Something about the traditional dances performed at the Youth Day celebrations in Big Bekondo was awfully reminiscent of music videos. While I recognize that the young people of even a remote Cameroonian village are influenced by North American pop culture (e.g. a young man playing Shania Twain music videos non-stop on the television in his tiny one-room abode in Kumba--a room he shares with a brother and sister), I suspect most of what looks familiar is going the other direction. Given how strongly African Americans feature in the genesis of rap and hip-hop music, I figure the moves these village kids make which bring to mind those performed by pop music dancers back home likely originate here in Africa, not in minds on North American soil.
A message to a mayoral candidate Just a few thoughts arising from the BW ride with the ED. 1) That bridge connecting Edmonton and Scott across the Assiniboine would be nice, of course. But we don't have the money to even build it, much less to build all the other bridges that would be desired. The reason that a downtown AT bridge is so greatly desired is because the city *somehow* failed to put a bike lane on the Osborne Bridge when they rehabbed it in 2010ish, despite the fact that is was in *all the plans*. Meanwhile there *are* three bridges downtown. Yes, they all have their challenges for cyclists, but there *are* three bridges. Whereas Maryland to Omand's Creek is a *very* long stretch with *no bridges whatsoever* (except that sewage bridge at Aubrey taunting every pedestrian or cyclist who has to bike kms out of their way to connect from Cambridge to Sherburn. Poop can cross here but humans cannot.). Since we do not have all the money in the world to...
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