What do you know about Silicon Valley?

I watched a very inspiring video today on Justin.TV. It's an interview that was held with one of the Who's Who in Silicon Valley talking of Mark Zuckerberg. He really touched the 'binary' side of me and I just couldn't resist doing a post on it.

Our main focus anyway would be on Silicon Valley.

Many of you know something or much about it or maybe you just know it's a place where those 'big elite' Tech companies reside.

You're right in a way but do you know one university was influential in its development...speaking of Stanford University.

Here's an excerpt from Wikipedia:
"After World War II, universities were experiencing enormous demand due to returning students. To address the financial demands of Stanford's growth requirements, and to provide local employment opportunities for graduating students, Frederick Terman proposed the leasing of Stanford's lands for use as an office park, named the Stanford Industrial Park (later Stanford Research Park). Leases were limited to high technology companies."

The part I love about the little research was that I discovered that my second ranking DREAM company resides there.

My darling sweet CISCO SYSTEMS for sure!
Check out the building...

Cisco Systems HQ (Image courtesy: Wikipedia)

Len Bosack and Sandy Lerner, a married couple who worked as computer operations staff members at Stanford University, later joined by Richard Troiano, founded Cisco Systems in 1984.

This Stanford thingy freaks me out.
Most of their start-up stories link up to Stanford in one way or the other.

HP was founded here too... check out this extract from Wikipedia:
"One of the major success stories was Hewlett-Packard. Founded in Packard's garage by Stanford graduates William Hewlett and David Packard, Hewlett-Packard moved its offices into the Stanford Research Park slightly after 1953."

There something of interest in 'the valley' that I can't seem to place a finger on. Juxtaposing Technology and Business has always been a puzzle to me but that's just what is evident in Silicon Valley.

Oh and your darling Facebook has it's HQ here too. That was what led me to write this initially cuz I wanted to know more about 'the valley'.*insert grin*.

The controversial part of Silicon Valley is that it is rumoured to be a place of Short-sighted High-Tech startups. i.e. If you have a great idea, you want to start-up a firm to probably sell it in a few years and you're such to get the backing of a Venture Capital firm, Silicon valley is the place for you.

So what led to the rise of the Silicon Valley?
It's simple: 'The right environment'
All the companies had a symbiotic relationship...more like a plant-animal relationship.
You know...you the plant produces the oxygen which I need, I breathe it in and give you CO2 which you need...and I eat you

Check this out:
"By the early 1970s, there were many semiconductor companies in the area, computer firms using their devices, and programming and service companies serving both. Industrial space was plentiful and housing was still inexpensive."

The rise of Silicon Valley was also bolstered by the development of appropriate legal infrastructure to support the rapid formation, funding, and expansion of high-tech companies, as well as the development of a critical mass of litigators and judges experienced in resolving disputes between such firms."
It's a great place to be if you're a Tech-lover like me.

"Even after the dot-com crash, Silicon Valley continues to maintain its status as one of the top research and development centers in the world. A 2006 The Wall Street Journal story found that 13 of the 20 most inventive towns in America were in California, and 10 of those were in Silicon Valley.
San Jose led the list with 3,867 utility patents filed in 2005, and number two was Sunnyvale, at 1,881 utility patents"

So when next you travel to the U.S., make it one of your top priorities to pay a visit to where I call the '9th wonder of the world'.

Here are my 10 favourite companies in Silicon Valley:
(I couldn't put Facebook and Cisco here, those are in a special golden class. LOL!)

1. Adobe Systems (I can't count number of times I cured boredom with E-books and numerous PDFs, did I forget Photoshop??
The first audio mix I did for this blog was with Adobe Audition).

2. Asus ---> my Laptop manufacturer, I just have to acknowledge ;-)

3. Apple Inc. (Innovation on your palms...*faint*)

Apple HQ (Image courtesy: Wikipedia)

4. YouTube (acquired by Google) (You made video streaming which is supposed to be annoying attimes coool!)

5. Google (With you...I can become a professor overnight)

The Googleplex-bird's eye view (Image coutesy: Here)

6. Intel (You frustrated my gaming days but with Core i7 on the block, you're the best!)

Intel HQ - Santa Clara, California (Image courtesy:Wikipedia)

7. Yahoo! (My 1st encounter with the internet was with you, I remember it was some days after 9/11)

Yahoo! HQ (Image courtesy - Wikipedia)

8. LinkedIn (Great place for business collaboration)
The current CEO was a former Yahoo executive. This Silicon valley bond is weird.

9. Electronic Arts (Your games made my childhood rock! *raising a glass to FIFA fans*)


10. Microsoft (*raising hat to Mr Bill*)
You can read more on Silicon Valley.

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Torch-Explorer?

Let's talk. It's been a while you know. How well have you spent this year?

Okay here's a checklist since I can't get feedback.

On a scale of 1-10, hw would you rate your year goals that have been achieved?

How many books have you read?

How many lives have you impacted?

How close have you been to God?

By the end of this note I hope to get you stirred up.

I subscribed to John Maxwell's daily teachings and so far they've helped me a great deal in my personal effectiveness.
This thought came to my head today and I'd share with you.

Imagine success as a torchlight in a dark environment.
The torch can't illuminate the whole place but can only see a considerable distance. When you take little steps forward, you cover the distance the torch can see and notice that it illuminates another new distance ahead. You take more steps forward and before you know it, you've covered miles with this little torch.

That's success...taking little steps towards greatness.
But sadly, there's tendency to be a 'Torch-holder' . A torch-holder stands and laments at how he can't see far, the ailing economy, the poor government and all.

Torch Holder?

