One More Time

Acupuncture was undoubtedly one of the most horrible experiences of my life, but I think I'm going to try it again. This time in the US. With my new workout regime comes pain and with my massage therapist on sabbatical, I'm looking for relief.

Last time I was able to compose myself only for AJ's sake but I'll be alone this time. The probability of extreme profanity usage is high.

I'm depending on Yelpers to help me choose a spot in DMV. I'll report back soon.

Michigan is screwed.

This is devastating. #thatsall Thanks Nhate Backwards for the link.

So Fabulous

Last weekend as I hibernated in my cave, I watched a marathon of Kimora: Life in the Fab Lane. To be honest, as I always am, I never really like her and for no particular reason, but after about eight episodes - I'm obsessed!

She isn't as obnoxiously girlie as I imagined and the hood in her appears to be REAL and not just because she was married to Russ. Sorry, I was assuming.

All in all she is great. Beautiful, ambitious, dedicated to her children/family and she knows how to get things done. The show was a tad melodramatic with every single project having a crisis moment of "is this going to happen" but it kept my attention.

So one thing that really put her up there with my all-time fave, Heidi Klum (mental note: why haven't I blogged about her yet?), is that she is involved with her kids. We, the viewers, know that they really do exist and that she actually sees them. This is very unlike all of Bravo's baby mamas, divorcees, jump-offs...I mean Housewives. They have four nannies for one child and they are unemployed. I don't get it at all. Maybe we see KLS' kids because they are all adorable and will undoubtedly have amazing futures. I'm not calling anyone else's children ugly...i'm just sayin'.

Her other characteristic that won my take-no-ish heart is that she doesn't take any ish. She likes things done right and she will speak her mind.

Waiting for the *tori-beef,* here it is...

The new KLS skincare line, Shinto Clinical, is suppose to be about real women. Too bad I wasn't her tweep back then, I surely would have submitted my photo for entry in her model search, but I digress. So, I'm annoyed that this line is suppose to be about real women, real beauty and when I go the landing page for the coming website...LIES. Kimora is sooo airbrushed.

One, unquestionably she is beautiful. Two, if I'm having to come to grips with not having a 17 year old's body anymore then so should she. Three, don't be a hypocrite because I've just watched nearly 10 episodes of you...all of you...double chin and wider nose included. On the Shinto webpage...Kimora is reaching wayyy back and it made me disappointed if you haven't noticed.

I'm glad she has moved on from babyphat because i'm not big on wearing clothes with huge brand names plastered everywhere. I'm really looking forward to the FABULOSITY she brings with KLS.

Smooches, Kimora. Sorry for calling you out.

It’s time for a SOS

 

Ask TJ Maxx, Neutrogena, and Simply Orange, I'm a brand loyalist. I like being able to depend on certain brands for items that I purchase on a regular basis. CVS Pharmacy use to be that spot for me and my unneeded makeup purchases, last minute purchases and of course, my go-to pharmacy. For years, I've turned my nose up at rivals Walgreens and RiteAid  because CVS was that deal, especially with the pseudo "I'm saving money" rewards care card. I could always depend on clean, organized stores equipped with competent staff trained in customer service, but not anymore. CVS is signaling to customers, like me, that they are in major distress. Ironically, the pharmacy giant is popping up on corners all across the country with a nice, big and bright presence, but it's enter at your own risk these days. From pure filth and junkiness to horrible customer service and always understaffed pharmacies, I'm finding myself wanting to jump ship.

 

I feel sorry for the elderly everytime I wait in long lines to pick-up or drop-off my prescriptions – some of them can barely stand. My irritation has reached a new height and until Walgreens opens locations in DC, I'll be driving to greener pastures to shop at CVS' that are still smooth sailing.

Spring Siesta

Spring break use to be about maximizing time out of school with parties, drinking and socializing. Back when MTV was cool, I couldn't wait to watch all the festivities like Rock 'n' Jock. In undergraduate, spring break was automatically vacay time in Florida. That was then and this is now. Now I'm in the midst of my plaguing  "25C" (quarter-life crisis) and my enthusiasm for spring break has been infected. As I left campus the other night and realized that my spring break had officially started, all I could look forward to was being able to get in bed before 11pm for an entire week. It was a SAD conversation on the elevator. Listening to young, talented, and completely drained women (no men made this ride) speaking of their exhilaration for some R & R and that doesn't stand for Remy & Rosé.

