Places I Must Visit: Portbelo, Panama

 



Portobelo is a port city in Colon Province, Panama. It is home to not one but two Black Christ statues. This city was ironically discovered and named by Christopher Columbus. I am inclined to believe that this city existed before he "found" it just like America but I digress. I have seen some really gorgeous pictures of the beaches here, the houses and the lifestyle there. All of it makes me excited to see it. But, the main attraction for me are the two Black Christs. I have read the Bible enough to know that Jesus is not the blond haired, blue eyed White man that many depict him as. "Hair like wool and feet like bronze" does not equate a White man to me. I have never accepted the image of Jesus that has been shoved down our throats via the church and mainstream media. From the pictures alone, I can tell that this is something I need to see with my own eyes. I have only recently learned of this place and its history. I cannot wait to go there. It has moved it's way up to the top 5 destination spots. Get into it.



Rant: 35

In less than 5 months, I will be 35. Thirty-freaking-five!! This is a huge milestone for anyone. I am not prepared. I am not taking this aging thing gracefully. 35 is an age I could not comprehend  when I was 16. Around this time 5 years ago, turning 30 felt like the biggest thing ever. I am trying my best to not get caught up in all the things I thought I would/should have by this age. But, it's hard not to. I am not really looking forward to it. 35 is an age where things should be settled in your life. I feel totally unsettled and unprepared for what will become of me. I don't like the uncertainty my future holds. Turning 35 was supposed to be something different than what it will be. It just hit me today that I will be 35 soon. I had a plan for my life. It hasn't exactly panned out quite the way I thought it would. I am going to spend the next few months trying to change my thinking about my next birthday. Hopefully, by the time December 14th, my outlook will be better. Fingers crossed.

Let Me Tell You About Me

We all have those moments, days when we feel less than. We aren't happy with our bodies or our hair or our jobs or situations. There are days when we feel like nothing will ever be perfect. It's normal. I want to discuss this. It isn't about what anyone else thinks of us or how the world sees us. Because even on my worst day, a compliment can only brighten my mood for a moment. I can be my harshest critic. I do hold myself to a high standard. I am harder on me than anyone else could ever be. But, this rant isn't about that. This is about celebrating myself and all the things I love about me. Because the world is a hard and cold place. But, we all need to stand in the sunshine a little more. So, no I am no where near perfect nor do I want to be. 

I'll begin with the physical. I LOVE my legs. They are a distinctly different color than the rest of me. They hardly ever darken up but I love them. Especially when I have on a dress or skirt or tights or thigh highs. My eyes are interesting. I love them the most when I am smiling so hard that they kinda disappear because of my cheeks. My cheeks are huge and they make me happy. I am obsessed with my eyebrows because, in all honesty, they are perfect. My hair is thick and glorious. My brown skin is always soft and silky. Of course, I really love my boobs. It took me a long time to accept them. When you go from barely having anything to a full C cup over a summer in high school, being overly self conscious about your boobs is normal. They are real and they are fabulous. It is a huge deal to love and accept  yourself.

I love the way I see the world. The way my mind works amazes and terrifies me. I think that I'm a dope person and I have no issues with spending time with myself. I think it's important. My love of reading and music is unmatched by anyone personally know. My thirst for knowledge is insane. I am hella silly and laughing is a must. I love that I don't take myself too seriously and can laugh at myself. I have no issues with being emotional because my feelings are valid. So if I need to cry or wonder or laugh or just stand still, I will and do. I like the fact that my friends and family come to my for advice. And that I am a great listener. There is no one like me on God's green Earth. I am unique. One of one. I was having a moment yesterday and needed to write this for myself. I encourage you all to do the same. There is more good than bad in all of us. Stop being so hard on yourself. Look into the mirror and smile at what God made. Love yourself like Kanye love himself lol. But, seriously, we all need to do this more often. That's my only point. I LOVE ME!!!!

My Poetry Corner XIV: Pieces I Cannot Finish

**2:36 a.m.**

In all honesty, you broke me to fix yourself
And where is the righteousness in that?

