WIIFM?

The new word for the day, at least for those of you that may not have had any sales training. What's In It For Me? I am not sure if that is the right title today, but basically I am annoyed by people that want something for nothing.

We all know that the person on the corner with the sign that says "Will work for food" intends just gather what ever money people are willing to give through their car windows. I think at least they are offering Something.

It seems that lately I have more people knocking on my door or even my friend's homes with buckets asking for money. And I get so annoyed, especially when people do it in the name of a church. No, I haven't slammed the door in any body's face, and yes, I have given a few dollars.
But it does make me mad sometimes that people will do this in the name of a church, and offer nothing, not even an invitation for me to join you on Sunday to get a message. What is that about?

What's in it for me? Offer something, baked goods, to wash my car, a bible verse even. But don't just knock on my door, or come up to my car when I am at the light. Yes, call me Scrooge, but I even hate to see the little league team with their helments out taking money at the light. I feel like the parents or coaches are not teaching the children that one has to work for what they get. And the result of that is the so called minister that was at my door with a bucket asking for money. I don't know where his church is, or what time the services are, and he never offered to tell me.

The one that concerned me the most was just yesterday. When I was at my friend's house getting tutored for my dreaded math class. Her doorbell rang, and when she answered it there was a little girl at the door asking for money for a school trip. Not selling anything. The reason I was concerned is because when I got whatever the PTA was selling that particular year while my son was in school. They always cautioned us about door to door sales to people that you don't know. Because so many childrened get harmed by people these days. I didn't go to the door, so I assume someone was with her. But I think the parents should be beat.

This Beta Thing is annoying!

I have tried to log on a few times, and make comments on other blogs today, and this is the 1st time I was successful.

Now that it is so late, I don't have much to say.

Although, I am trying to add iron to my diet to help this old memory of mine. My math class has me confused already, and we are just reviewing some algebra. So call me Popeye, because I am eating spinach, although the brain isn't a muscle, so I don't know if that is a good analogy. LOL

Hmm, maybe after a good night's sleep...I will be a little more coherent.

Old habits are hard to break

I am getting back into the swing of being a student. And am doing pretty good, so far.

Well, there was that episode this morning on the highway. I was driving toward my old job...But once I exited the highway, and went in the right direction all was great, and I still made it to class on time.

Not sure if the bad memory set in this morning, forgot where I was going, or if the almost 15 years of going to the same place was the problem this morning.

Thanks to all for your words of encouragement about returning to school.

Now to all of you computer experts...I may need your help at some point, because I am majoring in a computer field. ;-)

Not so "Confused"

In July I made a short post about some decisions, that I was in the process of making. I didn't go into any of the details.

Well, I made the decision about 2 weeks ago. I decided to go back to school. Yeah, yeah, I know people do it every day. Actually, a few years ago, I took 1 or 2 classes at night, and did pretty good. I was a little stressed between work, school & family.

So what is so different Remnants, stop beating around the bush & tell us. LOL Well, I quit my job; and will be going to school full-time. No, I didn't win the lottery. There will be some big changes in my life. Many of which I am still making, but I will be starting classes Monday morning, and hopefully knocking out the rest of my undergrad degree asap.

I will probably be a renter again soon as opposed to a homeowner....but actually I had about 328 more payments on the home, so who owned it really? :-)

Miscellaneous Monday Observations

This weekend I caught part of the movie "Carmen Jones" on TV. Now I must rent it and watch it from beginning to end. It was in color, but I think I want to see the original black and white. I didn't realize that it was an adaptation ofthe Opera "Carmen." What was my thought about this you ask? Well, there was a scene where Carmen (Dorothy Dandridge) was running from Joe (Harry Belafonte) and she was doing it in heals & a skirt. Running quite well I might add, and I just thought about how un-formal I dress in comparison to how they dressed in the '50's. I love the look of the era, but I am glad I don't have to run in heals. :-)

Another unbelieveable moment in Atlanta Traffic. We have these signs that warn about traffic. Usually, it seems that I don't pass the sign before I run into the problem. But the other day, I actually saw a sign warning me about the problem early enough so that I could choose a different route. Woo hoo! An amazing acomplishment in my travels around the ATL.

