Archive for category: Get To Know!

I very much doubt it’s escaped your notice that today is Black Friday. A few years ago there was no such thing over here, but naturally Grate Britain had to follow their cousins across the pond and allow us this day to grab a “bargain”. But how much of a deal are you really getting?

If you look into it, the saving you think you’re getting ain’t that great! It’s usually old stock that retailers need to get rid of and seeing as they were overpriced to start with they fool you into believing you’re getting the sale of the century. Our society is one obsessed with material things and boy does it show! Who can forget last years Asda debacle!? A surge of the great unwashed practically foaming at the mouth and literally dragging people down to get £50 off a telly they probably don’t even need. Supposedly grown ass adults fighting with children over shit. I mean, come on!!

Do you really need it that badly that you would fight a child, push a man down and trample over others to have it? It’s actually quite disturbing that objects mean more to some than another human being and common decency; disturbing but not necessarily surprising. It’s been that way since creation and is even more evident nowadays. It’s amazing how low some will go to get what they want. #RealTalk.

If I really need it and, in my case, it’s half price or less then I might be tempted to buy it, and with the joys of online shopping – well a joy until the site crashes anyway – I don’t have to mingle with the desperadoes and fear having my eyes gauged out by some nutter. 49 rolls of Andrex for £12 (thanks Lana😉) is not to be sniffed at (see what I did there?), that’s the type of deal that makes sense! Something practical that I know without a doubt will be put to good use. Do I have the space for them, no, but if I fashion them right they can double up as my Christmas tree – I’ve got skills!

Jokes aside, there are some decent bargains to be found apart from toilet tissue don’t get me wrong. How and what you choose to spend your money on is ultimately down to you, but I would suggest you think about your purchases before you leap in head first. There is a rumour about Black Friday originating from the selling of slaves the day after thanksgiving in preparation for the Winter season. True or not I would say that for people of colour Winter is here in full effect – and yes I’m talking Game Of Thrones stylee! Cersei May is getting used to her throne over here and the KKKnight King and his army of White Walkers are preparing for battle in good old AmeriKKKa. I’m just praying for the dragons to make an appearance and deal with them properly…..or could that be the role we’re suppose to play? Maybe we’re the dragons in this Song of Ice and Fire.

I have renamed today BLACK BUY DAY. With the world the way it is I’ve decided that alongside any decent bargains I might snag today I will make the conscious effort to support a brother or sisters business – sale or no sale!…although a discount is always appreciated! #JustSaying😅

 

 

Aleppo we’re still praying for you.

R.I.P to those who have lost their lives this week in Iraq and China. 

 Shop But Don’t Drop, Stay Blessed and #CelebrateLife

 

Well, well, well! It’s been a right mixed bag of emotions this week! Definitely one to sit back and reflect on how we choose to live our lives and how short that time can be.

It’s ok though. Things can happen that throw you off balance but that doesn’t mean you have to stay swaying! What’s happening in AmeriKKKa right now is one example, (yep, they’ve risen to capital KKK status in my spelling of their name!) Naturally being who they are, they have sensationally proved that anything we can do they can do better, and out-Brexited us with their eyes seemingly closed! Bravo!!

Some of you may wonder why I’m bothering to write about a *cuntry that I don’t live in, but I have family and friends who live there. I’ve enjoyed visits on many occasions before all of this recent tension, not sure it’d be quite as enjoyable now, but let’s just say I were to go and visit them and God forbid we were to get into an innocent altercation with the police – what do you think they’ll notice about me first, my British passport? Alrighty then!!

It’s not just about where we are it’s about who and what we are and that Trumps all!! And considering *Grate Britain’s “special friendship” with them we need to be watching their movements – when you lay with dogs you rise with fleas and we’re itchy enough already!

So AmeriKKKa chose to have Donald Trump as their president.👀 To be fair your options were hideous and a choice I’m glad I didn’t have to make – how do you pick the better of two devils? Why would you want to?

Since Brexodus I’ve wondered more and more about why we should be made to feel we’re letting ourselves and the cuntry down if we decide not to vote for a corrupt system that continually does nothing but let us down. Our ancestors may have fought for our right to vote and I applaud and appreciate it wholeheartedly, especially as a woman, but I won’t be emotionally blackmailed into using it just because it’s there.

Use it or lose it but what friggin use is it really? What do we really gain? Even when who we vote for wins nothing changes. It’s the same old rhetoric time and again. I’m sure politicians are responsible for climate change – all that hot air and bullshit they keep spewing out must have some effect, right?

Give me something or someone to get behind and worthy of my vote and I’ll gladly participate. Better yet find a way to change the system and make those in charge responsible and accountable for their actions or inactions. Until then I’m out of the game and after this I wouldn’t be surprised if I’m not alone.

