Author: jamaapoa
•Monday, May 26, 2008
I am starting to exhibit extraterrestrial enthusiasm of late. Well, it could be the next realm of existence, the earlier I orient myself, the better.

As Africans are busy fighting and killing each other in Kenya, South Africa, Somalia, Sudan, Zimbabwe, Uganda etc to secure soil on Planet Earth, NASA is busy planning for the next mankind habitation. The moon and Mars have become possible targets for the next human migration and resettlement in the unfortunate occurrence of an apocalypse on planet Earth.

NASA’s Phoenix Lander spacecraft safely landed in the North Polar Region of the Red Planet and immediately started sending images of the polar region that scientists expect to have traces of water which could indicate that at one time it supported life as we know it or could do so in the future. The Phoenix has been travelling to Mars for the last 10 Months.

In January 2004, two robotic geologists named Spirit and Opportunity landed on opposite sides of the red planet. With far greater mobility than the 1997 Mars Pathfinder rover, these robotic explorers have trekked for miles across the Martian surface, conducting field geology and making atmospheric observations. Carrying identical, sophisticated sets of science instruments, both rovers have found evidence of ancient Martian environments where intermittently wet and habitable conditions existed.

“Like the Viking Landers of 1976, Phoenix is designed to look for organic material and other signs that life has existed on Mars, or could exist on the planet. Unlike the two rovers (Opportunity & Spirit) that have been exploring the Martian surface for nearly five years, Phoenix is built to stay in one place and use its robotic arm to dig into the soil and ice. The vehicle is equipped with several miniature chemistry labs to analyze the material it digs up.

The Lander touched down further north on Mars than any previous Lander. NASA scientists think the frozen water on or near the surface may tell them whether the minerals and organic compounds needed for life as we know it exist, or have ever existed, on the planet.



The Phoenix was targeted at the North Polar Region because that is where some form of water (in the form of ice) is most likely to be present, and scientists believe that a form of water is necessary for life. They are convinced that surface water flowed on Mars billions of years ago, a conclusion reached by studying geologic features of the Martian landscape. Today, conditions on Mars do not allow for liquid water, in large part because the atmosphere is only 1 percent as dense as Earth's.

In 2002, however, the Mars Odyssey orbiter discovered that large amounts of water ice lay just beneath the surface in the permafrost that covers much of far northern Mars. Scientists say the region, which is notably flat and smooth, may have once been the bottom of a large ocean.
They are also intrigued that the surface shows polygonal patterns remarkably similar to some seen in Antarctica. Scientists speculate that they could be the result of cycles of freezing and thawing.

In addition to its sophisticated cameras, soil retrievers and mini-laboratories, Phoenix carried on its journey a mini-DVD created by the Planetary Society called "Visions of Mars." It holds a library of science fiction stories and art, as well as the names of more than 250,000 people. ”

Reference: Washington Post

Author: jamaapoa
•Monday, May 19, 2008
It is 2 am. I have just woken up from an exciting thrill that has boosted my moods to the ceiling. Jean was struggling with cramps when I woke up. I had to gently massage her tummy and now she is fast asleep. She tells me it will be over with the firstborn and I cannot wait. For now career pursuits have to be given preference, unless there is an accident. Accidents do happen in marriage, I hear.

Whenever sleep becomes elusive I try to make most of the time. So, here I am debating whether to document the dream. On second thought, for the sake of maintaining karma, the dream will not be blogged.


I have been thinking about the British Government decision to release documents relating to the UFO phenomenon. The Vatican has also intimated that belief in UFO does not contradict the Christian Faith. Many are hoping that the US will also release what it knows about the Unidentified Flying Objects.


In other circles, the debate is whether we, the earthlings, are alone in the entire universe? Is there life out there, as we know it? Are there other intelligent beings and have they been visiting us? There is even a new profession that is worth pursuing; Certified UFO Debunker. For me, it is a pet subject that I read on every time I come across such material. The question of belief is a case of splitting hairs.


