Totally Random Wednesday #5- BWE Power Playlist

Chicas, this battle out of Blackistan can be long and hard. It ain't easy to keep rollin' with the punches but when we look back at the awesome heritage of womanhood from which we descend, we can keep that chin up and that upper lift stiff. Remember that you are Harriet's daughters, Sojourner's daughters. Ida's, Madame C.J.'s and Maya's daughters. We don't fall down and we don't die! When ever you need encouragement, a time to vent or just mellow out, these are some of the best songs to help you through. Music is a great way to immediately take your mind off of all the negativity. Add them to your playlist and play them while your are studying, working, building your business, losing that weight, properly vetting men. And remember that your sister JaeJae is thinking of you and cheering you on! 

 *Don't forget to turn the sound off on the playlist at the bottom. :-)

*Jessica Simpson-These Boots Are Made for Walkin'

*Jessica Simpson- A Public Affair

*Ashton Sheppard-Look It Up

*Miranda Lambert-Baggage Claim

*Anna Nalik-Just Breathe

*Des-ree- You Gotta Be

*Flyleaf-Arise

*Taylor Swift-Eyes Open

*Mary J. Blige- Just Fine

*Rihanna- Only Girl

*Katy Perry- Firework

*Ani DeFranco- 32 Flavors-(love this one!!!!!!)

*Telepopmusick-Breathe
*Superchick- Beauty From Pain
*Fiona Apple- Sleep To Dream

*2NE1- I don't care-(cute Korean song about a girl who's had it with her faithless BF!)
*BarlowGirl- Mirror
*Alanis Morrisette- One Hand in My Pocket
*Tool-Ænema-(OK. I was in a totally pessimistic mood when I chose this song so if you are really feeling P.O.'d this one's for you.)
*Seether- Breakdown- (LOVE THIS!!!!)
*Whitney Houston- I'm Every Woman
*Marilyn Manson- Tourniquet- (I LOVE this song! Manson wrote it at a low point in his life and I have often found the lyrics relative to my own pain at times.)

Strange order and strange taste I have, I know but, I do love random!

If you hear a song and you like it or you have a suggestion for the playlist, lemme know!

Totally Random Wednesday # 4- British Babes

Ever since I was girl I have LOVED England. I used to go around speaking with a British accent and I used to really fool people too! I can't remember the very first Brit that made me go ga-ga, but I do know that there has never been a shortage of the merry old hunks that make me swoon. I thought it would be fun to post a few picks of just some of my favorites and allow others who read this blog to join me in collective, shameless slobber. Enjoy!

Matt Smith

You might know this hottie as the 11th Doctor Who on BBC. With that lovely pale skin and green eyes, he just makes you wanna abandon all and join him in an adventure through time in that little blue box of love. And when that box is rocking, no Cyberman, Dahlek or Slitheen better come knocking.

Sting

British men have been some of the world's best singers and musical talents for quite some time. Sting is always close to my heart as I first fell in love with him when I heard his song "Fields of Gold". What an awesomely romantic song. You can really get the sense that Sting is a deep man with a beautiful soul and wicked way with words that will have you melting in his arms.

Ralph Fiennes

Look at that smolder. That's a deathly glance to the hearts of unsuspecting damsels all over this world. Be careful ladies, as Ralph Fiennes is a fine specimen of a man.I absolutely loved him in Red Dragon. I didn't even care if he was a  sadistic hacker. If they all looked like him murder would be legal!

Christian Bale

Hmm, facial-hair-Christian or no facial- hair-Christian? That's what I was thinking when I was searching for pics of this most illustrious beauty. I loved him in Little Women and my heart just melted for him after he apologized for going off on some dude on set. Since I don't want to hurt facial-hair Christian's feelings I'm adding both for your viewing delight!

 

 

Oh Christian! You make this American, Psycho!!!!!!!

Kenneth Branaugh

Kenneth, Kenneth. I don't know wherefore your mama named you Kenneth, but I do know a rose called by your name would indeed be sweeter.  I'm not sure if Shakespeare really was gay, but I'm pretty sure he'd be gay for you!

