I Love My Black Folks But....

...the 2009 BET Awards, 'the hell was that???

Ok, let's backtrack. I don't watch BET. Haven't in about 5 years. Just hasn't appealed to me in a very long time for reasons I can't always put my finger on but Sunday night was the awards show and I wouldn't have known if it weren't for the constant Facebook updates by my BET-loving comrades. I kept hearing about this outfit and that performance but everytime I turned it on, I kept seeing some bullcrap: Soulja Boy (who was just awful) or some tired performance by a newbie artist (don't even know all their names).

Finally, out of sheer boredom, I tried to sit down and watch some since they were honoring The O'Jay's. But I barely got through a whole 30 mins without changing the channel.

Why did I see:

• hoards of people standing up like they were at a concert


• too many dudes in sunglasses, in the indoor arena


• guys in T-shirts. This is suppose to be a formal event, right?


• a large sign over top of the stage which apparently changed peridically to show advertising. When I saw a huge sign for Applebee's, I was too through! Why was there an ad there?


• people in the audience texting on their phone

Ugh! What a ghetto event. I know they had the best intentions but I also found the Michael Jackson tributes hard to watch. Seemed too soon, not strong enough and the poor O'Jays were completely upstaged. I also heard about Joe Jackson's sad endorsment of his record business with a mere nod to the MJ tribute. Leave it to Joe and BET to give us this.

Anyway I'm through. BET just aint for me.

The Hell That Is Job Hunting

What started out as an optimistic search for my next exciting, fulfilling career has now turned into the bane of my very existence, and yet, one I can't really get away from if I have any hope of getting gainful, full-time employment again: job hunting. It's driving me completely nucking futs. Here is the worst of it:

Long, drawn out applications
You know its bad enough being jobless but some applications are too daggone long. I've filled out applications for the government that have taken 45-55 minutes at a time. I'm exhausted afterwards. The most hair-pulling aspect being that most of these applications ask you to upload an electronic resume only to then ask you to fill out a tedious application where you then are asked to type in ever field from your resume all over again "name__address__ number__, school's name____, supervisor's name___, her number___, zip code___ etc). ALL of that is on the resume but they still need to typed a 2nd time. Grrrrrrr.

Being asked things twice
And I don't mean what I just mentioned above. I ran into this while filling out another federal job application last night. Because I was applying for two grades, I needed to send two applications. During the first, it asked me to write, in 300 words or less, of a personal experience on the job. I had two questions to answer. I gave it some thought and penned my best response at that moment. I then moved on to the next grade only to find out they asked the exact same questions. And there was no saving or back button, so I had to think hard and try to remember verbatim what I'd written 10 mins earlier. And usually the first time is more eloquent. Had I of known they do that, I would have saved my first response on the computer somewhere. Maddening!!

Faxing stuff
What is the point of this?? I applied to a job that then required you to print out a documentation form and fax it in for confirmation. All day long I tried to fax it while the fax on their side never picked up. Puh-lease! Stop wasting people's time with this. And why can't I stick it in the mail? Why fax anything?

Registering for sites just to apply to jobs
Another step that I swear will only create more wasted web space, but I continually run into this. I'll go to a job board like Indeed.com, find a job that looks promising, click the apply button, only to be redirected to some recruiter's website where I then have to register a user name/password and fill out my life story plus the story of my conception and birth just to apply for one stupid job. I have registered now for a dozen of them by now and I can barely keep all the names straight if I need to opt out later. Far worse is when you spend all this time registering and you're now ready to apply and the damn site hasn't even stored what freaking job brought you there in the first place. Hello?? Remember? I came here with the job already found? Webmaster?? Somebody? Whoever the hell, needs to check that site and stop enabling this nonsense. I just wanna apply for a job, not join another useless organization. Productivity people! We have a black president now! We can overcome shoddy webmastering too!

Fake ads
Probably my worst offense and most have come from Craigslist which I barely look at anymore (see previous post on more). But early on, I'd run into many ads that listed descriptive qualifications, education, duties and responsibilities only to find out its a work-at-home scheme, a scam to get you to enter your info in some site or get you to buy some service. Also in this category are marketing jobs that are really sales jobs. I'm not stupid, marketing and sales are very different and if its a commission-based job, just call it what it is, a sales rep position and stop trying to pass it off as an "marketing" position.

