Thursday Thoughts

SANJAYA.....why? Yes, I know, some folks are just voting to keep him in because it's funny to them. So not fair to the people in the competition that can actually sing and to the people that have to listen to him week after week. VOTE NO.

LOST...BEST SHOW ON TV. PERIOD.

I downgraded from Star.bucks to Dun.kin Don.uts....LOL. Hey, I am saving an extra $1.50. That's good right? Progress is progress.

Refinancing my house....not fun at all.

401 K....if your company has this and you are not participating, you need your azz kicked.

Still have not purchased whatever I am wearing to the reunion. Keep changing my mind.

Getting ready for the Big Taliban to turn 5 next Friday. I can't believe it! I remember when he used to think Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles was Teeny Tiny Ninja Turtles. Awwww. Now he's all grown up. I just bought him some roller skates.....shhh!

Taliban 2 has started saying "Hi MOM" when I walk in the door. Who does this baby think he is? LOL

My mom fell and fractured a rib. DAMN. I will have to post that story tomorrow.

I just got some beautiful flowers from a client for doing them a favor. How come I never get flowers from my husband? **sigh**

That's okay though....they cost too much and I would much rather go shopping. (see how well I rationalized that?)

I wore a dress to work yesterday and men must like women in dresses because every single man I passed made it a point to smile cheesily and say good morning, good afternoon, How U doin, hi beautiful and Pssst...shawty, come here for a minute. WOW.

I Confess....

Last night I was at the Justin Timberlake concert. Shhhh! Don't tell anyone.
I got free tickets from my job, so a whole crew of us went for free in the skybox suite. I am never one to pass up a free ticket.

Pi.nk was the opening act. Since she's from Doylestown, PA...she's pretty much a Philly girl. So the crowd showed her some love. She was actually good. Her body is amazing and at one point, she was hanging upside down from the ceiling like a Cirque du Soleil act. I have a newfound respect for her. I just don't think her songs are that great, but she can sing.

JT was great. The kid has style. He can dance, plays the piano and guitar and put on a heck of a show. The staging was incredible. Very futuristic/high tech.

But the best part of the show was the 30 minute interlude where Timbaland comes out and breaks down the history of pop music from Michael Jackson to Nine Inch Nails. The beats were incredible. (sidenote....Tim needs to lose a few pounds)

All in all. It was a good show. The free Bacardi and pineapple juice was pretty good too. :)

The best part of the night was people watching. Nothing funnier than Europeans dressed for a concert. I saw more H.A.M's (Hot azz messes) than I could even count.
I lost track of the official HAM tally. LOL

And we tried to count Brown folks....I saw at least 50. And they knew all of the words to the songs. WOW.

Anyway, if you want to check Mr. Timber.lake out, do so....he put on a good show.

PEACE!

Pimpin ain't easy....

The warm weather is upon us, finally! This is your friendly reminder to get it tight before you start shedding the clothes for the summer. No crusty feet, ashy elbows....moisturize your situations. If Taliban 1 can get his debonair on, so can you!

Let me Upgrade you....

Opra.h is famous for her Favorite things show....well I am going to do my version of 1969's favorite things today. It's Friday and going up to 70 degrees. Blah and Mr. Slish are back to blogging, so I am inspired and happy.

1. Bare Escen.tuals Makeup



Ladies, if you like looking flawless (like you have no makeup on, just perfect skin), then this is the Holy Grail of makeup. I get compliments on my skin all the time. It has SPF to protect you from the sun, it leaves your skin healthy looking and is just the best foundation/powder I have ever used...ever. I can't say enough about it.

2. One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez




I read this book almost ten years ago. I am still fascinated by Marquez and his writing. It is a story about family, love, hate, lonliness and redemption...set in a mystical village and centered around one family. The way he uses words to convey a feel, the atmosphere and the magical nature of the story is inspiring. I love this book.


3. Tar.get



Now anyone that knows me knows I love to shop. You may think that given the choice...I would spend a day at Bloomingdale's or Saks? You'd be wrong. I LOVE TAR-ZHAY! Yes, I confess. I could spend hours in one of these stores (and have). It's an obsession. Where else can I get my Sec.ret Vanilla Sparkle Deodorant, Rafe Bag, $20 swimsuit , home accessories and a power ranger for the Talibans? It's like heaven.

4. Donny Hathaway



Since Hip Hop is DEAD....and we are all waiting for the Maxwell release, Black Summer's Night to hit the stores...reacquaint yourselves with a classic. Donny Hathaway sings, no let me correct that...he SANGS with conviction. The pain and emotion in his songs is incredible. He is one of the greats. Take it from me, someday we'll all be free! Cause we're alone now....and I'm singing this song for you. Just get it. You won't be dissapointed.

5. Toronto



If you are looking for a great destination that isn't the typical "Miami" weekend, try Toronto. This city is like a spotless New York. Great culture, Diversity, Fabulous Restaurants, Great Shopping and a short plane ride (under two hours from Philly) on the East Coast. Even better, go for Caribana in August. Shouts out to all of my T-Dot posse!

