Random Facts about yours truly

1)      1. I don’t have a favorite color

If you have ever asked me what my favorite color was and I said blue, I say that because it’s safe. The truth is no one color moves me more than the next.  

When it comes to colors the only thing I am sure of is that green is not my favorite. I have four items of green clothing and they were all gifts. The color green just reminds me of the army and no one likes such thoughts.

2)      2. I don’t appreciate flowers as a gift

Don’t get me wrong, I like flowers, I love colorful gardens filled with beautiful flowers, but as a gift…no thank you. John once bought me flowers; pink roses. John was in the flower business you see. So anyway he shows up with a bucket of pink roses. The gesture was sweet and so thoughtful but flowers don’t evoke feelings of excitement or endearment in me. I kept them though till they were dry and after that I pressed a couple of the petal for pot pourri and after that I threw them out. Jake bought me a single rose, lovely creature it was but it meant very little to me. But don’t worry, Jake and John never realized that there sweet gestures were lost on me. I was the ultimate definition of grateful, hugs and all.

3)      3.I have been to a Winky D Show

Yes, I went to a Winky D concert. I was with “The Mr.” so I was safe, just in case you were worried.

Curiosity pushed me there, nothing else, just curiosity. And my findings were that he has this way of lighting up the audience, everyone was generally very energized. Jumping around and singing along and making complete fools of themselves. I live in a small town so I know at least a third of the crowd and it was quite amusing to see them in such an environment.

Winky D doesn’t get tired from singing during his show; he gets tired from jumping up and down, while the crowd helps him sing

Vanofamba vachi (he takes a breather)

TAURA (the crowd chips in)

Hanzi Winky D (another breather)

UCHAKAURA (more assistance from the crowd)

Ndinokupisa (he rests again)

KUNGE MBAURA (the crowd might as well be on stage)

If you have never heard any Winky D music, watch this

4)      4.I cannot swim

Embarrassing I know. I could have learnt in Primary school but I was afraid and decided to sit it out till high school. Then unfortunately for me I went to a high school which did not offer swimming, bummer hey.

When I turned 21, learning how to swim was one of my “New life resolutions” (I was young at the time, I can be excused for thinking that a new year brings with drastic changes in one’s life) I went to the public pool, Les Brown, in Harare and looked for an instructor  (if that’s what they call them). I found one, a colored man maybe 35; he seemed too keen to teach me how to swim. So keen he freaked me out. Would it be fair if I blamed him for my inability, I mean, if he had looked at me with the eyes of a father, I would probably have stuck around and learnt how to swim.

I know a bunch of people who are probably smiling right now, thinking “Ah that’s why she never turned up when we invited her for swimming”. Yes my friend that is why.

That could have been me, only with darker skin

5)      5. I love the smell  of new shoes

Not much to say on this one, I just love the smell of new shoes…

6)      6. I don’t give money to beggars

I am not stingy, I am very giving. But beggars no. I can’t explain it;

Sometimes,  I don’t think my few coins will make a great difference so I don’t.

Sometimes I look at them and they appear to be able bodied individuals who probably could make an honest living (No., begging is not an honest living).

I once gave a dollar to two beggar boys. I handed it over to the older looking one and this is conversation t hat followed (translated from Shona)

Beggar boy: how come you only gave one of us, I also want a dollar

ME: I don’t have any more to spare, you can share the one dollar

Beggar boy: SATAN….. Then he spat on me and went off to join his dollar bearing friend…

Like I said, I don’t give money to beggars…any more…

Occasionally I will spare a dollar for the blind lady with the baby on her back, or the really old beggar man/woman. But by and large I DON’T GIVE MONEY TO BEGGARS

Not from me, my petite

7)      7. I have one speeding ticket to my name

If you have ever driven in Bulawayo, you will know that the stretch from Centenary Park to Ascot is just heaven for the speeding driver. No humps, no potholes, just beautiful trees lining the road … and …policemen…

I think, maybe know that the policeman was expecting some greasing of the palms but I have never been known to give people money they don’t deserve (refer to number 6 above). He asked me thrice whether he should proceed to write the ticket, I answered four times “Yes give me my ticket”

He gave me my ticket, I paid and drove away, pleased as punch.

The list could have gone up to 10 but I will leave you hanging at number 7...