THE ADVENTURES OF PAMALICIOUS

Monday, April 30, 2007

Mindspace 4/30/07

Monday Musings

This is truly going to be a Monday' Musing, lol My mind is all over the place. This weekend was about downloading and dumping. These things usually revolve around a common theme in our household - BEING BROKE! LOL So we stayed home this weekend. We were all in this zombie like state. Caun did alot of sleeping and I just explored other areas of my mind through the written and visual world. Of course Mini-me stayed locked up in her room.

There were runs to Walmart a couple of times, just to get out the house. If you are the parent of a teenager, you know that they can cause tics in your body. I haven't felt this disconnected in awhile. I saw something that I just knew she's like and then Nah don't like it. grrrrrrr.......Heaven help me! Damn the strips of cloth folks pass off as clothing these days. My 13 year old will not have her butt glazed and showcased in 65% lycra, lifted and separated with a dimple in the back. NO SIR! She will not wear criss cross in the front tops that can't support a bra - she has no damn cleavage people! She will not teeter around on 3 inch cheap shoes. So we will both just bite the inside of our jaws till they are bleeding and until we come to some agreement.

It does bring a question to mind - if the 'purpose' of wearing a thong is to alleviate panty lines (1) why must I see your thong and (2) why must I see the triangle of your thong through your too tight pants!?

I spent some time watching Discovery Health Channel, alot this weekend. The human body and it's flaws and strengths is quite fascinating. I also devoted alot of time to watching sex changes and just the plight of the gay society. I saw an HBO special on Rosie O'Donnell and her all gay family cruise. I was more interested in it because the boat she was on is the one we will be cruising on next spring - but I took the time to speak with my daughter on different types of families and how we won't be spending alot of time - condemning another person, seeing as we are on a slippery slope to hell our damn selves. If we concentrate on what's happening at our place - I think we'll have a full time job.

I also got a chance to see Babel this weekend. What a good movie! The way they weaved five continents and four groups of people together all over one incident was quite good movie making! I also saw Simon Birch and cried like someone had died in my family. Lawd! I gotta leave that kinda stuff alone!

Sunday, I did get a chance to get out of the house. Went with the girls to 2urbanlicks. Great Asian Fusion and I was able to have fusion alcohol for the first time and I am hooked! I need to get me a jar going ASAP. That stuff was GOOD! We sat and talked and ate lamb lollipops, crab cakes and calamari. We started this up several months ago and I find it refreshing. We have tried all kinds of places in this city and I hope we continue.

Mini-me is talking about trying out for the dance team for 8th grade. I need to now rush and get the necessary physical forms filled out. I need to take my own behind to the Dr. soon. Meds running low. Decided to get my ass in gear and started walking (I know, I know - another exercise announcement) but nah it's not anything big - just need to get the blood pumping.

I also am feeling the need to put some spring in my house. I want to redo our bathroom and get us a new comforter as well. Just cause we sleeping on the floor doesn't mean the bed can't be nice, lol I want to bring some plants into the house as well. I will start working on that in the very near future.

This week should be warm weatherwise and smooth activity wise. Leading up to a quite busy weekend. The summer party circuit is beginning to kick off!

I was just looking at my dashboard and I've logged in 638 posts between Emancipation and Adventures - that's alot of conversation people. I also have received 1086 comments (I keep them all) I just noticed I am over the 14K visitors to this site. I am so enjoying blogging and would like to continue sooo

THERE IS VERY EXCITING THINGS COMING IN THE VERY NEAR FUTURE HAPPENING TO THIS BLOG! STAY TUNED!

posted by Pamalicious at 10:29 AM

| Permalink | 2 comments

Friday, April 27, 2007

Mindspace 4/27/07

Friday Fandango

This week flew by. I really can't remember alot that happened on Monday. Whew! The day has gotten off to a stellar start however because my generations Temptations are on their way to the Atlanta GA!

New Edition
June 17, 2007
7:00pm
Chastain Park

It is so on and poppin! I need a new outfit.

Gasoline is currently $2.98 and I drive a TANK - so I'll be parking it this weekend and keeping my ass at home. We have netflix movies, cable and food - I'm straight.

Mini-me News!

She has been asked by her former elementary school to come back and give the commencement speech for the 5th grade! That certainly is an honor. Report cards came out yesterday 3 A's and 4 B's - so she's doing okay.

I'm going to end this entry with spoken word that is shooting across the net - I saw it last night and was like I gotta get in on this.

So SNAP SNAP and Ya'll have a good one!

posted by Pamalicious at 9:45 AM

| Permalink | 2 comments

Thursday, April 26, 2007

Mindspace 4/26/07

Throwback Thursday - Prom Edition

My Niece went to the prom this past weekend. It made me smile and go back to when I was doing the prom thang - so let's all go there, lol. I was blessed to have an opportunity to get gussied up quite a bit during my last couple years of High School. I went to two proms as a Jr. and was a Sub-Debutante. My Senior year, I went to my prom and came out as a Debutante. I also was queen of my homeroom a couple of times and was elected Miss R.O.T.C. Now that holds a special place in my heart because I wasn't IN R.O.T.C. to have that many guys decide that you should be their queen means alot. I held the highest rank and had a white suit and saber and all that good stuff. Lots of fun! Lots!

I was Jr. Class president, so I was instrumental in the planning of our Jr./Sr. prom. What fun. Also during my jr. year I was 'in love' with the king of the game room. Those that grew up in the 80's you know bout the game room. It was the place to hang. Ours was up on Delowe and Campbellton Road. We all went every freaking day. GW was the king of them all. Ooo honey let me tell you - he had the highest score on Centipede, Pacman and a few others. I was beside myself! In the summer he would dress in these shorty shorts gold with the white trim, his knee tube socks and skips and I would be damn near orgasmic just watching him walk around our apartment complex. So when prom time came, I had to have him! So I paid my younger brother $4 to go and take him a note asking him to the prom. He didn't go to my school - so I also was taking a chance on being asked to his school's prom in return. I slunk down to the floor when my brother returned the note and it said Y-E-S!! Lawd have mercy!

I had gotten in my mind that he was gonna be 'the one'. My moms had rented (those in the 80's in GA you got five minutes to guess what kinda car was kicking in 1983)....A burgandy on burgandy regal! (LOL LOL LOL). I was the shiznit! This boy was sooo fine - the woman I babysat for did my hair and another woman my mom knew made my dress. I thought I was too cute. We had fun at the prom. We really didn't know each other - so there were awkward moments.

Now while I was busy chasing after him, I did have a jump off, his best friend who lived in the apt. above me. We had wayy more in common and he was always so sweet to me - but I was gunning for that which would make others jealous, lol lol So I totally dissed him and his advances about prom to be with his friend. Youth I tell yah! We in the car making out. Hot ass all get out up in that mug. I'm just knowing this is the father of my children right here - - - SCREECH! Father/Mother Oh shit! I backed that stuff all the way up and that's when it turned ugly and....he put me out the car! Yep - date over! Dinner at Steak and Ale, slow dancing to Ribbon in the Sky couldn't put that date back together again. I remember standing at the corner, with my heels in my hand, trying to figure out how to play this off in front of my momma. Tsk Tsk Tsk. I told her that he was really gunning for curfew and would return the car in the morning. She went for it. I was too upset! The next day I told DR (his best friend) all about it. He did return the car and we spoke and it was chilly but cool.

