tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-90164967399970344102024-03-14T14:18:02.240-04:00musical laughterLa Risahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12204510318607050640noreply@blogger.comBlogger80125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9016496739997034410.post-43038963458152480272009-05-13T23:16:00.001-04:002009-05-13T23:18:15.028-04:00::crickets::<img src="http://eveliascribbles.files.wordpress.com/2009/04/blogging1.jpg">La Risahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12204510318607050640noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9016496739997034410.post-84557329248809086072008-11-20T13:34:00.002-05:002008-11-20T14:19:35.643-05:00Being lazy makes me blue :(<span style="font-family:courier new;">Hmmm .. what can I say. I have been slacking!! Mostly this happened b/c I stopped logging on from home and well I was blocked at work so I just gave up. What is funny is that all of a sudden I can access it.. so what does it mean? It's a sign that I should write. </span><br /><span style="font-family:courier new;">So what is there to say.... well I have a few things on my mind. First of all I have noticed that I've been kind of down lately. I am really upset w/ myself and all the things I have not done. So 3 months ago i was really motivated and wrote down all these programs i want to apply to and well lets just say 3 months later i'm sitting here - didn't apply to any one of them already passed and the one that i really want to do is due in 2 wks. They are really competitive programs but I will never know if i can get in if I dont try! I'm so upset. Why do I lack the motivation? What do I need to do in order to get up off my feet and just start moving? What happened to the old me that would just wake up early and go to the library to do problem sets on her own, or the one that just got up one day packed and left the state... or even more recent - when I would wake up at 545am to make it to the gym by 6am every m orning... what happened? Are there anti-lazy pills that I can take? </span><br /><span style="font-family:courier new;">This is upseting - more upseting knowing that I can do it but I don't. I would feel better if I tried and got rejected b/c at least I tried. How many more gmat books do I need to buy before I actually get to it? GMAT 2010? :( </span><br /><span style="font-family:courier new;">Not a good day. </span><br /><span style="font-family:courier new;color:#3333ff;">Feeling quite blue.....</span><br /><span style="font-family:Courier New;color:#000000;">-Flaca</span>Flacahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17349238510742014717noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9016496739997034410.post-10567375603169087402008-11-10T16:53:00.002-05:002008-11-10T21:02:26.410-05:00Adding To The Obamaness!!What a great feeling! It IS a new day...I am LOVING this video!!<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/RHWByjoQrR8&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/RHWByjoQrR8&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>Shayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16587432105068617830noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9016496739997034410.post-2641296131126546252008-11-06T15:28:00.000-05:002008-11-06T15:31:13.241-05:00ObamaIf you haven't heard, Obama won. =D<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/3yDYBdLCzIbV7sReS-nAPg?authkey=2_VFmLf0qkE"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNqrEtwA3w52X7CP2-vvZbm5mBQ3G3pM4Tr4LFkdJNWgu-HygCEPfuNjgpvMypoFrP0heW0Ip7O-Hh-EwW5Zwh00_BrpEQnBeT4c026uSCHwhSkD1gEITmNhepb0nU8coe9W0ZF2t2E4fI/s800/obama%20kids.jpg" /></a>La Risahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12204510318607050640noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9016496739997034410.post-67434011408237273652008-11-04T10:21:00.003-05:002008-11-04T10:48:44.856-05:00It's Time<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcVImm-OxSquTUuefTheIr68EMLa1cyCvRphxos4ptkmCscJaQigDKpbOtCqIsMxug1g6cbVGB5r1tWGY40iGbq5eP_PvoiBE7cveaOXGYB1uvm0zp5lFkDvTdztyzNIm8hqLsYxqL7e_O/s1600-h/Obama+in+VA.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 275px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcVImm-OxSquTUuefTheIr68EMLa1cyCvRphxos4ptkmCscJaQigDKpbOtCqIsMxug1g6cbVGB5r1tWGY40iGbq5eP_PvoiBE7cveaOXGYB1uvm0zp5lFkDvTdztyzNIm8hqLsYxqL7e_O/s400/Obama+in+VA.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5264823261746229378" border="0" /></a><br />90,000 people showed up to Obama's rally in Virginia last night. I can't even put into words what I felt at the moment but the way people were surrounding him afterward didn't just speak volumes about the man...but also about how badly we need this. And it was a bit heart wrenching to imagine what he must be going through with his grandmother, who raised him, passing away yesterday. To have to find the strength to keep going. I couldn't sleep afterwards and saw a couple last minute commercials put on by goptrust.com bringing up Rev. Wright once again. Sigh. What's most disgusting is the talk of Obama purposely planning his grandmother's death. Are you kidding me??<br /><br />I voted about an hour ago and I feel like today is going to be the longest day ever! (By the way, am I the only one who feels like a mad scientist moving that huge lever in the voting booth? lol). I wish NY was a swing state. Anyway, good luck Obama! <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijZLbpmW5J4UoZNeHldXjPSOh3JKeValmgKIlFtgOmw8pJevVhzV7jDA64cu_4DWKZdbQCOTOr9N37bNgA435TrF-6TSYhSmHq1sdT-trF9L_lW817-gfUf6-YMUxi44TYzmK7Eq9qzSea/s1600-h/Obama+in+VA+2+copy.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 211px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijZLbpmW5J4UoZNeHldXjPSOh3JKeValmgKIlFtgOmw8pJevVhzV7jDA64cu_4DWKZdbQCOTOr9N37bNgA435TrF-6TSYhSmHq1sdT-trF9L_lW817-gfUf6-YMUxi44TYzmK7Eq9qzSea/s400/Obama+in+VA+2+copy.