Everything & Anything

Lots of things peeve me and a lack of manners probably ranks way up there on my peeve-o-metre! And, it alarms me also to realize that most people who exhibit this lack are totally oblivious to the fact that they have acted in a way that is rude and/or uncouth. Today, I was at Genesis Cinema at The Palms shopping mall at Lekki, waiting in line to make enquiries and to pay for a purchase when this young lady casually strolls by me, (I was next to be served and also at the end of the queue) walks up to the counter as the person ahead of me was done and starts telling the attendant what movie ticket she wishes to purchase. Now, I am not of a nondescript or tiny stature so she could not possibly have NOT seen me standing there. So, what was she thinking? Well, I step right up beside her, almost touching her. She turns to look at me, and before she can utter a word, I inform her, very sweetly, that there is a queue. She looks perplexed (so I can only assume that either her hearing is impair...

As parents, we are responsible for the well being of our children - their health, their needs both physical and psychological and everything else that goes into them being regular, normal and well adjusted kids. And, we generally take that responsibility seriously, or believe we do. Why then do we not realize the effect of not censoring the kind of programmes our children watch and the amount of time spent in front of the TV? A lot of us, I suspect, do not really believe that a toddler of say, two years, can be affected by or learn anything from watching adult programmes. For those people, I have to remind them that most children are like sponges, soaking up and absorbing everything in their environment - the good and the bad. Programmes, language - spoken & unspoken (aka 'body language, behaviour; anything and EVERYTHING that occur that they see, hear and observe is learned by them. So, letting a two year old watch Africa Magic, or E! is NOT proper. Neither is letting a nin...

It has been a week since my last entry. Why? A myriad of reasons - power supply, a really sluggish and annoying internet connection on a supposed broadband speed - dial up is faster, let me tell you. Also, a cold that turned out to be, as usual, a thoroughly miserable experience. Why do colds make you feel like you're going to die and soon? All that misery from being congested, sweaty (and yet unable to use the air conditioning) and feeling like someone is driving a freight train round and round in your head? It just makes you want to curl up and die! And "writer's block" - very simply, nothing came to mind. Guess I was too steeped in the melancholy of misery and wallowing in the self pity that comes with brief and minor illnesses. Anyway, cold is gone, banished by time and copious amounts of chicken pepper soup, fiery enough to totally singe not just the taste buds but your entire digestive system. No, I did not take extra doses of vitamin C. It's a myth that t...

I wrote this a while back as my contribution to a discussion on integrity, or the lack thereof, in our nation's leaders and citizens. The word 'Integrity' or, rather, the more popular phrase, 'lack of integrity' is often bandied amongst us when we are, yet again, complaining about our politicians, some nouveau-riche people, public servants or some business partner or colleague who has been less than upfront in their dealings with us. But how often, if ever, do we wonder how much integrity we have or lack? How much of it comes into play in our personal dealings? Will our driver or maid say we have integrity or that we lack it? Will our children, if they can understand and grasp the meaning of the word, say we have it or lack it? Will our spouses, friends, family, if being totally honest confirm that we have integrity? We often renege on promises made, deals brokered, vows taken but we never really see that as lacking in integrity, do we? No, we ...

We've probably heard of the term "Get a life", and I am sure we have all chuckled, amused at the person at whom it is directed. I bet we would not be so amused if we were told the same thing! Mothers & wives are usually so engrossed in the lives of their families - their children in particular - that they do not realize that they have no life of their own. All their friends are either from the PTA or their husbands' friends. Everything, or at least, MOST things in their lives are about family. I am not saying that's a bad thing, but it is a dangerous thing. Imagine what happens when the children grow up and leave home? These women are at a loss and have nothing left. Hubby has his own life - men NEVER fall into that trap. Maybe it is selfish, but that's the way it is. They have their golf/tennis/squash games; their association meetings, clubs, babes, friends. And none of them are from the PTA! I have always been an advocate of women making time for no...

Just watching some supposed style critics on a Silverbird TV programme. The lady - Winifred, a style expert & Emeka Omar Yussuf, a style designer (WHAT is that?). Layole Oyatogun is the anchor, it seems. They're commenting on Stella Damasus's fashion faux pas. I would not have an issue with them if they were right on target or were themselves stylishly put together! The gentleman has glasses on that look like they were taken from Grandpa's stash of "undiscarded" spectacles (and that stash is going to be worth millions in the future as examples of prehistoric sight aids, judging from the sample Mr Yussuf wore!) and he looks like he was dragged backwards through the hedges surrounding their studio - that's how disheveled his clothing seemed - tie askew (that supposed to be stylishly loose, hmmmn?), waist coat not fitting well. As for Ms Winifred, her arms were not meant for the outfit she donned (or vice versa?). And why does she seem to be slouching??? An...