Losing My Religion

This last one was never published. We could not agree on the content and length. It was supposed to be a series. I was going to wax lyrical about religion and its pervasive effects on my society. But yeah, I am lazy. Writing is not that fun, guys. Deal.

There are just some Friday nights that arrive and you are filled with fear. It is not Friday the thirteenth. It is not Halloween. And yet, decent people weep quietly as they wait, with trepidation, for the Sun to go down. It does not start immediately. Oh no, you have a few hours of sweet, normal darkness. And then as the clock hand draws closer to 11/12 (the witching hour, as some call it), they come. The high pitched whine as instruments are being tuned. The painful screech of a microphone passing too close to something. Finally, some tone deaf sub-human beings to warble. Yes ladies and gentlemen, it is that time again – Friday. Night. Vigil (dun dun duuunnnnnnn).

Religion was brought to Africa many years ago by the “colonial masters” long before most of us were born. The people heard the Word and embraced it; lived their lives by the tenets set before them. Even now, post-independence, looooong after the colonial masters have since moved those beliefs, concepts, notions hold sway in the society we have managed to build for ourselves. This was meant to be a onetime article. In the coming weeks I plan to talk your ears off. You don’t really have to listen. But I really need to rant so like it or not……

I can only speak for my own country though. But I feel I can speak for it well. Come with me on my journey. Help me to understand, come to terms with the madness religion has unleashed on my land. Or maybe it is not madness and I am the one who needs to learn. Only time (and Umuntokanje) can tell…..see you soon!

I Am A Slut

Ok. I lied. That was not the post that actually got published. Our editor wanted a little more back story. She also changed the title. The back story she ended p getting out of me was inserted just before the last paragraph. Years later, I still hate it.

Trying to explain how I got this way is hard. I started out a good Catholic girl. Who grew up in a society where sex was the norm. Girls getting pregnant was slightly more commonplace than girls graduating high school. My high school -the best in that region, and also an all girls, did what they could to keep us focused. Sex was a no- no, but we were taught all the precautionary methods. "Everything but" was acceptable. Honestly, no one cared what you were doing so long as you did not get pregnant or catch AIDS and have to drop out of school and fuck up your future. Then I moved to an uber conservative society. The culture shock, the drastic change in the definition of slut, was a lot for a young girl to take. I stayed a virgin, refusing to party or date, just so I had something to throw back at the idiots who had drawn conclusions about who I was by my attitude and (lack of?) boundaries. (Those years can be blamed for my current aversion to being touched.) It did not help that when I finally decided to give it up, it was to a manipulative abuser. My second partner was basically my sex therapist. Demystifying sex with him is still the best sex I have (currently) ever had while also teaching me to love and own all of me. Moving back to my liberal society also helped. A lot! Returning to old beliefs helped reconcile so much. I had to learn (and still working on it) to mesh all I had picked up both consciously and unconsciously over the years.

PS: I have since had much better sex than le ex...

Slut

This was the second one. There was a lot of back and forth with this one:

I am a slut. I have it in me to be ratchet beyond all boundaries. I am also a prude. I think sex is sacred, not something that should be bandied around. I love sex. Love it. It hurts me when I do not break you off. Hurts me when I do not leave you completely sated and yet wanting more. I am also ashamed. Ashamed of the number of sexual partners I have had. Utterly embarrassed by it actually. How did they become so many?

My humble origins were just the one guy. Him, who I was going to marry. Then it turned to two. Because I did not want to continue to be haunted by the memory of the one who had used me so cruelly. Now, I no longer hunt for excuses. I just do it. But the guilt is still there. Eating away at me. I hate myself for doing it. Wonder how I can live with myself after yet another misdeed. But it does not stop me. I am still going. Little by little though, with every new partner, that guilt is waning. Each day, I find I care less and less about how people or society or whoever sees me. I am just here to get my (and his) rocks off.

