JMO: Jon Stewart Is Leaving The Daily Show And We Should All Be Sad About It.

Where were you when you found out Jon Stewart was leaving The Daily Show?

I was and still am in Florida. I'm in shock and I'm super-bummed about it. I found out when I was on Gawker.com. I tend to go on their site more when I feel like I've binged on way too much entertainment news and I need a palette cleanser. Then, as I read articles about topics that run a little deeper than who A is, I'm reminded of how much I love that site.

Anyway, they broke the news to me (click here for the article).

I'm bummed. Are you guys bummed? Do you watch The Daily Show? You should. It's good.

I'm not going to front, I never watched the Daily Show regularly once I stopped paying for cable. Still, I'm still really sad to see Jon Stewart go. In a world where people are quick to accept what is reported as fact, Stewart always had a way of making his viewers look at things from a different perspective. He not only encouraged it, he expected it. I feel like as a talk-show host, he held his viewers to a certain standard and expected them to, at the very least, think.

So we should all be sad that he's leaving in my opinion.

The privilege has been ours, Mr. Jon Stewart.

Jealousy is a Waste of Your Time.

I was talking to a friend about Instagram and some of the people we both follow and she told me that she unfollowed a lot of people recently. When I asked why, she said seeing those women post pics of their seemingly perfect lives was making her feel insecure and jealous and she didn't want that kind of energy around her so she just stopped.

I totally get. It's so easy to forget that what people post on social media is an edit of their lives; all of the fat days, zit days, no-sleep-last-night days etc. are left on the virtual cutting room floor.

But for me, I love following people that I admire. It inspires and motivates me. This wasn't always the case.

I remember being a teen telling my mom that I was jealous of a girl. I'm not sure why but  I think it was something about her skin (I've dealt with cystic acne since I was about 10). My mom told me back then, "instead of wasting your time being jealous, why don't you just ask and find out how she did it?" It never occurred to me that I too could get what another girl had just by asking how and then working for it.

I didn't actually take my wise mom's advice until a few years later when I was in college. I was walking on a treadmill, pre-occupied with the lady in front of me because of her perfect ass. It was a phenomenal, perfectly shaped, non-jiggly ass. I remember being so annoyed, thinking "why does she get to have a perfect butt and I'm stuck with this cellulite-ridden backside? That bitch. Life is so unfair, woe is me, wahhhhhhhh."

I was actually heated but my pity party was cut short when I remembered what my mom said. What was the point of being jealous? It didn't help me at all. It wouldn't make my ass look like hers. Just like that, I made a decision to stop wasting my time being jealous of other people. If I wanted something, all I had to do was work hard for it.

I jumped off of the treadmill and approached the lady with the perfect ass. I told her I loved her butt (because flattery never hurt one's cause and it was the truth) and asked what she did to keep it looking amazing.

Lunges.

My point is, let those who have what you want motivate you. Make them your allies in reaching that goal, not your enemies. At the end of the day success in anything is about hard work and no one can do that work for you.

Besides, nobody likes a hater.

Reformed People Pleaser.

I'm a huge believer in self-reflection as a preliminary step towards self-improvement. I'd be lying if I said I have it all figured out now that I'm older. I constantly find myself having to relearn the lessons I was taught before.  I noticed most of the things that bother me about me have a common thread. Let's see if you recognize it:

• Saying "sorry" all the time. 
• Caring too much when someone doesn't like me.
• Bending over backwards to accommodate people.
• Putting other people's priorities before my own.

Raise your hand if you're a people pleaser?

Yeah, being a people pleaser sucks. I don't want to do it anymore.

People pleasing is like being addicted to drugs. I love the feeling I get from helping people. The problem there is, the dealers of the euphoria people pleasing gives, know you love that shit. Next thing you know, you've given everything you have just for the fleeting feeling of knowing you "did the right thing", "were a huge help", "are the best", "are the nicest".

Fuck that noise.

Disney's Minority Quota.

