The Farce of Modern Governance

So George Bush is imploring American tax payers to shell out more money to offset the financial crisis caused by a greedy few? Who are those greedy few? Did he mean to say myself, my govt and the big corporations? Because if he said that he wont be further from the truth. I am sick and tired of people solely dumping the downturn of the capital market at the doorstep of bankers. These people were just instruments of greed used by government and big corporation to grab capital that was then used to fight Iraq war and used to buy up smaller companies just to face off competition within the market. Take the advertising industry for instance, there are only 7 major companies in the world who own a network of other companies. So it could be said that these giants basically control the advertising revenues of the developed nations and some notable developing countries like India and Nigeria. The banks have to make this funds available to them but they try to make us believe they are doing it for us. If we don’t give this people money to run businesses then you may not be able to buy that cheap item of clothing or furniture which is a total lie.

Mass production made it possible for people to develop false needs. If these manufacturers did not manufacture these things and then engineered our minds to make us believe we need them then we'd only be a people who used what we really needed, namely clothing, food and shelter. I am not about to slate technology because mobile phones and automobiles are a great invention but who really needs a touch sensitive phone for instance? Hello! I've got fingers and they're not broken. Or a car where I could watch TV when my attention should really be on the road and I can go back home and watch TV on a better screen. They even managed to make us believe we need HDTV so that we can see the wrinkles in Ellen Degenres' face. Better picture they call it but why don’t you just give me a slap on my face and ask me to hand over my money. We now live in a world where success is judged on ones material possession and the likes of Victoria Beckham can go to the newspaper and say my perfume empire is worth £109million. Looks like that's really news these days. Now Russia wants to go claim ownership of some part of the Antarctic…money money money and now the whole world is crumbling just because there is less of it in circulation. How could man become such a servant to what it made? I didn’t hear God say when he finished creation that go and be servants to the animals…I thought it read go and have dominion over the animals and the things of the world.

By all means if Americans are happy to bail out the banks it will be the way to go but will the government act this time? Will they ensure that legislation is put in place to protect people more, that banks do not give credit to those who clearly cannot pay and those hedge fund people stop making greedy deals? I am not an economist and I don’t know how these things work but I know that the government sat on their butts the whole time lapping up the glory that comes from a perceived economic buoyancy when in fact the whole thing was built on a farce. God just look at it, who thought Lehman Bros could fall? Anyway this is where the rant stops but I just hope that these morons in government will learn a vital lesson here that greed can bring you money only for a short period but will probably wreak more havoc than they can handle.

Have a wonderful week!

Trouble Sleep Yanga Go Wake Am

That is what our people in Nigeria say in Pidgin English when one decides to go look for trouble by perhaps doing a stupid thing. In this case trouble was taking a stroll away and I decided to go and tap it by the shoulders.

How did it start? Well I found my old address book from Nigeria. This is not a joke but the number of complimentary cards I found was enough to make a paper machie house. Most girls in Nija will testify to this, when you go out you are bound to meet some big man somewhere who's looking for a fresh blood to devour. Often they are rich, married, way older than you and with bellies bigger than that of a 9 months pregnant woman. But somehow back in the days it shows some sort of street smart pride when your wallet is adorned by complimentary cards of Senators or oil boys even if you don't really take them as Aristos. I had a few good ones myself and I found one of such ones in my stash of complimentary cards. Now the man in question is not exactly top notch but he worked for Chevron and your girl was trying to get into the company then. So I pallied him up only that he wanted more than I could give so I severed our friendship and kissed goodbye to the Chevron job he was going to help me with.