On the other hand a truly annoying moment in the car. Don't you hate it when people drive the wrong way down an aisle in a parking lot. Especially when there is a sign that says do not enter. As I sit in my car unable to exit, because the idiot in the "supersized" SUV has turned into the aisle that I am trying to exit. As I drove slowly by the idiot and glanced at him, I read his sleeve and it said "Police"...I thought they had to pass reading tests for that job. :-)

Hmm, pretty empty head if I only had 3 thoughts for the entire day. LOL Well, it's all I care to type about for now. ;-)

Have a happy Monday!

There is no __________ ?

It was Saturday morning, and I was ready for breakfast. Not your normal breakfast, but a simple one anyway. I open the cabinet push aside the George Foreman grill, oops catch the blender, and yes there it is the toaster. I put it on the counter, plug it in, and grab the bread. Oh, boy this is going to be good. Open the fridge...looking in the door...the top shelf, ahh yes grape jelly. OK I am rolling now.

I open the pantry, it's not on the top shelf, no it isn't behind the crackers. Middle shelf, oh there, no not behind the Spaghetti sauce. Where is it. No, bottom shelf only canned vegetables. Maybe it fell on the floor behind the 20 rolls of paper towels. Nope, I never run out of it, it's one of those must have staples. OK think Remnants there is a teenager in the house. Maybe it's in the cabinet, nope only glasses & cups, ok the other one...no only plates & bowls. Maybe it's no, no, not there don't open the dishwasher...you'll get water on the floor.

ALL I WANTED WAS A PEANUTBUTTER & JELLY SANDWICH ON TOAST. Is that too much to ask? I ALWAYS have peanut butter....except when I want it. Dammit!

What ingrediant would have you dismantle your kitchen?

Patience, Patience It's Thursday

I got off of work late the other day, and was too hungry to cook even a 30 min meal. I didn't want fast food, so I went to a cafeteria style restaurant. Was it the hunger head ache, or the fact that I have been out of the kid game too long?

As I walked in the door down the aisle to the food line, there was a family a mother and her son & daughter standing near the wall reading the sign. Maybe I can get in line before them, no, I wasn't fast enough. Uh oh what does the sign say? Say it isn't so, oh yes it is. "Kids eat free limit 2 per adult." I am too hungry for this, and not in the mood for smiling at cute kids. Well that doesn't really matter, cute is not here today, because Bay-Bay is in line in front of me with her Bad "A" kids.

Why do these cafeteria's put the desserts first? There he goes running toward the cashier with his tray, and the dessert (nothing else--just the dessert). All right, that did get a chuckle from me. Now for the scowl on my face, why did she let the 5 year old get his own tray? Didn't she know that would happen? I did, and I am too hungry for games right now.

Damn, does everybody in line have 2 kids? Did you go through the neighborhood & just pick up some children. Give me some food and I won't be so cranky. Ok, I will calm down.

Lord knows I worked the 99 cent menu when my son was little. Oh, free refills on drinks? One small please? I think the 1st time I bought us 2 drinks, he thought someone else was going join us to eat.

Finally, I am at the end of the line, let me get my bag & plasticware so I can go straight to the cashier. I want it to go, no I am not going to sit here in the restaurant, while the Bay-Bay's children run & scream. Oh, no not me. I'll go home and eat, and make note to self. "Cook on Thursday."

Jesus Loves You!

The other day I stopped at a little corner store/gas station/check cashing place that I have gone to for years, even though now I don't live close enough to walk to it. You know the one, where the owner and the long time employee knows me by name. It was here before the new subdivisions & stores & auto repair shops, and I never buy gas there, because it is more expensive than the Quik-trip that I now live close to, but since I pass it to get to the highway I find reasons to stop.

I needed a cold bottle of water & some lottery tickets (uh-oh lottery tickets & Jesus in the same post?)

When I drove up I should have known it wasn't going to be the normal quick stop. I see a small rusty truck with tools, ladders & the other handyman junk that you typically see. A lady and her son at the entrance to the store, and an older white man standing close to the store reading a paper (hmm that's a little unusual). As I am backing in to my parking space a young man that looks to be in his 20's walks past me (he's black that's normal for this area). He walks toward the man reading the paper. I've finished parking the car.

