Writer's block sabbatical

Hey guys I have been on a self imposed sabbatical since last year, I had a major writer’s block. Felt a bit stuck. Two years ago a friend, Toetie Madlingozi Blonde invited me to come over for her wedding. I believe that small encounters reveal our soul to us, what our purpose is. I hopped onto a cab from Waterfront to town. The cab driver asked what I am doing in CT and what do I do for a living. The first thing that came out of my mouth was:”I am a writer.” Before I knew what was happening, I had “lied” to the man, how can I say that? How can I lie with a straight face? He immediately said he has a book that needs to be written, he needs an instrument to help him write it and send it out there. Each time I think of him I feel guilty cos I haven’t kept my promise – to contact him but also to be the writer I am… I suppose you expect me to come back with my creative juices flowing and ready to share more of my thoughts. I hope so too:)

My Afrocentric sistas!

I was watching the SAMA’s recently and saw all the gorgeous Afrocentric sistas’ perform. And each time I go to the salon, I listen to soul sistas who have found their fayah. We are growing our natural hair, short, dreads, cornrows, braids or plaited. We are proud to be African and I am surprised how we criticise our fellow sisters who have silky weaves, wigs, plastic and chemically processed hair. How we feel they haven’t seen the light since we have “found” ourselves. I read Lebo Mashile’s article on her naturally groomed hair, how she looked up to Pamela Nomvete (Ntsiki, from Generations) and was disappointed when Pamela decided to relax her hair. It’s funny how natural and Afrocentric our hair is, yet we carry fake nails, unpluck all our eyebrows and draw them back on. We wear long skirts, long dangling earrings and doeks to cover our hair. We say we have found our style. But why do we constantly want to convert others? Shouldn’t we all be allowed to find our style sense and embrace it? We all are drawn to the light in our own time if need be. Who made us miss-know-it-all’s? Shouldn’t we embrace the diversity in each of us, rather than criticise those who still love their hair silkier, smoother and prefer pants to skirts and dresses? I thought being African means Ubuntu, humility, welcoming people in whatever state they are in and making them feel at home, letting them realise their dreams by themselves not trying to shape them into mini versions of yourself. – From a girl with chunky dreads and tired of fake Afrocentricity since it makes us mean spirited and intolerant of others. Let us let our sistas to find their fayah.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iikKzQwgBJc&feature=related

Queen The Show Must Go On Music Video

I’m a rocker chick through and through. The ultimate Queen of the band QUEEN! Nothing gets me through a long day like rock. It may be from Jon Bon Jovi, Queen, Rod Stewart, Meatloaf, Nickleback etc. Rock music gives me full blown attitude that says get up and go kick some butt. You can do it! “We are the champions. We’ll keep on fighting till the end. We are the champions of the world!” This is my taking a bow moment and an awe of the daily milestones and achievements. Weird that it saddens me at the same time.

We are born to be “princes of the universe”. If only we believed this, even if it’s just a fraction of this song, we would achieve so much more. We live and think poverty daily, what more if we just for one day believed we are worth more? How much more could we achieve? This is a redemption song for us as an African continent. We could conquer so much and achieve so much. We are royalty, princes of this universe.

When I want what I want when I want it song. “I want it all X3 and I want it now” (my impatient spoilt brat moments sometimes gets the better of me). I suppose we are synonymous with instant gratification. We need to start learning that planting a tree takes years of labour, preparation, nurturance but the fruits are sweeter. We are always in a rat race, yet never sit back and enjoy the achievements before moving onto yet another project check list.

Even when you are feeling down and under, just think the “Show must go on.” Life carries on no matter what. I remember when my Father passed away; I suppose I expected the world to stop and everyone around me to give me a moment of silence to pay their respect. Oh boy was I wrong. So whatever you are going through, remember the “show must go on!” Put on them big girl panties, get over it and move on.

“Fat bottomed girls you make the rocking world go round” (even though Freddie Mercury was gay, he knew we needed some fat bottomed girls to make the world go round – Ode to my sistas who have ATM’s (African Trade Marks – let’s carry ourselves with pride).

We all have been to school athletics and have stomped on those stands and clapped to the beat of our victory song “We will, we will rock you.” Yep, it’s a golden oldie and there you thought you only listen to RnB.

“A crazy little thing called love.” This is one happy-get-up-on-your-feet-and-do-the-swing. Get up and grab that partner onto the dance floor, just let your feet move and follow your rhythm of love.

I have such phenomenal friends. Feel blessed each time I think of what I have been through with them and how we’ve stayed on. Even though I’m lousy at returning calls and visiting. But I have friends I can trust. “Friends will be friends.” Thank you for being my sisters and brothers.
“Bohemian rhapsody” is one of a kind song that has been adapted into different versions by diverse artists. However the original still holds a big place in my heart and makes a lasting impact. Queen still gets royalties in their retirement years.

“Don’t stop me now cos I’m having a good time.” While on leave in Cape Town in April, I had such a great time and realised I could get used to the life of Leisure. (Will have to write about that more, what crazy thoughts came to mind while on holiday).

The centuries long yearning for love could not have come better than in the song “Can anybody find me somebody to love?” Even Sade has a song sharing the same sentiments “Pls send me someone to love.” I guess I identify more with this song right now. At 32 never thought I would be single and still have to go out there and pick my soul mate. Thought this would be sorted by now. I suppose we all have an ideal age and natural progression in life. You go to school, study, fall in love, graduate, get a job, get married, have kids, retire and resign from this world. I guess some of us never abide by the rules:)

I sometimes “Want to break free” and get away from this man made shackles we call jobs. I need to follow whatever path that will bring me closer to my purpose and the life of leisure.
Rock music makes life like a “kinda magic”

Freddie Mercury was not only a vocalist, a lead singer but he was a musical genius a performer and an entertainer. He dressed up, showed up for his audience and dazzled! He gave it his best. He lived his life to the fullest and left a legacy. We still buy his music. “No one but you” One by one, only the good die young... Life goes on without you. new.music.yahoo.com/queen/

Paradox of Our Times - Nkululeko Maseko (R.I.P)

Too often we love things and use people
Instead of loving people and using things
The times of big men with small characters
Many conveniences but still no time
Fancy big houses but broken homes
The paradox of our times
Deep ambitions and shallow hearts
Adding years into life but no life into years
What have we become?

Nkululeko Maseko - a promising young Art student, would have been, could have been one of the most influential TV personalities to date. Cancer robbed us of such a talented performer, dancer and actor in 2007. May your soul rest in peace.