The last few days have been somewhat low for me. I know I shouldn’t feel this way but I do although I know that things always happen for a reason.
This week was focussed on ensuring my application for the doctorate program was completed. I spent time writing a research proposal, getting my references and finalising all the requirements for the application.
Excited that all was finally ready, I sent it out by email, with every required document scanned and attached. I had dug out my old scanner and fixed it. I even scanned my signature for endorsement on the application form. The climax came when I pressed send. I saw a reply notification like 3 minutes after I sent the mail, so I decided to do other things as I figured it was just an acknowledgement email since it came so fast. When I finally got round to opening the message it read;
Dear Madam
I am afraid that due to exceptional demand, Aberdeen Business School have closed applications for DBA applicants for present. We can not confirm yet, when applicants will be able to reapply, but I am afraid that we cannot accept your application at present.
Research Degrees Office
Immediately a deep seated sadness overcame me. I wasn’t sure whether it was the right way to feel but somehow it wasn’t the response I was expecting. The response seemed so flippant and vague that I responded by asking them to give me specific timelines. I just felt I needed something more concrete as university admissions can be applied for future sessions, so I asked when the embargo would be lifted or whether it was an indefinite decision. The response I got was not positive. Again it appeared like they were neither here nor there. To be honest I was a little irritated that they weren’t able to give a more precise response. The final response which I received today read;
Dear Madam
I don't really think that there is much point in further discussions. ABS have stated that applications are currently closed and when they choose to re-open applications they will let us know. However, for the moment there is little point in applying if you don't know when your application will be considered by ABS.
Research Degrees Office
Hmmm, now I don’t even know how I feel anymore, quite disappointed and somewhat confused as to what to do next. I am wondering whether its not meant to be? The choice of school was really based on the fees. They are the only one I think I can mange to fund by myself the next available school charges double the fees and I really cannot afford that right now. Also the other schools have workshop that you must attend and I really need the flexibility of a distance learning program. The other school I applied to at the beginning of the year requested that I do a relevant masters first before embarking on their program. O gosh what do I do now? This just throws my plans off.
Hmmm, I do know things happen for a reason but I am still feeling down at this realisation. If ABS at least gave me a timeline of even next year I would at least know that delay is not denial. Anyway, Arrrrrrrrgh! God please help!!!
Friday, October 9, 2009
Customer Service Failure at Starcomms Plc
I am ashamed to say but I spent most of today being angry. Angry at the mediocrity we are often forced to deal with in this country of ours. Angry that as a customer, I am not valued even despite the fact that I am part of the reason why Starcomms Plc is in business. I was so mad till I decided the only thing that would make me feel better was to write to them and get an opportunity to vent out my utmost dissatisfaction with the poor service rendered to me and any subscriber suffering a similar plight.
October 9, 2009
Chief Executive Officer
Starcomms Plc
Plot 1261C, Bishop Kale Close,
Victoria Island,
Lagos
Attention: Management
Re: Customer Service Failure
I am an angry customer. I am angry because I feel I am being taken for granted and that Starcomms Plc is ripping me off my money’s worth. I feel that rather than partnering with its customers, Starcomms Plc is cheating its customers.
I run a small business and I subscribe to the 24/7 internet service provided by Starcomms Plc. Every month I make a conscious effort to pay my subscription rate on time to avoid being disconnected and every month I suffer the same plight.
Yesterday on the 8th of October 2009 I went into a GTB bank myself and paid in my subscription fee to avoid being disconnected on the following day. My service was disconnected at exactly 12 midnight of the 8th of October 2009 and it is now 2 pm of the following day and my internet connection is still not back up.
What I cannot understand is why an ISP like Starcomms, in this day and age cannot provide a seamless internet connection service for customers like me who want to ensure that they are connected 24/7 just like the name of the tariff plan suggests.
Today and every month because of Starcomms Plc, I cannot do business with my customers for at least two thirds of a day as I am usually reconnected in the afternoon of the following day. I do not understand this phenomenon so I ask;
Starcomms Plc, why must we be disconnected every month even though we try so hard to do everything we need to do to ensure we are not disconnected?
Starcomms Plc, why do you collect payment for a service that you cannot render? If we have exchanged money then I believe you owe me a service from the moment you receive my money. In the worst case even if you had not recognised the money I paid in yesterday on the day it was paid in, why am I not re-connected first thing in the morning of the following day i.e. by 8am today the 9th of October 2009?
Why do I always have to call in to Starcomms every month, harassing people I know who work there to speed up the reconnection of my Starcomms internet service? What would I do if I didn’t know people who could help me?
If I am billed based on a 31 day cycle why would you count a reconnection time of 3pm on a particular day as day 1 of my service? Especially since I had made payment on the previous day but due to your own service failures I am reconnected at 3pm on the following day. What happens to the lost hours between 12 midnight and 3pm where I had no service and yet Starcomms had received payment for those hours? If I pay for 31 days I should get 31 days, no more, no less.
I am frustrated and tired of your poor service and this is not the only problem I have had with your organization.
Two months ago I suffered a similar plight where I had to buy a new USB modem for the internet connection I currently have. I had problems with the USB on the day it was bought and proceeded to return it the next day. I was told that I could only return it at the Starcomms shop that it was bought at. I live in Ilupeju and I bought it at Lekki on a Saturday. I had to drive all the way to Lekki on a Sunday just to return it. That in itself is a shame for such a large firm with branches all over the country to request that refunds must be made at the same store of purchase.
