Hey Star, so glad you decided to stop by and just CHILL. Congrats on the book, how exciting! Looking forward to reading it.
La Maddie, don't let the drama in the yahoo group get to ya. It's not the first time this has happened and I suspect it won't be the last. One of the drawbacks to this crazy cyberspace world we live in. The poster is not the problem. It's the person who used them to spread the filth. I'd be more concerned about who in my inner circle felt the need to betray me this way. I've said before how it's those very things we care most about which leave us open to be disappointed. In this case, it is obvious it was a tag team match.
I've placed the book you recommended "The Good Shopping Guide" on my list. You guys are so full of good info. Never heard of it and it sounds interesting. I think I will try a soya shake this weekend, I did try some soy yogurt today and I really like it! Little by little I have been adding more healthy options in my diet and I am noticing how I don't crave the carbs so much. I was a carb junkie.Potatoes and bread were like crack to me! So Shula I can relate to the cravings but they will soon be a thing of the past. Livestrong sistah!
my stars! It's STAR!
In honor of your book and all your great resources, your health, your wisdom, your words of love and light, the songs your play for us in perfect rhyme, in honor of you
here is a field of more stars
================================
WE'RE BACK ON THE AIR Y'ALL!
IN A VERY UNORTHODOX WAY, WE'RE IN THERE THOUGH!
Star Cocoa Lounger
Posts: 44
(5/13/06 8:11 am) Reply
Gifts
Thank you Maya and all for your kind words and thoughts. For the mothers among us have a wonderful day!
A Bouquet for Mother
by Linda Ellis copyright 2001
In these busy, hectic lives we lead
too often we forget,
to be thankful to the person
to whom we owe our greatest debt.
Because roses will wither
and then slowly fade away,
instead I’ll send a dozen thank you’s
in this gratitude bouquet.
Thank you, Mom for passing on
what you’ve seen with your own eyes,
sharing years of your life’s lessons,
so insightful...and so wise.
Thank you, Mom for the words you spoke
while catching tears that I was crying;
“Even though you did not win the race,
I am so proud of you for trying.”
Thank you, Mom for always listening
when I needed to unburden my heart;
somehow always piecing together
what I believed had fallen apart.
Thank you, Mom for the open arms
that always chased away my fear,
for the loving embrace of a mother
can make the whole world disappear.
Thank you, Mom for the many tears
that you shed on my behalf
and for pretending that my silly jokes
always somehow made you laugh.
Thank you, Mom for sharing
the disappointments when I’d failed
and the pride of my accomplishments
in those times when I’d prevailed.
Thank you, Mom for creating the bond
that time or distance cannot sever
and for making family memories
that will be a part of me, forever.
Thank you, Mom for the encouragement
when I’d put my ideas on a shelf,
instilling in me the courage it takes
to always believe in myself.
Thank you, Mom for the guidance
through all my years of growing,
somehow molding the way I’d live my life
...without my ever knowing.
Thank you, Mom for your patience
and understanding all along…
those years I thought I was always right
and that you were always wrong.
Thank you, Mom for letting me occupy
that special place within your heart
that lets me feel the love you have for me
even when we’re far apart.
Thank you, Mom for teaching me
the most valuable lesson I would learn;
that you can love someone with everything
and expect nothing in return.
There is one more show of gratitude.
I must thank someone else, too
for the greatest blessing I’ve received.
I thank God...He gave me you!
Star Cocoa Lounger
Posts: 45
(5/14/06 8:47 am) Reply
Additional Film Projects
Heavens Fall-The hard-hitting indie drama Heavens Fall is based on the trial of the Scottsboro Boys. Leelee Sobieski plays one of two women who accused nine black youths of rape in one of the most charged cases in the segregated South. The second woman played by Azure Skye later recanted her story which started a second trial that might clear the defendants. Timothy Hutton plays famed New York attorney Sam Leibowitz. The film is written and directed by Terry Green. Also co-starring Anthony Mackie and David Strathaim.
Foxy Brown-Oscar-winner Halle Berry stars in the remake of Foxy Brown. The original film featured Pam Grier as the butt-kicking heroine who avenges the murder of her boyfriend and brother. Berry also executive produces with Vincent Cirrincione. The remake is scripted by Tyger Williams. MGM domestic distributor.
3/5 Of A Man-Based on an off Broadway play by Michael Henry Brown, 3/5 Of a Man chronicles the slave rebellion of 1831 in Virginia led by Nat Turner. The title of the film refers to the Constitutional language that counted a black man as only three-fifths when determining Congressional representation. Turner led one of the earliest and most successful slave rebellions but was lynched soon after. Anthony Mackie stars as Turner while Ving Rhames co-stars and also produces. Akosua Busia makes her directorial debut from Brown's adapted script.