Fast forward 6 years yours truly decided to give him a buzz having found his card but I didn't know I was setting myself up for trouble. The buzz was just to say hi o...now I know why they say that an idle mind is the devils works shop. He remembered me quite alright and we chatted about a few things here and there asked for my number which I gave to him thinking he'd never call anyway. Now that mistake is almost costing me my sanity now. Man refuse to back down on his calls o. He basically intends to blow up my phone and he's driving me outta my mind. He even said that he's coming to London next month to see me. See me see wahala, ki la gbe, ki le ju? (I dont know the translation to that one, that's some Yoruba slang). Anywhoos at that point I knew I had to act so I told him that seeing him will be tough o cos I live with my partner. He went into a stony silence and then suddenly exclamated, "you live with a man?!" I was like shoo, since when did that become a crime but I forgot that those things are frowned upon in Nigeria. Only that was not the reason for his shock, the real reason was that because I called him he felt that I wanted us to be an item. I mean from where to where? For all I care this man could have gone grey and I could have become yokozuna in the 6 years we haven't seen. Why would a 2 minute call to you suggest that I want to shag you on your next trip to London? If I didn't have anything to do with you sexually then, why would I do now? It still irks me that he even thought along those lines at all and I'm really wondering at the state of men/women affairs in Nigeria. Frankly I don't find it funny and I dont think its proper at all. Hopefully that will put him off ever calling me again.

Really men are wired differently but at least now I've learnt my lessons. When next I see trouble, I'll take the back road. I siddon look...

For Friends

This goes out to my dear friend, Ruvimbo. We met 5 years ago at the criminal law class in undergrad, we hit it off immediately and people wondered whether we were sisters. Problem was our accents gave us away, she's from Zim and I from Nig but the bond was formed. We've been through a lot together and we never stopped talking about our numerous relationship problems and our career plans.

We hardly saw each other but kept in touch via phone and we held such important places in each others heart. Her sojourn in the UK is over for now and she's moving on to bigger and greater things in SA. My heart and prayers go with her while I'll physically miss her. Ruvimbo you've been more than a friend and I love you so much. I am so glad I have this opportunity to organise a leaving do for you and am glad we'll be spending your last few days in the UK together. 

P.S.
Everyone in blogville you've been a pillar for me. I've not had much chance to do my blog rounds but I'll get to it soon.

Love to all!

24 Hour Miracle

I just want to thank everyone from the bottom of my heart for your support during my down time. I feel so blessed having you all to support and I am sure you will be rejoicing with me now that my respite has come. My psyche experienced a turn around in 24 hours and it is a miracle indeed for instead of being emotionally drained and unhappy, I am leaping in joyfulness. I got a news which for many may be considered bad news but in truth it was good news. The person I received the news about is the singular reason I hadn't made much progress in a certain part of my life for the last 2 years and I am glad that I am now free of that bondage.

My facebook status now reads God's WAY may not be the OBVIOUS way but it is ALWAYS the BEST way and instead of singing Brandy's Almost Doesn't Count, I'm now singing My Life is in Your Hands by Kirk Franklin

You don't have to worry

And don't you be afraid

Joy comes in the morning

Trouble they don't last always

For there's a friend in Jesus

Who will wipe your tears away

And if your heart is broken

Just lift your hands and say

Oh I know that I can make it

I know that I can stand

No matter what may come my way

My life is in your hands

With Jesus I can take it

With him I know I can stand

No matter what may come my way

My life is in yours

So when your test and trials

They seem to weigh you down

And all your friends and loved ones

Are no where to be found

Remember there's a friend in Jesus

Who will wipe your tears away

And if your heart is broken

Just lift your hands and say

Oh I know that I can make it

I know that I can stand

No matter what may come my way

My life is in your hands

With Jesus I can take it

With him I know I can stand

No matter what may come my way

My life is in yours

Have a good and blessed week everyone and please participate in the poll I put up. Mucho Gracias!

Feeling Blue

Yea...I've been feeling uncharacteristically melancholic...too many emotions running amok and and I have a lot rummaging through my thoughts. I cant narrow them down to something in particular. I hate this feeling and to make matters worse a lot of sad love songs have been playing in my head but this feelings go beyond love. It definitely has to do with much more than that. I am a Christian but yesterday I felt like seeing a clairvoyant, a palm reader or anything, anyone just for a quick fix answer.

