Home Again! Part I

(You knew it would have to be at least 2 parts! I was gone a week!)

I know you guys missed me. I missed you too! I am smacking down face first into loser week, you know, the first week back from vacay. You realize your actual life is not nearly as fun as your vacay life. Alas... I shall start recapping my lovely time in the Queeeeeeeen City and only one day after my return!! Aren't you guys excited! This may be a record for me.

Wednesday:

I wake up and it is ridiculously cold. I mean 30s cold. So despite the fact I don't plan on needing a coat or gloves, I am forced to take them. HOWSOMEVER (tell me that's not the funniest word in America), I refused to take the earmuffs.

Because its just too much. I mean really people. I'm trying to EMBRACE spring. I'll go with cold ears for a few minutes enterring and exiting buildings just so I don't have to add another thing for me to carry. My bag was HEAVY!! For no reason. In fact, when I got to the airport, I found out it was 68 lbs... that's 18 lbs. over the limit. That means I had to pay a $25 fee. Whatev. Just get me to Charlotte!!! I had a while to wait so I went to Friday's to get a cobb salad. (instead of rocquefort, mine had blue and cheddar cheeses... blue I understand but the cheddar was an odd substitute... still good, but odd). I was feenin for some avacado. I LOVE AVACADO!!! MMMMM. I also had a mojito! LOVE mojitos. Muddle away! Cheers!

I finally get on the plane headed to Cleveland... do you know this is the smallest plane in the world? I know I'm using a lot of absolutes here but deal. I walk out onto the tarmac and this plane seats 15 people! Wait a minute. I work in news. I watch lots of news. America's most frequent plane crashes are with small planes. Granted, they're 2-4 seaters, not commuter planes, but STILL! I don't need to hear the propellers for my entire ride. Geez. I get to Cleveland, then I wait more for my flight to Charlotte. FINALLY!! We are boarding! The pilot says its 72 degrees in Charlotte!!! Wheeeeeee! That's compared to 47 in Pittsburgh and Cleveland. As we approach Charlotte Douglas International Airport, I spot the red clay of my hometown.... WELCOME HOME!! Wheeeeeeeeeeee!! I'm finally back!! 11 months since my last visit, I have returned. All shall rejoice! I didn't bother to contain my excitement and clap excitedly.

I'm fielding phone calls before I even get off the plane good. I mean I have walked 8 steps inside the airport and one of my friends is shrieking in my ear! That's love, folks! Then I talk to my mom and she is still at work! Mommy!! I get my luggage quickly (I wasn't flying US Air) and wait about 15 minutes. I threaten to mug this guy for his Bojangles, but decided not to. Self control people. It's miraculous.

Mom and I head to Wal-Mart so I can buy a digital camera (and subsequently take 1,324 pictures of myself). Then we go home and I talk to Kyle for the 3rd time that day. Joy of joys.

Thursday:

I wake up, read a little bit, my homie MJJ comes to pick me up and I meet the adorable Tristan!! He is the sweetest little 3-month-old butterball in the world. So cute. I was glad too. I didn't have to lie. You know all babies are not cute. M, Tristan, and I head to Showmars!!!!! Wheeeeeee! They're only in NC and SC. I have a gyro with cucumber sauce and fries. MMMMMMMMMMM! So delish.

Then MJJ and I go get our pedicures (I brought nothing but open-toed shoes!) and while she's looking at my pics, her pedi lady asks to see them... are you insane? For what? Do you know these people? So bizarre. Next stop, Southpark Mall... *the heavens just opened and sun beamed down* NORDSTROM!!!!!!!!! I love Nordstrom. Saw the cutest Nanette Lepore jacket... but it was $450 so I left it there. M tried on this cute dress at Bebe, then left it for 20 minutes to think about it, came back and it was GONE! So we had to trudge halfway across the world (or the city, whatever) to Northlake Mall, Charlotte's newest mall to get her size. Then home again. Talked to Kyle 3xs this day. Wheeeeeeeee!

Friday:

PARTY TIME!! I started off the day with more reading. So far I've read In Style magazine, 4 Blondes (crap, don't waste your time), and started Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim. That's actually a good book. It's a series of essays by writer David Sedaris. I bought both books because they were $1 at Borders. The second I bought because I was intrigued by the title and cover. I ALWAYS judge books by their cover. I say its the only way.

I take a walk around the neighborhood. With the hills and valleys, its a great workout. Especially since only half the neighborhood is a 2 mile walk. So I did half the neighborhood, and that's mostly because it was HOT! The high was 78 or 80 and it was near that by the time I took my walk. Heat wears you out... So I took a nap. Hurray naps! M came to pick me up so we could head Uptown... interesting thing about Charlotte... what everyone else in the world would consider downtown, we call uptown. Wikipedia just told me why! Center City (Trade and Tryon) is the highest point of elevation. You're going UP to town. How interesting. Looky there. Learning is key people! M and our other homie T are going to the Jamie Foxx concert. Tickets were $70 and he was the only performer... I'll pass. So I took a walk around uptown instead to reacclimate myself with my homeland. I was wearing cigarette pants, a polka dot shirt, and these shoes...

Too cute.

I LOVE partying in downtown (hush. yes I interchange the names). I head to the Graduate to watch the games (college bball) and have a few drinks. First drink: Patron Rita (lime juice, Patron, Grand Marnier) mmmmm, 2nd drink: Imagination (3 Olives Grape Vodka, Absolut Citron, pineapple juice, cranberry juice)... no thanks. Not tasty. Then my mom came downtown for dinner. We ate at Zink's. Mom had the cuban sliders, I had a chicken panini with these fantastic fries flavored with salt, pepper and oregano. Yum.

Guess what? It was also my Sigmaversary! I've been in my sorority for FIVE years now. That's insane. I feel old and young at the same time. My chapter just brought in 10 girls. So congrats to Spring '07.

My mom dropped me off near Bobcats Arena to meet up with my crew. I saw one of my Hampton homies I didn't even know lived in the area! and one of my Hampton little brothers (almost everyone at Hampton had a little bro or sis, I always picked ones from Charlotte except the year I was a student leader).

We head down to Menage for the official afterparty. I hate this club. First I stopped going because there were some allegations of the managment firing the Power 98 d.j. because they didn't like the increasingly Black crowd. It was starting to become a hot spot for the young black professionals. I don't know why that would be a problem but whatever. So this was my first time back there since those allegations. We go in and it's all right. I had a sex on the beach, a blue motorcycle (essentially a blue long island ice tea minus the coke), a tanqueray and tonic, then a Michelob. We were there from 11 until about 2:30. It didn't get fun until the end, though I did here some good music from my homeland!! Whooo!! I saw this guy I grew up with. Some guy asked me if my boyfriend was there with me. What? Such an odd question. Does it matter if he's here? If I'm going to give you some attention, any boyfriend is irrelevant. Unfortunately for you, I'm NOT going to give you any attention. Sorry about that.

