March 16, 2012

March 10.

Today is Seun Ademokun's wedding. She is now a Mrs. Omoniyi. It was a beautiful day and a beautiful wedding. Brought back memories of when I got married three years ago. So much fun memories.

Mr n Mrs Ayo Omoniyi

Me n Kinky in 2009

.

Left the wedding event early. Kinky had to go to school and so I had gone alone. I had to link up with them (Kinky and Kish) so we could head home together. Plus, it was raining later on.

It was however a wonderful experience to witness a dear friend get married and all that. Knowing how tough life was and could be and all the challenges the institution poses. It was also great for personal reflection and re-dedication to my own personal promises.

It was perfect.
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March 11

Daddy day-care day.

Kish and I had the day to ourselves. This has been the arrangement weekends when she goes to school. So, we spent a quiet day together watching barney and some other cartoons.

I had taken some work home, the one oga wanted me to do from home. I can't be bothered though and did not boot my lappie (except to download some pics to my phone or from my camera).

Later in the evening Gmama came to take Kish to a kiddies party. He woke up just in time to make it dressed up in his new kit.

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March 12

Another Monday.

Finished the Oracle proposal I didn't touch at home over the weekend and sent to my oga. He then asked us to do a press release. That brief he gave to me and my colleague.

He later called me to make inputs into the Oracle proposal and to add some more details.

I made sure I pulled up some draft for the press release to share with my colleague, so she could also contribute her builds before we send to oga. Unfortunately, she didn't come back early. So, the draft couldn't be sent today like I would have liked it to.

Anyways, tomorrow is another day.
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March 13

I had another rough time with my oga today. How any of us is going to survive through to the end of the year I do not know. There is so much animosity from his part towards the rest of the team. To much drama and shenanigans for me to care to write about.

He called me liar today. Something I take exception to. Thankfully, Dele Fatusin (Lagos region Manager) was in his office when he said it and was also a witness and actor in an earlier conversation we had had. He was the one who stepped in and made my case for me. That didn't make my oga stop and apologize. But, I don't give a flying fuck anymore. Way I see it....I won't give a shit.

I don't believe in chasing shadows and won't allow anyone give me one to chase.

That is that. Won't dwell more on that.

Was at PZ Cussons with the Lagos SBU team later in the day. My role was to support and give marketing angle to the discussions. We had a really brief session with Mr. Funsho Jacob, the Marketing Services Manager.

In all, we are to get back to him with sitelists of available boards in specific regions.

The office closed early and I left as soon as it closed. Had to get back home for Kish. He was in the hospital today....I need to make that decision about his school fast.

He has fallen ill more times in two months than he ever did in all his over one year existence.
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March 14

Another promotion exercise at the office and I don't get promoted. That is three times in five years!

I and Kayode Alade are the only ones left from my set yet to be promoted. I wonder why (not really I know why= My oga+evolution project).

Worse, a colleague was asked to go.

Not good and I better start to look at my options. Seems the company has got me in their sight because of my pivotal role in the *project evolution*. Sad to me though that most of our recommendations are now what is being implemented by the company.

I am at a loss.

March 9, 2012

Thursday March 8, 2012

Today was a bit of a roll. Not too much doing. So, I enjoyed my day until about 5.21pm when my oga came and told me he had a brief for me. Gosh....just about eight minutes before we close shop for the day!

I pulled as many photos from online as I could that will help me. Can't stay in the office to do this shit. No way!!! Off I went at my usual time. No holding me back men! Made sure I packed my lappie though. Will grind out that work at home.

Kish has a recurring outbreak of measles again! Gawwwwwwwwwwwwwwd! That school.

Fortunately, I was able to knock out the bare bones of the proposal before sleeping at around 2.30a.m.

March 9, 2012

Friday!!!

It is Dipo Otunuga's birthday. He is probably celebrating it somewhere with someone special. Since we all left Mapoly, Ojere it has been difficult being together again. Everybody don fondagbe!

Woke up late. Not surprising considering how late I slept. Did not even have my bathe. No time for that luxury...I got to beat that mad traffic on Ikorodu road and be in the office early to be able to put the proposal in shape before my 10 a.m deadline for submission. Who will give that kind of deadline anyways, only my oga will. A sinking feeling in my belly at that prospect.

