My Talking Beginnings

Africa!

2008-09-22T13:09:00.002+01:00

Once again, we are reluctant witnesses to history, as Thabo Mbeki resigns as president of RSA. I am distinctly aware that, as Jacob Zuma prepares his ascendancy, we witness the beginning of South Africa's decline. Once again, Africa allows itself to be taken over by vision less "leaders" with no ideological direction and worse, love for other Africans. What a terrible shame...

Persepolis

2008-06-21T11:27:00.004+01:00

It doesn't feel like the summer at the moment, not least because of the awful weather we are having but also because of dire news that seems to be the trend nowadays. People dying, the possiblity of the peak oil theory happening as we live it and more. Still, humans were made to survive and i still have to go to Japan -:)
I recently saw the brilliant movie persepolis, originally a comic book by French-Iranian author Marjane Satrapi. This comes at the time that i read Wole Soyinka's semi-autobiographical book, you must set forth at dawn. Both texts highlight similar issues, power, ideology, social inconsistencies and even social cycles. It isn't pleasant information to absorb, especially as we consider the suggestions that certain societies have and will always function in anarchy. Those who have read Mr Soyinka's book will understand. I will however, suggest to those who have not seen the movie, persepolis, to either get the graphic novels or see the movie. Read more about it here and even more about its apt title here. Its poignancy particularly hits home to those in diaspora as the seconday themes the text explores are those of dissillusionment when you move abroad and how a lack of ideology back home may not be such a bad thing afterall...
On the subject of Wole Soyinka's book, i will honestly admit that i am struggling. You must set forth at dawn, so far, is a very interesting read;however, one tends to get the impression that the story teller is an old grand-dad who recounts his past in short stops whilst dozing inbetween on a lazy saturday afternoon. Of course, i say this with the utmost respect for the gentleman. Perhaps i am wrong. I am only halfway through the book and it is still early days yet. Perhaps my perspectives shall change as i read on....
On the subject of writing, Dele Momodu regurgitates another ill-researched, ill-written piece that just makes me....you guessed it, quite ill! His saturday pieces are like car crash tv, one is just drawn to in a morbid trance like state. You can read it here for your judgements.
On the subject of deaths, i hear Oliver De Coque has unfortunately passed away. May his soul rest in peace. Perhaps those murderous cretins who currently run Nigeria might want to take a lesson for this and see that nothing lasts forever....

Parade

2008-06-14T13:00:00.002+01:00

In Britain, most watch the 'trooping in color' event if they can. In British tradition, the queen has two birthdays (April the 21st actually) but an all out parade is performed in the summer anyway when the weather is better. In front of my flat, there was a parade just now, which makes one appreciate Britain even more. Its glorious traditions are just brilliant. It was completely fascinating to see all the soldiers, tunics, bearskins and all, marching soberly across the walk. I took pictures, which i shall upload later, meanwhile read more about it here...

Britain!

2008-06-13T15:40:00.003+01:00

Britain is going through an interesting time at the moment. The economic turmoil is being felt, albeit at the bottom only. Last sunday's Times writes about how Britain's rich carry on with the game in Monaco whilst there might be oil shortages as tanker drivers strike. Gosh, sounds very third world doesn't it? This vast economic divide, potential fuel shortages...now what does that remind me of?
Meanwhile, the political landscape becomes even more turbulent (thats not the right word but it seems more exciting). The Irish vote against the EU (technically) and the Tories pull a stunt (for thats what it is). What is most interesting about David Davis's so-called gallant call for a challenge against those who try to "assult our civil liberties"* is how this episode has shown just how gullible the British public are. Of course, shortly after the David Davis commons episode (David Davis is the UK Shadow home secretary who resigns as minister to protest the government's new terror laws), the public immediately rushed to congratulate him as the last bastion of democracy and so on...which is what the Tories expected.
The media tells us that Tory leader Dave Cam knew nothing about the coming resignation, which i do not believe. The tories expect us to believe that a front bench shadow minister, triggering a bye-election in a tory safe seat is actually gambling anything? Of course he isnt! What is clearly going on, is that, once again, the Tories take away what might appear to be dour Gordon's apparent victory whilst keeping attention on the controversial bill and making the man's popular move...er, unpopular. What might put the spanner in the works of the whole thing is if the Sun newspapers actually field a candidate and...win???? anyway, read all about it, here
Meanwhile, three ex-generals that lead Nigeria have the temerity to suggest that Abacha did not steal or destroy that country. If only those villanous cretins would consider what has happened to Adedibu of late....
*(for those who do not live in the UK, the government wants to extend the time it can keep terror suspects locked up for without charge, something that has proved popular with the voting public but unpopular with some, including the other political parties)

