can all feel warm inside now.
Not much news still - I'm still taking it easy on the drumming front. I did a little bit today and am currently working on talking drum stuff. There you go. Information.
I also 'finished' off a new song the other day, it's about the Pom Pom Eskimo and it's in the player on the right. It's a song I've been wanting to write since Year 9 drama class (long, stupid story... can't be bothered) but haven't known how (and still aren't convinced that I do). Listen. Be nice.
On the election front - the re-election for the President happened and the NDC (National Democratic Congress) won. This seems to be good and has made lots of Ghanaians happy. CHANGE is coming!.
I'm still looking for it though. Has anyone seen the change yet?
Hello?
Umm. An ATM stole 200 cedis from me today - I have to try and get it back, which is poo (well, getting it back's not poo, but having to run around hoops is).
That's about it.
Sorry for using the word 'poo', it was childish and crude and I apologise from the heart of my bottom.
Chow.
Sunday, December 28, 2008
A nice little ditty
B'day (French mixed with Australian [Bon-Day], fool, not birthday. Fool again.).
Here's a nice little African song and video to see you into the new year. It's not by me unfortunately, but you'll deal.
It's called Alhaji by Dj Ramatoulaye.
Love it.
Bye.
Here's a nice little African song and video to see you into the new year. It's not by me unfortunately, but you'll deal.
It's called Alhaji by Dj Ramatoulaye.
Love it.
Bye.
Saturday, December 27, 2008
I'm here
Hello.
Not much news. Christmas was ok - I went to Theofo's mother's house in Labadi. It was pretty relaxed and fine. Since then, I have largely just been in my room - inadvertently staying up stupidly late and sleeping in. Not much drumming at the moment - I'm staying low until after New Year, that's my plan.
So, yeah. How was christmas? Same ol'?
Tomorrow is the re-election for the president here between the candidates from the NDC and NPP parties. How exciting for you all.
I'll write something here later after something really interesting happens.
Ok bye.
Not much news. Christmas was ok - I went to Theofo's mother's house in Labadi. It was pretty relaxed and fine. Since then, I have largely just been in my room - inadvertently staying up stupidly late and sleeping in. Not much drumming at the moment - I'm staying low until after New Year, that's my plan.
So, yeah. How was christmas? Same ol'?
Tomorrow is the re-election for the president here between the candidates from the NDC and NPP parties. How exciting for you all.
I'll write something here later after something really interesting happens.
Ok bye.
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Uh oh...
So, today Baby Kusun are hanging around the centre playing bells, singing and doing other artistical thingery. My sense of danger was piqued when I noticed this sign outside the front gate:
Druming & Dancin
Today is going to be an all Star Show at KUSUN Centre, therefore we are inviting all dancers to join us to celebrate the Christmas.
Time: 9:00 PM TILL DAY BREAK
Venue: KUSUN
All friends and sympatizers are cordially invited
DON'T MISS IT
I have a feeling this means that I will not be sleeping very much tonight (but how will Santa come!?).
I'll keep you updated.
Best wishes for The Christmas from Baby Kusun:
Bye.
Druming & Dancin
Today is going to be an all Star Show at KUSUN Centre, therefore we are inviting all dancers to join us to celebrate the Christmas.
Time: 9:00 PM TILL DAY BREAK
Venue: KUSUN
All friends and sympatizers are cordially invited
DON'T MISS IT
I have a feeling this means that I will not be sleeping very much tonight (but how will Santa come!?).
I'll keep you updated.
Best wishes for The Christmas from Baby Kusun:
Bye.
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
I'm really popping them out.
[UPDATE: A slightly different version of the song is now up. By Jacob]
Hello. I did another song. I just kinda stumbled on this one accidentally when I was trying to do something else. It's like an old video game song. Rockin. It's called Mega Drive and is in the player over on the right.
On the African front, I did little bit of wandering around Nungua today, running some errands. I also played with Baby Kusun again, which was great - it's the first time for a while where I actually felt tired and physically challenged while playing. Good stuff. Gets my chops up. Sort of.
For the foolish out there who don't know nothing, Baby Kusun is a group of young guys (like 18 - 20 or so) who use Kusun's drums and space to rehearse. So they're Baby Kusun. It's good playing with them because the young guys tend to play things too fast and loud, which is good for me wanting to work on my chops and stamina. Also, their level is only about 15 years ahead of me, instead of the usual 5000. So I don't feel like too much of a douche. Just a fair bit.
Ok. Enough for now. I'm going to write you MORE songs.
Chow.
Hello. I did another song. I just kinda stumbled on this one accidentally when I was trying to do something else. It's like an old video game song. Rockin. It's called Mega Drive and is in the player over on the right.
On the African front, I did little bit of wandering around Nungua today, running some errands. I also played with Baby Kusun again, which was great - it's the first time for a while where I actually felt tired and physically challenged while playing. Good stuff. Gets my chops up. Sort of.
For the foolish out there who don't know nothing, Baby Kusun is a group of young guys (like 18 - 20 or so) who use Kusun's drums and space to rehearse. So they're Baby Kusun. It's good playing with them because the young guys tend to play things too fast and loud, which is good for me wanting to work on my chops and stamina. Also, their level is only about 15 years ahead of me, instead of the usual 5000. So I don't feel like too much of a douche. Just a fair bit.
Ok. Enough for now. I'm going to write you MORE songs.
Chow.
A Whole Nother Song. About Fauns.
Yo Whatup Dog Wiggidy Wiggidy.
I done a new song. It's called Shards of Light and is very pretty. Perhaps too pretty, but bear with it.
Basically, I was playing around with a vocoder and merged said playing around with a poem that I wrote for a writing subject at uni once when I was younger way back when. It's a real piece of art. The song is over there in the player on the right. A pdf of my wonderful poem is here. Please note that I was being creative with/taking the piss out of the assignment I was set (I think it was something to do with writing a poem that had lots of heavy, poetic-type description). Ok?
Just had to say that.
This song is the next in the 'Jacob is learning to use Ableton Live' series.
Africa? Huh?
Oh yeah, I'm still here. Just... doin' stuff. I didn't done much over this last weekend but - I was feeling sick and hidey. I went into town today and got a nice African top that swirls out when I spin. Lovely.
I had Banku and fish for dinner. Also lovely.
Bye. Listen to my song.
Bye.
I done a new song. It's called Shards of Light and is very pretty. Perhaps too pretty, but bear with it.
Basically, I was playing around with a vocoder and merged said playing around with a poem that I wrote for a writing subject at uni once when I was younger way back when. It's a real piece of art. The song is over there in the player on the right. A pdf of my wonderful poem is here. Please note that I was being creative with/taking the piss out of the assignment I was set (I think it was something to do with writing a poem that had lots of heavy, poetic-type description). Ok?
Just had to say that.
This song is the next in the 'Jacob is learning to use Ableton Live' series.
Africa? Huh?
Oh yeah, I'm still here. Just... doin' stuff. I didn't done much over this last weekend but - I was feeling sick and hidey. I went into town today and got a nice African top that swirls out when I spin. Lovely.
I had Banku and fish for dinner. Also lovely.
Bye. Listen to my song.
Bye.
Saturday, December 20, 2008
A blog post.
Hello.
Just quickly, yesterday (Friday) I was all sick and depressed and came up with lots of deep, dark snippets of pseudo-intellectualism to discuss on this blog. However, I don't feel like writing about that right now. Bad luck.
Also, I don't have any money until Monday due to my bank fiasco on Thursday so am having to be very careful. Like, walking to save 40 pesewas (about 50 cents) on a taxi. I had flied lice for dinner - 50 pesewas.
Today was a little better. I was feeling better and didn't really have to do anything all day. It was really freaking hot. I walked and got plantain and beans for lunch. Later I sat in on a Baby Kusun rehearsal. This was good - it was the first drumming I have done for a while that was actually hard and tired me out. So, yeah.
Then I wrote this.
Still alive.
Bye.
Just quickly, yesterday (Friday) I was all sick and depressed and came up with lots of deep, dark snippets of pseudo-intellectualism to discuss on this blog. However, I don't feel like writing about that right now. Bad luck.
Also, I don't have any money until Monday due to my bank fiasco on Thursday so am having to be very careful. Like, walking to save 40 pesewas (about 50 cents) on a taxi. I had flied lice for dinner - 50 pesewas.
Today was a little better. I was feeling better and didn't really have to do anything all day. It was really freaking hot. I walked and got plantain and beans for lunch. Later I sat in on a Baby Kusun rehearsal. This was good - it was the first drumming I have done for a while that was actually hard and tired me out. So, yeah.
Then I wrote this.
Still alive.
Bye.
Thursday, December 18, 2008
A Krazy time. So Krazy it's spelled with a 'K'. Woah.
Coneechiwa.
I have just got home from a crazy (sorry, Krazy) day. Well, eventful anyway. However, before getting to that, the week in review:
Monday: Did Stuff. Had a lesson probably. Went to Afotey's rehearsal. All is well. Quiet is good.
Tuesday: Went into Accra to get all my stuff. Previously, my plan has been to put off buying 'things' (presents, souvenirs, clothes, etc.) for myself until just before I leave. The reasoning behind this had to do with the possibility that I might run out of money and should spend it on essentials, rather than shiny things. However, I have recently realised that I have enough money for essentials and that the extra spending that might cause me to run out of money would consist of giving to Ghanaians. So, basically, my original plan involved me going without buying the presents for others and things I wanted to take home from Ghana so as to (in a ridiculously short-term manner) subsidise people here.
Obviously, while perhaps being 'noble', this makes no sense. So, I decided to get all my stuff now so that when I run out of money it means I just can't give any more, not that I don't buy the things I want. No, Need. In addition to this, I decided to get all the money out of the bank that I have budgeted for spending, so as to not keep dipping into the savings meant to buy the things I need when I get back to Australia (computer, Uni books, hats, etc.). That is, when my pile o' cash is gone, it's gone.
So, on Tuesday, I attemped to carry out my plan.
Here's the condensed version:
My first place of interest was Makola market where I had to get stuff. Then we had lunch. Then I went to the fetish market to get some seeds. Then back to Makola. Then to the Arts centre market. By this time the bank was closed so my plan to draw out all my money was foiled (I have recently been informed that it costs way more [like, $150 per 400GHS withdrawn] to use an ATM than to go into the bank and withdraw money, so I want to do it that way). Then I went to look for Ablo (who's fixing my Ngoni [and who teaches me]) who lives in the Arts centre. At his house I didn't find him but I found a few of his friends who were practising, so we sat there and watched for a while. Then it was dark. Then home.
In conclusion, I got most of my stuff done that day, except for a few specific items and my money, which I would have to go back another time for. Of course, this is Ghana and my plan to efficiently do everything in one fell swoop was somewhat naive. So, Tuesday was a good day which involved an early start, an awful lot of walking in HEAT and a little bit of retail therapy.
By the way, I have photos of this - they're coming, I can't be bothered doing it now.
Wednesday: Stayed in Nungua - I had arranged for Adjetey and Theofo to do a joint lesson (Adjetey is a dancer and I recorded him dancing for some of the rhythms that I had learned from Theofo) and had a lesson and rehearsal with Afotey. On the way home some guy tried to marry me to his sister when I was waiting to buy kelewele (fried plantain with spices and stuff. Rearry dericious.). That was nice.
Thursday (today): I tried to resume my plan. I was going to go into the bank, get my money, go to the Arts Centre and find Ablo and then buy the last of my things (with Theofo). That sort of happened, but not quite.
First, we started out later than I had planned - I was meant to have an 8.00 lesson with Theofo and then we would leave at 9.00 or so. Somehow, I forgot to set my alarm and didn't wake up until about 10. So we skipped the lesson and left for town at about 11.
When we got to the bank, I went to the window, gave them my card and then started blankly at the teller when he asked for my passport. I hadn't even thought to bring it and even after offering my driver's license, student ID and telling him that my passport was at the embassy and I couldn't get it for a week and had no money, the guy didn't budge. So, my options were to just give up and go home or to not give up but to go home, get my passport and come back. The round trip takes a couple of hours and isn't particularly fun, but I figured I would see how long it took to get home and decide once I got there. As I had some small money on me, I decided to get some of the other things on my list out of the way before heading back to Nungua, so as to not make the trip a complete waste of time. So, I went to the Arts Centre, found Ablo, gave him money to get a bag for my ngoni made and gave Theofo money to go and find some beads. Then I had a coconut, which was delicious.
After this, we went to Labadi to a gallery to get some very special material for my mother. Then we went home.
By the time we got home, it was about 3.15. As the banks close at 5.00, I figured we would have enough time to get back to the bank by 4.30 or so and could get my money and get the remaining couple of things on my list. Additionally, Jane was leaving for Holland at 11.30 that night, so I was going to meet her at the airport at 8.00 or so, when we'd finished. We headed back into town.
In a nail-biting race against the clock, Theofo and I cursed the heat and the constantly-stopping tro-tro all the way into town. Somehow, we managed to get into the tro-tro station at about 4.20. I figured this would get us to the bank by about 4.30 and we would have just enough time to complete what I had heard was a time-consuming transaction process. So, we power-walked to the bank, arriving at 4.31.
The bank closed at 4.30.
Awesome. As I was banking (HA!) on getting money from the bank, I had earlier spent most of my money. So I now don't have an awful (or good, for that matter) lot left.
So, after 10 minutes or so of pacing back and forth trying to work out a magic solution, we gave up. Our new plan was to just go back to the tro-tro station, catch one to Labadi and wait there (and drink and eat) until it was time to meet Jane at the airport. So we did. We were walking more slowly this time.
We found a tro-tro and hopped in. Unfortunately, the mate (the driver's assistant who tells him when to stop and start and takes the money, etc.) was being a foolish boy and trying to cram far more people into the tro-tro that could actually fit. As we were already cranky, Theofo spoke up and had a go at the mate. The mate, who was a small boy and should have more respect, then mouthed off at Theofo who got angrier. Then some other people fired up a bit (all talking in Ga, so I don't really know what was being said, although I kinda do). Eventually I calmed Theofo down (told him not to worry and pull his head in) and the crammed bus set on its way. Theofo spent the whole way brooding and sulking, I figured I'd leave him and try and calm him down once we got off. However, as soon as we got down in Labadi, the mate said something and Theofo lunged at him and started trying to 'deal him blows'. I grabbed Theofo in an impromptu headlock-sort-of-thing and held his arms (after which he tried to headbutt the guy, which was pretty funny) until he calmed down. Really, the situation was pretty understandable - here, you respect your elders or they beat you. So, this kid (probably 18 or so) was mouthing off and got what he deserved. However, I quite firmly explained to Theofo that all it takes is one dodgy policeman to see a white man near a fight and that white man could be in a spot of legal trouble. I think I said it in those words...
We then went and had a drink. Then got food. The food was good - Theofo took me to a place that serves grasscutter (which is kind of like a big rat). As I said, good. Jane then called and said she was on her way to the airport, so we left to meet her there. There could be more story here, but I can't be bothered so I'll cut to the interesting bit.
While waiting for the time at which she had to go and wait in a special go-and-waiting area, we (Jane, Theofo, Kwame [you don't know him] and me) sat waiting in the spot/chop bar near the restaurant. That place must make a killing because everything is about 20x the normal price. Anyway, a nice young lady friend came up and started talking to Theofo, then to Kwame and eventually ended up sitting beside me. She was friendly. I knew this because she said she wanted to be my friend. I thought this was lovely. She was very pretty too with nice fishnet stockings and makeup that had been applied in the taxi on the way there, I think. A few of her good lines include "I just want to be your friend, not anything more than that", "I want to do everything with you, just like a sister, nothing more" which then got altered to "Well, maybe about 90% of everything". I asked her whether brushing my teeth was included in the 90%? How about haircuts? She looked confused.
After 30 or 40 minutes of me switching between ignoring her and asking questions about where she's from and where she went to school (which received completely mixed, changing and contradictory answers - I kept asking though because I didn't want to be rude) I used my awesome eyebrow communication skills to convince our group that it was time to go and see Jane off. My new friend (Jessica) decided she'd follow and see Jane off too. Indeed, when the time came to say goodbye, she got a little bit teary. Such a dericate frower, my new friend Jessica.
After this, Theofo and I had to work out how to get home. It was about 10.50. Jessica was staying disturbingly close behind and kept trying to whisper things in my ear. Unfortunately for both of us, her method of whispering involved putting her ear next to my ear, which meant that she was whispering behind my head, where I, or most other humans I believe, don't have ears. However, while I couldn't discern the specifics, I had a fair idea what she might have been saying. Perhaps so do you.
