Rantings of a Creole Princess

"Lost" has Lost Me

I've watched my last episode tonight unless someone contacts me PERSONALLY and clears up a few things. This mess is all over the place and just too dang much.

"Beautiful Liar" - Beyonce & Shakira

Whatchall think?

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SUNDAY, MARCH 11
Basics of Eggs
Eggs are an essential kitchen staple; used in a myriad of applications, prepared in a variety of cooking methods. Learn the basics of egg selection and handling as well as some fundamental cooking techniques from omelettes to poaching to a classic frittata.

SUNDAY, MARCH 25
KitchenAid Mixer 101
Get a better understanding of this kitchen workhorse. Understand the differences in KitchenAid mixers and its functions. Learn how to maximize your KitchenAid mixer‚s potentials as well as how to use it correctly to produce delicious products every time.

SUNDAY, APRIL 15
Springtime Sauces
Understand the techniques involved in sauces. Learn how to make a selection of sauces perfect for your springtime meals. Recipes will include Hollandaise, Bearnaise, and Whole-Grain Mustard Sauce.

SUNDAY, APRIL 29
Sauté
This classic cooking technique is often misinterpreted. Learn the proper method for sautéing both meats and vegetables. Recipes will be included.

DEAD

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HotNESS or HotMESS??? (SM)

Can't type much after surgery so I'm "shopping." :)

http://www.saksfifthavenue.com/main/ProductDetail.jsp?FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=282574492703782&PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524446141116&R=97169166432&P_name=Car+Shoe&sid=1110B22ADC2E&ASSORTMENT%3C%3East_id=1408474395222441&bmUID=1172713097174

HotNESS or HotMESS??? (SM)

Orange? What do you think?

http://www.wshome.com/products/p2005/index.cfm?pkey=cbdgbdg&cm%5Fsrc=None

Fashion Inspiration

Who is your fashion inspiration? Like the person who most times you see them they are rocking something you'd rock?

For me...these days (it changes up...ROFL) it's Victoria Beckham. Ya girl be rocking the HotNESS on the regla to me. I like JLo too...but lately...she's been worrying me. LOL!

Who is it for you?

Fantasia?????????????

Fantasia is replacing ya girl as Ceily in "The Color Purple" on Broadway. *sigh*

Now...I'm a fan of her singing but...Fantasia couldn't even act as HERSELF in the Lifetime movie. SHE COULDN'T ACT AS HERSELF!

DEAD.

So glad I saw it already.

Why I LOVE this dude...

Because he ALWAYS says what I'm thinking! ROFL! GO CHECK THIS OUT! http://thethinkingblackman.blogspot.com/2007/02/cause-celeb.html

Adult ADHD

I think I have adult ADHD. I can’t keep my brain stuck on anything for too long. Tonight I’m thinking about wounded soldiers and the next minute I’m thinking about my new hat I bought.

I’ve always been this way. I have never stuck with anything long enough to give it a good go. I get bored. I move on…I hate feeling obligated.

I’ve tossed around the idea of being a Big Sister for a while now but what happens on the one day I just don’t FEEL like it. Wouldn’t that totally screw up a kid who is counting on me to be there when I say I am? How does a kid understand that it’s not them…it’s ME.

As a kid I used to pick up a hobby and drop it faster than the newness of the equipment wore off. But…no one ever MADE me do anything. I didn’t have to STICK with anything and I was encouraged to explore new things.

Consequently I’m the type of person who knows a little bit about a lot instead of a lot about a little bit which I could translate into a million dollar idea.

I just get bored.

I can talk to someone and five minutes later…I’m ready to go. I hate talking on the phone even though folks call me all the time to check in. It’s not that I don’t like THEM…I just don’t like talking on the phone.

I often wonder if I will ever change. I mean sure…it’s good for my idea book…BOOKS. But if your ideas aren’t coming to fruition…then you gotta wonder ya know?

At least I think so now. But hell…in two minutes…I’ll be thinking something completely different. sigh

"It's all kicks and giggles..." - 9

“Shit Punkin. You made her hang up.”

“Whatever hell. I got tired of listening to all that simple shit. That ho is crazy.”

“How do you know she’s been checking his voicemail?”

“I didn’t. But I know now don’t I? She’s been calling his phone and then calling back and deleting her stupid messages and only keeping the ones where she doesn’t come across as psycho and that’s how she got your number.”

“I have a feeling she’s seen me and is why she called me fat.”

“Me too. But you’re not fat…however…we’re going to have to tilt the tide in our favor.”

“Already done…sent the investigator I use at the office her phone number…I should have a complete report on her as soon as he gets the email. Wait…here it is…Gina Torres. Two other names are associated with her address so she obviously has roommates. She drives a Toyota Prius and lives in Silver Spring. I already knew she works at the hospital with Sharon…looks like it’s some kind of part time job. She’s in the medical field but isn’t registered as a doctor. ”

“So…JJ has someone who will be able to patch his ass up afterwards.”

“Humph. Ooh wait…it gets better. Guess who she also works for?”

“Who?”

“Congressman Claiborne.”

“Dougie?”

“Girl…stop calling Doug Dougie. He’s a congressman now for goodness sake.”

“He’ll always be Dougie to me. Pee-pee Dougie.”

“Yeah…I guess.”

“You okay? Sorry I said something but I was getting a bit too tired of hearing her mouth and then she took me there.”

“No problem. To be honest…I’m surprised you held out as long as you did. Hold on…she’s calling me back.”

“What?”

“Yes…hold on.” I answered the phone. “Hello?”

Click.

I clicked over. “Well it’s official…she’s dumb as a box of rocks…she just hung up on me.”

“Girl…TELL ME that heffa is NOT playing on your phone.”

Big sigh. “I wish I could. There she goes again.” I click over.

“This is Mia.” Silence. “Gina…please stop calling my home.”

Click.

I clicked back over.

“Mia…you need to call JJ and tell him to harness this one. She could be crazy for all we know.”

“I’m not worried about her…But hold on…I’m bout to call Sharon, MY soror…better yet…my damn line sister. And this time PLEASE be quiet.”

“Unh huh. I can’t make no promises once stupid shit starts jumping off.”

“Punkin….”

“Aiight…I’m not going to say anything.”

“Promise.”

“Un huh.”

“Say you promise or I’m going to call Dougie and tell him you still have a thing for him.”

“Girl I’d kill you. That fool prolly still kisses with the inside of his lips…just…ewwwww…all wet. Blech!

“Here comes Dougie’s lips!”

“Ewwwwwwwwww Mia hell…okay…I promise!”

Oh yeah....

...forgot to tell yall. As you're reading this I'm having surgery. :) My expander is coming out and my permanent silicon implant is being put in. I check into the hospital at 7:40 am and my procedure will last three hours. After recovery I get to come home.

I'll have some of those really fun drains again....wheeeeeeeeeeee! (Note the sarcasm. LOL!)

I've been warning yall about how I'm going to be once my new boob is finished. ROFL! WATCH OUT NOW! I can't wait for Spring! LOL!

Bob Woodruff Special

I am over here crying like a baby. Oh my God. Oh my God. Every single one of the injured soldiers just broke my heart. Oh my God.

I'm going to bed now. My heart hurts.

White Movie...Black Movie...Blagigaddy

We were in the New Orleans airport yesterday evening and Oprah's special she always does the day after the Academy Award's was on. Jennifer Hudson came on and I was like..."Aiight JHud!" Why? Because I'm proud of her. Not JUST because she's a black woman either. But mostly because she's like the underdog. The true AMERICAN DREAM.

Isn't that what America is all about? The fact that any of us can come from extremly humble beginnings and be anything we want to be? Ms. Hudson is the perfect example of that and she seems like a good girl. "God is good. Look at what God can do." That's a girl we can be proud of.

So, I noticed a lot of black people, women, come over to watch Jennifer Hudson and we were all grinning from ear to ear. When the segment was over it got boring with some mess about Gayle's behind the scene thing (Oprah...you really need to get someone with some flava to rep you. I know Gayle ya girl and all...but her yawn factor is way up there. I'm just saying bruh.) and everyone settled into their own thing. Reading their books, mags, newspapers, turning up their iPods. And then I heard it.

Four really jazzy white ladies talking to each other and one of them said..."Now who is she again?"

Jazzy Lady 2: They said something about "American Idol."

Jazzy Lady 3: She was on "American Idol?"

Jazzy Lady 4: I don't know. What did she win for? "American Idol?"

Jazzy Lady 1: I missed that part.

So...me being me...someone who can talk to ANYBODY...said, "She was in the movie 'Dreamgirls.'"

Jazzy Lady 1: What was that?

Jazzy Lady 2: I never heard of it.

Jazzy Lady 3: Was that the movie with Denzel Washington?

Jazzy Lady 4: (Blank stare.)

Now yall...my mouf dropped open. Why? BECAUSE WE HAVE BEEN INUNDATED WITH "DREAMGIRLS!" I was sick of seeing the commercials. Sick of the reference being EVERYWHERE! They talked about it on ALL THE SHOWS. All of them. "Regis and Kelly," "The View," "Martha Stewart," "Oprah," ALL OF THEM. "Dreamgirls" was EVERYWHERE!

