Talk to me local gulf region folks. What’s it like down there?

With the current political climate, everyone wants to be the hero, so I can only hope and pray that if Gustav hits hard my country will have done ALL it can do and will take an IMMEDIATE call to action in the aftermath.

check one of my favorite sources (fellow blog supporter) for more…  NEW ORLEANS LADDER

Man!  I’m going to run late to work as I dress and am glued to CNN.  McCain is speaking now.  What a great opportunity for him to showcase himself.  He is doing the right thing.  I only hope that we also get to hear from Obama today as well.

What I’m most worried about is the mental health of so many victims from just 3 years ago, almost to the very day.  Just imagine what that triggers for the young children, even ones who are in other parts of the country and the world who witnessed it on television and may not have completely sorted out what Mother Nature’s fury can and has done not only in the US, but all over the world.

Remember all the reports with images like the one below? (source: People mag from 2005)

and all of the faces we watched with hope and despair…

I’m not trying to exploit these photos nor sensationalize, but I want you to reflect and think about the impact.  Sometimes for us, it takes that “in your face” imagery to get us to really register what’s going on.

Hopefully, Gustav comes in and leaves like a lamb as it approaches the gulf region.

p.s. I’m sooooo glad that everyone is able to take their pets with them as they evacuate.  I can’t imagine what I would do if I were ever forced to leave my doggie behind presented with an urgent situation.  He’s my baby, a part of my family, and I know all animal lovers completely recognize what a wonderful comfort they are during good and bad times.

thanks vnf for forwarding this message to me…

REPRINT of email sent out to members of MoveOn.org about McCain’s choice of Sarah Palin.  It’s a good summation on Sarah for those of you still trying to get smart on her or are simply still scratching your head.

Dear MoveOn member,

Yesterday was John McCain‘s 72nd birthday. If elected, he’d be the oldest president ever inaugurated. And after months of slamming Barack Obama for “inexperience,” here’s who John McCain has chosen to be one heartbeat away from the presidency: a right-wing religious conservative with no foreign policy experience, who until recently was mayor of a town of 9,000 people.

Huh?

Who is Sarah Palin? Here’s some basic background:

• She was elected Alaska ‘s governor a little over a year and a half ago. Her previous office was mayor of Wasilla, a small town outside Anchorage. She has no foreign policy experience.¹
  
• Palin is strongly anti-choice, opposing abortion even in the case of rape or incest.²
  
• She supported right-wing extremist Pat Buchanan for president in 2000. ³
  
• Palin thinks creationism should be taught in public schools.⁴
  
• She’s doesn’t think humans are the cause of climate change.⁵
  
• She’s solidly in line with John McCain’s “Big Oil first” energy policy. She’s pushed hard for more oil drilling and says renewables won’t be ready for years. She also sued the Bush administration for listing polar bears as an endangered species—she was worried it would interfere with more oil drilling in Alaska.⁶
• How closely did John McCain vet this choice? He met Sarah Palin once at a meeting. They spoke a second time, last Sunday, when he called her about being vice-president. Then he offered her the position.⁷

This is information the American people need to see. Please take a moment to forward this email to your friends and family.

We also asked Alaska MoveOn members what the rest of us should know about their governor. The response was striking. Here’s a sample:

She is really just a mayor from a small town outside Anchorage who has been a governor for only 1.5 years, and has ZERO national and international experience. I shudder to think that she could be the person taking that 3AM call on the White House hotline, and the one who could potentially be charged with leading the US in the volatile international scene that exists today. —Rose M., Fairbanks, AK

She is VERY, VERY conservative, and far from perfect. She’s a hunter and fisherwoman, but votes against the environment again and again. She ran on ethics reform, but is currently under investigation for several charges involving hiring and firing of state officials. She has NO experience beyond Alaska. —Christine B., Denali Park, AK

As an Alaskan and a feminist, I am beyond words at this announcement. Palin is not a feminist, and she is not the reformer she claims to be. —Karen L., Anchorage, AK

Alaskans, collectively, are just as stunned as the rest of the nation. She is doing well running our State, but is totally inexperienced on the national level, and very much unequipped to run the nation, if it came to that. She is as far right as one can get, which has already been communicated on the news. In our office of thirty employees (dems, republicans, and nonpartisans), not one person feels she is ready for the V.P. position.—Sherry C., Anchorage, AK

