OUTSPOKEN_DIVA'S Best of 2013

So I decided to do a blog on My Best of 2013. I like a many things but some things I like a little bit more than others. No, there will not be a Worse of 2013 blog. Am I not critical enough? Even though I want in 2014, for World Star Hip Hop to destroy All the Ratchet, All the Ghetto, and All the Dysfunctional videos ever known to man on its website. I will not make a blog to highlight the gross stuff of 2013.  LoL

In 2013, I decided to make it a mission to try some new Restaurants and make different recipes. Because No one will make New Foods, I had to do something.  I’m a foodie at heart. Probably why I picked the major. So here is some Good food worth sharing

Favorite Restaurant Dish

Disco Fries (Houlihans)

I went here for my birthday dinner. French Fries, Pot Roast, Gravy, Green Onions and Cheddar Cheese make a great dish. I had a salad also that was delicious, but it didn’t make the picture (maybe I was eating it)

Favorite New Recipe

3 Ingredient Chicken

On Facebook my sister tags me when she shares some of the recipes she wants to try. That’s how I saw this one. It’s just Chicken, dry Italian Dressing mix and Brown Sugar. Bake it and you have a finger licking good meal. I pair it with a simple Wax Bean & Carrot medley.

Favorite Meatless Meal

Pasta Puttanesca

I try to go meatless once a week. Usually Mondays except during Lent, which I go meatless on Fridays. One day going through recipes for clients I ran across one I made in my Basic Foods class in college. It’s linguine with sautéed chili peppers, Spanish olives, zucchini, diced tomatoes and oregano in light olive oil & garlic over it.

 

Favorite New Fast Food

Taco Casa

I saw a cousin on Facebook talk about this place. Well on National Taco Day, I got try them. Yummy!!! 

 

 

Okay I know you know I spend an obscene amount of time watching TV. Of Course you know about TV Thursday but Sundays I’m a tad obsessive about my shows also.

Favorite Food Show

Cutthroat Kitchen I love this show!!! It is like Chopped, the childhood game Dare, meets Vegas slots. It speaks to the creativity of a chef because these challenges can be a doozy.

 

Favorite Instead of “Popular” Reality Show I Watch:

Boardwalk Empire and Treme I love these two shows. Hate that this the last season for Treme. If you keep up with life after Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans or at least watch the two Spike Lee Doc for HBO about it, you know Treme is very Accurate. Boardwalk Empire keeps my attention in a way that frightens me. It is full of violence yet it intrigues me. It’s like when Prohibition started and Atlantic City acted like it was not law. Nucky Thompson is the man. And there is Chalky White, the lone black guy in Nucky’s posse. How can one man be so upstanding and crooked at the same time, beats me. Right now all the key players are scattered away from Atlantic City so I can’t wait to see what brings them back to town.

Favorite Comedy:

Big Bang Theory Are you shocked? Especially since Raj now can talk to women without the use of Alcohol. Finally. That was bothering me. He was going to need rehab. Big Bang Theory are the people I knew and myself in high school. I can name someone for everyone on that show. Yes, I’m am Bernadette.

Favorite Rom Com:

Hart of Dixie Still Team Zeorge (George & Zoe) even though Zoe is with some writer named Joel & George is with the Mayor Lavon’s cousin Lynly. Zoe has finally connected to her birth father’s family, the Wilkes. Lemon is even seeing some promise in finding herself.

Favorite Drama:

Scandal & Greys Anatomy It is a tie. Both keep my heart pounding. Shonda Rhymes know the key to the drama side of my heart. Keep my suspense and tie up loose ends all at the same time. She does it well. Even though the Yang/Grey fighting stabs me in the heart and whenever Mama Pope calls Olivia, “Livie” scares me a bit, I have to watch these shows.

Favorite New Show:

Super Fun Night Nope it’s not Marvels Agents of Shield. It’s Super Fun Night. Little known fact about the Diva…I don’t go out that much. When I do it looks a lot like this show (Dollar to Donuts my friends will disagree but trust me I have stories to prove it). The first episode with Kimmie jumping around trying to put on her shape wear I died laughing. As a shape wearer I can totally relate.

I Miss the Most Show

Emily Owens Yep, a show that is about an awkward nerd that went against the grain of pop culture’s definition of Nerd on a Broadcast Station (The CW) that is filled with mostly shows that are geared to fans of pop culture. Dr. Emily Owens, I still miss you!!!

 

Web Shows are next. Y’all know I’m addicted to them. Vlogs also. I can’t go a day with watching something. I see a pattern I think my emotional & inner dating self is in its late 20's. Web Series might be my way of  finding out what went wrong. Just a guess!

Favorite Continuing Web Series (Tie)

Unwritten Rules Season 2 Link

Spoiler alert! Racy has a new boss. She thought it was going to be easier. Umm new boss, new issues.