What have we done? Is grad school that tiring or are we just lame? Have I allowed myself to get that run-down and "old" that early bedtimes now excite me? Quite frankly...yes, yes and YES!

Sleep is an amazing thing (especially for people with FM) and I welcome it in its longevity. The thought of being in bed, watching my full DVR and having the option of slumber before Oprah re-airs at 1:07am brings joy to my soul.

Give me a break. It could be worse. I could be savoring the week for ironing and color-coding my closet.

Imported from Detroit: Enough Said

Chrysler inspires and defends Detroiters all over the nation with Superbowl ad...



Never ashamed. There is no place like home. #detroitstandup

Black History Month

I get high blood pressure every February when big corporations and news conglomerates adhere to their social responsibility duties and run Black History Month (BHM) campaigns. My problem with this is the topics and people they choose to cover.

I can already see a month full of BHM specials on MLK, Malcolm X, Oprah, LeBron James,Lil Someone and of course the Obamas. But what about other history makers? Ones that our children don't read about online everyday or follow their tweets, history makers that don't have Facebook fan pages.

I'm a girl who has always loved the arts so here are some people/things to Google:

Douglas Turner Ward - A Day of Absence
Aida Overton Walker
Freedom's Journal
Lorraine Hansberry
Nikki Giovanni (because I recently saw her speak and she is amazing
Black Arts Movement
Veronica Webb (Wanted to be her growing up)
Mildred Taylor (fave writer as a youth)


And here is a NPR story that I recently read, Black Models Celebrated as Runway Revolutionaries

Act of kindness for the ladies

I stepped out of class for a restroom break and as I approached the toilet (sorry, is there a more lady-like term?) there was a make-up bag on the hand rail. I assumed some chick had forgotten her collection of Revlon, but to my surprise it was an "aunt flow" kit. There it was packed with all the essentials, different brands, sizes and forms.

If this was intentional, I applaud the good samaritan who has pity for all of us who never has a quarter on hand when the need is there.

Kudos to her.

Material Status

Unlike Madonna, I've never really been a "material girl." Let me be clear (in my President Obama voice)...I LOVE clothes, shoes, purses and other useless material items but I'm not big on brand names. I could care less if it's Juicy Couture, Gucci or Mossimo. I shop for quality, comfort and a bargain. But ladies and gents there is one brand that I feel like I need to purchase in order to reach a certain status level. This may be completely due to my 248 upbringing and I think I notice it more since my trekking around 202. The point is I haven't "made it" yet and I won't until I purchase a damn Northface.

Back in the day it was Starter jackets that gave you status but I have no clue how much those cost. I'm willing to bet it is no where near the hundreds that a Northface costs.

I am happy to report that my 5-year-old niece, K-Geezy, has reached this level thanks to the bargain I found at TJ Maxx over the holidays (but her size is always cheaper - she had an advantage).

I start my second job next week and you better believe I'm saving my pennies in order to be suited in Northface come next winter. What's your status?

Love and Other Drugs

SPOILER ALERT:
Jake Gyllenhaal and Anne Hathaway got me to thinking the other night when I saw Love and Other Drugs. By the way it was cute flick - your ordinary romantic comedy (with a whole lot of intercourse - long way from Princess Diaries for Anne). Moving on, it got me to thinking about when you spill the beans about having a chronic health condition in a courting situation.

Unfortunately for Anne's character he learned by being sneaky and a peeping tom, but how soon is too soon to disclose your health issues?

I'm not talking cancer or AIDs, but maybe Lupus, Parkinson's, Multiple Sclerosis or in my case Fibromyalgia. Something that effects your daily living, but it isn't necessarily noticeable. I've taken the don't tell at all, don't tell until we are official, don't tell until he can't fathom why I can't get out of bed approaches and I still don't know when the time is right. It isn't exactly the easiest condition/ailment to explain.

So that was the first thing the movie got me thinking about. Second, I was scared shytless by her defense mechanism. I could totally see myself in her because at times it's much easier to do shyt to make them leave you alone then to allow them in and take the chance of them resenting you for becoming your care taker.

Love and drugs, I can't live with or without them.