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5264827580859107474" border="0" /></a>La Risahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12204510318607050640noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9016496739997034410.post-24826462686720789402008-10-28T14:15:00.004-04:002008-10-30T13:09:27.008-04:00The Cutest Obama Supporter By Far!<p>Watch this last Diddy blog and you will automatically fall in love with little D'Lila Combs (the one in blue). Love it! :-)</p><p> </p><p><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/G2-4qVbzi_o&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/G2-4qVbzi_o&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>Shayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16587432105068617830noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9016496739997034410.post-78498992906903461122008-10-25T11:52:00.000-04:002008-10-30T13:09:27.008-04:00Waaazzaaap 2008<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Qq8Uc5BFogE&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Qq8Uc5BFogE&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>La Risahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12204510318607050640noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9016496739997034410.post-22741732800084899812008-10-24T16:07:00.006-04:002008-10-24T16:24:02.065-04:00Dear Clothing stores and clothing designers and...,<br /><br />I am 5'4". The average female height in the US is 5' 3.7.". Who the FUCK are you all selling/making pants for??!!!!!!<br /><br />Last night I stopped by H&M to pick up some pants for an interview I had today. Lucky for me I could wear whatever I wanted at my last job so the last time I bought any kind of suit was right after colleg<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvmBRXim_D5eWIdXuF1v_IAqUJdpAkjqeoGQ4vS889wIzuxyFdlS3biIJArdwX6CLfnBRTYWtIyRl-zJTtyFgaxtafbwerAWTjvJwgjSzZNxGkVP4nY3HAU604q3kvBcYttlGMcg2mfiAL/s1600-h/blog+pants.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 124px; height: 170px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvmBRXim_D5eWIdXuF1v_IAqUJdpAkjqeoGQ4vS889wIzuxyFdlS3biIJArdwX6CLfnBRTYWtIyRl-zJTtyFgaxtafbwerAWTjvJwgjSzZNxGkVP4nY3HAU604q3kvBcYttlGMcg2mfiAL/s200/blog+pants.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5260816305343500322" border="0" /></a>e. And I guess I was smaller back then so last minute shopping I went.<br /><br />It was 9pm so I grabbed a bunch of black and gray pants. TOO LONG!!! Seriously, what the deuce?! And then the ones that weren't so long that I would trip, were too tight on top 'causing some fake camel toe effect. If I went a size up, then they'd be okay up top but TOO LONG!!! Do they test these pants thinking that all women walk around in 6 inch heels all the time? I enjoy me a nice high heeled pair once in a while but<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisHYsMBdNHBtGvJaCh5-dlEe1xi6rs_JuehloUiYEJa4oQ2LDzzvz5gH1x-OLLRyFPEt2XPBC_upI_bsTNZnVX4zGMTUgiY2UnrlDDiBCXrhY5-VNp1M2FLjoFWntx5dOpvJ5ZLdgAsG4x/s1600-h/blog+jeans.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 140px; height: 177px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisHYsMBdNHBtGvJaCh5-dlEe1xi6rs_JuehloUiYEJa4oQ2LDzzvz5gH1x-OLLRyFPEt2XPBC_upI_bsTNZnVX4zGMTUgiY2UnrlDDiBCXrhY5-VNp1M2FLjoFWntx5dOpvJ5ZLdgAsG4x/s200/blog+jeans.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5260816519383998882" border="0" /></a> for the most part it slows me the fuck down. I had to buy a skirt instead.<br /><br />This is also the reason I detest shopping for jeans. Aside from the 2 pairs of jeans of mine I really like, you force me to compromise and wear jeans that look "okay.". That is not okay!!! And don't tell me I can take them to so and so's to get them hemmed. Fuck you. Why should I settle for skinny jeans that bunch up like that 'cause they're too long?<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU8q1icIwFQRTv6kzXSu9P5QWxu3ow3wsoWvOSRs5474d7F7jmlBs8FZVnajIDDyo6zIAG8XCfeCk5yxx6CKYbch9yd6u3caCdLdf0tUXUy-wLXQIRyUZfP5m1vAfpOECqYJHL0TdiFTLk/s1600-h/blog+dress.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 119px; height: 166px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU8q1icIwFQRTv6kzXSu9P5QWxu3ow3wsoWvOSRs5474d7F7jmlBs8FZVnajIDDyo6zIAG8XCfeCk5yxx6CKYbch9yd6u3caCdLdf0tUXUy-wLXQIRyUZfP5m1vAfpOECqYJHL0TdiFTLk/s200/blog+dress.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5260817038913390066" border="0" /></a><br />We need to make some changes up in this piece. We need some realistic options. Some of us have short legs, tits and/or asses!!!! Maybe you should consider a raaange of sizes from jolly giant to shorty doo wop...from big ol' butt to <a href="http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=nasitall">nasitall</a>. I'm tired of trying on dresses (and even coats) only to find that my bootay makes it look funny in the back because it wasn't made for me.<br /><br /><br /><br />Ugh!<br /><br />Best,<br /><br />CCLa Risahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12204510318607050640noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9016496739997034410.post-58528760061677399452008-10-22T17:36:00.004-04:002008-10-30T13:10:11.686-04:00Just GREAT!!Wow...I dont know what's greater...the moves or the outfit!!<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SGemjUvafBw">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SGemjUvafBw</a>Shayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16587432105068617830noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9016496739997034410.post-30764231192270487542008-10-16T16:03:00.003-04:002008-10-16T16:07:50.825-04:00I think i can...i think i can't!I just spent the day cramming for my econ midterm. In college, I didn't take too many tests...more essays and lots of papers...but in high school I remember making up little songs to remember things. I guess things haven't changed 'cause I made up a little tune today. And I'm going to bomb. True story.<br /><br />That reminds me! One of the great benefits of being unemployed is being able to watch Ellen and a couple of weeks ago, she had the cutest little girl on....