So how is it that four happening, hip looking women didn't even know it existed?

I watch a lot of movies. A LOT. I've probably watched every black movie ever made that appealed to me...but I have watched like a hundred times that of movies wherein NOT ONE BLACK PERSON WAS IN THE MOVIE. Why? Because that's just the way it is. I can watch television all day and the ratio would be so disproportionate that it SHOULD bother me. But it doesn't. Why? Because I'm used to it. We all are.

Lesley told me that some of her co-workers were saying they weren't going to watch the Oscars any more because it has lost "it." That star power, that magical SOMETHING. Or maybe just a few too many black people have won Oscars. The world may never know.

May I say something that might be controversial? Hell...it's my site...of course I can.

HALLE BERRY DID NOT DESERVE AN ACADEMY AWARD. And everybody knows it. Hollywood was feeling guilty and Halle looks good. SHE DID NOT DESERVE IT.

Why were they feeling guilty you ask? Because of the lack of wins and, in some cases even, NOMINATIONS of EXCELLENT movies that depicted black life.

"Malcolm X" anyone?

Say now...what's up "Color Purple?"

Whatchu say "What's Love Got to Do With It?"

Why are you wilting "A Raisin in the Sun?"

I'm seeing red although "Lady Sings the Blues."

These movies...all released at PIVOTAL points in life...could have changed the fabric of what is available depicting black life now. Because they went basically unnoticed and unappreciated by Hollywood, it seemed that the type of movies they were...would not be appreciated by the masses so another direction was taken...more of entertainment instead of potential enlightenment. More comedy...less drama. Less circumstances for crossover. THE LINE WAS DRAWN.

Anyone of you going to tell me that Denzel should not have received an Oscar for "Malcolm X" as opposed to "Training Day?" DO YOU REALLY THINK HALLE BERRY AND NOT ANGELA BASSETT SHOULD HAVE AN OSCAR DISPLAYED PROUDLY ON HER SHELF?

This is what happens when it's been unfair for so long. You make mistakes trying to hastily right wrongs and you convince white people that movies with black experiences are not worthy of their time. Why? BECAUSE YOU GAVE HALLE BERRY AN AWARD FOR A SUCKY MOVIE...and when they said hey...maybe we should rent that video because she won an award for it...it comes across as a fricking joke. And then...THEN...you have white people who miss out on performances like Jennifer Hudson's in "Dreamgirls."

Jennifer Hudson deserved that award and it shows your ignorance when you say she didn't WHEN YOU DIDN'T EVEN GO SEE THE DAMN MOVIE!

I have lots of favorite movies...my most favorite is probably "The Princess Bride." Weird huh? LOL! But the movie I have in my DVD player right now...that I could watch over and over and over again is "The Color Purple" and I have a whole lot of white friends WHO HAVE NEVER SEEN THE MOVIE. Sure...they have seen "The Princess Bride" but they would have NEVER thought to sit and watch a movie as beautifully developed and as character defining as "The Color Purple."

If I see a movie and it looks like it's going to be good...I go see it. A lot of white people tune out immediately when they see a black cast. Now yall already know I have a problem with a LOT the movies that are depicting black people but Hollywood has to take some responsibility for that. Good movies with black people are not celebrated...bad ones are. *sigh* Even when it's directed by a GENIUS like Steven Speilberg. EVEN THEN.

Spike Lee and I don't see eye to eye on a lot of things...but we were HERE on "Malcolm X." That was one of the most GORGEOUSLY PAINTED HISTORICAL MOVIES OF OUR TIME! And I truly believe Spike's spirit may have taken a hit when it was not received as well as it should have been by the coveted and yet DREADED crossover crowd.

White people...rent "The Color Purple" and then...check out a few more of the movies I have suggested. And lastly...put "Dreamgirls" in your Netflix queue and reserve your opinion on Jennifer Hudson AFTER YOU'VE SEEN THE MOVIE.

Black people...stop going see stoopit ish like "Soul Plane." Seriously. SERIOUSLY.

My Lipstick??????

For some reason...everyone asks me about that dang lipstick I wear.  Even when I was hangin with the SanginDiva herself SHE asked me and you know she got people!  LOL!

So...since folks done asked me 5 more times this weekend and I'm tired of typing it up in response to emails...Imma put it here so I can just refer folks to this post.

This is whatcha need:

1.  MAC Chestnut pencil

2.  MAC Bronze Shimmer lipstick (frost)

3.  MAC Film Noir lipstick (satin)

Okay...line your lips with the pencil (make sure it's sharpened right).  Then LIGHTLY put on one coat of the Bronze Shimmer.  Next...OUTLINE your lips LIGHTLY with the Film Noir...and then...just mush together.  You shouldn't see an outline of your lips...it should be blended all together.

"It's all kicks and giggles..." - 8

“What the hell you mean what do you do? Answer the phone! No…wait…DON’T ANSWER IT! Let it go to voicemail then call it right back on three way so I can hear…and just say you were running to the phone and missed it and are calling back because you’re expecting a delivery.”

“Okay. Oh my goodness…I cannot believe she’s calling me. How in the world did she get my number? Okay…it’s stopped ringing….hold on and let me call the number.”

I clicked over, dialed and clicked back over.

“Punkin?”

“Uh.” She said quickly just in case the phone was answered immediately.

“Hello?”

“Hi, I just missed your call. Are you the courier bringing the documents I’m expecting?”

“Um…no…is this Mia?”

“Yes, this is Mia…and you are?”

“Well, you don’t know me, but I’m dating JJ.”

A roaring started in my ear. “I’m sorry?”

“I’m dating JJ.”

“Okay…and you’re calling me because?”

“Well…I just want to know what’s going on between you and JJ. He’s telling me one thing and it’s obvious that he’s playing games with both of us.”

“What’s your name and how did you get my number?”

“My name is Gina and, please excuse this call but I just really need to know what’s going on with you and JJ.”

“Well Gina, whatever is going on between JJ and I is between JJ and I. I don’t know you and if you know JJ as you say you do…then you should be talking to him and not calling my home. And you never did tell me how you got my number.”

“Mia, I’m sorry and I certainly don’t want any trouble…I just thought you’d like to know that I exist that’s all. JJ might be telling you that you’re the only one just like he’s told me.”

“I’m glad you recognize that I could be a bit put off by a perfect stranger calling my home to tell me they are dating JJ. May I ask how long you’ve been dating JJ?”

“For about three and a half months now.”

THREE AND A HALF MONTHS HUH??????

“Interesting. Where did you meet?”

“I was at a lounge with a couple of girlfriends and he brought his cousin who was in town for business there and well…we just clicked. We’ve been dating ever since.”

That was when Chris came down from Chicago. We were still dating then.

“When you say dating…is it a committed relationship?”

“He told me he wasn’t dating anyone but me.”

“And during this time did he refer to you as his girlfriend?”

“Not really, but we were always together.”

“Interesting.” I said.

“Why is that interesting?”

“I just find it interesting that I’ve never heard of you.”

“Well I’ve heard of you.”

“From JJ?”

“No, from Sharon. I know you’re Mike’s wife Sharon’s girlfriend.”

I STARTED SEEING SPOTS.

“And how do you know Sharon and Mike?”

“Sharon is my soror and JJ and I hang out with them often. Mike is his best friend.”

“Indeed he is.”

“Well Gina…I can’t say it was a pleasure speaking to you but I really have to go.”

“You don’t seem too concerned with JJ playing both of us.”

“I guess that’s because I don’t know you. And I find it difficult to take the word of a stranger over those I’ve known for years.”

“Are you and JJ dating?”

“You’ll have to discuss that with JJ, dear.”

“Don’t you think we should get to the bottom of this?”

“Oh…I WILL get to the bottom of this. Trust.”

“But we can help each other.”

“Unh huh. Gina…sweetie…how old are you?”

“Twenty-five.”

“Then you’re old enough to know that if you want to get to the bottom of something…you start at the top. You need to talk to JJ, dear.”

“Are you dating him or not?”

“I will neither confirm nor deny that. It’s something we learned early on in law school.”

“Okay…so this was a mistake…”

“Yes it probably was.”

“…I should have known a desperate BITCH like you wouldn’t care if he was playing her.”

“Whoa there simpleton…you need to pump your damn breaks. You don’t know me well enough yet to be able to confirm or deny that I’m a bitch which I very well may be and is a fact that should give your simple ass pause. And with that statement…you have confirmed a lot of stuff for me.” I opened my email on my laptop and typed furiously.

“Well I can tell you’re an old, fat, weave head BITCH who is desperate enough to be with someone else’s man.”

“Alright now…I’ve been quiet long enough.” Punkin said. “Lil girl…do you REALLY think we’re stupid or dumb? Did you REALLY think you were dealing with a woman who would play this silly ass game with you? Now you need to back the fuck up and recognize when you’ve been outsmarted. Yes we know who you are and yes we know you’ve been checking JJ’s messages on his cell phone and if you think for one second that your ass won’t be dealt with appropriately…you’re dumber than we think you are.”

