BAMA BLOG

Multiples....

bettyboopbbw69@gmail.com (Bettyboopbbw69@gmail.com) — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 22:58:18 PST

I remember it like right now.

I still taste it like it was yesterday

emotions being the only ingredients we mixed into this

Our options to make this thing we have immoral bliss.

Because what is the point of caring what others think

When we work so well together every stare synchronized blinks...

I love how you fought not to surrender to the best thing in your life

Because you thought you would lose your identity as man above it all

Only to realize how I make your body move to my orchestra

how your back bends towards the floor, embracing before the fall..

My hands are just the conductors, by which I motivate you to love me.

Continue to battle all that is within until this contract upon which we agree...

Irregular heartbeats and so many awkward poses.

unrehearsed lines, and finding ways to open those places that we hold in secrecy

You belong to me, even tho we are apart, You allowed me to mark you

because that place in your mind that you often wander to...

Is the only place you find solace... from what replaced what we had.

Can I just carry you... there.

To that place that allows you to tremble..allows you to call my name so slowly

Can I show you why my mind is the largest sex organ in the human body...

Show you why I can coerce you to surrender yourself gladly before we even touch.

I find that those puppet strings many others pull with pussy popping and such

Can never measure to the slow mind grind that I gradually release

Because it is a soft calming wind that surrounds you like a steady heartbeat..

I say all this not to brag, but to let you know that I still feel that way...

I have not forgotten, I shall never let go of those moments..

Because it is not wise to push away from things that are a part of your DNA

Part of how you love, a portion of the path that you walk towards this way

For to force upon your life a barren land of self preservation and celibacy

Is the only way you can survive, holding on to that love, that destiny

Kim Barnes 2012

Your New Year Must Do's for 2012: The Year To Stop or Start...

bettyboopbbw69@gmail.com (Bettyboopbbw69@gmail.com) — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 21:07:37 PST

With the New Year already here, and all the resolutions already broken, we all saw how fast last year went by. Many people never even started their New Years resolutions from last year. So instead of making a list of things you know you NOT gonna do, why not make a list of things you HAVE to stop doing if you plan on seeing 2013, (yes the world may go on past what them Mayan's say.) So here at Bama Blog Unite, we have collected together some amazing things that we think would be a great idea to stop doing in the New Year and beyond.

Stop arguing/fighting because of what was said or done on social network sites.

Unless you are a professional boxer/MMA/ Martial Arts fighter, there is no reason anyone should be meeting to fight off of twitter/Facebook or any other social media site. Grown people are fighting because of words passed, and this is just getting out of hand. We have to stop doing this because it is neither productive, and it is leaving loved ones saddened and angry at how stupid it is to lose a loved one over TWITTER arguments. Also many of you are going to jail from the fights you are having and posting on the same sites.

Stop laying up with people unprotected.

If you don't know about the rash of disease, health issues, and harsh aftermath of unprotected sex by now, then here is a quick crash course. YOU COULD DIE. If that is not enough, YOU COULD DIE SOON. But there is something that is one step below that, that is to me even worse.... LIVING WITH DISEASE. There are people who often say when living with diseases that are incurable, "I would rather be dead than to live like this." That ought to tell you that infection is no joke, and neither is death. Show some common sense and protect yourself. Damn.

Stop breaking in people's homes and taking things that don't belong to you.

People are killing y'all now. Is a flat screen really worth a bullet or a knife wound to the neck? Homeowners are fed up, and starting to turn into hot blooded murderers, when it comes to protecting their homes. You may luck up and hit a few successful licks, but it only takes one bullet or one lost fight with a homeowner, to be in your grave. Get a job. Start your own business. Do something legal.

Stop encouraging others who are doing dumb things.

Especially with sites like Youtube, Facebook and any site that allows anyone to post video, pictures or typed words, seem to be where the problem begins. There is nothing wrong with trying to put a little skit or other online show for people to laugh at or enjoy, but some people are being given music contracts, shows, or becoming ghetto/hood stars doing some of the most talentless, meaningless, tackiest things. We have to stop encouraging idiocy, and leaving real entertainment to suffer. Video taping your friend dancing nasty in their underwear for the world to see, has to stop! This is not talent, nor is it something that should be showcased, supported, or encouraged. Let's learn to have sense again and stop using the open medium to be fools.

Stop supporting Reality Shows, it is messing up reality.

We are all for shows that bring a piece of reality to the viewing public if it is going to raise awareness, and bring forth change in our communities on a larger scale. But let's face it. Reality shows have become ridiculous in nature, and it has absolutely nothing to do with real life. It does not teach anything other than how to settle disagreements in a dysfunctional manner. The standard concept is to bring a group of people together and then pit them against one another til they fight, or cause some type of drama with no solution. Then recap the show by reuniting them to rehash the same bull that made them famous. We do not need this teaching our young people that in order to get your point across you must be condescending, nasty, disrespectful, belittling, and plain hateful. It is a major reason why so many of our younger generation have no coping skills, or conflict resolution abilities. Even the parents are mimicking this behavior. It is filling up our jails, and giving off the wrong message as to what reality is.

Dressing like your life didn't depend on it.

Going out dressed like the tackiest male or female in society seems to be the goal of many people nowadays. Seeing the crack of your ass, or your pubic hair while you are clothed means you have missed the true purpose of clothing... and that is to cover yourself. When you come outside dressed as if you are walking the hoe stroll, or the hoes on the stroll looking at you like you have taken it over the line... you need to re-evaluate yourself and the way you dress. You can be sexy while dressed appropriately. Stop using floss, strings, and bands where there should be skirts, shirts, and pants. It cannot be said enough that looking at your boxers, or the crack of your behind is not anywhere near fully dressed. There is a way to sag without exposing yourself to the surrounding people. It has been said, and it is time to just do it... pull your pants up and put on some clothes.

So just to recap....DO BETTER FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE.

Bama of the Week: Mark Powell (the bootycall paramedic)

bettyboopbbw69@gmail.com (Bettyboopbbw69@gmail.com) — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 11:24:35 PST

This society has already accepted the fact that we now view women as disposable. Even worse, that ideal goes from newborn to the grave. The rate at which females are raped and even murdered goes to show you that the campaign to change that ideal is not more important than the "sex sells" theme. Entertainment makes people feel it is okay to think that women are nothing more than a place to put your sex organ (trying to keep this clean). As a result we will see a systemic rise in the degradation of the female to the point that females may be sent back in time to when they were nothing more than slaves. Why do you think we have such high levels of sex trafficking of females?

