Goodnight to all and to all a good night

Well, this is going to be the last post of 2006. With Christmas and New Years fast approaching, I'm going to need to take a hiatus from blogging for a bit. Before I do, I want to express a few things; thoughts; and stuff with you all. Here goes.

1. First and foremost, I'll thank the Creator for blessing me with the courage, insight, and talent to write and to share myself with you
2. Thank each and every one of you who has taken the time to read, comment, and share this blog. Without you all I'd still blog, but your participation makes it more fun.
3. I still haven't quite found the proverbial Christmas spirit, but trust and believe, I will find some spirits *wink*
4. I look great in these jeans, my hair/face looks good, and the hip confidence (swagger in my walk) is in high gear today.
5. I actually bought a few gifts today excluding the ones for the Christmas gift drive.
6. I've succeeded in not gaining any weight so far this holiday/Christmas season and that's a good thing. In fact, I've lost a couple pounds...yippee!!!
7. I've learned so much more about so many things from the amazing blogs I read and thank you all for posting such memorable things for me to read.
8. I've had a great year in spite of the bullshit and drama that has happened along the way.
9. Just a few more months til my new nephew is born...I'm not getting the niece I wanted, but it's cool.
10. My resiliency and resolve has been tested in ways I never imagined, but I passed with flying colors.

I guess that's about it. I extend to you all the very best wishes for a Merry Christmas and New Years. I pray that you all will be kept safe, that good memories will be created, and a lot of love and compassion is extended and received.

I'll see you all in 2007!!!!!!!!

??Ever wonder??

Think of pivotal moments in your life where you had to make a decision and now that the decision has been made, do you ever think about how your life could have changed as a result?

For some unknown reason, I thought about that today. I thought about the month long vacation I took after high school and called home to say I wasn't coming back. I currently wonder where I would be in life had I decided to remain in London instead of coming back to the states. I wonder what my current employment would be; whether or not I'd be married; have kids; etc. I know I can't ever know because there's no turning back the clock, but it doesn't stop me from wondering.

I sat quietly for about 30 minutes and contemplated that call, my reasons for not wanting to return to the U.S, and even allowed myself to project events. In my mind, I saw myself enrolled in a university continuing my studies in language and commerce, which was my course of studies prior to moving here. I saw myself studying in France, to further my ability to speak my first choice foreign language and continuing my ability to speak German and Russian also. I thought about what kind of boyfriend I might have had. Would I have finally snagged Delroy Pinnock, the dark chocolate good friend of my older brother, whose smile could give the sun a run for its money? His smooth, silky voice that drove me nuts when he spoke, and that same voice that could belt out tunes; leading him to release a song on wax. Maybe we would have made it and if lifes timing was kind, we'd marry, procreate and bring a child into the world. Or if not he, maybe I'd fall for a charming French man named Jean-Luc much like the one I'd met in my teens while in France for a week whose voice spent me as his French-infused English speaking let me know how much I'd learn to love accents. Hell, maybe I'd never marry or have children and simply travel the world as an ambassador, or translator for international businesses. Maybe I would have become a writer and bless the literary community with my works and end up on Best Seller lists worldwide.

I'll never know what could have happened had I stuck to my guns when I made that phone call, but it sure was fun to reflect and think about the possibilities. (sigh)

!!!Fantasy Fuckables!!!

”It's the holiday season, so spend some time with a family member (or friends), reminisce on old times or create special moments. If you can't be with your loved one(s) for whatever reason, at least call and let them know how much you love and care about them. So many days are spent shopping for gifts and what not and we really miss the true meaning of Christmas.”

I clipped that from G-Mo. I bolded the part that really moved me because it was a great to hear another person sharing this mindset. I also added the part in parens. Gifts are great, but nothing can be better than building memories.

Okay, now that my PSA is done, I can move on to more amusing matters.

I’m at the Plantation today, which is out of the oridinary as I typyically don’t work on Fridays. However, since I’m here, I figured I’d have some fun. It is Friday afterall right? Right!!