I guess I was smart enough to quickly show him the draft I had before I had done any shaping out on the proposal. He made his inputs, thakfully minimal, and I was able to finish up the proposal before the 10 a.m deadline.

Unfortunately, my test was not over.

At about 3.30 p.m I was given another brief to be submitted before the close of work!!! Na wa o!!!

This time it was on Oracle. But, I was wondering to myself why wait so late?

Anyways, I finished it up before the deadline too....one for ya money.

Got weddings on my mind men...no way I will be held up o.

Tomorrow is Seun's wedding.  Will be there no doubt. My cloth is ready; no shaking.

Will see ya on MoNdAy!!!

March 7, 2012

A special friend celebrated her birthday today.

Happy birthday to you Aisha Alii-Balogun. God will take you to higher places. Alright?

After all the shenanigans of yesterday at the office, I had expected a pretty cold reception from my oga. I was not disappointed. But, we still have a job to do- Right!

So, I went in to see him this morning to make my report from yesterday and also get his clarification on way forward for the 'tainted' contract from MS.

I endured all the gruff treatment, and when it got too much I had to put the issue back on the table.

'I see you are still angry from what happened yesterday,' I ventured.
'No, I am not. We have a business to run here so let's do our jobs. I don't appreciate it when people give me attitudes and bragado. You met me in this world, so....in any case, I am not angry. Let's do our jobs. It's okay,'  he finished. I just stood looking at him for a few seconds. Knowing what that kind of mindset was going to have later repercussions, so I did what I wouldn't do under other circumstances.
I appealed to his emotive side and was able to get him back (in a manner).

The film still dey go.

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March 6, 2012

It was a bright day, yea.

I was looking sharp and all that so naturally I was feeling a bit up and up. Hahaha.

Never mind.

So, it is client meet and site inspection afterwards. I like how that is shaping out. Gradually rounding off all the loose ends on this Nestle account. It could have been messier, but the client and the agency had been pretty co-operative and all. Part of the problem was there doing anyway. But, the feeling you get for knowing you are able to proffer sound solutions is euphoric.

There was a lot that came in fast this morning, there was an early morning text from my Coca Cola account contact at UM; Wanted new invoices submitted before 1 p.m. Ha! These clients sef. This is regardless that I had turned in an invoice for Q1 2012 much earlier. This na double work....and on a day I had my mind set on closing another deal that is time bound.

Then, my oga wanted me to pick up a P.O from MS that we have been knocking front and back since sometime last week.

I had gone into his office to let him know my itinerary, I still don't know how I feel in that office. He had looked and sounded his usual gruff way (getting used to that and learning to pick his real mood from his fake outward mood)- will really like to understand and be on point with my reactions to his ways.

'Yes, ' he asked in his gruff voice.
I twitched about a bit. But determined to keep my composure I braved it and spoke up.
'I wanted to let you know I will be out for the site inspection and client meet I spoke about yesterday. That is why I brought the pool car form for you to sign,' I said handing him the form.
He scanned the paper through the top of his glasses, then asked 'What is happening at MR?' 
'Meeting on illumination. Then the MS is the site inspection for Maggi replacement site,' I replied.
 'Okay. So, what do you want me to do?'
'I want you to sign the form sir,' I replied.
So, he signed.
'Did you send the CD to Clive at FMNplc.?' He asked as he handed me back the form.
'Oh yes, I did. I sent it with a hard copy of the contact report as agreed. You know I collected the revised proposal from you on a flash?'
He looked at me funny, then somehow maybe remembered what I was talking about, 'Yeah. Yeah. Did you check it?'
'Yes, I did,' I replied. I wanted to be on with other things. But, obviously there was more.
'On your way, please collect the order for the Oshodi board from Gbenga at MS.'
I waited for further briefs.
'It's =N= 7.9m abi?'
'Yes,' I replied. 'I am going to MS actually to pick my client for the inspection.' I finished.
'Oh, how many of you are going?'
'I believe just me and the client. She didn't tell me someone is coming from Nestle.'
'Okay, collect the order. It's non-illuminated abi?'
'Yes.'
'Okay. Well done.'

