Brookey's Cafe Blog

Happy Halloween Everyone!

In the spirit of Halloween and the 25th Anniversary of Michael Jackson's Thriller, I couldn't let the day go by without posting the best video of all time!

Say what you want to say about Michael Jackson, but that video was the SHIZNIT! I just knew I was going to marry this man after I saw this video - yes, at 10 years old! I knew how to do this dance with PRECISION! I would sit in front of the TV ALL DAY watching MTV waiting for them to play this video. And then once it started, I would get in position, wait for the dance break and then rock out! Anyone who is an 80's kid like me knows exactly what I'm talking about! Tell me you didn't have the Thriller jacket?! This album is 25 years old, and a classic. Timeless!

(ahhh...memories)

Tonight I'm going with my sister to take my nephews trick-or-treating. Kyce is going to be dressed up as a Power Ranger and Ibrahim is going to be a baby dinosaur :) I can't wait to see my boobadoos!

If you're going out to any Halloween parties tonight, BE SAFE! I'm talking to YOU Rene! And if you're dressing up in a costume, hit me up and let me know what you're dressing up as!

Have fun, be safe and have a great weekend!

-b

p.s. If you don't think Thriller was the best video of all time, leave me a comment telling me your choice for best video ever. Thriller is hard to beat!

It's Thursday and I still have this dang cold! If anyone has a remedy for me, please comment and let me know. I'm hacking up a lung over here...not sexy AT ALL!

Anyway - Amanda, Leesa, Peggy, Sandee, Annamaria and I have been emailing each other all morning about our little idiosyncrasies. I have several pet peeves and OCD issues and I found out that I'm not the only one :-) So today's blog will be light and easy, mostly because I don't have the brain power to write anything profound today.

What are your pet peeves, weird issues or just plain wacky traits that most people would find interesting to know about you?

My main pet peeve is in the clip below:




I think I mentioned this before, but I HATE HATE HATE hearing people pop their gum. Drives me insane. If I'm on the train and someone is in the same car as I am popping gum, I have to move to another car or blast my iPod so I don't hear it. Seriously, I'm ready to rip someone's lips off when I hear them popping gum. I know it may not be that deep to some people, but to me, it's like someone is ripping my fingernails out one by one - pure torture!

A weird phobia I have is falling down the steps. I'm terrified of that happening to me. I can't remember the last time I fell down some steps, probably happened when I was a kid. But you'd never know it. You'd think I fell down the steps yesterday the way I am with steps. And it's any steps. Porch steps. Subway train steps. Steps in my sister's house. Steps in my building at work. ANY STEPS! Every time I go down the steps I have to literally ENVISION myself making it down the steps safely. Yes, I know, very strange....but TRUE.

And it's not just me I'm worried about falling down steps. If I see someone trip up or down a flight of steps, my heart stops. I have to stop in my tracks and make sure they're okay. Once my nephew fell down a flight of steps and I cried. I couldn't stop shaking for like 15 minutes. He just got up, shook it off and was running around like nothing happened - meanwhile I'm a nervous wreck. I have no idea what it is about steps. But it is what it is.

I have several:

I have to brush each quadrant of my mouth for AT LEAST 2 minutes when brushing my teeth.

I like nuts, but can't eat anything with nuts in them - ice cream, M&M's, etc.

I like the taste of kiwi, but can't eat it because the hair on the fruit skeeves me out.

I have OCD about wiping down equipment at the gym.

I could go on and on forever about all my little peculiar habits, but I'm more interested in hearing yours. Leave a comment and let me know what your pet peeves are or what strange behavior/issues you have. This is going to be interesting!

Have a great day!

Happy Hump Day!

Thank you to everyone who sent me their get-well wishes. I was sick yesterday and I'm still feeling a bit under the weather today, but I'm back....at least for now anyway!

Today, the word of the day is Zeitgeist.

Zeitgeist (pronounced tsīt'gīst) is a German language expression literally translated: Zeit, time; Geist, spirit, meaning "the spirit of the age and its society". The word zeitgeist describes the intellectual, cultural, ethical and political climate of an era or also a trend.

