Wednesday, December 31, 2014

2014 In Review...or som'n

So this year:
  • My car and I survived one of the worst winters Chicago has ever experienced.
    Bish, whet!?
  • I got my very first tattoo revamped.
    Luvanmusiq
  • My locs turned 1.
    Baby draperies
  • We celebrated the pending arrival of my goddaughter. I cried when I learned that we share a middle name.
    Da Squad...and London Danielle
  • I watched two become one, while enjoying the quiet, laid back life in Centralia, IL.
    Ow Ow!

    We may or may not have been drankin
  • I saw the hosts of my favorite podcast “The Read” cut up in person.
    Kid Fury and Crissle
  • I went on prom. Planetary Prom, that is.

    Paper corsage courtesy of my twinsie,

  • I celebrated 6 years in Sigma
  • I saw my favorite rap group, Outkast, in person.
  • I loved. I dare not say that I lost because it was nothing but gains acquired after letting that situation go.
  • Rode on a Segway for the first time. 
    • Anyone got $7K to spare so I can buy my own?

      My whip for 2 hrs and my city
  • Drove to Toronto with a few members of Da Squad and had a blast!
  • Nike World Basketball Festival came to Chicago’s south side and I was like a kid in the candy store. So much basketball. Basketball will always be #bae.
  • Yeen know!
    Summertime Love
  • I flew solo dolo to Italy to hang with my bff, her husband, and my goddaughter for 10 days. Venice, Vicenza, Vo, Verona, V for Vendetta. Best vacation ever, by far.
    • By the way, the background pic for my blog is a pic I took of the Grand Canal in Venice.  
      Vo


      Venice during the day

      Venice at night
  • The Monday after I returned from vacation, I stepped out on faith and put in my two-week notice before receiving a start date for my “new” old gig.
  • I started my 200 hour certification class to become a yoga instructor.
    Namaste
  • I celebrated the arrival of 32.
    Suns out, abs out
    • I need to stretch before attending parties at which I know I'll be dancing.
How will I bring in the new year? With Netflix, pizza and wine.

Thanks for continuing to read the randomness that I post. Happy New Year!

K to the...

Monday, December 22, 2014

#MusicMonday - OK, I get it.

I've chronicled my thoughts on Jhene Aiko in prior blog posts. Looking at my history, it seems I've touched on the topic of her music every year since 2012 in the following posts:


In the "Randomocity" post, I stated that she was growing on me. I was listening to a couple of Stacy Barthe mixtapes and it was something about her voice that reminded me of Jhene. So, I'm like "If I dig Stacy, then I have to give Jhene another chance." So, I started adding "Sailed Out" in my rotation and I dug it. Then she released "Souled Out" and I really liked what I was hearing.

This past Saturday, I attended a concert that she headlined. Her opening acts included The Internet (Already loved them), and SZA (I LOVE her stage presence.) Jhene comes out and the first song she performs is "Limbo Limbo Limbo." I turned to my girl and said "I'm going to like this album more after this concert." Sure as sh!t stinks...

I can officially say I am a Jhene Aiko fan. I said I wouldn't give up on her...and I didn't. 

K to the...

Friday, December 5, 2014

Bliss

I've had some great birthdays, but something about yesterday's birthday was different. It was more than joy...yesterday was full of bliss. From the moment I woke up till I went to sleep.

Like I've stated before, this certification program has made me more aware of what's going on around me. When in undergrad, I made plans up to the age of 30. Here I am at age 32 and none of the shit I planned in undergrad has come to fruition. But my life has still been so gat damn dope due to other unplanned occurrences. Through all the heartbreak, a quarter-life crisis (oh, it's real!), stupid decisions...I am still here. That thought crossed my mind yesterday morning and tears flowed.

Here's to another year of dopeness!

K to the...

Monday, December 1, 2014

Basketball Chronicles: Getting all choked up

Some of my favorite classes in undergrad were sociology classes. Every time I go play ball, I feel like I’m in “Sociology 300: Men Who Act Like How ONLY Women Supposedly Act, As If Men Aren’t Human Beings.”

So, there is a game going on, and I can hear this one guy going off on the other end of the court. He does it so much, I don't bother trying to figure out the reason. So, the play comes down to the end of the court where I was shooting around. The guy who was going off gets bumped out of bounds by the person whom, I believe, he fouled on the other end. Rage is fully activated at this point. Someone pass me the popcorn!

Let me back up a bit.

