And in the weird world of Nigeria...
Naija was in the news again this week and you can trust it wasn't for something positive as the governor of Bayelsa, D. Alamieyeseigha, jumped bail and fled from the UK, reports say he escaped with forged travel documents (obviously..) and was 'dressed as a woman'
Not only is the guy a criminal, he's now also a cross dresser : ).
It's going to be interesting seeing how this plays out, so far he has been kicked out of his party (PDP), i expect the legislators in the state legislative house will have to be 'settled' to instigate impeachment proceedings against him, cause he is definitely not going to resign voluntarily...

Whichever way its a massive embarrassment to all Nigerians and the ijaws should be ashamed of themselves for rejoicing when he arrived. I think the govt should grant the ijaws independence, with leaders like Alams they'll be begging to return....

Nice Quote: "Religion seems to have a way of making people abandon logic". ~Amanda Baxter

Weather Today: weather turns nasty...

'Arrested Development' gets the ax
http://www.cnn.com/2005/SHOWBIZ/TV/11/11/television.shows.reut/

AAAgh!!!! (thats my idea of a scream)
/RANT Begins!
just heard some upsetting news, one of the best tv shows from across the pond - Arrested Development - http://www.fox.com/arresteddev/ is going to be cancelled at the end of its 3rd season. Now i hardly watch TV but on the few occasions i do, its to see this show. Ever since Frasier ended, i've been without a comedy fix until i stumbled on this show by accident. This show is for the cerebral mind so its not surprising that it's been canned for its low audience share. If Fox can keep that bloody simpsons going for an eternity i don't know why they can't just keep this show alive
/RANT ends!

oh well i guess my DVDs of season 1 & 2 will just have to keep me going till something else turns up...


Nice Quote: "Philosophy is questions that may never be answered. Religion is answers that may never be questioned" – Anon

Weather Today: its time to bring out the gloves...

In the News: Nigerian leader third-term boost
Nigeria's presidents should be allowed a third term in office, a Nigerian Senate sub-committee has proposed. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/4438648.stm

Nigerian politicians are so predictable its unreal. I remember this was the same stunt Abacha was trying to pull when he wanted to transform himself from a military dictator to a civilian. the constitution says 2 terms of 4 years period, which part of 2 terms don't they understand, why the clamour to change it??? so after 3 terms what stops them from attempting to change it to 4 terms, infact while they are at it why not remove the restriction completely, infact why bother with an election every 4 years???

its quite interesting to note that this is the first time in Nigeria's history that a civilian government has got this far, as in got this close to a third election. anyway lets just hope for the best


Nice Quote: "When the end comes for us, let it find us climbing new mountains and not sliding down hill" – Herbert Macaulay


Weather Today: cold and sunny

In the News: Terror technology plans for rail
CCTV that spots suspicious behaviour is among new anti-terror devices being tested to protect the rail network
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/4434302.stm

Ok its official now i'm really scared. What is going on here? first they tried to introduce a new bill giving the police 90 days to detain a 'terrorist' suspect, now reduced to 28 days but even that 28 days is too much, are we expected to trust the police not to abuse the law, the same police that pumped 9 bullets into an innocent brazilian and then tried to cover it up by saying he jumped over the barrier when he was challenged.

Anyway i digress, now i know this software thing is just BS as what exactly constitutes 'suspicious behaviour' someone walking around lost in the station or someone carrying a large rucksack. i mean c'omon the list is endless. Blair and his cohorts are turning this country into a police state. When is this madness going to end???...



Nice Quote: "Our brightest blazes of gladness are commonly kindled by unexpected sparks." Samuel Johnson

In the News: David Blunkett (UK works & pension minister) resigns for the second time

not surprising that this happened, i had a funny feeling the matter was heading in this direction when the story refused to die. Poor Blunkett he had to resign the first time due to the nannygate affair and he had our sympathy, this time around i doubt he'll get much support as most people never get a second chance when they are pushed out of a job.
In his case he returned to the cabinet in may and barely 6 months later he is out again. Kimberly Quinn must pleased.. what was that saying about power corrupting.., anyway regardless of all the mess he got himself into, he is a remarkable man who has overcome many obstacles (including blindness) to get to where he is. I don't feel sorry for him 'cause i know Tony takes care of his own, remember mandelson...


Nice Quote: "It is easier to fight for one's principles than to live up to them." - Alfred Adler.

In the News: Nigeria's black weekend (first lady dies after cosmetic surgery, 117 die in bellview plane crash)

Its been a crazy sad weekend in naija, first a major plane crash occurs and it takes 15 hours for the authorities to locate the plane, then some government official claims 50 people survived without even knowing the full details. Lets just say the full incompetence of the Nigerian system was revealed to the whole world. Even if people had managed to survive the crash they would have died waiting for the authorities to show up. As is the usual case people will shout and then its back to doing nothing until the next major incident occurs and then the recriminations starts all over again.
I just hope this tragic incident pushes the govt to overhaul our non existent emergency service, we just can't go on like this with our typical firebrigade approach.
No one knows what caused the crash yet, we pray that the souls of those on board rest in peace. it is truly a tragic event.

the second incident was at least avoidable, talking about stella obasanjo's death after undergoing cosmetic surgery in spain. Its really sad and a tragic waste of life. It seems this is now the latest craze amongst our political elite and i think we've all seen the outcome of vanity.

