Monday, January 22, 2007

Blogging - The New Ebe Ano

If you have not heard, then hear it now: blogging is the new ebe ano. It is where we are o! For all those looking for a life partner, forget about what your mother, Aunty Buki, Uncle Paul, and Cousin Ngozi told you. Back in the day, you may have found your life partner in Church, at a wedding, or wherever else you have been directed to, but today, it is on the internet. No, no, not just any site on the internet, but in the world of blogging.

Blogging is such a big deal today that it has its own world; it’s called Blogville. The thing is just like AIDS: easy to catch, impossible to get rid of. It is spreading faster than wild fire in Winter. I did not find out about Blogville until the end of 2005. Before I discovered it, my Oyibo friend (who was aware of my writing) asked if I had a blog. Blog??? I had no clue what she was talking about. But then an online friend of mine directed me to her blog, and that was it o! I caught the virus too. I have been a loyal member since December of 2005.

When I started blogging, I was oblivious to the fact that there were other bloggers around. I just wrote whenever I felt like it, and for the most part, I never got any comments because nobody knew about me (just like I did not know about them). But little by little, my wings began to really grow, and I started leaving comments on people’s blogs. By doing that, they returned the favor. Most bloggers have a “Blogs I Read” list, which is usually ridiculously long, and I used to wonder how they got that long. Well, now I know!

My list keeps getting longer and longer, and it is not easy keeping up oh! How can it be easy to read countless posts in a day AND leave comments sef? Of course, people will also leave comments on my own blog, which I had to reply. Chei! Every time I have to add another link to my ‘Blogs I Read’ column, I have sweat beads forming on my forehead, and a secret silent prayer that this latest blogger of mine does not update everyday. Chineke biko o!


I am so into the whole blogging thing that when a recent Naija Blogger Awards was conducted, I won the ‘Blogger I Most Want To Meet’ category. Me ke? This is serious oh. I am tempted to make a speech, but I will spare you the horror. So now, I have something else to add to my résumé. Well, meeting my fellow bloggers would be great, but I just have one question: who is paying for this meeting?

Let me tell you, there are allll sorts of people residing in Blogville. A lot of people choose to be anonymous because they want to disclose information that they would not be otherwise disclosing. I thought about being anonymous, but I could not handle the risk of being caught. How would I explain what I wrote? So I decided to be open; at least that way, I can foresee any incoming wahala. Some anonymous bloggers do get discovered (I have even discovered some myself), and after that, a lot of them choose to “come out of the closet”.

There are people who blog about their life, there are people who are there to inspire others – spiritually, that is. There are blogs about relationships, work, sexcapades, God, friends, fashion, entertainment, etc. You name it, they got it! If it is not in Blogville, then I can guarantee you cannot get it anywhere else. As for me, I blog about my life. I have a vow on my blog to tell the truth, and nothing but the whole truth, albeit, I do not promise to tell the whole story. Considering the fact that I have my actual name and last name on my blog, it is only fair that I save some information now. I should not be spreading all my dirty laundry outside, abi how you take see am?

Internet dating is out; blog-dating is in. Forget messengers too; nobody does them anymore. Now, all you have to do is sit in front of your computer screen, read all you care to read about a person, and believe what you want to believe. Whatever you choose to do after that is at your own risk. Whatever and whoever you are looking for, you’ve got them in Blogville.

There are all sorts of Nigerians; people that you may not have crossed path with in the real world. You’ll laugh, you might cry, you’ll get inspired, you’ll get nauseated, you’ll get turned on, you’ll broaden your thinking, you might narrow it too, you’ll get curious, you’ll be mystified, you’ll make new friends, you might make new enemies too, you’ll find old friends, and you’ll find friends you did not wish to ever find. You might find an ex-lover, or make a new one. You might ‘discover’ you’re homosexual, metro sexual, bisexual, bicurious, homophobic, a drag queen…or just good ol’ heterosexual.

You might ‘discover’ you’re bipolar, a nymphomaniac, a narcissist, an addict, an overeater, a sadist, a sociopath, a nudist, or you might just discover that that thing you do in the night when everyone has gone to bed is abnormal. Go figure. So if you’re still doing some soul searching, Blogville might just be the place for you. Think about the fact that you can do it anonymously; great huh?

So what have I discovered since I bought my house in Blogville? Nothing that I did not know already. I’m still heterosexual, I’m still sweet (if I do say so myself), I’m still not attracted to metro sexuals, I’m still a little bit of a clean freak, I’m still trying to experience romantic love in a romantic way, and I’m still trying to find my own corner in this big, bad world we live in today. I have however learnt to accept people for what they are; it does not mean I have to condone their lifestyle, but rather leave judgment up to God. Besides, let he who is without sin cast the first stone, right?

