March 21, 2011
The other night I watched Precious: Based on the novel by Sapphire for the first time and man, this movie really was as sad as people sad.
I didn’t watch earlier because people kept saying how sad the movie was. Plus, I read the book many years ago and I’ve been fooled by other book ‘adaptations’ in the past. So I wasn’t eager. But the other night this movie was in my Top Recommendations on Netflix, so I laid down to watch figuring I’d fall asleep on it. But I didn’t.
I have to note, I vaguely remember the book-i remembered what it was about and how graphic it was, but not exactly HOW graphic or WHAT was graphic about it or WHY. When I told my friend I watched the movie and how I didn’t even feel the tears coming on (seriously, I was just watching nice and calm and the next minute tears were running down my cheeks by no effort of my own) she had some interesting insight. I’ve been pretty open with her about things in my childhood and growing up that I had to agree.
Verbally abusive parents: I grew up with my grandmother and while now I am appreciative of that fact growing up it wasn’t easy. Being called ugly, lazy, tramp or “just like your mother” when your mother is a drug addict are serious things to deal with as a kid/teenager. Being beaten with various household objects (cutting boards, brooms, blind handles) can leave scars-mental and physical. Realizing as an adult that your mom has a sibling jealousy toward you because you. While I think that things are good now between me and my grandmother sometimes when I look at her I see those things and resent them if I’m really honest with myself. Maybe that’s why I personally found the story of Precious to be sad-because the underlying message. One friend said the movie ended on a down note-it left no positivity. I had to disagree, if you listen to what Precious says as she leaves Miss Weiss’ office, she takes notes of her accomplishments, sets new goals for herself and has a determination to do better, as best as she can for herself and her children. My friend said, “but she’s fat, black, uneducated, single mother” and I think if you look past those things you see a person who hadn’t yet come out, who was trying not to be defined by what her circumstances had laid out for her. I saw some things I see in myself.
I used to be embarrassed about things in my past, such as a drug addict mother that I never wanted to discuss it. Now, even though I don’t go announcing it to strangers, I am more open to discussing it with some people. Oftentimes I make light jokes about ti, that some people don’t know how to handle, and I think in the past they were a defense mechanism I employed. Not to say I’m completely over my past or come to grips with everything, I feel I’m more at a point where I can grow from it versus letting it hold me back. I’m not the type to be held back.
Posted in Cleo's Rants | Tags: entertainment, life lessons, movies | 1 Comment »
December 8, 2010
This has been a topic of discussion for awhile that has been brought back to life by a blog I read.
Is it OK to call a man Daddy?
The author of the blog (a man who has said some pretty shitty stuff about women on his blog and twitter, but that’s another day) writes, “Being called Daddy by a woman is the ultimate form of flattery and respect in a relationship. Just as the term you ain’t my daddy one of the worst things a man can hear in his relationship.” First off, can I say that every time I read a line like ” Hey daddy, can I get you something” I do it with a high pitched hoodrat voice. don’t ask. Don’t tell. Anywho..
Now, I cannot say I agree with this quote because for me, that’s NOT the ultimate form of flattery. I’ve never given much thought to forms of flattery but when I have daddy hasn’t come up. I have listened to songs by Teedra Moses (whom I love) where she says “oohh KatDaddy” and I think aaww I wanna say that .. but it just never has happened for me. Does it creep me out, no .. but I can’t say I’m looking for an opportunity to call a man daddy. It’s not because “I have a DAD and you ain’t him”. And I’d never say in an argument, “You ain’t my daddy” because ain’t isn’t a word and the bigger reason is that’s a relationship where one person is trying to control the other person and I probably would avoid that relationship. But does daddy make a man go crazy during sex? Is this something I’d have to try? IDK .. daddy just doesn’t roll off my tongue…
And I might be weirded out by a guy who insists on being called Daddy .. creepy.
What is your take on this issue?
Posted in Cleo's Rants | Tags: entertainment, rants, relationships, sex | 2 Comments »
November 1, 2010
So.. I reached a point where its time to break up with my phone. I will gladly admit that I’m addicted to my phone and its always within reach.. But after this weekend, I realize maybe I shouldn’t gladly admit that.
