Video: 7-Year-Old Girl Calls For Peace During Elections

Catholics preach peace as poll approaches

by JUDIE KABERIA

Cardinal Njue further urged all candidates seeking elective posts to ask for votes peacefully and lawfully/FILE

NAIROBI, Kenya, Feb 9 – The Catholic Church in Kenya on Saturday launched a Lenten campaign dedicated to praying for peace as Kenya prepares to hold the general election in 22 days.

In a special national prayer day, Nairobi Archbishop John Cardinal Njue called on Kenyans to observe peace and unity to ensure a smooth transition to the next government.

“We therefore call upon you today to be instruments of peace. We remind you that peace is a divine gift which we cannot afford to lose. Our stable economic, social and religious well-being will always depend on the prevailing peace,” he asserted in his homily.

He appealed to Kenyans to also exercise their democratic right of electing leaders of their choice but at the same time to shun tribalism.

Cardinal Njue further urged all candidates seeking elective posts to ask for votes peacefully and lawfully in support of a democratic process intended to improve governance in the country.

“We remind our brothers and sisters that the principles of democracy, respect for human life and one another are vital for the preservation of peace before, during and after the general election,” he advised.

He also urged them to be ready to accept the outcome of the results which will be conducted by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) that has already earned some degree of public confidence.

However, if candidates will have any disagreements, he urged them to explore the judicial process since the courts are well prepared to deal with election disputes.

“Be content with what you freely and fairly get. In the event of dissatisfaction, let us seek justice through the legitimate court process to avoid threatening the peace and wellbeing of Kenyans,” he said.

In his message to Kenyans, he cautioned against careless utterances and behaviours witnessed in the run up to the 2007 general election and urged people to be careful that the same mistakes are not repeated in the March 4 elections.

Kisumu Archbishop Zacchaeus Okoth also announced that the catholic leadership will remain neutral and will not support any political side in support of unity as the country holds the elections.

He urged people to value the country more than politics. “Elections come and go, but Kenya will live forever, let us think of this as we go to elect leaders.”

During the launch at the Nyayo Stadium, the catholic faithful who begin lent on Wednesday agreed to dedicate all the five weeks to praying for Kenya to hold peaceful election and have a smooth transition.

The Lenten period starts with Ash Wednesday, which reminds Catholics that they came from ashes and they will return to ashes. It involves 40 days of prayer and fasting.

What The World Thought Of Kenya’s Presidential Debate

Kenya’s 1st Presidential Debate held on Monday night was indeed a historic event viewed and listened to across the country and beyond our borders. Our local media did a great job covering the event live, while regional and international media outlets offered post-event coverage and analysis of the debate.

Close to 100 regional and international media brands found our debate newsworthy. Among them were Aljazeera, BBC, The Guardian, TIME, New York Times, Yahoo News, VoA, Washington Post, Fox News, Global Post, ABC  News and so many more.

It was a sobering reminder that the world has, is and will be watching Kenya as the General Election draws nigh. Whatever their reasons, be it the 2007/8 post election violence or the ICC cases that followed soon after, or the fact that Kenyans on Twitter (#KOT) had the debate trending for hours, this on a day when the Pope announced that he would be resigning.

While we found this international attention certainly flattering, we couldn’t help but take note of the comments below articles posted online on various news sites. Here are some we found rather interesting:-

On Yahoo News

“Are gay rights on the table???”

“Hopefully Obama will win this one.”

“So how can they do that (debate) when we have their village idiot over here”

“Where are the white candidates?”

“What no white people, Kenya is nothing but a bunch of racist”

“Why all of a sudden does Yahoo post Kenya news?? If Obama is an American citizen then why should this even be news??”

“Gosh now were going to get Kenya news force fed to us, Because that’s where King Obama is really from…”

On  Al Jazeera

“The win by Uhuru is imminent.The West should start leaving if they can not put up with his administration.”

On the Daily Monitor

“I am looking forward for such debates in our country-Uganda.” 

“Debating is civilized but shooting at opposition is criminal. Kenya is always ahead of Uganda it seems these days, but in early Independence days Uganda was ahead.”

There is a lot to learn from all the comments on these articles whether they be ridden with humour, hate speech, admiration or blatant ignorance.

For us back at home, this debate as historic and memorable as it has been for both Kenya and indeed the African Continent exposes a nascent constitutional democracy grappling to break free from its past.

Kenya’s politics is still largely driven by personalities and less by issues and even less by ideologies. The chorus of candidates hailed the Constitution as the progressive and powerful legal pact that it is, yet none of them were able to convincingly pin-point what exactly are the stumbling blocks in its implementation three years since its promulgation.

The average viewer was left unclear on how the candidates would work with the institutional framework under the Constitution and the areas of weakness or failure in its implementation as spearheaded by Kibaki as President.

Source

Opinion|Kenya Presidential Debate: What Did it Accomplish?

Kenya Presidential Debate: What Did it Accomplish?

By Mohamed Wato

Kenyans have finally witnessed the presentation of much publicized Presidential debate that took place at Karen Brookside School in Nairobi. The event is a milestone in Kenya’s political history as the first ever of its kind. It signifies political maturity in the democratic arena and puts Kenya in the same league with other nations such as the United States that observes similar democratic practices before their national elections.Presidential debates, apart from being a procedural electoral affair are an opportunity for contenders to articulate their views, differentiate their party positions, and sell their manifestos. It gives the voter, particularly the undecided voter, a window to make up their minds. For the candidates, there is no better time than the debate symposium to win the hearts and minds of the people.

Debates are informed by pertinent issues that are relevant to the prevailing political situation. Globally, issues such as economy, security, and health are common challenges that face humanity across international borders. The difference comes into play with the nature of country specific problems.

For instance, a presidential debate in the United States is concerned with the national security strategy in terms of how the commander in chief would handle military operations in places like Afghanistan in the context of counter terrorism efforts while balancing it with competing needs of the fragile diplomatic relations in the Middle East. The GOP and the Democratic Party candidate will counter and check each other’s arguments while guarding to preserve relationship with Israel and defining relation with Iran. The candidates have to make convincing arguments to influence the voter perception.

But with our maiden attempt at the presidential debate, It seems our aspirants have had a good days outing and had fun. Except for personalized attacks gravitating around the ICC cases, ethnicity, and broad discussion on health and education, all of them failed to address priority issues in a logical way – They did not explain their manifestos or show clarity of ideas to demonstrate understanding of problems facing the people.

Let me give an example. We are at this moment dealing with national security issues arising from our involvement in Somalia. The threat of terrorism is our greatest concern. The influx of refugees from neighbouring war-torn countries, the proliferation of illicit small arms and criminality is on the rise and out of control. But none of the candidates was presidential in form and style to address the national security issues from the strategic platform as expected from commander in chief. Why did they forget mentioning regional bodies such as the African Union, IGADD, and the EAC in their political vision? How about a proposal to import democracy or economics to our neighbours? You recall Yoweri Museveni was reported for warning his uncooperative parliament and threatening a military coup. Isn’t it prudent for our presidential contenders to press for democracy in Uganda during this debate? How about justifying economic growth rates and balancing inflation, unemployment by talking investment in emerging economies like South Sudan?

Without doubt the actualization of presidential debate was a major progress and a positive mark for Kenya. It is one thing among many including the new constitution to redeem Kenya’s lost glory in the 2007/8 experience of post-election violence.

Mohamed Dida was impeccable. He played Ron Paul with his aunthetic disposition.

Author:  Mohamed Wato, Major (Rtd). Mohamed is a retired army officer, a practicingSecurity professional and a Mwakilishi.com contributor. He is the author of the book”Walking A tight Rope amidst Kenya Post Election Violence“.

The views expressed on this op-ed/blog are solely those of the author and do not reflect the opinionsof Mwakilishi News Media, or any other individual, organization, or institution. The content on this op-ed/blog is not intended to malign any religion, ethnic group, club, organization, company, or individual. The author himself is responsible for the content of the posts on this op-ed/blog, not any other organization or institution which he might be seen to represent. The author is not responsible, nor will he be held liable, for any statements made by others on this op-ed/blog in the op-ed blog comments, nor the laws which they may break in this country or their own, through their comments’ content, implication, and intent. The author reserves the right to delete comments if and when necessary. The author is not responsible for the content or activities of any sites linked from this op-ed/blog. Unless otherwise indicated, all translations and other content on here are original works of the op-ed/blog author and the copyrights for those works belong to the author.

UK Donates £500,000 to ICC Trust Fund for Victims

English: International Criminal Court (ICC) logo (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

United Kingdom donates £500,000 to ICC Trust Fund for Victims as part of G8 Initiative on Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict

The Hague – At a reception following the Preventing Sexual Violence Initiative G8 Expert Meeting in London on 12 February 2013, Foreign Secretary William Hague of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland announced a donation of half a million British Pounds to the Trust Fund for Victims (TFV) for supporting victims of sexual violence under the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court (ICC). It is the third year in a row that the UK is making such a significant donation.

In a written statement to Parliament, the Foreign Secretary, William Hague, said: “I can announce today that the UK will contribute an additional £500,000 to the International Criminal Court’s Trust Fund for Victims. We believe the Trust Fund for Victims (TFV) is doing excellent work in supporting victims of sexual and gender based violence during conflict.”

The U.K. contribution signifies that assistance and reparations for victims of sexual violence are prioritized under U.K.’s multidisciplinary task force to support international and national jurisdictions in investigating and preventing sexual violence in armed conflict.

The Trust Fund for Victims’ Board of Directors welcomes Foreign Secretary Hague’s announcement and appreciates the donation to the TFV as reflecting the U.K.’s strong advocacy for the need of concerted international action and more resources in the fight against sexual violence in conflict under the United Kingdom’s Presidency of the G8.

Kristin Kalla, Senior Programme Officer of the TFV was present at the event and stated that “the Trust Fund has made significant progress in supporting over 5000 survivors of sexual and gender-based violence in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and northern Uganda and believes the U.K.’s generous contribution will allow the Fund to expand their assistance to other situations such as the Central African Republic.”

@CharlesGichane, PPA  (@PositivePress_) 

ICC Generates Heat in Kenya's First Debate

ICC GENERATES HEAT DURING KENYA’S FIRST PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE

by Tom Maliti

The International Criminal Court (ICC) generated a lot of attention during Kenya’s first presidential debate, which the media organized and broadcast across dozens of television and radio stations.

Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Muigai Kenyatta was put on the spot over why he is seeking the country’s highest office while facing charges before the ICC. However, that was not the only the ICC-related question that came up in the debate on Monday during which eight presidential candidates spoke on security, health, and education as well as the ICC for more than three hours.

Current and past cabinet members who are seeking the country’s presidency also presented conflicting accounts on how the ICC got involved in the cases that originates from the violence that nearly tore Kenya apart five years ago. One of the candidates also questioned whether the ICC prosecutor left out President Mwai Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Amolo Odinga from the Kenya cases and promised to have them investigated if he was elected to office.

The Alliance for Real Change in Kenya presidential candidate, Mohamed Abduba Diba, wondered why it is when a clerk in a government office is accused of crime, the clerk is suspended until the case is completed, yet Kenyatta is running for high office.

“Justice is justice,” said Diba. “Why is it different for Uhuru and his friends?”

Kenyatta replied that suspension and other measures applied to people appointed to a public office, whereas he was seeking to be elected to office.

“I want to be very clear. The job that I seek is going to be given by the people of Kenya,” Kenyatta said.

Some of Kenyatta’s competitors, while acknowledging the serious charges facing him, said that they would rather defeat him at the ballot.

“I do not want to eliminate any kind of competition. I know it’s not even practical,” said Odinga, who has been leading in the opinion polls to date.

Odinga, Kenyatta, and the National Rainbow Coalition candidate, Martha Karua, gave conflicting accounts on why the Kenyan parliament was unable to legislate a special court to adjudicate cases emanating from the post-election violence of December 2007-February 2008, leading to the ICC intervening in the Kenya situation.

Karua, who was Minister of Justice in 2008-2009 when the issue of establishing a limited-term independent tribunal to handle the politically-sensitive cases arose, said that she did not receive any support from Kibaki or Odinga in parliament when the matter was put to a vote. Odinga, for his part, said that he and Kibaki lobbied members of parliament, but they met with strong resistance. Odinga further said that an attempt in mid-2009 to reintroduce the issue of the local tribunal was defeated at the cabinet level, with Kenyatta being part of the group that opposed the re-introduction. Kenyatta denied he resisted any efforts at forming a local tribunal to handle the post-election violence cases.

Another candidate, Paul Muite of the Safina Party, said he wondered “whether there was rigging on the part of the prosecutor,” when the Kenya cases were taken to the ICC.

“You cannot persuade my mind or any rational person that it is only these four people who knew about it,” Muite said in reference to the four Kenyans facing trial at the ICC. Other than Kenyatta, his running mate, former Cabinet minister William Samoei Ruto, faces trial at the ICC. Former Public Service chief Francis Kirimi Muthaura and radio journalist Joshua arap Sang, also face trial there.

Muite said that if he became president he would investigate the roles Kibaki and Odinga played during the post-election violence.

“I’d be very willing to go The Hague if the Honorable Muite wants to take me there,” Odinga said.

All candidates were also asked whether they will conduct peaceful campaigns and accept defeat. They all said they would, but if they disagreed with the results declared, they would go to court rather than organize protests on the streets. A dispute over the presidential poll results in December 2007 is what sparked the violence then. The opposition contender at the time, Odinga, called for protests because he did not trust the courts to adjudicate fairly or quickly his grievances. On Monday, Odinga committed to accepting the results, and if he disagreed with them, he said he would go to court.

The second and final presidential debate is scheduled for Monday, February 25.

The full presidential debate can be viewed here.

Source

 @CharlesGichane, PPA  (@PositivePress_) 

In Pictures: 10 Incredible Real Places Straight Out Of A Dream

10 Incredible Real Places Straight Out Of A Dream

by Mike Floorwalker

Quick—are you dreaming right now? How do you know? After all, lots of dreams are pretty mundane, and you spend an awful lot of time reading lists, so it could certainly be that this website seeped into your subconscious. Or, perhaps reality is totally skewed all around you right now, but since your brain effectively turns off its logic circuits while you’re dreaming, you just can’t tell how weird everything is. Well, you’re probably not dreaming. But if you happened to find yourself standing in any one of the following places, you’d have a damn tough time convincing yourself of that.

10

Cube Houses Of Rotterdam

Dutch architect Piet Blom is best known for designing this complex in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, which he envisioned as a forest with every structure being a tree. Mr. Blom apparently had a very, very different view of forests than most people. Built in 1984, theKijk-Cubus or cube houses are occupied by their owners and used as either homes or business. One is kept open to the public so it’s well worth a visit.

9

Monster Kabinett

Part of many underground tours in Berlin, one doesn’t have to speak German to get the meaning behind Monster Kabinett. Maintained by an art collective known as the Dead Pigeon Collective, it is simply an entire warehouse full of insanity located in a dark alley. There are robotic installations and sculptures resembling malformed faces, giant insects and other bizarre creatures. Prior to the collective taking it over in 1995, the building had stood vacant since it was used to hide Jewish families from the Nazis in the ’40s in secret rooms that are still untouched, adding an extra layer of creepiness. Visitors could be forgiven for assuming they’d fallen asleep watching Nine Inch Nails videos, only to dream they are inside one.

8

Devil’s Postpile

 

The geological formation known as the Devil’s Postpile is the largest known example of a columnar basalt. This type of formation happens when basaltic lava forms a lake, cools slowly, and cracks along stress points. The formation is six stories high and displays highly unusual symmetry. Almost as strange is the giant pile of identical looking pieces at the bottom, which could easily be named Devil’s Lego.

7

Hobgoblin’s Playground

These red sandstone formations in Nevada are truly bizarre—millions of years in the making—and caused by that magical combination of wind and water (heavy amounts of both, which explains the lack of plant life). The landscape here doesn’t just melt and run—it appears to be alive. Distorted profiles of weird creatures, disembodied fins and faces and all manner of dreamlike weirdness awaits you at Hobgoblin’s Playground, which is also known as Little Finland.

6

The Stone Waterfalls

At first glance, this looks like a frozen waterfall, which is kind of impossible, especially in such a moderate climate as the south of Mexico. It actually is a waterfall of stone, which is several orders of magnitude more impossible, but here it is; above the tourist attraction of Hierve el Agua (The Water Boils) in Oaxaca is what really looks like a petrified waterfall. The main tourist draw here are the natural mineral springs, and they are also the reason for this surreal geological formation. There was once an actual waterfall at the site, where the water is so rich in minerals that a whole bunch got left behind.

 5

Blue City of Chefchaouen, Morocco

Chefchaouen is a popular Moroccan tourist destination due to its proximity to Tangiers. It is named for the twin mountain peaks that overlook the town—its name translates roughly to “look at the horns.” Chefchaouen is notable not for its twin peaks but for another reason—everything is blue. And we mean pretty much everything.

In a tradition started by Jewish settlers in the 1930s, practically every house and building in the entire town is painted in various shades of light blue and it’s not uncommon to see residents outside with paintbrushes, touching up the blue on their houses. It’s a pretty tiny town where most roads lead to the Central Plaza or Plaza Uta el-Hammam. The region is also one of the chief producers of cannabis in Morocco—how many more reasons do you need to visit this incredible place?

4

McMurdo Sound Ice Shelf

 

Many scientists think that primitive life began on ice shelves much like the one in McMurdo Sound in Antarctica. Researchers in this region must deal with long stretches of permanent and semi-permanent day and night, which must mess with one’s sleep pretty badly. We imagine this can cause enough complications during waking hours without the entire landscape looking like something out of a dream.

The effect seen above is caused by several different types of ice—glacial ice, marine ice, and the surface stuff—being present on the snow-covered surface of the ice shelf, combined with wind erosion. The same effect is known to be be caused by various psychotropic drugs—LSD, marijuana, mescaline—being present on the surface of one’s brain, combined with reality erosion. Neither of these things—tons of drugs, coldest temperatures on the planet—are terribly safe, so if you find yourself here you’d better hope it is actually a dream.

3

Antelope Canyon

Antelope Canyon is a slot canyon, which is a narrow crevice caused by quickly moving waters. Its Navajo name is Tse’ bighanilini (place where water runs through the rocks). Carved from the same sandstone mentioned earlier, the result is an extremely fluid looking environment. The small amount of natural light contributes to the otherworldly feeling, and there are places where beams of light illuminate small portions of otherwise gloomy basins. Needless to say, photographers and filmmakers love the place—but you have to go with a guide, who is there to prevent damage to the surroundings and perhaps to stop you losing your mind.

