::drools:: Dollhouse Black & Multi Jacosa Heel

I am really in love with these faux-leather platform sandal, which cost $69 from Torrid

Music Therapy with Miss Moon

I have to be honest. I had no prior knowledge of this song until today. My darling husband-to-be came in from working (outside in the rain) and played this song for me, while accompanying it on his bass. He said that it was on his mind all day and that every single lyric is about me. So this Music Therapy with Miss Moon is a Super-Huggy-Lovey-Gushy rainy day serenade: "Rain Song" by Moodswings





Caught in a rainstorm
wondering what I must do
I'm standing alone
so many miles from you
I was thinking about our life together
knowing it must be now or never
to get back to you
now I've just got to get out of this rain
I can feel it washing my life away
and I know that I need to
get out of this rain
and listen to my heart again

I ran away
thinking it could be done
what I didn't realise
two hearts are better than one
I was thinking about all the times we were losing
living together can be so confusing
but we always won
now I just got to
get out of this rain

I can feel it sweeping my life away
and I know that I need to get out of this rain
and listen to my heart again.

Yummm! Bajan Oxtail & Coo-Coo

Cornmeal Coo-Coo

4 pints of water
12 fresh okra pods
4 tablespoons of butter
1 pound of yellow cornmeal
1 teaspoon of salt (optional)
1/4 teaspoon of ground black pepper

1 Rinse the okra in cold water, cut off the stems
and slice in round shapes. Combine the okra and
the water in a large saucepan and bring it to a
full boil, stir in the butter with the salt and
pepper.

2 Remove okra from the heat, stir in cornmeal
until all the lumps is dissolved and the mixture
is nice and smooth.


3 Return back to the heat, using a wooden spoon
stir till mixture is well blended, slightly stiff
and comes away from the sides of the pan.
Use a spoon to fill in the lightly buttered bowl,
let it sit for at least 30 minutes until it sets.

4 Cover the top of the bowl with a platter, invert
to transfer Coo Coo to the serving platter.

Stewed Oxtail

Ingredients
MARINADE
2 lbs oxtails, jointed
3 tablespoons paprika
2 tablespoons ground black pepper
1 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons Trinidadian green seasoning
1 1/2 onions, very thinly sliced
1 green pepper, very thinly sliced
1 garlic clove, minced
2 tablespoons worcestershire sauce
1 tablespoon soya sauce

STEW
3 tablespoons vegetable oil
3 tablespoons brown sugar
1 1/2 tablespoons browning sauce (optional)
2-3 cups water
2 bay leaves
1 scotch bonnet pepper
1 1/2 teaspoons whole cloves
4 stalks fresh marjoram
8 stalks fresh thyme
2 beef bouillon cubes
2 tablespoons ketchup
2 potatoes, diced
2 carrots, diced

Directions

1 Marinade: put the clean oxtail in a large bowl and add all the ingredients to the meat so it is completely coated. Cover bowl, refrigerate and allow to marinate for at least 1 hour or overnight.

2 Stew: Heat vegetable oil and brown sugar on medium in a large pot until the mixture turns a light brown. Add the oxtail and brown them for a few minutes per side. Add browning sauce and stir.

3 Add water so that meat is almost covered. Turn heat up and add bay leaves, scotch bonnet pepper (make sure this doesn't break!), cloves and herbs. Cover pot and bring to the boil then reduce heat to medium and cook for 3 hours, or until meat is extremely tender. Stir every 30 minutes and add hot water whenever necessary: meat should always be mostly covered.

4 Remove scotch bonnet pepper carefully after about 1 1/2 hours of cooking. After 3 hours, or when the meat is done, add beef bouillon, ketchup, potatoes and carrots. Cook for another 30 minutes.

5 Taste and see if you need to add anymore spices or salt. It should be perfect at this point. If the sauce needs thickening just add a teaspoon of cornstarch or flour. Serve with rice and peas coo-coo and a side of coleslaw. Enjoy!

:::drools::: Tracee Ellis Ross-style for Plus Size Fashionistas

This November I am turning 32, and it was my New Year's Resolution to make my personal style a little more grown and sexy (emphasis on the grown!). Though I will always love bell bottoms, vintage tees and flip flops, I thought that my professional look could definitely use a makeover, especially since I am currently job searching.

I decided to use Tracee Ellis Ross (and her character Joan Clayton from "Girlfriends") as a style icon. I really like how she makes boho sexy and professional at the same time, and I set forth looking for ways to incorporate her style into my own.

The biggest hurdle has been my size. I've learned only recently was the best way to lose weight is to love who you are at any size. And it was adopting that attitude that has helped me drop 2 sizes in the past few years. And while my weight loss journey is only beginning, I shouldn't have to wait until I've reached my ultimate goal to get my Tracee Swagger on, you know?

So I've scanned the internet for photographs of T.E.R. looking fabulous as always. Then I searched my favorite online stores that are big-girl friendly for these two outfits inspired by Tracee's.

For this look, I pair the Show Boat Dress by Blue Plate (available for $49.00 at Alight) with the Saddlery Buckle Bag ($58 at Urban Outfitters).

