Emotions

Emotions have taught mankind to reason. ~ Marquis De Vauvenargues

Comfort in expressing your emotions will allow you to share the best of yourself with others, but not being able to control your emotions will reveal your worst. ~ Bryant H. McGill

Ever since I was a kid, I've expressed my emotions more aptly in color than anything else. I would refer to the color that I felt my innards were at that particular moment. It's probably more an aura thing than anything else, but I realise that I still catch myself expressing the emotion in color.

Red was anger. Fire smoldering, destructive and fiery anger. The redder the color, the madder the rage. Usually I get uber angry about once a year. It takes alot to get me there, but once I'm there, watch out!

Gray was bored. Incredibly and insanely bored. I've been in alot of grays lately. I can even identify the different hues.

Yellow was happy. Being that my happiest moments occur in the sunshine it's not hard to think where I got this one from. Of course, yellow does have different hues, from the vague tint in lemon water to the darker shades that are so happy you're turning orange.

Pink was love. (what else?) Mainly because it's the color of the girl in me and she's happy when she's in love. I tend to wear alot of pink clothes as well, just cause I look so darn good in pink.

Of course green was jealousy. And the level of jealousy depended on the hue of green. The darker the color the more jealous the emotion.

Black was hate. Not used that often but surpassed Red in it's intensity. Usually reserved for those that have deeply wronged me and can never, ever be forgiven. Thankfully there are only 2 people on that list.

Brown---depression. Not used that often but it's usually an ugly cauldron of alot of emotions. Yes, there are different shades of brown, but usually I have only 2 depths to my sadness. Very sad or just a wee bit sad. So I guess that would make only 2 depths of depression?

Blue was ambivalence. This occurs usually when I'm caught in that lovely balance of emotions that Libras strive to achieve. I love being balanced. I tend to be blue most of the time, and as you can see, being blue isn't a bad thing at all.

Those are the most colors. I know it doesn't make any sense but chalk it down as one of my little quirks. If you had a color palette, what would yours be?

Carnavale!!!

When you go to Carnival every year, you bounce to, you-know the different music that make it to Carnival in Trinidad. It don't matter about the country you're from. ~ Wyclef Jean

Yesterday I headed to the city with my good friend Rhia for the SF South American Carnavale (yes, it's spelled this way;) I have never been to a carnival before, the closest I've been was Naija Fest a few years ago and so wasn't expecting the teeming mass of people who were more excited for the event than I was. It's sponsored by the Art Association and modelled after the Carnavale held in Rio de Janeiro every year. Except it's in SF. With everyone from all other South American countries including Brazil participating and represented.

I looked around until my eyes nearly rolled out of my head. I was stunned by the dizzying array of color, the costumes, the food, the language, the music...everything was just very energetic, very bright, very authentic and presented such a colorful display of South American heritage and culture that made me definitely want to add somewhere in South America on my top 10 places to visit list.

It's a shame I didn't speak a lick of Spanish, I think I would have gotten more in the zone. Everyone spoke it, the MC, the musicians, all the music was in Spanish. They were many women dressed in Carnavalesque costumes with lots of feathers, beads and shiny ornaments. Some had the Fantasia on, while others had skimpy halter top, short skirt and feathered hats that looked like her.

There were Copeira dancers who performed in constant rotation, a dance that consisted of martial arts moves. I saw a dog that was as large as a small pony, got to play a set on authentic Cuban drums, bought some lovely trinkets, encouraged Rhia to get a knockoff Coach purse for 25 bucks and ate so many churros that I almost got a headache. There were tons of people listening to the different bands from different parts of Latin America playing authentic live music on the stages. Several people took to the dance floor and there was a Rumba competition in which the couple that won stunned us all with their acrobatic ability. There was all kinds of sponsors, free product sampling and I even flirted with some cute firemen at the fireman's booth to get me some Mardi Gras beads. Hehehe.

All in all it was a very fun affair, and the perfect place to have it. At the end of the day noone wanted to leave and the cops had to start shutting the event down just to get everyone to leave, we were all having so much fun. If you ever have a chance to hit a South American Carnavale, take it---they know how to throw a festival!

What Color Red Are You?

