Tuesday, October 19, 2010
planning the shoot
What a thankless job I have. It all sounds totally glam but in reality its just house girl duties
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Eat, Pray, Love
Yes well this one I have to add to my don't believe the hype pile.
There it joins, The Alchemist, life of pi and frozen yogurt.
I remember a few years ago, everybody on the tube was reading the alchemist so I decided to get myself a copy and see what all the hype was about.
I read it, it was an easy enough read but nothing earth shattering. My good friend was breathlessly gushing about how the book had changed her life. I was not convinced at the time that she was not just quoting Richard and Judy.
I remember she looked tres superior and slightly sneering when she told me "I don't think you understood the book". I am not a snob but I remember thinking that she dropped out of school at 16 so it couldn't be my A in English she was questioning. I graciously said that perhaps I didn't. She took the pains to explain the whole idea that sometimes you go looking for happiness and fulfilment all over the globe but it was right in your back yard. I then had to explain that I got that, it was not news to me. So why would my mind set alter drastically ????
Again with the Eat, Pray, Love. I get the whole in a rut thing. I also get the whole fear holds you back from being happy thing. I also am a huge fan of all things Julia and don't get me started on Penelope Cruz husband (i forget his name for the moment). I loved the movie.....did it change my life though? NO!!! I usually agree with Oprah on everything but on this I've gots to say "nice movie great entertainment value, brilliantly executed but earth shattering it is not!!!!"
There it joins, The Alchemist, life of pi and frozen yogurt.
I remember a few years ago, everybody on the tube was reading the alchemist so I decided to get myself a copy and see what all the hype was about.
I read it, it was an easy enough read but nothing earth shattering. My good friend was breathlessly gushing about how the book had changed her life. I was not convinced at the time that she was not just quoting Richard and Judy.
I remember she looked tres superior and slightly sneering when she told me "I don't think you understood the book". I am not a snob but I remember thinking that she dropped out of school at 16 so it couldn't be my A in English she was questioning. I graciously said that perhaps I didn't. She took the pains to explain the whole idea that sometimes you go looking for happiness and fulfilment all over the globe but it was right in your back yard. I then had to explain that I got that, it was not news to me. So why would my mind set alter drastically ????
Again with the Eat, Pray, Love. I get the whole in a rut thing. I also get the whole fear holds you back from being happy thing. I also am a huge fan of all things Julia and don't get me started on Penelope Cruz husband (i forget his name for the moment). I loved the movie.....did it change my life though? NO!!! I usually agree with Oprah on everything but on this I've gots to say "nice movie great entertainment value, brilliantly executed but earth shattering it is not!!!!"
Get him to the Greek
There is nothing better than discovering some random movie that entertains the hell out you. As a good citizen I have to let you guys know about it.
The spin off of Forgetting Sarah Marchall (not sure of spelling) called get him to the greek. Russel brand is Aldous snow the rock star do we remember him and it has that guy Jonah hill in it.
Despite the fact that I am not a fan of all things skinny, I love Russell. Always have. Any movie I see him in he cracks me up. I am not sure if the chap is acting or if its his normal personality (which I suspect) but he is his hilarious and he carries this film well.
With cameo's from Puffy (NO HE CAN'T ACT) and all sorts of other fab peps it was a great way to spend my evening.
I don't know if its coz I had been drinking since noon but it's just too funny and I recommend it.
The spin off of Forgetting Sarah Marchall (not sure of spelling) called get him to the greek. Russel brand is Aldous snow the rock star do we remember him and it has that guy Jonah hill in it.
Despite the fact that I am not a fan of all things skinny, I love Russell. Always have. Any movie I see him in he cracks me up. I am not sure if the chap is acting or if its his normal personality (which I suspect) but he is his hilarious and he carries this film well.
With cameo's from Puffy (NO HE CAN'T ACT) and all sorts of other fab peps it was a great way to spend my evening.
I don't know if its coz I had been drinking since noon but it's just too funny and I recommend it.