‎My sister's mother-in-law who is like a second mom to me, gifted me with the cutest Disney Princesses lunchbox.

Disclaimer:  I am not a Disney Princess girl. I'm not a Disney anything (Disney World is what I imagine hell is like). So to my friends out there, do not get me Disney stuff for Christmas.

It was a really sweet gift. It's pink and it has all the princesses on the front and as I looked down at it I thought, "aww".

Then I thought, "Why was Princess Jasmine bounced for Princess Tiana?"

This is what the lunch box looks like: 

Right?!? Where is Princess Jasmine? I LOVED Aladdin (RIP Genie) because it's awesome and since Disney took it's damn time creating a princess that was black, Princess Jasmine was the closest thing to relatable when it came to melanin. 

So now that little black girls have a princess that looks like them, little middle eastern girls are shit out of luck?

Is there some sort of quota I'm not aware of?

Here's another Disney Princess lunchbox:

I'm totally judging you, Disney.

An Argument For Being A Selfish Asshole

So I read this post (click here) by Jillian Harris.

She makes some great points on why being single doesn't suck. I'm here to vouch for point No.5

For the first time in my life, I went on vacation.  I've travelled a lot with my family and by myself. When I lived in the states, I flew to Nigeria a lot to visit my folks. Now that I live in Nigeria, I've travelled to the states twice.

Those trips don't count.

There was a trip to LA a few years ago to visit one of my best friends (click here). While I had a blast, that trip doesn't really count either since I was too broke to do much.

This is the first time I've had enough money to save. It's the first time I saved with the sole intention of spending it on myself. It was awesome.

In my opinion, women often feel the need to prepare for life as a wife and mother once they reach their 20s. I can't tell you how many variations of this statement I've heard over the years "you should learn how to make ogbono soup so when you get married your husband will be pleased" and "you need to change *** because men like women that ***".

We're expected to get serious, start looking, start planning, stop playing, start dressing a certain way, attract the nice guy, the right guy, the rich guy.

I'm here to challenge ladies not to do any of that stuff.

If you're in your late twenties and unattached like me, I beg you to think about what that means. You. Are. Free.

You may not be a baller but you have a job, right? Sure, there are bills to pay and family stuff to help out with but besides that, your money is yours. Go on a trip! Go and get something for yourself! Treat yo self!

I went on vacation and I let myself spend money on things I wanted: the gondola ride at the Venetian in Vegas and the nice hotel room in Dubai. I bought the shoes I've been obsessing about for months... and a few more pairs just because I liked them. I did all this without feeling guilty. I work hard for what I make and I don't see men my age conflicted over how they spend their money because of  the families they don't have yet.

It dawned on me a while ago that while I may not be able to do selfish things like this forever, I can now and I deserve to so I should.

I want to have kids one day and  eventually, I'll need to save for a house and start planning for a family of my own.

But that time has not come.

So instead of moping about "being alone", be alone, happily.

I plan to. In Antigua. And London. And Canada too if I can wing it.

JMO: Masturbation Could Save Nigeria.

I posted a status update on my Facebook during church yesterday. Just because... well I don't really know.

I'm usually not one to post every thought running through my mind but yesterday, I reacted to a situation that exasperated me and I shared these thoughts:

Today's sermon is about the evils of masturbation.

I knew I should have stayed home today.
I, of course, know how polarizing a comment like that is. Sex is private and talking about it openly makes people uncomfortable. On top of that, half of my friends on Facebook are Nigerian and the other half are American. Without generalizing too much, I've noticed that my Nigerian friends tend to be much more conservative than my American friends.

Anyway, I posted a status about masturbation. Comments weren't negative and mostly ranged from a neutral "interesting" to a to fist-bumping "walk out".

I did, however, receive some phone calls and messages laughingly chiding me and flat-out asking me to explain myself and my stance on "self-love".

Since I have a blog, why not share my thoughts with the three of you who still read it?

I think masturbation is a) healthy b) no one's business c) something the church and other religious institutions should not demonize, especially to youths.

