Is it just me, or am I the only one growing frustrated with some of the comments posted by "friends" on LJ, Facebook, in class, or wherever you chose to hang out?

Don't get me wrong, I love a spirited discussion, and the world would be a pretty boring place if we all agreed on everything...but it's the willingness to defer to ignorance that has me ready to spit fire.

And let me say this...I don't care if you are Republican, Democrat, Independent or voting the Green Martian ticket.  I can respect that even if I wholeheartedly disagree with you.  But these folks that claim to be undecided...at this late date?  I'm calling BS and labeling them as attention whores.

Yes.
I.
Said it.

I mean, what is there to be undecided about that you feel will be suddenly revealed in 3 weeks?  Are you waiting for a divine sign as to who to vote for?  Or are you simply waiting for that last bit of juicy dirt to get dealt before you decide on who would be the lesser of the evils?  I simply do not get it.  Personally, I think that folks claiming to still be undecided are more than likely leaning one way versus the other and just either don't want anyone to know which way that is...or they like to give the impression of still "considering the issues/candidates" to make the best decision possible.

:-/

Maybe...but again I doubt it.  Get off the fence already!

I do know that as the days grow closer to the election, I am much more prone to picking up my keyboard and pounding out some strong opinions regarding a lot of the silliness that seems to be cropping up more and more.  Worse are the people who continue to turn a blind eye to the fact that Americans are being treated like morons who can't recognize BS and code speak when we hear it.

This is too much.

Yes I know I'm rambling. 

And I probably won't stop ranting until well after the election.

Consider yourself warned.

I drove down to Toledo this past Sunday to attend the Obama rally.  It turned out to be really beautiful day.  After going back and forth as to whether or not I really should go, I decided that this may be a once in a lifetime opportunity...even though the laundry is backed up..and I had no groceries in the house...and the kid had yet to do his homework...and I was sleepy...and I was going to have to drive for over an hour...and so on and so on.

So after I beat back every excuse I could come up with, I finally got my butt in gear and was on my way.


So that was my day.  I'm looking forward to the March 4 elections.  It should be interesting.  I am so excited to have an election where we can truly get involved and feel hope in our hearts.  Last election for me was just full of despair and indifference.  

What a difference 4 years can make!

 

...being 200 pages into a REALLY good book.

...kicking it with family and friends.

...my good friend Hopper visiting for the weekend.

...heated seats.

...feeling sexy.

...getting a pair of Ralph Lauren boots for $10.

...running at top speed...with your lover right on your heels.

...the perfect shade of blue.


What's your happiness?

Annoying person in my office (APIMO):  "I see you're rockin' your 'strong black woman' hairdo today."
Me:  ::blank stare::
APIMO:  "...but it looks GOOD on you!"
Me:  "Uh huh"
APIMO: "So call me so we can go out to lunch, okay?"
Me:  ::gives fake smile::

Seriously people, for real?

IT'S JUST MY HAIR.  IT'S NOT A POLITICAL STATEMENT.

Last year I made the conscious decision to stop chemically straightening my hair.  I thought about it for a long time and I decided that I was fed up with the upkeep, ready for a change, and really concerned about the long term affects of altering the natural state of my hair.

I now wear my hair in it's natural state.  Sometimes twisted.  Sometimes in a curly crown on my head, usually pulled back with a headband.  I like it (which is what matters most.)  I love my hair, and so do most people.

So the fact that I let my hair do what it does (groomed well of course) translates to me somehow sending a message to the world that I am not to be fucked with?  For reals?  You got all that from my hair?

I could see if it was spiked, or shaved into a mohawk, or going every which way but neat.

And...just...

::sigh::

Forget it.  It doesn't even matter.  

I've no time for this ignorance.

So...cheers!


  
(me and valkyrias on nye)

This letter is to my wonderful friend Hopper. Happy Birthday my love.