<br /><br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/zA7j3OOPlEE&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/zA7j3OOPlEE&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>La Risahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12204510318607050640noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9016496739997034410.post-18538083582724757582008-10-15T11:38:00.001-04:002008-10-15T11:39:41.996-04:00Long time no blogConsidering that I'm making a speech on blogging next week for my Communications class (which I am a little freaked out about), I figured it might be time to stop being a hypocrite and actually blog! Especially since all of our fans keep checking in...not. =/<br /><br />I've been meaning to write a "meaningful" entry since <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">liiike</span> August I believe. My good friend from college came to visit me for a week and a half right after I left my job and we had such a fun week! On my last day of work we went to see <a href="http://www.intheheightsthemusical.com/">In the Heights</a>, which was SO GOOD! I felt all inspired to blog about it and put it off like a lot of other things in life. Anyway, highly recommend it.<br /><br />On a more miserable note, I've spent the last two months being somewhat of a Debbie Downer...Negative Nancy...Miserable Pickle? <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Ok</span>, I made that one up.<br /><br />Towards the end of my time at my last job, I started getting pain in my right arm from using the mouse. I just ignored it and would sometimes just switch the mouse to the left side. Well the pain hasn't gone away and gotten worse. I spent a couple of days with my arms and elbows just throbbing with sharp pains here and there. It sucks because (1) I like to go online and I can just read stuff online all day and (2) it's kind of hard to function in this world without being able to use a computer! Maybe I'm exaggerating but I've put off my job search and I'm broke as a joke because I don't want to 'cause any completely debilitating damage. Not to mention, I'm in school and need to write up papers and do research and all that fun stuff you're all so jealous of.<br /><br />I've installed one of those programs on my computer that forces you to take a break. It's so annoying and even locks the computer after a while but it does help. I went to my general doctor 3 weeks ago and he told me that I need to rest my arms and that I should buy an arm sling and take <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">motrin</span> every 2 seconds. Thanks doc! I've done a lot of research on repetitive stress injury and it seems some doctors don't really know what they're talking about. Some people recover, some deal with the pain their whole life. Some suggest just living a healthier lifestyle. Some go to physical therapy for weeks only to find out it didn't work. I've tried taking breaks for days at a time which takes away the pain but as soon as I get back on (as I am right now), the pain comes right back. One website said you need to rest your arms for 13 weeks. I don't know if that is an option when bills need to be paid!! There's always retail...blah.<br /><br /><br />In the meantime, I've been writing more by hand and made an appointment to see an orthopedic on Tuesday. Oh, and the reason I've been able to go to the doctor at all is because I signed up for COBRA through my last job which is fucking expensive!!! It's a vicious cycle.<br /><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Aaaand</span> my <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">hard drive</span> crashed. Luckily, I found out about <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Knoppix</span>, an open source live <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">linux</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">cd</span>, which includes a data recovery program called <a href="http://www.cgsecurity.org/wiki/PhotoRec"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">PhotoRec</span></a>. Even more luckily, files don't ever really get deleted from a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">hard drive</span>. So I was able to get all my pictures, mp3s and word files. The bad thing is that included with those pictures was EVERY SINGLE PICTURE that the computer ever laid it's eyes on. We're talking hundreds of people's AIM buddy icons, their <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">myspace</span> pics, pictures of purses and shoes from browsing online. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">AAAH</span>. And it doesn't end there. None of the files, including the mp3s, have their original file name. Fun times ahead.<br /><br /><br />Time to get off the computer. Stay tuned for happier thoughts...La Risahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12204510318607050640noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9016496739997034410.post-73602223313121847052008-10-08T19:52:00.003-04:002008-10-30T13:10:24.882-04:00Beyonce "Single Ladies"I have to say ever since i got this gig my music priorities have been leaning more towards the mainstream side...but i'm not even gonna front... I LOOOOOOOVE this new Beyonce song!! Now I know this sounds like "Get Me Bodied" but i never got tired of that sound so i'm ready to rock to it again! (oh and it was produced by The Dream so naturally i'd love it!)<br /><br />I can soooooooo see me and all the girls jammin to this at the club! (oh and the video makes me want to go eat some biscuits and cross my fingers in hopes that it'll all go to my thighs so they can look like beyonce's! lol)<br /><br /><a href="http://www.power1051fm.com/pages/news/beyonce/">http://www.power1051fm.com/pages/news/beyonce/</a>Shayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16587432105068617830noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9016496739997034410.post-88323986300540255542008-10-08T08:17:00.001-04:002008-10-08T08:39:20.727-04:008 Phases of Datinglol<br /><a href="http://divisibleby0.com/dating/"><br />http://divisibleby0.com/dating/</a>La Risahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12204510318607050640noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9016496739997034410.post-27072988238879727712008-09-25T16:44:00.000-04:002008-10-30T13:10:31.145-04:00This is Your Nation on White PrivilegeBy Tim Wise<br /><br />For those who still can’t grasp the concept of white privilege, or who are looking for some easy-to-understand examples of it, perhaps this list will help.