the media is a weird institution... if you can call it that. coupled with currently developments in ICTs, a person in Country X can report on a story in Country Y live, in real time. everyone telling their stories, at least if they are to be considered credible, claims to be telling the truth. But whose version of the truth? Why do they think their truth is more truthful than anyone else's truth?

For example, look at this story from CNN :- link text

CNN is talking about my homeland, Zimbabwe, which is not in the best of shape. Their story claims that Zim is dangerous, don't go there, the economy is worsening, inflation is rising blah blah blah.
I was home just 2 weeks ago and i can tell you that the picture they paint is grossly inaccurate because facts show that
-it is not unsafe to be in zimbabwe at the moment. it is certainly not less safe than other countries around the world. i can say that there are places where it is not safe to be, but that's a personal judgement call. certains parts of Washington D.C. are definitely "stay away" zones if you don't know your way around. but the idea that Zimbabwe is very unsafe just isn't true.
-since the president appointed a new governor of the Central Bank, there has been a clamp down on corruption in the financial sector, inflation is falling by about 20% a month, the zimbabwe dollar is gaining strength against other currencies, most notable the US dollar and confidence among people in increasing yet again.
-whilst the economic situation is really bad, there are signs of improvement and i think that things are getting better. the shortages that were ever present last year have ceased and people are not queuing for basics like bread [and fuel].

So back to my main point, if the story linked above reflects some form of truth, whose truth is it? it certainly is not the truth i observed while in zimbabwe. and why do they want to tell the 'truth' that way? would be interesting to find out...

i've been back in boston a few days... it's dreadfully cold here.

the last time i was homesick was 1995. i was in third year high school and going back to school was no fun. i've never been homesick living in boston-until now. i had an awesome time at home. family, friends, love, laughter. i had it all. i missed the weather, the cars, the food, the music [i love the music], the humour, people, colours, sunsets and skies, beer, viceroy (haha!) ...

it's so cold here, and it gets dark quickly, and things are in fast forward, and the foods so refined, and Ta is not around. Mvuse is far and away and Bhudi is making someone else tear up with laughter as we speak.

i've been in doors so much, because i'm all of a sudden scared of the cold! it doesn't help to get back into the swing of things. some of the people i was closest to aren't in boston any more... some of the ones i would have leaned on are in worse shape than i with other crises in their lives. ah man...

home is amazing. can't wait to move back there. gotta get my essay done... it's one of them barriers :-)