The Event:
A slip and fall in the shower that resulted in bruising of my arm and a broken towel rack. Blackberry was ringing and I wanted to see who it was. Part of this anxiousness to see who it was, was due to the fact I was hoping it was a certain gentleman caller (it was not). So not only did I still answer the phone after the slip – while hanging half out the tub- it wasn’t a fully gratifying conversation. So now, I not only have no where to hang my towels my arms are still sore. 
#fail . And I wasn’t home alone so there are people to bear witness to the tragedy of my clumsiness.
Moral of the story. Cut back on my blackberry obsession. Usually I don’t take it in the bathroom with me, and maybe there’s good reason.
Anyone else with a seemingly similar phone #fail?
Posted in eternal reflections | Tags: blackberry, entertainment, random, technology | 1 Comment »
October 27, 2010
One thing I happen to love is nail polish!
I don’t know when it came over me, but I do now. I’ve even taken my own nail polish with me to get manicures. My latest find: O.P.I Only Gold For Me top coat. When I first saw it in Sephora, I wasn’t sure how I’d like it. but then I put a coat on over my electric blue nail polish and LOVED it. I immediately knew I wanted to go home and apply it over O.P.I’s Black Onyx polish I had. The results:
Here they are 2 days later, slightly chipped, but not as chipped as they usually are after 2 days.
I’m sold. I even did my toes to match.
I think this color is going to rock out for the next few weeks. And I NEVER wear red nail polish, but I’m imaginging this over red nails for the office holiday party.
Posted in Fashion Friday | Tags: beauty, entertainment, fashion, hot, nail polish, nails, o.p.i. | No Comments »
“Doe, a deer. A female Deer”
Image from TheDailyMail.co.uk
Last night I had the opportunity to see * drumroll please* The Sound of Music for the FIRST time. Ever in life. The lovely ladies @KittyBradshaw, @Divasanddorks & @OsoChic and I settled in for an Anniversary showing @ the IMAX Theater on 34th street with free popcorn *yay* ( FYI: Me & D&D popped our Sound of Music cherries together! ) We saw people dressed as Nuns and people were singing along (it was like Karaoke) and reciting the lines before they came out the mouths, and I loved every minute of it!
I can see why this movie is one of the most popular musicals of all time, the songs are simplistically divine. I knew songs that I didn’t know I knew from the movie.I didn’t know “My favorite things” was in this movie and I just absolutely LOVED the good night song. Little Gretl, so cute! And Leisl’s blue eyes were intoxicating!
Can I tell you what I loved most about this movie? The underlying political tones surrounding Austria in the late 1930s. You guys do know that I am a big Holocaust geek and I just wasn’t prepared for this sullen second half (which is based on the true story of the Von Trapp family singers, although further research shows they didn’t actually escape through the hills). I happened to Google it today and read up on the infamous family HERE . The father, Captain von Trapp actually had Italian citizenship as well and they family took a train to Italy. Eventually they landed in the US where they eventually relocated to Vermont, and opened a lodge (that’s still open).
Have you seen the movie? I think that anyone can enjoy it, I mean, I’m definitely not the intended audience from 1965 and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Posted in movies | Tags: celebrity, entertainment, learning, movies, sound of music | 3 Comments »
October 6, 2010
I put this on my other site as well, but I just had to double dip because well .. this is how I felt today … I just kinda wanted to re-read this poem. I guess just an ode to awesomeness. Yup .. and that means you’re awesome too!
Phenomenal Woman – Maya Angelou
Pretty women wonder where my secret lies.
I’m not cute or built to suit a fashion model’s size
But when I start to tell them,
They think I’m telling lies.
I say,
It’s in the reach of my arms
The span of my hips,
The stride of my step,
The curl of my lips.
I’m a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That’s me.
I walk into a room
Just as cool as you please,
And to a man,
The fellows stand or
Fall down on their knees.
Then they swarm around me,
A hive of honey bees.
I say,
It’s the fire in my eyes,
And the flash of my teeth,
The swing in my waist,
And the joy in my feet.
I’m a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That’s me.
Men themselves have wondered
What they see in me.
They try so much
But they can’t touch
My inner mystery.
When I try to show them
They say they still can’t see.
