Battle of the Sexes

Oftentimes, men have a tendency to collectively attack the more feminine gender. Then, there are times when women brunch over the evil doings of men. There are also times when either sex bash the ones of the same sex. I think you know where I'm going with this. This bash fest usually comes from a place of hurt, experienced rejection or disappointment for being misused, abused and perhaps a little unappreciated. Women claim all men are dogs. Men claim we don't know a good man when we see one. Both feel that the other doesn't really appreciate a 'good' mate at all. I'd like to beg to differ. It is all about connection. Being good doesn't make a person physically, emotionally and spiritually connected to you. A good man can be paired to an equally good woman but if there is no connection it can appear to look as though one is not appreciative of another. I've seen relationships were both were appreciative of the other and the gratitude was reciprocal but were they IN love with each other? No. And that's what they both agreed to. Complacency is why they stayed together. If there is no balance there is no appreciation. I say yes. There are women that appreciate and some that don't. One can't just be good to be appreciated and being good doesn't mean love will be reciprocated. I think that's arrogance. Kudos to the women that do and good luck to the ones that don't. It is arrogant for us to believe that one HAS to love us back because we are good. Who defines good? Me or that person? We can't say since someone doesn't love us back that makes them unappreciative. It just makes you not the one for them. There is no balance. The issue is we are allowing society to define what "good" is and what "good" we should accept. So, since we have everything checked on the checklist that makes us good according to society than we feel that we are entitled to love from the person we want love from. When they don't reciprocate it then we say they are unappreciative. Ok I'll shut up now. Stop chasing people who have clearly shown signs of not reciprocating what you are putting out. That doesn't make a person unappreciative of you. It makes you unappreciative of you.

This was a quick thought.

Ponder it and carry on,

//signed//

The Cat's Meow

What The Hell Is It That I Want!?

The thing is most people don't know what they really want. They wish, they daydream--but most don't know what they truly want. We are so discouraged from truly wanting--from truly asking what we want leading some to believe that it is selfish to want. Society put this mess out there but don't believe it! When we know what we want we take the necessary steps to obtain it. There is nothing wrong with wanting even if you have everything (What is everything anyway?).

Our wants doesn't have to be some big, bold or powerful request. Our wants doesn't even have to be realistic---shocking isn't it? A want is simply something one desires to have and whether it is obtainable or not really is up to you--or is it. Shit, at this moment I desire to have an ice cream cone from McDonald's and black, grey, yellow or red 2009 Porsche Carrera. Yesterday, I wanted a Porterhouse steak and a few kisses on my neck. The point is that our desires change and that's OK. Our desires can be simplistic which is also ok. We are human beings--we want things and that's friggin' OK, too. It isn't selfish to want. It isn't even selfish to want things for YOURSELF! Who else is gonna want for your ass but you? How dare anyone tell you it's selfish or ungrateful to want!


Ask yourself THE question. What is it that I truly want? It may not even be a question you can answer at this very moment. Kudos to you if you can! When we recognize what we want we are more prone to ask for what we want which could be hard for some but I'll tackle that in another post. When we ask for what we want the universe opens up and conspires to work with us to access what we want. It works to align us with the things we truly desire. We just have to ask. Ever get upset about something you secretly desired but didn't get just to realize that it is because you didn't ask? Isn't that one of the worse feelings EVAH?!!?!? The nail on the coffin is when that thing was hella obtainable! I remember wanting this antique bronze peacock once from someone I knew. I was too afraid to ask in fear of the rejection. I feared it wasn't obtainable. It was an antique. It was beautiful. It was heavy. It was strong. It was BOLD. I didn't ask for it. I moved onto something else that was more obtainable to me--at least in my head. I watched that peacock for several weeks until one day I visited that antique shop again. I peeped this little old lady admiring my peacock. "She betta NOT try and get my peacock!" I said to myself. She turns around, inquired about it to the owner before boldly asking if she could have it since there was no price tag on it. The owner explained where she got it, how long she's had it, how she hated peacocks but couldn't bring herself to toss the darn thing and next thing ya know to my chagrin the owner told her she could HAVE it!! WTF?! Did she just GIVE my damn peacock to this old hag!? I can't even communicate how mad I was! Who the hell was I mad at? Who or what could I be mad at beside the scared lil Diva looking in the antique mirror in front of me-- ME! I was mad at me because I didn't ask! It was obtainable and I didn't ask!!! What I learned here is that there is no harm or shame in asking for anything. You may just get the surprise of your life so be careful. I meant that in a good way. So, what are you afraid of? Are you afraid that you just may get it? What is it then? Now, you go ask for it. Go on--ASK! Don't be afraid. It is OK. I've got your back. Go ahead--ASK!


//signed//
The loving, illuminating and motivating Cat's Meow!

A Salute to an Ophthalmological Pioneer 

Whether it is for bragging rights or to get it all over with, there is just something about being first isn't it? Just ask a lil motorman's daughter by the name of Patricia Bath from the mean streets of Harlem.

Patricia Bath is the first African-American woman to receive a patent for a medical purpose. Mind blowing right! The first! Her father was the first black subway motorman for New York City so being first seems to run in her veins. It is only right for her to become the first woman on faculty at the Jules Stein Eye Institute at UCLA. She was also served her residency in ophthalmology at the prestigious New York University--the first African-American to do so! Madam Bath was on a roll. Somebody, like me, loves being first ya dig?

