Insomniac ramble

1. 2+2=5
2. A video of  Waka Flocka Flame is in heavy rotation on many blogs and Facebook newsfeeds due to his less than intelligent answers to questions regarding education and voting. I want to laugh but it's not funny. I watched the video and felt bad for him...and for the YBY.  I don't mean this in a condescending way either. I REALLY feel bad for him that people are calling this dude an idiot and pretty much using him as a means to feel better about themselves. It appears that Terrance knew he was going into unknown territory with Mr. Flocka, as did Rocsi, which explains why she threw her head back in laughter when the interview turned "serious." Click here if you like watching train wrecks.
3. Recently discovered that Bible Gateway allows you to type in a passage to be read aloud in almost every translation. I may be late, but it's super cool. Check it out.
4. Warren is running his first 5K tomorrow. I should jack him up for doing one of my 101 Things (remember that? I'm still working on it! Ha!)
5. A "scaled down" version of my 10 year high school reunion is still on. #ohletsdoit
6. To Die is Gain is still probably one of the best rap albums I've ever heard. Stephen the Levite's flow is kinda ridiculous.
7. Speaking of CHH, I haven't bought a new album in a minute. Heard the single from Trip's album and pretty much passed it up. Think the same is going to happen with Lecrae's new joint. We do have Sho's second album. It was cool for the most part. Heard about A Yellow Man the other day. They have me excited again. I definitely want to branch out once I get other things settled.
8. Been listening to Line of Fire lately to give myself a break from Fighting For the Faith. FFTF is an apologetics show at it's core, and sometimes it can be a bit much. Might be time to retire all these radio shows and hit up Sermon Audio and TPC Sermons. 
9. Lies My Pastor Told Me. No, I'm not talking about my pastor. I'm talking about an eBook available for download that addresses 15 of the most popular church cliches of the day. Read it if you dare. Totally free.
10. Found out a woman I went to college with died yesterday at a dialysis appointment. It's still kinda surreal. We weren't close by any means, but we did work together for a couple of summers...even stepped together for 2 years during our freshmen and sophomore years. Never know when your time is up. "Oh Lord, make me know my end and what is the measure of my days; let me know how fleeting I am. Behold, you have made my days a few headbreaths and my lifetime is as nothing before you. Surely all mankind stands as a mere breath...." RIP Frances.
11. Why am I still awake?

Oh Leh do It!

1. Watched two episodes of The Office (Season 6) on nbc.com last night. Still funny.
2. Day 16 of P90X...go figure.
3. Remembering being 17 and not being able to imagine what I'd be doing in my late 20s. Now I'm in my late 20s and can't imagine what I'll be doing 5 years from now. I need a window into the future.
4. Mama said there'd be days like this.
5. Do not give your children rhyming names.
6. Speaking of names, stop with the accent marks, hyphens and crazy spellings ("Quevine" instead of "Kevin") or just ignore me...name your kids whatever you want. 
7. My kids always make me feel better...they're cool like dat.
8. Sermon Audio is a cool place.
9. Why on earth does anyone deal with this in a so-called worship service...I mean, for real. I couldn't even get through one minute...heard of this guy on Fighting for the Faith and Wretched...Blasphemous.
10. This Ergun Caner thing is beyond crazy.
11. I love my husband.

We're all "homos"--- "homosapiens..."

