Mental Illness Sucks at 30 Chances (Answering Questions)

The world has opened up and showed out. I  know you guys have been asking questions. I have been under the weather and have been catching up on some reading, but I am here now to answer your questions.

Q: If Kanye ever came to your city, would you ever go?

Do you think Dr. Jamal Bryant was right to give away the offering Kanye West gave his church?

You are a Christian, are you going to listen to Kanye West's Jesus in King?

A: Ok I decided to finally answer Kanye West questions before he does anything else. As you see I put all of them together & I am going to just give my whole opinion and the answers will be in it.

Most of the population doesn't really understand mental illness nor religion. But very often some handle, cope, and/or hide their mental illness with religion. Obvious examples are suicide bombers and sidewalk ministers that get their calling during a 72-hour hold. Kanye West said he was diagnosed with Bipolar disorder & admitted sometimes he doesn't take his medicine. After a few interview rants, where he praised 45 (the man that is the president at this time) & said slavery was a choice, he starts having outdoor performances using Gospel music. Using my common sense, I think Kanye is handling, copying, and/or hiding behind the religion, Christianity.

Then he goes on tour to various places with his Sunday Services. One church was New Birth in Atlanta, where he gave a sizeable donation. Another venue was in Salt Lake City, where he repeated his praise of 45 & mental slavery talk. Dr. Bryant became appalled and then gave the donation to an HCBU in need. I don't blame Bryant for giving the money to charity. I do blame him for not using his ears and hear that Kanye never apologized or walk back his MAGA stance before he came to his church. That's probably why I wouldn't go to Kanye's Sunday Service nor listen to his Jesus is King project. Because My Common Sense is observing All of it, the said and the unsaid.

Q: With the gossip and internet clips about Tank talking about who is not gay, different sexualities were talked about. What do you think about these discussions?

A: I wish sociologists & sex researchers were more vocal in educating us all. Because it amazes me the loudest discussions come from the most ignorant & knowledge confused about sex & sexuality. I'm a cis-heterosexual woman, who was never bi-curious nor had bi-sexual experiences. That's my story! Yes, I have "sexuality privilege".

I Believe in a Broader Sexuality Sliding Scale Needs to be Established.

I don't understand how a cis-homosexual man can previously have any type of sex with a woman and nobody wonders if he's gay when he says he is, but if a straight man has oral sex with another man twice, he can't be believed he is a cis-heterosexual man. That man is deemed gay or bi. But don't both have bi-sexual experiences in their pasts.
*sigh*
Let's just let everyone's sexuality by their sexuality. And until their sexual life affects our individual sexual health, we all should just Shut Up & Keep Learning!!!

Q: I was listening to T.I.'s podcast and I heard this question.

Pick One:

Give one guy 30 chances or Give thirty guys 1 chance.

A: Let's start with questions When did T.I. get a podcast? Is it good? Do you think I would like it? LoL

I'm assuming this "chance" is to my heart. If so, I will choose the 30 guys. Truth be told, I may have given 30 guys that chance by now. But no one deserves 30 chances to capture my heart. I can only think of one person who got 2 full chances to capture my heart and that ended with me leaving his burial site.

Wow, that was lengthy. But if you have questions send them to C.OUT.SPOKEN.DIVA@gmail.com. I will answer them.

As Always Talking to You in Adult Terms!

How Do I Put This?(October Awareness)

I know y'all get tired of my feelings on how the awareness of Breast Cancer & Domestic Violence are treated in October, the month designated for them. But I noticed how certain women-led talk shows rush to talk about Breast Cancer Awareness at the beginning of the month like it is an obligation. I notice how certain women-led talk shows can make sure they wear purple on October 18th aka Spirit Day for Anti-Bullying. Yes, Anti-Bullying campaigns are just as important, but it's just odd with 1 in 3 women and 1 in 4 men have experienced some form of physical violence by an intimate partner, certain women-led talk shows never mention that in the month of October. And well, I'm tired of it that, too.

But then I look at a national commercial for a popular item and I see the first non-family DV survivor I ever met on it. When I 18, I took Women's Self-Defense(I know how to change a tire because of this class) and Domestic Violence was the topic. The question was why do victims stay. And this woman said, "Because they are stupid". I remember side-eyeing her the rest of the class.

And when our lecturer assigned us to write a summary about the discussion, I honed in on her statement, said victims were not stupid, and told about someone I knew that had left a horrible relationship like that. A week later, we were made to read one another's paper. I found out she was a victim and she often felt bad because of it. Her story stuck with me. It was good to see her living her dreams and I pray she describes her self as a survivor & victor, now.