Can you read this post? Can you read it clearly with or without glasses? Ok well.....does your granny have cataracts? Grand-pappy? Ya dog? Oh whatever, I'm sure you know at least one entity with cataracts right? I know a few--ok more than a few but my point is that this woman of distinction--this doctor--this educator-- this innovator invented the Laserphaco Probe for cataract treatment and she did it way back in 1986 and patented the device in 1988 making her the first African-American female doctor to receive a patent for a medical device! Now, why did we not know know this? Don't pretend you knew! Social media definitely wasn't around then and we know that it is the main source of information these days.  Let me hip you to some African-American game real quick.

The gorgeous and talented Dr. Patricia Bath

For the innovative American Institute for the Prevention of Blindess co-founder, earning her first award for scientific research at the age of sixteen, the sky wasn't the limit--there was no limit for this determined New Yorker. To prevent obscurity through unreachable barriers created by society for minorities, Dr. Bath grabbed her determination and research and headed to Europe! With support from the Laser Medical Center of Berlin, the Rothschild Eye Institute of Paris and the Loughborough Institute of Technology in England, Bath was able to achieve what she states as her "personal best" in research and laser science. Her cataract research and passion preventing blindess led her towards the invention of the laserphaco-probe.

Now, what in the dickens is a Laserphaco whatcha-call-it anyway? Hey, be respectful. She's an creator and she is sensitive about her s**t! It called the La-ser-phac-o Probe! 

The Cataract Laserphaco Probe was designed to painlessly remove cataracts from a patient's eyes in an efficient and timely manner through laser technology. This method quickly replaced previous methods within the medical field and went on to change the game of eye surgery. Within time, Dr. Bath was able to restore the vision to patients who had been blind for more than 40 years. Wait--what!? Man, that is long time without being able to see the flowers and sunlight. The laserphaco probe is now used internationally to treat the cataract eye disease. 

//signed//

Elle-the FIRST blogger to introduce Dr. Patricia Bath

(don't judge me-I'm not petty. I'm just the first.....ha!) 

The Secret Is In The Sauce!

I woke up this AM with a memory of some kids excluding me from their punk ass click in primary school because I didn't want to play a certain schoolyard game called "Mama's Bread Burning". That game was a group of kids, usually all girls, that would get in a circle, lock hands or arms while surrounding another individual. That individual would try to break through the circle while the group of kids taunt them singing "My mama's bread is burning and she can't get out. My mama's bread is burning and she can't get out" over and over and over again. They would lock arms real tight, lock their legs together or do anything to prevent that person from breaking through, Hell, I've even seen some kids cross their damn eyes. Now, how in the hell can a crossed-eye prevent a damn prison break? SMH Teachers would watch closely enforcing discipline when necessary, gossip about the teacher's aides and work on lesson plans. As a kid I would always wonder if they were ever really listening--not hearing us--but listening to us. I don't think they really were.

Even as a lil Diva I thought so deeply about things. Some of the things didn't deserve the thoughts I gave them and some of the things did. At this particular time I remember telling them--and showing them- that I didn't wanna be a part of their little psychotic, matricidal game! Now, why did I just get upset while typing this? I have no idea. Maybe it is because I feel that people don't really listen to the games children play or really see the shows the kids watch because if so one would ask why the hell would you want to trap ya moms in a house and prevent her from making it out alive? Who on earth even came up with this darn game and why wasn't she or he even questioned about the goings-on in his or her head? What happens when the child play this so much in their heads that they decide to actually trap mom in the house and prevent her from escaping? What then? 

Do we understand that our mouths are true manifestors? Is that even a word? I don't care. It will be a word today.  Our minds will think and believe anything we vocalize. What we think will often come to fruition whether it is negative or positive which is why we should be more cautious of what we say and thing. We want to carry out what we see sometimes, too. It's like a deep ass conditioning. It's why, when babysitting, I don't allow kids to watch cartoons or any of those shows that claim to be for children. I feel that cartoons start the initial programming of people (secondary to the shenanigans of the parents). This is where we learn to ostracize others that are not like us or accept and pair ourselves with one that we are familiar with--because they are like ourselves. While watching Alvin and the Chipmunks I noticed that Alvin, the popular chipmunk is paired with Brittany, the beautiful chipmunk. Theodore, the pleasurably plump chipmunk is paired with Eleanor, the one of HIS likeness. Then you have Simon, the smart one with glasses and known to be a nerd is paired with another bookworm of his caliber. The crazy part is I only remember Alvin's girlfriend's name because she was the 'main' damn female chipmunk! The one pushed in our faces as a kids b/c she is the one society accepts more. Am I looking too deep into this? Is it just a game the kids are playing? Is it really just a cartoon? Are there no hidden messages in there? Are they there on purpose? Maybe or maybe not but I won't chance it. No ma'am and no suh! These aren't just  obso's. This is real life programming we are talking 'bout here. Pay a-damn-ttention folks! Stop drinking the kool-aid and stirring the damn sauce. Watch out cuz the secret is there! I could go on and on about this subject buy my stomach is growling. Until then.....Look beyond the pretty colors, baby talk and animations and dig into the sauce!

