happy first day of summer...

I bounced out of work at 8.30pish tonight. Truth be told, that's actually relatively early for a week that we're closing an issue. The reason? Nothing fab, I assure you. Nope. Try a damn tornado watch on for size.

Mind you, it's not like I've never lived through tropical storm and hurricane alerts back in NYC. But I gotta tell you, this Midwest weather nonsense is FORREAL. I'm talking thick ass streaks of lightening, sideways rain, u-shaped trees and winds to whip your clothes off.

So err-um yeah, f--k the Quiet Storm, I don't care what slow jam you wanna put on. This right here is NOT sexy.

*drags blanket, pillows, flashlight & cell phone to the bathtub*

flashing back...

It seems like everywhere I turn, folks want to know how I like living in Chicago.

Unfortunately, I still haven't had an opportunity to do much living- unless you count the 7 min walk from my apt to the office. And yes, I do mean exactly 7 minutes. 'Cause if I learned nothing else in NYC, I certainly learned how to speed walk my ass off when I oversleep in the morning. Werd.

*kanye shrug*

But on an upnote, I just learned that New Kids On the Block and the Backstreet Boys are slated to perform next week. So if I can still get tickets, I may just have to bite the bullet and leave work at a decent hour. O, o, o, o O! Just hanging TOUGH!

Don't judge me.

AND, starting tom morning I will be working out with a trainer again. So Lord willing, I can find the waistline I left in Washington Heights before I head back home to visit my peeps in July.

*crosses fingers, toes, legs & arms*

But before I I completely crash for the night, definitely want to encourage everyone to log onto JETmag.com and enter yourself or a fantastic Dad that you know in our Sexiest Real Dad Contest. Because sexy is as sexy does and it takes more than movie star looks to be a father to these kids nowadays. So don't wait because the contest ends soon. And I want to see what you guys think makes a man sexy.

Enter HERE.

shortest three day weekend eva...

So my very 1st issue officially hits the streets at the end of this week- WOO HOO!!

READ: Don't walk, RUN to your local supermarket, magazine stand, wherever you can find it and cop a copy of the issue with Garcelle Beauvais on the cover IMMEDIATELY.

And please don't think I put Garcelle on the cover just because she has flawless skin and a new show coming out. Eh, not so much. Actually, your girl landed an EXCLUSIVE! For the first time and ONLY in JET, she's dishing on all the messy details from her recent divorce.

*brushes off shoulders*

So hurry up, cause I am DYING to know what you guys think!!

Oh and after you hit me back, log on to the JET website and enter to win a pair of kicks from the exclusive new Swizz Beatz/ Reebok Classic collection. HERE.

This is the very first giveaway JET has ever done. My goal is to make it a regular part of the issues. But you know how it goes- the higher the number of entrants, the bigger and more interesting the prizes will become down the road. *hint, hint*

On a more personal note, just finished up my very first holiday weekend in the new city.... Um yeah. Can't really say I'm loving the temperamental Chicago weather. It was literally 50 degrees and pouring rain all day on Saturday and Sunday. Then I woke up to freaking 90 degree weather on Memorial Day Monday.

Ree-damn-diculous.

I did however manage to make the most of the one sunny day and attend my very first "Chi-Town BBQ." (Mind you, I've been hearing about these infamous gathering of black people, good music and free food/ drink for as long as folks have known that I was moving to the city.) And I'm happy to report that it was def fun times to be had by all. Held out by Lake Michigan, there were at least 100 people at all times and the food, drink & eye candy were on point.

So three cheers for that- Hip, hip hooray! Hip,hip, hooray! Hip, hip, hooray!

Anyhoo, that's about it for now. Gotta do a little bit of work before I go to sleep so I can be prepared to hit the ground running tomorrow. Have a great week party people!

xoxox

BTW, this ssue doesn't "officially hit stands until next week. So Moment readers are actually getting a "sneak peak" before everybody else! Don't say I never do anything for you.

oh yeah, remember me...

Has it really been a month since my last post? Good grief, life is FLYING.

To quickly bring you guys up to speed on what's happened since I last checked in:

1) I cut my hair- yes, even shorter.

2) I packed up and moved my entire life to Chicago.

3) I purchased my first flat screen TV. Don't judge me.

4) I closed my very first issue of JET Magazine. It hits newsstands nationwide on June 6th.

