Coffee with David | The PGI Reader who Cracks Me Up
One chilly fall day, I had the opportunity to go on a journey into the life of one of my favorite readers on PGI- David Bragdon. You may have seen his comments here on PGI (he's remarkably witty) or seen those superb photos shot from his lenses on my IG wall. We had coffee, (I had tea) and we talked. I've always wanted to speak with him about life, he has the coolest stories and I figured there were somethings I could learn from him. I was right! Here are a few things we talked about; random things and some things I learned and would love to share:
On beard gang...
DB: I once grew a beard. While I was in college (MIT), a few of my friends and I traveled to a cattle ranch in Wyoming. We had taken summer jobs at the ranch processing hay. My friend was inspired after reading the book Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy. Tolstoy was a wealthy writer and he had chosen to work with the peasants producing hay. So we decided to go and have a "Tolstoy-experience". It turned out to be a pretty rough experience and I grew a beard during the time. The beard was for protection against the millions of blood-thirsty Wyoming mosquitos. When I got back home, my mother wouldn't let back me into the house.
PGI: "Lol! Clearly both our mums don't get beards."
On work...
DB: It's important to learn to receive feedback. Don’t be defensive. You need both positive and negative feedback to be able to improve your performance. Show that you value feedback and use it. If you own your business, be aware of the market trends.
PGI: "Hmmm...how do I handle feedback? I'm a little defensive. Then I calm myself and see what's being said. Being defensive does waste time though. I have come to actually love feedback over time."
On healthy choices...
Read the book of Daniel! I'm kidding! Eat right. Exercise. Live well. My wife and I are currently on a wheat-free diet.
PGI: "Ed and I might try this wheat-free diet for a week. That's how far I can go because... banana bread. We are exercising more though! It's so amazing. I'm so energized and I go around punching walls and doing push ups!"
Guys, on getting the girl...
DB: It’s not a hunt! Be attractive and accept what you attract. Exercise; but don’t build muscles to get attention from girls *laughs*
If you have her laughing. She's probably interested.
PGI: "Truth! Be attractive! Accept what you attract. You can't ask out a good-looking person without some effort on your part as well."
Girls, on dating guys...
Make sure to observe early on, that your dating candidate(s) really listens to you and ask interesting questions. Make sure he makes you laugh.
PGI: Ask questions! Print questionnaire here!
On having a hobby...
Photography for me is not a hobby. It’s more than that. It has taught me life lessons, helped me discover new experiences, brought me friendships. It's important to have some dimension to your life. Never stop developing yourself.
PGI: "Spoken like a true artist. My eyes droop when people refer to blogging as a hobby. It's no hobby. In fact, the leisure part of it ended on day two of blogging for me! Lol! It's like a full-time position, I tell you. I love David's statement, "Have some dimension to your life." Have some balance. Have some dimension, an equilateral dimension."
Fave actress
Judith Dench
PGI: "She played M in the James Bond movies! Love her!"
On Beyonce and Rihanna...
Beyonce? Was she the one who sang at Obama’s inauguration? And Rhianna, who is she?
PGI: "Hehehe!"
About his Regina (his wife)...
DB: She completes me because she's a straight-shooter, a practical problem solver and is very perceptive. She sees things and understands the significance of what she sees.
PGI: She really is awesome. She sent us dinner once. It reminded me of being at home in Ibadan!
On being a dad...
DB: Be on the same page with your spouse; learn to change the baby's diapers; hold your kids; get down on the floor and talk to them; let them stare at your face. Take your glasses off, put your phone down; get interested in what they are doing, school work, preoccupations, hobbies; answer their questions.
PGI: *taking notes*
On travel...
DB: Most fascinating places ever visited; Wyoming. The scenery is beautiful. The ranch was close to Yellowstone National Park and there was a really impressive mountain range we could see from the cattle ranch. We also worked from sunup to sundown, so I got to see a lot of the scenery.
Singapore, as well. Singapore was fascinating. The food was really good.
On Photography...
DB: I got into photography in high school. The School had it in its budget to get a camera and they needed a man for the job to take photos. We used flashbulbs back then. You needed about 12 flashbulbs for a full session. They were quite dangerous too, because flashbulbs could explode.
PGI: "Bloggers would have had a tough time back then. I sure would. I'm unserious for the first 10 mins of a shoot."
