Need Some Sushi in Your Life?

This one is for all of my sushi heads. I recently did drinks and apps with an old co-worker who told me that there's a sushi restaurant that's offering a helluva bargain during these recession times. Koi and Chen's (two separate locations) are offering $20 off when you spend $30.. say huh, say what?! Yes, you can leave with a $10 bill people. The offer expires Tuesday, the 7th, but definitely try to take advantage. To print off the coupon, click on the link below. Enjoy!

http://www.dailycandy.com/chicago/deal/42565

Sweat It Out...

Monday night, I conquered my first session of yoga, and not just regular yoga... bikram yoga. Thanks to TFG, she posted info about Bikram City recently and I felt compelled to check it out. I've been hearing wonderful things about how yoga helps with circulation, flexibility and with the $29 special they have going on, I couldn't resist.


After running to Marshall's to cop a mat, some workout gear I trucked it over to the location. You have to wait for the previous class to finish before being able to go up. The place and the locker rooms are tiny. My thoughts on bikram yoga. Intense... but I loved it! For 90 minutes in 105 degree room, you go through 26 positions. And each pose prepares your body for the next. The great thing about the heat is that it loosens your muscles so that you can easily get into each poseI did not like that I was in front; the more experienced yogites typically are positioned in the front of the room so those beginners can see the proper technique. And also, the fact that since the class was probably maxed out, we were on top of each other.. eeew! But the freeze pops that we got afterwards made up for it... ahh! Takes me back to my childhood.

So here's a few tips:
1) Make sure you have a mat, towel (catches the sweat), and a big bottle of water.

2) Dress less... since it's so hot, I would encourage you to be in shorts and a tank. Fellas - shorts.

3) Arrive early. Give your body time to adjust to the temp and get centered.

4) Don't overdo it. The instructor will let all beginners know that if you feel dizzy, SAT DOWN!

5) You have to leave your shoes at the doors so if you don't like walking barefoot, make sure you have socks.

I seriously am feeling the after effects today.. my legs are killing but I loved how I felt after leaving there. Refreshed and less stressed. I say definitely check the spot out. (I copied a couple of add'l yoga articles because I'm sure I missed some vital information.

http://www.buffalorising.com/2009/03/a-hot-time-at-yoga.html#SlideFrame_0

http://www.lemondrop.com/2008/12/19/my-first-time-hot-yoga/

Knock You Down

I'm definitely feeling Keri Hilson right now. The chick's swag and talent is just killing! Totally love her...

So this song is playing on repeat right about now.. the fact that she has 'Ye and Ne-Yo on the track makes it event hotter. I decided to embed the vid instead of just giving you the track.

Social Networking: Friend or Foe?

"Are you on Twitter?" This is a question my mom asked me via e-mail the other day. And even though I am, I couldn't help but be shocked that my mom would possibly be on it and wondered why. The woman is private and doesn't have that much going on in her life to update her status every 2-5 minutes. (I'm still trying to understand Twitter.. I'm just not there yet).

The world of social networking has taken over the World Wide Web. From blogging, to Facebook to Linked In, you're able to snag a date to possibly snagging a job. However, it's more than that. You get a glimpse into total strangers, associates and even your colleagues' lives. You find out where people kicked it over the weekend, see photos from their most recent vaca, who they're in a relationship with, where they're working, etc, etc. But how much information is too much information?

I heard about this story, listening to the radio the other day and thought "well damn." No information is safe. (I seriously sometimes wonder if the information I put on my own blog will possibly jeopardize some relationships, friendships or my job.) And we should know this by now, but when will people stop divulging information including their inner most thoughts? And will we ever stop caring? Because don't front, you're "stalking" your boo-tential, your frenemies and whoever else's life you want to not care about. I wish we could go back to the old way of communicating. No one e-mails or calls anymore. It's all about messaging, poking and tweeting. Information is misconstrued and people think the random guy I'm hugged up on is my BF while he's just a prop for my photo. And damn the honesty box... why can't you just tell a mutual friend that you got a crush on me, why must I guess???!!

