New Phase Awaits...

A new phase is about to begin and as it is with most major events, I am not so overwhelmed with emotions as I should be. I am excited and happy but I am also indifferent.


It's just a defense or coping mechanism...I think. One built over the years. I mean, who wouldn't be super duper excited to be getting married to an amazing friend.

My perfectionist side kicks in once in a while and wonders if I'm ready for the journey ahead. The thought that soon, someone will call me "Husband" 😨and then a little later, "Daddy"? *screams internally*

The thoughts are more amusing than eye-popping. I look forward to going out and not bothering about having to drive 'her' home first and ensuring she's safe before heading back home because now we'll be heading to the same home.

I can't wait to wake up beside the love of my life.
I can't wait to make important life decisions with her.
I also can't wait to tell the kids to "pass me the remote" beside me.
I can't wait to say "Put it on my head" when they ask where to keep the meat we bought from the market 😎
I can't wait to look for 'her' trouble and sprinkle water on her while she oversleeps on weekend mornings.
I look forward to the arguments for they will come and amicably resolving them.
I look forward to swallowing my pride and ego to apologize when I am wrong.
I look forward to sex, not as a fulfillment of marital obligation, but an expression and outpouring of my genuine and sincere love for 'her'.
I look forward to being the spiritual marshal of my household.
I look forward to sharing victories and down-times, happy moments and sad ones.
I am uncertain of what the future holds but I am certain that with God, my family and I are sorted.

As with most [if not all things] with God, we never get the full picture at the start but as we keep trusting Him daily, he reveals what is required for the next phase and just like every door that leads to the next phase, here I am Lord, seeking your guidance. I am just human, flawed as one can be.

Lord, hear me today and let your grace, mercy and Love prevail.

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Talk is Cheap

Disclaimer: This is an open rant.

I am slowly getting weary of people who say one thing and their actions portray another thing. It's tiring and annoying sometimes and I just see it as a reflection of the said person's integrity. Please, this is not disputing the fact that we often make commitments and fail at them. That's only human.

But I mean outrightly and consistently promising, reassuring or declaring your commitment to something and then consistently acting out something else is plain disrespectful. But as they say, Talk is cheap. I'd say it's worthless nowadays. 'Cheap' even attaches some value to it. There are a few exceptions, often times from those who you don't even expect any level of commitment from, who go all the way to show consistent dedication to a cause.

If you have someone who shows dedication, whether to a cause, task, relationship or a job, hold them close and never let them go. If you are the inconsistent one, then in the interest of world peace, stop talking and start doing. We are weary of your antics.

Thank you.

 

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Get up 8 times!

I have spent the last 18 hours in front of this PC non-stop and ideally I should be tired and exhausted but I am definitely not giving up just yet.

So I tried fixing an email activation problem on a platform we just launched and it finally got to work some minutes ago. Almost 1am but it feels so beautiful to see hard work finally pay off. I will definitely get up happier knowing that things will get better.

I am learning to understand failure better. For whatever it takes, I can stare it in the face and stand my ground. NO more safer routes and familiar terrain. That's boring. Greatness like I said in my previous post is achieved one day at a time and part of greatness demands a shift from the norm, the usual, the common, the majority and a transition to the uncommon, the unfamiliar terrain.

That is where ability is truly stretched and flaws are probably more evident. However, our seemingly visible flaws are only a revelation of blind spots which helps us take action to correct them. Like the Bible says, the righteous man shall fall seven [7] times and will rise again [Proverbs 24:16]

Fall down seven and stand up eight. Success is good if it doesn't get to your head and failure isn't so bad if it doesn't get to your heart. So don't be afraid of failure. Get UP NOW!

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The Recovering Blogger

So now that our election has been shifted and it is likely that it may be shifted again from the new date of March 28th, I have serious concerns for my beloved country, Nigeria but then this is not the topic of today's post.

So I was looking through my past blog posts and was like wait o, there is a trend here. I post once, leave for a while, come back and apologize and then awayyyy again. So that's why I posted that guilt-inspired first post of the year some days ago on our election instead of following that trend. This is not to say that I'm 100% sure it won't happen but I shall try cos I miss this place!

