The Tellrhodes Blog

Your amazing writer whose post we know you were looking forward to will like us to let you know that he didn’t forget you but will have to be away this week due to some unforeseen circumstances he will be back in due time. Much love Thanks for your patience

CORONA: UNTOLD STORIES Currently, I am writing a short story series on the corona virus situation and the lockdown effects on people. This is the 12th episode. For more, please check my facebook page @alkaliamana or my twitter handle with the same name. Enjoy! The heat was too much to handle and it made Enemaku turn on his bed again and again as he sought some breeze to cool off. What's worse? Periodically, he suffered the droning sounds of mosquitoes zooming past his ear. He almost slapped himself at his last attempt to kill one of such mosquitoes.  He sat up, tired and frustrated, not knowing what to do. He grabbed his phone. It was 01:34am. His frustration grew and he hated his room. Sweat trickled down his body and he made for the bathroom. His temperature was rising, he noticed after cleaning his body. It usually happened when he didn't sleep enough. He shifted his bed to one of the two windows in his self-contained apartment and hoped for a respite from there. None...

BORED? Sit tight. Currently, the world is experiencing a pause situation as a result of the Corona pandemic almost everywhere and governments have issued lockdown orders in affected countries. Our country is one of such places where the lockdown is gradually exerting its weight on everyone as we hope for the best. Since most of us will be home and probably bored from inactivity, I thought to share some tips that could be useful - 1. There is a forecast of a deep recession when the world wakes up from this sleep caused by the corona virus and this presents an opportunity for an individual to come up with a good business plan to implement at the time. Look for what shall be heavily in demand at such time and invest in it. Have a start up that can fit into the dynamic that will be created. Build services that will be useful and needed. 2. You can use this time for deep reflection and personal development. You can assess your self and come up with a better version than you have ...

*THE CORONA EFFECT* You can see the literal fear in everybody's eyes. The world is in a frenzy given the recent turn of events to which it has never been accustomed.  Maybe, the world has experienced a shutdown of this magnitude before but not without the direct hand of a supernatural being and that was in ancient times if one may say. Here, however is a shutdown in modern times that has never been experienced before. Even science shirked at the first instance admitting the novelty of the situation confronting it. The harbinger of an untimely exit is what faces the respective governments of the world with regards to their citizens. Think about it. What could have caused such powerful outbreak, string enough to melt the world in every ramification. Socially, we are distancing ourselves from each other. Physically, everyone abhors contact at the moment. Mentally and educationally, we are challenged by this novel virus. Emotionally, we are left distraught. Economically, all sect...

COVID-19 We shall in due time continue with the Rocky episode, but for now, let's talk something else. The global pandemic keeping everyone shut at the dining table - the Coronavirus. It is enough to hear of its effects, but the real question is - What is Coronavirus? Below, I provide us with a report by the World Health Organization about the virus: Coronaviruses (CoV) are a large family of viruses that cause illness ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases such as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS-CoV) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS-CoV). Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is a new strain that was discovered in 2019 and has not been previously identified in humans. Coronaviruses are zoonotic, meaning they are transmitted between animals and people.  Detailed investigations found that SARS-CoV was transmitted from civet cats to humans and MERS-CoV from dromedary camels to humans. Several known coronaviruses are circulating in animals that hav...

*ROCKY II* The film opens with the ending of its predecessor, Rocky, with Apollo Creed (Carl Weathers) successfully defending his world heavyweight title courtesy of a split decision. Both fighters are taken to the same hospital due to the extent of their injuries from the match, where Apollo challenges Rocky (Sylvester Stallone) to a rematch in front of press. Rocky declines and declares his retirement, his decision supported by his girlfriend, Adrian (Talia Shire), and doctors, who reveal he will require surgery for a detached retina which could lead to permanent blindness. After Rocky is discharged from the hospital, he begins to enjoy the benefits of his life's changes resulting from the match: Rocky's new fame attracts him an agent who sees Rocky as a potential endorsement and sponsorship goldmine and his sudden wealth encourages him to propose to Adrian. She happily accepts and they marry in a small ceremony. Soon after, Rocky and Adrian happily learn that Adrian i...

ROCKY I (continued) The Italian stallion got the message but he thought he was to spar until he realized he was to dig it with Apollo Creed. Here's where we continue with the story we left off last week. With a looming fight with the World Heavyweight champion, Rocky took to intense training with Mickey, the old boss. A new life was injected and he pushed himself to the deepest limits running miles every morning, hitting punch-bags all day long, sparring with available partners who are good and a whole lot of baggage that teaches lessons about life. A night to the fight, Rocky lay with Adrian, his girlfriend, doubting his ability to win, but he made a resolution. He would go the distance even if he didn't win. Later, standing in the ring the evening of the next day, the determination coursed through his veins revealing their overwhelming potency in his eyes. Apollo envisaged a knockout at most in the fourth round, but no, he was denied such victory as Rocky dug in with h...

