The Weeknd

Dear K,

How have you been? You asked about my weekend, well it was Chill. That's the word that really seems to fit everything this weekend. I woke up on Saturday with some sniffing, I didn't do my usual, 12am. I woke up about 9am, I really wanted to get productive. I had a shower and began to arrange my room, you know it's never really a disaster but I like things a bit more tidy. I thought about the next week, I punished myself for that, weekend is for rest. 

After breakfast of scrambled eggs, Nigerian style, remember? With peppers, curry, maggi..except I had no maggi but it tasted really nice. I ate it with bread and butter then I started to think of what to do with my hair, you see I loosened it from my braids on Friday night and it's grown so much, I can't stop touching it. Anyways I opened two new packs of kinky hair and began to twist my hair I wish I did't start because it wasn't worth the effort, I loosened them on Sunday morning. 

For the rest of Saturday, I did laundry and really cleared up my room, I was satisfied, I even managed to hang up that painting I bought, two for a Fiver lol! with Blue Tack. My landlady told me later that evening, it was going to snow. She and her family were so excited, I thought, perhaps white folk don't feel white until it snows. Snow? I had given up on it anyway. Really, I was not ready for it at all, so when I peeked outside my bedroom bay windows and saw the white landscape, mixed emotions welled up in me. It seemed like that guy you waited for all your life and then when you finally let go, he comes back and declares love but the glad thing is, soon after, you realise that while he's pretty to look at, in minutes he would turn icy and could kill you. No my dear K, snow is not for me. 

One good thing though, I got to chat with C, she's somewhere in North America, great gal, it was wonderful catching up. I listened to a sermon from the church on Trust, it really got to me, you know how I am.lol. Did I tell you I'm now a Quora addict? Hehe. 


 Sunday! I woke up with promise then I found out the trains from my station were not running, yikes! there goes my shopping. Got breakfast as usual, I'm trying to eat on time these days but I had it at 12pm! Still I was determined to have a good day. I got to watch the Prime of Miss Jean Brodie I couldn't love Maggie Smith more and The Lion King! I Recorded it this time, I was overjoyed plus did I tell you I saw it at the Lyceum Theatre, Christmas Time? it was Amazing!!! We have to go see it together. Later I did some laundry and concentrated on my hair and oh yes I made some mean rice mix with that roast chicken from Tesco, I tell you this store is the devil. By the end of the day I'd made good enough progress with my hair, I'll send u a picture when I'm completely done, for now enjoy my winter picture!.

Some New Year Advice

Resolutions. I know this is definitely in almost everyone's mind. We all love the idea of a fresh start..a clean slate. We want to plan, we want to take action and mostly we'd prefer to be successful at it. Well, I have just the resolution for you; if you are going to watch The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo (2011), DO NOT see it with family (err..except your spouse).

Good Luck.

An Elephant Flying??

This is how I feel about the current Nigerian elections, there are things that are just impossible, and hey I am not surprised.

More importantly I got to watch Dumbo again!! oh my days! we had the tape when I was much younger so this was a frequent watch for a long while. I love love it. I still shed tears watching it again. But I realised so much now that I am older. I think as a kid one was more concerned about the excitement, the colours, the fun..I mean I am still concerned about that, but more than anything truths from the movie began to jump out at me. One thing I also noticed was how short it was! as a kid, it never seemed so! lol. But It was great re-living those moments in my life that I wouldn't change. If I do have kids, I hope I'd be able to get them to watch it ^_^

I love this song, it makes me chuckle with delight!

The Re-Adjustment Bureau

A friend and I went to watch a movie called Paul, which was funny and a bit icky. Usually before the movie comes on, you are treated to about 15mins of Movie previews, annoying when you are early to the cinema, wonderful if you are late. As the trailers went by, I thought to myself how it seemed like all the movies coming out, try to talk about Free Will, Chance, Control, Destiny. It may be the effect of this end-of-world story but it just made me realize how much man wants to be in control of his own life and even others around him. How much we want to believe we are the ultimate.