You Are Ruby Red

You are warm and inviting - yet a little wild and outrageous. Well aware that you have a dual personality, you work it as much as you can! You like for people to be comfortable around you, but not at the expense of you stealing the limelight. Popular and well known, you make friends easily. You have your big personality to thank for that.

What Color Red Are You?

I should Move....

American Cities That Best Fit You::

75% Honolulu

70% Austin

70% Denver

60% Seattle

55% Atlanta

Which American Cities Best Fit You?

Random Acts of Kindness

When you carry out acts of kindness you get a wonderful feeling inside. It is as though something inside your body responds and says, yes, this is how I ought to feel. ~ Harold Kushner

I headed to Quizno's today post gym workout craving a very nice grilled turkey sandwich. My friend ordered some Veggie thing and then we got to the cash register. It was then I realised that my wallet wasn't in my purse like I thought. My friend had only 5 bucks in cash on her and the tab was close to $20.00. Yikes.

The guy at the cash register knows us, we are regulars and he offered for us to eat our meal and then come back to pay later. Wow that's really nice of him. I promised to zoom home to get my wallet and be back once we were done and he was cool with that.

Crisis over, my friend and I headed over to the tables and started enjoying our meal. Then the sales guy comes over to us. "You don't have to worry about coming back, you just got a free meal. The guy behind you just paid for your meal," he told us with a smile.

No way! I was incredulous and hopped out of my chair to head over to the man and thank him but he had already disappeared into his car and was pulling away. I'm still flabbergasted that nice people exist around every corner. He wasn't even expecting a thank you or nothing, just casually dealt with the bill of a stranger and disappeared.

I know some skeptics among you might think that he was trying to hit on us or something---but trust me, even I know that post-gym is not when I'm looking my cute best. I never even saw him, he was behind us in line and we were too busy talking to even flash him a smile originally. I doubt he even saw my face. He was just helping out a fellow human in trouble.

So thank you Mr. Whoever you are and I hope that karma deals you a lovely hand in return.

Now I just have to pay it forward.

A Special Kind of Love

I mean that's a big part of our existence here on earth, the personal relationship we have with the person that we love, with the person that we make love to, with the person that we share our lives with. We expect a lot of things back from our loved one, and the lesson is to accept and not expect. ~ Erykah Badu

I'm in love. Not the honey hued rose-tinted glasses infatuation that makes you think your love is the best thing since sliced bread. Not the puppy love, the lust of sex or the immature love that one exhibits in their youth. Not the romantic love that the poets write about or Hollywood idealizes.

It's that all encompassing love. The one where you accept him despite his flaws, in spite of them. The one that you tell each other everything and anything under the sun, from the most mundane to the most painful. The one that after weeks and months the slow embers grows with each passing day. The one that you have to hear the sound of his voice, just to center your being. The one where the sound of his voice subtly brings you home in a way you can never explain.

The one where you know that if it came to it, you would offer up your limb, your liver, your life. The one that you make mistakes and stumble and yet there is forgiveness behind the door. The one where you can be your worst, your meanest, your bitchiest and yet it doesn't change. The one that it's loyalty is a constant safeguard against everything you've ever come to expect. The one that hurts when you hurt, that cries when you cry, that comforts you in your pain.

The one that you connect on every plane; intellectually, emotionally, spiritually, kinestically, physically. The one that makes your heart sing. That brings you to a smile. The one that accepts, that forgives, that shares, that doesn't judge. The one that you don't have to say a word, and yet you know what's going on. The one that your intuition whispers softly, This is it. The one that seeks to understand, to know, to merge. The one that believes all things, hopes all things and endures all things. The one in 1st Corinthians 13. That love.

I'm in love. And it's a very, very good thing.

Monday Meme

1. Sleep with or without clothes on? Without. Unless it's cold.
2. Prefer black or blue pens? Black. Have to for work.
3. Dress up on Halloween? Yes. Last was a Ballerina
4. Like to travel? All the time.
5.Like Someone? Yes.
6. Do they know? Hell yea! Tell him all the time.
7. Who sleeps with you every night? Most times my guy.
8. Think you're attractive? YES YES YES!!
9. Want to get married? Yes
10. To: Him

