There are at times you feel the system is against you.
If there is a group of people that can mess your day is a combination of traffic wardens and the group from council car impound (I think they are one and the same thing). This morning I had a trip to make to Tilbury someone was 'sending' a vehicle to Kenya hence we had to deliver it to the port. The car not only got a ticket at 0830 hours just outside where I live but a few minutes later it was impounded. And we had to deliver it before midday thank God for the good neighbour who came to inform us of what had just happened.
Yes we had to chase the lorry to the local council car impound yard - part with £260 (ouch!) and then race to deliver the vehicle - we made it just in time. There was no time to discuss how unfair it was at the moment so is that how the weekend starts?
I think when I go through all this I realise why I at the moment I can do without a car. I learnt that a long time ago - I used to take my roommate's car to church most Sunday mornings - not that I needed to but rather because of the parking restrictions where I lived. I paid for 3 hours at the parking meter fortunately that day the service was VERY interesting time flew my time ran out and I got a £50 fine! That's for like 7 minutes extra! I only thank God the parking attendant was not there when I got there I think I would have forgotten the days sermon. (It was my mistake I know but the guy must have been standing next to my car praying that my time runs out - at least that is what I think!)
It is normal to feel like the system is against you - take the case of the guy who has just been jailed for 2 years for declaring 'fatwa' on the 4 main accountancy bodies in the UK. He is 44 and for 10 years has been attempting the ACCA exams - he just got tired. Previously he had threatened to kill an ACCA staff member for pursuing him for an unpaid fine.
And I thought I had a rough day.
Friday, February 22, 2008
Thursday, February 14, 2008
... MILLIONAIRE
Listening to Musiq Soulchild's - Luvmusiq cd.
He is living up to my expectations - how come i've never bothered to listen to what the br6ther had to say.
I could've bought me a G4 by now
So I would never have to wait at the gate
I could've checked in a 5-star palace
And would've got the whole floor for my stay
And if I really really really wanted to
Print my own money with my own face in my own state like Prince Akeem
Living like a king but my heart said
(if I had) a dollar for every time I heard a yes I would be
(a millionaire) but I'd settle for whatever, as long as I could get with (you)
I'll settle for a maybe (from you)
Even an I'll think about it baby (cause you)
Looking at chu, got me acting all crazy
But I'd settle for whatever as long as I could get with (you)
Saturday, February 09, 2008
Dave Hollister
Always heard about Dave Hollister. I know he is a musician - funny I don't know any of his albums apart from just hearing him here and there once in a while.
He's cool overall though you have to skip some tracks if mum is around! (Baby Mama Drama)
Someone is asking why is that that most of the fellas are always crying - listen to K. Sweat, G.L, and even D. Hollister? Even more worrying why are they some of my favourite artists?
I'll have to pass that one - I have no answer! And I'm searching for an answer. In the meantime let me here what Dave has to say it is the weekend before the week.
He's cool overall though you have to skip some tracks if mum is around! (Baby Mama Drama)
Someone is asking why is that that most of the fellas are always crying - listen to K. Sweat, G.L, and even D. Hollister? Even more worrying why are they some of my favourite artists?
I'll have to pass that one - I have no answer! And I'm searching for an answer. In the meantime let me here what Dave has to say it is the weekend before the week.
Blink
Always wanted to read this book so I have kind of just went through it picking bits and pieces - it is interesting... very interesting.
“That content and origin of those instantaneous impressions and conclusions that spontaneously arise whenever we meet a new person or confront a complex situation or have to make a decision under conditions of stress.”
We do make up our minds the first few seconds we come across something/someone - rapid cognition.
Year End Results
Companies have their own year end when they present there reports they outline what has been happening and forward looking statements. Wouldn't it be cool if as individuals we do that frequently.
This is the reporting season for most FTSE listed companies. A week or two we heard how Shell was making obscene profits - the announcement came at the worst possible time. The price of petrol is high prompting public backlash there was a threat of strike also - things have cooled down. I like it here when something happens the news media will be all over the case and before dealing with it fully another 'breaking news saga' distracts our attention. So it is the same story every year - next year we will remember Shell is still making money. Funny.
Next week it is the turn for banks - I can predict record profits will be announced someone will remember that he/she was charged for overdraft or late credit card payment and we will all be angry. Who needs to watch soaps when everyday we are acting our parts in the soap? I'm being distracted here.
So my new financial year has just begun I have been counting my gains and losses - checking whether that balance sheet actually balances and of course tempted to apply some window dressing. Around this time last year I was in Kenya helping someone set up some kind of savings plan. Because the person is not really interested in stock market besides it's hard to follow stock brokers around - remember Francis Thuo?
In my limited knowledge I thought - and I still think if you got spare 'change' then maybe dealing with established fund managers would be advisable. Old Mutual, Britak, Zimele - depending on how much you want to play with. The price per unit then was 122.55 and latest price that the units can be bought back is a whooping 126.75 I should have kept record of how the Equity Fund has been performing - (I'm learning). But the NSE wasn't all that either yes politics took over as expected.
Am I the only one afraid of the stock market? It is stressful enough making money who has the strength to run after a stockbroker? Maybe it is just me.
Good idea but who goes first - but no chance for quick bucks. Let's forget our own performance for awhile and get ready to condem the banks for amking huge profits at our expense! It would be a good idea though to be held accountable for once or every quarterly (too bad we think it is only Britney and Amy who are supposed to be role models...) Getting distracted again...