Then we went upstairs to the "VIP" area. Yeah right. I saw Emeka Okafor and thanked him for playing for the Bobcats (hilarious), then I tapped him on the shoulder again, he bent waaaaaay down and I said, "And no matter what happens, Duke is still better than UConn." He laughed. So fun. He's cuter in person. I need him to stop getting injured!!!! Afterward M and I got up with one of her friends to eat at Waffle House. Vomit. I hate that place. They are so dirty. But at 3 in the morning, breakfast is fantastic. I got home at 4, talked to Kyle (again) for 1/2 an hour. He said he said to me, "I was going to eat something quick like a sandwich, but maybe I'll just go to sleep." I said, "I'm sleepy too, bye! *click*" Hilarious. I do not recall that but if you say so!

Anyhow, I have a headache right now from all these links and pics. Part II to come soon! You'd like a preview? Ok. Hanging with cousins, more cute shoes, ribs, macaroni and cheese, deviled eggs, potato salad, sweet potato pie, transformating (sic)!, oh my! Prepare yourselves.

TOO. MUCH. TO. DO!!

I gave up on working out today because I mean really. I don't want to. I'm going walking with my mom at home. I went on Sunday in case I didn't get to go again this week. I need to wash my hair, finish packing (amazed that I actually started yesterday. I'm so proud of that. I NEVER pack early.), my last load of clothes is in the washing machine.

Speaking of which, AMAZING!! I realized I have too many clothes. I know, I know! I, too, say there's no such thing!! But I had 6 loads and still had clothes to choose from. That's too many clothes. And yet... still nothing to wear! Hahahaha. I also counted the shoes I bought and know I want to take back and haven't been to Charlotte and I only counted 6. There may be more but those are the ones I'm sure of. One pair I bought at the end of the season for $20 at my fave store, Nine West (my mom says she goes in sometimes to see what I've bought recently. How cute is that?), and I FORGOT I HAD THEM! I left them in the box for the season and had never worn them. SO excited. Can't wait to wear them.

Anywho. I'm going home tomorrow. I'm sure I'll get to post again in the next week but I'm not sure when so this may have to hold you for the next week! Browse through the archives. Pick a topic, any topic. I'm sure you'll find something you like. I'm soooooooo interesting. :) Lolol. I'll miss you all mucho!

BUGGIN

See definitions 1-4.

Is it hilarious to anyone else that there is an urban online dictionary and you can just submit your definitions? That cracks me up.

Let's talk about a few problems. One: Tuesday it was 74 degrees. That night the low was 61!!! Ok. I'm not crazy. I know this is Pittsburgh. I don't expect that to happen everyday. Maybe in August. Summer is about 2 weeks here. That's from a Pittsburgher. I LOVE summer here. It's not oppressive like it is at home. But winter? And "spring"? Keep it. TODAY, March 16th, it is SNOWING (2-4" expected) and 27 degrees. MAKE IT STOP!! (btw I think there should be a degree on the keyboard and a cent key.)

Two: iTunes hates thugs. I will tell you how I know this. I went about researching for my trip by looking at radio website countdowns in Atlanta, DC, Houston and Dallas (Charlotte's Power 98 was not at all helpful which made me very unhappy!!!) Also remember all the help I asked my favorite hoodrats for (some of my favorites did not help at all! hmph!)? Well, I went looking for some of those things, particularly the Heizman (thanks V!!!!) because that dance and song CRACK. ME UP!!!!!! and I love that video, but guess what? Unavailable. I was also not able to find DJ Khaled's song with Baby and Lil Wayne, Da Shop Boyz or Huey's Pop Lock and Drop It. That one was on there but there was some odd version of it. IT'S NOT RIGHT!! So. I have no other choice but to conclude iTunes hates thugs. This is a problem when I'm trying not to be the wack one in the club.

I WAS able to add a few Unk songs. And not 2 Step or Walk it Out. I think both of those are stupid. I also got Mike Jones song Mr. Jones which cracks me up, Break 'Em Off by Paul Wall, though I normally don't like him, I like this song. The remix to Throw Some D's On It. Rock Yo Hips (Chris is celebrating, probably throwing up gang signs), and the Make it Rain Remix. That will have to do for now.

Three: I just realized on Wednesday that not only have I not been home in almost a year, I have not taken a week long trip since I came home for spring break in 2004. Do you know how many clothes and shoes and purses that is? I have to bring home every single pair of shoes I've bought in the last 11 months. I mean it's only 12 pairs or so but in addition to the normal shoes, COME ON!!!! Lol. Someone just looked at the screen like this girl is crazy.

I haven't bought anything in several weeks to prep to buy things at home which means I will also need to save room in my suitcase to bring back the spoils. NORDSTROM!!! There isn't one in Pittsburgh and I LOVE their shoe department in Charlotte. DIVINE. I'm gonna have a blast. AND one of my Hamptonians is having a wine and cheese the Sunday I'm home. Oooh la la! That's the same day my mom is cooking for everyone. I will have to dip out after a few hours. That's ok. I know I'm the guest of honor, but HELLO! I'm the social butterfly, this is how life is for me. Hang on for the ride or jump off! I can't wait y'all! Even if I just see my cousins, my friends, the beautiful Tristan Joshua and my mom, I will be overjoyed. I know we will go out at least one night which means I will have a BALL!! T minus 5 days!!

Guess what Chris? I'm listening to it RIGHT NOW!!!! Lol.

This is Why

I love him...

He calms me.

I was on 10. I mean really, really angry around 11:15 this morning. I saw my whole day disentegrating. I was more than an hour behind schedule. I needed to go to the gym, go eat, go to the DMV, wash my hair, wash clothes, blog, talk to my mom and maybe Kyle. I might have worn him out yesterday. We hadn't talked, talked in days because he was so busy putting together the Gym Gems of the Year... (did anyone see them? They were magnificent!! And I don't just say that because I love him. I'm not that kind of girl. I can be blunt and slightly harsh... I'm sure you hadn't noticed that about me) We'd talked about his progress on them and various random other things, but it was usually a quick and dirty conversation (not that kind of dirty you pervs), 15-20 minutes and done. I NEED SOME SUBSTANCE!!

(sidenote: we ordinarily talk a minimum of 25 minutes a day with 2-3 days of 90 minute plus conversations. Once a month (maybe less), we talk 3 or more hours. Yes I know its insane. Usually by the end, even we have no idea how we talked that long and about what. It was the same way when we were just friends).

THE POINT!

I called him to vent but he didn't answer so I just yelled at his answering machine for about 4 minutes. I felt slightly better but still not as good as talking to him. I was talking to one of my work homies sitting outside the gym when he called back so he left a message.

I had a half smile at the start of the message, a dreamy look in the middle, then a full on cheese, giant smile at the end. The message was only about 3 minutes but I was ready to go have a productive work-out and just relax.

One of my father's best traits is the ability to listen without judgement when you really need it, then give stellar, calming advice. I'm so grateful to have found that in the man I love.

