Chic Speaks!

Quick Notes

Check out Sarah Silverman's vulgar passionate profanity filled support of Obama, The Great Schlep.com, http://www.thegreatschlep.com/site/index.html The brilliant way she tied together the similarities of old Jewish grandmothers with young black men was hilarious. Who knew track suits and the words "Yo" and "Oy" could bring people together? Thanks Sarah S. You're always enlightening. Also check out her hilarious video, I'm F***ing Matt Damon, on You Tube. It's so entertaining that she even won an Emmy for it.

On another note, I have become obsessed with the film, The Way We Were. And I ask myself, why did it take me so long?

New Kids on the Block

As a wee girl in the late 80's early 90's, I, like millions of other girls, was obsessed with New Kids On The Block. When they first began I was resistant to liking them (I have no clue why). But quickly their infectious, boy band sex appeal over took me. Soon I had posters, albums, and my first huge crush on a musician.

We all have our favorites. Ask any girl who loved New Kid's who their favorite was and they will respond right away. The two absolutely most popular ones was Jordan Knight and Joey McIntyre. I still have an old diary with the picture of Jordan Knight on it and the entry read something like, "One day I'm going to marry Jordan. I hope he's not too old by the time I turn 18." I had crushes on boys just because they looked like Jordan and this crush went strong for a while. Later I developed a dual crush on Joey McIntyre, which I felt guilty about but could not deny. My sister reminded me about the NKOTB cartoon that aired for awhile that we watched as excited as if it were the live boys themselves. Oh, those were good times. But by the time I was in grade nine had moved on to Lenny Kravitz.

When I first heard that NKOTB were touring, I thought it was a joke. Though I remembered them fondly I couldn't imagine anyone caring enough to see them now, 15 years or so after their hay day. Then my friend Lisa, her favorite is Joey McIntyre, excitedly admitted that she bought tickets to the concert on the first day. I was shocked. Now today I was speaking to my friend Carole, she got a call on the other line and came back very excited about something. She then told me she too was going to see NKOTB. Her favorite is, again, Joey McIntyre. She was the last girl I could imagine going to see them. But she said she was proud and would be screaming so hard that she may not have a voice left by Monday. So all this made me curious about what I liked about them in the beginning. I listened to some of my old Cd's and was reminded quickly. I think they were a far superior boy band then all that followed them. They had great songs, great vocals and something natural about them. After enjoying some of my old tunes I decided to post a list below of some of their best songs.

Chaka's NKOTB Play-list

Please don't go girl (Still love)

Step by Step

I'll be loving you forever

Didn't I (Blow Your Mind This Time)

There were others but I these were some of my favorite. So now as I sit here, strolling up memory lane, I finally understand how fun it would be to do the same with thousands of  other girls.

Ode to my iPod

Songs that make me go...ewww!

I love music! I was raised on everyone from Sade to Fleetwood Mac. I was obsessed with Lenny Kravitz throughout my teens and most of my twenties.  I have seen tons of concerts, I constantly have my nose buried in bios on icons like Janis Joplin and Miles Davis, and writing for Rolling Stone magazine is one of my dream jobs! One day!

Because of this passion and lust for music when I dislike a song, the dislike goes so deep that I actually experience a physical reaction when I hear it. That reaction can be anything from body chills, headaches, or in extreme cases a fight or flight reaction that has me stumbling towards the radio or television in a desperate attempt to turn of the tune before its lyrics re-embed itself in my brain.

Last night as I watched the finale of American Idol (congratulations Jordin!) my poor ears heard a lot of music that it would have preferred not to hear but I could deal with it. Then they announced Bette Midler was coming on and I got excited. I love Bette Midler, she’s feisty and unique and a real entertainer. As I leaned forward to hear what new tune she would be singing she let lose one of the songs I dislike most in the world… Wind Beneath My Wings.