Sitting around with a couple of my girls, one stated that "Facebook and all of these social networking sites are a ploy by the government to know what you're doing at any given moment." As funny and silly as this sounds.. you can't help but think.. is it true?

I've often thought about taking a hiatus from FB and the likes but I won't - as much as I hate that I can't make it through the day without checking in.. still gotta love it.

I'm Baaaack...

Okay folks, sorry for the oh so long hiatus. Being in Dallas for a week and then spending another week recuperating, definitely left me with little to no time to update the blog.

My thoughts today:
1) March Madness sucks... the NCAA tourney gods did not show me favor after the Sweet Sixteen Round. Boooo! Talk about going from 1st place in the company pool to now being 6th, and now it doesn't event matter. Pitt and Louisville both choked. I was definitely hoping to come up on some extra money. On to the next..
2) I totally hate Chicago weather. From the 30 degree temps, to the random thundertorms Saturday night, to the got damn wintery mix Sunday morning (WTH is a wintery mix anyway), only to clear up by the afternoon. Chicago weather is so bipolar! I need a warm weather vaca ASAP!
3) I so wish I had the option of working from home. I'm having a case of the Mondays and I'm just glad I have a 4 day week.. hope your week gets off to a better start!

Texas Baby!

So folks I'm in Dallas for work this week. Not sure how exciting it will be but I def plan on trying some barbeque, hopefully check out a rodeo and take in the Texas scene. 

I hope to have some full details and a full week of posts next week.

Yeezy's New Breezy

As of late, the homie Ye has been toting video vixen Amber Rose around. As much as I'd like to get into old girl's past and what their relationship is based on... I won't. What I want to talk about is how Ye is upgrading this chick's style. Well, let me be more specific and say that her shoe game is killing! Everytime I venture to a blog and they're spotted, he's got her stuntin' on 'em. Her outfits are typically horrid, but nonetheless I can't hate on what she has on her feet. Here a few pics of favorites... plus I just peeped that BeBe has a knock-off of the tan sandals that I'm thinking about copping.

I Like the Waaaay...

So besides David Koresh, Waco's only other claim to fame is the R & B group, Hi-Five. Can I just say that I LOVED Hi-Five, especially Tony Thompson (R.I.P.) I had their greatest hits CD (I'm not sure if three albums qualify for a greatest hits CD, but I sure did have it) and knew all of their songs by heart. About 3/5 of the group were cuties, and with Teddy Riley's production they had some classic hits. "Quality Time," "She's Playing Hard to Get," but my favorite was "I Like the Way (Kissing Game)." I was all of probably 8 years old when this came out but it's so innocent and sweet. Makes me think of my first crush, Charles Clark. Ah, the grade school memories!

Video Moments: 1) The dance intro at the beginning - we seriously would be at recess doing this as part of our dance routines. 2) Are there jackets really only closed by one button? 3) What's with the juggling of the fire?

Back, Back

I have this thing about personal space. Mainly with strangers. Well, even if I know who you are but don't really know you, I do need you to not be all in my area. However, if I know you or I'm trying to get to know you (haaay boo!), then no problem.

However, I have come to find out that personal space may be a cultural thing. I am beginning to find that that when I'm out among "my" people, that I don't have to worry about getting extra breath in my face or turning around and damn near knocking you over. For example, I go to J & J's last night to pick up a dinner, and folks are spaced out, waiting their turn. There isn't even a formal line, however people know who's before them and when it's their turn. No one's breathing down another person's back trying to put that order in for some catfish... people are respecting the personal space.

Now fast forward to today. I ran out to grab lunch at Subway, it's packed to the point that the line is almost out the door. Also, there's a formal line. However, as I am in line, the man behind me is on my back to the point if I were to try scratch my back, I would elbow him in his rib cage. And he would probably look at me like I'm in the wrong but he's not respecting my area.

