Uprooted and replanted....

Tomorrow is....

2006-05-01T09:59:00.000-04:00

D-day. Dayna's-day. My birth-day.

It's a celebration bitches!

When's the last time....

2006-05-01T00:28:00.000-04:00

they asked you how your family was, school was, your health was? When's the last time they called just to check up on you because they knew you were having a bad day or to say, why don't you get some rest today, you look tired? When's the last time they did something for you? When?

...but I'm not supportive?

Bring it back, bring it back....

2006-04-27T15:09:00.000-04:00

I know most of you have probably already seen this. But I wanted to bring it back for good ol London's sake.

As Smokey would say, "You got knocked....

2006-04-25T15:00:00.000-04:00

the F-out!"

The lady's facial expression afterwards is priceless.

Funny ad...

2006-04-20T00:32:00.000-04:00

Injured bad.

SPHS

2006-04-19T23:42:00.000-04:00

Your High School Years are supposed to be "the best years of your life.” How much you remember. I know for some it might be hard for you to go back that far! Copy n edit n repost on ur wall n someone elses wall!

Graduation Year : 2000

1. Who were your best friend/friends? Sharon, Shannon, and Angela.
2. What sports did you play? I was a dancer (private).
3. What kind of car did you drive? 1993 Black Honda Accord EX.
4. It's Friday night, where were you? Football game, after party (if you want to call it that), after set at Cici's Pizza, or the "strip".
5. Were you a party animal? HA! There was a party once every 6 months, hard to do that in Belmont.
6. Were you in the "In Crowd"? No, never. Always a roamer.
7. Ever skip school? Yeah, but my parents always knew. I guess that doesn't really count, huh?
8. Ever smoke? No thanks.
9. Were you a nerd? I was smart, made the grades, guess that means I was a nerd.
10. Did you get suspended/expelled? Nope.
11. Can you sing the Alma Mater? Didn't have one.
12. Who was your favorite teacher/teachers? Mrs. Hall, Mrs. Fox, Coach King.
13. Favorite class? All math and art classes.
14. What was your schools full name? SPHS (South Point High School)
15. School mascot? Red Raider
16. Did you go to Prom? Yes, no date though.
17. If you could go back and do it over, would you? Helllllllno!
18. What do you remember most about graduation? Being hot and ready to get out of there!
19. Favorite memory of your Senior Year? First day I drove my car to school decked out in Spelman nalia.
20. Were you ever posted up on the senior wall? Ummmm what's a senior wall?
21. Did you have a job your senior year? Nope, nada.
22. Who did you date? Hmmmmm no comment.
23. Where did you go most often for lunch? Senior year? Usually brought my lunch, picky eater. But when I left for lunch I'd go where the crowd went.
24. Have you gained weight since then? No lost 20.
25. What did you do after graduation? Went from the pool party, to the house party, to the party on the lake, to Waffle House, to sneaking into my bestfriends window, to waking up 2 hours later to sneak back out her window, to my other friends house. Ummm yeah wild long night.

Memmmoooorrriiieeessss.....

I'm getting older....

2006-04-17T18:41:00.000-04:00

Carter and I realized the other day that our birthdays are less than 2 weeks away. May 2nd. I must be getting older cause I used to count down starting April 2nd. Hopefully I'll have my ID by then. It's also on a Tuesday. School night. I have class that day and the next. About 3 years ago I never would have thought to get up and go to class on my day (reading period helped that a lot). But things have changed. I'll be in class on my birthday, probably spending the day before working and the day after doing the same. I'm old. I accept that.

Give up the crown sister!

2006-04-13T14:18:00.000-04:00

My school in the news again. This time, not something.....well you be the judge.

Who's the true Miss Spelman?

I have the itis...

2006-04-03T23:20:00.000-04:00

...not the one that most of you may be thinking of. I did not just finish my dinner. But I do have the other one. The one that causes us all to get into trouble come this time of the year. The month of March equals, Spring Break, March Madness, the beginning of spring, my birthday's coming, and most importantly the school year is about to end, when I'll finally get to sit on my butt without feeling guilty for doing it for extended periods of time. But, now it's already April. Where did March go?, and I have senioritis like I've never had it before. I keep trying to convince my brain that this last 3 months won't be the last bit of hard work that I'll have to do, but it's not working. My brain isn't stoopid. It knows that this is the last 3 months of school I will have to go through in a long time, so it has basically shut down. I don't even fly into Minne until Wednesday and school started today. I've placed more prepreation into decorating my apartment rather than deciding which pieces I need to tackle first for my book. I'm way behind and not even concerned about picking up the pace. I guess thats what almost 19 years of school does to the brain.

I need help...

2006-03-14T11:08:00.000-05:00

Some things I noticed on my way back to Charlotte.

1-Dulles Airport might be the worst airport I've been to. It's not welcoming at all, nor do they seem to get the page that says "International flight, over 200 passengers are arriving". They don't seem to care, they just go on with their business and get frustrated when the customs line gets longer than 4 people. Next time I'll fly out of airport that's a little more prepared.

2-Spending a couple of days in DC/Virginia, helped me REALLY appreciate people saying that Virginia is a southern state. When you spend a day or so with Virginians, particularly people from Richmond, you begin to see how country they really are. I felt like I was in Georgia. Their accent, attire, "pimped" cars, and demeanor, had North Carolina on lock. North Carolina is now a northern state and Virginia is southern. Case closed.

3-85 is a shitty highway. When you get across the Virgina/NC state line, you suddenly can see and feel the difference. I felt like the car was on hydraulics. Seriously, NC do better.

4-Things have changed and I'm struggling to catch up. I turn on the news, things have happend. I'm lost. Music has particularly gotten worse (or maybe I was just immune to it while I was here), though I appreciate hearing it-its home to me. Reality shows are getting stoopider. Whats up with the invention show? There's a new Real World? When'd that happen? Project Runway is over? WHAT!?!

5-Star Jones looks sick. Don't know what else to say about that.

6-When did Issac Hayes convert to Scientology?

7-How long does jet lag last? I've slept through DC, through VA, through the long drive back home, through half the day today. Am I still jet lagged or just taking advantage of my vacation time?

AMERICA.....

2006-03-13T17:23:00.000-05:00

Home again, home again. The first thing I did when I got home was...

1-Slept.
2-Ate Taco Bell.
3-Made phone calls without worrying about what time it was back in the states.
4-Slept some more.
5-Ate vegetables (because they're afraid of them in England).
6-Was glad I talked to a country hick. (Was actually the first person that spoke to me off the plane and he said, "Damn thang weighs more than I do" (referring to my back pack-in the countriest accent you can imagine). I smiled.
7-Turned on the radio and was happy to hear that stupid song about being in love with a stripper.
8-Watched MTV and BET.
9-Slept again.

....On my return to the states I was also greeted with this email. Reminding me of the best 4 years of my life, my time in the ATL. I hope this brings joy to all the true ATLiens.

For Atlanta...

This is for anyone who lives in Atlanta, Georgia, has ever lived in Atlanta, has ever visited Atlanta, ever plans to visit Atlanta, knows anyone who already lives in Atlanta, or knows anyone who has ever heard of Atlanta. Atlanta is composed mostly of one-way streets. The only way to get out of downtown Atlanta is to turn around and start over when you reach Greenville, South Carolina.

All directions start with, "Go down Peachtree" and include the phrase, "When you see the Waffle House." Except, that in Cobb County, where all directions begin with, "Go to the Big Chicken."

Peachtree Street has no beginning and no end and is not to be confused with:

Peachtree Circle
Peachtree Battle
Peachtree Place
Peachtree Corners
Peachtree Lane
New Peachtree
Peachtree Road
Old Peachtree
Peachtree Parkway
West Peachtree
Peachtree Run
Peachtree-Dunwoody Rd
Peachtree Terrace
Peachtree-Chamblee
Peachtree Avenue
Peachtree Industrial Boulevard
Peachtree Commons

Atlantans only know their way to work and their way home. If you ask anyone for directions, they will always send you down Peachtree.

Atlanta is the home of Coca-Cola. Coke's all they drink there, so don't ask for any other soft drink unless it's made by Coca-Cola.

The gates at Atlanta's Hartsfield International Airport are about 32 miles away from the Main Concourse, so wear sneakers and pack a lunch.

The 8a.m. rush hour is from 6:30 to 10:30 AM. The 5pm rush hour is from 3:00 to 7:30 PM. Friday's rush hour starts Thursday afternoon and lasts through 2am Saturday.

Only a native can pronounce Ponce De Leon Avenue, so do not attempt the Spanish pronunciation.
People will simply tilt their heads to the right and stare at you. The Atlanta pronunciation is "pawntz duh LEE-awn."

And yes, they have a street named simply, "Boulevard".

The falling of one raindrop causes all drivers to immediately forget all traffic rules. If a single snowflake falls, the city is paralyzed for three days and it's on all the channels as a news flash every 15 minutes for a week. Overnight, all grocery stores will be sold out of milk, bread, bottled water, toilet paper, and beer.

If you're told to go to Bankhead Highway and can't find it, it's because the name is Veterans Memorial but the locals still call it Bankhead.

Also, once the road you're on crosses another road, the name of the road you're on changes. Some roads names change every half mile or so.

I-285, the loop that encircles Atlanta, which has a posted speed limit of 55 mph (but you have to maintain 80 mph just to keep from getting run over), is known to truckers as "The Watermelon 500."

Don't believe the directional markers on highways. I-285 is marked "East" and "West" but you may be going North or South. The locals identify the direction by referring to the "Inner Loop" and the "Outer Loop." If you travel on Hwy 92 North, you will actually be going southeast.

Never buy a ladder or mattress in Atlanta. Just go to one of the interstates and you will soon find one in the middle of the road.

The last thing you want to do is give another driver the finger, unless your car is armored, your trigger finger is itchy and your AK-47 has a full clip.

Possums sleep in the middle of the road with their feet in the air.

There are 5,000 types of snakes and 4,998 live in Georgia.

There are 10,000 types of spiders. All 10,000 live in Georgia, plus a couple no one has seen before.

If it grows, it sticks. If it crawls, it bites. If you notice a vine trying to wrap itself around your leg, you have about 20 seconds to escape, before you are completely captured and covered with Kudzu, another ill-advised "import," like the carp, starling, English sparrow, and other "exotic wonders."

It's not a shopping cart, it's a buggy. "Fixinto" is one word (I'm fixinto go to the store).

Sweet Tea is appropriate for all meals and you start drinking it when you're 2 years old.

"Jeet?" is actually a phrase meaning "Did you eat?"

If you understand these jokes, forward them to your friends from Atlanta, Georgia and those who just wish they were.

I sure do love me some Jorgah.

Drumroll please....

2006-03-09T06:31:00.000-05:00

the decision. Minneapolis.

Why?

1-Because it's cheaper. My parents have financially stood by me through Spelman and now grad school. No loans, no scholarships, nothing but their hard earned money have seen me through 5 years of schooling. They've paid all of my bills, car note, rent, utilities, my shopping addiction, anything I wanted or needed and never said "no". I feel I owe them this much, to suck it up for 3 more months, finish strong and cheaper. San Fran will always be there, expensive ass rent and all.

2-Because I already planned on going. Behind Chicago, I applied to go to Carmichael Lynch. To do the same program I did here in London, which for those of you that don't know is in downtown Minneapolis. Though I didn't get in that program, "cut backs". Why rock the boat?

3-Because I doubt I'll be job ready come graduation. It normally takes 3-6 months to prepare a book AFTER graduation. Career wise, San Fran has more agencies, wait I take that back, has more GOOD agencies than Minne. So the need to shop my book around won't come until 3-6 months after I get my piece of paper. There'd be no time at all to shop my book around in the city before the lease in the student housing ends. I figure why not just save that little bit of extra change I would have paid on my last quarter and use it on searching aka traveling for a job when I'm really ready.

4-Because I'd have my own place in Minne. I'd get to concentrate more on my book (Minne's school is smaller and living by myself would give me a stress free, peaceful place to come home to). I love my fellow students, but I get tired of talking, critting, and living advertising, ALL DAY EVERYDAY. My own place would give me the opportunity to unwind with a nice glass of wine, iTunes, and me, myself, and I.

5-Because that 5 hour drive will come in handy. When I get stressed and overloaded with work, a hug always seems to deflate all of that. I've needed one so many times here in London. The close proximity to Iowa is just an additional perk that I feel I'll need as I'm rounding third base and coming into home. "Don't get all geeked though, this ain't no love thing. Me and Darius are just kickin' it" -Nina, you know the movie.

I appreciate all the suggestions. Everyone pretty much said the same feelings I was feeling. I just needed to make sure it was either the devil talkin' or the angel talkin'. If I could, I'd go to San Fran in a heart beat. But, at this point I need to be mature about my decision and go with my brain instead of my heart. Goin' with the flow here guys, back me up....

Sometimes life, throws you a curve ball....

2006-03-04T16:07:00.000-05:00

When plans don't quite go the way you envisioned them-you have to just suck it up and go with the flow.

I tend to plan out my life the way I want it to go. The way I think it should go. I know when I'm going to graduate, when and where I'm going to start looking for jobs, when I want to get married, when I want to have kids, even when I want to die. When things don't go according to the way I planned it, I get shaken up a bit. Not because I didn't get what I wanted, but because I'm afraid it will mess up future plans, plans down the road. I've been in graduate school for a year and a half now and each quarter, Chicago tops my list of 'places I want to go to while in the program'. I agreed to take any internship there. Just to get to the city I secretly love (even though I've never been). To have my Darrius Lovehall poetically serenade me in our favorite jazz spot. Hmmm. That plan didn't quite go as well as I thought it would. The internship and moving to the city, my city, fell through. So now I'm stuck with creating a whole new plan around this little obstacle in my path. Plan B-finish my book next quarter and graduate early. It's not like I'm graduating a whole year early. Only 3 months early. A challenge I'd gladly accept with the added perk of "I get to stop paying the man" (translation: no tuition). Where do I sign up? The only choice left is where? Miami, Minneapolis, or San Francisco. I've never been to San Fran, much less the west coast, so that would bring a whole new experience as well as new challenges (no place to live, school starts April 3rd (is that London all over again?), becoming familiar with a whole new city-which could bring distractions) But, then again maybe not. Who knows? I'm familiar with Miami and Minneapolis. Miami is practically my 3rd home behind Charlotte and Atlanta, but again, could the warm weather and beach which conveniently is only 7 blocks away tempt me? Can I deal with Miami during SPRING BREAK TIME for a 3rd time? Minneapolis, surprisingly turned out to be a lot better than I thought it would (translation: where did all these black people come from?). There's also an added perk to being in the Mid-west. A 5-hour drive can do wonders. Only I've been there before. I'd feel cheated, like I didn't use every opportunity Miami Ad School gave me with the whole "Quarter Away Program". Like I didn't use "the man" the way he's used me. So I'm taking a poll. A poll I'd like everyone who reads this blog to participate in. Keep in mind I see you little fuckers (translation: I have a site meter). If you don't want me to know who you are, just post anonymously. But, seriously I'd appreciate an answer. Ultimately, I have the last word, but I'd still like to know the opinion of others. Soooooooo......If you had the choice between Miami, Minneapolis, or San Francisco. Where would you go?

I Officially Have....

2006-02-26T08:35:00.000-05:00

2 weeks left here in London. Surprisingly, I think I'm going to miss it. Friday I paid my last week of rent and gave my landlord/letting agent my 2 weeks notice....he as well as I was shocked that time flew by that quickly. He told me though, if I ever needed a place to stay in London, to give him a call. Awwwww, makes me a little teary eyed thinking about it. But, anyway, London has proved to be a better experience for me than I thought it would. There was plenty of drama to make put me in the nut house, but I guess it's true what they say "what doesn't kill you, only makes you stronger".

Sighhhhh, don't blame me...

2006-02-22T08:26:00.000-05:00

blame "the Saatch".

**********THE BASICS***************

Name: Dayna
BIRTHDAY: May 2, 1982
Current Location: London, UK
************FAVORITES*****************

QUOTE FROM A MOVIE:
AHHHHHH!!! There's so many!!!

"Like a rap coach." (Mos)

"Pink is your color." (Mos)

"He don't know dun-sun. He don't know. Let 'em know dun-sun." (Hip Hop Dalmatians)

"I'm not the Humphrey Bogart in this. I'm the Peter Lorre. I'm the sidekick character. You the Humphrey Bogart. You had your opening. You know what I'm saying? She wanted you to stop her from marrying the old dude, but you let it ride, you know? Same thing Bogey did, man. You're the same dude." (Mos)

"You know what he needed to do back then? He needed to stop fine-ass Ingrid Bergman from gettin' on the plane with the corny dude. And then, he gonna walk off in the fog with some other dude. Come on, man. With another dude, in the fog? Come on. Two grown men walk off in a fog, you don't know where they goin'?" (Mos)

Basically EVER "Chris" quote. :( I think I watch that movie too much. Oh and "Love Jones"...

"But, don't get all geeked, this ain't no love thing. Me and Darrius are just kickin' it." (Nina)

GIRL SCOUT COOKIE: Carmel Delights (now they're called something different).

FEMALE ACTRESS: Julia Roberts

MALE ACTOR: Denzel, Don Cheadle, and Terrence Howard

80'S HAIR BAND: The Jets

QUOTE FROM A SONG: Sigh. Again, I'll just go with most of Janet's songs. And some gospel songs. "Order My Steps", "Still I Rise", "Can't Give Up Now".

DRUG: Caffiene I guess

SPORT TO WATCH: NFL (All games, any team)

HOLIDAY: My birthday! (It's a holiday damnit!)

THING TO DO WITH FRIENDS: Chill and "shoot the shit"

SOUP: Clam chowder in the red can. (Campbell's.....I know I'm in advertising and I said "the red can").

REALITY SHOW: America's Next Top Model, Project Runway

TALK SHOW HOST: Does that even need to be asked.....OPRAH!!!

*************EITHER/OR******************

MOVIE THEATRE/AT HOME: Depends....when I want to pretend I went out on a Saturday night, movie theatre. When I have someone to watch a movie with, at home.