On building generational friendships and long-term friendships
DB: I had some experience teaching different age groups (4th and 5th grade) and I have kept in touch with them over time. I also taught high school mathematics. I've attended a few weddings, and other events of theirs. I'd say develop a genuine interest in people and keep in touch over the course of their lives. Touch base often. Develop generational friendships.
PGI: "This is goals for me; Keeping in touch. . . One day at a time. Develop generational friendships."
4 Things I Learned
1. Have some dimension to your life.
2. Be genuinely interested in people; reach out to them; put in the effort to sustain the connection.
3. A hobby is more than just a hobby. It should have other functions other than expression and skill. It should build lasting friendships and make others smile!
4. If you don't like what you attract, do something about it on your end.
Thank you, David for this great interview! And thank you for always making us laugh. Photos above, from when David gifted me a 3-hour photoshoot because I wanted to put my wedding dress up for sale and couldn't decide what to do with my wedding dress. I did struggle, David, but my dress is finally up for sale on the brides power website!
The Retirement of A Melodramatic Feminist
Once upon a time, I was a feminist. I wasn't born a feminist though. Long story; a guy broke my heart, danced on it, put it in a blender and poured it down the drain. Suddenly, I hated men. I hated them all (which makes very little sense, as it was just one man with whom I had an issue, and who I was fairly certain was evil personified). Still, they were all the enemy- these men. "They are all the same!" That was my chorus and "I will survive" was my anthem. They thought I'd crumble, they thought I'd lay down and die, O no not I!
Suddenly, I was very determined to make "my own money" and be financially independent; intentionally financially unattached to any man...except my dad, of course. Love you, dad! [That ended at some point though. Lol]
I was a different type of feminist- the hypocritical kind, whose adherence to feminism was developed from my bitterness and innate desire for revenge, and to be above men in every endeavor- an insincere kind of feminism.
All of a sudden, I wanted rights for women. I was now concerned if women in country A had access to education and freedom. I cared if country B prevented women from buying property. I cared if a woman was being abused down the street. If my friend complained about her boyfriend..."Break up with him." I'd say, not batting an eyelid.
It was really interesting watching my hurt morph into this weird caricature of feminism. True, I never burnt my bra or went days with shaving my underarms or shredded my wig, still, it was fun joining the band wagon.
If I could travel back in time and see myself back then, I'd tell myself that feminism isn't a game. It isn't a tool to whack men over the head or a balm to ease my pulverized heart but a platform for the avocation of dignity, respect and freedom for all women.
If I could see the old me, I'd tell her that men aren't the enemy, they never were; that the enemy is ignorance. Ignorance in every sense of the word; ignorance of men who pulverize hearts for fun, my ignorance for not being streetwise, my ignorance of not having important information about this heart breaker person before diving in, as for the society, their ignorance of the benefits of celebrating and supporting women.
Years ago, I put an end to being vindictive and my resentment towards men evaporated, with that came a new understanding.
My discomfort was negligible in comparison to little girls prevented from going to school, women who are abused just down the street, and single mums who are discriminated against. Yes, my feelings were justified but not the most appropriate fuel for the vehicle of fighting injustice.
And so in my retirement, I decided to revise this whole feminist thing. I decided that I don't need a title to solve injustice. All I'd ever need is a heart which isn't self-centered. A heart that does not muddle up compassion with hate and revenge. A heart that is truly compassionate and pure. A heart that longs to serve- with that I will solve injustice one woman at a time.
Have you ever been in this pseudo-feminism bubble? What are your thoughts? Ever wondered how to get information about someone you are dating? Download your PGI inquisition form here!
7 Hilarious Fashion-Mishaps And How to Recover
Girls, you know it! There are number of fashion uber-duber-oops that none of us ever want to experience. Sometimes they occur but there's nothing some confidence and grace can't fix. Although, #7 would require a lot of grace! These are my top scariest fashion mishaps and recovery options. What are your biggest fashion-mishaps?
Oops #1 That my wig would fall on the road and be mistaken for a brief moment for a puppy.