Dreadnaught-The suspenseful action/thriller Dreadnaught revolves around a top secret Navy ship that accidentally shoots down a commercial airplane. The crew of the ship are ordered to kill the remaining survivors in order to cover up the mistake. The ship's captain defies his orders and the Navy then sends out enforcements to discipline the captain's refusal to follow orders. In light of the events of 9-11, the Columbia Pictures project is being reworked at Red Wagon Productions and Horsepower Entertainment. Starring Vin Diesel. Sony is the domestic distributor.
Just Wright-Queen Latifah will star in the romantic comedy Just Wright. Latifah plays a physical therapist hired to help a basketball player recover from a serious injury. The NBA star ends up falling in love with her. Latifah will produce this picture with her partners at Flavor Unit Films from a Mike Elliot script.
Long Walk To Freedom-Morgan Freeman stars as Nelson Mandela in A Long Walk to Freedom. The actor accepts the role of a lifetime portraying the famous South African leader and his legendary fight against a racist regime. Shekhar Kapur will direct the picture based on Mandela's autobiography.
Without Remorse-The Tom Clancy novel Without Remorse follows the character John Clark, played by Willem Dafoe in Clear and Present Danger. Clark was a soldier in the Vietnam war who is haunted by his experiences. When the woman he loves is killed by drug-dealers, he sets out to destroy those who took her life and wipe the remaining bad elements in the streets of Baltimore. CIA takes an interest and turns him into an agent. The script is adapted by Stuart Beattie. Directed by John Singleton.
Luke Cage-Luke Cage was the first, black Marvel comic superhero back in the 1970s. Growing up a gang member, he found himself framed for a crime he did not commit. While in prison, some scientists offered Luke his freedom if he would agree to go through with medical experiments. These experiments not only gave him his freedom, but they also gave him superhuman strength. From there, Luke went into the world to become a mercenary. He became a man who would fight crime, but only for a price. Directed by John Singleton.
The Lazarus Child-Based on Robert Mawson's novel, The Lazarus Child stars Andy Garcia, Angela Bassett, and Frances O' Connor. When a young girl goes into a coma after an accident, her 12-year-old brother travels inside her mind to bring her back. Graham Theakston directs his adaptation.
Nefertiti-Halle Berry is slated to take the role of the legendary Egyptian queen Nefertiti, reteaming her with Monster’s Ball director Marc Forster. Nefertiti was the wife of Pharaoh Akhenaten who’s status rivaled that of her husband. Shooting will take place in 2006.
Night Train-Ving Rhames stars as heavyweight boxing champion Sonny Liston in Night Train. Liston was the boxing champ that 22-year-old Cassius Clay (Muhammad Ali) dethroned in the 1960's. Liston's is a dark and fascinating story of drugs, jail, illiteracy, mob ties and racism. Also starring Alfre Woodard, James Woods, and Kristanna Loken.
October Squall-In October Squall, Halle Berry plays a rape victim who becomes pregnant after the attack and decides to keep her child. She raises the boy only to discover that he shares his father's natural tendencies. The drama comes from director Lyndon Chubbuck and writer Jason Starr.
A Star is Born-Joel Schumacher directs this fourth version of A Star is Born with Will Smith and Alicia Keys in talks to play the leads. The essence of the story is the same. An up-and-coming young actress marries an established actor, but their relationship is strained by the fact her star is in the ascendancy while his is in the descent. Stephen Rivele and Christopher Wilkinson wrote the screenplay. The original version of A Star is Born was helmed by William A. Wellman in 1937 and starred Janet Gaynor and Fredric March. The film was then remade by director George Cukor in 1954 with Judy Garland and James Mason in the leading roles. Barbra Streisand and Kris Kristofferson starred in the last remake in 1976, which was helmed by Frank Pierson. The popular Streisand version yielded one of her most-requested songs, "Evergreen," which won the 1977 Oscar for Best Song from a Motion Picture.
Reign O’er Me aka Empty City-Adam Sandler will once again try his hand in the drama genre. He plays a man reeling from the loss of his family in the September 11 attacks. When he runs into a college roommate and rekindles the friendship, he might just recover from his devastating experience. Don Cheadle will play the friend. Reign O'er Me is written and directed by Mike Binder. Co-starring Jada Pinkett Smith, Liv Tyler and Saffron Burrows.
Rendezvous with Rama-Based on the book by Arthur C. Clarke, Rendezvous with Rama is the story of a gigantic alien spaceship named Rama which entered our Solar System in the 22nd Century. No one knows where this mysterious craft came from. Earth decides to send out an exploration team to the advancing vessel to determine its intentions. Once onboard the spaceship, which is in the shape of an immense cylindrical tube, the explorers observe a self-contained world, less one thing-living beings. It seems to be abandoned-or so they think. Director David Fincher and Morgan Freeman are attached to the project.