Q11. Are you a good student? Yes
Q12) Are you currently happy? Yes
Q13) Have you ever cheated?? Been cheated on? Cheated: No. Been Cheated on: No. I would kick his ass to high heaven and he knows it!
Q14) Birthplace? Overseas
Q15) Christmas or Halloween? Christmas. All Hallow's Eve is too wierd man!
Q16) Colored or black-and-white photo? Depends. What am i wearing?
Q17) Do long distance relationships work? Some. With a good foundation
Q18) Do you believe in astrology? Yes. Within reason
Q19) Do you believe in love at first sight? Or lust at first sight.
Q20) Do you consider yourself the life of the party? Depends on my mood
Q21) Do you drink? Once in a while
Q22) Do you make fun of people? In my mind---yeah, voiced, sometimes.
Q23) Do you think dreams eventually come true? Yes. if you are willing to put in the hardwork needed.
Q24) Favorite fictional character? Tracy Whitney, If Tomorrow Comes.
Q25) Go to the movies or rent? Both
Q26) Have you ever moved? Yes, pretty often
Q27) Have you ever stolen anything? Yes.
Q28) How's the weather right now? Sucky.
Q29) Last time you cut your hair? 2 weeks ago. Needed a trim

Q30) Last person you talked to on the phone? My boyfriend
Q31) Last time you showered? When I got back from the gym
Q32) Loud or soft music? Depends on my mood
Q33) Mcdonalds or Burger King? BK!
Q34) Night or day? Night!
Q35) Number of pillows? 1
Q36) Piano or guitar? Depends on whose playing. My dad/sis--guitar. Anyone else, Piano
Q37) Future job? NYTBSA. If you can figure that out, then good for you.
Q38) Current job? Nurse
Q39) Current love? An intuitive Cancer who knows too much for his own good.
Q40) Current longing? Mmmm, to be wrapped up in #39's arms. Right now.

Q41) Current disappointment? That the weekend is already full and it just started
Q42) Current annoyance? Some psycho chick.
Q43) Last thing you ate? Potato chips
Q44) Last thing you bought? Hair products
Q45) Most recent thing you are looking forward to? Rhia's Luau
Q46) What are you hearing right now? Avant's new CD, Director. It's pretty cool
Q47) Plans for the weekend? Ok, I did these already. If you know me, then you know.
Q48) What did you do today? Gym, Lunch with friends, shopping, went to get my car from my boyfriend's job, make out session, dinner at Indian and watched bits of SATC while playing spades at game night.
Q49) Pick a lyric, any lyric or song? You are my black angel, my black queen. ~ Opm 1, My World

Q50) Pick a movie quote? Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine as children do. It's not just in some of us; it is in everyone. And as we let our own lights shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others. ~ Timo Cruz, Coach Carter

Youth

Youth is a wonderful thing. What a crime to waste it on children. ~ George Bernard Shaw

For some reason, I've been getting alot of requests from different publishers to review their books, movies and products. Being one never to say no to free stuff, I have a couple of books to wade through this weekend in addition a movie!

I'm off to Madera for my Grandmother's birthday bash this weekend, going to be thronged with the mass of the cacophony that is my extended family. I'm looking forward to a smashing great time. Hopefully my cousin Eric will come down (he's actually the closest person in age to me ---he's 17), and we'll be able to escape from the adults and have some proper bonding over video games, Myspace and Ipods. Such is the life!

It's wierd that in the midst of my aunts and uncles, I don't consider myself an adult at all. They refer to all of us as the children and I don't balk at that. So one week of escapism to being an irresponsible youth...just what the doctor ordered.

Have a great weekend everyone.

Meet the Parents, pt 2

After introductions we went into the house. Danny's dad George had us sit in the dining room while he fixed us some tea. It was hard for me to sit and be served by George so I kept getting up to get spoons, teabags, napkins and whatever else I could think of. Danny sat back and relaxed, seemingly unperturbed by my nervousness. Finally the tea was served and I couldn't do anything else. So I sat down and let the grilling began.

George asked me if I had finished school and I told him that I had my Bachelor's and planned to go back to grad school in a few months and had already got accepted. I was really nervous and tried not to let it show. He asked me how long I've been in the States, was surprised at my non-existent accent and asked more questions about my background. He asked about my heritage and seemed really interested when he found out that I was from Africa. He started asking me more questions about where in Nigeria I was from and seemed really to know alot about the area. There was a lull in the conversation as I sipped some tea and had some cookies and Danny asked his dad if he was done writing with his book yet. George said that he was still working on it to which the conversation died.

