ebony epicurean’s blog

I agree wholeheartedly with the adage that "an eye for an eye will leave the World blind", but I also feel that turning the proverbial cheek will leave you with two bruised cheeks (and that's not cute!).  Let's face it, the World has become quicker, colder and less altruistic. 

So what do we do in response? We upgrade: flights, hotel rooms, gadgets, security, hairstyles, spouses, cars.  We upgrade all these things, not necessarily because they have become antiquated, but to make us feel safer, calmer, more confident and less vulnerable. So why not upgrade our ethics?

We are all familiar with the Golden Rule, "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you". Sure it rings with timeless turn-the-other-cheek-like idealism. . . but can't it be "upgraded" to make us feel [emotionally] safer, calmer, more confident and less vulnerable?  Of course it can.

Hence I propose the Platinum Rule, "If they are deserving, do unto others as you would have them do unto you".

What are your thoughts?

Video: Show us a video that makes you want to dance.

Long Live SOCA!!!!

et le zouk aussi. . .

Audio: Share the most embarrassing song on your mp3 player.

Edit: My conscience has been bothering me all day. . .I'd should have 'fessed up to this one too.

Audio: Share a song you could listen to all day on repeat.

I love this song to a degree that is probably detrimental to my health :)

Dear guys at my gym,

What a pleasant surprise to see so many new faces and new bodies in various stages of (un)dress around the gym. I'll assume that many of you have included fitness goals in your New Year's Resolutions for 2008.  I think that's great! But, for those of you who've simply resolved to "get buff to pick up chicks" - I think you're selling yourself short.  Of course, physical fitness is not just a powerful elixir for self esteem, it's also appealing to the opposite (or in some cases the same) gender.  However, when the "getting buff" thing goes to extremes you guys start doing more harm than good. . .allow me to elaborate.

You see, the way you guys view silicone is the same way we view your smoothie/supplement/protein-powder enhanced muscles.  Although they may be eye catching, you're not fooling anyone. . .and truth be told, there is nothing like the real thing; whatever the "real thing" may be.  Just as some women have cups that naturally runneth over, there are some men with naturally bulging biceps - but those of either gender who try to be something they are not; well, they just look a bit "off". (Plus, most women like men who can move thier necks and walk through doorways without turning sideways)

Bigger is not always better.  Honestly, when it comes to musculature I've never been caught  up in the rapture of gratuitous bulge. I do, however, appreciate the beauty of a well-toned male form; whatever size it may be.  In fact, the majority of men I find attractive have leaner/svelte/sinewy builds - allow me to present the following evidence:

The lovliness of Lenny Kravitz:

 The boy next door charm of Pharell:

The esoteric charm of Keziah Jones which can only be described as "molten sex" (don't believe me? watch him groove shirtless in this viedo):

 So what I'm saying to you guys at the gym is. . .athletically and aesthetically, strive for YOUR personal best (not someone else's).

See you at the gym soon!

Warm Regards,

The raven-haired jogger on the third treadmill from the right

Audio: Share your life anthem.

I have two; here they are. . .

 

 

Goapele

GOAPELE

 

 

"Closer"

Closer to my dreams
It's coming over me

I'm gettin' higher
Closer to my dreams
I'm getting higher and higher
Feel it in my sleep

Some times it feels like I'll never go pass here
Some times it feels like I'm stuck forever and ever

But, I'm going higher
Closer to my dreams
I'm goin' higher and higher
I can almost reach

Some times you just have to let it go (Let it go, let it go)
Leaving all my fears to burn down
Push them all away so I can move on
Closer to my dreams
Feel it all over my being
Close your eyes and see what you believe

I'm happy as long as we're apart
Then I'm moving on to my dreams

I'll be moving higher (Moving higher)
Closer to my dreams
And higher and higher, higher
Feel it in my being (I can feel it flow around me)
I know that I could not go alone (No, no)

I'm moving higher (Higher), oh...
I'm going higher and higher and higher (Higher and
Higher)
Closer to my dreams (Higher and higher, oh...oh...)
I'm moving upward and onward and beyond all I can see
(Stretching out my arms so I can reach)

Feels so close it's like i can just reach
I can feel my dreams (Closer to my dreams)
I'm moving closer to my dreams
I'm moving (Higher and higher) higher and higher
(Higher and higher)
Moving higher, oh...

Some times it feels like you never gon'change (Never gon'change)
But you never choose to walk away

Nuttea - Trop peu de temps

Nuttea

"Trop peu de temps"

Il y a trop peu de temps à vivre ici, pour jouer cette tragédie
Si tu dois partir, je n'aurais pas de peine !

