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?

Push

I've always considered reading as one of my favorite past times (my mom had me reading at a young age), and since I'm always traveling the best way to get through a flight is through reading (besides sleep). Most of the books I read are through recommendations, book reviews or the synopsis on the back cover simply pulls me in. However my latest read, Push by Sapphire, was based on recent reviews from the movie's premier at the Sundance Film Festival.

Set in the '80s, topics of incest, abuse, teen pregnancy and illiteracy are at the core. The central character, Precious, is 16, pregnant with her father's second child, abused by her mother and illiterate. Kicked out of school, she attends an alternative school to help her boost her reading and writing skills in order to obtain her G.E.D. that she hopes will help her make a better life for herself and her children.

Since rape can be a difficult to simply discuss, reading it is no easy task. Several times through the book, my heart just saddened. Even though it is a work of fiction, these stories happen far too often in this world let alone in our communities today. Sapphire writes the book in the same speech used as Precious (i.e. mother = muver, father = fahver), and really takes us through her mind and hardships.

I'm totally looking forward to the movie and hear that Mo'nique gives an Oscar-worthy performance, and that the film will be funded by Oprah and Tyler Perry. Peep the snippet below and let me know your thoughts. (If you decide to read, I'd love to discuss with you :))

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?