1. Note: Living in the same home with and providing financial support for your children is not the same thing as "being there for them." Occupying the same space/home while checking out mentally doesn't count.
2. I don't give brownie points. Okay...maybe sometimes.
3. I've been staying away from FB...sorta...brother and old student sent me messages so I responded...besides that. Nothing much. Why do I feel free? haha
4. Water only thing isn't working. Just finished drinking a Coke. How did I do it the first time?
5. Can't believe my 10 year high school reunion is around the corner. Where does the time go?
6. Speaking of my class reunion, reconnected/reconciled with an old friend. Boy were we wreckless in high school! Ain't gonna lie though...I had fun. Don't judge me.
7. So J. Nicole says she's coming to visit...has hell frozen over? *hehehe*
8. Speaking of J.Nicole...*flips hair* *does step* *clears throat*
9. Random, but this year we had Easter Dinner with the Grays...pizza...the first time in my LIFE that I haven't had a huge, "special" dinner on Easter Day. Felt good and weird at the same time but I'm oh so thankful for the fellowship.
10. "And things of this nature..." and "Be that as it may..."

dot dot dot

1. Watched Two Towers and Return of the King this week. Legalos was a beast. Samwise was a goon.
2. Two of my callers told me I am a good boss. It meant a lot...
3. Speaking of callers, my oldest caller lost her mother on Tuesday morning. Cancer. I cried.
4. Read an old journal/diary of mine from late 2004 to late 2005 on Tuesday before work. I was SO depressed...but my goodness SO poetic. I have a few pieces scrawled here and there in the book and they are kinda great. Why are people on the verge of jumping off a bridge so talented? LOL...weird. Haven't written anything that good in years.
5. Ms. Betty, Ms. Juanita and Ms. Desiree cooked tonight. Yum! It's Mr. Leroy's 50th birthday.
6. I'm black, y'all, cause I'm black y'all...I'm bliggity black and I'm black y'all...Prefer it over "African-American."
7. Life is about choices. Every second of every minute of every hour of every day of every...well...you get it.
8. Warren had to explain Sho's album is called Lions and Liars...smh.
9. Speaking of Sho's album, I think he was totally able to accomplish what T.R.U.T.H. tried to accomplish (show growth lyrically and take a different direction production wise) with The Big Picture...only he succeeded.
10. Speaking of Warren, his spring break is nearly over. *sadboobooface*
11. New laptop. Thanks mom :-)
12. I.T.W.N.O.I.
13. Speaking of that track, why is T.Dot so good as a featured artist on other people's albums (...I keep it 100/Ben Frank (frank) on that...) *raised eyebrow*
14. "I hear so many Christians murmuring about their imperfections and their failures and their addictions and their shortcomings...and I see so little war....murmur, murmur, murmur, Why am I this way?...MAKE WAR!"-John Piper
15. # 14 doesn't count as getting on YT. It's just a copied link...I MIGHT have listened to a little bit to make sure it was the right piece of audio...*shrugs* Don't judge me, man... ;-)

Caffeine is a drug plus digression

I'm supposed to be doing "water only" again this month and have already fallen off the wagon. I had at least 3 Cokes and a grande caramel frappe on from Friday to Saturday. I arrived at work and the coffee in the kitchen was calling my name but I overcame the urge. My head has been hurting since noon. I finally typed "caffeine" in Google search and little helper thingy gave me several entries for caffeine, including "caffeine withdrawal". I click on it and read the short article and comments. Can you figure out the major symptom? Crazy headaches....*sigh*. I didn't realize my headaches from the first "water only" go round in January were due to withdrawal symptoms. I can't believe my body literally NEEDS a Coke.  