I love you Bette but I despise that sappy, over sentimental, dramatic, depressing song. I ran to the television, stubbed my toe, screamed, while diving to quickly change the channel. But it was too late. As I feared, a little bit of that song is now in my head. I sat on the floor fuming about why American Idol would have Bette singing that downer (I don’t care if that’s the song most people know her for), I realized there are only two other songs that evoke this run for your life response in me.

“Up where we belong,” sang by Joe Cocker and Jennifer Warnes

And

“You lost that loving feeling,” sang by The Righteous Brothers

What it is about these three tunes that irks me, I still don’t know. What I do know is that the irk runs deep. Real deep. But American Idol's music ordeal last night made me appreciate something in my life I’ve been taking for granted lately, my iPod. So this posting is dedicated to my beautiful little blue iPod that only plays the music I want to hear. Thanks for being in my life!

ECO Friendly Girl!

Earth Girl to the Rescue...

I consider myself an environmentalist but lately I realize that I have not grown as an environmentalist. I am vigilant about recycling and have been for years. For the last year I have pretty much stopped taking department or grocery store bags since I now carry my own which I reuse. I turn off all my lights when they're not in use and I turn off and unplug my electronics every night (or when I'm out of the house). But I still have not taken the steps to becoming the kind of Earth Girl I know I can be, and I refuse to be a stunted environmentalist. So I have begun doing research and decided that I will start taking bigger steps in becoming earth friendly.

So my new steps added to the list will be:

1: Replace the light bulbs in my house with Premium compact Fluorescent bulbs. Compact Fluorescent bulbs use less energy and last 10 time longer then the old ones.  (I'm going to look for the pure white or buttery golden lights so that I can still look gorgeous when I look into the mirror).

2: Eat Organic more regularly. I've decided to budget about 50 dollars a month to buy organic alternatives from Whole Foods. I can't afford to shop completely organic but its a start.

3: Stop the Junk mail that comes regularly to my house. It's a waste of paper and more importantly a waste of my time.

4: Start buying Green Cleaning products. I've also decided to buy this great pure Vegetable Marseille soap (Traditional French made soap), which has no fragrance or colour added to it, that you can use to do laundry, take out stains and its Bio-degradable. A friend of mine shaves a bucket worth of soap out of a few bars and sprinkles it in when she does laundry or hand washes her clothes instead of regular store bought detergent.

5: Look into getting a Water Filter at home so that I can stop buying water bottles (which uses a lot of energy in its transportation and often end up in landfills).

This is a move in a good direction so I'm going to start this week (on pay day). I'm looking forward to being more conscious in my shopping habits. I want to feel like I'm making an effort to give back to the earth what it gives to me everyday. Don't get me wrong, I still love my leather, and I will never be a complete vegan tree hugger (not that there's anything wrong with that), but I do know we all need to be doing more. And considering that 2050 is the year they predict we will be at the point of no return if we do not make changes now petrifies me because I would only be a young senior in 2050 and I don't want to be watching the world come to an end (especially if I have children in it).

For those who are also interested check out this great article which will give you lots of tips. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/16399617/site/newsweek/

And if anyone can give me more good tips please do. I would really appreciate it!

Be Chic Baby!

Tribute to the men of the World Cup!

The Boys of Summer 2006!!!!!

For the month of June I was inspired! Soccer my favorite sport in the world, not because I have clue about how the game works but because of the site of chiseled young beautiful men, grunting various sexy languages as they run, jump, and use their heads in ways, well only footballers can, proving time and time again that stamina is not just a word, leaves me feeling glad to be alive, and glad to be a woman.

Yes, this 2006 World Cup did not disappoint, though due to work constraints I was not able to actually see any games, I still kept up to date on when each of my hotties were playing. Once my team Brazil was out, I still supported my other boys sweating it out on the field day after day (what a lucky field), and though in the final showdown I was hoping for France to win I was not disappointed when Italy won simply because one of the most beautiful men in the game, Fabio, looked so darn sexy when he won, screaming with raw glory, that smile from ear to ear. Oh Fabio, you can be the captain of my team 24/7 365 days a year.