Anyhow, we organised a taxi to get to 37 (a suburb of Accra), from where we were hoping to catch a tro-tro to Nungua (home). Jessica thought that she might join in on the taxi fun as well. Even after I firmly told her than I had to go, she had to stay and she was not getting in the taxi, she ended up getting in the taxi. She said something about how she just wanted to get dropped off at Circle (another area of Accra) and Theofo felt sorry/in love for her (and was enjoying watching my situation). Even after my pointing out that our taxi to 37 wouldn't go near Circle, she still ended up in the front seat, staring at me in the mirror. I moved my head to the side a bit.
So, we then ended up in 37 and, surprise, she hadn't been dropped off anywhere. And she was following us. At this time of night (11 or so), tro-tros to Nungua had stopped running (really, this probably wasn't too bad a thing - I couldn't have stopped her from getting on a tro-tro if she wanted). So we had to organise a cab. Throughout this whole affair, Theofo and I were teasing each other amidst my trying to explain to him that he couldn't afford her and should just keep his mouth and pants shut. I think I said something along the lines of "If you want her to come, you can pay for the taxi". This worked.
After finding our taxi driver and firmly (again) explaining that she was not coming with us and no, I would not give her my phone number, I then had to forcibly eject her from the taxi and lock the doors. This was slightly sad because it meant she was probably stranded in 37 (the middle of nowhere) late at night, possibly with no money (although she did say that she was going to pay for some of the taxi fare and had bought drinks at the spot earlier) and was saying "Oh, Jacob!" in her most hurt and distressed voice.
But, that's what you get for being a pushy whore.
Finally, Theofo and I spent the whole way home alternating between laughing and teasing each other and feeling a bit sad and sorry for this girl - she was sad and pretty. Just like in Pretty Woman.
Except not.
Eventually, laughing and teasing won and we forgot to feel sad.
On another note, the taxi driver told us a story though about another taxi driver who picked up some girl late at night, was not married and decided he wanted to marry her. He formed a relationship with her over a few weeks... but only at night... Then, after he went to her house one day, during the day, to find her, he couldn't. So he rang up a spiritual adviser at Hot FM (I've heard radio spiritual advisers are a couple of steps above agony aunts) who informed him that the lady was a ghost, had stolen his spirit while they were rooting and that he would die within 2 months. Apparently he died in 2 weeks.
True story.
Goodnight, sweet dreams.
I have just got home from a crazy (sorry, Krazy) day. Well, eventful anyway. However, before getting to that, the week in review:
Monday: Did Stuff. Had a lesson probably. Went to Afotey's rehearsal. All is well. Quiet is good.
Tuesday: Went into Accra to get all my stuff. Previously, my plan has been to put off buying 'things' (presents, souvenirs, clothes, etc.) for myself until just before I leave. The reasoning behind this had to do with the possibility that I might run out of money and should spend it on essentials, rather than shiny things. However, I have recently realised that I have enough money for essentials and that the extra spending that might cause me to run out of money would consist of giving to Ghanaians. So, basically, my original plan involved me going without buying the presents for others and things I wanted to take home from Ghana so as to (in a ridiculously short-term manner) subsidise people here.
Obviously, while perhaps being 'noble', this makes no sense. So, I decided to get all my stuff now so that when I run out of money it means I just can't give any more, not that I don't buy the things I want. No, Need. In addition to this, I decided to get all the money out of the bank that I have budgeted for spending, so as to not keep dipping into the savings meant to buy the things I need when I get back to Australia (computer, Uni books, hats, etc.). That is, when my pile o' cash is gone, it's gone.
So, on Tuesday, I attemped to carry out my plan.
Here's the condensed version:
My first place of interest was Makola market where I had to get stuff. Then we had lunch. Then I went to the fetish market to get some seeds. Then back to Makola. Then to the Arts centre market. By this time the bank was closed so my plan to draw out all my money was foiled (I have recently been informed that it costs way more [like, $150 per 400GHS withdrawn] to use an ATM than to go into the bank and withdraw money, so I want to do it that way). Then I went to look for Ablo (who's fixing my Ngoni [and who teaches me]) who lives in the Arts centre. At his house I didn't find him but I found a few of his friends who were practising, so we sat there and watched for a while. Then it was dark. Then home.
In conclusion, I got most of my stuff done that day, except for a few specific items and my money, which I would have to go back another time for. Of course, this is Ghana and my plan to efficiently do everything in one fell swoop was somewhat naive. So, Tuesday was a good day which involved an early start, an awful lot of walking in HEAT and a little bit of retail therapy.
By the way, I have photos of this - they're coming, I can't be bothered doing it now.
Wednesday: Stayed in Nungua - I had arranged for Adjetey and Theofo to do a joint lesson (Adjetey is a dancer and I recorded him dancing for some of the rhythms that I had learned from Theofo) and had a lesson and rehearsal with Afotey. On the way home some guy tried to marry me to his sister when I was waiting to buy kelewele (fried plantain with spices and stuff. Rearry dericious.). That was nice.
Thursday (today): I tried to resume my plan. I was going to go into the bank, get my money, go to the Arts Centre and find Ablo and then buy the last of my things (with Theofo). That sort of happened, but not quite.
First, we started out later than I had planned - I was meant to have an 8.00 lesson with Theofo and then we would leave at 9.00 or so. Somehow, I forgot to set my alarm and didn't wake up until about 10. So we skipped the lesson and left for town at about 11.
When we got to the bank, I went to the window, gave them my card and then started blankly at the teller when he asked for my passport. I hadn't even thought to bring it and even after offering my driver's license, student ID and telling him that my passport was at the embassy and I couldn't get it for a week and had no money, the guy didn't budge. So, my options were to just give up and go home or to not give up but to go home, get my passport and come back. The round trip takes a couple of hours and isn't particularly fun, but I figured I would see how long it took to get home and decide once I got there. As I had some small money on me, I decided to get some of the other things on my list out of the way before heading back to Nungua, so as to not make the trip a complete waste of time. So, I went to the Arts Centre, found Ablo, gave him money to get a bag for my ngoni made and gave Theofo money to go and find some beads. Then I had a coconut, which was delicious.
After this, we went to Labadi to a gallery to get some very special material for my mother. Then we went home.
By the time we got home, it was about 3.15. As the banks close at 5.00, I figured we would have enough time to get back to the bank by 4.30 or so and could get my money and get the remaining couple of things on my list. Additionally, Jane was leaving for Holland at 11.30 that night, so I was going to meet her at the airport at 8.00 or so, when we'd finished. We headed back into town.
In a nail-biting race against the clock, Theofo and I cursed the heat and the constantly-stopping tro-tro all the way into town. Somehow, we managed to get into the tro-tro station at about 4.20. I figured this would get us to the bank by about 4.30 and we would have just enough time to complete what I had heard was a time-consuming transaction process. So, we power-walked to the bank, arriving at 4.31.
The bank closed at 4.30.
Awesome. As I was banking (HA!) on getting money from the bank, I had earlier spent most of my money. So I now don't have an awful (or good, for that matter) lot left.
So, after 10 minutes or so of pacing back and forth trying to work out a magic solution, we gave up. Our new plan was to just go back to the tro-tro station, catch one to Labadi and wait there (and drink and eat) until it was time to meet Jane at the airport. So we did. We were walking more slowly this time.
We found a tro-tro and hopped in. Unfortunately, the mate (the driver's assistant who tells him when to stop and start and takes the money, etc.) was being a foolish boy and trying to cram far more people into the tro-tro that could actually fit. As we were already cranky, Theofo spoke up and had a go at the mate. The mate, who was a small boy and should have more respect, then mouthed off at Theofo who got angrier. Then some other people fired up a bit (all talking in Ga, so I don't really know what was being said, although I kinda do). Eventually I calmed Theofo down (told him not to worry and pull his head in) and the crammed bus set on its way. Theofo spent the whole way brooding and sulking, I figured I'd leave him and try and calm him down once we got off. However, as soon as we got down in Labadi, the mate said something and Theofo lunged at him and started trying to 'deal him blows'. I grabbed Theofo in an impromptu headlock-sort-of-thing and held his arms (after which he tried to headbutt the guy, which was pretty funny) until he calmed down. Really, the situation was pretty understandable - here, you respect your elders or they beat you. So, this kid (probably 18 or so) was mouthing off and got what he deserved. However, I quite firmly explained to Theofo that all it takes is one dodgy policeman to see a white man near a fight and that white man could be in a spot of legal trouble. I think I said it in those words...
We then went and had a drink. Then got food. The food was good - Theofo took me to a place that serves grasscutter (which is kind of like a big rat). As I said, good. Jane then called and said she was on her way to the airport, so we left to meet her there. There could be more story here, but I can't be bothered so I'll cut to the interesting bit.
While waiting for the time at which she had to go and wait in a special go-and-waiting area, we (Jane, Theofo, Kwame [you don't know him] and me) sat waiting in the spot/chop bar near the restaurant. That place must make a killing because everything is about 20x the normal price. Anyway, a nice young lady friend came up and started talking to Theofo, then to Kwame and eventually ended up sitting beside me. She was friendly. I knew this because she said she wanted to be my friend. I thought this was lovely. She was very pretty too with nice fishnet stockings and makeup that had been applied in the taxi on the way there, I think. A few of her good lines include "I just want to be your friend, not anything more than that", "I want to do everything with you, just like a sister, nothing more" which then got altered to "Well, maybe about 90% of everything". I asked her whether brushing my teeth was included in the 90%? How about haircuts? She looked confused.
After 30 or 40 minutes of me switching between ignoring her and asking questions about where she's from and where she went to school (which received completely mixed, changing and contradictory answers - I kept asking though because I didn't want to be rude) I used my awesome eyebrow communication skills to convince our group that it was time to go and see Jane off. My new friend (Jessica) decided she'd follow and see Jane off too. Indeed, when the time came to say goodbye, she got a little bit teary. Such a dericate frower, my new friend Jessica.
After this, Theofo and I had to work out how to get home. It was about 10.50. Jessica was staying disturbingly close behind and kept trying to whisper things in my ear. Unfortunately for both of us, her method of whispering involved putting her ear next to my ear, which meant that she was whispering behind my head, where I, or most other humans I believe, don't have ears. However, while I couldn't discern the specifics, I had a fair idea what she might have been saying. Perhaps so do you.
Anyhow, we organised a taxi to get to 37 (a suburb of Accra), from where we were hoping to catch a tro-tro to Nungua (home). Jessica thought that she might join in on the taxi fun as well. Even after I firmly told her than I had to go, she had to stay and she was not getting in the taxi, she ended up getting in the taxi. She said something about how she just wanted to get dropped off at Circle (another area of Accra) and Theofo felt sorry/in love for her (and was enjoying watching my situation). Even after my pointing out that our taxi to 37 wouldn't go near Circle, she still ended up in the front seat, staring at me in the mirror. I moved my head to the side a bit.
So, we then ended up in 37 and, surprise, she hadn't been dropped off anywhere. And she was following us. At this time of night (11 or so), tro-tros to Nungua had stopped running (really, this probably wasn't too bad a thing - I couldn't have stopped her from getting on a tro-tro if she wanted). So we had to organise a cab. Throughout this whole affair, Theofo and I were teasing each other amidst my trying to explain to him that he couldn't afford her and should just keep his mouth and pants shut. I think I said something along the lines of "If you want her to come, you can pay for the taxi". This worked.
After finding our taxi driver and firmly (again) explaining that she was not coming with us and no, I would not give her my phone number, I then had to forcibly eject her from the taxi and lock the doors. This was slightly sad because it meant she was probably stranded in 37 (the middle of nowhere) late at night, possibly with no money (although she did say that she was going to pay for some of the taxi fare and had bought drinks at the spot earlier) and was saying "Oh, Jacob!" in her most hurt and distressed voice.
But, that's what you get for being a pushy whore.
Finally, Theofo and I spent the whole way home alternating between laughing and teasing each other and feeling a bit sad and sorry for this girl - she was sad and pretty. Just like in Pretty Woman.
Except not.
Eventually, laughing and teasing won and we forgot to feel sad.
On another note, the taxi driver told us a story though about another taxi driver who picked up some girl late at night, was not married and decided he wanted to marry her. He formed a relationship with her over a few weeks... but only at night... Then, after he went to her house one day, during the day, to find her, he couldn't. So he rang up a spiritual adviser at Hot FM (I've heard radio spiritual advisers are a couple of steps above agony aunts) who informed him that the lady was a ghost, had stolen his spirit while they were rooting and that he would die within 2 months. Apparently he died in 2 weeks.
True story.
Goodnight, sweet dreams.
Sunday, December 14, 2008
A song what's new.
I did another song. It's called Egg Sandwich and it's in the player over on the right there. Listen to it.
Hear it? That's the sound of me learning to use Ableton Live - it's just one idea and isn't properly fleshed out yet. One day it will be. Good for you.
I spent all Saturday just hanging around the house chillin'. That was good. I had an egg sandwich for dinner, hence the title of this song. There is no other meaning to it.
Today (Sunday, fools) I went to lunch with my Mum's friend Thomas and his kids Tony and Mouse. I hadn't seen the kids for 9 years - they're not really kids, they're 21 and 18. Of course, none of us recognised each other. That was nice.
Lunch was nice too.
Let me know what you think.
Ok. Bye.
Hear it? That's the sound of me learning to use Ableton Live - it's just one idea and isn't properly fleshed out yet. One day it will be. Good for you.
I spent all Saturday just hanging around the house chillin'. That was good. I had an egg sandwich for dinner, hence the title of this song. There is no other meaning to it.
Today (Sunday, fools) I went to lunch with my Mum's friend Thomas and his kids Tony and Mouse. I hadn't seen the kids for 9 years - they're not really kids, they're 21 and 18. Of course, none of us recognised each other. That was nice.
Lunch was nice too.
Let me know what you think.
Ok. Bye.
Friday, December 12, 2008
Photos, video.. everything you ever wanted.
Hello.
The last two days in brief:
Thursday, went to Labadi to go to another fetish ceremony where I played drums a small bit.
Friday, spent all day at a funeral (Theofo's half-sister's grandmother....) in Teshie.
And that's about it.
I have photos to prove it. And video. However, before you press play on the video, you might want to turn your volume down a bit - it's really loud. Sorry about that. Deal with it.
Photos of the trip to Labadi and the fetish ceremony are here.
Video of the fetish ceremony is here.
Photos from the funeral in Teshie are here.
Represent.
The last two days in brief:
Thursday, went to Labadi to go to another fetish ceremony where I played drums a small bit.
Friday, spent all day at a funeral (Theofo's half-sister's grandmother....) in Teshie.
And that's about it.
I have photos to prove it. And video. However, before you press play on the video, you might want to turn your volume down a bit - it's really loud. Sorry about that. Deal with it.
Photos of the trip to Labadi and the fetish ceremony are here.
Video of the fetish ceremony is here.
Photos from the funeral in Teshie are here.
Represent.
Thursday, December 11, 2008
I had some more hair cut. Off.
Yesterday Okuley cut my hair again. Photos of this wondrous event are here.
Here's a preview.
Before:
After:
Goody for you.
On the election side of things, a re-election is being held on December 28th to determine the president. This time the vote will only be between John Atta Mills (NDC) and Nana Akufo-Addo (NPP). We'll see.
The end.
Here's a preview.
Before:
After:
Goody for you.
On the election side of things, a re-election is being held on December 28th to determine the president. This time the vote will only be between John Atta Mills (NDC) and Nana Akufo-Addo (NPP). We'll see.
The end.
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
My mind, for you.
Greetings.
Still no news about the election results... waiting...
Besides the internet being down a short time ago, I haven't posted very much lately. This is because I haven't felt like it. This seems to me because of two issues, the details of which I will attempt to outline here for you, dear reader.
The first relates to my previously-mentioned head-fullness due to which I could feel myself overloading - pretty much 4 months straight of intense learning every day is hard. To put it in the context of my usual life, I've done more studying and 'work' here than I would for a semester of Uni. Way more. Maybe two semesters. As such, my brain just started getting fuzzy. In addition to this problem, something else was happening.
My brain being fuzzy was one thing -- it made it more difficult to understand and remember things quickly (as I had previously somehow been able to do) -- but was compounded by an overall lack of motivation to learn. As well as not picking things up quickly, I was letting the material that I hadn't learned properly and needed to review build up. This was because I wasn't interested in doing it.