British summer time

2008-06-10T13:37:00.006+01:00

Finally, we get a glimpse of British summer time. It won't last however, apparently, it goes back to grey tomorrow. However, its been great the last couple of days. This is not to say that Britain isn't beautiful in its greyness. A little sunshine, as has occurred recently usually means a mad rush for flip flops, awful hawaiin shorts and tacky sunglasses but what about the other three hundred days of grey?
Well i can prove that Britain is still beautiful in its greyness. Witness the pictures i took in the park across the road from my flat...aren't they lovely (even if i say so myself ) :-))

Nigerians boycott BA...

2008-04-10T18:41:00.002+01:00

Read this entry on Chxta's blog and i think its an outrage. Something must be done! There i was considering flying home this christmas and of course, thinking of BA....but no more! I will not fly BA this time around, they're nonesense is too much.
Sign here to get something done about it.
thanks chxta for the link!

Global madness?

2008-04-09T17:05:00.002+01:00

Has the world gone mad? Obviously the British government have the wires crossed where this man is allowed to stay and this poor woman, deported to her death. The world faces a recession they say, anyone thinking Kondratiev?
Click here for linford christies best races in the 90's. What is most interesting from a Nigerian perspective is to imagine that at one time, Nigeria had up to three sprinters in the sprints finals. Where did we go wrong? Silly question obviously. When i was younger i idolised the ezenwa twins....enjoy!

Poverty and splendour

2008-04-03T16:58:00.003+01:00

I came across this article on the late Billionaire Mai Deribe, and it sums up one of the crushing issues with Nigeria. In a recent discussion with a friend, i argued that one of my fears of moving back to Nigeria is not the abscence of basic comforts that is sure to follow but the numbness to poverty that is standard. I admit that i never noticed poverty in Nigeria until i moved abroad to live...now, it is ever so stark!

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie in the Guardian

2008-04-02T17:30:00.004+01:00

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie reflects on the ridiculous bill on 'indecent dressing' in Nigeria. Her reference to immorality in the Nigerian context is particularly interesting to note. Visit it here via the guardian website. Even more interesting are the comments that follow. When i go on such websites, such as the guardian and the BBC for example; it is interesting to see people's perspectives on general issues under the cover of annonymity. An opportunity to 'let it all out' in a society so burdened by political correctness and false pretense...not that this is non-existent elsewhere. Chimamanda, i would imagine, would laugh till her sides ached if she read the comments that followed. As a foreigner resident in a country inhibited by undercover xenephobic neanderthals, it is admittedly not encouraging to read; however insightful this may be. An issue of morality indeed!

Saturday

2008-03-29T17:41:00.003Z

Gosh i love saturdays! Even though i never seem to see it nowadays. I graduate this summer which means i am currently engaged in the notoriously awful bit of the process..i.e. studying incredibly hard. Incredibly hard meaning writing three lines and taking a thirty minute break to catch up to the latest happenings on Youtube and of course, nibbling kit-kats with fervour! I wonder, can several bars of kit-kat be referred to as kit-kats?
Its been an eventful time (for everyone it seems), these last couple of weeks not least of all for Heather Mills and Sir Paul. By now everyone knows the sordid affair that has been the heather-macca divorce/heather demands loads of dosh off macca/macca says no and goes to court/Heather fires her lawyers and gets a pittance/Heather gets slightly over 24million pounds/Heather tips a jug of water over macca's lawyer-Fiona Shackleton/Heather stands on the steps of the court and rants to the media/end of/!/ Phew!! I'm shocked i could get it out in one breath. Interesting thing is the perspective of the public to the whole affair. Don't get me wrong, i am not partial to money grabbing ex-spouses, least of all the ex Lady Mcartney but cmon, surely Sir Paul saw it comin and went for it anyway? Apparently not! My views being too long to cram into one post i have decided to post a link to Marina Hyde's take on the issue which echoes my sentiments to the letter....

