Recovering from the millennium fever

Sorry for vanishing, well celebrating a new year and a new millennium does take a toll on one’s energy things are gradually settling down. One should never underestimate the power of a new year, people are talking about resolutions, some turning over a new leaf,  some brooding over marriage. And what is funny is that the mood is contagious I don’t know if it is my imagination or not but people are becoming friendlier. This week I found myself chatting away with people I don’t even know their names and reminisce and share our observations regarding the holiday.

On Tuesday I was in a cafe tired from a brisk walk sipping on some machiato  and nibbling on my donut. It was a hot day I was tired and was reading up on some material a lady and a young kid were sitting at a table a cross the room. The woman kept looking at me  at first I thought I knew her but finally convinced myself that she was not looking at me but beyond me. So I continue into my reading the lady pays her tab approaches the cashier whose cubicle is a meter from me and has a whispering exchange  coms up to me and places her hand on my shoulder. By this time I ma convinced that tehlady is relative or an aquaitance that I had forgot I make ad effort to stand she says no and tells me ‘Don’t worry everything is in Jesus’  hands and I paid for your tab’.

Me in between trying to speak and chew the donut make a feeble attempt at saying no and end up staring at the woman. After   a few minutes I garner my wits and ask that i reciprocate the woman refuses I call the waitress to have her take her order but to no avail. I was surprised but pleasantly surprised I still have this lingering wish that I should have ordered kitfo that day 🙂

 Oh I nearly forgot I got quoted by TIME magazine

Yes meneyelenal has been quoted by TIME magazine of course I did not get my picture taken nor my full name I was referred as ‘Sammy, a journalist for the Sub Saharan weekly newspaper’ I liked the piece but did not know I was being interviewed but  I would be lying if I said I am offended. In fact it was an ego booster now I can come up with a conversation starter in a pub it would go like ‘you know TIME did quote me once …’ or ‘I remember TIME quoted me. It was on a Thursday ….’. any way this is the extract from TIME  in my brief 64 words of fame:

 

One Western musician definitely not invited is Sir Bob Geldof. Partly this is a matter of musical preference. “We never really knew who this guy was anyway,” says Sammy, a journalist for the Sub Saharan weekly newspaper as he sips Arabica in one of Addis’ smart streetside cafés. “We never knew any of his tunes. And then suddenly he was here to save us.”

 You can read the whole extract here.

Well this happens when there are too many receptions

The past three weeks were crazy I do not know hoe but there are too many social engagements be it business or just social. This weekend was no exception ‘graduations’ I had to go to two of my friends graduation [I later canceleld the trip called them and postponed for a party later in the week] in addition to my unlcle’s, visit my aunt who is visitng from the US. Play host to my counsin which my sister ad family abandonned on Saturday, a friend was having anxiety attacks from teh looming millenium so I needed to calm his nerves by drinking with him- hey I am an understanding friend. I also have a sprianed finger compliments of a heated pool game.
My Birthday is fast approaching and I did make my own resolutions which I have yet to achieve but I still have time and can pull it off. I am slightly depressed thta one my favorite pubs will be closing down and teh other has turned into a hang out of young kids who have nothing to do but yell, swear and fight I am disappointed because I used to like that stuff but I have aged. All of these strict regime of social engagements in additon to my nightly discussions with memebers of our ‘Kircha’ is really takinbfg atoll on my sleep time. Well enjoy yourselves.