CeReBrAL GuMbo.....

cOOL PiX WEDNesdaYS....RetURns

2011-11-09T17:38:00.000-08:00

Since this guy (among every other thing in my hectic life) is the reason that I have been so sporadic in my blogging, I thought I'd dedicate this week's Cool Pix to him...

My all-kinds-of awesome son!

liFE oF a wORkiNG mOM.....

2011-10-11T20:47:00.000-07:00

"I've never been in love like this before
Now let me pray to keep you from
The perils that will surely come
See life for you my prince has just begun
And I thank you for choosing me
To come through unto life to be
A beautiful reflection of his grace
See I know that a gift so great
Is only one God could create
And I'm reminded every time I see your face"

- Lauryn Hill, Zion, The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill

You spend 9 whole months creating him, you've bonded before birth and after he's born, you spend close to 3 months of one-on-one time with the new man in your life. You learn all the quirks, have many a sleepless night and you realize that your heart no longer resides in your chest, but is a 14 pound ball of smiles and laughs with a face that looks half yours. And then--you have to go back to work.

Maternity leave is up, bills need to be paid and frankly, you are going stir crazy in the house. After months of calling and interviewing, you finally find someone who you trust to take care of your little guy while you're away all day and the moment you walk up to the door to drop him off for the first time you think, "what the heck am I doing?"

I recently had that revelation of sorts when I dropped my son off with the sitter for the first time. We walked in the door I gave my detailed instructions (because no one else in the world besides me is capable of looking after a baby) and as I make a big fuss waving goodbye, my son briefly glances my way and his attention is immediately diverted by the sitter waving a singing panda in his face.

What am I? Chopped liver?

I walked you to the sitter's door like I was going to the electric chair and reluctantly hand you over because it was almost unbearable to let you go for a whole day without me and all I got was a glance?

But that glance gave me comfort and made it a little easier to leave because I knew you would be fine and well entertained. It showed me you were comfortable which helped me breathe easy.

But gosh kid, can't I a least get a goodbye laugh next time?

inADVertenT weDDINg cRASheR....

2011-10-06T15:40:00.000-07:00

My simple errand to pick up my son's birth certificate from the court house turned into the wedding crashing event of the millennium.

Me: (Walks in building and to the front desk) Hi, where do I go to get a copy of my son's birth certificate?

Front Desk Lady: Room 148

Me: Thanks!

I walked to room 148 and there were two of them--148a and 148b...I walked into A.

Me: (Opens door to a wedding in progress) Oops! I'm so sorry! (As I shamefully hang my head and try to back out gracefully)

Random Wedding Guest: No, no, no, no! Come! Come in! Please!

Me: Oooookay

Random Wedding Guest: (Hands me a glass of sparkling cider as the wedding is in progress) Welcome!

So, I drank my sparkling cider and watched this wedding--which was beautiful by the way and once the wedding was over, I said my congrats and attempted to leave out.

Random Wedding Guest: No, no, no! Pictures! Please!

Me: No, I couldn't...

Random Wedding Guest: Yes! Come! (As he pulls me into the pic with the ENTIRE family...including the bride and groom)

I finally finagled my way out and got my son's birth certificate, but what a way to spend your lunch!

True Story.

I can't make this stuff up!

'rOCk rAP...

2011-09-30T11:48:00.000-07:00

"They call me Dope Man, Dope Man
I try to tell em I'm where hope, floats man
Ghetto spokes-man" - Jay-Z, Volume 3: The Life and times of S. Carter

A couple of days ago, VH1 had a special--I forget the name--dealing with Crack and Hip Hop. It was pretty darn interesting. They chronicled the rise and fall of the crack generation, how it inspired Hip Hop and how Hip Hop inspired it. What I got from it though, and from the artists that grew out of that era, was that a lot of young brothers didn't see that life as glamorous at all. I mean, yeah, they got money and cars and popularity from it, but for the most part that was the only way that poor, undereducated, disenfranchised black youth saw as an attainable way to provide for their families.

Now I could write an entire book about why this was the case, but the purpose of this post is to point out how weird it is that most of the Old Guard in Hip Hop used their music (fueled by the drug money) to GET OUT of that life but all you seem to hear now with rappers (who never even lived that life) is them glorifying it. It's so crazy how backwards people are!

Here's this man who is so poor and whose mind is so damaged from Post Traumatic Slave Syndrome, whose community and its leaders are being picked off one by one--and then you have a person wanting to rap about this man's life like he's sitting on top of the world? Are you dumb? Were you not paying attention when he got shot at his friends funeral? Or when his son was held hostage and killed by a rival? No? Well, maybe you were there when he went on "vacation" for 25 years and missed his daughter's ENTIRE life.

Why would you want to emulate that life? You say that this man was your inspiration but I think you were inspired by the wrong part of his journey. Maybe you should've been inspired by his best friend who decided to cut his losses and get a record deal rapping about the things people shouldn't do. It's really weird the turn that Hip Hop took in regards to the crack/cocaine lifestyle. It's like it went from a news report to a video game where the only avatars to choose from were dope boys, stick up boys or king pins--and nine times out of 10, these same rappers couldn't walk two blocks in Felix Mitchell's/Rayful Edmonds'/Azie's/Rick Ross' shoes--and they shouldn't want to either.

Peace.

alRIGht, ALRigHt, aLRiiiiiiiiGht....

2011-09-29T15:00:00.000-07:00

It's been a while my friends. Between being put on bed rest for a month, going through 51 hours of labor (an entire post in itself), more bed rest and burping,feeding, changing a 7lb (now 13lbs as I write) man--life has been pretty hectic to say the least. But, alas, I have returned!

So, one of the first things I've done since getting back in the swing of things was go see Kevin Hart's, "Laugh at My Pain". I figure after everything I've been through in the past few months, I needed a good laugh and Kevin Hart is seriously funny--get i? No? You didn't laugh? Ok. That's cool.

Anyway, I was was watching the movie and near death from laughing, I started to think about the jokes he was telling and realize that this man's life is a hot mess right now. Between his divorce, his mom's passing and the family drug problems I didn't know whether to laugh at his jokes or give him a hug. So, I'm now sitting in the theater utterly confused as to how to react. Like, I'm literally laughing at his pain.

Every time he said something funny, I cracked up laughing, then immediately felt bad, like I needed to go confess or something--it was a mess for my emotional stability. But I'm good now, and I'm glad I went. Now I'm waiting for Katt Williams to get back at it--although with the way his life has been going lately, I feel like I'm setting myself up for failure again.

Peace.

thROWbaCk thURSdAYs......

2011-09-29T11:40:00.000-07:00

BOBBY!!!! WOOOO!!! (Don't hate)

peRSpeCtiVe...

2011-08-22T12:43:00.001-07:00

rATTleR pRIde...

2011-08-06T13:18:00.000-07:00

This happened to me in undergrad while at a greek step show when I was at home in D.C. On break. True story.

Guy: Hey, I was wondering if I could call you some time?

Me: Sure, but I'm going back to school this weekend so I won't be here for long.

Guy: Oh, I go to school in Florida so I'll be leaving soon too--but I'd still like to get to know you.

Me: I go to school in Florida too! What school?

Guy: BCC

Me: *walks away*

cOOl Pix WedNEsdAYs....

2011-06-01T20:15:00.000-07:00

Decided to make myself the subject this week. Did a maternity shoot recently and here's my fav ....

.........

2011-06-01T20:13:00.000-07:00

After the Egyptian and Indian, the Greek and Roman, the Teuton and Mongolian, the Negro is a sort of seventh son, born with a veil, and gifted with second-sight in this American world,--a world which yields him no true self-consciousness, but only lets him see himself through the revelation of the other world. It is a peculiar sensation, this double-consciousness, this sense of always looking at one's self through the eyes of others, of measuring one's soul by the tape of a world that looks on in amused contempt and pity. One ever feels his twoness,--an American, a Negro; two warring souls, two thoughts, two unreconciled strivings; two warring ideals in one dark body, whose dogged strength alone keeps it from being torn asunder.

The history of the American Negro is the history of this strife,--this longing to attain self-conscious manhood, to merge his double self into a better and truer self....

W.E.B DuBois

muSt rEad...

2011-05-18T10:00:00.000-07:00

Should probably be used as a text book in college classes. Very insightful. Pick it up.

cOOL pIx WEdnesDayS... thE LasT drAgON ediTioN

2011-05-18T09:58:00.000-07:00

Because I just watched this movie..for the millionth time. Because I died laughing (like litterally had to be resuscitated) watching this movie..for the millionth time. Because this movie is probably one of the greatest spoofs (right up there with I'm Gonna Get You Sucka) of all time, I have dedicated this Cool Pix Weds to ......dun dun dun!!!!

THE LAST DRAGON !!!!

"Well, well, well. If it ain't the serious, elusive Leroy Green. I've been waiting a long time for this, Leroy. I am sick of hearing these bullsh*t Superman stories about the Wassah! Legendary Bruce Leroy catching bullets with his teeth. Catches bullets with his teeth? Ni**a please"

"Those bound by desire see only that which can be held in their hands."

He's got the Glow!!!

Sho'Nuff: Alright Leroy, who's the one and only master?

Bruce Leroy: I AM!

uGH....

2011-03-10T22:44:00.001-08:00

So how about my friend and I were lost in San Francisco today looking for this restaurant. We pulled up next to this guy and rolled down our window to ask directions--and he promptly looked at us and sped away post haste. I mean, did we offend you sir? Do we look like deranged thug lords that were out to get you? How rude!! Maybe I'll just stick to the other side of the Bay....

wELp...iT's oFFIciAL..iT"s haPPenEd to ME tOO...

2011-03-10T22:43:00.000-08:00

So I'm officially pregnant. I mean, of course by the 5 month marker I would know from all the other indicators--namely the huge belly with a little man dwelling in it who makes it his personal business to do the people's elbow on my bladder and pile drive my ribs. I've always heard that extreme fatigue accompanied this wonderful condition and thought that I'd experienced the worst of it during the first 3 months (which I affectionately dub hell ~~week~~ quarter of a year--kind of the hazing part for moms-to-be). Boy was I wrong!

Today, on one of my MANY sleepy trips to the bathroom (see constant bladder abuse above) I seemed to have forgotten that I was supposed to go back to bed and sleep and woke up 30 minutes later in the same spot that my frequent bathroom trips take me...(you get the gist). How embarrassing to myself, and now (since I'm telling you) the entire blogosphere to fall asleep on the toilet!! Alas, I know that I am not alone (says all the mommy-to-be books that I have now memorized--I know what I'm talking about and that makes me right).

No longer will I laugh at those poor tired pregnant women who've had the misfortune of tinkling or sleeping in a not-so cool place because now--I have joined their ranks! Adding this to the ~~unreasonably long~~ list of things my son has to make up for when he's on the outside.

As I hang my sleepy head in shame and finally walk to my bed--I bid you adieu and hope to never have to write of such things again.

Peace.

tEAcHErs aRE aMAzinG...

2011-03-02T20:32:00.000-08:00

So, I started a new job Monday as a Career Advisor to High Schoolers and the like. I was (and still am) very excited about going in and helping to mold the youth into productive citizens and all the coolness that it entails. I was not--however--prepared to be thrust into a teaching role my second day on the job.

Turns out the Professional Development teacher caught a bug which resulted in his class being unattended without a substitute on deck--enter poor unsuspecting guidance counselor (me).

In any case, my supervisor asked (told) me to take over the class for the day so I put on my brave face--having never taught a day in my life--and made it happen. I walked in to 15 bright faces who, when I told them I would be their sub for the day immediately took that as a free period to do nothing--how wrong they were. No, I wasn't the crazy sub from hell, but yes, they were going to learn gosh darn it and I was going to teach them.

I asked them all to show me their resumes (because Tuesday was resume perfecting day) and after looking them over I thought "boy, do I have LOTS of work to do." I prepared myself for the longest most grueling day ever and to my delight, it wasn't all that bad. As I got into the class and eventually sat down one-on-one with them to review what they'd learned from me thus far (this is at the end of the day), my heart was immediately warmed at how these kids soaked up EVERYTHING (some of them even used my words verbatim on their finished resumes..lol) I taught that day.

I even had a few kids who were dead-set against not doing work because "they didn't see the point" who turned out to be my MOST AMAZING students of the day. Although my feet, my back and just about everything on my body ached at the end of the day, it was all worth it when I saw the impact I made and I knew they left the class with a little extra knowledge.

No, I haven't found a new passion--teaching is not really my thing, but I commend all of those who take up the task and I think you guys are amazing!!! (Especially my mom because she's better than everyone else :) )

cOOl pIX WEDNesDayS...bLAck hiSTOry eDiTiON...

2011-02-09T15:58:00.000-08:00

Frederick M. Jones. Next time you turn on the AC or open up the fridge...thank him. He was the mastermind behind them both.

