From the horse's mouth: If you have been following here, you know I have been doing brave maneuvers by attempting night photography in Nairobi city. Okay it really wasn’t that bad. I took this photo on Friday(same day as the Stanley photo) and realized Friday is actually not a very good day to do shots in Nairobi, too many people. Next time i shall try Sunday. So this photo is a result of merging 5 exposures in Photomatix and remixing in Photoshop for the final tweak. http://www.flickr.com/photos/truth-slinger/4795720446/in/photostream

Oodweyne, If you don't want to discuss, that fine with me, just say so. However, none of your attempts at attacking or dismissing my arguments with elegant verbal acrobatics will in any shape or form change the logic that is evident in my previous posts. It might not be the type of logic you wish to hear, or I wish to materialise, its logical reasoning in action nonetheless. I would advice you to study the lead up to the O.gaden War. I would also advice you to study the Biafra War, and why today there is no country on the international map called the "Republic of Biafra".

Caano_Geel;773523 wrote: Subxan Allah xaasid nimada jooji walaal there's no photoshop, Maxaa kuu diiday, markaad tidhi Nairobi inaad halkaa ku joogto...Soomalidana xaasidnimaan looga taag helayn!!!!!!! Xaasidnimo? If I was xaasid, I would have posted the many slums of the city. You honestly believe the streets of Nairobi look like that; where cars drive 1500 km an hour? It's a typical photoshop effect:

Oodweyne, I'm no enemy of Somaliland, or any Somali group outside of Al-Shabaab, so what I wrote above was not an inner wish for the future, but a simple analysation of the usual pattern in the Somali political landscape; its history, present and with that came to conclusion of how the future will most likely unfold. You say the international community would come to Somaliland's defense as the government in the South seeks to establish rule over all its territories. We both know the international community has not offered recognition to Hargeisa in the current mess that is taking place in the south, why would it do so in a time period where there is no conflict in the south to contrast the peace in Somaliland? A legitimate government in Mogadishu could ally itself with major powers to deflect any of its domestic policies. This has been a successful policy employed by Meles Zenawi and in the past by his late mentor Siad Barre. In such a scenario, the international community would close its eyes, as it has done the good part of the last century in every single continent. While you're partially correct that Somaliland enjoys institutions that have broken down in the south two decades ago, outside of this Somaliland has stagnated, it's not going backwards but at the same time its not going foreward either. Only a recognised Hargeisa administration could establish the relations necessary to progress as a country, and to access funds to spur serious development. It's because of this lack of recognition that Hargeisa could never maintain its current two decades progress if it was locked in a long term "cold war" with the internationally recognised Mogadishu government. The latter would have access to billions, as the late dictatorship did. The type of military hardware the Mogadishu government could supply to entities within Somaliland are of a type the latter could never afford without appropriating vast chunks of its budget to arms. Any country trying to supply these arms to Hargeisa would be called out in the Security council by any of the "big friends" the Mogadishu government has alligned itself with. You would be surprised how fast those "friends" of Somaliland would disappear in such a situation. My previous post was not a personal warning of "Hey landers, its unity or war", instead I was highlighting the Somali political character you most vividly described a few posts back, and why the political crop most likely will employ such a warning on the ground or on the political arena. I would not underestimate the ability of a competent Somali government to establish a strong military with an efficient navy, indeed the prewar navy was one of the best in the region, and there is not a single entity in the peninsula today that could compare with the power of those disintergrated naval forces that patrolled 1 million sq km of water, that includes Somaliland. Nor could Somaliland withstand a military thrust that brought the Ethiopian empire to its knees in the 77' war, and it had a bigger army and superior military hardware than Somaliland has today. Are you 100% sure one of Somaliland's friends would intervene to push a recognised government out of its own recognised territory? Let's be honest, the only two powers that are capable of this are the Americans(Kuwait) and Russsians(Ethiopia/Georgia), but what makes you think the Mogadishu government has not already established incentives for them to close their eyes? While everything I say are just words, to just dismiss them as a "theological seminar" is simplistic, and is based on the idea that the South will remain in conflict for this entire century. That's highly unlikely, which is why I said to prevent future war facilitated by those that thrive in it, the major stakeholders that do not want more instability - or create a situation where a permanent rift in the Somali psyche is established - should take the initiative and make sure the question of Somaliland will always remain one of "dialogue", through a pact of non-aggression. The dictatorship was brought down through dialogue between major Somali stake-holders, and therefore Somaliland for its own stability will need to involve itself, rather than exclude itself during discussion about the fate of Somalia.