Help a Sista Out

I NEED NEW MUSIC!! My ipod is begging me AND I'm getting bored of my workout (ahem, Madam, WHERE is this new site?). I am just 9 days from going home and am terrified at how wack I will be in the club. Soon as I figure out what dance it is all the kids are doing around me, the song is off never to be heard again. DAMNDAMNDAMNJames!!!!!! Sigh. So I need all of you, especially the Southerners (this includes you La, my favorite hoodrat) and Southern transplants. WHAT is going on down there??????

Can I tell you how much I love food? I can't wait to go to Showmars and Bojangles. MMMMMMM. Oooh! And Lupie's. And MY MOMMA'S!! Oh buddy. If you're gonna be in Charlotte March 21st-28th, holla at me. March 25th? Food party!!!!!!!! Oh yeah. Ridiculous. I'm gonna lose my mind when I go home. I'm already on the verge.

*Side note: someone PLEASE tell Justin Timberlake to sit down. You can NEVER be bad enough to come at Prince. EVER. You are out of your mind. Makes me want to throw away your cd because you have no respect. LIL' BOY YOU ARE TRYING TO STEAL HIS STEEZE AND THAT OF EVERY OTHER BLACK SINGING ICON!! SIT. DOWN!!

Jameil and Kyle

Wednesday I see Kyle has called me 2 additional times since the first 3 calls to let me know he'd actually gotten out of Hartford this time (gasp!) I got worried. Was there some snow on his layover I'd forgotten to ask the weather people about? (It's so convenient to work somewhere where there are meteorologists on site who can tell you these things. Even more convenient when they like you enough to look it up! Hurray!) I call back because I'm sure he'll only be on the ground a few more minutes. He prefers when I listen to his messages, THEN call him back (annoying).

He answers, then asks if I listened to his message. Sigh. I explain the above. He says, "Please go listen." ARGH!!!!!! I listen... "blah blah blah... cancelled flight (NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!)... blah blah blah, but transferred to earlier flight, blah blah blah, I'm here. " Huh? YAAAAAAAAAAAAY!!! There's also one talking about how he can't even think straight because he needs something to sleep! Hilarious. Po sleepy baby. But I'm WIDE awake.

I head to the airport. Scoop my darling, then head to Robinson Towne Center, eat some Chick-Fil-A. I buy a speaker for my iPOD so we can have something to listen to in the hotel room. Then we head to the hotel. He falls asleep within minutes and stays knocked out for 4 hours. BORING. I nap, then read some of In An Instant. He finally wakes up, remember when I said I hope he can tell I've been working out and Epsi said he wasn't going to mention it? He did mention it! He said he could tell I was smaller all around. Knew it. I had already told him he better notice, but I could tell he wasn't just talking.

We get dressed and head to South Side Works and McCormick and Schmick's for dinner. He had pecan encrusted tilapia with mashed potatoes. I had salmon penne with asparagus and mushrooms. Both delicious.

I'd called my work homie Lauren to meet us on the South Side to hit a couple of bars. I was the d.d. so I had one beer the whole night. Aren't you proud?! :) Our first stop was Fat Head's. We watched another dismal Duke loss... sigh. They are so pitiful this year. But I still love them. We also watched another one of Kevin Durant's insane games. Acie Law lost his mind as well. Double OT. Fab game.

Next stop, Casey's. Sigh. This bar is known for something referred to as Midget Madness. An excerpted description from BarSmart, "When someone buys the bar a shot for ten dollars, Man Boy comes out of his box at the end of the bar and poors a shot into everyone's mouth!" Man Boy is a midget... they keep him in a CURTAINED BOX?!?!!?!?!?! Foolishness. He was not in the box this night, just walking around. But there were all kinds of other uncomfortable things in there including a GIANT CONFEDERATE FLAG. Interestingly enough, I haven't discussed my feelings about the confederate flag. In an nutshell, it's a symbol of racism in that it was proudly waved when fighting to keep Black people enslaved, burn and bomb Black homes and crosses in Black yards as intimidation and during the lynchings of Black men. It is also currently used by skinheads and members of the KKK. If that's the "history" you want to remember and the legacy you want to uphold, please allow me to distance myself from you. Thanks. Only good thing: $1.50 Yuenglings. Not enough to entice me back.

Final stop, Tiki Lounge. By the time we were headed back to our hotel in Greentree around 2 a.m., the bf was quite tipsy. Another time asleep within minutes. Wow... YOU ARE BORING!! Lol. I tried to wake him up at 8. What? I was awake. I was not successful. I tried again at 9. No dice. 10 am!!! HEY!! Finally awake. THANKS!! We lay around for hours and hours and hours until both of us are so hungry we are eating each others' arms. (too strange to eat your own, right?)

We finally make it to my fave breakfast/trip place, Cracker Barrel, yay!! We both got breakfast, of course. Then we headed to Mt. Washington to ride the incline and see the view. Uhh.... we did NOT have that view. It was a typical Pittsburgh day... cloudy and overcast. It was still fab-o looking at the city from that high up (he was not the fan, too high for his taste, which is odd since I consider myself afraid of heights). He also said, "Ehh... it would be prettier if the water wasn't brown." LMAO!!! This ain't Cabo, baby. Speaking of lovely water, anyone else need a Bahamavention? I love those commercials and that website. Paroxysms of joy I tell you, paroxysms!!!

Anywho... then we went to the South Side again to attempt to see a movie but nothing good was playing. So we left, went back to the telly to watch... telly... and giggle and be silly. It was inordinately fun. Quite possibly my fave part of the trip. I LOVE hanging with him. He is fantasmirawesomlous. It's great. We watched most of Just Friends, mildly amusing and laugh out loud funny at times, and Prime featuring Meryl Streep and Uma Thurman. It was amusing. The only reason we didn't finish "Prime" is because SOMEBODY could not take the hunger 5 minutes longer. WHAT fresh hell? So we went to Subway. Guess what he asked me the next day. "What happened at the end of the movie?" You are joking right? Hilarious! Who does this?

We ate our sandwiches at the telly, then went to sleep for a few hours, woke up at 3:30 a.m., ate breakfast together, then I took him to the airport. Lovely trip. Can't wait to see him again.

Guess Who's Back?

Ahhhh yeah! So the weather is doing its best to beat the crap out of any residual joy I may have over those days in the 40s and one or two in the 50s over the last week. Today? Wind chills in the single digits and teens with snow! PASS!!! Sick of it. Ready for spring like yesterday.

Kyle and I had a great time! I'll touch on that when I have more time. I will say the last couple of hours before he leaves are uber depressing. Like smother me with a cornhusk pillow then kick me in the spleen depressing. Sigh.

I just finished ABC News anchor Bob Woodruff's book with his wife, Lee, called In An Instant. It was really good. Did you know he was in a coma for 36 days after he was injured by a roadside bomb while covering the war in Iraq? That's insane. He also had traumatic brain injury and had to re-learn much of his vocabulary. His recovery is ongoing as it is for all traumatic brain injuries. Another good biographical TBI book is Where is the Mango Princess? It was my first TBI book and I loved it. It was fascinating. I pick all books by their titles which explains why I even picked that one up in the first place. The Woodruff's book also made me look at my own journalistic aspirations. Very good book. I consider it a must read for all journalists and aspiring journalists.

