Taking stock- December

This is my first taking stock post...  Still learning. Hope you do enjoy.

Making:  plans for an awesome birthday weekend to come.
Cooking:  lots of food for the weekend.
Drinking:  water but not enough.
Reading:  not much lately. 
Wanting:  to sleep and just relax for a day.
Looking:  forward to my daughter's 3rd birthday on 24th Dec. Christmas blessing and my birthday on 5th Jan... Whoop! Whoop!
Playing:  2048 on the phone. Very addictive.
Deciding:  on the best way forward for myself.
Wishing:  everyone I love could be happy, healthy and wealthy enough, not to struggle.
Enjoying: my new job.
Waiting:  to finally relax fro a while over the Christmas break.
Liking:  the possible adventures to come.
Wondering:  what to buy for my daughter on her birthday.
Loving:  the comments on Jimmy Gait's Hello cover. I love Kenyans.
Pondering: whether I should grow my hair or leave it short.
Buying:  birthday gifts soon.
Watching:  honest trailers and best vines with my bro. (sleepless nights)
Hoping:  that I can finish a shaggy carpet order in time.
Marveling:  at the progress I've made since the beginning of the year.
Cringing:  over some clothes I bought in the past years.
Needing:  lots of hugs and affection lately.
Questioning:  why we have to age and why does time have to go by so quickly.
Smelling:  tasty bites from the kitchen.
Wearing:  Burberry Weekend. Love this scent.
Noticing:  that I'm a perfectionist on some things.
Knowing:  that I should get my finances in order.
Thinking:  that I should save up for a better phone.
Admiring:  the courage that the Muslims had in the Mandera bus attack to stand for the Christians and against the Al Shabaab. May God (Allah) be with you.
Sorting: my thoughts. I really should get a Nothing box.
Bookmarking:  the thought catalog articles.
Coveting:  clarity, peace and happiness.
Disliking:  that the face of my favorite watch, cracked into pieces. I'll get to repairing it.
Opening:  my mind to ideas, thoughts and new possibilities for 2016.
Giggling:  at the tolo tolo video, every time I watch it. This kid is hilarious.
Feeling:  a bit emotional lately
Snacking:  on a lot of peanuts and samosas lately.
Helping:  a friend or at least I try.
Hearing:  lots of Christmas jingles... It's Christmas... Time to eat.
Praying: our neighbor Burundi. A lot of lives being lost. May God be with them.

What do you look for in man?

"Thank you" she said

"For what?" I asked

"For bringing me here for a walk.

It's a really nice place"

"I'm glad to share the walk with you" I gave back.

"Please allow me to say again you look lovely."

I was finally sharing time with her

This warm-smiled lady granted me a date.

"So, what do you look for in a man?" I asked

She giggled. "Correction, I don't look for a man.

The man should find me in my beauty state"

"OK...so, what qualities would you want in a man?" I rephrased

"Well, I'd like him to be passionate about what he does,

Forward looking with engaging conversations,

A listener, speaks his mind, captivating, funny, fun.

I want him to water me with wise words and affection.

I would love if he cares to find me out,

Interested in my thoughts, my opinions.

A man who dines at the table of the Lord yet also romantic.

I want someone mature to build a future with.

Someone who attracts me spiritually, emotionally and physically

With a strong yet gentle heart,

Who takes notes when love is teaching a lesson.

And a man who will give me room and let me love him"

"Wow!!! I see you smiling just giving the answer

I bet you'll make a wonderful wife." I gave my thoughts.

"Thank you, I know I will, all I need is the right man.

What about you? What do you look for in a woman?"

I stopped walking, paused the walk, eyes on her,

"I look for you." I said

"I have found you and I want to make us work.

I am hoping you see in me the man you have described."

POEM BY DAYAN MASINDE

A SINGLE LADY'S PRAYER

She prayed to God saying,

 "Dear lord, bring me a man who loves You like I do.

A man whose heart will not be just after mine,

But ultimately yours. 

Bring me a man who You have been teaching wisdom, 

A man who has been allowing You

To work with him and in him 

As You have been doing with me and in me...

He will have a different testimony than mine

but we will share our faith in You.

Bring me a man who will understand

when I say how good You are my God.

A man that I will worship you together with...

A man who values sex and sees it as something special,

A man who respects the idea of man and woman,

The idea of marriage that You created...