In 1769 Herder wrote a critique of the work Genius seculi by the philologist Christian Adolph Klotz and introduced the word Zeitgeist into German as a translation of genius seculi (Latin: genius - "guardian spirit" and saeculi - "of the century").

Now that you've all had your vocabulary lesson for the day, let me tell you why I chose this word. I believe Barack Obama is zeitgeist - the "guardian spirit of the century." I believe he personifies our collective consciousness to the shared beliefs and moral attitudes which will serve as a unifying force within our country. He is that movement. His time is now.

Spike Lee agrees - watch this clip. Don't be turned off by the sports talk at first (that is if you aren't a Knicks fan :-) - watch the clip. He begins to speak of the election, Barack Obama and the impact he's had on all Americans with his message of Change and bringing us all together at about 2:15 in:




I think I said this in one of my earlier blogs - God has a hand in this too. With the election less than a week away, I feel my spirit rising. The spirit of a nation is rising. That spirit has been alive and active throughout America's history, and now the spirit of this nation is at a crucial stage in our history again. Not just this country's history, but world history. The realization of Barack Obama's zeitgeist is about to manifest. Our world is about to be changed.

It's Zeitgeist. It's Divine Order. I believe the spirit of a people, the spirit of a nation, will spill over to become a UNIVERSAL SPIRIT. Just as in the rising of the sun, the changing of the tides and the spinning of the Earth - Barack Obama's zeitgeist follows the pattern of the universe.

One week from today, we will be taking delight in God's manifestation of Divine Order at work. Barack Obama's purpose will be perfect in it's time and place in our lives - his zeitgeist supremely evident and nothing short of miraculous!

Vote November 4th!

It's Monday. I have a very bad cold. And my heart is aching for Jennifer Hudson and her family. I'm sure by now you all have heard about the shooting deaths of Jennifer Hudson's mother and brother. And now reports are coming in that the body of a little boy believed to be Jennifer Hudson's nephew was found in an SUV. To say that I'm saddened by all of this is an understatement. This tragedy is any one's worst nightmare come true. Please send up some prayers for her and their family.

What I don't understand - what I'm sure NONE of us can understand - is how anyone can hurt, let alone MURDER, a child. It's unfathomable. Just this past weekend, a mother in Brooklyn admitted to beating her 11 year old daughter to death. She beat her so badly, the broomstick she used to hit her had broken in two. This woman already had one child taken away from her and placed in foster care because she attacked her - pulled a chunk of her hair out. In addition to the 11 year old, she has three other children ages 1, 3 and 6. Why did they not remove ALL of the children? If the mother is a danger to one child, shouldn't she be deemed a danger to them all? I don't get it.

And this morning, as I brushed my teeth and listened to the news on tv, I heard that a 2 week old baby was found dead in the mother's Brooklyn apartment - no one knows what happened. Two other children were removed from the home.

What the hell is going on?

I can see going off on another adult. I can see an adult getting so angry in a fit of blind rage or jealousy that you strike another adult person. I can see wanting to hurt another adult who threatened or did something to your family. I'm not saying I condone it, not in the least. But I can see how one adult can carry out an act of violence against another adult.

But a child? An 11 year old? A 2 week old baby?

If a person can harm a child, he or she is either incredibly mentally unstable, or simply a monster who has a special place in hell designated just for them.

I just don't get it.

But then again, only crazy understands crazy, so maybe it's not meant for you or I to understand.

Just pray for them.

All we can do is try our best to protect the children - our children, your children, every one's children. Try to pay attention to the kids around you. They said the 11 year old had bruises and scabs all over her body. I wonder if that's something someone could have noticed? Listen to them, mentor them. Sometimes the signs are there, sometimes not.

I'm convinced more can and should be done. There is no reason children should be dying, especially at the hands of their own parents, the ones who are supposed to be loving and protecting them. The present belongs to us. We can do more to save them.

Take a moment today and send a prayer up for these families. Pray for their peace. There seems to be nothing more unnatural than burying a child. But birth is not the beginning of life, just as death isn't the end. God has them now. Those children are resting in the arms in the Lord, cuddled in His spirit and sleeping in His grace.