1. This weekend was dope. Fun hanging out with mom and Shantel. Saw the Ohio Players, Mint Condition, Cameo and Charlie Wilson. I'm now sold on live bands...and Stokely Williams is a beast.  "See Mint Condition in concert." CHECK!
2. Live it. Love it. J.Nicole.
3. I've decided against blogging on the P4CM shirts. Content with being united in the essentials.
4. Jehovah's Witnesses came to my door on Friday. I was excited they finally visited (Kingdom Hall is 5 minutes from my house). The discussion began fine but then one of the women got upset with me and decided to end the visit. I was really surprised because I can honestly say that I was VERY respectful (NICE even). *sad*
5. It's so funny to see people go through the "cage stage," especially folks who weren't buying it in the past.
6. Doing well staying away from the message boards.
7. Spent all day at the Gray's yesterday. Home away from home.
8. Lions and Liars=dope. Favorites so far are Me, Myself and I, Revolutionary Died and Oh Well. His first album was about 2-2.5 stars out of 5. I'd give this one a 4. The We Can Be More song and video have major crossover appeal.
9. Finally going to start Strange Fruit this week. Borrowed it from the library in December.
10. Do not spend your money on a ticket for Clash of the Titans. Supreme let down. We went to the midnight viewing on Thursday/Friday. BOOOOOO!
11. Speaking of movies, finally watched Stomp the Yard last night. No comment.
12. We're still talking about moview, right? Repo Men was...hmmm....worth RENTING. See it during matinee hours if you have to see it in theaters. Cool twist, but there was no chemistry between Forrest Whitaker and Jude Law. Forrest tried but I wasn't convinced.
13. Go Butler! Boooo Duke!

Before going into the concert venue. This is a picture of a picture....haha

Love!

Wednesday Ramble, 3/31/10

1. Starting tomorrow no FB, Youtube, message boards, etc. This is going to be difficult for an internet junky like me but it's totally necessary and part of my 101 things. I'll blog but I'm trying to cut down on other timewasters.
2. Speaking of tomorrow. I'm also trying no fried foods again. Failed in February....and in March...I'm also re-doing the water only.
3. Break coming! Going to Jacksonville this weekend and furloughing on Friday. Mint Condition and all those other folks. Woop!
4. Why am I in love with the Wheel of Time series?
5. Half truths are whole lies.
6. I think I've been listening to Fighting For the Faith too much.
7. Speaking of listening to something too much. I've been listening to this song too much. Long story.
8. So what about them Hawks?! haha.
9. Someone standing against harrassment from particular Greek letter organizations by donning a shirt? Wow...
10. Mo' grace, Lawd...I need MO' grace.
11. Praying for all my brothers and sisters in the faith. Hope you're praying for me too.

Blah blah blah on a Tuesday night

1. Reading The Pilgrim's Progress and The Modern Tongues Movement.
2. Sweetheart Circle + a quilt + warm spring afternoon + glass of moscato + good company, would be time well spent.
3. Mint Condition concert is going down the weekend after next. How on EARTH did I miss the fact that it's Easter weekend. GRRrrrrr.
4. "You are not Pinocchio, you cannot be a real boy". Dopest poem from P4CM so far...Sin is sin and Christ died for all of it. That's good news.
5. Jehovah-Yireh, right?
6. Next thing on the "101 Things" list is bye bye to Facebook and other internet hotspots. Begins April 1.
7. I think she's got it...
8. Read this walking about out of Warren's class the other day: "People might not always believe what you say but, they will always believe what you do." WOOP!
9. Heard a good sermon on the role of structure in the life of the Christian. I'll post it when it gets posted (if I remember)

Blah.

2/21/10 Ramble

1. This "no fried foods" thing is going horribly! I mean it. Do you know how much food is "fried"???
2. Taking some production classes in the fall??? I want this camcorder.  So expensive but so worth it!
3. Mint Condition concert in less than 2 months.
4. Warren and I doing well on the Dave Ramsey thing. It's amazing what a little discipline and common sense can make in the area of finances. Read some success stories here.
5. I'm pretty sure there are no "EX" shirts I can wear in good conscience. Probably why I still don't own one. Not knocking it, just sayin'. May do a blog post on this.
6. Heard an EXCELLENT sermon at Providence Church this morning. Preached from Leviticus 10...the Nadab and Abihu incident. God is indeed merciful...yes "merciful," and yes both "mercy" and the gospel of Christ are in this passage....No eisegesis.
7. Heard some bad news on Friday that had me more than a little heated for most of the weekend. There is major comfort in knowing God's hand guides all things.
8. Why has it been nearly two weeks since I at least typed a ramble? I have two blog posts in the making though. Just working on some wording.
9. My client may have two others to send me! She's sweet. So exciting. We'll see. Hustle hard. haha.
10. Read 1984 last Saturday. It's officially still in the top ten books ever. Reading 100 Years of Solitude right now. So far, so good. Next on the list is The Help.

