Who's the punk?

"You can only dream of the life that your colleagues in marketing are living! Actually you will become very predictable. All accountants seem to live in Surbiton, so they get the Daily Telegraph every morning as they head to work. The most interesting thing happens when the train is delayed 10 minutes - they will have something to talk about for the rest of the day!"

Boring figures

Yesterday a friend brought this article to my attention - not sure what the hidden agenda is. It is from an old copy of accountancy magazine.

Although voted 4th most popular career choice in a recent poll, accountancy is still perceived as dull (Duh!).
Apparently there is a general agreement among those polled that the overriding trait associated with accountants is that they are BORING (Hitch), and a further 28 per cent perceived they lack a sense of humour! (What? Surely we've never met!)

All is not glum - a whooping 4 per cent think accountants were fun. Part of the reason the opinion is not fair is they forget that 43 per cent work 50 hours/week or more. And there is also the fear that spending more time on personal issues actually hinders career progression.

Lecturer rant:
"I hate to disappoint most of you this morning but you might have made a big mistake in choosing a career in accountancy. Soon you will have VERY boring and programmed lives stuck in a back room office. Think I'm joking? Take time and go to London Bridge (there's PWC and EY offices there) watch the miserable men and women streaming in and out of the buildings - that is what you will be like in 10-15 years time!"


He actually could have been right. Ouch!

Jittery

Maybe it is just me but I'm just not comfortable watching the news. It is painful to see the destruction that tearing years of investment in Kenya. Every time I get home and turn on the TV I'm just hoping there would be some positive breaking news.

I guess it is the cost of being far from home and not sure what actually is going on - the Internet has some information but how much can you trust individuals narrating their stories 'objectively' (Can one really be objective when (s)he feels like the aggrieved party?). I thought this would just go away after some time you know like the nasty flu I had but I'm just plain naive.
My went to see my uncle over the weekend and travelled back to Nairobi on Sunday - I wish I could express the anxiety and fear that gripped me when I knew she had made the trip. I think there is still some ban hanging on news transmission within the country so maybe they do not see what I'm seeing here.

Look at the economic mess - I'm suspicious the protagonists do not live in Kenya and for that matter do not have access to international media.... it is simply outrageous!

I wish I could offer solutions but for starters i think people should first shut up and whoever is in charge DO SOMETHING!.

Can the centre hold?

I dread every time I HAVE to go to the post office.

It's not just the slow queues that frighten me but the fact that you meet strange characters. Well this morning I had to go to the local post office something to do with an urgent application I had to submit today. That is when you realise the importance online application system - unfortunately some applications require copies of this and that so it has to be through the post.

So we are all following the queue and in comes this woman dressed in a combat military type uniform with a guy accompanying her. And she walks straight to the window - clearly she's on drugs. All this time screaming that she is ill she needs to collect her 'benefits' and rush for an injection (?). Some of us on the queue refuse to hear none of that - the cashier is confused and tells her to join the queue. In the ensuing shouting and cursing the woman offers to prove she's ill - she opens the front of her top displaying her wares turns around to face everyone on the queue. The poor cashier does not know how to handle the situation and quickly serves her - gives her the money (most likely to go and get high even more).

Right then I realised why going to the post office is a nightmare - you get all this people on benefits and most likely on drugs (of course not all of them) being a nuisance. I wonder how long the government can afford to provide for the society - there is rampant abuse of the system. In theory it is a good way of taking care of the less fortunate amongst us - but this is bad.

Did I mention I think I just saw the Tory London Mayor candidate I assume he was campaigning I think I should ask him of his views on the welfare system - Do you think he would be interested

Work/Life Balance

One thing I learnt rather fast when I arrived here is the strong sense of time keeping that is prevalent in this society. Everywhere I went I noticed people were always rushing somewhere it does not matter the time of the day. I mean people run to catch the bus/train to work and in the evening do the reverse journey!

Is there anytime to relax?

One of my plans this year was to take time out and simply relax - something I have missed since I came here if it was not classes it was work and looking for jobs! My schedule was so packed that the only time I relaxed honestly was when in bed. Matters are even worse considering that I am not a party animal. My idea of a good evening does not involve loud music and a rowdy club. This new year for the first time after a long time I went out and was the last one to leave the dance floor.

The concerns I have comes flooding in when I read in the papers people who look successful yet have struggles with maintaining a balance between their careers and lives.


Chris Rock is in town - sold out, but that's not for me. Someone told me Musq Soulchild will be in town (Jazz Cafe) I hope I can make arrangements.

Getting over the Black Monday Blues

It has been a tough week (it's not over yet I know) and it has nothing to do with the market crash experienced and the panic that ensured. I have had a terrible flu-like problems got some medicine and tried to act tough but last night was the worst. Sometimes I try to ignore some of the issues going through my head - it can be tough.

Another thing is the violence in Kenya. Quite disturbing as it is and to add salt to injury everyone has an opinion however illogical and nonsensical. Don't you just hate it when one is simply adding fuel to the tribal violence? And even worse in the name of freedom of speech everyone suddenly is a political analyst - understandably it is due to the stress. So I've been reading accounts of people on the ground - nothing objective so purely a waste of precious time. None is ready to back down I sometimes think some of the bloggers were actually in the Electoral Commission hence the confidence with which they parade 'evidence'

So you know what has been occupying my time - rumours and even more rumours.

Ain't it funny this game of politics? Look at the American primary elections - suddenly the Democrats are coming out in their true colors. They are getting ready to snatch defeat from the jaws of success! It is now down to race conflict... the Republicans must be praying really hard! After nominating their candidate I suspect if not careful the party is going to be divided by the process. It is a win at all cost scenario AGAIN! I thought Kenya had the exclusive rights for that at the moment. Whichever side the leadership goes it will be hard to govern the country is just too polarised.