She’s vehemently anti-choice and doesn’t care about protecting our natural resources, even though she has worked as a fisherman. McCain chose her to pick up the Hillary voters, but Palin is no Hillary. —Marina L., Juneau, AK

I think she’s far too inexperienced to be in this position. I’m all for a woman in the White House, but not one who hasn’t done anything to deserve it. There are far many other women who have worked their way up and have much more experience that would have been better choices. This is a patronizing decision on John McCain’s part- and insulting to females everywhere that he would assume he’ll get our vote by putting “A Woman” in that position.—Jennifer M., Anchorage, AK

So Governor Palin is a staunch anti-choice religious conservative. She’s a global warming denier who shares John McCain’s commitment to Big Oil. And she’s dramatically inexperienced.

In picking Sarah Palin, John McCain has made the religious right very happy. And he’s made a very dangerous decision for our country.

In the next few days, many Americans will be wondering what McCain’s vice-presidential choice means. Please pass this information along to your friends and family.

Thanks for all you do.

–Ilyse, Noah, Justin, Karin and the rest of the team

Sources:

1. “Sarah Palin,” Wikipedia, Accessed August 29, 2008
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sarah_Palin

2. “McCain Selects Anti-Choice Sarah Palin as Running Mate,” NARAL Pro-Choice America, August 29, 2008
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=17515&id=13661-8420246-mrIfnZx&t=1

3. “Sarah Palin, Buchananite,” The Nation, August 29, 2008
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=17736&id=13661-8420246-mrIfnZx&t=2

4. “‘Creation science’ enters the race,” Anchorage Daily News, October 27, 2006
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=17737&id=13661-8420246-mrIfnZx&t=3

5. “Palin buys climate denial PR spin—ignores science,” Huffington Post, August 29, 2008
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=17517&id=13661-8420246-mrIfnZx&t=4

6. “McCain VP Pick Completes Shift to Bush Energy Policy,” Sierra Club, August 29, 2008
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=17518&id=13661-8420246-mrIfnZx&t=5

“Choice of Palin Promises Failed Energy Policies of the Past,” League of Conservation Voters, August 29, 2008
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=17519&id=13661-8420246-mrIfnZx&t=6

“Protecting polar bears gets in way of drilling for oil, says governor,” The Times of London, May 23, 2008
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=17520&id=13661-8420246-mrIfnZx&t=7

7 “McCain met Palin once before yesterday,” MSNBC, August 29, 2008
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=21119&id=13661-8420246-mrIfnZx&t=8

Want to support our work? We’re entirely funded by our 3.2 million members—no corporate contributions, no big checks from CEOs. And our tiny staff ensures that small contributions go a long way. Chip in here.

…

As I mentioned in my last Mizz Ethnicia post, I’m giving Aveda’s Confixor Liquid Gel a try.  Right now, I still put in Tresemme’s Bouncy Curls gel if I want nicely defined (or more pronounced) ringlets.  At the salon, she used it in conjunction with Aveda Brilliant Conditioner as my leave-in followed by this confixor and finished off with Aveda Brilliant humectant pomade.  I’ll will tell you that I’m not loving the smell offhand, but I’ll post again soon to share my full product review.

Anyone use this product before?  How’d you like it?

…and yes, I had to tell him that we were divorced.

I’ve been meaning to write this down for a few weeks now because it has been that long.  I was out at one of my fav bars on one of my fav nights when lo and behold, Mr. Greek comes in (alone) and sits at the bar.  Well, I wanted to at least say hello, so I stopped over.  He was all smiles and hugs…then he looked at me and noticed my hair was different.  I told him that I’m seeing a new stylist now and explained all the reasons why stopped going to him.  I ended with one of those “we can still be friends” kind of lines which I really mean (and I’m thinking many people mean that when they say it, but it’s just so cliche).

Without boring you with the details, he was basically whining and excuses and all about zero accountability.  Everything I offered as an explanation he had an excuse or some equivalent counter.