2

The Wave

There is a place in the Arizona desert where ancient sand dunes—layer upon layer of them buried underground for millenia—came to the surface a few million years ago. Water erosion revealed iron and mineral deposits that are wind smoothed over the surfaces. The result in the present day is a mind-bending landscape that your brain may outright reject if you were to stumble across it.

Of course, that wouldn’t be easy—the Bureau of Land Management doesn’t exactly herd visitors out to what is commonly known as The Wave on account of the person-killing heat and how understandably easy it is to get lost in the area.

1

Dallol Volcano

In the desert of Ethiopia, in a very sparsely inhabited region, lies a volcanic cratersurrounded by an abundant variety of minerals. Sulfur, salt, iron, and ocher abound. There are also acidic pools and hot springs—all things associated with volcanic and geothermal activity. Nothing out of the ordinary here, except . . . this.

All of these things combine to produce an absolute riot of colors and formations that nobody associates with nature: Some areas look like snow-covered plains. Some look like mountains with the hue setting tweaked to hell. And some look like pools on the surface of the moon. The area is seldom visited or photographed for good reasons—toxic fumes are often present as a result of all the weird chemical combinations, and it happens to regularly record the highest average temperature in a notoriously hot area. Its name, in the local language, means disintegrated, which aptly describes one’s sense of reality when laying eyes upon this place.

Floorwalker can be harassed on his blog or followed around on Twitter.

@CharlesGichane, PPA  (@PositivePress_) 

Infographic: Does Texting Hurt Your Grammar?

 

Does Texting Hurt Your Grammar?

Source

In Pictures: All that Jazz in Nairobi

All that Jazz

All that Jazz celebrated its second anniversary this past Saturday with a show at the National Museum in Nairobi. The event featured performances by Atemi ‘Evergreen’ Oyungu and Eric Wainaina along with Uganda’s Maurice Kirya who headlined the show. He put on quite an electrifying performance and the ladies were left quite enamoured by his charming lyrics and on-stage antics.  Aaron ‘Krucial’ Rimbui and his band marked the milestone with various compositions including a Jazz rendition of the Milestone’s – Care for You. The man who gave us the ‘Lemon Face’ was on point as usual and had the crowd chanting for more at the end.

There was an impromptu interlude during the show when Patricia Kihoro was invited by Maurice Kirya on stage where he confessed that he had a crush on the songstress. Let us just say there were plenty of laughs along the way and they ended up jamming together for a few minutes making for thoroughly entertaining show.

Check out pictures of the event here!

Photos courtesy of Wamuyu Kiragu KWELI Magazine/ClickPictureWorks Africa www.click.co.ke

Download: J. Cole “Truly Yours” EP

J. Cole “Truly Yours” EP

J. Cole was holed up in the studio along side Wale and No I.D. on this auspicious of nights, probably working on Born Sinner.

The Dreamville capo decided to announce that his next single from his sophomore album Born Sinner will be dropping later this week and sends off 5 new songs which J.Cole says are all just unreleased/unfinished and demos that he wanted to share. Get it below.

DOWNLOAD: J. Cole – Truly Yours EP

1. Can I Holla At Ya
2. Crunch Time
3. Rise Above
4. Tears For ODB
5. Stay (2009) [Prod. No I.D.]

Source

@CharlesGichane, PPA  (@PositivePress_) 

Pictures: Beyoncé Covers Vogue Magazine

Queen Beyonce STILL runs the world and she strikes a pose on the March issue of Vogue. In the cover story, she speaks on the family life, motherhood and her upcoming HBO documentary.

A couple of weeks after the Super Bowl madness, Beyoncé will admit the public—or at least the HBO-buying members of the public—into her world in a manner she’s never done before, through Life Is But a Dream. “My story has never been told—no one really knows who I am,” she says, a comment that may distress the authors of the nine unauthorized Beyoncé biographies I found for sale on Amazon.

@CharlesGichane, PPA (@PositivePress_)

A Quarter-Century of Life Lessons: 25

When you’re a little kid birthdays are a big deal. You get cards from every aunt, uncle and neighbor you don’t even know and at school you get to bring in treats and wear a ribbon. And then there’s the cake. I loved every new candle each age earned and how it made my birthday seem bigger and brighter with every passing year. My birthday is still a day when I feel very special, though it’s not nearly as big of an ordeal as my childhood self once made it. But instead of those birthday candles merely adding glow to a cake, I now see them as adding wisdom to my life. And so on my grand quarter-century birthday, I want to revisit the blog post I wrote about one year ago at this time “(Almost) A Quarter-Century of Life Lessons” and with this new year and new candle,  I’ve added the life lesson my 25th year has taught me to this ever growing list.

1. Tie your happiness to a goal—not people or things

You will never be able to control people or things; don’t let your happiness be dependent upon them.

2. There is no such thing as awkward situations, only awkward people

Realizing this allowed me to take control of situations and handle them with confidence and grace.

3. Sometimes good things fall apart so better things can fall together

It’s not easy when you feel slighted or taken advantage of, but I truly believe that there’s a greater plan and even the bad parts play in to a happy ending.

4. Crying is neither an indication that you’re weak nor a solution to your problems

You can never really hold emotion in. Not dealing with how you feel causes emotion to come out as passive aggression or displaced anger. I allow myself a good pity party from time to time, but after that’s over I don’t let my thoughts linger. I move on.

5. No matter how many mistakes you make or how slow you progress, you are still way ahead of everyone who isn’t trying

Sure it’s easy for people to sit back and criticize when they’re not in your position. But even failing is a sign that you’re trying—and that’s so much more productive than standing still.

6. Do what you love, not what you think you’re supposed to do

I struggled with this one for a while. I thought I was supposed to stay with whatever job offered the most money and benefits, regardless of how miserable I became. Sure I’d like more money, but it will come. Until then, I’d much rather be doing what I love and calling my own shots.

7. Only blaze your own trail if no one before you has gone where you’re going

Don’t take the path less traveled solely for the sake of being different. There’s no shame in following in someone’s footsteps, especially if you admire the path they’ve chosen.

8. If you keep doing what you’re doing, you’ll keep getting what you’re getting

This can be applied to both results you want to keep and results you want to change. If you want change you have to create change—time alone cannot and will not do this.

9. At the core, people are truly good

Sometimes I meet people who really test this belief of mine! But if I spend enough time with someone, somewhere along the line they give me the proof I need to know this is still very true.

10. Strive for progress, not perfection

The real world doesn’t reward perfectionists; it rewards people who get things done. Trying to make each day perfect will only paralyze you from making any sort of progress, perfect or not.

11. Opportunity doesn’t go away, it just goes to someone else

Remembering this makes me reconsider any time I’m tempted to take any opportunity for granted and let it pass by.

12. Do not compromise sleep for anything

Anyone who knows me knows that even with a big project or looming deadline, I would rather call it a night and wake up early to get it done. Sleep is sacred to me—it allows my mind and body to reset. Don’t deprive yourself of this vital time; you need it to do anything else to your full ability.

13. As soon as you wake up, start by saying one positive thing about today

I’ve used this positive thinking technique to get me through some of the gloomiest work periods of my life. No one wants to be at the beginning of a 12 hour work day, but saying one thing you have to look forward to—even if it’s just a your favorite lunch–will help get you out of bed.

14. Not getting what you want is sometimes a wonderful stroke of luck

It may not be what you want, but life will always give you exactly what you need. The sooner I learned to trust this, the sooner I was able to let go of all of the “What If’s.”

15. When you don’t plan everything, everything goes as planned

You may remember this as a blog post where I learned a pretty valuable life lesson. By planning everything, I only set myself up for frustration (and madness) when things would inevitably change.

16. Don’t measure life in grand gestures or life-changing moments

In doing so, you will miss the better part of what life truly is…the little moments

17. Happiness and success are independent of each other

Sure they can, and often do, occur at the same time. But this is not guaranteed nor is the fact that one will always cause the other. You must pursue each separately.

18. The problems we have with other people are more often about ourselves

You may remember my post about not having to like everyone you work with. It’s a fact of life that we will interact with people we don’t like, but do remain introspective about what it is that bothers us about someone else. It’s most often a reflection of our own insecurity or jealousy we can work on.

19. You will never be 100% ready for an opportunity when it arises

Never use this as an excuse not to take it!

20. Time can only heal what we allow it to

If you allow your mind to wallow in sorrow or hurt, it’s like picking at a scab that’s trying to heal. Either move on or embrace the fact that this will become your scar.

21. Never assume you’re the best or worst at anything

A quote Mr. S often shares with me is from his former coach, Joe Paterno “You’re never as good as you think you are when you win and you’re never as bad as you think you are when you lose.” This thought keeps me grounded.

22. Deferring your happiness to the future is a terrible decision

So often we hear people say, “I can’t wait until I retire so I can do that.” But why not be happy and do what we love right now and throughout our entire lives? Don’t put off your happiness and life goals until you have more money or more time, both can run out sooner than expected.

23. Under promise and over deliver

In work and in relationships, never promise more than you can reasonably give. It’s far better to underestimate your skills and commitment to someone to ensure you’re always exceeding their expectations.

24. Nobody has it all figured out

And anyone who claims they do probably has the most to learn.

The newest life lesson that I will add to the 25th spot on my list is the lesson I believe this year was meant to teach me. It’s a lesson that I not only personally experienced, but finally had the wisdom to open my eyes and see all around me…

25. Merely planning to do something is not the same as accomplishing something

I become so frustrated when a goal is set and never met. With so much information about goal setting and motivation I could never justify why so many good intentions never get off the ground. Just before my 25th birthday I reasoned that the answer was the trap of thinking planning to do something is the same as  accomplishing something. Good intentions are not enough if you want to bring something to reality. So as we emerge on the cusp of New Year resolutions, keep this simple truth in mind. It’s a lesson I’ll be sure to carry into my next quarter-century and beyond!

By Stephanie (Bennis) Shirley, Founder and CEO of Bennis Public Relations, Inc

Audio: Justin Timberlake – Mirrors [Prod. Timbaland]

@CharlesGichane, PPA (@PositivePress_)

Live HD Video Performance: Kanye West – Blame Game ft. John Legend

[Kanye West]
Whose fault?

[Intro: John Legend]
Let’s play the blame game, I love you, more
Let’s play the blame game for sure
Let’s call out names, names, I hate you, more
Let’s call out names, names, for sure
I’ll call you bitch for short
As a last resort, and a first result
You call me motherfucker for long
At the end of it you know we both were wrong

[Hook: John Legend]
But I love to play the blame game, I love you more
Let’s play the blame game for sure
Let’s call her names, names, I hate you, more
Let’s call her names, names, for sure

[Verse 1: Kanye West]
On a bathroom wall I wrote
“I’d rather argue with you than to be with someone else”
I took a piss and dismiss it like “fuck it” and I went and found somebody else
Fuck arguing and harvesting the feelings, yo, I’d rather be by my fucking self
Till about two a.m. and I call back and I hang up and I start to blame myself
Somebody help

[Hook]

[Verse 2: Kanye West]
You weren’t perfect but you made life worth it
Stick around, some real feelings might surface
Been a long time since I spoke to you in a bathroom gripping you up
And fucking and choking you
What the hell was I supposed to do?
I know you ain’t getting this type of dick from that local dude
And if you are I hope you are have a good time
Cause I definitely be having mine
And you ain’t finna see a mogul get emotional
Every time I hear bout other niggas is strokin’ you
Lying, say I hit you
He sitting there consoling you
Running my name through the mud
Who’s provoking you?
You should be grateful a nigga like me ever noticed you
Now you noticeable and can’t nobody get control of you
One a.m. and can’t nobody get a hold of you
I’m calling your brother’s phone like what was I supposed to do?
Even though I knew, he never told the truth
He was just gon’ say whatever that you told him to
At a certain point I had to stop asking questions
Y’all got dirt on each other like mud wrestlers
I heard he bought some coke with my money
That ain’t right girl
You getting blackmailed for that white girl
You always said Yeezy I ain’t your right girl
You’ll probably find one of them “I like art”-type girls
All of the lights, she-was-caught-in-the-hype girl
And I was satisfied being in love with the lie
Now who to blame, you to blame, me to blame
For the pain and it poured every time when it rained
Lets play the blame game

[Hook]

[Verse 3: Kanye West]
Things used to be, now they not
Anything but us is who we are
Disguising ourselves as secret lovers
We’ve become public enemies
We walk away like strangers in the street
Gone for eternity
We erased one another
So far from where we came
With so much of everything, how do we leave with nothing
Lack of visual empathy equates the meaning of L-O-V-E
Hatred and attitude tear us entirely
Chloe Mitchell

[Hook: Kanye West]
I can’t love you this much
No, I can’t love you this much

[Verse 4: Kanye West]
And I know that you are somewhere doing your thing
And when the phone called it just ring and ring
You ain’t pick up but your phone accidentally called me back
And I heard the whole thing
I heard the whole thing, the whole thing, the whole thing

@CharlesGichane, PPA (@PositivePress_)

Video: Drake “Started From The Bottom”

From his hometown of Toronto to the Dominican Republic, the Grammy Best Rap Winner premieres his new video off his untitled album. Directed by Little X.

@CharlesGichane, PPA (@PositivePress_)

Poem: Getting Love Off My Chest

You can either take me as I am or leave me as I was.

Ever felt like letting go? Only holding on to lessen the blow
Pretending in love — mistaking dependence for growth
Lord knows, I’ve been broke — she helped get me fixed, but how far does my debt go?
Paying for the past — praying for my future, how much pain can one heart hold?

I’m told — that love grows as time unfolds
But I propose that the hold this emotion has on me is too much control
I’m told — that love slows as distance grows —
So what else can we hold when time wont let go?

Never knew love — till it smacked me in the face,
Now I’m scared to move on cause my past has quickened its pace
It’s catching up to us — I can see the pain in your face,
We’ve both aged — looking dated — hard to believe that we once dated
Lovers for a moment, now strangers pretending love is still our neighbor

Does distance destroy love? Or does the lack of love create distance?
I offer little resistance to the feelings existing, inside this prison —
That I call a body — look how I’ve become conditioned

From smiling in pictures, to drowning in liquor,
Smoking away the pain that has become a permanent fixture

I look to the sky for answers, look within for a clue
But the answer isn’t me baby — the question is you

@CharlesGichane, PPA (@PositivePress_)

Video: Pusha T x Rick Ross “Millions”

[Intro: Pusha-T]
You know what happen when G.O.O.D. Music and MMG get together, right?
We get that money

[Hook: Pusha-T] x2
Millions-millions in the ceiling
Millions-millions in the ceiling
Millions-millions in the ceiling
Millions-millions in the ceiling
Choppas-choppas in the closet
Choppas-choppas in the closet
Choppas-choppas in the closet
Choppas-choppas in the closet

[Verse 1: Pusha-T]
This that shit that y’all wanted
This shit cook up hard, don’t it?
Y’all gotta beg my pardon on it
But this shit sound like God don’t it?
Yuugh, I’m tired, nigga and y’all gotta pay your tithes, nigga
Call my Phantom the holy ghost, church on chrome wheel tires, nigga
Pop tags when I’m paranoid, cause the pawn shop was my paradise
I was dead pop when that powder came for that knot saved in that shoebox
Blue tops, blue tops, bad bitch in that blue fox
This big face is in blu-ray and these black diamonds like boondocks
I restore the feelin’ of when niggas made a killin’
Hidin’ choppas in the closet, half a million in the ceiling
And them hoes with angel faces, cryin’ loud with ill intentions
Just so I can buy them Christians, have ’em shittin’ on all they bitches, ah!

[Hook] x2

[Verse 2: Rick Ross]
I’m haunted by horror stories, wanna-be home owners
Horrible outcome, a dope boy got one motive
Cries when he convicted, cried on every visit
I’m cryin’ sayin’ his name, ride for all my niggas
Used to fiddle my finger ’til I found me a fortune
Finger fuck a Ferrari, south of France early morning
Did drugs with Donatella, Versace my a cappella
Never see me in Neiman’s, niggas committin’ treason
Soft loafer preferred, frost, organic herb
Stay away from the Forbes, if I only could tell you more
I got this I got that, I got that I got this
Got a kilo for 20, my choppas say I’m the shit

[Hook] x2

[Verse 3: Pusha T]
This that shit y’all ask for
Make a nigga mash on the gas, floor
Two-door, four-door, roll through the hood like task force
Fast forward–oops! They say they wanna see proof
My record sales ain’t much as theirs and we still ride the same coupes
How we still fuck the same hoes, why we still buy the same clothes
How we both got the same watch, I’m just keepin’ y’all on y’all toes
Dope boys, gold mine, that price drop and that coke rise
Then set it over that blue flame then hang it dry like clothesline
I restore the feelin’ of when niggas made a killin’
Hidin’ choppas in the closet, half a million in the ceiling
Got the razor on the counter, Arm & Hammer in the kitchen
Just to keep my feet in Christians and keep fuckin’ all y’all bitches

[Hook] x2

[Outro] x4
This that shit that ya’ll wanted
This shit sound like God don’t it

@CharlesGichane, PPA (@PositivePress_)

10 Worst Communication Mistakes For Your Career

“How do you signal to the world you’re leadership material?” asks Sylvia Ann Hewlett, an economist and the founding president of the Center for Talent Innovation (CTI) in New York. “You don’t get a shot at being a leader unless you signal right.”

According to a new year-long study of over 4,000 college-educated professionals and 268 senior executives, conducted by CTI and in partnership with Marie Claire magazine, you must be viewed as a leader in order to get promoted into top jobs. That takes “executive presence,” which is defined as having gravitas, excellent communication skills and a polished appearance.

These skills are required, but that doesn’t mean you rack up bonus points for having them. Instead, you get demerits for your mistakes, as superiors silently cross you off their good lists. So what are the pitfalls to avoid? The study uncovered the 10 worst communication mistakes that will instantly derail your promotion hopes.

No. 1: Racially Biased Comments

Of executives surveyed, 72% said racially biased comments are a major blunder for men and 70% said the same for women. This is the top offense for good reason. These remarks easily offend or insult, reflect poor judgment and reveal low emotional intelligence, according to the researchers.

No. 2: Off-Color Jokes

This second worst communication mistake is similar to the first. Telling inappropriate jokes makes people uncomfortable, revealing an inability to properly read the audience and environment. On the flip side, 61% of executives believe being able to sense the mood of others and effectively adjust your language, tone and content is one of the top skills required to advance.

No. 3: Crying

Rightly or wrongly, workplace tears do not communicate leadership potential—especially if you’re a man. While 59% of executives say crying makes a woman look bad, 63% believe it’s a top mistake for men. “You have to be able to control your emotions,” a male banking executive told researchers.