Two weeks later he invites me to his prom! Whoo Weee! I said yes, I had dresses etc. from various things. Yea I dissed DR - - yet again, to go with this dude. Actually we double dated with DR. We actually had a good time - it was like friends going out as opposed to anything romantic. The next day they all went to six flags - but 'the slavemaster' thought that was a 'date' and God forbid I be allowed out on a non-event type date. So I didn't go (rollin eyes even today).

Sr. year, I was having fits of desire for my older brothers best friend who I had met that summer while visiting. So I insisted that they figure out a way for him to come take me to the prom - insert most of the story above for this one as well in terms of oh yeah "he's the one" LOL LOL LOL My brother and him drove down and it was on and poppin. He was from Belize and had this wonderful accent. I spent more time swooning than anything else. Well, he basically spent alot of time patting me on the head as his LITTLE SISTER! WTF?! I remember sitting in the car with him while we waiting for my brother to finish boning a girl he knew (WHAAAAA). I was just a crying etc. because I didn't want to be looked at in that way. My Sr. Prom the actual event was cool - but I was wayy disappointed in the date.

The Debutante Honor was the highest I felt I achieved in High School. It was classic Southern Charm and I was all for it. Debutante's are honored for their civic, academic and moral high standards. You had to be an A student, do something for the community and be a.....VIRGIN. Now I'm sure back in the day, they checked that stuff a bit more rigorously, but since I was - worked for me, lol

It also is the closest I would ever get to my Daddy walking me down the aisle (R.I.P). When you are a Sub-Debutante, your job is to help the Debs and you do a bonafide dance to welcome them to 'adulthood'. When you are a Deb, you basically wear a white 'gown' and your father presents you to society and then you dance with your father (what a blessing) a waltz no less and he gives your hand to your Jr. Escort (as a symbol you are of dating age) and then you dance off into the sunset with him. Alot of pomp and circumstance and I can't wait until it's mini-me's time.

By this time, I had been 'grinding' with DR for awhile now. He was the best kisser in the whole apt. complex, so of course I had to keep him in the stable (ok this is reeking of another throwback about me and my boyfriends, lol). So I asked him to be my Jr. escort. We had a fabulous evening and I'll never forget it.

Postscript: Sr. Year GW got a girl pregnant (see that could have been me messin up my life). He moved away and I never saw him again. I saw DR again after I married and was mad because I would have liked to see what he was like in bed, now that I was doing the real thing - but I had to honor my marriage vows. I heard last that he was in the service and had about five kids. Sr. Prom date and I hung out when I went home maybe a year ago. Still fine as frogs hair and doing well in his life - now strictly dates white girls.

posted by Pamalicious at 10:08 AM

| Permalink | 2 comments

Tuesday, April 24, 2007

Reality Mindspace 4/23/07

Yea - It Be's Like This Sometimes

Give the People What They Want!

posted by Pamalicious at 8:34 PM

| Permalink | 6 comments

Mindspace 4/24/07

Happiness Is....

Being waken up every morning at 40 years old the same way I used to wake Mini-me up, smothered in kisses
Having the greatest 850 songs of my life at my disposal as some kinda Musical Tantric Sex via the Ipod
Knowing that currently if i check email/internet/phone log of mini-me - there's nothing that says 'future guest on Maury'
Laughing long and loud and really meaning it
Replacing bad stress with good stress
The secrets that couples share
Looking at my tan in the mirror every morning and remembering what fun I had
"Baby those shoes look really good on your foot - why don't you get them?"
Running around the house in masks and capes...just because
Living my own life
Hanging up the phone on nonsense and it stay on the phone
Sun roof, fly shades, nice weave and swagger
Passing the glow along
Ice cream cones on a Sunday Afternoon
Mini-me racing to show Caun her new earrings
7:30-8:00 am M-F
"Thank You Mommy"
Being able to even recognize Happiness
Scoring an $100 item retail for $20 on Ebay
Upgrading your entire life and thought process

posted by Pamalicious at 9:05 AM

| Permalink | 7 comments

Monday, April 23, 2007

Mindspace 4/23/07

Monday Musings

The Jelly Bean That Almost Took Me Out

Lawd! I was on my way back from lunch and found three gourmet jelly beans in my jacket pocket. I popped one in my mouth - bit down and tasted the peanut butter. I spit it out, but immediately my tongue started itching. So I'm like mannnn, I need to get to work to drink some water. By the time I got to my desk - my voice was gone, by the time I got to my supervisors office I was wheezing. A co-worker was going to run up the street to the drugstore to get me some benedryl - she stopped by the security desk. Next thing I know I'm on display. The nurses here at the office came down - said my pulse was racing and I was flushed call 911 - I said I didn't need all that, they came anyway. So then Caun had to be called. I actually had to get on a gurney and be wheeled through the office WITH OXYGEN!!!!!!! I get taken via ambulance up the street. I have NEVER been in an ambulance in my life and my first ride lasts all of 5 minutes, lol. They don't even get me a room. I spent four hours in the hallway, lol lol getting intrevenous stuff. Caun gets the truck goes and gets Mini-me and comes on up. They both looking at me sideways on this hopsital bed in the hall clutching my Coach Bags, lol lol Watching this woman try to throw up and keep her wig on, LOL

So I got out the hospital and came back up to the job to get some work I didn't get to complete. We then went to dinner, lol I got in the house and commenced to sleep about 11 hours. Some good dreamless sleep too. Somewhere in there I was just a smiling, why? Because for the first time in a long time - I had somebody!! I could say "Call my HUSBAND" Whew Lawd! Thank you!

So of course said husband had only one comment "that's what you get for having stray nutz in your mouth" - Tsk Tsk Tsk SIGH!

Anyhoo - the rest of the weekend was great. The weather here was F-A-B-U-L-O-U-S. We spent most of it outside. We actually went to two different outlet malls on opposite sides of Atlanta. I wanted to get the arguments with Mini-me started now, so by the time I'm ready to purchase stuff - we can be set. Phase one is done. It was about...shoes and heels. We got that straight since 3 inch heels will not be worn on her foot. Yes she has to grow up and I lay out several 1 to 1 1/2 inch samples of what was acceptable. We came to an agreement and that's that. Next up, phase two - swim suits. I will wear my armour for that one.

Does anyone watch TLC or Discovery on Sunday Nights? Last night they had a special called "I eat 33,000 calories a day" You talking bout a downer. This brother ate as part of his 33,000 calories 8 steaks and 5 baked potatoes A DAY! I don't even know why I watched these damn shows, cause it don't do anything but make me depressed. All my bravada on Friday and then I watch like three shows in a row about obscenely obese people. Way to go Pam! SIGH.