At the last gallery hop he did ask me last minute if I’d participate in a photo shoot with my dog Happy for a theme they were doing for the night.  That was before he knew the ‘love affair’ was over.  I’m guessing that offer won’t come my way again…at least from him.

He was apparently waiting for a friend, but moments after I talked to him, he left the bar.  I guess I was a buzzkill.

If you don’t know, now you know…

Maurice Jamal is a director, writer, actor, AND producer.  I’ve seen his film “Dirty Laundry” and it was HAWT!!!  If you like the Tyler Perry-esque film genre, then this is right up your alley.

Big up to CutSleeveBoy who put me in the know about Jamal’s latest work.  I’m still trying to find out if this pilot was actually picked up, but hopefully, it will as the storyline and cast does not disappoint.  The one and only “lip chap” girl herself Saaphyri from VH-1 reality tv series’ Flavor of Love and Mo’nique’s Charm School (which she won) plays a gold digging girlfriend.  Remember Anwar Robinson from Season 4 of American Idol?  Neither did I at first, but I googled him and he was one of the top 12 from that season (the year that Fantasia won, if that helps).  He’s in it, too.  Even Willie Macc from BET’s College Hill (a show i cannot get myself to watch ‘sam i am’..uh-unh, no way) landed himself a role.

If you’re interested and in the ATL area this weekend (Labor Day weekend), you should check out Atlanta Black Gay Pride (i had no idea that there was a Black Gay Pride outside of just Gay Pride as a celebration.  i need one of them to pop off in columbus.  not gonna happen…i know…would be nice…).  Maurice will be hosting a world premiere of the tv pilot for “Friends and Lovers:  Ski Trip 2″ at Artistry.

Here’s the details…

You can get tickets by heading to this website-

http://friendsandlovers1.moonfruit.com//welcome/4530572717

Wanna know more about Maurice Jamal?  Here’s some links to get you going…

AfterElton.com interview

Maurice Jamal on myspace

TV Pilot “Friends and Lovers: Ski Trip 2″ on myspace

Black Voices article about film “Dirty Laundry”

Let’s cut to the chase.  Here’s my before and after pics.  I’ll write more when I get a moment.  In short, another FABULOUS experience!!!

BEFORE PHOTOS

i’m frizzy because i didn’t do anything to my hair this morning before going to the salon (just got up and rolled on out…at least you know what that looks like for me). the main thing to note is the color (my roots were getting real dark, it’s been 8 weeks, maybe not as obvious in these particular photos), and general shape (as in the style of my hair).  a few folks said my hair looked so much lighter lately and even mizz ethnicita said it.  it was much darker (see my last post on this subject) but i guess the days outdoors in the summer made my hair lighter (like straight up blond in some parts).

i was wanting to go darker, kind in prep for the season change and the fact that i had this light tone for about 6 months now.

AFTER PHOTOS

yes, i also got my eyebrows waxed (the whole sucker for compliments thing), so i threw in a close up so you could see that as well.  i also wanted (and want to) go really short with that sort of angled thing going from back to front.  it’s been a long time since i’ve had a stylist who can envision my vision (i doubt i ever had one), but we were soooo on the same page as i described what i wanted to try with my hair.  i like that mizz ethnicita does not keep me in a box.  so many people see me and think conservative and that’s quite the reverse of the person i really am.  i love that i have freed myself from the negro handcuffs of needing to be attached to long hair or bone straight hair (i ain’t hatin, though.  you do you.  imma do me, ok?).  it’s so liberating to just look at my hair as a canvas.  color it.  cut it.  whatever.

let me know if you likey the results this round.  total cost  $195 (cut, 3 colors full head treatment, deep condition treatment).  it costs less to have less colors worked in and also if you have a partial color treatment, but i’m still experimenting and enjoying the process.

i am stepping away from the computer now…as much as i just want to finish this post.  check back tomorrow (thursday) for the “full monty.”  i tried one more new product too…ok, that’s the cliffhanger.