As nice an idea discipline is and as much as I have been exercising an amount surprising even to myself, forcing myself against my interest to 'sit down and work' at things that I am trying to learn and internalise, on a level beyond having to just regurgitate for an exam, is not effective. Of course, a lack of motivation frequently occurs while I'm at Uni, but there I have essays to write, exams to cram for and marks to obtain. In my current situation, there is no 'final test' for the things I am learning here and no examining body exists to regulate and assess me - the only reason I am here studying is for my interest and 'personal development'. As such, when my interest wanes, so does my motivation and reason for studying (as a side note, ideally, I think all education should be like this. But it's not and that's for another time). I needed to reboot my motivation.
Join me as I walk through how.
So far, my situation was like this: I was having trouble taking in information straight away which meant that I needed to further review my material. Unfortunately, I didn't feel like doing said further reviewing. As such, I was in a wussy little pickle.
While this may seem simply and reasonably just to be a typical enough example of causality and laziness, as I am a special boy, I knew that the above issues were merely symptoms for another underlying problem - it couldn't be that I am just lazy!
In short, my problem was that I was constantly thinking about how I would utilise and apply what I was learning when I got back home. This arises from my considering it a good idea to try and keep what I'm learning in some kind of perspective so as to not go too far down any rabbit holes and to maximise the efficiency of my time here (HA!). However, this has left me with a (fuzzy) head full of ideas, inspiration and stifled-motivation all aimed towards and dependent on my being back home, having access to my gear, getting more gear, setting things up, unfolding cunning plans, etc. - I was feeling like I'd done enough here and needed to get back home and use it before it all slipped away. Consquently, while the fuzzy-headedness was most likely a separately-caused phenomenon, my lack of motivation seems to have stemmed from my wanting to consolidate and mutate all the stuff I've learned - the possibility of said learned things falling out of my withering mind most likely raised the apparent emergency of my situation as well - rather than learning more stuff.
So, herein lies the problem: I think I've got enough and am ready to go home and win the world.
Of course, some of you may have noticed a flaw in my plan.
By my self-deprecating estimate, I probably have about two months' worth of musical activity, writing, inspiration and general farting around in me, ready to go. As I see it written like that, it still looks a bit tempting - two months is about the time I have left before I start uni and work again. Hmmm...
However, I have specifically structured my Uni course next semester so as to enable myself the maximum amount of time and headspace outside of Uni to puruse whatever I'm 'inspired' to pursue as a result of my stay here (in Ghana. Where I am). While this doesn't make the two months I would have available were I to leave now less emotionally tempting, it does lessen their impact in my reasoned, rational considerations (HA! again). As such, I know that staying here is far more useful, powerful and worthwhile than running home to play with toys for a while.
So, back to the beginning. I need to reboot my motivation.
My first step involved clearing my head. This meant no drumming and few Ghanaians for a few days. As mentioned previously, I had 'malaria'. It was very serious.
An interesting side-effect of my treatment (hiding) was that I started learning how to use Ableton Live. This was good. I found that, while adding slightly to my wanting to get home and play with gear, it gave me something to focus on so I didn't get bored out of my brain, directly assisted my 'personal development' and was interesting. So there. Win.
It also meant that I barely spent any money for a few days (I barely ate anything) which helped my head clear. Part of my head-fuzziness is definitely related to my ongoing concern about the contrast between my expected and actual capacities for giving - a few days' saving made me able to relax a bit.
As such, after 4 or 5 days of hibernation (in 30+ degree heat. Silly idea) I was slightly less fuzzy and sort of wanted to start again, in my mind. When it got down to it though, my body couldn't really be arsed (we'll talk about dualism later) - I tried doing some private practice a few times and just got over it really quickly and was tired. Not win.
So, since my mind was willing, I decided to let my mind do the work - I started looking at my backlog; writing out better versions of my transcriptions, transcribing stuff from recordings, etc.. Luckily, this had a positive effect - I could feel my desire to continue getting stronger. I also watched The Dark Knight which was quite enjoyable.
From there, I listed all the things I wanted to learn and harnessed my revived motivation to begin organising lessons again. Over the last couple of days, I've had a few lessons and noticed that my head's clearer. A couple of times I surprised myself at how well I picked things up. Today I had a lesson with Theofo at 7.30 (back to that whole routine...) and organised for Richmond to come and have a practice/play. He hasn't come, but I figure it gave me time to write this, so that's ok. Maybe tomorrow.
In conclusion, I'm still a bit lazy and reluctant to chase guys, but I am a lot more motivated and interested than I was. All is ok and building slowly.
Realistically, I also know that I'm never going to have learned 'enough'. That's just ridiculous. It's just the desire to go and make some new stuff that really is tempting.
Off I go, into the sunset.
The end
Phewf. I know that was long, but thank you for reading it (or skimming through it because you don't care). I hope you found it mildy interesting. Feel free to comment.
On an administrative note, if you haven't already, you can subscribe to the RSS feed of this blog or enter your email address (both over on the right) so that whenever I make a post it gets sent to your email or RSS reader. That way you are always up to date. With me! Yeah!
Bye.
Still no news about the election results... waiting...
Besides the internet being down a short time ago, I haven't posted very much lately. This is because I haven't felt like it. This seems to me because of two issues, the details of which I will attempt to outline here for you, dear reader.
The first relates to my previously-mentioned head-fullness due to which I could feel myself overloading - pretty much 4 months straight of intense learning every day is hard. To put it in the context of my usual life, I've done more studying and 'work' here than I would for a semester of Uni. Way more. Maybe two semesters. As such, my brain just started getting fuzzy. In addition to this problem, something else was happening.
My brain being fuzzy was one thing -- it made it more difficult to understand and remember things quickly (as I had previously somehow been able to do) -- but was compounded by an overall lack of motivation to learn. As well as not picking things up quickly, I was letting the material that I hadn't learned properly and needed to review build up. This was because I wasn't interested in doing it.
As nice an idea discipline is and as much as I have been exercising an amount surprising even to myself, forcing myself against my interest to 'sit down and work' at things that I am trying to learn and internalise, on a level beyond having to just regurgitate for an exam, is not effective. Of course, a lack of motivation frequently occurs while I'm at Uni, but there I have essays to write, exams to cram for and marks to obtain. In my current situation, there is no 'final test' for the things I am learning here and no examining body exists to regulate and assess me - the only reason I am here studying is for my interest and 'personal development'. As such, when my interest wanes, so does my motivation and reason for studying (as a side note, ideally, I think all education should be like this. But it's not and that's for another time). I needed to reboot my motivation.
Join me as I walk through how.
So far, my situation was like this: I was having trouble taking in information straight away which meant that I needed to further review my material. Unfortunately, I didn't feel like doing said further reviewing. As such, I was in a wussy little pickle.
While this may seem simply and reasonably just to be a typical enough example of causality and laziness, as I am a special boy, I knew that the above issues were merely symptoms for another underlying problem - it couldn't be that I am just lazy!
In short, my problem was that I was constantly thinking about how I would utilise and apply what I was learning when I got back home. This arises from my considering it a good idea to try and keep what I'm learning in some kind of perspective so as to not go too far down any rabbit holes and to maximise the efficiency of my time here (HA!). However, this has left me with a (fuzzy) head full of ideas, inspiration and stifled-motivation all aimed towards and dependent on my being back home, having access to my gear, getting more gear, setting things up, unfolding cunning plans, etc. - I was feeling like I'd done enough here and needed to get back home and use it before it all slipped away. Consquently, while the fuzzy-headedness was most likely a separately-caused phenomenon, my lack of motivation seems to have stemmed from my wanting to consolidate and mutate all the stuff I've learned - the possibility of said learned things falling out of my withering mind most likely raised the apparent emergency of my situation as well - rather than learning more stuff.
So, herein lies the problem: I think I've got enough and am ready to go home and win the world.
Of course, some of you may have noticed a flaw in my plan.
By my self-deprecating estimate, I probably have about two months' worth of musical activity, writing, inspiration and general farting around in me, ready to go. As I see it written like that, it still looks a bit tempting - two months is about the time I have left before I start uni and work again. Hmmm...
However, I have specifically structured my Uni course next semester so as to enable myself the maximum amount of time and headspace outside of Uni to puruse whatever I'm 'inspired' to pursue as a result of my stay here (in Ghana. Where I am). While this doesn't make the two months I would have available were I to leave now less emotionally tempting, it does lessen their impact in my reasoned, rational considerations (HA! again). As such, I know that staying here is far more useful, powerful and worthwhile than running home to play with toys for a while.
So, back to the beginning. I need to reboot my motivation.
My first step involved clearing my head. This meant no drumming and few Ghanaians for a few days. As mentioned previously, I had 'malaria'. It was very serious.
An interesting side-effect of my treatment (hiding) was that I started learning how to use Ableton Live. This was good. I found that, while adding slightly to my wanting to get home and play with gear, it gave me something to focus on so I didn't get bored out of my brain, directly assisted my 'personal development' and was interesting. So there. Win.
It also meant that I barely spent any money for a few days (I barely ate anything) which helped my head clear. Part of my head-fuzziness is definitely related to my ongoing concern about the contrast between my expected and actual capacities for giving - a few days' saving made me able to relax a bit.
As such, after 4 or 5 days of hibernation (in 30+ degree heat. Silly idea) I was slightly less fuzzy and sort of wanted to start again, in my mind. When it got down to it though, my body couldn't really be arsed (we'll talk about dualism later) - I tried doing some private practice a few times and just got over it really quickly and was tired. Not win.
So, since my mind was willing, I decided to let my mind do the work - I started looking at my backlog; writing out better versions of my transcriptions, transcribing stuff from recordings, etc.. Luckily, this had a positive effect - I could feel my desire to continue getting stronger. I also watched The Dark Knight which was quite enjoyable.
From there, I listed all the things I wanted to learn and harnessed my revived motivation to begin organising lessons again. Over the last couple of days, I've had a few lessons and noticed that my head's clearer. A couple of times I surprised myself at how well I picked things up. Today I had a lesson with Theofo at 7.30 (back to that whole routine...) and organised for Richmond to come and have a practice/play. He hasn't come, but I figure it gave me time to write this, so that's ok. Maybe tomorrow.
In conclusion, I'm still a bit lazy and reluctant to chase guys, but I am a lot more motivated and interested than I was. All is ok and building slowly.
Realistically, I also know that I'm never going to have learned 'enough'. That's just ridiculous. It's just the desire to go and make some new stuff that really is tempting.
Off I go, into the sunset.
The end
Phewf. I know that was long, but thank you for reading it (or skimming through it because you don't care). I hope you found it mildy interesting. Feel free to comment.
On an administrative note, if you haven't already, you can subscribe to the RSS feed of this blog or enter your email address (both over on the right) so that whenever I make a post it gets sent to your email or RSS reader. That way you are always up to date. With me! Yeah!
Bye.
Monday, December 8, 2008
The election happened.
Hi.
Apparently there was some sort of election happened here yesterday. The results are still unknown - I think at this stage the NDC seems to have taken a majority of seats. The presidential election, while conducted at the same time, is separate - the president is still too close to call. From what I can tell anyway.
I'm looking for the 'change' that NDC were supposed to bring - can't see any yet. I'll let you know when it shows up. It's a race between here and the US.
The last few days I have been hiding in my room with 'malaria'. Don't worry, I don't really have malaria, but don't tell anyone that. It keeps Ghanaians from bothering me - I was almost left alone for 3 days in a row!
As mentioned in my previous post, I was trying to tune out and take a break for a few days. As such, I think my head is a little bit clearer now. A little bit. I have been learning how to use Ableton Live. This has been a productive use of my time. Hoorah.
Now all I need to do is re-motivate myself to drum again and finish some things that I want to get done/learned before I leave.
No other news, really. I haven't done anything.
You give me news if you're so good.
Ok bye.
Apparently there was some sort of election happened here yesterday. The results are still unknown - I think at this stage the NDC seems to have taken a majority of seats. The presidential election, while conducted at the same time, is separate - the president is still too close to call. From what I can tell anyway.
I'm looking for the 'change' that NDC were supposed to bring - can't see any yet. I'll let you know when it shows up. It's a race between here and the US.
The last few days I have been hiding in my room with 'malaria'. Don't worry, I don't really have malaria, but don't tell anyone that. It keeps Ghanaians from bothering me - I was almost left alone for 3 days in a row!
As mentioned in my previous post, I was trying to tune out and take a break for a few days. As such, I think my head is a little bit clearer now. A little bit. I have been learning how to use Ableton Live. This has been a productive use of my time. Hoorah.
Now all I need to do is re-motivate myself to drum again and finish some things that I want to get done/learned before I leave.
No other news, really. I haven't done anything.
You give me news if you're so good.
Ok bye.
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
A blog post. Here. Now.
Hi.
The internet's been down, hence my silence. I know you missed me. Sorry.
I can't be bothered relating my last week's activities, not really in the mood right now. Sorry again.
In short, my brain's getting full - I can feel rhythms falling out as soon as, in a lesson, I try to cram them in. I am thus trying to have a few days of rest. It's a little bit hard to achieve due to my popularity, electric personality and wit. Sorry about that. Again.
So, I am merely posting so as to post and let you know that I posted. So there.
Also, in response to Anonymous's post rebuking my claim about the connection between physical and emotional states, I reckon that your argument actually supports my view, not the opposite; boredom, excessive workload and frustration are all easily understood and observed as physical conditions (boredom and frustration have definite [although not necessarily consistent between individuals], observable physical symptoms - take notice next time you are frustrated or bored). As for the monks and their science, it also makes sense from my viewpoint that calming your body would calm your mind (and, of course, vice versa - your 'mind' is, most likely, a product of your body.
So, again, in conclusion: Materialism, woo yeah!
On a completely unrelated note (but not really), I enabled anonymous commenting more so as to allow people who are scared, unable or too busy to sign up for a google account (and to stop the excuse that people didn't comment because it asked them for a password and then they gave up. Take that!) than to give people a means to say things without anyone knowing who they are. As such, I would ask for people commenting anonymously to sign off with their name (or nickname or whatever) so I know who you are and how to interpret the comment and stuff. I know this undermines the idea of anonymity but you'll deal with it. Also, you don't even have to do it. So, yeah.
A new song's up. It's not mine, it's by Chick Corea. I was just transcribing it and fiddling around and I thought you could have a listen. So, do it. On the right.
Thanks for those of you who donated to movember. I now have a beard to accompany my mo:
By popular demand, the beard is staying. For those of you who are upset by this - you have learned the hard way the power of your vote.
I think my plan is to have Okuley give me a number one all over (my head. Just my head) except for my little moustache thus looking like this:
But without the stupid hat. And funnier. But possibly with slightly fewer screaming girls running after me.
Still waiting for song ideas. If it doesn't happen, fine. I'll just cry some more.
Bye.
The internet's been down, hence my silence. I know you missed me. Sorry.
I can't be bothered relating my last week's activities, not really in the mood right now. Sorry again.
In short, my brain's getting full - I can feel rhythms falling out as soon as, in a lesson, I try to cram them in. I am thus trying to have a few days of rest. It's a little bit hard to achieve due to my popularity, electric personality and wit. Sorry about that. Again.
So, I am merely posting so as to post and let you know that I posted. So there.
Also, in response to Anonymous's post rebuking my claim about the connection between physical and emotional states, I reckon that your argument actually supports my view, not the opposite; boredom, excessive workload and frustration are all easily understood and observed as physical conditions (boredom and frustration have definite [although not necessarily consistent between individuals], observable physical symptoms - take notice next time you are frustrated or bored). As for the monks and their science, it also makes sense from my viewpoint that calming your body would calm your mind (and, of course, vice versa - your 'mind' is, most likely, a product of your body.
So, again, in conclusion: Materialism, woo yeah!
On a completely unrelated note (but not really), I enabled anonymous commenting more so as to allow people who are scared, unable or too busy to sign up for a google account (and to stop the excuse that people didn't comment because it asked them for a password and then they gave up. Take that!) than to give people a means to say things without anyone knowing who they are. As such, I would ask for people commenting anonymously to sign off with their name (or nickname or whatever) so I know who you are and how to interpret the comment and stuff. I know this undermines the idea of anonymity but you'll deal with it. Also, you don't even have to do it. So, yeah.
A new song's up. It's not mine, it's by Chick Corea. I was just transcribing it and fiddling around and I thought you could have a listen. So, do it. On the right.
Thanks for those of you who donated to movember. I now have a beard to accompany my mo:
By popular demand, the beard is staying. For those of you who are upset by this - you have learned the hard way the power of your vote.
I think my plan is to have Okuley give me a number one all over (my head. Just my head) except for my little moustache thus looking like this:
But without the stupid hat. And funnier. But possibly with slightly fewer screaming girls running after me.