No. 4: Sounding Uneducated

Executives say it’s important for leaders to portray gravitas, worldliness and intellectual horsepower. Thus, sounding uneducated will immediately undermine your chances of ascension. One IT manager told the researchers, “I’ve been with bosses who look like they would be competent, and then they blow it when they open their mouths and sound like complete buffoons.”

No. 5: Swearing

Cursing is a gender-neutral faux pas. It’s generally considered unprofessional and unfitting of a leader. Interestingly, it’s also a major mistake online, which in itself is a communication minefield. Those polled said the top three online communications blunders are posting unflattering messages about colleagues, posting unprofessional photos and being too personal.

No. 6: Flirting

Even though some believe flirting can be a currency in the office, nearly half of executives say it will undercut your professional reputation, regardless of whether you’re a man or woman. Flirting–the subtle suggestion of the possibility, but not the probability, of something sexual occurring between two individuals–can easily be taken the wrong way.

No. 7: Scratching Yourself

Not only is this off-putting, it’s distracting. The study researchers found that fidgeting in general detracts from your executive presence. Fiddling with your clothes or mobile devices in meetings makes you appear ill at ease or as if you’re not paying attention.

No. 8: Avoiding Eye Contact

Body language experts say avoiding eye contact makes it seem like you might be lying or have something to hide. If you’re in a meeting, it may also give the impression that you’re uninterested. On the other hand, looking people in the eyes makes them feel like you’re listening.  “[Magazine editor] Joanna Coles has some of the fiercest eye contact in the business,” said Hewlett. “It demonstrates her interest.”

No. 9: Rambling

If you can’t keep your message succinct and coherent, you won’t appear in control. You also weaken the power and impact of the points you’re trying to make. Former Bank of America executive Sallie Krawcheck told Hewlett that women in particular tend to have trouble with silences. “You have to get the power of silence,” she said. “Women like to fill spaces with chatter. But if you leave spaces around your important thoughts, you give weight and gravitas to what you say.”

No. 10: Giggling Too Much and Speaking Shrilly

Leaders say that giggling or laughing too much is a top communication blunder for women, and speaking shrilly is a top problem for men. Appropriate laughter and tone of voice are major indicators of gravitas. Researchers discovered that the high-pitched shrill voice comes off as overly emotive and causes other to tune out.

Jenna Goudreau, Forbes Staff

@CharlesGichane, PPA (@PositivePress_)

[PHOTOS] 25 Sexiest Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Models Of All-Time

The 25 Sexiest Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Models Of All-Time [PHOTOS]

The Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue has been getting bigger every year, but what a lot of fans don’t know is that the magazine dates all the way back to 1964 with just one model — Babette March. The special edition has since grown to account for 11% of Sports Illustrated‘s revenue in 2009 (that number is probably higher today) and become an international sensation.

For us, though, the draw has always been about the women. In the 49 years that the issue has been published, 125+ female models and celebrities have posed for the magazine. That’s a lotta hotties.

So in celebration of the 50th Anniversary of the influential magazine, we’ve decided to rank the top 25 hottest SI Swimsuit Models of all-time. We would hope that you would be chivalrous enough to fight for your favorites in the comment section at the bottom.

25. Genevieve Morton: Genevieve is one of the office favorites who for some odd reason hasn’t gotten the shine she deserves. She was “Kate Upton” before Kate Upton. The South African model got her first start in Sports Illustrated in 2010 and has been in the magazine ever since.

24. Beyonce: Is there anything this fierce female hasn’t done? We love her GQ shoot as much as anyone but there’s no comparison to the photos she took when posing for the Special Edition of the 2007 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue.

23. Monica Bellucci: Monica’s been involved with a lot of stuff since her appearance in the magazine, so a lot of young guns will probably be surprised to know that she used to be in the Swimsuit Issue way back in 1991. Unfortunately, it was one and done.

22. Nina Agdal: Nina was last year’s Rookie of the Year, but that award alone isn’t enough to land you on this HOF list. No, Nina’s here because her work with VS and numerous other lingerie/swimwear companies show that she’s the real deal. Hell, she’s even rumored already to have landed the 2013 cover (but we’re not so sure about that).

10. Heidi Klum: If you now associate Hedi with her recent divorce from Seal or her work on Project Runway, you’re an idiot. This supermodel has been in eight issues since 1998 and graced the cover of the 1998 issue.

20. Carol Alt: The Queens-born stunner appeared in four consecutive issues from ’81-’84 (gracing the cover in ’82) then came back for the ’87 and ’89 editions.

19. Laetitia Casta: The 34-year-old French fox is best known for being the GUESS? Girl in ’93 and for her work with Victoria’s Secret from ’98-’00, but she also appeared in three consecutive SI issues.

18. Izabel Goulart: The 27-year-old Brazilian beauty is best known as one of the Victoria’s Secret Angels from 2005 to 2008, but also made a spalsh with her appearance in last year’s issue. That same year, she also made FHM Magazine‘s list of the “100 Sexiest Women In The World.”

17. Daniela Pestova: Yet another Czech model bringing the European fire, Daniela has been in four issues of the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue, earning the rights to be on the cover of the 2000 issue.

16. Irina Shayk: This Russian smokeshow is best known for her SI Swimsuit Issue appearances from 2007 to 2011. As of now she’s only got one cover appearance but considering that it was just last year, she makes a strong favorite for this year’s cover.

15. Ana Beatriz Barros: Featured in seven issues (2002-2008), this Brazilian beauty has yet to make it onto the cover. That’s the level of talent that this magazine brings to the table year after year.

14. Rachel Hunter: Born in New Zealand, Rachel is best known for her appearances in the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue. She first rose to global prominence when she was featured as the Swimsuit Issue’s cover model in 1989 and has been in a total of five issues.

13. Rebecca Romijn: The American model and actress may now be known best for her role as Mystique in X-Men, but at one time this chick was one of the hottest Swimsuit Issue cover models. Rebecca’s been in five issues of SI, including a 1999 cover appearance.

12. Paulina Porizkova: This Czech-American model was the first woman from Central Europe to grace the cover of the SI Swimsuit Issue issue in 1984. Following up her strong performance with a consecutive cover appearance in 1985, Paulina was in a total of four issues (1983-1985).

11. Elle Macpherson: An Australian model known by the nickname “The Body,” Elle is perhaps best known for her record five cover appearances on the SI Swimsuit Issue. Not including her covers, Elle has been featured in an additional four issues.

21. Stephanie Seymour: Stephanie first appeared in the magazine in 1988, returned in 1989, and made one final appearance in 1991. She’s a perfect example of one of the forgotten beauties of issues-past.

9. Kate Upton: One of the newest entries to the 25 Sexiest Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue Models of all time, Kate has already left a very lasting impression. In only her first year, Kate was featured as an inset on the 2011 cover. We expect big things (and possibly a 3rd cover appearance) this year.

8. Christie Brinkley: Making a total of six Swimsuit Issue appearances, Christie first made her first cover in 1979. She made the next two consecutive covers in 1980-81. Fun fact: she’s the third richest model according to the Daily Mail.

7. Kathy Ireland: Having first posed for the Swimsuit Issue in 1984, she was featured on the pages for 13 consecutive years. While this alone would make her a first-ballot Hall of Famer, Kathy is only surpassed by cover appearances (3) by Elle Macpherson.

6. Bar Refaeli: After taking a one-year hiatus from the Swimsuit Issue, Bar came back and was hotter than ever last year. This Israeli hottie graced the cover once in 2009, posing for the issue three years before that. Why she chose to leave the iconic magazine, no one knows. We were just happy to have her back.

5. Cindy Crawford: Among the most popular supermodels of all time, Cindy graced the cover of the only SI Swimsuit Issue she was ever in. If that’s not star power, I don’t know what is.

4. Marisa Miller: Marisa was featured in every issue of the SI: Swimsuit Issue from 2002 to 2008. While she ended her run on a high by being the cover model, her most famous photo is probably found in the 2007 issue – she’s wearing only an iPod.

3. Tyra Banks: Tyra got her start in the SI Swimsuit Issue in 1996 as the cover model with Valeria Mazza. She made the cover a year later without anyone, making her the first African American woman to grace not only SI Swimsuit but also GQ. 1997 was huge for her because she also won VH1′s Supermodel of the Year.

2. Brooklyn Decker: The reason why every guy wants to be Andy Roddick and the only excuse to see Just Go With It, Brooklyn was featured as the cover model for 2010. Unfortunately, she wasn’t able to keep Battleship from sinking. The good news is that she’s still sticking to her modeling day job.

1. Cheryl Tiegs: While the Minnesota-born Cheryl Tigs was featured on the cover of the SI Swimsuit Issue in 1970, 1975, and 1983, she is perhaps best known for the poster of her posing in a pink bikini – an iconic 70s pop culture image.

By  Wyatt

@CharlesGichane, PPA (@PositivePress_)

IN PICTURES: 26 Things Girls Wished Their BOYFRIENDS Knew

26 Things GIRLS Wished Their BOYFRIENDS Knew

When she says that she likes you, she really does more than you could understand.

Take a Dance Class Together http://wp.me/p25CDB-1Cd

When she says it’s over, she still wants you to be hers.

When she stares at your mouth, kiss her. http://mryoungscholar.com/2013/02/06/ladies-the-5-types-of-men-who-make-great-husbands/

When she pulls away, pull her back.

When she doesn’t answer for a long time, reassure her that everything is okay.

When she looks at you in your eyes, don’t look away until she does.

When you see her crying, just hold her and don’t say a word.

Say you love her more than she could ever love you.

Let her take CONTROL

Let her into your world.

Treat her like she’s all that matters to you.

When she pushes or hits you, grab her tight & don’t let her go

After she reads this, she hopes one day you’d read it too.

When she grabs your hands, hold hers and play with her fingers.

When you break her heart, the pain never really goes away.

When she bumps into you, bump into her back and make her laugh.

When she walks away from you mad, follow her.

Don’t call her hot, but gorgeous or beautiful is so much better.

Watch her favorite movie with her or her favorite show even if you think its stupid.

When you see her at her worst, tell her she’s beautiful.

When she starts cursing at you, kiss her and tell her you love her.

When she ignores you, give her your attention.

When she misses you, she’s hurting inside.

When she’s bored and sad, hang out with her

When you see her walking, sneak up and hug her waist from behind.

@CharlesGichane, PPA (@PositivePress_)

6 Lessons About Being a Man from Growing Up Fatherless

Editor’s note: Today we finish up our run of father-themed posts with an article from a different perspective. While having an awesome dad can help you become an awesome man, growing up fatherless can also motivate you to become better than your dad was. Andrew Galasetti used his less then perfect childhood as a springboard into honorable manliness.

Mr. Galasetti is an entrepreneur and the main writer of Lyved.com a blog focusing on various aspects of life and living it to the fullest. Lyved has published a number of popular articles which you may view here. Andrew invites you to keep in touch with him on Twitter.

Like millions of people, I grew up in a single parent household. My mother divorced my father before I was in kindergarten. My father was a drug user and drinker, beat my mom often, and generally made her life a living hell. After they divorced, my older sister and I would still visit with our father on weekends. But as we grew older, he slowly drifted away from us, until one day, he packed up all his belongings and moved to another state without even a “goodbye.” I was about 10 years old at the time.

From then on we never heard from him, not even with a simple birthday card. It’s been over a decade since he left, so for the majority of the crucial developmental times of my youth, I had no father.

As we all know, growing up in a single-parent household means that the children are more likely to live close or at the poverty line while the parent tries to make ends meet. This is very difficult for everyone, and growing up fatherless brings its own set of difficulties for boys.

The statistics about single-parent households make you believe that every boy who grows up with one parent ends up on drugs, unsuccessful, and in prison, but that’s simply not true. Because of growing up fatherless, I have stayed away from destructive activity and crime and have instead moved into being a successful entrepreneur and towards a mission of changing millions of lives in a positive way.

I was taught a lot of things about being a man from growing up fatherless. Here are 6 lessons that I learned:

#1 Having a child makes you a father but not a “dad”

“What’s the difference?” you might be asking. Well, a father is a proper term for a male that produces a child. But in the eyes of a kid, a father is a “dad” or “daddy.” It’s a name that has to be earned; earned by being supportive of your child both financially and mentally. You don’t become a “dad” without working hard for it or without being there whenever your kids need you.

#2: A man needs to be self-sufficient

Don’t depend on someone else or a trust fund for your well-being and livelihood. At any moment, either could disappear from your life. I was fortunate to realize at an early age that no one is going to hand me my dreams or what I need in life, and that I need to go out there and capture it myself.

Since we live in modern times we aren’t required to farm and hunt to survive on our own. Self-sufficiency is different; it’s now more about thriving as a man than just surviving. These days we can gain self-suficency by doing things like:

• Gaining a varied education

Be open-minded to various cultures, subjects, views, and people. The more things you experience and the more subjects you are knowledgeable about, the more situations you can handle. Seek valuable skills that will make you an asset to employers and communities.

• Not letting fear stop you

Fear is probably the biggest obstacle for most people. It keeps us from success, keeps us from getting what we need, and it keeps us dependent on other people.

#3: Becoming a man doesn’t come with age

Though the law considers any male 18 and over as a “man,” a boy becomes a true man through experiences and by learning from those experiences. Sometimes this can take years past the age of 18 to happen.

Through experience a boy becomes a man by:

• Taking ownerships of failure

• Letting go of stubbornness and accepting lessons

• Knowing how to handle challenging situations and fixing their incorrect reactions and attitudes

• Learning more about themselves

#4: Blaze your own path instead of following someone’s footsteps

I can’t understand why so many young men decide to do exactly what their fathers did with their lives. You may be thinking that it’s easy for me to say this because all I had to aspire to was becoming a drinker, drug user, and abusive deadbeat. But besides that, my father did work; he did construction and odd jobs. That’s a common career that sons decide to pursue because their fathers did.

Any work is worthy work and if what your dad does or did really is your passion too, then that’s great. But for me, I wanted something different, something more exciting and something that had never been done before. Here’s a great quote that makes you rethink following so closely in someone’s footsteps:

We are not here to do what has already been done. – Robert Henri

Men go down the path less-traveled and never traveled.

#5: Mental strength is often more necessary than physical

No matter how strong my father is physically, mentally he is weak. He didn’t have the conviction to be a dad. If you want to be a man of great courage and accomplishment, it isn’t going to happen just by hitting the gym and lifting weights. A courageous man stands up for the weak, stands up for what he believes in, faces fear, failure, and criticism. He’s not afraid of responsibility and seeing things through to the end.

#6: Your father doesn’t need to be your father figure

If you have a father who’s incarcerated, or who left you, or who didn’t have much success in life, look for a father figure in someone else. Every man needs a father figure, even far into adulthood. You don’t even need to know him personally, and he doesn’t even need to be alive. Most successful men leave a legacy and lessons behind, whether in a book or video. You can then read, watch, and practice their advice; just like any other father figure. My four most influential father-like figures are Chris Gardner, Andrew Carnegie, Richard Branson, and Randy Pausch.

In addition to studying the lives of great men, seek the companionship and camaraderie of male friends. As Wayne has said, as you open up to these men, they can become “father figures” to you as well.

What a man is and what a man isn’t

So growing up in a fatherless home is something that I’m now proud of experiencing. It has made the line between a boy and a man much clearer for me.

For a quick synopsis and a few more lessons, here is a list of what I learned a man isn’t and what a man is from growing up fatherless:

A man isn’t:

• Someone who runs from his responsibilities

• A person who makes excuses

• A person who strikes a woman

• Selfish

• A man through age – a boy grows into a man through experience

A man is:

• Someone who stands up for something they believe in, even when they’re fearful

• A person who creates a new path

• Open-minded

• A “dad” when he earns it

Were you brought up in a fatherless home? Or do you know someone who was? Please feel free to share your story and any lessons you learned in the comments below.

by Brett & Kate McKay

@CharlesGichane, PPA (@PositivePress_)

Video Montage: Kenya in Focus

A bunch of us wanted to share, how much we love the places in which we live, work & play. It’s different from the Kenya often seen in the international media, but it’s the one that we’re inspired by.

Check this video out and watch for the beautiful images, moments, sights, scenes,  colors, the cosmopolitan culture and the overall lifestyle that we capture in this film.

We think it’s really worth watching and some of the invaluable information provided is worth knowing!

And don ‘t worry — we didn’t not dive into politics!!! That movie would have been a digital library.

@CharlesGichane, PPA (@PositivePress_)

2012 Hip-Hop: A Year In Review

Hello Ladies and Gents!

I have a guest post from a great friend of mine and fellow hip-hop head Potts! Last year he posted a thorough assessment of all of the hip-hop albums of 2011 that was extremely well written (and extremely debatable for some lol) so I asked him to do it again this year on my blog so more people could see it. 2012 was a great year for hip-hop, we’re beginning to see a lot more progression despite some of the bullshit that is being played day in and day out on the radio. Check out my dude and see if you agree with his rankings, peep the post below!
Now that 2013 has a full week under its belt (and then some, sorry for the lateness) , this is a prime time for me to provide my annual Hip-Hop album year in review. Before I go ahead and do that, let’s revisit my 2011 list, and upon further review (not too much has shifted)…

10: Big Sean- Finally Famous
9: Game- R.E.D. Album
8: Lupe Fiasco- LASERS
7: Bad Meets Evil- Hell: The Sequel
6: Common- The Dreamer, The Believer
5: Drake- Take Care
4: Jay-Z & Kanye West- Watch The Throne
3: Childish Gambino- Camp
2: J. Cole- Cole World: The Sideline Story
1: Kendrick Lamar- Section.80

Click here for the full analysis if you need to refresh your memory!

Now that that’s in the books, and 20+ albums later I’m finally able to formulate an opinion on the year that was. Before I go into that, I wanna give an honorable mention to Meek Mill and T.I. who just missed out this on this year’s cut. Without further ado, here’s 2013…

10- Killer Mike: R.A.P. Music

The title for this album is about as perfect as you can get. Killer Mike gets straight to the point in all the tracks and doesn’t waste time fooling around with themes, interludes, skits, or other fillers. Now, I may be a fan of those that use those methods to enhance their albums, I gotta respect him on this one with twelve solid tracks of nonstop RAP and hardcore beats! It just puts you in a good vibe, and there are some very provocative tracks (in a good way) such as “Reagan”, “Willie Burke Shorewood”, and “R.A.P Music.” There is lots of substance here, although it could’ve done without “JoJo’s Chillin’”. It is very solid and definitely deserves a spot here on this list.

