Social media

Being More Active

I’ve been away from social media and the gossip of the internet for awhile.  I’m also behind on my favorite blog. (I caught up a little bit last night!)  As I logged on to Facebook to wish Southern Mom a “Happy Birthday!”, I saw a link for Demetria Lucas’ (aka A Belle in Brooklyn) column on Essence.com “Real Talk”.  Today’s topic discusses Boris Kodjoe and #FatExcuses.

Demetria goes on to discuss how Boris came under fire this weekend for his tweet saying he had nightmares about 300 pound women in thongs eating fried chicken grinding on him.  He went on to site statistics about Black women and how a large population of us are obese.  Of course, people got offended, but you can’t shoot the messenger.  The truth hurts.  And I should know; everytime my mom talks to me about getting more active, I balk.  I look at myself in the mirror or in pictures and cringe sometimes.  I’ve said more times than I can count, “This is the biggest I’ve been” when referring to my current weight.  But do I actively do anything about it?  Right now, no.  Before, I was afraid to say I’m fat.  And my friends don’t tell me I’m fat, either.  They say I’m thick or have a nice size, if they comment on my size at all.  After seeing a picture  of myself from a friend’s birthday party on Friday, I can honestly say that I am FAT!

I can thank my neighbor for going out with me last week and walking around our neighborhood so we could get in some exercise and fresh air.   I’m taking a stand to be more active, and I want you guys to hold me accountable.  When I finish with this post, I’m going to get up and go outside for a walk, at least 30 minutes.  And to help, I’ll even post pics of my progression, via the blog or Twitter.  So if you want to help or even JOIN me in being more active, feel free to communicate with me via e-mail (evolvingelle@gmail.com) or Twitter (www.twitter.com/EvolvingElle).  Insanity is doing the same thing over and over expecting different results.  I’m going to stop being insane; how about you?  Until next time, I’m just a Southern girl…in the city!

*To read Demetria’s article, go here*

9 CommentsLeave a comment

What Kind of F*ckery is This?

Amy Winehouse

Image by NRK P3 via Flickr

On Saturday, July 23, I was taking a break at work around 12:30 pm.  I took a quick peek on Twitter to see that people were sharing the news that Amy Winehouse had been found dead in her London flat.  I was saddened and surprised, but not shocked.  To say it was inevitable may be cruel, but it’s an accurate statement.  I went back and told my co-workers that she had died.  As an ode to her, they wanted to sing “Rehab”; I told them “no; that’s highly inappropriate.” 

Amy Winehouse was poised to become this generation’s Teena Marie-a soulful white girl who had a unique sound.  Sadly, her career didn’t have the chance to flourish like Marie’s, but she will never be forgotten.  As my auntie Madeline pointed out to me, it’s ironic that she, Janis Joplin, and Jimi Hendrix all died at the age of 27.  I’ve lived longer than all three of these artists.  Another ironic thing about Amy’s death is that she died within weeks of Betty Ford, the biggest proponent of battling addiction.  I mentioned Amy in a WBW post earlier this year.  I guess we’ll never know what greatness she and ?uestlove would have made in the studio. 

Today’s post title is my favorite Winehouse lyric from the track “Me and Mr. Jones”; heck, it might be my favorite song lyric ever.  And it explains how I’m sure a lot of people are feeling about her death right now.  I hope at least one person who’s battling addiction learns something from this and is able to get clean.  I hope Amy is resting in peace.  And I’m sure Mrs. Ford is getting in that a–.  Until next time, I’m just a Southern girl…in the city.

Related articles
2 CommentsLeave a comment

When Social Media Runs Amuck

Amuck (adverb) – In or into a jumbled or confused state

I have to admit I’m probably one of the few people in this world that could care less about social media, but I use it everyday.  I get on Facebook, I use Twitter, and some days I even put up a post on WordPress.  I’m also the “traditional” girl who would MUCH rather talk to someone on the phone to make plans rather to text back and forth to confirm dinner.  But that’s the age we live in-we text, we e-mail, we tweet.  We rarely talk on the phone anymore or even write a letter and send it in snail mail. 

