The world... according to ME

Tales of Domestic Life

2010-09-05T22:42:00.002-05:00

*Him listening to Kanye West's "Power"*

Him: I think I want power. Would you leave me?
Me: Yes, I only want you as long as you are slummin' and bummin'
Him: But what if they want you to be my blood sacrifice?
Me: Huh????
Him: *creepy laugh*

Tales of Domestic Life

2010-09-05T13:55:00.002-05:00

*walking upstairs with a cup of coffee*

Him: I like Coffee...
Me: Mmm... hmmm...
Him: *takes coffee* This is mine now...
Me: I'm not fighting with you over things that can be replaced
Him: You should have made me coffee in the first place
Me: You haven't made me anything today...
Him: I made you love me! ZING!!!! (yes, he said zing.)

*SMDH*

My official Endorsements

2010-08-26T12:20:00.003-05:00

All Hummus is not created equal. Here's the best of the best:

Cedar's Sundried Tomato Basil Hommus. One word. AWESOME.

Tribe's Forty Spices Hummus. A must for spicy lovers, and oh so flavorful!

Harris Teeter's Five Peppers Hummus. A little kick to it, with nice red pepper flavor.

Pita Chips: Nature's Promise Parmesan, Garlic and Herb Pita Chips. Flavor is delicious! A little salty for my tastes, and the pita chips are always a little too crushed, but they really do take any hummus to the next level.

Tales of Domestic Life

2010-08-25T12:02:00.003-05:00

Me: So, what's the status on the oil pan in our kitchen? (read: motorcycle oil pan)
Him: FUBAR
Me: ? lol
Him: They only take it on like, Tuesdays and Sundays, and I keep forgetting
Me: let's just take it to Autozone after hours and leave it on their doorstep... like a baby
Him: LOL
Me: think about it...
Him: lol. NO

This is NOT a Christian nation, zealots!

2008-09-23T18:44:00.003-05:00

Our founders were not Christians, they were constitutionalist. They were patriots that fought to keep the influence of personal religion out of public life.

The Treaty of Tripoli, passed by the U.S. Senate in 1797, read in part: "The government of the United States is not in any sense founded on the Christian religion." The treaty was written during the Washington administration, and sent to the Senate during the Adams administration. It was read aloud to the Senate, and each Senator received a printed copy. This was the 339th time that a recorded vote was required by the Senate, but only the third time a vote was unanimous (the next time was to honor George Washington). There is no record of any debate or dissension on the treaty. It was reprinted in full in three newspapers - two in Philadelphia, one in New York City. There is no record of public outcry or complaint in subsequent editions of the papers.

Thomas Paine was a pamphleteer whose manifestos encouraged the faltering spirits of the country and aided materially in winning the war of Independence:
"I do not believe in the creed professed by the Jewish church, by the Roman church, by the Greek church, by the Turkish church, by the Protestant church, nor by any church that I know of...Each of those churches accuse the other of unbelief; and for my own part, I disbelieve them all."
From:
The Age of Reason by Thomas Paine, pp. 8,9 (Republished 1984, Prometheus Books, Buffalo, NY)

"Religious bondage shackles and debilitates the mind and unfits it for every noble enterprise."
"During almost fifteen centuries has the legal establishment of Christianity been on trial. What have been its fruits? More or less in all places, pride and indolence in the Clergy, ignorance and servility in the laity, in both, superstition, bigotry and persecution." - James Madion, Father of the Constitution.

Benjamin Franklin, delegate to the Continental Congress and the Constitutional Convention, said:
As to Jesus of Nazareth, my Opinion of whom you particularly desire, I think the System of Morals and his Religion...has received various corrupting Changes, and I have, with most of the present dissenters in England, some doubts as to his Divinity; tho' it is a question I do not dogmatize upon, having never studied it, and think it needless to busy myself with it now, when I expect soon an opportunity of knowing the Truth with less trouble." He died a month later, and historians consider him, like so many great Americans of his time, to be a Deist, not a Christian.
From:
Benjamin Franklin, A Biography in his Own Words, edited by Thomas Fleming, p. 404, (1972, Newsweek, New York, NY) quoting letter by BF to Exra Stiles March 9, 1970.

The words "In God We Trust" were not consistently on all U.S. currency until 1956, during the McCarthy Hysteria. (and we all know how envogue McCarthyism is today!)

“I distrust those people who know so well what God wants them to do because I notice it always coincides with their own desires.” Susan B. Anthony, a Biography, 1988

Read Toreau's Civil Disobedience, then mull on it for awhile.
http://thoreau.eserver.org/civil1.html

The Ballot or the Bullet
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CRNciryImqg

The Happy Man's Guide to his Happy Woman

2007-11-13T22:27:00.000-05:00

A Primer

Guys always talk about how complicated women are. About how they don't know what we want, and could not, because we don't know what we want. Really, women are not that complex. And ask any happily married man, putting in a little effort to keep the wife happy goes a long way to maintaining a happy home. Happy women LOVE to make men happy. Let me say it again for emphasis. HAPPY WOMEN LOVE TO MAKE MEN HAPPY. We really do. On the converse, an unhappy woman can be… well, we'll just say *unpleasant*.

So, in my gracious magnanimousness, I have decided to help demystify some things for you guys, just in time for the Holidays (though this is a year-round primer).

On gifts:

#1 People like to get what they want.

This is the first rule of giving good gifts. It is rarely a better idea to come up with something that you are not sure she will like if you are certain of something that she will. Some women will ask for things directly, and others will hint. Your job as a guy is to pay attention. We as women are always talking about things we like. When we do this a bell should start going off in your head! DING DING DING! GREAT GIFT IDEA!

If you are shopping with your lady friend, pay attention to what she picks up, points out, or dismisses as too expensive. You are looking at PERFECT GIFTS! (don't forget the gift receipt) Go back to that store when she is not around and buy it for her. So simple, so easy.

#2 Don't avoid cliché gifts just to avoid them.

I hear a lot of guys say that they don't like to give jewelry, flowers, chocolates, etc, because they are too predictable. Most women I know enjoy receiving any and all of the above. I have NEVER heard a women complaining about getting too much jewelry, or too many flowers. Not never.

Feel free to change things up by giving different types of jewelry (bracelets, earrings, anklets, jeweled hair pieces), different types of stones (non-diamond) or different varieties of flowers (non-rose). We love things that are visible, because when we get compliments, we get to brag about YOU!

#3 Ask someone who knows her well

If you are smart enough to have a good relationship with your ladies friends and family, they are GREAT sources for ideas. They will like you more because they see your hard work and effort, and they will realize that you view them as a valuable person in your ladies life.

WARNING: This does NOT mean become best friends with your ladies sisters or gfs. That is BAD for business, and don't even try to say that I suggested it!

On sweet nothings:

Women are constantly assessing how much of a priority we are in your life. True. Ask any woman. We pay a lot of attention to what we are taking a back burner to (friends, family, work, fraternity, sports, etc) and whether we feel that it is fair or appropriate. IF you are particularly busy with things, that is an excellent time to do something thoughtful for your lady friend. This keeps us feeling important, and then we gush to our friends about how great you are. We might even cook you dinner or treat you to dessert...

Being thoughtful is blown way out of proportion by guys. Everything is not about the money, fellas. Being thoughtful can be picking up my favorite goody from Starbucks on the way home, or something that I rarely treat myself to from the grocery store. Being thoughtful can be as simple as an e-greeting or dropping a card in the mail. Stick a picture in the card, or attach one to the e-greetings. You can be silly, or sentimental or sweet. Thoughtfulness is thoughtfulness. Slip a note in your ladies wallet, or on her steering wheel or dash. Send us a love-text or picturemail. If we know that you are thinking of us we are not around, we go into happy overdrive. (which is basically where you always want your lady)

Other thoughtful gestures (that cost a bit more) are picking up a CD, DVD or book that she has been talking about. Treat her to get her nails done. Get her a candle that she loves. Surprise her and rent a movie she has been dying to see. Anything out of the blue that you know she likes makes an excellent thoughtful gift.

A little goes a long way.

On flowers:

Get over the rose. Roses are nice, and come in a variety of colors. Yay. Women like other flowers, too. Orchids, lilies, violets, daisies, sunflowers, the list goes on and on. Try getting flowers in your ladies favorite color: variety is the spice of life. Do not get carnations, unless your lady specifically says that she likes them.

Also, flowers do not have to come in dozens. A single flower can be just as thoughtful as a bunch. Flowers should also be given randomly, and not just on Valentine's and anniversaries. Great flower occasions: airport pick-ups, promotions/achievements, stressful times, and even in the club when that flower guy comes by.

Also, if you have never sent flowers to your ladies job, you are way behind. Every woman dreams of being the one that everyone else is jealous about at work, and every woman in the office will be wishing they were dating someone more like you. (True!) And gentleman, please make the effort to find out the address WITHOUT having to ask your girl. The element of surprise is key! And make sure it isn't her day off... lol.

On food:

We like you to cook for us too. Yes, I said it. And I don't mean Hamburger Helper. There are few things more attractive than a man who cooks, and the more thoughtful, the better. If you know that I love chicken cordon bleu, and you don't know how to make it, look up a recipe and try. This goes for desserts too. One night of cooking effort could put you in high esteem for weeks!

On clothes:

If there is something that you would really like to see us in, then buy it for us! This goes for high-heels, lingerie, jewelry, dresses, skirts, bathing suits, etc. This makes us feel desired, which is always a good state for a woman to be in.

On Birthdays:

Don't let her fool you, almost everyone likes to be fussed over for their birthday. A fuss doesn't have to be elaborate. A crown, a few balloons, a big flashing pin, a sash, anything that your lady friend will be okay with to show off a little for the day. Gigantic cards are nice, or get her office in on a surprise b-day lunch. Use one or two of the aforementioned at one time, not ALL.

And don't forget, a cake should always be involved for a birthday celebration. Get a small cake (serves 2-4) if it is just the two of you.

In conclusion:

If men will commit to making at least one random thoughtful gesture every 4-6 weeks, it would take a very few minutes of your time, and cost you $0-20. However, a woman that feels appreciated and loved is worth her weight in gold.

If you disagree, then you just aren't doing it right. ;-)

If you are being thoughtful, and she is typically unappreciative, LET HER GO. Do NOT marry miserable women!

Lastly, this is a Primer FOR LIFE. You have to treat your lady with thoughtfulness until one of you dies. I'm so sincere.

*For the record, I encourage women to be equally thoughtful, and therefore strongly welcome any and all male suggestions on how to keep men happy (Outside of food, sex and silence.) I also welcome addendums to my own list*

Disclaimer: This list is to be used in moderation. I am not advocating barraging women with gifts and affection, but merely letting the general male population in on small gestures that work effectively and efficiently in their favor. Use at your own discretion, and at your own risk. Overuse may render yield less effective.

on Incompetence and inefficiency...

2007-04-04T19:08:00.000-05:00

Ok... so last January, I decided to switch my car insurance from State Farm to Geico. (This was going to save me several hundred dollars a year...) I started a policy with Geico, then went to the State Farm office and cancelled my policy. I gave them the information on my new insurer, and everything was good. A week later, I recieved a check from State Farm refunding the unused portion of my policy and noting that I had cancelled my policy with them. Great.

On April 24, 2006 out of the blue and for no apparent reason, State Farm reported to the NC DMV that I no longer was insured by them. This incensed the state of NC, as they require continuous coverage for all drivers. Unfortunately, it was the end of the school year, and I had a job in DC for the summer. They mailed me a letter asking for proof of insurance. I did not receive said letter until August, when I returned, along with a letter that said that my plate had been revoked/suspended. (Imagine my dismay at realizing that I had been driving around for months out of state with an illegal tag...)

Upon my return in August, I sought to correct this dilemma by contacting the DMV and furnishing them with the requested proof of coverage form (called an FS-1). This was on August 18, 2006. So, we are done, right? Not quite.

Fast forward to February 14, 2006. I take my sister out to lunch for Valentine's Day, and upon dropping her off on campus, am notified by the campus police that I need to fix my plate or get a ticket. What is wrong with my plate??? Well, I did not have a 2007 sticker, which should have come with my registration renewal in October. So, I come home and hop on the computer and attempt to update my registration. I can't... it says that my plate is not in the system. Strange. So I call the DMV, and inquire over the phone about my plate and registration. Apparently, there is a $100 fee on my account, because I have not provided proof of continuous insurance coverage. Strange, I thought I had.
"Ma'am, what is the date in question?"
"April 24, 2005."

*LexisReid rolls eyes*

I have Geico fax this information over yet again, and to mail me a hard copy as well, for proof in my own personal file. Now, I just have to wait to recieve a letter back from the state clearing my file so that I can take it to the DMV and pay my registration. Great.

So what happens next? I get pulled over. Why? Because my registration isn't updated. Was it possible for me to have updated my registration yet? No. Was it my fault that my registration was not update and that I never recieved my renewal papers? No. Did I do ANYthing wrong? Well no. So I get this ticket... it's $25. No big deal, right? WRONG! In addition to the $25 ticket, I am assessed a $110 court cost. Why? I have no idea, but I am not paying $135 for something that is not my fault. This is in February, and I am given a court date of April 4, 2007. I get all of my documentation together, from GEICO, State Farm, and the State of NC, and I am ready to contest my ticket.

My ticket says that I need to appear in court at 9am, in Hillsborough, so I leave bright and early, only to arrive at the courthouse to a line of no fewer than 200 people. I kid you not. Apparently the state of NC likes to deal with its ticketing offenses annually. *rolls eyes* I stand in line for two hours before a woman comes out and asks what our tickets are for. I explain only that my ticket was for an expired registration. She asks me for a current proof of registration, looks at it, takes my ticket and tells me I am free to go home. Two hours, and I don't even get to set foot in a courtroom. No judges, magistrates, nothing. Just, Ok, you can go.

At least I didn't have to pay.... after all, it wasn't my fault, anyway.

P.S. I still have a little bit of hate in my heart for State Farm.

Commentary: Perceptions of Kwanzaa

2006-11-26T16:29:00.000-05:00

Piece by O.C. Wami. Comments by A.R.P.

