my new book...

I've decided to write a book. It will probably start with this blog though. It's called: The Misadventures of a Single Black Female.

I recently became single. The details of my breakup are actually quite hilarious. I can fill you in on that another time thought - just know that men like to lie about dumb things. And, they'll play the sh*t out of you any day of the week.

So, in my new relationship status, I've had the chance to interact with a number of men in ways which I previously could not. I will admit, I love to be around men. With women, there's too much other sh*t involved. I don't have more than 20 female friends - and I can only be around 10 women at once MAX.

With men, it's a lot simpler (until you get in a relationship, then anything goes). Most men just like to joke around, laugh, and play video game/express themselves through other technologies (rapping, making beats, shooting videos, blah blah blah). I like to do these things too, and I like to look at men so the combination makes perfect sense to me.

I think the my interactions with all these dudes are QUITE hilarious, so I wanted to share them with everyone. I call this the MISadventures, because, as you will soon see, there is soo much tomfoolery in my life and it usually involves men...

let's see how this goes folks

Nick Pratt "Push It"

my dude Nick Pratt performed "Push It" at the BlackLine Music Edition Release Party on October 27 at Pitt. Despite the technical difficulties with the busted sound system, he killed it as always! follow Nick on twitter: @nickprattmusic

City of Yes! Dok Harris Concession Speech, Pittsburgh Mayoral Race 2009

I had the chance to attend Dok Harris's watch party on November 3, 2009 at the Ava Lounge in East Liberty. While I only met Dok briefly, I feel he's a real person with a genuine heart. He cares about the city of Pittsburgh and understands what so many of its citizens need in a leader.

Philosophy

I have a midterm in 9 hours and don't understand why this is my major...I'd rather talk about social issues revolutions or math any day. Ah well


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

If the cards would have played out right...

...me and biggie would be together.

The Ruler's Back: Random Balances, take 1

i am back people!

ladiez n gentleman - b to the utta! HAHA...well folks, i am back, once again from a "no reason hiatus," and I've finally figured out this blog thing! After having a real dope conversation with L. Denise Edwards of spotlightpittsburgh.blogspot.com, i've come to the realization that any good blog has a focus, a purpose...a sole reason for existence. And, that reminded me of this little pet project i've been adopting for some time: Random Balances, which is my attempt at engaging the artistic and intellectual freedoms of random individuals to create a balance of social awareness.

what does that mean exactly? well, i'm not exactly sure! but i'm excited to go on a journey to figure it out. I've taken a few things that I enjoy doing - listening to and giving opinions on various topics (politics, community, love, movies, food, etc.), talking to random individuals, and balancing out my life - and meshed them together to create a brand of sorts: Random Balances.

I'm going to really try and go with this blog thing. I recently hosted my own talk show at the Waffle Shop in the East Liberty section of Pittsburgh (visit waffleshop.org to learn more), which was Random Balances first ever live broadcast - it was very exciting and fun! I will also be taking RB to the radio, youtube and even twitter (at some point)....

get ready for something great - i feel it in the works, and i'm excited, so you should be too!

chau

B

...it's NOT ALRIGHT, ALRIGHT!?

I have been developing an ever shorter fuse with the ill-advised, inconsiderate, and thoughtless individuals of this world. While I generally blame many people's shortcomings on mishaps in how they were brought up, there comes a point in life where individuals need to seriously step their game up. Once you get to university level in life, there is certain etiquette that is just not OK and I think it's time to share my opinion on this topic. 

1. Table etiquette: slurping soup&cereal milk, chewing w. your mouth open, clinking&scraping utensils against your teeth, coughing, sneezing, blowing your nose at the table, eating meals in 3 minutes and complaining of stomach aches afterward are all NOT OK. I do NOT want to hear what your eating, how your eating it, or even see what's in your mouth. 

This is not attractive and those of you w. these eating habits need to seriously look inside yourselves and be a little more conscious of how you appear to others sitting at the table with you.

2. Morning etiquette: waking up at 6:30AM is dope, more power to the early birds catching the worms. (I belong to the school who thinks if I wasn't there early enough to catch the worm it either wasn't meant for me to catch, or I'll just wait a little later for the crickets) However, waking up at 6:30AM, while others in your household, apartment, dorm room, etc., are still sleeping and plan to stay that way for 5-500 minutes, and making a RUCKUS is not OK. In fact, it is extremely inconsiderate and 'effin rude.' 