//Signed//

The Cat's Meow

A Little Rhyming and Less Reasoning

I'm one of the few people that refuses to believe that everything happens for a reason. Things happen b/c they just happen. Every instance isn't here to teach us a lesson, it is not always karma and it is not always just a result or reflection of something yet to come. Every person doesn't enter our life with a purpose and every person that exits your life isn't a person "that just didn't deserve or get you". The sun rises because it is time. A ladybug lands on your shoulder because it felt safe to do so. Everyone is not going to like you because it is life. It is not because they feel like you are doing better at this thing called life than they are or its is not because they want to be YOU. It is not that deep. There is no need to find a spiritual connection with everything--no need to conjure up scientific reasoning in all matters--no reason to divide by 12, multiply by 50, take away 20 just to carry the 1 in every situation. Everyone doesn't profit from their hard work. You have people that die on their grind and you have people that have never worked a day in their life but still prosper (Yes, I've seen it). Maybe it is luck, maybe it is not but it still just happens. We feel like we are not complete until we figure out the rhyme to the damn reason all of the time. We have a tendency to miss out on important things this way. NO! The hummingbird did not fly directly in front of you as a sign of something. You just have to be in each other's paths. Appreciate the beauty of it and move on. Listen to the song it sings and move on. Acknowledge its presence and move on, just move on.....MOVE ON!

I'm Just ELLE.......

My Belief is Better Than Your Belief---Shananigans!

I think there are too many people spending far too much time trying to dispel the beliefs of others. How can anyone live their best life this way? We spend so much time debating and studying about "how we got here" and "who made us" or "whose belief system is the 'realest'" and "whose 'most high' is the highest"  that we fail to live life to its fullest potential--our OWN fullest potential. Belief is confidence in the truth or existence of something not immediately susceptible to rigorous proof. Now, tell me why on earth do people continue to 'debate' about someone else's opinion of the truth? Why debate and fight and discriminate over something that can't be proven?  Isn't there more to life than this? How about spending more time on something that leaves no room for debate or interpretation like homelessness, racism, child abuse, failing physical and mental health, unemployment and corrupt governments? These things are not things that has to be studied to be proven or not. They are real! You got spiritual-ness, religious-ness, conscious-ness, enlightened-ness...hell it's too many damn 'nesses'! Shit, when you die, its not like you can come back and tell us whose belief system is more real anyway. Use your own logic & live your own truths and leave everyone to their own devices. Love them anyway. Learn compassion and tolerance. Its so much better that way.

The Nerve of Fools!

You know what chaps my hide (you’re probably asking what does NOT chap my hide but so!)--- Societal thinking?! Why do people insist on living in the archaic time? I have a tendency to believe that they want to have such thoughts simply because they don’t WISH to think otherwise.

One question I’m referring to is when people, especially men, ask any woman in scrubs or a white coat (duh) if they are a nurse. If they see that any female that works in a medical treatment facility they automatically assume she changes bedpans or answer to some male counterpart with the MD behind his name. Why are people choosing to think this way? Do they feel that this is a challenge to MALEhood  cuz surely women have legally and scholastically been holding medical degrees since 1849 beginning with Dr. Elizabeth Blackwell. Don’t act brand-damn-new! You know good and well there are more female doctors than male doctors even though research shows that they are still making $50,000 less then their male counterparts even in positions of the upper echelons but hey that’s another blog entry. Secondly, don’t show your ignorance. You know for Pete’s sake (whoever he is) that nurses do NOT wear white coats you ‘tard! At least –PRETEND like you have your wits about you! Show some darn respect for people’s job. If you don’t know just ask and do come outta your trap with a dumb ass question!

 

This reminds me of when I donned that great American governmental-fatigued uniform. When one find out me or anyone of my friends served in the US Air Force the first dumbass question from their pie hole would be, “Do you fly planes?” Really fuqwad!? I swear I see why some civilians wouldn’t make it past the first question on the ASVAB: What is your name? SMH Oh the level of ignorance. NO! We don’t all get up at 3am! NO! Everyone in the Air Force doesn’t fly planes! These are the people I normally cock my eyes at and give the rudest answer possible! THINK you moron! Its simple! I don’t want to hear the excuse of “I didn’t know” or “I was just curious.” Often times, one can answer their own questions simply by using the cognitive skills given them. This is why I disagree that there are no stupid questions. BULLSHIT! Yes there are! Another example is when my troop and I went out for lunch. She was in uniform and about 7 months preggers when some voluntarily mentally challenged moron asked, “Wow, you can be pregnant in the military?” I responded with, “No this is her last meal before she is burned at the stake for doing something that is apart of human nature! Now GTFOH! What the hell do you think happens—they sterilize all of the women or something? Clearly you couldn’t pass the ASVAB!” ugh! Say what you wish but we really hate dumb questions as does anyone but we strongly hate those same dumb questions that everyone asks! At least be creative and ask something no one else has! To help yall out here is a list of shit not to ask us and answers you may get if you ask the RIGHT veteran:

 

Questions you should never ask Iraq veterans-or any damn veteran!

1. So, how WAS Iraq?

It was paradise getting shot at and all and I hope do it again soon, thanks for asking.

2. Did you like… have to go to Iraq?

No I had a choice, it’s called “Go to war or go to jail”.

3. Did you kill anybody?

Of course! Babies, puppies, you name it, I’ve killed it!