Take a moment.

Amen.

TGIF!

Okay, now normally I wouldn't do this, but as D.L. Hughley said, "let's keep the party goin!"

The nipple kiss stealin', down low tinglin', neck huggin', thigh strokin', lip bitin', heart poundin' The Fury has challenged me to give you all intimate access into my world and share 7 random facts about myself. He knows a lot of intimate things about me already - sexy beast that he is - but I'll keep this G rated even though we're all grown :)

Here are the rules:

-Thou shalt link to your tagger and list these rules on your blog.

-Thou shalt share 7 facts about yourself on your blog - some random, some weird.

-Thou shalt tag 7 people at the end of your post by leaving their names as well as links to their blog.

-And let them know they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.

Here are my 7:

1) I write erotic poetry - which is probably why I was tagged by The Fury - mmmmm, makes me think of Peaches and Plums (damned HHB!)

2) I know the movie The Color Purple word for word and cry EACH AND EVERY SINGLE TIME I watch it.

3) I can make a SLAMMIN cheesecake!

4) I get debilitating migraines - triggered by heat, cold, the smell of Happy perfume and the taste of coconut.

5) I'm ADDICTED to Snapple - especially the "Half Lemonade-Half Iced Tea" one.

6) I have to have surgery on BOTH of my knees! and I think I have a hairline fracture in my hand. I'm just falling apart!

7) I have a crush on my boxing instructor - but he's married :-( I think I hurt my hand sparring with him - sexy bastard!

Well, that's it - nothing crazy!

This is for The Fury :

Text Sex

did you feel that...
or is it just in my head?
oh sh*t...
here they come again
tremors are so strong
got my fingers shaking
over my qwerty board
vibrations of your inner sexy
so wild and untamed
before I try to calm the storm
cloud, please rain on me
the grace of your presence
in my life bears no fruit
and time refuses to reconcile
with what I've done
but I'm still waiting in the thirst of your love...


Tag! You're it!

Rene The Harlemite - who always has a funny, fly clip of the day!

Anthony Taurus - have no idea who he is, but found him on Rene's blog

Raw Dawg Buffalo - he visited my blog and gave me love

Scene & Heard - Tanika Ray's blog on Essence.com for all your entertainment news!

Lipstick or Fruit Punch - Rene shouted her out in his "Blogs, Blogs, Blogs" post.

Super Hussy - cool site.

Javon - his blogs are off the chain and sometimes just straight nasty, but always entertaining...love him!

She's got her own thing, that's why I love her.



There's something about her.

I hear this song no fewer than 3 times every morning while I'm getting ready for work. This seems to be some sort of new anthem and women love it!

She's everything I need.

I am surrounded by independent women who are phenomenal in every way. They're intelligent, articulate, cultured, ambitious, determined, devoted women. They do it all. They're daughters, mothers, sisters, aunties, wives, business women and mentors. They take care of themselves and everyone else, all while they handle their business.

And a lot of them...are single.

Where are the NeYo's that love them?

She'll break my heart, there's no doubt about it.

Are men afraid of independent women? Is a better word "intimidated" by them? Most men I know love NeYo's song because they say they love a woman who isn't needy. I get that. Neediness is not sexy on a man OR a woman.

But I can't help but think that there are also a lot of men and women out there who want to feel needed from time to time. They don't want someone who is SO independent that they feel they have no place in their lives. How do we navigate that balance of feeling needed, without that neediness turning into dependence?

It's a fine line.

She says "don't worry I got it."

Some women who are independent sometimes downplay that independence as to not "scare off" some men who may be intimidated by them. Others wear it as a badge of honor to attract the NeYo's out there who are not only attracted to independent women, but are secure enough in themselves to be in a relationship with a woman who doesn't need them for anything but love.

But you have to be careful how you flash that independence. My girlfriends have told me of men who claim to love that they assert their independence, only to use it as an excuse for why they never take them out, why they simply come over, eat all of their food, drink all of their Cranberry-Grape juice, and "lay up." They curse the man who says "you got this right?" when the bill comes because they assume since you are an independent woman, you can pick up the check every time at dinner.

