kids – Hondred Percent

June 6, 2019June 6, 2019

My Son Is A Stuntman

One thing about having children is figuring out what their interests are and dreaming about their future careers.

As a Ghanaian, certain careers SHOULD be on top of my list. Doctor, Lawyer…….., Mad Scientist. (Just kidding. However, Ghana having a mad scientist could solve a lot of our problems)

As an artist however my career choices for my sons steer in the direction of unconventional and have caused my wife to give me the raised eyebrow and eyes popping out look that you see in Total Recall with Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Professional Video Gamer and stuntman is what I usually see when I visualize my first son’s future career.

I have to be honest though, the Professional Video Gamer is something I wish for him and not one that his life currently has revealed any evidence of being fulfilled.

The stuntman on the other hand……..

Let’s just say I am not that enthusiastic about it because of the thought of medical bills.

Now stuntman is not something I wish for my son but this kid does some cliff hanging moves that will make Tom Cruise proud.

This is not some of the time this is ALL the time. Our living room is like an action movie set with him jumping from chairs and balancing on head rests.

He had a toy car he used to drift with and I just bought him a motorcycle of which he is pulling moves that will have Mother’s wondering whether I am being a good parent by not getting him of the bike.

I however believe in encouraging and allowing kids to explore their interests. While I am not thrilled about stunts, I do acknowledge that it maybe his destiny.

It’s hard to believe me if you have not seen my son do the things he does. So here is a link to the video of his latest stunt. Remember he is a 3 year old.

Bobo stuntman video

May 31, 2019May 31, 2019

A Valuable Cracked TV Lesson

“There is a crack on the TV”

This is how my Monday morning begun. Have the little TV people who live inside our TV gotten tired of entertaining us and want to break free?

Maybe

“There is sound but no picture”

Ok so the little TV people are still working but maybe there is “dumsor”*, load shedding or lights out in TV land.

“I think Bobo cracked the TV”

Bobo is the nickname I gave my first son. One thing I can say about having kids is that everyone dreads them destroying a TV.

I sometimes wonder whether our parents ever had that concern. It’s like they come down with a TV and smartphone screen mess up configuration, operation “crack the screen”.

I didn’t want to believe this news so I asked for my wife to let me on the details of what actually happened.

According to her she was in the kitchen when my son came through screaming “TV” repeatedly. She came into the living room to inquire, only to hear sound and no picture from the TV. She then went closer to see a crack on the screen which lead to the wail, “OH BOBO!”

Not to put my wife on the spot but judgement had already been passed down on the boy. I also concluded after assessing the screen that he was guilty.

His track record didn’t help either. He had already messed up one TV and there was his telephone set that he liked to bang on the wall by the TV.

This son of mine is in need of lawyer and his phone call.

Needless to say I was pissed. I was only glad that over the weekend wifey and I watched Game of Thrones Season 8 finally on the big screen. Watching via laptop wouldn’t have been epic.

I had not budgeted to buy a TV this month so I was thinking that maybe the screen could be fixed. It was when I was doing my research on fixing the screen that I actually found out that my son was innocent.

Our TV is a Samsung Plasma TV. A 2011/2012 model I believe. Apparently there were a number of similar stories to mine of TV’s having a crack from one of the units within the TV blowing up internally.

Upon careful inspection I even realized that the crack was internal and not external. Meaning my son was innocent.

I guess the guys from TV land were pissed.

I was happy however that it was not my son who spoilt the TV. I learned a valuable lesson as a parent and Christian that day.

Our past does not define our future. My sons actions in the past were not sufficient to make him guilty. I should have reserved playing the blame game till I had all the facts.

Though rough in his play, I have never seen my son throw stuff at the TV or tried to hit it with something. He loves his TV and cartoons.

The first TV that got messed up wasn’t hanging on a wall. It was on a cabinet and he pushed it over accidentally.

I don’t think we did well as parents in our perception of our son. I guess God used this to show us a valuable lesson about judging.

Thankfully we did not scold him or beat him. I would have felt pretty guilty if I had.

