One Illustrious Thinker

3 OF A KIND : morality | rationality | impartiality

2011-02-21T11:48:00.000-06:00

In order to understand morality, it is important to have a vast knowledge on the role rationality and impartiality plays. Morality in itself is not a derivation from the concepts of rationality and impartiality; rather the close ties between these three concepts make up a justification for morality. Evil is that which all rational creatures seek to avoid, namely, death and suffering. The worst evils are far more important in terms of their effects than the greatest goods, and that it is therefore appropriate for morality to emphasize the avoidance of evil. No rational being seeks to harm itself just for the sake of it.

The fundamental sense of rationality has distinct features of which will be explained below. One feature is an explicit recognition that acting rationally requires no more than avoiding acting irrationally. Irrational actions rather than rational actions are fundamental; rational actions share no distinctive common feature except not being irrational. This way of defining a rational action has the desirable result that the importance of the category of rationally allowed actions is apparent. What is of particular philosophical interest is that in cases of conflict between morality and self-interest, it always will be rationally allowed to act in either way.

Another feature is the hybrid character of rationality. An action can count as irrational in the basic sense only if it causes, or significantly increases the risks of, some harm to oneself. However, the reasons that can justify harming oneself, that is, that can make harming oneself rational, are not limited to beliefs about harms and benefits to one self. Beliefs about harms and benefits to others can be better or stronger reasons than beliefs about harms and benefits to one self. The strength of reasoning is completely determined by which otherwise irrational actions it can make rational. This hybrid character reinforces the conclusion that in cases of conflict between morality and self-interest, it is rationally allowed to act in either way.

Another feature is that, when functioning as the fundamental normative concepts, reasons, rationality, and irrationality are identified by their content rather than by means of some formula. An action is irrational in the basic sense only if it causes, or significantly increases the risks of (avoidable) death, pain, disability, loss of freedom, or loss of pleasure for oneself, and no adequate reason exists for the origin of the action. On the flip side, rationality involves avoiding one or more of the undesirables in the previous list, and gaining greater consciousness, ability, freedom, or pleasure for anyone.

This particular account of morality has all of the features that most people take morality to have. It not only has the content that people normally take morality to have, it is related to impartiality and rationality in the way that most people think. This relationship is much weaker than many scholars may have wanted, but it is as strong as one can make it without significantly distorting one or more of the concepts involved.

..::GIDI::..

Reference

• Gert, B. (1998). Morality: its nature and justification. Oxford University Press, USA

Break the silence, Question the norm

2011-02-16T09:07:00.001-06:00

Have you ever realized that the one-word question 'why?' always gets you one step closer to authority? The truth is that knowledge is truly power and its lack thereof subjects the mind to slavery unto those who hold the power. This particular post is personalized to ask the question - why? While the intent of taking shots at any individual is not at hand, its purpose is to challenge those involved mentally.

Growing up, it was expected that you respected any one older than you regardless of the quality of judgement the older individual held. To some extent, experience was the royal scepter that was held by elders to control those in a low age bracket. Parents commonly told their children to be good in school, get good grades, be the best at what they do, take the first position by all means, never tell lies, never cheat, seek advise when needed, go the extra mile, make friends with the right folks, never follow the joneses, be yourself. Anyone reading this can identify with at least one that their parents constantly told them. I have no problem with these ideals as they are fantastic values to instill in a child. My question pokes into the thought of whether these ideals stick because the people we call parents, who by the way were taught the same, fail to use them as leaders in their nation. Does this mean that hypocrisy plagues the thoughts of those we call parents? The people we call Presidents, Prime Ministers, Governor are themselves parents to children and know to some extent, the difference between good and evil.

Imagine a father punishes his kid for cheating on a test but meanwhile as Chairman of the Electoral Board, the father assists in rigging an election, robbing people of expressing their rights. A mother who tells her child not to follow the crowd, compromises on the manufacturing quality of her products and services because other people are doing it without consequence and reaping massive rewards. A father who says he expects nothing but the best from his son, builds public infrastructure of poor quality so as to pocket whatever is not used from the assigned public funds. A mother who tells her daughter to go the extra mile at school but cannot do the same for a desperate family in need as a medical doctor. Do these leader-parents ever think about what their children's reactions may be before indulging in certain acts? Do they consider the fact that as leaders, their parenting values should align with their leadership values?

Respectfulness is an important virtue to have in most third world countries but is fixed in a certain way. One has to honor the request of an older individual even though it is of poor judgement and of no personal benefit to the younger individual. If refused, one is tagged a rude child lacking moral upbringing. Why? What is the reasoning behind that? How long do the younger folks have to continue to feed the egos of the elders and leaders? Children, teenagers, youths, challenge the people you call parents. Call them out on their flaws and hypocrisy in a subtle manner. As much as it is very difficult to do, the best way to see a change is to avoid such behaviors if and when you are placed in the same situation, which will be in a few years to come. Keep pushing.