<br /><br />White privilege is when you can get pregnant at seventeen like Bristol Palin and everyone is quick to insist that your life and that of your family is a personal matter, and that no one has a right to judge you or your parents, because “every family has challenges,” even as black and Latino families with similar “challenges” are regularly typified as irresponsible, pathological and arbiters of social decay.<br /><br />White privilege is when you can call yourself a “fuckin’ redneck,” like Bristol Palin’s boyfriend does, and talk about how if anyone messes with you, you'll “kick their fuckin' ass,” and talk about how you like to “shoot shit” for fun, and still be viewed as a responsible, all-American boy (and a great son-in-law to be) rather than a thug.<br /><br />White privilege is when you can attend four different colleges in six years like Sarah Palin did (one of which you basically failed out of, then returned to after making up some coursework at a community college), and no one questions your intelligence or commitment to achievement, whereas a person of color who did this would be viewed as unfit for college, and probably someone who only got in in the first place because of affirmative action.<br /><br />White privilege is when you can claim that being mayor of a town smaller than most medium-sized colleges, and then Governor of a state with about the same number of people as the lower fifth of the island of Manhattan, makes you ready to potentially be president, and people don’t all piss on themselves with laughter, while being a black U.S. Senator, two-term state Senator, and constitutional law scholar, means you’re “untested.” <br /><br />White privilege is being able to say that you support the words “under God” in the pledge of allegiance because “if it was good enough for the founding fathers, it’s good enough for me,” and not be immediately disqualified from holding office--since, after all, the pledge was written in the late 1800s and the “under God” part wasn’t added until the 1950s--while if you're black and believe in reading accused criminals and terrorists their rights (because the Constitution, which you used to teach at a prestigious law school requires it), you're a dangerous and mushy liberal who isn't fit to safeguard American institutions. <br /><br />White privilege is being able to be a gun enthusiast and not make people immediately scared of you. <br /><br />White privilege is being able to have a husband who was a member of an extremist political party that wants your state to secede from the Union, and whose motto is “Alaska first,” and no one questions your patriotism or that of your family, while if you're black and your spouse merely fails to come to a 9/11 memorial so she can be home with her kids on the first day of school, people immediately think she’s being disrespectful. <br /><br />White privilege is being able to make fun of community organizers and the work they do--like, among other things, fight for the right of women to vote, or for civil rights, or the 8-hour workday, or an end to child labor--and people think you’re being pithy and tough, but if you merely question the experience of a small town mayor and 18-month governor with no foreign policy expertise beyond a class she took in college and the fact that she lives near Russia, you’re somehow being mean, or even sexist. <br /><br />White privilege is being able to convince white women who don’t even agree with you on any substantive issue to vote for you and your running mate anyway, because all of a sudden your presence on the ticket has inspired confidence in these same white women, and made them give your party a “second look.” <br /><br />White privilege is being able to fire people who didn’t support your political campaigns and not be accused of abusing your power or being a typical politician who engages in favoritism, while being black and merely knowing some folks from the old-line political machines in Chicago means you must be corrupt. <br /><br />White privilege is when you can take nearly twenty-four hours to get to a hospital after beginning to leak amniotic fluid, and still be viewed as a great mom whose commitment to her children is unquestionable, and whose "next door neighbor" qualities make her ready to be VP, while if you're a black candidate for president and you let your children be interviewed for a few seconds on TV, you're irresponsibly exploiting them.<br /><br />White privilege is being able to give a 36-minute speech in which you talk about lipstick and make fun of your opponent, while laying out no substantive policy positions on any issue at all, and still manage to be considered a legitimate candidate, while a black person who gives an hour speech the week before, in which he lays out specific policy proposals on several issues, is still criticized for being too vague about what he would do if elected.