But on to this scab.

This "paramedic" Mark Powell, allegedly decided to get in a booty call with a young female accident victim while she lay unconscious in the back of the ambulance he was working in. It makes me livid that males such as this think it is even remotely okay to sexually assault anyone, much less someone who is incapacitated due to injury. If found guilty, I would love to see him go to prison for the rest of his days. There is nothing right in this man for him to be free in society if when he sees someone that is hurt, to become aroused enough to rape them. This is as bad as the man who raped a woman who fainted, because he "thought she was dead" ... things are not going to get any better.

Love that your EYES can't see....

bettyboopbbw69@gmail.com (Bettyboopbbw69@gmail.com) — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 04:23:00 PST

There are times when we want to scream when it comes to the caliber of people that are available for dating. Everyone seems to be playing games, or on a level not worth going to. They are filled with lies, disgusting sexual behaviors, acting in ways that are opposite of someone that is in a committed relationship, or just plain disrespectful. It is so common for people nowadays to be only out for self, and in reality, they aren't worth the garbage you throw out on curb.

While some are resigned to just settle and be with anyone and anything for the sake of having someone, many people are forced to being alone when their outlook on things are to hold on to their virtues, or even not want to deal with the "foolishness." One of the most popular reasons people stick with or even get with someone, is because they "look good" and that is the deciding factor on whether they are going to be with them. While that may work in high school, so many adults are living this idea way past the last school bell ringing at their Alma Mater.

Looking at someone from head to toe, checking out whether they have that "total package" for you may be the nail on the coffin of decision-making for you, and most times that helps you feel vindicated on getting the bed mate you desire, but what happens after that? What happens when you didn't use anything else to really gauge your choice, and you find all these flaws that you just cannot live with or understand how to get past? Now for many of you, especially the men, it is not a problem, screwing your way through your dating life till there is no one left in the hood to screw over, or you are in the clinic praying for rain or absolution. But for some, that is not an option.

In these days when people have stopped looking for that "Soul Mate," and just having a bunch of sex partners will do, you will find a lot of players in a game that requires rules and regulations, that no one is actually following. But the most craziest thing, is that people are willing to live a life of misery with a beautiful body, and a pretty face, rather than to be happy one minute with someone less than what appeals to their eyes. I have seen men making all kinds of faces and all kinds of complaints, and explain away all their tolerance due to five little words, "She has a fat ass."

Now going out there and finding a women or man that looks like hell warmed over, or face so ugly that it looks like it is barking even when their mouth is shut, is not what I am talking about. What I am saying is, in this world of so many people with different lives and loves, people need to be more mature in their decision making skills and start seeing past that outer shell, and begin to access what else is important in finding that true someone that will make them happy. I mean really. Some people that make you smile, doesn't bring the drama, and is mindful of your time, look at that value.

I often see on blog sites where they have posted stories on T.I. and Tiny, with people commenting that Tiny is ugly. What many fail to see how compatible and happy the two seem to be. Their ability to stay together through good and bad, people seem to go blind to that fact because they are basing T.I.'s decision to marry on who he would look good with. When a man and woman grows up, when it comes to companionship, it has to based on way more than the contents of the face, or who a person would "look" better with. I am not even going to mention the people who went in on Tameka Foster and her marriage to Usher. Good looks does not guarantee that two people will stay together, but adding more compatible traits may make the relationship gel a whole lot better than a beautifully packaged fail of a union.

At some point, people need to wake up and realize that sex and looks can bring you together, but we need to stop going on what our crotch say, and start listening to our ears and deciphering what these people we are attracted to are really saying before we get in the bed. Finding out you are about to get married to a selfish fool, or you just got a woman pregnant that doesn't even know how to care for herself, much less a newborn, has to stop. We cannot let our loins dictate us into a position of powerless regret just because of a pretty face and some well placed silicone. Because after the looks become something you see every day, and his wallet empties or he stops you from dipping in it, then what?

Having someone who you can talk to on a civil level, on a lot of different subjects, is not unheard of or impossible. To have the ability to get along with someone even when you are disagreeing on something, is also not impossible. Knowing if a person has a mental defect, or comes from a family of lazy people, is good information when that "good sex" begins to become monotonous. Having someone who is willing to help you through those tough times, and even offer usable solution because they are thinkers, will take you way farther than a pretty face, sexy body that is one of the reasons why you are going through that tough time.

Well hopefully you get my point. Let go of your past immature reservations that you have had in the past. Try to start a new year with a new outlook on finding a viable mate to make it with. Times will be getting hard, and it will probably go better if you find you someone who will go with you through them, in a positive, uplifting, productive way. It may be the reason you make it through. Stop ending up in court, jail, or some other horrible ending because you didn't take the time to consult your brain and decision making skills and let your hormones and sexual prowess dig your dating grave. You can be happy with someone, if you stop picking on the wrong attributes and start being mature about your decisions. You may just find that love mate that is real with you, and real for you.

Depreciating After Demise

bettyboopbbw69@gmail.com (Bettyboopbbw69@gmail.com) — Mon, 26 Dec 2011 21:09:10 PST

Depreciating After Demise

From the moment of birth you begin to depreciate
That moment you leave off God's lot they take value from you
The moment you feel you are entitled to take
Is the very moment you lose all your tools.

Because it is not about what you are worth, what you can do.
It is about how they can rob you blind of your gift.
It is about taxing you, chipping away your jewel.
As long as they benefit, steal, or sift.

Adding value to you after you are gone and no one cares.
To give you credit or add value to your legacy
Your name is just a fading memory at which they can stare
Like a painting on a wall, a piece of polished stone, a written seed.

While you are living you are a pariah, a force to be diminished.
After your bones are decaying you are an amazing, cherished member.
When you have drawn your last breath, it is about what can be relished.
What can fill their pockets, bank accounts, summer houses, legal tender.

Like Biggie said, You're nobody til somebody kills you.
Sad but true, as it goes for if you just expire.
For people to add so much more to your stock when you do.
Just to be recipients of your untimely demise.

Some people are just festering boils on the truth of us all.
But for my people we are just pawns in a game of this state.
Whether it is keeping us in juvenile halls, jails or behind prison walls.
We are pieces of a bigger profit, in the many ways that they create.