I completed (I wish I could see what shoes she's wearing in this outfit because it doesn't feel finished without shoes) the ensemble with these earrings from Torrid ($8 - can't beat 'em!)

These earrings seem to be a go-to accessory for Tracee, as they can also be used for this outfit

I love this one! Wouldn't it be fantastic for a summer date? For this outfit, I found the Smock Top Maxi Dress by Fashion Love on Alight ($39). The Black Pinstriped Inset Crest Button Vest, Black Finella Gladiator Heel, and the Black and White Roccoco Print Bead Handle Hobo are all from Torrid!

A Little [DEBARGE] for a Saturday Night

I decided that this week's "..for a Saturday Night" would return to the showcase for grown folk/baby makin' music I intended it to be! LOL

When did cutting your hair short become a symptom of mania?

Okay, I know the answer to that question. Britney Spears. But for African-Americans, cutting their hair, or doing a "big chop", is not a cry for help, or a demand for attention. It can mean a lot of things.

Solange Knowles didn't really go into why she decided to cut her hair short, and you know what? That's her right to do so, and it's her right to cut her hair whenever and however she decides to.

When I saw the pictures, my first thought was "FANTASTIC!!!!!". Solange has amazingly big, beautiful eyes, so the short cut would accentuate and make them POP. I imagined her rocking some dangling earrings and a fantastic outfit and just looking gorgeous.

I must say that I was astonished at the public response to her cut. Bossip calls her "Boy George" (ha ha hell!), Bow Wow chastising her for being unoriginal (!?!?!?!? GTFOH, Bow Wow) and "tryin to look like boyz" (whatever!) and Lativia (Who got the boot from Solange's daddy out of Destiny's Child) saying she looks like a "Tranny".

It really amazes me in this day in age, black people still have that "if it ain't long, it's wrong" attitude about black women's hair. We look at images daily of sistahs with barbie doll hair on their heads all day and we stop and pause because one women (temporarily?) decided she had enough.

I am not making judgments about weaves, wigs and extensions... I think that if you wear it well and it makes you feel beautiful, then right on! But allow people who chose NOT to go that route should feel beautiful without being told they're crazy or that they "look like a fool"...

I applaud Solange's simply put response to her critics:

I my opinion, I think that Solange should make this a personal statement. I think it would be great if she decided that she's going to no longer relax her hair or wear extensions and be natural. I think it would be kick ass if she decided to no longer be a spokesmodel for Loreal (in solidarity to the people hurt by Loreal's racism) and instead model for Karen's Body Beautiful, or Oyin Handmade, or other products designed with the natural black woman in mind....But I'm prejudiced. I want to see more celebrity nappturals out there!

All in all, I say... Go, Solange, Go!! Be bald, bold and beautiful. And whenever you feel the pressure to conform, take a look at these beauties for inspiration:

Champions of Crackheadedness - Cambridge PD

I had to wait a few days to process the situation surrounding the arrest of Henry Louis Gates, Jr. for breaking into his own home. The situation was just so ripe with stupidity (and for lack of a better - or real word, crackheadedness) that I had to really compose myself. I know I call this blog my Rantings, Ramblings and Revelations... but sometimes it's better to voice your outrage coherently, you know?

I have been in the situation where I've been locked out of my home, as I am sure many people in the world has. I know for my personal experiences... the first thing I did was break out my old high school i.d., which works as good as a credit card. If it's a choice between waiting hours for someone to get home or jimmy the lock.. guess what? I'm jimmying the lock.

The Cambridge Police report says that Gates "exhibited loud and tumultuous behavior.". How did they expect someone to respond in the same situation. Once it had been adequately established that he was the proper owner of the house, the police should have dropped the situation. And the police officers who refused to provide their identification show me that the scenario is bogus: if they didn't have anything to hide, why refuse to provide their badge numbers?

This whole situation reminds me of the Dave Chappelle joke from "Killin' them Softly"



"He's still here!"

DOPE: "I Believe in Happy Endings" Jem & The Holograms

Young girls today are missing a great deal if they do not have a Mom, Auntie, whatever that introduces them to Jem!! Look at those Hideous Bratz and the boring as hell Hannah Montana... both combined don't even equal the utter awesomeness that is (really) truly outrageous! This is one of my favorite songs from the show -



Oooh....

Tell me I'm crazy, maybe I know
But I believe in happy endings.
I know it's crazy, still even so
I believe in happy endings.

Just as I believe in you, my friend
I believe things work out in the end
Sure as there's a moon and stars above
I believe in happy endings,
I believe in love

Just as I believe in you, my friend
I believe things work out in the end
Sure as there's a moon and stars above
I believe in happy endings,
I believe in love!

Music Therapy with Miss Moon

Alright!!!
Alright!!!
I'm ready, man!
Whoaa yeah!!!

You thought you had found yourself a good girl,
One who would love you and give you the world.
Then you find, babe, that you've been misused,
Come to me, honey, i'll do what you choose.