Old ads
Also ran into this problem early on and that is with applying to ads that have long been filled but somehow still pop up online. I found a wonderful position one night and stopped what I was doing to prepare a resume and cover letter to perfection only to hear from the hiring manager the next day informing me that it was indeed filled weeks prior and that some sites hold on to the ads indefinitely. Slightly heartbreaking, though I got over it.

Scammers and other time wasters
I've also had a few alleged recruiters calling me to discuss a potential opening at their company (or for positions not even created yet), speak to me for nearly 20 mins. only to never hear from them again. I had a recruiter email me about setting up an in-person interview for a position I'd applied for. He gave me two available times. I agreed to one of them. Never heard back. I mean ever! WTH!!









Well that is enough of my rant for today. It could always be worse right? I mean I could actually be employed and faced with dealing with all the discontents that comes with that daily.

Pfff, I only wish.

My Oscars Boycott

...yeah a day late and a dollar short. Shoot me, it was a busier weekend than I'd anticipated.

But back to what I was typing, I don't really do the Oscars anymore, since they began plucking my nerves a few years ago. Yeah, call me a pooper but I just really get sick of the celebrity worship that goes on in this country at times and particularly during these really unstable and unsure times that are scrawled across the face of any newspaper today.

My beef this year is simple, while millions of Americans are losing their jobs, losing their homes and losing their minds, I just can't quite applaud with glee overpaid, overexposed and overrated, stanking rich folks, who are already on top of the world and given opportunities, luxuries and goods that the average Joe will never see in two lifetimes, the chance to win more accolades, praise and worship.

Nope! Can't do it.

And for what? These trash-ass movies I can barely sit through? I just don't really share the enjoyment of giving more to people that have more than enough. I'm suppose to celebrate?

Hollywood can kiss my entire ass!

Friend Request Be Damned

Why? Why do people I have never heard of in life and have no friends in common with, request my friendship on either Facebook or Myspace? Myspace I can kinda understand cause its so freaking ghetto and peeps on there don't care but Facebook too?

One, if you know me, why not send a message along jogging my memory (and I have a pretty good memory of people I used to know). Second, if I don't know you why the hell would I add you based on nothing? That's not how it works in my book. I have no interest in adding someone I don't know for the purpose of getting to know them. Don't work that way. Honestly, the best thing is to at least send a message first, see what I am and if there is any interest to learn more about each other. I'm getting tired of ignoring random mofos on Facebook on the daily.

Seriously!

Mayor Sheila Dixon Indicted, Another Setback?

Anyone in Baltimore has probably heard the news of Mayor Sheila Dixon being indicted on 12 counts of felony theft, perjury, fraud and misconduct. No, she has been found guilty of these charges just yet but here's what really disappoints and pisses me off about these cases.

I will never understand why it is that when people rise up to this level of success, particularly black people, with all the struggle it took for us to even get these seats, then get there and can't keep their noses clean! I mean, anyone who watches the news and the way public figures' lives are scrutinized and examined should know there will always be someone in your business, someone trying to find the dirt on you, trying to bring you down. There are always people digging in your past and just waiting, with baiting breath for you to fail. Why give them what they are looking for!? Why not, keep your shit on the straight and narrow so that when your time has come to an end, they will have nothing to say except what an excellent mayor, athlete, actor or what have you, you were? Don't people get that these things are not easily overcome and that people will forever remember them for the bad, not good. Why not look at yourself as a model of how far we can go and keep your record clean!

It pisses me off because I feel when a black person messes up, it sets us as a whole back. When we go out here in the world and get the privilege of doing things and making changes, let's do it better. Make the naysayers look foolish, not yourself! Make it easier for the next black person striving to get where you are. Make it so there is nothing but good coming out of this.

Because we are still being judged by the color of our skin, though it may not be put out like that. Your failure is our failure. And I'm talking to the Kobe Bryant's, the OJ Simpsons, the Micheal Vicks, the Marion Berrys. There are still people out there (maybe right next door to you) that think we as a racial group are low-class, are golddiggers, are ignorant, are of lower intelligence. Make them say "wow!" not "well they did some good things BUT!" Cause like it or not, you represent us all when you go out in the world.

