tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-361289052014-08-19T04:41:39.182-04:00Slices of Life. Collage of Reflections.Julien Rolandnoreply@blogger.comBlogger184125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36128905.post-15208214285605420782011-11-21T16:55:00.001-05:002011-11-21T17:02:34.557-05:00

          On Saturday, I drove past a dead body on my way to work. Right by my house. I couldn't believe what I was seeing at first: a woman had been left there to rot, covered in rags and dirt; two tires placed in front of her, signaling that something was obstructing traffic. A whole in the ground perhaps? Down at the police station, I had to pretend to be calling important people in order for

Julien Rolandhttps://plus.google.com/101824519660923554191noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36128905.post-86879757555414674982011-11-13T17:58:00.001-05:002011-11-13T18:03:48.559-05:00

Somewhat lost and stuck in traffic somewhere in Ibadan, driving by this truck brightened my day...

Julien Rolandhttps://plus.google.com/101824519660923554191noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36128905.post-5815177981924253652011-09-07T17:46:00.001-04:002011-09-07T17:47:00.307-04:00

Like a lot of Nigerian men, Lekkan tends to think that after a sweet night of passion - though I have to admit this one was good - he's got me all wrapped around his finger.  That (I should think) we are now an item. Isn't it what having sex means? The physical sealing of a deal, that which involves honesty, exclusivity, and longevity? No! It shouldn't matter how many guys he's slept with in

Julien Rolandhttps://plus.google.com/101824519660923554191noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36128905.post-7163961144347962592011-06-08T03:26:00.007-04:002011-06-08T03:53:27.886-04:00

Adeyemi dumped his girl (read one of his numerous conquests) a few months ago, which means he doesn't talk to her anymore, yet still feels the need to talk about her often, with as much contempt as he possibly can, that goes without saying. His recent hatred for her even drove him to cut her face out of any picture she was in. "She's no good," he told me. When I dared ask why, he answered in

Julien Rolandhttps://plus.google.com/101824519660923554191noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36128905.post-60953745152450084112011-02-19T04:41:00.000-05:002011-02-19T04:41:47.754-05:00

Julien Rolandhttps://plus.google.com/101824519660923554191noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36128905.post-34294684817133644542010-07-24T12:22:00.003-04:002010-07-24T14:32:14.521-04:00

My hand brushes your forehead and lingers there, while the whispers coming out of my mouth start to weave themselves around you. Not what you expected, is it? You smile and your eyes light up, finally reflecting the longings you've been suppressing. You've just been hit. Neglected for so long, this secret spot in you is demanding reparation. But don't you worry my boy. Nurture is my pleasure.

Julien Rolandhttps://plus.google.com/101824519660923554191noreply@blogger.com1Kent, OH, USA41.1536674 -81.357885941.089041400000006 -81.4746154 41.2182934 -81.2411564tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36128905.post-52550045849994357672010-03-13T19:16:00.006-05:002010-03-13T19:37:25.080-05:00

Given the recent sex scandals which have been rocking the Vatican lately, I thought now would be a good time to post the infamous video of Sinead O'Connor performing Bob Marley's War at SNL back in 1992. Sinead ended her performance by holding a picture of the Pope, tearing it into pieces, and then saying "Fight the real enemy!" Shock and outrage were to follow. This actually caused so much

Julien Rolandhttps://plus.google.com/101824519660923554191noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36128905.post-50789853525381699352010-03-07T13:18:00.001-05:002010-03-14T00:04:50.478-05:00

Today, one of my friends' facebook status said that she can't forgive AND forget, that she will pick one. While she is known for her witty updates, I found this one to have a fundamental truth underneath its humorous surface. I was going to leave a comment on her profile. Sure, you can't actually forget because amnesia never helped any of us learn lessons from life; the answer was very simple to

Julien Rolandhttps://plus.google.com/101824519660923554191noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36128905.post-7698674168671523982010-03-06T17:23:00.001-05:002010-03-06T17:24:30.071-05:00

