The Godmother Of Cocaine Gunned Down/Griselda Blanco

About a week ago, I saw this head line on yahoo page and thought it interesting. For me I had only know about godfathers and drug lords not godmother of cocaine, so I googled as I always do, for more information. Lo and behold, a woman named Griselda Blanco born on the 15th of February, 1943 in Cartagena Colombia, was known as the godmother of cocaine. Well she was gunned down, September 3, 2012 in Medellin, Colombia at age 69. She even did live long for a world with so much violence attached to it.

You will not believe that this lady had four kids, today only the last of her sons, which she named Michael Corlene in tribute to the godfather trilogy, is alive. She had these kids for her three husbands, whom she ended up assassinating. According to the DEA she was responsible for 250 murders potentially including three of her husbands. Even though she was arrested and served almost a decade in jail, they couldn't pin any murder to her, as the evidence was being tampered with. So after a decade of being in jail she was released, even though she was still running her drug cartel from her prison cell. It was said that she would kill anybody that tried to double cross her, in fact she killed for whatever reason and wasn't sympathetic about it. She was an inspiration in the drug world and was making close to $8 million every week in cash.


I will not tell a lie, when I read about Griselda a part of me was impressed or should I say amazed. I guess all the emotions ran through me. For me I thought for a woman, she really did succeed in a male infested organisation. Also I always will attribute the wild life of drugs and killings to men, but here is a woman who was called the godmother and was feared by both males and females alike.

Anyways after reading her history I was shocked that she grew so cold hearted within years of her being born into this world. Her first murder was committed when she was 10 years old in Colombia, she had an abusive mother, as well. By age 14 she had gotten into prostitution,etc.

If I could have had an interview with her I would have asked her whether it devastated her when she found out her sons were dead (drug related deaths). I would ask her, how she could kill her three husbands? Didn't she love them? The fathers of her kids, cos they doubled crossed her? and still live to be 69.

 Well I guess determination is the key to everything. But I will not do anything that will jeopardize the lives of my kids or other people.

N/B: Just thinking what it would have been like if Griselda was a female advocate, fighting for the rights of women? She would have been a formidable force.

Let me know what you think. Do take care of yourself and .have a lovely day.

Ciao.

Democractic Convention

I am sure every one has heard a lot about the current Democratic convention going on. Even though I try not to get into politics, I have found myself drawn to it. I love the speeches so far, I loved Castro's speech. I loved Michelle Obama's speech, Joe Biden, President Bill Clinton etc.

One thing I have found out, is that a lot of these speakers have one thing in common, they have gone through a lot of challenges at one point in their life. I didn't know until today that Vice President Joe Biden lost his first wife and daughter in a car accident when they were going to get Christmas tree.That must have been traumatic and to think that he was able to pick his life back up, get back into the system and then fall in love again to a wonderful woman, who took care of his kids.

Castro's speech was so touching. I felt goose bumps all over my body as he talked about his grandmother's journey to America. How she came to America as an orphan, how she slaved, cleaning houses in order to make a better life for her daughter, who went to college. How she prayed everyday for her daughter to give her a grandchild and she was blest with two grandsons. How she taught herself how to read in English and in Spanish...
Wow.. I was so touched. Hearing all these stories I really don't have an excuse in life why I shouldn't succeed in whatever I am doing, don't you think?

These stories have made me realize that everybody going to the top had to go through one hurdle or the order, thats just the circle of life. Yours may be different from mine, but it is there to make us stronger and be encouragements to people.


P.S. " I have finally bought a note book and a pen and I have began writing my short story. I hope to be able to finish it soon.Ii actually want the book to be a collections of short stories. Right now I have three stories, as I write I may have one or two more stories, who knows. I hope to get this one out there and published as soon as I am through. I hope I  make it, cos I just have to come out with a book before the end of next year, if not I will stop telling anybody that I am a writer...lol.

P.S. (again).. I wish our politicians will be as affectionate as the American Politicans and their spouses. Imagine Michelle introducing her husband to the whole world as the love of her life"....Awwww I am such a romantic.