I think it's unrealistic to tell a bunch of horny teenagers not to masturbate.

I think it's dangerous to preach "abstinence or hell".

I think teaching "masturbation is evil" is why you have people having sex that don't know how to use condoms.

I think teaching "masturbation is evil" is why STDs and unwanted pregnancies are so prevalent in Nigeria and other parts of the world.

I think having someone tell you "masturbation is evil and leads you to have sexual desires and this causes women to dress provocatively and in turn get harassed, men to cheat on their wives with the maid, people to have sex with animals" (paraphrasing but these are all points the pastor made) is not only dangerous but on another level of stupid.

I think that teaching "masturbation is evil" leads to all types of issues in life and a general discomfort with one's body.

I think that sexual desires are healthy and normal as human beings.

When I'm a mother, I'd rather my kids masturbate to take care of their urges than have them have sex before they're ready.

Those are my thoughts. What are yours?

Romance Is Stupid.

Ladies, am I alone here?

I don't know if this is because I've seen too much (I know I sound like a war victim).

Regardless of the reason, I'm not into the lovey-dovey stuff.  While I'm cool with it in movies and on TV, romantic gestures immediately make me suspicious in real life.

The problem with a romantic gesture is it never feels genuine to me.
Forcing it lacks sincerity.
A lack of sincerity in anybody is not cool but in a guy, it's a total lady-boner killer.

You say "I've loved you since the first time I laid eyes on you."
I think "You don't even know me! I could be crazy."
Then I think "this guy is either a liar or really stupid."
And... I can't be with a stupid person.

So keep your roses and other cliche gifts. Don't come to me with poems or grand declarations of love a day after we've met. I don't believe a word you're saying and now I think you're cheesy. And possibly stupid.

Am I bitch for feeling this way? Probably.

Am I cynical? Definitely.

But am I alone? I don't think so.

It goes hand in hand with not wanting some emo dude who believes real love is intense and all-consuming and making love (ugh) is supposed to make you cry.

Like really?

I believe there are plenty of women who don't want an Edward/Romeo/Stefan (Insert mopey, sensitive, pop-culture character). I believe there are women out there like me that want to laugh with someone, not sit in awe trying to absorb the magnitude of feelings he evokes or some shit.

Love can be epic without the angst and feelings and tears, right? What do you guys think?

Can We Let Elena Grow The Eff Up? The Vampire Diaries Rant

I LOVE The Vampire Diaries. I'm so into it. Judge away if you want. I'm not ashamed.

I read all four Twilight books. That, I'm ashamed of.

TVD, I'm cool sharing my love for it. The writing is solid, the actors are good and the storylines are interesting. I love going on Youtube and reading comments from Stelena shippers and Delena shippers who are one negative comment away from losing their minds. They are so passionate about their teams and seeing their couple of choice make it to the finish line.

You have the good brother and the bad brother in love with the same girl. Angst, Blah blah blah, Passion, blah blah blah, It's okay to love both of them I did Katherine Pierce bitchness.

 But... Don't you wish for once the girl would wake up and say "I'm a teenager. What do I know about love and forever? I'm going to go out into the world and figure out who I am and not worry about who I'm going to spend the rest of my life (immortality) with."

This is why I love Caroline; I'm of the belief that Mystic Falls and the highschool boyfriend isn't going to be it for her.

 I know, I know. Shut up Juwon. Silly bitch. Of course Elena should pick one of the Salvatore brothers. They're so dreamy.

 I'm Team Delena.

Kim Kardashian Graces Lagos With Her Presence

I only uploaded this photo because I like that shirt. What? I'm not going to hate on Givenchy because she's wearing it!

First of all, read this because it's so on point.

So this post was written weeks ago and I'm just getting around to uploading it. It's not really relevant anymore but when has that ever stopped me from ranting?

Oh yes. There is a rant involved in this post.

Shall we begin?