**************************************************************************

**Choosing...**

That’s what love is
Consciously choosing each other every day
One day when it was time to choose me
You decided not to
That was the beginning of my end
And that’s really the saddest goodbye to a once great love story

*************************************************************************

**Pieces**

There are parts of me that I can never share with another man
because I gave them to you
and you threw them away
discarded my pieces as if they were trash.

It's My Hair: Length Check

This is what boredom looks like in my world. Today, I wanted to see how long my hair was. I know how thick it is because I deal with it everyday. But, I hardly ever use heat on my hair anymore. This is only the second time I've flat ironed my hair in the last year or so. All week my hair has been in in a bantu knot out. I keep it well oiled and moisturized daily. So, today I didn't have to do much. I started by hand combing my hair in sections. I then sprayed my hair with Garnier Fructis Sleek and Shine Flat Iron Perfector Straightening Mist. It's a heat protectant and I love it. It works wonders and it smells like heaven. I only used my flat iron on a medium heat and went to work.

Finally after an hour and 15 minutes, I was done. I could not have been happier with my results. My hair was straight and shiny. Next up was checking my length. My hair has grown so much since last year. I did not realize how much until today. I'm almost at BSL (bra strap length) and that makes me happy. I have never been big on hair length. I prefer width because big hair is dope and I love it. I couldn't stop running my fingers through my head. Of course, I had to throw on my new favorite gold double braided headband and a little makeup and take pictures. I'm overly excited about my hair journey and my hair growth. I doubt that I'll flat iron my hair again this year but it was good to see my progress. Yay for happy, healthy long natural hair. 

Ladies Love Lyrics: Trey Songz "What's Best For You"

Love is a strange emotion. It can be the very best and the absolute worst thing ever. They say that if you love someone, you should want the best for them. Even if that means letting them go because you aren't it. This is a concept I have been struggling with for the last year in a half. I believe I am too selfish in love. If I am in love with you, then I want you with me. I cannot see past my love for you to see you loving someone else. I am totally NOT there yet. I don't know if I'll ever be. Trey Songz new single discusses this issue. I dig the song a lot. I have a feeling u will too. Get into these lyrics. 

Don’t make this hard for me
It’s not about who’s right or wrong, no
If it’s how it’s supposed to, really supposed to be
Then this love will carry on, girl
If we leave how we began
Then just know, that

I only want what’s best for you
It’s not what’s good for me
It’s not about what I want
But it’s all about what you need
I want what’s best for you
But I don’t want you to leave
It’s not about what I want
But it’s all about what you need
I want what’s best for you

Cause you're the sweetest thing I know
If I said I loved you, really loved you so
Then I could let you go
Doesn't mean I'm giving up, no
So just know that..."

Words Mean Things

 

You know what really grinds my gears?!? People who use words without knowing their real definitions and/or those who use words in the wrong manner. You know the type, loud and wrong. Or, even worse, the ones that use it so completely wrong with the proudest look on their faces. I am a woman who loves words. They are just about my favorite thing. As a kid, I used to read the dictionary for fun. I like learning the etymology of a word, the synonyms and antonyms of it. I just like to know all I can about a word. I do not use them to impress people. I use them to impress myself if I'm being perfectly honest. No one is more appreciative of my intelligence than I am. So, this is why I cannot stand for a person to use words wrong in front of me. I have learned how to NOT be the grammar police. Even though it's all I want to do. That reeks of a know-it-all and I don't want to be that woman. People need to book up more books and dictionaries and learn some things. Mainly that words do indeed mean things. They absolutely do. Words are precious and should be treated as such. Respect the words that come out of your mouth. Please. Ok, rant over. :)



Get Into It: Eyebrow Kits

In my world, eyebrows are very important. I love mine. Getting my eyebrows threaded make me feel like a new woman. I remember the first time I got them arched as a teen. I felt like it made my face brighter. Since then, I have had my brows tweezed, waxed and now threaded. I prefer threading. I have the best brow lady in my city. I like the clean look of threading. I also love that getting my eyebrows threaded lasts longer than waxing. I can go almost at least 6-8 weeks in between appointments. Recently, I have discovered brow kits. These kits include wax (either colored or clear), powder and a brush. Some come with tweezers as well. I have tried two to very different results.