One week later I go to watch one of them, 'The Adjustment Bureau' with Matt Damon (seems to be thrust into any movie involving a chase, guy must love to run), whom I absolutely adore and Emily Blunt, who I've loved since the Devil wears Prada. Plus! I've been reading Philip Dick since I can remember. Anyways, How did it go? It started well for me, I was excited. Then at some point, the context of the movie began to fade into silliness (Only men in the bureau, only one black guy, and Matt Damon dared to ask why he was different..funny!, hats, turning knobs where there was none..e.t.c ). I felt awkward. I can't even say if I like it or not. There are definitely parts I love but  I wouldn't want to watch it again.

The movie has been panned as a 'Bourne meets Inception' movie. It was more like The Matrix meets Mad Men and initiates a threesome with The Notebook, but no where near as awesome as any of them. The movie suggests everything that happens, happens according to a 'Plan' but things change, 'chance'. I like the review of this blog, http://rtbtaketwo.wordpress.com/ and this, God Has No Adjustment Bureau 

'' So what take does the film offer? On the surface, it seems to imply that the Chairman merely reacted to David’s choices. Yet subtle clues appear each time David takes another step down the “untraced” path, hinting that the Chairman knew all along which path he would follow. In the end, the caseworkers offer this preface: “Only the Chairman knows the plan. We only see part of it.”

The “part of it” we can all see in this film reminds us of the constant human effort to understand the nature of God and resolve age-old philosophical debates. Even though many deny him, they cannot help but try to capture his essence through the arts ''

I loved that I could see other parallels with Christianity. I loved when Matt Damon's character was told that the reason they didn't want him to be with Emily's was that He would find her more important than all what he has been pursuing all his life. It could be likened to the 'Devil' constantly trying to prevent us from knowing or seeking God's love, because when we 'get it' we become content because it's all that we need. So I concluded that while I couldn't take the film seriously apart from its sappy romance side, because the movie couldn't really decide whose side it was on, if the Adjustment Bureau represented anything in the Christian belief, It would be the Devil and his minions. lol. 

While the Adjustment Bureau is at work on earth, I'm glad to know there is a Re-Adjustment Crew who will make all things work together for good at the end of the day! :D

Underneath the Complexities

 

“The mind can make a heaven out of hell or a hell out of heaven” - John Milton

 

I love whole parts, I love seeing the big picture. But no matter how complex the whole is, it can still be broken down into the basic bits. I went with my uncle visiting, and the host handed me the Inception DVD. I'd been wanting to watch the movie , but never actively pursued it. I was really delighted. So many people had spoken about it, and the whole dream within a dream thing, was appealing because I have experienced it. Anyway, I began to watch the movie, my mind immediately began to process patterns. I didn't get an understanding of the movie until when they began to plan the Inception. I realized the movie was about basic human struggles. Leonardo's character was the main point with his 'guilt'. 

For the first 15mins of the movie, I had the IQ of a flowerpot, afterwards at some point, I started to get bored. The continous talk and indiscriminate sleeping was beginning to get on my nerves,  nothing was really happening. Alll I was hearing was 'Consious, Sub-consious, Dream' Oh Brother!. Then the movie picked up speed, aah!. 

All in all, I thought it was a cross between James Bond and The Matrix, The characters themselves didn't really appeal much to me, except for the lead characters, Leonardo and Marion. The end of the movie was predictable but I guess that was the crux of the whole movie, 2.5hrs just to find out all Man wants to do is go home and that He can, if he confesses and repents. It also showed how powerful the mind is, so much that we need to guard it with ALL diligence.

