Today's mood is...

"I'm a recovering undercover over-lover
recovering from a love I can't get over...

...20 feet out of ashes I can rise
Just like birds and children
I can fly
And I'll take my phoenix flight
And you can't take mine..." 

Erykah Badu is a musical enigma. She satisfies and surprises me at every lyrical turn. She is both wise and arrogant beyond her years; and neither descriptive is meant as a compliment or an insult. These are the facts with Ms. Badu, as far as I'm concerned.

Merriman-Webster defines arrogance as,

"an attitude of superiority manifested in an overbearing manner or in presumptuous claims or assumptions."

She has skills and a talent for expression that is difficult for me to fully appreciate. I stretch and grow when I listen to her music. She's one of those artists like, Prince, Lee Daniels, Whoopi and a handful of others, who expects (or demands) full engagement as part of the artwork or knowledge gained. You cannot listen to or view a piece of work from any of the aforementioned and not have your soul stirred. They are the few who really seem to understand the effect they have AND have the dexterity, tenacity, and focus to manage it well.

I plan to post more about my thoughts on these and other artists and this truly unique talent in the coming weeks and months. In the meantime, if you have not heard this song, "Out My Mind, Just In Time"...please to enjoy.

"...Round and round I seem to go
always had the antidote
looking for the Holy Ghost
Found him in the missing note
sinking in a holy boat
Round and round
I seem to go...

...guess it's time to grab a coat
evolution time to grow
Ego trying to block the door
Might not have nowhere to go
I finally got a leading role
introducing super dope
Staring in her episode
Hello, new world
out my mind."

Arrangement by: Erykah Badu // Lyrics by: Erykah Badu//Inspired by Suheir Hammad's poem “WHAT I WILL”

Merry Trismus!

Happy Solstice! A few days ago...anyway. So, this being the six months before I have another birthday, it's time to account for my progress on a few goals o' mine.

1. Weight loss: I lost 15 lbs. over the Christmas holiday! Unfortunately, I found most of them again this spring.
2. Finances: I'm happy to report my finances are in order! The same order they were when I dumped all my bills in a laundry basket and tossed it in the back of my closet. 
3. Career: I am still gainfully employed. Today. Tomorrow's probably a lockdown too.
4. Children: My daughter is now older than my car. Fortunately I don't have a car note though. What I do have is a 16 year old mall rat. Not much difference there.
5. Friends & Family: I am surrounded by loving, caring people. Please send help.
6. Health: I recently broke a tooth and had a temporary crown put in. I now have trismus. It's nothing like Christmas. Nothing.at.all.

Beckie has a secret. Kinda ish...

mk, well you know about this site PostSecret? If you don't, click here, but remember to come back. Now for the rest of us who don't live under rocks, I have to say that while I like the concept, I just don't have the time to go get a postcard, redecorate it, write out the secret and mail the card. I really don't think my secrets are all the interesting...they sorta time-out, they're rather mundane compared to this.

But, if I had the time, an old Sears catalog, scissors and magic markers, here are some of the things I would send in:

• I saw you yesterday but I didn't speak to you. Your stupid wig scared me.
• I love watching you sleep. Why can't you be that quiet when you're awake? 
• I think all Asians who work at Asian restaurants own them. I don't think this about any other ethnicity. Am I the only one?
• I can wait for my kids to get old enough so I can get them drunk. I think that will be hilarious.

Beckie returns.

And we're back.
Didn't plan on taking such a long break from blogging, but my home laptop died i had to walk my dog i've been exercising and gaining weight i was sick and then I got better ring bills came and they are still here while the money ring ring does a drive-by every two weeks and do kids really have to eat so much i just bought those shoes they can't be too small what is that ringing am i the maid or the mother stop the ringing i can't tell i need a life not this one let's go out somewhere that's not too far or too crowded or too loud but not dull with a bar but not rowdy or pretentious with food fuck the diet and no i'm not here everything on the menu is fried yuck but not too expensive i'm sleepy get a movie i never watch the whole thing why i do have cable if i still rent movies cost alot and not that good enough for now it's late fees on library books i owe twenty bucks and didn't finish it is due tomorrow and i'm not close to done.

but i think i'm close enough.