It's an epidemic

This is something that has bothered me for some time now... I think that there's a devastating epidemic of ridiculously over the top, flamboyant gay guys in the black community - - primarily in the 16 - 25 age range. Now, don't get me wrong, I love gay guys. I think they're fab... but I don't buy for one second that you popped out the womb switching your hips, rolling your neck and snapping your fingers. Every time I go into Forever21 there is always a group of young, gay, black males and they are like WAY over the top with how they're acting. It makes you feel like asking "are you putting on a show?" I don't remember gay guys when I was in HS acting like fools. I mean, I have no problem with guys wanting to play catcher and receiver but why can't you just act normal. I mean, does H&M really require a dramatic entrance? Must you roll your eyes, smack your lips and pop your hip with folded arms? It's baffling and disturbing on some levels. Maybe the best way to describe it is like the way I detest ghetto, ignorant acting people on the bus ... I equally find my stomach doing flips when I see guys that are acting like women... hood ass chicks at that with entirely too much sass.

I was sent this video from a girlfriend of mine and it shows some teenage boys dancing at their school. They're performing to Beyonce's "Freak 'Um Dress" and while they definitely entertain and put on a good show, I must admit that if I was the parent in the audience I can't say I'd be holding my head up high watching my son shake it across the stage better than most women...

Maybe I'm being narrow minded on this one... Any thoughts?

Designer Inspired

I've always loved L.A.M.B. shoes but could never bring myself to pay the $300 - $600 price tag. I mean, they're cute but they aren't THAT cute (not to mention that Gwen Stefani is a singer, not a designer. These aren't Louboutins... If I don't wanna drop $20 for her cd why would I throw hundreds of dollars her way?) Still, the price didn't change my eternal lust for all things L.A.M.B. Their shoes are absolutely delicious to me. I haven't seen a design I didn't like... yet, I'm always brought back to the price tag. Even on sale they're over $200 and that's just not the business (especially in a recession).

"Hunter" by L.A.M.B. - $380

While perusing the shops in Water Tower I came across Wet Seal's version of the L.A.M.B. "Hunter" shoe in black and white. Being the shoe addict I am I copped both colors.... Sometimes you can't just pass up a good deal.

Wet Seal Version - $34.50
**They do look better in person**

I don't have an issue with designer inspired items but I do draw the line at those knock-off Louis V bags that don't even bother jacking the LV but instead use like stars on something. Yeah, those make my flesh crawl... but L.A.M.B. isn't that serious to me to not want to buy these shoes. I'm actually wearing them today and must say that I like them a lot. They aren't as comfortable as my Steve Madden or Sam Edelman shoes I've been rocking lately, but for $34.50 ($27.50 with my discount card) these were a must have and nice addition to my closet.

**Sidebar: If you're a fan of the Sam Edelman boots I have and you're in the Chicago area, he'll be having an in-store at the Nordstrom on Michigan Ave. on March 26th, 12-3 pm. This is a great opportunity to meet the designer and see a preview of the spring 09 collection.

Adventures on the CTA - Priceless Quotes Edition

Gosh, the CTA has been on a freaking role providing me with classic material. During my ride home today I encountered the most... umm, boisterous personality that I've come across in a while. In between laughs I was able to jot down a few of this lady's priceless quotes... Enjoy!

1. "We in a crowded ass elevator. You don't get any personal space."

2. "Bitch, push me again and I'm gon kick you in yo throat."

3."....then she cut my hours. All they can tell me to do is get the fuck outta the office."

4. "Fuck y'all. I'm gettin the stimulus package" ***my absolute favorite***

5. "You gotta be checkin these bus drivers. They be bogus throwin you all over the bus."

6. "Girl okaaaaayyyyyy! You is so wrong."

7. "He tried to make the book perplex to make you feel slow. I had to read it twice - 20 pages."

From the rest of my conversation jacking skills (though she was speaking loud as shit on the bus...) I was able to determine that her name was Nicolette and in addition to appearing to be in her 40s it's official that she set us back 52 years, 10 months and 8 days. Though her conversation was hilarious it's sad that we as black people continue to do ignorant shit on a daily basis. Try keeping your outrageous convos to a minimum while on the bus.

Adventures on the CTA: Double Whammy

Adventure 1: What to do when your bus driver runs into her old girlfriend from back in the day and proceeds to have a 2 min conversation while you rot on the "express" bus....