I decided to update my Twitter bio from 'Creative Writer' to 'Recovering Creative Writer' because that is what I am right now. So so much has changed and I hope to update everyone with the relevant info that matters so I don't bore you.

Also, I have added a new title to my bio which is the Foodie aspect! 9jafoodie I hail o. I am honing my cooking skills at the moment and I must say some meals have turned out great while some? Chayeee...Diariz God. There was one beans I made one time like this ehn...if you see the way salt was competing for relevance with maggi...hmm...life of a pseudo-bachelor. 

I can also say my faith in God is something that has evolved over time and each day I learn more of his goodness and mercies. I am unapologetically grateful for how far he has brought me and the courage He has given me to take up this writing thing again and bless lives.

As simple as it may seem, I have struggled to define reasons why I write and to what end and kinda lost hope in trying to. But I'm thankful for friends who pushed, encouraged, threatened, appealed, pointed gun to my head and other things.

Another thing I'm dealing with is the current exchange rate which is not very cool AT.. ALL. The snapshot on the right was some days ago and all we can do is hope cos this isn't funny. I so much miss Naija in a weird way (yea, I know right...indirectly informing you as it is part of what I haven't updated you guys about so deal with it. Hehe)

But on a more serious note, it's not funny considering that my humble naira keeps falling like a meteor and it may get worse if elections don't hold as planned...which is likely from the indications.

I will share pictures of some of the things I made in subsequent posts but before that I have a deep throbbing question, have you ever wondered where BIG ideas come from??? Have you sat down to think about it? Like, have you?

My brethen, it is from this sizzling bowl of eba, okro and fish that I have chosen to torment you with show you below. Even the note can testify. Serving it in a plate was also a waste of precious time. Please don't judge.

"Big ideas are born from a bowl of eba" - Anon

 Hope to write up a poem or something soon. Peace!

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When do we draw the line in Giving + New Poem

If you've lived a greater part of your life in Nigeria or had someone fill you in on common occurrences that happen at times, then the subject of 'Giving' might make you have raised eye brows.

For most people, circumstances have probably shaped our attitude to giving. A friend once gave me the gist of a roadside beggar that he used to give money on his way to work every morning whom he later heard was building a house in his hometown with the proceeds from the day's 'job'. I laughed so hard at the passion and  regret with which he used to describe his 'hard-earned money'. Hehe...I saw a really pained man lament.

Let's not even go to the creepy stories of someone disappearing after giving money to a stranger on the main road. Never been proven though.

It's a bit ironic that sometimes (if not most times), giving frees up room to receive more. More like it makes us channels and not reservoirs. Channels are ever fresh with new supplies, reservoirs are kinda stale and can hold on to things for too long. Nothing is hardly ever new with a reservoir and once a reservoir gives, it becomes empty. But a channel, always new and fresh flowing.

I stumbled on this very touching video on YouTube (see below) that just tells a lot about the importance of giving even when it's not convenient at times. Hope you enjoy it.

Meanwhile check out my new poem on Imagination & Creativity.
Enjoy your weekend ahead!

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Response to 'Inspiring Blogger Award'

Soo, it just occurred to me that Relentless actually sent this award since like forever. Better late than never I guess. By the way, is it just me or a lot of bloggers have not updated their blogs in a while. Except I'm looking in the wrong places...
A big thank you to Relentless Builder who probably has forgotten about the award sef...

So here are the rules:

1. Display the award logo on your blog.
2. Link back to the person who nominated you.
3. State 7 things about yourself.
4. Nominate 3 - 7 other bloggers and link back to them.

Numbers 1 and 2 have been covered...So on to the next 2:

7 Random Things about Me

1. I can't keep an afro. I will just keep scratching the hair till I peel my scalp. Once the hair gets to a certain level...To the barber kiakia because it starts itching even after lubricating and washing normally.
2. I have an engineering background, an accounting career (mixed with IT), a passion for education (social sciences) and a writing hobby (Arts).
3. I cringe at typo errors (haha...do I see your eyes scanning for some here?). I always feel it's intentional and meant to disrupt world peace. Why would you make such errors. Why! :)
4. I do laundry at late hours. For reasons I don't even know. It just seems perfect and right!
5. I've been practicing this water therapy thingy I blogged about some time ago and it has been AWESOME!
6. I'm the most silent talkative I've ever met. If my thoughts could be connected to a loud speaker, you'd be amazed at the conversations and role-playing that goes on up there.
7. I've never been to Eastern or Northern part of Nigeria before :( I had an opportunity to go to a Northern state recently but the universe just misaligned and made sure it didn't happen. I visited Abuja (if it counts as North though) for the first time in May this year.

