Sunday, June 17, 2007

So, WHAT EXACTLY Have I Been Up To, Right?

(The GIST Edition!!!)

Hmm. Na wayas. Na real, real wayas. I tire ... I have been under the greatest stress in the past few weeks it is incredible.

So I’m sure a lot of you have been wondering what exactly the drama has been about my not being able to update an ‘ordinary’ blog. But I have really, really been swamped. To avoid boring you and myself, I will just run over the larger details.

First the main gist some of you have been waiting for: it’s not really a big deal; y’all know I was crazy about Omawunmi and campaigned seriously for her to win Idols – which she lost. A magazine commissioned me to do an interview with her immediately after, and she was basically … em … well, rude. It struck me that she must see herself as on the celebrity par with perhaps an Omotola?

‘Luckily’ for me, the major mag I write for also commissioned me to interview her and this time she couldn’t say no (she then agreed to do the other one too – so I had to get someone else to interview her for that magazine) – and at the venue of the interview, she was just all over the place, with attitude. However, fortunately, all that fire transforms to warmth when you eventually get to know her. She is just, well, ‘real’. A little too real maybe. But she will definitely go far.

The day after that interview, had another interview for our column in the Guardian with the AMBO winner, ‘Mr. Cute’ OC. Really brilliant young man whose interview was a pleasant surprise since I have low opinions of the show – but he is evidently on a higher plane in terms of character, personality and intelligence. After the interview, one had to rush off again for the launch of the magazine I spoke about some time ago (thanks Bella for the link on your blog) which I interviewed Genevieve for, MADE.

It’s THE men’s magazine – just a little more twitching, a little more style, dots on the I’s and that magazine will become for men what True Love has seriously become for women. At the time they commissioned me to do their two cover stories, I knew the guys meant business, but I still had my doubts – right now, after seeing the magazine, I am SO proud to be associated with it. So proud. You can check out sneak previews on mademags.com

The next day was a very dramatic one that saw me on an Okada ride to the airport, which would have ALMOST made me a guest of the now former First Lady of Cross River, Onari Duke. However, I missed the flight by minutes … suffice to say it was very disappointing since I had been pursuing the woman for that interview for at least 6 months! I will actually do a separate post about the events leading to and on that day because it was really a day of drama!

The next day, our company RedSTRAT organized our quarterly talk-and-network session for upwardly mobile young people at SixDegreesNorth (special thanks to Louise Priddy and others like Saheeto, who supported), and I already put up some pictures of that here. It was MEGA-fun.

All through the week however, it was interviews upon interviews and an unending race against deadlines, which I inevitably lost seeing as I was trying to finish up copies for FOUR magazines at the same time! I have tied up the most important one thanks be to the Most High God, almost wrapped up on the next and should be through with the final two by Monday.

Amidst of all these me and my guys at RedSTRAT had to also work on producing Patito’s Guys, our show which is a youth version of Prof. Pat Utomi’s show, Patito’s Gang. We were recording two episodes – all the stress finally paid off however on that day (including an averted wardrobe disaster for me, thanks to our friend Muyiwa Osindero of Clothesense) as our guests, including Tara (Fela Durotoye), Ebuka (Obi-Uchendu), Modupe Adefeso, Shina Oyetayo, Ruonah Agbroko and others made the day so much fun. Tara especially is a delight to be with any day, and since she has her head buried in the sand of business most of the time, it fell on me and my big mouth to fill her in on all the latest gossip.

Even better, after the recording, Ebuka joined myself, Bola, Emilia, Ruonah and my new gf (yes, I did also manage to start a new relationship in the midest of all the madness, and that will be all on the subject, people!) to see a movie. I arm twisted everyone to be ‘patriotic’ and go see Irapada - a decision that haunted me throughout the duration of the movie. Now I will have to tread carefully here: Kunle Afolayan is a brilliant young man, and a hardworking filmmaker – but that wasn’t his best work AT ALL. The movie was PAINFUL to watch. And a huge disappointment for me. Have you ever had the experience where a movie snaps you of your energy? It’s weird. We just had to keep heckling and laughing at the many faults to get through it – and that actually turned out making the night very memorable! (However, I must say that the directing of the movie was top-notch ... there were some really beautiful and creative shots - at the river, on the rail tracks, travelling ... that at least was good stuff.)

