It's Freedom of Speech Until...Let's Talk Kim Burrell

It's freedom of speech until the words offend you!

I'm not a fan of Kim Burrell. That's why I didn't join the bash fest. I don't like bashing folks just to be bashing. I've liked one song in her whole discography. That's I Come to You More Than I Give. I was one of the few before the controversy. Most of her music never moved me. Also her behavior on the show, Sunday Best was disfavorable to me. She would rudely laugh in the faces of auditioners who sang badly. Her words of disapproval weren't always constructive.

It's freedom of speech as long as the words don't hurt you.

I'm not calling anybody a hypocrite. Nor do I want to blame the victim. Yet, amazing to me how it was ok for her to act that way on a gospel singing show but when she says something homophobic, it's a problem. Oh she cracked you on Sunday Best. Mean is Mean in my book. Just like the mean comments about her wig. Her critics suddenly noticed her wig was tattered. What did the wig do to you?

Freedom of Speech is not without consequence even for the victim.

Stop basing your fandom on just how a person makes you feel. Find out how they feel about & treat All people. This goes for All the people we fan. No, it's for All people. Learn about them, Forgive Them and Take Them to Task to do better.

As Always Talking to You in Adult Terms

X = Weird Oh Wait, Hi in 2017

Greeting & Salutations in 2017!
Happy New Year!!!

I am taking a moment to blog. In offline land New Year Resolutions make me money so, I am working while many are off. As usual, I brought in the new year with church. Bishop Jakes said 2017 will be the year to find out why you're weird. He was just starting his sermon and I could have "went in" just on that declaration. I've been weird all my life. For example, I learned the phrase, "Greetings & Salutations" when I was 6. I've used it ever since. If you have to leave me voicemail, it starts with that phrase. LoL. So ending 2016, I was already in expectation. The rest of the message was about "Being an Answer". Think of your life in 2017 as like Algebra. You are the answer to X. Whoooo!!! That is good stuff right there.

So, that's me in offline land, which you know will lead into online land. And the message has already starting to come to pass. I got a card on January 1. ❤😂❤ Yep, X is already equaling to weird. I'm just gonna keep being me. I have a feeling while I am being an answer, my problems will solve themselves also.

Here's to being Weird!!!

As Always Talking to You in Adult Terms

How to Save Money on Books (Wrapping Up 2016)

2016 2016ed us up and down. Yes, even I got 2016ed in parts of offline land. But 2016 allowed me to finally reach a personal reading goal. I'm an avid reader. Well, I am a avid fictional reader. Non-fiction doesn't hold my attention but I like to informed and know a variety of facts. So since 2011, I have been trying to at least read 5 non-fictional works for a year. I have failed ever year. Fiction would bring out a shiney nickle of make believe to distract me. This year I decided not to read any fiction until I read the 5. I couldn't have made this challenge any harder. Hence the post title. Could buy fiction because I was striving for a goal.

1. Unless I am reading the whole Bible, scriptures don't count
2. Cookbooks, Diet Trends and any other job related books don't count
3. Any books not on the Kindle before 2016 must be paid for. Free Books don't count

I finally got to read fiction in September. The reader in me is beaming with pride. I didn't read 5 books, I read 6. First I will feature the books already in the Kindle. Those were the most challenging. I tried to read the stuff that I started but put down. I understood why I put some of that stuff down. So, I moved to the works that were "in the que".

If These Shoes Could Talk by Tia McClollors 
This is actually a 30 day devotional. This was suppose to last a while. The next thing I know I was two chapters in. It encourages women to take steps forward in every aspect in their life. My favorite section is "The Ways if a Woodpecker". Tap Tap Tap Pause Tap Tap Tap Pause

80s Kids by Jade Heasley

Ok so, I live in a weird in between the age space of Generation X & Millennials. Researchers say it is common for those born in 1976 - 1981 to feel this way. Other than she was raised in the north and I was in the south our 80s memories were similar. I Love the trip down memory lane. The chapter "Mom vs Music Videos" reminded me of my grandmother. My grandmother felt like music videos were vile and no good to watch. She didn't approve of us watching them until we showed her Video Gospel on BET in the 90s. Oh her descriptions & love for 80s toys made me long for my old ones. In my opinion, 80s toys were the best. I literally smelled my Orange Blossom doll as I combed her hair as a child. #ChildhoodisCalling

Now to the non-fiction I paid for this year. They were mostly books in my book wish list that I didn't bought because of the sweet temptation of fiction.

If Only I Knew Then by DeLisha Sylvester

This is what I LOVE about Twitter. It puts me in contact with people who have a lot of similar interest as I. This author is the founder of Women's Elevation Magazine. We actually used to live tweet some of the shows on Black & Sexy TV for a little while. Her book is a gem to a person with a small buisness. I actually read it on my birthday. I wished I had this book when I started DS. I have a degree in Food & Nutrition. DS came because I was broke & bored. I was unemployed & my degree was almost a year old. This book was honest and helpful. "Stress" is the chapter that spoke to me the most. "If you don't control your stress, It will control you". And if you know me, I have to be in control of me.

The Wait by Devon Franklin & Meagan Good 

This probably the most known non-fiction work I read in 2016. As a celibate individual, many times you have to explain your stance. And allies in the celibate world that tell their honest stories are always needed. I waited (no pin intended) for this book's popularity died down to read it. I remember rocking back in forth reading this book like I was hearing a good sermon. The best part about this book is because they truly understand the message of "It Puts You Back in Control". Celibacy for many is not about body counts, STDs, being "holy", & not even the act of sex itself. It's about feeling like the authentic you. The Wait helped me tell folks, "I stopped so I could feel like my Real self".