The rager is shorter than me…5’4” at the most. His target? At least 5’11”.

OK, I’m back.

The rager pushes his target. Then proceeds to put his hands around his neck and chokes him as he is pushing him back. I’ve seen this dude go off before, but what was noticeable this time was that NOBODY tried to stop it. I guess folk were tired of his shenanigans. And I definitely wasn’t going to get in between two grown men. Sheeeiiiiiiiid!

The court monitor doesn't say anything. But a lady who works at the front desk just so happens to be in there and sees it. She tells him he has to go. He tries to plead his case or whatever, and walks out of the gym. A few minutes later, he walks back in and the lady who initially told him he had to leave is following him. Words are exchanged, and he then says “you’re a dumbass bitch.”

*screeching wheels*

That might be the last time I see that guy play ball in that place. He just might be banned for life because not only did he disrespect a fellow member; he disrespected an employee.

Maybe he should try some yoga.

K to the…

Wednesday, November 26, 2014

Yogi Chronicles: Three Years

It's been three years. Three years since I took a step to move on. Three years since stepped on a yoga mat for the first time. Three years since I questioned why I signed up, but decided to keep going.

Three years later, I take time to write here on my blog instead of in my journal that I've been writing in for the past 45 days. A journal that I write in after my daily practice that has had my alarm going off at 5a every morning, even on the weekends. A daily practice that is part of an ongoing homework assignment.

I am currently enrolled in a 200 hour certification class so that I can teach yoga. In addition to an increase in how much I practice, the reading, practicing how I'm going to teach, there is also daily meditation. It is because of this meditation, I'm learning so much about myself. I'm more aware of my surroundings. I pay more attention to my body. I'm more aware of what I put into the universe (which has been a challenge today given the fact Darren Wilson is a free man). My relationship with God is strengthening.

I can go on and on.

One of the biggest signs of the change within me is my current place of employment. A month ago, I returned to a place of employment that I absolutely hated waking up for 2 1/2 years ago and I couldn't be happier.

Growth.

If you had told me three years ago that I'd be studying to be a yoga instructor, I'd think you were crazy; especially after that first downward-facing dog. I would think I'd be a basketball coach (in which I have no interest, believe it or not) before being a yoga instructor.

Yet, here I am.

All because of what I did on this date, three years ago.

Namaste.

Monday, November 24, 2014

What year is it?

I'm back to taking the train to work, so I have a lot of time to just stare out the window and let my thoughts flow. I was recently thinking about aging and #nshit, since the birthday is approaching. I usually start to get excited for the birthday around Thanksgiving. This year the birthday is exactly a week after Thanksgiving. Thanks, Pope George XII!

Sidenote: My original due date was November 17th. I was born on December 4th. That is one helluva delay!!! HOV! <>

Anywho, a high thought came to me while sober. Though I haven't officially turned 32 yet, I am currently in the 32nd year of my life.

I swear I was sober when this came to mind. Stay with me here.

They sell stickers so you can take pics of your baby when they hit their monthly milestones up until their 12th month on Earth. These pics are documenting, what? Your baby's first year on Earth. After they hit the one year mark, they are on to their 2nd year of life.

The reason I bring this up because whenever something good has happened in the past 11 1/2 months, I've said "Year 31 is showing out!" or something to that effect.

But really...it's Year 32.

Or is it?

Well, I barely look legal...so, whatever!

K to the...

Wednesday, October 22, 2014

Dear Gym Rats:

Your condescending "What's your excuse?" questions aren't all that motivating.

"I had a cold, felt like crap, but still made it to the gym. What's your excuse."
"This dee-yick is my excuse!"

Cut it out!

Happy Monday.

K to the...

Monday, October 20, 2014

Basketball Chronicles: Unlike Kevin Gates...

...I'm getting tired.

Because I was woke at 5a Sunday morning (Will cover in another blogpost), I got to the gym extra early and was able to shoot around with no interruptions. There is this guy who is at the gym every Sunday. Whenever I'm shooting by myself, he always offers to rebound for me. I think it's really sweet of him of him to do that. So, because I'm able to just shoot and establish a rhythm, I'm nice and warmed up.