As I open my car and turn to get out, I am eye level to their hands. OMG did I just see, yes there is a little package in the white guy's hand now. OK, Remnants, act like you didn't see that. Just walk past them and go in the store. Black guy watches me walk past.

What?! Lady with son, "I said the door is locked, but the lights are on, so maybe the clerk is in the restroom. " "Oh, I say," that's unusual." Still pulling on locked door, peering into the store. I am sooo thirsty, nervous, ready for that Mega Millions ticket, and running late to appointmnent.

Whew! When I turn around young man is gone, and white guy is getting in the old rusty truck. I am glad I don't have to walk past them again. I get in my car and pull off, wait for traffic to pass store so I can get on the road. As I speed down the road in my 10 year old clunker, I pass white guy in rusty truck.

Did I mention the signs on the truck? Oh, printed on them were the words, "JESUS LOVES YOU"

Where are the red lights?

Have you ever been driving, and needed to look at the map, a phone number, finish your hair/make-up; and every light was green? Lights that I always catch on red happened to be green this morning. Why you ask; because I had my hair brush in my lap ready for me to finish my hair.
So tomorrow when I am running late I think I will leave my hair undone, and carry my rubber band and a brush. That way I will never sit at a red light again. :-)

Jazz in the Summer

The great thing about Atlanta & surrounding area in the summer, is the fact that there is always something going on in the summer time. A fest or festival of some sort. I went to the Dekalb Blues & Jazz Festival. Well, since I went Saturday, I went on the Jazz night of the Festival. It was at an amphitheater in Lithonia. Yes, it was hot, but as the night progressed it got cooler.

There were some local artists that were really good, a local group called Planet Jazz. The headliners were Al.ex Bu.g.non & Mi.chael F.ran.ks. They both gave great performances. Like I said I enjoyed the performances. But I was also entertained by the people around me. It seems that at concerts you can always have conversations with those around you during set changes and what not.

There was the group on the lawn that had tents with a buffet set up. But in the seats around me, there was a couple that was pretty entertaining, well he was. She seemed to be the calming force for him. There was a couple that was in town (from St. Louis) for Me.ga.fest, but since he had a cooler full of beer, they were cool, and didn't have that holier than thou religious attitude that some people have. There was the drunk woman that was pretty loud.

Couple #1 - where I got most of my non-musical entertainment. He needed ritalin or something, he was yelling at the performers, nothing bad more like terms of encouragement. I think I almost choked on my drink when he said, "Boy am I glad I don't drink alcohol." And someone in the crowd commented, "yeah, so are we." Basically, he was more entertaining than annoying. There was a point that I almost snapped on him though. He was there with another couple, and I know that the man was named Mike, because Mr. Entertainment was calling him. You know like a 5 year old trying to get his mother's attention. But Mike was in the middle of another conversation with his date & the couple from St. Louis.
"Mike. Mike. Mike. Mike. (I am about to snap, like a mother does when the 5year old keeps calling Mommy. Mommy. Mommy.) Fortunately, for him & my sanity. His girlfriend calmly said. "Baby, Mike is talking to someone else right now."

Couple #2 - the couple from St. Louis was very friendly, and just impressed with all the things to do in Atlanta. The things that I tend to forget, because I live here. They went to the King Center, and were impressed with the concert venue. Actually, since it was my first time there I was too. Also, the price was outrageous. $5.00 for lawn seats, and $10.00 on the concrete seats. They were amazed at how affordable it was.

So my goal is for the last few weeks of summer is to enjoy what Atlanta has to offer. The things that I tend to forget about as a resident of the city. I know my writing needs improvement, but hopefully, I can write about my adventures, and you will enjoy reading them.

I am soo confused!

Not sure if I am suffering through a midlife crisis, or if I am terminally confused about what/where I am in life.

That makes me crazy, because I am forty (summting) years old.

I have a few decisions that I am trying to make, and I will write about it in the near future. I am just not ready right now.

Did I Miss That Meeting?