16 days until I go home!!!!!!!!! Can't wait. I'm about to lose my mind. Vacay is great.

Life Update

Wednesday night the computer broke. I came downstairs Thursday and was damn near inconsolable! How am I to live!! I said to my dad, I have no link to the outside world!!! He thought I meant Kyle. Uh... no!! Clearly I have the phone to talk to him. I NEED MY COMPUTER FOR MY BLOGGERS!! I miss you guys. I can check it (and blog) obviously but it's not nearly as easy. He needs to get that fixed yesterday. It's his computer. Hurry. And now. That's what I need him to do. He took it to the shop FINALLY!! I may survive.

Kyle....


COMING TOMORROW!! Can't wait. We shall do nothing. It will be fun.


He hasn't seen me (15 minutes doesn't count for this part) for 2 months so I need him to tell me whether he can tell I've been working out. No one else has said anything. I need some encouragement!!!

I'm about to become a PA resident. Shoot me now. Please. Lol. J/k. I shall survive... I suppose. That's all for now kiddos. Hope to be back online at home within the week. Kisses.

I'm Mellllllllllting!! Meellllllllltiiiiingggg!!

Man that was the coolest part of the Wizard of Oz. That and the fact that she got to wear those hot ruby slippers. I also wanted to be Glenda the Good Witch when I grew up.

"Ding dong the witch is dead! Mean old witch! The wicked old witch! Ding dong the wicked witch is deaaaaaaaaaaaaad!!!!"

Fabulous.

Why am I so overjoyed? Because on Saturday as I was producing my show, I happened to pay attention during weather. Know what happened? Wednesday was on the 5-day forecast. Guess what it said? 41. Guess what? It was 41 when I got to work at 1 am. Know how that felt? Like a summer breeze.

If you live in the south right now, close your ears (I used to crack up when my mom used to tell us that. I was like, "Mom. You can't close your ears." Then she'd say, "Well turn them off." HUH-larious). I don't want to hear any of you talk about how cold it has been there and it's warming up. I also do not want you saying 41 is not warm. (Yes, Cnel, I am once again telling people how to talk. My mom hates when I do this. Kyle is not a fan of it either. Five words. Naa, naa, na, boo, boo. MY blog. I am crackin myself up today!!!).

It's amazing how your body reconstitutes it self and adjusts to just about anything. After literally weeks of sub-zero and single digit wind chills, 40 feels downright balmy. I now understand why people in Pittsburgh start stripping when it hits 45. Your body is so used to highs in the 20s that when the lows are in the 20s or higher, you lose your mind. I would die if I were to move back home right now. Texas? WOW! I would need to move in October to try to slide in. Pittsburgh is also notoriously dark and gloomy. Often cloudy which as you know makes you SAD.

Ice is melting all over creation. It is getting rid of all the messy nastiness when it melts as water, but when big chunks of ice fall... multiple people at work have had thousands, yes THOUSANDS of dollars of damage from ice falling on their cars, including through their windshields. Nobody hurt but yeah... that is not cute. Imagine that falling on your head! Yikes!

IT'S MARDI GRAS!!!!! LAISSEZ LES BON TEMPS ROULEZ!!! (Let the good times roll!) Man I wish I was in the NO right now. I would be gettin it. Giant hurricane in hand. Strolling to the daiquiri bar. Sigh. I love drinking holidays. This one, cinco de mayo and St. Patrick's Day. So jolly.

Anyone else notice that BET plays the MOST hood songs ever on 106 & Park and Rap City? Crime Mob's "Rock Yo Hips," Huey's "Pop Lock and Drop It." Rap City I'm used to but WOW! I don't even need to go home. I can stay up to date on the music of my homeland by watching BET. I've been forcing myself to watch even though the music is getting closer and closer to nails on a chalkboard to me. Sigh. So sad! And is it just me or are all the girls in these videos girls from their neighborhoods. "Keisha! Ay! Whatchu doin later taday? Yo, I'm makin a video. You wanna be in it?"

I have to get used to it again, though because that's all they play in the clubs at home and when I'm at home, I AM GOING OUT EVERY NIGHT IF I CAN HELP IT!!! Can't wait. March 21st homies. I'M GOING HOME!!!! WHEEEEEEEEEEE!! I'm gonna have a blast even if all I do is hang with my crew(s).

The Day from HELL

It started when I walked out the door to the freezing rain. You know the kind. It sounds like rain, then you walk outside and almost bust your head open on the concrete? Yeah that happened to me. Three times in the 20 steps from the front door to my car. Then I got to the car and there was a layer of ice on top of the inch or two of snow that had fallen since I'd come home from work earlier in the day. Got to the car, had to yank open my door because it was iced shut. Curses!!!

I spend the next 15 minutes scraping the ice and snow off of my car. New laws here give hefty fines if snow or ice from your car flies off causing an accident. Then I see the pile of snow behind my car from the snow plows coming through last night pushing it all to MY SIDE... and it also has a layer of ice on it. I try to drive over it anyway. I get stuck but I'm able to pull forward and almost slide into my dad's car. I pull back up into the space and call my job. "I can't get out of my driveway and its freezing rain." I already have the shovel out trying to scrape something out. I'm on the verge of tears because I'm frustrated and I'm scared I'm going to kill myself trying to get to work.

My news director tells me to wait a few minutes and try again. So I go back in the house and sit down for a few minutes but I can't relax because I'm like I've gotta go. (It's the news disease. The news has to get on the air regardless. We don't get snow days. We're just as bad as mail men and we don't get Sunday off either). Then I see we're going on early at 4:30 so I get in the car and leave. The road near my house was pretty bad. The main roads were ok though. I get to work in 45 minutes instead of my usual 30 and they were just glad I was there.

The morning shows were a combined 4 1/2 hours of news instead of 3 to get all the snow coverage in with lots of running around. It was how you picture a news station rushing to get you everything you need to know RIGHT NOW. Very dramatic.

I'm supposed to get off at 10 but we have more extended coverage so I stay to help. In between this, I'm getting updates from Kyle. His 630am flight was cancelled because the airport was closed. They thought they would be able to get it open by 830 and he would now be connecting in Minneapolis instead of Detroit and his flight would get here at 430p instead of 1130a. About 1045a, I another call telling me he is STILL IN HARTFORD!!!!!!!! and his flight will get there around 7pm. #$%^&*()_!$%^&*(?!%&*

I'm like that's ridiculous. We'll have a day together instead of a full 48 hours!!!!! And we haven't seen each other in more than a month and that was for 15 minutes. So I ask him to see if he can get a different flight for next week since he has the same off days. It was just about seeing each other, not about Valentine's Day.

He checks with the folk. They say no dice because he'll have to travel on days when he's not available and has to come by next Wednesday. WTF?!?!?!?!?!!?!?!?!?!?!

