Rihanna: Rude Boy

Cute video!

Before Your 20s becomes your 30s

I ran across this article over at the website, Yeah... She said It... 13 Things I Wish I Knew Before 30. The title is pretty self explanatory, so here are the first three excerpts that I found interesting:

1. If a man wants you, really wants you, there is nothing you can do to keep him away.

Contrarily, if a man is not that interested in you, there is nothing you can do to make him stay.
Years ago when I was much younger I would stress out about a man not returning my call or not doing what he said he was going to do. Sometimes I would blame myself and wonder was it something that I could have possibly done to perhaps upset him. When in actuality, it was never completely up to me. If a man is sincerely interested in you or getting to know you then he will make the effort. There will not be an array of excuses for him to pull out of his bull s**t bucket. His actions will show what he is feeling and if he is being honest, they will line up with what he is saying. On the contrary, if a man is not that interested in you, then his actions will also show that as well. It is not your job to constantly chase after him.

2. Credit Is A Pathway To Financial Security

When I turned 18 everybody and their moma was offering me a credit card. The temptation became too much for me and I could not resist the credit card monster. I made the decision then that new sneakers, and jeans were more important to me than my credit score. So, I charged, charged, charged, and ended up never acquiring the finances to pay it all back. Years later, I am still suffering the consequences of those decisions. Clothes and looking fly are important, but not as important as being able to get your first car or apartment without begging a family member to co-sign for you. It is a beautiful feeling to be able to get your own, on your own.

3. Some Women Are Petty, But There Are Good Sistas Out There

We are often taught as little girls not to trust other little girls. My mother installed in me from a young age that women can be sneaky and petty. Sure this is true. There are some women who lack the ability to be a good friend. There are also those who possess those qualities. Unfortunately, my distrust for other women, often led me to be defensive and socially awkward in female oriented social situations. It took many years for me to be able to fully trust other women and to want to develop a strong friendship with them. I am lucky enough now to have true friends and life long bonds.

For the Full article...click HERE

John Mayer: It's Not Ok

Talented singer, guitarist, and entertainer John Mayer has the internet in an uproar over his remarks made in an interview with Playboy magazine. In the article some of the most outlandish things to come out of his mouth yet:

#1 -Mayer on dating black women:

"I don't think I open myself to it. My dick is sort of like a white supremacist. I've got a Benetton heart and a fuckin' David Duke cock. I'm going to start dating separately from my dick."

#2 - Mayer on "being black"

"I come on very strong. That's why black people love me. Someone asked me the other day, "What does it feel like now to have a hood pass?" And by the way, it's sort of a contradiction in terms, because if you really had a hood pass, you could call it a nigger pass. Why are you pulling a punch and calling it a hood pass if you really have a hood pass? But I said, "I can't really have a hood pass. I've never walked into a restaurant, asked for a table and been told, 'We're full.'"

Ok, Johnny. Why am I not surprised. It's my realization that given enough interviews and time in the limelight, most people will always expose themselves. Unfortunately, most times, it's not for the best.

First, Why do we as African Americans, put so much stock into certain people, and then when the person is caught being candid, we're suddenly appalled?

Case in point: Bill Clinton. I remember when comedians like Chris Tucker would joke with him saying he was inducted as the first black President because he wasn't from a high income family, liked soul food, etc. Fast forward years later to when Hilary Clinton was running for President against Obama. He was caught talking about Obama with Ted Kennedy saying, "A few years ago, this guy would have been getting us coffee."

Or remember how Jay-Z embraced and promoted Cristal, the expensive champagne that artists made huge by putting in their songs? Well along comes Frederic Rouzand, the managing director, who was asked by the Economist whether associations with rap stars could affect the marque, he said, "That's a good question, but what can we do? We can't forbid people from buying it. I'm sure Dom Perignon or Krug would be delighted to have their business". Jay-Z later dropped the label.

And now John Mayer, who compares his cock to David Duke, the founder of the KKK, and thinks that because he and his music can relate so strongly to black people, he too, could make a pun using the N word...and get away with it.

It's just not ok.