In case you’re wondering what it is that I blog about exactly, well then, I guess you will just have to find out on your own, wouldn’t you? http://verastic.blogspot.com My intention was to end this baby by mentioning a few blogs I love, but I realized there are just too many of them. So if you do take the time out to check out my blog (which I’m hoping you do), then do check out my ‘Blogs I Read’ column. I believe you will be pleasantly surprised!

Until next time, adios!

DISCLAIMER: I am not responsible for whatever happens between you and any blogger, and neither am I responsible for your possible addiction to Blogville.

E-mails/comments are generously encouraged
verastic@yahoo.com

29 comments:

Anonymous said...

lol. Babe i came over here to see if u have put up chapter 5(i m not stalking ur blog oh..lol) and i found this.
going back to read it...

Anonymous said...

Ok i have read it.
Does this by anyway have any link to the post on ur other blog??

Anonymous said...

NIce piece Green, good writing as usual.

DiAmOnD hawk said...

ebe ano... i love that phrase there was a radio show in nigeria titled that....done strictly in igbo... anyways i agree blogging is addictive...there's much to learn...new friends to make...people to hunt down pictures of

Anonymous said...

Every thing u said na true o. I am searching for a blog love!

Anonymous said...

Nice piece,
It is encouraging for a virgin blogger like me.

If there is ever an elders' council in blogsville you should be elected as Chief Press Secretary and Chief whip.

Vera Ezimora said...

Angie: lol Why do you want it to have a link to my other post? So that people will think I'm crazy ehn? LOL

Guy Horny: Thanks love. See how I called you 'Love'? Hehehe

Diamond Hawk: Abi oh, my dear. The things you can read/write in Blogville are endless. I seriously think I shuld start getting paid 4 my job.

Temmy Tayo: You're searching for blog love ke? With whose permission? Did you ask me before making such a drastic decision? Mind yourself o!

Omohemi Benson: LOL. Okay, I will accept any awards given 2 me any time. Chief wife sef, I will take it too. Chief Wife doesn't mean there are other woman marrying my husband oh; it means I am a wife 2 plenty people, lol. I'm gonna have 2 add your blog to my blog roll; that way, I'll find it quicker...and other people will link to you too.

Anonymous said...

very nice ahem article... Are you thinking of setting up your own magazine. Dont worry i will buy it.
Being anon allows you to write stuff you would ordinarily not write if you were not anon.

Am i really bothered about being caught considering i have revealed pretty personal things in my blog. Yes of course i am but that doesnt mean i wont write what i feel

And whats all this hanky panky in blogville. I thought you were with naijablike not boorish male . hmm LOL

Anonymous said...

Yep, join the Blogoshere or Blogville club and you are one of the cool guys, Nigerians are not an exception.

There is a wierd sense of camaraderie with blogging that is somewhat addictive.

Cherub (former Bijouxoxo) said...

U see u're a bad gal. Give honor to whom it's due. Was i not the one that made ur blog famous? The very first one to post a comment on ur blog? Now that u've become "fopular" u're doing big madam abi? Anyways, it's not ur fault o. I remember wheni'd come to ur blog, read and leave no comment, but was secretly enjoying it. The very first time i posted a comment was after i read ur article on Nigeriaworld about "intergalactic force ..." and emailed u, then the publisher wrote u were based in Canada. Remember, ungrateful chile like u. I made u what u are in blogsville today and u can't even deny that fact. Oya mail me my payment o if not katakata will burst.

Anonymous said...

U don kolo for head. No u didn't ask me to come read about this nonsense? Do i look like am in search for a man? People don't listen to her o, she is not as normal as y'all think o. Bipolar really fits ur behavior by the way. That enough for now, ode. (lol)

BeautyinBaltimore said...

I have notice the number of Nigerian bloggers explaod in the last couple of months. I like to read blogs by black people from all over the world. My own blog covers a little bit if every thing.

Anonymous said...

Thanks Vera,
I'll apperciate it lopo lopo!

Anonymous said...

Thanks Vera,
I'll apperciate it lopo lopo!

UnNaked Soul said...

true yan! I don find my blog lovemate in ms zee... my planetmate in overwhelmed... my laffdose in babaalaye... my inspiration in bellanaija... my radioFM in TaureanMinx... my soulsista in Soul... and alterego in... I no yan again...

rawk on sista! as for the parry, I no mind starting a fund oh... as long as location is lagos (or canada, if dem gif me visa)... contributors are welcomed! imagine a "BLOGGERS ALL WHITE PARRY!!!" chei! I don start fantasizing...

anyways. blog on!