K, getting off my soapbox on this Monday morning. Have a good one ya'll.

Shocking Video of the Moment

My cousin just sent this video to me and I was so APPALLED! First I was expecting to see something really status quo like older kids or teens doing something kids do, but this...this is so horrendously sad.



I don't know the real story behind this but I would surely hope someone intervenes here before that little girl ends up knocked up at 12 or 13. AND that little boy grows up with a overtly sexualized view of black girls.

Everything is wrong with this.

Celebrity Moms: Our New Faux Heroes

I am tired of seeing these new-mom celebrities and their newborns on the covers of magazine recycling the same ol tired retort about how motherhood 'changed their life', how motherhood is so 'wonderful', or how courageous or honorable these mags make it seem like. Like we're suppose to worship them cause they gave birth. It is just so played. And every month, its a new celebrity mom, in a glammed out photo spread cuddling her lil bald-headed, wrinkled offspring. They are heroes or saviors or saints cause they had a child.

Not to mention these people are millionaires and can hire all the help they need. I bet you motherhood is pretty sweet when you can hire the best help while you review your latest script, record your next album, plan your world tour and get in 2 hours daily with your personal trainer. I feel like the mags want us to admire them and their faux strength.

Who the hell cares?

I'd have more admiration for a real mom, with a real job raising healthy kids in real life. That takes strength, guts, determination and a strong head on your shoulders.

And I think this OK spread on Jamie Lynn Spears sets a bad example for teenage pregnancies.

*eyeroll*

Death Is Not A Better Place

The recent news that a friends' father had passed away got me thinking about how some of the religious or goo-intentioned, I should also add have a tendency to try and make you feel better by saying that the deceased has gone on to a better place.

Always disappointing.

While I try my best not to get angry when someone says this (and luckily I don't think anyone said it to me when my father died) it is a bit disappointing to me because it feels like a cliched response, as well as, one that plainly gives me no comfort.

He's in a better place.

Looking at the situation realistically and using my father's death as an example, why would he be in a better place, in death? Even if you believe in an afterlife, which neither he nor I do, there is still a vast amount of uncertainty in where you actually go after death so how can you really believe that that unknown abyss is better? You know what life has to offer, at least I do. But what does death have to offer? My honest opinion: nothing and a great nothingness.

The other argument here is for an ailing person or one who died of a terminal illness, as my father did. I guess death and the end of their pain would still be a better option, right? Again, still gives me no comfort. Because I know in my heart that if given the choice between life and its possibilities and potentials and death and its unknown uncertainty, I would always choose life along with a clean bill of health. I honestly, truly believe there is nothing more precious than life.

And if given a choice I know my father would have chosen life, with me, in good health of course.

For that, ultimately, would be his heaven.

Right to Bear Arms?

After reading this article the other week about the Supreme Court's decision to overthrow DC's ban on handguns in favor of the Second Amendment, it got me thinking, why do we have a right to bear arms; to have guns?

Yeah, the Second Amendment states that we as individuals have a right to have weapons, I'm guessing to "defend" ourselves if need be. But in 2008, with all the gun violence we're accustomed to these days, is an amendment which was drafted in 1791 still applicable today? I mean, let's be real, people of yesteryear weren't always as civilized and forward thinking as we are (should be) today. Lynching used to be legal. I mean the world was a highly different place back then than it is now and I don't really see where this right to bear arms has really, truly benefited us.

And has it? Do guns really protect you from anything? I've always felt it doesn't. Guns, in my opinion serve one purpose and that is to kill. Owning a gun, to me, means you are ready to shoot someone. They don't defend anything, they simple injure and take lives away. Believing this is so, I have to wonder why we would decide that we need this right to being with?

I'm also of the just-cause-it-was-written-centuries-ago-by-presumably-wise-men,-don't-make-the-word-bond-or-absolute-truth mind frame. I mean, people did used to think the earth was flat until it was proven otherwise.

Perhaps, this amendment is a bit archaic. I personally believe that outside of official officers and military NO ONE should be allowed guns.

But We The People say different.

