La La La....So Ghetto!

The MN guys are doin the darn thing. Like the new video!

Have you seen...?

A trip to Blockbuster ensues the following convo:

Blockbuster guy: Have you seen 'Raising Victor Vargas'?
Me: I have!
Blockbuster guy: Is that you??
Me: [laughing] No. No it isn't me.

Close. But not quite.

I Likie Lykke Li

Lykke Li - "I'm Good, I'm Gone"
by

Reverse Sexism?

(Response to a friend/coworker's blog about Beyonce's "If I Were a Boy")

The trick here is that her lyrics may be taken as a broad stereotype, addressing the likes of what is believed to be the nature of man–conniving, carefree, and unknowing towards a women’s perspective. OR the lyrics could be addressing a very personal, intimate relationship between a man and woman, but generalized in the the attempt to make it LESS personal. This way more folks can relate. Sometimes writers will come out and say, “Peter is a low-down, dirty, non-committing bastard who turns his phone off at night” while being sure to throw in some rhymes, but like you stated…this is pop culture. Appeal to the masses. Generalize. Broaden. Almost every straight woman has had her heart broken by a man, so why not speak to that? True, many women may not have been deceived or cheated on, but I can almost guarantee she feels “taken…for granted” in some sense of the word.

Now, my favorite part. Don’t confuse Beyonce the artist with Beyonce the person, hence the name of her album “I am…Sasha Fierce”. Beyonce didn’t even write this song; she just recorded it and now performs it. She probably doesn’t even WANT to leave the house without makeup, her oversized LV bag, and designer sunglasses!! Ok, I’m speculating now, but seriously. Of COURSE she’s going to be a sexy cop and have men hope to see her in her panties…how ELSE is she going to get that other half of the population to watch that stinkin video????? lol

And since I can, I will take the argument of all the misogynist artists out there with airplay: This song isn’t referring to ALL men, just the men who suck (We’re not saying ALL women are b*tches and hoes, just the ones who are). And like the women who feel berated by afore mentioned music, I encourage all the men who feel slighted by this Beyonce track to get a men’s group together and talk about how it makes you feel. And BE SURE to talk to the young men coming up behind you. Tell them that although Beyonce stereotypes men in this song, this is no reason to fall into the trap of being a “bad man”. And let them know that the writer of the song may have some personal issues that she needs to deal with. AND tell them that music labels are all about the dollar, so we can’t expect much from them.

Don’t get me wrong, I believe and support you when you deliberate “Why can’t she take the lyrics of the song a step further, beyond cliched stereotypes of gender roles in America? She has the voice. She has the audience. What more is necessary?” Much like how a friend of mine feels about Michael Jordan…not making any sort of public statements that give back to the community after we have helped make him the billionairre that he is. This is the business of entertainment, people. In America! While we would hope entertainers would give an eff, often times they don’t.

I’m not saying it’s right. I’m just saying….it is what it is.

TrAsh Talk

i came across an old video that we posted on youtube a couple years ago. it made me smile, so i thought i'd share. 

Christmas Wish List....starting NOW!!!

Tell me this necklace isn't FREAKING GORGEOUS!!! Pretty sure if you do, then you are officially not cool lol -- since I am overseeing the "cool cards" today. Sorry Charlie. 

But seriously, this is the new line of jewelry Super Fertile by Kali Arulpragasam, MIA's seeester. "A politically-conscious jewelry line", as misscrew reports, is the best I've seen in awhile. AND Kali is giving 7% of profits to Oxfam, to help support the line's latest feature: hunger. Kali says, "Everyone has the right to eat." And I couldn't agree more. So go on out, and buy me that necklace. ;)

Jesus!!

See more Jack Black videos at Funny or Die

Strangle His Balls

LOL I'm gonna use that....strangle his balls.

But the most racist mom on television? Check it out.... Mama's Boys

Whoa Nelly!

It’s December! Only 28 more days in the year and what have I accomplished? A few things:

 

Travelled extensively: LA, Palm Springs, Nashville, Knoxville, Memphis, Pittsburgh, Bronx, Miami, Tampa, San Francisco, Washington DC, South Bend IN, Chicago, and every state in between Mpls and LA!!!

