Chill the F*ck Out!

Black History Month 2010 - Part Deux

Feb. 8 - I professed my love for Olivia Newton-John. Wait for it...there's a reason I mentioned this! Also, notice, my daily disciplined posting went bye-bye after day 4!

Jeff just reminded me it's day 8 of Black History Month. Remember us Black folks in New England! It's cold as heck, and we're not designed to be this far north of the equator. If you see a black person on the train, give them your scarf. Keep your hat. That's gross. Thanks!

Feb. 9 - Day 9, Black History Month. Whew, it's longer than I thought!!! Anyhooo, I've been told, recently, that black people are loud. OK, then, today, BE LOUD! Turn up your ipod really high so the guy next to you can't help but tap his foot. Call your baby daddy and tell him about himself in the middle of a crowded train. It's liberating, and generous to share your life with everyone around you.

You're welcome!


Feb. 10 - 10 days into Black History Month! Holly told me it's also Heart Month. Did you know that although African American adults are 40% more likely to have high blood pressure, they are 10% less likely than white folks to have their blood pressure under control. PUT DOWN THE SALT for Black History Month.

Feb. 11 - My first Black History Month present arrived! Jeff never lets me down!!! (it was a DVD of Xanadu (a movie starring...YOU GUESSED IT: Olivia Freakin' Newton-John, people! The pink head and wrist bands came later.)

Day 11 Black History Month. Also 02/11/11, which is 211 day in MA. Not sure what that means...gotta google it, I guess. Today, just rock it out. Back in the day, we used to have 3pm Disco Break. Someone would blast out some SexyBack from their desk, and everyone would jump up in their cube and bust a move. Try it. If you don't get fired, you'll be the office hero. Disco ball suggested, but not required.

Black History Month Extra: Do NOT start telling Yo Momma jokes around black people without FIRST asking permission. We are very sensitive about our momma's and can't be held responsible for the violence which may ensue. I'm just sayin....

Valentine's Day - Black History Month...Day 14....Celebrate Black Love today! I'm not gonna tell you how to do that. Do what feels right, and obey the laws of the community in which you reside. I don't want to see y'all on CNN tonight, you hear? ;-)

Then I got really really lazy....

March 1 1am Eastern time - Its still Black History Month in CA and AK and HI! This is your last chance to hug a black person before we turn back into pumpkins!

Thanks 4 laughing along.

Let's remember Black History Month 2010!

Now that it's March, I thought it would be fun to look back on Black History Month! Every year, I take the time to share with my non-Black friends simple ways to bring joy to the Black people in their lives during their extra special, shortest month of honor!
Here's a recap of some of the suggestions/ideas I shared for Black History Month 2010:

Feb. 1 - Woot! 1st day of Black History Month! Hug a black person today! But make sure you know them first, AND ask permission. Or else,
you may have one hell of a situation on your hands!


Inappropriate Black History Month Comments: "Yeah, I don't think of fried chicken as a black thing. That's watermelon!" "Colonel Sanders wasn't black, but the person he stole that recipe from probably was.."

Feb. 2 - 2nd day of Black History Month! Today, think of a question you always wanted to ask a black person, but were a little afraid. Ask away! I can't promise black people won't look at you funny, and walk away, muttering bad things about you, but you just don't know until you try! No questions about the n-word, though. If you don't know by now, we really can't help you. ENJOY!

BE CAREFUL: Black humor is twice as potent this month. A so/so joke nearly killed one of my coworkers. Please crack jokes with caution. You've been warned. Let's keep the Black History Month casualty list to zero this year.


Feb. 3 - Day #3 Black History Month! Whew, it seems like it began just yesterday! Today, your challenge is to watch at least an hour of programming on one of the Black-themed Networks (BET, CENTRIC, TVONE). I know you have cable, so, just flip a little further down the menu.
They are there. I recommend shows like Girlfriends and Cosby Show reruns. But Keiysha Cole's show is interesting too...

Feb. 4 - Day #4 Black History Month is all about FAMILY (i got all my sisters with me). End each call with your family members with "I Love You!" It may feel weird at first, if you're not used to doing it, but keep it up. After a while, they'll do it, too, and it'll be natural. I promise.