#$%^&*(#$%^&*()$%^&*()!&^%#$%^&*

I cut a line in my car to loosen the ice so I can start it up. Then I trudge home in the snow to take a nap until he gets here and I get an update. He calls me... I say do you have an update? He says yes, but it's not good. What? They're closing the airport. I'm not coming. I'll try to come in two weeks.

I'm too exhausted to cry. I'm disappointed and sleepy. AND I HAVE CRAMPS. He's sleepy, its cold, he's driving in bad weather. We talk later in the day and I feel better. But overall? Not a fun day. When you comment, do not say awww. Or its ok. Or feel better. To keep up with Madam, I do not want to hear that. Encouraging words are not going to be appreciated right now.

AI started a list of things she likes EVERYday, not just on the unnecessarily maligned V-Day. So here are some of mine.

1. Telling me you love me. I could hear this all day long.
2. Getting a lot of comments. It really makes me jolly.
3. Wearing red, pink and other bright colors.
4. Looking fly. This is why I'm hot.
5. Going out to eat. Speaking of which, did you know baked potatoes are the greatest source of food bourne illness at restaurants? It's because its almost impossible to keep them at the internal temperature they're supposed to maintain once they've been cooked. So skip the baked potato. Learn something new everyday, right?
6. Getting cards. There is something joyous about seeing a colorful extended rectangle with your name on it.

Today on the Record Dish: Luda shouts out Oprah at the Grammy's. You know how I feel about Oprah. This is a must read.

Monday Randomness

Gym:
went last week 3xs for the first time in about 2 weeks. I'd skipped my Thursday dance class the last two weeks (first week went to dinner w/D, last week we went to the Penguins game. It was my first hockey game and it wasn't that bad. Much better in person. On tv you can't see the puck. At least I can't.) I'd gone 2xs a week. Booooo. Didn't go today because I've been itching to blog and my father wore me plum out yesterday. I ran some errands after work, then when I got home he wanted to go to breakfast. You know how I feel about food (y'all are not visiting the record dish anymore. stop slackin on your pimpin)... and breakfast... So I did, then came home, read for a few minutes and passed out.

Sleep:
I CAN'T KEEP LIVING LIKE THIS!!! I am on the worst non-sleep schedule known to man. You know I have a crazy schedule. I work overnights which means I get off at 10am every day. I had my schedule down at one point. Going to CT would throw me off for a while, then I'd get back on it. I don't know what's wrong with me. I go to sleep for 5 hours, then wake up and can't get back to sleep so I wake up and read but I'll have been up for too long when I go to work if I stay up so I try to get sleepy and don't until I have an hour to nap but then I fall asleep for 30 minutes and wake up ridiculously sleepy. STOP IT!!!

Obama:
I saw the tail end of the Presidential announcement coverage and was terribly excited. I was on the elliptical (showing off, moving like a madwoman) cheesin up a storm (also like a madwoman). I tried to make myself stop but I just felt so proud! I told a girl at work I was so excited I wanted to donate. She said, "He doesn't need your money." Alright. This will be rude.

You are white. You can afford to be politically inactive. I cannot. Since its Black History Month, let me take a moment to educate you. Historically, people of African descent, those who were slaves and whose ancestors were slaves were not allowed to vote. Many people fought, cried and died so I would have the right to voice my opinion, donate to the candidate of my choice, campaign on his or her behalf, then on election day, show up and vote. Medgar Evers was shot in the front yard of his Jackson, MS home, just a few miles from my grandmother's home while his wife and children were inside. His crime? Registering Black people to vote.

I really believe none of us can afford not to vote. Choose the lesser of two evils. Make your voice heard. Otherwise, don't sit around and complain about the lack of services, rising taxes, no national health care plan, the rising cost of insurance, poor roads, etc. etc. because you did not help elect the people who make those decisions. That being said, Black people have an even greater need to vote because for so long we were denied that right. *steps down from soapbox, but likely just temporarily*

The point is, I like Obama even if he doesn't win. I think a Hilary/Obama duo would be a sure loss for him because Hilary is so polarizing. People don't like or dislike her. They love or hate her. That's it. Well, except me. I really don't care. But to win this election, the Democratic candidate will need to have crossover appeal. Republicans hate Hilary with an unbridled passion. During the Obama coverage, several Fox News analyst did everything but call her the anti-Christ. There was a lone Dem (as usual) on there to say, "No she's not," then they carried on with the tv exorcism of her soul.

Sometimes I'm a man:
I really hate picking out cards for Kyle. I love getting them. The really mushy, mashed potato ones. And they make me get all choked up which is very unusual for me. I hate picking out cards for him because I feel so pressured. Like I have to get this fabulous card and none of them have the right words. I looked for 10 minutes, but it felt like my whole life. I finally just picked one up and bought it. I also cannot express how much I love this man. I can't do it. Joy and La have done these great posts that would print out to be 4 page letters and I can barely fill a card. His love overwhelms me. I just can't describe how he makes me feel. English is inadequate.

Valentine's Day:
Lawd have mercy I don't care!! Folk are always ready to slit their wrists over a damn day! I care a lot more about my birthday. Maybe I'll do the history of my Valentine's day tomorrow or something. Right now I just want to tell everyone to quit trippin over it! Know what I want this year? NOTHING!! I just want to see my man! And that has nothing to do with the day. We live 500 miles apart. If I could see him every single day I would. I'm lyin. But if I could see him more than once a month (baby steps, lol) I would be overjoyed. He'll be here Wednesday and I CAN'T WAIT!!!!!!

But Snow:
is trying to steal my joy!! It's supposed to snow 4-8" over the next day, the most at one time in the last 2 years (meaning since before I moved here). It was looking like the snow could impact his trip, but now, it likely will not.

Depressives:
I can't hold this in anymore. I'm convinced some people love to be unhappy. I cannot make you happy. I can't tell you how to be happy. That's something you have to find within yourself. I try to be sympathetic. I really do. But when people won't listen to reason, I get frustrated. I work in news. I see death all day. I could tell you some really horrific stories I've helped cover.

A pregnant woman is kidnapped by her neighbor and beaten for several days. Then the neighbor carries her to the woods where she tries to cut her unborn child from her stomach. The woman and her child manage to survive because a teenager just happens to see them in the woods and calls the police.

A 23-month-old girl won't go to bed. Her father reportedly beat her, then carried her 400 yards away to an abandoned playground where he leaves her. The temperatures are in the single digits. The wind chill is below zero. Her footprints in the snow show she got up and toddled around before dying of hypothermia.

A father is taking his triplets to the hospital because one of them gets treatments for a potentially debilitating disease. The truck driver in front of him hadn't properly attached his trailer and reportedly told police he had been drinking and was on oxycotin. The trailer came loose, slamming into the family's van, killing the father and two of the triplets.

Teenagers die all the time in accidents which aren't necessarily their fault. Recently a man reportedly told police he was smoking crack and marijuana all day before he got behind the wheel of a van. He plowed into three parked cars, two pedestrians and an apartment building before coming to a stop. A 17-year-old girl died. The man she was walking with had to have a leg amputated.