Roses Are Red-Morgan Freeman reprises his role as Detective Alex Cross in Roses Are Red. This will be the third film adapted from the book series by James Patterson after Kiss The Girls and Along Came a Spider. The Paramount thriller is produced by David Brown and George Wizan at Revelations Entertainment.
Tick-Tock-In the suspense film Tick-Tock, an amnesiac awakens in F.B.I. custody as a prime suspect. He is suspected of carrying out a series of bombing in Los Angeles. The suspect himself does not know if he is the bomber, or just someone who was set up to take the fall. Nonetheless, he assists a young, female FBI agent who must find the remaining explosives. With limited time, the two get wrapped up in a frantic race around Los Angeles to diffues the bombs before they explode. Penned by Anthony Bagarozzi and Charles Mondry, the writing team came up with the film's concept while working as video clerks at a Tower Video in Orange County, California. As Bagarozzi explains, the job exposed him to Hitchcock's real-time pacing that is featured in the film. Tick-Tock has been compared to Nick of Time and Speed. Jennifer Lopez will star as the FBI agent. Stephen Norrington directs.
Willie-In the drama Willie, Ice Cube stars as a junior high school custodian who has a shot at coaching the school's basketball team. Trouble begins when the school district wants him barred because he lacks the proper teaching credentials, including a high school diploma. Revolution head Joe Roth will direct. Sony will distribute domestically.
Daddy’s Little Girl-Tyler Perry will write, direct and produce the romance Daddy's Little Girl. Described as a reverse Cinderella story, the film follows a young, beautiful female lawyer who falls in love with a janitor, a single father with three kids. The lawyer’s father is dead set against the match. Lionsgate will distribute the film. Lionsgate will be the domestic distributor.
Beverly Hills Cop 4-Eddie Murphy is expected to return for the fourth installment of Beverly Hills Cop. Released in 1984, the blockbuster action/comedy follows the adventures of rogue Detroit police officer Axel Foley (Murphy) who takes his police work to Beverly Hills. The sequel Beverly Hills Cop II (1987) enjoyed similar success, though Beverly Hills Cop III (1994) was a lackluster follow-up. Jerry Bruckheimer, producer of the first two installments, returns to lead Beverly Hills Cop IV.
Bad Girls-Queen Latifah and Jada Pinkett-Smith team up in the buddy-cop action comedy Bad Girls. The two will play police officers who carry on a friendship, while maintaining ties with their community and kicking serious butt. Latifah and Smith have both raised their profiles significantly since working together on Set it Off. Paramount will be the domestic distributor.
Feeling Aretha-Set in the world of college basketball, Feeling Aretha centers on the relationship between a coach and a player, who are also father and son. Taye Diggs stars and Rick Famuyiwa (The Wood) directs from a script by Todd Boyd. Peter Heller produces the Fox Searchlight release.
Affirmative Action-Ben Affleck and Will Smith will buddy up in the action-comedy Affirmative Action set in New Orleans. When a black soldier goes A.W.O.L. after committing a crime, a South Boston cop and a FBI agent who don't share the same racial views are teamed to find him. Affirmative Action was written by Jeffrey Abrams and is currently in development at Jerry Bruckheimer Films. Buena Vista will distribute the picture.
Nine to Five-Jada Pinkett-Smith stars in the Fox 2000 remake of the 1980 film Nine to Five. Three secretaries who've had enough of their sexist boss, decide to join forces and overthrow his authority. Pat Resnick wrote the script for the remake. James Lassiter and Will Smith will produce the comedy at Overbrook Entertainment and Absolute Entertainment.
1408-Based on a short story by Stephen King, 1408 stars John Cusack as a debunker of paranormal occurrences who finds real terror when he checks into Room 1408 of the Dolphin Hotel. Mikael Hafstrom directs with the adaptation by Scott Alexander and Larry Karaszewski.
Happy Belated Mother's Day!!!
SO, Mother's Day in the U.S. huh? I hope you ladies with babies were spoiled pampered and utterly indulged.
Shulee, it gets better, I went Vegan for a while, and the body just needs time to adjust, in fact you've got me thinking I might have another stab at it, keep going sweetheart.
If you can get hold of some mixed seed oils (if you haven't already done so) these'll give you the dose of omegas 3, 6 and 9 that you won't be getting from fish etc. I use an organic concoction by Viridian called 100% Organic Beauty Oil, but there are many others on the market. I usually take the oil in salads or smoothies, this particular one contains a combination of flaxseed, hemp, avocado, pumpkin seed and evening primrose oils, and doesn't taste wonderful, but the goodness is there for all to see!
