Week of the gods ⚡️
First off, the title of this post is not random. It was specially hand picked, because the events of the week were in one word, DIVINE. 'Week of the gods' is directly gotten from Ayrton Senna's unbelievable opening lap at the 1993 European Grand Prix. That particular lap was named 'lap of the gods' (see what I did there 😉). Senna went from fifth to first place in treacherous weather conditions on that lap and that was exactly how my week went.
Hol up, who is Ayrton Senna? Senna is someone I consider to be the 'John the Baptist' of Formula 1. He dominated F1 in his time, died doing what he loved and his death brought about a lot of reforms to motorsports. I will have to do a proper piece on Senna's short but amazing life. Before that article, you can watch the movie Senna if you're so eager to know more about him.
Sunday - The Turning Point
Some people say a new week begins on Monday, but this week’s events begin on a Sunday, so Sunday it is! On that fateful Sunday night, an INTERVENTION was held for me by my housemates and boy was it something. If you're familiar with the series How I Met Your Mother (HIMYM), you should be no stranger to interventions. I felt like Ted in the moment, while Marshall, Lily, Barney and Robin gave me the life changing revelation. 💀
Prior to the intervention, I had made plans to visit Lagos but I had been stalling. I named this part 'the turning point', because that intervention gave me the necessary drive to get off my ass and go chase my dreams. Maybe someday I'll make some money off the circumstances behind that intervention by telling that story but for now, we move! ✌🏾
Monday - Final Stage of Grief (Acceptance)
I thought about my life, accepted reality and re-strategized! 💪🏾
Tuesday - Calculated Impulse!
Remember the old jam, 'Tuesday' by I Love Makonnen featuring Drake? Yeah, the Tuesday of that week felt very much like that song. I left for clinic early that morning and didn't return until about 6:30pm because I was on call. I got home, changed my clothing and went to the barber shop to do something no one saw coming. I wouldn't say it was an impulsive decision, because I had plans to do it weeks before and with everything going on at the time, it felt like the perfect 'brand new start' thing to do.
For some reason everyone (family and friends) were shocked by the look. I guess they never pictured a 'Grandpa' doing this, but they liked it and most especially, I loved it too. I really wish I could keep the signature orange hair but all thanks to medical school, I was back to factory setting in no time. Tuesday might as well have been the real turning point, because God used a very special someone to speak to me earlier on that day. He gave me a form of clarity money can't buy and that was the ultimate push I needed for Wednesday.
P.S - The barber messed up the original colour plan, but in the best way possible. He was supposed to correct it, but I looked into the mirror and said, 'no need for that, I love it!'
Wednesday - Gigantic Leap of Faith
I had been talking to King Khaz of Khaz Customs since June, when I first saw him at the Ilorin Car Show. You should check out that article for more details on my meeting King K. So, knowing I was going to be barely an hour from him at Abeokuta, I requested to come see him in Lagos and he affirmed. A week to the meeting time, he suddenly went M.I.A. I knew he was very busy with projects and other things he had previously informed me about, but time was running out.
After the Sunday intervention, I had initially called my friend who I was to stay with in Lagos and told him I was no longer coming. He was definitely not expecting my call on Wednesday afternoon, when I said 'what is your home address, I'm coming...' I booked my train ticket Wednesday afternoon, packed my bags like a refugee and set out hoping that universe would smile on me.
P.S - It was really great seeing my friend, host and fake manager, Daniel after close to two years.
Thursday - D DAY!
Lagos being Lagos, I had to be up quite early on the next day to beat traffic. I was to transport myself from somewhere in Surulere to Khaz Customs Head Quarters around Lekki Gardens. Take note that I had not been in Lagos since 2018, so I didn't know anywhere but I found my way around. After close to 2 hours on the road, I finally arrived at the Khaz Customs HQ.
Note: King K didn't know I was coming, lol
On getting to the Head Quarters, I was ushered into the reception. I then said I was there to see King K and the next question that hit me was 'do you have an appointment?' Knowing fully well that I didn't, I said yes I do. The very nice receptionist looked through her list and definitely did not see my name. That was when I explained that it was an unofficial appointment. So they called him and another question hit, 'who should we say is here to see him?' and I responded, 'the medical student who writes about cars'. Immediately after the call, I received a message from King K that he would be with me shortly and so the elevator music began... 🎵
While I waited, the Bike Guru, Ayo Sho walked into the reception and I immediately recognized him. I introduced myself, had a quick chat and quickly bagged a follow back. I also met Niyi, the man behind most of Khaz Customs' amazing content and behind my fire pictures. King K finally arrived and I got THE HANDSHAKE! We had a quick chat and he showed me around the workshop. It was at that point I met the beauty on wheels, the Porsche 911 GT3 RS!!! She was in a corner of the workshop receiving some special spa treatment. I was looking forward to seeing Rema's newly purchased McLaren, but the blacked out beauty had already been delivered to the Rave Lord.
For someone as wealthy and influential as King K, he is one of the most humble, kind and easy going persons I have met. He had a very tight schedule and lest you forget I did not have an official appointment; Despite these, King K took his time to show me around and gave me audience. He will see this here, but when it comes to this car thing, he is one of my role models. Do watch the video of my Khaz Experience, enjoy!
Friday - I met Ziv'
Prior to Wednesday, I had spoken to RideWithMiee a couple times, but I had forgotten to inform her I was coming to Lagos. Right there on the train on Wednesday evening, I texted that I was in Lagos and would love to see her. Normally it would take at least a day to get a reply from 'Miee but before the trip ended, I was surprised to get a response. She explained that she wasn't available on Thursday but Friday would be fine. 'Miee is a very busy person and barely online, but I guess fate did it's thing. On Friday morning I packed my bags, as I was to return back to Abeokuta after the meeting and set off with my friend to the rendezvous' location.
We got to the workshop (Smiles Autos) and she hadn't arrived yet, but we met a man who introduced himself as Muse. I didn't think much of the name at first, but he was putting on a 'BMW club member' T-shirt, so I knew he had to be an OG gear head. It was later on while speaking with 'Miee, I realised the person I met earlier was Alhaji Muse. I won't say much, just check out Muse's Instagram handle to understand who I had casually bumped into. I also met Tobi, the owner of Smiles Autos, very chill guy.
In many amateur settings, I'm the 'car guy' spitting out car lava. But I met 'Miee and boy was I in awe. At first I was trying to chip in, so it doesn't look like I was dumb but at a point, I told myself to shut up and just listen. During the conversation she began talking about the BMW generations and their engine configurations and I was absolutely lost, but I kept nodding away like an agama. We spoke about a lot of things, automotive and otherwise, and believe me, those conversations were golden. I left about an hour to my train departure and bid fair well to my brother from another mother, Daniel and I was back in Abeokuta by nightfall.
P.S - The next time I see 'Miee, I will know the BMW engine configurations like the back of my palm.
Saturday - Honour To Whom it's Due
The week had come to an end and yes I did all the work and took all the risks; But there was that special someone who I believe was strategically placed by God to give me THE PUSH! I went to see him that evening, gave him his flowers and bid him farewell. Thus, the week of the gods came to a glorious end.
I titled this post the 'weeks of the gods' but truly, it is the 'week designed by God', because no amount of coincidences could have produced such a week. Thinking back and connecting the dots, everything and everyone involved in that week had to be scripted by non else than God himself and I am grateful. Until next time, always remember to Turbo that engine!
P.S - 08140266662 is the number to call if you are in the market for any cars! Peace out ✌🏾
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