Que sera

Hello everyone. I trust you are all doing well. I have been fine and doing good. Life hasn't changed much. Lagos is still what it is. This post will be random. More like grouses :D

Is it just me or does anyone think it's weird that MTN wants to give away an airplane? Instead of improving on their service delivery, they have devised a way to make us forget that their service is crappy. I am sad for our nation and our wanton consumerism attitude. In any sane country, would anyone be giving away an airplane? Like really. Smh.

There are so many online outlets in Nigeria now. I haven't had any bad experience with them, although, I know people who have. Late delivery or mixed up orders. Naija, we hardly ever get things right. I was on one of the sites and the prices were craay! I mean, my office is on Lagos Island, so I took a stroll to the market to compare some of the prices. Suffice to say, I will still be heading to the market, thank you very much. Even for the imported things, I will rather pay the shipping cost, because the savings are worth it.

This is an aside and I normally don't care what other people do but I sometimes wonder. So, my friend's brother whom I have known for more than 10 years recently got married. He was dating a particular girl whom I have known for as long as he. They were practically inseparable then. I know the girl has issues and so does he, in fact I thought they matched perfectly until they broke up sometime ago. Now the guy is married to someone else. I wish him a lot of happiness but I wonder whether all those years were wasted. I mean you have spent the better part of a decade with someone and then you break up. Why? Ah well.

There was a time in my life that I didn't like kids. But today, I still can't say I am crazy about them but I am much more accommodating. I think since I learnt my sister was pregs, I have been fascinated. Now, my niece will be one next month and its been a beautiful journey. I love that girl to pieces. She is quite a little madam, independent and I suspect she will be as naughty as her mother was!

Why do okada riders derive perverse pleasure in scratching people's cars? I also noticed that most men in Nigeria dislike progressive women (notice I didn't say successful women). They see you behind a wheel, they start calling you names. I was along the Marina axis one day and this 'keke marwa' (those tricycles), pulled up alongside and tried to squeeze his way past. When I wouldn't move into another lane so it could pass, the driver (can I even call him that?!) and the male passengers started their insults. I have since adopted the attitude of "that's why they are not/won't be successful, because they are too bitter". Choi. I have noticed this attitude at work even. Na wah.

On a lighter note, where are these bloggers? SolomonSydelle, Temite, Nefertiti etc.

All in a day's work

So here I am. Almost a year after! I have thought about putting up a post many times, but alas, something always stops me. Truth is, I have missed this space. This post will be a bit random.

I have a new job. My old job was way too stressful. I am not cut out for 15 hr days. I am simply not paid enough. My new job is alright, dare I say it? I like it even :D

I have a niece. She is beautiful. When my sister was preggers, I used to rub her belly and talk to the baby. The baby was born and she is just gorgeous. I have never been a big baby fan but when I saw my niece the very first time, I can't even describe the feeling. I can however say that for the very first time, I felt pure love. No inducement, nothing, just a sense of wonder that my baby sister produced this. It's a miracle!

My niece is so lovely. I am enthralled with her and I think she is enamored with me too. She is always staring at me. She follows me with her eyes and her mother complains that her baby is obsessed with me. Gosh, I love that baby! She is eight months now. Curiously, I can spend hours just playing with her. She gets naughty and fussy occasionally but mostly, she is peaceful.

The past year has been good. Very good to be honest. I have much to be thankful for.

Does anyone know where the blogger Temite is? I think of everyone here sometimes and wonder.

Toodles

Officially...

The week started on a very good note. I got notice on Friday that the result of my ICSA (Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators) exam would be released on Monday but that only students that have paid their annual dues would be able to access the portal. I am still pained as it was my last exam and wouldn't need the student site anymore plus that money would have bought me some fantastic shoes. My frequent readers would recall that the last time I wrote the exam was in 2008.

I passed three out of four then and decided to take a break. I couldn't write it in 2009 'cos I was doing my LLM and since I was doing double degrees, there was no extra time to spare. Fast-forward to 2011, I decided to take the plunge again. Studying and working full-time is very difficult. The exam was written in June, one of the busiest times of my career so far. I would get home at 10pm or later and still study.

I also remember hiding in one of the conference rooms during break to study. And the week of the exam, I juggling my office and the conference room! I was not given exam leave as you had to have applied about 4 months before the exam. I couldn't 'cos I had not spent u to months then.

