I got another job

I haven't been writing on my blog because I got a job. Now, I'm the not-broke-that-much diva!
Chow bella

Broke Diva (copyright LJM 2006)

I have never bought any stock or reaped any great financial benefits from keeping my nails done, wearing colored contacts, three-inch heels and hair down to my waist but yet I continue to do it.
I buy clothes that can only be worn to a nightclub because if I wore it to the office the boss would want to either send me home or take me home right away.

I am a Diva but I am a Broke Diva.

What if I removed the nail tips (New York manicure courtesy of Hollywood Nails in Griffith, IN) and the waist long stick straight brown hair with light brown streaks? What if I put my clear contact lenses in instead of the amethyst ones I wear?
How would my public receive me then?
(What if I stopped referring to the people that I meet each day as my public?)
What if, with revamped attitude in hand, I reintroduced myself to the world as just plain old Woman? You know, the real me. The me that my friends know. The one they've been knowing since the seventh and eighth grade? Plain old me.
I would be so boring. No one would pay any attention to me. I'd look just like any other woman walking down the street. My nails would revert to the hideous nubbs I once wore. (man hands--ewww)
My hair would just lay there in a layered bob of sorts--you know the mommy/working woman/ housewife hairstyle we have all worn at some point until we got that really great haircut.
The changes I speak of would certainly thrill my family. Although, I wonder if they too have gotten used to noticing my hair before noticing me. I'm sure it lends a certain excitement to their day figuring out how I'll look each day.
HMMMM.... (I'm actually thinking right now, watching the cursor blink.)
Nah, Broke Diva shall reign forever and ever because I like her too.

She's like this past model chick that never modeled but just thought she could, that's all fat and stuff but still has that cheery personality and lots of stories about celebrity sightings and stuff. And she's always into stuff. She seems to lead a very exciting life filled with intrigue, danger and lots and lots of turmoil. (really most of her time--like everyone else's--is spent keeping up appearances)

Yeah, I like Broke Diva and I think I'll keep her. Hey, maybe I'll give her some money so that she's not so broke anymore.
Then she can just be Diva.
(this is me thinking about where I can get a second job, watching the cursor blink)

###yeah###

Original Content

I've been so out-of-hand lately.
I know my place and all but I just don't know what has gotten into me.
For instance, I was told to stay at home and fininsh cleaning but instead I went to work. Now it doesn't matter that it was I who said stay home but why didn't I listen?
Okay, bad example.
Yesterday I was told to shut up but I didn't, Matter of fact, I talked even more. This insanity has to end. I'm putting my foot down.
You know, men folk don't like a sassy woman. They got a war to fight and all and other manly things to do and they don't have time to deal with a sassy-mouthed, hardheaded woman. This I know to be true.
Just ask any of them about it. Ask them if they mind putting up with your mindless chatter, endless requests and paying attention to you. Ask any of them. The answer will be a resounding No!
If you women would just do what the man says, get his dinner on time (and don't burn it) and stay out of his way, the world would be a much, much better place.
There, I said it.

P.S.
Luther Campbell of 2 Live Crew, chimed in on the Middle East war this morning on Fox during Your World with Cavuto.
He said America should stay out of it because it is a regional situation. In other words, if America got into it, it would turn into a free-for-all over there and lead to World War 3.
"I'm sitting there looking at kids dying and women bleeding--I don't think that's good for (anyone)," he said.

Reruns: Stupid Questions

April 2005 was a time for reflection and humor. It's almost as if I didn't write the post because I laughed and I'm still giggling--sorta.
I don't know what I was going through I'm sure it was trivial and blown completely out of proportion by me but go read it anyway.
Click on the title of this post and page down a little and you will see "Stupid Questions."
MsMcCloud

GPD

07-20-06 G-dumping
Copyright LJM 2006

textbox: Become a volunteer to help clean the city. Call public
information at 881-1314.

