Police Parasites in the City of Accra

I resent myself that I suffer myself to be bullied and bilked every night by the police at the checkpoints to give them money. It’s not that I flout the regulations or anything. They just get you to roll down; they see your young ... ish face, and then, they ‘pounce’ on you. They ask you how was work. They stretch out their arms unbidden, into your car and shake hands with you. Then, they ask you for a present for the closest doggone calendar event (past, present or future). Christmas, Easter, Eid, a Black-Stars win – or draw ;-) – etc. “Can I get my present for Prez Mills’s inauguration? Oh, won’t you make it double; Obama’s is just around the corner?!” I expect a fully-brawned-up cop to ask me for HIS Valentine’s Day present any day now! Eeek! Then, because they have condescended to shake hands with you, the familiarity obliges you to give them the money, even if the smallest note you have is by no means small.

Pool Parties in the City of Accra

I haven’t been to any yet (oh, won’t somebody invite me next time) so I speak only to toothsome tableaux and savoury polaroids I have sneak-reviewed. Seeing that there is hardly a body or ripple in the luscious eye of the pool, why do you christen the evening a pool party? Is it because of your liquid flirtations next to one? Or are you just extravagantly excited at the excuse (a water body nearby) to serve healthy portions of unwrapped eye candy which you would probably not at high noon in Central Accra, at the Golden Tulip or even in your Dzorwulu or Adenta neighbourhood streets?

Riding on the Middle Line

Death-defying motorcyclists creating an arrogant aisle between the regulation lanes. They overtake your tarrying car or ‘takeover’ your phone without your permission. Today, I saw a car skid and slug two riders on a bike behind me. They took a spill off their wheels; the bike slammed into my innocent rear bumper, the riders flopped heavily on my boot. I darted out to make sure there was no bump or blood on my car. It was only a little dent – no bigger than the size of the riders' combined brains. As I sat back in (it took all of forty seconds) people were carrying ‘twisted legs’ off the street. Will they stay in line next time?

Reality Check One

The Accra Air no longer crackles crisp with the electric electoral fairytales. Lethargically, people yield to real-life living. It matters not a rat’s arse who is the president – Accraians have to drudge, commute, pay bills, economise, agonise, save a little more than little and hope to acquire property that’s too big to fit in a box, the pocket or on a cart. Life’s like that! Trivia excites. Dreams and celebrations come in thick-coming fancies. But, now, it’s time to scurry into the fields, each man for himself, and dig some damn trenches.

No Writer's Block

Isn't it funny, that as the backside of 08 slowly disappears (and it is a real big backside 08 has had)I suddenly find myself not writing anything here. I apologise, but I do it for good reason. I am trying to 'find' myself, and a 'narrow' topic to which I will dedicate myself. I will post here, but not that many, till the year is out. Happy New Year, friends.

Fool's Gold

Lost Copper
Is missed Gold
What you already have, but still look for
Is Fool's Gold!

Random Questions

Are assassins now using shoes
Do Arsenal fans now support with boos
Will Yngvild next be chased by moose
Can the NPP beg and still lose?

Loving Like Children

We love like children
We err like children
We forgive like children
We grow like children

(For the woman who could have left me, but didn't. Thank you, Babe.)

Random Questions

Will Santa come this year?
Will Rudolph remain the Alpha reindeer?
Are Mills and Nana Addo sincere?
Are teenage boys drinking beer?

12 Days of Christmas - A View from Ghana

One the first day of Chrismas etc etc my true love gave to me:

A multi-coloured piece of Kente cloth
2 Ayigbe toffees
3 wicker baskets
4 Kafugbe Cockers
5 gold rings
6 bead bracelets
7 raffia mats
8 Ahenema sandals
9 Fontomfrom drummers
10 Kpanlogo dancers
11 Wood carvings
12 Apoto'yowas ;-)

and a multi-coloured piece of Kente cloth!

Blameless

The Innocent Man is sadly suspected
Of adultery and polygamy
The smart, Guilty One is wrongly respected
For merely playing Origami

Pina Colada

A stranger saw my Pina Colada
And asked for another
She took a mammoth sip
And refused to bring it back to her lip

'Honest'

Why are people quick to say ‘honest’ after a statement, when they badly want you to believe them, and yet not honest enough to say ‘dishonest’ after they have just told a frigging lie?

Staying Power

I made a new friend
Only two weeks ago
Now, I'm afraid it's the end
It's already time to go

Falling Fuel Prices

Fuel prices have gone down
It gives some a sunny smile
And others a foggy frown
Some say it's a lesson in guile

Does Money Grow on Trees?

Q: Does money grow on trees?
A: No.

Q: What would happen if money grew on trees?
A: We'd have to take it down while still green or hungry birds would eat it all.

Q: What about wealth?
A: It doesn't grow on trees either.

Q: Fool, I thought you would say that if money grew on trees, we'd all be wealthy.
A: No, you are the fool, for you will ask me next, what if I grew on a tree.

Random Questions

Are the weekends way too short?
So, will you take the Gov't to court?
Should skiving be your last resort?
Or will you get a doctor's report?

200

‘To love what you do and feel that it matters – how could anything else be more fun?” – Katharine Graham.

‘Develop [an] interest in life as you see it; in people, things, literature, music – the world is so rich, simply throbbing with rich treasures, beautiful souls and interesting people. FORGET YOURSELF.’ – Henry Miller.

At 200 posts, I’ve captured the Katharine-Graham bonheur, and I’m working out the Henry-Miller joie de vivre. Thank you, reader/blogger, for coming along on this amazing journey.

You, Ugly Thing, Driving

Out of his car window, a male thing
Held out a cup of hot something
Watching the steam rise while driving
At dangerous rush hour this morning

The Electricity Company in 10,000 B.C.

Wednesday night, a prehistoric donkey
Turned off the power key
And went to chase Miss Toad
Leaving darkness on Spintex Road