Tommy Smith & John Carlos. Actions speak loudly to millions across the world.

Berry Gordy. Created an empire and helped so many black artists in the process when they weren't getting shine anywhere else.

2011-02-04T12:58:00.000-08:00

Tupac. He IS black history. And this is my JAM!!! Groove with me people. Groove with me.

cOOl pIx WEdNesdAYs...

2011-02-02T13:37:00.000-08:00

In honor of the official (since we learn everyday) Black History Month, Cool Pix Wednesdays will feature black leaders that inspire me. Enjoy!
Peace.

Elaine Brown. First and only female leader of the Black Panther Party of Self Defense. Activist. Lawyer. Politician. Inspiration.

Michael Jackson. Need I say more.

Garrett A. Morgan. Next time you're stuck at a stop light, or have some sort of use for a gas mask, think of him--he invented it.

.........

2011-02-01T12:30:00.001-08:00

When conforming is done because of an imposed and internalized disdain for one's natural features....then it's self-hate.

-Random FB user

tOP 10 rEasOns tO beCOMe a raPpeR...

2011-01-31T20:48:00.000-08:00

Now Playing:

I'm takin' out this time
to give you a piece of my mind (cause you can't knock the hustle)
Who do you think you are?
Baby one day you'll be a star
....I'm just tryin to get mine, I don't have the time
to knock the hustle for real - Jay-z Ft. Mary J. Blige, Can't Knock The Hustle, Reasonable Doubt

My loves!! It's been a while I know. I've been on a slight hiatus from the blog world for about 3 weeks--but I swear it's not my fault. I happen to have a little man/woman who lives in my belly, eats away at my life force, rejects all food, hates sleep and makes me fatter day-by-day--who I also happen to love endlessly. So please excuse my absence. Good news--I'M BACK!!

But I digress. As I was listening to the radio yesterday--which I'm starting to really re-think--I felt myself growing increasingly irate at the blatant lack of lyricism, lack of originality and influx of coonery and buffoonery. So I'm driving in my car about to reach the ultimate peak of aggression and I just stopped (No, not in traffic--that would've been all types of bad). I immediately calmed my nerves and thought to myself, these rappers aren't completely strung out on all types of drugs that their music making abilities lead me to believe--they're geniuses!!! And who am I to knock their hustle?

Which brings me to my top 10 reasons to become a rapper:

1. You don't have to be talented. And if you are talented, you don't have to use your common sense 99.8% of the time.

2. You can be a thug safely from your own home and/or tour bus (and even be a regular on Degrassi).

3. You don't have to finish the 3rd grade (or at least you don't have to sound like you did--well in Soulja Boy's case he did make it at least to ninth grade...twice).

4. All your friends can be somebody by association (wait a minute, ain't that Brandy's brother?).

5. You can be a crackhead (on tape--re: my all time fav Soulja boy) and still be accepted by the masses.

6. Even if you're not a crackhead, if you sound like one on wax, you WILL sell records (Pink Friday sold 40,000 copies on the first day).

7. Going to jail isn't the necessarily the end--it's actually a plus that could even land you your own reality show (right Tip? Kim?).

8. You can have immense amounts of self-hate and people will defend you until the death (apparently Lil' Wayne isn't too keen on the chocolate sisters--somehow I feel like his little chocolate daughter and her chocolate mama may grow up feeling some type of way about that).

9. You don't ever have to have a radio hit to be famous (50 Tyson--Minnesota, Twin Cities that's where he's from-- is blowing up on youtube as we speak).

10. Even if you do lack the talent, the masses will build you up and make you famous if only to laugh at your expense and make themselves feel better about their own messed up lives (re: 50 Tyson--you know--Minnesota Twin Cities that' where he's from?).

All in all. Who am I to throw salt on game?

Peace.

kID'S sAY tHE dARNdeSt thINgs....

2011-01-10T10:58:00.000-08:00

Thought this was HILARIOUS!!

BILL: Do you try and do the things that Jesus told you to do?

KID: He didn't tell me to do nothing!

BILL: I mean things like turning the other cheek.

KID: What's that mean?

BILL: If somebody hits you, you don't hit him back.

KID: Jesus said be a wimp?!

BILL: No, not a wimp, a lover of peace.

KID: It don't sound so smart. Why don't the guy who hit me love peace first?!?

.....

2011-01-05T16:13:00.001-08:00

‎"When you go through all your life processing and abusing your hair so it will look like the hair of another race of people then you are making a statement and the statement is clear"

- Assata Shakur

She is so real...

peOPle aRE sO rUDe....

2010-12-17T13:22:00.000-08:00

BART (METRO/SUBWAY) VOICE: Doors Open

::I attempt to get off of the train as my ENTIRE leg is run over by this small man's suitcase who is also pushing me into the side of the door so he can get out first::

ME: What the heck!!!

::As I kick the rude guy's suitcase hard enough that it rolls down two flights of escalators::

RUDE GUY: ::silence and an extra mean look::

BART PASSENGERS: ::applause::

ME: Excuse me ::as I walk past him stumbling to get his things::

Maybe I should feel bad, but PEOPLE CAN BE SO RUDE!!!

mY kID, tHE fOod criTIC....

2010-12-10T21:41:00.000-08:00

Now this is by no means turning into a mommy blog, but I felt the need to vent:

Dear cyberpeople,

I'm convinced that the little person renting space in my uterus is a food elitist--he/she has something against EVERYONE'S cooking. My little food elitist will get a taste of this and a taste of that and then not even 10 minutes later spits it out like yesterday's trash--resulting in mommy having lots of one-on-one time with her new bff, Porcelain Pauline.

It's even gotten to the point where my little food critic has suppressed mommy's urge to eat for hours at a time--probably because he/she doesn't respect my palate anymore.

Hopefully I'll regain his/her trust again soon (before his/her 40week eviction) and my Emeril-In-Training's appetite falls in line with mine once more. Porcelain Pauline is a great listener and all, but I think we may need some space.

- Hungry in Cali

Peace

..............

2010-12-07T19:55:00.001-08:00

I used to live in a room full of mirrors; all I could see was me. I take my spirit and I crash my mirrors, now the whole world is here for me to see.

-Jimi Hendrix

mY tOP 5 dANce vIDeOS evER iN liFE....

2010-11-29T19:48:00.000-08:00

Disclaimer: This is in NO particular order

I was listening to the radio at work the other day and my most favorite (well almost most favorite) song ever in life came on. As I was dancing around in my seat, grooving to the tunes, I realized that I don't just like this song because it's awesome, I like it because the video is AMAZING!!! Video in question:

1. Touch - Omarion.

Every time I see this video, I break out in dance. No, I can't do even 1 percent of what he does in the video. Yes, I do all of the moves 100 percent of the time. I like to call this type of song feel good music, because every time it comes on, a smile immediately appears on my face and I can't help but move--and randomly pop lock. TOUCH!!!

2. Smooth Criminal - Michael Jackson.

You cannot have a top 5 without Michael. Period. Plus, I'm kind of a Michael Jackson groupie--even post mortem. He's that serious. I attribute a lot of scraped chins and broken arms to this video. I remember my cousins holding my legs so I could lean forward. Who hasn't tried "the lean"? I dare you to say you haven't! Needless to say this video is amazing.

3. Dancing Machine - Jackson 5.

Well, well, well. Look who showed up on the list again...MIIIIIICHHHAAAEEELLLLL!!!! And Tito and Jackie and Jermaine and Marlon. This one really isn't a video as much as it is a clip from an old Soul Train episode--but since it was 1973, and videos were scarce, this will suffice. But tell me you can't watch this and not jump up and down in your seat bursting with the need to do a signature robot move--go ahead--try it...I'll wait.

4. 1,2 Step - Ciara.

This song, I wasn't the most excited about--but this sister can DANCE. She can dance so well, she almost fooled me into believing I could too. Now, I can--as the old folk say--cut a rug when I hear a good tune, but I will not even lie to myself by even thinking that I can do half of the moves in this video--correctly. :)

5. Thriller - Michael Jackson.

I understand that Michael is on this list not one, not two, but three times--but hey--that's just because he's better than everyone else. Who else can turn a music video into a feature length movie. This man is a genius--yes I said "is" and not "was" because no one has matched that genius since. And yes, I know the ENTIRE dance.

More coming soon....

Peace ::as I dance away from my computer screen::

..........

2010-11-15T10:55:00.000-08:00

Do not believe in anything simply because you have heard it. Do not believe in anything simply because it is spoken and rumored by many. Do not believe in anything simply because it is found written in your religious books. Do not believe in anything merely on the authority of your teachers and elders. Do not believe in traditions because they have been handed down for many generations. But after observation and analysis, when you find that anything agrees with reason and is conducive to the good and benefit of one and all, then accept it and live up to it.

-Siddhartha Gautama (Buddha)

mUSic fOR yOUr minD...

2010-11-12T09:20:00.000-08:00

Listening to this song and was moved to post it for the masses. True Speak.

Listen: G.O.D ( Gaining One's Definition)

Buy: G.O.D. (Gaining One's Definition) Featuring Ce-Lo [Explicit]

Peace.

CA DMV... shOOt YOursELvES...

2010-11-09T12:47:00.000-08:00

Me: Hi, I'm a new resident and I need to change my license over

DMV imbecile: I'll just need your Out-of State license and your birth certificate.

::Hands over documents::

DMV imbecile: This birth certificate isn't real--I've never seen one that looks like this before, it seems like a fake.

Me: ::thinking "duh, you idiot":: Of course you've never seen it before--It's a DC birth certificate. It's real.

(DMV guy calls over three different DMV employees who are also as asinine as he is)

DMV imbecile: I could have you arrested right now for providing fake documents. Wait back here while I check this out.

Me: ::Looking at him like the moron he is:: Why don't you go online or make a call or something. I assure you I'm not some crazy terrorist or illegal immigrant--I just want a new license.

(DMV guy searches the web and calls DC DMV ..who knows what he was thinking--like they were going to answer..LOL)

DMV imbecile: It checks out--it seems as if you're not going to jail today. The DC birth certificate just looks different than ours.

Me: (after an hour and 30min of wasted time) What gave it away? ::As I walked away with my new license::

coOL piX THurS... er...WeDNEsdaYS....

2010-11-04T15:02:00.000-07:00

It's that time again (yeah I'm a day late, but it's my blog)!!!! I've decide to change this weeks cool pics around a little and incorporate Day 20 (or so) of the 30 day blog challenge with it. Day 20--or so's--challenge was: Post pics of five celebrities you find attractive.

Here goes:

Enamored with a guy that doesn't have to follow a trend to be noticed.

Love a guy who doesn't have to curse a woman to feel like a man...the Malcolm X in the background was DEFINITELY fine!!!

Hometown love....and he's talented too...what can you expect being from DC though...

Latin Love...

Yeah, it's more than five, but every single man in this pic is beyond AMAZING...

Until next Wednesday...

Peace.

wE'VE gOT noW...we dON't caRE whO'S goT nEXt...

2010-10-27T17:08:00.000-07:00

Now Playing:

"Cause they make us hate ourself and love they wealth
That's why shorties hollering "where the ballas' at?"
Drug dealer buy Jordans, crackhead buy crack
And a white man get paid off of all of that
But I ain't even goin' act holier than thou
Cause fuck it, I went to Jacob with 25 thou
Before I had a house and I'd do it again
Cause I wanna be on 106 and Park pushing a Benz
I wanna act ballerific like it's all terrific
I got a couple past due bills, I won't get specific
I got a problem with spending before I get it
We all self conscious I'm just the first to admit it" - Kanye West, All Falls Down, College Dropout

So, I wasn't going to write this at first, because I didn't think the topic worthy of me taking precious time out of my day to speak on but--WTF!

I was actually talking to a friend/fellow blogger about this, because he wanted to write a post about it indirectly. I thought it was a good idea and encouraged his writing prowess and that was that. During that conversation, he mentioned to me that I should be the one to directly address it in my blog--to which I replied : "Hell no! Those videos are so angering that I'm not even trying to put the spotlight on them." And here I am--shinning the spotlight bright and making sure that it's angled to beam in the right direction.

I blame Kanye. The day after I talked to my friend, I was at work, jamming to my Pandora (my lifeline) and the above song came on. I thought to myself: "This reminds me of those ignorant black dating cartoon videos that everyone has been posting on every social site known to man"--and the anger/irritation ensued again.I figured this had to be a sign from some divine otherworldly being (or from my inner writing junkie) telling me to speak on it.

::Getting the spotlight positioned in a way that's conducive to typing::

Sometime last week, I logged on to facebook to do whatever you do on facebook, and in my news feed, I see that numerous people have shared the link to said video. Immediately, I thought: "This must be some amazingly true stuff if all of these people are posting it." I clicked on it waiting to be amazed and enlightened and all I saw were two crap-shoot animated college students talking about how black women are confused about life and how bad it is for the black male to have to deal with them.

