Who Wants to be a....Model?

Tyra Banks has, with a handfull of producers and "celebrities", ruined a generation of beautiful women. Ok, that statment is a bit much, but with the success of her "America's Next Top Model", a good amount of the "pretty girls" in the world have determined that they are "destined" for modeldom. What's worse is, she has also brainwashed the "not so cute" and even "downright ugly" girls that that awkward feature on their face, or their face in general, is the new "it", causing thousands upon thousands of girls to really think that "All of my life, I wanted to be a model!". Sorry lil homie. This "remembrance" has been planted, and your chances are slim.

It is rare that you visit a social networking site such as Facebook or Twitter, or Myspace, whatever the kids are using these days, without running into a "model". Some are very pretty girls, with a lot of potentital potential. And some are not. Model is the female version of a rapper. By this, I mean its that job that when you ask what someones profession is and they answer you seriously, you more than likely:

1. Say, "Oh, ok."
2. Shake your head in disbelief/nod as though you get it
3. Laugh
4. Say, "Are you serious?"
   or
   
5. All of the above.

Before you are, by myself and most others, to be considered as a "real" model, there are some things you should have in your possession or on your person.

Just becasue someone has called you pretty does not mean you have the potential to be a model.  Just becase someone, with no professional training in model talent, tells you you should be a model, does no mean you have the potential to model.  If you have what it takes, and you do plan to invest your time, energy, money, and life into this, then go for it.  But if you are just another pretty face, think of other ways to model.  Be a model citizen. Do good in your community and not jsut for the sake of being noticed.  Exhibit model behavior- let what you say portray the person you really feel you should be.  Become a role model-Our youth are quickly becoming corrupted as what is seen on tv and heard on radio is being taken as reality and what life is all about. 

Its been a long, long time coming

Been back a full year now. All of my enlightenment is now Americanized, all over again. Always a sense of urgency, always a need to connect, to reach out. For this, I miss Korea. I'm sure a lot of people feel like I am further away now then I was when I was in Korea, and I know some take it personally. I guess with the distance, people didn't EXPECT to hear from me, so when they did, it was a treat...Now that I am back, it is an expectation that iCommunicate. And iTry. More often, tho, I forget. or just don't feel like it...and since when is that a crime? I don't think it is, but don't forget...its a two way 5 lane superhighway. Sometimes there are things that slow down traffic, but there are still 4 other lanes to switch to. Or you can take the exit on the right =)

Anyway, I was bored, so I decided to put together clothes I already have and probably dont wear into some type of wearable something. Havent been much into writing lately, or drawing...but this was a fun time filler =) L hate shorts, fyi. And i love long sleeves and pants, even in summer. And leopard print. Sue me. 

A Stylish look on "fashion"

A few weeks ago, I was helping a great friend of mine edit a personal letter for a potential internship opportunity. Needless to say, since we both were not sure of what exactly the job entailed beyond the "key words", the position fell through. The positive in that negative? This posting.

We were writing about fashion, her experience with it, her related work history in the area, and how she personally felt about fashion. She came to the conclusion that fashion, to her, is the "way you present yourself to the world," which can have both positive and negative connotations. The way in which I prefer to "present myself" comes mostly through my voice and my words, I could care less about my fashion. And that's where we differ.  We both agree in presentation; what is presented is just up for grabs.  While my words may (in public) benefit from my "fashion" choices, her fashion could benefit from her words.

So here are my words on fashion- It is NOT style. People seem to get confused between the two, and it could be easy misconstrued. Fashion is, generally speaking, "The make or form of something; The prevailing style." In other words, fashion is popular clothing. Sort of.

Style, however, is, "A mode of address; one characteristic of the individual."  While they are similar in "definition" as fashion is defined with style, "real life" people seem to have trouble making style out of fashion.

As my friend stated, "fashion is how you present yourself to the world." We all wear clothes, we generally purchase from stores and shops, thus we participate in fashion, and present ourselves to the world with what the world presents us with.

But my friend is not just fashionable. She is stylish. She is one of those people who (we all know at least one) can buy very regular things and fit them to her personality, changing the average into the extraordinary.  She can also take pieces that would generally get gawks and receive oohs and ahhs due to her pairing.  She is into fashion, that is her thing, and due to her understanding of both the clothing and herself, she is able to present herself as stylish.

Fashion should be worn, style should be tailored, and that is where a large majority seems to have an issue. Let me clarify this point: I am not anti-fashion or anti-trend. I am, however, "anti-poser".  A poser, in my personal definition, is someone who always has on the newest trends, yet their personal style is nonexistent. The poser's style does speak to who they are. Just as the words on this page say "blah blah blah", your style choices speak.  And generally, a poser says, "I tried too hard."

When you go out on a regular day and you see that girl in the 5 inch heels, ripped leggings and leather, looking like lil 'Rih Rih's "mortal" incarnate, you may think, "wow she looks nice," but most will think, "Wow, she tried too hard," and that is because yesterday her swag was on 5, now its on 'Ye status. I'm all for good and bad days, but if you had to think too much or had to look at a picture too many times for "inspiration", you aren't "tailored", you are store bought, and thus, a poser.

