Mixed Bag

I wouldn't exactly say I've made Kwaku Doe famous by blogging about him, but I do get phone calls every once in a while saying: "I just saw Kwaku Doe. The guy you've been talking about".

Sometime ago (I think like two weeks ago), I got a phone call about Kwaku Doe. Now, I'm kinda used to that and I was kinda expecting to hear the usual ("I just saw Kwaku Doe"). Well, I did hear that, and in addition, I heard "what is wrong with that guy?" A friend of mine saw Kwaku Doe and recognised him from the description I've been giving about him and the description of his location. What did my friend do? Well, he figured if Dentaa has been going on about this guy and giving him money, then I could give him money too (mind you, this guy does not give money to beggars). My friend gives Kwaku Doe Gp40 and what does Kwaku do? Say thank you and walk away? Oh no! Kwaku gave the money right back and said it wasn't enough to buy kenkey and fish. Seriously?

I've watched "Da Kink in My Hair" like twice on Viasat 1 and I think it's ok. But if you ask me the title should be changed to "Da Kink in My Jamaican Hair living in Canada" (maybe producers thought about that but decided it was too long so they shortened it).

Earlier this week, I was watching Viasat 1 and then there was an ad for "Twisted Tips". The look on my face was (I couldn't see my face but I'm sure it was) priceless. Seriously? was all I said. In my head, they moved "Twisted Tips" from Saturday 4pm (or is it 4:30pm? could never figure out the time for that show. still can't figure it out now that they're showing us hair made in Jamaica and living in Canada) to another time. "Urgh!" The ad ended and the time for the programme was shown as 4pm on Saturday. Right after that ad, there's another ad for "Da Kink in My Hair" also showing on Saturday, 4pm. I figured it was a mistake on the part of Viasat 1 (seriously, how can you make such a mistake and make the blood pressure of some of us rise like that?), until I saw the same ad for "Twisted Tips" yesterday. This time there was no follow up ad of "Da Kink in My Hair". What's going on Viasat 1? Someone confused over there or something? Y'all making my blood pressure really rise. I'd watch Jamaican hair any day over twisted things. Unless y'all trying to tell us you have the technology  to show two different programmes at the same time on your network.

I really still am trying to wrap my head around "xoxo". There are times I watch it and I think that's pretty ok. Other times I watch and I just baulk hmmmmmm... TV series made in Gh are that bad.

Updates... Missing Kwaku Doe...

The "Deadly Billboard" I've been going on about has been removed. I'd like to think my writing about it had something to do with its removal (I seriously doubt it).

The "Active Advertising" billboard was taken down not long after my post. Again I'd like to think my writing about it had something to do with its removal (seriously doubting). The ad has been replaced with another, advertising a prayer summit, and guess what? The advertisers don't want us to actively guess when the summit is taking place (somebody wised up or different advertisers).

At least this one tells us the programme is in June (no more guessing)

I stopped watching "Twisted Tips". I guess I got tired of criticising plenty. And then the Saturday before last Saturday, I happened to be watching the station that shows "Twisted Tips", at the time "Twisted Tips" is supposed to be shown, and guess what? It didn't show. They rather showed a programme about people with weird eating habits. There was something about a guy that ate raw meat (imagine that). Interesting thing is, I figure I'd enjoy eating raw meat myself more than watching "Twisted Tips". After the weird eating thingy, there was another Ghanaian series that didn't exactly blow me away, but was so much more refreshing than what I'm used to from Gh. That was my first time ever watching "xoxo". I must admit, it wasn't bad at all (for once I'm not critiquing some programme out of Gh. if it's good, I'll say it). What really got me is, that was my first time watching, and though it's a series, I was able to follow (just hoping it wasn't a one-off thing and I just caught them on a good episode).

I came across another garbage truck a couple of weeks ago, and in my estimation, what I saw seemed a whole lot more dangerous than the first one I wrote about (this one was so much smaller). Still makes me wonder how safe it is.



At least the truck was moving real slow.

 I MISS KWAKU DOE!



Took this not too long ago, and guess what? He's still in the same business.



Updates...

Curiosity got me using routes I've not used in ages, and routes I usually wouldn't use in the morning (cos of something called traffic).