*sigh*

That's Wack, Mr. Beemer Man

Ok, I gotta another beef (what's new, right?)

I live in an apartment complex that pretty much caters to low-income families; its mainly Russian and Mexican immigrants with a mixed of a few black folks. Well some mofo (who happens to be black but I'm not going to focus on that at this time), has decided to buy himself a 5-Series BMW, that he proudly keeps gleaming clean and sparkling new. My issue? Why, if you can afford a 5-Series BMW (which looks to be at least the 2007 model) are you living here, with low-income families (and me)?

I don't understand it. If you can put out the money for a car like that, with shiny ridiculous rims, you'd think, you could afford a better place to live, like, um, I don't know, owning your own home. I'm going to assume that this man is trying to impress us (and everyone else) with his shiny vehicle by attempting to buy his status. But mofo, how much status are you gonna have driving that $44,000+ car to this little apartment complex?

I'd think that that money could be better spent investing in something. Like something that could appreciate in value over time, instead of depreciate. I could never quite grasp the idea of throwing large sums of money into a luxury car and then living in low-income housing. I mean his car note is not far behind his rent payment. But I guess that is a classic example of people who plan for the weekend, as opposed to people who plan for the next generation.

But you know what, ya'll, I don't know this man or his situation. It could be that he's actually living here cause he bought this car and couldn't afford to live anywhere else. Or maybe his wife put him out. Or maybe he lost his job and had to downgrade his place. I don't know. Its just something I notice some guys do and it plucks my nerves.

Meanwhile, he could get up out my parking spot.

Dear Spammers...

I can always count on it. Every freaking day I could put money on the certainty that I will get some spam, worrying about whether I'm happy with my erections, claiming that I can "go longer", make my woman scream and beg for more or offering me a bigger, harder or better erections and 'go all night'.

So lets clear this up right now for the spammers out there:

No, I'm actually very happy with my erections!

No, I'm not at all worried about my size

No, I have no trouble going as long as I want to

And for the record, consider me well hung like a Zulu, South African horse on Viagra!

Thank you very much and I'd appreciate being taken off your small penis/weak erection/minute-man mailing list.

Hanging very low and swinging,

The Girl From Park Heights

(Some) Men Are So Damn Oblivious II

She's not that into you if:

*deep exasperated sigh*

I was in Philly for a meeting over the weekend where we had presentations held in a large conference room and was served by the wait staff there for 2 days. I could have put money on it cause out of the corner of my eye, I could sense that I'd accidently (always by accident) caught the eye of the tall, dark-skinned brotherman waiter and that he was glued. (Always! Always happens to me. No matter where I go, there is always some service man whose interest I've caught. If he's waiting tables, taking out the trash, mopping the floor, bussing tables or cleaning toilets, he always wants to know ME! Sorry, not a beef with service people just a weird, uncanny coincidence, of which I don't understand. But that's another rant for another day).

So he's staring and I'm getting my food and getting back to my seat as soon as possible. Later, he makes a special trip to take my plate away from lunch and asks if I'm from Philly? No. New York? No. Jersey? Nope. I finally tell him Baltimore (to make a point that I just don't live anywhere near here). He seems more intrigued. Fuck!

Later again, that same day, he walks by (still bussing tables) and makes a comment on how beautiful he thought I looked. Thanks, I say. Then scramble back to my seat and out of his view. Everytime I went to the ladies room, there he was smiling and staring. I would think that my saying I don't live anywhere near Philly would be the clincher. Ohhh nooooo! That would be too easy.

Next day, he's there again, making sure he's the main one filling up my soup bowl and again remarking as he passes me on how 'beautiful, so beautiful', he thinks I am. Fine. I heard. Let it go.

I walk past later and he asks for my business card. I didn't bring them (the truth). And later (yes we were there all daggone day), he comes right up to me and asks if he can give me his number.

Why?

Seriously! If a woman has darted to get away from you, keeping conversating as curt and swift as possible, has clearly stated she doesn't live here, makes no eye contact and hasn't asked you a single thing besides what kind of soup is this and after asnwering your questions, nearly runs to get away, what makes you think she's in any way interested?

Huh?

Cause it sounds to me like she isn't at all interested and wouldn't ever call even if she was nice enough to take the number (which I'm not nice enough to do). Hahrumph!