On returning the USB modem to the shop, I was told by the customer service advisor that company policy would not allow them refund my money till somebody else had bought the same item as the cash received from the person would be used to give me a refund. As a result, I left the Starcomms shop with no service, no USB modem and no money. Starcomms a big firm, kept hold of N26,500.00 belonging to a small firm like mine on the basis of a company policy that makes no sense and shows low regard for the customer. I was called back 3 days later to pick up my refunded cash. During this time, Starcomms cared less about the fact that I would have no internet service for the period they held my cash.
In my entire life, I have never seen where customers are treated like beggars with no choice.
Starcomms Plc is taking its customers for granted, forgetting that your customers make you who you are today. You may get away with it in the short term but you will not get away with this in the long run. It is sad and appalling that in this day and age with everything we know about customer service that companies like Starcomms are cheating their customers.
What is even sadder is that with advancement of technology solutions, Starcomms cannot device a means of ensuring that the services of loyal paying customers like me are not disrupted every month.
Starcomms Plc, I want you to know that it is technically feasible to device a system that detects customers who have paid before their subscription fee expires so that they can enjoy a seamless transition to the next month without being constantly reminded that they are at your mercy. Please invest in the right systems and service your customers by giving them value for money not lost business and wasted time calling your office.
Starcomms’ role should be one of a business partner and not a business destroyer. Small businesses and entrepreneurs suffer enough in this country. Starcomms should not add to the plight of the small business owner or its customer base as a whole, whether businesses or individuals. We demand and deserve value for our money. Please speak our language!
Yours Sincerely,
Their response is below and was received after sending an email to ceo@starcomms.com, I guess they thought I was a guy. Note; no reference to a refund for loss time, business losses or grievance.
Dear Mr,
Please accept our sincere apologies for the delays you have experienced in your renewals. I would request that you let us have your data device number with the payment particulars including location of payment to help us facilitate your renewal.
Yes, we are aware of the issues with time delay in payments made by the bank and Starcomms has been working on resolving this issue and ensuring that customers do not have to be in agony on the delays experienced.
Starcomms has just soft launched not one but three different modes of online renewal process for its Retail Data Subscribers who can now pay from the comfort of their home or office and experience instant renewal of their desired subscription pack. The three different modes of online renewal are detailed below.
1. Through SMS from your Starcomms handset. This is by sending a pre-defined string as an SMS/ Text to 37938 from a Starcomms handset.
Package ID Package Name Value
241 1MTH PURPLE ALWAYS-REN 15,950
242 PURPLE 100 HOURS REN 6500
243 PURPLE 250 HOURS REN 15,000
244 1MTH PURPLE NIGHT REN 5,000
245 1MTH PURPLE BUSINESS REN 7,000
246 PURPLE 7-11 REN 1 MONTH 5,000
The string would be *Package ID*Data Device number*1234#.
For example for a renewal on an 1 month Purple Always Renewal plan you need to send the following SMS *243*07028962561*1234# to the number 37938.
1. The second and third mode of renewal are both through the web. You need to visit our website www.starcomms.com and register yourself and you could pay either using our recharge cards or an Interswitch card.
Regards
Sajan
Sajan R Suvarna
Deputy Director – Data & Retail Sales
October 9, 2009
Chief Executive Officer
Starcomms Plc
Plot 1261C, Bishop Kale Close,
Victoria Island,
Lagos
Attention: Management
Re: Customer Service Failure
I am an angry customer. I am angry because I feel I am being taken for granted and that Starcomms Plc is ripping me off my money’s worth. I feel that rather than partnering with its customers, Starcomms Plc is cheating its customers.
I run a small business and I subscribe to the 24/7 internet service provided by Starcomms Plc. Every month I make a conscious effort to pay my subscription rate on time to avoid being disconnected and every month I suffer the same plight.
Yesterday on the 8th of October 2009 I went into a GTB bank myself and paid in my subscription fee to avoid being disconnected on the following day. My service was disconnected at exactly 12 midnight of the 8th of October 2009 and it is now 2 pm of the following day and my internet connection is still not back up.
What I cannot understand is why an ISP like Starcomms, in this day and age cannot provide a seamless internet connection service for customers like me who want to ensure that they are connected 24/7 just like the name of the tariff plan suggests.
Today and every month because of Starcomms Plc, I cannot do business with my customers for at least two thirds of a day as I am usually reconnected in the afternoon of the following day. I do not understand this phenomenon so I ask;
Starcomms Plc, why must we be disconnected every month even though we try so hard to do everything we need to do to ensure we are not disconnected?
Starcomms Plc, why do you collect payment for a service that you cannot render? If we have exchanged money then I believe you owe me a service from the moment you receive my money. In the worst case even if you had not recognised the money I paid in yesterday on the day it was paid in, why am I not re-connected first thing in the morning of the following day i.e. by 8am today the 9th of October 2009?
Why do I always have to call in to Starcomms every month, harassing people I know who work there to speed up the reconnection of my Starcomms internet service? What would I do if I didn’t know people who could help me?
If I am billed based on a 31 day cycle why would you count a reconnection time of 3pm on a particular day as day 1 of my service? Especially since I had made payment on the previous day but due to your own service failures I am reconnected at 3pm on the following day. What happens to the lost hours between 12 midnight and 3pm where I had no service and yet Starcomms had received payment for those hours? If I pay for 31 days I should get 31 days, no more, no less.
I am frustrated and tired of your poor service and this is not the only problem I have had with your organization.
