Not Putting Up Any Snow Pics...

Side bar before I begin (wait, can I have a sidebar when I haven't typed anything yet? LOL its my blog so I guess I can do what I want to do!) Wth won't blogspot notify me when I have comments that need to be moderated? Its annoying but I never know that I have comments to be moderated until I sign in again to put up a new post! So thank you my faithful few commentors, I don't mean to seem like I'm not appreciative of your comments, I am, please keep it up. I just need to figure out how to be told you've actually commented!

OK so getting back to my post for the day. For those who follow me on FB or Twitter you know I've been held captive by the SnownotoriousBIG of 2010 here in the DMV. Since Friday evening I've been holding vigil in my ultra small apartment moving between sleep, snack, mindless tv, re-reading books, panic attacks, and MUSIC. And you know what, save for the fact that I haven't interacted physically with a single human being except for the 7-11 folks I sledded down to see on Monday cause I was just dying to get out, I'm doing ok.

In all honesty I'm a bit concerned.... that I'm not losing it. Its been like a imposed hibernation from humans and I'm not climbing the walls. I'm bored yes, but appreciative of the days off from work and time to relax (and wear my Saturday bra--oh ok no bra, for 4 days!) Those of you who are not in the itty bitty tittie committee know what I'm talking about. OOOOOOOOHHHHHHH FREEDOM OHHHHHHHH FREEDOM, OOOHHHHHH FREEDOM OVER ME (OVER ME).....well you get the point.

I've had plenty of time to ponder my thoughts, sleep (who knew I couldn't sleep at will) and listen to my favorites over and over again. In the midst of all this, one of my FAVORITE artists ever in life decided to drop an album after 10 years. Yup I still call them albums....my blog= my terminology. Now that I think about it, I think God planned for me to be off so I could play Sade infinitely in my apartment (Bet the neighbors are loving me now). Actual text to a buddy 11:25am "btw do you think that my neighbors are going to lynch me cause I've played Sade 4 times already this morning?"

Her music is like a soothing ointment on my heart and mind. Her music transports me back to simpler times and pushes me to move forward in life all at once. Be honest with yourselves, unless you're planning on doing #hoshit (which is my favorite hash tag on Twitter, lol) not many other artists can make you say that (cue Trey Songz, Lil Wayne......) Pox on the blogger who said that Sade's album wasn't all that great cause "it sounds like all her other ones" Ummmm all her other ones are great, so what are you saying brother? Un-followed him immediately on Twitter, cause joker wasn't making sense at all...lol

Some things I've learned on this journey through snow:

1- I can be alone. No really really alone. I've made it 4 days and with 10-20 inches headed our way...maybe be 1 or 2 more. Minus the extra smiling I was doing to the 7-11 workers can really be alone. Note: I can does not mean I want to be alone. Just good to know I can be.

2- I still love my bb. Has been my saving grace to people while the DMV decides how long they are NOT going to run Metro or even plow my street? Couldn't do #hoshit even if I wanted to! (LOL ok I just wanted to use that term again, don't you see how funny it is?) Text/email/bbm away folks, you can even CALL.....I'm needing great loads of entertainment.

3- I haven't eaten myself into a tizzy. I still have snacks after 4 days and didn't go re-up for more when I found out another storm is coming. I'm a health guru hear me roar (well ok not quite, but I'm proud)

4- Even though I haven't over indulged, I will still gain a few pounds just cause that's how my luck is. (damn my genes)

5- Twitter folks talk about way different stuff during the day than at night. When I'm at work I rarely if ever get a chance to read twitter let alone tweet. So who knew such deep convos get shared in the middle of the day. Shoutout to the daytime Twitter crew keeping me entertained.

6- I still don't want to know who's got a buffalo to adopt on Farmville, beat up a gang on Mafia Wars, or took a movie quiz....yup all that stuff still gets blocked on Facebook. I play just like the next person, but you won't catch me reading about it.

7- I get annoyed when I don't get a comment on my FB status. Call me interactive, isn't the point of putting up a status, so that folks have something to say? Usually I get tons of folks to comment, cause I stump em with my song lyrics. I even put up a Doctor Seuss type rhyme this morning (coupled with a Sade lyric) 2 hours later and nary a peep. I'm RHYMING people....hmmmm maybe folks don't like rhymes. I'll try a haiku tomorrow.

