The Movie "Diary of A Tired Black Man" (sigh)

Oh. My. Gosh.
I am looking at this movie titled Diary of a Tired Black Man and Oh My Gosh!  Pardon me, but I'm going to have to take a couple of deep breaths in between each paragraph I write - heck, maybe even every sentence.

OK, here I go.  I happen to be flipping through the channels and fall on the channel with this film that I'd heard about many years ago.  Usually I am a strong supporter of films by people of color, especially independent films, but I'd seen a few clips and figured I'd see if eventually and wasn't in a rush to purchase it.
If there were ever a place to find a whole lotta stereotypes, ding-ding-ding... here it is.

Personally, I hate getting into there 'men ain't shyt, 'women ain't shyt' arguments that's on every Steve Harvey Morning Show or monthly cover of Essense magazine, but I felt more than compelled to speak on this documentary/drama. The narrator/ director - Lord Have Mercy - apparently he is married with kids now but at the time he made this movie, well, I suspect he may have needed to talk to someone as well. 

Well, here are some quotes or paraphrased statements by some of the participants

• women need to seek help and they refuse to do it 
• "all men want is respect and peace" 
• "all black women have an anger problem"
• An African dude says that most of the problems are with African American women ("they fight!"), and blames black women on why there is less marriage amongst us and why so many of the kids have problems.  
• "they mad just 'cause they can't get they way" (it's not grammatically correct, but that's what he said!  
• "women will wear your ass out!"  
• "women want a power struggle"
• they test you just to see how you react (a dude did this to me, and I ignored his a$$)
• "they trying to break you down."
• "enough is never enough, no matter what you do"

And then some of the things the women said:

• One chick says "there are no good black men out there" followed by "well, I haven't met any." 
• "a man is gonna do something to make a woman mad"

There were about 3 voices of reason (how generous of the filmmaker).  One particular brother said that we cant hold all black women accountable for the bullshit that one black woman brings into their lives (interestingly, the filmmaker/ narrator tries to throw several scenarios to get this dude to change his tune and he doesn't, and for that I say THANK YOU BROTHER).  I need to send him some flowers, because the majority of the people featured in this movie are miserable, are not to blame for anything that happens in their own lives, and according to them, black women are the devil.  And the female "character" who "represents" all black women in this film... wow, umm, yeah, ok....(honestly, I wanted to slap the heifer myself, not because she was an angry black woman, but because she was a pain in the a$$).


So now I'm going to get subjective.  I did not have the love of my father.  I have never been in a healthy relationship, and I have tried.  I even went so far - once, no, actually twice - as to compromise my needs in an effort to make it work, but that didn't last very long. 

When I get to know a man I don't put on my interview voice, I'm just me.  And while being me I have found that I'm the chick who doesn't show up at your job and act a 'fool for love' (I'm actually the chick who the other woman comes to her job to let me know that she has my man while he waits outside across the street, lol - which means I never really had him in the first place).  The same dude used the excuse of me working so much (40 hrs a week) as the excuse to cheat (instead of just saying 'this ain't working out no more').  I was told by another ex, "we don't argue" (that was a complaint).  Another walked out on me when I refused to get intimate minus him wearing a condom (literally walked out, like got dressed and left and didn't talk to me for 6 weeks).  Another "friend" who was initially cool with our 'friends with benefits situation" got mad at me for not calling him everyday, and at one point proceeded to call my cell, my land line, text, and email me constantly until I answered.

Now, it would be so easy to allow these instances to taint my view of men, but I think I've taken the mature approach by looking at past experiences and accepting the real reasons why those situations didn't work out.  It is what it is, and who knows where I would have ended up (or who I would have smothered with a pillow in his sleep) had I stuck those situations out.  In the grand scheme of things, and at the end of the day my first goal was to like myself - flaws and all.  And second, it is to get to the point where I am inspired enough to get pursue and work hard to stay in a healthy relationship.  That hasn't happened yet - for various reasons - but my life isn't over yet.  If it happens, great.  If not, well, I'll just knit, lol!  (And not watch this damn headache inducing movie again).

Tea Tree Oil

Tea Tree oil is an antibacterial antiseptic that is a popular natural agent for curing all three types of infectious organisms: fungus, bacteria, and virus.  Here are just a few things that Tea Tree oil treats:
acne, abscess, oily skin, blisters, sun burns, athlete's foot, warts, herpes, insect bites, rashes, dandruff and other minor wounds and irritations

Couple tea tree oil with pure Aloe Vera gel/ juice and you have a seriously powerful combination.