Oh, and snacking on nuts, seeds and dried fruit works wonders for my energy levels! However, beware the dried fruit preservative sulphur dioxide. Dried apricots are naturally brown in colour, if you come across those pale orange ones, they have been sulphur dioxide-ed (that's most of them on the market, although this should also be marked somewhere on the label). Yes, they may look pretty and apricotish, but they never taste as good as the organic brown ones.
Re:Happy Belated Mother's Day!!!
La Maddie you are right as usual. I am chomping on some organic apricots sans the sulfur dioxide right now and the taste is sooo much better! Thanks for that bit of info. Perhaps that orange color draws people in, if they only knew what they are really ingesting uh? Pass along any other info you think might help.
Shula, I finally picked up Confessions of a Economic Hitman. Give me a few weeks and perhaps we can engage in some dialogue about Mr. Perkins. Gotta finish what I am currently reading.Where is firstsback anyway? And Liquid? Divine? Hellooo, check in okay... Miss u guys!
Re: Re:Happy Belated Mother's Day!!!
Hi ladies,
Madem, thanks so much for the encouragement. I am so glad to know this is temporary. My skin is finally calming down. You and Serene know a lot about healthy eating and why are we so obsessed with eating foods that are not in their natural state of color? (rice, sugar, apricots, flour) It's idiotic to process the foods so much for aesthetic purposes when it strips it of all its nutrients. My cravings are subsiding as well. I have actually been able to refuse some of my former tempatations and my weight is stabilizing as well. I have to really search for an adequate food supply. How is it possibly to live in an agricultural area and not have access to plenty of organic produce that is locally grown? Ahhhh, the irony of life.
Serene, that book is going to blow your mind. I was shocked beyond belief. I think it sort of opened my eyes to a lot of things you hate to believe about our world. So much so that I was able to read an article yesterday about the support that the US gov has been giving to Somalian warloads under the guise of stamping out terrorism without batting an eye. You all know that Somalia has been like a war zone. Warloads are being provided weaponry and the people are really suffering. I was not even shocked. I can't wait for you to finish it. It really was an eye opener.
Well, I guess I had better get on about my day. You all have a wonderful day.
Shula
Britney Spears----My turn to vent.....
Hello, everyone!
Hope you all are doing fantabulously. I just wanted to vent and have one of you wise women tell me that I have not lost my mind. Is it me or has the let's film/record/or photograph every move of a celebrity so we can fnd something to criticize or complain about because we have nothing better to do while the world is blowing itself up and babies are starving to death routine gotten out of control?
WILL THEY PLEASE LEAVE BRITNEY SPEARS ALONE?!!!!! Confession #1
I have three girls. All in carseats at the same time. All have fallen asleep and their necks have fallen forward while their tiny heads have rolled on their shoulders "looking" as if they would snap at any minute. It's happened to millions of babies and guess what? They survived just like mine. Some of them you can prop all you want but sometimes it happens. Let's all agree to get over it. Confession #2---My oldest daughter was probably the biggest baby I have ever seen and carried on my hip in my life. Huge. Guess what?!!! I confess. I almost DROPPED her, too. She was so heavy that my husband and I would argue over who would carry her. No joke. But, again, she survived. She was caught mere inches before she hit the ground and she laughed the whole time. Now it scared me but not her. SHE'S FINE.
Confession #3- I used to drive a convertible, as well. Except, I did have a roll bar. Drove my babies in it all the time before I figured it was time to do my part to contribute in destroying the atmosphere with an SUV. Rolled with the top down and the babies screamed in glee like it was the BEST roller coaster ride ever. They SURVIVED.
If I were Britney Spears and every move I made was documented just to prove how bad a mother I am, I would be a nervous wreck and driving around in curlers and dropping babies, too. No one can live under this type of pressure. It's easy to say ignore it but slander is painful. Especially, when a mother's love for her child is in question. I know, I've been there. They need to cut it out. If we did not have more pressing problems in the world, I would suggest that it be made illegal to slander, stalk or harass anyone because they have a familiar face. We do not "own" celebrities because they entertain us and our patronage creates the fame that looks like more of a curse than a blessing. It's soooooo out of control......
Okay, I feel much better That situation is really starting to irk me. I don't how people sleep at night.
You all have a great weekend. Be safe.
Shula XOXO
Edited by: Shulammite Maiden at: 5/19/06 12:04 pm
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A WIRED TOWN HALL DISCUSSION ON THE CLIMATE CRISIS
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WARMEST APRIL ON RECORD IN U.S.