Billy Idol

All the reasons I love the '80's can be wrapped in one phrase" Rock the Cradle of Love". I'll never forget seeing that video on VH-1 was the first time I realized I love rock music- and Billy Idol. With 29 years between us, Billy, you can most certainly rock my---well, that'll just sound so wrong! LOL! I love you, Billy! :-P

 Burn Gorman

Yes, ladies. His name....is Burn. And it's more than appropriate. What prophetic parents he must have had, to realize that their little bundle of joy would grow up and melt hearts with his piercing brown eyes. I loved him in BBC's Bleak House mini-series (if you got Netflix, watch it!) and he just so happens to be a musician. He was also born in America. *gasp* Oh no! That's okay, Burn, honey. We forgive you! Lol!

Hugh Grant

This "Four Weddings and a Funeral" Star is just too much man for this All-American girl. I'll admit! I just can't handle the power of that heart-stopping gaze. Oh, thank God none of us were born during the Revolution. If they'd put this hunk in front of the canons, we would have been doomed!!!

Richard Armitage

And speaking of the Revolutionary War, seeing this picture to the left is the first time I ever wished we'd lost! So not fair! So not freakin' fair! Oh, Richard, darling! If you ever want to trade the Union Jack for the Stars and Stripes, the ladies of the US would happily swap you out for this poor imitation. (And we wonder why nobody buys American anymore! *hand to face*)

Oh god! I just can't stand it! I think we need a triple dose of Brit Rich to thoroughly cleanse our visual palates!

*sigh* Ah! There! Now, moving on......

 
Christopher Eccleston


Hey! Why don't we just get the 9th Doctor Who to take us back in time in the TARDIS and set the record straight! That's right, Chris! We are depending upon you! Gawd, what is it with British dudes and their ears?  I just looovvveee those ears. And eyes. And smile. And lips and....oh who am I kidding? If I get stuck in a TARDIS with Christopher Eccleston, I'm never leaving! Revolution be damned!

Rufus Sewell

I have loved this hunk ever since "A Knight's Tale". I think it's that dark hair combined with sexy green eyes. It was one of the only times I think I ever actually sided with a villain in the movie. And oh what a good bad boy you are, Rufus. I love to love ya!

*AND*

Rufus gets double hottie points for thinking about future generations of girls who will be in much need of eye candy with people like Jay-Z and Lil' Wayne having the nerve to breed. That's right, ladies. He procreated. Aw, Rufus! Thanks for letting us know how much you cared! We knew you wouldn't let us down. 

What an absolutely adorable boy!

Last and most certainly not least........

 

Luke Goss

I will never forget the first time I saw him in Blade 2. He was a bloodthirsty, vampiric mess but I still couldn't wait for the credits to roll up so that I could find out what the heck his name was! What an adorable man! I am honestly baffled as to why he isn't as well-known than he could be in the US. He's so talented and easy on the eyes. Just lovely! Oh and there is DOUBLE hottie points for him too! Or should I say quadruple as this Hottie McHot-Hot has an equally steamy twin!



Matt Goss

No you aren't seeing double! You are simply seeing proof that God is real! Hello! Meet Matt Goss! He and Luke actually used to be in a British boy band called Bros. They had lots of hits and Matt still writes songs and sings. With eyes like a clear blue sea and big strong arms to hold you tight, he could sing "Mary Had a Little Lamb" and still top the charts. Thank you Goss boys for being the double dose of yum that a girl needs! Bless your mother's womb!



Well, that's all for now. When ever you're feeling down and tired of dealing with life's little problems, just come back here and dream for a spell. And if you're using a public computer, have the decency to wipe the drool from the key board before you go!

Happy Hump Day!

Totally Random Wednesdays #4- Flawless-Celebrating the Normal Body

  * I just wanted to give a quick thanks to Faith and BW Living Well for linking me in their blogs. I really appreciate it! Do check them out if ya haven't already!

http://actsoffaithblog.com and http://bwlivingwell.tumblr.com/

Bear, Hugs | Forward this Picture

Many of us suffer from body image issues. Ok, most of us. We look at magazines and television and we actually believe that the Photoshopped fake bodies on celebrities and models are representation of real or ideal physiques. Well, any woman who has ever had a weight problem, growth spurt or baby knows that these images are nothing but hog wash.