But then, there are 'Torch-explorers'. They aren't limited as they know that limits are simply unexplored boundaries, they explore and make do with the little they have.
So which one are you? Torch-Holder or Explorer?

There's this common myth of money making one wealthy but I beg to differ. Don't throw the tomatoes yet.
Think of it, you enter a bus and the driver takes you to your destination, then you alight and pay the fare.
What you pay for is the value he has offered you? Only people of value can be wealthy!

Why does the employer pay the worker? Value
The only way to be great is to add value. We do not need people to hold torches and complain of the limited light. Explore!

So how can you be a Torch-Explorer?
I'd share with you what a person shared with John Maxwell years ago which spurred his dream and set him on turbo speed. It's the hot-poker principle!

If you have never learnt a thing from this blog, please go with this 5 nuggets and write them and absorb. You'll be glad you did.

Nugget 1: Spend time with great people

Nugget 2: Visit great places

Nugget 3: Attend great events

Nugget 4: Read great books

Nugget 5: Listen to great tapes

Steve Jobs was a man of value. David Oyedepo is a man of value. Will you be a (wo)man of value?

Remember this - "You can become the star of the hour if you make the minutes count". Don't just hold the torch, move!

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Before you throw the Mortarboard

This was something I wrote for the Graduating Class of my Alma Mater. It was originally posted on FB and sparked off so many feedback mails and comments of people that were blessed. So here's it for your perusal. You'll enjoy it.

So I decided after much postponement and deliberation to write this note. I initially was to make it a testimonial/interview of a sort with real-life views from various people (which would come later) cuz

people seem to relate well with experiences than some composed text but then again...I know one person will find some facts and be blessed. Enjoy.

Its few days to graduation and I remember how I felt during this time. With few exams to go, after all the stress and project had taken its pound of flesh. Fast-forward a few days later and the supposed TTG came and went. July also came in the twinkle of an eye and bam! We were out into the 'real world' as they say.

I particularly didn't like the hype given to the 'real world' then, like it was some sort of lions' den or like we were Titus fish being released into shark-infested waters. Twas absolutely over-hyped...or not!

I'll get back to that.

Then the big anxiety came after grad. Job, Labour Market, NYSC, MSc...OH! I forgot Marriage too. Then we all began the race and I must say there are a few things we never knew back then.(Hehehe...'back then' like it was 10 years ago, shey. Pardon the drama). Some of which I'd share, not as an experienced one but as one who feels the little he knows is worth sharing.

Till today, I wonder why 20 friends can't just play for 20 years. Life is just not fair!

Then I discovered...At some point in life, you'll be left in that room...after all the celebration...after all the friends are gone to their various houses...party music faded...parents asleep...and you’re staring at that paper you struggled to get for 4/5/6 years in your hand(as the case may be), then you'll be confronted with that big question...WHAT NEXT?

Some will answer the question after grad, some...maybe later...some never. But the essence of this is to charge you to ask it now! What next?

This is not to put unnecessary pressure on you but to actually make you alert and on your guard cuz that's life my bro (or sis).

But before you do that, I'll share with you a simple quote by a mentor and friend, Steve Harris and it goes:

"Your background has no right to put your back on the ground!"

This brings me to the Myth of Grades.

Know this and keep it at the back of your palms: Your 1st class, 2:1 or whatever grade only earns you a seat and a table to write a test.

After that, it ends there. You don't get paid more than the dude with a 2:2 cuz of that. Don't let the 1st class get to your head, neither the 3rd class to your heart.

But notwithstanding, value whatever grade you have and are coming out with. It's a matter of your mindset.

John C. Maxwell said: "Success is good if it doesn't get to your head and failure isn't so bad if it doesn't get to your heart".

Puh-lease! Stop telling me there are no jobs! (BIG YIMU to that) There are jobs but no qualified people.

That is another reason to be thankful for where you are coming from (I won't mention the name but you need to see the high demand for your brand out there)

But I'm not surprised, I mean...With all those core values 'forced' as it were into our blood stream...Why won't our packaging be in high demand? They didn't attend 1am impromptu meetings with you or race to Chapel before the door closes. Let them say.

The thing between your ears...Brain, right?

Trust me, the 'real world' as I discovered is not overhyped o. Nobody cares if you were born and bred in Hebron...or your spoken English is better than the Queen's or that your over-starched shirt is sharper than a sword. What can you bring to the table??? What value can you add?

Oh you dress good...great!

Good grades...perfect!

Spirituality in the package...fantabulous!!!

Just one thing...errr...What have you got upstairs asides what your 'papers' say.

People Networking

Also, please keep your connections green. Know people ooo. hmm. Sometimes doors just open via that person who knows someone that knows another person in a high place.

Not everyone will do aptitude tests. Confirmed, Tried and Tested!

Skills, Skills and more Skills!

You’re in accounting and you haven't started thinking of an ICAN or ACCA or CFA?… not a wise idea I must say.

You have a passion for music production and you're not sound in Fruity Loops or Adobe Audition or the likes? You scare me.

You want to be a Networking guru and you've not tried to ping into Library's router once or immerse in those Cisco things, I piry you.

A Business consultant and you're not reading materials to brush up your knowledge base?...not good at all.

A web-designer and you’re still experimenting with Dreamweaver; you need cane!

On a more serious note, skills are in high demand in every industry. Acquire a skill and know it well.

No one's got it all figured out I must add. Have a mentor in your field. Nuff said on that.

Friend or Foe

You will know your true friends after grad. I won't even talk much on this. Some friends you must never ever lose. They might be the link to your open doors. Some you need to discard.

Mind your company and remember:

Birds of the same feathers flock together.

Warri people will say: Birds of the same feather, na the same mama born them.