See our fine art pieces, our music, our artistic offerings.
Seem to be of no profit to us, yet someone always finds ways to profit as of late
Leaving our families and children to suffer, while they keep pondering
Ways to bribe, keep for self, drain or exacerbate

Know your roles and how you can benefit while your eyes can see the sunrise
Too many people who deserve nothing other than to partake in the experience
Are the very people who push those buttons, cash in, or denies...
For their legacy is yours, while your legacy hasn't been yours since.

Depreciating After Demise©
Kim Barnes 2011

Merry Christmas... ZzzZzZZzz

bettyboopbbw69@gmail.com (Bettyboopbbw69@gmail.com) — Sun, 25 Dec 2011 17:01:51 PST

I want to wish a Merry Christmas to all of you. I am so busy napping and eating.. that I almost forgot to post this... Does not take away from the fact that I appreciate all who support Bama Blog Unite and all that I do to keep this blog going in spite of everything going on.

I hope your holidays are full of fun and laughter. I hope you continue to support and give me feedback that I can use to make this site better and more interesting to you all. Be blessed!

I's MARRIED NOW Facebook Style!

bettyboopbbw69@gmail.com (Bettyboopbbw69@gmail.com) — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 21:57:35 PST

In the run of a day, we can go on Facebook and find a lot of people interacting on many different levels. With Facebook adding so many different new features trying to keep up with the Joneses, we never know what is going on, on the site from day to day. One of the things you will notice on the site is how many people claim to be married that really aren't.

If you go around your community on a daily basis, look at the hands of our young black women and men of marrying age. You will mostly find an empty ring finger, even when there is a pregnant belly present. We are just not marrying each other. We are accepting all the responsibility of marriage without the ceremony. But this time I am not going to go deeper. I am going to keep this on the surface.

A lot of African American females still have the desire to be married, it is apparent by how many single males are betrothed on Facebook to two or more females unbeknownst to the other. There is still the sense to belong, but our methods of getting to the altar has been all but altered and replaced by just Facebook statuses. In the run of a week, a female can be in a relationship, married, and then single, skipping over the divorced option due to not one of those statuses being correct except the single option. Sometimes the only thing that had changed was that they went from being single, to finding a person who came to their home and said a few nice things to them, in order to get some sex. Then it is off to Facebook to change their status to wedded bliss.

So is Facebook the new wedding ring?

Saying Grace....

bettyboopbbw69@gmail.com (Bettyboopbbw69@gmail.com) — Sun, 11 Dec 2011 00:39:19 PST

The ones detached from all that is good,

are rewarded with duplicates for them to abuse and discard.

While those who value God's creations,

are left in famine's land to struggle, bear burdens to forever carry.

Laying prostrate in areas that mimic a glimmer of some reward,

Only to find a broken record of condescending laughter playing in the foreground.

We know that lessons of virtue come strapped with a clip of hard times,

Meant for release of its debilitating wrath in rapid succession.

but why does life's scale have to have such a broken needle,

Giving misinformation of a harvesting at the end of your hard work that was never really there?

Looking at the empty nest that proves that you had been lied to by every book, voice of reason, and clergy that had your best interest at heart.

Realizing that they were lied to as well and just kept repeating the same story because it was all they had.

It wasn't intentional, but as your soul screams out because you've lost..

All your will to repeat the fable, telling yourself the truth will hurt more than the lie...

You look into eyes and stare into mouths, all of it dressing you in garb you can't take off.

So you shrink into that fetal position inside of a full body of protruding limbs that everyone begs to embrace.

Just because it makes them forget themselves if just for that moment.

Leaving you still bawled up, and now your outer reflecting the inner...

Go ahead and recycle. Maybe we can use you again.

Smile in the faces of those who can't give you anything your soul needs.

But that drinking well that can quench your dry core,

with the sustenance and the breadth that can fill in forms...

you throw sand, sift, and the useless matter that others gave you...

Incomplete sentences, useless stories are cultivated from these emotions.

For no one to listen to, no one to pass on....

But it helped for the moment because that was all you had to replace that smile you had

When you were there thinking that, that light at the end of the proverbial tunnel was for you

When it was actually someone elses shine that wasn't meant for you..

Yet since you were there you thought you would bask in it anyways..

Only to find out it was a false light that was warm for someone else with a cold heart.

Closed hands don't always turn into fists but they still hold things away from you that you desire the most...Keep going.

by Kim Barnes 2011©

Thanksgiving...

bettyboopbbw69@gmail.com (Bettyboopbbw69@gmail.com) — Thu, 24 Nov 2011 07:35:28 PST

His face mirrors my sentiments exactly...

How can you steal something then be given credit for discovery

The same schools that taught the story, if you ask me

Are the same places who kept the lie alive by planting seeds

~~~~~~

How do you teach the children to be honest...

When most of the songs and tales are lies at best....

Claiming ownership when you are just a guest...

A roaming nomad who was just lost looking for a place to nest

~~~~~~

If you must use this day for a way of thanks giving..

Give the less fortunate, help those who are needing....

Sacrifice your time, to get together for a blessed meeting...

But let's be mindful of what this day really meant deceiving...

Happy Thanksgiving... because at the least you should be thankful Columbus didn't discover YOUR house... lol

Never Enough...

bettyboopbbw69@gmail.com (Bettyboopbbw69@gmail.com) — Sun, 20 Nov 2011 09:11:46 PST

No matter what I give, I will never be enough for anyone...
Although God made me perfect in His own image
My shortcomings will turn off the naked eye
because it never looks deeper than the outer layer of me.
I can dress it up with spackle and paint, fragrances of the sweetest kind..
But if I let the ones who can never create something as marvelous as me...
Be the gauge of if I am beautiful enough, my very being will become undone.

My mind is sharp, I fill it with the most precious facts and memories...
Hoping to be a helpmate to that one vessel that God has created just for me
Instead I'm surrounded by reckless mouths and lesser minds that curse the tree of knowledge that I eat from
leaving in its place, barren lands filled with whoremongering and ambiguity...
Yet he wants me to follow, to end up at the end of his lead...
For God did not lead him, so his journey is a short and barren one..
So he calls me a bitch, because I sought God to follow and be the one who calmed my sea...