<br /><br />White privilege is being able to attend churches over the years whose pastors say that people who voted for John Kerry or merely criticize George W. Bush are going to hell, and that the U.S. is an explicitly Christian nation and the job of Christians is to bring Christian theological principles into government, and who bring in speakers who say the conflict in the Middle East is God’s punishment on Jews for rejecting Jesus, and everyone can still think you’re just a good church-going Christian, but if you’re black and friends with a black pastor who has noted (as have Colin Powell and the U.S. Department of Defense) that terrorist attacks are often the result of U.S. foreign policy and who talks about the history of racism and its effect on black people, you’re an extremist who probably hates America. <br /><br />White privilege is not knowing what the Bush Doctrine is when asked by a reporter, and then people get angry at the reporter for asking you such a “trick question,” while being black and merely refusing to give one-word answers to the queries of Bill O’Reilly means you’re dodging the question, or trying to seem overly intellectual and nuanced. <br /><br />White privilege is being able to go to a prestigious prep school, then to Yale and Harvard Business School (George W. Bush), and still be seen as an "average guy," while being black, going to a prestigious prep school, then Occidental College, then Columbia, and then Harvard Law, makes you "uppity" and a snob who probably looks down on regular folks.<br /><br />White privilege is being able to graduate near the bottom of your college class (McCain), or graduate with a C average from Yale (W.), and that's OK, and you're still cut out to be president, but if you're black and you graduate near the top of your class from Harvard Law, you can't be trusted to make good decisions in office.<br /><br />White privilege is being able to dump your first wife after she's disfigured in a car crash so you can take up with a multi-millionaire beauty queen (who you then go on to call the c-word in public) and still be thought of as a man of strong family values, while if you're black and married for nearly 20 years to the same woman, your family is viewed as un-American and your gestures of affection for each other are called "terrorist fist bumps."<br /><br />White privilege is when you can develop a pain-killer addiction, having obtained your drug of choice illegally like Cindy McCain, go on to beat that addiction, and everyone praises you for being so strong, while being a black guy who smoked pot a few times in college and never became an addict means people will wonder if perhaps you still get high, and even ask whether or not you may have sold drugs at some point.<br /><br />White privilege is being able to sing a song about bombing Iran and still be viewed as a sober and rational statesman, with the maturity to be president, while being black and suggesting that the U.S. should speak with other nations, even when we have disagreements with them, makes you dangerously naive and immature.<br /><br />White privilege is being able to say that you hate "gooks" and "will always hate them," and yet, you aren't a racist because, ya know, you were a POW, so you're entitled to your hatred, while being black and noting that black anger about racism is understandable, given the history of your country, makes you a dangerous bigot.<br /><br />White privilege is being able to claim your experience as a POW has anything at all to do with your fitness for president, while being black and experiencing racism and an absent father is apparently among the "lesser adversities" faced by other politicians, as Sarah Palin explained in her convention speech.<br /><br />And finally, white privilege is the only thing that could possibly allow someone to become president when he has voted with George W. Bush 90 percent of the time, even as unemployment is skyrocketing, people are losing their homes, inflation is rising, and the U.S. is increasingly isolated from world opinion, just because white voters aren’t sure about that whole “change” thing. Ya know, it’s just too vague and ill-defined, unlike, say, four more years of the same, which is very concrete and certain… <br /><br />White privilege is, in short, the problem.<br /><br />http://www.redroom.com/blog/tim-wise/this-your-nation-white-privilege-updatedLa Risahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12204510318607050640noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9016496739997034410.post-71385457007106497162008-09-17T12:02:00.005-04:002008-10-30T13:10:35.309-04:00NeYo Year of the Gentleman ReviewLooooong time since I stepped back into the Musical Laughter world! Let's get things rolling with a review of NeYo's new album Year of the Gentleman. Overall, I'd say it isn't an album you put on and absolutely LOVE right away, but I am a fan of giving good artists a chance by listening to their stuff over and over before I judge it. That said...here it is...track by track! Enjoy!<br /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5247021558854855634" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 229px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 216px" height="223" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCxUeTsc2t5mVpqoaJXDkaP0p5EFzMeFnQiLIfnZ7ZsKE4IvJHkCzPLljo-tHvg8aijV8W0HJE_qHbAhDjUeCHW76vrAC7qFPoLFQURJbGfV8eB0AE89emzZemeQltiYbbYTASU6FJ8Js/s320/Ne-Yo_-_Year_of_The_Gentleman.png" width="254" border="0" /><strong>Track 1 - Closer</strong><br />You know u love it! Heard it a million times. Great! We got it out of the way...movin' on! <div><br /><strong>Track 2 - Nobody<br /></strong>Great follow up. Keep the momentum going. Sounds like a single down the line. (You know ne-yo releases like 7 singles per album anyway)</div><div><br /><strong>Track 3 - Single</strong><br />Very Polow Da Don-ish...reminiscent of Love In The Club. Just happens to be a better concept. It's like Love In The Club was the first draft and this is the polished version. LOVE this track! This has to be my favorite track on this album! Absolutely hate the fact that New Kids On The Block has a version of this song featuring Ne-Yo tho...BAD move (on ne-yo's part of course).</div><div><br /><strong>Track 4 - Mad<br /></strong>Exactly what you expect from a ne-yo album. A sweet make up song that you'll find yourself singing in the car, shower, or wherever you usually sing along.</div><div><br /><strong>Track 5 - Miss Independent<br /></strong>Perfect for a second single. There's nothing like a man singing about independent women to make us all raise a glass and dance with our friends at the club! This could've been sappy but instead it's a sexy song I guarantee we'll enjoy years later.