Coming out of that, I was called upon to help the phenomenal Mo Abudu with a section of the guest-list for her wave-making everyone’s-talking-about-it show, Moments with Mo. I have always heard of Mo and admired her spirit from afar, but to meet her up close was even better. It was also a pleasant surprise to find out that she had found out quite a lot about me (oh vanity upon vanities – I just had to throw that in, yes yes I know!). And no I am not working for her … yet. Because of Law School. But I am certainly considering it, and it was a pleasure to be of help to the show. I didn’t stay for the recording, just dropping in to make sure my guests were alright – but I was mighty impressed; everything was so professional. That show is going to be brilliant. (Though I must apologise to those I invited for the tackiness with handling the audience – I was only asked to help).

Then it was back to the deadlines! The deadlines have taken over my life! My gf is already complaining (not that scares me). But it’s all for a reason – have to do as much as I can since I can do little or nothing when I am back in Law School.

As if the deadlines are not enough trouble, RedTSRAT had THE meeting last two weeks when we formally kicked off the process towards The Future… Awards 2008. And in such a short time, we’ve already gone far – I’m so proud of us!!!!lol People are shocked at how early we are kick starting and generally impressed and that’s funny cos I actually say we’re startying late. Just be guaranteed of this, you haven’t seen anything like what we will be presenting this time by (His grace)! Speaking of something you haven’t seen before, Tara is cooking something so hot it will burn when it’s eventually done! We’re a part of that, and I’m excited about it. Tara’s an inspiration for me anytime, and anything to do with her is always a delight. Between that project and The Future… Awards 2008, there’s enough work to last a weary soul!

In between all of that my parents had a ghastly accident that has left my father in the hospital with my mum barely escaping – don’t worry they’re okay now. My father’s legs are the only issue now and so it is well, we praise God. Only that I have to shuttle between home and the hospital these days in a way that only adds to my stress. (Don’t want to say a lot about it really. Just would look weird to those who know me if I didn’t mention it and since I am one of those people who care what people think….)

And there are still those dreaded deadlines… I have three interviews for instance scheduled for tomorrow … (Sigh). All the time crunch and deadlines have already made me piss off quite a couple of friends (even though it pissed me off when people can’t be perceptive and understanding).

I can’t wait to return to Abuja next week. Those who remember how happy I was to have left Abuja two months ago would be surprised, right? Well that shows the depth of my stress. I really need a break from it all.

Make no mistake though, I love the stress. A life without the kind of adrenaline-pumping, gratifying stress that is my life would be worse than living in solitary confinement. What can I say?!

18 comments:

Toluwalope said...

seeing that the bug of "me first" is the latest epidemic in blogeria, i must confess that me sef have caught the disease... NA ME FIRST SHOW FOR CHUDE'S COMPOUND O....NA MY COMMENT FIRST O.... LAWL, LAWL

Anonymous said...

Good on you for all the work ur doing, but I must caution you as some1 who belongs to the same industry as you and also went to lawschool, concentrate on one thing at atime, sometime has got to give. Even if you dont wanna be a lawyer since you decided to go to lawschool, pass it and pass it well. It will be extremely hard if you keep at the pace you are, they made thoses rules for a reason, believe me you dont ever wanna resit does things or not have ur name in the papers. Anyhow thats my 2cents. Even if you laff take it very seriously.

Unknown said...

sorry to hear about ur parents accident/hospital stay...
THANK GOD ALL IS WELL.....
hospital is not fun at all...
especially if u are the patient ..or know the patient...

as for ur gist ... ur life is interesting...hmmm... ur passion is ur job... u are fulfilling ur purpose ... make sure it is all for God's glory.......

i want to attend the future award 2008 by God's grace... keep me on ur list ... lol

Anonymous said...