ARE YOU SERIOUS?!?!

DID SOMEONE REALLY TAKE THE TIME OUT OF THEIR DAY TO CREATE THIS DREADFUL NONSENSE?!?!

I'm not even going to get into the dynamics of how the black woman was wronged or how some men aren't worth the ovum they came from--but I do want to address the issue of apparent self-hate.

Why would you create something like that? In turn, why would you so avidly support this creation? We as black people endure so much hate from the outside world (whether they hate deliberately or inadvertently) that not one of us should have to endure it BY OUR ON HANDS!!

Too often, both men and women, are all to quick to point out the negatives in each other. So many times I've heard: "There are no good black men--they're either dead, in jail, or gay" ; "Black women are only about the money, or they have 6 different kids by 7 different men, on welfare, or stuck up" ; "Black people can't ever get their stuff together--they're always late, spending money frivolously, they're all thugs, uneducated, etc."

Sound familiar?

Why is it that we feel the need to always point out the negative? By pointing out the negative in someone else, does it validate you? Do you feel like you can't be that bad because So-And-So is much worse? Does it explain why you chose to date outside of your race (which I'm totally fine with for the right reasons but stay with me), or why you chose not to fraternize with people of the same descent?

Newsflash: When you speak poorly about one black person, you speak poorly about all--yourself included. (And this goes for any race/gender/religion etc.) That one person, or group of persons, represents you--whether you would like to admit it or not. I understand that 400 plus years of physical bondage, 60 plus years of political bondage and the countless years of fear-induced subservience has severely bruised and done damage (there is not a word strong enough to describe that injustice) to your psyche--but it is time to break out the band-aids, peroxide and surgical kits because we've got some healing to do--and fast.

We are so far gone that we don't even realize that by making and promoting videos such as these that we are solidifying our place as the ugly step-child of society. We're so busy being crabs in a barrel--trying to climb out of the bucket to be accepted by colonialist standards, that we don't realize that if we simply reached down to help our brother or sister, we could all be on top and creating our own standard.

I'm sure you know the saying: "If you have nothing nice to say, then don't say it at all." Well... if you're not going to be part of the solution then, SHUT THE HELL UP!

It's said that when you name a child, you're supposed to name them something that you want them to eventually exemplify--you want them to grow into that wonderful word you chose as their name. So what do you think a child that is called: lazy, ignorant, money-hungry or conniving will grow into? The staple of the community? Nah.... It's past time that we started focusing on the positive--my beautifully, intelligent, resilient, awe-inspiring people. What will your name be?

Peace.

......

2010-10-26T15:11:00.000-07:00

Musically inspired to creatively express the array of information that floats around my consciousness. Feeling some kinda wonderful. Thanks for taking the journey with me into my mind's eye, I'm much obliged.

-My Fabulously Amazing Self

cAN soMEBody pAss thE mOUthwaSH....

2010-10-25T15:05:00.000-07:00

Ask anyone who knows me, and they will tell you that I am a bonafide foodie. I love to eat out at different restaurants and fraternize with friends any chance that I get. I am, however, a picky eater. I like what I like and if I don't like it--shove it. I have realized that this attitude may not be the best, so in recent weeks, I have been trying to stay away from my tried and true Olive Garden (which is AMAZING) and Joe's Crab Shack (which, I believe was co-founded by Jesus, Muhammed, Baha'i and Buddha because it's that awesome) and trying to venture outside of my comfort zone.

Last week, I tried Ethiopian food for the first time (although I have a feeling that I was introduced to this type of food by my mom when I was little). The food was cool--except for the Injera (flat bread thing that you eat with) that kind of tasted a bit fermented and extra tart. Good experience--not my favorite.

This week, my friend Kellie and I decided we would try vegan soul food. We had been passing this particular place in downtown Oakland numerous times on our way to our usual spot, Home of Chicken and Waffles (which has the best food and drinks in the city), and every time we'd pass it, we'd promise ourselves we'd eat there one day. Why not eat a healthy twist on an old favorite? We just knew it was going to be amazing--WRONG.

Looking back on the experience, I feel like we should've known that this wasn't going to turn out to be an awe inspiring experience--we just didn't listen to the signs.

I had been texting my dear friend all day to solidify our plans to go to this spot that we just KNEW was going to be on point. Being the food conscious people that we are, Kellie and I were no strangers to vegetarian/vegan food because we often partake in it and rather enjoy it.

After work, we meet up, drive the few minutes from my house to the downtown location, park and the fun (or lack thereof) begins there.

We walk into the restaurant expect some posh, artsy type of atmosphere and were immediately bitch slapped back to reality. This place is obviously a club-turned-restaurant (and I use that term loosely) that made my high school cafeteria look like Ruth's Chris. After a little debate, we decided that we wouldn't hold that against them because there are plenty of hole-in-the-walls with SPECTACULAR food and this just may be one of them.

About five minutes passed as we waited for the host/hostess to come greet us and sit us at a table--upon which we figured out that the host/hostess did not exist. We turn to the right only to see a cashier and a chalkboard menu behind her (which we later find out is the scam--pay upfront so that if your food sucks--which it did, you're S.O.L.). SIGNS NUMBER 1, 2 & 3.

It's our turn to order, so we look at the extensive (and I use that term loosely) chalkboard selection and decide to order the sampler--you know, so we can get a taste of everything. Upon ordering, said cashier collected our money, handed us a number (written on notebook paper) and told to take a seat at one of the many park bench/picnic tables that furnished the establishment. SIGNS NUMBER 4 AND 5.

We enjoy a bit of conversation while waiting for our meal to arrive--which ended up arriving within 15 minutes (first plus of the evening). The BBQ tofu was tasty as were the yams--thus making us feel like the trip was well worth it--even with the less than desirable ambiance. We were wrong.

The mac-n-cheese was only edible with lots of hot sauce--which turned out to be liquid salt with red food coloring. The red beans and rice, we thought would be great because...well--it's red beans and rice. Wrong again. What they tried to pass for red beans and rice would more aptly be described as tomato paste with bean flavoring. How you mess up red beans and rice is beyond me--it has to be equivalent to burning ramen noodles.

^^washing down the horrid taste with at least two gallons worth of water^^

The cornbread broke as soon as it was touched by a fork--they may as well have given me a bowl of corn meal and a spoon. The southern fried tofu I can't even speak on because it was four types of wrong--it would made a great paper weight though--albeit a greasy one.

Just when Kellie and I thought it couldn't get any worse, we found the greens hiding under the heap of grossness. GREENS!! YES!! SOLACE AT LAST!! There is not a possible way to mess up greens so our hearts were immediately warmed.

We picked up our forks, scooped up a heaping pile, put the tasty looking veggies in our mouths and promptly spit them back out onto the nearest napkin, floor, waiter we could find. HOW THE HELL DOES A VEGan mess up VEGtables?!?!?! Isn't that in your job description? This is what you do best--it's all you eat--and you make a concoction that taste worse than old shoelaces and a 10-year-old jock strap!!!

Needless to say, we left post haste, $20 poorer, with rumbling stomachs and the worst after taste known to humankind.

Moral of the story--we should've just gone to chicken and waffles for $2 happy hour and half priced food.

Peace.

muSiC piCK oF tHE wEEk....

2010-10-25T09:51:00.000-07:00

Although very arrogant and at times a little weird, Kanye is THE TRUTH!!! This next CD will be AMAZING!! You've got to respect talent when you see it--I truly feel like this latest LP is yet another gold bar to add to the wealth of that which is Hip-Hop.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L7_jYl8A73g&channel=kanyewestvevo

dAY 15... mY faVOritE bLOggErs....

2010-10-14T22:58:00.000-07:00

everyone go visit these bloggers immediately...or die trying:

http://www.jiburgess.blogspot.com

http://www.picasowithapen.blogspot.com

http://www.pickleandthem.blogspot.com

http://www.suburbanhit.com/

just a few I follow and enjoy...there are crap loads more though....

coOL pIX weDNesDaYS....

2010-10-13T22:54:00.002-07:00

It's that time of week again....

intensity.

they were too cool not to post.

dAys 12-14 .... bRIef reCAP oF sORts...

2010-10-12T21:07:00.000-07:00

I didn't write Day 12 on day 12 because...well--I thought I was stupid. It was a challenge to bullet point your whole day, and (even though my daily life is amazing) I just didn't feel the need to bullet point it (that's what my twitter is for).
Day 13's topic is somewhere I'd like to move or visit. Well, I now live the place I would like to move--I absolutely LOVE it here. I don't have any place in particular that I'd like to visit; I suppose a trip to a tropical place, or somewhere in South America would be nice--maybe an African safari.
Which brings us to Day 14--My earliest memory

Answer: Would have to be my amazing daddy doing magic tricks with quarters and random hair bows. Every time my dad would do my hair, (which I loved because I thought he did the best afro pony-tail ever) he would do magic tricks with my hair ties and make them disappear. They would always reappear in my navel or ear somehow--amazing right? Actually, most of my earliest memories were of my dad .
My mom and I had great times too. I remember when we went on road trips down south to visit family. we would stop at damn near every Aunt Sarah's Pancake house to eat and we would always go to South of the Border on the way back. I also remember always dressing up in her clothes. I used to think my mom was the coolest and fliest person ever in life (I still do--because she's amazing) so I would try to look like her as much as humanly possible. I would dress up in her clothes, put her lipstick on my cheeks so they could be red like hers and I even liked to wear clothes that I thought she would wear (although 5-yr-old girl's clothes didn't quite give me the look I was going for).
Lastly, as I reach into the depths of my mind--I remember going to Hershey Park with my mom and dad. I was soooooo scared to get on this water boat thing where the boat simulates a roller coaster by rolling off a cliff and smashing into the water (sounds scary right). Well, I remember screaming my head off about how I didn't want to get on so loud my I could barley breathe. My mom, being the wonderful person that she is, sympathized with my struggle (bless her heart)--my dad on the other hand was like "You're getting on. You'll live". So as I strap my self in (well as I hold on to my dad for dear life) my entire 5 years of life flashed before my eyes, and I just KNEW it was the end. The boat approached the edge ever so slowly. I could hear the manufactured waves crashing louder than the Arctic during crabbing season--my heart was beating 5 miles a minute. The boat tip-tip-tipped over the edge and--I LOVED IT!!! My hands immediately flew up (with a little coercion from my dad) and I thought it was the most AMAZING ride ever created.
That's about as early as I can go folks. Until tomorrow...

Peace.

dAY 11 ... iPoD SHuffLe...

2010-10-07T17:13:00.001-07:00

Now Playing:
"We gotta believe the future
We gotta believe the past
We gotta believe in more
Didn't know that we had it
We gotta believe each other
We gotta open up our minds
'Cause music is for life.. for life" : Hi-Tek -- Music For Life, Hi-Teknology, Vol. 2: The Chip

Day 11 has come and today's 30 Day Blog Challenge is: put your iPod on shuffle and write the first 10 songs that pop up.
Honestly, I think this is a rather boring challenge day--but for the sake of blogging, I'll do it. This challenge is similar to another mini one I did on Facebook a while back (bored at work--helped the time pass faster); and since that one was a little more interesting than writing down songs--I'll post it.
Here are the rules:

1. Put your iTunes on Shuffle.
2. For each question, press the next button to get your answer.
3. You must write down the name of the song no matter how silly it sounds!
4. Put any comments in brackets after the song name.
(It is crazy how a lot of songs will answer the questions!)

If someone says, “Is this okay?” You say:
My Sunshine Has Come - Angie Stone [the sad thing is...i would prob say this 2...lol]

How would you describe yourself?
On My Own- lil Wayne [So true..]

What do you like in a guy/girl?
And He Gets the Girl- Lupe Fiasco

How do you feel today?
Newness- Musiq [it is a new day...lol]

What is your life’s purpose?
Atomic Dog- P. Funk [LMAO and this describes my life so well]

What is your motto?
Isn't She Lovely- Stevie Wonder [ Got damn right!]

What do your friends think of you?
Splash Waterfalls- Ludacris [umm....]

What do you think of your parents?
Stingy- Ginuwine [hahahaha...funny, but alas, Ma is just the opposite]

What do you think about often?
You Make me Better- Fabolous

What is 2 + 2?
I've Got Sunshine- Temptations

What do you think of your best friend?
Crip Walk- Tupac and Kurupt [I always knew Whitner was gangsta...lol]

What do you think of the person you like?
You- Lucy Pearl [aww ....perfect]

What do you want to be when you grow up?
My Love is the Shh- Something for the People

What do you think of when you see the person you like?
It's Magic- JR Writer [this is gettin creepy]

What will you dance to at your wedding?
Power of Love- Luther Vandross [very creepy....lol]

What will they play at your funeral?
Sensual Seduction- Snoop Dogg [i always said i wanted a party at the funeral]

What is your hobby/interest?
So Many Ways- Warren G

What is your biggest fear?
Future of the Roc- Young Gunz [well, am wondering what's goin on with them]

What is your biggest secret?
Sincere- Foreign Exchange

What do you think of your friends?
Same ol' G- Ginuwine

Peace.

cOOl pix wEdnESdays...