Anyways do take care of yourself and have a lovely day.
Ciao 

Marketing and Giving

Hi folks!! Hope everything is k.
Today I decided to deviate a little bit from the inequality in Nigeria and talk about business.

Watching daytime TV in America has made me realize that Americans can advertise. OMG... This even makes me remember a comment Myne whitman posted. She said that her mother complained about the same thing. Even though it can get tiring, it baffles me that big companies like Walmart, Macys, Cocacola etc, make sure they market their products. Why do they spend millions of dollars on advertisements, when they are one of the strongest brands in the world?

 I think the reason is that they don't want you to ever forget that they are there/around. They want you to know that they will always be around if they can afford it. They try not to let it get into their heads that they are to big to be pulled down. This is a very good lesson for new business owners and vice versa. No matter how big your company is never forget to always be out there. When you get to the top is it very hard to stay there, cos you have a lot of competitors.

Millions of companies and people want to get to where you are. This also goes hand in hand with talents and careers. Not because you were the best in your field last year, there is a garantie that you will remain the best next year. If you don't keep on improving yourself you will never get better, only go stale. I always say this:

Micheal Phelps says no matter the day, the time, the whether, if its a holiday etc, he makes sure that he must swim. Talk about improving oneself. 

My question: why is it that when Nigerian companies stop advertising when they presume they have become the big names in the industry? In fact they actually think that they have arrived and leave the adverts for the smaller companies. Like I am trying to remember the last time a Nigerian product was in my face.

Secondly I will like to talk about giving: " I hear that in America as kids you are taught to give. What a lot of the companies have in common is giving. A lot of them give to society, help the community etc. You hear stories of children getting scholarships to go to schools, or companies rebuilding a community that was just stuck down by fire, hurricane etc.

My question: why is it difficult for companies in Nigeria to give. Will it hurt if 5o children are given scholarships? Will it hurt if a whole community is rebuilt and maintained properly, after all the resources you get, you get it from the community. I remember how long it took, The oil company to give the bonny community 24/7 electricity. Fights between the Nigerians that only wanted to get the money into their pockets, the companies wanting to run away from it.....

Lesson learnt: " no matter how little, one should give, and one should start now. Cos its a circle. Once you give you receive.
It's time Nigerian companies start giving. Its time we forget about our government and work to make our nation better.

I hope I didn't blab today, but passed the message across.

P.S: "please this is not a means to insult any company. We all are guilty of not giving, from our governement-compaines and citizens. And I will like to use this opportunity to say thank you to the Nigerian companies who have started giving back to soceity.

N/B: there is a garage sale on the 15th of September, 2012
Venue: Bibi's cottage, Admiralty way, Lekki Phase 1,
Items for sale: Vintage items clothes, shoes, accessories, books and so much more.
Time: 10 am.
All proceeds go to Bethesda Child support Agency and other Charitable causes.

Please if you are in Lagos and free do go and buy something. Your purchase will help a child.

Ciao

Divorce

Loved all the comment I got, thanks guys you are the best . Even though it is hard I will just continue being there for my friend. Anyways I decided to talk about this topic, maybe cos it comes with alot of controversy, I am not sure

the Word:  "Divorce".

I will like your honest opinions.." what do you think about Divorce?
Should couples divorce if they can't work it out?
And if they do should they remarry, even as christians?


One of the things I do not like though, in Nigeria is this: "the men who get divorced, quickly remarry and have other childrn. While the ladies just remain single for the rest of their lives. In fact society expects them to stay that way. It is almost like a taboo for a woman to remarry, even when she becomes a widow.

I can't wait to read your comments. Thank you

P.S. " Watch Restaurant Stakeout and Restaurant Impossible. I love the show, especially Restaurant Impossible.... But the dirty kitchens can be so irritating...

Do take care and have a lovely day,N I hope you'll had a lovely weekend like I did.

Ciao. 

Bachelor PAD

Hello everyone, whats up? Hope this week has been good to you as it has to me. Anyways been watching bachelor pad with my sister in law and its been so funny, I can't even imagine the twist. I am so praying for Chris to be voted out of the game but like someone said it's like he's got 9 lives as he tries everything possible not to get eliminated. I hope my prayers come to pass.