The first brow kit I tried was the e.l.f. Studio Eyebrow Kit in medium. It retails for $3 which is super affordable. I purchased it from Target. The packaging is gorgeous, sleek and black. I love that the kit has a mirror for on the go brow upkeep. This kit includes wax, powder and a two sided brush. I loved that the wax was brown because so are my natural brows. I am not that fond of the powder though. It made my brows look great and very natural. I loved the ease of the brush. In the end, I wasn't overly impressed with the results. So, I went in search of another brow kit. 

This led me to the NYC Browser Brush On Brow Kit in Brunette. It retails for $3.99 at Target. It contains brow grooming wax,brow powder, brush and a tiny pair of tweezers for grooming. Those tweezers are a win for me. The packaging isn't as great as compared to the e.l.f. kit. There is no cute and useful mirror. But, that is the only thing that is lacking. I love the color of the wax and the powder. The powder makes my brows look much more natural. The brush is functional and practical.Everything about this kit is a win. I loved it so much that I have gone through two of these and I still have the e.l.f. one. It is my new favorite makeup product. I use it daily. I may not do a full face of makeup daily but I will always make sure my brows are on point. My daily eye makeup includes: brow powder, eye liner, eye shadow and mascara. For that reason, I would recommend the NYC brow kit. It's affordable, readily and widely available. Great product at a great price. Get into it!

This Reader's Review: Part XXIV : "Unfriending My Ex: And Other Things I'll Never Do" by Kim Stolz

 

The title of this book caught my eyes as I was walking out of the library. "Unfriending My Ex: And Other Things I'll Never Do" is definitely an eye catching title. I double backed to check it out. I recognized the author's face. She was a contestant on one of the early seasons of "America's Next Top Model" which I used to watch religiously with my best friend and goddaughter. Her name is Kim Stolz. Her book is a look into the way social media is changing our interactions with each other.  It's a subject that I can totally relate to. We are so technologically advanced in 2014 but I cannot say it's actually for the better. We have evolved to spending more time on Facebook that actual face to face meetings. In a nutshell, social media isn't actually real. Stolz makes a good point that we all have become slaves to our devices and accounts.

 

 

What I really loved about this book is the way it made me reevaluate the way I interact with people. I am guilty of being addicted to my phone. I constantly check my email and social media accounts. I love the instant gratification of it. But, as Stolz reminds me that none of it is really real. I have unfriended hundreds of people I only casually knew because they did not need to be privy to my life. Even though I do not frequent Facebook or Twitter like I used to, I am still an addict. This book proves it. I liked her in-depth and cheeky look into her own addiction. We are all addicted. I've gotten better with it. This was a great read and I really enjoyed it. Get into it. 

Trayvon Martin: One Year After The Verdict

It's been a year since one of the biggest miscarriages of justice ever occurred. Trayvon Martin's killer was found not guilty. How?! I will never know. The facts of the case were clear. Martin was stalked and hunted and executed for nothing more than being a Black man in a hoodie. There is nothing right or just about that. His killer deserves to die a horrible slow death locked in a tiny cell. Instead, he is still breathing and walking free. This is not justice. A year later, I am still disgusted by the verdict. I've written about Trayvon Martin a lot. There is something about his murder that struck a deep cord in me. It's been a year since Martin was denied justice. A year filled with ridiculous actions by his killer. The most recent being a report that he is homeless and broke. Good. Martin's killer deserves much worse than that for taking a life. I still weep for Martin and his family.  

"I will never accept the verdict," Sybrina Fulton said. "I still feel like my son was murdered."

A year later, the fight still continues for Martin's parents, Sybrina and Tracy. There is a Trayvon Martin Foundation housed at Florida Memorial University. The people who wrongly believe that we are living in a post-racial America are quite deluded. Racism is alive and well and thriving in these United States of America. Almost 57 years after the brutal killing of Emmett Till, a case like Martin's still exists. Both young men who were killed because their skin color made someone uncomfortable. Both too young to be taken in such a brutal manner. Where is the justice? There is nothing we can do to bring Martin back. But, we can all make sure no one ever forgets his name because his story is important. Also, so his murder won't be in vain. A year later, the injustice still stings. A year later, we are still angry. A year later, a murderer is still walking free. I do not know about you but there is nothing just about that. No Justice, No Peace. R.I.P. Trayvon Martin.