Pst. Chris Okotie would polish it: Avians of the same plummage navigate within the same degree of proximity.

“Your life in 5 years will be a function of the books you read and the friends you keep”.

I strongly recommend this book (it’s small and not too lengthy), "Leadership Principles for Graduates" by John C. Maxwell. A friend got it for me for my grad and I can say it’s the best gift I got.

In all you do, know this too:

Value family cuz when all else fails, (even though it seems not sometimes) they'll still stick by you.

Never get to the stage where God takes a second place in your life. He is all you need to have your needs met. (This sounds familiar)

And in all you do, never get too serious to forget to enjoy life's subtleties.

There will always be something to worry about, but with God you're at peace always.

Smile, Pray, Love, Forgive and commit all in God's hands. Only Him can figure it all jare.

All these being considered, come July 22nd, get into your best outfits and throw that mortarboard into the sky! You deserve the victory.

To the Class of 2011, CONGRATS in ADVANCE!

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After the Bruise

I'll skip the cliche intros and just get to hit the nail straight on the head.

Disclaimer: Any unnecessary words used here is not unintentional, it is purposely intended to actually bring out the reality of this life we call our world.

Now let's go on an imagination ride. Imaginations are good sometimes you know.

Now imagine a little child crawling, say 10 months old, then he tries to get up. He fumbles a few steps and then crashes down. (Loud infant cry). Parent comes and picks him up, pats him and the cry stops.
Now the child falls and is comforted, right?

We'll have to be patient on this one, come along with me on the next imagery. (This one is sweet).
Chocolate skinned lady walking down Idumota road. Police shades, Prada bag, Skinny jeans (not too tight), she lost her Swatch yesterday and had to manage the Blue Puma watch to match her Gucci shoes.

Elizabeth Arden is kind enough to share her scent with Perry Ellis in a combo smell that mesmerizes your nostrils when she passes.
It starts raining and everywhere is muddy. One Danfo bus from who-knows-where swerves in her direction to avoid a pothole. She loses her chic-ness and tries to jump over the gutter. She misses a step and Splash! Into the ditch.
What does she do next, you ask?

Nothing I reply.

Why? You ask again

She doesn't know she has fallen into the ditch!

This is madness I perceive you thinking.

Or a poorly-woven story with a nice beginning but a shabby ending, I reply (I'm helping you with your thoughts here)

Okay now, I know you'd be wondering what the point actually is. Thats the idea.
Didn't it sound like madness that a good-looking lady like that fell into the ditch and stayed there. I mean, its senseless, isn't it?

Well, that's the world for you. The present world we're in actually. Everyone has got it figured out unaware we might just be in the ditch.
We've got Diplomas in Justification and PhDs in Self Deception.

The fact that I choose to believe that petrol is apple juice will not still change the nature of the fluid. I'm only deceiving me.
A wrong belief system is a moral fall. So we are like that lady when we have fallen and don't even know it.
Bad decisions make us fall.
Secret sins make us fall.
I must emphasize, its human to fall but staying on the ground is pure foolishness.
We need to pick ourselves up from accepting what the media pushes into our face as normal. I'm not talking physical demonstration but Mental Reformation. Your true freedom is not in making any decision you want but the right ones.

Myles Munroe once said "Our decisions are personal but never private"
I'll explain that with this sentence - Live your life not for yourself but for the millions of lives your destiny is attached to.
You can't keep messing around with procrastination, your idea you chose to dump might be a nation's last hope.
If you don't understand, ask Martin Luther King (Jnr.) or Nelson Mandela. Nelson could have chosen to sulk over his prison term but he came out of his fall, after the bruise to become president.

Stop sulking over your mistakes! Get up! There's a whole lot out there to explore.

Our perceptions are bruised when we accept wrong as right.
Our moral values are bruised when we're comfortable with decadence.

So my aim is to share with you what to do after the bruise. Some references will be made to the Bible cuz that's my guiding manual. There so many questions life pushes in our way that can never be answered. So do we sit and watch? Never.

- Understanding the situation is key
Asking the right questions help a lot.
Why did I fall?
What were my options?
Is my present response helping the situation?
If this happens again, what will I do?

Falling is an indication of your weakness/ignorance at the time of falling (just like the baby) cuz the Bible said if your strength fails you in the day of adversity, your strength is small.

- Some situations are beyond your control! (The exclamation was needed)
Sometimes in life, we can't stop that rain from falling, nor the driver from swerving but we can control ourselves from falling in the gutter.
For situations beyond your control, learn to live with them and make the best use if possible.

- Learn from the fall and anticipate more likely causes.


- Blaming the cause of the fall is not the solution.
Imagine her blaming the Danfo driver for the fall, he'll only laugh at you cuz you are the least of his worries actually.
Stop blaming the situation, person, circumstance. That's precious time-wasting.

- Share the experience with someone, you might just learn something.
Don't form Jet Li. Share it with someone (someone you trust), hear their experience.
You might not get the answer you need but you'll be lighter and happier when you let the load off.
There too many fake advisers out there I must add. Too many. Have you tried Jesus?

- Try not to fall again.
Rule number 1 - Fresh chics shouldn't walk in the rain.
i.e. Circumstances that expose you to danger or going back to that same experience should be avoided!
Once you walk in the rain, expect anything.

- After the Bruise, move on.

I end with this quote by Mark Aurelius...

"If you are distressed by anything external,
the pain is not due to the thing in itself,
but to your estimate of it...

...and this you have the power to revoke at any moment!"

After the bruise...what do we do?
We rise!
We shake off the dirt.
We learn from the fall.
We hold our head high cuz that's what is expected!