Kwaku Doe is still exactly where he's always been (since I started writing about him at least). Since I was just being curious and wanted to just see, I ignored him when he knocked on my window (to ask beg for money). Yep, I got a new car that has constant air conditioning (windows perpetually rolled up).

For the love of my new car, I dint risk taking a picture of my next update, as it was next to impossible to get one without having my car mangled. The metallic frame of the billboard is still in the same shape it has been for a while now. The flexi/sav (printed material) is still removed and I can't help but wonder what is going on. Of course, possible possibilities have run through my mind.

There are companies that construct metallic frames for billboards, pay AMA to have them sited (as well as monthly rental charges) and charge advertising companies nice sums to mount their printed material for a certain time period. Organisations hire advertising companies (or companies that profess to do just that) to do some advertisement for them. It is very possible that:

1. the poorly constructed/poorly situated dangling metallic frame is the fault of the company that constructed it. Has absolutely nothing to do with the organisation being advertised, so that company has had its advertising company retrieve its flexi/sav, which can be reused (dint seem damaged to me).
2. the organisation being advertised owns the metallic frame (very possible, very possible) and has removed its flexi/sav and will get to removing/fixing the metallic frame (I wonder how long that takes cos its been days weeks and trust me, there's no work going on there).
3. a different company does own the metallic frame, it removed the flexi/sav and will get to fixing the metallic frame (most probably leaving it at the same place in the same position) in due time.
4. the time period for the organisation's ad to be displayed has expired and that coincided with the collapse of the metallic frame, so, for both parties, "why bother?" (I guess the metallic frame constructing company will bother when another organisation or even the same organisation shows an interest in mounting an ad on this frame.)

Any other possible scenarios?

Where's Kwaku Doe?

I honestly cannot truthfully answer the question and I really would like an answer to it myself. I'd hazard a guess and say he's where he has always been (he has been at the same place since I started this blog). Oh my! I missed my anniversary :( It's been 2 years since I started blogging. I started blogging at the end of March 2 years ago and for some reason (work related mostly) I hardly put up anything anymore.

About Kwaku Doe, hmmmmm.... I've been using this different route to work consistently for a couple of months now, and whenever I do use my old route on weekends, he's not there (maybe he has found a new spot). Well, I sort of found a new Kwaku Doe who I see every morning cos he's not far from where I live. This one does beg for money but he also directs traffic. Our relationship (if you can call it that) started with me totally disliking him cos he dissed me one time when I refused to give him money (like it was a must, just cos he asked). Now, we are pretty cool cos I pointed out to him what he did (seems he forgot. makes sense cos I'm sure he disses 1,000 people in a day. he can't possibly remember us all) and he actually went on his knees in the middle of the road to beg for my forgiveness. I wanted so much for him to get up that I said I'd let it go and to prove it, I gave him a GH¢1 note (people don't like it these days when you give them coins. times are that hard. a beggar got to survive too).

Happy blogger anniversary to me.
Mental note - I will make the time to at least post something once every 2 weeks (I would love to do it more often but...).

Anoda Doe? (Kwaku? or Kofi?)

Pretty confusing huh? Seems I've come across another John (Kwaku or Kofi) Doe.
No, I don't interact with him.
Why? Never had the chance to or maybe it's better I dint.

I've always questioned original Kwaku Doe's sanity but with this new guy, there's no question about that. It is quite clear that there's something wrong.

First time I saw him, he was taking a bath in a gutter (yeah). His front was covered though by this slab at the edge of the gutter. All anyone really could see was his bum. He was using this tin can to fetch water out of the gutter, which he was standing in, and pouring on himself. He was butt naked.

I do know mentally challenged individuals do weird stuff but what I don't get is how come he knows he's got to keep clean (eventhough it was with gutter water) and how come he also knows he has to keep his nakedness away from the public (eventhough he was butt naked, by the roadside. at least he knew to cover his front part).

A few days after the first time I saw him taking his bath in the gutter, I saw him walking along the roadside fully clothed. It did make me wonder how he got out after his bath (if he got out before dressing or if he dressed before getting out). What really baffled me was no one seemed bothered or thought what he was doing was out of the ordinary. Matter of fact, I was the only one staring (maybe everyone is just used to him and his baths).