In my skin care regimen, I use a benzoyl peroxide based cleanser but I always follow up with pure tea tree oil (or a little recipe of 1/4 cup aloe vera, and 5 drops each of geranium and lavender oil each and 15 drops of tea tree oil).  Whether hormonal or stress related, I go through periods when I have break outs and at first I panic, thinking I need to purchase the next best big thing off the pharmacy store shelves, but then I remember to keep it simple and go with what works - tea tree oil (and its compadre aloe).  I have not gotten into the habit of using my concoctions daily instead as a preventative measure.  It usually takes about a week or so for the infected skin to turn over (a very stressful week which requires a lot of patience because I want the effects to be immediately complete, lol!), but once my skin gets the nourishment that it needs, it looks and feels great.  I just have to not fall off the wagon of this cleansing and treatment routine.  Once I get back on the wagon I may be able cut the benzoyl peroxide cleanser from the regimen.  I'm in no rush, but I'm on a 'less is more' kick.

Tea tree oil is also included in my hair oil and shea butter cream recipes.  I big chopped in early May, and cut about an inch again a couple of weeks ago.  When I first cut off all those inches back in May it was about getting my hair healthy again because of all the heat and styling damage.  I didn't care about length then, but that is the focus of this next phase, as I work to really treat my scalp/ skin in the hopes of getting back the hair length that I sported growing up.

Is all of this vain?  Maybe, but as someone who grew up battling acne and the scars it constantly left behind, having clear smooth skin is something that I never thought I could achieve without having to take very expensive medication.  Let's call it one of my biggest wishes for myself.  And as for my hair - I've always had a lot of hair, lol (my poor momma), and once I hit high school was always cutting it.  Now I want to go back to that length, and just continue forward on that 'less is more' kick that I mentioned previously.  Overall, my goal is to achieve a simpler way of life in as many aspects as possible, and incorporating tea tree oil into my beauty regimen has been tremendous!

Late Bloomer

I had an epiphany (actually several) and I think I can officially say that I am on the dating scene.

Sure, I've had a couple of boyfriends in the past, and sure I've engaged in more than just "talking" since I am the mother of a 9 year old boy, but I don't think I ever really "dated."  It's amazing how experiences from one's past are so powerful that they can affect one's future.  And I think that at the age of 35 I finally got tired of relinquishing the power over who or what was going to shape my future. 

Before, when it came to dating, for me it was all about finding a mate, a partner, someone to grow old with.  And I'm not saying that idea isn't something that I would like to be a reality, but I had to pull back a bit and explore why I haven't been a  'dater' in the past.  Luckily there were a few things that helped me to revise my thought process and approach when it comes to tangling with the opposite sex.

1. Reality checks kick ass! (in a good way!).  Age, health, circumstances, personal and professional growth (or lack of) - all of these things made me stop and look at my situation as objectively as possible (luckily I'm pretty hard on myself so it's never difficult for me to realize and accept when I am doing something wrong, lol!).

2. Past experiences are today's lessons.  Every time something doesn't go our way it's so easy to SAY that 'I'm never gonna do that again,' but DOING it is a whole other issue.  I'd decided to question whether something that felt good at the moment would last, or was it just a temporary high?  Was I being honest with myself because maybe it isn't good at all?  Or, am I repeating past actions that did not lead me to a good place?  As a result of asking myself those questions, I have found it easier to step away from situations that I knew deep down inside, would only lead to heartache for myself and others.

3. I really like me.  I never hated myself, but I never thought I was extra special either.  But despite all of my personal flaws, I really like me.  I like my own company and think that anyone who is willing to enjoy life would enjoy my company as well.

4. Don't work on anyone but myself.  I never was the kind of woman who wanted to change a man into what I wanted him to be (especially since I don't necessarily have a type).  He either has to be someone who I want to be with, as is, or he just isn't the one (or the two, lol!).  I don't want anyone telling me what I need to change about myself, so why would I be interested in being a hypocrite?