But then, I have to ask: what is my limit? In my bid to not listen to society, to not "play by the 'rules'", I find that I no longer have boundaries. I did start out with some. I would never do this. This is a no go area. Oh hell no, not me! Not that! But more and more, I have been blurring lines I never thought I would cross. To be honest, I have straight up crossed them. And just like with the sex, with the new partners, it gets that much easier each time. It is not even about social norms, or morality, or expectations. In my bid to drown out the accusing voices, I have gone far overboard with the things I have done/i do. Or have I? For many, I am fine. I have done nothing wrong. I am "owning" my vagina. Unfortunately, I disagree with them as much as I disagree with those who think I should keep pretending I am not sexually active (or presently horny as I am now).

So, this is where I am now. I am no longer a virgin. I have no interest in "reclaiming" said virginity. But I do not much like the direction in which I am headed. Oh, I plan to keep fucking. Sex is way too awesome to give up. (Sorry God). But I need to define my boundaries again. Redraw my lines and never ever cross them. I am a slut no doubt. But as always, it will be on MY terms not anyone else's. Some days, I will be a prudish slut, others a slutty prude. But every day I will be (true to) me.

Slut.

Claire

A few years ago, a friend got a bunch of us girls together and had us send entries into this blog she had started. That blog has long since become defunct. I manage to contribute two entries. This was the first one:

Let me tell you about Claire. Claire is five years old. Claire has just started at a new school. Her little sister who she fondly refers to as "her baby" is starting school too. Claire is ready to have fun, and play with all the new friends she will make at this beautiful new school. She is so excited. Claire has Down's syndrome.

If you have never encountered it before, you would just pass her off as odd. A bit slow, unrefined...nothing that being in a good learning environment could not fix in no time. However, as time went on, it was quite apparent that we were out of our depth. The head administrator had a meeting with the mother. She admitted her daughter had a problem and agreed to get a professional opinion. We needed the guidance so the most could be done for Claire. Weeks passed. No feedback from the mom. Despite the head teacher's request for after school one on one (no charge), Claire and her "baby" are the first to be picked up. The mother was approached again. She insisted that her daughter was just restless. Blamed the old school. Mumbled about the doctor's recommendation. Left the office as quickly as she could.

Not all children are born "perfect". This is your child. Her "baby" knows there is something wrong with her big sister and takes advantage of it. Her classmates know she is different. Children are not kind. Down's syndrome is not the end. With proper help, especially at this early stage will guarantee Claire a good life. There are so many well-functioning Down syndrome adults out. It is not to be swept under the rug or prayed away. Do not just pretend it is not there. Help your child.

Writing this, I was so angry. I wrote a scathing letter all ready to put the mother out in the open. Then I heard an opinion; heard a couple of opinions. Yes, Claire has Down's syndrome. Yes, her parents are in complete denial. But, Claire is first and foremost, a child. Claire is a CHILD. And she deserves so much. From me. I have not been doing my part. I saw a problem, decided it was beyond me and I shoved it into the laps of the parents. What was I doing for Claire? Had I exhausted all possibilities? I was so ashamed.

The next day, I hugged Claire. I sat with her and patiently explained in terms she could comprehend what it was I wanted from her. I catch myself when she lumbers around (insensitive, but that kid is uncoordinated, man!). She has felt the difference though, Claire has. She is responding. Impressing me. I have started collecting articles. Reading up on approach ideas.

Claire has Down's syndrome. But she is five years old and in a new school.

Confusion

What makes a relationship? How do you decide that you like someone? How do you know you're dating? How do you behave when you're in a relationship with someone?

I think I have been alone for so long I have no idea how any of it works. I don't remember what constitutes a relationship. What do a boyfriend and a girlfriend do? Only thing I am familiar with these days is the sex. I have emotions, but I am not sure what those are supposed to signify. 

