Jill Scott is one of my queens of Neo-Soul - and there is nothing like one of her love songs. When she gets gritty, though - she goes in. Paul Wall brings his Houston velvet flow to the track, good to hear him back on the scene. A song about the man we know we shouldn't have, but can't fight the urge to take it there...
I personally know nothing about that issue, lol
Jill Scott feat. Paul Wall - "So Gone (What My Mind Says)"...
Light as a feather but hard as a rock Gentle kisses on your neck as we travel through the halls Not a sound to be heard but the tick of the clock One candle lit, our shadows bouncing off the walls
Welcome to the private show No one here but you and me I place your hand down low Nothing between us but space and opportunity
Climbing the tree I love so much Your branches so strong as they cradle me My favorite piece of wood, so firm to the touch There's no other place that I'd rather be
Let the show begin As the curtain falls around my feet Scene one, I let you in Applause can be heard all the way up my street
Front, back - side to side Any audience would love to see this straddle The headboard beats loudly as I ride This mattress is fighting a losing battle
You grab and go deep as I arch my back I beg you for mercy with each heave and ho' Daddy's gone for the kill like a lion on attack As the baseboard gives way with each final throw
All eyes on you, though there's no one around The camera catches every frame An ovation for you when the curtain goes down Don't be surprised when the neighbors know your name...
And I can't help but wonder to myself - what would you do if you couldn't see in this window? If the curtains were closed, and the glass wasn't transparent?
A blur, you are. An unexplained being from outer space. Entering my orbit so unexpectedly - I am honored to have you in my atmosphere. Not too many have inhabited this planet, You my dear - have been the very best occupant. Make yourself at home...
So, I'm home on a Saturday night. Oddly enough, I enjoyed my day so much that I don't mind staying in. I turned on the TV and saw that Purple Rain was on again. It's one of my favorite movies, and I discovered it just a few years ago (yeah, I'm late). The struggle in the film is something people battle every day. Trying not to perpetuate the sins of our fathers/ mothers. Shoot - it's something I can definitely relate to.
Not to mention the soundtrack. Some of Prince's best songs are in this film. "When Doves Cry" is a classic, while "Darling Nikki" is one of my secret, naughty favorites. The abstract elements of the film really draw me in - each time I watch it I pick up something new. The anklet on Appolonia's leg, the sexual innuendo, his father's subliminal musical influence. I don't know if they meant for the movie to be so deep - but they definitely made something thought provoking...
For those unfamiliar to Prince, Feast Your Ears...
I think my friends are awesome. We've got varying degrees of closeness and bonding - but I appreciate each and every one. Some of us don't talk every day - but we know once we get together it's gonna be nothing but love.
Kareem - We've been friends since seventh grade. That's - 12 years! It's funny to think that we "dated" all those years ago. And your dumb ass couldn't pronounce my name for the first two weeks of us seeing each other. So glad that didn't work out. I love you, though. You are incredibly stubborn and hard headed - but intelligent and witty in the same breath. I respect you so much for being a great dad, and I know this next baby is going to get the world, just like my God daughter. You and Emma make a great team - and I love you both. Can't wait to see you this weekend!
Alyster - You are my brother. We met through Kareem, and even though I hated you (and we almost fought) all those years ago - we have done nothing but grow together. Had a little awkward phase, but I'm sure that's over. Right?? My fashion partner, my sneaker king - soon to be star. Mi love yuh, bredrin!!
Gina - When I first started working there, I thought it was gonna be a get-in, do my job, and leave type of situation. Luckily for me, I was blessed to befriend you (out of all the others) and create a bond. You are one of the realest people I know. Your honesty is extremely rare, and much needed. And may I say - you are one of the hardest working women I know? I still don't know how you do it. My only wish for you is a vacation. You are definitely one of my best friends and I am so glad to be able to say that.
Kendra - Little One! I am so glad to have met you and become such great friends. We've already had a bunch of adventures over the past two years - and I know there's room for plenty more. You are an incredible mother with goals and ideals, anyone with sense can respect that. I know you'll be back from Orlando - I give you a year tops. You'll miss it here (can't believe I'm saying that). But I will see you very soon, it's only two hours away!