That however, is the life of a parent. We learn along the way and through our mistakes. Let’s see the lessons life presents us and share our experiences to help make the world a better place.

Now on to figuring out how to get Teletubbies back into my sons lives.

Keep it One Hondred!

*dumsor – Ghanaian slang for lights out

May 24, 2018

Superman Birthdays

I recently found out that I wore the same red Superman t-shirt on my sons last birthday gathering. I did not plan on giving this item of apparel the “birthday t-shirt” status but considering I chose it twice and literally as I came out of the shower, I guess it deserves that title.

WhatsApp Image 2018-05-19 at 13.15.35 — Me and my son on his 1st Birthday

As a father raising a young son, I am learning how to deal with a kids birthday in the current social media, internet crazed world we are in.
Privileged as I was growing up, I didn’t have the luxury of my dad being around on my birthdays. I thus make an effort to ensure that I am around for my little man and pray that I will not be too busy in the future to being with him to celebrate the day my wife and I were blessed with his presence.
My son on his first birthday just wanted to run around and was excited to see other kids playing together. He had just figured out how to walk and was graduating to running and seeking the new freedom his limbs gave him. My family, in laws and close friends were around to celebrate the day.
As they arrived, I begun to realize the disadvantage of having more adults than kids at a toddlers birthday. Don’t get me wrong they are a great crowd however the day was about my son and I realized I had not made plans for entertaining the kids that day.
Kids also need space to express themselves, run around, play and perform other interesting activities like eat sand, mimic adults and the uncanny art of spoiling things. The space though large enough, didn’t afford the kids that opportunity.
Making matters worse it rained that day. The rains came down hard and moved the little party inside. Needless to say, the party spirit of the kids was dampened and we had little room for both kids and adults to move around in.
I thus advised myself to stick to kids around his age range for his upcoming birthdays. Adults and kids together is a bit too complicated for my hosting abilities and takes away from the little man having his fun.
I think I can handle a day dedicated to kids calling me Uncle Paul and cross crossing between being a judge at a small case court handling toy disputes, a police man shouting “STOP IT!” at 10 minute intervals or less, being a face painter and dj.
Wow! That’s a lot. That however was me on my son’s 2nd birthday.

WhatsApp Image 2018-05-19 at 21.27.52 — Me and my son on his 2nd Birthday

I guess that’s why I wear the Superman shirt. Aside acting like a Superman in this party job that doesn’t pay cash, the real reason for multitasking and providing fun memories and love to kids is because of hope. Funny enough hope is the meaning behind the Superman symbol and not the letter “S” for Superman.
It’s all about hope. The hope that love will surround our children. The hope that they will remember the love we have for them. Most important is the hope that they focus on what’s important.

WhatsApp Image 2018-05-24 at 18.24.11 — My son’s tractor

Important could mean many things. For my son on his 2nd birthday, important was a green tractor with eye balls that after a year suddenly became his favorite toy and was only interested in driving it on the floor and imitating the engine sound “vroooom!”.

He could not be bothered about losing at musical chairs neither was he interested in cutting his cake. That’s why when the wind was against us when lighting the twenty four plus one candle I got him ( I thought blowing candles for the kids will be fun) I just left them in the cake. The birthday boy wasn’t interested in making wishes today.
As I said earlier being Superman for the day ain’t that bad when you are dealing with a son like mine. As long as it’s less than 20 kids, a few kid loving adults around and a couple of cute babies to play with I am down. Ice cream helps a lot too. Nothing gets children in a logo logo line like ice cream.