Second: I can't say that I've listened to a lot of his music, but there are a few key songs that been added to my various playlists over time. But I know many people who are die hard John Mayer fans, and a few who have wooed themselves into the idea that he's a black guy in a white boys body. Similar to the likes of Eminem.

Call me crazy but personally, I think John Mayer portrayed typical white people behavior. It's the idea that when you're sitting on top of the world and you have a lot of fans or followers etc., you tend to feel as if you're invincible, you can do and say anything. But I've found that with a lot of people, especially white people...this is when the honesty shines through or in other words, this is when the innate racist come out. Black people are guilty of this too.

Now just to be clear, to my knowledge, John Mayer is not a racist, he misspoke. And before you throw the computer on the floor, I believe that John Mayer was making a JOKE. His whole concept was just misconstrued by the use of his language.

My solution is this: African Americans need to stop giving white people a "black pass" and saying things like, Hey you! You seem cool enough! You get a hood pass! Because with honesty comes reality, and reality, is a wolf in sheep's clothes. Also, the use of the 'N word' needs to be banned, from any party, black or white. Permanently.

John Mayer has recently apologized in a series of tweets, saying

"I am sorry that I used the word. And it's such a shame that I did because the point I was trying to make was in the exact opposite spirit of the word itself. It was arrogant of me to think I could intellectualize using it because I realize that there's no intellectualizing a word that is so emotionally charged."

Eh. It's not the end of the world, just a blemish on his record. Sad to say this stuff happens all the time and once something else of notoreity happens it will be forgotten. It's just upsetting that he initially thought it was ok.

It simply is not. And it never will be. Discuss.

Why I like Wale...

"I don't wait for a handout, I just go out and get what I get" - Wale talking about his encounter with Kanye West on Rap-Up TV

I've been meaning to do a blog about Wale for a long time since he stepped into the hip-hop scene. Wale, a DC native, who has come out with his first album Attention Deficit, reps for the DMV, (DC, Maryland, and Virginia respectively), and totes gogo on his back like a lifeline. He, simply put, has garnered a lot of respect from me.

Wale has come out of a city, where rappers are few and far between to leave. I should know, as a native of Maryland, I've seen my share of singers/rappers/music producers trying to get "put on", sent back to the drawing board as if their style of music wasn't even a contender in the worldwide competition.

So you can imagine my intrigue when one day I got in my car, and "DC Chillin, PG Chillin" sounds through the speakers like it belongs in the mix. To even more of my shock, when I see the video he and Lady Gaga are posted up in front of various stops I used to frequent... Ben's Chilli Bowl, Madness, etc. It's like I was transported back to high school, where I wasn't teased for my pronunciation of "uhrea" (area), and go-go music was commonplace.

Wale doesn't appear to be about the glitz and glamour, typically donning a polo and a fitted, what attracted me to him was his persona, that "I'm a regular guy" mentality with a hustler's spirit to match.

I'm glad there's someone who can finally represent for the DMV, I think it's long overdue, and there is plenty talent to be found. Wale might just be the first to kick through the door and stomp in... still in his Nike Boots.

Peep his latest video for Pretty Girls:

Girl... Where have you Been?

Life and Times of an Entry Level Blogger...Part 3...

I have been Busy. Busy. Busy. Or as many of you know, just extremely focused. So many things have passed, and in an effort to try to keep up , I realize this blog had fallen behind.

So, first off,

It's 2010! Happy New Year! Personally, this new year comes with a plethora of blessings, responsibilties, and tasks that have to be completed. I've made a committment to myself to get more financially responsible, be a bit more demanding with my goals, and just get it together personally! I have so much living and learning to do, that I realized I simply need to tackle it head on. But one thing I did not do this year? Have a resolutions. Nope, I set goals.

Now, if you are like me, you are the type of chick that wants to do everything and BE everything. I've taken tumultous tasks of trying to do a million things at once. Update this blog, write my own tv show, work my 9 to 5, (which really is more like a 9 to 9), try to be the best girlfriend, live the life of a 23 year old, travel, meet up with friends, eat healthy (or not so much), get my career together, see family more.......you get the picture. I'm bogged down with LIFE. So needless to say, I'm forging ahead on my path to greatness.

I intend to keep this blog rolling, but please just bare with me....