Originally posted by -Serenity-: *Looks at NG *. I hope you know I'm mad at you. I had a ticket for you. 5 pounds. I want my money back, it doesn’t come that easy to me like the two chums above you. I think the whole world is mad at me on that score. But in my defence and though I would have preferred to have come and mingled with all you lovely young people, I was forced to sit at home, munching crisps, watching TV and baby-bloody-sitting. I deserve a medal for the effortless way I make it all seem, not you being mad at me. Besides, are you saying I’m not worth a measly five pounds to you? I aught to strike your name out of my lottery but I’ll forgive this momentary lapse of yours. Ps Send me Val’s address in PM and I promise to post her five pounds worth of lip-palm. Her mouth must get awfully dry from all that gossiping and the lip-palm will be my charitable contribution to the world of gossip. It will make YOU happy too, she only gossips to you after all.

Originally posted by BloomDeyr: The best Somali restruant has to be Tayo in Whitechapel-- no pretensions just delectable food!! Only if you're there before 9.00 AM. If you arrive anytime after that they tell you that they ran out of meat, don't have enough rice left and their baasto is also running out. You are forced to eat what they've scraped out of the pot and still have to pay the full price for it. Worse still, as you sit there eating your food in silence, someone like Northerner would walk in, greet you and ask where you’ve been all this time then just eat your food with no invitation or permission. Sometimes, he would have a couple of other guys with him. Ps Of course, I’ve never been to this Tayo place. I just, err, heard stories about it from the people 'upstairs'.

Also, M. I. Egal didn't believe in it wholeheartedly. He was just waiting the right time to change uniforms. The disclosure of his plan to keep the nation together was always delayed by the on going hostilities and the lack of peaceful political means in the south, and eventually was cut short by his death.

^^^ Now lets see who will bite first

I’m thinking of committing what would be considered a crime in many countries. No, I will not be raiding anybody’s house, or killing/injuring/insulting anyone. I plan to eat a small, tiny, harmless leaf. It’s been a very very long time since I tried that and today, right now, I’ve got a strong urge to chew myself into oblivion. I doubt I'll do it though. I'm not as hip as I used to be and don't know where my local mafrash is.

^^^ Only if Duke was saying Castro hates the TFG, saaxib. The above is no proof of any other clannish hatred that Castro may or may not have.

^^ I try to keep up with the trends of the day

Wear a dirac sheed with the word NIKE emblazoned all over it. If you're really a good swimmer then change the Nike to SPEEDO.

^^^ Somaliland is a different kettle of fish. I support any people’s right to self determination. However, personally (maybe because I did not live in Somaliland in its darkest hours) would prefer it if they joined the Republic of Somalia. With everything being equal I believe that it would be foolish to separate. However, as you and I know nothing is equal here. It’s all a total mess, disorder and chaos. Nothing is impossible however. But it all has to come from the Somaliland people. If the rest of Somalia is peaceful and prosperous. If they (the Somalilanders) see they no longer have anything to worry about. If they lose faith in their own politicians’ ability to deliver recognition. If they put peaceful existence (as they’ve done throughout the past sixteen years) over pride and conflict, then they might become receptive to the abhorrent idea of a union. What’s important to me here is peace, mutual respect and dignity. The rest (patriotism, independence, mistrust, etc) are all concepts that come and go. Still, if I had to guess, I would say that such a thing is not very likely to happen anytime soon (maybe even never). The conditions are too numerous. The people hostile (to the idea). And the chances for recognition are still fifty/fifty.

^^^ I like this new wisdom of yours, saaxib. Politics is indeed fluid and ongoing. You should have this as your signature you know. It's quite a profound statement. Still, in light of those words, I'm hopeful now that you will one day abandon the side of the president and cheer for whomever else you deem correct. I think that's the day when Castro would start referring to you as a flexible door handle (I see **** has been outlawed).

