*BAWLING*

MICHAEL JACKSON IS DEAD.

Jaw Dropped

everything I've done since last Thursday just cleared my bank account.

at the same time.

JAW DROPPED

the hair appt, eyePhone for Pops, chic-fillet, gas, and pedicure from last Thursday

the oil change and new freaking tire, gas, mcD's, three plane tickets, more gas, and Mexican happy hour from Friday

ATM withdrawal from Saturday

and the wahlmart purchase from yesterday.

JAW DROPPED

iHop meal and the gas bought on Sunday hasn't even began to process yet.

*pouting*

I don't want to play anymore.

Where the freak is my AmX?

Who Wants to Party with Us?!!?

I GUARANTEE IT'LL BE SO MUCH FUN!!

Swag

Surfin
Swag
Clean

Jameil, how my shots do you have of this SAME pose!?!? LMAO!!!

WE HAD FUN!! PARTY IN THE 'SIP, COMING SOON!

Brunch Convo with Pops

I was making brunch when I heard the master bedroom door open. Wow, Daddy's up!

"Hey Pops, you want breakfast?"

"Yeah, whatever you're making plus a big cup of tea. Well, I want scrambled eggs"

I flip my omlette, peel a couple shrimp that have THANKFULLY been deveined, take some lox out of its package and split my croissant in half. Plate my food and scramble dad's eggs with garlic salt and roughly chopped spinach. He's sweeping the house when I ask if he even likes lox. "I've never had it. What is it?"

*gasp*

Quel horreur!

"Ay caramba, Dad!! You don't know what lox is?!?! OMG, where have you been your whole life!?!? How do you not know what lox is??!?!? Well, do you like salmon?"

"I love salmon"

"Oy. And you still don't know what lox is. Well, its breakfast salmon that has been smoked. Taste"

He loves it. I have another follower of lox.

Amy is in the background while we're eating in the sitting room. His big ole cup of hot tea and my mug of sweet tea... we talk about how painful it can be to be an artist, and specifically a musician. Take after take; rehearsals can be maddening for other musicians who don't feel what you feel, hear what you hear... then the physical pain. Callused hands from the upright bass, deformed fingers from any brass instrument, shoulder/neck pains from a string and on and on...

Now we're vibing to Louis Ar.mstrong and Duke Ellin.gton's Master Takes. Dad pops out with,

"You know what? I will feel sorry for your children"

*listening to Do Nothing Till You Hear From Me, ignoring Dad*

"I said, I'll feel sorry for your kids"

"Okay, Dad"

"You want to know why?"

"... why Dad?"

"I'm glad you asked. Because you cook so well and you like to cook, they will never get to have McDonald-s or Kurber Bing, 'Mommy, can we eat at Dennies?' 'No! I make better breakfast than they do!'"

"Is that what was running around your head all this time?"

"Yeah. I'm thinking I'll be the cool grampa who gets them happy meals cause you won't"

"Really? All that?"

"Yeah, I'll be so cool. Catch a baseball game and surprise them with Pissa Hut afterwards"

"You really have all this planned out? More power to you, with your cool self"

"Hey, I can't help it"

*eye roll + SMH + giggling*

oh FB

I haven't been on FB all day. I log-on and this is somebody's status; the first thing I read.

"Gratefulness is the key to a happy life that we hold in our hands, because if we are not grateful, then no matter how much we have we will not be happy -- because we will always want to have something else or something more. something to think about"

*sigh*

What kills me the most is who it comes from. He's an ATL head-busser who I affectionately call, Cuz. He rivals Wayne in tats, rivals T.I. in Bankhead/West-Side street savvy, and he is one of the most thugnificent young men I have ever met. He was kicked out of highschool AND JobCorps... his whole life is the "Dead & Gone" video...

I just don't know.

Impulse

i'm looking up trips to Japan. I can get one for $929.

I also looked up the UK. $862

but why is a trip to Honolulu the same price, if, not at times, more than a trip to a different continent? I don't want a trip to Hawaii to cost $859!!

*deep breath*

Ever since I saw a PBS-type show abt Kyoto, Japan while in Ghana two summers ago, its been a need. I need a trip to Kyoto at the end of summer. Plus, there are hostels by the yard. I don't need a Marriott while over there! I just want to be there.

My raggedy 8hr/week job can pay for it.

It's all about the silver linings.

waiting

I'm waiting for my summer to pick up

I'm waiting for y'all to post something

I'm waiting for the rain to hurry up and fall so the sky can clear up

I'm waiting for something good to come on tv

I'm waiting to see what kind of fcukery my summer "job" will be

I'm just waiting.

and it's boring.

Extraneous Protocol? *UPDATED*

So as usual, I'm on FB, stalking newly engaged people and counting the years I've known my beau...

sadistic? masochistic? both?

anyway, what I've noticed is a big thing is the engagement party. Since when was that the thing to do? To me, it seems like an awesome idea; I love a reason to have a party but then again, when you're planning a wedding, budget is a big deal and where does an extraneous party fit in? So, on the other side of that coin, the engagement party seems superfluous.