9- Rick Ross: God Forgives, I don’t

I’ll be the first to admit that I do not think very highly of one, Rick Ross, but I am also not one to ignore a good product when I hear it. What’s so surprising about Rick Ross’ latest project is the variety it carries. They can range from meaningful songs (again, surprising from Rick Ross) like the Andre 3000 assisted “Sixteen” (arguably the best song on the album) to the rugged “Hold Me Back.” And that’s not even mentioning on how the production is consistent throughout the whole album with a feel that you can just mellow out to, especially on the latest rendition of Ross’ Maybach Music series, “Maybach Music IV”. Ricky Rozay definitely outdid himself on this one and raised a few eyebrows along the way. Is this a sign of things to come? I’m sorry, but I can’t give him the benefit of the doubt just yet!

8- Wiz Khalifa: Only Nigga In First Class

Yeah, I know that it’s listed as O.N.I.F.C., but it’s what the acronym stands for, and I don’t believe in censorship! Getting back to the subject at hand, this was a much better step up than his “Rolling Papers” debut in 2011. Wiz really went to just having fun with the music, which is his specialty. No matter where you are or how your day is going, just about any track on this album is going to make you crack a smile and forget any worries. It may also give you the urge to light a blunt, which is to be expected from Wiz Khalifa. This is probably most notable in the beginning portion of the album with “Paper Bond” and “Bluffin’.” One thing that seems a bit off on the album is really the time it was released. It would have been the absolute perfect tape to ride to in the summer rather than the winter! “Got Everything” and “No Limits” are wonderful examples of this. Well, can’t really nitpick too much, because it still gives off a good feel no matter the time or place, and can make the simplest person feel like the only nigga in first class!

7- G.O.O.D. Music: Cruel Summer

*Disclaimer* This album is ranked lower than what the quality is, simply because of the amount of artists that had a hand in putting this together.

“Cruel Summer” is very phenomenal on a musical standpoint, and Mr. West and company make sure of that right off the jump with “To the World.” Reverting back to the disclaimer, for a roster that is loaded with talent, even as good as the album was, there is no excuse for why there were only twelve tracks on a compilation album, and also no excuse for ANY errors. The album does miss with KiD CuDi’s “Creepers” and the “Sin City” track; and it does seem very random. This realistically should have been a mixtape. Also it probably would have been better served to hear more CyHi, and less 2 Chainz. Other than that, everything else was superb! Yeezy just keeps elevating his production game, and his lyrics redeemed himself for his lackluster lyrical output in “Watch The Throne.” Outside of Kanye West, Big Sean and Pusha T really shine here, and it was a great decision to include Ma$e on the smooth “Higher.” One thing that can still be said about Kanye West though, is that although this album did not reach to plateau to what it should have been, his reputation of not putting out a garbage product is still alive and well.

6- Ab-Soul: Control System

TDE’s talented MC blessed the fans with a nice showing in 2012. I can honestly say that “Terrorists Threats” and “Double Standards” are two of the most important tracks of the year. Soulo gives that attitude of rebellion and his wordplay is nearly always on point. It gives you a breath of fresh air when you hear his lyrics lace the tracks. What Soulo could work on though is a more consistent product. There really isn’t too much middle ground. There are star tracks like the two already mentioned, as well as “Illuminate” & “Bohemian Grove”, but then there are less-than-stellar songs like “SOPA” & “Book of Soul.” The good news for Ab-Soul is that his tracks on the high-end far outweigh his mishaps, and that’s what makes “Control System” so good.

5- Lupe Fiasco: Food & Liquor II: The Great American Rap Album

“Food & Liquor II” is definitely an upgrade over “LASERS” and Lupe Fiasco returned to the very essence that made him so lovable amongst fans. Although It comes nowhere near the original “Food & Liquor”, it is very good. Ayesha Jaco, we definitely missed hearing your voice on intros! When you first hear her voice it gives off a great relief that the traditional Lupe was back! Nobody in the game has a grasp on the English language like Lupe, and he makes sure he solidifies that with playing mind games in “Put Em Up”, “Form Follows Function”, and “Strange Fruition.” The most impressive thing that Lupe did was somehow made it so that the new fans he made off “LASERS” didn’t get too lost in translation with his fair share of lady-friendly songs in “How Dare You” and “Battle Scars” One thing that Lupe still needs to improve on is his selection of hooks. Also at times it does get evident that he can get a little metaphor happy and string multiple ones back to back which can be annoying, and tries a little hard to be positive, but sacrificing musical quality in songs like “Audubon Room” and “Bitch Bad.” I’m also not a big proponent of remaking Pete Rock’s classic T.R.O.Y., even as good as the song “Freedom Ain’t Free” is, there are certain songs that are better left untouched. All in all, it’s a good rebound from the somewhat disappointing LASERS and leaves hope that things are on the up and up for Lu.

4- Tyga: Careless World: Rise Of The Last King

Easily the surprise of the year! I almost didn’t give it a listen just off making prejudgments on him being a shallow rapper. I never would have expected what I heard. The most surprising thing about Tyga on this debut album were his bars, which he probably doesn’t get get the respect he should (likely due to his Young Money affiliation and perception of his public persona.) His main hit “Rack City” is probably the weakest link on the album (that and probably “Love Game”, but it does serve its purpose– to get the listener in a party mode. Another thing that struck me about this, is that on the surface it looks like excessive collaborations, but not once while hearing the album do you actual get the notion of Tyga losing control. Even more impressive is that he does not get ‘renegaded’ on here. Either his verses would be on par, if not better than who was featured (except Big Sean, who did show him up), and that’s saying something when you’re talking about the likes of Nas, J.Cole, Wale, Busta Rhymes & Lil’ Wayne making appearances on the album. His production team deserves an applause as well for the work they put into it as well. Tyga is one testifying example of not judging a book by its cover.

3- Brother Ali: Mourning in America And Dreaming in Colour

Minnesota iconic rapper Brother Ali came through in 2012 with a beautiful piece of work. There’s really nothing to not like about this. Coming from Brother Ali, one can always expect something that is going to uplift the soul, but “Mourning in America” does much more than that. Brother Ali is most known for his social positivity in his music but Ali puts all of the elements together here on top of his meaningful lyrics. His flow is pure and the music just eases you. The best example of him combining all of those aspects is seen in “Gather Round” The starter track “Letter To My Countrymen” is also the perfect set up for this album, because everything else hovers right around that same quality. After a pretty significant lay off between his previous album, it’s safe to say that Brother Ali made the most of the time off and came with a vengeance.

2- Kendrick Lamar: good kid, m.A.A.d. City

The best way to describe this album is a motion picture in audio form! Kendrick Lamar is quickly cementing himself as one of the best ever in terms of imagery. The details he goes into with his story telling, without making it seem forced is nothing short of amazing! Every single song on this album has significance and adds to the overall story. It’s almost a slap in the face by listening to this album on shuffle. Even the lone unimpressive song “Sherane a.ka. Master Splinter’s Daughter” still contributes to the project as a whole. The way that each song ties into the next and seamlessly flows is a thing of art. Much like his “Section.80”, Kendrick still has plenty of versatility to appeal to all, without short-handing any of his categories of fans. The production on the albums is perfectly executed to match the beat with the mood of each song. Probably the biggest thing on this album is how deep it is. His genius ability on “Sing About Me/Dying of Thirst” just sends chills up your spine with the creative way he chooses to end the first two verses. One thing that continues to plague Kendrick Lamar, and he probably knows it, is far too often his delivery can be unorthodox and over the top with a robotic sound. If he wants to eventually be placed with the greats, he might want to correct this. Nonetheless, his career is off to a killer start with two outstanding albums.

1- Nas: Life Is Good

Nas didn’t even have to drop another album in his career, and he’ll already be considered one of the top 5 rappers to ever have graced the microphone. Fast forward to 2012, and he presented us with probably his 3rd best album on an already decorated career. Everything is put together so beautifully from start to finish. The only track that didn’t quite measure up was “A Queens’ Story,” but when you’re talking about out of 19 songs, that’s not a bad ratio! On this album, he probably produced two of his top 10 songs in “World is an Addiction” and “Trust.” One thing you also gotta wonder is that why in the hell haven’t we heard a Mary J. Blige/Nas collaboration until now?!?! They just complement each other so well! Actually, all of the collaborations are well picked and placed, even Rick Ross! What’s most remarkable about “Life Is Good” is that it seems that as the album progresses, it just gets better with each song. The variety included in this album is also something worthy of noting, and yet it doesn’t feel like the album is all over the place. It is well constructed and controlled. It really is a scary thing when the best actually show they can get better.

Written By Isaiah L Potts

@CharlesGichane, PPA  (@PositivePress_) 

Ladies: 10 Great Reasons To Go Natural in 2013

10 GREAT REASONS TO GO NATURAL IN 2013

I can think of a million reasons to go natural but I know for many women, it is a big decision to make. There is certainly no time like the present, so why not make the turn of the New Year a reason to do something different such as liberating yourself and your hair by keeping it in its natural state and showing it off! Here are 10 great reasons to make the change!

Amandine – Black on White (Photo credit: Jon_Senior)

1. It is your own natural hair– it is part of you and what you are born with! Learning about your own hair in some ways puts you back in tune with yourself and who you are. Black women dedicate a lot of time (and money) to their hair and put a lot of emphasis on how they feel to how their hair looks. There is nothing more liberating than learning about the natural you and not the ‘adapted-you’ that society may want you to aspire to!

2. Natural hair is easier to manage than you think. There are so many YouTube Videos that are very inspiring and give a myriad of ideas of how to style and manage your hair. Have a look at  KimmayTube and Naptural85 who are my hair inspirations into evolving into the Nubian Queen I am today!

3. Hairstyles- afro hair comes in many different textures, thickness and shades.And with this diversity, there are many different styles that afro hair can be in- whether it is a twist-out, two-strand twists, flat twists and so on. You can corn-row, plait, rock as a mo-hawk or out in a full afro. You can have fun with colours, you can keep it low or let it grow! And remember, you can decide to curl your hair, blow-dry it straight and do so much more. Natural hair is one of the most versatile of hair types! That is the beauty of afro hair- no two heads look the same! Stand out and stand proud.

My First Photo Shoot: Natural Hair Movement (Photo credit: Remy, The Quill)

4. Natural Hair inspirations– there are many Black Icons who keep their hair natural and are very inspiring such as the following below. Natural hair does not have to be hidden and is very much accepted in the mainstream, so you have no excuse!

5. Save money- having natural hair saves you a lot of money! Just think, no money spent on Brazilian hair, or visiting the salon! Natural hair products are often cheap and can double up as body creams! Natural hair wins!

6. Hair growth– with natural hair, you wont have harsh chemicals or tight braids with weaves. As a result, you learn what works for your hair and hey presto- you have the hair growth that you have always wished for. Say goodbye to the sparse growth around your edges and temples! You are more likely to be gentle with your own hair and protective styling  (such as tucking away your ends) will encourage less hair breakage and more growth.

7. Healthy scalp- Since not using relaxers on my hair, my scalp no longer itches or burns. You no longer will have to apply toxic chemicals to your scalp which is strong enough to melt plastic and who knows the long-term effects on your health! Hair needs to be cleansed and nourished and sometimes hair weaves and hair extensions do not allow you to do this effectively and thus your hair and scalp are prone to breakage due to infections, quite commonly due to fungus. With natural hair it is encouraged to be washed 1-2 weekly and you can manage changes to your scalp more easily.

8. Manage your own hair- becoming a naturalista means that you learn about your own hair that grows from your own head and how to manage it. Learning about how to manage your hair is liberating and is educational not only for yourself but also for your future mini-me’s you may go on to produce! No more hairdressers handling your hair with disrespect and pulling your head from east to west without any warning! You are now the master of your hair!

9. New image- Becoming a new natural means that you can revamp your image! If you change hair, why not change your style! New hair means new hair adornments, new earrings and an excuse to buy new things! Being natural does not mean you have to be over ethnocentric or become mother earth! You can be natural and modern, chic and unique! When you start discovering yourself, you will love yourself even more, and who knows, you might attract that new guy you’ve been searching for!

10. It is fun! Being natural is one of the most fun things I have ever done and it has been such a ‘natural’ transition! I have learnt and researched more about my hair, but along with this I have been inspired to learn about myself and my ancestry which has been a wonderful natural discovery!

Source

@CharlesGichane, PPA  (@PositivePress_) 

10 Ways Driving is Better than Sex @Ma3Route

10 Ways Driving is Better than Sex 

 

Whether you drive every day, or just once a week or so, there’s plenty of reasons that driving is better than sex. Not only can you do it in public (in fact, it’s strongly recommended that you drive in public, cars and bedrooms don’t mix well), but you also can’t get pregnant. Want to know more reasons why driving is better than sex? Then read on…

1.     There’s No Performance Anxiety

Particularly if you’re a man, this is a pretty major bonus. Any failure can be blamed on equipment, and there’s no chance that your car is going to laugh at you. And your car works even if you’re tired or too busy thinking about the football…

2.     Cars Are Easy to Turn On

All you have to do is turn the key and most of the time the car turns on immediately. Unlike people, where you need to work out what they like and which buttons to press, your car is always ready to go for a ride.

3.     There’s A Warning Light

The lubricant in your engine gets too low, your car switches on a little red light and you stop off at the service station and add some more. No worrying about whether or not it’s because the car likes you, or what you’re supposed to do to remedy the matter. Your car lets you know when it’s not lubed up enough…

Simraceway Driving School shot (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

4.     People Can Teach You How to Do it

In fact, not only can people teach you how to drive, it’s strongly encouraged that you have a driving teacher that shows you all the ins and outs. Plus, it’s perfectly normal for other people to give you advice. If you’ve got a problem, you can have someone watch you do it and help you solve it. This is not encouraged in the bedroom…

5.     You Can Do it as Often as You Want

You can drive all day and all night if you want. Anytime, any place. If you want to stop in the middle for a cup of tea and a nap, nobody complains. It’s even normal to pull over and stretch your legs.

6.     It’s Alright to Talk About the Weather

In fact it’s alright to talk about whatever comes into your head. You can even have a phone conversation (using hands free, of course), or sing along to the radio. No problem.

7.     Accidents Cost Less

Okay, a car accident can be pretty expensive, especially if your car is a write off at the end of it. But babies are much more expensive than cars, so a car accident will end up costing you less in the long run.

8.     You Can Drive as Many Cars as You Want (with as many people as you want)

You can drive a different car every day if you so desire, and nobody will judge you for it. Plus, driving is more fun with friends, and it’s perfectly normal to do it with two or three other people.

9.     There are Rules to Driving

No mysteries. Everything’s clearly laid out in the highway code. You always know what you’re doing, and there’s very little guess work involved. This is a good thing.

10.  Lack of Uncertainty

If you’re not sure about a car, you can take it on a test drive. Actually, people encourage you to test drive cars, as many as you want, the more the better. It’s generally frowned upon to take people for test drives, so you can never be too sure what you’re going to find under the hood, so to speak.

Author Byline: Phil Turner knows that cars and sex often go together for young people who have no other private place to cuddle. The big problem is thatinsurance for young drivers costs more than the car itself costs, so more sociable dates at restaurants and the theater become impossible.

Source DANGEROUS LEE

@CharlesGichane, PPA  (@PositivePress_) 

6 Ways Men Use Cars To Get Laid @Ma3Route

English: Range Rover Evoque 3-door wagon, prototype, photographed at the 2010 Australian International Motor Show, Darling Harbour, New South Wales, Australia. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

6 Ways Men Use Cars To Get Laid 

Men use cars to get laid, that fact is indisputable. And it doesn’t really matter whether you think it’s wrong or right, they just do. If you’re a woman looking for some insight into how men’s brains work, or if you’re a man who’s on the look out for a new ride that will get you hooked up, read on to find out how men use their cars to get laid…

Luxury cars are often stated to be desirable due to their price, which generates a certain amount of status. As a result it is argued that luxury cars are Veblen goods. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

1.     Money

This is the big reason. Yes, men use their cars to get laid, but honestly, women fall for it. And the reason they usually fall for it is simple materialism. Women can be very money obsessed, and there’s a certain segment of the female population that will fall at the feet of a guy who’s driving an expensive car. A Porsche or Ferrari costs a packet, but having one will mean having a lot of girls who will jump into bed with you.

Luxury Cars (Photo credit: woychukb)

2.     Power

Another big way that men use their cars to get laid is as a status symbol. The kind of car you drive in general says a lot about your position in the social hierarchy. Think of it this way, does a hot shot lawyer or important doctor drive a Robin Reliant? Of course not. Women see cars as status symbols, and men play on that. You rarely go up to a girl and say I’m a hot shot lawyer, you let your car do the talking for you.

3.     Confidence

Women are attracted to confidence. A guy doesn’t necessarily have to be amazing looking to get laid, but he does have to have that certain charm, that charisma, that comes from havingn confidence. And for men, having and driving a beautiful car gives them confidence. You might think that it’s ridiculous to base your self worth on objects, but the fact is it works. Women feel more confident and therefore attractive wearing new clothes, a guy feels more confident and therefore attractive when he’s driving a sweet car.

Drive so fast (Photo credit: Just a Prairie Boy)

4.     Speed

There are a few guys that use this one to get a girl into the sack. You take her out for a fast ride. During this ride, you’re hoping for one of two possible outcomes. Either she’s super impressed, and you get laid. Or she’s super scared, and you have to comfort her, and then you get laid. And seeing a guy powerfully in control of a fast engine is enough to make some women weak at the knees.

MINI Clubman – a family car? (Photo credit: philiphubs)

5.     Providing

Guys who do this are a completely different subsection than the group that uses speeding to impress. Possessing a nice, relatively expensive, family style car can prove to a woman that you’re a good provider, and would make an excellent husband. This is enough to impress a lot of women, particularly the older ones. They want to get married and have a family. Your car makes you look like just the sensible type of family oriented guy that she’s looking for. That could well get you laid.

Range Rover Evoque (Photo credit: kenjonbro)

6.     Compensation

This doesn’t work the way you think. If women see a car that is obviously compensation for a man’s, shall we say lesser? attributes, you’re not going to get laid. However, not having a huge powerful car might do the opposite. Women are onto the trick of compensatory cars, and will often avoid guys who look like they’re driving one. But having a nice, though not too fancy, car will stop her making the automatic judgement that you’re trying to compensate for lesser attributes. This can definitely get you laid…

Author Byline:

Phil Turner does not personally use his car to attract women, he is much too down-to earth. The main problem with cars that impress women as he sees it is the cost of insuring them. Cheap insurance for young drivers especially is only available on small, low cost, low performance cars.

Source:  DANGEROUS LEE

Author: Phil Turner does not personally use his car to attract women, he is much too down-to earth. The main problem with cars that impress women as he sees it is the cost of insuring them. Cheap insurance for young drivers especially is only available on small, low cost, low performance cars.