I was home yesterday, and watched the Ty.ra B.an.ks Show. The topic? Tyra went undercover as a stripper. But before she did that they had some guys on the show that frequented the Strippah Clubs. LOL

One guy admitted that he was going too often. I think it was about 5 times a week, so he and his girlfriend had broken up because of it. Of course, Tyra asked him the standard questions. Why? (He said it was an ego boost. He weighed about 300 lbs, he had lost a lot of weight. Tyra didn’t congratulate him on losing all the weight.) The question of the day that had me wondering if I am missing one of the female hormones and the audience’s reaction to his answer.

QUESTION: “Did you ever fantasize about a stripper when you were with your girlfriend?’

ANSWER: “Yes, I did.”
Audience reaction was the collective breath. Not the customary fireworks “oooh”; but the Gasp, like everyone in the audience thought it was terrible.

Was there some meeting on rules for females that I missed? Is it a bad thing to fantasize about someone else during sex? Are there rules for ladies that I didn’t get? I mean the entire audience (all women that I could see) acted appalled. I was well--confused. Certainly, anything can be taken to an extreme. Yes, if you have to fantasize about someone else every time you are with your girlfriend/boyfriend etc. that could be a problem. But I think their reaction was just crazy.

They then cut to Tyra with a make up artist, the kind they use for movies, and gave her a different nose, eyes etc. It showed her getting interviewed & picture taken for the job. She was asking guys questions, while someone gave them a lap dance. She was being a good undercover report asking poignant questions. OOOKAAAY

Then back to the stage with the audience. Now some of the guys that had been at the club were on the stage, and their girlfriends/wives were there too. I think one of the women said she wondered what was wrong with her if he had to go. Then there was the couple that were girlfriend/boyfriend in a fairly new relationship, and she was a stripper. Guess what. She had a problem with her boyfriend going to the stripper club too. When asked why she had a problem, she said that he when he went he wasn’t making money like she was at the club, and she knew what went on at the clubs.

I really have to say I think that particular show made many of the women look a little stupid (the one’s in the relationships as girlfriends or wives.)

Of course she interviewed some of the strippers, as well. And at the last minute Ty.ra couldn’t go out on stage to strip. She left the club…For those of you (guys) worried that you may have missed something. LOL


I don’t think I would want to go with my man to the strip club. (One of the strippers on the show said that some of her regular customers were couples.) But I am not appalled at the idea of a bachelor party, or him just hanging with the guys at the strip club.

Am I unusual? Do most women have a problem with their husband/boyfriend going to strip clubs? I know that anything can be done in excess, but I think if you are secure with yourself & your relationship that it is ok. Am I being too naïve? Of course, I am not in a relationship right now. But even when I was in a relationship, I didn’t think anything was wrong with it.

Finally my post about last weekend!

I am sorry it took me so long to get back here. But the good news is that I had some personal paperwork to do, and I got 2/3 of it done.

I was in Houston last weekend for the Essence Festival. I must say there is no place like New Orleans for that event. I think one of my friends heard Steve Harvey talk bad about Houston too. He made comments while he was on stage. Or at least the statements I caught anyway were funny. That was problem #1 at the concerts. The sound was bad very bad. I guess by the 3rd night they finally got better with it.

I have to say that I didn’t have to hear anything that L.L. Cool J said…Just seeing him was enough for me. Licking his lips, his torn shirt, and the bottles of Da.sa.ni that he poured on himself. Ohh give me a minute, it suddenly got hot in here. LOL Earth, Wind & FIRE was great…at least what I could hear, I think part of it was the audience. But they gave a wonderful show. Or at least Verdine was all over the stage. He has more energy than the energizer bunny. I can’t say much about Yolanda Adams or Mary J Blige, because since the sound was so bad. I kind of tuned them out. The other problem in Houston was that the lounges weren’t as accessible as they are in the Super Dome. That sums up the Saturday concerts.