Soo, thats it!

And ...I nominate the following bloggers:

Huntly Anabs

Nikkisho

Dayor

Was too lazy to add more. You'd sure enjoy your visit to these awesome blogs. Have a great week!

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Explaining the hiatus

Hello wonderful people,

It feels so kinda weird that I totally went off for months without a word and I really feel I should apologize for that.

I got asked many times why I stopped blogging and truth is I don't know (strange...I know right!). I don't think it was writer's block cos there were countless times I had things to write but I just wouldn't know how to start.

It's funny how a platform that is usually an outlet used in expressing oneself suddenly feels the way I described.

I got carried away at a point with an idea on Education I was trying to push for. A process in which I did learn a lot. I tried registering the blog with a new domain but the silly thing hasn't worked yet.

Well, the good thing is I hope to write more and return to form. Also, I'll be introducing a guest Author soon who would publish under the poetry section. It' s all part of the strategy of not leaving my readers hanging while I'm not available.

I hope y'all understand though. Enjoy the rest of your week.

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When is the best retirement age?

It's 2am and I'm up already.
Not quite strange sha, especially as I didn't take a shower before going to bed the night before. Sleep is always interrupted when it happens like this. It's just a silly habit I formed that is now haunting me.

I've been given a slot to perform another piece at an official event in March. I've started writing it though and I think I want to do something out of my comfort which means more practice. *shivers*
First point of practice I guess would be at the monthly poetry reading I normally attend.

So a random thought jumped into my head as I tried to make good use of my awake time. "When is the best retirement age?" Occasionally, I see adverts on BRT buses on various Pension Administrators but one advert slogan that has caught my attention and possibly admiration (for the rhymes anyways) is Stanbic Pensions' which reads 'Today's swagger might be tomorrow's stagger'. Hehehe... I love the humor, yet serious sense of the ad.

So I was kinda thinking...when is the best age/time to start planning retirement?
What would one do in retirement?

We must have heard cases of people who died few years after leaving their jobs which I guess is due to physical inactivity and reduced social interaction. I doubt if retirement is really a function of age though.

I think it's a function of planning ahead though and planning early also. I have this friend who already has his children's school fees till secondary school planned for (he's gotten more than half ready). He's not married yet by the way. Oh sorry, I meant he's not even dating yet! I once thought he was plain crazy, paranoid and all sorts but really it's good to plan ahead. A Forbes article I read went on to give a few solid tips on planning early too.

At least, have a faint idea of when you wanna retire and how you wanna spend it. I believe it puts things in perspective and could even make you know how and where to channel your energy and resources to. Just my thoughts though.
I stumbled on another interesting article on the subject also.

So have you thought about retirement?
When do you think is the best age/time?
Share your ideas...

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A few Issues...

Here's hoping this post will break the jinx and I'm not in anyway trying to make light of the fact that I haven't dropped a word in months.

I've battled with so much guilt of not being able to write a single post and I'll try also not to be dramatic in explaining what has been going on.

Thing is...I'm kinda overwhelmed. There's so much clogged up in my head. So many things race through my mind per time that I hardly find the peaceful mental posture to pen down my thoughts. My greatest fear was even when I tried to write and couldn't figure what to write about. I guess it's a chronic form of writer's block I'm currently experiencing but keeping quiet about it hasn't helped. So here's me in my humble skin letting you in on the few issues I'm experiencing and hoping you'll understand as you've always.

Work has been a bit overwhelming and the perfectionist side of me has not helped either. I actually wrote a few things but never bothered to publish cuz it just never made any sense. So, I always thought to myself..."Okay fine, you can't write Michael, then soak yourself in more work". Only got worse. lol.