I admire women who wear wigs fearlessly, who strut and flip its silky curls over their shoulders. I, on the other hand, am very careful. I don't trust wigs. Period. I definitely can't whip it back and forth (as I am required to do at Zumba class). Wearing a wig requires you to be poised and dignified always. You have to constantly remind yourself that you can't get into any brawls. Every insult to you MUST be countered by a humble "Shalom" and a wave of hand. No fights with wigs.
Also, a handy wind vane and anemometer must be in your purse. For no one knows where the wind bloweth.
Recover: Remove you wig cap swiftly and stare at the wig along with everyone else or pick your wig in one confident swoop, throw in a cat-walk, find a mirror and fix it!
Oops #2 That I'll trip in heels, fall and remain on the ground...forever
I love high heels. Who doesn't, right? The thing is, wearing heels requires patience and elegance. There's just no way around it, otherwise you stand the chance of looking like a day-old deer.
I fear that I'd be on my way up to give a presentation or talk one day and then I'd fall. This was the thought that guided my steps, as I received my graduation certificate. Easy does it.
Recover: Lie there forever or get up, laugh and keep strutting. The shorter the recovery time, the better.
Oops #3 That my false lashes may fall into my food and I may eat it.
I don't wear false lashes but if I did, I'd be worried.
Recover: Well, I'd stop chewing first. Find a mirror, fix it asap or remove the other lash and go au naturel.
Oops #4 That my red lipstick will get smeared all over my face.
This has happened already. My niece loves brightly colored things; in this case, my lips. When I carry her, surely, as a moth to a flame, her fingers find my lips and she gently spreads the colour all over my face. She still doesn't get the concept of localized color on a face. But I say this, better this than her yanking a wig off.
Recover: Find a mirror. A girl needs a mirror always. Wipe off smear, reapply lipstick.
Oops #5 That my distressed jeans will get caught in something and rip themselves into knee-length shorts.
For this reason, I wear evenly covered denim pants.
Recover: Add a pair of sunglasses, start a trend.
Oops #6 That I'll poke my eye with a needle.
My friend's mum separates her lashes with a needle when her mascara clumps them up. She carefully passes the needle between the strands and I must say it gets the best results -thick, evenly coated, separated lashes. This used to be part of my makeup routine...that is, until I poked my eye one day. Conclusion. Do not try this at home.
Recover: Set down needle. Make an appointment with your ophthalmologist. Reassess your need for perfect lashes. Try using several types of mascara wands per application. Watch YouTube videos.
Oops #7 Of course,my final fear is that if I wear a long, strapless evening dress with a long train, someone would step on the hem and it'll all fall down.
Then I'd trend for months and become a renowned GIF! Gasp!
Recover: Use renowned GIF status as a career-starter, get endorsements.
What is your biggest fashion fear? What are your recovery techniques?
Merry Christmas || What to Give the Birthday Boy
Ed had his gifts wrapped almost two weeks before Christmas. Of course, this wasn't easy for me, because I kept staring and touching the colorfully wrapped presents, trying to guess which one was mine. Starry-eyed, I'd stand there, shaking one of them and listening for the sound it makes. This has gone on for over a week. Yesterday—yet again—I was shaking one of the presents and I wondered... I wondered if Jesus was going to get any gifts this year. It is his birthday, after all. Like me, would he have gifts underneath his "tree"? Is he excited, trying to hear if the gift rattles or thumps as he shakes it?
This year, I want to get him something, but I don't know what. What do you give to someone who is God and created everything and who IS everything? I could give him my heart but he has it already. He has my love. My time...hmm. I definitely could give him more of that. What are you getting Jesus this Christmas?
Have a wonderful Christmas, full of love and cheer. Create memories, make someone else smile today and if you'd like to give Jesus your heart today, you can, right here! Have fun!
Christmas Shopping Gone Wild (Plus One Gift She Wouldn't Expect)
'Tis the season to be jolly. 'Tis the season for cheer. 'Tis also the season to steal presents from indecisive fellow-shoppers' carts without any fear. This was my story a few weeks ago, when my shopping cart got "emptied" by another shopper because I couldn't make up my mind. I had started my Christmas shopping at an online store, where I found the perfect gift for my friend. For a split-second, just a split-second, I hesitated on "proceeding to checkout" and when I refreshed a few moments later, my item was gone from my cart! Shopping does get a little wild this time of the year but that's Ok, because somehow, I got a good feeling from it. It felt good knowing someone had snatched a gift from my cart to purchase it for someone else! In a weird way, I was a Secret Santa. Very nuanced, but a Secret nonetheless. And for that opportunity, I'd allow 15 more cart-thefts from fellow shoppers but no more- all in the spirit of Christmas.