2010-10-06T10:27:00.000-07:00

New blog addition!! Every Weds, I'll be adding uber cool pix for your cerebral stimulation... Hope you like my first installment :)

Saw this pic and thought it was cool... 10 times for the brown-skinned beauties....

Are you sure I'm a tiger? .....

It just moved me.... had to share

dAYs 9 & 10 ... fiRst lOve & fiRst kiSS ...

2010-10-05T15:10:00.000-07:00

Now Playing:
See some of you might've started early, some of you started late
But I know when I started and I thought it was great
This goes out to all my little brothers in the world
Make sure your first time is with that special girl
Clap your hands if you remember (clap your hands)
your first time (first time), your first time (first time)
Clap your hands (clap your hands with me)
if you remember your first time (your first time), your first time baby
First Time, IMX, Imx

I've decided to double up on these two post because Day 9 is exactly like cHaLLenGe dAY oNE.

Day 10's question: Discuss your first love and first kiss.

Answer: I guess I'll do this in two parts because they weren't the same person.

First kiss: I believe I was about 13, and I really liked this guy at my school--who at the time, I believed to be the cutest guy in class ( there were only 3 guys in this particular class). But we had been passing notes (don't ask me what they were about because I truly don't remember) back and forth for about two or three weeks before. We had decided on a day to meet after school so that I could have my first kiss (very lame..I am TOTALLY aware).

I was uber nervous so I made my best friend and like three of my other close friends come with me to meet on the blacktop (the designated meet up spot) that day. Anyways, we met, we kissed, I laughed. Yes I said it...I laughed. I laughed an extra hard nervous laugh RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE KISS!!! I was MORTIFIED!! Not 2.5 seconds later did I run far away, leaving poor First Kiss Guy standing there dumbfounded. Of course, when we saw each other the next day, it was extremely awkward until lunch time--but hey... that's my first kiss in a nutshell.

First love: My first love was a total douche bag. He was a pathological liar, a manipulator, an obnoxious underachiever and an all around not-good-for-anyone's-life type of guy. With that being said, I loved him (or thought I did...as much as a 15-year-old is capable of). He was cute, on the basketball team, funny and did I mention I thought he was cute? We were introduced through a mutual friend (who I still adore 'til this day) and stayed together for a whole eight months! Long story short, he broke up with me through an email (sent to my friend...couldn't even send it to me) because of some outlandish story he made up about a girl with a Ferrari and some other crap. I still (stupidly) dealt with him off and on until the summer of my Senior year in High School (moment of douche bag realization) and that was that. I have spoken with him from time to time since then (because I never lose touch with people for some odd reason) and he's still the same guy I knew back then (which 10+ years later shouldn't be the case). I still care about his well-being in some form though (the fact that he lives and breathes...the basics), and I do wish him the best that life has to offer him (how's that for not holding a grudge).

Peace.

dAY 8... mOST saTISfieD wiTH liFE...

2010-10-05T14:23:00.000-07:00

Now Playing:
I’m having a private party
Ain’t no body here but me, my angels, and my guitar singin’ baby look how far we’ve come here
I’m havin’ a private party
Learning how to love me
Celebrating the woman I’ve become, yeah
-India.Aire , Private Party, Testimony: Vol. 1, Life & Relationship

Day 8 has come already of my 30 Day Blog Challenge and today's topic is: ....... ::drum roll:: A time where I was most satisfied with my life.

Answer:

That time just happens to be now! I am living in California (as planned for at least 15 years of my life) I am with an amazing guy, I live in a beautiful house, I have a degree from THEE best university in the world, Florida A&M (although student loans are not fun), my family and friends are the greatest bunch of people I know and I'm really comfortable with myself and where my life is going. Be on the look out for my name in lights one day-- I will be one of the greatest music journalists/screen writers ever in the history of life!

Peace.

dAY 7...zoDIAc siGN... iS iT TRuE...

2010-10-05T13:57:00.000-07:00

Now Playing:

Who they attractin with that line, “What’s your name what’s your sign”
Soon as he buy that wine I just creep up from behind
And ask what your interests are, who you be with
Things to make you smile, what numbers to dial
You gon’ be here for a while, I’m gon’ go call my crew
You go call your crew
We can rendezvous at the bar around two

-Notorious B.I.G. ,Big Poppa, Ready to Die

So I’m not really into the zodiac, but I found a list of things that we Virgos are said to be. Some of them true, others—ehh…not so much.

Traits of a Virgo:

Analyst - I guess. Well, actually very true. I read into things until there can be nothing left to cipher—so much so, that my imagination often takes wild turns, leading me to a place way off from whatever it was’s intended meaning.

Purist - ehh… not so much.

Plays safe - definitely not me in any way shape or form. You live once and in the words of Ms. Frizz (Magic School Bus): Get messy! Make mistakes!

Worrier - dead on!!! I worry about EVERYTHING—even stuff that makes no sense to worry about like ants having to live outdoors in the winter…I’m pretty bad.

Has mood swings - not in the least.. what you see is what you get—happy, upbeat, energetic Rhonda; it takes a lot to get me upset.

Perfectionist - to a fault. I clearly have undiagnosed OCD.

Easily learns mastery - but of course! I’m AMAZING at everything I do :)

Demands respect - ALWAYS!!

Fair judgement - I try to always be as fair as humanly possible.

Pessimistic - not so much…

Frequently depressed - not in a million years!!!

Destructive at times - ehhh…

Peace.

dAY 6.. 30.. wEll 25 iNTerESting ThinGs..

2010-10-05T13:52:00.000-07:00

Now Playing:
Sometimes I shave my legs and sometimes I don’t
Sometimes I comb my hair and sometimes I won’t
Depend on how the wind blows I might even paint my toes;

It really just depends on whatever feels good in my soul

I’m not the average girl from your video
and I ain’t built like a supermodel
But, I learned to love myself unconditionally
Because I am a queen - Video, India.Aire, Acoustic Soul

I won’t write this again so…click the link loves :)

http://cerebral-gumbo.blogspot.com/2010/04/my-alternate-reality.html

Peace.

dAY 5... eNDing iT aLL...

2010-09-30T19:55:00.000-07:00

I’m Starting With The Man In The Mirror
(Ooh!)
I’m Asking Him To Change His Ways
(Ooh!)
And No Message Could Have Been Any Clearer
If You Wanna Make The World A Better Place
Take A Look At Yourself And Then Make A Change
(Take A Look At Yourself And
Then Make A Change Ohh!)

-Michael Jackson, Man in the Mirror, Bad

Now this question doesn’t even deserve a full post but…

Question: Name a time in your life when you thought about ending it all.

Answer: NOT NEVER (yes, I said not never—and yes I know that it is incorrect English)! Nothing in my life is not nor never has been THAT bad that I thought my only way out was to kill myself. I love living way too much to cut my string before it’s time. I think it is a very selfish thing to do—both to yourself and to your loved ones. And if you happen to feel this way, you need to immediately seek help—all jokes aside.
Nothing is so bad that you cannot stay and face it and push through it—and if you feel like you’re alone, I GUARANTEE that there is AT LEAST one person who is willing to go those extra thousand miles to get you back into a good head space and a good place in your life.

Peace.

dAY 4.. mY vIEWs On ReLIGion...

2010-09-29T20:56:00.000-07:00

Now Playing:
Screamin' "Jesus! Save me!
You know how the game be
I can't let 'em change me
'Cause on Judgement Day
You gon' blame me.
-Two Words, Kanye West, College Dropout

Back with day 4 my lovelies!!!

Question: What are your views on religion?

Answer: Who cares! I mean, I'm not a very religious person at all. I have my beliefs and I don't knock anyone else's. I don't think that any one path to The Most High is the ONLY path to him/her and I don't think that whoever isn't following "the right" one is going to "hell".

Heck, I don't necessarily believe that heaven and hell are actual places instead of being a concept or extreme negative and positive energies in the afterlife. I know that the spirit does not die when the body does, but after that is anyone's guess. My views on this are crazy in line with James Van Praagh--but that's my opinion.

Extremists and Zealots of any faith deeply bother me. The reason being is that 10 out of 10 times their Holy Book says that what they are doing is a big no-no--as well as common sense and general courtesy/respect of others seems to fall by the wayside of whatever "cause" they crusade for.

Basically--I feel like if you're on a path of treating others as you would be treated, self-enlightenment and the betterment of those around you, you're on the right track--no matter which road you take to get there.

Peace.

dAY 3.. mY vIEws oN dRUgS aNd alCOHol...

2010-09-28T21:50:00.000-07:00

Now Playing:
I get, high cuz I'm in the hood, the guns in around
It take a blunt just to ease the pain that humble me now
And I'd rather roll somethin up
Cuz if I'm sober dogg, I just might flip, grab my guns and hold somethin up
I get high as a kite
I'm in the zone all alone, muthafucka 'case I'm dyin tonight
I Get High, high, high, high (Everynight)
I Get High, high, high, high (All the time)
High, high, high, high (Everyday)
-Good times, Styles P, Gangster & A Gentleman

Day 3 of my 30 day challenge has rolled around and the question is:
What are your views on drugs and alcohol?

Answer: Drugs are whack--at least in my opinion. I've never been a weed smoker because I don't see the point--unless of course if used medicinally--and NOT just because you have a headache (and a resounding EFF NO to all other narcotics, hallucinogenics etc.).

Now, I totally understand and can really get behind people who suffer from lupus, glaucoma, the effects of chemo, etc. using this drug because, hey, THEY REALLY NEED IT. If it lessens the pain and bad side effects and allows you to live a normal and productive life--by all means, make it happen! I'm all for something that's for the betterment of people.

On the converse, I've also seen it abused by those who have no use for it but to feel surreal sensations. Why sit around and inhale something THAT MAKES YOU DO NOTHING! Do you know how many high people I've seen who just sit on the couch, smoke a J, stare at the [insert wall, tv, carpet or other mundane object]-- oh and don't forget laugh hysterically at whatever it is. And if you smoke often, like many abusers do, you carry around that horrid cannibus smell--SO not attractive. I should not be able to tell that you smoke by standing in front of you. I do confess I have seen people who smoke for recreation and can live life like something other than zombies, but I just can't get with it. If that's you, hey--put your lighters up; but alas, it's not for me.

Alcohol...ehhh. I almost feel the same way about this as I do about drugs--except I do occasionally partake in a spirit or two. I am not, however, a fan off getting drunk or passed-out drunk. I confess, I have my share of "when I was in college" stories, but I REALLY don't like the feeling of being outside of myself or not in total control of my situation--which is my problem with being high (on ANY type of drug). Also, a lot [insert 99.95%] of drugs cause dependency and I've made it a point to depend on no one but myself and my family (few close friends included). Definitely not trying to get hooked on something that's not helping me progress.

Peace

gUIlty PLeaSURes pT. 2 ....

2010-09-28T15:01:00.000-07:00

Now Playing:

Man don’t act like a (TRICK!)

That’s why I don’t got love for (TRICKS!)

That’s why Too Short and E-40 say (TRICK!)

So homie please don’t marry that (TRICK!)

That’s why I’ll never be a (TRICK!)

-Too Short ft. E-40 and 50 cent, Trick

I’m sitting on my porch, enjoying the weather, scrap booking and such—and this car rolls by blasting “Trick” by Too Short ft. E-40 and 50 Cent. Almost immediately—well actually it was very immediate—I jumped up off of the step and proceeded to dance my life away and sing it at the top of my lungs.

My temporary visit outside of my mind led me to writing another guilty pleasures. For those who have not read the first one, (Click here and come back when you’ve finished), it was basically a list of songs that I am ashamed to admit I love.

There’s only one on my list today, and it’s none other than the aforementioned,“Trick!” This-Is-My-Jam!! When this comes on the radio, my eyes immediately close ever so slightly, my arms shoot up simultaneously and I proceed to do this rock-bounce move that I have perfected for dancing while driving.

Now some of you may say “Rhonda, don’t you know how misogynistic, and degrading those lyrics are? How can you—the ultimate Hip-Hop elitist listen to that filth?” The answer is simple: The production is amazing, the lyricists (even though what they flow about leaves a lot to be desired) are some of the most talented brothers to hit the air waves, and lastly, it may slightly appeal to my inner hood rat…LOL. I feel a twinge of guilt every time this song comes on because of the message it’s sending (but what can you expect with Too-Short on the track). If only this artists could use those awesome productions skills to put out a good message….