@CharlesGichane, PPA  (@PositivePress_) 

Audio: Phoenix – @ASVPxRocky

“Phoenix”

[Verse 1: A$AP Rocky]
Bloody ink on my pad spelled suicide
Michael Jackson even passed cause you scrutinized
Fuck illuminati lies, say I’m lucified
Baptised in the gutter, motherfucker you decide
Cause the ride come with doors that be suicide?
Or the thighs on my whores, they be super-sized?
Good and bad happen, wars, nigga chose a side
Now all hail to the Lord like you do to God
Who am I? Lord Flacko
Painting vivid pictures, call me Basquiat Picasso
Capo Head Hancho, now my following’s colossal
Ain’t no boxer, Pacquiao, but got the chopper en todo caso
It’s like you heard, God spoke
I’ve seen the ghetto gospel
The choir like my reefer and the preacher got my eyes low
Shits to Mary Jane to make me see from singing high notes
The bible or the rifle…goodnight folks

[Verse 2: A$AP Rocky]
Bloody ink on my pen spelled suicide
Kurt Cobain even died cause you scrutinize
It’s a fine line between truth and lies
Jesus Christ never lied, still was crucified
That’s why I never judge another nigga
Life’s a bitch, but that bitch in love with other niggas
3 to a bed, sheets, no covers nigga
Dirty kitchen, no supper in the cupboards nigga
Sucker niggas, wassup my niggas
So my new attitude is like “Fuck the niggas!”
I grew up with niggas but don’t fuck with niggas
I don’t trust them niggas, ain’t got no love for niggas
Had the gold grills shining like them southern niggas
Kept it trilla, now the whole world fuckin’ with us
Meanwhile you treated all of us like other niggas
Now your world is in my palm, take cover niggas

I shall ever pour, Lord pick me up
Ever since a baby, two tussin sippy cups
Ever since them diapers and my zip-me-ups
Now I’m walking on my own, y’all, wish me luck

[Outro x2]
Where do we lie?
Tell me where do we stand?
Where do we go?

By @CharlesGichane, PPA (@PositivePress_)

 

11 Ways You Can Drastically Improve Your Health

11 Actions You Can Take Today That Will Drastically Improve Your Health

You’re lying in bed. Your stomach aches. Your body is done. Why’d you overeat… again? Here comes the verbal beating: “You always do this!” ”You shouldn’t have eaten that!” ”You’re fat!”

You believe that tomorrow will be different; tomorrow you will exercise, eat healthy, and start that new diet… but really, why will tomorrow be any different?

Health Matters

Here’s the simple reality: Your health matters, and the choices you make today have a massive impact on your quality of life. The situation is black-and-white. If you are healthy you will:

• have more energy
• increase your focus
• increase your self-esteem
• sleep better
• live longer
• look better
• feel better
• be happier
• Improve your sex life (someone needed to say it!)

Yet, with all of this staring you in the face, you still choose to eat that donut… Why?

Invest the Time to be healthy

Being healthy isn’t easy; In fact, it’s quite difficult. If you head to the store and pick up a snack at random, odds are it won’t be healthy. In all honestly most store-bought foods aren’t healthy in general, and most of the items you’ll find at restaurants aren’t healthy either.

I have news for you: a diet soda isn’t healthy, a low fat cookie isn’t healthy, and skipping a meal doesn’t mean you’re dieting—it means you’re starving your body of nutrients.

We live in a society that has confused health with “low calorie”. I can go eat a bag of chips at under 200 calories and call it lunch… Does that mean I’m healthy? Please say no…

Make the Decision to be Healthy

Here is the key quality you must do to become healthy: you must decide to be healthy.

It almost sounds ridiculous, but it’s not. It’s very easy to be deceived and get distracted, but if we want to be healthy, we must commit 100 percent to doing so. Once we decide to be healthy, then we can start putting in the necessary time and effort to live a healthy lifestyle.

If you don’t commit, it won’t happen—plain and simple.

10 Simple Actions That Will Drastically Improve Your Health

As you run through the list below you will understand why you must “commit”. There will be cases in the list below where you will want to come up with excuses:

“I don’t have time.” “I don’t know how.” “It costs too much.”

It’s your choice—you can be healthy and drastically improve the quality of your life, or you can be unhealthy and decrease the quality of your life.

1. Cook With Olive Oil

Olive oil has extremely healthy fats, and it provides us with nutrients that help our bodies function. Replace butter, vegetable oil, and “zero calorie” cooking sprays with olive oil.

2. Sleep 8 hours

This one is critical! Sleeping 8 hours a night leaves us energized and ready to take on the day. When we get less than 8 hours of rest, we lose focus and are inefficient.

If you’ve had enough sleep, you will find that you’re able to get substantially more done in less time. Those hours you “saved” by sleeping for only 5 hours are eaten up by the massive fatigue that sets in as the day goes on.

3. Always Pack a Healthy Snack

Guess what’s going to happen throughout the day? You’re going to get hungry.

When you get hungry, you will naturally reach for whatever happens to be around. By always having a healthy snack prepared, you are setting yourself up for success. I pack an apple, raisins, and almonds in a bag every day to have with me wherever I go.

4. Add Fruit To Your Cereal

Purchase some raisins, blueberries, bananas or oranges. When you make some cereal in the morning, dice up the fruit and add it to the bowl—it’s easy to do, and your body will love you for it.

5. Eat The Vegetables

Always eat your vegetables. “Not liking vegetables” is the equivalent of saying “I don’t like people”—it’s a massive generalization. There are a vast array of vegetables, so keep on trying different ones until you figure out which ones you like. Once you have that figured out, be sure to eat them with every meal.

6. Walk, Run or Ride a Bike

The next time you want to go somewhere, leave your car keys at home. Take a walk, a run, or pull out the bike— in addition to being healthy, it feels great to get outside and be active.

7. Cook at Home

When you cook at home you have 100 percent control of both portion size, and what goes into the food itself. When you go to a restaurant, you have minimal control of what goes into the food, and they choose your portion size for you. Cooking at home is healthier, period.

8. Eat a Full Breakfast

When we wake up, our bodies have gone a very long time with out any food, and even if you aren’t hungry, your body still need nourishment. By eating a good, solid breakfast you jump start your metabolism.

In addition, eating a delicious, healthy breakfast will do you a world of good. You’ll accelerate your metabolism, and you get to eat a delicious and healthy meal—win-win!

9. Drink Water All the Time

The average person needs to drink 64 ounces of water a day, but unfortunately most people walk around dehydrated every day. Since we do this so often we become u

sed to it and believe that our dehydrated state is normal. I recommend purchasing a water container and carrying it with you everywhere you go.

10. Make A Smoothie

Smoothies are awesome! Pick 2 or 3 of your favorite fruits, add ice and protein powder and BAM— you have a crazy-healthy snack. These are easy to make, and so good for you.

11.Make Health a Priority in Your Life

If you are going to be healthy, then you must make your well-being a top priority in your life. Commit to being healthy, and then stop at nothing to make it happen.

By Izzy

By @CharlesGichane, PPA (@PositivePress_)

10 Valentine Ideas You Would Never Think Of

Valentine’s Day is approaching once again, and people all over the world will be scrambling for gifts to give their special someone. Whether they’re gifts for spouses, lovers, friends, or family members, these gifts tend to run the usual gamut of plush toys, roses, and candy. Consider something a bit more unique this year—it’ll certainly liven things up, and will stand out in the recipient’s memory far more than that box of chocolate will.

Here are a few ideas that you can do to make this Valentine’s Day a memorable one:

1. Put Together a “Date in a Box”

No, it’s not suggested that you package up your partner, but rather that you create a gift box/basket full of all the things that would make a perfect date night; either for you and your date, or for a couple that you can give it to as a gift.
For movie-lovers, the parcel could include a couple of DVDs and some popcorn with gourmet toppings to sprinkle over it. Wine aficionados could indulge in a bottle or two of their favourite wine, along with some cheeses, bread, olive oil, and candles. If the recipient’s ideal dates fall into the realm of fly-fishing tournaments or furry conventions, you’re on your own for ideas.

2. Sponsor an Animal

Love doesn’t just have to be expressed towards other humans—it can be directed towards caring for any species. If you love animals, consider making a donation to a charitable organization that helps to care for those in need. You could choose to donate to a local pet shelter or wildlife rehab center, or any number of care facilities worldwide that offer medical care and sanctuary to animals like elephants, dolphins, sun bears, wolves, and countless other species.
Donations are tax-deductible, and you’d be ensuring that an animal in need receives gentle care and compassion. You’ll often even receive pictures of the animal(s) you helped, and regular updates on their well-being.

3. Make Chocolate “Sushi” Together

Don’t yarf: these faux sushi bites are absolutely not a mixture of fish and chocolate, so there’s no need to run screaming. Though it may sound bizarre to have dessert in the shape of maki rolls or nigiri, it’s actually a lot of fun, and will undoubtedly surprise the person you’re sharing it with.
Making these is fairly time-consuming, so don’t leave your preparations to the last minute. The “rice” can be made a variety of different ways, but the most common ones seem to be either grated white chocolate, shredded coconut, or crispy rice and marshmallow mixture—the kind that’s used for squares. The “nori” is made of strips of dark chocolate, and you can use a variety of fillings and toppings to emulate anything you like. Try pieces of mango or pineapple, and use crushed raspberries in lieu of tobiko.

4. Name a Star After Your Sweetheart

This one might not be completely legit, in so far as you can’t really prove that the star you’ve named hasn’t been named for ten thousand other people and you’ve just been billed for it, but it’s a cute gesture. You can expand on this idea by getting the star’s coordinates etched into matching jewellery that only you two share.

5. Have a Midnight Picnic

This is a really cute, low-key thing that you and your beloved can do together that’s low-cost, silly, fun, and can be put together from stuff you have at home. You can either wake them in the middle of the night to surprise them with a picnic spread in the middle of the living room, or you can tell them ahead of time so you two can plan together and nap as needed so you don’t fall asleep onto your sandwich in the middle of the night.
This is also fun to do with your kids, if they’re old enough to appreciate it and won’t end up howling and miserable the next day.

SEE ALSO: Love Hack: 14 Great Valentine’s Day Date Ideas

6. Make some Hair Jewellery

Okay, this one’s a bit weird and might appeal most to the goths out there, but hair jewellery was really popular in the Victorian and Edwardian eras, and can be quite beautiful. Though it was mostly worn in remembrance—crafted as it was from the hair of dead loved ones—these brooches and rings can also be created while your sweetheart it still among the living.

7. Take a Dance Class Together

Nothing says “I love to be close to you” than forced, awkward togetherness in front of strangers. There’s such a wide range of dance classes to choose from that you two can be flouncing around the dance floor together in no time. Salsa, tango, swing, or ballroom: whatever would encourage you and your partner to have a ridiculous amount of fun together would definitely be a way to celebrate in style.

8. Grow a Tree to Plant in the Spring

Winter really isn’t the time to go planting things in your yard, but you can get seeds and nuts started indoors in a little pot of soil. Consider getting yourself a tree-growing kit (or just be experimental with a nut or pit of your choice) and see if you can coax a tree into growing for you. Once the weather has warmed up and your tree is sturdy enough to move outdoors, transplant it into the ground where you can watch it grow for years to come.

9. Have a Marathon of the Worst “Romantic” Films Ever

There are some spectacularly bad romantic comedies out there, and few things can make a couple appreciate how good they have it as watching some of the cheesiest, heart-stopping dreck that the film industry has put out. Make a big bucket of popcorn, pour some drinks (you’ll need them), log into Netflix, and enjoy. The groaning and wincing will bring you closer together.

10. Do Absolutely Nothing.

by Lana Winter-Hébert

@CharlesGichane, PPA (@PositivePress_)

Video: A$AP Rocky – Goldie (Explicit)

[Hook:]

Uh, uh, I said it must be, cause a nigga got dough
Extraordinary swag and a mouth full of gold Hoes at my shows they be strippin’ off they clothes
And them college girls write a nigga name on they toes
Niggas talk shit ’til they get lockjaw
Chrome to ya dome ’til ya get glockjaw
Party like a cowboy or a rockstar
Everybody play the tough guy ’til shit pop off

[Verse 1]
Let’s take it to the basics
You in the midst the greatness
My Martin was a Maison, rocked Margiela with no laces
Cristal go by the cases, wait hold up that was racist
I would prefer the Aces, ain’t no different when you taste it
A 40 ounce to chase it, that’s just an understatement
I’m early to the party but my ‘Rari is the latest
Somehow it seems girls in they late teens
Remind me your favorite jeans cause they naked cause you famous
Life’s a motherfucker ain’t it? These other rappers aimless
So tell me what your name is I’mma tell it to my stainless
You aim it for you bang it let that banger leave you brainless
It’s just me, myself, and I and motherfuckers that I came with
Miscellaneous niggas wanna hate on me
Until I tell them to they face they ain’t no G
Low key, niggas mad cause I’m smooth puffin’ zig zag
Tell ‘em quit the riff raff bitchin’ with yo bitch ass

[Hook]

[Verse 2]
Yes I’m the shit, tell me do it stink?
It feel good wakin’ up to money in the bank
Three model bitches, cocaine on the sink
And I’m so ’bout it ’bout it I might roll up in a tank
Cause my chain came from Cuba, got a lock up on the link
And them red bottom loafers just to compliment the mink
Eyes chink, rollin’ up that dank, blowin’ on that stank
Whatchu mean? Tell me what you drink, I’m on that kissing pink
You could call me Billy Gates, got a crib in every state
Man on the moon, got a condo out in space
Open up your legs, tell me how it taste
And them niggas talkin’ shit so tell them “tell it to my face”
Tell that bitch, hop up on my dick, rolled up on her quick
In a six, told her suck the dick, motorboat her tits
I’m the shit, niggas mad cause I’m smooth puffin’ zig zags
Tell ‘em quit the riff raff bitchin’ with yo bitch ass

@CharlesGichane, PPA (@PositivePress_)

Nestlé Donates Tons of Milk and Water to Mozambique Flood Victims

Nestlé comes to the aid of Mozambique flood victims

Nairobi, Kenya, February 7th, 2013: Nestlé Mozambique donated more than 10 tons of NIDO Fortified milk powder and 450,000 liters of water to help those afflicted by the recent floods.

The donation was handed over to the Mozambique Red Cross Society and The National Disaster Management Institute by Nestlé Mozambique. The donated quantity of NIDO represents on average 392,000 cups of milk.

More than 200,000 families have been displaced during the recent floods that have hit Mozambiquethese past few weeks. The most affected areas are the South and Central Mozambique.

Diogo Victoria, Managing Director of Nestlé Mozambique, has presented supplies to the Red Cross in the cities of Xai-Xai and Quelimane, at an official event.

Nestlé trucks have already started transporting the bottled water to areas in Gazaprovince, while the milk powder supplies are being distributed to people in Zambezia province.

Nestlé Mozambiqueremains committed to the communities it works and lives with and hence is dedicated to helping the people of Mozambique to overcome this difficult situation.

@CharlesGichane, PPA (@PositivePress_)

 

Video: @Drake "HYFR " (feat. Lil' Wayne)

@CharlesGichane, PPA  (@PositivePress_) 

Quotes and Pictures: Bob Marley's Thoughts On True Love

“Only once in your life, I truly believe, you find someone who can completely turn your world around. You tell them things that you’ve never shared with another soul and they absorb everything you say and actually want to hear more.

You share hopes for the future, dreams that will never come true, goals that were never achieved and the many disappointments life has thrown at you. When something wonderful happens, you can’t wait to tell them about it, knowing they will share in your excitement.

They are not embarrassed to cry with you when you are hurting or laugh with you when you make a fool of yourself. Never do they hurt your feelings or make you feel like you are not good enough, but rather they build you up and show you the things about yourself that make you special and even beautiful. There is never any pressure, jealousy or competition but only a quiet calmness when they are around. You can be yourself and not worry about what they will think of you because they love you for who you are.

The things that seem insignificant to most people such as a note, song or walk become invaluable treasures kept safe in your heart to cherish forever. Memories of your childhood come back and are so clear and vivid it’s like being young again. Colours seem brighter and more brilliant. Laughter seems part of daily life where before it was infrequent or didn’t exist at all.

A phone call or two during the day helps to get you through a long day’s work and always brings a smile to your face. In their presence, there’s no need for continuous conversation, but you find you’re quite content in just having them nearby. Things that never interested you before become fascinating because you know they are important to this person who is so special to you. You think of this person on every occasion and in everything you do.

Simple things bring them to mind like a pale blue sky, gentle wind or even a storm cloud on the horizon. You open your heart knowing that there’s a chance it may be broken one day and in opening your heart, you experience a love and joy that you never dreamed possible.

You find that being vulnerable is the only way to allow your heart to feel true pleasure that’s so real it scares you. You find strength in knowing you have a true friend and possibly a soul mate who will remain loyal to the end. Life seems completely different, exciting and worthwhile.

Your only hope and security is in knowing that they are a part of your life.”

― Bob Marley

@CharlesGichane, PPA  (@PositivePress_) 

INFOGRAPHIC|The Power of Suggestion: Using Psychology to Teach Students

Source

@CharlesGichane, PPA  (@PositivePress_) 

 

 

@KenyaPower Donates 260 Solar Lamps to Primary School in Isiolo

Kenya Power managing director Joseph Njoroge

Kenya Power has donated 260 solar lamps worth Sh1.4 million to pupils of Dadacha Basa Primary School in Merti, Isiolo County.

Kenya Power Managing Director & CEO, Eng. Joseph Njoroge, said the solar lamps will provide quality lighting and help improve learning conditions for the pupils at home. He was speaking during a presentation ceremony in the school.

Njoroge said the donation was one of the company’s Corporate Social Investment (CSI) programmes in support of education programmes.

“This year, Kenya Power has set aside 42 million shillings for CSI programmes touching on social welfare, environment, sports, and education. Being a company is highly dependent on skilled manpower, we have continuously worked to contribute to improved education in the communities in which we operate,” he said.

Njoroge also revealed that a Sh11 million off-grid solar station was commissioned in in Merti two years ago as part a government funded project to deepen electricity connection in areas not covered by the national grid.

“Benefits that come with these renewable energy generation plants include lack of pollution in terms of noise and emission low maintenance cost,” he added.

Making solar lanterns accessible to women in rural Kenya

Women Enterprise Development Institute (WEDI) is a fund manager for a portfolio of 850 women’s savings and credit groups operating in the larger Central Province of Kenya. WEDI’s objectives are to mobilize group savings and improve lending amongst members in order to reduce dependence from donor funding and create their own funds for socio economic development.

The group has a ‘Project’ component through which member groups are introduced to various products that individual members can buy with their savings. This presented a good energy business opportunity for WEDI. Between 2009 and early 2010, discussions to start a supplier guarantee arrangement among GVEP, WEDI and a solar portable lantern (SPL) supplier culminated in the signing of a tripartite partnership agreement.