Catch you on the flip side.

2/9/2010 Ramble

1. Last day of "water only" is today! Going to drink a Coke for breakfast. Woop Woop!
2. The GMAT class I've been waiting to take for a month or so is canceled. Closed door or opened door?
3. Hoping to update my portfolio in the next few months. Excited.
4. The "no fried foods" thing is going to be more difficult than water only.
5. Rethinking some stuff.
6. Warren almost got scammed by some con artists pretending to be Sprint today! They called and said we owed $____ on our phone bill and that service would be discontinued in 48 hours if he didn't pay. They wanted his zip code and card number. Only problem is we JUST paid our bill IN FULL like 2 weeks ago. Do not fall for this!
7. The loc maintenance side hustle is going well. I really like my current client. Looking to expand soon.
8. Going to a wedding next month. So excited :-)

And anotha one....

I know I already posted today, but I need to ramble before I go home.

1. Warren preached his first sermon exhorted the brethren on Sunday from Matthew 7:13-23. It's a real distinction according to the Book of Church Order. LOL...leave it to the PCA.
2. My dad stopped into town on Saturday. Greatness!
3. Saw Avatar. It was aight...yes...just aight.
4. Officially 32 days drinking water only as this day closes out. Only 8 more to go. *pats myself on the back*
5. Today begins "no fried foods" for a month or so...
6. Had a really good time hanging out at the Barnes's house on Saturday night.
7. Had a great time fellowshipping with the Bradford's, J. Porter and K. Greene on Sunday afternoon. Encouraging.
8. Listening to What Kind of Man Would I Be as I type this...still a great song.
9. I feel like I may pick up the pen again. Itching to hit an open mic night.
10. Friends are hard to come by. Nuture the relationships you have...
11. Warren finally mated Judah today. I'm so sad :-(
12. Our electricity bill was $203. In a "fight the powers that be" moment, we turned our heat off about 3 or 4 days ago...this morning it was 49 degrees in our house. What on earth were we thinking? Hope the savings are worth it.
13. God is sovereign.

1/25/2010 Ramble

1. I've lost a total of 7lbs since Thanksgiving. Jig!
2. I'm on day 25 of my water only thing aka (#1). When I wake up on February 10th I'm going to have a cup of Coke chased with a strong cup of coffee.
3. Learned a cool recipe from Peaches. It's really not a recipe actually. Just cut a squash in half, place halves in a glass dish, add a little water and bake at 350. Pull the seeds out and then take a spoon and pull out the meat. Looks just like angel hair spaghetti! I found some pics online. Go here! Can't wait to try this on my own.
4. After a 1 day crisis, we feel comfortable with moving ahead with the home search.
5. In 101Things news, Warren, mommy and I are going to see Mint Condition in concert on April 3! My only regret is that I'll have to listen to other acts. Ehhh well.

Brain Dump

So many things to say, related, yet unrelated.

To begin, we found a house that we are very interested in buying. I never mentioned that we were looking because I'm secretive like that. *ha* Our current lease does not end until July 22 but we'd like to find someone to sublease the house so we can move forward with an offer.

Stepping back into a classroom for the first time in five years on Tuesday. I think, for the time being, that it's a good idea to proceed with classes. Standing still and pulling my hair out about the future will do nothing more than leave me in the same place with a pile of locs at my feet. Gotta move forward. Been standing still long enough. I spent about 40 minutes planning three different educational routes for myself in case something happens (like another bout of indecisiveness). I have my class schedule planned out through next summer....Destination--MBA.

