The mind of a BBW is always churning--a million questions run through my mind on the regular: What should I wear, where are we going, how to get there, how late am I running, did I forget something, can I finish this, should I be here, do I need this, who is it, what do you want now, did I call her back, do I have to read all of this email, can I leave now, did you get my message, do I care, is it done, am I talking to myself, do I have time for this, will you please shut up, do you know what you are doing, did I just hear that, can I get back to you later, why are you asking me, are we there yet, what did I just tell you, how much is it, why me and why today?
Relax, relate, release!
My mind has been going full blast this morning. I am thinking about my case, robbing Peter to pay Paul, thinking of ways to promote the blog, worried about family members, wondering if I am a hypochondriac, planning activities for the fall, fretting over stuff that I have yet to do and should have done yesterday, avoiding my email, avoiding phone calls, lamenting my age and just generally driving myself crazy!
Woosah!
Every now and then I need to remind myself that it is okay to be frazzled and it is also okay if people discover that yes, I am human and really I do not have any mutant powers. That totally belies the BBW mythology that I-can-keep-it-together-all-the-time-because-if-I-don't-the-world-will-end, but sometimes, like in the next ten minutes or so, if the world ends, then so be it.
Here is the deal: I will chillax and calm down and then get back to work until 4:00pm. Then I will take a walk and maybe do a little gardening and play with the Baby Niece and then I will find something else constructive to do until the husband comes home. Then I will go to bed early and pray that tomorrow will be better. And if tomorrow is bad, then I will wash, rinse and repeat until one of these days the sun comes back out. And if that does not work, then I'm headed back to yoga!
Namaste!
Thursday, July 7, 2011
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
Busy and Broke, Pt. 3
Can you believe I have more to say? This is one of those instances where an idea that started as something very simple blossomed into something much bigger...so for the first time ever on the BBW blog, we have a three-part article! In the words of the great Jim Carrey in The Mask, "somebody stop me!"
(Too late, now this will be a periodic feature to be called B-Cubes for busy and broke on a budget :)
In this latest installment, here is a list of day/weekend trips one can take outside of the city. Because come August after you've seen the monuments, visited the museums, been eaten alive by far too many mosquitos at the outdoor events, and eaten at every place where you could snag a reservation during Restaurant Week, you are going to be sick of DC. And no one will be here because Congress will probably be on recess and the rest of the DC natives will be at a family reunion somewhere down south.
So of course there is plenty to do and see outside of our fair city, but you'll have to check back later for an exhaustive overview of the many sights and sounds that await you in Hyattsville, MD or Gaithersburg, MD or even in Annandale, VA. Nevertheless, I will share a few quick thoughts about some the other excursions that are affordable and enjoyable.
(Too late, now this will be a periodic feature to be called B-Cubes for busy and broke on a budget :)
In this latest installment, here is a list of day/weekend trips one can take outside of the city. Because come August after you've seen the monuments, visited the museums, been eaten alive by far too many mosquitos at the outdoor events, and eaten at every place where you could snag a reservation during Restaurant Week, you are going to be sick of DC. And no one will be here because Congress will probably be on recess and the rest of the DC natives will be at a family reunion somewhere down south.
So of course there is plenty to do and see outside of our fair city, but you'll have to check back later for an exhaustive overview of the many sights and sounds that await you in Hyattsville, MD or Gaithersburg, MD or even in Annandale, VA. Nevertheless, I will share a few quick thoughts about some the other excursions that are affordable and enjoyable.
Busy and Broke, Pt. 2
So last night when I started my initial list of things to do in DC when the funds are low and the debts are high, I had no idea that it would become a series...and that some 12+ hours later (minus a few for sleeping, eating, etc.) I would be back at it! Before I continue on with some cheap eating options, I thought that I would offer a brief back story of sorts.