Save the Best for Last

I'm such a hopeless romantic and this episode of A Different World gets me every time. (Don't mind that the sound doesn't match the video...you get the point). Now, I would like to think that when I walk down the aisle that I won't be hoping another man is coming to interrupt, but Dwayne's appeal goes from 0 to 60 in about .03 seconds when he says those two words, "Will you..."

Football: Love it or Leave him

This is not Derwin, Malik or Jason. And it isn't those pitiful women who aren't actually football wives either. This is real football young ladies and you better learn to love it or live with it if your man is a fan.

So, if you have plans to stick around here are some suggestions: 1. Learn the game...it isn't rocket science. 1a. I'd recommend learning on your own and asking questions to men you aren't interested in 2. Plan to take a nap or have regularly scheduled "me-time" while the games are on 3. Don't make a man choose between you and his football 3. Don't expect him to stop watching or watch less once you become official 4. Grab a glass of wine and a book and do you, but do it on the couch with him 5. Unless you are on the verge of death or child birth - don't expect much out of him until the game is over

There is one more game tonight and then it's the SuperBowl - you know, the Sunday that he may actually invite you to a football watching party. Good luck!

Packers vs Steelers...let's get it!

Diversity

As I attended yet another "diversity dialogue" just a few days after our nation celebrated Dr. King's birthday (can only imagine what he is thinking in that photo), I couldn't help but wonder "when will we stop talking about diversity." This particular event was sponsored by a leading global PR firm and addressed the state of diversity in the industry. The panel was made up of talented, successful and knowledgeable African-American professionals. I listened, I laughed, I doodled and I got on Twitter when they lost my attention.

In my opinion, these panels are preaching to the choir. The audience is made up of starry eyed students, hopeful young professionals and somewhat jaded experienced practitioners, but those aren't the people that need to hear that diversity is needed. In my opinion, all the non-diverse people that were sitting upstairs in their offices and cubicles should have been/should be the audience at these panels.

We, the minority, we get it.

When will they?

Wish list

Today's browsing...

And for the upcoming move...

How To...

I'm in the process of writing a series of "How to" books. Here's what I'm working on so far:

How to slap the shyt out of the acupuncturist without causing further harm to yourself

How to react when your shoe collection is under water

How to be polite after the 5th different call from a HR rep saying "you were the best, most qualified, but we've JUST NOW decided we don't have money for this position at all"

How to convince Dish Network that a flood is a natural disaster and reason for breach of contract

How to remain sane when you decide to go cold turkey off your medicine because it made you gain weight

How to tell your parents that you want to drop out of school and become a dog walker

How to convince people from the DMV that hangers and brooms aren't meant for snow removal

How to switch insurance companies when you find out renters insurance covers everything but what happened to you


The series is still growing. Stay tuned.

Holy Boobs!

I finally took a hint from friends and suitors that it was time I go for an updated bra fitting. And whoa, what an enlightening experience. It was a relatively quick and painless appointment, but it sure wasn't cheap. Like majority of women, I was wearing the wrong size. But I will say that I think my last measurement at Victoria's Secret must have been done by a new girl because there is no way I've grown that much.

After trying on nearly 15 bras to determine what size these girls really are...I felt absolutely compelled to make a purchase. (fitting appointment is free 99). With this new size comes a new price range and this chica will no longer be throwing the latest polka dotted selection in basket when I was only suppose to be at Target for some body wash.

45 minutes, two cup sizes up, and $200 later - I felt like a new woman. The feeling of a new, properly fitted bra was refreshing. I almost wanted to walk down Pennsylvania Ave. showing off the new lace.

The sad part is that tomorrow I'll have to go through my intimates collection and prepare to donate all the cute and colorful bras I've collected over the years (mostly from Target - love love Gilligan and O'Malley). What I won't do is give up my now too small 100 ways bra from Victoria's Secret. That thing is still amazing.

Ladies, do yourself a favor and get fitted! You'll feel like a Pretty Woman...walking down the street =)

Young Invincibles

It's been 11 months and 2 days since I moved to the District in the pursuit of "happiness" aka "fulfilling employment and higher education." It's the last day at my temp gig and I'm headed out in 13 minutes to interview with (from what i've read so far) an amazingly relevant organization that I would love to work for.

