The Good, the Better, and the Absolutely Random!

I really can't stand Puffy, P. Diddy, Sean Jean, or whatever else he's going by these days . . . .never did. I'm not sure why, I just always believed he was up to no good (and everytime I see him I wish he would stop holding his mouth open. Note to Puffy: the open bite is not cute or sexy). The last year or two I put away the revulsion and just shrugged it off as, "he's just corny". But then that fool had to go on Ellen and refer to the Rihanna/Chris Brown situation as a "situation" . . . .I'm back to hating that dude.

Posted by Brainy Brown Girl in NYC at 3/10/2009 09:55:00 PM Comments

***I don't know why I left this as a draft for so long, but here it is. The first three points were written December 5, 2008, the rest is what I'm thinking now.*****

1. Barbara Walter's is a fraud. How in the world does Tom Cruise make it on the Ten Most Fascinating people in the World list for 2008? I honestly don't know how Will Smith made it, and I love Will, but what did he do this year that was so fascinating? But back to Tom . . .how is he second only to President-Elect Barack Obama? What did he do this year? . . . Ol' BW is falling off, for real!

2. I hear the Twilight book series is pretty good (not that I'll be picking them up anytime soon since I have a stack of books and magazines to get to) and the movie did well, but I don't get the fascination with the lead, Robert Pattinson. I just never did understand the strung out look.

3. I love Kanye West and John Mayer. I'm not ashamed to admit that I think they put out good tunes, but I really love their nuttiness. I mean their arrogance, which I haven't decided whether its authentic or contrived for the media, kills me.

4. Saw Slumdog Millionaire & The Curious Case of Benjamin Button several weeks ago, loved them both. I wish could catch the other films nominated before February 22, but who has the time. . . . .Between you and me, I hope The Curious Case of Benjamin Button takes it.

5. Jessica Simpson doesn't have a weight problem. She needs a stylist.

6. I really, really, really want to make an online purchase from BCBG, but I feel guilty. *SIGH* See, I already purchased two tops (Clearance, and I wished I bought the sweater jacket) this weekend . . . DANG, I just went to my shopping cart and the origami dress is gone. I guess my problem is solved.

7. Now, I'm sad the dress is gone.

Posted by Brainy Brown Girl in NYC at 2/16/2009 07:52:00 PM Comments

Posted by Brainy Brown Girl in NYC at 2/16/2009 07:49:00 PM Comments

I pray this coming year is life changing - positive life changes! Discernible life changes. Happy New Year & God Bless to all!






*(Blog re-launch coming soon!)

Posted by Brainy Brown Girl in NYC at 1/01/2009 10:37:00 AM Comments

Last week was simply amazing. So much so I had to flesh out my thoughts in my private journal first, and here's the summary. . .

On Tuesday November 4, 2008, I woke up energized and ready. When I stepped outside I immediately thanked God for the beautiful day. I arrived at my polling place at 6:10am, and by 6:45am I was walking to the train station after casting my vote for Senator Barak Obama (And yes, I did take a picture while behind the curtain!). I was both efficient and distracted at work. On the one hand, I got a ton of work done. . . and on the other, I could not wait to leave and get home to watch the coverage. I left my job at 6pm, and by the time I got home, decompressed, and took a shower, all of the stations showed Obama ahead in the electoral votes. Then the news bureaus projected Mr. Obama won the battleground state of Pennsylvania. I was nervous and "cautiously optimistic", the past two presidential elections were stolen, and was I just praying that nothing shady happened this time. For one, I truly believe this country needs change and Obama is the man for the job, and two, I was nervous about what could happen if there was a repeat of 2000, and the less publicized shenanigans of 2004 (Ohio). People are tired, weary, and these are desperate times. The perfect environment for something to jump off.

By the time they declared Mr. Obama "President-Elect Obama", I was through. I was ecstatic, so much so, that I had a happy headache. And of course, I was a little misty-eyed. When the family walked on the stage, I was smiling from ear to ear, and when my president started speaking a tear rolled out of my right eye (it always starts there, I don't know why ;)

I eventually drifted off to sleep, after the speech of course, as happy a kid on Christmas Eve. I woke up feeling renewed and re-energized, and as corny as it sounds I could feel change in the air. I hope that lasts, but even if the excitement dies down, I know I've been changed. Usually, this time of year I think about some things I want to improve on in the next year. And, while I hate to admit it, my list thus far includes a lot of superficial stuff. However, what happened this week makes me want to get real clear about my purpose, about giving back, about truly connecting with people who are also interested in giving back and doing the hard work, and most importantly, becoming more prayerful. This might mean I need to re-evaluate my current volunteer work, but whatever it is, I want to do my part for CHANGE.

