Some People Play Too Much, Volume 5

1. George dubyah plays ENTIRELY too much. He was on the news talking about leaving Iraq at this time would make the region unstable. oh yah? (c) Is he implying the region is stable now? He plays too much.

2. Jena Six. Do you not know about this? If you don't, you play too much.

3. Asante Samuel has decided to stop playing so much. Its about time ASANTE!

4. Michael Vick apologized. Fantastic. He plays too much if he thinks he'll ever be an Atlanta Falcon again.

5. What is this Caveman, the TV show mess? Are they serious? Is America this devoid of taste? We play too much as a society.

6. Did you read that some strippers in Tennessee found counterfeit 100 dollar bills whilst working the pole? Wow. What type of crappy counterfeit job was this cat doin that Bunny and Foxxy and them realized they were fakes (no offense to my strippers out there)? That counterfeitor plays too much.

7. Katrina was two years ago. And the NO is still suffering. You still think Kanye was playing when he said dubyah doesn't like black people? You play too much.

8. Seriously. T Pain needs to stop.
"Oooo she made us drinks, to drink
We drunk 'em, Got drunk
And then I think she thinks I'm cool
She gave me a wink, I winked back
And then I think that, we,d have fun at my spot tonight"
He plays too much, and while that mess is catchy, he offends my sensibilities. Seriously, why do all his song sound the same and like he is singing through a synthesizer? Wait, scratch that. People who actually purchase his albums play too much.

9. Perez Hilton. He plays ENTIRELY too much...have you seen him? HAVE YOU SEEN HIS WEBSITE? goodness. He has had Fidel Castro dead like 5 times.

10. Amy Winehouse. She is a DAMN MESS. She talkin about not goin to rehab. She need to stop playing and go ahead and check herself into betty ford. Quit it out Amy.

Stay tuned for Some People Play Too Much, Volume 6: The Fashion Edition

Cleaning Out my Closet....

Every once in a while, I have the urge...no wait...need...to sit back and evaluate things. Over the past few months I've made reference to feeling overwhelmed, overlooked and taken for granted as of late. Well, that stops NOW. I love them, but I'm done. I'm taking my step back and cleaning the mess, stress and unhealthy situations out of my life.

First, there are a few people I care DEEPLY about that I have to step back from...I still love them, but the current state of our relationships are unhealthy. The first is filled with negativity, misunderstandings and a lack of willingness to meet each other somewhere in the middle. I can't do it anymore. This doesn't mean I don't care about that person, or feel any sort of ill will towards them, it merely means we are not at the right places in our lives to continue our relationship. The second is a relationship in a more "romantic" sense, but its clear to me that there are some limiting circumstances that will prevent us from moving forward. I love him, but we are not prepared or equipped to embark on a relationship with each other. And unfortunately, this will put our friendship on hold until we both get over the sting of giving up on each other.

I need to situate my career, my interests, my family my education...my future...so over the next few days, weeks...months...however long it takes - THAT is what I will be doing.

I will physically clear out my closet...a WAY late spring cleaning...clean the house top to bottom to get myself ready for the non physical changes that are to come in the near future.

So, you may see some updates on this as the days drag on...and I want to say a quick thank you to those that have helped me keep it together while I came to the decision to clean out my closet...literally, figuratively and the like.

Reconnecting...

We all go through some things in our lives, and sometimes we lose touch with people who are important to us. But, if we are lucky, we have the opportunity to reconnect and catch up and renew the bonds we once had.

I had the opportunity to attend the wedding of 2 good friends this past weekend - 2 people I actually introduced. Over the years as their bond grew, I lost touch with both of them - her more than him. I also lost touch with in another friend who was in attendance, the maid of honor. After a couple of days in NY, I realized why they were...and thankfully still are, such good friends. We picked up without missing a beat. We laughed, reminisced and planned for the future - our future as a group of friends, despite the trials, tribulations and time that has passed.

This is evidence of true friendship and a bond that outlasted a rough few years. So, I want to say congratulations to the bride and groom and to all three of you: I love you, and I look forward to growing our friendships once again.