Abuja bombs on Independance day
It's all so weird. I feel so far removed from this. I may as well be in another continent hearing about bombs in Abuja.
MEND have been at it again and on Independence day two bombs exploded in Eagle square.
The boy was supposed to go for a meeting in Abuja which got cancelled coz of bomb threats in the Abuja area.
I hate terrorism. I am still trying to work out under what circumstances terrorism has actually worked.......anybody?
It has never to my limited knowledge actually caused change!!!!!!
There has to be another way, just can't work out what.
MEND have been at it again and on Independence day two bombs exploded in Eagle square.
The boy was supposed to go for a meeting in Abuja which got cancelled coz of bomb threats in the Abuja area.
I hate terrorism. I am still trying to work out under what circumstances terrorism has actually worked.......anybody?
It has never to my limited knowledge actually caused change!!!!!!
There has to be another way, just can't work out what.
Friday, October 1, 2010
Fcuk the police
I got the most amazing phone call today and I was so disturbed by what I heard I thought I needed to share it with you.
My girlfriend called to tell me about a disturbing trip she took to the police station. Her baby sister (we all grew up together so very near and dear to me) had apparently been getting knocked about by her husband of two years. My friend, being from the educated abroad did what any self respecting citizen and owner of a beloved younger sister would do, called the police.
Her first contact in the police apparently told her not to bother coz the police do not handle domestic issues. Her second contact managed to pull a few favours so her brother in law got picked up by the popo. I think the term they used was "he was invited to come down to the station".
Horrid little place on the main land. His whole family had gathered there buy the time they got there. Her sister expected to go down make a statement and have it on record that he had beat her. He apparently had a nasty habit of spitting in her face for goodness sakes.
Anyway, the woman police did not actually allow her sister to finish her account of the attack she Had suffered that morning. She interrupted to let her know the she had not heard anything that was cause for them coming in to the police station.
Then she proceeded for about an hour to give her life story. First by quoting from the marriage ceremony and daring any member of the family to try and put asunder what the good Lord himself had brought together.
Then she told them all about her good for nothing husband who drank too much and stole her money, like anybody gave a crap!!! The story I loved the most though was the life story of the police guy who was there. He apparently had a whole MLK preachy thing going on. First suggesting that gossip was the evil that tore marriages apart (not abusive husbands apparently) then he told them his story and it went a little something like this...........
The year was 1980 something and one day his wife had provoked him so much that he wanted to beat her. In his anger he raised her up and threw her away like rubbish (at this point he did a bowa sound effect). Apparently she was knocked out for a few hours and he sat and watched her in a chair "sat down like a man" he said. When she came to she knelt down to him and asked him "if she had offended him" and he said "yes". Then she apologised like a good wife. He said from that day till today she (like a good wife) told nobody and they have been "happily" married ever since.
My girl could not believe what she was hearing (nor could I as I am sure you can imagine).
Due to the caliber of human beings in our police force it would appear that woman beating and being a battered spouse is normal activity. Reporting it to your family and asking for a better life for yourself is basically bad form.
Shocked, shocked and upset. Thank Goodness my friends family are supportive and understanding and have taken their baby under their wing. What of the poor woman that had nobody? Went into the police station to ask for help and got sent home 4 hours later after the polices amateur attempt at counselling to get murdered by her crazy spouse? What about her?
My girlfriend called to tell me about a disturbing trip she took to the police station. Her baby sister (we all grew up together so very near and dear to me) had apparently been getting knocked about by her husband of two years. My friend, being from the educated abroad did what any self respecting citizen and owner of a beloved younger sister would do, called the police.
Her first contact in the police apparently told her not to bother coz the police do not handle domestic issues. Her second contact managed to pull a few favours so her brother in law got picked up by the popo. I think the term they used was "he was invited to come down to the station".
Horrid little place on the main land. His whole family had gathered there buy the time they got there. Her sister expected to go down make a statement and have it on record that he had beat her. He apparently had a nasty habit of spitting in her face for goodness sakes.