Posted by Brainy Brown Girl in NYC at 11/09/2008 09:46:00 PM Comments

The Soundtrack playing in my head today consisted of the Ojays and Goo Goo Dolls. I don't need anyone to tell me that that's real schizo ;). And wouldn't you know it, some nice folks over on youtube have put these two songs with images of my candidate for president. I really need to get my thoughts down in my personal journal first on what this day has meant to me. In the mean time, I NEED to watch the election coverage.



AND

Posted by Brainy Brown Girl in NYC at 11/04/2008 09:37:00 PM Comments

I can't wait to cast my ballot for Barak Obama on Tuesday. I'm bringing my camera because I want to take a pic of the ballot and a pic of me making my selection. Of course, I have to remember to turn off the flash . . . I don't think there's anything illegal about bringing a camera with me . . . but there's no sense in raising any red flags.

Posted by Brainy Brown Girl in NYC at 11/02/2008 09:21:00 PM Comments

Your Greatest strength is love and Your Greatness is not what you have, it's what you give . . .at least, that what Yogi told me. Everyday, I have my coffee in the morning and at least two cups of tea, mid-morning and afternoon. Every single day I drink a cup of green tea courtesy of Ito-En, by way of Kirkland, (as in Costco's Kirkland). It is by far, one of the best green teas you can buy. My second tea varies, it might be a cranberry tea, English breakfast tea, a "Get Gorgeous" tea, or a Yogi tea. Recently, I bought a box of Yogi tea since it was on sale. In fact, I usually only buy that tea when it goes on sale. Anyway, I have the Green Tea for weightloss and it's quite delicious! However, besides its delicious taste I love the inspirational messages on the little paper attached to the teabag. I got the two aforementioned messages from Yogi tea in one week. My initial thought was "Aw, isn't that nice . . . .I think I'll keep that".

Then I got to thinking . . . I should probably try to implement that in my life, for real. I always say I love everyone, but I do not necessarily like everyone. I'm thinking I need to do a better job at looking at everyone from a place of love. For example, do I have a capacity to love those who annoy me, or people I deem superficial, or fake, or lazy, or materialistic, or whatever else we all judge people for? Going forward I want to do exactly that, to love them inspite of all of that, to try to understand where they are coming from, to remember we all have a story. Even though I mind my business, treat people with respect, and do not have any enemies (not that I know of, at least:), I know I must do better. I want love and respect like everyone else, so I need to consistently give it.

The second message was little easier for me to grasp, in fact I'm looking forward to putting it into practice. See, I have no problem paying my tithes in offerings. Its something I learned at a young age. One of my biggest goals, one that's dear to my heart, it to one day 1) endow a scholarship(s) and 2) to set aside a sizeable chunk of money every year for various causes and organizations. I do need to work on giving of myself and my time. My time is so precious to me and I hate to waste it, and I hate others to waste it. I'm also, on a continual search to discover my God given gifts, talents, and purpose. I want to be able to share those with others. I know I'm a good listener, so I should start there. . . to lend my ear more. Its not much, but its a start.

Its amazing what a couble of cups of tea could teach you!

Posted by Brainy Brown Girl in NYC at 10/14/2008 09:14:00 PM Comments

I'm really trying not to post about the election. As it is, I read a couple of articles a day about it, when I should be working, and I watch a little CNN, etc when I go home, in addition, to listening to the Brian Lehrer show on NY public radio (after the Steve Harvey Morning show), and I KNOW its all too much. But since the theme of this blog is whatever I'm thinking about, it is what is. So here we go, in no particular order.

From the VP debate until now I've been thinking about a few things. . . Like who's "Joe six-pack"? And do I really want my government to speak and behave like "Joe 6-pack" on the global stage? Nope. Note to Gov. Palin: our borders are shrinking and gone are the days of isolationism. Is is too much to ask for a government where the leaders are in touch with all varieties of Americans AND be capable of communicating and keep the respect of international heads of state.