To be continued… ::as I dance away from the computer::

dAY 2... wHeRE i WaNT tO Be in 2020...

2010-09-27T22:37:00.000-07:00

Now Playing:

“I walk sands in distant lands, made plans with the Shiek

While you beef with freaks as my album sells peak?

All I wanted was to sell like five hundred

And be a ghetto superstar since my first album blunted”

-Lauryn Hill, Superstar, The Miseducation Of Lauryn Hill

not too much to say about it because I tend to live my life in the moment…but some of the few things I have planned for:

1. I’d like to be married with 2.5 kids (the .5 being a dog)

2. I’d like to be a world-famous screen-writer/music mag editor/blogger extrodinaire

3. I’d like to be the owner of multiple homes (so that I may profit from the ones in which I do not reside

4. I’d like for a little girl to be in her first grade class and say “I want to be just like Rhonda when I grow up”

5. Don’t really have a 5, but I felt my list would be awkward if it stopped at 4

Peace

chALLenge Day oNE

2010-09-26T20:01:00.000-07:00

Now Playing:

“When love calls on you

There’s not much you can do

Can’t hide, run away

’Cause by then, it’s too late.”

-When Love Calls, Eric Roberson

I saw this reblogged on a friend’s page and thought this was a cool idea—so here goes!

Day 1 Question: Your current relationship

Answer: I’m not really sure what the question’s asking, but I can tell you the story of how I was tricked (and mind you—the story will be TOTALLY different if he tells you) into being my bf’s girlfriend three years ago.

Fulan (nickname for the bf) and I had been talking for a few months by the night I was duped :) . Let me set the scene how the night’s events: Undergrad, junior year, house party of the millennium—the girls and I were fly and in effect. Fulan happened to be the DJ that night because he has the most amazing party play list ever in life—don’t tell him I said that. Since he was my “guy” at the time, of course I went over to the DJ booth to chill with him during the function.

Well, after a few hours of dancing, sweating and heat exhaustion, a mutual friend comes to the booth to chat—the conversation goes as such:

Mutual Friend: Hey Fulan, what’s up? I see yall been together all night—is that your girl?

Fulan: Man, you gotta ask her.

Mutual Friend: So, Rhonda are yall together?

Rhonda: (plays with computer and acts like the music is too loud to hear)

Mutual Friend: Rhonda? (to Fulan) she RIGHT in front of the speakers—can’t hear anything. (walks away)

Later that night at my house…

Rhonda: What was Mutual Friend talking about…I couldn’t hear him?

Fulan: He was asking if you were my girl.

Rhonda: What did you tell him?

Fulan: That he had to ask you.

Rhonda: Why didn’t you tell him no? Do you want to be my boyfriend or something?

Fulan: Yeah, glad you asked—now it’s official.

Rhonda: (to myself) what just happened?

And on July 17, 2007 at 12:14 AM, I (unknowingly) made one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. I have been with the most amazing, sweetest, funniest, finest man ever for three years and counting. :)

« @ the DJ booth where it all began …

30 dAY cHAlleNGe...

2010-09-26T19:59:00.001-07:00

day 01 - your current relationship, if single discuss how single life is.
day 02 - where you’d like to be in 10 years.
day 03 - your views on drugs and alcohol.
day 04 - your views on religion.
day 05 - a time you thought about ending your own life.
day 06 - write 30 interesting facts about yourself.
day 07 - your zodiac sign and if you think it fits your personality.
day 08 - a moment you felt the most satisfied with your life.
day 09 - how you hope your future will be like.
day 10 - discuss your first love and first kiss.
day 11 - put your ipod on shuffle and write 10 songs that pop up.
day 12 - bullet your whole day.
day 13 - somewhere you’d like to move or visit.
day 14 - your earliest memory.
day 15 - your favorite tumblrs.
day 16 - your views on mainstream music.
day 17 - your highs and lows of this past year.
day 18 - your beliefs.
day 19 - disrespecting your parents.
day 20 - how important you think education is.
day 21 - one of your favorite shows.
day 22 - how have you changed in the past 2 years?
day 23 - give pictures of 5 guys who are famous who you find attractive.
day 24 - your favorite movie and what it’s about.
day 25 - someone who fascinates you and why.
day 26 - what kind of person attracts you.
day 27 - a problem that you have had.
day 28 - something that you miss.
day 29 - goals for the next 30 days.
day 30 - your highs and lows of this month

tHE bAY ThUS fAR....

2010-09-04T12:25:00.000-07:00

So I realize that I've been here for almost a month now and have yet to share with you guys my experiences. I guess I'll start with my first impressions.

When we first arrived in ~~sunny~~ partly cloudy Oakland, I loved it immediately--albeit I felt a bit deceived. I came expecting sunshine, palm trees and warm weather but I was met with regular old oaks and the seemingly beginnings of fall (in July!). But I guess I knew that was coming, since it was the exact same when I came last year--wishful thinking? Eh.

Other than the deceitful California weather, everything else was perfect! Growing up in DC, I was used to--and rather enjoyed-- the big-city life. I loved the skyscrapers, the restaurants, nightlife--you name it. I was also eager to move to somewhere the exact OPPOSITE of my alma mater city, Tallahassee--which was AMAZING during undergrad, but not a place I wanted to settle; although I do miss my "community".

Oakland kind of reminds me of DC, except it's on the west coast and there are random hippie sightings (especially in Berkeley) every couple of blocks. All in all, it's a pretty cool place. San Francisco (the city) is 10min from my house and there are ample thing for me to get into.

I even joined a book club :) --y'all knew I was a nerd on the low..

The first thing I did when I got here was get a real California burrito--which happen to be the BEST I've had EVER in my almost 25 years of life.

I also visited Jack London Square which is kind of an uber scaled down Adams Morgan (for my DC folk)

I've found a new home away from home (my house in Oakland) in Emeryville--which is only two blocks long but has a crap load of cool things there.

And I have so much more to see and explore. Keep you updated!

Peace.

ManSCapiNG?!!?...

2010-08-27T22:03:00.000-07:00

Now Watching:
Am I really a tiger? Are you sure?
Maybe I'm just a vicious ass koala bear. Have you ever investigated that?
-Katt Williams, It's Pimpin, Pimpin' <<--says the man with NO HAIR...

I was sitting around talking to two of my good friends--who are also bloggers--about cool things we can do for s!@Ts and giggles and we came up with this!!
This is the part where you wonder where my brain has gone because clearly I've said nothing profound yet.
The next three posts on this blog (well not exactly the very next three) have been hand-picked by my lovilies--yes, you've heard right. This week, we're picking each other's topics and I've been tasked with (drumroll) MANSCAPING!!!
Now you're probably sitting there asking yourself "Why Rhonda, what can you possibly say about manscaping?" A LOT I tell you!!! Starting with...WTF?!!
By the way, before I delve in any further into talking about this aggregious offense--when you have read and commented and followed, make sure you go visit their blogs: Style Free and MiaBonics!!
Ok! Back to our regularly scheduled programming. So as I was telling you before I rudely interrupted myself, I think Manscaping (click for definition) is the most UNmanly thing EVER!

Somehow, when I think of a big strong man with uber cool muscles that will shoot Jesus himself if he ever came at me wrong, I don't EVER think of some smooth-skinned Lothario sauntering my way. Being a hetero female, I'm not proned to being attracted to anything that looks like me (ok for some people, NOT ok for me). Now, if I don't want you to look like me, why would you think I want you to feel like me?

It's NOT ok for me to feel like I'm taking advantage of a prepubescent boy!!

What is your purpose--as a man--on going Brazilian anyway? I've heard some men say that they do it because it gives the illusion of being larger than you are.

WHAT?!?! You are NOT David Blaine!!

So basically--what you're saying is--you're trying to trick me?!?
I've also heard that's some men say it's more sanitary and easier to clean.

So what you're saying is that your lazy behind is trying to take the easy way out of fixing your hygiene problem?!?

And you wonder why I don't like you.
You are really something else!
Basically, if you are ever in your existence in a relationship with me (boyfriend, husband, brother, friend) and I EVER find out that you are a part of this recklessness--it's grounds for immediate termination--FROM LIFE!!!! (well maybe not life, or even my life--but I will tear you a new one!!)
For those of you who are manscaping culprits:Drink some rum...put some hair on your chest...and KEEP IT THERE.
This has been a PSA by the anti-manscaping committee. That is all.

Peace

RoAD tRIp fROm heLL...weLL, KiNDa...

2010-08-13T19:59:00.000-07:00

Now Playing:

See it's all about the cheddar, nobody do it better

Going back to Cali, strictly for the weather. I'm going (going) back (back) to Cali (Cali). -Notorious B.I.G, Going Back To Cali

Hey guys! I've been MIA this week because I picked up my life and moved to California!! Exciting right? Well, getting there wasn't. I don't even know where to begin..so I guess I'll start at the begining.

DAY 1:

Tallahassee-Houston. This may have been the best day of the trip. Wide open road. Packed and ready to go. Endless possibilities. Just the boyfriend, the dog and me. It took around 14 hours to get there...which was nothing to a road warrior like myself--and we got there without a hitch. I wish I could say the same for day 2.

DAY 2:

Houston-~~Tuscan~~ Boerne,TX
So we had planned to go to Tuscan for the night, then drive to LA and go to the uber cool Magic Mountain (that's Six Flags in Anaheim) the next day--clearly the universe had other plans. After partaking in the tasty (and free) hotel breakfast in Houston, we set out once again on the wide open road. Five hours down the road my car starts making this weird rumbling sound...kind of like an opossum getting angry (and I only know that sound because my dog got in a fight with one last summer and was hacking up opossum bits for days...another story) then the car just stopped.

Immediately we think we've run out of oil, since the last thing we saw before my car went kamikaze was the oil light flashing. Mind you we were in the dessert in 100 degree weather and poor Gigi (the dog) in the backseat near dehydration. Lucky a cute family in a minivan rescued us when they pulled over and happened to have the exact oil we needed for the car. We put the oil in and we were on our way again--or so we thought.

About one mile down the road the car stops again. WTF!!!

Turns out the engine was blown. Needless to say, we're spending the night in Boring Boerne, TX. We end up at a LA Quinta (which was most likely the town's claim to fame) for the night. I decided that I would go put some cash into both of ours accounts so I called the town cab driver to take me to the bank (and this is what screws us). The next day we decide to put my car on the auto train to California, we rented a car, and all was good in the world--or so we thought again.

DAY 3:

Boerne,TX- Phoenix

We're on the road again in a brand-new rental. Just the boyfriend, the dog and me. Life's good again. The drive took longer than expected and after 10 Red Bulls , six cokes and a five hour energy--we finally reached Houston at five am. Being the extremely tired people (and pup) that we were, we wanted nothing more than to check into the hotel and sleep.

We get to the front desk, the guest services guy swipes my card, and--IT WAS DENIED?!!?

That can't possibly be right. I just put crap loads of cash into my account yesterday with the teller in Boring Boerne, TX. I didn't feel like the hassle so my boyfriend just forks over his card.

It was denied!!!!

What the damn is going on here?!? Long story short, the bank lost our money in TX and we ended up sleeping in the dark crevices of the hotel parking lot until the bank got it's life together (5 hours later...after many threat upon the bank's life and curses to everything the bank stood for).

DAY 4:

Phoenix-LA-Oakland

Finally back on track, we went to LA to visit a dear friend which lifted our spirits considerably from the crazy few days we just experienced and waved goodbye to Magic Mountain (because the $1,000 hotel/engine/bank/auto train fiasco kind of took away our roller coaster money). We finally rolled into The Bay (SF Bay area) around six. Needless to say, next time I need to go somewhere--I'm flying.

Peace.

i rEMembER wAY bACk whEN....

2010-07-25T16:27:00.000-07:00

Now Playing:

"But, sometimes, I still sit and reminisce
Then, think about the years I was raised, back in the days.
Back in the days when I was young I'm not a kid anymore
But some days I sit and wish I was a kid again." Ahmad, Back in the Day, Ahmad

The year was '85, all the way live, I think I was about 10 (minutes old that is...if it happened to be September 20th).

I was watching The Wood (one of my favorite movies) yesterday, and seeing the guys take a journey through their lives kinda made me nostalgic about my own.

I remember how my mom would never let me put extra sugar in my Frosted Flakes. Because of that, I would wait until she walked the dog to make my cereal and pour half the bag of sugar in my bowl. Or having dance contests with my cousins at my grandmother's house--which is how I perfected all the latest moves of the late '80s/early '90s. My cousin K and I got so good that we put on a choreographed performance to an MC Hammer medley at a family reunion cookout (any if anyone has tapes, I IMPLORE YOU to burn them).

We would sneak and watch horror movies like Candyman (Special Edition) and I'd end up crying by the night's end because one of my older cousins would inevitably lock me in a bathroom after chanting his name five times.