WhatsApp Image 2018-05-24 at 18.24.11 (1)

February 14, 2017

BoBo's Valentine

It was 10:30 PM Monday 13th February 2017 when I realized that I had not picked up a gift for my wife for Valentine’s Day. Luckily I was at Placito so decided to grab something to save my hide.
In my search for a Valentine gift I stumble upon a red valentine balloon filled with helium hanging out close to the ceiling.
When I pulled it down it rose right back up. The chemistry involved made me smile. In appreciation of what the helium molecules were doing as well as what my sly mind was thinking.
I decided to purchase it as part of my gift offering. (I won’t reveal what I got for the Mrs. Looking at how logos are being plagiarized I’m afraid my concept will be next ?)
Early this morning I surprised my wife with her gift. She loved it and as predicted, proceeded to giving the cute balloon to my son who had a field day with it this morning and got so tired that he is asleep as I type this.
He has never played with a balloon before. I don’t know what gives kids butterflies when they see or play with balloons but I was happy to share in his first balloon moment and used the opportunity to take pictures and videos.
Here is a comic strip I made just to capture the moment.

Coming to think of it I killed three birds with one stone.

Wife was happy with balloon
BoBo played with balloon and was happy
BoBo slept giving me time to write this post and get out of the house

If you want one just go to Placito Airport Shell branch. I am not sure how it does it’s magic but it just works.
From BoBo and I Happy Valentine’s Day.
Always keep it One HONDRED!
Will update you on how Ronning fared so far tomorrow. If you haven’t listened to it yet you can do so here.

October 8, 2016

Kalyppo KRAZY! – Top 10 Kalyppo Challenge Pics

Once upon a time a presidential candidate took a sip of Kalyppo and Ghana went KRAZY!
(Kalyppo is a fruit drink by Aquafresh Ltd popularly served in 250ml packs)

Kalyppo Pineapple Juice 250 ML — Kalyppo Pineapple Juice

If you are in Ghana and haven’t caught on to the Kalyppo social media sipping picture craze, then you are missing in on some serious fun.
The Trend
The trend apparently started when a picture of the NPP (New Patrotic Party) 2016 presidential candidate, Nana Akuffo Addo, circulated on social media networks.
Whether this started as a mockery or not is not clear. All we know now is that what begun as a simple quest to quench thirst, has blown up bigger than World War II.
(I guess Nana Akuffo Addo who I see as a bald Harry Potter has cast a spell on us all. Below is a bald me attempting to do the same.)

Hondred Percent taking the Kalyppo Challenge — Hondred Percent Kalyppo Challenge

The Challenge
The challenge is simple (Though never stated explicitly). Take a picture of yourself drinking Kalyppo (in a fun way of course) and post it up on social media.
The challenge apparently was started as a means to show support for NPP at this year’s presidential election. This however, is not why I joined. I took the challenge because I wanted to show my love for Kalyppo in a fun way.
The whole Ghana is now having so much fun with the challenge that vendors of Kalyppo according to pulse.com.gh are reporting record sales. The sales in the eyes of Mustapha Hamid, spokesperson for the NPP flag bearer, is an indication that the presidential candidate is hugely accepted by the populace. (Slow down my friend)
Why Is It Going Viral?
One should be careful of the interpretation of this Kalyppo trend. The challenge has reached a point where news agencies, politicians and journalists can gain valuable insight into why Ghanaians are participating in the trend.
In my view the challenge is going viral because of the following three factors:

Political: NPP supporters wanting to show support.
Brand Loyalty: Lovers of Kalyppo showing their love for the brand.
Fun: People just having fun.