Yeah Rrriiiigghhhhhttttt.........

This TRW, my darlings, I want you to know the truth: that there is no such thing as a body flaw. Cellulite, stretch marks, pock marks, scars, flab and acne are ALL normal. Period. So many people say that there is no perfect body. Well I say that all bodies are perfect already.

Now, it is absolutely normal to want to improve your appearance. If you don't particularly like your scars or anything that makes you feel like it takes away from the image you think is best for you, it's ok to want to remove them or treat them and if doing say will aid your confidence then go for it! But, what I really want you all to understand is that, unlike obesity, all of the aforementioned "imperfections" are normal and natural occurrences in the human body and that the media has distorted our view of what a normal body is. 

She has cellulite and rolls.

 Many people would try to make you think that because you aren't photoshop perfect that you are not worthy of love, that men will be turned off by your scars or cellulite. Listen very carefully. Any man who would be so shallow as to let something as LAME as that stop him for praising your beauty and loving you like you deserve to be loved, is a special breed of loser, especially if you have had a baby. That is NOT the proper response to a vessel that has housed and sustained life and he should be singing your praises. Oh, and guess what? Guys are prone to the same body issues as we are!

Do not believe the lies. A woman's body goes through many changes throughout her life and all of those little scars and marks tell your story. Remember that: your body is a canvas on which life, fate and experience tells it's tale. Celebrate it and never be ashamed of YOUR unique story. 

Still think celebs have "perfect" bodies?

You are beautiful and already perfect. Flawless and completely whole. I seriously recommend being careful of the magazines and shows that you watch, especially if you have daughters. They must understand that the changes and development of their bodies is normal. They must understand that they are their own beauty standard and whatever adds value to their life they must accept and any lies and misrepresentation must be weeded out and tossed in the gutter they came out of. 

You are already good enough. You are already worthy. You are already FLAWLESS!!!!!!!!

Totally Random Wednesday #3- Midterms SUCK!

So the reason why I didn't get to post the fabulous post that I am still working on is because of MIDTERMS! I loathe them. Why is it that every single professor seems like they are oblivious to the fact that you have 3 or four other classes? I have one professor who kills a rainforest a day just to hand out articles on the material we are reading that nobody EVER reads. I'm talking 6-7 articles per week when we already have a book a week to read. Not only that, but she didn't even give a review for the test! The only thing she did was give us a vague idea of what she would ask on the test. Ok people. So help me god when I got that test there was absolutely NONE of the stuff on there that she said would be! I never missed multiple choice so much in my life!

Oh and let's not even talk about some of the lectures these people give. I mean, do I really need to know about when you were younger and how back in your day kids did 30 page papers on the power of subjective perception and existentialism in Virgina Woolfe's "To The Lighthose" without complaining? I'm sorry I thought this was the Modernists 101 not American History for Bored Dummies. And please do not tell me about what kids did in your day. I don't think it's fair that you brag about the fact that you were privileged enough to be born in the same era as these ancient writers and are therefore better able to understand the ancient drivel that none of us whippersnappers know how to use. That's all wet, daddy-o! (Modern translation="That's not cool!")

And I will never understand why some of these teachers actually think giving us the sodid details of their young adult sexual exploits makes them better able to connect with us. Ok, when you look like you're old enough to have changed Jesus's diapers, I don't want to know about your sex life. I would actually prefer to think you don't have one. I don't feel like our relationship has improved, I just feel violated and sick to my stomach. Telling me how a certain scene in a book reminded you of Jenny, a cute girl who lived on the farm next door to you in your glory days and how you met in the barn and proceeded to subject innocent barn animals to a horror show is not going to make me like these dry and wordy tomes anymore. It makes me want to call PETA and drop your class.

And so ends my mini-rant, Happy Belated Hump Day and good luck on your mid-terms!

