Tha Brothers

I know I know...brothers you are probably thinking "oh no, not another let's bash the Black Man posts" but you know what you couldn't be any further from what this is all about...

Everyday I make my way to work via the METRO (I know, I know but let me finish) and everyday, I am truly intrigued by the variations of beautiful brothers that I see.

From the three piece suit wearing brother...Clean cut, dressed to the nine.
To the earthly brother, rocking the dreads and LRG
To the khaki pants and polo shirt wearing brother
To the around the way brother with his New Balances, chill blue jeans (most likely GAP) and a plain white tee...

Note: I know that there are plenty of brothers that do NOT fit any of the above and can be any varition and/or combination of them all...but that's just too much to try to write...so I kept it simple...aw man...tha brothers....

All of them just beautiful in their own way.

Despite what the media/public opinion/society in general would have us to believe, regardless of the stereotypes that WE place on our brothers ourselves...
All of our men are NOT locked up
ALL of our men are NOT dead beats
ALL of our men are NOT infected with HIV or a STD
ALL of our men are NOT on the DL or gay
ALL of our men are NOT liars, cheaters, and adulterers

I am a true believer that the Black Family is NOT dead...not yet...not if I (or my generation rather...here is a prime example) have anything to do with it...

There are plenty of intelligent, spiritually centered, honest, faithful, strong yet loving, firm yet caring, Black men in the world! Right here in our area...there just has to be

Its not easy being a young woman of substance to be found by a young man of substance...(that's right a man is supposed to find a woman)
In fact my girlfriend (sister I should say) just had a conversation the other night about how our older male family members have stated that they actually feel "sorry" for us, because we have it "too" together, and thus will more than likely intimidate most young men our age...

Well (and I take a deep breath as I say this) I am just not ready to give up on my brothers yet, especially here in DC where I am from...I believe that there are young men out there who are together, have it together, who won't be intimidated and who will love me as Christ Loves! (Giving more than he receives...true love is about giving of yourself, all of you, with no expectation of receiving the same in return, and in return that other person does the same thing...its one big circle of love...deep huh?...yeah it is)

I had a lot to say but my mind is going faster than my fingers and I didn't get home fast enough from work (off of the train) to get out all that I was thinking...

I am sure that I will revisit this topic I am sure again...

BET Awards 2006

So I am currently baby sitting (my little mini me...she is pretty good)and watching the BET Awards...There was some awesome fashion and some not so awesome looks
I thought that I would write what I have seen thus far...

FIRST OFF, BE came out and represented with her man off the break...wasn't feeling the outfit, BUT she was getting it...good way to start the show

Damon Waynes..."hated it" I do NOT like him as the host

TI was good (even though it seems to be some technical issues)

WHAT...the cast of Good Times...even little Janet came out...she looks good...man what is her diet secret???
Kanye introduced Jamie Foxx who brought out my girl Fantasia...aw man what a KISS!

LeBron James won the athlete of the year award...you GOT to love that...

So far it ain't all that (I liked the Smiths show and Monique a whole LOT better)
Ok that little boy Chris Brown just came out...I don't really like him but OK...oh, here comes Mr. Young Carter....so I am actually loving the performance...

Ok here is my Monique...Love it...

& here comes me baby PRINCE...he just won best male artist...I am SOOOOO IN LOVE WITH THIS MAN!!!!

9:01pm
The Queen herself has just graced the stage...Ms. Mary J! looking FAB U LOUS o k honey! (everyone can NOT wear a jump suit...and she is rocking it, from the front at least, NS says the zipper makes it look cheap)
Sounding GREAT...hit a couple notes a little off...but she recovered it...and YES she its the rap...Brooke represented...and went right back to Mary J....
LOVED it over all!

Larenz looking good...
TI just won best male hip hop artist...I can give him that this year...he came with it...(but you all know I am in love with KanyeZ)

9:13pm
K. Cole looks and sounds good...Love isn't the easiest song to sing...she started to mess up a little, but she recovered...I am impressed...GET it Ms. Cole!

Here comes Diddy....not impressed at all...o k maybe a little...I liked the spot light thing...he let us know that TI had some tech difficulties...after he had his own...(Kil I sware you remind me of Diddy...LOL) Young Joc...this is my jam...what in de hell is up with the cuff though Joc...I can barely him rap...not loving it...not hating it, but I can hear the track more than him...makes you wonder if he knows his lyrics or not...not the hottest performance at all

OK Mary just won BEST Female artist...got to LOVE that!!!! She truly deserves it...you can really see how far she has come...

