The Diary Game || 6-04-24 || Attending the Funeral of a Steemian's [@basil20] Grandmum, Introducing steemit and signing up a User in a Wedding

Dear Diary,
The steemit T-shirt you saw me on in my second to the last diary game was made for a purpose, a special purpose of which a Steemian here was involved. @basil20 invited us for his grand mother's burial some weeks ago of which most steemians Wanted coming but distance and time factors held some of them back.

My day there was memorable and I did something unexpected which brought about some measure of popularity. I won't tell you now. You have to read through..... Remember, this is the picture of the funeral invitation given me. Let's see how it went

_{picture from my WhatsApp chat with @basil20}

Morning Activities

It was a Saturday morning, one of the most busiest days in my life of which many consider free and weekend. I had lot of plans to attend to of which I made a scale of preference so they'll be no disappointment involved leading to wastage of time wich I detest the most. This are piles of my activities that day.

Working out and exercising with steemians	@ngoenyi
Attending a burial	@basil20
Covering an event in a wedding	@andorlings
Visiting my friend in his home	@brightoekeh
Mentoring steemians on WhatsApp social media	WhatsApp
Creating Contents	@steemit

These were activities I had to balance up in 24 hours. It wasn't easy balancing up all these activities so I had to delist some from my plans. I was to go on a workout with steemians as early as 6Am but I thought of my body adaptation. If I'm to go and exercise, I may incur pains in my body that may prevent me from attending to all activities planned that day. So I delisted the first activity and then took to the second and most important

I took to preparing as I had people that would accompany me down there. The venue for the Steemian @basil20 who lost his grand mother in death was to hold at Ikono LGA off Ikot Ekpene Rd. I left the house with the intent of powering my phone as I had a lot to cover. Unfortunately, I got disappointed badly as where I do charge said they won't be able to power my phone due to low voltage.

I just had to manage the battery and left with my friend to the plaza where we would board a vehicle down there. I was on my t-shirt which I branded for that event. The inscriptions on the t-shirt says; Condolences from steemit to the bereaved Steemian. I attended this event on behalf of steemit. One of us lost his soul mate as fondly called in death.

On our way to the plaza, the bus in which we boarded stopped by a fuel station to fill his tank. We were late so we told him to be fast about it. When we were still on the road, we stumbled on some road safety officers who were checking on seat belts. There's this tanker they wanted blocking but the speed at which the tanker used in dodging their blocks almost affected us. I saw death coming my way. In my mind I was like, what if this tanker fell on our vehicle?

On our way to attend the funeral

Fare	#250 naira	0.7 steem

We arrived in no time and got to the parking lots where buses are boarded to ikot Ekpene. The bus driver charged us high compared to the former fare we used to pay. We had no choice but to enter the vehicle. I sat in front deliberately so as to power my phone. In no time, the bus was filled and we left for Ikot Ekpene.

Fare	#700 naira	2.2 steems

While on the bus, I took some captures of a funny scene between two buses and a car. It was as if these vehicles were racing. They bus in front blocked the road in such a way that the vehicles behind couldn't pass without a scratch. This was done for almost two minutes before he stopped that nonsense. We passed several local government area before reaching Ikot Ekpene.

Finally, we go there and we were to board a bike that would take us down to the village. At first, the bike men said #3000 for three of us i.e on two bikes. We priced them #2000 naira but they didn't consent. After considering, one of them agreed to carry us all in one bike for that price.

We hopped on the bike and off we went. I took pictures while on the bike, crazy me. Still on the Bike, I captured how the village was. Some places were tarred while some weren't. The village looked so peaceful and calm with greens everywhere. I was just marveled with the scenes and landscapes. We got into a place where the roads were just bad. I wondered how these inhabitants do during rainy seasons.

Fare	#2000 naira	5.7 steem

In no time, we got there and I took pictures of our safe landing to the village and venue of the burial..We were just so happy we didn't have to spend so much money. They thanked me for such negotiations in price as they wouldn't have thought of that. It was past 10Am and nothing was done. Calls were placed to the bereaved and their reply was that they are on their way.

These are pictures we took while waiting for the burial to commence. My aim and objectives there was to cover the event of which I tried my best in doing though something came up. I was just so hungry that I had to purchase some snacks from a nearby store and ate before hunger did me dirty.

Purchases	400 naira	1.1 steem

I took to looking for where I'll power my phone before the event commenced. These were the pictures I took entering the venue where canopies were staked.

	picture of the house the bereaved family will stay
	picture of the constructed tent for the dead
	Picture of the whole place
	picture of one of the choir singers
	picture of a musical instrument setting
	picture of the drum set.

In no time, the coffin was brought forward of which four men balanced it on their shoulders and were parading with it. Then women in front held the frame picture of the dead woman and were dancing about the arena. They did so until the dead was kept in a house before exposure to the tent. I don't know why this was done though. I just had to observe things.

Picture of four men taking the coffin inside the house

The program started with praises and songs. I had another event to attend so I had to leave that village by 12:30pm latest. While observing certain things, I captured a point where a big basil was kept in front of the audience so that contributions would be made. The pastors made everyone dance through that basin so they can put anything they have. I could imagine how embarrassing it was for those that didn't have to put as all eyes were on them.

The bereaved @basil20 later came and I took pictures with him. Fortunately, we had another steemian, @usoro01. She was there as well. She had to sacrifice to come. I was excited to see that at least we made it to make him feel among as if he has an online and physical family.

It was time for me to leave for the next event. @basil20 gave me what they could offer which was rich in my view and I left. Locating a bike was another issue. I had to walk miles and luckily for me, I saw one. I hopped on the bike without needing to negotiate much and he drove me to the plaza where I would see a vehicle down to Uyo. This is a picture of me. I had nothing to cover my head from the scourging sun, so I had to cover this net.

Fare	#1200 naira	3.4 steem

My friend kept calling me to show up on his brother's wedding and that I should hurry. He wanted paying me to cover the whole event of which I was left although not really late. I boarded a bus straight to that reception hall at Samlaw hotel and rushed in to capture what I was about missing, the dance.

Fare	#800 naira	2.3 steem

Covering A wedding ceremony with my phone

I was paid by my friend to cover the wedding ceremony of his brother. These were the pictures I took. My photographing skills were so great that a lot of people collected my number for contracts if they got one. I gave out mind blowing pictures that everyone were dragging me to capture them. I felt so popular and big.

They left other photographers who charged them high to where I was found so they could appear on my phone. I told them it's my phone's doings. I did a lot of capture that day of which others were part of the capture and paid me for the job well done.

After capturing, food was served in bags. Because of how busy I was, my friend collected four bags and kept for me. I was big that day 😁. He then invited me to his house to enjoy some more. It was such a pleasure. On my way to his house, the servers about 8 of them asked me how much I bought my phone and that they would love to make such purchases.

In no time, told them about steemit and all of them were interested. They promised to message me when they got home as they would love to follow my lead. Impatiently, one of them was at my neck and I signed him up with the username @mellorando

Food and drinks was in excess. I ate more than what the four bags contained. I then left his house to mine. Would I call it a wasted day? No.... I did some captures for this diary game entry.

Fare.	#200 naira	0.57 steem

I then ended by day by mentoring my students on steemit a little before going to bed. The stress was seen on my face and I felt it.

• I couldn't create contents that day
• No workout
• No visiting.....

At least I did three things that day of not all. **I spent a total of

Total money spent	5,750 naira	16.4 steems

This is my diary game entry
Dated 6th of April, 2024
Redmi Note 12 Pro