You know the stylish when you see them. Don't get that confused, either, with the person on campus who is always fresh. Its easy to be fresh if you buy new things, it is not as easy to be stylish. If you are trending just to trend, the world can tell. There is no "personal" in the statement; its like asking someone else (who doesn't know you) to write a personal statement for some type of an application. It may just pass, but it doesn't show who you are, and isn't an accurate representation of the real you.

Fashion should be personal. This generates style. You ever wonder why there are those people who can wear the same shirt every day and no one really notices/cares and they still remain in the "in crowd"? Its because that is who they ARE, it is truly how they FEEL about what is going on in their life and around them. More than likely, they are happy with themselves and don't feel the need to broadcast it on a "superficial" level (I'm not saying that an interest in fashion is superficial, pretending to have an interest in fashion is).

I fall in the median on this one; I wont wear the same clothes in a week, but I won't buy something and never wear it again.  I don't always match (One of my fave "outfits"to wear is a neon yellow and purple striped shirt with a gray vest, teal earrings, pink scarf, leggings and Uggs), but sometimes I will.  I don't always "dress up", but when I do, I wear what I want to, and look good in it.  I do buy "trendy" things.  I own leggings and Ugg boots, and on occasion I wear them together.  And guess what?  When the "trend" is over, I will STILL wear leggings and Ugg boots.  Will I still be fashionable? No, not really.  Will I be comfortable? Yes, I will. And that's MY style.

If fashion is your thing, let it be your thing.  But if you only copy and paste, if you only repeat and mimic, you are screaming "I try too hard," or "I want to fit in".  And we hear you, loud and clear.  Wear what you want to, your confidence is seen over your outerwear.  Confidence is the only thing that is ever really in style, anyway.

And if you ARE interested in some stylish things, from a stylish individual, try visiting my friend Italo's site:Urban Takeout
...completely the opposite of a poser, and thus, super acceptable for your viewing pleasure. =)

My favorite lupe songs, in order.

So here is MY list of favorites, though there are soooo many to choose from.  The reason for this posting is threefold. First, I was asked what my favorites were by a friend, second, I didn't feel like explaining over and over again to others, and third, well, I was in a Lupe music-type mood. Included for each song is my favorite line or simple analysis of the song, maybe both. Feel free to disagree, but I feel that these selections show both the creativity and complexity that Lupe delivers, but also the variations in style that make him my favorite, and possibly one of the best. Hes in my top 3 =)

1. The Coolest (The Cool)
1. This is the song that made me first LISTEN to Lupe.  Before this, I heard, I didnt listen. The one line that made me into a fan of his poetic form was
1. And if the rain stops/and everything's dry/she would cry/just so I can drink/the tears from her eyes. (This line is also an analysis of the "streets" or the hood-when there are issues in the community, people drink their issues away, as the "Streets" cries Hennessy...)
   
2. From a purely poetic standpoint, it was one of the best lines I had ever heard. Then going into more detail, I learned that this song was one of the narrative focal points of the CD The Cool. It breaks down into the stories of 3 characters, The Cool/Michael Young History, The Streets, and The Game.
3. Here are the "Bios" of each character, taken from the Website. Once you understand this, it opens up the second and third wave of metaphorical prose:
4. Michael Young History
   Born: March 2006
   Birthplace: Every Hood, USA
   
   Biography: Since his early childhood days, Michael Young History was conflicted. Raised by a single, hard-working mother, History never really knew his father, a man who abandoned both History and his baby sister. This lack of paternal guidance turned an otherwise intelligent, promising boy into a drug-selling, money-grubbing Scarface-wannabe. Starting off as merely a petty crook, History’s torrid affair with his mentor’s (Game) wife, The Streets, sent him on a downward spiral of greed, deception, and, ultimately, death.
   
   Cool Point
   - An unabashed atheist, History anointed his own “holy trinity”—himself, Streets and The Cool.
   
   The Cool
   Resurrected: Amongst the undead since September 2006
   Birthplace: Six feet under the Earth’s surface
   
   Biography: The Cool is the physical manifestation of History’s debt to humanity. Payback for every user abused and every family torn apart by History, The Cool walks amongst the living as a zombie. “He” – that term used lightly, considering The Cool isn’t human – reeks of death, an ironic contrast to his polished three-piece-suit appearance. Searching for his purpose, The Cool haunts The Streets.
   
   Cool Points
   - His only possessions—two diamond earrings, a gold chain, and a letter from History’s eight-year-old sister.
   - Despite the long-finished settling of rigor mortis, the sharp sensation of three bullets constantly causes aching in The Cool.
   - Only one thought plays in his head like a broken record – “Hustler for death, no heaven for a gangster.”
   
   The Game
   Born: Given life the moment the snake suckered Adam and Eve
   Birthplace: The Garden of Eden
   
   Biography: An immortal, soulless entity, The Game scours city blocks and country landscapes with equal menace. Scheming from morning until night, he changes targets like the wind – hustlers, politicians, celebrities, and impressionable youth have all succumbed to his charms. His most valued accomplice is his wife, The Streets. Together, this “Bonnie and Clyde” duo have affected the lives of every man, woman, and child. The victim closest to their affections, however, was Michael Young History, a tortured man seeking acceptance through fame and fortune. Of course, nothing from The Game comes without a price.
   
