Voting Day

I come from a household wherein the parents took their right to vote very seriously. Their voices would not be ignored!!! I think they would vote for American Idol if it required time in a booth at the neighborhood middle school auditorium. They have passed this strong appreciation of the right to vote on to me.

Today was New York City's primary elections for a host of city titles, but the one I was most concerned with was mayor. I'm wanting and waiting for my chance to have someone dethrone Michael-I'm-So-Rich-I-Don't Relate-To-Middleclass-Bloomberg!!!!! I've never quite forgiven him for paying people to do things they were supposed to do anyway like take their kids to the doctor, get a job, etc. Then, he goes and overrides the voice of the people to bypass the term limits that were in place. To say I'm annoyed with this man is a great understatement!!!!! But Bloomy isn't the reason for this post. No, no. This post is about the foolishness that is election day in NYC.

First, I ran into my neighborhood suitor (one of many unqualified for the job) and here's how the convo went:

Overweight and overaged Suitor: Why didn't you go vote today?

Me: I'm on my way to the polls now!

OAOS: Well give me you number!

Me: (With lips pursed and eyes rolled, terrible of me I know) Quit playing with me.

OAOS: I'm saying dough. You just give me your number so we can be friends. What's wrong with that?

Me: (I just continue to walk towards my civic duty wondering what in the h-e-double hockey sticks that has to do with voting)

Secondly, I run into this gentleman pictured below mere feet away from the polling place. He is trying to hand me a flyer about himself, but he is referring to himself in the 3rd person and telling me why they guy on the flyer is a "good man" and should be elected D.A. Does he not know that these glasses indicate I have 2x the vision of the normal person and can see that it is clearly HIM on the freaking flyer? Does he not think I know it's illegal for him to be standing that close to a polling center? The picture was taken as I was leaving the polls and he had some poor man buying into his story. I wanted to snatch that brother and say "Man quit playing. The face on the flyer is the same face speaking to you!"

Then, I get inside the school to vote and the place is empty. In November it was packed with a line wrapped around the corner. You would've sworn they were doing ladies get in free before 11 in there. But today, nope folks could not be bothered.

Lastly, I'm just too through that the democratic process allows for candidates to be on the ballot and receive public finance campaign funds i.e. mine and yours tax dollars who have no real chance of getting elected. This fine fellow right here is Jimmy McMillan. When asked about his occupation in the Voter Guide, he responded with "Founder of the Rent Is Too Damn High Movement." And when asked what he thought was the most important issue in the city he would address, he responded with "Rent is too damn high rent-freeze-rent-reduction-rent-rollback. People must have money to spent." Apparently, his plan for the city would result in a $3 to 6 billion surplus for the city. And he wants some of the Stimulus money. I don't like Bloomy very much these days, but if there was a surplus in the city to be had into the billions, I'm certain he would've found it. Regardless as to your personal feelings about me, do yourself a favor and click the link and check out Jimmy's website PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE click here

Personally, I blame Bloomberg!!!!!

Directions to the A

New Yorkers cannot and do not give good directions! I've lived in this city for nearly 6 years and whenever I find myself in unfamiliar territory and ask for directions to the nearest train, no one is able to give accurate concise directions. This is mind blowing to me as I'm always either able to give accurate concise directions or simply tell you I'm not sure and maybe help you figure it out. But nope, I never get that in return.

I was downtown tonight in the East Village having dinner with a rather lovely couple and afterwards it was my intent to walk over to the A train. I forgot about all the crisscrossing streets downtown that prevent me from simply walking straight across westward. By the time I got over by NYU I stopped to ask a man in sunglasses (yep he had dark shades on outside at 9:30PM) and he told me in a rather low weird voice to follow him. My look told him that wasn't an option. He then said, "Walk past the park and turn right." I did as instructed but there was no train. I walked further and asked a gentleman closing up his shop and he told me, "Cross the street and walk up to the corner and turn left." But if I turned left when I got to the corner, I'd be back on the original side of the street I was on when he told me to cross it. Why wouldn't I just stay on that side to begin with?

I did as instructed and still...no train. I saw 2 women walking towards me and I asked them and they looked as though I'd asked for the precise location of Jimmy Hoffa's body. They pointed and I followed their fingers. I next came across an old man who was of no help either. He had given me a litany of instructions and then at the end said, "I believe you better ask someone else cause really I'm not sure." WHAT? I had Pretty Girl on the phone at the time and the tyke heard it all so I promise I tell you no word of lie. Disgusted and dazed I set out determined to not ask another soul and find it on my own.

