Street Dreamers... If I Ruled the World

Umm, yeah, I'm super late. I thought I would have time to post this morning and got caught up with work.

However, to make up for the late Throwback Thursday, I'm giving you a double dose. Both vids come from one of my favorite MC's, Nasty Nas (gov't Nasir Jones). Sidenote: He's one of my lowkey celebrity crushes.. you gotta love an intelligent thug right?

It's '96, and Nas has dropped the "It Was Written" LP. I love it! First single with Ms. Hill "L-Boogie" herself, "If I Ruled the World," in which she provides a simple, but deep hook. I love the way she brings the song in.

Video Moments: Overall the video was hot, the neon colors playing off Nas and L, plus just rolling through NYC "Times Square."

And as much of a fan I was of "Street Dreams," I thought the remix was doper (however, the original video with the "Casino" theme was cool). This time he brought in Arra, samples the Isley Brothers "Choosey Lover" and tells us the tales of the everyday street dreamer.

Video Moments: Love how they kept it simple and still were able to tell a story through the hoods of Queensbridge and the Chi.


If I Ruled The World Feat. Lauryn Hill - Nas

The Guys Are Rolling Too...

Last Friday, my girl and I went out for a drink at an after work networking event at Plush.  Well, I run into an old friend while there. I met him when I first moved to Chicago, and as a young 22 year old, adjusting to the big city, I was busy. Busy in the sense that I had dates lined up every night of the week just about.  I was checking out the scene, doing me.  This guy was cool.. educated, good career, nice car, however things didn't click because he's the quiet type. There's nothing wrong with being the "quiet, shy guy," but it makes it hard for me to connect with you when you don't ask questions and give me one-word answers. You're boring me.. on to the next. I eventually just let it fade out.

We're catching up and he asks, "whatever happened to us?"  I simply give him the response that we didn't end things badly, it was just matter of we just phased out. He wants to hang out from time to time (meaning "let's pick things back up"). No problem, I guess. Maybe things have changed in 4 years.. I'm not convinced but why not?

We go out and hit Tantrum up for $5 martinis last night. Sidenote: If you're ever looking for a swanky spot for good drinks, def hit it up on Mondays. Great martinis, cool atmosphere and they'll play your iPod! Downside is that they don't serve food and you have to order from a spot that delivers.

So back to Tantrum. I'm thinking cool. Haven't been here in a while plus I will have the opportunity to find out if there's a connection between us. Wrong! He invites his homeboy up there to have drinks with us.. and I'm feeling like the third wheel as they talk about sports, video games and their friends. I'm able to hold my own in any situation or conversation, and not look bored.. however it was blowing me that his boy is with us having drinks. If I'd known this, I surely would have invited one of my girls out with us. But wait people, this is not the first time this has happened. When I thought back on our past, he had invited another friend to meet us out.  I'm confused because he has great qualities and I'm wondering does he not feel comfortable in a date setting?  He's 30+ so the group dates or having the boys tag along are a in total violation.  And it is also a total turn-off and I'm not even sure if I even want to move forward with seeing him.

However, what is going on here? Is this man not comfortable to left alone with a woman? Is he just trying to send the signal that a woman in his life will always play 2nd fiddle to his friends?  And if he's inviting friends, why isn't he relaying the message that I can invite some of the girls out?

I'm just tryna get home... 47th Street

Many people may know, but I always seem to have a story about my adventures of taking the #47 bus and Green line to church on Sundays. It really never fails. I recall when venturing to church on Easter Sunday last year, this brotha asked me "since it's the holiday and all, why don't you partake with me in a lil' wine," as he breaks out his flask. Really brotha? On the day that Jesus rose from dying for our sins? My people...

Part 1:
So I'm now addicted to attending 8am service. You can't beat getting the Word first thing in the morning, getting out at 10am and having the entire day to yourself. Yesterday, I'm traveling back home from church, and as I get on the #47 bus, I see most of the passengers eyes glued to a scene outside. The bus driver turns around and says to everybody, "you see they got that boy." Undercover cops have a man hemmed up against a store by the 47th Street Green line station. One cop is choking the brotha, while the other is holding his arms. It's obvious the man is trying to swallow whatever contraband he had on him and they're trying to make sure he doesn't. Next thing I know the man is flailing his arms and legs, kicking at the cops... they continue to break him down and until he vomits up whatever he has in his mouth. A crackhead starts bothering the cops and they have to hit at her. Next thing you know, they have this man cuffed, reading him his rights and scraping up the drugs that he threw up on the ground. I felt like I was watching a scene out of The Wire. Once again... my people.

