Thou Shall Not Question Kamal Kaur’s Loyalty

– Kamal Kaur

The good thing about being me is that I have learnt to make rules as I go along and can also break them because…hey!… I made them so I can eradicate them too. Sometimes when I’m writing in my journal I pause to reflect and will randomly go back a few days, months, weeks or even years to see what I was saying then and I sometimes grin at my audacity and gasp out aloud at the things I’ve jotted down.

There’s one thing for sure about me and that is the fact that I am a sucker for beautiful things. I love to own things that are pretty, beautiful, useful, the ‘in thing’ and everything else. I have often proclaimed that the billboards you see everywhere are there because of suckers like me. If an advert is damn good I will buy the product even if I don’t need it or it will make me want to buy something even though most of the time I just can’t afford it.

Take those humungous billboards in Westlands area, Nairobi, these days. There’s one that is advertising some luxury apartments for quite a few million bob. I looked at it and wanted one straightaway. It’s besides the point; I’m blessed with a roof over my head and I live very comfortably but just the mere sight of the artist’s impression of what the building will look like once it’s completed had me craving to move into that apartment block.

Then there was this advert for a Samsung Galaxy tablet. I wanted it. You’re probably thinking there’s nothing wrong in wanting a Galaxy tablet but if you know me well you’ll also know I own an iPad, so owning a tablet is actually a moot point. I also didn’t want one because I’m in need. I just wanted one for the sake of owning it and because I quite liked the adverts just near the Sarit Centre roundabout and the kids also thought it was cool. But I’m a through and through Apple product person so this was just one of ‘those’ moments for me.

I’m not looking to be lectured on my priorities or outlook. I’m accustomed to a certain lifestyle that I can afford most of the time so getting one’s knickers in a twist because one does not agree with my perception isn’t a big deal to me. It’s another thing if someone else was having to foot the bills for my indulgences. Then I’d probably be remorseful and not covet things advertised on large billboards everywhere I go. But the thing is that I buy my own stuff and once in a while a kind soul will gift me something I like so I count my blessings and get on with it.

Talking about it doesn’t make me a show-off. I’m being appreciative and once again, if someone feels I’m showing off then I’ll just say there’s nothing to stop you from getting what you want besides yourself. If you really want something you can always find a means to get it – matter of priorities.

Now excuse me while I go and check out the sale at this top clothing chain that promises a further 40% reduction on sale items.