Bernie Mac

I'm deeply saddened to discover that a man so humorous, full of life, and compelled to share his laughter with us, has died. Bernie Mac, at the Over the Hill age of 50, died in Northwestern Hospital, early Saturday morning in his native city, Chicago, Illinois. I'm sure his death and timing is just as shocking to many people, including myself. "I didn't even know he was sick." That was the first thing that flashed into my mind when my mother relayed me the news this morning. I'm sure we've all told his jokes, ranging from the "milk and cookies" and to the "Jing-a-ling" character he played on the movie, Life. We will always miss him and remember the smiles he so effortlessly put on all of our faces.

My New Site...

I love hair. Maybe a little too much! Check out my other site that I've been working on...paying negligence to this one, I do apologize to my faithful readers, but God has blessed me in more than one way, and that's how I choose to express it!

Hello Hair Ho

Cosmopolitan ~ minus the martini

I have a passport with no stamps. I have dollar bills that have never endured the nerve-wrecking protocols of currency exchange. However, I am eagerly awaiting the worn-pages and outdated picture of a passport and the kick in the ass of the dollar once I hit the Euro-world. Yes, I am turning my frequent flyer miles across oceans and several time zones. In the next few years, I will have made a home away from home in London, Paris, Italy, Greece, Africa, Argentina, Tokyo...and wherever else my little blue book can take me!

My question is, beyond the places that are obvious tourist attractions...where are great places to visit that we might not get a AAA discount or a hotel staff speaking the English language? Well, I've been watching the Travel Channel rather frequently and discovered some interesting places.

I'm a water bug! I love any place that is adjacent to a beautiful body of water. It helps that I love to swim and it's even more of a plus if I can vacation with others who love to get wet. So, I'm definitely inticed by the array of gorgeous sandy beaches in the Caribbean. Whether it's St. Maarten, the Bahamas, Turks & Caicos or Mexico, I'm game for seaside amenities! According to the Travel channel, the #1 Caribbean destination is Hotel Maroma in Maroma, Mexico. Nestled in the heart of the Mayan Riviera and located 30 miles south of Cancun, this place boasts of its handmade architecture and Mayan influence.

Back to the Motherland! I've always said that I'll make the trip back to Africa to pay homage to my ancestors. Of course there's the obvious places I'll touch the soil/sand of: Kenya, Ghana, and Egypt, but I've heard that Clifton Beach in Cape Town, South Africa seals the deal for those visiting.

Are there any other beautiful, exotic places you've visited and refer others to? If you know of any others, please shoot me a line, or better yet, an air ticket!

Yves Saint Laurent dies at 71

YSL...the label says it all...but the man, for whom the initials represent, has a silver lining that dawns above our heads and will be forever memorialized six feet under. I've never owned apart of the label, but like others I've adored his signature designs for which he retreated in 2002. But nonetheless, as the label is immortalized....I say "Au Revoir" to a man who dared to put women in a pantsuit!

Sex and the City: +5

I was a little disheartened to see the clouds overhead. And then to top it all off, the weather service had issued a tornado watch for damn near the entire Mid-Atlantic! But as a true lover of anything, it did not stop my hunger to see those 4 crazy girls back together again. And this time, on a screen way bigger than the one in my living room and sitting elbow-to-elbow with others who shared my craving. Let's face it, all of us have been suffering with hunger pains since Carrie, Miranda, Charlotte, and Samantha left the all-too-cosy 9:00 time slot on Sunday nights. The Sunday night ritual has become a Sunday night pasttime that we may reflect on at the censorship of TBS syndications or at the insert of one of their hilarious seasons' DVDs. As for me, SATC was so encoded in my DNA that I wouldn't even give Desperate Housewives a chance! I protested the Sunday night primetime hour in a hope that all SATC lovers everywhere would join in, and nearly force HBO and Michael Patrick King to reconsider pulling the plug on our four beloved NYC ladies!

