Tuesday, September 23, 2008

Things that are working my nerves this week

Why do people walk out of the house with rollers, pipes and doo-rags on their heads? Is that any worse than women walking out with freshly shampooed hair? BTW they look like cave women. I say yuck to both and double yuck if the fit and hygiene isn’t on point. Forgive me, but I thought you put rollers in your head because you wanted to look nice when you went out. No one is so fab that she can rock rods and a wife beater and still be hot.

It’s a matter of manners and self respect. When I see a chick in rollers I get the impression she does not give a fruit snack about the people around her or what they have to say about her. You don't have to care what everyone says about you, but you should care about what some people say about you. What if I happened to be a model scout or an employee at a company she wanted to work for? Missed opportunity? Believe me I know about a quick run to the store for feminine products or Twinkies and I know what a bad hair day feels like too well. Try a pretty scarf or a cute hat. That going out with ish in your head makes you look lazy and/or rushed/disorganized. Neither is a good thing.

Bottom line: Rocking rods is akin to chewing with your mouth open, just nasty.

Speaking of nasty, when did back fat and muffin tops become sexy? I know that guys are turned on by sight, but will any slab of skin do? People always say embrace your curves. Curves yes, lumps no. Anything in excess takes on a negative effect sooner or later. Trust me I know I haven’t had a Reese cup since high school. You should love yourself. You should love yourself enough to take care of yourself.

Bottom Line: Fat is not only unattractive it’s unhealthy and it should be covered at all times.

I hate when someone says, “I told you so,” and they really didn’t. Have you ever asked someone’s his or her opinion and he basically gives you a bunch of “maybe you should” “what ifs” yadda, yadda, but never a concrete suggestion or “If I were you this is what I would do.” How about when you are working on a team or group and you have an idea and someone just says “that won’t work” or “that’s stupid” with no explanation. Then when something goes wrong these are the same people who yell “I told you so.” Or “I knew it.”

No ma’am! You were just as unsure as I was or you couldn’t articulate your argument well even to get me to listen. My mother does this all the time.

“Ma, should I braid my hair or press it this weekend?”
“Either would be cute.”
“I know, but what do you think? I’m not working next week.”
“Either or”

I press my hair and it rains a.k.a wasted four hours in the salon. “I knew you should’ve got your hair braided cause it was gonna rain.”

Hmm, It was gonna rain? That would have helped when I asked you before I left.

I’m all for team work, but you have to be to communicate. If my idea has a fatal flaw or I'm missing something, just tell me what it is. I’m not gonna just go along with you because you said so. Oh my plan won’t work because there is a Homecoming game next week and no students will come works better than just saying it won’t work. Heck you can even say “C, I have a weird feeling, it doesn’t feel right” and I’ll listen.

Bottom line: The only person I will follow without explanation is JC.

Monday, September 22, 2008

Enough is Enough

I got the post below from a Facebook note which means I did not write it the writer's e-mail address is included below. Enjoy.

From the outside looking in, everything in my life looks fairly peachy. But behind closed doors, I've struggled with abusive relationships. I am so not a fan of airing my personal business, especially in a forum as public as Facebook. Yet by sharing an intimate piece of myself, I can Lord willingly help someone have a breakthrough; overcoming an equally negative situation.It wasn't just a one-time thing. I've endured at least 3 long-term relationships, where the person made me feel good and made me look good, but never once apologized for how they mistreated me. Instead, they acted like nothing was wrong. And they'd demand money every time.I know, I know. I bet many of y'all are shocked. I can be so assertive. I notably make it known how I feel and what I want (thus explaining why I tend to fall out with so many associates, acquaintances and friends!). I have served in numerous leadership positions and have been told that I am quite the example of a lady. But indeed, it is true.This week, the lignt bulb finally came on and I realized that enough is enough. After years of wasting my time and enduring disrespect, I finally said 'no more.' And as of May 20, 2008, I made a step in the right direction to ensure that ish doesn't happen again.

My hands are literally shaking as I write this. I am proud of myself, yet afraid that it might get back to the person that I've dealt with for the past year and a half. Worse than that, I'm concerned that I may get desperate and go back to them. Nevertheless, I'm going exhale and take my chances.

Y'all, I switched hair stylists. ********Now of course, I was being overly dramatic – but in a way, I'm being serious. Abuse is defined as (1) to use wrongly or improperly and (2) to treat in an offensive way.All my life, I've encountered various beauticians that take forever and a day to do my hair. I will never forget the time when I was in middle school back in Michigan: my mother dropped me off at the salon one Saturday morning to get a relaxer. I was not finished until 7pm -- 9 frickin hours later! Needless to say, we were both furious.My breaking point with my now 'former' stylist (in North Carolina) occurred two weeks ago. Most of y'all know I have a Fantasia/Halle/Nia Long-esque short cut. Well, after being in the hair salon for SIX HOURS for a simple wash and style, I was totally fed up. Despite her hella awesome skills that always netted me compliments from complete strangers, I couldn't take it anymore. That was the final straw. Despite our nearly two years together, I finally took a stand, recognizing that my time is too precious and too valuable to be wasted. And I had the courage to walk away, never to come back.