Still waiting for song ideas. If it doesn't happen, fine. I'll just cry some more.
Bye.
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
And... keep up to date
To get up to date with the Australian government's plan to break the internet, have a read through this blog. I'm not sure if it's making the main news in Australia, but the government has gone ahead with a trial of its censorship scheme. This is scary. You're here right now reading this, so I figure you probably like the internet. Try not to let them break it.
If you are getting sick of me plugging this crusade, let me know and I'll think of you when I post about it next.
Also, since I am in crusade mode, I receieved an email from Mr Josh:
"Hi everyone,
I'm not the type of person that usually writes group emails ranting about politics and how the world is screwed, but this time I feel particularly moved.
If you have time, please go to www.anam.com.au and sign the petition! ANAM (the Australian National Academy of Music) is the only specialist music school for classical performers, and the only music institute in Australia that has a reputation internationally. Unfortunatley, Peter Garrett, the Minister for the Arts has decided to cancel all funding for the academy and close it down at the end of the year.
This year, all 3 finalists of the Australian Young Performers Awards were from the academy. Many of the Symphony Orchestras around Australia are filled with past students of the Academy. If Australia loses an institution like this, music in Australia will severly suffer.
Please take the time to sign the petition.
thanks, josh."
I don't know much about ANAM. You could look into it. And sign the petition although, really, internet petitions don't carry a lot of weight - email is easy and slightly more effective and old-stylee paper-type letters (like bills) are the best.
Go world! Yeah! Crusade! Change!
(Hey Josh, hope that was ok to put on here. Abuse me if not.)
Read my other post too.
Bye bye.
If you are getting sick of me plugging this crusade, let me know and I'll think of you when I post about it next.
Also, since I am in crusade mode, I receieved an email from Mr Josh:
"Hi everyone,
I'm not the type of person that usually writes group emails ranting about politics and how the world is screwed, but this time I feel particularly moved.
If you have time, please go to www.anam.com.au and sign the petition! ANAM (the Australian National Academy of Music) is the only specialist music school for classical performers, and the only music institute in Australia that has a reputation internationally. Unfortunatley, Peter Garrett, the Minister for the Arts has decided to cancel all funding for the academy and close it down at the end of the year.
This year, all 3 finalists of the Australian Young Performers Awards were from the academy. Many of the Symphony Orchestras around Australia are filled with past students of the Academy. If Australia loses an institution like this, music in Australia will severly suffer.
Please take the time to sign the petition.
thanks, josh."
I don't know much about ANAM. You could look into it. And sign the petition although, really, internet petitions don't carry a lot of weight - email is easy and slightly more effective and old-stylee paper-type letters (like bills) are the best.
Go world! Yeah! Crusade! Change!
(Hey Josh, hope that was ok to put on here. Abuse me if not.)
Read my other post too.
Bye bye.
Update # Whatever.
Hello.
Since we last spoke, I have been as sick as a proverbial dog. Literally.
That is, I was as sick as a dog that's been made up for the sake of example (or moral lesson or whatever. Don't attack me on this, it's a joke. Shut up. Sam.) and then written down. YEAH!
This leads me to speculate here on the direction of causality between emotions and physical states - did I get sick and feel like crap because I was grumpy, or the other way around?
Ooh. How's that for pseudo-intellectual?
I propose to you that our physical reactions to things happen a lot earlier than our rationality or 'known emotions' are aware. For awesome example, if we are getting sick, we view things more negatively, react more adversely to things, get annoyed with less provocation, etc., before we even are aware that we're sick. Consequently, this idea suggests that all our emotions, thoughts, feelings, interpretations and such jazz are all dependent on our physical state, not our 'controlled rationality'. You are not in control. Take THAT you people who think otherwise! Materialism and determinism Rulez.
What do you think? Bring it, sister (I mean the proverbial sister, not just my one).
So, on Saturday, after my last post, I recorded some stuff for my NEW song (available over on the right - Manowar go to Ghana. It's a joke people. Enjoy it. Listen to it with headphones if there are people who don't like naughty words or bad music around. You've been warned. But, really, I like Manowar, so they shouldn't sue me.) and then crashed mightily. Apart from the not having water and all that business, I just felt like crap - I had barely eaten anything on Friday, didn't eat all day Saturday and had a handful of rice on Sunday. This is unlike me. I spent all day Sunday on a mattress on the balcony drifting in and out of consciousness (sounds much better than 'sleep', doesn't it?). Wah wah wah.
Whatever, I feel ok now. I figure I just got some small bug (there were runny poos involved) and it wiped me out because I was already knackered. I'm still a little bit wussy - Theofo and I did some drumming today and it was pretty hard going. It is hot as hell though. The last half a week has stepped the heat up a notch - that doesn't help.
Anyway. Got any stories?
Actually, I'll tell you what, I want to try writing a song. Just like other celebrities, I want my fans (you) to prompt me with inspiration for my art which I will then use without giving you recognition and become super rich, famous and awesome. SO, in the comments, if I get more than 7.4 suggestions for song ideas, I will choose one and try to write a song about it.
Not original, but everyone's a winner. I'd like to give it a try - I can't do lyrics, so we'll see how it goes.
Otherwise, Devo Go to Ghana is on the possible to-do list. You've been warned.
I don't want to get too carried away with distractions like this cos I'm busy, but... you know... I just want to try...
In other similar news - the beard is staying... so far... for now...
I think I am well enough to get back on the fried rice tonight.
Ok bye.
Since we last spoke, I have been as sick as a proverbial dog. Literally.
That is, I was as sick as a dog that's been made up for the sake of example (or moral lesson or whatever. Don't attack me on this, it's a joke. Shut up. Sam.) and then written down. YEAH!
This leads me to speculate here on the direction of causality between emotions and physical states - did I get sick and feel like crap because I was grumpy, or the other way around?
Ooh. How's that for pseudo-intellectual?
I propose to you that our physical reactions to things happen a lot earlier than our rationality or 'known emotions' are aware. For awesome example, if we are getting sick, we view things more negatively, react more adversely to things, get annoyed with less provocation, etc., before we even are aware that we're sick. Consequently, this idea suggests that all our emotions, thoughts, feelings, interpretations and such jazz are all dependent on our physical state, not our 'controlled rationality'. You are not in control. Take THAT you people who think otherwise! Materialism and determinism Rulez.
What do you think? Bring it, sister (I mean the proverbial sister, not just my one).
So, on Saturday, after my last post, I recorded some stuff for my NEW song (available over on the right - Manowar go to Ghana. It's a joke people. Enjoy it. Listen to it with headphones if there are people who don't like naughty words or bad music around. You've been warned. But, really, I like Manowar, so they shouldn't sue me.) and then crashed mightily. Apart from the not having water and all that business, I just felt like crap - I had barely eaten anything on Friday, didn't eat all day Saturday and had a handful of rice on Sunday. This is unlike me. I spent all day Sunday on a mattress on the balcony drifting in and out of consciousness (sounds much better than 'sleep', doesn't it?). Wah wah wah.
Whatever, I feel ok now. I figure I just got some small bug (there were runny poos involved) and it wiped me out because I was already knackered. I'm still a little bit wussy - Theofo and I did some drumming today and it was pretty hard going. It is hot as hell though. The last half a week has stepped the heat up a notch - that doesn't help.
Anyway. Got any stories?
Actually, I'll tell you what, I want to try writing a song. Just like other celebrities, I want my fans (you) to prompt me with inspiration for my art which I will then use without giving you recognition and become super rich, famous and awesome. SO, in the comments, if I get more than 7.4 suggestions for song ideas, I will choose one and try to write a song about it.
Not original, but everyone's a winner. I'd like to give it a try - I can't do lyrics, so we'll see how it goes.
Otherwise, Devo Go to Ghana is on the possible to-do list. You've been warned.
I don't want to get too carried away with distractions like this cos I'm busy, but... you know... I just want to try...
In other similar news - the beard is staying... so far... for now...
I think I am well enough to get back on the fried rice tonight.
Ok bye.
Saturday, November 22, 2008
Sooky today.
And here's the next installment of the multi-part epic, Dudes in Ghana want money from Jacob:
Joseph, of course, came back that night looking for some warm, floppy cash. I hadn't had a chance to get to the bank that day so called Tettey to see if he would be able to drive me to a bank when he got back (from wherever he was, whenever that happened to be). He said that should be ok, so I waited awkwardly with Joseph for a couple of hours. It wasn't awkward in that there was nothing to say, Joseph is a lovely guy and talked a lot - it was more awkward because he was only waiting and talking because he wanted money. And I had things to do.
Anyway, we waited until Tettey got back and decided that he was tired (admittedly, it was late. That is, we'd been waiting for hours) and we'd go to the bank in the morning instead. In accordance with my suspicions of Joseph's unusual friendliness, upon hearing that there was no money tonight, Joseph disappeared with a hasty farewell.
The next morning, we got the money and Joseph came later to scam it from me. I now have his passport as a deposit. As Sam has suggested, he'll probably just come up to me when he gets back without the money to pay back and declare that he needs his passport back. I will have to be strong. Either way, if that happens, I figure I'll have good reason to not give him any more money. Alternatively, if he does bring it back, all will be ok. Poverty and desperation are awesome.
On the lesson front, things went ok for the remainder of the week. On Wednesday I had a 7.30 lesson with Theofo, going over and consolidating some of the stuff that I had been learning, then a lesson at 11 or so with Otu (Kusun don't rehearse on Wednesdays). With Otu I learned a basic outline of the Kolomashie rhythm, which is what people play when doing street parades or running at ungodly times in the morning past my window - sort of like brazilian samba rhythms. Sort of.
After this lesson, Theofo came at 2.00 or so and we went into Accra to go the fetish market. In between my lesson with Otu and going into town with Theofo, I visited Tettey's friend Don, a secretary to Atta Mills, the NDC presidential candidate. I asked him about the possibility of getting an NDC T-shirt, after which one appeared in his hand. This meant that I wore the shirt on my trip into Accra.
An interesting idea.
Basically, the whole way into, through and back from Accra, I had Ghanaians yelling out to me, laughing, coming up and shaking my hand, initiating call-and-response NDC slogans and all sorts of shenanigans. I seriously couldn't walk 2 metres without at least hearing someone call out "Blofonyo NDC-ay!". Talk about attention seeking.
Theofo thought it was piss funny. For him, maybe.
Despite the constant distractions, we did manage to get to the fetish market where I was once again tempted by dried crocodile heads. What we were there for however, were some calabashes and seeds to make shakers. This was fine. End of that story.
The remainder of that night and the next morning I was trying to sort out my enrolment for Melbourne Uni next year. Talk about balls (and not the good kind). Basically, I'm not able to enrol in the subjects I want to enrol in because the computer says I can't. I even called Melbourne Uni and was told that it just 'wouldn't work, sorry'. The frustrating thing is that if I was able to walk in there and sort it out, it wouldn't be a problem - it makes no sense that I, enrolled in Arts/Science, am unable to take subjects that an Arts student can take. Basically, in this case, the Melbourne Model is bad. Maybe I will walk in a parade.
For the rest of Thursday, after spending the morning stuffing around with Melbourne Uni, I went to Theofo's and he started putting together the shakers. It's a multiple-step process however - right now the calabashes are sitting outside his house with soapy water in them, soaking.
On Friday, Theofo was feeling sick so I didn't have any lessons with him. Additionally, my phone is out of credit (courtesy of calls to Australia the day before) and I was too poor to buy more, so I didn't call any other guys an arrange lessons. Instead, I spent the day doing private practice - going over a couple of things that I have learned and also just trying to work on technique. It went ok.
Friday night I went in to the National Theatre to a show celebrating the British Council's 65 years in Ghana. I was not in the mood to go out, but really wanted to see the Pan African Orchestra play. They were there and were great - I have wanted to see them live ever since I heard their CD
years ago. There were also some other performers (the London community gospel choir for one - seriously, what's with gospel music?), but I don't care to talk about them right now.
Instead I would like to whinge about my current situation. If you will recall that my last post lamented our lack of water for the last week or so, you will surely understand my frustration upon awaking today to find that the water is, again, not flowing from the mains. As such, I have not washed, eaten, flushed my toilet or gotten dressed today. I am not planning to leave my room until water flows. I could be here for a while. I also am running out of clean clothes.
As a special bonus for you all, I have, in the spirit of Movember (towards which you should donate, despite my lack of updates... one is coming though.. just... here!), grown an 'I'm not shaving until the freaking water is flowing again because it's too hard and I am a wussy' beard. I see this as a Movember/Ghana/Jacob bonus for you and expect due appreciation. Photos are below (sorry to Eve on dial-up):
In conclusion, you only have a week to donate to my Movember fund, but don't feel too pressured - you would be better off giving it to me. Well, I would be better off if you gave it to me. I think the beard is here to stay for today at least. I know the poll has finished, I just have nothing interesting to do with it. What I mean is that I have a surprise up my sleeve but I want to keep it a surprise. For the present, just in case you, after seeing these photos of my manly beardness, have fallen in infatuation and think that I should remain bearded for a time, even if we get water, I have put up a short, new poll.
So, if anyone wants to email me a shower, feel free. Also comment if you have any ideas I should know about for stuff.
Ok bye.
Joseph, of course, came back that night looking for some warm, floppy cash. I hadn't had a chance to get to the bank that day so called Tettey to see if he would be able to drive me to a bank when he got back (from wherever he was, whenever that happened to be). He said that should be ok, so I waited awkwardly with Joseph for a couple of hours. It wasn't awkward in that there was nothing to say, Joseph is a lovely guy and talked a lot - it was more awkward because he was only waiting and talking because he wanted money. And I had things to do.
Anyway, we waited until Tettey got back and decided that he was tired (admittedly, it was late. That is, we'd been waiting for hours) and we'd go to the bank in the morning instead. In accordance with my suspicions of Joseph's unusual friendliness, upon hearing that there was no money tonight, Joseph disappeared with a hasty farewell.
The next morning, we got the money and Joseph came later to scam it from me. I now have his passport as a deposit. As Sam has suggested, he'll probably just come up to me when he gets back without the money to pay back and declare that he needs his passport back. I will have to be strong. Either way, if that happens, I figure I'll have good reason to not give him any more money. Alternatively, if he does bring it back, all will be ok. Poverty and desperation are awesome.
On the lesson front, things went ok for the remainder of the week. On Wednesday I had a 7.30 lesson with Theofo, going over and consolidating some of the stuff that I had been learning, then a lesson at 11 or so with Otu (Kusun don't rehearse on Wednesdays). With Otu I learned a basic outline of the Kolomashie rhythm, which is what people play when doing street parades or running at ungodly times in the morning past my window - sort of like brazilian samba rhythms. Sort of.
After this lesson, Theofo came at 2.00 or so and we went into Accra to go the fetish market. In between my lesson with Otu and going into town with Theofo, I visited Tettey's friend Don, a secretary to Atta Mills, the NDC presidential candidate. I asked him about the possibility of getting an NDC T-shirt, after which one appeared in his hand. This meant that I wore the shirt on my trip into Accra.
An interesting idea.
Basically, the whole way into, through and back from Accra, I had Ghanaians yelling out to me, laughing, coming up and shaking my hand, initiating call-and-response NDC slogans and all sorts of shenanigans. I seriously couldn't walk 2 metres without at least hearing someone call out "Blofonyo NDC-ay!". Talk about attention seeking.
Theofo thought it was piss funny. For him, maybe.
Despite the constant distractions, we did manage to get to the fetish market where I was once again tempted by dried crocodile heads. What we were there for however, were some calabashes and seeds to make shakers. This was fine. End of that story.
The remainder of that night and the next morning I was trying to sort out my enrolment for Melbourne Uni next year. Talk about balls (and not the good kind). Basically, I'm not able to enrol in the subjects I want to enrol in because the computer says I can't. I even called Melbourne Uni and was told that it just 'wouldn't work, sorry'. The frustrating thing is that if I was able to walk in there and sort it out, it wouldn't be a problem - it makes no sense that I, enrolled in Arts/Science, am unable to take subjects that an Arts student can take. Basically, in this case, the Melbourne Model is bad. Maybe I will walk in a parade.
For the rest of Thursday, after spending the morning stuffing around with Melbourne Uni, I went to Theofo's and he started putting together the shakers. It's a multiple-step process however - right now the calabashes are sitting outside his house with soapy water in them, soaking.
On Friday, Theofo was feeling sick so I didn't have any lessons with him. Additionally, my phone is out of credit (courtesy of calls to Australia the day before) and I was too poor to buy more, so I didn't call any other guys an arrange lessons. Instead, I spent the day doing private practice - going over a couple of things that I have learned and also just trying to work on technique. It went ok.
