Hand-written

These days, writing seems so quaint. Quite old fashioned, putting pen to paper. However, it also seems so much more real and authentic - an extension of your thoughts, direct from your brain, down your arm to the wrist, fingers, then out through the pen. A minute alteration of motion between your wrist and hand determines whether your words are legible or chicken scratch. Changing pressure against the pad indicates emotional swings the words are ill-equipped to convey. How differently we write when we know someone else will need to decipher our codes.

I guess I could wax poetic on the benefits of the hand-written word vs. the cold uniformity of the computer screen. Especially easy while sitting out in a sunny spot, pad & pen, scribbling away. How much easier it is to lug this pad around than my laptop. Glare is not an issue when the sun shines brightly down upon my pad. It feels right and natural, like a laptop never could. And so I write and feel and write. Ah, the old callus between my middle and ring finger on my "write" hand is long gone, but after a few minutes clutching this pen, I feel its ghost. Nothing light and gentle about my grasp.

Click HERE to see/read the handwritten original.

How HOT is it?

...Hotter than two goats in a pepper patch
...hotter than a half-bred fox in a forest fire.
...hotter than an armadillo's hide at a West Texas picnic on the Fourth of July.

You get the point! Add one in the comments!

You will do as I ask! Mouuahhh!

Nettie has the mid-summer blues. Nettie needs ideas. What should Nettie write about? On what issue would you like to know Nettie's opinion? Oh, she'll share! Obey and make a suggestion! You may be disappointed, but probably not. Nettie is pretty awesome. ;-)

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...