You are probably wondering why am I able to see all of this. Because the bus driver says "I am running ahead of schedule so we can sit here for a few minutes..." Really brotha? What if something had popped off, where this man's cronies wanted to go out blazing. I don't need that... *sigh*

Part 2:
I am fully aware that 47th street is going through gentrification. It has been since I moved to the Chi four years ago. There are million dollar homes in the area and the area is truly becoming diverse, however I am hoping to know from one of my fellow Chicagoans (or anyone who is very knowledgable about gentrification and how it worked in other cities) why it is taking so long for the area to come full circle.

woot! there it is!

So, I'm a huge fan of eBay when it comes to purchasing electronic items for low prices. And then a friend of mine sent me an email about a "new" site called woot! Everyday, the online store offers an item for a low price. They only sell one item per day until it's sold out or until 11:59pm CST. There's no trying to purchase the next day, as they offer a totally new item, so if you want it, then act fast as they only have a limited amount.

Today's item is a 9.1 megapixel Casio camera for $100. That's actually not bad, especially when I just bought my 8.2 megapixel Fugi camera for the same price a couple of months ago :-/ Sometimes, the items can be truly wack (USB missile launcher, WTH?), but you can come up on some good stuff for the low. I missed out on an iPod sounddock for $30 once.

I would be sure to read the sites terms and policies. In the event, you receive a defective product, it has to be shipped back to the original manufacturer. So definitely check in everyday to see what you can find!

I like 'em... BUT ...

I had dinner and drinks one Sunday with a new friend, and the conversation of settling came up. You know settling for someone who you otherwise wouldn’t date if you had other (better) prospects on the bench, but since he or she is the only one in the line up, you still give the relationship a chance. He informed me that women always seem to date men who are "but's." You know when your friends bring him/her up, you say “I like him/her BUT ” or “He/She’s cool BUT .” There’s that ONE THING you just can’t seem to get over. The latest from one of my girls that has me dying is, “He’s cool BUT he’s an IOTA.” Some may find it to be superficial but one has to wonder why does a young man opt to pledge Iota. (There were other characteristics that my girl used to figure out that he was a total lame).

I’ve encountered just about all: he’s not cute, he’s got 2 kids, he’s short, he’s got hips, he’s got man boobs, he’s not trying to do anything with his life, his no-good daddy lives with him, he can’t hold a decent conversation, he doesn’t have a job. And even after finding out about these “issues” on the 1st or 2nd date, I would continue to give it a chance thinking just perhaps things would turn around or the better qualities will overrule those I don’t care for. NOPE! You end up wasting your time, realizing that it could and would never work. I now result in either a) letting the relationship fade out or b) letting him know he’s cool as the fan and he can be the friend. There have been cases where I was very honest in letting the guy know why we could no longer date and there are those where I gave him the BS excuse (I know, wrong, but I didn’t want to bruise the man’s ego any further).

Who were your “but’s” from past relationships? Did it end up working out in the end? Or did you end up just wasting time? Were you ever direct in why you could no longer date?

Body Rockin' All Night Long!

So this Throwback Thursday edition is dedicated to my homegirl from back home, Tisha and to the memory of lead singer Dino of H-town. Some of you may or may not know but Dino (gov't is Keven Connor) and his girlfriend died in a hit and run car accident on January 28, 2003. Yesterday was the anniversary so I'll go ahead and bless you all with an H-town classic. (R.IP. Dino)

So we're going to zip back in time and the year is like '93 and Mr. Nasty, 2 Live Crew frontman, Luke has discovered 3 young bucks out of Houston, to sing about sexing & loving, loving and sexing. First single, "Knockin' Da Boots." I believe the phrase went on to be used in a Martin episode, and to describe anytime a group of folks got it on (I truly hope no one under the age of 35 is using this phrase). I was all of 11 years old in the sixth grade, and remember singing this song on the bus to and from school, grinding it out to this at school dances and making up dance moves to this song for the talent show. Bad business I tell you!

Video Moments: 1) Luke explaining the meaning of "knockin' da boots" to the reporter, hilarious! 2) Was I the only girl who wanted a baseball jersey? 3) And who is the brotha with the speaking parts? I seriously have no clue! 4) The dance moves - that really slow pump is killing me.

Go ahead and get ya reminscinse on!