Under the arrangement the supplier provides SPLs to WEDI, who in turn creates awareness to the groups as well as to the community. Being the Fund Managers, WEDI collects a deposit of 50% of the cost of the SPL; the other 50% is paid in three equal installments. WEDI delivers the SPLs to the group members, tracks loans and collects the 50% down payment. GVEP organized training for 20 Loan Officers from WEDI to equip them with technology skills on SPL products.

In 2011 WEDI requested GVEP to help them secure a second supplier, as their previous one did not have enough products for the demand created by WEDI’s members. GVEP identified Sollatek Electronics Kenya Ltd who has sole distributorship of d.light solar products in Kenya. A second tripartite agreement was signed between WEDI, Sollatek and GVEP. To date WEDI has sold a total of 1,100 solar lanterns under this partnership.

Solar power

Solar technologies such as photo voltaic home systems portable lamps and solar mobile phone charging systems use solar power to provide affordable electrical energy to isolated communities. Solar can charge through the day using the sun’s rays and provide hours of light after dark.

In most rural places in the developing world there is no electrical supply at night to light up homes, streets, schools and hospital. Children cannot see to learn and adults cannot be productive. Solar power can also be used to run other pieces of equipment such as computers and refrigerators.

We support small businesses selling and distributing simple solar technologies which are improving the quality of lives of thousands of people.

Source

For more information, contact:

Kenya Power Corporate Communications Dept.

Tel. 3201622/39 or/47

E-mail communications@kenyapower.co.ke

@CharlesGichane, PPA  (@PositivePress_) 

Microsoft to Launch 4Afrika Initiative With New Huawei Smartphone

BY CHARLES GICHANE

Originally Published by CapitalFM

NAIROBI, Kenya, Feb 6 – Microsoft Corporation has launched the Microsoft 4Afrika Initiative, a new effort through which the company will actively engage in Africa’s economic development in order to improve its global competitiveness.

Microsoft 4Afrika General Manager Fernando de Sousa said they plan to focus on accelerating adoption of smart devices, empowering small and medium businesses, and up-leveling skills development to ignite African innovation for the Continent and for the world.

He revealed that by 2016, the Microsoft 4Afrika Initiative plans to help place tens of millions of smart devices in the hands of African youth, bring 1 million African small and medium enterprises (SMEs) online and up-skill 100,000 members of Africa’s existing workforce.

He added that they also plan to help 100,000 recent graduates develop skills for employability; 75 percent of which Microsoft will help place in jobs.

“The world has recognized the promise of Africa, and Microsoft wants to invest in that promise. We want to empower African youth, entrepreneurs, developers and business and civic leaders to turn great ideas into a reality that can help their community, their country, the continent, and beyond,” he explained.

“The Microsoft 4Afrika Initiative is built on the dual beliefs that technology can accelerate growth for Africa, and Africa can also accelerate technology for the world,” he added.

As a first critical step toward increasing the adoption of smart devices, Microsoft and Huawei are introducing the Huawei 4Afrika – a full functionality Windows Phone 8 which will come pre-loaded with select applications designed for Africa.

The phone will initially be available in Angola, Egypt, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Morocco, Nigeria and South Africa later this month.

The Huawei 4Afrika phone, which is the first in what will be a series of smart devices designed “4Afrika,” will be targeted toward university students, developers and first-time smart phone users to ensure they have affordable access to best-in-class technology to enable them to connect, collaborate, and access markets and opportunities online.

To improve technology access, Microsoft also announced the deployment of a pilot project with the Kenyan Ministry of Information and Communications and Kenyan Internet service provider, Indigo Telecom Ltd., to deliver low-cost, high-speed, wireless broadband and create new opportunities for commerce, education, healthcare, and delivery of government services across Kenya.

The deployment is called “Mawingu,” which is Kiswahili for cloud and it is the first deployment of solar-powered base stations together with TV white spaces, a technology partially developed by Microsoft Research, to deliver high-speed Internet access to areas currently lacking even basic electricity.

Microsoft hopes to implement similar pilots in East and Southern Africa in the coming months to further explore the commercial feasibility of white space technologies, which will be used to encourage other African countries to accelerate legislation that would enable this white spaces technology to deliver on the promise of universal access for the African Continent.

To further help empower African SMEs, Microsoft also announced a new online hub through which African SMEs will have access to free, relevant products and services from Microsoft and other partners.

The hub will aggregate the available services which can help them expand their business locally, find new business opportunities outside their immediate geography, and help increase their overall competitiveness.

As a “welcome offer,” Microsoft will provide free domain registration for the period of one year and free tools for qualifying SMEs interested in creating a professional web presence.

The hub is expected to open in April initially in South Africa and Morocco and will expand to other African markets over time.

To accelerate capacity building and skills development, Microsoft has established the Afrika Academy, an education platform leveraging both online and offline learning tools, to help Africans develop both technical and business skills for entrepreneurship and improved employability.

Training through the Afrika Academy will be made available starting in March at no cost to recent higher education graduates, government leaders, and the Microsoft partner community.

One of the first offline training sessions will take place with Microsoft managed partners in Ivory Coast in the coming months, focusing on capacity building in both business and technical skills for our partners in francophone West Africa.

The 4Afrika Initiative will be tightly connected to Microsoft’s network of more than 10,000 existing partners in Africa today, a network it has built over 20 years of investing and operating in the Continent and it will leverage these existing partnerships and create new ones across both the public and private sectors to help create value for Africans.

President of Microsoft International Jean-Philippe Courtois said, “We believe there has never been a better time to invest in Africa and that access to technology, particularly cloud services and smart devices, can and will serve as a great accelerator for African competitiveness,”

“The launch of Windows 8 and many other new products in the coming months represent a New Era for Microsoft Corporation, which we believe will redefine the technology industry globally. These additional investments under the 4Afrika banner will help define our company’s New Era in Africa,” he added.  

Simultaneous launch events to kick off this New Era in Africa are being held today in five locations spanning the continent including: Cairo, Abidjan, Lagos, Nairobi and Johannesburg.

In all locations except for Cairo, Egypt, Microsoft is also hosting separate developer workshops in the coming weeks to facilitate and accelerate the development of new and innovative Windows applications for Africa, by Africans.

@CharlesGichane, PPA  (@PositivePress_) 

8 Clever Ways to Deal with Rude People

Don’t Take Anything Personally: Nothing others do is because of you. What others say and do is a projection of their own reality, their own dream. … the opinions and actions of others, you won’t be the victim of needless suffering. ~Don Miguel Ruiz

How do you feel about rude people?

You are going about your day, steadily moving from one task to another and then suddenly, the unexpected happens; someone pulls their car abruptly in front of you, causing you to slam on your breaks, interrupts you repeatedly while speaking, gives you a condescending look, bumps into you without apologizing, or outright blurts something to hurt your feelings.

If it is someone you know, you can usually call attention to the transgression and get it resolved fairly quickly. But what if it is someone you don’t know well or don’t feel comfortable confronting, how do you deal with them then?

1. Don’t take it personally

I know this is easier said than done. After all, how could you not take it personally, when it is happening to you? Look at it this way: It is happening to you, but it may not be about you.

Take for example, the couple who has an argument before heading to work, who then at work, lashes out at every co-worker in sight. Clearly, they are taking out their morning frustrations on their colleagues who weren’t present for their disagreement.

2. It may be a habit

It could be that the other person doesn’t know they are being rude. My friend’s father has a habit of not greeting a room when he walks into it. He enters a room, picks one person out and starts jabbering away as if all others don’t exist.

For the invisible ones, this can be seen as rude. But if you know him, you would know that this is what he does, with everyone, no matter where he goes. It is not personal.

3. Confront the person

If it is a relationship that you want, you might consider letting the other person know how their behavior made you feel. This isn’t always easy to do, because some people are just not easily approachable.

They quickly become defensive, forcing you to shut down any conversation that might lead to a resolution.

Not being able to confront someone often creates a barrier to intimacy, meaning, we no longer feel comfortable discussing anything of substance with that person; especially how we feel.

4. Stay away

If you are dealing with a stranger, walk away. The last thing you want is to get yourself into trouble. People are tense and stressed out and can flip at any time. Say one wrong thing and you could end up fighting for your life. If it is a decision between confronting someone and being safe, by all means, be safe.

5. Let go of the need to change them

One my favorite quotes from Maya Angelou is “when someone shows you who they are, believe them the first time.” If you get nothing else from this article, get this. You cannot change another person. Here, I’ll say it again, you cannot change another person.

And if you are trying to, you are wasting your time. Sure, there are those times when someone sees the light, has a change of heart, goes to the mountain top and becomes transformed by divinity. But for the most part, you will be disappointed.

Rude people have a right to be who they are just like you have a right to be who you are. Leave them alone.

6. Be above the fray

Decide that you are not going to get dragged down into the other person’s drama. Yes, this is a decision. It may not feel like it, but it is. If you don’t react immediately to what they have said or done, you will give yourself more of a chance to choose your response.

This can be difficult to do, as everything about you might want to fight back in the heat of the moment, but with practice, like everything else, you will get better at restraining yourself. Calm yourself down, take your time and choose your next move with clarity.

7. Objectify the situation

Look at the other person’s behavior as something that is separate from them. The benefit of doing this is it will create some space between your reaction and that other person’s, and it is in this space you can decide how you want to respond. Without this space you are more prone to react defensively, saying or doing something you will later regret.

8. Shower them with kindness

Try to be kind to those who are rude to you. Being kind does not mean that you tolerate one abuse after another. It means that you respond to the other person politely, even if that means politely excusing yourself.

And lastly, remember that we are all here on this planet just trying finding our way. We are doing the best we can at this thing called life.

People can only act at their level of consciousness, empathy and awareness, but ultimately, we all want the same things, love, peace, harmony, success, connection and joy. And we all have moments when we are rude.

How do you deal with rude and negative people?  Share your “secrets” by commenting bellow or by posting your lovely comment on the PurposeFairy Facebook Page. And if you’ve enjoyed reading this post, feel free to share it with your loved ones

Lisa H. is mother, entrepreneur, self-proclaimed introvert and practicer of all things happy. With her blog, Getting to Zen, she hopes to help you re-awaken your spirit, live fearlessly and do what you love.  You can find Lisa pouring her heart out on her blog or on meandering around Facebook.

@CharlesGichane, PPA  (@PositivePress_) 

 

Video: @Wale – Ambitious Girl

Ambitious girl, your drive, drives me crazy
I’m tryna stay with you, lay with you
I’ll pay your tuition, and pray with you if you ain’t in to wishin
I’m tryna fuck the shit out your aspirations
See, the last one I dated, I hated
We wake up, I go to work, she leave out
Come back with some make up, high heels, and a purse, or
Worse I ask, “Babygirl, what you aspire to be?”
She reply to me like, “why you perspiring me?” bitch..

Pardon me if I’m sweating you but
I wanna see something else in you before I invest in you
Ambitious girl, (what its hittin for?)
I’d rather you tell me to hit you later
Because you gotta finish a paper
Then to be in my face asking for a Rose cup
See these bitches can’t cut in yo business
I’m in love with your business
And your productivity is the reason I interest, ambitious girl
See, I like the person that you are
But I’m in love with the person that you have potential to be
And all your dreams sharing with me
And your secrets baring with me
And the flaws, you ain’t even got to mention to me
Ambitious girl, you just wanna win, and you’d rather chase your dreams
Then to try to chase these men
That try to chase these skirts
That try to chase these shots with flavors that ain’t even as sweet as her

My ambitious girl, I won’t forget you
I just reflect on how I ain’t met you, yet boo
You somewhere, getting your life in order
So for this time being, I hope this open scribe might support her
Support her, or work her, she worth it

Go girl [X3], ambition
Go girl [X7], ambition
Go girl [X7], ambition
Ambition [X7]

I just want you to have something to listen to…
Maybe in the morning

@CharlesGichane, PPA  (@PositivePress_) 

10 Productive Ways to Utilize Time During Long Waits

We’ve all been there…..

You show up at the doctor’s office on time, only to discover that they’re running behind and four others with appointments ahead of you are still waiting.

Or the airport where you wait for hours, only to hear the announcement that your delayed flight has been rescheduled – again.

Or the “quick visit” to the post office that drags on for an hour.

And if you are a parent… well, you probably have “scheduled” wait times built into your calendar – soccer practice, swim lessons, piano classes…

When you are busy and stressed, even a short wait feels like eternity. Every minute that you wait, is a minute wasted.

“Wait time” can be the most frustrating time – if you let it. With just a little bit of planning though, you can not only turn “wait time” into productive time, but may actually surprise yourself by looking forward to it!

Here are 10 simple tips to get you started.

1.      Use it to de-stress and relax

Play games, browse, respond to emails, facebook or twitter on your smartphone. Read magazines. Carry a book with you everywhere you go. Listen to music or podcasts. The key here is to make this an intentional break instead of doing all these things just because you’re bored.

2.      Plan and organize the rest of your day

Most of us are so busy that we are like rats running through a maze, often landing in dead ends. Use the wait time to create a TO-DO list and then prioritize/organize your day so you can be more efficient with what you have to do when you’re done waiting.

3.      Catch up on phone calls

Too busy on weekdays and too lazy on weekends for those “lets-stay-in-touch” phone calls? This may be a good time to catch up on those calls.

4.      Exercise the “other” side of your brain

If your job mostly requires logical thinking, use this time to give the creative side of your brain a workout. Doodle, write a poem, make up a bedtime story for your kids, click away with your camera phone or just browse Flickr. On the other hand, if you are in a creative profession, use this time to jog your logical side. Solve crossword puzzles/sudoku, balance your checkbook or plan the logistics of your next big gig.

5.      Get familiar with the features in your phone

Even the most non-savvy phones these days have reminders, alarm, calculator etc. And the smartphones have so many features and apps, you’d need a lifetime to figure it all out. Waiting at the bus station or the doctor’s office is a good time to explore all that your phone has to offer!

6.      Strike up a conversation with someone

Never underestimate what you can learn from total strangers. You may discover a gem of a restaurant. Or fix an annoying problem. Or learn deep life secrets that only mystic strangers can teach. And don’t underestimate the joy of helping total strangers either. Being that informer, problem-solver or the mystic teacher can add a definite upward spin to the rest of your day.

7.      Let your mind wander

Go ahead, indulge yourself in some daydreaming. Not the kind that involves your everyday life and it’s boring details – that’s just stressing out. Instead dream of the fabulous startup you’ll create or the fantastic vacation you’ll take… It can be quite relaxing, and who knows – it may even kindle a spark for a new adventure.

8.      Count your blessings

We get so carried away in the daily grind, that we hardly take the time to count our blessings. This can be a great time to think of all that is good in your life and send silent prayers for everyone that helped make it happen. And don’t underestimate your own role in the successful things in your life – acknowledge all that is good in you and reinforce your spirit.

9.      Meditate

You can meditate practically anywhere without the need for any props, special music, sitting in a special position or chanting. Meditation is just a means to calm your mind and let go of your stress – try it.

10.   Stretch/Exercise

I was once stuck in an airport with a long layover + a delayed flight and I started walking aimlessly in total frustration. And there, in a quiet corner of the airport, I saw a lady doing stretching exercises. She looked calm, serene and downright inspiring! So, depending on where you are this is definitely something to keep in mind.

Well, wait time — be it scheduled or unscheduled — is something that nobody likes. But if you start making good use of it you may just start to enjoy it, and who knows, maybe even look forward to it

What are some of your favorite things to do during long wait times?

—

Written by Sumitha

This post was written by Sumitha from AFineParent.com while she – yes, you guessed it – waited at her daughter’s swim lessons. If you are a parent with some “wait time” in your schedule, Sumitha can show you how to use those few minutes to become a much better parent!Click here to find out more.

@CharlesGichane, PPA  (@PositivePress_) 

20 Things a Mom Should Teach Her Son

TWENTY THINGS A MOM SHOULD TELL HER SON

 

1. Play a sport. It will teach you how to win honorably, lose gracefully, respect authority, work with others, manage your time and stay out of trouble. And maybe even throw or catch.

2. You will set the tone for the sexual relationship, so don’t take something away from her that you can’t give back.

3. Use careful aim when you pee. Somebody’s got to clean that up, you know.

4. Save money when you’re young because you’re going to need it someday.

5. Allow me to introduce you to the dishwasher, oven, washing machine, iron, vacuum, mop and broom. Now please go use them.

6. Pray and be a spiritual leader.

7. Don’t ever be a bully and don’t ever start a fight, but if some idiot clocks you, please defend yourself.

8. Your knowledge and education is something that nobody can take away from you.

9. Treat women kindly. Forever is a long time to live alone and it’s even longer to live with somebody who hates your guts.

10. Take pride in your appearance.

11. Be strong and tender at the same time.

12. A woman can do everything that you can do. This includes her having a successful career and you changing diapers at 3 A.M. Mutual respect is the key to a good relationship.

13. “Yes ma’am” and “yes sir” still go a long way.

14. The reason that they’re called “private parts” is because they’re “private”. Please do not scratch them in public.

15. Peer pressure is a scary thing. Be a good leader and others will follow.

16. Bringing her flowers for no reason is always a good idea.

17. It is better to be kind than to be right.

18. A sense of humor goes a long way in the healing process.

19. Please choose your spouse wisely. My daughter-in-law will be the gatekeeper for me spending time with you and my grandchildren.

20. Remember to call your mother because I might be missing you.

What NOT to do as a mother:

 

@CharlesGichane, PPA  (@PositivePress_) 

 

Kibakinomics 101: 5 Lessons Mwai Kibaki Has Taught Kenyans

Money is not the most important thing in the world, love is, fortunately for me I love money. The love of money is NOT the root of all evil, the lack of money is. I’ll tell you now for a fact that the only people who think about money more than rich people are poor people, complete fact you can take it to the bank… No of course you can’t you can only take money and collateral to the bank.

Another fact: high tides lift all boats, true very true that’s why when I see people around me making money I don’t get jealous, I get happy because it means the tides are rising and money will soon be on its way to my boat. Am I worshiping money? By all means no, money makes a great servant and a poor master the line in between is blurry and at best thin. A Jewish proverb says: When I have money, I am wise, I am handsome, I am funny and a damn good singer!!

When I have money, I am wise, I am handsome, I am funny and a damn good singer!!

Psychologists call this ‘the hallo effect’, we tend to think rich people are better looking, more ambitious, more trust worthy and more intelligent.

Now because I have seen the effects that money can have I have promised myself to make money work for me, to learn more about my money, what it likes, what it dislikes and what makes it want to multiply. Money is an essential in life, just as important as food or water and unless you esteem it highly you wont strive for it, you’ll only wish for it. If you would like to learn the value of money, try borrow some. The Bible says it better:  A feast is made for laughter, and wine makes life merry, but money is the answer for everything (Ecclesiastes 10:19).