I need to get me a big, fat, fake wedding ring, I swear!

** Cartoon by Rachel Nabor**

Three Ways to Get a Husband- A Ghetto Play

I had the opportunity to see the play Three Ways to Get Husband, as a gift from my lovely sister (which was also her choice, I had to add). So I attended with her, my neice and mother and went in with low expectations.

And somehow, the play managed to sink even lower than I'd imagined a ghetto play could go.

*deep sigh* Ok, first the storyline was weak. Basically, it was about one woman's struggle and decision to choose between one ghetto dude who walked out on her to go into the military (played by Leon) and another ghetto dude whose sole purpose it seems was to rip off his shirt and expose his bulging muscles and chase her around the house, trying to get some (played by some really cut dude, cause there's always a really cut dude). Delightful, huh?

Next was the tackiest. It seems that whomever put this together decided in order to truly entertain blacks (cause who else would see this rubbish) was to stick in every black cliche, popular song, noted famed person and dance. During every scene change (and there were only 2 sets: and indoor and outdoor) They played an excerpt from some well-known black song. Then to top that off, they featured a character who was suppose to have schizophrenia and thought he was Morgan Freeman, Denzel Washington, Jesse Jackson and other well-known black figures, spouting even more well-known speeches that we've all heard since pre-K. Tired.

Oh and the tree things it takes to get a husband. Sorry to spoil the whole play for you but the advice that Shirley Murdock (in the role of the big-weaved, wearing mama gave her lil redbone troubled daughter) was 1) always put god first (cause of course long as you have god, a good man will come!) 2) make his jealous and 3) LIE!. Yes, she did!

Course it all backfired as the daughter picked wrong and Shirley had to come correct with the play's only original song, pretty much contradicting the previous advice.

By intermission, I was so ready to leave.

But the worst part for me were the ploys to appease the audience which I found completely silly. During two parts of the play the crazy dude tried to get characters to sing the "Black National Anthem". And they were just as stumped as I was. Was it We Shall Overcome? Wade in the Water? After the character wa them stumped, he was let go and then offered another suggestion...cue music....how about Let's Get it On by Marvin Gaye. Seriously, they played this classic and all were happy. Either though the entire peice had absolutely NOTHING to do with the storyline. And neither did the 5-10 slideshow shown in the middle of national disasters and its victims, including Katrina victims, and ending with a message about making a difference, where while the message could vaguely be attached to the plot (1 character was displaced by Hurrican Katrina), was poorly executed, distracting and could have done without the gory, blood images (and the Stevie Wonder soundtrack). Also near the end Lenny Williams (who played the father belted out his hit Cause I Love You) To Shirley Murdock to lock in the audience. SPOILERS HERE:

During the wedding scene, the wedding song was of course Luther Vandross' Here and Now and for the grand finale the characters encouraged the audience to get up and dance...to We Are Family.

I was too through!

And what is up with Leon? Cause anytime he appeared on stage, e'erybody's mama liked to have a fit. Was he suppose to be fine???? Cause, um........naw! He wasn't. Just a really tall, thin, brown actor doing his best in an unfortunate play.

I will say this, it was great seeing Billy Dee Williams, whom I liked as a child, hearing Lenny Williams and Shirley Murdock. Great impersonations from Reggie Reg. And the rest of the cast was also good.

I also thought it was funny that Leon encouraged the audience to visit some website and tell them what we thought. Leon, you don't want me near your site. You don't want me on your forum and you don't want me near a comment box.

I'll stay riiiiiiigt here.

RANT: Plugging TV Shows on the News

So maybe it was a slow day or week. Maybe they had nothing else newsworthy going on in the world and in Baltimore. Maybe they ran out of better ideas this morning, when I tuned into Fox 45, for the morning news and heard them plugging the new (and ridiculously stupid) reality show Moment of Truth a total of 5 times in the hour between waking up and heading out the door. At one point, it had its on feature in the middle of the news.

First, I understand that its a Fox affiliate so they want to promote their dumb little show, but why on the news? Once upon a time, I swear the news didn't do this. Second, they spend way too much time on this segment, even showing an interview with the show's producer to further promote it. And its so silly. Basically, they hook contestants up to a lie detector and give money to the person being the most honest. And of course they're going to ask the most sensitive, private questions, cause what would a show be these days without scandal, humiliation and exposing personal info for the public's entertainment.