  I saw the church I grew up in aka My Foundation Church had a program & balloon release for Breast Cancer Awareness. It was good to see the survivors (even male ones) tell their stories on how they overcame this brutal disease. Many times we talk about facts and impact after a person has died. It is inspiring to see survivors speak about their experiences.

Yeah, I get frustrated while wearing pink & purple. Yet, I know my & other's heartfelt work helps somebody, somewhere. Maybe one day larger platforms will do more, but until I'll keep showing my awareness, my way.

As Always Talking to You in Adult Terms!

So...You Want a Web Series Update

What? I have been watching Web Series. I just didn't tell you guys about them.

Makeup X Breakup

It's the series finale. It's on a new channel, BETHer. And all the storylines get wrapped up well.

Pillow Talk

From the creators of Tough Love, comes the tale of Lyric "Lady Jones" Jones and her friends, Robin & Nina.

See how a Love Coach and friends navigate the love world. And keep your eyes peeled for some familiar faces from Tough Love.

Hello Cupid 3.0

Yep, Black & Sexy has remixed one it's OG shows. This time the show moves from the dating site to the dating show world. Three men + Three Women = Shenanigans in the Name Love. Will Cupid successfully shoot his arrow?

The Lesbian Homie

This was really a "comedy" skit that turned into an interesting story. Enjoyable, Funny, & rather Thought Provoking. The only drawback is it is clearly written by a man, and I hope they consulted some ladies from the LGBT+ community. 

Black Girl in a Big Dress

Enter the mind of a cosplayer that loves the Victorian world of corsets, teas, ladies, & lords.

It's the world that Adrienne's heart is in. Even though her physical life is still in the modern world.

Hover & Click each title and Enjoy! And let me know if there are others I should be watching in the comments.

As Always Talking to You in Adult Terms!

🎶When You Hear of My Homegoing...🎶

...know that you shouldn't be hearing that song at my service.  I talked about some of this on Twitter. With the unfolding funeral drama of Atatiana Jefferson, the young woman killed in her home by a Fort Worth police officer at what was supposed to be a welfare check, my mind keeps going to making my wishes known in the event I leave this world like Atatiana, Botham Jean, and too many others did. I trust my family, but grief is a funny thing that foolishness likes to creep up in. I don't want some crazy fight that will include probate court. And I don't want sly civil rights lawyers & activists and the media to make my memorial services an event that doesn't represent me. They should make sure I get justice for my unlawful & illegal murder, only.

Just like if I die in any other manner, my services should be 45 minutes to an hour(90 minutes and I am Gone)
Processional & Final View: Highway to Heaven (The Upbeat Classic)
Scriptures Old & New Testament(Except John 14(One day I'll talk about this)
Sing-Along Time1:

Jesus Promise by Chicago Mass Choir
So Good by The Williams Brothers
(My Family loves to Rock Out to These Songs at Funerals)
Read the Obituary Silently
Sing-Along Time2:
He Brought the Sunshine by The Clark Sisters (If there is time sing Expect A Miracle, too)(I Love The Clarks)
Encouraging Word Eulogy (10 Minutes)
Recessional: I Bow Out Gracefully by John P. Kee

And if the Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas, & US Civil Rights lawyers & activists don't know the songs and only know John 14 for funeral scriptures, tell them my loved ones will join them at the rally after the repast. Because making sure my killer is properly punished is still
an objective.

I felt sorry for Michael Brown's(Killed by the police in Ferguson) mother, Lesley McSpadden. Cameras were all in her face as she cried so hard at his services for hours. That's not what I want for anyone when I leave this world. My services shouldn't be "We Shall Overcome" moment. Because in the grand scheme of it all...I will already have.

As Always Talking to You in Adult Terms

He Stole More Than Just Money

Hold on, guys. Read THIS while I talk to Future Fiancé.

Hey Future Sweetheart,
Repeat after me, The Marriage is Important, NOT The Wedding. Oh and remember your Fiancé is Not Ride or Die.
Alrighty!
I Love You!!!

So, refreshing to see a good "Did Y'all See That" article. These are the kind of things this blog was started on. There are legal ways people pay for weddings that I frown on. So, robbing a bank would probably make me irate.

Why rob a bank when you know you couldn't afford the wedding or the ring? I don't comprehend planning a wedding that you can't afford. People teased a couple for having their wedding in their front yard. I know a few couples that had receptions in their apartments' clubhouse. I went to one of them. It was rather cozy, nice, & quaint.
But guess what no one, No One went to jail while trying to finance it. I really felt sorry for the bride-to-be.

Imagine seeing your fiancé's face everywhere stealing money at a bank. Imagine calling him and finding out why he was involved in the robbery. He stole more than just money. He was stingy with the truth about his money. He cost her a wedding & a marriage. But he saved her from heartache & headache that being married to him could have brought. One day, her life will go on & be grateful for the protection his theft caused.