The movie is summed up for me in this verse from the Bible; 

 ''Much dreaming and many words are meaningless. Therefore stand in awe of God''

Ecc 5:7  

Don't Ignore the Living

This morning, one of my friends, tweeted that she was watching My Girl, remember the movie? It brought tears in my mind, and the replay of a particular scene that never left my head for over 15yrs. I told her, I'd cry loads if I tried to watch, but deep down I knew I would look for it and watch it. I've been crying loads since. It just hurts it really does, especially someone like me, always quick to put myself in other people's shoes. It's heart breaking..losing someone so close. But Jamie Lee said something I didnt remember as a child, 'Don''t ignore the living' It's hard to remove our minds, from those who are gone, but nothing we do can bring them back. We should focus more on life and those who are living. 

Another aspect of the movie that brought tears to my eyes, was the love shared between friends at such a young age, there was no guile, oh how we long for that now. Its such a thing as heartbreaking as death, here you only have people with ulterior motives (for the most part) around you. When Jesus said we had to become like children, he wasn't talking for fun. We think we know so much as adults and our minds and heart tend to get clouded and hardened. Kids show the purest form of love you can get. I have to live with this reality and acknowledge those I hold dear and hold them dearer, living life. 

     With this I say Happy Birthday to my Friend, Tosin ^_^ hip hip hooray

This Social Network and Others

Movie

I was going to write a lot concerning social netwworks and the effect on the world and our general outlook, but then I got tired. My brain was shutting down. But very plainly, I watched this movie yesterday, about facebook founders. One emotion I felt when i left the cinema was jealousy!. Hmm, Yeah. I told my friend I wished I was the one who thought of and created facebook. But mm..its not that bad.lol. I was disgusted by the animosity that developed between friends because of such a fickle thing as money..sigh, Human nature. Overall, It was an OK movie.

Book

I gave my friend my Fela book on Monday, and while reading on the tube, he almost missed his stop. The book is THAT good. You will be doing yourself a great disservice if you don't read it, HONESTLY! I don't agree with all the ideology presented there, but I think the most important, A cry for Nigerians, A cry for Africans to WAKE UP can be felt and agreed with.....

Herbs

I also caught a cold on Monday, I saw my friend off, and I wasn't prepared for the biting conditions. I got home and started wheezing, sneezing, coughing..I could hardly sleep. The next morning..yesterday, no one told me to go take a clove of garlic. I also made a Cough syrup, chopped and mashed garlic mixed with honey, which is left for some time, works WONDERS. This cough didn't see the light of today. I shared it on Twitter (Power of social network) and one of my followers decided to try, she called it my Babalawo thingz..ordinary garlic and honey o! LOL Anyways, I will wait to hear her verdict tomorrow, but Garlic is very potent #thatisall

Life is wasted on people

Watched a movie at the Tyneside today, Greenberg..obviously not for everybody. i mean if dish dish bam bam is your kinda movie, Do not watch this!

I probably wont have watched this at a cinema but hey! it was student night..so.yeah.

Well, The movie is about a New-Yorker, recently out of the hospital after a nervous breakdown. He house sits in LA and finds himself in a desperate but very honest display of the human need to connect and not feel alone with his brother's 25 year old assistant. The plot is somewhat relevant, but way more interesting is all the beautiful awkward, and all too common moments of life that, well, just happen. Stiller has a haunting way of being neurotic and self-consumed, yet thoughtful and full of heightened awareness

I really did like it, there were odd moments of sexual stuff and nakedness.. i mean i was watching the movie with a guy friend..Awkward!! cos i still get really embarrassed about such.

Anyway,  laughed a lot, quit loudly too, i was convinced Stillers character was an INFJ with major OCD issues

The only low point was, popcorn was hella expensive..gawd!lol, and some old man, turned and spoke some geordie gibberish, i still don't to this moment know exactly what he was trying to complain about.

Recommended movie!

Thats how the desktop saved my life...

I've got lots on my mind, so much that i cant think straight , I can't do my coursework, but the strange thing is, I dont know why exactly my mind seems foggy, but i sure know one thing, theres something about a desktop that makes you wanna work!

Yay, i got to eat real pounded yam today, but the ogbono soup could have been better, yum! i'm never touching chinese food again. i should really stick to my no-fry rule. Any food i don't cook myself and aint fried, me no eat!