Friendship: An open letter...

friend·ship /ˈfrɛndʃɪp/ Spelled Pronunciation[frend-ship]
–noun
1.
the state of being a friend; association as friends: to value a person's friendship.
2.
a friendly relation or intimacy.
3.
friendly feeling or disposition.
[Origin: bef. 900; ME; OE fréondscipe. See friend, -ship]
—Synonyms 2. harmony, accord, understanding, rapport.

Dear friend:

I'm not exactly sure what has happened or where I went wrong. I've always tried my best to do right by you, but lately, I haven't gotten the same in return. I'm at my wit's end and I'm not sure what else I can do. So, here is my open letter to you. This is how I feel... right or wrong.

I feel like I give you SO much more than I get - I'm not talking about monetary or material goods, but I'm talking about attention, thoughts and the like. I go OUT of my way to always make you comfortable and in so many ways cater to you, even when maybe, I just want something to be about me, just ONCE. There is no parity in our relationships at ALL. I give a WHOLE lot and now that I've taken a step back, I see that I'm not getting much but attitude in return. I'm not sure that I can deal with it anymore and more importantly, I can't really justify why I should deal with it period. I don't complain when you try to steal the show or cause a scene. I let you have the shine and usually, I'm ok with that...but lately....

You are even more temperamental than usual....I usually do ok with your moods and temperament...but its gotten to the point if i say that its sunny outside, you are not only gonna say its cloudy, but you are then gonna be MAD at me for even THINKING its sunny outside. Sounds crazy, right? Yeah well that's what its been like. I feel like I can't ever really joke with you anymore, and you KNOW i love to goof around and joke. These days whats funny to you today, will make you mad and miserable tomorrow. Your moods are unpredictable and trying to figure them out is like predicting a lightening strike or earthquake...you have a feeling its coming, but can't ever pinpoint it or be certain. The mood swings come out of nowhere with no warning.

Now I know we all have our moments - I know I have mine but at least I attempt to warn folks when I'm having them. I don't expect my friends to just subject themselves to my shitty attitude and deal with it. Wait, not only deal with it, but CATER to me in spite of it. I'm starting to feel like I'm not built to deal with this...overall I'm happy go lucky and don't really understand what can be gained by being miserable for no real reason. And when you don't tell me what's going on, or when you carry on with other folks like nothing is wrong while treating me like a step child it just makes it worse.

More and more I feel like you are judging me. I try my hardest to not judge you, your decisions and your life in general - I know that it's not my place and I damn sure know people in glass houses shouldn't throw stones. So I try to keep my stones in the landscaping around my glass house. But lately, I keep seeing your stones and pebbles being thrown into my yard. And I can't help but wonder why? Why can't I like something that you don't? Why can't I NOT like something that you like? We are individuals, and that happens sometimes. I don't wanted to be judged for it.

It scares me that you are not yourself at times and you put on an act or air depending on who is around. I love the REAL you, and I'm sure everyone else would too. And if they don't, then fawk em, they aren't worth your friendship.

I've noticed over the years that you have befriended so many of my friends outside of your circle, and that makes me so happy. I love the fact I can get together with everyone i care about and they all can coexist. However, sometimes it feels like a competition with you...like who is "better friends" with Friend, X, Y or Z. Why isn't we can't ALL just be cool? Why does Friend X have to be your best good friend? Can't we all just have certain things we share with certain folks, and leave it at that? I just don't see why there is this power struggle between us when it comes to certain people.

I worry, too, that you are so quick to befriend new people. As terrible as this sounds, everyone is NOT your friend, and everyone doesn't have your best interests at heart. I am concerned that you sometimes jump all in without knowing the person and you could get hurt. I would never tell you to not befriend someone, I just want you to be more careful. And I hope you would react the same when I make new friends - not to judge me or be jealous, just have my best interests at heart.

