Every year around this time, people start thinking about the new year and all their resolutions. Why do people do this? No, seriously. Seems like a huge waste of time since most resolutions are broken before the first buds of spring even think of popping out. Personally, I don't believe in resolutions. I believe in setting attainable goals that you KNOW you will work towards. I also believe in personal mottos. I have several, but the one I'm embracing for 2011 is: LIVE LIFE NAKED.
No, I don't mean toss out all your clothes and roam around like you're in the Garden of Eden before they bit the apple. I mean stop putting so much effort into hiding who you are. Think about that for a minute before you say, "Man, I'm real! I've got nothing to hide." There are very few people who live life naked. Most people wear facades b/c they are afraid society or their group of "friends" won't accept them. They don't say what's on their minds for fear they will offend someone or for fear their views go against the "norm." SO WHAT?!?! If it's what you think and feel inside, don't be afraid to express it. Stop putting up walls to prevent people from seeing who you really are. If someone asks you a question, answer honestly. You may hurt someone's feelings at first, but that sting is much better than the internal pain one feels once they realize they've been lied to for months. If you want to quit your job and start your own business selling crafts on an island, do it if it'll make you happy instead of being miserable for society. Live life naked.
I know it can be hard to live life naked when you've been swallowed up in a cocoon of falsehood most of your life. But once you start shedding those layers, once you start revealing your true colors, you will probably find that you are more at peace. It's hard to keep a lie going for so long. Break free!! Start slow. Have a crush on your friend and wonder if they've ever seen you as more than a friend? Why not ask? It may hurt to find out the feelings aren't reciprocated, but at least you'll know and be able to scratch that person off your list of possibles and move on. Do you play a mean banjo and have an upcoming concert but are afraid to invite your friends b/c every song on their iPod is by someone with Lil' or Young in front of their name? Invite them, give them a chance to see that side of you. Make an effort to let people, especially those you care about, see who you really are and what makes you tick. Do you prefer mismatch colors and hand-knit clothes over matching and name brands? Wear them and wear them with pride. Stop putting up walls to keep people out just because one or two people did you wrong or told you you were crazy. Stop doing or saying things because they are "politically correct" or are in line with common beliefs. Express yourself honestly and freely. Live life naked.
I don't know about y'all, but I feel so free and alive when I'm naked. People who know me know they can ask me anything and get an honest answer. They know that the person I present myself to be is the person I truly am. People who know me also know I start my day dancing around naked, or near naked, and giving thanks for life. I suggest everyone try this as their first step towards living life naked. Being able to take off your clothes and dance in front of a mirror, all while loving every inch of yourself, is one of the most awesome feelings ever. Being able to accept yourself as you are is a key step in living life naked. If you can't accept yourself, you will always lie to yourself, and you will never be free enough to live life naked.
Before I end this hodgepodge of thoughts I just wanna add this final thought: Don't get mad and say, "People just don't understand me at all!" if you've lived your entire life behind a brick wall of falsehood and half truths. You've never given people a chance to know the real you. You've never lived life naked.
Monday, December 27, 2010
Monday, December 6, 2010
DAMN, DAMN, DAMN!!!!! As I was taking a break from writing about the wonderful worlds of interferon-alpha and S-adenosylmethionine I stumbled across the following video:
WHAT?!?!? Are these fools serious?!?! File this under "When Your Homies are Your Haters" and call it a day. Clearly, these fools run with a pack of fools who condone, support, and encourage this nonsense. I do not even know where to begin! Yes, I do. People who know me know that I am all about good music and good lyrics, neither of which are displayed in the above video. People who know me know I LOOOOOOVE me some old school slow jams because they got the point across without being too explicit. Gone are the days of "Turn off the lights and light a candle..." RIP to the days of "Until the end of time, I'll be there for you..." Today, it's all about "Turn around bitch and let me put it ya butt! Spread dem legs ho, it's time to bust a nut!" (I made those up, but someone's probably recorded something similar) I mean, are these fools serious?!?!? Unfortunately, they are. I prefer a little subtlety.
