Summa, summa, summatime!!!

...Is done!

September is here - the kids go back to school, and the temperature drops...drastically. Fortunately for me, I'm not yet feeling the immediate effects of the fall season, because I'm in TEXAS! And Texas is hot hot HOT! I've been here for two weeks (leaving tomorrow...so sad), and the temperature has stayed constant each day...just hot. At home, it almost seems that Mother Nature, on cue every Labour Day weekend, puts the sun on curfew and sentences us to a few weeks of cool days and crisp nights, followed by 7 looongs months of snow, mixed with snow, added to a little more snow.

I'm not looking forward to pulling out my winter coat, but I do look forward to the winter months because they include three important holidays: Christmas, New Year's, and My Birthday. Also, it's during my annual winter hibernation I get to read good books, and save a decent amount of money. But for now, I'm enjoying Texas. Texas in the summer is nothing to play with. Most days, this kind of heat is offensive. On the more manageable days, it's perfect weather for Big 12 Football, and Texas BBQ...those BEEF RIBS?!? Lawd! (shout out to Uncle Butch).

In all, I really can't complain - I've had a great summer. Each month from May to September, I've been on a plane (well, I'll be on a plane tomorrow). I'm in Houston because one of my dearest, "C.S. Baby, please say the Baby", had a baby. And I've been granted the honour and responsibility of being the godmother. After much anticipation, my handsome godson made his debut on the last day of August (just after lunch, and just before dinner). I endured the Texas heatwave, impatiently waiting for him to grace us with his presence (but it helped that his godfather's good-looking). Mama did a great job, and the proud Papa was very brave...he did not miss a second of his child's labour, and he may or may not have shed a tear or two when he held his son for the first time (but I don't want to put him on blast). I know they will make wonderful parents, and I was thankful to be a part of this special moment.

That was August, so I'll work backwards: In July, I traveled to Birmingham, Alabama, when another one of my nearest and dearest, That C., now known as That B., got hitched. I was honoured and excited to participate in her Big Day as one of her Bridesmaids. I was proud of her - sweet as she can be - but I thought she was going to be a Bridezilla. She did not lose her mind, and she did not curse anybody out. In the days leading up to the wedding, she was the calmest bride I've ever seen...almost regal. The wedding was gorgeous and she was absolutely radiant. The love between her and her husband is so beautiful, so pure, that it gives me hope....... *sigh* ......aaaand I'm back.

Now, as a bridesmaid, I had the pleasure of helping plan the Bachelorette Weekend in May (I'll come back to June, don't worry). Ten of the Bride's closest friends made our way to ATL shawty, for a weekend of good, wholesome fun. Due to a mutual agreement...no, VOW...made by all the participants of this "Get It In" Weekend, I am forbidden to post any pictures, or disclose any details of the Weekend's festivities, but I will say this: we went to Church on Sunday *cue Donnie McClurkin* "for a saint is just a sinner who fell down...and got up"

Three out of the four trips I made this summer were purpose-filled: I was proud to play a supporting role for my beloveds in these milestones in their lives. But that fourth trip was all me. I guess you could say that trip was purpose-filled. Month: June. Location: London, UK. Purpose: (take a wild guess...) SHOPPING! And boy, did I shop! Primark, Top Shop, Selfridges, H&M, Zara -- YESSSS!!! London fashion is light-years ahead of ours on this side of the pond, so it's always nice to come back with my London Fresh. Unlike my two-month, family-oriented pilgrimage last year, I went this year to see as much family as I could, go to Camden Market for some fresh donuts (a-freakin-mazing!), eat some fish and chips, shake my tailfeather, and shop shop shop...all in 6 days.

My summer in the city was just as exciting as my summer abroad, with the major highlight being my cousin's wedding. My family flew in from the US, UK, Jamaica, and Dominica, and traveled 2 hours north of the city for what was the most beautiful outdoor wedding I've ever been to (true, it's the only outdoor wedding I've ever been to, but it was still gorgeous). The scene, breathtaking. Weather, perfect. Bride, flawless...the groom (my cousin) was alright too ;) The food, BRRRAAAAAAPPPPP!!! It was an overall fantastic time, not to mention I felt like a MAJOR baller posing beside my new Uncle-in-Law's red Testarossa, and traveling on plush charter bus.