I did alot of 'mothering' this weekend. Mini-me is getting some acne and she was using this dollar store stuff her G-mom gave her and her face just broke out. It made it worse. So I went and got some Nutrogena which is gentler and showed her how to open her pores and then I did a light 'scrub' and then I closed her pores up and applied medication etc. Her face looks 100 times better today. I then showed her how to moisturize and what not. It's funny - you have to teach your children - they don't know. It always makes me feel for those children whose parents just don't parent and they have to pick it up from somewhere else. I'm gonna get her that veet so she can shave her legs this summer as well. Me being a girlie girl - I do enjoy these types of bonding moments with mini-me and she was most grateful to see the progression in 24 hours on her face.

In the meantime - she's starting pushing for......A DOG! I have never been a real dog fan - though I like little dogs. We spoke about it and I said we would revisit it in August, because we got alot going on this summer and who would watch the dog. She won't even freaking be here!!! So we'll see. I know that I like life around and this very well might be a good 'teaching tool' and 'responsibility' etc. She's an only child and sometimes I sympathize about that and she's quite responsible - HOWEVER - I just keep seeing additional costs, the fact that WE not HER will be getting a dog and things like periods and dog vomit and loose bowels and spit up and shit that would make me gag! HMMM - don't know. Dog lovers, let me know if that would be a good move. It is a living being and not something we can just give back if it don't work out. I know folks who got dogs and their homes don't smell or anything (that's my other worry). I, as of today, am not feeling it.

Well last week was deep on my end and wordy - so this week, I'll try not to bore yah to tears, lol I'm feeling springy - so I want some lightweight stuff! Thanks to all the new readers (found some new blogs to read!) and let's get this party started RIGHTTTTT!!!

posted by Pamalicious at 10:38 AM

| Permalink | 2 comments

Friday, April 20, 2007

Mindspace 4/20/07

Friday Fandango

An email:

Hi Pamela, Your XXXXX here. Loved the Honeymoon trip photos. They were great; you know how to live! I'm jealous (smile). You all showed the world the love you share. I do have one concern; it appears you have gained a tremendous amount of weight.....I don't like that! You must get a handle on that; some food choice changes, and a work out plan. Your man is cut, you have to be cut, you know what I mean. You are too pretty to be big and fat. Your XXXXX is still holding, you have to be holding!

My Answer:

I am where I am at this moment and that's what it is. As evidenced by my pictures, I'm not having any self esteem problems and my husband is not having any issues about it either. He helps with what I am eating and we take walks when we can. My sugar levels are doing good and I take my medicines and make all of my appointments etc.

When I get to the point where I really put forth an effort to do even more - I'll be there, I'm not there and I"m not fretting about it at this time. :) I'm getting ready for my 41st b'day and spending a weekend away in Savannah with my girlfriends and getting mini-me ready for her usual 'summer tour' of folks houses, laugh and all of us taking a family vacation to Florida in July not to mention being in the middle of my Sr. Year of College - with a graduation date of January. I'm in a place where I've wanted to be and my 40's are treating me quite well so far.

I know I don't want to be struck down with anything to hinder the life I am living, so I promise I will walk a bit more and get the ole heart rate going a bit more..How's that? :)

Phenomenal Woman

Pretty women wonder where my secret lies.
I'm not cute or built to suit
a fashion model's size
But when I start to tell them,
they think I'm telling lies.
I say, It's in the reach of my arms,
The span of my hips,
The stride of my step,
The curl of my lips.
I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.
I walk into a room
Just as cool as you please,
And to a man,
The fellows stand or
Fall down on their knees.
Then they swarm around me,
hive of honey bees.
I say, It's the fire in my eyes,
And the flash of my teeth,
The swing of my waist,
And the joy in my feet.
I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.

Men themselves have wondered
What they see in me.
They try so much
But they can't touch
My inner mystery.
When I try to show them,
They say they still can't see.
I say, It's in the arch of my back,
The sun of my smile,
The ride of my breasts,
The grace of my style.
I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.

Now you understand
Just why my head's not bowed.
I don't shout or jump about
Or have to talk real loud.
When you see me passing,
It ought to make you proud.
I say, It's in the click of my heels,
The bend of my hair,
the palm of my hand,
The need for my care.
'Cause I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me

-Maya Angelou

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND!!!!!!

posted by Pamalicious at 8:44 AM

| Permalink | 8 comments

Thursday, April 19, 2007

Mindspace 4/19/07

Thursday Throwback

As Promised, I am reposting the entry concerning my first marriage. This is the man I married and the father of my only child, I am going to respect the santity of that union and not get too deep into the meat of our relationship - but it was a pivital time of my life and a dividing line between the young adult I was when I met him and the grown woman I had to be on the other side.

How I met him was crazy like everything else. I had graduated and moved up North to Philly. My mom had gave up our apt. and moved in with a friend who rented rooms, so she could write and save money (all of us were up North by this time). I came home for Christmas break to hang out with my High School friends. She told me she had someone she wanted me to meet. She said that he was interested in Islam and that ~~She said he could have me~~ she thought I'd like to meet him and had told him all about me. I had a 'friend' in Philly, and was looking forward to getting to know him better. Ok - - sigh - - I was standing in the living room in my PJ's having a SLEEPOVER, there were about 6 of us, eating fried chicken and just loud as hell. The door opened and I looked up and there stood EL DEBARGE DRESSED LIKE RUN DMC!! He had the deepest voice I had ever heard in my life. I introduced myself and my friends and then I realized I knew him! He was on TV all the time on the local dance show. He also was a member of the International Wrecking Crew - they broke dance around town. I started practicing my new last name right in that living room, lol.

How He Got It - ok fast forward a bit, he had left morehouse and was living in NY again. I was in Philly still doing my thing. We had been talking awhile and quite frankly he was taking too long. I did't know what the deal was, but I really just one day said "It's time to have sex and he's the one" I planned it all out. Put myself on birth control pills a month in advance and everything. Let him know I was coming up the way to hang out with him. The day came and I told the folks I had a term paper and would be gone all day, hopped on the train and went to NYC.

It was the most disappointing single moment of my young life, lol lol. It was so mechanical, so medicinal - NOTHING like I had been reading in my penthouse stories!! I was raring to get buck wild! Now it did last longer than I expected, lol I remember jumping out the bed to see if my hips had spread, lol lol. I wanted to do it again and again and he was like "he might hurt me" WTF?! It didn't hurt (which I came to find out later on in life, I was built for size but I digress, lol) I remmber later on that evening sitting on the train thinking - ok, this has got to get better.

How He Married Me was well we eloped. I moved in with him when I was 19 1/2, we got married that following year. One day he was just like, let's do this. We had a fully furnished rent controlled apartment in Manhattan! A motorcycle and we both worked. At first we dabbled with the thought of a 'wedding' decided to marry in Brooklyn so at least it would be in another borough, lol. We both took 1/2 days off from work and went to the court house. We had exactly 8 pictures of our wedding, lol. I stood in the square crying as I told my mom on the phone we eloped - she said and I quote "the minute you moved in with him, you were married in my eyes" Alrightyyyy then! We went back to work. Our honeymoon came a month later when we took the bus from NY to FLORIDA!! That bus ticket was as thick as a phone book. Whew when you young!