Two months ago I suffered a similar plight where I had to buy a new USB modem for the internet connection I currently have. I had problems with the USB on the day it was bought and proceeded to return it the next day. I was told that I could only return it at the Starcomms shop that it was bought at. I live in Ilupeju and I bought it at Lekki on a Saturday. I had to drive all the way to Lekki on a Sunday just to return it. That in itself is a shame for such a large firm with branches all over the country to request that refunds must be made at the same store of purchase.
On returning the USB modem to the shop, I was told by the customer service advisor that company policy would not allow them refund my money till somebody else had bought the same item as the cash received from the person would be used to give me a refund. As a result, I left the Starcomms shop with no service, no USB modem and no money. Starcomms a big firm, kept hold of N26,500.00 belonging to a small firm like mine on the basis of a company policy that makes no sense and shows low regard for the customer. I was called back 3 days later to pick up my refunded cash. During this time, Starcomms cared less about the fact that I would have no internet service for the period they held my cash.
In my entire life, I have never seen where customers are treated like beggars with no choice.
Starcomms Plc is taking its customers for granted, forgetting that your customers make you who you are today. You may get away with it in the short term but you will not get away with this in the long run. It is sad and appalling that in this day and age with everything we know about customer service that companies like Starcomms are cheating their customers.
What is even sadder is that with advancement of technology solutions, Starcomms cannot device a means of ensuring that the services of loyal paying customers like me are not disrupted every month.
Starcomms Plc, I want you to know that it is technically feasible to device a system that detects customers who have paid before their subscription fee expires so that they can enjoy a seamless transition to the next month without being constantly reminded that they are at your mercy. Please invest in the right systems and service your customers by giving them value for money not lost business and wasted time calling your office.
Starcomms’ role should be one of a business partner and not a business destroyer. Small businesses and entrepreneurs suffer enough in this country. Starcomms should not add to the plight of the small business owner or its customer base as a whole, whether businesses or individuals. We demand and deserve value for our money. Please speak our language!
Yours Sincerely,
Their response is below and was received after sending an email to ceo@starcomms.com, I guess they thought I was a guy. Note; no reference to a refund for loss time, business losses or grievance.
Dear Mr,
Please accept our sincere apologies for the delays you have experienced in your renewals. I would request that you let us have your data device number with the payment particulars including location of payment to help us facilitate your renewal.
Yes, we are aware of the issues with time delay in payments made by the bank and Starcomms has been working on resolving this issue and ensuring that customers do not have to be in agony on the delays experienced.
Starcomms has just soft launched not one but three different modes of online renewal process for its Retail Data Subscribers who can now pay from the comfort of their home or office and experience instant renewal of their desired subscription pack. The three different modes of online renewal are detailed below.
1. Through SMS from your Starcomms handset. This is by sending a pre-defined string as an SMS/ Text to 37938 from a Starcomms handset.
Package ID Package Name Value
241 1MTH PURPLE ALWAYS-REN 15,950
242 PURPLE 100 HOURS REN 6500
243 PURPLE 250 HOURS REN 15,000
244 1MTH PURPLE NIGHT REN 5,000
245 1MTH PURPLE BUSINESS REN 7,000
246 PURPLE 7-11 REN 1 MONTH 5,000
The string would be *Package ID*Data Device number*1234#.
For example for a renewal on an 1 month Purple Always Renewal plan you need to send the following SMS *243*07028962561*1234# to the number 37938.
1. The second and third mode of renewal are both through the web. You need to visit our website www.starcomms.com and register yourself and you could pay either using our recharge cards or an Interswitch card.
Regards
Sajan
Sajan R Suvarna
Deputy Director – Data & Retail Sales
Monday, October 5, 2009
Update...
Where do I even begin? It was hectic the week before but all is well that end’s well.
After thinking I had been eased out of the job. I started getting emails on that job I was told had been outsourced to an American firm. This time I was confused because the last meeting I had attended I was out of the deal.
So I tried to manage the situation by telling my subcontractor to tell the main contractor that I would not be working on the project since we had been told it had been outsourced. They wanted me to come for a meeting on Sunday and I was like hell no. Not another meeting especially when I have been told that my services were not required. By Monday still no clarity then the emails came in again. It looked to me that these people were not sure what they were doing so I opted to go and meet with them to come to an agreement as we were now 48 hours till the D-day and still no formal contract had been approved.
Well at about 10.30 pm we finally agreed on a budget and deliverables. The budget was halved, so I just believed I would have to work within it in the best way I could. I was able to hire 6 people to work with me on the project which was to manage a team building event for 250 people.
I thank God it ended well. My body ached all over and my feet screamed for tender loving care. Almost 2 weeks later and there is this dark tan mark formed around the areas of my body that were exposed to the sun. I literally spent over 15 hours in the sun as the sun was out by 8.30am and didn't do down till 6pm. Oooh, I want my complexion back.
Anyway, I am happy with that and it’s back to not knowing where the next deal will be coming from. The life!
O well, in all things we thank God, I continue to be grateful, each and everyday!
After thinking I had been eased out of the job. I started getting emails on that job I was told had been outsourced to an American firm. This time I was confused because the last meeting I had attended I was out of the deal.
So I tried to manage the situation by telling my subcontractor to tell the main contractor that I would not be working on the project since we had been told it had been outsourced. They wanted me to come for a meeting on Sunday and I was like hell no. Not another meeting especially when I have been told that my services were not required. By Monday still no clarity then the emails came in again. It looked to me that these people were not sure what they were doing so I opted to go and meet with them to come to an agreement as we were now 48 hours till the D-day and still no formal contract had been approved.