I really think there are only certain places that being pressed up on total strangers is okay.

The Club
-Since the majority of clubs (or should I say restaurants since promoters often do not utilize actual clubs) are small in size and the fact that doormen are going to violate the crowd capacity, booty bumping with someone you don't know is going to happen. You prepare yourself as you are getting dressed and pre-gaming that this will occur. Therefore, as you are at the bar trying to get that Goose and Cran, and brotha man next to you is pushing his way up, you can't even get mad. It's the club promoters faults.

The Concert (General Admission Only)
-More than likely, you are in groupie/fan mode and are trying to get as close to the stage as possible to see your favorite artist. You got the digi or the cell out trying to capture the beads of sweat on the forehead and feel the bass in your body. And you can't really get mad at the chick behind you screaming "I want to have your baby," because low key.. you thinking the same thing. And you can't lie.. you want to hold his hand. However, at concerts where there is assigned seating, I don't need to feel any part of your body across the seat.

Wherever Obama Is
-He's our (Black) President. He's wonderful. He's great. He's awesome. He's the homie. Enough said.

Festivals/Fairs
-We all know the Taste is jam packed the entire two weeks it goes on. The city of Chicago, the state of Illinois, folks from across the country come into town for it. It's national. All ages, races are out.. so yeah, you're going to feel somebody bump you with a stroller and it's going to take you 20 minutes to get to the next booth. *sigh*

How do you feel about personal space? Did I miss some venues where it's acceptable?

Rocking My Red Pumps...

In honor of National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, my girl KB and fellow blogger Luvvie have birthed The Red Pump Project, an initiative to help educate and promote awareness about the virus. If you notice, the red pump widget in my sidebar, myself and 95 female bloggers have joined the cause to show our support and help to make a difference. We are often oblivious to how this disease affects our communities, until it hits home. It's important that we create dialogue and read up on how the disease if affecting those around us. Below are a few statistics that I found shocking.
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*The largest number of HIV/AIDS diagnoses during recent years was for women aged 15–39
*HIV the leading cause of death for black women (including African American women) aged 25–34 years.
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You can visit the The Red Pump Project site above as well as the Center for Disease Control's website to find more information regarding statistics pertaining to HIV/AIDS. Let's make sure we continue to wrap it up and that we know our status. And ladies, as much as we want to depend on the fellas to be carrying protection, it's always best that you have your own on deck.

KB and Luvvie will be hosting The Red Pump Happy Hour this evening. Details below.

Plush Restaurant & Lounge
1104 W. Madison
Time: 6:30 - 9pm
(1/2 off bottles of wine & 1/2 off pizza!)

I Wish I Was A Kid Again...

With the current state of the economy and all the other problems I'm having in my life, I have been reflecting on my childhood a lot lately.

As I was reading the RedEye this morning, I learned that the Barbie doll turned 50 today. I often forget that Barbie has been around for so long, but I then began to think about how I used to have about every Barbie. Hawaiian, the special Christmas edition. I even had the life-size Barbie head where you could do her hair and makeup. I ended up cutting my Barbie's hair really short. My mom called it destructive, I called it letting my inner creativity shine through. Besides Barbie, Cabbage Patch dolls (my favorite was the Crimp 'n Curl) and my Easy Bake Oven were my favorite toys. It's probably the reason I love to bake to this day. However I now wonder (and even a bit concerned) as to why and how a lightbulb could heat some batter up until it was a cake. Pure genious!

So what were some of your favorite toys as a kid? What couldn't you leave the house with or you just begged your parents for for Christmas?

Taboo Proposal

So a male friend of mine sent this video to me on Facebook. I really wish there was a way for me to embed the video on my blog but I'm not able to but the link is below.

http://www.facebook.com/p.php?i=517878988&k=53A3XYVX3V5M5BFBRKY2PQ


(If you're not able to view the video: Basically, at a get together/game party, this brotha proposes to his now fiance' via a game of Taboo.) I think this is SO cute. Yay for Black love! What did have me a bit concerned was the lack of enthusiasm by the woman. I'm wondering if it's just her being shy and knowing that her friends and loved ones were there.


