My Country is an Island

No, not a real island. But a metaphorical one.

Let me explain.

I live in the most westernized country in Africa. Yes, Really. Despite popular opinions, and i’m pointing fingers at the Europeans and Americans here, I do not have a pet lion, I do not ride a an elephant called Babaar to work and I do in fact know how to work a washing machine. I drive a German automobile (calm down. It cost less than my shoes), I savour Hazelnut Cappucino under the moonlit sky and I even enjoy listening to music from my iPod.

I once even had a ‘foreigner’ ask me if I had internet, when I mentioned I was from Africa. The perplexing thing was that he was responding to a post I had made on an internet message board…?

…?

…………..?

…………………?…………….?…………..?

I’m seriously being serious. What is it about the word Africa, that when you hear it, the blinders come up and the only thing you see is a bunch of half naked black men and women, beating their animal skin drums and eulalating into the early hours of the morning.

Just to let you know, i’m a pasty white guy. Big shock, I know.

But, could this be the reason why we can’t get good music, books or films here?

Although the pop culture swill manages to surface in our stores, everything else has to be special ordered with an exhorbitant freight charge added on. It’s highway robbery I tell you!

Does anyone know when the boat to the real world leaves? I need to get off this island.

 

One Bite at a Time

We have all heard the story about eating an Elephant…right? The only way to do it is one bite at time.

The reason I chose this topic for my second post, is because I believe that this is how life should be lived. No, I don’t mean snacking on Elephants for some pseudo-sacramental purpose. But for approaching life calmly. Responding to each  action with an action instead of a reaction.

What exactly does that mean? It means that your response must be a considered action instead of a violent/spiteful reaction.

Ever heard that phrase, “a man on a path of revenge must dig two graves, one for his enemy and one for himself.”?

This is so true, isn’t it? It may feel awesome giving your most hated enemy their come-uppance.
But sometimes it may leave you in a worse position than when you began.

But I digress.

This… let’s call it a schoolyard philosophy, can be applied anywhere really.

For example, when I first started Karate, and remember I’ve only been doing it for about a month(so i’m not exactly arguing from divine insight), I had this recurring fantasy in my mind about how much of a bad-ass I would be. That was until I stepped onto the floor of the dojo and realized that this really is going to take dedication and God forbid… HARD WORK!

But hey, it’s been a few weeks since my first class. And already I’m starting to feel stronger, more flexible and best of all, more confident.

“Anything worth doing, is worth doing right”

To break the cliché of wishing I had started this year’s ago, I’m going to oppose that frame of mind and raise an imaginary glass to my future. I’m really looking forward to the next few years.

“…and I can’t wait

To see the sun rise
again”

In Flames – A New Dawn

 

…and so it begins.

Greetings one and all, and welcome to my world.

“What world?” you may ask.

My world. Everything that is seen through my eyes. My views on politics, music, culture etc, etc…ad nauseum.

“Who am I?”

An excellent question. I am Barry, hear me ROAR!… Well that was awkward. I am a musician. I love music. And by music i mean MUSIC. If your “creativity,” if it can so be called, comes down to pushing a few buttons on a synth keyboard, then making that little tune loop for the whole song. You are not a musician. You are a robot. Domo arigato Mr. Roboto.. Goodbye.

However, if your soul bleeds into the music, if I can feel the emotion coming through the speakers. Then you are a musician. You have my attention.

I also love literature, and film. I enjoy seeing the way people express themselves. One day I would like to write a novel.

A recent interest of mine is Karate. I have taken up classes, and have already seen notable improvements in Health, fitness and temperament.

“What will this blog be about?”

Simply put, everything that excites me.