Well at about 10.30 pm we finally agreed on a budget and deliverables. The budget was halved, so I just believed I would have to work within it in the best way I could. I was able to hire 6 people to work with me on the project which was to manage a team building event for 250 people.
I thank God it ended well. My body ached all over and my feet screamed for tender loving care. Almost 2 weeks later and there is this dark tan mark formed around the areas of my body that were exposed to the sun. I literally spent over 15 hours in the sun as the sun was out by 8.30am and didn't do down till 6pm. Oooh, I want my complexion back.
Anyway, I am happy with that and it’s back to not knowing where the next deal will be coming from. The life!
O well, in all things we thank God, I continue to be grateful, each and everyday!
Sunday, September 13, 2009
Talk, Talk...
I eventually had a bath about 6pm yesterday. Bill popped in as he was in the area. Once I had a bath I just had this urge to dress up and in another 20 minutes I was all dressed up and ready to roll.
My friend who invited me to the party is becoming a funny character. I tried his phone and it was switched off. So I sent a text and well bottom line is I didn’t go to his party which was good anyway as that is not really my scene but I just wanted to go out since I was dressed up. Then I returned a call from Kene as I was really in the mood to roll. He happened to be going out later at about 8.30, that would work.
So Bill came, I rushed dinner. He wanted to borrow my Troy DVD as I had told him that it had an extra CD that had a documentary on Greek mythology, describing the main Greek gods and a bit on their roles in the Trojan war. I love stuff like that so I went back upstairs to get him the DVD. On my way back down en route the living room upstairs I bumped into Dad, he just got back a few days ago. He's been with his wife in London for almost 2 months so I have been home alone. Anyway he hands me a duty free bag, with the usual, perfume. I get a lot of comments that I smell good, people tend to ask me what I am wearing, someone once said that every time I leave her office there’s just a long lingering sweet smell. Well it's courtesy of my Dad o. I don't think I ever run out or have to ever buy any perfume if I don't want to. He always comes back with a bottle. Courtesy of him I have worn perfumes I probably wouldn't have bought myself. My dad does have taste when it comes to stuff like that. I have been wearing 'Fancy' by Jessica Simpson and it's got such a sweeeeet smell, but this I think is more sophisticated. It's Eau de Parfum which is stronger than Eau de Toilette; ‘Absolutely Irresistible' by Givenchy. It has such a classy smell not my usual sweet, fruity stuff which is what I get when I have to request or buy perfume myself. My dear I love my Dad o, not because of times like this but because he takes care of me. I am not a child anymore but when you say someone is caring, that is my dad. He has his issues o and I won't even begin to go there but my dad will always ensure you always have a comfortable life. I say this because I speak to other people and I know what their fathers’ do and do not do for them. Getting money out of him is like squeezing blood out of stone. But he will give you a comfortable roof over your head, he will give you food, he will give you transport, he will make sure you are well dressed and that you are in good health. He does not joke with any of these areas... but 10 kobo you will not get from him. That's just his style.
Sometimes I actually wonder whether or not I have not been spoilt. I have been financially independent since I was 21. All the while in uni I never lived at home because I always schooled outside of London which was where we lived. When I left uni I moved out of home for while and then I moved back home. But when I moved back to Nigeria 7 years ago, I moved in with my Dad and I really don't think I can afford the level of comfort my dad provides me elsewhere especially with regards to security in this Lagos. I can count how many times I have slept outside my home. It's too much of a struggle. I have people come over all the time but to go over and sleep over is tough o.
Been planning to move to Abuja but I will just be moving to my dad's house there. Gosh, my dad has provided for his children, that is one thing no one can take away from him. I will never forget when I first moved back to Nigeria and needed some money and asked my dad to lend me 100k and he looked at me and asked me where he would get the money from…tee hee hee. My dad is something else. Both my parents are such frugal people. They just raised us to realise that money is to be worked for. In my house you borrow money and you pay back, you are not given money but you are given food, shelter, transport and clothing...
I met a guy a few days ago who said that his daughter cannot be 30 and live with him, in fact he went on to say that any woman who is unmarried and 30 has failed....I chuckled. I chuckled because over time I have realised that life is not so black and white, there are grey areas. I know my dad is seriously praying that a good man will come and marry me but I know he is happier that I am here while I am unmarried than out living on my own. Rest assured, I shall be here till I decide I want to leave or I marry. I am like my parents; I do not spend unnecessary money. Paying for rent that is not necessary. I am not under lock and key and my folks are more than enlightened so they do not cramp my style in anyway. Anything I cannot do when they are here, I don't want to be doing anyway.
Anyway we ended up at a show, some guy called ‘Jaiye’ playing an electric guitar with his band. It wasn’t bad at all. I had one shot of Baileys Irish cream for the road, funny that the last time I had that it was with the same person. Night ended on a good high note. Kene’s car has been in the workshop for a month now so I dropped him off at home. His sister comes out to open the gate just as we are outside. Really funny cos me and her supposed to be going out later this afternoon. Yep, I met his sister through him and we became friends so we hang out every now and then. So she’s kinda surprised to see me as we have planned to see the next day i.e. today and I tell her I came to drop her brother off. I can imagine what she’s thinking…
Ok enough said, I need to do at least 45 minutes on this elliptical today before I go out, not sure what to do as per where I will be going this afternoon with ken’s sister and her friend, I think we will just go to some lounge. Ok I need to get dressed.