..::GIDI::..

* this post is dedicated to the youth of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

"Live, and let live"

2011-02-09T19:50:00.009-06:00

Love thy neighbors as thyself. It can be quite easy to the tongue but utterly difficult by action. Loving your neighbor as yourself is an act that most people cannot follow through maybe because morality is not required. Is it impossible for anyone to love everyone as himself or herself? One may find it easy to care for others but even to this regard, is it required a person cares for others as they do for themselves? The connections between love and morality are complex if there are any at all.

Do love and morality go hand-in-hand, with one acting as a support for the other? An American philosopher by the name of Bernard Gert put his thoughts into a book and from an explicit understanding, it is clear Gert feels that morality does not depend on the individual but rather on the behavior they portray towards others. Love, because of its intangibility, is opened to the opinion of everyone that seeks it and morality, is exposed to the interpretation of the society.

The title of this writing were words of Bernard Gert and in that four-word sentence carries the power to re-shape minds. Gert’s statement is fascinating for two reasons: Regardless of how one may treat oneself, no person has the right to cause other people harm. For instance, if Dr. X is depressed, does he have the right to make others suffer due to his pain? If Dr. X does not love himself, does he have the right to hurt other people? Secondly, it is possible for anyone to love every other person equally or as they love themselves. Why should a person have to love a complete stranger or someone who has been unfair in the same manner as they love their spouse or them self? It is not plausible and is very unlikely that someone would.

Love thy neighbors as thyself can be utterly vague and almost impossible to attain. For this reason, Bernard Gert does not accept the phrase as a basis for morality. A more appropriate route is to live and completely let live.

..::GIDI::..

Reference
• Gert, B. (1998). Morality: its nature and justification. Oxford University Press, USA

The Utilitarianism Concept

2011-02-08T19:36:00.003-06:00

Utility can be referred to as the greatest happiness principle but many have misunderstood utility as an opposition to pleasure. A british philosopher by the name John Stuart Mill clears the confusion by expressing utility as an action that is right in proportion due to tendency, which promotes happiness and on the flip side wrong, if it tends to produce the reverse of happiness. According to Mill, happiness is intended pleasure and the absence of pain while unhappiness is pain and privation of pleasure. Actions are good when they lead to a higher level of general happiness, and bad when they decrease that level. Pleasure and absence of pain are the only things that are desirable as ends in themselves and the only thing inherently good.

When making a moral judgment on an action, utilitarianism thus takes into account not just the quantity, but also the quality of the pleasures resulting from it. Utilitarianism does not say that it is moral for people to simply pursue what makes them personally happy but rather morality is dictated by the greatest happiness principle; moral action is that which increases the total amount of utility in the world. All actions and experiences are not judged by one reductive standard, but rather according to a variety of different qualities of pleasure in correspondence with the type of experience.

Happiness can not be the rational aim of human life, because it is unattainable. It is perceived that people can exist without happiness, and all virtuous people have become virtuous by renouncing happiness. Mill states that it is an exaggeration to conclude that people cannot be happy because the major sources of unhappiness are selfishness and a lack of mental cultivation. Thus, it is fully within most people's capabilities to obtain happiness, if their education nurtures the appropriate values. Furthermore, most of the evils of the world, including poverty and disease, can be alleviated by a wise and energetic society devoted to their elimination. Martyrs sacrifice happiness for some greater end and what else could this be but the happiness of other people? The sacrifice is made so that others will not have to make similar sacrifices; imbedded in the sacrifice is the value of others' happiness. The willingness to sacrifice one's happiness for that of others is the highest virtue. A person must not value his own happiness over the happiness of others; and the law and education should help to instill this generosity in individuals.

When people desire things in order to obtain satisfaction, it is been done in order to obtain happiness. The issue behind martyrs gives a classic example of an act that in its own worth does not provide happiness but is done as a means to happiness of others, which eventually increases the general utility. Based on my understanding of John Stuart Mill and his arguments, I believe the utilitarian doctrine shows that happiness is desirable, and is the only thing desirable as an end; all other things only being desirable as a means to that end.

..::GIDI::..

Reference

• Stuart, J. (2001). Utilitarianism. Hackett Publishing.

Chicago vs. New York

2009-11-03T10:40:00.002-06:00

Hey people,

This particular post is based on my opinions and observations but before I go into the main jist of today's topic, I want to update you on what has been going on with me.

For the most part, school is alright as everyone says when challenged with a question of such nature because no one wants to talk about the reasons why school is such a mandatory drag. Asides from school, I have been going out these past few weeks more often than I usually do. Some time last week, i was invited to the Chicago Innovation Awards. This is a very fantastic event that encourages innovation and creativity among Chicagoans. Ideas varied from start-ups to existing services, from small companies such as Surgitech to large companies like Wrigley, Chicago Fire Department.