So, I was out of there like a bolt. I needed to call on Shali's favor with the Coke invoice to ensure that it gets to UM before 1 p.m and I was running behind schedule for my 9 a.m appointment with my MS client.

Was able to get Shali's assurance that the invoice will be ready. We work well together that way.

At about 9 a.m I was out of the office. Late already. But what can one do?

Made it to MS about fifteen minutes later, but the fella I was to pick the order from was not yet at the office. So, off I was with my client on the original assignment.

Traffic on Lagos roads is hell. But we were able to be done with our inspection of the Mile 2 board on time and she finally settle for the board Facing the traffic from the Ojo/Festac/Badagry end of the Lagos-Badagry expressway.

Our journey back was not very eventful. And all went smoothly. Done deal. I called the MD on the way back to find out if he has submitted his inputs in the SBC Plc digital proposal I was preparing. He hasn't but promised to look at it as soon as he was free. Good news.



Called up Segun at MR to set up a time for our appointment. We agreed on 1.30 p.m. That meeting is going to be a bit more problematic.

I also called my immediate Super (since my office mate is yet to resume), to solicit for his assistance in ensuring that the UM invoice for coke had been treated. He was able to confirm it had been processed and sent.

Shali is a dream.

Had to drop my client off back at her office before heading for my 1.30 p.m appointment at MR at Maryland.
Back at MS, I was able to finally see the fella to give me the order for my oga. My thought just a simple 'pick- n-drop' assignment on this one.

'Hello, I am Shanu from OE. I am here due to the discussions you had with my colleague on the Oshodi Board.'

'Yes, but the rate....I understand that there is a rate structure you use with us. What is the rate?'
'It is =N=7.9m for that site. I believe you and my colleague had discussed extensively on this before now,' I replied.
'It is the board facing the traffic from the airport, right?' He asked.
'Yes it is,' I replied.
'Please give me a minute.'
He stood up and left the office for several minutes. When he came back, he was holding a piece of paper.
'Yes, I just spoke to my people. I understand the rate you use with us on that site is =N= 7.5m. So, that is what it is.'  He was standing by the door.
'That may be true, but my understanding was you have concluding with him. I will need to clarify with him.
Unfortunately, my phone battery was down and I did not have my oga's number on my other phone.
Eventually, the fella had to call him and I also spoke with him.
It all went down hill from there.
Long and short, my oga felt let down I had fed him wrong information and made him look stupid before the client and our MD.
However, I couldn't have know if he had been able to secure an agreement or not with the fella other than what me and him had agreed earlier in the office. So, when he had said =N=7.9m earlier in the morning at the office I had simply taken that was the rate he agreed with the fella.
Unfortunately, my oga has a 'way' with dealing with things- not the best way I must say.
Well, I picked the order for =N=7.5m but it felt like I was holding a ticking time bomb in my hands.
Guys at MS were joking that I am to hard to bargain with and all that. I couldn't enjoy the joke, but my client on Maggi rose to my defense. Good to have a friend in-house.

Went off to my 1.30 p.m meet at MR. Got there about ten minutes late. But the meeting went smoother than I thought. Though we didn't reach an immediate agreement, both camps were actually clear on their stands. The agency standing behind their client (because they have no choice) and I staunchly stating my company's position. Way I see it, we may have to just drop the chain on that account if it seems to want to drown us. I put that to the agency reps best way I could.

Worked a bit on the new business I am chasing with MR. Don't feel the vibe the lady rep is giving me. But, I am confident I can bring her around to reality.

It was back at the office that the fireworks started.

It was a screaming match and if there is something I hate it is for someone to be screaming at me. So, I raised my voice a notch too....I don't care much when I lose my top. So, I keep a tight lid on it as much as I can.

We were at it for a while, then settled it somehow. Maybe it ended the way it should end between gentlemen, only time will tell.

March 5, 2012

Monday!

I can't decide whether or not I hate Mondays. I hate it for the traffic. I love it for the long meetings....time for a junior exec like myself to engage in other stuffs. Hahaha....productive stuffs o!