6. and lastly....technically, these can't be my favorite's because I don't actually own a pair but a girl can dream, can't she?

We interrupt this Blog....

I have so many single friends that are good women. Beautiful, intelligent, great careers...sometimes I am amazed at the lack of brothers stepping up to the plate.

The chickenheads that I know (and yes, I know some) are never lacking for male companionship.

Now granted, their standards are probably slightly lower but still.

I remember being single all too well. I believe the sage, Chris Rock, said it best..."Married people are bored and single people are lonely. You can never win."
I was lonely. I was searching. The men weren't measuring up.

Finally one day, I gave up. Yes, you heard me....I GAVE UP. I decided to stop waiting around for a man to complete me and I set forth on a mission to complete myself. If I felt like going to dinner...I went. Even if I was alone. I went to the movies alone. I would sit in Border.s and drink cappucino's and read poetry...alone.
I treated myself to trips with friends. Took chances. I did things that made me happy. What I found out was that I did't die when I was alone. **gasp**

Hell, I was better company than most dates. When I did start dating again, I grew standards. Now you had to be a better date than I was. If I was out with you and the date had no chemistry or sucked...I was okay saying "Goodnight" and going home to a good movie or book. If you started spitting some game and I recognized it, I got the hell out because that would only amount to time wasted when I could have instead been with ME! Eventually, I lost the "desperate pushing 30 Black Woman" shroud I had been carrying.

It wasn't easy but I had to learn to love me. After all, I was a catch.

So when I hear about my beautiful sisters struggling in the dating world....I feel you. I want to go out and round up some good brothers for you because I KNOW they exist. However, I say forget about them for a minute. Reacquaint yourself with that fabulous woman in the mirror. She's sexy, intelligent, funny and sweet. She likes to do numerous things. She is hard working and would love for you to spend a little time with her. Forget the men and fall in love with yourself. Trust me, when the men realize they have to compete for your affections because of all that love you are giving yourself....they will have to step their games up.

Force them to treat you better than you can treat yourself. They can do it. No one is making them do it.

This has been another 1969 public service announcement.

1969's Blog Awards

You ever enjoy some blogs so much that you don't ever want to tell people? You want to keep them all to yourself? LOL

I come in every morning, have coffee and saunter over to read my favorite blog shenanigans. I am awed by the writing of some of you. Inspired.

Today I am actually sharing my favorites! I present the 1969 blog awards for my favorites....no links though....I am too lazy!

BEST WRITING
Miss Ahmad and Dallas Penn

BEST WEB DESIGN
Eclectik

FUNNIEST
The Brutha Code, Always.Funky.Fresh
Sister Toldja and Four Four

MOST HONEST
Zed and Royce's Daughter

MOST ADMIRED FOR THEIR TALENT
Hooks and Needles
Shake Your Beauty
TriniGourmet

PEOPLE I WANT TO HANG OUT WITH
(All of the above PLUS...)
BklynDiva
There's No Place Like Home
Boston Zeta
G.Mo
The Budget Fashionista
The Makeup Girl
Young, Black and Fabulous

Congrats to all of my favorites for making me stay awake at work everyday. I love you guys!

The Circle of Life

So I am basically one month away from my trip to Trinidad. I am going home.

Every one needs a vacation. Absolutely. For me, vacation is all about eating a bake and shark at Maracas Beach and watching my father play with his Grandson's. Moments like that make me feel as if my life has come full circle.



Walking around Queen's Park Savannah and drinking fresh coconut water and eating a roasted corn....I feel at peace in the place where I was born.



This week's theme seems to be about Spring. New life, cleaning house and letting go of negativity. What better place to do all of that than at home with Family? Make Spring your time for getting back to what matters, recharging your spirit and getting rid of the stuff in your life that doesn't really matter. Come Full Circle.

To Whom It May Concern

I hate people that play games.

I am not a stellar example of humankind, but I am honest. I am the person you have come to know by stopping here. If you ever met me, you would know that I am an exact representation of what you read on this blog.

When I encounter people that like to play games, or want to manipulate others for their personal amusement...I have no time for it. I'm too old for games. I have a life and my time is valuable.

I don't appreciate spending my time getting to know someone and then it turns out, they are phony and manipulative or worse, have ulterior motives.

It's funny that people that think they are getting over on someone, typically are lonely, insecure folks that end up all by themselves, wondering why?

I love people. I love getting to know people from all over. I tend to reach out to people constantly. I befriend them. However, never mistake kindness for weakness.
I am a Cancer. The Crab. We will snap when least expected and it won't be pretty.

So to those of you wondering who in the hell ticked 1969 off today....rest assured, it wasn't you :)

And if you are reading this and feeling a smidgen uncomfortable...do some soul searching.

I'll be back to my sunny, pleasant self tomorrow. I promise!

Spring Cleaning

The advent of Spring always makes me want to reasses my life. Am I following up on the goals I have set for myself so far this year.