Anyway, the woman police did not actually allow her sister to finish her account of the attack she Had suffered that morning. She interrupted to let her know the she had not heard anything that was cause for them coming in to the police station.
Then she proceeded for about an hour to give her life story. First by quoting from the marriage ceremony and daring any member of the family to try and put asunder what the good Lord himself had brought together.
Then she told them all about her good for nothing husband who drank too much and stole her money, like anybody gave a crap!!! The story I loved the most though was the life story of the police guy who was there. He apparently had a whole MLK preachy thing going on. First suggesting that gossip was the evil that tore marriages apart (not abusive husbands apparently) then he told them his story and it went a little something like this...........
The year was 1980 something and one day his wife had provoked him so much that he wanted to beat her. In his anger he raised her up and threw her away like rubbish (at this point he did a bowa sound effect). Apparently she was knocked out for a few hours and he sat and watched her in a chair "sat down like a man" he said. When she came to she knelt down to him and asked him "if she had offended him" and he said "yes". Then she apologised like a good wife. He said from that day till today she (like a good wife) told nobody and they have been "happily" married ever since.
My girl could not believe what she was hearing (nor could I as I am sure you can imagine).
Due to the caliber of human beings in our police force it would appear that woman beating and being a battered spouse is normal activity. Reporting it to your family and asking for a better life for yourself is basically bad form.
Shocked, shocked and upset. Thank Goodness my friends family are supportive and understanding and have taken their baby under their wing. What of the poor woman that had nobody? Went into the police station to ask for help and got sent home 4 hours later after the polices amateur attempt at counselling to get murdered by her crazy spouse? What about her?
Happy independence day
So we reached fifty and most of us feel like we have nothing to be proud of really.
We all seem to love to hate Nigeria. Its sad but true. I don't know enough to wax philosophical. My country seems on the verge of something just not sure what. It's either going to explode or we are going to start sorting it out. It seems clear to me that things can't go on as they are.
Most people have posted on FB "ask not what your country can do for you but what you can do for your country" and I have decided this is going to have to be my attitude from now on.
Since I started working as the Style Editor (yes I put it in capitals I am soooo proud of self) at tW magazine (which btw celebrated 3 years in the biz last night) I have been reading the mag and what I have been amazed by is the number of quiet unsung hero's in my country. I am not talking about those that have it easy because of family money or have a big name behind them which allows them to own and oppress many people. I read about a London based Nigerian doctor whose sister died trying to get to medical help (this is not a rare occurrence in my country) so what does she do? She moves to Nigeria and begs borrows and steals and starts an air ambulance service in 3 states (to date) in Nigeria.
Did she moan and tell the whole world what a crap emergency service we have in this country? Yes I know that was me just a couple of months ago!!!! She did something about it. She has improved and saved many lives in the process.
I am more than ever inspired now to do better by my country.
Happy Independence day Nigeria.
We all seem to love to hate Nigeria. Its sad but true. I don't know enough to wax philosophical. My country seems on the verge of something just not sure what. It's either going to explode or we are going to start sorting it out. It seems clear to me that things can't go on as they are.
Most people have posted on FB "ask not what your country can do for you but what you can do for your country" and I have decided this is going to have to be my attitude from now on.
Since I started working as the Style Editor (yes I put it in capitals I am soooo proud of self) at tW magazine (which btw celebrated 3 years in the biz last night) I have been reading the mag and what I have been amazed by is the number of quiet unsung hero's in my country. I am not talking about those that have it easy because of family money or have a big name behind them which allows them to own and oppress many people. I read about a London based Nigerian doctor whose sister died trying to get to medical help (this is not a rare occurrence in my country) so what does she do? She moves to Nigeria and begs borrows and steals and starts an air ambulance service in 3 states (to date) in Nigeria.
Did she moan and tell the whole world what a crap emergency service we have in this country? Yes I know that was me just a couple of months ago!!!! She did something about it. She has improved and saved many lives in the process.
I am more than ever inspired now to do better by my country.
Happy Independence day Nigeria.
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