My Movie Review: "Top Five"

Chris Rock's movie "Top Five" is easily one of my favorites from this year. I laughed from the opening until the closing credits. Chris Rock plays Andre Allen a once very hot comedian/actor who had it all and lost it all. He is on a comeback promo tour for his new serious movie. Because he is a comedian, no one wants to take him seriously. Coupled with the fact that he is embroiled in this high powered engagement with a reality tv star, it seems like Allen cannot win. Enter a New York Times critic to shake things up via a profile. I love the journey this movie takes us on. You get to see the highs and lows of celebrity. Chris Rock did a great job weaving this tale. I like that Allen is loosely based on himself but there is enough difference between the two to not get clouded by it. It is absolutely wonderful to see Rock in a role like this. I believe the world has been missing his brand of comedy.

I loved that this movie starred some of the dopest comedians. Cedric the Entertainer, Tracy Morgan, Kevin Hart, Whoopi Goldberg, Jerry Seinfeld, Jay Pharoah, Leslie Jones, Adam Sandler, JB Smoove as well as Hassan Johnson (wee Bey Brice from "The Wire") Rosario Dawson, and Gabrielle Union. Everyone was great in this movie. But, I have to give all the props for surprise cameos to DMX. His scene was hilarious and unexpected. It was my single favorite standout moment in the film. This was the definition of a romantic comedy. I enjoyed it. I cannot wait for it to come out on dvd because I will be purchasing it. It's a must see movie in my opinion. Get into "Top Five."

All I Want For My Birthday...

Today is Sunday, December 14th, 2014. It is 2:39 am. At this exact moment 35 years ago, I was born. It's my birthday!!! I am beyond humbled and grateful for the gift of life. I was blessed to wake up this morning to see this day. I don't know how I got to 35 so quickly though!! I don't feel 35 and more importantly, I don't look 35. So, there is all the win I need right there. Today is my day. I've always loved my birthday and the month of December. Even when I'm not too sure of what the day will bring, I embrace and enjoy it. Thank you God for blessing me with 35 years on this Earth. The first 35 has been a full on roller coaster ride. The only thing I want for my birthday is peace and growth. I want to continue on this adventure to being my most authentic self. And, if I can find laughter, happiness and knowledge along the way, I would deem it a success. I already know the next 35 will be even better. I am claiming it. Happy Born Day to me! Happy New Year's to me!! I am excitedly looking forward to all that my 35th year will bring my way. :)

My Last Random Thoughts of 2014

• I had the absolute best Thanksgiving holiday! I enjoyed my family so much. It was good to see them and hang out. The holiday was filled with so much laughter, which I can never get enough of. It was chicken soup for the soul. 
• I took some time Thanksgiving morning to reflect on all the things I have to be thankful for. I need to do that more often. It's far too easy to get caught up in all the things that I want and do not have yet. I am so thankful. 
• When my hair looks good, I feel great. Which is why my weekend was so dope. My perfect braid out was perfect. And, even on day 4, it was still fab. You gotta love natural hair, right?
• This week, I fell off my emotionless wagon. I'm sad because I was doing so well with it. It's hard for a woman like me to hold all of my emotions in. But, I have been doing just that. I slipped. I'll live. 
• Mary J. Blige's new cd "The London Sessions" was released today. It's a new sound for her. "Whole Damn Year" is still my absolute fave. I'm not totally sold on the whole project. I gotta give it another listen or two. You should def get into it. 

• I really need something to read. A series preferably. Something good. I haven't read in a few weeks and I'm annoyed by that. I have to correct that soon.
• There is a quote that reads "Remember you were beautiful before he told you" and I swear I repeat it to myself a lot. When you are used to hearing terms of endearment and being compliment daily by one person and then it ends, there is a part of you that will always long for it. I hate that I yearn for it because it makes me feel weak in a way. But, honestly, who doesn't want to be seen in the best light by people? It is an ongoing battle. 
• Mike Brown's killer was allowed to walk free without an indictment or a trial. He killed a boy and got a paid vacation. Eric Garner's killer, also a cop, wasn't indicted either. His death was ruled a homicide, the choke hold was illegal and yet his killer walked free. I do not feel safe here. I don't feel that my brothers, nephews, friends are safe here. I am the epitome of an angry Black woman today and I have every right to be.
• A Charlie Brown Christmas was on last night. I watched it because I love it. I saw Frosty the Snowman last week. All I need to see is Rudolph and Frosty returns to complete my Christmas cartoon trip down memory lane. I still love them all. 
• It's been a hard lesson to learn when you realize other Black folks are not as concerned with certain Black issues. There is nothing worse than a self hating Black person. I can never understand it. Nor can one reason with that level of ridiculousness. All you can do is pray for them to be enlightened and to stay 100 feet from around me. Please. 

