The HodgePodge: Issue 12

Hello everyone!

Welcome to the last newsletter of the year.

2020 made previous anni horribiles seem like they were a grand old time, and I am genuinely happy to see the back of it. Here’s hoping 2021 treats us much better, because, omo, I no fit do this kain thing again.

A bit of personal news: today, 32 years ago, my parents got married. 32 years is a long time, and I am mostly happy that they are still alive and married, considering all that has happened since then. So here’s to you, daddy and mummy – Happy Anniversary. I love you both.


Let’s begin.

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https://www.newyorker.com/culture/personal-history/notes-on-grief

Chimamanda, one of my favorite authors, lost her father in mid-2020. This is powerful, emotional writing on the anatomy of grief, and a daughter’s love for her father. It is very difficult to document grief, particularly when juxtaposed against love, but Chimamanda does it here. I hope it helps everyone who is mourning or grieving.

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https://home.bt.com/news/on-this-day/june-10-1990-miracle-of-ba-flight-5390-as-captain-is-sucked-out-of-the-cockpit-and-survives-11363985642960

We promptly go from death to celebrating life, in particular, this miracle that kept this man alive. Quick-thinking and calmness saved this man when he was sucked out from the window of the jet he was piloting. Life regularly resembles celluloid, and thankfully, like all good movies, this story had a happy ending.

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https://nntaleb.medium.com/commencement-address-american-university-in-beirut-2016-a5c6d57984b

Nassim Nicholas Taleb is that rare type of speech-giver/motivational speaker: what he says is worth listening to. It helps that most of what he advises people to do is rooted in his own life experiences, and is not just theoretical fluff.

Here, he addresses some new graduates as they prepare for life outside university, and his speech is chock-full of helpful advice that is helpful to everyone, not just new graduates.

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www.techcabal.com/2020/12/02/my-life-in-tech-feyikemi-fk-abudu-profile/

In October 2020, Nigeria experienced its biggest protests in 20-odd years. Thousands of youths, fed up with decades of police brutality, took to the streets, demanding justice and reforms. These protests offered a vision of what Nigeria could be: they were organized, peaceful, and had many different people pulling in the same direction. This is a profile of one of the voices which amplified the protests the loudest, and who, more than most, played her part.

Cometh the hour, cometh the woman. Bravo, FK!

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www.bloomberg.com/graphics/2020-opinion-india-and-modi-are-losing-china-battle/

Staying on the theme of states going to hell in a handbasket, this essay critically analyzes the Indian economy, and explains why so many (young) Indians no longer feel like they can achieve their dreams or fulfill their potential in their own country. I felt a sense of deja vu reading it: it could have been written about Nigeria. Swap out Modi for Buhari, and India for Nigeria, and it would be describing Nigeria or just about any other African country. Incompetent leadership exacerbated by a sycophantic personality cult is the one thing that we all have in common, it appears.
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www.winstonchurchill.org/publications/finest-hour/finest-hour-136/my-new-york-misadventure/

Winston Churchill was an interesting man. He is easily one of the important figures in British history, and few people anywhere can claim to have lived as full a life as he lived. Fewer still can be considered simultaneously hero and villain, like he was. He was doubly remarkable in that so many of the achievements for which he is feted happened in the twilight of his life. It would have been all so different if he didn’t survive this misadventure in New York.
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https://www.artish.world/specials/notes-on-coming-of-age-as-a-nigerian-in-a-globalising-world

Jola Ayeye, in this captivating essay, writes about coming of age as a Nigerian in a quickly-changing world. This is a must-read: no excerpt, no summary, can adequately capture either the spirit of or the message in this essay. Go ahead. Read it.

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humanparts.medium.com/ten-great-words-about-words-63c6e8622cca

This is the kind of niche, obscure knowledge that titillates me. The English language is fascinating and constantly evolving, and I find its vocabulary exciting. To that end, I enjoyed reading this article about words used to describe words.

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www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2020/sep/04/oliver-burkemans-last-column-the-eight-secrets-to-a-fairly-fulfilled-life

As we go into a new year, believe me when I say that this is all the guidance you need to plot and navigate your way through life. It’s a new start, and applying these gems will help you see both the forest and the trees.

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www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=cqidD7kVnxY

As an engineer, this piqued my curiosity. How does a regular Joe working with readily accessible equipment (to wit, no Top-Secret, military stuff) get a baseball to break the sound barrier? Breaking the sound barrier is a big deal: airplanes which broke them were either military jets or involved years of and billions of dollars in research.

Times like this, I see why I love engineering: no problem, no matter how complex, cannot be solved or worked around with sufficient brainpower. This project is a triumph of design and engineering over the limitations of nature.

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www.gq.com/story/the-promise-that-tested-my-parents-until-the-end

It’s only proper that this newsletter, written on my parents’ wedding anniversary, ends with a story of family and marriage.

“Couples pledge many things to one another. When my father grew ill, one promise tested everything about my parents’ long and happy life together, and forced my mother to wonder how she would keep her word—and also whether she should.”

Love. Duty. Family. Marriage. Fidelity.

This was quite the read. When I finished reading it, the only thing I could say was “bloody hell”. I’m willing to bet you will have the same reaction. Dig in.

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Thank you for reading to the end. I hope you enjoy the articles. I also hope 2021 goes swimmingly for you, and makes up for all the loss and suffering that was 2020.

Buenas suerte, todos.

Hasta la proxima.

The HodgePodge: Issue 11

2020 has been one heck of a year, hasn’t it?

When I last published in January, the world was still a sensible place, and nothing indicated or could have prepared us for the utter, unpredictable madness that followed.

Ergo, I mean it when I say I am glad you’re here. Congratulations on surviving 2020 thus far.

Thank you for visiting and reading. I hope you enjoy this newsletter as much as I enjoyed putting it together.

Let’s begin.

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https://iselemagazine.com/2020/07/31/the-year-of-the-sun-esther-ifesinachi-okonkwo/

I begin with the best writing I’ve read in a while.

Excellent story, even better writing.

It felt like an Achebe story (and if you know me, you know an Achebe story is one of my favorite things to read).

It’s so good I struggle for words to describe it.

I hope this writer gets all the recognition her talent deserves. She’s stupendous.


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https://medium.com/@Barry.Davret/how-a-man-becomes-a-gentleman-f1e8ea40e292


How a man becomes a gentleman.

Sorely-needed guidance, particularly in these uncertain times.

Chivalry does not need to go the way of concerts or work from work – we can keep it in style.

Here’s how.


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https://www.thecut.com/article/job-interview-tips-how-to-survive-10-awkward-situations.html

Job Interview Tips: How to Survive 10 Awkward Situations

Many people will be/are job-hunting as a result of the Coronavirus pandemic, and these tips might help you to get a better offer or job.

I certainly hope they do so for you.


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https://resumeworded.com/interviews/questions-to-ask-interviewer

The best questions to ask your interviewer.

You know, just so you avoid that unfixable awkwardness at the end of the interview when they ask you for feedback and questions but you don’t have any.

You’re welcome.


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https://byrslf.co/this-is-us-this-is-our-30s-8d243e26d489

This is Us. This is our 30’s.

An honest account of how life in the 4th decade is, and why it is so similar and yet so different to anything you have experienced before or will experience thence.

It’s not all back pain and early nights, you know?


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https://www.nytimes.com/2016/05/29/fashion/modern-love-tech-relationship-trial.html

Putting love to the stress test.

A candid telling of how, despite all attempts to break it, this love survived and bloomed.

(Or, as I tell it, how the things we often think are the most important ingredients in a relationship are not always)


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https://medium.com/better-marketing/burger-king-hired-an-absolute-genius-and-it-paid-off-8cbe181668f

Burger King Hired an Absolute Genius — and It Paid Off

I’m a fan of people and companies who think outside the box. This is the best example of ambush marketing I’ve seen for a bit now.

It worked so well you wonder how they pulled it off without anyone catching on. Whoever thought this up deserves a raise and his/her own talk show.

*****


https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2012/07/23/the-cheaters-guide-to-love

The Cheater’s Guide to Love


Long read, but you’ll be loathe to see it end. Moving, visceral writing.

A lot happens with lost and thrown-away love, and this captures it beautifully

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https://t.co/bQyxa4e1aH

A review of Pulp Fiction from 1994.

I hope this writer now realizes just how silly he was writing this article, seeing as Pulp Fiction is one of the best movies ever made.

I hope you, dear reader, realize that sometimes, genius needs to percolate to be enjoyed, and the first reaction to a thing is not always the correct one, no matter how valid that feeling is at that point in time.

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https://relevantmagazine.com/life5/malcolm-gladwell-how-i-rediscovered-faith

Malcolm Gladwell: How I Rediscovered Faith

We often think of this faith as something that enables us to do stupendous, unbelievable, otherwise impossible acts. 