Like the REM song 'Losing my religion' i think i'm losing my country, cause i just don't understand the way people are thinking, it's as if we've lost the plot completely


Nice Quote: "If you don't have a vision for the future, then your future is threatened to be a repeat of the past." - A.R. Bernard

Weather Today: raining and windy

In the News recently: 'Pastor to repay £200,000 after buying Florida timeshare on church Visa card'

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2-1814723,00.html (the allegations)
http://odili.net/news/source/2005/oct/16/9.html (his response)

you can trust me to get excitable when i stumble on an article like this, nothing gets my blood boiling than reading about a pastor taking advantage of his position in church and helping himself to its finances. This particular story relates to the pastor of KICC (Mathew Ashimolowo)
I sent the newslink to other Nigerians with the hope that maybe, just maybe people will open their eyes and spend their hard earned money on their families,friends,relations,community members etc rather than paying for the lavish lifestyles of their pastors. Our people are suffering and struggling and in the midst of such poverty we have things like this happening.

To be honest how Ashimolowo runs his church is his own business, its the people who are blinded and can not think for themselves and have more or less swapped one superstition for another that baffles me. They sell people the message they want to hear and they fall for it hook, line and sinker. Prosperity for all, but all i see is the pastor living large while the congregation struggles. Like Fela sang 'Archbishop na miliki, pope na enjoyment, imau na gbaladun..."

Africans lets us not buy into this bullshit, we need to hold all accountable, our politicians, religious leaders, community leaders etc. people can not continue to use 'wayo' to hold us down. We need to help ourselves and our people by committing to charitable projects in our communities not spending our hard earned pounds, dollars, euros, naira (or whatever currency you are into) to fund the lavish lifestyles of our pastors.


Nice Quote: "We are built to conquer environment, solve problems, achieve goals and we find no real satisfaction or happiness in life without obstacles to conquer and goals to achieve." - – Maxwell Maltz in Psycho-Cybernetics (1960)

Weather Today: its autumn and the sun's off on holiday till next year

In the News recently: 'Bird Flu reaches Europe'

ok let the panic begin, it seems migratory birds from Asia have finally bought the dreaded bird flu to Europe (just Turkey at the mo). Africa is just round the corner and with all our problems its prevention is not high on our agenda so you just know that it will be a nightmare when it hits Africa.

Chicken and Turkey (the two things i love to eat) may soon become a no go area just like beef after the mad cow scare. Infact i only started eating beef again in the last 2/3 years. The scariest thing is not the bird flu and the mass culling of poultry it entails. It is the scary scenario of the virus mutating or adapting and spreading from humans to humans rather than bird to humans.

Scientists are saying its only a matter of time before this occurs and there are still no vaccines to combat it. Seems like a doomsday scenario or something out of that crazy film with Dustin Hoffman in it trying to combat an 'ebola' type virus, Only time will tell but it seems we are living, like the chinese will say, in "interesting" times


Nice Quote: "In order to become someone else's soul-mate, you must first be your own" - Dr Derek Hopson

Weather Today: cloudy dark and grey, no surprises there

the site has now been moved to another location from the old location

paying the price for the long journey back from oz, still suffering the effects of jetlag

In the News recently: 'Nigerian governor arrested in London'

the money laundering law claims another Nigerian "theiving" politician, this time the governor of bayelsa state. bayelsa state is one of those poor states in that cesspool of mayhem, poverty and polution called the niger delta. now this state is probably one of the poorest in nigeria and why not when all of the state's money is in the governor's bank account in london.

some idiots are making noise that its all politically motivated but what interest will the british government have in this pathetic little creature.

hopefully the days of nigerian politicians thinking they can just steal money and bring it here is numbered, african countries don't need western handouts and aid, what we need is for western countries to seize stolen african wealth taken out of africa and kept in bank accounts in western nations.

Nice Quote: "the best man for the job does not go after the job, he waits to be called" - Ulysses S Grant.

Sydney Opera House

back from beautiful Sydney, Australia
still jetlagged after the 23 hour flight but will be back with a new more public concept soon ; ) i hope....

view across Sydney Harbour


Sydney Harbour Bridge

From Oz with love...
still in Australia, been down here for almost 2 weeks now, great place with xcellent weather, just got back from Melbourne, nice and laid back, its gr8 2 be back in Sydney after the 15 hour coach ride


In the News Today: 'Another hurricane about to hit US gulf coast'
could it be that its all coming home to roost for the Americans, burying their heads in the sand like an ostrich and hoping their way of life is not causing global warming just won't wash, another major hurricane in less than 1 month, methinks Bush should be more concerned about the "nature" terrorist not the islamic one

Nice Quote: "just because you work in the zoo doesn't mean you have to behave like the animals" - anon.