Y'all aren't gonna like this one but... Kwanzaa is bullshit. Yup, I said it.

"Shocking title I'm sure -but it's how I feel. If you know me well this is NO surprise to you.

This so called holiday was created by Mulanga Karenga a "militant black revolutionary". Just a few year after creating this "holi"day he was convicted of torturing two BLACK women who were apart of his cul.. I mean group the United Slaves. He Burned them with hot irons, hit them with electric cords, made them drink detergent, etc., also United Slaves low-key beefed with Black Panthers... two of them killed Black Panthers on the campus of UCLA sometime in the 60's.

According to karenga its created to give Black people a holiday to celebrate instead of celebrating the "white man's holiday" of Christmas. So as a Christian, I feel like I shouldn't celebrate any Christmas alternative. While each day in Kwanzaa has a nice name that sounds commendable, the guiding principle behind Kwanzaa is based on race, not on faith in the one true living God and Savior, Jesus Christ. Some say , well Jesus wasn't even born in December, but I mean he was born so if there is a time to set aside and acknowledge it, Imma do that. No really knows when he was born though.

Karenga based this holiday on "AFRICAN" harvest or first fruit (bullshit cause not one African I know celebrates it, and Im sure many never even heard of it). Though if you really look at a Kwanzaa set up your quickly reminded of a Jewish Hannakah Minora (sp).... well, I am.

So before you dust off your "agbada" or your tiger/leopard/zebra kin "African clothing" or your dyshiki (sp) to rock it once a year please "do your research"... i love that phrase. I did and this is what I found. My friends have always seen me squirm at the mention of Kwanzaa, I never explained why, if you don't know... now ya know. Theres a lot more to say but I know many wont read.

White friends ... if you ever say happy kwanzaa to me our friendship may be in question...lol"

Comment:
I read this piece (a note) on Facebook, and honestly, I didn't have a problem with it. This is some young woman's opinion, and everyone is entitled to their opinion. However, I looked at the comments to her note (not posted here) and saw that she was receiving a lot of accolades for her research into the subject, as well as being lauded for breaking down this issue and providing information for those who didn't know... This is where the problem comes in... Her post is rife with factual errors... :-/ I tried posting responses to clarify some of these issues, but everything I wrote was wholely ignored... so, I will post them myself, because I can.

My reponse(s):

Thank you for highlighting the Kwanzaa tradition as the holidays approach! Kwanzaa is in fact an invented secular holiday, as you stated. It was in no means meant to replace Christmas, but to create a non-western themed tradition for persons descended from the African Diaspora. Kwanzaa emerged from a time of Cultural pride, exploration and contestation, and the fact that the tradition remains salient today speaks volumes about its ingenuity, and the continued desire of Black persons in America to appropriate their own socio-cultural space. The appellation "United Slaves" was a pejorative name appropriated by enemies of Karenga and his organization, which later came to enjoy popular use and recognition, however, Karenga intended the name "Us" as a rhetorical tool to invoke an "Us vs. Them" dichotomy.

I personally think that Kwanzaa is a revolutionary idea, and though it may be misused or misrepresented, and though the founder is HIGHLY controversial, it is a unique tradition (no more generic than most other cultural forms) that can be used by black families to reject the commercialization of Christmas and focus on family, community and our Africanness.

The principles behind Kwanzaa: "One of its central tenets is that culture is the fundamental source of a people's identity, purpose and direction. Thus, Kawaida is, in fact, a continuous dialog with African culture, asking questions and seeking answers to central and enduring concerns of the African and human community. At the heart of this project is the continuing quest to define and become the best of what it means to be both African and human in the fullest sense. This involves an ongoing search for models of excellence and paradigms of possibilities in every area of human life" http://www.us-organization.org/

And in response to several posts (including above article) that suggest that First Fruits is not an African holiday or tradition: "In Swaziland, the Ncwala Festival (first fruits) is the most important and colourful occasion of the year, held in December. The Swazi people have a strong allegiance to their king who forms the central focal point of this festival. It is a chance to honour the royal family as a source of fertility for the country."http://www.gov.sz/home.asp?pid=1254

For an academic take.

An interesting book on Karenga, US, black nationalism, Kwanzaa... Fighting for Us: Maulana Karenga, the US Organization, and Black Cultural Nationalism: by Scot Brown, Clayborne Carson

This Christmas, give Unwrapped gifts!

2006-11-17T18:43:00.000-05:00

This Christmas, give an Unwrapped gift!
Want to give a really moooo-ving gift this Christmas? Try buying a cow for a needy family... for only $75! Maybe that is a little pricey for you... but maybe you have $20 burning a hole in your pocket. With $20, you could purchase water jugs, hygiene kits, or even irrigate a farmer's land for TWO whole months! I know, I know, you want to know how? How can I, an ordinary citizen, do such extraordinary things?

Easy.

Oxfam America.

What is Oxfam America?

"Oxfam America is an international relief and development organization. Founded in 1970, we have been providing lasting solutions to poverty, hunger, and social injustice in the US and around the world for more than 35 years. Oxfam America works in over 26 countries to change the world one community at a time--by helping poor people use their knowledge and power to transform their lives. We are part of Oxfam International, a confederation of 13 Oxfam organizations, which expands our collective reach to more than 120 countries. Together, we make a global impact." (taken from Oxfam site)

Ok, so that was the PC version. Basically, Oxfam allows you to change lives. The gift of a cow mean that a family has fresh milk to drink, free lawn care, surplus milk to sell in the market place, and if they can mate the cow, income from the sale of calves. Cows also provide food that can make the difference between a family starving or surviving. And that is just the cows!You can donate sheep, camels, crocodiles (no, that was not a typo) or for those with more "vegetarian sensibilities", you can give the gift of FIFTY trees, or sponsor an entire garden. Gifts range in price from just under $20 to more than $500, so any level of sponsorship is possible...

The program is an excellent opportunity to give someone a unique gift... Imagine the look on mom's face when she recieves a card saying that someone has recieved a cow on her behalf! Or the joy on your girlfriend's face when she opens her card showing the camel that has been recieve in her name! Oh the joy you could spread this Christmas!Gifts range from the improbable (crocodiles) to the practical, such as starting a coffee mill, a soap making business, or even training activists in legal or gender rights. Whatever your cup of tea is, Oxfam has something for you...

So, this Christmas, give someone a gift that keeps giving, one that is unwrapped, one that is from Oxfam.

Micro-Loans save lives

2006-11-16T14:29:00.000-05:00

This article by E. Pankey of Diseducation.com

Would you believe me if I told you that you could dramatically improve the lives of others in the developing world for free? Well, you should. Let me explain…
Grace, a woman in Uganda supported herself and her four children by making and selling peanut butter. She grounded the peanuts by hand, a labor intensive process. Grace could only make small batches of peanut butter because she had no way perserve the product before sale. A loan of $475 revolutionized her business and outlook on life. She was able to buy an electric grinder and a refrigerator to store her peanut butter before sale. With the new technology, she was able to expand her business, increase her profit and better the opportunities for her children. Grace was able to pay back her loan in full in only 6 months.
This endeavor was made possible through Grace’s determined spirit and micro lending. Micro lending is a relatively new practice which seeks to connect entrepreneurs in developing countries with investors from developed countries. You might say, “Isn’t that what the World Bank does?”. Well, "Yes", but the differenc is one of scale. The loan amounts are small, $200 to $2000 and the interest rate is 0%. This allows individuals like you and me to participate in the process as underwriters with loans as low as $25. The middle man is virtually cut out, so you don't have to worry about corrupt governments diverting funds.
"Give a man a fish and he'll eat for a day.Teach him how to fish and he'll eat forever."
The reality is that there are literally millions of men and women like Grace, who are just waiting for the opportunity to help themsleves, but they need our help to do so. Micro lending offers loans to those who otherwise would have access to loans with prohibitably high interest rates, or no access to loans at all.
KIVA, http://www.kiva.org/, is an internet clearinghouse for entrepeneurs from across the developing world. You can go to the site, read about loan requests, the individuals making them, and place a loan via credit card with PayPal. The loans are followed by a loan officer and you can track the progress of the recipient via email updates. As the loan is paid back, you can either withdraw your money or better yet, reinvest it in another project.
Micro lending gives fortunate people like ourselves the opportunity to better the lives of others with little risk, through a transparent organization. Micro loans for peanut butter, grocery, cattle and fishing business aren’t “sexy”, but they are vital. We can effect change and watch as it happens for less than the price of dinner and a movie. That’s powerful.
As the holidays approach, I can think of no better way to spread goodwill to my fellow sisters and brothers in distant lands than with the opportunity to make their dreams come true.
Currently KIVA is active in Africa, Central America, Asia, the Middle East and Eastern Europe.
“Put your money where your heart is and get your money back”
Check out http://www.kiva.org/ for yourself.

The hypocrisy of our "democracy"

2006-11-09T03:09:00.000-05:00

"I'm not an ultraconservative when it comes to homosexuals. I have some wonderful friends who are homosexual, but I think marriage is between a man and a woman," said Ann Potocnak, 37, of Prince William County.

Alexis says: "I'm not ultraconservative when it comes to [blacks, latinos, native americans, jews, hispanics]. I have some WONDERFUL friends who are [blacks, latinos, native americans, jews, hispanics], but I think marriage is between two white people..."

I'm sorry, I didn't notice any difference in the logic here... Why should YOU have a right that someone else doesn't? I respect YOUR religious beliefs until you decide that they trump MY civil rights...

Next....

"I feel [same-sex couples] should have rights as far as benefits are concerned, but I feel marriage should be between a man and a woman," said Chris Murray, 36, a mortgage broker from Fairfax County. He said he realized that there was a chance the amendment would lead to the loss of legal rights for same-sex couples, but "you can't vote 'maybe' or 'kind of,' " he said.

So, basically, if you are gay, F your civil rights. I am an educated mortgage broker, but it never dawned on me that amendments and bills could be written so as to preserve specific rights, while excluding others. You don't say!?! Well gee, if I had known that... I wouldn't have just come off like an a-hole. (Yes, Lexi's a little annoyed)

The problem with our obsession with democracy is this: We are ruled by the will of the people, which, in some cases is probably good. However, when we are talking about minority groups, and protecting the rights of individuals within those groups, you are asking small portions of the population (<10% gay, for example) to persuade a majority of the public to see things their way. Same goes for immigrants (CAFTA and deportation), disabled persons (think stem cell research), and any other bona fide minority group with a social concern. We spend so much energy trying to "spread democracy", while patting ourselves on the back about how "fair" things are here, but they are only fair when you stand a chance at getting your point heard and considered. When you are willing to sacrifice someone else's rights to prove yours, how committed to "freedom" are you really?

Thank God we have civil rights guarantees! Oh wait... I wasn't using my civil rights anyway...

excerpts from Washington Post article.

Exiting.... the stone age!

2006-10-12T13:37:00.000-05:00

Hey guys... just thought I would share my excitement! I finally got a phone what isn't whack and 75 years old! And to think... I always talk badly about Sprint... but I think, for once in their lives, those sheisters tried to hook it up...

The A900M is 100% compatible with Sprint Power Vision, Sprint Music Store, and Sprint TV, as well as handle music streaming from Sirius and Rhapsody via the EV-DO connection. Other features include a 1.3 megapixel camera, PictBridge compatibility, Bluetooth conenctivity, a voice recorder, 47MB of internal memory, and a speakerphone amongst others.

Yay for me! :-D

War on the Middle Class

2006-10-11T14:15:00.000-05:00

By Lou Dobbs
NEW YORK (CNN) --

I don't know about you, but I can't take seriously anyone who takes either the Republican Party or Democratic Party seriously -- in part because neither party takes you and me seriously; in part because both are bought and paid for by corporate America and special interests. And neither party gives a damn about the middle class.

... What if we all resolved that we would not permit either the Republicans or Democrats to waste their time and ours with wedge issues? Both parties love to excite their bases by focusing on wedge issues like gay marriage, the pledge of allegiance, school prayer, judicial appointments, gun control, stem cell research and welfare reform.Each of these wedge issues is important in varying degrees to large numbers of us, but none of them rises to the level of urgency or the requirement of immediate change in public policy.
These issues are raised by both political parties to distract and divert public attention from the profound issues -- like educating our youth, economic inequality and the war against radical Islamic terrorists -- that affect our daily lives and the American way of life. Imagine the consternation in Washington if both parties had to contend with a national electorate whose political affiliation had dramatically changed within a matter of weeks or months.

...So what if a majority of us decided once and for all to walk into our town and city halls all over the country and change our party affiliation from Republican or Democrat to independent? What if that sizable number of us who don't vote at all decided to register as independents? For the first time in decades, working middle-class Americans might just get the attention of our elected officials in Washington.

... I sincerely hope that we will find the resolve to face these challenges to our way of life, and we do so soon. George Bernard Shaw said, "It is dangerous to be sincere unless you are also stupid."

I'm stupid enough to be absolutely sincere in the hope that middle-class America will awake soon and take action.

Click for full article

In honor of the new movie 'Blood Diamond'

2006-10-10T15:56:00.000-05:00

From The Ultimate Field Guide to the U.S. Economy, http://www.fguide.org/

Ten Reasons Why You Should Never Accept a Diamond Ring from Anyone, Under Any Circumstances, Even If They Really Want to Give You One (2/14/02)
By Liz Stanton, CPE Staff Economist

1. You've Been Psychologically Conditioned To Want a Diamond. The diamond engagement ring is a 63-year-old invention of N.W.Ayer advertising agency. The De Beers diamond cartel contracted N.W.Ayer to create a demand for what are, essentially, useless hunks of rock.

2. Diamonds are Priced Well Above Their Value. The De Beers cartel has systematically held diamond prices at levels far greater than their abundance would generate under anything even remotely resembling perfect competition. All diamonds not already under its control are bought by the cartel, and then the De Beers cartel carefully managed world diamond supply in order to keep prices steadily high.

