R.I.P Guru

Doing Me

I haven't been blogging much because I've been super busy. I started my own business. It's very small but seems to be somewhat steady.

I'm currently working on my Mother's Day orders and decided to give folks a quick peek at what I'm working on.

I've started a blog for those wanting to sneak a peek in my workshop.  

"Nikki - Rosa"

"One Good Reason To Stay: A Poem For Phyllis Hyman"

They Tried To Silence My Voice, But This Year I Shall Be Heard

Voter Suppression. What comes to mind whenever you hear that term? For me, it conjures up the ghostly images of Jim Crow; burning crosses, attack dogs, and insane voting tests. For these "modern" times, I think of those voting machines that switch the vote.

I don't know why I expect the blatant signs. Even though I've grown up in the South where civilized folks express their "distaste" for certain people with genteel language. The "Southern Code" really does exist and only true sons and daughters of the South understand it.

So why was I surprised to realize that I've been a victim of voter suppression-like activity. I'm not saying it was intentional. But it does make one wonder.

Today was my first time voting...ever. Not that I haven't wanted to in the past. I just couldn't. I registered to vote for the first time November of 1996 at the DMV. For some strange reason I never received my Voter's Registration Card. I registered again at the DMV in 2000. Guess what, I never got my card. I tried registering online in 2002 and...didn't get a card. In 2003 my mother inquired about my card and discovered that the Board of Elections had my card. I never did find out why it was never mailed to me. But I at least had my card. I missed the 2004 election (I can't remember why I missed that election). Which brings me to this general election.

Keep in mind, I received my card in 2003*, this is a 2008 election. 5 years, 2nd general election.

Today I went in for the early vote. Proudly whipped out my 5 year old card anxiously awaiting my turn to vote when...I was told I wasn't in the system. My name had been "purged" from the system. Another lady asked me when was the last time I voted. I told her it was my first and then she was kind enough to inform me that people are purged when they miss two general elections. I looked at her and said "I didn't get my card until 2003. I've only missed one election." She gave me this blank look, and I started reaching for my cell phone, preparing to call three of those 800 numbers for voting problems.

Fortunately (for them) I didn't have to call anyone. They got me back in the system, and I voted. All in all it took about 25 minutes. After 10 years, I'd finally cast my vote.

I admit I am partly to blame, missing the 2004 election (I still can't remember why, but I'm sure it was a good reason). But I'm sure that most of the fault falls on the local election board. Why was I never mailed a card in 1996, 2000, or 2003? Normal protocol does not require one to go and personally pick up their registration card. What made me so different? I can understand how some things happen...but I slipped through the cracks three times. COUNT THEM! 1, 2, 3 Times. That can't be normal.

The fact that no one wanted to acknowledge that I'd only received my card in 2003. The woman waiting on me couldn't be bothered to say sorry for your trouble when she finally gave me a new card. Matter of fact, she acted as though it was my fault I'd been purged and was imposing on her for exercising my right to vote. That was more telling than the fact I'd been purged (after fighting for a registration card for eight years) and never notified.

I realized I learned a valuable lesson today as I walked back to the car from the Old Court House; trying to ignore the Confederate flags that adorn the Redneck Shop** right across the street. We're not where we used to be, but we sure have a long way to go.

* I was enrolled in college 1997-1999 (TX) and 2000-2003 (NC)
** The Redneck Shop is a Confederate Museum and Klan Memorabilia Store

Because It's Still Funny A Year Later

The reason most Black people don't go ghost hunting

"Numbers"

We Gonna Have A Good Day...Dammit

We gonna have a good day,
Ain't nobody gotta cry today,
'Cause ain't nobody gonna die today,
You can save that drama for another day.
--Good Day, Nappy Roots

The last few weeks have been hellacious. I've been dealing with never ending cycle of death (and illness) and drama. Last month, Hershey Bear, our 13 year old chow mix died. Okay, there wasn't too much drama with that. He just stopped eating, 3 days later he was dead. Not very dramatic, but traumatic for me since this was the first time I ever had to personally deal with a pet's death. Not that I had time to grieve or do something dramatic, because we had to deal with a major flea infestation with the two remaining pets. Oh yeah, and a cousin got shot and killed.

A couple of weeks ago, Mother's friend was admitted to the hospital with pneumonia (again).
This was like the 4th time he'd been in the hospital with pneumonia in less than a year. We had a few days of calls back and forth (drama)...then he died(more drama). Then more calls back and forth for a week and a half before the funeral (a whole heap of drama). During the period leading to the funeral; we found out that yet another cousin had been shot and killed, this time a drive-by. And...another cousin's cancer had come back.