However, the 2 stories Malcolm Gladwell shared here have (re-)opened my eyes. Faith (ought to be something that) gives backbone, spine, the ability to not be shaken.

There’s much to process.

As someone who has himself had and survived a severe crisis of faith, I recognize and feel everything in this essay.
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https://story.californiasunday.com/out-of-work

Out of Work: The coronavirus shutdown through the eyes of the recently unemployed


This story is extremely personal for me.

This virus and the associated has upended lives in unpredictable and unthinkable ways, and everyone is just trying to survive.

These are some of their stories.

One can only admire the imagination and grit they have employed (no pun intended) in this quest for survival.

I wish them (and everyone else) luck, and I hope that we all land on our feet.


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That’s all for now. Hopefully, I’m back soon with another edition of this newsletter.


Till then, wash your hands, maintain physical and social distancing, use your face masks, and remain safe.



Bonne chance!

The HodgePodge: Issue 10

Hello.

Happy New Year.

I hope 2020 is your most memorable, happiest, most fulfilling year yet.

I have missed writing this newsletter, and I am glad to be back.

Let’s begin

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https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/amp/world-africa-48885616

Photographs preserve slices of history for posterity and remembrance.

Here’s a profile of one of the best photographers to ever do it.

Also featuring: Nelson Mandela without shoes.

****

 

https://getpocket.com/explore/item/i-thought-i-was-smarter-than-almost-everybody-my-double-life-as-a-kgb-agent

My Double Life as a KGB Agent

I grew up reading Tom Clancy, and spy stories still hold a certain appeal for me, especially when, like this one, they are true

 

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https://getpocket.com/explore/item/how-to-get-a-world-class-education-for-free-on-the-internet

How to Get a World-Class Education for Free on the Internet

I honestly cannot wait till MOOCs are recognized as having similar value to formal education. There’s so much to learn, and one regrets that one does not have time to learn it all.

 

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https://www.diversetechgeek.com/2018/02/02/how-block-twitter-trolls-bulk/

How to block Twitter trolls (or otherwise block Twitter users in bulk).

You’re welcome

 

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https://medium.com/@MickeyBeliveau/i-won-some-unique-scholarships-and-fellowships-i-interviewed-for-others-heres-what-i-learned-b1ca533b38d6

How to win prestigious, exclusive scholarships.

There’s much here I didn’t know, and I consider myself a pretty up-to-date guy. This will help you, guaranteed.

 

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http://orefakorede.com/33-2/

33 things (we all should know).

Ore Fakorede is a wise man

 

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https://www.firstthings.com/article/2020/01/bodily-curiosities

Bodily Curiosities: Musings on the mysteries of physical existence

Excellent writing.

The human body is fascinating, and this is a humorous, well-written attempt to explain a lot about it.

Take it from this 82 year old man: there’s much to learn.

One can only wish to be this sharp at 82

 

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https://spectrum.ieee.org/tech-history/silicon-revolution/the-crazy-story-of-how-soviet-russia-bugged-an-american-embassys-typewriters

The Crazy Story of How Soviet Russia Bugged an American Embassy’s Typewriters

How do you bug a mechanical contraption, you ask?

It’s ingenious, this bugging. As both an engineer and a lover of spy stories, I am beyond impressed, and were I the counterintelligence officer on this case, I wouldn’t even be mad at them.

 

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https://medium.com/@AOT2/25-greatest-nigerian-songs-of-all-time-vol-1-d42897141a49?

25 Greatest Nigerian Songs Of All Time Vol. 1

I have to say I agree with this list.

 

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https://www.esquire.com/news-politics/a28692306/us-air-force-pararescue-tamar-rescue-mission

The Savior Elite: Inside the Special Operations Force Tasked with Rescuing Navy SEALS

I cannot convey how impressed I am by these people. Do you know how much of a savior/hero you need to be for SEALS (who themselves are afraid of nothing) to turn to you for help?

I want to stand and applaud. Truly, heroes dwell among us

 

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https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/expeditions/expedition30/tryanny.html

NASA: The Tyranny of the Rocket Equation

This is a stupendous read.

It gets better and better with every line.

I’m in awe of people who write so well and break down technical topics such that anyone can understand

 

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https://waitbutwhy.com/2015/12/the-tail-end.html

The Tail End.

Damn.

Puts into perspective a lot of things in life.

Almost everything you’re hustling for in life is not the thing that’s most important thing to you.

The most important things are both non-fungible and non-renewable

 

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https://humanparts.medium.com/accidental-lessons-i-learned-from-my-father-5ba4e02d28cc

Accidental Lessons I Learned from My Father

“Where you are, I’ve been; where I am, you’re coming.”

Fathers (often) know best, but one thing they are not very knowledgeable about is allowing you the opportunity to live your lives on your own terms. It’s refreshing to see this father actively, consistently buck the trend.

 

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That’s it for today.

Thank you for reading.

Catch you again soon.

The HodgePodge: Issue 9

Hiii!!

My writer’s block is so bad that I do not know what to write as an introduction, so, hello?!

It’s been a long month, and I was half-tempted to not publish this month’s episode. But better late than never, no?

Let’s begin.

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1VPfZ_XzisU

The Bizarre Behavior of Rotating Bodies, Explained

Learnt so much from this video I am half-tempted to learn about the maths and derive the equations myself.

But I don’t like book like that, so blehhh

***

https://getpocket.com/explore/item/london-bridge-is-down-the-secret-plan-for-the-days-after-the-queen-s-death

‘London Bridge Is Down’: The Secret Plan for the Days After the Queen’s Death

White people really do think of everything.

It might be why they are so successful

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https://marker.medium.com/what-really-happens-when-you-become-an-overnight-millionaire-acac42990175

What Really Happens When You Become an Overnight Millionaire?

The options are legion, running the gamut from retirement to becoming poor again.

But what happens when the one thing that made you rich is not available to you now that you are rich?

To paraphrase,

“…More money generally means less struggle, and if it’s struggle that made you, how you find that going forward now that you are rich?…”

Read this

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https://getpocket.com/explore/item/how-to-throw-a-punch

How to throw a Punch

I never encourage violence, but like all knowledge, it is better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it.

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https://www.buzzfeed.com/daves4/useful-fun-websites

38 Super Useful And Fun Websites You Never Knew You Needed In Your Life

Has the entire shebang, from the goofy to the useless to the useful. Nevertheless, every one of these websites is interesting.

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https://amp.economist.com/leaders/2019/10/12/how-to-hide-a-billion-dollars

When you’re a country’s leader and you’ve embezzled $1billion, hiding it is more difficult than it looks.

Here’s how you can do it

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https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2019/07/10-women-written-out-of-history/

10 women who were written out of the history books

History is full of women who were denied recognition for their accomplishments. Worse than that, more often than not, their accomplishments were attributed to men.

As you can imagine, this sucks.

Thankfully, now we can hear their stories

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https://www.bbc.com/news/amp/uk-england-44209421

Sex, lies and payday loans: The parachute murder plot

A frankly unbelievable story.

Featuring a soldier, multiple episodes of attempted murder, and a man giving the good good to his wife, ex-wife, and girfriend at the same darn time.

Men are terrible beings

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https://humanparts.medium.com/my-mothers-food-159b1116b018

My Mother Cooked for Her Husband, Now She Cooks for Herself

On feminism, marital happiness, and how duty derails from love.

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https://www.newyorker.com/culture/annals-of-gastronomy/the-girls-who-fainted-at-the-sight-of-an-egg

The Girls Who Fainted at the Sight of an Egg

This is incredible writing. And about eggs, no less.

Some people have this writing thing down pat.

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https://medium.com/@IjeomaOluo/the-women-who-saved-me-fa22dacb6241

The Women Who Saved Me

Every so frequently, I read something so raw, so viscerally honest, that I don’t have the words to write a synopsis.

Like this piece, written for International Women’s Day last year.

I’m getting a heightened awareness of how difficult life as a woman is, and I’m renewing my decision to play my part to make life easier for women, all women, everywhere.

I hope it makes you feel the same way.

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That’s all, folks.

Until next month, remember to be kind to everyone.

Ciao!

The HodgePodge: Issue 8

Yes, it really is me.

News of my disappearance was exaggerated. I always planned to return.

Thank you for visiting. Welcome.

I have quite the smogarsbord for you today.

Let’s begin.

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qnOoDE9rj6w

Flamethrower vs Aerogel.

Aerogels are interesting little things. I first saw them on this channel, and I am impressed by how light they are, and how completely insulating they can get.

This is a sheet of aerogel 1cm thick.

On one side, there’s flame of up to 2000 degC.

On the other side, there’s a human being.

The other side did not even get warm to the touch.

1cm thick, and it withstands a temperature differential of 2000degC (by Newton’s law of cooling, the rate of heat transfer through the aerogel should have been instantaneous. It wasn’t.)