He is the creator of nations, you left a trail of malnourishment..
You left bitter tastes, and emotions that twists the faces of those you should have called your queens.
when your longing was not quenched with your proofs or purchase...
Watch what you see when two come together, darker of their fleshly home choosing the light...
You leave a corpse where fruit once grew, broken bones where the breadeth once flourished...
Windows covered in water and dark moss because the people within faltered....
Yet you want their mouths to keep quiet of the legacy of demise that YOU left as your punishment...

I am imperfect in your eyes, even though my hands hold love, and my heart is full with your answers..
Always finding ways to claim my victory, holding close what should be held dear...I am doing what is right
In return I get the wrong answers, no one prepared me for this.. I was told to be patient..
But in this land, due haste is what pays the most and reaps the most benefits...
So how am I to pass on this virtue when the payout is like those seven skinny cattle biblically sick...
How do I feed into what's true, when these lies, bring harvest to a place so empty?
It is hard to follow the Golden Rules hooked up to life's I.V.'s dying from this cancer..

So what is it you want from me? The lessons they taught me from my infancy that was suppose to get me all I wanted in life...
Or is it the world has fallen off its axis and now it is bouncing us around shaken and stirred...
You can't say that things aren't different then they used to be... when there was virtues and taboos..
Now we use ourselves up trying to fashion a rudimentary way to survive...
But I am not living because you no longer breathe into me, instead you suck me dry...and leave ashes
Yet I am suppose to smile, and hope for the best, because if I say anything in my defense, I am a bitter bitch.
Only settling for being the jumpoff, side piece, bust down, wifey... but never your wife...

I am suppose to be okay with being 2nd class to bottomfeeders, people who once lurked in the shadows...
Are now the ones that walk in the sun and reap all the benefits that were once reserved for those who were worthy of all...
We are suppose to just assume that this is how things are now, without an ounce of rebuttal... I stutter...
I look around in disbelief that my sex can make me great, but my great mind can make me a pariah
I am confused, I feel cheated.... by the very people who told me my hard work was key to success...
Now I'm surpassed by those who hump harder, curse faster, and walk around with their cup almost empty...
While my vessel overfloweth with gifts abound, and when asked what is my offering to this world, no one knows...

by Kim Barnes 2011©

Chris Brown Forever Versus....

bettyboopbbw69@gmail.com (Bettyboopbbw69@gmail.com) — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 22:30:51 PST

When I decided to do this blog about Chris Brown, I was going to add screenshots of the many people who have come at Chris Brown, and his responses to those attacking him time and time again. Instead of giving more press time to the negative, I decided to deal with the issue at hand. Unlike some sites, this blog is not trying for sensationalism, but informing the readers and at least getting to a valid point. There is nothing more annoying than drawing people into something, and then not really getting to the meat of the issue. It is all about a nude pic, or a gossip based story line with few facts, or unsubstantiated claims.

Unless you died before it happened, or you have been living under a rock, everyone knows some thing about the case of Chris Brown and the infamous assault of pop singer Rihanna. The media, although it made no other strides in eradicating domestic violence other than to keep the initial story of the assault alive, made it their witch hunt to destroy Chris Brown's career, and make Rihanna a domestic violence martyr. Rihanna was given no real respect, and Chris Brown was taunted, rather than allowing him to learn from his mistake and move on to doing better. However, there was no real desire on the media's part to find solutions to the larger issue of domestic violence which permeates our communities, and causes society so much pain as a whole.

As time went by, people realized how popular it was to attack Chris Brown, and how just the mere mention of his name drew traffic to their websites, media stations, and other news outlets. Soon it was not about bringing awareness to domestic violence, but to just make lazy attempts to add popularity to their upcoming projects by attacking Chris. Social media was often lit up with snide remarks about Chris Brown, even if he never said anything in return.

People have figured out that Chris Brown's annoyance at their constant attacks bring them into the eye of the public. Instead working hard like Chris, they choose to use an unfortunate event that has nothing to do with them, as a quick way to gain attention for their own selfish needs. So when you see an virtually unknown artist taking cheap shots at Chris Brown unprovoked, now you know what they are doing. If you see a large media news show, or commentator blindsiding Chris Brown with a barrage of sarcastic, classless jeers, look at the shows ratings and then you will have a correlation between the show, and Chris Brown.

In all these years since the incident, you will notice that none of the people using Chris and Rihanna's past situation show any interest in helping those going through domestic violence at this very moment. It is only because what is profitable is important. The fact that there are teenagers that are victims of domestic violence, both men and women being abused, is irrelevant to them. But as long as there is a red cent to be made by rehashing the incident, the media and irrelevant unknowns will jump on the "Attack Chris Brown out of the blue" bandwagon.

The media banks on the young followers of both popular music artists and their loyalty to them to fuel these often baseless arguments. Defending Chris and Rihanna has become many of the fans favorite pastimes, and the media finds joy in insulting them and their level of intelligence, or their lack thereof in their opinion. Still there is little progress made as far as mass media assistance to keep women's shelters open and functioning in many communities to help those who need it.

There has been little engaging commentary, research or other positive shows on a major scale since the incident to help one other victim of domestic violence. Countless reality shows promoting assaults on others from scripted fights, giving America the idea that conflict resolution begins and ends in violence, but you can guarantee every little step that Chris Brown makes will be studied under a microscope, along with antagonizing him to wanton abandonment if it means their ratings will shoot up like Charlie Sheen on a Friday in the presence of some unknown blond "model." (read also: It Ain't About Chris Brown... It is about MONEY!)

So for now until people grow up and learn to stop attacking the tree instead of dealing with the forest, we will have these little Twitter fights, and these long drawn out back and forth retorts all for the sake of a day and a dollar in the sunshine for the media. I doubt we will get from the media as a whole any real solutions or mass promotion to help domestic violence diminish in our community. Until that day, we are left on our own to view such immature exchanges from people we should be receiving information from to help those watching, to deal with things that plague the community.

Here are some great resources for those who need help, those who want more information to help others with, or just to look into. I hope this will allow someone to get out of an abusive relationship, and on to a great life. If there are any questions feel free to leave comments, even anonymously, if you need help of any kind.

Domestic Abuse Helpline for Men and Women

1-888-7HELPLINE (1-888-743-5754)

24-hour hotline operated by staff and trained volunteers to offer information and crisis intervention to victims of domestic violence.