I want you to
Well, tell mama
All about it.
Well, tell mama
What you need
Tell your mama, babe,
What you want.
Tell your mama, babe.

What you need
What you want.
What you need
What you want
Whoa! an' i'll make everything alright.

That girl you didn't have no sense, babe,
Wasn't worth all the time that you spent.
That same man he throwed you outdoors,
I just heard that he quartered your clothes, hey!

Well, tell mama
All about it.
Tell mama
What you need.
Tell your mama, babe,
What you want
Tell your mama, babe.

What you need
What you want
What you need
What you want,
Whoaaa! an' i'll make everything alright, babe.

Whoaa... rock & roll!

... baby,
Wasn't worth all the time that you spent.
And that same man that throwed you outdoors,
I just heard that he torn all your clothes, hey.

Well, tell mama
All about it
Tell mama
What you need
Tell your mama, babe
What you want
Tell your mama, babe

What you need
What you want
What you need
What you want
Anything i can do
Anything i can do for you.

Tell your mama, babe!
Your mama, babe!
Your mama, babe!
Your mama, babe!
Hey your mama, babe!
Tell your mama, babe!
Tell your mama, babe!
Tell your mama, babe!

Hey!

Every time you get lonely, lonely, lonely,
Every time you get lonely sometime.
Every time you get lonely, lonely, lonely,
Every time you get lonely sometime.

Every time you got to cry, cry,
Every time you gotta cry.
Every time you got to cry, cry, cry,
Every day, lord.

And i'd figured
I'll tell you, when you go lonely, an' i figure everybody does, right ?
Because as a matter of fact everybody does.
I figure if you're a woman
Man if you're really a woman
You already know what you need, man.
You already know what you're looking for,
Man, i found out out at fourteen years old
And i been lookin' for it every since, too, man.

But, if you happen to be a young cat,
You know like about seventeen years old, just about
If you happen to be a young cat and you ain't figured it out yet,
I'll tell you what you need, baby,
When you got those strange thoughts in your head
You got those strange little weirdenesses happening to you, you don't know what they are
I'll tell ya what you need ¡º

You need a sweet lovin' mama, babe,
Honey, sweet talkin' mama, babe.
You need a sweet lovin' mama, babe.
Honey, sweet talkin' mama, babe.

You need someone to listen to you,
Someone to want you,
Someone to hold you
Someone to need you
Someone to use you
Someone to want you
Someone to need you
Someone to hold you
Someone to want you
Someone to hold you

You need a mama, mama, mama, mama, mama, baby
Lordy, mama, mama, mama, mama, mama, mama, mama.
Mama, mama, mama, mama, mama, mama, mama, mama, mama, mama, mama, mama, mama, yeah!
Mama, mama, mama, mama, mama, mama, mama, yeah!
Mama, mama, mama, mama, mama, mama, mama, yeah!

Tell mama all about it
Tell mama all about it
What you need, what you want
What you need, what you want
Anything i can do
Anything i can do
Tell your mama, babe

Yeah your mama babe!
Whoa mama babe!
Whoa mama babe!
Whoa mama babe!
Whoa mama babe!
Whoa mama babe!
Whoa mama babe!
Whaa mama babe!

Yeah
An' i'll make everything alright, yeah!
Hey! yeah!

Yay! My first attempt at Kinky Twists is a success!!!

Sunday morning I started my kinky twists, armed with the willingness to take on the task, a fantastic big sister who was willing and able to come to my aid and a plethora of how to videos from YouTube.

My hair grows a bit faster during the summer, so it is my goal to leave these kinky twists in until September to a) give my hair a must needed rest and b) help facilitate growth.

This is the hair I used. It's 100% Kanekalon, and I must say it went a long way. I used three bags for my entire head, which rocks, because I usually went through 8 or 9 bags to do my usual braided hair style.

I read that I should use the yellow wave rods, but blue is my favorite color... so I had to get the blue ones!! LOL

This is me with 1/2 the twists done. By 5 o'clock, I was exhausted and I decided to pick the rest up today. Granted, I had all of 30 twists to go, but tired is tired!

Here is a close up of the twists. I am so proud of the job!

I finished them up this afternoon this is how they looked all rolled up in the rods, waiting for dipping.

And ta-da!!!



I am so happy with the results. I think that my sister and I did a great job for this being our first time doing them.

Now I know originally, I said I was going for a Tracee Ellis Ross kinky twists version, but as I was doing them, I decided to go longer. My inspiration was Solange Knowles in her "Sandcastle Disco" video. Sort of a curly, Donna Summers-esque style.

Not sure if I was successful in translating the inspiration, kinky twist style, but I like 'em!

I am still researching a care regimen for them, which I will be sure to post when I figure out what I am going to do. All I know for certain is that I am going to co-wash them (using diluted conditioner in a spritz bottle)... but that's about it. Any suggestions?

A Little [MOS DEF] for a Saturday Night

Hands down, fantastic album!!! Mos Def "Climb" (ft Vinia Mojica)

:::drools::: (Part Deux) Mo' Afro Lady Handbags...