Dunks

I like to refer to myself as a girly girl.  Love make-up, heels, jewelry.  However, I now want a pair of Nike Dunks. I've seen other ladies rock them and think they're cute on them.  For example, Teyana Taylor.    I think I'm going to head over to Niketown to try on a pair and see if they're fitting. I've been eyeing the ones below for about a month or so.  Especially, the pair on the right and am thinking about heading over to Niketown to try on to see if I can get away with them.  

What say you?  Fellas, what do you think about ladies rocking Dunks (every now and again)?  Ladies, would you wear?

Dim Sum? Get Some!

So as of January 16, after living in the Chi for four years I have never once ate in Chinatown. Like where have I been and why have I been sleeping on Chinatown!??

My girl Kel and I hit 8am service Sunday and she has a lunch date with one of her colleagues and her associates. I am starving after service so she invites me along for Dim Sum in Chinatown. I am down.. I have yet to eat in Chinatown nor have I tried Dim Sum. Like I've heard of it, but had no clue what it was. It means "Touch of Heart" and is similar to that of Spanish style tapas, where's Chinese appetizers including rolls, dumplings and noodles are served daily during brunch times.

First, can I say that Sunday mornings in Chinatown are the jump off? It took us at least 20 minutes to find a park. People were walking down the street, stopped in the street... I guess Dim Sum on Sunday morning is that deal.

So we go to a restaurant called The Phoenix. Let's just say the wait was extremely long, but since we were late, we were able to sit down immediately with our party. And to top it off, there's no waiting to eat. The ladies are moving through the tables with their carts of dim sum, and since a few of the ladies at the table were natives, they start grabbing dishes off the cart and passing them around explaining what each dish was, what it contained, and if we would like it. I tried fried squid (basically calamari), steamed shrimp dumplings, shomai, veggie pastries, fried pork dumplings, Chinese broccoli, and some other items I really can't recall. The Jasmine tea was pure goodness and I think I got full in a matter of minutes. It was wonderful! Forget Yolk on Sunday morning... I think Dim Sum might have to be a ritual. Plus, who knew that Chinese food could give you the 'itis??!

So I definitely recommend getting Dim Sum in Chinatown. It's fairly cheap (appetizers range from $3-10; for a table of 8, we only spent $20) and filling!

Inauguration Update

Okay, so after weeks of not updating the blog, going to DC, barely getting back, getting sick and finally feeling life is back to normal, I can update you all on my trip to DC for Inauguration. Can I say simply AMAAAAZING! I have to say it is definitely a trip for the books, but outside of that to be on the national mall on Tuesday, January 20 at 12 noon EST and witness the swearing in of the first Black president! PRICELESS! So below is my recount of my 5 day/4 night trip to the District.

Friday:
Day: I get and chill at my neo's spot in the city to chill until T gets in. We meet my BFF, Scott at Alero on U Street for happy hour. Great margaritas, horrible food and service. Get a slight buzz and ready to get the evening popping. Meet some cool folks who worked on the Obama campaign and went to 'house with BFF.

8:00pm: T gets to my neo's place where we decide that Park will be the party of choice for the night.

10:00pm: Park is cool. However, we pull up for valet, and we notice that there are alot of folks from the other persuasion in line. Our girl makes note of this and T questions if we are coming on the right night. We hear Common is supposed to be giving a performance (he did not) and hear our homies from HU have a table, so decide to give up the $40 to get in.

The crowd is definitely one for the movies... all races, ages, sexualities. It's interesting. We find that the crowd is liver on the 2nd floor and head to the bar for a drink. (T and I decide that since we have a 45 min ride to B-more, that we won't be getting tipsy). Run into the HU homies, where we find that the pre-game with Guitar Hero was real. These cats are OOC drunk and it's still the beginning of the night. And to top it off, they are ordering bottles of Cuervo. Who does this? If I could only put into words the kind of madness that these guys were on, you wouldn't believe, so therefore I will just say that designer drugs are not what's up.

We catch glimpses of Common, Will.i.am and Lance Gross fine self. He's just sexy, but he's shorter than I thought he would be. Congrats to him and Eva though. We try to avoid the thirsty ones, you know the guys who just aren't taking "no" as an answer.

Saturday:
Day: T and I go to Columbia Mall to try to find shoes for my formal dress (I was not able to get the tik to the YP4O Gala but was hoping I could come up on one or another gala/ball).