Assistance for educators

http://www.breakthecycle.org/im-an-educator

ASSISTANCE FOR PARENTS

http://www.breakthecycle.org/im-a-parent

ASSISTANCE FOR TEENS

http://www.loveisrespect.org/

EVERYONE BE SAFE!

BEING HAPPY CAUSES ME PAIN....

bettyboopbbw69@gmail.com (Bettyboopbbw69@gmail.com) — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 18:49:09 PST

By: Kim Barnes

BEING HAPPY CAUSES ME SO MUCH PAIN...

IN SO MANY WAYS I WAS PREPARED FOR THIS.

I KNEW AS SOON AS I LET GO OF MY LIFE'S DYSFUNCTIONS

AND BEGAN TO LOOK UP TO THE SKY...

SO MANY AROUND ME WOULD GO AMISS...

WHEN I DECIDED THAT I WOULD HELP MY CHILDREN GROW

READ TO THEM AT NIGHT, FEED THEM AND NOURISH THEIR SOULS

THAT MY PERSONAL LIFE WOULD SUFFER TO MALNOURISHMENT...

BECAUSE TO HAVE A MAN THESE DAYS

MEANS I HAVE TO RAISE HIM TOO IF I DON'T WANT TO SUFFER THE LONELY BITCH BLUES...

I HAVE TO TURN ON THE MACHINE THAT IS MY MOUTH

AND WASH AWAY ALL HIS DIRTY THOUGHTS, AND CLEAN THE HOUSE SO HE CAN LAY HIS BURDENS DOWN, WHILE I AM LEFT HOPING HE STAY...

BUT WHEN MY RIVER SIDE OVERFLOWS I AM LEFT WITH THE CHOICE..

IF HE REALLY LOVES ME, HOW WILL I KNOW..?

WHITNEY HOUSTON TYPE RELATIONSHIPS WITH FRIENDS THAT SHOW SUCH LARGE VISIBLE CRACKS...

THAT YOUR ENEMIES ARE YOUR FRIENDS, AND YOUR FRIENDS ARE YOUR FOES... BUT I KNOW THAT TO BE HAPPY I MUST LET THEM GO...

BEING HAPPY TAKES ME OFF THAT WELL WORN PATH....

I WORK TO BREAK BREAD BECAUSE IF I LOAF AROUND I WILL SEE THE BUTT END OF ALL THOSE JOKES I TOLD..

BACK WHEN THE COW WAS FAT AND THE CHEESE WAS LAYING ON TOP... AND I WAS TOSSING THEM COLLARD GREENS OUT MY BACK WINDOW

I REALIZED THAT BEING UNHAPPY CAUSES SO MUCH OVERGROWTH...

SO WHEN I PLAY, LOVE, WORK AND BEFRIEND.. TO BE HAPPY I MUST DEFEND...

THAT IT IS NOT THE GREENER SIDE OF THE FENCE...

FOR TO HAVE IS TO LOSE, THERE IS NOTHING ABOUT THIS THAT'S NEW

BECAUSE BEING HAPPY CAUSES ME SO MUCH DELUGE... OF EMOTIONS

FAILURE, AND PASSING THROUGH....

BEING HAPPY CAUSES ME PAIN... BECAUSE IT IS A LONELY PATH.

YOU WALK IT WITH PROTECTION, ALL BITTER PILLS TO SWALLOW...

NEGATIVITY FEEDS OFF OF YOUR FAILURES HOPING YOU STAY

WHEN YOU FIGHT TO DO BETTER, NOT EVERYONE FOLLOWS, BUT YOU WILL PAY.

Nov. 2011

Twitter: Battle Royale Celeb style...

bettyboopbbw69@gmail.com (Bettyboopbbw69@gmail.com) — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 19:49:24 PST

(Update: Since the initial publishing of this blog on 11.02.11, this has happened:
Jomo Zambia Murdered over getting out of line on Twitter. http://blogs.laweekly.com/informer/2011/11/jomo_zambia_pimp_murdered.php) (added 11.15.11)

I find Twitter be a great place to network, learn about new things such as music, movies, and products, all while keeping it within the character limits. Twitter has brought together the world in a simple, yet amazing way. From business owners, to struggling students, Twitter allows a big mixing pot of people to have a sort of "meeting of the minds" that can be the very things that sways a nation to positive change, or at least to helping one another through such a hard economy.

It also brings together... IDIOTS.

People have used twitter to commit crimes, sell sex, buy drugs, and in some cases set up days and times to meet in the streets to brawl. There is no one social class that this falls under because from the poor folks to the rich, idiots are meeting in the streets to scrap, all from some typed words on Twitter. What part of the common sense game is this?

From celebrities, to your regular Joe's and Jane's in the hood, people are using social media to settle beefs that was once impossible due to time and space. People are flying to fight. Yes, you read that right. People are flying through time zones off of typed words on Twitter, Facebook , and other sites that will host their idiocy. To publicly threaten someone bodily harm, is not only against the law, but it is proof positive to the advancement of decay in the moral fiber in people today.

One of the major components that add to people acting out in public, is the constant force-feeding of dysfunctional behavior of the people on the "Housewives of Wherever", Bad Girls Clubs, and any other reality show that is built on the premise of "put them in a room and let them have at it" concept. While it makes the networks a boatload of money, it gives many people the idea that arguing and fighting for no damn reason is cute and acceptable. It doesn't give excuse to adults to misbehave, but it gives a lot of people without common sense and maturity the blueprint for disaster, and Twitter is the vehicle.

Groupies have used Twitter to blast men cheating on their wives, girlfriends, and families. As a result you can find blast videos, followed by videos of retaliation. What you will not find is a civil person in the lot of them. Females like Kat Stacks, found some short lived fame for doing what females in the past did in the shadows with a stigma attached. As a result, she was attacked several times, and finally deported. All of this transpired in front of millions of viewers via Twitter and Youtube. Social Media for the sake of popularity through misbehavior has become America's favorite pastime. From hazing fights, arguments between schoolchildren, to gang initiations, and he-said/she-said fights, Social media is now societies way of showing their ass.

And while there is a lot of us who do not support or engage in this type of behavior, we sit back and do little or nothing at all. We are the enablers of the behavior. Therefore just as bad as those participating. It thrives because of the audience we provide for them. We have got to do better, but will we?

View more videos at: http://nbcphiladelphia.com.

