Before and after (33 months)

For the first time in 15 months in Ohio, I let a professional touch my hair.  Awesome.  After much coordination of conflicting schedules, Miss MaliKatt and I met for the first time…and she is such a doll!  (It’s funny that I didn’t meet her until after I’d referred clients to her.)  I was long overdue for a retightening, but I just couldn’t sacrifice an entire weekend to get it done.  Last time I did my hair was before school started in August.  Yikes!

Before:

After:

Unfortunately, I didn’t even think to snap a picture with her.  Just trust me when I say she’s gorgeous, her hair is beautiful and her dog, Mattie Sue, is the cutest blonde Cocker Spaniel this side of the Mississippi!  Miss Mali retightened my hair and even did some repair work (which no one had ever bothered to do before!) and tried her best to undo some of the knots I’d caused.  She was so sweet, even had candy and pretzels out for me.  She also put in a few new locs where I’d lost locs before, like around my hairline.

In 3 months, these babies will be 3 years old.  Can you believe it?

2 3 last things
1.  Yes, I’m looking for any excuse to use PhotoBooth
2.  Check my skin.  My skincare regime has officially been stepped up…and it’s sooooooo working!
3.  Yes, blue is my favorite color.

Good, better, best

Tonight in class I was telling a classmate about how I quickly snapped out of a funk while sitting in my car earlier in the day. I’d just come from picking up my ride from the mechanic (simple oil change, tire rotation and balance, etc.) and was getting a little down thinking about these 13 hour days I have 4 days a week (Monday – Thursday, I leave home at 8 and get done with school at 9 or 10). As I thought about it, I also thought of my grandmother, how long her days were, what she did during the day, and her complaints. I have absolutely nothing to complain about. I’ve got it good.   I straightened right up and went about the rest of the day.
Thinking about my grandma always makes me have a GOOD day.

When I got home (about 20 minutes ago), I checked the mail and saw 2 packages from Oyin Handmade. I celebrated my sister’s birthday by buying myself some new products. My day got a little BETTER when I saw the body butter bar and the whipped pudding. I can’t wait to try it out.  Their poo bar and Greg’s juice are part of my regular hair-washing routine.

The goods

Even better than that is the little note they put on my invoice. You see, on their site they have this cute video explaining why it takes so much time to receive an order, and how they sing while preparing products to fill orders with love. When I ordered my stuff, I left a note with my payment asking that they sing a Donny Hathaway song when they prepare my goods. They did!

A Song For Me

Since everything I ordered was in envelope #1, I checked to see if I’d accidentally picked up someone else’s mail. I had not. It was for me too. It was from B&N! My mom had briefly mentioned getting me a book. I told her I didn’t want the details so that I would be surprised…and I was. I have the BEST mom EVER!!

The Conscious Cook

I had a pretty good day.  How about you?

Creepy birthday celebration

I was invited to a birthday celebration tonight. It was at a guy’s house. I totally knew the guy was gay before I met him.
How did I know? 1st he lives in Lakewood. 2nd, check out the decorations.

After sipping on some cherry coconut rum punch (seriously!) I was greeted by his partner. I already knew. Lol

Retail therapy on a student’s budget

On the weekends, I make sure to hit the gym hard and study for 3 hours minimum while on campus.  It doesn’t sound like much, but studying after a workout (and the accompanying sugar-free coconut soy latte that I reward myself with) is extremely productive.  The energy boost from whatever hormones/chemicals/drugs are released after running and lifting is real.

Today, I went about my normal Saturday routine and headed home around 5ish.  While driving down the main boulevard here in Depressingville, Ohio, I noticed that the used bookstore was open.  I’ve been trying to get to this bookstore for over a year – no lie.  Each time I ride by, they’re closed or I’m in a hurry to get somewhere.  The stars aligned today. 

The place looks like a dump on the outside, and the inside isn’t much better.  They don’t get points for aesthetics.  But what they DO get points for are bargain finds!  Check out what I got for $7:

Within my budget.

Karl Marx’s Critique of the Gotha Programme with appendices (1938)
Arnold Bergstraseesr’s Goethe’s Image of Man and Society (1949)
Albert Chandler’s The Clash of Political Ideals (1940)
Judy Blume’s Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing

I read all of Judy Blume’s books when I was little and LOVED them!  That book was only 75 cent.  The others, especially the Marx with appendices, will be useful for general Public Administration knowledge.

Did I mention it was only $7?

No, it wasn’t nicely organized.  No, it doesn’t have a website.  No, it isn’t always open when they say it will be.  And, no, the employee didn’t go outside to smoke his cigarette.
It’s a $2 bookstore.

There is another, more famous used bookstore in the area that’s housed in a former Twinkie factory.  I’ll make it there soon.

just putting it out there

Not feeling too well.  I’m not sick.  I’m just drained emotionally.  Too much going on.

So…I’m just putting this out there in the world hoping to get some positivity back. 

Make it a great day.
—————-
Now playing: Donny Hathaway – Someday We’ll All Be Free
via FoxyTunes

64 years ago

On this day (October 1st) 64 years ago, Donny Edward Hathaway was born.

I can’t begin to explain the love I have for this man’s music.  I can’t.  There are very few people, even fewer artists, who can bring me to tears with words.  Donny does it regularly.