   Cool Points
   - Quite convincing, his foolproof method of touching minds is through blunt fingertips.
   - Through his wire-tapped ears, he’s able to hear the approaching of any enemy.
   - When not hovering over common society, he lives behind bars, plotting ways to see his son, Heroine, and secretly conversing with his marital lover, The Streets.
   - Despite carrying out such heartless actions, The Game does have a blood-pumping system – an amplified system pumping beats through woofer-like veins.
   
   The Streets
   Born: Conceived thousands of years ago, when the first paths and roads were paved.
   Birthplace: Unknown
   
   Biography: A temptress like none other, The Streets possesses an uncanny knack for seduction and betrayal. An equal opportunity heartbreaker, she exudes an allure irresistible to both men and women. Some have accused her of pedophilia, having lured people into her tangled web at ages as immature as eight years old. The word “love” isn’t in her vocabulary –although The Game is her admitted soulmate. Yet, The Streets has always felt a peculiarly strong connection with Michael Young History.
   
   Cool Points
   - Often referred to by her condemners as a “demon in a dress.”
   - No stranger to loss, she’s tattooed the names of her murdered ex-boyfriends across her breasts.
   - Her ambitions are clear upon eye contact, with dollar signs in the place of her pupils.
   - Witnesses to History’s slaying reported seeing brown, almost Hennessy-colored tears roll down The Streets.
   
   
   
   

   Source(s):

   http://childrebelsoldier.wordpress.com/2007/11/13/lupe-fiasco%E2%80%99s-the-cool-cast-of-characters/
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
5. Even further after this, each character is, in themselves, a personification of the literal "streets" the literal "game" and the literal essence of what is perceived as "cool"; as he uses their name, he is telling the story of life in the streets, the struggles that are fought against every day, and how difficult it is to break the "love triangle" of the 3(while weaving a song with 3 layers). Whew. That was the hard one...there is still much more to say, buuut the fun in listening is finding your own ears =)
   
2. Real (Food and Liquor)
1. "Life/aint meant to come around twice/yeah, that's why I/gotta get it right/they said I got it honest/now i gotta give it light/but sleep on it/thats why God give you night/I mean I had a dream that God gave me flight/too fly for my own good/so God gave me plight..."
2. Some of the realest, most simply complex words spoken.
   
3. Switch
1. This song basically displays the versitility that I love =)
2. "You you you, yes let the words woo you/Till you woozy/ Let the lyrics subdue you/Massage and sooth you/Move you till conscience/lose you/Lu now rules you/ You do what Lu do and/you'll do beautiful/Switch"
4. Clean (Dont know what its really called or where its from)
1. "Its more than just rhyming/I'm doin bout nine things..." "And this ain't fair/I'm barely on my lean, homie/or puttin my all into it like a washing machine homie/double loader/you just watchin me clean, homie/wait til i start doing dirt/ oops i spilled some 1st and 15 on it/and that stain mane."
   
5. Mean and Vicious (Fahrenheit 1/15:Revenge of the Nerds)
1. Truthfully I have trouble with second verses/Cause the first one be so intimidating/It'd be bullying and picking on it instigating/Pointing out all the second ones limitations/Like you ain't nothing but an imitation 
6. Jedi Mind Tricks (Fahrenheit 1/15:Revenge of the Nerds)
1. Plus if they get caught how you gonna keep your heart fatigue/The hustler's diet/is the enemy of health/give you heart disease (uh)/Arteries hard but it's hard to leave the bread alone/Aren't we hard headed/headed for harm/but don't threat it home/ From the twist tied to the butt/We be rippin' it up 
7. The Cool (Food and Liquor)
1. This is the first time we meet Michael Young, and witness his "resurrection" as the cool. 
2. "He used his mouth as a shovel to try and hollow it/and when he couldn't dirt spit/he swallowed it/ working like a/reverse archeologist/except/his burred treasure was sunshine/so when some shine through a hole/that he had drove/it reflected of the gold/and almost made son blind"
1. While again, you can feel the literal story of a man digging out of the grave, look deeper into the wordplay as well as the symbolism =)
   
8. Popular Demand (Enemy of the State)
1. "No, you ain't ready for the heavy/so I'll keep it light as jogging gear/I don't want the throne/i want the helicopter rocking chair/Jay gave me a co-sign like i was RocaWear/but be clear/I am not the heir(air)/I'm the water/fire/and earth/that means I'm doing dirt/spitting flames/and quenching thirsts/and plus the REAL God has been on my side/since birth
   
9. The National Anthem (Enemy of the State Mixtape)
   
1. "School of hard knocks, I dean it/I done it/as well as a celebrated alumnus/I donate to the campus/and my names on the arenas/but you cant bring it to my court/not even with subpoenas/cause you cant play my sport/but you can still cheerlead us/and you cant sit there/that sections for the seniors/and the sexy senoritas so just move up to the bleachers/how you gonna school me when/I grew up with your teachers"
2. "How you gonna make hip-hop/without all the ingredients?/a lot of mouths to feed/plus a lot of greediness/and all that greed/outshines the neediness."
3. The sad part is, there is sooo many more DECENT lines, I almost typed out the whole thing lol.
   