The Chicago Fire Department had a great idea called the Highrise Emergency Response Offensive (HERO) Pipe. The HERO Pipe is a new apparatus that's specially designed to fight high-rise fires more safely and more effectively than conventional methods. This innovative tool enables fire fighters to battle a blaze from the floor below the fire, keeping them at a safe distance from the fire's most dangerous areas, where temperatures can reach 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit. Even in chemical or biological incidents, the HERO Pipe can be used to apply neutralizing agents safely in normal temperatures from the floor below while in protective chemical gear which could not be used in fire conditions. And in most cases, the HERO Pipe fights larger highrise fires more effectively than with hand-held hoses. The event was filled with people in high ranks in organization located in Chicago.

Digressing from the Award ceremony, part of my job on campus in the Admission Office is to visit High Schools for their college fairs and a few weeks back I attend the 211 School district college fair in Hoffman Estate High School. It was huge and schools from all over the country were represented. Talk about Yale, Stanford, Caltech and of course IIT were present at this event. I got to speak with student from all classes who were interested in coming to IIT for college education. All in all, it was a great time. Also the CEO (Collegiate Entrepreneurship Organization) was in town at the McCormick Place on October 26, 2009 for a National Conference. Laolu (my roommate) and I presented the idea of our radio show during the conference and people loved it. I was a blast but I could not have too much fun because I had a mid-term the next day. Sucks right?

To end the sentiments and dive straight to the issue that probably caught your attention, I recently traveled to New York to get a new passport. My first impression was that it was as busy as Lagos, where I lived in Nigeria only that there were traffic lights to coordinate pedestrian and vehicle flow. But as much as I loved New York for those two days I was there, I doubt if I can live there (except I am paid to). Compared to Chicago, New York is filled with people that always look like they are late for something which I am sure 3/4 aren't. The roads were sorted of deteriorating and one could hardly see the next two streets ahead due to the human traffic right in front of you. The noise pollution was outrageous. Living in Chicago is not the best but it is far better than in New York, New York. Chicago is the only big city I know that is livable, at least for now. But thinking about it, a big city such as New York would have more jobs to keep the city running the way it is and so I feel there are more job opportunities in NY than Chicago but this does not mean that quality of work is better. I hope to visit NY again and discover more but for now, with the words of Frank Sinatra, Chicago is my kind of town!

..::GIDI::..

The Entrepreneurial Engineer (Best of both worlds)

2009-09-29T10:45:00.005-05:00

"By the time I am done with you, Mathematics will be your best friend" My father's words sounded so cruel and mean at a very young age but as I began to mature, I realized that it was all for the best. His love for Maths and Art rubbed off on me in secondary school and my efforts to make him proud were always crowned with awards and recognitions. But unknowingly, my mother influenced me in a very subtle and unforeseen way. A lawyer by profession, she started her own business in Event Decorations and from a young age, I have watched her take on this business as a fourth child. Up until now, I never realized that I took something significant from both my parents to become the young man I am today. My love for Maths and Science came from my father, who made sure all his kids could do Maths in their sleep and my entrepreneurial spirit came from my mother, who is never afraid to take risks in order to start innovative and creative ideas.

Going through college has made me realize that a man is only bounded by his actions. I have tried out almost everything that college has to offer and all due to curiosity. My mother would often say, "Curiosity killed the cat but satisfaction brought it back to life!" enforcing the fact that I should never be afraid to try something worth doing. I could be described as an engineering that loves to solve a problem with the skill set I possess. Creating value for people using the knowledge I have got is what I love to do.

Presently at IIT, I have been able to realize such aspiration through the Interprofessional Project Program (IPRO). Seeing an opportunity, I discovered an idea that could eventually help prevent drunk driving using sensor technology. But my love for business took it one step further and the idea became an Entrepreneurial IPRO. For the Fall 2009 semester, my idea became a class and I had people who loved the idea work with me on finding out the economical viability of the product. During the course of the class, we would not only create a product prototype but also come up with a business plan that will show the idea is worth investing in.

All-in-All, I have discovered the kind of engineer I want to be. One that looks for problems and tries to solve them. One that is not bound by perception and fear. An engineer that sees an opportunity and captures it from an entrepreneurial perspective. An Entrepreneurial Engineer.

..::GIDI::..

the exhilarating campus life

2009-09-10T12:11:00.001-05:00

Wetin dey !

Whoever said IIT, being a small campus school, makes life much easier must have been joking! My campus life is as busy as the life of a regular business man doing a 9-to-5 job. My schedule is packed with classes and in between there are meetings to attend or social events that can be of benefit to me. I arrive on campus either 8:30 am or 9:30 am, depending on the day, and leave no earlier than 7pm everyday. One of my classes stresses to 9:05 pm. To tell the truth, I love it! I love when I am occupied with work to do and I have to set deadlines and milestone for myself. I take it as grooming myself for a well-disciplined life. If you get emails from me, you would notice that under my name and title, I have a quote that says, 'If you fail to plan, you have planned to fail'. All the activities I do on campus is me planning for the future. It may sound too far-fetched to think about but that is why it is called planning in the first place.