(Insert MARRIAGE with all it's highs, lows and in betweens that two young, childless, negroes living in NY might just go thru)

How I Lost Him, I was making bean pies at the apartment in Philly. He stayed at our Jersey house during the week and came down on the weekend. The phone rung and it was his father and he just said "Pam, Husband is dead". I remember telling him to call next door to my mom (my family owns a whole block in Philly) and I picked up a sleeping six month old mini- me and walked barefoot to my mom's house. I remember entering and people screaming and then all running towards me...they had to carefully take mini-me from me because I was squeezing her so tight.

The imagery kept coming......a call saying he was stabbed 23 times, no suspects...home invasion......Muslims have to get their dead in the ground in 48 hours, so there was lots of activity - my mom was sewing the National for the casket, black was being hung on the windows, the cops were calling back and forth asking me questions etc. etc. We had two furnerals - there were that many people in attendance. My Husband was an up and coming record producer and knew alot of people. We rode up for the second private furneral. The Imam's call to prayer washed over me as if God himself was in the room.

NYPD and NJ police were all over the case - his father was Serpico's partner (yea that one) at one time and they take care of their own. Two weeks it took to catch them, and it turned out to be so simple - they paged the pager they had stolen and they called the cops back. All over the papers - Head State Prosecutor taking the case. I KNEW THEM NIGGAS! Had pictures of them sitting on my couch. They were 'clients'...the story came out.

They owed money, he wouldn't release music, they quarrel, they beat him up knocked him out, he awoke to having had a garbage bag tied around his head to suffocate him, he got it off, they beat him some more, stabbed him 23 times, went upstairs to clean up, came back and he was gone. Had crawled down the hall out the back door, jumped the fence to get to the neighbors, they caught up and slit his throat..he died on the glass atrium that was my neighbors kitchen, they woke up to coffe and.....him. He tried......

Two trials...one year...court every day almost...pack up the house...they came in and cleaned all the blood, sell,move, stay sane....his best friend attacks murderer in the elevator thru 'special permission', murderer stands up and tells me to go to hell on the stand pandemonium in the court room...stressful...gotta take care of the baby...STOP THE INSANITY I'm only 28 years old!

60 years no chance of parole - every couple of years I write a letter to make sure nothing fishy goes on and they even attempt to get the fuck out.

"Ms...this is court TV, we saw your file in court and will be featuring it on I Dectective" Mini-me now 9 - you what? Surreal watching my life on television...didn't want people to know I was suspect...who is that playing me? She got my hair stylea the time. Um okay he was light but why not a black actor, phone ringing off the hook...you okay...Yes I am okay - He sees I'm doing a damn good job - look at that smile on Mini-me's face...she got his eyes and hair and she got his love for music - he lives on.....

May the peace and blessings of Allah forever be upon him
Rest In Peace

posted by Pamalicious at 8:16 AM

| Permalink | 3 comments

Wednesday, April 18, 2007

Mindspace 4/18/07

It's A Family Affair

"I want Destiny..It's the place for me,yeah, yeah, yeah - give me the simple life, I'm getting way from here, let me be me, come let me feel free, let me be me..I wanna get far from here, should I up and fly away so fancy free, nobody can change my mind, the words of Destiny are calling me...bout time.." - The Jacksons

I had to pull on some spiritual guidance before I began this post (Hey you got yours, I got mines, lol). Before I begin, in my adult years I have learned that stress/strife and drama are relative and unique to an individual. I have been exposed to and heard more horror stories about upbringings to last me a life time and residual effects that folks deal with every day. I am foreign to 99% of it in my life and upbringing, so no tales of gore here - however, my stress/strife about my family is mine and quite relevant in my day to day travels.

Sooooo here's how it's laid out. My daddy had 12 kids, my biological daddy had 3 - broken down farther, my 'nuclear' family has me and my two siblings - 35 and 33 respectively. I, however, have 7 brothers and 9 sisters all total. I am the oldest girl at 40 1/2 out of all of the kids. It's okay you can get your calculators and go on over to ancestors.com to figure it all out - hell I need to as well.

There is a clear line between the first set of kids and the second set of kids, as my father branched out into his activities. The first set of kids were scarred in a totally different way then the second set. Our goal was to get up and out, who are these women? who are these kids? why did my share just get alot smaller?

As an adult looking back on the whole situation, overall my issues are about fustration that it didn't turn out like I thought it would. We have no family cohesiveness as it died 21 years ago (my daddy). Once he was gone, the group fractured based on who their momma was and us older kids were out doing our thing and didn't look back at the younger ones sans my youngest brother who was born after my daddy died and he has been the most loved out of all of us. Don't nobody mess with my baby brother, lol

I currently have no relationship with most of my siblings. The two in my immediate circle have serious life issues that they need to address - I don't even have the capacity to understand what is going on with them. I can admit that my sista is an addict and my brother is very close to some sort of mental breakdown. They just didn't thrive out here in this world and it pains me to no end. The rest are scattered in the wind due to their own demons and the younger ones - have spite for us older ones and charges (which are true) that we deserted them. If I were to really be honest, there are exactly four out of the whole 12 that are 'normal' by todays standards. From my biological fathers standpoint - I just never really bonded with them. The next one under me, has no interest in meeting me or reaching out to me, though I've reached out to her; the youngest and I talk about once a month - it is what it is, she's young has three kids and is doing her thing.

When I was little, I created this whole family for myself. They had huge birthday parties, I had 25 cousins, they had family reunions and all kinds of stuff. I think about that sometimes as I pull them up to create again that family for myself. Mini-me knows some of her cousins but not all. She knows some of her aunts and uncles but not all. We don't do those things anymore on a grand scale. We did for a time. While I miss that in my life, on one level I don't - because it's always in the matrix, because my family can not and refuses to come real about our upbringing and the 'scars' of polygomy. There are some - my brothers are RUINED because of it. As well as, there is a failure of religion among the ranks and a great chasm between the old and the young and nobody wants to talk about that.

When you are raised in a household that is very religious, regardless of the faith a couple of things happen. You get out in the world and go wild for a minute, then you decide whether or not what you were taught works for you and if it didn't - you find something else, and if it did you might tweek it for your own personal spirituality. When you are raised in a sub-culture, it's a whole nother ball of wax. My personal gripes with the whole thing is that - I was given religion and structure in my opinion, but not alot of 'faith' or ways and means out here in the real world. I have been able to evolve some of my basic learnings in order to be able to deal out here in the world. But while we were learning the circumference of the planet earth - we should have been being taught about how to function out here in the world on a day to day - real world basis. If I hadn't of seen my mother working etc. etc. then I wouldn't have known. We all have no drive and no direction. Things like furthering our education, employment and the importance of it all - were not things discussed in our home. I had to change that up in mines and make it important. I had to change alot of things and create a normalcy in my home and in my life.

