TalulaZoeApple

Brandy and Neyo - Decisions

I think this song is kinda hot. What say you?

Rants and Other Things

I truly struggle with how personal to make this blog. Although writing is therapeutic, too many family and friends know it's my blog. It's weird getting confronted over things I write here.

I don't think I am too bad, though. Maybe I should write a post and delete it after a week. That way I get it out of my system. LOL

*******

I saw that guy again. I and my walking partner stopped inside our clubhouse gym to get info and there he was doing sit ups or something. I kinda acted as if I didn't see him. I know. That's childish but whatever. So I see him again the next day and he just stared at me. I waved and kept it moving.

 Sorry dude no time for the crazy eyes.

*******

I am expecting today to be great. Let me know how your day in coming along.

Peace!

Checking In . . .and Other Stuff

1. Are you following me on twitter yet? You should!! Thanks to all who are. I am at 56 followers. Sean "P. Diddy" Combs has over 1,000,000. Can you believe it?

http://twitter.com/Talulazoeapple

2. Have you checked out my other blog? I have made some aesthetic changes and added a new post. Let me know what you think by leaving a comment on the site, please. Good or bad. :()

http://www.stuffblackgirlslike.com/

3. I already mentioned below about finding me on eBay.

Sooo what are you waiting for? It's not like you're actually working. LOL

My New Venture - eBay

Hey Guys,

Sorry about the lack of posts. It happens when school is in session.

I would like to let you know that I am selling stuff on eBay. Random stuff. Check it out here:

http://shop.ebay.com/merchant/Talulazoeapple_W0QQ_dmdZ1QQ_ipgZ50QQ_sopZ12?_rdc=1

If the link does not work then search by Seller on the left side panel and type my name "talulazoeapple"

Thanks.

TZA

The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency - A Review

The HBO series, The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency, is a formidable show based on the ten-book series by British author Alexander McCall Smith. The show stars Jill Scott (singer, actress) as Mma Precious Ramotswe, the pioneering lady detective who seeks to restore order and dignity to those suffering from unsolved mysteries. Anika Noni Rose (of Dream Girls fame) plays her insightful, slightly neurotic secretary, Mme Grace Makutsi.

Aside from the technical aspects of the show, The No.1 Ladies' Detective Agency is a well-written drama that showcases a country in Africa in such honest splendor. The show interweaves themes of tradition and modernity, of poverty and enterprise, of the AIDS tragedy and the beautiful character of the people of Botswana.

I must say that from start to finish of each episode I have seen, I have been impressed. The opening graphics are beautiful. The songs, the music, the panorama of the countryside are so intriguing in their simplicity and earnestness.

Today I canceled my STARZ and all the added channels that never offered anything of substance so that I could afford HBO solely to watch The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency. Wow, that's a long title to keep typing.

Anywhooo.

Jill Scott is a pleasure to watch. We all know Jill can SANG but this sista can act as well. Her accent and demeanor are so natural. As a Motswana (singular for Batswana, the citizens of Botswana), her character Mme Ramotswe represents a "woman of traditional build". Instead of her weight being an issue of insecurity, it is an endearing quality that gets her plenty of attention from Batswana men.

The N1LDA (I shortened it this time) is a definite must see. I had the opportunity to view an episode at yesterday's BBQ, at which I ate too much. You see, I, too, am a "woman of tradition build". LOL

I have never seen an African country displayed in a movie as a place to live, as opposed to a place to pity or a place to save. On The N1LDA you see real people living real lives with all of its mysteries to solve - in the beautiful country of Botswana.

This is what the author, Alexander McCall Smith, has to say about Botswana:

HBO:The late Anthony Minghella, who directed the pilot, called 'No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency' a quiet poem of Botswana. He discovered a great love for the country and its people. Could you tell us what made Botswana so attractive to you?