If you haven't started shopping, clearly you like to live on the edge. Lol, I'm kidding. To help you along, below are some PGI-selected gift ideas! "Number 6" on the list labeled "For Her" would be something she would never expect. Of course, it goes both ways and it should equally be on the "For Him" list but we ran out of space *Shrug*
That said, I'd really like to hand Ed a leather-bound folder containing "Number 6", I'm a little tired of buying sweaters and trending gadgets. Just a little. I know it's too late now to get"Number 6", I should have told you earlier, I know, but there's always next Christmas!
As for me, all I want for Christmas is to draw closer to the birthday-boy and some snow! Let the elements align!
Wouldn't it be great handing "Number 6" to a someone-especially someone who really needs it?! What's on your Christmas list?
1. Fendi Cat Eye Sunglasses 2. Kate Spade NY Hybrid Smart Watch 3. FujiFIlm Instax Mini 8 Instant Film Camera 4.Kendall and Kylie Bambi Key Fob 5. Ted Baker Ichlibi Bow Pump 6. Property Deeds encased in a Kate Spade File Folder 7. Victoria Beckham Half Moon Shoulder Bag
1. Master and Dynamic Headphones 2. Tom Ford Black Orchid Eau de Parfum 3. LED Word Clock 4. The Dapper Chap Linen Laundry Bag 5. Tile Key FInder 6. Ghurka Cavalier III Leather Duffel
This is not a sponsored post, wish it was! Contact me here, if you'd like to work together!
Pa. Amos Adegbola Street (Short Story)
This short story contains foreign language, and some inappropriate use of diction. This is for the proper portrayal of the character(s).
On the corner of Pa. Amos Adegbola street, just beyond the silvery fluorescence of the moon, an old pickup truck sat hooded in the shade of a mango tree. In it, four masked men sat in muted anxiety, the white of their eyes stark, as they stared out into the darkness around them. Electric power had been cut off a few minutes ago, and now the houses radiated a quiet quiescence— a somber static, the buildings stood frozen against the silhouettes of leafy trees and electric poles and cables, all scattered in the moonlit visage. A loud silence permeated the pickup, the men heard it thump in their ears, along with the disconcerted throbbing of their pulses.
Lamidi went over the plan for the fifteenth time: at 8 O’clock the doors of the pickup would swing open, shots would be heard. The raid would last an hour, and just before the vigilante's tin gong echoed down the street and before his leathery fingers clamped shut the padlock of the neighborhood gate, the pickup would screech out of Pa. Amos Adegbola street, a street with one exit that fed into the inner streets of Ikeja.
Lamidi went over the plan one last time, his throat parched, his quaking fingers on the door handle. At that moment, the headlamps of a car lit up their faces, they hunkered down in their seats and squinted at the light, as it turned into the dead end street.
************
“Don’t panic.” Etim whispered. Marie watched the bulge of his neck sink in a quick swallow, his breathing quickened, his right hand rested lightly on the gear stick.
“Babe, what’s going on?” She matched his hushed tone. The headlamps of the car behind bore into their car through the dusty haze. Etim hadn't taken his eyes off the lights since it started following them at the beginning of Pa. Amos Adegbola street.
His grip tightened on the stick, his knuckles taut, gripping the steering wheel.
From the corner of her eye, Marie saw the dark car drive up beside them, it swerved and swayed closer, its engine roared, as it shot past them.
“Etim, Wha—,” The car swerved into their path and screeched to a stop. Etim stomped hard on the brakes. Marie’s head smacked the pad of the headrest.
“Etim, what’s going on?” She kept her eyes on the dark vehicle in front of them, her hands trembled until her phone thudded on the floor mat, the back of her head ached lightly. Four masked men appeared when the doors swung open, two of them held long rifles.
Etim threw the gearstick back and spun a wide one-eighty turn on his hind tires. The front tires screeched as they grated the jagged asphalt. The smell of burning rubber wafted into the car and Marie gripped the door handle as their Honda shot down the road. In the rearview mirror, the men jumped into their vehicle, their bodies hung out of the windows, clanging their weapons on the sides of their car. They closed in on Etim's car and swung out beside it. The masked men yelled from their windows above the roar of their engine, their car screeched and swung itself in Etim's path. Etim slammed his brakes. This time, the two men with guns were out before their car stopped.