...TO BE CONTINUED!

Snow Angel for Jose

Disclaimer: I was neither high or drunk during this escapade. I was, however, kinda bored. Do not dare me to do things when I'm bored...

SABOTAGE!

Proof: Sammy Da Cat is not a fan of blogging....

At least he's not puking...or pooping....HE'S OLD!

Goodbye 2010, Hello 2011

It's early: 7:25am to be exact. Admirable wake up time for a weekday, but it's Sunday, and I don't go to church. Football pregame shows ae 3.5 hours away, and even the dog is in no hurry to get out of bed to do his morning business. All in all, I'm thinking it's a good time for my first post of the new year, 2011.

This isn't about RESOLUTIONS. I don't really believe in making resolutions. Truth is if I really wanted to change something, I'd wouldn't wait until the day after a night of hard drinking to embark on that journey. The one resolution that I was serious about, was actually broken on day one, soooooooo, boom: disappointment. I guess I may have had a better chance at accomplishing the goal if I had spread the word to my friends and colleagues...but I know me...seems unlikely. No biggie, as I'm working on that resolution right now. In the end of the day, it's not about keeping the new year's resolution, it's about keeping any resolution, following through with any personal goals. I think the real resolution may be, or should always be, to follow through, at least with the promises you make with yourself, especially those that will be to your benefit in the end. Hmmm, maybe this post is about resolutions after all?

Right now, it's about being up way too early. I've beat the alarm clock, and the sun isn't all the way up yet, either. It's super quiet on the street, and I feel pretty calm. Seems a good time to think back on the year. 2010 was a bumpy ride. Many changes, both for myself, and those around me. Friends got engaged, married, had kids, lost kids, went through rehab, relapsed, came to visit, moved away, got new jobs, lost jobs, grew their hair, shaved their heads, had surgery, went into remission, came into my life, drifted out. Some of these things, I learned via Facebook, but I think it's a win for me,that most of these events, I did experience, and/or witness in the real world, through face to face interaction. As much as I love being online, I'd quit it in a heartbeat if I thought it put distance between myself and the actual people represented by those avatars. Some people put it all out there in their profiles: deaths, divorces, disappointments, beefs (both urgent and trivial), as well as births, marriages, joys, and loves (both urgent and trivial), HOWEVER, there are still those who keep the most important milestones for select transmission: only to be shared with those close enough to meet up with over a beer, or a delicious bowl of pho (or chicken tikka masala, depending on the friend). I was blessed enough to have quite a few of those interactions, as well, this year. A cyber poke is a sad substitute for a real bear hug, or a kiss on the cheek from a dear dear friend. Though, I'd never resolve to remove myself from online endeavors, I would make a promise to follow through with the promise to increase the amount of offline interactions with my friends, especially those living here in the same dangburned city as I do!

While I've been typing, the street has begun to stir, though it's pretty cloudy, I think the sun is pretty well up above the horizon, and my dog has just barked at his first passerby...and shows signs of being ready to go outside for his morning constitutional. Even Sammy da cat is giving himself a cat bath. Pregame show is still 3 hours away. Nettie is ready to go boom again, in 2011. LHM. :-D

Nettie Thinks...

• Saw photo of Bret Michaels and Mama Cyrus, and couldn't tell one from the other. Think I'm joking? See for yourself (tanorexics!!!)
• Why are people trippin' over Kevin Garnett verbal jabs during a game? Obviously people are a little unclear on the concept of TRASH talk...
• TV question: Why isn't G4 on DirecTV anymore? Sure, most of their programing was lame-o, but NINJA WARRIOR, PEOPLE!!! I need my Ninja Warrior. Also, Sister Wives? Really? Who the hell green lit that train wreck? Let me stop, I haven't, nor will I ever watch that dreck. TLC, new low.
• Why do they show national election coverage when there's no Presidential election? Why do I need to know which teabag....I mean Tea Party candidate was elected in Kentucky? Doesn't REALLY matter who ends up in Congress. Special Interests run the show anyway. We don't get to vote on that!

Those are my thoughts of the day. Nothing particularly deep or important.