8- People love to put up snow pics. I know what snow looks like and after this week I don't need to be reminded. Its actually the snow (and subsequent 6 hours of power failure) that caused the first panic attack I've had in weeks. What's weird is that I had the PA AFTER the power came back on....weird. I think it was triggered by my extreme fear of total darkness and the fear that the power would go back off...again me living alone didn't help at all. So sorry folks on FB, I usually do my best to comment on pics, cause again isn't that the point of uploading pics, but I'm avoiding any triggers. I didn't even look outside my window for a day after the PA.

9- I have a new appreciation of Bullies. *You'd have to be reading my last few FB status updates to get that one*

10- I can re-read a book and not have remembered most of the events/details of the story I read the first time around. I won't even complain about that right now cause its entertained me . Shoutout to Mary Monroe, Wally Lamb, and Jodi Piccoult for re-readability.

11-My blogging family needs to blog even more. I can rely on some of the daily folks, but some of my favorite peeps/bloggers have been neglecting their craft for way too long (like I have a right to complain right? lol) So before I start listing full gov't names (if I know them) Tha Management Karlon and a few others you've got homework to do!


12-With all my complaining about being alone during this storm I really wonder what I'd be feeling if I was in a relationship and snowed in with a boo right now. I'm sure it would have its merits, ie #hoshit (3 times in one blog, yay!) and comfort when I had that PA from my 6 hours of Little House on the Prairie living, but in all honesty, was it better for me to be alone? I think that would have been a perfect test to the longevity of a relationship.... 4 days in an apt a man would certainly help me decide if he truly was the teddy bear of my dreams, which would have made these past few days a hot precursor to the upcoming Valentines Day long weekend. Or it would have been an unfortunate realization of a human Chucky doll I would want to set on fire out back.

13- Two small bottles of wine can last you 4 days (and counting). Save for the glass I spilled from being a clumsy cooki yesterday trying on heels (after drinking one glass) and carrying a glass of white Zin (no condemnation here, I was bored) I still have both a bit of my White Zin & Moscato left. Yup, I'm a classy lady.

14- I dared not end my list on the number 13, I've had enough bad luck for one snowstorm, so just wanted to make sure I tipped the scales in my favor.

So enough of my rambling for one day, for my folks in the DMV here's hoping this next storm isn't like the first. I'd like to have a chat with that darn groundhog....

Don't forget to talk to me.....technology makes it oh so simple, take your pick! Just DONT' send me any ones of snow! Palm trees & blue water only please!

Footwashing Love.....

A college buddy of mine had as her Facebook status this morning: "is trying to remember what it feels like to fall in love". Another college buddy: "Forget love, I'd rather fall in chocolate". My Mom was in the advice giving (even though I didn't ask) mood last night. Her advice: "Marry an ugly man cause he'll always be with you, will wash your feet (somehow foot washing has deep implications for her) and you can walk around with him on your arm and not be worried that other women are going to steal him". (Imagine that coming from my little cute Momma with the cute Haitian accent, and know it was a push to NOT die laughing). A while ago had a convo with a good friend on the debate between whether to wait until a relationship is serious to have sex, or should you have sex to "test the waters"; whether love is a feeling you act on or whether you act on the love because of what you're feeling......or did I just say the same thing? lol

So many conversations about love around me....and I'm not in love, like, or anything else.....Really and truly life is so boring that save for the cutie on the train I run into every now and then, or the boo at the conference who was sexy as hell...ummmm not any really prospects around. Sometimes I'm ok with that, other times....stay away.

IMO, I'm all for that wonderful feeling of falling in love (or like) but I'd rather have the commitment that comes to being in love....you don't always feel it but you know its there... and it lasts longer. Its kinda like the couple that spends ridiculous amounts of time and money planning a wedding, but does absolutely no prep for the marriage. Stupid right?

I personally believe folks need to figure out their definition of love before they get into their next relationship. That way they can categorize better. Booty calls you don't love....dare I say it again? You DON'T love a booty call. (By the way folks, booty calls are not just one night stands, they can be the brother who's dating you for a year or two too...let that one marinate for a while).