So, I am a huge believer of the LOA (That's Law of Attraction for anyone who's never watched/read "The Secret"). One of the main lessons I've learned from The Secret is "What you think about, you bring about".

I was thinking of an old friend and hours later(!) I spot her leaving a comment for another friend on FaceBook, and I am so super-giddy-dorky happy to get back in touch with her. It was this particular friend (Shout out to you, Soul Sister!) that gave me the inspiration to look up a particular fabric I had seen of hers, which lead me down the rabbit hole to finding the Adelaide Soul Sisters handbag I was drooling about a few days go!

Today my hubby-to-be and I were walking about Nostrand running errands ( I had to pick up some Marley Hair, as I am finally going to start my kinky twists tomorrow) and I spot this beautiful woman walking down Fulton Street with... a handbag with an Afro lady on it that was GORGEOUS! I almost got hit by a car to ask her where she purchased her bag. She told be she bought it at a store in Harlem that is no longer in business (bummer!)... but I took it as a sign. A sign that we needed more drooling in this blog. LOL

So I combed the internet and found an awesome array of Afro Sistah inspired handbags! I told y'all... I get downright fanatical about these things.. especially when I get confirmation from The Divine that I am thinking about something positive for me.



First up, is an alternative to the regular ole "green" shopping bags... How about showing off your napptural pride with this Fab Flower Tote from Boutique Mix. It's reasonable priced at $25, and they have loads of other Afro Lady styles to choose from.



This bag is one specifically close to my heart... not only do I love rocking my natural hair, but I have since childhood been obsessed with mermaids, especially black ones. This Afro Chick Clutch, by Diana Corvelle are one of a kind, and can be requested. There are no prices on the site (which to me translates as $$$$$$), but I am going to bookmark her site anyway.. because this bag would be the perfect 32nd birthday pressie to myself this year!



This one is SOOOOO ADORABLE and uber inexpensive (two of my favorite qualities in a handbag!). Priced at $39.99, this tote from Miguel Ruis (which is eerily enough.. the name of a boy I had a serious crush on in 5th grade.. how cuckoo would it be if it was the same dude! LOL) is available to purchase from eBags.com. It also has a matching cosmetic bag, which is (sadly) sold separately.

Last, but certainly not least is this GORGEOUS Lil Afro Line Purse from Junkprint (Who's a Nappturality friend from Brooklyn, so YA KNOW I had to shout her out!!)... Found the bag during my search and realized after recording the info that Hey.. I know this Sistah!!! You GOTTA love synchronicity...




Priced at $70, this is TOTALLY not your Mama'a Afro Lady bag... This is going on my "to get" list, just because I know that it would be an attention grabber!

Wedding Stuff: Where to Have the Wedding?!?!?

I always knew that if I was going to jump the broom, I'd be doing it in Brooklyn. So when Chris proposed, I immediately had thoughts about a "Big, Fat Brooklyn" wedding! An intimate, fun party that best reflects Chris' and my tastes and personalities.

And I wanted our wedding to be held someplace unique and beautiful. Prospect Park? Nope. Botanical Gardens? Not so much. Tobacco Warehouse? Done to DEATH!!!

And no offense to (many of) the banquet halls in Brooklyn... but, no! Gaudy is TOTALLY not our style. I mean, stuffed swans on the Buffet Table? I'm talking to you, Euphoria!! LOL

So I have my heart set on TWO restaurants in Brooklyn, which are both in walking distance to a park (perfect for pictures).. and both funky, earthy, beautiful and classy at the same time.

The first restaurant is one I've actually eaten at: Madiba Restaurant in Ft. Greene, Brooklyn. FANTASTIC food and drinks and steps away from Ft. Green Park.

The second place I haven't been to yet, but fell in love with after seeing photos of this wedding held there online... and I <3 the name for obvious reasons! LOL My Moon Restaurant in Williamsburg Brooklyn has Turkish cuisine and it happens to be a beautiful space!!

My favorite feature from My Moon is their GREAT mural -

So these are my choices (for now)... being that the wedding is two years away, I reserve the right to change my mind several times for the remainder of the year! LOL

:::drools::: Soul Sisters Adelaide Handbag from SugarKitty's Stuff

Handbags...how do I love thee? Let me count the ways, because if we counted the actual handbags.. I'd be here all day! LOL



This made to order handbag from SugarKitty's Stuff just SCREAMS Miss Moon:
Blue? Check. Afro Lady? Check.

I am planning on getting one in the next few weeks!!

