Welcome the month of Leos, and Tosyn Bucknor

It's my birthday and i'll cry if i want to...
But there won't be no crying this year as i turn 35...
(The true age is just as shocking so accept this one jo)

I am so excited!
I am so excited!
I am so excited!

Can you tell?
Can you?
Can you?

Okay, let me calm down long enough to blog dammit!
Abi!

I mean, this is all my parents fault you know. My birthday has always been a big deal! Parties, Gifts, Hugs, etc. Noone forgets my day, nay, especially not i!
And i get giddy from the first of August; mark the days, develop those butterflies in z stomach, and the works.
Of course, as is with everything in life (like Father Keresimesi and the Tooth Fairy), the honeymoon ended!
My favourite birthday ever was my 18th cos it was tres cool, and it then all went downhill from there.
One birthday was spent in the hospital, forever dispelling the myth to me that sicklers stop having crisis at 21; one was spent first on the plane with the headaches that usually accompany long distance flights, and others have been spent 'just there sha'. You know, basically, nothing to write home about.

So why am i giddy and excited and delirious again?
What changed?

Well, try one of the best years of my life!

I mean, no offence to the year i graduated from Queens' College, or Unilag or even Law School oh! And no offence to the years i spent in love oh! And no offence to the years in Unilag (which were fun times i tell ya) or Law School, but August to August has been a great year.
Why?
You still dey ask?

Okay.
Well you are advised to count your blessings abi?
And even though i have more blessings that i can ever count (thank you JESUS), i can still list some of the reasons i no fit shout!

- Try only one crisis this year! As in only one, need-a-hospital crisis this year!

- How about the fact that THESE GENES was formed, and quickly warmed its' way into your hearts? (We thank you sir, we thank you ma)

- My sister had a baby! Mairo was born in October, and while i would like to avoid cliches please! I still have to honestly say, that watching your sister waddle for months (yee! she is so going to beat me), and then give birth to the tiniest person you can imagine, who then starts to grow, to walk, to talk (still working on getting her to say TOSYN dammit), to eat, and to have teeth (two at the last count), is one of the most awesome and breathtaking things that could happen to you. Of course, i guess it will be surpassed by when i waddle for months (and crave the oddest things like chinese food at 2am), then give birth to said bundle of joy (in my case, bundles as i pray for quintuplets), and bla la la!

- I made it to facebook in August last year! SO this is an anniversary really!

- I met the UnRulies this year oh! Very hard to believe!

I found myself this year. Yes i know that you might find the concept of my personas difficult to grasp and seperate, but they help me live a peaceful life.
Tosyn is the writer, and the artistic person, Hazel handles the business and is the Media, Entertainment and Fashion Consultant, and CON.tra.diction is the music persona.
Y'Digg?

- This year, i went to Ghana for the African Business Leaders Forum, got nominated for a British Council Award, received an award for Entrepreneurial Leadership, and actually got to give talks at seminars and workshops.
I have to admit that at no point in my life did i ever think anyone would take me that serious, but i guess your passion does make a way for you like 9ice said.

- s.h.a.r.e and SPEECHgirl have taken on lives of their own and for that i am eternally grateful. I also thank Osagie and the SUNDAYS AT THE BAY crew, for making this possible!

- And so many other things i cannot share, or cannot remember! But i am still thankful for.

So you know what?
Allow me let my hair down this August and enjoy myself!
I want to be happy and have a ball, and i am celebrating my birthday for a whole week!
Yes boss!
Tuesday 12th (Taruwa night) - Monday 18th (Movie night) are the dates to keep in mind!

BUT!
I do think that you should also keep some other things in mind-
MY BIRTHDAY GIFTS DAMMIT!!!
I mean, you really think i am going to let you get away with not giving me anything this year?
Na beans?
Na Pasuma and Celine Dion in a duet?


No way hosea!
So get ready for the list!
These are SOME of the things i would like this year.
Thank you in advance!

- Make Up
I know! Boring right?
I thought i would start with the simple ones.
I would like, mascaras (different colours), eyeshadows, lipsticks (various shades), and powder!

- Spa Treatment / Massage
Cos my back hurts dammit!
Plus, i need to relax.
I think

- A pair of pairs of Jeans
I love jeans.
You might have noticed since i wear them 360 days in a year
And i would love some.
Thank you.

And hint hint Funke Bucknor Obruthe

- Teddy Bears and other Stuffed Animals
It is such a darn shame that a 35year old girl still needs stuffed animals to cuddle before she can fall asleep but you know what?
SUE ME!
But only after you have got me more animals to add to my collection.
I have given some away, but i still have 'Mann', 'Dog' and 'Ugly'.

- A Date
And you berrer not laugh!

Here is what i mean.
I would love to go on a nice simple date with dinner and dancing!

- 9ice
At any one of my birthday events.
Cos 9ice performing even the chorus of a song, would be one of the best gifts of the week!

HINT HINT Toni Payne!

- Supporting any of the four charities / charitable events i support.
For my birthday, i would love if you could, give your time, money, prayers, or thoughts to
: SUPPORT AN ORPHANAGE PROJECT on the 9th of August http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=25086046433

: THESE GENES by buying a wristband
www.thesegenes.org

: the LAGOS STATE BOOK DRIVE by donating 5 - 10 books to the cause (you can give the books to me and i will get them to them)
http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=20733023999&ref=mf
http://www.developmentreport.org/proj2.php

: H.I.V / AIDS AWARENESS or RESEARCH Groups.