I won’t even delve into the fact that a 70 year old elitist, narcissistic, racist, bullying, misogynistic, bigoted, homophobic tangerine twat has been chosen as President-elect – it speaks volumes in itself. Hopefully loud enough to rouse those who I’ve been trying to wake out of their coma. The alarm bells are ringing my friends; the snooze button has been maxed out! TIME TO WAKE UP!!!

I’m not sure how things operate when it comes to running a cuntry and how much power Trump will actually have, but he was real clear when he spelled out his intentions from the get go, and now he’s been given the opportunity to potentially make things happen.

After all his talk of hatred and separation does he really think that people are now going to believe he stands for unity since being elected? SHIT JUST GOT REALLY REAL PEOPLE!! Even the Statue of Liberty has given up hope and looking to repatriate back to France with her torch between her legs! No need to worry though – Donald’ll grab her by her pussy and bring her home to daddy so it’s all good!

This is a huge slap in the face to say the least but in every cloud there is a silver lining. If Donald is looking back to the days of when AmeriKKKa was ‘great’ again then I suggest we do the same. Back then we had more unity and love for each other. We pulled together and did for one another and at one point had our own Black Wall Street that flourished and thrived until it was hatefully destroyed.

It was even harder for us back then yet somehow we did it. We didn’t have the stars and platforms we have now. We did it because we knew our only option was to do for ourselves. When did we lose that? When did we stop believing in ourselves and our greatness? Listen, WE GOT THIS!!!

A new day is dawning and we need to rise with it! I’m not about seeing this as the end of the world as we know it, and more the rebirth of our nation. Educate our children. Don’t hide the truth of how things use to be from them, it does us no good. When you forget it makes it easier for those times to come around again. #RealTalk.

If you’re still of the thinking that we have nothing in common with our cousins across the pond I suggest you watch BBC2 this month and catch the Black and British series. As well as being a great way to evoke childhood memories it shows the hate we faced over here too.

Our tales are not so different. Remember that as our special friends call for their wall to be built. As Donald made it clear and kept it real let me do the same:

Should it be that times unfold and we’re found to be heading backwards this bitch right here will not be in house, out in the field or at the back of the bus. I will be that uppity n***a who dares to eyeball your ass and talk back whilst driving the bus and running you down with it with my right fist held high in the air!

You had it easy last time but too many of us are awake now for that to ever happen again. I know I’d rather die fighting than suffer waiting for God to save me. I’ll save myself and s/he can owe me one! #JustSaying.

Life is short and we really don’t know what’s waiting for us. We only have to look at what happened in Croydon as a reality check on how things can take a turn for the worst. Not one of those who died expected their trip to work would be their last. Make the days count people.

 

R.I.P to the Croydon 7 and all those who have lost their lives this week and a speedy recovery to those injured.

*no misspelling

WAKEY WAKEY, RISE AND SHINE!!, Stay Blessed & #CelebrateLife

As I’ve mentioned in my previous blog Forgive Them Father, I was raised a Christian but choose not to follow any specific religion, although I understand other people’s choices to do so and the need to have faith in someone/something, especially in these times we’re living in.

I have my own belief system and I’m all good with whatever it takes to help you make it through, as long as you don’t preach to me unless I ask you to, don’t use your position and power to take the piss and you don’t take it to the extreme.

I don’t want to focus on THAT group of people who have managed to desecrate my daughters beautiful name…well not today anyway, but after watching a clip recently of an N.E.D member (New Era Detroit) disrupting a church service by yelling “Power to the people”, it raised one of the issues I have with religion; that being those type of shepherds who like to fleece their flock!

Don’t get me wrong, I understand that a wo/man has to make a living and for many it’s a full time job, but considering what that job is, some of the wages y’all are paying yourselves seem highly exuberant! #RealTalk.

I’d never heard of New Era Detroit before and admit I still don’t know a lot about their movement but after watching an interview with the guy who disrupted the service I had to agree with his principal on this particular matter.

His objection was to the tithe being paid to the church in comparison to what was being put back into the community and what was put in the good pastors pocket. Not gonna lie, I had to google the word tithe despite being raised a Christian and then I realised it was the offering or donation.

Once upon a time they use to pass round a collection plate or pouch and you’d drop some change in, maybe a note or two from others or the regular churchgoers, but nothing major. Nowadays they’re passing round buckets and dropping in wads – I’ve witnessed it myself!😳I was honestly dumbfounded!

I know they don’t force folk to give up the cash, but tithes mean it’s at least 10% of your earnings given to the pastor or church as instructed by some testaments to provide for their services.

Now I have no objection to donations and offerings, as I said before. They are doing a job and deserve to be paid, but I believe there’s a whole heap of them who pray on their parishioners faith – or in some cases deaf, dumb and blind faith!

