Et tu, Brute?

I loved English in High School. I could do without writing papers, but reading all those books were just divine! (Yes, besides being a complete diva, I am also a huge nerd). My most favorite class was AP English where we even read the Bible as literature. I particularly enjoyed our Shakespeare series: Hamlet, Macbeth, the overplayed, Romeo and Juliet and Julius Ceasar.

Ahhhh Julius! An interesting character he was, but what was more interesting was the plot against him and all those involved! Including his best friend, Marcus Junius Brutus. As members of the senate conspired to kill him, he would not have thought his friend and relative would aid in his demise. On the ides of March, Ceasar uttered his last words, *"Et tu, Brute"?

*Literally translated- "And you, Brute"? Loosely- "You too?"

Here's why I'm mad:

Am I the only one who feels betrayed by the leaders elected to govern our country? Et tu, governor of South Carolina?!

Last week, Governor Mark Sanford went on vacation on the Appalachian Trail, or so we thought, and arrived this week Tuesday. According to reports, during that time, no one was able to reach him and his own wife had no idea where he was. That is certainly not okay, but I can let that slide. Upon the governor's return, the truth REALLY comes out and we are told that Gov. Sanford was actually in Argentina having an affair... instead of being home... with his wife... and four sons...

...for Father's Day.

I am shocked and appalled. And wait! He is not the only one! Gov. Sanford's confession comes only a few days after Nevada Senator John Ensign had an affair with his legislative aide... who was married. And the plot thickens!

Besides the fact that these men are Republican and conservative in their beliefs, they are more importantly elected officials. These are the people we put in office because we feel they are capable of running our government on both local and state levels. The saying is very true that with great power comes great responsibility. To whom much is given, much is surely required and I do not think it is too much to ask for these politicians to be responsible adults.

My rule of thumb with candidates running for office is this: If you are having issues at home, how can you rule as an elected official? Hear me out:

Taking on the responsibilities of running a household is no easy task! You juggle work, being a good husband/wife, raising kids, tackling all the bills, etc and so forth. Once you find a good way to balance all of that, you can do extra things like join the PTA, become involved in church or your community. The better you handle the small things, the better you will be able to handle the big things- like running for councilman, or city attorney. When your community realizes you are able to handle situations that crop up in your own backyard, they will allow you into theirs as well, allowing you to become a governor, senator, or congress(wo)man and maybe even president.

You mess up at home, it trickles down to everything else.

While everyone else is taking their position for granted and proving they are not worthy enough to stand their ground and be real men, real husbands and real leaders, who is going oppose being "Mr. Me Too"? Who is going to do things differently and be the ethical and moral stand-out?

Do not be another Brutus? Before thinking about yourselves and your selfish pleasures, think of your constituents- the people that voted you into your position. If that does not tug on your conscience, think about your family. They deserve that second thought.

*Update- Right after I wrote this post, I read this article. Clearly I am not the only one wondering what is going on in Washington.

Reverse Racism? Really?

I really like the word, "really". My favorite response to any and everything is, "really, though"? It sums up exactly how I feel, whether I am surprised, upset, angry or just feeling some kind of way.

"No one has brought forth the slightest evidence she has the intellectual candlepower to sit on the Roberts court. By her own admission, Sotomayor is an "affirmative action baby."

Though the Obama media have been ballyhooing her brilliance - No. 1 in high school, No. 1 at Princeton, editor of Yale Law Review - her academic career appears to have been a fraud from beginning to end, a testament to Ivy League corruption.

Two weeks ago, The New York Times reported that, to get up to speed on her English skills at Princeton, Sotomayor was advised to read children's classics and study basic grammar books during her summers. How do you graduate first in your class at Princeton if your summer reading consists of "Chicken Little" and "The Troll Under the Bridge"?"

-Courtesy of Cagle's Index.

Really, Pat Buchanan?

Here's why I'm mad:

Many, if not all of the comments in this article are ridiculous to say the least, including him lamenting white males as "victims" of affirmative action and how it perpetuates "race-based bigotry against whites". I am sorry Mr. Buchanan, but last I checked, my race was overpowered overwhelmingly at my Alma Mater by you guessed it... whites. I would even venture to guess that most, if not all, Ivy League schools are still majority white. I may be over-reaching with this next comment too, but shoot, I would not be surprised if all the schools, save for HBCUs, were majority white.

I am not going to debate the pros and cons of affirmative action; that is for a different post, but it is foolish to believe that Judge Sotomayor was nominated to the Supreme Court bench just because of her race with absolutely no credentials to back her up.

We all know how college admissions work- majority of your application is based on your numbers: SAT, GPA, LSAT, etc., but they take other things into consideration as well; volunteer work, recommendations, work history, etc. Judge Sotomayor might not have been the strongest on paper, but she might have other skills that made her a considerable candidate. Things like work ethic, honesty, determination, being a hard worker- things that grades do not tell you, but recommenders can. Those qualities are things you cannot study for, but you can surely earn.