HARRY POTTER/LORD OF THE RINGS: Stoopid question, Harry Potter (in English accent).

TELETUBBIES/THE WIGGLES: Umm, no?

TARGET/K-MART: Tar-get

OLD METALLICA/NEW METALLICA: Um, old? I only know one song.

BLACK SABBATH/OZZY OSBOURNE: Ozzy, only because of the show though.

DOGS/CATS: Dogs - DEFINITELY

TODDLERS/BABIES: ewww I'll take the cat.

BIG/SMALL: "umm...for what??"

STONED/DRUNK: Drunk, I don't smoke at all.

FUCK/MAKE LOVE: Depends. (If "you're" trying to be owt, then fuck :))

*************HAVE YOU EVER*****************

GOTTEN IN A FIGHT: Fists? Nope

FALLEN IN YOUR SHOWER: I think I've slipped before.

PASSED OUT DRUNk: Too many times.

COME CLOSE TO DYING: Yes :(, almost drown (on a trip with some people from my swim team, I know I know).

BEEN SUSPENDED: Ummmm, no.

IF SO, WHAT IS THE FUNNIST REASON WHY: I'll answer with detention, probably from talking.

TOOK A DRUG TEST: Yeah, had to take one before I worked with the kids.

CHEATED ON A TEST: Sure have and the one time I did, I got caught.

BLAMED SOMEONE FOR SOMETHING YOU DID: Of course, lol

TAKEN THE BLAME FOR SOMEONE: Yep. But only for true friends.

RAN INTO A PARKED CAR: LOL, I'm clumsy.

SLEPT ALL DAY LONG: Yes, and it was probably one of the best days of my life

THREW UP IN CLASS: Yes :(

GONE TO CLASS HIGH: Again, don't do the smoking thing

PLAYED TRUTH OR DARE: Yep

PLAYED SPIN THE BOTTLE: Yep

*************RANDOM QUESTIONS***********

CRIED BECAUSE YOU MISSED SOMEONE: Yeah. I hate good-byes.

DO YOU LIKE TO DANCE: LOVE it

WOULD YOU EVER TAKE A CAREER IN LAW ENFORCEMENT: HELL NO!

WHO ARE YOU CLOSEST WITH IN YOUR FAMILY: Mom and paw-paw

DO YOU HAVE SOMEONE YOU CAN TELL ANYTHING TO: I'm an open book, but there are some things only a few people know.

CAN YOU SHOP FOR MORE THAN 5 HOURS: 5 hours?!? I'm just getting started. PLEASE!

WORST LIFE EXPERIENCE: Ummmmm, being humiliated by someone I loved once.

FAVORITE THING TO DO WHEN ALONE: Sleep, talk to myself, talk on the phone, act silly.

Because I'm bored at "work".....

2006-02-17T11:59:00.000-05:00

Very long survey, read with caution! You've been warned.

1) What stickers do you have on your car?
Registration sticker. Stickers are tacky.

2) What posters do you have in your room?
Currently, a poster from the London Aquarium and a badly photoshopped picture of me layered over Shaq's "Kazaam" movie poster.

3) What do you hear right now?
HA! "Bunny Hop" Spelhouse iTunes playlist, blasting at the desk.

4) If you could drink anything right this second, what would it be?
Kettle One and Hypnotiq Martini with a twist please. I'll take two of those.

5) Does anything hurt on your body right now?
My brain from boredom.

6) Do you have a crush right now?
Always.

7) Whats your job position called?
Advertising Grad student, "Intern" at Saatchi & Saatchi London. Current salary - under $30,000/decade.

8) What size ring do you wear?
Platinum 3 carat, F grade, from a fine jeweller only.

9) Do you own a camera phone?
Now no, I have a bootleg international phone.

10) When's your birthday?
May 2nd.

11) What was your elementary schools mascot?
Belmont Central. Eagle pride!

12) Whats your favorite bottled water?
Only Aquafina please.

13) What's the next concert/show you're going to and when?
Janet when she gets her act together and drops her new CD and tour.

14) What were you doing at 9 pm last night?
Drinking. Lots of it and watching the Olympics. Men's Figure Skating was on in the pub. Weird yes, very entertaining.

15) What's your favorite Starbucks drink?
Milk please.

16) Do you exercise as much as you should?
HA! Sleep is way more important.

17) Did you attend your High School prom?
Unfortunately, one of three I was stood up for.

18) Did you go to someone else's prom?
Nope.

20) Something red within 5 feet of you?
"The Vodka Party Game" we're about to play as soon as the clock its 5:30.

21) Do you smoke?
Smoke what?

22) The weirdest thing you've seen this week?
The 2nd 390 bus, leaving my ass at the bus stop.

23) Ever done the Electric Slide?
Of COURSE! Who hasn't?

24) How much French do you know?
Is that still a language?

25) Favorite sparkly thing?
My personality.

26) Ever crash a car, been in accidents?
Yes, 4 in one year. None my fault. Stoopid dummies!

27) Do you look good in yellow?
Ehhhhh. I've been told I'm too yellow myself to pull it off. I'd look like the sun and blind too many people. But, I secretly rock it when noone's looking.

28) Do you sing?
I have a record deal. Sia Roberts? Copped it yet?

29) Ever sing in front of a crowd?
Of course. I live for dares.

30) Do you dance?
Professionally.

32) Least favorite color?
Brown.

33) Favorite kind of pizza?
Supreme. No ham, no sausage. Thin crust.

34) Ever had Dippin Dots?
Yeah. Used to love them.

35) Ever make fun of a homeless person?
:( Does the one in the West End that sells the ENTIRE garbage bag of socks for only $5 count?

36) How old were you when you got a cell phone?
14.

37) How old were you when you got your first car?
17. Honda Accord EX-black beauty.

38) How many driving tickets have you had?
1-Spring Break '04 in Tallyho.

40) How many parking tickets?
All of them from parking at CAU. For those of you that know, that means A LOT!

41) Do you own your own car?
Um. I own nothing.

42) Do you want to get married?
Of course.

43) At what age do you want to get married?
27-28ish.

44) Have you ever been married?
Why would I go and do that.

45) Have you ever had to get a restraining order?
Maybe. Long story.

46) At what age do you want to have kids?
29ish. Not 30. Its too old.

47) How many kids?
3-4. 3.5 sounds better.

48) Ketchup or Mustard?
WHAT?!? How dare you! Heinz lots of it. Pools of it.

49) When is the last time someone deleted you from their space?
What space? Life? HA! I bet ex-is involved.

50) How many times a week are you on Myspace?
Month is more accurate. Like 4.

51) Ever been kicked out of your home?
HA! Yes, twice.

52) Favorite characters on Friends?
The one white person?

53) Have you ever been in love?
Yes.

54) Have a crush on a teacher?
Yes.

55) Favorite class?
The class with the teacher I had a crush on.

56) Have a best friend?
Yeppers. Wait, I think.

57) Have a boyfriend?
None of that.

58) Have a girlfriend?
Some of that.

59) One place you want to travel to:
Janet Jackson's recording studio.

60) If you could have anything right now what would it be?
Sum D-I.

61) When showering, do you start the water and then get in, or get in then start the water?
The water first always. Water is cold when it first starts.

62) Do you read the labels on your shampoo bottle?
No. They're all the same.

63) Do you moan in the shower like the people on the Herbal Essences commercial?
Moan in the shower. No answer.

64) Have you ever showered with someone of the opposite sex?
Refer to the previous answer.

65) Have you ever been forced to shower with one of your siblings?
A better question would be, do I have a sibling.

66) Have you ever brushed your teeth in the shower?
Yes, those damn convocation showers.

67) Have you ever dropped your soap on your foot?
I think so.

68) How old do you look?
Dashing.

69) How old do you act?
Never above 18.

70) Whats the last song you sang?
"Prototype". The song before "Bunny Hop" on the Spelhouse iTunes playlist.

71) Have you recently become a member of anything?
Officially, a member of the Spelman Alumna association. I payed my $50 finally.

72) What are your plans for the weekend?
Sleeping, drinking, sleeping, drinking, drinking.

73) Do you kiss with your eyes open or closed?
Closed. Open is too awkward.

74) Whats the sexiest thing about Condoleeza Rice?
Her ability to lie at the drop of a hat. And her ability to "fit in".

75) Does anything on your body itch right now?
Nope.

76) Who's the sexiest famous woman alive?
Dumb question. Janet Jackson.

77) Who's the sexiest famous man alive?
Let me think, there's so many.

78) Does every family have a crazy uncle?
Of course.

79) Have you ever smuggled something into America?
Myself.

80) Does playing the guitar make a girl/guy more attractive?
Never. Try a breath mint and a VISA.

81) Do you live in a city with a good sports team?
A sports team that counts. No. Soccer or excuse me football is NOT a great sport. But, I'm from a city with a great sports team. Panthers anyone?

82) Have you ever finished off the popcorn and ate the junk from the bottom of the bag?
The little crunchies. YES! I try to eat and savour those first.

83) Have you ever had sex in a tent?
Never.

84) What about in a boat?
I wish.

85) Have you ever dated a Goth?
A What?

86) Would you rather receive amazing oral sex or have amazing sex?
Amazing oral sex leads to amazing sex. The former requires a lot more patience and attention. Conquer that and that's 75% of the battle.

87) Can you fix your own car?
Hell no. That's what repair men are for.

88) Would you want to kill George W Bush yourself if you were Guaranteed to get away with it?
I would want to kill Bushie if I could get away with it or not.

89) Should guys wear pink?
Only if they matriculated through "The House". That's the ONLY way they can rock it, get away with it, and still look hella fine!

That's all folks!

Everyday is the 14th....

2006-02-14T06:02:00.001-05:00

Happy Valentine's Day to those that need it the most today. And by that I mean those that aren't getting any 'luvin' on this grand occasion.

I'm quitting....

2006-02-06T08:09:00.000-05:00

the advertising business and becoming a NFL analyst. Go Steelers!

I always have a feeling of home when....

2006-02-03T09:48:00.000-05:00

I see a familiar face from Spelhouse roaming the "streets of success" in a land that's foreign to me. I was brainstorming with my partner in a coffee shop near my place of internpolyment this afternoon, off of Tottenham Court Road, when out of a sea of British folks clad in their normal black uniforms, I spy a fellow alumna. Her name, don't remember. Her class, a year under me. Her major, escapes me. Her dorm, HH PHI BETA of course. What shes doing here, doesn't matter. Did I catch up to her in time to talk to her, no. Maybe our paths will cross again, hopefully. But just to know that I'm not alone in this vast country, is very comforting.

Counting down....

2006-01-30T05:52:00.000-05:00

There are very few BIG events Americans look forward to each year. The Superbowl is one of them. In honor of this special occassion we celebrate, here's....

36 Reasons why the Steelers WILL win The Big Game. (Other than because I said so....)

36. Because of The Bus.
35. Because of The Terrible Towel.
34. Because of Troy Polamalu.
33. Because it's one of the few franchises in history that hasn't sold its team to another city.
32. Because of Superbowl IX.
31. Because of Superbowl X.
30. Because of Superbowl XIII.
29. Because of Superbowl XIV.
28. Because of Terry Bradshaw.
27. Because the Seahawks only beat the Panthers' practice squad.
26. Because I love Heinz ketchup.
25. Because Bettis' parents go to every game.
24. Because the Seahawks only have one weapon.
23. Because only one other thing comes out of Seattle and that's coffee.
22. Because steel comes out of Pittsburgh and the defensive line eats that for breakfast.
21. Because every other city that does the waving of the towels thing pre-kick off looks lame in comparison to the sea of yellow Terrible Towels at Heinz Field.
20. Because they hushed all that "great hope" Indy mumbo jumbo.
19. Because of Peyton who?
18. Because they stayed true to the original logo.
17. Because they get away with rocking it on only one side of the helmet.
16. Because of their fan's devout dedication.
15. Because of the Blitzburgh D.
14. Because of one of the only GMs that wasn't quick to fire his head coach after a couple bad seasons.
13. Because of Cower's 13 year dedication to this league.
12. Because my uncle IS the 12th man.
11. Because of Hines Ward's smile.
10. Because noone else thought they could do it.
9. Because Washington, PA changed their name to Steeler, PA.
8. Because of Cower's spit that flies every where when he's pissed.
7. Because of Big Ben.
6. Because they're the first 6th seed to get to The Big Game.
5. Because of Cower's facial expressions.
4. Because of Polamalu's hair.
3. Because of Hines Ward.
2. Because of the Deuce. Because when he's healthy he's still a bad mofo.
1. Because one of the greatest running backs in the past 13 years hasn't gone to Disney World yet.

Do this...

2006-01-30T05:30:00.000-05:00

Google the phrase "(Your name) looks like" and find the best one from the first page of results. Don't forget to put it in quotes, otherwise it won't work. Here's mine:

"Dayna looks like poppy montgomery shes hot I mostly hear sarah michelle gellar, especialy in this..."

Alert the press, alert the press!!!

2006-01-24T08:13:00.000-05:00

I came to work today and thought something was a little strange. My inbox was overflowing with a whopping 32 emails (8 of which were really important). So immediately I was like, "Oh no, what's gone down?". This. Jaime Foxx is apparently having some sort of music special airing on NBC in the coming days, but has received no public recognition or publicity for it. I guess since he's "come up" in this world and has received "the nod" it's not okay for him to be B-list, like the good ol days when he was Wanda in "In Living Color". He's "accepted" now, and mediocre credit just won't do anymore. I personally don't look at it as a conspiracy, HE'S NO MUSICAL GENIUS PEOPLE. So apparently, I'm the one that doesn't get it, since I didn't forward it to the 30 million people I have in my email address book. If someone does however, please let me know what the real deal is. No more forwards please, my finger is tired of hitting delete.

So I have a friend....

2006-01-24T05:29:00.000-05:00

that seems to be going through a hard time in her life. (I hope shes reading ;)). I feel your pain girl. It's my belief that you are one of the rare jewels in life. Because you actually CARE about other people. Openly and privately. For so many years I thought....what a fucked up way to be (cause I feel I'm the same way). Why is it, that the nicest people in the world, seem to be the first to get fucked over? Why do I always care and give and give some more, and people that say they feel the same about you, keep taking and taking and taking? Why is it so hard to be strong all the time? To brush off hurt and pain-just to say to people when they ask you what's wrong "Nothing, I'm fine". Sometimes you just want someone to fight off all the demons in life-to stand for you when you're too weak to stand on your own. Yes it is fucked up. But, I've learned that if you first can't stand for yourself, then you can't stand for the people God puts in your life that really love you. All of us fall short of our own expectations of ourselves-it's natural. It's all just one big test. It determines the weak from the strong. The weak just fall and stay down. They keep letting life beat up on them. Those of us that fall and get right back up are the ones that make it. It's hard and I do know that "when it rains, it pours", but when life gives you lemons, make lemonade. Cliche, I know-but it works, just give it a try. You can do it! (I sound all motivational, maybe I should switch careers). Anyway, I decided to dedicate this post to you today-I felt you needed to know "someone out there, beneath the pale blue sky" was thinking of you. And because it's more important than me babbling on and on about some London bolucks! Have a good one and love you lots!

Who knew....

2006-01-23T05:02:00.000-05:00

So, clearly we were beat fair and square. I think even in a head-to-head rematch versus ourselves, we STILL would have lost. Oh well, at least we proved to some haters out there that we do deserve some of the credit we've earned in our short franchise history. Until then, I'll be riding the Steel Curtain all the way to Detroit and then back to Heinz, "Terrible Towel" in hand. I'm happy for my uncle. Since he was a mere 5 years old, my uncle has been a die hard Steelers fan-even through the Stewart years. A fan that calls in sick on Sundays to support....during pre-season. There are incrementing pictures at my Grandma's house of a little boy about 8 years old wearing Steelers whitey tighties, a Batman cape and mask, and cowboy boots, asleep on a Steelers bean bag. With that I think he deserves the "#1 fan" title. I'm one to support good football clubs, Canton bound coaches and players (#36 The Bus), and one of the best defensive players I've seen (Polamalu) so Go STEELERS!

6:30 ET, 11:30 LT....

2006-01-22T08:36:00.000-05:00

the Carolina Panthers will advance to Superbowl XL.

Just when I thought....

2006-01-21T13:18:00.000-05:00

London was finished beating up on me, it found another way to throw me a one-two punch. Last night, "Mickey Mouse" decided to come by Kensington Square Gardens and pay me a little visit....unannounced. I didn't sleep at all because I have a little rodent living with me. After being scared shitless, I decided to get up (it was 5 AM by then) and seek out a 24-hour Walmart/Grocery store of some sort. Only I remembered I'm no longer in the states and everything here closes at 7 PM!! So I used my God-given right brained talents to "trap" that mothafucker. I pushed all my suitcases up against the places I last saw him, then stuffed blankets and towels into the holes, hoping and praying his little ass couldn't get through it. I decided that after all of that if he did twist and weave his way through my "trap", then he deserved to get me. I sat there for 45 more mins, going back and forth in my mind whether or not mice could jump and if they could, did they get a kick out of jumping on humans. Finally, I went to sleep. My conscience wouldn't let me sleep long, so I woke up extra early to catch my landlord, Alex to let him know I had a little problem. And that if he didn't fix it ASAP, I'd be bunking in his room the next night. He informed me that London was an old town and that "here, we sleep amongst mice". "SAY WHAT!, Um, well Mister, I'm from the states and we don't! Can you please get it out?" He put out another little box trap thingy, that the mouse is supposed to walk/run into and die. Yeah right. Mice aren't stoopid. So yeah, I'm about to call pest control.

Modern Day Warrior....

2006-01-18T05:11:00.000-05:00

10 things Martin Luther King Jr. would have done about the war in Iraq.

Forgive me....

2006-01-17T06:04:00.000-05:00

for forgetting one of the most important holidays of the year-I get a little detached here. MLK's birthday. A moment of silence for Dr. King and all the other great leaders of our time.

Wiping the sweat from my brow....