My warm-up pays off because I'm on fire during the first game. The game ends in a tie. Wanting to give myself a "heat check," I say that I'll shoot for the win. The other team shoots, and misses. So, this guy named Alex takes it upon himself to shoot for the win. He misses. No prob...I'll shoot when it's our team's turn again. The other team misses, so the ball bounces to this young ball hog whose name escapes me right now. I have my hands out asking for ball...he passes it to Alex. I say "I'm standing here for a reason." Alex misses the shot. Now, I'm pissed because this could have been over. Yes, I had that much confidence in my shot.

Now we're on the third round of shots, other team misses. Alex brings the ball over to me and puts it by my feet. I kick that shit away and say "Don't try to give it to me now!" Someone hit for our team (I guess it was him. I wasn't looking) because we got the win and are back on the court for the next game. He comes over and tells me that he thought it would be easier if the same person shot for ball. This is utter bullshit because the next time there is a tie game, he misses...then gives the ball to someone else on our team to shoot. Dude misses and we ended up on the sideline.

The other two times I was disrespected was by the same person who calls the same bullshit as "traveling" when I hit someone with a ball fake and dribble around to shoot a shot that will brings my team closer to a win. It's never called when it's the beginning of the game. This is how I know the call is false. So he makes the call and then gets loud, because to him, if he's the loudest...then he's correct. Sunday when he made the call, I had a teammate to speak up for me so I didn't have to say anything. But Monday, I told him about himself. When I continued to talk as he does, then he wants to cut me off. I told him it's OK for him to continue talking about a play, but if someone does it to him, now they have to shut up.

Do you know two games later, he was still talking about that one play? On the sideline whining. I heard him and asked "You're still talking about that?"

I'm tired. I'm tired of the disrespect. I'm tired of these grown ass men cheating. I'm tired of hearing whining from these men who are quick to say another dude is "acting like a female". I'm tired of wondering if some dude is going to get in his feelings because he's threatened by my presence on the court and wants to call false calls.

I'm tired.

K to the...


Wednesday, August 20, 2014

Nike loves Chicago

On August 14th thru 16th, Nike held the World Basketball Festival in my city, Chi-City. This festival wasn't on the north side; it wasn't downtown. No, this festival was held on the best side of the city...the south side, at the 63rd street beach.
Of course I had to throw on the #8. 
I didn't know what to expect at the festival; I just knew I had to go. I checked out the Tournament of Champions, watching some of the best in the Chi play against some of the best in NYC. I saw hella Chi-town basketball legends. Current NBA players, retired NBA players, and plenty of movers and shakers of the city.

But the highlight for me was the exhibit that gave a history of Nike basketball shoes. From the very first pair of basketball shoes made by Nike, to Forces, to Flights, To Jordans, to Lebrons, to Kevin Durant's...I wish I would have taken pictures of everything. What was so dope about the exhibit was how it was customized for Chicago. When I saw pics of two parks I've frequented as a kid and adult, I couldn't help but to smile.

Seeing these pics took me back to when I first started playing basketball. I didn't even have proper basketball attire, but I was in the alleys on the milk crate trying to establish my game; pretending to be Scottie Pippen in a game we made up called "The Passing Game." When we got older and were able to ride to the parks, we'd go to Avalon, Cole or Tuley Park; wherever we could find a pick-up game. Then, as an adult, I was at Cole, and then 63rd & Hayes when I moved to the South Shore area. Some people got their suntans at the beach. I got mine on the basketball court.

I truly do love this game of basketball. I'm sitting here typing right now with my left forearm on fire after it caught a serious elbow this morning. I don't know. Maybe it's not meant for me to wear heels until I'm 75 like my grandmother. But I do know I can't let this game go. Whether I'm playing or watching...it's in my soul. And it's nothing I can and will do to stop it.


K to the...

Monday, August 18, 2014

The more things change...


Usually when on Instagram, I scroll by the posts with words because a lot of it is common sense being posted for likes. But one day, a fellow WY Dolphin by the name of Jarquetta posted the pic above and it really hit me. Because I was torn, at the time, as a result of jumping back in a situation with someone I had no business dealing with again. But I did.

Because we're 10 years older.

Because there was an apology.

Because I saw changes.

So after a couple months of courting, I gave in. The wall that was up finally came down and I was happy.

Then...I wasn't happy. I was mentally drained. Things really didn't change. I asked what was going on. I was told it was nothing...but my gut said otherwise.

And then I came across the pic above.

After a lot of thinking and crying, I decided I had to let that situation go. And regardless of how much others liked him for me, or the fact that I'm going to be 32 with nobody with whom I could settle down...I made the right decision for me. And there isn't an ounce of hesitation in me as I type this.

