knewday

KING JAMES VERSION

2009-05-27T18:44:00.000-07:00

I’m almost sick over last night's disaster…oh; you guys probably thought I was talking about the Bible…not this time. I’m talking about the OTHER King James – L’B J (I think you know by now). I mean, I’m more of a football fan but I LOVE THAT MAN! He is truly the KING of the court – amazing happens where he is! Ok, that’s enough praise for now; let’s get down to the real issue.

WHY on God’s green earth does everyone else on the team get a ga-million dollar check every week if they don’t want to perform in the PLAYOFFS?!?!?! I mean, riddle me this; they are supposed to be the elite basketball players…which is how they made it into the NBA yeah, I’m sure there are thousands of street balla’s doing the darn thing, but they’re not getting paid the big bucks. These Cavalier co-stars have been acting like they’re playing a charity game against a handicap girlscout squad.

If L BOOGIE (not Lauren Hill) can throw down an average of 40 points per game, then DAMMIT these cats can pick up the slack. If all they want to do is cheer when King James scores they might as well move back a couple rows and call themselves fans…since they’re already wearing jerseys.

I read an article in which LB said “I know I’m ready” (in reference to the remaining playoff games). Clearly, he’s singled himself wayyyyy apart from his fans…I mean, teammates. I’m no sports journalist or commentator, just a woman with eyes and what I’ve seen is Mr. James working his big-pretty-black butt off with little to no help and it’s just not fair…I wish I could help him, but I’d only offer him something to lean on (lol).

I know the poor baby is frustrated and tired and just wants his mama (lol – I’m laughing at my secret thoughts). I’m sure he’s read those guys the riot act, especially since he’s been the king of the court for years and has yet to win the championship. I think I can pretty-much pick up what I think he’s putt’n down, but I’d still like to hear the King James version, maybe over a glass of wine and dinner…maybe…maybe!

Ova The Hill?

2009-05-26T18:35:00.000-07:00

CRUSHED:

I met this guy about two years ago at a networking event and was completely enamored by him on sight. I mean, when my eyes fixed on him, my lips wanted to kiss him and my mind called him my “new boyfriend!” Anyway, turns out he was married; we exchanged business contact info, engaged in some idle chatter and got out of each others face (before a problem arose).

I saw him waiting for the train the other morning and because I didn’t like my hair – nor my shoes – and my nails needed a fresh coat – and my mood was tired, I positioned myself behind a pillar, out of his view…yes, I hid!

Man, he looked even better than when I first met him. I laughed at myself (once I was tucked safely away in another car). I sat smiling on the inside and thinking…I’m too old for this shyte!

POLE DANCING:

My girl-crew and I decided to have a social night on the town a couple weeks ago; my best friend suggested pole dancing, so that’s where the eight of us headed. We were psyched and full of red wine…this was going to be the best girl’s night ever.

There were about ten other women in the spot, including the instructors (aka strippers – sike). The disco lights and music set the atmosphere to HO, the wine had me at SUPER-HO and I was ready to get my pole on…or should I say “get my – on the pole.”

I swirled and twirled and strutted and switched, until the instructor (stripper – lol) said she didn’t like how I was moving – she said I needed more “umph” in my sway. I went on at my best for about another half hour, slowly realizing that the hope of supplementing my income as a part-time private dancer was dissipating, almost as fast as I fell slid down that pole.

About ten minutes before the music stopped, I’d decided I had enough humiliation for one evening and changed out of my stripper gear; knocked off the last of the wine as I sat wondering why my right arm felt swollen… I soothed my bruised ego with the affirmation that I’m just too old for this shyte!

Where Were You...

2008-11-06T09:52:00.001-08:00

...on the GREATEST day America has ever seen?

I started my November 4th off running around doing pretty much nothing, but by 5pm, I was glued to NBC watching things unfold. I watched and waited and watched again as every state was counted. I had plans to attend a release party for Two One Five Magazine, which was being held at a swank new bowling ally, but the party didn't start until 9:00 so I kept the anticipation down with booze (lol...just kidding), but I was on edge.

By 8:00 pm I was restless, nervous, scared, anxious, and confused as to WHY anyone had voted for John McCain (sorry), but I was exuberant and ready to go. All dressed up in blue jeans, long sleeve tan shirt covered by my "THE PRESIDENT AND FIRST LADY" (OBAMA) tee; I topped things off with a brown fedora and bottomed out in some green sweater boots (you guys getting the picture). I was full of color.

My girlfriend picked me up about 9:15 and we headed to the bowling alley. The place was jammed packed with a plethora of political guru's (in their own right). The place had a real urban/artsy feel with a bunch of 'Will-I-Am' types running around and unsurprisingly, every race and culture was present.

I sat, eat, drank, texted and laughed UNTIL the moment came when Barack Obama was declared the 44th President of the United States. The room burst into tears and cheers with a few jeers (there were some McCain folks in the house- who instantly grabbed their checks and bounced).

I still can't believe it's real, but I'll never forget that moment; where were you when change came to America? (seriously, I want to know where you guys were and what you were doing)

THIS IS IT!!!!!

2008-11-04T09:35:00.000-08:00

GO BARAK YOUR VOTE! I pray democracy prevails over the evil intent of the cheat'n repubs. I was in a store this morning and overheard the cashier (a black woman around 50), tell another co-worker that she was still UNDECIDED!!!! I really could'nt understand what she was saying; not because she was a 50 year-old BLACK WOMAN, but it's ELECTION DAY, how the frig are you STILL undecided??? I mean REALLY!

I watched the Saturday Night Live special last night and OMG- it was the BEST. I used to think they were just serious Obama supporters since they always seemed to bash the republican party, but then I realized they're just going with the easier, more obvious target - I mean, it's only natural...since it's a COMEDY show. Here's a clip:

I'M SURE I DON'T HAVE TO SAY - GET OUT AND VOTE, BUT MAKE SURE YOU PRAY FOR A BIG 'O' VICTORY!!!

GO PHILLIES

2008-10-31T10:36:00.000-07:00

GOOOOOOOO PHILLIES!!!! As you all know...WE WON THE WORLD SERIES!!!!!! The town has been painted red for WEEKS now, but I'm GREEN with envy (lil Eagles humor). Seriously, I REALLY hope this win has charged my birds- to a victory. I'm not a baseball fan, but it's hella exciting having this victory for my city.

As would be imagined; there's a HUGE parade going on today, culminating in a rally at Citizens Bank Park it's going to be completely CRAZY. Here's a couple pics for you guys to be envy...lol.

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND - GO EAGLES!!!!!

1964 AND MORE!

2008-10-16T13:18:00.000-07:00

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America – America – Oh beautiful for spacious skies – America – America! It’s been a long time coming, but change is on its way, but first we’ll be making a stop in Mississippi.

During the early 50’s election officials sought to keep blacks from voting mainly by incorporating fear amongst the people – fear of being beaten, or killed; fear of losing their jobs or land; fear of having their rents doubled even the fear of not having any food. During the winter of 1962, LeFlore County, Mississippi, cut off the government food surplus program; a major dependence for the counties poor blacks. Fear had stricken the black community; paralyzing progress as democracy retreated; fear was raping southern blacks of their right to vote.

By the mid-60’s, State legislatures became a little more crafty; they incorporated laws requiring voters to pay poll taxes, interpret sections of the State Constitution and used literacy test as a main qualifier to obtain voting privileges. Injustice reared its ugly hear, Voter Education Program (1961) was almost becoming futile as it’s hard to educate once fear takes over.

The voting process proved grave, literally as participants were threatened, jailed, beaten and killed. A call for change was made and answered by over 1000, mostly white-northern, volunteers. Their mission was to calm the fears, educate, support and register the black, should-be-voters of Mississippi.

Mosquito’s, humidity, fear and anticipation filled the air on June 14, 1964 as volunteers geared up for what would be known as Freedom Summer; a mission to register Black voters in the segregated South. A mission brought forth due to the oppressive; hate motivated scare tactics instituted by southern white citizens.

Racial injustice, threats, scare tactics and mostly white-northern volunteers; that’s what this post is about.

I believe our (America’s ) change is coming in the form of Senator Obama; his principles and priorities have awaken the racism that has lain dormant in most of white America, who in turn seeks to reinstall fear amongst the black community.

Within the last few weeks the city of Philadelphia (and I’m sure all urban cities) has been flooded with misleading deeds-dastardly deeds (lol) – here are a few:
1)If you have a warrant or outstanding tickets, you’re subject to being arrested when you arrive to vote.
2)If your home is under foreclosure you can’t vote.
3)If you wear party/candidate specific items or attire (No Obama S@#%) you will have to leave.
4)If you owe child support
if your hair’s too long; if you wear glasses; if you have a cat; if you eat bagels for breakfast.

Ok, scratch those last few, but you get the point. Oh, there was also a notice going around that said: Due to the height of this Presidential election and the increase in voter registrations, an alternate voting day is being added – If you’re not able to vote on November 4th, you may do so on November 10th (SUCKERS!!) (I added the ‘Suckers’ part).

I was told of this new tacky-tact maneuver by a white woman who from New York, which brings us to that part of this post. As I’ve been actively volunteering with the campaign during my down time from work, I’ve noticed that the majority of the volunteers are white, with a great deal of them coming from other northern-states.

Obama is not the Black people’s candidate, but he’s here for whoever will follow, but black people seem to be the least supportive with their time and money. We’ve got to step it up because most of the fear-tactics have been thrown at our doors like dog-do in a a paper bag. We’ve got to unit to combat these efforts and let them know that we shall NOT be moved- Welcome to the NEW land of the brave – Home of the FREE!!!

...BUT GOD!

2008-09-23T11:55:00.001-07:00

Hey you guys. I hope things have been good with everyone. I've been a little down these past couple of months, but God is bringing me back to like; He's breathing into these dry bones of mine, so I know I'll live again.

My uncle, who was living with me for the past 9 months passed away on July 31st. He was 51, but had lived his life in a bottle. There were times when he didn’t have money for booze, so he’d drink rubbing alcohol instead; that monkey on his back needed to be fed.

Oh,the life of an alcoholic; the bumps and bruises; the cuts and scars…internal and external. My uncle was a DIE-HARD-HOLIC! He lived (for the funk, die for the funk – sorry), but he loved him some liquor and his mother loved her some him. My uncle was my grandmother’s baby-boy. He wasn’t the youngest child, but the youngest son and the neediest. He was spoiled rotten to the core (I’m not speaking ill of the dead, but telling the truth of things). He expected everyone to tolerate his antics, no matter how intolerable; he was a drunk and it wasn’t his fault he loved the booze so much, so he said, so we were expected to grin and bare all of his drama.

He lived with my grandmother all his life, until she decided to move into an independent living home for seniors. He spent a couple of years going from rehab to rehab just to have a place to lay his head when he wasn’t laying it on a street curb. He’d go to visit my grandmother everyday and disturb the entire community, so they banned him from the establishment. My grandmother had enabled him for so long that she owed him the rest of her life.

My uncle’s death was tragic, but expected…my grandmother’s wasn’t. The day after my uncle died my grandmother made herself busy with his funeral arrangements with most of the family in and out of her small apartment. “We need more chicken!” she said to my aunt who was charged with food-shopping for all the visitors. Since I was my grandmother’s favorite grandchild (her words not mine) and since she was my rock, I planned to stay the night with her. With the guest all gone and the phone quiet, she spent the remainder of the evening trying to fix the DVD player (I wanted us to watch a movie and as the favorite, I always got my way).

“You know I don’t let things get the better of me; so I’m not going to bed until this thing is working,” she said as she fiddled a little harder. Ten minutes later the DVD player was working and my grandmother was off to bed. Somewhere in the middle of the night she had a massive stroke and died in the hospital the next day…taking a million pieces of me with her…oh, but God!

HEY YOU GUYSSSSSS!

2008-07-21T16:22:00.000-07:00

Just dropped by to say what's up...I hope to check you all out in the days to come.

New Ventures

2008-04-14T12:44:00.000-07:00

Hello All,

I hope things have been well with everyone. I'm just stopping by to say hey...since I can't seem to concentrate on the matters of my business (smile). Well, there's lots going on, but I'm at a mental standstill...there's some serious spring cleaning going on in my head. I was told once (ok, a million times) that I think too much, probably the truest statement ever made about me, so I rest.

My son (the oldest) told me "Mom, I know what I want to do if I don't get into the NFL - I want to be a screen-writer." I lite up like a bulb. Not because I love screen-writing, but because I was watching my baby evolve. He'd based this new venture on a self discovered talent. Something that would require a lot of work on his part...something that would cause him to delve even deeper into that well of creativity that exist within him; my little boy was becoming even more of a man right before me and I was excited.

This new venture of his has had my minds wheels spinning for the past week (I actually just checked out a book on screen-writing for him). I'm trying to slow myself down; I don't want to be overly enthusiastic and start putting TOO much pressure on him...lol.

I don't think I've talked about my youngest son much, but he's been taking paino lessons to learn to read music. He taught himself to play the keyboards some years ago. He's been playing by hearing in past years. He's got this crazy (crazy cool) memory...he actually knows all 50 states by shape. Now, he's off to the theater...he just called and told me he's going to be in a school play (details to follow). Heck, maybe his brother can write something for him to act in...HUM!!!

Well...tata for now. I'll keep you guys posted on the Knewness.

WILL DOWNING

2008-04-03T15:38:00.001-07:00

I'm so sorry (you) lol...some tribute I've given. So, since I'm not so good at this, I'll let this tribute (that someone else did) speak for me. At the end of the day, it means the same thing...WE LOVE YOU MR. DOWNING!!!

Here is a tribute from another fan.

Boy, men could sure learn something about pleasing women just by listening to Mr. Downing. Check out his rap to this prospect...lol.

Remember fella's there's a "MILLION WAYS TO PLEASE A WOMEN" (boy do I wish I could play that video!!! But you can check it out on youtube!

CRAZY LOVE {Tribute Day #1}

2008-03-31T15:10:00.000-07:00

I can’t say I remember the day or the moment this love took hold of me, but the feeling is ever present; there’s a calming when I hear his voice…every word speaks to my whole soul. He has been my magic; my everything; he is Will Downing!

I was brought to tears over a perfect stranger today…more stranger that I find him perfect. I don’t know him but I’ve loved him since the 80’s when I first heard “I Go Crazy.” I couldn’t believe my emotions…I didn’t know they could move like that, as they slow danced to the deep soothing sound of Will’s voice. Today’s tears came as I read more on this debilitating disease that’s ATTEMPTING to overtake my Will, but the devil is a LIAR and by HIS stripes he WILL be healed. I’m reminded of the Women with the issue of blood who reached for the hem of the Lords garment KNOWING His healing powers belonged to whosoever will, so Mr. Downing, prayers are going up even as I type this.

Bio: Will Downing was born in 1963 hailing from New York’s Brooklyn area. His first solo album was released in 1988 entitled “Will Downing” and that’s when I met him and went crazy (“I Try” & “I Go Crazy” were my favorites, but “A Love Supreme” was the Billboard favorite, reaching #4 on the charts).

Will continued to do his thing and in 1993 “Love’s The Place To Be,” (at it was for me, because I could never seem to fall from this man.) showed it’s self strong; selling over 235,000 copies in the US and 300,000 in Great Britain…I’m sure you all remember his duet with Rochelle Ferrell, “Nothing Has Ever Felt.”

He’s never won a Grammy, although in 2000 “All The Man You Need” was nominated and in 2002 he received the International Association of African Music Diamond Award (which I’ve never heard of).

To date Will Downing has released 13 solo projects which include a Christmas album and a “Greatest Love Songs” compilation release…not to mention the many features he’s had on various Jazz and R&B albums of his peers.

Polymyositis: is an inflammatory muscle disease with an unknown cause (infliction against Mr. Downing). In the United States, Polymyositis, is most common amongst Blacks and more prevalent in women (please click link).

The more I read of his suffering the more determined I became in doing whatever I can to help fight the battle, so I’m in the very early stage of establishing an awareness campaign and research fundraisers for this and other neurological disorders…yeah I know what you guys might be thinking…”all this effort for a total stranger” – well, I’m not crazy…it’s just Crazy Love!!!

Welcome to DAY #1 of my week long homage to the man who’s made me fall in love with love - Will Downing

Me - Black Man, You - Woman!!!!

2008-03-28T06:15:00.000-07:00

Ok, I'm sure you guys have seen and heard the talks over this cover and since I'd pretty much echo the sentiments of the article (everything in red), I have nothing else to add except to reverberate the idea of Black Male Athletes taking a personal liking (in the Biblical sense) to white women. I do have a couple of questions at the bottom but first, check out the article.

Vogue announced its April cover starring LeBron James and Gisele Bundchen, the magazine noted with some fanfare that James was the first black man to grace its cover.

But the image is stirring up controversy, with some commentators decrying the photo as perpetuating racial stereotypes. James strikes what some see as a gorilla-like pose, baring his teeth, with one hand dribbling a ball and the other around Bundchen’s tiny waist.
It’s an image some have likened to “King Kong” and Fay Wray.

“It conjures up this idea of a dangerous black man,” said Tamara Walker, 29, of Philadelphia.
Vogue spokesman Patrick O’Connell said the magazine “sought to celebrate two superstars at the top of their game” for the magazine’s annual issue devoted to size and shape.

“We think Lebron James and Gisele Bundchen look beautiful together and we are honored to have them on the cover,” he said.

James told The (Cleveland) Plain Dealer he was pleased with the cover, saying he was “just showing a little emotion.”

But magazine analyst Samir Husni believes the photo was deliberately provocative, adding that it “screams King Kong.” Considering Vogue’s influential history, he said, covers are not something that the magazine does in a rush.

“So when you have a cover that reminds people of King Kong and brings those stereotypes to the front, black man wanting white woman, it’s not innocent,” he said.

In a column at ESPN.com, Jemele Hill called the cover “memorable for all the wrong reasons.” But she said in an interview that the image is not unusual — white athletes are generally portrayed smiling or laughing, while black sports figures are given a “beastly sort of vibe.”

For example, former NBA star Charles Barkley was depicted breaking free of neck and wrist shackles on the cover of Sports Illustrated. Dennis Rodman graced the cover of Rolling Stone with horns poking out of his forehead and his red tongue hanging out.
Images of black male athletes as aggressive and threatening “reinforce the criminalization of black men,”

“I didn’t see any kind of racist overtone to it,” she said. “I still don’t. I think there is such a hypersensitivity to race still in this country.”

“If more people of color worked for Vogue in positions of editorial authority, perhaps someone in the room might have been able to read the image the way so many of us are reading it now, and had the power to do something about it,”

QUESTIONS:

1) What do you think about the hypersensitivity to race thought… do you all think there’s an overreaction to race relations or are most cases valid.

2) When predominantly white corporations produce ads with racial undertones should Black (in this case) opinions be considered?

The Language of Love - Me, Venus/ You Mars

2008-03-24T15:14:00.000-07:00

You’re entering an insert within my dating life (faux pas) - envision the spinning door of the Twilight Zone.

I was seeing this guy under some very clearly undefined circumstances, which I don’t really have a problem with, as I’m typically able to keep my emotions in check, but this dude wasn't making things easy for a sista. I mean after all…times are hard; you know it’s hard out here for a pimp'et(smile) and since I’m also not getting any younger, I’m finding myself entering “settling down” mode, with that in mind…check out this convo:

(He calls me – I smile when I see his name come up – that’s a problem under the circumstances):

He: “hey BABY” (WRONG WORD)
Me: “hey” (saying Baby in my head)

(He proceeds to tell me a story that really has no relevance, so I’ll only share the important parts)

He: “…so I’m laying down facing YOUR SIDE OF THE BED…blah, blah, blah”
Me: (now although I only shared the “important” parts of the story…the blah, blah, blah is what I actually heard because I just couldn’t get past MY SIDE OF THE BED)

PAUSE: Now, I’m sure you guys and gals see where I’m going with this…can you all BELIEVE what this cat's tryna do to me? I mean, I just don’t understand it…”Your side of the bed” = “Will you marry me” (or am I just interpreting the language of love wrong).

I laughed at the rest of his proposal…I mean, conversation but of course I dreamt about him for the next 16 days (a little goes a long way with me).

I told a male friend about the exchange and he laughed, because he could see how certain things a man could do or say may be misleading or misinterpreted by the women they’re courting (having relations with). As he reflected on some of his accidental proposals, he accepted that men and women just don’t speak the same language, and since I’m fluent in lady-jabber, I broke things down for him (M.S = Men Say / W.H = Women Hear)

M.S: “I’ll be back in a lil bit baby” (leaving you in their spot for the first time)
W.H: “Go get your stuff, because you’re moving in wit me baby”

M.S: “You should’ve told me you were calling out…I’d have taken off with you”
W.H: “We should go away together, because I falling in love with you”

M.S: “My mother…. (the rest of this statement is void…you shouldn’t have mentioned cha mom)
W.H.: “I want you to meet my mother, because I’m falling in love with you

There’s so much more, but since I’m still at work (lol) I’ll stop here, but can you guys please fill in the rest?

Disclaimer: I laughed hysterically when writing this and meant for you guys to do the same. The bottom line principal was rooted in my response to every man who says “she’s stalking me” – WHY? I always ask if there was something they could have said or done to cause the women to see something that wasn’t there. Aside from straight-up lies, I think men do play on those female sensibilities, which send off signals that are easily misinterpreted.