5) One of my BFFs gave birth to her first son!

As I'm sure you can imagine, it's been A LOT.

Yet nowhere on that list does it say I've been out gallivanting in Chicago, meeting cute Chicago Bulls basketball players, getting the very much need daily workouts in, shopping for cute shoes or even enjoying the springtime sunshine.

Le sigh.

On the bright side, I am still super excited to be here. The work is extremely fulfilling and my co-workers are cool. Not to mention, I've only officially been in the city for two weeks, and my actual apartment for two days. READ: There's still hope for lots of shenanigans (at the very least, some sun).

So don't give up on the blog so fast. I have every intention of posting more regularly. But until I'm settled *looks at the piles of unopened boxes sitting in the middle of middle living room & cringes* it'll probably just be once-a-week recaps on the weekends.

I miss you guys.

start spreading the news...

So as you may have noticed, I've been a little M.I.A from the blog lately.... my bad. BUT as you may have heard by now, it was for a very, very, very good reason.

*clears throat and stands up to every inch of my five feet*

I am so excited to announce that after five WONDERFUL years of self-employment... (insert drum roll, flashing lights & smoke machine, please)

I have accepted the offer to join the Johnson Publishing family as the new Editor-In-Chief of JET Magazine!

*slight pause to allow all those who know how much I love working in my pajamas to recover from the shock*

Obviously, it was a huge decision that did not come easily for many reasons- all of them starting & ending with my love of my very blessed life in New York City.

*adjusts my lucky Yankees cap*

However, the opportunity to lead the change that's going to re-energize & re-introduce such an iconic brand to new generations of readers was one that any journalist that loves her career as much as I do could not pass up. I am humbled to have been chosen for this important mission. And I look forward to rising to the challenge. (Oh and did I mention, the uber fabulous Desiree Rogers is my boss? BLANK STARE. Exaaactly.)

So naturally, I want to express my sincerest gratitude to each and everyone who has supported me and my career over the past 10 years. Whether you've been rocking with me since my insane Road Tripping days at HONEY, while I was pretending to be a 'Privileged White Woman at JANE, spent the money and purchased one of my books or simply forward my blog posts every once in a while, your energy has helped me reach THIS moment.

Thank you, thank you, thank YOU.

It's going to be an adventure. I certainly expect you to stick around for the ride.

like machine guns in grand central...

I just finished reading the details on the burqa veil ban that takes affect in France today. Hmmm. I must say, I'm consistently amazed by how deeply the threat of terrorism has changed in the world in the past 10 years. The international level of unabashed fear and intolerance has hit an all time high and continues to rise. And not for nothing, it's really sad and unsettling.

Don't get me wrong, I'm all for safety. But something about this law feels extremely discriminatory.

I'm jussayin.

eye candy so bright it burns..

Finally had a chance to check out Jay-Z's new website/online magazine/media portal, Life And Times that launched on Monday.

Hmmm.

The promo vid is crazy. (see for yourself HERE)

Visually, the site is amazing. Like absolutely LOVE.

Content reads very much like a compilation of "All Things Jay-Z Likes (& You Can't Afford)."

Which is um... yeah. LOL.

Interesting piece on boxer Andre Berto tho.

not mean, just observant...

So the headline on the article related to this god awful photo reads:

Kevin Federline Debuts Girlfriend's Baby Bump

In light of what a filthy, tub of lard K-Fed has become, am I the only one who thinks it would've been damn near as accurate (and way funnier) to say:

Kevin Federline Debuts Baby Bump

*barely smothers a giggle*

I'm jussayin.

she better than me...

Err-um real talk, this picture of Wendy Williams' feet that she twit pic'd after DWTS practice made me GAG!!

Yo, this is CRAZY! What is that lump on her right foot? And why are the bunions on her toes doubled up like that?? MY GOD.

And you better believe her husband Kevin faithfully massages them joints for her... with his bare hands.

BLANK STARE

To hell with Charlie Sheen, Wendy Williams got that certified TIGERS BLOOD pumping through her veins. Cause not for nothing, I refuse to do anything that would cause my feet to look like this besides run for my DAMN life.

This is NOT winning.

stop the presses...

So about this reality show fights montage the Daily News compiled... Um yeah.

BLANK STARE

While I feel like we've seen most of them in commercial snippets, it's certainly shocking as shit when you run them all together. And just between you and me, it's even more shocking was that there was not ONE black person involved in this craziness.