But Italy was not the only winners. Chic Girls would like to pay tribute to the other game hotties who gave it all they had.

Adriano: Brazil- Yummy, young and so so so full of energy and fire. At only 23 I bet he will be hotter in 2010 (the next world cup championship).

Ronaldo: Brazil-One of the first soccer hotties I ever loved. He doesn't have a perfectly chiseled face or perfect smile but he is sexy as hell.

Beckham: Take away Posh, the fancy clothes, and the glamorous ad campaigns, this man could have nothing but soccer shorts and a ball and he would still be one of the most stimulating eye catching things I have ever laid eyes on.

Final shout out to: CRISTIANO RONALDO, a little to "I'm pretty and I know it" for me but this gorgeous Portugal player has a lot of girls...and boys eager for the next World Cup.

In 2010 the World Cup will be held in South Africa and I have every intention on being there. I expect to be a very well paid writer by then who can spend the entire month partying it up and enjoying the beauty of these men up up front and center in beautiful South Africa. Who'll join me?

Original or Carbon copy?

Lately I've been reading a lot of magazines. Most of the time I recognize how standard magazine writing seems to be, every beauty writer using the same words, every music journalist sounding like overzealous fans, often times using too many words to describe one measly song. It sort of makes me feel better (because I realize their is a standard form any lazy writer can adhere too) and then it depresses me because I wonder is it so difficult to have a unique writing voice?

Sometimes I read my own writing and I want to puke because I can see that I have fallen into this writing voice that seems concocted. At other times I dream about writing for huge magazines like Vogue, Rolling Stone, Essence, GQ and ELLE, living the real Carrie Bradshaw, Sex and City life. Then I ask myself if those opportunities presented themselves tomorrow what would distinguish me from every other "good" writer out there?

Look at everything in life, musicians, models, actors, doctors, professors. Why does one person become Oprah while another is Gayle (her best friend who is also a journalist). Why is there Grammy winner Kelly Clarkson (while other AI winners have fallen into obscurity)?  I guess my real question is what makes someone "good" and someone "the best"? What makes someone unique?

A few days ago on my day off I was watching this fashion makeover show. A young girl, who is a big Alicia Keyes fan, was being made over to look like Alicia Keyes. Supposedly people come up to her all the time telling her she looks like Alicia Keyes (which she did not. Not whatsoever, besides her light skin) even the people doing her makeup, hair and clothes said they didn't see it. But once she got all made up to look like Keyes, from the braids to the make-up and the signature style, she seemed to come a live, posing like Keyes for a photo shoot. She said she had studied pics of Keyes all night, and I will admit she nailed the photo shoot. But I wondered why some people take so much pride in mimicking others? For me I rather be an original then a brilliant knockoff of someone else.

Then again I realize that not everyone has the same dream and not everyone places the same value on the idea of success. My "good" may be one person's "mediocre" and another person's "Best". In the end I guess the real goal is figuring out what you have to offer, know your limits while not limiting yourself. Being yourself even when its so much easier to be someone else.

It's a fine balance but it is the key.

Chic Speaks: Updates

Hollywood splits galore....

Russell Simmons and wife Kimora lee recently announced that they will be divorcing. I was shocked yet not shocked. They seem like an odd over dramatic, overindulgent couple to begin with. I just don't understand how people can be together for so long (15 years) and it isn't until after they have kids that they decide to call it a day. You would think that having kids would at least make them try harder. Anyway, according to Page Six both stars are back on the wagon, dating other people. I guess Tyra, Lee's best friend must be excited to have her old party gal best friend back on the market with her. Also Matt LeBlanc, (Joey from friends) and his wife of 3 years announced a split. Can anyone make it work in Hollywood? Hell, can anyone make it work in real life?

