Friday, September 13, 2013

Friday The 13th

It used to really annoy me when Ghanaians living in Ghana (probably having lived in Gh all their lives) would get all hot and bothered because it was Friday the 13th. Seriously, I remember when I was in primary school and junior secondary, some kids would be too scared to go to school. For me, it was kind of like an American getting all excited because it's 6th March. And then someone broke up with me on a Friday the 13th.
Oh boy! Yep, he went through the whole "break up" speech and added the "it's not you, it's me" speech. And when I finally managed to get a word in, all I said was "why didn't you do this yesterday or the day before or wait till tomorrow? You just had to pick today." Of course he didn't get it and then I add, "I hope you realise today's Friday the 13th". He gets all apologetic about choosing that day, we share a good laugh, and though we get back together three days later, the day has held a new meaning for me since, and I'm not so quick to berate any Ghanaian for getting worked up because it's Friday the 13th.

All that was a couple of years ago, when life seemed so much simpler. It really is surprising though that back then, when I was much younger and supposed to be pretty immature, I didn't throw a tantrum because of the breakup. Well, right now, if a certain someone tried that, I'd be too busy mashing up his face (I hope you and the police don't read this) to remind him he shouldn't have picked a Friday the 13th to break up with me (and I so wouldn't be sharing anything with him, a good or not so good laugh).

So, on this day, I remember you. Not just because it's Friday the 13th, but because today would have been your 30th birthday, and Sunday, September 8 was eight years since you left this world.

RIP.

Thursday, September 12, 2013

Ms Naa

Oh No! don't jump the gun. Of course I'm not about to go off on her (like I usually do when someone or something ends up as title of my blog post). I love the woman (trust me, I couldn't be more straight even if you stretched me) as a radio presenter.

Naa Adzorkor Addo aka Ms Naa of YFM aka Hillary (whatever happened to her?) is the bomb (by my estimation at least).
I got enough problems in my life and enough of them to look forward to at work, so I really can't imagine what would happen to me if I should add Ghana's problems (more than likely political) to all that on my drive to work. Now, that's exactly what would happen if I should listen to some other radio station's morning programme, where there'd be a newspaper review and a discussion of the newspaper headlines. I do see some of these headlines during my morning drive, (I tinted my windows but seems I forgot I'd still be able to see outside) and the last thing I want to hear is a discussion on them. I however don't mind listening to how some dude shot himself in the groin because he forgot to put the safety catch on before putting the gun in his pocket (bizarre news).
I really am positive Ms Naa would interrupt or halt the broadcast of "Ryse and Shyne" to let listeners know a UFO landed at the airport (why do I think a UFO would land at the airport and not on someone's farm or worse yet on top of my house?) should that happen. So yes, I doubt I'd miss it if something disastrous happened in Gh just because I choose to listen to "Ryse and Shyne" (ummmm... I'm kinda sticking my neck out here, hope I'm not wrong o wonderful producers of "Ryse and Shyne").
Someone might ask, why not listen to a CD or put in an mp3 player and avoid all the political talk? I'll get to that in a bit (why I love Ms Naa's noise), but let me attempt a possible answer by saying that, in that case, who'd tell me about the UFO? Besides, with DJ Vision on the 1s and 2s, I get me some noise and real good music too (totally craving some "Loud and Live" right about now).

I remember I gave a friend a ride to work one morning and she totally didn't get why I was listening to Ms Naa. According to her, Ms Naa really makes way too much noise. Yes, I agree. Thing is, even though I've gone through the motions in the morning of getting out of bed, taking a shower, getting dressed and actually controlling a motor vehicle, at that time, I really am still somewhere between la-la land and reality (how I'm able to actually start a car in that state is beyond me). So yes, I need that noise. And yes, Ms Naa makes a whole lot of it (I thought I had an irritating laugh till I heard hers).
Now, Ms Naa, YOU CAN'T SING! Yes, you're a judge on Vodafone Icons, but trust me, being a judge on a singing show don't mean you got to know how to sing (I'm pretty sure Simon Cowell couldn't hold a note even with a gun pointed to his head). I love your noise, but not that noise. But then again, if I had my own radio show, I'd probably do all the things I want to do but can't do because I suck at them, like sing (but seriously, stick to the radio presenting, minus the singing).

There's this interesting thing though. Ms Naa has a sound for when Wolverine's thingys come out of his knuckles (she has a sound for a whole lot of things, sounds only she could come up with). She says that's the sound they make (do they even make a sound?). Well, I found myself making that very same sound when "The Wolverine" started showing in theatres. I know I got a couple of "shush" stares, but did I care? Nope (it helped that the place was dark too). I was having way too much fun, which is what I believe Ms Naa has everyday at work (except for the getting to work by 6am  part though). Ms Naa sounds so real, so natural, so like she's not faking it, so much so that I would love to have her job (except that during my reign, "Ryse and Shyne" would be "Bored at Work" or "Hating on Your Boss" and would be broadcast at noon, maybe 12:30pm). But really, I've never liked it when Ms Naa had to be away and someone else stood in for her. Ms. Naa, I hope you realise that means you having baby number two in the studio (absolutely no leave for you ever, under no circumstance, unless you got some crazed person standing in. not that I think you a crazed person. no way would I think or say or write that. promise).