Now, or course you’ve got some serious issues for stalking, but men can at times be oblivious to the actions their words cause.

MEN: Think about the impact certain words and behaviors have on people, especially the women you’re entertaining.

WOMEN: Pay MORE attention to their actions then their words and ALWAYS make sure there’s clarity – know what YOU want…and make sure he knows too.

I hope this disclaimer dispels the vicious rumor that I, TLW aka JMW is, was, or ever will be stuck in uncertainty to the point of foolish wonderment! But I LOVE HIM…LOL. (just kidding)

America The Great!

2008-03-18T12:05:00.000-07:00

Politics, Religion and Money are said to ruin a friendship or an ELECTION! I could never claim to be a patriot saint (remember I wanted to be a Panther), and I believe in the words of Mr. Hughes: “O, let America be America again-- The land that never has been yet-- And yet must be--the land where every man is free. The land that's mine--the poor man's, Indian's, Negro's, ME-- Who made America, Whose sweat and blood, whose faith and pain, Whose hand at the foundry, whose plow in the rain, Must bring back our mighty dream again.”

The truth is said to set you free, but that only applies when you're NOT me (color that is) – maybe America was NEVER America to me – land of the brave and home of the free! Anyway, I digress, this isn’t about my political views, but lets talk about Mr. Wright’s comments (sermons) and how they’re going to shape this election.

"We bombed Hiroshima, we bombed Nagasaki, and we nuked far more than the thousands in New York and the Pentagon, and we never batted an eye," Wright said. "We have supported state terrorism against the Palestinians and black South Africans, and now we are indignant because the stuff we have done overseas is now brought right back to our own front yards. America's chickens are coming home to roost."

"The government gives them (blacks) the drugs, builds bigger prisons, passes a three-strike law and then wants us to sing 'God Bless America.' No, no, no, God damn America, that's in the Bible for killing innocent people. God damn America for treating our citizens as less than human. God damn America for as long as she acts like she is God and she is supreme."

Now, I’m not in a position to really comment on this (I’m still at work – lol) but since this is all the buzz, I’m sure you guys have formed opinions…so let’s hear them!

HEY NOW!!!

2008-03-12T15:53:00.001-07:00

Hey Guys,

I hope all has been well. There's been a lot going on over here on my end, but I'm actually about to crank this proposal out so I can't chat much (smile) but I wanted to drop you guys a line.

I just recently did this photo-shoot (MY FIRST) and it was sooooo exciting. The pictures were taken for no real reason...just because the photographer is a friend and wanted to immortalize me...LOL. So much stuff is happening...my oldest son even said..."everything's happening for you this year" I don't know how much truth is in that, but things are looking good (mr. carter) lol.

Well here are a couple of the pics I took and PLEASE check out this BEAUTIFUL from one of my favorite singers:

UPCOMING PHILLY EVENTS

2008-02-27T11:49:00.000-08:00

HEY YOU GUYS... There a lot going on in Philly in the coming week(s). Check it out:

This Grand Opening of Goodlife Fpridays at Club 27 is going to set the stage for many great events to come. I'VE GOT TICKETS ($15) and they're going FAST so let me know how many you need ASAP. PLEASE EMAIL ME AT TLKW200@YAHOO.COM or call my

Club 27 - 27 Bank St (Old City)

For Further Details HIT ME UP!!!

"If I Were President"

2008-02-21T08:05:00.000-08:00

Hello All –

Now, I usually stay away from politics…well as they relate to actual Elections, but I can’t ignore the impending danger of having a Black Presidential Candidate get so close to the White House…after all, it’s named that for a reason!

Here’s a little something that’s been making its way through the WWW (world wide web)…why does WWW remind me so much of KKK – oh, sorry.

Who is Barack Obama?

Probable U.S. presidential candidate, Barack Hussein Obama
was born in Honolulu, Hawaii, to Barack Hussein Obama, Sr.
a Black Muslim from Nyangoma-Kogel, Kenya and Ann Dunham, a
white ATHIEST from Wichita, Kansas.

Obama's parents met at the University of Hawaii. When Obama
was 2 years old, his parents divorced. His father returned
to Kenya. His mother then married Lolo Soetoro, a RADICAL
Muslim from Indonesia. When Obama was 6 years old the family relocated to Indonesia. Obama attended a MUSLIM school in Jakarta. He also spent
2 years in a Catholic school. Obama takes great care to conceal the fact that he is a Muslim. He is quick to point out that 'He was once a Muslim, but that he also attended Catholic School ' (I was once a
human, but I also attended McDonalds. It didn't make me a cheeseburger either!!!)Obama's political handlers are attempting to make it appear
that Obama's introduction to Islam came via his father, and
that this influence was temporary at best. In reality, the
senior Obama returned to Kenya soon after the divorce, and
never again had any direct influence over his son's education.

Lolo Soetoro, the second husband of Obama's mother, Ann Dunham, introduced his stepson to Islam. Obama was enrolled in a Wahabi school in Jakarta. (Wahabi - that is NOT a brand of horseradish!!)

Wahabism is the RADICAL teaching that is followed by the
Muslim terrorists who are now waging Jihad against the
western world. (we're involved in a religious war for those
who have not yet figured it out.)

Since it is politically expedient to be a CHRISTIAN when
seeking Major public office in the United States, Barack
Hussein has joined the United Church of Christ in an attempt
to downplay his Muslim background.(the United Church of
Christ is a militant group dedicated to the principles of the
Black Panthers and Louis Farrakhan)

Let us all remain alert concerning Obama's expected
presidential candidacy. The Muslims have said they plan on destroying the U.S. from the inside out, what better way to start than at the highest level - through the President of the United States, one of
their own! Also, keep in mind that when he was sworn into office - he
DID NOT use the Holy Bible, but instead the Q'uran (their
"Holy book". It is in no way equivalent to our Bible.)

Please forward to everyone you know. Would you want this man leading our country?

After reading the above hate-rally-email, my cousin made the below comment:

“some racists, political extremist redhead is gonna assassinate him or attempt 2.....he will not last long trust me! a black president, no sir! He better hope he make it 2 the election!”

Unfortunately, I have to share her sentiment…this is like a fantastic nightmare. The realization of this election is rocking the world. I don’t know what’s going to happen if the “O” wins, but I can’t help humming Wyclef – “If I Were President”

A TEENAGE LOVE

2008-02-13T06:51:00.000-08:00

Good Morning Boys and Girls!

A Teenage Love

“…everything seems so great at the startFor she loves him, and he also loves herAnd it's hard to turn back to who the person you wereBut later on, problems start to occurAnd the bond, which combines, y'all turns into a blurFor the feelings were the same, now here's the scoreYou love them to much, and they don't love you anymore”
(Slick Rick – A Teenage Love)

Awwww…poor Mr. Slick was probably a party of a broken heart, his or hers, but what can be expected from a “Teenage Love” LOVE – what does this word REALLY mean…who can best define it (certainly not I), but I know I don’t believe in “Love” at first sight or childhood emotions attempting to subsist in an adult world.

With the exception of Love and Basketball’s, “I’ve loved you since I was 11 years-old and the shit just won’t go away” – childhood “love” doesn’t really last, nor do I think it ever really existed…what can a child truly know about love – that grown folk emotion; Ok, I’m being a little facetious, but with a hint of minty-truth.

Can a person who expressed feelings as a child still have them as an adult? (Don’t answer that yet.)

I’ve found that the average person doesn’t really come to know or understand themselves until they’ve entered late twenties/early thirties, so what may have been known of oneself or that love interest probably no longer exist.

Like money, love just seems to be tossed around so frivolously which leaves a trail of hurt feelings and misunderstandings about the reality of love. Like bonds (money related – lol), love is best when it matures.

If you’ve ever loved a child as a child (no R. Kelly stuff), you’ll need to pretty much forget the past part of them and begin to learn what you’ve never known...then you can love (again, maybe).

Feel free to ask the above question NOW! Then check out the video.

What's Your Pleasure

2008-02-08T08:54:00.000-08:00

“Some people like sniffing panties…”

Sorry for the crass beginning but it is Friday, so anything goes…Right? – RIGHT!

This lil tale of sheer insanity could be another insert into the “Dating Me” series, but I’ll leave the title as is.

Now as many of you know, I rarely get TOO personal in the blogsphere, unless I’m associating it with some sort of social issue or disorder and leaving you guys with a thought, question, or experience to share…and this is no different, but I’m about to get real personal.

I was dating (dealing) with this guy over the last couple of months…it was a somewhat awkward situation because he really didn’t make his interest clear. We met under the pretense of doing some business, but long after the business was over I was still getting random phone calls about pretty much-NOTHING! So, me being the impatient soul that I am, I asked…”what’s the deal dude…business is over, but you’re still calling and it sounds like you’re flirting with me, so what’s up?” – I think you guys know I’m direct, so unraise those eyebrows.

Anyway, I FORCED him into asking me on a date (you know I didn’t really force). So the “relationship” began and before long we were having relations – WARNING: PLEASE DISREGARD PAST POST CONCERNING ABSTINENCE!!!

THE INSANITY BEGINS: Now, I try not to be toooo heavy into astrology, but this guy is a Virgo and the stars say that we don’t mix well…I’m a Sagittarius. The stars said that I’d be bored with this sexual encounter (the stars ain’t neva lied – excuse my ebonics). But, the stars failed to inform me of what was to come. After TWO encounters I’d decided that this just wasn’t worth my time…I mean, if I’m going to ignore the policy of past-post it should at least be worth its “weight in gold.”

Again, my impatient-overly expressive personality kicked in and I told him that we shouldn’t see each other anymore because we were “sexually incompatible”…for some reason he didn’t take too kindly to that – MEN! He was adamant about having another opportunity to prove himself (bless his lil heart); me being such a caring, compassionate woman, I obliged.

During the “make-good” encounter we entered into a conversation about my first travel experience…now you guys should know I LOVE to talk, so in the midst of my rant he sneaks me…yeah, you know what I mean; he’d put the condom on and was on his way…WHY? Your guess is as good as mine. To my surprise he egged me on in this foolish episode of – “Sex and the Trip to Disney.” I wasn’t used to this kind of “experience” but was caught so off guard and by the time I regained my senses it was over.

Now, this dude is on point…I mean, he’s good-looking, intelligent and has his life in fairly good order and he’s a really nice guy with a hint of thuggish goodness, so I TRIED to stay into him, or at least let him stay “into” me…haha (sorry). I went on a few more weeks and encounters, but things were just not good. He just could NOT start anything up without engaging me in some senseless idol chatter…he had to get me talking about something before he could make his move. Now, I’ve heard people say they love the sound of my voice, but this was just RE-GAL-DANG-DIK-U-LIS!!!

The final ACT:
I’m lying in my bed FURIOUS at the fact that he’s just laying there (like he didn’t know why he was there). He’s playing this “shy” role like he doesn’t know what to do, but I knew what he wanted…I knew what he was waiting for…he wanted me to talk. That sick bastrid was waiting to hear my “seductive” voice tell a story then he’d make his move. Well since I was hip to his give, I kept quiet. He started talking about clubs in the area and I fell prey to his scheme and engaged - that was all she wrote, he quickly mounted me as I lay on my stomach with my head resting on my folded arms. He’d put the condom on and was going for a homer – NOT! “get the hell offa me!” is what escaped my lips with disgust…”this is so over…I refuse to play into this insanity.” Well, he didn’t leave right away, but when he did he said, “I’ll call you later.” WHY! Sir, this is a done deal.

I told a male friend about the strange experience and he said…”some people like sniffing panties and some like having “random” conversations during sex…it’s whatever gets you off.”

So, the question is: what bizarre fetishes have you experienced or exhibited?

"DEAR DADDY: I HATE YOU"

2008-02-04T17:40:00.000-08:00

"Something within me will always love him no matter what..." It seemed like the thing to say. It seemed like the "right" thing to say. As if I was hopelessly in love. As if I had to love you no matter what. It wasn't true then. It isn't true now."

"I still look in my rearview mirror. I know you are there and I hate you."

"I hate you, Daddy...and that is how it is. That is real. I hate you. My posture is not reactionary. My soul is without torment. I thought it all out. For years I thought about all that I remembered. I though about all I had learned. It wasn't easy to get here, but this is the right place to be. The right mind in which to exist. I'm okay. And I hate you. "

"I've thought about killing you. I've watched you. I've wondered what you are. Why you are. What was your purpose? Is this what you were supposed to do?"

"I could kill you. But I wouldn't shoot you. I couldn't shoot you. I would stab you. This way we could spend some time together. This way we could look into each others' eyes. Maybe we would cry...Maybe we could make up a past, one where we smiled, laughed and loved. Maybe we could lie until you went to sleep."

"I tried to love you. I can't. I tried to understand you. I don't. I tried to move on, but I keep coming back to the same place. I keep coming back to the same reality...I tried to be big. I thought I could go past my feelings, I thought I could push it all aside, look you in the eyes and recognize some indisputable truth, feel some undeniable connection...So I called you. I called you four times. I listened. I waited. I was patient. I was wrong...When I was 12 years old, you killed my mother. I can't love you. I won't love you."

Fuck You
Your son
Butch

The above excerpts have been compiled from the book "Dear Daddy: I hate you - Letters to my mother's killer" By Butch Slaughter. You guys may remember me going on about him ALL of last year...you remember "Why Our Children Hate Us - How Black Adults Have Betrayed Black Children."

Unlike the unified-accountability he attempted to place on the adults of the Black community through the text of "Why Our Children Hate Us," this latest work holds only one accountable - his father, for the murder of his mother. Like the previous work of truth, "Dear Daddy: I hate you," is full of enlightening probes rooted around the advancement of the Black community.

NOTE FROM THE AUTHOR:

"This is a narrative regarding alienation. These are notes concerning seperation, distance and confusion. My personal experience might represent an extreme; not all Black fathers pull triggers. Still, too many fail to defend their children. Too many are the conduits through which the devil does his work."

Advanced copies of the book are currently available in short supply (FOR NOW), but they can be purchased in several bookstores within the Philadelphia region as well as Chicago (author's home town). He's also scheduled to do book signings and lectures in Chicago within the coming weeks (2/21/08), so SPREAD THE WORD!!!

A MOVEMENT is about to take place...an uprising of sorts; He is setting himself to enact a vengence on all those opposing his love for his people and their (our) children and I'd say it's a HATE that's long overdue!!!

Of course I'd like to know your thoughts on what you've read, but more importantly... YOU NEED TO GET THE BOOK!!! BOTTOM LINE!!! Please drop me a note with your city and I'll let you know where you can pick it up.

QUESTION OF THE DAY:

IS HATE EVER JUSTIFIABLE?

HEY NOW!

2008-02-01T15:38:00.000-08:00

It's been a LONGGGG time, but you guys have been in my thoughts...I just wanted to drop a quick line.

I can't wait until I can get back to this thing with SOME level of seriousness, but in the mean time and in between time. I'm supposed to be in the Chicago area within the coming weeks and I can't remember if any of the "13" are from there...LOL, but I hope to connect with whoeverI can.

Um...I don't have any jokes to tell or news to complain about (well, I'm sure I can think of something...lol) I guess I just really missed you guys.

I DO have a great new book that I'll be excerping in the days to come (I know you-all LOVE when I do that), so I will...you can thank me later. Seriously, it's going to make for some SERIOUSLY JUICY dialog.

OH, (Cap, Kiki, Sheletha and whoever) I had the PLEASURE of attending a party with my boyfriend Idris (you know who I'm talk'n bout)...I stood in his face taking pictures of him on my phone and smiling alllllll night long...LOL, boy radio sure has its perks! Anyway...I'll see you guys in a minute.

Nothing but Love,
JMW

WHY I DON'T READ THE NEWS

2007-11-15T08:00:00.000-08:00

Santa’s in Australia's largest city have been told not to use Father Christmas's traditional "ho ho ho" greeting because it may be offensive to women, it was reported Thursday. Sydney's Santa Clauses have instead been instructed to say "ha ha ha" instead.

One disgruntled Santa told the newspaper a recruitment firm warned him not to use "ho ho ho" because it could frighten children and was too close to "ho", a US slang term for prostitute.
- OK, I can’t take it…the world is crazy! Now, I’m no santa fan, but COME ON PEOPLE, “ho ho ho” is a term that’s been used for Europeans introduced santa to the world…now it’s a term associated with the defaming of women; this is completely laughable.

Teen Charged in Cop Shooting
16-year-old apparently squatting in a abandoned house-turned-drug den was identified yesterday as the alleged shooter who wounded two plain clothes narcotics officers Tuesday night. According to investigators he allegedly sold crack from the home. The teen is being charged as an adult with nine counts of attempted murder, was taken into custody after allegedly shooting two officers in the legs through a door as they tried entering the house to serve a warrant to another man.

- NOW, this makes the SECOND young black man who’s thrown their life away by shooting/killing a police officer. The other infamous young man (shown above) was a high-school dropout and drug addict.

- I’ve grown tired of being agitated and frustrated by the insidious acts practiced by our young people while the community watches and waits. WHAT ARE WE PREPARED TO DO! WHO’S ACCOUNTABLE FOR THESE CONDITIONS! Every time I turn around a new “worthwild” organization is springing up and doing NOTHING! With all the non-profit do-gooder associations running around within the city of Philadelphia, why are we still faced with the SAME GROWING dilemma’s?

- Politicians don’t care; So called “Black Owned” businesses and corporations don’t seem to REALLY care (except for their OWN benefit), so who is to bring about the change? Where will the help come from? Yeah, I know…many questions with too few answers! I’m just “Debbie Morgan – TIRED”! (from Love and Basketball…when she tiredly exclaimed, “I’m just too TIRED”)

Just do what I do!!!

2007-11-07T06:46:00.000-08:00

I've always been one of those people who expect others to act, say and do as I would, and I'm usually shocked everytime to get something different. I'm very logical (to me) so things just appear right which means everyone else is just doing WRONG... lol. Ok, I'm still dealing with the fact that MAYBE, just MAYBE; dare I even say...that I'm wrong (GASP)! Well, IF the world is right and I'm "wrong" in thoughts they become what's popularly known as opinions RIGHT?

With that being agreed upon, I'm going to share some personal "opinions" lol.

1). I have a SERIOUS problem with people who want to "play" in ways you don't approve of...like calling you names and when you have to check them...they say, "I was only playing DAG...I know not to play with you." they then act as if YOU'RE WRONG... well in my OPINION, they're WRONG.

2). Men who want to convince you that you're shallow for not wanting to date them because they're, oh say...4 feet tall. Well, kind sir...you may think I'm wrong, but in my OPINION, you're WRONG.

3). People who'd take something of yours...something really small oh say a pen, and when you really want it back...they say..."GESH, you're making a big deal over that pen." Then OF COURSE, they spread it around as if you have issues and are...you guessed it WRONG, but we all know the better...RIGHT? RIGHT!

4). Those people (even your children) who just don't seem to stop getting on your nerves UNTIL you scream or snap...then they say..."DAG, you must be in a bad mood." WHAT... I wasn't until YOU, but I guess I'm WRONG...I'll keep my opinion to myself.

5). People who do what THEY want to do for YOU (against your wishes) and get mad when you don't appreciate it: examples; buying you gifts you don't want...taking you places you didn't ask to go and don't want to be, but act like they did you a favor.

p1: "I've got some errands to run today"
p2: "I'll take you."
p1: "naw, that's cool,I've just got a lot of business to handle. thanks"
p2: "NO, I'm not doing anything today and I want to get out, so please."
p1: "Well, it's stuff I really needed to handle alone."
p2: "I'll just wait in the car."
p1; "DAG, well ok"

AFTER ALLLLL THAT they'll either say something about gas money, or complaine about how long it's taking or how many stops you've made OR talk about how great a friend they are because they take you everywhere. WRONG...WRONG...WRONG, but that's just my opinion.

What things have people thought you WRONG for , but in your opinion...you're RIGHT?

SOMETHING'S GOTTA GIVE!

2007-11-04T10:00:00.000-08:00

Well now, WHAT – Life, Love and the Pursuit of happiness!
Have you ever been in a place where you didn’t know if you were coming or going…couldn’t say how you got there, or if you even wanted to leave? Well, I like to call that place Something’s Gotta Give…where your hope just seems to be for SOMETHING, ANYTHING and EVERYTHING!

LIFE:
Ahhh, the place of many mistakes…many wrong turns…too many “Oops!” I’ve come a long way, but seem further behind then where I started…how’s that even possible (don’t answer that). This is the place where I tell my story; a funny, frightening tale of sorts; a story suitable for Grims Fairytales - FAIRYTALES – where I’ve made my heaven. I was always a dreamer, which is why I liked long walks alone…alone is where I dream up dreams and things. These are the insides of my mind…thinking and wondering about whatever until reality screams at me…blows its minty breath in my face and causes me to focus on my sons, my home, my job, my career, my bills…my LIFE!

I’m sure you’re asking “where’s she going with this?”…I DON’T KNOW, but SOMETHING’S GOTTA GIVE!