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http://www.noaanews.noaa.gov/stories2006/s2632.htm
Edited by: MayasHeartBeat at: 5/20/06 3:49 am
I agree with you. I hadn't heard about the incident until you mentioned it and then I saw the pics etc... When I saw her in tears and obviously distressed, I couldn't believe someone would slag her off last that. It's terrible. I'm not a big fan of hers, but I agree with you, it's such a personal attack. I was discussing with someone the fact that people tend to use your weaknesses or your past to have a dig at you. What happened to kindness etc... I guess this behavior mirrors that of our leaders... If only we were bothered about the news...
Maya,
I have heard about this docu-film and watched the trailer. Sounds interesting.... Back in the U.K. waiting for you and R....
Expat + the U.K. Posse: darlings ... guess who's dating a man from London? Floyd as in Pink, but actually ebony. Sound man and t.v. production by trade, producer @ heart. Have done the Brazilian bit + sushi. Deep Dish on Friday and a soccer match on the tube early Sunday, says my sched. Libra and of great age: 5 months b4 moi.
AND NOW THAT I'VE GOT YOUR ATTENTION !!! COME TO MY PARTY @ ROSE IN WILLIAMSBURG, BROOKLYN
peace and piece of cake!
your sistah!
Edited by: MayasHeartBeat at: 5/25/06 2:07 am
expat :)
hey everyone !! hope your Memorial Day weekend is going great.
Expat darlin' ... i missed your call baby; you rang me yesterday but i'm just gettin' back from 2 days of rehearsals for a video clip ... didn't bring my cell 'cause it never helps. i'm off to zzzz and will call u @ around the same time u called me.
but 1st everyone: juuuuicy gossip ... the u.k. guy ... my goodness, how do i put this ... well he just texted me 20 minutes ago that he's back in Europe and guess what, with his ex (whom he never mentioned??!!) thank my stars -- no action. but, woah ... i have like 14 text messages with sweet nothings from last week (all Bull-s.) and he put his brother on the phone to meet me and almost didn't stop mentioning me to his mother, and vice-versa??? i drew the line there (prophetic??) what t.f. is going on, brothers? all i know is we were going to Deep-Dish, Roger S, and NuYorican Soul's 3 parties and he watched me guest-list us -- what a foooool! (me) of course, i wasn't going solo without a clue but he went on m.i.a. and 3 days later resurrected in Rome. ayayayyy, oh maya, how are u gonna' tell your grandchildren all these stories? better forget this one ... it's just plain ugly.
que feo!!!
if i wasn't so straight, i might go gay after this one girls! oh,mah,goodness ... first he was like gum (came to my house and office and clubs - stalker??) and then he was like gone (freaky bas*#^%!!) and then he sends notes with i'm in europe but i have feelings for you??
el tipo esta BIEN LOCO, SUPER LOCO. mad-curry-chicken??? mad cow??? mad-zzzzzzz, i gotta' go to sleep. where's my simple life video?? paris puts me to sleep.
g.nite all ... i have to work with the u.n. this week. do i need my focus more than ever: high level AIDS meeting. send me good vibes sistahs.
danny, sorry, the broadcast deserved this dishonorable mention. it's just sooo f'ing funny!!
I need your blessings!! I started my new job last Monday and I was barely settled in it that my boyfriend of two years announced me that it was all over! So now along with that I'm going to have to find a brand new place to live!! I don't want you to worry too much, it was a car crash waiting to happen really if I'm completely honest and these thoughts had already crossed my mind and I'm sure I'll thank my stars in a month or two but still.... Light and prayers welcome!
Maya,
What a fool! I'll try to call you later today. Nice to see you're still busy!!
Lucky Stars!
Hello to all... In light of the recent mishaps in the love department for Maya and Expat I feel like some humor is in order allright! We get smart by listening to and learning from the experiences of our sistahs! Ladies, thank your lucky stars, the universe for cleaning your house.
What Smart Women Know
(Carter & Sokol)
SMART WOMEN KNOW...
*GOD created dating so that a woman could discover the bad news about a man BEFORE she gets involved with him, not AFTER.
*The difference between...
...Marriageable and Married
...Intimacy and Seduction
...A Real Relationship & A Real Con Job
...Someone Who Is Going To Leave His Wife and Someone Who Already Has
*All of the good ones may be taken, but so are many of the bad ones.
*Married men who go out with other women are like oysters:One in a million has something precious inside, the rest are just slimy.
*Some men always have affairs: They get off on the danger of being caught.
*The man who is skillful at conducting whirlwind courtships has probably had lots of practice.
*A man who is very romantic at the beginning of a relationship is sometimes taking a vacation in fantasyland; when he returns to earth, he could come crashing down on your heart.