The next issue I have is the message, or lack thereof, this is sending to our young ladies. Given the high incidence of HIV, the alarming rate of teen pregnancy, all the babies born to single mothers, STDs, etc, I can't even laugh at this. And I am so disappointed in the hoodrat singin' the chorus! I wonder how many young girls have sang this thinking it's cute? Seriously. Y'all know we've come to a point where a lot of young ladies think they have to emulate what they see on TV or hear in songs. This song is basically saying, "it's cool, we can raw dog it, just don't bust in me." This is a hot ass mess! I am so glad I was born in the 70's and came up in a time when the song lyrics were more subtle and respectful.
While I'm on the subject of song lyrics, can someone tell me when and where the meeting took place when they decided women had to be treated like common whores in order for a song to get air play? I think it may have been in the 90's when our music was a little more conscious. Back when people were rockin' Africa medallions, Malcolm X shirts, and sporting red, black, and green. Anyway, after watching that foolishness and being reminded of all the other BS "music" that infiltrates my life daily, I must cleanse my eyes and ears. Thank goodness for Goodie MOB who reminded us, "You're my beginning, my end. You're my sister, lover, and friend..." Thank you Outkast for reminding us that we're slum beautiful and drive you plum crazy. Thank you Mos and Talib for reminding us we're, "fruitful, beautiful, smart, lovable, huggable, doable like art..." And thank goodness I was born in the 70's and grew up listening to real music.
WHAT?!?!? Are these fools serious?!?! File this under "When Your Homies are Your Haters" and call it a day. Clearly, these fools run with a pack of fools who condone, support, and encourage this nonsense. I do not even know where to begin! Yes, I do. People who know me know that I am all about good music and good lyrics, neither of which are displayed in the above video. People who know me know I LOOOOOOVE me some old school slow jams because they got the point across without being too explicit. Gone are the days of "Turn off the lights and light a candle..." RIP to the days of "Until the end of time, I'll be there for you..." Today, it's all about "Turn around bitch and let me put it ya butt! Spread dem legs ho, it's time to bust a nut!" (I made those up, but someone's probably recorded something similar) I mean, are these fools serious?!?!? Unfortunately, they are. I prefer a little subtlety.
The next issue I have is the message, or lack thereof, this is sending to our young ladies. Given the high incidence of HIV, the alarming rate of teen pregnancy, all the babies born to single mothers, STDs, etc, I can't even laugh at this. And I am so disappointed in the hoodrat singin' the chorus! I wonder how many young girls have sang this thinking it's cute? Seriously. Y'all know we've come to a point where a lot of young ladies think they have to emulate what they see on TV or hear in songs. This song is basically saying, "it's cool, we can raw dog it, just don't bust in me." This is a hot ass mess! I am so glad I was born in the 70's and came up in a time when the song lyrics were more subtle and respectful.
While I'm on the subject of song lyrics, can someone tell me when and where the meeting took place when they decided women had to be treated like common whores in order for a song to get air play? I think it may have been in the 90's when our music was a little more conscious. Back when people were rockin' Africa medallions, Malcolm X shirts, and sporting red, black, and green. Anyway, after watching that foolishness and being reminded of all the other BS "music" that infiltrates my life daily, I must cleanse my eyes and ears. Thank goodness for Goodie MOB who reminded us, "You're my beginning, my end. You're my sister, lover, and friend..." Thank you Outkast for reminding us that we're slum beautiful and drive you plum crazy. Thank you Mos and Talib for reminding us we're, "fruitful, beautiful, smart, lovable, huggable, doable like art..." And thank goodness I was born in the 70's and grew up listening to real music.
Thursday, December 2, 2010
Let's have a talk about haters...