The sun is out, finally. Gently warming up my body, and fiercely attacking the thick coat of snow that has been piling up in the last few months. The snow is doing its best to resist but has already lost quite a few battles. Soon enough, it will be gone, revealing a numb scenery, one that has been sleeping, patiently waiting to bloom. Slowly but surely, nature is waking up. Is there any reason

Julien Rolandhttps://plus.google.com/101824519660923554191noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36128905.post-51259584335778133372009-12-27T19:17:00.003-05:002010-03-14T00:19:14.605-05:00

I cannot see you when I speak or hear you when my eyes are open. Maybe it's something that I always sensed Your dolls close their eyes when you put them to sleep, Sinking into automatic darkness Yet it's the blindness of my eyes that makes me see, Forcing a sudden awareness My heart starts to open And my soul starts to bleed. Both long for your wise innocence If I listen close enough, I can

Julien Rolandhttps://plus.google.com/101824519660923554191noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36128905.post-81269557647687985312009-12-26T12:54:00.001-05:002010-03-14T00:04:50.478-05:00

The more I read, the more I'm touched by words, or so it seems. I'm not sure whether this kind of empathy develops with practice or with age, but I can't feel detached anymore. More and more, I find myself genuinely feeling and hearing the voices others put on paper. I cried my eyes out with E. Lynn Harris, got so enraged I was ready for war with Achebe, felt a sweet melancholy with Sagan, and

Julien Rolandhttps://plus.google.com/101824519660923554191noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36128905.post-68558993837202653852009-11-29T11:03:00.007-05:002010-03-07T13:22:28.954-05:00

After 10 years of waiting, a dream is finally coming true. Sade's new album is scheduled to drop on February 8th.  It's hard to describe what Sade's music mean to me. She's always been one of my mom's all time favorite singers, and so she'd play her tapes on my dad's old boombox for hours on end. It didn't matter whether she was cooking, cleaning, doing laundry, or simply trying to take nap,

Julien Rolandhttps://plus.google.com/101824519660923554191noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36128905.post-88437070105974714662009-11-26T15:40:00.002-05:002010-03-13T23:58:41.303-05:00

In addition to being America's best christian - because, let's face it, she is "more conservative than Jesus" - Betty Bowers' sense of humor and parody is priceless. Everyone should check out her messages on her website, including this video, in which she explains what constitutes a biblical marriage.

Julien Rolandhttps://plus.google.com/101824519660923554191noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36128905.post-3825902188148367652009-11-25T18:03:00.000-05:002010-03-14T00:05:25.029-05:00

Sometimes working hard feels like doing coke. The more work they give you, the more energized you feel. Spending less (or no) time in bed, eating less, and drinking more coffee rarely has the effect you would expect on your body... and the withdrawal leaves you completely disoriented. A holiday? What is that? Good thing that being high on work is a habit that is quite easy to break. Now that I

Julien Rolandhttps://plus.google.com/101824519660923554191noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36128905.post-23763555512909044402009-11-06T13:07:00.001-05:002010-03-14T00:00:32.425-05:00

You say you've started seeing somebody, that you are quite happy with the way your relationship is shaping. You tell me about all the cute things you want to do for him, and I listen. That's wonderful, I say. I know I should be happy for you. I think I am, actually. At least a part of me is, but... I've gotten used to our intimacy. I like you. We're not a couple and we're not just friends. But I

Julien Rolandhttps://plus.google.com/101824519660923554191noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36128905.post-32301452090716251532009-11-02T23:12:00.001-05:002010-03-14T00:05:25.029-05:00

Just when I thought nothing could distract me from working on my midterms, I got an interesting notification on my facebook page. Nice! I wasn't able to make it to her last concert! I sure won't miss that one... I hope facebook will also let me know about upcoming gigs from Marvin Gaye and Jeff Buckely... I haven't seen them in a while either

Julien Rolandhttps://plus.google.com/101824519660923554191noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36128905.post-44326739086617184262009-11-01T13:49:00.003-05:002009-12-27T13:50:52.231-05:00

All good things must come to an end, so I'm on the train, on my way back to Port Authority My iPod is playing. The song is sad and intense, but I'm happy : I'm moving Epiphany: you and I can never be. I know it now It's not as bad as I thought it would be I can feel it in my bones ; something is going to happen. Something is going to hurt. But I'm looking forward to it I'm looking forward to