What do you guys think? Tell me in the comments.

As Always, Talking to You in Adult Terms!

This is For...(OUTSPOKEN_DIVA's Favorite Recipes)

...my cousin, Celeste, college bud, Lil' Bit, and family friend, Latifah. I posted this meme & how I related to it because I want to be a pot of Green Stew on Facebook. And well, these ladies asked about the stew, so I decided to share the recipe on here.

What is Green Stew? It's a pot of every green vegetable in vegetable stock. It's one of the healthiest, yet coziest dishes I eat in cooler weather. Also like many soups, stews, & chowders, I really enjoy making it.

Green Stew

Ingredients

• 2 tbsp Olive Oil
• 2 Leeks, white and light green parts, thinly sliced
• 1 medium Onion, diced
• 3 stalks Celery, diced
• 3 cloves Garlic, minced
• 1/2 cup Green Beans, fresh or frozen
• 1 head Broccoli, trimmed to small florets
• 1 medium Zucchini, cut in half-moons
• 1 head Cabbage, chopped
• 1 cup Spinach, chopped
• 2 cups Turnip Greens, chopped
• 1/4 cup Green Peas, frozen
• 4 leaves Basil
• 1 1/2 Tbsp Sea Salt
• 1 tsp Pepper, fresh ground
• 6-8 cups vegetable stock or water
• 3 tbsp fresh Basil, chopped

Directions

1. In a stockpot pot or Dutch oven, heat the olive oil medium-high high heat.
2. Add the leeks, celery, onion, and garlic, saute for 3 minutes.
3. Add the vegetables, basil, salt, and pepper.
4. Stir and cook for 5 minutes.
5. Add the stock or water and bring to a boil. Lower the heat and simmer for 30 minutes.
6. Remove from the heat and stir in the chopped basil.
7. Serve and enjoy.

Please note that these are the green vegetables I like & am not allergic to. If you prefer different leafy greens or asparagus, put that in your pot. Also to the meat-eaters, you can add a little grilled chicken to your bowl and like this soup.

Thank you to Celeste, Lil Bit, & Latifah (Yes, those are blog names) for your interests. And hope you guys & anyone who wants to try this recipe, Enjoy!!!

As Always, Talking to You in Adult Terms!

I'm Tired of Seeing This Lesson!!!

I hate it when I see extra stories within a big headline. And sometimes my mind won't let me move past it. Amber Guyger, the former police officer in Dallas who killed her neighbor, Botham Jean because she thought his apartment was her apartment. She has been convicted of murder & will serve 10 years. Since the story broke, Amber said she missed the clues that she was in the wrong place because she was tired from working a long shift. So tired that you park on the wrong level of the parking garage, I believe. So tired that you don't see a red doormat, was iffy for me.  Clearly, I was on pins & needles to see how this narrative was going to hold up. But Day 1 of the trial the "I'm So Tired" story was debunked for me thanks to an Officer Martin Rivera.

He was Amber's former partner and ex-Lover that she was texting after work while walking to the door, and after she shot Botham Jean. Some of their exchange was about hanging out later that night. Some of their exchanges also revealed explicit & sexual conversation. Texts that were deleted, also. Rivera testified the deleted the texts between him and Guyger from the night of the shooting because,

"That's not something that I would want to be reminded of," Rivera said. "And I don't keep messages saved unless it's of importance to me."

At that point, I knew Rivera was also a selfish jerk. I hope he is fired. As the trial progress, we found out Rivera was married. And even after Guyger killed Botham Jean, she found time to text Rivera and even sent sexual messages to him days later.

At that point, I could've asked Amber Guyger, "Was the peen that bomb".

Momma, my mom has a quote, "We all have dark moments in our lives" about the foolish stuff we've done in the name of love & lust in the past. So, I won't judge her on the fact that her lustful sins & choices look different than mine. But I'm sorry but if Amber was not messing with Martin, Botham Jean's may still be living his life. I know this is probably a stretch to some. But a man's life is lost because she was setting up sexy time with an ex-lover. A man is gone because she was sending sexy communications with a married man. A man is dead because you felt randy for a man who said your messages weren't that important to him.

Amber, was the peen really worth all of that?

She has her whole life to ponder it all. I hope she learned what is life worthy before the trial. This has to be one of the most drastic ways to learn to want more in lust, love, & sex. I just pray that somebody else in relationships & rapports that are totally morally, emotionally, & mentally beneath them see this lesson before something tragic happens.

*sigh* Well, now back to being upset with the verdict, amazed with the forgiveness from Botham's brother & praying for peace & better days to living life in this world.

As Always Talking to You in Adult Terms!