Guy Brina
BLOWN OFF COURSE
I was having a lot of trouble sleeping a few weeks ago.
TheUSpresidential elections hadn’t taken place yet and I was trying to decide what...
GIVE AND TAKE
Those who can, do.
Those who can’t, teach.
And those who can’t teach… teach Phys. Ed.
Yeah, I know, I’ve used that saying before, but I think...
BEGINNERS BLUES
A little knowledge can be a dangerous thing.
That saying is often used in connection with people who think they are experts just because they...
MARKETING GONE MAD
New York City has cleaned up its act in recent years, but in some ways I think it is now scarier than it used...
The Art of Waiting
I never thought I would say this, but I almost miss queuing to buy a stamp in the Francistown Post Office.
I’m a white guy.
You...
A Perfect World
I read a book recently that claims all human beings are connected to each other through something called ‘the divine matrix’.
That term is also...
OPPORTUNITY COST
When I was at university I took a class in business administration.
No kidding, I really did; and while I may not have devoted all...
LOST AND FOUND
I thought I might write a mediocre column this week.
The piece was going to be about getting kind of good at lots of things...
Beyond Our Control
Life came to a standstill for four hours last week when an accident closed the highway I was on, but not too many of...
LONDON OLYMPIC LESSONS
Some kids made fun of my American accent last Sunday morning while I was lying in a tent in Wales.
They were locals who evidently...
JOINING THE GAMES
Human beings can do amazing things.
Little girls flying 10 metres into the air off trampolines and executing triple flips with a few twists thrown...
THE BRIGHT SIDE OF LIFE
I am irritated… but I’m also happy; and the reason I’m happy is because I’m irritated.
I’ll try to explain.
If you read last week’s column,...
LET THE GAMES BEGIN
The games get rolling in London today so I’ve decided to embrace the Olympic spirit; the old one, that is.
The new spirit is out...
FOCUS ON THE ROAD
This column almost crashed while it was still at the starting line.
Before going for that positive headline, my first effort was the very negative:...
The Meaning of Life
I’ve always wanted to write that headline, and since I couldn’t think of anything else to talk about… Now I freely admit that my only...
MORE THAN WINNING
We may be missing the point.
That bummer of a lead is probably the result of watching too many sporting events on TV. In the...
COMFORT ZONE EXIT
In case you missed the joke I used at the top of last week’s column, here it is again:
“My wife drives like lightning.” …...
HUMBLE PIE
1st man, “My wife drives like lightning.”
2nd man,” You mean fast?”
1st man, “No, she hits trees.”
Despite that lead, I strongly believe driving is no...
PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS
I just want to be happy.
I just want you to be happy.
I don’t care what my kids do with their lives; I just want...
THE FEAR OF FLYING
I think security concerns have become a bit of a joke – especially at airports.
Actually, I think they are a big and not very...
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
Natural resources are a terrible thing to waste; that’s why a bunch of big-wigs came to Gaborone last week to talk about sustainable development...
SILLY MONEY AND THE BIG-D
Let’s talk money.
No, I don’t want to look at the stock market or any other investment options; today I want to talk about silly...
AN HONEST LIVING
Not everyone in Botswana is lining up for my job.
I know this because an adventure writer friend of mine is one of them… who...
ENERGY MANAGEMENT 101
If you own a business or are employed to manage other workers, that cartoon may not appeal to your sense of humour.
But don’t worry,...
FEAR MERCHANTS REVISITED
“The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.”
Last week I wrote about something that really disturbs me; news coverage, and I tried...
SELLING FEAR
A newsboy was walking down the street selling papers and yelling, "Hot off the press.
Fifty people swindled! Fifty people swindled!"
A concerned, community minded...
SELLING FEAR
A newsboy was walking down the street selling papers and yelling, "Hot off the press. Fifty people swindled! Fifty people swindled!"
A concerned, community minded...
OPEN MIND MAGIC
What do you think about that cartoon?
Is that geezer just a silly old fool who has wasted his life?That might well be the...
ALONE IN THE CROWD
I went to the big city the other day and there were millions of people there but they didn’t seem to be very happy...
PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT
I spend a fair bit of time watching sports on TV, but I don’t consider any of that time to be wasted.
Okay, I can...
DO IT YOURSELF FIX
Lots of good things happened to me while I was in Botswana last month but surprisingly the best might have been that my 1989...
TECHNOLOGY 1-0 BRINA
Technically speaking, I’m stuffed.
I’ve always seen myself as an independent self-sufficient kind of guy so I have instinctively resisted buying gadgets that are designed...
CHASING A DREAM
It’s never too late to get started.
As a matter of fact, sometimes taking up a hobby or deciding to learn a new skill later...
FRANCISTOWN FACE LIFT
Respect may be contagious.
That optimistic thought was inspired by the first thing I saw last week when I landed in Francistown after being out...
HOW TO BE SELFISH
Let’s face it; everybody looks out for number one.
It’s just the way it is and it’s natural, but I don’t think it is necessary...
PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE
I like to live in the present moment; that’s why I decided to take up hockey, but it’s not the only reason I’m going...
SIT BACK THEN ATTACK
Positioning is crucial if you want succeed.
I’m not just talking about football here, that statement holds true for business ventures, national development and for...
IT JUST DOESN’T MATTER
I know this isn’t a sports page but considering the circumstances I think I can dribble on a bit – again - about the...
INCONVENIENT BY CHOICE
Do you remember what you had for lunch yesterday?
Do you remember if you even had lunch? How about supper? Do you know your wife...
PLAYING THE GAME
I’ve been trying to play the guitar for about a year and a half now.
I’m really pleased with how much I’ve picked up but...