I missed the monthly poetry reading I normally  attend this January  which I only missed once last year. Well, enough of narrating the issues.

On a brighter side, some good things also happened:

- I read a poem at an official event in December and it was well enjoyed. When a partner walks up to you and gives you the 'Did-you-write-that-lovely-piece' look with a handshake, then you know it was a good one.

- Errm, I summoned the courage to re-write and put up one of the stories I talked about earlier in this post.

- The Hidden Ville comic by Koryarts finally got published. 

- I bought a new gadget that I'd been craving to buy since last year. I call her 'Regina'. lol!

- I met Huntly Anabs (a fellow blogger) in person and he visited me with a gift in December. I was elated!!!

- I discovered more on my walk with God.
- Super Eagles are in the AFCON 2013 Finals!

Though it's coming late, Cheers to a wonderful 2013 with you guys!

New Story!...Trending Now: Skydying

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Is Chivalry Dead?

I write this with great worry and concern...lol.
Okay, firstly I'm posting this from my e-mail so pardon me if it doesn't come out well formatted. Uggh! Phone typing is just major stress but I'll try as I don't want this to go just like that.
So back to the topic which is as clear as can be and I'll appreciate your honest feedback. I ask again, 'Is Chivalry dead???' Or is it on life support?
("Chivalry - the sum of the ideal qualifications of a knight, including courtesy, generosity, valor, and dexterity in arms...")
So what prompted this post is the seemingly subtle yet obvious rebellion against the 'perfect gentleman'. I had a discussion with a friend of mine and we drifted into guys being gentlemanly and all and she just poured out her mind of how she can't just stand a guy acting all nicey and opening doors for her and the unbearable chair-pulling stunts at the dinner table, to mention a few.
I remember Relentless' recent post on if there was existence of the Perfect Nigerian Gentleman.
Another scenario was in a church setting where the topic of what a guy looks for in a lady and vice versa was discussed. It was clear from the various opinions that most ladies were not fans of the 'Mr Nice' type of guy. In fact, the results took me aback and I was forced to think and come up with logical reasons to support why that was so.
We're in the times where trends show women breaking grounds in areas formerly seen as male territory in Career, business, government and many more sectors.
I personally offered to help a lady carrying two bags (laptop bag and handbag) with her laptop bag but she refused. Same lady, same scenario, different day, I gladly did not bother offering to help carry the bag as I guessed what the response would be. This time around she asked why I didn't go ahead to offer to help.
Shocked I gave the reason which was as result of the previous 'elah' and we laughed about it but she suggested that I should still had asked.
Men are natural protectors and want to show off that part of themselves to women by offering assistance to do some things for them. Although motives could vary, but I still think its cool to accept help when its offered.
So do you think Chivalry is dead? On life support? Or its has just simply been redefined in this present times.
Would love to hear your views...
Sent from my BlackBerry wireless device from MTN

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Blogging and my hiatus

It's been a constant struggle trying to put up a post for more than a month now.

Before I go on, I'm really sorry for the long silence. I thought it not wise to just put up something here without visiting your blogs so I had to do a lil visit round almost all the blogs I follow.

As you can see, we changed skin o, hehehe. Please help fill in the poll by the right sidebar. I'll appreciate it a lot!

Lots have happened in the past few days, my birthday, stress from everyday life, an encounter with a Sierraleonean  refugee, to mention a few.
I was ranting to a friend just this weekend of the number of things I was juggling and was advised to focus on things that matter. Blogging for me is one and you guys have just been super-duper awesome.

Hopefully, I've resumed fully now by God's grace. Wish you guys a lovely week ahead and stay tuned for some juicy stuff.

P.S.: Please let me know in the comments what you feel can be improved on. Thanks!

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Meeting a blogger + The big picture

It's a new week and I'm positive about how great it's going to be.

One of the highlights for blogging for me has always been meeting fellow bloggers face-to-face and I think it gets a lil more interesting when you see a familiar face and you wondering where you knew the person from.