THE REST OF THE DETAILS

Update Fri 8/28/08

Sighhhh!  If you could only be a fly on the wall looking at how annoyingly crazy this week has been…

So here’s the rest of the scoop…  Mizz Ethnicita called me on Saturday (I missed the call) and checked in, like she did the first time, to make sure she knew exactly what I wanted to get done.  Plus, she added that Wednesday was her last day working this week so she was trying to pack her schedule to service her clients before leaving town.  I appreciated knowing that ahead of time.  I emailed her the night before to confirm the services I wanted and she replied to my email so I know she read it.

I was running a little late out the door (hence the lack of doing my hair) so I called the salon to tell them I was on my way (it’s a super short drive, totally walkable when I’m not in a hurry).  She was working with a client when I got there, so I took a seat in the waiting area.  The receptionist offered me something to drink and I had some green tea (had that the last time).  To top it off, they even had honey!  Anybody who knows me well knows that I love honey in my tea (a change I made when in my whole get fit phase, it’s better for you than sugar), and it’s not so common here in the States.

I waited a little longer than I would’ve expected, but I wasn’t pissed because I already knew from her message that she had a pretty packed day.  Plus, I sooooo needed a day to slow down and just enjoy the moment.  If I were on a tight schedule, this probably would’ve been a day to reschedule, though.

After about 20 mins she sat me down and we chatted about what I wanted to do (and some small talk).  I forgot that they write up what is essentially an invoice for the services you want ahead of time with the price- a touch that I haven’t experienced before coming here, but I definitely like.

She got to work on my head.  Since it was a busy day, there were several others helping her out in the salon with shampooing and such.  I opted for the scalp massage which was waaaaaay better than the last one (I don’t even think the last time could even count as a scalp massage).  It as a newer stylist to the salon, white lady, but she was surprisingly comfortable shampooing and massaging my scalp.  I guess there’s always a first.

The only thing I didn’t get this time that I expected from the last time (my first visit) is having my conditioner combed through with that paddle brush.  Actually, no one combed through my hair until Mizz Ethnicita did at the end before cutting and styling it.  Not sure if it mattered but it was something I noticed.

The outcome wasn’t quite what I or Mizz Ethnicita expected and it’s like we both noticed it at the same time.  Again, I love when my stylist is on the same page as I am.  She darked a few areas and set me back through the wash, so to speak.  The second time was a charm, and I appreciated her wanting to get it right as opposed to whining…eh-hem…who could I be speaking of? 

The eyebrow wax was fine.  She was happy to know that I wanted to try it again and did another lovely job.  For me, that means it still looks natural and she’s just giving it a bit more shape.

The cut was awesome.  I wanted to go shorter, but we kind of stopped somewhere in between.  I also like it stacked in the back.  It’s just one of those styles that I’ve seen and liked on other people with straight hair, but it seems to work just as nicely on nappy/curly hair.  I think I’ll be going shorter in the front the next go round, but we’ll see.

We settled on an appointment for 7 weeks out as opposed to 8 since my the color seems to really show somewhere between that 6 to 8 week window.

Well, that’s it!  The play-by-play.  Another fine experience, so I’m happy to continue to stick with stylist Mizz Ethnicita.

Oh!  and I bought some Confixor Liquid Gel.  Mizz Ethnicita used it on my hair this time along with the humectant pomade and brilliant conditioner, so I thought I’d give it a whirl.

Sorry, it took me forever to write my verdict on my Aveda products.

“Best in Show” goes to…

Aveda Brilliant Humectant Pomade

2.6oz, $19

This stuff is the shizznit y’all!  Unfortunately, they only sell it in that little 2.6oz jar AND it costs like 19 bucks a pop.  This is my current hair crack addiction.  It is definitely worth it and smells awesome.  According to my stylist Mizz Ethnicita (see those posts) over at Phia salon, the humectant pomade serves to lock moisture in which is needed for curly/nappy hair.  The curl definition and shine I get as a result is great and it’s not greasy to the touch.