I cannot begin to express how blessed I feel to have such a wonderful friend. It was just the other day that I sat and really considered just what it is you mean to me. It seems as though you came along at a transitional time in my life when I really was in need of a friend. You seamlessly filled that void, and for that I am truly grateful. You were there for me when there was truly no logical reason for it. So many times, you saved me.

If ever I had to define unconditional friendship, your face is the one that comes to mind. You are so kind, giving, and loving. Never judgmental , and always there to lend an ear. You are my sounding board and one of the most supportive people in my life. My own personal cheerleader. My one man pep squad. You know the most hurtful of my hurts, the most shameful of my shame, and my most secret desires. You're the person I tell, when I'm too bashful to say. I can tell you everything, and not be ashamed to look you in the face afterwards. You are my secret keeper.

And I never truly realized until now.

My spiritual wonder twin, though physically we appear to be polar opposites. 600 miles could not break the connection. I love the fact that 10pm on Wednesdays, I know exactly what you are doing. Other times, I know the song you are humming in your head. It's almost creepy how that happens. There are fleeting moments where we share time and space.

And though there are things that we may never share, there is one thing that remains constant and true. You have always had my back. Period. Never flaky. Never wavering. I cannot say that about any other friend that I have. My theater buddy, my laundry partner, my shoulder to cry on, my home away from home.

As you celebrate another year of your life and look onward to the next, know these three things:

You are cherished and wonderful

You mean the world to me

And I love you dear, Richard.

Happy Birthday

Tonight is Detroit Synergy's popular supper club and we will be dining on French-American cuisine..at Cuisine!

I'll be hanging out with angiej and other synergizers. I'm anticipating a night of good food and good conversation.

In case you're interested, here's the menu for tonight:

• Assorted California greens with Mandarin oranges, candied almonds and strawberry juice -or-
• Trio of cold soups - gazpacho, carrot and English pea

• Roasted Norwegian salmon with lobster risotto -or-
• Roasted beef tenderloin with salsify potato salad and green beans -or-
• Melange of Vegetables - A "virtual tour" of Chef's vegetarian culinary creativity.

• Assorted Sorbet

Personally, I think I will go for the California greens and the Salmon/Lobster risotto main course.

The diet will be shot to hell for the day, but whatever. I'm eatin'!

...but I will be on the treadmill tomorrow.

 

 

My good friend angiej and I found ourselves in ghetto heaven this past Friday night as TVOne aired the beloved cult classic "Sparkle."

 

This urban tale of triumph over adversity, heartache, young love, and finding your voice has enchanted and inspired young African American girls throughout the years and prompted our interest in girl groups.

We so love this movie that rarely do we take the time to examine the things that are so messed up about the movie.  Instead we sing along to the familiar tunes and stare wide-eyed at the screen until the final credits roll.

For me, this last viewing was different.

Although I absolutely enjoyed the movie as I always do, I was really disturbed at how the movie's characters treat the less exotic looking sister Delores played by Dwan Smith.  Delores is proud and smart, but were it not for a few powerful bits of dialog and one plot forwarding scene, she'd disappear into the wallpaper never to be noticed.  Sparkle (Irene Cara) is so enamored with Sister (Lonette McKee) that she barely gives Delores a second glance.  Sister hardly acknowledges her at all except to be mean to her. 

Delores resents her mother's job as a domestic so much that she doesn't take the time to appreciate the sacrifices that her mother has made for her daughters or the pain she feels for them.  Mamma appears tough but never exercises the tough love that just may have helped things turn out a little better.

Lonette McKee rocks as Sister oozing beauty and confidence.  Everybody loves Sister , nevermind the fact that she's probably far from being the most likeable character in the film.  If we are to keep it real, we have to admit that Sister is conceited, selfish, and money hungry.   Truth be told, she didn't even have the most melodic voice, but we suspended that truth because we like her so much.  Sister is so seduced by the scent of money that she takes up with Satin the neighborhood drug dealer.  The sucky part is that he's her boyfriend's boss, he keeps her doped up and regularly uses her as a punching bag.  As long as he buys her nice things and parades her around on his arm everything's all good..and thus her demise.  In spite of all this, Sparkle still adores her.