Anyways, it is the usual-traffic in the morning. The difference was when I got to the office and saw colleagues from the regional business units. That was odd. Later realized they were in town for the quarterly regional meetings. Well, this year's is a bit early was what I thought to myself.

My colleague's daughter not feeling well, so she took off. I have the entire office to myself. Hmm, as if that will change anything.

I was having a blast with my 'free-time' catching up on some reading when I was called in for the afternoon session- strange things gets getting stranger.

Well, we were half-way through the afternoon jaw-jawing when the number 2 man in the group's executive board walked into the conference room.

OMG!!!

Did I say strange things got stranger?!

Now, stranger things just got strangest (sic) - pardon me. That is unprecedented really. Don't see that fella around, except for the annual AGM and quarterly board meetings.

Hmm.

What next?

We had a pep-talk from him, and he kept referring to everyone in the room as senior managers. And I kept looking at myself and a couple of other junior execs in the room- For where? Our eyes seem to be telling our inner thoughts.

'Me i be ordinary can-carrier for here o, you nko', we seem to be telling ourselves.

In any case, we had the pep-talk and the Big Fella left.

We were left to our mundane deliberations, at which point most in the room had lost all interest.

I wasn't surprised when the meeting limped to a slumbering end a few minutes later.

It was almost 6 p.m. and people had started contemplating braving the mad Lagos traffic.

I took off as soon as it was safe to.

March 3, 2012

Saturday!

Beautiful morning. I love weekends and this one I liked better. Why? We were going out! No, not out as in OUT. I had promised Kinky we would do some shopping. I had put it off for a while, but no more. She won't let me rest until the deed is done.

We dropped Kish off at Gmama's...we had to do some James Bond dodging to extricate ourselves. Kinky leaving through one door, while I sneaked through another. Sure there will be more sneaking to do as time comes along and he gets smarter #thinkwhatyouwant.

Well, so off we were to downtown Lagos for some real shopping. Being a while I did this but it was fun. We combed the whole of downtown Lagos for close to four hours. Buying everything from beads to Super Yogo!!! Believe me those things still high up there with me. FAN don make money from my pocket.

If you know anything about downtown Lagos, you will know that shopping there is serious business. So many people, so much on display and thieves every corner looking for something to nick off you.

We survived though. And before heading home, I treated Kinky to a surprise. We ate a special treat of fried fish and shrimps at a local shack - I will call it 'Fish Shack'. No particular address, but it was fun and it was delicious.

So, all-in-all it was a great day and Kish was very delighted when we got back - saw it in his eyes and the way he rushed into my arms.

It is wonderful to have a kid like Kish.









Sunday!

We were woken up by Kish beating away on his drum. If not for him we might have slept till late morning.

No church today. Too tired. Not after all that walking and lugging yesterday.

So, it was indoor things for the family. We used the time to catch up on some movies. My favorite for the day was 'Mother and Child'- it was really cool. I almost cried. Touched on abortion, the faulty adoption system and the scourge of teenage pregnancies.

It was a really nice movie.

Also watched an indie movie- Prince. Tacky flick...too much effects and glitz. It did well for passing away the time though.

All in all, the weekend was great and fulfilling.

Work begins tomorrow.

See ya.

March 2, 2012

It's a Friday baby!

Have you ever had that feeling, where you are in a room with someone and all you can think of is how to get out of the room as fast as you can?

It is that I get when I walk into a particular office at work. Damn so uncomfortable and you don't know what you will say that will get you into hot water.

I have tried to feel as comfortable as I can be, but it isn't just working. Maybe things will change or a miracle will happen!!!

The week has been really good. Everything on the up and up. Contracts keep coming and at the end of February am already clocking almost N200m. Of course, I don't even see 0.01 % of that money but I work with the believe. If I can make that for some business, some day I might be able to make that and more for mine.

Pray it gets better.

Was in a weird convo with someone I  met randomly on BBM today. Really strange. Sometimes, I wonder what goes on in the minds of most Nigerian ladies. Every guy they meet must always (without exception) want to get into their pants. Still baffles me where that notion came from though. This particular convo just reinforced that theory for me. Plus the fact that most Nigerians are also not really smart. Street smart maybe, but smart smart, NO!