DOPE: "This Type Love" Shihan

I want a love like
Me thinking of you
Thinking of me thinking of you type love
Or me telling my friends more than I’ve ever admitted to myself
About how I feel about you type love
Or hating how jealous you are
But loving how much you want me all to yourself type love
Or see how your first name just sound so good next to my last name
And shit I wanted to see how far I could get without calling you
And I barely made it out of my garage

See, I want a love that makes me wait until she falls asleep
And wonder if she’s dreaming about us being in love type love
Or who loves the other more
Or what she’s doing this exact moment
Or slow dancing in the middle of our apartment to the music of our hearts
Closing my eyes and imagining how a love so good
Could hurt so much when she’s not there
And shit I love not knowing where this love is headed type love
And check this, I want to place those little post-it notes
All around the how she she never forgets how much I love her type love
And not have enough ink in my pen to write all there is to love about her type love
And hope I make her feel as good as she makes me feel

And I want to deal with my friends making fun of me
The way I made fun of them when they went through the same kind of love type love
Only difference is, this is one of those real love type loves
And just like in high school
I want to spend hours on the phone not saying shit
And then fall asleep and then wake up with her right next to me
And smell her all up in my covers type love
I want to try counting the ways I love her
And lose count in the middle just so I have to start all over again
And I want to celebrate one of those one month anniversaries
Even though they ain’t really anniversaries
But doing it just ‘cause it make her happy type love
And, check this, I want to fall in love with the melody the phone plays
When none of us dialed into it type love
And talk to you until I lose my breathe
She leaves me breathless
But with the expanding of my lungs I inhale all of her back into me

I want a love that makes me need to change my cell phone calling plan
To something allows me to talk to her longer
‘cause in all honesty, I want to avoid one of them high cell phone bill type loves
And I want a love that makes me regret how small my hands are
I mean the lines on my palms don’t give me enough time
To love you as long as I’d like to type love
And I want a love that makes me st-st-st-st-stutter
Just thinking about how strong this love is type love
And I want a love that makes me want to cut off all my hair
Well, maybe not all of the hair
Maybe like I cut the split ends and trim my moustache
But it would still be a symbol of how strong my love for her

And check this, I kind of feel comfortable now
So I even be fantasizing about walking out on a green light
Just dying to get hit by a car
Just so I could lose my memory
Get transported to some third world country just to get treated
Then somehow meet up again with you so I can fall in love with you
In a different language and see if it still feels the same type love
I want a love that’s as unexplainable as she is
But I’m married, so she’s gonna be the one I share this love with

Music Therapy with Miss Moon

I took a FaceBook quiz today, entitled "What Kind of Soul Do You Have?", and I got the following results:

You have come out with Raven as your soul representation. This is a very interesting path for a being. I suppose the most important thing to remember about a persons life when they are under the Ravens wing would be, you have been here before.. you know all about this stuff and what you don't know you are about to find out. There is really nothing too surprising or amazing to a Raven person.. new things, sure, but as they have been witness to so many massive shifts over the miriad of lifetimes required to lead a Raven life, there are virtually no real surprises. The danger for a raven soul is landing in an area where there are no other ravens and no real competition for them. A Raven needs some powerful reflection and only another Raven can do that for them as they know that they are the only ones who really understand. An old soul does not protect a person from falling into a trap of getting too comfortable and growing lazy. Laziness is deadly for a Raven, they need the power of their wings to carry their great bodies high above the world so that they can gain the perspective that they so need in order fulfill their ultimate destinies here on earth. For each Raven has a particular mission to complete their earth cycle. Find out what it is Raven. You may be comfortable and unshaken, but are you alert and fulfilling your vision?.

It was this that inspired this week's song. I fell in love with this song years ago, when I (with an old beau of mine) stumbled into a dusty record shop here in Bed-Stuy on a whim. My ex, who's a DJ eagerly combed through the stacks like a child opens presents on Christmas morning. I looked through the records with less enthusiasm because, simply, I don't have a record player.



I was drawn to this record in particular, and stared at the cover for so long, the man running the store suggested I give the record a sample, using a record player and headphones the store provides. I picked this song in particular after reading the lyrics. I won't even go into the fact that Labelle is such an amazing force and without them, there would've been no TLC, Destiny's Child, etc... because it would seem the personification of corniness at this point. Like ranting and raving that the sky is blue, ya know? I will just post the song, so you guys can get some good music and (I hope) feel the good vibes that follow. To hear the original album version, click here.

The Greatest Miracles Happen When the Odds are Against You...

A little background history: Last year, I was working as a Customer Service Representative for Carol's Daughter here in NYC (If you called or emailed last year you perhaps got me. If so, I hope I helped and didn't piss you off! lol). I also got really serious with my then long-distance boyfriend (now cohabitant/hubby-to-be) and decided that I would move from Brooklyn to a small-ish town Upstate NY called Corning to be with him. So I quit my job, and sure that the fates would smile upon me for making such a uncharacteristically brave leap, made the move in November on my 31st birthday.

And I am not saying that the fates haven't smiled on me at all. They have brought me the most fulfilling and loving relationship I've ever had in my life. They have brought me a man who has the most amazingly loving family, and they have brought me so many wonderful experiences in the time spent in Corning (including the most wonderful surprise proposal I've ever witnessed - and it was ME being proposed to!). They just didn't bring me a job! LMAO

So, newly affianced hubby-to-be by my side, I moved back to Brooklyn, where I was 50-75% sure I would get my old job back at Carol's Daughter, as they seemed very enthusiastic about me moving back to the city. I didn't. They didn't even send me a "thanks, but no thanks" letter after my interview. Which sucks anytime you go on an interview, but sucks really hard when you have a relationship with a company and have made positive contributions of time and creativity to said company.