So I saw a fellow blogger last week. Yay! Precisely Feyi (@msdawari) and I was shocked at first, cuz it was a bit dark at that time and I probably did not expect anyone to recognize someone you haven't met physically that easy at night. Twas fun really. Can wait to meet the rest of you in blogsville...(you know yourselves shebi ;-)  )

About that trip to the Equity Resort...Yah it was another round of fun again.

I think I'd define my weeks so far as a bit on the edge as I've been overwhelmed with things to do.

But in all I learnt something from a book I'm currently reading 'Thinking for a Change' by John Maxwell. It called the 'Big Picture thinking'.
It sure helps you put things in perspective as you tend to have the big picture in mind which might be a goal we want to aspire to reach in life or a dream desire. Big picture thinking helps you engage in activities that are productive in achieving that goal.

Big Picture thinking would make an aspiring writer find time to read and write in the midst of 'activities'.
Big Picture thinking would make an aspiring fashion designer start scouring fashion mags and blogs to widen his/her view.

Thing is we could get so muddled up with activities that we forget why and what we were called to 'be'. That is actually the big picture. It must always be in-view.

Here's one of the pinshurs...

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MIA Series: Pt 2 - The wedding and forgetfulness

I must say with all sincerity that the highlight of my week was reading the comments from you guys on my last post.

You people sha know how to make someone's head swell ehn. Okay lemme confess small: When I put up the post, I felt like it just did not sound right to just badge in, out of the blues and be expecting comments. But you all just proved that blogsville still remains a family. Family always accepts you.

I've been to some blogs and hope to visit more to know what y'all have been up to.

So I was given the cherished privilege to this wedding where I was asked to be on the grooms train (second time doing that *wears bad guy shades*)
Before the D-Day, groom had called series of meetings (about 3) with the guys & ladies on the train to discuss plans and all. You can guess that I didn't attend any. I really would have loved to with all sincerity.

Anyways, to cut long story short, I had set reminders on my BB, added the calendar, though I could not join the BB group cuz of my inactive BIS (been away for months, can't keep up with that thing. sheesh!).
In my head o, I sha knew it was August 18 and I relied on my phone who happens to double as my PA, to remind me.

Friday, August 17, best man calls me to remind me of the wedding by 9am tommorrow. I was happy.
But I think in the midst of my excitement, I mistook 'tommorrow' as 'next week'.

So I woke up on this beauriful saturday, checked the time...8am...checked the date...18th...somethinng didn't feel right...na so reminder just pop up! SEYI'S WEDDING - 1hour to go. I.WAS.MAD. 8:10am already

1 minute - Brush
2 minutes - Baff
7 minutes - Look for shoe all around the room
2 minutes 32 secs - Wear cloth (Luckily, I had those ready as I'd ironed for the week)

(8:22am)

28 secs - Rush out of out house
1 minute - Rush back to grab address (Luckily again I had checked directions on Google Maps the previous week)

Discovered the place was just 15 minutes drive from Ikeja. I.WAS.HAPPY
8:40am. I was there! Just in time for the pictures:

That's me walking in. Mr Latecomer

Has this happened to you guys before. Forgetting about a very important event? Or getting late to a very important meeting or date. Would like to know if this has happened before or I need to go for therapy. lol.

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MIA Series: Pt 1 - What I've been up to.

Ladies and Gentlemen...

Where do I start from sef. I know right! You don't need to say it *dodges shoe*

I was at at point beginning to think it was some e-curse that I had contracted which actually is part of the reasons I've been inactive for quite a while. I truly missed blogging and I will tell you in actual fact that I made attempts to blog but end up dumping it as the words didn't just always feel right.

(Did I mention I have perfectionism tendencies?)

It's a strength and a big weakness and I've decided to write something however it may sound (to me).

Highlights of where I've been, what I've been up to and what I've learnt; which I'll be talking more in-depth about in series include:

- Finishing 1 and a half books ('Rules of Work' - Richard Templar & 'How Stupidity Saved My Life' - Okechukwu Ofili)

- Hanging out at a beach resort for a couple of days

- Attending September Edition of the 'Loudthotz Poetry Reading'

- Visiting the Boys' Remand Home in Oregun with an NGO

- Being on the groom's train on a wedding

Anyways these are just about the major events that I have been involved in which I'll just talk about with the aim of sharing some things with you.

