The intention was to put up a very short and sweet thanksgiving post on Thursday. Then I was going to put up another post on Friday to give you a list of businesses/services that should also be having a Black Friday sale, but alas, none of those posts went past my head. It is now Saturday Monday, and from all indications, a Black Friday post would be more useless than useful to you at this point. But on the plus side, I met a fan.
After a long day at the airport on Thanksgiving Day, I honored Yetunde’s dinner invitation and went over to her house for Thanksgiving. Just as I expected, the place was packed with many familiar faces – just what I needed. I helped myself to some mixed rice (a spoon of fried rice and a spoon of red rice) and a glass of wine. Oh, and a little bowl of goat pepper soup. After eating, I carried a friend’s gorgeous baby. I was about to eat her cheeks when the girl next to me started talking about how cute the baby was. We bonded over the baby, both of us acknowledging how nice it was to have a baby and how much nicer it was to just hold someone’s baby and return it when we were done. She introduced herself to me. And I introduced myself right back, saying that my name was Vera. And she asked, “Vera? What’s your last name?” I said, “Ezimora.” And she said, “Oh my God, I read your blog.”
And that was how I met her. She confessed that she had already recognized Funmie who had come in earlier before me. She even recognized Ireti, Funmie’s baby sister. And she recognized them from the pictures I put of them on my blog. “But I was too embarrassed to go say something to her,” she told me. Before I came to Yetunde’s house, I wasn’t my happiest. Until I spoke to this girl (whose name I have deliberately left out because I don’t know if she wants her name mentioned), I was still in a not-so-good mood. She doesn’t know how much brighter she made my day by telling me that she was a religious reader of my blog.
She’s actually not the first fan I have met in this way. I’ve met many actually. But one very memorable one was back in July of this year, at a friend’s wedding. Funmie, Uju, and I were standing outside, about to enter our individual cars and go home. A guy we met at the wedding was also standing with us, talking. He decided to introduce us to his uncle from California, a very pleasant man from all indications. He asked us our names, and we all told him. When he was about to leave, he asked for our names one more time. I was the last person to reintroduce myself, and I said, “Vera.” He looked at me strangely and asked, “Vera? Vera who?” I said, “Ezimora.” He did a mental calculation and asked, “Vera Ezimora? Are you on the internet?” I grinned and said, “Yes.” He said, “Oh, my God! I have been reading your articles for years, and I’ve looked for your picture all over the internet!”
I was grinning widely, trying to stay calm – as per mini celebrity status et al – but inside, I was doing jumping jacks and back flips. Next thing I knew, he hugged me tightly and lifted me up. Oh, hell. Forget the grinning. It was an outburst of laughter everywhere. He talked on and on and on and on about how he read my articles, how he loved me, how intelligent I was, and how he had always wanted to meet me. I felt like I was listening to him talk about someone else. It couldn’t be me he was talking about. I’m just Vera Ezimora. He introduced me to the rest of his friends and family outside, stating that I was the best writer. Ever. Say what?!?!?! Funmie and Uju must have said more awwws than ever. We were so lost in this discovery that I almost left my car keys with him. Somehow, in the midst of our hug, my keys got transferred from my hands to his.
Come January 1st 2012, I will reveal my picture on this blog. I don’t know what this revelation will come with. Will I have to start making sure that not a single strand of hair is ever out of place? Will I have to stand on six-inch heels every time I go out – even when I go to the gym … if I do ever make it there? Will I have to start using make-up every time, even when I’m going to take a shower? Will I have to start expecting the unexpected? Will I be more likely to run into fans? Wait. Will I start making more money on Verastic? I’m feeling a lot of emotions right now: excitement. Anxiety. Fear. Trepidation. EXCITEMENT!!!!!!!!
There’s one big question on my mind right now: what the heck am I supposed to wear for my first blog picture? *biting fingers*
To the girl I met on Thanksgiving Day: thank you. (((HUG)))
Hmnn… Vera, make sure u reveal urself on that day ooo….. no cold feet ok??…..lol. BTW, i think i mite hv seen ur picture somewhere, nyways, 01/01/12 will prove me right…. or wrong..lol
Nice post
Beulah: Definitely no cold feet. And that’s why I blogged about it. I figured that once I blog about it, I’ll be forced to follow through. Even if I get discouraged at this point, I’ll still have to follow through because I have said it already. I guess January 1st will prove you right or wrong *still biting fingers* LOL.
This revelationnn gist don dey turn long thing o… No fall ‘awa’ hand eventually o..
The Rust Geek: You have nothing to worry about. I will not fall your hand. Trust me. Have I ever lied to you? Okay, don’t answer that.
She confessed that she had already recognized Funmie who had come in earlier before me. She even recognized Ireti, Funmie’s baby sister. And she recognized them from the pictures I put of them on my blog. “But I was too embarrassed to go say something to her,” she told me
… Lol. dats cute. But feel free next time please… i am cool peoples” * i think*
*Loud hiss* Funmie, I’ve warned you about coming here and deceiving my people. You, cool peoples??? *louder hiss*
Dear readers, please disregard Funmie’s comment.
Now that is something to look forward to!:)
HoneyDame: *dancing* Awwwww. Thanks! Glad you find it worthy of looking forward to 😉
Vera!
Biko no to begin lifestyle wey u no fit continue.
Known u (at least from what I read here) as a somewhat down to earth babe. No need to go extra mile to look extra-ordinary all the time. A pix of u being u is what gives a peep into the everyday life of celebrities(yep! U re one already). Shows us they are human beings afterall.
Btw- vera, vera, vera no cold feet on the first o. Millions of us are waiting!
BBB: Hahahaha. Don’t worry, love. I was only kidding. Wait. Me, a celebrity? *faints* Thanks for calling my name three times. There won’t be any cold feet. LOL.
Not specific enough. 1st of January. What time? GMt, EST or what T? Lol. Yes o, you’ll have to be on point from now on. Every hair and fake eyelash in place. Perfectly manicured nails, etc etc. You’ve been warned.
Joxy, lol! I see you’re getting way too much pleasure from this. Tehehe. Biko, I don’t know the exact time. But when it’s up, you’ll know 😛
Hahaha It always feels nice to be recognized. My most recent encounter was last week at the Nigerian embassy. I went to get my passport and this woman screamed OMG are you Lohi. I was so embarrassed but it made my day! 🙂 Cant wait for THE picture.
@Lohi: Are you serious? That is soooooo cool! I bet you were like, “Say what?!” Dang! In fact, I need to go to the embassy sef. Ah, ah. Why shall I shy? Which embassy was that? That’s the one I’m going to —- don’t care if it’s in the North Pole. I’m so going!
lekwa Vera anyi is a celebrity o.
I remember the first time I met you, it felt like the heaven’s opened up and I was almost tripping over myself to come and greet you 😀
Chinenye: Hahahaha! Are you for real??? *blushing* That is maaaaaaad cool! Awwwwww. Thanks, babe.
Vera you had better look hot oh or i will not be happy with you:) Seriously though i have seen your picture and you are a pretty girl
Pendo: Awwwwwwww. The aww is for you saying I’m pretty. You don’t get any aww for saying I better look hot. LOL. 😀
Aaawww what a lovely post, it was really nice to meet you too Vera, you absolutely made my day;)
PS: You are incredibly beautiful inside and Out:)
PSS: @ Funmie, I sure will next time:)
Yay!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The girl I met on Thanksgiving Day replied. Woot, woot!!! *dancing* Thank you sooooo much! Hopefully, we’ll run into each other some other day, too. Funmie was really wishing she had met / talked to you too.
Have a blessed week, dear.