I'm sorry if any of this is harsh, I'm just feeling shut out and frustrated. I don't know how we got here and I'm not sure how to get back to when everything was cool - when I felt like I could talk to you, when I trusted you, when you were one of my best friends. I understand sometimes people grow apart, but I think this is more than that - I just am not sure how to fix it. So this is my open letter to you.

With Love,
T

Some People Play Too Much, Volume 4

Before I begin today's thoughts on people who play too much, let me first say, shout out to Bria who was one of the first folks using this now popular catch phrase..

Onto today's thoughts...all centered around sports!

1. Pacman Jones is going to be a part of WWE and wrestling now. That's nice. Pacman have you made it rain so much that you are THIS desperate for money? Pacman plays too much.

2. Asante Samuel has STILL not reported to camp. He needs to stop playing so much.

3 Michael Vick plays too much if he thinks this dog fighting case is going to go quietly into the night.

4. Barry Bonds plays too much if he thinks that anyone puts any weight into him breaking Hank Aaron's record. Hank Aaron is a class act and Barry Bonds is a fraud.

5. THIS JUST IN! Danny Ainge has STOPPED playing so much. For now...we'll see though...the season is still a couple of months away.

6. Does anyone in this country actually watch CYCLING? I mean really. And was anyone suprised that the Tour de France had another doping scandal this year? ESPN plays too much - acting like it was some sort of shock that ANOTHER frail male on a bike doped up.

7. Daunte Culpepper plays too much if he thinks he will EVER be relevant in the NFL again. His ship has SAILED.

8. Did you see Michael Strahan's letter to his fans? Seriously, he plays too much if he thinks Giants fans give a RAT's ASS about what he was feeling and blah blah blah. He needs to put up or shut up.

9. Brady Quinn stopped playing so much today, and finally signed with the Browns. Took him long enough.

10. Now, I love David Beckham...but right now it looks like the MLS was playing entirely too much when they brought him over the pond. He hasn't played one possession for the Galaxy and doesn't look like he's going to anytime soon. Him and his fwife are still beautiful to look at though.

You bother me....STOP THAT!

It seems I’ve been easily irked these past few days, and that has gotten me thinking about my PET PEEVES! There are things that I see, hear, observed people doing that drives me nuts…we all have them, and I don’t think mine are all THAT bad…

1. Don’t call me during the patriots games. I know you could give a shit about them being on TV, but that is MY TIME. If there is an emergency, please text me, and I will determine how much of an emergency it really is.

2. How do you leave the house with no money? I mean I understand you EXPECT not to pay for anything, but what if there is an emergency of some sort? What are you going to do then?

3. I do not need to HEAR you eat. STOP SMACKIN!

4. I also don’t want to hear you gnawing on your gum. That’s not sexy. Please stop.

5. Please don’t assume you know more about sports than I do because you are male and I am female. More than likely, you are wrong.

6. I hate for someone I don’t know to touch me, especially my hair. GET away from me, I don’t know where your hands have been!

7. If I tell you I don’t want to talk about it, why must you keep asking/hinting around it? Stop it. I mean it.

8. Why do people have “internet” personalities? Can you not be the same person in reality that you are behind a keyboard? I don’t understand.

9. Please stop bragging to/telling me what you have etc. etc. I don’t care if you purse costs $1000.00. This doesn’t change the fact that its shitty, to me. And if this is combined with #2? Mm. Annoyed.

10. Speaking of shitty, shitty shoes irk the living daylights out of me. Seriously, put the shitty shoes back.

11. Shitty shoes, part 2. Dirty sneakers/tennis shoes. STOP IT! Buy some new ones and don’t try to wear running shoes that look like you ran through the rainforests while doing ANYTHING but running.

12. Cheap Liquor…I don’t like swill and don’t understand people who actually REQUEST swill such as absolut. That is NOT the good stuff. Stop acting like it is!

Ok, Ok…enough complaining today…

Are you there, Asante? It's me, T....

Seriously…training camp is wrapping up, preseason GAMES are starting and you are still nowhere to be found.