That Guy Season 2 Link

Two guy Mike & Judah, somewhat trifling, but they have good hearts and they mean well. Season 2 delves into the emotions of That Guys. Hilarious stuff.

 

Favorite New Web Series (Tie)

No Strings, Please Link

Think living in a New city gets rid of you. Nope! You are still you.

Smoke & Mirrors Link

Dixon, Dixon, Dixon! Go through a journey of a man who finds out if relationships and the problems in them are illusions we make for ourselves.

Favorite Vlog

KevOnStage Link

You know those quirky churchy/non churchy articles we read or videos we watch and can’t believe they are real. Meet the man to discuss them. Also he make the “Cartoon Scandal” videos we all love so much.

Favorite Sketch Comedy

The Playmakers Link

The future of Christian Comedy is on YouTube. I first fell in love with The Playmakers with a video called “Stuff Black Church Girls Say” http://youtu.be/uGKWVv53eX0. Black Church Girls now have Web Series and also check out Music Videos by a group called Praydeci. Good Clean fun!!! Oh and KevonStage is member of The Playmakers

 

Yes I still read books. In 2004 I heard myself go stupid and was losing my grasp on the English language. Never again so of course I am still reading. I read some wonderful ones this year.

Best Fiction

The Awesome Girl's Guide to Dating Extraordinary Men by Ernessa Carter

4 Women in 2 years get nothing they want but All that they need. Also look for cameos from Davie Jones, Main character of 32 Candles by the same author.

 

Best Non-Fiction

Ghettonation: A Journey Into the Land of Bling and Home of the Shameless by Cora Daniels

I wrote a blog about it sometime ago. Go read it Here

Best Sci-Fi

Long Division by  Kiese Laymon

Defying a patronizingly racist contest on live television, 14-year-old Citoyen “City” Coldson’s rant goes viral and becomes an embarrassment on a national scale. Sent to stay with family in the small town of Melahatchie, he distracts himself from Internet infamy, redneck racists, and a grandmother who’s not afraid to make him cut her a switch by reading a mysterious book where his name and the name of his grandmother's teenage missing neighbor appear.

 

Best Novella

I Met Him in the Ladies' Room (pt1) by Michelle Simpson

Where did you meet the Lord? Kerri Dalee met Him in the Restroom. That simple, right? Read it and find out. 

Favorite Memoir

Self-Inflicted Wounds: Heartwarming Tales of Epic Humiliation by Aisha Tyler

Okay only Memoir I read. Charging $12-$15 for your life on my Kindle is gross. No one is that interesting. When they go down, I’ll read more of those. The Nerd Queen proves why she is just that. I love this book. I know she and I would have been friends in Latter Elementary & Middle school.

For Lent, I’m giving up buying makeup. In 2013, I found myself buying product after product. So let me share my favorite lip products for my looks I experimented with this year. Yes, All lip products. I didn’t do anything new with my eyes.

Favorite Lip Stain

Loreal Colour Caresse Wet Shine Stain

It stays on for many hours, moisturizes and has shine.

Favorite Go To Lip Stick

Maybelline Color Sensationals Vivids - Pink Pop

If I needed to add some color to a look it was my trusty bubby. It is smooth & long lasting.

Favorite Trend (Ombre’ Lips)

Two tone lips are not new. But 2013 was the year of doing more than red lip liner and pink lip color. I saw ladies adding different colors to their Ombre’ lips. And I am happy to say I think the Black eye liner on the lip phase may be going away (cuing the praise music, I’m going in, in advance),

My Autumn Ombre’ was done with SEPHORA COLLECTION Nano Lip Liner - Beau Bordeaux, then REVLON Colorburst Lip Butter – Sorbet then topped off with Maybelline Color Sensational High Gloss Shine - Captivating Coral.

 

My October Awareness Ombre’ I talked about in a  Blog earlier this fall, was achieve with COVERGIRL LipPerfection Lipliner – Plum & Loreal Colour Caresse Wet Shine Stain -  Rose On and On.

 

 

Yep, those looks were that simple!!!

Favorite MakeUp Vlog

Cosmetic Candies FYI Link

Oh I fell in love with another Makeup Vlog. She’s the only Vlog that made me truly understand Ombre’ Lips

 

Alright the video playing while you were reading is one of my favorites in Music for 2013

Favorite Sacred

Ultimate Relationship by Donald Lawrence (Ft Lalah Hathaway)

I follow Lalah Hathaway on Twitter and I saw tweets about this song. It’s remake of a song fame Gospel artist Donald Lawrence wrote for Mary J. Blige. Who is the Best Person to wake up and talk to in the morning? I added it to my worship playlist and never turned back.

Favorite Secular

Finally by Carolyn Malachi

Watch the Video Here

Y’all can play this at my funeral (Bishop might not mind) LoL On Sunday evening I listen to a Podcast called Black Girl Nerds http://www.blogtalkradio.com/blackgirlnerds (Shout out to BGN) and this is the opening song. It’s simple, “Finally, I’m Finally Me. Finally, I’m Finally Free. Refreshing!!!