Evening: We ride an hour in the dark to Montogomery Cty, MD to pregame with my BFF. Only to find there's not much drank, and folks are just really chilling. We find out that we were 45 minutes from DC and decide to be out.

Night: We hit Posh and meet up with our Chi-town homie, Cam. It's free and they're playing old school R&B with the hits. Cool! It's also a restaurant, and the food here looked absolutely delicious. I seriously have to try next time I'm in the District. Downfall: It was crowded, too crowded. There was no where to sit or stand. However, I did meet a cutie pie from NYC/Jersey who was cooler than cool.

Late Night: Hit Busboys and Poets for food, where the wait is long but it's one of the only 3 spots that is open late night. Plus, I have to do something that is DC right? As T and I are waiting for our table, and waiting on the rest of our party to arrive, a drunk man falls into me, causing me to stumble. We think that he was struck by someone and fear that a fight is about to break out only to find that he's just extremely drunk. (It's really one of those moments you just had to be there, LOL!) Shaken up, we go to our table only to be waited by the worst server in life. Took her forever to get our orders, she forgot she took our order, forgot folks' meals and tooks over 30 minutes to get our check. Busboys was open for 24 hours inauguration weekend and obviously either wasn't ready for the crowd, or didn't pull their best servers on deck.

Sunday:
Day: Since we got in at 7am, we decided to sleep in until 2. We were supposed to transfer places to stay (from B-more to Montogomery Cty.), we had to take the rental back and figure out a way to get to my girl's crib. Well, we ran into some issues, since we found out that streets were blocked off due to the "We Are One" concert and decided to change at T's girl's spot and go to the new digs later.

Night: Since we don't have to worry about driving, T and I get it started with the pre-game with wine (who knew that DC does not sell liquor on Sundays, and do not sell it in their grocery stores - I want them to do better) and decide tonight is about getting it popping! LOL! We get to our friend's party at Coco Sala, with no wait, no fuss and start partying away! My #7 and her brother are there. The music is hitting and the cuties are all around, plus the Chi-town homies are in the building. What more can you ask for? I have a moment where I lose my camera, however my linesister's brother picks it up and saves the night. We also find out that the girl we were suppose to stay with flakes out on us and we are able to stay with our boy (I absolutely love him...he forever looks out).

Monday:
Day: Another lazy day...and pretty much nothing.

Night: We stay at my neo's. T gets prepped for the gala. Neo and I try to hit Lotus. We stand in line for 20 minutes and it does not move. Did I mention that it was 0 degrees all weekend? I'm impatient, my neo is cold, sowe decide to hit my boy's party at Midtown. It's a light crowd, which is okay with me. It's the last night so I'm okay with it. A new homie buys me a drink and I had already pregamed on the way... however I was coming down with a cold, not enough sleep, not eating right = my body shuts down on me. I get too drunk and have to leave the club and end the night. (Theres more to this story, but details will stay b/w parties involved. I will forever love my neo and be bonded to my new homie).

Tuesday:
8:00am: I wake up to find out that my my phone is now in the hands of the new homie (I was happy it wasn't lost, because I always manager to lose phones) and manage to pull it together to put on 3 layers to stand on the mall for the swearing in. We get to the train station to find that the line to get on, looks like you'd thought they were giving away free money (I know there was an extra 2 million people in the city but don't think DC properly prepared). We take the train one stop to find out that we will have to walk the rest of the way. The amount of people we see on our way to the mall is unreal!

10:30am:
We make it to the mall and we are by the National Monument. But we have a clear view of the jumbotron. We find out that we are standing near Clifton Davis, brotha from Amen. The energy is amazing. People are chanting, holding up their "Arrest Bush" signs, and rocking their Barack-a-wear. We boo when Bush comes up on the screen and chear when they flash to Obama. It's amazing... we're cold, but we try not to let it faze us. And then the moment comes... Chief Justice Roberts asks the Senator if he's ready to take the oath. The moment President Obama raised his hand and said the words "I Barack Hussein Obama" I start crying. Everyone starts cheering. I look over and see T is crying and we hug each other. It is now complete! His speech was amazing.. he told Bush about himself and told the American people what he plans to do. The minute the helicopter whisked Bush away everyone cheered and waved good-bye. Everyone was on cloud 9.

12:30pm: We walk from the mall to the train station. It took us 2 hours to do this.

3:00pm: We get food, T looks for memorabilia, and we venture back to get packed up and to the airport. We missed our flights but figured we would be able to get out that night and back to work Wednesday.