So, a week or so ago, during my weekly Chat N Chew, my buddy, lemme correct that as “buddy” has other meanings and he and I don’t have that kind of relationship. We’ll call him Kap. Kap and I were discussing football and how I don’t like it blah, blah, blah. Then Fantasy Football was discussed and again, I expressed my disinterest, but then this crazy thought came to mind. “Fantasy Fuckables!” Kap looked me at like, “WTF?” I laughed.

What is “Fantasy Fuckables” you might ask? Well, dear ones, it’s simiar to Fantasy Football, except your players are people (actors/singers, the UPS man/woman, whomever) that you’d like to fuck. The premise of this game is to gather the collection of players and pitch them against other people’s list to see who has the most popular players.

I’ve discussed this idea with Kap (male perspective) and a female friend and both think it’s a cool idea. In order to play, you must submit your list via email (BluJewel@comast.net) with the subject FF or I'll delete it thinking it's SPAM. I’ll then compile the list of players. Please limit your list to ten players. This game is open to both men and women and you can include all of one sex or a combination of both. No, your sexuality is not in question here. Then I’ll figure out a way to post the list in a word file (suggestions please for how all can see it). Or I’ll post it in list form and votes can be made accordingly. The process of elimination will be used to achieve the winner/MFP (Most Fuckable Player).

I know this is way out of left field, but haven’t all my posts been this week; so why should this one be any different.

The Jewel is shining bright!!!

SoMe ThInGs I kNoW fOr SuRe

God is real

there are men that will allow you to touch their anus without freaking out

men are as insecure about their bodies/looks as women are

saying hi to someone and they don't respond pisses the greeter off

not all women like chocolate and shopping

a lof of children are smarter than they're given credit for being. in fact, there are children better qualified for office than the adults there

being academically smart doesn't give you common sense

words are as dangerous as a loaded gun

there days when a smile, hug, or kind word can stop someone from killing themselves (emotionally, physically, mentally)

music is one hellified way of saying things you can't in your own words

myspace is like an online highschool

Essence Magazine isn't as good as it used to be; thus causing me to end my almost two decade subscription

not all men are incapable of thinking without their dick

a mother's love for her child does NOT always come naturally; look at news archives of what women have done to their babies lately

your average guy is not taking the hoochie home to meet his parents

being turned out isn't always a bad thing

blessings come in a various forms big or small

men love it when a woman is self-confident-assured-esteemed and independent, but will still let him lead when necessary

going to the bathroom in pairs IS necessary; prevents some unwanted contact from happenening

good table etiquette is not optional

Chick-fil-A is da bessest fast food chain eva; where else can you get a good meal for under $4 and still be full; i eat the 6pk kids meal...hee, hee

kissing is a good indicator of how well one can fuck

a man who trims his pubes is aiight wit me; who the hell wants to see shaft coming out of dudes drawers

size counts

not all babies are cute couple that with not all good looking people make cute babies

saying "NO " is ALWAYS an option

breast feeding is not archaic; it's one of the best things you can do for baby and self

hand or shoe size is not indicative of penis size

most men don't really like big or fake titties

that i need to end this crazy list now before y'all wonder what the hell is wrong with me. Oh, and for those (namingly Magicalsis) who don't know or where curious as to what I look like, go to Shades of Blu and you'll know what I look like.

Errant thoughts

just stuff....

if a girl is sucking a guys dick and his balls keep hitting her chin... does that mean SHE BALLIN? (saw this on another blog)

why do people hover over food and eat while others are trying to fix their plates? (on the convergence of people during our group in-house lunch today)

why don't people divulge the ingredients of their food? Don't they know people have food allergies?

i didn't eat that much, but feel like i inhaled an elephant...where's my green tea? Need an energy boost!