*Even though you may be the right woman, the wrong man will still be the wrong man.
*The man who is heading to Khatmandu to find himself is going to get rid of any women he meets on the way.
*If you want to settle down, you would be wise to steer clear of cowboys, racecar drivers, would be river boat gamblers, and anyone else who likes living on the edge.
*Crying is for weddings and funerals...not for Saturday nights.
*There is a world of difference between his going thru a phase and your being phased out.
*Unless you have good connections at Interpol, think twice before dating an elusive man.
*When a man disappears suddenly, with no explanation, it is because there is something wrong with him, not because there is something wrong with you.
*Every woman has at least one story to tell about a man who disappeared or didn't show up when he was supposed to. No matter how unusual their circumstances or intricate their explanations, disappearing men are as common as field mice.
*The man who vanishes into thin air is a magician. First, he makes you feel like you're floating on air...then he does the old disappearing trick. If he reappears, he'll probably try to saw you in half...then, like Houdini, he'll disappear again.
*Men typically disappear because the relationship has gotten too close for comfort; some men disappear early in the relationship because they are already involved with another woman.
*Living with the wrong man can be a thousand times lonelier than living with no man at all.
*"House" is a game you can play with your husband, not with a date.
*Trying to be friends with a man who just broke your heart is about as self-protective as taking up sky diving.
*This is an absolute fact!!! Once you get over the pain of the breakup- and you will - you will wonder what on earth you saw in him in the first place.
I hate the world today
You're so good to me
I know but I can't change
tried to tell you but you look at me like maybe I'm an angel
underneath
innocent and sweet.
Yesterday I cried
You must have been relieved to see the softer side
I can understand how you'd be so confused
I don't envy you
I'm a little bit of everything
all rolled into one.
I'm a @#%$, I'm a lover
I'm a child, I'm a mother
I'm a sinner, I'm a saint
I do not feel ashamed
I'm your health, I'm your dream
I'm nothing in between
You know you wouldn't want it any other way
So take me as I am
This may mean you'll have to be a stronger man
Rest assured that when I start to make you nervous
and I'm going to extremes
tomorrow I will change
and today won't mean a thing.
Just when you think you've got me figured out
the season's already changing
I think it's cool you do what you do
and don't try to save me
I'm a @#%$, I'm a tease
I'm a goddess on my knees
when you hurt, when you suffer
I'm your angel undercover
I've been numbed, I'm revived
can't say I'm not alive
You know I wouldn't want it any other way
B_ITCH ... this says a lot and a lot of it is what puts me in a state of "doing everything wrong" ... i'm not apologizing for cycles and moodswings (God knows most times I'm justified). What I'm getting from this song and these experiences, A.C.V. aka expat aka our sister, is that there is no sense in relying on outside sources (male/female/possessions/thrills) to make us whole and strong inside/outside. It's almost like a laziness to seek within ourselves what we try to find in others. Not an outright rebellious laziness, to the contrary, the kind that is built-in from childhood (get a boyfriend, learn to cook, get engaged, learn to wear your wedding gown well, learn to mother and stay married at all costs). Now the marriage part (rights/duties/assets) is done without 'cause the men demanded our "women's lib to live out of wedlock" and we're so free to live and share our love with prince charmings of all lands/colors/sizes/brackets/looks/principles ... as long as they make us feel "sheltered and pretty" ... i know that we don't say sheltered and pretty, but look deep and that's what we all find.
Shulaaaa (i saved this 'cause I lost/deleted it before) we're 2gether princess!!
On and on ... we go on ... well, like fish outta' water if "he" is not a part of "life" and the rest of life becomes calamitous. my 3 brothers and my ex-playboy father have taught me my fair share of men thinking with "the wrong head" as Floyd put on my phone text message (laugh my m-fo arce off!). that lesson is hard to learn though, 'cause we have "mom and her great (3rd) marriage" (which we were raised to respect and programmed to live up to and maybe even surpass). QUE JO-DIEN-DA!! Doesn't 3rd marriage RING LOUD!!!???!!
how about, we just nurture ourselves and our talents sister-expat? how about we put this farty-moments behind and greet those boys with the eyebrow "you know that we know" look and FEEL. be certain, your new job, just like all the others have been and will be yours to handle and succeed in. you are the tops -- not matt, not the newbie. anything they wrote, if they were writers, is fully questionable. so, there goes the art: all yours for the taking.
i so love you expat ... i love your person, your leather white jacket hugging your shoulders and framing your goldie-locks, i love still reading RATSSS (how many S-es?) and now, i'm learning from your own writing that greed starts in the heart for some, in the drugs and possessions too, and in the penis-power (albeit shortlived and sans movement) for most others.
that is not you and that is not me. it ain't about our failures, this much i can testify before this sisterhood, and the brothers herein included: you are a marvel in everything you do, 'cause you do things naturally and happily. even when you thought you lost the pictures of your 2003 NYC trip: they were your mission and no way were you leaving NYC without them; no souvenirs mattered -- how more real and natural can I hope for? You were so true in my presence, that's what I'm most impressed by. So look in the mirror my corageous sister and take that mirror into your soul: you shine more than diamonds (for diamonds are tainted with wrongful pain) and you are stronger than steel (for steel cannot feel).