If I set my alarm for 7:45AM and am awoken at 6:30AM because you are hustling and bustling in your bathroom, talking loudly on your cell phone, cooking, or moving furniture around you are liable to be cussed out - no, you SHOULD be cussed out. It makes no sense to be that noisy that early in the morning, and those of you who are that noisy, need to work on 'playing mouse' ASAP. please&thankyou!

3. Noise etiquette: slamming doors, listening to TV's loudly, and disturbing communal peace are all (I'm sure you can guess what comes next) NOT OK. I think everyone should work quite time into their days - a common communal quiet time that cannot be disturbed by loud noises. This can be a time to nap, think, write, read, do homework, or just sit and relax. I try and have this time each day, but somehow it is always interrupted by people and their obnoxiously loud noises - talking, watching TV, slamming doors - without any consideration of what other people nearby may be doing. 

4. Privacy etiquette: going into people's rooms, looking at porn on people's computers, taking people's things w.out asking are all NOT OK. Firstly, I will apologize to the world because I am guilty of the latter of these issues, but I am working on it. In any case, these things are not a good look. 

Complete lack of respect for people's belongings, personal space, and rooms is a disease affecting people our age around the world. If you find yourself having trouble determining whether your actions are OK or not, think "would I want this person to be doing these things to me or with my stuff?" If the answer is no, you probably shouldn't be doing it. Actually, if the answer is yes, you probably shouldn't be doing it either - because if you have to think for more than 2 secs if what you're doing will be accepted by another individual, it probably won't be.

5. Personal space etiquette: this does not need much explanation - there is a personal space rule that exists, and you should not, at all costs, break it! Unless you are close family or friends, do not come w.in 1 foot of me, do not touch me, do not breathe on me. It's just not OK - I do not feel comfortable with you and things that come from your body being that close to me. 

This post is not a personal attack on any one individual - although I do know a few individuals who violate many of these regulations. This is simply my way of reaching out to the poor unfortunate souls of this world and helping to guide them into the direction of proper behavior. 

Somewhere along the way, they were not taught or possibly did not digest these key elements of how to live and act, so I feel it is my duty - for my, their, and your sakes - to reiterate them. If you know anyone who suffers from  these illnesses, refer them to my blog, PLEASE!

summer reading

during my "down-time" in peru - actually just during a 15 min convo in the Puerto Maldonado airport - i compiled a summer reading list. feel free to make some suggestions - my list is ever-expanding and will for sure extend beyond the summer =)

• Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams
• The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold
• Lord of the Flies by William Golding
• 1984 by George Orwell
• Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison
• Everything is Illuminated by Jonathan Safran Foer
• Doce Cuentos Peregrinos by Gabriel Garcia Marquez

when i get back i must eat...

when i hit the US me&food will reignite our love affair, starting with:

dark chocolate fudge brownies

mac&cheese

5 guy's french fries w. heinz ketchup

veracruz fish burrito

chocolate birthday cake w. white icing

pancakes!

scrambled eggs&cheese

turkey bacon

fiber one yogurt

free water w. lemon sans ice

chicken wings

turkey burger w. swiss cheese

tuna, lettuce, tomato&cheese sandwich on toasted wheat bread

spinach, mushrooms&onions

mmm...delish!

de Peru!

Hola de Peru!

So far, Peru is wonderful! The people, places and food are amazing. Los alumnos de la programa son marviollsos tambien! I live with 3 other students and we are hosted by dos hermana who are somewhat older. They are very nice and their house is beautiful I have my own room and my own bathroom, which I did not expect at all! Ella y Norma are very nice and sweet and love hearing about our homes, families, and adventures de Peru. Tuesday was our introduction to the university and we met our compañeros. Tambien fuimos a un comercio, es como un Walmart, para comprar los necessarios.

En miercoles fuimos a Lachay, Barranca y Puerto Supe. Lachay es en el desierto y es como un parque nacional o reservado. Fue muy bonito y calme. Noy hay nadie excepto nosotros de la programa. Fue intresante mirar un parte diferente de Peru y salir de la ciudad. No hay muchos animales pero los pajarros, como los hawks or falcons.

We hiked up a mountain trail and the view was amazing. Yo saque los fotos but I couldnt capture the beauty. We drove to Lachay from Lima, along the coast. That was extremely beautiful as well, probably even more beautiful then Lachay, because we were about 50 or more feet above the water and could see the waves and sides of the mountains/sand.