 

And that wraps up my favorite things of 2013. Hope you enjoyed it! What were some of your favorite things of 2013? Let me know in the comments below. If the Lord says the same I’ll see you in 2014.

As Always, Talking to You in Adult Terms

Help Me Understand: The “When Will We… "Attitude (Not Being Proactive)

I am beginning to think it’s me, not others. I really think I am too pretentious to deal with people. Today on I saw a post on social media that basically said, “Had not hung out with you guys in a while. When are we going to hang out for old times’ sake?” Alright straw, it’s time to hurt the posterior of camel. I’m tired.  

Trips, Pool Parties, Friend Reunions, Family Reunions, Dates (Yes I’ve heard a possible dater say “When are we going out on a date”), Church Programs, School Programs, you name it I have heard at some time “When will we…” What is with people who don’t have proactive attitudes? I’m not talking about people trying not to take over events. I’m talking about people who want to do something but want somebody else to plan. I’m talking about people who tired of planning stuff and nobody shows up. I’m talking about the people who are quick to say “We should…” but really mean “I want to...”

I’ve seen & heard this so much I think it’s me with the problem. Maybe I’m too much of a social go getter for my own good. If I want to do an event I plan it. Just this Sunday I wanted to go to Brunch, I planned and invited my best friends to brunch. I share birthday plan with one of my best friends. We discuss what we want to do and we invite people. We don’t say “We need to get together for our birthday” to the people that we want to celebrate our days with. And yes It ticks me off when people say they coming or say they will do something and you make plans and they flake but that goes with life.

I think instead of “When are we” how about “I want to…” or “Let’s plan…” I bet you would get a better response. Stop passing off what “you” want to do to something “we” want to do. Be proactive in your wants. Passing it off as a “we” event will get “we” results and that may not include anything you want.

I think in the future when I see or hear “We Need to…” or “When are we…” I will say “Stop Asking and plan. Be Proactive" I think I am going to do that. I really will try.

As Always, Talking to You in Adult Terms

Passive Aggressive Selfishness: A 2013 Confession

Unless you are at my house on Thanksgiving & Christmas, you probably never seen me be selfish. Truth be told some of those people don't see it. I’m usually not selfish. I am the person to invite people to events and then send a reminder to people even if they didn't say are coming. I’m the person who gives phone calls to people after events to see it they made it home ok even after I said "Call somebody so we know you are safe". I’m the person that will "sometimes" sit with the person who doesn’t dance or is overly drunk. I send out “Thinking of You” text or email to buddies. I’m the person who will let other chose places I would not even want to go to ad never say a word unless you asked for my opinion or the place is majorly horrible. Well until this year. I limited my actions about 75%.  This minor temper tantrum had been brewing for some years.

Last year(2012) I said goodbye to the longest friendship I ever had two days after my birthday. For a year, this person was at the point of calling me but I can’t say they truly ever asked about me during the conversation. This person had not wished me Happy Birthday in three years. And this person had Rent-A-Center call me twice for a reference without asking me or saying thank you. As the Muppets said it was time to say goodbye. I'm not into one-sided friendship, relations or rapports. Well when you delete people out your life you have brain space to think about other folk’s crappy behavior that is getting on your nerves. I then noticed when job interviewers calling me for folks who didn’t tell me let alone ask me to be a reference. So I put some folks on notice about that. Then I noticed all the people I invited to events that say they are coming but don’t come and don’t ever say they‘re sorry even be so bold to comment on the pictures posted on social media. I thought about my personal friends I invited and said that they were coming to my mom’s retirement party my sister and I hosted. I remember being hurt, embarrassed & furious because I’m calling to see if they are lost and not one of them were coming and probably was not going to call to say anything had I not called. That was three years ago when that happened. So I decided to do an experiment on myself and see if I could be just as selfish.

First experiment was Brunch in January sent a text to my crew that brunch and got answers from everyone but one. So I sent reminders to everyone but one. I knew I could do this. I decided to take a sabbatical from Revues and I did (still am Might go to one on the 27th). Didn’t even actively entertain talking about one unless I felt like I might have wanted to go to one. I even had to tell Pal, No, twice. LoL On My birthday I only invited people I knew would come. And I am happy to say of those (who I invited) who were not able to make it all contacted me or my fellow birthday Diva to say they were not coming. If I've not received "Happy Birthday" from someone within the past two years, I didn't acknowledge their birthday. If it was a place I wanted to go and those I usually hang out with didn’t want to go, I found other people to go with. I had one friend to finally speak on one of my outings without them. The friend said just because they didn’t want to go that didn’t mean that they wouldn’t go. I didn’t want that someone to feel obligated to go so I still went with someone else. If anyone called me asking how come they had not heard from me, I didn’t hesitate to tell them communication works both ways. If a person said they will call me back, they had to call me back for us to talk again. Oh my ex turn male best friend learned, No is still learning that one.