CLICK.

Re-Post

I received an interesting email last night which made me want to re-post this...yall remember when we had this convo...it was QUITE the interesting debate!

December 13, 2006
Braggin? Or Telling the Truth?

**NOTE: THIS POST SEEMED TO STRIKE SOME NERVES...SO I MOVED IT BACK UP. THE DISCUSSION SEEMS TO BE QUITE INTERESTING.

I'm a good looking chick. Is it okay that I say that?

I'm 37 and I'm shaped nice. Is it okay that I say that?

I don't have any hair issues. Is it okay that I say that?

I have a nice home, nice things. Is it okay that I say that?

I have mad flava and am a good cook. Is it okay that I say that?

I married well. Is it okay that I say that?

I have an awesome support system. Is it okay that I say that?

Just wondering ya know.

Is it okay for me to say something about myself and my life that I'm proud of without someone taking it as a personal attack against them and theirs? Why I gotta play misery + misery = misery with you?

When new chicks meet me in the real world...I get "the look." LOL! The "she thinks she's all that" look. And usually...I DON'T SAY A WORD! Why? Because I don't go off all willy nilly with new folk. I gotta feel em out first...see where their head is. I take my time with em. So basically all you have to go on is my physical appearance and if you look at me and decide you don't like me just from looking at me (cuz let me reiterate I AIN'T SAID MUCH OF NUTTIN YET!) I already know where that comes from.

So...a room full of people and enter me. Attractive women, okay looking women, same as with men. Tall, short. You can't be poor to be at this event...so we're probably all of the same ilk. What do they see when they see me? I know what they see because I have a mirror...I know what I see because I have 20/20 vision.

Let the games begin.

How do you size people up that you don't know or don't know OF you? The head to toe glance? The calculating of how much their ensemble costs? The size of their bling? Earring and watch check? Do you steer clear of the ones who are attractive and dismiss them as the dreaded "B" word without trying to get to know them? What do YOU do?

Me? I talk to the people that don't have that "pearl clutching" look about simple stuff...nice shoes...great bag, etc. I walk into the room like I own it and I immediately try and make people feel at ease around me. Hell...I know I can be intimidating. How do I know? Cuz folks have always told me that.

So...I'm talking. Get a good conversation going with a table full of people of about 10. Before we've parted, I've exchanged contact information with 6 of them. They all want to get together soon...let's do this again and, as always, one of them sidles up to me to say..."You're not at all what I thought you would be. I thought you'd be one of those kinds...you know?" I always laugh and say..."Baaaaaaaaaaaaby...I'm from the country...this is how we roll." Mild annoyance put away for another day. But...duly noted.

I told you guys about my cutting a piece of cake in front of an overweight woman who reacted negatively to the size of my slice turning her nose up at me ("My Mother's Daughter"). Well...more about that chick. She's NEVER liked me. Not from the first time she saw me and I didn't do a dang thing or say a dang thing to her. I remember her being around once when someone asked me if I did pilates and I said yes but not much anymore. I shared that I was undergoing treatment for infertility and just didn't have the energy level I had before so I didn't do much of anything cuz I didn't feel like it. The person I was talking to told me I was lucky. My response was..."Lucky I can't have a baby? Or lucky I don't gain much weight?" The overweight chick focused on the lucky I don't gain much weight and that annoyed me. That glass is half empty for her.

There are different degrees of lucky ya know. Which would I pick? You already know the answer to that.

I know I'm rambling.

People in real life that I don't let get close to me don't know me. My filters are in place so that people who SHOULDN'T be in my world aren't. If you're the type that judges me by what YOU THINK my appearance says about me...you need to stay away.

I find that once people read or hear about my pains in life...it makes it easier to accept me. I call this the "better than factor." LOL. As soon as someone finds out an aspect of someone's life that allows them to empathize with them or feel sorry for them...it easier to be around them considering their own insecurities. They need something to compare to so they can feel they are "better than" per se.

If you didn't know what I looked like. If you only knew of my pain. How would you picture I looked? Would you think I wouldn't be pretty because bad stuff doesn't happen to pretty people? That's what this mentality screams. Bad stuff happens to everyone. I would say bad stuff might happen to pretty people even more often because they encounter more people that try and get to know them more than average looking people. And we all know...the more people you know...the more nutcases you know.

Chick: Unh...you see her over there acting all stuck up?

Chick 2: That's the one whose father killed her mother and then himself.

Chick: No? REALLY? OHMYG!

Chick 2: Yeah, he used to beat all of them. Thank God for my parents.

Chick: Let's go ask her where she got those shoes...they are ROCKING!

Me: (Oh crap...here come the pearl clutchers...and they see me see them...too late to duck into the bathroom. Crap, crap, CRAP!)

People are weird. Is it okay for me to say that?

Be conscious of doing this ish okay? You might not even know you do it...but it happens to me enough that I know more people do it than you think and I've seen it done to other people too. Nobody has a perfect life. Everyone has something. Some of us...more than our fair share. We're all human. Try and remember that please.

My favorite comment and my subsequent response on this post is the following:

Could it be that you give off a vibe? I mean look at the "air" you had describint the other people. It is good to be confident. However, sometimes your posts comes off too haughty. Or how you go off on someone cause you don't like their comment

The part about how YOU command a room and how YOU make people feel comfortable. LOL. That sounds arrogant. Maybe your standoffishness is being interpreted and snobbish. Ever think about that?

Based on your previous, let the fireworks begin.

Posted by: kieran | December 13, 2006 at 01:13 PM

CreoleInDC: Oh...I DEFINITELY give off a vibe as I stated and yes...when I walk into a room...I COMMAND IT but since you don't KNOW me...you wouldn't know that unless I told you. My vibe, confidence, level of arrogance, etc...is exactly as it should be. It keeps those away from me whom shouldn't be around me...and vice versa. Standoffish I'm not...I just stay away from certain "types" of people and everyone who comes here and "knows" me knows EXACTLY the people I'm talking about. LOL!

That said...we're all friends here and I don't "know" you so tread lightly before passing off your opinions on ONE POST that in no way reflects even a minute part of who I am. And...as always...please remember that if you don't like my writing or what I write...you can always just NOT type in www.MonicaMingo.com. Let me be beneath you. It'll be for the best I'm sure.

Let the games begin.

You ain't put in on this mannnnnnnnnn!

CreoleInDC...TOTALLY LOVING LIFE TODAY! :)

Bob Wooddruff!

Are you guys going to watch the special on him tonight? I love this. He was in a coma for over a month and they didn't know what he would be like when he came out after sustaining life threatening injuries in Iraq. Now...he's back. LOVE THAT! http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ent/4583434.html

Putting YOU on blast! ROFL!

A couple of weeks ago I admitted, FINALLY, what my dream was. Among the support I also received comments which included some of YOUR dreams as well. My question is...

WHAT HAVE YOU DONE TO GET CLOSER TO YOUR DREAM FULFILLED?

Go head girl go head get down!!! I'm soooooooo glad you have something new that excites you. I look forward to going through your new adventure with you. I know you'll succeed your just that type of person. Keep us posted it is going to be a wild ride. 
Smile.
Be good- mOnica ps- I 've always had an acting dream so let me know, I have skillz. Posted by: mOnica | February 13, 2007 at 02:13 PM

You are surrounded by a wealth of support. You might fall, but then you'll do what you always do: You'll get back up. You have a strong cheering section. Thank you for addressing this topic. I see myself in many ways and now know what I need to do.
Posted by: jazzy894 | February 13, 2007 at 11:15 AM

Go Diva! And ah, ya girl here volunteers to be an extra (or a star) in any of your shorts. *lol* I've always fancied myself a bit of an actress. For real though, whatever you need on the local side. I'm excited for you!
Posted by: Taya | February 13, 2007 at 10:14 AM

I always thought I would do something with TV or movies myself. a sitcom would be fun to write but I don't think my writing skills are as good as they need to be. Or I could do voice overs with all the voices I do.
I know I know... we could do it together. Start our own movie company too!
Ok you lead. Get crack-a-lacking chica!
Posted by: Red | February 13, 2007 at 09:42 AM

Get cracking young woman, get cracking. Age ain't got a thing to do with it. I am working on getting my Associate and thinking of going on and becoming a lawyer. I am 34 years old, so what? Get cracking. Yeah, you can do it, it is meant for you to do, you are suppose to be happy too. Get crackin' now. Don't make me say that to you again. You deserve to be happy and live a fulfilling life. You have loved and helped - that is who you are you won't abandon that by living your own dreams. Everyone who loves you want you to be happy to Mz. Creole, and if they don't you know my rule - they can go and kick rocks! I am proud of you for saying your dream out loud and starting to go for it. You have been there for everybody else, take care of yourself and your dreams. Get cracking.
Posted by: Nikita | February 13, 2007 at 09:35 AM

Personally I thing you are amazing Mrs. Mingo. I applaud your tenacity, and outloud honesty. Bravo !
And, and if you need extras for your films, call me... LOL..( I've had actress fantasies for years)
Its taken me 20 years to say outloud, that I want and advanced degree, amongst other things. I hired a personal coach last year to help me realize my dreams, as I dont have a particularly supportive SO. Nevertheless, I am moving onward and loving life, bound and determined to life my 'best life'. Now.
This is exciting news, Monica... Good luck, Chica
Posted by: J | February 12, 2007 at 11:45 PM

Men and weekend showering...