B.A.R.F. (BITCHES ARE REALLY FAILING)

bettyboopbbw69@gmail.com (Bettyboopbbw69@gmail.com) — Sat, 29 Oct 2011 00:27:02 PDT

Carl Thomas is back to "Conquer" (music added)

bettyboopbbw69@gmail.com (Bettyboopbbw69@gmail.com) — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 04:33:00 PDT

Carl Thomas is one of the few vocalists that seems to stay true to his roots of romantic R&B. His voice is like silk on the original tracks he releases ever so often. He does not release music fast enough for his solid fan base to consume. With each musical offering, he is consistent, but tells a new story each time.

Well Carl Thomas is BACK! I listened to his new song, "Don't Kiss Me" and fell in love all over again. The word play on this song is just what people need to hear when relating to one another. Carl promotes honesty in relationships in this song and that is something painfully missing from music.

Enlisting some of the most talented producers such as, Andre Harris (formerly of multi-platinum production duo Dre & Vidal) , Rex Rideout, The Internz, and also teaming up again with Mario Winans, Carl Thomas is set to take us further down the road that is his musical journey.

One of the best gifts you can give this Christmas is Carl Thomas' highly anticipated album, "Conquer" due out for release one Verve Forecast on December 6, 2011.

PURCHASE : "DON'T KISS ME" on Itunes NOW!!

"Don't Kiss Me"

FOLLOW CARL THOMAS FOR MORE INFO!

TWITTER

CARL THOMAS LIVE!

Itunes

Those Two Dollars....

bettyboopbbw69@gmail.com (Bettyboopbbw69@gmail.com) — Thu, 06 Oct 2011 16:47:14 PDT

For over half my days I was raised by a child
a woman of bitter means, screwed up and over and hung out to dry.
Facing years of illegitimacy and being ill prepared for this man's world that I am suppose to be accustomed to...

I go to her for answers not realizing that she still has questions to ask of her damn self...

because her momma wasn't there due to her succumbing to tumors
while she made up all these cold stories that she fed us, instead of fostering relationships with people that can give us warm memories.

She introduced me to this stranger, who was stranger than a lil bit. He bore no face that I could recognized, nor did i feel love in his voice when he was facing me...
But at 16 I am suppose to accept him with loving arms as if this was the father that sat me on his knee and loved me?

Well what I do remember was sitting on those cold hard steps and listening to words he thought I wanted to hear, while songs of comfort and freeze frames from my favorite movies rolled around in my head.
As i am going through my poplock routine, perfect videos playing in my head... thank God for Breakin'

Passing me two dollars, putting a value on my life as if that two dollars would make up for over a decade and a half of his absence. Only to ask for them two dollars back because his urge for a pack of squares, so I pass it back, and he disappeared as strangely as he came.

Only to realize that he actually did leave me with something, just not what I thought.
Realizing that I was about to become a surrogate mother, to a lil brother that those two dollars bought. It was just enough for my mother to surrender to him, leave her with another broken legacy.. another part of him, that doesn't look like me.

Fast forward to a time when I am grown and ready to try.. he is still that raging alcoholic with a death wish, ready to die. There are more holes in his memory than I know his liver can withstand... but still I don't know, or love this man. But he is a doting father, just not over me. He loves that new son, and what he has grown up to be.

If you notice this half of the poem is beginning to rhyme, it is only because I am grown up and have opened my eyes. All my words that I speak are irrelevant to him, because when he looks at me, he sees my mother who his lust for has dimmed. Moving on like a season, passing through like ships with no destination, he loves on that son, pays for his education.

But unlike my mother, I am no glutton for punishment.. so I cut my losses, and move on to live with purpose and accomplishment. I understand that family is not just a mother and father, it is surrounding yourself with people who love....Who nourish, who give in return, and never give up...

And now enters stage right, mother again, telling me you have passed on, be at the church,put on a show for people you will never see again until someone else is gone...I am not going to
belong to a funeral family that is only involved when someone is enbalmed...

Nah I am good, I think I will pass, spend the day with people I know who love me. Sip on a lil wine, just pass the time, making memories that last, and adding to my future now, soon days that will be in the past. I know I may sound cold, but I would rather be real, then sing one negro spiritual, shed one tear for someone who never was here.

K.B.
10.6.11

Here we go again, FightingTempSisterAct what movie is this again? "Joyful Noise"

bettyboopbbw69@gmail.com (Bettyboopbbw69@gmail.com) — Tue, 04 Oct 2011 03:00:02 PDT

I think movies like Fighting Temptations and Sister Act were great entertainment during the time they were put out for our consumption. But in an age when great graphics movies like "Lord of the Rings", "The Matrix", and intricate story lines like "Limitless", and "Crash", movies by now need to be way more than rehashed story lines. Actually "Joyful Noise" is a sour familiar note to audiences, and great actresses like Latifah, and KeKe Palmer (other than the money they received) deserve better than this. Viewers deserve better than this. Every time we get more than two minorities in a movie in a leading role capacity, all the stereotypes come rolling out.

Does every time a black church is involved, the choir has to be fighting to keep things together by winning a competition? That story line has been done too many times, and the reality is, is that in real life this almost never happens, and if it does it is never for the exact amount it takes to keep the church doors open. The reality is, is our tithes are going to keep victims quiet about the reverend's indiscretions, or the church sometimes just closes. So after all these years this is the best they think this generation deserves? After seeing the success that Tyler Perry has gained over the years, of course Hollywood wants to tap into that audience. It recognizes the purchasing power of minorities, but lacks the ability to really cater to them. Hollywood just will not surpass Perry's ability to relate to what all viewers want to see, unless they find a new man to dress up as a woman to do so.

I think it is always wonderful to deliver a heartwarming story tied together by song and dance, but when you don't grow with the audience, you force them to either miss the movie, or watch something else. You have to understand that minorities don't need the "white people singing pop songs" savior in our churches. We don't need a mediocre singing white boy to save the choir when you have KeKe Palmer blowing at full strength. You are insulting us by putting the AMAZING Dolly Parton and Latifah in this cornball movie, and think we will come out in droves. Some support is expected with all the demonic and sexual ,movies out, families need something, but we pray there is no sequel. Or you could put out another "Fighting Temptation" while Beyonce is pregnant.