This is science on steroids.

Check it out

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https://amp.cnn.com/cnn/2019/07/27/health/doug-lindsay-invented-surgery-trnd/index.html

This college dropout was bedridden for 11 years. Then he invented a surgery and cured himself.

That’s one way of doing it. If you can’t depend on your doctors, do it yourself.

(For legal reasons, I am obligated to point out that this newsletter does not recommend DIY surgeries)

***

https://getpocket.com/explore/item/known-alias-how-stephen-king-was-outed-as-richard-bachman

How (famous author) Stephen King Was Outed as (famous author) Richard Bachman

Oops. Spoiler alert

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https://www.npr.org/2019/07/13/735314929/the-camera-that-went-to-the-moon-and-changed-how-we-see-it?t=1564755942025

Ever wonder how the lunar photos were taken?

This is an excellent article on the cameras used and the techniques behind how the the photographs were taken.

So much went into the moon expeditions. It is interesting how they thought about everything

***

https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2019/08/05/how-mosquitoes-changed-everything

How Mosquitoes Changed Everything

Even more than humans, mosquitoes have altered the course of world history. They’ve stopped wars, caused wars, assisted and prevented colonizations, and even assisted in the slave trade.

And those little critters are not done with us yet.

***

https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2017/06/05/the-work-you-do-the-person-you-are

The work you do, the person you are

Toni Morrison on self-worth and its relation to your work.

Frequently we conflate the work we do with the person we are. Here, Toni Morrison puts us straight.

***

https://getpocket.com/explore/item/15-obscure-words-for-everyday-feelings-and-emotions

15 Obscure Words for Everyday Feelings and Emotions

The English language is a weird one, but one thing it does well is descriptive words

***

https://www.vulture.com/amp/2019/08/osita-iheme-chinedu-ikedieze-twitter-memes.html

The Nigerian Film Stars Behind Some of Twitter’s Greatest Memes

As familiar as I am with Aki and Pawpaw, there’s much I learnt from here, not least of which is the importance of taking control of your culture and its narrative before other people do it for you.

***

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/08/23/style/modern-love-lets-meet-again-in-five-years.html

They thought college was too soon for lifelong love, so they scheduled their next date for a little later — 60 months.

This story sounds like a cross between Serendipity and When Harry Met Sally, and as sweet as it is, it’s not annoyingly cloying.

I read this story in the Spanish, but this link is in English. Enjoy it like I did

***

https://blog.heartsupport.com/lets-stop-pretending-christianity-is-even-christian-anymore-455f8897ba74

Let’s Stop Pretending Christianity Is Even “Christian” Anymore. The vast majority of Christians can’t even explain the main tenet of their faith and look very little like their founder. Why?

I have a very strong personal policy on talking about religion on the internet. I generally don’t do it, mostly because religion is personal, and also because I don’t like the ruckus those discussions create.

I make an exemption here, because this article is a very important one.

This article talks about many things that I think about as a Christian. I have gone through (one) major and (several) minor crises of faith, and am in a delicate detente with many aspects of this Christian walk.

I find it absolutely interesting that a complete stranger can give expression to many of the things I currently struggle with.

It encouraged and helped me. It might help you too.

***

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2019-09-04/is-one-of-the-world-s-biggest-lawsuits-built-on-a-sham

Is One of the World’s Biggest Lawsuits Built on a Sham?

You might have heard that the Nigerian government was recently ordered to pay damages of more than $9 billion to a shadowy company.

What you don’t know is that the entire company was a fraud, and because of the anyhowness and lack of accountability in Nigeria, they were able to get contract after contract.

This is fraud on a gigantic scale. Bonkers

***

https://www.linkedin.com/content-guest/article/its-later-than-you-think-j-r-storment

It’s Later Than You Think

First read this…

Then read this

https://www.linkedin.com/content-guest/article/its-later-than-you-think-j-r-storment

All That Remains

Recently, I’ve been confronted with the fact that the most important things are not what we think they are.

These articles are a wake-up call.

Family. Love. Time spent together. Memories. These are more important than any career or personal goals, and I’m devastated it took this family losing their son for millions to learn that lesson

***

https://thevunderkind.com/roots-7d485644338b

Justin on permanence, restlessness, and impermanence.

Justin is a deep thinker. Time and again I find that he says something I’ve been thinking, that his life experiences so tally with mine.

“…If I wanted to wax deep, I’d say that we’ve become so afraid of being stuck in a bad arrangement, getting so deep in things we cannot escape, that we actively…”

“…You need the roots, even if you’re conditioned to run from them…”

Every ship needs one anchor, at the least.

Here’s to making an effort to be more committed to things and to people.

***

https://narratively.com/the-women-in-my-family-had-to-be-good-with-money/

The women in my family had to be good with money.

Men, we have to do better. We’ve done too many women a disservice. We need the cycle of bullying and oppression to end with our generation

 

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That’s it.

15 articles to make up for all the time I was away. I hope you enjoy reading them.

Until next time,

Adiós.

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The HodgePodge: Issue 7

Hello, fine ladies and gentlemen who do not support Arsenal. How are you? Hope you are doing well.

(Those of you who support Arsenal get my sincere condolences, and a reminder that it’s not too late to evaluate your life’s choices and make better ones.)

Welcome to today’s issue. Thank you for dropping.

I hope today’s issue informs, educates, and entertains you as much as it did me.

Let’s begin.

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https://www.inc.com/jeff-haden/how-to-remember-anything-you-really-want-to-remember-backed-by-science.html

How to Remember Anything You Really Want to Remember, Backed by Science

Simple ways to boost your memory, scientifically proven, and guaranteed to work

***

https://news.stanford.edu/2019/06/05/edit-video-editing-text/

Stanford engineers make editing video as easy as editing text

A new algorithm allows video editors to modify talking head videos as if they were editing text – copying, pasting, or adding and deleting words.

Imagine that. Photo editing has become as simple as word processing. These people are too clever

***

https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2019/07/mh370-malaysia-airlines/590653

What Really Happened to Malaysia’s Missing Airplane

Five years ago, the flight vanished into the Indian Ocean. It’s an almost-unbelievable thing to say, an entire plane vanishing without a trace.

But it happened, and all these years after, there is no answer to the questions this has raised.

Tragically for the families of all involved, it does not look like any answers will come soon

***

https://mentalfloss.com/article/57032/25-words-are-their-own-opposites

25 Words That Are Their Own Opposites

It is one of the many oddities of the English language (a language in which a square boxing arena is called a “ring” and a sport called “football” is played with the hands) that the same words/phrases can mean contradictory things and yet make perfect sense.

***

https://getpocket.com/explore/item/no-pulse-how-doctors-reinvented-the-human-heart

No Pulse: How Doctors Reinvented The Human Heart

Scientists are basically engaging in black magic at this point.

You could soon be grabbing replacement hearts off the shelves at your local store, especially if things continue to go as planned.

Yaay for science, boo for heart disease

***

https://uxdesign.cc/jpg-vs-png-vs-gif-vs-svg-aefeca89f61

JPG vs PNG vs GIF vs SVG: Which is which, and when do you use which?

Short, sharp, and sweet. Just the way I like these expositions

***

https://www.esquire.com/news-politics/a28400600/michael-collins-today-apollo-11-astronaut-moon-landing

3 men were on the Apollo 11 mission that put a man on the moon. .

You know of the 2 of them that got on to the moon.

You might not know of the 3rd one who remained in the command module.

He prefers it that way.

In hindsight, he probably made the correct decision.

***

https://twitter.com/MaryRobinette/status/1152277166996017152?s=19

A properly fascinating Twitter thread about the mechanics (because, really, that’s what it is) of peeing and pooping in space.

No, there’s no gross content here, and you can read it while having your lunch.

Makes you appreciate more all the big and small (no pun) problems scientists had to overcome to send people to space.

***

https://www.theparisreview.org/blog/2019/07/16/the-crane-wife/

Wow.

This was…heavy.

It has everything, covering the entire range of human emotion.

I can’t write an appropriate synopsis.

Read it for yourself

***

https://johannesburgreviewofbooks.com/2019/06/03/the-jrb-exclusive-read-mothers-and-men-olutimehin-adegbeyes-gerald-kraak-prize-winning-essay-a-sensitive-chronicle-of-rape-secondary-victimisation-and–motherhood

‘Mothers and Men’, a meditation on the bonds between mothers and daughters.

Trigger warning for sexual assault, heartbreak, and secondary victimization.

I have recently been reading articles on themes that stick in your throat like hurriedly-chewed meat, hard to swallow, impossible to spit out, which lead to you trying to work the saliva of your shock and pain past the lump of memory that they evoke.

This is one of them.