There appears to be a sudden awakening to the issue of rights within the Nigerian context. Gistmongers Niyi Tabiti and the devine Stella Dimoko K appear to only just have realised that their work has/is being plagiarised and i am sorry to "report" that it has lead to drastic consequences. Whilst Niyi has carried on with his work, Stella the firebrand insists that her blog will close down; much to the dismay of many. Still, Niyi's acceptance of the status quo regarding plagiarism appears to counter this great loss to the literary world of gossip...hurrah anyone?

I had the grave misfortune of seeing the Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria 2008 live courtesy AIT/Sky last night and hopefully, i will never see it again!It was atrocious. Most of it anyway. Whilst i didn't like the song Dbanj performed, i will give it to him that he is a show man. Otherwise, it was a disaster...end of! Bella Naija appeared to like it though, so if you want a full run down of the event....

On the subject of glamour, or a lack of as the case may be; Carla Bruni didn't do Sarah Brown any favours. The press, the paparazzi, the nation and even the queen are totally enamoured by the french "beauty" and for good reason too. There was the notorious picture first and then it went downhill from there. The telegraph have a thorough account of how this has functioned here.

British summer time officially begins tomorrow and i cannot wait. The promise this summer holds is more special than the previous ones. I am stocking up on plans already. Went to Borders yesterday to pick up some books which included the N1LDA which i plan to read this summer. Also, i will also be readingin imagine this by sade adeniran...details of the book could be found here

It ain't half racist mum?

2008-03-27T09:30:00.004Z

I love my housemate to bits but at times his behaviour is a bit worrying! He's your typical white boy just out of uni, clever, 'damaged', drinks too much, parties too much and carries on like he thinks he is still at uni. He's great fun and extremely helpful in many ways, giving advice and even helping with my uni work at times. Problem is he is 'typical' in every sense. Perhaps this is what Barack Obama so uncharacteristically failed to eloquently allude to in his speech on his grandmother being a typical white person. What is a typical white person? Well it is difficult to say, as i am not white. My step-mother was white, my brother is half white; does that mean he is half a typical white person? It is indeed a difficult question.
My reasons for this post are as follows. Friend one (who is aforementioned housemate) goes clubbing with friends (i should mention i was asked to come but couldn't as i couldn't afford it) and meet random people who turn out to be white South Africans. Friend one invites them back to his flat (which is mine too) and they carry on with their partying all through the weekend, which i do not mind. I do not interfere as i am wary of white South Africans, and with good reason it appears. My housemate makes the oddest statement (as he regales me with stories of their mad bank holiday weekend). He says, "I told M (who is a mutual friend) that those South Africans are racist as f*** but they were good fun though!!". I was gobsmacked, even though in light of what mr Obama's underlining message was trying to say, i should not have been. Trying to take the steel out my voice, i replied "How fortunate that you are able to reconcile the dichotomy to their existence". He mumbles something, and leaves. This mutual friend goes away this weekend for a while and wants to go out with the gang. He has asked me on a few occassions to come out with them and i had previously agreed but if those SA's are coming as well, good manners out the window, i will refuse to go!
Friend two at work. Pleasant, funny, charming. He however makes fun of Indian accents betrays uncomfortable ignorance of the world outside Europe and America, which is often unsettling. He is young, white and male. This is not to say that we do not get on swimmingly, we do. There is however a problem.
Barack Obama came under fire recently for suggesting that all good white people are a little racist (invariably thats what he meant). whilst his delivery was questionable, i understand what he meant. It is nearly impossible to grow up in Western society and not be conditioned into believing the white supremist ideology that is prevalent in this part of the world. I will not go into detail about how wrong the ideology is as it would be a waste of my time and anyone reading this. However, It is funny that many should subscribe to it. The idea being that white people have created advanced styles of government, technology and so on. Agreed, but what about the individual? My housemate has graduated with a lower second, drinks and parties and isnt in a great job, so how does he qualify as great? This is same for mostwhite people who subscribe to this ideology. As was quoted in the movie Irobot where sunny (the robot) is confronted by Del (played by Will smith who was in the movie) on his not being human. Del shouts, can a robot paint a canvas or create a symphony like a human? Sunny simply replies, can you?

