Love, Lyrics, and Lenses

um eww

2012-01-18T11:05:00.000-08:00

A restaurant called SHEETZ? um eww

new spot (kinda)

2011-11-12T11:56:00.000-08:00

i moved a few months ago, and haven't done a video from my new place, or at all for awhile in general. so here it is. not that much new, just still finishing school.

Boston trip to see Khaliel

2011-10-15T06:10:00.000-07:00

Chrissy's last night :)

2011-09-18T19:11:00.000-07:00

Katt

2011-08-29T04:27:00.000-07:00

the fly guys by Issa Rae

2011-08-25T10:14:00.000-07:00

these are just 2 of my favorite episodes. while these here are funny on their own, there are so many other good ones. i suggest watching the series from the beginning to get to know the characters, and it'll make these even funnier.

dance episode

bruno mars episode

here's the link to all of the seasons of "The Fly Guys", as well as her other series: "The Misadventures of Awkward Black Girl".

fun night

2011-08-22T09:54:00.001-07:00

He's the Love of My Life

2011-08-17T14:43:00.000-07:00

Khaliel Thomas:
Born 10:54am, August 17th 2011. 5lbs. of awesomeness

Bachelorette - Fiji

2011-07-25T17:21:00.000-07:00

time for the final 3 one-on-one dates. this is the episode where a mystery person who'd been sent home comes back, and i'd been dying to know who it was. i thought it was going to be William. it ended up being Ryan, what a fucking bore. i was never a fan of his. not only was he lacking any meaningful depth, but he seemed two-faced. i have a bit of respect him for putting himself out there, and wanting closure. but he seems a little sprung, and way more into it than she is. he's borderline stalking.

first date is with Ben. i have to say i'm jealous of their cute date on a nice boat in a tropical location. but then again, i'd always rather be somewhere tropical than north philly. according to ashley he has a hunger for life, and there would never be a dull moment with him. that's a good characteristic for someone to have, if you're looking for something long-lasting. for some reason he doesn't show any emotion in his face. he keeps saying that he has strong feelings for her and he's falling for her, but the whole robot thing makes it hard to believe. even when he was talking about his dad passing away, there were tears but his face still looked blank. later on at dinner, they start talking about love and marriage. i just dont get why it has to be so accelerated. in general, why would anyone propose after 2 months? especially when you're not even exclusive. homeboy, she's having the same romantic dates and intimate moments with other guys! chill out, get to know each other, and if you get picked in the end, then (and only then) should you start taking things seriously enough to see this person as a potential life partner. anyway, i always feel like he's going through his head, looking for the perfect things to say, and it would take a long time, away from cameras, for him to just be himself. at the end of dinner, he accepts a night in the fantasy suite. i wonder what goes on in there lol.

next is a helicopter ride with Constantine. although she likes him, she still feels that he's closed off. he seems a lot more open and real than he had previously, but they've progressed the slowest out of all who are left. she said he's hard to read, and is nervous because there isn't a lot of time left. there's so much awkward silence they start talking about the wine. and then to make things more awkward he brings up another one of the guys that she's dating! weird. uh oh, then things go south when she expresses that she doesn't feel like he wants to hold her hand or touch her. he's straight up telling her that he's not really feeling that strongly about her, and respects her too much to pretend.
wtf! it just got interrupted by a news report. i just yelled "are you fucking kidding me!" out loud. why are they doing this address to the nation now? don't they know the bachelorette is on?! lol yea, yea i know this presidential address is important, but they couldn't have waited an hour til the show was over, and the 10 o'clock news is on anyway?! and yes, i'm saying that these government officials should hold off on this serious update on our nation's debt crisis for the sake of a fake, over-dramatized reality show, that contributes absolutely nothing to society, HAHAHA j/k.
ok we're back. he said this is the end of the road for him. wow...did NOT see that coming. i do think he waited too long though. there's no way he just had this epiphany, he's been feeling this way for a while now. he even said on his way out that he didn't want to hurt or humiliate her, i think thats why it took him so long. ok he's gone, we're down to 2 guys. moving on.

now she's visiting (psycho?) ryan. she said sending him home was the hardest goodbye out of all of them. damn this dude flew all the way to fiji, and is getting crushed all over again...on tv. that has to suck. not only did she tell him that she stands by her decision and feels no passion for him, but she said that she found it in 2 other guys. ouch. he looks pathetic now.

on to my fav, JP. they fly out to their own private island. ok this is the date that i'm most jealous of. their chemistry is just so natural. she said they have this passion where they don't wanna be apart. he says everything else fades away when he's with her, awww how cute *eye roll*. but as cute as they are right now, they're on some puppy love shit, and it's time to start looking past that. he accepts the fantasy suite invitation.

i have this strange feeling that she's going to pick Ben. JP has been hyped up as the front runner, and i feel like they're doing this for shock value. she chooses to have a rose ceremony with 2 roses for the 2 guys to see if they are seeing eye to eye with her, and will accept the roses. she stands and looks at the pictures of the guys. takes the pic of constantine and places it face down on the table. picks up the pic of ben, stares at it. picks up the pic of JP stares at it. i dont know how she goes through these scripted motions without cracking up. damn at first i thought this particular rose ceremony was stupid, but after she breaks it down that she's looking for someone to put a ring on it, both of the guys look shook, so maybe it is a good idea that she's doing it. they both accept the roses.

next week i get two nights of Bachelorette! sunday is the reunion show, and then monday is the finale. until then...

Eye Candy - Daniel Sunjata

2011-07-20T19:03:00.000-07:00

now this is who you'd want saving you from a burning building

hot and intelligent. rescue me

Bachelorette - hometown visits

2011-07-18T17:03:00.000-07:00

When it comes to Ben and Constantine, Ashley is mostly mentioning physical attraction, but also says there's chemistry. She likes Ames for his spontaneity and love of adventure (i don't think he's getting the final rose). And JP is just everything. She feels free to be herself around him.

First is Constantine. she really keeps stressing the physical thing. he talks like a teenager and seems just as aloof and clueless. he kinda screams frat boy (not swinging from the chandeliers type, but frat boy nonetheless). it looks like she likes him, but still has some doubt about whether they have potential to last in the long run. his family's really cute.

Next is Ames. i dont see her fitting in with his family. they seem really bland, especially following Constantine's big, fun, festive family. she said her relationship with him is moving slower, but she likes peeling away the layers. this is based on curiosity and potential though, not anything really solid. when she says "he's great", it sounds like she's trying to convince herself. even his sister is doubting their passion and spark. this family is really boring me. their "relationship" makes me frown with confusion. he talked about how he was picked on as a kid, and then italian romance philosophy, and then they kiss, and it all seems...baseless.

Anyway, time for Ben. he has a winery, so he gets points in my book for that. his sister is very protective and seems like kind of a bitch. The whole trip was basically his sister grilling him, and him stating how much he likes her. and his mother showing ashley pictures of him as a child. so cliche it's making me cringe. his hair was the topic of conversation twice. deep, lol.

And of course they save JP for last. the skating date he planned is really cute. she is visibly more upbeat when she's around him. he's "miserable" without her. she fits in perfectly with his family. they're understandably concerned, since his last relationship crashed and burned and they dont wanna see him depressed again. he can't say that he's in love with her, but he feels like it's headed in that direction. he says "it" is there, whatever "it" is. ugh and they bring out an embarrassing pic of him as a kid.

i dont like how the word love keeps getting thrown around. i dont think you can truly fall in love with someone while cameras are constantly in your face, and the person is also dating multiple other people at the same time. what you're doing is building a base. then when the cameras stop rolling and you're no longer in some exotic location, that's when you get back to real life and start falling in love.

Bachelorette Week 7 - The Final Four

2011-07-11T17:02:00.000-07:00

We're down to 6 guys, I think she's weeded out most of the guys who were questionable. At this point, my least favorite would have to be Ryan. He seems like he's hiding something. 2 people will be cut this round, and the final four will go on to hometown visits. There will be 3 one-on-one dates, and 1 group date. ok...