Julien Rolandhttps://plus.google.com/101824519660923554191noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36128905.post-87854921586850388972009-10-31T11:37:00.001-04:002010-03-14T00:06:19.332-05:00

Niko and I met the other night. After 2 years of talking on the phone, this was our first time seeing each other in the flesh. Gray areas. I've become a master at exploring those. Yet this one is limpid and pure. He and I are living proof that even (especially?) online, you reap what you sow. When you are genuinely open to true friendship, you can find it anywhere. We left Times Square and

Julien Rolandhttps://plus.google.com/101824519660923554191noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36128905.post-1817814458574688922009-10-30T20:16:00.000-04:002010-03-14T00:06:19.333-05:00

At the Marriott in Times Square for the ATA conference. I am walking quickly through the 7th floor, on my way to the next presentation. Hotel guy, pointing to his right: You room is that way! Me: How do you know that? Hotel guy: We talked earlier... and I'm not likely to forget this, now pointing at me. I thought it would be fun to wear my yellow shoes, red pants, and a bee-like sweater at

Julien Rolandhttps://plus.google.com/101824519660923554191noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36128905.post-4555589354601901602009-10-12T18:52:00.003-04:002010-03-07T19:42:24.138-05:00

Looks like what happened in Vegas won't stay in Vegas... In this video, a gay lamb proposes to his boyfriend on stage during Mariah's concert. Who needs a fancy restaurant, a room full of roses, or a trip to Paris, when you can have the Mariah Carey be a witness to your engagement and toast to it?! Being a hardcore lamb myself, I have to say that this is the sweetest, most romantic thing I have

Julien Rolandhttps://plus.google.com/101824519660923554191noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36128905.post-77178998576082685982009-10-03T13:39:00.002-04:002009-10-03T15:46:58.035-04:00

I wake up with a weight on my chest, and even though I could use some rest, I do not want to go back to sleep. I knew I should not have taken a nap at that time of the afternoon; there is something utterly depressing about waking up to find out that the sunlight is gone. I should have also known better than to mention your name before giving in to slumber; my subconscious was quick to remind me

Julien Rolandhttps://plus.google.com/101824519660923554191noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36128905.post-16914377650844724282009-09-20T19:43:00.003-04:002009-10-02T17:00:45.886-04:00

I think I've always been open open about the love/hate relationship I have with Beyoncé: I've always loved her music and her determination, but I've always found personality to be somewhat fake and irritating. I don't know if she has gone through some changes lately or if I just finally got to see a new side of her, but I have to admit that she has scored quite a few points in my celeb book.

Julien Rolandhttps://plus.google.com/101824519660923554191noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36128905.post-60499088799503281952009-09-14T22:43:00.001-04:002010-03-14T00:06:19.334-05:00

It only takes 5 minutes, but each one of them feels like a decade. I've done it so many times that I tell myself I shouldn't have to worry. I guess it starts to work as I enter the room with no apprehension. "This is just another routine check, like every other test I took before." I have nothing special to report, or so I tell myself. I just want to make sure that I'm alright. Always

Julien Rolandhttps://plus.google.com/101824519660923554191noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36128905.post-79243350974323060312009-09-06T01:30:00.000-04:002009-10-03T15:47:18.387-04:00

It might not be informative, and depicting the male partner of  a heterosexual couple as being the threat might be very cliché.. (we get it, the virus is the invader, and in sexual imagery, a woman does not really fit the description), but this ad, which ironically enough was created by a German advertising agency, definitely does what it is supposed to do : get your attention. It makes you stop

Julien Rolandhttps://plus.google.com/101824519660923554191noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36128905.post-15737973576900443002009-09-03T12:37:00.000-04:002009-09-03T12:37:36.001-04:00

Because it doesn't have to be father's day for us to remember how important the role a dad plays in his child's life is... Plus it's such a cute video, it will literally "cheer you up" if you were not having a grool day!

Julien Rolandhttps://plus.google.com/101824519660923554191noreply@blogger.com0