2006-01-16T05:32:00.000-05:00

Sheesh....that was close.

My prediction....

WTF!

2006-01-15T10:09:00.000-05:00

This wasn't supposed to happen....

.
Nor was this...

:( oh well....

Get ready for some real football!!

The power of pictures....

2006-01-13T07:48:00.000-05:00

One of my favorite commercials of all time is the Kodak "Keep Me, Share Me" campaign. Watch the entire video, its breathtaking. Take the tour. Which brought me to this other site a couple of days ago. Change me. Pictures really are worth a thousand words. Enjoy.

How to pick out Americans in England....

2006-01-09T17:10:00.000-05:00

3rd posting today. Gotta be bored.

I'm a big fan of people watching. Over the years I've actually become quite good at it. I noticed without really noticing (confusing I know) that I could spot out Americans in this big ass city as if a marching band playing "The National Anthem" was marching behind them.

1-The Northface.
2-Girl's with the half done, half messy pony tail. I've yet to figure this one out.
3-Monogram purses, specifically Coach and Dooney & Burke. As if this tacky design/pattern proves their economic status.
4-Standing behind someone that is fumbling with the change monies. Trying to figure out which coins represent a pound or 20 pences.
5-Baseball hat brims that are frayed. And worn backwards.
6-Extra-small polo shirts tucked in only in the front of pants.
7-Taking advantage of the open bottle policy on the Tube.
8-A walking Abercrombie & Fitch ad. A light blue short jean skirt worn over leggings with flip flops in winter time. Don't forget to pair it with a sweat shirt or jacket, as if upper body warmth heats our entire body.
9-Polo Sport.
10-College or Greek nalia.

Catting pleasures....

2006-01-09T11:37:00.000-05:00

Sooooo a few of my mates have an on going section on their blogs.....their guilty pleasures. And since I'm all for not keeping my eyes on my own paper in school....here's mine.

My pleasures.....

1-Gummy bears.
2-Hearing the man sitting inside my computer say "You've got mail".
3-Fosse inspired commercials.
4-Cheese toast and warm apple sauce.
5-Milk with anything.
6-Entertainment from my childhood ("Willow", "Teen Witch", "The Goonies", "David the Gnome", "Captain Planet", "Care Bears", "Contra", you get the point).
7-Reading people's blogs.
8-Black boxer briefs.
9-Being Minneapolis cold and then coming home and pissing Miami warm pee.
10-Chicken fingers, fries, ketchup and ranch dressing mixed together, and a beer, all while watching the game.
11-High heel shoe shopping.
12-Kettle One and Hypnotiq Martinis.....with a twist damnit.
13-Showers with Dove body wash.
14-My "Favorite of All Time" iTunes playlist.
15-Desperate Housewives and Grey's Anatomy.
16-Spelhouse events/HBCU experiences.
17-Janet Jackson

Go Skins/Cats....

2006-01-09T06:51:00.000-05:00

I thought it would be damned near impossible to follow the play-offs across the pond. Thought I'd have to settle on "watching" the game on the little computer generated football field, that has about a 10 minute delay on NFL.com. However, I was wrong. A few of my fellow Lundoners and I wandered over to "Times Square" aka Picadilly Circus last night to this Sports Bar/Cafe that advertises how American it is.....pulling tourists with signs that say "American Pool" or "American food". I must admit though it felt good, to order a burger, taste it, and then secretly rejoice at how the meat really tasted like meat were accustomed to in the states, have a bun instead of gourmet ciabatta bread, and other garnishments the English enjoy on damned near everything (potatoes and fuckin beans). Anyway, I proudly walked in wearing my NC shirt, amidst a sea of Giants fans. As usual, the crowd was deep, the Carolina fans were few and far between, but when the Manning fans (who hype him up wayyyy too much) started to realize there was no hope for NY, the crowd thinned and out of nowhere I was surrounded by Carolinians. Carolinians, Carolinians EVERYWHERE! :) Art thou Superbowlith bound? We'll see.

Anyway, congrats to DC natives too. GO SKINS! ;) I agreed that if the Skins beat my former team, I'd pull for the Skins for the rest of the season. Even if they played the Cats. :/ Will they pull it off this year when for the past 15 odd years predictions have had them going far? We'llllllll see!

Cool shit....

2006-01-05T15:50:00.000-05:00

Check this out. Sand Painter.

Lundon from a black's perspective....

2006-01-04T06:45:00.000-05:00

Sooooooo while in my hotel room, (that only has 5 channels one of which plays "Simpsons" episodes on repeat and acts as if "The Simple Life" season one is quality American TV) I had a conversation with myself. Went like this....

Dayna: If in America, I'm known as an "African-American". What are these folks here called?

Self: Afro-Euros? Euro-Afros?

Dayna: No....it has to be "African-Europeans".

Self: What about Afro-Lundoners? No? Afro......Euro.....Americans?

Dayna: Hmmmm?

Self: But they're....not....A....mer....i....can.

Dayna: Yeah but, but...shit.

Self: Semi-Africans? The colonized?

Dayna: WTF?!

Self: Eh...

(TV in the background: "BLACKS in America still upset about President Bush's rebuilding "efforts" in the Ninth Ward")

Dayna: "BLACKS!"

Self: That's what the man said....blacks.

Dayna: Something about that just doesn't sit easy with me.

Self: I agree.

Dayna: I think they should be called "Afro-Europeans". That's PC, right?

Self: Yeah, I like that too.

Dayna: Shit, why not bring back "coloreds".

Self: There's a thought.

Dayna: Race relations in the UK is a bitch.

Self: You should have realized that in the airport.

I'm not the only one to be confused about this either. While having a conversation with a fellow Lundoner last night, Stef was scolded about her "lack of knowledge" on this matter last quarter. Apparently, he was offended...being referred to as an African-American. And made it a point to let her know this. Not only that....per conversation with another BLACK here, my fellow lunoner discovered that is not customary for blacks to date blacks here. It's frowned upon (according to him). They just don't get down like that.

Am I starting to have a lot more pride for the U-S-of A? And growing up in the South? Hell Yeah!

My first Lundon post....

2006-01-01T12:24:00.000-05:00

So after much turmoil and frustration I am finally across the pond. It seemed that everything that could go wrong, went wrong the past couple of weeks. From almost spending a bill for the ticket, to almost being forced to cancel the ticket I did buy, to having no housing, to spending a fortune staying in a hotel, to being INTEROGATED at the airport for more than 6 hours (see story below), to getting lost, on top of having the worst jet lag ever, to not being able to call home, because I apparently looked "suspicious", to having a phone card that didnt work, to having an emotional break down for almost 45 mins from being so stressed, tired, frustrated, and scared, to finally getting some sleep! So thats what the past two days have looked like for me. I'm just happy I'm here and safe and ready to start my 3 month stay in LUNdon (as some people like to say :))

....

Now I'm not one to pull the "conspiracy" card and wave it about. But, lets just say that out of 7 roommates so far, myself and one other girl got harassed. And we both arrived via ship. My stuff was searched through thoroughly. I mean all my business including undies were out on the table for all of Heathrow to see. I was asked very personal questions, probing questions, what my parents did, what their paycheck looked like, what I had in my banking account, credit history, what medications I take and why, if they really were the medications I was saying they were, and if they were still in the original package, if I had a boyfriend, numbers of people that would be able to "verify" my story, and so on and so on for 6 hours. I felt like I was a suspect on NYPD Blue and I was the one that did it. Humiliating on so many levels and totally unnecessary. So shit hasn't changed, shit hasn't changed.

Lundon....

2005-12-21T00:52:00.000-05:00

Soooooo I'll admit I've been kinda slack on the blogging tip. But, I leave for lovely lundon town in about a week or so, so I'm gonna try my bestest to keep you people across the pond updated on whats going on with the Dayna Dane.

SNOW!!!

2005-11-15T23:59:00.000-05:00

It's been snowing here since 6PM. It's sticking on the grass and cars, not on the roads yet. But its still snowing!

Snow Joe....

2005-11-15T14:00:00.000-05:00

There's snow on the forecast for today, tomorrow, and the next. If this week isn't the first week of snow for the Twins, then I'm gonna ask for my money back! That's what you come to the mid-west for. The snow, right? My roommies (pessimistic bastards) all say no, but little do they know I had a talk with the weather gods, did my snow dance and snow is on de way.

Miss Mommy if you're nasty????

2005-10-25T11:36:00.000-04:00

I don't approve of people who defame other people in the media, especially when it comes to important ones. Do you believe?

HOTlanta....

2005-10-24T22:26:00.000-04:00

So I just got back from Atlanta, my lovely Alma Mater's homecoming was this weekend. And not only did I get to reunite with the friends I miss oh so much from college, I got to see my friend Capri (yes, like the pants) who is enlisted in the Air Force and stationed in Japan and haven't seen in almost two years. She came home for a conference in Denver last week and just stayed so she could play with us and go to her mother's 50th birthday bash. Despite all the drama (some people from college never change) it was well worth the trip. Okay, let's drop the formalities....

Was there something in the fuckin water this weekend that made all the ex-boyfriends from college past want to be scandalous bitches the entire weekend. Yes, I know they say ALL females are evil bitches but we must have taken the weekend off, cause not only did my former roommate get hit on by her ex's best friend, so did I. I can't reveal the details of the scandalous behavior I was involved in, because I haven't confronted the other person involved yet. But, let's just say you never know what people's motives are. You think you know somebody and wham, bam, boom, they surprise you, and the jokes on you. After that, I fucked up and when I say fucked I do mean fucked up my new shoes. Drunk+new shoes+brick steps+darkness+drunk+being a lil tipsy+DRUNK+not paying attention=a heel that is scraped all the way down to the metal pole of the shoe....ON BOTH SHOES!!!!! Have no fear my Mom said she'd take care of them and get them fixed. Thank goodness for mommys. Not only that, but I ran into two people I could have lived without seeing for the rest of my days. Let's just say it involves a combination of the former "drama" episodes just mentioned. Ugh.

The "Y" takes the net by storm...

2005-10-13T23:00:00.000-04:00

In a couple of weeks, I'll be putting up my personal portfolio (compilation of my school work) on the net. with-a-y.net. For those short bus riders, "with a y" comes from people pronouncing my name and then without fail saying "ohhhh, like Dana, but with a Y". Ahhhhhhhhh, (light bulbs goin off everywhere). Smart, eh, eh.

What happens when...

2005-10-12T12:07:00.000-04:00

...every year without fail you send a former best friend of yours (since the 9th grade) a Happy Birthday greeting? And every year (as of the past two) without fail they don't respond. Do you mark it up as they don't wish to talk to you, too busy for you, or that they do find comfort in you thinking about them, but just can't find the words to say "thank you" after a petty falling out? Do you continue on with your life without them, even though you miss them greatly? Or do you hope that one day, they'll forgive and forget and decide to let bygones be bygones. Oh well...

Pictures of Minne coming reaaaaalll soon...

What I know for sure...

2005-10-06T00:43:00.000-04:00

....is that I'm grateful for the place I'm in right now. After years of minimal triumphs, bump after bump, fears consuming my every thought, why before why not...I can finally breathe some sighs of relief.

Over the past couple of days I've been confronted with the stories of the people in my life that I love and care about. Most of them are stories about challenging and trying times for them. Their stories are not only teaching me the power of giving, giving of support, love, encouragement, it's teaching me the power of being thankful for those same moments that I've gone through before. Yet, because I got through I am now able to live and enjoy what has come from it, the ability to give strength to those that are standing knee deep in their sorrows, pains, fears, uncertainties and are having trouble standing on their own.

God has a way of taking us through the hardships in life in order to teach us the beauty of being grateful for the goodships. Though it may not seem that way now, he has a plan for us all. It may not be the life we want, the life we think we should have, but nonetheless it's the life that only we can live. We have the choice to either dwell in what it's not or live the life he already has laid out for us. So many of us are waiting on him-to get us to where we want, should, need to be-instead he's waiting on us. Waiting on us to let go and let him take care of it. If only more of us would trust in him and surrender the one thing that tends to destroy us all, control...we wouldn't be living stress, trauma-free, but it'd be a lot easier to trudge through it. Though I don't know much, I do know this. For sure.

To all my friends near and far, to those friendships that aren't as strong as they used to be, don't exist anymore, never had hope to begin with, and those that have survived the years...I give you my love, support, shoulder to cry on, encouragement that helps you push forward. To those that can't see the light at the end of the tunnel right now, I wish you strength, love, hope, and happiness among other things. Weeping may endure for the night, but joy cometh in the morning.

Home again....

2005-09-11T23:19:00.000-04:00

home again jigity jig.

Went to the game today...I didn't want to be the one to say that the refs gave it to New Orleans, a tribute to the victims of Hurricane Katrina, but DAMN! did you see the game! HUH?! HUH?! HUH?! Utter bullshit I say, BULLSHIT!

Anyway, I'm at home, doing what I do best while on break. Nothing. Taking my position on the couch, watching more TV than I ever do when I'm in school. It's true, you really don't know what you got til its gone. Being without a TV for two weeks,I felt lost. Disconnected from the world, not that I watched it that much when I had one. It was usually turned on and put on mute about an hour later. Buuuuutttt, now that I know what it's like to be without one, I'll learn to respect the tube more. Plan on soaking up as much as I can before my move.

The tentative trip planned to go to the "Rededication of Sister's Chapel" has now been cancelled in order to make room for Homecoming 2005. Haven't been to ATL in a year and after a lot of convincing from my fellow alumnas, I've decided to postpone my trip to attend the Spelhouse homecoming.

Just call me Sia....

2005-09-07T23:09:00.000-04:00

As promised here's a spread from the photo project I was involved in. Sia (Roberts) was my name, had I been transformed into a musical artist outside of "for play-play". Props goes out to the fabo photographer, I'm sure she received an A. If not for her skills definitely for her mo-del. I think I'll just quit the advertising profession and give india.arie a run for her money. All I need now is to learn how to play the guitar and sing on key. Hmmmmmmm....orrrrrrrr maybe not.

How's my lighting....

2005-08-29T22:53:00.000-04:00

Finally, I've come down from my high. Drinking a shit load of Red Bull and vodkas really fucks with you the next day. I felt like Smokey in "Friday" when he got a hold of the bad weed. My heart was racing all day yesterday and I felt like a chicken with its head cut off. So for future references, for anybody wondering why they only sell 4 packs of Red Bull in the store...it's because 6 or more is DEADLY! Drink with caution.

Helped a fellow MASer tonight with one of her final assignments, a CD cover. Yours truly was the mo-del. Had to bring out my earthy, soulful side tonight, cause I was an india.arie/Erykah Badu sanger. Photos coming soon. To purchase the CD send a check to my house and make it payable to the "Dayna's graduating soon and wants to take a sabbatical to some remote island with the love of her life" fund. :)

Ugh, finals week is here and I have NOTHING done...except this blog posting!

To set the record straight....

2005-08-24T18:59:00.000-04:00

Some people have been confused by some of my love/hates....so to clarify...

1. "Little white lies" that negatively affect someone.
16. Make-up, the stuff women put on their face.
17. Bananas did not knock up Republicans producing Banana Republics.
19. Not specifically directed towards anyone reading this blog.
23. Tailgating in the car, not before the game (I love that kind).
34. Burger King and Mini commercials, little books, magazine inserts, assignments (all things Crispin).
44. Interracial dating, only black men dating white women, don't care about any other interracial dating.
94. Mouth wash, I do use it just don't like the burn and after taste of it.

Carry on...

2005-08-24T15:56:00.000-04:00

I realize I went a little overboard on the "Things I hate" post. What can I say, rough night. Alas, "Things I love", in order to redeem myself. (Don't act like I'm the only person that hates 120 things!)

"Oh, the things I love"...(in no particular order)

1. God
2. Family
3. Myself
4. Janet Jackson
5. Oprah
6. Shopping
7. My true friends
8. Milk
9. Gummy bears
10. Italian food
11. Music
12. Comfy pajama pants
13. Arden B, Anthropologie, Banana, and Nordstroms
14. Isaac Mizrahi shoes (the real ones, not Target brand)
15. Old Navy commercials
16. Office Max/Depot commercials ("Rubberband man")
17. Widgets
18. Apple sauce and juice
19. Laughing
20. Acting silly
21. Being sarcastic
22. Being a Taurus
23. "Being Bobby Brown"
24. Warm winter coats
25. Disney world
26. Disney movies
27. May 2nd
28. Spelman (I guess that includes Morehouse)
29. Money
30. Living in different cities
31. Home
32. Thanksgiving
33. Fresh breath
34. Taking showers
35. Hugs
36. Children
37. Cheese toast
38. Water
39. Flat irons
40. Blue jeans
41. Having good morals
42. Patience
43. Love
44. Chapstick/Lip gloss
45. Anything i(Pod, Chat, Trip, etc.)
46. The Roots
47. Good health
48. No cavities
49. Soft carpet
50. Pillow top mattresses
51. Anything NC (state not team)
52. Shortcut buttons on the keyboard
53. Cut and paste
54. Butterflies
55. Tanga panties
56. Red
57. The letter Y
58. Men with tattoos
59. Greeting cards (receiving and giving)
60. Big comfy chairs
61. Cat naps
62. 6 inch turkey with white cheese Subway sandwiches
63. Intelligence
64. Nice people
65. Genuine people
66. Massages
67. Candles
68. Strawberries
69. Sex
70. Mascara
71. Cute dogs
72. Victorias Secret
73. G4 Mac computers
74. Things that match
75. Target
76. Vodka
77. Dems
78. My people
79. Going to the movies
80. People that call me to see how I'm doing
81. Sushi
82. Funny t-shirts
83. Dove Cool Moisture Body wash
84. Hair brushes/combs
85. Swimming
86. Real hip hop
87. Debit cards
88. Being creative
89. Being trustworthy
90. People that make me laugh
91. The mute button on the TV
92. Electricity
93. Being blessed
94. Cell phones
95. Flowers
96. Highways with no traffic
97. The space bar
98. Contact lenses
99. Michaels craft store/Art supplies store
100.Big cities
101.Martinis
102.Restaurants that deliver
103.Washing machines
104.Sleep
105.Caller ID
106.Asking questions
107.Good books
108.Being on time
109.Saying "Thank you"
110.The Cosby show
111.Saturdays
112.Vacations
113.Oversized T-shirts
114.Happy hour
115.Amazon.com
116.Philanthropy
117.Keyless entry
118.Surprises
119.Good deeds
120.People that visit my blog and post a comment

Things I hate about.....YOU!....