Is it just my sister-in-law and I...or do your men get a little erra....LAX on weekend showering and shaving as well?

SPILL IT! We wanna know!

"It's all kicks and giggles..." - 7

"Hi JJ...it's me...Gina. Just calling to see what you're doing. Been thinking about you. I miss you."

"JJ...I'm sitting here looking at that pic we took at dinner with my brother and his girlfriend...we had such a good time that night. I miss you so much. Please call me."

"Hey...it's me. Why do people breakup? Why are you doing this to me? Why me? How could you JJ?"

"PICK UP THE PHONE! YOU KNOW IT'S ME AND YOU KNOW WHY I'M CALLING!"

"Hey...it's me. I'm worried about you. Haven't heard from you and I'm really worried. I called Mike and he says he hasn't seen you either. Honey are you okay? Please call me so I don't worry."

"Hey...I know I'm blowing up your phone but Jamie Fox is coming to town and I bought two tickets. I know you like him and thought this would be a great thing we could do together to get us back on track."

"DAMMIT JJ! I WILL NOT BE IGNORED ANY LONGER! AND WHERE WERE YOU LAST NIGHT? YOU DIDN'T SLEEP AT YOUR HOUSE SO WHERE ARE YOU? YOU'VE PROBABLY MET SOME LITTLE WHORE AND ARE OUT SOWING YOUR DAMN OATS OR WHATEVER THE HELL IT IS YOU CALL IT! YOU CAN'T TREAT PEOPLE LIKE THIS! HOW DARE YOU USE ME AND THEN ACT LIKE I DON'T EXIST!"

And that was all within the hour JJ's been gone.''

"Damn...so it's like that huh? He hooked up with some crazy chick." I sighed.

"Or she could be just a normal, sweet person who JJ really and truly just used while he was hurting. We can't judge her on these messages."

"Yeah...I guess you're right. What should I do now? I can't let him know I know cuz then he'll know I checked his messages."

"Well, the fact that he hasn't told you about her...wait...did you ASK him point blank if he was seeing someone while yall were broke up?"

"No, I didn't."

"Well then...you'd better ask now cuz some shit might go down with ya girl."

"Hey...call it again and then dial *88 after the message so I can hear the number."

"Okay." She clicked over. "Hey...only one new message is there now and the saved message from you."

"Huh?"

"Girl yes...we better stop. JJ must be checking his messages. Gina's number is the same one you had."

"Okay...hold on...my phone is ringing." I looked down at the phone.

TORRES, G. 555.313.2680.

"PUNKIN! IT'S HER! SHE'S CALLING ME!"

"EXCUSE ME?"

"IT'S HER! TORRES, G...AND THE NUMBER IS THE SAME...SHE'S CALLING MY DAMN HOUSE! WHAT SHOULD I DO???????????????"

Men and their status symbols...

Had this debate this weekend. Men only REALLY have two status symbols. Their wife and their car.

Hmmmmmmmmm....I was thinking watches, shoes, house, etc. and the argument was that nope...a man doesn't invite everyone over to their house so no...and other men don't notice a man's watch or shoes but they will notice his wife and will notice his car.

I asked Robby this...

Robby: Well...you see what I drive (Dodge Ram) and you see my wife...I'm not too high on the status pole huh?

Me: *sigh*

Robby: You know I'm just kidding...you're hot.

Me: *sigh*

So it's like...a successful man doesn't have a problem with his wife spending the money to look a certain way because that's how people know HE'S successful...by looking at his wife. Sure...he may be kicking it in three year old khakis...but his wife is the height of all things FABU...so you KNOW!

Okay...thoughts? Whatchall think of this?

P.S. Was just having this convo with Rach and she said that the watch and shoes and house, etc...would help a SINGLE man GET the hot wife so...maybe there are different status symbols for single vs. married guys. GOOD POINT!

Okay...NOW WHATCHALL THINK?

I feel so ALIVEEEEEEEEEEEEE!

**Disclamer for the above pic...it was taken by holding the camera up in front of our face at the crack of dawn...yall know I am NOT a morning person! LOL!

Man...I don't know what it is. But I just feel so ALIVE. OPEN. JUST...RIPE AND READY TO ROLL! I guess I didn't realize exactly how much I missed my people till I saw their faces and got to wrap my arms around them and make sure they are really real. I feel so good being in Louisiana that it's a feeling I want to bottle up and sip from whenever I'm having one of my days.

The Robinator asked me would I like to move to New Orleans and help rebuild the city. I thought about it and said yes. BUT IT WOULD HAVE TO BE NEW ORLEANS. Not Baton Rouge, not Slidell....but NEW ORLEANS. And in the heart of the city where I can feel the pulse move so yes...I would move to New Orleans even though I've always said I don't think I could ever live in Louisiana again.

I feel so good yall. I feel so damn good. I've smiled and laughed so much my cheeks hurt. LOL! I'm just upset I didn't get to see everyone I wanted to see...but I truly didn't have that much time and I really wanted to focus on making sure my Grandmother was as she should be. So yes...I'm writig to say that whomever feels I slighted them by not visiting...please know that I really, REALLY wanted to. I'll be back home sometime this summer and I promise you'll be first on my list then. SCOUTS HONOR!

I'M READY TO TAKE ON THE WORLD!

Miss Ahmad...I bought the book "The Artist's Way" that you told me to buy. I haven't started reading it yet...but I will soon. I promise.

Oh yeah...Um.....if you're new to this site....please know that I'm no longer answering hair questions. Regular people...yall got that cuz yall family. But man...new people can be a bit pushy I find. I got a series of emails from two young ladies back to back while I've been here and yall know I wasn't able to email for a few days so my responses just sat in my outgoing messages. Don't you know these heffas tried to get sporty with me????????????? I'm like baaaaaaaaaaaby....you must not know bout me. Don't fug up your hair and get mad at a perfect stranger for not responding in the time frame YOU want her to respond. Are you NUTS? Girl please. Take your azz to a beauty supply and buy some gunk to mask your problem if you're gonna act a donkey with me. I ain't the one. Not today...not manana.

Okay...had to get that off my chest. It was making me itch.

How do yall like "It's all kicks and giggles..." so far? Feedback please. I got an installment ready to go...but it's difficult to write drama I find. See me...I'm ready to kick JJ's butt...but hey...that's not how everybody rolls and I want it to appeal to masses.

If you haven't figured it out...yall are my test audience. ROFL! When I make it big...yall will be VIP wherever I be. Fo sho. Ya got that. Cool? Cool!

Now..."Timothy" is going to be my first short and I plan on starting to get ready to do it as soon as I get back home. Well...maybe I'll take a few days to level out first...but after that...consider it done.

I gotta tell yall again. I feel soooooooooooo ALIVE. I'm sitting here with my feet up in the executive lounge looking over the mighty Mississippi. Robby is reading the paper and Rachel is texting her lil fingers off to her guy...it doesn't get any better than this. Well...maybe if my nephew were here too...that would make it the BEST!

I love yall and I'll be home to Jaru and Lucy soon. Several posts are scheduled to go out today including Part 7. I hope yall enjoy em!

Oh...and sorry I inundated yall with so many pics this weekend...I just wanted to show off my family. :) Oh...and I'm getting better with the Mac. It's the only puter I used this trip. I almost broke down and used my sister's but I didn't. GO ME!

CreoleInDC...LOVING LIFE!

2007 Mardi Gras Marathon!

Robby and his sister Rachel ran the Mardi Gras Marathon today. Their mother and I watched from right behind the finish line and inside the police barricade. How? Yall know how. I gots dat flava baby! ROFL!

Being that close to the runners as they finished...seeing their reaction to finishing such a HUGE milestone made me know one thing for sure...CREOLEINDC WILL NEVER, EVER RUN A MARATHON! ROFL! Them folks were HURTIN! LOL! HURTIN! Passing out...falling down...upchucking...all to say they ran a marathon. Not me baby...I'm too cute for all that huffing and puffing to run 26.2 miles. BUT...Robby and Rachel did an awesome job and we were so very proud of them!

The cool thing is the chick who was the first woman to finish was the sister of the guy who was the first guy to finish. It made history. TOTALLY COOL! We had a good time.

Oscars Baby!

Okay...yall ready?

Ellen's talking...and so are her shoes. :)

Now we KNEW Ellen was gonna dance didn't we? I like Nicole's dress and she's looking less "eye stretched" to me tonight. Good thing.

Okay...were yall not LOVING JHud's dress? She got star flava. Me likey. I gotta see Jada's dress again...don't know if I COMPLETELY love it yet. Love the color...just don't know about the bodice. Didn't love ANYTHING bout Camerian Diaz's dress. It looks like an envelope. Wasn't feeling it.