But it is a party. I like parties.


Another seemingly extraneous expense; STDs.

I was wary of STDs. I remember the first one we got in the mail. It was a postcard with a picture of my godsis and her fiancee. I was so confused. "Is this what wedding invitations are now? We're extra casual with the invites?" I mean, I saw the words, "Save the Date" but it didn't register. That was back in '06. Then as college classmates got engaged, they started flooding in, months in advance, warning us to 'Save the Date'. Magnets, postcards, mini movie posters (my fave) "starring" the couple. But now, like Jameil, I was swayed and amazed by Soon to be Mrs. Patti's approach.

But... that's an added paper expense!! Even if you're gansta with it like Miss Patti!! and I know I won't be!

Lastly, engagement pics.

Normally, I wouldn't have a problem with pictures. Well, I don't have a problem with pictures I take. I just keep thinking back to senior year when i was working my lil part time job and had to spend all my money on my senior AND cap and gown pictures. Professional pics/photogs scare me. I look at graduation albums of friends and wonder why I didn't have cap and gown pics shot all over Tally but then I remember, I didn't have a job. Professional pictures cost MONEY! So why is it the thing to have photo albums of you and yours? Jam and I went a wedding site today and were AMAZED with all the albums!!! Christmas, Just Cause, etc!!! Really?? All that??

I'm not going to front, I will probably do all the aforementioned. I think the e-pics are some of the best professional pictures i've seen. They are sooooo adorable!
With my friends split up between two colleges and sprinkled all over the place, STDs will be mandatory and I think and e-party is a wonderful way to kick off the wedding season for a couple.

Damn peer pressure.

*ADDED*
I think there is one more thing to add... if you have the money for it. The PRE-Honeymoon trip. Yep, I've seen it. The album was awesome and I want one. NOW.

STOP!!!

Group of dancers wearing Hammer Pants flashmob a trendy store and surprise hipsters in skinny jeans. It's HammerTime!

Vacay

you know the really good part of my summer vacay?

Mom Dukes is on vacay too!!

Now I don't mean that in a bad way, it just means that me and Pops get to bond!!

If you don't know, my Pops and I are so much alike. I am def his child. Our mannerisms, our demeanor, our tastes...

I got my love of music from him and come to find out, my love for visual art. Well, not just art but photography. You know my dad took pictures when he was in college?? Like, had a professional Cannon joint (i don't remember the name he spit out) and was snapping shots of College Life when he was at UMass Boston! He was also the school artist back at his school in Ghana. Whenever the school was having a game or match or event of some sort, holla at Rich! He did posters, flyers, and of course back then, all this was by hand!

If you've been to to my house, you'd know that there's art all over the walls. Some done by my grandfather, some by my dad. I'll leave the oil painting to them. Let me holla at a camera!!

Speaking of camera, my dad saw me in my eternal boredom as asked if I "want to take a summer photography class at the junior college"...

DOES HE KNOW WHO I AM!?!??!

So I'm looking up classes right now :-)

small comfort.

this makes me feel better.  i just got it and ADORE it already.  I might wear it to check the mail.

now if only I really had a fab place to wear it...

Keep Me Near the Cross!

It's the first official day of summer vacay.  Fine.  Just left a middle school where I applied for a summer job... *sigh*  sat down and not one but TWO people from highschool walk in.  Chick was an acquaintance so it was the, "hey! what's up? how ya been? how ya momma doin?"  bit.  The guy on the other hand is one of those people who prolly got on my nerves but I forgot.  Oh, he reminded me.  he says really obvious things.  i.e., "if you notice, people who smoke weed talk reaaaally slllloooow"

. . .

1. did you really slow motion yourself?

2. really?  i NEVER noticed how people talk when they smoke!  I lived my whole college career under a rock in Wisconsin.  I wasn't a part of a hip-hop hippie group that smoked and listened to music for fun.  

Camp hasn't even started and I'm already annoyed.  But wait! there's more!!!

So I get the phone call to come in before 12 noon.  This was 1045.  I tell the sec'y I'll be there at 11am.  I get there at 11 on the dot and she tells me the director "will be back right quickly"

RIGHT QUICKLY?  Did you really say "right quickly"??  as if that's better than "right quick"??

*face*

But wait!!!  She's the sec'y.  I soooooooo failed to mention what happened at the interview 2 weeks ago.  The actual director is one of those people who try to sound intelligent but come off as dumb as the fcuk.

*she's in script, i'm thinking in my head in italics*

"So Ms. Kutieboots, tell me pacifically (specifically?)what your strenfs (strengths?) are?"

or

"These kids are phenomenom! I love working with them! (phenomenal? or a phenomenom?)

or

"I know it may seem low but that's what we do here, we bring these kids up to part" (par?)

"I ordered materials for arts and crafts... glue, construction paper, sequence..." (sequins?  that one is a bit tricky  but still NO)

I can't even begin to list the rest of the oratorical offenses.  I really wanted to bring my phone out and jot them down but that would've been rude.  And if you see her face when she speaks, you KNOW she thinks she's doing big things.  Ugh! She got on my last never and made the left side of my face itch!!  

