Living Single

Actress Vonetta McGhee reigning supreme in her space

Hopefully the title made you think of the fabulous 90s series. It remains one of my favorite shows. I won't get started on how much I love that show. This post is about living alone while being young, gifted, quirky and Black.

It's been 14 months since I began living alone and I am still learning valuable lessons, but loving every minute of my solitude. Of course my parents worry, but that's what they do. I embrace it. This is what I've been wanting since I was youngin' watching Khadijah & her crew. I took the Max route though. The longing to live alone really reared its head when I moved back to STL in 2008. Don't get me wrong, I really didn't mind living with my parents. Living rent free was awesome. We were growing together and learning each other as adults. Things were just changing. I wanted to have my own space to be loud, quiet or pant-less in. So my living situation has gone from living with my immediate family 5 siblings and parents, to 3 siblings and parents, then dormitory living, next was a shared apartment, then back home to my parents and 1 sibling. All the while having to share bathrooms, lol. Now it's just me and of course the occasional visitor.
Despite the crooning of Three Dog Night, one is NOT the loneliest number. I'm the queen of this castle. Of course  that's my bra on the floor and my mismatched socks on the table. I have learned the beauty of making a mad dash to get back to my fortress of solitude. Why yes, I am leaving this event early. Where am I going? Home, where I can be pant-less in peace and not be stared at strangely because of it. Bye.

Here are some things I've learned from living on my own:
1) The entire apartment is my room! There are things strewn about. It is organized chaos. Depending on our relationship, I may let you see it at its worse.
2) I never close the bathroom door. I have to remind myself to do this when company's over.
3) I constantly talk to myself.
4) There's always enough food for one. The meal may not be conventional, but hey it'll do.
5) I'm messy. 
6) I do make every effort to be a good hostess. I was raised right, lol.
7) Being pant-less is everything!
8) Budgeting is a must honey. Having more month than money is undesirable.
9) My offers from the opposite sex have increased exponentially, lol. 
10) I don't mind drinking alone

What I've come to realize is that living alone will enhance your quirkiness. I'm different, I know this but being alone has and continues to fine tune it. I'm not out here like Kramer getting rid of all my furniture in lieu of "levels". Trust and believe that there are #quirksonquirksonquirks. Living alone provides time to explore and revel in your private self. You are the best twerker, singer, chef, and yogi. To quote Remy Ma "See this ain't nothing that you're used to, out of the ordinary unusual You gotta have the mind state that I'm so great can't nobody do like you. Miraculous phenomenal ain't nobody in here stopping you..."


If you've never lived alone I implore you to try it. The feeling of coming home to your own space and being able to be peaceful. I know that when I decide to live with someone again they'll have to have lived on their own so we can re-socialize together, lol.







The soundtrack to this post is Billy Joel's Movin Out

Late night finds for the sonically inclined -European Invasion

Hey folks,

Let's get right into it. There are very few minutes of my day when I don't feel like cutting a rug. Internally dropping it or doing a mean shoulder shimmy that would make your uncle look twice. Just feels good and right. These selections make me feel good and I want to share them with you. All of the artists are from Europe. Mnek is a 19 year old Nigerian-British singer-songwriter. He recently dropped his first single, “Wrote a Song About You“, for his upcoming debut album. Next is DTwice De Bel Air from France. Now this isn't an original work, but it takes me back to younger, simpler times and I'm always a DC3 fan. Last, but not least, is Blonde. An duo of 18 yr olds who apparently are harboring some serious soul. Kind of puts me in the mind of Craig David's Walking Away, just a little bit. So there they are folks. I like to look for new music on the internet and I think I've found some winners. You should add them to one of your mixes.

Updates, potential, and more

What's up?!
Once again I've been MIA for a couple months but I'm out here living, and learning. I'm still settling into my new position trying to find my place in this new environment. I'm also adjusting to living by myself and without a car. It has it's rough patches but honestly, it's not that bad. I've got some loud and questionable neighbors but that's what happens when you live in an apartment complex. I'm sure they think I'm strange too, lol. As far as school goes, all signs point to starting in the fall. Finally. I've been out for a long time. Former classmates are graduating with their Master's while I've yet to receive my Bachelor's.  Truthfully, it did make me feel some kind of way...for a short while. Then I remembered that our paths are purposely different. I wouldn't trade what I've learned in these past 5 and a 1/2 years being out of school for anything. As far a dating goes, honey, the #struggle is real. LOL. I've had some brothers that showed promised then offed themselves with the foolishness. You say you want to come to my house on the regular to use  MY internet and laptop cause your hotspot is tripping? Brother, we've only went out once. How can you be upset when I say no? #ByeFelicia Y'all know my bs tolerance is low, and I refuse to raise it. In other news, summer is right around the corner, so if you are in my area look for me at various concerts. I plan on attending as many as possible and screaming and singing until my lungs get sore. Here's a little mood music to make your Saturday night as easy as a Sunday morning.

It's A Celebration B*****s!!

