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Beware of Pyramid Schemes in Disguise

I'll tell you a story, but first, the familiar questions: Do you want to be financially secure? Do you want to be your own boss? Do you ...

Thursday, June 30, 2016

When Fans Bet on Your Relationship




Don't roll your eyes in irritation. This is an interesting news considering that Taylor Swift has one of the largest loyal fan bases out there. I was one of those who heard of her whirlwind romance with Tom Hiddleston just after breaking up with her boyfriend, Calvin Harris, of over a year. I was also one of those who, after seeing some romantic photos, hoped that it was a music video shoot. However, that didn't seem to be the case. Fast forward, photos have surface of Taylor Swift meeting Tom Hiddleston's mom. While this is supposed to be an aww-appropriate moment, the timing is weird. Maybe these days, people take you home to meet the parents within a few weeks of dating. Hmm, anyway, that is not my concern. My reason for writing this post is fans of Taylor also feel weird about the relationship and are betting on how long it would last. Sad, right? One would think they'd be in support of her no matter what. After all, her dating life is no news. She sings about it.



So what is it about this relationship that gives them a bitter taste? It can't be Tom Hiddleston, can it? He's a charmer and just last week, people were congratulating Taylor on her supposedly good choice. Is it because there is an actual chance of this relationship working out no natter how fast-paced it seems? Taylor's latest ex-boyfriend, Calvin Harris, has gotten enough flack because of her new romance, citing him as jealous and a sore loser. Tom Hiddleston is now getting flack for being an opportunist, using Taylor for his status. I thought Tom was a leading man in his own right and didn't need a career boost, but I guess I'm rusty in my celebrity popularity knowledge. While I'm frowning against the bet, I think Taylor's dating history and her inability to stay under the radar with her relationships are the causes of it. But who are celebs if you don't talk about them, right? Good luck to both of them.


(ukoemem - Author; Ola Y - Editor)

Wednesday, June 29, 2016

Brexit




Europeans, as well as other people in the world have voiced their admiration and concerns about the referendum of the United Kingdom's membership of the European Union. We know that UK's vote to leave the European Union won. Was it the right choice?

From BBC News


The word "Brexit" is just a combination of Britain and Exit. Everyone around the world has reacted differently to the outcome of the vote. The market reacted, the people reacted, and even the weather reacted!

Some people have applauded the UK for the bold move. Others are wondering if the UK thought about the repercussions before making this life changing decision. From where I'm sitting, a lady is talking about how her travels would be affected. Not far from us, a man is applauding the UK for "manning up," as though it's all about being bullied.

First of all, what is the European Union (EU)? Formed after World War II was "an economic and political partnership involving 28 European countries which fosters economic co-operation with the idea of trading together and avoiding conflict among each other. It soon grew to become an entity that basically acted as a "country," allowing goods and people to move around freely. It has its own currency, the euro, which is used by 19 member countries and rules that govern them.

What I'm witnessing after the decision is the uncertainty of what the future holds for the UK. What is it going to be like when the process of withdrawal begins? More and more people seem to be questioning the decision after some unfavorable reaction to the market. It cannot be easily answered if the UK is better off as part of the EU because the separation hasn't marinated yet. We have heard intellectual people with strong opinions that leaving is going to be a mistake. Maybe so,  maybe not. Every change has its repercussion. While I'm not highly versed in this topic to know if the decision is right or wrong, I hope and believe that the voters voted for reasons they thought were right. Feel free to share in the comment section if you know more about this. I'll just wait like the people in the corner who are waiting to watch this play out. On that note, I'll say, good luck UK.


(ukoemem - Author; Ola Y - Editor)


Friday, June 24, 2016

She Said Gender Equality




I'm sure that after seeing the title you're wondering what has happened to me to write on this wonderful topic? Nothing, really. I just came across something that got my blood boiling. There was an Instagram post on "instablog9ja," a talk by Olori Wuraola, the wife of the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Babatunde Ogunwusi, Ojaja II. This was at the Emerging Women's Forum, in Maryland, designed to discuss issues of gender equality.

I'm sure people who attended this were looking forward to learning more on how women could empower themselves and prove themselves that their gender shouldn't be a cause for missed opportunities. Women have to continue to work harder to show that they are not less intelligent or less powerful because they're women. Well, that wonderful day, Olori Wuraola herself said, "I am not a fan of gender equality. We can't be equal." Then she went on to talk about how women shouldn't be expected to take on roles of men. Say what? Her statement made it clear that she didn't know the meaning of gender equality.

Gender Equality is "the state in which access to rights or opportunities is unaffected by gender."

She was given a microphone to share ideas that would ultimately be imbibed by some people who may not have also known the meaning either. Her job was to talk about how the women have been affected by gender inequality and ways of improvement. Instead, she told us how we shouldn't take the role of a king and aim to be queens. Okay, Ma!

No one is equal. But everyone, man or woman, wants opportunities fair and square. Gender shouldn't be allowed to stifle progress. If a woman is qualified for a job that is traditionally male-oriented, why shouldn't she get it?