I'm pleased to report I found the train and it was in the direction of my first inclination. Had I trusted my "gut" I'd have gotten to the train much sooner and without the headache.

But isn't this so true of life? We are often times seeking advice from people who either don't know the way or who just give poor directions. We find ourselves in situations in which decisions need to be made and ask people for their advice and they are ill prepared to give it. A lot of times, their advice has us going in circles, especially advice from random people. And by random I mean we may ask people who don't have things in a particular area we struggle with anymore figured out than we do and we run to them looking for direction. If I want to learn wealth building strategies, why would I consult my broke friends? If I want to know how a man thinks, why would I ask my female friends? If I want to know how an outfit looks, why would I consult my tacky friend? I believe you get the picture.

There is wisdom to be gained from wise counsel, but we must choose carefully who we deem fit for wise counsel. Not every friend is suitable to seek counsel with on all subjects. Pick and choose wisely. But foremost, before seeking the counsel of a friend, maybe just pray about it and see what the architect of all the paths and roads says. He knows better than anyone! He wouldn't have had me walking in circles tonight!!

Can I Entice You

I'm excited because my stats now show that I've had 1,022 page views and 686 visits to my blog!!! Thank you all ever so kindly for caring about what I have to say. However, you folks still aren't leaving comments. Do you hate the blog and just come to tease and taunt me with your stat numbers? Do you love it and want more baby?

You've left me no choice but to bribe you. I never thought it would come to this. Bowler Boy bribing the chief jailer in a Taiwanese prison in the far stretches of Asia, that I could've predicted. But me bribing my very own friends? Nope, never would've thought. So here goes...

I'm offering a whole shiny quarter to the next commenter on this blog! People don't purse your lips or laugh because in case you hadn't checked, we are in a recession and quarters are hard for some to come by!

It Always Comes Down To Race

I admit that I'm a Michelle Obama stan. But my admiration of her does not render me incapable of speaking out against things she may say or do that I don't agree with. I assume any person of color is able to express their pride in the achievements of the First Family as well as their dismay with some decisions they've made or will make. So why is it a question as to whether trained journalists can be objective in their dealings with the East Wing? A columnist for the Washington Post poses this very question. When white journalist cover white politicians and celebrities is unbalanced reporting a threat? If Laura Bush gave Katie Couric an interview would it raise an eyebrow? Quite frankly, I'm sick of people acting like African-Americans can't be balanced in their views of the First Family. Heck, there are plenty who didn't vote for Obama and quite frankly can't stand him (trust me his smile didn't win everyone over). We are not a blind people nor are we all thinking with one collective brain. News flash: contrary to what BET will have you to believe many of us are capable of thinking on our own, forming complete sentences, shunning Ebonics, being consummate professionals at our crafts, and the list goes on. See, we're just like everyone else.

Howard Kurtz's column

Why Is It Relevant?

The story of the Metro train crash in Washington, D.C. this week is a horrific story. When I first heard of it, I immediately thought the crash was related to signal/switch error. At this present time they are investigating just that. It is evidenced that the train's operator Jeanice McMillan had indeed pressed the emergency brake in an attempt to slow down and stop the computer operated train. Nine people died and 80 were injured. The operator, Ms. McMillan, was a single mother and leaves behind a college-aged son. Why is it relevant and necessary for USA Today to report that the woman had been sued by her apartment complex several times for late payment of rent or to mention that she was financially stretched thin?! Why in God's green Earth is that relevant? Everyone they interviewed had nothing but kind words to say. This is a woman who is at the center of a deadly and tragic accident. But this had nothing to do with her financial situation. Many many many many people function properly on their jobs even while dealing with financial stresses at home. What the pluck?! I just don't understand this. 

USA Today shame on you!!!

I Owe You An Apology

Hi Folks, 

While reading an article on The Times website just now about abandoned blogs, I was immediately struck with conviction. Because I track visits to the site, I can see that I've been getting hits everyday. Thanks so much for your support, but I owe you all an apology. I don't want to take your support of me for granted and that's exactly what I've done. I started out with a bang, making posts daily. But some how some way, my productivity shuttered. Oops. 