LOVE:
I should laugh, but I won’t…but what’s up with four letter words beginning in “L” (scary). I’m usually immune to this…well probably since I’ve been in love with the same two men for like 10 years…now I can laugh…ha-ha! Yeah, I know that’s crazy and my mind goes back back and forth and forth…neither may be right, or one more than the other, but that’s what I’ve known of love (for a man), aside for the love I have for Idris Alba  Fortunately for me, this really isn’t an area I stress over…aside from wanting to go on the occasional date, but other then that, I’m pretty cool, or has the immunity effected me so that I CAN’T change directions; I can’t move my feet from it’s cool place. Have I, Will I let the newness of love pass me by because I’m stuck so deep in the past? I’ll just have to wait UNTIL!

HAPPYNESS:
Well, I’ve already said you’ve got to live your life like it’s golden…it’s going to be what we make it, so I’ve made myself content as I wait to go further. What would make me happy RIGHT NOW is career related. No, I don’t like this job, but it’s a stepping stone…not really stepping into what I REALLY want to do, but you can never have too many connections.
What do you REALLY want to do?
Believe it or not…I just kinda figured this out…I’d like to be a Youth Program Director…I’d like to create programs designed for the growth of our children…that’s all and I’d be happy UNTIL!

Man, it feels real good to uncloud your head...it allows for better focus. This is art…the art of expression…the ability to convey one’s thoughts, even if nobody else understands it.

To make better sense of this; what thing/area seems to have you stuck in a hazy daze of perplexity? What something has got to give for you?

"Mama, I wanna sing!"

2007-11-02T09:16:00.000-07:00

This is a journey into the sound of one of my favorite voices...I absolutely LOVE this dude and he's been around a longggg time; how many of you remember THIS SHOW:

KIDS INCORPORATED (1985):

I couldn't post any of the videos from his first cd, but I loved it..."Where You Are" and "Stop by" are the most popular ones and can be viewed on Youtube. I thought of this title when listening to one of his songs; it made me wonder what he said to his mother to get him started, or did he even HAVE to say anything to her...is it just something she noticed in her baby. See what can happen when you pay attention to the talents of your children!!!

NOW - An interview into his new project.

I love his music...it's my feel good; I'm off to get this new cd "Wine & Spirits"

P.S DON'T FORGET TO PAY ATTENTION TO YOUR CHILDREN...NOTICE THEIR GIFT AND HELP THEM BRING IT TO LIFE!

"Never Forget"...

2007-10-15T19:05:00.000-07:00

...A Journey of Revelations!!!

I can't say enough about this man, except I PRAY the Lord raises up many more like him. He is prolific and profound...inspiring and empowering; a hero of sorts and a living dream in a world of dying futures...he is OF COURSE, Dr. Cornel West!

The Making of His New CD Part 1:

Oh, the power of music...done RIGHT! Dr. West and his vision for change seems to know no limits. His ability to put the right elements together to make sense of the illogical is impeccable...and with today's Hip Hop being what it is...well again, IMPECCABLE!!!

I LOVE THIS MAN!!!! GO GET THE CD!!!!

Lyrically Affect #6 (Psalm 150)

2007-10-12T01:21:00.000-07:00

Here we go again! How can lyrics from he Bible EVER go wrong??? I hope your inspired...the words in red are my inspirations

Sittin here think 'bout times
I thought I wasen't gon' make it
Times I should've been dead
And been gone But God felt different
But I'm still all because of His goodness
I'm a living witness miracles still fall from heaven

He moves when we don't expect Him to
He knows the doors that we face
And He speaks right before we stop believin
He shows His love through his grace

---------- (Sorry guys but I'm interrupting the lyrics to address the above highlighted statements. "He MOVES when we don't expect Him to" The MOVING of the Lord in your life is like NO OTHER. Please KNOW this and recognize His presence...You've got to KNOW Him to know He's moving.

"And He speaks right before we stop believin" WHOA! The timing of the Lord is MARVELOUS!!! He KNOWS when we're about to give up....and He shows up. Our faith and endurance are always being tested, but because of His love...His grace and mercy, He doesn't allow us to fail the test...instead He gives us the answers....it's an OPEN BOOK test people...so you've got to OPEN the BOOK (BIBLE). Now, back to our lyrics).

I'll praise Him in the sanctuary
I'll praise Him with the tremble and dance
I'll praise Him with the trumpet and symbol
Since I'm breathin, I'm gon praise Him again

Sittin here think 'bout times
I thought I wasen't gon' make it
Times I should've been dead
And been gone But God felt different
But I'm still all because of His goodness
I'm a living witness miracles still fall from heaven

He moves when we don't expect Him to
He knows the doors that we face
And He speaks right before we stop believin
He shows His love through his grace

I'll praise Him in the sanctuary
I'll praise Him with the tremble and dance
I'll praise Him with the trumpet and symbol
Since I'm breathin, I'm gon praise Him again

I'll praise Him in the sanctuary
I'll praise Him with the tremble and dance
I'll praise Him with the trumpet and symbol
Since I'm breathin, I'm gon praise Him again

Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Go on and get yours
Now let's dance!

Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Go on and get yours
Now let's dance!

Hallelujah (repeated several times)

I'll praise Him in the sanctuary
I'll praise Him with the tremble and dance
I'll praise Him with the trumpet and symbol
Since I'm breathin, I'm gon praise Him again

I'll praise Him in the sanctuary
I'll praise Him with the tremble and dance
I'll praise Him with the trumpet and symbol

Since I'm breathin
Since I'm breathin
Since I'm breathin
Since I'm breathin
Since I'm breathin
Since I'm breathin
Since I'm breathin
Since I'm breathin
Since I'm breathin, I'm gon praise Him again

-----(Here I go again, "SINCE I'M BREATHIN" "SINCE I'M BREATHIN"...We complain, we cry, we yell, we wish and we want, but without...when we have NOT...when NOTHING goes right...when life looks bleak...when we can't pay our bills...when our health fails...when we're all alone and feeling lonely...when the ONLY think we have is BREATH....PRAISE HIM...SINCE YOU'RE BREATHIN! I hope you guys know what happens when you Praise the Lord? If you don't know, TRY IT... the next time your down and can't seem to get up, use that breath to say "Thank You Jesus" and watch what happens...I guarantee He NEVER fails.

NOW FOR THE MAN....MR. J. MOSS!

The Rebirth!

2007-10-09T01:00:00.000-07:00

Hello people,

Tonight I experienced the rebirth of a dying struggle. A struggle that has existed within my world, my people and my me...the struggle to organize, achieve and arrive...the struggle of this black race. So long has the urge been suppressed; the urge to grow and advance. As a people, we (the Blacks of America) have become so cozy in the confines of depression and oppression that the struggle to rise nearly died from repeated attempts of suicide, but tonight I saw a rebirth!

As God would have it, I ended up at a function hosted by the Trotter Group. For those of you as unfamiliar with this group as I was, they are a group of prominent Black Journalist and writers from around the country. Tonight’s lecture was a treat to my very soul. Over the last couple of months, I’ve felt misplaced…disassociated with myself. Trying to fit into this radio industry without shaving too much of my essence, and quite frankly, I don’t think it’s going to work, but we shall see. Anyway, the greatest part of me was satisfied this night!

With great pleasure, I accepted the wisdom of Attorney Ted Shaw, NAACP Legal Defense President. Mr. Shaw very eloquently reminded me of my purpose; my mission; my reason for being…and that is to be a guiding force for who-so-ever of my people will listen. He reminded me of the peril awaiting our children and the need to ring the alarm in the ears of the parents; he reminded me of the FIRE!!!

As always, I have to share the good news. I was introduced to a series of writings done by various journalist within the Washington Post all under the title of “Being A Black Man.” The Series was organized by the journalist as an attempt to depict the life, style and nature of the Black Man in ways known, but rarely shown? The series lasted about a year and due to its rave reviews was turned into a book, which, of course, I’ll be getting real soon.

I don’t know how many of you are familiar with this series, but I encourage you guys to check it out entirely, but in the meantime, I’ll be sharing some of the writings and components here and open each piece up for dialogue.

FOR STARTERS: The Chronolgy of Blackmen (1492-1644)

1492: Among the crew on the Santa Maria during Christopher Columbus's voyage to the Americas is Pedro Alonzo Niño, a black man. Africans also accompany Ponce de Leon, Hernando Cortes, Francisco Pizarro, Hernando de Soto, and Francisco Vasquez de Coronado in the early 16th century.

1623: William Tucker, the son of indentured servants living in Jamestown, is the first recorded black birth in America.

1625: A census of Virginia counts 11 black men among a population of 1,227.

1641: Mathias De Sousa, a free black man, is elected to the Maryland General Assembly. He had come to the colony as an indentured servant.

1644: Lucas Santomee, a black physician and one of the major landowners in what is to become New York, is granted a tract by the Dutch that stretched from modern-day Greenwich Village to Brooklyn.

Can you guys tackle the following question posed in the series?

"What Does It Mean To Be A Black Man?"

The OTHER Problem

2007-10-07T14:20:00.000-07:00

Here's a video I got from a friend...after you've watched and heard my thoughts, please feel free to share your own!

Ok, YES, I most certainly agree that the historical teachings of Black culture has been “white washed” and watered down. It’s been restricted to telling tales of “good” Negro’s, as not to upset the “natural” order of things…like the “Pastor” said, “can’t have all those good white children learning about the likes of Nat Turner, but as I took in this video a couple of other problems arouse.

First - the need for self education, evaluation and exploration. We all know the truth, thus far, Black history has consisted of regurgitated bits of “white only pie,” – pie made by white’s only and feed to the people for digestion; we’ve eaten it again and again and still claim it to be filling, but it’s NOT. We have to go beyond what’s ‘acceptable’; we’ve got to WANT TO LEARN MORE. ‘Knowledge is POWER,” “We have NOT, because we want NOT,” Nobody should have to teach us about our own, we should be the teachers…we should be the ones with the Black History Promo’s, but instead we’re the audience. I agree with the thought, but not the process. Boycotting “white” sponsored Black history programs is just foolish; instead of wasting time organizing a “black-out” the focus should be promoting a “black-in”…I’m tired of the PROTEST…IT’S TIME FOR PROGRESS!!!

Second - issue that came about was this ‘minista’. His subdued tone would have been great if his presence commanded respect; there seemed to be no POWER behind him or his words, which is why the interviewer was able to eat his debate and spit it out, laughing. He came off uneducated and unsure. He allowed himself to appear adjustable; easily maneuvered, instead of the regally affirmed stance he should have shown. If you’re going to offer public opinions on such issues, PLEASE have your stuff together! The embarrassment ensued by the reporter correcting his statement, sent me over the top. This effort came off as a joke to white America, simply because of this guys inability to exude the force that once stood behind the fist he threw in the air!

Freedom is Golden!

2007-10-02T06:35:00.000-07:00

Freedom: the quality or state of being free as: the absence of necessity, coercion, or constraint in choice or action: liberation from slavery or restraint or from the power of another: the quality or state of being exempt or released usually from something onerous: the quality of being frank, open, or outspoken: improper familiarity: boldness of conception or execution: unrestricted use.

I heard someone say, “The only people who’re ever REALLY free are those who’ve lost their minds.” What a statement; to think is to be trapped, and to have lost all reason to reason is liberation! As absurd as it sounds, I believe there’s a level of truth…not having to THINK about bills, health, wealth, friends, family, work, home, love or the lack of, the state of the union, or the state of DIS-union; pretty much fitting the above definition.

As life would have it, we don’t have the misfortune of that fortune, so we create our own freedom. Some people opt to let bills pile up while they live life like its golden. You’ve got those risk takers who go as the wind blows until they “find themselves.”

It’s funny how what makes me feel “free” has changed over time. When I was a child my imagination freed me from the chains of my life. Then I grew to think money would do the trick, of course it affords you change, but it never really moved me, and although, God is my lifelong guide, I’ve come to find freedom within memories. Memories of mine, or my mothers…memories of times I’ve never seen…history drives my existence and causes me to be free. From what I was, to who I am being…GOLDEN!!!

The manifestation of ME – FREE – GOLDEN… shown in how I walk (as I’ve been told) or in my hair, that’s not quite locked yet, in unrestricted, unexplained words; I’m “Living My Life Like It’s Golden!”

And now...the perfect fit!!!

Lyrically Affected #5 (More Than A Woman)

2007-09-29T12:20:00.001-07:00

Here we go again...Ok, I love this song; these lyrics express how I want to be viewed by a man that I'd share love with. I love all the words, but I've highlighted the ones I'd have written...haha!

"More Than A Woman" (Angie Stone and Calvin Richardson)

Cal, yo baby
I believe it's your time, ha
Uh huh, (with Angie)
Cuz I believe in you
Listen

(Calvin)- Lookin' back, reminiscing on
Caught up really doing bad, then you put me on
Told me not to be ashamed of what I got
Never mind them hatin' niggas up and down the block, babe

(Angie) - Held it down and bills got paid
Said go ahead baby, do ya singing thing
And when God blesses us, I want a Lexus
With a hideaway mansion in the Hamptons

Girl you musta lost your way from heaven
Could it be for me you came so far
Nothing like the ordinary woman
You're the very beat inside my heart

Girl you're like a star I feel so common
Shining like a diamond out in space
Girl you're like my mother, my sister, my lover
Irreplaceable, nothing can take your place

[3] - You're the blood in my veins
You're the air I breathe on a hot summer day
You're like a shirt with no sleeves
What makes me a man, any fool could see
You're more than a woman to me

[4] - If you take that back there would be no cure
I'd sail there forever like a ship with no shore
What makes me a man any fool could see
More than a woman to me

Look at us, livin' in luxury
And I've been thinking maybe we should start a family, oh
A girl for you and a boy for me
Matching stones, set baguettes, would you marry me baby

And if you'll have me I'd gladly give my life
Today I take this vow to make you my wife
Nothing temporary
No it's quite contrary
It's you and me for eternity

Boy you musta lost your way from heaven
Could it be for me you came so far
Nothing like the ordinary brother
You're the very beat inside my heart

Boy you're like a star I feel so common
Shining like a diamond out in space
Something like my father, my brother, my lover
Irreplaceable, nothing can take your place

If you're certain about it, oh yeah
Baby, you're the essence of my life
Wanna make you my wife, yeah baby
Oh Lord, baby I love you
My my my baby
My my my baby, yeah yeah
Said you're my baby
Whoa yeah
I know there was something about you
Girl I love you

Yeah, I know I've highlighted pretty much the whole song, but come on now...that's some serious love on paper...ummm... MAGIC!!! Ok, here's the song...enjoy.

The Rope of Hope

2007-09-28T04:06:00.000-07:00

I've been searching Youtube and Imeem for a couple of days now looking for the song or video to accompany this post, but I'll just have to do without it.

I'd like to share a story I USED to know that recently came to mind.

Rev. Clay Evans tells a story of a father and son who were out fishing (I think) and the son slipped in the water and started to drown. The father of course, became frantic...moreso because he couldn't swim either.

Rev. Evans pauses in the telling of the story to say, "you know how it is to want to do something for your child but CAN'T"

The father looked around and found a rope and tossed one end of it to his child. The struggling boy took hold of the rope and the father began to pull him in, BUT the rope began to break...the rope began to break...hope began to fail!!!

The father begame afraid again, as well his son. Now, since I can't fully remember all the details of the story, I'm going to say GOD whispered to the father, who then told his son, "REACH BEYOND THE BREAK!" "REACH BEYOND THE BREAK, AND HOLD ON!"

I was reminded of this story this week, as I thought about the impending trails that befall us...DAILY; those breaks in the rope of hope. We've got to stregthen our reach.

I started this fitness challenge early this month and the process included a "Reach" Test, where I had to sit on the floor and streeeeeetch my back and arms as much as I could in order to measure my reach on this yard stick. NOW, that was just the begining...that was to see where I STARTED! The challenge is 8 weeks long and we're in the third week, but within the next 5 weeks my reach should have improved; my back should be stronger and my arms should reach longer.

Life will have some things to test you, and the world may seem to be drowning you and even when there appears to be a "Rope of Hope" to refresh you...to encourage you...to push you further, Please don't get discouraged whn you notice a break in the rope...please don't feel like..."I just can never get a "break." Please don't feel like God's got it out for you...just make sure your back is strong and your arms are long then Reach Beyond The Break, and Hold On (Until you change comes)!

I just can't go it alone, so here's a lil word from one of my favorite Rev's, Clay Evans:

Hottentot Venus

2007-09-25T17:32:00.000-07:00

To piggyback off of yesterday's post (I should have shared this then). Anyway, the above is a sketched picture of Sara Baartman aka "The Hottentot Venus"

The name 'Hottentot' is derived from a Dutch word meaning 'stammerer'; it was applied to Southern Africa's Khoikhoi people as early as the 17th century, apparently in reference to the Khoikhoi and Khoisan (a related people, often referred to as 'Bushmen' [as in The Gods Must Be Crazy] language, which is distinguished by clicking sounds. By the 18th century, 'Hottentot' had been generalized as a synonym for ignorant, non-white people. The 'Hottentots' put up fierce resistance to the earliest European explorers, the Portuguese, and were subsequently labeled 'cannibals.' During the Boer land grab in South Africa they first provided supplies for Dutch ships, then fought with the Boers when the European expansionist project became clear. Defeated, they became servants and laborers.

The best known outrage against the 'Hottentots' was the European exhibition of a Khoikhoi woman, Saartjie Baartman, who was advertised as "The Hottentot Venus."

Saartje (Sara) Baartman
(1789-1816)

She was exhibited as a freak against white ideals of superiority and sexuality.
The European audiences in London and Paris found her steatopygia (protruding buttocks) particularly fascinating, as it 'proved' current medical/anthropological ideas about the sexual lasciviousness and animality of African women.

Prancing in the nude, with her jutting posterior and extraordinary genitals, she provided the foundation for racist and pseudo-scientific theories regarding black inferiority and black female sexuality. The shows involved Saartje being "led by her keeper and exhibited like a wild beast, being obliged to walk, stand or sit as ordered." Saartje's predicament drew the attention of a young Jamaican, Robert Wedderburn, who agitated against slavery and racism. Subsequently, his group pressured the attorney general to stop this circus. Losing the case on a technicality, Saartje spent four years in London and then went to Paris where she was exhibited in a travelling circus, and seen frequently controlled by an animal trainer in the show.

Upon her death in 1815 (after five years of degrading exhibition touring, an autopsy was performed and her genitals (interesting for the 'Hottentot apron,' a ceremonially undertaken manipulation of the labia and nymphae, which Europeans read as a natural sign of deviance) and buttocks were preserved for 'scientific' display (according to Sander Gilman,'s "Black Bodies, White Bodies: Toward an Iconography of Female Sexuality in Late Nineteenth-Century Art, Medicine, and Literature," Critical Inquiry 12 (1985) 204-242, they are still on display in Paris's Musée de l'Homme).

In post-apartheid South Africa, efforts were made to retrieve Saartje's remains. In 1994, then-President Nelson Mandela appealed to his French counterpart, but it was not until 2002 that the French Senate approved a bill for repatriation of Saartje's remains to South Africa. In May 2002, her remains were brought home to South Africa after nearly 200 years of humiliation and abuse. In August 2002, she was finally laid to rest in the Eastern Cape.

Something to think about in regard to the ponderings of the previous post!

The Power of the Big Butt!

2007-09-20T11:39:00.000-07:00

Ok...I'm sure we alll know who Buffy the Body is (I hate her)...lol, just kidding, but MAN, the Power of the Big Butt! This woman has become a 'STAR' just because she has a Big Butt. I mean seriously, are they really THAT special?

Well, I was taking a lil survey and turns out YEAH... they are that special, but pretty much only to Black and some Hispanic men. Seriously...I introduced Buffy, via photographs and video to several Black and Hispanic men and they all had the same 'tore up face' reaction...followed by a deep breath - to get out that 'DAMNNNN' (pigs) lol...sorry fella's.

They were mesmerized...like they'd been touched by an angle (of sorts). This reaction was to be expected, but since every survey needs a control...I asked/showed the same thing to some non-Black or Hispanic men, and most of them felt that was "too much" their words were met with a nod of rejection, which was also anticipated.

The following video shows a lil taste difference:

Now, my question is WHY do Big Butts have such a physical, mental and emotional effect on our Ethnic Brother's - those Black and Hispanic men?

RED and WHITE HANDED!!!

2007-09-19T20:08:00.000-07:00

Have you ever had the feeling you were being watched??? (just kidding) BUT...

I remember once…ONCE, when I was a CHILD (seriously, I was about seven), and being the quiet, sweet little girl that I was, I was entrusted with the task of hanging the teacher’s coat in the closet (that fool). Anyway, times were hard back then and I’d been feening for a Susie Q snack cake for about a year or so, then one day…I caught THE FEVER!

As I stood on the tips of my toes to reach the hook, visions of ‘sugar-plums’ danced in my head…well it wasn’t really “sugar-plums,” but the sweet taste of all that thick cream (PLEASE GET YA MINDS OUT THE GUTTER…THIS IS NOT A PORN SITE) LOL…NASTY’S! Now, as I’m standing there getting all hot and feverish with anticipation, I hear the faint sound of coins (in the teachers pocket) calling to me ---WHAT? THEY CALLED MY NAME! Me being the quiet sweet girl that I was felt compelled to free them from that London Fog prison (those poor coins).