7:00pm: We get to the airport to find out our flights were practically the last flights out that day and would have to leave out in the morning. T was able to get the last seat on a US Airways flight that had a layover in Philly. United basically tells me I'm S.O.L. However, since my flight was on US Airways to NYC and then my connect put me on United, I talk to US. I was at the counter for over an hour but brotha man worked it out so that I had a seat on the flight from Philly to Chicago but had to fly standby on the flight out of BWI to Philly.

Talk about being on an emotional rollercoaster when you fly standby. You can only hope someone didn't set their alarm or got lost on the way to the airport so you can snatch up their seat... and it happened. I was able to snatch up 1 of 2 seats that were available. Yes! God definitely answers prayers.

Like I said, a trip for the books. Good times all around! The crazy things we encountered in addition to the swearing in are unimaginable. However, I only wish I'd known that if I was going to miss our flights and not leave out until Wednesday that I had gone to the Neighborhood Ball. I had gotten asked by my boy's boy on Monday to go..ah well! Next time maybe.

I will close with saying it feels great to be an American :)

Random Thoughts: Inauguration

So I'm excited about my first trip in '09. Inauguration! I will be in DC with millions of other people to hopefully witness the swearing in of President-elect Obama. Besides the partying searching of boo-tentials, the crew of folks I'll be going with have signed up to do some volunteering during the inaugural weekend. Even more exciting.

As I prepare for my trip...here are some of my random thoughts about the weekend/trip.

1. I have lots to accomplish before taking off. Getting clothes dry cleaned (and getting clothes out of the cleaners), washing clothes, figuring out what I'm going to do with my hair, finding a formal gown, finding a duffle bag for my shoes and making sure I have everything I need before I take off. I almost wish I was taking a half day on Thursday just to get a head start on everything. I feel like I need a day to prepare. Especially this formal gown madness. I've been on Macy's website and the few dresses I like, aren't in store :-/

2. Because I need to prepare for so much, I'm thinking that I may have to work out in the morning to compensate for more time in the evenings. I must keep at it.

3. I hate that I won't be getting much sleep the night before, but I really am glad that I have a 6am flight. I can get some sleep once I get there, get a mani/pedi, and get a preview of the cuties I will see for the entire weekend. But the best reason..in the event that O'hare is on some bull, I have all day to get to DC. It looks like the weather will be working in our favor, Chi-town.

4. I really wish my cousin, Korey lived in Chicago. Not only would he do my hair on a weekly basis, he'd be hooking it up this week. Since I'm trying to get this sew-in done before Friday, the best option I have come by is that I get it sewn in for $40 and I have to go to someone else to get it braided. It sounds like it's going to be a 2 day affair. I have a layover in NYC and I have really thought about just staying in NY for morning to get my hair done by cuzo and then taking the Chinaman bus to DC. Since I'm not carrying on, that option isn't going to work.

5. I'm trying to prepare for the worst..back up outfits, keeping water on deck, transportation to and from destinations. I think I can put the thought of being on time anywhere in the very back of my mind.

6. I wonder since DC will be seeing an extra 2 million people, how will phone signals be working. Like will calls be going straight to voicemail, text messages be lost.

7. Besides the people from Chicago I'm rolling with and my soror who I'm staying with, I hope folks don't think I'm trying to make plans to hook up or see them. Unless you rolling to the same parties, I'll catch you later.

8. The top 5 questions I expect to have to answer all weekend: 1) Where you from? 2) Where you staying? 3) Who are you here with? 4) What you getting into tonight? 5) What are you getting into after this?

9. I expect sit down restaurants to have waiting times out the wazoo...like 2 hours and such. I wouldn't even bet on making reservations.... since I'm inpatient and not about waiting when I'm hungry, I'm okay Mickey D's and Popeye's.

10. I think I may not make my flight back to the Chi. B/w traffic, the crowd on the capitol, and just not in a rush, I'm okay with getting to Chicago the next day (hopefully).

11. I am going to need a couple months to bounce back after all the money I plan to drop on eating, partying, formal dress, this weekend. I'm already at $300 and counting. The next trip won't be until April. Don't ask me about All Star weekend, or any getaway trips (unless it's a ski trip-I am trying to do that and will find the money for it).

12. To piggyback off #7, I have a feeling that I will run into folks that I'm not tryna see. Mainly ex-flames. I need some mercy on me and hope the ex love of my life stays far far away.