3. Diamonds Have No Resale or Investment Value. Any diamond that you buy or receive will indeed be yours forever: De Beers’ advertising deliberately brain-washed women not to sell; the steady price is a tool to prevent speculation in diamonds; and no dealer will buy a diamond from you. You can only sell it at a diamond purchasing center or a pawn shop where you will receive a tiny fraction of its original "value."

4. Diamond Miners are Disproportionately Exposed to HIV/AIDS. Many diamond mining camps enforce all-male, no-family rules. Men contract HIV/AIDS from camp sex-workers, while women married to miners have no access to employment, no income outside of their husbands and no bargaining power for negotiating safe sex, and thus are at extremely high risk of contracting HIV.

5. Open-Pit Diamond Mines Pose Environmental Threats. Diamond mines are open pits where salts, heavy minerals, organisms, oil, and chemicals from mining equipment freely leach into ground-water, endangering people in nearby mining camps and villages, as well as downstream plants and animals.

6. Diamond Mine-Owners Violate Indigenous People's Rights. Diamond mines in Australia, Canada, India and many countries in Africa are situated on lands traditionally associated with indigenous peoples. Many of these communities have been displaced, while others remain, often at great cost to their health, livelihoods and traditional cultures.

7. Slave Laborers Cut and Polish Diamonds. More than one-half of the world's diamonds are processed in India where many of the cutters and polishers are bonded child laborers. Bonded children work to pay off the debts of their relatives, often unsuccessfully. When they reach adulthood their debt is passed on to their younger siblings or to their own children.

8. Conflict Diamonds Fund Civil Wars in Africa. There is no reliable way to insure that your diamond was not mined or stolen by government or rebel military forces in order to finance civil conflict. Conflict diamonds are traded either for guns or for cash to pay and feed soldiers.

9. Diamond Wars are Fought Using Child Warriors. Many diamond producing governments and rebel forces use children as soldiers, laborers in military camps, and sex slaves. Child soldiers are given drugs to overcome their fear and reluctance to participate in atrocities.

10. Small Arms Trade is Intimately Related to Diamond Smuggling. Illicit diamonds inflame the clandestine trade of small arms. There are 500 million small arms in the world today which are used to kill 500,000 people annually, the vast majority of whom are non-combatants.

Love of my life

2006-10-08T11:03:00.000-05:00

I'd like to introduce you to the love of my life... I realize that it is unfair of me to keep him all to myself, so, for the first time, I will share him with you all. (sorry, he's mine!)

Hunter, (aka Jasiri Turoka Lionhunter) is 11 years old. He was born July 18, 1995 in Maryland, and has been with the Pankey family since November 19, 1995.

Hunter is a Rhodesian Ridgeback. Ridgebacks are known as African Lion hunting dogs, but don't let that scare you. Ridgebacks are very docile, loyal and laidback dogs. The are perfect house dogs, in that they LOVE to sunbathe and lounge around the house, but once you open the door, you had better start running! Ridgebacks are sighthounds and will chase after almost anything that moves. They love to stretch their legs and go bounding across open fields. Ridgebacks are clever dogs and will take advantage of an owner that does not instill discipline at a young age. Weighing 70-90 lbs on average, you DO NOT want an out of control Ridgeback on your hands... The only thing more loyal than a Ridgeback is a Ridgeback lover... once you have had one, I don't know how you could ever want to own another breed.

So there it is folks... my lovie, Hunter, in all of his wonderful spendidness... and a little about Ridgebacks.

Frozen goodness...

2006-10-05T16:26:00.000-05:00

So, being a lazy grad student, I saw frozen dinners on sale, and decided to buy lean cuisine, healthy choice, and SmartOnes (by Weight Watchers) dinners. I figured this would be faster than hving to cook, would provide me with some variety, and save me a calorie or two... So, I wanted to let you all know about some of the meals I have tried... I'll have to update more later, as I have freezer FULL of meals... lol.

Lasagna Florentine: This one wasn't bad for a veggie lasagna... I definitely miss the meat, but no one makes turkey lasagna :-/...
I'd give it a 7.8/10

Roasted Chicken: Yum! I really enjoyed this one. The flavor was spot on, the peas and carrots were filling, and mine came with roasted potatoes, no dessert. 8.9/10. I don't care for mushrooms, but their weren't many.

Lemon Pepper Fish: Blah... the breaded fish was soggy... it didn't taste horrible, didn't taste great. The rice and broccoli were extremely bland... I had to add seasoning to the broccoli, and the rice was okay if eaten with a piece of fish... won't buy this one again... 4/10

Salmon with Basil: Pretty good! Make sure the salmon is fully cooked. This had rich buttery basil flavor, just mix everything up really well. The Salmon wasn't super flavorful, but it definitely gets the job done! 9/10

Rosemary Chicken: Hmmm! 9/10 mix it up, eat it up!

On vegetarianness...

2006-09-13T23:33:00.000-05:00

So, I read somewhere that Boca Spicy Chik'n patties (read: vegan soy patties) were not bad tasting, and that they actually tasted like chicken. At any rate, for reasons that I cannot explain, I believed this, so off I went to the grocery store, to buy fake chik'n. I got them, and tried them, and you know what, they weren't too bad, especially with condiments such as bbq sauce! So, now, I'm feelin' good about vegetarian food... hey, this stuff isn't bad! So I investigate further, and find that there are vegetarian chicken strips and steak strips (made of soy), and I think, this could be the new hotness! I read reviews online, and people actually raved that these were good! It's always been kind of chic to be a vegetarian, I figured. So I bought those two, and some vegetarian spinach chik'n nuggets.

Well, the moral of the story is never trust a vegetarian who claims that "meat" is good. The spinach/soy nuggets were fine, with bbq sauce, but the steak and chicken strips were hot garbage. I literally had to spit that mess out. Uggggghhh! *shudders*

So, anything that is fried and breaded can't be that bad, even soy. And vegetarians have bad taste, or broken taste buds.

Birthday fun!

2006-08-29T15:10:00.000-05:00

Today I turned 24, and failed my first drivers license test. Comedy!

Today...

2006-08-21T23:13:00.000-05:00

School starts again this week. :(
I got two new frogs. Skittle passed away (R.I.P lil homie) They are Addibisi and Alvarez (like the show Oz). Hopefully they will be around for a while.

I decided to be a vegetarian for a week. I don't understand why people don't eat meat. I MISS meat.

Today, I watched part one of Spike Lee's "When the Levees Broke". I found myself reliving that time period last year, and all the lost anger, frustrastion and disbelief returned. I sometimes hate this country. I don't know if that is healthy or not.

I want to see "Snake on a plane", but no one will go with me.

I can't wait until college football season starts. I am enjoying the pre-season and watching former 'SC players, but I can't wait to don my jersey in sports bars all over Chapel
Hill as I root for my trojans. I LOVE USC!!!!

Mc????

2006-08-10T21:06:00.000-05:00

Ok, so I was killing time before picking my car up from the towing lot (which is a whole other story), so I ventured in to the local McDonalds. Or, at least I thought I did. Inside the doors, my McDonald's had been transformed into a chic bistro or cafe. The color scheme was dim, aside from the colorful food menu. There was no playplace, and there were no children in sight. Rather, the restaurant was being patronized by middle class couples, and chic-dressed 20 somethings. I had to pause, recognizing that I, myself was uncomfortable because I felt underdressed in a McDonalds. When did this happen? When did sweats, a bandana, a camisole and flip-flops become a fashion faux-pas in the fast food world?

The plastic booths that once lined the walls had been re-upholstered in earthy colors. Colorful sconces lighted the walls, and lamps hung from the ceilings over booth tables. The floor looked like ceramic tiles, and the counters for the bistro style bar stool seating was a fake wood grain. I ventured into the bathrooms and was impressed by the immaculately clean state. A few wet spots on the floor were the only pieces of evidence that other patrons had been there. I half expected a woman to be sitting by the counter, spraying patrons with perfume and handing out peppermints. It almost would have felt fitting.

So, what happened to my McDonald's? Was this merely a veneer, or has McDonald's fundementally changed? I don't know what the answer is, but I must admit, I felt strangely comforted when the woman next to me stated loudly, "Ugh, they did it again," and got up to turn in her incorrect order. That's the McDonald's that I know. "Have you had your Mistake today."

Veto

2006-08-09T18:30:00.000-05:00

Ok, so what's with skinny jeans being the new thing? I was largely unaware of this until my sister brought it to my attention, and sure enough, there they are, in store fronts everywhere. Skinny jeans. As if American's weren't self conscious enough about their ever expanding waistlines, the fashion industry has seen fit to emphasize this by making jeans CALLED skinny jeans, which by nature, oinly look good on skinny people. As a black person who is not really all that large, but owns a healthy pair of thighs, skinny jeans would only serve to make me look disproportionately ridiculous. Certainly not skinny. I know that the center of the fashion universe is supposed to be Paris, and people in Paris I guess are skinny. Kudos to them. I need someone to market "normal jeans" or "healthy jeans". How about "American jeans"... the kind with a $5 coupon to McDonald's in the back pocket?

Entreprenuership at its best...

2006-03-21T01:30:00.000-05:00

I've come up with an idea...

So, you are getting old, right? (by old, I mean you have graduated from college)
Your friends start getting married, right? (yes, ones from high school count...)
You don't always agree... (I mean, you met them, and you can't think of a good reason to support the impending union...)

So what do you do?

Send a Simp-athy card.

That's right. You thought "sympathy" was just for funerals. You were wrong. There are a million reasons to be "sympathic" for your friends, and marriage is a perfect opportunity. So are engagements, babies, buying a new house, or car. Pretty much every new life change can be celebrated with LexisReid's patented "Simp-athy Cards". You know your boy didn't want to marry her. You know your girl never intended to be a sugar mama. Send them a Simp-athy card. Show your friend you really care. Your friend is actin' up, and you should let the world know. Simp-athy. Act now, Simps are standing by...

Madness = Sadness

2006-03-19T01:23:00.000-05:00

UNC goes down to George Mason. Sadness.

Tennessee goes down to... Witchita State? Man, I love March!

UW Huskies beat out Illinois for a spot in the Sweet 16.
(There will be no repeat of last year's UNC/Ill match up)

Bradley beats Pittsburg, and W. Virginia beats Northwestern State.

The madness is on and poppin'!

Tune back in on Thursday night to hear abou the latest happenin's!

MARCH MADNESSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!

2006-03-16T22:34:00.000-05:00

Okay... bracket watch 2006...

BC beats Pacific in DOUBLE OT for an early bracket scare... not feeling too confident about my Eagles...

Gonzaga BARELY edges out Xavier in the gun fight, but lives to play another day. I need the Zags to do well, but it doesn't look good kids...

Florida serves S. Alabama, as UCLA cans Belmont. No surprises here.

WHOA WHOA WHOA, Montanta, from left field, beats 5 seed Nevada. That's what we call a bracket shaker, kids. And Witchita State, from nowhere, takes down Seton Hall. (I predicted that in half of my brackets...)

LSU pulls it out over Iona, and Tennessee BARELY seals the deal over Winthrop. (What the heck is a Winthrop?)

W-Milwaukee with the early Oklahoma upset, and an unexpected OT match up between GWU and UNC Wilmington had me in a COLD SWEAT! On your seat edges and feet, its MADNESS TIME!!!

So far, I have 1 bracket that is FUBAR, 2 that are going well (only one loss) and one that is going okay (2 losses) BUT, it is early yet, and games are still being played. only time will tell.

STAY TUNED!!!

Broke, Broke, Broke Phi Broke... We ain't got it!

2006-02-23T11:41:00.000-05:00

Okay, so studenting doesn't net you very much money, and it nets you even less if you are not good at it. In light of this revelation, as well as Oprah's shows on "the debt diet", I figure, I need to make some money.

Now, there are a lot of sites online where you can invest... including:
http://www.ameritrade.com
http://www.sharebuilder.com
http://www.scottrade.com
... and many more.

What are the best sites to use for investing?
Where can I get good stock tips and information?
Do I need to order MONEY magazine, or what?

So, my question to cyber space is,
"Who is making money, and how are you doing it???"
I'd love to get some ideas, tips, feedback.... anything really. Help!

"I don't want him, if he ain't made no commitment to you / and you don't need him, 'cause the boy ain't ready..." - Erykah Badu

2006-02-17T00:50:00.000-05:00

What is the nature of a commitment?

I was talking to my wonderful boyfriend the other day, and he was surprised to hear my espousing my mom's belief that "You aren't married until you have a ring on your finger," and my grandmother's contention that "You aren't married until you are married." This in itself doesn't sound alarming, until you think about filling out forms and surveys. Do you notice that for their marital catagories, they offer "Single, Married, Divorced, Widowed, Seperated." That's it. So, if you are not one of the other catagories, you are, by default, single.

"What about if you are in a commited relationship?" he asks. "Single. Still single."

Unless you have a ring, you are single.

A committed relationship is wonderful. I happen to be in one, but a committed relationship does not require the person to say "I won't leave", moreso, "I won't cheat," or, "I will respect you enough to break up with you if I meet someone else or fall out of love with you." That is not exactly a great guarantee, in my opinion.

When you get engaged to someone, you are saying, "Hey, I am willing to be in it for the long haul." Married legal binds this commitment. So men, hold your ladies tight... If she doesn't have a ring, she is, technically speaking, still "Single".

*DISCLAIMER* If you are my wonderful boyfriend, and reading this, this is not personal, just me rambling. Please do no call me and ask what is wrong/ what I am thinking.

If you are one of my close friends, and you read this, I am not trying to get rid of my wonderful boyfriend. Please do no call me and ask what is wrong/ what I am thinking.

And for those with TRULY wild imaginations, I am not campaigning for a ring, either.

Thank you.

When?

2006-02-01T02:13:00.000-05:00

Friend: "So, when are you getting married?"
Me: "Huhn? I can't even keep my room clean and make my bed..."

Surprise!

2006-01-29T20:55:00.000-05:00

On Friday night, there was a knock on my door. I answered, expecting my roommate. There stood my boyfriend, with flowers in one hand, and a bottle of wine in the other. I told this to my friend, and she said, "Yeah, no wonder you love him." Yeah, no wonder... :)

HO-lympics and other reasons for disgust...