Alright here comes Busa Bus...I love my chick...ok will.i.am and Mrs. Jones...loving it...OH HELL NAW...the Touch Remix... Brooke (Mary J.), Rah Digga, Missy, Banks...man the ONLY person that isn't on the stage is DMX...man this is by far the craziest performance...Bus came out SICK!!!! BEST performance so far!!!Oh man its not over...aw hell naw EM just came out...CRAZY

Ok I am really NOT feeling Damon Waynes...

OK my baby (Kanye) and Jamie just won best duet...I really liked their speech...

Ok I am really debating if I am going to keep gong the whole show...

Oh wait a minute...is this that HOT MESS Vivica Fox... YES it is...WAIT a minute, for once she looks half way decent, besides the hair...and she sounds a HOT GHETTO MESS...she needs to get it together...learn how to turn it on and off sweets...David Banner got to love him, especially for all of his work in the South

Mary Mary look good as usual...Love the gowns...My mother loves this song YESTERDAY...They are taking us to church ya'll...

Jagged Edge needed to sing...they can look better than that...

Kick Franklin won for best Gospel Album...I can agree with that! Album was HOT! He looks good...crisp..."I want to Thank you Jesus, not with what I say, but how I live" you gotta love that...that is really what and how we are all supposed to live

I am loving Remy Ma's hair cut...its totally adorable...it really looks good on her...ok my hair is that length...I WILL be rocking that!

Steve Harvey...is a fool, a pure d fool! Love it, love it, love it....

Chaka Khan...won the Life Time Achievement Award!!! She truly deserved it!!!!! Through the Fire....
OK Busta...move over...Prince, Stevie and Chaka...I am in total awe...Sing the song Yolanda...(who is that bama chessing in the audience...man if I was there I would be too...I am losing it in my living room...) See that is why you gotta love PRINCE he is so awesome...and then here comes India...she done cut all her hair off again...but I am loving it...and she is showing her legs...she has a hittin shape...her outfit is hittin as wellsing with her PRINCE...Tell Me Something Good...sing Mr. Wonder...and here she comes...Chaka can still hit it...the music in this is just wonderful...Ya'll see her with her that outfit...GET IT!!!!! I feel for you...YES I am EVERY Woman

OK I am done! I can't top this...if they top this then...man I can't write anymore..its just too much its too much...

OK I am back...I couldn't stay away so much going on...so much to say...

Harry Belafonte truly has done a lot for not only our people, but all people...he deserved his award!

Ne-yo's performance was aiight...I expected more...

Here comes the two biggest corn balls on BET (the new hosts of 106 & Park)...the winner of the biggest fan award...he was tight...the young man brought up CHRIST and asked folks to accept him if they hadn't already...even quoted Romans...YOU GOTTA LOVE THAT...

Chris Brown won the Viewers Choice Award for Excuse Me Miss...and he brought Ne-yo, wrote the song...of course Chris didn't say that, on stage with him

I Love OUTKAST and that's all I am going to say about that...
Best Video...Its a TIE!!! WHAT!!! Oh wait...
Up first Mary J...she is the BOMB!!! Total classic!!!!
Here we go...KanyeZ!!!! and yes HYPE is the BOMB!!!! (and YES Kanye can wear Uggs you haters...Ma Jackie)
Jamie...Black, Black, n the black....

Now BET KNOW I got to bed at 11pm EST...and they leave my love, my favorite artist for LAST they are so wrong!!!

Its 10:56pm bump these commercials, BRING ON PRINCE NOW!!!

OK OK OK PRINCE IS ON...I have to give him my total undivided attention...oh my goodness you all see his dancers??? Prince keep them tight sisters, fo real...3121...I know that's right...play that guitar PRINCE...Oh my goodness...(its 11:02pm...now you know this love)
Is that it though? I wanted more...ok maybe there is more...ok will.i.am...with PRINCE on the guitar...I have seen PRINCE live so I know how he goes...

Overall the performances made the awards this year...BE, Busa, Chaka dedication, Mary J, K. Cole, and PRINCE top it off for me...TI (I think it could have been better if he didn't have tech problems), Jamie Foxx, Chris Brown, Diddy & Young Joc, & Ne-yo were OK (caps OK)
but my favorite moment comes from the Busa performance and the Chaka dedication....

HAM of the BET AWARDS...
COME BACK AWARD goes to EM! He has been through it these last couple of months and he came back with Bus and ended that whole sick performance....

BET is getting better with time, but the I will have to say that Damon Waynes did not do a good job hosting...