Random Thoughts of a December Baby

• You know what song still makes me happy and want to dance? Pharrell's "Happy." No matter what is going on this song always makes me smile.  

• Yesterday was a really great day. Truly. Started off my birthday week in a dope way. Had birthday brunch, which included great eats and wonderful conversation with my best friend, my brother from another mother. Stayed in the restaurant for over 3 hours. Much needed laughter and talk. 
  
• Sunday's weather was anything but nice. It was cold and foggy and misty. This did not bode well for my perfectly perfect braid out. I had to snap a few pics throughout the day yesterday. Thankfully my hair is still fab today but my allergies are not happy. I was perfectly fine yesterday morning. Today, not so much :( I will not be sick this week. I refuse.
  
• My Saints rebounded nicely last night. They beat Cam Newton & the Carolina Panthers 31-13. I thought it would be a closer game because both teams had the same record. I was wrong. My boys are 10-3!!!! Who Dat!!! Geaux Saints!!!
  
• I've been treating this situation as if it's still the same when in reality nothing is the same. I've discovered that I'm not good with change. I want to still know all the thoughts and emotions when I am not privy to it anymore. And, that is the gospel truth. I've got to stop asking for what no longer belongs to me. For reasons. Many of them. 
• The gif below makes me feel like a 5 year old. But, I LOVE it. So I had to share it. Enjoy!!
• 
• It's really hitting me that I am going to be 34!! Like seriously, where did the year go? I don't feel my age at all. I am trying to embrace this getting older thing. But, really, 34?!? I'm just gonna smile and take it. I'm over 33 anyway. *in my Claire Huxtable voice* Yay, 34!!
  
• Since this is my birthday week, every post this week is tagged "birthday behavior." Because, a la Drake, I plan on being on my "worst behavior!!" :p Proceed with caution and...
  

It's December Baby!!!

It's December. My absolute favorite month for a plethora of reasons. My birthday is this month on the 14th. Then there's Christmas which is a huge ordeal for something more than the gifts. And, then it's New Year's Eve. Everything about the month of December is awesome. I love the smell of the holiday season. I am enthralled with the Christmas lights and decorations. It's the time of year when the weather finally gets cooler here. There is Christmas music on the radio all the time and Christmas movies on the tube. I have been a fanatic about this month all of my life. As a kid, I loved it for the Christmas holiday break from school. Also, because this break always followed my birthday. I took it as my gift from the school board.



I thought as a kid that I would get over my love of this month. I'll be 33 in two weeks and it hasn't changed yet. I beginning to believe that it won't ever change. I am more than ok with this. I feel differently about my birthday and Christmas though. They excite me for other reasons. I do not care about gifts as much as I used to. Thoughtful things are always welcomed. But, I no longer worry about the quantity. I focus on quality. It's the thought that matters the most. December just makes me happier than any other month of the year. Yes, I know I'm biased. I am more than ok with that. What's your favorite month and why? Tell me!

Loving December!

Families can restore your spirit in ways you couldn't even imagine. The holidays can be a trying time in a persons life. It's so easy to get caught up in what you don't have during a season of gift buying and gift giving. December is a very birthday heavy month for my family. It's literally a month long celebration for us. That has always been a big deal for me. I have loved the month of December for as long as I can remember. It's my favorite month in my second favorite season. Birthdays are a big deal to me.

Today is my Grandmother's 75th birthday. This woman is hilarious. I grew up calling her Momma Louise. That name has evolved into Ma and/or Foxy. We ended up having a very impromptu party for her today. She was surrounded by 7 of her grandkids, 3 great grandkids, and various other family members. There was a lot of laughter, food, cake and daiquiri's. We had so much fun. It's very easy to get caught up in my own stuff. I think I needed some quality family time. I definitely got more than enough tonight. I am so blessed to still have both grandmothers in my life. Foxy enjoyed her day and that means the world to me.

The Quintessential December Baby

Today is Tuesday, December 14, 2010. 31 years ago on this day @ 2:39am, I was born.

On this day, I am just thankful for life, grateful for waking up to see another day. I have been overwhelmed with the amount of birthday wishes via texts, calls, and FB postings. I am forever grateful for the love. There is no other way to express that. I am humbled. I don't feel all that well today but I will smile in spite of that. Why shouldn't I?

IT'S MY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!!!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!!!