10. WGCI freestyle
1.  The whole thing is on lol, not gonna type a verse since its only like a minute long
   
11. I Gotcha (Food and Liquor)
1. "Have my mind movin faster/than that hog in the hedges/welcome all of yall/to my dark recesses/this is where I keep the bars/like bathtub edges/my Ivories and my Doves/My Levers and my Zest's/it takes half of your bubble bath/to match the freshness"
12. Comin from Where I'm From(Fahrenheit 1/15 Part 1)
    
1. "But, but it's beautiful here/There's nothing like the feeling when you do it from here/You ain't have to move or pack/You ain't have to shoot a gat/And you still took your mama/And you moved her from here/You ain't dropped out when we figured the world out/Can survive without any will/Learn to do it in here"
13. I Dont Feel So Good (Fahrenheit 1/15 Part 3: A Rhyming Ape)
1. When that bullet came through a wall, did she feel it?/When he stopped and he dropped when he died, did he feel it?/When his momma closed his eyes, did he feel it?/When she couldn't take the pain, did she feel it?/When the dope flows through her veins, does she feel it?/When she took off all her clothes, did she feel it?/When she slid down that pole, did she feel it?
   
14. Outty 5000(Fahrenheit 1/15:Revenge of the Nerds)
1. "His flow is like the Klu Klux versus the Panthers/Hahaaaaaaaa!/Hit the track like a heart attack/Cancer cancer/boogie man on the mic/ and the band of Santas/and the easter bunny/is the back up dancer/They faintin in the stands/gotta fan the fans uh/Panties on the stage/and the pampers are grandmas/cuz they love the way that I/pamper the grammar"
   
15. Yoga Flame (Enemy of the State Mixtape)
1. "Melt the change and make a ring/take that ring and make a bracelet/take a bracelet make a chain/Look how far my necklace hang/connect that chain up to a crane/pull the game up/by the brains/could not move it just with brains/so I had to use some bling."
   
16. Put You on Game
1. This is an installment of the "mind" of The Game.  It could also be understood and evil or the Devil. Scares the crap out of me, but at the same time, its too real and makes perfect sense from an ignored perspective.
2. "I taught them better than that/i taught them aim for the head/and hope they never come back/I'm glad your daddy's gone, baby/hope he never comes back/I hope hes with your mother/with my hustlers/high in my trap."
   
17. Swang on Em (Bun B)
1. I came from the left/but I'm downright fresh/Speak on/how you on a song Bun B on/Complete 180 how crazy-ass/he gone/How strong is the brand of D that he on?/How come he do what he want/and never do what we want?/I'm Rick James, in this game/There's a wide leather couch for me to plant my feet on
2. Gotta love the style switch as well as the cockiness showing that he CAN be that dude, he just does what he wants first.
   
18. A Bathing Harry (Catch me I'm ballin) (Fahrenheit 1/15 Part 3: A Rhyming Ape)
    
1. "The word play is work but pimping is easy/So catch me I'm balling/I'm sick too if you ain't catch me like coughing/Back when I said you should catch me like Rawlings/It's cool, cause most cats that I bump into can't catch me that often"
   
19. Theme Music to a Drive By
1. "since a lil nigga hang/ with the killers and distributors of cane/they dismemberers of swishas then refill it with the jane/then they tilt it and they lit with a flame/then they took a pull of killer to the brain like (inhale noise) ah"
2. "Cuz I can't feel a field nigga chains/though I covet mine, so I covered mine in bling/then I bumped into a bum and covered mine in shame/then I bumped into a hun and uncovered mine again (uh)"
20. Conflict Diamonds(Fahrenheit 1/15:Revenge of the Nerds)
1. Didnt have a clue that the rapper was helping the rapers/raiders of the villagers/pillagers of the schools/Shooters of the innocent/torturers of the witnesses/burners of the businesses/And my bracelet was the fuel/Uhh, i aint pushing an agenda homie/Im just pushing the facts/Fuck Bush/Cuz theres people doin worse on this earth/and they're black/I took it there/now let me bring it back
   
21. And He Gets the Girl(Fahrenheit 1/15:Revenge of the Nerds)
1. "We ain't in the same crowd/Always see you with the hoopers/But we got the same lunch/You might see me with the cooler/That's cause I don't eat pork/You can never be sure of"
2. The love story-Nerd style
   
22. The Instrumental
1.  "Everything he sees/he absorbs and adopts it/he mimics and he mocks it/really hates the box/but cant remember how to stop it"
   
2. The media takes over your mind, and you dont even realize it. When you try to stop it, you ant remember what life was like without it. In addtion, since media is EVERYWHERE, you repeat what you believe to be factual and true, thus "Never lies" because YOU never have an original idea or thought (never said anything at all)
   
23. Gotta Eat (The Cool)
    
1. "Lovers call em King/Haters call em clown/he would say bite me/that's the way its goin down"
2. The GREAT part about this song is its duplicity, like so many other songs on the Cool. The overall theme of the song is a dealer who "gotta eat" as in make his money, his "bread" or "cheese", which is the first metaphor. But the deeper meaning, or possibly more obvious meaning once you "hear" it, is that the community kills its itself, though eating fast foods and things that clog us up instead of clean us out.  
3. The King and the clown- Burger King, Ronald McDonald.
4. The chorus also gives into the concept of the character of "The Streets", not only meaning the streets as in the hood life, but the character of the streets.
   