First one-on-one is with Constantine. I like how chill he is. that's cool to an extent, but i (could be wrong) sense a lack of depth. Ashley says she likes him because he's just being himself, and that he's exactly what she looks for physically. he always has this dumb-looking smirk on his face. his answers seemed super scripted, but what can i expect from a show like this.

Ben gets the 2nd one-on-one. cool, he's adorable. but Ashley seems unsure that she feels a deep connection with him. she said she has strong feelings for "a couple" of the guys, and i doubt she was including him in that statement. in their conversation he seemed more natural. the kiss was kinda stiff and weak though. Apparently after the date, he didn't come home til the next morning, hmmm.
the rest of the guys in the house weren't really feeling that, but i think it's funny how they try to act happy for each other when they get back from one-on-ones. but JP storms out of the room. i get that he's upset because he has feelings for her and hates that she gets close with other guys, but....it's THE BACHELORETTE! if you dont wanna compete with other guys, dont be on the show. he's still my fave tho. JP if you're reading this: If Ashley breaks your heart, hit me up. j/k of course, there's no way he reads this. (but seriously in the .000000000000000000000000000000000000001% chance, please leave all of your contact info in the comments LOL).

next is the group date. she takes wedding photos with JP, lucas, ames. JP's pissed watching her kiss the other guys, but then when its his turn to do his photos, he's lost. after his whole jealous tantrum, i think he froze up at the wedding shoot, because the reality of marriage is starting to set in. gosh. and lucas was being a crybaby, i cant believe these are grown men acting like this. lucas was mad because he had to wear a traditional taiwanese outfit, and he considers himself a traditional all-american guy. calm down are you serious? people need to learn how to step out of their comfort zones. she needs someone who's more laid back and open to new things.
i've finally figured out what Ames looks like, a disney prince, which does NOT transfer over well into real life lol.
uh oh JP is losing steam because he's voicing his insecurities to Ashley. he does bring up a good point though. in the beginning it's probably easier to say that you're ok with the competition because you dont know the person yet. but then once you get to know them, and fall for them, it changes everything, and you just want that person to yourself and to not share him/her with other people. oh but some good comes out of him opening up. ashley gives him a rose! that means she's going home with him to meet his family. i think it's good that she's been on the other side so she knows exactly what they're going through.

3rd one-on-one goes to Ryan. pretty much every guy in the house hates him. i think he's fake. this is their first one-on-one. she's using this date to see if there's a real connection. i think he's more into just falling in love, and not necessarily falling in love with HER in particular. after an awkward conversation she says (in voiceover, not to his face) that she doesnt feel like they're at a point where she feels comfortable meeting his family. omg this is hilarious! he's a "solar energy executive" which is amazing, i'm all about the "green movement". but he's rambling on and on about water heaters and while he's talking, you just hear ashley's thoughts, and his voice is in the background like blah blah blah. then she tells him that she's "not feeling it" and he looks hurt. i like his shirt though, it's a pretty color. i actually feel bad for him, because rejection is never fun. but he says things like "i dont wanna be alone" and "i wanna fall in love with someone", nothing is Ashley-specific. i think he's just upset that he got rejected period. i think its kinda cruel how the cameras just follow you around while your grieving lol, but that's where the ratings come from. so now ryan's gone. i respect her decision though, to not get his family involved if she wasn't 100% into it.

and now we're down to 5. she's about to pull a move from last season and skip the cocktail party because she's so sure who she wants to send home. i hope she sends lucas or ames home. ok it's rose ceremony time. remember JP got a rose earlier on so he's safe. first she calls constantine, kinda saw that coming. then it's ben, yay. i like him for some reason. then it's ames. wha??? lol didn't know she felt that serious about him. so that means lucas is going home. maybe it was all his talk of being an old-fashioned type of guy, and ashley being a modern girl? or there just wasn't enough of a spark.
and then of course, because no reality show would be complete without one, she has an emotional breakdown. w/e. we're left with a weird mix of guys, who are all very different from each other. so far 2 of the 4 guys have said that they're worried they wont be ready to propose to her by the end of the show. i dont get why they have to. proposing after such a short period of time isn't usually a good idea. why can't she just pick someone, and they continue to date? the proposal just seems rushed and forced. we all seem magnificent in the beginning, it takes serious time (away from cameras and exotic sites) to really get to know someone and decide if you want to spend the rest of your life with them.

on a side note i'm loving ashley's wardrobe. i really wish i had the figure (and budget) to dress like that.

The Bachelorette is Back

2011-06-27T18:30:00.000-07:00

ok so the show's been back on for a while now, but i wasn't sure if blogging about it again was a good idea. maybe i didn't wanna sound...pathetic? lol for watching such trash when i rant about how bad the entertainment industry can be these days. but whatever! it's a guilty pleasure, and i do find humor in it. the cheesy lines and the overly dramatized situations crack me up. at the end of the day do i care who she ends up with? no. do i take it seriously as 100% true? no. but it's like a mystery, where you're just curious to see who gets kicked off next. not to mention the eye candy, whoo! i think that's why i never got into The Bachelor. i never find the guys on The Bachelor attractive. but on The Bachelorette, they always have a handful of beautiful men that keep me wanting to watch every week. and come on, who wouldn't want 25 cream-of-the-crop potentials placed in front of them to date. it's fantasy.

so earlier on in the season Ashley fell for an asshole named Bentley. he had no interest in her, and was just there to see how far he could get in the competition. he ended up using the fact that he missed his daughter as an excuse to leave. she took this really hard. many people are bashing her for being hung up on him. really girls and guys? of course it looks dumb from the outside looking in, because we know he's an asshole, but she doesn't know that. how many times have we fallen for someone, only to find out later that they were full of shit. it happens. i've fallen for a guy in a short amount of time before, so i understand where she's coming from. you cant fault someone for their gut feelings.
i also know about the back end of production, so you have to understand that the NETWORK and the editing team have a lot to do with manipulating how things are portrayed. although she may have talked about Bentley a lot, they could've chopped and edited the footage to make it look like much more than it really was. plus the sit-down confessionals and voiceovers are often in response to questions that people on the staff are asking her. they were probably egging her on like, "so do you miss Bentley?", "how are you feeling about Bentley?", "do you think it's fair to the guys that you still care about Bentley?". and then they used those responses and featured them heavily in the final cut. if i sound passionate about this, it's not because i care about this show in particular, it's because you can't believe everything you see on tv. there's so much that you're not seeing, and you're not getting the whole picture. ok enough about that.

Ashley and the guys have been in Hong Kong, and while she's been trying to move forward, she's still struggling to get over Bentley. so they get Bentley to fly over to Hong Kong so that she could get closure. I'm not sure how genuine that is on anyone's side. did she just really wanna see him? did the network want the ratings? did he just want a free vacation? it's probably a combination of all of those. so after an awkward meeting, she finally realized that there was nothing there anymore, and got her closure. then she was ready to open up to the guys about it, now that she was over him. the guys were understandably not happy when they heard this. i definitely see both sides. i would feel a little betrayed too if the person i was dating had a secret meeting with someone who he fell for never got over. i'd kinda feel like i was wasting my time and energy if i'm trying to connect with someone and in the back of his mind, he's thinking about someone else. while she cant control the way she felt, she also has to understand that it's not all about her. there's a bunch of guys there who are sacrificing a lot too, and they deserve to know what's going on. she probably should have been honest about her feelings for Bentley right from the jump, so that anyone who wanted to leave, could've had that opportunity before instead of wasting more time pursuing her. this was the case with Mickey McLean, one of the best-looking guys on the show. it sucks that she fell for a loser, and as a result, missed out on a gorgeous guy that very well could have made her happy. i liked Mickey because he wasn't one of the cliche characters you find on reality shows. maybe it was the editing, but he didn't come across as an attention seeker. and the fact that he just up and left because of the Bentley situation, makes me think that he actually is real and genuine, and someone who doesn't play games (hot. really. that made him even more attractive). now that i think about it, i'm glad he left, because i never saw him and Ashley click. but he's going to make some other girl out there lucky. daaamn. her loss

i dunno what the deal was with her sending Blake home. was it because he made her cry, and he was the one who was most openly upset aside from Mickey? i think their talk made her realize that she felt no connection with him, and that's why they never had much alone time. maybe she just felt like she'd hurt him beyond repair, and she was doing him a favor by sending him home.

moving on. of who's left, the strongest connection i see is the one with JP. he's also the cutest one left, and i think they look cute together. and i'm not just hopping on the JP bandwagon. i liked him from the beginning. he also seems like he's really into her. but in the teaser he says he fears that he wont be ready to propose, so who knows. i just cant see her sending him home. the teaser for whats coming got me excited. someone else comes back, and she says that she "regretted" sending this person home. can't wait to see who it is!

broken promise haha

2011-06-20T16:56:00.000-07:00

Andrea: ...I'm going to stop swearing...
(A huge bug flies by)
Andrea: What the FUCK is that?!