13. I wonder what celebrity sightings (if any) I will have.

14. I somewhat just want to bar/club hop in Adams Morgan... I don't think any place will be a bad look.

15. DC has extended last call until 4am... debauchery!

So Anxious....

Okay so this Throwback Thursday comes super duper late..I was really wrecking the brain on what I should give y'all.

So while at home my girl, who has a 14 year old sister, brought up that her sister has posters of Akon, Souljah Boy and Chris Brown around her room. C Breezie gets a pass because lil' youngin' is a cutie pie, but Akon?! Now watch me yule kid??? In the words of T, ick!

We soon came to realize that the young girls really don't have any guys to drool over. My mentee told me she loves Weezy (again, ick!). We then began to remininsce on the men of our day. Tyson, Will Smith, Immature (my girl says Batman was the deal, I don't know about it), D'Angelo, Usher. But the main one, Ginuwine! Ah yes...light bright, with the curly hair.

Thanks to Playa (Static Major), Timbaland and Missy, Elgin had two solid albums (a decent third). One of my favorite songs, "So Anxious." And since I'm "so anxious" for this week to end, and to get to DC next Friday, I'll hit you with the video.

Video Moments: The dance sequence at the end...the umbrella with the moonwalk?! I forgot the boy could dance

A Different Me...

(Being the lover of music that I am, I've decided that I will begin posting music reviews.)

I've had this album on repeat on the iPod for the past few days. I love it! I will admit I haven't been the biggest Keysh fan. I dug her very first single with 'Ye "I've Changed My Mind," and the "Last Night" single with Diddy was a banger, but I always felt like she was just screaming and hollering. Plus, I thought she was trying to bit MJB's flava, with the whole "he did me wrong, I don't want to live another day" love songs.

Yet, Keysh has stepped her game up. First, she has gone from looking like this to this. Get it girl! Major upgrade. I think her stylist (who I heard is Rihanna's) should win some sort of award. And she's been taking some vocal lessons, because there's a softer edge (to her style) and her voice.

So back to the CD...it's definitely a different vibe from her previous two albums. Instead of singing love's heartache, heartbreak and pain...she sings of love and relationship's joys this time around. I can typically just put the CD on play and just listen, but my favorites are "Thought You Should Know," "Brand New," "Please Don't Stop," "Erotic" and "Beautiful Music." Her attempt at Tina Turner's "Make Me Over" is awful (but it's her favorite song on the CD according to her show). However, she brought some quality producers(Kwamer, The Runners, Polow) on board to make a pretty solid AND sexy album.

I say pick it up, or take a listen over at imeem, when you have the chance.

Feeling Stressed?

The holidays have left you feeling a little stressed, you're back to the grind at work and the recession has you and everyone else worried about money...

Well, my personal trainer (wink wink, lol) has informed me that the Massage Therapy school at Everest College offers FREE massages Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 2-6pm. They're located at 247 S State St (at Jackson) on the 5th Floor. You can pretty much just walk in, but you want to arrive 30 minutes before the time you'd like your hour massage to begin. This helps in guaranteeing you a massage and you have to fill out release forms since these are students performing the services. I hear that some of the students are pretty good, but if you think that a student isn't putting enough "umph" into their technique, don't be afraid to let them know.

I plan on checking them out on a day off or during a lunch break sometime this month, but if you get around to trying them, please send me your feedback!

It's a New Year!

So I've been on a crazy hiatus. Went home to the 'bus for the holidays, no 'net at home and crazy busy at work, therefore no time to complete drafts and update the blog. However, I have a tiny bit of down time right now.

I am excited about the new year. Despite the current recession, I feel that '09 is going to be a great one. Our 44th president soon to take office, things are going to turn around for our country in due time.

But by the time Thanksgiving rolled around, I think I was over '08, lol. Time for some changes and putting the game plan into action for the goals I hope to accomplish (financially, spiritually, physically and professionally).

I went to dinner with a friend the other night and he said his goal for '09 is to really just push himself further. Instead of doing the 75 that gets him by, he's going to put in that 110 to get to the next level that he wants to be in life. It truly resonated with me because we often get so complacent with where we stand in life that we forget that we ought to do more, do our best. So I went ahead and added that to my list of goals, along with being on time to functions, strengthening my relationship with God and giving more of my time to volunteering/community service efforts.

So what are you hoping to accomplish in '09?