You’re wondering how social media can run amuck?  Well, I’ll tell you-at least how it did with me.  I developed a Twitter crush (I know, I know-don’t judge me).  I reached out to “Twitter Crush” (aka TC) via e-mail, and we got along famously.  Then, we “upgrading” from e-mailing to texting.  (This was CLEARLY my fault.  I totally should have called as opposed to sending the first text.  I’m falling into the trap I hate.)  So, through the midst of our texting, he fell off.  If you guys know me, you know I love closure.  But I let it go…for about a month.  Then I sent an e-mail, you know the type “Just wanted to say ‘Hi!’-make sure you’re still alive-make sure you know I’M alive” e-mails.  I know he’s still alive, and he knows I’m still alive.  I mean, we are Facebook friends, and we follow each other on Twitter.  So he’s not interested; I respect that and totally get it.  Who goes from flirting to nothing in such a short amount of time?  Ok, you’re not interested, but you can at least be cordial, right? 

See how social media can run amuck?  I was confused by his behavior.  I hate being ignored, and it pissed me off he didn’t respond to me.  I guess since our encounter was brief he felt he may not have needed to respond to me.  But as a human being and as a common courtesy, it’s not polite to ignore people.  And who knows, he may need me one day, and I’ll remember the time when I reached out to him, and he didn’t contact me back.  But then I would be the rude one and not providing a common courtesy to my fellow man.  But such is life-he should have thought about that before he ignored me.

Until next time, I’m just a Southern girl…in the city.

 

3 CommentsLeave a comment

Why Should I Get a Website?

I’ve been pondering purchasing a domain for this here blog and moving from WordPress.  I looked initially in October of last year and looked again this past week.  I have a lot of hesitations. 

1. Who is going to move my site?  If you know me, you know I’m not computer savvy.  Far from it actually.  I’m surprised I’ve been blogging for this long with no real issues.  I know someone who is a site designer but he’s so hard to get in touch with, I’m afraid I’d be setting myself up for failure.

2. Who’s going to manage my site?  Yes, I know I will, but once again I need a web developer to make the pages, keep the set up straight, and all that good stuff.

3.  What’s the REAL benefit of moving to a site?  I would still use the layout from WordPress.  So why shouldn’t I just continue to use WordPress???  Yes, I know I could have ads put on the site, but would you guys really click them and see what they were all about? 

I know there would be a few benefits.

1. I would be a bonafide business owner, because believe me, honey, I would handle it as such.  I know you have to spend money to make money, but who has that kind of time???

2. I would be official.  I get excited when I see people who have their own sites, like “Black N Bougie”,”Until I Get Married”, and “Very Smart Brothas”.  Even my blogging mentor, “Hell in a Handbag”, got her own site recently.  (Maybe that’s who I should have had this discussion with.)

I’m lost.  What do you guys think?  Do I purchase the domain or stick with good ol’ WordPress?  WordPress has been good to me.  I don’t feel limited in anyway, but maybe that’s because I haven’t tried to reach out too far.  For those of you who think that I should purchase the domain, I hope you also have about 1 or 2 referrals for web developers.  Until next time, I’m just a Southern girl…in the city!

5 CommentsLeave a comment

DC Twestival 2011

My friend Darius first told me about this event via e-mail earlier this week, then my partner-in-crime Ms. Rasberry shared it with me again, so I figured I best take heed and find out what’s going on.  You all know I’m a social butterfly, so I’m game for going out and doing something where I can meet new people.  But this event is a little different.  It allows attendees to help others, too.

The DC Twestival (a combination of the words “Twitter” and “festival“) is a time when you can put a face with the Twitter handle and can also raise funds for a deserving organization.  This year, the beneficiary of the event is FAIR Fund, an organization in DC that brings attention and is fighting to end sexual exploitation and human trafficking around the globe. 

As someone who is still a newbie to social media (ok, maybe not), I’m amazed at what can be done to bring people together for an awesome cause.  This year’s event will be at ShadowRoom on Thursday, March 24 from 6-9 pm.  Unfortunately, I will not be able to attend 😥 but I do plan on donating.  If you are in the DMV area, you should defintely make your way to this event.  Even if you are not on Twitter, this is the perfect chance for you to go out, meet new people, and stop the exploitation of children all over the world. 

Until next time, I’m just a Southern girl…in the city!

3 CommentsLeave a comment