What a tragic loss. Michael, we’ll miss you! June 27, 2009

All day I have been watching Michael Jackson YouTube videos, listening to his playlists on Napster, watching CNN, listening to marathon’s on the radio and looking at friend’s comments on Facebook. But no matter how much joy I get from recalling all his hits and all the memories he created for me growing up, I am still shocked and saddened by his death.It’s amazing how one person, an entertainer, could be so influential on a single life and the whole world.

Many of my fondest childhood memories revolve around Michael and his music. I remember being scared to death of Thriller! I couldn’t watch it for years. lol. I remember gathering around the tv with family watching his videos and trying to imitate his dance moves. I also remember when MJ performed, I think it was the Motown 25 special, and I was going nuts. I was hysterical. My mom was like, “Girl, what’s wrong with you? Are you crying?” Ha. I’ll always remember that moment. I remember listening to the “Bad” album over and over and over with my childhood friend NaTasha. We put on our own little concert in her bedroom. Later in life I got to perform a routine to “Blood on the Dancefloor” with my dance company in college. I’ll always be inspired by his creativity, his magic, and his artistry as a singer and phenomenal dancer.

As speculations start to arise about the circumstances surrounding his death, I think about the irony of the whole situation. It’s amazing how perhaps one of the most well-known human beings on the planet, who achieved success yet to be surpassed, could live such a tortured life. I’m saddened when I imagine the loneliness, the isolation, the pain and the ridicule he faced. This man was under a huge microscope. He was hated probably as much as he was loved.

I’m not going to use this post to speculate on whether he did some of the things he was accused of. Only God can judge him now. But I’m sure that whatever happened in his life was a direct result of being a child star and the son of a relentless stage father. This saddens me also.

The music industry wouldn’t be what it is today without. If you look at Usher, Chris Brown, NeYo, and Justin Timberlake, they are all biting his style. But there will never be another like him. Michael, we’ll miss you!

While I have so many favorites, this is perhaps one of my top five MJ videos: click here. I think it paints a perfect picture of his magnitude. Enjoy and good night!

A moment in history January 22, 2009

I am still in awe of what I witnessed yesterday. I’m normally not a person that cries easily but the tears were flowing as President Obama took his oath. I couldn’t help but think about the implications of the event. After years and years of slavery, then Jim Crow, then covert discrimination, yesterday was truly a milestone not only for African Americans but for all Americans, especially those of color.

During the inauguration, I thought about my mother who was one of the first African Americans in my small hometown in central Texas to integrate into an all-white school. I thought about the stories I heard about how she received bomb threats because there were some people who were against the integration. I recalled stories about how she would have to use the bathroom in the back of the restaurants on roadtrips and how she couldn’t have even dreamed of eating in the main dining area. I also thought about my grandparents from Alabama who lived in the heart of racism which later became the birthplace of the Civil Rights Movement.

And then I thought of myself. I thought about how I can accomplish whatever I choose. With God on my side, the possibilities are endless. And I always admire the Obamas as a family. They give me hope in believing that I can share my life with a man that is admirable, strong, intelligent, and influential and together we can have beautiful children.

While I believe that Barack is the most qualified to lead this country in spite of his race, I can’t help but rejoice because he’s the first African American president. For a Black man to now be leading a country that once enslaved us is mind-boggling. But it’s a true testament to the strides that America has made. We still have a long way to go, however. But at least we have the hope and the changed needed to propel us into the future.

I am a Phoenix…enuf! We get it! January 19, 2009

Ok. I’m getting sorta sick of seeing all the “I am a Phoenix” ads from the U of Phoenix. I don’t know why I’m getting so annoyed because I do marketing/advertising for a living. But I think there might be such a thing as overkill. Over the past few weeks, I’ve definitely gotten more than three impressions. Sheesh.

I’m probably just mad because our president saw our movie theatre ad from our new campaign (“What’s a Thunderduck?” for Richland College) back-to-back with their ad (which we came up with before the U of Phoenix campaign rolled out, btw). Now he hate’s it! We have to start from scratch now. (banging head up against the wall now) When will ever be able to convince 50-year-old white men that they are not our demographic? Note to all middle-aged administrators: If you don’t like our ads, then they are probably working!

I was also sorta ticked because the U of Phoenix has a $220 million budget! We did our campaign on say…. nada! Besides the U of Phoenix is marketing to a totally different demo, working adults. While we market to working adults also, we have other markets to consider, too, like recent high school grads, seniors, high school jrs and seniors…you get the point.

Ok, enough ranting. I shouldn’t even be thinking about work. It’s a holiday!

Life is about choices January 13, 2009

I was just thinking that sometimes in life we have to make tough decisions. Sometimes those decisions may initially hurt another individual, but we have to be mindful of our own well being. Just recently I had to make a decision that I’m sure crushed another individual. It crushed me, too. I had to do some deep soul searching and I discovered that I have to make me happy; I have to do what’s in my best interest and what’s conducive for me long term. If I’m not happy, how can bring joy to others? Sometimes I guess at times we have to experience short-term pain for long-term gain. But waiting during the painful part is the hard thing to do. I just pray that I will continue on the path that God has chosen for me and if so, everything will turn out fine.