N1LDA Revisited

2008-03-26T07:00:00.002Z

Just to let everyone know that the No.1 Ladies Detective Agency is now showing on the BBC website via iplayer. What you could do is visit the website at BBC.co.uk. or select the UK version when you get to the website and it should automatically allow you to view it!
For young people/or old even, looking to relocate to Africa for work and other things, the Global Careers Africa summit is holding in London at the end of May. They are taking applications now though, so complete one asap if you are looking to get a job on the continent. Click here for more details!!

The No.1 Ladies Detective Agency

2008-03-24T13:33:00.002Z

Overall, I thought it was great! Last night, the BBC had the Number one ladies detective agency; a film adaptation of Alexander Mcall Smith's novel and i would like to believe it was a success...barring a few problems. Yes some of the actors struggled with the accent, some scenes were conveyed in an awkward manner and some performances were stilted, however, the movie left you with the lovely feeling of a feel-good movie....set in any part of the world. I particularly liked how simple the stories were with their subtle references to daily problems in Africa. Daily is the key word. The reference to people in Africa living basic lives and doing normal things was the highlight for me, a situation i believe would not go down well with the average British viewer. Sam Wollaston reflects this in his review of the movie, sentiments we see across the media (see the Times and so on...). It was not news when most friends i asked about it had either not seen it or were watching something else. It is a bit difficult being confronted with an Africa that isn't wracked with AIDS or howling for help. This episode emphasises the imperative for effective communiction of Africa to the world, o when will we learn?
Back the film, the performances that were top notch were by Lucian Msmati and the devine Nikki Amuka-Bird, whom i had never seen looking so fierce! Usually when she's on the telly, its in some rag tag costume with dodgy make up (re: torchwood) but here, she was sophisticated, well dressed and beautiful! The acting i have to say was brilliant! The scene stealer for me was Idris Elba who played Charlie Kgotso. Powerful, charming and danm fine! I will be honest to admit that Anika Noni Rose and Lady Jill didn't do it for me, however, the story charmed away their akwardness. I dare not forget the gorgeous Bongeka Mpongwana who played Happy Bepetsi...stunning, graceful, brilliant!
It is ironic that professionals in the media whose sole purpose it is to inform betray outright ignorance on the subject of the African continent when confronted with the task. This is what Chimamanda Adichie aludes to when she argues that Africans should tell the story of Africa and not the blonde Westerner who claims to the 'African expert'. It is therefore a shame that the No.1 ladies detective agency is dismissed by these so called experts as a fictional account of the true Africa, existing within Alexander Mccall Smith' head. The truth is i know and appreciate the validity of these representations as would most Nigerian viewers of the programme, the question is, what are we going to do about it?

The show that's putting me on the edge of my seat!

2008-03-23T17:43:00.003Z

tonight, it is on! So i am putting my books away for a bit and settling into my comfy sofer for an hour or two to enjoy this..i hope i do. Verdict tomrrow. See here for details!