After Lachay, we drove to Barranca, a small town right by the sea. The town was very interesting because the homes seemed so poor and there were dirt roads and stray dogs everywhere - a very common thing in Perù. No hay muchos gatos pero hay muchos perros en las calles y sin dueños, y tambien en los techos! We ate at a restaurant - Tato and had "tacu tacu" ours was made with rice, beans and seafood-squid, octopus and shrimp. It was very delicious. Tambien comimos "ceviche" es como raw fish w. lemon and onions. Aunque no creeo que la pescada esta "raw" porque I think it is broiled a bit. We also had a purple corn dessert - mora morada - con dried fruits. A mi no me gusta bastante, but it was OK. After lunch we went on the beach for a while and I put my feet in the Pacific ocean por la primera vez, ¡yay! I was very excited =)

Despues, we went to another small town, Puerto Supe, and were on a dock there. We saw a dead and erroding sea lion - que triste - and some blue footed bird - como se llama blue footed booby. Two of the guys played soccer with some jovenes and we learned about a Peruvian poet - Blanca Varela - who made that town famous through a poem she wrote about it. Then we left and came to our hotel ***Hotel Chavin (three stars).

We reflected for a bit about Peru and our expectations&impressions. Then we went out on our own - I went with un grupo and we had pastries y yogurt, yum! The yogurt is very thick&delicious.

En jueves, tuve qe levantarme a las seis y media. En el dìa fuimos a Caral - la civilacion mayorìa por las Americas. (the oldest civilazion in the Americas, and 3rd oldest por el mundo). Fue interesante porque es la civilacion mayorìa, pero allì solamente rocks and ruins.

Now I am at the university in Lima. Lima is a very busy and crowded city, but I like it a lot. We havent had much time to explore the city, because we were gone wednesday and thursday. But, on Tuesday the group went to dinner in Mira Flores a una chifa. Las chifas are chinese restaurants that are all over Peru, because Peru has the 2nd largest population of Chinese people outside of China. The food was amazing and smashes the chinese food in the US.

Tonight we may go shopping or out to explore the city, en un grupo claro! Y mañana vamos a un partido de fùtbol en un estadio. Next week will be my first week of classes and I am really excited for them to begin! En jueves, vamos a Tarma y Pichanaqui for a few days, and that will should be an amazing trip as well!

Me encanta Peru and estoy emociona por las semanas que vienen. Ciao!

roses

i know it's past visiting hours, but can i please give her these flowers?...see my family, we know where home is. so instead of sending flowers, we the roses...

the past couple days have forced me to think. my friend's aunt just got diagnosed with lung cancer, she's a heavy smoker. last night, she threatened to kill herself. and now, they're moving her in with her daughter - but of course she doesn't want to go. she doesn't want to lose her independence. very stubborn.

and during all of this, i feel for my friend. deeply. because it so closely resembles things i have gone through with my own family. grandma - died of lung cancer, she was a heavy smoker too. and my dad still smokes knowing cancer took his mom, grandma, and grandpa early in life. brother - last year, used to call me a lot, drunk. the conversations would always come to "i just want to be with Dorian (his brother who killed himself years back)" and me, 300 miles away, trying to convince him that suicide is not the solution to his problems. mom mom - now suffering from alzheimer's. before she went into the home, she couldn't take care of herself anymore. my pop pop couldn't afford an at-home nurse and had no choice but to move her to an assisted living place, but she put up the biggest fight for years. she wouldn't go to the hospital for treatment, didn't want to live in the home, didn't want anyone's help. very stubborn.

now i wonder, is it coincidence that our families have these similarities? or, do all families have cancer victims, suicide threats, stubborn people who refuse help, alcoholics, etc? the latter seems more realistic. more real. real life. 

it's crazy how connected we are all. we have similar experiences, stories, interests, families. it should be able to help somehow - but it usually doesn't, because when you're dealing with these issues it seems like nothing else bad is happening in the world but what is happening to your family. and, you're not worried about who else is going or has gone through the same thing. you're worried about your family, family member, yourself and the pressure headache you have from thinking, helping, crying, trying not to cry. 

and i need to help him, but i'm not exactly sure what to do. how to help. i can be there and listen, hug, hold, and console him. i'm not too great with the advice, but i'm doing what i can, where i can, and when it's necessary. i hope that's better than nothing.