So where am I today? I am where I am. My 'cross to bear' is that - I want a traditional american nuclear family and everything else can move to the left. I have that and I am going to keep that. I don't want extended family, family given to me, problems of family or any of that. I want my house, picket fence, 2.5 kids, family car, two vacations a year. I have been rebuilding a relationship with one brother and we all are doing fine. It's a struggle, everybody gotta be on board and most of them are not - so moving on. I zone out alot, when it comes to my family - just become silent. I have reached out a couple of times over the years only to be rebuffed by some siblings - so moving on from that as well. At this point, when I need 'family', I usually just go hang with Janets.

As I continue to grow and make progress, maybe some of this will go away. I don't live in the past - but there is a mental photo album that pops up from time to time. I hope that one day we all can be one big happy family - but I'm not holding my breath...I'm not holding my breath.

posted by Pamalicious at 9:38 AM

| Permalink | 2 comments

Tuesday, April 17, 2007

Mindspace 4/17/07

It's Just Emotions

Afternoon! I have been running and haven't been able to put thoughts to paper till now dang it! As I was saying yesterday, this week, I wanted to do an emotional drive-by and see where I am in my continued development. I thought today, I'd revisit some popular emotions and see how I have been doing.

Love

Noooo, this isn't another ode to Caun, lol It's about the very word itself. I didn't grow up hearing it alot. It was evident, but my family just didn't use the word like that. I haven't been one to use it alot either in my lifetime. I remember mobetta and I were in a relationship for years and we never exchanged the plesantry. Caun is a whole different animal. From the moment we professed love for one another - it's been a constant staple in my life and off my lips. I, at first was actually uncomfortable with the word. Not the emotion, but the word. I can say I've gotten past that. Every conversation ends with I love you, it is just randomly thrown around between us and it feels right. I have incorporated it into my daily routine with Sakinah. It used to just be a bedtime sentiment, but now I say it to her when she gets out of the car in the morning. At first it took her by surprise, but she got onboard quickly. I don't know how to speak it to my mother. I have all the emotion, but saying the word - I'm not there yet, it's just not something we do.

Affection

Now this right here has grown by leaps and bounds. As you can probably guess, there wasn't alot of this either. For years as an adult, I was accused of being a 'cold' person by the very people who I would have learned how to show affection from. I didn't even know how to hug, it was always awkward for me. I could relate to a man but basically I wasn't too keen on being touched. It was foreign to me. I had to teach myself how to embrace and provide that physical affection for my child. As she became older, I shrunk away from her hugs and kisses as well. I was able to notice this and made myself be available for her. When I began my Emancipation, I began to reach out beyond my comfort and just hug people. "Janet" was first, then I would just randomly hug other people. I forced myself to get over my desire to shrink back and allow flesh to touch. Then I meet a man who wants to basically live in your warm spots, lol. I couldn't even front, lol This man is attached to my hip. He loves showing and giving affection. At first it would freak me out! I felt like I was trapped or something, but then I chided myself and even when I wanted to run away, I stayed. I am doing much better in that area. Now even Mini-me will come plop her 105 pound ass in my lap to be cuddled. Caun is still all over me and there are days when I tell him, get off me - but they are getting less and less. I enjoy snuggling and being all up under him. I even hugged my mom last time I saw her - a full frontal embrace. HUGE STEP for me.

Happiness

I know this is going to sound absolutely crazy, but I have Happiness Anxiety. I don't know if that's something real or not, but I assigned that name to it. What I mean is that I feel 'stress' around being insanely happy. I constantly worry if I"m too happy, am I being arrogrant, how do I coexist with alot of folks I know who got issues for days, am I being an ass for even entertaining that there needs to be some type of 'program' to coexist with other people? My assumption that other folks might take offense to me constantly expounding on how happy I am, my assumption that other folks aren't happy, and the list goes on and on. I don't know what's wrong with me. Let's not even being the whole 'how long is this gonna last?' and the paranoia that folks are waiting patiently for my stuff to fall flat. The ONE THING I don't have going is the 'don't deserve it's', which in itself should get me 20 lashes across the neck and back. Don't ask me what's wrong with me. I have never really been one to be able to just live in the moment without overanalyzing all kinds of stuff. See this is how people add unneccesary stress to their lives, lol It's as if, you feel you can't survive without it. Lawd Help Me! I am working on this.

Stress

Speaking of stress, it seems that overall, I've reduced mine to the smallest of issues. Those I create on my own. I have gotten very proficient at not allowing others stress to infiltrate what I got going on. I have mellowed out all the way around about alot of stuff and I am quite happy with that. Low stress means better Diabetic numbers and that means minutes on my life.

Drama

I really had to sit back and say that in reality, folks live every day WITHOUT it and I intend to be one of those folks. The first step was distancing myself from family drama, which takes up a great portion of my drama meter to begin with. Drama is a decision and I am deciding NOT to have it. I don't have any personally and my 'circle' are not ones to dwell in it. I also have begun to kinda protect myself when it comes to my 'counseling duties'. Number Tne, I can only say so much to adults - everyone got their own journey. Number Two, I was starting to get cynical about all of it to begin with and to prevent that from showing, I have to take 'breaks'. Caun lives the most carefree life and I sit in his breeze and enjoy the shade. It is quite relaxing.

Fear

I have been having the weirdest anxiety attacks and they all revolve around....Caun dying. Who would have thought my past would rear it's ugly head like it has. Death is inevitable, but when you have lost a mate - it just seems as if it's always on the surface. My heart gets to beating fast and I just focus really hard on shaking the images out of my head. For those that don't know that complete story - I'll post it at a later date.

Envy and Jealousy

You know E&J go together, lol There is always someone doing better than you or having more than you. I really took to Katt Williams philosophy about "Haters" - if I do hate on somebody, I have to acknowledge they fly and then I work hard to acquire me more haters, lol Jealously in my relationship is non-existent. I have raised an eyebrow at some broads a couple of times, but such is the way of the world. Hell, I'm glad somebody looking at both of us, lol We could be swamp ponies, lol

Whew, I feel pretty good. I have this aura of love and happiness around me and it's coming from.....within. I am in love with me, add Caun and I am a vessel of love, lol It's sickening...I know, lol So I am doing okay. Always room for improvement, especially when it comes to checking my out of control self, lol.

Tomorrow we will delve into...Family Ties. I will need some time to compose that one.

posted by Pamalicious at 2:28 PM

| Permalink | 0 comments

Monday, April 16, 2007

Mindspace 4/16/07

TV & Zzzzzzz's

Right now I am under my desk sucking my thumb in sorrow because Tyrese will be here on Thursday and due to the carnote people threatening to make some kinda 'example' of me - I won't be attending. YBF had the nerve to post pictures of his night in NYC!!!!! Ohh my heart is going to burst forth from my chest!

Morning!

My Subject line says it all about my weekend. I was in some kinda semi-comatose state and I think I am FINALLY back among the living in the here and now and not caught up in that vacation haze, lol lol

I just laid around from Friday Nite to Sunday, lol I didn't cook or anything, lol Matter of fact Caun and Mini-me been cooking all this past week. I cooked dinner last night as my reintroduction, lol lol

We just caught some really crazy stuff on that whole ON Demand thing. We watched the cult classic "Ssssss" about the man trying to turn young men into King Cobras, lol and we watched this actually really good movie starring Joan Crawford towards the end of her career called Strait-Jacket. She found her husband and his girlfriend in her bed, chopped them up and went to the asylum for 20 years and then got out. It was really good - so different from todays movies, all vamped over of course since it was Joan Crawford. We did some more Roots and I took naps all in between all of that.