Arts Garage

2011-06-10T21:46:00.001-07:00

So You Think You Can Dance (parody)

2011-06-09T19:26:00.001-07:00

love this show, it makes me wish i could dance. and this parody is great

2011-05-30T09:50:00.001-07:00

Eye Candy - Adam Rodriguez

2011-05-17T08:47:00.001-07:00

Adam Rodriguez...muy caliente

Freaky Baby

2011-05-10T21:06:00.000-07:00

Why are some of the pictures associated with ads so weird? and sometimes not even relevant? i've seen an ads about lowering credit with a picture of a dog sticking its head out the car window. i'm not sure this is even real, but it is kinda funny. this was the picture for an ad for becoming a social worker. that just makes me skeptical about your establishment. it's about social work, and that's the best picture you could come up with?

Cheesy Beef and Macaroni

2011-05-10T21:00:00.000-07:00

beef 2

2011-05-03T15:24:00.001-07:00

i'll keep posting all the different things i do with the beef:

sliced steak sandwich with tomato soup these really complimented each other. mmm time for a nap

we got beef

2011-05-02T06:56:00.000-07:00

for some reason, my roommate got a HUGE piece of beef from a coworker. the pics dont really do it justice. this is a huge pot filled up with beef
and then there's a HUGE tupperware container in the fridge, with even more! seen the episode of Everybody Hates Chris when they have a surplus of sausage and they have it for breakfast, lunch, and dinner? this is gonna be just like that. for weeks, we'll be having beef for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

first meal: steak and eggs!

Who should replace Michael Scott?

2011-04-21T21:35:00.000-07:00

so here's who's in the running (i think):
Will Ferrell, Ricky Gervais, Will Arnett, James Spader, Ray Romano, Jim Carrey, and Catherine Tate.

from surfing the net a little, it looks like Will Ferrell wont be the new boss...thank goodness. will ferrell is hilarious. old school is one of my favorite movies, due in large part to him. but he doesnt belong on the office. great as a guest star, not a fixture. and the character's name is Deangelo Jeremitrius Vickers? really? that's only funny for like...2 seconds. and he doesnt have good enough chemistry with the rest of the cast to last. plus the character is inconsistent (he's cool, then mean, then cool again, then mean again, then vulnerable?). it was like the writers were trying too hard to keep it interesting.

no one can really match what steve carrell has done, but of who's left, here's who i think should fill Michael Scott's shoes in order
1. Will Arnett- absolutely perfect
2. James Spader- would be great in his own unique way
3. Ricky Gervais- may be a bit too over-the-top, but everything he does his funny
4. Jim Carrey- ehhh stick to movies
5. Ray Romano- ummm NO

i haven't seen any of Catherine Tate's work, so i dont know where she fits into this mix

kinky twists

2011-04-20T15:45:00.000-07:00

with my current high-stress, busy schedule, i figured it was time to get a protective, low-maintenance style. i was a little hesitant to get these because
1.) they're expensive
2.) i like to have versatility with hair styles, and there's only so much you can do with these
3.) i was scared i wouldn't like how they came out, and i'd be stuck with them for a long time

but something had to be done. as much as i love my hair, it was taking up way too much of my time each day. thank goodness they came out fine. it put a bit of a dent in my pocket, but it's okay because for the next 2-3 months i don't have to do anything! and i can just focus on my work.

Eye Candy - Calvin Johnson

2011-04-02T15:35:00.001-07:00

Calvin Johnson...goodness...gracious

Continental Midtown

2011-03-14T13:19:00.000-07:00

Fried Chicken and Sweet Plantain

2011-03-14T13:16:00.000-07:00

getting a little obsessed with plantain

fried chicken

2011-03-11T15:00:00.000-08:00

just had a craving for soul food today. fried chicken and mac-n-cheese
cornbread

knock 'em out

2011-03-01T08:43:00.001-08:00

so mean, but sooo funny

Eye Candy - Daniel Henney

2011-02-28T11:12:00.001-08:00

global mash-up

2011-02-20T17:45:00.000-08:00

with the recent warm weather, i was in island mode, and got a plantain. then i just threw whatever else i had together.
couscous - North Africa
turkey - North America
broccoli - Europe

Eye Candy - Timothy Olyphant

2011-02-09T17:55:00.001-08:00

i didn't even notice him back in the day. he got attractive with age.

For Femi

2011-02-08T14:07:00.001-08:00

natural hair update

2011-02-08T08:12:00.001-08:00

i just threw away a bunch of old shampoos i had laying around. i've been trying to learn more about what ingredients are good and bad for hair. i'm looking for simple, solid products for a consistent regimen i can stick to. i always knew mineral oil was bad, but i recently learned it's pretty much synonymous with paraffin. i never thought to look out for paraffin on the ingredients label. after some research, i realized how crummy the stuff is for hair. the downside tho, is that my moisturizer (Twisted Sista by Urban Therapy) contains paraffin and it makes my edges sooo soft, and it's really hard to find a product that does that because my edges are rough and stubborn. so i'm slowly weaning myself off of it. i don't put it all over my hair, i just use a small dab to smooth down my edges. and i'll use it until i find a healthier product that can have the same effect. here's the chemical that you NEED to steer clear of: SODIUM LAURETH SULFATE (and anything closely related to it). you can do your own research. i'm just going to tell you that it's BAD. it is found in many household products such as body soap, detergent, and even toothpaste! it was in all of my old shampoos (and most likely the shampoos they use at the salon) and that's probably why i had breakage. My Miss Jessie's cleanser and conditioner are running out, and i don't really feel like ordering more right now. but i went to rite-aid and saw Renpure Organics Shampoo and Conditioner. i'd never heard of this company before, and i was attracted to it because according to the bottle, it is "free from harmful chemicals", made with organics extracts, and "safe, fresh, natural ingredients". it's also free of sulfates. since i'm still experimenting, what i'm doing today is washing with Renpure Organics: "my pretty hair is parched - moisturizing shampoo", deep conditioning with Miss Jessie's: Creme de la Creme Conditioner, then conditioning with Renpure Organics: "my pretty hair is parched - moisturizing conditioner". why am i conditioning twice? because i heard about double-conditioning somewhere, so i'm trying it.

2011-02-07T11:25:00.000-08:00

I didn't post a "My Week in a Nutshell" video this week because nothing worth mentioning really happened. It was one of those weeks where you just go through the motions.

jam of the week (this just came on Pandora and i was like, oh shit! i used to play this over and over): Getting Late by Floetry. this song is so sexy. i'm still sad Floetry split up. Marsha's voice still gives me goosebumps.
LIVE

studio version

shells and broccoli with bacon!

2011-02-05T11:39:00.001-08:00

what you need:
-a pot
-pasta shells
-milk
-cheese
-broccoli
-bacon (i use turkey bacon)
-whatever herbs, spices, etc, that you use to add flavor

-boil shells
-i add the frozen broccoli right into the same pot when the pasta has only a couple minutes left to be done
-drain the pasta and broccoli
-return pot to fire
-while the pasta and broccoli are draining, add milk, cheese, and whatever else you want to add flavor (salt, pepper, etc) in the now empty pot. i added a little sugar for a sweet kick. you can also add flour to thicken the sauce. i didn't have any.
-once you've got your cheesy sauce, put drained pasta and broccoli back into pot
-stir to coat with sauce
-crumble cooked bacon and sprinkle on top

i'm health conscious, but occasionally, i like to indulge. and if you're a health nut you can still do this. use whole wheat pasta. Whole Foods and other similar markets sell healthy alternatives to milk, cheese, and bacon.

naptural

2011-02-02T12:33:00.000-08:00

these first stages of maintaining my natural hair have been challenging, but not at all discouraging. i'm excited to see how it will change and look as it grows. in surfing the net to learn about products/regimens, and other napturals' stories, i came across this page and one of her pics is what i'd like my hair to eventually look like (with a little less volume tho). it's the last pic that says "braidout", where she's wearing a blue shirt.