Holiday

I feel like i wasted my holiday, kinda, its been great having to not think of school work, but i'm still mighty pissed i didnt get to go down to the beach, >_<. I may be travelling again tomorrow to the midlands, but here i am asking myself, why do i really want to go, i want to see the town, yeah, hang out with friends, i hope signals arent being miscommunicated here though. On thursday i've been invited to a graduation party, that should be fun, next week it all ends, going back home to Arthur.

Questions

I get asked a lot of strange questions and i wonder if i should leave the recent one to a post on its own, i probably should but it is about my sexual orientation, imagine! lol.
Another question also spurred the thoughts in my mind, the only two kinds of people i want in my life, Honest and Unpretentious. I'm done with smarm.

Movies

Watched Jaws again today, lots of memories in that one and the unforgettable theme score, doom doom doom!. Also, caught up on Curious George two, too cute! love that monkey! Last but really touching was Sex and the City, i swear the number of times this movie has evaded me is legendary! i wasnt too surprised tat the plot but it still got me emotional. I'm such a romantic it kills me! but theres nothing like being happy and making someone happy..*sigh* oo! imperfect world!

Upcoming...

I'm pretty dissapointed in myself at this point, i couldn't submit the proposal anymore, i froze. i couldnt send it. i guess thats one thing fogging my mind up, there were too many questions, i couldnt draw myself to one point. i was also sort of ill on saturday, yeah it got me down. I feel i'm dissappointing not just me. i need to step up on a lot of things. I have one more week to get things straight before going home.

I am absolutely in love with Dagny Taggart, 100%. i want to get things done like she did, i know..kinda crazy, but i feel myself  there..


Conclusion of the week, Everyone is corrupted

I miss Thunderstorms

I really do miss thunderstorms and lightenings. I remember thinking about this when I was getting drenched in the rain on sunday. My housemate and I talked about the 'African Rain' lol. I began to reminsice about times it really showed me pepper, but the feeling that comes after..... when you have fresh warm dry clothes on, in a warm house, curtains drawn, pepper soup in hand, movie on the telly and the rain, lightening and thunder keeps banging on like theres no tommorrow..some kind of bliss, I swear.

Anyhoo, still felt quite ill today, but I had to make it down to attend a lecture by Prof Irini Pitsaki on 'Cultural Product design' after she gave the lecture and questions were being asked, I felt compelled to challenge some of her points which I did, but then felt sorry i did :(. anyway, got chatting with her after the lecture as people filed out. I will be having more talks with her, and over coffee ;D

Went on my Blast from the Past spree again, watched 'High school High' fricking funny! and 'My stepmother is an alien' omg, seeing all those people again in their 'Young' state. still very funny, and it did take me back...wayyy back, i was like ''see graphics eeeh'' lol.

Had a nice chat with my housemate, its so inevitable that our talks always goes back to 'Africa' from make-up to Africa.lol Mount Kilimanjaro and lions and zulu music.lol. good fun. Atleast I still have one housmate with a good head on good shoulders.lol.

umm, i was gonna start a header with the topic 'Things I saw on the metro today' still trying to sort out my phone 'camera connection to pc' issues. be right back on that.

For now, gotta sign out, no couch sleeping for me today, gotta be up sharp by 8am max. :D

Happy Belated St. Pats, no Guinness this time!

Is it strange that the Tyneside Irish center is in Chinatown, or is it just me?!?!

TGIF..........tomorrow.

I've had a full week, i'm happy to take a day off tomorrow. The week did start kinda nice, had some time out at Nando's with a new friend. but i woke up really shitty on wednesday, it was raining and i got to school late. I was supposed to present to the design class, which i did. it didnt go down as well as i wanted but i realized my skills are getting stronger, my heart didnt threaten to beat it out of my chest too, so yay! to that.