24. Sittin Sideways- 
1. "Hanging hat, banging sack, slanging with guns on/ Forced to drop the forks or you gotta run home/Or you gotta run anyway after you drop the folks/ 'Cause they was really folks looking for somebody to jump on"... 
2. "I seen 'em brawl for it/ right on the wall for it/ Get kicked out the mall for it/run from the law for it/See things they should've never saw for it/ Long as it's all well/ almighty/alrighty/ they all for it, uh.

Honorable mention
Fire
Diamond in the Back

The Champ is Here

Lupe the Killer(Fahrenheit 1/15:Revenge of the Nerds)
Coulda Been 
Intruder Alert  
I'm Coming
Sunshine
GEEZ EVERYTHING lol. And I am probably missing one of my faves in the main list, ugh. Too much great ish!
But, comment, add, lemme know what you think!

My #in2010 list Via Twitter

1. #in2010 dont let anyone tell you what you cant do. Because you can. If they tell you otherwise, tell THEM to #kickboulders
2. #in2010 realize what you have and be grateful. Some have 2choose betwn water to drink and water to bathe in. Others dont get a choice at all
3. #in2010 lets focus on PERSPECTIVES. Look at others', share your own, change them up, see the world a new way.
   
4. #in2010 growth is the goal. Be better than you were yesterday..In 365 days, thats almost a new you!
   
5. #in2010 love.yourself.first. People say it all the time, but until you GET it, you dont get it!   
   
6. #in2010 dont hold ur tongue 4people who are "mportant", be it teachers, peers, whomever. They got there through speaking up, not backing dwn
7. #in2010 dont be influenced by people with no influence. 
8. #in2010 learn who is IN your corner and not just standing on it, begging for change. #imjustsayi  
   
9. #in2010 learn who is IN your corner and not just standing on it, begging for change. #imjustsayin
10. #in2010 dont give up what you have to get back what you HAD. If you needed it, you would still HAVE it.
11. #in2010 learn the secret to life-You cant TRY to get it right, just walk YOUR walk in the right direction, your path will be guided.
12. #in2010 write down your thoughts, visions, and dreams, and watch your seeds grow! Twitter was a thought, and here we are. #imjustsayin  
13. #in2010 me and @measha_meash realized that common sense is overrated. We got that special sense, and will use it. Who wants COMMON? Not I
14. #in2010 lets save money instead of spending it on bull. the key is to buy PIECES that are TIMELESS not what is a FAD  
    
15. #in2010 lets not speak about others choices until ours are better LOL
    
16. #in2010 dont settle for the regular, you are worth the Spectacular!!! (not extraordinary, thats extra ordinary =)
    
17. #in2010 set a routine that you can stick to, of the things you should do. Takes 3 weeks to make it part of your norm =)
    
18. #in2010 I am going to smile more. Dont be mad when ya boo tries to jump on LOL Jusssst kidding LOL  
    