Ladies Love Lyrics: "Suitcase" by Mary J. Blige

Being a true Mary fan makes this song easy to love. It is classic MJB. This track is on the "Think Like A Man Too" soundtrack which is essentially a Mary cd. I love this entire project. Today has been a "Suitcase" day. I've had this song on repeat for a moment. Get into the video and lyrics down below. 

"I wonder if I took these scars
And put dirt in them
Would I brought me a brand new heart
Will love work again
If I keep let you hurt me
I might have to plead insanity
‘Cause everything in me is telling me to go

Cause I can’t keep on crying when I see ya
Messing up my make up
Thinking you gon’ change
But everything’s the same
Starting keeping secrets
Got my heart in pieces
I’mma ‘bout to pick myself up, and go

You gon’ wake up in the morn
And find out that I’m already gone
Got a one way ticket, here's your goodbye song
And while you’re trying to explain
I’ll be zipping up my suitcase
While you’re trying to explain
I’ll be zipping up my suitcase
While you’re trying to explain
I’ll be zipping up my suitcase

Boy had everything
I never thought about another man
Gave you so much control on me
Your love really had me bugging me
If I don’t let you go, you’ll just keep on hurting me more and more
‘Cause everything in me is telling me to go..."

LeBron James Shocker

 



Call this the shocker of free agency season. LeBron James is taking his talents back to Cleveland. I am so shocked. James wrote a passionate letter on Sports Illustrated.com this morning. You can read it here. I really thought that James was going to resign for the max contract with the Heat. He's been there 4 years, won 2 Championship rings and became a bigger superstar. I was wrong. After reading his SI.com post, I get it. The man wants to go home. He wants to bring a Championship to his home team. He wants to raise his growing family there. I get it. But, one thing I cannot shake is the utterly disrespectful letter Cleveland Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert wrote when James left and the way the Cavs fan acted (like burning his jersey and taunting him online) after "The Decision." I would love to know what words were spoken in the meeting between James and Gilbert. Something tells me the world will never know. I cannot wait to see what happens with this return. I respect LeBron as a player and a man. So, I cannot be mad at him for making the best decision for himself. This is such a surprising move in this day and age of the NBA.

"But this is not about the roster or the organization. I feel my calling here goes above basketball. I have a responsibility to lead, in more ways than one, and I take that very seriously. My presence can make a difference in Miami, but I think it can mean more where I’m from. I want kids in Northeast Ohio, like the hundreds of Akron third-graders I sponsor through my foundation, to realize that there’s no better place to grow up. Maybe some of them will come home after college and start a family or open a business. That would make me smile. Our community, which has struggled so much, needs all the talent it can get. 

In Northeast Ohio, nothing is given. Everything is earned. You work for what you have.
 

I’m ready to accept the challenge. I’m coming home." - LeBron James 07.11.2014

Facing It

Fear is a powerful emotion. It can literally stop anyone in their tracks. It is the force that will prevent a person from moving forward. FEAR is an acronym for "false evidence appearing real." I do not really believe that. Fear is real. I know how it grips my heart, the way it makes me feel and the doubts that it plants in my mind. Growing up, I had one MAJOR fear. That fear was being a single parent. My fear was not in the fact that I could/would be a great parent. It laid more in the fact of doing it alone. I watched my Mom break her back for me and my brother. She worked two sometimes three jobs to provide for us. She was the epitome of a great Mom to us. But, for years, my Mom was always so overworked and exhausted. There were so many things she missed out on in my life because she had to work. My Dad had his faults, mainly not being there and not paying child support. I didn't want to live that life. I wanted more, better. My Mom wanted this for me as well.