Originally posted by mantra: NGONGE I must say you look rather dashing in your judgmental hat, and your pot-bellied character sounded pretty sexy (trying to dispell any notions people may have about my lack of sexual drive..hope it works).. I enjoyed reading your story, I just love how men assume we hate them merely because we like them and don't wish to admit it....I honestly love the way we're always potrayed as caruur cago waweyn...you just wrote a classic... ibtisam whats this kastumo talk I only went by what I perceived here. The lady doth protest too much, methinks

Castro, what is a dirac but a fancy jawaan anyway? NP, Stop being sensitive. That stone I threw was not even directed at you or any that claimed to know how to make a dirac. I was having a subtle dig at Val (not too subtle right now).

Why are you disrespecting Mr Yusuf by pretending to be him, saaxib? If you are him on the other hand.......

Aisha, He already told you he hates his guts! When about ten people have replied before you one can't really expect you to suddenly come up with a random thought. The only thought going through my mind is how these girls are showing off about their ability to ‘make’ a dirac! Surely that piece of clothing is the easiest thing in the world to make. All you have to do is sew it all together making sure that you have one big opening for the neck and two for the arms. Voila! A blind lady with Parkinson’s can make a dirac. Oh! Random thought! Could that same blind lady serve you hot dinner without spilling any of it on your newly made dirac?

Duke, Somalia's been turning corners for so long it's turning into an ugly ballerina.

Pi I’d like to agree with you there and hope that this indeed is a national effort. I’d like to make myself believe that all involved are pushing in the same direction and that all are doing it for the good of Somalia. But I can’t. Experience, history and former fallouts tell me that this is not the case. I’d be blind and extremely foolish if I didn’t heed all of that and instead starting singing about Somalia being reborn again. You see, the difference between us is that we view the steps and events taking place so far differently. You view the cooperation of Abdel Qaasim Salad and Ali Mahdi as positive steps, whilst I view them as merely the actions of cornered men once again, paying lip service to the victor. Abdel Qaasim in particular, being the treacherous politician that he is, has done this before and met Abdullahi Yusuf as president before. Did the first time he met his president bear any fruits? Was he not later alleged to be the hand that moved the ICU puppet? Could it really be that the man has finally seen the light and decided to help this government that is led by one of his worst foes to final success? Surely that is very unlikely. These politicians are playing the politics game and their words; protestations or announcements are (we know from experience now) not to be taking seriously. Now, let me address the issue of Cyber Somalis as opposed to those back home. Many here talk of cyber warriors and keyboard commandos. I fully agree with that sentiment. However, the only reason that makes me agree is that for most of us (that’s me, you and anyone else that takes part in these exchanges) the conflict is far away and we are sat here, in front of our computers, typing away our opinions and occasionally promising hellfire to the enemy (whomever he may be). That is the only thing in which we differ from our people back home. In everything else, we are the same. You’ve got to look at the feel and atmosphere to realise that most of the political views on SOL and other Somali sites did not come from nowhere. You’ve got to listen to the speeches, arguments and grievances of Somali politicians to know that whatever opinions we share here are a reflection of what takes place there. Whenever a new event occurs in Somali politics and the cyber Somalis are lost or confused, most hurry to phone home to confirm this event and get some opinions as to what is expected to happen next. There really are no us and them in this one. It’s all us, saaxib. Now, if the above convinced you that MOST of the views expressed here on SOL are reflections of what is taking place in the ground in Somalia I think you’ll also readily agree with the argument that the vast majority of supporters of the TFG are from Puntland too. As for the capital and how people react there! Reaction has never been an indication of opinion in Somali politics. People moan, complain and have tantrums but hardly ever react straight away. They need to be whipped into an almighty frenzy before they fully start to panic and then react. This is why they tolerated the warlords, why they accepted the Courts and why they came out cheering for the TFG. It seems like a completely irrational reaction but if you examine it closely, you’ll see the method in this madness. You are right; people are war weary and only want peace. But will they get it? Don’t easily dismiss the strong clannish current that runs through every Somali’s entire being. It can be suppressed for a while, it can be ignored but when push comes to shove it always comes to the fore. The TFG has been in control of the capital for less than a month. If the Ethiopians and others advise them wisely, they might take some steps to remove the fears of the people and counter the rumours about Puntland taking over the capital (with all the accompanying tribal connotations of course). If the ignorant warlords (Aideed, etc) are kept in check maybe the government will be able to carry on presenting a united front and convince the rest of us that there is really hope. If the Ethiopians show signs of retreating, maybe some people will try to forget the TFG’s complicity in inviting the Ethiopians in the first place. I could go on with all the ‘ifs’ but I’m sure you get the picture and realise the enormity of the situation. There are so many obstacles and pitfalls in and on the way that would make it very difficult for any government to prevail. In the case of this shameless collection of warlords and opportunists it’s almost impossible to succeed. Still, that’s only my opinion and you are free to hope for the best. However, there is a difference between hoping (wishing for stars, etc) and having total and complete faith in the TFG. That, my friend, is simply absurd.