Here’s a link to the product overview on Aveda’s website- Brilliant Humectant Pomade

“Blue Ribbon” goes to…

Aveda Brilliant Conditioner

6.7oz for $18 or 33.8oz for $62

I am learning, about 4 years into my nappy journey now, that the conditioner is the most critical part to the health and look of your hair (my expert opinion, but I’d like to know what you think, too).  I am addicted to this conditioner as well right now.  The fragrance is awesome, it’s ability to soften my hair and define ringlets is great, too.  I use it as my conditioner as well as my leave-in.  I think the best use for this is as a leave-in.  There is a definite visual difference in my curl pattern when I use this conditioner versus others.  Also, I’m a Johnny Come Lately when it comes to using your regular conditioner as a leave in.  I was always from the camp that it’s bad especially with buildup, but it does work.  If you’re not willing to splurge, I still say try using your own conditioner as a leave-in and test the results.

Here’s the product info on Aveda’s website- Brilliant Conditioner

“Unsung Hero Award” goes to…

Aveda Wooden Paddle Brush (wide)

$18

This wasn’t on my original post, but I recently bought it and felt it was deserving of recognition.  You might as well say I’m drinking the Aveda kool-aide now, but yes, I did buy the paddle brush that my stylist used.  I recall during my first visit having second thoughts about her when she whipped out this brush to “comb” through my hair after washing and applying conditioner.  I thought she was another one that didn’t know what to do with my nappy hair, but she explained that it helps close the hair follicle especially since I have color in my hair now.  She went on to explain that the method to use is to brush at the ends first and work your way to the top to prevent yanking on my hair while detangling.  It is cushioned and the bristles are soft plastic so it’s not what you’d typically think when using a brush that looks like this.  The extra perk for me is that it feels good on my scalp (you know how calming a good scalp massage or even scratch…although that sounds extreme…feels?  this totally does the trick).

Here’s the product info on Aveda’s website- Aveda Wooden Paddle Brush

“Neither Here Nor There” goes to…

Aveda Color Conserve Shampoo

8.5oz for $15 (other sizes available)

I totally recognize that you can’t just use any shampoo on your hair, but I also feel like you have way more flexibility on shampoo choices than you do with conditioners.  Again, like all of the Aveda products I’ve tried so far, the fragrance is great and it does it’s job.  I’m just not convinced this particular product is worth the splurge over any other good shampoos out there for our hair.  For example, I’m still comfortable using my Kenra moisturizing shampoo as much as this one.  However, if you’re all about natural hair and natural products, then this is a good option.

Here’s the link to Aveda’s product info- Aveda Color Conserve Shampoo

Bonus Track!!!

I’m heading back to Mizz Ethnicita today for my second appointment.  Be on the lookout for another post on my experience coming soon.

Check my categories on the left pane for more…

If you’re new to browsing my blog, I cover a lot of stuff, but the original premise was to chronicle my life with nappy hair.  The nappy hair care category has product trials and stylist trials.  Also, the black stylists and barbers tab has a listing of stylists that I’ve tried or you have shared.  I still haven’t received any barber shop shout outs, so if of you bros or sistas use one that you like, definitely hit me up with the name and location details.

I kept checking my phone, but I think Barack inadvertently left me off his distro.  I’ll have to give him a hard time the next time we talk. 

So the word that the world has been anxiously awaiting is out.  Joe Biden will be running with Barack Obama on the democratic ticket.  Yay!  Big news from the Delaware the Small Wonder.

Initial feelings?  Is this a winning ticket?

Thanks aw for the info…

That’s right, one of hip hop’s greatest hustlers has a big new venture under his belt.  Even with a facelift and new ownership, BET has just not risen beyond it’s MTV knockoff status, in my opinion.  Then there was TV One, a station I rarely watch and can’t even remember if it’s carried by my local cable company.

So enter Master P, now going as Percy Miller, with a fresh new take on an old idea with an audience longing to be fulfilled with material that speaks to all of us.

I’m excited to see what he pulls out of his hat.  Per the Black Voices article…

… family friendly network that will provide positive content for a black and brown culture that will appeal to all races with a goal to bring people of color a choice when turning on their television…

…the content on the channel will contain a wide arrangement from health and fitness, animation, financial planning, reality TV, sitcoms, dramas, movies, responsible hip-hop music and videos, politics, sports and entertainment news, educational children’s shows as well as teen and family programming…

What do you think?  Can he pull it off?

Call me, Percy.  I want to be in your focus groups or on your creative team because I can tell you what NOT to do (and some good things to do) to save yourself from another lackluster black focused programming station. 