Oh...and that dude who does all the fashion stuff. Dude...how you gonna be critiquing fashion and you wearing a purple tux? That's all I'm saying. :)

The Oscars are just sooooooooooooo much less exciting then the Grammy's. Wait...Will Farrell's hair just might make up for it being boring. JACK BLACK! Love him! Okay...this song is killing me! ROFL! Did he say larynx? ROFL! Nicolodean Award? This little skit is kinda cute.

Why Will and Jada's son is too cute???????? Love the kiddies! That little girl's dress is too cute! She ballgownin it and it's perfect for a lil girl her age! LOVE that!

Okay...now how cool is the sounds effects choir? ROFL!

Steve Carrell makes me laugh even when he's not talking. Did yall see "Little Miss Sunshine?"

I am sooooooo not kidding when I say I have a dress almost EXACTLY like Jennifer Biel's in my closet. All I need to do is add a belt. :O

Oooooooooooooh...first "Dreamgirl" award! Whooooooohoooooo!

HOLD THE HELL UP!!!!!!! WHERE IS JAYZ? WHY IS MATHEW WITH BEYONCE?????????

And "Norbitt" has taken a casualty. Humph.

CONGRATS ALAN ARKIN!

Where da hell did Ellen come from? "Good Mama's?" BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! That was funny!

Yes yall...they really are dancing. Stop ignoring them. ROFL!

These songs are yawn worthy. Are they gonna sing a "Dreamgirls" song?????

That was a super cool skit with Al Gore and his "announcement." LOL!

Cameron Diaz's dress seriously looks like an envelope. (Did I say that already????? ROFL!)

Better outfit Ellen. Thanks.

I LOVE MERYL STREEP! LOVE HER LOVE HER LOVE HER!

I'm getting sleepy. er.

FINALLY SOMEONE IS WEARING A Monnie-ish DRESS! Aiight now Gwenyth!

Funny joke Robert Downey Jr!

Just want to say that I think Helen Mirren is one classy dresser.

I don't think I'm gonna make it. I'm trying to see if JHud wins...but I doubt if I make it. When they put all these mini mercials in with the "Titanic" music....makes me sleepy. er.

YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSBBBBBBBBBBAAAAAAAAAABBBBBBBYYYYYYYY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! GO JENNIFER HUDSON...GO BABY GO BABY GO BABY! THIS IS SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO AMAZING! "LOOK AT WHAT GO CAN DO!" WOW. JUST...WOW! LOVE YOU GIRL! I AM SOOOOOOO PROUD OF YOU FOR SHOWING US HOW TO DREAM, BELIEVE, AND DO THE DAMN THING! LOVE YOU GIRL! JENNIFER HOLIDAY TOO! RROFLROFLROFLROFLROFL!

I don't know WHO this chick is but that's the ugliest dress I've seen tonight.

For all we know...she could have been cussing in Chinese. SCREW YALL...TAKE YALL AWARD AND SHOVE IT! BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

Jerry Seinfeld is soooooooooooo funny! Even though Ellen is doing a good job...I think he should do the awards next year. Then I can watch him again without thinking about Michael Richards. Seriously...that dude TOTALLY ruined my enjoyment of "Seinfeld." I haven't watched an episode since his tirade. Just...BLECH!

Of COURSE they were gonna pick "An Inconvenient Truth"...OF COURSE! It's Hollywood! They are driving to the Oscars in hybrids for goodness sake!

I gotta tell yall...CLINT EASTWOOD IS MY DAMN IDOL! I would stalk him if I could. ROFL! Be like...Mr. Eastwood...PLEASE teach me how to make movies! PLEASE!

Robby: I on't know dawg...it was a bit pitchy to me. Kinda boring. I mean it's the Oscars Celine. You gotta come with it.

Me: *sigh*

WHAT THE HELL DOES QUINCY JONES HAVE ON??? SOMEBODY??? ANYBODY???

I give Penelope Cruz the best dressed (that I've seen) award!

See...I hope Kirsten Dunst fires everyone involved in picking out that dress. Just HIDEOUSLY BLAH!

J Lo always looks good to me....cept not tonight. Her hair...ew...dress...ewer. And she is like one of my SUPER DIVAS! I LOVE her flava...usually...but not tonight.

J Hud...please...PLEASE don't fall out of that dress on the stage. PLEASE! LAWD...PLEASE!

OKAY...LOVING BEYONCE'S DRESS! LOVE IT LOVE IT LOVE IT!

UM....Beyonce...do yourself a fava...do NOT do a duet with J Hud no mo. Like NEVA. Her voice SWALLOWS yours. I'm just saying bruh.

HEY ANIKA! She is just sooooooo sweet! Doesn't she remind you of that chick in college who always got up and went to church every Sunday even when everyone else was sleeping in from the party the night before? Just all sweet and bubbly. I woulda prolly hated her. ROFL! I think she is soooooooo awesome! And ya boy...the former power ranger...amazing he never sang before huh? LOVE THEM!

CAN I SAY AGAIN HOW MUCH I LOVE BEYONCE'S DRESS? LOVE IT! LOVE HER STYLE!

QUESTION....Did you REALLY think that blondy looking hair was complimentary Latifah? Come on now...I'm just saying.

Did Will just say "Damn?"

Um....the last thing I saw Jodie Foster in was "Inside Man." She was FIERCE. So...my question is...what happened????????? Ooops...she lost her best friend two weeks ago. Yeah...that would do it. Lawd knows I'd lose it if something happened to Cojoe. Hell...now I gotta call him.

Okay...so I'm waiting to see if Will wins and then I'm done. I am sooooooooooo tired.

CONGRATS HELEN MIRREN! SHE IS SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO ELEGANT! LOVE HER!

Divorce looks GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOD on Reese Witherspoon baby! GO HEAD GIRL GO HEAD GIT DOWN!

CAN'T NOBODY BE MAD ABOUT FOREST WINNING. THAT DUDE IS SOOOOOOOOOOO AWESOME! HE DID THAT! DID IT DID IT DID IT!

Did anybody see him in the Clint Eastwood's movie about Charlie Parker? AWESOME! Love the celery color of his wife's dress too!

Go head Mr. Whitaker. Once again...GO HEAD!

ALRIGHT MARTIN! LOVE HIM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! But man! That was some SERIOUS competition! SERIOUS! He is OBVIOUSLY THE MAN! (Why are his eyebrows that black?????)

Now...yall know Jack Nicolson is my boy. He's pure comedy for me. So...I'm anticipating him presenting best picture because I know he's gonna be funny as heck! And DIANE KEATON! SHE LOOKS HAWT! GO DIANE! That is a baaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaad dress baaaaaaaaaaaby!

Aiight "The Departed!" Go head Martin again!

AIIGHT...NITE NITE TINSELTOWN!

Coach DIVA!

Went to watch Myles play basketball today and my sister was assisting with coaching his team. Now...please remember that only MY SISTER would be coaching in full on fly gear with heals. ONLY MY SISTER! Yall are truly not ready! ROFL! God I love Dr. Punkin!

More of My Family!

Little known fact about me. I LOVE dragonflys! LOVE THEM! My brother and I used to go dragonfly hunting in the summer in Louisiana. Life was so simple back then and it always made me smile. Everytime I see a dragonfly...it makes me think of summers playing with my brothers. So when I saw this one in the Executive Lounge of our hotel...I just HAD to take a pic with it. :)

The Handsome Men in My Life!

My baby brother:

My nephew:

My Robinator and my Coley Pole!

Louisiana Love!

I am soooooooooooo exhausted but happy, happy, happy! Like...ECSTATICALLY HAPPY!

So yesterday I got to help my nephew get ready for school which was funny because he is sooooooooooo like in T-Monnie in that he's not a morning person. And then...we still had to choose something for his secret share at school and write three clues on the bag it was in. He was soooooooooo not in the mood. LOL! I think I won cool points though for getting him to get it done. Whew!

Next it was shopping with the BEAUTIFUL one. My FABULOUS, funny as heck Grandmother. First we stopped to visit some cousins. One of my cousins owns a construction company and they were at the site of their current project where they are remodeling a building to house the Volunteers of America in Baton Rouge. I'm just glad they didn't make me wear a hardhat cuz my hair was way too cute for all that. LOL! The second pic is one that one of his employees took of he, I and one of our cousins. The employee just MIGHT not be too bright. I'm just saying though....ROFL!

My Grandmother and I had such an AWESOME time shopping that we both wore the other COMPLETELY out! We had a late lunch afterward and do not think I'm exagerating when I say we tossed around the idea of curling up in the booth we were sitting in. LOL! As always...she got everything she wanted and further solidified to me that she's probably the most spoiled Grandmother in the WORLD since all of us spoil her rotten. When I told her I thought she was spoiled she said...."Humph...look who's talking. You been spoiled since your first whail. ROFL!

After shopping...my brother, Delaina and I deposited her back safe and sound home and my Aunt and I laughed at how my Grandmother always seems to get everything she wants outta everybody. She got mad skillz man! LOL! It felt so good seeing, hugging, touching, smelling her. Man I love my Grandmother. Thank you God for such an amazing woman in my life. And thank you so very much for her being happy and good to go! LOVE THAT!