Hey Hey Hey! Ian Benardo

2011-02-02T12:02:00.001-08:00

How did this guy slip by without me knowing? I'm all about awful American Idol auditions. This is from 4 years ago. i just saw it for the first time last night, and i was in tears. fastforward to 2:40 for the actual audition.

Week in a Nutshell 1

2011-01-31T21:54:00.000-08:00

Cheesy Tomato Omelette

2011-01-28T08:27:00.000-08:00

plus some crispy turkey bacon on da siiiiiide.
click for video! --> youtube video

so long flat iron (for now)

2011-01-27T08:38:00.000-08:00

i'm tired of burning my hair, so i've put the flat iron down. gonna rock it natural, and it's truly a liberating feeling. added bonus: i don't have to schedule appointments, sit in a salon for hours, and spend tons of money.

Caramel deLites!!!

2011-01-25T15:51:00.000-08:00

it's only the second week and i'm already exhausted, i'll post a video when i have some time. i didn't get as much done today as i wanted to, but at least i got a little time to relax. i've decided to go semi-natural for awhile. i didn't wanna drop $200 for micro braids, and i want to take a break from flat ironing. i got cornrows, so tomorrow i can let it out, and it'll be wavy (i'll post a pic). they overcharged, but something had to be done to tame the poof. anyway, i hate spending money, and afterwards i had to go the supermarket, cuz my kitchen was BARE. that hurt my wallet, but on the way out, there was someone selling girl scout cookies! simple things get me excited, and Caramel deLites are like ecstasy.

last night of freedom/beginning of the end

2011-01-17T19:21:00.000-08:00

i look fat. time to start working out again

Dust in the Wind - Kansas

2011-01-14T09:36:00.001-08:00

My roomie played this today and i start laughing, thinking about Will Ferrell singing it in Old School (my favorite comedy movie).

i could only find the clip in Italian lol

holiday leftovers

2011-01-07T10:59:00.000-08:00

mommy making johnny bakes

bangin mac-n-cheese, greens, beef brisket, and mashed potatoes and gravy.

my red velvet cupcakes. they were yummy.

lil cuz

my brother. the coolest bartender in town.

the video is actually from thanksgiving, but it's to give the effect of driving to a relative's house.

Seasons Greetings

2010-12-23T04:52:00.000-08:00

corrections: it'll be a Christmas Eve party, not New Years Eve, lol. And Ashura already passed, so I should've said "i hope you had a Happy Ashura".

go me

2010-12-23T04:22:00.000-08:00

Course Grades
MAGAZINE ARTICLE WRITING: B+
PUBLICATION DESIGN: A-

GPA: 3.5

through all the bullshit, i still succeed

booty call

2010-12-22T04:58:00.000-08:00

no, i dont like Ke$ha, but this song makes me laugh.

replacing you is so easy

2010-12-21T10:27:00.000-08:00

Invisible Man

2010-12-18T19:17:00.000-08:00

I've attempted to read this classic by Ralph Ellison (published 1952) several times over the years, and for some reason couldn't get through it. i'm currently reading it, and this time i've gotten further than i ever have. i think i might actually finish it this time.

it's over!

2010-12-17T23:54:00.000-08:00

better than the real thing

2010-12-17T06:50:00.000-08:00

You can't make this stuff up

2010-12-11T14:59:00.000-08:00

so a lot of people call MetroPCS ghetto (Ghettro PCS). i mean, most of the phones they offer are very cheap quality, and kind of slow sometimes, but as far as service, i've never had any dropped calls or weak signals. but here's where the problem comes in, recycled numbers. i get "wrong number" calls/texts alllll the the time. i understand maybe when i first get the phone with a new number, i may get contacted by people looking for the person who had that number right before me. but i've had this number for 4 months now and i still get random calls and most of them are ghetto:

ring ring...
Me: Hello
Other end: yea uh Shaniqua dere?

every time someone mistakenly calls, they're looking for someone different, and i'm like damn, how many ppl had this number?sometimes it'll ring and i pick up and it's a recording in Spanish. anyways, today i got text msgs from some guy looking for a girl named tanisha. at first i thought it was hilarious, because it was so poorly written, but as they kept flooding in i started to feel sympathetic towards this guy as he was trying to apologize to her. here's everything he wrote [not censored, except for his name]:

You dont give me chance to let me tell u how things was goin on wit my life but ima try say it in my text tanisha sorry that i played with your heart N im sorry for not calln you but went down to va a cuple weeks ago just wanted to get away from everyone to get my mind rite n away from my family they Wont me to do wit they want just wanted to c if they cant do wit out me i realy dont have no1 in my corner to talk to they think i know everything n i Can do everything i try but i cant its hard but i still try dont wantna let anyone down a man is soppose to do what he has to do 4 his family thats wht My grandmother told me but none of those let downs dont have anything on yours i was thinkn over n over out of all people how can i do that to You i kno things are not gona be rite back the same but i will as wait as long as it takes 4 the day it do wht im tryna say is that i cant lose your Heart to anyone while im still liven i will realy be goin thou Hard times just sum things i had to tell u that i couldnt hold in anymore i love you tanisha not tryna hold u up hope u enjoy your birthday ps love Alwayz r***** f****** sorry boo

this is like the sweetest ghetto love story i've ever heard. so me being as cooky as i am, i call the guy just to let him know that he's sending the messages to the wrong number. he's putting forth this deep apology that tanisha needs to hear! lol then 10 minutes later, homeboy calls back and is like "yo, so what should i do?" and i'm like "what do you mean?" and he's like "was that sweet what i said?" and i was like "yea i dont even know you and i was like 'awww'. she needs to hear this".
RF: "but she always tryna play me tho".
Me: "you have to try. you need to find her and tell her how you feel. everything you sent me, you have to tell her".
RF: "i dont know. i'm startin to feel like it wasnt meant".
Me: "if she plays you again, maybe it's time to move on, but you have to at least try".

what am i doing when i get home from work? i'm on the phone giving relationship advice to some random Philly bol. My life is so random and entertaining and i love every second of it.

N'Dambi @ World Cafe Live

2010-12-09T22:32:00.000-08:00

i've been sleeping on this place and i really need to start going more often. i went there tonight to see N'Dambi. this girl knows how to put on a show!

it's late and i'm out of it. excuse the pointless rambling and redundancy. this is cut down. i actually rambled on for like 7 minutes. about what? i dunno
hit the box with the arrows for full screen! do it!

Off and Running

2010-12-09T17:31:00.000-08:00

love this film
i want the score to this so bad.

coincidentally, i'm currently writing a poem called "running". it's not inspired by the film, but i plan to start running again soon, and i'm reflecting on the mental aspect.

guitar

2010-12-06T14:34:00.000-08:00

yup, just posted a couple funny videos, bringin the positivity back. my semester is over in a week and winter break will be filled with food, fun, friends, family, aaaaand MUSIC! i'm learning how to play the guitar and i'm bursting at the seams!, i'm so excited. i've had a guitar for 4 years, and it's done nothing but collect dust. i love music, and i've always wanted to play an instrument. so here goes. i originally posted a clip of me strumming and singing but it was so awful i took it down. you'll just have to wait til i master this thing to hear a song.

Kevin Hart, Romany Malco, Steve Carrell

2010-12-06T10:48:00.000-08:00

Highlights:

Kevin Hart - I'm also gonna need that extended warranty on there for the price of...on the house.

Clerk - Today's forecast: Dark and cloudy, with a chance of driveby.