I say,
It’s in the arch of my back,
The sun of my smile,
The ride of my breasts,
The grace of my style.
I’m a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That’s me.
Now you understand
Just why my head’s not bowed.
I don’t shout or jump about
Or have to talk real loud.
When you see me passing
It ought to make you proud.
I say,
It’s in the click of my heels,
The bend of my hair,
the palm of my hand,
The need of my care,
‘Cause I’m a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That’s me.
Don’t you feel just a little bit better?
Posted in Randomness | Tags: entertainment, hot, learning, maya angelou, poetry, quotes, random, rants | No Comments »
July 21, 2010
One day I awake to a text instructing me to look up Pegging. Now, being the curious journalist that I am, of course this is the first thing I did when I finally climbed out of bed. Google had many different links and after finding a forum and reading the handy urban dictionary I texted back:
” so.. Um.. Let me get this right, pegging is a woman doing a man with a strap on. ”
O_o.
I was completely not expecting that. And I wanted to tread lightly because this text came from someone I like. I didn’t want to offend him if this was something he was into (which he is NOT! *whew*). I guess we learn something new everyday, and the world of sex is constantly changing as people become more sex obsessed at younger ages. Maybe I’m boring because I’m not into group sex and other variations of sex that exist these days… When I hear of things like this so many questions come to my mind
For instance:
1. How do you introduce this into a completely hetero sexual relationship?
2. How does a man determine he potentially might like this? Or does a woman happen to think, ‘hhmm.. I wanna ass rape my husband. I wonder how he might like it..’
3. Does this mean that the guy might potentially have homosexual tendencies? And how does this go with what people say about men actually liking a little anal stimulation?
seee.. I could just go on and on and I’m not joking…I’m really trying to get a feel for how this comes to fruition.
On the forum I discovered there was a girl interested in trying it on her present lover. I immediately got a flashback to the episode of Sex in the City where Charlotte proclaims ” I don’t want to be Mrs. UptheButt.. No one marries the up the butt girl” ..
Now forever this man is going to be Mr. UptheButt ..
Hhmmm..
I didn’t post a pic because they were too explicit and I, of course, am very PG. I am here to inform, not corrupt the babies. Gotta love the babies!
Posted in Cleo Talks Sex, Cleo's Rants | Tags: entertainment, learning, random, relationships, sex | 2 Comments »
July 1, 2010
Even though I know how the story ends, I swear I’m Team Jacob. Even though he’s childish and tempermental and volatile. I <3 Jakeypoo! Don’t get me wrong, I LOVE how ‘IN LOVE’ Bella and Edward are, but they are so mushy its disgusting.
Eclipse was suuuccchhh a better movie than New Moon. But then again, New Moon was a horrible book- filled with Bella’s brooding and crying. That’s the great problem the creators of the movies have to deal with. I say that because these books are a bunch of teenage angst, so to take that and make it a motion picture that people swoon over is awesome talent. But New Moon was too heavy on special effects to make up for the weak story line.
Eclipse had a story line + some action so it just HAD to be a better movie- right? I mean, I’m not a die-hard Twilight fanatic, but here are a list of my pros and cons for the flick:
My cons::
One thing I didn’t enjoy was the way they ‘disposed’ of the vampires. Really though- they were hard concrete?? It was like breaking dishes.. Not cool.
Jacob always had a dramtic entrance. I mean, seriously? Does he need a surprising head turn for each entrance? For EVERY one of his scenes? And someone give this boy a shirt. This is kiddie porn.
Hate bella’s engagement ring.
The fight scenes are over so quick
Pros:
I loovvee how creepy Jasper is. He is amusing
Loved her graduation speech.
Can’t remember if that was in the book..
I don’t rememeber Jane having that role in this movie .. I might have to reread the book.. But I don’t remember her being in the clearing or even watching the newborns wreck havoc. #whoknows
Posted in movies | Tags: entertainment, humor, movies | No Comments »
June 12, 2010
The other day I sent WK an email that simply said ‘ Pick a number between 1 – 50′. I didn’t tell her what it was for and when she would know the result. She picked 32. (I love that I have a friend who doesn’t question when I ask her something completly random and maybe nonsensical before answering). After she answered she asked me what this was for.. It was because I came across this site doing the blog stroll one day http://www.marcandangel.com/2009/07/13/50-questions-that-will-free-your-mind/ and I really wanted to write for one but couldn’t just pick one .. and I pick my own random number and don’t like it .. well I’ll just switch it lol ..