 

ALEXANDER MCCALL SMITH: People often say, when you visit Botswana that you are likely to be impressed by the spirituality of the place. Not in a religious sense, but just a sense of human spirituality, and spiritual possibilities. And, you can't help but be bowled over by the magnificence of the country, by the sense of being in this great natural theater of light and wonderful expanses of countryside and intense natural beauty. It's very moving. It's overwhelming. I fell in love with it. SOURCE

 

 

And I have fallen in love with The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency.

Inquiring Minds Wanna Know. . .

. . . Will Swine Flu keep ribs of the grill for Memorial Day?. . . Update at 7:00pm. . .

Ashanti Singing "Home" from the Wiz

Ashanti is Dorothy in Broadway's The Wiz.

By Matthew Blank 21 May 2009 Ashanti, the Grammy-winning R&B artist who will star as Dorothy in the Encores! Summer Stars production of The Wiz, greeted the press May 19 at City Center.

The summer production will mark the stage debut for Ashanti, who has appeared on screen in "American Dreams" as Dionne Warwick, as well as in "Buffy the Vampire Slayer," "Coach Carter," "Resident Evil Extinction," "John Tucker Must Die" and "Bride & Prejudice."

She will be joined onstage by Orlando Jones as The Wiz, Tony winner LaChanze as Glinda, Tichina Arnold as Evillene, Dawnn Lewis as Addaperle, Joshua Henry as the Tinman, James Monroe Iglehart as the Lion and Christian White as the Scarecrow. SOURCE

I must admit I was on the "Ashanti can't really sing" train given her pop past but I was pleasantly surprised at her performance. That's the way to shut haters down (myself included) just do it.

Tyra's Good Hair, Oh the Irony!

Tyra decides to tackle hair issues among black women. I applaud her for this, however, the irony is killing me. Tyra rivals Beyonce as the queen of blond weavaliciousness. For this episode, she is rocking cornrows.

I say wear your hair how you want but if straight hair is making you go into debt, making you burn your child's scalp, or causes you emotional trauma, STOP! It is not that serious.

Reflections, Questions and Musings

***************

I twittered about this yesterday but . . . 

I was walking with my work out buddy when we spot a couple (Asian) pushing twins in a double stroller. We both remark to the couple how beautiful their twins are. The buddy takes it a step further, stopping in front of the carriage, touching the baby's legs and speaking to them.

I wouldn't do it but whatever.

Then something strange and immensely embarrassing happened. My buddy starts bowing and saying "Konichiwa" over and over. The couple smiled self-consciously and I walked away in shame.

I tried to explain to the buddy how completely inappropriate it was to do that. She then says, no that's what they say in their language. I say, okay but you don't know if they are Japanese, Chinese, Korean or what. She then says, yes I do. I can tell by looking at them. She then gives me a list of BS stereotypes on how to tell Asians apart.

Now I am skeptical to this chick intelligence level. I am trying not to be so harsh on people, I am actively trying to make new friends. However, this kind of blatant ignorance that peripherally embarrasses me is unacceptable.

I skipped today's walk. Needed a break. I want to keep up the workouts and having a workout buddy is motivational but this kind of thing cannot happen again.

What would you do?

**************

It kinda sucks that you can't see the stars from the moon. I know you are thinking what the heck are you talking about? But that's the reason given why the footage of the first lunar landing has a black sky in the background. The light reflecting from the moon does not allow the stars to be seen. Just a thought that entered my mind as I stood on my balcony trying to glimpse stars that were camouflaged by the city's lights.

Now I am wondering what else is being camoflauged by the glaring lights of life.

**************

Recommend a good blog in the comments. It can be yours or someone else's. I am looking to add some new ones to the blogroll.

************

Peace!

How Come? by Kim Fields

Dear Readers,

This video blew my mind when I heard it. I am so serious. I guess I wasn't expecting this kind of 'realness' from Tootie, I mean Regine, no excuse me, Kim Fields.

***Warning** Contains some harsh language that may not be safe for work.

Carry on!

P.S. Is she right?