Enter my inner Socialite. Whenever I'm put in social situations out of my depth, I just imagine that I'm my younger sister (the Lawyer) and morph into her. I fake the attitude and confidence until I feel it. My palms were sweaty and my heart was in my throat, but I pushed ahead anyway. Even though I wanted to become invisible and leave them to their discussion, I ignored the urge and brought the focus back on me.

"So what is your book about?" I asked, determined not to let him grill me again. He told me it was on Quantum physics and it's application to everyday life and this piqued my curiosity. I don't know that much about Quantum physics and the little I do was gotten from books like Timeline but I did have a physics background from school so I wasn't totally clueless. We got into this conversation about physics and then moved on to culture, current affairs, our lousy president and the difference in world cultures and even oil production. I was really engaging, really charming and kept the conversation going.

His dad is very knowledgeable, a world traveller, speaks 7 languages fluently and was well versed in EVERYTHING and it was a struggle for me to keep up. But I refused to let the conversation lag and even introduced a few new points to his theories and way of thinking. We would start on opposite sides of the debate and eventually one of us would have to concede the point to the other. It was intense and took immense skill to keep up but I managed to make myself not look like a total imbecile.

I finished eating the dinner that Danny had made for me (pita bread, hummus, exotic pickles and some kind of cheese from Holland). I'm not really a big hummus lover but I forced myself to eat every single thing on my plate. I knew that loving Middle Eastern food would be a bonus and actually complimented the meal when I was done and helped clean up.

Danny just sat back, not really contributing to the conversation but I could tell that he was engrossed in it. Whenever I searched for a word, he would provide the word I needed (usually a 3-4 syllable word) effortlessly. I shot him several smiles when he did but really---that was all he contributed to the conversation! I think he was just content to watch our interaction and didn't think I needed any rescuing. I forgot my initial worry and trepidation and just engrossed myself in the discussion whole-heartedly.

Finally I broke the evening apart. I didn't want to overstay my welcome. "I'm going to head out so you can get your rest George," I said as I got my purse and gave him a hug. He hadn't even notice the time fly by (it was close to 1 am). George said good night and then headed to his study (to put down some ideas I had given him perhaps;)--I wish.

Danny walked me out and gave me a big hug and kiss. "See, I told you not to worry, you were great," he whispered as he kissed my forehead and held me close.

Whew! I'm glad that's over and done with!

Meet the Parents: pt 1

I'm going to meet my boyfriend's father today. I am super nervous, more nervous than I have ever been in ages. See, most of the guys that I ever seriously dated were Nigerian, and meeting their families was always a piece of cake. Mainly because Nigerians are very close-knit community and everyone knows everybody or someone who knows them. You can connect the dots and find some common ground quite easily. Growing up, everyone knew my dad and I was automatically made to feel welcome andthis gave me merit on the guise of me being Nigerian and my father's daughter alone. Besides that all the non-Nigerian men I've dated in the last 7 years never made the cut for me to meet their parents so I haven't had any practice.

Until Him.

He's been asking me for weeks now to pop through to see his parents, but I managed to dodge it each time. His dad travels alot and is out of town like every few weeks, so that helped as well. I had given him all kinds of excuses. I told him that I wasn't ready, that I didn't have my Meet the Parents clothes on, or that I was having a bad hair day. I told him that I needed a special invitation from his parents, and advance notice (like several days) to prepare myself and get over the nerves. He didn't get why I was so nervous and anxious. "They are just my parents," he said jokingly.

Right. I couldn't explain why I was so nervous, I'm normally classically cool when meeting people. I sequester the old introvert in me and morph into the outgoing and charming Vixen, a change that happens instantly I'm put in a social scenario. But this was different. This time, I wouldn't have the 'prestige' of my dad's name to fall back on. This time I wouldn't have the good name of my family to automatically grant me esteem. This time it was going to be all about me, my merits and my accomplishments. I had to put my best foot forward. Or fall flat on my face.

I accepted the invitation with trepidation. He had given me time to get ready. I didn't have any excuse even though I hedged and hawed and searched in vain for one. But he wasn't backing down this time. In fact he backed me into a corner by stating, "Why do I get the feeling you don't want to meet my parents?" Gulp.