I am not sure which factor leads the polls but I would appreciate feedback before speculation.
Great Opportunity, Poor Management
Despite the viral nature of the challenge, I feel Kalyppo, NPP and its flag bearer from a marketing perspective, are not milking this cow for what she is worth.
There is no clear call to action on the stakeholders social media pages supporting the challenge.
Possible NPP Marketing Strategies
By now there should be campaigns linked with Kalyppo on NPP’s social media pages. Party leaders should capitalize on the trend and participate in the challenge. Share Kalyppo at rallies and meetings and take selfies or just get Kalyppo vendors to attend with a promise of guranteed sales. (One Meeting One Kalyppo! Who won’t come?)
Official Hashtag
Is it #TheKalyppoChallenge, #KalyppoChallenge, #1Kalyppo1Change ?
The official hash tag has not been communicated properly. Official hashtags should be created for fans to use in support of the goal of the campaign.
(But alas ?, there is no goal to this. Definitely no driver in this trends driving seat. No wonder it’s viral cos that’s just crazy!)
Surely, whoever is managing the digital marketing of both Kalyppo and NPP are under capitalizing on this opportunity.
Kalyppo Strategy
Kalyppo should ride this wave and ride it fast. A challenge for the most fun picture with Kalyppo for people not interested in the politics of things should be launched with prize money. (I mean, it’s already happening. Ghanaian’s are trying to out do themselves in this challenge without guidelines already)
Sales are bound to soar for Kalyppo and will probably escalate should NPP win the election. The brand is reaping the rewards of the trend but needs to structure their marketing efforts to have greater impact on sales and brand awareness.
Food For Thought
This product has often been marketed as a drink for kids yet this trend is being driven by the working class.
Proper marketing can get kids and teens involved and expand the consumer base further driving sales.
I personally would advise going for a Guiness World Record. The atmosphere is right and Ghanaians will gladly participate.
Conclusion
Why this is happening is a mystery. I however believe a nostalgic desire merged with Ghanaian pride and in some cases, politics is the cause of this. Both NPP and Kalyppo however should do better to utilize this asset towards achieving their goals.
Well Kalyppo and NPP, I believe you owe me a cold Multi Fruit Kalyppo.
Before I sign off however, let me leave you with my top 10 Kalyppo Challenge pictures.
Top 10 Kalyppo Challenge Pics
The only rule: All pictures must be taken with a Kalyppo juice box in the picture

Obviously this is the reason why we doing this. Some will argue that it should be no.1 but I disagree. Definitely a classic but not the best.

Y’all are going to say this competition ain’t fair ?. (Well, suck on a Kalyppo!) I believe I took the first selfie with two Kalyppo drinks at the same time (Why does Future’s – Same Damn Time, play in my head at this very moment?)

Kalyppo Challenge - 3 Kalyppos — Kalyppo Challenge – 3 Kalyppos

I guess I didn’t hold the record for long ?. Genius over here beat me by making it three. Hey look we like the same flavour.

Kalyppo Challenge - Litre Challenge — Kalyppo Challenge – Litre Challenge

Whilst we are drinking juice packs this guy doesn’t do straw. He does liters.

Kalyppo Challenge - Gallon Challenge — Kalyppo Challenge – Gallon Challenge

This guy do all! Talk about taking things World Cup ?.

Kalyppo Challenge - Man drinking Kalyppo with Dog — Kalyppo Challenge – Man’s Best Friend

Dog is man’s best friend. What better way to enjoy Kalyppo than to share with a buddy. After all, this morning workout causes a sweat.

Kalyppo Challenge - Drinking Kalyppo via Handstandd — Kalyppo Challenge – Handstand man

Speaking of workouts, “I can do all things”, says hand stand man. I must say, that Kalyppo seems to be defying the laws of gravity. (Are we sure juju is not at play? ?)

Kalyppo Challenge - Manakin taking a sip of Kalyppo — Kalyppo Challenge – Kalyppo Manakin

I must admit this pic almost took number one. The creativity involved is too much. The manakin, the manakin’s weave, the fact that the weave is being styled and the stylist provides her client Kalyppo ?. This right here is customer service.

Kalyppo Challenge - Kalyppo Radiator Coolant — Kalyppo Challenge – Kalyppo Radiator Coolant

The caption to this pic says it all. The 8 GHC purchase earned this pic No.2.

Kalyppo Challenge - Kalyppo Pushup — Kalyppo Challenge – Kalyppo Pushup

Kalyppo in its finest moments- in the hands of a kind dictator. #KalyppoPushups (hey that could be the next trend)
A lot of marketing ideas have been given to Kalyppo for free out of love for the juice. Can you do better? Do you have a better Top 10? Comment below and let’s chat.
Hope you enjoyed this article. Drink Kalyppo and keep it One Hondred!

I have no political affiliation, just support for the Kalyppo brand.