Xiin, I would burn the black flag, the red-green and white flag, the blue-white and green flag, and the one I most cherish; the blue field-white star flag if it would result in a single Somali civilian saved. Terms like nationhood, patriotism, and sovereignty have become meaningless in my eyes as of late. Agreements between Somalis that will save as many Somali civilians as possible are the way to go. All this old-man politics is nauseating, considering how the world is moving one and is embracing the new century with prosperity and development.

Welcome dear.

Nairobi, with photoshop-overkill.

Ace of Spadez, First, the North covers a wider territory than just Somaliland, including a vast swathe of land the latter claims but does not control. Secondly, its a stretch to claim "the Somali Republic disintegrated due to its militaristic adventures in Somaliland." The previous dictatorship accomplished its mission of purging out the SNM from the major cities in the North, despite the massive defections of Somali troops and pilots, so it was a practical solution to any opposition in his eyes. However, opposition to his rule was a country wide phenomenon that involved multiple disgruntled entities besides the SNM. Indeed, exactly a year after the SNM was forced out of the major cities in the Northwest in June 1989, there was a meeting between the USC, SPM and SNM on June 1990 to establish a united front against the dictatorship.(Small arms in Somaliland pg 17) It was this alliance that proved to much for the Dictator to handle, and is this alliance that forced him out. The Somali Republic at the time was still very much an existing superstructure recognised by the SNM, albeit one with a vacuum, or should I say "black hole". Now that we have settled that historic issue, we can focus on the present and the future. In a scenario where the current TFG - with its myriad of shady characters - succeeds in regaining the South from Al-Shabaab and establishes a competent government, it will be a game changer in the peninsula. For starters, without recognition Somaliland will always be considered a breakaway state while the government in the south will be considered the legitimate representation of Somalia, consisting of all its territories recognised by the international community. Such a government could make development and progress for Somaliland a serious difficulty by thwarting international investment. Such a government would have access to far greater monetary pots than Somaliland, with these funds it could employ "divide and rule" policies amongst the inhabitants of Somaliland at a far greater frequency and intensity than Somaliland could ever hoped to do so in reverse, we both know how these tactics employed by previous Somali governments seriously threatened the existence of established recognised countries like Kenya and Ethiopia (which lost Eritrea). You ask what would necessitate such policies in the first place? Have any of the lame-duck transitional governments welcomed Somaliland's bid for recognition? No! Therefore if the paper governments did not, why would a government with actual legitimacy, stability and a well-equipped military go the other way and welcome unilateral seccesion in one of its claimed territories? It won't happen, and because of that, the pattern in Somali politics has always been "conflict". This form of conflict doesn't necessarily have to be government troops attacking cities in Somaliland, it could be in the form of the divide and rule tactics I mentioned above, or naval blockades of its ports. While I recognise Somaliland's right for self-determination, I do not think in such a scenario where the government in the South grows in strength and Somaliland maintains its policy of non-negotiation that it will emerge victorious in such a conflict, because it does not have the same access to major funds that the government in the South will have access to. Movements like the SSC would suddenly have serious military hardware at their disposal, dormant groups within Somaliland would enjoy the same. All of this waste of funds and resources by the Mogadishu government to sabotage a breakaway state, and the latter's spending to withstand that sabotage is funds and resources that could have been better invested on building new roads and highways, better ports, thousands of new schools, hospitals and universities etc, etc. Its because of this why I earlier said the major Somali stake-holders who truly wish a unified Somali family to materialise in the coming generations to sign a pact of non-aggression. Do Somali politicians have this type of foresight? I do not think so.