I've been listening to Matisyahu, he's this amazing Hasidic reggae singer. He's getting a lot of attention in the L.A., New york music scene. Real inspirational, soothing, warm beats and lyrics. I love old school reggae and he has brought such an interesting twist to it. Love it!

Starr Jones revealed her new babies (breast implants) this morning. Prancing out in an over sized bra, then whipping it off to reveal the more modest models (B small C cup). Hey, she looks good (for Starr Jones) and I know she will enjoy flaunting em. Watch out Pam!

I was recently reading about this file sharing lawsuit in Nashville, where these two guys are facing 11 years in prison for releasing four tracks from an advance copy CD of Adam's Jacksonville City Nights album. While I recognize File sharing is wrong and illegal especially when songs from unreleased albums are put out there (cheating the artist before they even have a chance to bring it out themselves), I think 11 years in prison is alittle extreme (don't cha think). We have f***** child molesting, sickos out there trading child porn back and forth, setting up websites where they exploit children for kicks, and they get 3 years in jail. We need to get our priorities straight. The people in power care more about losing money then protecting children. Bull ****!!!

Prince has a new CD coming out. The first track Black Sweat sounds good to me. Even though my mom says it doesn't sound as good as his Purple Rain days. But I think it has that sexy vibe again and I love it. Can't wait for Prince. Maybe when he goes on tour I will finally be able to see him in concert. My good friend E, has seen him like 6 times.

I'm reading this book by Zadie Smith, called "On Beauty". I hate to say it but I hate it up to now. I really really wanted to like her work, possibly because she looks fascinating to me and I have been planning to read her work for a few years now. But up to now  she's really testing my reading enjoyment. My sister read it before me and didn't enjoy it and a girl at work told me she tried to read Smith's first book, White teeth, and couldn't finish it. This amazes me because she has been raved about by huge authors. Her work has been called brilliant, funny, insightful etc etc. Yet I find that she has this friggin annoying need to describe every gesture someone makes as if she's trying to show how observant and articulate she is. Here's and example: "Kiki reached out her own hands in a cross towards her son. He grabbed both and heaved himself up" (PG. 46). Was there some reason to describe how she crossed her arms? It feels a little unnecessary to me.

She also has a dramatic wordy way of writing almost every sentence, as if she has so much cute little phrases she's determined to use she doesn't care how clumsy or tedious they come off as. "This nodded at the recent trouble. It was an offer to kick open a door in the mansion of their marriage leading on to an ante-chamber of misery. The offer was declined" (pg. 15). Anyway I'm only 60 pages in, I will try to look past the annoyances and get to the heart of the story.

I am off for now. Will be back with more gossip and opinions soon....

Have you checked out Simply Chic yet? Check it out people!

TV withdrawl

I'm currently experiencing Reality TV withdrawal. Yes, I am one of those pathetic reality show junkies who keep real actors out of work. There was a time when many of my favorite reality shows came on on Tuesdays, my friends knew not to call starting from 8pm, and for those who forgot, I would make sure to turn off the ringer to prevent any interruptions.

My favorites are:

Starting over: (and inspirational daytime reality show for women)

Amazing Race: (takes me around the world without needing to use my maxed out visa)

America's Next Top model: (the show that actually helps me tolerate Tyra and sometimes really like her)

Project Runway: (I love watching bitchy designers fight it out for fashion)

Nanny 911: (Explains why so many kids grow up to be nuts)

American Idol: (I love you Simon!!!)

TLC Shows: (I can spend an evening on this channel alone)

Biggest Loser: (Thrilling)

Survivor: (When I'm really desperate)

I know I'm probably missing some but you get the drift, these shows do not include my faithful daily viewing of Oprah, Judge Judy, Judge Mathis, Judge Millian, Seinfeld, and I will admit it Tyra's talk show (don't say a word).