Before, I get on my high horse, let me dismount and tell you that D’Angelo’s “Untitled” video was THE hottest man sexy video ever.  It could make a lesbian think twice and send a nun to a confessional.  I’m not the touch myself type, but who wouldn’t with 3 minutes of imagery like this available?

Ok, now to being serious…

So, I’m reading this article on Black Voices about how D’Angelo has finally signed up with another record company and will be working on a new album (article- Did Sex Symbol Status Kill His Career?).  The remaining (and majority) part of the article goes on about how D’Angelo really hates how his song “Untitled” and the sexy pec’ and abs bearing video that accompanied it…leaving little to the imagination…became his namesake.  It bothered him that all women wanted him to do was to take his clothes off.  I’m guessing he felt that he had more to offer as an artist.

As a woman, I can’t help but yell out a sarcastic “whoop-di-do” because it is status quo to objectify women, and women, such as myself, who resent it spend a lifetime being annoyed when going to the club and watching you menz lick your chops at the girl with the least amount of clothes on, the fact that we can make good money as an exotic dancer, how you seek to put us in your hip hop videos.

Don’t get me wrong.  I do feel for the brutha, we all live and learn.  That’s part of living.  I just wish we women could just up and walk away from our objectifying roles all at once.  Like one big planned walk out.  What would our men do then?

I swear I thought up my post title before I ran into this picture, but it just sums up my initial reaction so well. Kudos to the photographer (source- http://flickr.com/photos/35237093608@N01/1528508443).

Well, at least he got jail time, right??

Just pasting the image above (from the article I found here- http://a.abcnews.com/TheLaw/BlackHistory/story?id=4184706&page=1) brings tears to my eyes. I guess it’s just the reality of it all. Right in your face.

Do you think 4 months is adequate? Just curious. I’m not sure if putting time on a sentence “cancels out” the crime or the depth of the impact, but you could say that for a lot of crimes.

Associated Press ALEXANDRIA, La. — A Louisiana teenager who used nooses to intimidate black civil rights demonstrators was sentenced Friday to four months in federal prison.

Jeremiah Munsen, 19, of Colfax, had nooses hanging from the back of his pickup truck when he drove past people who had attended a massive civil rights march in Jena last September, according to federal prosecutors.

Munsen had faced up to a year in prison after he pleaded guilty in April to a misdemeanor charge of interfering with the marchers’ federally protected right to travel.

U.S. District Judge Dee Drell in Alexandria also sentenced Munsen to 125 hours of community service and one year of supervised release following his prison term, according to Assistant U.S. Attorney William Flanagan.

Munsen was sentenced on the same day that an anti-noose law took effect in Louisiana. The new law makes it a state crime, punishable by up to one year in prison, to try to intimidate someone with a hangman’s noose, a Deep South symbol of racial hatred.

The marchers were waiting in Alexandria for a bus home to Tennessee after protesting the criminal cases against six black teenagers charged with beating a white student at Jena High School in 2006.

A 16-year-old passenger in Munsen’s truck also was arrested, but Flanagan said he couldn’t comment on juvenile proceedings.

In a court filing last month, prosecutors said Munsen cooperated with investigators and asked Drell to impose a sentence that reflected his “substantial assistance.”

The Rev. Al Sharpton, who helped organize the march in Jena, said in a statement earlier this year that he applauded federal prosecutors for charging Munsen with a hate crime.

Munsen’s attorney, Billy Guin Jr., did not immediately return a call for comment.

I just ran across it and thought I’d share.  I haven’t read it thoroughly but she has some nice product reviews for those of you looking for new things to try.

http://mynaturalhair.wordpress.com/

UPDATE DECEMBER 24, 2008- I’ve been reading down through some of the posts and I do really like this blog.  This young lady has gone natural within 2008 (maybe around May/June??), so it’s nice to read through her experimentation and resources/sites she’s tried.  I might set up an RSS feed for her, but definitely worth swinging by.

I just ran across this conference online that has now past after clicking a link on Diary of a Content Black Woman‘s blog (formerly called Why Black Women Are Angry), and it seemed like something I would have considered attending.  It was July 25-27, 2008 in Atlanta.