So #32 – If not now, then when?
OMG she could NOT have picked a better number. Why do you ask? Just days before I asked her this I was offered a new job position with a different company. This was HUGE news because I have been DYING for a new position in work – either at my same office or a different office. As much as I do enjoy working at my current (well actually former) job I did feel it was necessary to leave. To take a step into the unknown. So yes, the question to myself as I struggled with leaving this place was If not now, then when ? Great job WK. GREAT!!!
Do you know I worked at my current job starting as a Work Study student my freshmen year of college. When I graduated I accepted a full time job there even though it wasn’t in line with my major (Journalism & Media Studies with an English minor). Jobs were scares then as well (2007) and I took it. Three years later I still don’t see the potential for growth and I felt completely taken for granted and not appreciated. I also felt I couldn’t reach my full potential there. I mean, dammit I’m brilliant. Someone just needs to realize it besides me.
The biggest news here is that I have a new job, which I’m hoping will leave more time for blogging (especially once I get the iPad of my dreams). I’m extremely nervous yet exciting. In the words of Man in the Moon “I’m a clusterfuck of emotions.” But if I don’t feel this now, then when? When is change not scary? Is it possible for change to NOT be scary? What if I suck? I pray that I don’t suck. The only things I do and suck at are sports …
Posted in Cleo's Rants | Tags: entertainment, rant, rants | 1 Comment »
June 8, 2010
Because I’m a food network geek I have been eagerly anticipating the premiere of Next Food Network Star. And boy oh boy was it a good premiere.. mostly due to the eye candy that is Darrell , aka Das .. YUM-O!
So I of course had to learn more about him. (you know, so when I casually bump into him on the streets of LA while I’m there for grad school) and I had to find the important things:
He’s 28 and lives in LA. and he was trained in the culinary arts at Atlanta Technical Insitute.
Favorite books: Rich Dad, Poor Dad (Robert T. Kiyosaki), The Coldest Winter Ever (Sista Soulja) and Food Lover’s Companion (Sharon Tyler Herbst and Rob Herbst) — well whaddaya know. I too enjoyed Coldest Winter Ever. We have a starting point of discussion. GREAT!
Favorite movies: The Five Heartbeats and The Count of Monte Cristo — Now, being the girl I am, OF course I have seen the Five Heartbeats so this is yet another focal point for our convo .. isn’t the Count of Monte Crisco a book as well? Well I can ask him that too.
And when he’s not trying to get his own show he teaches in the culinary program at Beverly Hills High School. My heart is swooning. He has the patience to work with teens. *faints* These are some qualities I’m looking for in the man of my dreams.
Sad news: He said he has a girlfriend. So he can’t be the object of my affection. But I still wish you well Das.
I wish there were more pics on the interwebs of him .. but for now we work with what we got!
**image courtesy of lalist.com via foodnetwork.com**
Interview excerpts came from Foodnetwork.com
Posted in entertainment | Tags: celebrity, entertainment, food | No Comments »
June 4, 2010
Sign outside one of the SunSations stores on the Ocean City, MD strip. Who knew hoes were so cheap?
Posted in entertainment | Tags: entertainment, random | No Comments »
May 28, 2010
Is this better than a Minx manicure?? Minx mani’s have been all the rage, or so I’ve heard since I’ve never gotten one. But now CND wants to Shellac your nails! That’s right kids, Shellac is no longer just for wood, you can use it on your nails!!
I am all about the home manicure. I used to be the girl who went to the salon and had my nails done every 2-3 weeks with the acrylic crap. But 1. It was costly and 2. it damaged the hell out of my natural nails. (this just goes to show that natural everything is better for the body -like natural hair IMO). But every once in a blue moon I like to go to the salon for a manicure. There’s something about letting them do all the cuticle work thats relaxing.And they massage the hell out of my hands. The only thing is the polish doesn’t last any longer than if I did it myself at home. Bummer.
