T-shirt Tuesday!

I want!!!!

T-shirt Tuesday...it happens when I say it does.

PD Meme

Most embarrassing song in iTunes? I'm not embarrassed. You loved U Can't Touch This too.

Favorite restaurant? It used to be J. Alexander's. Now it's Red Robin, for reasons I'm not real sure about.

Favorite piece of clothing? My University of Vienna t-shirt. Cuz that's where I got it!

Movies you’ve walked out of? The name escapes me, but it starred Jada Pinkett Smith, Bokeem Woodbine and Alan Payne. Ugh.

If you went to hell, what song would be playing over and over again? Right now, anything with Bey screeching.

Worst household chore? Ironing. Seems like you shouldn't have to do that anymore. Right up there with chopping wood.

What is your greatest trait? My ability to amaze myself. I am my own entertainment.

What is your worst? Jumping to conclusions.

Favorite TV shows? Criminal Minds, NCIS, L&O, Life, True Blood, Big Love, Dexter, Leverage

Cut No. 1 on your dream CD? Where is my love by Eldra DeBarge

Book that everyone should read? Straight, No Chaser by Jill Nelson

What do you always have in your fridge? Green tea, chardonnay, soy milk, cheese

What celebrity do you want to be? I want to be me, only famouser.

Your house is on fire, what DVD are you rescuing? Really?

Favorite Web sites? Woot & my google homepage

E-mail or phones? IM.

Headline on obituary? Damn!

Last meal on earth? Shrimps, filet mignon, garden salad, sweet potatoes and carrot cake!

Beckie likes quotes.

“To be sensual, I think, is to respect and rejoice in the force of life, of life itself, and to be present in all that one does, from the effort of loving to the making of bread.” — James Arthur Baldwin

http://carrieanddanielle.com/how-will-you-make-your-weekend-sensual/

Beckie kicks some ass.

My 11 year old son + 1 ass beatdown = Understanding the importance of waiting where you're supposed to be until I come get you.

I was late. 10 minutes late. I get to the school and a few kids are milling around, still exiting the building. No sight of my son. He must still be inside. 5 minutes go by. I enter the building and find out choir has all been dismissed. Call my 15 year old daughter at home. No son. Send her to the apartment clubhouse and a neighbor's house to see if he's there. No son. Check my phone for calls. None. Check the afterschool program. No kid. Drive around the building...no one. Call the police. As I realize what I'm saying, the tears fall. My stomach cramps. People throw away perfectly good black boys all the time. Surely no one took my son. He's only good for eating up all the brownies, walking the dog and avoiding lotions and moisturizers at all costs. Stuff only a mother loves.

Now I'm calling people whose kids attend my son's school. I can't understand what I'm saying to them; I know they can't understand me. Police pull up. My son walks over to the car. His sneakers are on his feet (it's about 20 degrees), his boots are in his left hand, and his coat is thrown over his shoulder. He's crying and his face is ashy. He says he thought I forgot to pick him up, so he decided to walk home. Walk. In 20 degrees. No coat, boots or gloves (they evaporated). Didn't call because he doesn't have his own personal cell phone. He lost 4 pairs of gloves this winter and it's only January in Ohio, but he wants a cell phone. Didn't ask to use someone else's phone because that's not cool. Didn't wait for me because...because...because....(insert logic of an 11 year old fart master here).

Now my stomach has settled. My tears feel hot. The cops are gone. I can't stop touching him to make sure he's really in front of me. WALK HOME. Should I let him unthaw first? If only I could drive and swing at the same time. Walk home? There is no sidewalk. But you were late. Walk home. We live beyond a highway overpass. There is no walking here. It's a good 3 miles from my house to the school. I choose to drive with both hands on the wheel, just in case the cops are following me. He's so cold he can barely move. Tears and ash all over his face. All I could do was hug and kiss him. Take all the brownies you want son. I love you. I'll beat your ass tomorrow.

Focus, mfs focus!!

I'll tell you more about the title later. Right now, this is what I needed to hear to get through the rest of the day. A most excellent chop, by Matthew Belinkie.

Beckie has a dating checklist.

Wha...you don't have a checklist? A set of minimum requirements for potential suitors? Shame on you...this list is a must have. Maybe you just haven't taken the time to (flesh or flush) this out, but somewhere in the back of your mind, this list exists. Be careful though, especially those of you hell-bent on marriage as penultimate goal for dating. Your dating checklist should really just be used as a screening tool, a way to maximize the time you're spending getting to know others. Deciding whether you want to cultivate a friendship is a much different choice than choosing a life partner. Even I'll admit a checklist for marriage is probably not the best way to go to make such a life changing decision (although it could be a useful starting place).

Here's how a dating checklist works. Consider the activities you do and who you interact with. Recall some of your most special friendships, memorable occasions, meaningful conversations. It's these kinds of events that obviously hold meaning for you. Your potential new friend (PNF) should be someone who engages in similar activities. The best predictor for future behavior is past behavior.

I recently met someone who never uses instant messaging...ever. In his opinion, technology is the reason for poor communication between men and women. Can you picture the stink face I gave when I heard that? If it weren't for IM, I wouldn't be able to maintain some of the relationships I have. Technology doesn't kill communication, people do. Think choosing to not date someone because they don't chat online is silly or superficial? Could be. But in my world, the intention, not the action is what's most important. Sometimes talking on the phone just isn't practical for me. And fortunately, there are now other ways to interact that are less intrusive than having to talk aloud to someone who isn't actually in front of you (courtesy of Eddie Griffin).
Take a peak at my screening checklist:

Non-Negotiable Requirements for Screening Potential Partners

• Technologically astute, computer savvy
• Financially literate and responsible
• Active, healthy lifestyle
• Ecologically aware, pet friendly
• Appreciates all races, creeds, orientations
• Faith and belief that we have the power to control our own destiny
• Respect for the divine in me
• Sense of humor
• Believes in the essential goodness of his chosen profession, avocation
• Acts with integrity and transparency
• Has my best interest at heart
• Mad skills when it comes to putting in work!
• Remember, lists are sexy!