Kisses of strength to my French princess ... your own home with all the beautiful writings hung on the biggest wall is what i wish for you. i see you waking up to the kettle's whistle to brew your traditional tea, your morning exercises (don't you stop now) and i see you holding the countless pens and lots of paper you'll embrace, finally, to tell us another great tale of bravura. One that like you, is full of love, wisdom, creativity and MOXY!
Loads of love to all of you ... and thanks for this loving relief: your words! The miracles of laughter, a smile, a wink, a good and true joke! Blessings my cocoa loungers and thanks for allowing our expressions
Re: Lucky Stars!
Hi ladies,
I am sending good vibes and mega love to you both. Serene, great post. I don't believe that I can add anything to all the great points made other than the fact that it's their loss and neither of yours. Stay positive my smart women. I don't understand why grown men like to play games but they seem to be enthralled by them. I'm known among my girlfriends for a little under appreciated theory I hold about men. As women, we usually mature faster emotionally than men do. So theoretically, we have to date men that are on average 20-30 years older than we are just to be sure everyone's on the same page, in the same book, on the same planet, you get the idea.......
One good thing for sure is they have been removed from continuing to waste your time and that makes room for somebody worth your time. He's out there some where. In honor of us wonderful women who have had the good fortune of a bad man to show us what a good man looks like (no doubt we all have been there).
Women's humor:
One day my housework-challenged husband decided to wash his
sweatshirt.
Seconds after he stepped into the laundry room, he shouted to
me, "What setting do I use on the washing machine?"
"It depends," I replied. "What does it say on your shirt?"
He yelled back, "University of North Carolina."
And they say blondes are dumb...
_______________________
A couple is lying in bed. The man says, "I am going to make you
the happiest woman in the world" The woman says, "I'll miss you..."
_______________________
"It's just too hot to wear clothes today," Jack says as he
stepped out of the shower, "honey, what do you think the neighbors would
think if I mowed the lawn like this?"
"Probably that I married you for your money," she replied.
_______________________
He said - Since I first laid eyes on you, I have wanted to make
love to you really badly.
She said - Well, you succeeded.
______________________
He said - What have you been doing with all the grocery money I
gave you?
She said - Turn sideways and look in the mirror.
______________________
(my personal favorite )
Q: What do you call an intelligent, good looking, sensitive man?
A: A rumor
_______________________
A man and his wife, now in their 60's, were celebrating their
40th wedding anniversary. On their special day a good fairy came to
them and said that because they had been such a devoted couple she would
grant each of them a very special wish.
The wife wished for a trip around the world with her husband.
Whoosh!
Immediately she had airline/cruise tickets in her hands.
The man wished for a female companion 30 years younger..
Whoosh...immediately he turned ninety!!!
Gotta love that fairy!
__________________
AND THE BEST ONE YET...
A WOMAN'S PERFECT BREAKFAST:
* She's sitting at the table with her gourmet coffee
* Her son is on the cover of the Wheaties box.
* Her daughter is on the cover of Business Week.
* Her boyfriend is on the cover of Playgirl.
* And her husband is on the back of the milk carton
A PRAYER....
Dear Lord,
I pray for Wisdom to understand my man;
Love to forgive him;
And Patience for his moods.
Because, Lord, if I pray for Strength,
I'll beat him to death.
AMEN
(Side note to Madem)--- I'm not much of a Britney fan either but I feel for her.
Re: Lucky Stars!
Oh ma goodnesssss ... i just found my long lost passport -- and it's good unitl 2007!! where to 1st??? Expat ... on your first vacation ... let's go to where children need us most. You pick. Rossana graduates on June 24 and in many ways, she wants to fly and be free, and SO DO I!!! Where are we going? Maybe to Chicago to visit other sistahs! Maybe to Cabo San Lucas, to write our stories in a cheap motel and bottle of Perrier water (not Jack!) at last!