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Nkem...My Hope

I glanced at Nkem from a distance and smiled. Yes, I smiled. I smiled not because I was content but because it was what I did when I was deeply hurt. I was hurt, badly and I shook my head slowly from side-to-side. I stood up from the stool and looked into the sky as though I would get answers...the sun had begun to set.

I watched 2 dogs chase each other across the yard. The bigger one which I perceived was the male chased behind the female, sniffed around her and with gentle simultaneous strides and wagging tails; both ran slowly before stopping to play on the sand.

Tears trickled from my face. I watched how peacefully they lay on the sand, occasionally biting and running after each other before stopping to rest again.

I remembered it vividly, the thoughts never ceased to flood my memory. It was yesterday morning.

*************************

"Ezinne, Chai!... you wan sleep for Olympics?", I had teased that morning. I watched her slightly beam a sleepy smile from the bed.

"You no know sey na 2 people I dey sleep for?” Ezinne replied with a soft tap on my leg. She was sitting up now with one hand rubbing her bulgy tummy while the other hand slid backwards on the bed to support her weight. I sat by my pregnant wife.

We lived in a Room and Parlour which was a little burden for a Security man like me at Crystal Associates Limited. With my stipend of =N=11,000 a month, we could afford to pay the monthly rent.

I had mastered the art of soaking garri. One thing I learnt as a child was never to underestimate the power of those little yellowish brown fried groundnuts gracefully floating on the surface of the water. When you now combined it with sugar which we bought once a while in 'Congo' bowls, that is what we jokingly called a 3-course meal. Garri-Sugar-Groundnut: a complete recipe.

"Nne, they said I should check today again", I told her. My salary of last 2 months was to be paid.

"I hope they pay...*hiss*...those good-for-nothings", Ezinne hissed again as she made her way outside the room to brush her teeth.

Ezinne was 8 months heavy and I never left her alone at home like before except for urgent matters like this.

I could remember when she told me about our new arrival Nkem -meaning 'my own'- 6 months ago. We walked 10 houses away where they sold rice and celebrated. We drank 'Dr Pepper' too and I remember carrying Nne on my back and running towards home before falling down to the ground. 4 and half decades is enough to wear your bones out. I snatched her scarf and started running again but Energetic Ezinne was too much for me. She caught up immediately and pinched me till I started screaming and laughing like a child.

Once in while we quarreled but it never got outside our home. We both understood boundaries.

*****************************

The 2 dogs were now asleep, curled beside each other. I knew what they were doing. The night was cold. They were sharing warmth.

I have none to share mine with. It had come to this. I picked up Nkem from the mat and headed inside.

Tomorrow I will drop Nkem with the neighbours. I will hang myself. The government has failed me.

*****************************

Ezinne had returned from the bathroom we all shared in the compound. I marvelled at how big her tummy was. It was our 1st, hence my fascination. I segued into our previous discussion while checking for my slippers under the bed.

"I'll just go and see what they have to say", I continued

"I will follow you o, its boring sitting behind alone", she insisted.

I allowed Ezinne to sleep in the room for months now, while I slept on our only 3-seater in the parlour. I wanted her to be comfortable in this condition.

Ezinne was a bit short with caramel skin. Her small, fine lips were a pointer to the fact that she must have caused a riot among the village boys while she was younger. To me, it was ineluctable.

****************************

I stared at Nkem curled gently in a shawl.

If I hang myself, I would deny Nkem the right to experience fatherhood. No, she would adapt. She wouldn't. She would.

As thoughts fought for prominence in my head I still recalled how it all happened yesterday.

Had I known I shouldn’t have allowed Ezinne follow me. I shouldn't have allowed her. Or I should have waited to die with her.

But instead I left her.

****************************

The worst thing in life is to watch your loved one die in your presence.

I and Ezinne had left home that day. Luckily we had collected only a month's pay from Crystal Associates. It was something, yet nothing now.

I had watched one tyre of the speeding vehicle removed by the porthole. The portholes our government refused to fill. Their pockets were preferrable.

Who do I blame? The reckless driver who bribed his way through to get a License? The one who knocked my Ezinne down.

The one whose vehicle tyre was lost alongside my queen. The one who swerved uncontrollably as I dashed to safety leaving Nne's hand.

I was selfish. I should have waited for him to hit us both.

Who do I blame? The government or the Driver?

Who do I blame? My selfish self?  Who? WHO!

They call the shots on behalf of us masses like they are for us. They can't feel my pain right now. They can't feel yours. I hope they do someday. They made me lose something. They made you lose everything.

Ezinne didn’t make it to the hospital but Nkem was safely removed by CS.

I stared at the loose knot hanging from the still ceiling fan. There's no cause to live. My government has failed.

*******************************************

The fading sound of a whistle sounded in the distance. The smaller female dog immediately jumped up while the male lay there; ears erect. The owner was calling. They had once cuddled on the sand but now the owner made his call. His call was final.

At that instant, Nkem sneezed. I glanced at her from the stool I stood on, knotted rope waiting to grace my neck.

She sneezed again and cried. She needed something.

I needed something...nothing.

Yet I reason again. I'm alive for a reason. Ezinne is gone but Nkem is here.

Nkem...My Own.

Nkem is my hope. Nkem is my dream. Nkem is my future. I will nurture her!

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Friend Moments by Oladayo Olajide

Ladies and Gentlemen, I would like to introduce a new upcoming female talent in the literary community. Please welcome Debby Dhayor!

*crowd roar* *applause*

*taking a bow*

Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

Okay, you know those times when you don’t just get on with your close buddies? Here’s some musings from that perspective.