Sunday, however, I got up and went out to 'Janets' house to hang out and give her her gifts from the cruise. We had a good time talking and drinking Tequila and sweet/sour mixers, lol lol We also caught the new show Drive on Fox and it was quite good, I must say. I just hope I remember to watch it because it's one of those shows where you need to watch it or you are totally lost. Lots of story lines going on.

I got a 78 in my last class - I'm okay with it. My paper was HORRIBLE. I should have done it before I left, but it would have then just been bad, lol. I'm in Cultural Anthropology now and he doesn't want internet articles for our paper, so I'm going to have to freaking go to the library and do some real work! LOL I'll make it happen however, I'm soo close.

ATLNewbian always does these great things with her self portraits, so this weekend Caun and I did our thing, lol lol As you can tell - I've moved on in the hairstyle parade, lol lol I am on 100% sexy right about now and Caun stays on 100% - so we are doing fine.

Last week, I was so reminded of myself as I read WEEKENDS OFF. If you haven't read the sista, please do. She has a great blog. Well last week, she took me back to a point in my life on EMANCIPATION. She has just been doing some self examining and it made me think that it's about time I lay back on the cyber couch and see where my head is at.

So this week on the blogshere, I am going to sit on the 'couch' and see where I am at emotionally. I haven't been on the cyber couch in awhile and it's time for a spring time check in, lol This should be interesting, lol it's all about introspective and I have my tissue and some water and a pillow for my neck. I'll be kicking off my shoes and putting on my favorite footies and delving into what's going on in my head and heart. How is the journey going? This time I will also be delving into some areas, I don't talk about alot on this board..namely family and my relationship with them.

Now if I could just put this much energy towards cleaning out my freaking CLOSET!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

P.S. If you get a chance and would like to finally address the ENTIRE issue that Imus brought to the forefront (yet again) here is a GREAT BLOG called AFRONERD that has some very important commentary and information. Check him out as well.

posted by Pamalicious at 10:38 AM

| Permalink | 2 comments

Friday, April 13, 2007

Mindspace 4/13/07

Friday Fandango

I sit here with hubby’s poooka shell necklace on, still glowing from my tan, still kinda wondering when I can go back on vacation. It’s been a week and we still got the fever. Caun cooked, so you know that means he had to ‘dress’. He sported everything he got from the cruise. Tsk Tsk Tsk. I won’t even post the picture, lol.

So we are doing a definite ‘Kizzy’ and staying put this weekend. I will go see ‘Janet’ and ‘Lil Red’ but that’s about it. Oh and I am taking these corn rows out and doing something to my nap….OOPS, I mean I will be fixing my hair this weekend as well….

It is suppose to be some kinda monsoon tomorrow, so it also will be perfect weather to catch up on some sleep. The Dogwood Festival is this weekend, but we won’t be going. This marks the first anniversary of Mini-me breaking her knee at said festival and she refuses to go ANYWHERE near there – I understand.

I hope that everyone has a great weekend and today I am going to leave you with a popular column in our local artistic newpaper The Creative Loafing. It’s called ‘The Blotter’ someone reads the police rolls and reports them. If we combined this with some pictures from Hot Ghetto Mess, we would almost have a movie.

WATCH OUT FOR BLACK CATS AND HAVE A GOOD ONE YA’LL!

IN MIDTOWN, TWO MEN got into a fight over a dog. Police responded and tried to sort out the dogfight between two men, who don't live together. Here are the two men's stories:

A 42-year-old man said he owns the dog, but he wanted to take the dog away from a 53-year-old man's home on Penn Avenue. He also said he keeps some clothes there. But, he said, when he arrived at the 53-year-old man's house, he saw that his clothes were on fire. He said the 53-year-old man rushed toward him and hit him with a shovel, so he left and went to the hospital.

The 53-year-old man's story: He said he and the 42-year-old are friends, but the 42-year-old doesn't take care of the dog. He said the 42-year-old uses him for money, and when he doesn't give him money, he wants the dog back. The 53-year-old said he loves the dog. He was charged with aggravated assault and went to jail.

ON LEE STREET, police responded to a possible bank robbery. Officers took a bald 35-year-old man into custody and found several $100 bills inside a white Mrs. Winners bag. A bank employee IDed this man as the alleged bank robber. He said this man handed him a note that read: "Put $1,000 in the bag." The teller said he grabbed a stack of $100 bills, stuffed it in the Mrs. Winners bag and gave it to him. The total amount recovered from the white Mrs. Winners bag was $1,600.

The suspect decided to talk. He said he intended to rob the bank and he intended to get caught by police. He said he was down on his luck and needed money. The suspect said he was taking some antidepressants and some antipsychotic medications. The officer wrote, "He also went on to say jail was his only choice because society didn't allow him to make money on his own."

A WOMAN WAS PASSED OUT in the driver's seat of a red 2007 Dodge Caliber, with the keys in the ignition, on the emergency shoulder of I-285 North, according to Cobb County police. An Atlanta police officer arrived and took custody of the driver, a 25-year-old Marietta woman. After she failed several field sobriety tests, she was arrested for DUI. The officer checked her purse and found a silver flask containing a liquid. The officer opened the flask and smelled alcohol. Once they got to jail, the woman agreed to a Breathalyzer test and blew about three times the legal limit for blood-alcohol level. Her purse was inventoried again, and police started to take the flask away. "Can I have that back?" the woman asked. "You already have me for DUI, so I might as well finish getting drunk, right?"

A NURSE AT FULTON MEDICAL HOSPITAL said an 84-year-old man with Alzheimer's disease arrived at the hospital showing signs of neglect. According to the police report, "[The elderly man] was wearing blue jeans that were so hard from dried urine they had to be cut off. [The elderly man] was wearing several pairs of socks that had been on for so long, when the nurse took them off, his toenails came off. [The elderly man] was very thin and had what looked like sores all over his lower body." The elderly man's primary caretaker is his 26-year-old daughter, police noted. The officer wrote, "[The daughter] said her father is room-bound and has not eaten in a couple of days. She said he has just been laying in bed." The officer tried to call Adult Protective Services, but it was after hours. A police report was filed.

THE MANAGER OF AN ELDERLY-care HIGH-RISE on Westlake Avenue reported a burglary. A tenant died recently and an announcement was made. After the death announcement, someone apparently broke into the apartment twice and stole a big-screen TV, a stereo and speakers. Police surmised that the perpetrator cut a hole in the drywall of a maintenance closet adjacent to the apartment. Once inside the closet, the perp cut another hole through the drywall and then opened the apartment door from the inside, police noted. Then, the perpetrator apparently covered the hole in the apartment with a magazine picture secured with maple syrup. No suspects.

A MAN said his ex-wife sold their home on Ozark Trail without telling him, or giving him time to move. A police report was filed.

