The Krox

iKenyans are beautiful people, yet very complicated and hard to understand. They have been known to be a working nation and also a drinking nation, though I cannot be able to tell which one comes first. Kenyans, the workers are real hustlers, hardened by the society. Its a rough world out here, and therefore, learning to fend for oneself is a must know-how skill. And that is why Kenya is a working nation. Yes, I know, most of you don't believe it, so here is another reason, the president- Kibaki, said so. So its indeed a working nation.

The drinking part,... well, that is for you to tell me, I mean, its only in Kenya where the MP's will try to legalise a brew that has been banned in the land since independence, so if that is not reason enough, You probably know one or two people living in a a 50 metre radius from you who are serious drunkards. Not the grab a beer at a pub drunkard. No, I'm talking about, getting- wasted- till you- forget- yourself  drunkard, the sleep -in- a - mud- puddle drunkard, the sing -to- the -whole-neighbourhood drunkard.

That said and done, this country has had the most peaceful referendum. I still feel it was an insult to international press, who came hungry for some 'Kenyan action" a big disappointment I should add. They might have expected what they saw in 2007, but hey, who said that Kenyans are just some cold hearted blood sucking tribalistic folks? We have some love in Us. In fact a lot of love for that matter.

In case you dint know, the referendum was to pass the all so talked about constitution ion Africa. And it passed.

So here is the new referendum. folks want the president( I inclusive) to declare tomorrow a public holiday. You may not understand, but in Kenya we love public holidays. For some reason, it unites as more as Kenyans. It unites us as a people, and also to those who don't mind a bottle, it creates a stronger drinking nation fraternity.
We also get public holidays,and we miss some opportunities to get others. For instance, had Kenya gone to the world cup, we would have had a month long holiday.(so much for the working nation)
 But that is not the main problem. Most Kenyans are happy, even those like me who voted against the proposed constitution, so how how about  a holiday MR president? I know you are happy too, plus you are the one who declared us a working nation. Just a day to support your drinking brothers wont hurt. Or , a day to praise God for the victory would also be cool.

We could even set up a referendum this moment and vote. Promise you will not be disappointed

Well, I have always considered myself artistic (of sorts). I have been involved with various forms of Art from when I was young, from singing to acting to writing. What I really havent explored that much is Art by dreawing. So I can't and come up with some beautiful pieces on canvas, granted, but on the contrary, I have a very keen eye for detail, and I appreciate beauty and art in every form.

When I was young, maybe between 8 and 13 I used to draw some really cool stuff. I even had my own comic books, which I honestly don't know where they went. I can still draw, I mean, its not all gone. I used to come up with some really creative cartoons. But somehwhere down the road, I just lost it. I realised I couldn't do the stuff i used to do anymmore. I wasn't giving it much practise and I wasn't caring either. I had a passion to try out other forms of art but I just couldnt. So I quit ( well, sort of)

But then, I realized later on that, I don't need to draw using my own hands, that computers can do the same for me. All I needed was my creativity to go along with it. I have never been happier. At first I really couldn't tell why I love graphic design so much, but I realized that it is because it fills and fulfills a part of me that I had thought dead so long ago. But he was not, He is not. Maybe one day, I'll be known for being there for art. For supporting Music, Spoken Word, Literature and art by pictures. Now that would make me most happy.

Okay, so yesterday I slept a very happy person. A lot happened you know, starting from a very personal basis. I fell in love once more. .....with photography. I saw some really inspirational photos on flickr and Ben Kiruthi's blog check it out ... any who, that's not the only thing that made me happy. I also did a desktop wall paper for my computer that I really loved.
It was inspired by my love for black. I mean, black has a lot to inspire when you think of it. or maybe now that I think of it, it was really out of love for dark colors. Okay, as I was saying, You can do so much with black and dark colors. So with this in mind, mine was to pay a tribute to the black. This is the desktop wall paper I did. you can also download it here if you want to., If you fall in love with it too.
Download it here
 That is just one. I also got to do something that  I have been having on mind from way back. This was also supposed to be a t-shirt someday. But we'll figure that out later. Any way, this second project is called Yesu anapenda Africa. (Jesus Loves Africa)
 What I love most about this new one is that, it has the names and attributes of God in various African languages scribbled in the background. Along with the red yellow and green (rasta) colors that have for along time been associated with Africa. This is definately one of my personal favorites.
If you like it its also available for download  Here
Here is it