Fast forward 3 months, several interviews and several rejections later... I am still unemployed, and it's moments like this when it's hard to keep optimistic. Especially when I read this comment from a DailyKos article that suggests the fervor about the Malia Obama picture is not about her tee shirt, but about her hair:

"I recently attended an employment coaching class for unemployed women looking for work. Part of it entailed the usual lesson on how to dress for an interview and was astonished to hear an African-American woman speaker advise AA women not to wear "ethnic" hairstyles. It was really shocking, because as a white woman, I find braided hairstyles to be very neat and no-nonesense[sic], as they signal that the woman is not spending her mornings doing her hair."

This coupled with an article from LiveSteez that reports that the unemployment rate of black neighborhoods in NYC is way over the rate for the entire city is far from encouraging, as I happen to be an African-American woman. With "ethnic" hair. Trying to find a job in NYC. According to these articles, I have a better chance of simultaneously being struck with lightening and contracting swine flu.

Suffice to say, I had a mini-breakdown as the weight of this information landed squarely on my shoulders. I decided to regroup with a long hot shower/mini meditation. While in the shower, this phrase came up for me during the meditation:

"The greatest miracles happen when the odds are against you"

I truly believe this, and it made me instantly feel better about the situation. I don't know if I will be immediately successful, but I do feel stronger and more optimistic. In short, I am ready for the challenge and I am (sho nuff!) ready for the triumph I believe will come from it.

So I am arming myself with the love and support of my friends and family (most importantly myself!), and this amazing meditation by Lilou Mace that I plan on watching twice a day: after waking up and before bed.



And I will be open, receptive to divine instruction and guidance. And I will succeed when I find the opportunity that has my name all over it!

Reading the Pictures: Malia, Peace Signs and Bottom Feeders (Political as Well as Journalistic)

The below is a comment I posted to the above titled article in The Huffington Post (the link is below):

It's frustrating when people bring up David Letterman's comments about Willow Palin (a joke intended for Bristol) as if a misguided attempt at humor is an excuse to heap racist epithets on a child. I found David lame as hell for making a joke at the expense of her children, and I am NOT in any way a fan of Sarah Palin's.

But I think that we, in the attempt to scramble over to our "sides", forget to look at the intent in these statements and where they are coming from. Again, David Letterman was trying to make a joke and it was a big ole swing and miss.

But calling a child "ghetto street trash"? I fail to see the humor in that and I don't believe that the original poster was intending to be funny or ironic. It seems like every bit of news concerning the Obamas brings out the ugliest part of the Conservative Right. Like this comment from: http://www.politicsdaily.com/2009/07/13/hate-speech-finds-a-home-on-the-web/3#comments --

"Its time for all REAL AMERICANS to stand up and be counted as in LET THE REVOLUTION BEGIN!! THAT is the ONLY WAY for the USA to get out of this black man's mess. Obama has done so much damage in just a short amount of time. SO I SAY, LET US TAKE BACK THE USA, LET THE REVOLUTION BEGIN!!"

Hate like this is dangerous for all Americans.

Read the Article at HuffingtonPost

Dear Mister or Miss Anonymous

So I received a comment to the blog I posted a few days ago, in response to Chris Parry's article about the hateful and blatantly racist Free Republic blog comments directed at Malia Obama:

" I guess you missed the update, it seems this trash journalist Chris Parry was outed as a KOS poster Hollywoodoz who had called for 'attacking "negros" and blaming Republicans" in his writing. He was outed for planting comments like this at Free Republic and several sites. He even went on that site to try to defend himself and instead ended up admitting to creating several accounts to do this. His comments on KOZ are far more vile and racist than anything he brought up in his column. "

I in turn, did to this comment what the moderators at Free Republic should have done to the comments calling a child "a typical street whore": rejected it. With a quickness.

I wanted to post this blog (and include his/hers comment) because I researched the claim that Chris Parry is a plant who stirs up controversy. After many links containing Chris Parry the jewelery designer and (of course) links to previous articles written by Parry I actually find a link that is relevant to the claims of Anonymous' comments.... a link from (surprise surprise) Free Republic.

Of course I found other blogs and websites that posted these claims, but they all source back to FR.

So thanks for posting your comments, Ole Anony-HITANDMISS, but unless this claim is being reported from CNN, MSNBC or any other credible news source, I am going to have to call your no-named reporting, simply... bullshit.

Peace from Brooklyn!

Music Therapy with Miss Moon

This song has been a favorite of mine ever since I was a little bitty. Ritchie Haven's version of it specifically has been a song that I (to this day) play when I need uplifting!

"I have decided to stick with love. Hate is too great a burden to bear." MLK

This has been a tough week for me, emotionally. The news has on two occasions, made me break down crying. First, news of the Philadelphia children being denied access to a club swimming pool, and the subsequent scrambling to justify their actions.

Now, I read this article from The Vancouver Sun. I was so heartsickened by this undercurrent of hatred becoming more and more apparent in this country.