Anyone who is reading this and is sadly affected by my actions I’m sorry but... I get tired of talking. I had to let my actions show people that I have feelings also. Yeah, your life is busy but what about my bank account and other guests paying gratuity for a reserved space you said you’ll fill and wasn’t even courteous to send a text to say you won’t make it. Life is not that busy. Others do it, you can too. I know you needed a job but knew before you wrote my name down as a reference. Yet you still did not ask. Heck you didn’t even call to tell me you use me as a reference after the interview. So, I didn’t call those people back but I warned you last year. You said you would call me back. I guess I’m still waiting for you to call me back.

In conclusion (Sounds Scientific, LoL), all was not a loss. I learned a lot. 1. I didn’t used to be like this. I let overly niceness let others walk over me. Somewhere I was not being the true me. 2. You learn people will miss you and the things you do for them. And it’s real easy to see those who miss you and those that just miss the things you do for them. 3. Being selfish is hard. 4. Some things are just a part of you. Being nice to be nice is hard to break. 5. Some people will Never learn. Somebody is reading this blog and still will not learn. 6. Prepared myself for backlash. And folks not walking into 2014 with me. 67 Most important lesson...I am too old to have to say this to Adults. Maybe some of the people I personally & socially interact with are not Adults and just Grown Folks.

Well onto the experiments for 2014. Yes, experiments in plural. They are doozies, too.

As Always, Talking to You in Adult Terms

Help Me Understand: Viral Fight Videos

Okay let me get on my Bougie (Bourgeois) & Stuck Up Microphone and say this, “I hate fight videos and just like the folks who are fighting, I think the folks that are filming should have charges pressed against them also because they are instigators”. Yes, I said it. I haven’t ran to watch a fight since middle school maybe early high school. Doing that stuff (yeah I almost cussed) is dangerous. Between the guns the fighters may have and the running away the spectators may do, I choose another route towards safety called “not being there”. I don’t see my own fight as entertainment let alone someone else’s.

Well with the invention of camcorders, camera phones, and internet media, the rise of “fight videos” is beyond belief.  I don’t see what is so entertaining. The most recent one that is talked about is “Sharkeisha”. This is the viral video that has taken Twitter by storm. It shows a girl, named Sharkeisha, beating up a girl named Shay for sleeping with her boyfriend. On the video, you can hear Sharkeisha's shocked friend yelling at her, "Don't kick her, Sharkeisha!" Yet the “shocked” “friend” is taping this and has post this somewhere for the public to see. At first when “Black Twitter”(Here is the definition) signifying, about this, I thought they had made some “ghetto” spoof of the Sci-Fi movie “Sharknado” (I’m a sucker for a good spoof) so I went to YouTube and saw this and I wanted to weep. These are young women (including the videographer) who could be in college, work, or doing something productive other than fighting.

Yes the fighting is wrong, but I understand that part. I don’t understand filming it as entertainment. This type of entertainment is all over the internet, (Facebook, YouTube & World Star Hip Hop are the places where I see many of them), talked about in our social settings like it is water cooler conversations and passed around like a funny email. So, somebody explain it to me.

As I’m writing this I thought of one reason. Maybe this is the “Safe Way” to watch (run to) a fight like we did in school. I just wish they would go away and never return. Stop promoting & glorifying violence and call it what it is vulgar and gross. Stop giving these videos “Most Watched” nominations and the thousands of “Likes” that they’re getting and ignore them and allow fade away and not be cute anymore.

Oh Ms. Sharkeisha was arrested. I bet she’ll blame the victim only and not her “friends” video for her arrest. That’s too much like right.

As Always, Talking to You in Adult Terms

 

 

Help Me Understand: Butt Slapping and Squeeezing

Okay many of my random blog topic come to me during my random thought time or late at night when I’m trying to go to sleep. Then there are times when I watching something non-thought provoking and a subject come to me.

I was watching the Newlywed Game. The questions was Name something your husband does not think is manly. One of the wives said “Touching his butt”. My mother and I laughed and said we know some guys who feel the same way. Then I said I don’t get slapping and squeezing butts anyway. And then this blog topic came up.

I asked my ex turned best friend and he said “To find out if it's soft and like to see it move”. Ok that made sense for a moment. Maybe for someone who has a round butt but why do people who don’t have those get smacked. Why do women smack guys on the behinds? To find out if it doesn't move. I just don’t understand what is supposed to be sexy about it.

Y’all help me understand slapping and squeezing someone on the butt. I’ve done it once or twice and still don’t get it. Was there a social or bird & bee lesson I missed along the way. I get rubbing it in an intimate way between two consenting adults. That makes sense. But random slapping and pinching, I have a question mark on my face.