Christmas is only 12 days away and i haven't bought a gift yet. correction, i bought something for my aunt in London so i could get it in the mail today

i have a limited idea of gifts that i want, but i truly want the gift of time shared with friends/family that can be turned into memories later. they far outweigh gifts in my book

my hair/face look cute today...talk about a random thought!!!!

i inspired someone and didn't know it until i received an email from her...how cool is that?!

i've come across some really crappy blogs and some really distasteful ones too

the "itis" has set in and i'm fading fast...

the CD Terry hooked me up with is still on repeat in my iTunes. i'm telling y'all, hit him up for your own copy cause i ain't burning mine for ya

have you noticed that people go trolling for food in other parts of the building as if they weren't full from their own groups party?

laying low in the cut is a great place to be unless people keep asking you "what's wrong" and there's nothing wrong until they keep asking you "what's wrong?"

ever notice that when someone says they might be or are interested in someone of the same sex, the listening party IMMEDIATELY thinks that they could be the object of that persons attraction...GET OVER YOURSELF! refer back to previous post where are stated, "being cute doesn't make you fuckable!!! Nuff said, party dun!

Well, I never...

I "stole" this idea from someone jus.b.fli who "stole" it from someone Xae who "stole" it from who T Cas, who either created it himself of likewise "stole" it from who knows where.

The following are some things I've never done...

I've never misrepresented myself online; as in said, I was one thing, but turned out to be something/one else

I've never sat on the Santa's or Easter Bunny's lap; I think it's a little creepy

I've never watched Miracle on 34th Street in its entirety; no reason, just haven't

I've never believed in Santa; no one could convincingly sell me on that ideal

I've never understood getting peed or shit on during sex; nuff said

I never wanted to be a virgin when I got married; wanted to know what the hell I'd be in for

I never thought I was a good writer; until I did an open mic

I've never smoked cigarettes/weed, tried coke, or any other illicit drug; never saw any good in it

I've never known my maternal grandfather or paternal grandparents; each died before I ever met them

**Honorable mention (not quite a never; more like a haven't) to Terry cause I haven't heard such a good collection of music so well put together in a long time. Folks, holla at Terry for your very own copy of his Mellow CD, I've had it on repeat all day cause it's da mutha effin troof!

What haven't you done?

Improvements

Improvement
"There is much value in the way you've always done things. Consider improving on that value.
Often a difficult and critical challenge will come along to force you out of your established routine. Take the opportunity to rise to that challenge.

Certainly there are benefits to the way you've always done things. And just as certainly there are ways to improve.

Take a look at the things that frustrate you, at the things you struggle with, at the things you resent and regret, and be thankful for them. Then find a way to sincerely justify that gratitude.

The most difficult problems point the way to the most significant improvements. Imagine how your effectiveness would skyrocket if the biggest obstacle that holds you back were suddenly no longer there.

Have the courage to move beyond what is comfortable, knowing that whatever your level of achievement is, you can always improve. And watch as the limitations steadily fall away. "
-- Ralph Marston

I read this quote over and over before I decided if it was a reflection of my mood or if it was speaking to me personally. I thinks it's a little of both. Yesterday was an amazing day on so many ways. While I can't say it was a bad day, it did have a few bad moments. I did the hardest thing I could possibly do and that was to find a way to rise above it. There is a thing or two that still remains a little unresolved, but I will attend to them as quickly as I'm able.

From my various interactions and from my own introspection, I know there is much we all can, should, and will do to improve our lives, relationships, etc., change is a much needed entity in our lives as it alleviates stagnation and routine. Change can present unknown and unexpected challenges too, but ultimately the end result is favorable if you do not give up. Embracing the unknowns is something most of us aren't willing to do as it takes us out of our comfort zone, but again I say, breaking patterns alleviates stagnation.

Whatever we're going through in our lives, we must center on what is good and not wallow in what is bad, what hurts, what we don't want to do. There are physically disabled people who have pulled off feats that abled bodied people cannot and/or will not take on. We question, "why would they do that? Why would they take on such a task?" I think the answer is very simple. Because they can! Because they want to improve or prove something. I think they have realized that they having nothing to lose by at least trying to do something new; something that could potentially bring something different to their lives. If they never tried it; they would never know if they could or if it would work. We all should think along those terms.

There is always room for improvement great or small in our lives. What will yours be?

WTF? (things on my mind)

Today I've said "Are you serious?" and "WTF?" Too many times to count, so here's some insight to the many thoughts in the Jewel's mind today...