Next I got to see one of my Louisiana mother's, Ms. Joyce. I just LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOVE Ms. Joyce. She is one of the people God put in my way when I needed it the most and, as one of my own personal vessels, she will NEVER do wrong in my eyes and, as far as I'm concerned, walks on water. LOL! So Delaina and I picked her up and took her to Bonefish Grill where we celebrated her 64th birthday which I missed last year.

After that it was back to my sister's house for family game night. The game chosen was.....drumroll please....Operation. Which...it seems...has gotten boring since the last time I played it. Sad that Myles won huh? Sad. ROFL!

Monnie is soooooooooooooo happy!

YOUR THOUGHTS BECOME THINGS!

Lemme repeat that.

YOUR THOUGHTS BECOME THINGS.

Simple huh?

Well…I’ve been listening to the audiobook of “The Secret” by Rhonda Byrne and that sentence is the essence of what all the hoopla is about. And…in actuality…seems to be what a WHOLE lot of successful people already know.

YOUR THOUGHTS BECOME THINGS.

It’s like when I say “I hate stoopit people.” So the thought of stoopit people is out there and during the time I’m thinking of stoopit people….I’m attracting the thought frequencies of OTHER STOOPIT PEOPLE. So when it seems that I end up being accosted by so many stoopit people it’s basically MY fault! I’M ATTRACTING THE STOOPIT PEOPLE because my “frequencies” are set to stoopit and the “frequencies” are attracting each other. Like thoughts attract like thoughts.

Perfect example they used was like the person who always says I always get a good parking spot and you know what? THEY DO! Why? Because they are always thinking that THEY ARE GOING TO GET A GOOD PARKING SPOT and the law of attraction attracts that to them!

WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOW!

YOUR THOUGHTS BECOME THINGS.

I AM GOING TO HAVE A PERFECT DAY.

I AM GOING TO MAKE MOVIES.

I AM GOING TO MAINTAIN MY PERFECT WEIGHT AND EAT WHATEVER I WANT.

I AM GOING TO HAVE A PERFECT DAY.

I AM GOING TO MAKE MOVIES.

I AM GOING TO MAINTAIN MY PERFECT WEIGHT AND EAT WHATEVER I WANT.

YOUR THOUGHTS BECOME THINGS.

Any thoughts?

Sisters and Brothers....

My sister and brother:

My nephew and brother:

Me and oldest girlfriend Lisa:

A long lost family member I didn't know I missed so much:

HotNESS or HotMESS??? (SM)

http://www.saksfifthavenue.com/main/ProductDetail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524446155777&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=282574492706226&ASSORTMENT%3C%3East_id=1408474395222441&bmUID=1172236393275&ev19=1:6

Traveling Light

Someone asked me what time my flight was getting into New Orleans. I said I didn’t know. They then asked what airport was I flying out of. I didn’t know that either. Puzzled…they kinda looked at me weird.

I felt compelled to explain.

I don’t know because Robby handles all of those details. He leads, I follow. He tells me what time I need to be ready by and I get in the truck after loading up the light stuff. He loads the heavy stuff (unless Miguel is driving us…I’ll get back to Miguel) and we roll out.

When we get there…he hands me my boarding pass and I hand him my Driver’s License. It works. Why do I need to be inundated with all the details when HE GOT THAT?

On the same note…I guess if he ever decided to knock me off…I’d be an easy target huh? LOL!

Back to Miguel. Whenever we leave our home for more than a week, we hire Miguel, the most FABULOUS driver (next to Jaime of course…HEY JAIME!) to take us to and from the airport. Why? #1…it costs about the same as it would if we paid the parking fees at the airport. And usually when we’re going somewhere for more than a week we have a lot of stuff to include golf clubs, my shoe / purse bag (☺) etc. Yes…sometimes I need a bag JUST for shoes and purses. So sue me. I’m a girl. LOL!

Also…it cuts down on the hastle BIG TIME. We don’t have to worry about finding a parking spot and lugging all the luggage ourselves as he assists and lets us out right in front of our airline ticket counter.

When you travel...what do you do? How do you get where you're going with minimal amount of effort and stress?

Robby: Go left Monnie.

Robby: The other left...the Beyonce left.

Me: "to the left...to the left..."

"It's all kicks and giggles..." - 6

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Part 4

Part 5

“Daddy somebody’s at the door!” Jalen yelled running down the hall making himself slide in his socks.

“Jalen…stop running in the house son.”

“Okay daddy!” Jalen ran the opposite direction. Mike went to the door and looked out.

“Whatchu doing here man?” He said as he opened the door.

“Man…nuttin…just driving by.”

“UNCLE JJ!” Sixty-five pounds of energy was hurled at him…right in the gut.

“Umph. What’s up Jalen my buddy? I heard you placed second in the science fair. Congrats. I’m proud of you.”

“Yeah, well next year I’m going to win first place! The only reason why I didn’t this time was because Jonathon stole my first idea cuz I told him about it last year. Next time I’m never telling anyone my ideas.” He charged up the stairs.

“That’s a good plan Jalen.” JJ yelled after him.

Mike was looking at him questioningly.

“What?”

Mike shrugged. “Nothing.” He walked down the stairs to his man cave. Grabbed a wireless control to Playstation 3 and tossed the other one to JJ. “Wanna get some Madden on?”

“Fo sho.”

JJ sat in one of the media recliners while Mike powered on everything using a remote that looked more like the motherboard on “Star Trek: The Next Generation.”

They chose their teams and started playing. After about fifteen minutes into the game, Mike, while still playing said, “So whatchu doing here man?”

“Playing Madden.”

“No shit Sherlock. I thought tonight was the night?”

“Well, it’s not.” His right shoulder lifted and he clenched his lips together as he was maneuvering one of his defensive players furiously with his thumbs. His left left was outstretched as he leaned into the control.

“Why not? What happened?”

“Man…shit. I don’t feel like talking about this right now. Lemme concentrate on whupping your butt right quick first.”

“Well, I hope you brought a big azz stick with you cuz that ain’t happening on this here game here. But hey…I need to pause right quick. Jalen’s too quiet. My lil nutty professor be done blew up the house and Sharon will kill me when she get’s home.”

“Where is Sharon?”

“She’s at that supper club, book club, men dumb, women smart thingy.”

JJ laughed as Mike went to check on Jalen. He leaned into the chair and thought about the fight with Mia and wondered what she was doing. What she was thinking. He’d never done anything like that before but he was just so SICK of Gina and her silly shit. Why in the hell she gotta keep calling his damn phone? He’d already told her he was done. Finished. WHY SHE GOTTA KEEP CALLING? He wanted to strangle her ass for causing problems with Mia.

A phone rang in the background.

Mike walked back into the room on the phone. “Baby…I don’t know…he hasn’t said yet. No….Yes…I asked. But…no….wait. Okay.” He handed the phone to JJ. “Here man. You in trouble.”

JJ tried to move so Mike couldn’t give him the phone. Mike dropped it in his lap and backed away with his hands in the air. “Man I don’t want no trouble. You brought this on yourself.”

He picked up the phone and put it to his ear saying nothing.

“JJ I know you’re on the phone. I can hear you breathing.”

He sighed. “Sup Sharon.”

“Don’t ‘sup Sharon’ me. What in the hell are you doing at my house playing video games with Mike?”

“I can’t come by when I want to? I thought yall were family?” he laughed hollowly.

“JJ…don’t be obtuse…it’s so unbecoming. What are you doing at MY house when you’re SUPPOSED to be at “The Inn at Little Washington” proposing to Mia?”

My gorgeous, talented nephew showing his LOUISIANA pride!

Arnold Schwarzenegger

“People say, ‘You can’t get everything done.’ But the only way to know if you can lift 500 pounds is if you put 500 pounds on the bar.” Arnold Schwarzenegger

I’ve been meaning to talk about the Ahhnold for a while now. Why? Because I am just so impressed with him man. He started off trying to knock heads together and when he started hitting the old political barriers we’re used to…instead of allowing it to defeat him and start towing the line…the AHHNOLD rolled up his sleeves and started building BRIDGES. He started politikin the politicians or should I say…PIMPIN EM to get on the good foot? LOL!

The stuff he’s doing over there in Cali makes me want to pack up and head over for the hills. I mean…it’s simple stuff that makes soooooooo much sense and that EVERY STATE should be able to and WILLING to do.

The California Global Warming Solutions Act is OFF THE CHAIN! LOVE IT! And it makes so much sense that it should be considered criminal.

Universal health care for ALL STATE RESIDENTS?

Loaning $150 million to fund stem cell research the day after Dubya vetoed it. Just…you know…stuff that makes SENSE.

If you’re in Cali I hope you recognize how good you’ve got it. You are lucky enough to have someone who is really thinking about issues and tackling them head on instead of the head in the sand technique that has been perfected by politicians for DECADES.

I got mad love for Ahhhnold. Mad love. Wish I was in Cali. Sigh

"It's all kicks and giggles..." - 5

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Part 4

I didn’t call. I almost did but I felt I needed to think about it first. So…I committed the passcode to memory and called my sister.