I had been quite indifferent to public engagements, but I have to say this one is quite nice.

Can I Get Some Professionalism Please?

So in the past few weeks, I have been observing that people are lacking in giving quality customer service or acting professional. I like my service with a smile, a "thank you" and "have a great day." I don't want to feel rushed, I want you to act like my problem or issue is your top priority and damnit, I want to feel appreciated. In the past few weeks, here are some of my gripes with customer service especially when in OUR community.

Hair Salons

Oh yes, ladies. We liked to get the hair whipped on a weekly basis, however with this recession, I have limited my trips to the salon to a) special occasions, b) cuts/trims, and c) relaxers. I have to say that I can't stand going to the salon because for some odd reason, I am stuck there for at least 4 hours, for you to do something to my head that I could probably done with much effort. I've had stylists run out of the salon for weed breaks, food breaks, leaving me wet in the chair. Let me not get started on those who can't multi-task, basically talk on the phone while you do my hair (even though you shouldn't be talking anyway!) This is basically enough to let me know that I will never come back to you again. And as much as I like salon talk/gossip I truly hate when stylists, barbers and shampoo girls can't have a conversation without cursing. And why are you hollering? I was at the salon this week and the shampoo girl decided to tell a story where I think every other word was "f---," "s---" and "motherf----." And the stylist was caught up in this talk as well... killed the entire experience especially since she failed to really wow me with my hair. I won't be returning.

My Apartment Building

*sigh* Most people know the problems and gripes I have. Broken elevators, flooding in bathroom, heat too high, heat not even on. I am currently at Starbucks writing this post because my apartment is probably 20 degrees right now. I slept with the stove on, only to wake up several times throughout the night and my face was ice cold :-/ Regardless, I live in Hyde Park, can our building get upgraded. Can I not worry about getting stuck in the elevator for 30 minutes? Or if a storm comes through, can my water not go out along with my electricity? And when I call for maintenance requests, can I not get an attitude and not wait a full week for them to be done?!

Retail Associates

This comes from my recent adventure to Forever 21 this week. I'm starting to see that there's a trend in the hiring for the Forever 21 on Michigan and State St. Too young, lack of professionalism. However as I was there this past week, and in my efforts to try on some items. I had to wait because the girl wanted to continue to put clothes back on the hanger, and once I was done trying on clothes, I had to again wait because she decided to show her friend her "model walk." Really? We are in Forever 21. Not the catwalk sweetie, let's get it together.

So what have been some of your gripes with customer service?

 

Drinks on Me?

So it's girl night out. My partner in crime, KK and I have decided to not just have a drink with our dinner.. we'll have drinks after.  We hit up Tantrum in the SoLo to have a nightcap and wait on "what" may occur.  

To be honest, not everyone is on Tantrum like that.. and I think it's because 1) it's the SoLo, and 2) they don't serve food.  Therefore, it's thin. But I'm trying to wind down my trying day with a few beverages. 

As we're chopping it up over our first round of drinks, the bartender walks over with another set of drinks, saying "from the guy at the end of the bar." So one of the only 5 brothas in the spot decided to buy us drinks.  Smooth play.. in my eyes, as the homie Ice-T would say.. it's real player.

I know the deal.. I have to walk down and strike up a convo with this brotha and thank him for the drinks. He's not that attractive but I'm impressed by homie's play.  I really could care less about his intentions so I walk down and chat it up with my man and find out his whole deal only to find out he's 23. Yes, baby boy is a younging. However, I become even more impressed, because how many young boys you know can play the game like this?  KK and I are both inching towards 30.. and when I returned to tell KK the info I found out.. she immediately got up and shook the brotha's hand. Hey, I would have "wiped him down" but we were in Tantrum...