I made the right decision for me.

But, there is this feeling of hurt. Because I put up a fight for us. I communicated. I was an open book. I was patient. It wasn't until after I stated that I couldn't be with him anymore that he communicated his feelings; that he answered questions that I had been asking.

Too late.

I'm not going back to that situation again.

The wall is back up.

Damn, that was quick.

K to the...



Monday, July 7, 2014

True Life: I Don't Know How To... 7+7=14

Jump double dutch.

That's right!

And every summer I am reminded of this lil known un-scientific fact about my life.

When I was younger, my nickname was Tweety. Because of the constant teasing about my big head, I was extremely self-conscious about it. Therefore, I stayed away from anything that could hit my high-yellow forehead, leave a mark, and bring more attention to it. 

Sidenote: You'd think this would have kept me from playing basketball. 

You're wrong. 

So, there was this constant fear of being hit in the face with the rope while playing, which I couldn't overcome. Even when starting off standing in the rope, I couldn't get pass "2,4,6,8..."

So, yeah. My name is K.D....and I can't jump double dutch.

I might be one of the best turners, though. And I'll kick your auss in Chinese Jumprope.

K to the...

P.S. My mom, a child of the 60s, can still jump double dutch. And my lil sis can too. -__-

P.P.S. I'd kick both their ausses in Chinese Jumprope, though.

Friday, June 6, 2014

The Godmother

Last month, my bff was home from Italy for a week for her baby shower. So I took a couple of days off and had a great staycation with the crew, the crew's babies (ovaries were like "HELLO!") and our sisters.

I also I went to Target 5 days in a row and didn't go broke.

5 days.

Won't who do it? HIM!

Prior to the baby shower, none of us knew what she was having, or the baby's name. All I knew was I was going to be Peanut's godmother. First she revealed the sex by cutting the cake. The color of the inside of the cake told us the sex.

EEEEEEEKKKKKKKKKK!!!!

Prior to cutting the cake (I think; was such a blur) she gave a box to her sister and myself to open. We were told to open the box after she cut the cake and read the baby's name.
QUEUE THE BABY BISH TEARS!
I couldn't even read the name out loud because I was too busy crying. My g-baby and I share a middle name!!!

The baby is no longer Peanut. The baby is a girl named London Danielle...and I'm already in love with her. Not sure how I'm going to act when I see her after she is born.

My flight to Italy has been booked. Feel free to call me Vita Corleone.

K to the...

Wednesday, June 4, 2014

Walls

From my g-babymama
The wall I said was up is coming down. But, I'm not going blindly into a relationship like the last time. I want us to get to know each other. Establish that friendship.

But, I feel so free, right now. Having a wall up is draining.

K to the...

Thursday, May 1, 2014

May Day!

So much has gone on in the past few weeks. Things that'll make me go "I should blog about this." But, I'm no blogger. I simply have a blog.

But I'm here. 

Unlike Spring in the Chicagoland area. 

Bazinga!

So a lil catching up is in order. Let's see...

  • I had typed this hilarious post about my actions at Posh Entertainment's St. Patrick's Day party on my phone, right? Had to get out of the Blogger app for a minute for something. Return...and the post was deleted. I might still tell the story, though. It's quite entertaining and slightly embarrassing. 
  • I gave up cursing AND all sweets for Lent. The sweets was easy. But Lent was in the beginning of budgets season. Add to that new software on which we had to train people. A curse-worthy experience...and not one curse word was dropped. Not even under my breath. Won't HE do it?!
  • There is a bird that keeps trying to make a nest on my balcony. My balcony is facing a mini-forest. Trees galore. I knock that nest down and sweep away his crap everyday after work. Wait till I put these spikes up!
  • Due to the two international trips I'm taking this year and the birth of my godchild...the stove and I have become best friends. Matter of fact, I'm waiting on my dinner to be done as I type this. I refuse to got back to 80 hours at the gig, and take away time I can spend with my grandmother. So, something had to change. And hella money is being saved.
  • Speaking of my grandmother, though I never know if I'm going to encounter a Cooperative Mei-Mei or a Mean Mei-Mei (Somewhat mentioned in my last post. It got real bad, y'all), I really do look forward to our Funday Fridays.
  • Though my mom is the youngest of 3, I am proud of how she has stepped up like she is the oldest to take care of her mom. 
  • I admitted to my bff that I am so jaded when it comes to men. Until someone comes along with their actions matching their words...it's all bull to me. I'm Sweet Brown to maugs saying ish just because it sounds good. I'll let this wall down...one day.
  • I have a thing with sunlight, as you can tell if you read my last blogpost. I moved in another apartment that isn't facing any buildings and I love it. The previous apartment was rented to be closer to someone who is now an ex. Though I've been moved on from that situation, it feels good to not be in that space anymore.
  • My queen-size memory foam bed is my bae. We've been together a few weeks now and I love him. See you later, Brandon Edward Daniels.
K to the...