There is a Muslim one in East London (I hear). Anyway, with most sports clubs, they call it women's only day but the instructors are still male.

^^ You basket

Pi, It's true that the Somali government should belong to ALL the people. However, can you truly, hand on heart, say that this government does? You’re right, there are many people supporting it because they’re merely hoping for peace and then there are many opposing it because they too are hoping for peace. But, in between, the vast majority are supporting or opposing pure clannish reasons. I make this judgment from reading the exchanges here on SOL. It seems that the overwhelming majority of those that reject this government hail from the capital and, not surprisingly, the vast majority of those cheerleading and voicing their support hail from Puntland! Could this really be a simple coincidence? The whole thing is rotten, saaxib. But it’s not as rotten as overtly involving Americans and Ethiopians in Somali affair without at least putting some spin about regret and necessity on it. One can’t support a government that does that and commits the even bigger sin of not being able to conduct a simple propaganda exercise.

Waves at Serenity

Ah! Nice thread. ** Puts on his judgmental hat ** I have studied the situation and examined the facts. The ladies are not for turning. It’s total, absolute, never. They don’t like men, are not attracted to men and are in no need for men. Discussion and arguing is futile. Life is like that. Not everyone is the same. Some people fall in love at ten years of age, others never do. Life is like that. Then again, this might be one of those familiar cases of girls asserting their own independence and genuinely not being interested in men, well not unless that independence is fully asserted (so to speak). From long experience with twenty-something girls, and having learned not to trust a woman as far as you could throw her (when it comes to these matters). This seems to me like some subconscious mating dance. For, surely, what self respecting, red-blooded male will let such ladies pass him by without at least arguing with them and showing them the merits and advantages of loving men? Our ladies here might really not be interested in men right now, today or this year. But they’ll sure protest and argue with every man they meet about their abhorrence for the ideas of marriage, love or companionship. Many of these men will argue back and try to convince, persuade and cajole. They’ll wink, they’ll nudge, and they’ll buy her chocolate fudge. But she’ll remain unmoved. Didn’t she already say that ‘networking’ is not her thing; she’s a stand-alone, people. But, one day, she’ll argue with one that has piercing eyes and a personality that shakes all her foundations. Why does this short, bald and pot bellied midget with penetrating eyes affects her so? Who is he to tell her how she should think? How dare her tell her that she’s wrong. At first, all her problems with men were to do with the fact that she thought them irrelevant. Now, because of this midget, she actually HATES men. The useless, pointless, arrogant and full of themselves oafs! She’s a stand-alone and a stand-alone she’ll forever remain. In fact, she’ll dedicate her life to hating men, opposing men and exposing men. No! She’ll dedicate her life to hating the midget, for he is the representation of all that is bad about men. She’ll stay awake at night planning, plotting and conceiving all sorts of new ways and arguments to defeat the midget. His total humiliation will be on her mind day and night. She’ll invent excuses to phone him and drag him into an argument over the same issue again and when he gets too irritating, she’ll hang up. How dare he challenge all her sound arguments? How dare he look her in the eye in THAT way? How dare he force her to go red with anger then mistake it for a blush? This midget has to be defeated. Now his defeat is the one and only overwhelming purpose of her life. Got to subjugate the midget. Got to put him in his place. Got to show him that she’s boss of her own destiny and that her views, decisions and plans in life are concretely sound. She finally wins the battle. The midget is humiliated, defeated