Religiously, the fact that there are angels and demons is good theory that we are not alone. Pentecostal church goers can attest that angels and demons do watch and interfere with the human life. Scientifically, if there are a billion stars like our sun in the universe, there is a hypothesis that there is a planet like our earth revolving round another sun out there that could support life as we know it. Probably, even in our own Milky Way galaxy. Hollywood is a century ahead with the UFO phenomena. The first landing on the moon has its own share of UFO myths.


How come no sightings have been reported in Africa? I think the Africa UFO phenomenon is a bit dumbfounding. I remember the primary school days of Emanuel Eni and ‘Delivered from the powers of darkness and another one by a Kaniaki and Mukendi ‘Snatched from Satan Claws’. Or the tales from the Coast of Mombasa. I think the Africa UFO equivalent is underground, deep down in the red hot Africa magma, still evolving from the depths of the Congo forest.


I tend to think that if all these tales are true, either the world is being prepared for some out of this world revelation or the human being has truly evolved and is more conscious of its spiritual self.


Lastly, assume you lived in the days of Moses and other biblical characters, how would you describe and think of these ‘cloudy’ phenomena?


Exodus 13


21 And the LORD went before them by day in a pillar of cloud to lead the way, and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so as to go by day and night.


22 He did not take away the pillar of cloud by day or the pillar of fire by night before the people.


Exodus 14


19 And the Angel of God, who went before the camp of Israel, moved and went behind them; and the pillar of cloud went from before them and stood behind them.


20 So it came between the camp of the Egyptians and the camp of Israel. Thus it was a cloud and darkness to the one, and it gave light by night to the other, so that the one did not come near the other all that night.


24 Now it came to pass, in the morning watch, that the LORD looked down upon the army of the Egyptians through the pillar of fire and cloud, and He troubled the army of the Egyptians.


25 And He took off their chariot wheels, so that they drove them with difficulty;


Exodus 19


16 Then it came to pass on the third day, in the morning, that there were thundering and lightning, and a thick cloud on the mountain, and the sound of the trumpet was very loud, so that all the people who were in the camp trembled.


18 Now Mount Sinai was completely in smoke, because the LORD descended upon it in fire. Its smoke ascended like the smoke of a furnace, and the whole mountain quaked greatly.


Exodus 40


34 Then the cloud covered the tabernacle of meeting, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle.


35 And Moses was not able to enter the tabernacle of meeting, because the cloud rested above it, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle


2 Kings


11 Then, it happened, as they continued on and talked, that suddenly a chariot of fire appeared with horses of fire, and separated the two of them; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven.


Ezekiel 1


4 Then I looked, and behold, a whirlwind was coming out of the north, a great cloud with raging fire engulfing itself; and brightness was all around it and radiating out of its midst like the colour of amber, out of the midst of the fire.


14 And the living creatures ran back and forth, in appearance like a flash of lightning.


21 When those went, these went; when those stood, these stood: and when those were lifted up from the earth, the wheels were lifted up together with them, for the spirit of the living creatures was in the wheels.


24 When they went, I heard the noise of their wings, like the noise of many waters, like the voice of the Almighty, a tumult like the noise of an army, and when: and when they stood still, they let down their wings.


Matthew 17


5 While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them; and suddenly a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him!”


Acts 1


9 Now when He had spoken these things, while they watched, He was taken up and a cloud received him out of their sight.


For the not-faint-hearted Christians visit www.bibleufo.com



Author: jamaapoa
•Thursday, May 08, 2008
Citizen Television owned by Royal Media used to be like that “makamasi”boy in primary school. That boy who was always unkempt and ignored. The boy whose books were torn by the second day of opening school, whose pen always “boiled” on the shirt pocket or in his school bag messing up his books. The boy who looked like he will not make it through school but still made it anyway.