I could go on and on and on. Forgive me if I'm less than understanding when all you want to do is tell me how much your life sucks. Every once in a while, just for kicks, celebrate the fact that you still have one.

Pretty Ricky Ricky Ricky Rickay

i hate you. with a fiery burning passion from the depths of my soul. you are disgusting. no one wants to hear a 15 yo talk about sex. you repeat your name like teenagers with terets. you wear band uniforms. i saw part of your cribs and y'all share rooms. WACK. you are everywhere. you are not at all pretty. you are a group but go by a name that sounds like one person. AND the fact that you've gone on the radio in multiple cities (Charlotte was one of them) and said, "We all bruvahs, know what I'm sayin, we come from the same skeet skeet."


dirty brats.




i need to bathe.




*I normally don't repost the inanity I share on my myspace blog, but today is your lucky day. I re-read it and cackled so hard I had to.

I Got 5 On It

5 Things You Don't Know About Me

1) I love organization. Purging? I'm all about it! Love it! As long as its someone else's stuff. I'll clean out your closet for you. That's why I love "Clean House" w/my girl Niecy Nash and I used to love the one on TLC "Clean Sweep" but they got rid of the black organizer so I had to push it to the left.

2) I think in song lyrics/titles and movie lines. I would think in more movie lines but I haven't really seen that many movies. Songs? My sister and I sing all day. My godsister went with us to our family reunion in Mississippi one year and was like, "Y'all sing EEEEVVVVERYTHING!!" Yes, we know. Hahahahahahaha. That's the best thing about having a sibling close to your age (she's only 19 months younger). Everything is a giant inside joke.

3) I never had a frozen dinner until I was a sophomore in college. My mom didn't believe in them. She cooked or would bring us Chinese food, but for the most part she cooked. When my parents were married, my dad cooked, too. So no frozen dinners for us. Not even a lot of fast food. That may be why I'm so obsessed with fast food now.

4) I was on the Burger King diet my senior year in high school. Not intentionally. I would save the lunch money my mom would give us to buy a whopper a day. There may be a heroin-like quality to whoppers because I LOVED those flame-broiled burgers. I eat mine with cheese, mustard, ketchup, mayo, lettuce and now tomato. Back then no tomato, no onion. I only eat lettuce from BK and McD's b/c its chopped and almost never wilted and nasty unlike Wendy's which can't seem to find a single unwilted leaf of lettuce in its entire company. My mother used to make me get "vegetables" on my burgers but I hate tomato and onion so I would just give them and the lettuce to her when she did allow us to eat fast food.

5) I wouldn't mind being a stay at home mom. I know this sounds crazy as liberal, I am woman hear me roar as I seem. I'm actually not. And you know I think liberal is a bad word. (BTW I joined Barack Obama and John Edwards' political groups today. Just because you get the chance to meet them if they come to your city. HOW COOL IS THAT?! I'm such a politics groupie. Barack is just cool. Edwards is adorable.) I would love to be able to hang out all day (while the kids are at school) and work when I want to. Trust. I know stay-at-home moms have a lot of work on their hands. Notice I said when the kids are at school. I say I want 3 kids but sometimes I'm not sure. I mean WOW! I just want to go straight to being a grandmother so I can give them back, but alas, there are steps that must be taken i.e. pregnancy, labor, birth. Pesky rules.

In going back for links to earlier posts, I realized I'd done this before. This is why I don't do tags. Who even remembers them? No one. Not even the author. I will not be tagging anyone else. This is my tag version of mindspacing. Do not ask me to do a tag again. I will become very violent and throw sharp objects in the direction of your city.

Gym Beefs

*this is an angry rant. if you are offended by harsh language, come back in a few days*

You know what? I hate you. Yeah you. The one who comes to the gym to socialize. I'm fly by my damn self ok? I don't need your validation. And I don't come here to make friends. I know that sounds bitchy and counterproductive for the girl who has not a single black female friend in Pittsburgh and would like to find one but OLD PEOPLE, MEN, I AM NOT HERE FOR YOU!!!!

And you know how women are. You can't go up to someone and just start talking. You can't be like, wanna be my friend? This is not the playground. It is not 8th grade or 4th grade by the monkey bars. I was sooo that girl. I had a million friends. Playing by yourself? I'll save her! Right Stace? Hahahaha. My only Capt. Save-a-hoe activies. I will not be the one to help out folk who don't want to help themselves, but in elementary school I was the one. Hahahahahaha.

Back to the gym. Yesterday I was PISSED!!!! This old white dude with I SWEAR inch long eyebrows. They were far beyond the average eyebrow line. He looked insane. AND he had on red daisy dukes. I'm disgusted by your attire. Apparently his whole coalition was there. Two people were on the ellipticals next to me, the other three including this giant man I have never seen actually on a machine or even walking on the track, only talking loudly with people actually working out, were standing around. STFU!!! I am not here to listen to your conversations. Take that ish outside. I'm gettin pissed all over again. THEN some woman who's hair was far too long for her age (she was like 35 with hair halfway down her back. you look ridiculous with hair that long after about 30. sorry about that. see ann curry when she was growing out her hair for an example of what does not work.) with too many earrings for her age (no lie, 5 per ear in progressively smaller hoops, WHO DOES THIS ANYMORE????? I know I'm the consumate fashion critic and all but seriously this is not the projects circa 1993... AND YOU'RE AT THE GYM!!) decides to talk OVER ME to the dudes all 65+ congregating on the ellipticals next to mine.

I was daydreaming while I was going to sleep last night about snapping at them, "Do you mind?" Know why? Because then when I got off the elliptical, do you know when I went to the stationary bikes ONE OF THESE ASSHOLES (eyebrows magee) decides to FOLLOW ME!!! GET THEE BEHIND ME SATAN AKA EYEBROWS MAGEE!!! so pissed. I was seething. Just because I'm listening to my ipod doesn't mean I can't hear you, you yelling arse bastard!!! I put in a good 30 minutes total on the elliptical and bike but I did cut my time short because I couldn't take them. And they were everywhere!!! When I was doing my crunches, two dudes went up to another one and told him not to park in the one dude's space again. WTF?!!! I wanted to know where his space was so I could purposely park there. Rude bastards.

While we're talking about the gym, let's talk more about inappropriate clothing. I am not requesting you to be as fly as me because I mean, come on. But is it so much to ask you to match? Same color family? No? Well how bout you don't wear this color anymore: its a brownish mustard color. I don't really know how to describe it but I've seen far too much of it. I describe it as "ass ugly don't ever wear it again" or "regurgitated insides." Its disgusting and seems to be popular in menswear. This color is following me because I also saw it when I saw Kyle at the airport for like five minutes. Horrific.