To Fox, the show sounds absolutely retarded. Why not get off the stupid reality bandwagon and invest in better programming ideas.

To Fox 45 in Baltimore, seriously, what a waste of news coverage, spending too much time promoting an equally stupid TV show. Focus on news. Focus on something that may be helpful and informative to the community. Focus on something that may mean something to people (while you have the ability to capture a wide audience). Focus on something that can give people hope. Or something that can educate.

But stop saturating the airwaves with more and more bullshit. We have enough!

Stop Embarassing Yourself Tiffany!

Ya know, I am not a fan of breast implants at all but what is worst to me, is when an already well-endowed person, then decides to blow themselves up even more, I guess in a sadder attempt to conform to grotesque Hollywood standards. Ladies and gentleman, I'm talking about Tiffany Pollard, aka New York of VH1 fame. I just happened to be flicking channels (cause I can't stand her new show and refuse to watch it) and the first thing that stood out (aside from her usual garish overdone makeup and bigger-than-life weaves) are her newly enlarged breasts, plumped so freaking high in the air, they are nearly slapping her in the face. They actually only sit inches away from her chin.

Yo, Tiffany, you look RI-DIC-U-LOUS!

Stop embarassing yourself!

You will never have a serious acting career by bimboing yourself out like some cracked-out, version of Pam Anderson. And stop doing these I Love New York shows. If it has taken 3 shows to help you find a man, obviously, its not helping you or your career. You are making a fool of yourself!

I So Hate Winter, I Swear

Yeah, I know, it's not even winter but just the drop in temperature lately to 40 degrees has got my griping already and getting ready to have a 'tude over the impending new season anyway.

I hate winter time. And here's why.

I hate cold air. I hate the feeling of a chilly, winter breeze, freezing my cheeks, watering my eyes and turning my nose into an instant faucet, so much in fact, that I have to dig into my pockets praying to the gods I don't believe in that there are some old tissues hidden in there to clean up my snotty nose.

I hate large, heavy, bulky woolen coats and thick socks; gloves that I have to cover my delicate little fingers with but then also have to pull them off to find change or do anything that requires me to decipher what I'm touching. I hate wearing scarves to cover my neck or hats so I don't catch a death of cold, which also serves to mush down the hairdo that I spent meticulous time creating before I left the house and of which I'll have to refix, soon as I get to my destination. I hate having to be bundled up. I much prefer for my skin to receive as much sun and air as possible. I hate having to wear layers and socks with shoes to keep my petite, 'lil frame warm.

I hate snow. Yep, I hate snow. Cause while its all pretty and peaceful looking when you're cozy in your house, in pajamas, sipping on hot cocoa, with nothing to do but curl up with a book or watch movies, its a pain in the crack of my ass when you then have to go to work and must brave the elements in the aformentioned layers of clothing, armed with nothing less than an ice scraper, defroster and thick snow boots to first, clean off your car, then dig it out its spot and pray when you leave that some selfish mofo won't immediately take the parking spot your worked you lil snot-nosed, frozen cold ass off cleaning up.

I hate how my car acts in the snow. Unlike the beautiful, glory days of summer, when it takes off smoothly right after the key is in ignition, its V6 engine, ready and willing to do just as I say. Under 30 degrees, it will hesitate as if wiping the sleep from it eyes and clearing its throat as if it say 'You want me to do what, now? And where?' There is always the 5 seconds when it acts like it won't start and I think 'oh well, have to call outta work' and then the moment when it does and then its 'aw, damn', when the engine slowly and tiredly kicks in.

Then you get to hit the nasty roads. Thanks to the snow, the roads are then condensed into smaller lanes. Sometimes multiple-lane roads become one-lane roads as you try to bypass ice patches and simple drivers that didn't see the ice patches, swerving in your lane as you then swerve elsewhere to dodge causing a collision, for fear of increasing that daggone auto insurance rate. If its still snowing, visibility is poor as you put your wipers on high and squint to see through the frosty windshield. Then when you get to where you need to go (at double the usual time), half of the parking spaces are gone since the plows needed to push the snow somewhere, so you're trying to squeeze into what available spot is left and leave yourself room to get out. Then at the end of the day, you get to do the cleaning and digging again. Oh what fun!