2005-08-23T01:17:00.000-04:00

I was recently inspired while slamming some Beau-caine to create my own little list of "Things that I hate". So after much thought, tis here (actually it only took me about 15 mins). Keep in mind they aren't in any sort of order, just random hatings. To even the score I plan on posting "Things I love" just so ya'll won't think I'm some negative ass complaining trick.

"Oh, the things I hate"...

1. Liars, that includes "little white lies"
2. People that complain too much
3. Suck-ups
4. Untrustworthy people
5. People that don't do what they say they're gonna do
6. Cheaters
7. Men that cheat
8. Little kids pitchin' a bitch when they don't get what they want
9. Know it alls
10. Racists
11. People that change the channel every 5 minutes
12. People that say "are you watching that" and then turn the channel
13. People that talk during a movie
14. Same people that then ask "what did he say?"
15. People that show up late to a movie, then walk to the top of the theater (as if there's a seat waiting for them)
16. Make-up commercials
17. Bananas
18. Peanut Butter
19. People that have orgasms over peanut butter and banana sandwiches
20. Yellow/red bone jokes
21. People that say that Janet and Michael are the same person
22. Loud people
23. Tailgating
24. People that get in front of me without asking (without using a signal)
25. Buffets
26. Crowded clubs
27. Miami Dolphins
28. Rude people
29. PCs
30. Grocery stores
31. The question "would you like to try that on" (in a clothing store)
32. People that don't need to be in the mall and then get in my way when I'm trying to shop (old people and little kids)
33. People that let their kids go unsupervised in the store
34. Burger King and Mini
35. George Bush
36. Republicans
37. War
38. Headaches
39. People that have a "dirty" desktop on their computer or don't empty the trash when they delete something from their computer
40. Going to the gyno
41. Britney Spears
42. When I run out of gas and have to refuel
43. Sweat
44. Interracial dating
45. Posers
46. Ghettoness
47. Men that are disrespectful
48. People that don't return phone calls
49. Copywriters that think that art direction is "easy"
50. American Idol
51. Reality TV except for "Being Bobby Brown"
52. Spanish channels
53. People that think I'm Hispanic
54. Unorganized people
55. The pinwheel icon
56. The F buttons (F1-F12)
57. People that think they can dance, but really can't
58. The "toy" aisle of the supermarket
59. When my computer battery goes below 90%
60. White T's
61. People that watch me eat
62. People that tell the same joke everyday, as if it's still funny
63. Pimples
64. PMS
65. Playwright
66. People that tell black jokes and then look at me to get my "approval"
67. Marker comps
68. When I can't find my size in the store
69. 50 Cent
70. People that copy Janet
71. People that don't respect the 4:00 Oprah time rule
72. Not saying "excuse me"
73. People that run me over with their baby's stroller
74. Grudges
75. Waking up
76. Going to bed
77. Paying bills
78. Owing people money
79. Forgetting
80. People that call me spoiled
81. Cats
82. The preview channel
83. TBS when they try to make a movie that has cursing in it, G-rated
84. Rejection
85. "No"
86. People that say that Photoshop is better than Illustrator
87. People that "toot their own horns" (brag)
88. Pink and green (the combo)
89. Internet Explorer
90. AOL
91. Driving long distances
92. People that smell bad
93. Socks
94. Mouth wash
95. Itches
96. Getting lost
97. People that use big words when they don't have to
98. "Unavaiable" on the caller ID
99. People that mess with my stuff without asking
100.Paper cuts
101.McDonalds
102.Sleeping alone
103.When my pillow falls off the bed while I'm sleeping
104.People that always crave attention
105."Corrupted Files" when I try to download a song
106.Dial up internet
107.Shower caps
108.Bar soap
109.When my blanket falls off the bed while I'm sleeping
110.When my hair gets frizzy
111.Hangovers
112.Heavy metal music
113.Getting caught in the rain
114.When I check my e-mail and there's nothing there
115.Having to use my swipe card to get in my own apartment building
116.Parking spaces that are far away
117.People that text a question that requires a long detailed answer (just call)
118.When people say something's funny, then when they tell you, its not
119.When people get silent on the phone
120.People that visit my blog and don't post a comment

POST BIOTCH!

Thursdays are daddy days...

2005-08-06T10:31:00.000-04:00

Normally, I don't subscribe to watching and or supporting ignant TV, but sometimes you have to make exceptions. "Being Bobby Brown," (theme song playing in the background) yes! I'm a fan. I find myself watching rerun after rerun, discovering new "ignantcies" every time. Doesn't this qualify them for an Emmy? Or is that just for day time programming? Ehhh. Sometimes, I secretly try to determine who is the real star of the show. So far (in my opinion) Bobby, though virtually a "nobody" outside of 80s R&B, is makin' a name for himself other than being Whitney Houston's husband. In corner one we have--"Court days are daddy days....I get a lot of daddy days"; "Why is my shoe following me?! Shoe, stop followin' me? SHOE!!!!! WHY ARE YOU FOLLOWING ME??!!"; and "Hi, I'm Bobby Brown." (insert dumbfounded look by Caucasian middle aged man here) "You know the singer." "Ohhhh okay" (insert "Who the fuck are you" (I'm trying not to let him know that I really, no REALLY, don't know who the hell this black guy is). "Whitney Houston's husband." "OHHHHHHHH YEAH, Whitney's husband, how is she?". And in corner two we have--"Shut up, just shut up, shut up," "Whitney can I have an autograph and a picture?" "No.," and last but not least Whitney's foreign dialect (really just her mumbling and shit while the audience tries to figure out WHAT THE HELL IS YOU SAYIN?). CLASSIC!!! I'm loling (I realize that would translate to laughing out louding but go with it) just thinkin' about it!

Is it Thursday yet?

For people that think....

2005-08-05T19:28:00.000-04:00

...that advertisers don't do anything but Fame inspired Old Navy commercials, "Wake up with the King" ads (waste of time), or cookie cutter beauty spots...here's an example of my assignment due next week (Tues 8/16). Project re-brand America.

sigh...and I thought branding gold as an investment option was difficult.

If at first you dont succeed, try again damnit...

2005-08-01T22:01:00.000-04:00

So my attempt at sobriety didn't last long. Exactly 12 hours after my previous post I drank from the hand of temptation. I'm okay bein sober as long as I'm not put in stressful, semi-frustrating situations. Thus proving the rumor, people in advertising are either weed heads or alkies, is true. It was weird and somewhat surreal to watch people noticeably drunk and their behaviors. That me when I'm on their level? That why people easily excuse actions/behaviors when someone says "Sorry, I was drunk". Hmmm. Fascinating.

On the school front, I've once again changed my mind. I will officially be spending the next 3 months in the Twin Cities (Minneapolis). This decision came out of the blue, but came right on time as my fears and anxieties about goin to London in just a month or so resurfaced for the umpteenth time. I've heard a lot of good things about the program there and the city, and though its not one of those cities people proudly rep, I figure it would go for a cool/different experience. Especially on the FB tip (which is one of the many cons to goin overseas durin the season, no Sunday games, no Monday night football. HA! can't do it). I plan to partake in some Vikings celebrations during my stay. Grandma is Culpepper fan so I imagine having to entertain her a few times during the 3 month stay. London can wait another 3 months.

Any Spelhouse connects in the area, feel free to lead me to them.

Brrrrr, the change of temp is gonna be a bitch.

For those who have grown lonely...

2005-07-30T01:19:00.000-04:00

...awaiting my return. Alas it is here!

Couple of updates since the last post. I've started my 4th and final quarter in graduate school. My last 3 months in Miami...at the date of this post I only have about 40 more days, which equals exactly 6 more weeks here in the hells of the MIA. My home(s) for the next year will hopefully be in London, Chicago, New York, and San Francisco (in that order). Tomorrow marks the date of my 4th quarter review. Which, for non-adschoolers, means my fate is determined and it decides whether or not I'm eligible to intern. My apologies for not updating the blog. Don't have much free time any more. Between Target Furniture, Army recruiting, San Francisco Jewish Film Festivals, and Pediatric Hospices in amusement parks ad campaigns I just don't have extra time to spill the beans.

On another note, for the avid reader in you....I just purchased the book The Journey Is the Destination: The Journals of Dan Eldon. In hopes that my creativity will be sparked as I travel to the next level of my educational experience.

And as expected, an update on the alumna front....a tentative trip is planned back to my "roots" in mid-September. The Rededication of Historic Sisters Chapel is expected to be a history making event. I've lost some of my footing here in Miami and hope this "Hajj" will center me once again as a Spelman woman.

Last but not least, on a personal level I have given up drinking. Let's see how long this lasts, but I'm too old to have 2 day hangovers and puking my guts out at 8:00 in the evening. One week sober and counting. Though tempted tonight at Happy Hour....the deal includes free sushi as long as u participate in the 2 for 1 drink specials (martinis, sake, wine by the glass....good shit!)...I resisted. Wish me luck, only words of encouragement are accepted.

Just sit right back and you'll hear...the truth...

2005-06-22T13:40:00.000-04:00

Okay so the anonymous poster was correct. However, I'd still like to know your identity. You obviously know me, have connections to the AUC, sounds as if you're affiated with The House, and like to drop/seek out truth. So who are you? Meanwhile, check out the scoop on my past "professor". Funniest thing I've read all day! Just sit right back and you'll hear ... the truth.

Calling all SpelHousers...

2005-06-21T14:39:00.000-04:00

A new Yahoo! group was created (from the Spelmanites Yahoo! group). Lots of connections, housing notices, employment opps, AUC news was transmitted through the Spelmanite Yahoo! group so this ought to be bigger and better combined with our Morehouse brothers. Join and pass the word.

SpelHouse Yahoo! Group.

Um...?

2005-06-17T11:36:00.000-04:00

After several recent cross burnings and now this. I think the Carolinas are in a race with Florida...who can create the craziest and most disturbing news stories.

Got an award yesterday for one of my ads. Guess I'll give advertising another term.

Takin out the "trash"...

2005-06-16T20:33:00.000-04:00

Recently, someone posted a response to one of my blogs. Which one, unimportant....my reaction to it, important. People, people, people. If you decide to visit and/or respond to one of my posts, please be so kind as to leave your name. OR, if you'd like to remain anonymous to the public, leave a clue that lets me know who the hell you are! That way innocent people don't get cut :). To that select few that has felt Dayna's wrath, I openly and publicly apologize (since "my bad" wasn't good enough). I sipped from the hand of guilt and decided to swallow my pride and admit I was wrong. ARGH!

Anyway, summer is going as planned. Sitting on the couch, watching TV. One of two summer vacations is over. And Richmond was great! If I plan to live there, me thinks I'll have to bring my own source of entertainment. Richmond is negative 10 on the "things to do" list, which says a lot cause Charlotte is negative 8.

Go Pistons!

Bein nosey, gets me no where....

2005-06-08T00:50:00.000-04:00

Okay so this person wants to now remain anonymous, but he is the reason why I'm up late filling out surveys that don't really mean shit. :)

FAVORITE
color: Red.
band/musician: Janet Jackson.
video game: Ummm....Super Mario Brothers 3?.
movie: Brown Sugar.
book: Wacky Wednesday by Dr. Seuss.
game on a cell phone: None.
CD cover: The ones I create.
flower: Rose (even though I don't get them often).
animal: Doggies.
comic book: I have no idea!
website: Ummm, CNN.com.

DO YOU
watch TV more than 60 hours a week?: With what time?
like to sing?: Of course.
like to play sports?: Not really.
have a crush?: Yes.
have more than 5 TVs in your house?: In a studio, um...no!
have any special talents/skills?: No comment.
exercise daily?: Yes, my 2 block walk to school.

CAN YOU
sing the alphabet backwards?: No, not that smart.
stand on your tiptoes without wearing shoes?: Of course.
speak any other languages?: Yes, in Miami english is a second language.
go a day without food?: Yes, all the time.
stay up for more than 24 hours?: I have before...
read music, not just tabs?: When I played an instrument I could.

HAVE YOU EVER
snuck out of the houses?: Yep.
cried to get out of trouble?: Oh yeah.
gotten lost in your city?: Of course, Charlotte is as big as NYC.
seen a shooting star?: No.
been to any other countries besides the US?: Canada for about 15 minutes.
stolen something important to someone else?: Yeah by accident.
solved a rubiks cube?: No, not enough patience.
kissed a random stranger?: Yep.
hugged a random stranger?: Yeah all the time.
been in a fist fight?: I'm a lover, not a figher.
been arrested?: I'm a lover not a trouble maker.
done drugs?: Honestly, no.
had alcohol?: Ummmm.
laughed and had milk come out of your nose?: No, I don't waste milk.
pushed all the buttons on an elevator?: You have to once in your lifetime.
been in love?: Unfortunately.
been close to love?: Yes that counts too.
ran over an animal and killed it?: I think so.
had a waterballoon fight in winter?: In winter, no thats crazy.
drank a whole gallon of milk in one hour?: No, but in a couple of days yes.
made homemade muffins?: No, why?

FRIENDSHIP
how many friends do you have?: REAL friends, a couple.
have you ever liked one of your friends?: That's natural.
do you have more guy friends or more girl friends?: Male friends.
have you ever lost a friend?: Yep.
have you ever gone to an amusement park with a friend?: Who hasn't.
have you ever gotten in a big argument with a friend?: Oh yeah!
what's the nicest thing you've ever done for a friend?: Let them be MY friend!! (j/k)
what's the nicest thing a friend has ever done for you?: Called me just to say "hello".
do you miss any of your old friends?: Yeah, but they act "brand new" now, so NO!
do you regret anything you've done to a friend? Uh huh.
do any of your friends drive?: One doesn't.
what's the dumbest thing you've done with a friend?: Long story (not with a male friend though).

LOVE AND ALL THAT CRAP
are you single?: Yep.
are you in a relationship?: No.
what is your idea of a best date?: Him being a complete gentleman, romantic and all that shit (yes I said shit).
what was your first kiss like?: 5th grade dance :) (I shall never forget it).
how old were you when you got your first kiss?: The age I was when I was in 5th grade, I think its 10.
do you think love is a load of shit?: With the wrong person it is.
what's the best experience you've ever had with the opposite sex?: Chillin, talking, cuddling, snuggling, kissing.
have you ever been dumped?: Yes.
have you ever dumped someone?: No.
what's the most sexual thing you've done with the opposite sex?: If you know me, you know.

I...
am: Witty, smart, beautiful, creative.
want: To go shopping everyday of the week :).
need: Love, respect, honesty.
crave: A bowl of cereal.
love: Attention, compliments, myself, God, family, friends (of course not in that order).
hate: Mean people, attitudes, slackers, people that think they know everything, and LIARS.
did: ? I dunno, I guess....I did all of these questions by myself.
feel: I am at a growing phase in my life.
miss: People I haven't talked to (or who don't want to talk to me) in a while
am annoyed by: People that don't appreciate or who take advantage of other people's niceness.
would rather: I agree-chill on a porch in a temperate climate with a couple of really good people - holding a Martini.
will always: Be honest, real, nice, approachable, DAYNNNNNAAA!

Okay, that's it.....who's next!

My senior registrar advisor, NOOOOOOOOOO!!!!

2005-06-07T13:42:00.000-04:00

The Passing of Spelman College Assistant Registrar, Ms. Ethel Poole

Dear Spelman Alumnae,

It is with profound sadness that I inform you of the passing of Ms. Ethel
Poole, Assistant Registrar in the Registrar's Office, Division of
Enrollment Management. Ms. Poole began her employment at Spelman College in
1967 in the Registrar's Office. For thirty-eight years, Ms. Poole provided
dedicated service to the students, parents, faculty, staff, and alumnae of
Spelman College.

The viewing and funeral services will take place on Wednesday, June 8, 2005
at Mt. Calvary Baptist Church (404.696.1039), located at 17 Fairburn Road,
SW, Atlanta, Georgia 30331. The viewing will take place from 11:00 a.m. to
1:00 p.m. and the funeral services will begin at 1:00 p.m.

Funeral Arrangements are being handled by Herschel Thornton Mortuary
(404.691.4685), located at 3346 Martin Luther King Jr, Drive, Atlanta,
Georgia 30126.

Condolences may be sent to:

Mrs. Nicole Poole-Mason
(Spelman College Class of 1993)
407 Plainville Drive, SW
Atlanta, GA 30331

In the spirit of Spelman

Things I haven't been able to do the past week and a half...

2005-06-05T21:34:00.000-04:00

...take a shower (just kidding). For the past week and a half, my dishes haven't been washed, my clothes are all over my house, all the work that is due, is laid out-taking up 1/3 of my apartment floor, my oven/stove hasn't been used to cook with (I've ordered out for lunch and dinner every day), and my bed hasn't really been used for sleep either (I have a small case of insomnia because I can't stop thinkin' about all the stuff I have to do the next day). Yes, it's finals week. I'm so ready to get out of this place I booked my plane ticket to leave during one of my final reviews...no worries, my teacher is letting me have my review earlier that day. Hurry up Mr. Thursday.

I rarely like to admit...

2005-05-31T01:17:00.000-04:00

...when people are right. BUT! Common's "Be" is one of if not the hottest albums of the summer/year. Who made this claim is unimportant, for he knows who he is, but a little bloginal acknowledgement should suffice. "Be" is what hip hop needs/needed. As Com Sense would say "I wonder if these rap niggas realize they wack. And they the reason why my people say they tired of rap." None of that "Hey how you doin' little mama, let me whisper in your ear", "just a lil' bit", "boys in da hood" wackness. He came with the "real, real hip hop". I bought the album (although I did download it first) so that should speak volumes.