It's a fine line.

Personally, I have no problem spooning on the couch, eating popcorn watching movies. I'm a independent woman who is also a homebody. But at the same time, I'd like to spontaneously suggest we hit up a play, check out a movie, or try out a new restaurant at a moment's notice. Independent women want know that if they make an impromptu suggestion, not only is the man up for it, but he could contribute if the situation calls for it. I don't think women mind picking up the tab for a man they're feeling and who's feeling them, treating him every once in a while. But if every time the waiter comes, he's like "you go Miss Independent!" then that's something different. That's lazy. That's selfish. That's just plain wack!

I say all this to say - WOMEN - be who you are. Pay your bills on time. Continue to be a superstar at work. Give back to your community. Have girl nights with your friends. Be the most intelligent, hard working woman you can be. Pamper yourself. Rely on yourself to take care of yourself. Be open. Take a man out to dinner. Let him be the man. But, like anything else in relationships, keep your eyes open. Be smart.

MEN - appreciate an independent woman when you meet her. Don't be intimidated by her - she needs you, just in different ways. Bring over dinner and dessert when you go to her house for a Blockbuster night. Or bring the entertainment, don't just "be" the entertainment. Treat her like a lady. Don't take her for granted. After all, she's independent and she knows it. It won't take her long to figure it out :-)

The point is, strike a balance. We can all be independent when it comes to finances, our career or our possessions. But we all need love. We need companionship. We need friendship. We need each other.

And if a man says you're too much woman for him, thank him for his honesty and keep it moving. Chances are he won't say that though. After all, that's why he loves you! :-)


For all my independent women out there:


MY NAME, MY GAME, MY REIGN, MY FAME
MY NERVE, MY CURVES, MY WORDS, MY URGE
MY BILLS, MY SKILLS, MY THRILLS,
ME YOU WANNA FEEL,
MY JUST KEEPING IT REAL :-)
MY EYES, MY RISE, MY THIGHS
TELL NO LIES
MY RAISE, MY WAYS, MY SWAYS, AND
MY NEVER ENDING PRAISE
MY MOODS, MY NEWS, MY GROOVES, AND
MY SAPPHIRE MUSE
MY WAKE UP WITHOUT MAKE-UP AND
I STILL LOOK GOOD!
CAN YOU HANDLE IT?
OR AM I JUST TOO MUCH WOMAN FOR YOU?

MY FASHION, MY PASSION, MY COMPASSION AND MY EVERLASTING
NATURAL BEAUTY.
MY YEARN, MY LEARN, MY EARN AND
I KNOW I CAN BURN!
MY INTELLIGENCE, MY DILIGENCE,
MY ENDURANCE AND MY HUMBLE EXISTENCE
IF YOU CAN'T HANDLE IT, I UNDERSTAND
I'M JUST TOO MUCH WOMAN FOR YOU

THE TASTE OF MY SAUCE, THE COST TO BE THE BOSS,
MY RHYTHM, SWEET RHYTHM
MY MIND, MY STRIDE - MY MOTION, MY DEEP OCEAN
MY SWEETNESS, MY FIRMNESS,
MY TAKE AWAY YOUR BREATHNESS!
NOT SURE IF YOU CAN'T HANDLE IT,
I MIGHT JUST BE TOO MUCH WOMAN FOR YOU

MY SEXINESS, MY RESTLESSNESS,
MY CAN'T GET ENOUGHNESS
MY ROLL, MY STROLL,
MY NEED TO BE IN CONTROL
MY FACE, MY TASTE, MY RACE,
MY SOMETIMES DESIRE FOR SPACE
NOT EVERYONE CAN HANDLE IT,
CUZ I'M TOO MUCH WOMAN FOR YOU

MY MATURITY, MY AGILITY, MY CIVILITY AND MY ABILITY
TO BOUNCE BACK JUST LIKE THAT
MY INDIVIDUALITY, MY SEXUALITY
MY SPIRITUALITY AND
MY STRONG SENSE OF REALITY
IF YOU CAN'T HANDLE IT, JUST MOVE ON
IT'S NOT YOUR FAULT -
I'M JUST TOO MUCH WOMAN FOR YOU

