EVERY PICTURE TELLS A STORY....

 

‘Imitation’ they say is the sincerest form of flattery. 

So at work since the pandemic we have gone somewhat virtual, holding meetings via Teams video conferencing and most of us have uploaded a profile picture of ourselves for those times when we ‘off the camera’ to put a face to the name. I for one though have not got round to uploading one.   

I do have a colleague though her name is Kirsti and in my honest opinion she has the most interesting office Teams profile picture. It’s the above photograph of her sitting on a bench in front of an iconic ‘Hammersmith underground’ sign. I chatted with her via Teams sometime ago, letting her know how cool I found her pic and that I would not be uploading a Display picture until I have one similar to hers. She replied ‘Go for it girl’. (I can’t believe that I’ve not seen Kirsti in person since March 2020, no thanks to covid)

So I’ve known for a while that I need to get this pic but have always wondered how I would go about this as I don’t go to London often, furthermore the photograph would need to be taken by a 3rd party as a selfie ‘kolewerk’. 

I have been waiting patiently for the opportunity to present itself and it did  when Ahmed, my brother gifted me tickets to Burna Boy’s concert at London’s O2 last Friday. 

Funlola & Moi

As I set out with my daughter on the day I subtly hinted her that once the train arrives in London that I would like to take a pic in front of a London Underground station sign! She widens her eyes and asks ‘You want to do what mum?’ And with a straight face as our train approaches Kings Cross, I tell her about this pose I have to get. And she asks me how I hope to achieve this, so I explain she will be taking the picture. Her face is taunt, but she agrees that she’ll help out. 

Take One📸

The first underground station we alight is London Bridge, and as we walk toward the sign I notice that there is no sitting area in front of it, which means standing besides it (not quite the image I had in mind). My daughter quickly whips out her phone and takes the photo before I have time to ‘arrange’ myself. I can tell she is embarrassed as the station is heaving, it’s peak period. I meekly ask to see the pic she has taken and notice that it’s rather dark so ask her to snap again this time using the flash. She tells me ‘Mum you’re not supposed to be taking photos of London underground and certainly not with a flash’ but I insist and before I can pull in my stomach she has taken a 2nd shot and walks off, not even given me time to ask to have a look this time. 

We continue our journey and connect to the Jubilee Line as we head towards North Greenwich. As tube pulls up at Canary Wharf underground I notice through the window that the station sign has a seat in front of it, so I tell my daughter I want to get off at this stop to take the pic sitting this time.....if only looks could.... She asks ‘Mum, you seriously want to get off the train to take ANOTHER pic?’ I sheepishly reply ‘yes’ and get up making my way out of the carriage and she is forced to get off with me as well, but can you guess why? 

Well I am the legit owner of the ‘Oluwa’ Burna boy tickets, so basically this is a case of ‘She who pays the piper....no entry to O2 to watch him without yours truly, Mummy dearest!😎

If the shoe was on the other foot, there is no way she would have agreed to get off the train to oblige me a second time. The second pose at Canary Wharf doesn’t make the cut as my daughter rushes to take the pic while I’m still adjusting my top! She then sprints towards next tube pulling up at station to continue our journey and I’m rushing behind her to get on before the doors close. 

Funlola let me adjust....Take two📸

The somewhat deafening silence between us lifts as we get down at North Greenwich tube station approaching O2 as Burna Boy beckons. The excitement! We even met up with Itunu of my ‘Let Them Eat Cake blog fame!

We have a fantastic evening! Burna boy has such stage presence. I hobble out of the O2 later that night with ankles and knees sore from all the ‘gbe bodi’ dancing and voice hoarse from the singing. 

Moi, Itunu & Funlola

Note to self: Aunty in future when going for a concert try listening to the artist latest album prior to the event otherwise you’ll spend most of the night ‘eating your mouth’ pretending to know the lyrics, but really only able to sing along to the 4 songs you know ‘Ye Ye Ye’, Jerusalema ‘Killin Dem’ and Angelina ‘On The Low’ as you’ll see in video clip below👇🏾😩

I shall not make the same mistake when I go to watch Wiz kid in November at The O2, his Made In Lagos album playing on loop ‘...you don’t need no other bodyyy💃🏾🎼🎧 

(Notice my smug, subtle, humble-brag folk?)😏

Kirsti, thanks for the inspiration 😘💕

Have you ever mimicked or copied anyone’s vibe? Or has anyone copied you and how did you feel about it? Or do you view such copy-copy behaviour unoriginal?

Thank God it’s Friday, have a good weekend.  

Writing is a way of talking without being interrupted~ Jules Renard

💅🏾