The next night was Sunday, July 2, 2006; well Chris Brown was a no show, but I was late, so it didn’t bother me too much. Jaheim was ok, but since the sound was no good, and he just sang, he didn’t have a stage presence so I think I tuned out again. (No Verdine energy) ha-ha. Jaime Foxx was good, and at least he acknowledged & apologized for the bad sound. New Edition was great and Bobby Brown was too even with the information about his & Whitney’s sex life, he went over his time, so they turned his mike off in the middle of ”My Prerogative” oh the pain. However, I was so drained from having to strain to understand, I couldn’t stay for the “Pioneers of Hip-Hop” sorry, just couldn’t do it.

The last night many of the sound problems were gone. Sorry guys, I didn’t watch Toni Braxton, although I could see on the screens that she did a few changes of clothes & went to pretty skimpny.  I went to the Lounge acts and caught Musiq. He was great! I don’t think you mess up the sound too much in the Lounges. Charlie Wilson did well with out the Gap band. And you can not close out an Essence Festival without “Frankie Beverly & Maze” all the pain of the previous nights was washed away! They were great, and the only thing that I had to get used to was Frankie in red. I am so used to seeing him in all white. He is old enough to be my father, but he looks GOOD! Really, I don’t usually say that about men that are 55+ years old.

It is good to be back home. “Hasta luego!”

My first meme

Thanks to a very interesting blog that I read. I found a meme that I want to post Thank you Slump Facade


1) What is the first priority when purchasing a shoe, looks or comfort?
It depends on the occasion.
Looks if I am going out
Comfort if I will be doing a lot of walking

2) What is the most you would pay for a “dress stiletto”?
Hmm, I guess about $100

3) Which type of shoes do you own more of, “one-hour wears” or “all day wears”?
all day wears

4) What is more important when purchasing a shoe, designer or look?
Look

5) Shoe preference, “high heel”, “wedge heel”, “short heel” or “flats”?
Once again that depends on the occasion, but for dressing up; I have to say high heel

6) What is the most important piece of your wardrobe, “shoes”, “hat” or “handbag”?
Shoes, Shoes, Shoes, I really don’t do hats, and handbags I don’t buy very often

7) Do you associate “cost” of shoe with quality?
Yes, certainly with many designers you pay for the name, but you will pay more for quality materials.

8) Is your dress style defined by shoes or clothes? If shoes, how do your shoes enhance your “look”, “attitude”, or “personality”?
My style is defined by how well both clothes & shoes go together. I have bought a pair of shoes, and then found the clothes to match.

9) If you only had $50, which would you chose to purchase, dinner or a pedicure?
Definitely dinner, I must have the energy to walk/perform in the stiletto.

10) How frequent are your pedicures, per month?
Spring/summer at least 2x; more if I have a special event

11) How often do you get foot massages?
Not very often, I usually do the inexpensive pedicures, and I am not dating any one right now. 

12) Is having someone paint your toes sexy, why? Also, would you pay to have it done, if so, how much?
I have only had one boyfriend to do it for me, and yes it was very sexy, because he really enjoyed painting my toes. Yes, I pay for pedicures, but no I wouldn’t pay for it to be a sexual encounter.

13) How important is the beautification of your feet to your overall level of confidence?
For my level of confidence I never related it that way, but I don’t feel that my look is complete if my feet aren’t pretty. So if my toes aren’t done, I probably won’t take off my shoes.

14) Do you feel sexier when your feet are made up?
Definitely

15) Do you wear foot jewelry, ankle bracelets? If so, how often?
I do wear ankle bracelets, almost all the time during the summer.

16) If you could purchase a perfume for your feet, what would be the scent?
Not sure, I wear scented lotions, so vanilla I guess

Happy 4th of July

I thought I would have time to Post before I left town to say that I would be back with info about the Essence Fest in Houston. But of course in my last minutes, I was printing boarding passes fo the plane, & didn't have time for the blog.

I am very tired, so I will update probably tomorrow. I hope you did something fun on "Independence Day".

Movie Monday!

I saw 2 movies this weekend. I will attempt to be a movie critic, so if you haven’t seen these movies I hope I can help you decide if you want to see it.