The dastardly deed was done and I engorged myself with sugary delight, but OH THE CREAM; it just kept calling me and calling me and calling me. I couldn’t fight it off anymore, after all, I was just a little girl (of 18…hahah…just kidding). So there I was forced to bare the cry of my groining stomach matched only by the jingle of the beckoning coins…AGAIN, CALLING ME (I wasn’t bothering them). The urge was met again, and again, and again.

Now, after sometimes things became a ‘piece of Susie Q cake,’ and I had mastered the art of ‘freeing helpless change victims’ from pockets…heck, I’d even ventured into OTHER teachers pockets (why leave the rest to suffer). Short lived, but long enough the sweet cream train to freedom came to a screeching halt when the teacher caught me going in her wallet (oh, I didn’t tell you guys I stepped up my game a bit). She called my mother right then and there and told her of about TWO other times she’d seen me going in the coat pockets (that sneaky B didn’t even say anything). Needless to say, my mother beat the cream outta me and I NEVER stole again (that week).

Have you guys ever gotten caught stealing?

Oh, check out this video!!!

SWEET POISON!!!

2007-09-17T20:24:00.000-07:00

My piece of kryptonite…a heavenly delight.

The rain was made for you to pour on me; and I take it in blissfully
Drowning in you
The ruiner of my sleep causing my heart to wake with an ache

Still you cross my mind.

Raisins in the sun; you are my sweet potato pie.
My body is weak because of you; causing decay within my me
You’ve made my mind stop thinking and my eyes stop blinking.
I want nothing of you, yet, all you are, I love.

No matter the ways I spend my time
You just keep crossing my mind

POISON!!!

Wasting my day with thoughts of you
Wishing I never knew what I was missing.
This nightmare is my fantasy
And I await you amore

Addicted to what I can’t control
You’re lost within my soul and I bury you deeper within

POISON!!!

Polluting me, Tainting me, Corrupting me
I run fast from you only to find even there

You still cross my mind.

Tag - I'm It

2007-09-13T16:44:00.000-07:00

Ok...this is LONGGGG over due, but I'm tryna play catch up on some post, so here are my answers to GC's tag:

Accent – OK, I don't have an accent, but people swear I do.

I don't drink – BEER...ILK-YUCK-PUKE!!!

Chore I hate – Cleaning the fridge and taking out the trash. (thank God for kids)

Pets – none now, but I love dogs and reptiles. (mind yall bitness)

Essential Electronics – Cell phone, but being without it for a minute DIDN'T kill me

Perfume - YUP... I'll spend some money on perfume.

Gold or silver - Silver

Job Title – Account Executive

Most Admired Trait – My WHOLE personality...I love me some me...LOL

Kids – I love kids...I love having fun with them, but more importantly, teaching them

Phobia – FALLING... that's why I don't do heights.

Religion – Christ ALL DAY BABY!!! lol

Siblings – 1 brother, 1 sisters. I am the eldest.

Time I wake up – 6:15 Why? Work and I'm a morning person...so that's all the time.

Unusual talent/skill - dag...well I can burp a tune or two. (shouldna asked) lol

Vegetable I refuse to eat – I like most of them...but I'll ONLY eat Okra if it's fried.

Worst habit – dag, I have so many of them...hum, but the biggest is not following things through to the end.

My favorite meal – Whatever I just ate. I like food. (this is GC's answer and I didn't feel the need to change it..LOL)

UPDATES!!!!

2007-09-12T16:47:00.000-07:00

HELLO BOYS AND GIRLS!!!!! Well it's been a while at the new jizzob and I must say...things have turned out a lil better then I'd expected.

For starters, I went from a small office (having my own office) and being the only black person (in sight) to being in a large office (taking up a whole floor) and working with mostly black people (in a cube).

When I interviewed for the job, my first impression of the people wasn't good. They didn't seem very friendly at all and I thought, "great, black people with nasty attitudes - division.' I actually felt a little reluctant to deal with that aspect of things, but went on ahead anyway. For those who don't know...I'm in advertising, sales to be exact, so not only did I expect these people to be distant and mean, but VERY territorial, as expected from most sales people. I can say, that I was pleasent surprised by how nice some of the people have been thus far, with few exceptions.

The training process is very thourough, which is a wonderful thing. There have been so many artist in the office this past week (Hip-Hop)which I'm not really into, but oh well. Last Friday we had our annual Fun Day in the park with my favorite things FOOODDDDD!!! Well anyway, I've been busy as a bee and can't get online at work, but since my laptop is working now...I'll be doing some catching up on this over the weekend.

I pray things have been well with everyone...I'll see you guys and gals lata.

I did this post about a week ago, but got busy and couldn't post it. PARTIES, PARTIES AND MORE PARTIES...man, I'm TOO old for this...hahah.

Well...here's a random question for you guys:

What would a dear friend have to do for you to stop speaking to them? If this has already happened to you...then please share!

Could It Be The Music

2007-08-22T04:31:00.000-07:00

Music - the mood changer, the booty shaker, baby maker - Music - Soothes the soul, makes you whole, or feeling alone to - Music - What a wonderful gift! It inspires and creates all types of energy and emotions. Now, the thing is separating what was created by music, from what already existed!

Is it Love, or could it just be the music?

It's amazing how much power music has over us, it plays our heart strings like a harp and we become willing puppets. We hate songs associated with bad relationships and love those attached to good. Music jogs our memory and gives us hope...sometimes false hope. It'll have you making phone calls you probably shouldn't, or deciding a certain person is "made for you" is it all true or could it just be that music?

I LOVE music and artist with the ability to speak to me inspiring(ly). TMI, but I think music adds to an intimate setting and I try to never go without it. Here's one of my favorite artist sweeping the airwaves today...have a listen to this. There are no pictures in this youtube and I'm glad, because there's no distraction with visuals...just listen to the orchestra in the back providing that angelic melody as you take in those words, but don't take in TOO much. (lol)

Ne-Yo "Say It"

When you've got music like this going around it's no wonder people think they're fallen in love!

p.s. For those of you who can't do youtube at work...I've put the song in my inspirations section off to the right.

Question?

2007-08-19T08:20:00.000-07:00

My little couple of days off are about over, so I'm winding down now. Anyway, I have a question for you guys.

I've always been a loner-type of person; I'm social, but need quiet 'me' time. I don't have to be completely alone, but the setting needs to be calm. Even if I'm just at home cleaning or doing something productive (to me).

I've had conversations about my need for solitude in regard to personal relationships with loved ones (male or female). Sometimes I'll just get quiet... shutdown within myself when I can't shut down my surroundings. My question is;

Is there a such thing as spending too much time with loved ones?

Married people are together everyday and although there is strong love and like between the two (I HOPE), is there a point when you feel like you need a break from that person and if so...how would you take it?

Real Random

2007-08-16T08:56:00.000-07:00

Sorry, but there won't be any wisdom shared today...Sojourner's out of town and since I quit my job yesterday (LOL) I'm chillen like a muh-@#$%.

Real Random:

There are a couple words/terms that when said in a certain manner, crack me up. One of those terms is Bald-Head, used as an insult...I can't help it; whenever I use it as a term of endearment toward my friends - "Baldhead-smallhead," we all laugh hysterically (yeah, we're all silly).

What one word or term tickles you?

I heard on the news where a crack addict in Georgia bought three rocks (crack rocks) and after smoking one, discovering she'd been duped and given some whack-crack, she called the cops and reported the dealer for selling bad drugs; consequently, she was arrested.

I don't have a link to the story, but thought I'd tell it anyway...what an amazing show of today's madness.

Here's a video from one of my favorite groups/bands. Notice that first lead singer, with the raspy voice...if he sounds familiar it's because he's kin-folk to my all time favorite...Sam Cooke.

That Ol' Time Religion

2007-08-14T06:43:00.000-07:00

That back-n-the-day mother/grandmother who walked around in slides and a housedress humming in the spirit…that ol’ time religion.

That closet that doubled as a prayer room, that oil placed on your forehead before your days journey- “cover him/her in the blood of Jesus”- that ol’ time religion.

That fasting, praying and calling on the Lord for her family in times of trouble- that ol’ time religion is too far gone. The mama’s and grandmama’s hardly pray anymore; there’s no covering for the children’s head. Sin has taken over because there’s too few fighting the battle; not enough to ward off the attacks of the enemy.

Where are the warriors-the soldiers-the gate keepers-the care taker’s the one’s that slumber not, nor sleep.

In Helen Baylor’s testimony, she talks about all the wrongs she’d done in her life from drugs to promiscuity and how her deliverance wasn’t due to the relationship she had with the Lord, but because she had a “praying grandmother.’

Our homes are in shambles, our children are misguided, our streets are plagued with violence because there is no one tilling the land; the gate keeper has fallen asleep and allowed evil to run rampant. People are walking around like hallow shells, looking for any and everything to fill them; dazed and confused, lost and abused-the harvest is ripe, but the laborer’s are few! We need that ol’ time religion back…we need those prayer warriors who KNOW that “Greater is He that is in me, then he that is in the world.” (1 John 4:4). We need those soldiers who’ll never get tired!

My Alabaster Box

2007-08-12T08:28:00.000-07:00

People often ask me why I, a conscious black woman, would believe in Jesus Christ, the religious figure of my/our oppressor (White America). And, I must admit it's something I've struggled with in times past; as I'd watch footage of klan action against my people and here them proclaim Christ, or as I'd see the stain of racism on the face of a clergymen as he forces an embrace around me and mine. As my anger grew toward the injustice’s brought forth by racial disparity, questions arose about my faith.

Was it planted in me through history? As my people adopted European names, did they also adopt Christ? Is He real and is He mine? I began to challenge my belief like De' Carte, but I didn’t throw away everything unknown and unproven. In this case, “God knew my heart,” and prepared a mental quest for me. He allowed me to remember His presence; He allowed me to feel His hand; He allowed me to find comfort as I lay at His feet then He allowed me to ask questions and blessed me with answers.

I didn’t come to love, know or want to believe, but He called me by name, with no doing of my own. I knew there was something different about me from childhood and I knew that difference was my relationship with the Lord. I wasn’t comfortable being out of His grace and I couldn’t wait to get home to listen to my gospel and hear the word on the radio. He reminded me of those times and I can hear Him saying, “Before you were in love with being Black, you were in love with Me.” “Before we were introduced, you Knew Me.”

I’ve stopped asking questions and separated Christ from the foolishness of the world. I’ve decided not to allow the distorted thinking and behaviors of others to tarnish my faith. I’ve accepted my calling. I view things as isolated incidents of evil workers and not a spiritual plan to further stifle the growth of my culture. When people ask me why I ,a conscious black woman, would believe in Jesus Christ, I say because I’ve tried Him and I Know Him…I didn’t come by this on accident and I wasn’t trained in my thinking; my life pays daily for this relationship and the cost is dear.

Randomness

2007-08-10T06:08:00.000-07:00

Today I'm going to share a few of my most despised phrases!

1)“It was love at first sight!” – I hate to hear people say this…there’s no such thing to me; love takes time. You might be really attracted to a person and have a strong connection, but it’s not love.

2)“I’ve put my life on hold for my children!” – WHAT? Why aren’t your children considerd your life.

3)“He’s such a good man for taking care of his kids.” – I really can’t stand this phrase; I don’t really feel accolades should be given to a parent for doing what a parent SHOULD do.

4)“Those kids are so bad!” – NO, those kids parent's are so bad.

5)“If you step out of your comfort zone, you’d see I’m a good guy.” - WHY??? Why should I be uncomfortable for YOU...get outta my face please-thanks!

6)“But, God knows my heart!” - OHHHH boy, please don’t use that as an excuse to stay in ya mess.

7)“Well, can we just be friends? “ NO! Friendship is not requested...it’s built, and not based on you wanting to get your foot in the door…again, please get outta my face.

8) "Maybe He's not gay...maybe he's bisexual!" WHAT... well if there's a difference to you then gon' keep the party going...THERE'S NO DIFFERENCE, HE'S GAY!!!!

OK...HAPPY FRIDAY GUYS...HAVE A WONDERFUL WEEKEND! Enjoy one of my favorite songs and videos!

Wise Counsel #2

2007-08-09T06:46:00.000-07:00

Here we go again guys and since nic didn't like the owl, I don't have a pic...(you happy now...sheesh) . Sorry this one might be a bit long, but I hope it's a blessing.

Situation:

I have this friend that I’m REALLY feeling and I think he’s feeling me too, but doesn’t speak on it much. We’ve tried to deal with each other intimately, but things just kinda died down for no real reason other then we didn’t try hard enough, I guess. All in all, I can’t help feel there’s something really special between us; I smile inside every time I talk to him. I know it’s not love, but it’s something really special and I’d really like to see where things can go, but I don’t want to bring it up again. I made my feelings known before, but never really said anything too serious; I didn’t want to scare him away since we’re friends and all, so I feel like I should let him bring it up again. What do you think?

Anon

F.O.:
Ahhh the LOC (lack of communication) Merry-Go-Round. Who hasn't taken a turn or thousand on that particular beast?
I've seen too many situations where both parties want the same thing, but neither is willing to let the other know. Either there is a lack of ability to express themselves (which is something that can plague any relationship) or there is a fear of some sort of rejection. Let's deal with each.

Inability: This situation can be overcome if the person who doesn't have a problem expressing themselves has the ability to accurately read the signs that are definitely there, the patience to let the other person do the best they can in their own way, the confidence to not need to hear everything verbally or have it spelled out for them and the willingness to allow the other person to be who they are and appreciate what's on the inside. If neither of you are this person, it's going to be tough.

Fear (of rejection): This one had paralyzed many a relationship and many an individual. There are any variety of reasons why this exists that aren't important to go into here, just know that it exists. No one likes to be rejected. No one wants to have their face cracked and it has happened at one time or the other in one way or the other to either of us. For this reason, no one seems to want to make the first move. This is particularly tragic if both want the same thing and are waiting for the other.

Here's the thing. From what you are saying, it sounds as if it could be just you feeling this way. When you speak of the fact that you took a run and it didn't quite work out, that you brought it up before and he didn't really respond favorably and that you "don't want to scare him away," it sounds like a one sided thing. Your side.

You've got two choices: 1) Leave it at friends and potentially preserve your feelings, assuming he is not feeling you. 2) Put it all on the table (gently) and ask him how he feels. If he agrees, take off on the beginnings of a possibly great relationship. If he gives "I'm sorry Boo" signals, maintain your grace and do what you can to maintain the friendship. But don't take it to hard, because you never know what another person has in their present or past. Take it that God is lookin' out for you and keep it movin'.

Personally, I vote option 2. Life is to short for coulda, shoulda, woulda's.

S.O.:
That’s a big deal. I take matters of the heart really seriously, and I believe order is divine, so here is the order of my opinion.
1)Please make sure you've weighed out every thing about this man and the two of you as a couple. It would be terrible to buckle into this ride then find yourself screaming in mid-air to get off.
2)Once you’ve decided that you know that you KNOW you want every bit of this man and you guys are a good fit,speak! Make sure you both have time to talk because you shouldn’t have this conversation again.
3)Clearly and directly tell him how you feel about him and ASK THE QUESTION; How do you feel about me and us pursuing a relationship?
4)Please avoid getting emotional; you don’t want to guilt him into his decision and since there’s a preexisting friendship to preserve, you want to keep him comfortable with the conversation.
5)When it’s over, IT’S OVER! I’ve never been one for persistence in things like this. Once he’s spoken his mind go from there…good or bad.
6)Be honest with yourself; if his response is not favorable and it’s hard for you emotionally then give yourself a break from him for a while. Give yourself time to heal. I didn’t mention this in the beginning, but it’s something I’d be doing throughout the situation; PRAY! Pray for God’s will to be done and not yours, pray for Divine intervention…pray for clarity and then pray for peace.

P.S. SOJOURNER AND MIZ HAVE A SPECIAL EDITION OF THEIR SOAP TODAY...SO CHECK IT OUT!!!

"What Do I Want To Be When I Go To Jail"

2007-08-08T08:34:00.000-07:00

Ok, now I know prison is like the one place where you have seemingly, all the time in the world to think about your life, but why do most of our people wait until THEN to hone in on their creative juices and find their purpose in life…and for some it’s just temporary.

I know too many men who’ve seen the inside of a prison cell and while there, they’ve discovered they can sing, rap, dance, cut-hair, cook, draw, write, mentor, speak and even run track (hey, why not). I know it’s all about using your time wisely and being productive, but again…for most, these new found talents and interest are time-passer, sold to family and friends as "new leaves." These hobbies are hardly ever seriously pursued post-prison…you ever see an Olympic-Track-Star-Ex-Con? Yeah, me neither, but anything’s possible. We've got ex gang leaders writing children’s books and serial killers turned preachers...you didn't see these "callings" while on the street? Ok!

Now, I'm not downing these brothers, I'm just saying...just making an observation. I was also having a conversation with a friend and we talked about prisoners being allowed to obtain degrees while serving their time. Free education as payment for your crimes...hum? Now the flip side to that is, it's pretty much an ego-booster, since society has not yet seen ex-cons fit to hold jobs requiring degrees, but there are too many people on the outside going through hell and hot water to pay for schooling when all they had to do was WRONG to make their lives RIGHT!

I KNOW all these extracurricular activities are to keep their minds off what's really going on, but at the same time...TIME has afforded them the luxury of pursuing and finding their purpose...hardly seems fair to people who've lived by the law. As ironic as it may seem, I'm actually attempting to institute a Prisoner Reform Program here in Philly (one of my MANY projects) but that's basically for those guys who are serious about getting their lives back when they've gotten it back and not pretend to be on another path because their locked down.

I remember seeing the homemade cards with drawings on them some maybe even just a painted hand decorated to look like a turkey for Thanksgiving (LOL...sorry)This really isn't funny...I just wish my brother's would see all this creativity, all this potential BEFORE they get locked up for life!

P.S - DON'T FORGET TO EMAIL ME AND SOJOURNER YOUR SITUATIONS FOR BE ADVISED ON - THEY'LL BE POSTED TOMORROW!!!

Whoes Line is it ANYWAY???

2007-08-07T13:47:00.000-07:00

I love movies and every time I turn around I'm quoting one (I've even given points for those getting them right) well...this entire post is dedicated to some of my favorite movie lines...call it a trivia since I'm not telling whose line it is...let's see if you guys can guess:

1) “What I'm gone do wit two mor kids?”

2) “Y’all picken up what I’m putten down?”

3) “Ain’t nobody come to see you Ottis!”

4) “You gon eat cha cornbread?”

5) “Chico, get da ya-yo!”

6) “Never have so few owed so much to so many!”

7) “Don’t chu neva say nothing 'gainst my mama!”

8) “Can somebody tell me how to get my ol man back?”

9) “I’ve loved you since I was 11 and the shyte just won’t go away!”

10) “Hoe’s gotta eat too!”

11) “Everybody love a parfait”

12) "You got-a boat; what kind-a boat chu got?"

13) "Keep dem gott-damn babies out the street!"

14) "You gon let dis nappy-head girl talk to you like that?"

15) "You know what I'm gone let you do for me; I'm gone let you suck my..."

I've got lots more, but I'll save them for another time when I don't feel like writing...LOL!

FYI, Sheletha's not gotten one wrong YET and nic's a close second, so put cha A-game on people!

I Think, Therefore, I AM (at least to somebody)

2007-08-06T17:12:00.000-07:00

GUESS WHAT GUYS...INGRID THINKS I THINK, AND HAS HONORED ME WITH THIS AWARD TO PASS ON TO YOU: (I made a lil boo-boo; Sojourner gave me this honor about a month or so ago and I FAILED to do the post-sorry dude). I'm sure most of you have been honored with this already and all others have seen it, so no need for an intro.

dcsavvy: I happened upon this young lady by way of another blogger (who'll be mentioned below)and loved the look and feel of her page, oh the radiance of that bright star. She was entertaining, but thought provoking to say the least; that neighborhood post sealed things for me, and she's not stopped yet.

Dj Black Adam: I'm sure he's been honored before, but I'm keeping this real-real...lol. The majestic figure sitting in that chair adorned in super-hero attire and crowned with wisdom has captured my attention from day one; from religion, politics to race relations, his post are always informative and interesting.

Sugar & Spice: MAN, sometimes I hate going to their site because I don't want to think ALL THE TIME...LOL. I'm drawn into them with EVERY post and I'm forced to engage. They're on a mission to guide and protect women as they embark on journey's into life, love and relationships and they do it with THUNDER! This is also where I found dcsavvy...double blessing.

Nupe: Now this dude doesn't even blog on a regular basis, but he floats around blogworld like some sort of guardian angel (using angel real loosely) LOL. He's such an intellectual and you'd think he'd JUST be a geek, but NO...he's got a heck of a sense of humor...what a force (I'm a movement by myself...hahah). Thanks for ALL you do dude...we've got much work in store...can't wait!

This last spot is shared because I just couldn't leave any of these guys out; finding them was the gateway into blog-heaven for me. Most times I just read and don't contribute, mainly because there's never much for me to expand on...I usually just agree. Such super-powers these Kings are and I'm pleased to sit on the side and feed on their knowledge and leadership: Mark, Field Negro, Native Son, Assult, Sojourner,

Wise Counsel-Preview

2007-08-03T20:41:00.000-07:00

Boy, are you guys in for a treat; this piece of knewness is going to serve as an advice column…kinda like dear Abby. The Bible tells us to seek wise counsel and since I wear glasses…I think that qualifies me as such, AND since everybody’s always requiring a second-opinion , I’ve gotten with one of the wise men, no, not one that was led to Christ, but one from blogworld (although he was led to Christ too...just a couple thousand years later).