A MAN WAS STABBED and lying on the ground on Auburn Avenue. Bystanders had used napkins to cover the right side of his chest. A police officer arrived and talked to the stabbing suspect, a gray-haired 65-year-old man. The officer asked: "What happened?" "I did nothing," the man replied. The officer asked again: "What happened?" The man replied, "He tried to take my liquor away from [sic]. And I wasn't going [sic] him take it from me!" A bystander gave the officer a knife that was allegedly used in the attack. Then the 65-year-old suspect said, "I stabbed him because he tried to take my liquor and I'm not going to have anyone fuck with my shit!" He went to jail. The stabbing victim was hospitalized in serious but stable condition, with a punctured lung.

Items in the Blotter are taken from actual Atlanta police reports. The Blotter Diva compiles them and puts them into her own words.

posted by Pamalicious at 9:14 AM

| Permalink | 2 comments

Thursday, April 12, 2007

Mindspace 4/12/07

Hopping Back on the ever moving....earth

Was it me or did the Reuters girls have nice new 'super strength' relaxers at the press conference?
I am bequeathing Mini-me to SANJAYA! Come on now, give him the credit, he was the only one who tackled actual spanish. I predict he makes it to the top four. Malinda better watch out - her deer caught in the headlights is starting to get old and she's losing audience.
I hope that someone besides me is sitting down and partaking of Roots with their kids courtesy of TV-One. We have been having some thought provoking conversations. Interesting, when I first saw it I was 10 and now looked at where we are in society and the thought process that 'it was a long time ago' - I have been able to quite efficiently talk about alot of topical issues in our community right from this movie. I am really digging TV-One right about now. Kudos to them!
Howard K Stern you are NOT the father! As if we didn't know this. Did you see his family, they have distinct features, this baby most certainly didn't come from that dark haired droopy eyed brood. Man I wish Anna were alive - so we could see this play out with her present. Poor Baby. Remember the saddest richest girl in the world (the daughter of that shipping heiress who killed herself) Dannilynn might want to give her a call when she gets old enough.
Tears flowed unchecked as I watched "Run's House" season premiere. I feel like they are a family I know. I LOVE this show.
Am I the only one waiting on this Fox show "Drive"? I am so intrigued by the premise and the clips so far. I hope it doesn't disappoint, because I quite enjoy the blood rush you get from Amazing Race and this looks like it might deliver that same volume.
I got a text in the middle of the Ocean "Tango won and proposed" Alrightyy then. As if, lol lol I haven't seen any interviews with NY discussing the status of their relationship.
RIP Roscoe Lee Brown. I had to think about what role stuck out the most for me and I remember him from that episode of Good Times where he played a preacher and old friend of James who wanted him to go on the road with him. James discovered he was a phony and cancelled out on it.
I respectfully applaud Obama's fundraising 'victory'. I'd like a concerted campaign to raise the same amount of money to be funneled back into our communities.
SIGH the whole Imus thing makes the back right side of my head hurt. See all the 'loose tongues' in my opinion, are because our personal in-house shame has been drug out to the front porch and now folks think it's the 'norm'. If a so-called 'serious' journalist feels free enough to converse with other men and say such things - what next - Ted Koppel using it? Far as I'm concerned, white folks have just waiting patiently until it got to the point where they can publicly start slipping in what was 'private' conversation. Because of our own dissention and inability to focus, they think it will just fade away. It's all so convuluted at this point. I was reading something where they were asking Black men to apologize to blackwomen - but in my opinion - black women should apologize to other black women for accepting such treatment. They have Klan Rallies and registration all the time - but we don't show up to that, so when Brothers started disrespecting us - we
should have just not showed up instead of lining up around the block for a TOKEN AND LUNCH. To have credit cards ran up our behinds. We all have a part in the whole spectrum of things.
Lawd knows I loves me some Beyonce, but I am SATURATED with her at this point. I want to see a 'janetesque' picture of her and soon, off on vacation about 20 pounds heavier and just RELAXING. Dang it girl! You KNOW you need a vacation! Can I start to say 'hmm wonder when B coming back?'
Why is Law and Order SVU so inconsistent these days. I hope the new episodes come back soon.
So all the plus size girls are off the show. I have to say though, the sista was beautiful but she could not 'model'. I want Tyra to pull her skirts down to like 1 inch above the knee - she was NOT sexy last nite in that mini-skirt! I want the other sista to win - the one with the baby. I like her and she's growing by leaps and bounds.

posted by Pamalicious at 11:58 AM

| Permalink | 3 comments

Wednesday, April 11, 2007

Vacation Mindspace 4/11/07

Vacation Tales

HEY EVERYBODYYYYY!!!! Did cha miss me?! Alrightty then, lol My first day open enough to actually write something. I have caught up on most of my reading however, glad to see that all in all everyone doing well. I feel like I'm writing in a 'whisper' because my throat is a little raw - I guess sea air and cold ass air don't mix well. I hope I don't get sick. My body is going through some kinda breakdown as we speak and Monday my emotions were on edge - so it's good to be back and back to normal somewhat.

Did I not get those pictures up and out quickly. I'm obsesssed with that. Don't know why. We took about 300 pictures and I weeded them down to about 70 and I gave you all the top of the top. I might post another book, don't know. Hey check out that site however, that I posted them to SMILE BOX. Really cool site! Do something different than the usual with your pictures, it even has music!

Well, you know while away, I jotted down plenty of things to talk about. Then it just got to be too much. I took these last couple of days to kinda upload in my mind the highlights. Let the Tales Begin! (in no particular order)