I’m sorry (not!) but I’ve done some research, and it’s pretty hard for me to sit and listen and not question someone preach about the life of the Lord and how we should be living our lives when they’re multi-millionaires being chauffeur driven, living in mansions and rocking private jets to help them spread the word.

The majority of their congregation could only dream of living the way they do – yet will gladly hand over their hard earned cash on a regular basis to help support their lifestyle – my bad, spread the faith. It’s a huge industry and their fingers are in many pies raking in funds from books, DVD sales and seminars etc, but it’s ok because it’s written in the bible so if it’s good with the Lord, it’s good in the hood, right?🤔

I haven’t read the bible in a while and I don’t remember everything I was ever taught but I do remember some things: gluttony and greed are sins and I’m pretty sure Jesus was more hippy like than high flyer!

I also remember that it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God. So tell me why someone who is supposed to love all of Gods creations and do his work would sit their ass on millions and not use their platforms to address the current situation going on in His world?

What are you doing about the shit on your own doorstep? Where are your prayers and funds for Syria and Haiti?

You know you could live a good, comfortable life on a fraction of what you have and you can’t take it with you, yet you would watch your followers and community suffer whilst telling them to pray for better days ahead as you pray they’ll hand over enough this week for that upgrade on your private jet to fly you back to your lakefront mansion.

Obviously I’m not talking about all churches and pastors, I mean no disrespect to those who are doing right and I know that some do give back to the community and live modestly.

I applaud them and what they do, but to the shysters out there, I’m praying someone takes the time out to check YOU on your 10% and then some, as I’m pretty sure your outgoings to the people would be a damn sight less than the income you reap from them.

Personally I believe there’s a reason why tithes looks so similar to thieves! I hope they’ve prepared themselves for when their time comes to meet their maker. I heard God don’t sleep!👀

 

R.I.P to the hundreds who have lost their lives due to Hurricane Matthew. Spare a thought for those who have lost everything in its wake.

Do The Right Thing, Stay Blessed & #CelebrateLife

No, I still haven’t bothered to watch the Gangland program yet! I’ve heard enough on the grapevine and can imagine the rest for myself but I’ll give it a fair assessment next week.

I had to change it up because I’m still really confused by something that blew up in the media recently, REALLY confused! When did being a star in the public eye give us the right to air disgust at a woman’s choice to not paint her face? In fact, that’s being too polite – who the fuck do certain people think they are?

I am, of course, talking about Alicia Keys and her appearance at the VMA’s. I’m honestly dumbfounded at how shallow these people are and the fact that they took the time out of their day to post how offended they were on social media.

I know the world’s gone mad for sure for many, MANY reasons and this crock of shit is definitely one of them. Why should she have to “pretty up” for the masses? Is her talent not enough that you want to own her face too? IT’S HER FACE!! You may think she looks better with make up on – that’s YOUR opinion and you are more than welcome to it, but I would say that in publicly doing so and the way some of you bitched about it says more about you than it does about her.

Your actions speak volumes that with all the troubles going on in the world right now you find the time to whinge about this.😑

Did she say she wouldn’t ever perform again until we free the face, rock its foundation and all follow suit? Did she start an #AllFacesMatter movement? Did she say she despises all those who choose to wear it and finds them all deplorable? No.

She made a choice, which is hers to make, and really should have no affect on your day whatsoever. How can you see beauty in a mask painted on her face but not in its purest form? Why is it more acceptable for us to accept a false image and shun reality?

In her case, even when they accept it, it’s only halfheartedly as she’s accused of having the money to look good naturally!🙈Really!? So how much money does that take then? I’m no expert but I’d figure it would cost more to buy all the paraphernalia you need to put your face on than soap, water and moisturiser.

Maybe the reason why her skin looks so healthy and glowing is the fact that she’s not clogging up her pores with crap and allowing her skin to breathe naturally. In my opinion you are fighting a losing battle when you bitch about having to cover up your bad skin with layers upon layers of slap to “look good”. Who is it you’re trying to impress anyway? If it’s purely self satisfying then go knock yourself out, but if it’s for the benefit of others; if they’re really so small-minded and petty as to only want to know you because of a mask you’re wearing are they worth all the effort?🤔

I’m not against make-up or those that choose to wear it but I’ve never been a fan. I’ve never owned or used more than 3 items in my life. My make up kit consists of eyeliner and lipstick/lipgloss and they only make an appearance when I’m going out-out and even then, after the first application has worn off it’s straight Vaseline on my lips!

