MR Rondo!

It is becoming clear to me that the reason for my “writer’s block” these past few weeks has NOT

been due to a lack of material as I erroneously thought. In fact, quite the opposite: TOO MUCH!

The question is…what parts of the material to share (ALL!?...certainly not! …)

Everyone claims they want full disclosure, but most can’t really handle it.

Or are you my readers the select few that can?

And so, the challenge has been in channelling my energies into cohesively conveying to you

(select parts of) current trends in Miss Rondo’s life experiences (so many that they are) …

The result, today’s post. Full disclosure on the other hand is still a work in progress…

So yesterday, I got a BBM message from …wait for it… Mr Rondo himself!

Now, don’t forget…memory serves us to rmbr that the Mr & Miss Rondo unit no longer exists.

And in fact has not existed for a number of years now  

(longer than the relationship lasted actually). The separation, though painful at the time

was amicable… (at least on Miss Rondo’s part…some things are just not meant to be) …

and both parties have since moved on with their lives.

But today is NOT for that story (I keep posting you, I know…sorry!).

Anyway...Currently, my BBM status message reads “Miss Rondo” …

and he commented on it saying… (and I quote)

“…u and I (meaning he and myself) need to talk about the name Rondo.

U can’t be using it anyhow o. There’s a premium on it now!...”

I laughed of course (both in the text and out loud) …it was funny!

First…Rondo was MY creation. The fact that our temporary association enabled him to

get in on the picture does NOT entitle him to any of the accolades that stem therefrom.

This is NOT biff, simply fact!... I mean, most people who refer to Miss Rondo

aren’t even aware that there ever was a Mr…  Not that it’s their fault…

the title is MISS Rondo after all…which is precisely the point MISS…

Number 2: He hadn’t even read the blog as at the time he sent the message…

So what was he complaining about really?

That the term “Rondo” was something we shared exclusively?

and thus not to be used after the demise of our relationship?

Which brings me to the crux of today’s matter…

“In their defense”: a cover for PRIDE and SHAME

so apparently, even bloggers encounter writer's block...
any form of cohesive writing would i suppose...
i'm just surprised i guess,
considering that my posts are supposed to be about "miss rondo's" life and times
is it not just to relay them to you her ardent readers...
what's so difficult about that...

i guess i'm finding out...

and so...today's post is something i published a couple of years ago...

still about "miss rondo"... (though then the alter ego was still locked away in the proverbial closet)
its intriguing to me tho, how the essence of her personality hasn't changed over the years

so you should still enjoy this post as you would all others more recent
i certainly enjoy how i looked then (not so much fat!)

Mr Bizzard!

If you're reading this blog for the first time, you REALLY should go back a few posts (at least)...
U'll be glad u did, I promise 😉

If you're already a frequent flier on this airline... Welcome...its good to you have you back on board...
Without you...Miss Rondo would simply be  the random musings of a Melancholic Sanguine...
(or is it San-Mel now...i forget...whatever!...you catch the drift)...
Without knowing you (the readers) are out there,

This blog wouldn't be worth as much as the url its written at
(which incidentally cost nothing 😜 )

Anyway...enough of all that...(i'm beginning to spend as many words expressing my gratitude
as i used to my contrition when i was so infrequent with my uploads)...
Suffice to say...i think we've covered all that adequately well...
Wouldn't you agree..?
Good...let's move on shall we...

Meanwhile, for the first time since i started this blog,
I will not be uploading a photo of myself!
Shocking i know!
Thankfully my #CommonSense  far outweighs my vanity,
And it therefore occurred to me that paired beside today's upload,
my picture would seem like the before shot of a makeup session!
So...i'll be posting my photo when there's no daunting competition,
Thank you very much!

In the same vein, we'll keep last post's #ConstantReplay video
(Its not like you guys ever watch them anyway! 😜 )


Today's post!...is going to be very different...
I'm uploading Miss Rondo's 1st personal video!

20 FACTs about MISS RONDO: part LAST

Seriously...you guys are the AWESOMEST

NINETY-FOUR page views!!! (i know like 50 of those are mine...but still...94!) 😀


MUCHO GRACIAS!!!

