Jun 30, 2010

word love: Smile Jamaica

Feeling out, feeling down,
This feeling wouldn't leave me alone,
Then up came a one that said (hey, Dread)
"Hey Dread, dry Natty Dread, and smile!"

You're in Jamaica: c'mon and smile!
(In Jamaica, y'all) Get it together, y'all!
(In Jamaica, y'all) Get it together, now!
In Jamaica, y'all.

Soulful town, soulful people,
Said, I see you're having fun,
Dancing to the reggae rhythm,
Oh, island in the sun,
Oh, smile!

(In Jamaica) C'mon and smile!
(In Jamaica, y'all) Get it together, right now!
(In Jamaica) Get it together, children!
(In Jamaica, y'all)


We're gonna help our people, help them right;
Oh, Lord, help us tonight!
Cast away that evil spell;
Throw some water in the well,
And smile!

(In Jamaica) C'mon and smile!
(In Jamaica, y'all) Get things together, right now!
(In Jamaica) Get it together, right now!
(In Jamaica, y'all)

Riddim wise (wise),
Dub-a wise (wise),
And other wise (wise)
Can't criticize (-cize) our smile.

(In Jamaica) You're gonna smile!
(In Jamaica, y'all) Get it together, right now!
(In Jamaica) Get things together, right yow!
(In Jamaica, y'all)

Help my people, help them right!
O Lord, help us tonight!
Cast away evil spell;
Throw some water in the well,
And smile!

(In Jamaica) You're gonna smile!
(In Jamaica, y'all) Get it together, children!
(In Jamaica) Get things together, right yow!
(In Jamaica, y'all)

Soulful town, soulful people,
Said, I know, I know that you're having fun!



By: Honorable Robert N. Marley (Feb 6, 1945 - May 11, 1981), Jamaican musician and cultural icon

Jun 27, 2010

We jammed till late at night...

& no one slapped our wrists or killed the vibe. I think the Chronicles are at an end. I love my new home.

Some of these world cup refs KILL me. England literally just equalized against Germany and the only people who did not see it were the 3 that needed to see it most. BS.

I can take a bad call as graciously as any other football fan (not well) but goals need to be called when they are scored! Jeeebus! I'm pro goal line technology for football.

Jun 25, 2010

...& she's at it again

I'm a mama's girl by default but I know deep down I was born to be a daddy's girl...how else could I have perfected the pout? Too sad there's no one on which to unleash the power of the pout lol.

Anyhoo - I only blog this to say: OMG father's day came and went and I did nothing much. Well, nothing actually. I realize I don't like fathers day. Or mothers day. I pretend to because I love my parents, the wonderful people who raised me. I love all moms actually, and some aunts, and cousins, and dads, and ESPECIALLY grandparents. I just think I'm over the concept of all these darn holidays...as each approaches I just think about them and roll my eyes. Overrated. Is this cynicism? If so, please, save me from myself.

I do have a saving grace - I still like birthdays :)

Jun 20, 2010

sweet sundays: confession is good for the soul

Sometimes I am embarrassed to say or do things because they aren't popular or aren't the most positive. No more. Life is too short to waste it being insincere. I don't mean you should be rude. Never. I just mean, you have to be true to yourself. I think Oprah says something like that. Live your own truth.

Some of my confessions? Read at your own risk.

1. Blood is not always thicker than water. I don't care what your chemistry teacher said. I've experienced it, so I know it. Sometimes people related to you can be the most poisonous. Give them wide berth.

2. Being cool among "friends" is overrated. I have always been the old fogie among my friends. I relish that. Boring to you, yes, but interesting to someone else. Be you. It is essential.

3. Know-it-alls irritate me. If everything you say and believe is correct, go write a book. I love a good debate or conversation but I don't want to be lectured. I already get that at school.

4. Everyone isn't perfect. I sometimes have too many expectations of people & myself. I have my faults: miserable, opinionated, and sensitive, yes. But I'm also friendly, honest, and kind. Give yourself and everyone else a break, Shumpy!

5. I laugh at people (& often these are inappropriate times to laugh). Yes. Especially when they've been mean and karma is biting back. Or even if they are just having a bad time at it LOL. I don't laugh at kids. Well, to their faces.

6. I abhor weirdness and weird people to the point that I don't care if I'm rude, I don't want to talk to you, see you, or be near you if you're weird. Yup, it is the plague.