Got engaged.

Got married.

Moved to Los Angeles, which means new people, new apartment, new everything.

Started a new job.

Major hair cut, color, texture changes lol

 

Actually, I don’t know how many of those are “accomplishments” as opposed to blessings and just needing a gosh darn change! (That Beverly Hills haircut still has my bank account in shambles!)

 

However….BOY am I looking forward to 2009!!!! I see financial affluence and overall pride and happiness. I celebrate a birthday early on in the year, which always sets the stage for goal-making. I only have 2 years before I turn 30, so I must make them good ones!!

 

My first goal is to get myself together! A major move is always a bit difficult, depending on how well-planned it was. And my move was barely quasi-planned, to say the most. So you can imagine why I feel rather discombobulated.

 

My second goal is career oriented. I can’t say where I’ll be, but I hope to have moved up a notch or two by the end of next year.

 

As far as fitness, I definitely would like to tone some things up before March rolls around. Then it’s all about maintenance!

 

Travelling goals?? I’d like to go to Seattle to visit my brother and TRY to get to Hawaii in the summer/fall.

 

I have a couple other ideas simmering, but I’ll like to keep those in the pot for awhile longer before I reveal them.

 

2009 will be a great year, I just know it.

Jumpin Da Broom (JDB) Lesson #1

Being married. I’m obviously still new at all this—not even four months in yet—but THIS I will tell you. There will always be somebody of the opposite sex mingling, intentionally or unintentionally, with your significant other. By mingling, I mean hanging around, being a casual “friend”, always talking about getting together for a drink, etc, etc.

 

Now, is this bad?

 

Depends on how it presents itself in the relationship.

 

If this person, is single and wants to hang out alone? Potentially, this could be bad.

If this person is a random, never heard from or seen prior to either person in the relationship? Again this could be potentially bad.

If you see a text message to your wife/husband that says, “Hey gorgeous…..I can’t wait to meet you!!!!” This COULD be bad. Lol (I’m just sayin….!!)

 

On the other hand, if the person has been around for awhile (i.e. YEARS), and you’ve all hung out before in a social setting—without feeling weird….I wouldn’t sweat it.

Or if this is (a) coworker/s who always include(s) the spouse in the plans….don’t worry too much.

Or MAYBE the other person is simply a rad person, who you KNOW is cool peoples, who respects the institution of marriage, who is a God-fearing individual, and would never reduce his/herself to home-wrecker status (which YES, should be a status setting on all social networking sites!!!). Home free.

 

All I’m saying is THIS:

 

To all the people in the world who are married or who aspire to be or who once (or twice) have been,

 

KEEP THE FAITH.

 

Marriage is bomb! Pick someone you trust, and it’ll be jam-packed with fun and adventure! J

 

And To all random chics in the world who may want to meet or get to know my handsomely sexy and mysterious husband,

 

BUG OFF.

 

And I’ll only say it once.

I got sucked in....but only cuz I had to!

Since I know that hundreds of thousands of people read my blog everyday (or just Tasha), I'd like to give my opinion on the "momification"-slash-Michelle-Obama exigency. 

Raise your hand if you knew, prior to now, that Michelle Obama has a degree from Princeton.

Now, raise your hand if you knew that she is a Harvard Law School graduate.

Again, raise your hand if you were aware that she was the vice president of community and external affairs at the University of Chicago Hospitals?

If you raised your hand all three times, good for you! That means you care enough about the first family-elect (and life, in general) to do your own research. Or you may read the Times. Or MAYBE your cousin is the niece of Michelle's best friend's sister.

If you didn't raise your hand at all, that's ok. Maybe mainstream media has tricked you, once again, into having a one-track mind. Or maybe you don't follow much in the world of politics. 

My point is mostly that...who cares if mainstream American media focuses on the fact that Michelle is a mother over the fact that she is a hard-working professional?? Mainstream American media represents a very broad view of America. We already know that...so what's the big deal?