This is the reporting season for most FTSE listed companies. A week or two we heard how Shell was making obscene profits - the announcement came at the worst possible time. The price of petrol is high prompting public backlash there was a threat of strike also - things have cooled down. I like it here when something happens the news media will be all over the case and before dealing with it fully another 'breaking news saga' distracts our attention. So it is the same story every year - next year we will remember Shell is still making money. Funny.
Next week it is the turn for banks - I can predict record profits will be announced someone will remember that he/she was charged for overdraft or late credit card payment and we will all be angry. Who needs to watch soaps when everyday we are acting our parts in the soap? I'm being distracted here.
So my new financial year has just begun I have been counting my gains and losses - checking whether that balance sheet actually balances and of course tempted to apply some window dressing. Around this time last year I was in Kenya helping someone set up some kind of savings plan. Because the person is not really interested in stock market besides it's hard to follow stock brokers around - remember Francis Thuo?
In my limited knowledge I thought - and I still think if you got spare 'change' then maybe dealing with established fund managers would be advisable. Old Mutual, Britak, Zimele - depending on how much you want to play with. The price per unit then was 122.55 and latest price that the units can be bought back is a whooping 126.75 I should have kept record of how the Equity Fund has been performing - (I'm learning). But the NSE wasn't all that either yes politics took over as expected.
Am I the only one afraid of the stock market? It is stressful enough making money who has the strength to run after a stockbroker? Maybe it is just me.
Good idea but who goes first - but no chance for quick bucks. Let's forget our own performance for awhile and get ready to condem the banks for amking huge profits at our expense! It would be a good idea though to be held accountable for once or every quarterly (too bad we think it is only Britney and Amy who are supposed to be role models...) Getting distracted again...
Wednesday, February 06, 2008
Bear Hugs
If ever you doubted the relevance of business management theory and real life some more proof here:
Steve Ballmer wrote a letter (love note?) to Jerry Yang and the Board(Yahoo CEO) that went like this:
"Together we can unleash new levels of innovation, delivering enhanced user experience, breakthroughs in search, and new advertising platform capabilities. We hope that you and your Board share our enthusiasm."
How can one resist such a proposal - it is direct and to the point (how romantic!). And clearly it shows courtly manner and civility that is prevalent at Wall Street. Apparently that is a Wall Street tradition to send a letter first hoping that your moves would woo a potential partner. But do not be fooled that this is a friendly letter I'm sure if Yahoo play around Microsoft will resort to a hostile take-over.
Andrew R. Sorking: 'The Art of Giving a Bear Hug'
Sunday, February 03, 2008
I'm talking to this friend of mine in the US about the instability and tense atmosphere in Kenya of course how it is affecting the economy. And while I was moaning of how it is putting those far from home in an awkward position. It is painful not to be sure how the violence is affecting our loved ones. Matters are made even worse when you look at the media coverage here.
The worst is when guys at work really ask this questions about Mathare - I'm sure they mean how primitive and bush-like we are in Kenya. I wish they knew how all this is making us see our country also in a different light. It is even harder now to first consider an opinion first from a tribal background. When I read the Kenyan blogs you will notice very few political commentators are 'independent' (if there is anything like that) - I thought I was past the tribal thing too. Frustrating.
My friends suggestion 'you are in the UK and the pound is getting stronger - why are you moaning?'. I wish he understood it simply ain't about that. 'Increase your investment there - while most may be running away get in!'.
The worst is when guys at work really ask this questions about Mathare - I'm sure they mean how primitive and bush-like we are in Kenya. I wish they knew how all this is making us see our country also in a different light. It is even harder now to first consider an opinion first from a tribal background. When I read the Kenyan blogs you will notice very few political commentators are 'independent' (if there is anything like that) - I thought I was past the tribal thing too. Frustrating.
My friends suggestion 'you are in the UK and the pound is getting stronger - why are you moaning?'. I wish he understood it simply ain't about that. 'Increase your investment there - while most may be running away get in!'.
Some Me Time
I have taken the whole of this week off to sort out a few things here and there. Funny but also I just received a text message my buddy just had his second child (men I'm growing old!). I knew it was around this time but somehow I had forgotten about it. So my week has an extra schedule to add to my already busy week.
Actually last year I thought that this week I would travel to Kenya for like 2 weeks, but with the unfortunate events unfolding my trip has to put on hold. Events beyond my control - It would have been nice to see my family again and maybe do one or two things.
Come to think of it - it was my plan to aggressively look at the possibilities of settling back in Kenya again. I know it is a bit shaky but people surely are managing? I mean the disruptions to businesses - read in the papers that KQ is going to lay-off some of it's staff, hotels are closing in some areas and not to forget the impending development aid being cut-off. Surely the economy is getting some beating.
So this week I'm off - kind of a strategic internal board meeting trying to figure out the way forward. It is disappointing when things are so unsettled.
Surely I'm not the only one who hates these politicians or am I? Aww and I need to get a present for the new born baby boy...I'm thinking the easiest way is just to get some gift vouchers.
Actually last year I thought that this week I would travel to Kenya for like 2 weeks, but with the unfortunate events unfolding my trip has to put on hold. Events beyond my control - It would have been nice to see my family again and maybe do one or two things.
Come to think of it - it was my plan to aggressively look at the possibilities of settling back in Kenya again. I know it is a bit shaky but people surely are managing? I mean the disruptions to businesses - read in the papers that KQ is going to lay-off some of it's staff, hotels are closing in some areas and not to forget the impending development aid being cut-off. Surely the economy is getting some beating.
So this week I'm off - kind of a strategic internal board meeting trying to figure out the way forward. It is disappointing when things are so unsettled.
Surely I'm not the only one who hates these politicians or am I? Aww and I need to get a present for the new born baby boy...I'm thinking the easiest way is just to get some gift vouchers.
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