But what puts me over the edge is Steve Carrell coming over in the middle of it and saying "Welcome to SmartTech"

Richard Cheese

2010-12-03T15:44:00.000-08:00

I might be late, but today is the first time i heard of this guy Richard Cheese. He takes mainstream songs and converts them to the "lounge music" genre, and uh and it's hilarious. i always thought it was funny when you take dumb songs and slow them down. i was just doing it the other day, with that song "wobble, wobble" by the 504 Boyz.

fresh

2010-11-28T13:44:00.000-08:00

this past year and a half was full of frustration and let downs, but that's all behind me now. i recently made the move to walk away from anything that was holding me back, and it felt so good! i have NO time for bullshit anymore. i still have a long way to go, but i'm happier now with myself, and my direction, than i've ever been.

that being said...i'm feeling goofy today

chillin

2010-11-27T00:47:00.000-08:00

i'm laughing so hard cuz he's makin funny faces while i'm talking, then playin dead when i turn the camera on him

I'm leaving...

2010-11-23T08:54:00.000-08:00

on that midnight bus to Boston! I haven't been home for Thanksgiving in 3 years, and i really had no intention of going this year either, but i'm going. there's a few different reasons i chose to opt out of this family holiday once i was old enough to decide for myself. One being distance. going to boston means catching the sub from my house to the bus station, taking a 6 hour commute, then catching the sub again from the Boston bus station to my mother's house. and then do the same thing a few days later all over again to return to philly. it's hell. before, i'd have to catch Chinatown and deal with switching companies, and layover time, and pushing through rowdy crowds in New York. hell. it's a bit better now though, with Megabus' direct route, but still. an overall 13 hour commute sucks. and since thanksgiving and christmas are so close together, i didnt see the need to make the trip twice in such a short amount of time, so i always picked christmas. the other reason was finances. over the past few years up until now, $50 was a lot to dish out, meaning doing both holidays equaled $100 that i just didnt have. with Megabus' low prices, it's more feasible now. next reason: weak family ties. sad but true. when it comes to extended family, i don't know them that well, and that made me not feel compelled to take a long journey in order to spend time with them. for the most part, my cousins are wayyy older than me, and on top of that, i wasn't raised around them. my memories of thanksgiving as a child is me being bored out of my mind. i have nothing against them, but they're not exactly the most exciting bunch of people. but when it comes to my immediate family, i love them to death, and i don't know what i'd do without them. they make me laugh and support me through everything. this year, my brother asked me to come, and i just couldn't say no. plus my other brother and his wife are having thanksgiving at their house, which is much better than having to go to my aunt's house. i think a trip to boston is good right now in the midst of being stressed over finals. seeing family will do something that NO ONE in philly can do right now: put a genuine smile on my face.
as opposed to my most recent trip to Boston, i can actually visually document this one thanks to a good friend of mine who gave me an old digicam he didn't need anymore. i have my big professional DSLR, but i hate lugging it around. i only like to use it for professional or artistic shoots. now i finally have a small compact one that i can use for fun. despite having to work tomorrow, i'll pretty much be spending the next couple days relaxing and getting ready for my trip. when i get back i'll post a video :) haven't done that in a while

sweets and stanzas

2010-11-21T19:04:00.000-08:00

Lindt Lindor Truffles. My favorite chocolate. Perfect little pick-me-ups.
I was bored at work and started writing a bit. this is NOT NOT NOT about anyone in particular.

Untitled Draft

I want to give you my heart, but I have to protect it.
I shouldn't let fear dictate my life, but I can't help it.
I've been shattered so many times that now it's what's expected.

You have everything I could ask for
You get me down to my core
But I just don't have the strength to open the door

I'm scared...
to feel...
something real...
It's staring me in my face
I'm runnin' the opposite way
Gotta escape this place
It's a race
between my heart
and my mind
either way, it's emptiness I'll find

I can't be what you need
It's too much for me
We could never be

Laura Izibor

2010-11-17T05:01:00.000-08:00

...speechless. this song is making me cry, and not about anybody, i just have an appreciation for art. a beautiful photograph, piece of literature, or song can put tears in my eyes.

And today's surprise guest is...

2010-11-11T08:01:00.000-08:00

oh Wendy. this just might be worse than when she had Vanilla Ice on. now i actually think it's mean how she gets the audience so amped up for a surprise guest, and then someone that nobody cares about walks out. yet for some reason i continue to watch this disaster of a show. i need to get cable.

Kiss Me on My Neck

2010-11-05T11:56:00.000-07:00

The Therapist

2010-11-05T05:54:00.000-07:00

Another funny sketch from Funny or Die --> The Therapist

4 real?

2010-11-02T07:49:00.000-07:00

Wendy Williams' surprise guest today was Vanilla Ice. wtf. That show may be on a decline. it was funny watching the crowd pretend to be excited.

back in the bean

2010-10-27T11:28:00.000-07:00

i'm on the bus, about 20min away from South Station. i decided i needed a break from Philly and everything going on there for a few days. it's been a challenging couple weeks, and the upcoming week will be just as bad. but i'll deal with most of that when i get back. for now...i'm so glad there's finally a bus that takes me straight from Philly to Boston, and i don't have to deal with Chinatown and switching/layover in New York. this bus has a headphone jack so you can listen to the radio, power outlets, and free wifi, allowing me to get work done and also stay occupied for the 6hour trip. the driver welcomes you over a PA system, and a safety video is shown. i feel like im on a damn plane. it's CLEAN, the bathrooms actually have toilet paper and hand sanitizer. i hate the Chinatown buses and their dirty stations or lack thereof, and poor customer service. thank goodness i never have to deal with them again, and traveling to Boston is so much more pleasant now. did i mention it's about $30 cheaper on average? i once caught a bus back to Philly from Boston for $3. even though i'll mostly be in the house working on an assignment, it just feels good to be here. i like walking to Neville's to get a beef patty and fried dumpling and remembering simpler times. it's a nice change of scenery and it puts me in a refreshed state of mind. Philly can be cold and lonely most of the time, and i love being here in my mother's warm, loving house.

2010-10-25T20:29:00.000-07:00

just made a Scarlett Johansson station on Pandora. it's a bit too folksy/borderline-country for me, but i like how laid back it is. i'm trying to relax before this rough week ahead of me. the finalization of a breakup, a long bus ride, a midterm, another long bus ride, work, more assignments, work. the semester's halfway over, bittersweet.

The Talk

2010-10-21T11:53:00.000-07:00

I guess networks are really struggling to come up with good ideas. So instead they'll just steal someone else's. ABC has The View, and I'm not a huge fan of that show, but CBS' knockoff The Talk is so bad, it makes The View look flawless.

Let's get some washed up C-list celebs, and throw in a token Black woman.

The Life of a Token

2010-10-15T08:00:00.000-07:00

Click==> "Token"

testing 1, 2

2010-10-11T18:47:00.000-07:00

He said, "I won't hurt you."

And I want to believe him.

He said, "You're perfect for me."

I'm ready to receive him.

in a dancing mood

2010-09-16T14:59:00.001-07:00

Jimmy Kimmel on Christine O'Donnell

2010-09-16T10:17:00.001-07:00

sorry you have to sit through the preceding commercial. blame ABC.

lucky's dead

2010-09-14T20:24:00.000-07:00

i know this is super old, but it still makes me laugh

Jellysmoke

2010-09-10T16:48:00.000-07:00

i guess i'm just on a movie/television kick right now.

i really wanna see this. and i hate that you never hear about these movies, but you constantly see commercials for garbage like Transformers or The Ugly Truth

whoop that ash!