Friday night I went in to the National Theatre to a show celebrating the British Council's 65 years in Ghana. I was not in the mood to go out, but really wanted to see the Pan African Orchestra play. They were there and were great - I have wanted to see them live ever since I heard their CD
years ago. There were also some other performers (the London community gospel choir for one - seriously, what's with gospel music?), but I don't care to talk about them right now.
Instead I would like to whinge about my current situation. If you will recall that my last post lamented our lack of water for the last week or so, you will surely understand my frustration upon awaking today to find that the water is, again, not flowing from the mains. As such, I have not washed, eaten, flushed my toilet or gotten dressed today. I am not planning to leave my room until water flows. I could be here for a while. I also am running out of clean clothes.
As a special bonus for you all, I have, in the spirit of Movember (towards which you should donate, despite my lack of updates... one is coming though.. just... here!), grown an 'I'm not shaving until the freaking water is flowing again because it's too hard and I am a wussy' beard. I see this as a Movember/Ghana/Jacob bonus for you and expect due appreciation. Photos are below (sorry to Eve on dial-up):
In conclusion, you only have a week to donate to my Movember fund, but don't feel too pressured - you would be better off giving it to me. Well, I would be better off if you gave it to me. I think the beard is here to stay for today at least. I know the poll has finished, I just have nothing interesting to do with it. What I mean is that I have a surprise up my sleeve but I want to keep it a surprise. For the present, just in case you, after seeing these photos of my manly beardness, have fallen in infatuation and think that I should remain bearded for a time, even if we get water, I have put up a short, new poll.
So, if anyone wants to email me a shower, feel free. Also comment if you have any ideas I should know about for stuff.
Ok bye.
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
There's been no power. Shut up.
Hello.
Here's whatup:
Thursday night: I didn't manage to have a lesson with Afotey. It rained again. I was out in the rain again. I got wet again. This time, however, it was just wet and uncomfortable, not cool and relaxing. Bad rain.
Oddly enough, despite the rain (which doesn't get collected), we have had no water since about Thursday. The water flows on the weekends only and is stored in tanks. Inconveniently for me, Ghanaians come and take/steal the water from the tanks which means that we run out. It's not like they're sneaking in though, they're just walking in and no-one says anything. This is balls. Also, the water didn't run this weekend.
On Friday, I did my thing - had a lesson with Theofo at 7.30 and again in the afternoon. I didn't rehearse with Afotey's group as they were doing some thing at a funeral (the one for the guy who was a dancer in their group and died about a month ago). I was told by Tettey that from about 11pm there would be a fetish ceremony nearby that would play all night. It was decided that I would join in. Of course, due to some mismanagement or miscommuniation, the ceremony didn't happen. I had fried rice for dinner.
Saturday, I woke up feeling like crap. About lunchtime, I went to the funeral which was highly interesting. There were so many people there. First we kind of hung around an area where a big marquee had been put up in the street (it was really hot) and saw some groups (Afotey's included) play. This was quite full-on - because all the people playing were friends with the dancer who had died and were dedicating their performances to him (and had written and arranged things especially) there was lots of emotion and crying. Even while playing and dancing some of Afotey's group could barely stand for grief. Full on.
Then, after a couple of hours of hanging around the street, the coffin came and there was a big procession to the graveyard. There would have been about 6 or 7 groups playing music in the procession - all were playing different things, some only 5 metres or so from each other. I didn't have my camera, so bad luck for you.
After the body had been buried, there was a performance with a heap of groups. Kusun and Afotey's groups played. I only saw an hour or so of the performance - Theofo had heard there was a fetish ceremony happening nearby and wanted me to see and play at it. So, I went with him, walked around, met some guys, waited around and then was told that the ceremony had finished a while ago.
So, yeah.
By the time we got back to where the performance was at, they had finished. So I caught a tro-tro back home with a bunch of loud and semi-drunken Ghanaians.
Sunday, was a runny day, in that I went running.
And did a runny poo.
To your great delight, I took a camera with me to the beach. Unfortunately, due to the fact that everybody knew the guy that had died and was at his funeral the day before, they were all too tired/hungover to go running, so the beach was quite quiet. To see the photos, go here. Although it was relatively quiet, there are still enough people in the photos so as to give you a bit of an idea of how it works. I may have to take some more another time.
While stuffing around and taking photos, I have a feeling I agreed to go on a 'walk for peace' kinda thing on some Saturday, to encourage peace surrounding the election on December 7th, regardless of the winning party. I suspect that I will be walking a long way with a lot of Africans. For you, I may take photos.
The rest of Sunday I wasn't feeling too well, so spent the day hanging around and avoiding Africans. The power went off at 6.30 or so. That was bad. It is now 3.00 on Tuesday and it's only just come back on. That is bad too. In similar news, the water didn't flow this weekend, so we now have no water for the next week (apparently the water started flowing late on Sunday, but with the power off we couldn't draw the water into the tanks with the pump. Bad luck, hey).
On Monday, I woke up cranky. I rang Theofo and told him not to worry about the lesson at 7.30. To get water to wash in the morning, I had to find a small boy (anyone under about 23 and the cheapest labour force available) and get them to climb into the water tank to fetch buckets of water to bathe. I wasn't in the mood for learning. Additionally, because the power was out, the fans weren't working. Because the fans weren't working sleeping was difficult - Sunday night was HOT. So, I was grumpy.
Eventually, although still sticky and feeling unclean, I got over it a bit and had a lesson. Then I went to another Fetish ceremony. This was the one that was supposed to happen all night Friday, except it was happening at 3pm on Monday and going until about 6pm. So, Theofo and I went over there at about 3.30 and waited until about 5.30 for it to start. It got dark, I wasn't in the mood.
I had banku, fish and pepper for dinner.
Today, I woke up similarly cranky although didn't cancel my 7.30 lesson. So, I stank, sweated and sulked while Theofo tried to teach me stuff. Afterwards, at about 10.00 I went down to Kusun's rehearsal to organise a lesson in the afternoon with Otu. The plan (as was agreed to by those concerned) was to have a lesson with Otu straight after training and then go into the fetish market in Accra with Theofo to buy some shakers. As a side note, the rehearsals start at 9 - when I got there at 10, they still hadn't started. Apparently a 'witch' had been caught out in the street so some of the guys were running around gossiping and trying to get a view. I attempted some discussion on the validity of this lady being labelled a 'witch' discovering that she was a witch because she used magic to do bad things to people.
I couldn't be bothered following that any further so I went home.
When home, I did a couple of scattered hours of practice. I've been trying to fix up a few technique things and it is taking time. While practicing, the power came back on (after two days). Then, 5 minutes later, it went off again. It wasn't just my room that was darker.
A couple of hours later, thankfully, the power came back. All my things are recharging as I write.
During the afternoon, (just after I started writing this) Joseph showed up wanting to have a meeting. Apparently his wife is going to leave him because he doesn't have money and he has cattle up North (where he's from) so he needs to go up there to sell some cattle and then he'll have money and he doesn't have money now for a bus ticket and here's his passport as a deposit so can I lend him money and he'll give it back when he gets back in a week's time.
Not my problem. Also, I don't actually have any money handy - I have no cash at the moment. But, on the off chance that he will pay it back (I think it's far more likely that he'll just not come for his passport, but at least then the next time he asks for money I have solid grounds for rejecting him. Or so I think), I agreed to lend him the money which I was planning to get at the bank in Accra later that day.
However, despite our arrangement (as outlined above), Otu showed up at about 3.00. After chasing him around and sitting him down, I managed to have a lesson. Just now, I have finished. My plans to go into the fetish market are not going to happen - it's too late now. But, I now need to get some money for Joseph who's coming back later tonight.
So, if you want me, that's where I'll be.
I also haven't eaten all day because I am poor. I am wasting away.
Please excuse this post's lack of structure (unlike all my other, finely crafted pieces) - it has been written over about 2 hours of interruptions and I am cranky and can't be bothered fixing it and the power's been off and shut up.
Bye bye.
By Jacob.
Here's whatup:
Thursday night: I didn't manage to have a lesson with Afotey. It rained again. I was out in the rain again. I got wet again. This time, however, it was just wet and uncomfortable, not cool and relaxing. Bad rain.
Oddly enough, despite the rain (which doesn't get collected), we have had no water since about Thursday. The water flows on the weekends only and is stored in tanks. Inconveniently for me, Ghanaians come and take/steal the water from the tanks which means that we run out. It's not like they're sneaking in though, they're just walking in and no-one says anything. This is balls. Also, the water didn't run this weekend.
On Friday, I did my thing - had a lesson with Theofo at 7.30 and again in the afternoon. I didn't rehearse with Afotey's group as they were doing some thing at a funeral (the one for the guy who was a dancer in their group and died about a month ago). I was told by Tettey that from about 11pm there would be a fetish ceremony nearby that would play all night. It was decided that I would join in. Of course, due to some mismanagement or miscommuniation, the ceremony didn't happen. I had fried rice for dinner.
Saturday, I woke up feeling like crap. About lunchtime, I went to the funeral which was highly interesting. There were so many people there. First we kind of hung around an area where a big marquee had been put up in the street (it was really hot) and saw some groups (Afotey's included) play. This was quite full-on - because all the people playing were friends with the dancer who had died and were dedicating their performances to him (and had written and arranged things especially) there was lots of emotion and crying. Even while playing and dancing some of Afotey's group could barely stand for grief. Full on.
Then, after a couple of hours of hanging around the street, the coffin came and there was a big procession to the graveyard. There would have been about 6 or 7 groups playing music in the procession - all were playing different things, some only 5 metres or so from each other. I didn't have my camera, so bad luck for you.
After the body had been buried, there was a performance with a heap of groups. Kusun and Afotey's groups played. I only saw an hour or so of the performance - Theofo had heard there was a fetish ceremony happening nearby and wanted me to see and play at it. So, I went with him, walked around, met some guys, waited around and then was told that the ceremony had finished a while ago.
So, yeah.
By the time we got back to where the performance was at, they had finished. So I caught a tro-tro back home with a bunch of loud and semi-drunken Ghanaians.
Sunday, was a runny day, in that I went running.
And did a runny poo.
To your great delight, I took a camera with me to the beach. Unfortunately, due to the fact that everybody knew the guy that had died and was at his funeral the day before, they were all too tired/hungover to go running, so the beach was quite quiet. To see the photos, go here. Although it was relatively quiet, there are still enough people in the photos so as to give you a bit of an idea of how it works. I may have to take some more another time.
While stuffing around and taking photos, I have a feeling I agreed to go on a 'walk for peace' kinda thing on some Saturday, to encourage peace surrounding the election on December 7th, regardless of the winning party. I suspect that I will be walking a long way with a lot of Africans. For you, I may take photos.
The rest of Sunday I wasn't feeling too well, so spent the day hanging around and avoiding Africans. The power went off at 6.30 or so. That was bad. It is now 3.00 on Tuesday and it's only just come back on. That is bad too. In similar news, the water didn't flow this weekend, so we now have no water for the next week (apparently the water started flowing late on Sunday, but with the power off we couldn't draw the water into the tanks with the pump. Bad luck, hey).
On Monday, I woke up cranky. I rang Theofo and told him not to worry about the lesson at 7.30. To get water to wash in the morning, I had to find a small boy (anyone under about 23 and the cheapest labour force available) and get them to climb into the water tank to fetch buckets of water to bathe. I wasn't in the mood for learning. Additionally, because the power was out, the fans weren't working. Because the fans weren't working sleeping was difficult - Sunday night was HOT. So, I was grumpy.
Eventually, although still sticky and feeling unclean, I got over it a bit and had a lesson. Then I went to another Fetish ceremony. This was the one that was supposed to happen all night Friday, except it was happening at 3pm on Monday and going until about 6pm. So, Theofo and I went over there at about 3.30 and waited until about 5.30 for it to start. It got dark, I wasn't in the mood.
I had banku, fish and pepper for dinner.
Today, I woke up similarly cranky although didn't cancel my 7.30 lesson. So, I stank, sweated and sulked while Theofo tried to teach me stuff. Afterwards, at about 10.00 I went down to Kusun's rehearsal to organise a lesson in the afternoon with Otu. The plan (as was agreed to by those concerned) was to have a lesson with Otu straight after training and then go into the fetish market in Accra with Theofo to buy some shakers. As a side note, the rehearsals start at 9 - when I got there at 10, they still hadn't started. Apparently a 'witch' had been caught out in the street so some of the guys were running around gossiping and trying to get a view. I attempted some discussion on the validity of this lady being labelled a 'witch' discovering that she was a witch because she used magic to do bad things to people.
I couldn't be bothered following that any further so I went home.
When home, I did a couple of scattered hours of practice. I've been trying to fix up a few technique things and it is taking time. While practicing, the power came back on (after two days). Then, 5 minutes later, it went off again. It wasn't just my room that was darker.
A couple of hours later, thankfully, the power came back. All my things are recharging as I write.
During the afternoon, (just after I started writing this) Joseph showed up wanting to have a meeting. Apparently his wife is going to leave him because he doesn't have money and he has cattle up North (where he's from) so he needs to go up there to sell some cattle and then he'll have money and he doesn't have money now for a bus ticket and here's his passport as a deposit so can I lend him money and he'll give it back when he gets back in a week's time.
Not my problem. Also, I don't actually have any money handy - I have no cash at the moment. But, on the off chance that he will pay it back (I think it's far more likely that he'll just not come for his passport, but at least then the next time he asks for money I have solid grounds for rejecting him. Or so I think), I agreed to lend him the money which I was planning to get at the bank in Accra later that day.
However, despite our arrangement (as outlined above), Otu showed up at about 3.00. After chasing him around and sitting him down, I managed to have a lesson. Just now, I have finished. My plans to go into the fetish market are not going to happen - it's too late now. But, I now need to get some money for Joseph who's coming back later tonight.
So, if you want me, that's where I'll be.
I also haven't eaten all day because I am poor. I am wasting away.
Please excuse this post's lack of structure (unlike all my other, finely crafted pieces) - it has been written over about 2 hours of interruptions and I am cranky and can't be bothered fixing it and the power's been off and shut up.
Bye bye.
By Jacob.
Thursday, November 13, 2008
The Last Couple of Days. By Jacob.
Since Monday, this week has picked up. I've been busy as a bear (non-hibernating and non-koala, which isn't a bear anyway).
Tuesday I had a lesson at 7.30 with Theofo then spent some time going over the lesson and practicing while he was at rehearsal. Then, some hours later, he came back and we had another lesson, which I had to go over. Then I had a lesson with Afotey. I think for dinner I had fried rice.
So, this day was significantly more successful than the previous.
On Wednesday, Kusun don't rehearse, so I asked Theofo to come at 9 rather than 7.30. Apart from being lazy, this was because I hadn't had a chance to go over (involving transferring the video from the DV tape to the computer, writing down all the new material and practicing) Afotey's lesson from the day before. As such, I did this before my lesson at 9. Then I had my lesson, then we got some wakye (pron. Wah-che) for breakfast/lunch. Again, Theofo went off for a while then came back for another lesson after I'd been through the stuff. Then I went to Afotey's group's rehearsal. To mix it up, I had an egg in bread for dinner. And went to the Coming spot for a Malta. Malta is not something I ever need to drink again, I've decided.
Today, I blew off the early lesson - even though I had been going through the material after my lessons and writing it down and stuff, I hadn't really had the time to internalise it properly. I need more time. Drumming in Ghana is hectic when people turn up!
So, right now, I am waiting for Theofo to come for today's lesson, after which I have another with Afotey. I am going to do some practice now while I'm waiting, just thought I'd update y'all.
So, everything's ok, albeit busy as hell.
Cheeregards.
Jacob
Tuesday I had a lesson at 7.30 with Theofo then spent some time going over the lesson and practicing while he was at rehearsal. Then, some hours later, he came back and we had another lesson, which I had to go over. Then I had a lesson with Afotey. I think for dinner I had fried rice.
So, this day was significantly more successful than the previous.
On Wednesday, Kusun don't rehearse, so I asked Theofo to come at 9 rather than 7.30. Apart from being lazy, this was because I hadn't had a chance to go over (involving transferring the video from the DV tape to the computer, writing down all the new material and practicing) Afotey's lesson from the day before. As such, I did this before my lesson at 9. Then I had my lesson, then we got some wakye (pron. Wah-che) for breakfast/lunch. Again, Theofo went off for a while then came back for another lesson after I'd been through the stuff. Then I went to Afotey's group's rehearsal. To mix it up, I had an egg in bread for dinner. And went to the Coming spot for a Malta. Malta is not something I ever need to drink again, I've decided.