We barely had time to change out of our black dresses when the phone rings. This time, it's a church member. She just put her husband in the hospital. Sad thing is, he's already undergoing treatment for cancer. The next day, we get a call...they had to do emergency surgery, and it doesn't look good. So, he's in critical condition and if there are any changes, we'll know in the next 72 hours. So we're all holding our breath and praying for the next 3 days (and dealing with more drama).

To add insult to injury, we find out that a cousin's funeral was just Sunday (we didn't even know she'd died) and another cousin had died the week before. How much more can a Sista stand?

So today, I'm going to have a good day. I'm going to go to Sonic, get a half-priced happy hour slush, take the phone off the hook, and have a good day.

"Motives and Thoughts"

Happy 4th of July

Friday Funk A Day Early - "Blame It On The Boogie"

I don't know why, but I've had this song stuck in my head for the past week. "Blame It On The Boogie" by the Jacksons

Sunday Soul Food - "Will The Circle Be Unbroken"

I know many families are having their family reunions this weekend or next. Today, I'm serving up "Will The Circle Be Unbroken" for the family reunion season.

Please Lawd, Don't Let This Be The Backstreet Boys In 15 Years

I saw the New Kids on The Block video "Summertime" around 4 this morning. I had to check to make sure it wasn't some weird behind dream. It wasn't.

Let me start by saying, I'm glad Danny finally grew into his face. Back in the day, he was considered the "ugly" one but time was finally kind to him. Jon looks old, and Jordan and Joey are proof that looks sometimes fade "like a bad sunset".

The song is very bubblegum for a group of 40 somethings. I was expecting them have a more mature sounding song. But hey, whatever works for them. I'm mad they had to dust off Backstreet Boys dance moves from '98 though. That's just wrong on so many levels.

I'm just glad New Edition reunions sound and look so much better (when Bobby is sober and acting like he has some sense).

Soul Food Sunday - Rance Allen Double Helping

It's been awhile since I last served up some Soul Food, so here's a double helping of Rance Allen.


First up is "Ain't No Need of Crying" followed with "Reason to Survive" .

He Called His Wife A What

Really? Obama

Spoken Word Wednesday - Carlos Andrés Gómez and Savion Glover

Pow Wows and Weddings

2007 - Mother and I attended the local Cherokee Pow Wow. We enjoyed ourselves but the lack of necessities like chairs, ice chest, and shade made us miserable. We vowed we'd attend again , but we'd be better prepared.

2008 - This year the Pow Wow kinda snuck up on us. We saw a flyer up last Saturday, which started our mad quest for a tilting beach/market umbrella under $80. We finally found one at Walmart (in Simpsonville)Friday night.

Saturday morning we arrived, put up our umbrella, chairs, and other necessities. I slathered on a third coat of sunblock and proceeded to enjoy the Pow Wow thoroughly. We met this lovely family whose little boy, Jamie, had us in stitches the entire day. One gentleman, Michael Matthews, was kind enough to "gift" us a bag of white sage after mother asked where to find some (We've been told burning white sage helps with allergies).



The highlight to this year's Pow Wow was the wedding. First a couple, Michael Matthews and his wife, renewed their vows (I forgot to take pictures).

Then Chief Buster Hatcher exchanged vows. This was the 1st wedding officiated by a Native American Chief in SC. The bill allowing Native American Chiefs to perform wedding ceremonies passed 3 days ago. So everyone was excited to watch this historical event take place.





Congratulations to the two lovely couples! (I have a better shot of the couples but I can't get it to upload)

We enjoyed ourselves, and look forward to attending again next year.

*edited to add*

A better picture of the two couples. The couple to the left are Chief Hatcher and his lovely bride. Center is the officiating chief, Chief Norris .To the right are Michael Matthews and his wife Melinda.


Thanks again for the sage. See you next year!

Infamous Boondocks "Hunger Strike"

A Black American

Racist Gift Basket

Gin-Gin-Ginger Ale

"Toothbrush"

"I'm An Emotional Idiot So Get Away From Me"

Happy Easter

"Eyes the Color Of... "

"Mao"

"Knock Knock"

John. He. Is

"Bid Em In"

"Wade in the Water" from Alvin Ailey's Revelations

Wanda Sykes on Dolphins

"The Revolution Will Not Be Televised"

Soul Food Sunday

I'm serving up a double helping of Sam Cooke. First up is "That's Heaven To Me" with the Soul Stirrers, followed by "Touch the Hem of His Garment"

Vince Morris on Bigotry

"Big Man 2"

Erykah's Back

Look Who Just "Got Served"

John Edwards and Hillary Clinton.