I pose this question to all my sistas out there: Have you been used and abused by your hairstylist? Answer the following questions to see if you may also be a victim:
** Are you consistently in the shop for over 3 hours per regular appointment (wash and style or relaxer)?
** Does your stylist double, triple or quadruple book his or her appointments?
** After finally getting in the styling chair following an hour or more wait under the dryer after it turned off, does your stylist act like nothing is wrong, neglecting to offer an apology for being so slow in getting to you?
** Does your stylist seem to cop an attitude that one time that you arrive to your appointment late (because he/she is never ready on time) and they're actually running on schedule?
** Does your stylist forget the order in which clients need to be seen, or services another customer ahead of you that came after you because they created a huge stink about waiting so long (or made up a lie that they had somewhere to be rightthissecond)?
** Do you feel like your stylist is slightly offended when you don't give them a tip since you're beyond ticked off after waiting countless hours to get your hair done?

If you answered yes to two or more of the questions above, you may want to consider upgrading. I know good and well that I'm not the only one with this issue!

Yesterday I went ahead and tried out a new stylist that my girlfriend referred. And to my sheer amazement, I couldn't believe that I was in and out of the salon within two hours. And my hair looks pretty good, too.I won't belabor the point ladies. But look: If you get mad because your stylist doesn't respect your time, switch it up. If you're like me, you may not feel comfortable confronting the stylist or whining that they take too long. I don't feel like I should have to police my stylist, keeping track of who came in before and after me, ultimately reminding them of this. They are grown . They are professional. They know better.He or she may be a great person, and they are probably loads of fun. For me, it isn't personal. I don't have beef with my former beautician. It's just business, baby.I know everyone runs behind from time to time. Yet if it's ridiculous and consistent, consider giving your money to someone who respects you as a customer. Patronize a beautician that is cognizant of your schedule. It is so empowering.Peace and love,Carah

P.S. By the way, all hair jokes aside, if you are a victim of forreal abuse (domestic) – please get out of that situation ASAP. Please leave the person. Despite your mate's promises to change, they probably won't. You can do better. Real talk.

Written by Carrah Herring: clbherring@gmail.com

Tuesday, September 9, 2008

I Did That (August)

The new season of Making the Band 4 is here. Yay! So after a few episodes I'm thinking "Um, show me who you really are." The band mates' true colors are really starting to show. I'm starting to think the Danity Kane 'break-up' rumors have some merit. The tension between the girls can't go unnoticed. In one dance rehearsal scene D. Woods didn't even look at Dawn when she was talking to her. And the rumors of some of the guys from Day 26 having bad attitudes become more real when Brian and Laurie Ann faced off. Not one of them came to his defense. Now if you know your brother is a little emotional/hot tempered and he always has been then why would you allow someone to push every one of his buttons? However in this case I don't think he was being too sensitive. Laurie Ann was wrong for telling a grown man to apologize to everyone. Afterwards they had the audacity to talk about brotherhood. Maybe it's me, but I ain't gonna let some dude dog my sister because I have something to gain. Again, "show me who you really are." Nevertheless, I'm still addicted to the show even though some of the love is lost. Check out http://www.mtv.com/ to see full length episodes.

I still can't explain why I watch The Hills. Nothing ever happens and there is never a climax, but the characters are so real. Real fake, I know, but that's life right? Let's just chalk it up to escapism. Let's look into the lives of young rich white girls and the their designer clothes and figures. Again, check out http://www.mtv.com/ to see full length episodes.

Tropic Thunder was disturbing, politically incorrect and hi-freaking-lirous. Robert Downey Jr. was great and Tom Cruise was convincingly creepy. The story seemed to happen organically. Almost like there was no script and the actors made it up as they went along and it just happened to come to coherent ending. This is the best movie Ben Stiller has put out since Meet the Parents. Visit www.imdb.com/title/tt0942385/ for more information about the movie and cast.

Well, it's now September. This is truly when the new year begins. Things are picking up at work and the stores are bursting with new fashions. Everything is changing even mother nature is redecorating. I've made my 'Must Have' list for the season as well as a new set of goals to dive into gung-ho. Energy!

Once again Essence has disappointed me in its feature article on the Obamas. I never learn anything new when reading an Essence cover story. Though the Obamas loved sooooo good on the cover. Michelle also looked fierce of the cover of Ebony, but I don't read Ebony so… Go to http://www.essence.com/ for this month's hot topics.