“Get down!”
“Where is the gold?!”
“Where is the money?”
“Face on the ground!”
“It’s ok, babe. Just lie down,” Etim said, he opened his door. The men dragged him out and threw him to the floor.
Marie was on the ground already. Little stones bit into her skin and the cool tar pressed into her forehead and her open palms.
“Woman, where is the money?”
“I—I don’t have any. Check my bag. I have my ATM and my phone.” Marie choked. The tears were streaming now. A dog barked somewhere close by.
“You think we are playing here? Your husband is dead, if you don’t give us the money.” A muffled voice said.
“I don’t have any money, please.” She begged. “Please.” She felt her jeans go damp and her tears pooled where her nose touched the floor.
The men searched the car and flung the contents of the glove compartment on the street. A floor mat landed next to her head.
"Where is the gold?"
She saw her phone disappear into a backpack, so did Etim’s laptop. The voice yelled above her again.
“I don’t—,” Marie choked on tears and phlegm. She shook her head.
“Do you have any final words for your husband?” the voice snapped .
“Please...he's not...we aren’t married,” Her lips brushed the concrete, as she sobbed on the ground. She shut her eyes tight.
Etim.
“Take the car—,”She pleaded, her eyes shut, “Don’t shoot him, please!”
“Get up!” The muffled voice vibrated from Etim's side of the car. Marie heard feet shuffle; footsteps crunched on stones and sparse, dry sand. Then they stopped and there was silence, save for the dog barking in the distance.
“Marie?” Etim’s voice cracked through the noiselessness. His voice was closer now. She opened her eyes and lifted her head off the ground.
Etim was on his knees, two feet from where she laid, his hands behind his back, one of the masked men stood behind him with a gun pointed at the back of his head.
“Any last words for the woman?” The man asked.
Marie stared into Etim's face, he closed his eyes and his chin fell forward to his chest. When he looked up again, his hands appeared in front of him, a tiny brown box lay open, cradled in his palm. The diamond sparkled in the car light.
“Any last words for the woman?” The masked man yelled again. Now the men stood behind Etim, all four of them.
“Marie, this is it for me,” Etim sighed, “I have never met anyone like you and my life would fall apart if I tried to love anyone else. You have made me a better man and we have grown so much in the last three years. This is it for me—what we have here. I know in many ways you are way out of my league and I hope you can squeeze in one more way by you becoming my wife.” He moved a pace closer on his knees. “Marie Olusola Obanor, will you marry me?” Marie was on her feet now. Her palm, at the base of her throat and her lips parted slightly. She looked at Etim—and the ring—and the men. One after the other, the men tore off their masks and burst out laughing. Their deep, rambunctious laughs rippled in the silence.
The masks revealed Michael— her brother, Dotun, Ayo and Obi, Etim's friends.
Marie stood there unable to move, forgetting to breathe.
“You should have seen your face!” Michael had his mask around his head like a cap now, one hand clutched his belly and his other hand held the long toy rifle.
Etim remained on his knees. Marie felt her face burn up, her cheeks were moist with tears and her sobs burst out in short gasps like chuckles. She lurched at him, her palms throwing playful slaps anywhere they landed on his lanky frame.
“Not funny!” Etim couldn’t stop laughing, her little hands stinging sweetly.
“You guys are crazy!” She chased Michael and Dotun now. They ran up the street, past an old pickup truck under the mango tree. Just then, the compound lights and street lamps lit up. The neighborhood came alive with familiar buzz of electric power.
Marie chased them in the light of the street lamps, until she caught them. They wouldn’t stop laughing, their screams of mirth resounded.
“Will you marry me though?!” Etim's voice echoed down the street. Lights in the houses began to come on. Disgruntled neighbors shouted down the street joining the uproar.
“Yes! I will!” Marie yelled, she was flung over Dotun’s shoulder now, laughing, with her head dangling down his back, “Yes! I will!”