A friend IM'ed me today suggesting, "Women should still be able to be seen as individuals right? For their own qualifications..." Of course they should be. That seems to be a silly question, much like "All individuals deserve healthcare as a natural right, correct?" YES, THEY SHOULD!

My question though is this....Why are women so reluctant to admit that they are WOMEN?? We give birth and contribute to creating life, therefore we must help to maintain that very life. which IN TURN means, we must also sacrifice, to some extent, some aspects that we have previously prioritized. If women don't wanna have to sacrifice financial independence to have a child...you better save up and plan well! If women don't wanna sacrifice their career to have a family, they better find a husband (or baby daddy or significant other) that will! Shooooot.....there's a gazillion people on earth already, so there's yet another option: choose not to have a child--this will allow woman to rule the world! If you are a woman with a career and want to have a child, you are forced to make some very important decisions in life. That's what makes it LIFE. Yeah, I kinda wish I would've stuck it out and went to medical school, but something in me at that time urged me not to. Now I can say I have impacted the lives of several young people in the role of mentor and teacher, instead of having my nose in the books for the past 4 years. I'm still happy.

I admire Michelle Obama for being willing to experience a new life, as first lady and stay-at-home mother. And I respect her for being able to make a sacrifice to her family and to her husband. Historically, Black women have been portrayed as the backbone of the family in multiple ways; and the Black family in America has been broken, and still suffers today, because of the American institution. The opportunity for President-elect Barack Obama to take the spotlight is not only a landmark for Americans or for minorities, but it represents a turning point and provides a role model for the Black family (besides the fictional Huxtable's). A husband and wife must support each other in different ways, and this is one way that Michelle is supporting her husband, even though it means making a career change.

The average person changes careers 4 times during their life, and it's not always because that person initiates the change. Sometimes events happen that we don't plan. That's what makes it LIFE.

You know that Michelle is in no way going to be JUST a mom. I foresee her having plans, big plans, that will make major impacts on how America functions in the area of women, families, and healthcare. She's a hard worker and a fair person, so I just know.

So for all of you who are freakin out about Michelle being a mom....relax. She'll make you proud of her. So now you can each go about your own lives, forget about the how-come's and the what-if's of Michelle and her choices,  and trust that in the long run we will all become better off because of them.

Oooooweeeee!

Same Bag Much????

Maybe not exactly....but you get the point. :)

Celebrity Sightings

People always ask "Now that you live in LA, do you see a lot of celebrities???"

My answer has historically been, "No. Because I can never recognize them."

In the past week, I've seen TWO celebrities. lol Cheesy right?

Tom Arnold and Molly Shannon. 

It can only get better from here. :)

Uggggghhhhh!

Tyra Banks is just HORRIBLE at hosting a talk show, it's quite surprising to me she has lasted as long as she has.  Prime example.....watch the 2 clips below, and you tell ME. 

(Chelsea Lately is SO FUNNY!!)

OR

DISCUSS.

I Want It.

Kanye found this bag for me. Thanks sweetie! :)

Barack & Curtis: Manhood, Power, and Respect

Take a little peeker. Then click here to read more about the creator and his vision. 

Hop up out the bed (YEEEAAHHH!!) Turn my swag on!

Being a seasoned player of polyphasic sleep, the practice of sleeping multiple times in a 24-hour period, I have MULTIPLE opportunities in one day to do the new soulja boy :) 

(Don't hate, ok?)

Soulja Boy Tell' Em - Turn My Swag On
by BlackAndree

Thinking of Joining

Is Palin Qualified to be Vice President??

PBS has a poll.

Click here.

Do It.

So Fast.

Boo.

Tara Wall is so wack to me. She has a story on CNN on ways in which Obama is like Bush. Half of her arguement is like a big smack on the forehead because any reasonable person in today's time would support various educational options for their children, more thorough healthcare for minorities and the poor, helping resolve the worldwide AIDS crisis, and more innovative energy creation/use. Granted there are some valid points, and it's always nice to get comparison notes on the strengths AND weakness of your party leader. As we all know, no candidate is going to have EVERYTHING we want in a president. We have to decide which viewpoints are deal breakers. All in all, especially after watching her on CNN the other day talking about race and the campaign, I can't help but think that Tara Wall is the tattletale, whiney type. Come on now, when Palin says she appeals to the hockey moms of the country, she is certainly not speaking to the majority of non-white mothers in the US. Get outta here with that crap, Tara.