“…the essay explores the fragility of healing with a rare sensitivity and insight. OluTimehin Adegbeye’s voice walks the fine line between heartbreak and redemption, casting new light on questions of rape and secondary victimisation in ways that are new and important…”

***

https://www.bloomberg.com/features/2019-anthony-hathaway-hooked-on-bank-robbing/

“A raging heroin addiction fueled a former Boeing engineer’s yearlong, 30-bank robbery spree.”

Or as I prefer to put it, “Crooked engineer robs 30 banks armed only with an umbrella”

***

That’s all, readers.

See you (approximately) this time next month.

Cheers.

The HodgePodge: Issue 6

Greetings, all.

It’s great to have you here.

Welcome.

Let’s begin.

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

 

https://edition.cnn.com/travel/amp/breakfast-food-around-the-world/index.html

We begin on a multicultural note.

These are some breakfast foods from 21 countries around the world.

Some really interesting stuff here.

What’s a typical breakfast in your country?

***

 

https://time.com/5605625/malala-yousafzai-father

What Being Malala’s Father Taught Me About Feminism

“…But I am sure of one thing: patriarchy is sheer stupidity. Fathers have a great interest in dismantling it…”

Mr Yousafzai says a lot of important stuff here, and you can see where Malala got her fire and worldview from.

***

 

https://www.bbc.com/news/stories-47675301

The preachers getting rich from poor Americans

(Over the last few  days, the media in my country has been focusing on a mega-pastor who has been accused of raping and manipulating his church members. The timing of this is an interesting coincidence, as I had bookmarked this particular article almost a month ago.)

(Tel-)Evangelists are little more than Bible-thumping conmen these days, and this hurts me.

Apart from the fact that I’m a Christian, I detest the taking advantage of the poor, illiterate and unfortunate that is frequently done by these people.

Good to see some of them (like this charlatan, Todd Coontz) are now getting their comeuppance (which in this case was a 6-year prison term).

****

 

https://marginalrevolution.com/marginalrevolution/2019/05/the-baumol-effect.html

Fantastic article on The Baumol Effect.

I’m surprised it has taken me so long to learn of this. It’s so well-explained and so commonsensical in hindsight you wonder how it’s not more obvious.

Excellent breakdown of what is an important economic theory.

If all of economics was explained like this, I’d probably love the darn subject more.

***

 

https://www.collaborativefund.com/blog/five-lessons-from-history/

Five Lessons from History

Long read, but germane to these times we live in.

“The dead outnumber the living fourteen to one, and we ignore the accumulated experience of such a huge majority of mankind at our peril.”

“History never repeats itself. Man always does.”

***

 

https://www.soundingsonline.com/voices/drowning-doesnt-look-like-drowning

Drowning Doesn’t Look Like Drowning

Important stuff here. The summer holidays are approaching, and drowning is a risk associated with waterside jollification.

This article will help you recognize when someone is drowning (hint: it’s nowhere like what you think it looks like), and might save a life.

***

 

https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/do-all-muslims-fast-during-ramadan.amp

The Muslims Who Don’t Fast During Ramadan

Ramadan has just been completed, but in the spirit of the season, this story is appropriate.

There’s something to be said for faith that is manifested in acts of charity. While piety and ritual are essential parts of any religion, acts of charity are, in my opinion, the best way to show (your) God to man.

The Baye Fall are an interesting example of that.

***

 

https://tv5.espn.com/football/story/3867379/how-bob-marleys-daughter-saved-jamaican-womens-soccer?platform=amp

How Bob Marley’s daughter saved Jamaican women’s soccer

I was looking for a story which theme is the ongoing Women’s World Cup, and I found a very good one.

This woman is phenomenal.

I know barely anything about Jamaican female football, and yet I felt proud reading this.

This is how to make impact

***

 

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2019-06-06/towing-an-iceberg-one-captain-s-plan-to-bring-drinking-water-to-4-million-people

Towing an Iceberg: One Captain’s Plan to Bring Drinking Water to 4 Million People

People are towing icebergs all the way from the Antarctic circle to provide water for their citizens, but here in Nigeria we don’t even have water.

Sigh.

 

***

https://magazine.atavist.com/the-defender

Manute Bol.

Never forget the name.

The man. The myth. The giant. The absolute bloody legend.

Played basketball. Educated his people. Exposed Osama bin Laden when nobody knew who he was.

Easily the greatest ever South Sudanese so far, and it’s a crying shame more people don’t know about him.

I like that stories like this are being told more and more often.

***

 

https://www.buzzfeed.com/amphtml/jamesball/shell-shocks-how-an-oil-giant-secured-a-13-billion-deal

Look at this giant pile of steaming excrement.

Shell paid $1.3 billion for an oil bloc in Nigeria.

More than $1billion of it went to private pockets, allegedly the President, a former oil minister and others.

You know the worst part of this scandal?

Not a single newspaper or news agency in Nigeria is carrying it. This should be front and center, but here we are, almost uniformly unaware that out collective commonwealth was sold for peanuts.

***

 

That’s it for this month.

Until next month, keep making good choices.

 

POSTSCRIPT

There’s a lot of advice for women on how to avoid getting raped, and not enough advice telling men how to avoid raping women.

I am going to address that now.

Men, do not rape or sexually harass women.

It’s really not that hard not to rape women. 

If you feel the urge to rape a woman and you don’t know how to overcome it, do nothing.

If there’s a drunk naked woman in your bed, do nothing, and you won’t rape her.

If she has said no, do nothing, and you will succeed in not raping her.

If she has not said yes, do nothing, and you will avoid raping her.

It is as simple as that. Just do nothing, and you will successfully avoid raping women.

This is all you need to remember: to avoid raping a woman, do nothing.

 

How not to rape women

 

 

The HodgePodge: Issue 5

Buenos días, damas y caballeros.

Always a pleasure to have you here.

I hope you enjoy reading these articles as much as I enjoyed putting them together.

Let’s begin.

*********

https://www.quora.com/What-are-some-photographs-that-have-changed-the-world-forever/answer/Mohammed-Zulfequar-Ali-Faraaz?ch=2&share=12643c81&srid=uEudd

We start with photography.

These are some of the most iconic pictures ever.

Some of these pictures changed the world. Some of them are images of people who changed the world.

All of them are interesting.

***

https://amp.cnn.com/cnn/2019/04/23/health/malaria-africa-worlds-first-vaccine-intl/index.html

The world’s first malaria vaccine is being rolled out.

I’m really chuffed thinking of how we are close to reducing, if only even by a fifth, the number of people who fall sick (and/or die) from malaria.

That’s millions of people who immediately have one less thing to worry about.

Awesome stuff, really.

Not all heroes wear capes. Some create vaccines.

***

https://www.si.com/nfl/2015/01/07/si-60-the-boy-they-couldnt-kill-rae-carruth-son

The Boy They Couldn’t Kill: How Rae Carruth’s son survived and thrives.

Imagine your famous, rich, popular, football-playing father didn’t want your mother to have you, and was so determined she not have you that he hired assassins to kill her.

Imagine that you, somehow, in all of this, survive, but you have irreversible brain damage and are now entirely dependent on other people for day to day tasks.

Finally, imagine that, after all of this, your father alternates between wanting you and sniping at your primary caregiver.

This is an unbelievable story. Unfortunately, it’s true.

***

https://www.esquire.com/uk/culture/a27283913/still-becoming-at-home-in-lagos-with-chimamanda-ngozi-adichie/

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie writing about Lagos.

If you know me, you know I will read (almost) anything Chimamanda writes. This is no exception.

I like Lagos, albeit only in small doses. It’s a fascinating city and one of the best cities anyone can use for an anthropological or sociological study.

I’ve always wanted to write down my feelings about the city, and I’m glad someone with significantly more writing talent than me has penned down my exact thoughts.

***

https://kalaharireview.com/interstice-e6b90f70cde8

Namrata wrote.

That’s reason enough to read this, but in addition to that, it’s pretty excellent writing.

One of my favorite themes is in-between places (and people). I’m on the lookout for people and articles who can capture in writing the emotions of not fully belonging.

This article does this very well.

***

https://www.inverse.com/article/55149-how-many-glasses-of-water-should-you-drink-a-day

Do You Need to Drink 8 Glasses of Water a Day? Here’s What 5 Experts Say.

The results of this conversation are rather startling. If they weren’t so highly rated experts with vast experience in their various fields, I would take their opinions with a pinch of salt.

Read this to find the truth out for yourself.

***

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uxPdPpi5W4o

Shade balls, and why there are 96 million of them on a lake in Los Angeles.

In the words of Mr Bones, “these white people are too clever.”

Amazing the kinds of things people research, and the innovative solutions they think up to their problems.

***

https://elemental.medium.com/the-scientific-truth-about-toxins-b913320b3827

The Scientific Truth About Toxins (or as I prefer to call it, The Placebo Effect and Why You’re Wasting Your Time And Money On Detoxing Products).