I feel like I'm involved in some sort of waiting game, what for I dont have a tiny clue and at this point am singing Brandy's Almost Doesn't Count

Almost made you love me
Almost made you cry
Almost made you happy, baby
Didn't I didn't I
You almost had me thinkin'
You were turned around
But everybody knows
Almost doesn't count

Almost heard you saying
You were finally free
What was always missing for you, baby
You'd found it in me
But you can't get to heaven
Half off the ground
Everybody knows
Almost doesn't count

I can't keep on lovin' you
One foot outside the door
I hear a funny hesitation
Of a heart that's never really sure
Can't keep on tryin'
If you're looking for more
Than all that I could give you
Than what you came here for

Gonna find me somebody
Not afraid to let go
Want a no doubt be there kind of man
You came real close
But everytime you built me up
You only let me down
And everybody knows
Almost doesn't count

Maybe you'll be sorry
Maybe you'll be cold
Maybe you'll come runnin' back, baby
From the cruel cruel world
Almost convince me
You're gonna stick around
But everybody knows
Almost doesn't count

So maybe I'll be here
Maybe I'll see ya 'round
That's the way it goes
Almost doesn't count

Almost doesn't count...for love, career, family, everything...and right now, I feel all am getting is almost.

When will the fullness come?

Kismet

This thing they call destiny, fate…whatever do you believe in can be interwoven? People born of different races, creed, background can come together in the future and their fates meet each other. At first one does not know where it is heading, but if one sits back and watch, one will see how it unfolds.

It is with heavy heart I announce the death of my cousin's baby father. Those who follow my blog ardently will know her story. I still haven't heard from her, her mum is hiding away from the family but from a reliable source came the news this morning that he was shot dead right in front of his home by a gang of armed robbers. I am a very sad girl today even though the guy and I did not get on he certainly had something remarkable about him and I am sure my cousin saw even more beyond that.

Where does fate come into this you ask? Well my cousin grew up in America and she had a brother who got into gangs there. He was a rapper and belonged to the West side then he got caught up in the whole Tupac Biggie brouhaha and was shot dead a few months after Tupac died too. Those who know how these gangsters operate would know that it was not just Tupac who died during that time that so many other underground and unknown rappers died too. Sadly he was one of them. He was shot by a drive by shooting in front of a supermarket. He was the only son my aunt had, he was never married neither did he have a child. So really my cousin was the only child that remained for my aunt and it was not before long before she started to misbehave too which culminated in her having a child out of wedlock and for a guy who was well you know what. It is wrong to speak ill of the dead.

As naïve teenagers then, we persuaded my cousin to terminate the pregnancy but words filtered through to her mum and when she got wind of it she made her keep the baby. Thank God for that because now that my cousin is no where to be found, and her brother died years ago, that boy remains the only solace for my aunt. See where fate comes in? Or maybe I'm just trying to see something good out of a pretty bad situation. Now to the baby father who just died, he misbehaved for a long time and was almost cast out by his family. He terrorised a lot of people and it was rumoured that he was involved in cultism and even robbed people sometimes. Fate caught up with him somehow and now he's six feet under but that seed that he planted a few years ago is still here. His son will now be the source of joy both to his parents and to my aunt. I pray that he grows up to be all they wanted his father to be and even more. Deaths in Texas and Lagos, a child born illegitimately, but becomes a beacon of hope for the future. Kismet!

Life is strange, this world baffles me but when things happen and we have no explanation someone supreme knows it all and it is that being we should take everything to. That being is called so many names and I call that being my God, the light that shines my path and sees me forth to a good end.

RIP to the dead ones!

