GHANA MUSIC AWARDS FESTIVAL 2011

ENGLAND vs GHANA (INTERNATIONAL FRIENDLY)

ENGLAND 1 - 1 GHANA

FROM TRO-TRO WITH LOVE (PART 2)

 

.........The mate jumped in, or rather squeezed in and somehow managed to roll the door shut. He gestured and shouted ‘Massa away’. Finally, we had set off on our morning trip. As l sat squished up between Ekuba and another passenger I could not help but day dream. I had known Ekuba for almost six months counting back to the first day we met at the station. We had immediately struck an acquaintance. I knew she worked as a sales personnel for an insurance company and lived with her parents, beyond that I knew little about her. I wonder why I never noticed how nice she smelled or how curvy she was. Being squeezed by a beautiful girl has its perks especially if it’s beside a beautiful girl. Come to think of it, I actually knew more than I realized. She had big beautiful brown eyes set in an oval face, she was tall and slender. She was quiet and polite but I suspected she had a sharp tongue because of a fracas she had with mate once.

I was jolted out of my reverie as the bus sputtered to a halt. What now! As much as I enjoyed my rides on the bus I just couldn’t get used to the constant breakdowns that seemed to be part and parcel of the package. Apparently, we had run low on fuel and to add insult to injury we had taken a short cut off the main road to avoid traffic, which meant all the buses plying that route were full. We all stumbled out of the bus amidst murmuring and sucking of teeth.
‘Driver ad3n’
‘One gallon! One gallon! Mo p3 saa’.
‘Enti anapa nso mu shortee’
The snide remarks continued till we realized the problem wasn’t getting solved by our rants. The driver apologized heavily and chastised the mate for not filling the tank the night before. This accusation did not sit too well with the mate who grumbled as he was handed the gallon to go get diesel from the nearest station. A few passengers who couldn’t stand waiting angrily trudged in the direction of the main road.

With this new development, I looked round to see if Ekuba had also decided not to wait. I saw her waiting patiently by the bus. I knew I had to get to work early but I just couldn’t let this opportunity pass by. I walked towards her and asked whether she wasn’t in a hurry to get to work. Apparently she wasn’t, ‘A fa’!
We started talking and i realized we had attended the same primary school and had at one point in time lived in the same area. What a small world. We shared a mutual love for soccer even though we were on opposing sides. While she supported Chelsea I was a diehard United fan. She was also a proud book worm who loved reading and hoped to publish her own book some day. I felt so at ease talking to her that I didn’t even realize when the mate returned with the fuel. He filled the tank and the driver started the engine.

As we boarded the bus I tried to assume my old position but the mate rudely shouted, ‘coat coat, empty seat dey for back; meaning I should move to the row at the back. I was in such a good mood so i wasn’t perturbed. It appeared that, he had seen me talking to Ekuba and had decided to thwart my plans; he managed to seat us apart but that was all he could do. Ekuba and I had exchanged numbers and had planned to watch the next FA cup fixture together. It looked like finally the fates had smiled on me. It was true that I was going to spend the valentine’s day alone but the future looked very bright.

By E.B.
qtalkgh@gmail.com

CONFIDENCE VS ARROGANCE

 

Arrogance should never be confused with having an innate sense of self-respect and healthy confidence. Initially, these character traits may come across as similar, but if you look more closely, you will readily perceive how differently they manifest themselves in real life. With a little effort and insight, you can avoid the mistake of misidentifying a sense of self-importance and superiority with the real deal: a truly confident person with an inherent sense of peace, an openness to others’ thoughts and lifestyles, and with nothing to prove to anyone else. Let’s look at a few major differences between leading a self-assured life and a self-inflated existence.

Arrogance can often come from self-misconception and false perception, an inflated ego that tells the person they are better than all others around them. How a person views themselves is often contrary to how the rest of the world views them. Even if arrogant people truly have more talent than others in a given field, the idea that they are superior to others because of this talent still represents a skewed perception of themselves. After all, no one is perfect, everyone has faults, and there’s always someone out there better than you at your talent.

Arrogance is often an attempt by someone with low self-esteem to gain praise from others through false confidence. Through seeking praise from the outside world, they hope to gain a feeling of worth that they may not otherwise feel in themselves. Conversely, people with confidence are comfortable with their accomplishments remaining under wraps, and have no compelling need to consistently brag about their achievements.

Another aspect of arrogance is that it does not lead to loyal relationships, as arrogant individuals seem to only attract those who are looking to use them for the very things they brag about. Then, too, they might attract others with equally inflated egos, where their main connection is boasting of their accomplishments together and making others feel inferior to themselves. These types of negative relationships do not weather the harder times in your life, when things get difficult or problems arise. When the going gets tough, these fair-weather friends will be nowhere to be found.

Confident people, on the other hand, don’t need to belittle or put down others with less success in their lives in order to feel better about themselves or their accomplishments, as arrogant people often do.
Confidence has humility embodied within it, an inner strength that does not diminish others, but lifts them up with the unperceivable shining of their light – a sort of charisma resulting from a surety in who they are as human beings. Arrogance, on the other hand, has a person claiming, even demanding their proper respect and “adoration” from those beneath them, who they perceive to be cut from lesser cloth.

