Mes Deux Cents

Merry Christmas!

2009-12-25T00:01:00.000-08:00

This is going to be good

2009-12-21T21:51:00.000-08:00

I haven't been excited about a film in a long time but I'm very excited about The Book Of Eli. Denzel and Jennifer Beals team up for the second time (Devil In A Blue Dress) in this sci-fi thriller. It opens January 15th.

Happy Halloween!

2009-10-31T00:01:00.000-07:00

Monster Mash

Hi everybody!

2009-09-01T20:55:00.000-07:00

Fall is just around the corner and I can't wait. The weather here in Northern California in Summer is so blah. We are subjected to foggy mornings about 90% of the time and it's almost never warmer than 70 degrees plus it never rains in Summer. I know that might sound nice to those of you in hotter climates but the mundane-ness of the weather here takes its toll.

Anyway I hope all of you and your loved ones are doing well. Hugs all around!

Maze featuring Frankie Beverly - Golden Time of Day

Happy Birthday Phyllis, We Miss You!

2009-07-06T00:01:00.000-07:00

Phyllis Hyman (July 6, 1949 — June 30, 1995)

The kid from Gary, Indiana

2009-06-26T10:31:00.000-07:00

Michael Jackson was music in the 1970's and 1980's. He changed every aspect of popular music. Every single pop artist owes Michael for making pop music as big as it is and leaving the mega star blueprint for them to follow. Much will be said of Michael's "weird" ways but his legacy is and will always be his music and his amazing talent. It's rare that someone does what no one has ever done before and Michael did in his career what no one has ever done.

His music is the gift he left us. His blazing talent will always be in our memories. His style influenced the world. In 100 years they will still be talking about Michael Jackson, the kid from Gary, Indiana.

Michael Joseph Jackson (August 29, 1958 – June 25, 2009)

Remember these?

2009-02-24T09:18:00.000-08:00

Sherrick - Just Call

Miles Jaye - Let's Start Over

Eugene Wilde - Gotta Get You Home Tonight

The Family - Screams of Passion

52nd Street - Tell Me (How It Feels)

Do you ever hear any of these on the radio?

Check this out....

2009-01-04T22:40:00.000-08:00

I was in bed listening to the radio, a rock station here called KFOG and this song comes on. I jumped out of bed and logged on to my computer and went straight to itunes to download it. I already liked Janelle Monáe but I had not heard this song by her. It's been a long time since a song really blew me away and this song, Sincerely Jane, did just that! Also I know this song isn't new, I'm late to this particular parade. Enjoy!

Have you heard this song before?

Check it out and let me know what you think.

To my blogging family...

2008-12-24T11:30:00.000-08:00

I wish my entire blogging family a wonderful holiday season and an amazing New Year!

* 5th Time's The Charm
* Afrodite Goddess Of Love
* Anali's First Amendment
* Ask This Black Woman
* Aunt Jemima's Revenge
* Black and Missing but not Forgotten
* Black Fire, White Fire
* Black Women Vote!
* BoringBlackChick
* Browngirl Speaks
* Character Corner
* Chudney Ross
* Don't Eat My Buchela!
* Dustin's Thoughts
* EAT - MANGOES - NEKKID
* Essential Presence
* Eva Says
* Fabulous is a choice
* Getting A Life
* Give a Lot, Lose a Lot
* just lisa
* Light-skinned-ed Girl
* Live From Israel
* Living Out Loud
* New Black Woman
* Paula's Soul
* Pomegranate Queen
* she's so flyy
* SuperSistas
* The Black Actor
* The Old Black Church!
* The Pretty Circle
* The Sowing Circle
* THINGS according to me
* Tradition of Excellence
* TransGriot
* What Tami Said
* DJ Black Adam
* Electronic Village
* Hochmah and Musar
* HomelandColors
* Minus The Bars
* nickhereandnow
* Raw Dawg Buffalo
* The Field Negro
* The Happy Go Lucky Bachelor.
* The Jose Vilson
* The World Of Ensayn Reality
* Undercover Black Man

For the first time I am truly in awe of my country

2008-11-04T20:44:00.000-08:00

I can't yet comprehend the astounding historic shift that has just occurred. I feel that I must be dreaming. A Black man is the President-Elect of The United States Of America. This is the first time in my life that I have a true admiration for my country. I can now feel the pride that I have heard so many people say they feel for this country, and it's a pretty nice feeling.

Wow.....

Sunset at Mes Deux Cents...

2008-09-18T19:21:00.000-07:00

Well I'm back! I've actually been back for a few weeks. I have been putting off writing this post but I've decided to quit procrastinating and write! First my sister is much better. A combination of diet and a more positive attitude have done wonders for her (along with sticking to her medication regimen).