I've had a few other people enter my life and make such great impact on it - words can't even describe. I swore a few years ago that my friend circle was set in stone, but I should know from experience that such things are never guaranteed. God takes people out of your atmosphere in order to let others enter your world. I thank him for that, and I continue to grow and evolve as my company changes. Thank you all for being a part of it - even if you're no longer here...
Day 27- Why are you doing this 30 day challenge? It's nice to get a little insight into other people's worlds. I've learned a lot from reading my friends' challenge answers, so I figured why the heck not...
Day 28| A picture of you last year and now, how have you changed since then?
October last year, I was at a place where I was happy. Living on my own, taking a break from school, working. Things were monotonous, but safe. Now that I've stepped out of that world, I realize that I pulled the wool over my eyes on a lot of things. As this year rolled around, I am much more aware of my surroundings. I try to grow with every experience whether good or bad, and I truly gained introspective on human beings and their effect on my happiness. I am a year wiser, and quite a bit happier...
I'm finally happy to see the way my world is rotating right now. Things are finally getting back into the right orbit. I've got my game plan down and it's being executed according to plan. I always heard that patience was a virtue, but you never really understand that quote until it actually pays off. Very excited to see what's next to come.
Today, I spent my day off with Ma Duke. We thrifted, acted a fool and ate. All the things we've ever needed in life. I encountered the most beautiful pieces of art - and I eagerly bought them. Not to mention a few pairs of earrings - I couldn't resist.
Yummy. You know I always go for the underdog. "Hi Rihanna..."
He's been in the game for years, I remember even when I was a little teeny bopper I'd see his music videos on BET and stop to look. Slaughterhouse is a culmination of some of the best MC's we have in Hip Hop right now. Joe Budden is so raw in his lyrics, I still remember "10 Minutes" used to make me cry. Royce fits right into the mix, despite the fact that each of them stand out. If you like a little grit with your rap, this is the group for you. Eminem definitely got a gem with these guys. Royce just happens to be my favorite to look at... Sorry Joe.
So, somewhere in the melee of life - I reached a hundred thousand views on this blog. I opened this page in 2009, to take my thoughts off paper and put them out there for everyone to see. I never really expected it to go so far! I've expressed so many feelings here that I couldn't verbalize and have been received by so many - writing is a true passion of mine. While I don't want to pursue it professionally, I definitely appreciate it as a facet of who I was, who I am, and who I will become.
People scoff at me for taking so many pictures. The irony is, they do so as they browse my photos. I know quite a few people who wish they could live the life I lead. And I'm not an extravagant girl; I take the occasional trip out of town, I work a lot, I go to school. I love to eat! Do you know how many people are out there and cannot do those things? Experience the beach? Buy a new pair of shoes? I come from a humble family, and I remain humble as I go through my youthful journeys. My pictures are for those who have not reached this level in life - because I know they're out there. I've been taking trips out of the country since I was a toddler, but I know people who have never even been on a plane. Let this be motivation to explore the world!
I thank you guys for sharing my interests, reading my poetry, listening to me cry through the keyboard. I've got so much further to go, and I hope you'll stick around for the ride. Cuz it's finally getting to the good part!
J. Cole has a great stage presence. I watched him on Jimmy Kimmel live last night and he was on point! I don't know if he has a vocal coach, but he even sounded cute singing the hook for "Work Out." I see great things in the future for this young man. Proud to say I've been a fan from the jump.
My family make a point to have gatherings every so often - and these past few months have yielded quite a few cookouts and dinners. It really brings perspective to the world, when you look around sometimes and all you see is family. Helps me realize that not everyone is going to be there for me, not everyone has my best interests at heart - not everyone cares as much as they pretend to. I'm not perfect by any means - but one thing I am proud of is being reliable. No matter what the circumstance or situation, if I can help - I will. And I think that comes from being rooted in family. They hold each other down regardless of anything going on in life. Take a look at my photos for the past twenty years - and the common thread is always my family. My cousins, my aunts and uncles - my siblings and my parents. Always there. No matter what. And I thank God for that each day...