I saw him again this morning, taking a bath in the gutter (and yes, I was the only one staring) and no matter how many times I chance upon this scene, I doubt if I'll get used to it.

Kwaku Doe - Inflation Hits

Yep, Kwaku will now not accept my measly Gp50.

I haven't really interacted with Kwaku Doe in a while. A couple of days ago, I was the passenger in a friend's car and when we got to his spot, I saw it as an opportunity to have a conversation with him. I looked inside the car and found some coins. I put together Gp50, dropped the rest of the coins in the car (he actually saw me do that) and handed my bait to Kwaku. Guess what? He goes like it's not enough and he can't do anything with Gp50. When I look at him open mouthed, he goes like "awwww madam, you know me and my situation. we have been talking a lot. this 50 pesewas is not enough".

My friend gives me a you-gotta-be-kidding-me look and I silently hand over the rest of the coins to Kwaku Doe. By the time all that was done, the traffic light had turned green and we had to go.

All I got to say is Kwaku needs a job. The begging can't possibly sustain him cos all I got to give him is Gp50 (even that one kwraa, it is a lot to give someone that has done absolutely no work for you).

I So Totally Miss Kwaku Doe :o(

It's been ages since I last blogged about Kwaku Doe. Why? Cos I don't use the same route to work no more. I hardly ever see him. If I do see him, then it's cos I'm headed home and he's on the other side of the road :o(

I do get to see him on Sundays sometimes but we hardly get to talk. I remember there was this Sunday, I was just at his spot and there was this physically challenged man begging. Kwaku was also making his rounds but the other guy was a step ahead of him. Now, I knew the traffic light was just about to go green so I was a bit impatient when the other guy got to me first. I couldn't wait for him to leave but I dint have enough money on me to give him and Kwaku, and there was a lot of questions I wanted to ask Kwaku. I waved the physically challenged guy away and Kwaku saw it and I guess he concluded I was not in a giving mood. Urgh! I was pissed at the other guy then I felt bad for being pissed at him.

Anyways, something happened last Sunday that I dint quite get. A couple of Sundays ago I asked Kwaku how long he'd been begging and he said he'd been at it for about four years. Then last Sunday I asked what he'd been doing before he started begging and he says that's all he's been doing like forever. I'm starting to think he prolly dint understand my question. I should have spoken a local language or something. He must not have understood the English I spoke or he couldn't express himself well in English. Whichever ways, I'll get another shot maybe next Sunday.

Kwaku Doe - Napping

I don't really write much (at all) about Kwaku Doe these days cos I use a different route to work. I pass by him on my way home though but I can't interact with him cos of the direction I approach him from.

So of course I was thrilled on Saturday when I had to go out and I went by his spot. Imagine my disappointment when I dint spot him. I actually had my motivator ready, together with a bunch of questions I wanted to ask him, but seems I went by at the wrong time. I did see him eventually but he was lying comfortably (he looked like he was) on the sidewalk with a cement block as his pillow. I almost motioned for him to come, but then again I doubt if he'd have been thrilled to have had his afternoon nap disrupted because of a GH¢0.50 coin.

Kwaku Doe - Rise to Fame :o)

Well, I did make him kinda popular by blogging about him (definitely rise to fame :D)

It's been a year since I started writing about Kwaku Doe. Yay! Happy Anniversary on this blog Kwabena Bonnah aka Kwaku Doe. I started out writing about him in the "Plight of a Hungry Man" series and then I moved on to the "Kwaku Doe" series. Do read up if you've missed any of them.

I saw him this morning and I can't believe it's been a year already. The guy has been begging consistently for a year (he's been at it for more but I just started writing about him a year ago). Begging must be quite lucrative for him then. I doubt if he's looking for a job.

What has changed about Kwaku Doe since I started writing about him? He's usually clean shaven these days with a neat hair cut. He's developed a love for wrist watches. He's got them in different colours (red, pink, blue and a silvery looking one). Plus he seems quite taken in with skinny jeans. I totally love his pink skinny jeans. I must say he does rock 'em real good :D

I don't get to interact much with him these days but trust me, more stories on the adventures of Kwaku Doe (sounds like a movie or title of a book or something) will be coming up.

Kwaku Doe - All Fly!

Never seen in a white shirt before so he totally caught my eye today.

