Frank Friday: Update

Thank you, thank you, thank you for the feedback. Tashakor. I didn't know I was making sense but why oh why would you not drop them here? Feedback that is. I don't get it. Isn't it much easier? Okay, I'm done ranting. I appreciate that ya'll take the time to actually visit, I'm humbled.

So, certain someones have prompted my doing an update on this post. I've needed to clarify a few things. Not everyone can do what I did (I'm not even asking anyone to do anything) cos we're not all in the same circumstance(s) neither are we cut from the same cloth. I've had some people say I made it sound so easy. Seriously? Did you read that post at all? There was nothing easy about that decision. Heck, I was terribly terrified (see? Terribly terrified). It was no mean feat I pulled back then, uhuh. Especially in this clime of ours where we've been fed the half bread's better than none and a Bird in hand's worth...yada, yada, yada advice one time too many.

Manage, the common man's anthem (that's actually a post on its own). So, no it wasn't easy but was it worth it? In Les Brown's voice, it was worth it alright?

So, here goes nothing. Yup, nothing 'cos I don't really know what I'm doing. I'm literally flying by the seat of my pants (go figure).

For anyone that wants to try this (again, I don't even advise you to, double standard much?) be absolutely, unconfoundedly sure 'cos my dear, you ain't going to enjoy the experience unless you're a sloth. I hear they don't do much. I was at the end of my tether so to speak, when I made that decision.

Secondly, make sure you have a plan B in case things don't go quite so well. If possible have a plan in all the alphabets, you don't want to be stranded like this little man:

Thirdly, don't let anyone guilt trip you into thinking you made a mistake (unless you did indeed make a mistake). It's not their happiness or health or advancement or career growth or whatever it is that's making you leave, at stake. I think I should insert here that you should clearly evaluate your reason(s) for leaving. Is it something that can actually be corrected, modified, addressed? You get my drift. We don't want you running off and then two weeks down you suffer from the had-i-known syndrome, nope, that wouldn't do. So assess, assess, assess your reason(s) & option(s).

Also, it's advisable to have some pocket money tucked away somewhere. It should be enough to see you through the wait. You'd have to cut down on your budget, a lot of things would have to go and you & the ones around you would or might feel the pinch. Depends on the wait.

For me, the first thing to go was impulse buying. I'm big at that. If it wasn't absolutely necessary, no deal. I'm learning the hard way. Yes, learning 'cos it's still WIP (Work In Progress).

Basically, that's it. Be sure it's not the evil forces in your villa that are pushing your buttons before you leap. Have your options staked out from A-Z if need be. Avoid those guilt trippers biko 'cos that's exactly what they are. They send you off on guilt trips all by yourself and they almost all don't turn out well. Make sure to have a lil' something (cash) that'll hold till the tide washes over (no brainer there).

So, did I miss anything?

Photo Credit: Dreamstime.

P.S: If you don't look anything like the smiling guy in the first image, then, you're probably making a mistake. Think it through.

I Have An Axe to Grind...

...so as do you.

I'm sorry, what were you expecting? Lol. It's a slow day for me and I was just Idly wondering about idioms, idiomatic expressions. I wonder where that word was coined from cos were I to translate literally or give it my best shot I'd call them idiotic expressions. But hey, let's be honest, some do sound idiotic don't they? Especially when you reason them quite literally e.g flying by the seat of one's pants, its meaning is so far off flying and pants.

Indeed

Ironically, it's the same way with grammatically correct speech. Speaking correct English (like really, pronunciations on fleek, stress points flawlessly pulled off et al) sounds incorrect. You say the right thing and then do a double check like, wait, is that correct? Take this sentence for instance; "It's high time we left" or its variant, "It's time we left." I bet you, there are people who will argue from now till high noon that it's incorrect. It does sound incorrect sef.

I could go on and on with this language called English. It has always fascinated me and was my fave subject that year-dunno about now.

Well, I'm done fascinating, no be my language. Thanks for dropping by, bye. *grins*

Photo Credit: Google

MMC: A Case for Monday

Hi friends, as a wee bit of reminder;

"Monday Moaners' Club (MMC) is a series of short - really short - stories loosely based on the grief all some of us seem to feel whenever Monday rolls round armed with tons of work."

Enjoy its new episode. 

                                  *** 

"Court," the orderly tries to bring order back into the rowdy room, “Court," he shouts again. The judge bangs his gavel and this time the room quiets down. “Call in the next case," he says to the registrar. 

This particular case from the onset had been a very interesting one, the People vs: Monday, he couldn't wait to hear the defendant's testimony.

"I call upon Mr. Grouch," the orderly declares.

A big grumpy man makes his way noisily to the witness stand. He answers some questions and having undertaken the oath to speak the truth, the proceedings continue. The next witness, Monday is called upon and takes the stand.

"Mr. Monday, you stand accused of sleep thiefery, doldrumming, traffic jams, forceful sobriety, cold showers and hurried breakfasts among several other counts. How plead you?"

"Not guilty my lord."

The judge looks at him askance and he goes on to elaborate.

