Hip Hop's Gay-Geek Swag

I have a new found appreciation for the line: "I don't wear skinny jeans cause my nuts don't fit."

Seriously what is up with this Geek Swag nowadays??? Is it just me or is hip hop slowly becoming demasculated. Everywhere I look, I see guys with these skinny jeans on, big glasses, and scarfs just because they see Kanye, Lil Wayne, and Pharell rockin this stuff in videos.

*Serious News Flash* The shit is not cute. I'm sorry, but this started back in the 80s when it was cool for guys to be considered "pretty" like Prince and Michael Jackson. But nowadays, I see groups of guys wearing all types of colors and prints, and struttin down the street with their Kanye see-through shades and checkered jackets like they're buttering my toast. SMH.

Check this video above from World Star Hip Hop, it's basically Kanye West saying that he gets is gear ideas from gay people. He says, "just because you know how to dress good, don't make you gay". Well he's right. First, because being gay is not bad and secondly because most are very stylish. But, as everybody knows, there are trendy gay people and there are flamboyant gay people. WELL....when you go overboard with the colors and hats and gloves etc etc. people are going to automatically associate you with being gay!

Maybe everyone just wants some place to fit in, and with this new explosion of "fashion" into hip hop, they feel like it's their time. Some may make the argument that when you're short and skinny or just skinny you can't really rock certain apparel. But, look at people like T.I. and Ludacris...both are short and skinny, but when I look at them I see men.

All I want is for Hip Hop to be a little rugged again. Matter fact all I want is for a man to be a man and more importantly look like one. Everyone has their own style. Everyone has their own swag. And there is nothing wrong with a man being concerned about his appearance, and flauntin his fierce. BUT when I'm in the club and I see a bunch of guys dancing in a group with other guys wearing saggin skinny jeans....YES...saggin skinny jeans...there's a problem.

I miss the LL Cool J's, Mos Defs, Busta Rhymes, and Jay-Zs (who is somewhat gettin on that Geek Swag too unfortunately) who couldn't wear skinny jeans because...yea, their nuts don't fit lol.

Flaunt Your Fierce

Come on, you know you want too..... Do It. It's Friday =)

Children's Health Care Bill Approved

From the New York Times:

"The Senate passed a bill on Thursday to provide health insurance to more than four million uninsured children.

Democrats said the bill illustrated their priorities: “women and children first,” in the words of the House speaker, Nancy Pelosi. On Thursday, Mr. Obama signed a bill that makes it easier for women to challenge pay discrimination in the workplace.

One of the most significant sections of the child health bill would allow states to use federal money to cover children and pregnant women who are legal immigrants. Under existing law, legal immigrants are generally barred from Medicaid and the State Children’s Health Insurance Program for five years after they enter the United States.

The Congressional Budget Office said the bill would enable states to cover more than four million uninsured children by 2013, while continuing coverage for seven million youngsters."

Yes We did!

Keyshia Cole on Vibe Magazine

Ya'll already know I'm diggin this.

Cholera outbreak in Zimbabwe.

According to Reuters: Cholera has killed nearly 2,800 people in neighboring Zimbabwe and infected more than 40,000 since it broke out last August. It has since spread to South Africa where it has killed 36 people out of the 5,696 infected from November 15 to January 24.

Here's some info about cholera:

- An infected person experiences severe vomiting, explosive diarrhea and severe dehydration.

- Malnutrition and cholera are interconnected. Cholera is more likely to flourish in places where malnutrition is common, such as refugee camps, impoverished countries, and areas devastated by famine, war or natural disasters.

- It's also caused by reduced or nonexistent stomach acid (hypochlorhydria or achlorhydria).

- Without immediate medical treatment, cholera may result in death within four to twelve hours after symptoms begin

- It's very contagious. It is spread by the unintentional consumption of infected feces that contaminate food and water. It can also be spread through human to human contact. Some people have been infected with cholera by eating raw or undercooked shellfish.It can also be spread through human to human contact.

- Cholera is easily treated with fluids and antibiotics

South Africa has set up a health committee to combat the epidemic, with volunteers to help treat those who suffer from the disease. But with so many people and such few resources, you have to wonder how many more will have to suffer. Smh.

Do you Remember?

DEF POETRY JAM! I absolutely LOVE this. I really need to thes seasons on DVD. This one is Dana Gilmore. More in future posts.