Forget Boaz, I Want My Adam by Livi Adams 

I saw the title of this book on Instagram in 2015 & started following the author. I try hard not to be a know-it-all. And I was happy to find it was not just me. The "never been married" moaning "Where is My Boaz" is strange to me. Boaz was Ruth's 2nd husband. Too many never been married women out here trying to glean but you may need to find out what rib cage you match up with. And this book helps my feelings. It's a quick read and not hard to follow.

Lost & Found by Lyne V. Reider 

After I read this book, I started getting annoyed with so many people complaining on social media, especially Facebook. For two weeks, I unfollowed (still friends on FB but their posts don't come up on my TL) a few people. Most complain about the people they feel should support them more in life. The author goes through her journey to being a blessing to many through the grief of losing two sisters & a husband before the age of 40. I remember saying "Man" & holding my face throughout this book. Making your mess into a good message is the name of the game. So are you winning?

So, those are the non-fiction books I read in 2016. I am so happy to finally agree this book goal. My next book goal is reading 5 books that were banned from school libraries.

Yes, a paperback 😂

Yep, I'm going to find out what is so bad about Tom Sawyer & To Kill a Mockingbird. Starting that goal in 2017 but first I plan to finish The List by Sherri Lewis. Yep, some good ol' fiction. LoL

Did you meet any goals this year? Leave the story in the comments.

And As Always Talking To You In Adult Terms

Like - Love: Oh That Dash (Poetry Corner)

I got Beauty, Lust, & Power. Should be an interesting 2017. Funny part is I just wrote a poem about Lust 👌😎😀

Lust

Lust was Seen & Heard

Before Lust even Spoke to me

I was not Impressed

Lust gave me an Invitation

But Sleep had a better Event

Sometime later, up pops Lust

Apparently it was an Open invite

Cracked the door because of Nosiness

Life nicely Shut it Back Tight

If Lust paid me any Attention

Not being my Style would be Known

And I saw the Pictures & Posts

I don't seem to be Lust's either

Maybe it's a Screw it, Let's Do this

But what is the This to be done

Let me Unfollow Lust

And maybe Lust will Close the Offer

What 3 words did you see first? Let me know in the comments.

As Always Talking To You In Adult Terms

What's in a December Greeting?

The memes in this post should tell you how I really feel. I really don't understand the fussing. Somebody saying "Merry Chistmas" is not an assuming egomaniac. Happy Holidays is inclusive not divisive.

Most of us living in the "Melting Pot" are not dressed in a manner that indicate our religious or non-religious preferences.

So, unless the maliciousness is obvious (Ex: rudly saying Merry Christmas to a lady in a hijab) being offended is null & void, in my opinion. To strangers I see this time of the year, I say Happy Holidays. But

I'm a Christian with a rainbows & sunshine attitude about this non-issue issue.

As a Christian, the only thing that offends me is using an X instead of Christ in Christmas. Even some Christians make this mistake. Don't do a quick job on Jesus or Don't leave him out on the day designated for his birth. An X is NOT a + cross !!!

Let's just be happy a tad this time of the year. Let's be Respected & Respectful all the year so, it can be a natural action by the end of the year.

As Always Talking To In You In Adult Terms

Can't Even Afford to Ask

Tis the season to be jolly but apparently it's Still not the season use your Common Sense. I was entering the house late one morning last week and on my grandmother's TV was a news story that cause me to give it side eye. People are complaining about what children are wishing for on the Angel Tree. Go read about it HERE.

So, either givers are full of doubt or don't understand children. If they are skeptical, why are they giving? I think the Salvation Army does good research on families before putting up the Angel Tree list.

So, it has to be the latter. These givers don't understand that unfornunate children are Still children. They are going ask for the same things their fortunate peers are asking for. They are asking for same stuff they & their "fornunate" peers think is cool.

“I agree some of them are extravagant. This is what a child is asking for. So you can’t dictate what they want and don’t want,” said Tamara Lorenz

What did these givers expect to be on the list? PS4 Pro & Iphone 7 are the hottest things out. All the children want them. Why not? Their ads are everywhere. When ELF nails sets & glow-in-the-dark shoe laces are not being shown on the TV & internet all the time.

Children are going to ask for what is popular. They don't know how their peer's parents really got their child's PINK sweats. They see they have them and they now want some. It is for the givers to use common sense and buy what their wallet can afford. If your angel asked for a PS4 Pro, maybe buy a Nintendo Classic, another very coveted item for a fraction of the price.

So, Needy kids can't afford to ask for nice stuff?

That's what these complaints make it sound like. They should be able to. Same money that is spent on a bicycle can be spent on a basic smartwatch from Best Buy. Maybe just donate your money & let those with giver hearts & brains buy for the angels.

The Bible says "God loves a cheerful giver". Being judgemental about what the less fornunate should request for a gift is not so Jolly.

People let's give with Joyful hearts, alright!!! Happy Holidays!!!

As Always Talking To You In Adult Terms

Can We Just Talk???

You know why Freedom of Speech is so costly these days? Because people are putting too much value on every statement made by everybody. I think people read & hear with a critical, dramatic, & trivial eye & ears these days. Just within the passed few days I've caught myself defending my simple statements and wondering if simple statements were said to offend me. Others more than likely, have also. How long have we been in this state? I'll be durn if I continue to interact life like this. LET STATEMENTS BE STATEMENTS, SOMETIME. I know that is a clouds & rainbows approach. But at what point do we simply talk and listen?

Sad part is somebody will read this and think I am talking about them. I'm just speaking My Truth. If My Truth feel like I am throwing vicious shade towards you...Take The Blow.

As Always, Talking in Adult Terms