I frantically called my sisters/friends going through my wardrobe trying to find the best Meet the Parents outfit. I didn't want it to be too casual, so jeans wouldn't work. I didn't want to look depressed so I eliminated anything black. That left dresses/skirts. "Just wear something comfortable," he told me when I asked for a suggestion. Gee, that helps! Why even bother? What does he know?

The final selection was a blue pastel summer dress. It was an empire waist, demure cut, yet a flirty, fun frock that made me feel like I looked my best. I had to redo my eye makeup twice before I had it to my satisfaction. At his urging, I sped up the process. "We don't want to be late," he stated.

No way out now.....

The Evolution of Dance

Dance is the hidden language of the soul. We look at the dance to impart the sensation of living in an affirmation of life, to energize the spectator into keener awareness of the vigor, the mystery, the humor, the variety, and the wonder of life. This is the function of the American dance.~ Martha Graham

This is an hilarious video that my friend passed along to me and I just have to share with you all. I didn't start recognizing dances until like the 2nd minute or so (guess I'm still too young!) but once I did it was a riot all the way to the end.

Check it out.

Visiting

Laugh at your friends, and if your friends are sore; So much the better, you may laugh the more. ~ Henry Ward Beecher

I went to visit one of my friends in the hospital today. It was actually surreal. See usually, my friends are a sturdy, healthy lot, with the only invalid of the bunch being me. So it was really wierd for me to be looking at it from the other side of the hospital bed. Added to that, I felt so....helpless! Like there was nothing I could do to make him feel better or alleviate his distress. Guess it's good to see how both sides of the fence feel like. I think I was actually able to empathise with his situation better since I've been hospitalized so many times. I also think that this experience has given me a greater appreciation for the people that do come to visit me when I'm ill.

I encouraged him to actually step out of the claustrophic hospital room and into the hallway, and then accompanied him downstairs to enjoy some sunlight. I knew this would instinctively improve his mood since that's how I feel when I'm ill---I just want to go outside!

And that's the silver lining behind every cloud.

I ended up telling him all kinds of funny stories, even if I had to stretch the truth a bit just to get a few laughs out of him. I realise now that being a standup comic is not in my future. Neither is being a pantomime.

However, I could have a future as a candy stripper. I think I would fill those shoes....nicely.

Have a nice weekend everyone!

Reconfiguring

Once you find love, you find it. There isn't an age on love. ~ Candace Cameron

I was on the phone with my sister the Lawyer last night rhapsodizing about my utterly fabulous boyfriend. She let me rave and talk about him for several minutes until she finally had to ask... "So do you see yourself marrying him?"

That gave me pause. Dearly. It's not that I don't see myself marrying him, it's nothing like that. I actually do!

You see, in my mind I always figured that I wouldn't get hitched until the ripe old age of 36 (or later!) I figured that I was rarely if ever the maternal sort, had no biological clock to speak of and loved playing the field and dating across the world too much to actually want to settle down. I figured I would be the cool aunt, popping through to visit my innumerable nieces and nephews but never really settling down with my own passel of kids for a while. Sometimes, I even imagined that I would never, ever get married and just keep jetsetting all across the world doing my 'thing' until I was old and grey.

According to the life plan I had when I was 12, I was supposed to be married by now (25, being that my mom got married at 25). However, once my birthday last year passed with no great love in the horizon I reconfigured my plans and chucked it out the window, along with dreams of the large wedding, white dress and all that jazz.

I had to take a moment to actually ground myself lest I be guilty of premature planning. However, it's nice to know that there is a possibility that I have met my match and will get hitched sometime this decade.

If anything having a steady boyfriend will get the parents off my back. Even though they are currently acting all 'cool' about my choices and decisions, I know that it must be driving them nuts that none of their kids has seen it fit to hand over grandbabies yet!

Oh well.

Twenty Firsts

I got this from Nicole's Blog. She's doing this massive tagging all week and I loved this one.

TWENTY FIRSTS

1. Who was your first prom date?
I didn't go to prom. The first official 'dance' I went to, I must have been closer to 21 and it was in college. My date was my roomie's best male friend, after this other guy that wanted to go with me bailed out due to a 'broken ankle' which really wasn't broken. I was looking quite fabulous that day though:)

2. Who was your first roommate?
Besides my sisters? Well then that would be Kat who ended up being my best friend in senior high.