Now back to the subject of this article Kibakinomics, I’m feeling like more facts so here’s another one, the two times the Kenyan economy has grown the most is when President Kibaki was minister for finance and when he was president, fact, all banks are accepting that one too. Now the good old president may know a thing or two about money that the rest of us don’t know, I’ve been watching carefully and here’s what I have gleaned from President’s economic genius.

Know your business

A brothel owner in my all-time favorite TV series Game of Thrones, said ‘…When choosing an investment I choose prostitutes over ships because whores rarely sink…’ You need to know your business know the long term and the short term, the high tide and the ebb.

When choosing an investment I choose prostitutes over ships because whores rarely sink

Kibaki invested heavily in infrastructure, free primary education and healthcare. Right now it’s paying the dividends, we dint see why he was not investing more in tangible things like revenue collection, agriculture and tourism, those that payback immediately and pay back big. If you invest make sure you know what your money likes, make sure you know what you’re getting into because it’s a poor jeweler who takes advice from a brick maker (can you guess where that little nugget was from? comment bellow and you get bragging rights for being well read).

Mind your business

If  Kibaki’s enemies saw him walking on water, they’d say it’s because he  could not swim. The old man has mastered the art of silence. Convincing all of us he’s inert and hands off. He’s made being president look so easy any politician with half a name was convinced he could do it also. The reason I think he managed to do this I think is because he could stay silent and mind his business.  The president is not working when he’s at press conferences shouting his head off ‘Riddle me this’, no, it’s when he’s in the back rooms cutting deals and giving orders. If you’re going to be a success you’re going to need to learn to mind your business, ignore what everyone else is saying and get things done.

Mind your people

The river flows but it never forgets it’s source. The source built the river, I think the one win Kibaki has had is to surround himself with the right people. While everyone said the president seems inert the country is still functional things are still getting done. In 2005 the president fired the whole cabinet after the first referendum, everything ran like clockwork, he got the right people, people who believed in the cause and were loyal to it so that even if one half of his team dropped dead or mutinied against him things could still work while he leisurely replaced them.

Know what you want.

Now Kibaki’s NARC coalition promised us free primary education, not highly subsidized,  not implemented in phases, free from day one. Despite inheriting an office with empty coffers as the government claimed they still made this commitment. Strangely enough twas a success from day one and despite the allegations of fraud and stealing of funds it still stands ten years later a Kibaki legacy.

If you’re going to do something you have to want it and you have to commit to it. There was no money for it structures were still shaky but due to the commitment, the keenness with which the Kenyan people were watching to see if NARC kept up this promise it succeeded.

Keep your eyes open and an ear to the ground

Now how do we make more money? No, not by cost cutting and not by saving. Though these are ways to make an enterprise more effective the only way to grow it is to generate more revenue, the only way to generate more revenue is to make more sound investments. Kibaki did not endeavor to save the country funds (what I think is one of his short comings) he did however make investments in infrastructure, in mineral exploration, education and health. Ten years later all we need is someone who can tie up all the loose ends Kibaki left and then keep the foward momentum and we can finally take off into prosperity.

by Cedric Gitura

Top 20 Blogs Sold For Millions

Top Blog Sites That Have Been Sold

The whole point of this post is to make you think of your end goal, where you want to go with your online business. Every day your working on your business, don’t just think about how much you made that day but how much your going to make for investing an additional day into your business when you go to sell your blog/company. Some of these guys were worth $30,000 a day – now that’s what gets me excited about blogging.

In my head, I have already decided I’m going to sell my blog network for millions of dollars. Here’s the clever thing about what I’m doing:

Here in the UK, if I make over £150,000 a year, I have to pay 50% (actually 51%) of anything over that to the government which makes it quite an easy decision to not take the money out of the company but instead to invest it in it. So my whole game plan is not take a big salary, live within my means and invest every penny into my business so that I can grow it to the point where it gets millions of visitors every month and ideally make me 7 figures a month also. If I keep reinvesting, growing my business for a few short years I will then be in position to sell the company for lets say a cool £10,000,000. On the first £2 million I have to pay 10% tax and then 18% after that. For me, the best part of this isn’t so much the financial side, it’s the fact that I would of built something amazing, something to be proud of, the money is just a bonus! This reminds me of this saying:

Entrepreneurship is about living a few years of your life like most won’t, so that you can live the rest of your life like most can’t!

Now think big and get inspired!

#1 Ugo.com – Sold For: $100 million

Founded: 1997

Year of Sale: 2007

Approximate Daily Worth:  $27,397

The website Ugo was founded in 1997 as Unified Gamers Online  (UGO) by Chris Sherman.Action World Inc. bought them very early on and decided to rename the business. They changed the name to  UGO Networks, however the name didn’t stick for long as it was once again changed to Online Underground. Eventually it was sold on to the Hearst Corporation approximately $100 million.

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#2 Fotolog – Sold For: $90 million

Founded: 2002

Year of Sale: 2007

Approximate Daily Worth:  $49,315

Fotolog was founded by Scott Heiferman, in 2002, and unfortunately the site began to have problems just 3yrs later in 2005 when the amount of visitors and members started to become too much for the websites servers. The website itself currently receives over 20 million unique visitors each month and was sold to Hi-Media Group for the tidy sum of $90 Million.

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#3 Consumersearch – Sold for: $33 million

Founded: 1999

Year of Sale: 2007

Approximate Daily Worth:  $11,301

Consumersearch was founded by co-founders Derek grew and Carl Harmaan in 1999, the pair also owned a privately held corporation at the time. The website sold for a huge $33 million and the news was first released by the New York Times Co. The buyers,  About.com are also owned by the New York Times Co. In 2009 the website was honored in the 13th annual webby awards competition.

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#4 TechCrunch – Sold for: $30 million

Founded: 2005

Year of Sale: 2010

Daily Worth: $16,438

TechCrunch is a very well-known website publication, which is well grounded within the technology and gadget niche’s. The blog was first founded in 2005 by Michael Arrington, and the first time it was published live online was on June 11, 2005. It’s astonishing that in just five years Michael had created such a unique website which was full of valuable  content and managed to sell the website for a total of $30 million to AOL.

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#5 PaidContent – Sold for: $30 million

Founded: 2002

Year of Sale: 2008

Daily Worth: $13698

Paidcontent was founded by Rafat Ali, in 2002, and was basically an online resource for; information, analysis and news. Rafat Ali the founder of the website, was a journalist and so the website itself was a natural progression for him. In the end the website was eventually brought out by Guardian Media Group $30 Million (2008) Ali Rafat however is still part of the website, and is currently working for the company as an editor.

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#6 Tatter and Company – Sold for: $30 million

Founded: 2002

Year of Sale: 2008

Approximate Daily Worth: $13698

Tatter and Company or TNC as it is also known, was founded by Chang-Won Kim and Chester Roh, they formed the company in 2002. Tatter and Company itself was and still is a blogging platform for the Korean nation. I’m sure it is not a major surprise that the company was purchased by  Google for the sum of $30 Million, in 2008.

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#7 Ars Technica – Sold for: $25 million

Founded: 1998

Year of Sale: 2008

Approximate Daily Worth: $6849

Ars Technica was founded by Ken Fisher, in 1998 and quickly became one of the top and most authoritative blogs with the technology industry. The site provided a great amount of news and sometimes reviews on their chosen niche. The website was purchased by Conde Nast Publications for $25 Million in 2008,  a decade since the year it was founded.

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#8 Weblogs.com – Sold for: $25 million

Founded: 2003

Year of Sale: 2005

Approximate Daily Worth: $34,722

Weblogs Inc was created by Brian Alvey and Jason Calcanis in 2003, with the help of an investment from Mark Cuban. In the early days the business was initially set up for professional readership, they also had a number of other websites running alongside Weblogs, in fact there were approximately a dozen websites in total. Weblogs was purchased in 2005 by AOL to the tidy sum of $25 Million.

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#9 Livejournal.com – Sold for: $25 million

Founded: 1999

Year of Sale: 2007

Approximate Daily Worth: $8561

LiveJournal just as the name suggests was a virtual community where users could keep a blog or an online digital diary, through their free open source server technology. They didn’t stop there though, they had the software allowing users to easily create blogs and diaries online they even allowed for calendars, polls, and even have guest writers. The website sold for approximately $ 25 million to Six Apart  in 2007.

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#10 Bankaholic.com – Sold for: $15 million

Founded: 2006

Year of Sale: 2008

Approximate Daily Worth: $20547

Bankaholic is the creation of founder John Wu who also created CB Land Investments. The website itself was an online banking marketplace which basically provided its customers with credit card offers as well as interest rates and personal financial advice. The website eventually sold for $15 Million to BankRate and now has a hefty team of banking and financial professionals behind it so who knows where it could go? maybe it will be worth double the amount in a year or so.

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#11 Deadline Hollywood – Sold for: $14 million

Founded: 2006

Year of Sale: 2009

Approximate Daily Worth: $5479

Deadline Hollywood started off  as a column in the LA weekly, in 2002 by Nikki Finke. The column itself was basically an informative entertainment column based around the lifestyles of the rich and famous. Nikki decided to take her now well-known columnto the online world, and the site first went live in 2006 as a blog. She decided upon calling it the ‘Deadline Hollywood Daily’. It was so popular that in 2009 the Mail Media Corporation bought it from her in a lucrative deal with $14 million. The website has since been changed to deadline.com.

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#12 Wonkette – Sold for: $12 million

Founded: 2004

Year of Sale: 2006

Approximate Daily Worth: $16438

Wonkette is a website that was established in January 2004, it was part of the Gawker Media Network, and it’s founding editor was Ana Marie Cox, who has also been the editor of the well known website suck.com. Gawker Media thought a downturn in the internet boom was on the horizon, and not wanting to lose all the money they had poured into the website they sold it. The buyers were Ken Layne and his business partners, paying  $12 Million in 2006. It’s also worth mentioning that Ken Layne was also the editor of the site at the time he and his partners bought it.

#13 Celebrity baby blog -Sold for: $10 million

Founded: 2004

Year of Sale: 2008

Approximate Daily Worth: $6849

Celebrity Baby blog was created by Danielle Friedland in 2004, and as you can see from the name of the blog,  the topic is pretty obvious. Yes that’s right it’s another blog about famous babies. With celebrities a current trend at the time (when are they not, right?) and her website gaining a very steady stream of visitors,  She managed to sell the blog to Times Inc in a deal worth $10 Million. Not bad for a blog based on babies, the blog has also changed names since to babyrazzi.com.

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#14 Tree Hugger – Sold for: $10 million

Founded: 2005

Year of Sale: 2007

Approximate Daily Worth: $6849

Tree Hugger was the brainchild of Graham Hill, an environmentalist entrepreneur who knew how to use technology to his advantage. He managed to sell the blog to the Discovery Communication for a neat and tidy sum of $10 Million in 2007. You got to admit there’s probably not that many tree huggers out their worst $10 million!

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#15 Freakanomics -Sold for: $8 million

Founded: 2005

Year of Sale: 2007

Approximate Daily Worth: $10958

Freakanomics, was founded by Stephen J. Dubner, in the year 2005  and was sold just two years after it was first created. Stephen was a professional journalist for the New York Times, when he started the blog, which was actually created after the huge success of Dubner’s book, which was also called ‘Freakanomics’ . The website was eventually bought out by the New York Times the sum of $8 million.

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#16 The Consumerist – Sold for: $7 million

Founded: 2005

Year of Sale: 2008

Approximate Daily Worth: $7305

The Consumerist, is yet another website which was developed by the Gawker Media Group, there doing quite well aren’t they? Anyway, Joel Johnson was the editor-in-chief although the site was originally the idea of Nick Denton and Lockhart Steele both of whom are highly ranked within the Gawker Media Group. They decided to sell the consumerist to Consumer Media LLC when they were offered around $7 Million. I think I may have sold for that price too!

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#17 World Hum – Sold for: $6 million

Founded: 2001

Year of Sale: 2007

Approximate Daily Worth: $2739

World Hum is a very highly regarded and award-winning magazine-style blog which was created by Jim Benning and Michael Yessis. The pair were obsessed with travel and decided to create the blog as an outlet for their passion. Within the blog they had all sorts of various categories; how-to sections, question-and-answer sections and where the best places to travel were, as well as how to get there and where to stay once you arrive. Eventually the Travel Channel decided to make them an offer in 2007  to the tune of $6 Million, which they just couldn’t turn down. I can’t say I blame them though.

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#18 Arseblog – Sold for: $5 million

Founded: 2006

Year of Sale: 2007

Approximate Daily Worth: $13698

Arseblog, yes I know you’re properly all sniggering, well at least those of you in the UK as it is a bit of a naughty word but anyway,  the website was created by Andrew Managan in 2006,m due to his undying loyalty to the football team Arsenal FC (Soccer to all of you reading this in the US). In 2007 Andrew was made an offer god-father style, one he definitely could not refuse $5 million by the company Ole Ole. The site has since changed it’s name to Ole Ole.

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#19 GardenRant – Sold for: $1.3 million

Founded: 1996

Year of Sale: 2007

Approximate Daily Worth: $395.73

GardenRant was formed in 1996 by gardening enthusiast Susan Harris, mainly as a way to share her thoughts, tips and advice as well as sharing event details and special promotions. Though you may think that there wouldn’t be much value in a gardening blog it actually did amazingly well and was eventually bought out by the company GardenWeb for a rough figure of around $1.3 Million, not bad for a blog talked mostly about flowers. Never underestimate the power of any niche community, big or small!

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#20 Politicshome – Sold for: $1.3 million

Founded: 2008

Year of Sale: 2009

Approximate Daily Worth: $3561

Politicshome was founded just two years ago in 2008 by Stephan Shakespeare, who is also the founder and CEO of YouGov, which is basically an Internet-based market research company. After just one year of the blog being online, Stephan managed to sell the business in a very successful deal with Conservative politician Michael Ashcroft. The deal was worth an approximate $1.3 million.

 Written by Michael Dunlop

 @CharlesGichane, PPA  (@PositivePress_) 

10 Top Lies Women Tell Men

Copyright: best way to weight loss

I Weigh This Much

Most women are self conscious about their weight, whether it is warranted or not. Our society puts too much importance on weighing a certain amount or fitting into a certain size and women feel inadequate as a result. Therefore it is very common for women to lie about their weight knowing there is no way anyone can know the real truth. What they don’t realize is that most men don’t really care and if they did, would you really want to be with that man anyway?

Copyright: Sknr

I Have Had This Many Sexual Partners

Women have been known to lie about having both more sexual partners if they haven’t been with many, and about having less if they have a particularly long list. Women might especially lower their number if they find that their boyfriend has a much smaller number, so as to not seem like a slut and to spare him from embarrassment.

Copyright: Home Improvement Pages

I’ll Be Ready in a Minute

I’ll be ready in a minute almost always translates to at least 5 to 15 minutes. Women take longer to get ready than men because they have more to do, for example:

• Makeup
• Hair
• Complicated outfits
• Shoe choices

The sooner you realize that a “minute” isn’t really a minute in this situation, you can stop fighting and relax while she finished getting ready.

Copyright: My Opera

That Sex Was Great

Sex isn’t always going to be great for the woman, and it isn’t necessarily your fault. Women don’t orgasm nearly as easily as men do, so if this happens they will probably just lie and say it was great to spare your feelings.

Copyright: She Knows

I’m Not Mad at You

Many women will tell this lie simply to avoid a fight or after a fight has ended and they haven’t yet had enough cool off time to stop hating you yet. You might want to give her some time and space if you think your woman is telling you this lie.

Copyright: Wise Geek

I’ve Got a Headache

Let’s face it, most men want sex more often than women do. If women kept turning men down every time they weren’t in the mood, then men would start to get a complex. So every once in a while a woman might fake a headache to get out of sex when she just isn’t in the mood. Women really do get headaches sometimes though guys, so don’t always assume your girl is lying just because she says she has a headache!

Copyright: Owarty

It Was On Sale

Women will often lie about how much they spend while shopping to avoid making their boyfriends or husbands mad. These lies include:

• “It was on sale.”
• “It wasn’t that expensive.”
• “I’ve had this forever but I just never wore it.”

Fully expect women to use these sneaky methods to attempt to hide a new purchase. Women love to buy things, so get a little suspicious when you hear these phrases.

Copyright: Hot Date Ideas

This is Just What I Wanted

If you give her a present she hates, most women will smile and say they love it. But isn’t that more desirable than the truth? Who wants someone to open their present, say they hate it, and ask for a return receipt? What a way to ruin a birthday, anniversary or holiday!

Copyright: mad maggy

I Don’t Mind if You Look at Other Women

Some women might say this just so they don’t seem overly jealous and crazy, but it is almost always a lie. Women want you to have eyes for them only. So if your woman tells you this, don’t fall for it. It’s a trap!

Copyright: Third Age

I’m Fine

This is probably the biggest and most common lie that women tell. A woman is clearly upset about something, yet when confronted about it, she proclaims that she is fine. This is usually a test to see of the man can tell that they are indeed not fine. God help you if you fail this test.

Source

@CharlesGichane, PPA  (@PositivePress_) 

Fellas: 20 Things You Do and Don't Need to Know About Her

“Your first grade teacher’s name was . . . crap! I know this one!”

Are you dating a stranger? According to a new survey conducted by a British beauty retailer, 54 percent of men couldn’t rattle off their partner’s cell phone number, 12 percent didn’t know her D.O.B., and one in 10 didn’t even know her job title. Ouch.

But the truth is, keeping the names of her coworkers and her hair stylist straight isn’t always easy (or even necessary). There’s such a thing as TMI—as well as a handful of non-negotiables. That’s why we determined 10 things you simply don’t need to know about her, and 10 things you better have memorized.

(And don’t worry—we don’t know anyone who memorizes phone numbers these days, either. Thanks, Siri!)

10 Things You Don’t Need to Know About Her:

1. Her Favorite Designer
Can’t tell the difference between Tory Burch and Rag & Bone for the life of you? That’s OK: Recognizing a new dress or top (and complimenting her on it) goes a lot further.

2. What Her Perfume’s Called
That’s why she has a best friend—and if the perfume bottle’s running low this holiday season, just call her for the name.

3. Her Favorite Makeup
Sometimes a little mystery is good. Wouldn’t you rather believe she looks and feels awesome all the time because that’s just the way she wakes up looking and feeling every morning?

4. When or What She Gets Waxed
Same deal—a trip to the “spa” is all the information you need.

5. Her Hair Stylist’s Name
Part of being together means having your separate interests, too. Some names are must-knows; others leave you sounding like a character from Legally Blonde. This one falls in the latter category.