*light bulb goes off*

Of course, that's why it's suddenly a mainstream concern. 'Cause now that reality shows are capturing the Kardashians caught up in domestic violence and teen moms from middle America slap boxing over the little black boy in the mugshot it's DEFINITELY a crisis.

Yeah, now I totally understand.

time to dial down the meds...

WAYMENT, what in the slew-footed hell happened to Britney Spears' rhythm??

Granted, I'd read the rumblings on Twitter about the GMA performance being a little shakey bakey but I charged that on the time of the day. I mean, anyone coming from the west coast *cough* that's as hopped up on anti-depressants as Miss Spears *cough* might be a little sleepy and off beat at 7.30am.

But now this Kimmel Show catastrophe? Oh uh-uh. This my darling is ree-diculous.

Could she have been anymore lackluster? Or out of shape? Seriously, homegirl went from sexy hourglass to a straight cardboard box. And please don't get me started on the square 2-inch heels or that god awful, green & black criss-crossed onsey which was doing nada except making her look like the Incredible Hulk.

Oh Brit-Brit.

And let's be honest, when the dancing fails to entertain, we're forced to actually listen to the auto-tune nonsense you're passing off as music nowadays. Who wants that?

BLANK STARE

Exactly.

my bad homie...

Little known Mitzi Fact: I used to date a dude who refused to swim in the ocean.

I mean, 'ole boy would spend all day in a pool but when it came to the ocean? No ma'am. He straight up, would not go into the water any further than his knees. Ever.

Why?

"Cause things we can't always see live in there."- the ex-BF

BLANK STARE

Naturally, as an avid swimmer and certified beach addict, his random explanation did not make a lick of sense to me. And I used to CLOWN him. Mercilessly.

But after viewing this CNN video taken off the coast of Florida? Well, let's just say I now understand.

the times they are a changing...

Oh shoot, according to my Mac dashboard, today's temperatures are going to reach 62 degrees! WOO HOO! THANK YOU ST. PATRICK!

*back flips off the couch into a full split*

On a not so joyous note, just got the dreaded email notice from The New York Times. Apparently, they've finally decided to implement digital subscriptions for access to the website. *sad little nephew face* According to the notice, as of March 28th:

On NYTimes.com, you'll be able to view 20 articles each month for free (including slide shows, videos and other features). After 20 articles, they'll ask you to become a digital subscriber, with full access to the site.

On the smartphone and tablet apps, the Top News section will remain free of charge. For access to all other sections within, they'll ask you to become a digital subscriber.

On the marginally brighter side, readers who come to Times articles through links from search, blogs and social media like Facebook and Twitter will be able to read those articles, even if they have reached their monthly reading limit. Although for some search engines, users will have a daily limit of free links to Times articles.

Le sigh.

We all knew it was coming but damn, damn, DAMN.

*shakes fist at the sky & starts searching for gold coins in between the couch cushions*

don't just look, do something...

Gotta tell you, the headlines today really blew me: 6.1 aftershocks in Japan as the nuclear radiation wafts through the air, a Queens teen beat to death in a gay bias attack, the 3 year-old suffering through alcohol withdrawal in Britain, the giant panda that bit it's San Diego zookeeper and yet another bus accident.

Oh and let us not forget the on-going drama in Cleavland, TX where the 11 year-old girl was viciously gang-raped by EIGHTEEN boys & men in a deserted FEMA trailer.

*shudders uncontrollably*

I mean, it's all good fine to be on our individual grinds but at a certain point, you gotta stop and look around. And then, take responsibility for what's happening. I hope that everyone reading this post is involved in some sort of positive, community service that will change another person's life for the better. Cause it's a small world. And every day the crazy gets a little closer to our homes.

*gets off of soapbox & volunteers more time w/ Hip Hop 4 Life*

spread the good news & support...

Okay, so I'm definitely going to the movies this weekend to support my super talented collegue, Ava DuVernay's feature debut, "I Will Follow." Based on her relationship with her late aunt, the film has been receiving stellar reviews from critics, including my old school fave Roger Ebert.

WOO HOO!

Oh and did I mention that not ONLY did Ava write & direct, she also FUNDED the film herself?!?!

