ah, home again
Saturday September 19, 2003
Today, I believe, the rainy season started. It poured this morning, and now again this evening. I spent the day talking to Alex, my temporary house-mate, a I think, younger brother of Charlie about what I can teach him for the next two years, and what he can do for me. I told him that if he takes care of me (including helping keep my digital wonders in my possession, shopping, cleaning and helping out with video shoots), I would teach him how to shoot and edit video, and that when I got ready to leave, I would give him a video camera, and a computer so that he can go into business on his own… I was pretty clear about what I expect from him, and told him that if he breaks the contract, the deal is off…but I’m not sure what all of this will come to. I feel a little strange. I sort of have a house-boy, and apprentice all in one, and it wasn’t really of my choosing. I think that Charlie wants him to find a skill or job that pays. I was asked, but I didn’t really have a lot of latitude. The power imbalance makes me uncomfortable. I’m not even really sure how literate he is. My suspicion is that this will either be a fantastic experience for both of us, or a total disaster. We shall see. He has been helping me set up my place, buying stuff, and having stuff brought to the house.
Speaking of the house, it is pretty much set up. My bed is in place, along with my mosquito net (I’ve been getting absolutely mauled lately), an armoire, my table with all of my computer stuff is up and working. I have been teaching Alex how to log and capture in FCP, and I have been pulling down some of the footage I shot. I have some serious “Africa” cliché shots that are… both cliché and amazing. I also tried out my satellite modem again today. This morning I chatted with Gwinn for an hour or so. If my little bandwidth calculator is at all accurate, it is a cost effective way for me to stay connected with people. I am set to chat with Eric in about 15 minutes. Being here, and having this technology is a bewildering experience. I’m not sure that I have internalized it enough to really break it down. We’ll see how it goes. As a work tool, it is stunningly powerful. Not the tool itself, but the access that it can bring. Today I asked Gwinn to do some research on the mining company that is coming to town, and I got some immediate responses. The biggest reason I hope that I can keep this equipment up and running is that the amount of work I can get done here will be 5 fold with this. Ok. Time to chat with Eric.
Very interesting. I pulled up the first photo with no problem, but was unable to look at any other photos and then couldn't recover the first one (main street) Be cautious with the CIA joke stuff, many people are quite sensitive about americans. 1960-1990 KGB heritage throughout africa and the middle east. This is from a friend who worked as an aircraft tech in Saudia Arabia before I hired him. We are in Washington. Gwinn is coming up Wednesday for a few days. Katie and I send our love.
Roger
Posted by: roger & Kay at September 21, 2003 08:23 PMHey, Ben. I had a friend who did research into elephant behavior over in Kenya, and by the time he left, he'd pretty much started an estate. Hiring a houseboy, several guides, various clerks, maids, and cooks is somewhere between a colonialist hangover and a way for the people who live there to integrate you into the community without making you an irritant. It's also a low-level form of income redistribution, if that makes you feel any less guilty. From the sounds of things, my friend never really got used to it, but it was the established order of business and he got a number of close relationships out of it. For what it's worth.
Posted by: forrest at September 23, 2003 01:13 AMGood Point. Anyways, this was where i met her. You can join for free as well www.redtricircle.com
Posted by: click here at March 13, 2005 01:44 PM