Can of Worms

This is the start of a blog I never posted from January 2006, Enjoy!:

Who would have ever guessed that a phone could be so high-tech,
high-profile, and addictive? I recently purchased the black Sidekick-II, not
sure if it's one of the stupidest decisions I've ever made--or if I truly
enjoy my new toy. Perhaps a little of both....

Of course, in the beginning, I had to take the "2way for Dummies"
introductory class on how to work the damn thing--from a friend who still so
graciously answers questions and gives me pointers and updates. And from
the beginning it was quite a pain in the ass, talking about it was going to
take up to 48 hours to get initialized??? I soon learned that getting my
"G" was much like getting my "O"--exhiliaratingly able to open me up to new
experiences every time, if I wanted it too. If you lose your "G" for any
extended period of time, you feel like a lonely little puppydog wandering
foreign streets, searching for a familiar face.

I have to admit that taking my 2way out in public with me is no small feat.
When I feel the buzz in my backpocket or catch Kelis' "Trick Me" ringtone
escape from my purse, I certainly think twice about whether or not i want to
check which form of communication is knocking at my door.

Target Practice

Living in LA has got me even more torn than ever before. Do I fondle the desire to be glamorous, hiding behind my designer sunglasses and enormous handbags? Or be plain ol' me, South Dakota born and raised? I've always been able to transition my style, as it was quite simple from country to small city. However, expensive shoes and fancy pants salon treatments have come to a halt since they have surpassed my budge.  It feels a little like I've lost my aim.

ummmm......yeah. Silverman, ladies and gentlemen.

The Great Schlep from The Great Schlep on Vimeo.

It's Not Polite to Hit a Lady

Wonder Woman trailer  :)

a little shaky

i've been living in LA for exactly one week. i like to come to the Coffee Bean to check my email and search for jobs and apartments, but this time is a little different. let me tell you!! 

a flippin earthquake!!!!!!!!!!

yes. CNN is saying a magnitude of 5.8 .... moderate. 

i'm saying.....WHOA BABY. that was crazy. the whole building  was swaying back and forth for about 5 seconds. my husband's friend paul was on the 9th floor of a downtown office building when it happened (closer to the heart of the earthquake). he said things were falling off the walls and his file cabinets drawers came open, and the whole building was swaying back and forth. 

i have to admit. i a had it a bit easier. but i'm still a little shaky.

Ha!

Into Thin Air

I'm sad to announce the loss of a close and dear friend. My MacBook Air lived a fulfilling 4 months: travelled extensively with me, kept my deepest secrets, and diligently worked by my side.  She was admired for her ability to easily fit into most bags. On June 4th, my MBA was taken from my desk, never to return. The aspect she was most noted for became the reason for her demise. I can only hope she's in a better place now. 

Survived by its InCase pouch and its external SuperDrive.

A private memorial service has already been held in her honor.

A special thanks to Serena for her friendship and support through these difficult times.

Don't Judge a Book by Its.....

Man. 

Seriously.

Don't let the 900 pages discourage you.

Or the frickin babies on the front cover.

Or the Oprah's Book Club sticker.

Hurry!!

Before the movie comes out.

A Special Engagement

America has been duped!! Engagement rings date back hundreds of years, but DIAMOND engagement rings weren't poppin until an American advertising scheme was launched. Genius, actually....

"The diamond engagement ring did not become the standard it is considered today until after an extensive marketing campaign by De Beers in the middle of the 20th century, which came to include one of the most famous advertising slogans of the 20th century: 'A Diamond is Forever'.

In the early 20th century, the United States jewelery industry attempted to start a trend of male engagement rings, going so far as to create a supposed "historical precedent" dating back to medieval times. The attempt failed, although the industry applied lessons learned from this venture in its more successful bid to encourage the use of male wedding rings." (Wikipedia)

ALSO....