My sister and I spent a lot of time together but I don't really feel any closer to her. I suppose her being over a decade older than me might be an insurmountable obstacle. I am glad I spent time with her though; I think I understand her a bit better now.

My life has changed since I last wrote. First; I'm dating someone ('bout time). Things are fairly new but going well. I'm keeping my fingers crossed. Second; I have a new job. I exausted all of my sick time and rather than keep my then employer on hold I resigned. There I was back in the job market. I had to remember how to job hunt, it's been a while but job hunting is sort of like riding a bike. Once I started I remembered how to do it. My new job is very laid back. I still work for a non-profit. This time I'm working more directly with people who need a little help. I'm finding it challenging and fulfilling.

Finally; I have decided to stop blogging. I've given it a lot of thought and although the current political season is chock full of blog topics I have felt a sense of freedom in not blogging. I was so caught-up in this blog I can't even imagine going back to that. I remember spending hours blogging and most of the time it was fun but at a certain point it became more of a responsibility than a joy.

So I am retiring Mes Deux Cents effective immediately. I will be around though. I plan to commence commenting on all of your blogs very soon. I have missed all of my favorite blogs SO MUCH! I have missed all of your varied perspectives on all that's going on in the world. So look for me to stop by very soon!

It has been so wonderful having all of you stop by this blog. I have enjoyed all of the conversations we've had. I've enjoyed looking forward to all of you reading my posts. I so appreciate your concern for me and my sister; it really proved that I have a blog family and that means a lot to me.

Anyway, in the next few days and weeks I look forward to starting my day and ending my day reading all of your amazing blogs. And who knows, maybe I'll get blogging fever again!

I love you all, talk to you soon!

Val aka MDC

La Fin !

Family Emergency

2008-03-13T00:07:00.000-07:00

I have to take another blogging break. This time it has to do with my sister. I have a sister who is a lot older than me and her health has been getting bad over the last year. Her kidneys are failing and she has already had a transplant a little over a year ago.

Apparently her condition is getting worse. So since it's really just me and my sister, we have siblings from our dad's second and third marriages (long story) but I am her only whole sibling. So I'm going to visit her. My sister and I aren't close at all but maybe this is a chance for us to change that.

I don't know exactly how long I'm going to be gone. I suppose I will stay as long as my sister needs me.

And a word of warning, my sister's kidney failure is due to high blood pressure, so if you have HBP please manage it and if it's in your family please avoid getting it.

Anyway I'm going to be leaving this weekend. I have a friend of a friend who is going to house sit for me. I'm really happy about that. Initially I'm going to be taking vacation time from work and if need be I have a bunch of sick time I can use. I'm really lucky I work for a non-profit, I don't make as much as I could elsewhere but the benefits are great.

I will be back to blogging when I can. I don't expect all of you to keep checking back constantly so when I return I'll stop by your blogs and let you know I'm back.

Take care and I'm going to miss you all!

Au revoir pour le moment.

I wonder what ever happened to...

2008-03-12T00:27:00.000-07:00

I had a friend in first grade and her name was Kajaka. In the middle of first grade she and her mom moved to California. The night before they left for California she and her mom spent the night at our house. I remember saying goodbye to her as she and her mom got in a cab for the airport the next morning.

After that her mom called a few times and I spoke to Kajaka. Eventually Kajaka and I lost touch. Every now and then I wonder what happened to my little first grade pal. I wonder where she lives, is she married with kids, is she a rocket scientist or maybe a school teacher?

I also wonder how my life might be different if she had not left N.Y. I wonder if we would have remained good friends, maybe even become best friends. I wonder if we would have gone to middle and high school together. I wonder if she would be my best friend right now.

I wonder if she eventually moved back to N.Y. and if maybe we walked past each other on the street and never even knew it or when I later lived in L.A. did we pass each other on a freeway.

Mainly though I just wonder and hope that where ever she is that she is okay.

I will never know.

But I remember my friend and every now and then I think of her and I guess I always will.

Do you ever wonder what about someone you once knew?

Don't worry Hillary, we love getting run over by busses

2008-03-12T00:20:00.000-07:00

I have seen post after post and comment after comment on blog after blog talking about the race baiting Hillary and Bill Clinton have engaged in. I have seen people state how angry and disappointed they are with the Clintons. And in the next breath I have seen these same people state that if Hillary Clinton is the Democratic Nominee come this November, they will vote for her.

I wonder what the conversation between Bill and Hillary Clinton was like as they decided to use race baiting as their political strategy. I imagine it went something like this;

Bill - You know Hill, we can do a little race baiting since your campaign is sputtering a bit.

Hillary - But Bill, African Americans are our most loyal supporters. If we race bait we may lose their support in the general election.