Confident people tend to be more aware and accepting of those times when they aren’t always in the right. They can live with the idea that no one is perfect and don’t feel unduly threatened when confronted with their mistakes or limitations. In contrast, arrogant people tend to think only their vision is correct, unlike confident people who are able to see other points of view, and if necessary, adjust accordingly.

People with confidence are not upset when challenged by others, whether the debate is regarding ideas, abilities, or opinions. Confident people are open and accepting of different viewpoints, while arrogant people often do not allow much room for debate, insisting instead that their thoughts and beliefs are the only ones that count.

Clearly, confidence and arrogance are on opposite ends of the character spectrum with one emerging as a virtue and the other, a most unpleasant vice.

FROM 'TRO-TRO' WITH LOVE (PART 1)

♫…this love will last though years may go ♫

For some not so strange reason this was the song that rang through my head as I prepared for work on the 14th of February. Over the years I have come to understand the term ‘unlucky in love’. The world designated ‘lovers’ day always found me single, either I had been dumped at the beginning of the year or I had hit a dry spell. I was therefore indifferent to the happenings of that day and it would have passed unnoticed had it not been for the bright red hampers gracing most shop fronts and the plentiful adverts in the media. So back to the story, I made sure my attire for the day had no traces of red or any of its derivatives and I set of for the trotro station. I don’t about you but, my morning and evening rides to and from work are most times the highlights of my otherwise monotonous days. Working a white collar job can get tedious and boring so I always look forward to these rides. I so patronized this mode of transportation that I have made a few good friends at the station. Fellow passengers like me who have found their services indispensable.

I got there just in time to catch the last seat; I hopped in and was expecting the mate to call the driver. I was shocked when he shouted;
‘Eny3 mma y3; last one’
But where are you going to sit? I retorted.
My question was met with silence as he scanned the station in search for God knows what. A woman sitting close to me shouted;
Heh, Mate, some of us have real jobs to go to eh
This drew the attention of the other passengers in the bus, who started shouting at him to go and call his master since the bus was full. The mate stood unfazed by the commotion in the bus. Just as some passengers threatened to come off board we saw a young lady rushing towards the bus. I realized that it was Ekuba, one of the first friends I had made at the station whilst queuing for a bus. When she got to the entrance she realized the bus was full and turned to wait for the next bus. The mate who was watching the whole time hurriedly pulled down his seat and offered it to her. That was when it dawned on me that he had been waiting for her all along. I also realized he was clad in a red up and down get up with clean shaven face and well trimmed hair…..TO BE CONTINUED.
BY E.B
w: www.facebook.com/qtalkgh
e: qtalkgh@gmail.com

HOW TO PREPARE FOR A DATE

You've snagged a date with someone special, and now you've got the chance to make an impression. Preparing for a date can be nerve-wracking, but can be approached in a step-by-step manner that'll assure you make it to your date fully prepared. The rest is up to you.

1.     Do some homework.
 In the days before a date, take time out to catch up with current events and hot topics. These are great conversation starters and you will be able to impress your date with your knowledge. Try to remember as much as you can about previous conversations together so you can follow up on them. Have a couple of funny stories or conversation pieces up your sleeve in case you need them. There are now many dating advice online forums and sites that one can access in the internet. The problem with some of these sites is that they are not actually made by professionals who have studied and researched their dating advice. It would be prudent to also consider the legitimacy of the dating advice as well as the veracity of it.
2.     Start looking and feeling good in advance.
Set time aside for exercise in the days before the date, whether it's yoga or push ups. Eat well and get plenty of sleep.
3.     Pick your clothes early.
 You should have several outfits laid out before the day of the date. This way you won't have any last minute panics when you realize you have an ab3 nkwan  stain down your favourite shirt. Plus, it will allow you to try on a few different looks on the day of the date and see which one fits your mood most comfortably at the time.
4.     Clean up on the day of the date.
Take a nice, long shower or bath. Ensure you have clean hair and nails. You should smell good, but not overpowering. Avoid heavy perfumes and aftershaves, especially if your date could be allergic. Ladies, go easy when applying make-up and aim for a natural but groomed look. If things go well he will eventually see you without make-up - and you will want him to recognize you at that point. Shortly before leaving for your date, floss and brush your teeth thoroughly.
5.     Think positively.
You're going out to enjoy yourself, after all. Don't start worrying about what disasters could happen, because that way they are far more likely to. If you are getting nervous, call a good friend, watch your favourite comedy show or listen to upbeat music. Loosen up. Focus on having fun and you inevitably will.
6.     Be punctual.
Give yourself plenty of time to get to your rendezvous. Keeping your date waiting will start things off on the wrong foot.