2008-03-20T11:35:00.002Z

Ama Sumani, 39, has died in Ghana. She may not have directed any award winning films, or created master-pieces of any sorts, but she was a human being and that counts for a lot. The story around Ms Sumani's death which can be read here is such a painful one, that i am at a loss as to how i feel. What are the answers in situations like these? Should the questions be directed to the British government for having faulty processes in terms of deportation or to the inept Ghanian government who have failed their citizen so miserably. The questions abound but the need for development on the African continent becomes more urgent. How many more unecessary deaths like this will it take to show our leaders that it is not the West, nor aid nor China that can help us, but ourselves only!
There are several debates on the best strategy for alleviating poverty and promoting development across the African contient in its entirety. My investigations suggest that the Aid process although kindly, is not working. In fact it is failing miserably. Observers suggest a trend in areas that have recieved Aid that suffer from bad governance and wasteful spending. This is particularly evident in the failed states of Somalia and the DRC. Similarly, the conditionalities attached to the Aid process by Western governments is not helping either, why should societies different to theirs run on policies formulated by these governments (the west)? Amity Shlaes has written severally, that Aid is not the way to African development and even goes on to criticize its alternative, free/fair trade?
What is the alternative? Pan Africanism as suggested by the clever Dr Tajudeen Abdul-Raheem? Perhaps not. Ideal as it may seem, could the many ideologies existent on the continent be absorbed into a homogenous culture in order to achieve our shared objective of development? What is the likelehod of an EU style cooperative effort within a continent with so many levels of inequalities? Africa historically, has been built on difference and not on the opposite.
Trade is not free and definitely not fair. The concept of liberalized trade is a myth suggested by the big guns who run the WTO, aided by the inept leaders who are either clueless with regards to the mechanics of global economics or just can't be bothered to take their minds of the central banks they hold the cheque books for. Trade in itself is problematic. The economic development it is suggested to bring does not guarantee overall development as can be seen all over the continent. On paper, Sub-saharan Africa's GNP grew rather healthily in the last few years as opposed to the 90's but this was driven by an increased oil output, and in essence, the few oil producers on the continent. But as Mabogunje puts it, what does this mean for long term development? He asks that as petroleum is a non renewable resource, how can this be interpreted for sustainable development and managed for the future? The gulf states have seen this and are taking effective action in this regard through sovereign wealth funds and an egagement in the otherwise exclusive club barred by the TRIPS agreement. The problem is indeed complex.
Ama has died, and millions of others along with her. They say that nearly ten million children die before the age of five each year and the amount increases every year. The question here remains the same, what are we going to do about it?

Nayo!

2008-03-17T13:59:00.002Z

Anyone reading this, please go and buy Nayo's cd..I bought mine!!
Here or here

Roisin Doing her thing in convent garden...the girl is fierce!

2008-03-16T12:50:00.001Z

Roisin Murphy rules!!

2008-03-16T12:43:00.001Z

Here she is performing live on later!

here's her album containing the album (real version) of 'you know me'...

All talk and no action?

2008-02-17T20:29:00.003Z

The week starts and i am aprehensive. I can only hope it is better than my last. In the news, i can only wonder if this is policy or outright laziness. Also, consider this in light of Soludo's declaration of the unemployablity of the Nigerian graduate!

Back from London town....

2008-02-16T13:12:00.002Z

So london was great...as can only be expected. I saw the phantom of the Opera which lived up to its glorious reviews. It is interesting to note that it has run uninterrupted since 1986 and still sells to a sellout audience every night. One can see why, considering the incredible vocals and impressive stage craft. The scene stealer for me was Wendy Jackson who plays Carlotta, you can read more about her impressive CV here...
And so my friend goes to get drinks whilst i observe all that goes on around me during the intermission. The place is full of couples all similar in their outlook, youngish, smart casual, whispering sweet nothings as the women clutch roses. It suddenly occurs to me that its valentine's (all this happened on thurs the 14th) and i almost kick myself for forgetting. I laugh at the idea of what my friend and i must look like to other people and promptly mention this to him when he arrives to which the cheeky bugger replies "well they'd only think you've done well for yourself".. it doesn't help that i accidently spill a bottle of pop on the lady sitting in front of me. I suspect my profuse apologies doesn't go down to well with her but i am just happy her 6foot 2 rugby player looking partner doesn't seem to mind...notin dey happen....

I've had a difficult week up until wednesday when i went to London. I was under achieving in my targets, my grades were not the best and i'd recieved a severe bollocking from my dissertation supervisor for what he describes as my lackluster work. It doesn't help that i also recieve a rejection letter for a job i'd applied for at the start of the year. I question myself on my abilities, am i as clever as people say i am? what is wrong with me? why can't i achieve consistently? Insecurities abound as i ask these questions but i am determined to overcome them....

I stayed in a beautiful part of London not far from St John's wood which i fell in love with. The lovely clean streets and large georgian style houses captured my heart and attention but it was the quaint village square that really did it for me. Downside? My host recounted a story of a friend of his who once came visiting, and on finding he wasn't home decided to wait for him on the steps of his house. Soon enough, the police came calling to see why a black man was loitering....