I truly am gratefully humbled by your followership...
it motivates me, knowing someone or 94 someones
out there are intrigued enough about this "Rondo"
character to get to know her...
and hopefully, by the end of this post...
know her you will!

So, lets move on shall we...
just 10 more to go...

20 FACTs about MISS RONDO: part two

Before i roll out the gist of today's post (which essentially is a continuation of my last one)...
I would like to take out a few words to appreciate you guys...my reading audience...

Its an awesome feeling when you see me in person and say "hi Ms.Rondo"
(even when you don't pronounce RONDO properly! I may have to put up a post to educate y'all on the correct pronunciation of that word b.t.w... ) or refer to a phrase from previous posts, or just simply laugh because you put up a funny comment after reading the post(s)...

I especially love those of you who refer to "her" in the 3RD person singular (like she's not me)...
she IS an alter ego after all  😉 ...
But seriously...thank you so much guys!...i hope you derive as much pleasure from reading as i do enjoyment from writing...

Most especially though...i would like to publicly acknowledge the "inspirator" of the 20 FACTS about Miss Rondo series...a blogger herself; family; and dare i say...friend...Mz Oluwadamilola Omotunde of ...www.modeboladamilola.blogspot.com...fame...thank you "Dami agba"...
now... "Stella got her groove back"!

20 FACTs about MISS RONDO

Good morning GOOD PEOPLE

So..i was awoken today with a need to get something done
Something pending from my (ever-growing) to -do list
And this came to mind...
Feeding my long-starved alter ego...MISS RONDO...which to you may translate to updating my blog

I'll dispense with my usual apologies about my inconsistency in posting,
Needless to say...i am working on it (really, i am)
But that is a story for another day...

Today (as always)... we are focusing on the all important subject of ME!
Specifically though...20 FACTs about MISS RONDO...
Now i know wot u're thinking...How is knowing more about ME beneficial to you
Well...here are a few starters..

a. Knowing more about ANYTHING is always beneficial...knowledge in general is...
b. Knowing more about me specifically would help in your followership of this blog...after all, if you're already following the blog, it means you have some interest in the Miss Rondo personality... reading this particular post can only further help in that career path :D ... and...
c. In understanding the persona that is Miss Rondo...u may yourself identify some personal traits (good or bad) that you previously did not notice; thereby enhancing your self awareness...

although let's be honest here...i'm doing this majorly for ME...
you are secondary in my thoughts as i write this post...

So...back to the subject @ hand...20 FACTs about Miss Rondo...
we'll start with the obvious...and progressively move on to the not-so-obvious...

1. Miss Rondo is an individual with an intelligence level above the average world population...
now...this first fact may seem particularly arrogant, but i assure you...it is not...it it simply what it is...a fact... And while you may initially reject the idea, i 'enjoin' you to go through my previous posts (again: if you had not previously done so) and verify for yourself... if you are not convinced by the end of your read...perharps a verbal conversation with yours truly would do the trick...however; if after all that, you're still not convinced...it may be an indication of your intelligence level, which maybe sadly nothing can be done to improve!

all those who were born in November...

...Stand Up, Stand OUT!!!

So; if we are connected on any social media platform,
ure probably aware that my birthday was in the month of November (specifically the 9th)
I'm still receiving presents though. Never mind that we are now in December (barely)...
its the thought that counts :D
and how more thoughtful can a person be than to think of me "out of season"...haha!

ANYWAY...so gifts are very and still welcome
Thank You in advance :)

which brings us to the reason for today's post.. Gift Giving...

lately, i've been loosing sleep...

...dreaming of all the things that "i" could be... 

As usual' i'm stealing my entree from lyrics of currently replaying music on my songlist. In this case... "Counting Stars" by One Republic .

but before we get into all that...i wanted to say...
I'm so sorry about my lack of content in the past few (oh okay...more than few) months. It really does seem that angst and melancholy are the elements that fuel this particular "blogging talent?'... And as i've not been experiencing much of both recently (or more correctly put, as i've been channeling the energies therefrom into more "productive" outlets...), this has suffered

Neway...
So, why am i back now?
Simple...pls revert to the subject of today's post  :P
Angst and Melancholy (of course!)...what else? :D
But its different this time...