Now, that I am heading quickly towards 35, my fear has changed. The thing I fear the most is twofold. I fear being alone and never being a parent. Those are real, tangible, accessible fears. I do not know how to shake these fears. I cannot figure out how to get past it. I feel silly still wanting that elusive dream of marriage and babies. But, I do. I've tried so many ways to not worry about it but it's hard. It's difficult waiting around for something you want so bad that may never happen.People say that you have to face your fears but I have no clue how to do that now. This isn't like my fear of heights. I've faced it by riding roller coasters and flying. Or my fear of spiders. I survived having a tarantula crawl up my thighs. Or my fear of snakes. I didn't freak out being near one a few weeks back. This fear isn't one I can face truly yet. I do not have a solution. But, it's something that has been on my mind a lot lately. All I do know is that I cannot let these fears prevent me from living my life. I know that whatever God has for me is for me. Believe that. 

Good Riddance, Willy Wonka!

It was the day of reckoning for the ex mayor of New Orleans, C. Ray Nagin. After being found guilty of 20 out of 21 counts, prison time was unavoidable. The charges ran from corruption to bribery to illegal dealings while in office. The judge sentences Nagin to 120 months. This sentence was extremely light. I am slightly outraged at this slap on the hand for a corrupt, pompous politician. Nagin was an arrogant sob during his trial. He was offered a plea deal that he turned down. It was for less than the ten he received. Nagin was looking at getting at least 20 years. Why the judge decided to low ball Nagin's sentencing is unknown. But, Matthew Coman the federal prosecutor said he would be pursuing an appeal because he objected to the judge's reduction from what the government suggested. This has been a remarkable fall from grace from a man who was heralded as a savior during hurricane Katrina. To know that he took advantage of his position for money and power makes me sick. I say good riddance to bad grass, Mr. Chocolate City. Maybe he'll learn his lesson while thinking in jail. 

Get Into It: "Hemlock Grove" & "Luther"

 

I have been spending a lot of time discovering new things via Netflix. Blame the fact that it's the summer and there is little to no new original programming. Either way, it's a win for me. I am watching things I never would have before. First up is the original show from Netflix entitled "Hemlock's Grove." This show is about the supernatural. There are werewolves and vampires. It's a very interesting show. I watched the first season recently. I finished it just in time for season 2, which premieres Friday. The characters are weird and dark and not necessarily good but I like them all. I must warn you that the show is very gory and there is a lot of blood. But, if you can get passed that, you will enjoy it. It's different than other vampire/werewolf movies/shows that I've seen before. I really enjoy the different spin on it. Get into it.

 

 

The second show I discovered is the BBC's "Luther" which stars Idris Elba. I am a total fan of Idris. I've heard about this show for years. But, I never had the BBC to watch it. Along comes Netflix to solve this issue. "Luther" is a cop thriller show centered on the main character John Luther. Luther is a British cop with more than one issue. But, he's a great cop. This show is darker and grimier than other cop shows I watch. I like that about it. The bad thing is that there are only 3 seasons and 14 episodes. The good news is that every episode is full of twists and turns and drama. I loved seeing Idris in this role. He is not playing the lovable bad guy or the heartthrob. He is playing a character that you can easily love or hate, possibly multiple times in one episode. I read that there is a "Luther" movie in the works as well. I would love to see what John Luther does next. This is just a great show that should've been around longer. If you do not have a Netflix account, I don't know what to tell you. Get into it asaptually!!

 



 



 

Get Into It: The-Dream's "Royalty"

The-Dream can do no wrong when it comes to music in my book. He's a dope producer and writer. He's a pretty good singer as well. So, when I read that he was dropping a new project today, I was stoked. He posted this pic on Instagram and simply captioned it "777." He was putting us all on notice that "Royalty" was dropping on July 7th @ 7pm. I could not wait to hear it. I loved his last two projects: "1977" & "IV Play." Both still get much play over here. Good music will never be denied. 

The-Dream did not disappoint me at all. There are only 7 songs but that's all he needed to get it right. Every track makes me feel some kinda way. I've listened to it twice all the way through. I keep returning to two songs. They are "Outkast" and "Wedding Bells." You guys know that I love lyrics and these two tracks speak to me. I love every song though. Great EP from an artist I have always dug. Go ahead and get into it. You can download it here. LEt me know what song(s) speak to you. Leave it in the comments, people. 