You'll fall in lust with a cutie, you'll fall blind for a man who's sweet talking you, you'll even fall into ignorance for the man who tells you he doesn't want you but you try to force it anyway. But, you'll love the man who'll grow with you. Cause he's not perfect and neither are you. So when those wonderful butterfly feelings fade, find out what you're left with and then you'll decide whether its really love.

For me love is about commitment. I love my career so I'll commit to excellence at my job. I love my family, so I'll commit to tolerate family drama. I love my friends, so I'll commit to always agree to disagree....I'll love that man who'll commit to being with me, in whatever that means. Commit to being patient, commit to being understanding, commit to a being faithful, commit to pushing me to try new things, commit to understanding what it really means to be the head of household, commit to pushing me to do better than I did the day before, commit to loving me even when I don't love myself....the list of commitments go on and on...really its no different than what I committed to do in loving my family and friends.

My Mom had a point in her own way. Although she didn't quite articulate it well, what I'm thinking (or rather hoping) she was trying to say is that sometimes we need to go beyond just the physical to see what longer lasting things a man has to offer (and vice versa HELLO PEOPLE) and how that blends with what a woman truly needs. Cause really any man willing to wash feet is a keeper right?

8 Years of Life....

I may not remember many details from 8 years ago, but one major detail I remember was my diagnosis of Ovarian & Endometrial Cancer, Synchronous Primaries. Cancer at 26....(totally kills the 20's swagger, I can assure you...) January 17, 2002 has now become my 2nd birth year.

Its been 8 years of living....folks keep asking what I'm doing to celebrate. The only thing that seems fitting is to ask you to donate today....I want you to celebrate my 8 years of life by trying your best to help save others who are in much greater need than I'll ever be. Even at my worst, it was nothing compared to the suffering of hundreds of thousands of people in my family's native country of HAITI.

Just like I didn't understand (and still don't understand) the reason for God's plan for me, I certainly don't understand His plan for the people of Haiti, who we all know have been suffering for a long time. But I do believe that HE has a plan, so I'm moving forward....help the people of Haiti do the same.

EMAIL, call, TEXT, drop off your donations to a charitable organization. Two great organizations are in banners at the top of my blog, click on them and make a pledge. If you want to be really snazzy, donate in a denomination of 8, $8, $18, $108, 8 packs of baby wipes, etc....Or if you don't have tangibly, text 8 friends to let them know to donate...you never know what your communication can do...

THANK YOU....

For Haiti...

I'm not going to say much right now. Take a few minutes and support the relief efforts in Haiti, if you can.

Text YELE to 501501. Will charge $5 to your cellphone bill (You can do this up to 6 times) Supports Wyclef's organization for relief efforts.

List of resources from cnn.com on other ways to help: click here

My cousin Andy's site with a list of even more resources

Still praying for more miracles than tragedies....for my people and for all...Thanks everyone...

Make Sure You Ask...

My FB status update this morning:

Dear Vacation, You were amazing. "You were the best (fling) I've ever had. Can you please do me a favor? Can you text Mother Nature & ask her to drop a nice blizzard on us starting tonight, just to give us another week (or two)? I think I'd like to take our relationship to the next level. "Baby, you the best!" With love, Sophia

This written at about 6am on the first morning back to work after a gloriously lazy and cathartic two week break. I hadn't had a two week break since '02 when ummmmm well that wasn't quite a vacation.... (You'll forgive me if I don't want to rehash that whole experience again)

I had made my piece with having to go back to work....wasn't happy about it but hey such is adult life. Low and behold just as I had stepped out of the shower this morning when my supervisor called to say the heat in the building wasn't working and I could stay home for the day! ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!!

FIERCE DANCING ENSUED for about 2 minutes as she talked. I'm not really sure what she said. I was trying to figure out whether to change back into my pj's or just leap back into my bed butterball naked and slip off to a glorious extra few hours of sleep. (Just in case you were wondering, I slept until 11).

There's something to be said about that scripture 'you have not because you ask not'. Well shoot since God's in a giving mood.....that sexy piece of eye candy that I've had my innocent eyes on? Can you make him single, saved, (and sane) and looking for me? Those student loans I thought were such a smart idea back in college? A massive computer glitch at Sallie Mae can make those things disappear. Turn my body into one of those that don't react to EVERY single calorie I intake? Set me up with a fab job on the island of my dreams or allow me to not work at all yet keep up my meager yet fashionable style of living? Let football be a year round sport?