Saturday, March 22, 2014

"There's nothing greater than the Sun"

There is something about waking up to the Sun peaking through my closed blinds that gives me hope in the morning. Hope that maybe the day on which I woke up will be better than the previous. Everyday this past week, I've looked forward to the Sun. Even on a cloudy day. 

With every sunrise is the beginning of a new day; a chance to start fresh. And on the day where the Sun is shining in all its glory; where I don't even have to turn the heat on in my car beause the Sun is outcheah; on a day when I feel some relief after dealing with simpletons who make me question how and why they make as much money as they do...Alzheimer's casts it's dark shadow over it. 

I'm tired.

Next week, it'll be a repeat.

I need a break.

K to the...

Monday, March 17, 2014

Music Monday - 3.17.14

It's no secret that I'm a music lover. My very first tattoo was because of my love for music. I can't help it. The older I get, the more appreciate it. It's not just the lyrics that move me, but I find myself paying more attention to the instruments. This is why I like to buy CDs because I can look at liner notes. If I buy an album from iTunes and it has a digital booklet...WIN!

Hello, my name is Kenya...and I'm a music addict.

There is an artist I've grown to appreciate more as I get older. His name is Stevland Hardaway Morris...BKA Stevie Wonder. Recently, my ears were blessed with "Songs in the Key of Life". I had read nothing but good things about this album. I was sure I had heard almost half of the songs on the album prior to me purchasing it, but I needed to hear the entire album because...Kenya.

Let me tell you. "Songs..." has been played multiple times, everyday, since I've bought it. The entire album is a beautiful piece of work. The way it flows, the lyrics, the instrumentation...LISTEN!

And it's a double album WITH bonus songs. Stevie was like "Oh, you thought I was done? Nah...here's some more."

I don't know when I'm going to stop playing this album everyday, but I do know this:

Stevland Hardaway Morris has to live forever.

K to the...

Thursday, February 27, 2014

15 weeks

On October 21, 2010, I wrote this letter during a blog challenge:

Dear HugMaNeck,

During the twenty plus years of friendship, we have watched each other grow from 1st graders to grown auss women. We have watched each other's younger sibling grow into beautiful young women. Now, it's almost that time to watch some of our own seeds grow to beautiful young women or handsome young men. With that said, I expect my god child to be conceived by 2012. Put the shut to the up...the sperm to the egg...and make it happen.

Love, Hug My Neck

P.S. Don't worry about when you'll get your godchild. This is about me and MY needs wants. lol

On December 31, 2013, this woman selfishly called me at work and told me she was pregnant. I say she's selfish because she knew damn well I couldn't scream like I wanted to while at work. I cried tears of unspeakable joy. Tiff and I had talked about babies while growing up. My girls and I made a list of the order in which we'd have babies. I told her that I thought Baby Love will arrive in late 2014.

And it's happening. For real! And, I'm excited as hell! She will be the 2nd mommy in our crew...giving birth to a Virgo.

Like Beyonce.

EEEEEeeeeeek!

As of today, my bff is 15 weeks pregnant. She'll be home in a couple of months so I'll get to see the belly in person.

I'll probably cry.

Again.

And then put headphones on her belly and play some Michael Jackson for Peanut (My nickname for the baby.)

*swoons*

K to the...


Monday, February 24, 2014

Music Monday - 2.24.14

The relationship I have with The Foreign Exchange's music is similar to my relationship with Jill Scott's music. I was introduced to The Foreign Exchange via their second album "Leave It All Behind" and immediately fell in love with it.