I don't remember my favorite TV shows much because I was always outside with my friends--which brings me to the purpose of this blog (yea, it took me a while to get to the point, but...ehh).

These are the top 5 childhood games that I couldn't live without back then, and secretly want to play now:

1. TAG of any kind. Freeze tag (where you got to brush up on your robot moves), TV tag, flashlight tag. I liked to run as a child and still do partake in a brisk jog or two now. What better game is there where the object is to run after someone, damn-near tackle them, while screaming in their face, "YOU'RE IT!" I've got to tell you-- it helped many a child to relieve some aggression every now and then. Who needed therapy when you had this game.

2. RED LIGHT, GREEN LIGHT. Now this wasn't as cool as tag because if you made it to the person calling out the lights, your grand prize was that you were now the lame-o who had to face the tree and yell out colors. There was also someone who would always try and work the system and never turn all the way around before they yelled out red or green so they wouldn't get tagged. All that stopping and going however, were life lessons to those future athletes though. Next time you see Clinton Portis juking or Kobe crossing somebody up, you can bet your bottom they played this religiously.

3. HIDE AND SEEK. A small variation of tag, which as I said before is the one of the greatest games ever. It was the COOLEST because I would always have the best hiding spaces. Now, this game had a tendency to draw out extra long because the people got so good at hiding, the seeker got lost trying to find them. And there's always one weirdo who hides so well that everyone forgets about him--until the next day when they stumble upon his sleeping body behind the bushes. I guess you can thank this game for not being able to find all of America's Most Wanted--and Osama. They were masters at this obviously.

4. RED ROVER.I think this game really helped with team building--you know keeping a united front, not breaking the bond. I'm pretty sure most of the armed forces trained severely with this game. In all honesty, I grew to dislike this game after a while. It happened when this mac truck of a human being tried to break through my arm with so much force that he broke my wrist (he probably still has a mark on his head from where I threw the rock).

5. Saving the best for last. CAPTURE THE FLAG. This game was for all of the future track stars and CIA super spies. There was nothing better than infiltrating the other base, stealing their flag and leaving them with nothing but mud in their mouths and frowns on their faces while they were wondering what the heck just happened--unless you were the unfortunate slow poke who got plowed down not even two steps after you crossed the line.

But I digress. That's enough time traveling for one day. Besides, the street lights are on--and you know what that means....

Peace.

sLOw iT doWN.... pT 2

2010-07-19T18:08:00.001-07:00

Now Playing:

Cause we like her
And we like her too
And we like her
And we like her too
And we like her
And we like her too
And we like herr
And she like us too
Ohhhhhh

I wish I could fuck every girl in the world
I wish I could fuck every girl in the world
I wish I could fuck every girl in the world
Ohhhhhh- Lil' Waynel,EveryGirl In The World [Explicit], Young Money

So I couldn't do one without the other...so here goes. Since I had the aforementioned revelation (read part one if you haven't had the sense to already), I feel like I should write a list of things that I want all the attached and unattached men to be privy to.

You can't have sex with every girl in the world: Whatever it is that you have to do to get over that idea--make it happen. Too many relationships fail and fail to start because you keep thinking: "what about all the girls I'm going to be missing out on." I mean really--if you don't have at least three women throwing themselves into your bed a week, what makes you think that once you get a woman, sex offers are going to start falling from the sky? GET REAL! "I dont discriminate, no... not at all. Kit kat a midget if that ass soft I break her off. I exchange V cards with the retards and get behind the Christian like Dior". Just because you don't have standards, does NOT mean the woman you wish to bed has none either. You're feeling yourself too much.

There is someone out there that looks better than you: "She wants me, she wants me, 'cause i got it all shorty tell me what you don't see?" Well, you're a little too short for my liking, you were cute until you opened your mouth and singed my eyebrows with your breath, you car is hot but it loses cool points because you live in it--should've bought an apartment and a Volvo instead of spending your life savings on a Benz. I mean REALLY! You can't be so conceited to think that you are a gift from The Creator? There are flaws in us all and you thinking you look better than me will not get you in a relationship with me--you couldn't even get my email address. Humble yourself--humility may be shown in small acts, but it makes a BIG difference.

I have a name and it's not Hoe (unless my mother had some serious issues...but that's another blog): "These hoes is gods gift like Christmas.I like em caramel skin long hair thick ass." How can you expect to successfully woo me when you can't even show me enough respect to call me by my name? Do you talk to your mother with that mouth? And if you do, we have more problems than I have time to list. Contrary to the countless songs, movies and TV shows you are accustomed to, women don't like to be called names you wouldn't even call your dog. True, some women do like their men a little aggressive, but I don't want to feel like you're going to beat me down every time you call me--it's unnerving. "If i might be being disrespectful, baby i'm just being Millz and i dont know how fake feels, so i gotta keep it real." I'm all for keeping it real, but do you really want a woman who will allow you to treat her as such? You have to ask yourself what you're trying to attract. You can't keep approaching women this way and then getting mad because you can't turn a hoe into a housewife. You get back what you put out.

Moral: "'Cause we like her; and we like her too and we like her; and we like her too; and we like her and we like her too; and we like her and she like us too and ooooooh...". Yes you may "like" her, but "like" does not keep you warm at night. You cant trust "like" to have your back when times are hard and stand at your side when they're better. Trust and believe that your mother does not want to meet "like" either and I would definitely not have "like" teaching my children to act as she does.

sLOw iT doWN...pT 1

2010-07-19T18:08:00.000-07:00

Now Playing:

Ohhh baby (Take it slow, take it slow, take it slow, take it slow)
What you need to do is
Take it slow with me
Slow it down a little bit (Take it slow, take it slow, take it slow, take it slow)
We don't have to rush into anything serious
(Take it slow, take it slow, take it slow, take it slow)
No we don't, take it from me (Take it slow, take it slow, take it slow, take it slow)
My name is Percy and I make miracles if you take it slow with me baby
(Take it slow, take it slow, take it slow, take it slow) Little Brother, Slow it Down (Explicit Version), The Minstrel Show

I'm back online!!! For those of you who noticed my absence, my PC has been down for two weeks so I was relegated to the world where blogging doesn't exist :( . But alas, I have returned--and with a vengeance I might add. The song on this blog is a repeat (which will never happen again..,at least I don't plan on it) but I feel like it speaks exactly to what I'm thinking.

A few blogs back, I wrote a piece called "Right Place, Wrong Time", and I feel like I've had another breakthrough in the male-female dynamic and I've decided to have Little Brother help me explain--yes, I am a genius--I know. So here goes my list of things I think women, whether in a relationship or not, should be hip to.

Respect yourself: "I'm trying to man up see whats really good with you. Gentleman's approach, not bring it hood to you. Same things that you hear everyday like:"Hey ma, hey boo, baby whats your name". I see it at the clubs, in malls, coffee shops, and on campuses worldwide. Women (and yes I say woMEN in the collective sense, because if a few are in trouble, than we ALL need to reevaluate) will answer to anything these days. It's like your life is a streaming rap video. These men approach you in a way that they wouldn't greet their dogs and instead of being shocked and appalled, you smile, bat your eyes, and give up the number. If I had a dollar for the number of times I've been greeted with "Hey dark-skin", "Hey [insert jean brand here]", or "Hey girl with the [insert random body part here]", Bill Gates wouldn't have anything on me. Now, I'm not a man--but if I were one, I wouldn't be introducing my mama to a woman that those lines were successful on. How can you cry disrespect from a man when you don't even give it to yourself?

Stop Lying to yourself: I could kill Destiny's Child for confusing the fairer sex as much as they did. Yes, we know you can do it yourself; yes we know you got your own; and yes we know you are now 35, single and childless. Not to say in any way to settle for anything less than what you deserve as a person, but really, some of us are going overboard with the perfect-guy-list. Not even Jesus can compete, because last time I checked, carpenters are rarely making six-seven figures. With that being said, stop being extra dependent. "It's a lot of independent women wanna be claimed. Marry into money or marry into fame, or at least give birth to a check". Stop playing yourself. I'm quite positive that you have more to offer the world than being arm candy or loaning your uterus out to every rich man you see--looks fade, and you can become just the 'baby mama' in a heartbeat. I know there is a happy medium in there somewhere--find it. If you have, help your sisters out--like I said before: if a few of us are in trouble, than we ALL need to reevaluate.

If he say he's not ready, believe him: "I want a girl, when I want a girl. And when I don't want a girl, I want a girl who understands that. And that's some hard shit to explain.To a woman that's in love with you, it's a pitiful thing." Some men--maybe even most men, will tell you from the beginning--whether by words, actions, or both, that he is NOT ready for a relationship. Don't trick yourself into believing that he doesn't really mean that. He says he likes you, but he never returns your calls--and when he does, it's always after 11pm. Or he says he doesn't want to be with you, but you still mess around with him--waiting until the day he figures out that he really wants you. IT AIN'T GONNA HAPPEN! While you're wasting your time with Mr. Wishy Washy over there, Mr. Right-for-you passes you by while you slowly become the side chick and/or jumpoff. "I don't wanna play around, but I don't wanna settle down. And that's a man's dilemma." Furthermore, it is not your job to wait until he figures his life out. Time is precious, you don't need to waste it.

Think about it--and reevaluate. "'Cause when the party stops and niggaz get old. And the chain and the cars and the houses get sold, and that. Other side of the bed gets cold, you don't wanna be alone."

Peace.

aLLow mE tO iNTroDucE mYsELf...

2010-06-17T20:15:00.001-07:00

Now Playing: (No real relevance except for the fact that he lists a crap-load of names. Oh, and excuse the HEAVILY misogynistic overtones.)
There was Brenda, LaTisha, Linda, Felicia (okay)
Dawn, LeShaun, Ines, and Alicia (ooh)
Teresa, Monica, Sharron, Nicki (uh-huh)
Lisa, Veronica, Karen, Vicky (damn)
Cookies, well I met her in a ice cream parlor (aight?)
Tonya, Diane, Lori and Carla (okay)
Marina (uhh) Selena (uhh) Katrina (uhh) Sabrina (uhh)
About three Kim's (WHAT?) LaToya, and Tina (WHOO!)
Shelley, Bridget, Cavi, Rasheeda (uh-huh)
Kelly, Nicole, Angel, Juanita (damn!)
Stacy, Tracie, Rohna, and Ronda (WHAT?)
Donna, Ulanda (WHAT?) Tawana, and Wanda (WHAT?)
were all treated fairly but yet and still...- DMX and Siquo, What They Really Want, And Then There Was X

The name of Rhonda gives you a responsible, reserved, and dignified nature, able to find a certain amount of success in anything you undertake.You have an appreciation for the finer and deeper aspects of life. Your scholarly, studious interests incline you to art, literature, philosophy, music and drama.

You wonder about the deeper aspects of life contained in religious theories and occult beliefs. Although the name Rhonda creates an interest in the deeper aspects of life, we emphasize that it causes a superior, interfering expression whose favorite expression is "I know."

The idea of this post came from a friend, who posed the question "what does your name mean and does it reflect who you are" to her middle-schoolers. It kinda got me thinking about all of the friends I have who are parents or soon-to-be parents, and the countless classmates I've had with questionable names.

In many cultures, the naming of child is very serious business. It is said that to name a child is to write his destiny--meaning that whatever name you chose, the child will become the image of his/her name. Makes you kinda feel sorry for all of the Tequilas and Dijons of the world huh?

With that being said, take 5 seconds to think about your name. ::thinking:: ::googling:: ::reading:: ::done:: I know some of you are pleased and others are having the ah-ha moment (that's why I'm in jail, Larceny means theft--thanks Mom!)

Now, I'm all about being unique, setting yourself apart from the crowd and all, but these days I'm thinking that creative=the new ignorant. So to all of my peers who are soon-to-be-moms and dads, please think before you name. To the parents of Tequila and Dijon: Slap yourself. Your name is your name FOREVER. If something is going to be tied to you until the end of days, shouldn't it have some type of substance? Wouldn't you want to name your child something that they can not only grow in to, but strive to achieve? I'm just saying--think about it.

Before I part, here is a short list of names to NEVER not EVER name your child:

*Alize`

*Fayvorryte (::read favorite:: real name of a girl in my niece's grade school...trust me, the child will still have issues with spelling when she's 30)

*Vagenay (again, I don't make these names up. A little girl that was enrolled in the summer camp where I was a counselor)

*Do NOT use odd punctuations in your child's name (i.e and this was in the news La-A...prnounced LaDasha

*Which brings me to LAs, SHAs, RAs, TAs--they do not belong at the beginning of any old name people..please use these prefixes sparingly.

poSErs...wHEn kEEpinG iT REaL iS noT enOUGh...