Stranger things have happened, but to think that one's race is the sole purpose for one's career advancement is truly ridiculous. Some people know they are where they are because they are Black, Latino, Asian, etc., but they also know they deserved a chance because otherwise they would not have received one. I believe Judge Sotomayor fits that description and I am very glad that Princeton, Yale and now the White House thought she was deserving enough to get a chance to do what she clearly does best: succeed.

It is quite obvious that Buchanan is a bafoon. What is really sad and quite upsetting is that he and millions of other white people believe this foolish rhetoric. I do not know much about Judge Sotomayor, but I am quite sure and confident that she is much smarter than Pat Buchanan gives her credit for.

Ummm....

I could not think of a title so the best I could do was, "Ummm....". Once I tell you why I am mad, you will understand my reaction.

I have two tattoos that I am very proud of. I was not drunk when I got them, nor was it a dare or a joke or anything like that. Both tattoos meant a great deal to me and symbolized things I held dear. Many people get tattoos for the same reason, while others get them for the simple art of it. Whatever your reason is, I suggest you do you with no regrets.

What I remember most about getting my tattoos was the zzzzzzzz of the needle drawing against my skin. Depending on the body part, it could be quite effortless or torturous. Regardless of which, I would venture to say it is not something you can easily sit through, which brings me to my post.

Here's why I'm mad:

This chick fell asleep at the tattoo parlor!! Oh, wait! Not only did she she fall asleep, but ended up getting 56 stars, instead of 3...

...On her face!!

Some people might argue that the drone of the needle might be enough to put you to sleep. Ok, fine. But if someone is working ON MY FACE, you better believe I need to be awake for that. Getting stars on your face is foolish anyway, but who am I to judge? I will certainly not be the first to cast stones, but 56 though?! I am beyond flabbergasted! Something tells me she did not fall asleep and even if she did, that it was not an err on the part of the tattoo artist. Anyone who gets tattoos knows the procedure. If you do not, it is as follows:

• They ask you what you want (after all, it is permanent);
• draw it out to make sure it is exactly what you want (after all, it is permanent);
• they put the outline on whatever body part you want tattooed, to give you a chance to make sure it is what you want and where you want it (after all, it is permanent); and lastly
• they tattoo it permanently.

If anyone had a different experience, please feel free to let me know. Am I completely wrong here? I am not sure what to think, except that this girl is dumb. I am inclined to blame it on her, but ummm....

Lovers & Friends

This is a post from me a year ago that I wrote on another web site. At the time I was mad, but clearly not anymore. Those of you who know me personally know I have moved on!! :) I re-posted this old article because it keeps coming back up- this issue of lover being friends and friends possibly being lovers. I am not sure if it works both ways, but we shall see....

Yesterday my coworker and I had a conversation about people of the opposite sex being friends. We agreed that of course men and women could be friends, but I find myself asking the question, "can lovers be friends"?

Here's why I'm mad:

Maybe I am a bit too quick in writing this, but as my boyfriend, well ex-boyfriend now, broke up with me last night, I got the textbook "we should be friends" line. Now this note is not an attack on him. Maybe deep down inside he really wants to be friends, but why is that the textbook phrase?* Why is that the last resort when men and women break up with each other. Are we really going to have tea and crumpets? Are we going to call each other and catch up? I highly doubt that.

*For the record, women HATE when men say that.

There are people in this world that have wonderful relationships with their ex, but for the most part, you keep it moving. If you wanted to be friends in the first place, you would not have dated them. I referred to the list of guys that I have dated in the past and we have no relationship whatsoever. We may be Facebook friends, but that is as far as it goes. If I see them on the street, I will say hello and exchange pleasantries, but that is it. You talk about the weather and if he/she remembers something from the past they might bring that up. "So how is so and so?" or "Are you still working with the same company?". You do not ask the really tough questions that a real friend asks. You do not ask if they have moved on and if they are dating someone (you ask other ppl for that info). You do not sing kumbaya and have pow wows once a month. When you have issues that need to be resolved, you do not call him/her. You call the ppl that matter. The people who saw you through the break-up, not the person you broke up with.

Now acquaintances is a much better word for the change in relationship that develops after a break-up. Someone that is not really a friend, but they are not your worst enemy either. I am a little different than others because I cross people out of my life, which is both a good and bad thing. Even when they do not deserve it, that is just how I do things. I will probably do the same thing with the new ex-boyfriend. Delete his number out of my phone, de-friend him on facebook, take down all our pictures etc. Not because it was not an amicable break-up but because it makes me feel better about myself and it helps me deal. Who knows, maybe this time it will be different and we just might be really good friends, or maybe not and he will be just like every other man I have ever dated- confined to the pages of history never to be thought of ever again, except to say, "Hey remember that guy I dated a while back?" Whatever the outcome, I'll keep you posted. Until then, if you know any cute single men, holla ;-)

Update- I have since been in contact with said ex and it went rather well. The conversation went exactly how I thought it would and at the end of the day, I still feel the same way. I have no problems having a conversation with this person, but I cannot say I would seek him out to be a friend either. Also, that last line is no longer applicable.

Today is, well... was a good day. I woke up on time, got to work on time, had lunch with le petit ami... it was just a good day. Until I sat at the computer and started reading articles of interest on MSN.