I feel sorry for John Edwards. He has got to be the first White man to lose the presidential primary to both a woman, and a Black man in South Carolina. Not only that, but he lost in his "home state". That has got to chafe his behind.

Think about it. This is the state that nearly came to blows about the Confederate flag (which is still a sore issue). The thought that 55% of voting democrats would rather see a Black man in office over him should keep him up tonight. Things like that don't generally happen here. The really sad part of it all, is the fact that he ran a clean campaign. He didn't get boggled down in the race issue; didn't hurl insults and accusations at his opponents; and still lost. I feel for him, somewhat.

Now Hillary. Well I'm glad the heifer lost. I can't stand her. You see she wanted to be pissy about it, issuing a half-azzed statement. After all that scheming, she still lost. You know she had to be hurt. To top it all off, her Ace card, Bill is messing things up for her.

Bill darn near had his Brotha card revoked for his attack on Obama and this crap.

Katt Williams on The Crocodile Hunter

"Duality Duel"

Rickey Smiley - We Miss Robert

I just found the music video for "We Miss Robert".

Second Guessing

Cuba Diving

"PSA"

Funny Friday

Poetic Bloodlines

Happy New Year!

Fifth Ward Email

Merry Christmas

Barbie and Ken 101

Employed Poor

It's not Wednesday but this certainly goes with my earlier rant.

Ain't I A Woman

I ran into a friend from school yesterday. She's now working at the office I used to work. While discussing the supervisor, she mentioned how much she now makes. It really didn't hit me until I got home that she was making almost twice the amount I did for half the work.

Granted I started working under unusual circumstances. I started working as an office clerk part-time for the original business owner. She didn't really have enough money to pay me properly, but I took the job to help her out. When she sold the business, I was the only one the new owner kept. One would think I would have gotten a raise once I was hired full-time. I didn't. I worked for the new owner for 2 months before I got a raise...to a whopping $7/hr.

Now, I would have tried to tough it out until the next raise and/or promotion if it hadn't been for the supervisor the owner hired. This woman was so foul-mouthed and crude it was ridiculous. That's not including her being lazy, constantly late, and the list goes on. I would open the office at 8, she'd show up at 9:15 and leave by 9:30. She may or may not come back in time for my lunch hour. Matter of fact, she pushed my lunch back from 12 to 1. During the hours she actually was there, she mainly hung on the phone, talking loudly during incredibly personal calls. I knew all her business, and I never asked for it.

Somehow during the 2 1/2 months I worked for the new owner, my position evolved fom office clerk to whipping girl. I was the one responsible for cleaning the office. I was the one responsible for cleaning the office bathroom (and I never used it). I was responsible for cleaning the back counters and microwave (again never used it). One day, the owner spilled some soup she'd microwaved on the counter. Instead of wiping the soup up with the paper towels she was standing next to; she called me from up front, where I was taking payments, to come to the back to clean-up her mess. I took her and the supervisor yelling at me for a glitch in the computer system that they should have been aware of more so than me. I put up with the two of them yelling at me because people went elsewhere because it took too long for the supervisor to respond with a quote when they called. The last straw for me was when the supervisor looked at me one Monday morning and asked "So have any wild hot sex over the weekend?"

The one time I tried to have a reasonable conversation with the owner (I never got a chance to make my complaints), she basically told me that if I wasn't happy I could leave. I told her she wasn't paying me enough to put up with the supervisor (I'd just gotten my whopping raise the week before). So I quit (I was kinda pissed since I was planning on quitting on MLK day, she pushed me out a couple of days early).

I know part of the problem was my looks. Just because I may be built like a "mammy" doesn't mean I am one. If I had been skinny and cute things would've been a lot better for me. If I'd been skinny and white...well, one can dream.

It just pisses me off to think of how they tried to work my (generous) butt off. Sometimes I thought the supervisor had something against me because I had a college degree. Who knows with that fool. But it really burns when I think of what I went through a few years ago, and this friend makes twice as much for less headache (I'm not even sure if she ever graduated from high school). That's a bitter pill to swallow. I wish the friend well, she is about to get another promotion. Congrats to her, she deserves it working with that fool.

Black Santa

Now That's Funky

I Apologize

Why Black People Don't Go Ghost Hunting

Niggers Niggas & Niggaz

I Met This Scorpio...