I know you were tied for the league lead in INT’s and are a great player that has far exceeded his draft position. I understand that you were being paid like a 4th round draft pick, and not like the star you are. I know you saw guys like Nate Clements get the big pay out and that even in Foxboro, Adalius Thomas got a SWEET deal with a nice cushy patch of guaranteed money and all you got was the franchise tag, with no long term deal and no guaranteed money. I understand that you feel slighted by Mr. Kraft, Mr. Pioli and Mr. Belichick, but you gotta try and see it from my perspective too.

I am not only a patriots fan, but I am a fan of football in general. I understand the rules of the business of football, too. I understand that the $7 million dollar one year contract you would get as the franchise player would be more money than you’ve made your whole career. I also know that you will LOSE more money than you’ve made your entire career by sitting out the first 10 games of the season. Sitting out will also paint a certain picture of you to the league. While sticking to your guns is admirable, that top 3 salary they are offering you makes it difficult to understand why you are holding out. That’s MILLIONS more than most of your fans will ever see in their lifetimes.

You’ve won two rings with the Pats and this season, you have the offense to make a run again. The defense is poised to hold strong, but the secondary does need you…they do every year. You can’t get that long term deal you want right now, but think what type of deal you could get if you put even more than last season’s career highs in tackles, INT’s and yards in the record books.

The NFL isn’t fair to its players, I understand that. I understand that everyone in the league is just one injury away from retirement and there is very little that is guaranteed. I also understand that the Patriots are one stellar D back away from making another run at the Lombardi trophy. So with that, I ask you to come home, put the red, white, silver and blue back and make your fans, like myself, happy.

Myspace may be the end of civilization...

Ok, let me preface this with the fact that I too have a myspace page. However, mine is just for shits and giggles and to keep up with my friends that I don't see too often...

I'm convinced myspace will be the end of civilization. Between dateline's to catch a predator and the stupid things people put up on there, I'm CONVINCED. Ladies, don't post scantily clad shots of your behind and expect guys NOT to try to solicit you on there. And children need to quit it out...the stuff I've seen on there makes my SKIN crawl. However, that's now why myspace will be the end of civilization. I have witnessed three separate incidences of myspace nonsense this spring/summer that have me CONVINCED myspace is the devil.

The first was a "gentleman" who had two women FIGHTING over him in his comments section. When I first saw it, I thought it was a joke. I mean, how could they possibly be serious, right? Um. WRONG! These two “ladies” were dead serious. Apparently one was the girlfriend and the other the mistress. And he didn’t have that filter on that requires approval before comments were posted on his page. Dummy. So this comment war went on for a good few hours before he realized what was happening. My first thought is…if you are going to cheat, keep your business of off myspace. Well, I mean don’t cheat at all, but if you find yourself in that situation, well, you know. So, basically anyone on myspace could have seen his improper relationship choices. Second, why are these two chicks mad at each other? It was EVIDENT that neither knew of the existence of the other until they stumbled upon each other on Tom’s little website. Why were they calling each OTHER all types of uglies and hoes and the like? Isn’t he the hoe in this situation? The story ends here…he lost both of the women, but STILL has his myspace page up and running, go figure.

The second incidence was a MARRIED female who was cheating on her husband with a man she met on myspace. Yes, I said met. Her husband knew nothing of her myspace identity until he stumbled upon her page after creating his own account. This is just a mess. I mean really. Did I mention this page had the boyfriend all over it with some lovey-dovey nonsense? Mm. I can’t wrap my mind around this. AT ALL. Who is bold enough to cheat in plain sight? Well, apparently this chick was, but I’m saying. They have now broken up and are in the process of getting a divorce. Imagine that.