As a side note...thanks to the Legendary MAS crew, I am no longer a "Star Wars" virgin. Tis true, I have seen my first taste of the "Star Wars" trilogy or whatever it is. In my honest opinion, I'd rather go see "Harry Potter". Don't understand where all the "Star Wars" nerds come from. But, I guess to each his own.

Who's better Outkast or Black Star?

Commencement speeches always motivate...

2005-05-26T13:17:00.000-04:00

Howard Zinn's commencement address at Spelman College Commencement. May 15,2005.

Against Discouragement
By Howard Zinn

[In 1963, historian Howard Zinn was fired from Spelman College, where he was chair of the History Department, because of his civil rights activities. This year, he was invited back to give the commencement address.]

I am deeply honored to be invited back to Spelman after forty-two years. I would like to thank the faculty and trustees who voted to invite me, and especially your president, Dr. Beverly Tatum. And it is a special privilege to be here with Diahann Carroll and Virginia Davis Floyd.

But this is your day -- the students graduating today. It's a happy day for you and your families. I know you have your own hopes for the future, so it may be a little presumptuous for me to tell you what hopes I have for you, but they are exactly the same ones that I have for my grandchildren.

My first hope is that you will not be too discouraged by the way the world looks at this moment. It is easy to be discouraged, because our nation is at war -- still another war, war after war -- and our government seems determined to expand its empire even if it costs the lives of tens of thousands of human beings. There is poverty in this country, and homelessness, and people without health care, and crowded classrooms, but our government, which has trillions of dollars to spend, is spending its wealth on war. There are a billion people in Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East who need clean water and medicine to deal with malaria and tuberculosis and AIDS, but our government, which has thousands of nuclear weapons, is experimenting with even more deadly nuclear weapons. Yes, it is easy to be discouraged by all that. But let me tell you why, in spite of what I have just described, you must not be discouraged.

I want to remind you that, fifty years ago, racial segregation here in the South was entrenched as tightly as was apartheid in South Africa. The national government, even with liberal presidents like Kennedy and Johnson in office, was looking the other way while black people were beaten and killed and denied the opportunity to vote. So black people in the South decided they had to do something by themselves. They boycotted and sat in and picketed and demonstrated, and were beaten and jailed, and some were killed, but their cries for freedom were soon heard all over the nation and around the world, and the President and Congress finally did what they had previously failed to do -- enforce the 14th and 15th Amendments to the Constitution. Many people had said: The South will never change. But it did change. It changed because ordinary people organized and took risks and challenged the system and would not give up. That's when democracy came alive.

I want to remind you also that when the war in Vietnam was going on, and young Americans were dying and coming home paralyzed, and our government was bombing the villages of Vietnam -- bombing schools and hospitals and killing ordinary people in huge numbers -- it looked hopeless to try to stop the war But just as in the Southern movement, people began to protest and soon it caught on. It was a national movement. Soldiers were coming back and denouncing the war, and young people were refusing to join the military, and the war had to end.

The lesson of that history is that you must not despair, that if you are right, and you persist, things will change. The government may try to deceive the people, and the newspapers and television may do the same, but the truth has a way of coming out. The truth has a power greater than a hundred lies. I know you have practical things to do -- to get jobs and get married and have children. You may become prosperous and be considered a success in the way our society defines success, by wealth and standing and prestige. But that is not enough for a good life.

Remember Tolstoy's story, "The Death of Ivan Illych." A man on his deathbed reflects on his life, how he has done everything right, obeyed the rules, become a judge, married, had children, and is looked upon as a success. Yet, in his last hours, he wonders why he feels a failure. After becoming a famous novelist, Tolstoy himself had decided that this was not enough, that he must speak out against the treatment of the Russian peasants, that he must write against war and militarism.

My hope is that whatever you do to make a good life for yourself -- whether you become a teacher, or social worker, or business person, or lawyer, or poet, or scientist -- you will devote part of your life to making this a better world for your children, for all children. My hope is that your generation will demand an end to war, that your generation will do something that has not yet been done in history and wipe out the national boundaries that separate us from other human beings on this earth.

Recently I saw a photo on the front page of the New York Times which I cannot get out of my mind. It showed ordinary Americans sitting on chairs on the southern border of Arizona, facing Mexico. They were holding guns and they were looking for Mexicans who might be trying to cross the border into the United States. This was horrifying to me -- the realization that, in this twenty-first century of what we call "civilization," we have carved up what we claim is one world into two hundred artificially created entities we call "nations" and are ready to kill anyone who crosses a boundary.

Is not nationalism -- that devotion to a flag, an anthem, a boundary, so fierce it leads to murder -- one of the great evils of our time, along with racism, along with religious hatred? These ways of thinking, cultivated, nurtured, indoctrinated from childhood on, have been useful to those in power, deadly for those out of power.

Here in the United States, we are brought up to believe that our nation is different from others, an exception in the world, uniquely moral; that we expand into other lands in order to bring civilization, liberty, democracy. But if you know some history you know that's not true. If you know some history, you know we massacred Indians on this continent, invaded Mexico, sent armies into Cuba, and the Philippines. We killed huge numbers of people, and we did not bring them democracy or liberty. We did not go into Vietnam to bring democracy; we did not invade Panama to stop the drug trade; we did not invade Afghanistan and Iraq to stop
terrorism. Our aims were the aims of all the other empires of world history -- more profit for corporations, more power for politicians.

The poets and artists among us seem to have a clearer understanding of the disease of nationalism. Perhaps the black poets especially are less enthralled with the virtues of American "liberty" and "democracy,"their people having enjoyed so little of it. The great African-American poet Langston Hughes addressed his country as follows:

You really haven't been a virgin for so long.
It's ludicrous to keep up the pretext.

You've slept with all the big powers
In military uniforms,
And you've taken the sweet life
Of all the little brown fellows.

Being one of the world's big vampires,
Why don't you come on out and say so
Like Japan, and England, and France,
And all the other nymphomaniacs of power.

I am a veteran of the Second World War. That was considered a "good war," but I have come to the conclusion that war solves no fundamental problems and only leads to more wars. War poisons the minds of soldiers, leads them to kill and torture, and poisons the soul of the nation.

My hope is that your generation will demand that your children be brought up in a world without war. It we want a world in which the people of all countries are brothers and sisters, if the children all over the world are considered as our children, then war -- in which children are always the greatest casualties -- cannot be accepted as a way of solving problems.

I was on the faculty of Spelman College for seven years, from 1956 to 1963. It was a heart warming time, because the friends we made in those years have remained our friends all these years. My wife Roslyn and I and our two children lived on campus. Sometimes when we went into town, white people would ask: How is it to be living in the black community? It was hard to explain. But we knew this -- that in downtown Atlanta, we felt as if we were in alien territory, and when we came back to the Spelman campus, we felt that we were at home.

Those years at Spelman were the most exciting of my life, the most educational certainly. I learned more from my students than they learned from me. Those were the years of the great movement in the South against racial segregation, and I became involved in that in Atlanta, in Albany, Georgia, in Selma, Alabama, in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, and Greenwood and Itta Bena and Jackson. I learned something about democracy: that it does not come from the government, from on high, it comes from people getting together and struggling for justice. I learned about race. I learned something that any intelligent person realizes at a certain point -- that race is a manufactured thing, an artificial thing, and while race does matter (as Cornel West has written), it only matters because certain people want it to matter, just as nationalism is something artificial. I learned that what really matters is that all of us -- of whatever so-called race and so-called nationality -- are human beings and should cherish one another.

I was lucky to be at Spelman at a time when I could watch a marvelous transformation in my students, who were so polite, so quiet, and then suddenly they were leaving the campus and going into town, and sitting in, and being arrested, and then coming out of jail full of fire and rebellion. You can read all about that in Harry Lefever's book Undaunted by the Fight. One day Marian Wright (now Marian Wright Edelman), who was my student at Spelman, and was one of the first arrested in the Atlanta sit-ins, came to our house on campus to show us a petition she was about to put on the bulletin board of her dormitory. The heading on the petition epitomized the transformation taking place at Spelman College. Marian had written on top of the petition: "Young Ladies Who Can Picket, Please Sign Below."

My hope is that you will not be content just to be successful in the way that our society measures success; that you will not obey the rules, when the rules are unjust; that you will act out the courage that I know is in you. There are wonderful people, black and white, who are models. I don't mean African- Americans like Condoleezza Rice, or Colin Powell, or Clarence Thomas, who have become servants of the rich and powerful. I mean W.E.B. DuBois and Martin Luther King and Malcolm X and Marian Wright Edelman, and James Baldwin and Josephine Baker and good white folk, too, who defied the Establishment to work for peace and justice.

Another of my students at Spelman, Alice Walker, who, like Marian, has remained our friend all these years, came from a tenant farmer's family in Eatonton, Georgia, and became a famous writer. In one of her first published poems, she wrote:

It is true--
I've always loved
the daring
ones
Like the black young
man
Who tried
to crash
All barriers
at once,
wanted to
swim
At a white
beach (in Alabama)
Nude.

I am not suggesting you go that far, but you can help to break down barriers, of race certainly, but also of nationalism; that you do what you can -- you don't have to do something heroic, just something, to join with millions of others who will just do something, because all of those something's, at certain points in history, come together, and make the world better.

That marvelous African-American writer Zora Neale Hurston, who wouldn't do what white people wanted her to do, who wouldn't do what black people wanted her to do, who insisted on being herself, said that her mother advised her: Leap for the sun -- you may not reach it, but at least you will get off the ground.

By being here today, you are already standing on your toes, ready to leap. My hope for you is a good life.

Howard Zinn is the author with Anthony Arnove of the just published "Voices
of a People's History of the United States" (Seven Stories Press) and of the international best-selling "A People's History of the United States."

Copyright 2005 Howard Zin

"Welcome to the movies..."

2005-05-22T00:45:00.000-04:00

Just got back from seein "House of Wax". My honest assessment, Eh. Not a fan of the scary movies, yet somehow I manage to find myself following the crowd, succumbing to peer pressure, and screaming and balled up in my seat scared shitless for every scary movie that's hit the big screen since I've been in Miami. As predicted there will be a sequel. (sarcastically screaming) YAY!

There have only been a few movies that I've walked out of the theater saying "damn, that was a good movie". "Crash" managed to do that to me. I'm a huge fan of Terrence Howard (I think he among a few others are seriously overlooked in terms of GREAT black actors) and Don Cheadle (another one overlooked, but he's starting to get his credit, thanks to the Academy), and in this movie they are wonderful. Surprisingly even Ludacris managed to transcend that rappers that can't act stereotype, and performs really well also. I don't think any other movie I've seen, has ever really dealt with the race/racism issue this in depth. It's like watching "Higher Learning", but looking at the whole picture other than the black/white issue. Which is another reason why this movie was so great...not the same ol' story line we all hate to love. Needless to say I give this movie 4 stars, 2 thumbs up, and high five! I'll be purchasing this movie on DVD when it hits the shelves.

This is my "hood" (no pun intended)...

2005-05-20T02:04:00.000-04:00

...where I grew up! (which is represented beautifully below the word "North" (with the 3 hoods, swastika, and confederate flag icons...to be more specific 'Charlotte', 'Belmont', 'Mt. Holly', and 'Lincolton') Proud to be a North Carolinian. You can view your "hood" here.

I've decided after seeing the new Old Navy commercial, that I want to be an Art Director on one of them before I die. Who has the key to the archive room? I want every copy. Better yet, just burn them onto a DVD!

Cosmo anyone?

Call me sensitive...

2005-05-19T11:50:00.000-04:00

...but I still get the slightest bit salty when people misspell or mispronounce my name. Third graders that can't remember what 2 x 2 is, manage to not only spell it right, but say it right. I've said it before, I guess I have to say it again...just because you're educated, doesn't mean you have common sense. I get anything from Diana to Danya to Dane to even Danny...I don't know what's worse, the glance and stumble move, the mispronunction (sounds better than mispronunciation), or the look up and ask "how do you pronounce that" (as if it's some ebonical twist on a normally common name) I mean personally I think good ol' Mom made it easier for you stoopid people to pronounce it. Fifty percent of it is said everyDAY. See how easy that was...

In unimportant but annoying news, I have a mosquito bite on the bottom of my foot, among other places, i.e. my index finger! Every time I walk it itches more.

In school news...I've designed, created, authored so many books in the past couple of days I've managed to make Eric Jerome Dickey jealous. He's releasing a new book about finding Neville Brody's Miami while looking down (the common story line of the sex-crazed insecure woman that falls for the charming, oh so handsome, DOG has been edited out). The length has been upped recently from 16 pages to 160 pages thanks people that like to say "Hey, Jose is making us do a 16 page book too". What a coincidence!

*In reference to the "My stalker responds..." post...I do not support any low blows to the Spelhouse dynasty. And as a less important side note I would like to state that I do not think that Alex is Michael Eric Dyson's bitch, even though some comments seem to suggest otherwise. Settin' the record straight.*

Kettle One and Hypnotic Martini anyone?

My stalker responds...

2005-05-17T14:00:00.000-04:00

Instead of actually focusing on the issue some people like to write books in order to advance their career's. With that, Alex Carter aka Oh Militant One, would like to advance his career by serving as guest writer for the nationally acclaimed "Uprooted and Replanted" blog. You may find copies of his ignorant banter anywhere from C-Span to Bill O'Reilly to Barnes & Noble, basically anywhere Michael Eric Dyson goes Alex Michael Carter is sure to follow....

To the daily writing of this blog, Dayna Hall
by: Alex Carter

Daaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaayyyynnnnnaaaaaaaa (no Spanish equivalent) is a punk-ass Spelman Nationalist, Bill Cosby agree'n (fill in the world you love here). In honor of that I shall be a guest writer for "Uprooted and Replanted..." and post "Oh, the things I love about Dayna Hall.."

...anybody who needs their hangers in their closet facing the same way (and if they aren't throws a fit) deserves some kind of love...

...she's going to come out with the 2005 version of "coo-coo for cocoa puffs" campaign-advertising is her thing!...

...she is very anal/obsessed/stalking Janet Jackson....

....keeps ALL stores in the mall in business...

...drinks milk as if it will not be on earth tomorrow-but manages not to have nasty milk breath *but that remains a urban legend*.....

....supports all Spelman alumna statements/ideas/beliefs....

...."believes" Bill Cosby was right (is she bias? I can think of $20 million reasons why!).....

....calls me, among other things, "crazy, bama, punk, b#*ch, sweet, white :o("....

....did I mention she likes Janet Jackson? even her wack ass songs, e.g. Runaway-dancing on elephants dancing in India, need I say more? WTF...

...makes me think about things in a dynamic way....

...likes whatever I DON'T!.....

...claims Morehouse College is the pinnacle of education black men (get over it! MLK no longer attends the school!)....

....appreciates my cooking lessons, but never utilizes them.....

....has a thing for men below 5' 6" e.g. Bobby Valentino, Jermaine Dupri (I think there is a Janet connection there), Slap D*ck, Exotic....

...Brown Sugar (movie)....

....believes Brook Valentine is the next JANET JACKSON....

....really does like TIP DRILL!....

....supports my Walmart habit....

....has a beautiful smile, persona, and ....

....gives me advice dealing with graduate school oppression (by the institution or the professors)....

...believes I am against black conservatives, black middle-class, spelmanites, and morehouse men...

...supports my drinking....

...not only is the prototype, but my "perfect verse over a tight beat."

-peace out!

To the daily stalking blog reader, who shall remain...

2005-05-17T00:53:00.000-04:00

named...

Alejjjjjjjjjjjandro is a punk ass Michael Eric Dyson followin' (fill in the word you love here). In honor of that I shall rename this post to "Oh, the things I love about Alex Carter..."

...anybody that continously supports the Redskins deserves some kind of love...

...he's the great philosopher of the African American race...

...everything else is just bama...

...motivates me to grade his student's papers...

...keeps Barnes & Noble, Starbucks, and Walmart in business...

...calls me sunshine...

...supports Dave Chappelle statements...

...Malcolm X (movie)...

...only raps Outkast lyrics...

...is Omarion and Marques Houston biggest fan...

...makes up funny names for "people" in my past (Exotic and Slap D*ck)

...everything Bob Marley...

...gives me cooking lessons...

...respects my "no singing Janet songs" rule...

...is born on May, 2nd and therefore is a Taurus...

...supports my milk addiction...

...keeps my spirts lifted...

...makes me smile/laugh...

...makes drunken comments...

...takes Polos to another level...

...allows me to change him...

...sends me funny e-cards with little dancing men...

...shoots people that burn things in his yard...

...gives advice on group issues...

...still gets a little salty when the Wizards do well, but fail up against Miami...

...supports white tees...

...is sensitive...

...is about to be a barking dog...

...is the prototype...

annnnnnddd, I digress :)

In all my excitement, I forgot to mention that a past professor of mine (Dr. Tiy-E Muhammad, professor of psychology at Clark Atlanta University...but my professor for Human Sexuality (the class where you realize that most men don't know a damn thing about pleasing a woman sexually) will be featured on the television show "The Real Gilligan's Island" (he's the black one). The series airs starting June 8th (I think) and I will be glued to the show. I find it more intriguing to watch a show when someone you know is on it.

Watch it!

Anniversary...

2005-05-16T22:37:00.000-04:00

My 1-year graduation anniversary...

...tear.

Spelman thy name we praise...

2005-05-15T22:12:00.000-04:00

...thy noble work is done...

Happy graduation to my little Spelman sisters today. Just a year ago I was taking the same steps you were...may you be as blessed as I've been this past year!

Oh, God forever bind...our hearts to thine.

Alumnae Prayer

Almighty God, maker of all mankind,
Bless those gathered here in unity of purpose.
Instill within our hearts love and respect for each other,
Open our minds to new ideas;
Give us patient wisdom and foresight to plan,
And carry out those plans.
Give us calm strength to build for the future,
To lead, to teach, to create, to select, to govern, to direct,
And in so doing, engender true sisterhood.
Help us to enkindle that which is just, true, and good
For our Alma Mater, Spelman College.
We ask this in the name of one God,
Now and forever.