I . M . Creations...inspired by rondo

About 10 years ago, i think during my final year of studying architecture; the dad of one of my classmates (and friend) passed away. The man was not young thankfully (my friend was the last of six), and so it was one of those occasions when you're not happy a person is gone (of course!), but sadness is tempered by the knowledge that the person lived a fulfilled life...

My friend is question was quite popular (and i mean that in the best of ways) so it was; that we (his friends) were gonna represent...i.e... leave Lagos (where we attended uni) for Ibadan (where his family lived) to support him during the final burial rites.

Now, if you consider that at this (st)age we had started doing "adult" things... after all...being in final (6th) year we were ready to take on the world and all...thus buying aso-ebi was part of this package. Also consider that up till now, my aso-ebi experiences were limited to family weddings (which my mother always paid and got a tailor (that i couldn't afford of course) for).

But now, as i was buying and sewing the aso-ebi on my own... i needed a reference for a good yet affordable (make that cheap) tailor that would my appeal to my awesome sense of style (pls be reminded that i consider a bit of vanity essential to my existence) and yet work well on my meager student and aristo-less allowance. The search led me to a tiny room at what was then a N10naira bus ride from school (give or take a few streets)...

A mother of 5, living in one of the very densely populated parts of Lagos...struggling to support her family. She was of course thrilled to have a new customer and assured me of a speedy delivery of the style we had agreed on. I in turn gave her an advance. The episode ended with a very satisfied customer (and happy service provider too i'm sure).

Fast forward 10years to what must be over a hundred fittings, outfits and adjustments; some outstanding, others unwearable and we have what i now like to call...

I . M . Creations...inspired by rondo

by choice

Today, i'm going with the remix Shoki video by Kesh ft Davido and Olamide.
I'm trying to learn the featured dance steps and this vid  seemed a good place to start...

So last weekend, i took my lil cousins out to what my aunt repeatedly refers to as the most expensive burger joint in Lagos.

The location was indeed pre-conceived. I had to impress them...

At 8 and 9 respectively they have gone on more than twice the number of trips abroad  than i have at over taati!, attend "ivy-league" primary schools in Lagos,
and of course live in VI.

I constantly have to up my game with them to retain a certain level of coolness that will be looked up to ( a certain level of vanity is per-requisite as part of good character in my opinion...bite me).

So, not only did i have to spend my hard earned and meager salary (who sent me abi?) on the rugrats!...they had the very good idea to bring a friend along! My aunty felt so sorry for me...(twas her daughter's friend after all...she actually offered to pay for the unplanned guest....i declined of course...my vanity dictated i should)

Neway...all four of we (yes we) went on to have said lunch and actually had a good time too...ergo exhibits a, b and c...

the colour purple

hi again....

you can't tell, but i'm REALLY glad you're reading this

it means i ACTUALLY have an "audience"

I'm also smiling about my choice of song for "constant replay" accompanying this post
It's actually not on play as i write this (i'm watching African Magic Ede Yoruba)...or more precisely a Yoruba movie on youtube...while at work (of course!)

can u possibly guess wot song  it is from the opening lyrics?...
(DON'T LOOK AT THE VID YET!)

You there with the sad eyes, don't be discouraged though I realize
It's hard to take courage, in a world full of people
You can lose sight of it and the darkness, inside you
Makes you feel so small...

and then the words you'll prolly recognize

But I see your true colors shining through
I see your true colors that's why I love you
So don't be afraid to let them show
Your true colors, true colors are beautiful
Oh like a rainbow

you can catch up with the video and the rest of the lyrics AFTER you read this post...lol
for now...let's focus on me (of course)

I usually listen to this song when i'm feeling a bit melancholic 
There's a  part of the song...the bridge i think that simply soothes...