3. What alcoholic beverage did you drink when you got drunk for the first time?
A Cosmopolitan on the eve of my 21st birthday. Just one full cup and I was hella drunk. Had a hangover from hell the next day and swore off getting wasted ever since then.

4. What was your first job?
I helped my mom sell bread to wholesale food stores. I loaded the bread from the bakery to our house, then to the stores and stacked them. There is a method to stacking bread I'll have you know.

5. What was your first car?
'97 Dodge Neon piece of crap. Yes, I've since upgraded. Never, every buy a Neon!

6. When did you go to your first real funeral?
My dad's a minister so I've been to dozens of funerals in my day. The first funeral of someone that I really intimately knew was the one of the janitor of our church. He had a heart attack and left 4 heartbroken kids. Very sad.

7. How old were you when you first moved away from your hometown?
I was 12, going on 13. Went away to a boarding school of my own choosing. I snuck filling the forms and bargained with my parents that I was only going to take the entrance exam but I wouldn't enroll until the next school year. Somehow I scored the highest on the test and the school prinicipal came to our house (2 hours away) to beg my parents to let me enroll that very semester. Ended up doing only half a term of Grade 9 and enrolled in Grade 10. My parents didn't want me to go but I was ready to spread my wings and fly. And Miss Independent was born.

8. Who was your first grade teacher?
Mrs. Keller. My 3rd grade teacher was Mrs. Dry and she was a real tough cookie.

9. Where did you go on your first airplane ride?
When I was 4 years old. Flew KLM to the US.

10. When you snuck out of your house for the first time, who was it with?
I snuck out with my brother to buy suya from the marketplace at night. My sis covered for us. I think I was 11.

11. Who was your first Best Friend and are you still friends with them?
Besides my sisters? That would be Kat. And yes we are still friends

12. Where did you live the first time you moved out of your parent’s house?
Boarding school. For a whole year. It was quite an illuminating experience.

13. Who is the first person you call when you have a bad day?
Depends on what's causing my bad day. If it's spiritual, my sis the Engineer--- she has a way to put things in perspective. If it's personal, then it has to be a toss-up between Claire and Joyci.

14. Whose wedding were you in the first time you were a bridesmaid or a groomsmen?
Some lady from our church. My dad was the Minister doing the ceremony and so I guess I was included as a flowergirl out of respect? Haven't been a bonafide bridesmaid yet.

15. What is the first thing you do in the morning?
Wash my face, brush my teeth and drink 2 cups of water.

16. What was the first concert you attended?
Lots of church related concert from when I was 11. My first ever was at the Trenchard Hall in Ibadan. It was the UI, ISI and Okebola combined choirs and I think I sang in that one. My first mainstream concert was Acapella in Lansing followed by Usher in Bmore.

17. First tattoo or piercing?
Nada. Don't think I ever will do either.

18. First celebrity crush?
I have no idea. I honestly can't remember.

19. First crush?
My best friend's brother's best friend. He was a total hottie and he knew it too!

20. First love?
Bayo. Friendship turned to relationship and then back and forth for 3 years. Learned ALOT of lessons from that one.

Movie Review: 2 For the Money

Two for the Money (Widescreen Edition)

by D.J. Caruso

I came into this movie with low expectations and yet enjoyed the dynamics and got caught up in the excitement of the themes. It is definitely different than most of the movies in Hollywood today and examines an industry that doesn’t get looked at often.

Al Pacino/Rene Russo were great and you could see the gradual evolution of their relationship from the beginning when John Anthony (Matthew) entered their lives and when he left. I especially loved the last scene of Redemption when Rene got on her hubby’s case for gambling with their lives.

I didn’t like the ending, and it definitely wasn’t one that you were expecting and totally deviates from the Hollywood angle here however it just adds to the plot another layer that makes it more interesting.

The whole JA losing his mojo was really hard for me to watch and especially when he kept trying and trying but really couldn’t get the magic back. However, you do see the descent of this good boy to a money-hungry businessman who tossed over all his scruples for the almighty dollar.

And yet, through that whole mask, Brandon still managed to retain himself and didn’t give it all up. In fact, he gained more than he went in with, an experience that changed his life.

However—what happened to Pacino’s empire after that one win? I wonder.