Life is stranger than fiction and I will tell you why soon…
My friend who invited me to the party is becoming a funny character. I tried his phone and it was switched off. So I sent a text and well bottom line is I didn’t go to his party which was good anyway as that is not really my scene but I just wanted to go out since I was dressed up. Then I returned a call from Kene as I was really in the mood to roll. He happened to be going out later at about 8.30, that would work.
So Bill came, I rushed dinner. He wanted to borrow my Troy DVD as I had told him that it had an extra CD that had a documentary on Greek mythology, describing the main Greek gods and a bit on their roles in the Trojan war. I love stuff like that so I went back upstairs to get him the DVD. On my way back down en route the living room upstairs I bumped into Dad, he just got back a few days ago. He's been with his wife in London for almost 2 months so I have been home alone. Anyway he hands me a duty free bag, with the usual, perfume. I get a lot of comments that I smell good, people tend to ask me what I am wearing, someone once said that every time I leave her office there’s just a long lingering sweet smell. Well it's courtesy of my Dad o. I don't think I ever run out or have to ever buy any perfume if I don't want to. He always comes back with a bottle. Courtesy of him I have worn perfumes I probably wouldn't have bought myself. My dad does have taste when it comes to stuff like that. I have been wearing 'Fancy' by Jessica Simpson and it's got such a sweeeeet smell, but this I think is more sophisticated. It's Eau de Parfum which is stronger than Eau de Toilette; ‘Absolutely Irresistible' by Givenchy. It has such a classy smell not my usual sweet, fruity stuff which is what I get when I have to request or buy perfume myself. My dear I love my Dad o, not because of times like this but because he takes care of me. I am not a child anymore but when you say someone is caring, that is my dad. He has his issues o and I won't even begin to go there but my dad will always ensure you always have a comfortable life. I say this because I speak to other people and I know what their fathers’ do and do not do for them. Getting money out of him is like squeezing blood out of stone. But he will give you a comfortable roof over your head, he will give you food, he will give you transport, he will make sure you are well dressed and that you are in good health. He does not joke with any of these areas... but 10 kobo you will not get from him. That's just his style.
Sometimes I actually wonder whether or not I have not been spoilt. I have been financially independent since I was 21. All the while in uni I never lived at home because I always schooled outside of London which was where we lived. When I left uni I moved out of home for while and then I moved back home. But when I moved back to Nigeria 7 years ago, I moved in with my Dad and I really don't think I can afford the level of comfort my dad provides me elsewhere especially with regards to security in this Lagos. I can count how many times I have slept outside my home. It's too much of a struggle. I have people come over all the time but to go over and sleep over is tough o.
Been planning to move to Abuja but I will just be moving to my dad's house there. Gosh, my dad has provided for his children, that is one thing no one can take away from him. I will never forget when I first moved back to Nigeria and needed some money and asked my dad to lend me 100k and he looked at me and asked me where he would get the money from…tee hee hee. My dad is something else. Both my parents are such frugal people. They just raised us to realise that money is to be worked for. In my house you borrow money and you pay back, you are not given money but you are given food, shelter, transport and clothing...
I met a guy a few days ago who said that his daughter cannot be 30 and live with him, in fact he went on to say that any woman who is unmarried and 30 has failed....I chuckled. I chuckled because over time I have realised that life is not so black and white, there are grey areas. I know my dad is seriously praying that a good man will come and marry me but I know he is happier that I am here while I am unmarried than out living on my own. Rest assured, I shall be here till I decide I want to leave or I marry. I am like my parents; I do not spend unnecessary money. Paying for rent that is not necessary. I am not under lock and key and my folks are more than enlightened so they do not cramp my style in anyway. Anything I cannot do when they are here, I don't want to be doing anyway.
Anyway we ended up at a show, some guy called ‘Jaiye’ playing an electric guitar with his band. It wasn’t bad at all. I had one shot of Baileys Irish cream for the road, funny that the last time I had that it was with the same person. Night ended on a good high note. Kene’s car has been in the workshop for a month now so I dropped him off at home. His sister comes out to open the gate just as we are outside. Really funny cos me and her supposed to be going out later this afternoon. Yep, I met his sister through him and we became friends so we hang out every now and then. So she’s kinda surprised to see me as we have planned to see the next day i.e. today and I tell her I came to drop her brother off. I can imagine what she’s thinking…
Ok enough said, I need to do at least 45 minutes on this elliptical today before I go out, not sure what to do as per where I will be going this afternoon with ken’s sister and her friend, I think we will just go to some lounge. Ok I need to get dressed.
Life is stranger than fiction and I will tell you why soon…
Saturday, September 12, 2009
Rain, Rain Go Away...
It’s raining, it's pouring, the old man is snoring...
I was woken up by a phone call this morning. A new friend called me. I met him last week when I broke the USB for my internet connection. He was referred to me by another friend I had made at the Starcomms office the week before.
Everywhere I find myself I try to make friends because the people you know often make life easier, especially in Nigeria. I cannot imagine what my day at Starcomms would have been like if I didn't know anyone there. If there is one thing I don't like doing, it is waiting. I can be very impatient. I don’t like to wait on queues especially when they are a result of a poor system. Anyway, I ended up not waiting and they fixed my usb in a few minutes for free. All this is because I made a friend the week before when I went to buy the usb. And as I left there I was making another friend with the guy who helped me fix it. I gave him my card and number and I took his number. He gladly told me to come and have it fixed anytime I had a problem.