Conservative Free Republic blog in free speech flap after racial slurs directed at Obama children

BY CHRIS PARRY, VANCOUVER SUN JULY 11, 2009


Photograph by: Remo Casilli , Reuters

This photo of U.S. President Barrack Obama's daughter Malia, wearing a peace-symbol t-shirt touched off a storm of epithet-laced comments on the conservative 'Free Republic' blog

"A typical street whore." "A bunch of ghetto thugs." "Ghetto street trash." "Wonder when she will get her first abortion."

These are a small selection of some of the racially-charged comments posted to the conservative 'Free Republic' blog Thursday, aimed at U.S. President Barack Obama's 11-year-old daughter Malia after she was photographed wearing a t-shirt with a peace sign on the front.

The thread was accompanied by a photo of Michelle Obama speaking to Malia that featured the caption, "To entertain her daughter, Michelle Obama loves to make monkey sounds."

Though this may sound like the sort of thing one might read on an Aryan Nation or white power website, they actually appeared on what is commonly considered one of the prime online locations for U.S. Conservative grassroots political discussion and organizing - and for a short time, the comments seemed to have the okay of site administrators.

Moderators of the blog left the comments - and commenters - in place until a complaint was lodged by a writer doing research on the conservative movement, almost a full day later.

"Could you imagine what world leaders must be thinking seeing this kind of street trash and that we paid for this kind of street ghetto trash to go over there?" wrote one commenter.

"They make me sick .... The whole family... mammy, pappy, the free loadin' mammy-in-law, the misguided chillin', and especially 'lil cuz... This is not the America I want representin' my peeps," wrote another.

Such was the onslaught of derision on the site that the person who originally complained about the slurs, a Kristin N., claims only one comment in the first hundred posted actually criticized the remarks as inappropriate.

A note on the front of the blog reads, "Free Republic does not advocate or condone racism, violence, rebellion, secession, or an overthrow of the government," but one comment on the thread read, "This disgusting display makes me more and more eager for the revolution," while another read, "I never actually wnated [sic] to be a pistol before but..."

After attention from other blogs, the thread was suppressed and placed under review, but before long it was returned to the site intact, and attracted a new series of racial slurs when the original complaint email was posted publicly to the site, with the sender's email address intact.

"The writer has a point," wrote site owner Jim Thompson sarcastically. "We should steer clear of Obama's children. They can't help it if their old man is an American-hating Marxist pig."

"I agree Jim," wrote commenter, by the nickname NoobRep. "The kids didn't pick their commie pinko pansy of a father. Nor did they choose to be put into the spotlight. But Obama/Soetoro is fair game and so is his witch of a wife."

"Poor kids. I hope they're not 'punished with a baby'," wrote another. "Hopefully they won't deal cocaine like the Kenyan."

"DIRTBAGS! All of them. Our [White House] is now a joke to the rest of the world. We have no respect and this is not going to turn out well, mark my words. We will be hit, and much worse than last time. We are now seen as weak and vulnerable. Ghetto and Chicago thugs have taken over."

Only after significant negative attention from a host of left wing political blogs did the maintainers of the Free Republic site place the thread under review for a second time, before finally pulling it.

In the wake of the controversy, some Free Republic posters complained about the vitriol.

One poster by the name of "fullchroma" wrote, "To Jim Thompson: The recent uptick here in racist vitriol, aimed at Barrack, Michelle and their children has made me wonder if I belong. My objection to Obama has nothing to do with skin tone. Is the ugly stereotype of Conservative racism true?"

Another, going by the name of TChris, wrote, "Free Republic is a political discussion forum. It SHOULD be beneath us as a group to stoop to such juvenile tactics as I see increasing here lately. Do we REALLY have to insult Mrs. Obama's appearance like a clique of nasty 14-year-old girls?"

But such opinions were not shared by all. Said Roses of Sharon, "Poor libs .... Too late, the battle has been joined."

© Copyright (c) The Vancouver Sun

A Little [ALICIA KEYS] for a Saturday Night

I would like to dedicate this particular "...for a Saturday Night" to the children of Creative Steps, Inc. in Philly!!

damn....damn.....DAMN!!!!!!! (My People, Why?)

I love all the members of the black family, but like family.... sometimes they really need a foot in the ass for the stupid, stupid things they do. I always find myself subconsciously quoting Jean "Stevie" Stevenson's Mama (from April Sinclair's book "Coffee Will Make You Black"), "This is why the white folks don't want to go to school with ya!". And I hate that that thought even enters my mind.. but damn, y'all... our people really really need to get it together!

So last night, I find this thought-provoking and challenging video on YouTube. It's a mock-PSA for "Anti-Coonery", with features Nas saying that TRUE hip hop will die if B.S. like this continues. Finding the video dope as hell, I posted it on my Facebook page, as I am posting it below:



TWO..BLOODY...HOURS later, I find this video and... I don't have the words:



Why is it whenever we make a step forward, people like this seem hell-bent to push us back? I mean the children gobbling down the chicken is reminiscent of that archival footage of the two children eating watermelon. Where does humor end and buffoonery begin? And how can we, on one hand blast Fox News for blatant racism, when our own people are working hard to perpetuate racist stereotypes.