First things first, if you’re not a Medium member, open this article in an incognito tab.

Second of all, you really should save your money and not buy “detoxing” juices, cleanses, masks or substances. Unless they’re made of of functioning kidneys and nano-livers, you’re wasting your money and almost certainly harming your body.

You’re welcome.

***

https://getpocket.com/explore/item/what-color-is-a-tennis-ball

Article on what colour a tennis ball is, which quickly devolves into conversations about perception, the nature of reality, industrialization, and (believe it or not), languages.

It’s ridiculous (in a good way) that such a basic question requires a mountain of evidence and experts to resolve.

That’s one of the good things about this quest for knowledge business: simple questions can lead to profound discoveries.

***

https://www.cnbc.com/2019/05/17/google-gmail-tracks-purchase-history-how-to-delete-it.html

Google tracks purchases you made, even if you did not buy them from/on Google.

I find it perverse how deeply sunk Google’s fangs are in every aspect of our lives.

The worst part of this surveillance is that there’s no easy way to block them.

***

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/05/14/opinion/dont-visit-your-doctor-in-the-afternoon.html

Don’t Visit Your Doctor in the Afternoon.

(Really).

Interesting stuff on something I had noticed but I did not have a name for: Decision Fatigue.

It affects all of us, even those in the most noble pursuits, and can have life-altering consequences (for example, it can make your doctor prescribe for you the wrong drugs, or a judge sentence you to a harsher sentence.)

Articles like this make me appreciate and want to study psychology more.

Related content: TED Talk Video on The Paradox of Choice.

***

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/resources/idt-sh/secret_spectacles_migrant_spy

A Ghanaian man who loves CIA and James Bond films buys a pair of secret recording spectacles and gets himself smuggled across the Sahara migrant route.

Balls of steel on this chap, and makes for uncomfortable reading.

The things people go through to have a chance at a better life

***

Before we end, it’s Debbie’s (and her absolutely adorable daughter’s) birthday today. Happy birthday, Debs. You’ve been a wonderful friend over the last few years, and I can’t wait to meet you again. Tell your daughter that Uncle T loves her. May the Almighty continue to bless you both.

That’s all, everyone.

Thanks for reading.

Until next month, keep on keeping on.

Cheers.

The HodgePodge: Issue 4

Happy Easter, everyone.

I hope you had a good rest and you enjoyed the break.

It’s nice to have you here.

Let’s begin.

**********

 

https://amp.ft.com/content/99680a04-92a0-11de-b63b-00144feabdc0?__twitter_impression=true

The Iraqi who saved Norway from oil.

This man was a godsend. You look at Norway now and see how they are able to avoid the curse of oil and use all their oil revenue for good.

What you don’t know is that this is only possible due to the foresight of an Iraqi immigrant.

This is his story.

One wishes we had him in Nigeria instead.

***

 

https://www.npr.org/2015/06/03/411524156/in-search-of-the-red-cross-500-million-in-haiti-relief

In Search Of The Red Cross’ $500 Million In Haiti Relief

Beware of the myth of the White/Foreign Savior. Some of them do good work, but most of them are thieving, embezzling bastards.

Takes a certain level of heartlessness to steal/misappropriate/misplace that much money which was raised for (already) poor people who had just suffered the worst earthquake in their history.

Bloody hell.

***

 

https://www.theatlantic.com/family/archive/2019/02/my-wife-and-i-didnt-tell-our-children-about-her-cancer/582709/

My Wife Was Dying, and We Didn’t Tell Our Children

Unashamed to say that this story made a hard guy like me sniffle.

Look at how much love was here: for the husband, for the wife, for the kids.

Oh my God.

Marla said to me at the hospital, “No glory days for us. We almost had the kids out of the house, and now you’re alone. I’m so sorry.”

I replied, “Sorry about what? You made life worth living. When you kissed me, I melted. I admired your pureness, your power. You outran science. Thank you for taking me on your magic carpet. Rest easy, my one and only girlfriend.”

Excuse me while I go to bawl my eyes out

***

 

https://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-30329606

In the early 20th century, women’s football was drawing crowds of over 50,000, and was as popular as (if not more popular than) male football. Then football authorities banned it for 50 years.

In case you ever wondered why female football plays catch-up to male football.

***

 

https://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-39705424

I acted as a man to get work – until I was accused of rape.

The inspiring story of a woman who did what she had to do to make a living and support her family, and the incredible twist in her circumstances that outed her.

Remarkable stuff.

***

 

https://getpocket.com/explore/item/scientists-agree-coffee-naps-are-better-than-coffee-or-naps-alone

What to stay awake and alert for longer?

Take a coffee nap. The science seems to check out.

You don’t know what a coffee nap is? I didn’t know what it was either.

Read this article.

***

 

https://www.theguardian.com/science/2019/mar/28/scientists-find-genetic-mutation-that-makes-woman-feel-no-pain

Scientists find genetic mutation that makes woman feel no pain.

She’s had broken limbs, childbirth, hip replacement surgery, and been hit by a vehicle, and felt zero pain.

Nothing. Zilch.

She might hold the key to better pain management.

***

 

https://www.vox.com/business-and-finance/2019/3/29/18281270/737-max-faa-scandal-explained

This Boeing situation is filling me with rage. Imagine putting human lives at risk, destroying families, breaking hearts, because of money.

Capitalism on steroids.

They could have done the right thing, but they didn’t, and now more than 300 people are dead.

I’m so angry. Every single one of them should rot in prison.

***

 

http://www.espn.co.uk/nba/story/_/id/26333024/when-lebron-learned-power-saying-no

When LeBron learned the power of saying no

LeBron is a phenomenon, and his place in history is assured. I’m mostly impressed by the fact that, even as a teen, he knew what he wanted, and he wasn’t going to settle for less.

This is instructive.

“Know your worth, and then add tax”

Takes supreme self-awareness and confidence to turn down a $110 million offer as an unproven teenager, because it isn’t in line with your vision.

***

 

https://www.gq.com/story/underground-railroad-of-north-korea

The Underground Railroad of North Korea.

Not all heroes wear capes. Some are deeply flawed people who risk their lives and liberty and livelihood and health rescuing people from the gulag that is North Korea.

Wow.

Just wow.

****

 

https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2019/04/22/guantanamos-darkest-secret

America might be the world’s greatest terrorists.

This is a staggering abuse of power. Detain an innocent man for 14 years, torture him endlessly for 7, and worst of all, do not charge him to court for any crimes.

State-backed terrorism at its best.

***

 

https://www.zikoko.com/naira-life/tough-hustling-in-nigeria/

The hustler staying positive on 25,000 a month.

An almost-unbelievable story of suffering and poverty, but a shining tale of optimism, resilience, and hard work.

I don’t know this person, but I wish things break even for him.

(Also, in case it wasn’t clear enough, this article makes it obvious how much suffering and poverty exist in Nigeria.

God save us.)

***

 

That’s all, folks.

Thanks for coming along for the ride.

Hasta tarde.

 

The HodgePodge: Issue 3

Hello!

-___-

It’s International Women’s Day.

Women, enjoy your day. Take yourself out. Pamper yourself. Send me the bill afterwards.

Men, treat women better. They’re your equals, in all cases, and your betters, in many cases. They’re not chattel or outlets for your rage and sexual frustrations. They’re not punching bags or the weaker sex. Their lives are not beholden to yours, and they’re perfectly capable of making decisions for themselves. Women don’t need your permission. Women won’t ask for your permission. Get used to it.

Make a resolution today to do your part to make life easier for women, all women, everywhere.

Welcome again.

Let’s begin.

***********

 

medium.com/bigger-picture/10-things-i-plan-to-do-to-become-a-better-husband-father-human-being-3edb177caf29

10 Things I Plan to Do to Become a Better Husband, Father & Human Being

We begin with self-improvement. Apt, on this day.

It’s never too late to self-assess and change. The only time you cannot become a better person is when you’re dead.

Even more than the resolutions, it’s the introspection that makes me like this post the most. I am a fan of people thinking of things and why they do them.

***

 

https://www.theatlantic.com/science/archive/2019/01/500-year-long-science-experiment/581155/

The 500-year long science experiment.

Sometime in 2514, a scientist is going to open a vial. It will be the culmination of 500 years of experimenting.

It takes a certain level of careful planning and devotion to perform such an experiment. Between trying to ensure that the technology is not obsolete so far into the future and planning for all possible contingencies, this is an impressive feat.

****

 

https://qz.com/1517643/should-we-let-the-word-whom-die

“Whom” is disappearing and everyone needs to chill about it.

I learnt a lot reading this. Language evolves, naturally, spontaneously, and I have a theory that the ultimate goal is simply understanding/being understood.