Last week, the organization I head, American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE IIT) had its Annual Fall Picnic and it was successful. But making sure plans went accordingly was where the bulk of it all lied. I currently head an Entrepreneurship Inter Professional Research Opportunity group (EnPRO 351) and it is taking a lot of my time. Most of the deadline are not controlled by me but by an office on campus in charge of such programs. I take 6 classes, which is a full load for any student, work in the Office of Undergraduate Admission and I have a radio show with a friend on campus.

The radio show premiered last week Friday at the campus radio station. It airs on 88.9 FM WIIT every Friday from 12 to 12:30 pm. The show is called 'the Impresarios' and our aim is to find a problem that we can eventually turn into a business idea. For more info, join the facebook page - http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/group.php?gid=129819693927&ref=ts

I have done a lot on campus and I have no regrets for any. As a man, I have got to keep on moving until I fulfill everything I have ever aspired to be. Keep your heads up folks and stay strong.

Till I write next time....

..::GIDI::..

Let the semester begin!

2009-09-01T10:06:00.000-05:00

Hey All,
Hope the summer was great for you and most of you did something worth being accountable for. My summer was different and exciting. I did not get to go back to Nigeria, not because my parents did not want me back but due to personal responsibilities I had set for myself. I had an internship with TOTAL, an oil company headquartered in Paris, France, and one of the six "supermajor" oil companies in the world but I blew the opportunity. Nevertheless, I did not give up and I still made myself useful. I worked with a friend who is a fellow student at the Illinois Institute of Technology in a construction company that was started by him. Siegel Construction was the name of the company and I work there now on a part time basis as a marketing manager. My job is to portray the company to the world the best way possible thereby attracting clients. It is not as easy as it sounds but it was worth the challenge.

I am glad to be back to school. Things are picking up fast and I have homework for all my classes already. Time does fly. I am hoping this semester is worth the effort because I am hoping to give it the best that I have got. Watch out for more exciting blogs coming this semester. Things are going to be different. Till then............

..::GIDI::..

Hoping one step back produces two steps forward

2009-06-09T15:05:00.000-05:00

There comes a time when a man must sit and reflect on what is going on around him. A time when he begins to notice how his surroundings affect his actions, thoughts and even words. This period exists when the soul is troubled, sick and tired of being controlled by forces beyond its reach. It begins to cry out for help, but with a voice a little lower than silence, no one can ever hear its call. But despite this barrier, it still manages to get attention from the cage in which it hides itself. As I take you along these lanes of words, keep in mind, I am not a man of complaints but an identity who seeks answers.

The college I call mine is prestigious and has a long history of producing some of the world's renounced individuals. It boasts about its diversity and how it takes almost all of its students under its financial arms. These I love and adore and cannot disagree with. Its location, small-size campus and student-faculty relationship makes it difficult for one to feel left out of a sense of community. But with all that has an advantage, there are disadvantages attached. My mind, body and soul reflect on the series of events that have occurred around me for a couple of months, some of which I will share because the clouds can only hold for so long before it lets the rain pour. One experience that really bothers me is how well my college links its students with the real world. The journey on that path is not worthy of praise and adoration. For mostly people of foreign status, it does a very horrible job in making sure that at least most of its students get the work experience they need to become all-rounders in any area of discipline. It really does try its best with the regular semester fairs and all but it does not seem to be working as effectively as it should. Many go through the four years, sweating and toiling, trying to get at least one experience that can give them the edge over others in the hiring pool, but never get rewarded for the pain and suffering. At the end of four or five long years, they are forced to make drastic decisions that change the path of their long term goals. Sad but really true.

I remember the words carefully, as told to me by my father, 'For every complain posed, always bring a suggestion for change'. Recall, I am not a man of complaints and to that I pose my suggestion. The management in charge of building the careers for students has a network of companies that it has established its trust in. Using these network, create a structure by which it is a requirement for students to have at least one work experience in their field of study before they can graduate. With the help of a dedicated management, sets of deadlines and ambitious-driven students, such a structure can be established and will work. There will be issues and people who would stand against the ideas and concept but there are principles that make a student an all-rounded and in order to gain results, these principles must be followed.

I can not help but share. A friend of mine, a fine student with a dedicated heart for success, started a business which has grown from nothing to something worth talking about. He did a few jobs for the general public just to gain some experiences and have a start to say the least. With a few experiences in his area of concentration, he approaches some individuals, high in positions of authority of the college I will everly call mine, asking for patronage. To his surprise, he was 'posted' with the regular, calm and deceiving reply of which they would promise to get back to him and they never do. Take a look at what is wrong with this picture. A student decides to start his business, using all what he has learnt from the college I will always call mine. He goes out into the world, gains some experience and comes back to the place that gave him all he needed to know to make things work. Asking for help through patronage, he gets shunned and of course, he feels denied. Is that not a cause to speak?