Around These E-Streets (XIII)

• White women being included in the natural hair movement is wrong. Period. Jamilah Lemieux of Ebony agrees with me. 
• Mylah has released another banger. Listen to "All On Me" now. Get into her. 
• Zendaya has dropped out of the Lifetime biopic. She is reportedly being replaced by Erika Perry. I have no clue who Perry is. Or even if this movie will truly ever get made. 
• Another day, another video of a cop beating an unarmed person. This time the victim was a Black woman. I have no words. You can read about it here.
•  Levar Burton started a "Reading Rainbow" kickstarter. He initially wanted to raise $1 million dollars to bring the program back. He raised that amount in a day. The kickstarter raised $5.4 million plus a $1 million from Seth MacFarlane of "Family Guy" fame. Read all about it here.
• Wanna learn how to be a woman? There's an article for that. Read it here.

• You know how White folks LOVE to claim they discovered something that already existed years before  they ever knew of it? Like America, rock n roll, twerking, etc. There is a term for it now: "columbus-ing."
• Someone not so bright thought that giving Robin Thicke control of the VH1 twitter handle to answer questions via the #AskThicke was a good idea. They were so wrong. It ended up being a PR nightmare. Get into it. 
• Sometimes there are gems in the rants of Kanye West. Granted, I don't want to hear those rants in the middle of a concert. But, nonetheless, Ye had something to say at the #WirelessFestival. The last paragraph is the best.  Read it. 
• Samsung's newest phone has sprung a leak. It's the Galaxy F, a high end upgrade of the Galaxy S series. It looks amazing and I want it. 
• The Supreme Court's Hobby Lobby decision is just wrong. It's a slippery slope that will lead to nowhere good in my opinion. 
• Family drama? We've all been there. Here's a guide to navigating it.

Rant: Away

“I am homesick for a place I am not sure even exists. One where my heart is full. My body loved. And my soul understood.”

—	Melissa Cox

Restless. That's the only word to describe what I'm feeling. I am longing for a place that I'm not even sure really exists. I feel the intense desire to just go. Somewhere new, somewhere different. A place where no one knows my name or my story. A place where I can build a new life and a future for myself. I feel stuck here in this place that raised me. Or maybe a better way to say it is that I feel like my life is on pause while the rest of the world is playing right around me. It's as if I am waiting for something that may never happen. And, quite frankly, I am tired of it. Tired of not living my life to its fullest, tired of being a hermit and anti-social, tired of not being fulfilled in all areas. I hear the below Norah Jones song and it inspired this blog. These are just my thoughts about the randomness of my life. Forgive me, I'm restless. Get into this throwback video and just vibe with me. 

                                        

Ladies Love Lyrics: Sam Smith "Stay With Me"

I love new music almost as much as I love new shoes. And, if you know me then you know that's saying a lot. I discovered Sam Smith via Twitter and Tumblr. His song "Stay With Me" is the first one I heard. I was instantly drawn into it. I liked it. There is also a live version duet with Mary J. Blige. There is something I really love about his voice. I've only heard two other songs by him so far. I think he may be around for a minute. Do yourself a favor and get into this song and its lyrics. Enjoy!

"Why am I so emotional?
No, it's not a good look, gain some self-control
And deep down I know this never works
But you can lay with me so it doesn't hurt

Oh, won't you stay with me?'Cause you're all I needThis ain't love, it's clear to see

But darling, stay with me..."