</div><div><br /><strong>Track 6 - Why Does She Stay</strong><br />I have to admit this one took me a few listens to get into. The concept is great but it almost reminds me of an interlude. The music could drop 1 minute in and fade away into the next song and I'd be ok with it. It's still a sweet song and I don't feel the need to take my ipod out of my bag and switch to the next song.</div><div><br /><strong>Track 7 - Fade Into The Background<br /></strong>Storytelling through songwriting at it's best! You can picture this situation from start to finish. Great song that truly shows ne-yo's writing skills!</div><div><br /><strong>Track 8 - So You Can Cry</strong><br />Still can't get past the John Legend "Let's Go To The Park" type of sing-songy, finger-snapping-ness of this song. It annoys me and makes me switch to the next track by the time I hit the second verse. In all fairness...when u ignore that aspect of it...the lyrics and the approach ne-yo takes is great! I'll get over it after a few more listens.</div><div><br /><strong>Track 9 - Part Of The List</strong><br />Strong song! This is the song you always expect towards the end of the album. The one where you find yourself singing even louder and possibly closing your eyes and pumping your fists SWEARING you have an amazing voice. (Or maybe that's just me lol) Needless to say I like this one.</div><div><br /><strong>Track 10 - Back To What You Know</strong><br />The topic of this song is pretty interesting and it gives ne-yo a good look. This song couldve been given to a female singer like Beyonce or someone badass like that and it wouldve worked just as well! Ne-Yo is pretty kickass on this one! Love It!!</div><div><br /><strong>Track 11 - Lie To Me<br /></strong>At first listen the repetitiveness of the line "lie to me" makes u be like "ok shut up!" But this song is so hot when you get past that! Once you get to the middle...you find yourself saying "Michael?? Is that you? Are you back??" The echoing definitely makes you think you're listening to MJ and not Ne-Yo. Makes you think about the wonders Ne-Yo could work for Michael. (Hold your horses...I'm not saying MJ needs Ne-Yo to work wonders...but it would be a nice bond!) Anyway...LOVE IT!</div><div><br /><strong>Track 12 - Stop This World<br /></strong>Eh...this one doesn't cut it for me. This is a bit too "I believe I can fly" but in a love song. No thanks! The album ends at Track 11 for me.</div>Shayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16587432105068617830noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9016496739997034410.post-76697442018488427052008-08-08T08:13:00.004-04:002008-08-08T11:22:55.512-04:00ChangesSo although I've been suffering from a little bit of repetitive stress injury on my right arm, I was bored and here's a little something new to hold us over. Until I'm unemployed and have lots of time! I can't figure out how to make the post titles bigger tho =/<br /><br />Edit: Turns out the post titles look fine on IE but not Firefox. Waaah!La Risahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12204510318607050640noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9016496739997034410.post-26427290193024399172008-08-06T07:43:00.002-04:002008-10-30T13:10:43.782-04:00Loves it...<object width="424" height="348" classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000"><param name="movie" value="http://www2.funnyordie.com/public/flash/fodplayer.swf" /><param name="flashvars" value="key=64ad536a6d" /><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true" /><embed width="424" height="348" flashvars="key=64ad536a6d" allowfullscreen="true" quality="high" src="http://www2.funnyordie.com/public/flash/fodplayer.swf" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"></embed></object><noscript>See <a href="http://www.funnyordie.com/videos/64ad536a6d">Paris Hilton Responds to McCain Ad</a> and more <a href="http://www.funnyordie.com">funny videos</a> on <a href="http://www.funnyordie.com">FunnyOrDie.com</a></noscript><div style="text-align:center;width:464px;">See more <a href="http://www.funnyordie.com">funny videos</a> at Funny or Die</div>La Risahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12204510318607050640noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9016496739997034410.post-71571644067560964582008-07-23T12:06:00.001-04:002008-12-11T00:32:01.335-05:00Let's keep it musical...<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgutwQBQU2USXLnmCpxU5v9I8ct_qu7YDtrsG6L8_Biae703r66j7i8GqfhMpuBNnFthicPN4o0igSEMlQS_2H4_w0EFvFctXoQzFb7sc9I2QKiGko57Mwya_QBWUhGJJzMnnFmhdqFGXm5/s1600-h/blog%5B1%5D.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5226218728675507266" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgutwQBQU2USXLnmCpxU5v9I8ct_qu7YDtrsG6L8_Biae703r66j7i8GqfhMpuBNnFthicPN4o0igSEMlQS_2H4_w0EFvFctXoQzFb7sc9I2QKiGko57Mwya_QBWUhGJJzMnnFmhdqFGXm5/s200/blog%5B1%5D.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><br /><br />I was on <a href="http://www.reddit.com/">reddit</a> and ran into this link: <a href="http://www.toplessrobot.com/2008/07/the_10_most_underserving_celebrities_who_got_actio.php">the 10 most undeserving celebrities who got action figures</a>. Look at who's #2...Xuxa! lol. How dare they call her undeserving. Pure blasphemy.<br /></div><div><br /><br /><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/VyBMymSlA-A&hl=en&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/VyBMymSlA-A&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div>La Risahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12204510318607050640noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9016496739997034410.post-11724595392919239492008-07-21T13:39:00.000-04:002008-07-21T13:40:48.133-04:00Kids say...There's this 7-year old Ghanaian boy (let's call him E) who's family owns a little market next to where I work. Lately, he's been stopping by to visit regularly, which I'm sure is partly due to the fact that they do not have AC in there. The other having to do with his need to listen to Chris Brown on my ipod.