Here’s how things are going down; I’ve added a page element on the side of my page with email addresses for you guys to send real-life situations and dilemmas for Sojourner (the wise man) and myself to offer a First and Second Opinion on. If you’d like to give your situation anonymously, you can leave it in the comment section of the current post on either page. The situations (no more than 3) and opinions will be displayed every Thursday for your reading pleasure. Just for the record, neither of us are licensed therapists or counselors (YET-I'm working on it). We are just two people with opinions for those who are looking for objective feedback on their situations or questions.

Now, just to wet your whistle…here’s a real sample situation:

"THAT'S WHAT FRIENDS ARE FOR?!"

I have this female friend, who’s got a thing for me, but I’m not interested in her because she’s a bug-a-boo. We tried kick’n it for a minute, but she just really gets on my nerves, but I didn’t have a problem being friends. About a week ago, I had to attend a seminar in AC and asked her if she wasn’t doing anything would she like, to go so we went...no problem.

Well, I was telling this to a friend and they asked why I even invited her since I’m always talking about how she gets on my nerves, and I said because I needed a ride. My friend got all upset and called me a user, but I made sure I wasn’t imposing on her or anything…she didn’t have to go if she didn’t want to AND what’s wrong with us being friends? Do you think I was wrong?

Anonymous

F.O. (First Opinion) :

I'd have to agree with your friend, because if she gets on your nerves why be bothered? Also, and this is the most important thing to me, you knew how she felt about you. Just because you turned her in the ‘off’ position doesn’t mean she’s done the same with you; she’s going to grab hold of any chance she gets, so asking her to go away somewhere was misleading; you built false hopes just because you wanted a ride. You may have viewed things as being harmless, but didn't give much thought as to how she’d feel during and after the trip when you’ve gotten back to dismissing her and ‘friends’ don’t treat each other that way. Thanks for offering this situation and I hope my opinion helped, if not…here's another!

S.O. (Second Opinion):

Couple clues here from your own words.
1)"...thing for me but I'm not interested in her": There's nothing wrong with building or maintaining a friendship with someone that you are "not feelin' that way," but the fair and compassionate thing to do is to make your feelings clear from the start. I don't know if you've done that. If she's not able to get where you are as far as feelings, distance might be in order for both of you. Since she gets on your nerves, I'm not sure why you want to spend any time with her at all.

2)"She's a bug-a-boo": This term alone indicates either her neediness or just a basic personality trait. We've all run into them at some point in our lives. You seem to be running away from it...or are you? Why would you engage a bug-a-boo? That's like an asthmatic smoking a cigarette, you're just asking for it.

3)"I needed a ride": This is the key. Your reasoning didn't involve getting to know her, building the relationship, wanting to do something nice for her or trying to put the friendship on the right footing. You needed a ride. At best, though you say you made sure it wasn't an imposition, a person can never fully understand the emotional imposition we place on others. Men are particularly susceptible to failure of taking into account the feelings of women. Face it; a lot of things get missed. And if you realize the possibility but forge ahead anyway, you're failing to pay attention at best and inconsiderate at worst.
My opinion, based only on what you've said? You're a user.

Lyrically Affected #4 (Body & Soul)

2007-08-02T06:44:00.000-07:00

This is a classic in every way...the words, the singing and the artist...LOVES IT!

verse 1: -It's amazing how the joys and pains of love have the same symptoms. I remember singing this verse with tears streaming down my face...on the pain side.

What have you done to me
I can't eat, I cannot sleep
And I'm not the same anymore

verse 2: -DAG, "all of me what's all of u" those are some powerful words...then the QUESTION. You can't really feel bad about where you are with relationships if you never ask the question.

I don't know what to do
All of me wants all of you
Do I stand alone at the shore?

verse 3 & Chorus: - I love falling in love and remembering when it started, remembering when you COULD turn away, but NOW! There's that question again.

Now once I coud turn away
From everything I feel today
But, now I want to walk
through your door
(chorus)
But I've got to know - oh
Body and soul
That you've got no doubt
inside and out
We are whole - oh
Body and soul
Don't leave me out in the cold
Just love me body and soul
-do you hear me baby-

verse #4 & #5 - Man, this is mature love ("livin for what wasn't mine") this is after you've wasted time with foolishness and now YOU'RE ready for good...you've worked on you and want nothing less then best. wow, I love these lyrics.

I've wasted too much time
Livin' for what wasn't mine
Then came the day I found you
And now I want nothing less
I've found a love that is truly blessed
I wanna make dreams come true

bridge: - WOW... I know the answer to this, but these words make me want to ask the question...DOES THIS LOVE STILL EXIST? People nowadays seem to rush into things and miss all this...the emotional development. You've GOT to have you heart and mind ready to experience this thing...you can't come with baggage, or somebody's getting cheated...man, falling in love is an amazing thing..."everybodies always talking bout fallen in love; fallen in love ain't s!#$, somebody please talk to me about how to stay there!" (20 points if you tell me where THAT line's from)

Every day is getting better,
The more I trust I feel
stronger, stronger
Every kiss brings me closer,
It feels good to love you
inside

(ad lib)
is there any doubt
in your mind?

And NOW, without further ado, Mrs. Anita Baker!!!

H.M.H.A. Volumn #1

2007-08-01T19:58:00.000-07:00

As part of the Knewness, I’m introducing a series of post that pretty much reflect my Half-Man side…lol. For those of you who’ve never heard me refer to myself as such, the name was given to me by friends and pretty much stems from my views (on certain things) that seem skewed toward a male perspective, AND since I’m an AND 1 fan and love to watch Half-Man, Half-Amazing, I’ve gladly accepted the name…with that out of the way…welcome to HMHA #1 Violence – Domestic and Non!

“snakes and snails and puppy dog’s tails, that’s what little boys are made of!”
“sugar and spice and everything nice, that’s what little girls are made of!”
“Real Men Don’t Hit Women!”

Potential batterer’s of women are usually detected and/or assumed during adolescence; young boys are closely watched and scolded for displaying violent tendencies toward their female counterparts.

These testosterone filled beings are taught to be MEN; there is an image to uphold, that strong leader-head of the household-provider type of man; that “handle ya biz” – protector type of man…doing what you’ve got to do, but never hit a woman type of man, this is what little boys are made to be and what a wonderful thing.

He’s learning his lessons, vibe'n off the thoughts of manhood, when all of the sudden this little girl hits him…the children are laughing…”AHHHH…SHE HIT THE MESS OUTTA HIM!!!” His ear is ringing from their banter and the impact of her palm as she slapped him on the side of the face, before she ran. Infuriated, he charges after her, but is thwarted by the outraged looking teacher saying…”I KNOW you don’t think you’re about to hit her in FRONT of me…what’s wrong with you…boys don’t hit girls!”

Boy’s don’t hit girls, Boy’s don’t hit girls, Boy’s don’t hit girls-over and over…years and years; the message resonates into his mind, etched into his soul…his character is formed, his Kingly stature is a force by itself. His brain has been trained, but his heart may still hold resentment for those female counterparts who’ve always been allowed to get away with doing the one thing him and every male was punished and marred for. Maybe he’ll pay them back with heartache instead!? (hum).

Domestic Violence is a VERY serious issue:
An estimated 5.3 million cases of domestic violence occur among US women 18 and older each year, resulting in nearly 2 million injuries. On average, more than three women are murdered by their husbands or boyfriends in the US every day and I’m sure we’ve all heard the correlation between domestic violence and child abuse, but there’s another side to this sad story, the side that is rarely told.

The story of the boy-guy-man, who heard the message, listened to the rules and kept his hands in his pockets, while he wondered…”how come they never told-taught-made the girls keep her hands to herself!” How come when I tried to leave she wouldn’t let me and kept throwing things at me…and dared me to raise a hand, or I’d be in jail. How come she disrespects and calls me names…just pushing ALL my buttons. How come when I left her alone she found my car and slashed my tires and bust my windows. How come she’s at my job causing a scene every chance she gets…how come nobody ever told her that a girl was to grow into a QUEEN and “Queens shouldn’t swing, if you know what I mean, but (she’s) about to take her earrings off and get her some Vaseline” – (I know this is a serious topic, but 10 points if you know where that line’s from).

As many of you know, I'm the mother of two sons and my youngest was in a situation described above...he was that school boy torn between, "my momma said, don't let NOBODY pick on you...she said I should defend myself, but the world says only a 'punk' hits a women, yet, only a 'punk' doesn't fight back" I continue to teach my boys the stance of a man-a King and that includes letting them know what a Queen looks like.

The bottom line here people, which I’m sure you’ve known halfway through this post, is AGAIN we as apart of this great society have perpetuated another double-standard, I’m NOT saying that males should hit females, but we’ve GOT to stop teaching our girls wrong, or not teaching them anything at all. We got to set their conduct to give what they wish to receive; we've got to train our young ladies to be women of virtue, to be Queens!

"Thanks for MY child"

2007-07-31T06:48:00.001-07:00

Raising children within the sanctity of marriage, or as a couple affords the privilege of sharing responsibilities; dual diaper duty, live in baby-sitter and splitting financial burdens, hence, R. Kelly’s desire to go “half on a baby.” Now, every sweet deal has its sour spots, so things don’t always go according to plans.

One of the major parental faux pas (in my opinion), would be disharmony amongst the parental units displayed amidst the children. When I was growing up, I constantly heard adults say, “Stay in a child’s place and out of grown folks face,” but parents today seem to give their kids a front row seat to their drama. A large component of this disharmony is when one parent overrides the authority of the other (in the child’s presence). I’m sure we can all bare witness to the following:

Child: “can I have some cookies? “
Dad: “no, it’s about time for dinner.”
Mom: “oh, he can have the cookies…it’s not going to hurt-eat the cookie baby.”

Now, children are prone to gravitate more toward the ‘pleasing’ parent; the one that lets them have their way, so before long things start sounding like this:

Child: (eating cookies before dinner in the fathers presence)
Dad: “what did I tell you about eating snacks right before dinner?”
Child: “mom already said I could have them.”
Dad: (sitting in silence)

The child in this situation has been taught to listen to one parent over the other; causing them to lose respect for the ‘uncooperative’ parent who doesn’t give in to their desires. I’ve seen things go as far as the child telling one parent when the other parent disciplines them, knowing the ‘pleasing’ parent will come to their rescue. This is a major problem people; LIFE lessons are being taught in childhood. Freud once said, “Give me a child between the ages of 1-7 and after that you can have them back.” Why, because these are the crucial developmental years, the time of molding, training for adulthood (Proverbs 22:6).

Co-habitating, Co-parenting means Co-operation on all levels! Parents have got to start looking at the detrimental affects their behaviors have on the children their raising. There is a need to communicate HOW you're going to handle these types of situations; an understanding needs to agreed upon. I have the 'pleasure' of being the sole provider for my sons, so in addition to being the only one paying for everything, I'm also the only one making decisions. Parents may no agree on everything, but they must agree that respect for the other parent must be maintained at all times, and I think that's easily done by putting on a smile and tightening those lips in the presence of the child and talking things over behind the curtain.

Now the question is what do you do when you’ve not been albe to form this allegiance with your co-parent and have been labeled the ‘uncooperative’ one; you've come to feel like you've been duped because the two-parent unit you thought you were apart of has dissipated and all you hear your mate saying is, "thanks for MY child."

Welcome to the Knewness

2007-07-29T11:16:00.000-07:00

I've had conversations and even read other bloggers as they've pondered "why they write." I'll admit, when I started this blogging thing I was caught up in the 'knewness'from the different layouts, topics, to the comments, every bit of it was exciting, but then I started to assess my being here...especially since I'm not a writer; what was the purpose, besides it just being fun? I've come to realize that I don't do this thing for me, but because of me; because of who God made me. It's not just fun, but I'm here for whomever;
- may read.
- may laugh.
- may cry.
- may remember.
- may tell a friend.
- may learn.
- may apply.

I don't write just for my 'health', but for the wealth of my people...and I pray you get rich everytime you read me. This has been a WONDERFUL journey, I've met some great minds; some I hope to continue calling 'friend.' It's amazing how much we're able to impact lives through this simple pleasure. I know we all have our reasons for being here, and will do this thing regardless of how many comments we get from day to day, or in spite of the traffic detected from a site-meter. I think there's so much POWER in this outreach tool, people that may never make their presence known may have been possitively effected by you, so keep doing what you're doing. I hope you guys dig the knew layout...I thought it was a perfect fit.

Now, with all that crap out of the way...I'd like to welcome you all to a Brand Knew Day!!!

Female Gangs

2007-07-27T13:26:00.000-07:00

Call me sheltered, but I really didn't know there were female gangs out and about; or knew, but never gave the issue any serious attention. Gang violence seems to be on the rise especially in cities like Chicago, Miami, LA and NY where girls are branching out and forming their own exclusive girl-gangs! Now, despite the fact that we should be long past the whole 'gang' business, the idea that girls feel the need to do this is amazing.

Young boys typically join gangs for protection (from gangs) they also join to feel a sense of acceptance from the 'family' like setting. I personally don't think girls are faced with the same social concerns or challenges, at least not in the same way. Boys feel the NEED to be tough and gangs supply the means to do so, but I've never seen girls as having that concern. I DO however believe most girls get involved with gangs for the boys and/or girls (as to imply bi-sexual tendencies amongst these groups)

I'm sure the havens provide a place to escape to, especially within urban environments plagued with crime and drugs, but to put yourself right in the middle of more crime and drugs is beyond me. This is NOT what little girls are made of, so can you guys help me out with this...WHAT'S UP WITH GIRL-GANGS???

Obsessive-Compulsions

2007-07-26T04:03:00.000-07:00

Hey guys, this post was inspired by something I read on Opinionated Diva's page; a tag where she mentioned can-goods being in size order (from a movie). I cracked up because I'm the same way, so since Honey-Libra said I'm always serious...hahah...I'm going light today, (see what I do for you guys).

Here is a run-down but first,

Obsessive-Compulsions:
is a psychiatric disorder most commonly characterized by a subject's obsessive, distressing, intrusive thoughts and related compulsions (tasks or "rituals") which attempt to neutralize the obsessions. Thus it is an anxiety disorder. It is listed by the World Health Organization as one of the top twenty most disabling illnesses in terms of lost income and diminished quality of life.

Welcome to crazy world:

1) All rolls (toilet paper, paper towels...etc.) MUST be in the UNDER position, if it's NOT I'll put it that way...(even in your house) LOL. or, I'll just HAVE to leave the room.

2) All my bills (money) have to be in order...from amount to position...I can't even put them in my wallet until everything is lined up properly.

3) I MUST have all my can-goods in size order and grouped together and the same goes for everything else in my cabinets...boxes, cups, plates...they must be in size order and grouped (rice's with rice's and so on)

4) NO WIRE HANGERS---(((((EVER)))))...just kidding, but 10 points if you know where that line's from! Anyway, I CAN'T STAND OPEN DOORS, and this is probably my BIGGEST quirk, but I'll have to break it down.

a) Kitchen cabinets MUST be CLOSED...HELLO, CLOSE THE CABINETS PLEASE!!! I'm so serious, if I'm at your house sitting in the living room with a view into your kitchen and see a cabinet door opened...you might have to put me out to prevent me from RUNNING in there and closing it. (oh, don't be so judgmental).

b)Closet Doors...OK, I'd SERIOUSLY KILL OVER THIS ONE! I'm not playing people this is an actual FEAR. I don't PLAY WITH OPEN CLOSET DOORS; I mean, there's really no REASON for them to be opened ANYWAY... they're units used for STORAGE... so store your crap and shut the FRIGGEN DOOR... at least when I'm there. And as if this issue couldn't get worse, you guys know what freaks me out MORE then an OPEN closet door? A PARTIALLY OPENED CLOSET DOOR! Don't talk about me...I have a ((((DISORDER))))

Ok, now that you guys know why I'm still single...please make me feel a little better by telling me your quirks, compulsions, DISORDERS!

WAKEEEEEEE UPPPPPP!!!!

2007-07-24T06:01:00.000-07:00

"Desocialization and Deculturation/Need for Nigga' Consciousness-By Nigga Consciousness I am referring to the internalized inferiority of members of Black cultural group brought about by the internalization of a dehumanized and degraded cultural legacy. The function of desocialization in service of White Domination is to remove you from yourself and your historical image (diassociate) and associate you with a different image which can be manipulated, controlled and oppressed (re-association), allowing them to make us who they want us to be. Dr. Amos N. Wilson calls this the Niggerization of the Afrikan (Falsification of African Consciousness)." ("Why Our Children Hate Us")

A.D.D/A.D.H.D and all other labels used to suppress and stagnate the mental growth of our children. THIS IS A "FICTICIOUS" DISORDER PEOPLE, designed by the oppressive social orders mentioned above. There's NOTHING wrong with our children that good old fashioned PARENTING can't control, but we've allowed them to be lead around by drugs instead, and then given a CHECK for it; paying you to ruin your child’s life...we're selling our babies for a monthly fee. WAKEEEEE UPPPP!

When my youngest son was about 7-years-old, his teacher told me I should have him tested for A.D.D, because he "doesn't pay attention in class!" WHAT? He also added how bright he was and how he seemed to excel in Science and Math, but lacks focus and the ability to follow directions or complete assignments because he's not paying attention. NOW, if my son had been a little white boy, he may have been considered a genius who just couldn't be contained by the structure of the educational system.

I kindly told the teacher, who was a Black Man, that there was NOTHING wrong with my son and if there WERE, I'd have been the one to tell him about it, beings as though I've known him far longer then his little 6 month experience being his teacher. We've got to take responsibility for our children and their behaviors and not allow outsiders to dictate their future.

"White Supremacy seeks to instill a sense of White superiority in all people while concurrently destroying the image and significance of our group's cultural heritage (instilling Black inferiority). Indeed, White Supremacy and culturally/historically authentic Black conscious CANNOT occupy the same space. Therefore, White Supremacy is reliant on the existence of an internalized nigga'consciousness."

WE REALLY HAVE TO WAKE UP BLACK PEOPLE; STOP SWALLOWING WHAT'S BEING FEED TO US, ABOUT US AND OUR CHILDREN! HOW CAN SUCH A BACKWARDS SOCIETY TELL YOU WHAT'S WRONG WITH YOUR CHILD...THINK ABOUT IT! THERE'S AN AGENDA, AND WE'RE GETTING PAID TO PLAY INTO IT! WAKEEEEE UPPPPP!

NOTHING...

2007-07-18T06:34:00.000-07:00

I might actually sit out this week, but I'll see you on your page...lata-gata's

Strange Fruit

2007-07-17T07:22:00.000-07:00

The City of 'brotherly love' strikes again; here is the latest foolishness going on in our streets:

"A murderous epidemic of gun violence and one of the city's major tourist destinations came face to face Saturday when 1) a teenage boy was gunned down just feet from the line at Pat's King of Steaks."

"The 14-year-old victim was riding his bike with a group of friends when a car approached the group from behind. 2) All the boys except Law (victim) moved to the side without a problem, but Law was last to get out of the way. 3) That's when words were exchanged; police said, the driver of the vehicle allegedly pulled a gun and shot Law. Homicide Sgt. Tim Cooney said law had raised his hands and shrugged his shoulders, ("Tykeem was shrugging his shoulders like, "where do you want me to go?" Cooney said) just before being shot."

4) Charles Meyers, 18, allegedly shot the boy for no other reason than 'road rage,'

"The shooting took place in broad daylight shortly after 4 p.m. and an officer with the 3rd District happened to be directly behind Meyer's car...he was in uniform in his person vehicle heading to report for his shift; Meyers was arrested a short distance from the shooting" -5) there were two other people in the car with Meyers.

1) I was actually angered at the mentioning of the famed ‘pat’s king of steaks’ (not even worth capitalizing to me). What relevance does this have to the situation, except the fact that white America wants our foolishness kept in our neck of the woods?

2) This is the attitude we’ve taught our children...”you’ve got the ‘right-of-way’ and you don’t have to rush for NOBODY… make em wait.” We breed disrespect within our children.

3) Again, to be ill-mannered is a norm amongst our youth, so it’s nothing to argue…give back talk; consequently, subjecting themselves to the scaring-‘nigga-moment’

4) “ROAD RAGE”… here we go with the labels, which have become a societal justification for foolishness…I wonder if they’re going to create a pill to combat this new disorder- (road rage).

5) Mass-hysteria, Mass-confusion, Mass-insanity; violence has gone far way from being isolated and individual, and although only ONE person pulled the trigger, the other TWO men did nothing...birds of a feather usually flock together…these guys unity in disharmony…for the greater destruction of the community.

“There are several key issues in our collective desocialization that have contributed to the maldevelopment of contemporary generations of Black people and hinder our ability to reproduce generations capable of mounting the types of resistance and struggle needed for our collective” (taken from “Why Our Children Hate Us”)

- Those words have held my mind in suspension from the moment I read them; its implication is the perfect solution to the ever-present thought of why these last 2 (at least) generations of Black people are what they/we are…is it possible that we’ve become so damaged that we can no longer even bare good fruit? Have we allowed even our blood-line to be tainted...destroying even the possibility; have we doomed ourselves to the constant of strange fruit.

