Females - a woman's worst enemy!

I'm saying it and I don't give a monkey's tail who wants to be upset that I said it. Women are their own worst enemy. Straight up.

Think about it. When was the last time somebody said something hurtful, spiteful and downright evil to you? Was it a man or a woman? I'm willing to bet my last cent that it was a woman. If it was a man, he probably has issues with women or is an undercover homosexual. And I say that 'homo' comment not as an insult, but because homosexual men tend to display a latent cattiness that is more often found in women.

But I digress! Just today, a friend of mine was telling me about her woes with co-workers. Granted she is somewhat of a chronic moaner BUT her complaints are usually about women. And the same stands for many of my other friends who gripe about their co-workers. The offenders are always women. Why?!

Right now I would like to offer up a prayer of thanks that I work with mostly men. I've never really had any confrontations with co-workers... well there was sort of one... and it was a man. He accosted me at a bar one night, demanding to know why I don't speak to him unless its work-related. Stupid question really. Instead of arguing with him I should have spat in his face and walked away. *scratches chin*

As a woman, I've come to expect that men will seem like aliens at times and give you much cause to ponder why God created them. But with all the sexism and gender bias that run rife in this world, you'd expect that women would band together and exhibit a bit of loyalty. Nah mate... they'd quicker push you under a bush!

As I get older, I find that my circle of female friends is quickly diminishing... I have very few close friends who I'd trust with my personal info but lots of casual friends who I do nothing more than party and lime with. I think its sad really... but I guess it's a part of life.

More recently, an extremely good friend of mine... correction... an individual who for years I viewed as an extremely good friend got married. She got married and didn't inform me. Bear in mind I had spoken to her on the phone approximately around the time that she tied the knot, and she said not a word to me about it. This was a 'friend' who I was forever dispensing man advice to, keeping her company when she was feeling down, gave her a shoulder to cry on when she got pregnant and the father got 'removed' from the country. A friend who I have done countless favours for throughout our decade of 'friendship'... and this is how it comes to an end?

*shakes head*

Most of all I am disappointed in myself... because I should have seen this one coming... the signs are always there, but we choose to apply blinkers and conviniently not recognise them for what they are.

So I say au revoir.... au revoir, to the friend I never had...

The King of Pop is dead... R.I.P!

Now, let me start off by saying that people die every single day... and in far more tragic circumstances than Michael Jackson succumbed to. I acknowledge that.

I also understand those who have hardened their hearts to his death because of his alleged paedophilic behaviour... and those who think that the man was a twisted freak of gigantic proportions, who was unhappy with his 'blackness' and shamed people of African descent everywhere in his quest to appear more European. And, of course, there are those who find it hard to sympathise with a man who lived life like royalty - practically swimming in money and fame.

HOWEVER...

At the end of the day, MJ was a human being. He lived a seriously troubled life... I doubt the man ever had a normal day in his life *well perhaps when he was born, but that surely ended soon after* and for that I blame his parents. But one has to question: had he been 'normal', would he have been such a musical genius?

I can't say for sure that MJ was guilty of everything he has been accused of in his life, but sometimes we have to remember that there is no smoke without a fire. However, who on this entire planet can say that they have lived their life without making a mistake... without putting a foot wrong... without offending anybody?

HE/SHE WHO IS WITHOUT SIN, CAST THE FIRST STONE.

People tend to overlook just how profound and pioneering his music was, is and will forever be. The man refused to let his music stick in a rut (like so many other artistes). He has evolved with the times, and although he first came to the public's eye in a decade long before many of us were even a twinkle in our parents' eyes, he continues to influence music today.

His music is timeless.

It transcends racial barriers, age gaps, social class and cultural differences - something I highly doubt any other person on the face of this earth has ever achieved! His music is free from profanity, misogynistic lyrics, overtly sexual overtones and assinine lyrics... and no matter how much time passes between his releases, they STILL make it to the top of charts across the world. How can you not respect that?!

And how could one forget... when the "Thriller" video was released, it had HEAVY rotation on MTV, which at the time hardly *if ever* featured Black artistes!

So for all that you have done for music and integration, Michael Jackson, I salute you!

Ode to sushi

For those of you who know me, you will know that I am fiend for sushi! I could eat the stuff day and night, and then some...

Living in London, trips to Yo! Sushi were a bi-weekly thing. And then I moved back here... initially I didn't think about the lack of sushi restaurants here... I was caught up with the promise of beautiful sunsets, warm weather and sand between my toes...

Then after about 3 months, sushi withdrawal kicked in like front doors under Chuck Norris' right foot! Eventually I got over the scratching, the hanging on street corners trying to score sushi, the wailing, the mood swings and the temper tantrums. And I found a blessed little place called 'Gourmet Foods' *cue heavenly music* Thanks to them, I have been making my own sushi for a while now. It's time consuming BUT absolutely satisfying when I bite into a piece of sushi drenched in my soy sauce and wasabi concoction, with a bit of pickled ginger delicately sitting on top!

If ever there was an 'ahh bisto' moment, that should be it!

The only thing that could top that would be some miso soup! *wipes drool off keyboard*

So yes... I just dedicated a blog entry to my love of sushi. Insane? No. Partially insane? Claro que si! Words fail me right now in expressing just how hapy sushi makes me.... So I'll let Elizabeth Barrett Browning do the talking!

How do I love thee?

How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.
I love thee to the depth and breadth and height
My soul can reach, when feeling out of sight.
For the ends of Being and ideal Grace.
I love thee to the level of every day's
most quiet need, by sun and candlelight.
I love thee freely, as men strive for Right;
I love thee purely, as they turn from Praise.
I love with a passion put to use
in my old griefs, and with my childhood's faith.
I love thee with a love I seemed to lose
with my lost saints. I love thee with the breath,
smiles, tears, of all my life! And, if God choose,
I shall but love thee better after death.

