30-Aout-2008

There is just too much noise that is destructing my attention.

In fact if you want to lose me quickly start using such terms as data recovery, or into the details of the different BMW models. I know it should be a guys thing to be interested in such things – strangely I have never really gotten round to being that interested, it is sad I know. For me if the thing works I don’t really go into the details of its functionality, which is sad I think considering the offers that are available say if you go to a computer shop – there are all these offers just to confuse me.

Maybe I like it simple – like my favourite/dream car must be a Mercedes now let’s not go further than that into which series/model when I see it I definitely know it.


So this week I managed to kind of ‘destroy’ (unconfirmed yet) my WD external storage ‘thing’. I tried to play the music from a music system – it started of well and then the system just froze. Later when I attached it to my computer I can only see the contents but not access them. Checked out the error message online but so far still unsuccessful. I’m lucky I got people interested in these things so will check it out this afternoon. I have been trying all morning to sort the mess because I’m afraid of losing the contents.

And please why I had not backed up the WD contents only God knows.

Talking about dreams, in class this week a joke came up. The French tutor like I said speaks very little English so most of the communication in French and sign language. We all like introducing ourselves saying something about ourselves. One of the fellas, was jokingly talking about how his dream was slowly drifting away – he has not gotten himself a blonde or the Ferrari we all laughed. To which the French tutor said something in French which loosely translates – it is good to have a dream, if you realise your dream what is there to live for?

I’m off to sort out the technological mess I am in.

The Way To NoWhere

“The way to nowhere: 8 Questions to release my creative potential”


So if you are the introspective individual or group leader, interested in unleashing the creative side in you this is for you.
The book has been creatively designed such that you can start from either ends I guess depending on your motive – individual or group.

What is my unique purpose?
Certain stages in life are predictable – adolescent, adulthood to retirement; yet others are our own unique journey – from changing jobs, relocating to a foreign country and even beginning a new relationship. These are personal choices we make in trying to shape our lives. We have a choice to continue doing what we have always done or take stock and reconnect with our intuitive self.

How am I venturing into uncertainty?
Our ability to persevere with life as a creative adventure and to take other people with us on the journey depends on how we react to life’s inevitable ups and downs.
Life is an emotional adventure where optimism is our greatest ally. This helps us see our challenges and setbacks are part of a larger journey.

The more we learn to control our fear, the more we can begin to access trust.

Busy Week and the French Connection

Last week was more than busy – thank God for the annual external audit – preparing the audit schedules and trying to explain all transactions in problem areas. The auditors are coming in September from the looks of everyone around me – we just can’t wait. Preparing for audit visits it dwells mostly on planning and effective time management, from the rush we have been in it is obvious there is an element of a lax approach. Although maybe it is normal to be this busy here, I mean since I joined the team coming in early and being the last to leave the office has become synonymous with the accounting department. Others must really thank God they are not in this department when they pass by to say hi or get reports on their budgets or submit their travel claim forms.

To make matters even more interesting it was my first week at the Institute Francaise. It is everything I wanted I got to admit small class, 2 hours/3 days a week in the evening. The downside is I get home after 9:30pm just in time to get ready to go to bed! I keep thinking I have the most fascinating life – if I was to write a script it would be a block buster.

So I was looking forward for long weekend - nothing major planned but just to sleep and rest. Besides I'm kind of broke - my cousin went to Kenya and as is expected I had to give something small for my mum (!?).

I got a text message from a buddy that made me smile: “Accountants are not boring; they find boring things exciting!”

Good Day

‘It’s the simple things in life like kids at home and a loving wife, that you miss the most when you lose control. Everything else starts to disappear and the devil takes your hand and says, ‘Have another shot’.