It is hard to ignore politics however hard one tries - it's life

Can't Get it Out of my system

I know I should be in bed!
It's a Saturday morning and I'm awake before 6am and the bad news is I'm not going anywhere.

I had the interview yesterday and I can't get it out of my head - my reason for the insomnia. You know after all the preparation and rehearsals I still think of stuff I should have said in the interview. I guess this is how it feels for a politician to come from a live interview with Jeremy Paxman!

It went on smoothly I would have loved to close the deal there and then. "Mr xx quite impressive, we actually had a list of more candidates but I do not see the need to waste their time. You got the job!".


By the way the interview had a 3 member panel format and via telephone - the position is outside the country.

4 weeks from now the verdict. "Mr xxx we notice that you do not speak French do you think you will be effective in your role?"

'Oui, Je ne comprends pas! Vous pouvez repeter, s'il vous plait?'

The richest former PM?

What a perfect start of the year for Tony Blair.

I mean one could not ask for more with the year so young. He has just got a new job at JP Morgan the investment bank as an advisor. Who would argue he has talents when it comes to world politics and the price tag - £2 million per annum!
The best part of the package is he does not need to appear at their Wall Street office everyday - they call him over the phone where he can dispense his services. Lucky man who wouldn't want such a job - forget a nine to five gig.

Don't forget he is a special ME envoy (No idea what the compensation package is) and rumour has it he has his eyes the position of President of EU!

So I found it funny when obviously the news did not please most of his critics. One suggested JP Morgan failed to do the basic when handing out the job - contact Mr Blair's employers - the British public before announcing his appointment. Losers! I thought Gordaon Brown should be the happiest man now.

I wish my year would start like that

M&S Feeling the blues

Its shares have plunged as quarterly sales fall – the worst in two years. I just saw Sir Stuart Rose being interviewed on BBC and he had among other reasons the fact that M&S had reduced prices of most items – the company is looking out on customers (he is on our side!). Overall sales rose

While they try to sought themselves out ASDA’s fortunes are upward looking according to Andy Bond ‘...best ever…’ Christmas. Let’s wait and see the performance of others in the retail sector as nervous investors worry about a suspected rise in household costs was forcing shoppers to tighten their belts.

Big question: Has Sir Rose Stuart lost the sparkle?

“There is a very evident slowdown in UK Plc and people are financially challenged market conditions became more challenging through November and December.” SIR STUART ROSE

Quitting with confidence:

If there is a time during the festive season that I suspect I have simply let loose the wallet it must be this year. I am yet to be very sure how much damage I have done but slowly I am getting to feel exactly what’s happening.
My buddy was visiting after we parted years 5 years ago so there I was trying to impress, not exactly I did what I felt I had to do. Like for the first time in a long time we went to the club and was literally the last people to leave the club. I realised that I still got what it takes.
Back at work and feeling rather than strongly that it is time to move on seek new challenges only to be confronted by a new poll. Apparently few people have the guts to give their bosses the finger – that’s according to a survey conducted by the website i-resign.com.

I got an interview next Friday I only hope and pray they would not ask whether I’m fluent in French! And a lady I spoke to during the last few weeks before Christmas called back to find out whether I am still looking for work – yeah of course!
This is January – I assume it is the time when many quit there jobs besides quitting smoking/drinking or even visit the gym more often and go bungee jumping.

Post Elections

Still waiting to see the impact of the electioneering process on the Kenyan economy. It is no secret we could be in for a rough ride, just look at the politicians, I'm still waiting to see who won.

A fragile economy indeed. Just the other day we were the darling of most investors looking to come to Africa. Now we are on the verge of making neighbouring looking more attractive in attracting foreign investments.

I do not know whether I am just being too pessimistic but this could be a long drawn out period of political turmoil. Let's pretend Kibaki won the elections (!) what happens in parliament? Do not forget we have Orengo in opposition (or the majority party) in parliament. Can the government function?
I have a suggestion for the 'President' if winning was that important - buy the MPs. Let me not get emotional while I see individuals wrecking a good thing that we had.

The ft has an interesting article

What a way to start a year

Like everyone else I was engrossed by the events that were unfolding after the elections in Kenya. Just goes to show how fragile our society is and what individuals are capable once they they are cornered.

On the incumbents side - bend the rules whatever the outcome going by the commentaries around. I have been looking for news everywhere especially among Kenyan bloggers. Everyone has an opinion.

Today at work of course everyone kept asking how my family was doing and all that. One person (confessed atheist) observed 'that even God could not save those in the church'. He has long list of grievances against God based on the church's contribution to tyranny in the society. And I read of a Kenyan lady calling on other Kenyans to pray for the demon possessed individuals who are killing each other - that after she had continually campaigned for Kibaki (it is within her right to do that).
I would not argue with that but putting the two views together I find it hard to simply pray for the misfortune to disappear. How do we deal with perceived injustice and its perpetrators? We can't simply hide from the grim picture of how self-centred we can become. One of the criticisms of early christian missionaries in Africa is that they were perceived to be agents of colonialism. In my view this is an opportunity to stand and take a hard look at ourselves because we stand condemned too... it is not simply the person who torched a church full of innocent individuals. Therefore it is hard to join in prayer simply to appease my conscience.

So I did put aside my list of new year resolutions for the time being - an uncomfortable position I know for someone who has continually been suspicious of politicians. Before we pray can someone tell Karua to shut up!