Like many, I was surprised to learn Kim K was in Lagos. I stupidly thought she was there to sit on a panel for Social Media Week since it started the Monday after she was in Lagos.

See, social media played such an integral part in the success of the Kardashian brand, it would actually be interesting to hear what the reality star had to say about Twitter, Celebuzz and Instagram's contribution to her fame.

Alas, I gave my country and the Kardashian too much credit. Kim Kardashian wasn't there to talk to Nigeria's youth at a free event (silly Juwon), she was there to co-host a party for the premiere of some movie. A party attended by Nigeria's 1% because who else would spend N100,000 for a ticket?

Kim Kardashian was paid $500,000 to come to Lagos. The pregnant starlet was in Lagos for less than 24 hours. She stayed at the party long enough to say "Hey Naija" and then she left.

Now my fellow Nigerians are pissed. How dare she?!?

*This is where my rant begins.

 Don't be upset with Kim Kardashian people. She's a business woman and because you all seem to love her to the point of stupidity (Why though? I really want to know), she can demand $500,000 for an appearance.

And unless it was worked into her contract that she should stay at the party the whole time, she wasn't obligated to be there for long. Also, maybe the organizers should have brought her here to do something other than host a party. I'm guessing that would have cost more? Maybe she should have been asked to do something that would boost the tourism in Nigeria or at the very least been suitable for a photo op?

 If it was me, I would have negotiated a deal where she was photographed by the AP at one of Nigerian designer's studio or at Temple Muse (closed for her and her people so they wouldn't have to talk to the commoners). The caption would have read " Kim Kardashian explores the shopping scene in Lagos".

 Publicity, something we could have used. Something that could have appeared on People.com or any international website or paper that would showcase Lagos's appeal as a tourist destination. While I'm just assuming, I highly doubt that crossed the organizers minds. Because, in my opinion, the people with the money don't think that way.

Be upset with the people in this country with billion dollar homes and village mentalities. These are the people who will do anything and spend anything to prove they have arrived. They are basic. They are rich but they are still low-classy. These are the people who have four brand new cars in their home and pay their househelp N7000 a month. These are the people who are trying to keep up with countries like the US and the UK but they refuse to do the work to get to that level.

Hey Nigeria, you skipped a few steps on your way to baller status. More than 5% of your citizens have to have enough food to eat to be considered a developed country. How about we fix that before we start paying people who are famous for nothing you can talk to your mother about to visit our country?

Let me ask this: did Nigerians expect an American reality star to be super-psyched at the idea of hosting a party in Lagos? Lagos is a metropolitan city with lots of promise. But she landed in our shitty airport, drove on our shitty roads and probably saw a few things that would shock any sheltered American. Maybe Kim K is wondering how she is getting paid $500,000 when the country is obviously impoverished.

Maybe I'm giving her too much credit.

At the end of the day, I really don't see why anyone should be upset. Kim K got half a million dollars for showing up and everyone who attended can brag about partying with a KARDASHIAN.

Keep on dreaming big Nigeria.

JMO: Finance Guys and Gold Diggers

So I'm browsing Gawker.com (because I love it so) and I notice there are a lot of posts about finance guys (because let's face it, most of the stories are about men) and how dating them almost always ends in disaster. From there I stumbled across the GS Elevator twitter feed which I find hilarious and my sister finds horrific.

*Am I a bad person for laughing? I don’t think so. I’m just not surprised that people can say evil things.

Anyway, I feel like it's 2009 again and the uproar about the whole Dating A Banker Anonymous “support group” is still fresh. Are you completely drawing a blank? Click here for a refresher. 

Though Dabagirls.wordpress.com no longer exists, there's something that never gets old about this topic: men who are banking and the women who date them. 

What I find funny is the outrage. The ladies that started the Dabagirls site received all types of hell. Not for duping The New York Times but for being honest about their preferences. And now with the stories on Gawker, people are so quick to chime in with their “maybe next time she’ll think about dating someone for more than just money” comments. Oh please. 