<br /><br /><strong>E: </strong>Kids at school make fun of me because I'm the only black boy at school<br /><strong>me:</strong> ?!<br /><strong>E:</strong> I lie and say that my parents are from Los Angeles or Las Vegas.<br /><strong>me:</strong> You should be proud of where you're from and who you are. Kids say a lot of stupid things!<br /><strong>E:</strong> Noooo, these are <em>smart</em> kids!<br /><br />...<br /><br /><strong>E:</strong> I wish I was big already and had muscles so that I could get all the hot girls and just ::starts humping the air::<br /><strong>me: </strong>::looks at him like he's crazy::<br /><strong>E: </strong>You should go out with cousin. He knows the words to all the songs on the radio.<br /><strong>me:</strong> really?...<br /><strong>E: </strong>Yea, and everyday he dresses like he's goin' to a party!<br /><strong>E: </strong>And he has nice abs! Does your BF have abs?<br /><strong>me: </strong>Don't you have some toys to you need to go play with?<br /><br />...<br /><br /><strong>E: </strong>A lot of girls at school like me 'cause I'm handsome. One told me she wants to have sex with me.<br /><strong>me: </strong>What?! What the hell is wrong with you kids?!<br /><strong>E: </strong>Me?! I told her we're too young to do that. I can only have sex if I'm married and if I know where the girl lives.La Risahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12204510318607050640noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9016496739997034410.post-90004559292437482032008-07-14T20:16:00.003-04:002008-07-14T20:23:57.109-04:00Closing a chapterSo after being here for almost 3 years, I resigned from my job on Wednesday and it's been nothing but a whirlwind of emotions and stress. It took me two days just to get the words out and then I teared up while saying "I'm resigning." While I always knew that I wouldn't stay here forever because it's not going to lead me where I want to go, it's no doubt that this place has become somewhat of a second home/family to me. For the most part, everyone here is so great and I've been very lucky in that respect. After breaking the news, I did feel a sense a relief but then reality set in. And the reality changes everyday.<br /><br />I'm going to be a full time grad student and it's exciting to think about moving in another direction, being a student again and not living the 9 to 5 lifestyle. But it's not exciting to not have steady income coming in and not have health insurance. Will I be able to find a part-time job that won't drive me up the wall? Or should i just take anything because a job is a job and all I hear and read about is how bad the economy is right now and how we should just hold on to what we have? I am taking a risk because I'm still not sure about how beneficial this degree will be for me. And I'm 26 and still trying to figure things out. I've been all over the internet reading about other ppl whining just like me because time's are a-changin' and a degree is just not what it used to be. This, I'm sure, doesn't help my situation. People who are unhappy are more likely to go online and vent...and misery loves company.<br /><br />Then that just opens up a whole 'nother can of slimy worms. I have days when I just think that it doesn't matter where I work. Career schmeer. A job will not define me. Whether I like the job or not. In this country, we spend way too much time at work. While for some it's an opportunity to do great and fun things or make a real difference, for most it's really just a means to an end. Ideally, it should be more than this. But it's all easier said than done. I've been trying to find a way to balance what I care about with what I think I can actually be good at (something I think people forget) and then find out what's the fastest way to get to wherever that is. In the meantime, I can only try to stay positive and push out images of me surrounded by bills with a negative bank account balance.<br /><br />On another note, Friday night I had a dream that I was going bald in different spots and it felt so real I woke up checking my head. I looked it up in my dream book and it said that dreaming of going bald signifies feelings of disempowerment. Interesting because I'm definitely starting to feel financially weaker! Preparing myself for the possibility of cutting out spur of the moment shopping and $60 waxes and many other things I technically don't need to survive. Le sigh. <br /><br />And finally, I'm going to try to blog more. Simply because I want to work on my writing. And I'm also going to change the layout on this damn thing...<br /><br />Everything's gonna be alright.La Risahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12204510318607050640noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9016496739997034410.post-54971078509320645042008-06-27T09:13:00.003-04:002008-06-27T09:19:24.983-04:00A few different ways to lace your sneakers<br><br />http://www.popgive.com/2008/06/few-diferent-ways-to-tie-your-sneakers.htmlLa Risahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12204510318607050640noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9016496739997034410.post-85041898854828263822008-05-27T23:03:00.004-04:002008-07-23T12:10:52.468-04:00Usher on TRL = Total Rant LiveWoooow! That's what I said when I saw Usher on TRL today... Check out the video and if you start to get bored just fast forward to about 2:20 to get your Instant Usher Rantification (yeah I made up the word...so?!?)