Today, I blew off the early lesson - even though I had been going through the material after my lessons and writing it down and stuff, I hadn't really had the time to internalise it properly. I need more time. Drumming in Ghana is hectic when people turn up!
So, right now, I am waiting for Theofo to come for today's lesson, after which I have another with Afotey. I am going to do some practice now while I'm waiting, just thought I'd update y'all.
So, everything's ok, albeit busy as hell.
Cheeregards.
Jacob
Monday, November 10, 2008
FTW (For The Weekend)
Hi.
I have a headache. Like, a real one.
On Saturday I had some lessons with Theofo and did some practice. Sunday, Theofo and I went back to the fetish ceremony from Thursday. From this I have a bit more video:
(For those of you who don't know him, Theofo is the guy drumming in the middle for the first 4 minutes or so of this video [with the blue drum]. He's pretty darn good.)
So, that was Sunday. I didn't go running - I was feeling crook. Next week. I promise.
Today (Monday) started well - Theofo came around at 7.30 for a lesson, which was good. After that, he went to rehearse with Kusun. I am sitting out of the Kusun rehearsals for a while as I haven't felt like I've been getting enough done there - instead, I am trying to spend the time going over my lessons and practicing.
So, Monday started pretty well. From there on in, however, the day rapidly detoriated.
Well, not rapidly... Rather, it deteriorated slowly, painfully and with a lot of waiting.
After Kusun's rehearsal I was meant to have another lesson with Theofo. He ended up getting caught up doing something else. As such, I waited.
This was more frustrating than the following sentence would suggest, mostly because I would call him (or receive a call from him on a borrowed phone) every 30 minutes or so and he'd tell me he was finished and on his way. Also mostly, it was frustrating because I couldn't really do anything else or concentrate because I was expecting him to turn up at any minute. In the end, I waited from 11.30 until 4, when I left to go to Afotey's rehearsal.
When I got to their training ground (at about 4), no-one was there. They'd travelled and played at a funeral (the one for the dancer in Afotey's group) on the weekend, so I had suspected that rehearsal wouldn't be happening, even though Afotey said on Thursday that it would.
Just to check, I called Afotey. To my surprise and despite all evidence to the contrary, he informed me that they were rehearsing.
So I waited.
After another 40 mins there was still no-one there. Additionally, some nasty-looking clouds had rumbled in. I decided to stop waiting and get home as quickly as possible - it was about to rain. Heavily.
In true Ghanaian style, as I was heading home I ran into some of the dancers who were going to rehearsal. It seems that, after the rain clouds showed up, rehearsal was on. I, however, not too thrilled about being caught in the impending rain, kept going.
To cut it short, this story ends with me being drenched in the downpour on my way home. In about 5 seconds I was soaked. I just kept walking home (20 minutes in pouring rain. Poor me).
In a dramatic epilogue, although you probably feel really sorry for me and perhaps are crying into your keyboards (as well you should), it was actually quite nice getting soaked. I mean, it was cold and all, but I figured I may as well embrace the discomfort and just take it easy getting home.
I let all my frustration and anxiety wash from my body in a muddy stream, forming a rancid, mosquito-infested puddle at my feet.
Delicious.
All in all, another day in Ghana - Theofo is coming again at 7.30 tomorrow morning. We'll try again.
Bye.
I have a headache. Like, a real one.
On Saturday I had some lessons with Theofo and did some practice. Sunday, Theofo and I went back to the fetish ceremony from Thursday. From this I have a bit more video:
(For those of you who don't know him, Theofo is the guy drumming in the middle for the first 4 minutes or so of this video [with the blue drum]. He's pretty darn good.)
So, that was Sunday. I didn't go running - I was feeling crook. Next week. I promise.
Today (Monday) started well - Theofo came around at 7.30 for a lesson, which was good. After that, he went to rehearse with Kusun. I am sitting out of the Kusun rehearsals for a while as I haven't felt like I've been getting enough done there - instead, I am trying to spend the time going over my lessons and practicing.
So, Monday started pretty well. From there on in, however, the day rapidly detoriated.
Well, not rapidly... Rather, it deteriorated slowly, painfully and with a lot of waiting.
After Kusun's rehearsal I was meant to have another lesson with Theofo. He ended up getting caught up doing something else. As such, I waited.
This was more frustrating than the following sentence would suggest, mostly because I would call him (or receive a call from him on a borrowed phone) every 30 minutes or so and he'd tell me he was finished and on his way. Also mostly, it was frustrating because I couldn't really do anything else or concentrate because I was expecting him to turn up at any minute. In the end, I waited from 11.30 until 4, when I left to go to Afotey's rehearsal.
When I got to their training ground (at about 4), no-one was there. They'd travelled and played at a funeral (the one for the dancer in Afotey's group) on the weekend, so I had suspected that rehearsal wouldn't be happening, even though Afotey said on Thursday that it would.
Just to check, I called Afotey. To my surprise and despite all evidence to the contrary, he informed me that they were rehearsing.
So I waited.
After another 40 mins there was still no-one there. Additionally, some nasty-looking clouds had rumbled in. I decided to stop waiting and get home as quickly as possible - it was about to rain. Heavily.
In true Ghanaian style, as I was heading home I ran into some of the dancers who were going to rehearsal. It seems that, after the rain clouds showed up, rehearsal was on. I, however, not too thrilled about being caught in the impending rain, kept going.
To cut it short, this story ends with me being drenched in the downpour on my way home. In about 5 seconds I was soaked. I just kept walking home (20 minutes in pouring rain. Poor me).
In a dramatic epilogue, although you probably feel really sorry for me and perhaps are crying into your keyboards (as well you should), it was actually quite nice getting soaked. I mean, it was cold and all, but I figured I may as well embrace the discomfort and just take it easy getting home.
I let all my frustration and anxiety wash from my body in a muddy stream, forming a rancid, mosquito-infested puddle at my feet.
Delicious.
All in all, another day in Ghana - Theofo is coming again at 7.30 tomorrow morning. We'll try again.
Bye.
Saturday, November 8, 2008
And here's some more GREAT African music
This is Awilo Longomba from Côte d'Ivoire The Democratic Republic of the Congo. You love it. The guitar sound is sick. It makes me jiggle.
Bye.
Bye.
Here's some more video for YOU.
Yo.
I have uploaded some video of the fetish ceremony I went to on Thursday with Theofo. I am learning these rhythms. They are complicated.
You work it out.
To see the video, you can go here (or, as always, the link in the right-hand column).
Also, I'm working on a song titled 'Manowar go to Ghana'. If you listen to my earlier, similarly-titled song and go here, you may be able to guess vaguely what it will involve.
Watch out. Power and might are on their way, direct from the kingdom of steel.
Today was Saturday. I had a couple of lessons with Theofo, waited for Otu to show up for a lesson (he didn't, unfortunately) and that's about it.
I repeat, that's about it.
UPDATE: The above link now works - it seems if I don't include the 'http://' in a link it tries to link to a site within my own blog. Fine. Fixed now.
Goodbye.
By Jacob.
I have uploaded some video of the fetish ceremony I went to on Thursday with Theofo. I am learning these rhythms. They are complicated.
You work it out.
To see the video, you can go here (or, as always, the link in the right-hand column).
Also, I'm working on a song titled 'Manowar go to Ghana'. If you listen to my earlier, similarly-titled song and go here, you may be able to guess vaguely what it will involve.
Watch out. Power and might are on their way, direct from the kingdom of steel.
Today was Saturday. I had a couple of lessons with Theofo, waited for Otu to show up for a lesson (he didn't, unfortunately) and that's about it.
I repeat, that's about it.
UPDATE: The above link now works - it seems if I don't include the 'http://' in a link it tries to link to a site within my own blog. Fine. Fixed now.
Goodbye.
By Jacob.
Friday, November 7, 2008
The Internet Strikes BACK™.
Hello.
Regarding my earlier post about our naughty government trying to break the internet, there is a site dedicated to voicing concern about this problem. You can get to it by clicking on the button over there on the right. It gives you information about why it's a problem and provides you with several ways to contact people about it. At the very least, you can sign a petition.
Thanks.
Also, thank you to those who have commented or emailed since my last post (except for Scout. I don't care about Scout). Keep it up. Or else you will be got.
Thanks.
Sayonara.
Regarding my earlier post about our naughty government trying to break the internet, there is a site dedicated to voicing concern about this problem. You can get to it by clicking on the button over there on the right. It gives you information about why it's a problem and provides you with several ways to contact people about it. At the very least, you can sign a petition.
Thanks.
Also, thank you to those who have commented or emailed since my last post (except for Scout. I don't care about Scout). Keep it up. Or else you will be got.
Thanks.
Sayonara.
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Ghana is ok.
This post is going to be short but packed with wonder.
Today I paticipated in a somewhat lukewarm rehearsal with Kusun. Then I had a lesson with Afotey (which was really good, as always). Then Theofo, Otu and I had some lunch. Then Theofo and I went to a fetish ceremony in Labadi. The drumming was great. I was able to take some video - I will upload some sometime.
Afterwards, we went to Theofo's mother's house (in Labadi) to wait for the traffic to quieten down. She fed us and was lovely. We sat there quietly eating and just chillin' in the hood. It was great.
Thus, although this morning was suboptimal, I had a good end to the day.
This is fortunate - the last week or so Ghana has been giving me the shits - it's hard to get things done, people have been especially flaky, unreliable and asking-for-money-ey, no-one comments on my blog and it's been really freakin' hot. This evening has restored my level of enjoyment.
We'll see how we go tomorrow.
Cheers.
How are you?
Today I paticipated in a somewhat lukewarm rehearsal with Kusun. Then I had a lesson with Afotey (which was really good, as always). Then Theofo, Otu and I had some lunch. Then Theofo and I went to a fetish ceremony in Labadi. The drumming was great. I was able to take some video - I will upload some sometime.
Afterwards, we went to Theofo's mother's house (in Labadi) to wait for the traffic to quieten down. She fed us and was lovely. We sat there quietly eating and just chillin' in the hood. It was great.
Thus, although this morning was suboptimal, I had a good end to the day.
This is fortunate - the last week or so Ghana has been giving me the shits - it's hard to get things done, people have been especially flaky, unreliable and asking-for-money-ey, no-one comments on my blog and it's been really freakin' hot. This evening has restored my level of enjoyment.
We'll see how we go tomorrow.
Cheers.
How are you?
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
The Mo stays.
Thanks to the hundreds of thousands of you who voted on my poll. It took me hours to count all the votes and 54% (6) of you think that it's ok for me to just leave the mo as is.
Which I guess means that you will donate anyway.
So do it.
America, hey?
Not much newsworthy has happened. I've done another song called "Yngwie Goes to Ghana".
Yes, it's what it sounds like. It's roughly thrown together, but you will love the POWER of it anyway.
Listen to it over on the right.
No one comments anymore. I think you should. It would make me less lonely and hopeless.
Come on, send some love.
Have a love-sending time.
Which I guess means that you will donate anyway.
So do it.
America, hey?
Not much newsworthy has happened. I've done another song called "Yngwie Goes to Ghana".
Yes, it's what it sounds like. It's roughly thrown together, but you will love the POWER of it anyway.
Listen to it over on the right.
No one comments anymore. I think you should. It would make me less lonely and hopeless.
Come on, send some love.
Have a love-sending time.
Monday, November 3, 2008
Today it rained.
So I wrote another song. Called Raining. Because it was raining.
It started with me recording the rain, then just playing about. Then doing wicked electric piano solos over the top (just like Chick Corea).
Please listen to it in the player up on the rop right. I haven't posted it on the other website (the one with all my photos and stuff) but will shortly.
I had fried rice again.
Thanks very much.
Have a dry time.
It started with me recording the rain, then just playing about. Then doing wicked electric piano solos over the top (just like Chick Corea).
Please listen to it in the player up on the rop right. I haven't posted it on the other website (the one with all my photos and stuff) but will shortly.
I had fried rice again.
Thanks very much.
Have a dry time.
Sunday, November 2, 2008
The 'What I did today' post for today.
Today, I went running again. At 5.00 again.
Unfortunately for me, I also didn't sleep much last night. Again. And my hip hurts....
No, really, running was fine.
Sure it was.
Anyhoots, after spending the remainder of my morning zombie-ing around and feeling sorry for myself, I went out to lunch with my mother's friend Thomas, a teacher. This was nice - we drove to Tema to a chop bar. The food was really good (even though I wasn't that hungry - I'd had wakye for late breakfast). So I spent an hour or so with him and his wife, then came back home.
From then on, the day wasted away. It was the sabbath, so that means bumming around for a day is ok.
Tetteh and I watched Kung Fu Panda and 10,000 BC. Kung Fu Panda was surprisingly good. I was entertained and may have even giggled once or twice. 10,000 BC was... well... it felt like it should have been awesome but, really, I was underwhelmed.
Thus ends my review for this holy day.
This cinema thing is becoming a bit of a habit. I need to be careful though as I am running out of movies. Luckily, Ghanaians like Willow so much that I think they would watch it at least another 103 times without complaint (it is pretty good though. If you haven't seen it, do so. I command it. Val Kilmer is such a good actor).
Additionally, I looked up a heap of music (see my earlier post for the tip of the iceberg) and tried to burn some DVDs for Theofo. It was a no-drumming day.
Kusun start rehearsing again tomorrow so I will be drumming properly all day again. I also have a lesson and a rehearsal with Afotey's group, so I think I'll be ok for drumming tomorrow.
That's about all. Anyone there got any more interesting Sabbath adventures?
Comment and Follow and Vote and Read and Love and Listen and Wash.
Yes, wash. Please wash.
Cheerio.
Unfortunately for me, I also didn't sleep much last night. Again. And my hip hurts....
No, really, running was fine.
Sure it was.
Anyhoots, after spending the remainder of my morning zombie-ing around and feeling sorry for myself, I went out to lunch with my mother's friend Thomas, a teacher. This was nice - we drove to Tema to a chop bar. The food was really good (even though I wasn't that hungry - I'd had wakye for late breakfast). So I spent an hour or so with him and his wife, then came back home.
From then on, the day wasted away. It was the sabbath, so that means bumming around for a day is ok.
Tetteh and I watched Kung Fu Panda and 10,000 BC. Kung Fu Panda was surprisingly good. I was entertained and may have even giggled once or twice. 10,000 BC was... well... it felt like it should have been awesome but, really, I was underwhelmed.
Thus ends my review for this holy day.
This cinema thing is becoming a bit of a habit. I need to be careful though as I am running out of movies. Luckily, Ghanaians like Willow so much that I think they would watch it at least another 103 times without complaint (it is pretty good though. If you haven't seen it, do so. I command it. Val Kilmer is such a good actor).
Additionally, I looked up a heap of music (see my earlier post for the tip of the iceberg) and tried to burn some DVDs for Theofo. It was a no-drumming day.
Kusun start rehearsing again tomorrow so I will be drumming properly all day again. I also have a lesson and a rehearsal with Afotey's group, so I think I'll be ok for drumming tomorrow.
That's about all. Anyone there got any more interesting Sabbath adventures?
Comment and Follow and Vote and Read and Love and Listen and Wash.
Yes, wash. Please wash.
Cheerio.
I am a detective.
After doing some sleuthing, I found out the name of the song I talked about previously (Tetteh told me). Its name is Africa Money and the artist is Sidney feat. Morris Babyface. You love it. Apparently it's about 'the master' having lots of money while everyone else is poor.
True.
Here's the video clip. You should definitely watch it.
[UPDATE: Go here for some more info about the meaning of the song and a link to the lyrics.]
Also, here's another song which is great:
It's called Alhaji [Ey Alhaji] by Tha' Donet.
Listen. Enjoy.
Also, don't forget to vote. In my poll regarding Movember.
By the way, WHO said I should get rid of my mo?
You are in big trouble.
Bye.
True.
Here's the video clip. You should definitely watch it.
[UPDATE: Go here for some more info about the meaning of the song and a link to the lyrics.]
Also, here's another song which is great:
It's called Alhaji [Ey Alhaji] by Tha' Donet.
Listen. Enjoy.
Also, don't forget to vote. In my poll regarding Movember.
By the way, WHO said I should get rid of my mo?
You are in big trouble.
Bye.
Saturday, November 1, 2008
Today I did squat.
Not an actual squat, rather, I did not much at all.
I was in a grumpy mood today, so spent most of it in my room.