A man who will correct me when I am wrong

and who will let me correct him when he is off.

A man who will encourage me, strengthen me, inspire me

and I in return....

A man who besides using the strength You have given him

will turn to You because You are his anchor and refuge...

A man who will pray for me and with me...

Send me a man whose love will extend beyond him and I.

He will be good to his and my family,

Good to friends, good to strangers...

A man who will turn to You, his Heavenly Father

To teach him fatherhood...

He won't be unfaithful to me,

just as he won't be unfaithful to You.

His loving me will be to Your glory and honor...

A man who I join in Your will to provide...

A man who will be patient with me

But also challenge me to grow...

A man who when I look at and think of

He will remind me of You

Because he is Your gift to me and I to him. 

And as we walk years in love,

Let it be a journey of three-

You at the center holding our hands,

Leading us, nurturing us, teaching us!"

BY DAYAN MASINDE.

A SINGLE MAN'S PRAYER

You know what I'm about to do

God, tomorrow I ask her to be mine

But before I do, I make a request

Teach me how to pray

Teach me how to pray for her

For out of all the women You created

None appeals to me like she does

Teach me how to pray for her

Teach me how to talk to her

And how to listen

Teach me the words to speak

That my love for her may always be at its peak

Teach me to understand

Whenever she cancels a date

Teach me how to smile and make her smile

When life's trials bullies and forces through her gate

Teach me how to ask for forgiveness

Whenever I will wrong her

Teach me how to ask for help and advice

Whenever I'm stuck or about to make a move

Teach me how to be the best man to her

To be the best husband if in Your will, we get married

To our baby, teach me how to parent

Teach me how to be a father

Teach me to do this always

To put and cement my trust in You

God teach me to be a man

Teach me how to pray

POEM BY DAYAN MASINDE

NO SUCH THING AS A PERFECT LOVER

Your partner is not perfect, neither are you. 

If your partner was perfect, your partner won't need you; our inadequacies and want make us need each other.

Your partner has weaknesses because love is strength.

Your partner has flaws because love improves.

Your partner has shortcomings because love goes the distance.

Your partner will make mistakes because love corrects and in finding solutions two people become closer.

Too often we look for the end result, we look for perfection, a perfect partner. But love is actually walking with that imperfect partner to the desired end result. If your partner was fully established there would be nothing to build as a couple. Don't look at your partner's imperfections as excuses not to love, but as reasons to love, reasons to be of impact and use. 

Love makes us better, and as you make your partner better, as you refuse to give up on your partner but patiently understand your partner and see love as a continual process to become more; you will notice that even you are becoming a better person - Even you are not perfect, even you have areas that need improvement and you need someone to improve with you, you need someone to improve you.

Stop searching for a partner who is perfect, yet you are not perfect. Even your current greatest areas of success still have room for improvement, as long as you breathe, there's more ahead. Chances to grow.

Instead, search for someone who needs you and will keep needing you, someone who will keep you because you add value, someone who will say, "I am not letting you go because you make me better and I make you better." 

Love is when two imperfect people grow together!

by Dayan Masinde

My letter to you as a young single mother

Dear everyone,

It takes a lot to decide to keep a baby when you are unemployed and still depend on your parents for everything. It takes even larger guts to stride it alone when the person I thought I loved, broke my heart and decide to keep away from me. I fight the hatred within because he promised to love you, no matter what. I fight the terror within because I am afraid I may love the child less. It’s not the choice of giving birth or not but giving her away for adoption, where she can have all that I can’t provide.

After birth, the gifts help me hold the fort before reality sets in; that taking care of her, will need money. He decides to take off and disappear as he sees that life is far much better without baby expenses. I go on with life as if nothing happened. Job searches become more of prayers and in return, regret letters. Whatever cash I get, is a stop for a celebration. Though short, it’s worth the joy.

Many nights I’ve sat alone in the dark, just thinking and praying that something would give way so that I may start providing for her, that I may stand on my own two feet and not depend on anyone. I feel foolish and stupid for having loved too much and given too much too soon. I wonder what I can do for the little angel sleeping by my side, unaware of the war raging inside my heart and head. Tears fall freely because it seems I feel alone and unsure of the next step.