On Friday, Part-Time Puerto Rican made a joke about the frequency or infrequency with which I was making posts and it stung a little. I wasn't offended, just had a moment of shame. So often we, no I, start "hobbies" with really great intentions and then, they fizzle. Keep me honest people. If I don't make a post everyday or at least every other day, call or email me and tell me off. I do want to keep this thing going. And unless I explicitly say I'm no longer blogging, then I need to be held accountable. Sad but true, I do!  

Russell Simmons Fails Actually So Do We

I swore to myself that by the end of this day, I'd have written 2 chapters of my novel. To do so, I haven't had any communication with the outside world, other than the delivery guy from Wimpy's, since around 9 a.m. Needless to say, I've run into writer's block and my favorite distracting pastime, blog surfing. Tonight, for the first time, I checked out Russell's new web venture, GlobalGrind.com. I was horrified from page 1!

On the home page there is a link that takes you to "TOO HOTT! FOR TV: SCHOOLYARD PUNCH! FEST!" Needless to say I clicked on the link certain that I would find sheer tomfoolery and I was not disappointed. It is over 2 minutes of a schoolyard brawl that starts off between two young girls then spills into an all out "fest" amongst the other young ladies. The scene is being videotaped by some enterprising your men who are all too delighted to be witnessing such a thing. There has to be at least 30 kids out there either witnessing or taking part in this fight. I'm certain there are adults around because people are passing by in cars and they are still on school grounds, yet no one intervenes.

I was expecting there to be some sort of editorial about many of the obvious wrongs present in the clip. There was nothing. It's merely a link to the fight wherein one can find above the video a comment that in part states, "...Crazy! LOL!" Maybe I'm too old to get the humor. Maybe I'm too much a prude to see the entertainment value. Maybe I'm riding a righteous path on a high horse or giving speeches from a soapbox, but I expected someone as socially conscious (supposedly) as grandfather Simmons to promote a higher level of character on his site. But then again, this is a man who doesn't believe there is anything wrong with the current state of hip hop.

I saw that Rev Run has a blog on the site and rushed to his link thinking that he would provide the voice of reasoning. Nope, wrong again. I'm going to learn to stop looking for what I know isn't there. All he offers are trite sayings to motivate people on the most superficial level. Something is wrong when people are able to be successful doing this. I'm not trying to be the dreaded naysayer or hater, but for real?! Really? With generations of unhealthy life cycles and debilitating mindsets we have to overcome, this is what we offer them?

We've all made this too acceptable. We all, yep all of us, get a big fat F-A-I-L!

P.S. I'm not even going into the politics page that talks about First Lady Michelle Obama's "sneaker game." I'm done.

Worst Thing I Heard ALL Year

Picture it: New York City, 2009, 34th Street and Broadway. I'm walking to the D train as I try to explain to The Scratcher why my inability to bypass the Mrs. Fields cookie shop really isn't my fault, I overhear.....

"But see me, I never robbed nobody who was regular. I only robbed drug dealers. Why I would rob you and you gotta go to work and get a check? I may as rob the Ni**a who ain't doing nothing for the community anyway!" 

And yes, the person he was talking to was nodding in agreement and delivering the obligatory "Yep. Yep. That's right." 

Man I wish I still had cable

In general, I'm not a huge fan of reality tv. I nearly loathe it. It takes no creativity, it's a bunch of people trying to be famous, and the people usually end up looking like total arses (I'm glad Bowler Boy and I didn't make it past the 2nd round of interviews for the Real World New Orleans season). However, I make the exception for the Real Housewives franchise on Bravo. I love those women!! My favorites are the wives in Orange County. You better ask somebody.

The Atlanta wives are phony and something about watching Black people make an arse of themselves equals coonery to me. Besides, it's been revealed that most of them are posers anyway. One has been evicted from her home, one needed a staff of people to take care of her 4 member family (she was spending like there was not a recession looming at the time of taping and like her husband wasn't about to retire from the NBA with no real backup plan), another had a "dreadful" fashion line that she was trying to stunt about while she was fronting like her ex-husband was going to give her an 8-figure divorce settlement (in the end she got mere peanuts and claimed to be illiterate), yet another was dumb as all get out and was proud of being a married man's kept woman (great lessons for her daughters), and the last woman was really just guilty of being Keith Sweat's former wife.