Amen.

Brian Fellow anyone?....

2005-05-12T10:53:00.000-04:00

(attempting to prop one foot up on a basketball, wearing a cut off T-shirt made popular again by Miami Ad schoolers, and challenging Sapp to a lil football!)

Tracy Morgan will be performing tonight. The last time I saw a comedian, I was 12 and it was Sinbad. So excitement is seeping out of my pores. I want to bust a gut tonight. That's CRAZY!!!

In other related news. smh. Hope you get better.

In other unrelated news.

...would you buy a $60,000 VW?

...what about, do you like this car better or this one?

Vote or die.

Fun, fun, oh befuddled fun...

2005-05-09T23:11:00.000-04:00

The gang, the only one visibly "gone" is Carlo (in the back)...he's not good at hiding stuff.

Pullin on Beau's ear makes everyone a little randy.

Beau, you're such a pimp.

And you know it too!

Blowin' out the candles on my birthday...um...Backlava?

Dancin' on the table with the belly dancer.

OPA!!!!

Oh so sexy!

Fun...

2005-05-09T01:31:00.000-04:00

What happens when you piss off Dayna...

What happens when you call Beau George Bush...

More photos coming tomorrow...

The summer's coming...

2005-05-04T23:07:00.000-04:00

The summer's coming and I need a "vacation" spot to run away to. The cruise my fellow friends and I were supposed to go on is no longer. Since my dear friend is in Japan, it's better to take advantage of free lodging and transportation while its available, so I should be bringing in the New Year (or around that time) in Yokota which is down the street from Tokyo. I'm left with a summer (month or so) with no destination to go to. One suggestion thrown around was Orlando, but that's almost a given considering the distance. I need a place to go, preferably with friends so I can let go and have some knee-slappin fun! So suggestions are highly welcomed.

I'd like to reaffirm the statement "everyday you learn something new"....I learned the other day that Bobby Valentino (Mr. "Slow Down" himself) is a former member of one of the greatest boy groups of the mid 90's. Yes, I was and still am a BIG fan of Mista! I'm not afraid to admit that I still listen to the CD, in the car, on the iPod, on the iTunes! I am Mista's #1 fan, almost 10 years later. Learning this great news has now made me a fan of Bobby V. I liked the song from the beginning, but now I find myself interested in wanting to not only download the CD, but also purchase it. Wow, the last time I did that...."Damita Jo" was still in the box at Best Buy and I was standing there waiting on them to place the first copy on the shelf. What's wrong with me?!?!

Speaking of music, while I'm on the topic. I'm way over due on the review of Amerie's new CD "Touch". On a scale of 1-10, I'll give it an 8. Compared to the first CD, I'll give it a 6. Am I too harsh on my judging....maybe. Or maybe it just has to grow on me. We'll see. I do like a couple of songs and have listened to them quite frequently since I downloaded the album. "Just Like Me", "Falling", "Touch", and one other that I can't recall (so maybe it wasn't as good as I originally thought if I can't recall it). Anyway, those are my thoughts....let me know what you think...

It's the weekend baby...

Thanks...

2005-05-02T23:45:00.000-04:00

Thanks so much to everyone who showed me birthday love! The many phone calls, e-cards, e-mails, texts, happy birthday wishes all made little ol' me feel so so special. Thanks peoples!!

The 23-year old lady...

(birthday weekend photos, coming soon...)

It's my birthday!!!!....

2005-05-02T00:15:00.000-04:00

I am officially 23. Happy Birthday to me!! :). On another note, I'd like to give another b-day shout out to a person that shares this wonderful day with me. CARTER!!!. Happy Birthday babe! Anyway gifts in the form of saying "Happy Birthday Dayna" will do just fine!!!

Annnnnnnd, I'm out...

Countdown...

2005-05-01T01:07:00.000-04:00

1...

Countdown...

2005-04-30T11:44:00.000-04:00

2...

Countdown...

2005-04-29T10:46:00.000-04:00

3...

Sorry...

2005-04-28T00:17:00.000-04:00

Okay I realize I haven't quite gotten there yet, but I found this interesting on my way....All Roads Lead To Apache.

Thanks Jenne

Goodnight stars.

Celebrate!!!...

2005-04-27T21:53:00.000-04:00

Tonight marks the first night in a long time that I'm "finished" with work. In honor of this special occasion, I'm treating myself to a little R&R and taking my butt to bed EARLY! AND!, I don't have to wake up in the morning "artificially" (alarm clock). I never thought I'd be so excited to go to sleep! :) Soooooo, don't call, don't write, don't IM, don't knock, just leave me be until I come to you!!

...5 days and counting.

Good night moon.

Just because you're educated, doesn't mean you have common sense...

2005-04-26T20:44:00.000-04:00

After reading the posts from my sisters in response to the little Ja'eisha's case...I can't sit back any longer without opening my mouth about the situation. I honestly can't believe that some of the brightest, beautiful, motivated, women in the world would actually side with the school system and the police officers in this case. Saying that "had it been my child I would have wanted them to handcuff her in order to subdue her", "This is my first year teaching and this makes me want to have the police officer's number on speed dial", "it serves her right...this should serve as an example to what can happen to the other kids if they act up at school". HELLLOOOO!!! Have we all forgotten that this isn't a juvenile delinquent, IT'S A FIVE-YEAR OLD!!!! You mean to tell me you can't stop a 5-year old from "wreaking" the room or throwing a tantrum? Personally, its not a teachers, police officers, school "systems" responsibility to raise my child (don't actually have any), your child, his child, or our children. It's the parents bottom line. I don't care if my child hits you, curses you, it's MY responsibility to set that shit straight. Though, I realize that there are some people out there that should not have been blessed with the sperm or the egg, but just because those select few lack parenting skills, does not give you the right to do it for them. Not many people have suggested that the her mother receive help as well. It starts at the home, so maybe her mother/father, whatever needs counseling, mentoring, HELP just like the little one. Today the 'system' is so quick to medicate a child or send them to jail for something instead of talking to them or helping them to understand right from wrong. How can we expect little Ja'eisha to understand that, if we just handcuff her like a criminal and throw her in the back seat of a cop's car? Furthermore, how do we or the police for that matter, know that the effects of her handcuffing will result in a positive response?? Just don't agree with it at all and think it's a shame that this is what we've resorted to, instead of taking the time to mentor/help this child or children like her (black, white, green, purple, and bad asses all over the world)!!

ARRRRGGGHHHH....makes me upset!

It's Official...

2005-04-15T21:48:00.000-04:00

The "guaranteed to be the hottest concert since The Velvet Rope Tour" is back and closer than ever! Before, The Roots (yes sir) were makin' pit stops in Florida 5 hours away from my front door step. Now they're as close as 45 minutes away!!! BUT WAIT, THEREEESS MORE!!! That's not even the best part. They're coming with none other than "all you gotta do is say yes" Floetry. BUT WAIT, THEREEESS MORE!!! THAT'S still not even the best part. Okay, okay, the best part is...(drumroll please)...the concert is only $15. (crowd says "no way"). YES WAY! This has to be the best deal since, well since Ruby Tuesday's started sellin' double shots of Patron Silver for $5 (crossin' my fingers that it's not just a South Beach thing). Guess times have changed, 4 years ago the cheapest ticket in town was $85 for mediocre seats at a Janet concert. Combined with payin' $2.67 (yes the price has gone up once again...shouts out to G.W.) for a gallon of gas, $15 for two hot groups is a steal. I might just donate the other $30 they should be charging for tickets to some small non-profit organization in their honor. Yes they are "coming to break us off". Florida ain't ready!

All those Spelmanites and Morehouse Men have enjoyed my list thus far, however, I'd like to make an addendum to the "Oh how I miss..."

...the bunny hop.

...hearing t-shirt and panties at the end of every Market Friday.

...songs made more popular through probate shows ("Gator Boots").

(sorry if you were expecting more)

This article was forwarded to me through my one real connection to the AU, the Spelman yahoo server. Pretty good read for those in that "twenty's something" phase. Gave me some words of inspiration, hope it brings you some too. Doesn't hurt that it's written by an Alumna either.

Carry on...

You know what I hate....

2005-04-14T23:41:00.000-04:00

When a "black" joke is made and people of other races (sorry but it's usually white people) look at you to see how you react, to gauge how they should react.

Oh how I miss....

2005-04-13T12:16:00.000-04:00

...being around so many beautiful, smart, determined, goal-oriented, driven, Godly, women of Spelman College on a daily basis.

...girls that wear sweat pants and head rags to class Monday-Thursday, yet manage to bust out the same exact outfit Beyonce wore to the Soul Train Music Awards on Friday.

...hating that your fellow Morehouse brothers ride you for being such strong, independent, outspoken women, yet know deep down inside they think you are the epitome of femininity.

...Market Fridays.

...Miss Maroon and White pageants.

...dorms that rep like they're apart of the Pan-Hellenic Council. HHHHHH H PHI BETA!

...haters.

...people asking me what school I go to and watching their reaction when I say Spelman.

...people telling me I'm pretty cool for a Spelman girl.

...sadly enough, ADW.

...splitting my time up between three different buildings because my department was in THREE DIFFERENT BUILDINGS.

...white dresses, flesh tone stockings, and black shoes.

...Friday afternoon Beer Bashes.

...complaining, because walking to The Science Building or to Read Hall was a looooonnnnggg walk.

...fried chicken on Wednesday and fish Fridays.

...Convocations.

...rude ass administration.

...desk "offices" ("please go to the Housing Office", which is really a desk right next to where you're standing).

...Offices that close and shut down in the middle of the day, without a reason or notice at all.

...registration.

...Morehouse.

...bricks that fall off a building that's only 5 years old.

...Homecoming.

...mandatory community service.

...Freshman Orientation.

...Olive Branch.

...Probate shows.

...The Strip.

...the pearly gates.

...paying $3 for parking or...

...paying $50 to park most of the year at Morehouse.

...trying to see which classes I can take at Morehouse or Clark.

...trying to get a schedule with only Tuesday, Thursday classes.

...comparing Morehouse guys to Clark guys (totally different ballgame).

...late night talks with fellow Basement Beauties til 4 AM, only to get up for an 8 AM.

...sneaking out of Purdue Hall.

...road trips.

...even though it's not the greatest in the land, Maroon Tiger Marching Band.

...TIGER RUMBLE!!!

...student section at the football games.

...buying Morehouse shirts and reppin' them cause they're "cooler" than Spelman shirts.

...Morehouse brothers (sorry maybe I shoulda put that one higher on the list, sorry brudder, lol).

...adopting a new Morehouse brother.

...trying to get a cute Clark brother to adopt.

...1224.

...refusing to pay to get in a club.

...the shuttle.

...refusing to ride the shuttle.

...car trips with the one person that had a car to Walmart out in Austell.

...Apartment sleepovers.

...trips to the package store on Abernathy.

...spades tournaments.

...keeping who's "in" on hush.

...trying to get "in".

...Stegal's (let's take a moment of silence on this one).

...spending all of freshman year sitting out on The Strip.

...Freshman Lower Manley parties.

...strollin' in, to the Lower Manley parties.

...Rivalries with those Abby bitches.

...No freshmen with cars.

...Marta rides to Lenox.

...taking the Marta and deliberately getting stranded in Buckhead.

...Morehouse vs. Tuskeegee games.

...Club Woody.

...Public Safety.

...Latex parties.

...SO MANY DAMN TEXAS PEOPLE.

...The Omegas starting a fight with some other frat. (pick one).

...people asking me "You go to school with Rudy right?"

..."The Spelman Hymn".

...waiting until the end of the game, just to hear "Dear Old Morehouse".

...Atlanta.

...Morehouse.

...Spelman.

tear.

(if I've forgotten something that I should have included, please add to the list).

Stressful day...

2005-04-12T22:12:00.000-04:00

PRAYER OF SALVATION

Dear Heavenly Father,

I regret every thought, word and action that has harmed myself and others and separated me from you (my sins). I ask you now, come into my heart and make me the person you want me to be. I thank you, that by your great love for me, you died in my place on the cross to give me forgiveness and freedom from all evil. I believe that you are the resurrected Son of God and I ask you now to give me your Holy Spirit and all his gifts.

Amen.

Pictures from this weekend...

(Note: notice the great tan).

Me and Anna posing with the "penis balloons".

Chili, Carlos, and Me.

The girls (Shelley, Chili, Stef, and Me).

We're behind the sea of beer bottles.

Typical Miami Ad School debauchery

Yes, the dinosaur is giving head.

Me and Stef gettin' freaky with the "penis balloons".

Happy Founder's Day...

2005-04-11T22:04:00.000-04:00

Celebrated yesterday with my Alumna Sisters, however today is the day to formally celebrate it and pay tribute to all my Sisters, near and far, past and present, and future generations (my own little future Spelmanites and Morehouse Men).

For those of you who don't know what a Spelman College Founder's Day is all about...

Founders Day is celebrated each April. A major highlight of the
Founders Day schedule of events is the Founders Day Convocation, a
formal program first held in 1896. Convocation is preceded by the
pageantry of an academic procession which includes the Senior Class
wearing academic regalia for the first time. Founders Day brings the
College community together to honor the Founders, recognize the
daughters of Spelman -- the alumnae -- and celebrate a legacy of
leadership and service.

below is the April 11, 1960 Founders Day Address by Dr. Martin
Luther King, Jr.

A lot of what he says still holds true today, may his words bring you inspiration. Enjoy!

-----------------------

Thank you, President Manley, members of the faculty, and students of Spelman College, ladies and gentlemen. I need not pause to say how delighted I am to be here this afternoon and to be a part of this occasion. Founders Day is always a significant day and I join you in paying tribute to those persons who through their dedication and their tireless effort brought this institution into being. In a real sense you are the heirs of a legacy of goodwill and sacrifice on the part of the founders of this institution. Of course there is also one basic reason why I am happy to be here, and that is because I happen to be a Morehouse Man and Morehouse Men always consider it a privilege to speak to Spelman ladies. I’m deeply grateful to the president of this institution, Dr. Manley, for inviting me to be here today, and it is a great privilege to see each of you.