Did anyone attend?  If so, do you mind posting a comment with your thoughts?  Was it worthwhile?

If I hear good things, I’ll make plans to attend next year.

Here’s a link to the conferenece page- http://bloggingwhilebrown.com/index.html

Ya, I bet your company had a brochure with a picture like this on the front of it with lots of words like “diversity,” “inclusion,” and “value” in it.

They were at your NSBE conferences, NBMBAA conferences, all smiles, shiny displays, the best giveaways.

You were hooked, weren’t you?

Gym onsite. Nice walking path around the building with picnic benches and maybe a little pond with a fountain.

State of the art applies to every aspect of your work experience, right?

Then your first reality check hits you and your diversity utopia, comes crumbling down like a thunderstorm on what was a beautiful day.

I don’t generally like to use this blog for me, me, me stories but I’ve got to share this with you. After a work meeting the other day, a few of us were hanging around and the subject of politics came up. Generally, that’s my cue to head for the door especially when we do have a black man running for president. I just don’t want to be around for some shit that’s gonna piss me off. Well, I was trying to finish my green tea and stuck I was.

…and then it happened….

The lady sitting right next to me found her only contribution to the conversation, “I don’t know. I’m just don’t like to vote for a president whose middle name is Hussein.”

A few people didn’t catch it (or maybe couldn’t believe their ears) and asked her to repeat it…several times, to which she did obligingly.

Shit! I just was not in the mood for getting pissed off or having to school anyone. I’ve already been tagged the angry black woman. Besides, I was chillin’, sippin’ my green tea y’all!

So, to my rescue comes a West Point grad who has traveled the world with the military and speaks a cazillion languages. The white guy who on the surface would appear like someone who would embody entitlement, but I find him intriguing. He’s well read and always brings depth to the conversation.

I went into childlike mode, literally covering my ears after she first said it and yelling (literally), “la la la la la la, I don’t want to hear this.” She still chose to repeat herself, again and again, sitting right next to me.

So Mr. West Point replies, “Well, that’s racist,” and I look at him with a thank you in my eyes for him being the one to call that out.

The rest of the room did what most people do which annoys me, try to throw a bath mat over the giant elephant of a comment by weighing in on their more “sound” political stances. One even tried to make me “feel better” by saying, “Well, I think it’s time.”

Like someone set some appointment on their Outlook calendar and they just got their 15 minute alert saying, “Remember that appointment you made to vote for a black president? Well, your time is now.”

WTF????

The Hussein-phobe eventually closed her argument with what she felt was a light hearted joke, “I guess there are ignorant people out there like me,” with a smile almost smurkish in nature.

Now for some history (this is the bonus track. you can move on with your reading of other web frivolity or read some more.)

I have been telling my husband that this lady never speaks to me and we work so closely together. She literally just doesn’t say anything to me, unless she absolutely must utter a word. I even approached her a few months back saying that I’d like to talk sometime because I feel like perhaps I’ve rubbed her the wrong way and I’d like to know what is concerning her. You know how women get (and I am a woman). They find one random thing to not like and hold onto it and justify it ’til kingdom come.

I never went back to her to talk about our rapport. I get enough of a lashing for being so vocal at work that I didn’t want to invite another opportunity. My husband immediately said she’s racist just based on the fact that she wouldn’t talk to me, but I didn’t want to believe it. You know, I’m the dreamer. A Pisces. Everything is rainbows and butterflies, but I have a tender heart and I just couldn’t bear another dose of that bitter pill that is corporate America.

Of course, I tell my husband the Hussein story and he gives me the, “I told you so.” I’m just so over it. I rejoined corporate America after going to grad school and having had my own business (that paid way more but just wasn’t fulfilling) and will likely return to my own gig (maybe this blogging will pop off) or get with another entrepreneur and work something on a smaller scale.

Not that this sole comment has tipped me over, it just comes at a time where I’m weary of all the bullshit that comes with corporate America.

Stupid racist mutha fuckas! (aaah! that felt good. and i can say it because it’s my garsh darn blog!)

p.s. you should do a google image search on “angry black woman.” the results are entertaining and actually might make you an “angry black woman” after you scroll through a few pages and see how many times Michelle Obama’s photo comes up.