2010-09-10T15:54:00.000-07:00

haha and it's real! www.whoopash.com

it's crazy how much Sheree Zampino looks like LisaRaye

hurr

2010-09-07T18:55:00.000-07:00

These are the products i use to wash and straighten my hair. i thought i would try to experiment with some natural styles this time, but i stumbled upon some interesting straightening products, and i just had to get them since i like trying new things. so i'll stick to straight for now, and the natural styles will have to wait for another time.

i've never really used heat protection, other than oil, prior to the heating tools. part of my reasoning here is that i like to keep things simple. i don't want to bust out 10 different products just to do my hair. but i think it's time i started using heat protection to prevent breakage and damage. i decided to get "Olive Oil"'s Heat Protection Serum. something else that caught my eye was a line of products called "twisted sista" by urban therapy. i like that they have products for both natural and relaxed hair. i got the relaxing straightening creme. being anti-relaxer, i was a bit put off by the name, but it's not a relaxer, although it does help straighten the hair. i'm hoping this helps ease the blowdrying and flat-ironing process, and makes it so i don't have to tug and pull as much.
i believe pre-conditioning is essential, so you can use an actual wash-out conditioner before you even begin shampooing, or use oil like i do. my oil of choice is grape seed oil. there are a number of oils that work well: coconut oil is a personal favorite, jojoba oil, carrot oil, tea tree oil, just to name some. they all have their own properties that are good for hair. i like grape seed oil because it is rich in vitamins that strengthen hair and antioxidants that promote growth. to pre-condition, douse hair and cover with plastic cap for 30min-1 hour. if washing hair in the morning, you can even sleep with the cap and pre-condition overnight. where to get it: Whole Foods (the supermarket can sometimes be better than the hair store). after you've rinsed out your pre-conditioner it's on to shampoo...

i use Mizani Thermasmooth shampoo. here's what the bottle says: it's composed of a "C3 Smoothing Complex that infuses pure, nourishing coconut oil, intra cellular fortifying ceramide and surface shielding and polishing C3 smoothing agents. like i said before, coconut oil is a favorite, and i like anything with natural elements. this shampoo smells AMAZING and makes your hair feel so clean and smooth! since i use oil frequently, i wash twice thoroughly to remove all build-up. where to get it: you have to order thermasmooth online, it's impossible to find in stores.

now onto conditioner. if you haven't heard of Miss Jessie's, you need to look it up. they're all about the kinks and curls. the only reason i dont buy more of their products is because it is out of my price range. but i use the conditioner because it's just that good. after rinsing out shampoo, apply a generous amount of Miss Jessie's Creme de la Creme. cover hair with plastic cap and condition for any where from 45min-1hour. use overhead drier if you have one. where to get the conditioner: order online or see if your local salon carries it.

after rinsing out the conditioner, you're ready for styling. towel dry hair, then apply twisted sista relaxing straightening creme from root to tip, then blowdry. where to get it: rite-aid.
then apply "Olive Oil"'s Heat Protection Serum before heat styling with straightening tools.

Green Eggs Cafe

2010-09-06T05:45:00.000-07:00

Went to the cutest little breakfast spot in South Philly. soooooo good, one of the best meals i've had in my life.

and another one

2010-08-30T19:54:00.001-07:00

because we haven't had enough of these movies

and this time they're in Brazil! hold on to your seats!!

Idris Elba and Michael Ealy

2010-08-25T08:32:00.000-07:00

to piggyback off of my post about the mainstream film industry, i wanna talk about two actors that are, unfortunately, starring in "Takers". Idris Elba and and Michael Ealy, both of whom i have a great deal of respect for, but they're starting to lose points by doing movies like this. i'll start with Elba...

i can't speak on the shows he did before "The Wire", because i havent seen any of them. but i can say that his performance in "The Wire" was great. now he seems to be going off the deep end, doing "Obsessed", "The Losers", and now, "Takers", of which the latter two are strikingly similar featuring a group of gun-wielding badasses with stuff exploding left and right. he has an overwhelming capacity to be captivating, but the opportunities to showcase that are non-existent

and now on to Ealy...

i didn't take him seriously back when he was in the "Barbershop" movies and "2 Fast 2 Furious". but then came "Their Eyes Were Watching God", and i was like, okay, this guy has potential. then he started taking on more serious roles, starring in "Miracle at St. Anna" and "Seven Pounds". he even earned a Golden Globe nomination for his role in "Sleeper Cell". in almost everything you do, you have to start somewhere and work your way up, so i'm not gonna knock him for the earlier roles. but now it seems as though he's taking a step backwards by getting involved with "Takers".

again, good scripts are not being green-lighted in Hollywood, so now good actors are faced with having to settle for the nonsense that's being presented to them. i'll never be in that situation, so i can't judge too harshly. but maybe if more actors spoke out, and turned down these sorry excuses for films, the execs might take note. it saddens me to see such talented people selling themselves short. it's like watching a genius work at McDonald's

Andrew Garcia/Kim Jong-iI

2010-08-25T06:48:00.000-07:00

so wrong, but so funny

Rainy Day

2010-08-23T15:59:00.000-07:00

A relaxing rainy day, staying in, listening to some Lena Horne and John Coltrane
what should i discuss? i could go on and on about how disastrous "Takers" and "Lottery Ticket" look, but i'm tired of ranting about stereotypes, and the general demise of the entertainment industry. mmm what the heck, i'll rant just a tiny bit...

so we have Chris Brown, T.I. and Bow Wow in box office spotlight. and i speak for a lot of people when i say, WHAT THE FUCK?! they're are amazing actors out there who actually study and respect the craft, and dedicate their lives to it. sadly, we'll never see these people on the big screen. it all comes down to money, and hollywood execs would rather pollute minds and make millions instead of putting together quality films. i'm just tired of the bullshit. they'll put rappers in a movie to fill seats, and unfortunately it works, so they'll just keep doing it. For the most part, I've thrown in the towel. and i'm not saying that good movies aren't being made, but those movies aren't getting any publicity or recognition.
every now and then, though, some artist will give me a little glimmer of hope. like anthony mackie. nia long commented on Beyonce and Obsessed, and how singers shouldn't be acting. she caught a lot of heat for it, but she was just speaking the truth. Beyonce cant act, but to fill seats, they give roles to superstars who know nothing about acting. recently, anthony mackie has spoken out about rapper-turned-actors. if you don't know who he is, he was in the Spike Lee joint "She Hate Me", and the Oscar-winning film "The Hurt Locker", and he went to Juilliard, so he knows what he's talking about.

“I don’t go into the hospital and let the janitor perform surgery on me, you know what I mean?” Mackie told Details magazine.

and i'm sure he's gonna catch some heat too, because people are ignorant. see the Clutch article on him here.

ha, i didn't even read the article until after i wrote this post, and then i saw how many similarities there were between my thoughts and those in the article. but anyway, on rare occasions, there are multi-talented people, but that's just not the case with what's going on right now. People need to stay in their place. If you're a rapper, rap. and on the flipside, if you're an actor, act, stop trying to get a record deal.

wknd

2010-08-22T17:14:00.000-07:00

This weekend went by wayyy too fast. Andrea was in town thursday night. our plan was to go to Bob & Barbara's for the drag show, but that didn't happen. we went to see a friend at Copa, and hung out there for awhile. when we got to Bob & Barbara's it was too crowded, so we just went home, and the night was kind of a bust. but that didnt stop us from trying to make the best of it. We secretly recorded our friend singing "So Beautiful" by Musiq.....and then he realized he was being recorded lol. you may need to turn your volume down before playing this

and that's my current jam

LeBron vs. Oscar Grant

2010-08-12T10:07:00.001-07:00

http://newsone.com/nation/srobinson/opinion-how-much-is-one-black-man-worth-lebron-vs-oscar-grant/

The Modern Day Mammy

2010-08-11T09:26:00.000-07:00

Some (informal) background: during, and immediately following slavery, there were several caricatures to categorize Black people. some were used to justify slavery and discrimination, and they were all, for the most part, derogatory. The Mammy is the housekeeper. she cooks, cleans, looks after the children, and does it all with a swish in her hip, and skip in her step, while singing and smiling. she is just so happy to be serving her master, and she loooves those kids. physically, the mammy is portrayed as heavyset, and completely desexualized. the message: a black woman's only business is being a servant. of course, this was perpetuated on television and on film. in the beginning, the only Blacks you saw in the media were servants. in commercials, Black women were used to advertise cleaning products and food, so that they were still seen as cleaners and cooks.
today in the media, we can see Black women as intelligent beings, sexual beings, comical, emotional, dynamic beings. but that doesn't change the fact that some of those old stereotypes still exist. they're just not as blatant.

1.) The Pine-Sol Lady

what's funny is that the article i got this image from is called "Is Aunt Jemima back?" Ahh the Pine-Sol lady. she couldn't fit the description any better. and that line: "That's the power of Pine-Sol, baby". To a mammy, everyone is "baby", as she is everyone's nurturer.