Warren and I met a friend on Friday night to discuss future ministry plans. I was super encouraged after speaking with him. We parted ways and walked out to our car and I literally felt refreshed. We discussed our friend's goals to get a cross cultural church plant started in the metro Atlanta area. Can't get into too many details, but I was elated to hear the way the Lord is clearing a path for this thing to get off the ground.

Working on a few things from my list of 101 things. For 11 days, I've abstained from all my favorite drinks. No Coca Cola, no coffee. Just water...That knocks out #1. I begin my "no fried foods" on February 1. I'm also working on my "side hustle." Began a set of locs on Saturday. I really want to work on my technique for starting locs. Too much of a perfectionist. Took 7 hours to complete her hair. The parts are perfect and aside from one or two edge locs, they are all the same exact size. We scheduled her next appointment for the first weekend in February. I'm determined to get her touch up down to 2.5 hours (totally doable). That's three things in the works...

Trying to see if I can get volunteering back on the schedule this spring. I was working with a GED prep program in the fall, but I don't want to overwhelm myself with work, school, home life, etc. Noon prayer (group) is back for Wednesday afternoons. Never should have been out. Ahhh...I'm done.

101 Things: #1 and #2

It's January 2! I can't believe it's 2010 already. "My world it moves so fast today, the past it seems so far away..." Life is but a vapor.


I'm working on #1 and #2 from my list of 101 things. Drink water only for 40 days straight and start a side hustle that brings in at least $200.00/month.

Day 2 of water only has been more difficult than I thought it would be. I can't believe that I did it for 3 weeks in December with ease. I have confidence that I'll be able to complete it and knock it off my list.

As it stands, I have a client that I'll see each month. I will start and maintain her locs. It's not quite $200.00/month but I hope that my work will speak for itself and draw others.

We'll see how it goes.

101 Things in 1,001 Days?

I got this idea from someone I've web stalked for years (yes...years). She explains the idea behind the 1,001 days here. I'm probably going to keep track of my successes and failures here. No need to start yet another blog. I barely keep up with those I already have.

What is it?: A list of things that I'm going to set out to complete in the next 1,001 days.

Why are you doing this?: To shake things up a bit and to get more into goal setting in my personal life (not just work life).
When do you start:? January 1 is the official date but life won't end if I complete one or two more things before then.

I have some of my list completed.

In no particular order:

1. Drink water only for 40 days straight
2. Start a business side hustle that makes at least $200/month
3. Change my hair
4. Lose 15 pounds or 15% of my current body fat (long story)
5. Take a guitar or piano lesson
6. Share some of my poetry ramblings at an open mic
7. Go on a short term missions trip
8. Go on a cruise
9. Visit my grandmother alone for the weekend
10. Learn to swim
11. Take a dance class with Warren
12. Slowly but surely become a pescetarian
13. Serve during Christmas or Thanksgiving at a soup kitchen
14. Babysit Imani for a summer
15. Send a handwritten letter to my mother, my aunt, my grandmother and my great grandmother expressing my love and appreciation for them
16. Learn, once and for all, how to crochet
17. Read the entire Bible in chronological order twice
18. In Summer 2010 or 2011, wear a dress for 7 days straight
19. Abstain from fried food for 40 days
20. Actively seek out a teenaged girl to disciple
21. Actively seek out someone to disciple me (may have already found this one)
22. Spend one month away from Facebook and all favorite blogs
23. Advertise my loc maintenance services
24. Exclude fried food from diet for 30 days
25. Go on a cruise
26. Cut up all credit cards
27. Stop picking my fingers
28. Write a play
29. Attend a play
30. Attend the Savannah Jazz Festival
31. Have a picnic on Sweetheart Circle
32. Go to an NBA game with Warren
33. Take a photography class
34. Reconnect with an old friend
35. Support a missionary
36. Run/Walk in a 5K
37. See Mint Condition in concert
38. Go ice skating
39. Travel overseas

I'll continue to update this list as I add new things.