I hate how the beautiful snow, then turns dark and cruddy and dirty a few days later, coating the city streets with ugg. I hate the salt the plowers spray on the sides of your car and how you have to get it off quickly for fear of it ruining your paint job. I hate how my car looks 5 days after a snowfall. I also hate the loooong line at the car wash the first day the weather is clear again cause everybody had the same idea.

I hate how during the winter months, it gets dark by 5pm, making it twice as hard to go back out in the evening since it feels much later than what it is. I also hate the lack of sunshine and gray sky snow brings as it puts a damper on my overall mood. Bright sunshine is happiness to me.

I hate having a birthday in the dead on winter; February, when nasty weather always threatens to ruin my plans. I recall the flu bug that would mysteriously go around every single February growing up, trying to cancel my birthday parties. I hate that the going-out options are limited when its 20 degrees out in February and that nobody wants to go out in February, including me!

I hate sweaters. I hate turtlenecks. I hate any clothes that restrict my body and covers every inch of my skin. I hate how dry my hair and skin gets. I hate trembling. I hate having to almost make a run for it anytime I'm outside to get from the building to the car as quickly as possible.

I hate it!

My Boycott of Soulja Boy

This had been buggin me for weeks as I can barely listen to the radio withou having to turn it completely off, which is beyond annoying. I wasn't even going to post this but my boy Rashard (Black Mihouse) then addressed it on his blog and made such a compelling point, I have to give love and support to it, because others really should read it.

Basically, he's just pointing how what a disgrace and embarrassment his song Crank Dat (Soulja Boy) is to our black community. I absolutely HATE this song and turn the radio off whenever it is played. It's one of the main reasons why I can't even stand the radio these days because I cannot understand why it passes for music and get so much airplay, particularly because it is so disgusting and degrading and sounds like PURE SHIT! I outright refuse to listen to anymore of this garbage!

I could go on, but Rashard put it much better. Check it out here:

http://blackmilhouse.blogspot.com/2007/10/rhyme-with-no-reason.html

Baltimore City Git Yo Shit Straight!!!

It's no goddamn wonder this city is so fucked up, they can't even process a goddamn parking ticket!

Back story, I got a parking ticket for being dumb enough to park in Federal Hill during a Raven's game (how about the stadium is not even close to Federal Hill but whatever). I promptly send in my check for $77 and some idiot collections data entry clerk endorsed the check but entered the wrong account number, so I continued to get repeated warnings and additional fines for close to ONE YEAR later! It took several calls before we finally got it straight and my check dated Aug 2006 was finally correctly applied in June 2007.

Fast forward now and I make the 2nd stupid mistake of parking in Federal Hill (damn you Fed Hill, I fucking hate you and I'm never parking there again!) Again for $77. I again, promptly send off my check through my bank's bill pay soon as I get it. One month later, I get a warning from the MVA stating that until that ticket is paid I can't renew my tags. Where the fuck is the first check! Oh, you guessed it, Baltimore City LOST IT! Yes they did! Cause Suntrust surely sent it out and I've never had any problems with them sending out checks before. So now Bmore City has lost another payment and my fines are continuing to go up! And now my tags and registration are expired!

So after I then get in the mail notice of my flag fees from the MVA for this ticket and THE ONE FROM LAST YEAR, I give in and pay everything online, thinking that would actually clear everything. I then go to renew my tags. Guess what! The MVA still has me as having an unpaid violation cause the stupid fucking Baltimore City website also still has my ticket as open and outstanding. WHY? Cause, as the website states, it could take up to 3 WEEKS TO PROCESS PAYMENTS ONLINE.

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

Why the FUCK does it take 3 weeks to process a payment online? Wouldn't that be faster than mailing ina love check? Cause I've been paying my Verizon, Comcast, Citibank, American Express, student loans, BGE and everything else online and it gets processed immediately! Tell me why, Baltimore City, a government which handles important shit that can effect your car's registration has implemented an online payment systen that works so fucking shittily that payments aren't processed automatically! Can someone explain this disgraceful system of screwing people over!