Maybe that’s why I react to being hit in a Not-So-Sexy way. I just don’t understand. Probably identify with one of those husbands on the Newlywed Game. The nicest thing I can say and have said is “Don’t do that” but y’all know I forget to be nice when I feel violated.

Well maybe someone will help explain it fully to me. Maybe something people do that will never be explained in a way I will understand. I just don’t understand Butt slapping and squeezing. And keep your hand off of mine.

As Always, Talking to You in Adult Terms

College Graduate Confessions: My Response to Those Who Didn't Go

Starting a new Blog Series. College Graduate Confessions. Had some down time and my mind got to going on thoughts about me being a college graduate. Enjoy

I am a College Graduate. Actually my degree is 10 years old this year (August), Yay! I stay on top of my professional study courses as much as I can, also. One day I’m going to get my Masters (No I'm not a person constantly say that either).  Life will not stand in the way forever. But it amazes me how many people I know that feel the need to say in my presence how they were tired of school when they graduated high school. I have been asked/told whether I like been in school numerous time in life.  Maybe it’s me but it is So Annoying. From the time I was graduating high school until this day there are these people that feel the need to say it. I feel like a jerk if I respond but this my blog and I can be a jerk if I want to.  So is what I want to say so badly.

I knew I wanted to go to college since I was 9 years old. I knew I belonged on a college campus when I was in high school hoping that college had to be better than this. I was 85% correct. Portions of college can be just a Dumb as high school. I chose college it didn’t choose me. I didn’t go because everyone else was going to college. I wanted to go. Yes, I like going to school. I like learning. You chose your path and I chose mine. Now let go live our lives.

Okay I got typed out. Trust me most people in the world know that every one is not College material. Most people know every one can not go to college. That's what make our world so beautiful and diverse.

It is just that some people don’t get that they sound as annoying to me as those people that brag that they have their BA from Lah-Lah, MBA from Blah-Blah and getting their PHD from the story goes on. (Yeah those that Brag about their degrees get on my nerves to). I don’t know if people are saying that they didn’t go to school because they feel inferior and want to justify why they didn’t go, want you to feel bad for going to school, or they are just aimlessly talking thinking they are fitting in. It is probably a strange combination of all three. I just want it to stop. Especially around people like me who don’t care what you do with your life as long as you are a decent citizen to this world. They are slime balls with and without degrees, everywhere. Just care about not being one of them.

I’m just tired of hearing it. We all need to live our own lives. We don’t owe anyone an explanation as long as it is right and good. So let’s get back to living our living as decently as we can make them.

As Always, Talking to You in Adult Terms

My Rom Com Love Life

The best way to describe my dating life is a Long Running Rom Com Series. I came that conclusion after being in a club convinced by a close male friend that a guy’s eyes were glistening for me. I get on the dance floor with said friend and put my Best Moves down. Sat down, dude approached me and said “Why isn't you friend looking back at me”. And this “Will & Grace” moment was when I started to notice my dating life for what it was. I can’t stand Daft Punk’s “One More Time” after that event. My Best moves! My best Moves! My Best Moves! Wasted!

Added to the plot line, I am actually friends with some (not all. That’s not normal) of my ex’s. One ex is considered one of my best friends now. If we break up and I (and only I) say we can be friends, I mean it.

I got the wedding invitation of an ex (we grew up in the same church that’s how met. Dated well over a decade ago) turned friend the day before we rushed Momma to ER. Mentally, I picked out my outfit and was going to call Pal (Yeah he’s finer than the friend. Can’t drag BFF’s or my sister to all the weddings. Now that I think about it this particular ex escorted me to another ex’s wedding over a decade ago too. Wow, Patterns) to go, That Day. Then Life happened and I forgot. Heck, I forgot to gossip to my friends that he was getting married until after the fact.

I knew he was in a serious relationship. My sister first  saw her at a funeral. This time last year he ask for my opinion about some earrings for her. I finally saw her at his Dad's funeral this summer. I hated, I miss the nuptials.  I'll save the outfit for the next wedding or funeral I must attend at Foundation church.

I was telling my friend, Pink Red about it. (The conversation was the inspiration of this Blog) She was shocked (overstatement) I was invited. I was not. My love life gets invited to uncomfortable situations all the time. I usually pass with A’s or High B’s. Voluntarily bringing others along for the ride is what gets me B’s. Being single for so long, I think it has given me time to think. If we are friends now, then We. Are. Friends. Now. No need to not be in their corner for whoever they date or decide to marry, because I’m not dating them. And they better be in my corner when I get married. I’ll need them as ushers and somebody will have to walk my down the aisle. I’m fatherless (Yes, I am laughing through those last statements).

So here is are some questions. Are you real friends with any ex’s? Would they invite you to their wedding? Would you invite them to your wedding? Leave a comment below.

 

As Always, Talking to You in Adult Terms.

