Mirror Image

Posted on by
Reply

“Mirror Image”

Sometimes I look in the mirror and I really feel like I am getting younger instead of older. (The above picture was taken of me “all nat-ur-al” first thing in the morning after washing my face.) When I look at my face I see youthfulness and completely understand why people don’t think I am 31 years old.  Often when I meet people for the first time they will ask what grade I am in or what school I go to. Then they quickly apologize and I say “Don’t worry about it, I hear it all the time.”  I rarely wear foundation or a lot of makeup and would kick and scream when I cheered for the Louisville Fire.  They made us wear all of this makeup and I felt I looked like a Barbie Doll. I felt the makeup didn’t make me look older, it just made me look “made up”.

Several years ago I was a mentor to a fifth grade girl.  We went roller skating. While there this boy skated up to us and asked my name.  I told him my name and introduced him to her – but he wasn’t interested in her.  This young buck continued to try to hit on me.  He told me he was 11 years old and thought I was 15. When I told him I was in my 20s, he was amazed.  He said with a wide-eyed excited grin, “You mean you got a car!?” He was so overjoyed and told me he was working on getting a moped. I brought him even more pleasure when I told him I had a job as a teacher.  He told me he wished I was his teacher!

I’ve learned to accept my young looks and use it to my advantage.  I look forward to the day when my friends and I are 80 years old.  They’ll be old, wrinkled, mean and in a wheelchair.  I’ll be still be smiling, riding bikes in the park and hanging out with my 25 year old boyfriend Winston! (-;

M.Y. September 2007

Ex-Factor

Posted on by
Reply

The Ex-Factor

My ex-boyfriend and I had not seen each other since we broke up in January.  We had a rather nasty argument the weekend we broke up.  Although I’m the type of person that likes to try to make amends, talk things out and end on a good note, he felt it was better if we ceased all communication.  He pretty much said if we are in the same location don’t even bother to acknowledge his existence.  The lack of closure and communication did weigh on my mind for some time, but I came to the realization that I control my own happiness.

I was at a party last weekend and saw the ex’s car drive by.  I feel my body tense up.  ‘There’s my ex’s car.  I need to leave!’  I didn’t realize I said it out loud.  It had been nine months since I had seen this guy.  It had been rumored that he was dating this girl that I didn’t care for and I didn’t know what to expect.  I knew I looked good that night and also knew enough men in the party to make him jealous (if needed).

My heart started beating faster as I saw him walk in and talk to his fraternity brothers.  I watched him for awhile and still wasn’t sure if I we would communicate or if I would kick him in the shins and run.  I decided to take a chance.  I walked up behind him, put my hand on the small of his back and said ‘Hello!’ He turned around with a smile and from then on I knew everything would be fine.

Talking to him made me remember the reasons I value and care for him as a person (although we will never see things the same).  We didn’t discuss our past relationship, but I felt a great sense of closure.  Regardless of the arguments we had or the three grey hairs that he caused, I was glad that our paths intersected.  And now I can exhale!

M.Y.  September 2007

Ode to the Arts

Posted on by
Reply

“Ode to the Arts”

My friend Myron (just a friend) and I attended the Tyler Perry play “What’s Done in the Dark” this week.  It was a wonderful show.  The cast was full of talent.  Not only could they act, but they all could ‘sang’!!  The male actors were all tall, dark and light, and handsome (really handsome).  I ask you all to take a moment of silence for the bare chest of the male actor with the long dreads. Whoa!  There was definitely quality on that stage.  As I left the KY Center I started thinking about the superb shows that have come to Louisville this calendar year including: Jamie Foxx, Katt Williams, the Soul Food Festival, Smokey Robinson, Brian McKnight, Macy Gray, Monique and who can forget The Lion King.

I remember several years ago when most performers would skip Louisville and instead go to the surrounding areas like Indy, Cincy and Nashville.  Promoters now are starting to come back to the Ville to bring top-notch African American performers to our area.  We, as residents, need to support these performances so they will continue to stop in our neighborhood.  I know the tickets can be somewhat pricey, but think of it as a way to treat yourself.