“Helllllllooooooo?” she said in the sing songy way she always answers when I call and she’s in a good mood.

“Hey.”

“What’s wrong?” I could sense her sitting up.

“JJ just threw his cell phone against the wall and stormed out.”

“JJ?”

“Girl yes. I couldn’t be more shocked if I tried. Punkin…he just snapped.”

“Ooooookay. He didn’t put hands on you did he?”

“Hell no. He ain’t crazy.”

“Well what happened to lead up to him throwing his cell against the wall?”

“Okay…so remember I told you how he’s been keeping his phone in his truck?”

“Yeah.”

“Well he’s still doing it even though it’s been a minute now since we’ve been back together.”

“So did you ask him about it?”

“Yes.”

“Mia…did you REALLY ask him or did you do that lil annoying thing you do where you just talk AROUND it?”

“Well I asked today after the phone kept vibrating.”

“So where was the phone while it was vibrating?”

“In his jacket pocket.”

“So you went in his pocket?”

“Yes…his phone was ringing and I wanted to take it to him.”

“Unh huh. What happened next?”

“We got into it and I told him he must think I’m stupid. Then it got worse and we were both yelling and I told him to stop yelling in my damn house and….well…you know the rest already.”

“So…who was calling?”

“I don’t know, it didn’t say a name just a number.”

“Oh.”

“But I memorized the number.”

“You called it yet?”

“No.”

“What’s the number?”

“555.313.2860.”

“Hold on, lemme call it right quick.”

“Use *67.”

“Duh.” She clicked over and when she clicked back, the phone was ringing.

It rang three times before it was answered. “Hello?”

“May I speak with Cathy?” my sister asked.

“I’m sorry you have the wrong number.”

“Oh I’m so sorry, please forgive me.”

“No problem.”

Click.

“Well, at least we know it’s a she and that she doesn’t sound hoodratish.”

“Yeah…but it’s a she. Sigh”

“Girl what did you think? You and JJ were apart for dang near three months. Did you REALLY think there were no she’s? And hell…you better be glad it wasn’t a he these days.”

“What?”

“I’m just saying…these are the signs of the times.”

“Silly butt. Um…Punkin?”

“Unh huh?”

“I have the code to his voicemail.”

“WHAT? GIRL…THEN WHY WE PLAYING PHONE TAG WITH SIMPLE HOES IF YOU HAVE THE DAMN CODE???????”

“I didn’t want to use it. That just seemed like…well…just wrong.”

“I understand…you’re a good person…warm and fuzzy. Give me the damn number. I”LL call it then. That way…your conscience can remain clear dummy.”

“When is the last time I told you that I love you?”

“Whatever hooka…what’s the number?”

And that’s how we got where we are now. Sitting on the phone listening to JJ’s voicemail messages.

Family Money

What are your rules regarding loaning (GIVING) money to a family member? Are you the person everyone comes to for money? What do you do?

"It's all kicks and giggles..." - 4

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

As soon as it took it out of his pocket it stopped vibrating. It started again immediately. 555.313.2860. I walked into the bathroom where he was shaving and stuck my hand out with the vibrating phone. 555.313.2860.

"You phone is ringing."

He looks at me then at it and rinsed off his razer under the running water. He then dried his hands on the towel around this neck and took the phone from me. Looked at the number and put it on the countertop.

"Why are you messing with my phone?

"I wasn't messing with your phone. Your pocket started buzzing so I brought it to you."

"You have been bugging about this damn phone for weeks now so of course you were looking for it!"

"Excuse you...I wasn't looking for a damn thing. Hell I don't have to look for it. It's always in your truck and I want to know why? And...I want to know who was calling."

The phone starts vibrating again. I can't see the phone but I've already memorized the number 555.313.2680.

"It's nobody. Nothing important."

"If it's nobody or nothing important...then it shouldn't be a big deal telling me who it is."

"Mia...just drop it please! Everything is going good and you looking for shit. Well there is nothing to look for okay? Just let it go."

"I'm not stupid JJ. I know that some woman is calling your phone and I want to know who she is and why she's calling."

"DAMMIT MIA. I'M TELLING YOU IT'S NOTHING AND I AM NOT HAVING THIS CONVERSATION WITH YOU! AND DON'T FUG WITH MY PHONE OKAY? THAT'S MY BUSINESS!

"Fool you have lost your damn mind yelling at me in my damn house! You the one smelling all foul and trying to put some shit on me to remove the blame. Well dammit...it's not going down like that!"

"You know what Mia. You always push and push. You just take shit too far. I have told you it's nothing...but you just can't let it go. You can't trust me huh? Man...I tell you...."

"Tell me what JJ? TELL ME WHAT? That you are obviously out there fuggin around playing me for the fool?"

"WHEN IN THE HELL HAVE I HAD TIME SINCE WE'VE BEEN BACK TOGETHER TO FUG AROUND MIA? I GO TO WORK! I COME HOME...TO YOU! I'M ALWAYS WITH YOU! WHEN HAVE I HAD TIME!"

"THERE YOU GO YELLING IN MY DAMN HOUSE AGAIN AND I HAVE TOLD YOU IT'S NOT GOING DOWN LIKE THAT!"

"YOU'RE RIGHT! YOU'RE AB-SO-FUGGIN-LUTELY RIGHT! I'm getting the hell up out of here because it's obvious you won't let this shit go and are looking for a fight!"

He grabs the phone and goes into the bedroom. I follow closely on his heels.

"JJ...I want to know what's going on. What are you hiding from me?"

No answer.

"JJ...I KNOW YOU HEAR ME."

The phone starts vibrating again from the bed where he'd put it while yanking on his clothes. We both looked at it and I reach for it. He grabbed it before I could and hurled it across the room where it broke apart upon impact with the wall.

My mouth dropped wide open as I'd never seen this kind of anger from him and frankly, I didn't know what to do or say. My mama ain't raised not fool so I stood stock still keeping one eye on the distance between me and the lamp. JJ had never, in all the years we've been together, put his hands on me...but he'd never thrown phones across the room either.

He grabbed his keys and left. And I stood there and watched him go and then the hot, angry tears started and I couldn't stop. HOW DARE HE!

I wanted my mother. No...couldn't tell her. I wanted my sister... so I picked up the cordless phone to call her and pressed the redial button without engaging the phone. 5556321828*626899799.

JJ's cell phone number, and, apparently the code to his voicemail followed by the saving of 4 messages and the deleting of one. I had the code to his phone. To the phone that he'd been keeping hidden from me.

Interesting.....

This comment was left on the following post yesterday: "Cherished"

Now...she ask...so I guess yall are gonna tell her huh?

All I want to point out is that every man to include my father has cherished me and that Robby is the first white guy I'd ever dated. That said...yup...every other man has been BLACK. That's all I'm saying.

Please remember to be respectful and that just because I'll be traveling when you read this does NOT mean I will be traveling all day. :)

I am not sure if you read old posts but if so I would like to hear your thoughts on this.

I have often thought about how my experiences in life have shaped the type of guys that I tend to attract. I have always been pretty independent and for the most part taken care of myself. My mother was a single mom. My dad never worried about me and always believed that I could take care of myself. I remember my dismay when, during my last year of college, I got stranded at Logan airport, after missing the last bus to where I was going and on top of that learning that the check that my dad gave me bounced and I had no money and nowhere to go.

I called my dad to ask for help. His response was "did you ask me or tell me that you were going to boston?"

I hadn't.

He then said. "then you figure your own way out." It hurts even now to think about how devastated I was that he didn't help me. I ended up spending the night with one of the porters (who thank God wasn't an ax murderer)who also gave me money to catch the bus the next day. So what did I learn from all of that? I learned to be tough. I learned to survive. I learned that I didn't need anyone to take care of me. I also learned about the kindness of strangers.

So what does that have to do with the price of eggs in China? I feel that because of my life experiences I attract guys that feel pretty confident in my ability to take care of my self and do not worry about me. Should I need a man to ?

The men I meet are for the most part gentlemen, kind, compassionate but they don't dote on me the way you are describing. I talked to one of my friends and she thought that it was a black thing and that black men are socialized to believe that black women are super strong, independent and don't need a man to take care of them and so they are less likely to than their white counterparts. There is the stereotype that white men with black women treat them like princesses.

What do you think? Do I need to be doted on and cherished? Is this a white/black thing? If you didn't see this growing up how do you get it into your head that this is how the world is supposed to be? If your man isn't this way because he doesn't know how to be this way then what? what others have to say.

i wish you could re-post this blog i am curious to hear
for the record-roslyn is so wise. so wise. I love reading her posts

Advice Request from GeckoGirl!

GeckoGirl asked me to post this so she can benefit from yall's good, sound advice. (And don't be cheesing thinking yall all that either!  ROFL!)

Speak now or forever hold your peace…

February 21, 2007

Okay, I want you guys’ opinions.  The person I’m about to discuss is someone near and dear to me.  Click the link below for the backstory -

http://geckogirl.blogspot.com/2005/06/third-fiddle-friend-e-mailed-me-this.html

Notice that post (from my old blog) is dated June 2005.  So it’s a whole year and a half later.  My friend broke up with his girlfriend a while ago (maybe a year ago).  She moved 1400 miles away.  Despite those two things, they continue talking to each other, seeing each other, vacationing with each, etc.  I guess they have a long distance non-relationship.  Meanwhile, they’re still battling the same issues that caused them to break up as well as others.  When asked my opinion, I suggested that they should probably just leave each other alone.  He agreed but nothing changed.