Anyway the point of this tribute to TV is that I've been so busy actually doing something with my life that I have lost track with my beloved reality shows. Plus my VCR is taking a tantrum and has forced me to actually read. Weening off of TV has made me think about wild things, like exercising and stuff. Even though I know a more casual relationship with my TV is needed, I miss her, a lot. I think she feels I've deserted her and that's why the VCR is in revolt. But a girl has to do what a girl has to do.

Anyone who can update me on some of my faves feel free... I would appreciate it.

My Life Updates: Oprah updates

Two weeks ago I wrote a piece called "One little step for one little girl" about a little baby girl in Brazil who was abandoned in a horrible way by her mother and survived. Her story inspired me to sponsor a child from Brazil. Today I was on the OPRAH website site www.oprah.com (which I am on often especially since I got a job and can't watch her everyday) On the previous day's show Oprah talked about this little survivors miraculous story. I was so happy to know her story has not been forgotten. Below is the little blurb about her from Oprah's website.

"In a crowded park in Brazil, visitors rushed to the water's edge when they heard cries coming from a black plastic bag. Home video captures the dramatic moment when a man fishes a bag out of the lake with a tree branch. To everyone's shock, inside the bag was a 2-month-old baby girl wearing a soaked pink dress.

After the baby was rescued, Brazilians mobbed the hospital hoping to get a glimpse of the child. Today, the little girl is in the care of child protective authorities and has recovered fully. Police have arrested the baby's mother and charged her with attempted homicide".

I give Oprah so much respect for her passion and commitment to the protection of children. Her predator watch is incredible. The public has turned in 4 child molesters in, in the last five months. It's ashamed money is such a motivator for people to do what's right but if that's what it takes to kick off awareness then so be it. Finally, the tables are being turned on these predators.

My New Friend!

Ironically, the day before I finally received a picture and information about my little pal from Brazil, who I am sponsoring. I originally planned on sponsoring an older child but instead I have been connected with a young girl named Kaylanne (she's a chubby adorable two year old Sagittarius :) I felt a lot of joy when I received the package. A friendship has been born. I did not go with the Christan Children's fund. I had some real doubts about the organization and did some research that confirmed my feelings. When I called the next morning to cancel my plan the operator actually quoted from the bible when I tried to share my concerns. That felt very strange and uncomfortable to me, and if they are behaving that way with me it makes me wonder what kind of religious hoops needy people in developing countries have to jump through (or conform to) in order to get the help they need.

Instead I went with the Foster Parents Plan. They appear to be a very ethical organization. They have no religious affiliation. They are very transparent and forthright regarding where the money goes (i.e to the people and administration costs). I feel good about my choice.

A Working Girl...again!

I began a new little part time job. I love the store and the people I'm working with but this has been a dramatic week. Yesterday some woman stole a gift box from the store practically right before my eyes (she had distracted me by asking for a price of soap). It ruined my day. It's shocking how someone can look you straight in the eye and be so cunning. It disturbs me. She was an older woman too so I didn't suspect her (though I did sense something strange about her). Another woman stuck her tongue out at me as I stared out the window. I was shocked because she didn't look like a nut ball (which made it even more weird).

My knees and feet hurt and I have been up all night trying to complete articles that are due tomorrow! Plus my eyebrows could rival Frida Kahlo's, though she pulled them off much more chic, (but I haven't had the money to get mine cleaned up). I guess this is the glamorous life of a penniless newbie writer! But I have ordered the Fashion Chanel again ( need to be up on all the latest fashion and beauty for my writing). I subscribed to Rolling Stone magazine, and have been reading like crazy and not sleeping in (very difficult). All this in the name of writing!

OPRAH AGAIN...

Oprah recently had a show on about Black women who date White men for the movie Something New, staring Sanaa Lathan and Simon Baker. Though I thought dating between different ethnicity's is a passe topic. I was wrong because boy did Oprah's show stir up a lot of conversation. I went into the chat rooms and spent the hour before work reading various posts, it was very interesting.This one being one of the most interesting.... posted by woodykat...