Well guys I am waiting on your comments...let me have it...agree-disagree its all love...I must say that I truly had a wonderful time commentating tonight...its now 11:13pm...Good night!

Take me out to the go-go....

I must admit that I am a TRUE Washintonian in most sense of the phrase...but TRUE to the HEART when it comes to fact that I LOVE Go-Go!!! As a matter of fact I remember that one of the things that made me want to be "grow-up" was the fact that I wanted to go to the go-go...

My First Go-Go EVER was at Suitland High School, my freshman year. Me and my girl SW went to see Backyard! Unforgettable!!!!
My favorite Go-Go bands:
1. Chuck Brown (got to start with the god-father of Go-Go)
2. RE (the original RE...man my brother is 8 years older than me so I was listening to them for YEARS)
3. Backyard
4. Groovers
Most recently
5. Shuttle Thoughts

Here is a must see throw back. RE in 1994. This was when going to the go-go was just fun. If someone acted up, yeah maybe there was a fist fight, but folks wasn't getting shot all up back then, or at least not on the regular like now (I feel sorry for these kids now, they can't even go to a go-go and have a good time...my mother KNEW we was at the Zulu Cave every Saturday night). Of course there was always one or two crews that went there to fight or start some mess...but for the most part, folks just wanted to have a good time!



Ok...now you KNOW that thing right there just CRANKED...Uh oh Head Up!!! you sitting there at your desk bouncing and moving like you done lost your mind hoping that your boss didn't come past!!!

And see all them bamas in that small little space HOT to DEATH and just having a good time...AWWW Bring Back the Good Ole Days...

Ok Ok let's get back to work...Shot out to Li for putting me on to this classic

PS Honestly I can't listen to it like that anymore...when I was coming up I could bang a tape (eventually CD) for hours and hours and hours, all days sometimes...
now give me a good 30-45 minutes and I am STRAIGHT for a minute...LOL

Ok I am frontin cause I can listen to this for hours! (Take it back to 1991!)

Rain, rain go away...

Most people are truly upset about the rain here in the DC area. Especially yesterday...because of the flooding it took most folks 2 1/2 to 3 hours just to get to work!!!! Now me personally...I wouldn't have made it...

So for me the rain took on another toll. I unfortunately was attending a funeral service yesterday. I must admit that I truly forgot just how draining funerals can actually be. Its like an emotional rollercoster. You are praising and thanking the ALMIGHTY for the life of the person, but then you are truly sad to see the person go. Its always a catch 22, especially when the person was as wonderful as "Grandpa" Henry was. He wasn't really my grandfather, but my god-sister's...I was always around though. Grew up with that family, so in a sense he was like a grandpa to me...
He suffered with cancer for 10 long years, so when it came to the end of it, I was ok with the fact that he went home to glory. I was able to visit with him about a month ago, he knew who I was and even tried to talk to me. So that gives me peace. In Glory he will not have to suffer anymore. So although its natural for us to be saddened by his departure, we can't be selfish.

So with that said...I guess even if it is raining, even if it does take us an extra hour or two to get to work this week (it is supposed to rain all week) let us just be thankful and grateful that we are ABLE to get up and go and appreciate the LORD for the natural gifts that he gives us...including massive amounts of flooding rains...let's just be happy to be here to see it, to see our loved ones.

Side Note: If you haven't thought about making arrangements for yourself and your future, please take the time to do so.

METRO...Part 2

I thought that you all might find this a little funny...
So you know that earlier this week I was speaking on the METRO and how at least ONCE a month there is someone who gets on that isn't "wrapped to tight.." and they act out. Well its official its at least ONCE a week I would have to say for the summer months!

I mean when it gets hot in the DC/Metro area, folks act up!

So this morning, my drive into the Landover Station was pretty cool...I was rocking Guy's first album, GUY and jamming...traffic on Route 50 was pretty light (which was GREAT since I left out the house late and wrong)...so I was like ok, commute into VA will be alright today.

[Side note: in the summer months commuting, either driving in or using public transportation, is EASY. I think its because folks are on vacation. This only adds to the already light Mondays and Fridays due to the federal governments rotational work hours....anyways...back to the post]
So we get to like what the Deanwood station, and I could tell when HE got on the train, its was about to get right on that Orange line train to Vienna.

This man starts yelling: Well, good morning, praise the Lord, how is everyone this morning? You all alright? God is good ain't he? (now of course there are a couple of people that are near him that are going to respond, he is too close for you not to, because on the surface this seems cool, no harm in asking folks how they doing...but when you do it with a druken slurrrrr at 8AM, that may throw some folks off) Well alright alright...since he is so good which one of you azzholez going to get up and give me your seat?