Bill - Are you kidding me? (Hearty Laugh) If Martin Luther King, Jr. was the Republican Nominee African Americans still wouldn't vote for him. (Belly laugh) African Americans are afraid of Republicans!

Hillary - So you don't think there would be a political price to pay if we use race baiting as my political strategy?

Bill - (on the floor laughing) Hill, sweetheart, African Americans don't have any pride, haven't you seen the Flava of Love on VH1. We can say anything we want about them and they will still love us. Black people are more loyal than puppies. Oh sure a few of them might say how hurt they are but when the chips are down they will not vote for a Republican. In fact we could show up at a campaign rally in Blackface and they'd still vote for us, ahem, I mean you. (Crying from laughing so hard)

Hillary - Okay then Bill, let's do it! Race baiting it is! White House here we come!

I'm not trying to convince anyone to vote for John McCain or Barack Obama. I am just wondering how we, African Americans, will ever have any political power if we allow ourselves to be thrown under the bus time and time again. We have seen many a Democrat show us that they have little respect for our votes. And why would they, we give our votes to them with out expecting anything in return.

If Hillary Clinton is the Nominee, most African Americans will vote for her. Our political fate will be assured. We will be assured that the next time it's politically expedient, Hillary Clinton will throw us under the bus, again.

What do you think?

If Hillary Clinton is the Democratic Nominee should African Americans support someone else?

Mariah Carey - Vision of Love

2008-03-12T00:15:00.000-07:00

Is there anything better than...

2008-03-11T00:09:00.000-07:00

(photo courtesy EAT - MANGOES - NEKKID blog)

I wrote a post about passion a few weeks ago. I went on about how I don't really feel a passion for anything of late. And how at other times in my life I always had a passion. Well I forgot something and that thing is love.

I have a passion for love.

I have always had a passion for being loved and being in love. And I'm not, definitely not, talking about platonic love. I'm talking about passionate, fiery, head over heals, grown-up love! Now that's something I've had and something I want to have again.

When you find passionate love it demands your undivided attention. It makes you late for work, it makes you forget about your friends, it makes you talk on the phone for hours unend.

And when you are in love, every thing is love; food is love, a good film is love, a song is love, a book is love, a sunset is love, a walk in a park is love, a cranberry scone is love, everything is love!

Is there a higher calling than being in love? I don't think so.

So as I said I was wrong, I still do have a passion for something. I have a passion for being in love. And being in love is without a doubt better than anything!

Do you agree?

Is being in love better than anything?

Different sides of the same coin?

2008-03-11T00:04:00.000-07:00

Is this...

really that much worse than this...

or this?

What do you think?

Is a White man mocking Black women really that much worse than a Black man doing it?

Bob Marley - Redemption Song

2008-03-11T00:01:00.000-07:00

On Jennifer Beals

2008-03-10T00:07:00.000-07:00

Jennifer Beals (photo courtesy JenniferBealsOnline)

As I mentioned yesterday, I watched season 2 of The L Word on my blogging break. In all honesty I'm not sure if I would watch The L Word if it were not for Jennifer Beals being on the show and playing a Major role in the series. Jennifer Beals is my favorite actress. I have a bunch of her movies on DVD and even though she has been in more than a few bad movies I am always willing to watch her act.

Coincidentally yesterday I was looking through the archives over at the blog AngrygayblackCanadianman and found a post that mentioned The L Word. I left a comment to which Orville, the blogger, replied to. Basically he stated in the post that there were no Black actresses in The L Word until season 4. I left a comment that Jennifer was on the show and that she was Black. He replied that she's bi-racial.

That struck me because I just see Jennifer Beals as being a Black woman. Yes she is bi-racial, her dad was African American and her mom is Irish American. But for some reason I just don't make that distinction with her, to me she is simply a Black woman.

But it is not lost on me that others may view Jennifer as being bi-racial or even White.

I wonder why I don't identify her, Jennifer, as being bi-racial? I think of Halle Berry as being bi-racial but Alicia Keys as being Black. I don't really have an answer as to why I see Halle as being bi-racial and Jennifer and Alicia Keys as being Black. Could it be as simple as I am not a fan of Halle's and therefore I have no interest in claiming her as Black?

Alicia Keys

Is Race Fluid?

But as I think about it I may have come to think of Jennifer Beals as being Black over time. I don't really recall thinking of her as Black as I watched her in the film Flashdance although I was aware that she was bi-racial at the time. Also, interestingly I remember thinking of Tiger Woods as being Black when he first began making headlines as a golfer and now I think of Tiger Woods as being Asian.

The Irish were not considered White when they first began to immigrate to the U.S. in large numbers in the 1800's. Now Irish Americans are definitely considered White. Many people say that Asian Americans may one day be considered White as well.