Weather Today: sunny,dry and bright (hey its sydney always bright and sunny here)

smiley : ): back in Sydney from Melbourne; looking fwd to going back home

...6 days to oz trip the count down begins

In the News Today: 'New Orleans under siege'
New Orleans may go down in history as the first major city in an advanced country to be lost to the process of global warming (newsreport) .. but is anyopne listening???

Nice Quote: "Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow." - anon.

Weather Today: sunny and bright

smiley : ): oz break

...talk about taking a scary leap but it was worth it, as hearing those words really calmed the raging 'sea'. I've learnt a lot and i will play my part in educating others..

In the News Today: 'City terror attack 'inevitable'
was on the underground today, the first time since 7/7 and it was really weird and different. London has become such a different place now, like the calm before the raging storm

Nice Quote: "The greatest glory of living, lies not in never falling but in rising everytime you fall" - anon

Weather Today: sunny and bright

smiley : ): reassurance and hope for the future

...opened up a new chapter, setting myself guidelines & rules to guide me in my journey thru life. Its important to face the issues and engineer a way to deal with them.

In the News Today: 'Terror treason charge considered'
in light of the events of 7/7 and the attempted bombings on 21/7, new measures were bound to be introduced to curb the menace of 'suicide bombing'. say what u like about the British, they've been tolerant enough and it's about time they took the gloves off and dealt with the 'crazy imams' who send out innocent souls and brainwash them into thinking they are 'matyrs'

Nice Quote: "On the surface, evil looks attractive" - anon

Weather Today: nice and sunny

smiley : ): looking ahead to a new era

have a permanent smile on since saturday night after seeing Anita Baker at the Royal Albert Hall. Not only did i get to see her live i was called up on stage and got a hug as well. it was truly a 'priceless' moment. if there was soundtrack of my life then anita's music will be backdrop for the late 80s and 90s.



In the News Today: 'the monday after....'
the weekend really bought home the impact of thursday attack on London, as people started looking for loved ones, and the news really hit home as a few Nigerians were affected. London will definitely overcome this.

Nice Quote: "dreams do come true...." - Anita Baker (from her song, 'Angel')

Weather Today: warm and occasionally sunny

smiley : ): got to meet my idol Anita Baker on sat 09 july 2005

crazy day today as explosions and rumours circulate,don't know how i'm going to get home from the office as EC train station is closed as a result of a bomb scare in the area. this really sucks, thoughts go out to all those injured and killed in this atrocity

In the News Today: 'Multiple explosions rock London'
a day after we won the rights to host the olympics, terrorists unleash mayhem on the streets of central London

Nice Quote: "The man who goes alone can start today; but he who travels with another must wait till that other is ready" - Henry David Thoreau

Weather Today: dull and cloudy

no smiley today....

been a while since i've posted, too many things to do and sort out, arranged d aussie trip for sept. Got a bit down regarding the news i heard on monday, but upbeat now that i've done some research and found a herbal remedy that may help.
Anita baker is in concert here in London this saturday; really really looking forward to it. I hope it happens as she has already cancelled 2 shows in the states....

In the News Today: 'London wins right to host 2012 Olympics'
a great day for London, even though we all thought Paris will win. Poor Chirac he must be 'eating' his words... well it's official our council tax bill is going through the roof to pay for this.

Nice Quote: "Iron rusts from disuse, stagnant water loses its purity and in cold weather becomes frozen, even so does inacton sap the vigors of the mind." - Leonardo DaVinci

Weather Today: cloudy, bright and sunny (if that makes any sense)

smiley : ): London wins...

it's friday and the weekend starts, going to the airport on sunday

In the News Today: 'New Star Wars gets US premieres'
the film is actually on general release on may 19, but brings to an end a stroy that started in a roundabout way in 1977, first caught the SW bug in the mid 80s and i've been hooked since, let the force begin : )

Nice Quote: "Enthusiasm is the greatest asset in the world. It beats money, power and influence" - Henry Chester

Weather Today: summer still seems to be elusive, sun shining but still slightly cold for this time of the year

smiley : ): booked tickets for anita baker concert on july 9th

first day at work after an exciting trip to the big apple. New York is truly an exciting city that i never tire of visiting and with the current exchange rate at about 1 to 1.9, it's a shopping mecca

In the News Today: 'Blair wins election and then faces calls to resign'
wasn't around last week for the british election, which Tony won albeit with a reduced majority but he's now damaged goods as a result of the iraqi invasion, well serves him right for not standing up to Bush and leading the UK into a senseless war in iraq...

Nice Quote: "Chance favours only the prepared mind" - Anon

Weather Today: the sun's shining, but still slightly cold for this time of the year

smiley : ): back from a well deserved break...