*standing for slow clap*

Oh and while we're talking about movies I'm extra hype about, I cannot WAIT to see THIS:

"Like Water for Elephants" is my BOOK! And despite weird looking Robert Pattinson, I still think it's going to be an AH-Mazing film.

*grabs the popcorn & starts to drool*

about to hit a strip mall...

Oh Jesus, may the fashion gods forgive me, for I have SINNED. Here is my confession:

Since the snow finally melted, I've been trying to spend more time walking in the fresh air. You know, as opposed to being cramped up in a sweaty subway car full of thousands of people with different (and often questionable) hygiene habits.

BLANK STARE

So yesterday I decided to go cop a new pair of walking sneakers. And at some point, during the 20 minutes I was in the store I noticed that the majority of the sales girls were wearing Sketchers Shape-Ups. Which strikes me as odd because of all the options at their disposal- Asics, Nike, Reebok, New Balance; these women ALL voluntarily picked ugly ass SKETCHERS? WTH?

So I pulled this cute little black girl who clearly didn't require any shaping to the side and asked her what was really hood with everyone wearing the official Guido housewife sneakers. And she told me, it had nothing to do with a promotion or even toning up. According to her, they are simply the most comfortable sneakers she's worn in LIFE.

I'm sure you can already see where this is going...

Next thing I know, my highly impressionable ass is trying them on. And I gotta tell you, that girl ain't NEVA lied. Like my grey suede Uggs- FUGLY beyond words but feel like MAGIC on my feet. SMDH.

Needless to say, I am now the mortified owner of a new pair of Sketchers Shape-Ups.

*hangs head in shame & disbelief*

I hate myself right now.

Amen.

it's the little things...

With all of that rain, yesterday seemed like such a cold and miserable day. But after watching this video of a cow in stranded in an Indiana farm field by a flood, I will not complain. At all.

Life is good.

you tell me...

So I was listening to the radio this morning and the co-hosts were having a heated debate about whether marriage was relevant nowadays. And I have to tell you, I was genuinely blown by the fact that none of the three (2 guys and a girl) saw any point to the institution in today's society.

Really?

Because despite the fact that I am nowhere near ready to be locked in a legal union myself, I do wholeheartedly believe that healthy marriages are more relevant they've ever been. Mind you, I said HEALTHY marriages.

BLANK STARE

The way I see it a healthy marriage forces people to share, communicate, respect and cooperate with another person even when he or she is not getting exactly what they want.

Which is EXACTLY what's lacking in the world today.

I mean, what do guys think? Sure, it's not for everybody but in the grand scheme of life does that mean marriage isn't relevant? Or am I just a throwback romantic who needs to stop listening to crappy NYC morning radio and go get her taxes done?

we're not drinking the tea in nyc...

Anti-Abortion Billboard in SoHo Comes Down: MyFoxNY.com

So Life Always' offensive anti-abortion billboard came down yesterday afternoon, huh?

Woo hoo! I love it when the good guys win. Shout outs to everyone who complained, called and were prepared to mobilize to against such a blatant racist attack against African-Americans and every woman's right to reproductive choice.

*round of applause*

With that said, prayers up for the union folks in Wisconsin. It seems that despite their prolonged protests, the State House of Reps finally got it's way. Shady ass Governor Scott Walker and the GOP passed that controversial labor bill earlier this morning. Hmm... not a good look for the working middle class. At. All.

I surely hope they remember this nonsense come 2012.

worth 5 minutes of your time...

By now, anyone with a modicum of media awareness has heard about the ridiculously offensive anti-abortion billboard that the pro-life group Life Always has posted in Soho for the next 3 weeks. So I'm not going to bother ranting about the absurdity of it all, instead how about this:

Don't just be angry and offended, DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT.

The name of the woman that approved this ad and it's placement is Mary Bentley. Her office phone number is 214.520.9188. (No, she doesn't even live in NYC. She lives in Texas)

CALL HER

Tell her how offensive you find the billboard and it's placement. Demand that they remove it immediately.

Everyone has a right to voice their opinion, including pro-lifers. However, considering how FEW African Americans reside in the SoHo area, it certainly seems as if the message is more of a statement ABOUT African-Americans as opposed to FOR African-Americans.

Which is RACIST.

Oh and please be clear; while the statistics being quoted may be true, those numbers DO NOT include terminations performed at private medical facilities. READ: where women with money & access choose to have their unwanted pregnancies discreetly handled.

BLANK STARE