<br /><br /><div><object width="420" height="339"><param name="movie" value="http://www.dailymotion.com/swf/x5ksxi"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.dailymotion.com/swf/x5ksxi" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="420" height="339" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always"></embed></object><br /><b><a href="http://www.dailymotion.com/swf/x5ksxi">May 27, 2008</a></b><br /><i>by <a href="http://www.dailymotion.com/2008co2008">2008co2008</a></i></div><br /><br /><br />Usher...seriously??? I mean come on...some of us still can't get over the fact that you and Chilli aren't together. It also doesn't help that the new album doesn't meet the Chilli and post-Chilli greatness you gave us years back :-\ So let us hate...we'll get over it sooner or later.<br /><br />Moving on...Shayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16587432105068617830noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9016496739997034410.post-18809280005908808232008-05-26T22:37:00.001-04:002008-12-11T00:32:01.563-05:00Music Pick - Round 1OK so...in honor of trying to turn things around here and heading towards the "Musical Laughter" direction...<br /><br />So this past weekend I was driving with my cousin, a song comes on the radio (i had never heard it...ever) and she starts singing all the words to it "...I kissed a girl and i liked it...the taste of her cherry chapstick...I kissed a girl just to try it...I hope my boyfriend dont mind it..."<br /><br />I thought this was really funny...and def catchy...so I go do my research and here are the basics:<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIpa4MJU9IJsg4txXdbnvNC57PSuN3nYJKGDK_sJKxVXkM5yB0Nn7eQTvGO6ZNC1YSPUmF3lyzD-ouLcvLSynHlXecmMGWA9xEFYeUNoJCH65iB4KiROGHxtnzU9jNxoitsIhYtdQqp80/s1600-h/Katy+Perry.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 167px; height: 167px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIpa4MJU9IJsg4txXdbnvNC57PSuN3nYJKGDK_sJKxVXkM5yB0Nn7eQTvGO6ZNC1YSPUmF3lyzD-ouLcvLSynHlXecmMGWA9xEFYeUNoJCH65iB4KiROGHxtnzU9jNxoitsIhYtdQqp80/s320/Katy+Perry.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5205256183461291234" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.myspace.com/katyperry">Katy Perry</a><br />Age: 23<br />From: Santa Barbara, CA<br />Interesting... She was a Christian Gospel singer and now this lol<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Check out the other track "Ur So Gay"... THAT one is really funny. I think what adds to this is that she actually has a good voice so as much as some of you borderline conservatives out there don't want to like her...you're gonna have trouble finding a reason without outing your right wing ways!!Shayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16587432105068617830noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9016496739997034410.post-54290723840773434292008-04-21T12:12:00.003-04:002008-04-21T12:17:45.857-04:00I'm Writing a Book!Ok stop laughing...or rolling your eyes...I'm serious. Now I know I spit out tons of stuff I plan on doing and whatnot...but I'm serious!<br /><br />I read The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao and I can't help but think...I want to write a book! Not because I want to compete with Junot Diaz or Julia Alvarez, but because I know there is a huge story to tell and hell...why not. So this past weekend I was sitting with my mom and two aunts and they started sharing stories about growing up in DR and I realised, all they need was for someone to listen. They told me things that my siblings and cousins have no idea about. One of my aunts said she was only telling me because she sees i'm interested and i wont judge them.<br /><br />Initially I thought, "man this could be a movie" but honestly, it is way too much and it would be a great book to write. So I took it upon myself to write it. I dont think they thought i was serious, so we'll see what happens when i show up with tape recorders at their homes and start to get all this stuff on paper.<br /><br />Wish me luck!Shayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16587432105068617830noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9016496739997034410.post-29423331211836255832008-04-21T08:00:00.002-04:002008-04-20T20:14:24.325-04:00Managing my moneySooooo... I've kept this excel file ever since I graduated college and started a full time job. This file contains everything I have done w/ every check since July 9, 2004. I can go back and tell you how much of it went on tolls, phone bills, dinner, drinking, flights, etc. It's pretty cool b/c I update it once a month and it helps me realize where my money is going. So when I first moved here I was doing pretty good.. I felt like I was partying a lot yet saving a lot... but then November happened and I think after my China trip it was all downhill... my savings were just decreasing and decreasing... things just added up, weddings, flights, trips, more trips, bdays after bdays... I mean to the point where this morning I was like wait a minute, this is ridiculous!!<br /><br />So I sat down and made a budget for myself. I dont know how realistic this budget is but it starts May 1st. I have an allowance of $130 a week which can roll over and if I overspend will subtract from my next wk. These $130 is for everything = partying, drinking, cabs, lunch, dinners, shopping, etc. I figure, my parents cook every day, I shouldn't have these 30-50 dinner charges on my cc, and i should be taking left overs so i shouldn't have these $10 salads for lunch, and since I don't drink as much I shouldn't have $100 tabs at a bar from buying one round of shots! I also should be responsible and wake up earlier rather than pushing it having to take a cab to lexington in the morning... lol. Anyways, I really hope this works out. I also think I'm going to cut on the random trips. Limit it to 1-2 big trips a yr. I have my whole life to travel (although now is the best time) but I should keep other priorities - studying for my gmat, going to grad school and if not that then buying my own place. Anyways, thats my new budget.. I thought I would share. I'm kind of excited about it. I guess after making myself not drink for 2 months I think I can accomplish anything now... haha. I'll let u know in two months how this worked out.Flacahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17349238510742014717noreply@blogger.com0