"A conventional buying price ranging from two to three months wages for a ring guideline originated from De Beers marketing materials in the early 20th century, in an effort to increase the sale of diamonds." (Wikipedia)

AND.....

"The double-ring ceremony, or use of wedding rings for both partners, is a relatively recent innovation. The American jewellery industry started a marketing campaign aimed at encouraging this practice in the late 19th century. Learning from marketing lessons of the 1920s, changing economic times, and the impact of World War II, led to a more successful marketing campaign, and by the late 1940s, double-ring ceremonies made up for 80% of all weddings, as opposed to 15% before the Great Depression." (Wikipedia)

Funny how we blindly follow tradition that isn't even tradition!! Americans are so easily brainwashed. Too funny.

Anywho.....my engagement-slash-wedding band below. :)

My Little Willie

If any of you know William (formerly known as Bill) and his signature note....you'll enjoy this:

It's the Small Things

At work today, I was able to witness something that the average person will never be able to see. I saw, laid out in front of me, a skeleton of a person who had lived 5200 years ago! A man who teaches anatomy at Berkeley was kind enough to share the story of the person laid out before us:

The skeleton was found beneath (or in, I'm not sure how all that works) the largest pyramid in Egypt. I guess the pharaohs in Egypt were intrigued by dwarfs, more commonly known as midgets, and they were collected and employed as money counters and such. Well this particular skeleton was one of the helpers in the kitchen of this huge pyramid. 

According to the guy at Berkeley there are two main kinds of dwarfism, and this specimen was representative of neither of those types. He pointed out so many different elements, like how all the joints and the skull were the size of a normal-sized human. The parts that were small were the length of the legs and arms. And the feet and hands were tiny!!! One thing that was extra crazy was that the bones were very light weight--hardly any bone density. He was saying the this was the only specimen like it in the world!

It's so important to recognize little moments like these and be proud to witness them. 

I'm telling you, it's the small things like this that make a difference (pardon the pun lol).

Oh my gosh!...I almost forget to mention the Neanderthal skeletons he was scanning not long ago from France. He said it was a whole family that had been EATEN....by other Neanderthals!!!

Apparently you can tell how a bone is broken by the way it fractures. That's one way they could tell they had been eaten. Also, he said it couldn't have been by an animal because the animal would have gnawed away at the bones, and they didn't see that in this case. Almost make you wanna be an architect, huh? :)

Scary....CLEARly

As most of you know, I travel at least twice a week to various cities in the US. The last time I was in San Francisco, a kiosk caught my attention so I grabbed a pamphlet. Apparently airports are adopting a new VIP-identification line, by a company called Clear. To any avid traveler this may seem appealing to not have to wait in line….Sorta like the club. We’re not going if we have to stand in line. Lol The catch? (There’s always a catch.) You must go through two main procedures: 

1.You have your fingerprints taken. No biggie. We all, or most of us, have to get our fingerprints taken at some point. 2. You must have your irises scanned. If you’ve seen Bourne Identity and/or that YouTube video featuring the family from Florida who had a travel identification chip implanted into their bodies then you’re more than likely having the same reaction I had. “Huh???”

At the risk of sounding old skool, I think “Fine. New technology. New procedures.” Most of you already know I LOVE new technology. But hold on…scanning my irises?? No thank you. Besides…the ClearCard does not skip you through security. It simply gets you to security. Last I checked you get to skip to security when you make it to Elite WorldPerks status. Shoooot. I think I’ll wait. I’m almost there anyway. ;) WAY better than letting people have pictures of the inside of my eyeballs.

Aunt Dolly

SO.....my sisters and a couple friends came to visit this week, and we all went to see Dolly Parton in concert. Yes...the country singer. Yeah, she's the one with the boobs. Yep, blonde hair. And lovely enough, her new album is called "Backwoods Barbie". 