Okay, okay...the night of the show....I know, I know...but I had to set the scene first. True to the modern girl ritual, there's the traditional visit of a mall/boutique. Well my friend and I opted for an easier and less hectic pre-show warm-up, IKEA. And after perusing through rows and rows of contempo-European style that made me reconsider my already chosen color palette and the cats and dogs downpour overhead....we finally realized it was time to get ready. The other half of our party were all scattered throughout the city DC/Baltimore finalizing accessories, hair up or wig, dress or skirt, and stiletto or flat (Hey, I know...flat? But it was raining crazy!). After several changes, without the luxury of Patricia Field...we headed to our destination, minus the rain drops : ). It was nearing the 6:00 hour and we were hoping to make it to Georgetown in enough time to find a park and hopefully hold down a seat that wouldn't cause neck cramping after the show. Parking? Not a problem! Seats? Let's just say it was 6:10 and maybe 85% of the theater was almost full. So we took our elderly seats, neck cushion in tow (psyche!) and sat with our own anxious anticipation of what we were going to see. We had all closed our ears to the critics of (un-SATC tv fans), and those who had already indulged in the cinema showing. So we were ready, as green as St. Patrick's Day!

The movie...Hmmm....without giving it away to others that have not had the opportunity to see...I will not spoil it. But, I will say this...it's the best movie since The Color Purple (and that movie debuted in 1985!) I never wanted it to end, not a second. I didn't even want it to rush...Michael Patrick King served us well!!!! All the characters, were all the same. Every one of them played their roles as if they never left the city. I was thoroughly pleased. I laughed, I "amen"ed, and of course, I cried. It's amazing how four fictional characters, are so much like each one of us. I mean, not as an individual. I'm not exclusively a Carrie, a Miranda, a Charlotte, or a Samantha. But I've been each of them, at any day or time in my life. There was the Carrie period - college years, shopping till I dropped my credit score to an embarrassing number that made a car salesman laugh in my face when I attempted to get my first new car! Miranda, now she still pops her head out on occasion...cynical, realist, control freak, tells it just the way it is...and has a hard time adapting to the idea of losing control. Charlotte, oh how I'm a sucker for love. I think I'm the last one left, though. There's a part in the movie where she says something about how her life is so wonderful, but something bad has to happen because....well, I won't say why. But I totally felt her on that. Charlotte was for a long time the hopeless romantic, who never gave up on love and true to die-hards everywhere, she found it. And Samantha, oh how I'm sure, my friends will nod their heads as confirmation that that's who I should identify myself with...but not for obvious reasons. I'm blunt as hell!!!! And especially when it comes to talking about sex! I haven't had the triple-digits of men that Samantha has either, but I think the last time I counted it was (cough)...so I think that makes me closer to the virgin side. However, all of them had pretty numerous sexcapades. But back to Samantha...she's the part of me that has a hard time wrapping my mind and heart around this thing called love. She's as sweet as pie and would do anything for the three girls that she loves...but has a difficult time loving the man, she loves to f#@!

The movie was over and we headed for a seafood restaurant where all five of us could talk about the movie and drink Cosmos. (Although I opted for a bottle of Riesling, sorry I'm a wino!) After stuffing our bellies and emptying our wallets, we sealed the deal in Adam's Morgan at Lauriol Plaza. I was drunk at this point and having a blast as we ran our mouths, bumped into old college friends, jumped on someone's tab, and had a great time screaming over the crowded bar noise. I tried be a little Samantha-esque and use my girlfriend's "Thing 1 & Thing 2" as bait for our potential drinks! LOL! So we got a Martini Swirl (Wet Willy's style) and I polished it off before the ice could melt.

What a grand time! Five girls (one single, and the rest of us, well...I know I'm kinda single, I guess it depends on the day you ask me...and well, I think four of us are single and one has been Charlotte'd away, I suppose) had a great time reliving 1998-2004. I was pleased barely walking into my girlfriend's home, still wary from the spirits..but I think it would have been even greater, if I had colored...all night long! : )

The Business of Life...

20 days since my last post and you would think I would be overflowing with gossip, good news, and wittiness out the ying-yang...well, life is quite odd...in the score of days I have nothing to say other than this...life is crazy!!!!!!! Just when you think you have it all figured out...just when you think you're prepared, something spirals into your path that you never-ever expected!