^Good post, I'm a unionist but I don't believe in forced "unions", I say let those that want a different path, have the freedom to do so (this goes for the entire peninsula, not just Somaliland), there are to many commonalities between us that will always makes us gravitate to one another. In the mean-time Somalis should take the fear out of their enemies, lay low, develop their regions and cities with serious infrastructure projects, grow their regional economy and business clout and most importantly maintain stability through compromises. Eventually, come 2030, we would be the most educated, and the most prosperous ethnic group in the region. I fear however that peace in the South will mean war in the North, due to the short-sightedness of the current political crop, and manipulation of neighbouring countries. A serious pact of non-agression should be signed within this year between the major Somali stake-holders.

I have a distinctive writing style, and majority of my WIPs are made for the ages 9 to 24, I don't want to lose that potential audience due to angry Somali parents or worse fatwas because of my other more grown up orientated material. I would have to change the entire prose to get away with it. This topic is evidence though that Somali parents have no clue about what their kids are reading.

Hahaha, Ow my days, I haven't laughed this hard about a SOL topic in a long long time. Pure comedy. On a related note, I have a secret USB with a Somali romance set in Ajuuran times, but I feel ashamed of it lol because of the lustful ways of the Somali prince, and dare not put it up for serious publication.......ever. Unless under a pseudonym, but the thought of anyone close to me ever getting hold of that book is too embarassing. I really wonder how these Mills & Boon writers got around that.

chubacka;772703 wrote: Answer to question posted on search engine Where can i get free stuff? I get most of my free stuff from young children at the park who are to small to stop me from taking their stuff. This works for candy, toys and the occasional puppy. For bigger things you need to go to the other end of the spectrum. The Elderly. answers.yahoo.com hehe. Hehe.

^Kkkkkk... Great video to do some car-spotting, I saw several Jeeps, a Mercedes and did I see the back of a black Cadillac at 02:09? Sisters were fine! :cool: Caano-Geel jr welcome!

Che, give me a thousand Somalina & Dr Osman Somali development topics for every single politics thread any day of the week!

Always a pleasure, Val.

NGONGE;771659 wrote: ^^ Guru, Val is now a married lady and married ladies should not become the topic of discussion for any passing admirers, even if the admiration is deserved. As ever, our hopless A&T forgot to update his database and is now mistaking Mrs Ninka-qaba with the pretty single girls that infest this site. There was a time when we spoke directly with impressive Val, but now it has to strictly be from behind a curtain. Wax fahma. p.s. Where is Serenity these days? Lolololol FAIL!

Miskiin-Macruuf-Aqiyaar;771161 wrote: at Cadillac. Yeah, on second thought I have opted for a classic limousine, they were more common for a starlet or officials according to my uncle, but I made it a white one instead. Most common cars on the streets of Xamar back then was produced by a Talyaani company, Fiat . There were Fiat trucks, Fiat trailers, Fiat compact ones and Fiat minis. But there were also other cars, most notably Volkswagen Beetle, aka Fakis , a lot of Toyota Cressida, Toyota Corollas, Land Rovers and in late '80s, Range Rovers and Toyota Landcruisers. There were also other European-made cars like the German Mercedes and BMWs, the French Citroen. The eldest brother in the family drove one, Citroen, in early to mid '80s. I loved how it automatically lowered to ground by a push of a button. I have yet to see another car that can lower to the ground to this day, only buses or other public transports have that. It looked like this: Now I'm wondering whether I should go with a black version of that Citroen or the Renault IKA Torino* i'm currently using. The Citroen was also a major player in the recent 70s spy film "Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy" or other 70s movies like Munich, but I wasn't sure whether that car was even imported by Somali car dealers back then. * Quite happy now, truly MMA you're a walking library! Did you ever chance to see the interior of the Al-Uruba Hotel?

NGONGE;770939 wrote: I'd love to hear what the NSS agent was saying as he was conducting the chase. How many nacla and how many wareer badna (yes, I already have tuujiye behind the wheel in my mind's eye). LOL, that description would fit the older partner better, my story revolves around the younger agent; the smooth operator, the ladiesman, the soldier fresh from the wars in Mozambique and the O-gaden War with a mind full of Pan-Somali and African Unity ideals, which I'm all going to crash somewhere at the end of the book.

Romanticist.