"My lord you see, human beigns are creatures of habit, circumspect beings and if they aren't pushed, they won't attain their peak. I'm the first day of the working week hence it falls upon me to make sure they hit the ground running as that'll set the pace for the rest of my colleagues, I make it easy for them. Should I fail, the rest of the days would be a flop until flouncy Friday comes along to take them for a fun ride. The mess thereafter is left for me to clean up and I cannot fail my superiors now can I?"

Though he wasn't found guilty, he wasn't acquitted either. So I leave it to you readers, is Monday as bad as he is made out to be?

Have a stress free week ya'll...

Peace.

Photo Credit: Google.

More Like Flu Friday

Hello to you, 

It's been a flu-tastic week & my hanky's been my must have accessory & faithful companion this past few days. It's the peak of the raining season and it's beginning to take its toll on me. The fact that I got drenched one time didn't help. I love the Rain but I don't appreciate been drenched especially if I didn't plan for it.

I hate been sick (duh, I guess no one likes it) it just has a way of making one feel so useless helpless & life sucks when you're ill...Everything just feels awful (a transfer of feelings I suppose) cause nothing changed.

Well, I decided to check in. Monday Moaners Club will be resuming on Monday by God's grace. Don't be like me, stay flu-free.
Bleary-eyed....
Back to my sneezarathon...
Song playing in the background: 'Cold' by Aqualung & Lucy Schwartz.

Thank God I'm a Woman?

This Poem is loaded with so much Sarcasm, I just had to share. It's by Anna Wickham and is titled "The Affinity". Enjoy.

I have to thank God I'm a woman, 

For in these ordered days a woman only 

Is free to be very hungry, very lonely. 

It is sad for Feminism, but still clear 

That man, more often than woman, is pioneer. 

If I would confide a new thought, 

First to a man must it be brought. 

Now, for our sins, it is my bitter fate 

That such a man wills soon to be my mate, 

And so of friendship is quick end: 

When I have gained a love I lose a friend. 

It is well within the order of things 

That man should listen when his mate sings;

But the true male never yet walked 

Who liked to listen when his mate talked. 

I would be married to a full man, 

As would all women since the world began; 

But from a wealth of living I have proved 

I must be silent, if I would be loved. 

Now of my silence I have much wealth, 

I have to do my thinking all by stealth. 

My thoughts may never see the day; 

My mind is like a catacomb where early Christians pray. 

And of my silence I have much pain, 

But of these pangs I have great gain; 

For I must take to drugs or drink, 

Or I must write the things I think. 

If my sex would let me speak, 

I would be very lazy and most weak; 

I should speak only, and the things I spoke 

Would fill the air awhile, and clear like smoke. 

The things I think now I write down, 

And some day I will show them to the Town. 

When I am sad I make thought clear; 

I can re-read it all next year. 

I have to thank God I'm a woman, 

For in these ordered days a woman only 

Is free to be very hungry, very lonely. 

Life's beautiful...Smile

Photo Credit(s): Vecteezy, Shutterstock.

A Commuter's Tale

I've taken to going to and from work via this very long bus we call urban mass back in the FCT.

This is it.

It all started as part of my operation cut cost cos on a good day, I wouldn't use them. It takes longer arriving my destination but I'm kinda enjoying it cos of all the shenanigans that take place in it while in transit, hehe.

The other day, on my way back home a mutiny threatened to strike. Ok, not mutiny more like disorderly behaviour. We had left Area 3 in Garki en route Gwagwalada. It was at the peak of traffic, rush hour when all most offices have closed and everyone's running home.

So, I don't know what got into the *epa but he took a wrong route in the name of avoiding the traffic jam ahead. We had to circle back into town (no mean feat with traffic everywhere). To cut a long story short after much diversions and meeting same result, the passengers began to hyperventilate with insults ringing from all sides.

My amusement changed to alarm when some over excited ones got it into their heads to wrestle control of the steering wheel with the driver. Others began to shout with one woman screaming out the window, "help, help". It was crazy I tell you and I began to pray for the Holy Spirit's intervention. Imagine being in a long bus that's weaving this way and that, it wasn't funny but it was funny. After the fear had passed that is. 

Having finished my prayer, I relaxed, ready to watch the drama unfold (kent fit shout) while enjoying my boiled corn on the cob.

Ultimately, we arrived Gwags two hours late (talk about irate passengers. I pitied the old man sha, na condition make cray fish bend.

*an elderly man.

Photo Credit: aumtco.com

Faces

There are faces 

And then there are faces

A bitch resting face

A neutral face

A mad face

An angry face

A sick face

A tired face

A world weary face

A bright face

A cunning face

And tons of other faces

I love them all equally 

Or unequally?