Enjoy as always...@ moi frequency...*wink*

Wow! I just hate it when I do this. It’s really cool to be left alone in some things. Friends can never always be the same. Some are made for some people and some for another. I’m way past these things. I never always want to do this. I don’t want to be that additional girl. I really don’t want to be pissed at all. Like they always say friendship is not by force. Everything in one’s life is the function of the decision you make. Friends are for different purposes. Some are for a minute, some are for a year, some are for that stage of your life, some are for 5 years and some are for a lifetime.

I never wish to have friends for purposes but I wish to have friends that will forever be in my life and make me a better person and never make me feel left out. Like I said, I’m way more than this. I remember a day I spoke my mind and she said I had no right to be angry.

A friend I believe is someone I can talk with and be a part of my growing life. I don’t want friends that will make me feel worse of me or look down on me. I don’t want friends that will rather hide things from me. I don’t want a friend that will want me to go the extra-miles in doing the things I hate doing. Instead, I desire a friend that can read me and always know when I’m lying just to not bug her with my troubles. Friends are meant to complement each other and be there for one another. I can afford to change who I am for a better me but I can’t afford to change me to be someone else.

Like she once said I don’t have a right to be angry. I don’t want to force myself to be like them, I just want to be me and be full of so much originality. That’s one thing I always love to be. They say many people will walk in and out of your life but only true friends will leave footprints in your heart. I have tried so much to make them happy and for me to be accepted in their league but you know what I realize? They say I’m totally out of their league. I don’t want to fit in a place where I’m not accepted. I just want to be me. I’m not getting younger; It’s time to move on. 

Don’t be bothered if they are letting you in or not, don’t be bothered if they get gifts for themselves and you are left out and don’t be bothered if they look more splendid than you are. I could sacrifice to make people around me happy, its something I totally love to do as far as I get to put a smile on your face and joy in your heart. Don’t have friends to kill them instead have friends to make them better than they use to be. You are unique in your own way, you haven’t just realised how important you are to people and the world at large. Be the best you can be and the world will come looking for you. Be determined to do the extra-ordinary things to get your goals achieved if you want them realised. 

You are this special being God took time to create, so you are too blessed to be stressed. Make Him your best friend. I bet you, He is all you ever want to have to get to the final destination. Just let that little light in you shine.

Lastly, a true friend is someone who listens to you with real concentration and expresses sincere care for our struggles and pains. He or She makes you feel that something very deep is happening to you. Wish everyone good at all times and remember you came to this world alone and the key to your future lies in your hands and within you. You alone have the permission to make you feel the way you want to. 

God loves you more.

(Please send any nice write-ups or thoughts to michael.onobote@gmail.com. Don't over-analyze...the world wants to hear you!)

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Info Age: Good cause or curse?

The information age was projected to reduce workload hence create more time but the opposite is happening. Technology has created a virtual reality of what isn't there at all.  The industrial age was escorted out with the introduction of machines which were projected to ease and shed some work hours off, hence creating more time but this has only led to more demand for that scarce resource called Time.

It has only created more avenue for more time demand in the workplace at the expense of the family.
Present modern family systems are slowly degrading and statistics have shown the increase in divorce rates even in rural settings.
I ask myself so many times what would make me as a father get home after my children would have slept on a week day only to rush out on a weekend for one supposed meeting. Am I building a home or just dwelling in a house?

The modern day family has misplaced its priorities. We have left our children to be trained by the society, media and peers and you complain about 98% failure in WAEC exams. You're yet to see more if something isn't done.
The education sector hasn't failed because of poor standards but because focus of families has shifted long ago.
Information age has brought more harm than good as it were because we have failed to manage it properly.

Father and Mother join the early morning rat race of Corporate Nigeria leaving child to discover world on his/her own.
A child always gets trained  eitherways (either at home or outside). So will you leave your vulnerable child to explore the world on his/her own or you'll protect his/her future while you still have an influence? Its left to you.

Gone are the days of your mother smacking you hard for getting a B when you thought you did well. These days the cane-therapy is gradually being phased out.
Gone are the days when we watched 'Speak out' Debates on NTA..I used to wonder in amazement of how eloquent those kids were.
Gone are the days when you were forced to watch 'Newsline' all because you wanted to stay up late on Sundays.
Oh! how I craved the lovely stories of 'Tales by Moonlight' and prayed never to steal because of a moral lesson I got from it.
I clearly remember this cartoon on HIV/AIDS by Sarah and one funny monkey she had.
Limited we were by the options of TV Stations but they were awesome and educative. Now what do we have? *sigh*

Mundane as it might seem then, we unconsciously grew up with good morals thrown forcefully in our faces by the only means of entertainment we had then.
Now we have many options, yet the reverse is the case. Entertainment has become more flashy yet brains have only got duller.

The information age was supposed to be a blessing yet the devastating effect is slowly killing our values.
We spend so much time online staring at a computer screen yet reading a book is often greeted with a tired yawn. The Bible? Let's not even go to that. Bibles have gotten more portable, fitting better underneath pillows and side drawers while reading time has also shrunk alonside size. Having a bible app on a BB a'int no guarantee of you reading it.

Technology has increased distractions and created more vacuums in lives.

I refuse to just be a cyber-activist who would come online, blab his mind and publish a note. No!
My 1st job is to create the awareness of a decay of morals and values.
Secondly is to let you know I'm taking a bold step forward to effect a change. Nuff said!
Do your part and let's quit deceiving ourselves.

Marriage isn't for all so I'd advice we stop adding to the problems on ground if we wouldn't take up responsibilities in raising purposeful and value-driven families.

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The 20m parable

I counted... 6m...12m...then I aked him again. "Each colour is 6m right?".
"Yes Michael", he responded

 "Wait a minute...lemme count again" as I said with excitement on my face. "1...2...3...3 and a half...Wow!"