ROCKY I Thirty (30), broke, a collector for a mafia boss,  a local boxer with a slurred manner of speech - southpaw & a man trying to woo the most shy girl in the city. Put all of these together and you will get Rocky Balboa, the Italian Stallion. Rocky I is a movie that brings to fore what opportunities can do to a man when he takes them, no matter how insurmountable they appear. The movie is still as relevant (to me) as when it was featured in 1976. It's lessons remain true and the resilient character of a determined man can be bought off its screen. The movie begins with Rocky shown as a local boxer with a decent record out of the local fights he had engaged in, and he also acted as the thug or macho collector of a mafia boss who loaned out money to people from which he made some extra bucks to fare with. As a boxer, he idolised Rocky Marciano and worked out at Mickey's gym where an old local trainer ran his business of coaching and teaching boxing. Meanwhile, h...

WHO WE ARE Before we begin fully with the next rocky series, consider this and see what you gain from it. How else do we raise hell than for what we have. For a long time we have believed in the existence of the nonexistent because we had been made to do so. The viper doesn't sleep for nothing but its tail remains active in its pursuit of defense. It handles what life brings to it. How many prophets shall we hear before we become so ourselves for we refuse the culture within and break the bricks without. We all have a mission together, but for a common purpose we shall not strive to fulfilment. The seeds of tomorrow will bring us to the table, to eat together, and shall we stare them in the eye, providing nothing? We have tomorrow says the devil, the evil of misfortune, the creator of negligence. We have followed this path long enough to root out its existence, but no, we help him create inertia. What man holds no sway over his decisions, show me and I will show you the ...

NEW YEAR INSPIRATION The year is into full swing already Tellrheaders, but for all we have missed so far, I wish you a Happy New Year. There are a lot of things that come with the new year - resolutions, tasks etc. However, one must be inspired to achieve. For inspiration, where do you look? Lets take you back to the 70's, 1976 to be precise. The first movie of the Rocky series was born, produced out of a brilliant manuscripts written by a film actor who was struggling financially and had his backyard problems to solve. The actor and writer of this wonderful piece wrote the first manuscript in under twenty hours, after seeing the boxing match between Muhammad Ali and Chuck Wepner. That actor/writer is Sylvester Stallone and today the Rocky franchise ( if I may call it so) is a recognized international movie with great acclaims, enough to earn Stallone a place in the International Boxing Hall of Fame in a non-commissioned for playing the role of Rocky. When Stallone wrote...

We? We are building stories... Who we are. What we are.  Where we are. How we are. We are building now to answer the eternal question of posterity and its representations. For each letter we use, each word we say, each sentence we think of and even the plans we design. It is the little things we do that matter. In their entirety, where neglected, can cause a catastrophe. So, almost everyday you see people fail in their task and you wonder why one succeeds and the another fails. Baffling as it may sound, sometimes the circumstances are unfavorable to the one who succeeds and favorable to the one who fails. What then leads to success? So many formulas have been expended on this matter and a lot will still be dealt with, but in summation, one post captures it as 'Attitude' being the benchmark of success and out of attitude comes dedication, desire and commitment, alongside patience and persistence to succeed. Think about it. What's your 'Story'? Help us in...

When tomorrow comes It's best you have a story to tell The ultimate narrative Of your time and element When today asks It's best you gain an answer The beautiful solace of each passing moment When the future comes... Run your comments and thoughts Tellrheaders. Happy Saturday! 👤: Alkali Amana FB: Alkaliamana IG: Alkaliamana TW: Alkaliamana Email: alkaliamana@gmail.com

Vividly, I can remember the scenes from the past when we traveled to and fro from the South to the North with our parents. The green of the south had its lure during the rainy season which it entertained us with until it handed us over to the sparse grounds towards the North. As a kid, I heard people commending the security forces (especially the Nigerian Army) of the Nation for their patriotism and refusal to compromise in any situation. Of course, it was common notion that the police took bribe and in a common denomination that had the face of a former Head of State on it. As we traveled, I watched the modus operandi of the Nigerian Army and it was strictly the call of duty that they answered. I didn't see them stretch their arms out for peanuts at any point. They ran a due search on each vehicle they found suspicious. One time, I dozed off sleeping and the soldier at the checkpoint requested that they wake me up so he could verify that I was not kidnapped. That was duty and...

