Rude Empath

R enovations are not that large an economic contributor east of the south of the Sahara, much less residential renovation. Not that I am claiming to be an authority on matters construction by any stretch of the imagination. However, a homeowner/tenant takes a few liberties to make their house acquire a homely ambience. Courtesy: Lucid Audio As such, a visit to congratulate my aunt on the birth of her baby girl coincided with a minor welding job. For one to elevate the habitability of a home with the arrival of a newborn is not uncommon. And the expectations were that the welders would take approximately 8 hours daily, for three days until the conclusion of their undertaking. Sparking and crackling as metal melded together was bearable. The grinding down of spatters, hammering of the steel bars for alignment_important practices for a good finish_ none of us were ready for! The fact that this carries on after-hours was most agitating. Me: Knock knock? Them: Who’s there? Me: Pissin’ The...

“Hi there and karibu. Is this your first time dining with us?” The waiter gracefully hands you a menu and goes on to share the chef's special. An introduction into what will be a gastronomic journey to leave you all smiles. On the contrary, just the thought of visiting a public service office in my motherland sets off an inconsolable migraine. Take my imaginary hand, let us take a stroll  through one.  Offices are meant to open at 0800hrs, shockingly (if you live up to Chronos’ ideal) this is not the case. When it eventually does, so-so cleaning eats up another 10-15 minutes: time in which the civil servant would be efficiently utilizing to have breakfast but instead are recapping yesterday's episode of Maria.  Finally, the door swings out. Eyes widen with hope. We flock. She points back to the rickety, chipping, blue bench. The ‘nice’ lady is now yelping into the hallway, “I'll call you when I'm open” where we are sitting despondent, after one brave young...