I’m comfortable with the way my face is (for now! 👀), and I honestly can’t be arsed with any of it, but should circumstances change, IT WILL BE MY DECISION TO MAKE! And it’s not because I’ve always had perfect skin because I haven’t. I was your typical spotty teen and I’ve had some volcanoes erupt on my chin and forehead in my time along with the best of them, but I honestly believe my not trying to cover them up and feeding them more bacteria helped a lot to give me the skin I have today.

Yet even still, as much as I’m comfortable with it people still believe that to be classed as truly beautiful you have to have some form of enhancement. I’m getting married next year and have been asked by several people what am I going to do about my make up? Apparently I’ve got to at least get my brows done if not lashes and foundation. Erm….do I?…..Why? For whose benefit? I’m good and my fiancé has been happy with the same face for decades and on the day we finally decide to make things legit I intend on meeting him down the aisle with the same face he loves thanks!

Feel free to go full on Coco the Clown on YOUR day or any other day for that matter, but for me that’s not the one!✋🏾

I’ve watched the tutorials on how to go from duff to buff and the more layers I see being applied the more my face starts itching. On the real, some of these women deserve awards for the masterpieces they create because if you’d have shown me a before and after picture I would never have put them in the same room let alone say they were the same person.

Whether you’re a natural beauty or a work of art, as an adult that decision is yours and yours alone to make, and I don’t get why it should matter to anybody else – especially enough for them to get verbal about it. The REAL issues are with you not the person of your displeasure. As Alicia said, DO YOU!!

When you truly take that step you understand that it doesn’t matter what little love is shown from those who mean nothing to you. They’re all about the shade – picking the right one to blend in and throwing the rest in our direction. What they don’t understand is that no matter how much shade they throw, they can’t dim that glow!🌟

It comes from the inside out, and shallow people rarely get that deep. #RealTalk.

 

Congratulations Dame Sarah Storey, Team GB and all those rapping for their countries in the Paralympics.

Always Do You, Stay Blessed & #CelebrateLife

Well, Well, Well…..what a week! My emotions have been as bipolar as the weather – NO LIE!! I’ve been saddened by the passing of a friends loved ones, and of Muhammad Ali – a great example of a true legend, especially within the Black community, and a lover of real talk too. May he rest in peace along with the relations of various friends who are being laid to rest or are being mourned.

Not gonna lie, this week’s been a bit of a bitch. You know them ones – each day brings a little something with it to add a little grey to your day! I try not to let it cloud me for long though (pun intended). In fact after visiting an old friend on Tuesday it reminded me of how blessed and resilient we can be.

She’s had more than her fair share of serious, life-changing experiences that understandably a lot of us couldn’t handle, yet she continues to smile, bus’ joke, laugh and live life despite it all. I can’t help but get a feel good vibe at that.

Another reason to smile is the glorious days of sunshine we’ve had (that’s in between the hay fever and the biblical thunderstorm that disrupted my goddamn viewing pleasure, playing with my Sky and emotions to boot! No panic though – I watched BB on the iPad and caught the last Blindspot on demand – I know you were concerned!)

I’m a straight up sun-child and any chance to top up my vitamin D will make me a happy bunny. It seems to be contagious too. It’s amazing how much nicer folk can be when the sun has got his hat on. It’s also just as fascinating how unhygienic and “eclectic” some can be but we won’t dwell on that….well….just long enough to say I’m in favour of people loving themselves no matter what their shape or size, but a high number of you, (AN EXTREMELY FUCKING HIGH!), need to make your acquaintances with my friends soap, water and deodorant!

Ultimately whatever mood decides to take hold of me, be it sadness, happiness, disappointment, disgust, heartache, frustration (yes, that was my own personal rundown of this week’s lot), there is one thing I can rely on – and I mean really rely on – to boost the joy, soothe my soul (even if it’s just a little) or evoke great memories. Music: the one thing that has an answer for every kind of emotion I could possibly feel.

Though I’m predominantly an ‘anything-old-skool raver’ (I was a teen in the 90’s, need I say more?) I’ve been blessed to have many great musical influences of all genres from an early age and it’s one of the sweet things in life I can’t bear to live without.

You may well have seen me driving by, music blaring, singing along tunelessly whilst performing a little shoulder skank or the two finger gun salute hand wave – I DON’T BUSINESS, and I am totally unashamed to say I don’t care! I’m not feeling you – I’M FEEEELING A TUUUUUNNNEEE🔊

There’s some who won’t have a Scooby about what I’m talking about but true, bonafide music lovers will. Whether it’s the lyrics, vocals, emotion, beat, bass, whatever – something will hit you!

And when it hits you, you feel no pain.

Go on I dare you. Find a song, pick your poison, kick back and relax or jump and shock out – FEEL A TUNE AND START YOUR FRIDAY RIGHT!

Wheel And Come Again, Stay Blessed & #CelelbrateLife