Be a Part of the Movement. The Black List.

LOVE THIS. The Black List is a very dynamic cast of individuals, nominated for a NAACP image award. Volume 1 just recently went on sale this weekend on Target.com for only 9.99! It features various people expressing their experiences as an African American...includes great people like Colin Powell, Serena Williams, Chris Rock, Zane, Susan-Lori Parks, and much more etc.

Check it out: http://www.blacklistproject.com/

Lady's Laughables: Samantha Jones

"You men have no idea what we're dealing with down there! Teeth placement, and jaw stress, and suction and gag reflex, and all the while bobbing up and down, moaning and trying to breathe through our noses. Easy? Honey, they don't call it a job for nothin'."
- Kim Cattrall as Samantha Jones : Sex & The City

Mr. President is Ready for the War.

What's flyer than this man right here? The fact that at his innaguration, he was wearing bullet-proof clothes! According to Law Enforcement News,

"Obama will wear bullet-resistant clothing, speak behind a protective glass shield and ride in the parade in the armored Cadillac limousine, with doors and windows so thick that he probably would survive a bomb blast.."

Wow. That's crazy. Definitely a sign of the times when you can buy bulletproof clothing. Or should I say when you have thousands of sercret service protecting you and still need bulletproof clothing. Smh. It's not cheap of course, it ranges from a few hundred dollars to an estimated 7,000 dollars in price...But I dunno, people spend half a mil on cars these days...and it's only 7 G's for your life? I would think it would be a lot more than that.

If you wonder about who makes this type of gear, google Miguel Caballero. Or click the link.

http://www.miguelcaballero.com/cms/front_content.php

Picture above from Huffington Post.

2009 Motivational Motto: Mary, Mary "God In ME"

The Queen Bee up in Arms

I saw Notorious this past weekend, and I loved it. So as I was checking out some of the reviews, I came across Lil' Kim's feeling's about the movie.

Apparently she was pissed because in the movie, Naturi Naughton portrayed her as BIG's side chick, rather than his girl. I sympathize with her. No one knew the extent of their relationship, and BIG is not here to speak on it.

I can see how her whole relationship wasn't portrayed properly. She did have an abortion for BIG, and her song, "Hold On" from her Notorious K.I.M. album, which was dedicated to "Frank White" aka B.I.G, speaks on it...

"Frank White, the man with the money and the fame

Passed away, now bitches wanna claim his name

I been with my nigga before he came in the game...

If I'm fucked up, imagine how Mrs. Wallace feels

Sometimes I sit and think how it would be if we was married

Of if I woulda kept the child that I carried.."

So, was she justified in her feelings? How would you feel if you were her?

Get Sexified.

It's the weekend! Happy Friday!

Obama Watch

I was talking with a colleague today and she was telling me about the White House website and how the average person can go and easily see the President's latest Executive Orders...nothing new or course, but more importantly because Obama will explain his decisions every Saturday morning in a weekly video address. Most likely liek the videos he has been sending out throughout his campaign.

I went to www.whitehouse.gov and I learned that my colleague was right! If you go to that site, click on the Briefing Room (they have it on the home page as well, but my computer was acting funny, so it didn't load correctly), you will see a link to Executive Orders to date, where you can see his first order....closing down Guantanamo Bay.

See this video for a little background on Guantanamo.

http://http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X99aWUUyIms

Yes we did!

Natalie Dylan Auctions off Virginity

I came across this story last week and thought it was crazy. Natalie Dylan, a 22yr. old from San Diego, CA auctioned off her virginity to the highest bidder, in order to send herself to graduate school.

From Huffington Post:

"Bidding in the auction for the virginity of Natalie Dylan, a 22-year-old student from San Diego, Calif., has reached absurd new highs. The Daily Telegraph has the story, saying that the price has now hit $3.7 million..."

3.7 Million??? Yep. And still rising. CNN had reports that the last bid was from a 39 year old Australian man who upped the bid, making it 3.8 million.

Now, at first I thought this was just another version of prostitution, she must not value herself that much.

But then I thought, Is she genius for doing it? What if every woman started doing that? Would men value sex more or less? Would women value sex more or less? It's possible that some men might value it less because they might have to pay, but some might value it more because it wouldn't be considered a "free commodity" as some might say.