The only thing I've learned to do, is change my way of thinking. I am what I think and that's really what fuels my esteem and how I feel about life in general. If something happens I have this strange gift or curse, I haven't quite figured out which one, of not allowing it to linger in the forefront of my mind. I have learned to let it go and not worry about tomorrow and damn sure don't linger on the past, because that's energy that's being wasted!

I used to drink at a high level. Not to the point of vomiting or passing out, but I drank to numb old feelings and I learned very quickly (and financially, I might add)...that that doesn't work. The problem is still there, along with a hangover, and a tab on your bank statement that you still can't quite figure out how many of those drinks belonged to you! Which brings me to circumventing our selves with people who've decided to address their problems head on...I'm tired of the revolving door method and I want solutions, so that when I'm out....I'm out! Not turning back, no seeing it again in another situation...and even if I do recognize it again, my exit strategy will already be in place.

To those who enjoy my blogs....sorry about the length of time between my postings...I'm completely overwhelmed with the business of life at times. And while the blog is definitely on my mind, my body is needed elsewhere. I'm sort of an important person you know!!

Nonetheless, I'll get better at attending to this place. This is my personal therapy. Those who personally know me, know that I'm very honest about how I feel, whether perceived weak or strong, I let it all out! It doesn't mean I'm losing it, but I am losing "the thing" that's on my heart at the moment! That's always good, to be able to let it all out...whether others are comfortable with your methodology or not, it's all about you in the end....bump what other's have to say, we all need clarity. A free and clear mind has become a luxurious paradise! It's my safe-haven and a wonderful place to visit, especially for the long haul. But life, sometimes just throws you lemons and you've got to make it lemonade that gives you a Kool-Aid smile. If others can't relate, then give them time...they have not ventured into this course of life yet and surely, they will.

Beyonce Carter?!!!!!!!!

Beyonce and Jay-Z married late Friday night....that's what I call keeping a secret! Guests arrived on the d.l. and supported the hot duo to a lavish private ceremony in NYC.

I'm so happy for them! I'm probably apart of a very small pool, but it's wonderful that 'black love' is still alive!!!!!!!!!! But what about that joint bank account?!!!!!!! How many zeros can you count?

Get "Carrie"d Away!

The Hills

I can't wait until 10:00pm (eastern time), when...."staring at the blank page before you, open up the dirty window..." serenades from the television screen. The Hills will be on tonight and here's my prediction: Heidi's definitely going to go back to Spencer, Lauren's going to meet someone in Paris (okay that was on the trailer, maybe she'll get back with Stephen, throwback!), but the rendezvous will only be a fling, Audrina will continue to make weird choices in men, and Whitney will always keep her personal life a mystery!

iBikram

Bikram Yoga....a room heated to 115 degrees, sweat protruding from every empty outlet in your body....yoga postures of Bikram Choudury, designed to strengthen and restore health to every part of the body. I heard about this new yoga trend years ago, from an ex-co-worker from my spiff in the Spa industry. She said it was addictive, and when you leave, you feel rejuvenated and ready to start a truly great day! Well, that was years ago, and a few hours ago, I swallowed that traditionalist view on exercising and walked into hell, metaphorically of course!

If hell is like this, then I'm repenting as we speak, I thought to myself as I reluctantly strolled into the room. Several other frequenters of Bikram were already situated in their ready-posture. Lying prostrate, or standing in what I think was called, pranayama. Okay, so I tried to do a little research...but nonetheless, I went in with an open-mind.

Inhaling and exhaling hot air is really challenging. You are allowed to bring your water bottle with you, but after 30 minutes of hot air...your chilled water bottle, takes on an abnormal room temperature! But the real doosy is when the workout begins, and the heartrate increases, parallel to the body's way of exhaling impurities through sweat. I promise you, we worked out parts of our body that I didn't think you could. I heard the instructor say, "this posture works out your colon." Unbelievable! Now I can take a "number two" with assurance that I'm stretched everywhere!

Bikram Yoga lasts 90 minutes! Yes ma'am (or sir), 100+ degrees and no whiff of cold air, never! There's only two (spoken) water-sipping breaks, the other sips you have to sneak-in during posture changes. However, every posture challenges not only your body, but your mind. I had to convince myself to attempt each asana, moreso than my legs and my arms. Eventually I knew that it would take time to adjust to a body that moves like a pretzel, but the mind is the key apparatus in yoga. The mind needs to be free and open to where the body can go.