******
A young female chased three men past the dark pickup parked on the corner of Pa. Amos Adegbola street. Four men sat sweating in their masks, as they shrunk down further into their seats. The shiny, fake guns in their hands got heavier. Power had been restored and the residents had switched on their lights. Now, the street buzzed with life, dogs barked, neighbours yelled from their windows and people gathered on the balconies.
“You be fool,"Lamidi said to the man at the wheel. “Na this street you see come park motor.”
“How we go take commot now?!" The female was over the shoulder of one of the men, laughing and yelling under the warm amber streetlights.
The masked men looked around frantically.
“If not for this foolish children wey wake everybody now—”
“And this nonsense NEPA wey bring light…”
“We fit still go now! We attack now, now— we strike the knockout banger as we plan—” The robber held the box of cheap fireworks in his palm.
“Shut up!” Lamidi snapped, he held tight to the brown grip of this useless gun— which would squirt water—at the most. His lips parted in prayer.
They sat still, slouched in their seats. Without words, the unanimous decision was to wait until it was all silent again—maybe the neighbors would go back to bed; maybe the power would be cut off again. Maybe the darkness would once again imbue its gloom and insecurity.
Their hearts beat faster, and soon in the distance they heard the rhythmic percussion of the vigilante’s stick hitting metal. Ta—Ta-tata—tatata—tata. Their hearts followed the cadence. Their lips moved quickly in prayer. Some shut their eyes, some left them open.
Ta—Ta-tata—tatata—tata.
Ta-Ta-tata—a gong stick tapped on their window—Tatata-tata.
The end
Copyright ©2016 by IkeOluwapo Adegboye
This fictional story was inspired by my friend, who planned to propose to his girlfriend during a staged robbery. We are glad to say he didn't, he decided to settle for something less dramatic and I am grateful to him for inspiring this story. He did propose two weeks ago. She said Yes!
There were no guns involved!
PGI's November Girl: Akor(The Techy Creative)
I was torn between "The Techy Creative" and "The Inspiration Sparkle" for Akor's PGI Girl tag. "Inspiration Sparkle", because she literally goes around sprinkling inspiration dust without even knowing. I find her oblivion darling and refreshingly modest! I tell you, I spent 4 months trying to convince her to be a PGI girl. Her argument was that she had nothing to share and she wasn't aware of any inspiration she was responsible for. Well, think again. At the end of the post are 4 things I learnt during this interview with Akor.
After cyber-stalking her for a while, she finally said Yes! I think she was trying to get rid of me. Haha! I'm joking. Akor is a creative writer who works in I.T. In our interview, we chat about creativity in I.T. We also chat about boyfriends, banga soup, and modeling experiences! Did we laugh a lot? Errr...definitely!
Please meet the beautiful and wonderfully witty Akor.
You have the prettiest name. What is your full name? Where are you from?
Akorwuotomi Oluwatowoju Akpenyi;
Agbor, Delta State
I love your names! What do they mean?
Akor means Wisdom is life
Oluwatowoju means God is enough to look upon (Yoruba)
What's the coolest thing about Delta state?
Our pounded yam and banga soup. Not of this world!
Banga soup...hmmn! I almost lost an ex to banga soup one time...
Yeah, you didn't stand a chance *straight face*
Yep, I think it ended that very moment. I have many questions about banga soup. What's the magic? What's the most important ingredient of this soup?
*laughs* Palm oil makes all the difference, in my opinion. Fish, stock fish or meat make it good but if you get the palm oil wrong, I don't think there's a remedy.
Three ideal ways to start your day?
A) Most ideal: wake up on the beach, just before dawn, watch the sun rise and maybe do a dance to God for creating such a view *dreamy look*
Back to Reality
B) Wake up before dawn, still, spend some time quietly recalling and meditating on the last bible scripture I read. Ideally, I'd like to stay there until the thoughts of God’s love and care make me smile.
C) Someone interrupts my sleep before dawn to give me gist! *laughs* I don't want you to think I like gist! I know it sounds like I'm a morning person but I'm not (at least not yet). I prefer to be up before dawn to prepare for the morning.
Favorite smell? Dodo or Rain?
Rain! Babey, rain! *laughs*
What are you reading these days?
The Greatest Salesman in the World (A life-changing read). Even though it's a book that teaches the principles of marketing and sales. It also holds a lot of life lessons applicable to our daily lives. It actually has helped my spiritual life. It taught me to personalize my confessions, scriptures prayers and God's promises.