Citizen Television has really changed. It is evident that Catherine Kasavuli and the team that was poached from KTN have made some impact. The new blood has managed to polish up the content and the look and feel of Citizen. They have done away with uncensored content and improved on the background and the dull colours. The Power Breakfast Show by Jimmy Gathu and Mutegi news analysis during the show is incisive to watch and listen to.

Then there is the entertaining local programming, the best being Tahidi High and Papa Shirandula. I have been wondering whether one can get a DVD of the series, quite entertaining.Tusker Project Fame II has capped it for Citizen viewership figures, being the only TV station airing the daily briefs and live shows in Kenya. Inspector Mwala is a non-starter.

By the way, on Tusker Project Fame II, I think this time it will be won by one of the Ugandans. Putting my vote on Esther or Stephen. No way, a Kenya will win it. For one, it is more of a marketing campaign by East Africa Breweries than a music contest. EABL would like the company to be seen to be fair to Uganda and Tanzania markets. With the unexpected withdrawal of Aisha, a Tanzanian and one of the four ladies on probation this week, another Kenyan will most likely go home this weekend. Unless, Wendi is voted by the public, Linah is saved by the teachers and Alice by fellow contestants, then there will be no evictee.

Citizen has a long way to go but I think it is just a matter of time and Citizen will be second to NTV in viewership nationally.

What happened to The Leader weekly newspaper by Royal Media? This is a media section that Royal Media should not give a cold shoulder to. There is quite a market if Nairobi Star, Business Daily and Daily Metro are anything to go by.


Author: jamaapoa
•Friday, May 02, 2008
I did not have much to do. Between channel surfing and newspaper browsing, I relived the memories of yester-years labour day celebrations. Jean was nowhere in sight. She decided it is those days she hibernates in a salon for a whole day in the name of "I am my hair".

For our close-knit nuclear family, it was always a tree planting day. A day when the whole family would wake up and walk to our little forest to re-afforest the trees we have been cutting the past year. Dad would have visited the local greenbelt movement nursery the previous day and brought a variety of trees. Mostly it was a collection of blue gum/eucalyptus and cypress trees-I am not sure about their English names.

We would wake up to a mug of fermented porridge, put on gumboots and dress for the weather which most of the time was chilly and drizzling. We will then head to our little forest with jembes, fork jembes, pangas, spades and a wheelbarrow of tree seedlings. Dad would always carry his old Sanyo radio to listen to the celebrations in Nairobi.

It was fun for my kid sis and I. There were the wild fruits, mostly strawberry-like fruits, wild berries, others from indigenous trees that would leave your tongue purple and others will be gummy. Then there was the ochre type of soil that was multi coloured and "delicious" to eat. The tree climbing was exhilarating and sliding down the wild vines from tree tops would give you an adrenaline-rush. It was fun. Most of all, was the bonding of the family unit that provided warmth, security and a worryless environment. I guess it was unifying even with nature for every tree we planted guaranteed us a better future subconsciously. Things that are now a bygone.

I loved farming from an early age and I always had my own small plot, a kitchen garden of sorts where I would experiment growing all manner of food crops. It was exciting watching a seed break up and a seedling sprout out of the soil. Sometimes I would be impatient and every evening after school I would dig up the seeds to check if the green plant is sprouting. Teachers would be amazed to my answer to the question, what do you want to be when you grow up. I always said, "when I grow up I want to be a farmer". Until latter years of primary education when I discovered electronics which led to the demise of the antique Sanyo radio and an engineer was born.

I just realized the other day that I am still growing up and I want to be a farmer. I acquired some slice of land in the outskirts of Nairobi and my childhood dream resurrected. I still want to be a farmer when I grow up. Currently I am torn between eucalyptus farming, smalltime horticulture farming, poultry farming or dairy farming. The thought of this is elating, my reunion with soil mechanics, away from virtuality.

Yesterday was Labour day and I could not help but empathize with the workers who were yearning for some hopeful meager salary increment from a detached president. I could not help but sympathize with mankind grappling to come to terms with a looming food crisis, hunger and famine.

Maybe, when I grow up I will be a farmer and help guarantee food security.