I've also been thinking about how I want my leaders to read a variety of publications and journals to know what's going on at home and abroad. . .its not enough just to read what's put in front of you. I've been working since I was 14 years old (summer jobs count, right?) and I never had a boss not have a newspaper with them, in addition to a subscription to a trade journal (I know this because my first jobs were administrative/data entry and I would flip through the stuff). Of course, I'm certain my college professors maintained a subscription to newspapers, journals, etc. Even some of the graduate teaching assistants would copy certain articles and distribute them in class. I say all that to say, I would expect a governor, who is purportedly concerned about Russia, to be able to talk about what she has read, or reads, to keep up with what's going on around the world. I don't think that's an unfair question. Back to Joe Six-Pack. . .Maybe that's what the folksy talk and winking was about? I love the folksy talk about as much as I love text language in regular email - which is to say, I can barely understand it and its aggravating as hell.

Maybe it's just me, but after she's finished going through her memorized talking points, I never know what she's talking about. I'm always left with that "Huh?" feeling.

Before the debate Cindy McCain released some sort of statement about how this is the nastiest campaign that she has ever witnessed or something. When I heard that, during the pre-debate talk, I couldn't believe my ears. I mean, was she really taking a stand against her husband and his puppet? Did she completely forget about her husband's attempt at the presidency in 2000, when Karl Rove & Co. ripped him a new one? I do think planting seeds of doubt i.e. whispering about Senator Obama being a muslim (which I guess would disqualify you from being the President), and talks about him "palling around with a domestic terrorist" is a little nasty and desparate. I don't know, its just weird to hear her say that. Finally, was it just me or did you have to look up from whatever blog you were reading when Senator McCain said "That one". I dismissed it because I wasn't fully paying attention at the time whilst dowloading music for my blog and looking at hsn.com. Anyway, when I got confirmation that McCain did say "That One" . . . .I thought, "Man, this ol'dude is crazy, for real!"

Folks, we have to do better.

Posted by Brainy Brown Girl in NYC at 10/09/2008 10:58:00 PM Comments

I have a sweet tooth. Not candy per we. . . Sure I love the occasional Snickers bar, Reese's butter cup, or a Jolly Rancher . . .but my real love is more dessert like. What I mean is I love cakes, cupcakes, cookies, pies, the occasional crime burly, crepes with nutella chocolate, etc and not so much the fancy stuff at fancy restaurants. For example, one of my favorite desserts of all time is the Warm nut brownie with vanilla ice cream drizzled in caramel sauce offered at Houstons. I don't go to Houstons often, so thankfully I'm not under temptation often. Its simple and simply delicious. I've been to more upscale restaurants (like maybe three times in my life) where the food was excellent, but the dessert was just OK. In any case, a co-worker brought in these Apple Cider donuts that she bought from one of the city's traveling famer markets today. I can't think of a better way to express how I feel right now, so I'll just say it plainly. . . .That donut was the BEST donut I have ever eaten in my life! I don't know the last time I've had a fresh home made donut. When I finished I had to say "Thank you Jesus" as in thank you for apples, brown sugar and whatever else used to make the donuts, and thank you for the hands who made them". They were that good.

I was really close to asking my co-worker where she got them. But I know better. If I knew where I could find them, it would become apart of my routine, I would be hooked. I have a pretty strong will, but when it comes to dessert, its really hard. I limit myself to once a week, usually on the weekend. I eat relatively healthy otherwise, I love my fruits and veggies, and I exercise, and I find I can still achieve results if I cheat just a little bit once a week. Here's another example of my problem - The Mrs. Field's I have to pass on the way home has a 5 for $5 cookie special. When I discovered that, trips to Mrs. Fields became a part of my routine - at least once a week. When I noticed I wasn't losing weight, and in fact, picking up a pound or two, I got my act together quickly. My cookie trips were counterproductive to the 10-12lbs I want to lose in order to get back to my college weight.

I thought I should post this as it was fresh in my mind, even though I'm busy as I don't what. . .and why not keep a log of good memories!.

Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Posted by Brainy Brown Girl in NYC at 10/02/2008 04:18:00 PM Comments

Posted by Brainy Brown Girl in NYC at 10/01/2008 10:54:00 PM Comments

Posted by Brainy Brown Girl in NYC at 9/28/2008 04:55:00 PM Comments

My vacation is coming to a close *SIGH* The week before I was on a glorious vacation in Italy, visiting Venice, Florence, Rome, and a day trip to Naples and Capri. This past week I've been trying to get myself together, you know, back into the swing of things. I had a dentist appointment, painted my bathroom, laundry, cleaning, etc, etc. . . . Anyway, I've been in vacation mode and as such could not bring myself to write anything. I mean, a few truly random and completely unrelated things have crossed my mind, just not enough to press the PLAY button on my brain. For example:
1) Who told R. Kelly doing that BET interview was good idea? I still haven't watched the entire interview, but I've seen clips here and there. Is there anyone out there who still thinks he's been falsely accused of being a pedophile? Musical talent aside, I for one will be glad when folks stop buying his CDs and when other artists stop collaborating with him. Isn't it time we starting valuing young black girls.

2)King Mswati III- another crazy head of state. Check out - http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/africa/09/06/Swaziland.ap/index.html?iref=newssearch. Since when does a nation that.

3) I see our neighbors like playing fast and lose with elections too!
http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/americas/09/07/canada.elections.ap/index.html?iref=newssearch

4) Just finished watching American Gangster for the first time. It was better than I expected.; I'm not sure what I expected, Denzel Washington was in it so I should have known better. Anywho, I never changed the channel and this new HBO show - True Blood - is on and it is truly one of the worst shows I've ever seen. I mean, besides the vampire theme, the styling, writing, and acting is awful. This show stinks.

5) Apparently (so the CNN, FoxNews, CNBC, etc reports/interviews say) the former big Whigs at Lehman, AIG, Bear, Merril are crapping their pants, and their wives are clutching their pearls, because now they have to sell their private planes and sell and extra house or two. Meanwhile, the average American has been hurting for awhile, especially the last two years with foreclosure rates through the roof (among other things) thanks to creative financing - mortgages which were packaged and sold in all sorts of ways by the very same firms (and their execs) that are collapsing.

6) I don't want to take this blog in a catty direction, truly, I don't, but what's the deal with Rachel Zoe's face. I heard she's in her thirties, but did someone ask to see ID? Is that bad plastic surgery or hard living.

7) Maybe we should lock up OJ Simpson for his on good. You know, maybe send him to one of those cushy federal prisons just so he doesn't do any more dumb stuff. What's he on trial for now? Its hard to keep up with his old behind.

7) Watching SNL now . . . James Franco is hot AND funny.

Posted by Brainy Brown Girl in NYC at 9/20/2008 10:46:00 PM Comments

This week has been a super busy week due to the Monday off, and because I'm going on vacation next week, so I've been working at a feverish pace all this week. I've been getting home after 8pm, closer to 9pm, but I thought I should watch some of the RNC. It was tough. When I'm exhausted I just want to take a shower and relax. The last thing I want to do is get all riled up and angry by stupid speeches at the RNC. I almost missed Sarah Palin's diatribe, because when I got home guess who was on the tube? Good ol' Rudy Guliani . . .my former mayor! He's the reason I missed half of her talk because I had to turn away. "Why?" you ask . . . because the very site of him, to borrow the words of Gayle King (XM Radio listenenr), makes me want to gnash my teeth to powder. I really can't stand him. Seriously.

Getting back to Sarah for moment . . . . this lady actually had the unmitigated gall to sneeze at the work of community organizers. I'm mean, really Sarah? Thank God for community organizers like Martin Luther King Jr., César Chávez, Susan B. Anthony, Stokely Carmichael, Mary Harriman, Fannie Lou Hamer, etc

OK, I'm getting tired now, so I'll end with this . . .before I lay my head down I'll pray that folks wake up and stop believing the Republican rhetoric that they are all about family values, that their in the moral majority, blah, blah.and that to be liberal is to be anti-Christian. The hypocrisy makes me ill. I mean, they trotted out any woman that Bill Clinton so much as winked at, and both Guliani and McCain are married to their former mistress'!?!?!? . . . .OK that was a little catty and I should have kept it to their stance on issues like poverty, starting a war under false pretenses, etc. etc . . .but oh well, I'm tired. I'll let Jon Stewart speak for me tonight.

Posted by Brainy Brown Girl in NYC at 9/04/2008 09:54:00 PM Comments

Zahara will always have a special place in my heart, but this little Nahla Aubry is adorable!