Well, this week, I had a problem again when I paid for the internet subscription,so I called him again and I also called my previous contact there. They were both very helpful and the matter was resolved. Since then we have been talking quite a bit on the phone. So far, I think he is a smart guy and I don’t meet a lot of people who are versed in different subject matters, so that has really intrigued me and kept the conversations going. The other day he gave me an interesting analogy on how sometimes we need to look beyond the goal and focus on the process. I.e. often the process builds character and there are lessons learnt in the actual journey. For example if one focused on money without focusing on the means to make the money, you will find that character will not be built and the person does not really learn much because they never appreciated the process of achieving a goal. Anyway, I have thought about what he said and it did make a lot of sense to me so I am saving that piece of insight and pondering on it.
Yesterday I went to see my former colleagues in my 2 last jobs. I went to both offices. I needed to use a printer for a proposal I was submitting yesterday so I was able to get it printed and generally just chit chat with my friends at the same time.
I ended hanging out with my buddy, same one from last Friday, he was a former colleague from my previous job. We tried to see a movie but there wasn't anything good out there and the good stuff we had seen already. Also the timing was a bit late for me as the next movies were like 10pm,so I just chilled with him. We ended up going to a supermarket and buying bread, butter, crisp, mayonaise and ribena and just ate it at his house. He said he had tasted some bread and mayonaise in the morning and had been craving it ever since. The butter was for me I wasn't with him on the mayo thing. Not bad for a Friday night I guess.
We talked about different things, life, love, work etc. I have this belief that people who are very good in one area of their life often lack in the other. Let me explain. We were talking about star performers at work and colleagues that are really good at their jobs. I believe that apart form the passion you exhibit at work, the time you dedicate to your job determines what is important to you and if you are spending 12- 18 hours at work everyday then it seems like that is your focus and other areas of your life will suffer.
For example, I have a fantastic doctor; I have never met anyone like him before. In fact at one point I started thinking wow this guy is not bad at all. He may be in his 50s I guess. He is divorced with children. Every time I have a consultation he has something extra to offer me. Sometimes counselling, sometimes something he printed off the internet. He really takes time to explain things to me and answer all my questions. After the consultation he sees me off downstairs. And no it's not special treatment for me. He gives out his personal phone number to his clients so his phone is buzzing with their calls. In my opinion he is a wonderful doctor. I interpret his behaviour on the job to one of a very caring doctor. It makes me think of him as a very caring person too but am I right?
One day I asked him a direct question about getting back together with his wife because he said they maintained a cordial relationship. He replied that they couldn’t ever get back together because the reason why they split up is still there...work. In fact my guess is that he was a lousy husband. I put myself in his wife's shoes and realised that if I were married to him, I’d hardly see him, he's always be at work, when he wasn't at work his phone would be always buzzing with patient calls. He loves his work a lot and he is at what he does. In fact it would be very easy to misinterpret his work behaviour as who he was as a person. To his patients he is loving and caring but to his wife he was the opposite. What I am trying to say is sometimes I think when it’s great on one side then on another side it’s not so great. Passion doing something is one thing but time spent doing that thing is another. The place we invest our time is really where the heart and mind is. And we can’t be in more than one place at the same time so if we are at work till late most of the time then we cannot be with friends or family at the same time, unless you work for Google perhaps. I have fancied a guy who was great at work, he worked long hours and spent 7 days a week working but he was so detached with his emotions outside work. But if you judged him based on his behaviour at work, he was a great guy, but that was were his loving and feeling behaviour ended…at work. Passion at work is a wonderful thing,don't misunderstand me but long hours invested at work is a sure sign of other areas lacking in attention given. So what do you spend most of your time doing?
Today, I am not sure what I am doing. I am supposed to meet with a friend of mine to discuss some training we want to organise before the year runs out. My yesterday’s meeting with the client’s client didn’t go so great, it appears that they have outsourced the team building component of the conference to an American firm. So it appears that the work I was supposed to do is being handled by another firm and they just want me to help organise the people and logistics and materials required for the workshops. Hmmm, I will have to pass because that is not what I do, besides they can get someone in their team to do that for them and not have to pay them a dime. Unless they tell me something different from what I heard at yesterday’s meeting, it appears there isn’t really much for me to do anymore. So well, I guess yesterday’s proposal is what I will be praying about now…
It’s stopped raining. O yes, I remember I was invited to a party at 4pm today. Hmmm it supposed to be some ceremony of some sort of some big shot person but those kind of parties are really not my thing. I am not sure I will go, I rather just stay in good company and gist or even laze around.
I was woken up by a phone call this morning. A new friend called me. I met him last week when I broke the USB for my internet connection. He was referred to me by another friend I had made at the Starcomms office the week before.
Everywhere I find myself I try to make friends because the people you know often make life easier, especially in Nigeria. I cannot imagine what my day at Starcomms would have been like if I didn't know anyone there. If there is one thing I don't like doing, it is waiting. I can be very impatient. I don’t like to wait on queues especially when they are a result of a poor system. Anyway, I ended up not waiting and they fixed my usb in a few minutes for free. All this is because I made a friend the week before when I went to buy the usb. And as I left there I was making another friend with the guy who helped me fix it. I gave him my card and number and I took his number. He gladly told me to come and have it fixed anytime I had a problem.
Well, this week, I had a problem again when I paid for the internet subscription,so I called him again and I also called my previous contact there. They were both very helpful and the matter was resolved. Since then we have been talking quite a bit on the phone. So far, I think he is a smart guy and I don’t meet a lot of people who are versed in different subject matters, so that has really intrigued me and kept the conversations going. The other day he gave me an interesting analogy on how sometimes we need to look beyond the goal and focus on the process. I.e. often the process builds character and there are lessons learnt in the actual journey. For example if one focused on money without focusing on the means to make the money, you will find that character will not be built and the person does not really learn much because they never appreciated the process of achieving a goal. Anyway, I have thought about what he said and it did make a lot of sense to me so I am saving that piece of insight and pondering on it.
