Love is in the air...

I'm watching the wedding special on E! for Khloe and Lamar and let me say that I find it so touching that they were able to have their love story documented. It wasn't this unrealistic walk in the park - - she has a brutally honest family and us viewers were able to see the ups and downs that come along with love at first sight and quickie marriages. Maybe because I'm in love right now, but it just seems like everywhere you turn people are moving forward with their lives and I'm loving it. One of my great friends is newly engaged, another is expecting twins, and I'm thrilled that we're all growing up and loving to the fullest. *sigh* life is just great... lol

Moving on... I'm still sitting here with my jaw ajar @ the size of Khloe's ring. I mean, she married a NBA player... a Laker at that so I'm not shocked that it's big... but DAMN!!!!

(sidebar: I had no clue who Lamar Odom was before he married Khloe. My mom still calls him "the guy that married Khloe" lol...)

Back to the ring - - it's 12.5 carats of breathtaking beauty!!! Words don't really do it any justice so I'll just let you all stare at the pics.

Love @ 1st sight

As I was passing by the T-Mobile store yesterday I caught sight of what appeared to be a white blackberry curve. I got a bit excited but was in a rush and unable to do a double take. Well, after ridding my pc of all the viruses that had plagued it earlier today (I can't wait until I get a macbook) I moseyed on over to their website and confirmed things. I've since fallen head over heels in love with the new blackberry curve!

I'm not under contract with Sprint anymore so I may have to jump ship and go back to T-Mobile. The one thing I can say about them in that for over 2 years, my bill was the SAME PRICE EVERY MONTH!!! Sprint has never done that... but if sprint can step things up a bit and get the white curve I'll be in heaven.

I know that lots of people are over the curve, but really this is my favorite blackberry....so umm... yeah. You can keep the bold and tour.

Tonight: First Fridays Scottsdale!!!

Finally my AZ readers can get a breath of fresh air and enjoy First Fridays the way they should be. Epiphany Events will be celebrating Scottsdale Fashion week by hosting First Fridays @ The W Hotel in Scottsdale. Enjoy the melodic sounds of DJ Cedric Ceballos (also the emcee for the Phoenix Suns), a Moody Blues fashion show and mixer. In lieu of a cover charge, donations for the Special Olympics will be accepted. I'm glad to see that Epiphany Events is leading the way in upgrading the nightlife in the Scottsdale/Phoenix area.


What: First Fridays Scottsdale
When: Tonight 11/6/09
Time: 8p-4a
Where: The W Hotel Scottsdale - 7277 E. Camelback Rd. Scottsdale, AZ
Cost: No cover, Accepting donations for the Special Olympics

Adventures on the CTA - Blue Line Edition

Riding to work this morning I was ecstatic to get a window seat to myself. It's always good times when you're able to get yourself situated for the ride downtown having arm & leg room along with a bit of personal space. I was excited to read my RedEye and text without bumping elbows with the person next to me or having my thigh stuck to theirs..... that was until the dreaded Kedzie-Homan stop. This stop on the blue line is the primary source of my angst (with Pulaski coming in a close 2nd). The people that appear at these two stops are hard to describe....like the lower crust of society... the forgotten folks. No offense to anyone that uses this stop and ISN'T a ghetto ass teen, smelly bum, or overall sketchtastic person... but from my research I've determined that I don't fucks with Kedzie-Homan or Pulaski.

Today, we pulled up to the stop and I was so engrossed in reading and listening to my iPod that I didn't have time to react (i.e. put something on the empty seat next to me) when before I knew it a bum had plopped his smelly ass down next to me. The smell of cheap cologne and sadness crept into my nostrils. It was hard to disguise my shit face. I was like, damn... I have SO many more stops to go and I KNOW he's not getting off until Jackson (for some reason everyone that gets on a Kedzie-Homan/Pulaski end up getting off at Jackson lol). Anyways, the entire ride my focus was thrown off because I was hyper aware of his every move. I felt his eyes peering at me and wanted to just get up and switch seats. I knew that would've came off as being a bit snobbish but you know, I was already thinking the thoughts so was it really that much worse to act on them. Oh yeah, I also pulled the "scared white woman" move and moved my purse to the other side of my body... clutching it and playing out different scenarios in my mind. If he grabbed my purse would I throat chop him? Head butt him? Damn, he'd have my cell phone. Did I have copies of my credit cards at home? lol... (Yes, I was really thinking about this stuff lol)

By the time we passed Clinton I was determined that I could no longer handle the smell. I promised myself that I'd get up at Jackson and just stand up if he hadn't yet gotten off... but guess what? Like clock work Jackson came up and with that the bum got up and headed off into the abyss of the Red Line!!! I was thrilled that he left. I smiled a huge smile, opened my RedEye back up and enjoyed the last few stops before I got to work!!!

So, I'm wondering if I'm a CTA snob? Like, can you be a snob and take public transportation? I feel like to be a real city snob you need to live downtown and cab it. Is it bad that I despise the Chicago CTA bums... they make my skin crawl and sketch me out.