WolfDad
First of, i did have a nightmare after watching the wolfman on monday. In the dream My dad was suspicious, and it was just a horrible feeling, lots of other things happened, like a flood.Then the power in the house going off and on. Someone with an axe trying to break through a wooden panel to my room. All sorts of crazy! I woke up , slept back for an hour again , when i woke up at about 4am, i just couldnt manage to sleep again. i havent been so spooked in a looong time, i was watching my back and trying to listen for strange sounds as i made my way to the bathroom that morning while everyone was fast asleep, now i know i would be passing on such movies...''The goddam movies. They can ruin you. I'm not kidding''

Reveal!
I try, i swear i try, to maintain friendships, to get involved..but i don't believe in forcing things. I'm not a group person or a groupie. I just can't function properly within large groups and such especially wehn the majority don't ''really' interact with you. Theres no point forcing stuff, im letting go. I just can't 'roll' with folk of unlike minds.

Team Praline
So i really like my new team and i'm going to try to give it my best, we have agreed on quite a number of things, and seem to have a better understanding of things and how we can work together. This should really end up fantastic

R.I.P
This morning, i casually log into my facebook at about 11:45 am and realise that a friend, someone i knew back at CU died this morning, it threw me into shock...He was shot by armed robbers in Lagos on his way to work. I remembered when i had a gun pointed at my head, my laptop, phone was taken, but what stopped them from shooting??... I also remembered my friend who had been in the same situ and gotten away and the others who commute at early hours just to get to work early. R.I.P friend :(

Sad.

My Avatar

If i had an avatar, she would probably look like that and her name would be Cleonytri. I had been looking forward to watching James Cameron's movie and the excitement over the technology used was no small thing. We kept on waiting while carrying on with our normal day to day life and then it was announced to open in December. Many reviews popped up on the internet and i couldnt help but read, when the movie was finally premiered.

The main theme i kept picking up was how stunning The Humanoids and Pandora, the Na'vis' homeland was, with the 3d and IMAX viewing especially, another strong point was the blatant racism, imperialism and some other -isms which are not so good contained within the movie, the political, environmental themes and what not. i didnt want to be bothered, i wanted to watch the movie anyway unlike district 9 which i haven't still seen. Avatar was being compared to movies and animations like Ferngully, Dances with Wolves, Pocahontas e.t.c. I would be daft if i say i didn't notice the recurring theme. 'White' man goes to native land to basically wreck havoc by stealing resources. One lone man and sidekick(s) breaks away after a romantic encounter with a native most likely daughter of the village head , then becomes the hero of the natives by turning against initial party. This..some say is every 'White' man's dream, so he can do away with the guilt which has been inherited him. Basically i didnt buy the story, but that wasnt what i wanted to see so off to the cinema i went.

I watched Avatar in 3d with a friend at The Gate, the most annoying thing was that i had to wear the 3D glasses on my own spectacles.lol, i did have my eyes and head spinning after a while. but i was really amazed at the 3d tech, i resolved that i would still see the movie in IMAX, which was my original plan anyway, i also wanted to take the 3D glasses away, i mean c'mon! i paid for those things! lol.

 Some weeks later i went to Odeon to see it in IMAX with another friend at 9:45am!! on a saturday morning, because seats where so booked! i was amazed at myself. lol. We got there and behold, a very long queue! it could only be for Avatar. We got in and went on to enjoy the movie. i dozed off lots of times, cos u know its a really long movie.lol but seeing it in IMAX makes all the difference, my eyes didnt spin as much, the screen was so clear, i thought my eyeballs had reverted back to the original shape.It was great!

Even though the story wasnt new plus overdone, and the lead character not very engagng, i enjoyed the movie. Even though i thought the Na'Vi's were a mash up of Red Indians and some South African tribe.. Even though i thought the features of the Na'Vi were grossly disturbing and i did see the racist undercurrents..Its a movie to watch and only at the Cinema..and in IMAX 3D!! :D

P:S Next stop Alice in Wonderland! Can't wait!