"Let's just say 20m, right?" I asked again. This time he was deeply engrossed in his work and could barely hear me.
I recounted the climbing experience as I made it up the steps to try to reach the top of the 50m tower with the aid of a ladder. The ladder was enclosed in a ring-like frame which had its rings at short intervals up the tower and suitably shaped for human passage.
8m up was a bit easy but my nightmare started at 15m. I looked down and many thoughts flew through my head in split seconds.



"What if the ladder breaks?"
"Okay fine its made of steel but what if I lose my grip way up?"
"I might be careful but based on how tired I feel, what if I develop a leg muscle pull or hand pull?"


"What if a bird pees on my head or flies right in my face?"
I swallowed my saliva and I can boldly tell you that I was scared of death for once. Stories of men that had fallen from such heights which I witnessed with my ears filled my head. Some even said, once they hit the ground, dying wasn't the scary thing but the way their body parts dismantled was gory. I looked up at the platform about 8m away and the unimaginable started happening. My hands began to shake and to make it worse, I couldn't rest on any thing. Then I wrapped my left hand round the ladder and pressed my chest against the cold steel while my right clutched firmly on the step above my head. My legs also started shaking, so I stopped ascending and decided to rest a bit. I could feel my heart beat faster.
I dared not to look down at this height, lest I die of panic. Looking ahead of me, I could see rooftops and cars passing by. I was 15m away from where I started from and only 5m away from my goal but the fear of falling kept me stagnant where I was. Truth is, I expended more energy hanging unto the ladder.
Then a knowing dawned on me and I could clearly relate my ladder experience to life.



Too many times we get comfortable with our comfort zone (15m from the ground) and refuse to strive for something better even if we honestly know it will be for our good. If only we knew that only a little more...and a lil more...and just one more effort would take us to where we desire. Trust me friend...Life isn't complex, there are only complex people.
So I realized as you will realize after reading this, that only a lil more effort would get me to the platform and since I had come this far which is 3 quarter of my journey, I could also make it there.



I unwrapped my hand and clung tightly again with both hands as I made it upwards gently.
I never looked down (lest fear hits me again) and I never looked up (so I don't get overwhelmed by the height to reach). I looked straight ahead, mind on the prize as I made it up slow and steady.
1..2...Step...


1..2...Step...


Wow! I was shocked at what my hand gripped next...THE PLATFORM...I was now 20m off the ground.



You know that saying about it being cooler at the top...and not being crowded. Yep! Its true!


I was welcomed by a very cool breeze blowing freely and the landscape was kind enough to entertain my ever-wondering eyes.
Every day we struggle to stay on top of 'our game'. We go to school, learn a trade, acquire a skill, get a job and all sorts to keep afloat. But most importantly, its good to know that in whatever you do, you'll always be confronted by your worst fears which at every point demands a resilient attitude. Never focus on your fears, you only make them as relevant as the attention you pay to them. Never fantasize too much about the top that you forget to take those bold steps to reach 'the platform'.

All things being equal with God on your side, you will discover that as you take those bold steps up the ladder of success, you'll overcome your fears and unknowingly your hand will touch that platform you've craved for long. And once your hand touches, you can be sure the legs with be standing boldly as your eyes wonder in amazement of the view.

My view at 20m...so nice.

"Only the man who climbed the ladder appreciates the platform at the top"- Me

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Espoir...A Tale of Hope

Based on a true life imagination


(Present Day: Tokyo)- Year 2011
Espoir Yamasuki is a young ambitious Japanese undergrad, adept in the knowledge of Opto-electronics with an optimistic spirit. His work in progress is a research into the use of focusing E.M. waves at a humanly-friendly frequency to kill cancer cells. He's currently returning from the school library to begin a new research into his latest findings. Yamasuki is not the tops in his class but believes in himself. Meanwhile...

Fast-forward 10 years - Year 2021
You are in a board-meeting as the major shareholder in XYZ Alliance Corp. You are feeling funny inside and decide to take a minute. It gets worse and you're off to the clinic. Doctor tells you to get your house in order. You've got 6 months to live. You take an indefinite leave of absence from work and resume in the hospital for close observation. On one of those afternoons while watching TV on the sick bed with shaved head, you hear the news of a nobel prize winner in Physics who seems to have a clue to this cancer thing. You fly to Tokyo and book an appointment in the hospital where this genius works as a specialist. You finally see him but he tells you he has never tried what you are asking for.
The world's 1st attempt to cure cancer is made in the field of Opto-electronics with you being the 1st optimistic patient.

Yamasuki Espoir's days of research is put to test with the world watching over his shoulders.

The surgery is a success! A major scientific breakthrough!
You live and become successful in your childhood dreams of changing your country's education sector.

BUT MEANWHILE...

Present Day: Tokyo - Year 2011
On his way back from library, Yamasuki tries to catch up with his train by 3:00pm.
Massive earthquake strikes Japan by 2:46pm...
Espoir not only loses the train ride but loses his life alongside.
The future projections of 2021 are turned to a mere mirage.
Dreams shattered...Hopes dashed.
Not only Espoir is gone but the lives he would have impacted.


However the story above might have sounded to you, the main point is not in the nicely or poorly-woven script but the aim here is to give you a mental picture of how you and I can be directly or indirectly affected by lives lost in other parts of the world due to natural disasters.
Each time a life is lost, potentials are lost.

Tsunami Waves

One man as Thomas Edison impacted the whole world so much, else you would have been reading this on a paper with candle-light...if you ever get to read it, that is.