The third incidence is the most disappointing to me as it involves someone I’m close to. This did not start on myspace, but it certainly culminated there. My friend was dating a few different women, for a few different reasons. The physical interaction with one woman was apparently good enough for him to show up on her doorstep unannounced, only to find her bidding another gentleman suitor farewell early in the morning. (I was thinking the SAME thing) The relationship with another woman was on point and this young lady had her stuff together. Well apparently he made the right choice and went with the young lady rather than the lady of the night. And this is where he made the mistake. Both of these women were on myspace. The scorned, unchosen one STALKED his myspace page, found the good girl, tried to contact the good girl on myspace and wrote a SCATHING blog about the whole situation. Ouch. The good girl persevered and was the epitome of a classy woman throughout the whole scene. The other hot mess of a female was not, of course. This whole scenario forced him to remove his myspace page. But of course, he created another one. The hot mess of a brawd is STILL trying to terrorize him and his relationship and has shown up (unwelcomed) to events where she thought he may be.

So, more than a couple of relationships were ruined, feelings were hurt and lives were altered thanks in part to good old myspace (the other part being the stupidity of MOST of those involved.) Yep, myspace may very well RUIN civilization!

Its NOT my party and I'll cry if i want to!

Its NOT my party and I'll cry if i want to!
Have you ever noticed that you have one or two friends that make EVERYTHING about them? One of my folks is having his annual going away party tonight (Good Luck at school Jay!) and it got me to thinking about this - I have one or two friends that seem to make EVERYTHING about them. Even when it has nothing to do with them.
This goes as far back as MY going away party, circa 2004. There was more than one person who caused a scene and some hysterics cause they didnt get their way. I was LEAVING the DC metro area for the forseeable future (i STILL haven't moved back) and these folks wanted to complain about there being a line, having to find parking etc when if they had gotten there when we TOLD them to get there, they woulda been FINE.
A couple of my very dear friends are club promoters and they get a LOT of shit in the course of their normal worknights. The fuckery I've heard surrounding this is absolutely amazing to me. The fact that I've heard people say "I'm not going unless I get in free" amazes me. Its TWENTY DOLLARS. If you don't have $20 stay your ass in the house or better yet, get a part time job. Seriously, lets do the math. It's 2007. Lets go back and calculate how much these cats have saved some people since say, 2004. That's 3 years. If these people go out once a month, for 3 years, that 36 times $20. $720.00. So they saved you a couple of car payments (and thats IF you only went out once a month - i know of one or two that we could say were out maybe 40 times a YEAR for 3 years which would be a mortgage payment and change) and you can't come off $20 to get into the club? Every Friday or Saturday night is NOT ABOUT YOU. There is nothing special about you that warrants getting in free everywhere you go. Get over yourself.
This example leads me to two others - one was a cookout one of these aforementioned promoters had and the other is about treating your bartenders well. Lets start with the bartenders. I met a wonderful woman named Tanisha way back in the years 1999-2000. She was a bartender at the Gardens. We (me and Jason) took good care of her tipwise, and she got us tipsy (well maybe more than tipsy, but still) on the REGULAR. The same goes for Henry at the gardens (come home soon henry), Monica at the Saint, the twins at Ozio, and my boy Desmond at the Gardens. Now, even though they always took care of me, I never EXPECTED it and I always tipped them. Is that so difficult to grasp? I have another very close friend that is a bartender at Avenue and I've seen these other associates of mine expect to get into the spot free thanks to him, and drink for near nothing, while tipping him a few dollars. ARE YOU KIDDING ME? Stop being cheap, he is doing you a favor and doesn't owe you shit. The least you could do is tip him.
Ok, so the cookout. The promoter and bartender friends had a cookout at their now flooded former home. The ratio of women to men was off the hook and then men were in heaven, though many of the females were sitting around with stank faces and complaining. No one made them come to this cookout and certainly no one made them stay there. But they proceeded to make it about them, and bitched and whined. Its not your house, not your party, you didnt pay to come here and shit you came empty handed. Your car is RIGHT outsie...heffa, GO HOME THEN, shit.
I could go on and on, especially after my most recent trip to visit DC. The absolute mess of attitude, demands and expectations I saw at Ibiza opened my eyes. Some folks really and truly think everything is about them. Maybe I don't understand it, since I've never been that way when it comes to this sort of thing. I am chuckling at the debauchery that will be my upcoming 30th birthday...maybe I'll make it all about me for that ?..>