I hadn't heard of them (they are also very new, founded in Sept. 2009) until the posting came thru my email, but immediately their mission struck a chord.

"Young Invincibles is a new group of 18 to 34 year-olds across the country who are committed to making sure young people are heard in the debate about the future of our country. Our campaign will tell the truth about how the current system fails young people, dispel the myth that we don’t care about health care, and add our voices to the millions of Americans demanding change. You will be hearing a lot from us in the weeks and months to come. http://www.younginvincibles.org"

In the last 11 months and 2 days - you can only imagine how many times I've gotten and lost insurance because I've been working temporary jobs. I've had to fight insurance companies to get reimbursed for my $400 prescription, to get coverage at all because of my preexisting conditions. As a matter of fact, Henry Ford Health System Billing Department likes me so much - they call me everyday to see how i'm doing.

The point is - this young organization run by young people for young people is relevant and should be heard.

I hope to help them make their mark...

Off I go to be interviewed...wish me luck.

My President is Black

My President is black, and black is typically beautiful but WTF? This pic posted on The White House blog shows President Obama looking tired and beat down. I'm very unhappy with this graphic selection. #thatsall

Courtship 2010, part 2 – Who pays?

Talk about drama. This issue is so touchy and it should absolutely not be.

FELLAS – I don’t care if it isn’t 1964. I wouldn’t care if it was 3022. No matter what year it is, you should always be paying for the first three dates. No discussion. Now where some of you go wrong is you take these females to five star steakhouses on the first date and then complain that she is too high maintenance. Don’t set ya self up for failure because she is going to, as she should, expect that level of treatment from there on out. McDonalds isn’t acceptable but a decent mid-range restaurant is the way to go. And oh, if you are dating a chick like me – don’t assume because I may have mentioned staying in shape that I’m going to order the soup and salad. I like to eat. I like to eat a lot. So if you are thinking steak, I’m probably thinking lobster with a bite of your steak on the side. If you are digging this chick and after the first three dates with absolutely no question about you paying for the first three, homegirl should at least be offering to get the drinks or tip. If she doesn’t keep it gentlemen like, pay the bill. After that you have options. And just because you were buying, doesn’t mean she needs to be paying (don’t act like you don’t know what I mean). No meal is going to impress me into rewarding you with the goods.

LADIES – When the check comes, don’t get timid. Remain calm and let him reach for his wallet. Now, if he just looks at you and doesn’t pick up the bill– then reach for your purse and say it was real and then dip. Don’t ever consider talking to a dude who isn’t paying for the first date. But also please don’t walk around singing I-N-D-E-P-E-N-D-E-N-T if you aren’t open to the idea of paying for a night out with the guy you like after the first three dates. A real independent woman always comes prepared and offers. Some say a true gentleman should never accept the offer, but I think that depends on the level of your courtship. And don’t feed him that BS about your time being valuable because his is too. There is always another hungry female waiting for her opp and you might have just lost out because of your Vivica Fox having attitude.


Men paying for the first three dates is considered a basic to me that doesn’t go away with time. Here are some other basics that baby boys of the 80s seem to forget:

Open the door and let her walk thru first

Open the car door (If everything weren’t so high tech I’d remind ladies of the “Bronx Tale” rule on this one)

Let her order her food/drink first (This really really irritates me)

You walk on the outside of the curb (Go find a daddy and ask him if you don’t know what I’m talking about)

If she is driving and you stop for gas…you are expected to pump it (not pay it)

Don’t pull off before she gets in the house

If she is leaving your crib at a walk of shame hour – see her to her car

August 29, 2010 - Will she be back?

What young girl was changed by Lauryn Hill's first solo album?

The Miseducation was probably the first album I really LISTENED to. My virgoness kicked in back in '98 and I became obsessed. I wanted her hair, her lipstick, her swag. I wanted to be her.

The obsession eventually tinkered down to an admiration for what I saw as a young and wise black woman who represented what it meant to stay true to yourself.

I've seen L. Boogie live twice, and every opp I get, I'll see her again.

So I was elated when Rock the Bells announced she would be on the tour and in DC on August 29th.

I could have cared less about Whitney's comeback, but this, this right here, I'm on pins and needles waiting for a new album.

Listen to her interview on NPR's All Things Considered here... http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=128149135