Hopefully, the writing jinx is broken. I feel the rush already and I'm optimistic about what lies ahead on the writing horizon. (LOL! I made that up, sounds cooool).

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Happy New Month! + 2nd Anniversary Audio Shoutout

Happy New Month to y'all!!! May this August bring you all the good things you desire. Amen.

As you all know, today marks our 2nd year anniversary at Mikesfrequency. Here's the Audio shoutout below. :-) Enjoy!

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My Awesome weekend + Blog Anniversary

Yes! Just as the title shows, I had an awesome weekend! Not exaggerating.
Highlight of it was that I finally met Myne Whitman.


Myne and I @ the 'Book N Gauge' event

Friday
--------
I concluded on a project that I'd been on for a while which was a big relief. Headed to a friend's house only to find out that Olympics Opening Ceremony was showing.

Did you guys see the epic jump by the 'Queen'. LOL! Tim Berners-Lee's appearance (Inventor of the WWW)! Mohammed Ali's appearance? Mr Bean's performance... O_O *faints*, David Beckham on that boat.?

Sports sure unites nations. It was a sensational opener (Sure you know that). And what do you guys think of our Team Nigeria Athletes? They looked gorgeous shey.

So I hear D'Tigers have made a statement win by beating Tunisia in the Basketball while a couple of other athletes have dropped out in some events. Watch out for our first-ever Nigerian canoeist, John Akinyemi.

Saturday
----------

At the Book reading

I met Shai and Kaycee of Naija Stories at the book reading event 'Book 'N' Gauge' where I also met Myne Whitman.
After this, I visited this techie place with a couple of friends...Co-Creation Hub Nigeria. Awesome for techies with startup ideas who need a space to work or just resources to collaborate with. You should check out their website. Cool place.

After this, I had Sharwarma I'd been looking forward to devouring after such a long while. Sorry no pictures. :-P

Then it was a lovely ride home listening to Andrea Bocelli, arguing about who loves him more, talking about other things friends talk about when they meet. I had fun.

Blog Anniversary
---------------------
We shall be two years old on August 1 by the way. *fireworks* *applause* Sankyo Sankyo!


Mikesfrequency is 2!

Any suggestions??? I'll appreciate it. Thanks. If I haven't visited your blog in a while, watch out for me this week.

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Updates so far on the comic + other news

Okay, I've missed so much activities in Blogsville. Hope your weekend's going great?

Did I miss Myne's visit to Nigeria again? *sigh* Second time running. Just checked her blog and saw the pictures. Hope not to miss the next one though. In other news, we shall be 2 years old a few weeks from now. :-D

Last year we did a video shoutout and a song also. This year I guess I could use some ideas from you guys. Something out of the normal. Suggestions are welcome please. Sankyo!

Okay, Its basically been a bit clogged up in my head with the numerous daily activities. We're currently experiencing some challenges with the printer for the 'Hidden Ville 'comic who from my understanding did a very poor job. That's the reason I haven't updated you guys since.


Do you know MIT and Harvard have collaborated to launch an online learning platform with the same quality of course materials at both institution accessible to over 1 Billion connected people FOR FREE? This for me is a major milestone in E-Education. You could read about it to get a better feel.

In other news, what do you guys think about the current situation in Nigeria. I don't even know where to begin from. Do you think we still have a chance to make things right irregardless the numerous predictions so far and the ailing situation of the state?


I'd like you to visit this link in the flyer below to view this awesome content distribution website that's hitting the NIgerian scene.

Cheers!

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Missed you guys! + Skydiving

Apologies for keeping my peeps hanging for this long. It was due to some unforeseen circumstances such as my expired internet subscription amongst other things.

If I haven't visited your blog, I will try to do so very soon. Missed this space much.

In the mean time, I hope you read the piece I dedicated to the victims of the Dana aircrash.

Also, I personally have gotten my own copy of Atilola's book, 'Antonyms of A mirage' at the June poetry reading.

Grab your copy nowwww...

The quality is just excellent and I'm so proud of Atilola.