The Lake House
I am a fan of Sandra Bullock and Keanu Reeves is ok as well. But I had a hard time with this movie. Maybe because I figured out a major problem beginning with the 1st scene. They are both living in this lake house and they communicate with each other by leaving notes in the mailbox. BUT he is living in 2004 and she is living in 2006 and the dog lives with both of them. I could go on about how they realize that they are living in different years, and their encounters before they start communicating. But you can wait until it comes out on video, really. I give it a “2” on a scale of 1 to 5.

Click
Universal remote (squared)
In this movie Michael Newman (Adam Sandler) is looking for a Universal Remote, because he never uses the right one for what he needs. He turns on the fan when trying to change the channel on the TV. He grabs another remote off the table and opens the garage door. (OK who keeps the garage door opener on the table, and when did those remotes look like anything but a garage door opener?) But I digress. He goes to Bed, Bath & Beyond, Beyond to find the universal remote.

He buys it and realizes that he can pause, fast forward & mute his way through life. Humor is mixed in of course. And Henry Winkler does a great job in the movie as Michael’s dad. The movie has its “ahh haa” moment and has a “message.” I enjoyed it and give it a 4.

So I don't have problems with the unbelievable all the time, and each of these movies have an element of it. Maybe it is more believable when comedy is mixed in it.

The Kiss!

It was date number 2. We met for dessert & coffee, more good conversation. That early getting to know each other stage. He was tall (well tall to me), he had big brown eyes that kind of mesmerized me, and skin the color of a piece of caramel.

We left the café walking hand in hand & headed for the nearby park. It was a nice fall evening so everything was picture perfect. Thoughts running through my head of “he is really fun to hang with.” He handed me a piece of gum as we sat on the bench watching the roller bladers, dog walkers, and other people enjoying the park.

He leans in closer to me, oh wow, this is it, that all important 1st kiss. I close my eyes and let my mind wander to that blissful place it goes for a great kiss. Umm wait a minute…the picture is changing…took a pretty sharp right, no make that a complete stop. Suddenly, the commercial pops in my head of the little plaque monsters, and it is clear to me now the dictionary meaning of halitosis pops into my head. Well, as clear as it can be when you are trying not to breathe. This wasn’t just your normal I just ate garlic (it can be brushed away) kind of breath…remember we both had gum.

He later told me I couldn’t kiss. Oh well. We never went out again after that.

Should I have told him about his breath?

It's Summertime!

It's already hot, and the air does not work in my car. I think I was 20 before I realized that cars were made without air conditioning. My thoughts were oh, that's just an option, when I was car shopping. Ok, I hope it is pretty obvious that I group up in the southern part of the U.S. My dad may have been too cheap to get an automatic, or electric windows/locks, but we had Air Conditioning in the car dammit!

So I need to make time to get the car to the mechanic. Because Remnants (me) does not like to sweat for no good reason at all.

I Held Back

I held back, because I thought you dated someone that I was close to. Also, wasn't sure if I wanted just be be a part of the gang, or not. I knew that if the dynamics of our relationship changed, then so would the circle of friends. I thought I had it all under control, and now I realize that I didn't. Our relationship didn't change because YOU weren't interested in me like that. Wow, now that I know...I really feel stupid, and again lonely, oh so lonely.

Holidays

If it weren't for the days off from work, I think I would hate holidays. I am beginning to hate them now, because I spend them alone.

In my previous life...I was part of a big family, and there was something going on at someone's house all the time. Barbecue, dinner, or just a gathering of folks.

I hung out for a short while with someone today, but he was really not anyone that I wanted to spend time with. I called a few people on my A-list, but they were all busy...Damn, am I now on that list of people they don't really want to spend time with?

I am so tired of spending time alone. I like to think that my personality is enjoyable, unlike this blog, I really try not to let people know how depressed I am. I know some folks that always complain, and have negative comments. I don't do that.

I actually had a friend of mine say, "Oh, you get depressed? You are so upbeat." But by spending so much time alone now, it is really getting hard to be happy. Even when I do get out, I am by myself, and I don't want to be. True there are offers sometimes to hang out with someone, but should I hang, just to not be lonely?

Yes, I get depressed...and I am finding this one hard to climb out of...Oh, maybe I should run outside and start dancing to the music of the fool in the car with it turned up too loud. Uhh, no, I'll just wipe my tears away and go talk to my dog.