The exam itself, was alright except I didn't finish! I answered three out of four questions and I was worried. I can't afford not to pass. The first time around I didn't study hard enough 'cos all my devotion went into the other course, Corporate Financial Management. The whole debt/equity/(in)solvency calculations and formulas was overwhelming. I had to go back to SS1 maths text books to cope and I got a maths tutor to take me through! It was that hard. I still hate maths.

Here we are in August and I passed with a merit! So I am officially an ICSA grad now. Yep, I can add Chartered Secretary to my titles! The funny thing is, when I was at law school, I swore I wouldn't study for any more exams! I finished and I immediately registered for the ICSA. Then I repeated the mantra but I still went ahead to do an LLM not one but two. That done, I registered for my ICSA retake. Now that I have conquered that, I am wondering whether to register for another professional course. I am either crazy or I love studying!

To everyone having a set back in any of their goals or targets, don't let anything deter you, just keep at it, keep working hard and you will reach it with time to spare.

Have a blessed week.

Short and Sweet

It is Day 9 of Ramadan and I feel like I am on fast forward! Work is still in a lull and I am thankful. Found this wonderful blogger (Verastically Living) again, actually she found me!

So Lagos State now has a new Criminal law. The Bill is about to be signed or has been signed (not sure on its status, I will confirm and update). The gist of the Bill is that the old Criminal Code in force in the whole of Nigeria was made in 1914! Almost a hundred years old and you wonder why the country is over-run with criminals! The Code is archaic and cannot continue to be relevant given today's realities. The truth is the law is always reactive and the police cannot arrest people for crimes that are not defined in an Act or a Law! Gbam.

The joyful news of this Bill that has got me so excited is the crimes that it includes. The fines have been reviewed upwards (thankfully). If you have some downtime, you should look at the Criminal Code, some of its provisions and fines are laughable! Oh my, I was expecting the usual suspect of computer generated crimes, hacking, unlawful use of computer to perpetuate fraud etc. But the shocker is that it also provides for, wait for it... (circa 'How I met your mother') desertion!

You know, when a man impregnates a woman and flees, yes that's the desertion I am talking about! It protects married and unmarried women. So all those men that practice their Houdini moves when their wives are in gestation period with quintuplets and quadruplets had better start having a rethink! They will be jailed. And those brothers that always feel like they have taken plenty smarties in their youth and can 'chop and clean mouth' with a claim of "I wasn't the only one or it's not mine", better start wearing the rubber. Honestly, I can't wait to start broadcasting these sections of the Criminal law to 'hapless' sisters. (Caveat o! This law applies only in Lagos o. So, the brothers in other parts of the country can continue their wicked ways as long as they don't stray into Lagos. Hehehe)

It also provides for aggravated hassling/assault (I wonder if those guys in the markets shouting "My colour" and forcefully touching women can be included in this category). Another wonderful provision is the criminalisation of the harassment of debtors! Do you know anyone who is being harassed over an unpaid debt? Well smile now, because you can report the person causing the harassment to the police! The courts have since denounced the act of using the police to harass debtors but with no law to back them up, it amounted to a barking toothless bulldog. I pity all those ignorant Landlords.

One may wonder the enforceability of these provisions in a society fraught with random acts like these that are now seen as normal and deeply embedded in the fabric of the society. I think the first step has been established, getting the law on board. Then a sensitization of the populace of their rights and the contents of the Law. I hope with time we can bring the intendment of the law into fruition. Until then, three Gbosas for the Fashola administration for this wonderful review. I hope the other state governments emulate this feat.

Enjoy what's left of the week.

Here Again.

Ramadan Kareem to all my Muslim brothers and sisters. How is everyone doing? This fasting is not easy seriously. I am not a big eater but declare fasting and all the things I wouldn't normally touch just becomes very desirable.

To compound matters, workload has reduced drastically which leaves room for a lot of distractions. I can't even fall asleep to catch up on the extra early hours I have to wake up. The courts are on vacation, so I can't even pick anyone's brain from the Advocacy department and the Olori oko has gone on vacation! I am in Transactions and we get busy all year round but it's like the clients all got a memo to go on holiday!

I have a sneaky feeling they will all return in September and bombard us with their mostly insurmountable problems! Usually caused by greed and lack of patience. I am almost dreading the endless meetings and back & forth emails. Most especially the foreign lawyers who all think they are superior. We have been putting them firmly in their place sha! I have been closing early too, I am dancing for joy for that at least! When everyone comes back, it will be back to the 15hr work days and work vigils!

Most of all, I like this period. The calmness of Ramadan, I can't really engage in the heated discussions as wont to do by lawyers when they are less busy. The reading of the Qur'an in serene moments. My colleagues have even stopped eating in my office out of respect! Yay.