Of course, me being me, I haven't brought this up. Haven't expressed myself, laid my cards out and say exactly how I feel. I need to; just so it's out there and I'm free. But what would I say? I have tried to analyse, be certain of what it is I'm feeling. I do not know what I want, other than this basic primal need.

It won't go away. I have tried. My usual abstaining period is two weeks. My need wears me down by then. A sweeping declaration helped me do two and a half months once, but my need told me pride was stupid. I always indulge my cravings.

Here I am, here I stand. Thoughts fighting to be expressed. But no words yet to describe how I feel, what I want. That's it really, it is not the fear of the impending rejection. I have made peace with that. We do not want the same thing. But somehow, I don't know what it is I feel, or what exactly I want to do with it. 

Should I remain in limbo and let come what may come? If I elect to take a stance, where do I want my feet planted? How would I like it all to play out? I want to just let go and walk away; allow the inevitable divide to begin. Let the forgetting, the slow fade into vague memories happen. But I resist.

I am not ready for it to end. 

Evolution

This past weekend, I sat and read through all my blog posts. I marvelled at my simplicity, my self absorption, my intense desire for attention, my angst, and good lord, the typos - the u's, the small caps, the poorly developed thought process. No wonder I stopped blogging!

Tonight, I logged on planning to fix it all. Delete the silliness, and rewrite the surviving posts. I hit edit, then I realised, this is me. This is who I was 7 years ago. This is how I thought. These are the things I deemed important or relevant. This was how I was able to express myself. Any edit at this point would be the same as how the older generation try to minimise and erase the younger. Rewrites would be me denying the existence of my young, sad self. It would be silencing who I was, and what it was that other me felt mattered to her. 

I'm glad I've changed. I understand things alot better now. I am slightly less self absorbed and I have moved on from certain things. I will continue to cringe at that girl who was. But it shows how and where who I am now came about. In another 7 years, I will cringe at what now me is saying.

TL;DR: I'm not editing my old posts. Everyone must deal with my immature, angsty, emo ass. 😝

Letting Go

Being honest with yourself and coming to terms with situations is so difficult. Especially when it comes to the mess that is my love (for lack of a better word) life. It was pointed out that I like unavailable men. I argue. Insist that no it isn't that way. That...so difficult to put into words. 

I have a problem with emotions. I am practically incapable of expressing them. I am uncomfortable around expressions of them. I have convinced myself that this is why my life is the way it is. I like someone for an insurmountable time. Tell myself and anyone who cares that it's my fault things aren't happening. I point out this, and that. See! He totally too does like me! But he's just afraid. Of me. Of my lack of feelings. 

LOL

A while ago, I clicked. It's what I like to call it when I actually meet someone I am physically attracted to. Likely, he realised my attraction and capitalised on it. Either way, the unprecedented happened. Then he disappeared. It hurt. Hurt in a disturbingly intense way. He reappeared. I let him. It was pointed out that I was doing it again. I made a feeble attempt to listen. But surely, I argued with the moon, surely all that intensity has MEANING. 

At some point, you have to decide whether you want to continue to be ok with the intermittent, inexplicably insanely good sex or do you want to no longer suffer the exhaustion of not being able to voice your thoughts, your protests. Having questions you will never get answers to. 

Letting go shouldn't be some epiphany moment. Doesn't have to come as a climax to some dramatic occurrence. Sometimes, you just realise mid-dismissal of a friend's words that you need to stop and admit that your theory, anout these things and your method are just pure shit. 

Yes, conventional is not for everyone, but you are so not one of those cool ones. Sorry 

Emily

These days, I seem to blog only when I'm emo. I miss the times when I used to be funny (shut up! I was too funny!). 

This time around, I'm sitting here watching a show. The star and his love interest have had sex. Now he's looking at her with love and she's looking demurely back. I usually find this sort of thing nauseating. I do not comprehend the need for mushy crap. Can't we just shoot and blow things up? Must there be a kissie face scene? I mean ugh!!!