And I don't give a shit if I get pulled over, that cop will hear my mouth cause I have done everything I'm suppose to do including making not one but TWO payments and here I stand with NO FUCKING TAGS!

And I'm suppose to "BELIEVE" in this city. Get your shit straight Baltimore! How hard is it to have a working payment system the hell down there??? And I will print this blog and mail it to the Director of Finance down there and I should copy it to Mayor Dixon too. They are so damn happy to take the money but don't even know how to process it.

Get it together!

(Some) Men Are So Damn Oblivious!

I think I’ve discovered why (some) men are so damn stupid when it comes to women, no really, I think I figured this one out. I think they fail to put themselves in our shoes and see how it feels and questions how they would react if they were us.

Case in point. Friday night, I’m walking down Charles St. alone and on my way somewhere when some dude (of course) says a “Hi, how ya doin”. I say “Good” and keep on going, like I always do. He then makes some comment about how he wants to hold my hand. I’m still walking, don’t look back, keep on going. Why would I stop? Or even engage him in any kind of convo? I then think, what if he put himself in my shoes? And he was then the young, unescorted woman, walking down a city street, close to midnight, and some random, anonymous dude spoke, gestured or commented on knowing your name, where you’re going or whether they can get to know you or worse touch you? How would he feel? Not as a man being gawked at by a woman (who wouldn’t love that?), but as a woman being stopped by a man? It’s not appealing, its not desirable and its not at all wanted. Really. Add on to that, that you are an attractive woman who gets honked at, beeped at, hollered at, catcalled, yelled at and stopped on a daily basis and this particular incident just becomes one of hundreds of annoyances that build a further barrier to keep more and more vagrants out.

But I’m sure he never considered that. He’s just some yo on the street, incapable of thinking outside the small world he lives in. I do think, however, that if more of these kind of guys put themselves in women’s shoes and ask how they’d feel to be here, they might have a better understanding of why so many of us are repulsed by them.

Can Britney Make A Comeback?

Uhh, judging by her weak performance opening for the VMA tonight, I'm going to have to go with a big fat no.

I cannot even believe that I stopped what I was doing at 9pm to check out her big promoted opening act. It was disappointing. This is the same chick who has been known to totally steal the show with duets with Madonna, slinking around with a snake on her neck, stripping down to a close to nude ensemble showcasing a rock hard body and just really giving her all. Tonight, however, it was obvious she was not really giving us what she used to.

1) She lip synced. Sure she's done it before, but this time, I don't even think she had a real headset on. She didn't even attempt a live note.

2) I applaud her for getting her body in shape after 2 babies, but I honestly think it it wasn't toned enough to be as half naked as she was. We're used to seeing Britney's defined abs. I found it kinda embarrassing for her to be in such a revealing outfit and looking a lot less cut. Her dancers looked better. Poor wardrobe choice.

3) The hair looked awful. We know her hair is very short due to her shaving it but those extensions were horrid and too obvious. This chick is banking $750K a month and the best her stylist could come up with were these yellow blond tracks and stripper gear. She could have paid me $1000 and I'd have done a better weave. She should talk to Beyonce's people.

4) What happened to the choreography. I'm not a fan of her music but Britney has always been a great dance in my book, normally hitting all her dance steps but there were several times she seemed unbalanced in her high heel boots and overall lacked the prowess she usually has dancing. It was like she wasn't really into and and had missed some rehearsals.

5) The music, I'm sorry, it sucked. I can't even remember the hook but it was lame. In fact, I hated it. I don't know who produced it but its weak. And its opening line "Its Britney, bitch." What is wrong with her? This is a mother of 2 babies. Why try so hard to be this sex-crazed, bad ass? Why would you even present yourself in a way there would be inappropriate to your children? It's time to get past that, really.

Overall, all I saw was a stage full of dancers on poles looking like strippers and a confused Britney Spears faking vocals and trying to keep up with what dance moves she remembered over the lamest techno-dance track. It was poor.

And I'm disappointed. A comeback? She would seriously have to step it up a whole helluva lot better than that. Either that or focus on raising her boys.

Pick one.