Why do people do such heinous things and use God as a bargaining chip in the process?

Why can't people just be real and not use folk for their personal entertainment?

What would make someone be so cruel and prey on people's kindness and compassion?

I wish it didn't take lightening bolts for people to notice things/people aren't quite as they seem

Being a parent is a mutha effin hard ass job!

Being a friend is fucking hard too and dishing out tough love sucks, but is so necessary sometimes

Being able to write is the only thing that keeps me sane sometimes

I wish paused responses/delayed reactions weren't taken out of context

Sugar coated shit doesn't make candy

Why are kids so quick to get grown, but can't handle the responsibility it comes with?

Just because you're cute doesn't make you likeable or fuckable; substance counts

Why do people take the response to shocked/unexpected comments negatively?

I wish that they made greetings cards that told what you're really feeling when you have to send it to someone you're not on good terms with

Why is it that reaching out to someone who did YOU wrong feels so awkward?

Just once I wish people would stop using the past to hurt you in the present

Why does the threat of being cut off suddenly make people realize they fucked up?

I wish few days of utopia could erase a years worth of pain, anguish, drama etc.,

I hate seeing bad things happen to good people

I wish love wasn't a 4-letter word

Why can't we get along

Does race/gender/sexual orientation really matter?

What's so wrong with race/gender/sexual orientation?

Why did I just find out that my department's Christmas (they say holiday) party was a freebie and I could have gone and not used leave time?

Why didn't I want to go anyway?

I can't wait to use my Spa certificate...I REALLY need some pampering.



The Jewel has left the building....

New words for Corporare America

Essential vocabulary additions for the workplace (and elsewhere)

BLAMESTORMING – Sitting around in a group, discussing why a deadline was missed or a project failed, and who was responsible.

SEAGULL MANAGER – A manager, who flies in, makes a lot of noise, craps on everything, and then leaves.

ASSMOSIS – The process by which some people seem to absorb success and advancement by kissing up to the boss rather than working hard.

SALMON DAY – The experience of spending an entire day swimming up stream only to get screwed and die in the end.

CUBE FARM – An office filled with cubicles.

PRAIRIE DOGGING – When someone yells or drops something loudly in a cube farm, and people’s heads pop up over the walls to see what’s going on.

MOUSE POTATO – The online, wired generation’s answer to the couch potato.

SITCOMs – Single Income, Two Children, Oppressive Mortgage. What Yuppies get into when they have children and one of them stops working to stay home with the kids.

STRESS PUPPY – A person who seems to thrive on being stressed out and whiney.

SWIPEOUT – An ATM of credit card that has been rendered useless because the magnetic strip is worn away from extensive use.

XEROX SUBSIDY – Euphemism for swiping free photocopies from one’s workplace.

IRRITAINMENT – Entertainment and media spectacles that are annoying but you find yourself unable to stop watching them.

PERCUSSIVE MAINTENANCE – The fine art of whacking the crap out of an electronic device to get it to work again.

ADMINISPHERE – The rarefied organizational layers beginning just above the rank and file. Decisions that fall from the adminisphere are often profoundly inappropriate or irrelevant to the problems they were designed to solve.

404 – Someone who’s clueless. From the World Wide Web Error Message “404 Not Found”, meaning that the requested site could not be located.

GENERICA – Features of the American landscape that are exactly the same no matter where one is, such as fast food joints, strip malls, and subdivisions.

OHNOSECOND – That miniscule fraction of time in which you realize that you’ve made a BIG mistake. (Like after hitting send on an email by mistake).

WOOFS – Well-Off Older Folks

CROP DUSTING – Surreptitiously passing gas while passing through a Cube Farm.

Tally It Up and Title it..."My Fine Is..."

Okay, I'm feeling a little silly today. I got this from someone and thought it might be something fun to post. Tis the season to be jolly, so here's my contribution to bringing some humor to your life. Feel free to use this on your own sites as I'm all for spreading love and humor.
By the way, you don't need to reveal what your "crimes" were; just how much they cost you.