Anonymous said...

Interesting, I just discovered blogging towards the end of last year. da people write all sorts o! How do i get a list of all the naija blogs? Is there a way i can search for them.

Anonymous said...

True talk Vera. I discovered blogging by accident when I landed on Tutsy's blog, and that was it. I was hooked.
Blogville continues to expand everyday. I found an article on the BBC website though http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/6178611.stm

I have been "found out" by a few friends who stumbled on my blog, so in this Naija setting, one cannot be truly anonymous.

Anonymous said...

I have also enjoyed your comments, but always looked at your book chapters - looking forward to the next tale that will appear. The award was defo deserved and look forward to other book chapters soon to be published.

Vera Ezimora said...

ConfusedNaijaGirl: The good thing about Blogville is that anything goes, so I can be with as many people as I choose to be with. Blogging anonymously is just too risky 4 me; I figure I will be caught some day.

Veracity: Your name is sooo weird 2 me. Every time I see it, I think it's me, and then I remember it's not me. Indeed, blogging is so weird, and so weirdly addictive too.

Cherub: Okay, Madam Cherub. You're the one that made my blog famous; what else do you wanna hear? *rolls eyes* LOL Anyways, thanks sha.....I guess!

Anonymous: Just wait till I catch you. You'll tell me when we started love that we're kissing. *HISS*

BeautyInBaltimore: I won't be surprised if I know you. We're both in B'more. You're right, the number of blogs have exploded!

Omohemi Benson: You're welcome!

Unnaked Soul: lol @ a blogger all white parry. That would be something!

Ubong Da: Usually, any nigerian blog would have a "Blogs I Read" list, which will consist mostly of Nigerians. So you can check out my other blog http://verastic.blogspot.com and you'll see a whole list of bloggers...and they too have their own lists.

Favored Girl: You were discovered? LOL. My dear, that's why I didn't bother being anonymous; I figured I would be found out anyways...

The Life Of A Stranger Called Me: I'm working on the 5th chapter; I hope 2 finish it as soon as possible.

Anonymous said...

This is just fantastic... you said it all babe... blogging really is the new ebe ano... i haven't been on msn in months... cos i'm too busy bloggging with whatever spare time i have.. can you say addiction?

Anonymous said...

Glad to know that my feeling a bit left out in the world of blogging is not just unique to ME!. I have always kept journal entries on HI5 and all...but i am still just getting used to having my own separate blog!. With that being said, i do enjoy ur entries!....NICEEEEEE

Anonymous said...

Glad to know that my feeling a bit left out in the world of blogging is not just unique to ME!. I have always kept journal entries on HI5 and all...but i am still just getting used to having my own separate blog!. With that being said, i do enjoy ur entries!....NICEEEEEE

Anonymous said...

Vera ! Guess what i am hooked! but pls can we have Chapter 5 ! i really loooking forward to it

Anonymous said...

I must agree with you, blogging is addicting, I tried to stay away but I'm so drawn to reading people's comments or what they share in their profiles...for example yours is captivating enough to make me come back :)

Cherub (former Bijouxoxo) said...

Vera, that's not the only thing i want to hear o. I want u to make a public declaration to the entire blogsville community and then mail me my check of $_00,000. If not, ehn u kuku know what i can and will do to u in a sec. and that's not an empty threat!

By the way, i called u yesterday, and i'm still expecting u to call me back if not, i'd bombard ur phone till i hear ur sweet voice *psyches*

Eagle's Nest!!! said...

I just found out now that I am bicurious, courtesy Vera's stimulating entry on blogville. I'm thinking of a better name for blogville.

Anonymous said...

This is the one that promised a treat in Germany.Remember?
I am down with the blog thingy and enjoy your blog.Keep it up!

Bennie said...

Vera,
Soooooooo, when are you getting married? :)

Btw, what's with the dark background? Not too friendly for the eyes...know what I mean?

Hope you have a great weekend!

Bennie Droese
http://www.myfamilyscene.blogspot.com

Woomie O! said...

Very well penned Vera.

For a fresh blogger, I was 'disvirgined' quite early.

I had no idea there was some social networking going on here in blogville till i joined.

I wanted to be able to vent...on no one in particular.

It feels wonderful really.

If everyone could have a blog, then we'd be able to settle conflicts really easily, think about it...lol.

But face it, it's faaaarr better than that facebook crap.
And like you, i'm loving it.