What is in a Blog Name? (If You Write It…They Will Want to Gossip)

WoW, my most read blog posts are the ones I gave controversial titles and scold people for coming to it to gain gossip from it just because of its title.  I didn’t realize it until I got an email (not a comment a cowardly email) from a reader (I actually know this person offline) who told me 
“If you don’t people to be nosey don’t give your blogs the names you give them. You can’t be mad just because of people just trying to get the tea. That’s mean!” 
That reader can do me a favor and stop reading my blog forever.

I’m used to attitudes like this. I grew up in a place where my family is known. (Not the whole city but our little community, jobs, schools, & churches) Not powerful but known. The picture non-family members and non-friends paint of us is a conservative, goodie-goodie, law-abiding, bougie, well-to-do, nice people with a few loud rabble-rousers we keep in line sometime. Of course, that is not the total picture of us. Some of that is not even in our real picture.  And of course, I’m not thought to be one of the rabble-rousers. I grew up with people who had expectations for me made based on who they thought I was all my life. I love breaking those expectations based on thoughts and opinions and not facts about me. Since I was not thought to be one of those family rabble-rousers I lived my life in the open but since they were looking at the rabble-rousers, I could go unnoticed. Then when they would actually look over and see me doing what the rabble-rousers were doing, the fingers and tongues go to wagging. 

Then they would have to deal with another part of me. The “Tell You Off” part of me. Back when I was a teenager that might have included insults and profane language. Now I handle it with a little bit more finesse. Either way, I don’t mind telling people to stop boxing me in based on their self-made expectations, opinions, or experiences of or with me. Then don’t think that they can find anything that disqualifies me from the box they put me in. I don’t mind at all.

I title my blogs my way and my way only. I’m just trying to be creative. And yes, Creativity has its critics. I just know that my blog will be read by many of those folks that box me in and then try to boot me out of that box. It's also read by my people who love me. It is also read by people who truly want to get to know me and know how I think. I shared this blog on my emails & Facebook page that is Not under the name of OUTSPOKEN_DIVA but my real name.

So, I am aware that somebody with a gossipy spirit will think they got the Tea, Cocoa, and Coffee on me. There are just some people that just won’t accept what you see is what you get. See me for Facts that I Am and not your Opinion I am more than likely Not!

Sexuality Questions is the highest read. Folks want to see if I'm coming out of a closet I've never been in. LMBO But  My Favorite Holiday get no love. I guess it's not Interesting enough!!!

As Always, Talking to You in Adult Terms

It’s Halloween and I Don’t Like Horror Films (Confession Time)

 

It’s the time of the year where I cling to my personal DVD collection. I watch them because any movie on TV or shown at a party is usually a Horror film. I’ve never like Horror films & shows. They freak me out. Not while watching them most times, it the hour(s) after the movie that make scared. The last Horror movie I saw was “Skeleton Key” in 2006. I thought if I watched it at 9:30 am, maybe this would make me handle the movie better. NOPE!!! Doorbell rung, I jumped. Then I passed by a mirror and had to go back by because I swore I didn’t see my reflection. I decided that day not only put a parental lock on that movie title on my TV but never watch anything in the Horror Genre again. My emotions cannot handle it.

I know I will not get any sympathy. My friends are always saying I need to see the movie or show of the Horror Genre. Just this Monday night my friend BJ ask me was I watch American Horror Story: Coven.  I immediately said NO. Then he went into the usual “It not even scary. It’s funny this season”. Funny my butt. Voodoo is not funny. The bumps in the night is not funny. Things jump out and make me jump, scream, and having to calm my heart down is not funny.

So that me OUTSPOKEN_DIVA an adult scare of the Horror genre. Oh I’m not going to Haunted Houses either. I’m going to look at what scares me in the face. You’re are out of your mind. Praise God it is TV Thursday this Halloween. Big Bang Theory, Grey’s Anatomy (I know it will Halloween themed) and Scandal will give me entertainment this year.

OH! Happy Halloween!!!

As Always, Talking to You in Adult Terms

October Awareness Lip Ombre'

Yeah I got Very Cute for a Cause. October is Domestic Violence and Breast Cancer Awareness Month (A Blog I did in 2011). So I decided to paint my lips in honor of the month.

The Purple lip liner is for Domestic Violence Awareness

 & the Pink lipstick and gloss is for Breast Cancer Awareness.

I wear the ribbons and the colors all the time. This time I just decided to let my mouth show my message. Got some compliments so I got to tell the message behind my look. I even met a Ten-Year Breast Cancer Survivor that day in the grocery store also. We were slapping high-fives all around.
Maybe next year I'll have a matching eye makeup look also. Keyword is Maybe. *smiles* But before then let's be aware of these two issues not just in October but all year long.!

As Always, Talking to You in Adult Terms

A New Kind of Experience with My Mom

Past few weeks I have been singing, humming, and praying this song. My mother was sick. So sick that my sister & I have to take her to the hospital. So sick she was admitted to the hospital. That was this past Saturday. Two weeks ago, we thought she had a stomach virus. Boy, were we wrong. But she on the path of healing her stomach thank to the care of the kind staff, starting from ER to ICU to her short stint Med-Surg. Today, we brought her home. She happy to be in her bed. Heck, she was happy to walk to her bed.