2006-01-24T19:08:00.000-05:00

So, the most interesting thing I learned today was about the HO-lympics. This is a competition among friends (male in this case), in which points are awarded (bronze, silver, gold) for hoing around. For example, meeting someone and making out would net you a bronze medal. Oral sex would get you a silver. Regular sex would get you a gold. (this essentially works on a 3,2,1 pt scale, with Gold = 3.)

Now, lets all pause and reflect on how disgusting a competition like this is.

Thank you.

However, I was more disgusted by a story I heard when talking to my roommate's boyfriend. He has a friend that does a lot of travelling, and who also likes guns, and shooting. On a trip to another country, he was at a shooting range when a native of that country came up to him in started speaking. Upon interpretation, he learned that the man was offering to let him shoot a Cambodian woman, in lieu of a target, for a cost of $2.50 US. After the friend expressed his dismay and disgust, the native man then offered to let him shoot a cow for a dollar more. ($3.50)

Advocate for human rights.

Love and Happiness

2006-01-17T11:37:00.000-05:00

Introducing: Carly Andrea Nelson Ntoya!
My roomie from Frosh year was a BEAUTIFUL bride this weekend. May she and Toutou enjoy many many many years of happiness!

CONGRATS!!!

Innocence lost...

2005-12-15T15:16:00.000-05:00

Ok, more on how the death penalty should be abolished.

We convict innocent people... and not infrequently. Based on new DNA evidence, two men in Virginia were just exonerated of crimes that they had already served time for. Three more men were exonerated earlier based on DNA evidence as well.

You don't say.

Illinois, in 2000, suspended its use of the death penalty, after DNA evidence proved that THIRTEEN death row inmates were INNOCENT. The Governor talks about his decision below:

GOVERNOR GEORGE RYAN, Illinois: "We don't want to kill innocent people and we almost did in Illinois, and that's what brought me where I am today, that we had to put a stop to it, because we were this close to killing innocent people, not once, not twice, but 13 times in Illinois. Anthony Porter was two days away, ordered his last meal, fitted for his suit and his coffin, and two days away from execution, we almost executed him. It would have horrendous had we done that."

The State postponed all further executions in order to investigate why more executions had been overturned than carried out since the death penalty was reinstated in 1977.

However, don't get it twisted. Governor Ryan still believes in the death penalty... he just wants to make sure that they are killing the right guys... Which, I think at this point, we have clearly proven that they are not competent and capable of doing.

I am not saying that the death penalty should be abolished just because there are innocent people being punished. I am saying that the death penalty is cruel and unsual punishment. Death does not bring back dead loved ones. It changes nothing, solves nothing. The US is the only Western industrialized nation where executions still take place. Furthermore, it is the only nation that combines frequent executions with a "highly developed legal system characterized by respect for individual rights." We join the ranks of Middle Eastern states (you know, the ones we are trying to bring democracy to...) in States that continue the use and support of capital punishment... interesting. I knew that Bush, Saddam and Hitler had something in common...

An interesting blog to check out that raises interesting questions and parallels:

Stanley "Tookie" Williams... R.I.P.

2005-12-13T19:58:00.000-05:00

This man was a co-founder of the Crips gang, accused of 4 murders in 1979.

Williams never pleaded guilty and maintained his innocence.

Williams, recognizing his own sacrifices, became the author of childrens books, discouraging young people from getting involved in gang life.

Williams was nominated 5 times for Nobel Peace Prizes or Nobel Prizes in literature.

Williams was sentenced to death in 1981. Because of appeals and other reasons, this man was not scheduled to be executed until Dec 13, 2005. It seems to me that if we have a criminal justice system that takes over 2 decades to assess whether or not someone has recieved a fair trial, and whether or all of the evidence has been sufficiently weighed, then we do not have any business KILLING people who allegedly committed crimes. Take the example of Illinois, who decided, after DNA evidence overturned the cases of 12 or 13 Death Row inmates, that they would no longer sentence convicted felons to death... interesting.

Williams had changed his life as much as one possibly could, inside of prison walls.

The Governor of CA said that redemption could not be had without remorse, and that he essentially could not grant clemency to someone who had not apologized for the atrocious murders. Ironically, IF Williams did not commit the murders, his refusal to confess to a crime that he did not commit may have caused him his life. You can't not apologize for something that you did not do.

Please read about Williams below. May he rest in peace.
http://tookie.com/tookie_fact_sheet_10.18.05.pdf

Love... makes no sense

2005-12-12T18:21:00.000-05:00

"Pick me. Choose me. Love me." - Meredith, Grey's Anatomy

You know, a lot of people have criticized this line in the show, saying that the character seemed too desperate, but to me, it was nothing more than the display of vulnerability that love causes. Anyone who has ever loved someone else has felt that way... most of us just don't have the courage to say it.

Ok, so in the most recent episode of Grey's Anatomy, The Dr. Sheppard's are having a rough go of it. Addison is getting stoked for the holidays, while Derek seems to be some place, really any place else. As the show concludes, Addison confronts Derek, asking what was wrong because Christmas had always been their favorite holiday. Derek says (more or less): "Christmas is about spending time with people that you love. I am not saying this to hurt you, or because I don't want our relationship to work. Meredith was not a fling, she was not revenge, I fell in love with her, and just because I decided to stay with you doesn't make that go away."

DAAAAAAAAAAANG! Did you really just say that? Wow. So this led back to an earlier conversation...

Would you be more upset if your significant other: (a) cheated on you physically, or (b) fell in love with someone else?

I said (b)
My boyfriend said (a)
My roommate said (b)

What do you say?

Election day

2005-11-08T18:23:00.000-05:00

I voted today. I have voted in every election since I turned 18. I am 23 now... This makes me proud. I take my right to vote very seriously. I hope you do too.

I voted in 2000 when Bush lost to Gore.
I voted in 2002, and elected Governor Davis of CA
I voted again in 2003 to keep Davis in office, and Arnold Schwartzaneggar out. ( I resent the fact that people that were too lazy to vote the first time were able to undue the efforts of those of us who were not too apathetic to vote...) I voted against proposition 54, and Ward Connerly.
I voted in 2004 when Bush, Diebold et al counterfeited another election, disenfranchised more voters, and tried to undermine the integrity of exit polls and democracy. I lost a lot of faith in this country that day. It has not been restored.
I voted today, and I will vote next time as well. Be heard. Be counted. Vote.

Genocide...

2005-11-06T15:37:00.000-05:00

Today's lessons are on Genocide.

For examples, see movies "Hotel Rwanda" or "Sometimes in April".

Genocide is the systematic killing of substantial numbers of people on the basis of ethnicity, religion, political opinion, social status or other particularity. The most widely known example is the Holocaust (the genocide of various groups, especially Jews, during World War II by Nazi Germany and its collaborators). Lesser known in the West are Stalin's forced starvation of Ukrainian farmers, or Mao's murder of 20 to 60 million Chinese.

The annihilation of most native americans by several means (such as the killing of the buffalo, for example) can also be considered genocide. Although such killing sprees also took place in most of the american continent (in some countries there is almost no indian population like in Argentina, where the genocide was sponsored by the goverment).

However, the term genocide has also been defined more broadly or narrowly, on the one hand by historians and sociologists and on the other by legal experts or diplomats.

Most generally, genocide is the deliberate destruction of a social identity.

Sudanese Genocide

This is the blog of an aid worker in Sudan

The Rwandan Genocide of the 1990's

This is a list of massacres, modern and long past... Now would be a good time to reflect on the progress that humans have made over the last few centuries...

Get that man a passport...

2005-11-04T20:57:00.000-05:00

You know, in light of recent events, I think that prez. bush should travel more... if non-Americans can be so much more honest than Americans, then let's encourage bushie to take an extended vacation abroad...

"Small bands of demonstrators threw Molotov cocktails, set bonfires in the streets with items looted from stores, burned American flags and set a bank ablaze. "

"Hugo Chavez, Venezualean president, condemned what he called U.S. imperialism while demonstrators opposed to the Iraq war and U.S.-led trade policies called Bush a "fascist" and a "terrorist."

http://www.cnn.com/2005/WORLD/americas/11/04/bush.summit/index.html

Who run it?

2005-11-03T23:02:00.000-05:00

Women who run shit!
(perhaps America is not as progressive as it thinks...)

And unrelated....

I can't wait until someone comes forward years from now, and confesses that Bush rigged the elections in 2000 and 2004, and has indisputable proof of his transgressions, and a clear chain of implications for many prominent Republicans. Then, someone else will come forward with evidence (once again, indisputable) that Bush knew before the war that Iraq was not a threat, and that he fabricated reasons to go to war. That will be a great day....

Never ceases to amaze...

2005-11-02T20:48:00.000-05:00

This is the dumbest thing I have ever seen. WTH!?!

Welcome to EatHufu.com, home of Hufu-- The Healthy Human Flesh Alternative!

(as seen on The Daily Show)

YAY!

2005-11-01T22:56:00.000-05:00

i'm going to cirque du soleil!!! Hurray!!! Dreams really do come true! Now, if only some magical wonderful person will buy me tickets to the USC/UCLA game, I will be the happiest girl in the world....

Make my wish come true?

Today, in quotes...

2005-10-27T11:59:00.000-05:00

"Imagine for a moment, that you are a baby, hurtling down from space..." (heard in my 11am class... and who says grad school is boring???)

"You know, Harriet Miers might claim to be a conservative, but her eyeliner says, 'I party hard EVERY night!' " - Me, after a classmate informed me of Mier's withdrawl as Supreme Court nominee

On Mier's Withdrawl: “Let’s move on,” said Republican Sen. Trent Lott of Mississippi. “In a month, who will remember the name Harriet Miers?” (DAYAM!!!! Way harsh Lottie! Wait, who were we talking about again... )

IranianPresident Mahmoud Ahmadinejad quoted that "[Israel] must be wiped out from the map of the world." The president then said: "And God willing, with the force of God behind it, we shall soon experience a world without the United States and Zionism." (Um, wow...)

my handsome bastard

2005-10-27T01:27:00.000-05:00

Notes on life...

2005-10-26T16:36:00.000-05:00

- chin up, I found $10 today lying on the ground
- I find the idea of my master's completely daunting
- when I walked in the door, my house smelled like the curry I made last night
- I am supposed to go to Miami in two days
- I really like the people in my grad school cohort
- I'd rather be anywhere but here, doing anything but this

my current dream travel locations include:
- Brazil
- Guatemala
- Costa Rica
- Morocco
- South Africa
- Italy
- India
- Japan

The State of the Union (the union being me...)

2005-10-25T19:22:00.000-05:00

Things I'd rather be doing:
- taking a hot bubble bath
- snuggling with my boyfriend
- typing the last sentence of my masters, rather than the first draft
- travelling the south of Spain
- playing with my dog Hunter
- visiting friends in L.A.
- getting a head and body massage
- eating chocolate
- drinking a glass of wine
- eating Amante's chicken pesto pizza (wowsers!)

Things that annoyed me today:
- all the reports that say that if an election were held this year, Bush would lose. Can we say "too little, too late!?!"
- cold feet (we haven't turned on the heat yet)
- House still isn't back on. Baseball is whack
- bad customer service

Things that made me happy today:
- shrimp
- homemade crockpot Chicken Curry (Vindaloo)
- passing my stats midterm
- Tuesday night means "Real World" time!!!
- The Daily Show makes me happy every night! God Bless Jon Stewart!

So I was thinking...

2005-10-23T23:04:00.000-05:00

I was thinking that you should all go out and rent The Beat. My friend from college stars in it as the main character, Flip. You should check it out.

Today, I was driving past a Philip Morris tobacco plant in Virginia, and I was struck by the fact that cigarettes are STILL legal in this country... after all, according TheTruth.com, "Tobacco companies make a product that kills 440,000 Americans a year." Now, I assume this includes all tobacco products, and not just cigarettes, but why in the world allow a prodcut that is KNOWN to kill people stay on the market? Drugs and medicines get thrown out of the market for killing far fewer people, and yet, tobacco is a profitable industry with a strong lobby. I heard on NPR today that Brazil leads the world in gun related deaths, with a whooping 36,000 gun related deaths last year. Not to dismiss that number by any means, but that is LESS than 10% of Tobacco related deaths in the US. "Over 50,000 people a year die from secondhand smoke in the US alone." (thetruth.com) Those are NON-smokers that are being killed by smokers... This makes absolutely no sense, by any means, and has no reasonable justification. I find it deplorable, unacceptable, and morally reprehinsible.

Also, when did the Democratic party lose its voice? Has anyone else noticed that as new issues, scandals, and events arise in the US, we always hear the conservative response, but there is consistently little heard coming from Democratic offices? What is the point of electing mute officials? This is a trend that has become increasingly worse since the Texas Bushman stole the election in 2000, and again in 2004, but at this point, its as if the government has put a gag order on the opposing party? What gives?

And speaking of politics, since when does someone's religion and religious beliefs qualify them to a position on the Supreme Court? My grandmother is very religious and has never served as a judge. I've known her for over 10 years, and she plays the lottery a lot... In my mind, that makes her a pretty capable candidate... People, people. Separation of church and state. If you are religious, great. I don't want to hear about it in your political speeches or your campaigning. If you can't be objective and project decisions outside of your own experience, beyond your own personal beliefs, then you have no right to serve on the Supreme Court. Hegemony anyone? (And let's be honest, Harriet's eyeliner is way scary!)

Lastly, if I get to come back, in another life, I want to be born in India, so I can eat Indian food everyday. I wonder if they have good chocolate in India...

He's taken....

2005-10-06T13:56:00.000-05:00

Now, I am not one for sharing, but today, I feel generous, so here is a picture of my wonderful beau... Sorry ladies, he's taken ;)

i love my friends

2005-09-28T23:35:00.000-05:00

Me and the homies. God I miss CA sometimes...

One of them...

