LIVING AND LOVING IT: Enjoying the things I had put off or not noticed

Ah, the taste of cool drinking water is quite like nothing else. I am savouring the things I missed or could not stand when I was with child, and water was one of them. Which was a pity because I do love drinking it – although I am yet to get to the point of taking the recommended eight glasses.

So, anyway, weeks ago, water tasted like sandpaper, never mind that I have no idea what sandpaper tastes like. But it must taste as bad as what water tasted back then in my mouth. I could hardly take half a glass.

Then there was the creepy sour taste that stuck in my mouth every time I had a meal. It waited for me to enjoy whatever dish I had and seconds after eating the last spoonful, it would come upon me like a dark ominous cloud. It actually made me dread having meals.

My feet swelled to the point that I worried there was something terribly wrong. And not only my feet but my legs too and my brother used to tease me saying they looked like limbs of certain women that hail from the western part of this country.

Now, my legs and feet are back to normal – so much so they actually look thin. The sour taste has packed its bags and gone. Best of all, I can drink glass after glass of water and enjoy it.

I am also enjoying reading a novel a workmate lent me. With the workplace as busy as a hive, getting time off has enabled me to do the things I had put off for ages. So, it feels nice to put my legs up and read these books, magazines and papers that I had put away unread.

Memoirs of a Geisha is what I am enjoying right now. I have committed the cardinal sin of reading the novel after watching the movie. But no problem really. I can hardly remember the movie. Not that it was not memorable. (Besides, Ken Watanabe is a great actor). It’s just that I watched it a long time ago. I must watch it again and make comparisons with the novel, which is so beautifully written and rather haunting that it makes me thank God for my circumstances.

Also, I just found a Newsweek magazine I had been given way back last year that I had not had the time to read. It was the issue that had the wedding of Prince William and Kate. I was so happy to see it. I know the wedding was almost a year ago but well, a girl always wants to float into dreams of beautiful weddings, romance and fashion. Plus the magazine has an advert that I love to look at – an old woman who has aged very gracefully, looking really elegant with her pretty daughter, that always makes me think of what my first-born daughter and I shall hopefully look like 20 years from now.

The telecom companies have never really been a favourite of many people although these many people depend on these companies to keep them in touch with others. Two adverts have got me laughing and always looking forward to seeing them. There’s that of the man who dons a very yellow shirt (although the telecom has now decided to screen this part in black and white) shouting at us and telling us that “even if we register now,” we will not be able to send money right away, so “just be patient also you!” Oh, he makes me laugh. He did a fine piece of acting because that is the sort of thing the typical provider of whatever service in Kampala’s shops will tell you.

The other telecom advert is that of giving out TVs. That is not what is exciting me or making me laugh. It’s Brian Mulondo, one of the NTV presenters who “gives” out the TVs. He just makes you smile even before he speaks what with his cheeky smile and natural presentation. I daresay the station should use him more.

So, let me get back to enjoying all these things I had missed or not taken notice of, including J. Moss’s (a gospel singer) song, Praise on the Inside. It’s one of those Black songs that is really “Black” you just want to get on your feet and jump, shout and sing like those mamas you see in Black churches in those movies. Good stuff.
cbeyanga@ug.nationmedia.com