It's day four and for the moment I'm thinking that this has spurred a life change. Just last night I was explaining to a friend that I wasn't going to spend $100 or more on a juicer but today I've been researching and think it may be a wise investment. I'm thinking that I will definitely incorporate juicing into my week in some way. Maybe Saturday will be an all juice day and I think that there are plenty nights when I might choose to juice for dinner.
I owe a lot of this to my angel & niece Amber. She's on her first trip out of the country & for some reason I thought that I'd do a fast to support her. I am soooooo happy that I did it.
Thursday, June 6, 2013
Wednesday, June 5, 2013
Opinion Vs Fact
It has become a daily occurrence now that I'm reading or having a conversation and left thinking of how people form opinions about the lives of celebrities or any other folk and seem to state those opinions as fact.
A few minutes ago I was checking in on Facebook and someone had posted an article about Paris Jackson (Michael's daughter) being admitted to the hospital for what is claimed to have been a suicide attempt. Reading the comments about how the family is responsible due to their raising of the girl and how they haven't learned anything since Michael passed away just amazes me.
I am about 99.9% sure that none of those commenting not only do not know any of the family, but have never even shaken hands or said hello to any of them as well. Why is it so easy to form opinions about those we don't know and turn those opinions in to fact? Wow. Yes, we all judge in some way and yes, we all have our opinions. That does NOT make them fact. We can guess at what's going on but unless we spend some time with that person and they share what's happening with us, that's all we can do, guess.
Our opinion is not everyone's fact!
A few minutes ago I was checking in on Facebook and someone had posted an article about Paris Jackson (Michael's daughter) being admitted to the hospital for what is claimed to have been a suicide attempt. Reading the comments about how the family is responsible due to their raising of the girl and how they haven't learned anything since Michael passed away just amazes me.
I am about 99.9% sure that none of those commenting not only do not know any of the family, but have never even shaken hands or said hello to any of them as well. Why is it so easy to form opinions about those we don't know and turn those opinions in to fact? Wow. Yes, we all judge in some way and yes, we all have our opinions. That does NOT make them fact. We can guess at what's going on but unless we spend some time with that person and they share what's happening with us, that's all we can do, guess.
Our opinion is not everyone's fact!
The Limits of Control
"The best films are like dreams you're never really sure you've had." - my latest favorite movie line delivered by Tilda Swinton's character
The above quote seems like a good way to describe my feelings about Jim Jarmusch's"The Limits of Control."
I just came across this draft. Years later, I'm not sure where I was going with it & I might need to check out "The Limits of Control" again for a refresher.
The above quote seems like a good way to describe my feelings about Jim Jarmusch's"The Limits of Control."
I just came across this draft. Years later, I'm not sure where I was going with it & I might need to check out "The Limits of Control" again for a refresher.
The Liquid Fast
I'm on day 3 of my liquid fast and it's getting better. It looks as if day one was the worst. Not only was it the worst, it was TERRIBLE! I've done several other fasts before but I can now say that the liquid fast is the toughest for me. The original plan was 2 weeks but I'm not so sure.
Here's the Mamadoc diet:
Daytimes at work - Vega shakes mixed with Rice Drink, Spirulina tablets, water & green tea
Evenings at home - juiced veggies
Day One
Terrible terrible headache most of the day and until I finally caved and took some Aleve around 10pm
Day Two
Lots of energy throughout the day and what appeared to be a headache forming but never came to fruition.
Here's the Mamadoc diet:
Daytimes at work - Vega shakes mixed with Rice Drink, Spirulina tablets, water & green tea
Evenings at home - juiced veggies
Day One
Terrible terrible headache most of the day and until I finally caved and took some Aleve around 10pm
Day Two
Lots of energy throughout the day and what appeared to be a headache forming but never came to fruition.
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
All of Us
In the South Bronx, a young doctor embarks on a research project to find out why black women are being infected with the HIV virus at an alarming rate. Dr. Mehret Mandefro takes us into the lives and relationships of two of her female patients, Chevelle and Tara, as they identify and struggle with the social factors that put them at risk.
