What Ever Happened To R&B???...

Jaheim - Never (New official video)
Uploaded by foxysoul

It's Somewhere Beneath The Surface...It's Around...

It amazes me how other artists with very little vocal ability, limited lyric writing skills, and propped up personas on the backdrop of a lot of production make it to the top. Let the record slip or the soundtrack give up and walk away. Then those artists are left standing on the stage with a blank expression on their faces as they barely attempt to hum a tune in a bucket. Were they pretending to be vocal artists? Was it the money that led their careers? Can they really understand what it is to feel music? *Shaking Head*

It's a good thing that's not Jaheim's problem. Jaheim reminds me of the old school artists. I just get lost in his voice. He could sing the alphabet to me for all I care. You know, his voice is not contrived or forced. It's so natural as if he's holding a casual conversation. He may fly under other folks' radar screens, but not mine. I'm onto his vocal stylings. Yeah, he's got to do the industry thing and make those videos, but I think I was more drawn into his music with his performance on Tom Joyner's in studio recording jam segments. See it for yourself right here ==> Anything, Never, And Fabulous.

Well, I've got to get rolling for work. Take care and have a great day. : )

I Still Support You, OBAMA!!!

Obama '08: Yes We Can!!!...

Let the political pundits dissect/twist your every word and action, while they purposely overlook their own historical crimes against humanity.

However, I thank you for being brave enough to not back down and explain what you believe with regard to race issues in America. I also thank you for your steadfast campaign message of promoting hope, healing, and unity for all people. You can take comfort in knowing that if you win, you will win standing on your feet and not kneeling on your knees. For that, I still support you.

On March 17, 2008 History Was Made...

Introducing Governor David Paterson,

First Black and Legally Blind Governor of New York

Moody Monday Dipped In Honey...

ERYKAH BADU "HONEY"
Uploaded by Erykah-Badu

Shux, What Happened To The Weekend???...

Don't pay me any attention. I ask that same question every Sunday afternoon like it's some sort of surprise that I have to go work the next day. I act like I got ripped off. Yup, I'm thankful for my job, but not for the craziness that is sometimes involved. So, to kick my workweek off to a fun start, I'll play a video by Erykah Badu. She's a different kind of person in an artsy way, but I think it's funny that she had Common wearing those crocheted pants on the cover of Essence magazine. Brotha was hooked.

Oh well, I've got to run and try to be on time for work for a change. Have a great day with your fabulous sevlves!!!... : )

The Five-O Caught Me...

Drats...Why Must They Hassle Me???...*Sigh*

See this is what had happened...Everyday I'm practically running late for everything. I'm running late for work, the hairdressers, dentist, and anything else. What can I say? I'm a follower of CP time. So anyway, as usual I was scurrying around trying to get out of my place to get ready for work. But before I leave, I have to check the thermostat, make sure the clothes/hair irons are unplugged, make sure the toaster/stove is off, and make sure the water is turned off. Just stack that on top of me having to take a shower, do my make-up, do my hair, eat breakfast, blog, pay bills, clean out the refrigerator, find some stockings without any runs in them, transfer things to a matching purse, and pick out a perfume that I'm feeling that particular day. So, you sort of see why I'm always running late.

Anyhoo, after finishing getting ready, I got in the car, turned on the radio, then put my foot to the accelerator like I always do. The car starts off at 60 mph or at least 40 mph. I had to hurry up and get to my cotton picking gig that pays me. I'm from North Carolina where there is a lot of ground to cover so we might as well tear on down the street. I sometimes think my car is the shuttle. That thing sure can move when it wants to. I didn't make it a mile away from home before the Five-O pulled me over. It's really too bad that I couldn't see over the hill, because I would have seen them at the bottom of it. Dangit, the Marlyand county police had about three or four cruisers out there on a speed patrol sting. I tried to put on my brakes, but it was too late. I was too through.

An officer came out in front of the road and instructed me to stop to the right. Well, I pulled over like I was supposed to and didn't drive off like you see folks do in the movies. I was asked for my license and registration. Some kind of way I didn't have the sense enough to turn down the radio, which was locked onto the Steve Harvey show. Steve had some caller singing offkey, which made the policeman laugh. I wasn't. I sat there blinking. I decided to stay quiet and keep my sarcastic comments and jokes to myself. I was looking straight ahead and thinking, "Well D*mn. I'm running late for work and the doggone police got me looking crazy with other motorists driving by giving me the better you than me look. Some of them deserved to be flagged down too."