I share an office with a guy and it's just the two of us while the others are in a pool. So people sneak into my office to eat all sorts instead of going two floors down to the kitchen.

I don't miss the distractions they bring especially when I am busy!

On an unrelated note, Our Presido is falling my hand o. This single term proposal is ill-timed and not what he should focus on at this time. I remember his meeting with the youths, it took place right across my office, where he promised to tackle power. Why has he forgotten that so soon? At the very least, he should focus on the health sector. May God guide us right.

My next spate of weddings is October, plenty time for my finances to rest before they take another hit. Seriously though, I will soon stop on the aso-ebi. I don't need it. Mostly over-priced things I would never pick for myself. No accounting for taste in some. I recently saw one, and it looked like something you would use to cover a table as decoration. It was supposed to be silk damask, but we have a material so light, it cannot be constructed into anything meaningful to justify the price. I have politely declined.

Have a blessed weekend people.

We are not friends!

So yesterday, I made plans with friends to go to Swe bar for their weekly Thursday Live band shows. It's been long since I went there. This job of mine is robbing me of my extra curricular activities!

As usual, it was packed. Finally found a seat, and ordered a cocktail. I had forgotten how long it takes to get your order when the place is full. Finally the waitress brought my drink, but wait it was the wrong drink or so I thought. Apparently I mixed up the order, even the bartender came over to ask inquire. Nice touch. So I ordered a daquiri instead of a capirinha! Blame the intense gbeborun I was doing. BBM just doesn't deliver the lascivious part of a face to face juicy gist!

I don't like white rum or vodka! It always leaves me delirious and I cannot be responsible for my actions after ingestion. So I thought I could handle it, but for where, my body rejected it like poison! I was tipsy from the first few sips! I even ordered some food to combat the effects but no, it didn't help.

I managed to drive home. (Drinking & driving is not a a good idea, I know, but I ensured I was in full control before I ventured out). I even saw past school toasters! The age process hasn't been kind to some people sha. I was home in less than 20mins! The strangest part was that, I felt like I was looking outside myself. I was hyper and at the same time, my reflexes were slow. And I was laughing like an idiot!

Got in and said hello to my Mum. I even managed a shower but my body felt heavy! I climbed into bed and slept so soundly that when the alarm woke me at 5.30, I was up like a shot. I took some very cold water and went by my morning rituals. At work now but my eyes are 'lerry' according to my colleague and he won't stop asking my opinion on all his assignments!

I have told him that if my brain can cope with his incessant queries, then I am fine. But I am not fine, I want to sleep! I know I will escape to the library soon to catch a nap. The last time I had vodka was my sent forth party in 2009. It was a disaster! I was so hung over I could barely walk! I blogged about it. My sister had to support me and we were flying. The air hostesses all thought I was just ill and were extra nice!

This is my second incursion into white spirits, no more! We are not friends. You don't treat my body right. The weird thing is that, I am fine with dark rum or brandy. I can't stand red wine. I need to lie down or something.

Currently...

Hello All,

Last week was boring at work. So boring that I had to engage in some work unrelated activities. I won't mention them here. Who knows who might be reading. So on Thursday I was armed to the teeth preparing for another dose of boredom, (don't get me wrong, I had work to do but nothing challenging for the week, just regular updates and stuff I could do in my sleep).

A single phone call I was very tempted not to pick saved me. I was nominated to attend a conference. Yay! The conference was wonderful, highly motivating and oh so interesting. Plenty movers and shakers of the profession, networking opportunities, fabulous food and an outlet to showcase the pencil skirts, shift dresses and heels! Two whole days of fantastic fun (read combining work with great opportunities).

Reconnected with classmates, made new contacts, a renewed vigour and passion to reach my goals and what do you get? A very motivated individual.

In my usual internet prowls, discovered ASOS now delivers to Nigeria at no extra cost! Yup you read that right. Now you can cut those extra delivery costs. The best part is that you use your regular ATM card. The website says its for a limited time only sha. But until then, the bliss of direct delivery!

On to other things, I have two scenarios that I need your views on, how soon is too soon to visit a friend that just got married?

Second one is, I recently discovered a friend's husband is cheating, married less than two years, in my mind, I don't think its my place to tell her, I have in fact resolved not to. Nevertheless its very painful to watch. I see the love rat every other day with his paramour. He is yet to catch me sha and I know its only a matter of time. What would you do?

Its Monday, payday today, Yay! I like this time of the month I can't lie. Have a blissful week people.