Chevelle, abandoned by her family as a teenager, became addicted to drugs and dependent on sex with men to get attention and cash. When we meet her, she's been clean for a year and is striving for financial independence. Tara suffered sexual abuse for much of her life and resorted to sex work to survive. Her current boyfriend is pressuring her for sex even though she is undergoing a series of invasive surgeries for cervical cancer. Despite her frail condition, Tara works to overcome her fear of saying no and gains new confidence along the way.
As Chevelle and Tara strive for more power in their lives and relationships, Mehret expands her research to include women across boundaries of race, class and country. She also begins to grapple with these extremely personal themes as they appear in her own life. A visit to Ethiopia, her birthplace, and candid conversations with her privileged girlfriends in New York, yield a startling realization: heterosexual women across the continents face a dangerous power imbalance in the bedroom. When she lets her hair down, steps out of her doctor's role, and confesses her own weaknesses, even this Harvard trained physician sounds just like one of us.
ALL OF US is about AIDS but it is not a tragedy. It is a story of resilience, sisterhood and courage.
http://www.allofusthemovie.com/aboutthefilm.php
One of my first thoughts while watching this documentary last night was that it was a good alternative to "Precious". For me "Precious" was just a lot of drama for entertainment sake - if that's how you like to be entertained. However, "All of Us" brought it to reality. TRUTH seemed to be the major underlying message in the film as I saw it. An important truth was that it wasn't just people who came from bad homes, suffered incest, dropped out of school, and led a life of drugs and wild sex. Even the doctor whose focus is HIV/AIDS had to admit that she was not always practicing safe sex. She came from a two parent (loving two parent) household, was obviously well educated, and beautiful.
Inspiration to look in the mirror and start by being truthful with ourselves. The film also encourages real talk. Glad I saw it!
Chevelle, abandoned by her family as a teenager, became addicted to drugs and dependent on sex with men to get attention and cash. When we meet her, she's been clean for a year and is striving for financial independence. Tara suffered sexual abuse for much of her life and resorted to sex work to survive. Her current boyfriend is pressuring her for sex even though she is undergoing a series of invasive surgeries for cervical cancer. Despite her frail condition, Tara works to overcome her fear of saying no and gains new confidence along the way.
As Chevelle and Tara strive for more power in their lives and relationships, Mehret expands her research to include women across boundaries of race, class and country. She also begins to grapple with these extremely personal themes as they appear in her own life. A visit to Ethiopia, her birthplace, and candid conversations with her privileged girlfriends in New York, yield a startling realization: heterosexual women across the continents face a dangerous power imbalance in the bedroom. When she lets her hair down, steps out of her doctor's role, and confesses her own weaknesses, even this Harvard trained physician sounds just like one of us.
ALL OF US is about AIDS but it is not a tragedy. It is a story of resilience, sisterhood and courage.
http://www.allofusthemovie.com/aboutthefilm.php
One of my first thoughts while watching this documentary last night was that it was a good alternative to "Precious". For me "Precious" was just a lot of drama for entertainment sake - if that's how you like to be entertained. However, "All of Us" brought it to reality. TRUTH seemed to be the major underlying message in the film as I saw it. An important truth was that it wasn't just people who came from bad homes, suffered incest, dropped out of school, and led a life of drugs and wild sex. Even the doctor whose focus is HIV/AIDS had to admit that she was not always practicing safe sex. She came from a two parent (loving two parent) household, was obviously well educated, and beautiful.
Inspiration to look in the mirror and start by being truthful with ourselves. The film also encourages real talk. Glad I saw it!
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Youssou N'Dour: I Bring What I Love
Doesn't happen often, but I have a new movie on my "must see" list. "Youssou N'Dour: I Bring What I Love". Love has to be the operative word that sums it all up for me. You can feel the love and the passion that Youssou brings with his music and that just can't be faked. A couple of times during the documentary men are brought to tears from the power of the performances. Now that's something - seeing a strong African man cry from love.