I see her grow every day and every year. Her cheeky smile, playfulness and innocent words and face, make me want to sacrifice the much I can to give her a wonderful home. I do my best to get that cash. At times, I get home late from work and find her already asleep. Kiss her forehead and cheek and whisper in her ear, I love you. I want to spend every minute with her. Every moment too precious to miss but reality is that we need the money. She just has to contend with seeing me in the early evenings or the afternoon weekends after work.

In my free time, my love for her will never fade. Play and run around with her even though I'm tired. Answer all her questions in all the simplest ways I can. Take walks and enjoy the nature. Play dress up and be as a child as I can be. Do doodles and claim that is my name. Watch cartoons and all their reruns. Take funny pictures for the lasting memories.

All in all, I want the best for her… I scream within myself that I want to be the best mother I can ever be.

• To the ‘sperm donor’(I don’t think any other term befits you), the bundle of joy you helped create and abandoned will be the change that you will one day come back to seek when it’s too late. We live and see each day by God’s grace not yours. I pray she grows to forgive you for the choice you made.
• To that specific fellow single mother, who washed me with her insults and humiliation, I say thank you. Thank you for the words, the texts and everything you had to say. It helped me to push much further in life and after that, I don’t think there’s anything insulting that anyone can say that can top yours. I’ve gained a tougher skin and for that, I say thank you.
• To the potential dates I had, thank you too for the experience I got. Some took off and kept silent after knowing I had a child, like I was a leper. Some took advantage and tried to ease their way in through my child. Some took advantage of my will and determination to pick up the shattered pieces and decided to joyride without any fruitful contribution.
• To my employers, former and current, thank you for not asking too many questions about the other parent when I had the employment forms to fill.
• To my friends, thank you for the true colors you showed. Thank you to those who supported me all through and never left my side when my social status changed, from single to new young, single mother. Thank you too, to all those who took off and kept away without a word. You helped me reduce my real friends’ list in the easiest way possible.
• To my family, I thank you for standing by me through everything. I may have brought shame and I would want to do everything in my power to erase it all. Thank you for always being there and being good role models to my child… your niece, nephew or grandchild.
• To my current and future spouse, I say this because I’m not perfect. I fight within myself to be better and not carry this baggage within me. To not feel like a failure or mistake because of the choice I made. Bear with me and love me for whom I am. That is all I ask. Accept me and my child, just as you would your own and take the lead in this family I started. We are in this together.

For once, I’m certain that no matter how hard it gets, my child and I will still survive…

Yours sincerely,

Single Young Mother.

Disclaimer: The letter above is fictional and may relate to any single parent out there having it rough to provide for their child. This is in no way directed or meant to fire any shots at any individual. 

Though if the shoe fits, feel free to wear it.

Am I made for loving you?

That time when you find that exact song that describes your current mood...

Listen to it....

Sigh!

and your life goes on.

"I Was Made For Loving You"
(feat. Ed Sheeran)

[Tori Kelly:]
A dangerous plan, just this time
A stranger's hand clutched in mine
I'll take this chance, so call me blind
I've been waiting all my life
Please don't scar this young heart
Just take my hand

[Chorus - Tori Kelly:]
I was made for loving you
Even though we may be hopeless hearts just passing through
Every bone screaming I don't know what we should do
All I know is, darling, I was made for loving you

[Ed Sheeran:]
Hold me close through the night
Don't let me go, we'll be alright
Touch my soul and hold it tight
I've been waiting all my life
I won't scar your young heart
Just take my hand

[Chorus - Tori Kelly & Ed Sheeran:]
Cause I was made for loving you
Even though we may be hopeless hearts just passing through
Every bone screaming I don't know what we should do
All I know is, darling, I was made for loving you

Please don't go, I've been waiting so long
Oh, you don't even know me at all
But I was made for loving you

[Chorus - Tori Kelly & Ed Sheeran:]
I was made for loving you
Even though we may be hopeless hearts just passing through
Every bone screaming I don't know what we should do
All I know is, darling, I was made for loving you

Here's the song...

Love is...

I'm a sketch artist and it's about that time I strongly felt that I should give due credit to the cartoon comic strips that I grew up with... Growing up, I got to scroll through the Daily Nation newspaper and head straight to the Leisure section with the TV guide, crossword puzzle and my all time favorite, the Love is... comic strip. I'm estimating it was the 90s era, before Andy Capp took over with his antics and drinking buddies. Anyway, for those who do remember, newspapers were a luxury in most Kenyan households at some point before they spread everywhere. That time you had to wait for your parents to read and have to wait till they are done before you could get a chance to have a peak. To your disappointment, the crossword was already filled.... Yeah. I know. I was such a geek in my childhood. That's besides the point actually. With that I got to have an interest in the comic strip sections.