  As I lie here in my Forever Lazy, I'm just replaying last night's events. I've got the BEST friends and family in the world. They threw your girl a New Orleans themed surprise party! They got me, I had no clue. I thought I was going to a singles mixer. I got cute in hopes of meeting some good men. We get to my homegirl's house and folk start yelling "SURPRISE!!" while 2nd line music plays in the background. They adorned me with beads and the decor fit in with the theme. My friends know that while I am not from NOLA, the music, men, food, drinks, the city itself intoxicates me. It was perfect. They even had my parents in on it! They gave my daddy very few details because he and I talk everyday and he definitely would've ruined, it. My mama's job was to make sure I actually went and not come home after work and put on sweatpants, lol. Friends and family came out to kick it with me drink hurricanes, and dance to ratchet favorites old and new. I consider myself an amateur twerk team member especially when I get that drank in me. Just throw on my Waka Flaka weakness and watch me, LOL. Sadly, with all the camera phones no pictures were taken, we have only memories to be  replayed and recalled from last night. Today is my actual birthday and I don't even know how to spend it. Words can not express the gratitude and love that I feel. I'm just turning 26, this isn't typically a birthday that people go all out for. I do feel that since this happened that my year is going to be altogether different. There must be some changes coming. I'm so thankful, and still a bit tipsy, but I feel wrapped in love and there's no better way to greet my new year than that.

*How I felt last night. and I'm sure I made this face . LOL

Late night finds for the Sonically Inclined- Sohn

Another installment for those of you who dig good music. Check out this this group Sohn (English translation is sun). They're from Vienna/London and their sound is soulful.  Give them a listen, if you like them pass it on.

Q.U.E.E.N.

Okay, so two of my favorite artists have collaborated and made me pause my world. I'd been hearing murmurs of this on Afro-punk. Then the song dropped and now they've blessed us with a visual. I'm referring to genre bending Janelle Monae and the soulful Ms. Erykah Badu aka Low down Loretta Brown . I won't say much more just watch and enjoy. "You can clip my wings, but I'm still going to fly..."

DO OR DIE IN BED-STUY!!!!

I'm baaaaaackkk! Another installment of late night mood music, another peek into my burgeoning audiophile-ness. Let me present you to The Stuyvesants.  This is one is mostly instrumental fused with retro gold. Sit back, lay down, crack open that book, sip that drink, cuddle up, etc. This group right here is wonderful.  I'm biased because I like them and it's my blog. Deal. Wit. It.  You can download their music for FREE.99.You all know I likes to get mine for the low, low. (Hey Tasha, that's for you,lol) But, if you're so inclined support these men by purchasing a shirt.
(Okay, so these guys never said they grew up in that famed project, but they do rep Brooklyn)

Solange

I love Solange. Don't get me wrong I definitely love Beyonce' but the spunk, the confidence, and talent that radiates from Ms. Solange gives me life! I still listen to Sol-Angel and the Hadley Street Dreams like it's new. SO imagine my excitement when I heard she was ready to release some new music. Here's her new single and video "Losing You" filmed in South Africa. Full of fashion, fun, energy and good music. All things I expect from her.

Tell me the truth boy am I losing you for good...

New finds for the sonically inclined

In my late night/early morning search of the internet, I always come across new music and decided to share my findings. Today's installment comes from a group from Brooklyn, NY. The Rising Sun All stars and their song Lucky Monday. If you like it support them. If you don't keep it to yourself.

Enjoy!

Low Down Loretta Brown

This is just the way I'm feeling today. Nothing crazy in particular has happened but often find myself saying some of these lines in responses to some of these tired men. It's a smooth groove that can be played whenever though. As is most of her catalog. I love me some Low Down Loretta Brown. Happy Friday all. Enjoy!

What YOU know about The Foreign Exchange?!

New Tigallo, New Tigallo, New Tigallo is what they call him. You may know him as Phonte, or 1/2 of super group The Foreign Exchange. The other member of the gruesome twosome is Nicolay, aka the baddest man from the Netherlands, or as I like to think of him The skyscraper of soul. This past Monday night (11/14/11) was the highly anticipated FE show here in the STL. I'd known about the show for a while but since I couldn't get off early, I was thinking about skipping it. I'm glad I thought about it again and didn't. I left at work at nine and after a struggle in the parking garage me and one of my besties (hey Jenny!) headed to the show. As soon as  I stepped in the door and immediately I felt relaxed. (Cue Beanie Sigel's "Feel It In the Air) I'm not a stressed out person but I'd had a long day and had an early tomorrow looming in my mind. Nevertheless, I let the music take me away. They played music from all of their albums :Connected, Leave it All Behind, Authenticity. Phonte did some joints from his solo project Charity Starts At Home. They even gave their band mates some time to shine. Sy Smith is bubbling over with talent. ZO! is an artist in his own right. He may play the keys for the band but he has his own works too. (see Just Visiting three and SunStorm). The show was FABULOUS! I hope my energy comes across my in type because that's just how serious I am. I love great music, even more so when it's live and they did not disappoint. Everyone was enjoying themselves and shaking the stress of the day away. People started to electric slide they feeling it so much. ( I didn't because I have my own issues with it that won't be discussed here) The vibe in the building was one that was just inviting. It was refreshing because STL crowds can be difficult. FE made me feel like I was apart of the show. I saw folk I hadn't seen in months. I love how music can bring us together. The band had us all singing our hearts out and meeting new people. I thoroughly enjoyed myself. I have been a fan but this just made me love them even more. FE & friends shared themselves with me and my fellow concert goers that night and that experienced is not something that I take lightly. FE encourages/mandates us to fight for love and good music. I even bought a $20 t-shirt! And if you know me, you know that that's a big deal, a dub on t-shirt in these times ain't nothing to play about. I took some video of the concert. I know it's not the best quality but it's the best I could do to give you a piece of the magic from that night. Enjoy!