MEMOIRS 4 When you are caught by the throes of life, it seems impossible that you will make it out. Stay in there; if it's for a cause worth living. Don't worry if you weren't any better earlier, if you disappointed, if you failed in some aspects, if everything spites you, if you have not attained your potential. Redefine your story and see the cause out. Recreate and reconnect. Reconsider and rework. There are a lot of ways to appreciate and gain relevance. May you find your path or may your path find you. Run your comments and thoughts Tellrheaders. Happy Saturday! 👤: Alkali Amana FB: Alkaliamana IG: Alkaliamana TW: Alkaliamana Email: alkaliamana@gmail.com WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THIS POST LETS TALK IN THE COMMENT SECTION DON'T FORGET YOU CAN FOLLOW THIS BLOG JUST CLICK THE BUTTON TO YOUR RIGHT ON THE HOME PAGE, ALSO FOLLOW ME ON MY PERSONAL SOCIAL MEDIA HANDLES ABOVE❤... WE APPRECIATE YOU!

MEMOIRS 3 Behind the mask A cast of Machiavellian Whose unsated mouth bore the marrow Task the fragile to bury the frame What sins committed Under the guise of Caesar They came as saviours With a promise of 'Change' A 'change ' futile to the fragile In its season of sowing, it claims Tilling the field for bountiful harvest To bury the seeds, to bury the fragile A reinvention We are now born anew but same Just a 'change' of name We are now at our 'Next Level' HABI x Alkali Amana Run your comments and thoughts Tellrheaders. Happy Saturday! 👤: Alkali Amana FB: Alkaliamana IG: Alkaliamana TW: Alkaliamana Email: alkaliamana@gmail.com

MEMOIRS 4 Somewhere along in life we ought to discover what makes us tick. For some people, it is a new pastime. Others would get to know or meet new people. It's all a channel and means of release  very relevant as much as it has that element of novelty. Cities fascinate, and visiting them could prove to be a novel experience. It opens the mind to travel and find one's way through the meandering or straight roads of different respective places. Different places with much stories, all of the bustling activities that go on in the day and the silence of night. Which is the city you have visited that granted you an exhilarating experience? It need not be Dubai or London. It only needs your naivety and cooperation. Learn to travel and appreciate places... Run your comments and thoughts Tellrheaders. Happy Saturday! 👤: Alkali Amana FB: Alkaliamana IG: Alkaliamana TW: Alkaliamana Email: alkaliamana@gmail.com

THIS ACCENT THING, NA BY FORCE? Back then in secondary school, we had this subject called “Elocution” where external teachers come in to teach us how to speak in the “right diction”. It was educating and mostly entertaining to hear Nigerians who are not bred abroad trying to teach you how to speak right and twist your tongue to a particular accent. Then in school it was made compulsory we speak in the right diction to the extent that our normal greetings to teachers changed. Even with all the wahala our principal did, most of us still maintained our normal accent. I can remember vividly then that my Economics teacher told us in class that most of us that are refusing to adopt to speaking in the right diction will be the ones who will eventually get to the university and change our names from Funke to Mirabel. His predictions partially came true. Imagine me getting to the university and meeting people trying to twist tongues to speak the American accent. I am not against it, in fact...

So,  I began this short story series and I release it in episodes. Guess the title - 'LA Casera!'. It has a striking element. Do well to read and get back to me. To read it, follow the instructions on the picture above. Run your comments and thoughts Tellrheaders. Happy Saturday! 👤: Alkali Amana FB: Alkaliamana IG: Alkaliamana TW: Alkaliamana Email: alkaliamana@gmail.com

MEMOIRS 3 Sharing experiences are beautiful, and these days the dread of being robbed is an active part of life on campus for most students. A robbery experience can cause a split in a relationship. Here is my story. A guy and his girlfriend visited a female friend and after some time together, bandits came knocking trying to force down the door to come in. Consider  this: What would an average person do? Well, the guy ran into the toilet and locked it up leaving the two ladies outside and to their fate whatsoever when the robbers come in. The robbers came in, harassed the ladies and took their gadgets including phones and other devices. After the incident, the guy remained locked up and refused coming out to the cries of the ladies for fear of being robbed. The dilemma: Was it sufficient that the girl broke up with the guy on such grounds? Run your comments and thoughts Tellrheaders. Happy Saturday! 👤: Alkali Amana FB: Alkaliamana IG: Alkaliamana TW: Alkaliam...

MY MEMOIRS 2 I gained obsession with one my wristwatches - vintage black and white surface - and no thought to part ways with it has conquered my belief yet. I learned something - the essence of time. With each tick and tock, life stares deep to remind me of tasks ahead. I wonder what time means to every individual, but it makes the difference, everyone knows. Moments make men and men make moments. Defining or not, seconds cause a reaction beyond the present. We live on the predication of now. There were times. There was a time I crawled. There was a time I toddled. There was a time I began running. And, there was a time I began jumping. When we grew up, the Sahara and sun of the North call our attention to the long days we lived. Now, the weather and the Savannah call us to the shortness of time. I preach not, I tell. I know of no better tomorrow without a beautiful foundation today. What's your 'Story'? Run your comments and thoughts Tellrheaders. Happy Satu...