HE was dead serious...

I laughed, only a little to myself, and closed my eyes that was the end of that...the rant wasn't that bad, I have endured worse...didn't even last all the way to the Minn. Ave Station...

Did someone get up and give him their seat? I have no idea...He was behind me and I learned a long time ago, never look back on the train when there is drama...that can get your feelings hurt...

I just thought that I would share my funny morning experience....

PSS

So the Community Service Coalition of Prince George's County is sponsoring a Parent Solution Summit, tomorrow from 9am to 4pm EST. I have been asked to sit on the final panel for the day as a moderator. The theme of the panel is "Mom...Dad...are you REALLY listening to me." There will be several young adults (teenagers) that will actually be presenting their perspectives to the parents about this subject. It is my job to keep everything flowing, make sure that the youth stay within their time frame, and make the transitions from one panelist to the next.

Now, I have never been a moderator before. Panelist, yes. Presenter, yes. Workshop facilitator, yes. But, never a moderator. For me my biggest challenge will be NOT interrupting or offering my opinion to the audience (being that I work with you, I have a lot of insight to offer to parents, but that will not be my role tomorrow).

I really think that this type of summit is needed for parents to really get a grip on parenting. I tell the youth all the time, there really isn't a "book" on parenting, no child comes with instructions, and every child is different. So a summit that will give parents techniques on how to relate to their children, talk to them, AND listen to them is a wonderful idea. I will let you all know what happens tomorrow.

Glasses

So ever since I started my new job.
Well let me back up, I work for a non-profit trade association, as a research analyst. I do research with regard to market/consumer trends and policy for the vision market. YES, there is a lot of money and a lot of issues surrounding eyesight.
So anyways....
My boss told me last week that I am a squinter, I squint when I am looking at the computer screen. Then I began to get headaches, so I thought to myself, OK you know what I might need glasses. Wouldn't be the worse thing in the world to need glasses. In fact when I was little I needed them, and wore them proudly despite the fact that they were a brown plastic frame and I had bifocal lenses and was teased tremendously while in elementary school.
I eventually grew out of them and moved on.
And now in my mid-twenties I need them AGAIN! But this time its not that bad...
I have a slight stigmatism(sp???) and I need to wear them when looking at the computer all day and when I read or study...I can handle that, that's cool.

With all that said, there was one thing that I was truly embarrassed last night while seeing the doctor, and that was the fact that I hadn't gotten my eyes checked in who knows how long...I couldn't even remember, and I had to say that: "I can't remember, probably when I got glasses in the third grade!" and the eyes do need to be checked often. I realized that last night when I was getting all these tests done...man...check yearly, see clearly

Anywho, I got some pretty cool frames (and the lenses have all this stuff on there that matters, but I couldn't tell you what it is)...I wanted them to be seriously different looking (anyone that knows me knows that I like to be outside of the box) and I must say that I am happy with them.
They look something like this just to give you an idea: Black and Gray but rimless at the bottom...





Ok Ok...from that picture that don't seem to be that different but they are. They look something like that, but not really...LOL
Now all I have to do is wait until next week when they come back in and get to wearing them!

oh, but none of you will ever see me in them, they are just for work and my reading books at home...

The Metro

So every day in order to get to work I must catch METRO.
I will admit that our system is one of the nicer systems that I have been on (being that I have been on the train in Philly and New York) so I CAN say that for an urban market, METRO is pretty decent...
With that said, that is not what this post is about.
What bothers me the most about the METRO is that you actually see how much things have shifted in society and how much things really haven't.

1) men do NOT give up their seats. They do not get up for women, for children, for their elders, nothing...men just will not get up anymore. Now I personally don't mind riding the train standing up the entire time boucing from one end to another as I try so desperately to keep a firm grip of my stance as to not bump into anyone else, who is also pissed off that they have to stand up...but what does bother me is when I see an older woman, let's say my mother age, having to do the same thing and a man, just sitting there! That bothers me.
On more than one occasion I have given up my seat to one of my elders because I just don't feel right sitting down while they have to stand.

2) children/youth acting a fool. Now, in the summer time, its not as bad because they aren't going and coming from school. But during the school year, you can hear them yelling and cursing and just acting like they are the only people who are on the train. WHY? Its like they do not know any better. They kick their feet up, they swing on the bars, whatever you can think of, they do it on the train. And for what? I still haven't figured that one out. Maybe to let adults know that they are "bad" not to be messed with, but whatever the reasons, it urks me, I mean it really urks me. I have attempted to say something to them on several occasions, but they look at me as if I am the crazy one. They will curse you out in a heart beat and keep right on moving.