Yesterday I went to see my former colleagues in my 2 last jobs. I went to both offices. I needed to use a printer for a proposal I was submitting yesterday so I was able to get it printed and generally just chit chat with my friends at the same time.
I ended hanging out with my buddy, same one from last Friday, he was a former colleague from my previous job. We tried to see a movie but there wasn't anything good out there and the good stuff we had seen already. Also the timing was a bit late for me as the next movies were like 10pm,so I just chilled with him. We ended up going to a supermarket and buying bread, butter, crisp, mayonaise and ribena and just ate it at his house. He said he had tasted some bread and mayonaise in the morning and had been craving it ever since. The butter was for me I wasn't with him on the mayo thing. Not bad for a Friday night I guess.
We talked about different things, life, love, work etc. I have this belief that people who are very good in one area of their life often lack in the other. Let me explain. We were talking about star performers at work and colleagues that are really good at their jobs. I believe that apart form the passion you exhibit at work, the time you dedicate to your job determines what is important to you and if you are spending 12- 18 hours at work everyday then it seems like that is your focus and other areas of your life will suffer.
For example, I have a fantastic doctor; I have never met anyone like him before. In fact at one point I started thinking wow this guy is not bad at all. He may be in his 50s I guess. He is divorced with children. Every time I have a consultation he has something extra to offer me. Sometimes counselling, sometimes something he printed off the internet. He really takes time to explain things to me and answer all my questions. After the consultation he sees me off downstairs. And no it's not special treatment for me. He gives out his personal phone number to his clients so his phone is buzzing with their calls. In my opinion he is a wonderful doctor. I interpret his behaviour on the job to one of a very caring doctor. It makes me think of him as a very caring person too but am I right?
One day I asked him a direct question about getting back together with his wife because he said they maintained a cordial relationship. He replied that they couldn’t ever get back together because the reason why they split up is still there...work. In fact my guess is that he was a lousy husband. I put myself in his wife's shoes and realised that if I were married to him, I’d hardly see him, he's always be at work, when he wasn't at work his phone would be always buzzing with patient calls. He loves his work a lot and he is at what he does. In fact it would be very easy to misinterpret his work behaviour as who he was as a person. To his patients he is loving and caring but to his wife he was the opposite. What I am trying to say is sometimes I think when it’s great on one side then on another side it’s not so great. Passion doing something is one thing but time spent doing that thing is another. The place we invest our time is really where the heart and mind is. And we can’t be in more than one place at the same time so if we are at work till late most of the time then we cannot be with friends or family at the same time, unless you work for Google perhaps. I have fancied a guy who was great at work, he worked long hours and spent 7 days a week working but he was so detached with his emotions outside work. But if you judged him based on his behaviour at work, he was a great guy, but that was were his loving and feeling behaviour ended…at work. Passion at work is a wonderful thing,don't misunderstand me but long hours invested at work is a sure sign of other areas lacking in attention given. So what do you spend most of your time doing?
Today, I am not sure what I am doing. I am supposed to meet with a friend of mine to discuss some training we want to organise before the year runs out. My yesterday’s meeting with the client’s client didn’t go so great, it appears that they have outsourced the team building component of the conference to an American firm. So it appears that the work I was supposed to do is being handled by another firm and they just want me to help organise the people and logistics and materials required for the workshops. Hmmm, I will have to pass because that is not what I do, besides they can get someone in their team to do that for them and not have to pay them a dime. Unless they tell me something different from what I heard at yesterday’s meeting, it appears there isn’t really much for me to do anymore. So well, I guess yesterday’s proposal is what I will be praying about now…
It’s stopped raining. O yes, I remember I was invited to a party at 4pm today. Hmmm it supposed to be some ceremony of some sort of some big shot person but those kind of parties are really not my thing. I am not sure I will go, I rather just stay in good company and gist or even laze around.
Monday, September 7, 2009
GI Joe
This was the movie I ended up seeing with my friend last week. I hadn’t been to the movies on a Friday night for a long time, so I was shocked at the number of people there and the queue was long. I was asking myself why I hadn’t bought the tickets earlier since I had been waiting at Silverbird for a while.
And guess what, we got in a few minutes after the movie had started and we had to sit right at the front. Well, from experience of a few movies like X-men where I have sat at the front row, I know that after a few minutes your eyes kinda adjust to the screen and you stop realizing you are on the front row.
This movie comes highly recommended. I love action packed special effects type movies and this has a good plot and a lot of humour. For me it was good entertainment. The movie is really about an elite military group known as GI Joe saving the world I guess from bad guys who want to take control of the world. I also liked watching the different sub plots showing the history of the characters. It gave us an insight to their perspectives and histories which helped us understand their motives.
It explored emotional reactions to negative events. E.g how some people end up saying or doing nothing when something terrible happens to someone close to them. The usual excuse is that we don’t know what to say and then days pass and then months and we end up saying nothing and not contacting the affected person.
