Didn’t Maceo tell you to “go sit down?”

Sidebar — what the hell is up with Jennifer Aniston these days? Still talking about the whole Brangelina mess, posing naked, all that jazz. Is she promoting a movie or something? Honey, go sit down. Oh damn. I just checked IMDB and she’s starring in the film version of  “He’s Just Not that Into You” (2009). How dreadful.

Oprah, meet Dr. 90210

While I was slaving at the gym the other day trying to lose the unsightly tire that sits on the front of my abdominal muscles, I saw that Oprah is now addressing her weight again. She says she’s embarrassed that she’s let herself go once again and that after all these years, she still talking about her weight. Let herself go? I think she looks great … at least on the cover of those daggone magazines! Besides, she’s on top of the world. Not only is she the number one media mogul and most influential woman in the nation (and maybe the world), she handpicked our nation’s president-elect and she’s about to launch her own network. But yet, she still feels the need to address her weight.

The hell with her weight.

If I were her, I’d find the best plastic surgeon I could find and get the gastric bypass surgery out of the way and be done with the whole mess. Hell, I’ve been contemplating lipo on my problem area for a few years now. You think if I had Oprah’s money and stature that I’d think twice? I could probably get it for free in exchange for national media exposure. Now, as an accomplished woman, she’s probably worried about the societal implications of such a choice. She’s made a success out of herself with her own sweat and tears, so she probably feels that she should be able to accomplish the same with her weight. But she’s tried and tried and obviously is not happy with the results. My wise friend, Lindsay, said that the definition of insanity is doing the same things over and over again and expecting different results. Why continue to drive yourself insane? Why not do something that may finally give you what you want? Just don’t commit career suicide like Star Jones and lie about what you’ve done. Be honest. Be an inspiration. You’ve done so much to make others happy. Why not do something to finally make yourself happy?

Honestly, would we fault her? I think not.

Staying the Course

Dominique told me today that she had begun to reread “Purpose Driven Life” in her quest to realign her priorities.

“I’ve become a workaholic again,” she said. “Sure, I know I could be the ‘World’s Best Adjunct Instructor’ but that’s not what I’m here in DC for. The Lord brought me here to go to school and get my Ph.D and that’s what I’m gonna do.”

I’ve also struggled with staying the course — worrying about money and sticking myself in some lame 9-5 job because I think paying the bills is more important than doing what I’m pretty sure I was put here to do. It was scary to walk away from my crappy association job … it was a steady check. But I’ve learned in the past few weeks that by constantly plugging myself in positions where I don’t belong, I’m saying to myself that I don’t trust God enough to provide for me. So as Omari always says, I took the leap of faith.

2009 will be my year. I have my book coming out as well as a bevy of other projects that have been simmering in my brain for quite some time. So stay tuned because I’m about to make a name for myself after all …

Crackberries and Cocktails

Omari and I have promised ourselves that this year, we’re gonna get out there and network until our feet hurt and our tummies pop from all the free appetizers and complimentary first cocktails. Tonight we hit the ground running and attended the Black Metro DC Chamber of Commerce function at the Cap City Brewery in Arlington and it was freaking awesome! First of all, I’m so glad I made myself get a mani, pedi and wax before going because there were some siditty folk up in there and I didn’t want to be looking all crazy … representing myself as a writer and carrying on. But it was great to interact with other black folk that are about something other than shaking their asses. I met a woman who designs her own line of jeans, a jewelry maker, a freelance writer, a fellow self-published author and a whole rack of IT folks. Double-teaming the event worked well because Omari and I could take turns breaking into circles and introducing ourselves. I’m so hype for the next event. Did I mention that I looked pretty cute with my new clothes courtesy of New York & Company’s pants for $14 sale? Sweet.

Meanwhile, I’ve upgraded my mobile communications from Motorola Razr to a Crackberry 8700. Although I do like having a qwerty keyboard, better calendar and tasking functionality, and better access to the web, the interfaces of this thing are pretty primitive looking. Oh well, I guess that’s what I get for the mere $29 upgrade.

Warren, what the hell?

Oh, so I was on the campus of the elustrious Prince George’s Community College this morning–looking like a student of course because I was WAY dressed down with my hair cornrowed and wearing a hoodie–and I ran into one of my former students, Warren.  I recognized him by that same red hat he always wore.

“Warren, what the hell?” I greeted him.  I gave him a hug and asked him how he was.  Then I thought, “Is a appropriate to hug my former students?” He told me he’d been getting my email blasts about “Twist” and that he’d support me. 

Two things that I found interesting about our conversation: one-he asked if there was an audio book. Wow! I’d thought about asking my few readers if I should go ahead and record a full a full audiobook.  Now, I think I’ll give it some serious thought. Two-he asked if I’d be back this spring.  How’d he know I was gone for a semester?

Instantly I knew I’d made the right decision to quit my lousy 9-5 and return to teaching–more on that in another post.  I felt at home when I stepped on to campus and it felt good to have a former student checking for me.

It was almost as if God said to me, “Dude, trust me on this one. I know what I’m doing.”

It’s been a long time…

What up, G’s?

Yes, it’s been a while since I’ve posted, but I was watching Arianna Huffington on The Daily Show this morning.  She has a new book out about the ins and outs of blogging.  One thing she said was that blogging is sort of a “first thought” writing process, meaning a blogger writes what first comes to mind.  I’ll adapt this school of thought now as I attack blogging.  For some reason, I’ve been treating this medium like I treat my other writings–I agonize over it because I feel like whatever I write will never be good enough according to my standards.  I like Arianna’s approach much better.