All that said though, I am having this feeling that Ms Naa's daughter, when she's older, will not be liking the nickname her Mama has given her on the show. Black Ivy. Yep. Because of Beyonce and Jay Z's daughter's name. I'm wondering what baby number two's nickname will be. South East? (for anyone who didn't get that, after Kim Kardashian and Kanye West's baby).

Don't get it twisted! I wasn't paid to write this, neither was I paid to do the piece on GetFamiliar. I like to write good stuff about things I like and not so good stuff about things I don't like. What can I say, my blog's pink salt *wink* at all "Ryse and Shyne" listeners.

Monday, September 09, 2013

Twisted Things Replaced!!! (Or So I Thought)

I won't even bother with the real name of the show, so I'll stick to "Twisted Things" (after all it is my blog).

Viasat 1, seriously?
Whoever's in charge over there needs to wake up! Last week, I kept seeing ads on the station advertising "Da Kink in My Hair" (the replacement for "Twisted Things" - or so I thought) to be shown at 5:30pm on Fridays and an ad for "Twisted Things" to be shown on Saturdays at 4:30pm.

Naturally, I decided to check it out, but Friday I got caught up watching the Ghana Black Stars beat the Zambian team (honestly can't remember the name of the team), so I wasn't able to check Viasat1 at 5:30pm. Saturday, 4pm, I was glued to Viasat 1, and Glo X Factor aired. Then at 4:30pm when "Twisted Things" was to show, "Kourtney and Khloe Take Miami" showed instead. Of course I was glad that "Twisted Things" didn't show but seriously, I could think of more profitable things I could do with my time than watch anything to do with the Kardashian's (I really am not a fun of just anything just because it's coming out of the US of A). Against my better judgement, I sat through watching the dramas in the lives of Kourtney and Khloe (like I don't have enough drama in my life).

All I can say is thank God I endured 30 minutes with the Kardashian ladies because at 5pm, Viasat 1 showed "Twisted Things". Of course I'd just wasted 30 minutes watching some show about the lives of some sisters (at least it had a story line), and I wasn't about to waste another 30 minutes watching some show which didn't appear to have a story line. Just before I turned the television off, some voice comes on and announces that 5 different characters were to be played by different artistes. It appeared this was the first showing of "Twisted Things" since their break (I guess the end of one season). Now if 5 different people leave the same show (or are fired) at the same time, what does it say about the show? Come to think of it, had it been "Grey's Anatomy" or some other meaningful show, they would have found a way to exit those characters out of the drama and probably introduced new ones. Then again, I doubt 5 people would leave a serious drama series at the same time. Maybe the break was so they could find new people to play those characters.

Anyways, I wasn't interested in sitting back to see if the new actors and actresses made any difference (a good one hopefully) to the show or watch just to critique. I decided my time would be better spent with Jack Bauer. So "24" it was for me.

Viasat 1, you seriously need some restructuring. This isn't the first time you've continuously advertised a show for a certain time, which turned out to be wrong. While you're at it, please consider taking off "Twisted Tips" and "Hostel" (another very useless show I don't even want to get into). Unless really, that is the kind of station you want to be. In that case, you've lost me and quite a number of serious minded people who want to be entertained with something that actually makes sense.

Thursday, September 05, 2013

Men Run Women Cry

Roverman Productions in Partnership with Joy FM and National Theatre Presents: "Men Run Women Cry"


A play written and directed by Uncle Ebo Whyte.

Venue: National Theatre
Date: 7th and 8th September, 2013
Time: 1st show 4pm, 2nd show 8pm
Rate: GH¢50.00

Why do some women lose themselves once they get married, and move from attractive and desirable, to somewhat of a plain Jane?

Why do some women take undue advantage of men who will move heaven and earth to make them happy, knowing very well how difficult it is to land a good man these days?

Why do some men take women for granted just because they picked them up from nothing? In situations like this, what should the women do?

How many of our actions really are our own? What shows some of our actions are not controlled by outside forces?

For interesting and thought provoking perspectives to these and other issues, don't miss "Men Run Women Cry". The play started showing last weekend and will be on this weekend as well.

Tickets are available at Shell Shops at Airport, Achimota, Sakaman and Tema Community 11, Baatsona Total, Frankies Osu and Accra Mall, Joy FM and Jane Ann Supermarket.
Interested patrons with tickets from the last play can have them recharged by visiting www.rovermanproductions.com
Discounts apply to all tickets recharged online.

What can I say about this play? Well...
Can't touch this!

Cheers though to all the women who make men run, and the men who make women cry!

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