It's amazing how superficially silly she can appear, but Dolly is quite an inspiration. And she's so humble. AND she put on one of the best concerts I've seen in a long, long time. Played 10 instruments in 2 hours. 2 HOURS!!?? This woman is over 60 years old and putting on better shows than most artists in their 20s. 

Her numbers speak volumes for her work....check it out:

• Dolly had 26 #1 singles
  
• She's had 42 top-10 country albums. Let me say that again.....42 top-10 ALBUMS. What!?!
• Dolly has published almost 600 songs with BMI and has earned 37 BMI awards for her material.
• Rumor has it that she made $6 million off Whitney Houston's cover version of "I Will Always Love You", a song Dolly wrote in 1974 and has all the publishing rights to!
• Dolly's been in movies, on TV shows, and owns her own theme park DollyWood. 
• Inspiration Library is her international organization that gives books to children every month of their lives from the time they're born to the time they enter kindergarten.
• Dolly's estimated worth is between $300 million and $500 million.

So NEXT TIME I tell you I'm going to see Dolly Parton, please don't seem so alarmed lol.

 We love Dolly!!

wanna make LUV in the club....in the club.

Friends don't let friends go to the club....WITH ONLY THEIR UNderWEAR.

Dope Sick Love

You've heard about the reality television show on VH1 featuring the stories of drug addicts in relationships? Well, it shows the lengths to which these people go to get their next high and how they are willing to jeopardize their relationships with their loved one in order to be satiated in a physical sense. 

Now take out the drugs.

MY reality TV show is going to be about people who let LOVE ruin their lives. It will show the lengths to which people go to be and remain in love and how they are willing to jeopardize their own life and dreams and goals to be satiated in an emotional sense.

At what point did it become okay to do this?? There seems to be a rampant epidemic among women I know--and yes, men too--who have tunnel visioned their way into a relationship, often times a horrible one, and in the process completely left their person in the past. Unfortunately, women are typically the ones to experience this the most frequently and the hardest, lending themselves to lifestyles that cater to the life-living men they love.

I'm not judging.  Shoot. We've all been there before--at least once.

My answer? Love Rehab. 

Yes. 

"Suckin too hard on your lollipop...Love's gonna get you down."

~Mika

Stay tuned...

Frump

My internet video debut. Don't be jealous... lol

http://link.brightcove.com/services/link/bcpid1321252671/bctid1491726993

I'm Straight...

On a whim the other night....I decided to get a hair cut. For the past several years, I've been a spur-of-the-moment, find-a-hair-salon-with-an-opening,  "I-don't-care-do-whatever" type of lady. Sometimes I end up saying, "Shoot!!"(kinda like my last short haircut.....it was aaiiiight lol) But this time  I really like it! Well, I can't speak on the curly quite yet.... right now it's straight! And if you know me you know I don't do straight very often. Not too shabby, huh??? I just might invest in one those hot hair straightener tools that's sorta like a curling iron but not. hahahha AND I really enjoyed the salon....Mel at Evolution Experience off Lyndale hooked me up! You should definitely go.... they even have a couple of nice looking young men that work there (not that I'm looking....because I'm taken. Yessir!) Just FYI....  :) 

Oh Deer!

Eric and I went out for dinner last night...wanted to check out a restaurant we haven't yet gone to. Lo and behold! We stumbled upon the Red Stag Supper Club in Minneapolis. One of those places that makes you wanna go hmmm....It had the feel of a midwestern Legion or VFW with brick red interior and random looking tables all over. We ordered tempura broccoli (yum!!), a petit teres, and deer stroganoff. Yes....we had Bambi for dinner--yikes!! And boy-oh-boy!....the chocolate brownie at dessert was mmm mmmm good.  Overall the food was decent, but we agree it was our mousey little bartender and his wooden nickels that bumped our experience up to 8 points out of 10. 

Air Bags Save Lives

As you all know, I got that new MacBook Air (wuhhooo!!). Yes I love it....and I'm the type of person who would like to whip it in my purse and be gone. I've been learning though that if you take care of your stuff, it lasts a lot longer!! lol So I'm looking for a little bag for the MBA....this is what I've found so far at etsy.com, two of my faves