Let me begin by stating...I HATE THE WORD "HATER!!!" No seriously. I really can't stand that word. Why? Because everyone wants to use it to describe anyone who does not agree with their opinion. Sorry, but IMO, a hater is one who will dislike something for no reason. If someone can give you a valid reason why they don't like something, they are not a hater. In fact, in many cases the folks called "haters" are better friends than the ones called "homies."
What do you mean, Lil' Lady? I'm sure someone is asking this question. Sooo, without further ado, I will provide a few real life examples. LOL
Scenario 1: Hefty chick who has never met a buffet she doesn't like is at her homegirl's crib getting ready to go out. Hefty chick, who on her best days can squeeze into a size 18, attempts to leave the house in liquid leggings and a shelt (shelt=belt worn as a shirt). Homegirl says, "Giiiiirrrlll!!! You working them leggings! Sexy bitch!" *record scratch* Since when does looking like a busted can of biscuits equate to sexy? (Well, maybe if you are trying to attract the Pillsbury Doughboy but that is an EXTREME exception.) Anyhoo, the girls go out, take lots-o-pics, and post them on FB. You already know what happens next: Random folks start commenting on Hefty's outfit, telling her she looks a mess, is a complete FAIL, etc. Next thing you know, here comes Hefty's friend talkin' 'bout, "Y'all some haters..." Naw, babe. YOU are the hater for letting Hefty leave the house like that when you know good and d-amn well she looked a mess. YOU are the hater because you allowed her to leave the house looking like that so that you would look better. A real friend will tell you when you look a mess, are acting a mess, smell a mess, etc.
Scenario 2: Local rapper makes a video to his latest whack song and posts it on FB. All his friends tell him, "Ay mayne, ETS TITE!!!" even though the video looks like it was shot on a camera phone and edited using powerpoint. Even though the chicks in the video look like crackheads or have enough bullet wounds to make swiss cheese jealous. Even though the song is the same BS about money, hoes, weed, and name brands. Then, when a non-homie comments that the song is whack, the video is whack, and the models would be better off modeling prison jumpsuits, he/she is called a hater. Well, maybe local rapper should listen to the "hater", make some changes, and have a better chance at becoming more than just a local rapper.
Scenario 3: Dude fixes girl a steak. Girl doesn't want to eat it because it looks more like shoe leather than meat. Dude calls girl a hater and gets upset. Girl, who has an extreme love for food and all things delicious, proceeds to explain to dude that she prefers her steak medium to medium-well, she doesn't like excessive seasoning that ruins the natural flavor of a beautiful cut of beef, no piece of meat should be cooked to 180 degrees, and a steak should be chewed not gnawed on like a dog does rawhide. Instead of taking these valuable lessons from girl, dude continues to cook...cremate...his steak and wreak havoc on taste buds everywhere.
These are just a few examples. There are plenty more and we all encounter them daily. The next time you form your lips to call someone a hater, think about what they are telling you. Ask them why they disagree with you. If they can give you no valid reason, then they just might be a hater. If they give you valid reasons, you might want to bump this person up on your friends list. Honesty is the best policy. The truth sometimes hurts when we first hear it. But, if we are honest with ourselves, we will realize that those we call "haters" are sometimes homies in disguise.
What do you mean, Lil' Lady? I'm sure someone is asking this question. Sooo, without further ado, I will provide a few real life examples. LOL
Scenario 1: Hefty chick who has never met a buffet she doesn't like is at her homegirl's crib getting ready to go out. Hefty chick, who on her best days can squeeze into a size 18, attempts to leave the house in liquid leggings and a shelt (shelt=belt worn as a shirt). Homegirl says, "Giiiiirrrlll!!! You working them leggings! Sexy bitch!" *record scratch* Since when does looking like a busted can of biscuits equate to sexy? (Well, maybe if you are trying to attract the Pillsbury Doughboy but that is an EXTREME exception.) Anyhoo, the girls go out, take lots-o-pics, and post them on FB. You already know what happens next: Random folks start commenting on Hefty's outfit, telling her she looks a mess, is a complete FAIL, etc. Next thing you know, here comes Hefty's friend talkin' 'bout, "Y'all some haters..." Naw, babe. YOU are the hater for letting Hefty leave the house like that when you know good and d-amn well she looked a mess. YOU are the hater because you allowed her to leave the house looking like that so that you would look better. A real friend will tell you when you look a mess, are acting a mess, smell a mess, etc.