It’s not just the money, it’s the lifestyle. It’s dating someone who speaks your language and is interested in things that interest you. Let’s take the paychecks out of the equation for a minute; what does a teacher have in common with a woman who works in an industry like fashion? What the hell are you guys going to talk about on a date? I’m not saying it never happens but women who date guys in finance aren’t likely to date the guy who majored in education because they live totally different lives. These women aren’t gold-diggers; they’re snobs (no judgment ladies. Everyone is a snob about something).

I have very little sympathy for most guys because THEY make it about the money. I’m sure this doesn’t apply to all men but there are enough of you. If you’re doing well financially the majority of the conversation you have with a woman involves how many figures you make, how exclusive your neighborhood is, where you vacation, and how often you frequent the best restaurants in the city. You’re basically telling her that the only redeeming quality you happen to have is your bank account.

If you’re just never going to make the big bucks, you still make it about money. Except you go on the offensive and go on and on about how money is the root of all evil like you’d turn up your nose to a million dollars. And then you start talking about how you’re looking for a woman who “isn’t a diva” or “is down to earth” as if a woman can’t be ambitious if you’re not.

So my question is why do men make it all about money? How about having a personality?

JMO: Blake Lively Is Not A Skank, Slut, Whore, Slore.

"Ok, so we're all here 'cause of this book, right? Well, I don't know who wrote this book, but you all have got to stop calling each other sluts and whores. It just makes it ok for guys to call you sluts and whores."

- Tina Fey's Ms. Norbury, Mean Girls

She's had the kind of last two years that catapults careers and she's  linked to some of the hottest men in Hollywood on a regular basis. This makes mean, bored housewives with nothing better to do call her a slut on People.com because she didn't decide to go celibate after breaking up with Penn Badgley.


But you know what?  I applaud her. I take off my hat and say "well done good sir"! Because she is talented (compared to other actresses anyway). And she's 24, single and hot. Why shouldn't she date? Because she has a vagina?

Put down the haterade and think for a moment. If you're single, you're young, and attractive, you're gonna date. Yeah, the guys we spend Friday night with probably don't look like Leo and Ryan but that's not her fault. We all date; some dates turn into relationships and some don't.

You gotta sample the rainbow before you find the gold. Let her sample the rainbow!


I'm on a break from sampling right now. When I look at the rainbow Blake Lively gets to sample from and I look at mine, I get kinda sad.

JMO: Glee GQ Photoshoot

These photos of Glee stars Lea Michele, Dianna Agron and Cory Monteith have caused a huge stir.

Now I'm no prude; I certainly have a sense of humor and to be honest, pervy Terry Richardson never manages to get a rise out of me with his 70s porn aesthetic.

And this photoshoot was for GQ; a magazine for men.

But does anyone else find the photos, Lea Michele's particularly, just sad? This whole Lolita/ Britney Spears, girly sex-pot thing is still popular despite its ick factor.

Little girl accessories shouldn't get a guy's motor running.

All I see is Rachel Berry trying to be sexy. It's like she went through Playboy and picked out her favorite poses.

Do you think she would have done a photoshoot like this before she traded Broadway for Hollywood?

Are Logos Tacky?

I read this NY Times Style article a while back about logos and I thought I'd present it to the Court of Lovelyish for debate.

Did you read it? Okay, I move on to my argument.

With the risk of sounding blunt, I think logos are tacky as hell. Like Ed Hardy and Uggs with sweats. In my opinion, the only thing worse than a Coach or Louis Vuitton purse, is a fake one.

Now, I'm not rich nor do I own a wardrobe that would make Blair Waldorf cry with envy. None of my purses are designer.

I just happen to believe purses like Coach and Louis Vuitton are used as status symbols. And I don't get it because if you ask me, they're eight levels of fugly. Not to mention the fact that according to this Journal of Consumer Research paper, expensive products use more discreet markers, such as distinctive design or detailing. So if you're trying to show off how much paper you got, you're doing a crappy job of it.

