So I was up late catching up on my growing list of Tivo’d shows to watch when I encountered Oprah’s Cha-Cha Slide from Monday’s show with the little nine-year old boy from the McDonald’s Happy Meal commerical. Ladies and gentlemen, it took eight years but mainstream America has just been introduced this lame line dance. (OK, I admit I am usually all up in the mix at weddings…electric slide, cha cha slide, booty call, R. Kelly’s “Step in the Name of Love”).
Speaking of line dances, have you seen the latest line dance to Mary J. Blige’s song “Just Fine”? Learn the steps (after wasting 4 minutes of your life watching the instructor do it first) on YouTube - Just Fine Mary J Blige Dance Instruction. While wasting those 4 minutes, the geek that I am counted…this is basically a 128 count dance, which is absurd to me. I can’t remember my cell phone number, how am I supposed to remember this?! I miss the good old days of the 16 count electric slide.
Okay, this was admittedly a self-induced hiatus. It’s what some people would call burnout. All jokes aside, a “sista” was tired. (Random pet peeve — The use of “brotha” and “sista” feels so 80s to me! Is that just me?) Well, burnout no more…it’s time to get back on track for the Spring. There is so much going on. I have really enjoyed all of the comments lately. Keep them coming!
There is so much to write about and comment on these days in our gorgeous Prince George’s County, MD. But, let me digress for a second and openly vent. How much is a gallon of milk now? It costs what to fill up my 4-door sedan? People are really starting to feel the pinch (“For Younger Generations, First Lesson In Inflation” ,Washington Post 04/13/2008). I know one thing…a recession and warm weather around the corner do not mix. Unfortunately, it’s the perfect equation for crime.
For instance, did you read the details about the bank robbery near Fairwood in Bowie, MD? Very strange (“Bank Robbery Remains Baffling”, Washington Post 04/09/2008) I know you must have heard about all the foreclosures in Perrywood. (“Suffering in Silence Over Foreclosure”, Washington Post 03/16/2008) and related forum last week. It just feels like a strange time, which I know will pass. However, this may very well be my first experience of inflation and “recession” as a working adult. Retired parents are advising their middle-aged children to start saving and cutting back….I think they know something I don’t. Should we get our coupon clipping scissors out? Should I cut back on my weekly hair appointments? Hmm…
One thing is for sure — if gas prices continue to increase something may get cut back, but it won’t be the hair. Not yet anyway…
Am I going to have to start a GAG (”good and ghetto”) list for the area? I won’t go there. I’ll leave that for the elitist “Hot Ghetto Mess” BET crew. However, I do agree that we have to do better.
Even before the recent triple homicide at The Blvd., I heard a few “urban” tales of the happenings at The Blvd. –
Have you heard that the Golden Corral has a D.J. every weekend, a photographer with backdrop, and evidently there’s a guy selling socks and CDs nearby. Please say it ain’t so. I also recently heard that the Wow Cafe and Wingery, which is next to the Magic Johnson theater at The Blvd. has go-go bands perform some nights. I hate to associate crime with go-go music, but the sterotype exists. From what I could find online, this month Suttle Thoughts (a band that pulls an older, more mature crowd) is performing at Wow.
Take this information how you want, but it’s just a bit much for me. Not a criticism, just an “urban” observation…lol.
Okay, so my title is a little misleading, but I just had to post the photo below. Sorry about the quality…it was taken on a camera phone. Anyway, only in Prince Georeg’s County (and I mean that in the most loving sense) could there be a Madea Bail Bonds (at where else but near the courthouse in Upper Marlboro, MD). Maybe it’s just my sense of humor, but when I first saw this sign referencing the name Madea, I thought it was the funniest thing. Just think about Tyler Perry’s Madea Goes to Jail and you know what I mean. Just sharing…
Am I being overly sensitive or is this CFC (Combined Federal Campaign) poster offensive? This photo is real and was taken in the halls of an area Federal government agency. Everyone I forwarded it to felt the same. Straight coonery/buffoonery…
Really, what does this “character” have to do with giving charity? And what is he supposed to be? The guy has fake dreadlocks with what looks like a court jester outfit on. He may as well be dancing the jig. Better yet, who’s bright idea was it to approve this foolishness? Probably the same people who approved the Golfweek cover (Washington Post, 01/18/2008). Okay, I know, the poster is not as in-your-face as a the Golfweek cover, but there is just something wrong with this picture!