Scenario 2: Local rapper makes a video to his latest whack song and posts it on FB. All his friends tell him, "Ay mayne, ETS TITE!!!" even though the video looks like it was shot on a camera phone and edited using powerpoint. Even though the chicks in the video look like crackheads or have enough bullet wounds to make swiss cheese jealous. Even though the song is the same BS about money, hoes, weed, and name brands. Then, when a non-homie comments that the song is whack, the video is whack, and the models would be better off modeling prison jumpsuits, he/she is called a hater. Well, maybe local rapper should listen to the "hater", make some changes, and have a better chance at becoming more than just a local rapper.
Scenario 3: Dude fixes girl a steak. Girl doesn't want to eat it because it looks more like shoe leather than meat. Dude calls girl a hater and gets upset. Girl, who has an extreme love for food and all things delicious, proceeds to explain to dude that she prefers her steak medium to medium-well, she doesn't like excessive seasoning that ruins the natural flavor of a beautiful cut of beef, no piece of meat should be cooked to 180 degrees, and a steak should be chewed not gnawed on like a dog does rawhide. Instead of taking these valuable lessons from girl, dude continues to cook...cremate...his steak and wreak havoc on taste buds everywhere.
These are just a few examples. There are plenty more and we all encounter them daily. The next time you form your lips to call someone a hater, think about what they are telling you. Ask them why they disagree with you. If they can give you no valid reason, then they just might be a hater. If they give you valid reasons, you might want to bump this person up on your friends list. Honesty is the best policy. The truth sometimes hurts when we first hear it. But, if we are honest with ourselves, we will realize that those we call "haters" are sometimes homies in disguise.
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Every Nigga Wit' a Camera Ain't a Photographer
Can someone please tell me when 65% of the female population under the age of 30 decided that modeling was the career of choice? No seriously. I know anyone with a social networking page has seen all these "models" who pop up with the cell phone pics taken in the mirror of their filthy bed/bathrooms. The "models" with portfolios that only consist of handbills for local parties and the aforementioned cell phone pics. Now that we're all on the same page it's time that we call an intervention!!! I don't wanna crush anyone's career dreams so I say we help these young fools...I mean "models"...so that they can diversify their portfolios and advance from cell phone pics and handbills to being featured in...um...well...hell, let's just help them take better "modeling" pics!
I am calling this movement "Every Nigga Wit' A Camera Ain't a Photographer!" A real photographer has a passion for their work and WILL NOT want their name associated with whackness. A nigga wit' a camera just wants to take lots of pics of dumb broads...I mean "models"... so he can post 'em on FB and have his friends jealous that females willingly take their clothes off for him in the name of "modeling". A real photographer will direct his client: turn that way, tilt your head this way, smile, etc. A nigga wit' a camera will direct by saying, "damn, ma! That's sexy!" A real photographer will have props, shoot on location, have a vision for the shoot, etc. A nigga wit a camera puts up a white sheet as a backdrop and photoshops the background. A real photographer will have a portfolio showing his range of work and clients. A nigga wit a camera has a stack of flyers and handbills, probably with misspellings and incorrect information and a model with the infamous "turn around, stick ya ass out, look over your shoulder, pucker your lips, and keep a blank expression" pose. Speaking of poses, a real photographer knows how to direct his client so that her expression reads "sexy" and not "Duuuuhhh! Which way did he go, George? Which way did he go?" A nigga wit a camera will tell her she's sexy even though her bullet wounds, stretch marks, bootydo, dirty panty set, and too small shoes suggest otherwise.