Okay, so what am I anticipating??? In all honesty, I don't know. But its supposed to be a blog. I guess one which we could share and make posts on, then again maybe not. Maybe its a blog where the developers and the founders of that blog post there own stuff for us to read. but then, if so I would not know why the founders of the blog are making so much hype about it. Now now now, I know, you are probably wondering what I'm talking about right? (::right::) its a site. Yep, like you already know. its under the kingdom republic site. By the time you read this, (assuming you don't read it now, the blog will be already up. My suggestion, check it out. I hope it will be really as cool as its hyped out to be. Heck, I know it will be cool as it has been hyped up to be.
The kingdomrep blog (make sure you check it out)


So what is kingdom republic?? It's apparently, supposed to be a site, a social networking site where Christian folk can hook up, share the word, share music, and all that. When I first saw/heard/read about it, what I thought was,.. "man, this is a really great idea." What's even better, its KENYAN. Now don't get me wrong, Kenya has got some really nice web based ventures that are out right creative. But this, this my friend is set to blow you away. Just by looking at some of the graphics made by the talented designers who are setting up the site., you will definitely want to see what's going on. I'm going to show some of them

the day it was apparently supposed to launch

.

Well I don't have any background info about how the idea came to place,( I promise I'll interview the brains behind it and let you know). but what I know is, it was supposed to launch the 20th of June this year, but I guess the work was a bit too much...
I also know( or gather rather, that it will have clothin, a lebel on them ,prayer, song reviews,event updates and some other cool stuff.
Ok yea., that's about how much I can blubber about that, but lets wait and see.

make sure you join the community (ha!)

This should be the longest time I have had hair on my head without shaving. It's not that long though. But there are reasons why I don't want to shave, why, I'd rather have my hair instead of cutting it down. We all like our hair, some of us even love our hair. They say that hair describes personality. I support that. That by you understanding the real motive behind someone's hair, you may be able to know him more.


So, I have never been a huge hair type of person, until recently. A lot happened actually, for one, I realized that I really liked dreadlocks. Those neat type of dreadlocks. I used to dislike them, I thought they were only for rebels and social mis fits ( I also used to think that my dad was the smartest and strongest person on earth when I was 6). But I  saw some really nice and hot locks so I fell for them.  The bad thing is that I cannot keep them. You see, I live with my parents, and my mom, who is not at all old fashioned, will willingly assume that character, and who knows what might happen to me. My mom is a born again Christian, she is principled, and has raised her children in the light, so for one of his sons to get dreadlocks would be insanity. What will the Women's group say? huh?. But that is just one side of the Story.
I plan to join some private university around soon. The worst thing? they have got strict rules on dressing, and especially, NO DREADLOCKS. But I really want to go there, it's been all I have been talking about lately. And also the rest of my family is there (those who are still in school). So what options do I remain with??

The second and most important reason why I want hair/ do not want to shave (whichever way you want to look at it) is that, I noticed that my dad is growing bald. Okay, not exactly, but I can see it coming, his brothers, my uncles,some of them already have a bald head. What's worse? my grandpa, Mom's papa, has a bald head! You see, truth be told. I don't want to grow to regret having hair on my head. If at all I should ever have a bald head, I should have enjoyed my hair-days (It's high time bald people started using 'hair days" to talk about the days the used to have hair). That's one, another thing I don't want to go through the same torment that bald and bald to be people go through every day. We've all been there, we've either laughed at a bald person or though about it secretly. These are just some of the most tormenting things SOME bald people  go though.