...i smile, when roses come to see me. and i, didn't wait for the sunny day. didn't wait for the clouds to break...roses bring the sunshine...

summer...

so it's "summer" - i use quotes because it's still april and it's not hot outside. and for some reason i am in the cathedral of learning, which is odd because i barely come here when school is in session. maybe i'm here because an individual in my apartment decided to move our internet and wireless router and now the wireless doesn't work =( womp womp. since i get free internet on campus and since i was already here, i decided to stay.

the cathedral is such an interesting place, almost eerie - high ceilings, arches, dim lighting, all stone, wooden tables and chairs. very still. it's like i almost expect it to come alive - for something magical to happen. maybe it's just my fantasies of living in a harry potter-esque world. and the cathedral seems like the perfect place for it all to commence. 

i need to get better at this blogging thing. i'll try harder next time, i swear =)

smoking...cigarettes...at the hospitaL?!

so over the summer (for about 2 weeks) I lived very close to Magee Women's Hospital. Well, I guess I still do live close, but over the summer I walked by it every day.

One thing that really struck me was the nurses and other hospital workers on their smoke breaks. Now, anyone who knows me knows how much I DESPISE cigarette smoke. I think it is the most awful smelling and irritating thing in the world. seriously. not only does it affect my nose, but it hurts my eyes, it gets in my hair, my clothes, everything. AND, even worse - 2nd hand smoke is worse for you than 1st hand smoke - i really really hate cigarettes aka cancer sticks.

anyway, commercial break over. SO, over the summer it really struck me that the nurses at Magee had to take their smoke breaks, not 25 feet from the door, but ACROSS the street from the hospital!

I was very proud of the hospital for having this policy enforced - because clearly you do not need that type of contamination around the hospital. well around anywhere really, but we all know smoking won't be banned. I was also somewhat amused because 1. these people work in health care so they know the harms and risks of smoking, yet they still do it. and 2. they must feel so crappy to be forced to get that far away from the building because of the way they live their lives.

just my thoughts ladies and gentlemen...

it's that time again...

so, although Pittsburgh thought it was bringing winter back yesterday with that damn flurry storm we had, summer is just around the corner. and you know what that means! time to get it right get it tight. celery diet and working out for life =)

no but really, ive been battling with myself a lot because i would like to lose weight/tone up, but i hate exercising and i love eating. i really love love love food <3

i think my plan will be to not change my diet too much, but to start being more active (i.e. walking instead of riding the shuttle, doing cardio 3 times each week, on demand workouts! - ya gotta love Comcast, etc, etc, etc) go me! back to a size 10 for the summer. hey, maybe if i'm really dope i'll get down to an 8 - but that may be a lil too small for me. i like my cushion, it's me!

i actually don't ever want to be a size 2, 4 or even 6! 8 is small enough. all i want to do is tone up, so that when i walk i'm not jiggling all over the place and so i feel comfortable in a bathing suit - maybe even a bikini! ...dangerous ;)

i think it's pretty hilarious that everyone starts their workout plan once it's about to be summer. i think we should carry our exercising out through the entire year - taking care of your body should not only be a priority when it's nice outside!

well now that i said it - i'm pledging to take care of my body all year round for the rest of my life ((gasp)) damn. well now i can't go back so here's to a new me!

hit me if you have any dope exercise ideas, yay!

AR<3

after a 2 month hiatus...i'm back

so...i was gone for a minute, now i'm back with the jumpoff!  hmm...no jailtime like lil kim, just had to take a break from the internet updates - blogging and twitter! but, now i'm back because i feel that you all need me in your lives =)

not much to really talk about, except i love that my neighbors always have club lion's den going on downstairs. seriously, it sounds like a dance hall down there. i actually really love my neighbors. they're 4 white males - pharmacy students, all in their last year. they party every weekend, smoke *stuff* sometimes (which is always ok with me) and cook shrimp kabobs! and then get up at 7 am during the week to do rotations. pure dope sauce!

im bout to be on my grown woman ish in a  couple years too. but i enjoy goofing off and having no responsibility, so no hurry. ehh, ok that's all

peace&love

Alice Smith...

i love music. and i love new music. and i love real soulful music. AND i love my roommate for putting me on to Alice Smith. Her album, 'For Lovers, Dreamers & Me' was released in 2006 and she was nominated for a Grammy!