Smoked pot $10
Done acid $20
Ever had sex at church (you're going to hell) $25
Woke up in the morning and did not know the person who was next to you $40
Had sex with someone on MySpace $25
Had sex with a Blogger $30
Had sex for money $100
Ever had sex with a Puerto Rican $20
Vandalized something $20
Had sex on your parents' bed (just wrong) $100
Beat up someone $20
Been jumped $10
Crossed dressed (Halloween excluded) $10
Given money to stripper $25
Been in love with a stripper $20
Kissed some one who's name you didn't know $5
Hit on some one of the same sex while at work $15
Ever drive drunk $50
Ever got drunk at work, or went to work while still drunk $50
Used toys while having sex $30
Got drunk, passed and don't remember the night before $20
Went skinny dipping $15
Had sex in a pool $20
Kissed someone of the same sex $10
Had sex with someone of the same sex $20
Cheated on your significant other $10
Masturbated $10
Cheated on your significant other with their relative or close friend $20
Done oral $15
Got oral $10
Done / got oral in a car while it was moving $25
Stole something $10
Had sex with someone in jail $25
Made a nasty home video $15
Had a threesome $50
Had sex in the wild $20
Been in the same room while someone was having sex $25
Stole something worth over more than a hundred dollars $80
Had sex with someone 10 years older $20
Had sex with someone under 21 and you are over 27 $25
Been in love with two people or more at the same time $50
Said you love someone but didn't mean it $25
Went streaking $5
Went streaking in broad daylight $15
Been arrested $55
Spent time in jail $75
Peed in the pool $5
Played spin the bottle $10
Done something you regret $40
Had sex with your best friend $20
Had sex with someone you work with at work $25
Had anal sex $80
Lied to your mate $25
Lied to your mate about the sex being good $75

TOTAL

A Winter Meme - Five Things I Love & Hate About Winter, Winter Holidays

This one is a variation of the one currently being published on Blogger. I don't typically do meme's but because the person who tagged me Su Abraham is so damned nice, I decided I would. Here goes...

5 Things I like...

1. Taking some time out to give back to others. Isn't that a part of what Christmas is about anyway? The gifts are great, but the gift of giving is greater. For anyone who wanted to buy me a gift, please do something good for someone in need in my honor.
2. The way my church is internally decorated. It's a large church with a balcony and I'm always amazed at how they get the garlands up so high and they're always straight. The poinsettias at the alter always look beautiful too. I'll try to get some pix to share.
3. Spending time with friends/family. I feel l ike a gyspy at Christmas for all the homes I visit, but it's always a great time.
4. Wearing a scarf that a dear friend knitted for me. It's a pretty light blue scarf made of a really soft yarn and even though it doesn't go with everything, I try to wear it with everything anyway. I'd really love a bobble hat to go with it. Maybe I can sweet talk her into knitting me one.
5. Using the cold weather as an excuse not to go out or do anything. Ordinarily, I'm not a lazy person, but there's nothing nicer than sitting around wrapped in a warm blankie, sipping a nice hot drink, and reading or otherwise doing noting.
6. BONUS (thank you jenellybean for pointing out my previous error)
   The after Christmas sales. Its' one of the few times I actually enjoy going to the mall. When else can I get a $100 cashmere sweater for $25? Or $150 boots for less than $50 and they'll still be in style.

5 This I dislike...

1. Watching the pretty snow turn to crap as the cleaning crews come through to clear the streets.
2. Wanting to go skiing and not going cause my friends don't like it. Yes, I know I can go alone, but my fear is that if something happens to me, how will they know?
3. Worrying if I'll gain weight for having succomb to eating the sweets I tried not to indulge in
4. Having to run out in the cold to warm the car, to go back in the house, and then go back out hoping the car is warm enough. That's such a pain in the ass, but it has to be done. I drive a manual transmission vehicle so remote start is not an option for me.
5. Egg Nog only being available for a limited time. I'm sure I'm not the only person who wouldn't mind it during the year. Ever had Egg Nog cake or Egg Nog frosting? Try mine and you'll want it more than in the winter. *wink*

My list isn't as detailed as Su's but, hey at least I did it.

What's your top 5's?