19. #in2010 im going to balance the line between being real and being mean. (people really tell me im mean! LOL)
20. #in2010 lets start from scratch. If the person you want 2start over with wont, make new cookies, that old batter was #sour and #probablyugly 
21. #in2010 lets know that racism still exists,but not blame everything on it. You were being "ignant" thats why that white man looked like tht
22. #in2010 I want to figure out how Im going to be ON...who is with me? Maybe I'll take @oprah 's spot... LOL
23. #in2010 realize that your parents were are age when they had us. Lets try not to blame them too much LOL
24. #in2010 lets be creative. We all have talent, the key is to find it. You are better at some things than you probably thought, just TRY
25. #in2010 lets not live our lives or define ourselves through people who are defined by others. I.E. 5star chicks and Barbies. Just saying
26. #in2010 connect with your God. Mine is Jesus, yours may be someone else. No one is perfect. God forgives.
27. #in2010 dont try to be noticed, people notice you for better reasons that way. =)
28. #in2010 do things for YOU. Cant stress that enough. You WILL NOT BE happy if all you do is for others.
29. #in2010 realize that some people give what they can; if its not enough, it will never be. Find someone with more, dont feel guilty4 leavin
30. #in2010 if you did wrong, take the blame. Own up to it, then people will have nothing to say to you about it.
31. #in2010 lets not blame others all the time. Yeah, sometimes its their fault, but you TELLING them wont make them understand
32. #in2010 reconnect with the people who mean something to you. And if they dont, let dead dogs lie. Know when to release and when to hold on.
33. #in2010 see people for who they are. Who they show u could very well b all there is 2 it. On the flip side, help someone see who they can b
34. #in2010 speak your mind, as long as your words are "hear"-worthy.
35. #in2010 FIND A CAUSE YOU CARE ABOUT AND DO SOMETHING POSITIVE. Everyone doesnt have to know what you do, it could just be helping a friend
36. #in2010 dont stress over ANYTHING. That just takes your focus away. Take a breath, count to 3, and get back on the grind.
37. #in2010 make an effort to see someone elses points. Even idiots make sense sometimes, the secret is to catch it.. =)
38. #n2010 realize that much of what u are interested in has been ingrained into u by someone else. Try circles, not squares (step out the box)
39. #in2010 listen to music that really makes you FEEL something, not just what people put our for you to listen.
40. #in2010 @lupefiasco should really follow me, the rest of u should buy #lasers when it comes out. And get on #japanesecartoon #shamelessplug 
41. #in2010 we are starting a new DECADE. this is the ONLY 2010 EVER. Every day is the ONLY day of its kind. Do something with it!
42. #in2010 be the person to others that you want them to be to you. Even tho Im rude, Yall know I will give you my last =) LOL
43. #in2010 do something 4some1else. The smallest things can make the BIGGEST difference.Think of something some1 has done4u. You smiled, right?
44. #in2010 dont underestimate yourself. You CAN do it, people WILL support you. but if you dont see your own potential, why should we? 
45. #in2010 lets make a conscious effort not to jusge.I am the queen of it at times, Im also a work in progress. Thats why progress is a process
46. #in2010 run, dont jog. You will finish faster, and burn off that dead weight. Procrastination is past tense LOL, or #2009
47. #in2010 be grateful for what you have. We all have bad days, some people have bad lives.
48. #in2010 make yourself a disease, but spread something that someone else needs.
49. #in2010 get tested, and often. We need to get our health together, yall.
50. #in2010 find some way to better yourself.
51. #in2010 let go of how others have wronged you, even if it seems like its better to hold it over their head. The cloud rains on you too
52. #in2010 do that one thing you always wanted to. Take a risk. the worst that can happen is you dont make it, but u can never say u didnt try
53. #in2010 if you dont like something about someone else, remove YOURSELF from the situation, they are doing them, you dont have to watch.
54. #in2010 if you dont like something about yourself, change it (as long as the change is for YOU)
55. #in2010 lets let go of the word "Hating" because most likely, thats not hating, thats truth telling, get some balls and #kickboulders
56. #in2010 know that nothing is guaranteed, so make sure you are where you want to be, you CAN guarantee YOUR quality
57. #in2010 realize that tho your parents made you, they dont MAKE you. Be who you want to be, follow your OWN path
58. #in2010 dont test me just because I said we are 2old 2throw. There are exceptions..I got video of who you NOT tryin 2see, I.E. Me. #jussayin  
59. #in2010 please dont think that that ass wont get tagged because I #liveinthesuburbs. You better be lucky im grown and think we 2old 2throw.
60. #in2010 all those "friends" who stay talking ish and bringing up old shit will be left behind. RUNTELLDAT! #youaresosimple and prob #ugly.
61. #in2010 I'll admit it-time changes people and wounds can heal, if you stay trying to open them, #fork you and get a life. #thatmeansurwhack
62. #in2010 Ill admit it, I had low self esteem and did things I shouldnt have, but guess what? I grew up and appreciate myself. #kickboulders
63. #in2010 dont change who you are for anyone but you. But we do know who fakes it in the first place, so you, YEAH YOU.. You should change
64. #in2010 cater to your men, dont just expect them to give you what you want without giving them what they need. Its better that way!
65. #in2010 I'm in love. So what? I got a heart LOL
66. #in2010 lets think internationally. There is NOTHING that you cant do, but only if your drive and focus matches your desires
67. #in2010 if you are a college grad, lets act accordingly. Meaning of age, for the not-grads as well
68. #in2010 lets be us, and not Minajes, Beyonces, and other people that are ON. Be you to get on, (tho many of them have copied and pasted)
69. #in2010 if you rock a weave and people know its a weave, lets #tryagain . I love me some tracks, but lets BLEND boo.
70. #in2010 lets call a spade a spade. Get mad if you want to, but, um, not too much you can do about it... #kickboulders 
71. #in2010 please know that if you are GREEK, (some of whom I love) dont think you are better than anyone or feel as tho people should jock you
72. #in2010 lets not rely on other people to validate your sense of self worth. Or 2make u think u are worth more than you are
73. #in2010 please realize that u aren't THAT cute.There r people lesser nd greater than yourself, please dont make me punch you of the pedestal
74. #in2010 let go of dead weight, in your mind, body, or relationships. But not just becasue its 2010, because its BETTER for you.
75. #in2010 friends should be friends, others should #kickboulders. If you have a question ask it. If ur afraid to, leave it be or #kickboulders
76. #in2010 I will need people to stop living in the past. We make mistakes, we grow up, but dont put out others to make YOU feel better
77. #in2010 like me or dont. But dont smile in my face, I wont smile back. Look GOOFY if you want to, #chump
78. #in2010 I will come home 40 lbs lighter than I left. Dont jock me now. You got #nochance. #dontbejealous.
79. #in2010 I am going to begin my lifes purpose, please, dont b jealous. Its not becoming of you.(notice I dont say HATE. thats 4 the #simple)
80. #in2010 people will stop sleeping on me and ALL of my abilities. Anything you can do, I can do better. Trust me. I just LET you shine.
81. #in2010 i plan on moving upward while onward, we on an incline at a fast pace. #fork with me
82. #in2010 im not 1/2stepping or playing with kids. Im the nicest person youll know, or the worst person you could ever meet. which 1 is up 2u
83. #in2010 im putting niggas on blast. If you DM me stuff you are afraid to tweet, I WILL copy, post, and @ your name. This is a warning
84. #in2010 lets just be real and realize that if you back track u can get over it. Dont wait until 2011 to get it right, life is a process,
85. #in2010 I am going to be very honest with you. Take that how you will. If you thought I was bad before, wait til u c how i REALLY feel.
86. #in2010 learn a new word each day and see how many doors open for you. #simplebuttrue
87. #in2010 when you cant sleep, write. Whatever comes to mind. It doesnt have to make sense, but it trains your brain to think complexly.Trust. 