So yeah, I'm here. Watching them be in love. And I'm wondering how the writers will break them up and keep them pining for each other. Then I think about other shows and what device they used to achieve that end. Then I think of their sex scenes; and their love. And I start thinking about when I will get such a love. Will I? I think I want to be in love. Hug, cuddle, do the whole doe eyes or whatever. Just be safe and happy that someone loves me. 

Ok. I just flashed on a past sex scene. Which leads me to think I'm just bloody horny. Cuz really, hugs? Cuddles? That's basically foreplay man. Sooooo yeah, emo moment over. 

Oh I just thought of a show that has no love interest. All blood, guts and explosions: Supernatural! 

Never mind. Forgot about that homoerotic bromance they have going on. 

Calloway

I hate being broke. I really really hate it. Not having money is the worst thing in the world. It sucks hot monkey ass balls. 

It's not like I want millions. I could honestly never even have millions anyway. I am terrible at saving. I spend anything I have. More on that later. 

So I want money; lots and lots of it. Because I like being comfortable. I like not having to plan everything to the last detail. I like being able to see things I like and just paying for them. There are dozens of countries I am still yet to visit. I need money for plane tickets, hotel bills, and car rental. Plus I need to be able to buy shit while I'm there and all the cool museums have an entry charge. And of course I need to eat!!

Back in my regular home, I want to own my own home. Build something to my taste and furnish it how I like. I'm too old to be waiting to plan with husband so I need to get on that quickly. I need a new car. My car has been in the shop for going on a year now. Took me that long to be able to replace my stolen laptop. I still don't own a PS3 and the 4 is on the market. 

Seeing as I am neither pretty nor smart enough to find me a wealthy man, I need to find me a better job. This current one pays shit. I could take the crap that goes with it but for what I'm getting paid, yeah I'm resigning. 

Oh yeah I said I'd revisit my inability to save. Yeah I don't save. If I have money, I spend it. What I do is own as many assets as I can. Rather than millions, I'd probably just have lots of houses all over the place. I don't see the point in owning more than one car or buying tons of clothes. Gadgets are not that costly. And I don't believe in spending stupid money on luxury items. My one vice is cake and ice cream. Oh and give people money. I'm a sucker for a sob story. But I'm working on that. 

Anywho rant over. I need a very well paying job. Gotta go work on that.

Bye

Happy International Women's Day

Hello ladies! As we again celebrate our day this year, I just wanted to remind you of a few things. This actually started as a celebratory Facebook status but me being me, I couldn't stop it spiraling down into a bitter, angry (lesbian?) tirade. So I thought hey, haven't blogged in a while so....

Happy International Women's Day to all the women! You are still incomplete if a man hasn't given you his surname. You are still useless if you're not producing more humans. You are utterly without worth if you can't cook or clean. You are a total slut for doing what YOU want with YOUR body and just stop asking for equal pay would ya? You can work and get maternity leave. You getting pregnant already costs your company enough money. Oh, and it is totally your fault the world is the way it is because you insist on working, and having a say, and being treated as a human so yeah divorce and corruption and "moral decay" is all YOUR fault! If only you'd stayed home and thrown out all your shoes.....

And black women, black African women? Hi. Aren't you the lucky ones? First you have the white women to whitewash (oh sweet sweet puns I love you so) your causes for you. Then you have the non-African blacks pitying you cuz you know, you have no clothes and haven't eaten in days. Do you even know when it's Christmas? Then you have your own black, African women who wish you would just shut up for a little while. You make men uncomfortable. There is nothing wrong with how life has been. Stop being so angry all the time. You know if you acted just that more girlie you'd totally get laid right? Or are you a lesbian? I know most of you feminist types are. It is not our culture o!

Anyway, happy international women's day. Keep up the good fight. At least until you finally meet a nice boy to tame you and marry you. Once you start having children you will forget all these things. Especially seeing as you will have so many Mother's Days all to yourself! See how nice the world is?

Honestly, women are so ungrateful.