The documentary is centered around the release (and fallout) of Youssou's "Egypt" cd. The cd that finally won him a Grammy (after 4 nominations I think) was also the cd that made his own people in Senegal turn their backs on him. As the cd was celebrated in other countries, those who had even heard it in Senegal would not talk about it. Stores there would not sell it and curses went out towards Youssou.
"Egypt" was Youssou's way of singing about what he loved. He sang about his religion and its prophets. Unfortunately, he wasn't one of the chosen few allowed to sing about such.
What watching the problems that Youssou faced and his fight to support what he felt true to his heart, I thought of some of the church people I hear on a regular basis. They don't like the new gospel music. Why can't we just sing the old hymns? Fear of change is not of God but what so many "spiritual" people allow to make them forget what love is all about.
I think that there is something in this film for everyone whether it be the music, the cultural lessons, a chance to look in the mirror, or encouragement to keep on pushing for what you believe in.
Thank you Youssou for bringing what you love and sharing it with the rest of us.
The documentary is centered around the release (and fallout) of Youssou's "Egypt" cd. The cd that finally won him a Grammy (after 4 nominations I think) was also the cd that made his own people in Senegal turn their backs on him. As the cd was celebrated in other countries, those who had even heard it in Senegal would not talk about it. Stores there would not sell it and curses went out towards Youssou.
"Egypt" was Youssou's way of singing about what he loved. He sang about his religion and its prophets. Unfortunately, he wasn't one of the chosen few allowed to sing about such.
What watching the problems that Youssou faced and his fight to support what he felt true to his heart, I thought of some of the church people I hear on a regular basis. They don't like the new gospel music. Why can't we just sing the old hymns? Fear of change is not of God but what so many "spiritual" people allow to make them forget what love is all about.
I think that there is something in this film for everyone whether it be the music, the cultural lessons, a chance to look in the mirror, or encouragement to keep on pushing for what you believe in.
Thank you Youssou for bringing what you love and sharing it with the rest of us.
What Is Sexy
Here's the article that made me think about it today:
http://globalgrind.com/content/953055/The-Problem-With-Amber-Rose/
http://globalgrind.com/content/953055/The-Problem-With-Amber-Rose/
I always read the comments because I often find them as important as their subject. I was reading this one a minute ago and just wondering (once again) why is it that as women, we're not thought of as being comfortable with ourselves, secure, or free unless we're putting it all out there (breasts, butts, punanny, etc.). I've read a couple of articles about how intelligent Ice-T's wife was. You think if she hadn't had all the plastic surgery, wore clothes that covered her breasts and at least a third of her body, and wasn't always letting us know what goes on in her bedroom with her husband we'd have to have articles talking about how intelligent she is?
Shit, I can be sexy with sweat pants & a t-shirt on. I'm okay with being naked too but I just don't feel as if that's for everyone else to see.
I was looking at a picture of Lil Kim earlier today on some site and thinking about in the movie "Notorious" it was Biggie who told her that she needed to wear less clothing to make it. I somehow wondered if this was the beginning of her self-confidence being broken down and down to the point where it wasn't just wearing lil to nothing, it was plastic surgery.
She was such a beautiful young woman before she began this transformation. She has to be one of the sweetest people I've ever met as well.
Also brings up what thoughts about how in today's society being free and confident and open in relationships equals hanging out at strip clubs and swinging. I listen to Michael Baisden on my way home from work each day and as I listen to the "experts" he has on, I think that we have definitely gotten lost.
I don't want to go to the strip club with my mate because I don't want to be a participant in him lusting after other women. Love and commitment doesn't stop you from being attracted to others, but why put yourself in a situation that can easily lead to acting upon those attractions.
I don't want to go to the strip club with my mate because I don't want to be a participant in him lusting after other women. Love and commitment doesn't stop you from being attracted to others, but why put yourself in a situation that can easily lead to acting upon those attractions.
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