2005-09-24T14:15:00.000-05:00

Suddenly, I find myself being one of those people. For my second anniversary, my beau gave me an ipod nano. I never in my entire life imagined myself owning an iPod, and am quite excited to be admitted to such an exclusive club! But, now I feel like "one of them"... you know, iPod people... people who can't stop talking about how great iPods are, and how they are so superior to every other thing that has ever been invented. Well, I'm not sure about all that, but I know that I have this itty bitty music machine now, and I intend to enjoy it. :)

I love USC

2005-09-22T12:32:00.000-05:00

I love my alma mater, The University of Southern California.

The University of:
- Supreme Classes
- Sunny California
- Sexy Coeds
- Spoiled Children
- Social Connections
- Sleek Couture
- Superior Contacts
- Smug Confidence
- Shaken Cocktails
- Scmoozing and Cavorting
- Sophisticated Colleagues
- Simple Conundrums

.... please post additional suggestions :)

Ah Alexis...

2005-09-18T09:24:00.000-05:00

Today I have cramps and feel quite fat and bloated. I know someone out there was dying to know that. Yesterday, I made lasagna with ground chicken. Ground chicken does not taste like ground turkey. Later, I went to get some gas. It cost $2.85/gal. Ouch. Yesterday, I also went to see the Constant Garderner (good!) and Broken Flowers (good, if you liked Lost in Translation or Bill Murray movies) I saw them back to back, and paid for both tickets. I also locked my keys in my car for the first time. My beau laughed at me because I have a spare key on the same key ring as my primary key. I locked that one in the car too. Fortunately I have multiple spares.

Last night, I had a dream that I got in a terrible car accident and totaled my car. I couldn't sleep much after that. I am currently eating oatmeal, and waiting for my drugs to kick in, so that I can focus on my HW. Also, my 2 yr anniversary with my beau is a week from today.

WMDs

2005-09-17T19:05:00.000-05:00

Dear President Bush,

I have found your weapons of mass destruction. They are on USC's offensive line. I noticed them this weekend as they tore through Arkansas. (70-17) They are extremely dangerous. Proceed with caution.

Sincerely,

Alexis

Letter to the editor...

2005-09-14T22:32:00.000-05:00

So, today, I wrote my first letter in response to an op/ed piece in the Daily Tarheel (DTH).

It was in response to this piece:

It’s sad, but racial profiling is necessary for our safety

It read as such:

There is something called responsible journalism. Responsible journalism does not infringe upon free speech, but refuses to give forum to vitriolic hate speech such as the editorial yesterday by Jillian Bandes. As a former newspaper editor, I am appalled at the DTH's decision to print such an ill-informed jingoistic diatribe. Bandes' lack of professionalism, journalistic integrity and sense of discretion warrant nothing less than her immediate removal from the editorial staff. That is, after she publicly apologizes to the Arab/Muslim community at UNC, and the rest of the world that was unwilling witness to her ill-informed views and hate-speech. Fin.

Now, there are a few key things you should keep in mind when writing to editors.
* First, you have to draw them in. I attempted to invoke comraderie by claiming to have been an editor... actually, I was only the layout editor... in high school... but I can format a mean picture, trust!
* Second, use big words. (ie, jingoistic, diatribe, vitriolic, etc) Journalists love words, and they like looking like they attract intelligent readership. If they print the response, it makes their paper look cool and inaccessible... an exciting prospect for any paper!
* Third, draw on moral issues, such as journalistic integrity and responsibility. Journalists take their job very seriously.
* Fourth, make the issue bigger than yourself... ie, she needs to apologize to an entire community. Everyone loves a selfless response!
*And most importantly, keep it civil, appropriate, timely, and for GODSAKES grammatically sound. Otherwise they will print your response simple to allow people to laugh at you and expose your lack of english proficiency.
* Lastly, pray that the piece was not satirical, a la, A Modest Proposal ... otherwise you will just look like a baffoon....

Class dismissed.

Failure

2005-09-13T19:21:00.000-05:00

today, i tried to make samosas. It didn't go quite as planned. In my defense, the filling (ie, seasoned potato/pea mixture) tasted quite authentic... however, the thin crispy flour shell was more like a dense hard encasement.... I couldn't even bite the thing... i kinda had to gnaw on it for a while. Eventually, i gave up and just got a spoon and scooped the contents out... patience isn't a virtue of mine, clearly. I guess neither is baking...

Inside/Out

2005-09-12T14:50:00.000-05:00

Right now, outside of my apartment, there's a hurricane generated rainstorm passing by. It is windy, and kind of makes the trees swirl. I heard something crash down, probably a light fixture from outside. Undoubtably, there is a torrent of water flowing through the parking lot, as happens whenever it rains. It is pleasant though, not frightening, as exhibited by the family next door which is outside enjoying the stormy weather. Earlier, it was drizzling while the sun was out. It does that a lot here. Those are some of my favorite times.

Right now, inside my apartment, I have once again consumed an entire pizza. I did this after discussing Marx's theory of class with my beau, and debating the nuances of exploitation and class identification. Before that, we discussed the implications of international trade on foreign workers, and whether paying workers low wages in other countries constituted exploitation, or merely expanded job opportunities (for both rapacious capitalists and poor workers).

Later, I talked (again) about how I want to adopt 2-4 kids, maybe of different cultures, maybe from different countries. I really want 4 kids, ideally, assuming that I at some point actually want kids at all, which, right now, does not sound particularly appealing. However, with the costs of child rearing being so high, and the career trajectory that I would like to follow, I feel that 2 is a more feasible number. I would never have just one child, and 3 is too close to 4, so I would end up with four. I have wanted to adopt at least since I was 12, at that time, for purely selfless reasons. Admittedly now, my reasons are more selfish. Call me cynical, but I have no desire to bring my own children in this world. Its not good enough for them, and I don't foresee it becoming that way in the near future. Additionally, I cannot think of anything more devestating than children growing up w/no parents, and feeling as if no one wanted them. I can think of no greater privilege than raising such a child.

So that's whats been going on outside, inside, and inside my head.

Happy Birthday

2005-08-29T17:58:00.000-05:00

on today, I have been on this earth for 23 years. It's been a long life... On the day I turned 23, New Orleans was inundated by a hurricane, and was swallowed by Lake Pontchatrain...

Hip Hop, pt 2.

2005-08-13T02:33:00.000-05:00

Imagine a dark club, full of twenty somethings... the club is hot, but not smoky. It's a smoke free facility. The walls are sticky with the moisture of warm bodies which bob and pulse to the rhythm. The bass line reverberates in the chests of the concert goers as they plunge their fists into the air, fueling the energy of the MC that is holding the mic. Suddenly, the stage fades to black. From stage left, a green light streams forward to find the emcee... the stage goes blue, highlighting the silhuettes of the DJ and band members, while the green persists in following the MC. The stage goes from a blue haze to a purple ambiance, puncutated by streams of red and pulsing flashes of yellow. The yellow takes over, creating a surreal glow over the crowd, as blue gives visual expression of the bassline, and pink streams of light accentuate the mellifluous flow. Suddenly, the bassline drops out. The DJ stops spinning, and it's just the MC, the mike, and a sole white light. This is the MC, raw, on stage. The crowd knows it, the lights inform this unconscious recognition. When he is done spitting his lyrics, the lights slowly fade to black. The crowd goes wild.

Tonight, I ran a light show. :)

Ok, so maybe it didn't go exactly as I described... maybe the light show looked like an acid trip, like skittles on crack. Maybe the red and white lights were those of the ambulances that they needed to take the concert goers away after they convulsed into seizures because of my crazy light spectacular... but it was still fun, and I still got to do the lights, so there.

more realizations...

2005-08-12T17:59:00.000-05:00

1. I am very fortunate to have such a wonderful boyfriend.
2. You will never make friends again like the ones you make in college.
3. When people get off of airplanes, their toes look like little smokies.
4. Los Angeles has traffic at all times, for no reason. However, the traffic moves. D.C. traffic is around rush hour, and goes nowhere.
5. It is a shame to live in CA and not to explore the state. Santa Barbara and San Diego are exquisite. Everyone should walk across the Golden Gate bridge, and take an evening cruise under it, and past Alcatraz. Everyone should see the Redwoods, and Giant Sequoia trees, and sea lions lounging on CA beaches. CA should be explored from beach to mountain. And when you are in LA, you should explore the ethnic enclaves, and the musuems, from the Armand Hammer and Getty, to LACMA and the Gene Autry musuem. And whale watching. Everyone should go whale watching.
6. When my dad went to Medical School in the 1970's, there were 9 black doctors in his class. My friend Lucy has enrolled in Medical School at USC's Keck School of Medicine. There are 6 black students in her class. I don't know what the question is, but the answer is NOT affirmative action.
7. I am amazed at my ability to be repeatedly stood up in short periods of time, and still maintain my sanity.
8. In CA, you can buy a large assortment of wine for $5 or less. If I lived there, I would be an alcoholic :)
9. Trader Joe's French Truffles are a must for everyone's cupboards. It's like heaven in your mouth.
10. I have more school spirit as an alum than I ever did as an undergrad. Go Trojans!
11. When someone tries to recruit you to join a gym, but they do so at Fatburger over a Triple thick chocolate milkshake, you are entitled to be confused.

No habla...spanglish?

2005-08-02T13:18:00.000-05:00

So, as part of my summer gig, I have to call youth across the country and schedule interviews. Aside from catching people when they are home, this is not an exceedingly difficult task... Except for this one house, that I call, and the mother (or who ever it is that answers the phone) doesn't speak English. Now, I've called this lady a dozen times, and she always pretends like she doesn't know what I am talking about when I say her daughter's name. So, today, I decided I would try to use a little spanish, and maybe I could get somewhere. Ok, so spanish quickly turned to Spanglish, as I nervously rambled off an explanation of who I was, and why I was calling. Apparently she was quite amused by this, which I could tell by her muffled laughter. She was pretty damn pleased with herself as she got off the phone, laughing audibly, but she did tell me that her daughter was at work, and what time I should call back.

Points for useful information: 5
Points lost due to assault on ego: 75
Net points: -70

Verdict: Spanish mommy wins (this round...)

The big apple

2005-08-01T12:28:00.000-05:00

Here are some things that I learned while visiting NYC...

1.) Sex in the City was not filmed in NYC. The city that Carrie Bradshaw traipsed in Manolo Blahniks had no sidewalk grates, pot holes, bricks, or even subways. This is clearly not NYC, as those things constitute a full 75% of the cities infrastructural makeup.

2.) It rains everyday in NYC. Honestly. Well, sort of. This old city suffers from a lack of central air, meaning that everyone has window A/C units... which means there is a constant dripping from high windows all over the city, hence, NYC rain, the the form of A/C condensation. I was pretty grossed out by this, while New Yorkers seemed to take it in stride fairly well.

3.) It's not always about the money. I went to a bar with my friend. There weren't more than 12 people there, and all of those people were "friends of the bar", and hence, getting free drinks. The entire night, I only saw one person pay for a drink, and this was discounted, because he was a friend of a friend of the bar. I didn't think I would ever see a bar lose money on a Friday night like that, but yes, I did. Guess it's not always about the money.

4.) If three men enter a bathroom together, and reemerge shortly thereafter, they may have been doing cocaine or other illicit drugs. Gay sex should not be your first assumption.

5.) Duck meat is very dark, and tastes reminiscent of roast beef (I don't eat red meat). According to the FDA, duck meat is not red meat, it is still poultry.

6.) New Yorkers have insane stamina. There is a restaurant called Serendipity 3, which serve amazing posh desserts, such as frozen hot chocolate and decadent brownie sundaes. Unfortunately, the wait is always 1.5-2 hours or more, just to get in this place. Apparently, there are lines all day, and it doesn't die down until 1am. Also, if you want to make a reservation, you must do so weeks in advance. Seriously.

7.) Starbucks is my new favorite place. Don't get me wrong, I don't buy anything, but they are great for sitting down after long days on the city, and they have free wireless, and outlets so that I can charge my phone. I used countless Starbucks as I traversed the city. Kudos for Starbucks.

8.) I called my cousin who lives in Brooklyn, to see if I could come visit him. He said that he "was having crazy drama with his wife," and would call me back. I don't know what that means generally, but specifically, it means that he never called back.

The End.

Depressing

2005-07-31T21:25:00.000-05:00

I just wanted to state, for the record, that hanging out with graduate students is the most depressing endeavor that I engage in in life. ( I acknowledge that I am in graduate school, and so is my beau, and half of everyone I know, but that's just how I feel.)

I just really wanted that documented somewhere...

TANF

2005-07-30T15:02:00.000-05:00

Some of you might not know what TANF is. Allow me to explain. TANF, is temporary Assistance for Needy Families, eg, welfare. Why am I writing about welfare? Because I QUALIFY for welfare. That's right. If my gross take home income is less than $1009/month, I qualify for $149 in monthly assistance. I am currently debating how I feel about this revelation, and whether or not I should apply. I also would like to say that, for the record, anyone who complains to me about being broke/poor/overworked and underpaid, I invite you to take the vow of poverty that is graduate school. (that means, I don't want to hear about it...) I am, however, amused by the irony.

*Doctor's daughters on welfare* on the next Maury...

I guess I have been homeless once before, I may as well add welfare to the repetoire, so that my autobiography will be that much more interesting... And the one thing I did learn in college was to never turn down free food...

Hmm....

Thoughts, anyone? lol....

Triathlon

2005-07-21T15:04:00.000-05:00

My sister and I are planning on training for a triathlon this year. This includes a .24 mile swim, 13.5 mile bike ride, and 3.1 mile (or 5K) run. This seems doable, because I've done a marathon before, so a three mile run sounds quiant, almost pleasant. The swimming, I feel, will be my weakest area. Also, I need to get a bike.

Anyway, while I was thinking about this triathlon, I thought I would look up the Ironman competition, which is the big daddy of all triathlons. Wrap your minds around this: 2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike ride, followed by a 26.2 mile run. Oh, and did I mention that you have to complete the entire race in 17 hours, or be DQed? Oh, and the record? Around eight hours. The human body is an amazing and incredible thing.