I might be going to an orphanage as well and i will keep you updated on that, but on the 14th of August, i will be participating in an Awareness Walk in Surulere so if you would like to join us, hit me up for more info!

And now, i must leave you...
But not for long!
I will be back!

LINDA IKEJI's Event for Charity - STYLE NIGHT 4

My Blogging Colleague, LINDA IKEJI, who is also an amazing Style Entrepeuneur, will, on AUGUST 3rD, at the RUBY HALL of the GOLDEN GATE RESTUARANT, be holding a Fashion Event to raise money to get streets off the kids and into schools!

DESIGNERS exhibiting include:
Monami Fashion,
Modela Couture,
Ishy Couture,
Jim Brooks Clothing,
Steve Ray Couture,
Xzomo,
Apparel,
Alvince,
Apparel,
Will J,
Rukkies Boutique,

and DJ JIMMY JATT is the DJ for the night, with KEMISTRY makinga guest appearance as a model!

There will be music by OBIWON, M.I, DJINEE, TOBA GOLD, and SAGE will be delivering marvellous spoken word!
There will be choreography and comedy, and the host of the show is EJIKE of COOL F.M.

Tickets cost N3000, but if you want to cover it as press, then contact moi for details.

For more details on every aspect, check Linda's blog!

www.lindaikeji.blogspot.com

WHAT I AM LOVING AT THE MOMENT... end of July

Forgive me, It’s just that I was born with a Diva Attitude.
I therefore assume everyone wants to know what I care about!

August is almost here oh, and i cannot wait for it since its the month i was born!
But July is still here, and things, people and places must be loved abi?
So here goes!

MUSIC
There are nights when i go out and just want to scream. It's something positive though, i am just deliriously happy about the music!
What am i loving at the moment?
Banky W's album which i will be reviewing soon. It is a beautiful album with lovely songs, some of which are masterpieces! (And the videos are not half bad either. LOL)
Here's a heads up on my review- my favourite song is 'Dont Break My Heart'; it makes me cry!

Naeto C's P is massive; let's not even debate it... you hear?

I don't know whose idea it was, (Dbanj or Don Jazzy), but 'IGWE' is more than just an Igbo song done by a Yoruba artiste. No, 'IGWE' is a hit! As are most of the other singles on DBANJ's new album.

Durella says i am too gbaski uncode!

MTrill's single, 'Where You Dey Girl', Kel's 'Waa Wa Alright' and Flavour's 'Nabania', are simply to die for, for varied reasons.

TELEVISION
There really isn't much by way of television apart from the usual suspects but if you never saw the first two seasons, then please make sure you catch Season 3 of 'JACOBS CROSS'.
Well-written, Well-Directed, Beautifully shot with Sexy characters, it is one of the best Africa series out there! And check out our very own Akin Omotosho who fine no be small!

EVENT
s.h.a.r.e, the network for interaction and self-expression is definitely leaving its mark when it comes to social and professional networking.
LUNCH AND s.h.a.r.e and s.h.a.r.e Sunday At The Bay which hold monthly, redefined themselves in July with greater turnouts, and powerful connections.
Very exciting.

UnRuly Drinks with Bobby T was meant to be simple drinks but it turned into the event of the year when we took over Swe on Sunday the 20th. Etcetera, Dbanj, Ikechukwu and Naeto C were there!

I also have to admit though that the Collosal Live Revolution Concert also impressed me. We always like when our artistes perform live, but it is the quality and diverseness of the performances that always wins us over.
Just got back from July's edition as a matter of fact, and i must say, o wa alright!

MOVIES
Let me admit it; 'WANTED' is not the fantastic movie that it could have been and i can't quit eplace why yet.
Having said that, i will continue to watch it because i will watch paint dry if it means i can see James McAvoy in a shirt and pair of jeans, or shirtless and a pair of jeans, or shirtless, and jeans-less sef. That boy 2gbaski uncode abeg!
And Angelina and her lips were now there as well?
Even if it was paint drying, i would still have watched it!

Another movie that you should see but which i am scared of seeing, is 'Batman'.
It will be a nice movie, but i will cry a river for i have loved Heath Ledger since '10 Things I Hate About You' and it hurts that he is no longer with us.

PEOPLE
My sister is an important role model for me and i love her all the time, but this month, i just really want to say she is special; for all the things she is, and all the things she does.
www.zapphaire.com

MAN
My country people!
I am single oh
And this is where my personas come to play.
On one level, i am single and loving it. But that is Hazel, i am sure. She loves the life we live at the moment.
As for Tosyn, that one enjoys the single life but it don't mean she ain't looking.

Do you think i should do a facebook reality show where i go on dates with different guys and try to find 'The One'?
Or do you think that would be an exercise in 'HOW TO FIND THE PERFECT CREEP'?
Aloofar, abeg your opinion matters much!

LIFE
Life is a gbaladun.
It isn't always rosy, it isn't without its questions and difficulties.
But life is beautiful.
I met my uncle whom i have never met before in life randomly at the airport!
I lost work and found work!
I facebooked and blogged this!
I fell ill and got back on my feet!
I fell in love but had to let it go!
I....
I love life jo!

BUT THIS IS JUST ME OH
These are the things and people and places that i am loving at the moment.
I would love to hear from you o online community; what are YOU loving at the moment?