nothing is for sure, nothing is for certain...but until they close the curtains....

You ever wonder if the things you chase after in life are worth it? The natural destruction that has erased New Orleans from the map makes me think that everything we desire in life has the ability to be destroyed. When I was a child, I was taught to excel academically to attain an established career. In shopping experiences, my mom always made it a point to teach me about quality shoes and clothing vs. the cheap stuff that does not last. I was taught about the important of your physical appearance and its relationship to upward mobility and networks. While all of these lessons were coupled with measures of truth...I recognize today as I have in times past that these lessons weren't everything.

As I watched a man sit on the roof of his home, completely surrounded by water, I realize that his career and material assets were irrelevant. What is there to hold on to when the tangible things pass away? I reflect on my experiences in the AUC and think about all the people who carried themselves haughtily. People I called friends that turned their noses at the homeless. I pitied these beings because I knew if all hell broke loose in their lives they would not be able to survive. For they were poor in spirit and character. My hearts desire is to be reachable and grounded. The only virtues we should seek in this life are faith, love, compassion, and humility. Depending on our measure of faith, the amount we have cannot be shaken. While relationships that began love can fade away, the true love does not die. Compassion to connect with the human experience is impossible to lose. The prideful man will be broken...and God gives grace to the humble. Let's begin to rethink the objectives we ambitiously seek after.

THE BOTTOM LINES:
"We run past what we need trying to chase what we want."--Talib Kweli

no regrets

When you reach the place in life where you decide to live without regret, you have truly found out what life is all about. For so long I would look back on my lifes experiences (not like I have so many...I am merely twenty-something*wink) and I'd frown at things that I have done, decisions I made, and things I've said. I can even pinpoint men that I have dated and thought, "What the hell was I thinking when I entertained that clown?" I still get grossed out at the thought of some. In my new life, I am looking forward to using every experience for a higher purpose. So all that to say...if I go to this hair stylist tomorrow and he f*%$s up my hair, it will be life's way of saying..."you didn't need that hair anyway". WE SHALL SEE...

Life in LA (part 1)

As a blogging virgin, I think it goes against the grain to jump right into this with my thoughts.

So what the hell am I doing in Los Angeles? I ask myself this question from time to time when trying to call my family and friends...life in this time zone just doesn't make sense. When I first got here, I was pleased to find that normal life does exist in LA. Of course, this was only week one. I later discovered that LA is filled with a bunce of poor people trying to be far more important than they are. The women here wear pounds of makeup and mountains of "indian" hair weave (yes, in the city of LA there is only one type of "proper" weave). The guys here all texturize their hair to achieve the "naturally curly" look, however, they all just look like wet puppies. To aide my LA initiation, I had to pleasure of being close in range to gunshots and quickly jumping into a hallway and away from the windows to escape what could have been my death. If I were a business woman, I would swiftly transition my line of work to the mercedes corporation. People here drive mercedes vehicles like they're hondas. This doesn't ad up because the school system here is the worst. What are the values of the residents?

On a lighter note, I have a few concerns...

1. With all the image consciousness and "high-living", why can't I find an amazing hair stylist that takes American Express? (its LA, who uses cash anymore?)

2. Why do all the black men here date non-black women? Is this what I should expect and look forward to?

3. What is life going to be like without 505? If you don't know who they are...this does not apply to you.


The good part of all of this...I am excited about my new life in Los Angeles. I do not have low expectations for my life here and I am ecstatic about the prospect of meeting new people.

I think I should blog at earlier times...late night blogging is really a bunch of random thoughts. Plus, I am getting too old for this late night ***t.