2.) The Popeye's Lady

while looking for this image, i also found articles accusing the Popeye's commercials of being racist.
This is from theurbandaily.com: "the Popeye’s Chicken ad campaign featuring a new-growth-scratching sassy black woman who introduces herself as Annie “the Chicken Queen” is but a biscuit and strawberry soda away from being a full-on minstrel show."
now i don't agree 100% with this quote, but i could do without watching yet another Black woman on t.v. perpetuating a stereotype, twisting her neck, with her hand on her hip, saying with sass: "mmm hmm" and "honey"

Booty Warrior

2010-08-08T18:05:00.001-07:00

Movie Recommendations

2010-08-07T05:55:00.000-07:00

If you're looking for a unique spin on the romantic comedy, Watching the Detectives is great.

It's not as cliche as you would think. Lucy Liu is surprisingly good. she's always been typecast as fiesty or bitchy, and those characters tend to fall flat. i didn't know she could be so real and funny. i laughed out loud a few times. and Cillian Murphy pulls off "the sweet vulnerable guy".

If you want something a little less sappy, and a little more gory, see Shaun of the Dead. Genre: Horedy (Horror/Comedy, i made that up)

i promise this will crack you up. a couple points got way too serious for a comedy, but overall i enjoyed it.

The End of The Bachelorette

2010-08-03T18:40:00.000-07:00

i basically had to force myself to watch the finale. it was so excruciatingly boring and cheesy. but when i start something, i finish it lol. Alright, i'll start with "The Men Tell All". neither Justin nor Frank were there, who were the only ones that did anything scandalous. it came down to talking about psycho Kasey's tattoo, and Kirk, because he was the one there who made it the furthest. really, no one gives a shit about Kirk. i was kinda looking forward to the finale, "The Final Rose", only to see a confrontation with Frank. so it's on, and they say "at the last minute, Frank backed out", and you could see on Ali's face that she was upset, and really wanted to see him. i don't think Ali's completely over Frank. she let's Chris go, and chooses Roberto, and he proposes. how many times have we seen this? Ali's just googly-eyed because he's cute, and Roberto's just looking for a trophy wife. they're all gushy and giddy now. i give it 6 months.

the ILLZ - My Public Apology

2010-08-02T13:26:00.000-07:00

this video is so beautifully shot. and i'm going through a tough time in my own relationship, so it made me tear up a little bit

The ILLZ - M.P.A.(My Public Apology) (Official Video) from Delgis Mustafa on Vimeo.

Fell in love with the sample, so I had to find out what it was. It's called "Breathe" by Telepopmusik.

i wish the song stayed slow throughout, but maybe right now i'm just in the mood for slow, mellow music instead of uptempo stuff. sorry this video is so WEIRD.

Plain Jane is a Plain Shame

2010-07-28T18:09:00.000-07:00

Someone came up with the brilliant idea for a show that completely distorts young girls' sense of worth. Instead of judging it by the previews, I'm watching the entire show, so that i can adequately analyze it. Here's the premise:

Let's take a girl with obvious self-esteem issues. Instead of teaching her that she is beautiful, inside and out, just the way she is, we're going to tell her that she needs a superficial makeover. We're going to put a lot of make-up on her, have her hair professionally done, and dress her up in expensive clothes. But that's not enough. She must have a man! She can't be single because a man is what validates a woman!

Needless to say, i'm disgusted. This poor girl is so uncomfortable. Oh wow, as i was typing that, she actually said, "i'm uncomfortable". Now they're teaching her burlesque and making her wear fishnet tights, and her boobs are popping out, goodness gracious. just the phrase, "Plain Jane" is insulting. I mean, that's what makes these young girls do so many unnecessary things, just to fit an impossible standard. they develop eating disorders, dress too old for their age, wear a ton of makeup, etc. i'm not against beauty and fashion, but i dont like the pressure put on girls to look a certain way to feel some kind of self-worth.

when she confesses her crush, it turns out that he had already had a crush on her. so he liked her before the glitz and glam.

There's nothing wrong with teaching confidence, but you should be confident in who you already are. i think this girl is so beautiful naturally, without all this flashy stuff. she's closed off and shy, but SO WHAT. that's just who she is. i used to have low self-esteem, and i didn't gain my confidence from what i look like on the outside. i explored who i was, and discovered hobbies and passions, and through all of that i accepted myself.
everyone has their counterpart. she's shy and quirky, at some point, some shy and quirky guy will probably come along that loves her as is (not saying that she needs that). Putting on a mask, so that you're more accepted by society?, that's not really embracing oneself. Changing yourself, to get some guy's attention? that's not exactly self-empowering either. Why not highlight her talents and/or other good qualities. Emphasize those and tell her that she DOESN'T have to look like the girls in the magazines.

The Bachelorette in Tahiti

2010-07-19T17:56:00.000-07:00

Well, Frank is in love with his ex-girlfriend. i guess you can say girlfriend, since they're back together and he's saying that this is the girl he wants to spend the rest of his life with. ugh, and she seems like a child. i understand having lingering feelings for an ex, but come on. you shouldn't jump in to something new until you are completely over your previous relationship. it's not fair to the new person, because they are investing in you, and meanwhile you're thinking about your ex. Next!...

Her date with Roberto was typical. they spend the day rolling around on the beach, kissing and giggling. that night, they sip wine and have some empty conversation about life. to me, i just see them as two completely different people. but they happen to have a strong physical attraction, and he has a nice smile, and that's what's kept him around so long. again, as far as a life-long relationship, i don't see it.

Her date with Chris was pretty much the same: making out and frolicking in the water. then they talk some, and go to a fantasy suite, where who knows what happens. i like Chris, but i don't see it working with him either. and i'm sure he's doing fine. a cute sensitive guy with a broken heart? he's most likely getting a lot of action now back home on the Cape.

After this, Frank comes to Tahiti to break the news to Ali. He claims his feelings for Nicole were holding him back from giving Ali his heart. I'm glad he's at least doing it now, instead of stringing her along even longer, waiting until after she picked him. honestly, i'm a little on the fence. i have to respect him following his heart, but not only was it wrong for him to lead her on this long, it was wrong for him to go on the show in the first place.

now it just feels like these last 2 guys are here by default. if Frank didn't play her, he would've been in the top two for sure. Overall, it was probably a good ratings boost, but now no one's gonna watch the next 2 episodes. i read somewhere that Frank is not gonna be on "The Men Tell All" next Monday. too bad. that would've made it exciting because i'm sure there would've been a confrontation. it looks like the main focus will be psycho Kasey's tatoo, Justin Rego, and the Weatherman. but you never know, they might pull out some surprises. either way, i'll be watching. so come back next Monday night for blog on that episode!