4. Did you shoot anybody?

See above.

5. Did they(The Army) train you before sending you out to war?

No, they just handed us guns and said “Get the Hajis!”

6. Were you scared?

Of course I freaking was, stop asking dumb questions.

7. Did they give you REAL guns?

Nah, we were just playing a big game of laser tag with the insurgents. The BEST part is you can reset when you die, awesome right?

9. Did you lose any buddies over there?

WOW! I personally never had the “PLEASURE” of losing a buddy over there. But please do not ask this question to another veteran.

10. Who are the insurgents fighting over there?

Hell if I know, people that shoot at us.

11. Did you ever get shot at?

Nope, and if I did, I was either asleep in the turret or don’t remember.

12. What you guys EAT over there?

Scorpions, shish kabobs, sand, etc. No seriously man, we ate AMERICAN food, it ain’t like Hollywood, we don’t live off the wild.

15. Oh, you went to Iraq, my friend “so & so” went there also. Did you know him?

Yeah, yeah! I know him… amongst the thousands of OTHER soldiers that are there, in fact, we’re freaking bunk mates!

Bonus Question: How has going to Iraq impacted your life?

*crickets chirp*

1. Oh dude, Iraq? Was it hot??

No way man, its just the desert!

2. But you were never in any REAL danger, right? (To female vets)

No, the Army let me and my vagina lives in a protective bubble. Obviously, some people don’t watch current events! At least 100 women have died in combat! Stay your ass off of Facebook and Instagram and watch some darn CNN or something!

 

Think for your darn-self! This maybe hard considering the way we use our brain cells up on unnecessary things these days but if you try really hard, you can answer your own damn question!

 

When did fools get such nerve?! Hmph I don't know, hell, I'm Just Elle...

I'm Baaaccckkkk and I STILL Hate Stupid People!

Yeah yeah yeah I know I have been gone for a while...quite a while...ok ok a long ass time but hey I had issues that I attempted to work out. The operative word here is 'attempt' meaning there are still some there but hell I will get to them when I get to them. There are things that are beyond my control and that irritates me but I must make like a Beatle and just Let It Be.

Anyway, I left you faithlessly, mentally, emotionally, spiritually and physically drained but I keep hearing from random people that I was missed so I'm baaaaccckkkkkkkkkk and I STILL hate stupid things! Today, while engaging in what I THOUGHT was an intellectual conversation, I became a little irritated with what I think is one of the most ill-fated and misused statements known to man...and woman...hell even animal. While discussing the recent and the most blatantly racially motivated outbreaks and nebulous bouts of "ignorant pretense" (pretending to 'not' know), one person decided to inform the rest of us that she "doesn't care what color a person is be they black, white, blue or green" that she will never allow herself to use a person's race as consideration for unalienable rights. She finished with, "Contrary to popular belief, I'm not like my ancestors. I don't do what they do. I'm my own person. I don't do or say what other people say or do no matter what it is." SMH right--sounds stupidly intelligent huh? Now if you know me then you know I had to speak up and address this madness. I told her that first of all if a mofo is walking around looking blue or green than perhaps they need to seek professional medical assistance as soon as possible or the nearest mortuary. You know good-n-well....*rolls eyes* Now, she countered with, "Its a figure of speech geesh. Everybody says it so why is it so different when I say it? Geesh." She rolled her eyes. LMAO She doesn't know me very well does she?

Boo, you opened up this can of bullSHAT not me. You just said that you don’t do what others do or say but then felt the need to follow that up with “Everybody else says it….”. Don’t get mad at me because you contradicted yourself. If you’re a sheep like you’ve clearly demonstrated in ya actions, then Baa Baaa Bish! Her words, “Well for the politically correct (I sensed slight attitude) what I mean is I don’t care if you’re black or white…geeeshh!” I LMAO and shook my head--“Gray folks” and their ‘geeshes’. HA! Anyhow, I had to come one more time with, “Well that wasn’t correct eitha! How does one just acknowledge the black and white races as if no other race existed? Even though people clearly like to pretend that other races don't exist, they actually do. Last I checked the earth still included the Asians, Latinos, East and West Indian and all of the others in between. What about them?” Ms. Chen-Hu chimes in with gratitude—Thank you! Why do people never acknowledge us?

Me: Don’t worry. I gotcho’ back.

This is the time when lil Ms. Obvious decides that we were all ganging up on her. My thoughts, I really despise when people say things, especially clichés, and never think twice about the meaning. You know good-n-well that there are no Skittle people walking around. Secondly, stop trying to sound intelligent when you’re dumb. Its ok to not know what you’re talking about. Its even better to shut up if you don't know what you are talking about. Its better to be considered a fool than to open your mouth to remove all doubt.

Hmph but then again, what do I know. Hell, I'm Just Elle!

Don't We All?

You never appreciate your parent's good sense and wisdom until you miss an opportunity where you needed it the most. ~ Cyntoia Brown

Think like a man, MY ASS!