Now, I urge everyone who has read this to step up and take action! When you see a young chick bragging about being a "model" pull her aside and talk to her. Ask to see her portfolio. Explain to her that real models have portfolios. Tell her that real photographers do more than just handbills and flyers for their homies. Tell her that real models get paid with more than just free admission to the club and cheap champagne to sip out of a plasti-flute (those cheap glasses you buy at the party outlets). And finally, please, please, PLEASE explain to her that a model's job is to sell something. If, after viewing her modeling portfolio, the only thing anyone wants to buy is ass, well, she is not a model. She is a ho.
I am calling this movement "Every Nigga Wit' A Camera Ain't a Photographer!" A real photographer has a passion for their work and WILL NOT want their name associated with whackness. A nigga wit' a camera just wants to take lots of pics of dumb broads...I mean "models"... so he can post 'em on FB and have his friends jealous that females willingly take their clothes off for him in the name of "modeling". A real photographer will direct his client: turn that way, tilt your head this way, smile, etc. A nigga wit' a camera will direct by saying, "damn, ma! That's sexy!" A real photographer will have props, shoot on location, have a vision for the shoot, etc. A nigga wit a camera puts up a white sheet as a backdrop and photoshops the background. A real photographer will have a portfolio showing his range of work and clients. A nigga wit a camera has a stack of flyers and handbills, probably with misspellings and incorrect information and a model with the infamous "turn around, stick ya ass out, look over your shoulder, pucker your lips, and keep a blank expression" pose. Speaking of poses, a real photographer knows how to direct his client so that her expression reads "sexy" and not "Duuuuhhh! Which way did he go, George? Which way did he go?" A nigga wit a camera will tell her she's sexy even though her bullet wounds, stretch marks, bootydo, dirty panty set, and too small shoes suggest otherwise.
Now, I urge everyone who has read this to step up and take action! When you see a young chick bragging about being a "model" pull her aside and talk to her. Ask to see her portfolio. Explain to her that real models have portfolios. Tell her that real photographers do more than just handbills and flyers for their homies. Tell her that real models get paid with more than just free admission to the club and cheap champagne to sip out of a plasti-flute (those cheap glasses you buy at the party outlets). And finally, please, please, PLEASE explain to her that a model's job is to sell something. If, after viewing her modeling portfolio, the only thing anyone wants to buy is ass, well, she is not a model. She is a ho.
Monday, November 29, 2010
If you don't like what I say, fly away...
So...I've finally decided to sit down and start a blog. I know, I know...you are dying to read about my innermost thoughts and get a peek inside of the lil' lady in the big sunglasses. But before you go any further, let me tell ya one thing: this page ain't for sensitive folk. I am not a candy maker, I do not sugarcoat. I am a straight shooter and don't give a gnat poot about being PC. I hate how so many folk in the black community use "nigga" like a term of endearment. When you see "nigga" in these posts you better believe I am referring to ignant folk, whether they be black, white, yellow, red or brown. Oh yeah, I cuss. Sometimes a lot. It's not that I'm ignorant or that I can't think of something better to say. It's just that sometimes, "you raggedy ass muthafucka!" sounds a whole lot better than "you tawdry brummagem!"
Now, before I go let me warn you that you might see sides of me that you didn't know existed. I can guarantee that at some point you will laugh, think, get mad, or just shake your head and say, "she's a mess..." It's all good! Oh yeah, if you wanna know my views on a given topic, post it in the comment section and I will discuss it in the future.
Now, before I go let me warn you that you might see sides of me that you didn't know existed. I can guarantee that at some point you will laugh, think, get mad, or just shake your head and say, "she's a mess..." It's all good! Oh yeah, if you wanna know my views on a given topic, post it in the comment section and I will discuss it in the future.
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