I know that the concept of race is a social construct and as such maybe its definitions are fluid. Maybe race has to do more with perception and acceptance than skin color or origin?

Or does the fluidity of race have more to do with certain groups or even individuals seeking the privilege of another group? Does Tiger Woods want to be perceived as anything but Black to increase his social standing?

Tiger Woods and family

And how could I not consider the bi-racial identity of Senator Barack Obama. Does his bi-racial identity give him greater acceptance amongst other groups? And does he receive this acceptance because some may view him as being less Black?

A lot of this of course has it's origins in Black - White relations in America. I'm sure that all of you are aware of the one drop rule. Which basically stated that if a person was 99% White and just 1% Black, they were to be considered Black. The thought being that Black blood polluted White blood.

So I wonder if who we identify with as being of our race has more complicated explanations than just skin tone and the usual race identifiers. Maybe since race is really a mass hallucination there is no sense to be made of how it plays out.

What do you think?

Do you think of Halle, Tiger, Alicia and Jennifer as being bi-racial (or multi-racial in Tiger's case) or Black?

Is race fluid; do your racial perceptions change over time?

Darn Daylight Savings Time

2008-03-10T00:04:00.000-07:00

I hate Daylight Savings Time. I have about 10 different clocks to change! I have watches, DVD players, TVs, 2 alarm clocks, the clock on the stove and my darn answering machine (which is a pain to adjust). So we get a little more sunlight at the end of the day, big deal.

Does Daylight Savings Time drive you crazy too?

Quincy Jones - The Secret Garden

2008-03-10T00:01:00.000-07:00

Remember this?

A blog reborn

2008-03-09T00:01:00.000-08:00

A friend told me that she has heard more from me in the last week than she has in the last six months. Of course she was exaggerating but I got the point. It feels like I'm married to my blog. I seem to spend more time with it then any friend. But as all married people need time away from their spouses every now and then and I needed time away from my blog.

The first couple of days I didn't even miss blogging. I felt free having so much time in the evenings. I went out to dinner, spent some time with a friend, read, watched season 2 of The L Word (yes I know, I'm seriously behind) and yesterday I went for an amazing walk!

I'm getting the urge to spend some time again with my blog. A lot has gone on in the week that I've been away, politics, people in blackface, models suffering sad endings, models missing and found and Marion Jones reporting to Federal Prison. So I have a lot of things on my mind and thoughts to share.

It's time to get back to blogging, I will see you all bright and early on Monday morning!

A blog interrupted

2008-03-03T00:07:00.000-08:00

I haven't taken a break from blogging since this past November and I have decided to take one now. As you may have noticed I post everyday. I love blogging so it is very enjoyable for me to do so but it is also a lot of work.

I take a lot of pride in my blog. I try to make sure that my posts are honest, well thought out and factual. I spend a good amount of time researching for my posts. I really feel as bloggers we have a responsibility to try to get the facts in our posts right.

I also spend a lot of time finding photos for my posts and for the "A Beautiful Picture" posts. It takes a lot time tracking down photos. I am really picky about the photos I select so I have been known to spend an hour searching for just one photo.

My music posts have become a joy for me. I love music and I love sharing music with all of you. Posting music has become a pillar of my blog. But as with most things associated with blogging, finding music takes a lot of time too. I generally post music that I have forgotten about. I guess you may be wondering how I find music that I have forgotten about? Well it's possible but not easy. Once again it requires a lot of researching. I spend a lot of time stumbling around the internet for songs and then try to find them on YouTube. But it's worth it! I love finding a song I haven't heard in a really long time and then sharing it with all of you.

Anyway my point is I spend many hours in front of my pc working on different aspects of my blog. I enjoy every moment of it but I need to take a little break. I just want to relax for a few days and read and comment on all of your blogs and there are a lot of blog archives I want to check out.

And since we are having this little conversation about my blog; I want to let you all know how much I love and appreciate your taking the time to comment on my blog. To me blogging is 50% posting and 50% about the comments. So thank you!

I'm not sure exactly how long of a break I'm going to take. I am totally addicted to blogging so I'm not sure how long I can stand to be away from my blog! I'm going to try though! So I will be back to posting in a few days, more than likely before the week is out.

I'll see you in the comments section of your blogs!

How do you deal with blogger burnout?

Dwell

2008-03-02T20:05:00.000-08:00

Link-O-Rama: Great Blogs!

2008-03-02T00:17:00.000-08:00

Here are a few amazing blogs that I've found recently and enjoy. I think you might like them as well. Enjoy!

Brown Girl Gumbo

AngrygayblackCanadianman

word on the street

The Pretty Circle

Something Within

kayozcamp

More great blog finds soon!