Delores exits the movie with a great speak, but nothing more.  We never learn what happens to her.  She's a no-show at the movie's major tragic scene nor at the end.  I always imagined that she got an advanced degree and was off being a doctor or lawyer somewhere.  That way, I don't get so mad about her invisible treatment in the movie.

Stix and Sparkle are our hero and heroine....good through and through.  The good looking couple fall in love and all is as it should be...or is it?

If you've seen the movie, then you know what happens, if not..then you need to rent it.

Despite its flaws, "Sparkle" will always a be favorite of mine.  A movie in which we learned all the songs on the the soundtract simply from watching it so many times.  This movie represents a part of me and for that reason, I will always race to the TV to see it when it airs.

I know the ending is a little far fetched and the plot holes are a little jarring, but it will forever be a favorite of mine.

Stix: "I'm looking for a singer."

Sparkle: "Haven't you heard?  This family's fresh out."

Classic.

 

Today was my brother's graduation day and I couldn't have been prouder of him.

Here is a guy who took the nontraditional route, got interested in his education slightly late in the game, and made the necessary decisions to get himself on track. The reward? A Bachelor of Science degree in Urban Planning. Go Little Brother!

The featured speaker talked about the sacrifices that are made in the pursuit of a college degree. Not only the hard work of the graduate, but the contributions required by the people who care. This got me to thinking, it takes a village to produce a college graduate.

I know there is no way that I could have done it alone and the same goes for my brother.

For all the late nights, study sessions, and killer papers that I churned out, there was my mom stressing over my financial aid and tuition so that I could stay in school long enough to get that precious piece of paper.

There was my dad making sure I kept my health insurance until I was able to get a job with benefits of my own.

There was my then-boyfriend's parents who let me stay with them on the weekends so that I could get away from the rowdiness of the dorms and spend time in the place where I was most happy since my own family was too far away.

There were my friends. My TRUE friends who provided diversions and good times to keep me from going completely insane.

And then there was the rest of my family - Grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, my brothers, etc. who kept me motivated and made me feel like I was the smartest person in the world, capable of achieving whatever I put my mind to. They never failed to encourage me.

I feel I've never thanked them properly or conveyed my gratitude. I love them all so much.

And even now, as I prepare to receive a Master's degree next week, I think about how much my loved ones have helped me succeed as a college student. The encouragement, the babysitting, the patience.

Without their help, higher education would have been difficult at best. Impossible very likely.

Today I wondered what of those who aren't blessed with the support network that I've been fortunate enough to have. What happens when there is no one to circle around you to help you achieve your goals?

What of those others like me?

It takes a village.

Think about it.

Once upon a time someone tried to befriend me and I rejected her. I did this because it wasn't cool to be her friend, and the worse part of it is, I wasn't a kid when this happened. She offered her assistance and in her own way, I think she was also offering her mentorship. We went on museum visits, she gave me dishes when I moved into my very own place (which I still use to this day), nominated me for an award at work, and confided in me. I didn't even invite her to the housewarming party.

I wasn't a friend to her when she probably really needed one. And this I so regret.

I hope that she has found friendship and the self assurance that she so desperately sought and needed.

And I'd like to think that I am a better person now.

I IM'd her a while back and thanked her for being a wonderful person in spite of the way I and others treated her at times. I also told her how sorry I am for having been too immature and cowardly at the time to stick up for her and appreciate her kindness.

So now I am left to wonder as a strong believer in karma...

Who will reject me?

Has this debt already been paid?

Today was my first attempt at Christmas shopping for the season. Not too bad. I knocked out 4 gifts. I spent too much on myself though, which is always the case with me and Christmas shopping.

Mom and I had a great day and spent some quality time together which was wonderful. I always enjoy shopping with my mom. She's such a fashionista.

***********************

I read NY City Hopper's journal yesterday. Poor thing, he's really going through it.

Hang on in there baby. I hear ya loud and clear.