My homie T just did a blog not too long ago on ladies making the conversion. Basically, ladies being able to get a drink out of a man.  I've never been one stressed for a lil' "situation," however brothas how do you make your play? When do you make your play? And why? 

I have to say homie asking the bartender what we were having is more impressive than you having your bottle and letting me drink off of it (sorry, it is!) So let me know what other creative ways you've bought a woman a drink..etc.! (it's midnight and I'm blogging!)

Shhh....The Bomb Baby!

Umm.. it's like uber late... but it's been quite the day and it's midnight and I'm drunk but I still need to give you all a throwback video. 

So I feel like I'm on this HS kick... so it's my sophomore year and I've just transferred to another high school.  Something for the People have dropped "My Love is the Shhh.." with Jesse Powell's baby sisters, Trina & Tamara.  Kick ass beat with some dope lyrics.  But who in HS, is really telling their boo or ex-SO that they won't find another's as good as yours? I mean really?  But it's the jam!

Video Moments: 1) The "don't stop, get it, get it" with the dance breakdown is hot.  2) Fellas from Something for the People didn't look like much :-(. 3) They could've kept the Girl 6 intro spin-off.

Dear Summer...

I can't wait til the heck you get here! *sigh* It's a rainy day, and I'm so ready for warm weather. We experienced a heat wave last week, and talk about excitement. The warmth of the air, the smell... ahh. So what are you looking forward to this summer?

For me, it's the dining and drinks outside, and the cookouts. Since my birthday falls on Memorial Day weekend, I'm thinking of having a big cookout on somebody's rooftop (if you know of a rooftop I should look into, please holla at your girl). Other items: regular pedicures, cute sandals, colorful bright tops and dresses, daylight until 9 p.m., and most importantly my beautiful bronze color! I'm so pale right now, I've actually considered hitting a tanning salon. WOMP!

I know we have some to go...it's only mid February, but I couldn't resist. What can't you wait to do this summer?

Won't you be my...

The day of love has finally arrived! Happy Valentine's Day y'all! Hope you have dates lined up and get showered with love. :-)

And I've had this song on repeat all week. Absolutely love it! (BTW, you should def cop his album)

Enjoy sweets!

Valentine - Ryan Leslie

Gifts

One of my homegirl's from college celebrated her 25th birthday the other day. She's pretty lucky for it be so close to V-day. But she's seeing this new guy and for her birthday, he sent her a dozen roses, cooked her dinner (which included mussells and shrimp and rice pilaf) and took the time to find out, through her friend, her favorite bakery in which he ordered her cupcakes. Talk about WOW! He's definitely a keeper.

So I got to thinking about some of my best gifts. One of my ex flames I was dating last year, I went to visit him in Philly for New Year's. New Year's night he surprised me with an airline ticket to Memphis and a ticket confirmation for the Jill Scott concert. Talk about I just about cried. Anyone who knows me, knows I love Jilly from Philly. And I had yet to see my girl in concert... it was my birthday present and the best gift I have received. (Wondering why I didn't see her in Chicago? Memphis was her last show, and typically performers go all out for their last shows.)

A close second is from a guy who I had been seeing on and off for about five years. He was Ghanaian and went over to Ghana to meet his grandmother for the first time. We had gotten into an argument before he left and called it quits since he had decided to pursue another relationship. He sent me a stool, which in Ghanaian culture symbolizes strength & love (he felt this described our relationship). Even though everytime I look at it, I can't help but to think of him, I like the fact that I have a souvenir from A-free-ca in my house :-)

Best gift I gave? Ghana man had started smoking cigars. For his birthday, I got him a personalized cigar humidor.

What makes a gift "great" is they aren't typical, yet thoughtful and really personal. When the gift can't be given to someone else, it really makes it special.

What are some of the best gifts you received from significant others or admirers? What are some of the best gifts you received?

Throwback Thursday: V-day Edition

So in the spirit of Valentine's Day (which is quickly approaching us), I decided to give you a double dose of love this Throwback Thursday!