I would like to use as a subject for my address this afternoon, “Keep Moving from This Mountain.” For the moment, I would like to take your minds back many, many centuries to a group of people whose exploits and adventures have long since been meaningfully deposited in the hallowed memories of succeeding generations. At a very early age in their history, these people were reduced to the bondage of physical slavery. They found themselves under the gripping yoke of Egyptian rule. But soon a Moses appeared on the scene who was destined to lead them out of the Egypt of slavery to a bright and glowing promised land. But as soon as they got out of Egypt by crossing the Red Sea, they discovered that before they could get to the Promised Land they would have to go through a long and difficult wilderness. And after realizing this, three groups, or rather three attitudes, emerged. One group wanted to go back to Egypt; they felt that the fleshpots of Egypt were more to be desired than the ordeals of emancipation. Then you had the second group that abhorred the idea of going back to Egypt and yet could not quite attain the discipline and the sacrifice to go on to Canaan. These people chose the line of least resistance. There was a third group, probably the creative minority, which said in substance, we will go on in spite of the obstacles, in spite of the difficulty, in spite of the sacrifices that we will have to make. In every movement toward freedom and fulfillment we find these three groups. But this afternoon, I am concerned mainly with the second group, the individuals who didn’t want to go back to Egypt necessarily and yet didn’t want to on to the Promised Land, the individuals who chose the line of least resistance. As Moses sought to lead his people on, he discovered that there were those among them who would occasionally become emotionally and sentimentally attached to a particular spot so that they wanted to stay there and remain stationary at that point. One day when Moses confronted this problem, he wrote in the book of Deuteronomy, the first chapter and the fifth verse: You have been in this mountain long enough; turn ye and go on your journey, move on to the mount of the Amorites. This was a message of God through Moses. And whenever God speaks, he says go forward, saying in substance that you must never become bogged down in mountains and situations that impede your progress. You must never become complacently adjusted to unattained goals; you have been in this mountain long enough Turn ye and take your journey. In a real sense, each of us assembled here today is in a wilderness moving toward some promised land of freedom and fulfillment. In every age and every generation, men have envisioned some promised land. Plato envisioned it in his republic as a time when justice would reign throughout society and philosophers would become kings and king’s philosophers. Karl Marx envisioned it as a classless society in which the proletariat would finally conquer the reign of the bourgeoisie; out of that idea came the slogan, From each according to his ability, to each according to his need. Bellamy, in Looking Backward, thought of it as a day when the inequalities of monopoly capitalism would pass away. Society would exist on the basis of evenness of economic output. Christianity envisioned it as the kingdom of God, a time when the will of God will reign supreme, and brotherhood, love, and right relationships will be the order of society. In every age and every generation, men have dreamed of some promised land of fulfillment of freedom. Whether it was the right promised land or not, they dreamed of it. But in moving from some Egypt of slavery, whether in the intellectual, cultural or moral realm, toward some promised land, there is always the same temptation: Individuals will get bogged down in a particular mountain in a particular spot, and thereby become the victims of stagnant complacency. So, this afternoon, I would like to deal with three or four symbolic mountains that we have been in long enough—mountains that we must move out of if we are to go forward in our world and if civilization is to survive. First, I think we have been in the mountain of moral and ethical relativism long enough. To dwell in this mountain has become something of a fad these days, so we have come to believe that morality is a matter of group consensus. We attempt to discover what is right by taking a sort of Gallup poll of the majority opinion. Everybody is doing it, so it must be all right, and therefore we are caught in the clutches of conformity. We’ve been in this mountain long enough the feeling that there is nothing absolutely right and nothing absolutely wrong, that right is a matter of customs and tastes and appetites and what happens in a particular community. Nothing is absolutely right. To put it in sociological lingo, we follow the mores of the right way. Another consequence of this moral and ethical relativism is that we have developed a sort of pragmatic test for right and wrong. According to this view, anything that works is all right if you can get by with it. We don’t talk much any more about the Darwinian survival of the fittest; it is the survival of the slickest. Whoever can slick his way through makes it through all right, according to this theory. In a sense we are no longer concerned about the Ten Commandments — they are not too important. Everybody is busy, as I have said so often, trying to obey the 11th commandment: Thou shalt not get caught. And so, according to this view, it is all right to lie with a bit of finesse. It’s all right to exploit, but be a dignified exploiter. It’s all right to even hate, but dress your hate up into garments of love and make it appear that you are loving when you are actually hating. This type of moral and ethical relativism is sapping the very life’s blood of the moral and spiritual life of our nation and our world. And I am convinced that if we are to be a great nation, and if we are to solve the problems of the world, we must come out of this mountain. We have been in it too long. For if man fails to reorientate his life around moral and ethical values, he may well destroy himself by the misuse of his own instrument. Now education has a great role to play at this point. You see, education has a two- role function. The one is utility and the other culture. Education must give an individual efficiency, but it must also humanize the individual. On the one hand, education must give us the power to concentrate, the faculty for intensive thinking; this is a basic function of education. On the other hand, education must help us to think critically. And so education helps to lift an individual from the bondage of legends and half truths to the unfettered realm of objective analysis and creative appraisal. If an individual can’t think critically, he really isn’t educated. Of course I’m sure all the Spelmanites and Morehouse men and Morris Brown and Clark and Atlanta University students and all the other people present here are educated. I’m sure that does not apply to you. So many people can’t think critically. Thinking critically means that the individual must think imaginatively, creatively, originally. Originality is a basic part of education. That does not mean that you think something altogether new; if that were the case Shakespeare wasn’t original, for Shakespeare depended on Plutarch and others for many of his plots. Originality does not mean thinking up something totally new in the universe, but it does mean giving new validity to old form. In a real sense, education must help an individual think intensively, critically, imaginatively. But this isn’t enough. Any education that stops at this point is a dangerous education. An individual that stops at this point is a dangerous education. An individual who is properly educated must have more than efficiency. The proper education will not only give the individual the power of concentration but worthy objectives upon which to concentrate. It will give him not only critical faculty for precise judgment, but profound sympathies with which to temper the asperity of his judgment. It will not only quicken his imagination but kindle his enthusiasm for the objects of his imagination. True education helps us on the one hand to know truth, but more than that it helps us to love truth and sacrifice for it. It gives us not only knowledge, which is power, but wisdom, which is control. I am convinced that if we are to move forward, that if we are to face the many problems of our world, education must take on this two-fold role as it has traditionally done, and give the individual a sense of moral and ethical values along with his efficiency, so that he will go out of his college classroom knowing that there are certain moral laws in the universe just as there are basic physical laws. For in a real sense there is something in this universe that justifies Carlyle saying, No lie can live forever. There is something in this universe that justifies William Cullen Bryant in saying, Truth crushed to earth will rise again. There is something in this universe which justifies James Russell Lowell saying, Truth forever on the scaffold. Wrong forever on the throne, Yet that scaffold sways the future. And behind the dim unknown Standeth God within the shadows, Keeping watch above His own. There is even something in this universe which justifies Greek mythology in talking about a goddess of Nemesis. There is something here in the structure of our universe that justifies the Biblical writer in saying, You shall reap what you sow. This is a law-abiding universe, and we must move out of the mountain of moral and ethical relativism that we have been in all too long. We must also move out of the mountain of practical materialism. We have been in it long enough. I am not speaking now of metaphysical materialism the materialism which says in substance that all reality can be explained in terms of matter in motion and that life is merely a physiological process with a physiological meaning. We need to move out of that mountain also, I guess, but I am talking about another type of materialism not a theoretical materialism, which is usually confined to a sophisticated few, I am speaking of a practical materialism, which means living as if there were nothing else that had reality but fame and material objects. We operate, or we live rather, in two realms, so to speak the within of a man’s life, which is the realm of culture, and the without that is the realm of civilization. There is structure, which is the realm of means, and destiny, which is the realm of ends, preliminary concerns which are the realm of science and technology, ultimate concerns which are the realm of morals and ethical religion. The great danger that faces our civilization is that we will allow the without of life to absorb the within that we will allow destiny to get tied up in structure that we will allow our preliminary concerns to take precedence over ultimate concern. We have been in this mountain long enough. One of the dangers we must always watch in our nation and in the system under which we live is known as capitalism. As you know, capitalism stresses the profit motive. Of course capitalism has done some marvelous things for our nation and the world. Through this economic system we have been able to build up the greatest system of production that the world has ever known and we have become the richest nation in the world. All of this is marvelous. But the danger point is that we will become so involved in the profit-making and profit-getting aspects of capitalism that we will forget certain ends of life. There is always the danger that we will become more concerned about making a living than making a life that we will not keep that line of division between life and one’s livelihood. And there is also the danger that our system can lead to tragic exploitation. We must come out of the mountain and be concerned about a more humane and just economic order. And I say, this afternoon, that we cannot solve this problem by turning to Communism. Communism is based on as ethical relativism and a metaphysical materialism that no Christian can accept. I do believe that in America we must use our vast resources of wealth to bridge the gulf between abject, deadening poverty and superfluous, inordinate wealth. God has left enough space in this universe for all of his children to have the basic necessities of life. As I traveled around the Middle East and in India and Africa, I have always been moved and deeply concerned about the poverty in those countries. Poverty there is so widespread, because these people have been exploited by foreign powers. Every time I look and notice these conditions, I start thinking about the fact that in the United States of America we spend almost ten billion dollars a year to store the surplus food that we have in the nation. And I say to myself as I look at these conditions, I know where we can store that food free of charge, in the wrinkled stomachs of hungry men and women and children of God all over the world. If the United States is to survive, along with all the citizens of the world, we must come out of this mountain of materialism which can be transformed from a legitimate individualism into a rugged individualism, and we must move out of that into a proper concern for all humanity and into a proper concern in our individual lives for what I call the within of life — the realm of destiny. There is another mountain we have been in long enough. We have been in the mountain of racial segregation long enough. We all know how long we have been in this mountain, so I need not go back and give the historical development of it. It is now time for us to turn and take our journey toward the promised land of integration. In a real sense, segregation in any form is wrong. segregation is wrong because it substitutes an I-it relationship for the I-thou relationship. Segregation is wrong because it relegates individuals to the status of things rather than taking the high moral position of elevating them to the status of persons. Segregation is wrong because it that God made a mistake — and finally, it is wrong because it stands in the face of the great American creed “that all men are created equal and endowed by their creator with certain inalienable rights.” And so we must go out and say to our nation and say to South Africa and say to the world, that we have been in the mountain of segregation too long and now we must move out. Segregation is a cancer in the body politic which must be removed before our democratic health can be realized. The underlying philosophy of segregation is diametrically opposed to the underlying philosophy of democracy and Christianity and all the sophisms of the logicians cannot make them lie down together. We must make it clear that in our struggle to end this thing called segregation, we are not struggling for ourselves alone. We are not struggling only to free seventeen million Negroes. The festering sore of segregation debilitates the white man as well as the Negro. We are struggling to save America in this very important decisive hour of her history. This is why the student movement that has taken place at this time all over our country is so significant. Let nobody fool you; this movement is one of the most significant movements in the whole civil rights struggle. For you students, along with other students all over the nation, have become of age, and you will no longer accept it and adjust to it. This movement says, more clearly than was ever said before, that segregation cannot be maintained in the South without leading to chaos and social disintegration. The beautiful thing about it is that you are not merely demanding service at the lunch counter, though that is a basic part of it. You’re not merely demanding a cup of coffee and a hamburger here and there. You are demanding respect. You are saying in substance, If you respect my dollar, you will also have to respect me as a person. An individual who is not concerned about his selfhood and his freedom is at that moment committing moral and spiritual suicide, and you are standing up to the great determination. You have taken up the deep groans of the century. The students have taken the passionate longings of the ages and filtered them in their own souls and fashioned a creative protest. It is one of the glowing epics of the time and I predict that it will win — that it will have to win, because this demand is a basic American demand. Victor Hugo said many years ago, “There is nothing more powerful than an idea whose time has come.” The idea whose time has come is in the idea of freedom and human dignity. Wherever men are assembled today, whether they are in Johannesburg, Nairobi, Accra, Berlin, Atlanta, New York, Montgomery, or Little Rock the cry is always the same: “We want to be free.” And so, today, let men everywhere join in this quest for freedom by moving out of the mountain of racial segregation. This is the mountain that we must leave — we have dwelt in it long enough. On this Founders Day, if you forget all I have said. I hope you won’t forget this mountain. Finally, we have been in the mountain of corroding hatred and crippling violence long enough. We have been in this mountain for centuries because men have gone to war and they have fought numerous wars; battlefields of the world have been painted with blood. We know about it — we know about this mountain because violence is the inseparable twin of western materialism, the hallmark of its grandeur. We know about this mountain, we have been in it long enough. I am convinced it we fail to move out of this mountain, we will be plunged into the abyss of annihilation. This means not only on the local scale; we must move out of it on the international scale. There was a time when we fought wars and felt they were just wars. I must admit that at one point in my intellectual pilgrimage, I justified war, certainly as a sort of negative good in the sense that it blocked an evil force, a totalitarian force. I have come to believe firmly now that war can no longer serve even as a negative good because of the potential destructiveness of modern war. There was a time when we had a choice of violence or nonviolence, but today it is either nonviolence or nonexistence. And so the nations of the world must get together. In Geneva they must get together; at the Summit Conference they must get together, to bring an end to the armament race, to bring about universal disarmament and set up a sort of world police force. This is a matter of survival now. Talk about love and nonviolence may have been merely a pious injunction a few years ago; today it is an absolute necessity for the survival of our civilization. Also in the racial struggle this is vitally important to our nation and to other nations we must come out of the mountain of hatred and violence. This is why I am convinced that as we stand up for freedom and as we stand up for justice we must always struggle with the highest weapons of dignity and discipline. We must never use weapons of hatred and violence. Men have thought over the years that either they would have to fight their oppressions or they would have to acquiesce and surrender. You have seen the type of people who felt that the only way to deal with oppressions was to accept it. Sometimes you will hear somebody singing, “been down so long that down don’t bother me.” That is how some people adjust; they get exhausted in the struggle, and they give up and they are free — they achieve the freedom of exhaustion. Then others have felt that the only way to deal with oppression is to stand up with violence and get ammunition and weapons of violence to deal with an evil system and an evil opponent. I say to you today, there is another way that combines the best points of both of these and avoids the evil points of both, and that is what we call nonviolent resistance. For here you have discovered a way of struggle that combines the realistic and the idealistic; a way of struggle that combines the calm and courageous. You need not now bow to hate, you need not now bow to violence, for you have now discovered another way and another approach. It comes to us from the long Christian tradition, Jesus of Nazareth himself, coming down through Mahatma Gandhi of India, who took the love ethic of Jesus Christ and made it effective as a sociopolitical force and brought about the transformation of a great nation and achieved freedom for his people. I know you are asking, What do you mean about this love thing —- you are talking about people who oppose you, loving people who are trying to misuse you, seeking to defeat you —- what in the world are you trying to say? That is impossible! Since these questions are often raised, I have to pause quite often to explain the meaning of love in this context. It is interesting that the Greek language comes to our rescue and our aid at this point. You know in the Greek language there are three words for love. One is Eros. Eros is a sort of aesthetic love. Plato talked about it a great deal in his dialogue, the yearning of the soul for the realm of the divine. It has come to us to mean a sort of romantic love; in that sense we all know eros because we have experienced it and we have lived with it; we have read about it in all of the beauties of literature. I would imagine Edgar Allen Poe was talking about eros when he talked about his beautiful Annabelle Lee with a love surrounded by a halo of eternity. In a sense Shakespeare was talking about Eros when he said: “Love is not love which alters when it alteration finds, or bends with the remover to remove: Oh no! it is an ever fixed mark that looks on tempests and is never shaken. It is the star to every wandering bark.” These are beautiful words of Shakespeare’s. They express something of the meaning of love. Then there is another word, philia, which is a sort of intimate affection between personal friends. In a sense, this is the sort of love that you have for your roommate, the persons that you like and eat dinner with and the persons you like to talk to on the telephone. You have this intimate feeling of love because you like them and because there is something that you have in common on this level; you love because you are loved. It is a reciprocal love. The Greek language comes out with another word, agape. Agape is more than eros. It is more than philia. It is understanding, creative, redemptive goodwill to all men. It is a spontaneous love which seeks nothing in return. Theologians would say it is the love of God operating in the human heart. When you rise to love on this level, you love men not because they have any particular meaning to you at the moment, but you love them because God loves them. And so you rise to the point of loving the individual who does the evil deed while hating the deed that he does. I think this is what Jesus meant when he said, “Love your enemies.” I am very happy he did not say like your enemies, because it is very hard to like some people. It is hard to like some senator who waters down the civil rights bill in Congress; it is pretty hard to like him. It is hard to like somebody who is bombing your house, who is seeking to kill you and defeat and destroy your children. It is difficult to like them. But Jesus says “Love them.” And love is greater than like. Love is creative, redemptive goodwill for all men. When men rise to live on this level, they come to see all men as children of the almighty God, and they can look in the eyes of the opponent and love him in spite of his evil deed. I believe if we will follow this way, we will be able to achieve not only desegregation, which will bring us together, physically, but also integration, which is true intergroup, interpersonal living. I believe if we will follow this type of love, we will go into the new age with the proper attitude. We will not go believing in any philosophy of black supremacy, for black supremacy is as dangerous as white supremacy. God is interested merely in the freedom of the whole human race. It is this type of love which will keep our attitudes right so that we will continue to struggle for first-class citizenship, never using second-class methods to gain it. We will move out of these mountains that have so often impeded our progress, the mountain of moral and ethical relativism, the mountain of practical materialism, the mountain of corroding hatred, bitterness and violence, and the mountain of racial segregation. We will be able to build a new world, and I say to you this afternoon as you look ahead to the days to come: Always have faith in the possibility of getting over to the promised land. Don’t become a pessimist and feel that we cannot get there; it is difficult sometimes, it is hard sometimes, but always have faith that the promised land can be achieved and that we can possess this land of brotherhood and peace and understanding. I do not give you this element of faith and superficial optimism. I do not stand here as a detached pectator. As I say to you this afternoon, have faith in the future, I speak as one who lives every day amidst the threat of death. I speak as one who has had to stand often amidst the surging murmur of life’s restless sea, I speak as one who has been battered often by the jostling winds of adversity, but I have faith in the future. I have faith in the future because I have faith in God and I believe that here is a power, a creative force in this universe seeking at all times to bring down prodigious hilltops of evil and pull low gigantic mountains of injustice. If we will believe this and struggle along, we will be able to achieve it. Keep moving, for it may be that the greatest song has not been sung, the greatest book has not been written, the highest mountain has not been climbed. This is your challenge! Reach out and grab it and make it a part of your life. Reach up beyond cloudfilled skies of oppression and bring out blazing stars of inspiration. The basic thing is to keep moving. Move out of these mountains that impede our progress to this new and noble and marvelous land. Langston Hughes said something very beautiful in “Mother to Son.”

Well son, I’ll tell you
Life for me ain’t been no crystal stair.
It’s had tacks in it, splinters,
Boards torn up, places with no
carpets on the floors, bare!
But all the time, I’se been
a-climbing
on and reaching landings
And turning corners and
sometimes going in the dark
where there ain’t been no light.
So boy, don’t you stop now.
Don’t you sit down on the steps
cause you find it’s kinda hard.
For I’se still goin boy, I’se still climbing.
And life for me ain’t been no
crystal stair.

Life for none of us has been a crystal stair, but there is something we learn from the broken grammar that mother, that we must keep moving. If you can’t fly, run, if you can’t run, walk; if you can’t walk, crawl; by all means keep moving.

Music makes the world go 'round...

2005-04-08T11:28:00.000-04:00

Invited myself to my own little listening party for the drop of the new 112 "Pleasure & Pain" CD last night. Wasn't the BEST 112 has to offer. Sounds more like "Q, Mike, Slim, Daron, 112!" has dedicated this CD to relationships gone bad...they sound like a bunch of winin' ass men that's had their heart broken too many times, yet have been the reason for the bad relationship and are singing trying to figure out what went wrong. About 80% of the CD is like that. Should be renamed to "Pain & Pain". Ehhhhh, not my idea of a 112 CD. I've said it before and I'm still waiting on it 112, a CD of just Interludes! Nobody can deny 112 holds it down in their Interludes.

On another note, I'm anxiously awaiting the drop of these albums in the coming weeks/months...

Amerie "Touch". Her debut album "All I Have" has to be one of my all time favorite albums. Deserved WAY more attention than it got. She's a hot artist, that just doesn't get the credit she's due. Maybe this go around she'll get it!

Common "BE". If somebody knows when, where, and how....let me BE the first to know.

Janet. Another unsolved mystery. However, it is known that JD is producing this one. His plans are to take her back to our roots. The "Rhythm Nation" phase. EXCITEMENT! EXCITEMENT!

Kanye.

On another 'nother note. This blog serves as an official warning. My birthday is in exactly 24 days!!! Get all your "Happy Birthday" wishes in order, cause May 2nd is, THE DAY!!! YAAAAAYYYY!!! (I'll be 23 for all the slow ones).

Boredom creates crazy ass dreams....

2005-04-03T13:32:00.000-04:00

Very rarely do I comment on, divulge, or look up the meaning of my own personal dreams, but I thought last night's episode was quite out of character for myself and wanted to know what was up with it.

Dream...

It starts out I'm vacationing, visiting, passing through (who knows) my former home, Atlanta. I'm in a club, lounge type joint with my boy, homie, the yin in my yang, boo, brother from another mother. Lots of drinking occurs (of course), then we proceed to the dance floor, where we plan to dance the night away....until some crazy (fill-in with the appropriate word here) starts wilin' out on him first, then on me. She and I are encircled with a large group of his compadres he goes to school with, where they give me that look like "don't just stand there, beat this (fill-in with the appropriate word here)'s ass!! Then ironically, Brooke Valentine's "Girl Fight" starts blazin' in the background. Typical ATL scene, the air is thick with drama and crunkness.