These Are Just My July Thoughts

• It's July. Already. Half of the year of 2014 is gone. It flew by. I don't know how I feel about that. The days seem to be passing faster than I can keep up. Either way, it's half over. I'll be 35 before the year ends. *le sigh*
• This Supreme Court ruling on Hobby Lobby is one of the dumbest things ever. It's as if the justices value corporations more than women. That war on women that the Republicans keep denying is REAL. Pay attention. This is the beginning of a very slippery slope. I'm disgusted. 
• The BET Awards were good. I do think they ran way too long at almost 4 hours. Loved the throwback R&B group performances from Silk, Troop & Color Me Badd. Chris Rock was cool as a host. I enjoyed most of it. 
• I am a pessimistic optimist. This means that I see things as they are. My sarcastic nature does not allow me to be too optimistic. I cannot allow myself to get too caught up on the "what if's" cause I've been burned by that life too often. I just want the future and life that belongs to me. Whatever it is. I pray that it's good because I think I truly deserve it.
• I pray a lot. Little prayers that silently take me through my day. They are usually done without me really thinking a lot about it. I know what I want to pray for and do it. I pray for my family and friends. Some are specific and others are broadly general. I cover the spectrum with them. It's a habit I hope to never break. I don't know when or where or why this started but it's a keeper in my book.

• I promised myself that I would blog every day this month. I am out of practice so this will be tough. I pray that I can stick to it. *fingers crossed*
• There is a quote about learning the right distance between people. I am currently fighting this battle of leaning to close or pulling too far back. I'm really conflicted in this one area. The rules have changed and we're no longer the same. Yo no se'.
• So, when exactly is season three of Netflix's "House of Cards" returning?!? Cause I need it now. I guess I could rewatch seasons 1 and 2. It's not the same but it'll have to do. I need my HOC and Underwoods fix.
• If you did not peep this yesterday,  you should def do so. VH1 decided to give Robin Thicke free reign of their Twitter for a Q&A session entitled #AskThicke. The questions were hilarious. He was dragged all through the tweets. You will laugh your ass off truly. Get into it. 
• How is it possible to miss something you almost had? Like, there were plans made that didn't come to be but I miss what was supposed to occur. I miss the life I was supposed to have. It's kinda depressing to be honest. I find myself longing for that version of my life because it's better than my reality. That is a bad habit I desperately need to break. But, it;s so hard to let go. I have issues. Don't mind me. I'm venting here. 

Get Into It: "Think Like A Man Too" Soundtrack

In my book, Mary J. Blige can do no wrong. When Mary sings it, you believe it. I have been a fan since the beginning. So, you can only imagine my excitement when I learned that the soundtrack to  "Think Like A Man Too" was essentially a Mary album. From beginning to end, Mary was perfection to my ears. The song I instantly clicked repeat on was "Wonderful." I love the beat and the lyrics and the message. Mary sounds like her old self on it. This soundtrack gets my money simply for Will Packer having the balls to pull a move like this. It seems that he is as much of a Mary fan as I am. Every track is my favorite honestly. Every track evokes a different emotion from me. I listen to it daily. It has an old school R&B/Hip-Hop feel to it. And, that is right up my alley. I love it. This soundtrack, just like the movie, is worth the $$$. Get into it!

Movie Review: "Think Like A Man Too" & "Transformers: Age of Extinction"

There is a new theater that just opened not far from my house. I received some free passes as well as 2 for 1 passes. This means my movie watching days are a go. For the last two weekends, I've been at the Grand Theater to see two new movies. First up was "Think Like A Man Too." I loved the first one. The cast was incredible and had great chemistry. This was also the case in the sequel. It's not very often that a sequel is better than the original. This is one of those very unique cases. I loved TLAMT more than the original. I laughed the entire time. Kevin Hart was ridiculous as usual. I loved the plot of the movie. It is a must see in my opinion. I cannot wait to see it again. Great romantic comedy .

The second movie was "Transformers: Age of Extinction." Now, let me preface this by saying that I am a super fan of the previous films. Loved all of them. I wasn't too happy when I learned that the the series was being rebooted. No Shia, no silly parents, no Tyrese. I do like Mark Wahlberg so I was open to it. The movie was good but not great. The plot was interesting. The action scenes were amazing. The actress who plays Mark's daughter is gorgeous but her acting skills left much to be desired. I was just expecting more from the movie. I mean Michael Bay and Steven Spielberg were involved in it. Something was just off with it. I don't know exactly what it was though. I'm glad that I saw it though. Loved the Autobots as usual. Good movie. I think a person who isn't a diehard fan of the first three would love it more. Either way, I would recommend both movies to all. Get into these new releases. Happy movie watching!!