Enough of the testimonial talk...although my lungs burned and I poured an embarrassing amount of sweat onto the beach towel below me, I was amazed that I made it the full 90 minutes and I never wanted to quit. I'm addicted to the feeling that overcomes your body as you walk out of the building and into real air. Will I go back? Well, the instructor says that you must revisit within 24-48 hours so that your body can be accustomed to not only the postures, but the heat exposure. Immediately after the class ended, the other frequenters gave me a round of applause for my virgin experience. Women in the locker room made me feel even more at ease with my life-changing decision. Stick with it. Be patient. Every time you come, you feel different. The women testified as we reconvened in the ladies' locker room.

Overall, it was amazing, fun, quite the energizer and I hate to sound cliche...it was hot!

Pop Kulture

So I'm bored. Suddenly, while vacationing in Boredom Resort Hotel, a thought evolved. Jump on the pop culture bandwagon and phish for some pics of celebs in fashionable looks. Groundbreaking huh?

Miss House of Dereon, can I have those Balenciaga shoes!

Ciara and Ashlee Simpson at BCBG show....did someone get a nose job?

Amy, Amy, Amy...what can I say? I'm an Amy Winehouse groupie!

I know this isn't an everyday look...but Jurnee Smollett looks stunning!

I Am Who You Want Me To Be?

It's inevitable that we all partake in judging everyone. Seemingly so, we tend to judge a person by their actions and stamp then with that label for as long as we know them. She's always the girl that got around with a lot of guys, and he's always the guy that had commitment issues and slept with anything walking. But then, we get older, and if you're like me, I may have done the things that you say I did, but I am not who you say I am. Basically what I'm trying to say is this...we all have a past. I'm sure in your past and mine, we can find some things that we wish we could erase and things that we are ashamed to admit or be proud of. Some things you probably can't believe you said or did, but, it happened. However, it is not apart of you. You did it years ago, maybe even months, but if you've changed, geniunely apologized, and learned from it...then why continue to subject yourself to humility because others can't seem to forget?
I had a friend. Yes, we were very close. I had my faults, yes I did...but I slowly realized after several attempts on my behalf to mend our friendship, it wasn't worth it! I recognized that she wanted to punish me and make me pay for the one "kink" in our friendship. I'm sorry, if kissing your ass is the price I have to pay, then pull your pants up. I'm not going to degrade myself or integrity because of your own hang-ups.
How long does a person continue to put you under the umbrella of a substratum of your life that is now complete a blur? If you think for one second, that you are definable based on a weak moment in your life years ago, then you are sadly mistaken. And if that person continues to remind you of it by giving you a cold shoulder or a frown, it's not your fault! He or she just simply does not want to forgive and forget. So they would rather hold onto your skeleton and turn that light on in your closet every chance they get. They are still living in the past and sadly, they want to remember you, maybe even forever, as the situation that caused the two of you to part. Not the wonderful human being you've become today. Feel sorry for them, the fact that they've missed out on your metamorphosis and the blessings that you've been afforded as each second and minute passed without them. You're more than a friendship with him or her, truthfully, you are who you say you are. Even today as I write this, I understand now, that each moment is an opportunity to change something. No we can't make anyone else happy or even appreciate the person we've become....but what we can do is let our little light glow and hopefully it will reflect more than a skeleton, it will illuminate the spirit that we were designed to shine!

B.S. Ointment

I need some relief from something that's definitely become a nuisance....metaphorically speaking, a parasite. It's call bullsh*t and maybe it deserves a treatment that's been around for years. Blue Star Ointment, a topical analgesic (the retro Neosporin), used to be the highest rotating commercial (via radio broadcast) back in my mom's and pop's day...but I'm thinking that back then there wasn't too much bullsh*t going around. Just jock itch and ringworms! But the B.S. has hit an all time high and I think we've outdone AIDS and hit a pandemic! I don't know, maybe it's just me...but if you've got some B.S. that's giving you more than an itch....sign the petition...because the B.S. has got to stop!

Signed,

KeShaJo