This current evolution of the English language feels like a bigger deal than it actually is, but it was always going to happen. More and more people are speaking English, and the influence of other speakers and languages on the English language is stronger now than at any point in history.

Linguists might not like it, but English is trading its technicalities for simplicity. It’s why “whom” should be allowed to die.

***

 

medium.com/@Monisola./impostor-syndrome-f24b10d53e27

On Imposter Syndrome.

We all suffer from it, some more than others.

You think you’re not good enough, you are paralyzed with the fear that you’ll make mistakes and be ousted as a fraud, and you play down your achievements, thinking anyone could have done them.

Read this.

Now go ahead and blow your own darn trumpet.

***

 

https://www.wired.com/story/finding-lena-the-patron-saint-of-jpegs

Finding Lena, the Patron Saint of JPEGs

Wow I didn’t know this. You’ll just be on your own, and fame will be thrust upon you.

Meet the First Lady of the Internet. You don’t know her, but every time you take a selfie, capture an image, you’re extending her legend.

***

 

https://humanparts.medium.com/i-am-a-little-too-fat-im-a-little-too-generous-i-think-i-know-why-e97cd25b7eeb

What Poverty Taught Me About Being Too Generous.

I generally try to only collate links which are not behind a paywall, but this is so good everyone should read it (Use Incognito/Private mode in your browser).

One of the worst things about poverty is the shame, the endless feeling of never having/being enough. It is also the one thing that most donations fail to address the most. Being generous is nice, but there’s a right way and a wrong way to be generous.

To summarize, I end with this quote from the article.

“The biggest problem with poverty is the shame that comes with it. When you give the best you have to someone in need, it translates into something much deeper to the receiver. It means they are worthy.

If it’s not good enough for you, it’s not good enough for those in need either. Giving the best you have does more than feed an empty belly—it feeds the soul.”

***

 

https://blog.usejournal.com/how-i-negotiated-a-software-engineer-offer-in-silicon-valley-f11590f5c656

You’ve gotten a new job. They make you an offer, but you feel you deserve more.

Here’s how you can negotiate for a far better offer than what they are offering. Remember that you can only negotiate your compensation when you’re joining. It’s a one-shot thing. If you miss it, you’re stuck with a low offer. You will want to read this.

Hint: if they tell you they can’t go any higher, they’re lying.

***

 

www.nytimes.com/2019/02/08/well/family/against-romance-an-un-valentine.html

Against Romance: An Un-Valentine.

“We’re supposed to subject our relationships to some recipe for permanent swoon and are made to believe we are failing if we just live in reality.”

Look, I cannot tell you enough how much I love this article.

I’ve never much been a fan of “romance”. Romance is overrated. The fires of romance burn fierce and bright and then burn out, leaving only cold ash behind.

I much more prefer a warm, incandescent, steady kind of love, glowing softly but endlessly, never waning, neither flickering nor dimmed, always lighting one’s life-walk.

***

 

https://smp.uq.edu.au/pitch-drop-experiment

The world’s longest on-going experiment.

It’s been going on since 1927.

The next important data point is scheduled for the mid-2020s

***

 

https://www.defensenews.com/news/pentagon-congress/2019/01/14/how-the-us-and-china-collaborated-to-get-nuclear-material-out-of-nigeria-and-away-from-terrorist-groups/

Americans, Russians, and the Chinese came to Nigeria and successfully, quietly, removed the supply of highly enriched uranium we had in the only test reactor in Nigeria.

People that have sense.

Buhari and his goons might claim Boko Haram is “technically defeated”, but dem no dey hide belle. The whole world knows they’re running rampage, and if they got their paws on that uranium, it would have become a case of “are thy known”.

So thank you, white people.

(Isn’t it just a wee bit scary that this happened on our soil and none of us was aware of this? You can bet that our intelligence agencies were not aware either. God save us o.)

***

 

https://www.theguardian.com/news/2017/mar/15/stranger-in-the-woods-christopher-knight-hermit-maine

This fine gentleman left work one day and drove into the woods. The next time he was seen was 27 years later. His reason for leaving: to avoid human contact.

I feel you, bro. Human beings are exhausting. Approximately twice a week I get the same urge. But 27 years? I am both impressed and horrified.

Amazing that, despite us being such social animals, it is possible to live without contact with other human beings for such a long time

***

 

https://catapult.co/stories/mothers-violence-what-is-left-after-trauma-lucia-edafioka

Trigger warning for child abuse, sexual assault, and suppressed memories.

Our mothers wanted to protect us. So they hid us, beat us for having opinions, for being too inquisitive in a world that doesn’t permit girls to be curious about things._

I hope everyone who reads this learns a better way of parenting, of living, of raising kids. The proof of love is not harsh discipline.

***

 

https://www.glamour.com/story/alexis-ohanian-serena-williams-successful-marriage/amp

With love, as with life, it’s the little things. Grand gestures are nice, but it’s the day to day little things that matter.

Alexis Ohanian agrees with me.

You might have seen him tensioning the entire world with his overt, sincere love for and adoration of Serena, and wonder how he can say that with a straight face. Well, read this to find out.

***

 

https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2019/02/inside-elizabeth-holmess-final-months-at-theranos

This Elizabeth Holmes/Theranos business is almost unbelievable. If someone wrote it as fiction, you would dismiss the story for being implausible.

How one person could deceive so many people for so many years and amass so much wealth, fame and fortune, with not one person calling bullshit, really should be studied in schools. It’s quite unbelievable.

Still, like these things tend to go, it ends with a bang and lots of eccentric behavior.

This woman might be more crazy than we all thought.

***

 

https://edition-m.cnn.com/2019/03/01/entertainment/tyler-perry-madea-family-funeral-interview

Tyler Perry is retiring Madea.

While I’m unashamed to say I liked the Madea character, it’s not as big a loss as it would have felt in 2009. Tyler Perry is right. It’s probably time for her to leave, yes

***

 

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/amp/business-47301446

How a missing letter helped create a tech billionaire.

He would have become a soldier if his offer letter hadn’t gotten lost in the post.

Instead, now he’s worth $7bn, and the company he helped create is worth $25billion.

Put your hand on your head and repeat after me.

“My father, my father, errors that will lead to my advancement and promotion, let them begin to happen to me.”

Gbadura!!!!

***

 

https://getpocket.com/explore/item/how-the-internet-was-invented

How the internet was invented.

There’s something about places that serve alcohol that encourages innovation. The story of the internet begins, like these things always do, in a beer garden.

Your love of alcohol might just lead you to invent the next big thing. Enjoy.

***

 

That’s all, folks.

Till we meet again, treat women properly, and make their lives easier.

The HodgePodge: Issue 2

Hello!

Happy New Year, and welcome to today’s episode of The HodgePodge.

Every fortnight Pretty regularly, we’ll bring you a list of some of the most interesting things we have seen and watched. We hope you like today’s issue.

Let’s delve right in.

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

 

https://www.rd.com/health/wellness/sad-lump-in-throat/

Why you get a lump in your throat when you’re on the verge of tears.

Spoiler: it’s not an actual lump, but it’s pretty close

***

 

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/6-things-you-dont-owe-your-boss-dr-travis-bradberry

6 things you don’t owe your employer/boss

Everyone should realize that, much as work/earning a living is important, there are things that are more important, and as such, one should know where to draw the line.

You should be your own person, and should not defined by the work you do.

***

 

https://www.thestar.com/news/world/2018/12/27/35-years-ago-isaac-asimov-was-asked-by-the-star-to-predict-the-world-of-2019-here-is-what-he-wrote.html

35 years ago, Isaac Asimov (a proper genius who cannot be recognized or appreciated enough) was asked to predict how the world will be today. For a prediction made in 1984, he was remarkably accurate.

***

 

https://www.theplayerstribune.com/en-us/articles/stephen-curry-underrated

Steph Curry, people.

As you can imagine, I’m a fan of his.

He writes very well.

And he’s the best example of writing for yourself your own life story.

So many things will conspire to change your story.

It’s up to you to keep writing.

***

 

http://time.com/3941333/why-i-took-my-wifes-last-name/

Why I took my wife’s last name.

What’s in a name? A rose by any other name will smell as sweet.

I am happy more and more men are going against the norm and picking up their wife’s surnames. I mean, you’re a married couple. You already share everything else. Both your identities have changed. Why should it be only the woman who is compelled to change her name?

Down with the patriarchy!

Selah.

***

 

http://nymag.com/intelligencer/2018/01/michael-wolff-fire-and-fury-book-donald-trump.html

Donald Trump Didn’t Want to Be President

In case you ever wondered how a nation like America elected a moron like Trump. Also, in case you are wondering why so many people have resigned and/or left his government.

It was always a show for him. He did not have any plans to win, and wanted to just improve his popularity, his standing in the public eye. But he won, and what you’re seeing now is what happens when unpreparedness meets an adult child meets incompetence meets ignorance.