I don't see why this surprises anyone... It's been coming a very long time. There are elements to our culture that have telling black men and white women that they are "victims", driving them to self-centeredness. Is it any wonder that self-centered people gravitate to one another? Those kinds of people are in relationships for what they can TAKE from the other. So who are the truly marginalized populations of this movement? White men and black women. White men and black women want to live lives of dignity and respect. White men are TIRED of being ashamed of their "whiteness" and the things that make them "square" good men. Black women are TIRED of being portrayed as someones "b*tch","hoe" or welfare mama. These two marginalized group have a LOT in common. I'm as white bread as they come and I date black women exclusively now because most of them seem to have their head screwed on straight and know what they want. They are less likely to play games. More than anything, they want someone who will RESPECT them...and I do. I catch more heat from other black people about my relationships than I do other whites. I had one black co-worker tell me I was just like a slave owner who wanted to knock up a girl slave. That is hate speech and I could've had him fired for it, but I'm bigger than that. It's his problem...not mine. In the meantime, I'm getting ...and giving... the best loving of my life. Everyone has an opinion.... Let's all thank Oprah for keepin people talkin...

The high price of success. Hard work!

I realized this week why I've always been a dreamer, why dreaming is so powerful. Dreaming is seductive because actual work, the sweat and toil required to make your dreams come true, is friggin hard! For the first time in my writing "career," I find myself juggling a few writing gigs and a new little part time job, and at one point this week I became so exhausted that I couldn't see straight. Until the last two months or so my success plan has consisted of junk food binges, two hour phone conversations, countless hours of TV and pointless (but enjoyable) shopping sprees. Then i would immerse myself in a few days of furious wild binge writing that would leave me overwhelmed, with tons of pitches unfinished. Disappointed with myself, I would yet again find myself replaying the vicious pointless cycle over and over again. Recently I have made a consistent effort (one that I have never maintained before) to set goals and follow through with them and this plan is actually working (who woulda thought!). Yet right when I think I'm doing enough I realize I haven't yet scratched the surface.

I've been subscribing to two great writing websites for the last couple years www.absolutewrite.com and www.mridukhullar.com. Both sites are incredible and I have often spent late nights pouring over their writing tips. I would then run out, passionate and purposeful, ready to become a professional writer. I spent tons of money buying all the writing paraphernalia, smooth writing pens, thick creamy paper, funky little business cards and matching letterhead, race home and dive into writing. Within a few days I was surrounded by gorgeous writing accessories but the actual writing part never quite got off the ground. For the next few weeks or months I found myself absorbed in my usual Seinfeld reruns, Sex and the City DVDs and working some job I wasn't passionate about.

Today I was reading some of my old writers crossing tips (www.mridukhullar.com) and I was, let's say a little freaked out, when I read one of her tips that suggest a writer send 10 pitches out per week (she said during rough financial times she sends out double that) that amazed me, but the kicker was when she said that a new writer,  like myself, should attempt to sent 5 PITCHES A DAY! Yes, I said 5 PITCHES A DAY! I am ashamed to admit that I have probably sent out 10 pitches in the past two years and those 10 pitches also represent the culmination of pitches I've ever finished.

I've always known that success takes extreme hard work and dedication. Micheal Jordon has discussed that when he initially got rejected for his high school basketball team, he refused to accept the rejection as final, and spent the following summer practicing hundreds upon hundreds of free throws a day, the rest is history (as they say). And that's where I believed it ended, practice obsessively and then achieve great success and sail off into the sunset. I didn't want to admit or more accurately, I didn't understand the hard work that one must do to build a foundation that great success can stand on. It takes discipline, resilience, determination and faith.

So March is here, (my birth month) and I have made the decision to push it a little more. Step it up a notch or two. Make goals outside of my comfort zone. It's exciting and as Mridu explained the more you put out there the more you will get back.