6. Her Best Friend’s Latest Boyfriend Drama
If she’s venting to you about her BFF’s latest crisis, listen. But know that by no means are you required to remember this information—or cut ties with the guy because of it.

7. If It’s That Time of the Month
Unless you’re trying to get pregnant—or worried she might be—don’t worry about her cycle. If she’s in a bad mood, you’ll blame that weird thing called PMS, and she’ll lose it.

8. Her Ring Size
If you’re at the point where you need to know, you probably already do. Otherwise, there’s no need.

9. The Names of All Her Exes
Knowing she’s got an ex-husband or was in a 10-year relationship can be useful information—and explain a lot about why she is who she is. Details about the DJ, the guy she met on spring break, or the semi-pro athlete she dated simply aren’t necessary or wanted.

10. Her Salary
Until you’re serious—splitting finances, living together, paying for kids’ education—knowing the number of zeros on her paycheck shouldn’t matter. And remember: Picking up the tab should never be a matter of who makes more.

. . . And 10 Things You Do:

What Women Want (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

1. Small, Medium, or Large
You’re signing the two of you up for a race, and the free T-shirt section needs her size. If you order a small and it’s too small, she’ll feel—well, large—but if she thinks you think she’s a medium (when she’s clearly a small), you’re in the doghouse. Just ask.

2. Where She’s From
Whether she’s a born-and-bred Bostonian, a New Yorker at heart, or a small-town Midwesterner, her hometown matters. It probably says a lot about how she grew up—and how she’ll continue to grow.

3. Where She Went to School
Same reasoning: It’s important to her. Plus, it was four really fun years of her life that you may or may not have been present for. Mix up the University of Kansas with Kansas State, and you’ll never hear the end of it.

4. The Names of Her Parents, Siblings, and Best Friends
She talks about them enough, so you should be able to remember their names. Bonus points for coworkers and bosses.

5. How to Cheer Her Up
Knowing the quick fix for a bad day is good for both of you. If a pack of Oreos,Homeland on DVD, or takeout from her favorite Chinese place can brighten her up, you’ll see the rewards, too. The little things show you notice—and care.

6. The Signs of a Bad Mood
Being able to pinpoint bad mood warning signs she doesn’t even notice—ie: her voice when she’s hungry, or a less than enthusiastic response to a text—relay that you’re learning her . . . better than she may even know. Plus, you’ll be better equipped to handle what could be coming your way.

7. Her Middle Name
If her doctor, employer, and credit card company know it, so should you.

8. Her Favorite Music
And make it an option on long car rides.

9. What She Doesn’t Eat
Take her to a steakhouse when she’s told you twice that red meat’s not her thing, and you’ve signed yourself up for an awkward date and a “do you evenlisten to me?” conversation.

10. Her Favorite Flower
You’ll thank us later.

by Cassie Shortsleeve

@CharlesGichane, PPA  (@PositivePress_) 

40 Of The Most Powerful Photographs Ever Taken

A Russian war veteran kneels beside the tank he spent the war in, now a monument.

A Romanian child hands a heart-shaped balloon to riot police during protests against austerity measures in Bucharest.

Retired Philadelphia Police Captain Ray Lewis is arrested for participating in the Occupy Wall Street protests in 2011.

A monk prays for an elderly man who had died suddenly while waiting for a train in Shanxi Taiyuan, China.

A dog named “Leao” sits for a second consecutive day at the grave of her owner, who died in the disastrous landslides near Rio de Janiero on January 15, 2011.

The 1968 Olympics Black Power Salute: African American athletes Tommie Smith and John Carlos raise their fists in a gesture of solidarity at the 1968 Olympic games. Australian Silver medalist Peter Norman wore an Olympic Project for Human Rights badge in support of their protest. Both Americans were expelled from the games as a result.

Jewish prisoners at the moment of their liberation from an internment camp “death train” near the Elbe in 1945.

John F. Kennedy Jr. salutes his father’s coffin along with the honor guard.

Christians protect Muslims during prayer in the midst of the uprisings in Cairo, Egypt, in 2011.

A North Korean man waves his hand as a South Korean relative weeps, following a luncheon meeting during inter-Korean temporary family reunions at Mount Kumgang resort October 31, 2010. Four hundred and thirty-six South Koreans were allowed to spend three days in North Korea to meet their 97 North Korean relatives, whom they had been separated from since the 1950-53 war.

A dog is reunited with his owner following the tsunami in Japan in 2011.

“Wait For Me Daddy,” by Claude P. Dettloff, October 1, 1940: A line of soldiers march in British Columbia on their way to a waiting train as five-year-old Whitey Bernard tugs away from his mother’s hand to reach out for his father.

Navy chaplain Luis Padillo gives last rites to a soldier wounded by sniper fire during a revolt in Venezuela. (Héctor Rondón Lovera)

Australian Scott Jones kisses his Canadian girlfriend Alex Thomas after she was knocked to the ground by a police officer’s riot shield in Vancouver, British Columbia. Canadians rioted after the Vancouver Canucks lost the Stanley Cup to the Boston Bruins.

A mother comforts her son in Concord, Alabama, near his house which was completely destroyed by a tornado in April of 2011.

Pearl Harbor survivor Houston James of Dallas is overcome with emotion as he embraces Marine Staff Sgt. Mark Graunke Jr. during the Dallas Veterans Day Commemoration at Dallas City Hall in 2005. Sgt Graunke, who was a member of a Marine ordnance-disposal team, lost a hand, leg, and eye while defusing a bomb in Iraq in July of 2004.

Phyllis Siegel, 76, left, and Connie Kopelov, 84, both of New York, embrace after becoming the first same-sex couple to get married at the Manhattan City Clerk’s office in 2011.

A 4-month-old baby girl in a pink bear suit is miraculously rescued from the rubble by soldiers after four days missing following the Japanese tsunami.

A French civilian cries in despair as Nazis occupy Paris during World War II.

PoW Horace Greasley defiantly confronts Heinrich Himmler during an inspection of the camp he was confined in. Greasley also famously escaped from the camp and snuck back in more than 200 times to meet in secret with a local German girl he had fallen in love with.

A firefighter gives water to a koala during the devastating Black Saturday bushfires that burned across Victoria, Australia, in 2009.

Robert Peraza pauses at his son’s name on the 9/11 Memorial during the tenth anniversary ceremonies at the site of the World Trade Center.

Jacqueline Kennedy wears her pink Chanel suit, still stained with the blood of her husband, as Lyndon Johnson takes the oath of office in Air Force One.

According to Lady Bird Johnson, who was also present:

“Her hair [was] falling in her face but [she was] very composed … I looked at her. Mrs. Kennedy’s dress was stained with blood. One leg was almost entirely covered with it and her right glove was caked, it was caked with blood – her husband’s blood. Somehow that was one of the most poignant sights – that immaculate woman, exquisitely dressed, and caked in blood.”

Tanisha Blevin, 5, holds the hand of fellow Hurricane Katrina victim Nita LaGarde, 105, as they are evacuated from the convention center in New Orleans.

A girl in isolation for radiation screening looks at her dog through a window in Nihonmatsu, Japan on March 14.

Journalists Euna Lee and Laura Ling, who had been arrested in North Korea and sentenced to 12 years hard labor, are reunited with their families in California after a successful diplomatic intervention by the U.S.

Terri Gurrola is reunited with her daughter after serving in Iraq for 7 months.

“La Jeune Fille a la Fleur,” a photograph by Marc Riboud, shows the young pacifist Jane Rose Kasmir planting a flower on the bayonets of guards at the Pentagon during a protest against the Vietnam War on October 21, 1967. The photograph would eventually become the symbol of the flower power movement.

The iconic photo of Tank Man, the unknown rebel who stood in front of a column of Chinese tanks in an act of defiance following the Tiananmen Square protests of 1989.

Another, recently unearthed photo of the Tank Man incident, which shows a new angle of his act of protest, now at a distance. Tank Man can be seen through the trees on the left, and the tanks can be seen on the far right.

Harold Whittles hears for the first time ever after a doctor places an earpiece in his left ear.

Tanisha Blevin, 5, holds the hand of fellow Hurricane Katrina victim Nita LaGarde, 105, as they are evacuated from the convention center in New Orleans. A girl in isolation for radiation screening looks at her dog through a window in Nihonmatsu, Japan on March 14. Journalists Euna Lee and Laura Ling, who had been arrested in North Korea and sentenced to 12 years hard labor, are reunited with their families in California after a successful diplomatic intervention by the U.S. Terri Gurrola is reunited with her daughter after serving in Iraq for 7 months. “La Jeune Fille a la Fleur,” a photograph by Marc Riboud, shows the young pacifist Jane Rose Kasmir planting a flower on the bayonets of guards at the Pentagon during a protest against the Vietnam War on October 21, 1967. The photograph would eventually become the symbol of the flower power movement. The iconic photo of Tank Man, the unknown rebel who stood in front of a column of Chinese tanks in an act of defiance following the Tiananmen Square protests of 1989. Another, recently unearthed photo of the Tank Man incident, which shows a new angle of his act of protest, now at a distance. Tank Man can be seen through the trees on the left, and the tanks can be seen on the far right. Harold Whittles hears for the first time ever after a doctor places an earpiece in his left ear. ____________________

06-06-2012, 09:17 PM

away – Joined Jul 2004 – #5

_ U.S. Army troops wade ashore during the D-Day Normandy landings on June 6, 1944. A German World War II prisoner, released by the Soviet Union, is reunited with his daughter. The child had not seen her father since she was one year old. Eight-year-old Christian Golczynski accepts the flag for his father, Marine Staff Sgt. Marc Golczynski, during a memorial service. Marc Golczynski was shot on patrol during his second tour in Iraq (which he had volunteered for) just a few weeks before he was due to return home. Pele and British captain Bobby Moore trade jerseys in 1970 as a sign of mutual respect during a World Cup that had been marred by racism. A Sudan People’s Liberation Army soldier stands at attention on the eve of South Sudan’s independence from Sudan. Greg Cook hugs his dog Coco after finding her inside his destroyed home in Alabama following the Tornado in March, 2012. Earthrise: A photo taken by astronaut William Anders during the Apollo 8 mission in 1968.

Hilarious Pictures: 43 People You Won't Believe Actually Exist

These people are really out there somewhere in this world.

Matt Bellassai

1. This woman who tried to ride an escalator in a wheelchair.

Source: newkidsonmycock11

2. This dude planking on a McDonald’s sign.

Via: kylesfuckingtumblr

3. This person wearing whatever this is.

Source: blackkokaine

4. This woman who couldn’t fit in her theater seat.

5. This cheetah woman and her kin.

Source: scrotumcoat

6. This person in a cow costume.

Via: fuckyeahloldemort

7. This woman who is also maybe a witch.

Via: peetaah.me

8. This woman taking a selfie.

Source: duosion

9. This woman who tucked her tatas into her pants.

Source: okaythatwasfunny

10. This woman wearing these tights.

Via: thisurge

11. This woman wearing a cat coat.

Via: katlee3

12. This person walking their computer.

Source: caiticornia

13. This bro who is also maybe a witch.

Source: carrier71

14. This dude planking on a tiger.

Source: peterfromtexas

15. This girl with super big hair.

Source: meme-meme.org

16. This kid eating pizza with chopsticks.

Source: goodbyeforeverfatty.com

17. This cheese model.

Via: canadumb

18. This girl blow drying her teeth.

Source: keepingupwiththekardacheyennes

19. This parent carrying a child.

Via: pricklylegs

20. This woman eating a block of cheese.

21. This granddaughter.

22. This kid who brought his Xbox to prom.

23. This girl just doing her homework.

24. This person who wore these Crocs for this long.

25. This girl eating her own fist.

26. This guy riding the bus.

27. This dude getting lunch.

28. This man in this koala mask.

29. This woman wearing this Sarah Palin t-shirt.

30. This grandma.

31. Her.

32. This person with these toenails.

33. This woman living in ecstasy.

34. This kid at the grocery store.

35. This guy who shaved his chest like this.

36. This dude.

37. This girl wearing a Doritos bag in her hair.

38. This grandma at the grocery store.

39. This dude at Starbucks.

40. This girl who is also a cat.

41. This woman at Burger King.

42. This McDonald’s wizard.

43. And Paula Deen.

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• @CharlesGichane, PPA (@PositivePress_)

5 Entrepreneurship Lessons I Wish I Knew At 20

By Sean Obedih

VENTURES AFRICA – Now that I consider myself to be old enough when I hit my 30^th birthday, it has been a bittersweet moment of growth. On one hand I’m glad I made it to the promised land of the wise heads (or so I think) but on the other hand, my head is gradually rising above the many frustrations of learning the ropes of entrepreneurship. There are many things I wish I knew in my 20s, when I first ventured out, some of which I am going to share below:

Don’t listen to those who think there is a shortcut to wealth. There is no shortcut.  You might as well get that out of your head right now. Wealth is created when you provide something interesting of value, unique to people who demand it either faster or cheaper than the current providers. Until then, you will be trading hours for money and you’ll always think you’re underpaid. “Find a need and fill it” is the old mantra and it is still quoted because it’s true. In today’s world it should read “Create a need that only you can fill well quickly.” Then you’ll be on your way to wealth. The lesson learned: figure out where there are unmet needs and figure out a way to fill those needs by turning them into opportunities in form of a product or service that people will happily pay good money for.

Learn how to negotiate a better deal on everything. Having read several books on negotiation just a little too late, I’ve recognized how many people duped me. Learning these skills would have saved me thousands. The lesson learned: prepare by educating yourself and always be willing to walk away because “The doors of wisdom are never shut.” Benjamin Franklin

Money doesn’t spoil, it keeps. Start investing early.  I don’t know about you but if I look around me, how much stuff do I  have to show for the money I  made in high school or in my early 20s? Not much. If I had invested half of what I made during those years in a fund I wouldn’t need to raise any funds for any of my startups, I’m still kicking myself. Invest early but I guess that is well reflected in this great quote: “Winning is not everything but making the effort to win is.” Vince Lombardi

Stay far, far away from any Multi Level Marketing “business” that requires you to sponsor new distributors. They are all scams. You are not “CEO of your own distribution network”–you are a commission-based salesperson relying on the liquidation of your social capital (i.e. alienating your friends and family) to make any money at all…and 99.5% of people in MLM’s lose money, as has been shown again and again in numerous studies. The only profit you can ever make is by turning what would be called “customers” into “distributors” and then taking the money from the 99.995% that lose money in the organization and giving it to the 0.005% at the top (the people who started the whole “business” in the first place). Stay away no matter how glossy the brochure looks and how enticing the holiday package sounds.

I can say that the only thing I clearly learned from my MLM days was the introduction to Self help gurus but like Henry Ford said, “Failure is simply the opportunity to begin again more intelligently.”

Education is very important so stay in school. Don’t quit. Sure you’re bored now, but wait until you’re in a dead end job that you can’t stand but you’re afraid to lose. The power of self-discipline can never be underestimated especially in business world when you have to employ people.

Finishing your degree will open up many more opportunities than you currently realize. Arrive on time, do your homework, study, and treat your learning process as if you were at a real job because these are the skills that you will need once you have started your business and are on your way to making your millions (in your dreams) but then again like Eleanor Roosevelt said   “It is better to light a candle than to curse the darkness.”

I hope you will take these experiences to heart and please don’t be like me. I wish you prosperity, good health and wealth but most of all I will finish with this verse  “I have come to realize that people are about as happy as they make up their minds to be.” Abraham Lincoln. Be happy.

By @CharlesGichane, PPA (@PositivePress_)

Hilarious Memes: Skeptical African Kid

By @CharlesGichane, PPA (@PositivePress_)

Poem: Circle of L-i-f-e

Reading a story is like re-writing it for yourself. You bring to a novel, anything you read, all your experience of the world. You bring your history and you read it in your own terms

if life gives you lemons, squeeze them into lemonade
use the leftovers and serve it with a dinner steak
cook and let marinate, and eat it on your finest plate
add some dessert and enjoy it with some birthday cake

if life gives you a push, don’t hesitate to regulate
or, it’ll beat you to the ground until you can’t elevate

if life is electricity, you’re the one who generates
be a spark of simplicity and see how you resonate

if life gives you pressure, turn it into diamonds
give your best effort and never stop grinding

if life is a test, then believe you’re going to pass it
play it by the numbers, it’s simple mathematics

if life is a challenge that you feel you can’t manage
don’t go and panic use this to your advantage

if life is like a mystery, read today like a novel
flip it to the last page, and start writing tomorrow

if life were to end, would you ask God to extend..
..your life among men or would it all just depend?

we all will ascend, so make your amends
feel my beat on the paper, my heart is a pen

@CharlesGichane, PPA (@PositivePress_)

Poem: Driving Me Crazy

A break up is like a broken mirror. It is better to leave it broken than hurt yourself trying to fix it.

she looked at him and asked why he always put on the mask
he was driving too fast and almost crashed causing her to gasp

they were at a fork in the road and he was dropping her off home
“I told you to leave it alone” he groaned, nearly dropping his phone

“but what are you hiding” she persisted, ignoring his tone
“let me focus on driving” he insisted, but she wouldn’t leave it alone

“is it me that your ashamed of? am I doing something wrong?”
her face was starting to flame up as he turned the radio on

“let’s talk about this later” he replied, veering right on her street
“you just want to watch the Lakers” she sighed, “why can’t we speak?”

there was silence for a few moments but soon her mouth re-opened
“i was just hoping that you wouldn’t treat me like your opponent”

“I’m here to help” she said, peering out the window
his mind was somewhere else, high off the ‘indo’

“it’s not that simple” he told her watching her closely
“I’d rather be single than have somebody really know me”

he turned on the wipers as rain started to pour
he did like her but he knew she wanted more

were his friends just jealous that he’d found the right one?
she didn’t seem so reckless and got along great with his mom

“well call me when you’re ready” she said with a nervous laugh
he couldn’t help feeling sad because even saints have a past

“I’ll call you” he lied, knowing she would text the next night
“whatever” she replied, “I shouldn’t hold my breath right?”

he could see she was hurt, and this isn’t what she deserved
tears dripped down her purse, he wiped it off with his shirt

“I know about your past, and all the men that you have seen”
he let the words sink fast, glad that he’d planted the seed

she made no eye contact, as he revealed what he knew
she made no excuses for she knew it was all true

“I can’t change what I’ve been through, and neither can you”
she wanted to believe him, but at that moment she felt used

anger started to build up, and he could sense a shift in attitude
“I think your amazing” he remarked “in no way am I mad at you”

the car was in her driveway, her younger sibling played on the porch
a black cat ran across the pathway and the garage light shone like a torch

she spoke softly saying “please let me out of the car,
you’ve driven me too far from where you currently are”

@CharlesGichane, PPA (@PositivePress_)