Also, thou shalt not wear cutoff shirts, jockey shorts and combat boots. I can't make this up people. *shudder* I was going to say men should not wear it but women shouldn't either. Saw a woman in jockey shorts 5 seconds later and was equally appalled. Please don't. So grossed out. I also hate the people who feel the need to bare their stomachs. No matter what your stomach looks like, this is a bad move. If your body is nice, you're just showing off and pissing people off. If your body is a mess, you're grossing us out. Just cover yourself.

Old ladies in the gym. Why are they so willing to bare all? It's really nasty. And everytime I'm looking down while getting dressed trying to avoid eye contact with the wrinkled skin all over creation, I wonder if I'll be that old lady one day. Will I just whip off my towel in the middle of the locker room while some 24 year old cowers in the corner? I don't know. But for now, I'll just continue to cringe and pray daily today is not the day I have to see another one. Please. I don't ever want to see you naked lady no matter your age. Just stop. Thanks.

Vanity is thy name you selfish media maven you

I am so vain its ridiculous. I don't even do it on purpose. I look in every reflective surface available. Most of my Hampton friends have this same problem. A mirror, any mirror, every mirror, a giant plate glass window. The plate glass is my fave because you can walk past them and pretend you're not looking or that you're only looking at the display. Except I always manage to preen somehow whether its a hair pat or a slight turn to get a different angle as I walk past. It's ridiculous. But great. Hahahaha.

We had a legal seminar at work and I loved it. I was like wow I'm TOTALLY going to law school. Not. Legalese bores the crap out of me. I just like news of the weird-type stories and other stuff out of the ordinary. That's it. I was captain of the debate team in high school. My coach tried to get me to consider a career in law. I passed on that (obviously). Plus reading dream's law school tribulations, I do not have the study patience for law school. I like to read, but COME ON! No thanks.

I can be so selfish sometimes. Kyle has this long lost friend who went to his mom's house to say hi and get his phone number. She called while I was talking to him and he was like, let me call you back. I go ok, then throw a temper tantrum as I'm hanging up. He heard it (hahaha) and when he called me back was like, "What was that?" I go, "What? I didn't feel like sharing you right then. I can't help it. Sometimes I'm just bratty." Hilarious. I'm spoiled. We know it.

How about I love my bf. He's fab. One of my co-workers told me every time she asks me about him I get this giant grin. Know why? Because he makes me sooooooo happy. He's wonderful. AND he's coming to visit me for Valentine's Day. YAY!!!!!

I'm going to kick

something or someone. I don't know who or what but it's coming. It's either that or punch a hole in a wall. If I borrow my dad's steel-toed shoes, I can cause more damage to what or who I punch than if I were to use my hand. Plus I haven't given up on my dream of becoming a hand model. So there. I am going to lose all my frustrations very soon. I'm on the edge. I am going to KICK SOMEONE (or something)!!!!!

That is all.

Dear God (Part 3)

I can't take it. I really can't. The foolish people. I know I'm not supposed to question you so I won't ask why. I'll just request a limit to my contact with them? Right now I feel like I have a ridiculous amount of them bothering me. Not like earlier in life when my patience and tact were a lot closer to zero, but still. Sometimes I really want to shake and choke folk and I know that's not what you want.

You'd probably like me to go to church more, too, since I haven't been in about 15 months now (oooh, heathen). I could give you a myriad of excuses (hmph), but there really isn't one now is there? (show ain't). Especially since the amen corner is so loud over there!! (well, you are wrong, ain't you?) But that's not the point. I'm kind of scared to go to church. I don't want to get struck by lightning. (that surely is a danger with your attendance record right now). That's enough amen corner. (what? tell the truth, shame the devil).

ANYWAY!! How about I just make an effort (any effort at all would be nice). *sigh* I'll start with Bible Study. K, God? On Wednesday nights so there's no excuse of being too tired and working for 11+ hours.

Jameil

Iwanngoooommmmmmeeeeeeee!!

You know how when little kids get upset and start crying they get unintelligible? That's how I feel right now. I saw the bf for 20 minutes yesterday. I drove to the airport to see him during his layover. Then I had a 40 minute drive home. I was happy to see him. As soon as I turned around from leaving the gate, I thought, "Is that all?" And I had something in the car I wanted to give him AND I FORGOT IT!! So pissed. I'll mail it to him now but STILL! Whatever.

As I was leaving, I just felt overwhelmingly sad. All I could think is, "I WANNA GO HOME!!" (hence the title). I haven't seen my mom since April 2006. I may not be able to get home before March. I'm trying to figure out a way to change that. 1) I want to see my mom, 2) one of my closest and oldest friends from home just had a baby and I want to see the adorable Tristan Joshua in person, 3) I just want to be home, in a thriving, metropolitan city. Did I mention I want to see my mom? HOME SICK! And I never get like this. I'm used to not going home a lot. Freshman year one of my fellow Hamptonians from Charlotte whose mom is in the Hampton Alumni Assoc. in Charlotte w/my mom used to take me home with her. After that I only went home Thanksgiving, Christmas, Spring Break and Summer. No middle trips. But this is different. It's been nearly a year.

Sigh. Someone send me home.

Kyle's Crazy Question 2

You've heard about the NYC "subway hero," right? The black man, a Navy veteran, who saw a 20-year-old white guy* having a seizure, then falling onto the tracks with a train coming. The hero jumps down with his two young daughters standing nearby, rolls the man underneath the platform, saving his life.

Kyle's question: is this man a hero or should we call him what we would have called him if he'd died, stupid?



*I mention race because when I saw this story I was amazed by it. Sue me. I'm a cynic.

New Year, New Blog

Not really. But I like to make things up to make y'all pay attention. LOOK AT ME!! So, it's 2007. FINALLY!! I'm usually the girl dragging her feet into the new year. I never really care about celebrations. Big Kyle (not my Kyle) had hotel parties in Charlotte two of the years we were at Hampton so those were always mucho fun.

Otherwise, I'm not really into going downtown to crane my neck upwards at fireworks, I don't want to drop $50 on some wack club that's $5 any other night, I don't want to spend all my money (is that the same? yes and no). Basically I want to do the same thing I've done the last 3 or4 years, either bring in the New Year on the phone with Kyle or speak to him and a million other people within the first 15 minutes of the New Year.

I also am not the type to make resolutions. This year I decided I will commit myself to a few things. Not world peace. I want something attainable. I am not Miss America though I could give her a run for her money with my gangstalicious fiyah walk. That's right. I said it. Though I guess a fab walk is more model. Too bad I'm 5'1. Whatever. Semantics.

Les Resolutions:
1) continue working out. I'm in the rhythm now and paying too much money a month to let it go to waste. I will need to start switching my routine up a little though because my eyes are starting to glaze. I reallly (count the l's) need a workout partner.

2) as a result of the aforementioned fitness, buy a Rosa Cha bikini because I only have about 3 years to wear it. Go to collections, Summer 2007. 2nd on the left, 3rd on the right. I would prefer them in other colors. Something to make my skin pop but those are the styles that caught my eye. Her 2006 collection was ick. (No, I don't want to be THAT skinny). Yes I will have to do some strategic placement to make either of those work with my Black woman body.