We understand the concept of making a 50 + million dollar movie and then making 68 million in theaters plus another 30 million in sales of dvd/bluRay/soundtrack. So it is a sizable investment in a movie. But you can make triple that if you just give out a great project that can spawn a higher gross, cult following, and a demand for sequels. Minority actresses deserve better roles that go past their skin color and challenges their talent. But we know Hollywood and it's fear of losing its footing when it comes to what they feel is theirs.

But what is the most disheartening thing in Hollywood's concept of a church movie, is when singing gospel music they always sing old hymns of the past that are sure to bore today's audience for sure, and replace it with secular music with a few changed words to make it palatable. This does not show the progression of today's gospel music and its ability to reach the masses without changing the message. Using diluted secular music as a way to capture the audience into listening to the choir is proof positive that Hollywood has no clue as to the enormous talent, diversity, and power behind today's gospel that not only changes everyday, but also draws from old time hymns. So Hollywood's depiction of church music as being boring and dated, is because they don't know.

If a cheesy movie is your kind of movie, I say go support "Joyful Noise" for a laugh or two. But I say if you want more, because we are capable of better, skip it and wait for the DVD to show up on Netflix/Blockbuster/Wal-Mart. That way you can skip past the parts you saw in Sister Act, or skip over the not so funny jokes you saw in Fighting Temptations. Either way, Hollywood, do better, do something different.

New Music: Solange's sweet R&B ballad "FAVORS"

bettyboopbbw69@gmail.com (Bettyboopbbw69@gmail.com) — Wed, 28 Sep 2011 07:30:01 PDT

Favors by solange-knowles

While everyone is watching her famous sister Beyonce walk around in her pregnancy glow, Solange is still consistently making her mark in music. With this sweet R&B ballad called "Favors" you can almost taste her pouring out her emotion that give the words color. She is so nostalgic to me. Her rebellious image that shuns the usual "glamour" look that women in the music industry are forced into, you see a totally different, mature Solange that has true value. Don't dismiss this talent.

CRAZY DUBSTEP DANCE SKILLS....

bettyboopbbw69@gmail.com (Bettyboopbbw69@gmail.com) — Mon, 26 Sep 2011 21:55:31 PDT

CRAZYYYYYYY......

Dear Troy Davis,

bettyboopbbw69@gmail.com (Bettyboopbbw69@gmail.com) — Thu, 22 Sep 2011 09:05:55 PDT

I hope I am alive when the government has to apologize to your family for executing you unjustly. I feel for the family that went home thinking that their nightmare was over when you took your last tax-paid breath. But their nightmare will begin again when they find out not only did they lose their loved one, but you were murdered on top of that unjustly in his name. The real murderer is probably sighing and going back to business as usual, if he is not already in prison for something else as equally heinous as what you died for.

Our judicial system needs a colonic. We need to understand what flaws exist in the system, and not just go on old rules on dusty, outdated books. The people see what old blind lady justice saw when she lifted that blindfold and looked at Troy Davis and sentenced him to death, as an injustice. The same people who these laws are meant to protect, are now putting us to death.

For those that know better, we apologize to you Troy Davis.

We shall see.

Love,

America.

David E. Talbert's "What My Husband Doesn't Know" Returns

bettyboopbbw69@gmail.com (Bettyboopbbw69@gmail.com) — Thu, 22 Sep 2011 04:00:05 PDT

Lena Summer is the envy of all her friends. Big house. Successful husband. It's the perfect life...or so it seems. But with her husband's demanding career as a construction mogul, the other side of her bed is too cold too often. When a handsome young foreman from her husband's company arrives to work on their home, the spark she's been missing quickly rages into a wildfire. (Source: ThinkTank Digital)

Prolific and renowned playwright David E. Talbert embarks on the Fall leg of his highly acclaimed play "What My Husband Doesn't Know" starring Morris Chestnut, Michelle Williams (Destiny's Child), Ann Nesby, and Clifton Davis.

tour dates and dvd information after the break...

DVD

Stay tuned for details about the November 1, 2011 DVD release starring Brian White, to be sold exclusively on DavidETalbert.com

TOUR DATES

Please note all online ticket purchase updates can be found at DavidETalbert.com

Charleston, SC
Gaillard Auditorium
Oct. 6
Purchase Tickets

Atlanta, GA
Cobb Energy PAC
Oct. 7-9
Purchase Tickets

LaFayette, LA
Heymann Theatre
Oct. 12
Purchase Tickets

Houston, TX
Hobby Center
Oct.13-16
Purchase Tickets

Beaumont, TX
Julie Rogers Theater
Oct. 18
Purchase Tickets

Tulsa, OK
Mabee Center
Oct. 20
Purchase Tickets

Kansas City, MO
Music Hall
Oct. 21-22
Purchase Tickets

St. Louis, MO
Fox Theatre
Oct. 23
Purchase Tickets

Tallahassee, FL
Leon Civic Center
Oct. 25
On Sale Soon!

Miami, FL
Gusman Theatre
Oct. 27-30
Purchase Tickets

West Palm Beach, FL
Kravis PAC
Nov. 1
On Sale Soon!

Memphis, TN
Cannon PAC
Nov. 3-5
Purchase Tickets

Columbus, GA
River Center
Nov. 6
On Sale Soon!

Hartford, CT
Bushnell PAC
Nov. 10
Purchase Tickets

Baltimore, MD
Lyric Opera House
Nov. 11-13
Purchase Tickets

Sacramento, CA
Memorial Auditorium
Nov. 17
Purchase Tickets

Oakland, CA
Paramount Theatre
Nov. 18-19
Purchase Tickets

San Diego, CA
Spreckels Theatre
Nov. 20
Purchase Tickets

CONNECT WITH DAVID E. TALBERT

Official: http://www.davidetalbert.com/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/DavidETalbert
Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/davidetalbert
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/davidetalbertpresent

New Video: Lloyd f/ Lil Wayne & Andre 3000 - 'Dedication to My Ex (Miss That)

bettyboopbbw69@gmail.com (Bettyboopbbw69@gmail.com) — Thu, 15 Sep 2011 21:02:54 PDT

THINKING OUTSIDE OF THE BOX...Lloyd seems to be trying to reach for that crown again. Familiar voices Lil Wayne, and Andre 3000 add flavor to this 50's style song with a little 21st century flair. Now using a cat and Wayne Brady to represent for the rappers was weird, but Lloyd took it some place else purposely.