> Bald people have to second guess themselves every time they go to a Barber shop. It's not always that you will get excellent service at the Barber shop. Not unless you are a renowned member to the Barber shop. When n you go to the barber shop to get a hair cut,(assuming the barber doesn't know you) you have to go stealthily and take a seat waiting to be shaved.
The regular stories business and politics will thrive. All along,, the Barber will assume he has not seen you. After few more clients have been served, the Barber will turn to chase you away.
" Boss, No idlers here!! You should read the sign!"
But since you are embarrassed, you will now tell him amidst a forced chuckle and a crooked- also obviously forced-smile
" eh.. eh.. Yes, I wanted to shave down my hair!!"
Looking at you now, the Barber will realize that you are bald. He would stop and stare at you. What is going through his mind right now, is how big that "airport", "helipad", "soccer pitch" or whatever fancy nickname he's got for your bald head, has gotten. With an equally forced chuckle and a crooked smile, he will tell you to wait for a moment.
When He's done shaving other people, you're up. What he gets is not only the shaving machine, but as you soon find out, you have to be shave with some geometrical or arithmetic  instrument. He might get a ruler. I even know one who used a pair of dividers to efficiently shave your head. After long moments of struggling with your head, he's done. You with all the excitement get up from the barber's chair and ask him
"How much do I owe you?" He looks at you , pats you in the back and tells you
"Don't worry about the payment my friend, that I have done to you as a service to humanity"
This is accompanied by muzzled laughter from the 'real' idlers.

So that is just one case. You are now saying to yourself, that is not very bad! right?? Wrong! It is. Another bad thing when you get bald, your face grows longer with the  receding hairline. In extreme cases, your face may actually start at the end of your head. This is really bad, because, what will happen is, when you get angry at someone, it is impossible for you to have that classical male anger reaction (also classically adopted from Gorillas) of twisting and wrinkling up your face when you are angry. The reason behind this is that, when you twist your face, the wrinkle actually forms at the back of your head. This means that you face will be plain.Someone has to look at you from your back to notice the expression you are trying to show, weather it is anger or surprise
Did I mention that you have to wash your 'face' starting from the back of your head?? And when you get shocked you cannot hold you head, you have to put you hands on the back neck-That is where you new head is at officially.

So now you understand my dilemma. None of the actions that I might take above my prove pleasing to me, so I guess I will just cut my hair short. I mean shorter than its already tall. I hope I have not offended anyone.If you are bald, don't feel too bad!
at least you know I'll be feeling the same some forty years from now.

So in all honesty, I can't seem to get over this new obsession of Design that I currently have. You know, design as in like, web and graphic design, the one you almost sort of use only computers (and your brain of course).  Lately- for like the last one year, I have been dreaming, eating talking and reading exclusively on design. Period. I wont deny it has roots to my geekish background. And yes, I have finally accepted that I am a geek. That is who I am, so whoever has an issue with that should deal with it/. But lets look at the word Geek positively. I know that mostly geek has been used to mean people who are obsessed with some form of technology and are, well, what's an easier term....er, yeah, are unable to perform best socially speaking. On the contrary, I can function socially well. Want proof?? Ask the guys from my youth group.They'll tell you.


Now that that is clear, back to talking. Yeah, So, as I was saying, I am so overly abducted by design. There are a few sites that have actually inspired me, and I am thinking of starting my own website soon. More like a design blog, but with a different view at designing, Giving all the reader's to the site amazing content and inspiration. But that has to wait, for now I am doing research on the kind of material that I could post on the website. I also have many ideas on websites that I could start for my Home land - Kenya. There are massive ideas that could actually be put into practice considering how the web is being used in Kenya. It is very impressive to see that the internet can actually be harnessed to over 400% in five years. I thank God I exist in this generation.(You should too, no matter how old you are). Some of the ideas I might actually post here some time soon. I am sure I will blow you away.


And so I told my dad about all these and he was actually impressed. He told me he should be my first client. Who am I to refuse, so, he goes on to give me a website to build. I gladly took it, and that is what I am actually working on right now. Its's a Bible School website. He also gave me some design projects which are proving to be really tough on me. Now I am getting the hang of design. Now I really know how those guys feel when it comes to working with deadlines. But I am almost through though, that is the good thing. Will let you know when it comes through.


And now to writing. Well, It hasn't been easy. I had almost given up writing, and keeping this blog active. but I decided to get back on it and keep you people updated on what is going on. That would be the best thing. Oh yeah, I'll be working on an update, a letter to thirteen year old me, inspired by my sister. She's really cool and talented, you should check out her blog one time : http://lostinthot.wordpress.com/ I have done her a big favor. Considering she's my elder sister, now I need to get her to see this (I'll get extra credit).
Okay so now I really have to get to that website,... see you in a minute

If you ask me, this system needs a complete overhaul. Truth be told this among the most unfulfilling systems in the whole world. Well check this out, first of all you have to pass through 8 years in primary 4 years in High school and 4 more years in University. To begin with, it does not invest in different skills and talents that other talents that people have(at least not entirely)