I got the guardian's bulky friday edition to keep myself occupied on the last train out of paddington and to my delight, discovered a review to the talented Asa's debut album here. Whilst i was dissapointed at the overall rating of three stars (i disagree as i would give it four), i could't help but agree with the reviewer's verdict on the producers input on strings and electronics which i think drowned out a lot of the beauty of asa's raw talent. However, for a debut album i think she has done incredibly well. Listen to bits of it here.

Not back to blogging....

2008-02-11T23:27:00.000Z

I'm just really clogged with ideas. So much is going on or has gone on and there never seems enough time to rant on to someone about it, dare i say it is safe enough to resume blogging? Or at least think it? Let them not say i didn't try.....

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A lot has happened since i last blogged which i will not go into but how can one not reflect on the excellent weather of the weekend just gone past? Sunny skies and calm cool tempratures make weekends what they should be. It also turned out that Wales played Scotland in my back yard (i live right next to the millenium stadium in cardiff) and found myself in the thick of things. Of course Wales won which suggests either a winning streak to come or extended luck to the detriment of all. On the subject of the thickness of things, it never ceases to amaze me how confident the butchest men can be wearing skirts...pardon me, kilts whilst swigging beer and squeezing their man boobs. Perhaps one has to be scottish to understand these things....

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Britain on the other hand is going through another winging storm but then again, one has to ask, does the winging ever end. Now it is about taxing non-dom's and most loudly, an angry reaction to the speech give by Archbishop Dr Rowan Williams on sharia law in the UK. Arguments on what the man actually said asides, perhaps the British media in the rare moment of reflection will perhaps see how biased it can be, bearing in mind the lack of objectivity in its coverage of the issue. I laughed out loud as the Beeb reported on the topic, showing background images of women in Burkas on the streets of birmingham, floggings in Kano and shootings in Afghanistan....i wonder if there was a subtext to those images....

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Talking about Kano and by extension Nigeria, George Soros has expressed interest in the Niger Delta. One cannot but ask why however foolish this may sound. Of what impact will economic advice do in the delta? or in the words of the locals, wetin concine crayfish and angle ninety?

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Not necessarily based on issues like the above but i decided to stay on in the UK for a few more years before moving back to Naija and so the job hunt has begun in earnest. I'll admit, it is very difficult considering one has to combine the strain of uni work as well as paid work but the benefits of an organised system of this nature where the job is confirmed before you graduate is brilliant. Works for everyone. Employers can plan a workforce, graduates are guaranteed a place and so make use of their last free summer whilst the economy as a whole benefits because there is no lost time for a potential contributor to the work force. Perhaps the NYSC people are listening. Still, the immigrant (abi?) it must be pointed out has a vastly different experience in such matters. Actually, the immigrant has a vastly different experience in pretty much every issue, wonder what will happen to this poor sod....

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Sean had a fortnum and Mason hamper delivered recently with the best hams, cheeses and salmon. Went simmingly with the 30 year old port that came with it. Reminds me of a post i read recently on Naijablog on class and difference in Nigeria. Whilst i have definite opinions on that, it is very clear however, that class and difference is very evident in British society from the schools you go to, the newspapers you read to where you get your hampers from.....

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And more subtle references on the salubrious leanings of a student, i am off to London this week and it should be one of drinks, good food and theatre as i have gotten seats for the phantom of the opera. Only thing is my main business in London is a visit to the Nigerian High commision. An awful start or a beautiful finish? I shll know when i get back!!!

back to the blog!

2007-11-07T19:31:00.000Z

I've been too tired to blog. Too busy perhaps. It's the end of the year already and one wonders where the year has gone. I am currently bogged down with university commitments and a dodgy stomach. I live in a period apartment building right in the heart of the city and feel content. My brother has just left as the family do the holiday rounds. I am still not sure whether a lot has happened since i last blogged....
This evening the visited i city library for the first time to explore the possibility of the place as a research tool. It holds promise. I notice there are rows of stuff in the international/foreign section and amble over, only to find that 90% of the stuff is Indian/ Chinese...suspect? On the upside, i find several international journals on Africa and the rest of the third world and make up my mind that i will join; so i walk over to customer service to make enquiries. I have a brief racist moment with the woman behind the desk, but i dont care; i've gotten the information i need....
The christmas trees are being put up in the city centre and the shops are selling like its going out of fashion. Fortunately, my brother was down visiting so my experience did not stop at window shopping....
I had a meeting with my dissertation supervisor and he appears to find my topic interesting enough. For my research topic, i am asking the question: is there a crisis in international aid and humanitarian intervention? Its about time someone tackled the issues surrounding the nonesense that is the aid process. My Oyinbo supervisor confesses his fascination with the topic as a result of his lack of knowledge on it, due to his colonialist mentalilty (the baba lectured in lag in the 70s)..na wa o!
I am somehow optimistic as the end of the year approaches. Even as i blog rubbish, i know it will take some time to get my rythm back but at least i have started...and i will continue! Its good to be back to the blog!
P.s. thanks wienna for the push! xx