I watched Goldeneye, The Thin Red Line and National Treasure: Book of Secrets.
Goldeneye was tacky but enjoyable. Thin Red Line was great but disturbing and odd. National Treasure was a tour de France.
And that's my movie review for today.
In addition to broadening my mind with movies, I did a bit of drumming practice and writing things out.
And that's about it.
Read all my other posts, they're much more interesting.
Heal the World.
I was in a grumpy mood today, so spent most of it in my room.
I watched Goldeneye, The Thin Red Line and National Treasure: Book of Secrets.
Goldeneye was tacky but enjoyable. Thin Red Line was great but disturbing and odd. National Treasure was a tour de France.
And that's my movie review for today.
In addition to broadening my mind with movies, I did a bit of drumming practice and writing things out.
And that's about it.
Read all my other posts, they're much more interesting.
Heal the World.
Friday, October 31, 2008
Movember
--- Begin Suggested Movember Donation Email Wording ---
So, this whole thing. I figure that, since I'm in the mo business anyway, I may as well try to assist in raising money for good causes.
However, as you all know and care, I have already been growing a mo (for about a month). As such, the question I put to you is this: do I need to completely shave off my current mo and start again (I don't really want to do this)? Alternatively, I could just trim it back to fuzzy caterpiller status and sort-of 'begin' again? OR, I could just figure that I got into Movember a month early and can just continue with my mo-ness the way it is.
As such, because I can, I have created a POLL just up there at the top of this page. This means that YOU decide. It finishes at midnight in 4 days' time. Also, feel free to comment. I will give your opinions very careful consideration.
And, of course, donate.
Cheers,
Jacob
Hi All,
During Movember (the month formerly known as November) I'm growing a Mo. That's right I'm bringing the Mo back because I'm passionate about tackling men's health issues and being proactive in the fight against men's depression and prostate cancer.
To donate to my Mo you can either:
- Click this link https://www.movember.com/au/donate/donate-details.php?action=sponsorlink®o=1768336&country=au and donate online using your credit card or PayPal account, or
- Write a cheque payable to ‘Movember Foundation', referencing my Registration Number 1768336 and mailing it to:
Movember Foundation
PO Box 292
Prahran VIC 3181
Remember, all donations over $2 are tax deductible.
The money raised by Movember is used to raise awareness of men's health issues and donated to the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia and beyondblue - the national depression initiative. The PCFA and beyondblue will use the funds to fund research and increase support networks for those men who suffer from prostate cancer and depression.
Did you know:
- Depression affects 1 in 6 men....most don't seek help. Untreated depression is a leading risk factor for suicide.
- Last year in Australia 18,700 men were diagnosed with prostate cancer and more than 2,900 died of prostate cancer - equivalent to the number of women who will die from breast cancer annually.
So, this whole thing. I figure that, since I'm in the mo business anyway, I may as well try to assist in raising money for good causes.
However, as you all know and care, I have already been growing a mo (for about a month). As such, the question I put to you is this: do I need to completely shave off my current mo and start again (I don't really want to do this)? Alternatively, I could just trim it back to fuzzy caterpiller status and sort-of 'begin' again? OR, I could just figure that I got into Movember a month early and can just continue with my mo-ness the way it is.
As such, because I can, I have created a POLL just up there at the top of this page. This means that YOU decide. It finishes at midnight in 4 days' time. Also, feel free to comment. I will give your opinions very careful consideration.
And, of course, donate.
Cheers,
Jacob
I am using my power for personal gain.
Which is what power's all about, no?
It rained last night. REALLY heavily. Like, the heaviest rain I have ever experienced - like being under a fire hose.
Kinda wet.
More importantly, if you click on this link and sign up to Mozy I will get extra online backup storage. If you can be bothered, please do it.
For your information, Mozy is a free (or paid, for more space) service whereby it enables you to backup your important files to the net. This means that if your house burns down and your computer and all files and backups are destroyed, you still have an offsite back-up (2GB free) of your most important files. I recommend it - it's free and totally could save you if something bad happens. Additionally, if you don't have any backup solution at the moment, this is better than nothing, easy and free! Alternatively, if you wanted to back up your whole photo library or something, you can pay a monthly fee for more storage space.
It's a good idea. Please do it.
[UPDATE: Apparently, I get my free space (and you too) when you actually use Mozy to make a back up, and not before. As such, I encourage you all to use it, not just sign up...
Really, you should use something like this anyway if you don't currently back up - hard drives die and your data will disappear with them. Thanks. Sweet dreams.]
On another note, I have added one of my favourite songs that I've heard in Ghana to the music player over on the right. I'm not even sure of the song's name or artist. Listen to it. I am putting it up there for purely educational reasons, if anyone likes it I will find out who it is and buy their CD (I hope to do so for myself).
No worries.
Bye.
It rained last night. REALLY heavily. Like, the heaviest rain I have ever experienced - like being under a fire hose.
Kinda wet.
More importantly, if you click on this link and sign up to Mozy I will get extra online backup storage. If you can be bothered, please do it.
For your information, Mozy is a free (or paid, for more space) service whereby it enables you to backup your important files to the net. This means that if your house burns down and your computer and all files and backups are destroyed, you still have an offsite back-up (2GB free) of your most important files. I recommend it - it's free and totally could save you if something bad happens. Additionally, if you don't have any backup solution at the moment, this is better than nothing, easy and free! Alternatively, if you wanted to back up your whole photo library or something, you can pay a monthly fee for more storage space.
It's a good idea. Please do it.
[UPDATE: Apparently, I get my free space (and you too) when you actually use Mozy to make a back up, and not before. As such, I encourage you all to use it, not just sign up...
Really, you should use something like this anyway if you don't currently back up - hard drives die and your data will disappear with them. Thanks. Sweet dreams.]
On another note, I have added one of my favourite songs that I've heard in Ghana to the music player over on the right. I'm not even sure of the song's name or artist. Listen to it. I am putting it up there for purely educational reasons, if anyone likes it I will find out who it is and buy their CD (I hope to do so for myself).
No worries.
Bye.
Thursday, October 30, 2008
It was hot today.
Like, really hooootttt. And humid. I was as sweaty as a sweaty alligator.
Anyway, to the important news:
I have added some music over there on the right. This is my music. You can listen to it while you read. You can download it. You will love it. I will try to keep writing a few little doodley things and putting them there.
Additionally, I played around on Google Maps and annotated a little map that shows you where I am. You can see where I live, where Kusun train, where Afotey trains and other such lovelyness. The link is over on the right under 'About Me', or you can click here.
Have fundybungles.
By Jacob
Anyway, to the important news:
I have added some music over there on the right. This is my music. You can listen to it while you read. You can download it. You will love it. I will try to keep writing a few little doodley things and putting them there.
Additionally, I played around on Google Maps and annotated a little map that shows you where I am. You can see where I live, where Kusun train, where Afotey trains and other such lovelyness. The link is over on the right under 'About Me', or you can click here.
Have fundybungles.
By Jacob
The Australian Government is trying to break the internet.
Basically, they are trying to implement a 'child porn' filter on the Australian internet pipeline. While this sounds like a noble idea (think of the children), it is evil and scary. And Bad.
While in the short term this filter will probably only make browsing a little bit slower (which is Bad anyway), its long-term ramifications are worrying. The government is effectively putting in place a means by which to censor all internet traffic into Australia. In short, they want to break what makes the internet the internet - a means for people like me to write waffle like this.
Now, I'm sure they will deny this up and down and, truthfully, they may not even have any such totalitarian plans. However, they are laying the groundwork for some scary stuff later on, should someone Bad get their filthy hands on it.
I think if any of you know what I'm talking about or agree with me, you should contact Stephen Conroy or your MP and tell them 'No.' Just like you would a puppy dog.
Please read about it at my headstrong young friend's blog here.
Aaaaand in The Age, here.
Also, read Senator Conroy's press release here.
Thanks.
While in the short term this filter will probably only make browsing a little bit slower (which is Bad anyway), its long-term ramifications are worrying. The government is effectively putting in place a means by which to censor all internet traffic into Australia. In short, they want to break what makes the internet the internet - a means for people like me to write waffle like this.
Now, I'm sure they will deny this up and down and, truthfully, they may not even have any such totalitarian plans. However, they are laying the groundwork for some scary stuff later on, should someone Bad get their filthy hands on it.
I think if any of you know what I'm talking about or agree with me, you should contact Stephen Conroy or your MP and tell them 'No.' Just like you would a puppy dog.
Please read about it at my headstrong young friend's blog here.
Aaaaand in The Age, here.
Also, read Senator Conroy's press release here.
Thanks.
Oh yeah, I did another song.
Yo.
I just remembered that a couple of weeks ago, when the internet was down, I did another song.
You should totally listen to it here.
And download it.
And give it to your friend at the radio station.
And get them to play it on the national airwaves.
And then pay me lots of royalty money.
I also took some photos, here.
That's all.
I just remembered that a couple of weeks ago, when the internet was down, I did another song.
You should totally listen to it here.
And download it.
And give it to your friend at the radio station.
And get them to play it on the national airwaves.
And then pay me lots of royalty money.
I also took some photos, here.
That's all.
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
I was a commando for a day
Salutations.
Apologies once again for the delay between posts - the internet and power have been not working again. Bad luck for you.
The last couple of days:
Monday, I finished all the shipping business. Everything is now packed, all fits and is ready to go. It is now out of my hands. Thanks to those of you who have expressed concern for my mental health due to this organising - I was stressed as a gnome earlier but now that it's all done, I have relaxed a bit. Once again, it's now out of my hands.
Thanks be to the tiny baby Jesus.
On Monday night I finally managed to get to Afotey's rehearsal, which was good. It was nice to do some drumming for a change.
On Tuesday, Kusun didn't rehearse - apparently they have this week off. So, after having a phone chat with Mr Ray the other night, I'm planning to just have some daily playing sessions, where I can just practice my stamina and chops, instead of the rehearsals. Yeah!
So, instead of rehearsing, I hung around and organised some things - got some video transferred to the computer and generally did academic sort of work. I washed some underwear. At 4 I had a lesson with Afotey.
Ove the last couple of weeks, it has been getting easier and easier to get distracted and not spend time drumming. I am attempting to put a stop to this.
In order to do that, I have to finish here.
Bye.
Apologies once again for the delay between posts - the internet and power have been not working again. Bad luck for you.
The last couple of days:
Monday, I finished all the shipping business. Everything is now packed, all fits and is ready to go. It is now out of my hands. Thanks to those of you who have expressed concern for my mental health due to this organising - I was stressed as a gnome earlier but now that it's all done, I have relaxed a bit. Once again, it's now out of my hands.
Thanks be to the tiny baby Jesus.
On Monday night I finally managed to get to Afotey's rehearsal, which was good. It was nice to do some drumming for a change.
On Tuesday, Kusun didn't rehearse - apparently they have this week off. So, after having a phone chat with Mr Ray the other night, I'm planning to just have some daily playing sessions, where I can just practice my stamina and chops, instead of the rehearsals. Yeah!
So, instead of rehearsing, I hung around and organised some things - got some video transferred to the computer and generally did academic sort of work. I washed some underwear. At 4 I had a lesson with Afotey.
Ove the last couple of weeks, it has been getting easier and easier to get distracted and not spend time drumming. I am attempting to put a stop to this.
In order to do that, I have to finish here.
Bye.
Sunday, October 26, 2008
A Post from the Holy Day.
Today is Sunday.
It has been a day of FAILURE.
I didn't go running in the morning - I barely slept last night and was still awake at 5 when I was supposed to get up to go. I took a raincheck and tried to get some sleep. I did sleep, until 9 or so.
FAIL!
Not much happened from then on. I hung around, had some toast, had a lesson with Mr Lokko... and that's about it.
FAIL!
Later, after dinner, I went to an NDC (National Democratic Congress) meeting - the NPP (New Patriotic Party) is the corrupt right-wing government currently in power and the NDC are the left-wing hopefuls. There is an election on December 7th. The current government is one of those that feature in any discussion of African politics, with the President receiving millions of dollars in kickbacks, regular power outages (because the electricity is being sold to other countries) and the president apparently "can't close his fly". Alongside this corruption and bribery, the majority of the population is impoverished. Indeed, because the government has so much money, there is a very one-sided representation in the political advertising arena and hundreds of Ghanaians have been paid 10GHS (a significant amount for people who have nothing and virtually nothing to a government with everything) to wear propaganda t-shirts. Additionally, the government still has the capability and resources to bribe police into switching ballot boxes with rigged papers. Fun eh? So, the NDC's situation is interesting to say the least - the NPP government is sucking the country dry and there seems a desperate need for change (sound like any other countries?). The NDC then is very involved in trying to be vigilant and ensuring that no shifty business takes place.
That said, most of the meeting was in another language. I just sat there.
FAIL!
I think I will try and vote on December 7, see what happens...
(I will most likely get turned away [and so I should]... FAIL!)
[As the first independent African nation, Ghana has a very interesting political history. If you're interested, (and it is interesting, though long) go here. Also (shorter), Jerry John Rawlings, the Flight Lieutenant who staged a coup, gave power back to the people, formed the NDC and really is to credit for Ghana's unity and political success, can be read about here. Alongside that, if you haven't already, Wikipedia has information about Ghana here (don't you care about where I am at all?). FAIL!]
Finally, my last failure for the night.
We went to Mr Ricky Nana's house. His daughter was being tutored in basic algebra. Tettey knows that I'm doing math at university and asked me to solve one of the problems on the board (solving linear equations with fractions). I blanked out and couldn't do it. Even though I am doing math as a major and am quite good (albeit lazy) at it, I couldn't do something from year 8.
Oh the pain.
I shall cry myself to sleep tonight.
Also, I am trying to learn French.
Au Revoir.
It has been a day of FAILURE.
I didn't go running in the morning - I barely slept last night and was still awake at 5 when I was supposed to get up to go. I took a raincheck and tried to get some sleep. I did sleep, until 9 or so.
FAIL!
Not much happened from then on. I hung around, had some toast, had a lesson with Mr Lokko... and that's about it.
FAIL!
Later, after dinner, I went to an NDC (National Democratic Congress) meeting - the NPP (New Patriotic Party) is the corrupt right-wing government currently in power and the NDC are the left-wing hopefuls. There is an election on December 7th. The current government is one of those that feature in any discussion of African politics, with the President receiving millions of dollars in kickbacks, regular power outages (because the electricity is being sold to other countries) and the president apparently "can't close his fly". Alongside this corruption and bribery, the majority of the population is impoverished. Indeed, because the government has so much money, there is a very one-sided representation in the political advertising arena and hundreds of Ghanaians have been paid 10GHS (a significant amount for people who have nothing and virtually nothing to a government with everything) to wear propaganda t-shirts. Additionally, the government still has the capability and resources to bribe police into switching ballot boxes with rigged papers. Fun eh? So, the NDC's situation is interesting to say the least - the NPP government is sucking the country dry and there seems a desperate need for change (sound like any other countries?). The NDC then is very involved in trying to be vigilant and ensuring that no shifty business takes place.
That said, most of the meeting was in another language. I just sat there.
FAIL!
I think I will try and vote on December 7, see what happens...
(I will most likely get turned away [and so I should]... FAIL!)
[As the first independent African nation, Ghana has a very interesting political history. If you're interested, (and it is interesting, though long) go here. Also (shorter), Jerry John Rawlings, the Flight Lieutenant who staged a coup, gave power back to the people, formed the NDC and really is to credit for Ghana's unity and political success, can be read about here. Alongside that, if you haven't already, Wikipedia has information about Ghana here (don't you care about where I am at all?). FAIL!]
Finally, my last failure for the night.
We went to Mr Ricky Nana's house. His daughter was being tutored in basic algebra. Tettey knows that I'm doing math at university and asked me to solve one of the problems on the board (solving linear equations with fractions). I blanked out and couldn't do it. Even though I am doing math as a major and am quite good (albeit lazy) at it, I couldn't do something from year 8.
Oh the pain.
I shall cry myself to sleep tonight.
Also, I am trying to learn French.
Au Revoir.
Saturday, October 25, 2008
The silence brakes.
Hello.
By 'brakes', I mean 'stops', or 'ends'... or even 'breaks'.
It's been a while. The internet has been down here. It's working again now. So I am writing this.
What's happened:
Monday 13th Oct and Tuesday 14th Oct:
Do you really expect me to remember back that far? I think what happened was, I rehearsed with Kusun, had a lesson each day with Mr Lokko and went to Afotey's group for a rehearsal on Monday and a lesson on Tuesday. Pretty standard fare. (As a bit of a spoiler, the same thing happens on the following Monday and Tuesday - you heard it here first).
