Thank You! Yes You!

I cannot believe that I acknowledged my 365 day blogging journey without actually mentioning the most important part of it.
You my darling readers.
Yeah it may be a personal blog and what not, but when I check the stats and see that some persons out there took their time to click, it actually gives me a rush.
You didn't have to... but you did and for this, I am eternally grateful.
Sometimes I tell myself "maybe it's bots actually making those numbers" lol. But even though it is... I love you...human, bot, whoever you are or whatever you maybe.
Every time I see that someone cared to read, it gives me so much hope and joy knowing that somehow, you made some sense out of my jargons.
I apologize for my utter inconsistency. You probably already know that I am just a young woman at war. With life, with myself and sometimes, with discipline...
One thing I am certain of though... is the fact that we will win this. Yes... you and me. We will win all the battles that threatened to take us down under.
I will not make any promises yet as those only prove more inconsistency when they are not kept. But, thank you. For your consistency...for your patience... for your time... for your readership and followership... Whatever the case, best believe that I do not take this partnership(well, that's what it technically is lol) for granted.

Thank you!!!

And if you wish to prove that you actually read, a comment will go a long way!

No pressure though😉

Oh please... lots of pressure!😂

Happy Belated 1st Bloggerversary!

So the 24th of February marks the first day I took to this sparse blogging thing. Happy creation day dear blog.
Thank you for the chance to share all my sorrow and joy.
I pray we have happier things to write about this new year.
I pray we can finally cross the sparse aspect out.
I pray we get to document great happenings...In my life and in the life of others...
But whatever happens, let us not forget to write truth and write hope and write faith.
Let us not forget to put smiles on the faces of people...
And let us do better this year!
All my love...
C.A.

Do not get tired of hanging in there...

Every time I write of some fancy advice, I am really talking to myself.
I woke up this morning totally tired of "hanging in there".
Stupid thoughts flooded my mental. What if that highly anticipated turnaround never happens? What if the last time I was truly happy within and without was indeed the last?
The biggest fear is that all the things that would normally alleviate or make this hanging in there bearable have become tasteless. Everything has lost it's salt. Nothing interests me.
Not the tv shows, not movies, not people, not my solitude, not even my tested and trusted music😢...nothing.

And yeah I am just as fat as this mammal

Maybe I have overdosed on my thrills...
Maybe I was destined not to have any thrills this period of my life... Or maybe this is a curious case of a quarter-life crisis.
I get really bothered of how long I have been in this phase. Some might say- Oh she just keeps complaining and never doing anything to change her situation...
I am not saying these people are outrightly wrong, but I guess nobody asks the duck how many webbed feet paddles it took it tot get to the other side of the pond. (I swear I don't know where that analogy came from but it just seemed appropriate🙄)
Any way, if you feel as shitty as I feel this very minute, let's start with the fact that you are not alone. I was going to say you are in good company but I don't know about this company being good.

Firstly, there is really nothing we can actually do from here on... Especially when the only other option is to...You know what, there is no other option.
A friend once told me that even when it doesn't make sense, do not be caught stagnant.
Make sure that even if you are tiptoeing or crawling or cart wheeling, there is movement.
Keep hoping. I really feel hope is what keeps us somewhat sane in this psychiatric ward called earth. Believe there is a better day ahead. A brighter day. A day when you will wake up and legit appreciate the sun's warm light on your face, the clear air in your lungs and everything that was once bland.

 

I have over time come to forcefully accept the phenomenon of life being similar to a roller coaster ride. There are and will always be highs and lows my dear friend. Yes you. Are we now go stop enjoying the ride when the lows are also part of the whole experience?

Close your eyes if you have to. Hold the next person's hands but do.not.stop.the.ride. Life is worth living. 

Oh what great joy it would be when we come back to read this post in retrospect...with happiness in our hearts and lasting smiles on our faces.

Vibe NG presents: Now You Simi

So as part of my day job (lol), I contributed to the building of this lovely master piece about one of the most phenomenal songbirds out of Nigeria.

It is the sophomore edition of the www.vibe.ng digital cover with Ycee as the debut cover star for December 2016.

It was an utmost honour to interview Simi for the January 2017 edition and it would mean so much to me if you could peep the story...which I also wrote. 

She shared very juicy gist about her love life, her music strategies and more.