The strangest thoughts cross your mind at times like this. I was thinking that if there was anything good to come of this is that I was freshly showered and my hair and make up were on point. Plus, I smelled good. Some days we have to accept the small victories where we can get them. In the midst of my mind running fast, the officer knocked on my window to talk to me. I was still looking straight ahead. You know I had a flash back of 1987 when I was trying to get my license when I was a teenager. The state police in NC were so mean near my hometown. Those mean ole geezers from the state police were in charge of administering the driving tests. The written part of the driving test was a breeze. However, for me trying to pass the driving part of my test wasn't successful, because I felt like I had gotten into the car with a member of the KKK. Well he looked like one and didn't say not one word to me, but that I had flunked the driving part of the test. Let's just say the next time I was smart enough to wait until the lady patrol officer was free to test folks. I passed the test then.

Getting back to yesterday, the officer must have sensed my uneasiness. I wasn't going to cry, but I sure didn't turn my head the whole time until he announced that he wasn't going to give me a ticket. Some men swear that we women have it better and are able to convince male officers to let us off the hook. I didn't do anything flirtatious. I just sat there blinking looking straight ahead. The officer said that he'd give me a warning this time around, which made my day. I turned around to finally look at him for the first time and realized that he looked like a younger version of Tom Joyner. To show my gratitude, I thanked him, told him that I saw the error of my ways, and promised not to speed anymore....err in the neighborhood. I think this is what we call kissing up and laying it on really thick a little bit saying you were right and I was so wrong. *lol* Side Note: Sometimes you got to do what you got to do even after you're off the hook to make it easier if he sees me speeding down the street tomorrow. *lol* He followed up with telling me to drive safer. He said that he would be out here in the area watching and that if I see a lightskin police officer with freckles that would be him. He was smiling and joking after that; he wasn't unprofessional though by giving me that warning piece of paper. Hmph. I guess that's called service with a smile. Was that a come on or just a cop trying to be nice? I don't know. I'm open to stuff like that. I was starting to feel really shy like a little school girl. What was that all about? A friend said that I should have flirted and given my number to him. What the? But anyhoo, I'm just thankful that he let me off. Thank you, Mr. Freckle Face. : )

*Whew* That was close. I was just trying to focus on not tearing away at top speed like I always do. It sure would be a shame for the police to have to pull me over again down the street. I suppose I better not drive so fast. From here on out, I promise to be a good girl. *lol*

Blogging On The Run...

Will Macy's Remain The World's Larget Store In This Economy???...

As usual, I don't have much time to blog before I run off to work. But I just wanted to spend a couple of minutes here to chat. Check this out.

"According to the 2008 AlixPartners Consumer Sentiment index, consumers are bargain shopping. If you shopped at Nordstrom and Macy's, you're now shopping at JC Penney or Kohl's. If you were shopping at JC Penney, now you're shopping at Wal-Mart. And those people who were shopping at Wal-Mart, they're at the dollar stores."

Aint that the truth. On the shopping foodchain where are you now? Here's an interesting article about consumers' pinching pennies. ==> Walmart and Dollar Tree Here We Come!!!...

One more thing, I've gotten behind in my online tabloid gossip. The job won't let me appear in the role of Aunt Lula anymore on C.runk and Disorderly and any other blog. Those were the days. *sigh* Moving along. Is Kimora expecting a baby with her model boyfriend, Djimon Hounsou? And is she divorced from Russell Simmons?

Well, Is She Expecting Or What? What Do You Think?

A Clinton - Obama Ticket???...

After Everything That Has Been Said And Done, Are They Serious???...

Word on wires is that the Clinton team is thinking of asking Obama to be the running mate as the VP of course. Something about that picture looks odd. Read it for yourself ==> A Clinton-Obama ticket???...

Handwashing Is So Essential...

It's A Wonder Why More People Don't Do It...

Wet Hands...
As I sped along the road the leads to my job's complex yesterday morning, I quickly prayed that the Lord would help free me of that place. I need a break. I need some time to relax and just take care of home. Well, as soon as I made it through the outside guard's gate, parked the car, and then walked into the entrance of the building, the male guard announced to me that the building was about to be closed because there is no hot water. I could have picked up and kissed that man. He was short. My prayer had been answered, even for that day. *Whew*I still had to go up to my office and check-in with the boss and wait for the official announcement. But last week, I do remember calling the building folks to tell them that we didn't have any hot water in the restrooms on my floor. That was Thursday. And evidently, they couldn't fix the problem. I'm wondering whether my job's cafeteria had hot water last week and were they washing their hands and pots and pans with hot water. Ahhhhh....Moving on...

Soap...
Folks "NOT WASHING THEIR HANDS" is a huge pet peeve for me. I can't tell you how many times I've seen women not wash their hands. They will go straight from the stall to leave the restroom or go through the motion of washing their hands by running their hands under the faucet minus the soap. What the???!!! And men aren't off the hook either? I'm not in there restroom to see, but other men have told me that some men definately leave the restroom without putting a bit of water on their hands. Shux, what's the use of developing vaccines and cures when folks won't do the most basic thing of washing their hands? Weren't we all taught this as little children at home and at the daycare center?