I just realized that I used to like Chris Brown, until now- you can read about my recent distaste in my previous post;

and I used to like Kanye West... until this.

Here's why I'm mad:

Kanye and I always had a love/hate relationship. I have listened to and bought all of his albums and I think he is a musical genius (love). However, his non-musical antics annoy the crap out of me (hate)!! Yet still, I have been able to separate my love and hate for Kanye and really appreciate his music.

Until now.

How can someone so smart be so dumb? Kanye has a new book titled, "Thank You and You're Welcome". Thank you for what? This piece of crap book that you put together of your "Kanya-isms"? Kanye is a good lyricist, but that does not make him a good poet, nor does it give him authority on everyday matters. Nikki Giovanni can write a book with 52 pages. Kanye West, you cannot.

For the entire portion of Kanye's career, I have been tolerating his actions, his sayings... basically him. By writing this book, he is making it harder and harder for me to stomach and support him. Every awards show, I get nervous. Every interview, I get nervous. Every article, I get nervous. Why? Because all I can think is, "what else can this ig'nant mofo say now?!" And each time, Kanye NEVER CEASES TO AMAZE ME! He finds new ways to assert himself because apparently, he feels that whatever he has to say is important. And obviously anyone who does not agree with or condones his behaviour, is a hater.

Well guess what Kanye? Get over yourself! Sit down somewhere and take a good look at yourself in the mirror and try to figure out where in hell you lost yourself. Oh wait... what was that? OH you are still searching? You never found who you were/are in the first place? Ahhhhhhh.... gotcha!

Now THAT explains it!

Untitled

I am at such a loss for words, that I cannot even think up a title for this post. In a previous post, my boy Jay addressed the Chris Brown/Rihanna situation. I wanted to say something, but for a long time, I never could. I was not sure exactly how I felt, therefore I was slow to give my opinion. Furthermore, I wanted to wait until more facts surfaced. Yes, I read transcripts and saw the pictures, but I still wanted more. I wanted to hear from Rihanna or Chris Brown, who until now has yet to come forward to address what really happened.

It has been my opinion that regardless of what took place, there was a moment for us all to talk about the dangers of domestic violence. There was a moment for Rihanna to step up and give a voice to hundreds of thousands of women who have none. There was a clear opportunity for Chris Brown to not only apologize sincerely, but give a speak on behalf of men who are battling some serious demons. After all that waiting, I come across this.

Here's why I'm mad:



Really though, Chris? Of all the things you could have said, that is what you chose to come up with? After awaiting what you had to say all these months, the best you could do was, "Everybody that's haters, they just been haters". THEN follow it up with, "I ain't a monster".

WHOA!!!!

I am sorry.

Was I the only person who saw those pictures of Rihanna?! She looked pretty monstrous to me and in my opinion, only a true monster could have delivered such treatment. HOWEVER, I am a firm believer that even monsters can be rehabilitated. With that said, I would have had much more respect for C. Breezy if he kept it real and owned up to what he did, instead of promoting his new album, addressing critics as "haters", and denying the fact that he really IS a monster.

Am I missing something here? Does anyone agree? Disagree?

Travel, much?

I do not really get out much. Wait, I take that back. I do actually; I usually take one big vacation, which makes a plane necessary, then small little weekend trips that involve me, my car and the open road. Truth is, I like, maybe even love, to travel. I pray by the end of my life, I would have traveled to every single continent. There is nothing like being able to relax and live uninhibited while away on vacation. Without fail, by the end of every trip, I am usually exhausted due to too much fun and not enough sleep, but by no means is that a complaint. There is just so much to do in any given place that sleep is almost unnecessary.

HOWEVER! There have been times when my very sanity was threatened while traveling due to certain creatures beyond my control...

KIDS!!

Here's why I'm mad:

I believe little kids should not travel. Period. Point blank. I am tempted to end my post right here, but some of you might want an explanation- especially those who do not agree, so here it is. It is the worst feeling, especially on a plane, when there are kids screaming and crying and playing and just being annoying. You cannot sleep or even listen to your iPod because of the noisy soundtrack playing in the background.

Call me insensitive, but if your kid cannot talk or understand you, he/she should not be allowed to travel. If the child is too young to be whooped, they should not be allowed to travel. If you cannot, nor do you know how to control your child, NEITHER of you should be allowed to travel.

I have a dozen pet peeves about traveling, but this one takes the cake. I understand that sometimes parents are embarrassed by their children's behavior, but if that is the case, you should have left the little critter at home. No need to ruin everyone else's flight because you forgot or neglected to bring the necessary items to take care of your child. Infants especially. At least a 3 year old can tell you why they are crying. Babies cannot. It is a guessing game that I, for one, cannot afford for you to lose. Is the baby hungry? Does he/she need their diaper changed? Are they just experiencing a level of discomfort? All this can be avoided if you and your child just stayed home, making it a better experience for the rest of us who wanted to enjoy our flight.

If you are at a loss for what to do with your child while traveling, then take my advice and stay home!