7. I love the handful of friends I have like they were sisters of my own heart. Sometimes I downplay the depth of our friendship but that's me being stupid (insert miserable Shumpy here) and fearful of being hurt (insert sensitive Shumpy here). I value them and love them dearly. The handful of them. I've been blessed.

8. I give off the impression that I'm a cool, calm, and collected gal but I'm quite emotional and can be touchy (ask those who've lived with me for any period in time). I also have a stunted range of emotions. Very limited. If you step on the wrong toe, one of three things will occur: cold silence, anger, or tears. Take your pick.

9. People who feel entitled. Not entitled to fair and decent treatment. Entitled to other people kissing their arse and bending over backwards for them. Ewww. No. Me no likey. Those people can take their entitlement and stuff it.

10. I hate bubble busters. Dream killers. This world is dark enough without them. They start talking and I tune out. I belong to team YES I CAN. If you have heart, will power, and God. Yes, you can!

& bonus: I watch to stupidest, most brainless crap on TV sometimes. It's a wonder I have any brain cells left (think Bridezillas (WE TV), Cut Off (VH1) and Real Housewives (BRAVO)).

Feel much lighter now. Wonder if that'll translate into pounds for my summer challenge....your turn to unload!

*Now that you know me (& that I may at one point have laughed at you as you tripped or wobbled in the heels you know weren't made for walking hahaha), you can choose to hang around on polkadots at your own risk ;)

Jun 14, 2010

Where am I?

Did you see the US/England match up? Germany's massacre of the poor Aussies? DID YOU SEE TSHABALALA'S GOAL FOR RSC? What a beaut! Anyhoo...catch unnu likkle later

Jun 10, 2010

Howard Drive Chronicles Part IV

IT IS OVER! After 2 letters to management, and numerous phone calls, freedom. What is freedom? A bigger kitchen & sun room & a tension free, quiet night (one of many).

I should update the last chronicle by saying, the I owe her thing didn't last long...she was back to yelling, slamming, banging, and carrying on in short time. Not necessarily at me (she isn't particular). How wild can one person be? Especially one with a young, impressionable child. I guess this is how people like my neighbor are raised...by crass, angry, poisonous people. The cycle continues. Hog & goat indeed. I leave her to people with time and energy to waste. I'm trying to do so many things right now, I don't have the time or energy.

Sorry to say this is the end of this saga. That's the one sad thing. Let's see if I get anymore entertainment. If so, I promise to share.

Jun 1, 2010

Celebrations & Fun for Memorial Day 2010

This Memorial Day holiday we traveled into 4 different states, drove for over 13 hours, and had FUN. To kick off the weekend, there was Ren's graduation from law school in Washington, D.C. (state #1) on Friday morning. I couldn't be more proud of her. She's done really admirable things with her time at law school - really expanded her horizons and developed as a person. I have barely managed to keep up, experiencing different countries and cultures through her eyes has been fantastic. We had nyammings in Virginia (state #2)...great food, hilarious convo, and nice chill time.
"I hope your dreams take you...to the corners of your smile, to the highest of your hopes, to the windows of your opportunities, and to the most special places your heart has ever known."

Saturday we hung out with Ren's fam by the pool & had a ball. Tons of fun times...Ren & I slept and others had a ball in the water (this would be in MD, state #3). Then we were back in the tri-state area where I celebrated my friend's mom's 50th birthday on a Spirit of NJ dinner cruise. I had always wanted to go on one of these. It was nice but I realize my constitution doesn't love being on a boat on open water. I don't know about any future cruise plans I may make...anyhoo, I did get to view some NY landmarks. After living on this side of the US for a decade I still haven't experienced any of these. I guess I'm only a good tourist when I'm traveling (does NJ count? I think not, but NY can be state #4).
Lady Liberty

Ellis Island

Brooklyn Bridge

Then, as with all summer weekends, it ended off with soccer and a visit to see family (and be fed). The actual holiday (Memorial Day) was spent in bed watching movies/TV and catching up on sleep. Had a mango ice cream cone, snuggled in bed, unpacked a bit...quite the mellow holiday.

The end of May marks the end of my May weight challenge. Do I have to state after all the eating this weekend that I lost nothing? At least I didn't gain...anyhoo, the May challenge has become the summer challenge.