2010-06-06T07:27:00.000-07:00

Now Playing: I'll scoop you up in me Porshe, sike--you know I got a Nissan.
That I'm still paying for, still got a lease on.
But it don't matter 'cause that ain't my aim to get you.

I got fame, but you know that just ain't the issue.

Because you're looking like a woman of virtue.

So well-rounded, no wonder you're in my circle.

And normally you probably wouldn't give me the time of day. 'Cause Tay got rhymes, but no he ain't got time to waste.

-Slow it Down (Little Brother,The Minstrel Show)

I know last week I was missing in action, but the newest Anita Blake just came out. And the book worm that I am could not resist to read and finish the book (which if you have an interest in the supernatural, you should definitely purchase Guilty Pleasures (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter)...You'll be a fan by nightfall...lol. While I was lost in the world of vampires and werewolves of the sort, I neglected my weekly post--and for that I am deeply apologetic ::sad face::.

Alas, this post is not about my infatuation with the undead.

Have you ever listened to the radio and heard your favorite rappers rhyming about how they kill, steal and are basically the biggest drug dealing thug lord that ever hit the streets? Have you then, later on down the road, been disheartened to find that not only are they NOT master gangsters of the universe, but they don't live and never have lived anywhere near the ghetto.

The closest they've seen to drugs is the powdered sugar and Tylenol in their grandma's cabinet--and not only do they "snitch", but they are the feds themselves???? Which brings me to my first offender...

Ricky Ross....I mean Rick Ross, not the one who was the real thug lord extraordinaire. I'm talking about the Corrections Officer--uh--rapper. Now, I'm the first one to defend an artist who speaks about hood life in a manner that's more so reporting what you see and live through day to day--but I absolutely loathe the glorification of dumb-ass behavior. It's even worse when said glorifier not only DOES NOT live this life, but lives the TOTAL AND COMPLETE OPPOSITE!!! I mean really...His next album should be: Life on Cell Block C--the Other Side of the Bars. I would respect him a little more.The saying goes: when someone shows who who they really are, believe them--so I can only assume when Rick Ross says don't trust the police, he secretly means himself. POSER. But I did like that song Here I Am though...ehhh.

So, it's a nice day outside, and you want to curl up to a good book. You hear about this really good memoir about a guy who had a REALLY rough life--sounds interesting. You start reading, and soon find yourself so emotionally invested in this man, that you feel pain as he feels it with every account you read. Upon finishing, you commence to calling all of your friends to rave about the book, only to find out weeks later that the drug-addicted, homeless, abused man you felt sorry for is really an heir to a small fortune and never had to work a day in his life. You think to yourself: I can't believe anyone would do this! Well, author James Frey did. Author of the book A Million Little Pieces, Frey wrote a supposedly non-fiction memoir, that got so popular that even Oprah endorsed him! I guess the notoriety that the Oprah show gained him caused regular people and news reporters alike to really take a more in depth look into his life--funny thing is, the life they investigated, and the life from the "memoir", were two totally different things. Long story short, he went back to Oprah's show to apologize to readers for his indiscretions. Too little too late. Now you're a fraud, counterfeiter, bamboozler, a leader astray (you get the point) and your career is now ruined. Should've just published it as fiction. POSER.

Well election season rolls around and you want the best person in office. A person that represents everything you stand for. A charismatic candidate comes along that speaks to your soul. He fought against the mob influence that was plaguing your town, and really cracked down on the prostitution that was making your neighborhood less than ideal. You vote him in office and are pleased with him for a long time--until he becomes apart of the world that he took an oath to destroy. Elliot Spitzer, former New York governor--who is also married-- was caught participating in a high-end prostitution ring.

The man who was so tough on crime turned out to be a criminal himself.

He lied to his family, he deceived the voters and ultimately resigned as a form of self-punishment. He prosecuted people for the same things that he did behind closed doors. He presented himself as a morally sound man, who was adamantly against anything that wasn't by-the-book--only to find out that Spitzer was using cliff's notes the entire time. POSER.

Moral of the story: Why lie?

rIGhT pLaCE wROng tiME.....

2010-05-15T16:15:00.000-07:00

Now Playing:
Well I guess I'll see you next lifetime;
Baby we'll be butterflies.
I guess I'll see you next lifetime;
That sounds so divine!
I guess I'll see you next lifetime;
I guess I will now.
I guess I'll see you next lifetime;
Wait!
Wait a little while! -Next Lifetime, Erykah Badu, Baduizm

So a couple of days ago, I was having a case of writer's block in the worst way; (as you heard the other day) one of the things I did to remedy this was sending out a massive cry-for-help text to my muses. As my responses were coming in, I got two ideas that really sparked my interests (look for the other post later in the week).

In any case, one of my good friends, Jarrett (Jiburgess.blogspot.com ...you should REALLY check this guy out) was having a bit of the same issues I was having, and also needed help developing an idea. As I was shooting off routes he could take with his blog, he decided that maybe I should write it

(probably because I sent my ideas via text and he probably got tired of me wasting 80 percent of his monthly texts...sorry!).

So here goes...

I have figured out the biggest conundrum in male/female relations (or at least I'd like to think so)!!

More often than not, especially from my minority brethren, I hear: A) men ain't [insert expletive], B) a good man is hard to find, C) too many men are beneath my standards, D) it was time for me to settle down so he had to suffice. I say--it's just a big case of bad timing.

Bad timing? Rhonda, how you can say that all of the problems we have with the opposites sex is bad timing? Are you crazy? (Depends on who you ask...)

But if you think about it, as women, from a very young age we are taught to fit a certain mold. We are given baby dolls and Barbies to learn how to be a mother; we are given toy kitchen sets to teach us how to be a good wife; and we are taught that by the time we graduate from college, we should have two degrees: a B.S and an MRS. And we must not forget about that incessant biological clock (more like hour glass) that is quickly running out of sand--we must beat it at any cost. Forget being an accomplished exec, because if you hit 30 and don't have a husband and kids, you can kiss your real woman card goodbye.

With all of that being said, think of how it feels for a man. From the beginning, he is given toy soldiers to teach him to conquer all that come in his path (yes, that includes women); he is given super heroe action figures to teach him how to be bigger, stronger and smarter; he is taught that when he graduates from college, he shouldn't rush to get tied down with a wife and kids--at least take 10-15 years to become the CEO of a company before you even remotely think about serious relationships.

So you meet around 25, and the woman is putting on (as my boyfriend would say) the full-court press; and at the same time the guy is thinking it's just a pick-up game. You see the problem? BAD TIMING! (and bad communication---but that's not the angle I'm going for today). Now that's not to excuse the few ass-hat men who are just plain failing life. And I could also say for those women who keep attracting those so-called good-for-nothings--maybe you should look inwardly to see why people like that continuously gravitate toward you. No one can love you if you don't love yourself.

In any case, do you see where I'm going with this? What do you think?

Maybe I've Found the Answer......Peace.

hERe gOEs NOthiNG....

2010-05-15T16:07:00.000-07:00

Now Playing (just 'cause you need to be on game--not because it has anything to do with Nothing...lol):

I know my style don't match ur lifestyle.
Ms. Corporate Chick meet Mr. Wild Child
You stack it up while I just freestyle,
For a while, let's see how it goes.
Even though it's so heavenly;
I see you back steppin' so steadily.
Why can't we let it happen and just let it be;
Why can't we let it breathe oh! -Right or Wrong, Eric Roberson--the Left album

I'm itching to write, but I have no ideas--how bad does that suck? So I started my blog to give my two-cents to the world about everything from current events to Indian cuisine (which I find quite gross by the way--too much coconut. YUCK!).

I started out like I normally would--looking through newspapers and pop mags,trying to find something that aggravated me to the point of spontaneous combustion or excited me enough to fawn over it (kind of how I used to be in high school about B2K--but that's another blog.) Then I saw an article on a site called www.blackagendareport.com about the Boondocks being the voice of the black community. This almost moved me enough to express my irritation with how it is such a crying shame that with all of the black rappers/singers/actors and athletes in this country, the views/concerns of an entire race is being represented by a satirical cartoon (kudos to Aaron McGruder though for putting the issues out there). But alas, I wanted to blog on a happy note today. :)

Feeling even more at a loss, I tuned into my Pandora (my lifeline of sorts) to get some musical inspiration; I was thinking maybe my Eric Roberson (and if you don't know who he is, you should die a slow death and maybe sit down for a cup of Kool-Aid with the real Jim Jones....or you can just youtube him--your choice) station will unclog the crap that is blocking my writing flow.
While listening to my tunes, I thought maybe I should write about that feeling you get when you hear songs you love. You know that feeling of really FEELing the music--eyes closed, vibing, in your own space--I'm getting butterflies just thinking about it! Maybe I could write about how a really good rhyme over a really good beat can turn your day from melancholy to melodious. Nah, I'm not feeling a blog about that either.

Maybe I could just talk about how I'm waiting on pins and needles for the newest installments of the Vampire Academy or the Anita Blake series to to get to my house (Richelle Mead and Laurell K. Hamilton are geniouses). Yes, I enjoy my share of vampire lore. And NO you'd better not judge me! But I figured there weren't enough nerdy bookworms like myself out there to fully appreciate a blog about that.

Or I could write about how there are so many pseudo-thugs in Hip-Hop. How David Banner was once SGA (Student Government Association) President--before earning an MBA. Or Plies who has perfect diction in interviews, but sounds like he's talking with his mouth full on wax. Heck, even Lil' Wayne almost had a degree, and I don't have to list too much more about that--you listen to the radio...

So I guess I've decided to write about nothing. Not books, not counterfeit thug rappers, not music--my love, not racial grievances, not any of the above. Maybe I should've written about how I always end up rhyming when I write (unconsciously living out my rap star dreams--eh?). In the end, I can't decided on anything so here goes nothing.

Peace

mY aLTeRnATe ReaLiTy...

2010-04-24T13:02:00.000-07:00

Now Playing:
Sometimes I shave my legs and sometimes I don't
Sometimes I comb my hair and sometimes I won't
Depend on how the wind blows I might even paint my toes;

It really just depends on whatever feels good in my soul

I'm not the average girl from your video
and I ain't built like a supermodel
But, I learned to love myself unconditionally
Because I am a queen - Video, India.Aire, Acoustic Soul

If you're on any social networking site, you have probably done one of these. I figured since I've been doing my blog for a little while, I'd give you a little more insight into what makes me tick. So I bring to you: 25 random things about me--which is almost redundant because I'm a pretty random person--so I guess this would be my 25 normal things? Just read! LOL. Oh yea, and I'm trying this vid post thing to add to each of my blog...don't 4get 2 hit play at the end...and don't judge me...LOL
1. My middle name, "Roxanne" ,is my mom's first name

2. I have major OCD...i will spend ten minutes placing a piece of paper on the table....if i touch something with one hand i have 2 touch it with the other in the exact same spot....i do the sign of the cross with my left hand right hand then both simultaneously...(told u i was bad)

3. I was diagnosed with borderline ADHD in high school and the medicine they gave me kept me awake for 72hours str8...lol (i stopped takin it)

4. Btwn the ages of 10-13 i secretly wanted to be a vampire (i was one for halloween for 3yrs str8) and had a plan to bite all of my friends and family

5. I'm left-handed so that means im better than you

6. I used to write short-stories like once a week for all of my friends to read

7. You probably wouldn't guess but I used to have really bad anger issues

8. I have been hanging out with the same group of girls since '96

9. I randomly break out in dance at any given moment, any given place

10. When I was younger, on the mornings where i was really hungry, i used to try and go up for communion twice at church

11. I am the worst singer, but yet i sing all the time

12. My stomach makes weird gurgling noises at the most inopportune times

13. I am the messiest neat freak i know

14. I was the epitome of a tom boy for most of my life and i still haven't fully grown out of it (i'd rather play football than do nails)

15. At my all-girl Catholic high school, my friends and i would have burping contests in class

16. I used to wear shorts under my dresses to church

17. My first "boyfriend" in montessouri dumped me for another girl because she had a better lunch than me :(

18. i took the capitol hill classic (a 3k race for little kids) very seriously and made my dog train with me for the big race

19. when i ran track, b4 every race i got really gassy (i guess nerves) so i pretty much farted for the first 15yds of all my races....i figured the wind would catch it

20. I am very competitive at EVERYTHING so i can never turn down a challenge

21. i learned what a covalent bond was by putting it to the beat of byb's thug passion and still kno it til this day:

( a co-vaaaaaaaa-lent booond, is a che-mi-cal bond, where 2 atoms shaaaare eee-lec-trons baaabay ....eeelectrons!!!)

22. I want to have a soul train line as a part of my wedding procession

23. i really really really love black people because they're cool and thinks everyone else should too!

24. I meditate almost everyday...and my dog does it with me

25. I'm a blog addict as of March.

kINda EmBArRasINg bUT.....my gUiLTy PLeaSurES..