It’s difficult to make Buhari look capable, but most days, Trump manages it. “Chaotic” and “dysfunctional” do not even start to describe what Trump’s White House looks like. They’re really a bunch of bumbling clowns over there.

***

 

https://aguntasolo.co/banana-11d66906543c

Nigeria is, well, bananas.

Why do we take things that have been proven not to work and try to replicate it here? Why do we act as if we’re going to need to reinvent the wheel when faced with problems that have been solved a long time ago in other countries? Why do our leaders pick the worst possible course of action when planning economic (and all other) policy, every single time?

Sigh.

Feyi might be the best at this business of breaking down economic concepts for everyone to understand.

***

 

https://psiloveyou.xyz/planning-your-relationship-in-your-head-is-killing-it-aa526676490c

Planning your relationship in your head is killing it.

I have earned a reputation as a take-it-a-day-at-a-time person in relationships. This conflicts with the (usually) more romantic partner, but it has served me well so far.

This article does a good job of explaining why that approach is important.

Sometimes, you need to…savor (yes, that’s the word), the present, and focus on your current reality without thinking about what the future holds or how things will pan out.

***

 

https://www.stearsng.com/article/oil-can-no-longer-sustain-nigeria

If reading this doesn’t make you scared about the future and viability of this mass called Nigeria, you’re a better person than me.

Right now, even if every single kobo Nigeria earns (from oil and non-oil income) is funneled into the treasury, Nigeria cannot pay its bills.

Nigeria is in trouble. There’s no way to put it mildly.

Nigeria needs work just to survive (not even to thrive or achieve its potential. Just to survive as a country), but nobody in government wants to do the necessary work.

Nigeria looking at its economy and income

***

 

https://www.vox.com/platform/amp/the-goods/2018/12/28/18158968/facebook-microphone-tapping-recording-instagram-ads

You talk to your friend/wife/sidechick/colleague about a product. Then you go on Facebook (why does anyone still use Facebook in 2019?) and ads for the product you talked about show up on your page.

You think Facebook is listening to you.

They’re not.

They don’t need to.

AI is far too advanced to need such old-school, Cold War-era inputs.

***

 

https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2019/01/14/the-french-burglar-who-pulled-off-his-generations-biggest-art-heist

Since I read Sidney Sheldon’s “If Tomorrow Comes” as a kid, I have been in awe of proper, old-fashioned burglaries^&. Anyone can steal, but it takes a certain level of skill and ability to defeat the most sophisticated alarm and security systems armed with only rope and a lock pick.

Imagine stealing millions of dollars worth of goods, armed with only suction cups and climbing rope. It would be impressive if it wasn’t completely illegal.

^&: my lawyers tell me I am compelled to point out that this is not an endorsement of burglaries or other crimes. You will go to jail. I did not send you work.

***

 

https://www.thecut.com/amp/2019/01/precocious-puberty-patrick-burleigh.html

He was A 4-Year-Old Trapped in a Teenager’s Body

“I was all of the things people are when they’re 14 or 15” — except a decade younger.”

He had pubic hair at 2, and at 11 could pass for a full-grown man. Of course he was bigger and taller than all his peers growing up, and as such was regularly bullied and mocked.

If it were you who experienced all these, with the knowledge that the gene was hereditary, and being aware of how your father and his father before him suffered just as much as you, would you allow it to be passed on to any future male kids you might have?

That was a choice he found himself being forced to make.

***

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AnaASTBn_K4

How does a whip break the sound barrier?

Some fascinating physics and mathematics on display here. It’s interesting that something this uncomplicated can be so difficult to capture and model.

(As an aside, see how much equipment, skill, technique and effort is being put into something as mundane as understanding why a whip cracks when you crack it. Makes you realize just how far behind we are in these parts.)

The HodgePodge: a newsletter

Hello everyone,

Welcome. It’s nice to have you here.

I hope you had an excellent Christmas. Here’s wishing you more happiness in 2019 than you had in 2018.

I’m pretty certain this post is a surprise to you. Yes, the blog still works, even if I myself am surprised that I remember the password to it. But we are here now, so let’s parrrrttttyyyyyyyy.

Today’s post is an experiment, and like all experiments, there will be tweaking based on feedback and results until a satisfactory conclusion is reached. I see you are confused. I’ll explain.

Approximately once a fortnight for the last few months, I have collated and shared on my WhatsApp status links to/of interesting articles (and data, stories, facts, etc etc) I have read. This has proven very popular, and I have had contacts message me to ask for links to read. As you can imagine, this is not sustainable. I cannot reply everybody, and in any case, WhatsApp statuses only last for 24 hours. Wouldn’t it be much better if there was a way to collate and permanently preserve the links to the things I share?

Are you seeing where I’m going with this?

This is why I am creating The HodgePodge. Think of this newsletter as an analogue to Pocket. Things I have read and found interesting enough to share will be posted here, and will be available forever (or, at least, until the original authors delete them). In addition, you can subscribe (it’s a blog, after all), and you will receive an email whenever new editions go up.

You’re welcome.

Without further ado, let’s begin.

 

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

https://www.theplayerstribune.com/en-us/articles/life-and-times-of-allen-iverson

Allen Iverson writing in The Player’s Tribune.

Some very profound stuff here. For a person widely seen as just south of being a gangster, AI is very introspective, even philosophical.

“…the things you do, they’ll never be as important as the things people think you do…”

***

https://stories.ng/the-god-factor/

The God Factor.

The year is coming to an end, and it’s only right that one reviews one’s year. This is my favorite review so far.

I like it because not only do I know the author, there is much to unpack here.

1. The importance of persistence
2. The place of God and faith in our pursuits
3. How, no matter how close you are to people, you never know what exactly it is they’re going through
4. How every trial gives us 2 choices: pack it up, or learn from it
5. How much hard work and research it takes to be successful

Congratulations, Oye.

Although I’ll miss you, I’m very happy for you. Couldn’t have happened to a better person
***

https://www.nationalgeographic.com/magazine/2018/12/palm-oil-products-borneo-africa-south-america-environment-impact/

Palm oil is in everything from food to soap to biodiesel, but growing it takes a serious toll on ecology and the environment.

How do we find a balance?

Gabon might give the answers we need.

(Have you noticed that nobody ever looks to Nigeria for answers to any questions? Giant of Africa indeed. Big for nothing.)

***

https://medium.com/personal-growth/love-is-a-verb-not-a-noun-f18163088e8f

Love is a verb, not a noun.

“When someone loves us, they make a point of showing up for us.”

“If I start to feel neglected because he’s working a lot of hours, it’s because I haven’t been looking at the small things he does: He works — and works hard — so I can stay home. That’s an act of love.”

For me, the most significant part of this article is that she has the self-awareness to see that, even though he does not do the “whole flowers and chocolate thing”, he loves her deeply.

Most people don’t see other people’s love expressed in their general actions and activities. To wit, acts of service are not everyone’s cup of tea. But even if people doing things for you is not your thing, there’s the place of appreciating their efforts.

***

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/04/06/style/modern-love-sleeping-with-married-men-infidelity.html

What Sleeping With Married Men Taught Me About Infidelity

I saw a question on Twitter once, and it’s an interesting one.

“Will you be comfortable sleeping with one person, only one person, for the rest of your life? Before you say “yes”, think about the answer carefully and honestly. The rest of your life is a long time.”

One of the things about marriage people never talk about is how it is possible to lose all attraction for your spouse as time passes and you both age. What happens when one spouse no longer wants to have sex with the other, and the other still rages with sexual desire?

I have my own thoughts on this (monogamy, attraction, honesty, having the difficult discussions, what “cheating” is, etc). Like almost everything about me, it’s practical more than anything else, and someday, I will flesh them out.

But read the article first.

***

https://thebolditalic.com/bored-of-dating-in-san-francisco-try-these-3-improv-games-on-your-next-first-date-25c1f3d15343

How Improv Can Save a Dull Date

Few things can be as awkward as a (first) date that is not going according to plan.

Your date is bored and about to start fiddling with her/his phone. The silence is distinctly uncomfortable. It’s not so much that either of you is bad company as there’s nothing to talk about now that you’re face to face.

Here’s how you can rescue it and make the best of a bad situation.

I look out for you guys. You’re welcome.

***

https://djbooth.net/features/2018-12-12-jay-z-life-lessons

A Letter to My Unborn Niece: 13 Life Lessons from JAY-Z

I’m not particularly a fan of Jay-Z (only discovered rap in 2009, so I’m a very late connoisseur), but even I know his lyrics pack a punch. And that’s why I like this article.