Forbidden Love and Love Misconceptions

I decided to put up this post because of the result of an earlier poll I conducted. A total of 25 people gave their opinion and just over a half of them said yes they would date the friend of an ex. To me that's a very startling result. When I put up that poll I expected more people to go for the "Are you mad" answer and those who would be in the affirmative to be in the minority. On the other hand I am happy that perhaps we as a people are moving away from those factors that forbade us to love. Perhaps we're gradually coming to the realisation that what matters at the end of the day is love? What really is love though?

In my last post I highlighted the situation that occurred between me and the friend of an ex. On reflection, I know now that I rejected him not because he was a friend of my ex but because I just didn't like him enough. Since that time, a friend of another ex has crossed my path and even I am surprised at the amount of feelings I have for him and if circumstances permitted us to be together then I'd gladly jump at the opportunity. Bottom line is when you really like someone and you know within yourself that this person is good for you and you both have honorable intentions, why should something such as him or her being a friend of your ex stop you from experiencing something most people want but only few are lucky enough to have? I am inclined to believe that the seven respondents who said they didn't know if they would date the friend of an ex could change their mind if given good reasons. If the other person is able to prove to them and make them see why they ought to be together, I want to believe that they would welcome the idea. Of course I may be wrong but this is totally my opinion.

Some people would argue that if you once loved your ex then you should never consider his friend later however much time may have passed since you last dated him/her. I started dating now a little under a decade ago and I still cant grasp the full understanding of the word 'love'. I was having a rather interesting chat with someone last week and he asked me if I had ever being in love. I answered saying I thought so but I get confused what love really is sometimes. He then offered a definition saying it is "that feeling that you feel what you never felt before". Yea I've heard that before except that my experience of falling and being in love has defied this modest definition time and time over. I know for certain I've been in love more than once and on those occasions the feeling did feel brand new and perhaps more intense than the previous but it's only a matter of time before I feel like that again where my previous feelings have been dashed. This is not to suggest that I fall in and out of love easily because there is usually a perfectly good reason why I fall out of love. I've been in love with someone I could never be with ever again in my life and don't they say that love never dies?

People say that if you fall in love with someone and later fall out of love with that person then it was not love in the first place but how many people do you know who married that boy or girl they were so crazily in love with for a long time? Most people do not get married to their so-called first love. At least its been eons since I heard such stories. There was always someone before there was you but it does not mean that the former was more special than the latter or does it? Certainly not in most cases or am I just naive? My believe that if you fall in love with someone and it is not watered or if such love does not have the right avenue to grow strong then it will eventually die. It doesn't mean that you never loved, it just meant that you either didn't try enough to keep that love or maybe you tried and the other person just made it extremely difficult for you to keep on. As they say, it takes two.

One of the other things I hear about love is that when you love someone you cant develop feelings for someone else but I know for sure that this is not true. Just because you're in love with someone does not mean that your potential feelings for others will automatically die. It's what you do when you feel for someone else that tests how strong the love you have for the first person is. People just tend to believe that love is all they need and that's where they get it wrong. You cant just have love and then forget about the other factors that makes you a whole person. I liken love to the acceleration you apply to a car to get it going. Yes the car may be a Lamborghini with whatever cylinders and metallic coating and a tank full of  the finest fuel you can get, if you dont get into the driver seat, start the engine and move the car then it is as good as useless. You may even move the car and then drive recklessly and find yourself in the ditch. Love needs careful maneuvering and alertness, it needs looking after and constant polishing. In real life situation we are talking about things such as being faithful, patient, nurturing, attentive, understanding, appreciative, respectful etc. Yes the love you have for someone may want you to want to practice all these things, but it may not necessarily make you practice them. You have to make yourself do so, love just makes it easier to but it is never enough. 

Finally I want to ask the question, does being in love hold the satisfaction one needs to live a fulfilled life? I always wondered but I have come to the realisation that perhaps not. For some it may just be their career and others some adrenaline fueled adventure. I am still finding out where my real satisfaction lies and I'm not sure if I want it to be love cos hmmmm...I rest my case!