Scrub...
Furthermore, I really get heated when touchy-feely folks feel the need to reach out and touch with their dirty selves. For example, during a meeting why did a nasty co-worker of mine, who insist on sucking all the fur and fruit off of a peach, confide to me that he keeps it in his mouth for at least an hour or so to get all the nutrients out? *rolling eyes* Then he proceeds to be animated and reach out to touch me, because that's who he is. So, I had to let him know who I was and let him know that I don't dig touchy-feely folks and he best keep his hands to himself no matter how innocent that act. Just nasty.

Rinse...
Others are not touchy-feely, but are just publicly nasty. Another example is that I was waiting in line in the drive-thru at Taco Hell Bell. Please don't ask me why I was there. It's cheap, fast food. And I like spicey food. *sigh* But anyway, while I was in line, why did I notice the driver in front of me digging for gold? He had his whole freaking finger up his nose. Now you know how this was going to turn out, right. He was going to place his order, pay for the food, and then later when I rolled up, I would end up with the change laced with his boogers on it. Nope. I wouldn't let it happen. I backed my car up and drove away. See, it's good to avert a nasty disaster when you are aware of something. But it's all the times when you are unaware that get you. Try thinking of anytime you've gotten sick when you know that you've taken every precaution. Hmm...Makes you think, aye???...

Dry Hands And Turn Off Tap With Towel...
Have you ever wanted to tell another adult to wash his or her hands? So much for hurting folks' feelings. I've told someone before at work. I didn't know the person and she was a bit embarrassed. But you know these are the same people who will bring their coffee mugs and even the punch bowl used for office parties in the ladies' restroom to wash in those sinks. So, you see there is a big problem. Well, I can't fix the world on the handwashing front. However, you know where you can find some handwipes. At my desk. *lol*

I've got to get ready for work. Take care, have a great day, and wash those suckers. :-)

The Cubicle Chronicles: Part 8

Monday Mornings...

I don't know you about you, but Monday mornings are always tough on me. It really starts somewhere and sometime Sunday afternoon. But let me tell you how much I love Fridays. I love knowing that I don't have to wake up at the break of dawn on Saturday morning, figure out what to wear, and anticipate putting up with a lot of foolishness for the next 8 1/2 hours. The weekend is pregnant with possibilities. I vow to clean my place from top to bottom, to wash all loads of clothing, and to make homemade meals. And the icing on the cake would be to work on applying for a better job.

But now we're back at Monday...I'm dragging my wagon...Again...

Yesterday, why did I run across a couple of blogs where the people have quit their jobs with no new jobs lined up? They simply said that they had enough of their jobs and walked away. They say that they are going to catch up on their sleep, listen to music, travel abroad, and pretty much do anything else they darn well feel like. Must be nice, huh? I sort of want to know who these people are and how they are able to just walk away. They actually claim that they liked their co-workers, but hated the job they've been at that job for 4 or 5 years.

I've been at my job for 16 years now. I started out there just after college. And I just want to say that it's really not that easy to walk away as some suggest. We don't want to jump from the pan to the skillet just to spite someone and show them a thing or two. Another job may not have the same benefits and pay. Many of us have responsibilities. I don't have kids yet, no. But there are bills to pay in this shaky economy. So, I've got to stay until I can find something better. In the meantime, I have to cope with the situation at hand. Please don't get me wrong. I appreciate my job. It just gets to be much when I'm having to do twice as much to get half as much while the thinner lips get higher and higher without experience and education. I kid you not. From the time that I get in the office first thing in the morning, I'm whisked away for my input for impromptu meetings. And many days out of the week, I'm working through my lunch at work and doing overtime minus the extra money.

I'm not alone though. I just vent here. My co-workers are a little more comical in their coping mechanisms. My next door neighbor co-worker cuts in and out of the office to do the least bit of work possible. I wouldn't be surprised to see him lower himself out of the ceiling from a rope to his cubicle Batman-style to put on his fascade. Another co-worker has been wearing a neck collar thingy you see folks wear after getting into an accident. Most of us there don't think she's been in an accident; we believe she just wants attention. When a co-worker asked why she wasn't wearing it, she hurried to put it back on. *sigh* On the job, I just work on Sudoku puzzles during break. All is not doom and gloom. We just have to keep hope alive, pray, look for a brighter day, and aggressively look new jobs...I'm hungry. I better get to my Cheerios.

Well I've got to get ready for work. Take care and have a great day anyway.