If you grew up in the Washington DC area, you should remember the go-go pool party scandal exposed on channel 7 ABC/WJLA news by Del Walters with the I-Team. I have to share the thought process that resulted in this completely random memory today. For some reason, the name “Trina Boo” came up in conversation with a friend…and Karrine Steffens was mentioned shortly thereafter (I’ll let other area bloggers fill you in on “Trina Boo” and other infamous go-go dancers), which brought up late 80’s and 90’s go-go and reminded me of the Northeast Groovers and Rare Essence pool party scandals.
I remember seeing the 1994 Del Walters news coverage of this story. I also remember that Del was on Oprah talking about the scandal. Del should come back to do a “Where are they now?” special report…lol. I can’t believe that was nearly 15 years ago. It has only gotten worse with many mainstream music videos being just as demeaning. Anyway, the story was interesting back then and still is to a certain extent. Someone actually posted the original news coverage from channel 7 on YouTube. Check it out and watch comments from the late C. Delores Tucker during the broadcast about the go-go pool party scandal.
“Ghetto or Bourgie - A Panel Discussion on November 16th” was what I saw on the sign in front of Prince George’s Community College last Thursday evening (11/8). I hadn’t noticed the sign before and from the title it looked like the forum was “keepin’ it real” to get a reaction. I immediately called my sister, not to complain, but to ask her if she’d be able to attend. I tried to take a quick camera phone pic, but of course the traffic light changed.
So, the next morning, I had phone in hand ready to take a picture of the sign to post on PG Chic to give “free” publicity for this discussion. And lo and behold, the sign had been changed to “Class in the African American Community - A Panel Discussion” still November 16th. Someone must have complained about the first sign. Maybe that was a case of “keepin’ it real” gone wrong (sorry…I couldn’t resist the Chappelle Show reference).
Personally, the first “Ghetto or Bourgie” sign was more intriguing and I think would have increased turnout. Okay, so the event hasn’t happened yet…maybe the turnout will still be good. Part of the discussion should cover the decision to change the sign and title of the discussion. Maybe “class” has a little something to do with that. Just my two cents…
BTW - I can’t find anything about this discussion on the PGCC Web site. However, the number on the sign is 301-322-0800.
I came across a Quarterlife Crisis Web site recently to find information for one of my co-workers who turned 30 last month. Now granted, the “quarterlife crisis” starts at 25, but turning 30 I would say is the culmination of the whole feeling of finally “growing up” and transitioning to adulthood.
Of course, I’m talking about women…not men. No offense, but some guys are still “growing up” at age 35 or 40. Don’t get me started on the mid-thirties crisis that some men go through. One of my friends said her husband grew a beard and bought a motorcycle when he turned 35. Can you imagine, a crisis at 35? That’s not even the real “midlife crisis” at 50.
Anyway, lucky me — I must have gotten all of that out of my system at 25 because turning 30 wasn’t that big of a deal…I embraced it. Ask me again as I get closer to 40. Anyway, if you’re still clinging onto your twenties trying to find yourself (or you are in your 30s and need a wake-up call that you’re not 20 anymore), check out this book, “Quarterlife Crisis: The Unique Challenges of Life in Your Twenties”
“I’m going to Giants.” Okay, Giant grocery store has been around a long time, it’s Giant, not Giants. What’s up with the extra “s”?
“Let’s go to Dreams tonight.” No, how about we go to Dream nightclub. Again, what’s up with the extra “s”? (previously before the club’s name change to “Love”…luckily I haven’t hear anyone say “Loves” lol)
“Let’s go to Walmark.” Huh…say again? Oh, you mean Walmart. (I first heard this one in South Carolina, but it wasn’t long before I heard it in the DC area.)
My personal rule is to never leave the house looking a hot mess to run into any store or public place for “just” a minute, but it happens to the best of us. It never fails…you WILL run into someone you haven’t seen in like five years and you would want to look your best. It just happened to me yesterday…dressed in sweaty gym gear I ran into Giant “for just second” to grab the $6.99 rotisserie chicken at the front of the store (yes, the lazy cook…I pawn that off as my own :)). Sure enough, I bumped into a past co-worker. Just great!
So ladies, repeat with me the rule that we know, “Don’t leave the house without looking your best” or at least somewhat presentable (especially at your neighborhood grocery store). For that matter, don’t buy a pregnancy test or other feminine product at your neighborhood grocery store. You’re just asking for trouble if you bump into someone. (”Didn’t she just have a baby?” lol)
Not yet anyway…
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