We are definitely not ignorant of the happenings around us and all I can say is there is no other wise thing to do than to keep praying for Nigeria and its citizens plus those in diaspora. Sometimes I'm tempted to just blank out everything media-related (radio, TV, etc) as I know its just full of negativity/junk. I've been off BBM for two months now and I can clearly say my life has never been easier.

So much information is at our disposal with so many tools that technology has enabled to help save time and make life easier. Sadly enough, the reverse is the case. More ignorance, Lesser time for the things that count. There's so much to be concerned about but nonetheless...

I find consolation in words from the bible which say:

"Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus." - Phil 4:6-7

May we experience peace in all we do.

I stumbled on this video on Facebook and just couldn't help laughing till my tummy hurt.

LOL! Patrickkkqqueeeee!!!!!

While I was laughing, my thoughts drifted to how much I would love to bungee-jump or skydive someday (would have written my last testament by then sha). I then stumbled on this awesome video. Please watch and know that there is a life after Lagos hold-up. (for those in Lagos)

All I can say is Bliss...

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...A sad day in Nigeria...

Sad Sad weekend here in Nigeria. Refreshing webpages, Twitter timelines, Facebook updates and I just can't seem to come to terms that all these have happened in one day.

This morning was the reported news of a bomb blast in Bauchi killing 12 people.

Hours later, I hear over the phone that a plane has crashed in the Iju-Ishaga area in Lagos State.

Rescue operations
Photo credit: SaharaReporters

Minutes later and people are spreading rumours of the death of the 96-year old wife of the late Awolowo.
It's really sad the way we react in times of crisis. I've seen various bashings, comments against the President, system and the usual everyday reactive responses. However nothing would be as comforting as praying for the involved families.


A friend spoke of a family of 6; father, mother and 4 children being wiped out.



News report on Channels TV says, "They were 11 nautical miles from MMA*". i.e. approximately 20.372km from landing.

Scene of the crash site
Photo credit: Y! Naija

Plane was seen not to nosedive as is the common type of crash but actually struggling and moving in a zig-zag manner with the nose facing up before landing with its belly on the 2 storey-buildings.

On May 10, 2012, this same Dana Air was reported to have initiated an emergency landing for some technical reasons.

My heart goes out to the families involved. May God comfort their hearts.

Manifest of the passengers on-board the flight can be found on the Y! Naija website.

Photonews of the rescue operations can be seen on the Sahara Report website.

Here are some comforting scriptures I found that I'd love to share with all concerned:

"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." - John 14:27
"He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away." - Rev. 21:4

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Experiment with imagery + Comic updates

Happy to be posting something finally. My internet had some issues during this weekend although, I had typed out this post before.

Last week was filled with so much to do and the good part is I'll be taking some days off this week to focus on the upcoming comic project.

Really would like to thank Myne for helping with the publicity on her blog. I was really happy and encouraged when I read the post.

We were supposed to have a proper launch event for it on June 2nd but when we did a cost-benefit analysis of that, it just did not appear right.

I just finished reading Chimamanda's 'The Thing Around Your Neck' and it's been fun so far. Her use of imagery and powerful description is just awesome.

I tried to experiment and here's what I came up with:

'Charles stopped and looked at the map again. The tall Mahogany trees did little to occasionally shield the oncoming sunrays from his eyes. Rivulets of sweat trickled down the side of his face as he stared hard again into the dog-eared map with blurry lines and text.


He mumbled some words to himself and finally made a loud sucking noise as his face creased into a frown; eyes squinting.


The same sucking sound he made when he discovered all the trees looked the same; the same sound he made when his pair of glasses was washed away rapidly in the currents of the Pulumba stream that he hoped to find again; the same one he would make when he met a native that spoke the 'Kachoki' dialect he never understood; and the same sucking sound he would make - this time with a sigh of relief and glee as he heard the sound of a rushing stream in the distance.


Tucking the map back into the back-pocket of his blue mountain shorts, he ran his thumb through the strap of his backpack and hunched his shoulder to adjust it into position; continuing the search for familiar landmarks.'

So what do you think guys?

What did you understand from the story?

What can you say is the current state of the main character?

(I'd appreciate feedback *big grin*)
So this week, I'd definitely update you guys on how you could help support the comic project on your wonderful blogs.
Have a great week...!

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