There is so much negativity going on in our nation about ‘us folks’.  The arts give us a chance to celebrate our heritage, our culture, our unity and our pride.  Whether your thing is comedy, plays, concerts or visual art – take a walk on the wild side and experience the arts!  The KY Center, LouisvillePalace, Actors Theatre, The Speed Art Museum and the UL African-American Theatre Co. all have some wonderful performances coming this calendar year.

Check out an upcoming OnyxLouisville for more information! (Thank you also to Robin H., Jennifer C. and Cathy M. for helping me to keep the Ville informed about these events!)

M.Y.  September 2007

Good Deeds Get Rewarded

Posted on by
Reply

“Good Deeds Get Rewarded”

I had a friend come in town this weekend and we decided to be lazy and order pizza on Friday night.  We ordered a meat lover’s medium pizza and cheesebread.  When the driver arrived at the door, my friend paid and asked how much we should leave for a tip (I was in the process of walking down the stairs).  We decided to give the driver a larger tip just so he wouldn’t have to give us change.  He asked if we were sure and thanked us with a smile.

As I arrived at the door I noticed my friend had two pizza boxes in addition to the bread.  I opened the door to catch the driver and told him we had two pizzas instead of one.  He came back to the door and checked the receipt (it said one pizza).  We opened the box to check the pizza. It was ½ pepperoni and ½ supreme (nowhere close to our order!).  The driver looked at us and said, “Well, I guess today’s your day too!”.

The driver received his tip after he was already at the door, so there was no way that he was just trying to ‘hook us up’ for giving him a large tip. The situation really did let me know that you do get rewarded for your good deeds.  Both incidents were small gestures, but they were large enough to make you sit and ponder the situation.

M.Y.  September 2007

That’s Entertainment

Posted on by
Reply

“That’s Entertainment!”

I was so happy to eat, sleep, drink and be normal (well my normal) again.  I was sitting at home listening to my ipod on the Bose speaker and was jammin’ to the songs I heard.  The wonderful thing about your ipod is that it contains all of your favorite songs. I hadn’t listened to it in some time, so each new song that came on brought a new surge of excitement.  My Luther songs came on and I found myself singing so loud that the neighbors probably wondered what was going on.  I was trying to see, with my tonsils being gone, if my voice magically transformed to sound like Beyonce. Umm, no!

But it didn’t end just there.  The more tunes I heard, the more giddy I became.  I went into a room with a full-sized mirror. I grabbed my closest flashlight (you know you have to have a microphone)…………… AND WORKED IT!!!!  I was Whitney Houston, Babyface, Eric Benet, PM Dawn, Shai and Kelly Price.

After I calmed down and realized that I really wasn’t the next American Idol, I started to ponder whether or not other people do these types of things.  As an only child, I found many ways to entertainment myself. But is this normal adult-like behavior?  It’s all good.  I am proud of my ‘Flashlight Concert’ and smiled and laughed the entire time. Life is about having fun and finding pleasure in the simple things.

M.Y. August 2007

I Was a Runaway

Posted on by
Reply

“I Was a Runaway”

When I was younger (and maybe even still today) I was a ‘goody-two-shoes’.  I tried to do right in everyone’s eyes and sought to be the best.  My parents often pushed me to get involved with things that I thought were ridiculous and a waste of my time.

In elementary school there was something I disagreed with.  I yelled at the top of my voice that life wasn’t fair and that I was leaving.  I stomped upstairs (“bam, bam, bam”), got a small suitcase and packed my things.  I WAS RUNNING AWAY! “I’LL SHOW THEM!!” I thought to myself.  I opened the garage door and slammed it behind me as I left the house.

Within three steps I realized how stupid I would look walking down my street with a suitcase.  What if my neighbors saw me?  I do have an image to uphold.  Where was I really going to go? So what did I do?  I walked ten steps onto my front porch and squatted by the door.  Two minutes later, I see my father storm out of the garage door and watch as he walks down the street looking for me.  I hear him call my name several times and I just sit there watching.

Needless to say, I have no idea what happened once he walked back to our house and saw me sitting there.  That memory has been permanently erased from my brain.  Over timed, I learned that  my parents actually had good intentions for my well being and upbringing.  I am blessed for many of the experiences they ‘made’ me do and have become a better person because of them.

M.Y.  August 2007