Gracefully Ghetto

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Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada

I'm just a writer girl who has a lot to say. Some people think I'm funny, but I know I'm a deep, sistergyal who is just chillin' in the T-Dot giving you my observations. At some point, these thoughts will all be in a book. Then I won't have to fret myself about work. Until then, I blog...

Wednesday, January 19, 2005

4-Page Letter - Aaliyah

I'm happy.

Late last night I finished writing my book. And it's a lot more than four pages, believe me.

Praise God for giving me the strength to get that story out of me. I have so many stories inside of me that want to get out. But life, work and writers' block can sometimes get the best of me.

Now, it's time to type out the last bunch of chapters and start the editing process. Hopefully, someone will want to publish it.

But, if not, I'm happy just knowing that after how many years, I've completed my first novel from cover to cover.

Hallelujah.

Thank you, Father :)

Friday, January 14, 2005

No More Drama - Mary J. Blige

[Ed. note - naming blog entries after songs will be a running theme for Gracefully Ghetto. Actually, I'm hoping that these entries will help me with something greater. I gots big plans.]

I am convinced that some of my female friends like drama. I have some girlfriends who seem happier -- or, at least, more content -- when they are embroiled in some kind of dramatic situation.

A number have man drama -- some have work related drama. Now, a little drama should be expected in everyone's life. If there isn't any drama, life is just DRY. So, drama is the spice of life, but if it's too spicy, it can be hectic.

Personally, the less drama I have in my life, the better. I remember wanting a drama-filled life like my girls -- numerous relationship issues, leading me to bawl on their shoulders.

Hmmph, not today. I'm quite content with B.'s and my comfortable, fun relationship.

I guess some folks would call that boring, but really, how long can sparks fly? How long can drama keep a relationship fresh? How spicy does that jerk chicken have to be before it stops being tasty and starts burning like a mofo?

Some women can't be in a relationship sans drama, pain and heartache -- pretty much, Mary J. Blige's My Life CD. Great CD, but, Lord, Mary could have done with some relationship counseling. For sane women, I'm convinced, that would become tedious. How many nights should we stay up bickering? How long should I worry about him cheating on me or beating me? How many hours should I cuss out his tail because I can't depend on him.

Example, summer 2003, I was getting to know a young man at work (who I saw today and he couldn't even turn his had to say 'dog, whassup?') and just our daily talks/phone calls/instant messaging had become enormously difficult because he was and is a drama queen. Or king (he'd be offended by the 'queen' reference).

He was. And is.

One of the main reasons I decided to let that one get away was his love of antics. Our burgeoning relationship was too much work -- I had to coddle his 6 ft tall tail constantly and I'm not about that.

I would slam down the phone after cussing him out. He would cuss me by IM and jump offline. My sister and I would have conferences about him being an ass at my desk. My former co-worker would weigh in with his two cents. My buddy would comment about relationships.

[INSERT SUCKING OF TEETH]

DRAMA.

By July, I couldn't be bothered. I told him we were better off just being friends. That led to even MORE drama. Why would anyone enjoy that? Or feel like they're in a relationship because it's a non-stop saga. My life felt like the Black version of The Young and The Restless.

And that couldn't go on.

Drama sucks the life out of you and out of any burgeoning relationship -- romantic relationships, friendships or work relationships. Drama and sagas are outlets for emotional vampires who need to be staked through their hearts... not literally, figuratively.

Sheesh.

Monday, January 10, 2005

Lovers' Ghetto - Angie Stone

Something's a meant for public blogging -- jokes, observations, social commentary. They are meant to be in the public realm where others can feel free to read and comment. Other things, well, some other things are meant to be kept for yourself.

Last night, I wanted to start writing a journal again, after donkey years of silence. I was writing other things -- writing for work, writing my book -- writing journal entries just seemed like it would take forever and keep me from doing other things that I wanted to do.

My public blog was supposed to be a place where I could truly rant... but once other people visit and read my thoughts -- people I know who may be offended 'cause I had to cuss 'em out virtually -- it because less and less where I could vent and more a place where I put comments for public consumption.

I guess hanging out with the girls -- and a WHOLE lot of other stuff -- has made me pensive.

Toni wants to pressure me into telling her if my boyfriend is the one. THE ONE. Heck, I don't know if he's the one. I think he may be, but that's something I'm trying to figure out for myself.

After having my heart broken over little juvenile things -- read my journals from my early 20s -- I REFUSE to fall completely and utterly... No, that's not true. I REFUSE to make a public declaration of my feelings before I share them with my boyfriend. Before I even know really how I'm feeling. I've never been in love -- how do I know this is love? This is not a group thing, as Toni would like to think. She can't be involved in my feelings or my discussions with the boyfriend (it took me a good month or so to get comfortable callin' him that). But Toni doesn't know how to back off and let a sister breathe. I was also told 'you need to have a discussion about marriage!'

Whoa! I'm happy. He's happy. When the time is right for that discussion, it'll happen. The biggest mistake women make is trying to rush and force a situation to happen instead of letting things happen when they're ready. I'm not saying, don't say nothing and hopefully one day, he'll bring up the topic of marriage. But once you start haranguing to man/woman to make a commitment, it ain't going to happen. A couple should come to that decision together...

But then, when I do bring the knowledge like that, I'm told I'm a young'un and wait until I'm older and my outlook will change. Ladies, it's a state of mind. You have to prepare yourself for the fact that, a lot of Black women don't get married. And that doesn't mean life is done. It just means a different path for you.

But I digress...

Everyone has me married off, which isn't a bad thing. But I'm NOT MARRIED YET. If things continue the way they are, I can see it happening, but as far as I'm concerned, nothing's for sure until the ring's on my finger and I see him at the end of the aisle. Call me careful if you want, but over the past year and a half, I've seen so many relationships breakdown and marriages end because people didn't use their heads. Just thinking with their hearts.

Some other folks have just pretty much stopped inviting me anywhere because 'you guys are pretty much married!'

Huh? We don't live together. There is NO ring on my finger. How can I be pretty much married? We aren't together all the time... I make plenty of time of my girls as well as for him. As if that should matter anyway. Even if I were married, don't people know I would still want to hang out with my friends? Go shopping, go out for dinner, just hang out and talk foolishness? Yes, I may not be able to do it as frequently, but your girlfriends are so important.

It's just frustrating. I wonder what will happen if I ever do get married. Lawd, I'll never see have of my female friends again. And another set would be trying to decide whether or not I should get pregnant.

Sigh.