The Bachelorette

2010-07-14T21:28:00.000-07:00

I know it's stupid, and i hate on pop-culture trash, and i'm not a girly girl, blah blah blah, but whatever. i live a very serious and stressful life, so watching The Bachelorette is my one guilty pleasure that i indulge in. i wish i had been blogging about this from the beginning of the season :/ anyways, i think Ali has made the right choices up until now for the most part. Of the guys we got to know, everyone who was sent home, deserved to be sent home. i cant really speak on the guys who were sent home on the first night, since we didn't see much of them. but now that the season is coming to an end, im thinking maybe she should have reconsidered some of the guys sent home that first night.
of the 3 guys still there, Frank is my choice, but we already know he's not gonna win. from the previews we now pretty much know that Frank is going to leave :( in the beginning i thought Frank was way too over the top and eager. i still think he's just a tad extra, but i think him and Ali make a cute and compatible couple. They both have a serious, goal-oriented side, and a goofy side, and they both seem to be ready for commitment. and she got along so great with his family. it's too bad it wont work out for them. but then again, Frank lives at home with his parents, so how would that even work? i guess he would've moved in with Ali in San Fran.
Now on to Roberto, who i call Rico Suave. he's that guy from a romance novel, with dashing good looks and an amazing body. he has a good job, and he plays baseball so he's athletic and outdoorsy which is great for Ali. he's perfect on paper. but for some reason, though, there just seems to be something missing with Roberto. i'm not feeling the deep connection that i feel when her and Frank are together. the other thing that bothered me was Roberto's dad asking Ali to make sacrifices so that Roberto can advance in his career. then she'll just become an accessory to his life, rather than living her own and complementing his, while achieving her goals as well. the reason Ali left Jake when she was on the Bachelor, was because her career was on the line. i understand relationships involve compromise, but i don't think she should have to give up too much to be with him. and i don't think she'll be willing to, so they'll probably end up butting heads when it comes to what direction their life together will take. but hey, if she thinks she and Roberto have what it takes to make it, then more power to her. those will be some cute kids.
Lastly, Chris. Chris was under the radar for the most part up until the last couple of episodes. he's cute and i think Ali really likes him, but he seems a little bland. when he tries to be lively, it seems forced and awkward. i understand his mother passed away, so it's hard for him to open up, but i think he needs to find someone who's just as mellow as he is. what worries me about that situation is Ali getting bored with life on the Cape. it's beautiful there, but her career can only go so far there. plus he lives with his father, and i dont think he's ready to leave his father alone. if Ali moved out there with him, i think they would spend way too much time with his father. i feel like Chris just wants someone to comfort him, and Ali just happens to be there in front of him. I dont know how invested he is in Ali, specifically. he sees what his brothers have with their wives, and he just WANTS it, it doesnt matter who it's with.
im not really that excited about next weeks episode. it's evident that Frank leaves, in overly dramatic "reality" show fashion. his ex-girlfriend Nicole that he meets up with seems weird, and really young and simple-minded. it's hard to believe he would be with someone like that. i mean she doesn't even compare to Ali. it's been said that he was just doing the show for exposure, which is awful, but im not surprised.
i'm excited about the week after when they do "The Bachelorette: The Guys Tell All" special. I think it's live. if it is, there will probably be clues of whether or not she even picks someone in the end. rumor has it, she doesnt pick anyone. well she seems happy when the TMZ cameras find her. we'll just have to wait and see. check back for my next posting on tuesday night, or wednesday morning!

Introducing: Sponjetta

2010-06-23T09:26:00.000-07:00

Sponjetta - "Studio"

My Brother's Wedding

2010-06-14T09:19:00.000-07:00

On Saturday, my brother got married, and it was such a beautiful and intimate ceremony. I didn't think I would, but i did get a little choked up when the bride came down the aisle. Both my brother and his wife are inspirations to me, and i hope that one day, i can have what they have.

Me

Me with the lovely bride

Dancing with my Daddy
Ok, enough pictures of me

The happy groom arrives

Hall

Some relatives

Brother/Best Man and Father

The new bride and groom!

The Best Man making a toast

First Dance

The Bride and her Dad

Why I Love/Hate Summer

2010-05-29T21:38:00.000-07:00

current obsession: plantain chips

with memorial day weekend just passed, it's now "officially" summer, and time for me to profess my love/hate for this season.

Dear Summer,
I love you because...
- you remind of childhood and teenage summers, when i could run around without a care in the world
- i don't have to trek through snow
- i can wear pretty summer dresses
- you're so sexy. summer flings are hot, and you add spice to relationships.

I hate you because...
- you make my hair frizz up, and it's sooo hard to manage
- you make me sweat, a lot! it's gross
- you force me to wear less clothes, when sometimes i just wanna throw on a hoody and sweatpants
- kids are out of school. and they're EVERYWHERE
- people feel the need to blast there music more

that's just philly

2010-04-28T21:59:00.001-07:00

walking down the street...

C: What's that smell?
Me: That's Philly.

C: No, it smells like something died-
Me: Yea, that's just Philly.

Health Post

2010-04-26T15:02:00.000-07:00

I should be doing homework right now, but since i know that's not gonna happen, i might as well blog.

I was a health nut my senior year of high school. i was very careful about what i consumed, and i exercised everyday. as a result i was in really good shape. somewhere between now and then, it's been a downward spiral. i'm talking pizza, french fries, entire batches of cookies, chocolate, and many other things of equally bad nutritional value. and now i'm ready to turn it around and be healthy again. i'm still struggling to get myself exercising. food-wise i've been doing pretty good, but i still have a lot to do. so far i've completely cut out any and all junk food. that means absolutely no chips, cookies, soda, candy, etc. and i've been strictly counting calories.

what i still need to do: refrain from noshing on bread at work, get fiber pills and vitamin D and E pills.

this isn't just about food and losing weight, it's about overall health, including taking care of hair, skin, and immune system. I'm no expert but here are some tips if you're trying to lead a healthier lifestyle:

food:

-peppers boost your metabolism. cayenne pepper is a popular choice, but any kind is good. sprinkle a little bit on your food for a kick

-green tea boosts your metabolism. have a cup a day (or more if you want), preferably after a meal. i add a little milk and splenda

-use a 0 calorie sweetener instead of sugar. i recommend splenda. personally. i think equal and sweet-and-low taste like shit.

-switch from white rice to brown rice, from white bread to whole grain wheat bread (or at least regular wheat bread), and from from regular pasta to whole grain pasta

-look for healthier alternatives in general. low fat spread instead of butter.

WARNING: after some research i discovered that FIBER ONE Honey Clusters, FIBER ONE bars, and Nutri Grain bars are NOT good for you. between the 3 of them, you'll find high fructose corn syrup, trans-fat, and ethanol. some foods advertise themselves as being healthy when they really aren't, so make sure you read the ingredients very carefully. for a snack, have a fruit or a fruit smoothie.

hair:

-use pure vitamin E oil on your hair everyday. it strengthens and protects your hair. don't go to the hair store and get that bottle that says "Vitamin E", and its really only like 20% Vitamin E. Go to the convenient store, and buy vitamin E softgels. bust a pill (as many as needed) and squeeze the oil into your hand. distribute evenly all over your hair. this might seem tedious, i'm sure you can find bottled pure vitamin E oil on eBay. the pills are like $10 a bottle, but you get 100. that lasts you 2-3 months.

-grapeseed oil. there are a number of natural oils, and they all work well. grapeseed is just my personal choice, and a good heat protectant. this is also a great way to replenish and restore your hair, and add shine. Whole Foods, $9. (big bottle, though)

-coconut oil works wonders. use it as a pre-conditioner before washing your hair. Whole Foods, $7. (big jar, though)

-whatever products you choose, stay away from fragrance. Look for plant, fruit, and seed extracts. the more natural the product, the better. in other words, go to the grocery store, not the hair shop.

skin:

-use a good body lotion

-get a really good cleanser and moisturizer for your face. it sounds simple, but most people don't do it. its important to scrub your face during or after you shower, and before bed, and follow up with moisturizer. don't use your body lotion on your face

-don't buy cheap makeup. invest in the quality stuff. it's worth it. and never sleep with makeup

-take 1 or 2 vitamin E pills daily. these are good for your skin as well.

get a good night's sleep every night.

Put Some Pants On

2010-04-11T17:17:00.000-07:00

when it comes to apparel, I'm a slight tomboy, and very simple, yet unconventional if that makes any sense. i don't know or care about what's in season, out of season, general fashion do's and don'ts, etc. But every now and then, some huge trend comes along, and girls begin to look like a bunch of clones. i was in center city the other day, and everywhere you look, EVERY SINGLE girl is wearing tights or leggings. at first i dismissed it as a passing fad, but this has been going on way too long! i'm tired of seeing every crevice of people's lower halves. i just don't get it, especially when the person does not have the body for it, and everything's jiggling all over the place. Please do us all a favor, and put some pants on.

and i'm not alone on this. visit www.tightsarenotpant.com

Operation: Slim Down

2010-04-06T18:12:00.001-07:00

I dont wanna be a twig, but something needs to be done, because my jeans ripped today, making them the...i dunno, millionth pair i have to throw away! that's an exaggeration of course, but i honestly think that was my last pair of jeans. ive been doing pretty well at eating right, but ive been putting off exercise due to laziness. my goal is to lose 10lbs. by my brother's wedding which is in 2 months. ive never liked gyms, but i have free access to the 12th street gym for the month of April, and im thinking about using it. i'll keep u updated on the progress.