Have a Very Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas folks! I know have been off the blogging scene lately but it's due to 1) work has been crazy on my end, and 2) I am currently transitioning the 'net from Comcast to Verizon so am not able to log on at home. But since I'm at home in the 'bus, I have some free time on my hands to finish up a couple drafts I have been working on.

So this Throwback Thursday I am dedicating to the holiday. TLC's "Sleigh Ride" off the '93 LaFace Christmas album. Such a catchy song, and this is around the time when the girl group first dropped. Loved them and still do!

Video Moments: The condoms on the overalls. T-Boz singing flat. How did she get away with it? RIP Left Eye.

Company Partying

It is Friday afternoon, and I am still feeling the effects of last night's company holiday party. From 6-11, at Martini Park, co-workers enjoyed food (well I didn't, more on that later), drinks, music and each other's company. I am seriously trying to figure out how I am functioning today. I seriously woke up at 7:37am, and hadn't set nan alarm, somehow pulled myself together and made it to the office today. I ran out at lunch to get a 3 piece, biscuit and some fries from Popeye's and ran into a co-worker in the elevator. We looked at each other and immediately laugh because we know we are both still out of it.

This is my 3rd company holiday party (2nd as an employee), and I have to say that my company tries to pull out all the stops for parties. Open bar, good food. The music is always a hit or miss but we still kick it. However, last night's party made me realize there are some "Do's and Don'ts" to company holiday partying or just company functions in general.

Do bring your significant other and if they're hot, do flaunt them around.
- One of my co-workers brought her fine a$$ Aussie boyfriend last night. He could be David Beckham's little brother. He had the down under accent. Goodness! He had us girls swooning. Co-worker knew, and she was loving it, lol. I had to dap her up and give her the "go girl" because she had a winner. I should have asked if he had any brothers and if they plan on moving to America. This makes me realize that when I do decide to bring an actual date to the party, can I top that? I'm going to have to find my Idris soon! Plus, who knew the Aussies were doing it like that... besides Dr. Troy from Nip/Tuck (I love him!) I should've went to Australia with T & D. (Disclaimer: This is just me being really silly right now but I do need to find Idris)

Don't allow your boyfriend to say inappopriate comments to your co-workers.
-So one of my co-workers brought her obnoxious BF as her guest (and he brought his boy; how does your guest invite a guest?). So as we're standing at the bar, he tells me that I look like Rihanna. It's the hair I tell him. His boy agrees and comments that he loves Rihanna. Woopty do. Then boyfriend goes, "but man she's a darker skinned Rihanna." Really!? I immediately turned up my face and walked away. T comes over to me and tells me that he was asking about her hair (which was pulled back in a fro), "when she picks it out does it get big?" Again, really?! He was totally out of order! I suggest you make sure you keep an eye on your BF if you know he gets out of pocket, or don't invite him at all!

Do take advantage of the open bar
-Open bar for 4-5 hours? Includes top shelf? Not just beer & wine. Get yo' drink and 2 step on. I was definitely throwing a pear 'tini back every half hour.

Don't overdo it at the bar
-Yes, you can have unlimited drinks all night, but don't go shot for shot, or try to drink someone under the table. Pace yourself. You don't want to be known as "that guy" or "that girl" who didn't keep it together at the holiday party. I can typically hold my liquor, but a few of my co-workers and I were having conversations, and they started doing the emotional talk. You know the "I looove you" and they're yelling even though you're standing next to them.

Do make your presence known at the party
-I know you see these folks for 8 (if not 10) hours a day, 5 times a week however you're out of the office, so be sure to chop it up with them.

Don't show up late
-The company party was from 6-11. My girl and fellow co-worker made the decision to go home (we both live south) and get fabulous for the evening. We don't need to be there right at 6 right? Wrong. We showed up at 8:30 only to find no food. Now this was about the same time we arrived last year. We were able to grub on calamari and sliders before we got our drink on. Not this year. Food was gone 'cept the dessert which consisted of donut holes. We both were HUNGRY. Like I couldn't wait to eat. We talked to the host and the manager. Found out food was snatched up at 8 and that if we wanted to eat we would have to PAY for it. Damn! Like that? I don't know about y'all but when I haven't/don't eat, I have a 'tude. Like I become evil. Can't be evil around the co-workers, so I decided to go to the bar and get a drink to calm down. I did throw back a few of those donut holes to hold myself over. So I say to you, if you trying to eat and the company might be on some cutback/recession type ish, show up at your function on time!