The Daily Nation newspapers had the Love is... strip on weekdays. At one point introduced Peanuts (Snoopy) while on the Sunday Nation paper still has the Popeye, Flash Gordon and The Phantom.... For those who don't read newspaper, the stories still are going on...

Popeye and eating spinach with his bulging funny 'muscles' and calves....

Though I sincerely got lost in the Flash Gordon story line and all that travelling between intergalactic worlds...

The Phantom just being the Ghost Who Walks...

Love is... comics. Just two simple characters showing us the simplest of feelings in this world. I did my research and found out that the cartoonist, Kim Casali, drew the cartoon strips for her husband. Quite the great and awe inspiring dedication from wife to husband....

The other good thing about the Love is... comics is that they were launched on 5th January 1970. My birthday is on 5th January. Y'all can start sending next year's gifts as early as now... All will be greatly appreciated...

Not a coincidence but don't you just love it when you know that your birthday coincides with the launch date of your favorite cartoon strip... Just a couple of years before I existed... I pay homage to this cartoon strip because it's the epitome of what we desire to have from a partner.

What better way than to have it done in simple cartoons that just express the deepest desires of our hearts. A cartoon that breaks down the Bible verse, 1 Corinthians 13:4- 8... I really wish I could put up all of the Love is... strips but that would be just an endless scrolling.

As a dedication to a true and dear psycho friend, Derry Ace, who is so obsessed with Snoopy. Here's a little something. So that you don't get to go after me later on for having not mentioned you... That 4 liter ice cream is still just mine. You have a cold. As God said we should share. You share the ice cream with lovely me and you keep the cold to yourself..... Hahahaha....

Hear what I'm not saying

Upon my strolls on some of the past readings I did, I stumbled upon this and I thought I would just share. Maybe help those who would want to be heard.

Don't be fooled by me.

Don't be fooled by the mask I wear.

For I wear a mask.

I wear a thousand masks.

Masks that I'm afraid to take off,

& none of them is me.

Pretending is an art

That is second nature with me,

But don't be fooled.

I give the impressions that I'm secure,

That all is sunny & unruffled with me.

Within as well as without.

That confidence is my name

& coolness is my game.

That the waters are calm

& I'm in command & I need no one.

But don't believe it. Please don't.

I idly chatter with you

In the suave tones of surface talk.

I tell you everything,

That's really nothing,

Nothing of what's really within me.

So when I'm going through my routine,

Don't be fooled by what I'm saying.

Please listen carefully

& try to hear what I'm not saying.

What I'd like to be able to say;

What for survival; I need to say

But I can't say.

I dislike the hiding.

Honestly I do.

I dislike the superficial phony games I'm playing.

I'd really like to be genuine,

Spontaneous & me;

But you have to help me.

By holding out your hand,

Even when that's the last thing

I seem to want or need.

Each time you're kind & gentle & encouraging,

Each time you try to understand

Because you really care,

My heart begins to grow wings.

Very small wings. Very feeble wings.

But wings.

With your sensitivity

& power of understanding,

I can make it.

You can breathe life into me.

It will not be easy for you.

A long conviction of worthlessness

Builds strong walls.

But love is stronger than walls,

& there in, lies my hope.

Beat down those walls,

With firm but gentle hands

For a child is very sensitive,

& I am a child.

Who am I?

You may wonder.

For I am every man,

Every woman,

Every child.

Every human you meet.

I shall be telling this with a sigh

Strangers silently we passed.
Only to look behind
The other's head has also turned.
One beautiful smile from you,
Relieved my heart of grieve.

Like honey, you cover the lawn
fleeting beauty-
In the cool morning air.
Many are the times
I wish.
I wish I would have you for my own.

When I say to you,
I pause & wonder.
I stop & ponder.
If what I have to say,
Truly holds promise.

Words, they say
are lightning strokes.
The wise pause & wait.
Only that the desire in me
Overwhelms my heart.

In quiet urgency
I want to say.
In the least bit of words,
You are special to me.