The most challenging thing about being a model?
I have to think back as it's been a while. I haven’t done any professional modelling jobs in a bit. Finding an inner excitement for every picture, even if I had been on my feet for hours and entirely famished
How do you keep that beautiful face so straight?!
I think of the final picture. No one wants a smirk in a fierce look
A reader of PGI once advised models to “flirt with the lenses?” during shoots. Is that what you do? Are lenses lovers? #modelwisdom
Well, for ‘flirting’ I think it depends on the mood of the shoot e.g. a sexy shot. But in general, I just look at the lens like it is the eyes of someone who loves me. Someone who sees no wrong in me. It boosts confidence regardless of the context in which you’re shooting
How did you get into modeling? What’s your fave part of a shoot?
I just finished NYSC. I needed to make money, also I was bored.
Every part of the shoot can be great with the right music and amazing crew. But makeup is the least interesting for me. I actually hardly wear makeup to work. On Fridays, I do, much to the delight of my colleagues *laughs*
What do you do for work?
I work at an IT firm as a business analyst/Innovation incubator
How much creativity are you allowed in IT?
Well, not much, until I joined my current firm in this new role. My role involves me thinking about creative ways to make IT attractive to the average individual (mostly Nigerian), and then actually getting them to use it! *laughs*
What skills would you say are most important to survive working in IT?
There are different skills peculiar to the different IT roles. For technical roles, Certifications! Certifications! Certifications! In general, I’d just say read the news…stay abreast of IT trends and forecasts. The possibilities in technology are almost endless.
Do you doodle or daydream?
Doodle
Doodles rule
Okada or Napep?
I’d rather trek (no kidding)
Okada riders in Lagos are auditioning for "Fast and Furious Naija", I've never been a fan. A few months ago, I would have chosen Napep, until this thing happened...I was in a Napep and we almost got crushed by an oncoming truck because the Napep driver drove so recklessly. I asked the guy why he drove that way, and he goes “Ah! Na God hold our life, if he say time don reach, e don reach”. In other words, he was suicidal.
So, yeah, if I had to choose between Okada and Napep, I'll buy a bottle of water and start my walk.
The word ‘man’ is synonymous to …..
Dab? Ham? *smiles* ok, Dude, Protector, Motivator.
What age did you begin to write?
I was about 14, it got me through a difficult time of my life.
Favorite poet?
@writtenbyHim
What’s your most recurring writing theme?
“Live the hell out of life” (literally too)
If you had to write "Live the Hell Out of Life For Dummies" what would be the summary of the book in 3 sentences?
You are enough. Don't store up your magic because you worry about running out; so put your first foot forward everyday and watch how you evolve into new wonders each day. Love brings meaning to everything.
3 things on your bucket list?
I've had to redo this list a number of times *laughs* but somethings have stayed a while:
A) Perform in/ organize a flash mob
B) Get photographed by Jeremy Cowart
C) Learn a rap song
What’s your weirdest muse?
I love to read God’s message to the people of Israel at different times in the bible. It portrayed a very intense love involving a lot of chasing and wooing and vexing and loving proclamations. lol
For example, just look at Isaiah 28:12
“God has told his people,
“Here is a place of rest;
let the weary rest here.
This is a place of quiet rest.”
But they would not listen
So the Lord will spell out his message for them again,
one line at a time,
one line at a time,
a little here,
and a little there,
so that they will stumble and fall.
They will be injured, trapped, and captured”
Song stuck in your head these days?
Holy Spirit by Kari Jobe
If you had God over for dinner, what would you make?
I’m not a great cook, so I think I would dance for Him instead. Really, I have this dance choreographed in my head for God. I plan to perform for Him when I get to heaven.
What song would you dance to?
Ty Bello's 'Dance for you' and Big Daddy Weaves's 'Without You'
Do you drive in Lagos? Ever outsmarted LASTMA?
*sigh* Yes, I drive o. haha I haven’t outsmarted them. Unless you agree that refusing to ‘tip’ them and choosing to pay the normal fine was pretty smart *laughs*
What’s your idea of a perfect date?
Lots and lots of laughter, food and great music and maybe some randomness- some dancing.
Favorite nail polish color?
Nude
What’s your hidden talent?