JUST GOT THIS INFO-" Law's four friends moved over, but Law stopped in front of the vehicle, got off his bike and moved to the passenger side of the car, according to police.

"The driver pulled out a handgun, reached across the passenger and fired one shot through the passenger window, striking Tykeem in the chest," said Homicide Sgt. Tim Cooney. The boy staggered onto the sidewalk and died...AND THE SHOOTER WAS WHITE!!!

THIS LIL TIDBIT OF INFO CHANGES THINGS DRASTICALLY, so I'll readdress the points:

1) STILL STANDS!!!

2) NO LONGER APPLIES; obviously this was a racially movtivated act, in which the driver PROBABLY said something to cause the boy to get off the bike and come over.

3) SEE THE ABOVE!!!

4) ROAD-RAGE = RACIST SON OF A -BEEP!!!

5) THEY WERE ALL RACIST...MASS RACISM!!!

p.s. HAVE YOU GUYS GOTTEN THIS BOOK YET??? If not, I can see about ordering them from the Black & Noble Book Store... which is a WORTHY Black owned business to support...so let's do our part.

Random

2007-07-16T12:26:00.000-07:00

I've got NOTHING today, so...

What's your screen-saver?
Mine is a picture of the MY man Idris (ONLY I LOVE HIM) did you read those words kiki, sheletha, deep and all the rest of you who've tried to claim my past boyfriends...lol.

He's got a b-day coming up soon (mind ya business...don't need to know everything bout my boo). He'll be 35 (he's so precious) anyway...what do you guys have up on your screen?

Dear Diary

2007-07-14T15:45:00.000-07:00

Hey guys...this is a real 'dear diary moment'...blog-world has become my exhale...so I'm sittin up in my room breathing right now. Thinking about that first love...

I ate this man people...he was my sustenance. He was the rule all else were exceptions; He's designed the floorplan all others must follow...he just IS.

I changed this post from yesterday to reflect my thoughts today. The 'one' we've all got him/her coming or the've gone, but I've learned to believe in soul-mates...some people just seem to fit perfectly together.

So I've been thinking about mine this weekend and boy, does that man affect me, but again...this too will pass, but until that day comes...here's what I'ma do:

Some of my fav's

2007-07-13T07:31:00.001-07:00

Here are a couple of my favorite videos and songs from back in the day.

GROOVE THEORY: I think every girl in the world had a thing for Brice (I think that's how you spell it)

DeBarge: I LOVE EVERYTHING THEY DID... but this is like the only video I can find.

AND WHO DIDN'T LOVE THEM??? Blackstreet

AND LAST, BUT NOT LEAST...ONE OF MY ALL TIME FEEL GOOD FAV'S (be surprised)

HAVE A WONDERFUL WEEKEND EVERYBODY... I'll be taking the boys to the And 1 Mix Tape tour tomorrow...FUN!!

But, My Mama Said...

2007-07-12T16:35:00.000-07:00

Don’t eat before going to bed, you’ll have nightmares! As children we tend to hold tight to our parents words like a prayer book. Although we may not have really listened then we unconsciously apply and even pass on these ‘parental urban legends’ to our own children.

Urban Legend: “is similar to a modern folklore consisting of stories often thought to be factual by those circulating them. Urban legends are not necessarily untrue, but they are often distorted, exaggerated, or sensationalized.”

I wouldn’t necessarily say our parents lied to us…maybe they just told what was told to them, or maybe they used that ‘prayer book’ influence and stretched the truth a bit to keep us in line. In either case, we find ourselves still doing or telling what ‘mama/papa said.

What parental legends have you held to or passed on to your children?

Cause I'ma W-O-M-A-N!!!

2007-07-11T17:27:00.000-07:00

Oh, that sugar and spice…everything nice, if that’s what little girls are made of, what’s in a woman?

This is something I’ve been fighting over for some years now…Gender Equality, or the convient lack of. This will be a two part post with part #1 dealing with Rape and Sexual Assault while part #2 will focus on Domestic Violence.

HISTORY: Around the end of the Eighteenth century a European writer by the name of Mary Wollstonecraft gained notoriety for her outward expression and egalitarian views on gender. She wrote a controversial pamphlet entitled, “The Vindication of the Rights of Woman,” and pretty much became the nations first “feminist.”

-‘The rights of woman,’ undoubtedly a worthy enough cause to argue during that period of enlightenment. Moving past pre and post Civil War and WWII right into the liberation that was gained through educational advancement and equal opportunity employment laws; the 1950’s brought about a (k)new day for American woman (mainly European women of course).

-Now, all of these things were done in an effort to end disparity amongst the sexes; dispell the idea of women being the 'weaker' and needing the protection of or being under the control of a man..."anything you can do,I can do better, I can do anything better than you," well, not exactly, by you get my point.

-Now, with regard to rape, which is a very serious offense, but with layers (I'll be focused on the bolded layers):
-layer 1)Attacked by a total stranger.
-layer 2) Date or Aquantence rape
-layer 3) Relationship rape (yes, there's such a thing)

Why is it socially acceptable for a woman to entertain the company of a man, engage in whatever level of physical pleasure she desires, decide she’s not really ready OR interested in going “all the way” (sometimes after having gone almost ALL THE WAY) say NO, and expect ALL the blame to be placed on the male for not having:

1) The BETTER sense to know that NO MEANS NO.

2) For not being emotionally STRONGER and stop himself as soon as those words were spoken and

3) For not being compassionate and realizing how SENSATIVE and DELICATE women are

Where’s the equality? Where’s the shared responsibility? What happened to the two adults, forget things being consensual because that's a given when the woman decided to engage? Never knowingly put yourself in a situation you can’t get out of; if you KNOW you don’t play to have sex with a guy, there’s really no need playing after midnight (in house) games; if the dates over GO HOME (alone). What’s the point in starting things you KNOW you’re not going to finish…then expect the man to be the ‘bigger’ person and stop?

Seriously, in situations like this…I’d give the woman just as much jail time as the man…it’s accountability ladies…it’s EQUALITY!

With regard to the third level of rape (relationship), I used to think this was a joke, but there are thousands of women around the world who've reported being raped by their husband or boyfriend. I'm not condoning this level of violence by ANY means and I know there are husbands who view their wife as personal property (WRONG) you BELONG to each other (so says the Bible), but at the same time there are TOO many woman using sex as a means of controlling their HUSBANDS and that's not the character of a WIFE...each is to esteem the other greater then themselves...that's EQUALITY!

This injustice is so damaging, because it creates fear and uncertainty within male and female encounters. Men can fear getting intimate with a women, because he never knows if he'll be accused of rape. Then there are women who have sexual incounters THEN a month or so down the line say they were raped...because they didn't really want to do it...man, the whole word 'Rape' is being reshaped everytime I turn around. I personally think rape is an act of PHYSICAL FORCE... not MENTAL. If a woman ALLOWS a man to convince her to have sex with him when she REALLY didn't want to...she was NOT raped. This serious issue has been adjusted...and readjusted over time and it's to the point where a man can look at a woman for a minute TOO long and she can accuse him of some form of rape. CRAZY!

NOTE: AGAIN, if you're a women and are uncertain about a sexual exchange with a man PLEASE think about things before hand...don't make your issue a joint problem...KNOW YOURSELF... know your boundaries and your weaknesses. STD's aren't the only things we need to protect ourselves from...you've got to protect your heart and your mind...so make sure you're WELL informed about the situations you decide to get YOURSELF into.

(Don't be mad at me 13, (lol) I just had to talk about this)

Lyrically Affected #3 (Adore)

2007-07-10T06:21:00.001-07:00

This song is the ultimate...one of my all time favorites...it's words are everything love between two people should be. Who wants to be loved when you can be ADORED!!! The bolded lines are the ones that have the greatest affect on me.

Until the end of time
I'll be there 4 u
U own my heart and mind
I truly adore u
If god one day stroke me blind
Your beauty i'd still see
Love is 2 weak 2 define
Just what u mean 2 me

From the first moment i saw u
Ooh, i knew u where the 1
That night i had 2 call u
I was rappin' till the sun came up
Tellin' u just how fine u look
In a word, u were sex
All of my cool attitude u took
My body was next
U made love 2 me
Like u where afraid
Was u afraid of me?
Was i the first?
Was i your every fantasy?
That's why

Until the end of time
I'll be there 4 u
U own my heart and mind
I truly adore u
If god one day stroke me blind
Your beauty i'd still see
Love is 2 weak 2 define
Just what u mean 2 me

When we be makin' love
I only hear the sounds
Heavenly angels cryin' up above
Tears of joy pourin' down on us
They know we need each other
They know u are my fix
I know, that u know that i ain't cheatin' baby
They know this is serious
I ain't funkin' just 4 kicks, no
This condition i got is crucial, crucial baby
U could say that i'm a terminal case
U could burn up my clothes
Smash up my ride, well maybe not the ride
But i got 2 have your face
All up in the place
I'd like 2 think that i'm a man of exquisite taste
A hundred percent italian silk imported egyptian lace
But nothin' baby, i said nothin' baby could compare
2 your lovely face
Do u know what i'm sayin' 2 ya this evening
I'm just tryin' 2 say
I'm just tryin' 2 say
That until, until the end of time
I'll be there 4 u
I'll be there 4 u
On my heart, on my mind, (truly adore u)
I truly adore u (darlin')
U don't know what you're mean 2 me
Do ya
Do ya
Do ya heeee
Until the end of time i'll be there 4 u
Adore u

Can i talk 2 u? {{chorus repeated in background}}
Tell u what u mean 2 me
Every time u wander
I'll be your eyes so u can see
I wanna show u things
That i show no other, i wanna be
More than, more than your mother
More than your brother
I wanna be (like no) like no other
If u need me, i'll never leave
I know, that u know, without u there is no me
There is no me
Without u there is no sea
There is no shore
Love is 2 weak 2 define how much i adore
U, child
U, child
The last words u hear
The last words u hear

(until the end of time)
I'll be there for you, baby
(until the end of time)

Be with me darlin' til the end of time (until the end of time)
I'll give u my heart
I'll give u my mind
I'll give u my body (until the end of time)
I'll give u my time (until the end of time)
(until the end of time)

4 all time i am with u
U are with me
(until the end of time)
U are with me, u are with me

The Business of Black Businesses

2007-07-09T06:18:00.000-07:00

The economic growth of Black America is something I take seriously...BUY BLACK!!! BUY BLACK, BUY BLACK, but what if black ain't quit right?

I attemped to get a platter from a black owned resturant yesterday evening...the place was about to close and the food was down to NOTHING, literally. I asked the young man at the counter what did they have, because the visible food trays were practically empty.There was also an older man fixing other plates..here's pretty much how things went down.

Me: Do you guys have any more sweet potatoes

Y.M: yes...right there (pointing to empty tray) we don't give that much anyway.

Me: There's nothing in there

O.M: "jokingly" why you tryna start trouble

Me: I'm not starting trouble...I'm just trying to make sure I get what I'm paying for...it's an exchange.

O.M: well everybody pays...so you saying you don't trust us?

Me: It's not about trust...it's about business.

WHY, do black business owners automatically think black people have to take CRAP from them JUST because we're ALL black. They feel like Black businesses don't flourish because black people are unsupportive of their own. CORRECT, that's so true in most cases, but how about this:

- Make sure you run your business in the proper manner
- Make sure the prices are comparable to that of neighboring minority businesses
- Make sure your products are fresh
- Make sure your establishment is clean
- Make sure your attitude is pleasent.

The house negro mentality exist far too often in most black owned business, where they treat their own with disdain, while rushing to the aid of 'others'. They expect the most from us, while giving us the least and when we complain we're being 'unsupportive.' PLEASE... JUST GET IT RIGHT!!!

Beautiful Kisses

2007-07-06T05:51:00.000-07:00

Kissing! Four lips pressing against each other doesn't really sound amazing, but there is this magic...this chemistry that starts with that union. Great loves and lovers have acknowledged the truth of them through a kiss.

One of my most memorable kisses was with this guy I'd dated about a year or so ago (I've mentioned him in two other post). We'd gone on about 3 dates by the time he said..."I've been thinking about kissing you and I can't wait any longer" (wow...I love a man who takes his time, but knows his limits...lol). Now, I'm going to breakout this special moment:

Time: it was about 11:00 p.m on a weekday

Obstical: (things always seem better when you've got to overcome something to get it) my neighbor was on the porch with some of his friends...they were all about 18 and I wasn't comfortable sitting in front of my door kissing on him with them looking.

Excitment: there's something kinda wonderful when you've waited for that first kiss from someone special. This had just a lil extra for me since he then had to drive around looking for the perfect spot to press his lips against mine.

Location: location, location, location...is everything...set the mood. It was dark and quiet...right around the corner from my house.

The Moment: he parked, we sat quiet with these stupid looks on our faces (looking ahead) we then turned to each other (still looking real stupid) he moved in, I giggled (OH BE QUIET) then it happened...for about 15 seconds....NICEEEEEE!

Afterward: I told that rotten son-of-a-beep to never call me again...LOL. Just kidding (It took me a minute to get to that), but we went back to my house (the boys were gone) so he asked..."can I kiss you again...since noone's around" I said yes and smiled.

What's your most memorable kiss? Enjoy the video...it's a beautiful ending to a beautiful kiss and the start to a wonderful weekend.

p.s -this would SERIOUSLY be considered as my wedding song (if the Lord allows).

...But what if I don't like my child!

2007-07-05T06:23:00.001-07:00

-what if after all my hard work they've grown unappreciative and selfish?
-what if after all my teachings and training they've come to think they know more or better then me?
-what if they've got this air about them that I can't seem to stand?
-what if they're sneaky or lazy or liars?
-what if in all their good they just seem to annoy me?
What if my child has turned into a young person i just don't like...how do I love?

Wow, that's some serious business! There are billions of people in the world with an equal amount of character combinations most of which may turn a stomache, rub a wrong way, or just make you leave them alone; our children are no different. There amongst those same numbers. They develope their own views and ways of thinking; in their pre-teens you noticed they didn't like what you liked and a "strange" personality surfaced.

Raising children is a piece of cake, but raising young adults is liver & onions. I have entered a full course liver, onion and lima beans buffet and I HATE lima-beans.
This post was triggered by a lil personality "glitch" exhibited by my oldest son and It made me think about all the things parents have to endure when their babies start to grow up... the attitudes that need adjusting, the displaced and misplaced dispositions. What is a human (naturally flawed being) to do? Here's what i've come up with...just some things to think about.

-Identify the specific behaviors.
-Explain the affect they have on you.
-Where did these ways come from; maybe they got your temper instead of your eyes!
-Is there something you could have done to steer them in a different direction?

After giving serious thought to the above, it becomes necessary to seperate "you" the person from "you" the parent, in order to maintain your sanity while carring out God's mission in allowing you to bring forth these fruit.

TAGGED AGAIN!!!

2007-07-03T06:04:00.000-07:00

I was tagged by Ingrid to do this flashback into my life, so here you guys go...AND YOU'D BETTA NOT LAUGH! The layout isn't good, but this is BabyMe: I was a 1-year-old and my mom had gotten this picture taken at Sears...they thought I was such a precious baby they used this pic as their promotional display baby (so I was a model in my early years...LOL)

Swings i'm seven and you can tell by my black knees that I was a straight up tomboy...sticks and bricks baby...lol. Thats my little brother next to me...he was three and precious.

This mili-vanille pic-I'm 18 and obviously on crack to have even THOUGHT I was trying to be sexy, but oh well...you live and you learn.

This is me the teen-mom and my oldest son who was a year-old. DON'T TALK ABOUT ME!!!

This is me at about 26 at that's my sister who was about 20/21...yeah, I was STILL kinda boyish, but SO WHAT!!!

and that's ALLL folks. I DARNED not show my High School Grad pic's...cause then I'd have to cill-ya!

HAVE A WONDERFUL HOLIDAY WEEKEND!!!

NO BAD NEWS!!!

2007-07-02T05:49:00.000-07:00

As stated in that lil personality test post from last week; i'm VERY loyal to my friends and can't stand to see or hear drama in their lives...I take it so personally. I get aggravated and frustrated when they make seemingly bad decisions...I just go crazy and then comes the tough love...and boy is it tough...so if you're going to be my friend...don't bring me NO BAD NEWS!!!

(OK, YOU GOT ME...I JUST WANTED TO POST THIS CLIP...LOL, I LOVES IT)

P.S...PLEASE CHECK OUT SOJOURNER AND MIZ'S PAGE TODAY AND EVERY MONDAY!!! (SEE FOR YOURSELF)

Weeks Reflection.

2007-06-29T06:41:00.001-07:00

Life is a mental journey, in which I've often found myself lost, but God always seems to help me regain my sanity. He's allowed me to SEE areas that need to be altered within my personality in order for me to be of better service to Him. Over this past week...from last Friday until today, I've been doing some serious character assessment, not on purpose, but things just happened that way; I've learned so much more about my self.

We're constantly growing, learning, developing. What new peronality traits have you guys been introduced to over the last week. Have you learned anything new or accepted anything old about yourself.

I really don't need to list much of anything, since my post this week revealed so much, but I'll give the basics.

1.) I've ACCEPTED the fact that I MIGHT be somewhat of a pushy parent and I don't have all the answers. That might seem ordinary, but I've always thought otherwise.

2.)
I've LEARNED that I have a little more courage then I thought I had.

3.) I've LEARNED AND ACCEPTED my destiny...my purpose. The direction of my life has become more prevalent then ever before.

4.) I've LEARNED how to fall deeper in love with me...LOL.

5.) I'm a pretty forgiving person...with lots of love, I'm just cool like that, but I've LEARNED that I can forgive, without ACCEPTING what I don't want...I can love from a distance.

I just went back and changed the title of this, so that it's more accurate to what I was thinking and feeling. These are all things that have been made more aware of within the past week...and I seriously want you guys to look back to last Friday and see what God has revealed to you about YOU!

Another Test...

2007-06-28T12:21:00.000-07:00

Here's another one...LOL! Sorry! These are my results.

Your Values Profile

Loyalty:

You value loyalty a fair amount.
You're loyal to your friends... to a point.
But if they cross you, you will reconsider your loyalties.
Staying true to others is important to you, but you also stay true to yourself.

Honesty:

You value honesty a fair amount.
You're honest when you can be, but you aren't a stickler for it.
If a little white lie will make a situation more comfortable, you'll go for it.
In the end, you mostly care about "situational integrity."

Generosity:

You value generosity a fair amount.
You are all about giving, as long as there's some give and take.
Supportive and kind, you don't mind helping out a friend in need.
But you know when you've given too much. You have no problem saying "no"!

Humility:

You value humility highly.
You have the self-confidence to be happy with who you are.
And you don't need to seek praise to make yourself feel better.
You're very modest, and you're keep the drama factor low.

Tolerance:

You value tolerance a fair amount.
You are open to new cultures, beliefs, and ideas.
You have very few prejudices that you're aware of.
And while you are tolerant, you do stand true to what you believe.

The Five Factor Values Test

What sign shouldn't you date?

2007-06-28T12:00:00.001-07:00

I found this GREAT site after doing the Bathroom identity on Malieta's page...I'm posting the bathroom one, tomorrow, but check this out now. I guess if you'd like to comment on this post...just give the name of the sign it tells you to stay away from...instead of giving all the details...UNLESS YOU WANT TO. OH.... the info in the box is based on MY answers...so I'm to NEVER date a SCORPIO...NEVER.LOL.

Never Date a Scorpio

Jealous, paranoid, and possessive - deep down, your Scorpio will never trust you.
And even if you are very trust worthy person, Scorpio's paranoia may drive you to act out.

Instead try dating: Aries, Gemini, Libra, or Sagittarius

What Sign Shouldn't You Date?

WELCOME BACK TO CRAZY WORLD!!!

2007-06-28T05:58:00.000-07:00

I read two interesting things in the paper yesterday:

First Article:
"Chris Benoit (40 year-old WWE Wrestler), strangled his wife (age 43), suffocated his 7-year-old son and placed a Bible next to their bodies before hanging himself with the pulley of a weight machine. Investigators found anabolic steroids in the house are trying to determine if he may have been 'unhinged' by the body building drugs, which can cause paranoia, depression and explosive outbursts known as "roid rage." The wife was killed on Friday, the son was killed on Saturday and Benoit probably killed himself Saturday night or Sunday morning!"

I really have no comment for this, other then...WHY does society always try to find a 'chemical' reason for a personS MADNESS... why couldn't dude have just been CRAZY! (We wrestle NOT against flesh and blood, but POWERS and PRINCIPALITIES)!

Second Article:
"In the past nine months, passengers have been kicked off airplanes or detained at airports for uncontrolled coughing, joking about hijacking, breast-feeding a baby, kissing and other amorous activities, cursing at flight attendants who denied them alcohol, failing to get a screaming child buckled in for takeoff and carring a sippy cup of water...it doesn't take much in the post-911 era to get in trouble on a plane. "

OVERKILL....we've created a state of mass hysteria....confusion and fear are the devils playgroud, but like I love to say; WELCOME TO CRAZY WORLD!!