What this means...?...(or at least what dream moods says)

Fighting

To dream that you participate in a fight, indicates inner turmoil. Some aspect of yourself is in conflict with another aspect of yourself. Perhaps an unresolved or unacknowledged part is fighting for its right to be heard. It may also parallel a fight or struggle that you are going through in your waking life.

I'm a lover not a fighter...

For those confused about who this chick really is...

2005-03-31T00:24:00.000-05:00

Found this little number while surfing the net one night....thought I'd let you nosey mofo's out there know "what's in a name" (or mine at least)....check it out.

Though the name Dayna creates the urge to understand and help people, we draw to your attention that it causes an emotional intensity and sensitivity that is hard to control. This name, when combined with the last name, can frustrate happiness, contentment, and success, as well as cause health weaknesses in the fluid and nervous system.

Your first name of Dayna has given you a friendly, likeable nature, and you could excel in artistic, dramatic, and musical expression. With this name, you desire the finer things in life, but you do not always have the resolve and vitality to put forth the effort necessary to fulfil your desires. Your emotional feelings are easily affected and you will always be involved in other people's problems as a result of your overly sympathetic nature.

want more...yeah I thought so. Here's what my sign says about me (the condensed version, which basically means I only included the stuff that I liked)....I'm a bull so watch out! Oh and you can check yours out here.

Those born under a warm Taurus Sun are the most sensual lovers of the Zodiac; they delight in rich foods, cuddling and lovemaking, luxurious fabrics anything that creates a delightful, tactile sensation. They also make wonderfully dedicated and romantic partners in love. However, along with all that sensualism tends to come a healthy dose of laziness and self-indulgence. Taurus sees no reason to deny itself anything it wants and this tendency can sometimes deepen into greed. Beneath Taurus's love of luxurious surroundings lies the mistaken belief that self-worth can be measured in terms of possessions, or lack thereof.

Also thanks in part to that Fixed Quality, Taurus tends to fear change of any kind, bad or good! Those born under its influence just want to stick with the status quo and can get a real bee in their bonnets when things are different from how they think they "should" be. Some changes are positive; after all, with no change there would be only stagnancy. Change opens the door to new, wonderful things; even painful change, like moving residences or ending a relationship, often leads to great overall improvement.

That's it...stay tuned to find out more about this complex person....

Appointment Uno...

2005-03-29T21:26:00.000-05:00

Appointment One to the beach today was very successful....that bright skinded girl smiling at you in the left hand corner exists no mo'....in her demise a new born babe has been born. 4 hours of hard labor has produced a nicely brown skinded (bright red in some areas) "African-American looking" sista. No longer shall her skin tone be referred to as pink, orange, yellow, light, red, sherbert, or white. No longer shall she be "hollered at" by the names of red bone, red, yellow, light bright, or mami (cause she looks Puerto Rican)....nope she shall only be addressed as mocha chocolate, the brown sugar that she is....

....My dream seemed a wonderful idea....that is until I decided to carry my ass to Walmart today and the cashier asks me (in Spanish) if I'm Dominican. I just shook my head in disappointment. Maybe if I walk around with rollers in my head, house shoes, and a box of chicken in my hand they'll know I'm black!

Ignorance is bliss....

Back..."Oh"...

2005-03-24T20:42:00.000-05:00

Yup, I'm back in the MIA...un/fortunate? Don't know. Came back to a few o' surprises. One, friends that we're supposed to come down, didn't. Two, hands down guaranteed to be the hottest concert since Janet Velvet Rope Tour, has sold out (Mos Def and De La Soul) :-/. So in honor of my state of pissoffdom I shall not attend any WM festival events. My bad huh? Yeah I know. Oh well. Three, Cost me $35, to fill up today....gas is $2.40 down here....THANKS MR. PRESIDENT!!!!

On another note...

Bein' home several weeks allow me to concentrate on one thing...discovering the unfound treasures of SoBe/greater Miami. I've scheduled several meetings to the beach (only been once since I've been an official resident), scuba diving, tours of "The Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous," shopping, and "tourist attractions" I haven't made myself go check out. I'm determined to shed the "lightskinned, yellow girl" nickname. I'm mocha chocolate damnit! :). Sooooooo, that means lots of sun, and Florida has plenty to go around.

Current song playin': Ciara featuring Luda "Oh"

"This is where they stay crunk, throw it up, dubs on tha Cadillac
White tees, Nikes, gangstas don't know how to act
Adamsville, Bankhead, College Park, Carver Homes (wait!!!, where's Decatur and the West End!!!!)...

...Light-skinned thick chicks, fellas call 'em redbones....

...Oh, 'round here we ridin' slow
We keep it gutta, you should know
Gettin' crunk off in tha club we gets low, oh."

ATL HOE!!!

Some things that annoy me...

2005-03-17T00:19:00.000-05:00

People that like to make comparisons...i.e. to musical greats! As I was surfing the net the other day, I see that AOL would like to compare this new chick on the block, Brooke Valentine, to THE veteran in the game. None other than "Miss Jackson, if you're nasty!" This of course pissed me off (see reasons below), so to the person who thought it'd be funny or kewl to make a comparison such as that, here's to you (middle finger) :)!

Reasons why Janet Jackson is still the greatest singer/performer/entertainer/actress/PERSON of all time!:

1. She's Janet.
2. THE complete artist (singer, performer, entertainer, actress, soon-to-be rapper!! (j/k about the rap thing)).
3. Everyone (entertainers, singers, etc.) copies her.
3. The Velvet Rope.
4. She's the female version of "The Cosby Show". (helped launch the careers of many).
5. A Jackson.
6. The first performer named "Icon".
7. Like Madonna, can rock any look or sing ANY song and still be Janet.
8. Is like 50 (actually turning 39 on May 16th) and can still dance better than Brittany, Ciara, or Aaliyah ever could.
9. Everybody loves her, even you now.
10. She's Janet.

On a lighter note, I was sent this today and I thought it was cute!! Happy Easter.

Not guilty!!!

2005-03-16T17:28:00.000-05:00

I said days ago that this didn't look good...but I guess God does work in mysterious ways...

Happy that the outcome was favorable, congrats!!!

SAVANNAH, Ga. (AP) - A beauty queen who shot and killed her two-timing boyfriend was found not guilty of murder Wednesday.

Sharron Nicole Redmond admitted shooting her boyfriend outside the home of another woman he was dating, but said she was acting in self-defense. Redmond, 23, had faced an automatic life sentence if convicted of Kevin Shorter's death on Dec. 16, 2003. Four months earlier she had been crowned Miss Savannah.

The jury of nine women and three men deliberated for more than nine hours over two days before reaching their verdict.

Redmond, wearing a striped prayer shawl, gasped and sobbed as she was found not guilty on each of the three charges against her. She mouthed the words "thank you."

One of her attorneys, Michael Schiavone, described Redmond's reaction.

"Like the weight of the world was off her shoulders. You have no idea what it feels like to be accused of a crime like murder, being one step from walking into the lockup for the rest of your life or walking out the back door with me."

Redmond shot Shorter, 25, after a confrontation outside the home of his second girlfriend, Rachel Hall. He had dated both women for about three years.

Both women testified that the beauty queen went to Hall's home the night of the shooting to clear up allegations that she had made harassing phone calls to Hall. Each testified that they talked peacefully.

But Shorter arrived soon after and began shouting angrily at Redmond, using sexual insults. During their argument, Redmond retrieved a .40-caliber handgun she kept in her car.

After a tense confrontation, both Redmond and Shorter appeared to be leaving when the beauty queen fired a single shot from inside her car. The bullet struck Shorter in the right buttock, severing his femoral artery.

Shorter died from blood loss three days later at a Savannah hospital.

During the trial, Redmond testified she fired her gun because Shorter was leaning into the open door of his car and she feared he was reaching for a gun. The only weapon police recovered was Redmond's.

Redmond also said Shorter's first words to her that night were: "Bitch, I'm going to kill you." His anger scared her, she said, because Shorter had slapped and beaten her throughout their relationship.

Hall testified that Shorter never threatened Redmond. She said she did not see Redmond fire her gun.

Prosecutors argued that Redmond shot Shorter in jealous anger after, in Hall's presence, he told the beauty queen he no longer wanted her and she was good for nothing but sex.

Redmond testified her gunshot was meant as a warning, saying she didn't aim at Shorter. Crime scene photos showed a dent on Shorter's car where the bullet appeared to have ricocheted before hitting him.

Still, Redmond's attorneys argued she was justified to shoot Shorter in self- defense because she had reason to fear he would shoot or beat her.

"The whole key to the case was intent. The state had to prove intent to kill to prove their charges. And I think there were some serious questions about the cause of death in this case," attorney Schiavone said after the verdict. He referred to the cross-examination of the medical examiner who said doctors punctured an artery in Shorter's chest when they were putting a tube in, causing internal bleeding.

He also said he had faith in his client.

"I knew Nikki personally. Nikki went to school with my daughter in high school, so I knew what type of person Nikki was. And I knew Nikki would never kill a person intentionally," he said.

Shorter's parents sat in the back of the courtroom next to Hall as the verdict was read. They all stared straight ahead with no expression on their faces. His parents left without any public comment.

The jurors were immediately escorted to a waiting van as deputies told reporters that they did not want to comment on the case.

Official now...

2005-03-16T00:14:00.000-05:00

So I've been told that you're not officially a blogger until you've posted your picture. Am I official now?? Picture is kinda old, but represents one of the happier times in the AUC (homecoming senior year). Despite bein a year complete with drama, I managed to break out a smile for this one :). Maybe when I get back, I'll post some Miami/MAS pics. Til then.

Current song playin': Mike Jones "Still Tippin'"

"I'm crawling similar to an ant cuz* I'm low to the erf**
People's feelings get hurt when they figure out what I'm wrf***."

*cause
**earth
***worth

Gotta love the T-X.

Interesting finds...

2005-03-13T21:42:00.000-05:00

Boy does it feel good to just sit my arse on the couch and just chill. No concepting, no strategizing, just chillin' by myself! On another tip, being at home has forced me to miss three things I wanted to check out. Eh, maybe next time! 1) Roots concert (Tampa), 2) Heat vs. Lakers game...not into b-ball that much (actually not at all) but I'd like to see Shaq play (and I don't mean play as in the lobby of my friend's apartment complex), and 3) monthly Spelman alumnae meeting. :( next time...

Interesting finds...check 'em out...

The Trials of Dating a Black Woman

In the field of Advertising, yet I find this magazine/orgainzation interesting...

Justice?

Arrest black babies!

Gotta support my Alma Mater's cause...

Home Sweet Home...

2005-03-11T20:51:00.000-05:00

Got back in the HT (hometown) tonight, after much anticipation. Let's just say I walked off the plane to a frigid "winter" Charlotte style. Nothing like the 80 degree weather of Miami.

Many of my friends, who by the way are big movie buffs have forwarded me this list, the top movies of all time, thats been circulating in the blog community for a minute (says them). Disappointed when I finished the list, (only seen 25 of the 100) I decided to create my own shit!

Dayna's Top Movies Of All Time:

1. Brown Sugar
2. Love Jones
3. Friday
4. The Lion King
5. Forrest Gump
6. Love and Basketball
7. Finding Nemo
8. The Goonies
9. The Wizard of Oz
10. Malcolm X
11. Higher Learning
12. The Color Purple
13. The Wiz
14. Do The Right Thing
15. Million Dollar Baby
16. E.T.
17. The Incredibles
18. Harry Potter (all three)
19. The Little Mermaid
20. The Sound of Music
21. Bambi
22. Ray
23. Snow White
24. Grease
25. Shawshank Redemption
26. American History X
27. (some independant film which title escapes me)
28. Requiem for a Dream
29. The Jungle Book
30. Lady and the Tramp
31. Mulan
32. Aladdin
33. Mary Poppins
34. 101 Dalmations
35. Dumbo
36. Cinderella
37. Annie
38. Beauty and the Beast
39. Peter Pan
40. Alice in Wonderland
41. The Green Mile
42. Steel Magnolias
43. Waiting to Exhale
44. Poetic Justice
45. Cooley High
46. Crooklyn
47. Farenheit 9/11
48. Schindler's List
49. Chicago
50. To Kill a Mockingbird

Okay maybe some should be higher up on the list, but I decided not to do the tie thing. Anyway let me know if you agree or disagree. AND NOBODY BETTER SAY SHIT ABOUT BROWN SUGAR BEIN NUMBER ONE (cause it is damnit)!!!

Damn, Damn, Damn....

2005-03-10T12:40:00.000-05:00

...I remember shootin' the shit with you in Cal II. "Keep ya head up."

SAVANNAH, Ga. (Court TV) — Sharron "Nikki" Redmond was an accidental
beauty queen who shot and killed her boyfriend when she learned he
was seeing another woman, a prosecutor told jurors during opening
statements Tuesday in Redmond's murder trial.

Redmond, 23, was crowned Miss Savannah in August 2003 when the first-
and second-place contestants declined the tiara. Four months later,
on Dec. 16, when Redmond discovered her boyfriend, Kevin Shorter,
was cheating on her, she went to the other woman's house with a gun
to set things straight, said Chatham County District Attorney Ann
Elmore.

"She had been runner-up once," Elmore said. "She wasn't going to be
runner-up this time."

Prosecutors claim Redmond drove to the home of Rachel Hall, to
confront her about her involvement with her boyfriend of three
years. When Shorter arrived, the state contends, Redmond argued with
him and shot him in the buttocks with a gold-plated semi-automatic
handgun.

Shorter died from the wound three days later in a hospital.

Defense attorney Michael Schiavone portrayed the 6-foot-2, 250-pound
Shorter as a violent abuser of women who was high on drugs the night
he was shot.

Schiavone said Redmond only fired in self-defense because she
believed her boyfriend kept a gun in his car.

During her opening statement, however, Elmore pointed to the path of
the bullet that went up through Shorter's leg and into his genital
area. He said Redmond vindictively shot at her boyfriend "just where
you would expect Lorena Bobbit would shoot."

Redmond is charged with two counts of murder, assault and felony use
of a weapon. If convicted she faces life in prison without the
possibility of parole.

Deadly quarrel

Prosecutors called their first witness Tuesday, Rachel Hall, who
said she and Shorter were engaged to be married.

Still wearing the engagement ring that Shorter gave her and sitting
directly in front of the defendant, Hall described her fiance as
a "big teddy bear," but admitted that he once was arrested for
assaulting her in front of her parents.

Hall told jurors how Redmond, a former high school teacher, came to
her house on Dec. 16, to confront her about the man they both
thought they were going to marry.

Hall said the confrontation escalated when Shorter arrived and start
yelling at the beauty queen. She testified that when Redmond got a
gun and pointed it at Shorter, he ran into a neighbor's yard. The
witness said she was able to calm Redmond down, and Shorter finally
returned to his car to leave.

Then, walking toward her house with her back to the street, Hall
said she heard a shot fired and turned and saw Redmond pointing a
gun from her car window. She said Shorter stumbled toward her in
pain.

"Rachel, the bitch shot me. Call 911," Shorter yelled, according to
Hall.

When the 911 call was played for jurors, Hall's and Shorter's
parents, who were in the courtroom, wept as the victim could be
heard screaming in pain in the background.

Prosecutors also called firearms expert Chris Robinson to poke holes
in the defense claim that Redmond didn't aim at Shorter, but the
bullet ricocheted of his car.

Robinson told jurors that he weighed the bullet that killed Shorter
and found it in such perfect condition that it would have been
impossible for it to have deflected off metal.

"It weighed exactly what it did when it was fired," Robinson
said. "There is no evidence that is consistent with this bullet
being a ricochet."

Testimony is expected to resume Wednesday. The trial is being shown
live on Court TV Extra.

Random Rantings...

2005-03-09T23:55:00.000-05:00

Time flies...

The end of my second quarter in grad school is here. I pretty much aced everything this term, no encounters with racist professors that give me a 'B' just because. One good thing about this quarter was the concept I came up with in my Poster Design class. The assignment.... create a political poster. My concept.... a satirical commentary on the “Join” commercials…. you know the ones with the beautiful/optimistic music in the background, young men and women smiling recounting how the army gave them the opportunity to “travel and see the world”. Problem…. youth see this and get fooled into believing this. Solution…”America. The war to win the war on terrorism.” Coloring Book. Now the interesting part of this is that my professor thinks my idea is great and good enough to sell at Urban Outfitters. So he’s hooked me up with all these big wig New York Publishing companies to send my stuff off to them. Will they bite? Don’t know. Worth a try? Don’t know. But, what I do know is do I want to market myself to the Urban Outfitters. Considering... Sell out? Taking polls.

I know that we all sell out in our careers at one point, that’s how we survive the game, right? Food for thought…

SoBe, oh how I love your name...

I've officially been a SoBe resident for 8 months. And I'm sick of it (not really, just tired). I miss Atlanta. Don't get me wrong I love the weather (haven't put on a coat thicker than a hoodie since I've been here), but I just can't get over the "little ills" South Beach seems to offer (in no particular order):

1. Driving is non-existent.
2. Tourists.
3. Sudden rainstorms.
4. Dog shit.
5. People living in a 300 sq. ft. apartment yet own a Benz.
6. Countless Bentleys (can't keep up with the REALLY important people and the really important people).
7. Shaq. (stay at home with your WIFE and family, I see you everywhere.... oh and your secrets out, Kobe didn't lie).
8. Girls with plastic in every body part.
9. PEOPLE THINKING I'M HISPANIC...I'M BLACK!
10. Trying to convince the people in my program fun exists outside of shit hole bars with cheap beer.
11. High gas prices.
12. Not enough people speaking English.
13. Black men that aren't here on vacation or looking for a Latina.
14. Metered parking.
15. No AUC fam.
16. Southern hospitality=bad service.

I'll keep it short for now....

Good deed for the day...

A n*gga had very bad credit, you helped me lease that whip. You helped me get the keys to that V dot 6 (or some groceries).