Brown Feet

I just returned from Montego Bay, Jamaica and it was one of the best vacations I've had so far. Want to know why? BROWN FEET!

I know, I know. You're thinking -- "she's black, of course she has brown feet".
Au contraire. Regardless of how much sun I get during the summer, I've always suffered from "white feet." My feet simply don't tan enough to blend with the color of my summer body.

But not this time. This time I have beautifully sun-ripened feet. I may need to do Jamaica every summer!

Racism Takes the Blame Again

Just because you’re educated, respected and lauded as the country’s pre-eminent black scholar, does not excuse you from poor judgment, bad behavior or ineffectively throwing the race card. Henry Louis Gates, Jr.'s situation is appalling.

Gates has proven that he lives in a neighborhood where the residents pay attention and care enough to call law enforcement when something is suspicious. Is he purposely looking to destroy that last thread that holds society together? It’s better than receiving a Twitter message about the house that got broken into – only to find that it’s yours that’s being discussed.

Gates has shown that reaching higher levels of education cause you to believe that you’re unlike the rest of us and the rules no longer apply. It is never proper behavior to become irate with the police. There are others ways to rectify a situation.

Gates has shown that the race card is futile. Thanks to the crusaders of the 60’s who fought for our civil rights (Al Sharpton, Jesse Jackson, etc.), we have shown our multi-cultural peers that when we can’t otherwise handle our affairs, we have a safety net. We can accuse any and every one of racism, bias and profiling.

When will cooler heads prevail?

Over - Authorization

Some businesses employ a practice called over-authorization on your credit card. The purpose of this is to ensure that, should you choose to leave a tip on your card, the money is available. Therefore, if your bill is $100 and the recommended tip is $10, your card will be authorized for $110. Conversely, if you don't have the entire amount available, your card is declined.
The interesting thing is --no one tells you this! Is this an acceptable business practice?

I don't think so because I may only have $100 available on that credit card and plan to pay for any "incidentals" differently. But that option is not communicated to me. By the way, I found out about this by checking my bank account online and finding a discrepancy from what I wrote on the receipt and what was pending payment in my account. After getting this wonderful explanation from the hospitality manager, I still found it odd that this is a common practice. I don't think that mainstream America is aware and I have a feeling that many won't like it.
Let's share the knowledge by forwarding something meaningful.

Until next time...

10 for $25 at Victoria’s Secret

FYI

If you have this coupon, throw it out.

What they don’t tell you on the BioFit mailer is this: 10 for $25 applies to last season’s panties. This season’s VS Cotton panties are 5 for $25. Wait, so were last season’s -- the original price. Point of the matter is, they totally advertised it incorrectly.

Resolutions: Shopping at stores in more affluent areas will get you 30% off of your purchase. Complaining via the web will get you a 30% off coupon for your next purchase.

I’d advise you to read the fine print.

Book Review - Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Man

We often make snap judgements about things based on prior information. That may be the case with this book. Steve Harvey states in the beginning of Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Man that he's a comedian, not a writer. He's also a man and has an inside track on some of the general thought processes in regards to women. By giving this book my stamp of approval (as if that means anything to you), I am not claiming that he speaks the unequivocal truth. It is, however, quite insightful and his tone and verbage makes it seem you're having a private chat with him as opposed to reading it on paper; a wonderful tactic.

You never know where you will gain some morsel of wisdom. Being open to the empirical and theoretical knowledge of a comedian offers a slightly different take on the differences between the sexes.

I endorse this book for several reasons:

• Standards and Requirements: Let the man be a man. Let him take you out, let him pay, etc.
• Why Men Cheat: Because they can and women make it easy, among other reasons.
• Strong, Independent Women: Gotta read this one for yourself. But a sneak peek -- let the man be a man.
• Quick Answers: Steve gives frank and honest answers from his point of view to questions that we've all wanted to ask our male friends. They are quite insightful.

I implore everyone to read this book. I have several ladies to whom I'll be sending the e-book.

Need A Painter? Too cool not to share. Enjoy!

Before photo: -
A typical concrete & stucco facade

Then the wall starts to take on a 3-dimensional appearance:

This is Eric, in his element, 30' off the ground.

He does most of the artwork by himself & researches,

paints and designs each project from scratch.
His wife Kathy, also an artist, Serves as project manager.

After photo: Finished product

MORE BELOW!

Here are some more examples of Eric's projects:
Great American Crossroad - Bucyrus , Ohio

Before photo:

After photo:

Before photos:

After photo: - Liberty Remembers

Hard to believe you're looking at a flat 2-dimensional wall.

How to dress up a drab Shopping Mall in Niagara , NY state

Before photo:

After photo:

Also, look at the close-up of the left side:

And the middle:

(I wonder how many birds fly into this wall on a daily basis?)

Indoor Murals at the Hallway of Miller Brewery...
Before: Miller Fermenting Rooms

Past meets Present in the Miller Brewery Fermenting Rooms.
Hooks, clipboards and aprons were added to the surface of the murals to enhance the illusion...
After photos:

You're looking at FLAT walls!
Detail view looking down the illusional hallway in the previous mural:

SIMPLY AMAZING, ISN'T IT?
I wonder how many people walk into the walls, while trying to go down a hallway that does not exist!

Pull Them Up

I'll be the first to admit that I've never truly been into hip-hop and urban fashions. Color me a conservative sista with flavorful shoes. I'll be that. My own fashion faux pas leads to much of my disdain for the saggy pants fad. When will it fade away. I thought with the "skinny leg" tight look I wouldn't be subjected to scrungy-looking boxers and briefs in public anymore. I couldn't have been more wrong.

I have recently viewed young men wearing what can only be termed as a baby tee with boxers and tight jeans pulled down up under the butt (and yes I have camera phone pictures for my personal giggling pleasures). What exactly is the purpose of this? It was always my thought that in order to wear these "styles" you must not carry a wallet. What message does that send?

I have been judgmental -- and I like me that way. While I am not stuffy enough to ignore you, I do have some direct questions to ask. I'm dissatisfied with the "I'm expressing my individuality" response because the look is so widespread we could start another We Are the World movement. In an effort to do more than just talk, I ask young men why they feel the need to wear it. Some of you are so influenced by the media that you think everyone who dresses that way is some sort of criminal and is ready to murder and maim. That's not the case and most of the gentlemen I've spoken with have been rendered speechless and entered into deep thought. Great! Mission Accomplished.

However, our black males are so used to being scrutinized by women and they sometimes ignore it. So, we need our brothers to step it up. That said, those of you who wear your pants like Urkel may not wish to speak up unless you have skin as tough as steel. But there are so many others of you with jobs and families and children of your own who can set a better example and say something more profound than all the women in the world using all the words in the world. In the meantime, I heard a picture is worth 1000 words.

Here are 3000 to start you off.