Yesterday I was feeling stressed so I went for a walk around Haines Point, which is one of my spots for getting in some exercise during the summer. And I got to thinking about how walking the Mall is a great way to exercise and to see the sites. And how *free* is definitely a magic number for the Busy Black Woman on a budget who needs low-cost ways to decompress. Lord knows that being busy all the dang time makes us crazy. So I made a mental list of all the many ways that my fellow Busy Black Women could find to relax, relate and release.
(Imagine if you will, Whitley Gilbert relaxing, relating and releasing :)
Yesterday I was feeling stressed so I went for a walk around Haines Point, which is one of my spots for getting in some exercise during the summer. And I got to thinking about how walking the Mall is a great way to exercise and to see the sites. And how *free* is definitely a magic number for the Busy Black Woman on a budget who needs low-cost ways to decompress. Lord knows that being busy all the dang time makes us crazy. So I made a mental list of all the many ways that my fellow Busy Black Women could find to relax, relate and release.
(Imagine if you will, Whitley Gilbert relaxing, relating and releasing :)
Busy and Broke, Pt. 1
Yep, sometimes the second 'B' stands for broke...which is not a great place to be, especially during the summer. So what is a savvy BBW to do? Improvise, of course! And DC happens to be the greatest city in the world for winging it (just ask Congress).
Thus, from the perspective of a bona fide DC native who is always broke, here are a few entertainment options to help you beat the heat and possibly discover something new about the Capitol City:
Visit the Smithsonian: Your hard earned tax dollars have already paid for them, so why let perfectly decent museums sit un-visited? While some museums are overrun by tourists, several others would love to have you stop by, such as the National Museum of African Art (headed by one of my BBW sheroes, Dr. Johnnetta B. Cole); the Museums of Asian Art (the Freer and Sackler Galleries); and the Hirshorn Museum and Sculpture Garden. If you are feeling especially adventurous, take the shuttle from the Mall over to the Anacostia Community Museum (because it is not that easy to find, even for most locals).
Walk the Monuments by Dusk: How long has it been since you actually visited the attractions that are featured in those cheap plastic snow globes and ceramic doo-dads that the tourists love? If you have to think back to an elementary school class trip, then you are long overdue in revisiting some of the city's most iconic places. An early evening stroll is romantic, educational and quieter since there are fewer people milling around. The must-sees on your list should include the Lincoln Memorial, the ultra phallic Washington Monument, and the soon-to-be unveiled MLK National Memorial, but there really is not much that you will not see on the National Mall (except for the Reflecting Pool, which is being renovated).
Thus, from the perspective of a bona fide DC native who is always broke, here are a few entertainment options to help you beat the heat and possibly discover something new about the Capitol City:
Visit the Smithsonian: Your hard earned tax dollars have already paid for them, so why let perfectly decent museums sit un-visited? While some museums are overrun by tourists, several others would love to have you stop by, such as the National Museum of African Art (headed by one of my BBW sheroes, Dr. Johnnetta B. Cole); the Museums of Asian Art (the Freer and Sackler Galleries); and the Hirshorn Museum and Sculpture Garden. If you are feeling especially adventurous, take the shuttle from the Mall over to the Anacostia Community Museum (because it is not that easy to find, even for most locals).
Walk the Monuments by Dusk: How long has it been since you actually visited the attractions that are featured in those cheap plastic snow globes and ceramic doo-dads that the tourists love? If you have to think back to an elementary school class trip, then you are long overdue in revisiting some of the city's most iconic places. An early evening stroll is romantic, educational and quieter since there are fewer people milling around. The must-sees on your list should include the Lincoln Memorial, the ultra phallic Washington Monument, and the soon-to-be unveiled MLK National Memorial, but there really is not much that you will not see on the National Mall (except for the Reflecting Pool, which is being renovated).
Monday, June 27, 2011
Bad Black Movies: Fried Chicken Monday?
Sometimes, you have to change the menu, so this week's Fried Chicken is being served on what would typically be a Red Beans & Rice Monday. Actually, since awards shows tend to air on Sundays and the post-itis commentaries are most timely on a Monday, then we will go with Red Beans and Rice for $200, Alex...