Wishing a happy tolerable Monday to my fellow Scorpios.

Funky Worm

What They Do

Candy, Ghosts, and Sex Offenders

Good morning, and yes it is a good morning indeed. I've just come in from buying up my 1/2 priced Halloween candy (a good deal always makes the candy taste better). I'm in that halfway point of being hyper (excited thinking about all that candy) and sleepy.

I stayed up all night watching the Ghost Hunters Live Halloween Special. I wasn't planning on watching, but when I saw they had Elijah Burke as a guest, I knew I was going to have to watch. I'm happy to say brothaman did not let me down. He looked freaked out the entire time. Guess he realized you can't back suplex a ghost. There is a reason black folks generally don't run around after things that go bump in the night.

Laurens County made the news once again. This time, a registered sex offender delivered pizza to an Elementary School party, where an eagle-eyed parent recognized him from the sex offender website. The parent called the police to complain, but was informed that no laws were broken. Schools in the delivery area will be notified that the offender does work for the pizza company and may make deliveries to the schools.

Happy Halloween

Shake Your Pants

Spoken Word Wednesday - Coded Language

Funk Friday

Everybody Get Funky!

Dreams Are Not Illegal

Want To Improve Your Image? Try Arson!

Which is would you rather be, a registered (but free) sex offender or an arsonist behind bars? If you asked former volunteer firefighter, Samuel Thomas Moss, he would tell you arson is better. Monday he was charged with setting three fires within a three week time frame. His motive was to improve his image with fellow firefighters. Moss felt he was given a hard time because he was a registered sex offender. He started fires hoping to impress his peers with his hard work. He now faces up to 25 years in prison.

Let's Talk About Sex

It's been an exciting eighteen months in Laurens County. We are in the midst of yet another teacher-sex scandal. It seems that time we get one case out the way, another one crops up. The recent surge in teacher misconduct really makes me wonder "What's really going on"?

Students used to speculate about several teachers when I attended high school. Shoot, there was one teacher that used to speak openly about her desire for a student (which is creepy as heck let me tell you). Guys used to whisper about how they wanted a certain teacher for class because they knew they could "earn" a decent grade in that class. Was it true? I don't know. I can't even recall the teachers' names if you asked me about it. The point is, rumors have been swirling about for years. That kind of behavior was just as inappropriate 10, 20 years ago as it is now. School administration either swept everything under the rug or remained blissfully ignorant.

I can't help but wonder just how many incidents are there?

Six Million

What's That Saying About Lightning?

Another Laurens County teacher has been arrested for sex crimes.

Karen Robbins, a former teacher at Bell Street Middle School, is facing multiple charges, including criminal sexual conduct with a minor and committing a lewd act upon a child.

This is the second teacher accused of sexual misconduct. Allenna Williams Ward recently pleaded guilty to criminal sexual conduct with five students attending Bell Street Middle School.

There's got to be something in the water .

Hold On (Change Is Coming)

It Smells Nasty In Here

FRIDAY FUNK!

Throwback Thursday - Back in the Day

"Cotton"

Sunday Soul Food

Today's selection is is a Clark Sister Medley featuring "Jesus Forevermore" and "Hallelujah"

R.I.P. Luciano Pavarotti

Happy Labor Day

Have a happy and safe holiday!

Those Darn Republicans

Friday, Thomas Ravenel agreed to plead guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute a quantity of cocaine. Part of his 10 page agreement stipulates that he will be attributed to less than 100 grams of cocaine. This deal allows him to avoid 20 years in prison (with you know real criminals) and a million dollar fine.

Sen. Larry "I'm not Gay" Craig formally resigned after being arrested during a Minneapolis airport men's room sex sting . This announcement comes after fellow party members called for him to step down earlier this week. Craig maintains he has done nothing wrong and that his only mistake was pleading guilty Aug. 1 to a misdemeanor charge.

Craig opposed gay marriage and gay rights. There's been rumors about his sexuality since the 1980s. I'm going to have to agree with comedian Katt Williams on this "Don't nobody say the same s*#t about you for 20 years."

Throwback Thursday - Doggy Dog World

Talib Kweli - Hot Thing

The Devil Is A Liar...And So Are You

The Devil made him do it. That's the excuse "Bishop" Thomas Weeks III gave his Global Destiny congregation about his vicious attack on his wife, renown "Prophetess"Juanita Bynum. Weeks assaulted Bynum Thursday in the Renaissance parking lot. The good "Bishop" fled the scene when authorities were called finally turning himself in Friday morning.

