Browngirl Speaks

afrobella reminded me it was about that time to color the locks.  so i was supposed to have a before and after shot for this, but they didn’t turn out to great.  you can’t really see that my hair was not jet black before and that it is sun kissed brown now.  buuut, here ya go…

so my hair is naturally dark auburnish brown.  my last color was some deep reddish shade and it grew out to blondish highlights on the tips.  i wanted something a little more subtle but still get that cool grow out effect.  so i went with dark and lovely’s sun kissed brown.  in a few weeks, i may go over it with henna to get it just where i want it and not to over process.  hopefully, i’ll get to take some better after shots this week…

why do i have so many identities in cyberspace?  can i get some consolidation please???  i really hope yahoo let’s me change my ID with them.  i’ve had that one for several years.  i just want one username for everything.  i need to stop registering and whatnot on so many sites. hmmm, if we all got paid for all the blogs and sites we maintain on a daily basis, we’d all be….REPUBLICANS!   alright, alright, that’s enough…

it was hectic…had to finish nine chapters, a paper, discussion for my class and reading group selection

it was brutal…a pair of glasses were lost in the battle

but it was semi-triumphant…i spent money, got free music and got yummy food from mother-in-law

so, that was my week in a nutshell.  on to my midterm and my reading group’s next selection– Half of a Yellow Sun by Chimamanda Adichie.  we’d love to have some more participants…

me and the mr. went to see this last night.  i was a bit concerned going opening night to see a "black movie" but it wasn’t too bad.  there was a lot of "call and response" going on with the other patrons but not unbearable.  anyway….

plot:  four couples, apparently all friends since college, have a regular retreat at random destinations to reflect and reconnect within their marriages.  perry wrote, directed, produced and starred in the film– of course.

tyler perry: writing was pretty on point.  especially for tasha smith’s character angie.  just when you think this is simply about some educated, well-to-do black folks, he manages to toss in a few surprises.  his directing was passable.  as the mr. said, "he is able to take some [not very mainstream or a-list] actors and bring out some good performances that are against their usual [typecast]".  this was definitely the case with michael jai white and janet jackson.  although, the mr. disagrees with me on miss jackson’s one shining scene.  while it was obvious he gave some free reign in the script for ad libs, some folks needed more direction.  my only con is that the entire film could have been a little less polished.  he could use a better editor and set direction.  and can the women not always go to bed with a full face of make up in black films?

the cast:  casting was great.  again, because we got to see some underused black actors give some good performances and most of them unlike their usual prescription.  this was very prevalent with richard t. jones’ character mike, a trifling, superficial husband.  it hurt me a little to see him play this role but that’s what it’s about: spreading those acting wings and that, he did.  i don’t want to tell too much of who played who.  just know that we all know each one of those characters in real life.  but the scene stealer was tasha smith.  her timing and sass were on point.  and lest we not forget there was some eye candy action.

i think perry made a solid attempt at simply saying marriage requires work–and i loved the "80/20 rule".

i give it 3 outta 4.  good job tp…

once again my most wonderful sister-friend suggested i blog about my son’s latest accomplishment and i said, "no, it’s embarassing".  then, this morning i thought, "so what?!".  i was mortified to tell anyone that my son is well over four was not completely potty trained.  he has been wet trained for quite awhile and even managed to stay dry through the night more than during the day in the beginning.  he just would not refused to "go stinky in the potty".  everything imaginable was tried and all failed.  i was at my wit’s end and starting to let my worse fears overcome me:  "maybe there is something wrong with him".  but there wasn’t.  he walked at ten months and his first words were "thank you" and in appropriate context without coercion.  this kid could be in kindergarten now and hold it down.  so, today, i will not let my own little insecurity keep me in silence anymore.  i am so very proud to say:

YAAAAYYY! MOMMY’S "SWEET PIES" IS WEARING BIG BOY UNDIES TODAY!

so, i’m finally ready to speak my mind on miss scott’s latest effort…

The samples that were on Scott’s Myspace page left me with an initial prediction that this would be her most commercial success to date.  I mean, with songs titled "Hate on Me" and "Crown Royal on Ice", what was I to think? Once again, Jill proves that you mustn’t judge a book by it’s cover.  This album says that there are many layers to her and many left yet to be explored.  I did, unfortunately, have to listen to this album twice before I could finally say, "Yeah, I’m feelin’ this".  What is it about listening to music in your car that gives it perspective?  Nonetheless, I now can say those words.  The cons to this volume: lyrical content is sometimes not the same caliber as in previous work such as the oversimplified "Wanna Be Loved" .  Also, slighted production in songs like "Whenever You’re Around" where seemingly desolate lyrics are set to a far too danceable track.  As for the pros, this is Jill keeping things outside the box and challenging my ever evolving taste in music.  The array of vocal stylings is as always on point.  There are definite standouts, such as the aforementioned "Crown Royal" with it’s hypnotic vocals and deliciously raunchy lyrics.  There are probably more "makes me wanna dance" tracks on this CD than any of her others.  Overall, this is yet another CD I will be wearing a second hole into when it’s all said and done. 

I’m gonna take it back to the "Star Search" rating system and give it 3.75 stars.  For me, it’s not the masterpiece I usually get from her, but Jill Scott is a consummate force of nature.

well, bush is still an a**hole

read here.

and in local news…

the incumbent mayor of memphis must be pimpin’ his constituents.  i wish i woulda been a touch faster with cell phone to get a picture of this woman in 3" platforms on a pad at the fork of a major intersection campaigning.  not only did i see her on the way to work yesterday, but i saw when i was coming home and again today! 

yay!!!!  season premiere is tonight.  and they betta’ bring it….