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You good? LOL!
...BE SO CLEAN-T! And she makes it look so easy! Go 'head Kate!
Over a decade ago, I was shopping at Filene's Basement on Connecticut avenue. I'd gone to the men's department and purchased something for Robby and was leaving. As I was leaving, something caught my eye and I picked it up and decided I wanted to purchase it. I walked to the counter and saw a cashier I'd become friendly with, started talking to him as I put my item on the counter for him to ring up.
He chatted comfortably with me and then asked what I had in my bag. I told him it was something for my guy. He asked if I'd already paid for it. Confused I said...um...yeah...that's why it's in the bag.
Him: Can I see your receipt?
Me: Is that necessary?
Him: I just want to make sure you paid for it.
I showed him my receipt, paid for my other purchase and left.
I walked back to my office on L street feeling some kinda way. Filene's Basement had become my go to spot when I went for a walk while at work. I'd look around to see if there was something I needed to have and then buy it or not if my money was funny. I knew the guy from shopping there ONLY. I'd never seen him any other place other than there. He often complimented my suits or my hair or whatever. Just seemed to be a nice, good dude.
But that day...he decided that I'd probably stolen something.
By the time I got back to my office I was full on feeling some kinda way. I called Filene's and asked to speak with a manager. I told the manager what happened and the manager apologized.
I didn't feel better.
I called corporate and got the email for the head dude and I sent an email expressing how awful the experience made me feel. I felt some kinda way...big time but honestly...I think I felt that way MOSTLY...because the dude second guessing me was Black.
In his eye, I probably was only nice to him so I can get away with stealing shit and using him as an accomplish by getting him to ring up my other purchase. I was hurt about that and dammit...I was mad as shit. He should have known better.
But honestly...I guess the culture of the retail establishment was such that it was taught to be suspicious of Black people.
Wait...scratch that.
Of FRIENDLY Black people.
I received an email back from the person at corporate with a coupon or gift certificate or something or the other. They apologized, blah, blah, blah. I'd named names so I'm sure it was brought to old boy's attention.
Not that I'd ever know about it because I never set foot in that store again.
Shopping while Black doesn't happen to me often because I generally go to the same places and deal with the same sales associates so they know me but I know it's never too far behind for some. I know that I'm probably suspect since, normally when I'm shopping, I'm uber casual wearing good undies, until I walk up to the trusted associate I have a relationship with and I'm deemed "safe." The last time it DIRECTLY affected me was at New Balance in Chevy Chase a few years ago: Dear New Balance
I haven't purchased a New Balance shoe since then and wear the ones I already owned sporadically.
What about you? Have you been unfairly targeted recently for blatantly obvious reasons? How did you handle?
GO ME! I THINK I'VE FOUND MY THING!
So...I've been looking for something to amp up my workouts. I'm fit and healthy but I don't feel challenged and yall all know how I feel about running so no (it's just not for me...I'd lose too much weight and my shins hurt too bad after running). I've been doing the same thing for years and it works...but I wanted something MORE.
I met a lady who looked lean and strong like me...but she was SCULPTED and not in an icky body builder kinda way but in a feminine and strong kinda way. I like that. A LOT! She said she teaches the Bar Method and I started reading up on it and decided to go give it a try today. Well...I LURVED IT! LURVED IT! LURVED IT! LURVED IT! I think this is the exact thing I've been looking for to get out of my exercise rut!
The Robinator had mad jokes after I explained to him it's a mixture of Pilates, ballet and physical therapy. Dude was like...now...you know you're clumsy...do they make you fill out an emergency contact card before you start?
SIP: *HARD.STARE*
Check it out: The Bar Method
Have you tried anything new lately? What? Spill it!
Did you workout today yet? What did you do?
Fresh fruit? Dried fruit? Nuts? Butter? Sugar? Milk? Agave? Honey?
I was watching an episode of "King of Queens" recently and Doug and Carrie had an argument. See...Doug was volunteering at the church to protect the Nativity scene from vandals and another husband was out there doing the same. The wife of the other husband noted it got colder and brought her husband a heavy coat and some hot soup. Doug was all like...um...yeah...well...my wife is probably on her way.
I haven't been taking care of my hair and feel like it shows so I decided I should start going to a stylist again since it's obvious I don't want to deal with it myself. I've been searching for a while and then saw an older, super fly woman whose hair was stunning in a casual, simple, super healthy way.
So I asked her if she got her hair done in the area and she told me yes, she's been going to the same guy for over 20 years.
She gave me his number and I called him. He was exceedingly pleasant on the phone and asked me some questions and we scheduled a consultation. Before the consultation, I washed my hair and air dried it so he could see it exactly as it is.
A big, huge, mess.
The other day I wore one of my maxi dresses with a tank top over it and a denim jacket. It was sooooooo cute!
Now I'm thinking about pairing long sleeve t-shirts over a maxi dress and adding a belt. I think that might be cute.
Or a leather motorcycle vest.
The possibilities are completely endless layering maxi dresses for cooler weather.
How do you wear them? Have you tried layering for Fall yet?
There are lots of random movies that I adore. Like...I could watch them over and over again and generally do whenever I run into them on television. "Billy Elliot" is one of those movies. I ADORE that movie and it just makes me smile and smile and smile.
See...Billy didn't come from the sort of family who even knew what the ballet was. In fact...when questioned about why he loves ballet during his interview...he's honest when he tells them that he doesn't know how he even got interested in it in the first place.
Our sweet girl's life and story of survival touched so many. Cards, books and flowers have been arriving since she left us. We just opened a handwritten card from her doctor which included Lucy's paw print.
Thank you all for your kind words, texts, calls, messages, etc. Sorry I've been missing in action. I'll be back directly. Just had to step over a few shards lightly.
Just had sushi at a restaurant where this aquarium lives.
There is so much hurt and pain in this world. So much unfairness and suffering. So many people without the basics. So many people alone and simply craving someone to care about them. Not even to love them...to simply care about them. Show them some kindness. Give them a gentle touch.
So many people.
The Robinator and I took Lucy to the doctor today and returned home...without her.
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