Hey there,
I was going to send this email earlier. I was going to tell you things like go to the protest or ensure that you’re doing something to push the #EndSARS narrative. I was going to tell you to bombard your uncles and aunts with the broadcast messages and have the uncomfortable conversations as I have, or just share something to keep the buzz and direct people to the right places.
But you know, 20th October happened and I’m not sure how we’re ever going to get past this. Let me tell you how the 20th went for me. It was just like any other day but it was slightly different. I was having some work-related issues, and I was up early waiting for some positive news about it. I had also taken breaks from Twitter because I had logged in to see people bashing other people, because of their sexuality, and I was shocked and surprised at the language, mostly because I thought we had put most of the blockers away - gender, tribe, colour, religion and united on our mutual want for a peaceful Nigeria.
Anyway, back on track, I did what I had to do and realised that Jide Sanwoolu had imposed a curfew. It was an empty house because I had planned on going back home to steal stuff from the folks so I did some panic shopping. I got some food and some snacks, enough to last me for about two weeks and just kept it moving. And then, I stayed in and that was it. I saw the tweets, I saw the images and I watched some of the videos and felt weak, powerless
And I’m sure you do too. The government is trying to deny that they ever did that shit, while more people are getting killed on a regular. And more stuff keep happening, and I’m just tired. Personally, I’m trying to stay away from the whole thing for my sanity and I want you to try. So think of this newsletter as a feel-good edition because all I’m going to do from here is not talk about a protest, or the movement or what happened on the 20th.
But before I go ahead, I wrote a few things about what our peaceful protests where, at least before it went to dust. For BellaNaija, I wrote about the music from these protests and for Okay Africa, I write about technology for good at these protests. Please read and let me know what you think about them.
(And now we move to avoid that which shall not be mentioned)
All The Good Stuff
Since everything went to shit, I’ve drowned myself in a whole lot of television and movies. It’s a coping mechanism for me and it works. I’m sure you’ve all heard or watched Enola Holmes but if you haven’t, Henry Cavil and Millie Bobby Brown are amazing it. Speaking of good television, I recently enjoyed watching this Australian TV show called Please Like Me and I also loved watching this French one called Family Business. At this point, if you called me a man of diverse tastes, you won’t be wrong. Netflix also has some of the best documentaries and I enjoyed this one on Indian billionaires and this one on the psychopath who killed his family. I know you’ll say it’s a lot of television so I’ll end with, Emily in Paris and then Lovecraft Country. Lovecraft is shocking, but really compelling drama and everyone comes correct.
Some personal dash of hilarity: This is the cutest video on the internet and Gbemisoke is raising such amazing kids.
I’m also watching a lot of comedies. Like a lot and you should do. This month, I read a few interesting things like
This article Wilfred wrote for YNaija about my fave, Erica winning and losing the Big Brother show.
This very interesting read on dating being discriminative
This Indian man who was attracted to sleeping with married women (I’m not going to lie, this shocked me)
Of course, you’ll find me reading a Modern Love essay in times like this
Last but not least, this one that had me thinking for a while
I’m currently hooked on this podcast called Whoreible Decisions and yes, it’s everything you think it is. I also subscribed to this podcast called Stuff You Should Know and it’s been an interesting round, for real. I insist that podcasts should be under an hour, because of people like me who have shit attention spans, and I’ll be willing to see any podcaster who wants to show me how many times the average listener listens to a one hour podcast.
I also recommend that you download TikTok. I feel like I’ve done more advertising for them than their content marketing budget but it probably is one of the best things of the year for me. I am a happier person because of TikTok. Imagine videos less than one minute without a lot of cross-dressers and stale jokes? Yes. That’s the Nigerian pitch for it. And I’m very fascinated as to how their algorithm works because all I do is like the same videos and I get very similar content all the time.
Some more personal dash of random content: Good time to plug in this tweet that I saw which may be useful if you want to try something new especially in times like this.
Serious Conversations
I actually had a more serious topic to talk about, but you know, let’s pause and talk about my dating life that is HONESTLY IN SHAMBLES. People heard of the curfew and were screaming for their partners and me I was going to buy snacks that would last me and only me because single to stupor? Actually, my ex texted me today and said that bae was the form of sanity and you needed to see my eyes. It may be a joke that my Tinder profile says ‘I don’t have any talking stage’ but I doubt I do.
One minute, you know, you’re talking to someone who you find very interesting and the next minute, they become a ghost who comes back to haunt you for some reason (one day, we will actually talk about why you people ghost people) and then the others range between people who I honestly have zero feelings for to people who are unavailable. In one of my previous relationships, a major mistake I made was that I got into it just because I thought I was going to learn to love this person. I liked them, but I wasn’t sure about love. Safe to say it ended up in shambles.
In the words of my friend, Awele, I don’t want to settle. I want someone who excites me and keeps me on my toes.
So if you know someone, or you are someone, send me an email. I no dey bite. But seriously though, what do y’all think? Do you go into relationships with people you just like? Does love happen within the relationship? I’m kinda new to this, so help me.
That’s about it all. I’m throwing a little trivia thing on Saturday, just as a means to get people happy in the midst of all the madness. We’ll have some virtual games, and you’ll buy your cheap wine and drink. If it’s something you’ll want to attend, please write me back and I can send you an invite.
Some personal stuff as well: Feel free to write me an email whenever you feel like. If you have my number, let’s talk too. I’m here to try to make dead jokes and cheer you up. Also available for Netflix party dates so hit me up!
That’s it for now. Watch Oloture if you haven’t or add it to your Netflix list. It’s not the kind of content you should be watching now but it’s definitely a good watch.
Until next time I write. Please stay safe (whatever this means today) and just be good.
Frank.