You are charming.
You have a sense of humour.
You make my heart radiant with joy.
You are very beautiful.
I wish
I wish I would have you for my own.

Perhaps it's the beautiful smile,
Or maybe your eyes.
The casualness & the great personality.
I don't want to end up a love-lorn
That is why I wish you feel the same way....

Something unique for your big day

It's that time when age is catching up with you and you are still searching.... Yap! I'm there. It starts growing on you when all these hints keep flashing across your face or screens. Somehow good or bad, I am in the event decor business so being part and parcel of weddings is more of a monthly thing. Creating those precious memories for brides and grooms is no easy job, but someone has to do it.

At times we get to sit for the whole ceremony and that is when the reality hits you that you should walk down the aisle some time in the future. At times I'm grateful for no drama while dating but then just having someone to bug you daily or just be cheeky and goofy with is enough to take away a day's stresses. I know you're wondering if I'm now getting all sad about not being in a relationship but there's a point to it.

On my usual Facebook scroll (not much to read on FB), I stumbled upon some video and the link was just all too enticing to ignore. We all know the usual Kenyan wedding program during the reception...

Guests (invited and uninvited) arrive and have their food- at times the food isn't enough.

Entertainment goes on as some MC mumbles on some instructions- some poorly crafted jokes.

Bride and groom arrive and dancing with guests- usual wedding songs and dance styles.

Bridal party seat at the 'high table' (do they smoke weed here?)...

Entertainment goes on- usual Kayamba groups perform, some 'upcoming' unknown singer too.

Unsolicited speeches from those shoshos you never knew existed...

Gift Practicals- by this I mean the bride demonstrating how she will cook/ carry a kiondo. some have even had to show how they will lie on their matrimonial bed... PG13...

Bouquet toss- this is where all the madness begins.

Procedure:

1. The DJ puts the usual Beyonce song... All the single ladies... 

2. The brave ones step up and get ready for the toss. 

3. Remove your heels.

4. Try and foresee the best direction the bouquet will go.

5. Look for the light weight girl than you can easily push out of your way.

The bride then tosses the bouquet and the scramble and partition for the flowers begins. That lady you saw gracefully arrive, is now fighting for those few stems. It starts reminding you of a scene on National Geographic or Discovery channel as lions fight for a piece of flesh from the fresh catch. Weeeeeellllll...... It's about time that we changed the routine. 

It might be your big day but doing something unexpected as in the video below goes a long way to show love and friendship.

It's a video about some bride... yeah! That's too vague. What this bride does during her bouquet toss is what amazes me. Enjoy and brides- to- be, do take a hint.

Violence is not of love

""The worst regret we have in life is not the wrong things we did, but for the thousands of the right things we did for the wrong people."

I have just seen this post on my Facebook account and I resonate with it so much as I am living this day in, day out. I don't know how I can start to explain how crushing it is to end a relationship even when it was just not going forward. I hate it when I have to put a stop to something that was once good and later on went to bad and worse and worst in an instance.

I am not a perfect and yes, I am stubborn, at times bossy and strong- headed (if there's a word like that). I will speak out when I see him doing something wrong, I will pout when I just don't feel like talking to him, I will go from angry to somehow smiling to laughing my ass off in a split second. I am hard at times to understand and I will change my mind twice or thrice, faster than Cookie can slap her son(Hakeem).... yeah, I just had to use that example. I will always say "I'm fine" even when I want him to just ask what the hell is wrong with me.

Every girl, woman, sister or aunt will be like this but even when I make these mistakes that will anger him, I don't expect him to lay a finger on me. I don't expect to join the growing number of statistics about violence in relationships and marriages. I don't expect to be threatened. I don't expect to have a black eye as though I got hit by a runaway bus. I don't expect to carry scars on my body to forever remind me of the stupid decision I made. I don't expect to keep crying for having fallen in love with his charm, only for him to later show me his true colors.

I don't expect to sit in silence for fear of ridicule and reprimand, from family and friends, for having loved him. He hit me and I hit back. There was no way I would just sit and wait to be killed as I watched. I defended myself and even made my point. That I was no weakling."

Just as the poem in the picture above says, the cycle never stops and once it starts, it goes on as long as the two parties may want to end it. No man/woman ever gets into a relationship or marriage expecting any form of abuse. No one expects or wishes the worst for themselves but at times we have no control over a person's emotions or reactions in any situation. We can only control ourselves. We can only do whats best for ourselves and for the relationship.