Other insane human events include: The Iditarod, The Tour de France, The Badwater UltraMarathon (135 mi through Death Valley). There are probably many others that I haven't heard of... but I remain in awe of the incredible athletes.

People are interesting

2005-07-18T20:55:00.000-05:00

Some guy emailed me interested in the Ph.D program here at Carolina, so I emailed him back and told him about the program. He asked if we could met to discuss it further, and I, having nothing better to do, agreed.

First, here are his stats:
* Black male
* 26 yrs old
* JD
* MBA
* Alpha

Okay. So we met at a restuarant, went in and sat down. We are both sitting there, drinking glasses of water, looking at menus, when he decides that we should go somewhere else. Ok.

So next restaurant, we go and sit down outside. (Mind you, its summer time, Black people don't like to sit outside in the summer, unnecessarily.) Again, we are drinking water. We talk about his plans and interests, and whether or not Carolina would be a good fit for him. I order pasta, and he orders calamari. Except, he wants his calamari with no tentacles. Of course, the waiter brings tentacle laden calamari, so he sends it back. I say, to you, that people are interesting.

This guy has a JD and an MBA, and is now considering 5 more years of school. He feels that he has a purposed in life, and it just hasn't manifested itself yet. To me, that sounds like, "I don't know what I am doing with my life." He asked me how I decided on this path, and if "the appearance of an angelic apparition" helped me make my decision to go to Carolina. Again, I offer to you, that people are interesting.

The gentleman continues by saying that he doesn't want to get married, and that the concept of marriage was foreign to the human species, and was a function of social construction, and therefore artificial. However, he did plan to have children, and he did relent by saying that he would get married for the kids. He also said that he was very faithful, had no problems with commitment, and that if he cared about someone, he would stay with them indefinitely. I resisted the urge to scratch my head visibly. He also talked about how he was the baby of the family, and that he couldn't imagine having a kid, because he was still somebody's kid. When I am 26, I hope I don't still feel that way. But, what can I say, people are interesting.

Anyway, I hope this guy finds what he is looking for, on his quest for the holy grail of degrees and credentialing. In the meantime, I remain amused. After all, people are interesting.

It's true!

2005-07-16T21:52:00.000-05:00

Do you ever notice how women love the gay male fashion sense? (Well, we did before they and everyone else started wearing pink...) Then it was on to metrosexuals, who could also dress very well, as long as they didn't go overboard. The thing is, that girls like aesthetics. My beau and I have been butting heads in this area, but we just do. We like things that look nice. We like to dress up in heels and clothes and make-up and look nice, and you guys LOVE to look at us, so I guess I don't get how the male species flunked "Aesthetic Appreciation 101." (clearly, the female form was covered in 102...)

Aesthetics are important. Your surroundings and appearance are important, and the guy that uses and applies this knowledge has a keen advantage over the rest of the male population. I realized that when I happened across this website... http://www.bachelorfurniture.com/ The title? "Bachelor Furniture: Girls like guys with nice apartments." If you read that, and it was an epiphany to you, it's ok, all hope is not lost. Tomorrow, go to your local Ikea, Pier 1, Target, Marshall's, whatever your preference. Get something nice for yourself, and let it marinate. It might grow on you, and trust, your female friends will notice the extra effort. Better yet, ask her to help you pick out a thing or two. Your mom would be so proud... (she's a girl too, after all)

Ew

2005-07-14T10:39:00.000-05:00

Today, someone keeps calling me from a private number and breathing on the phone. I don't know about you, but I find that creepy. Will said person please cease and desist? Thank you. This is why I don't answer private and blocked numbers....

Marriage

2005-07-13T11:35:00.000-05:00

Yes, yes, I realize that this is a topic of frequent discussion on my blog, but it is a strange and perplexing phenomenon...

Anyway, I was reading an article in Essence yesterday, about "the state of our unions", with our, being Black unions. Here are some quick stats:

34% of of Black Americans are married, vs. 57% of White Americans.

54%: probability that a Black woman will be married by age 30
77% and 81%: probability that a Hispanic or White woman will be married by 30 (respectively)

38,103: number of black male who graduated college in 2001
78,204: number of black women who graduated college in 2001 (read: 2:1)

I was reading this article to my beau, and he commented that Black women didn't want to get married, and that was reflected in the low marriage rates. I beg to differ... In my experience, most women do want to get married. There are a few of us (myself included) that are not extremely excited about the prospect of marriage, but I feel that even most of us in that catagory will eventually relent. (maybe not until we are 30+ though...) The funny thing about women who don't want to get married/aren't in a rush, is that they are treated to such perplexing looks.... why wouldn't a woman want to get married!?! I haven't really worked my list out yet, but someone did.... http://www.sendcoffee.com/minorsage/never.html

I am not saying I agree with everything, but I do share some of her sentiments. One or two, or nine...

Yuck

2005-07-12T11:25:00.000-05:00

Don't you hate when you are eating something, and enjoying it, but the LAST bite tastes awful? Doesn't that just cast a dark shadow on the whole experience? I really hate that...

Scintillating

2005-07-11T22:46:00.000-05:00

I saw a commercial today, where someone just threw out the word "scintillating". I had to pause, because how many people really know what this word means? Is it really effective to market a product using words that the average person can't spell, let alone define. I think I was even more put off because the word wasn't used well... it didn't even fit what they were trying to say. Anyway, I just thought it was odd...

Definition:

Main Entry: scin·til·late Pronunciation: 'sin-t&l-"AtFunction: verbInflected Form(s): -lat·ed; -lat·ingEtymology: Latin scintillatus, past participle of scintillare to sparkle, from scintilla sparkintransitive senses1 : to emit sparks : SPARK2 : to emit quick flashes as if throwing off sparks : SPARKLEtransitive senses : to throw off as a spark or as sparkling flashes - scin·til·la·tor /-"A-t&r/ noun

Perplexing...

2005-07-09T20:23:00.000-05:00

I am not quite sure what happened, but I came home from vacation and looked in my fish tank... no fish. Now, it should be noted that Equinox went to the big bowl in the sky (ok, really in my bathroom) before I left for vacation. But I left a fish feeder in the tank, and expected to see a happy and fed Solstice when I returned. No dice.

I've seen fish kind of disintegrate over time, or be eaten by other fish, but they don't generally DISAPPEAR... I couldn't figure it out. So my beau came for 4th of July weekend, and I was cleaning up, and what did I find behind my desk, but my fish. Deceased, and dried to the carpet. I don't know how he got there. There is a hole in the top of my tank where you feed the fish, but it measures 1 in. x 1 in. , making it HIGHLY unlikely that the fish was about to AIM his leap to freedom. I don't know what happened, but I have no fish.

I'm BACK!

2005-07-07T19:42:00.000-05:00

Surf's up!

I know it's been a while, and a lot has transpired. I've been to Richmond for my god brother's graduation, and Towson, where I grew up, visiting my best friend, and attending her little sister's graduation party. Then I was back in the D.C. area with my beau before going to Mexico for a week with my family (and beau). Then I was back in Richmond spending some time with my grandmother. Then, back to North Carolina, and my beau came down from the 4th of July, and a few days later and here I am, updating my blog. I read the Da Vinci code, which was very good, and currently I am reading Elegant Universe by Brian Greene. It's about superstring theory (read: where the theory of general relativity meets quantum mechanics) If anyone is nerdy enough to be interested, you can watch the pbs special at http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/elegant/program.html (you can watch it on your pc)
Also, movie recommendations include: Rize, Mr. and Mrs. Smith, and What the Bleep do we Know. (rent it at blockbuster)

Anyway, I am going to read now...

Later kids...

I can't help it...

2005-06-03T21:08:00.000-05:00

My beau said he was going to come visit me, then he said that he wasn't. Normally that would make sense to me, but for some reason, its not sinking in, and everytime we don't take for four hours at a time, in my mind, he's on his way. I know that in reality, he's not, and there is no reason for me to be like a little puppy waiting by the window, but I'm not ready to let go yet... so maybe he will be here tomorrow... I'm sure he will.

These Days...

2005-05-31T17:43:00.000-05:00

Yesterday, my sister started a job at Cold Stone's Creamery. I wonder if I can get free ice cream...

Today I envisioned the winery that I would like to one day own. It is magnificant; a work of art, genius and innovation. Now I just need investors... LOTS of them, and a formal business plan. Man, I should be getting my MBA... what do you guys know about online MBA's? lol...

Today, I watched a squirrel jump from my deck to my deck table, then leap to the ground, sniffing around for food. I hope it comes back tomorrow, when I will leave it some peanuts to eat.

Today, it rained, so I could not see the NC symphony play for free, because I didn't want to sit and watch them in the rain and 50 degree weather.

Tomorrow, I am getting a washer and dryer for $100. That's a really good deal, and I am excited about having in-house laundry facilities again.

For professional use only

2005-05-30T12:27:00.000-05:00

I was talking to a friend the other day, and she mentioned that she had highlighted her hair with lipstick, just to achieve a new look for a day. I got very excited, because I used to do that in middle and high school. I bought my very own hair mascara and used to put honey-blonde highlights in my hair... though never very well. So I figure, with age comes wisdom, and I go to the bathroom and get carried away streaking my hair with red/brown lipstick, and gold for accent. I look like a psychodelic raccoon now... on bad acid.

Going it alone...

2005-05-29T10:07:00.000-05:00

In an attempt to be more social and expand my horizons, I decided to venture out last night. I attended a local hip hop show, all by myself. The performers were a cadre of local MCs, backed by a band called the Remix Project. I'll be honest, I think I was more impressed by the scope and versatility of the Remixers, but it was a good show, with the last hour of the show being particularly hype, and the last 30-35 minutes being absolutely infectious. (in a good way) Throw backs abounded, and artists paid homage to their forebearers, always a nice trip down memory lane. Conscious lyrics filled the room as baselines reverberated through the room with a contagious resonance. It was the best $8 I have spent in quite sometime.

The evening began interestingly... I went to this show by myself, for a performance that was supposed to start at 10. (I got there at 9:50ish) The venue was nearly empty, and I groaned to myself thinking that I had made a BIG mistake, so I did what anyone would do in the situation... head to the bar far a drink. A glass of wine can make any bad night a little better in my books... of course by this time, I had been in the club for 3.5 minutes, which means that one of the band techies had spotted me, and the fact that I had arrived alone. He quickly swooped in, and we step outside to chat. His name is Phil*, and after a short amount of time, he has told me 3/4 of his life story, including the fact that he was thirty.... five, plays the bass, was looking to settle down and start a family, that his father was sick and he was thinking about donating a kidney to him, that he was single by choice, hadn't had a relationship in 2 or 3 years, hadn't had sex in over a year, has some random female staying with him for the summer because he was capable of having strictly platonic relationships, and that it was too bad that I had a boyfriend, because it was love at first sight, but we could just become good friends. Let's all say it together kids... TMI! I know WAY too much about you buddy, and I am not compromising my relationship with my beau to become your new best friend. Sorry. He was a nice enough guy though, and introduced me to half of the event staff and got me free ear plugs and offered me free drinks. I took him up on the ear plugs... Anyway, Phil had to work the lights, which meant I needed to find somewhere to sit and watch the show by myself.

Ok, so the show starts at like 10:45 or 11, and the warm up act is real tepid, you know? So I am wondering how this is going to go. The venue is decently filled at this time, with a mixed crowd, mostly white with a few generous handfuls of black folks. I sit down to enjoy the show, and after sometime, a young white guy comes and sit next to me and starts talking to me. His name is Kwame*. Kwame has spent the last 3 years living outside of the US, which is impressive because he's 21. I envy his life. He's almost fluent in Mandarin. He's going to school at Chapel Hill know, and finds the scene a bit dull. I can't help but agree, but of course I don't get out much. We discussed the music and the MC's and he indulges his penchant for using the world "throwback" by incorporating it into every third sentence. So, we are back to watching the show, and this girl in front of us starts flailing around like she is having a seizure. He points and starts clowning. I didn't realize white people recognized the inherently non-rhythmness of other white people, so I was amused. I thought she was trying to crip-walk and was a bit scared for her. A little later, the MC's on the stage call out a name, looking for someone in the crowd. Out of no where, Kwame jumps up and runs up on stage, starting to dance around and giving the MC's dap... Then, as quickly as he went up, he was back next to me. He said he was supposed to breakdance and thought that was his cue. Apparently not. I think he was emabarrassed after that, because he left pretty quickly.

So I am alone again, and this is when the music is getting crunk, so I am really feeling it, you know? This other guy, Aessay* comes and sits next to me. Aessay is one of those black guys who got the memo just a little late about their blackness. He was wearing one of thos surfer necklaces with the shells, and sporting a nasty misshaped afro that would offend any true black man. I am not generally a mean or rude person, but this dude was trying to start a conversation with me at the pinnacle of the show. He tells me that he is in the area studying for the bar, and that he has just finished law school. He asks what I am studying, and why I am out alone, where I am from, etc. Typical feeler questions. Did I mention that the show was extra tight by this point, and I was NOT trying to have a conversation? Sigh. I was a little peeved to be honest, as any hip hop fan would been. Anyway, he hung around until the show had ended, then tried to give me his number. I politely declined, and wished him good luck with the bar. All in a night's work.

* Names have been changed to protect the identites of those involved. Ok, so maybe I didn't change them, but I switched them around...

Ghetto Karma Sutra

2005-05-26T23:00:00.000-05:00

Question of the day: What is the ghetto Karma Sutra? Here are some thoughts from the online community....

[23:48] xxxxx: that stuff young negros do in the ghetto for five munites that gets them a gripa kids...

[23:22] xxxxx: I think it is up the butt

[22:29] xxxxx: the pictures prolly have big booty girls [22:29] *** Auto-response sent to xxxx: question of the day: what is the ghetto karma sutra?
[22:29] xxxxx: and guys lookin like mandingo[22:50]

[17:55] xxxxx: doggy style and in da mouth! [17:55] *** Auto-response sent to xxxxx: question of the day: what is the ghetto karma sutra?