Another DBM...

*I'm sure y'all remember DBM = dollar bread moment*

So there I was on Tuesday, interviewing Troots n Ice. It went rather well... none of the awkward pauses that reporters dread. At the end of the interview, Troots says that he's sure with a voice like mine, I can belt out some good musical notes...

*sigh*

I pause to revel in the short-lived glow of that comment... then I explain that the only time my singing sounds fabulous, is when I'm in the shower. Those dulcet tones seem not to be able to replicate unless water is flowing and I have soap on my skin. To which he replies: "You sure about that? I have an ear for these things!"

Troots, I WISH I could sing... you'd never hear me speak again. Everything that left my mouth would be delivered in musical form! Y'all would be begging me to stop!

So, yeh... my DBM for the month. *brushes shoulder*

Face Book... the alternate reality

Has anyone noticed that Facebook exists outside the realm of normality?

Facebook reminds me of Bizarro world. Superman fans will know the reference. It's is an odd little place and I'm sure I'm not the only one who has noticed the following:

1. People who have never breathed a word to you in their lives *sometimes you've never even seen them* will send you friend requests. What part of 'friend' did they not comprehend?

2. To compound the previous statement... people will request your friendship on FB, you approve them, and then they have the absolute GALL to blank you at social gatherings, in the street etc, as if they don't know you. If I bussed a thump in your face you'd know who I am to report me to the Police though! *stupes*

3. People moan about others being "up in my business" excessively, but are the first ones to post any minute or significant changes in their lives via their status updates. If you spread sugar out on a countertop, of course, the ants are going to descend!

4. Someone will post all manner of bullshit about someone they have 'beef' with on their FB profiles... but let them only meet said person at a party, on the road, and they're as silent as the grave. Not a peep! Where's all your bravado and bluster now?

5. Prolific posters. We all know at at least one. You know the sort... when you sift through updates, you see that this friend has been typing up a storm on EVERYBODY'S profile... all kinds of gobbledeygook! However, when you meet said individual in person, they hardly ever have anything to say. That's because they've been chattin' too much doo-doo on FB! Save a lil sumn for real life nah?

And yet we love it so. Admit it... you're addicted. I know I am, BUT I'm slowly *emphasis on the word slow* weaning myself off of it. My day doesn't seem to be complete without a trip to www.facebook.com... it's terrible, I know. But I'm working on it, ok?

Jam, yuh gettin' soft!

That's what a friend said to me some time ago.

The matter at hand was that of a particularly ignorant and misguided young female, who took offence to some comments I made THREE years ago about her entry in the local Miss SVG pageant. Had she any common sense, she would have found nothing offensive about my comment because I didn't say anything that wasn't true. But in her haste to be entered into the Guiness Book of Records for being involved in the most 'beef', she failed to see that I was not criticising her... just assessing her chances of winning the competition based on what was known about her. Anyhoo... she and an equally *if not more* idiotic friend launched into some Jam-bashing on their FaceBook profiles. Something that passed by with not so much as a blip because I guess her friends know that online 'beef' is as played out as L.A gear sneakers... and just as tacky.

In the back and forth 'Jam-bashing' session, yours truly was deemed to be ugly, and possessing no writing skills. *pause* OK... roite! Clearly they know not that The Jam cares not a jot what unimportant people think about her. Plus I've had much better 'insults' hurled at me... those didn't phase me, so this latest installment won't fare much better either!

ANYHOO... a few years ago, had this happened, I would have cussed their little tails to high heaven and back. In a rather eloquent manner mind you. If you ask any of my friends, they'll tell you that I'm a pretty easy-going person... until provoked! Tongue-lashing is a speciality of mine.
HOWEVER, as I get older, I can't be bothered. It's often way more effective to IGNORE people than give them air-time.

So to those of you who think Jam has gotten soft... that isn't the case. If a tongue-lashing is truly warranted, then it shall be delivered! But there are more pressing concerns in this life than bothering with silly little girls and their issues. I mean, how long did their little rant really last? A few days then *poof*... gone like a fart in high breeze. Well done... lol

FRIENDS

Tonight I was browsing some blogs that I follow, and one entry really hit home to me. The writer was questioning the purpose of having friends - alluding to the fact that they sometimes cause more trouble than they are worth. And, as bad as this may sound, I agree.

Of late I've been wondering what's happening with my friends. When I say friends, I mean people who I trust, my inner circle who I do most of my socialising with. Right now, I probably have ONE friend that I see on a regular basis. I know we all lead busy lives and what not, but as a friend, is it not your duty to make some time for YOUR friends? I'm not asking for 24/7 contact... just an effort.

I sometimes feel as though some of my friends have me in the 'agony aunt' category... set aside for times when ish gets rough. But that's not what I want! Yes, I will listen to your gripes and try to give you advice when solicited... but that's not the ONLY thing I want our friendship to be about. I'd like to talk about the fun, happy stuff that's happening in your life too! I'm human afterall, and when people who are close to me are unhappy, that kinda makes me sad too. And I don't enjoy being sad... who the heck does?

And you know, it kinda stings when you know said friends go out with other friends on a regular basis, yet when you suggest an outing it starts out as a "we'll see" and ends up in a "I can't make it." WTF?! Am I chopped liver? It's the kind of thing that makes you wonder what's wrong with you... do I talk too much? Do I complain too much? Am I not enough fun?

So what is a chick to do? Keep plodding along, trying to deal with your friends as best as you can... or get new ones? For that matter, where does one find new friends?

*Sigh*