Death of the Auto-Hate

I think one person too many has told me someone was hating on them. Sadly the true meaning, as so many other words, has become convoluted with the advancement of the "cool kids" (blog coming soon). Use of the word hating has become an epidemic among the Black Youth (BY) of America, and is even spreading into the world of our elders (think of the word "bomb", commonly now used by the 40+ crowd). As soon as someone has a thought about you that is not suitable or to your liking, they are "hating". Your outfit was whack. "She was hating on me." Your weave texture and natural hair don't match. "She was hating on me." Your attitude is terrible and people don't like you. "They are hating on me." Please. There is not enough about you to make the majority "hate on" you. The definition of hate reads:

hate
  /heɪt/ [heyt], hat⋅ed, hat⋅ing, noun
–verb (used with object)
1. to dislike intensely or passionately; feel extreme aversion for or extreme hostility toward; detest: to hate the enemy; to hate bigotry.
2. to be unwilling; dislike: I hate to do it.
–verb (used without object)
3. to feel intense dislike, or extreme aversion or hostility.
–noun
4. intense dislike; extreme aversion or hostility.
5. the object of extreme aversion or hostility.

By these definitions, hate would be an adequate term if someone had an extreme dislike for YOU as a person. While this definition does not give a REASON for "hate" it gives life to what the term means.

Use of the term in music as given it more of a "validity" such as Jill Scott's "Hate on Me" or to Maino's "Hi Haters" as well as a plethora of other songs. And just as these two artists vary drastically in delivery, they reach different audiences that now justify other peoples negative opinions as "hating". While I am all for people doing their own thing, (If you like it, I love it) that does not mean that if you do something against the "accepted norm" that people will have to, or will try to, accept said actions.

If you like plaid leggings and striped shirts with a polka dot skirt and a zig zag belt, do you. But please believe, that person who looks at you crazy is NOT hating. While maybe they don't understand your personality and/or desire to be different, are they so wrong for looking at you because you fall out of the realm of the acceptable norm(Again, I dislike the fact that there is an "acceptable norm", but such is life)? Your "hater" does not hate you, they don't dislike you, because they don't know you. And if they do know you, they may just be like, "WTH are you wearing?" . Does that mean that they (and everyone else who WILL look at you like a spectacle [because you ARE a spectacle]) are hating? Absolutely not.

People who have "Haters" have some form of inner hatred or disdain for themselves. It is apparent due to the fact that they paid soooo much attention to what that "hater" had to say, and then TOLD everyone that they had a hater. Why would they do this? Because they want someone to validate their outfit. Or beauty. Or attitude. And as good friends, we do that. "Yeah, girl, they were hating." Because the next step in that is our friend with the "hater" telling us "But she got some nerve, did you see her _________?" displacing her negative self image with the image of some other person's ______________.

Positive self image is a beautiful thing. We come in all shapes, sizes, colors, and flavors and if you love yourself, there really isn't too much anyone else can tell you to take away that feeling. This does not mean that others will join you in your celebration of self, and they are entitled to their opinions. It would be great to live in a perfect world with people who only paid attention to their own self, but that place is not here on planet Earth. I will say this- people who are happier with themselves will be much less likely to call someone a hater, BECAUSE they could care less what another person has to say about what THEY decide to do with themselves. THIS is how it should be.

"Hate", though the real definition makes it one of the ugliest words around, has become a euphemism for "jealousy". Yeah I said it. "Hate" is "Jealousy" dumbed down. Think of it this way. Say Lilly (a fictional character whom everyone deems nice, beautiful, intelligent, nice family i.e. the perfect person)accidentally looks at you with shock as you walk by with your plaid leggings, polka dot skirt, zig zagged belt and striped shirt. And you, and all of your patterned glory, just so happen to catch her glimpse. Is "Lilly" jealous of you? Of course not, because Lilly is pretty close to perfection.

You would not run back to your friends and say "Lilly is jealous of me," because everyone knows perfectly kind, pretty, and popular 'Lilly' would not be jealous of you. If you said "Lilly is hating on me," your friends would be like, "yeah girl, she is, I saw her one drooping curl," just to validate you (and potentially the fact that they are your friend). While Lilly does not exist, and no one person is perfect, people who really think someone is hating, in my experience, use the word jealousy, and that is because they are set with themselves and their behaviors and cannot understand why that other person does not like them. The definition of jealousy:
jeal⋅ous⋅y
jel-uh-see
–noun, plural -ous⋅ies for 4.
1. jealous resentment against a rival, a person enjoying success or advantage, etc., or against another's success or advantage itself.
2. mental uneasiness from suspicion or fear of rivalry, unfaithfulness, etc., as in love or aims.
3. vigilance in maintaining or guarding something.
4. a jealous feeling, disposition, state, or mood.