Another thing I have learnt about this reality show is that when there is money involved there is no trust.The fighting in the house has become more intense, leading me to think that everybody came in there, first of all for the money and then to have a lovely time.

K before I say ciao I want to say thank you to all my friends that read my blog and do not comment or aren't followers...
I just chatted with a friend on facebook, who actually reads my blog, He is Ivorien. He reads it even though he can't speak or understand english. He reads it through. he  google translation. He says its very tiring but he still manages to read my blog.
I am so touched and happy about this. Hearing stories like this encourages one to continue blogging and writing.

Question of the week: "what do you do to a friend that doesn't listen to advice, and always makes a mistake. Do you stop being that person's friend or continue talking. Cos it actually hurts when you watch the person, again and again make mistakes."


Do take care and have a lovely weekend .

Jerry Bruckheimer

Hello everyone, I was all set and ready to publish what I had posted when everything disappeared, just like that. You know when I told you that my laptop crashed, my brother in law found an abandoned laptop for my use. The only problem with this laptop is that it is old and has issues. In fact the key pads have a mind of their own. Well a beggar has no choice I am stuck with this till I get a new lappy or fix my old one.

Anyways today I decided to talk about my HERO after watching an episode of  CSI. I have always loved Jerry Bruckhiemer's work, but never taken the time to check him out. Well I did that today and I was amazed. let me fill you in:

Jerry Bruckheimer born September 21, 1945, son of a German-Jewish immigrant, born in America. Graduated with a degree in psychology from University of Arizona with an algebra minor. In 1970 he started producing films. From 2010, Bruckheimer has produced over 40 feature films and is regarded in the industry as one of the most successful film producer of all time. His production: eleventh hour, CSI Crime Scene Investigation, CSI Miami, CSI:NY, Cold Case etc.

2007 he was ranked number 39 on Forbes Celebrity 100 list As of 2011 his net worth: $850 million...


I can go on and on, about this guy but men I love his work and I love his achievements. He is in entertainment and that is my forte... From Watching Michael Phelps and the American female athletics team in the Olympics I can see determination, focus and strong will....


We all need this in our every day life... what ever we do we should just focus on the light at the end of the tunnel and not the obstacles at the beginning... As I speak this, I know I am not good at this at all, I must confess. I usually give up after the first try, but little by little I have to learn that I must continue no matter how many times I try, till I finally succeed.

I hope this all makes sense and we can put it to work. Do take care of yourselves and have a lovely day... Make sure you make a difference always.

Enjoy your weekend.

N/B: For more info on Jerry Bruckheimer: wikipedia... That's where I got my info from.

Ciao.

Working From Home

Okay last time I posted about being your own boss and the challenges. I learnt a lot from your comments and I have decided to put it into practice.
Today I meet a photographer who has her studio in her house. I had a little interview with her:

Me: How did you get into owning your own business?
Donna: I was laid off work and I decided why don't I go and do my own thing. I have a big house and working from home will give me time with my kids, little money for better education and have time to indulge in my fantasties, like playing lawn tennis on a Monday morning instead of slaving myself at work. I also decided to use my house, to save a lot on over-heads.
Me: How are you able to stay on track and stay focused?
Donna: I always think of what I want to accomplish when I am down. I started this to give my kids a better life, be there with them almost at all times. So this keeps me focused and I stay on track, and its also fulfilling doing something that makes you fulfilled. Remember I started off taking pictures for free, before I went professional.
Me: How do you joggle family and business?
Donna: I don't deceive myself that I am superwoman, so I do not do everything. As much as I am over protective of my kids I also teach them to be independent. I have a nanny who helps me around with the little ones, the cleaning of the house etc. This way I am not fagged out when the hubby gets home after work or when the kids want some little attention..if you know what I mean
Me: Thank you Donna really appreciate. Will look at the mark always not back down.

I hope you enjoyed my little interview, please let me know how you stay on track and stay focused.


P.S: "I have been off BB for almost a month now and I haven't died or fallen sick. Good to know I can switch the button on and off. Good to know that I can set my phone aside during work hours and concentrate.

Do take care of yourself and have a lovely week ahead.
Ciao.