WARNING

• Never put yourself in a compromising situation--most people are trustworthy, but "date rape" is unfortunately a real occurrence. Always have a first date in a public setting (restaurant, movie, club, mall, etc.) Only accept drinks served from a bottle or can opened by you or in front of you, or by a third party (like a bartender). Unfortunately, there are drugs ("date rape drugs") that can be added to ANY drink without any noticeable difference in taste. Some people use these drugs to put women (and sometimes men) in precarious situations. If you turn away from your drink, get into the habit of covering it with your hand, as it only takes a second to slip something into a drink. If you are suspicious, get a new drink.
• If you feel something's wrong, trust your instincts and politely but firmly end the date.
• Be sure to always have a cell phone and cash for a cab so that you never feel you have to rely on your date for a ride home.
• Always be careful about alcoholic intake.
• Try to be as honest as possible to your date, otherwise it could come back and bite you later on if it does end up working out between you two.

     
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GETTING A TATOO

The art of tattooing is a trend which has caught on fast with the youth in Ghana, but I doubt if most of its patrons have stopped to find out more about it.

I searched for information about the subject and was amazed to find a wealth of information on the subject. I have put together the information in a form we can all appreciate and assimilate.

ORIGINS

Did you know……….

The word tattoo was coined from the Polynesian word ‘Tatau’ back in the year 1769

It is practiced by cultures across the continent from as far back as the Paleolithic/Neolithic period
It is done for spiritual, cosmetic, identification, religious ,medical and social reasons.
It involves inserting ink into the dermis layer of the skin
The first Ink machine was invented in 1891,before then tattoos were made by scarification using knives and other sharp objects.
Natural Dyes and Ink have now been replaced by inorganic products composed of titanium oxide and iron oxide
Tattoo ink have been known to cause allergic reactions and blood borne infections
Tattoo ink have been proven to cause interference in MRI procedures especially those containing iron oxide
All tattoo parlours in the developed world are regulated the states food and drugs regulatory body
Tattoo artist are expected to undergo hygiene training before practicing.

One interesting thing about those getting tatoo is those who are dark skinned aka 'KOO JACKIE or KOO DARKIE'. You can hardly has been design on the skin yet they go in for it. It was very fuuny watch a TATOO artist on the ONE SHOW on VSAT 1 , a Ghanaian tv station. The Tatoo artist said he educates his potential clients on the advantages and disadvantages of getting a Tatoo. Then the host of the show noticed he himself (the tatoo artist) has NO TATOO on his skin, not even a single mark. His reason was , he didnt want it on his skin since taking it off is 'impossible'  but loves to design them on people. This is just like  'shoe makers' who walk around in town with torn 'chale wote' .

In Ghana, before TATOO became common, when you see someone with a TATOO, you begin to have a funny perception about the person. Its either the person is 'wild' or 'criminal' since those with TATOOS in the yankee movies we watch were the 'KILLERS'. Now, it has become a 'fashon' for a lot of people to get a TATOO. One group of people who have really caught up with it are the SPORTS men and women especially football players. It sometimes look great, others are horrible.

So folks before you enter that TATOO shop to get one, think seriously about it especially the health and social implications and ask yourself ....." DO I NEED TO GET A TATOO ?"

This is food for thought for the discerning reader.

By

E.B and Q.B

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e: qtalkgh@gmail.com

MEN AND WOMEN

So I’m walking into a shop, and a good looking man walks past me, and let the door slam into my face. Gosh! I thought, he’d started looking kind of ugly, and immediately you are thrown off by his atrocious manners!!!

I didn’t know whether to tap him on the shoulder, and say hey, what happened to chivalry?

After all, perhaps the guy was in a hurry to get to the men’s room. Maybe he didn’t even see me, although I’m over six feet tall and hardly unnoticeable.

Don’t get me wrong, not all men deliberately do this, and not all women are saints, but there are some basic etiquettes when it comes to knowing how to treat people in certain situations.

My grandmother used to say, your mama didn’t teach you well. This was her answer to every door slammed in her face, but really, it’s about having common courtesy and class.

Do we have to wait for our mother’s prompting before we know what to do?  Have we become so driven and busy that we haven’t got a clue about what’s right and wrong or expected? 

I’ve come up with this  little list of dos and don’ts for you this week, which I hope you’ll be able to enjoy and or apply.Ladies, don’t show up for a first date looking like you’re going for a wild night out with the girls.

Guys, always open the door for a woman; This includes car doors too. You’ll be fondly remembered for this.

Ladies always have enough money to pay for your half of the dinner. Not every man will admit to you that he can’t manage the whole bill when you ask him out for a meal, so don’t make assumptions.

Men, try to understand that leaving a woman stranded after a late night out, as you go roaring off into the night with friends is not on. Take her safely home, even if she says she’s okay on her own.

Women, you can like someone a lot, but behave in a demure fashion in the company of a man. They are scared off by stalker type of behaviour.

Guys, just because a woman shows that she likes you, by picking up a few groceries for you, and cooking you a nice meal, does not qualify her to assume the responsibilities of a wife thereafter.

 You still have to do your own washing guys!

Lastly, we can always discuss our expectations for each other’s behaviour in a calm and respectful way.  If anything, it will save a million female faces in the doorways of Accra, and prevent masses of men’s dirty laundry piling up! At the same time, remember to keep love everlasting in your hearts.