5. Let a man be the man.  I am so used to taking care of everyone that I forgot that, at least in the types of relationships that I strive for, I have to allow myself to be taken care of as well.  That, my friends, was one of the hardest things I've had to face thus far.  My excuse has always been 'I'm used to no one doing anything for me' and I think that mindset has blinded me to situations where (maybe) there was someone who actually wanted to do something for me and I did not allow it.  Maybe that has or hasn't happen, but I'm real and clear enough with myself to know and admit that although I like taking care of others, I had no clue as to how to allow someone to take care of me.  But I'm learning.  On a recent date I actually allowed the man to hold the door open for me each and every time we came to a door.  That's big for me, because in my experience there were men who walked ahead of me, didn't even attempt to open a door for me, or if I held the door open for them - walk thru and not say a word of thanks, so for me, this truly is a big step (even though I had repeat in my head over and over again: "do not race him to the door!" lol!)

With those, and probably a few more, things in my arsenal, I am taking chances again on finding men who are interested in dating me (and vice versa of course).  And when I say dating, I literally mean sharing experiences (outside of the bedroom) when we can enjoy ourselves and get to know each other at the same time.  It's not about sex.  It's not about love.  And I am digging that big time.  Finally, when I think about the dating world, I'm not asking myself what's wrong with me.  I'm sure I'll have a "moment" or two (or more) down the line, but right now my eyes are on the prize.  I am ready to have fun.

The Single Friend

I'm at an age - in my mid 30s - where I find myself surrounded by friends, co-workers, family who are all either involved in long term relationships, including marriage, and I wonder when did life continue to be high school for me even as I got older.

I once attempted to take part in what I thought was a mature discussion on a blog about relationships and how bad girls and bad boys always have someone while the nice girl/guy was home alone.  One poster felt the need to state that I couldn't have been all that lonely since I have a child.  I ended the convo right there because unlike some people I know the difference between getting knocked up versus being loved... but that's a whole other discussion for another day.

Anyway, and I hate to do this or even admit that I am - but it just popped in my head. I wonder, when is my time going to come?  I'm not completely unattractive - physically and emotionally - so what's the deal.  There has to be something wrong with a woman who hasn't been in a semi-loving relationship in over a decade.  And why am I not in love with those who show even a little bit of interest in me (old, nasty men way beyond their prime don't count).   I keep telling myself several things like:

• it's not over for you 
• you are a cool person 
• you look nice
• you will find someone who moves you 

And then I end right back at "just get over it" and knit more. 

And don't get me wrong - I love that my son loves me, but I'm feeling a little greedy.  I don't know a lot of things, but one thing I think I know for sure is that you can miss what you never had. 

I hope one day this post will be words that I end up eating because I would like to be wrong about living a life while never being the object of a man's love.  Anyway... whatever... random post... I'll get over it.

Can you be half turned on... and is that enough?

'Expect the unexpected' is a statement that is true many times, especially when it comes to romance and sex and relationships (I believe these words are not synonymous by the way). A lot of times we may meet someone and have instant chemistry (even if that chemical reaction is one-sided), and other times we may meet someone and think they're cool, but not feel that spark that pushes you toward attraction, lust or love.  But what about the times when there is something about someone that turns you on, but it's not the whole package?  Is that enough? 

I've had the experience of trying to force a relationship to work because I started to believe that a) I was too picky; b)no man would be interested in a single mother; c) I still wasn't attractive enough to land a man (moreso of the "I'm not walking around with my tits and ass hanging out" in the hopes of scoring a dude; d)I just wasn't meant for "all that" (my nickname for love and 'healthy' relationships).  So when I met this one man, there was an interest (I think we both said all the things the other wanted to hear, but putting it into real practice seemed to be difficult for some of us  - uh, not me, but anyway...), and I tried to make it work, but I knew that it was going no where.  After that relationship ended, I detoxed from "all that" for about 4 years.  And now I find myself standing at the same crossroads that has me asking 1) Can one be half turned on? and 2) Is it enough?

I already know the answer to number 2 - hell no it's not enough.  I know that from experience.  But the 'half-turned on" thing - I think the answer may be yes.  I also know that trying to make a relationship out of being half turned out can only lead to massive heart ache either for myself or the gentleman.  It's amazing how one person can see something and another person see something completely different, and yet still connect on so many other levels.  Anyway, since I prefer to only watch repeats on television and not in real life, I'm going to have to walk away, but it's so unfair in general (to not be completely turned on by someone, to be on the receiving end of someone who isn't completely turned on by you, and for one of the parties to make the adult decision to cease and desist before drama ensues).  I've never been one to have a line of dudes trying to get my attention so being in this position is weird - to walk away from opportunity - but I think it's growth to actually know when to step away.  Life is indeed strange.