In spite of ALL that foolishness...there's a praise party going on!!! Enjoy the message in the music.

Tongue Untied!!!

2007-06-27T05:41:00.000-07:00

GHETTO, NIGGA, HOOD are all words I've struggled to get away from; the properness of my speech, the articulation of my tongue and even the erectness of my stance have served me well in my efforts, yet I am BLACK, still, apart...adjoined by divine order to that which I've attempted to seperate.

I am BLACK, and I love every minute of it. My walk is paced to prove the strength of character etched in my soul by my ancestors...I aim to refute every sterotype, every negative thoughts embedded in the minds of others, but what am I to do about those around me...those working against me...those BLACKS AGAINST BLACK!!!

When their public displays of foolishness amidst the eyes of those "others" whip at my flesh and leave crimson shades of humiliation...what do I do? Fear has tied my tongue as I found myself lacking the courage to speak up and right the wrongs against my people even by my people; Blacks vs Niggas:

"The problem of the twentieth century is the problem of the color line."
WEB DuBois

“The problem of the twenty-first century is the problem of the nigga line. Black people must draw that line.”
Butch Slaughter

While riding home on the bus yesterday a bunch of teenage boys were cuttin up BIG TIME. I just couldn't stand the extra loud display of ignorance so I put my headphones on. The bus was super-crowded with ALL sorts of 'others' but those boys didn't seem to care. An older man got on and couldn't believe his ears; he somewhat discretely told them to be quiet...that just made thing worse...they laughed louder and made comments. I'd been turning around from time to time, but never said anything UNTIL I reminded myself of the crap I spilled on you guys in the first paragraph; I overcame the fear of being lashed out at. I allowed W.E.B.D, Sojourner Truth, Frederick Douglass and any other black Super Power who aligned themselves with the idological truthes of their thoughts...to untie my tongue.

I made eye contact with the apparent leader and spit in his face, not literally of course (LOL, nic that lil joke was for you...gotta do ONE), but guess what...he LISTENED and very attentively...then a chain reaction occured as the other 4 got quiet; I don't know if they heard me, or just wondered what was up, but they changed their behaviors, at lease for the remainder of my bus ride.

I wonder what would happen if our tongues were untied and we spoke to our people about their wrongs and the effect it's having on ALL of us...I wonder (fading into the visual)!

A New (Knew) Day

2007-06-26T06:03:00.001-07:00

I don't even have a title for this,and I'd actually posted something else for this morning, but as I read a comment left on yesterday's post...I did a lil switch. As many of you may know my oldest son is 15 (six feet and over 200 lbs)...he's going to be a Football player and a Judge...Civil Law, he'll probably have a bunch of Law, and History classes, so say's he.

Over the weekend we attended a workshop about college and college prep; it was CRAZY informative. I really learned a ton about schlorships and funding and alll sorts of info to aid the parents sending their babies off. This is a BIG deal for us as well them. My son doesn't talk much (maybe he's not my son...LOL), and he's a little TOO laid back, so I'm usually FORCING him into things. When we left the workshop we started walking toward the train, but I asked if he'd like to keep walking and just catch the bus; he'd mentioned how beautiful of a day it was like 10 times, so was all for that idea. We ended up walking through this lil park (Love Park - nic)lol (I'm giving my Philly homie a visual). Well this park has a nice fountain, so my boy asked if we could just sit a minute and talk (AMAZED ME).

We started talking about kids and parents and things; he asked, "why do parents force their children to do things they don't want to do?" He asked "Shouldn't it be more important that the child be happy...doing what they want?" "Don't children have rights?" Now, I'm not going to go into my response to all these questions, but I'll say they were answered with love and direction. I asked my son if he thought he was forced into things, and if he felt he had rights...he said, I'm not really talking about me...I'm just asking these questions! JUST ASKING! The whole point of this post is to show what happens when we parents take the time to talk with our children. We were in the warm breeze, with the sun beaming down on us...children were playing and the water of the fountain was flowing, while my son and I talked about life, love, learning, leading, growning and being. So much came out of those moments (over an hour we sat).

We are their guide into the world and up until now (age 15)things have gone at a pretty slow pace, but look out...because the speed is about to increase drasticly and our babies won't be babies anymore...they'll be in the world FORCED again to do things they might not want to do, but they need to know how to BE...how to grow and go. I learned so much about myself as a parent during our little talk...I accepted being a somewhat pushy parent...and a selfish one too (at times)ie. I FORCED them to attend a BBQ with me last weekend just because I wanted them there...and SO WHAT! lol

I was reading my Bible this morning and came across so many passages about children, but I'll only deal in 1 John 2:1 - My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the rigteous. The highlighted portion is the reason WHY we parent...why we FORCE... the unhighlighted portion is HOW we parent with love, leadership, forgiveness and advising...I love my boy(s), and I'm glad to have learned him a little more over this weekend.

What Would You Do For A Klondike Bar...

2007-06-25T08:16:00.000-07:00

Corporate American is made up of many forms, but for the purpose of this post, there'll only be TWO the High (Executive) Low (Assistant). Now, that's not to say that there's anything wrong with being an assistant (like me), but we're usually left to do the grunt work.

I was watching "The Devil Wears Prada" (at the request of a friend) and was asked how long I think I'd last in a job were I'm being yelled at, called by the wrong name, made to run around like a chicken with my head cut off, disrespected, and dogged. I then started to think about some of the people I've worked with, who allowed themselves to be subjected to that very treatment for a title and a check; they sell their pride and dignity for pennies, or six figures.

As an adult and a parent, I just can't see myself going home telling my sons right from wrong; teaching them value, then going off to a job where the boss comes in and throws his/her coat on my desk and says..."Why are you still sitting there...go hang up my Da#@ coat" and having my response be..."Oh, yes sir/mame, I'm very sorry." as I scurry over to the closet...I'd have KNOCKED their friggen head off and been fired, "but I've got bills to pay; and this is a dream job!"

Under the WORST possible working conditions...how long would you last? Does everybody have a price? And if so...what would be your's; What would You guys do for a klondike bar.

RANDOM QUESTIONS

2007-06-22T12:31:00.000-07:00

ok...it's Friday and I'm bored (yeah, that's everyday, but whatever).

Today's random question is :

If you were a musical instrument what would you be and why?

HAVE A WONDERFUL WEEKEND ALL!!

"Why Our Children Hate Us" (Final Excerpt)

2007-06-22T05:43:00.000-07:00

Ok, since there are so many people wanting to get the book, I've decided to not wrap it up, or comment so we can do it TOGETHER...yippy. This is the LAST page I'll post (ms.b...lol). After my oldest son read this page I asked him what parts did he think pertained to he and I as a family...guess what he said NONE (thanks God for making me a pretty decent mother (father)) The one area that would apply is Trust, but he knows that's earned and can be re-earned. FYI- ALL the excerpts I've posted are from the FIRST 5 pages of the book (amazing)

Why Our Children Hate You!

You don't know them.
You don't speak to them.
You don't believe them.
You don't trust them.
You don't listen to them.
You don't warn them.
You don't protect them.
You don't worship them.
You don't claim them.
You don't guide them.
You don't love them.

You push them.
You deceive them.
You doubt them.
You use them.
You betray them.
You expose them.
You blame them.
You mock them.
You ignore them.
You fear them.
You hate them.

Yet, they are our children. They are us. and they are our only future, our only hope.
We are the ONLY species who have forgotten their importance. ("Why Our Children Hate Us")

I REALLY want to get into this bad y'all but Ima wait until those who will (GET THE BOOK)!
But for now, I'd like you guys to look at this list REAL hard...we've all been subjected to most or some of the above treatments by Black adults and even our parents and I'm sure, if we're honest we can remember subjecting a child to some of the same treatments. We're KILLING our children and we're making them hate us and in turn themselves. Can you guys tell me the ONE of those treatments/behaviors you're guilty of with your own child or any other black child. They always say "God bless the child that's got his own" but how much more blessed would that child be

Yeah I'm bored SO WHAT!!!

2007-06-21T13:45:00.000-07:00

I love David E. Talbert and all his plays; here's a clip of one of my favorites..."He Say She Say, but What Does God Say" (I love Clifton Powell also...yeah, I've got a lot of love to give out...LOL)

"Why Our Children Hate Us"/Part #3

2007-06-21T12:11:00.000-07:00

This was the page that drew me in...

The Instincts of Geese ("Why Our Children Hate Us")

It was a beautiful, late spring day. A bold, yellow sun- the kind of sun children draw with fat crayons-balanced in a clear, blue sky above. The wind was calm and Philadelphia's murky, green Schuylkill River was a deceptive oasis. I pulled the van into a parking lot near the river, opened the door and my three-year-old daughter dashed toward the water. I chased. In milliseconds, she was within my over-protective grip, laughing and struggling to be free. I released her, allowing her the chance to run several yards up. Suddently she stopped near a patch of grass and bushes, stooping down and extending her hand. From behind the bushes, three baby geese-goslings-appeared. they ignored her innocent hand, moving to her side and continuing toward bread scraps in the grass. Slowly she followed them, unaware that nearly 30 adult geese were angrily approaching her small back.

I dashed to my child, lifting her from the ground just as three geese snapped at her legs. All three missed, but I kicked one in the stomach for good measure. The goose gawked, fluttered his wings and quickly got to its feet. "Damn geese!" i shouted, backing away with my daughter. The whole flock appeared to stare at me, gawking loudly, some flapping their wings and jumping. I put my child back in the van, still watching the birds watch me. "I wanna see the ducks! " my daughter cried. "I wanna see the ducks!" "Okay," I told her. "Wait just a minute."
The geese still stared. Two walked toward our van. "Goddamn, " I shispered under my breath. "These things are serious."

The three goslings were long gone, nowhere in sight. But the adult geese were still defending their territory. Still defendling their babies. There was no way of knowing which geese were the goslings "parents." All of them responded with the same rage. They came in a pack, a unit. All at once.

Instinct. Simple instinct. They weren't going to wait for something to happen to their babies; they were determined to prevent it from the very beginning. Instinct. No deliberation, No ambiguity, Instinct.

If those goslings had been Black children, Black adults would have handed them over-no questions asked. "Here. Take our children. Roast them. Eat them. Have them for dinner." If those goslings were Black children, most of the adults would have ignored the danger, refused to intercede. "That's not my child, " they would say. "That's not my business."

Geese fight harder than most Black people. That's why our children hate us.

Why Our Children Hate Us / Part 2

2007-06-20T06:31:00.000-07:00

Here is more of this book for you to chew on.

"The tension between Black children and Black adults is beyond the proverbial "generation gap." This goes way beyond generational misunderstandings. This is an issue of enduring values. A matter of what's important. Does anyone think for a minute that if we worshiped our children, adored our children, our reality would look as it does? If collectively we loved more with our actions and less with our mouths, the Black world would certainly be a different place. "

"We don't even know who "we" are. This is not rhetorical. This is not abstract. We don't know who we are. We don't know how to identify "we." We like to talk about our differences, our diverse political affiliations. Our diverse religious and civic affiliations. We take every opportunity to brag about how diluted of "Blackness" we are. At every turn we seek to be different from ourselves. Ironically, no matter which masks we wear, our children do know who we are. They know how to identify us. They know what we do and don't do. As far as they're concerned, we're all the same: useless, weak, opportunistic liars."

These passages are so true...especially the opportunistic part; it makes me think about how the parents today sell their kids health for a social security check by allowing the schools to determine their child has A.D.D. but that's a WHOLE other blog.

Why Our Childrden Hate Us (book study)

2007-06-18T07:19:00.000-07:00

Hey guys...I hope everyone had an enjoyable Father's day weekend. You may remember me talking about this book, "Why Our Children Hate Us" (How Black Adults Betray Black Children) by Eric K Grimes and Butch Slaughter, well I FINALLY got my copy, and I'll be sharing portions of it with you all throughout this week.

A Letter To The Ancestors:

Can you see us...? This isn't what you had in mind is it? We're not where you thought we would be. We're not who you thought we would be. It's hard to recognize us, isn't is? Same skin color, same faces, same blood, but that's where it ends. We're changed, mutated, integrated, disintegrated.

We don't fight like you did. We march. We protest. We vote. You fought with you hands, with you life. You fought for you children. We bargain with ours. We leverage the lives of our young for cars, houses, clothes, contracts and jobs. You died for your children. We kill ours.

This isn't what you had in mind, is it? Bet you're a little disappointed. You thought we would have come home by now. Come inside to avoid the rain. You didn't know we could be so thoroughly turned out. You didn't know we could be so cowardly, so weak, so stupid. Well...

You're probably not impressed with our millionaire athletes, our millionaire entertainers, our millionaire entrepreneurs. You must have heard about what's happening to our families. About all our brothers unemployed, in jail, dead. About all of our sisters struggling to keep it together. About all our children abandoned. You thought we were like you. You thought we were going to stick together. Oh, no...we can't trust one another anymore. We just look out the ourselves. Let everybody do they own thing, you know?

I know. This isn't what you had in mind. I guess that's where we're different; you had minds. We don't. You had faith. We don't. You had determination. We don't. You had direction. We don't. You remembered. We forgot. These days we simply float without purpose-like lost spirits.

Oh, by the way, we're not Black anymore. We don't have to be. We can just be American or whatever. We can change our hair, our eyes. We've got that kind of freedom now. Free to be anything or nothing at all. And we don't need minds. We just do what we're told to do. We don't plan. We wait until something happens, and if we can't handle a problem in our lifetimes, we'll leave it for our children to deal with.

I know. This isn't what you had in mind. We're sorry...Really...sorry.
But thanks for everything.

Good-bye!!!

LIBERATION!!!!!

2007-06-15T05:55:00.000-07:00

Ok, for all those who don't know, I, YES, I've ALWAYS wanted to be a member of the Black Panthers. There's no need to go into explaining anything, but that movement has a large chunk of my mind, body and soul...Oh, My People...and the Love I have for them to do good...be right and love each other. I'm not going to ramble MUCH, but I'll share something I wrote not too long ago (after the video)...my revolutionary side lol!

OUTKAST w Erykah Badu, Cee Lo and Big Rube "LIBERATION"

PANTHER LOVE!! !

I’m a Christian-Black-Panther-Cat; my Jesus is black and the white man has no place in my heart. I go to church on Sunday and I’m protesting on Monday; against those devils who’d have me slain. There’s nothing you can do for me white man, with your inequity stained smile. As you rush to help that which you’ve corrupted.
Your evil pains my Christ loving soul. You’ve turned my people against themselves and for that I owe you a payback; beware of this Black-Panther-Cat.

“Vengeance is Mine” says the Lord, but he gave me strong legs to pounce with jagged claws and a master plan delivering you to the Master’s Hand; kill you to death with my intellect with my goals set on the liberation of mine people.

“Let my people go” cried Moses and the same cry I to you. But I’ll only cry once with kindness and asking; turn the other cheek I won’t do. You’ve had your warning long enough this Black-Panther-Cat’s come to make you through.
Next time I see you with your hands on my people I’ma slice off one finger at a time. Next time I see you digging in their pockets, on your knees I’ll make you repay every dime. Reparations my A@#, it’s time to tithe; you owe us at least a tenth of you.

My generation and generations have been content and complacent with the nibbles you’ve forced us to share. Forget the 40 acres, and you can keep the mule; I'm coming after pieces of your first and last born. As you’ve dehumanized and robbed us of our minds; you’ve got my people talking crazy being lazy and committing crimes. You’ve got them beating black woman, doing drugs…having babies and going their way.

And what do you say? What do you have to say; with a grin soaked in sin.
Save your thoughts inside your head because I’m ripping out your tongue and rendering you speechless. You’ll never spread another lie or talk down to my people again. I’m tearing you down with my sharpened claws and you’ll surrender long before I win, and after you lose when you’re tattered and torn scattered and scorned; I’ll say a prayer for you since I’m a Christian too.

I LOVE YOU...

2007-06-14T10:06:00.000-07:00

SUPERSTAR! TO ALL THE KINGS, QUEENS, PRINCE'S AND PRINCESS'...MY BLACK PEOPLE OF THE WORLD....I LOVE YOU...YOU'RE ALL MY SUPERSTARS. THIS IS A TRIBUTE TO FORGETTING OR IGNORING THE BAD, WRONG, MISGUIDED, MISLEAD AND MISUNDERSTOOD OF MY RACE AND JUST CELEBRATING WHO WE REALLY ARE...SUPERSTARS!!!

I'M OUT FOR THE REST OF THE DAY...SO BE BLESSED MY FAMILY-SO MUCH LOVE!!!

WELCOME TO CRAZY (BLOG) WORLD!!!

2007-06-14T09:00:00.000-07:00

Ok, as most of you may well know...I do much of nothing at work (it ain't my fault...shoot), so I'm FORCED (and I'm not happy about it either) to search endlessly, tirelessly AND aimlessly (all the lessly's you can think of) for new blogs to read and boy what a journey.

I've come to the conclusion that some people REALLY don't EVER want people to read their page, because I REFUSE to believe that there is MORE then ONE person out there who cares sooooooo much about unicycling to dedicate an entire blog about it...and WHO'D GO THERE... Seriously, I LOVE to hear the sound of my own fingers hitting the keys to transfer my thoughts into the blogsphere, but for the love of...unicycles (in this case) WHO ELSE CARES!!!

Well like they say..."one mans trash is another mans treasure," so I guess when I decide to throw that one useless wheel out for trash, someone's hoping and wishing and praying for it to just roll right on over to them so they can FINALLY build that unicycle ("I wan't to ride my unicycle, I want to ride my bike...I want to ride my unicycle...I want to ride it where I LIKEEEEE"...UNICYCLE...UNICYCLE) sorry...I got alllll caught up in the moment.

That made me realize that I DO care that at LEAST ONE person would be intrigued enough to read my words...but for sake of argument, if you started a blog page about something you just KNOW nobody else could/would or should care about but CHU... what would it be...seriously and I REALLY shouldn't be asking this question because I DARE not answer it myself...LOL, but you guys can go crazy on it. (I hope this post didn't come off mean...it's just jokes...lol)

It Ain't All Right, But It's Ok!!!

2007-06-13T12:51:00.000-07:00

This post in an open Thank You to God. I've been faced with so many challenges from times past and even today, but I'd have been lost without the Lords lead. When I didn't know better He taught me right from wrong and once I learned and still didn't listen, He reminded and forgave me.

I owe You me, because I can't give anything greater then my whole self...and that's the least I can do.

My gratitude is daily, my day starts thanking You and my night ends thinking of You, and how I can be of better service. I marvel at the fact that I've not been taught this way of life by my mother or father, yet, I know...and I know because YOU'VE caused me to know...before the world was formed, you knew me...you knew the mistakes I'd make OVER AND OVER AND OVER AGAIN. You knew how many times I'd leave You, while knowing I'd return. I'm a slave to You and I never want to be anything else;while I adore You as my Lord, You love me as a child and friend. You amaze me,everytime I blink an eye you've done something wonderful within my life. Father, I can't say enough...I can't tell enough people. I love You because I've tried You...because You've spoken to me, comforted me, protected me, loved me, raised me, saved me, wanted me, blessed me, taught me, chastised me, talked to me and listened to me.

I can go on forever; I praise you in my mind...in my spirit...in my very breath. I'll stop now, but Father, I pray that every reader of this particular page finds a place for You in their heart. I pray You touch there ever need right this moment, I pray that as the Holy Spirit has prompted this post, that He also falls fresh on whosoever will let Him in and that those who don't know come into knowing:
"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have everlasting life." (John 3:16).

Then Peter said to them, "Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit." (Acts 2:38)

I continue through my day as You lead me Father and I pray you continue to remove everything in me that's not like You and replace it with Your good and perfect ways...in Jesus Name I pray...Amen!!!

SKIPPED PART 2, BUT HERE'S PART 3

Just a lil more B-man

2007-06-12T14:15:00.000-07:00

Lo, got me all hyped up on the B-man even MORE...and since there seems to be so many who've not experienced the reality of him...I'ma give just a lil bit mo..."When Will You Call" (I'm not going to talk about these lyrics, but I've highlighted my favorite verse)

3 in the morn' tossing and turning it's late.
Just can't rest waiting for the phone to ring.
Will you call ring my phone girl
I hope you did not forget me
I can't sleep and I can't eat and I won't until I hear your
voice
When will you call?
Three days ago rolled over to an empty bed
And I went to the bathroom and your toothbrush wasn't there.
Where's your clothes and where's your shoes
Got to start a new life without you
I can't sleep and I can't eat and I won't until I hear your
voice
When will you call?
No notice no letter you just packed your shit and left girl
I deserve better
I treated you like no one else
How could you, you know I loved you and I thought this was true
now we're through
What I'm gonna do
Gotta start a new life without you.
Now we're through
What to do
Got to start a new life without you
When will you call...

Waiting for ya call
Waiting for ya call
Waiting for ya call, baby
Waiting for you to just sing a word in my ear and let me know
that your hear forever.

Call me! Call me! Call!
When will you call.
For I've been worried 'bout you all night for a long time.
(Call me...call me...CALL! When will you call?)
Get up and pick up the phone and let me know where your at.
Let me know what your doing. Now were through. And I'm without
you.