Why not spend your money on a bag that will be cheaper and not make you look like a walking advertisement for the brand?

Let me also say, I am not against designer labels. I am currently saving up my pennies so I can buy myself a Lauren by Ralph Lauren handbag that I have been eyeing for months now. But that's because I am in love with fashion and the craftsmanship behind it. The bag will probably outlast my car.

I'm not going to spend my money on Louis Vuitton just so everyone can see I can afford it. I'd much rather spend a lot less on a very nice bag that doesn't scream label whore.

Now if you just happen to love the way logo bags look, more power to you. And errr, sorry for the disses. I wear headbands with big bows and sequins. It's all relative, right?

Do you buy Louis Vuitton because it's Louis Vuitton?

What Are We Doing In Afghanistan?

"If Americans pulled back and started paying attention to this war, it would become even less popular." Senior adviser to McChrystal.

After reading Michael Hastings article, "The Runaway General", many people will be paying attention. After all, this is the article that cost General McChrystal his job. He's only the second general to be dismissed from the position during a time of war (the first being Gen. Douglas MacArthur) and up until Rolling Stone magazine made the article available online, many people were asking themselves "geez, what did this guy do anyway?"

After reading this article, the answer is clear. McChrystal and his team talked shit. They expressed their frustrations. They don't respect the political poster boys they are forced to work with to win the war in Afghanistan. So they bitched about it. Were they right for saying what they did? I guess not. Did McChrystal's comments warrant his dismissal? Maybe.

We know why Obama dismissed him but why should people back that dismissal? Are we supposed to be angry at the guy for his lack of professionalism in front of a journalist or for bad-mouthing the Obama administration?

Funny enough, Hastings' article focuses more on McChrystal's plans for Afghanistan and less on him and his team's gossipy ways. It's refreshingly honest. Maybe that's the problem; that kind of honesty, the kind of reporting a real journalist is supposed to do, is alarming in a world where print media is dying, media outlets deliver biased news and bloggers are held accountable for almost nothing.

America is a country where we like things blue or red. People watch news channels and read articles that echo their political views. They want to know who they're supposed to be opposing. Their "you're either with us or against us" attitude is so ingrained in their way of thinking that they get confused when lines aren't clearly drawn. People aren't used to reading about generals who support Obama as president but don't think he's handling things in Afghanistan the way he should and soldiers who want to be allowed to use their guns or want the war to end (because what the hell are they doing so far from home if they're not allowed to shoot anything).

But this article doesn't pick sides. Hastings gives readers a glimpse into the very real situation we as a country are facing; we're at war, it's going to be a long time before it's over and people are going to die. There are thousands of soldiers who have been fighting since the "war against terrorism" was in Iraq. Now the word is Al Qaeda has relocated to Pakistan. And while everyone seems to have ideas on how to "fix" Afghanistan (counter-insurgency, counter-terrorism), a victory is nowhere in sight.

No one relieved McChrystal of his duties after "Cpl. Pat Tillman, the former-NFL-star-turned-Ranger, was accidentally killed by his own troops in Afghanistan in April 2004" and McChrystal "took an active role in creating the impression that Tillman had died at the hands of Taliban fighters". The general wasn't given his walking papers for his involvement in the detainee abuse and torture at Camp Nama in Iraq. So do people really think McChrystal was fired for the disparaging comments he made? Or was he fired because the public got a whiff of those comments? Or is he just a scapegoat? After all, this article will be responsible for taking the wool off of a lot of people's eyes.

I doubt people will really remember McChrystal's inappropriate remarks in the future. Some may even respect him for his "take no shit" attitude some day if they don't already. Instead, people will read "The Runaway General" and ask "what are we doing in Afghanistan?" They'll be angry and they'll want to know who they should be angry at.

Congratulations Hastings. We're paying attention now.

JMO: Southern Brazil is a Model Haven?