Well, I hooked up with this lady on BBM (using an app most don't even know could be used for that purpose-Picstory) and it was going well, until she popped a most unexpected question.

Excerpt:

Shai: Hello
Moe: Hi
Moe: How did you get my PIN?
Shai: Oh, My bad. Actually, I saw your pic profile on pictstory and decided to make random friends.
Moe: Really?
Shai: Yea
Moe: Lieing*sic
Shai: That is an unfair statement to make. You can actually make new friends using the app as it is a BBM connected app. Unfortunately, most do not know.
Moe: Really? Okay.
Moe: Hmmmmm.
Shai: Yea
Moe: U re a cracker!
Shai: Ha, lol.
Moe: So, tell me what do you want?
Shai: Huh?
Moe: What do you want?
Shai: Nothing. Just looking to make some new friends.
Moe: For what purpose?
Shai: Friends is all we've got. Plus you never know what potential biz benefit you can tap from making friends.
Moe: Really?
SHai: Sure
Moe: U r a liar and a Jack!
Shai: Huh? That is not fair....I guess it was my mistake.
Moe:Yea right, a cracker and a jack. And the earlier you get that into your head the better.
Shai: That is rude.
Moe: Fuck You!!!
Shai: Hmm, sorry abt this. Not ur fault. My mistake.....

Hilarious as it seemed to me then, it showed up some pretty simple facts about how this particular lady was thinking. Her notion about the motive behind my interest. Babes think that most guys only think about sex. Maybe that is true, but still not enough reason to assume and put your foot in a man's face. What if that was what was on his mind? Why not let him hook himself with his rope? I know smart ladies. Pretty smart once who can smell a rat from miles away. But Moe doesn't belong to that group.

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Kish started school last week. And in one week of starting he has contact measles and other infections!!!

Seriously thinking of withdrawing him and setting him up somewhere else. Or revert back to our original plan. Keep him home until about three when he is likely to be able to take better care of himself. Kinky and I are still looking up the options.
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Oh, forgot from my entry yesterday!

Was involved in a minor double-car accident on Wednesday. Another car bashed our vehicle from behind. Was with a senior colleague at the office when it happened.

Was speaking to Kinky on the phone when I felt the jolt of the impact from behind.

On getting down from the vehicle, I was knocked sideways on seeing the culprit - young chap not more than 20, all tattooed and spotting ear studs on both ears. It was irritating. For the first time in a long time, I judged someone by just looking at them and not after I have heard them speak.

Young chap (Kola was his name I believe) redeemed himself. He behaved gentlemanly and although he couldn't solve the situation himself, he was calm and controlled all through while we waited for his mom.

After all was said and done, we settled (in a fashion) and everyone went their separate ways as friends (or potential friends- His widowed mom and my senior colleague I mean, ahem!).

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It is a weekend, so see you on Monday.
Ciao.

IT BEGINS AGAIN

So, it is a new year? Yeah! It is and new things are happening. Shame I have not touched base here as often as I would have liked.

I have a new boss...maybe better than the old one (who left in frustration anyways because management was not supportive enough and did not recognize his worth enough...still don't recognize the collective worth of the marketing team till now), maybe not. Only time will tell.

So, it is a new boss. A new system and a new way to learn. It is a two-way street sha, the way I see it. It's still WIP. We shall see.

My son, Kish (Ilerioluwakiishi) clocked one in December 2011. We are already counting down to 2. It was fun all round and some big boys were also around to share the fun with him

All that was last year, 2012 has started at rather breakneck speed. Even more than how it was last year. It is killing the schedule and the workload. But, we go survive. We must survive. It is a must to survive all the hassles of this life at work o, at home o...anywhere o! Na wetin me sign up for this year be that!!!

Last month, February 28 was my mom's 53rd birthday. Wow!!! She doesn't look one bit her 53yrs. That is a good thing, because when we walk on the streets people actually think we are brother/sister combo. Hahahaha.

Errr, I gotta go for now....hopefully, I can keep this going all through the year. See ya tomorrow.