Kenny Chesney – ‘That’s Why I’m Here’

I’m excited. It has been a largely good day for me.
I rang the GP to find my test results and I passed with flying colours – if there is anything like that. I have been anxiously waiting for the feedback following my ‘full man check’ last week. I don’t know what I expected – but after someone hinted I might be diabetic just because I complained I was sweating nowadays – I was hoping that it would be smooth. I know one of the symptoms of diabetics is thirst, I did not experience that – I remember many years ago when a neighbours was ‘diagonised’ by a trainee nurse when we were just chatting mtaani.

So instead of worrying myself to the point of getting actually I decided to see the GP.
My neighbour had just finished his Masters and always related to us how tough it had been and the levels of stress. I have gone through tough times since I came to the UK– studies and job related and add the fact that I am far from home – that is stress there! I think the worst is the uncertainty that surrounds the future – should I stay should I go, when is the right time to jump ship – everyday is like being in a CEO of an embattled conglomerate. Decision after decision. I understand as I grow older (it’s like being on a fast lane on the motor-way!) I can not take for granted my health



I only hope I will wake up on Saturday morning for jogging in the near by park – I definitely admire those who are devoted to a healthy lifestyle. I’m working my way slowly.

I only wish this was like the final test and it will be like this forever – life is a marathon as they say.

Personal Branding

It could be a coincidence but is it me or are the number of discussions on personal branding increasing? Gone are the days you go to school, get good grades, land a good job and live happily ever after.
Nowadays you are expected to go a notch higher otherwise you are doomed to be stuck in a rut. It feels like a loser to be in just a job - at least that is the perception here.

First it was my wardrobe that had to be critically assessed – which means most of my clothes actually qualify to be handed to the charity shops. Then the self-analysis exercise – similar to SWOT analysis seems to be the next step.

Personal branding could make the difference if you want a better job. (FT 31st July by Stefan Stern)

Are we too self-conscious?
Such probing questions as ‘What do people say about you when you are not there?’ (My reputation, image and impact on others! My career depends on what They are saying about me.)

It is not luck that will get you the next best job apparently – is that not that how I even got my current job? This seems to be too much for guys like me because ultimately it is ones personality that matters most – the colour of my tie or the shoes I have on are secondary.
We live in a very self-conscious world – no one seems to be satisfied with what one has – that is why we enhance this and remove another body part just to fit in. this seems to be an industry that will continue to grow because it targets our most vulnerable self. I am convinced though that in future others will come to see the benefits of being dull but dependable! The model as the underlying strategy reveals someone in good shape for the long term planners.

It seems like the goal posts keep shifting woe unto you if you are rigid - like a cow looking at a passing train

OM Login

All morning I have been trying to access my online account with OM unsuccessfully. I had informed a client service person earlier and she told me to try again. I hope they can resolve that coz it will be interesting to see how the account looks.

My fear - and I hope I am wrong - is it might take sometime before the issue is resolved. I wish at times others (OM) would be as serious/desparate as I am about this part of my life - it is already difficult not being close to the money so online control comes in pretty handy.

On that note I read that OM are loosening up. From KShs 500k went down to KShs200K to the present where one can start with KShs 7,500. Have they realised that after the Safaricom issues people have cash lying around? Although I would suspect that competition plays a big part - they simply no longer have that monopoly.

Others are having problems - found this on stocksKenya

Full Man Check (Pt 2)

I saw the GP on Thursday morning before heading to work.
Initially results were good but I have to wait for 7 days for the full results - blood test. There was nothing unusual about my urine sample - thank God. I have been worried of late about the fact that I seem to sweat a lot. I know it is warm but it seems even after a brief 10 minute walk my forehead is gleaming with sweat. I hope it is all to do with the weather.

There was one scare getting the blood sample - now it is a long time ago since I had a needle on my body - i was a little uncomfortable (or is it scared?). I held out my arm closed my eyes and ready to scream if it hurt. Reminds me years ago when as kids we went to the doctor I would try to negotiate with my mum and agree that there will be no injections. I always lost out because the doctor usually had other ideas.