Totallay Random Wednesday #2- You DESERVE a serenade!

Well, sisters, I think it's high time we started to cut out  of our diet the misogynist BS of hatred and sexual perversion that the hip-hop/rap industry has been force-feeding us for far too long. No longer can they be allowed to actually try to pass this crap off as music.Sisters, you are beautiful, intelligent and you DESERVE to be romanced and wooed. Just like how Romeo wooed Juliet by comparing her to a saint, or Plutarch's passionate pursuit of the attainable lady, you are just as desirable and just as worthy of praise.

For far too long, we have been accepting garbage as romance and disrespect for honor. What I hope for you to realize today is what it really means to be treasured, desired and praised in song. A song is poem set to music and poetry is the language of the soul. And if it comes from the soul, it only seeks to give to you and ask for nothing in return. A man who loves you will praise you because you are you, not because he wants to fill your ears with pretty nothings in order to get from you what he desires. No! It's all about you! I made this playlist in your honor because I never want you to forget what it really sounds like to be serenaded and celebrated. You deserve love. You deserve praise. You deserve a serenade!Enjoy! (PS You will have to pause my "Playlist Player" on the bottom of the page! :-) Also, for a few the vids, you have to listen on Youtube and then comeback here to hear the rest! To move forward, just hit the "Next" button next to the "Play" button!)

Totally Random Wednesday #1- Why Mrs. Oleson Rocks!

I love Little House on the Prairie. I get all nostalgic just thinking about it. I remember when I was in the second grade and our teacher used to read to us from Little House in The Big Woods. I used to dream about being Laura and having all of her same adventures. 

Growing up, my family and I actually bonded over the TV show. I loved all the characters and appreciated the religious message that it had as well it's promotion of tolerance.

However, I never liked Mrs. Oleson. If the show could be said to have a villain, it would be either her or that horror Nellie. I was watching the Hallmark channel the other day, which plays re-runs of the show  and it was the two-part episode where Laura meets Almanzo. Nellie had just recently graduated high school and decided that she also liked Almanzo. However, it's what Mrs. Oleson does that allows me to appreciate her for the first time ever and to start to look into the many qualities that actually are positive about her.

We all know that Harriett Oleson is a greedy, bigoted, miser, who spoils the two snottiest children in the entire world. She's an elitist social climber who views herself as superior to everyone else and hen-pecks her husband Nels. But then I remembered something that I learned in high school philosophy class, that in reality, there is no such thing as evil. Basically, everything that a person does is self interested and, even if it's not for the good of others, it's for the good of themselves. She reminds me why it's so important to be self interested and put yourself first. Here is a list of just the few things that I hope ALL women can learn from Mrs. Oleson- as long as we don't take it to her same extremes!

 1. She's a resourceful business woman who knows the value of money. (Season 1 "Country Girls")

 2. She is fiercely proud of her children and encourages them to always be the best and have the best opportunities. (Season 2 "The Campout")

 3. She knows and appreciates the value of a good social standing. (Season 5 "As Long as We're Together 1&2)

 4.She values a good and presentable appearance. (Any season, she always makes sure her children are the bet dressed)


 5. She knows how to vet people and evaluate if they will bring value to her life. (Any episode where she states her disdain for miscreants lol!)


 6. She is not afraid to fight for what she thinks is right and is a go-getter. (Season 6 "The Preacher Takes a Wife")


 7. She gets involved in politics and doesn't let being a woman stop her. (Season 9 "Welcome to Olesonville")


8. She knows the value of a good marriage as she twice intervenes on behalf of both her niece and her daughter when they pursue less than advantageous unions. (Season 1 "Doctor's Lady and Season 4 "Here Come the Brides")


9. She didn't let a broken engagement stop her from pursuing her dreams of marriage and comfort (Season 6 "The Preacher Takes a Wife")


10. She knows that, in spite of all the mistakes you make in this life, it's never too late to change!

Hope you enjoyed!
More on Mrs/ Oleson

Oh! And check out the episode I was talking about called "Back to School"!