MY STYLE AND MY GRACE,
MY CUTE SMILE WHILE MAINTAINING MY PACE
MY MOTHER WIT, I'M A SUPER CHICK!
MY RISE WITH IT, CHECK YOU WHEN YOU THROW A FIT
MY KNOWING HOW A LADY SHOULD PROPERLY SIT
MY BREASTS, MY NEST, MY MUCH-NEEDED REST, MY DRESS FOR SUCCESS,
MY NEED TO BE THE BEST,
THE STANDARDS I HAVE SET FOR ALL THE REST
I'M SURE YOU CAN HANDLE IT, JUST GIVE IT A TRY
ARE YOU AFRAID I'M TOO MUCH WOMAN FOR YOU?

THE MELANIN IN MY SKIN,
THE SARCASM IN MY GRIN
THE REALITY THAT IN THE END
I WILL WIN
ANY BATTLE!
BUT HEY - IF YOU CAN'T HANDLE IT,
JUST SIMPLY MOVE ON
AFTER ALL, I HAVE BEEN SAYIN'
I MAY JUST BE TOO MUCH WOMAN FOR YOU ;-)

-b

Happy Hump Day!

so yes....I feel cute today.

Not because I have on a fly outfit. Not because I have on make-up. Not because my hair is bouncing and behaving (even though it is today for some reason).

Wanna know why I feel cute today?

MY TEETH ARE SO WHITE!!! LOL!!

I went to the dentist yesterday and had my teeth cleaned. Something about having my teeth cleaned makes me feel good. I guess because the first thing I notice on a person is their smile. Then their eyes...then their skin. I guess I'm a face person :)

One of my best friends, Valerie, got an awesome haircut last week. Every strand moved with precision. It framed her face flawlessly. She's already beautiful, but this cut accentuated her features to the point where she almost looked like a whole new person. She said I should get a new cut, get a makeover. Maybe I should. We'll see. I think she was trying to tell me something :-)

She also said, "I feel that a woman's hair is her crown. When your hair looks good, everything looks good."

I know a lot of women agree with that statement. Amanda and Leesa get their hair done every Thursday like clockwork. I could be like "come over, Oprah Winfrey is sitting in my living room!" and they'd be like "nah, gotta get my hair did, but tell O I said what's up!" Yes, they are THAT serious about it! And their hair always looks FIERCE!

I WISH I was that serious about my hair. Hair just doesn't do it for me. Don't get me wrong, I try not to walk out the house looking like HoBo Scratch with my hair all over my head. But if it comes down to getting my hair done or seeing a great movie, I'm at the movies. For me, hair is not my crown. I think a person's crown is whatever makes you feel good about yourself. Your crown could be anything.

Personally, I feel most beautiful when my skin is glowing, when my eyebrows are shaped and my teeth are clean and bright white! A good manicure and pedicure make me feel lovely too. I guess since my smile, my skin and my hands are what I get complimented on most, that is what I focus on. I try to accentuate the positive.

So many times women focus on what they DON'T like about themselves. Men do it too, but you don't hear about it as much. Women are always saying "I'm too fat," "My ass is flat," "I have thunder thighs," "I'm a member of the "itty bitty titty committee."

We all have something we'd love to change about ourselves. In my case, I have several. But instead of fixating on what I don't like, I'm trying to zero in on what I love about myself and nurture those things everyday. Sometimes it doesn't work - but today, it's working overtime!

But with all this talk about hair and teeth and skin and nails, where true beauty comes is from within. Beauty is a mindset. It's a state of being. Beauty is having a positive outlook on life. It's having a loving heart. It's having a gentle spirit. Beauty is being kind to people. It's a warm smile to someone who may need it. It's staying true to yourself. Beauty is loving God and letting HIS light shine through.

Whatever is, is beautiful, simply for existing. There is beauty in all of us. We just have to let it out.

Tell me my sexy menz and women, what makes you feel beautiful?