Posted by Brainy Brown Girl in NYC at 9/01/2008 05:21:00 PM Comments

When I was a kid and would spend my summers in NC with my grandmother and cousins, we would have to memorize a Bible verse for Sunday. At the church we attended, the young people (up to 18) would line up, say their verse, and an elder would do a short talk and pray over us. Some folks would say the same verse week after week (and I'm not talking about the little kids). Well, my grandmother wasn't having that, we had to memorize different verses. I have some Bible verses committed to memory, but I should be more diligent. I have one of those perpetual Bible verse calender's on my desk - but now I get my bible verse daily on my blog too!

Thanks TZA for pointing me to BibleGateway!

Posted by Brainy Brown Girl in NYC at 9/01/2008 09:27:00 AM Comments

I'm not laboring on this Labor Day. I've been looking forward to this Monday off for about four weeks now. There is nothing I love more than having Monday off. Of course, at my job that will probably mean a super busy, super stressful, rest of the week, but I'm OK because when I leave the office on Friday those folks won't see or hear from me for TWO WEEKS. Yes, indeed, Brainy Brown Girl NYC is going on vacation and I can't wait!!!! For the first week I will be in Italy, and the second week I will be doing whatever I feel like doing in my city and some stuff around my apartment, but still taking it easy.

But getting back to this wonderful day off . . . .Truly, my whole disposition and outlook on life changes when I know I'll have a Monday off. Maybe its because I don't experience the Sunday afternoon depression that I usually go through, maybe its because I know I'm not fulfilled in my career and I'm about to start another 50+ hour week of misery. I don't know . . .I don't have a problem with hard work or working hard. Its just that my current job just takes so much energy out of me, and I believe that when you are doing what you are gifted to do, the long hours aren't so bad and somehow the hard work doesn't feel so hard. I don't just want some corporate job where I make a good salary and afford to buy stuff. I believe I can have a fulfilling career in corporate America, its just not gonna happen where I am now. I'm open to somthing new. I'm still open to learning and earning all I can in corporate america now, so that I can work for myself later. What I know for sure is that God has plan for me and I just need to have an ear to hear, to be patient, and to be prepared for whatever comes my way.

I need to throw on some clothes. The only thing I want to do today is run to Home Depot for paint (but I'm not painting today, I just want it ready for when I do), fold up laundrey, draft another version of my resume, read my O magazines (I'm so behind in my magazine reading)and watch the last DVD of the Tudors (yes, the Showtime series. I don't have the Showtime package and I rented the first disk one day when there was nothing else to rent, the weather was terrible, and I LOVE history - so I though I'd check it out. In any case, its a decent enough show and you can't just watch three episodes!)

Posted by Brainy Brown Girl in NYC at 9/01/2008 08:49:00 AM Comments

Praise the Lord! I can hear The Brian Lehrer Show again on NYPR. The audio problems I was experiencing for the past 2 weeks on my work PC was driving me ABSOLUTELY CRAZY!
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Posted by Brainy Brown Girl in NYC at 8/29/2008 10:22:00 AM Comments

The only negative thing I can say about this documentary, The Black List, is that it is running on the first day of the DNC convention (I still remember listening to Barak Obama speak at the DNC convention several years ago). Other than that, let's just say I can barely bring myself to go to the bathroom. This documentary is awesome. It includes people I've admired for years, people I've only briefly read about in Essence, and a few I've never heard of. Hearing what their voices sound like, their stories, they encourage me. Seriously.

It reminds me of how thankful I am that my parents and extended family instilled a sense of "black pride" in me. They taught me that I could, and should, love being black. At the same time, I never got a message that to love being black, was to do that at the expense of humanity (This is not to say I haven't heard or repeated a joke or two, I hate to admit it, but I would be lying otherwise)In other words, I was taught to appreciate other cultures, in addition to seeking out the history, literature, movies, music, images etc. of people who look like me. I hope this documentary makes it to DVD soon. I hope it's watched by the generation after me, those aged 16-25, who are in desparate need of hope and healthy, authentic "black pride".




Oooh, Michelle Obama is on!!!

Posted by Brainy Brown Girl in NYC at 8/25/2008 09:48:00 PM Comments

This has to be one of the best commercials that I've seen in a long time (and definitely one of the best that Nike has put out in a long time). It's one that I actually stopped and watched. Marvin Gaye was so cool! I mean, he was that dude in his day . . .Man, what happened to R&B!!

Posted by Brainy Brown Girl in NYC at 8/24/2008 04:11:00 PM Comments