Does anyone else find this video slightly disturbing?
Should scouts (often male) be allowed around schools to look for potential models?
Does it irk anyone else that models are so young when they start out in the fashion industry?
Call me crazy, but maybe if fashion models weren’t little girls, designers would start creating clothes for WOMEN. You know, females who have started having menstrual cycles. Not to mention the fact that these girls all look the same. With Brazil’s diverse population, it’s disappointing that scouts continue to look for the Brazilian girls with more European blood.

It’s like traveling to Paris and going to McDonalds for food.

A Black Woman's Love Life: One Epic Fail

"How many men do you know...black men...who can effectively deal with
a mate who has more education...and makes more money?
Not many. They freak." Drew's friend, Jungle Fever.

















Greetings from my incredibly hot room.

I apologize for the weird posting; I forgot it was scheduled to be posted on Friday and I never finished it.

I’ve been sitting on this video for months now, debating whether or not throwing my opinion into the discussion would be worth it. After all, this topic is more played out than a Lady Gaga song.

But it's out now so...

Let the rant begin.

I’ve posted quite a few videos that have been making the rounds online. They are all about black women and why they’re still single. More specifically, they discuss black women and their standards, the demise of the black family and dating outside of one’s race.

Check out the videos if you have time. If you’d rather not, I’ll list off some statistics for you:

• According to the ABC News video, there are more black women than black men in the United States. 2 million more.
• If every black man married a black woman, one in twelve would still find themselves left out.
• 42% of black women have never been married.

The statistics go on and on. So what’s the problem?

Well it looks like the blame has been put on me and every other single black lady out there. We’re too picky. Yep, we are too picky.
Hill Harper explains “95% of black women want the 5% of black men” ,
Jimmy Israel calls it the “”Denzel Principle”. He says “you’re looking for Mr.Perfect when you yourself aren't.”

Steve Harvey says pretty much the same thing. Black women don’t want to date a black man who doesn’t have his shit together and they need to learn to date men who may not.
This brings me to a very interesting article. The New York Times article pretty much explored the repercussions of men marrying women who were more successful professionally.

I, for one, am utterly bored with this topic which is why it’s taken me so long to address it. There really isn’t a satisfactory explanation for why black women are still single. It is what it is.

I can't speak for anyone but myself so I won't generalize.

I'm called picky all the time. ALL the time. And I don't give a rat's ass. Because I know I'm not. Picky is dissing a guy because his sneakers aren't designer. Picky is turning a guy down because he doesn't like the same music as you.

I will give every guy a chance, meaning I'll talk to you.

I am, however, careful. In my experience, ignoring my instincts and going on a date when I knew it wasn't right has been a waste of my time.

• I meet way too many guys who are suffering from the slut syndrome. They have girlfriends and still try to date someone on the side. And then they have the audacity to get angry when a woman finds out and wants to end things (like they're doing all women a favor by dating as many of us as possible).
• I meet way too many guys who think because they speak English, they're special.You don't have a job, fine. But you're not in school either. You're not disabled, so what are you doing? Surely you don't expect me to date someone who has no desire whatsoever to do anything. If that's the case, you're just a walking vibrator.
  
• I meet way too many guys who want a 10 when they're a 4 at best.
• I meet way too many guys who become resentful instead of supportive when their girlfriends' careers take off.
• I meet way too many guys who don't reciprocate the support they expect.

Like I said, it is what it is. But for the sake of this argument, let me lower my expectations. I'll throw my ridiculous list out the window and start off easy: be single. Really single. Don't have a wife or a girlfriend and try talking to me.

I can tell you right now that eliminates most of the guys that have approached me in the last three years.

Now let's start the talk about how "women expect too much from men" and "men will be men and do what men do".

So over it.

JMO: Work Pet Peeves

Can someone please explain to me why it is so impossibly difficult for grown women to flush the toilet? I have had more than 15 jobs since 2003. Now these jobs have varied from your "would you like that for here or to go?" part-time gigs to your "company policy states jeans are not appropriate work attire" full time jobs.

