Happy Birthday!

[If you don't know this version of Happy Birthday, shame on you!]

Today is my sister Stacee's birthday, she's 22.

Happy birthday to yah, Happy Birthday to yah.....Happy Birthdaaaaaaaaaay!

I miss you and love you even more!

Crossy

Top Black Women Period.

TV One's spin off of Access Hollywood called TV One Access, recently rolled out its list of the "World's Sexiest Black Women Alive." Topping the list for the umpteenth year in a row - Halle Berry.


To piggie back on TV One's idea..I've come up with a Crossy Classifieds exclusive:



The Top Black Women Alive Period

15. Susan L. Taylor - Editor and Chief of Essence Magazine

14. Vanessa Williams - Model/Singer - Just beautiful for no reason

13. Rihanna - Singer - I love this girl. She's young, cute, and has already set more trends than Madonna.


12. Michelle Obama - Our Future First Lady ;)


11. Candace Parker - She's makes the WNBA look good. Oh, did I mention she can dunk?!


10. Janet Jackson - She is an awesome entertainer, and who could forget Little Penny! :)


9. Tyra Banks - First Black model to grace the cover of Sports Illustrated/America's Next Top Model/ The Tyra Show

8. Mariah Carey - Best-selling female artist next to Madonna

7. Condoleeza Rice - She's our Secretary of State, and she's a genius. If you don't know, google it!

6. Maya Angelou - Poet/Writer/Teacher - She's a phenomenal woman

5. Beyonce Knowles - Singer/Entrepreneur

4. Serena Williams / Venus Williams - Tennis wouldn't be the same without them

3. Halle Berry - Oscar-winning Actress

2. Oprah - Who doesn't love her?


1. Robin Roberts - A pioneer at blazing a trail at ESPN, ABC, and battling Cancer



Who would you add to the list?

Food for Thought

I was sitting at my desk today, dying of thirstation [yes, I said thirstation] when I finally got a moment to dip into the cafe. After perusing four shelves worth of drinks I finally picked out an Honest Ade. If you've never tried Honest Ade, it's actually really refreshing. My favorite flavor is Pomegranate Blue, so I chose that one.

Before I could even take my seat at my desk again, I was over half way finished with my drink. My drink was just low enough in the bottle to reveal the inside label which had a quote on it. It read:

"To achieve great things, two things are needed; a plan, and not quite enough time."
- Leonard Bernstein

This is so true. Some of my best work has been done under pressure and in record time! Adrenaline can make you perform like MJ or Tiger in the heat of things. The most important part of this quote is that you first need a plan. Do you have a plan? Do you plan to have a plan? No pressure, just asking. I know I have a plan, however I don't feel like time is a factor in achieving it. The only thing time can do for people where I work is make them comfortable. What if you woke up tomorrow and found out you were going to lose your job? How would you react then? Would the news change up your stride?

For me, just seeing this quote has definitely changed my trot. It tells me that time is a factor in achieving my plan no matter how much I think it isn't.

Just a little food for thought...are you full yet?

"Ohh shh-- handle?"

Have you ever rode shotgun in the car with somebody and had to grab the "Ohh shh-- handle?" You know the handle right above each window in the car. This handle is often grabbed when someone makes an ill-advised decision while operating a vehicle.

It's funny because you don't realize how many unsafe, yet funny things you do while driving until you ride with someone else!!

Here's my list of the top things I've actually witnessed people doing while driving. I would be remiss if I excluded myself from actually doing some of these!! Feel free to add your own... :)

1. Text message / Talk on phone

2. Paint your nails

3. Put on Makeup

4. Put on your shoes / tie your shoes

5. Put on a tie

6. Look for your work badge

7. Rap!

8. Ghost ride the whip!

9. Search for songs on your ipod

10. Play the bubble game, tetris, or solitaire on your phone

11. Run stop signs, consecutively.

12. High-five invisible friends

13. Pick your nose

14. Put in your contacts / Take out your contacts

15. Open a bottle of wine

16. Pour wine in wine glass

17. Drink wine

[Disclaimer: This blog does is no way shape or form promote drinking and driving. All rights reserved. Crossy Ent.]

Stay Classy ~Crossy~

Obama or the Olympics?

Who ever thought we'd see the day that politics would garner higher ratings than the Olympics? Well, this year just might be the year.

Love-Love

Right now we're on the heels of two of the biggest announcements in 2008. Who will be selected to ride shotgun in the White house with Senator Barack Obama and John McCain? The more important question is: when will they make the announcement?

15-Love

Timing is everything. It is important for Obama to choose the right time to make the announcement because positive momentum will only propel his campaign. If you look ahead at the calendar year, there are a few things that may impede his progress. One road block is the Olympics. Although ratings have dropped over the years, it is still a major event. I think Obama would be a strong rival against the Olympics though, as long as it isn't during the opening or closing ceremonies. So when should he reveal his running mate?

Here are some dates to consider:

The Olympics are from Aug. 8th - Aug. 24th

The Democratic National Convention (DNC) is Aug. 25th - Aug. 28th

The Republican National Convention (RNC) starts Sept. 1st

With these factors in mind, I think Obama has two options. Either make the announcement the week before the Olympics or do it on Monday, Aug. 18th which falls exactly one week before the DNC. It's all about strategic planning here folks! I believe the Obama campaign is strong enough to level the playing field in terms of ratings. If he rolls out everything the week before the DNC, prepare to standby for a news media frenzy. Interviews, parties, a campaign tour, Obama playing golf with Tiger, a BET marathon of Malcom X...the works.

One nugget to consider: Barack Obama's b-day is August 4th. Could the B-day be D-day? Hmmm.

Advantage McCain

The RNC is a exactly four days after the DNC. To put it simple and plain, McCain has the advantage of knowing who Senator Obama picks as his running mate in advance. This is major leverage for McCain's campaign as he has ample time to figure out how to balance his ticket. [I smell drama lurking like hot trash in the alley.] Let's hope McCain won't completely trounce Obama's lift. We'll see who outlasts who.

Game. Set. Match.

Timing the unveiling of running mates will be tricky.

Obama & ________ vs. McCain & _______

You decide. Decision 2008.

There I am...

No matter where I go, there I am.

I'm what I like to call a regional chameleon. While I won't assimilate to the norm, I somehow can vibe along with it. For a long time I hated Connecticut. I moved here from the South for my job. It was a great opportunity I couldn't pass up-- but what was I to do in a place where I had no family or friends? Needless to say, time passed and my outlook is slightly different now.

Why does the grass always seem greener on the other side? Have you ever thought to yourself....

Man, If I lived in [input your favorite city] I'd be more happy.

One thing I took from one of my pastor's recent sermons is that no place will change your circumstances. No matter where you go, the same issues follow you there. Or even worse, new issues will appear. Running away from your problems is not the answer to solving them. You've got to look inside yourself and really ask yourself, "What do I want?"

Then, pray about it.

Then, let it go.

My spiritual connection is the reason I wake up with a smile each day. It's the reason why I am a prisoner of hope. Giving up is not an option. It's a mantra I plant in anyone I speak with.

Don't let your area code define you. Be the resilient graduating senior searching for a job again. Relive your past successes. Be a champion daily. Focus on yourself, not the haters.

Smile, and know that....

No matter where you go, there you are.