When she checked my blood pressure she was like it is OK but closer to the danger line! Before I even get the full results I realise I have to be more physically active. I do a lot of walking and once a week try to play football for at least 40 minutes. This morning I woke up early and had like a 30 minute jog - hope this will be the norm rather than the exception.
My diet is also a worry - I have to increase on my

It is scary to think we easily do not take care of our bodies yet we are quick to take our cars to the garage for MOT tests.

I learnt that I am 5'11'' and weigh just over 74Kgs.

Hustle and Flow

"Sometimes I feel like... like I talked such a good game when we was young, man. About my own studio and my own label, that... shit, DJay, now I'm just payin' rent, man. This shit right here gotta work. It gotta work, man, 'cause it ain't over for me."

Business Week

I meant to post this over the weekend but as usually things came up and before I realised it was a Monday... then Tuesday!

Last week was hardly the best time to announce a merger yet Willie Walsh explained that the current burden of high-fuel costs and probable economic slowdown. This will create Europe’s 3rd largest airline after Air France-KLM and Lufthansa. So they say it is a merger – is it because each will retain its brand name and the airline industry has strong influence and government control. On the other fronts BA has an upper hand therefore clearly not a marriage of equals.

“The combined balance sheet, anticipated synergies and network fit between the airlines make a merger an attractive proposition, particularly in the current economic environment.” – Willie Walsh.

BA IBERIA
Pre-tax profits £883m £328m
Market Capitalisation £2.9bn £1.26bn
Destinations 75 Countries 44 Countries


Another Daimler-Benz/Chrysler union?

Hard times are known to put strain in relationships that was the theme this weekend I got from the wedding I attended. If only the couple can continue with the merry-making after the guest have left.

In the corporate world there is also that strain when it comes to mergers and acquisitions. Alcatel-Lucent transatlantic relationship has been struggling for a while the CEO (American Pat Russo) and Chairman (French Serge Tchuruk) were forced to step down. (Being an American in Paris is appealing at the cinema but it is a different ball game in the corporate world according to the FT) – it has been an unhappy relationship since the merger 2006 – no profits to show. A shining example of the argument that mergers rarely create shareholder value – market capitalisation is less than half what it was. Different cultures that have to be integrated is the obvious stand-out challenge – if given a chance to speak at a wedding I must remember to hammer this point home to both parties – meeting of minds is critical. One can only hope there departure means troubled times are also to be behind the merger.

All change!

With the changing guards at Vodafone I smiled when I read one shareholder was concerned about a comment the chairman had made about the relationship he had with the A. Sarin that they got on ‘like a house on fire’. Apparently it has a different meaning in India – I also don’t get it maybe I’m too sensitive like the Indians.

Full Man Check

This Thursday morning I am going a medical test - booked it over the phone and if I got it right the lady called it a 'full man check'. Not that I am feeling sick, many issues have forced me to decide maybe I should just go ahead and do it now. Over the weekend I was telling someone that I feel like I sweat a lot of late. The weather is warm so you might ask what's the big deal.

I used to eat hot food - but of late especially when I am going out I have to insist that mine is not hot. Maybe I'm just fussy - but when someone suggested that it could something serious I panicked hence my appointment.

Fingers crossed I pray it all goes well. If it ain't broke why fix it?

What a coincidence tomorrow evening we are having the staff summer party and I'm supposed to eat my last meal at 8:30pm in preparation for Thursday's full man check! Guess that gives me a reason to retire rather early from the function.

My Weekend

Yesterday I was in a wedding – a friend decided enough is enough (‘We are getting no younger meet me at the alter in your white dress’). I don’t drive – well still think I cannot afford to at the moment – but the reception was held in a rather remote part of London. That’s when my mind kept playing with the idea of getting a car. (Does it make sense how many weddings in remote places in London will I attend?). Anyway I saw this beauty



And it set me thinking surely why not it goes for less than £20k but one does not need to pay everything upfront... and since I have finished paying the loan.... I guess I was just disappointed that it was awkward for me to get to the venue.