Now fast forward a few months…he/they are looking at rings and he says he’s going to propose next month.  What the hell?  So he wants to sell his newly purchased condo, move across the country, uproot his child from family (both grandmoms and the child’s mom live within 30 minutes from his current residence) to be with a woman who, in his words, only cares about herself and doesn’t like dealing with the fact that he has a child.  This is who you want for a wife and stepmom to your child?

Needless to say, I think it’s a bad idea.  While I wouldn’t come right out and say so unless asked, I’m thinking of trying to subtly broach the topic.  If this was random joe on the street, I’d keep my mouth shut.  However, this is someone I consider family and there’s a child at stake.  So what do you think?

Tweens

Recently I was shopping for a birthday gift for my Goddaughter and, since she has become quite the fashion plate as of late...I decided to buy her clothes.  So I went and looked and found NOTHING appropriate, in MY OPINION, that I would buy for her.

Totally perplexing.

I am NOT buying her anything with the words JUICY across her butt nor would I ever, EVER think of buying her something low cut and tight.  And yet...THAT'S ALL THAT WAS AVAILABLE IT SEEMED!

So...I settled on some PJ's and a gift card cuz my head started swimming.

The other day I was speaking with a mother whose 8 year old daughter tried to sneak and buy the "Fergalicious" cd.  The mother thought it was some cute Disney cd and when they left Borders to drive home she put the cd in so they could listen to it.  She was shocked and even MORESO shocked when her daughter begged and PLEADED with her to let her keep it so the kids at school could think she was "cool."

Cool huh?  Okay.

So then...Robby and I read this article in the Post:  "Goodbye to Girlhood"

Wow.  Just...WOW.

Did this quote not just shock your socks off?

"For example, in 2003, tweens -- that highly coveted marketing segment ranging from 7 to 12 -- spent $1.6 million on thong underwear, Time magazine reported."

WHO IN THE HELL IS BUYING THEIR 7 YEAR OLD THONGS?????????????????

I can't say anything else on this one...please...chime in.  What do YOU think?

(Hell...I typed in young girls to find a pic for this post and now I'm CERTAIN I'm on the FBI watch list.  Just CREEPY!)

Don't EVER ask me again....

...about my purses after you read this article:  "Why Status Sells Better Than Service". 

RECOGNIZE!  It's the same as the bling flick. 

Walk into ANYWHERE looking like I usually look...in sweats (albiet CUTE SWEATS) and a cotton collared shirt and service SUCKS...as soon as I pull my hand out of my pocket and flick it right quick and put my hand back in...ISH GETS IN LINE.

Yup...I'm wide open today.  EYES WIDE OPEN! I'm seeing things clearly today.  Get in line folks...we're going for a walk on the MONNIE-SIDE and no longer will I feel ashamed for doing as I do and being as I BE.

HUMPH!

Music in my head:  Destiny's Child "I'm Doing Just Fine"

I GOT AN EMAIL FROM BILL CLINTON!!!!!

(Still not making up my mind bout Hillary until after the primaries though Bill...got maaaaaaaaaaaaad love for you...but...erra...Obamarama got my nose wide open right now.  :))

Dear Monica,

Am I enthusiastic about my wife's campaign for president? You bet I am. I know her better than anybody on earth, and she's got the best combination of mind and heart of everybody I've ever known.

All across the country, Hillary is campaigning with the signature wisdom, grace, and humor that make her a great candidate. I know that if we all work hard enough, those same traits will make her an even better president.

You and I know something about waging and winning presidential campaigns.

Winning the White House takes persistence, energy and effort -- not just from the candidate, but from a massive network of grassroots supporters.

Hillary's campaign is off to a great start. And this week, we're going to help take it to another level. Our goal: to demonstrate the range and breadth of Hillary's support by raising one million dollars in grassroots donations in a week's time.

Will you help me get our "One Week, One Million" campaign off to a powerful start?

Click to donate:
http://www.hillaryclinton.com/oneweek

Look, with Republicans using everything in their arsenal to stop her campaign, Hillary is going to need every one of us to do everything that we can for her.

During eight years in the White House, Hillary and I faced a constant barrage of attacks from Washington Republicans. No insult was off-limits. No tactic was too low. They threw everything they could at us -- but we beat them time and time again.

The attacks on Hillary haven't stopped, and she hasn't stopped winning. You know how they say what doesn't kill you makes you stronger? Well, Hillary is as strong as they come.

Let's make this a week when we demonstrate that her campaign is strong, too. Strong enough to sustain Hillary's run for the presidency through thick and thin. Strong enough to win.

Click to donate:
http://www.hillaryclinton.com/oneweek

I can't wait to join Hillary on the campaign trail and talk to people about what a great president she's going to be. She is a tireless fighter and a brilliant born leader, and I have no doubt the American people will make her our first woman president.

Over the next week, you'll hear from some other friends and admirers of Hillary. I hope you'll join them in making our One Week, One Million campaign a success. But, most importantly, I hope you'll act right now to get this dramatic display of grassroots support off the ground with a big outpouring for Hillary on the first day.

Click to donate:
http://www.hillaryclinton.com/oneweek

Thank you so much for your support. Hillary and I couldn't do it without you.

Sincerely,

Bill Clinton

How to Interview Grandparents

http://www.grandparents-day.com/interview.htm

http://www.emints.org/ethemes/resources/S00000392.shtml

http://genealogy.about.com/cs/oralhistory/a/interview.htm

NEWS FLASH!

"GODFATHER of Soul James Brown will be buried at a secret site within a few days after his partner and adult children finally agreed on the burial site nearly two months after his death."

Them people oughtta be shamed of themselves.

From My Inbox

Good Morning Monica,

I guess I’m writing to vent or sort my head or something.  Yesterday, my mother called me on the phone, out of breathe, as she does when she has some pressing and exciting news.  Guess what? You’ll never guess….. I found your father.

I was stunned.  I guess I didn’t react the way she intended.  I was filled with so many emotions, some good some bad.  Over the years I guess I compartmentalized that part of my life.  There was a time when I actively looked for him, but stopped.  I tucked him away, probably because I never thought the day would come when I would really have the opportunity to meet him.

My mother spoke with him last night.  He asked about me, wondered why I hadn’t called.  I honestly don’t know what to say.  I’m afraid I might say something hurtful.  He never even saw me, touched me.  He claims, according to my mother, that he always thought of us.  43 years Monica! 

How do you think you would react to this?  Part of me is happy, part of me is afraid, part of me is sad.  Am I being anal about this??

My response:

I would think that you're reacting exactly as you should.  Seriously.  Just because  you share DNA with him doesn't make him any less of a stranger RIGHT NOW...so be cautious...as you would with ANY stranger until he's shown you who he is.  Does that make sense? 

You want me to post this to see what other opinions are out there?  Maybe others have dealt with this as well and can offer you some insight that I can't. 

But...I hope you do give him a chance sweetie.  Think of it as something to do for YOU.

___________________________________________________________________________

Well?  Anyone have any advice for her?  Anyone experienced this?  How did you feel?  What did  you do?  What WOULD you do?

"It's all kicks and giggles..." - 3

Part 1

Part 2

I think I'm going to say something at dinner tonight. I have to.  It's just getting to be insulting in my opinion.  I'm sick and tired of ignoring the fact that I never see his cell phone anymore.  And...to be honest...we have only been at his home briefly even though I've been to every one of the houses his realtor has shown him.

My girlfriend says maybe I shouldn't push it since everything else is going well.  We've signed up for couple's therapy and our first session is in two weeks.  We're together all the time.  Dinner, lunches, movies, walks, love, loving and lots of laughter. 

But that damn phone.

I've got to say something about it because I find it's all I can think about no matter what we're doing.

"Bzzzzzzzzzzzzzz...bzzzzzzzzzzz."

What the hell?

"Bzzzzzzzzzzzzzz...bzzzzzzzzzzzzz."

And there we have it.  Funny how things end up working out.  Said phone is vibrating in his jacket pocket on the back of the chair next to me.

I reach in...and take it out...

Tyler Perry Wrap-up!

Okay...I'm back to feeling myself again and my final statement is basically my original one regarding our heated debate as of late... 

I AM NOT THE AUDIENCE TYLER PERRY IS TARGETING AND NO MATTER WHERE I LIVE, WHAT I DO FOR A LIVING, HOW MUCH MONEY I HAVE, WHAT I DRIVE OR WEAR...I NEVER WILL BE.

Point blank.

Mess with me today if you want to and let the tagging begin because today...I'm alllllllllllllllllllllllllll me. One of "us."

Hell...had me walking around for days doubting myself wondering if I'm an oddball.  Well no more!  Self...you are da ish.  Keep it moving.

Interesting Perspective Huh?

Fuel