Side note: the fact that children (as young a 5 years old) are so loud and disrespectful is something that I will talk about in another post..."The state of our children" We have to do something about that...

3) People talking on the phone on the train (LOUDLY TALKING). There is nothing worse then you trying to get a couple of winks in on the train and all of a sudden you hear someone's phone begin to ring, and then they go talking. I don't know if folks think because they are on a train there is an echo...I don't know what it is but it seems like the majority of people who answer the phone while on the train yell....

3a) Those people that talk on their Nextel walkie-talkie on speaker! WHY in de HELL do you need to talk on the walkie-talkie on speaker, WHY???!!!! There is no need to do that, you can put it on private. And its not like they are just saying 1 or 2 things to the person, they are having a long drawn out conversation on the two-way (which urks me in general, they obviously have Nextel, pick up the phone and call them it won't take away from your minutes....seriously).

4) Every once in a while you end up on the train with someone who doesn't have it "all." Meaning they are yelling and cursing everyone out, singing a song, telling folks they going to hell, you name it they are doing it. Now when something like this happens, which is a guarantee to happen at least ONCE a month. You just try your best not to make any eye contact or laugh at anything that they are ranting about, because IF you do, PLEASE believe you WILL be their next target. They take no prisoners and aren't wrapped to tight anyways so its a thin line between them just saying crazy stuff and literally acting crazy on the train.....

so all in all I don't have to many issues with the METRO. I mean the majority of the time I am able to get a seat and am able to close my eyes. Every now and then (like on yesterday ride home) someone will sit behind me and start to talk about racism and how we are all just dumb bleep bleeps for falling for the "man" and yell at the top of their lungs "WAIT TIL MY BOOKS COMES OUT, 2 MILLION SOLD, YOU WILL THEN KNOW THE TRUTH" (how can it have sold 2 mil, but its not even out yet...OK, we'll get). And sometimes I have to hear children use language that only futhers stereotypes about a certain group and class of people...or have to give up my seat because a man won't for an older person...

but hey its either deal with that to get to VA to work OR drive...If I have to chose, give me METRO, the crazy folks, the loud kids, and them bamas that talk on their two-ways any day over the headache of DC traffic.....

My Acting Debut!

My debut was something kind of special to me...
Ok, ok, so I am not an actress or a "back stage" director

BUT last night for the Kiamsha End of the Year Performance I was all of those things...

It started (well my part started) with me coming out and yelling at the kids about not paying attention to me when I am trying to get them on the "bus" for the annual conference...
from there my partner (in the play and with the group she is the Assitant Director, I am the Director of the youth group...I will explain in another post) gets them all hyped up and ready to go and dare I say it we break out into a musical dance routine...(now I know what you are thinking, and yes I looked like a total HAM)

The show continues and I am helping the kids stay focused and keeping the show moving...
Even running on stage and setting up for the final scene when someone forgot...

But I think that the highlight of the show was when one of my peers gave our mentor his "Fruit of the Spirit" Award...can we say shocked...he was totally surprised and so excited that we recognized him...he is like a brother to me, family, and after all that he has done for us, the least we could do was have the Reverend present him with an award...

Today I spoke to the REAL director of the show, another mentor of mines (as you hear me talk about Kiamsha you will find that I have several "mothers" "fathers" and a whole lot of brothers and sisters...its a BIG family, I guess that's why last nights show was appropriately titled: FAMILY)
Anyways, she told me how she couldn't have done it back stage without me, and even though you (I/we) work hard for the kids and NOT to bring something like this together for the THANKS, it does feel good to hear it

So even though I know that I looked like a total nerd on stage last night, dressed down, looking like I was at an actual youth conference (not cute and done up like you would think someone making their acting debut would look) and even though I was totally stressed out up until the show was over, due to the long nights and 100+1 rehearsals. And even though I have been in previous shows before....
Last night was unlike any other night, and I guess since I am in a better place with me now, in my life, it truly did feel like it was my debut

I don't have any idea what I am doing

So I decided, thanks to a couple of my friends, that I would start blogging my life.
So here it is...
ok....man nothing....
For once that's all that I have to say right now...I guess as things come up or come out I will have some funny, introspective, thought provoking, things to bring to your attention. Or I just may want to vent or let you all know what is going on with me.
Other than that...Hope that you come back