3) get somewhere to wear #2. clearly i can't go to va beach or rhode island (right t?) w/that on. I'll get arrested and that will NOT be a resolution. Never been to the Carribbean. I'm overdue.

4) Go to Canada!!! Geez! Its ridiculous that I'm this close for a year and a half and have never been to Canada. It's something crazy like 2 hours or less away. So field trip for me.

5) Save $3000. This starts with nine west. sigh. I just bought 2 pairs of shoes. They were on sale, but they will be my last for a while. Ugh. Why did the sales lady show me a pair of white slouch booties? *shudddddder!!!* WTF are you thinkin about? White shoes? And booties at that??? *vomitttttt!!!* Why don't you just spit on me? Absolutely not. These shoes were so ugly I can't even find them on the website. Not that the site is AT ALL easy to navigate but still.

6) Budget. I'm already a step ahead b/c I've written down all of my bills, including food, entertainment and gas. Now implementation is the key. My first test is Friday when I get paid again.

7) Promotion. I've made August 23rd (my birthday) the promotion deadline for each year as long as I'm at a relatively entry-level position. Not quite entry-level, but still not in a job I would want to keep for more than a year. 23rd birthday, got the associate producer job, promoted to weekend morning producer by 24th birthday. 25th, I don't know what it will be, but not weekend mornings. Onward and upward people, onward and upward.

8) Meet a blogger. This is ridiculous. I'm sick of y'all comin to Pittsburgh, or me going to your city and suddenly we're unable to connect. FINE!! Don't meet me!! You smell like feet anyway.

That's enough, right? Those are the goals. The Carribbean may not happen because of the whole saving money thing but I'm down for an October or December trip. That would be so fun. I'm thinking December. While you guys are freezing, I'm heading South! Way South! Speaking of the Carribbean, has anyone seen the Bahamavention commercials??? HUH-LARIOUS!!! Please watch Lyle. I couldn't stop guffawing for like 15 minutes... at work! Hilarious! SOLD! But I think the Bahamas is the place Stace doesn't like. Is that right?

So! Thanks to Wise, I'll be reviewing the last year in blogdom and revealing somethings about my blog that my bloggiversary (how rambling is that post??? wth? pick a topic!!!!) and 100th post did not.

Inspiration for This Blog: Jamar, Erin and Talia's blogs. All fellow j-school Hamptonians. I wanted to get in on it too!! Only Talia still blogs. Booooooooooo!! But I've started a few people blogging myself which I'm quite proud of including my line sister and sister (both no longer blogging boooooo people, booooooo!), Wynel (never posts), and now for my proteges, Ashli and Stace. Love them mucho. I couldn't live w/o their blogs.

Why the Name Mindspace: Because I liked it. It was also around the time I became addicted to myspace. Well, not addicted, but first introduced. I can go days w/o myspace, but not w/o the blogs. I come home and run to the computer like crack.

My Fav Blog Entry: Hmmm... many of the early ones. They were so truly free and hilarious. I go back and read them and can't stop giggling. Some mindspacing. Good times, good times.

Fave Concept: Letters to God. CRACK me up.

Defining Moment: I don't know that there's one. Any suggestions?

Most Popular: State of Black America. All of y'all stop pressuring me. Those take a lot out of me and I ordinarily have to be in a really bad mood or pushed to my wit's end to post them. Why Men and Women Can't Be Friends.

Entry I Wish I Never Published: I don't think there was one. I think very carefully before I post things. They are all representative of who I am whether its unpleasant to others or not. There are, however, some posts I wish I had published but who knows if I will.

Why I Blog: Because I am vain. And bored as all get out. If I hadn't created a blog la familia, I really don't think I would've made it in Pittsburgh. Thank God for computers and the internet.

Blog Resolutions: continue to be me. B/c who wouldn't want to by this fly?

My fave blogs: there are so many. I don't even know where to start. Plus I really don't want to leave anyone out. If pressed, the blogs I check most regularly would be Stace, Ash, X, Cnel, Dream, Wise, Joy, La, and Veronica. If Karamale would come back to regular status, I would be overjoyed. I cannot link all these people. I don't have the patience. Read the comments dammit.

First regular reader: Ashli. We weren't super close in college, but through her reading my blog and sometimes bullying me into posting when I thought no one was reading anyway, we've become pretty close. I love that.

The State of Blogging: Ya know... I really don't care. The dramatics and antics can't ever keep my attention. I don't keep negative people in my life, I'm certainly not going to read it on someone's blog. So. Folk will do want they want to and that's fine. Do you.

Most Personal Entry: it's all personal. Life with D. It's also hard for me to divulge too much about me and the bf's relationship because I know there are people who read this who don't need to know my business. Plus there are some things so good you just want to keep them to myself. So when I do, that's very personal.

Funniest Entry: Fresh AzImiz, Ugly Sweaters, I don't know! Office Ebola and Open Toes? Like I said, a lot of them make me giggle. I can't walk you through 151 posts people! Hahahahahaha

My Blog Style: fluctuates with my mood, pensive, angry, hyper, romantic, political, suppressive, oppressive, brooding, silly, crazy, evil, bitter, I think it pretty much runs the gamut. I also promise lots of posts and rarely deliver on them. I just forget. So if you have something you've been waiting for and I haven't gotten to it, you should tap me on the blog shoulder. But don't be too insistent. I'm known to slap at people who tap me.

The Entry People Still Email Me About: Well, since I hate forwards and try to discourage stalkers, only the few who've directly asked me for my email and sent me their email addy have my email addy. So I guess that's none.

Most Bizarre Encounter Set Off by the Blog: Hmmmm... since I've never met most of you, I have no idea. I don't think this one even applies to me. Now I have gotten some juicay (not juicy) stories from some of you from e-mailing. You guys have some faaaaaaaaabulous lives. I'm telling you, life is so much cooler than fiction. You wouldn't believe it if you read it in a book.

Biggest Disappointment: the first few months when no one read my blog. I felt like such a failure! Boo hoo hoo. Hahaha.

Greatest Blog Triumph: Being shouted out by bloggers I love!! Starting another blog. Getting others to blog. The post w/33 comments.

Place I Most Wanna Visit Thanks to Blogging: Colombia, Panama (Karamale for both of those). Both sound and look cool as hell. And actually, Rhode Island. Tdot makes it sound very picturesque. I don't think I should be lured, though. She's a writer. It's her job to lure people. Lolol. B-more. I'm really jealous Cnel, Epsi and Wise met up. Plus I just love that city.

Place I Least Wanna Visit Thanks to Blogging: Michigan. Y'all make it sound awful.

What I Think Other Bloggers Think of Me: Hyper. Geniastic.

What I Hope Other Bloggers Think of Me: Fabulous writer, fun, I would buy any book she wrote, I can't wait until she posts again. Hahahahaha.

What Readers Can Expect in 2007: Same fly me. But better. Yeah... better. Ow! Come on. How am I seriously supposed to answer that? I don't know. I just aim for the stars.