Do get your boogie on
-If the music's good, dance. If it's not, still find the beat and rock to it. It's always a good time to dance with co-workers and see who's got rhythm and who needs lessons.

Don't drop it like it's hot
-Yeah, they might have put on Flo-Rida or Ursha, but that does not mean you let your knees hit the elbows. At our summer function, a couple of the co-workers were getting low, bent over. I mean it is still a work function people! Let it be known that it's your joint, but still..keep it classy.

But all in all, do party like a rockstar :)

Let It Snow

Since the Chi has been experiencing a white December this week (we're expecting up to 9 inches between tonight and tomorrow!), I decided to dedicate this Throwback Thursday to the weather. Boyz II Men ft. Brian McKnight's "Let it Snow." Doesn't this song just make you feel all warm and fuzzy inside, and excited about the Christmas season? I know it just solidified my excitement to go home for the holiday. There aren't many R & B Christmas songs, and this is one of favorites (not sure if it's a classic quite yet).

Video Moments: The matching 'fits. Those sweaters are a guaranteed winner for any ugly Christmas sweater party. The mustard yellow TAPERED LEG pants with WHITE SOCKS (or are they cream?)... hot mess, lol.

Mama

I am a mama's girl. So when it comes time to Christmas, Mother's Day, and other special days, I try to spoil my mama. However this year, I am having the hardest time trying to figure out what to get her for Christmas. This is a woman that I have bought everything you can think of ... PJs, shoes, electric toothbrush, jewelry, clothes, perfume. You name it, I think I've bought it.

So I'm trying to think of some things out the box and that won't cost me too much however she can appreciate. There is a recession and I'm trying to save. Here are a few that I've thought about: a gift certificate to a spa for a massage, a voucher towards a flight, or I was thinking of a mantage of small items (lip gloss, a scarf, a book, etc.) I'm sure my presence at home for a week is more than enough but still want to get her something :)

I Got that Goose

As many of you know I'm on my workout grind...up to four times a week now (yeah!). So today, personal trainer cutie offered to give me a ride home since he drove to work. Well, he parked in the South Loop (southern area of downtown for my non-Chicagoans). But I wasn't complaining since I'd be in a warm vehicle (and he owes me BIG time) instead of waiting for the bus in the frigid air. In order for us to get to where he parked, we have to jump on the red line. Now, the red line going and coming anywhere between South and downtown can be quite an adventure (as well as the Green line, which I have great stories from riding to and from church).

So we're sitting across from each other chatting it up, this brotha with a large coat proceeds to move so that he's now sitting next to us. Trainer and I both give each other the "ok, what he want?" eye. Brotha proceed to ask, "yall drink?" Trainer answers "naw man." Brotha proceeds to say as he brings a fifth of Goose out the inside of his coat, "oh ok, 'cause I'm about to say, what yall need, cause I got it. Goose, Remy, Henn, and it's half off." And like that he brings out a fifth of Remy, Henn along with the Goose. I immediately crack up laughing because never have I seen a brotha selling liquor. We all know that brothas be on their hustle in the Chi. Socks, washcloths..DVDs, CDs. I have even been in the beauty salon and some ladies came in selling panties from H & M. Yes, panties!

But I digress. So, Trainer humors him and says, "so how much you selling that Goose for?" Hustleman: "It's $35 but for you $20." Trainer goes on to explain that he doesn't have enough cash on him, and Hustleman proceeds to bring out a 1/2 of Goose saying "well if you can't afford the 1/5 I got the 1/2 and the small bottle. I even got Absolute," as he goes in a pocket and brings out a small bottle of regular Abso, and turns to me and says "I know the girls can't handle the strong stuff so I got the Citrus for you." He speaks of Absolute Citron. At this point, my head is down and my laugh is muffled. And, I'm not sure if I'm laughing at the fact that Hustleman is selling liquor, he called Citron citrus (I know it's the same thing, but he said it so seriously), or that he was able to walk around with all those bottles of liquor! He had to have had at least 10 bottles on him..but I guess if he was breaking a sweat, he was probably keeping him warm in this darn cold.

You gotta love Chicago right?

On Repeat on my iPod

Common ft. Kanye - Punch Drunk Love

So when 'ye and Com' get on a track together, how can one lose? I absolutely love this song. From 'ye's hook "I awwwready know I'm too fly" to Com's line "I knock and I knock girl, can I come inside." Hopefully this is the next release from his album....