This face I wear

Ain't mine

I borrow faces

To emote feelings

Running wild in my head 

In my body 

In my mind

I wear many faces

Each day

A different face

Each situation

A different face

Each occasion

A different face

These faces I wear-

Long

Happy

Sad

Thoughtful

Disappointed ‎

Stressed

Strained

Wise

Open

Honest

Scowly

Scarred

Fearsome

Feisty

-I wear them with pride

Today it's a shiny face

Tomorrow it's a mask of a face

Some with a measure of hesitancy

I wear

Some faces are formidable

And threatening to other faces

I wear these faces only when needed

On extreme contrivances

Many faces have I

But I'm stuck with two

These two faces I find

Are all that I need

They carry the messages

I desire to spread

These faces of mine

Have served unreservedly

Faithfully

Loyally

Swerving neither left nor right

As straight as parallel lines

Remain they

Poker-faced

Unfazed

These are the faces I favour

This face I wear

Wears me out sometimes 

I teach it to laugh 

But it adamantly refuses 

So I borrow a laughing face

This isn't my face

My face is fair

And long

And fair

And pimply

And dimply

That's my face alright

But the face that looks out at me now

I fear

I do not recognise

This face of mine

It draws people to me

And chases others away from me

This face of mine

Mine yet not mine

This face I wear

Does it accurately portray me?

Am I my face?

Is my face I?

This face I wear

Simple yet complex

Underneath the lines 

The care worn lines

Of having lived

Underneath the crags and craters

That garnish the surface of my face

Lies yet more faces

The face of worry

The face of doubt 

The face of shame

The face of anxiety

Many faces have I 

But above all

I prefer my homely face

My homely face exudes peace

My homely face exudes love

Tolerance 

Acceptance

This face I wear

Which do you wear?

I wear the face of success 

And when I'm feeling exceptional gay

I wear the fey

The fey face never fails me

When times are bad

Then comes out the bold

The rock face's strong and hard

But then 

It's too heavy for comfort 

I can barely carry it around 

I pray they continue to serve

These faces of mine

Until the day

I put them finally to rest

And that I shall do with a smile

Knowing that I have used them all

And exhausted them of whatever life drop

They might have possessed

Photo Credit; Musings from Mt. Helicon

Frank Friday: A Reminder to Dear Self

This again is a recycled piece that was first published here. What frame of mind I was in, I do not care to recall but I'm risking a certain degree of... putting it out like this, but hey, it's frank Friday.

I find that I spend too much of my time in my head and this unfortunately has its repercussions. Occasionally, I may venture out to see what’s going on with the world – albeit, reluctantly – I almost always regret it cos I'm disheartened by what I see and hear – disaster upon disaster, it’s all bad news.

So what’s a gal to do? Remain in in my head of course, indefinitely. Not that it’s pleasant all of the time, at least I’m the creator here, the one in charge. It’s when I’m in my head solutions are proffered; it’s all rosy in here.

On the flip side though, I tend to lose touch with reality, the world just  moves on without me leaving me to catch up while gasping for breath (for the few times I actually care to bother).

Then something happens to make me realise that I ought to be bothered. Really bothered. 

Photo Credit: A Friend's DP

Turtle Soup

Gloria Gaynor's 'I will Survive' usually does the trick but not this time. No, not this time. My mantra of recent (I keep switching 'em) has been 'The just shall shall live by their faith'. It just keeps going round and round in my head not that I'm complaining, no. 

So, my actual reason for coming out of a semi vacay is 'cos of the  news my lil' birds have been bringing. With all I've heard so far this maxim neatly wraps up what I'm been told: 

when the going gets tough, the tough gets going.

That said, I have good news. All that's going on with the economy, fuel subsidy, price hikes et al is for good. Eh? Someone's wondering if they read correctly, yes you did. Business moguls - or should I say experts? - say it is at times like this great opportunities present themselves (for my business oriented people, shine ya eyes). This is the time some of my friends will hammer (come into good fortune). Thou knoweth thyselves.

I was glad (with reason) when all these changes began I was forced to give up on certain unhealthy habits like my love for snacks and pick up healthy ones, long walks. Before I purchase a snack, boy, I reason it well. Ain't got that kinda cash to throw around no more. You feeling me? Hahaha. But really, desperate times call for desperate measures.

For me personally, it has been a great time for my experiments to thrive (I'm big on DIYs) and has opened up alternative means of getting things done (does multipurpose ring a bell)? For example, let's start with:

Food: I've found that so much I thought I couldn't do without, I can actually do without and have found new uses for food items that I once undermined.

Beauty regime: back to the basics biko. I never knew I had an Aloe Vera plant in my house (ok, I did know, but never paid it any mind) until I ran out of cleanser (ladies, I hope you're reading in between the lines).

Transportation: I hear carpooling's great but I wouldn't know 'cos my car's yet to arrive (on the high seas *wink*). So for those of us still hopping buses, it's not for every mileage you need to board a vehicle (truth be told), there's a reason some are called 'walking distance'. Work those muscles.

The US passed through a great depression once upon a time and history has it down as one of the dreariest of times - I shudder to think of what went down in that period - that I daresay has made them the formidable nation that they are today. What we're passing through now is beans compared to that. My advise for the time being, would be to buckle those belts, hold tight, sit tight and try not to fall off 'cos it's gonna be one helluva ride.

Meanwhile, I cannot logically explain why that title for this post 'Turtle Soup' but I have this feeling that I do know why.

So pretty please do share, what lifestyle changes have you had to make with all that's going on?

Photo Credit; PicsyMag