Sometimes my bus rides make me feel like I'm in a movie... a ghetto, low budget movie where everything is going awfully wrong and the dialogue is so bad you can't imagine that anyone actually wrote it that way...

Yesterday my bus driver took being hood to new levels when she proceeded to flag down her girlfriend from way back in the day who was standing at the bus stop, open the door, and carry on a (no joke) 2 min conversation about "so and so's birthday party that she just had to come to...blah blah blah..."After about 20 seconds I looked up from my blackberry to see why the bus was still at the stop. Wasn't this the Cottage Grove EXPRESS!!! I paused my mp3 player so I could hear what was going on. Was there some type of emergency? Why were we proceeding to just sit at the freaking stop? I overheard the murmurs of other passengers and immediately took notice of the bus driver who seemed to be carrying on a conversation. Upon a little more investigation I saw that she was talking to someone at the stop. "Oh Lord" I thought to myself... I was hoping that this didn't turn into one of those 10 o'clock news type of dramatic situations. I've seen some crazy stuff go down on the bus...

Well, as another 30 seconds passed I realized that the bus driver knew the lady she was talking to and they were gabbing about a party she just "couldn't miss". **blank stare** What the hell was this? Couldn't they exchange numbers and catch up later? I'm sorry but if your job is to drive the bus from point A to point B then why don't you try doing that. I don't want to have my time wasted as you catch up with your girl Shirley from out South. Save that shit for after you're off the clock....

Adventure 2: (chirp) Can you hear me now? How to not lose your mind when you're stuck on a crowded bus with ghetto ass gutter bugs that insist on having convos using their Nextel chirp.

This morning I was completely taken aback by this 6 foot something super duper gutter looking dude who was sitting on the bus and carrying on a lengthy convo via Nextel chirp. What the hell? First, I can't wrap my mind around why you'd actually want people on a crowded morning rush hour bus to hear the ins and outs of your conversation... let alone where you were raised to think that this type of thing was acceptable. I hate being around hood people. I'm allergic to everything about them... I was going to snap a pic but let's be real, I didn't want this dude to get crunk on me so I fell back. Black people we must do better. We have to.

Adventures on the CTA: "Feet Cold?"

Before I ended up on someone else's blog I decided to go ahead and put myself out there. Yesterday it was (according to weather.com) 20 degrees but felt like 9 and this didn't stop me from rocking my latest Steve Madden purchase.

Now, when I first got on the bus I noticed a few stares and what not but when the bus driver proceeded to ask "feet cold?" I knew there was an issue.

Yes, I'm wearing strappy stilettos... in the winter... and it's cold out... and a few snow flakes are falling.

And? Your point?

Women have suffered for fashion for years and I, by no means, am the exception. It was a little nippy outside but the leggings and sweater I was wearing did a good job of keeping me warm. I'm literally outside for 5 mins tops everyday so it was no biggie for me to brave the elements to be able to rock my shoes... and in case you're blind, have cataracts, or live under an f'ing rock - my shoes are the business, corporation, AND the man! (seeing as how we're in a recession that's a pretty good thing...)

I absolutely love my shoes and think that they are some of the most comfortable stilettos I've ever owned. These shoes were definitely made with a city girl in mind.

Short is Beautiful

ANTM is in its 12th cycle and it's safe to say we no longer expect (if we ever really did) for the winner to become a "top model" and strut on runways around the world. Instead, it has become a contest for your 15 minutes of fame. I applaud contestants like Toccara, Yaya, and Eva (my personal favorite) for keeping their names and faces out there... while some past winners (Naima, Nicole, Whitney, etc) were so random that you pretty much forgot about them as soon as the camera lights went black.

In an effort to keep her show as fresh as possible (if anything can really be fresh in it's 12th+ season) Tyra has decided to change up the dynamics of the show for the 13th season which is casting now (click here for application)

What is this change, you may be wondering. Well, season 13 is all about the short girls! The show is only accepting girls that are 5'7" and BELOW!!!! This comes as great news to short beauties that have been turned down from the show for the past 12 seasons. Change has come... to ANTM!

For my Chicago folks, ANTM will be rolling thru the windy city on March 25th and it should be noted that the entire ANTM casting team will be in attendance... definitely your fair warning to bring your best game face.

For my AZ friends, they don't seem to be casting in Phoenix this year but if you want to give it a try your best option is to go to either the LA casting on March 28th or the Albuquerque casting on March 10th.