Saturday was the scariest day for me. When it was my grandparents, I was usually the one to stay at the house to man the phones & take care of my brother (He has cerebral palsy and it severely mentally challenged). So actually being at the hospital to sign papers and having to be the one to tell everyone what the DR’s said that 1^st day was unreal. Yeah I took a tear moment after taking to my family & friends (heck they’re family too). Just saying what was wrong did me in. It was like at that moment, it all became real. Kevin Hart has a line in one of comedy DVD’s “Nooo, I’m not ready”. I was not!!! I knew this would happen maybe 10, 15 years in the future. But me at this age, signing papers But me at this age, discussing with my sister on what the Doctors are saying.  But me at this age, dispatching family member to do certain tasks. No, No, No not at this age. Yes, at this age. I finally stop feeling like it was just me doing this for my mom and remember it someone who has did and is doing these same tasks. I was not the first and won’t me the last. Grow Up!!! It is not about me.

One of my best friends, T.T. said it best, God is THE healer!!! Such a True sentence. I know he is going to continue to heal her and let his will be done. And I am not going to get in his way. It wouldn’t matter, it’s not lie he needs my permission. Alright my family is getting some rest and I am part of the family. *sleepy smile*

As Always, Talking to You in Adult Terms

Bridezillas Gone Bye Bye

The Reality Show that started My Guilty Pleasure Show list has ended. Bridezillas showed their final episode. For ten years I have learn how to & how not to act as a bride. Trust me all of the brides showed were off the chain at some point.

Some were just acting crazy to be acting crazy. Some, In My Opinion, had a great reasons to act up. Like this bride, Haley.

 

 Bless her heart her In-Laws were crazy. They were a handful. They told her she was frumpy. They wanted her makeup on Her big day to be some over the top Stereotypical Italian New Jersey make over. Praise God, she had a makeup artist that listen to her and her only.  Some were total Bridezillas but maybe one time I could see how their behavior was justified for that moment. Like Porsha. 

The mother of her fiancé’s child had been heard saying she was coming to the wedding when we clearly was not invited. I understood Porsha calling her and telling what was what and just drop the kid off at grandmother’s house.  Hey I understand. No Unwanted Guests at the Wedding!!!

Bridezillas covered all kinds of brides. From the Trailer Fabulous (that is this lady here)

 

 the Pitiful  I felt so sorry for his coordinator. Only one bride decided to sue. Now it her defense

(Oh picking up trash at your wedding but your brother just came to get his party on), excessive criers, and even a Gayzillas. Oh he was over the top. I felt so sorry for his coordinator. I hope she took a Mental Vacation after that wedding.  Only one bride has reportley sued.

Julia Swinton-Williamson, was on the first season so she didn’t know she was going to be shown as a neurotic bride. Now anyone else on any season after the 1^st one should not sue. There was one couple that got tired of the cameras and put the Bridezillas crew out of their limo on the way to the wedding. 

So we never saw their wedding. I actually understood them also. You think you can perform for this circus and it became too much in the end.

The clip above is my favorite. Marsha & Archie ended up on Dr. Phil because of her Bridezillas antics. Marsha was just tired. She drove from Dallas to Little Rock every weekend. Her cell rang all the time with people asking questions. Now here it was Archie & she were on their way to the wedding rehearsal and someone called and ask where they were. Archie was her closest victim to get screamed at. He got screamed at and she left him in the car to calm down. His sister comes out and he was still crying. Sister put Marsha back in the car so they can drive and talk things out. Are they still together? Probably.  I just know it gave me the best line ever, “She Left Me! She left Me!”

Those are not the nastiest bridezillas, in my opinion. That honor goes to two women who still make me cringe just looking up their pictures. 

Mia Lee told the groom to find more money to spend & broke & smashed up decorations her mother worked on. She was so nasty, her sister in-law actually said “I Object” at the wedding.

 She was horrible. Then there was Frankie a*k*a Rae Rae. She bought a dress at the last minute online and got mad because her Paris made dress had not got there in time for the wedding. Her sister and she fought like they were not related. 

But the kicker was when she threatened to leave her reception before it began because her aunt told her not to play vulgar music in front children in the limo. Rae Rae was crazy! Both ladies I was convinced acted like this all the time. It was not the stress of the wedding. That was normal behavior.

I’m going to miss Bridezillas. I’ve been with it ten years. Just when you think they can’t find anyone to top the season before, Viola, a different kind of crazy shows up. I hope I don’t flip out like even a ¼ of that when I get married. No one should act a B-word  just to act a B-word just because they are getting married. That includes me, too. But I understand, when you need things done your way, maybe a little crazy is in need. Hey Just Do It My Way. That’s All!!!