That was my summer. Full of good food, good fun, good family, good friends, good music, good weather, good times. Full of blessings. As the temperature drops, and I run out of vacations (and money), it's time to refocus on my goals for the rest of the year, and replenish that young savings account.

Now it's time to pack...to prepare to fly back home, back to reality.

Boog

P.S.: Happy birthday, 20/40. Today, you're 1! I know I don't treat you right, like I should...but I'll do better :) xox

A Tolerant Society?

"But we should try to find a way to bring balance to this hate and leave a good impression on someone else." - Givemorelove, Musiq Soulchild

On Tuesday, I was at work chatting with my friend, an associate from an adjacent store. Sharing some brief updates in his life, including his amazing floor seats and clear obsession with Lady Gaga, it was clear that surrounding customers were eavesdropping on our convo (he is not a quiet talker, by any means). He's a very energetic (understatement) young man, and probably one of the kindest people I've met in a long time, so it's always refreshing to catch up every now and then. When he left, this was the conversation between me and an eavesdropper:

Jerk: Is that your coworker?
Me: No, but he does work at an adjacent store.
Jerk: Oh, he's very...different.
Me: Yeah, he's a nice guy. He's very friendly (I'm totally oblivious to his clear attempt to bait me)
Jerk: You know...our society is very...tolerant these days.
Me: What exactly do you mean by that, sir? (I knew exactly what he meant by that)
Jerk: Well, you know.
Me: No, I don't.
Jerk: He's just very...odd. It's just interesting that our society tolerates people like...that.
Me: He's a kind and considerate person, who is very competent at his job. I hope our society tolerates people like that. (Then I walked away, because I would like to keep my job).


Jerk was clearly referring to my friend's sexual orientation. Aside from feeling very uncomfortable with this mild confrontation, I had to do some impromptu soul searching. Way back in 2003, I was known by my intimate circle of friends for being homophobic. My entire upbringing perpetuated the negative connotations of homosexuality, be it messages from the pulpit or sensory cues in the media(kinda like how some people in rural communities learn everything they "know" about black people from the 6pm news). It wasn't that I didn't like homosexuals, because I never personally knew anyone who was gay; all I knew was that it was different, and it didn't make logical sense to me. As a lover of fine men, I could never understand why any woman wouldn't want to bask in the sweet aroma of expensive cologne emanating from a tall, dark, and handsome mass of masculine goodness. But over the years, I have grown and learned people love who they love (regardless of race, colour, creed, or gender), because love transcends all things. As long as they're in a healthy, fulfilling relationship, I support it. Now, I do not subscribe to society's taboo anti-homosexuality doctrines, but I'm not professing to be perfect either (you know that Boom Bye Bye will always be a classic (Free Buju!)...c'mon son, you also know your non-black friends drop the N-word when they listen to hip hop. This is a No Judging Zone).

I was just standing up for my friend (that goes without question), but "tolerant"? Jerk was implying that there was actually something WRONG with him for society to be "tolerant". Is our society REALLY "tolerant"? Yes, Jerk, society is extremely "tolerant" for putting up with arrogant fools like yourself with archaic views of a modern world. *sigh* One day, Dr. King...one day, we will all be judged by the content of our character.

...And Jerk didn't honestly expect me to agree with him, did he??? 40 years ago, people were saying the same about Black people!!!

Boogie

SPRING!

Three months into 2011 and here I am (shame, I know). But spring is upon us, and I have a new attitude! The past few months have been cold and dreary, not just in the city, but at my own front door. For me, March represents the Spring season - a time of rebirth and rejuvenation. With some much needed clarity on my life's direction - as well as the actual melting snow - I've never been more ready for the season!