He was a gifted singer, songwriter, arranger, artist who’s influenced a generation (possibly 2 or 3) of singers and wannabes.  None of them can touch his talent.
His voice alone could’ve gotten him a recording contract.  His songwriting skills alone could’ve gotten him paid.  His ear for music alone could’ve made him an in-house producer artists would beg to work with.  There will never bee another person half as talented as Donny Hathaway.  And I don’t know if any artist will touch me as Donny has.

Sorry if this has gone beyond paying homage and is verging on creepy.  He just died so young and so many “artists” nowadays are absolutely talentless.  I mean, really, how can  you put Chris Brown and Donny in the same category (male singers)?  Dude, go poke yourself in the eye with a feral cat’s claw and find a new career.  Donny’s the best and you’ll never come close.  Don’t believe me?  Check out who atrack brown listed as her #1 voice EVER.

He died very young — before I was even born — but his impact is huge.  I’ll leave you with the live version of my theme song.  We love you, Donny.

*image from atrackbrown*

One more birthday present

I blog so infrequently that I forget what I have (not) said. Sue me.

To celebrate my silver + cotton birthday, I got myself a few pair of sneaks. 5. One pair was replacing some I’d had since 9th grade (remember when I threw them out in England?). The other 4 I got just ’cause I wanted them.

I <3 Chucks

2nd custom pair

That brings the count to 10.

Of course, I was (and am) happy with my present to myself. I wanted more Chucks for the non-winter months here and, even when I try other shoes (Pumas, adidas, Nikes), I always go back to the classics.

I’m rambling. I’m trying to get to the point where I bought my new computer. I did. Last week. And I love it.
I was in the store alone and texting friends asking for advice on what to do. Honestly, after about 10 minutes in the store, I had convinced myself that I needed a new desktop and a new laptop. Seriously. But after a special someone in New Orleans convinced me that I didn’t need a desktop with the additional power I would get in a new laptop (going from an iBook G4 to anything is a major improvement), I focused on my budget…and stuck to it!
So, here’s my new buddy, a 250GB, 13″ MacBook Pro named Jude.

making the purchase

so shiny

the old and the new

it doubles as a mirror

One of my favorite features is the built-in camera. Now, if only my friends had cameras too. *sigh*

fun with Photo Booth

Marsha Ambrosius’ letter to Mr. West

It seems that Kan.ye West has, yet again, made an @$$ of himself with the world watching. I didn’t see it, but I heard about it. Marsha Ambrosius (of Floetry, wrote MJ’s “Butterflies”) is on Twitter and wrote a nice little letter to Mr. West.
Read from the bottom up.

Dining through Atlanta

You ever find a restaurant so fabulous/off-the-beaten-path/quaint that you want to eat there everyday, but simultaneously don’t wanna tell anyone about it?  Yeah, I ate at 3 this weekend.  It would have been easy to eat at any one of my fave spots, but you gotta try new stuff!

The first was The Manchester Arms.  I even sent Babs an email about it ’cause I was so excited.  I wandered upon it when I was leaving the carwash (no joke) in College Park.  The place has a great patio with lots of tables and the menu is British (bangers & mash, meat pie, etc.) with some regulars done right (shrimp & grits, angus burgers, etc.).  They even grow their own herbs on the spot.
Thumbs Up!

shrimp & grits (w/shrimp on the side) and an angus burger

angus burger + fries

some of the herbs

Spot #2 was a popular spot for weekend brunch: West Egg Cafe.  Their lattes are great!  It’s cute too and I could eat brunch there every doggone weekend (and some of my people do).

my soy mocha latte + someone enjoying a chai tea latte

The last spot was an eco-friendly place in Decatur called Radial Cafe.  It’s a “green” restaurant and they have weekly specials.  This week, the specials included vegan cranberry pancakes (delicious!) and some other things that I don’t remember.  They had this warm strawberry & rhubard fruit compote preserve thingy that had all of my girls’ mouths watering.  *drools*  Definitely check it out if your in Atlanta.

didn't get the "before" shot

after visiting the America I Am exhibit

Steph and I are gonna make a list of fun spots to check out in Atlanta that aren’t too expensive.  There’s nothing better than good food and the company of fabulous friends, right?  :-)

And believe it or not, I didn’t gain a single pound this weekend.  Yessssssssss.  Oh, and I got to see my favorite dog, Spencer.  He’s such a hyper boy.

Hi Spencer!

Happy birthday to me!

I don’t make a big deal out of birthdays. It’s a blessing to see another year, but I sometimes celebrate solo. It’s easier to say and do that in a “new” town. This year, I had a nice dinner with 2 classmates + the roommate and her boyfriend — small and casual. We ate at Pacific East on Coventry and then had beer and dessert at Winking Lizard. Casual and fun. I had a blast.

I got lots of special messages via Twitter, Facebook, text and email. Many, many more than I expected. That made me feel special. Also, the 4 pair of shoes I ordered made me feel special, but that’s another story.

So…thanks to everyone who sent messages wishing me well. It meant a lot. Even my government managers brought me bagels for breakfast!
The love is much appreciated.
Really.

Thanks.