As with an unborn niece, as with grown adults. There’s much to learn here. It’s like a philosophical guide for life, delivered in ebonics and filtered through the prism of a man’s life experiences

***

https://www.gq.com/story/thai-cave-rescue-miracle-at-tham-luang

Miracle At Tham Luang

The story of the incredible, jaw-dropping, audacious rescue of the 13 Thai boys trapped in a cave.

From the outside looking in, it already was a stupendous story. But now, with behind the scenes reporting and eyewitness accounts, the only thing you can say is that it was a miracle.

There is no reason why those boys should have been rescued, or successfully extricated after they were (already, improbably) found. But they were, and they came out alive. And even now, all these months afterwards, it is no less astounding.

RIP Saman Gunan. Your sacrifice was not in vain

***

https://amp.thekitchn.com/what-s-the-difference-between-condensed-and-evaporated-milk-125900

What’s the difference between evaporated milk and condensed milk?

It figures why everyone prefers condensed milk

***

https://psiloveyou.xyz/do-not-fall-in-love-with-a-smart-introverted-man-8792ac8ca4cd

Do not Fall in Love with a Smart, Introverted Man.

(or “Don’t let his intelligence blind you to his faults.”)

All of this is true.

This kind of smart men are delightfully charming and exotic yet often live in their own worlds, like delicious fruit on top of a tall, spindly tree.

“Mostly, he just wants to make you happy. He loves to be with you, just to hear you talk…”

They’re also proof that being smart is not enough. A properly-rounded worldview is important, and introspection is importanter.

“…One day, he will decide to leave you. It will be sudden and swift with no warning.”

Troubled at last by doubt, terrified that committing any further will hurt you, triggered by personal traumas, he will decide, quietly, independently — because that is how he has solved every problem — that it’s over…”

Ah well. At least you had fun and learnt about AI and bonsai while it lasted.

***

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/12/08/opinion/college-gpa-career-success.html

What Straight-A Students Get Wrong

One of the first things I learnt when I got out of university is that your results only matter for your very first job, if at all. Nobody really cares if you were the best graduating student 5 years down the line. There’s more to life than making a first class (I should know, I made one), and in the grand scheme of things, it’s unimportant.

“The evidence is clear: Academic excellence is not a strong predictor of career excellence. Across industries, research shows that the correlation between grades and job performance is modest in the first year after college and trivial within a handful of years.”

“Getting straight A’s requires conformity. Having an influential career demands originality.”

That is not to say you should not aim to get the best result you can. Nevertheless, bear in mind that:

“Academic grades rarely assess qualities like creativity, leadership and teamwork skills, or social, emotional and political intelligence. Yes, straight-A students master cramming information and regurgitating it on exams. But career success is rarely about finding the right solution to a problem — it’s more about finding the right problem to solve.”

Oops.

***

https://thebolditalic.com/what-ive-learned-after-a-decade-of-being-single-90a4578a7c05

What I’ve Learned after a Decade of Being Single

There are worse things than being alone.

Relationships are not always the be-all and end-all they appear to be, and it’s more important to be happy and be at peace than anything else.

***

Final words.

This is all a bit still experimental, and I am playing with presentation and trying to stimulate feedback. I would like very much to hear from you. I want your thoughts about the articles you read here (i.e. let’s talk about them), the presentation/arrangement of the newsletter itself (i.e. is it easy to navigate? Are articles clearly delineated? etc etc), and (especially) whether the excerpts/blurbs pique your interest to read the articles (and/or adequately summarize them). Be a darling and leave a comment.

Thank you.

Until next time,

Ciao!

For Nam, my friend.

You might know her as 3frenchens, contributor and editor on this site.

I know her as Namrata, a close friend who over and over has shown me what it means to be kind, and for whom I will do anything, make any sacrifice.

Today is her birthday.

This is for her.

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

I do not often feel a sense of loss, but I do now. My memory card crashed some time ago, and I can no longer find your pictures. I had only one of us together, taken at Capto’s wedding, and now it’s gone there’s a hole in my chest. But a lack of pictures does not diminish you in my heart. Those memories are clear, stark, embossed on my heart, impressed in my mind.

My memories of you are warm, cheery, glowing with my happiness and your tinkling, sincere laughter. I remember you dancing to Jasi in the back of my car. I remember the long discussions on love and Christianity and prayer, and how your Bible rested at the head of your bed. I remember you on ShopRite queues, and your absolutely delicious jollof. I remember you with Ms Karen, and the frissons I felt as you told your story. I remember you in Barcelos, and holding my brother as he cried and I ran around. You are kind and wonderful and a special, remarkable lady, Namrata, and I am blessed to know you and be your friend.

The memories almost make up for how much I miss you. Almost, but not quite. I miss you something powerful. It’s almost a physical ache. You would think the passage of time will soothe, but it doesn’t. I speak 5 languages, and I cannot fully express how much I miss you in any one of them. Absence might indeed make the heart grow fonder, but the void it leaves is cavernous.

I wished I had started to be your friend much earlier. If I knew then what I know now, on that day with the red teddy bear in Foodco, I would have seized the chance. We had but a short time to be in the same physical space, but what a time it was! It’s true what they say: quality beats quantity everyday.

I want to say thank you. For being my friend. For Enugu. For stopping me from losing my faith. For Sunday lunches in your room. For showing me a better way. For UCH A&E, wherein, for the umpteenth time, you showed me what love is. For praying for me. For Ranchosblog. For Abu Dhabi. For everything.

I have prayed for you, Namrata, and God knows I meant every word. He sees my heart, and he knows I have nothing but the very best wishes for you. When He begins to manifest and show Himself in and for you, receive it with thanksgiving. Because He will bless you. He is a just and fair God, and He will do far more for you than you’ve done for me, far more for you than you expect or imagine. So be ready, be prepared, for His awesomeness.

May God’s light shine upon you and light your way. May men go out of their way to favour you. May the works of your hand, the fruits of your lips, everything you do be blessed. May God be happy with you. May the blessings of Abraham be yours, world without end. May Jesus come through for you. May God keep us till we meet again.

Happy birthday, dear Namrata. I love you.

2017, or something about eggs.

I ate two boiled eggs today.

If you don’t know me, this will not sound like much of a deal. If you know me, you would have realized by now what a giant step this was for me.

For as long as I have known, I have hated boiled eggs. A hard-boiled egg stinks, the yolk is the disgusting yellow colour of a tetracycline capsule, and boiled eggs do not lend themselves to garnishing and efizi in the way, say, an omelet does. I have had arguments with girlfriends, refused to touch meals and salads, and vomited at table because of boiled eggs. 

But I ate two boiled eggs today. Because I have committed to facing the things that scare me and doing things I do not like, if it will lead to me breaking new grounds and  hitting more goals. Eating an egg is not much, but it is a metaphor for something deeper, something much more serious.

Compliments of the season, and a happy 2017 to you. Those boundaries? You will break them. Those heights? You will scale them. Those eggs? You will eat them, and in doing so discover that while you still don’t like them, you no longer feel as nauseated. Progress, no?
Here’s to 2017. Onwards and upwards.

 

THIS LIFE IS A POT OF BEANS.

2103hrs. 6^th October, 2016. Port-Harcourt, Nigeria.

 

Aunty Nene was family, although we had no genes in common. She worked for my aunt. She came in every morning and stayed till around 5pm, cooking and cleaning and providing company. When I visited my aunt, I often went to her house. She was there when I was born (the last time I was in Enugu, she pointed out the hospital I was born in), and had watched my cousins, siblings and myself grow up with the fondness and pride an old Japanese lady takes in her bonsai plants.

***

I think about death a lot, in a philosophical, academic way. Do the dying know they are dying? How does it feel on the other side? Is dying better than living? People condemned to die fascinate me. If you knew the hour and minute destined for your death, how would you approach it? What would you do differently?

The worst thing about death is its impact on those left behind. The dead are gone, and what happens here does not concern them. We are left to mourn their demise, celebrate their lives, sorrow and weep and accept grudgingly that we will not see them again.

The joint worst thing about death is how final it is. It is irreversible, a giant period sign at the end of life.

The next worst thing about death is how abrupt, how sudden it often is.

***

My mother called me about 30 minutes ago. I was lying in the dark, debating whether to sleep or not.

‘I noo n’ulo?’

‘Yes.’

“Aunty Oby kpoolum kita. O si na Grandma kporo ya, na Aunty Nene nwuru this afternoon.’

‘What?!!!”

‘They were watching TV and she shouted “my head, isi’m”, and the next thing she was dead. Grandma is in shock. O daghi a zaa phone.’

***

Death’s suddenness struck with my uncle. One minute he was standing to his full 6ft7in height and planning the future. The next he was lying on his back in the hospital, complaining of malaria symptoms. 2 days later, he was a corpse.

It has struck again with Aunty Nene. I can only hope she felt no pain.

Goodbye, Aunty Nene. You were one of the most caring, selfless people I have ever met. I hope you find peace on the other side.