I have been doing much better with making healthier choices. I gave up red meat and pork last year and have pretty much committed myself to it. I don't miss it and have been able to stay on track. It's pretty interesting that so many people have asked me "Why did you give it up?". Kind of like, "Did you turn into a muslim or something?" LOL I gave it up because I feel healthier when I don't eat it. I love steak, don't get me wrong but I feel sluggish after I eat it. Since my new seafood and chicken shift, I feel like I have more energy. So far so good.

I have been working out consistently. I realize that I need at least three days a week in the gym...PERIOD. Once I get in there and run or lift weights....I feel so much better. I have been maintaining this one so I am pretty happy. I plan on running a 5K this Spring so I am on track to do it.

Here comes the bad part. Spending money on frivilous items. I sat down with my financial planner...Mr. 1969...and have decided (or was told) that I spend way too much money on frivilous crap. So after my first instinct to defend myself...I listened. Perish the thought, but he is actually right. There are small things I can live without and save $$$ in the process. So I may have to say goodbye to my Starbuck.s habit at work. I spend about $5 there a day. You do the math. I always looked at it as my treat to myself every morning....which is fine...but that is way too much money to throw away when I am in house renovations. So I may have to buy a bag of Starbucks and brew it at home and down a mug before I leave the house. Way more economical.

I also resolved to try and sit down with the kids more and do work with them every night. Taliban 1 is pretty much a genius. We spent so much time with him when he was younger (before Tali 2 hit the scene). He can already read small books and speak almost 100 words in Spanish. He knows all of the planets in the Solar system, can count to 1,000 and is an all around smart kid. He will be getting tested in a few weeks due to the urgings of his teacher....but they are only going to tell us what we already know....he's a smartie.

With Tali 2, I am trying to make more time to sit with him at night. He's a bright kid but with two of them, I barely have time to breathe when I get home. The routine has been off. So I am resolved to get back on track with my evening home schooling.

How are your resolutions coming so far this year?

It was all a dream....

I used to read Word Up magazine
Salt'n'Pepa and Heavy D up in the limousine
Hangin' pictures on my wall
Every Saturday Rap Attack, Mr. Magic, Marley Marl
I let my tape rock 'til my tape popped
Smokin' weed and bamboo, sippin' on private stock
Way back, when I had the red and black lumberjack
With the hat to match
Remember Rappin' Duke, duh-ha, duh-ha
You never thought that hip hop would take it this far
Now I'm in the limelight 'cause I rhyme tight
Time to get paid, blow up like the World Trade
Born sinner, the opposite of a winner
Remember when I used to eat sardines for dinner
Peace to Ron G, Brucey B, Kid Capri
Funkmaster Flex, Lovebug Starsky
I'm blowin' up like you thought I would
Call the crib, same number same hood
It's all good

Uh, and if you don't know, now you know.......RIP Notorious.

Writer's Block Part Two

Since I really want to write but have no idead what to write about....I am fielding questions from the masses. Ask away. I will answer everything truthfully.

Happy Wednesday.

An old school azz whoopin....

Who needs one?

*The individuals( and their parents) who decided it was cute to teach the two year old and the five year old how to smoke trees. WTF?

*Ann Coulte.r (Let's see if rehab can cure her homophobia)

*Every Urban radio station in Philadelphia. I counted 7 spins of "Poppin" by Chris B.rown during my workday yesterday. SEVEN. S-E-V-E-N

*Britney Shears. When K.Fed starts to look like Father of the year....damn.

*My coworker for wearing pink stockings to work today. *sigh*

*Anyone that saw that old actors gone biking movie this weekend.

*My son (and he got his) for writing his name on his leg with a Sharpie.

Happy Tuesday.

For the Lovers Only

This ain't for the ones
That just love for fun
That just love and run
that just hold the gun
This is for
Those that bleed

It's easy to forget when you are busy. When you are in the boardroom, or chasing kids, it's easy to block it out. When you're wrapped in your husband's arms, the memories get blocked out too.

Sometime's there are night's like this. The quiet nights when the kids are asleep and the husband is out of town. When my world slows down and I'm left with nothing but my thoughts. My heart.

The memories come flooding back. The laughter, the love, the loss overwhelms me.
I sip a glass of wine, look at pictures, listen to the songs that form the soundtrack to the beautiful movie we could have made. The one where we rode off into the sunset, happily ever after.

this is only
For Lovers only
lovers only
Strictly for the lovers only
Who are lost and lonely

I remember us. I remember you. I remember every single detail with the clarity of a child.

It's only when I'm alone that I allow the memories to catch up to me. I allow myself the time to miss you. Will there ever be enough time?

Ever since the way you looked at me
love is not a want
love is now a need

This is if you want to hold me
Or for lovers only


Time is supposed to heal all wounds. I just can't give myself the time. I belong to someone else, I have responsibilities that need my attention. I keep running. Making myself busy.

I have to keep busy. I don't have time to stop for pain.

Strictly for the lovers only
Who are lost and lonely

For the Lovers Only-Maxwell