But wait!!

As mentioned earlier, I get there at 11... why this ghetto b! not show up till 1148???  you black woman from the depths of hell!!!!! ANNNNNND wearing something my sister would wear!!! She had on a red v-neck with a yellow cami underneath.  Not my choice for a color combo but, whatever.  Did you really pile on yellow bead necklaces and hella plastic red and yellow bracelets?!?  How old are you!?  Why are you dressed like a highschool senior with too much money to spend at Claire's or the Icing?!?!?  let me find a pic of Mini Me in all her plastic glory...

*two people just got engaged in the last 5 minutes.  damn you bacefook!*

man, i'm going to eat something now.  where's my comfort food??!!?!?!?

Fashion Convo Fail

Mini Me: do white strips work?

Adei von K:  With what? navy blue?  Yes.  Nautical is on the horizon, I said it last year and only Kelly Rowland had it on but if you wear it now, you'll be haute

MM: LMAO krest strips not stripes!!!

AVK:  oh $#!t LOLOLOLOLOLOLOL.

          yes, they work.

MM: well they are buy one get one free and galwreens

AVK: thanks.  I'll be sure to stock up for when my braces come off NEXT April

MM: oh $#!t  LOLOLOLOL

Ain't I?

bored.

Just made mac and cheese, brown sugar baked beans, mashed potatoes, ribs... boiling water to make sweet tea.

My brother is here studying and I am here cooking.  Oh yeah, failed to mentioned that I already made four cheese tortellini with italian turkey sausage.  

I might go get some peaches so I can make peach cobbler.  and lemons so I can make lemonade.

*sigh*  It's only Saturday.  I have the whole summer.

I hope I get the job at the academic summer camp.  Teaching either reading, math or science to 6th graders.  Cross your fingers and pray for me, lest I slit my wrists from sheer boredom!!!

wha's really good?

do i have any friends???  why is it that i am sitting at home, bored out my skull on a friday night???  the only time i go out is when Kitty is here???  that can't be!!

thinking to the last time i went out... yeah, it was with kitty... in tally.

okay, b-day weekend, jam and I had a blast in coconut grove so maybe that was the last time...

whatever the case, i am soooooo sitting here, sooooo bored.  my bro and his BFFL just ironed their shirts and hit the road.  where are they going?  i don't know but while they're out, even if its just to parking lot pimp, i'm sitting on the couch listening to delilah.  i felt like such a loser when she got on the air and said, "where my ladies at?  hmmm, i bet you're home cozy, scrapbooking or eating a bowl of ice cream"

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!! I DON'T WANT TO BE THAT LADY!!!! SCRAPBOOKING!?!?!?!? EATING A BOWL OF ICE CREAM?!!?  PROBABLY MAKING SOMETHING OUT OF DECOUPAGE!!?!!? TALKING TO 1 OF 6 CATS!!?!!?!!!?!!!?!!!  NOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!

i need a prescription for fab.  i need to get back on my jet-setter tip. i need to hit up drew and we need to take full advantage of his proximity to so.be.

1st things first: find my own place.  one cannot be fab in her parents' house.

2nd: new car.  the tima has done her time.  i think G35 but i know altima

okay, we're on a mission this summer.  i can't be this bored and not put it to use.

It's the Most...

wonderful tiiiiiiiime of the year!!!!

It is Thursday.  Yes, I have work in the morning but, guess what?

NO KIDS!!

UGH, these last days of school worked my NERVE!!  and the amount of money spent!!!!  Well, I made sure not to spend too much; I bought some Dora popsicles (instead of publicks) so I blew a whole $4.25... them joints are BANGIN!!  Somethings I just can't buy store brand... like feminine products and salsa.

Any hoo, I thought about having a end of the year party but that costs money!!!  I just played it off as a pajama jam.  We relaxed in our jammies with popcorn and popsicles. HOLLA!!!

Summertime is here, Dei, what's on your agenda?  

Well... I plan on cleaning my classroom, going out to lunch with the K-Block (kindergarten team), and listening to MY CDs (not kidz bop or anything rated G) really loud for the first time in a long time!!!! and then

nothing.  I plan on doing nothing.  Office Space?  Meet Teacher Stace.

I'm lying.  

Thrusday afternoon, I get the hair done...

Friday, I meet with the principal who is TOOOOO geeked I volunteered to be the patrol sponsor, then I attend the faculty luncheon, 

Saturday, I'm going to a sorority brunch with guest speaker DONNA*BRAZILE (YES!!!!!!! I CAN'T WAIT TO MEET HER!!!!!!! I AM SOOOOOOOOOOOOO EXCITED!!)

Sunday, I hope I can make it to church

and the rest is in the air, just like I LOVE it.  Maybe I'll go to Hollywood, maybe I'll go to the beach, maybe I'll watch movies, maybe do an SVU marathon...

THANK-YOU, LORD!!! FOR ANOTHER SCHOOL YEAR!!!