So anyway, WK forwarded me this article about the Shellac Manicure. This thing sounds pretty cool, its a manicure (non-acrylic) that can last for 2 weeks. TWO WEEKS!! Sounds good, right. Except it cost about $40. o_O
I’m sorry. Opie cost 7.99 and who cares if I have to reapply every night. But it just sounds so cool. I want to try it at least once just to see if it really lasts. CND is the brand who makes the polish, and I can’t say I’ve ever heard of them. I’m more of an Opie & Essie girl. The lady who wrote the article says of the Shellac manicure:
The Shellac manicure is completely unique and revolutionary. Have you ever gotten a manicure and then reached for your keys and ruined it? Have you ever gotten your nails done for an event the next day, and had your manicure chip before the festivities begin? Have you ever painted your nails before bed and woken up with sheet marks in them? Have you ever gotten busted at work for trying to redo your nails? Personally, I can say “yes” to all of these things, which is why I’m completely smitten with Shellac, the manicure that requires no drying time and lasts two weeks with no issues whatsoever.
They also only have about 12 colors right now, and none of them are wow’ing me. Check out the Yahoo! Shine article for pictures of it and the color spectrum!
Posted in Fashion Friday | Tags: entertainment, fashion, random | 2 Comments »
May 26, 2010
Passion makes the world go round, love just makes it a safer place
Agreed. What’s your passion? I’m still figuring mine out.
All these love quotes.. I swear I’m not falling, tripping, or even stumbling in that direction at the current moment.
Posted in Cleo's Rants | Tags: entertainment, quotes, random | No Comments »
May 21, 2010
Today is my birthday .. so these are things on my birthday wish list. In an ideal world, I’d be rocking this stuff and not wishing about it.
P!NK covered the cover of Cosmopolitan Magazine rocking this HOT dress.
Of course when I saw it, I twitpic’d it and someone, I wanna say @Bleakey told me it was a Gucci dress. So I searched for the Spring & Summer Gucci collections and found the dress:
I think I’ve previously blogged those Gucci shoes , but I think P!NK rocked the dress better than the model, the model gives this dress no shape. I want this dress. I love the edginess of it.
Posted in Fashion Friday | Tags: celebrity, entertainment, fashion | 1 Comment »
May 19, 2010
Dubb sent me a GREAT read today about long distance love, I absolutely LOVEEEDD it .. my response: When am I gonna get my e-love? Of course I was joking (i think) but I started thinking of my e-life. And while I haven’t found the e-love of my life like others (barf barf) I have found an E-BFF!! yes, I’m talking about @Jess_Dubb, who I have to stop myself from referring to as Dubb IRL .. because my friends side-eye me like who the fuck is Dubb?? *does this make me weird??*
Me & Dubb’s relationship has progressed sort of like the couple who I read about today. First we were following each other on twitter, and through our tweets & @ replies discovered the other was hella cool. We also checked out each others blogs and commented on each other .. Eventually some emails were exchanged and then we became BBM friends. Now, our BBM relationship didn’t jump off right away .. there were some short convos at first. We were kinda feeling each other out I think, then it later progressed to full on events
.. WAIT WAIT WAIT!!
Lemme back up .. there were some Google Wave 3somes with @HollywoodHeat (Google wave came & flopped huh??) and that was my first 3 as well (Dubb blogged it, check it out) ok .. so BBM progressed to daily BBM convos. We talked about so many different things, relationships, school, random shit, family, etc., Then we started Gchatting during the work day because I mean, we both work and we can pretend we are doing work if we are facing a computer screen (#imjustsaying).. and then it happened last week, We talked on the phone *shocked face* Idk, maybe Dubb didn’t like my phone voice, since she hasn’t called me since ?? (I kid, I kid, BBM suits me just fine!)
And a few weeks back I slowly started planning my trip to ATL this summer.. and Dubb shall be my tour guide .. and when she comes to the Dirty Jerz this summer, you best believe we shall play in NYC and have a blast. And we’re both looking at graduate schools on the West Coast. Me + Dubb on the strip w/ the sun on our backs blogging it up .. Yup .. sounds fun!
Maybe I got what I needed online, just not how I expected??
Posted in Cleo's Rants | Tags: change, curiousity, entertainment, info, random | 1 Comment »
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