[Refrain:]
Il y a trop peu de temps à vivre ici, pour jouer cette tragédie
Si tu dois partir, je n'aurais pas de peine
S'il n'y a plus d'espoir aujourd'hui
Pourquoi jouer cette comédie si tu dois partir
Alors fais-le sans haine !

On s'est connu affamé la rage au ventre
Et si sombre était l'avenir
Et je t'ai vu lutter
Sans rémission aucune
Pour le meilleur et pour le pire
Nos destins étaient liés
Comme dans une tragédie avec une fin à la Shakespeare
Le dernier acte a sonné, simplement j'aimerais te dire !

[au Refrain]

L'océan qui nous sépare a vu trop de naufrages
Trop de tempêtes et de déboires
Ainsi fini notre histoire car notre amour en fait
Brûlait ses dernières heures de gloire
Maintenant s'envole avec toi sept ans de mon passé
De mon âme et de ma mémoire
Sans pleurer au désespoir
Simplement j'aimerais te dire !

[au Refrain]

On s'est connu affamé la rage au ventre
Et si sombre était l'avenir
Et je t'ai vu lutter
Sans rémission aucune
Pour le meilleur et pour le pire
Nos destins étaient liés
Comme dans une tragédie avec une fin à la Shakespeare
Le dernier acte a sonné, simplement j'aimerais te dire !

[au Refrain]

What won't you miss about 2007? 
Submitted by uncagedbird.

Him.

At the risk of being labeled as strange; I have a confession to make. Everyone in my life has a theme song. . .yep, they do - it's like a soundtrack that plays whenever I see them/think about them. This is the theme song for my brother's fiancee.

This holiday season she did several things to reinforce my soundtrack selection for her.  I'll give you some background information on the two of them: After dating for three years, this summer my brother proposed to her. . .he presented her with a beautiful TWO (yep, 1-2) carat engagement ring and all she could do was complain that she wanted at least a three carat ring *sigh*.  Needless, to say things went down hill from that point. . .I watched the classy, intelligent, witty woman he proposed to transform into a needy, materialistic, unreasonable, manipulative beast. 

My brother works full time, goes to school full time, has a part time job, and yet another full time job (which is taking care of her needy ass!) - she gets her hair done, nails done, goes shopping and works out with a personal trainer four days a week (that's it - no job, no school).  Oh, I should also mention that my brother cooks, cleans and takes care of all the house hold responsibilities. Nothing is ever enough for this chick. . .she always wants more, more, more, more, more!  My "little" brother looks overworked, severely stressed, drained, lifeless, and just plain tired - his fiancee seems to notice none of these things.

Once upon a time she was a graduate student. . .but after the proposal she dropped out of school, decided that she wants to be a stay at home wife, and said she was going commit to planning her wedding full time. (to avoid a profanity-ridden-rant I will keep my thoughts about this to myself).  I will say, however, that I think this is a rather quixotic plan for someone who grew up in a lower-middle class Midwest family and has neither the skills nor finances to support "her plan".

This morning my brother called me with bittersweet news: "I quit my second job and broke off the engagement"

                                                                                     "What!?! Are you ok? What are you going to do?"

                                                                                     "I'm going to take a nap, I'm exhausted!"

I guess that says it all. . .

Who do you want to be caught under the mistletoe with this holiday season?
Submitted by An Ebony Epicurean.  

Actually there's a few ;)

1. Aaron Mc Grudder

2. Idris Elba

3. Common

4. Thierry Henry

5. Keziah Jones

6. My high school sweetheart

7. Andre Benjamin (aka Andre 3000)

Well, the title pretty much sums up how I feel about Christmas (which is also my birthday).  Yeah, having a birthday on Christmas is not the greatest.  In fact, my sixth, eighth, tenth, eleventh, seventeenth, nineteenth, twenty-second, and twenty-third birthdays were forgotten in the holiday hustle and bustle - yep, you read that correctly even MY FAMILY forgot my birthday.  So, December 25th has been a bittersweet holiday for me. . .usually along the lines that I have a Merry Christmas, but an Unhappy Birthday.

One of my favorite childhood (and adulthood) holiday traditions, is singing a song by Nu Shooz with my cousin. . .we sing it (much to the bemusement of everyone else) non-stop on Christmas Eve because we literally can't contain ourselves for the excitement of Christmas morning!  Does anyone else remember this song. . .or is it just my cousin and I?

 Christmas is almost here. . .Baby, I can't wait!!!