Why is so much time and energy directed towards the way women should conduct themselves through life and relationships? Where is the advice for the man in all of this? So, do they get off scott free? Do they not need to work on being a great man and keeping his woman happy in a relationship as well? No one is exempt from having a mutual understanding and respect in a relationship OR everyday life. Be a lady in the streets and a freak in the sheets--The way to a man's heart is through his stomach--Act like a woman and think like a man. If all of this shit aint about the most bogus pieces of advice then I don't know what is. What the hell is 'be a lady in the street & freak in the sheets'? Why can't one just be a freaky lady?! So, you mean to tell me you want me to be your interpretation of a woman in front of your friends but be 'sexually liberated' in bed? What kind of advice is that? So, what is the counter advice for the men on this one? I know some men to be the most rudest, obnoxious and inconsiderate beings in 'da streets' and horrible in bed! Where is that advice? Is that supposed to be the normal masculinity? That's like a dumb saying the old people in my family say "it's ok for a man to be musty but you should never smell a woman". Are you serious? It's not ok for ANYONE to smell like a boarhog with onion smelling armpits in a shitty pig stye! I don't care who it is! I betta not catch a man reaking of total havoc. He will NOT get his ass on top, behind or beneath me smelling like that. I'll be damned if I'ma feed my way into anyone's damn heart either.  What in the hell is gonna happen if I don't feel like preparing a damn meal, is he just gonna sustain his love from me? That is a bunch of crock and yall know it. Where was his damn heart before meeting me? Did he starve or did he find a way to fill his gut? Now in all of this pleasing, who is filling the woman's gut? And I'll be damned if I think like a man. Hell, if I'm thinking like a man than who will a man think like..a woman? Who the hell wants to be in a world where everyone thinks alike? Shit, then it'll be more cheating, insecurities, disloyalty and extra havoc in the world. Besides, I'd rather think like me than any man, any day. Now, I'd love to read their minds I'll have you to know but to completely compilate thoughts like a man...Ne-ga-damn-tive!

UGH! To be continued after my annoyance with societal ways & social norms.

//Signed//
Irritated Elle

Nov 2012

I See You, Do You See ME?

One of my throwbacks....(slightly elementary)



Should I stay, should I go?
Should I question or should I know?
Do I feel or let it be?
Should I heal and set it free?
I ponder this, I question that.
I wonder where your heart is at.
I see you, I see me
I see us then I see...She
Been here before but I let it be
Bit me in the ass, woe is me

Prayed for the days our eyes would meet
A love so soft but bittersweet
Trying to be patient but can't sit still
Wanna be next, not sure if I will
Smoke in my eyes to the 10th degree
But I still see you, do you me?

Not my shell but deep within
Behind my eyes, beneath my skin
Forget my talk, rememba' my speech
Forget my aim but think of my reach
Can't be too scared but can't be too sure
Just only hope that love endures
You saw us and I saw we
And I saw u but did you didn't ME?



e. Seleithia Woods

There's FAITH and then there's that other thing.

It's the substance of things hoped for & the evidence of things not seen. Well, at least this is how the Hebrews defined FAITH. I guess you can say that. I'd like to think, perhaps, that's it's not belief without proof but merely trust without reservation. Hmph...good old' reservation. The uncertainty and the apprehensiveness of it all.

I used to have a lot of faith. Faith that things will work out. Faith that all people are good. Faith that situations are not as complicated as they seem. But then too much shit started hitting the fan and blew every-damn-where, every-damn-day so unexpectedly and when wind hits shit, u know it permeates the air and makes you gag. I either began losing my ground or I forgot to shine and polish my faith gun. Either way, I lost faith somewhere in the Forest of Falter or on the Island of Incertitude. Perhaps its in the closet hidden behind my plethora of shoes or in my trunk of incredulity. Hell, I don't know where the hell I left it. All I know is there is a disconnect somewhere and I aim to put the pieces back together.

I'd like to think that I'm a realist. I tend to view things as they really are. I accept things as I see them, when I see them and where I see them. But then again, I'm Aquarius. Our heads are always in the clouds. So, my question is can a realist have faith? I'd like to say, yes. I'm one of those people--used to be anyway. Hey, I said I'm working on it! Don't judge me, just listen. In his sermons, my father would often hit on the parable of moving mountains. If you had as much faith as the grain of a mustard seed, you can move mountains. Hmm...
Judging by the mustard seed I now wear around my neck, the size isn't much. It's practically the size of the pointy end of a pencil--ya know the lead part. You can barely feel it or see it. You would probably go cross-eyed if you tried to look at it in the palm of your hand. That small huh? Now, have you ever tasted a mustard seed? Its tiny but packs a hell of a punch. Infinitesimal in size with an immeasurable impact. So, why is it so hard for me to garnish that wee bit amount of faith? Just having the idea of faith should be good enough right? Perhaps I've become fearful of faith. Sounds counter intuitive huh? Maybe I am fearing that if I had the wee bit amount of faith in something and that something still went awry then I'd be angry at faith. I mean who or what can I be angry at if what I had faith in took a nose dive? Faith? Hell, besides that, I'd be angry at myself and no one likes to be angry at themselves. Then you'd have to blame yourself. Who really wants to do that? Funny but I think that's it. Yeah you're laughing but I truly think I've found my truth in all of this. Is there a such thing as failed faith? Can faith fail you? Perhaps is it I that has failed faith. Hmph maybe faith never went anywhere, I just failed to acknowledge it. Perchance it is I that got lost on the Isle of Incertitude or in that Faltering Forest. Hmm...