(non) Cooking tips from a single gal December 19, 2008

It’s been awhile but I’m baaack! With the economy in its current state, I’ve had to be real creative in thinking of ways to cut costs. I tend to eat out a lot, so I’ve been trying to eat in more to save money and pounds! Here are some tips:

Buy a rotisserie chicken. There’s no way I can eat a whole chicken but I buy them, eat some for dinner one night, and use the leftovers to make other dishes. Here are a few ideas:

• Make chicken salad. Shred the chicken, add Miracle Whip, apples, walnut or pecans, onions or whatever tastes good to you. Spread it over bread for a sandwich or top over a bed of lettuce.
• Make enchiladas. Tonight I make what I call an “Easy Enchilada Bake.” I took tortilla chips and spread them over the bottom of a casserole dish. I combined the shredded chicken with Old El Paso enchilada sauce and spread it over the chips and topped it off with cheese. I baked until hot and until the cheese melted.
• Make a green salad. Top salad greens with the shredded roasted chicken and your favorite salad toppings like cranberries, cheese, nuts, wonton strips, mandarin oranges, or whatever you like!

The possibilities are endless. Please comment with your ideas.

Wedding bells August 10, 2008

Not my own, however…I went to a wedding today. I went there with every intention of just going thru the motions and drudging my way thru yet another ceremony. I was also waiting for the barage of questions: “When are you getting married?” or “Are you going to be next?” I only heard it about 3 times, which was a lot less than I expected. But I couldn’t help but just be awed by the wedding; it was just beautiful. The love that the young couple share just seemed to be God-given. Everything was gorgeous from her gown, to the flowers, to the candles, their family, and more. The minister, my former minister, performed a great ceremony. No fluff, and that’s how I think it should be. So, I said all that to say that love was in the air and I definitely caught wind of it. My hope and faith in love and marriage was definitely restored today. With God on my side, I know that He’ll bless me with the right one soon. I’m just going to be prayerful and patient. I’m also going to pray that I’ll be the right one for someone else when the time comes. Good night

Back from my cruise July 29, 2008

Well, I made it back from the cruise. We had a great time despite hurricane dolly. I was a little sea sick but not for long. Check me out. Here are my top ten do’s and don’ts for going on a cruise.

10. Do eat as much as you want. It’s not everyday that you’re on vacation, right? The cruise ship had an endless supply of food, from sun up to sun down. Pretty good, too.

9. Don’t forget your cute little black dress or cocktail dress. Each night you’re invited to a formal dinner and won’t be allowed in with shorts or casual clothes.

8. Do flirt with your waiters and bartenders.

7. Do decide how much you want to spend before you go. After tipping, drinks, souvenirs, excursions, etc., the bill can really add up.

6. Don’t order a lot of sodas or alcoholic drinks if you want to save money. I paid over $2 for a can of Sprite!

5. Do go on an excursion. They are fun and culturally enriching.

4. Don’t pay for a shopping excursion. There are plenty of shops located right outside of the ports.

3. Do get your passport ahead of time. It will definitely expedite the process of embarking and debarking.

2. Don’t buy something at a port without first making a bargain with the vendor. You can get some really good deals.

1. Do have lots of fun!

Blog name change July 19, 2008

I just changed the name of my blog. “Emotional Idiot” is so, well, negative. Even though sometimes I am an emotional idiot, that’s not the case all of the time. I believe that we have to speak positive things into our lives. Negative self-talk is a definite way to sabotage your life. So, hence the new blog name.

Here’s another quote from Iyanla Vanzant:

So you think you are not good enough, not “God” enough. You’ve been doing everything you should, the way you should, and still the changes, if any, are slow coming, almost insignificant. You keep wondering what more can you do, how much more should you know, to get yourself, your life, to the point of peace and plenty you desire. You’re asking when will it get better? When will you be better? Maybe, just maybe, things are the way they need to be. That doesn’t mean things will not get better. It means they take time. . . .”

Shameless Flirting July 15, 2008

A coworker and I went to lunch like we normally do. I took her to a new place. I was staring down at the menu when I heard this deep, sexy voice in my ear. It was our waiter! He was sooo cute. He kept smiling at me and I kept smiling at him. Finally I said, “You are so cute.” He blushed. Then I blushed. It was so cute. But it just feel nice to just feel comfortable enough to flirt. I didn’t have any intentions on taking it any further. He was probably only like 21 but it was fun.

I was looking at another site about how to get back into the dating game. One way was to just strike up a conversation with a guy. So, I tried it. It wasn’t really much of a conversation but a start to build my confidence.

Lessons from “Sex and the City” July 9, 2008

So I went to go see “Sex in the City” tonight . . .by myself. I’ve gone to the movies by myself before but never at night. It was scary and once I got the parking lot, I almost turned around to go home. But I really wanted to see the movie and I decided to go for it. I’m glad I did. It was a great to see one of my small screen favorites on the big screen. I’ve always liked the show because I related in ways to the characters in some ways, though not totally.

Here are my top five lessons learned from the movie:

5. I’m not the only one who’s ever had a “Big” in their life

4. In some situations we need to love ourselves more than others

3. It’s ok to forgive

2. Sometimes when you stop trying, that’s often when you get the thing you want.

1. Love often defies logic

Corny, I know. But fun. The movie was a great first step in dating myself. Next step: dinner alone. That’ll never happen! Nite!