Bluelicious;770989 wrote: Lool you made me laugh you earned yourself some good points for after your death You have used Google Translate nice try. But the sentence is correct except for the how word. And yes I have already heard so many stories about it experiencing it with your own eyes is different and better. The Dutch word for how has a different meaning in English, which is why it has been censored lol.

Todo es relativo! For every rude Somali I have had the misfortune of encountering there are atleast twenty Somalis that were pleasant, respectful and considerate. Unfortunately, you will remember the rude one better than the pleasant ones, and erroneously in your mind that bad apple becomes the poster-child or quality grade of that specific basket of apples that is our people.

Thanks alot for that information MMA, very appreciated! I know you were young at the time of cosmopolitan Mogadishu, but did you ever see a Cadillac on the city's roads? What type of cars were prominent back then; American or European/Asian? I know the late dictator was a collector of luxury cars but did any of the musicians drive anything fancy? I'm tempted to invoke artistic license and just drop a Bentley or a Cadillac on Al-Uruba's parking lot. Somalia did afterall have Cadillac designed armoured vehicles, why not civilian designs?

MANKATO, MN: Somali High School Student wins Pathfinder Awards MANKATO — An advocate for the disabled, a progressive company and a high school student from Somalia are this year’s recipients of the annual Pathfinder Awards. Wilbur Neuschwander-Frink will receive the Pathfinder Award, Zeynab Omar will receive the Young Pathfinder Award and Lloyd Management will receive the Business Pathfinder Award. The awards, given annually to people who embody the spirit and work of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., were announced at a news conference Thursday but will be bestowed Jan. 16 at the annual Martin Luther King Community Celebration. Neuschwander-Frink has been an advocate for the disabled for 17 years. At Thursday’s announcement, she talked about how she sees parallels between the work of Dr. King and the advocacy she does for people with disabilities. “Getting a Martin Luther King Jr. award is, for me, the pinnacle,” Neuschwander-Frink said. She said advocating for the disabled has been her passion since high school when she’d watch in horror as people with disabilities were bullied and treated with disrespect. Even in high school she started standing up to that kind of treatment, even if it made her unpopular with others at her school. As a nurse, she continued her work with people with disabilities, but it wasn’t until she attended a meeting at the New Ulm Public Library for people with disabilities that she really responded to what she believes is her calling. After that day at the library, she spent the next chapter of her life working change society’s attitudes about people with disabilities. Among her most public efforts are the plays she writes and directs featuring people with disabilities, including “Soph and Nana” and “Words.” Omar was nominated by an instructor, whose nomination letter described Omar as “a strong and positive woman with a heart of gold.” Omar is somewhat unique in that she thrives in the presence of the elderly. Unlike her American counterparts, she finds herself at home with them and feels compelled to help. That’s why she works at an assisted living facility in Mankato where she works with residents suffering from Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. “It’s rewarding, and I love what I do,” she said. Omar, who hails from Somalia, said her goal is to graduate high school and enroll at Minnesota State University where she plans to pursue nursing. Once she completes that, she hopes to travel the world to help people in poor countries. Her first stop, she says, will be Somalia. “I feel like that’s what I have to do,” she said. “And that’s what I want to do.” Lloyd Management Inc. won the Pathfinder Award for a program it started to help immigrants transition into American culture. Accepting the award for Lloyd was Julie Hawker, who works in marketing at Lloyd but her heart is more clearly in the work she’s helping the company do with immigrants. The program, which is done in partnership with MRCI Refugee Services, teaches new immigrants basic survival skills of American living, such as being a good neighbor, cleaning living spaces and how to use a washer, dryer or microwave. Lloyd Management also sponsors a refugee family in hardship, through their “Make Yourself at Home” program. “Each and every single person who wants to make Mankato home should have that opportunity,” Hawker said - Link ......

Beautiful written piece on the Somali music scene of 1970s Mogadishu; Magool's graceful voice what a joy! Ahmed Abukar's "Caashooy" is great too, very funky. http://blogs.voanews.com/african-music-treasures/2008/05/20/the-light-sound-of-mogadishu/ Cinema Hamar

Thank Arch, good to see you're still around. Its a minor project intended to be a pocketbook, until I know precisely where I'm going with my main hexalogy; I'm focusing on little delights in different genres instead.