Most institutions enjoy the benefits of their alumni, who graciously give back in the hope to build an institution that is better than the one they had. A few years from now, me, my friend and many others would be out there in the world, making the most of life and enjoying what it has to offer. This comes without pride or over-confidence but out of sheer truth. We would love to give back to places that nurtured our tender heart while they were soft and tender. We would love to make places that we once called home away from home, bigger and better than they presently are. But how does one do so when they recollect the series of events that occurred in their past years. Events that tend to stir up bitterness and disgust. It becomes difficult and to the receivers, we portray ourselves as ungrateful.

Recall, I am not a man of complaints and to that I say, concentrate and invest on what you have. Do not focus all your attention at individuals who have made it and call you 'alma matar'. Make the lives of people who are presently with you, lives of joyful memories and watch in years to come, the benefits of your investment grow.

*This is just my food for thought*

Congrats Graduates!

2009-05-18T14:49:00.000-05:00

May 16, 2009 was an emotional yet long-awaited day for more than 1200 students. It was the Illinois Institute of Technology Commencement Ceremony and a day of recognition for all that have spent 4 or more or less years at this prestigious institution. The day started off with the general Opening Ceremony at 11 am at an outdoor location on campus called Stuart Field a.k.a 'The Hawk's Nest'.

This year's commencement's speaker was Marissa Mayer. She leads Google's efforts on search products — web search, images, news, books, products, maps, — and other consumer-facing initiatives such as Google Toolbar, Google Desktop, Google Health, Google Labs, and more. Her contributions have included designing and developing Google's search interface, internationalizing the site to over 100 languages, and launching more than 100 features and products on Google.com.

The student speaker was Babajide Oke, whom I happened to know not just because he is a Nigerian but because He served a the Resident Advisor in the dorm I stayed in during my freshman year. After the general event, respective colleges of disciplines broke into different areas of campus to have the awards given the graduates. The weather that afternoon was wonderful and the event was successful. I could not stay to the end because I had some other responsiblities to handle but all-in-all, the event was very successful.

Gidi Warrior
=^=

The joy of college

2009-05-07T11:42:00.000-05:00

College (Latin: collegium) is a term most often used today to denote an educational institution.
Originally, it meant a group of persons living together, under a common set of rules (con- = "together" + leg- = "law" or lego = "I choose")

Hey everyone,
Hope things are swell with you? I know, it has been a while since I blogged but here I am now :-).
From my movie-watching experience, I have carved out the term "college" to be a place for fun. Yes, there is work to be done but the major aspect of going to college was to have fun. Well, let me tell you that your mind changes when you actually start living the college life. Let me tell you something I have come to realize is my idea of 'fun' in college. Meeting new people, discovering new things, open opportunities and many more. Of course, the teenage mentality of fun is partying and going out, but I refuse to put these under my idea of 'fun'. Not that I am a nerd with my mind filled with Quantum mechanics and thermodynamics, at least I try to be, never works out but the things that get me excited during my time in college are necessary not the things everyone presumes they should be. When I am given the opportunity to represent my school in a competition and I win, I consider that 'fun' times. When given a project to do and it requires me to use the information I learnt from years back, I consider it 'fun' times. When I get introduced to people and we get to hang out and just relax, I say 'I had fun'. All these things lift up my spirit and anything that get me on this level is considered 'fun' for me.
If you meet me for the first time, you would never imagine that these aspects of life ever affect me but, NEWSFLASH!, they do. I may not be the funniest guy around but I do know how to have fun and make the best use of my opportunities. Next week is Finals week, when we have our final exams. I am not really forward to that but at the same time, it has to come and go so I am not really bothered too much. I have studied hard and will continue to do so because it is not how well you start but how excellently you finish. Summer time is in a couple of weeks and it should be 'fun'. Have an internship job, moving to a nice neighborhood and my birthday all during this period.
Till the next time I write, live life to its fullest and have 'FUN'

...signing off.............
LAS GIDI forever!

An ardent spring break enthusiast

2009-03-20T11:02:00.000-05:00

Hello World,
It has been quite sometime I came up with something fresh and funky. So this special edition article is dedicated to my fun-loving mates who like to do what they do best; have fun!

Some things in my life have not been all smooth sailing but I love life and nothing seems to get me down to my knees and say 'I give up'. I am stronger than ever and I am making the most of my time as a youth. Beginning of this year, I was elected President of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE) for the IIT chapter. It is not an easy job but I am trying my best not to disappoint anyone and most importantly, myself. If you need to know what I have been up to, check out aiche.iit.edu and see the effort put in by the new executive board.