[22:50] LexisReid: *** Auto-response sent to xxxxxx: question of the day: what is the ghetto karma sutra?
[16:49] xxxxxxx: UMMM...kama sutra that is not listed in abook, or where certain aspects of the act have been replaced by things of lower quality or things that can be found in the home...This is also known as nigga-rigged kama sutra

Ageless wonders

2005-05-26T13:32:00.000-05:00

Things I never tire of:

Chocolate martinis
Long phone calls with friends after many months (even years!)
Puppies
Babies
Hugging my parents
Hugging my siblings
finding money in my pocket
unexpected letters/cards from friends
getting an A on a paper
soft kisses on the lips
shopping
trying new wines
unsolicited compliments from strangers
seeing old couples
a good book
Amante's pizza with garlic chicken, pesto, and spinach
Sushi
Fireworks
taking a nap on a Sunday afternoon
Being anyone's favorite anything...

Discoveries...

2005-05-25T00:40:00.000-05:00

I met a drunk Mexican man, and had a spanglish conversation with him. He told me that he could see my heart in my eyes. I looked into his eyes, and he said "No!" and covered them. According to him, I couldn't see his heart in his eyes because he was going to hell. I had to excuse myself after that.

If you are going to buy an ice cream maker, get one that costs more than $5. I am guessing it will work better.

When running, my campus seems a lot farther away than when I drive...

EVERYTHING in North Carolina is bootleg. Everything. (except me)

Nothing important

2005-05-24T21:35:00.000-05:00

There is this place near my house that sells wonderful pizza that I have fallen madly in love with. I go there frequently and purchase small pizzas which I eat in one sitting. Sometimes, this guy who works there, who I will call Brian, gives me free stuff. He enjoys this, which is good for me, but a bit eery because he delivers, and knows where I live. At anyrate, I feel bad because I don't know his name, and he gave me a free slice of cheese cake... but I don't eat cheesecake. Okay, that is a partial lie, because I eat their snickers blitz cheesecake pie things, which is AMAZING, but you really can't tell someone that when they are being generous. You can't really say, "close, but no cigar". Anyway, he doesn't get to know what my preferences are... I guess I'll leave that to my beau, friends and family. Anyway, I wonder if he likes me. I haven't been liked by a white guy since I was in high school... it's been a while. I always look particularly homely when I go in there... if he didn't know where I lived, I would think he thought I was homeless, and all the coupons and free stuff he gives me are charity.

On another note, I am supposed to be exercising, not eating pizzas and cheesecake. Plus, my beau made me a sweet potato pie...

Cheated!!!

2005-05-06T13:52:00.000-05:00

Ok guys, I spoke too soon... this guy has gone NUTZ with my card number. How he got it, I don't know! This is a travesty for someone like me because, well, I don't believe in cash. I live and die by my card, which has now been cancelled... So what I am I supposed to do, write checks? Ew, this isn't 1950... checks schmecks...

Anyway, apparently, in the past 24 hours, I have donated to UNICEF, purchased quite a few domain names, paid off someone in Istanbul and London, and purchased NINE hotmail plus extra deluxe email accounts from Microsoft, just to name a few... and those are just the ones that are showing up.... le sigh.

I don't need this right now peoples, this is FINALS... I have papers to write. GEEZ! This guy has some BAD karma coming his way... anyone who reads this, please pump your fist in the air and yell "lots of bad karma to internet scamming douche bags!!!" If you do, I will feel affirmed. Thank you.

FRAUD

2005-05-06T12:44:00.000-05:00

Great are the days when I don't even have to leave my house to have CRAZY things happen to me...

Okay, so someone leaves a message on my phone, and wow, I actually check messages these days, so I went to check my message. Its some guy from dell, saying that he needs the payment information for some order... Wrong number I think. I should call back so that they know that they called the wrong person. I phone back, and the man at Dell assures me that the order is under my name. He then proceeds to rattle off my address here in NC... wow, what's going on. He tells me that I submitted an order for 2 computers, and the shipping address was to one James Houston in Atlanta, GA. I should have written down the address and mail bombed this crazy @$$!!! What's going on people? I AM POOR!!! Run your scams on people who have money... Fortunately this James Houston didn't have any of my account information, so I am not really sure how he ordered a computer without account info, but we stopped all this fraud stuff in its tracks. Shoot, I should check my bank account and see what other stuff this fool was mucking around with.... OOOOOOH, that makes me SO MAD!!! Whatever happened to privacy!?!?!?!?! (oh the irony of lamenting ones loss of privacy on a BLOG...)

No comment

2005-05-05T20:47:00.000-05:00

This might resonate with other bloggers...

I love comments. I sit here and think of random things, then, you know, I put them out there. And I like to know that people are reading my blog, that they are interested, or disappointed, or confused by my words. When people comment on my blog, I feel validated, loved, amused... yes, it's that deep. When people don't leave comments, I spiral into depression and cry on the phone to my beau... threatening to throw myself from tall buildings... he hates this. So leave me a comment from time to time, and save him some misery and earache...

Watch your back...

2005-05-03T17:17:00.000-05:00

Yesterday, the Rev. Louis Farrakhan announced the 10th anniversary of the Milion Man March, to be commemorated this October with the Millions More March. Another peaceful march to bring Black America together.

In other news, I was sent this message via facebook...

From:
*********
To:
Lexis Reid
Subject:
Urgent: Please read.
Message:
Hey everyone.. There have been rumors circulating that a mexican gang is preparing to kill a large number of black people (some think 500, including men, women and children) on Cinco de Mayo, which is obviously May 5th (Thursday). Whether this is true or not, we don't know, but it's being said in churches across Los Angeles. It's also thought that the recent wave of freeway killings is also connected to this gang, as 5 of the 6 victims have been black men (the 1 who wasn't was a noticeably darker skinned latino man). Regardless of what may just be a scary rumor, PLEASE WATCH OUT during this crazy time. My brothas, please try to avoid the freeways and if you happen to see latino guys who have shaved heads and look suspect driving in a truck, protect yaself; the attackers all fit this description. And i'm most definitely not trying to offend anyone of the latino race by posting this, but I do believe that it's more than worth putting out there because you never know and I believe there to be some truth in every rumor. God bless y'all..

- *******

So, whilst Black people are trying to gather peacefully, apparently some L.A. gang members are planning on mass murder. Interesting. Life in these United States.

At this very second...

2005-05-02T17:14:00.000-05:00

Right now, I am wondering what color eyeliner will bring out my brown eyes. I dunno, maybe somebody cares...

Also, a classmate of mine with a law degree said she would rather be hit by a bus and be handicapped for the rest of her life than practice law. I was just thinking about that...

Stop the madness

2005-05-01T08:23:00.000-05:00

www.hotghettomess.com <-- disturbing, but I like the shirts...

www.bustedtees.com <-- funny shirts

http://www.localcelebrity.net/index.html <-- more funny shirts

(notice the shirt fetish?)

Stop lying to yourself...

2005-04-30T01:41:00.000-05:00

Another age old question that has come up repeatedly in recent weeks is the question of platonic friendship... can men and women be "just friends?"

No.

If you answered yes, stop lying to yourself. The guy that you think is your friend has a massive crush on you, and is waiting for you to come around and realize that he is the love of your life. True.

Okay, so here are the facts. You can be "friends" with people of the opposite sex, but only in a loose casual sense. You cannot be best friends, confidantes, spend long quantities of time together, talk daily, etc, because, lets be honest, you are practically dating them already, and who would blame either party for developing feelings, because you are having a relationship without benefits as is... Now, if you are in college, this is the last time that you can say that you are just friends with a large number of people of the opposite sex without it being a lie. Anyone who you didn't know before college, or meet in college, I hate to tell you, they didn't just become your friend because they wanted another friend. No one 22 years or older is looking for another friend of the opposite sex... and if they say they are, they are lying. If I want a friend, I will befriend a girl that I get along with. If I want companionship, I will "befriend" a guy. Seriously. Men lavish you with attention, and making a man laugh, knowing that he enjoys your company, its all very pleasurable, but on some level, both parties are just feeling each other out for opportunities for more than friendship. I swear to God.

My brother and his girlfriend of 3 years started as friends. I've dated two men in my 22 years on this earth. Both of them started as friends, and ended up boyfriends. And I know someone out there is reading this and harshly disagreeing, but you probably aren't being very honest with yourself. If you don't have feelings for the other person, than you are the cruel heartless manipulative person that is stringing your friend along. True. That's not very friendly. If I'm honest with myself, half of my guy friends are people who were interested in me at some point and settled for the "friends" consolation prize. This is why none of them are close friends. My other guy friends are friends of my beau, therefore making them "safe" because one of us (them or me) would have to be very shady and underhanded to go behind my beau's back. Anyway, that was tangental... what I am trying to say is take it from me... Guys and girls, the friends thing is a facade. Stop lying to yourselves... either get to the good stuff, or stop wasting each others time ;)

Black Love

2005-04-29T17:18:00.000-05:00

Ok, I was reading a friends blog about hitting the town, and she was expressing her dismay that she wasn't approached by any black men. This brings me to a frequently discussed dilemma... what accounts for the critical disconnect between black women and men? I have a friend that recently ended a long term, long distance relationship... what struck me as sad though was the fact that the woman had just gotten her Ph.D and the man was getting his master's degree... and the harsh reality is that the prospects for a black woman with a Ph.D are pretty bleak, but the prospects for a black man with a master's are plentiful.

What seems to have happened is the tables have turned... when you are growing up, the men approach and express interest in the women... and sometime between leaving high school and leaving college, men realize that they are highly desirable, and that they can now operate like an exclusive club, sitting back and waiting for the women to line up, and then, discriminately deciding who gets access. I actually heard someone from my school describe himself as a commodity, because he was a college educated black man, and every black woman wants one. The ironic part is that this guy has a kid... and the reality is that a Black man with a kid is still desirable, where as a black woman with a kid may as well wear a scarlett letter. Do men with degrees have carte blanche to stand back wait for women to approach them?

My brother is in medical school, and he describes to me all the single attractive women that he knows, and how none of them have men, or even any prospects... and the single guys that he knows are not interested. I don't know who they want to date, but we Black women are not being offered a seat at the table. Compounding this is the trend of "metrosexuality", where men feel like pink, purple and powder blue are now the newest wardrobe essentials... I love hearing people try to explain that "real men wear pink." I think that's interesting. In my mind, a real man sees pink and thinks, that would look good on my girl. He wouldn't be interested. Are you really trying to tell me that all of these men were just dying to wear pink all this time, and only now are getting the chance to indulge their passion for pink? Is it a fad to be gay, or at least questionable enough that I can't tell the difference? As Black women struggle to find love and affection from black men, perhaps we have to reconcieve of out ingrained gender roles... approach the guy, ask him out. But men, you can meet us half way... we want you, we need you. After all, Black love is a beautiful thing.

TV

2005-04-28T09:55:00.000-05:00

Ok, so what's all the hype about Kevin Hill? I mean, Taye Diggs aside, who is an attractive, albeit gay from what I hear... (I know a guy who says Taye hit on him in L.A.) what's the deal? From what I have seen, he is a serial playboy, dating and sleeping with all sorts of women, and by all sorts I mean lightskinned with hazel eyes. He is known by friends as the person to ask when they are cheating on their sig. others, and and I swear every week, he is talking to some new female. Somehow, we are supposed to forget all of this because, after all, he is rasiing someone else's daughter.... aw, how sweet. Actually, the gay guy is raising someone else's daughter, and really, you just kiss her good night at the end of the evening. And speaking of the odd couple, why are they always bickering like husband and wife? I mean really. You are "raising" a daughter. Please recognize that, as John Mayer put is so eloquently, "girls become lovers, who turn into mothers..." So, if you would stop objectifying women and sleeping with anything that hangs a skirt well, maybe your kid would grow up with 2 or 3 fewer complexes... just maybe.

A better show would be Sex in the City, which is by nature, not sexist at all, and a superb viewing choice. HaHA... so much for being objective, right? ;)

Poems

2005-04-27T16:13:00.000-05:00

Never Offer Your Heart to Someone Who Eats Hearts

Never offer your heart to someone who eats hearts,
who finds heartmeat delicious, but not rare.
who sucks the juices drop by drop
and bloody-chinned grins like a God.

Never offer your heart to a heart gravy lover.
Your stewed, overseasoned heart consumed,
he will sop up your grief with bread
and send it shuttlingfrom side to side in his mouth
like bubblegum.

If you find yourself in love with a person who eats hearts
these things you must do:
Freeze your heart immediately
Let him -- next time he examines your chest --
find your heart cold flinty and unappetizing.

Refrain from kissing
lest he in revenge dampen the sparkin your soul.
Now, sail away to Africa
where holy women await you on the shore --
long having practiced the art of replacing hearts
with God and Song. --Alice Walker

"I like not only to be loved, but also to be told that I am loved. I am not sure that you are of the same mind. But the realm of silence is large enough beyond the grave. This is the world of light and speech, and I shall take leave to tell you that you are very dear." --George Eliott

All that sweet Wining and Dining...

2005-04-26T20:05:00.000-05:00

I dedicate this post to Wine, a curious beverage that is closely associated with highbrow taste, and other esoterica*...

Okay, I have, within the last year, decided to acquire a taste for wine. Interesting, because I remember growing up, and smelling wine on the breath of various family members, and thinking that it was the grossest thing ever. I think I actually tasted it once or twice, and that basically confirmed my prior assumption, lol. Well, people grow up, and things change... I think after you try enough different types of alcohol, they all sorta taste similiar, or at least less bad... so, to make a long story short, I drink wines now. I recall previously posting about my distaste for red wines, so admittedly I have not "fully developed" my wine taste, but I think I was deeply scared by an experience wine tasting where I was given some VERY smoky Cabernets, and that basically scared me away from those. Then, I tried a Shiraz (alternately called a Syrah) that was supposed to have a taste of chocolate (I LOVE CHOCOLATE) which also turned out to be a lie... ew. So, whereas I haven't tried a Merlot yet, or a Pinot Noir... I'm good for a while.