2010-04-06T14:13:00.001-07:00

Now Playing:

"I got a question why they hatin' on me,
I got a question why they hatin' on me
I ain't did nothin' to 'em, but count this money;
and put my team on, now my whole click stunnin'.
Boy wassup?! Yeeeeah
Boy wassup?! Yeeeeah" -Turn My Swag On, Soulja Boy Tell 'Em, iSouljaBoyTellem

So it's a nice day outside and I decide to take a drive. Where to? It doesn't matter. I get in my car, turn my radio on--only to hear: "O le do way!!!!" And no, that's not some ancient creole language. It is none other than Wacka Flacka Flame. Usually I would be appalled at the blatant lack of lyricsm, but noooooooooo--not this time.

Against all my better judgement as the Hip-Hop elitist that I am, I turn the radio as loud as it can go, and proceed to sing Oh Let's Do It (Yes, that's what he's saying masked behind his "I've-got-food-in-my-mouth accent) at the top of my lungs.

This prompted me to write a blog about rappers that I'm embarrassed to say I like. (As I hang my head in shame)

First on my list is none other than the aforementioned Wacka Flocka Flame. If his name isn't enough to be ashamed of, try the fact where he has a song that no one understands the words to. He kinda reminds me a little of Mush Mouth ( you know, the speech impediment kid from Fat Albert). Anyways, homeboy is signed to So Icy records and was discovered by Gucci Mane, who has also made this list. Unfortunately, Wacka Flocka was recently shot during a car wash robbery--maybe it was an angry fan who got frustrated trying to decipher what the heck Wacka Flocka was saying (hmph)--hope he gets better though!

Coming in a close second is Soulja Boy Tell Em. Is it me, or do these Atlanta rappers have a thing with long names--that kinda make no sense? In any case, I am an avid offender of blasting this guy's music until my speakers burst and my annoying upstairs neighbor comes knocking at my door--especially "Turn my Swag on". Don't judge me! Soulja Boy has mastered the art of saying one sentence in 10 different ways to a good beat.

"I went to the store and bought some can-daaaay. To the candy store I went.
I bought a toostie roll at the tootsie roll store and all my money I have spent--on my blackcard."

And to think he failed the 9th grade not once, but two times. I guess school isn't for everybody?

Gucci Mane LaFluer. First of all, what type of grown man names himself the flower? Second of all, who still wears Gucci printed clothing--how tacky! But I digress, I do enjoy "Wasted" a little too much for my liking. I can't help but move when it comes on in the club--yes, guilty as charged. Good news is, that maybe I'll be able to ween myself off of good ol' Gucci Mane for at least 12 months (because that's how long he'll be in jail). Bad news: He's in jail. Hey, you win some, you lose some.

"He could always pull a Shyne and make a collect call record."

In any case, people--don't judge me! Yes I am a guilty offender, but don't act like y'all don't sing along when you hear them too. I'm pretty sure I'll be adding more to this list soon. In the meantime... (As I dance away from my computer) O Le Do Way!!!

oN YouR BiRThdAY...wELL, a WeEK lAteR bUt.....

2010-04-06T13:36:00.000-07:00

Now Playing: Just the two of us. We can make it if we try...Just the two of us.
Just the two of us. Building castles in the sky...Just the two of us--
You and I. - Just the Two of Us, Will Smith version, Just The Two Of Us

Although I talk to you everyday, thought I'd write you a note on your special day. I guess I'll start this off with memories...of course the ones that were special to you and me. Like how I was always a sucker for your magical stunting....especially how you could always find hair ties in my belly button. Or how quarters magically appeared behind my ears, but when I checked they were never there.

I remember that time you "taught" me how to drive, even though years later, Ma told me you drove with your thighs! I was steering the wheel and the car was moving and I really thought that I was cruising. But I digress, it was a small farce, that definitely seemed to warm my heart.

Or our races in the park with Gina and her dad, where y'all would put us on your shoulders and run crazy fast. And I definitely remember us always winning, but if I ask Gina there could be a different ending.

We used to have steak once a week, before mommy got home to take a peak :). And I ate it medium-rare just like you...until I got older and found out that it was basically raw food.

Remember your road rage moment when you flipped the bird to that Asian guy, and he mistakenly took it as the American way to say hi? (I still laugh at that 'til this day btw)

Or our "fishing" trips where we sat there all day, only to catch the fish and throw it back in the bay...or lake...or random body of water?

I remember the one time I was so mad at you! You gave me a spanking and said, "I did it because I love you." I was still mad after and I hollered and screamed, until later you took me to Bob's for a scoop of ice cream.

Or that Capitol Hill Classic when I was running in the race, you saw I was getting tired, so you ran with me the whole way.

In any case, just wanted to say thanks for everything dad...I know your somewhere around still driving that brown van. Also, I wanted to thank you too...because I get half of my stunning looks from you. From my Richardson nose to that scrunched up lip thing you did while thinking...Yea, I got that too but keep on reading.

24 years later you still mean the world, and I'll forever be a Daddy's girl!

Happy Birthday!!!!

My NaME is ITchY McLOvin'.....

2010-03-23T09:41:00.000-07:00

Now Playing:“Only you and me, hun, the love never dies. Satisfaction, I have the right tactics. And if you need 'em, I got crazy prophylactics” –Bonita Applebum, A Tribe Called Quest, People's Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm

So since I've been in Florida, I've been trying to keep current with things going on in my hometown (Washington DC). I try and read the Post every now and then, listen to streaming radio online...you know--keeping myself in the loop. And amidst all of the city's news, one subject seems to never leave the media : STD rates in DC are rising to the point where they are rivaling whole countries.

I wrote this post a while ago, but in light of recent activities, I thought I'd share it again.....

Scenario One: You’ve been with your man for four blissful years. Of course both of you have decided to make your love more than just a mental connection. You guys become sexually active and because you love and trust him so much, you feel no need to use condoms. Well, fall rolls around and homebody starts at the Virginia Institution of Higher Learning. He’s on a basketball scholarship because he’s just that good. You part ways (because you go to the University of Utah) and promise to love each other no matter what. Time goes by and Christmas break rolls around. You miss him so much that of course the first thing you two do is have sex—because that’s the only way to adequately show how much you’ve missed him. Two weeks later you’re itching and burning. Come to find out, homeboy has been taking advantage of his hoop star status and has contracted genital herpes from one of the groupies.

How unfortunate.

Scenario Two: You met this girl when you were 10 years old, and what you like most is that she had so much soul.(I guess you and Common like the same type of girl) You like her so much that you decided to wife her—you know, powder blue Roca-A-Wear suit white Nike her. :>) Of course you’re having sex and because she’s your girl, condoms aren’t a must—it feels better that way, and she’s not cheating on you. A few weeks down the road you’re itching, burning and wondering what the hell happened. She says she’s been faithful and of course she’s speaking the truth, but homebody on the basketball team was fooling around with her two years before you.

How unfortunate.

Scenario Three: You’re single, sexy, fly and educated. Having a significant other is the furthest thing from your mind. You’re looking to have fun and you meet someone with the same mind set as you. Inevitably, you become friends—with benefits-- and you use a condom EVERY time. The local health center is doing free testing one day and you find out that you’ve contracted Chlamydia. Remember the condom broke last month but you kept going anyway. Your partner never knew he/she had it because he/she has never been tested.

How unfortunate.

Moral: RAP IT UP! Get tested together if you must. With the rapid spread of STDs in America, there is no plausible reason not to KNOW YOUR STATUS. Too many people are crying and dying from unprotected sex. If you’re going to do it, then do it right. I’m quite sure that itching and burning doesn’t feel as good as the unsafe sex you had to get it.

AMeriKan DrEAmiNG....

2010-03-22T18:45:00.000-07:00

Now Playing: I'm taking my freedom,
Pulling it off the shelf,
Putting it on my chain,
Wear it around my neck,
I'm taking my freedom,
Putting it in my car,
Wherever I choose to go,
It will take me far.
I'm livin' my life like it's golden
Livin' my life like it's golden! -Golden, Jill Scott, Beautifully Human: Words And Sounds Vol. 2

I'm in the line moving side to side--I'm way too excited to keep still. It's the moment I've been waiting for--4 1/2 years in the making. GRADUATION! My classmates around me are feeling just as jittery as I am--all together we probably look like a Red Bull commercial gone wrong.

Caps are being straightened, gowns are zipped tight, grads are still hurting from the club last night.

The gym is filled with so much nervous energy you can grab it with your hands. The last minute stragglers dress as they rush to their places in line--and it begins.

You know that slow clap you hear in the movies, when one guy claps ridiculously slow then everyone follows suit?...well--in that moment...I was that guy. "Vibin'! Vibin'! I'm in my zone! I'm in my zone!" Within 5 minutes, the School of Journalism and Graphic Communication was doing the 18th remix of Piccolo's song--ah the joys of graduation!

In the distance, you could hear the faint sounds of the Alma Mater being played;Prof. G comes down to the holding pen (the extremely small hallway the graduates stand in before the procession), and we know it's time to move.

Just outside of that hallway, and across that stage, marks the beginning of the rest of our lives. We've waited so long for that golden piece of paper. Our professors told us that it will take us anywhere we want to go; our parents told us we can be anything we want to be. We're going to get so many job offers that we'll have to turn at least 10 down--our dream job in in our grasps. As soon as the Dean speaks those magic words: "Congratulations class of 2008, you may now move your tassels"--reality hits.

Those job offers they told us about turn out to be check-cashing scams. Those 10 jobs they told us you we'd have to turn down--they aren't interested because we're either over qualified or under experienced. We go from living on your own, to moving back home (we convince ourselves we only did it to cut cost...right?).

The dream job you thought you had quickly turns into a nightmare when one day you look around your 3x5 cubicle ( that you decorated with the paper clip streamers you made in between office coffee runs and photocopying your face)--you realize you're nothing but a glorified gopher (but you convince yourself it's just paying dues...it happens in every profession...right?).

WRONG!

But worry not my dear friends--you are not alone. We have all been bamboozled, led astray, hoodwinked if you will. We've been tricked into believing the good ole' American dream. The college degree, the stepford husband/wife, the 2.5 kids, and Lassie guarding your house that's surrounded by the white picket fence--not to forget the great job you will get at age 22 and retire from when you die.

No one tells you what to do when you get that so called dream job and hate every minute. You went to school for advertising and don't have a creative bone in your body. You were pre-med in school and had a change of heart about being a doctor. You became a dispatcher of sorts but your raging ADHD won't let you sit still long enough to answer a call--but this is what you chose to do with the rest your life; you're stuck--right?

WRONG AGAIN!

Two years have passed since I graduated from college and I'm still figuring it out. I've stressed and stressed and tried my hand at a million different jobs; and none of them seem to be that perfect, rest-of-my life fit--but why does it have to be? Why do I have to find that one job and stick to it? Why is my happiness dependent on how many figures I make, or how far I climb the corporate ladder?

I've spent years trying to figure out how to live the "dream" only to realize that reality is much better.

So I say to my fellow grads...SCREW THE DREAM and live your own! Let life take you where it may. Yeah, it's good to have a plan, but the most well laid plans often go horribly wrong--and that's not always a bad thing. Hey, Columbus thought he was taking a quick vacation to India and ended up (so the history books claim) discovering a whole new country--and besides the genocide of the native people, slavery, Jim Crow and crooked politics--look how well that worked out for him! In the history books forever!

My point is this: Don't confine yourself to someone else's rules for success. Live on your terms! So what if everyone doesn't agree with your plans--but they are your plans! Too many of us are beating ourselves up because our triangular ideas aren't fitting into the square norm. So we chip and chip away at ourselves trying to fit into that cookie cutter shape until the entire essence of us is gone. So make your own norm. If you don't fit the square, then cut out your own shape--hell, blow the square up and make EVERYTHING fit with ease. Throw all of your preconceived notions on how life after college should be out the window and just live. All of the money and fame that comes after is just icing on the cake...

Living for me

MuSic iS liFE....the hip-hop edition

2010-03-05T07:22:00.000-08:00

WeLcOme tO My uNiverSe!!!!

2010-03-05T07:05:00.000-08:00

Now Playing:
"We're dancing free but we're stuck here underground
And everybody trying to figure they way out
Hey Hey Hey, all we ever wanted to say
Was chased erased and then thrown away
And day to day we live in a daze" - Janelle Monae (Many Moons), Metropolis: The Chase Suite

As a sometimes journalist, I often research, write news articles, research, do interviews, research, blah, blah, blah, blah! It can all get so boring writing from the politically correct P.O.V.

So I bring you CeReBrAL GumBO, a look into the inner workings of my mind. I'm giving you posts about books, movies, politics, music....whatever happens to be on my brain at the time....the way I see it....no fluff included.

Join me on my mind's journey to the great beyond and further....enjoy our stay entirely in my alternate reality....

Peace.