Walk away from it. It may hurt, it may feel like you will never love again. You may feel like you are a victim. You are not. You are a lesson, to yourself and to others in your situation. That despite all that happens, you can rise up and walk again. You can get up and love again. You can love yourself for the next person you meet. Do not despair because you are still alive to learn from your mistakes.
Violence is not of love but respect, trust, truth honesty and faithfulness is.

Young adult in my life

There are the times when you sit and think and analyse your life and come to the conclusion that you need someone to talk to. Don't get me wrong, I would really want the services of a psychiatrist but when I just think of the hours, sessions and payments to be made... I would rather stick to looking for non- charging individuals (close friend, best friend, friend-who-has funny-and-witty-remarks) who might end up giving their opinions instead of listening.

Actually this is better than silence. Holding it all in and acting as though I have it all together is an act that I have never quite mastered to the core. I end up looking like an insomniac, depressed and about to quit on life. Not good! I start to think of how my life sucks and that nothing is really going to work out... I know, positive thoughts = positive results... But hey! am HUMAN. I can't help it if I sulk for a while just to get over the depressive feelings I have over my current situation. Don't deny it, you've been here, through this road... confused on a way forward.

Well, there is always an upside to whenever you feel this way. One unexpected person will always cheer you up... Even if it may be for a short while. In my case, it's the young adult in my life. Just at 2 years old and she has the angelic and psychic power to note when am not okay. We call her young adult as she behaves quite like an adult, despite her age. Being a young mum bestows a sense of responsibility upon you. Stereotyping of young mums, day- to- day challenges of being the 20 something (under 25) you are, relationships musings, employment things and general life; have a way of making you feel older than you actually are.

She then dashes in, screaming and laughing (not swoop in like Superman but with the terrible twos in tow), just to jump on you, calling you 'Mama, Mama' as she cradles your face in her tiny hands. Trying to talk and mumble some sentence but all you can get is 'pepeti', 'mamasos' and dodon'. Well, as time goes buy you get to learn this other language and translations being, spaghetti, tomato sauce and Nickelodeon (in that order). Quite the simplest way to say, "I want food and cartoons."

A smile comes to your face as you realise what she is trying to tell you. The joy it brings to a mother to see her daughter try to construct sentences or pronounce words, is satisfying to me. With that fleeting chance to have a smile and forget my troubles, I am just grateful to have my young adult. I just have to appreciate the good moments she brings and get back to yelling as she tries to climb the stairs or scroll my phone. Aiyaya!

In the showery privacy

When you become an adult, major life thoughts and decisions basically sift through your mind while in the shower. Maybe its the calming effect of the drops of water rolling down my back that just uplifts my thoughts, close my eyes and think of what am doing in life, who I am in this life, where am headed and my purpose to this life I live... Or it's just the whole idea that I am alone and vulnerable and stripped to the bare minimums, that makes me realize that I can actually multi tasks and  get done with a lot of procrastinated decisions....

Anyhow..... To echo the words of artists Nico & Vinz- In your arms"...who doesn't want a machine so they could go back in time...", I seriously do need one at this point in life. At times we make decisions and as we later sit and think to ourselves, we somehow conclude that we need to reverse time and make a different decision. This would then cause a ripple effect in our favour, as we hope that the outcome is what we desired.

We often speculate what the future will be, and whether the life ahead of us has anything of good to offer us. Since getting the time machine to travel back in the past is a tad bit difficult and impossible (besides the calculations, probabilities, headaches, nervous breakdown, crazy-scientist-hair and looking like you never cared about yourself), I would actually try and invest in anything that would give me a glimpse of my future. You know, like have a peek at what life will be, what changes will have happened.... and with that in mind, come back to the present to actualize what I just saw.

Instead of having a shot in the dark and waiting not knowing that anything will materialize... I guess I would be the crowd that falls for crystal balls and foreseers.... but not really! Dabbling in the dark arts is not my forte. I guess I will just have to accept the outcomes of my decisions and hope for the best. As I also continue to balance the delicate act of holding slippery soap and thinking of what to eat... By the way, I need to eat.


Disclaimer: If you know anyone who might have that time travel thingy, well, we could just chat extensively about it and they could do the  sci-ency stuff while I do the travelling.. so just holla.