Wow! So much happening in such little time. Omawunmi, she saw you coming trying to toast her. lol! Hey shortly after you got a relationship, abi? So, after she established say you understood you were getting any, den d gurl come relax. lol! Saw the MADEMAG. Have my reservations about it. Commented on Bella's blog so visit there 'cos I will not be repeating myself :)

With all that movement, intensity and relationship [that initself can be draining], don't forget to make time for YOU!:) Glad to know your dad is fine.

Anonymous said...

Chude,
longest time!
Thank God your Parents are ok.

Anonymous said...

Hi Chude,
It's good to know that you are busy and enjoying the stress. Hope your dad and mum are doing better!

Wow! You've really become a full fledged working journalist... we should drink to that!

Keep up the good work!

JD

Anonymous said...

Hmm...chude! chude!! u really love women,don't u? lol I've got a feeling u fancy Omawunmi.

Ms zee said...

well all in a day in chude's life... quite eventful...

Mimi said...

awwwwwww thank God your parents are okay now.

my brother too just returned to Law School in abuja but i guess he isnt quite as eager as you sound to be.

congratulations on all the good things you're involved with, and easy with your relationships oh :)

Lola said...

Chude darling, no one is prouder of you than me (ok, so maybe your mama and popsie, your family, and other friends and blah but u get the point!) To be busy is a blessing. You only have one life to live, so it's good to pack it with all the things you enjoy and can do well. It's a blessing.

Which new girlfriend is this?!?!?! she better be hot! :o)

Anonymous said...

i read the number 2 comment and just have to do my own three cents befoer i even read more - me too i go law school o, and yes it is plenty of work and yes you need to work hard, but too much conentration ruined many. morover, many of the students worked even while in school and especially during the attachments. i'm not saying you shouldnty listen to passinby but dont mlet anyone make you feel guilty ... as far as you focus as you have said now that you're returning.

Anonymous said...

What happened to my post? Nah wah oh!

My 2 cents said...

Thank God your parents are doing well, that must have been a scare. Good you are up to all this writing and headlines. You have to be able to multitask in this day and age.

Naijadude said...

This man, you are all over the place ooh, na wah ooh...its actually good keeping all busy n stuff and got a gf as well? Big ups to you eh!

Anonymous said...

I envy you, your strength, your reputation, your............I'll stop there! so dont let your head swell o !! Thank God for your parents. I'll call you concerning the future awards.

omohemi Benson said...

What happened to your phones,
been trying to reach you?

Anonymous said...

where you dey since na?!?!?!??!

Chude! said...

@boa,
you don crase finish mr ogunlesi!!!

@passinby,
i hear you. dont worry - one knows what one is doing. as per the rules? no comments sha

@mystories,
thanks thanks thanks! I tell you: hospital is the most depressing of places! thanks. where have you been? how come one can't comment on ya blog???? about tfa, our fingers are crossed!lol

@ladybrille,
to d pure all things sabi pure o!!! so all these your theories are 'a thing of the mind'!lol. Saw you rcomments on the made mag yeah. dont worry, me time is something i no dey joke wiv!!! how yoiu dey?

@ osa,
thanks! how you dey?

@JD,
The man with 'unbridled' talent!lol You on the other hand have become a full fledged rave! whaddup?

@wienna,
no denying! now its 'used to' - crushes are such flimsy things!!

@ms zee,
and thanks for dropping by.

@mimi,
aw thanks!!! dont worry i go take am easy. oh your brother's here? who's he? abi na anonymous too?!lol

@lola
hot enough, dont worry!!!lol. thanks thanks,. sparring partner!!! left yet?

@chichi,
thanks!!! i prayed for a response like yours!!! when did you finish? ? thanks for dropping by

@anon,
whic post o???

@my2cents,
thanks!

@naijadude,
was trying to comment on your blog like two weeks ago withgout luck - the thingie at the cinema?? hilarious!!!! thanks for dropping in. hey whenever ure in naija, we should hook up o!

@gbemi,
thanks! thanks! its already swollen!lol se na 'my' gbemi be this? my phone has small yawa but by tomoro it should be back in action! expecting ur call...

@omohemi,
i am having a 'gadgets woes' phase that just ended today!lol. call me from this evening or tomoro - you should get me. expecting it ...l whaddup?

@anon,
i think i know who this is! sorry o - poerson busy!lol