I must say I’m pretty good at the Rock’s “Can you smell what the Rock is cooking?” eyebrow thing…for both eyebrows! A pretty big deal I know.
I loved our Skype call but this hidden talent was the highlight of it all! Thank you, Akor!
"Can you smell what Akor is cooking?"
4 Things I Learnt
1. You can lose your boyfriend, if he is lured away with Banga soup. Fact.
2. During your quiet time with God, sit there until you feel Him. Feel His love and His arms.
3. A camera does not judge you.
4. Do not hoard your magic or your best work! Always put your best stuff out there!
Thank you so much, Akor, for being PGI's November girl! Love you loads!
PGI loves to honor everyday people who inspire. The great news is, we are all capable of inspiring! Do you know someone who inspires? Click here and share with us!
40 Things You Can Relate With If You Went To ISI
Everyday I stepped through the gates of The International School of Ibadan (ISI), it was like stepping unto the set of a reality show. All that intrigue and drama, phew! We had our own culture- our own way of doing things, that was very, very peculiar to us; case in point, boys filling the pond with water and throwing girls in. Lol!
Thank you to all our teachers. You were truly brave and wonderful. I would probably have a panic attack if I had to teach ISI students!
One thing is certain still, we really should have had our own reality show.
Here are 40 things to make you smile (or not smile) as we celebrate ISI's anniversary today! If you didn't go to ISI, please read it anyway, tell us if there are any similarities with your old secondary school? What do you miss about secondary school?
40 Things you can relate with if you went to ISI
1. Delight when NEPA cuts off electricity during assembly
2. Trying to make it into the pedestrian gate before Oga T closes it
3. Sitting on an open notebook during assembly (girls)
4. By JS 3, you know not to sit on the center pages because of the stapler pin
5. "Picking field" for talking to a boy...and he still doesn't 'val' you(boarders)
6. The he-likes-you bench position: legs astride the bench facing you
7. Graffiti central-PTA block (Rated 18) Main block (Rated 30);
8. Lunch time peppered chicken--levels Lol!
9. Putting a book in your trousers while getting flogged on assembly
10.Pretending you don't want to play Devil's basket
11. Eating jollof rice and beef on Friday afternoons (boarders)
12. Watching boarders eat jollof rice on Friday afternoons and your parents still haven't come to get you--"Ayo!", you wave to your boarder friend frantically, fried meat is bae(day-students)
13. Ledge
14. The mystery of Imade on love lane
15. Eba cake for valentine's day
16. Mr. Tony's pie
17. Fan milk seller-sold out by 3.45pm! Anytime after that, she offers you a liquid, lukewarm pineapple fan lolly
18. The water tanker dude slamming his brakes to splash water on students *smh*
19. Mr. Adeyemi (points to left side of the board): Have you finished copying this section?
Noise-makers: No!
2 students: Yes!
Mr. Adeyemi (looks at us noisemakers for a second. Cleans board)
20. Soirée
21. Doing absolutely nothing for your sport-house but celebrating and gloating at Victory dance anyway! Up Osun!
22. The most unvisited section of school grounds-counselor's office
23. Valentine's Day. Cake. No knife. Solution: Ruler.
24. When bae has Food and Nut practicals*grin*
25. Music room air-conditioning+history of Bach = Sleep
26. Whoever used the laundry room?
27. ISI baby (youngest student in Js 1) had a cake, it was never enough to feed everyone to their hearts' content
28. Short-hand verbal test (lmao) "Payday is today". Answers already in the book
29. Bush path
30. "Aluta" drama
31. When you get to school in the middle of second period and you go straight to the library
32. "Abere ajesara"- first time I mentally used the F word
33. 14 into bracket q equals a-one-a four Q *in Mr. Akintunde's voice
34. When your parents reference Bosun Adeoti in every statement *RME*
35. Problem list
36. Da don spooky "wuz ere" -graffiti
37. Matron's zobo
38. Competing brands: "Iyawo"; "Mama K"
39. Students' assembly thrill. Eagerly awaiting to hear the gist and then they go ahead and insult you. *blank stare* lol!
40. "Sponsor!"
What was your favorite memory from ISI? What do you miss the most about your secondary school (high school)?
Happy birthday, ISI!
The guys' uniforms had always been cuter anyway.