Channeling his inner James Brown and Sammy Davis Jr., with the smooth moves, and on point vocal delivery, I can say I am proud of Lloyd fighting to not become a statistic in the game, by just sticking with the formula. What do you think of the song and the Video?

Hit up Lloyd

Twitter

Facebook

Official Site

Together by FORCE.... The War of Wedding...

bettyboopbbw69@gmail.com (Bettyboopbbw69@gmail.com) — Thu, 15 Sep 2011 04:42:00 PDT

With the rate of divorce nowadays being so high, you would hope people would work harder to prepare themselves for marriage before doing so. But in this imperfect world, you have more people getting married in order to help pay bills , not be alone, make others jealous, or some other idiotic reason for entering matrimony.

If the most time spent on the marriage is planning for the wedding, no wonder we have such a high divorce rate. I often wonder why so many people don't realize that they have no business getting married. Instead they jump in crotch first, hoping for the best.

Following trends often mess up society's view of what a real relationship is. People use some of the most idiotic reasons to begin their search for a mate, and often polish it off with a grand wedding to a union predestined to fail. I can sit here and give you some advice on how to avoid this, but I believe in being a little different. I am going to show you what you did wrong rather than tell you how to get out of it. If you want advice, check this post (For those that want to stay married.)

This post is meant to carry a different message. Sometimes people don't realize how foolish they have been, because they don't take a look at what got them there. So I am going to point out a few of the popular reasons we can end up married for the wrong reason. So be ready for an eye opener.

1. Tying your value into who you are dating. Most of us change into a whole different person when we have someone. We understand that. It is something about having someone that give you a little more purpose to your daily function. You have someone to look forward to sharing moments with. I am talking about the ones that when the other person wants to have alone time, you crumble to ash and begin your stalking and tire cutting. I am talking about those that are jealous of their mates mother, saying that bitch gotta go. You know, weird, insecure people.

2. Do you really want a someone you threatened to marry you? Some people limit themselves to the point that they think their last or only chance at loves means to trap the person that they are with at the moment. Of course some of you have been together a while, and marriage is the next natural step, but until that person opens their mouth voluntarily and willingly and proposes, is that really what you want. If you have to give ultimatums, threats, or resort to trickery (fake pregnancies, attempted suicides) expect to hear some really hateful words down the line when things don't work. You may hear something along the lines of, " I didn't wanna marry yo ass anyways!"

3. Sexing your way in, screwing your way out. We all love a good lay. But be real with yourself. Choosing your mate for life on sex alone will most definitely be one of the things you notice will not help you through anything important. Sex with your mate will not help when they are sick and missing work and bills start growing. Sex will not make a problem go away. Now many think it will, but be mature about this and tell me what sex cures other than a desire to cure a nut? If sex cured more, there would be a whole lot more happier homes out there. Too many people are sexing their way into marriage and screwing their way into a whole heap of trouble trying to get out of it.

If you have used any one of these methods to get into a relationship and later on marry, you have now possibly set your marriage on a crash course to default. Well you can continue on this path, get out of it, or get counseling, and work on adding usable elements that may save it from falling to the wayside. Good luck with that. Being real with yourself, and opening your eyes to reality will show you that marriage is way more than feelings, fears, and fellatio. You have to incorporate information, prayer, professional counsel, faith, knowledge, and compromise.

Get over the dream weddings and get into the wide awake tackling of life.

(celebrity pictures are only added to express weddings, not as the subject matter of this post.)

NEW MUSIC: MARIO "THE WALLS" feat. FABOLOUS

bettyboopbbw69@gmail.com (Bettyboopbbw69@gmail.com) — Wed, 07 Sep 2011 23:16:37 PDT

The Walls - Mario feat. Fabolous by HDMI44

One thing about Mario's voice is that it is undeniably R&B. It is always a welcome thing to hear his liquid, soulful voice slip and slide over a track that reminds you of what R&B is really about. "The Walls" is a hypnotic track, but I don't think many people will give it the attention it deserves. Personally I wish we could get an R&B track without a rapper on it, especially Fabolous repeating self. But this song is still that babymaker.

Give this one a few listens and let it grow on you. Mario is STILL what the industry needs.

FOLLOW MARIO ON:

TWITTER

FACEBOOK

DR. TWITTER CAN YOU HELP ME? COUNSELOR FACEBOOK...

bettyboopbbw69@gmail.com (Bettyboopbbw69@gmail.com) — Mon, 05 Sep 2011 02:33:07 PDT

There is nothing more annoying than someone whose life is in shambles or with no formal education, standing in front of you giving advice. Now this is not saying that you can't learn from even a fool...because their mistakes can show you the end result of a certain path, but to have them standing there, or sitting there acting as if they have made it over while you can almost feel the idiot oozing out of them, you realize that there is something out of wack.
I often get online to relax and have a little fun. At one time Twitter was my favorite outlet for just saying what was on my mind and interacting with others from around the world.

What I did begin to notice was a pattern of ignorance and also the proliferation of advice and words to live by coming from people who were the last people that needed to be giving out anything in form of advice. Giving out advice that we common folk should live by is diminished when your main photo is of your naked behind, or you advertising how many "hoes" you pulling. Stick to selling your tainted wares and leave the advice to the professionals. The ability to cut and paste does not equate to years of college study and a doctorate make. If you just heard of Twitter and went on there today, a large amount of what you might see is regurgitated quips and cute sayings, along with every problem people feel the need to place on the site.

As a result, you get a roller coaster of words that convey all kinds of crazy, cute, flawed, weird... well you get the point. Any time of the day you can follow the tweets of one person that will go from cursing out other tweeters over a celebrity they stan for, to them becoming this deep counselor there to assist you in your dysfunction, and then right back to full on idiot. This cycle continues daily, and the cycle has become almost an occupation for some, a full eight hours of it. Many of the people offering advice on TWITTER believe they are qualified to do so. They are living at home with momma, haven't set foot into the world, and have kids, exes, and problems out the whazoo.

Why is it that Twitter brings out the Dr. Phil, Judge Judy, and every other degree having professional just by logging on to facebook or twitter is beyond me. These sites are meant to be a place to have fun, talk about things in a leisurely way, maybe even market some business and products. But please stop passing out advice you are not taking, do not believe in, or do not have the experience or know how to be giving out. It is making SOCIAL MEDIA into some kind of bore. Many people come to the net to have fun, not be diagnosed. Try just coming to have fun as well... you might like it.