Before there was JT, Robin Thicke or even Danny (Making the Band), Babyface hipped us to a white boy who had vocals like a brotha; Jon B. I loved his very first single, "Someone to Love," but in '97 he came with "They Don't Know," a nice love song where he told his girl to stop worrying about others say about their love. It was my sophomore year of HS and the girls and I simply adored this song. Plus, who wasn't in a relationship or talking to somebody and everybody was hating on you and your boo (or boo-tential); this was your theme song!


Jon B. - They Dont Know -

Second up, are my homies from the A... 112. Diddy (then Puff Daddy) put us up on four young boys who had true vocals (and cuties to boot). I recall seeing them in concert for the FREE back home in Columbus with Joe. They definitely gave a great performance. Their first self-entitled album was also seriously the BUSINESS. It's a classic that I can play it all the way through. The one track that still bangs hard no matter if you're in the car or the club is "Cupid." The beat is so smooth and the lyrics are beautiful.. what woman doesn't want reassurance from a guy asking her to trust him and to give love a try. *sigh*


112 - Cupid - 112

My God, your god?

This past weekend, I linked up with a friend to get a bite to eat. Before grabbing lunch, we went to check out his boy's new home. As he's catching up with boy's wife, she giving him the latest scoop on her younger sister (if I remember correctly she's around 21, 22). She doesn't approve of her sister's boyfriend because 1) she thinks he may be gay (this is a totally whole 'nother topic, so I will wait to have this discussion), but 2) she has an issue with her sister converting to her boyfriend's religion. Boyfriend is a Black Hebrew Israelite. I actually had to go home and get the info about this because I've heard of it but wasn't clued in on their beliefs and traditions.

So to be clear, I don't think that the sister has any issues with the religion in itself. I think the issue was her sister converting on the basis of "following" this guy. She informed us that they aren't allowed to do anything from sun up Friday until sun down Saturday. Her sister is in culinary arts school, and some of the best days to earn hours and money is working on the weekends. Her sister has gone without having enough money to pay for rent since she's not able to work on Friday and Saturday nights. Instantly I made my WTH? face. Messing with my money will get you cut off quickly, but young love is a mutha. I'm not sure what she and her sister were brought up, but I definitely know this isn't going down with me.

I'm sure there are lots of relationships where one person converted to the other's religion (all of my Sex & the City fans know one of the characters, Charlotte, converted to Judaism in order to marry Harry). There are also couples who coexist while being Christian or Muslim, or Buddhist or Jew.

There's a scripture in 2 Corinthians 6:14 (King James Version) that I definitely adhere to when it comes to dating:
Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?

A few years ago, I had just started seeing this one brotha and we were hitting it off and he informed me that he didn't believe in God. He didn't think that God was simply a spirit and that a grasshopper or butterfly could be god. Being a believer and Christian, I had to ask him how and why, and soon came to find out that his non-belief came from physical abuse (if he didn't go to church or say his prayers he was beaten) and he later felt that if there was a God, why would He allow me to go through such pain?

As I tried to explain to him that everyone has hardships that makes them question "why me?" it doesn't mean that you stop believing and trusting in God. He did not feel the same way, and I had to let him go as a potential (we're still friends). I was raised in a Christian household, where yes, I was made to go to church every Sunday, we gathered as a family on Wednesdays for Bible study, where I had to recite a scripture and explain the scripture and despite our obedience, my family went through turmoil, and tough times. Yet, I still know what God has done for others, continues to do for me and WILL do for me. I got faith! (My pastor explained it as having a liberating knowledge of God). Since I have not only a belief but also a relationship with God, I cannot date a non-believer, and doubt that I will ever be persuaded to worship someone else's god. It just won't work.

So good people, do you have standards when it comes to religion? Do they have to believe in "something" or must they believe in God? If you did or do date someone of another religion, did it work or what problems did you incur? Also, do you think you could convert to someone else's religion or would you try to share your testimony into making someone into a believer so that you could feel comfortable with continuing to date them?