So this is how we can help...Say a 3-minute prayer for Japan from today onwards and a 3-minute prayer against Nigeria April Elections.
Spread this message anyway you can (by sharing the note or pasting it on your blog/website).
'Espoir' (pronounced ES-PUA) is French word for 'Hope' and the world is praying in hope for a miracle in Japan.

As at now: Death toll is rising to hundreds of lives which tells you how much potential the world is currently losing in seconds...SAY A PRAYER NOW!
Affected areas: Tokyo, Fukushima, Hawaii, Alaska, the Oregon Coast, etc.
Current Magnitude: 7.9


Motivation for writing this:
A massive 8.9 magnitude earthquake hit the Pacific Ocean nearby Northeastern Japan at around 2:46pm on March 11 (JST) causing damage with blackouts, fire and tsunami.
The large earthquake triggered a tsunami warning for countries all around the Pacific ocean.

Local Japan Emergency dials:
171 + 1 + line phone number to leave a message
171 + 2 + line phone number to listen to the message

For more ways to help, visit: Google's Crisis Project


Resource links: Japanese Metereological alarms/warnings
                           News Sources
                           Web sources

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Tinsel

Not writing this note would be a total selfish motive. Its based on a discovery in the depths of one of those moments of meditating.

Its not one of those that I plan to write with my dictionary correcting typos and all. Its not one of those to like also cuz I'm saying it as it comes.

I just discovered something that we are actually in one of the most severe wars than we ever thought. It worse than any wars ever seen because it can't be seen. Its the most carefully planned, thought out and subtly executed kind.

 Its a war of morals.

The decay of morals has never been so intense than in these present times. If you're feeling uneasy reading this or its boring, then maybe its actually for you...or maybe not.
My business here is to deliver the message and the ball is in your court.
Talking against the negative manifestations of moral decadence in our present society either presents shame, criticism or simply ignored. But I'll ask something...

Does pouring perfume on a dead rotten rat remove the smell?
After some days what still happens?

Okay lets ride on, cuz I'll be giving you some scenarios you'd relate with.
Still on the rat matter, as long as it still remains, the smell remains!
Moral decadence is on a recruitment spree accross all forms of civilization: both developed and under-developed; and its more celebrated in the yuppiedom. Yep...nasty is the new cool these days.

Smoking ain't a topic you advice someone on cuz its just cool to carry out your own combustion process in your nose too. Afterall machines are replacing men these days, so men should have a role to play in acting as engines too right? *sigh* Just sad.
Well, this is not on smoking anyways buh I know you know that we both know the truth is bitter, right?

Indecent dressing is the new sassy.

Vulgar,hate-promoting songs are the new groovy, right?

I once heard someone ask a question and I really saw a point in it.
So this girl was dressed 'sassy-cious' and a certain lady asked and said, "What message dyu think you're passing?"
Well actually some know they do pass messages anyways (who cares?)and guys are sure to receive with all thankfulness but is this really what defines your self-worth? or are you just a proud and silent victim of low self-worth?
Little do you know that the irresponsible guy respects Elegant and 'decent' dressing. Yea and he won't just walk up to you cuz he knows you're too good for him. Actually, you are...or thats the message you passed.

The subtle good of the world is fast going into extinction and with the advent of technology which is supposed to make life easier, distractions have not seized to top the charts.

Who goes to the beach these days when we can all watch a beach documentary on our flat screens and flat heads.
Who cares about these things anyways?
Who shakes and hugs these days when I can send you a hug on FB and OH...did you see my 'Poke' yesterday?
Who reads the bible these days, when my E-bible on the BB is there...but OH! I gotta ping first.

Fast cars, fast food...everything is on fastforward.

Hey, don't get me wrong, I didn't write this piece as 'that guy in the white robe and a halo with little cherubs flying round me'...but as the dude who just discovered that the fluid he's been using as body cream all these years is actually honey and decides to let His friends know how sweet it tastes. I know you get this, uhn? Don't you? I know you're nodding.

Are you still trying hard to get what I'm saying? Yep...its pure gibberish to the complex-minded which brings me to my concluding point!

Life is still as simple as it was 1000's of years ago...man only got more complex!

Jesus has always presented himself in the most simple manner but man  has always been the complex one, the one trying to look for the best ways to serve him, the right mood to be in and the right words to say.
But I just discovered all he asked for was me to be in His rest so I can think of Him always and not be distracted by the worries of this world. And oh yes...he already paid the price, so there's nothing I can do to help Him out by trying hard to be 'holy'. He doesn't need your help, He needs you out of the trash. So forgive yourself, turn from the 'world's madness', know He has forgiven and start living in that mentality

"A child in the village will always think the King's palace is the finest. Wait till you show him the city and he'll never return" - Me

Whats all the fuss about?...The fuss isn't about you changing. Naaaa...That would be too myopic!
Its about the lives attached to your success, the lives you would impact, the lives that'll have hope all because you chose to follow the right path. Yup..that's a broader perspective. If Mr Thomas Edison decided to live only for himself, then you'd be reading this post on a cave wall with a sorry lamp. One man...such impact!
Same applies to you I guess. Its all in how you see it, accept it as true and work towards a new you.
I guess you picked something...I hope you did cuz I sure did.

Get out of that trashy 'tinsel' life and experience true freedom in God!
Doesn't that sound just cooool...well, is up to you hombre.

Tinsel(adjective):  appearing glamorous but in fact worthless
Microsoft® Encarta® 2009. © 1993-2008 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.



(Feel free to add any contributions or objections below)

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Mama's Touch

(Based on a True-Life Imagination)

Sleek as a new porsche, she was the talk of her peers. The bible would have described her as a fair damsel. Mama had nurtured her from youth days and she possessed that inner beauty any man would crave for. Respectful, Hardworking and a diligent one she was. Mothers wanted their daughters to be just like her and she was on the right track of life until this moment.