I have been on both ends of such matters. There was a time I lost a close enough uncle. I say close enough because I come from a very nuclear family. We have never really been brought up or been close with our extended families. I only ever knew one grandmother and that was my mother’s mum and although I have loads of cousins on both sides of my family, I can categorically say I was brought up knowing one set of cousins through out my life. Yes I had met a lot of my other cousins but we still are not close. The kids of the uncle who passed away are about the 2nd set of cousins I can say I know and had spent time with growing up. Although it’s always been off and on over the years. Anyway, they lost their dad, my uncle and it was a shock. I have this thing about attending burials especially once they are outside Lagos. I do not like to attend burials, worse so travel to attend them. To cut the long story short, I did not attend the burial, nor call my cousin’s about their loss. I felt the loss, We talked about it at home but I just kept asking myself what exactly would I say to them and one day led to several days and then months and time just flew and it didn’t happen, I never called. Then after a while I forgot about it.
Anyway, I think about a year later there was a tragedy in my family. Something happened that affected the family badly. For days I wasn’t picking up my phone and well somehow when the worst of it was over, I thought about every single person who called or sent a text. I remembered every single person that tried to make contact or sent a text about what happened… and I genuinely appreciated their concern. The whole occurrence made me see things differently. It gave me empathy. I was able to walk a mile in someone else’s shoes, something I cannot say I am best at doing.
It made me realize no matter what the case is, even if you don’t know what to say or think the person would rather be alone during that period, it doesn’t cost you anything to call them and say ‘ I don’t know what to say’. I now see that it is important to call first and if they do not pick up the phone then send a text. But everyone I believe appreciates contact. Today I am convinced that the best way to express how much you care or your concern is to give them a call and some words of support. Saying nothing says just that…nothing! It also gives the impression that you do not care even when you actually do. This is one situation where the thought does not count.
O well, today, was just regular; I went to drop off receipted expenses at a client's office. Then I went to my last job to see my former colleagues. Then I came home and here I am.
I did 45 minutes on my elliptical today; I am thinking I will do it again first thing in the morning whenever I wake up. Tomorrow I plan to see a movie with Yemi, my friend who came in from America.
Oh yes before I forget a strange thing happened today. There was a guy I met a month ago. He was calling me during the time I was on vacation, with regards to some work he wanted me to do for him. Anyway, when I got back we arranged to meet to discuss his project. At the meeting I noticed he didn’t make eye contact and then left in a hush as he said he had another meeting. So I don’t hear from him for like 2 weeks and I send him a text to say hope all was well as he left in a hush. Well he calls back to say he was really busy and will get back to me.
O well, 2 days ago he calls me and asks if I am on messenger. Bottom line is we start chatting and he starts asking personal questions and I answer all. I am intrigued by this new found interest but I take it in good faith. He says he wants to get to know me better whereas all I am thinking is when can we discuss revenue generating business. Yesterday he calls again and then we chat and he wants to take me out for lunch. We end the conversation with no firm conclusion. Today he calls in the morning and then I go online and he is asking where we can do lunch today. Quite frankly I was a bit disappointed that the conversations had changed focus from business to I don’t know what. I am beginning to get suspicious so I tell him that my client’s have priority on week days as I see that his invitation is just for a chit chat on a Monday.
Then he starts to say that he has something to say to me, something he had been gathering his thoughts about. In a nutshell, he would like to have a closer relationship with me. Well I respond that I am flattered and then ask whether he was married and his response was yes. So I say I don’t date married men and that I hope he understands and he replies by saying he is trying to understand. He then responds that rather than lose out on me altogether he will want to spend time with me. Hmmmmmmmmm at this point I switch off.
My dear I have my own issues as it is and to think of juggling a married man and his family on my conscience is not what I want or need right now. The funny thing is that 2 days ago he thought I was married so I don’t know whether it was the revelation that I was single that prompted the come on or if it didn’t really matter. O well, I have told him I hope this does not affect our future business partnerships if any. The truth is, it was quite disappointing for me to be asked out by a married man. I mean it's a free world and people fancy other people but right now especially the way it all started out as a business opportunity is what is disappointing. The fact that potential revenues are lost due to a shift in focus of a potential client.
For the last 2 days I have been listening to love songs and I think I just want to bask in the euphoria of that kind of love and not think about the different types of emotional entanglements that exist. The ones that we choose and the ones that choose us.
Life is too short. Kenny Lattimore please sing for me!
Sunday, September 6, 2009
Home again
I am back from Kaduna and I thank God. I do not think I will be travelling for a while as I do not have any planned trips.
I took the morning flight yesterday. It was delayed for 2 hours because of the bad weather. It rained, thundered and lightened. Got to Kaduna at about 1pm, found a decent enough hotel to stay in and checked out this morning. Finshed my class a little later than planned and dashed ot the airport just on time for the last flight back to Lagos.
So far, it feels good to be home. I was just gone for one night and I was missing my bed. I have issues o. Anyway, worked out for an hour on my new machine so I am happy about that.
Tomorrow is Monday and I have no solid plans. Isn't this weird? I will go and drop my expense receipts for today's work with the client.
A friend from America is in town so we could hook up. Actually I am thinking the movies. Hmmmm, that could work.
I took the morning flight yesterday. It was delayed for 2 hours because of the bad weather. It rained, thundered and lightened. Got to Kaduna at about 1pm, found a decent enough hotel to stay in and checked out this morning. Finshed my class a little later than planned and dashed ot the airport just on time for the last flight back to Lagos.
So far, it feels good to be home. I was just gone for one night and I was missing my bed. I have issues o. Anyway, worked out for an hour on my new machine so I am happy about that.
Tomorrow is Monday and I have no solid plans. Isn't this weird? I will go and drop my expense receipts for today's work with the client.
A friend from America is in town so we could hook up. Actually I am thinking the movies. Hmmmm, that could work.
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