(this is actually a bad video, but you can hear him singing the song)

OHHHH... HE LOOKS SOOOOOO UMMM WITH HIS LOCKS CUT OFF TOO...(LOL) man, I'm tempted to post the lyrics to me and lo's OTHER fave...'SOMETIMES'...WHOA, but Ima let you check him out for yourself.

Lyrically Affected #2 (I LOVE IT)

2007-06-12T09:17:00.000-07:00

I love this dude (he'll be here next week...I might have to sell something so I can go see him...LOL and not a part of me silly's) LOL! This is the way a King Loves a Queen....everything everything about it I loves it...
(i'm skipping the oohh-oohh stuff) and get right to verse 1:

When I look at you
What I see is my future wife-to-be
Only God Himself
More important in this life to me

-those are some of the most powerful words a King could utter to HIS Queen (if you talking to any other you just a slimmy dude...not a King) verse #2:

You've been there for me
Nurtured and cared for me
Never left my side
In you I can confide

-WOW... we all know how good it feels to hear someone acknowledge and appreciate your goodness...to be the best friend and confidant to your mate...I Love It!!! chorus:

Love it (I love it)
Love it, love it (Everything about you)
Love it (I love it)
Love it, love it (Hey, good and the bad)
You know I love it (I love it)
Love it (Can't imagine life without you)
Love it (Oh...)
Love it, love it

-THIS IS LOVE..."good and the bad" if you claim to love me...you're loving it all. "Can't imagine life without you" it may sound like an obsession, but those that know KNOW... it's just the fact of love; verse 3 & 4:

Give me peace of mind
Conversations be so soothing
disagree sometimes
But it only shows were human

Cause I'll take one for ya
like you would the president
The love I have for you
one couldn't even measure it

-I'm serious affected by these words people...they are something else. To be and love a person who's able to sooth your thoughts with there words and presence...is magic and to understand imperfectability and still 'take one for ya'...UMMM! last verse:

And your love make this life worth livin'
Give so much of yourself and you keep on givin'
Givin' me everything I need
Baby, what more can ask for

-I can't say anything about this verse that hasn't already been said about the birds singing softly in the trees or the orange splashes in the sky as the sun awakens. What I will say, or what I love most about this song is that he's not just in love with some women...and singing about her...he's in love with a Good woman a Queen and he describes every reason for his feelings...he's giving her what she deserves and I Love, LOVE, LOVE, LOVE, LOVE, LOVE, LOVE IT!!!

Here's His Story

Bread For The Hungry

2007-06-10T16:41:00.000-07:00

Ok...that title might be somewhat misleading, but it's a Knewday and nothings the same (here in my mind) LOL... so ya never really know. This little challenge came about because I'm the most frugile of all my friends and they're always laughing at my shopping habits...yeah, I'm a no frills queen...I've told my sons a millions times..."Don't pick up ANTHING that has a commercial." People say being a single parent is hard, but I think it's only as hard as you make it...and I thank God I'm so, well...resourceful; I can do wonders with $5. So it got me to thinking how you guys would do with only $5 to spend on food for a WEEK... yup...that's what I said...here's the challenge:

It's Sunday evening and you've already eaten dinner, but you've got NO food and only $5 until Midnight Thursday (when your direct deposit kicks in).

Figure out how many meals you're going to eat per day, where you'll shop and what you'll buy.

You can have ONE item from the following groups already at home:

Group A:

1)Flour

2)Sugar

3)Corn Meal

Group B:

1)Ketsup

2)Mayo

3)Mustard

Group C:

1)Milk

2)Bread

3) 6-Eggs

Since money doesn't care how many people you have to feed...neither do I (LOL...kidding) but the size of your family doesn't matter...you've got to make that $5 work wonders, but I'll say, if you have kids...they can have LUNCH in school...but need to be feed breakfast and dinner...NO EXCEPTIONS.

Let's see how you guys mannage your lil-bit-a-dolla's

FYI, I'VE ADDED A NEW BLOG FEATURE AT THE BOTTOM...UPCOMING EVENTS!!! I get a lot of emails and I don't want you guys missing any good stuff...SO CHECK IT OUT!!!

Black Men, PLEASSSSSEEEEEE get it RIGHT!!!

2007-06-08T10:06:00.000-07:00

OK, this thought came about when I was on ms. behavin page, she there told of how this youngin tried to come at her in the WRONG way...I was so irked I decided to do a post about it. I'm going to do a lil Do/Don't step by step guide to approaching a WOMEN (based on what I like of course)

1) DON'T CALL HER SIS OR SHORTY/ DO observe your 'prey' (y'all know I'm silly, so don't be mad) and base your approach on how you preceive her to be...ie, if she's walking with a business suit on, you'd betta come in a very professional way, but PLEASE no over kill. (actually I think ALL women should be approached with the same respect, but bottom line, know the object you're desiring and base the approach on that.

2) DO know what you want...men (black men, since that's all I know) will stop and talk to ANY AND EVERY woman they see; that's soooooo unattractive. We KNOW we've not been in eye-shot long enough to have caught your attention...but the fact that I'm a female was enough (huh) and then those who wait till you pass, get a look at cha booty then decide to yell for you to give them a minute...PUNK, I'm giving you ONE second and it's already GONE...

3) DO be tactful...DON'T be tacky....(real simple) PLEASE PLEASE don't try to 'keep it real' because that's WRONG... you don't know me well enough and do you REALLY think you saying..."girl when I saw you, my (BEEEEEPPPP) shot to the roof...I'm just keepen it real; we're both adults!" is impressive... NO, apparently, there's only ONE adult present and boo-boo, it ain't chu.

4) DO be creative...it's ok guys, we KNOW you've got it in you. This initial stage of meeting is the most impressional...this is what determins IF and how we're going to take you...don't waste those precious moments being stupid, bland, and boring....tasteful humor USUALLY works on most women.

5) DON'T approach as if you're applying for a job...YES, you're trying to get our attention, but there's no need to come with this: "I've got a job, my own crib and no kids"...who decided that to be the criteria for the perfect man...NOBODY, YOU'VE BEEN DUPED, GO GET YOUR MONEY BACK.

6) DO act like I'm worth your time...don't rush this meeting if you don't have to. Take a good FIVE minutes AT LEAST to find out if YOU even want to be bothered with this women by asking the pertinant questions before hand...ie, "Are you single and would you be interested in exchanging numbers...I'd love to get to know you over dinner." OOOHHHH... I'm bout to date myself... (and I typed those words in a real sexy voice too yall) LOL.

7) DO ask to see me later that day...(real personal...I love that) plus I'm usually bored. lol, but I really do think that shows some serious interest, but PLEASE don't be pushy...which brings me to my next point...

8) DON'T be pushy...(lol) persistence is ONLY good with Job searching...LOL, seriously...I HATE IT... is't so desperate looking...don't settle. If you're getting attitude and the 'fast walk' bow out gracefully..."Ok, I'm sorry to bother you...have a good day" NOT... "WELL FLUG YOU DEN B@#$%"... that's just not nice.

9) Do try to be on the same well, level...sorry, but if they look like they've got at LEAST a job and you know you've NEVER had and don't want one...try to understand that we can see and pick up on that too...so recognize that you might be wasting your time (sorry!)

10) Do be considerate when approaching women with children...we might not want our kids seeing all that, so please be discrete about things.

OK... those are my majors...what do you guys think?

Random

2007-06-07T13:07:00.000-07:00

Man, I'm so broke I'm about to go spend the last $11 in my account...like...FRIG it... might as well get a meal.

Ok, random question...

If you were stranded on an island somewhere and found a delicious looking sandwich but there was reason to believe it may be poison (YOU DON'T NEED THE REASON) would you eat the sandwich to prevent yourself from starving?

yeah, I know this might be a dumb question but this is what happens in my office when it's well...Thursday.

"Excuse Me Mr. West"

2007-06-07T05:46:00.000-07:00

I really didn't have anything to post today, but what the heck...I'm addicted, so I make up topics...LOL.

Anyway, it wasn't long before my mind reached my soul and uncovered this longing...the longing for leadership. I usually assume the lead role, probably because I'm always running my mouth and since I'm SOOOOOOO funny (LOL) people usually get a kick outta hearing me talk, but I LONG to follow, to serve a GREAT leader, but I've been looking around for 32 years and THERE IS NONE, well one...I LOVE MR. WEST (Dr. Cornell West) ...he is everything I've ever missed. This first time I saw him speak was a couple of years ago, here in Philly and I was in awe...everything about that man is amazing...it was like a school-girl crush...and I was CRUSHED OUT!!! I was so emotional (and I'm NOT a very emotional person, just ask the men I've dated...lol) but I just couldn't contain myself...here's a little something I wrote while walking home after seeing him:

the first time I heard you I’m ashamed to say it wasn’t long before it was. I sat on the edge of my seat in the bar with a window and about 40 people between us; captivated by your style of delivery my stomach swirled in anticipation of your next word; drowning the miscellaneous activity around me in the overflow of your intelligence, as you spoke the thoughts I dreamed of hearing… accentuating my blackness… bringing a lump to my throat as you stirred my soul. A reincarnation of things past in an era of dying futures… you awaken me… returning what I’ve known, but practiced being silent about; I was renewed by the words I heard from you the first time.

I've got an old soul...so I've been told; I'm my grandmother's mini-me, so I've always been held captive by the greats of our past...the "stronf" (anon...lol...can I borrow that...LOL) they exhibited...such power has been missed from our race for far too long...we are truely the lost generation...but I pray a change comes soon.

Who's a REAL threat to your relationship?

2007-06-06T06:34:00.000-07:00

I saw this article on Yahoo yesterday and HAD to post it. I'll have my comments in red

The Co-Worker

In most work settings, your partner has maybe hundreds, probably dozens, or at least a few opportunities to develop good relationships with people who could be potential lovers. In most cases, those relationships are more innocent than baby lambs. Still, the average office has high potential for trouble, because it's where your partner will meet people who think alike, who battle crises side-by-side, who work in close quarters, and who have the opportunity to really get to know (and admire) each other. While it's crazy to obsess over every person your partner works with, chances are that if you have a gut feeling about a lurking somebody, there may be something to it.

Potential Threat Level: 4 stars (out of a possible 5)

- ok this is serious business...because I'm really close with a male co-worker who's married and at one point I think his wife was uneasy about things so I told him she needed to meet me to ease her mind, because women KNOW who's after their man (if she's paying attention) and if she's still not comfee...we can't be tight...bottom line.

The Drunk Stranger

Potential Threat Level: 1 star (unless...)

- this should NEVER be a problem, unless ya dude is a down-right out-and-out dirty dog...in which case...you need to be outta there ANYWAY.

The Ex

Tough one. Some of us want nothing more to do with our exes once we break up. And some of us keep have our exes as our desktop background for years after the split. Since we're very sensitive about the status of the ex (according to national surveys I did for Men, Love & Sex, 20 percent of us think that searching the Internet for an ex is cheating, for example), we all know the stakes. We know that our current partner used to find something attractive about the ex-so we're vulnerable to feeling as if we'll never live up to that prior history. While hooking back up with an ex is tempting, most of remember exactly why we broke up in the first place. Novelty is the greatest temptation toward cheating, and that's one thing an old flame can't offer: the lure of something new.

Potential Threat Level: 2 stars

- not a high level on this one, but I'd say watch and KNOW your mate on this one...how deep did they feel for that person...was he/she the 'one' that got away...who broke up with who and WHY... and are there still feeling involved???

The Opposite-Sex Friend

Drives you crazy, eh? He meets her for coffee every week. She IMs an old college buddy a few times a month. The opposite-sex friend lurks like a hungry wolf, ready to pounce at the next opportunity. While I'm convinced that men and women can both be very good at drawing the line between friendship and romance, the truth is that it's pretty darn easy for a long-lasting friendship to turn into a secretly burning romance. In the aforementioned surveys, one-fifth of men say they secretly love their platonic friend, with many more secretly lusting after them. That doesn't mean that your partner can't have opposite-sex friends, but it does mean that as the friendship grows, so do the odds of trouble.

Potential Threat Level: 5 stars

-DING-DING-DING...RING THE ALARM ON THIS ONE...OOOOHHHH... DANGER, DANGER, DANGER...LOL. (ok, so it should be evident how personal this is and LOOK AT THE LEVEL) All I'll say about this is, If you're mate has a 'friend' of the oppisite sex they BETTA become a friend of yours TOO and if NOT...they're OUTTA HERE. Seriously, I'm not saying you have to hang out with them, but they shouldn't wait in the car while she/he's in the house...what's wrong with them coming in and speaking to you?!?!?! HUM, the eyes are the window to the soul people...they reveal so much...you need to get yourself around that friend...watch how they interact with YOUR mate...bottom line again...PAY ATTENTION...(maybe I'll share my story regarding this ONE DAY) lol.

JUST TO INSPIRE

2007-06-05T08:42:00.001-07:00

I wanted to make sure you guys didn't miss this special blessing...special, because I typed the words Peace Be Still in the comment of another bloggers page and song flooded my mind, so I found the song...the Holy Spirit is all over this...and has fallen afresh on me. I've made this a daily feature on my page (Just To Inspire) which I've mentioned three times already, but so what...be blessed and enjoy.

Morning Ramble

2007-06-05T05:46:00.000-07:00

Ok... things are going to be real random this morning, because they're at least TWO pressing things I'd like to touch on.

1) WHY DON'T BLACK PEOPLE CARE???? I woke up to the news that we'd (Philly) reached it's 171st murder LAST night, ALL having took place near me. One man was killed in a Rite Aid parking lot over a PARKING SPACE. WHY PEOPLE...WHY DON'T PEOPLE CARE ABOUT LIFE. Bill Cosby came and spoke to the residence of West Philly (where Will Smith was born and raised...on the play ground...SORRY, got caught up). Mr Cosby walked 11 blocks talking through the streets, but I get the feeling people were just coming out because it was Bill Cosby and not to take in what was being said. THE MADNESS CONTINUES.

2) STILL WONDERING WHY BLACK PEOPLE DON'T SEEM TO CARE!!! I was on the bus this morning and this guy was sitting in the back ARGUING AT THE TOP OF HIS LUNGS WITH HIS GIRLFRIEND ON THE PHONEEEEEEEEEE (sorry for all the e's, but I was FURIOUSSSSSSSS...sorry). I mean this dude was off his rocker and didn't seem to want to get back on. DUDE...GET OFF THE BUS BECAUSE YOU'RE AN IDIOT AND YOUR EMBARRASSING THE FRIG OUTTA ME (since we share skin-color). -sidebar- I just noticed the word ASS in embarrassing (you guys be quiet...I'm not that smart ALL THE TIME) lol. I was wearing my headphone listening to Rashan Patterson's first cd (loves it) but I could STILL hear this dude acting like a NUT-JOB and he didn't even care.

AND STILL THE MADNESS CONTINUES...

THE ORGINAL

2007-06-04T12:14:00.001-07:00

Ok, because I love the Clark Sisters and I've always loved this song...I think it's only right that I also post their version of the song "Endow Me"...enjoy it.

Just to Inspire

2007-06-04T10:46:00.001-07:00

I JUST checked her gospel cd out and it's off the hook (Coko from SWV) You know this imeem takes a long time to load, but IT'S SO WORTH THE WAIT... be blessed with it's hearing.

FYI, this is a remake of the old Clark Sisters classic of the same title...

Don't Knock the Hustle #2 (Independent Promotion)

2007-06-04T10:45:00.000-07:00

Ok, you guys may remember the last post of the same name and the hustles that were seen on the Subway, well we're riding that train again boys and girls...next stop... Independent Promotors.

I was riding the train minding my business when a young lady walked through the car, stopped in the middle and began her announcement..."Good evening everybody, my name is --- and I have a new R&B cd out...if you like neo-soul styles like, Jill Scott, Musiq, Lauren Hill and Common, then I'm sure you'll love my music...it's possitive and there's no cursing, so even the young people can enjoy it...I have copies here for only $5"

Now, I sat there annoyed as I am by most of the people selling stuff on the train, but I thought about this young lady as a talented artist; these train hustlers can be so unnerving you just drown them ALL out. But, then all these questions ran through my head; is she really doing herself a service with this form or marketing?...how serious will she be taken?...is this a serious and legitimate way to handle your business or just another fly by hustle?

I thought about the other artist seeking to get into the entertainment business...will they see this as a quick and easy mode of promotion and decide to follow suit. Now, I know there were different opinions on this subject before and I'm sure this post will be no different or will it? When it comes down to serious business should it be handled in a serious manner or is this hustle method serious enough?

I'M SO BORED TODAY...

2007-06-01T11:56:00.000-07:00

that I'm doing another post...well posting another, since I don't have the pleasure of taking credit for writing this, but I've had it for some years, I'm sure it's been seen before, but please do enjoy it again.

LORD WHY DID YOU MAKE ME BLACK?
Lord, Lord,
Why did You make me Black?
Why did You make me someone
The world wants to hold back?

Black is the color of dirty clothes;
The color of grimy hands and feet.
Black is the color of darkness;
The color of tire-beaten streets.

Why did you give me thick lips,
A broad nose and kinky hair?
Why did You make me someone
Who receives the hatred stare?

Black is the color of a bruised eye
When somebody gets hurt.
Black is the color of darkness.
Black is the color of dirt.

How come my eyes are brown and not
the color of the day-Light sky?
Why do people think I’m useless?
How come I feel so used?
Why do some people see my skin and think I
should be abused?

Lord, I just don’t understand;
What is it about my skin?
Why do some people want to hate me
And not know the person within?

Black is what people are "listed",
When others want to keep them away.
Black is the color of shadows cast.
Black is the end of the day.

Lord, You know, my own people mistreat me;
And I know this isn’t right.
They don’t like my hair or the way I look
They say I’m too dark or too darn light.
Lord, Don’t You think it’s time
For You to make a change?
Why don’t You re-do creation
And make everyone the same?

God answered saying:)

Why did I make you black,
You have the audacity to ask?
I did not do it as a joke,
Or as some cruel task.

Get off your knees and look around.
Tell Me, what do you see?
I didn’t make you in the image of darkness.
I made you in the Likeness of Me!

I made you the color of coal
From which beautiful diamonds are formed.
I made you the color of oil,
The Black gold that keeps people warm.

I made you from the rich, dark earth
That grows the food you need.
Your color’s the same as the panther’s
Known for (HER) beauty and speed.

Your color’s the same as the Black stallion,
A majestic animal is he.
No! I didn’t make you in the Image of darkness
I made you in the Likeness of Me!

All the colors of a Heavenly Rainbow
Can be found throughout every nation;
And when all those colors
were blended well,
You became my greatest creation.

Your hair is the texture of lamb’s wool;
Such a humble, little creature is he.
I am the Shepherd who watches them.
I am the One who will watch over thee.

You are the color of midnight skies,
I put the stars’ glitter in your eyes.
There’s a smile hidden behind your pain,
That’s the reason your cheeks are high.

You are the color of dark clouds
Formed during my strongest winters in December.
I made your lips full so
When you kiss the one you love...they’ll
remember.

Your stare is strong; your bone structure,
Thick....to withstand the burdens of time.
The reflection you see in the mirror...
The Image looking back at you is MINE!

So in answer to all of your questions,
And to forgive you for all of your flack;
These are the reasons, I THE LORD

Made you SO BEAUTIFUL AND BLACK!!!

STEP AWAYYYY FROM THE P-NIS

2007-06-01T05:55:00.000-07:00

I think this post is a good follow-up to yesterday's Dating Me...since it lays out a 12-step program to rid yourself of option #2 (the booty call). Now, this was prompted by a conversation with a friend in which I hoped outloud for at least 12 steps to ridding yourself (myself...whatever) of lust...here goes:

1) Admit you have a problem - if you consider it a problem you want to rid yourself of

2) Talk about it - tell people want your up to, knowing might help them help you.

3) Get rid of all the booty-call #'s (did that)

4) Birds of a feather flock together, so you might need to get with some new b's (birds

5) Be carful what you're taking in- Porn, suggestive readings, tv and even music could be a problem.

6) Dress the part (ladies), there's no sense in temptime men by showing them what they can't have.

7) Spiritual Cleasing - The Bible is the ONLY thing I know that will save your mind and keep you focused. Meditate on Philippians 4:8 and STAY PRAYED UP. Tell the Lord what you want to do...our minds are bodies are far to frail to accomplish this alone...Call Him into this situation and He'll never fail.

8) Stay busy...endulge in all your favorite things (NO MASTURBATING EITHER...SO NASTY); we all know what bordom will do...and idle hands do the devils works.

9) Cut out any substance abuse...don't really need to elaborate on that one.

10) Stop flirting so much, yeah, I know it's hard, but it can lead to other things, so watch your words.

11) Date sensibly, this is probably the biggest and easiest mistake to make. I know you don't want to confine yourself into the drab existence of social isolation, but do what you're going to do REALISTICLY, if you didn't enjoy sex you wouldn't have to go through all these steps...so don't put yourself in ANY situation that will test your will to its limits. Date and go home...none of that sitting in the house stuff.

12) FINALLY - SAY IT...MEAN IT...AND STAY FOCUSED... I'LL BE PRAYING FOR ALL THOSE WILLING.

I'm sure MOST of you guys will have laughed histerically at this, but I wasn't meant as a joke...so seriously (stop laughing...LOL) GET TO WORK.

p.s. this really isn't a debatable issue it's something I'M working on and decided to share with whosoever will.