Black Men & Love

"Real black men aren't faithful, it's not to their advantage, nor is it part of their current or past culture. Only mixed, soft or non-desirable Black men are faithful. Desirable Black men have too many options. Only valid reason to be with one woman is for physical safety or lack of time. It's really not to a man's advantage these days, too many options."

This was the response my friend gave me when I was discussing (i.e. ranting) about black men on Twitter. After reading about Shaq's latest affair in the news, along with a few comments about black men equating affection, love and romance with being "soft and weak", I was beyond aggravated. Like, why do black men have to have this warped outlook on something that truly is a beautiful thing. I quickly posted a response to this on facebook:

Personally I feel like black men that think this are delusional. They're living a life of always searching for the next best thing and more often than not, lack the gusto to be real with women and let them know they aren't on shit. Men typically give the false sense that the relationship is going to eventually lead to something... having these women hanging around. I also don't agree with playing the role of having a wife/kids knowing good and well it's just for show and you 'll be on to the next one.

I also think women are pathetic wanting to be wifed up first just so they can live a "good" life and set themselves up to get half.

In the end, everyone loses out... especially if there are children, which let's be honest... black men are great at making babies and then bouncing. Kids end up growing up in a household where they aren't seeing healthy examples of love and in turn don't know how to give or receive it in a proper way.

Yes, I'm on a slight rant and should probably just write a blog... but I am saddened to see black men viewing love, monogamy and affection as "lame, weak or soft". Life is short and love is a beautiful thing. Being in love is not being defeated. Opening yourself up to all the wonderful blessings you can experience with someone makes life worth living.

A lifetime of chasing women and always looking for the next best things will leave you lonely in the end. I'm glad that I've found my soul mate and person I want to grow and experience life with. I'm also happy that the majority of my friends are in happy/healthy situations and moving forward....

This has caused a nice amount of comments on my facebook page and I wanted to share:

- He's 20! let him live awhile. I'm a 26 year old currently single man who's never cheated on woman. Not everyone can be a gentleman in that regard, but for him to flat say that about "real" black men is bullshit. Thank you for downgrading us sir. It's comments like this that make it hard for a true or "real" gentleman's kind words to be taken sincerely and not as a player's game to spit at females.

- I think if people took long enough to figure out who THEY are and what they want out of life, instead of seeking a significant other,there would be less failed relationships

- Always there's a little truth mixed in with BS. Okay, true there are a lot of options. But false, REAL black men aren't faithful. Really, I don't think it's a race thing...ppl of all races dip out all the time (watch Mad Men). The thing is a REAL man doesn't make false promises. If a guy is living a single life, he should be upfront about it and not lead women on. At the same time, women hafta hear what he's saying too... When a REAL man decides to be in a relationship he can give his all to the relationship. Yeah, all the options swing their ass in his face all the time, but a REAL man is not p*ssy driven like that.

- Ppl that age generally haven't experienced enough to contribute sound advice. But the gist of what he was saying is applicable to any single man who is doing a lil something with themselves.

- I don't think his age is really a factor. I know plenty of 35 year old black men who have similar beliefs. They have been brought up to believe that they are special and rare like unicorns, so they feel entitled to treat women like objects.


Any thoughts?

Zara: Michigan Ave

Despite missing the Zara: Michigan Ave store opening due to being sick, I headed up there today to see what all the hype was about. If you're unfamiliar with the Zara brand picture H&M having an older, slightly more grown up sister store with a heftier price tag. The best way to sum up the fashion would be a quote from my friend and fellow blogger sexyandthechi:

"The stuff is cute, but I can always get it cheaper or splurge for the real thing. I like their stuff, but something makes me not buy it. I hate expensive cheap clothes. Either be cheap or expensive."

Those are my sentiments exactly. While their clothes are undeniably nice, I think they're reaching on the price. The "Zara Woman" line on the first floor is outrageously priced. I wasn't sure what kind of store I was in because though the quality was there, a designer name wasn't in sight. Umm... lower your prices, Zara... Your stuff is cute, but not THAT cute... and H&M is right down the street.

The 2nd floor featured that TRF line along with more ladies clothing. I liked the selection they had but wasn't compelled to buy anything. The prices are just not right. I think it's the place for higher end shoppers to get "steals" because I certainly wasn't feeling moved in there. If you're used to paying designer prices and turn your nose up to H&M, Zara is the perfect place for you. I must say that I did love some of their jackets. If they have a sale I may have to make an appearance, otherwise Zara will be off limits for me. I have no use in going in that store...

On another note, after leaving Zara I hopped the bus for a quick stop @ Sally's Beauty Supply. I love having a discount card and picking up fun stuff to make my heart smile. I got some new nail polish (expect some nail art coming soon) along with various sized perm rods so I can play around with the CurlyNikki Twist-n-Curl!!! Zara was a bust but I found a way to make it worthwhile...