I'm black. I enjoy fried chicken. And you best believe my fried chicken is the bomb... but you won't see me making a video in some slave-quarter shanty town set and feature little children inhaling fried chicken like they were poisoned and Popeye's was the antidote.

I think it boils down to the whole "are we laughing with them or at them"? And that makes me wonder if when non-blacks watch this video... are they laughing with us, or at us?

I think one comment from the Miss Peachez video sums the whole thing up. YouTube user Lailum simply typed, "ＴＨＡＮＫ　ＹＯＵ　ＧＯＤ　ＴＨＡＮＫ　ＹＯＵ　ＦＯＲ　ＮＯＴ　ＭＡＫＩＮＧ　ＭＥ　ＢＬＡＣＫ　ＴＨＡＮＫ　ＹＯＵ　　　　　ＡＭＥＮ"

Yummm! Jerky Jerk Recipes

I am a jerk fanatic... I truly believe that if I could make jerk cornflakes without spending the rest of the day in the bathroom, I would!! LOL

Grilled Jerk Shrimp

INGREDIENTS :

1lbs Jumbo shrimp (peeled & de-veined)
2tbsp Jerk Seasoning
2tbsp Olive oil for Brushing
1 Ripe Plantain

METHOD:

Marinate shrimp in mixture of Jerk seasoning.
Place in refridgerator for 30 minutes
Peel Ripe Plantations and cut in thick slices (long way)
Thread on skewers with Shrimp and Platating.
Brush with Olive Oil and Grill for 3 minutes on each side.
Serves 4

Jamaican Jerk Chicken

1 tablespoon Ground allspice
1 tablespoon Dried thyme
1 1/2 teaspoons Cayenne pepper
1 1/2 teaspoons Freshly ground black pepper
1 1/2 teaspoons Ground sage
3/4 teaspoon Ground nutmeg
3/4 teaspoon Ground cinnamon
2 tablespoons Garlic powder or fresh
1 tablespoon Sugar
1/4 cup Olive oil
1/4 cup Soy sauce
3/4 cup White Vinegar
1/2 cup Orange juice
1 Lime juice
1 Scotch bonnet pepper (habanero)
3 Green onions -- finely chopped
1 cup Onion -- finely chopped
4 to 6 chicken breasts

Seed and finely chop Scotch Bonnet pepper. Trim chicken of fat. In a large bowl, combine the allspice, thyme, cayenne pepper, black pepper, sage, nutmeg, cinnamon, salt, garlic powder and sugar. With a wire whisk, slowly add the olive oil, say sauce, vinegar, orange juice, and lime juice.

Add the Scotch Bonnet pepper, onion, and mix well. Add the chicken breasts, cover and marinate for at least 1 hour, longer if possible.
Preheat an outdoor grill. Remove the breasts from the marinade and grill for 6 minutes on each side or until fully cooked. While grilling, baste with the marinade. Bring the leftover marinade to a boil and serve on the side for dipping.

Note: Scotch Bonnet peppers are the hottest of the capsicum peppers, they're truly incendiary. Substitute Serranos of Thai Bird Chiles if you can't find them.

Jerk Pork

3 chile peppers, seeded, diced
2 onions, finely chopped
1-inch piece ginger root, peeled, chopped
4 tablespoons chile paste
1/4 cup oil
1 teaspoon allspice
1 teaspoon dried oregano
4 tablespoons water
3 pounds pork fillets
Place the peppers, onions, and ginger in a jar of a food processor and pulse until smooth. Add the chile paste and oil and blend. Then add the allspice, oregano, and water. Rub this mixture all over the pork. Marinate overnight. Barbecue pork fillets or roast in a 400 degree oven.

Jerk Steak

Ingredients
1 1/2 lbs beef sirloin steaks, Trimmed and discard excess fat from steaks
olive oil
2-3 teaspoons jamaican jerk spice (Jamaican Jerk Seasoning)
Directions
1Rinse steaks and pat dry. Let steak sit at room temperature for 20 minutes. Sprinkle lightly all over olive oil.
2Spread jerk seasoning over both sides of steak.
3Lay steaks on grill 4 to 6 inches above heat; close lid on gas barbecue. Cook until done to your liking, 4-6 minutes for medium-rare, turning once with a wide spatula or tongs halfway through cooking.
4Transfer to a board or platter and let rest about 5-10 minutes before serving. To allow the juices to redistribute.

Dry Jerk Seasoning

Yield: 3 tablespoons

Ingredients:

1 tablespoon onion flakes
1 tablespoon onion powder
2 teaspoons ground thyme
2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon ground pimento (allspice)
¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
2 teaspoons sugar
1 teaspoon coarsely ground black pepper
1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
2 teaspoons dried chives or green onions

Method:
Mix together all the ingredients. Store leftovers in a tightly closed glass jar. It will keep its pungency for over a month.

For a time-saving and equally delicious alternative, try Walkerswood Jerk Seasoning!!!