As I've stated, lately I've been wearing my mustard seed charm everyday. Every time I begin to think negatively or faithless about something, I grab it and hold on tight until my though change, even for a minute. I clutched it so hard in my sleep last night that I woke up with sore fingers--minus my arthritic pain. Anyway, its a process. I must trust the process. Believe the process. Have faith in the process.  And right now, I feel that it's gonna be a bumpy ride. So, I'm still wearing my stilettos!

The title of this entry is called There is FAITH and then there's that other thing. If you haven't figured out what that other thing is then perhaps you didn't get the gist of this post. Log off, think about it, come back and read it again. SMH

//signed//
The Faithless Cat's Meow

Burglars In My Bed

My bed grew somewhat crowded last night. Discouragement crept in before I hit REM, well I never hit REM but I know you get the picture. Uncertainty slid in on the other side of me and man was it snoring--loudly! I attempted to sleep again. Tell me why did they both decide to have a complete conversation right in the middle of me going there? I slept for no more than half an hr at a time but in my sleep all I could hear was the chorus to Rihanna's "Diamonds". Shine bright like a diamond, shine bright like a diamond played over & over until I wanted to scream under my breath. Off & on this song would play in my head. I swear it was in cahoots with the intruders in my bed. Detachment tried to creep his little way under the sheets but I kicked his ass out just in time. I'll be damn if I lose anymore shut eye to another impostor. The two in my bed were already conspiring to keep me up until the wee hours of the morning.

One part of me was listening to Diamonds while the other part of me tried to hone in on the rap session of my unwanted back-seater drivers. I had no idea what brought this on--or do I? Ah yes, it was a text I received a few hours earlier. It disturbed me. It probably shouldn't have, at least that's how he puts it but nonetheless, it did. Shine bright like a diamond is playing again. So, who or what do I actually listen to? I know I shine bright as hell but am I that bright where my intruders decided to cop a squat for the night? Do I listen to them because of the loud talking and the interesting things they are saying?

To make matters worse, Discontent, Impatience & Naivete decided to barge in, sit at the edge of the bed & turn my damn tv on! Now how in the hell are they able to turn it on in one flip when it took me a week to do so!? Ugh the freaking nerve! 5 interlopers in my damn bed WITH that damn Rihanna! This can't be real. All of these visitors for what? Needless to say, I got NO sleep. I didn't get to dream. I tossed & turned all night & Discouragement, Uncertainty, Discontentment, Impatience & Naivete all snored until the cows came home. Today is Tuesday, the day I dubbed "IDontGiveADamn" day & guess what? No sleep definitely enhances the lack of concern for any-damn-thing!

//signed//
The Irritable Cat's Meow

So, Who Gets The Gold?



If I get this, I'll pray 4 nothing else...promise





Wish upon a shooting star but tell no one.

There's a question that continues to linger in my mind and his has been since I was a young Diva and for some reason, it's been harassing my thoughts a lot lately. If two people pray or wish for the same thing at the same time then whose wish is granted or prayer is answered? What if that thing is the only one thing at the moment? I think what sparked this question was the Olympic competition. I used to watch it every four years and I see competitors praying for the gold. There is only one gold per competition right? So, if both competitors are equally talented, hardworking and equally as deserving than why does one walk off with the gold and the other one doesn't? They both prayed with equal sincerity right? It baffles me really. What exactly is the determining factor of the win and the prayer? Someone told me yesterday, "Guess it depends on the wish & the people making the wish." Rightfully so but as I stated a few sentences ago, what if BOTH people are equally as deserving. I compare it to something like winning a music or academy award. We hear tons of great music throughout the year before the Grammy's. There is R&B, Neo-soul, Rock, Rap, Hip Hop and so on. Musical artists work very hard whether we'd like to admit it or not. Oftentimes the ones we feel that are more deserving aren't even nominated. Though I love Ms Gagalicious, I'd take Esthero over her any day but why is Esthero never nominated? She has been on the scene for a long time and she has loads of fans.Vikter Duplaix is awesome as hell so what makes him so underground and not Musiq Soulchild? Hmmm....I guess we can chalk it all up to a popularity or familiarity contest if you will. With popularity contests, it's not always the most deserving that wins. It's who is the crowd is most familiar with that gets the gold. Familiarity can be one of the biggest crutches. For starters, it definitely breeds contempt. It keeps you inside a box--stagnate and immovable. You may not be happy but it's something that you know. You don't have to figure it out. You don't have to change. You know the advantages and disadvantages, ups and downs, good and bad of whatever or whomever you are familiarity with. Is there a checklist that the heavens use to see who actually gets their wish granted? Does the universe have a Wish List Requirement? I can't fathom it really. Maybe the real answer is--Who is it meant for if it's meant to be at all? Was I meant to have the part or did the other actress meet more wish-granting criteria then myself, figuratively speaking or course. If it's meant to be, will it be? I don't know. I can't call it. I guess I'll keep wishing, keep praying & eventually I'll get the gold--if it's meant to be of course.