I'm fly cos I'm hot, you ain't cos you not!

Doesn't he just know how to take care of himself? Maybe he's suffering from that thing where people are so obsessed with being clean and keeping themselves clean, what's it called? heard it on Oprah once, yeah Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). I'm sure being so obsessed with keeping clean can drive you crazy and leave you jobless begging on the streets. 

But he has changed my stereotype about beggars though. I used to think they were all unkempt. Bra Kwaku has raised the bar. At least I know if I'm giving him money he's putting it to good use by taking care of himself.

Kwaku Doe - At Work & Up Close

So, Kwaku Doe has been consistently showing up for work every single morning for the past couple of weeks regardless of the time I get to his spot. I am proud to say that for like 2 weeks, I too have arrived at work very early (about 7:30am) every single day. Doubt if my boss notices though. I'm sure the one day I show up late he'll so notice.

I managed to get a shot of Kwaku Doe in action (I wonder if this whole picture taking thing without permission is illegal).

Some pennies please...

If you ask me I'd say he should stay off the air conditioned cars with their windows all rolled up (they are not very giving) and stick to cars like mine with broken air conditioners or none at all.

I managed to get one of him while he was heading towards me. Again I told him I have no coins and I'd make it up to him tomorrow (huge lie). I'm just putting together my sack of coins and then we'll see what I'm able to get him to cough up.

Yeah, I see you. The generous lady with plenty questions. Why's your phone up though?

Kwaku Doe - Not Far Gone

The main reason I didn't exactly think Kwaku Doe was mentally challenged was because he doesn't act it plus he doesn't speak like he is. Well, since he says he has mental issues and I've seen him exhibit some not so there characteristics but at the same time acts quite sane then I'd say he's not far gone or he was or is getting treatment for his condition.

Just look at him with his jeans all rolled up trying to prevent it from getting wet and muddy after the rain fell.

this rain "kwraa", it's gon mess up my jeans but I got to work too

Kwaku Doe - Say Cheese? Not Ready...

I tried real hard and I managed to get a picture but it isn't that good. Took it while driving (very dangerous. My car isn't even automatic) because the light was green and I've got all these spots from the rain that fell last night on my windshield.

I will get a better one though. Hopefully soon.

Kwaku Doe - Make Over!

Did I say the case was closed? How can the case be closed when I still see him every morning and there seems to be something to say about him? Kwaku Doe's had a make-over!

This morning, I saw Kwaku Doe with a fresh hair cut and he was clean shaven as well. He's always sported this afro-like hair but it's always been neatly combed (no dreads) and his beard has always been bushy as well. I'm starting to think he's trying to impress me because he rushed over to my car (to show off his new look) by-passing three other cars in the process and asked for some coins with his usual smile. Told him I didn't have any and will probably make it up to him tomorrow.

Except for the bad teeth, he did look good. I got a picture but it's not good enough because he had his back to me. I'll do better next time.

Kwaku Doe is...

Yes, I found out Kwaku Doe's name.

Let me give you the prelude to this. I'm approaching his usual spot and I got my incentive (Gp50) ready just in case. As I approach the traffic light, I realise I'm the only car on the road at the time. All the lanes were empty. My heart sinks thinking he didn't come to work and then I spot him standing close to the light.

I make a very conscious effort to stop right next to him leaving some space in front of me. I look back and there's no car behind me. Good, at least I'd be spared the unnecessary honking. I look at him and he bends down but before he could say a word, I initiate a conversation. This is the conversation that ensued (all in Twi).

Me: "how are you doing?"
Kwaku Doe: "I'm fine" (puzzled expression on face)
Me: "I see you here everyday"
Kwaku Doe: "yes please"
Me: "what is your name?"
Kwaku Doe: "please my name is Kwabena Bonnah"
Me: "ok"

Throughout the conversation, I had the incentive in sight and at this point I hand it over to him. He thanks me and just about the same time, the light changes so I move on. Yes Kwaku Doe is Kwabena Bonnah but I have grown so used to and fond of Kwaku Doe that I will probably maintain it when referring to him.

The picture will come soon. He had a smile on his face the whole time I was talking to him. I'm going to take that as a positive sign and hopefully he'll keep that smile on when I'm taking his picture.