Last season, the New York cast bored me each week and made me angry enough to want to toss the tv out my 3rd floor window. But they have redeemed themselves this year with foolishness. If you don't mind losing brain matter, click the link below.

http://nymag.com/daily/intel/2009/04/kelly_killoren_bensimon_loses.html

We Always Gotta Be The Ones...

If I died and were able to come back as anyone or anything I could, I’d still choose to come back as myself. My family and friends are way too unique for me to give up, even in the slightest form. Trust me, I’ve tried to imagine being someone else and I can’t keep the image in my mind. I always go back to my own life. Even when I try to sustain the fantasy for long, I begin to imagine being someone else with all my same family and friends. And in that case, I may as well just be me. 

Other than the fact that I just can’t imagine being anyone else, I’d still rather be me because I am a Black woman. And being Black has its privileges. Despite the fact we die sooner than our Anglo counterparts, as a race we are paid less for equal work, most corporations treat us as though we are a monolithic group with no internal diversity of opinions and desires, we are dealt with in terms of trite stereotypes, and yep, we are seen as the main perpetrators of crime at all times (that is unless the crime took any degree of intelligence); we are pretty awesome. We developed the blood bank, designed Washington, D.C., made improvements to the ironing board, invented the Electric Slide AND the Cha Cha Slide (the white man won’t steal those like he did Rock-N-Roll), invented the rotary blade lawn mower, disposable syringes, the hot comb, the traffic light and the list could go on. We are a people who are always making something out of nothing, literally and figuratively.

 I love us and hate us. The main reason being is that no matter what happens or where we are: There is always one of us to get some ish popping. Don’t believe me? Tell me I’m lying on anyone of the following:  

• At a funeral there’s always one who will start throwing themselves on the casket and acting like the funeral is all about them.
• In each family, no matter the level of affluence, there is always one drunk uncle. This uncle is not to be confused with the uncle that hugs and kisses for far longer than what is comfortable or makes a comment about “You’ve shoul grown up gurl.” But these two could sometimes be one in the same. 
• There is always one aunt who can’t cook, but she ALWAYS wants to make the potato salad or something that Black folk won’t tolerate you playing around with. Her potato salad either way too yellow or way too white. And she mad when people tell her to just bring the beverages. And don’t let another aunt get complimented on her cooking then aunt with the nasty potato salad all upset talking about “Y’all don’t never appreciate nothing I do in this family. And I don’t know why y’all fawning and fanning over so and so (insert an aunt’s name here) because you know she keep a nasty house (which is a total lie but she just wanna say something insulting and there’s nothing more insulting to a Black person than being told they keep a nasty house).
• There is always one cousin who is on “that stuff” and asking to “borrow” things all the time. Or he randomly needs to look through the house for someone who isn’t missing.
• There is always one cousin or male family friend who is suping up a raggedy car. He’s trying to make his mid-priced car into something it isn’t, i.e. buying a Chrysler 300M and calling it his Baby Bentley or putting Lamborghini doors on a Honda Civic. 

I dare anyone to tell me these things don’t happen in the community. From the burbs to the hood it happens. And it isn’t all the time relegated to the family. On our jobs, in our churches, in the stores during holiday time, there is always that one Black person around who makes you hate the fact that we gotta always act up and out while at the same time makes you love the fact that your people are so “colorful.” 

Tonight, I encountered one such person. At a meeting for a nonprofit I’ve signed on to volunteer with, there was one woman who wouldn’t stop having “moments.” When the group leader tried to speak in vague terms without calling anybody out and just posing it as a suggestion to the group, in true “there’s always one” fashion, she says, “Are you talking about something specific? Tell me.” When informed that she didn’t do something within the realm of proper protocol, she says, “Uh hmm, I got a paper trail. I always keep a paper trail. I can pull the emails I sent.” And after I tried to help provide clarity on a matter, she told me, “Well aren’t you just so articulate. You so well-spoken.” Note: this was said with pursed lips and a roll of the eyes. Needless to say this was not her attempt at a thank you or compliment. 

Folks like her are the ones who when you are trying to resolve a matter discreetly, they get all loud and draw attention thinking it will help their cause. Or they don’t balance their checkbook and go in the bank telling the clerk that something is wrong with their account and they need a manger to fix it right away. Yeeepppppp!!!!!

Now I don’t claim that other racial groups don’t have some mess that’s common to them, but I love my people and hate them at the same time for ALWAYS BEING THE ONE!!!