This week is spring break week and everyone, except the United NERDS, is out of school and having mad fun. I experienced some of this fun because I ended up going to Miami, Florida. It was great. I have high school friends up there and so I had free accomodation and food. It was a nice time and to keep this P.G , I will stop ranting for now. What made me come back early from spring break? - (CHE 433) : Process Dynamics and Control. I have mid-term on monday in this class and in my present state of mind, I am not mentally prepared for it takeless of physical ready.

I am taking 6 classes this semester and 5 of them are Chemical Engineering classes. Last but not the least class is my favorite BUS 465 (Business - Entrepreneurship in Industry). I am working with a current company that I know so well. Matter of fact, I know the CEO of the company and he is a very good friend. I wrote an abstract on how to create a niche for his company in the 'GREEN AGE' that we live in. Check it out if you have the time. Not to long and definitely fascinating. [ http://archive.constantcontact.com/fs072/1102248019865/archive/1102482369102.html ].

To end this special edition posting, I would like to say thanks to some important and dear people to me. Mom, Dad - I luv you 2 ppes. Perfect couple for any kid. You mean a lot. My two sis's : Tayo and Bussy, my heart is always on u. Carolyn, Christy, Don, Ryan, Jerry and all I work with - u guys do it best. Great folks. Laolu n Muyiwa, ma homies from LakeView Club House.

Thanks for reading this if you did and I hope to bring out something new next month. Be easy!

Anoti from the year 2g's and forever!

I leave one eye open like CBS

2009-01-07T10:38:00.000-06:00

Hope your break was good? Mine was not..............it was GREAT. You know during the break, I needed to water my mind with some knowledge and I asked my boss for a book on leadership. He gave me a book called 'Good to Great' by Jim Collins. This book is not for the soft and fragile minds because the contents of the book gush out at you like trying to drink from a fire hose. I learnt a lot from that book and most importantly, I took some major notes. That was as far as geeky I went this break, now to the fun stuff!

Being from Lagos (Nigeria), it is typical for you to go back home for the break, meet up with old friends (maybe make new one in the process) and then par-take in the par-teas. It is like a tradition. My friends from England, France, Oklahoma, Texas, Indiana, Holland, Canada all come back home to have a youthful christmas. But this year, I decided not to go home and it was confirm when my mom said my sister was coming over to Chicago to spend some time with me. At first I thought, wonderful....but then I realized I needed more money to maintain both of us so we could have a splendid xmas. Of course, this meant working more hours and buying less shoes.....by the way did i mention d love i have for shoes??.....that's a story for another day. Anyway, I took my my sister out downtown, Chicago. We walked the whole Manificent Mile.....(for outsiders, it is a one mile road only for shoppers) and we spent new year briefly together because she was leaving that same day. After she was gone, everything kind of slowed down. I went to my apartment and noticed that there was no FOOD! My eyes ball popped out like somone was choking me. This was 11pm and I wasn't ready to go back into the Deep Freezer that the whole of Chicago is. So I walked up and down the house on search of anything that looked like food but I never found anything. I gave up and went to bed. The next day......you can guess........i went grocery shopping and boy was I glad. Now I am back to work, back to reality which is practically my life. Things are going as planned but I don't know how long this is going to last. I hope it does. Shout out to Mum and Dad......I love u guys!!!

Till next time, have a marvelous life!

codeName : S.I.S.

2008-12-12T09:12:00.000-06:00

Did anyone ever wonder where I went or how I was doing? Who cares right? I know! No one cares for you as good as yourself. Sometimes, I wonder to myself : Do I really have friends or just acquaintances? I am the kind of guy you would want to meet only once and never see again because the next time I see you, you are just another one of the many I have met and so you deserve no special attention. I have decided not to deceive anyone. I'd rather be blunt than fake attention. That's my new resolution.

Let me tell you five new advancements in my life :
- I decided to take school as high on my priority pyramid as possible.
- I quit some activities on campus, which you would later on find out.
- I told 'her' that it cant work out because she went to France for study aboard. Hard for me to tell her but I did!
- I try to plan out my day the day before.
- And I took up the responsibility of cleaning my apartment everyday even with 2 other animals living with me.

On the 9th of December, I finished my last final exam paper. It was not easy and I am eager to see how bad I did (You would do well to get the irony of that sentence). Instead of being excited, for some reason I was not excited school had ended even though I had been ____ing about it for a while. I felt lost. I felt that there was really nothing to look forward to now that school is on break. No anticipation of tests or homework to keep the mind in check! The funny thing is that I am nowhere near being geeky yet I act like one. P.O.M.E - Product Of My Environment. The way I see my life is clear and well defined. I know what I want and if anyone does not agree with things I do, which I feel is for my benefit, I WILL cut off. Still I am open to corrections. In anticipation for a new year, I hope to mature mentally, socially and academically. I told someone very recently; 'There are only two kind of people - those who control things and those who will be controlled'. I remember my mum telling me, if you do not have where you want to be in mind, then anywhere would do. As simple as that line was, I pondered on it for sometime and I finally made my conclusion. If you fail to plan, you have planned to fail. With that, I tell you, go out there and make the most of life.