Bye Bridezillas Bye!!!

As Always, Talking to You in Adult Terms

Sexual Abuse Not A Male Rite of Passage

Just when I thought it was safe to watch enetertainment news, some foolishnees come across the screen. According to an interview he did in Germany, Chris Brown said he First had sex at the age of 8 years old with a 14 year old girl. I am not shocked at his admission. It could be a lie in an attempt to look cool. It could be the truth in an attempt to look cool. But it is not cool. An 8 year old having sex is not anything to be proud of. That is sexual abuse.

Eight year olds should be watching Disney & Nickelodeon not having sex. The fourteen year old should have been doing homework and preparing herself for her future not diddling with younger children. I saw a gossip blog post their opinion on Facebook and many people men and women felt that what Brown did was consensual. How does an eight year old consent to sex? Only in the minds of people who think it is ok for boys to be little boys would think that was consensual. Having sex does not make any male a man. If this was a Christina Brown saying the same thing, society would be up in arms about the situation. If Chris Brown said he first had sex with a 14 year old boy at 8 years old, the word sexual abuse would roll off everyone's mouths. But sexist, macho attitudes makes it hard to accept that even though it was a young girl older than Brown, he was still sexually abused.

I can't be shocked this is the same society that says "R' Kelly had sex with a young girl on a video tape" but still bounce their butts to his music before he was acquitted of the charges. This is the same society that takes decades to convict priest and ministers of molesting children. This is the same society that brag about knowing fathers that took there teen sons to prostitutes to experience their first times and yet they don't have a CPS case. Until society changes their attitudes, this will still not be seen as sexual abuse. It will continue to be thought of a Male Rite of Passage. And there will still be a bunch of sexed up children walking around confused about what is going on with their bodies and their emotions.

Poor Chris Brown. He's victim of sexual abuse. But thanks to society he's too ignorant to even know it.

As Always, Talking to You in Adult Terms

Big Tex Lives!!!

 

Who is Big Tex? I know somebody is asking. Big Tex was a 52-foot (16 m) tall statue and marketing icon of the annual State Fair of Texas held at Fair Park in Dallas, Texas. The figure has become a cultural icon of Dallas and Texas. Since 1952 Big Tex has served as a cultural ambassador to visitors, and the prime location in the fairgrounds serves as a traditional meeting point.

On October 19, 2012, the last weekend of the 2012 State Fair of Texas, Big Tex was destroyed by an electrical fire that started in the jaw. Thank You Wikipedia because some of my readers are not from the DFW area or not familiar with the State Fair of Texas.

So, on October 19, 2012 I was watching The Chew and the news broke in to show Big Tex was burning up. Even though I like to think of myself pretty practical in though, like many I was sad & shocked. The State Fair of Texas Icon was burning a few days before the ending of the fair. That was horrible. The only other statue I would get sad if it burn would be the Statute of Liberty. So this was major for me to get sad about an inanimate object burning. I was sad but I didn’t mourn him like some. Do you know a funeral home had a wake for him? That was way over the top. I didn’t see the point of mourning him because the fair officials said he was coming back.

I live blocks away from the fairgrounds and I heard a lot of truck traffic on the major streets last night. I didn’t think anything of it. I looked up on the news and they were showing Big Tex’s new head. An hour later because of the wind they had to unveil him a day earlier. Big Tex going up signifies the coming of the fair. When you see Big Tex, you know the fair is soon to open. Big Tex looks great. He is slimmer, and has fewer wrinkles. He was a burn victim so some work had to be done. Now I am not a fan of those boots. They are very busy. Big Tex is a Cowboy. He needs plain cowboy boots.

 

Yes, I can’t wait to go to the fair this year. I’m hoping I can make it. The State Fair of Texas is very fun. I went to another fair in the state and it does not compare. My favorite things at State Fair of Texas at Fletcher’s corndogs. Fletcher’s are the Best corndogs in the world. More than likely I’ll wash that down with some State Fair lemonade. A Smoked Turkey leg, Fried Green Tomatoes, Alligator & Crawfish Sausage, and Funnel Cakes are delicious choices also. This year I plan to try one new fried food, the Fried Millionaire’s Pie. Millionaire’s Pie is my favorite pie, so I have to try it fried. Oh you do know a trip to the fair is a total Diet Cheat day. I don’t even try to eat right there. Wait I don’t even know if there any healthy foods at the fair.  I will go to the automotive show and see what new in “As Seen on TV” product. I’m not a ride person at the fair. Not enough Roller Coasters at the fair. I’m a Roller Coaster type of chic.  I rode rides the last time, 9 years ago with my niece and her buddy. I realize I was too old for some of that. LoL Before going home I’ll pick up a couple of bags of Cotton Candy for my family. They love it.

Welcome Back, Big Tex! Glad to see you!!!

 

As Always, Talking to You in Adult Terms