I feel like their albums are telling a story from the first album until the last; a story to which I can relate. Below is how I interpret their albums:
  • "Connected"
    • Living and loving life
    • Trying to find one's purpose on Earth
  • -"Leave It All Behind"
    • In love with someone
    • Getting on each other's nerves
    • Wanting to give each other the world
    • May have found The One
  • "Authenticity"
    • The issues in the relationship are overbearing
    • Downs outweigh the Ups
    • Relationship ends
    • "WTF happened?"
  • "Love In Flying Colors"
    • You worked on yourself, realizing your flaws
    • Looking at the broken relationship as lesson learned, not a waste of time.
    • You love life again.
    • You survived
    • Ready to love
So below is my personal ranking of the studio albums from The Foreign Exchange:

  1. Leave It All Behind
  2. Love In Flying Colors
  3. Authenticity 
  4. Connected.
Can't wait till I see them in May! I turned my mom into a fan, so she'll be there right along with me. :-)

Happy Monday!

K to the...

Monday, February 17, 2014

Music Monday - 2.17.14

I don't recall what it was that made me buy Chrisette Michele's first album when it dropped...but I am glad I did. With her latest album "Better" being in heavy rotation lately, I'd figure I'd bring you my personal ranking of her studio albums.
  1. Epiphany
  2. Better
  3. I Am
  4. Let Freedom Reign
Happy Monday!

K to the...

Wednesday, February 12, 2014

Randomocity - 2.11.14

Written last night, hence "2.11.14" in the title, and not today's date. Enjoy! 

  • I honestly forgot about Valentine's Day approaching.
  • February is the beginning of the baby boom for my crew.
  • Yes. Yes, I am rocking crop tops this summer thanks to this tattoo.
  • Sometimes when conversing with my mom, she gives me this look...of admiration. Like she's proud of the woman she raised; or she's seeing how though I'm a grown-up, I'm still her baby. I look forward to the day I can look at my child the way my mom looks at me. 
  • I love my body...even my slightly knocked knees.
  • My grandmother can't remember what she had for breakfast, but oddly remembers a conversation I had about me moving almost a month ago. The human brain is such an interesting organ.  
  • The city of Hammond...the county of Lake...the state of Indiana does not believe in salting and properly plowing the streets. It really unpeels my banana, son.
  • I miss working downtown. I'm working on getting back there.
  • I'm over winter.
  • New Orleans...I miss you!
  • Toronto...here I come!
  • "Now I know how to love somebody/I've learned love is out there for me/There's no way that love forgot/Love won't leave me out."
  • Thinking of retiring the "JUKBX" license plate. 
  • Yes, having an FWB* can be fun. But that ish gets boring...because it's just sex. I don't want anything more from you...boriiiiiinnnnnng.
  • Or is it just me?
  • Want to know if a guy who claims to be interested in you is on that shullbit? Ask a male friend. 
  • I love how my friends look forward to what has turned into an annual summer party at my crib. But last summer's party was so epic...I don't know if that can be topped. We kicked it from 10p - 4a. My patio was a mess. I had to shampoo my carpet.  
Because, I care.
  • I love my team.
  • I need my couch reupholstered.
  • That wasn't a euphemism. 
  • I said I wouldn't give up on Jhene Aiko...and I didn't. She has really grown on me.
  • The CFO thanked me for my work on the annual compliance audit at the gig. There were no issues in the audit report that was presented to the audit committee today. It meant a lot to me coming from him.
  • December 18, 2014 marks 10 years since I graduated from undergrad. Yikes!
  • RIP Whitney Houston


K to the...

*"Friend With Benefits"



Monday, February 3, 2014

Basketball Chronicles: Bye!

Aside from hearing grown ass men whine, do you know what I really hate when I'm playing ball? What really shreds my cheese?!

When guys try to flirt with me while on the court.

Most annoying thing ever. It's never smooth. It's always lame.

I hate it.

This guy...we'll call him Shabba Ranks. So, Shabba and I ended up playing defense on each other during the first game we were on the court together. Before the game starts, he comes to stand next to me and put his foot next to mine; as if he was comparing our shoe size. I'm like "What are you doing?" and move out the way.

This was his lame way of flirting and I was NOT here for it.

So, we ended up playing defense on each other in another game. And... *sigh*

Shabba: So, if my team wins this game, I get to take you out.
Me: I don't place bets like that.
Shabba: Oh, so you do place bets?
Me: Not like that.

Man, if you don't getcho lame ass outta here and go put on some deodorant.

K to the...

Monday, January 27, 2014

J-walking...or something.


As someone who is a lover of fresh kicks, I didn't always have multiple pairs of shoes when growing up. I would get one pair of gym shoes every school year. I never asked my mom for a pair of Air Jordans because I knew damn well she wasn't paying more than $100 for some gym shoes. Plus, they didn't look all that great to me. 