//signed//
The Curiously Cat's Meow

My New Friend (Part Un)

Melancholy is my friend. Happiness used to be.
If ever I'd to choose between the two, Happiness it'll be. 
Desperation is at my door.
Insecurity is already sit'n down
Fear is somewhere in the kitchen
Sadness wears a frown.
Desolate is picking at my scab wombs
Rejection's down the hall
Disparity is talking shit again
while morose is on the prowl.
Truth is nowhere to be found
and Loyalty, I heard is dead.
Faith is somewhere in my dreams
when it used to be in my bed
Understanding & acceptance is somewhere hanging out
When they used to be with me.
I guess they grew tired of being alone.
They needed company.
My heart wonders how I got here
while my head knows just how.
"A combination of things" is what it tells me,
"Dolorous has you now."
Where's my strength, where's my faith?
Where's my friend credence gone?
Honesty, where is your ass
while my Expressiveness is in the john?              
Solitude? Yeah that's my ace.
He's convinced we're having an affair.
 My smile you see is just a mask.
It's usually always there. Trust is peering thru the window
while Apologies are out of town.
I sure miss my friend Ecstasy.
Sorrow is in here wearing a crown.....smh
Hmph...I'm sure my pal will be back soon.
We'll be reunited--you'll see.
But for now, Melancholy is my new friend.
Happiness used to be.
(c) 2011 Elle Woods

//signed//
The Missing Cat's Meow

In the Litter Box

     For the past few weeks, the Cat's Meow has been feeling a lil down in the litter box. Yeah, it happens to the best of us...even me. I can't believe that just purred outta my mouth. smh Like....my thoughts are undesirable and sporadic and I feel like the contents of the litter box--shitty, pissy, rocky, smelly--u get the picture. I'm trying my hardest to think positive thoughts and broaden my faith but for some reason its a bit more complicated than usual. My father used to say that nobody garnished faith like his baby girl (dat's me). Even as a child, I didn't believe in failure, loss, negativity, can'ts or have nots.

I'm a shitty mess right now!

     Lately, it's been a bit different. It's hard to think positive when every time you do, it's combated with at least 2 negatives and ONE of those negatives win. After so many negatives u begin to wonder if the positive still exist. Open a business only for it to shut down. Get over one illness only go gain three more due to the primary illness. I wanna kick the dog cuz he's pissing me off. Learning you are paying $400 in rent MORE than your neighbors for the same amount of space and speaking of space--someone else is in mine and though I love her to death, I NEED IT BACK! Where does it end? Negativity is like that salt in the blue box--when it rains, it pours! So, lately I've been questioning my existence, wondering which talent of mine will take off--if it takes off, life's purpose, lack of sleep when I'm dog ass tired, going home to NO ONE for the sixth year in a row and etc. And whoever said college degrees begets lucrative employment obviously didn't anticipate this crappy economy. If I hear another employer tell me that I am over-qualified for a position, I will commence to being very un-kitty-like! Now of course this is just scratching the surface of my woes but who wants to hear about all of em? We've all got our own problems right. But back to the purpose of this post--life has seriously thrown me curve balls and boulders. I'm trying to keep the faith but that's going nowhere. I'm constantly thinking, crying, working things out, crying, letting people go, crying, questioning people's motives, crying, rearranging this, maneuvering that and so on and so forth oh and did I mention crying? Oh ok just checking. Man I swear I've been in the ring with Mike Tyson AND Lennix Lewis! But Yeah, every now and then I feel this way. It's not often thank the heavens but I guess this year it's my turn. SMH Anyhow, to shorten up this depression of a post, while sitting here contemplating my next move & wondering if ANYTHING will work out in my favor, I get a text. I didn't wanna answer it, look at it, didn't care who it was from & didn't give a damn what they had to say buuuutttttt....of course curiosity killed the kitty cuz I picked up the phone, nonchalantly I may add, and clicked on the message. The sender was one who always feel my sadness, hears my cries from a distance and sees my tears from miles away--my daddy! Hold the hell up! Who da hell taught his ass howta text? I'll get back to that later. Anywho, his text was short simple & like him--to the damn point. "Be strong and brave. U will win. From daddy." Just when I thought I had NO tears left, his ass add fuel to the fire. It was that Super Unleaded Plus fuel but it was fuel nonetheless. It's weird how he knows these things. I didn't tell him anything! It's always been this way.
     SO, needless to say those words of encouragement come thru right on time. Encouragement comes from the strangest of places and the least expecting moments sometimes. It's time for me to climb on out of this litter box anyway. It's quite smelly and these lil rocks are hurting my damn ass...literally! I'm not fully recovered of course but I'm getting there. When a negative thought enters I cuss it right on out! I'll be damned and the hell u say! I guess I'll get back to trying to thinking positive. I hope this works. What am I saying!? It WILL WORK. Who am I to question the first man to hear my cry and the first man to wipe my tear even today while he is miles away. I'm not to question it at all.
It's true what they say-------->>>>>>

//signed//
The Pissy Cat's Meow

Get In, Sit down, Buckle Up, Shut Up & Hold On!!

It's got curves of situations and hills of complications. The red light is bright for a reason but we run it anyway. Sometimes I like to compare life to driving. I mean really who reads the manual? You have to look at least 12 seconds ahead to avoid traffic. Stop when the signs tell you to. Yield when there is warning. Don't speed up at the yellow light for that too, is a bit bright. When the road gets rocky, hold the hell on. Don't expect life to be paved at your every mile. You may have to climb over a boulder or two but if you pay attention to the road you will be richly prepared for them. Talk less--it's amazing the things we hear AND see when we shut the hell up sometimes. You can't do EVERYTHING despite how positive you are. Some things aren't meant to be so sit down & stay calm. When your dreams are clearly on go....BUCKLE UP CUZ IT'S FULL SPEED AHEAD!