By the way: S.I.S means Stay In School (don't be a fool)

Signin' out..........................
AKay

The Wrath of Midterms

2008-10-14T15:08:00.000-05:00

It has been a while since I dropped to say hi. But now I am back with twenty two two's, ain't no half stepping! Back to the issue at hand.

Have you ever known someone who you tried to be friends with but never gave you a chance? Well, I know one and I am going to tell you a little story about this interesting someone. We met a year and a half ago right on IIT campus. I had heard some good and bad stuff about him and I desperately yearned for the day we would meet. I prepared and tried to even learn more about what he was all about so that I did not mess up in front of him. The first time I met him, he seemed nice and I was willing to hang out with him. But the problem was that he only comes on campus twice a semester. He had a big brother who also goes to IIT but comes to school once a semester especially at the end of the semester. This week I was surprised! He was on campus 3 time in a row. I saw him yesterday, today and I will probably see him tomorrow because he assured me of that fact. But one thing I really did not like about him was his attitude. He always tries to prove tough and hard and he was shocked on Monday when I came prepared to face him and chat. He started off trying to test if I was even worthy of being in school and threw at me tough questions at me without mercy. Unknown to him, I had studied his every move and had advises from mutual friends. When we met today, I gave him all the answers to his boring questions and he was shocked. Shocked to know that I stepped up to his challenge. Then he knew I was not like the rest and ceasing the moment, I asked him, 'what's ur name?' and he replied, 'The name's MID....., MID-TERM'. Out of courtsey, I wrote my name on him so he could remember me and we separated ways, saying "See you tomorrow, Ol friend !"

My Trip to Cincinnati

2008-08-11T11:45:00.000-05:00

I am working hard to make sure I get what I want in the future. There is never a compromise for hard work. I recently started a new job and I am building a business. I represent for Primerica Financial Service ( A Citi Group Company ) and I am presently on the representative level in my job. About 3 weeks into the business, I was told there was a conference to Cincinnati, Ohio and there would like me to go for it. I thought to myself, "Is this another way for them to make me spend money?" but then I realized that it would only work to my own good since I was not forced to attend. I decided to invest my time and money into this trip and trust me, it was worth it. Me and some of my work buddies, left Chicago at around 5 am on Friday and hit 90/94 heading to Ohio via Indiana. It was a long drive, about 5 hours, but I really did not feel it because I was engrossed in a book I was reading called, "The Devil's Arithmetic". We got there and stayed at the Millennium Hotel in downtown Cincinnati. Workshop where up by 12pm till about 8pm and dinner was after that. I learnt enough at the conference and I am fully motivated to grip my future by the head. I came back from the conference on sunday morning a different man. I had gained so much, I had to start implementing what I had learned to my business. Right now, my business is kicking off at a nice rate. Last week, I took some classes so that I can obtain my producer's license. I will be taking the exam in a couple of days and I am ready to kick butt. My advice for anyone reading this, If you do not stand for something, you will fall for anything. Find what gives you joy and pursue your dreams!!!

Life, As I see it

2008-07-07T15:10:00.000-05:00

I love music and quoting some lyrics off one of Snoop Dogg's tracks, In life "There could be ups and downs, smiles and frowns, so share with me the fairy tales I make believe". Sometimes it is really good to dream big and put yourself where you see yourself. I see a young man making it through college with a first class in Chemical Engineering and companies hustling to hire him not necessarily because he is book smart but for his attitude, stand points and distinct intellect. I see a young man doing his job with passion and wanting others to benefit from his existence. I see a young man taking financial responsiblities off his parents by the age of 21. I know it sounds like a dream but we neglect the power of the mind. Whatever a man can thinketh, he can doeth.! Life is sweet and too precious not to be enjoyed! Sometimes it may seem everything is not working according to plan but never give up trying. Life is what you make of it and how you see it is what it will feel like. I got to get back to work and deal with my friend Kinjal, who always bugs me. Don't get me wrong, she's nice, for the most part of our friendship! I also had a blog to post before this but I don't remember where I posted since it is not here. I will try to re-post it a.s.a.p.

PEACE!

Summer tym

2008-06-17T10:29:00.000-05:00

Summer is finally here and all I want to do is sleep, eat, watch TV and relax. Just chill out and take things easy. But to me, that is an IDEALISTIC summer. Now, to the main topic for today, 'The REALISTIC summer', starring me and only me.