Are there so few virgins left, that when one is found she goes for this much?

Then of course, in terms of race, if every woman started doing it, would the value for one race be valued higher than another?

Clearly in order to really answer these questions you would have to look more into this girl's background to thoroughly research the dynamic relationships between men & women, as well as the history of sex etc. But this could definitely be an interesting anatomy class project. Discuss.

One of the many Natural Wonders

This is Kaieteur Falls. It is the longest single dropping waterfall in the WORLD. At 741 feet, it is five times the drop of Niagara Falls, and twice as high as Victoria Falls in Africa.

Located in my family's hometown of Guyana, it's truly a unique sight...and I've been to the top and stood on the ledge!

Brotha of the Week: Derek Luke

I figured it was about time I reinstate Brotha of the Week....and since I just recently saw Notorious, I think It was ample time for a dark skin brotha to grace my pages. Here is actor, Derek Luke, sexy as he wanna be. Enjoy!

My New Obsession: Color and Curls

BIG CURLY COLOR....I love it. I love black too...but right now color is REALLY doin it for me....

Pictures from Essence Magazine.

Mr. and Mrs. President

Just when you thought Mr. President and Mrs. First Lady (as I will aptly call them from here on out...) couldn't be more fly, they had their first dance at the Inanagural Neighborhood Ball last night. Dancing to Beyonce singing Etta James, "At Last" (Love that song!) With Michelle looking absolutely ravishing in her white gown, which i'm sure has fashion bloggers everywhere going NUTS...They are just so perfect.

January 20. 2009, certainly a day in history.

MR. PRESIDENT OBAMA

Photo taken from NYTimes website.

Happy Martin Luther King Day!

Let's not forget how the journey of him and many others have paved the way for this nation.

No Words Needed.

Michelle Williams gets Hood

Lol. You know it's a new year when Michelle has to get real right quick. I'm not mad. Sometimes you gotta do it. Check out the You tube video where she goes off on about someone's comments. Shout out to Miss Xpose for having it.

Kelis in Art

This was from Kelis's first album, Kaleidescope, Remember that? I love funky things like this. Body painting. Art. Photography. Just a little something to brighten up the page! Enjoy!

J-Hud: Well Worth the Wait

Jennifer Hudson has taken the world by storm, so it's no surprise that she is nominated for 7 NAACP Image awards, including Outstanding New Artist, Outstanding Female Artist, and Outstanding Album.

Her self-entitled debut album blew me away. This is one cd that I can sit and listen to all the way through. I highly recommend it to everyone. It's a nice mix of classic R&B beats and real lyrics.

Some of my favorites include, "Pocketbook", "If This Isn't Love", and "What's Wrong" f/ Tpain.

She's definitely gonna be around for awhile.

Diiiivaaaaa

SO...for the New Year I've been seeing a lists of how to kick off the New Year on a good foot. I admire that. So... i'm gonna do the same.

The motto for this year? ...DIVA.

Simply put, work hard and play hard. Sistas & Brothas...it is 2009! I've been out of school for a year now *whew*! Praise God! =) But of course, just like all of my sistas I was thrown into a reality check with a world of bills and responsibilities. So I had to suck it up, get the party-all-the-time attitude out of my system and try to curb my addiction for spending money.

I firmly believe that everyone has two cycles. Your yearly cycle and your birthday cycle. Every cycle, you should be able to learn something about yourself and your relationships. Personally, I've realized that every birthday I learn more about my friendships and relationships with men and family, and every YEAR I learn more about ME.

So this year, I'm bout my business. Plain and simple. Money management... saving money, paying down debt... getting in shape, eating right (I'm bout to get my chef game up!), and spending quality time with MYSELF lol. Though, I will steal this from my Sistagurl Kita (Check her blog here).... Do Not take life so seriously! Goddamn! How many times do we forget that?

But one thing that I have learned that I want to pass along is this: Whatever you do...do it for YOU and YOU ALONE. Not your momma, daddy, or man (or girl for my brothas). If it makes you happy, or is beneficial in the long run, then do it.

So excuse me while I bow out from the bullshit this year. What you said?? Yea I'm a Diiiivvvava...HEY!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

I know that I've been gone for quite some time now but I've been a busy little bee! I hope everyone had a Merry Christmas and of course a Happy New Year! Let nothing stress you out this year...we are on the up and up! =)