Except, the BBW did not watch the BET Awards last night! I was out to dinner and while every TV in the place was tuned to the BET Awards, we were seated outside watching the foot traffic. And I left my cell phone in the car, so I was unable to follow the tweets and FB updates in real time. And when I got home, I COMPLETELY FORGOT to tune in! So, I guess no Red Beans & Rice today folks.
Fried Chicken it is!
What I did watch instead of the BET Awards was Soul Food for the umpteenth time. And after mourning Big Mama and wondering what in the heck happened to Vivica A. Fox's career, I then watched Jungle Fever--another movie that I've seen at least ten times.
Now you probably disagree that these two films should be described as bad black films; however, before you accuse me of being a bourgie snob, I'll ask you to think back to the last truly excellent black movie you saw...
And I'm betting that your answer was Love Jones, which came out nearly 15 years ago in 1997! (Take a moment to collect yourself because it has really been that long).
Except, the BBW did not watch the BET Awards last night! I was out to dinner and while every TV in the place was tuned to the BET Awards, we were seated outside watching the foot traffic. And I left my cell phone in the car, so I was unable to follow the tweets and FB updates in real time. And when I got home, I COMPLETELY FORGOT to tune in! So, I guess no Red Beans & Rice today folks.
Fried Chicken it is!
What I did watch instead of the BET Awards was Soul Food for the umpteenth time. And after mourning Big Mama and wondering what in the heck happened to Vivica A. Fox's career, I then watched Jungle Fever--another movie that I've seen at least ten times.
Now you probably disagree that these two films should be described as bad black films; however, before you accuse me of being a bourgie snob, I'll ask you to think back to the last truly excellent black movie you saw...
And I'm betting that your answer was Love Jones, which came out nearly 15 years ago in 1997! (Take a moment to collect yourself because it has really been that long).
Saturday, June 25, 2011
The 2011 Michael Jackson Tribute
Of course I could not let this day pass without any commentary. Although I am not wearing my special tee shirt as planned and I may not get to watch The Wiz, I just had to acknowledge the significance of this day. It is the day that Michael Jackson became immortal.
I remember every detail of the day two years ago--the youngest brother was just leaving my house and I was headed to ballet class. While packing my dance bag, the news flash came that MJ had collapsed and had been rushed to the hospital. In the car ride over to the dance studio, radio stations were already playing his music although there were conflicting reports about his status. In dance class, I was too distracted to focus and kept thinking, what in the world would it mean if Michael Jackson was gone.
And now we know. Two years later, and I totally understand how Elvis fans feel every August 16th. But instead of mourning, I celebrate!
I remember every detail of the day two years ago--the youngest brother was just leaving my house and I was headed to ballet class. While packing my dance bag, the news flash came that MJ had collapsed and had been rushed to the hospital. In the car ride over to the dance studio, radio stations were already playing his music although there were conflicting reports about his status. In dance class, I was too distracted to focus and kept thinking, what in the world would it mean if Michael Jackson was gone.
And now we know. Two years later, and I totally understand how Elvis fans feel every August 16th. But instead of mourning, I celebrate!
The BBW Gardening Chronicles
I mentioned a while back that I decided to take up gardening again...which is totally insane given where my life is at the moment. Like if I don't feel like pulling weeds, why am I planting more stuff into the ground?
Which is why I am gardening in containers! And another cheat--getting plants that were already started at the nursery instead of starting my own from seed. Yes, I should be ashamed, but I'm not since that is precisely the reason why they sell those pre-started plants anyway. For busy folks like me who did not start their tomatoes in April, these will do the trick just fine, thank you very much.
Which is why I am gardening in containers! And another cheat--getting plants that were already started at the nursery instead of starting my own from seed. Yes, I should be ashamed, but I'm not since that is precisely the reason why they sell those pre-started plants anyway. For busy folks like me who did not start their tomatoes in April, these will do the trick just fine, thank you very much.
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