How do you like your coffee?

I haven't done a relationship post in a while - so it was fate when I was pulled into a heated argument with my roommates (and one of their boyfriends) - tada! A post is born.
The question of the day: Do Black men step up to the plate when it comes to marriage? Or have Black women taken their role as Mighty Woman too seriously and their melanin counterparts are adding milk and sugar to their coffee?

Before jumping in, let me set the stage and give you a synopsis of the characters:
Roommate Number 1: She's loud. Her argument style is to keep repeating what she wants to say at increasing decibels until someone's ear drums burst OR someone throws up the white flag.
Roommate Number 2: Was the one with her boyfriend present, so she was a little quiet until he said something that could be indicative of their relationship.
The Male: #losing

The women argued that the men in this situation can't accept the responsibilities of marriage. Our male perspective told us that it was Black women like roommate number 1 that makes Black men shy away from marriage - implying her attitude was the main reason Black women don't make it to the marriage material folder (rude *insert eye roll). Both roommates seemed to be concerned that once the financial security comes and marriage is feasible - they add milk to their coffee and no longer like their coffee black and strong.

When I was asked for my two cents my answer was this: Most men black or white need to feel financially complete before they can commit to something like marriage. For example, if financial security is not in the horizon, chances are you're not getting a ring any time soon. In terms of the Black man changing their flavor and taste, I do think Black women need to expand their palette and consider a cafe au lait - if the coffee is weak.

Are these the days of our lives?

As most of you know, I'm an avid reality tv show watcher (I'm hoping they find a support group for people like me) - luckily I'm over the housewives and onto the Kardashians. Well, after this week's premiere of the Khloe and Lamar show, I might be looking for a new reality show family to watch. I was very disappointed! Typecasting Lamar and his father as the typical Black father/son relationship - coming out the wood works for money, tickets and fame. Then Khloe seems totally surprised by it like, "I can't believe his family would do this" (insert blank stare). I think we're watching the ethnic 2011 version of Newlyweds.

I'm getting a little tired of reality tv, it's the same stories, same stereotypes being scripted (yes scripted) and brought to life. Can't we go back to the ridiculous story plots soap operas were bringing to life? Nope. Those are being canceled, one after another... One life to live, All My Children -- what's next Days of our Lives? I can't bear the thought of Stefano disappearing forever! 

I guess as long as Hallmark and WEtv still re-run Golden Girls, that's where you'll find me every night at 11:00 PM. Yes, the AARP version of Sex and the City.

Sophia: Why do blessings wear
disguises? If I were a blessing, I'd run around naked.

Classic.

Shades of Gray

My typical morning starts with a hot shower, making coffee and running to the train. I love my train ride because I tune out, get thirty more minutes to wake up and listen to some of my embarrassing playlists like: NSYNC 4EVER, which is basically my rendition of Justin Timberlake's greatest hits. Anyhoo, this morning ride was anything but typical. When I got on the train this man was KNOCKED out - I mean coma-like sleeping. He was wearing a gray hoodie and he had drooled down the front of his sweat shirt. Now, everyone knows gray is not the color to wear if you plan to sweat or endure any other excessive amounts of bodily fluids. The man was sporting a drool bib that was 80% black. Not only was he drooling (oh and taking up two seats - mass transit pet peeve), he was snoring so loudly my JT jam session was interrupted.

I'm also one of those people that has what they call "an eye problem" I get caught staring all the time. When I see something intriguing - includes, people, places and things, it's like I have to keep looking or I might miss something. My roommate says I'm a target for muggers and my bf always yells at me for staring at the odd balls on the train. So anyway, I was literally looking at this man the whole train ride and I was starting to feel nauseated. I also started to get this sensation that I had something on my face. You know when you see someone with food on their face, you can almost feel the matter particle on yours?? Hope I'm not alone on this boat.

I mean this man was going to walk around for at least another 5 hours with this homemade bib. Who knows, maybe he needed the rest... I sure wasn't going to wake him up!
Moral of the story? Don't sleep on the train - one: you might get robbed and two: something else a shade of gray could get the best of you -