But one thing never changes: there's always a lady (or two) who thinks flushing the toilet is beneath her. I'm not dropping names mainly because I never know who's behind the faux pas, but I can't tell you how many times I've walked into a stall and was surprised by someone else's poo. It's gross ladies.

So I urge you all who may commit this crime from time to time to read the following:

Dear Bathroom Etiquette Offender: Flush the toilet. Please. And if you have a toilet that flushes for you, make sure your droppings actually go down the drain. If I can do it for you, surely you can do it for yourself.

That is all.

JMO: ABC's Flash Forward

So I was watching FlashForward last night like I always do before Grey’s Anatomy. The plot is kind of unbelievable and the acting is sometimes terrible but John Cho, Michael Ealy and Joseph Fiennes kind of make up for it.

John Cho is perfection.

Anyway, in this episode, the Mosaic group went to Somalia to follow a lead on their case and a bunch of Somali rebel fighters shot up the place with no regard for human life. Then the head honcho – who repeatedly stated he was following God’s plan – was talked out of his killing spree by the American woman who tells him “you’re supposed to stop the war not start it” or some irritating comment like that and he does a 180 and starts helping out the group.

Because that’s realistic.

I could go on in greater detail but that really sums up what happened in the episode. Maybe I’m being sensitive but I am so tired of watching Africans portrayed negatively in the media. It’s getting old. Episodes like that are cliché and played out, not to mention irresponsible. They reinforce America’s ugly image of Africa and contribute to people’s unfair opinions of Africans.

It’s wrong.

I know Africa as a continent may not be progressing as quickly as everywhere else but not every country is run by killer hungry maniacs. It would be nice to see a positive story come out of the Hollywood machine at least once.

But who am I kidding?I don’t know if writers in Hollywood are capable of writing a story that isn’t formulaic and predictable.

Lady Gaga turns 24 as a Music Superstar

Do ever feel like crap when someone your age is just light years ahead of you when it comes to his or her success?

Lady Gaga’s birthday was on the 28th of March. She too was born in 1986.

Sigh.

I love Lady Gaga. I think she is one the most talented artist out in the music industry right now.

She’s really in a league of her own.

So I am in no way jealous of her success. She deserves it.

I’m frustrated at myself because I don’t think I’m doing enough (sad face, another spoon of soy cream).

It can be so disheartening to be doing something you love but not seeing the rewards. Yet.

I am a firm believer in living life doing what you love. If you love doing something, you’ll be good at it just from practicing so much. If you’re good at something, you’ll always find a way to be successful at it.

But then someone like Lady Gaga comes into the mix and reminds a person (that person being me) that 24 is not too young to be on top of the game.

JMO: Health Care Reform Bill Passes

As I watched C-Span with my sister and roommates, I listened as representatives from both parties validated their stance on health care in the United States. I listened; I didn’t snicker, or make snide comments or boo. Granted, I did get a little heated when the representatives snickered, made snide comments and booed.

Really people, how old are you guys?

Anyway, the health care reform bill has been passed. People are happy but a lot of people are very very upset.

I realize the bill isn’t perfect yet. I understand people who have insurance don’t want to lose their doctors. I understand it’s a “democrat bill.” While I won’t pretend to be an authority on this topic, I know this much:
I am an American citizen without health care. I’m not a “lazy American who doesn’t work enough.” I have worked steadily since I was sixteen. Working my way up to better jobs and better pay, I finally worked for a company that provided insurance to their employees. Then I got laid off last February and am once again without insurance because I can’t afford it.

I am one of those people Nancy Pelosi talked about last night; I am afraid to get sick. Luckily, I haven’t been sick but I also haven’t had a regular doctor’s checkup in over a year. Before I worked for a company that provided insurance, I was uninsured for more than five years. I have cavities but I can’t afford to get them filled yet. My glasses need to be replaced with a stronger prescription but I can’t afford to change them. I’ve grown accustomed to doing without when it comes to health care but it would be nice to see a doctor when I need one.

I can’t be the only person who feels this way.

What do you think of the bill being passed?