There are a couple of other amazing articles within the cover that will definitely leave you entertained and educated. Feel free to share your constructive comments too!

Read the article here!  Now You Simi

Featuring articles include:

Letter To My Next

Savagery moments to start the new year!

Let’s talk about sex (Diary of a Nigerian woman)

How to Look Fashionable on a Budget

Beauty Secrets: Benefits of Apple Cider Vinegar on Face

A whirlwind makeover of Nollywood: (comparing now and then)

The 6-part Anatomy of Terry Apala’s “Champagne Shower”

7 Breakthrough Acts To Watch For In 2017

The Significance of Talent Management in the Nigerian Music Industry: Victoria Nkong

Some Ointment For Your Broken Spirit

Image from Etengmo

This too shall pass...

You will smile again.

This is not the end.

I write from a very low place. Only beauty here is the fact that I see and feel exactly what you see and feel. I guess the sad days play their own part in this mystery called life. Truth is, there's a lot of sadness in the world right now... The wars, America, the recession in Nigeria, etc. Then there's the regular everyday trouble...Like the one I am currently going through right now. You know,sometimes it is easy to feel bad when you remember that many people are going through far worse things. But, your sadness is valid. If it breaks the spirit, it breaks the spirit. If it hurts the soul, It hurts the soul. Whether it is a bullet or a harsh word, if it causes tears of pain to well up your eyes, it is valid.

It definitely seems as though this is the lowest for you. You are probably saying to yourself "It cannot get any worse". Well that is completely untrue. 

If there is one thing that I console myself with every time I am down (which is becoming quite a stretch)it is the fact that your sperm did not win just for you to be sad your entire life.

There has to be a reason right?

You are not alone.

You are tougher than your situation.

Time will heal you.

Vibe.NG presents: The Rise and Rise Of Ycee

YCEE graces the cover of Vibe.ng magazine

Demilade Martins Alejo, popularly known as YCEE is the cover of maiden edition of Vibe.ng Magazine.

In the Interview tagged “The Rise And Rise Of YCEE”, the Jagaban crooner reveals the challenges he faced and how he overcame them to become the musician he is today. From going to cyber cafes to download beats for recording his freestyles, to signing a record deal with Sony Music West Africa.

The down-to-earth Omo Alhaji, reveals juicy details about his personal life, celebrity crush, relationship, and what his girlfriend should expect from him.

Speaking to Vibe.ng, YCEE talks about his first EP, which is to be launched soon, titled “The First Wave”, and the Inspiration behind the name.

Read the full interview on Here

Link: http://vibe.ng/ycee-covers-magazine/

A Creative's Mesh of A Mind.

Screenshot from Huffington Post.

In case you ever wondered what goes on in the minds of creatives, or you are a creative yourself and you wonder if you are normal, this post may help with a little demystification.
This is my honest definition.
Creatives are professional mad people. Civilized psychopaths. Introverted extroverts and every other paradox available. The mind of a creative is a sacred mesh of beliefs, emotions, traits, knowledge and a whole lot of other jargons unspoken: with every single streak of thought fighting endlessly for attention. A mind drunk on the wine of dopamine and bile.
Unlike some tasks, creativity dwells solely on inspiration. Matter of fact, I like to liken a spark of inspiration to sexual intercourse. Some happen and that's it... while some lead to actual fertilization. Thereafter, you have gestation and finally, birth.
Best believe that everything that comes with actual birth except the 9-month time period comes with creativity; whatever kind it is. The hormonal imbalances especially.
That sudden rush of excitement to follow a thought through is normal.
That anger and frustration and withdrawal is normal.
That meaning you find in meaningless things is normal.
That sudden mental block where all the beauty in your ideas seem bleak and unachievable is normal.
That passion with which you dissect situations is normal.
People saying you are abnormal, is in itself normal.
You being the cat that curiosity may kill is normal.
I read somewhere today about a woman who had regrets about not enjoying her pregnancy process because she now realizes that was her chance at assisting God with a miracle.
It then hit me... every time you create something that reaches out to the human race... be it one person or the entire 7 billion, you have in your own little way helped God with a miracle.
Write that song...
Cook that recipe...
Design that website...
Design that outfit...
Work on that business idea...
Just be creative at whatever illuminates your mind.
Because, the goal is to leave the world a better place and to have contributed, in your own little way, to God's grand design.