I'm on a roll here....my sister said I'm taking the scripture out of context, but hey figure I'll try and see what happens......can't hurt right?

And by the way, yes I am sleeping with my underwear on backwards and throwing an ice cube in the toilet tonight before I go to bed. (I swear I heard that somewhere) I'm holding out hope that this "flurries" report will turn into blizzard of the century that'll keep me on my couch for at least another week. (While I'm at it, God please make sure the Peapod delivery guy delivers my groceries in the midst of the storm, I'll need something to sustain me!)

(By the way as I was typing this post, Principal called to say they got the heat working again and we'll be back to work tomorrow. Hmph! They can control the heat but they can't control the weather, get your icecubes ready folks!)

Falling in Love....all over again

Ok so shout out to the BFF cause she got me the best Christmas gift I've gotten in eons. An iTunes giftcard!! Not that I don't appreciate the gifts I receive, but you know, sometimes you get one that just makes you smile extra. That's what this one was.....last time I smiled like that was when my sis got me the Kwame album way back in the day. My sis didn't really get down with Rap at that time so I knew how much it was a stretch for her to get that for me. U2- Joshua Tree was hot too, but you know, Kwame was the ish! LOL.

Anywho getting back to now....spent all of Christmas Day researching and pulling up old music wishlists. Yeah its that serious for me. Music is my life, I'm always, I mean always singing, thinking or listening to music. Yeah that's not a typo, I do think music, anyone a Facebook buddy of mine knows my daily status update almost always ends with a lyric from a song.

Being a music fan sometimes means that sometimes I play an artist or two into the ground. I mean really, I think my ipod wants to yell at me sometimes, maybe even yell "NO!" and refuse to play if I tap on Adele one more time. Or Anthony Hamilton, or Eva Cassidy....you get the point. I've got Playlists for every mood, Preserving the Sexy (workout music) By the Fire (slow jams for a relaxing evening), On My Knees (that good old Jesus music).

I have no problems spending hours on iTunes listening to never heard of folks and finding hidden gems. Emily King, Noel Gourdin, Yahzarah anyone? I've always got a longer list than I have money, so stuff is always on the wishlist. And once I've found it I can listen over and over and over again. And sometimes that can get a bit old, but now I'm finding the secret to my neverending love.....live CD's!!

I'm telling you its the absolute best. We all remember Maxwell Unplugged. (Moment of silence for the wonderfulness that is that CD. Or Lauryn Hill Unplugged (Moment of silence for....ummmm....well her "creativity" on that one). When I stumbled across Adele Live from Soho, I screamed (literally). John Mayer, Corrine Bailey Rae, Sarah Vaughn.... its like falling in love with your favorite CD's all over again. There's just something amazing about that raw voice sound, that acoustic music, the audience joining it at times, the story behind the songs, I love it all. I can kill CBR's "Til it Happens to You", but listening to her croon that one out live? Sheesh girl, SANG!!.... Now of course I'd be in absolute heaven if my favorite male artist of ALL time comes out with a few live CD's. Just know if I ever can get my hands on a live ANTHONY HAMILTON, I may NEVER leave my apt again. And my neighbors might be very upset with me...lol I almost lost my mind hearing him sing "The Point of it all" in concert, putting it on repeat on my ipod, might just be my undoing. Maybe its best there isn't one yet, but really A.Ham?? 6 CD's and not one live CD? I've seen ya live and yes, I may lose my mind, but if thats the way I'll finally lose the rest of my marbles, I'll take it.

In the meantime I'm sitting on my couch acting like I'm at a live concert tonight. A live concert in my curlers and pj's sipping peppermint hot chocolate on Christmas Day. Opening the show is , followed by a little in between sets gonna take it back with Miss
and finish it up with . I would throw in a little Maxwell, Unplugged, but then again, I may not go to sleep tonight if I do!

Fun App....

Was gonna give you all a nice long blog post today cause I thought I'd be snowed in again, but all the ladies have been convinced to hit the road so I'll have to postpone and blog from my next destination. In the meantime just tried a cool app on facebook that gives you a random spattering of your own status updates in a collage. Amazing that it picked just the right updates that summed up my year....


Very cool indeed.....