We are doing a 24 hour short movie in September ... "underground sounds from my hi-rise" (been registered, no way to take it, anyone!) If you could be a part of it, we would be infinitely blessed, not just elated!. if you go to my spanish page www.myspace.com/rociomaria you'll find giovani capitello, my crew chief (all of 26, but highest regard for the art). he did jorge's ifilm clip editing for me ... you know i can shoot, but can't edit (my mind is too fast for it and i suffer waitiiiiinggghhh).
www.carlovutera.com also needs a script for music videos (boy has talent but needs creativity -- YOU! ALL YOU!) he owns www.liveatrose.com and that's where I'm having my/his Thursday night BRAZILERO parties.
There's also an extra bedroom here (with a 2 year lease in place - no kicking outs, unless I don't pay: implaussible) ... Rossana is no longer going to barcelona or aveda london, she's doing aveda puerto rico (we have 5 Ms Universe queens ... ya' dig!). I just paid the $?K and she leaves in August. Mi casa es tu casa, even if under the bridge. Do you feel the luuuuvvv??? Gonna' call you vewwy soon ... going out for the phone card and beers (ice-cream??? yuck!), back in a jiffy ... and after that, be warned ... more banter!
Re: Lucky Stars
Yep, I can see it now. Maya and Expat strolling the sandy beaches of Cabo. A scene right out of "How Stella Got Her Groove Back". Have fun ladies... just remember 15 will get ya 20 ! No worries, Shula and I have bail money just in case.
Shula, love the poem about a women's prayer. What a classic! Had to email it to the girls...it speaks volumes doesn't it? Too funny but true.
Don't forget the new season of Rescue Me starts tomorrow. Daniel, if the special clip is any indication of whats to come, well YEAH! Who ever signed Susan Sarandon to 5 episodes is BRILLIANT! Love her.
Serene1
Star Cocoa Lounger
Posts: 47
(5/30/06 12:32 am) Reply
Most Beautiful Heart
Most Beautiful Heart
Author Unknown
One day a young man was standing in the middle of the town proclaiming that he had the most beautiful heart in the whole valley. A large crowd gathered and they all admired his heart for it was perfect. There was not a mark or a flaw in it. Yes, they all agreed it truly was the most beautiful heart they had ever seen. The young man was very proud and boasted more loudly about his beautiful heart.
Suddenly, an old man appeared at the front of the crowd and said, “Why, your heart is not nearly as beautiful as mine.”
The crowd and the young man looked at the old man’s heart. It was beating strongly, but full of scars, it had places where pieces had been removed and other pieces put in, but they didn’t fit quite right and there were several jagged edges. In fact, in some places there were deep gouges where whole pieces were missing.
The people stared – how can he say his heart is more beautiful, they thought? The young man looked at the old man’s heart and saw its state and laughed. “You must be joking,” he said. “Compare your heart with mine, mine is perfect and yours is a mess of scars and tears.”
“Yes,” said the old man, “Yours is perfect looking but I would never trade with you. You see, every scar represents a person to whom I have given my love - I tear out a piece of my heart and give it to them, and often they give me a piece of their heart which fits into the empty place in my heart, but because the pieces aren’t exact, I have some rough edges, which I cherish, because they remind me of the love we shared. “Sometimes I have given pieces of my heart away, and the other person hasn’t returned a piece of his heart to me. These are the empty gouges - giving love is taking a chance. Although these gouges are painful, they stay open, reminding me of the love I have for these people too, and I hope someday they may return and fill the space I have waiting. So now do you see what true beauty is?”
The young man stood silently with tears running down his cheeks. He walked up to the old man, reached into his perfect young and beautiful heart, and ripped a piece out. He offered it to the old man with trembling hands. The old man took his offering, placed it in his heart and then took a piece from his old scarred heart and placed it in the wound in the young man’s heart.
It fit, but not perfectly, as there were some jagged edges. The young man looked at his heart, not perfect anymore but more beautiful than ever, since love from the old man’s heart flowed into his. They embraced and walked away side by side.
Thank you and I do feel much better. Maya, you're right, there's no baddie here. Everyone has got their load to carry and looking back I did know something was up from word go and I'm thankful that the truth is out. It's just it's kind of the wrong time in money terms as I spent some time in France and I had just enough for this month, which means I may have to wait until the end of the month to move out. Having said that, I'm learning to let go and I'm so thankful for your voicemail Maya. Your beautiful and soothing voice was such a blessing to listen to and I keep listening to your message when I feel down. I loved that you referred to this not as a "failure" but an "experience". I keep reminding myself that. I knew the break-up would happen one day so it's now and I've got to be thankful for the "experience".
So Shula I can relate to the cravings but they will soon be a thing of the past. Livestrong sistah!
Edited by: 
m. x
for Maya and Expat I feel like some humor is in order allright! We get smart by listening to and learning from the experiences of our sistahs! Ladies, thank your lucky stars, the universe for cleaning your house.
THE PIMP!
Edited by: 
)
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