and conquered. He leaves her alone saying that she’s mad. But this black widow is not content. She wants him to admit that she’s right. A day, week or month of no communication passes by. She phones him to tell him that she was right and he was wrong. He argues back a little but soon gives up. He agrees and hangs up. Another day, week or month passes by. She starts feeling guilty. Yes he’s a horrible man. Yes he’s argumentative and (manly) rude. Yes she does not like him one bit. BUT, is it fair to be nasty to him? She wouldn’t be that cruel to an ant or a dog! Shouldn’t she just phone and apologise just to be humane? She phones him. Apologises. Reiterates her immovable position. They argue. She hangs up! A day, week or month passes by. She’s still not satisfied. Why does this midget annoy her so? Why not just forget about him and move on. Strong, independent woman like her letting such a midget get on her nerves? Irrational. She resolves to forget about him. She remembers those irritatingly piercing stares of his. She fumes with anger and sighs with irritation. Wooh! This is a new kind of anger! God, she must be really angry now. In fact, she’s so angry she’s feeling light headed and getting a tingly feeling all over her body. Oh the memory of those intense eyes of his irritate her so! She decides to try a different approach. She phones him. Asks him how he’s doing. Exchanges pleasantries. Out of politeness and decorum, she tells him her news. An hour later, she hangs up content that they’ve made their peace and that she needn’t worry herself with him again. Bloody midget. He phones her! What does he want with me, she asks herself. Does he think I’m one of those girls that would stoop so low as to chat to boys? She wonders. Ah, these simple men. You speak to them nicely once and they assume you want them. She resolves to put him in his place right there and right then. Before answering the phone, she runs to her bedroom mirror to check if her face is stern enough. She scowls at the mirror, she frowns, she notices a couple of hairs out of place and she adjusts them. She answers the phone. She notices her face in the mirror as she returns his greetings. Why the hell is she smiling? Curse that midget for making her smile. Curse all men. Curse his friendly voice. Curse those penetrating eyes of his. He says something to her. She giggles a girly I-really-like-you kind of giggle. She notices that she’s playing with her hair and swaying slowly as she speaks on the phone. She frowns at herself. He says something else that makes her giggle. The call ends. She sits on her bed looking at herself in the mirror. Why did she play with her hair in that flirty way, she wonders. Why did she giggle at his jokes, she asks. He’s a midget. An ugly, intolerable, objectionable, MALE midget! But he’s sweet, patient and polite. There is nothing wrong with being friendly to him. Yes, we’re just friends, she says to herself. Nothing wrong with giggling at a friend’s joke. She sighs, lies back on bed and starts thinking about her new friend’s penetrating eyes... And then a hero comes along With the strength to carry on And you cast your fears aside And you know you can survive So when you feel like hope is gone Look inside you and be strong And you'll finally see the truth That a hero lies in you ....

^^ Don't you worry yourself about any of that, my darling. You're free to have as big a list as you like. The years are ticking and my lottery is nearing. I shall engineer it in such a way as to let you win. (If that threat doesn't get her married off pronto I don't know what will).

I'd say: A fair person that has potential and fears god. Those three qualities should cover both male and female. The rest is really nothing but superficial demands. ps Recently, I think I have been possessed by any annoying islan of a jinni. Whenever I meet a single man or woman past the age of 21 I ask them, like your typical Indian auntie: and why are you not married yet, dear?

^^ You're a hard woman, ayaayo. Stop leading the girls astray with your ten points. Three or four should suffice.

^^^ Fair enough. I take it all back. ps Have they done it all Radio Stations or only the ones they deem troublesome?