While Juanita is recuperating under the care of her family, Weeks is busy passing the collection plate around for donations to his Raven Fund to pay his legal fees. The sad thing is many of his brainwashed flock are digging deep to help him during his time of need.

Since the Devil made you lose your frickin mind, he should chip in on the fees. Go ahead, tell him you want your money before you whup his azz like you did Juanita.

Like Toy Soldiers

The GOP has certainly been falling down. Attorney General Alberto Gonzales kicked the morning off by announcing his resignation. One can only hope he will "recall" his resignation and successful vacate his office by the 17 of September. This announcement comes just weeks after the resignation of Karl 'The Architect' Rove.

Idaho Senator, Larry Craig, confirmed that he pled guilty to disorderly conduct at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport. He was originally arrested for lewd conduct in the Airport's Men's room. (Sounds suspect to me.)

Get "Crunk" About Reading

Your Body Needs Water--So Drink That Ish

It Was A Dark And Stormy Night...Thank God!

A weird sound woke me up sometime after 5 this morning. While trying to figure out what the noise was, I noticed a flashing light reflecting in my room. As I was walking over to Mother's side of the house, I could hear a the motor of a large truck. When we looked outside, there were 2 fire trucks and a host of other vehicles lining the street. The house next to us was on fire! There hadn't been any sirens going and if I hadn't heard the truck's horn, we would have slept through most of it.

This is particularly disturbing considering how close the house was to us. The flames got bad enough where we grabbed Monk (the chihuahua) and left the house. We were prepared to run back in for the cat at any moment.

If it hadn't have stormed all Thursday night, the fire would have spread to us. There is no doubt of that. Thank heavens for cliched nights.

10 Years

of prison for Wendie Ann Schweikert after pleading guilty to to sexually assaulting her fifth-grade student. Her sentence should have been 20 years but since it was her"first charge" the sentence was reduced to 10 with 5 years probation.

Why couldn't she just serve the 20? I don't think I want to hang around for her to acquire more charges. If they wanted to reduce years, why not give her 18, to remind her of the acceptable legal age for such activity.

Check out the video of her tearful 3 page letter of apology.

R.I.P. Tony Thompson

Hot Dang! Mo'Nique Repping The Big Girls Again!

Mo'Nique is hosting the 2007 BET Awards. I guess I'll watch the awards this year after all.

I'm serving it Southern Fried

I actually posted at Southern Fried.

Playlist Update

R-E-C-Y-C-L-E Recycle! C-O-N-S-E-R-V-E Conserve!

Just in time for Earth Day

* Yeah the quality is pretty crummy but it's the only copy I could find

Soul Food Sunday

I'm serving up "Everlasting Love" by CeCe Winans

Acknowledging What's Left of National Poetry Month

I don't know how in the world I forgot that April is National Poetry Month. Take the time to celebrate what remains of Poetry Month. Write a poem, go to a poetry slam, or just check out some of these links:

• Poets.org - The Academy of American Poets is offering a poem a day for the month of April. Sign up for your emailed poem or check the archives.
  


• Gwyneth Bolton (3) - Has posted some of her wonderful poetry
  


• NPR - National Public Radio offers an "April of Verse"
  


• Slate
  


• Ego Tripping - Nikki Giovanni reading "Ego Tripping"

Jukebox Update

Sunday Soul Food

Today's serving is "This Is Me" by Kierra "KiKi" Sheard

Screwing and Chopping

Since the playlist is so tiny in the jukebox, I'm posting the playlist here.

They Will Screw and Chop Anything

Happy Easter

Days Like This I Wish That Raindrops Would Fall

or a nice thunderstorm. I'm in a pollen induced hell. There's no nice way to put it. My car is a lovely shade of yellow and every time I set foot outside my face swells and I end up with a nasty sinus headache or worse migraine.

I really hate spring.

Do You Wanna Have Sex? Check Yes, No, Maybe

That's what went through my mind when I heard about the latest Laurens County teacher arrest. 23 year-old Allenna Williams Ward was arrested Wednesday for charges of engaging in sex with at least 5 of her 7th grade students ages 14 and 15. Clinton authorities say these incidents go back as far as December until 2 weeks ago.

Her reign of pleasure (sorry, couldn't help myself) was brought to an end when she passed a letter to one of her students. The student and several others took it to the school principle where she immediately began an investigation.

This arrest comes a year after the infamous arrest of Wendie Ann Schweikert in Laurens. I must say the Clinton school district handled this case much better than Laurens.