So, on to the wines I like... I tried a very nice wine, ironically a Chardonnay by the Two Tone farms. (ironic for those who catch the irony) After drinking this wine, you were left with the taste of nutmeg, almost like sweet potato pie... which is heavenly. Sadly for me, this wine is a bit pricey. At the behest of my beau, I have had a number of sweet and dessert wines. Fruit wines of this sort are particularly good, such as peach, strawberry, blackberry, blueberry, etc. Flavored Sparkling wines are also fun for occasions. If you are new to wine, a sweeter wine would be a Reisling, or a Gewurtztraminer that says it is sweet. Also, White Zinfandels are sweeter than your typical white. My preference tends to be Chardonnays however... I've also tried Savingnon Blanc, and a Pinot Grigio... they weren't bad... I prefer the Grigio.

Anyway, I don't know what happens when you ferment a grape, but man, there is nothing like a glass of wine to make you feel sexy. I think that's why adult drink the stuff... adult like to feel sexy... young people like to feel drunk, old folks like myself like to feel dreamily sexy. So bring on the wine... ambrosia, sangria, what have you... as Rick James said, "It's a celebration, enjoy yo'self!"

*Main Entry: es·o·ter·ic Pronunciation: "e-s&-'ter-ik, -'te-rikFunction: adjective 1 a : designed for or understood by the specially initiated alone b : requiring or exhibiting knowledge that is restricted to a small group broadly : difficult to understand 2 a : limited to a small circle

Great!

2005-04-25T15:31:00.000-05:00

I think because it came out in 1989 probably explains why I never saw it, but When Harry Met Sally is a great movie guys!!! No really, its an unassuming little movie that chronicles the relationship and growth of two people over twelve years. In the beginning, the two couldn't be more mismatched, but over the years of relationships and running into each other by happenstance in NYC, they grow to be friends and confidantes, and to really appreciate and enjoy each others company. Plus, princess Laia from Star Wars is in the movie. When I was growing up, I thought she was so pretty and cool.

Anyways, the movie is cute and funny, because Billy Crystal plays an unapologetic brutally honest male who suffers through a tough divorce, while Meg Ryan is an untight journalist looking for that perfect relationship, who overtime, learns to loosen up a bit. The conversations are classic, lighthearted and will really resonate with anyone who has ever started a relationship after being "just friends". I love it! Where has this movie been all my life?

"Words to live by: "It's not because I'm lonley, it's not because it's New Year's Eve... I came here tonight because when you realize that you want to spend the rest of your life with somebody, you want the rest of your life to start as soon as possible." - Harry, When Harry Met Sally

In other news... I want to go to the batting cages...

Relationships 101

2005-04-23T04:59:00.000-05:00

A year and a half later, and he still gets butterflies... I guess we are doing okay...

Random musings

2005-04-20T15:09:00.000-05:00

On cramps:
I have cramps right now, so i am thinking, why did Eve have to eat that dang apple? And why am I being punished for it? So, if I don't eat apples, will I not get cramps? Remind me to test that theory...

On Popes:
What a gig you say? Right? Let's not forget that JPII was shot at, and that former popes have been poisoned, among other thing... at any rate, it will be interesting to see how this papacy goes, as the new leader of the catholic church is already being scrutinzed for his conservatism... he is 78 though... just a few years younger than JPII was.

On marriage: as increasing numbers of people that i know are getting engaged and married, i wonder why this is so hard for me to envision. Ok, partially because they are my friends and I know them, but a good deal of it comes from the images that we are fed about marriage... on TV, people getting married are always played by actors who are in their late twenties or early thirties, pretending to be 5 years younger than they are... so to see someone who IS 23 getting married at 23 is a lot harder to palate and envision. It's not just me being a gamophobe... its conditioning

On poltergiest:
I usually don't believe in such things, but weird stuff happens... like everyday, i put my chair on the lowest position, and every day i come home, and its back in the highest position. And someone is using all of my toilet paper, and breaking my toilet... I don't know, i am just saying. And who turns off my alarm in the mornings???

That a Kid/Got 'er did!!!

2005-04-17T19:25:00.000-05:00

So, at long last, after much struggle and heartache, my sister has finally been admitted to the Univ of North Carolina!!! I'm so proud of her, and excited for this new opportunity. Besides, its about time for Chapel Hill to stop hating!!! Yeeee ha, I get to have my sister local!!! I'm stoked. Let the the Chapel Hill tradition begin!!!

No harm, no foul...

2005-04-15T23:02:00.000-05:00

So, life has been a bit tumultous lately, but I won't bore you with the details. Following the untimely death of my pc's power supply, I have been virtually without access to the wonders of the web. My wonderful beau, of course, always saving the day, lent me his old laptop, circa 1845, to use until mine is back from the shop, which i figure will be the day AFTER I am done with finals. Grand.

So, now, I've had to invest in a wireless card for the Apple II green screen that I am using, which, clearly worked. I had a hard time deciding between the traditional wireless adapter, and a new fangled fancy wireless USB adapter (oooohhhh, ahhhhh.....). So, of course, I call in some technical expertise, garner their advice, and make a purchase. Now, I am internest ready for the end of the semester.

On my way home, I am cruising and nonchalant, enjoying the pollen-filled NC air, and watching the begin its evening descent. There were street performers playing jazz music near Cold Stone's, which, of course caught my eye, so I rolled down my window to enjoy their music. They were just aiight, so I rolled up my window as I saw that I was about to pass a bus and THUMP!!!! I hit the car in front of me. SH**!!!! I can't afford for my insurance to go up... Fortunately for me, I was going like, 2mph, and there was no damage done, but, it was enough to give me a heart attack. Man, I am such an airhead sometimes...

And in other news, I think I have an ear infection...

WRAP IT UP!!!

2005-04-15T23:01:00.000-05:00

You know, I was really blown the other day after reading an article about a woman who was HIV positive... she had an uncle that had died of the disease when she was 11, and knew all about condoms and safe sexual practices. She said that she had initially used condoms, then tired of them, opting to use birth control pills and no protection. Even after a scare with a cheating boyfriend that left her with an STD, she still did not change he sexual practices... now she is living with HIV.

I am surprised that the author, after having such an experience in her family, could be so cavaliar about her sexual health and well being, but I was even more shocked when I told the story to a friend, and she began justifying that some people you just "know" are clean, and that she only insisted that certain people use condoms, but but not others. "It's not like I'm sleeping with crackheads!" she exclaimed... OH!!! well, the clears it all up, since only crackheads have STDs and HIV/AIDS. Actually, by age 24, 1 of every 3 people has an STD. That's right. Look to your left, and look to your right... really scrutinize the people next to you, because if it's not you, its one of them. Perhaps a trip to the clinic is in order... juuuuust in case...

THIS IS THE YEAR 2005 GUYS!!! Unless you are in a monogamous relationship where you have agreed not to use a condom, and you've both been tested, WEAR ONE EVERYTIME!!! My friend tried to tell me that I was just conservative, and a prude, but that has nothing to do with protecting your health. That's just common sense. So, for all of you out there, sex on, but WRAP IT UP!!!
--> http://www.itsyoursexlife.com/

WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS MY FRIENDS

2005-04-05T00:13:00.000-05:00

DAMN the rest, go to the BEST!!!

USC, 2005 NCAA Football, National Champions
UNC, 2005 NCAA BAsketball Champions

'Nuff Said.

Conversion

2005-04-03T01:36:00.000-05:00

There is nothing like championship-style excitement to turn the heart of non-Tar Heel fan like myself into, well, a Tar Heel advocate. I actually brokedown and bought some 'nalia. Mind you, my dad bought me a UNC hat and shirt when I moved down here (love ya pops!), and I promptly returned them to the store. Something about baby blue, I just couldn't get behind it. Now, don't get me wrong, I would still rather see USC or Maryland battling it out for the title, but let's be honest... that's not going to happen. And I did live in Kansas for 4 years, KU country, under the supreme guidance and wisdom of phenom coach Roy Williams, and I must say, Roy, old boy, I want you to get your championship title. Having gotten to 2 championship games with the Jayhawks, I think that now, back at your alma mater, after saving an abysmal program, the time is right. So, I throw my, at times fickle, support behind the Tar Heels, because, by golly, I want it for Roy. I will also say that I have supreme respect for the Illini and their program, and Coach Weber's hardships this year... after all this is only his second year at Illinois. (I would also like to take a moment to point out the big loser in all of this, KU Coach, Bill Self, who left the Illini to coach Kansas, who got knocked out in the first round. Not only did you leave a winning program, but your team did worse than ever... and we all know that everyone at KU really just wants Roy back) Anyway, it should be a supreme matchup, and after watching the UNC fans mob the streets, starting random bonfires and drinking and partying as if they had already won a championship, I do feel something akin to pleasure, knowing that I go here now. It will be a battle, perhaps to rectify the battle that was clearly missing in this seasons Football championship game, where USC trounced Oklahoma... So, come Monday night, I too will be out there, on Franklin Street, in a sea of blue. I might even wear some. Go Heels! God bless March Madness like nothing else!!!!

Back in the Day

2005-04-02T16:08:00.000-05:00

Georgene Lynette

When I was little, I had a cabbage patch kid named Chandler Reese. He was a bald headed boy in a sailor suit. My parents found him around the house a few weeks ago, ironically. I was at Target and saw this little darling, so I picked her up. I think my favorite thing about these dolls is their crazy names, like Georgene Lynette. And I don't rename them. Rock on Xavier Roberts, and your crazy cabbage patch kids.

And when are garbage pail kids coming back?

No love lost...

2005-04-01T21:28:00.000-05:00

LexisReid: i thought you were over that whole schtick
Her: do we every fully get over people? no...

This brings up a good question. Where do feelings go? You care about someone, love someone, and then you just stop? Can love disappear? Matter is neither created or destroyed, and energy is constant, right? It just changes forms? So, where does love go? It just dissipates? relocates? renegotiates? sublimates? Will I wake up one day, out of love, and look out of my window only to see old love condensating on my window panes? Will someone's old love blow through my hair as I walk down the street? Are we all just wandering through a sea of misplaced affection? Is it viscous? sticky? malleable? does it evaporate? What are the properties of love?

I was just pondering that.

Did you know that I type 44.6 wpm with 6 errors, and 95.5% accuracy?

This is how i think...

2005-03-31T17:47:00.000-05:00

I was talking to my beau yestesterday, when he mentioned that I have made some grammatical errors on my blog, and some typos... honestly, I edit my blog, because sometimes those errors drive me crazy, but really a blog is like, a conversation, or a spurt of stream of consciousness writing. they should all look like this:

TodayafterstayingupallnightIhadtoTAaneightA.M.classinwhich
theotherTAandIshowedtherestofRogerandMe,someoldMichael
Moorefilm.Inadvertantly,andtothegreatpleasureofourstudents,we
skippedafewscenesofthemovie,meaningthatwearebadatwhatwedo
andwillneverbecomeprofessors.Afterclass,Iwenttothebusstopto
catcharidehome,andtheshadybusdriverworkingmyroutefliespast
withoutstopping.Thiswasfrustratingbecausethereareabout4buses
thatIcantakethatwillmoreorlessgetmeclosetomyhouseandIby
-passedatleast2waitingforthatone,whichisthefastestandmostefficient.
Finally,Igetonabusthatwilltakemehome,andofcoursetheringingthing
onthebusthatsignifiesyourstopdoesn'twork,whichisjustmyluck.I
camehomeandgotsomethingtoeatwhilecatchinguponoldepisodes
ofMTvshows,thenpromptlycrashedforseveralhours.ThenImailed
somestufftomysister,andman,youwouldbesurprisedhowdifficultitis
tonavigateapostoffice,becauseIswearIwasintherefor20minutes
justtryingtomailasimplepackage.Theyhaveallthemachines
automatednowtsoastominimizeanypotentialhumaninteraction,
butofcourseIamincompetentandperienniallylostlooking,sothe
workersatthecounterareaskingmeifineedhelp.Iborrowedapento
labelmyboxandrealizedthatididnthaveanytapetolabelmybox.the
ladyatthecountertapeditupforme,andtoldmethatthatwouldcostme$5.
Yes,thetape.Iwasn'tsureifshewasseriousthough,doesthatmakemeguillible?
Anyway,shedidn'tchargeme.WhydopeoplealwaysassumeIamguillible? Ohwell,anyway,Ihavehomeworktodo...holla.

Now, that's a blog! ;)

BACK UP OFF!!!

2005-03-30T23:57:00.000-05:00

This post is for all you bloggers out there who feel like your life sometimes just doesn't live up to your blog. We know that you, the world, tune into our blogs for amusement. Sometimes we will have a good run of exciting events that make our blogs rival the best page turning novel... then there are other times, when out lives are, well, boring. Not even shitty, because a shitty life makes for a funny blog. Sometimes, your life if just immemorable and not worth documenting, and during these times, I am tired of feeling the pressure of, "OH MY GOD!!! My blog!!!"

i know I am not the only one who feels this way... here are excerpts from other bloggers who share this common angst:

"I know it has been a while, but lately life has been REALLY boring. No really...the most important thing I did this weekend was laundry."

"Not much excitement has happened lately, so I'll keep you posted."

"It’s been a while but I haven’t forgotten about the blog. "

"so, for the second time in my life, my sister has offended me by telling me that I am boring. Ouch. She says that no one reading my BLOG wants to hear about my "drunken escapades" of the previous weekend. OUch ouCH. Well, i would like to say that this is MY Boring Life Of a Geek, and i never said it was going to be intresting! As a matter of fact, i added a disclaimer to one of my entries, warning about the boringness of my boring life of a geek. so, if you think i'm boring, STOP READING!"

These guilt-ridden words are all from different blogs, with people feeling the excessive pressure of "blog-expectation". It's like, you have a good post, and people read it, enjoy it, give you your propers. Next thing you know, you are mass producing blogs like DMX used to put out CDs!!! Finally, the strain of this takes its toll, and you get burned out by your inability to constantly live up to yourself!!! Well, maybe its not THAT stressful, but cut us some slack. Everyday is not interesting, every post is not inspired by genius. When something good happens, we will let you know. Promise.