Her talk was definitely about roles in a household and not gender equality. She has her opinion on marital duties, but she wrapped her opinion in the wrong cloth. Next time when people are invited to speak on important societal matters, can their contents be screened ahead of their presentations? That would be great.

(ukoemem - Author; Ola Y - Editor)

Thursday, June 23, 2016

Shouldn't We Tell Stories Realistically?



Nothing is good about rape. It leaves victims in horrible psychological states. Even when the outward effects, such as bruises are healed, inwardly, only the victim can gauge the level of damage from which he or she suffers continuously . Knowing how deeply traumatizing rape is to people who have experienced it, and the possibility that they would painfully relive the experience when viewed on television, is it necessary for Outlander to portray that act so realistically? Will minimizing the harshness of the perpetrator and the suffering of the victim be better for viewers? Or will narrating the story as opposed to showing the gruesome act be best?

Season 1, episode 116 entitled "To Ransom a Man's Soul" was arguably one of the most talked about episodes on television in 2015 for obvious reasons. Jamie suffered a cruel sexual assault from Black Jack Randall and STARZ showed as much as possible. I remember watching - yet not actually watching because I closed my eyes more than I opened them during those brutal and extended flashback scenes.

I wasn't the only one.

Thursday, June 16, 2016

Taylor Swift and Tom Hiddleston




I don't usually post gossip but this was just too juicy to ignore. Just a few weeks after Taylor Swift and Calvin Harris split, photos have surfaced with Taylor Swift and Tom Hiddleston smooching. My eyes and mouth were wide open when I saw the photos. The comments on the have been making me laugh non-stop.



Some people have called this fling or whatever, an upgrade for Taylor. You go girl! Some are appalled and think Tom is too good for her. Some are not thrilled that Tom wouldn't take initiative and leave the drama that follows Taylor. Some think it's just a rebound thing. I think Taylor should take a break. Surely, this is just too much for the heart.



Whether it's a fling or something that would eventually blossom into more, I can't deny that they look good together. 

Friday, June 10, 2016

Broken Promises – Thoughts after watching S2E6 of Outlander entitled, Best Laid Schemes




What does it mean for an honorable man to go back on his word? We are faced with knowing that the repercussions of Jamie’s act of going back on his words are great. At the end of episode 6, we were left off with Black Jack injured in his lower extremities by Jamie, which poses the question of how Frank would exist if Black Jack is unable to get Mary Hawkins pregnant. Jamie was also arrested because of his dueling. In the process of this, Claire suffers a painful issue with her pregnancy. She watches in betrayal, how the man she loves went back on his word and cause another man dear to her heart to cease to exist.

From season 1, we know how greatly Claire and Jamie held their words and promises. Going back on a word can be very dangerous, as we saw in episode sixteen of season 1, when Claire’s capture by Black Jack puts Jamie and his men’s lives at risk. This event would have been avoided if she had just stayed put.



Now Jamie has gone back on his word, an ultimate betrayal to Claire because she doesn’t know why. Those who have read the book know why, and episode 7 might tell us why, but we can tell that it has something to do with Jamie’s visit to the brothel to take care of Prince Charles’ debts and Fergus going into that room that had the hanging red coat. In fact, Fergus’ reaction tells us who the owner of the room belongs to because Black Jack’s smirk is not one that anybody, let alone a child, could smile over.

Best Laid Schemes was heart-wrenching and a lot seemed to have gone wrong at the end of the episode. I’m left sitting at the edge of my seat as I wait for the next episode because the trailer only made me more anxious. I’m wondering if Claire would ever forgive Jamie for putting Frank’s existence in jeopardy.

(ukoemem - Author; Ola Y - Editor)

Wednesday, June 8, 2016

Sweater in the Heat


When you see a lady wearing a sweater in the height of summer, don't be too quick to judge. There is no such thing as sweater weather when the weather outside is hot and indoors is cold like a deep freezer. In the summer when people wear less outdoors, they end up having to wear more in an indoor outing. For instance, they take a sweater when they go to the movies or to the office or to attend programs that would require them to stay indoors for a long time. The cooling in buildings is so over-done that I always wonder why. 




The other day I joked that if you asked me about the clothing apart from underwear that didn't get a break, it would be the sweater. I was given a puzzled look and I explained myself. I need a sweater for buildings that feel like winter. I need it because I am never comfortable indoors with sixty degrees temperature. Sixty degrees indoors is not different from sixty degrees outdoors. They are both cold. But recently I've refrained from complaining and just focused more on comfort over trends. That seems to work for me. I loose the sweater when I'm outside and magically bring it out of my purse when I enter a building. Yes, I fold it so well it fits. The cool thing is shopping for sweaters in the summer. They're more affordable than when fall comes. Stock up on them now and don't worry about going out of style. Fashionistas do not worry about when they wear particular styles anymore because they wear it their own way. I guess what I'm saying is that you should focus more on your comfort than on trends.


(ukoemem - Author; Ola Y - Editor)

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