Coming into New Orleans, even a couple of years later - we felt a 'somberness' as we came over the bridge and saw remnants of Katrina. From the damaged homes to the shell of Six Flags, the realization of being on the earth when this happened as well as it happening in our lifetime was humbling and we silently looked and paid our respects to the people of New Orleans.
People, I can honestly say after thinking it over, I have never been as drunk, as an adult, as I was in New Orleans! Whoo Lawd! You talking bout tore up. We arrived in New Orleans about 5, were on Bourbon Street about 6, I was damn near fall down drunk about 7:30! What in the world do they put in the drinks...UM LIQUOR! LOL LOL I can only do that damn city for one day. About 9 CAUN escorted me back to the hotel for a nap. We woke up about 1am and hit Bourbon Street again and it was still on and poppin and this was an OFF NIGHT. We were coasting into Easter week people this wasn't no mardi gras. I wouldn't have survived that, lol Around 4am we ended up at a Gay 24 hour diner eating grilled cheese and chili dogs. What a freaking night!
Why must we always have evidence of our debauchery, lol The actual text message I sent "Janet" exactly as it was written: on bourbon street rocking my bead and on my second tequila sunrise in the big cup. now I am drinking cranberry adn avsolut. Ilove new orleans and and vsvr wair tivsee rhesvlics sex. CLASSIC! Don't ask me what the hell I was talking about.
CAUN and I had a bet that he would see someone he knew during this trip. Every where we go, he knows someone. Well we were standing in a store in Costa Maya Mexico and this woman was commenting on this VERY nice water cooler set. CAUN did as well, they look at each other and lo and behold - they knew each other! They worked together. She was on another boat. So I won the bet, but then we were walking out of the Stardust Lounge on our ship and this woman who was escorting her even older mother stepped to me and said "Are you Stormeka?" You talking about us falling out laughing. She was like "I recognize you from a cruise site by your hairstyle" So I won double or nothing cause this middle aged keebler recognized me by my more obscure screen name, lol lol
I was trying to look out the cabin window and the curtain was stuck. So I yanked it and it came down half way. I grabbed my bag and jokingly told CAUN I was about to jet - in the middle of laughing the 'announcement' bong sounded and suddenly there was a voice in our room. I screamed, burst out in tears and tried to run out the cabin and leave him there! It was hilarious! He was like 'you aint no super hero you a punk,lol' we still laughing about that one.
Did you really say you got a cab to take you to get some Belizian Coochie? (some other passengers) Lawd have mercy! When on the customs form they ask, have you been exposed to any disease - please put down - give me 30 days and I'm sure I'll be brewing something or the other.
We didn’t get college spring breakers, we got Senior Trippers. I saw the littlest people march through several times and it looked like they were having fun. The say 10-13 year olds were hanging out doing the ‘tween’ thing. Lawd, maybe it’s a cultural thang – but I have never seen so many young adults having permission, being supported and encouraged in….DRINKING! I can’t really believe that all of those Seniors were 18 and even then 18 is a good three years away from 21. We saw some kids who were never without a drink. At the beach they also were knee deep in harder libations as well. They were not unruly, but my momma and I would not be sitting down having a drink of anything together at 18.
We did find it kinda disturbing that they constantly took over the night club every night. All that simulated sex every single night became disturbing. Girl on Girl, Two boys on Girl – all the girls should know they toes intimately, because that’s all they saw bent over all night. Just back the fuck up on the dance floor and whomever attaches to your ass - that's where you'll be. Yea I know the times dictate what they dicate, but class and decency are continuous.
The food was good. I am an Indian Food Fanatic – the vegetarian cuisine for the week was...Indian food, so having a choice of some Indian Food Dish for Seven Days sealed it for me! We ate in the main dining area twice, we ate at East meets West once (the speciality steak house), and the sports deck once. We ordered room service several times. The food in the Buffet was good most days and nights. If you have been to Golden Corral or Picadilly then there you have it. I did find that sometimes it was soo hot under the covers that you almost got 3rd degree burns trying to get your food. There was always enough and enough choices for everyone. THE FRIED CHICKEN SUCKED! Either get some Southerns back there or take it off the menu. My husband ate so many freaking hamburgers w/oinions and mushrooms – I thought he was going to start moo’ing.
The Blacks - well first of all, why must we always take the stance that once we move to another level, we've arrived? I saw plenty of that on the ship. It took us several more days than keeblers to feel each other out. Some of us never felt each other out. That's cool. I have found that on average it takes us 72 hours to decide whether or not we are going to be social with one another if we are spending more than $100, lol lol Once we do however, it's on and poppin and we had a great time with the crew we hung with. We exchanged emails etc. and I have some additonal pictures to send to a couple of folks.
Um the workers on board the ship and the people indigeious to the ports ARE NOT SLAVES and shouldn't be treated that way. Why the nasty attitude and tone of voice when speaking to them? Why do you purposely go out of your way to be more nastier than you usually are? Why do you talk these people down to pennies on the dollar for their wares?
The ship was great - the programs were entertaining and it was VERY clean. As always you gotta love the Captain and his all the way pimp voice, lol Looked forward to hearing him speak daily. Norwegian is a freestyle Cruise which means no set times when it came to eating. Eat when you want. The whole ship had this 'resort' feel to it. Folks were on RELAX mode. We are going on NCL again, CAUN is convinced it's the only ship to travel on, lol
Dean Koonz, How To Books, School Books and then there was me and...Thugalicious! Got many stares, lol
Ahh yes my 6 litres of booze. Finally getting my bar up and running like I wanted to!
Costa Maya – We had a good day, taking the advice of fellow cruise critic members, we had booked time at Tequila Beach. It was simple to get there and we had a good time. The beach was rocky at the shore and I darn near screamed! I had to wear my flip flops but once out there the water was inviting. The beach wasn’t over crowded and we didn’t feel bombarded by the peddlers. When we went for a walk into the town, I was glad I was with my husband, because you were bombarded! I didn’t feel unsafe but I felt safer because folks were pushing up on you with their wares and services. We had a good port visit.
Santo De Tomas – We should have booked an excursion. We went to the port shops and that’s about it. We got back on the boat after about an hour and just chilled out. We did LOVE the send off and I’m determined to have that recreated when I get home from work (laugh). We knew there was something just over the horizon, but we found that the taxi services were about the ‘tours’ and just wouldn’t take us to town and that be it.
Belize – (Tendered in uneventful – that boat was flying) We had booked a tour but it got cancelled so we decided to wing it. We had a nice time in Belize. I bought my liquors there (smile) and we had some GREAT food. I also partook of the pocketbook availability and was quite pleased with what I brought home. It was HOT! Lawd, was it HOT! To me the hottest port we went to.
Cozumel – (Tendered in uneventful) Quite ‘Americanized’ and bustling when we got off the ship – we rented a VW and took off. This was our best time. Just us in the wind! We enjoyed the drive. We stopped at Paradise beach. Whew it was crowded. The water was rough and choppy, so no wave runners were being rented. It was just too crowded to really enjoy. On the other side of the Island however, some great beaches!! Several ships were there and we got to see all kinds of folks. Cozumel was straight bustling. We liked it.
The best time? We rented the VW convertible ($55/day) and just drove the entire island of Cozumel. Talking bout fun?! It was just in the wind and it felt good. The very best time? The fact that CAUN and I spent all that time together and it was just one lonnnng groove!
Some Future Improvements: Can we get one more channel on the TV via satellite or something!! VH-1 Cruise? HBO (laugh)?Can we get a punch or lemonade type drink as a ‘free drink’? Can we rent DVD players for the trip? Can we get a frequent drinkers card or something – get it punched and then get ½ off on the last day or something? Can we get some over 25 nights in the nightclubs?

So there you have it. We had a BALLL!! We already have the next cruise picked out and we will be taking Mini-me with us. I am now QUITE curious about one of the all black cruises. Lawd I might not survive that - if everything is geared towards our people. Well let me get back to the here and now. Tomorrow, I must get caught up on all the stuff that has went on while I was gone in the pop culture and political world. Whew, I might be late but I gotta comment!

Look to the RIGHT and I have listed a ton of sites for vacationing and what not for African Americans. Enjoy!

posted by Pamalicious at 10:42 AM

| Permalink | 2 comments

Monday, April 09, 2007

Vacation Mindspace 4/10/07

The Visuals

Make your own | Click to play

posted by Pamalicious at 9:26 PM

| Permalink | 4 comments

Vacation Mindspace 4/9/07

We're Back!

STAY TUNED!

posted by Pamalicious at 7:27 AM

| Permalink | 0 comments