People with "haters" shy away from the use of jealousy, probably because in their inner most heart,they know the person is not envious of them. And if you have "haters" I dare you next time to say "She is jealous of me" instead of "She is hating on me" and see if it really makes sense to you. Be happy being you, do what makes you feel comfortable. But if you "fake feel" happy, or confident, it will show in other ways. Make sure that if you are chunky (as I am =) you wear something that doesn't draw attention to your flaws (if you feel as if these are flaws). Make sure that if you like weave (as I do =) that it is sewn in properly and blends well (if that is important to you).

My point is this- no one person is perfect, and other people just may point it out, but don't give them a reason to. Or just truly be completely happy with who you are, flaws and all. You will be surprised how quickly the "haters" melt away. This is just me pondering. Next stop, the cool kids.

P.S. If you don't like this train, hop off. =)

My Lifes Playlist

So this is really random, but my shuffle was hitting, and some songs came on that remind me of various individuals or occasions, and some people apparently have a lot of songs...Hee Hee

“Freeze”- T-Pain and Chris Brown reminds me of Courtney-We randomly had a “lifted” dancing session to this song and repeated it when Tarita came in the house. We were GETTTTTTING it. HARD

“Pop, lock, and drop it Remix”- MYKA AND TARITA! The cruise, and the picture of our “lady friend” which spontaneously caused the singing of “Uh HUH, uh huh- Uh uh, AAAH HA HA every single time we went to our cabin, for 7 days straight....

“Walking on the Moon”- Ab- Yo ass kept requesting this song, but I get it now, took a sec =)

“Poppin”- Chris Brown-Lionel- First time I heard the song was in the car with you, during the good old days LOL, and you kept it on repeat.

“Shake That”- Too short- Courtney- because of the little dance I know you will never forget LMAO.

“Hustlin”, Rick Ross- Lauren- Yo ass swore you were sayin hustlin, but you were saying Hustle-ING.

“Ms. New Booty”- Tarita “ It is a love song! Like, he REALLY loves her! He FOUND HER!” lol

“Winner”-Chris Brown- Erica and Christian -the good/bad LAR days- “i hear the DIIIING” oh, and “ooo-oo-oo-oo-oooooh, Yeeeahh.” Oh, and old man ass, old monkey ass, ...LOL

The whole Carter - Brit Lacey-Freshman year rides to my crib when parents were out of town, never gonna forget.

“White Tee”-Brit Lacey, Erica, Ryan- “He walk in his white tee” LOL

Whole Get Lifted John Legend album- Marlon- LMAO..wasnt a song in the bunch LOL.

Usher-”Burn”- Khandi, Drea, Tasha, Jazzy- The end of Senior year, random car adventures (and thefts) LOL

“I don't wanna know”-Mario Winans- Khandi- I CANNOT listen to that song without thinking about you...and how you would change the names up. LOL

“Love”- Kelly Rowland- Kylie- You made up a dance in 807 to this, and made me love the song. Bet you dont even remember!

“Money on my Mind” Lil Wayne- Marica, your rendition, changed to “bunny on my mind”. I still cant stand you for that LOL

“Damaged”-Danity Kane- Marcia and Phillip- Dancing in the truck, or something like that. I think y'all did it first, then showed me when I got in. Either way, y'all hit that! Ha.

“Helena”, My Chemical Romance, and Paramore, “Misery Business”- Marlon, the ONLY other person who vibes out like CRAZY when the song comes on.

TI-”What You Know About That”- Jeffie! I think y'all first “official” stroll after your not-a- probate-because-people-don

't-have-those was this, cuz I always think of you. Gotta be something!

“Sexy Back” Erica's 807 bathroom song LOL.

“Apologize” Alitra- Your beauti-full dance before you were crowned Miss Black and Gold =)

“Stingy” Ginuwine- Renoir- Your crazy jealous self lol...I dont even know if you remember singing this after I would get pissed at your for your insanity.

“4 page letter” Aaliyah- Tara, Stormie, Crystal- Sleep overs at Tara's house, you remember the dance? LOL throw way back to 4th grade, and I still “bounce” every time I hear it LOL.

“Like you” Bow Wow and Ciara- Kambium, Erica, Christian- “Iaintneverhadsomebodyshowmeallthethingsthatyouhaveshownmeandthespecialwayifeelwhenyouholdmewegonealwaysbetogethrbabythatswhatyoutoldme, and I believe it, cuz I aint never had nobody do me like YO ASS” lol. That, and “Kam, Bam Baaam” to the tune of Trey
Songz's “Girl, Tonight”. Erica and Chrissy had a ball with you Kam LOL.

“Cyclone” Baby Bash- DREA and your Cyclone dance! Oh boy, Hilarity! That and Ciare “Oh”. You know you need to be on Dance Crew! Alone! LOL.

Lupe Fiasco- Evan. That's how you became my child, Gotta love it.

Think that is all for now. I know Know KNOW I am forgetting some, but these I have heard recently! Some of the best times in life! Glad you were a part of it =)