I thought this summer was going to be all cozy and rosy but I was wrong. I started work where I usually work, {you all should know by now} and it was going on easy but I realised I was wasting my life just working and so I decided to take just one summer class. Shouldn't hurt i guessed. It does hurt when you have homework of about 5 pages long due the corresponding week of class. It's ridiculous but this is the life I chose or rather the life that chose me. So I soak all this week day stress and squeeze it out during the weekends. Last weekend, I went to the beach with some friends and that was some good time. Everyone got into their beach wear and some ended up going home with a belly-filled of lake water. lol. Good times. Also, two of my friends from school moved off campus and had a house-warming barbecue party. I went for that and had such a great time.

Now, another week has started and I am already taking some blows to my skull. I hope I continue blogging each week but for now, I have got to go.

Word 4U 2dae - Encourage others and put a smile on someone's face

bye for now!

School thus far

2008-05-06T10:44:00.000-05:00

I am having a real battle with school work due to the fact that teachers continue to give homework, quizzes and project 2 weeks before the final. Sometimes I wonder if they think they are dealing with machines. I keep on hearing all this is for the better, but what is your definition of 'better'? For instance, in a certain class of mine, I have a final exam, a project that deals with a very technical software and powerpoint presentation. Where do I start? Do I read for more for my exam and pay less attention to my powerpoint and software programming? or do I do the programming and read less for the final? To add to that, it is not the only subject I am doing right now!! I have 5 courses more to deal with. I am beginning to have sleepless night and I am scared of the fear of not doing well regardless of all my efforts. Sometimes I wonder what life would have been if it were truly a bed of roses!! I probably would be in my private yacht, sipping on a juice box (apple flavor, please) , thinking of ......[snap back].......... Sometimes it is good to dream big! One thing I know is that I can not stop my hurdle race now because it does not make sense to swim the English channel half-way, give-up and swim back. The energy used in swimming back could be used in swimming the remaining half. I got to finish the race and take first place, Hustle hard and gain the rewards. I would tell you what the end is like when I get there.

2 fingers up and out!!!

Getting ready for Spring break

2008-04-01T10:58:00.000-05:00

Woke up one thursday morning, thinking that today was going to be lovely day but then I got knocked in the head by my to-do list and had a bad head-ache. I had four mid-terms that day because my flight to Miami for spring break was at 6:25 a.m the next day. I tried to be a man and gather my thoughts together but each effort resulted to nothing except anxiety. I had work to go to and classes were still going on as usual. So, I jumped into the shower and got myself prepared for this challenging day. I wrote down all I needed to complete for that day and decided to take each 'bull' by its horn. First up that morning was work. I knew that I was not prepared for one of the tests and there was no way I could work and read at the same time. 'Impossible', my little sister would say if she were with me. So I took permission to be excused and explained my reason. Fair enough, I got the rest of my work period off.

Next up was my saxophone lesson. 'Oh my God, I have not practiced and my homework has not been done. What am I going to do?', I asked myself. I guess I blew it this time and my tutor was going to be pissed. But fortunately for me, he was laid back about not having the time and all the fussy excuses I had to offer. I played what I could for him and it was good. I was even surprised myself that I could do that well. Class ended and I ran to my room to read the little I could before the next class. I was able to absorb quite an amount of information in a short period of time but that was because I had read it before for had no clue what it was all about. Reading it this time made it clearer than before and I understood the material perfectly.

Time went by and I strolled to the test room 5 minutes before the start time. As the Calculus test was given to me, I saw question that I had just practiced on it. 'Wow! sweet...', as I marveled at the test paper. I did what I did best on tests, answered all the questions. Immediately after was my CHE 101 quiz. I did that quiz with a pessimistic attitude because I kind of had no clue what was going on. But I felt good it was over. CHE 202 was the next test and this was the one I had been dreading all week long. As the questions were given to me, I kept shaking my head in honor of what the result may be. The questions were little but tricky and no one finished in the given time. But I had to leave because the last and final test I was to have had started. 'Should I leave, should I go?', I kept thinking to myself. LEAVE!, my body told me and so I did, not really sure of what I had written on the 202 test.

Running at 7 mph, I got to my final class and saw that people had reached half way in the quiz. Tired, exhausted and hungry, I did the Economics test to the best of my ability. After the quiz, I walked to my room reminiscing about what had happened from the start of the day and I was proud of myself for setting a task and accomplishing it. Without food in my hungry, growling belly, I went to bed thanking God for a rough yet bliss day. 'What a day', I said to myself. I had to wake up at 4:30 a.m for my flight and so reluctantly, I set my alarm and before I knew what was going on, I blacked out.

FINALS

2007-12-09T11:20:00.000-06:00

finals are scary and there is a lot to read from the book and some teachers are not being considerate. There should be practice quiz and help lectures. I am reading for a biology course and there is a lot to learn in the course like mitosis and meiosis and respiration and photosynthesis. I am even getting fed up of all the reading because I am bored and things are not working out as I expected. I hope God can help me do what I have to do on that day. I am hungry right now so I need to eat.

Peace out!