//signed//
The Cat's Meow

Clean Out That Damnn Closet! (Day 1)

How can we expect 2 embrace or renew our wardrobe of life if we continue 2 hang on 2 the old shit in our closet? We've outgrown things in there but we refuse 2 discard them. We keep them on the hanger sometimes with the expectation of change. Clothes don't change, we do. Where will be put the new stuff? Our new hat (thoughts) won't fit on the old head. Our new coat (courage) is compromised with the old coat beneath it. We won't talk about the old shirt (needs) not looking as great hanging next 2 the newer one. We continue to hold on to the belt that binds our growth, constantly adding holes on the loose end when there is a perfectly new belt hanging on the rack waiting patiently to be looped. And oh the shoes, shoes, shoes. They are cramped on our feet. They are sweaty & have a hole in the soul so whatchu gon' do? Dreams can't take flight if our shoes are too tight, right? Riiighhhttt....

//signed//
The Spring Cleaning Cat's Meow

There Is One Born Every Minute

YEAH YEAH YEAH I know. I haven't blogged in a while but it's not like I haven't thought about yall...all 28 of yall. I've had plenty to say just not a lot of time to say it in. Well, today is one of those days when I have to sit down and tell you about the foolery. Mind you it's not gonna be a whole lot. It's just that I hate when people say stupid things and do stupid things without thinking about it. Yeah we all do it at some point in time. Nobody is perfect....except me...but there are somethings that deserve logical contemplation before being spewed onto the rest of the world. Now I know a few weeks ago...ok ok a few months ago I blogged about a woman stating that she doesn't trust other women for whatever reason and I know you saw my view point on that. If not see here---> It Takes One to Know One and come back...I'll wait.



Ok back to our regularly scheduled programming. Today on Facebook, someone posted their feelings of disgust for women that speak loudly in public and then they followed up with: Women should be seen and not heard. Typical guy talk, right? WRONG! It was a female! Now if ya know me, you know I couldn't pass on the opportunity to enlighten a mofo. First of all, the statement is "Children should be seen and not heard" which I think is so disheartening.

So I asked the young "lady": Then why are u speaking? Just askin....
Her: What are you talking about? You don't have to be LOUD to speak! #weirdcomment
Me: U said they should be seen and not heard. Usually when people speak it is heard whether it is loud or not. You're a woman. Would you want to just be looked at and only given permission to speak? Think about it.
Her: IT A FIGURE OF SPEECH with only means a lady should be a lady and you don' (she ended with "'don'" so maybe she forgot what she was going to say. It's OK, I have that effect on most people)
Me: Yeah well some figures of speech are illogical ones. I see your point. I just don't agree with the FOS.

Needless to say, she ignored my comment and proceeded to answer someone else that disagreed with her. *shrugs* Now is this bish serious? How would you feel if you were just a body without a voice? Back in the 30's and before then, women were not allowed to voice their opinion, not allowed to vote, not allowed to make a certain amount of money and not allowed to..hell...there were plenty of shit we were not allowed to do so you mean to tell me that you wish we'd resort to that again? Helloooo I know you've heard of the women suffrage movement. It's that movement that sorta allowed you to be the entrepreneur that you are. Oh my how silly are we sometimes. Other women fought for your freedom to speak and your dumb ass wishes to be silenced? I don't get it!  And since we are on the subject of loud her ass clearly typed out: IT A FIGURE OF SPEECH! Number one, all caps is considered to be loud in the computer world and secondly, put an "s" on the end of IT ya genius! How are you gonna criticize something and turn right around and do it in another form? SMDH Thirdly, use proper English, punctuation and complete sentences when addressing the Cat's Meow Bitch! Get ya shit together!Futhermore, YOU are the woman that should be seen and not heard because it is apparent that you don't think before you speak anyway! 


//signed//
The LOUD Cat's Meow

A Lesson In Potatoes

A kindergarten teacher has decided to let her class play a game. The teacher told each child in the class to bring along a plastic bag containing a few potatoes. Each potato will be given a name of a person that the child hates, so the number of potatoes that a child will put in his/her plastic bag will depend on the number of people he/she hates. So when the day came, every child brought some potatoes with the name of the people he/she hated. Some had 2 potatoes; some 3 while some up to 5 potatoes. The teacher then told the children to carry with them the potatoes in the plastic bag wherever they go (even to the toilet) for 1 week.

Days after days passed by, and the children started to complain due to the unpleasant smell let out by the rotten potatoes. Besides, those having 5 potatoes also had to carry heavier bags. After 1 week, the children were relieved because the game had finally ended....

The teacher asked: "How did you feel while carrying the potatoes with you for 1 week?". The children let out their frustrations and started complaining of the trouble that they had to go through having to carry the heavy and smelly potatoes wherever they go.

 
Then the teacher told them the hidden meaning behind the game. The teacher said: "This is exactly the situation when you carry your hatred or grudges for somebody inside your heart. The stench of hatred will contaminate your heart and you will carry it with you wherever you go. If you cannot tolerate the smell of rotten potatoes for just 1 week, can you imagine what is it like to have the stench of hatred in your heart for your lifetime???"

//signed//

The Forgiving Cat's Meow