See more about Two for the Money (Widescreen Edition)

Waffling

I'm trying to be super efficient with updating this blog, but sometimes there really isn't anything to add. I guess when you do fragment your ideas/life unto 4 different blogs one of them will eventually slip. However, this blog is supposed to show a personal side of Vixen---at least that was the original thought and not supposed to be me just ranting and raving (as in the last few posts). So let's delve into some personals.

How about this...ask me a few questions. Anything on your mind and I promise to answer truthfully. What do you want to know?

Thoughts currently flowing through my mind, my spirit or my heart. (Not in any particular order)

1. You only go through life once. So you have to live it up, every day, good to the last drop.
2. My Libra tendencies feature prominently in all my moods. I can be the social butterfly, the moody writer, the melancholic philosopher all in the same time frame. Like the wind I shift, I merge, I change, I become.
3. The only good food is spicy food. Preferably seasoned with lots of curry and cayenne pepper. Everything else is either a fruit, vegetable or a good food Wannabe.
4. Need to put my exercise/intake into my SparkPeople.
5. This Ortho-evra patch itches (changed it yesterday...ugh!)
6. Prison Break is coming on in 3 hours! Yay!
7. I need to update the Bad Girls Guide
8. I use waaaay too many exclamation marks.
   
9. Man...I haven't turned in my articles for Baggage Reclaim yet!
10. The BaWo blogging mentoring project starts on Sunday. Make a note of that.
11. Must fight the urge to have 2 of those Double Stuf Peanut Butter Creme Oreo cookies on your desk. In fact, get them out of your sight!!
12. Avant's new CD is actually really good.
    

As you can see, very bland thoughts:)

Have a great week everyone.

Lil Sis

My sisters are my favorite people on earth. ~ Ryan Phillippe

I had two sisters, and we would love to get dressed up and pretend that we were chic, sophisticated ladies. And I think that was a great sort of preparation, in a way. ~ Suzanne Farrell

Today is my darling younger sister's birthday. Actually it's her pseudo-birthday. My dad was the one who turned in her birth certificate (he's horrendous with dates!) and he filled in May 4. However, we discovered his diary of that year (which he keeps religiously) and he noted, "Baby Girl born today, May 3".

It's always been a running joke in my family that all her documentation says May 4 but we all have a party on May 3 anyway. She loves playing pranks on her friends when they call her with well wishes, saying that, "Oh, my birthday was yesterday, or Oh, it's tomorrow!" So I guess her birthday is only half a day on both sides...like May 3.5? Ok genius, there's a formula for you.

Anyway, a big Happy Pseudo Birthday to my darling sister the Engineer. (This is the sis that can actually pass as me on a good day. She looks like me, sounds like me only difference is that she's wittier and definitely more analytical). Hope it was a great one. I figured it must be, since you didn't pick up your phone all day. The world would be a much more different place without you in it, that's for sure.

My...you are actually 22! Dayum, I feel old!

Sh*t List

Most people return small favors, acknowledge medium ones and repay greater ones - with ingratitude. ~ Benjamin Franklin

I'm a great believer in helping out a friend when in need. I like to lend a helping hand, not only because it's the nice thing to do or from the altruistic point of view but also because of all those warm fuzzies that you get in your toes. However, there are a few people that have managed to get on my sh*t list-- mainly for ingratitude.

Hey, I'm not asking for a pound of flesh here. Just an acknowledgment that I did help you out and you are grateful. Especially when I go out of my way to help you when I could have said no. Especially when I told you I had plans for tonight. Especially when your carelessness ends up costing me an hour of Alias (y'all know how I am about Alias!). A quick, "Thanks a million," would work wonders for my morale and make me even want to bend over more next time.

However, if you are too high & mighty to even say thank you and then expect me to leap to your aid every time you need something (which in this particular case is every damn minute) then you are soooo dreaming. Might wanna appoint yourself president in your dreams as well, because there is no way in heaven that you will ever get off the sh*t list.

*end rant*

Wicked Day

I'm beginning to hate Mondays---oh wait today was Tuesday. I'm not even going to rant about it, let's just say, it was totally horrendous. I'm glad it's over.

Comfort food of the week ~ sugar free jello that I made myself. Cherry, I even sliced some cherries in it to soup it up. Very nice.

As you can see, I really don't have much to say. Just wanted to pop through.