Alas! Today wasn't a day she wished to be alive to see. Her confidence had died and moreso it wasn't a concealed occurence, there was no hiding it. She was exposed!  All the mothers warned their children never to be like her. Open disgrace...Public rejection...Shattered Esteem.


She carried this bag of guilt everywhere she went and never talked about it. It was a disdain, an eyesore...name it whatever. You wouldn't imagine what she did.


She never uttered a word of it to Mama...what would she think of her?...after all the sacrifice Mama made. Taking her time to build a woman of priceless virtue who had now traded her most priced asset. I bet its not even what you think. She abandoned everything and left. Virtue was now a far cry.

Then one day, Mama couldn't take it again, she decided to search for her only daughter. Mama walked for miles along the dusty road, shedding tears and hoping silently that she would find the queen of her heart. The water jar became empty, food exhausted, throat aching from dryness but Mama pressed on. She had come too far to now give up.

Then all of a sudden, she missed a step and tripped, thumping down hard to the cold dusty ground.
I thought that was it...but Mama got up...dusted herself and continued again. I had never seen such resilience in my life. It was now clear that her only motivation was her daughter.

"God if this will be my last day on earth...sniff...let me...sniff sniff...see my daugh-terrr", she broke into tears again.

The emotional pain of her lost gem was unbearably daunting. Hopes got dimmer by the second, compensating the setting sun in the horizon.

For some reason Mama wasn't sure if this was the right decision. On the other hand, she longed for days to find her gem.

As her feet dragged along the dusty road, she started feeling numb...then she stopped...walked a little further...and...THUMP!
Falling flat on her face, buried in the earth...That was the end!

The shameful daughter heard of the news sometime later and vowed that Mama wasn't going to die in vain. She retraced her steps back to even better and thus the story goes.

Mama never saw her daughter, neither did daughter see Mama again...but the point was clear and concise. In dying, she gave her a reason to live right again.


I know of a man who was like Mama...in fact paid a price far greater than Mama did.
He left a throne of Angel Chauffeurs, Cherub Stewards and chose your filth and mine too.

People would naturally try to give their life for a good person but he gave His for the filth of the world.
So you think your case is different, right?
What is he saying? He hasn't been through what I've faced in life.

Yes I quite agree with that but Jesus did go through more than you went through. Temptations...he had it, Rejection...he got it, Crucifixion...He gladly went through smiling inside as the nails sunk deep into His flesh bursting several veins.
He is still walking down the dusty road like Mama looking for his children who are willing to come over and neglect the worries of the world.

At the cross God wrapped his heart in flesh and blood and let it be nailed to the cross for our redemption.- E. Stanley Jones

So put the load of guilt behind you and walk down the dusty road of redemption with Him.

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Archilles

New and inspiring for the year...Enjoy! 

 
Greece, 312 BC...

King Armadeus: Pokoulos! Pokoulos!! Send for me Archilles. The war is now but they are weak and we have to be prepared!

(Pokoulos fetches Archilles)

Archilles: My Lord, I hear you send for me. Speak your mind and I shall do as you will.

King Armadeus: Archilles! You have carried out my will faithfully these past years. A faithful one you have been. Now a great task awaits you. Go forth and give them hope.

(Archilles rides his horse to the battle ground where thousands of war-hungry warriors wait for the last command)

(Archilles is accompanied by Poukoulos and then addresses the warriors)

Archilles: Greetings to you my fellows.

This is not new to you all. We have fought battles like this. Its not the first! Neither will it be the last.

(Paces to and fro the parade)

(Soft Scottish bagpipe melody on the background)

I have seen men fight for glory. I have seen battles change their story. But one thing is for sure comrades.

What we do in life echoes in eternity.

I tell you, this battle is lost already!

Pokoulos: Why would you say that Archilles?

(Looks with a proud grin and brings out his sword, pointing it in their direction)

Archilles: This is not what determines our victory my brothers...But this! (pointing to his heart)

(WARRIORS UPROAR)

If you believed me that the battle is lost, then it shows you have two battles to fight.

But I Archilles have come to fight only one battle and that is the battle of the mind.

If you can win in there...we shall conquer out there!

(ANOTHER UPROAR FROM THE WARRIORS)

I have fought with men of honour all my life...and yours is no exception. Your courage has given me hope.

(WARRIORS CHARGE FORWARD AND BEAT THEIR CHESTS)

If we shall win the battle inside...then I tell you friends...this battle just got easier.

But we have to fight! FIGHT! FIGHT!!

I end with this comrades...

to understand the currents of a river, he who wishes to know the truth must enter the water.

The water is this battle! Go forth and conquer!

(END)

Friends, you have crossed the hurdle of 2010. You might not have achieved all you set out to achieve but the fact that you're still breathing is a sign of hope.

So don't you lose focus now. Like the warriors in the story above, there's a battle in your mind to be fought and you can't afford to let go now.

Go all out in 2011 and do things you've never done. No one said the journey would be easy but I tell you only those who let go of the past will move forward.

Quit talking too much and think more.

Quit living in your head and act now or never.

Quit keeping mute and open your mouth to ask God what you want in 2011. He's always listening.

Quit complaining about what you don't have and be thankful for what you have.

Quit wasting your life on things and people that don't add to you.

Enough of mediocrity...Think better of you. Relax your mind. Be free.

Read books that'll add positively to your life. Plan your time.

I could go on and on but in all I've said, all these would still be useless without one thing, which is - Put God ahead of whatever you do in this 2011 and I wish you all a Happy New Year!

always @ moi frequency...*wink*

   

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