Such sad eyes take courage now, realize
When this world makes you crazy
And you've taken all you can bear
Just call me up because you know I'll be there

I'm the sad eyes of course...whose full burst of TRUE colors is yet to be displayed
On the other hand, i'm also the one who'll ALWAYS be there for myself
(Thinking i can depend on anyone else all the time is simply setting myself up for even more disappointment than what caused the sadness in the first place...)

But back to the true colors, and "the color purple" ...

what is love worth to you?

Dear reader…First, and foremost, (new or returning)…thank you for taking time out to read my ramblings today…you…yes YOU keep me dedicated (and of course the constant drama I find surrounding me…mostly self-inflicted of course…but let’s not dwell on that) 

Today's "track of constant replay" Collabo by P-Square ft Don Jazzy is on simply because as I write...it IS on replay . The song is on my aykTOP20 list, (I hate the short form of my name a.y…but for some reason LOVE a.y.k…maybe cos it immediately points to an unusual full name which mine is btw…Ayokanmi …sorry…I really am working on this distraction thing…) 

So I was saying…Collabo is on my top 20 list…1st because the lyrics sound so sincere in comparison  to all the very well-engineered love lyrics we have going around these days the "if i no get money,  i get place to borrow" line gives me goose bumps and...          

Don Jazzy’s delivery of the bridge in many ways exceeded expectations…

All this being said…"back to d mata"

What is love worth to you…?

of kings and queens and other mind games...

Before going on to my subject of discourse today...i wanted to say 2 things...

1st is to deeply apologize to my follower(s) about my prolonged absence...unavoidable i assure you...and to be properly accounted for in future posts

2nd...about my "constant replay" video for this post...lil kesh's SHOKI...while i am well aware of (and also totally enjoy) the more recent and star-studded remix...this is so much more fun in its "unsophisticatedness"...

Moving on to the business at hand today though...

So...(just in case you didn't know this before now)...

I play chess
Not as well as i used to when i started about 15years ago now
Not as well as i should, considering my 15years
but i AM considered a chessplayer by many...
definitely an enthusiast and assuredly a propagandist

Neway...
so, because of my affinity for the sport (chess is NOT  a game!)
i've decided to take a further step in its propagation.
One of my outlets in achieving this is by helping out my budding chess coach-cum-manager-cum-journalist friend out with his chess-related projects (and let me tell u, there are many of them) 

From editing his proposals, to watching his 10mins of telly fame as part of a sports show (in order to give constructive criticism), to just being a listening ear...etcetera, etcetera, etcetera...the list is endless

"I'm standing here looking in the mirror"...

..."saying damn to myself"

and as in the later part of the song...
"it is too late to talk about it"

but what i will say...

i was sure by now...

"...that you would have reached down,
and wiped my tears away,
stepped in and saved the day..."

It would appear that i only remember social media as an outlet for the dispensing of prevailing emotional melancholy...lol...

Today, in addition to the lyrics of the song on replay on my phone (see you tube video),
A few lines i stole from a friend that seem so apt...

"you feel lonely, not when no-one cares about you,
but when the person you expect to care,
doesn't care about you at all"
 

what type of office?

some years ago...my lil sis told my even lil'er cousin she'd started at her new job...& know what he asked her...what kind of office she works in...an air-conditioned office or a ceiling fan office...taking into consideration that the generator in my sister's office had just packed up..she said she currently works in a window office...i on d other hand worked in a standing fan office (there was never "nepa" (power) for the air conditioning).
so...wot kind of office do you work in?

by the way...just in case you were wondering...i upgraded  (in more ways than one) :D

the life and times of a "RONDO"

my mom once attempted to explain the word "RONDO" to my lil' cousin.(and by little i mean he was under ten @ d time).
He was not a little irritated @ my chosen nickname for him.(his even youger brother was RUNDU - merely a slight variation for the pupose of distinguishing btw d 2 of them when i needed to get their attention).
...neway...back to rondo...
My mom explained the "rondo" was how an elderly person (i.e myself - although i find it laughable that ne1 wld refer to me as elderly...no matter my age), referred to a younger, usually chubbier person. the term, she further clarified was attributed to cute young boys and girls , and so he should actually consider it a compliment.