x factor mania!!!!

2007-09-15T11:47:00.001+01:00

was it my eyes or did i see Esse Agesse Ogoro auditioning for xfactor?

Long Story!

2007-08-03T13:35:00.000+01:00

I've moved to a new flat!!! Yay!! As i make sure my shag pad (as if) is up to spec, i mourn the loss of the internet! Hopefully should be sorted out in the next week but for now...i am confined to office blogging and facebooking whilst looking furtively over my shoulder for my boss...Employers are so fussy nowadays!

Long time no see.

2007-07-26T19:48:00.000+01:00

Its been forever, i know that! Loads have happened...stuff i have even forgotten about. Where does one begin in recounting the recent history...

Despite a ridiculous work schedule, i have managed to catch up on some reading. Perhaps i should clarify before you think i'm some cerebral book guzzling knowitall...I've done loads of graphic novels consisting primarily of archived marvel/DC stuff. Its fascinating to see how far society has come. There was a time when all superheros were mostly blonde, white and male. Female superheros were mostly weak and ineffectual, acting purely side-kicks and often with lesser powers. The most interesting for me, was the archetypical foe/underling who was always dark skinned and considerably inferior in powers...both mental, physical and supernatural. As we consider the effects of the media (even more obvious in contemporary times through issues like columbine and James Bulgar), we can see what the Frankfurt school argue as we consider contemporary understandings of race, sex and ethnicity and the effects the media has/have had on the issues. It is fascinating that they have become such important areas of study in most universities. That said, i am doing my bit in African lit as well...just started Simi Bedford's not with silver which looks promising.

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I've gotten some more Salif Keita Cd's. I particularly find his Moffou CD deliriously brilliant. It is an excellent mix of strings and song that can only get you going, the way African music can. It feels you with an odd mix of melancholia and the most zestful energy you could imagine. Keita's voice helps lots. Personal favs include Madan, Baba and Iniagige. I should warn you though, the CD is incomplete without good red and excellent company to share this with.
I am also listening to Rokia Traore, Baaba Mal and Orchestra Baobab.

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Without doubt, the weather is appalling. With three quarter's of the country underwater and those blasted people trying to blow everyone up, it doesn't look like there's anywhere to go or anything to do about it either. All of this comes at a time as i struggle to arrange my move to a new flat. It all seems terribly difficult at the moment but i should hopefully come out on top. I am determined however, to go away on holiday somewhere....even if it means just going to London or Dorset...(who goes on holiday to London..haha)

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Gordon Brown has become Prime Minister since the last time i blogged. I know its ages ago now but i still can't get over Mrs (WHATSERNAME) Brown...i mean, what was she wearing!!!! Still, i suppose standing next to dour Mr Brown didn't help matters. The labour party i believe got it right this time around, if anyone can stand up to good ol Dave cam, Mr Brown can. That said, I'd much rather watch a Rory Bremner impression of him than the real thing...boring is as boring gets!

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On the other side of the world (yes i mean that in every interpretable way), Mr Yaradua carries on with business. I can't understand how Bode Augusto was dropped from the ministerial list and Mrs Grange put in health instead of education....hang on, how stupid of me...of course i can understand!! So scratch all the nonsense i just wrote. Doesn't make it any more or less comprehensible though. Show or not, I'm just happy that those thieving bastards are being brought to book about their atrocities in their states. Particularly annoying was Alams and the other one who cried...couldn't even take it like a man. Every time i see their kids on campus, their very presence rile me!!!

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On a final note, I'm battling my addiction to face book, can anyone help?