As a guess, I probably had fried rice for dinner.
Wednesday 15th Oct:
Kusun now don't rehearse on Wednesday's as the place at which they train is used by some church group (because Wednesday is the holiest of days). Thus, on this Wednesday I didn't train. Additionally, Mr Lokko wasn't around so I didn't have a lesson. What I did was go into Accra with Jane and Okuley. We wandered about for a bit, got some (good) food and went to Okuley's house. It was hot. I fell asleep on his couch for two hours or so. Then I realised that I was missing Afotey's rehearsal, so I called him and apologised. That was bad. Then I went to a western supermarket in Osu and bought chocolate hazelnut spread. And a Kellogs variety pack. And some hot dogs in a can. And Milo in a can. All very necessary items. I haven't eaten the hot dogs yet, I'm saving them for when I really need them.
Thursday 16th Oct:
Today I also didn't rehearse with Kusun as Nii Noi and I went into town to post some drums to Eve (one of the peoples on the tour. Hello Eve) in Swaziland and then go to the Fetish market to buy some bells and shakers. Posting was fun. Well, not in the usual sense of the word, but fun in a way that refers to hanging around getting bored and frustrated while waiting for people to do things inefficiently. The Fetish market is always interesting - if you want a dried alligator head, any bones, 'voodoo dolls', human arms, etc., this is the place. I got some bells and a shaker. That was nice. It was really hot. Actually, I would like to mention that it has started to get hot here. In the last two weeks or so, it's warmed up and gotten very humid. So, yeah. I guess I should've expected that in Africa, but it's still freakin' hot.
Friday 17th Oct:
I can't really remember what I did this day apart from the fact that I didn't do any drumming. That makes a couple of days in a row. In reality, I was busy and also a bit overloaded so was in need of a break. Surely I did something wonderful (like kill a buffalo) on Friday, but I just don't know what.
Saturday 18th Oct:
Today I got organised (ie., paid lots of money) to get a crate made to ship some people's drums back to Australia (I remember what a large part of Saturday was - organising and finding out about getting this crate made and other shipping-related matters (I was waiting for several weeks to find out from the agent what the dimensions of the crate would need to be before getting it built. As you'll read later, after finding this out [after weeks and weeks of not hearing anything and actually thinking I was waiting for a quote, not for things to be put in motion] I had about 3 days to get everything packed and ready to go. Fun fun fun). Apart from that, I hung around. Yes indeed, I hung very much. I have a feeling I did a lot of washing as well. Yeah, I think I did. Darned interesting.
Sunday 19th Oct:
I did the silly running thing again. At 5.00. We actually ran faster this week than last week and I hadn't had very much sleep, so it felt a lot harder. Nicely though, it wasn't raining this time. After getting back from my awesome run at about 7.30, I made some eggs for breakfast. I think I am establishing a Sunday routine. Other stuff went on, but I either don't remember or don't want to tell you. Actually, I just don't remember.
Monday 20th Oct and Tuesday 21st Oct:
As suggested earlier, my schedule on these two days was very similar to last week. Fortunately, I did some drumming again after my little break. The stuff I am learning with Afotey is good and interesting, likewise what Mr Lokko is teaching me. I also managed to have another lesson with Otu on the Monday. I also found out some more information about the shipping and, by the end of Tuesday, the crate was made. Once this was done, I packed every one's drums into the crate to make sure they'd fit. They fit easily with some extra room, which meant that I would have to get more things to fill it up.
The good news though, is that my legs didn't hurt from running - last time they hurt like hell for about 5 days. I am becoming an iron man.
From memory, I'm pretty sure I would have had fried rice for dinner.
Wednesday 22 Oct:
Like last Wednesday, there was no drumming today. I did some running around to get kpanlogo pegs (to replace broken ones) and bought another drum. Also, the plan was that I would go into the Fetish market again with Theofo to get some more shakers and then meet someone who had some djembe shells for me to look at and buy. However, I ended up waiting for Theofo for hours and by the time we got to Accra, he decided that it would be too late to go to the market. So, cutting my losses, I figured we'd at least catch up with this djembe shell guy. Unfortunately, a phone call determined that he was still in Kokrobite (2 hours or so away, where he was when I called him earlier that day to check that it was ok to meet up with him) and couldn't get back until the next day. So, cutting my losses, we had some food and went home. The food was chicken with stew, not fried rice. Unfortunately, all this ineffective tomfoolery meant that I missed another of Afotey's rehearsals. Poo.
Thursday 23 Oct:
Hmmmmmmmmm. On Thursday, I got everything together for the shipping. First, we loaded all the drums onto the Kusun bus and put the empty crate on top, then drove it to where the shipping company lives. I went separately in Tettey's car and we went via the Arts Centre market. As I mentioned earlier, the extra space left in the crate meant that it would work out better if I could fill the crate - we were paying by volume in units of cubic metres. Also, since my trip to the Fetish market was unsuccessful, I was looking to pick up some shakers. So, I went to the market and after a long time of bartering, being hassled and standing in the sun, I got some djembe shells and shakers. Hoorah.
Then we went to the shipping company. The crappy thing here was that I had to pay a heap of USD (all my remaining USD - a bad move considering how the Australian dollar is completely tanking at the moment. For your information and entertainment, every time I withdraw money [Ghana cedis, GHS] from the ATM, my Australian dollars get converted to USD, which then get converted to GHS. This means that a crappy Australian dollar versus the USD means that I have much less money than I had 2 months ago. This is bad. Could someone out there stop the economy from crashing? Thanks.) as well as GHS. Right now I'm still in the middle of sorting out what exactly it is that I have paid for so am too confused to really tell too much more of a story. Needless to say, the day was long and difficult with lots of waiting interspersed with lots of running around in circles. Again, I missed the Kusun rehearsals, lesson with Mr Lokko and lesson with Afotey.
Friday 24rd Oct:
Yesterday. More running in circles concerning shipping. The idea for Friday was (as I was told on Thursday) to take the shipping address, as well as a receipt for what was in the crate (for insurance) to the shipping company and then be there when they (re-) packed the crate. I also got the impression that I was waiting for some forms from the agent. So, after waiting for him, not being able to contact him and then leaving without him, we got to the shipping company. They told me that they assumed I wasn't coming because it was 'late' and that the people packing the crate had gone off to do something else, leaving it half done.
Ghana.
I was told to come back on Monday at 8.30am. So I, kinda frustrated, turned around and went home. This day was even less useful than the others. And I missed rehearsals (Kusun and Afotey) and my lessons. Poo. Additionally, when I asked the person at the shipping company some clarifying questions, I got completely different answers from what I had got previously. This is really messing with my head - I made every possible effort the previous day and weeks to ask questions so as to determine what I was paying for and what was necessary. The answers to these questions change dramatically according to when and by whom they are given. This brings me to my mission on Saturday. I didn't get to sleep until about 3am because I was sorting out shit and working out every one's costs for the shipping (I had egg and bread and kebabs for dinner. Gotta have variety).
Saturday 25th Oct (TODAY, fools):
Today I still haven't really gotten up. I've been awake, but haven't yet emerged from my room. It's now nearly 12.00 (this has taken a long time write though). I did sleep in too due to my late night, head full of worry and total stuffed-ness.
Something I forgot to mention was that, as well as the internet not working the last couple of weeks, the power has been going off for whole days at a time (not so much in the last week thankfully, but the week before it went off for at least 4 or 5 hours a day and sometimes, when going off in the early afternoon, wouldn't come back until afternoon the next day) and we have no water. The way the water works here is that it only flows from the mains on Saturday and Sunday when tanks are filled, then we use the tanks during the week. Last weekend the water didn't flow from the mains, so we had no water all week. Thus, another reason I can't be bothered getting up is that I don't want to wash out of my buckets (which are empty anyway - I'd have to go down to the tank and get some more and I just can't be arsed). I want the pump to be pumping water to my shower. I will stamp my foot if necessary.
Did I mention that I'm in Africa? Serves me right I guess.
Well, that's it for this post. I think I made up for the silence. I think you are extremely grateful and will email and comment to that effect.
I am alive.
Bye.
By 'brakes', I mean 'stops', or 'ends'... or even 'breaks'.
It's been a while. The internet has been down here. It's working again now. So I am writing this.
What's happened:
Monday 13th Oct and Tuesday 14th Oct:
Do you really expect me to remember back that far? I think what happened was, I rehearsed with Kusun, had a lesson each day with Mr Lokko and went to Afotey's group for a rehearsal on Monday and a lesson on Tuesday. Pretty standard fare. (As a bit of a spoiler, the same thing happens on the following Monday and Tuesday - you heard it here first).
As a guess, I probably had fried rice for dinner.
Wednesday 15th Oct:
Kusun now don't rehearse on Wednesday's as the place at which they train is used by some church group (because Wednesday is the holiest of days). Thus, on this Wednesday I didn't train. Additionally, Mr Lokko wasn't around so I didn't have a lesson. What I did was go into Accra with Jane and Okuley. We wandered about for a bit, got some (good) food and went to Okuley's house. It was hot. I fell asleep on his couch for two hours or so. Then I realised that I was missing Afotey's rehearsal, so I called him and apologised. That was bad. Then I went to a western supermarket in Osu and bought chocolate hazelnut spread. And a Kellogs variety pack. And some hot dogs in a can. And Milo in a can. All very necessary items. I haven't eaten the hot dogs yet, I'm saving them for when I really need them.
Thursday 16th Oct:
Today I also didn't rehearse with Kusun as Nii Noi and I went into town to post some drums to Eve (one of the peoples on the tour. Hello Eve) in Swaziland and then go to the Fetish market to buy some bells and shakers. Posting was fun. Well, not in the usual sense of the word, but fun in a way that refers to hanging around getting bored and frustrated while waiting for people to do things inefficiently. The Fetish market is always interesting - if you want a dried alligator head, any bones, 'voodoo dolls', human arms, etc., this is the place. I got some bells and a shaker. That was nice. It was really hot. Actually, I would like to mention that it has started to get hot here. In the last two weeks or so, it's warmed up and gotten very humid. So, yeah. I guess I should've expected that in Africa, but it's still freakin' hot.
Friday 17th Oct:
I can't really remember what I did this day apart from the fact that I didn't do any drumming. That makes a couple of days in a row. In reality, I was busy and also a bit overloaded so was in need of a break. Surely I did something wonderful (like kill a buffalo) on Friday, but I just don't know what.
Saturday 18th Oct:
Today I got organised (ie., paid lots of money) to get a crate made to ship some people's drums back to Australia (I remember what a large part of Saturday was - organising and finding out about getting this crate made and other shipping-related matters (I was waiting for several weeks to find out from the agent what the dimensions of the crate would need to be before getting it built. As you'll read later, after finding this out [after weeks and weeks of not hearing anything and actually thinking I was waiting for a quote, not for things to be put in motion] I had about 3 days to get everything packed and ready to go. Fun fun fun). Apart from that, I hung around. Yes indeed, I hung very much. I have a feeling I did a lot of washing as well. Yeah, I think I did. Darned interesting.
Sunday 19th Oct:
I did the silly running thing again. At 5.00. We actually ran faster this week than last week and I hadn't had very much sleep, so it felt a lot harder. Nicely though, it wasn't raining this time. After getting back from my awesome run at about 7.30, I made some eggs for breakfast. I think I am establishing a Sunday routine. Other stuff went on, but I either don't remember or don't want to tell you. Actually, I just don't remember.
Monday 20th Oct and Tuesday 21st Oct:
As suggested earlier, my schedule on these two days was very similar to last week. Fortunately, I did some drumming again after my little break. The stuff I am learning with Afotey is good and interesting, likewise what Mr Lokko is teaching me. I also managed to have another lesson with Otu on the Monday. I also found out some more information about the shipping and, by the end of Tuesday, the crate was made. Once this was done, I packed every one's drums into the crate to make sure they'd fit. They fit easily with some extra room, which meant that I would have to get more things to fill it up.
The good news though, is that my legs didn't hurt from running - last time they hurt like hell for about 5 days. I am becoming an iron man.
From memory, I'm pretty sure I would have had fried rice for dinner.
Wednesday 22 Oct:
Like last Wednesday, there was no drumming today. I did some running around to get kpanlogo pegs (to replace broken ones) and bought another drum. Also, the plan was that I would go into the Fetish market again with Theofo to get some more shakers and then meet someone who had some djembe shells for me to look at and buy. However, I ended up waiting for Theofo for hours and by the time we got to Accra, he decided that it would be too late to go to the market. So, cutting my losses, I figured we'd at least catch up with this djembe shell guy. Unfortunately, a phone call determined that he was still in Kokrobite (2 hours or so away, where he was when I called him earlier that day to check that it was ok to meet up with him) and couldn't get back until the next day. So, cutting my losses, we had some food and went home. The food was chicken with stew, not fried rice. Unfortunately, all this ineffective tomfoolery meant that I missed another of Afotey's rehearsals. Poo.
Thursday 23 Oct:
Hmmmmmmmmm. On Thursday, I got everything together for the shipping. First, we loaded all the drums onto the Kusun bus and put the empty crate on top, then drove it to where the shipping company lives. I went separately in Tettey's car and we went via the Arts Centre market. As I mentioned earlier, the extra space left in the crate meant that it would work out better if I could fill the crate - we were paying by volume in units of cubic metres. Also, since my trip to the Fetish market was unsuccessful, I was looking to pick up some shakers. So, I went to the market and after a long time of bartering, being hassled and standing in the sun, I got some djembe shells and shakers. Hoorah.
Then we went to the shipping company. The crappy thing here was that I had to pay a heap of USD (all my remaining USD - a bad move considering how the Australian dollar is completely tanking at the moment. For your information and entertainment, every time I withdraw money [Ghana cedis, GHS] from the ATM, my Australian dollars get converted to USD, which then get converted to GHS. This means that a crappy Australian dollar versus the USD means that I have much less money than I had 2 months ago. This is bad. Could someone out there stop the economy from crashing? Thanks.) as well as GHS. Right now I'm still in the middle of sorting out what exactly it is that I have paid for so am too confused to really tell too much more of a story. Needless to say, the day was long and difficult with lots of waiting interspersed with lots of running around in circles. Again, I missed the Kusun rehearsals, lesson with Mr Lokko and lesson with Afotey.
Friday 24rd Oct:
Yesterday. More running in circles concerning shipping. The idea for Friday was (as I was told on Thursday) to take the shipping address, as well as a receipt for what was in the crate (for insurance) to the shipping company and then be there when they (re-) packed the crate. I also got the impression that I was waiting for some forms from the agent. So, after waiting for him, not being able to contact him and then leaving without him, we got to the shipping company. They told me that they assumed I wasn't coming because it was 'late' and that the people packing the crate had gone off to do something else, leaving it half done.
Ghana.
I was told to come back on Monday at 8.30am. So I, kinda frustrated, turned around and went home. This day was even less useful than the others. And I missed rehearsals (Kusun and Afotey) and my lessons. Poo. Additionally, when I asked the person at the shipping company some clarifying questions, I got completely different answers from what I had got previously. This is really messing with my head - I made every possible effort the previous day and weeks to ask questions so as to determine what I was paying for and what was necessary. The answers to these questions change dramatically according to when and by whom they are given. This brings me to my mission on Saturday. I didn't get to sleep until about 3am because I was sorting out shit and working out every one's costs for the shipping (I had egg and bread and kebabs for dinner. Gotta have variety).
Saturday 25th Oct (TODAY, fools):
Today I still haven't really gotten up. I've been awake, but haven't yet emerged from my room. It's now nearly 12.00 (this has taken a long time write though). I did sleep in too due to my late night, head full of worry and total stuffed-ness.
Something I forgot to mention was that, as well as the internet not working the last couple of weeks, the power has been going off for whole days at a time (not so much in the last week thankfully, but the week before it went off for at least 4 or 5 hours a day and sometimes, when going off in the early afternoon, wouldn't come back until afternoon the next day) and we have no water. The way the water works here is that it only flows from the mains on Saturday and Sunday when tanks are filled, then we use the tanks during the week. Last weekend the water didn't flow from the mains, so we had no water all week. Thus, another reason I can't be bothered getting up is that I don't want to wash out of my buckets (which are empty anyway - I'd have to go down to the tank and get some more and I just can't be arsed). I want the pump to be pumping water to my shower. I will stamp my foot if necessary.
Did I mention that I'm in Africa? Serves me right I guess.
Well, that's it for this post. I think I made up for the silence. I think you are extremely grateful and will email and comment to that effect.
I am alive.
Bye.
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