Back in '98, during my sophomore year of high school, our boys' basketball team was the shiznit, mmkay? I remember Quentin Richardson being the first person I saw rocking these particular Js. Like I said before, Js weren't appealing to me...but these young ya digs were the flyest I had seen thus far! And they were in my favorite colors. Seeing those shoes everyday was like being around a married man. I could look...but I damn sure couldn't touch because I knew mom wasn't buying them for me. After a while, I stopped lusting for those shoes.

Fast forward to 2005. Those shoes I loved were retro'ed!

And I HAD to have them.

So at the age of 22, I bought my first pair of Jordans for $100. One of my buddies who worked at a Finishline in Texas shipped them to me.
Damn right, I still got them.
I love the shoes so much, that I got another pair as a gift when they were retro'ed again in 2010. Same style and color. I may have worn them less than 10 times. I'm not ashamed, either.

As of today, I now have 5 pairs of Js. The latest pair are all black Jordan 1s. I searched high and low for some all black kicks (because none of my gyms shoes are in solid colors) and finally found some...and they were only $60. 

*fist pump*

Moral of the story?

There is none.

Happy Monday.

K to the...

Friday, January 24, 2014

10 months...

Tuesday, the 21st, marked 10 months since I start my loc journey. The onliest downside of my hair growing has been my face breaking out. So, I change my pillow case more often, use less oil in my hair and went back to using good ole Dr. Earles cleansing system. I'm too light (in the winter) to have acne scars, son. This had to be handled.


The upside is still and will always be being able to wear hats. Yes, I put satin scarf on before putting on the winter hat to protect my edges.

What?

Ain't I a (black) woman?
Look at those two locs unraveled.
We baby drapin in these streets!
Happy 10 months to my babies.

K to the...

Wednesday, January 22, 2014

Yogi chronicles: The divine in me smells the funk in you

My Saturdays start with an 8:30am hatha yoga class. We warm up, on our own, then get into the practice...focusing on our breathing and intention. While we are getting to our "quiet place", our eyes are closed. Because I have a strong nose, I can smell what The Rock is cooking when someone is coming in after we start. The smells are usually pleasant...like fresh out of a dryer full of Bounty sheets.

But, there is one woman who is always late, coming in smelling like moth balls. I never smelled a dead body before. But I'm pretty sure the smell of moth balls is up there as one of the worst smells on earth. When she walks in, I have to refrain from saying "GAT DAMN!" and remained focused on my breathing and intention.

She needs to start showing up on time, dag nabbit!

K to the...

Friday, January 17, 2014

"Woke up this morning feeling fresh to def..."

Last Sunday, Jill Scott was in heavy rotation while on the road to take my lil sis back to school. My mom played her first album and while I was singing she was like "This came out during your freshman year at Bradley, right?" It was then that I realized that Jill Scott has been "with me" since I was 17 years old.

"Who is Jill Scott?" dropped on July 18, 2000. I played the hell outta that CD. I mean, hella scratches was on that joint. I remember when I first heard "He Loves Me (Lyzel in E Flat)". I though it was one of the most beautiful songs. That was a love I wanted to (and did, at some point) experience.

Every one of Jill's albums has a song that speaks on what I'm going through at the time the album was released. From "There's Just Me" to "Golden" to "Celibacy Blues" to "Blessed"...Jill be singing my life with her words.

So, here is my personal ranking of Jill's studio albums:
  1. Who is Jill Scott? Words and Sounds Vol. 1
  2. Light of the Sun
  3. The Real Thing: Words and Sounds Vol. 3
  4. Beautifully Human: Words and Sounds Vol. 2

Happy Friday!

K to the...

Wednesday, January 15, 2014

So... 1.15.14

There have been two instances in the past month in which men have tried to imply that I like girls because one of my closest friends is bisexual. One was so blatant and loud with it while I conversed with a dude trying to get my number.

"Oh, she's confused...she likes pussy." O_o

I was going to write in detail about the situations, but the "f*** it" that has been ever-so-present in my soul during this 4th decade of my life says otherwise. I used to get perturbed about folk inquiring about my sexuality. Now, I just laugh. I really don't have to prove shit to anyone. Again, that "f*** it" in my system...

So, let me say this. If you feel like a woman being friends with a bi/homosexual woman makes that woman "like pussy"...


GROW UP!

K to the...