GARY--It's been going on for years but Thursday, the message was
clear: illegal dumping in Gary will bring jail time and a hefty fine.
Gary Mayor Rudy Clay delivered this message at a press conference
Thursday, hailing the work of code enforcement police who responded
to a call of illegal dumping Wednesday afternoon in the 800 block of
Lincoln Street.
"The lesson that should be learned is that if you dump garbage in
Gary (illegally) you go to jail and your truck will be impounded,"
Clay said.
Clay is taking the tough stance because he said for years, residents
and those who live outside of Gary, have been taking advantage of the
city by dumping their trash and bulk items anywhere they pleased.
According to police reports, Cpl. Len Miller and Ofc. Anthony
Boleware arrived on the scene in squad cars to find two black males
allegedly dumping from a red and blue pick up truck, dry wall and
other construction materials in an alley.
Duane L. Campbell 28, of Gary and Aliel Pettis, 28 of Joliet,
Ill.--but who listed a Gary address, were arrested Wednesday and
charged with criminal mischief, a misdemeanor. Campbell and Pettis
were cited for dumping litter in an alley. Both men are scheduled to
appear in court August 16.
But it didn't have to happen that way.
"On the very next block, there is a dumpster. They were doing
construction on a house. They took everything out of the house and
put it in the garage and in the evening they backed their truck up
and took it out and dumped it in the alley. Miller and Boleware
caught them on a traffic stop," Terry Smith, GPD Inspector, said.
Smith is in charge of code enforcement for the city of Gary.
"This is a continuing investigation," Smith said. The owners of
the house were cited for not having garbage cans or improper garbage
cans, failure to maintain property, unsanitary conditions, creating a
nuisance, accumulation of garbage and unnecessary storage and debris.
Owners of the property on Lincoln Street can face thousands of
dollars in fines. Campbell and Pettis are not only facing fines for
the misdemeanor arrest and code enforcement violations but also have
a $1,000 bond, Smith said.
The mayor kicked off a clean Gary initiative in May and since then
has staged several clean -up efforts involving volunteers and the
General Services Department.
Clay has asked citizens to clean around their homes and to involve
their neighbors. He has asked residents to remove abandoned cars from
property and dispose of hazardous and bulk waste appropriately.
Gary residents may dump bulk items free of charge two times a day at
4710 Industrial Highway and three times per week at an east side
residential drop-off site located at 15th Avenue and Clay Street.
However moving vans, trailers and dump trucks must pay commercial
rate.
###

GFD

g-firefighter 07-19-06
Copyright LJM 2006
GARY--They endured 20 weeks of pre-dawn jogging, classwork and
intensive training but it
all paid off Wednesday when 11 men were inducted as Gary's newest
firefighters.
"This is the first class of 2006. I hope each one invests 20 years.
These are wartime
recruits. They have to be very aware of their surroundings because
this is a high alert
area. We are the front line responders," Gary Fire Department Chief
Robert Walker said.
His thoughts were echoed within each recruit.
"I hope to have a great career and save many lives," Juan Gonzalez,
28 from East Chicago,
said.
Sultan Jaber said he joined because of the respect firefighters
receive in the community
and a chance to save lives. He also understood the sadness he may
encounter if they are too
late.
"Being a fireman is not an easy career," Gary Deputy Mayor Geraldine
Tousant, said.
Walker said the department is replacing the 21 retiring fire
personnel, so another class of
firefighters may soon be trained.
The men stood tall in their dress blues as they walked across the
stage at the Genesis Center to receive their badges.
"It helped me develop self esteem. It's the brotherhood and the love
you get from the
other firefighters. The training I received prepared me and so I will
lose any fears,
Jamier Ruffin, 23, of Gary said.
Mark Everette, GFD Chief of Training, said recruits are trained
beyond the state requirements.
"They are trained to firefighter II, the highest level of
certification. It's hard to keep
up with training outside of the structure of the academy so we train
them ahead of time so
that they may pursue other certifications. You can't get any other
certifications in the
state with out firefighter II training.
He said all training is done in house. They must pass an agility
test, lift a 60 pound extension ladder, run a mile in 10 minutes and
be tested for claustrophobia and vertigo.
"Training weeds them out. We started with 12," Everette said.
He also took the recruits for a run through the city's neighborhoods
ever morning at 5:45 a.m. He acknowledged their success in a speech.
"Some of you were out of shape. We ran through each community so they
could become familiar with the different regions of the city," he said.
Each recruit received 260 hours classroom training since Emergency
Medical Service is now the firefighter's primary response in Gary,
Everette said.
"This training can take them anywhere," he said.
###

Celebrating 100 Years

g-unity 07-15-06
COPYRIGHT LJM 2006

GARY--Hundreds settled in for sausage, grits, eggs, biscuits and
gravy Saturday morning at the Gary Centennial Unity Breakfast held
inside the Genesis Center. There was a cheerful buzz in the room
about anything from the massive steel sculpture, the Fusion--which
would later be dedicated--to the glee at seeing old colleagues.
It was a time where many reflected on how far the city has come and
where it is heading.
"This day means strength, pride and accomplishments. We've been here
100 years and it's still going strong and we're looking forward to
growth and opportunity," Mirna Gonzalez said. She stood in line with
her husband, Naftali--a retired Gary fireman--in one of several
gigantic breakfast buffets spread around the open auditorium.
"I've been here since 1964", her husband, said.
They also brought their grandson.
"We wanted him to experience part of the history", Mirna Gonzalez said.
Many expressed curiosity about their city and wanted to get to know
Gary in another way.
"We have a great city here that very few people know anything about,"
Rufus Purnell said. He bought a 455 page hard-bound copy of "Gary
Indiana A Centennial Celebration" that was on sale at the event.
There was a mix of politician and average citizen at the breakfast
and everyone mingled.
"I believe the city of Gary has a very rich history and the history
is in the people," Gary City Clerk Suzette Raggs said.
Dharathula Millender, founder of the Gary Historical Society, stood
just ahead of Raggs with a member of the Gary Historical Society.
Millender was reconnecting with old friends.
"(I'm keeping) in contact with all ethnic groups, which is evident,"
Millender said, pointing to her friend and colleague, Carolyn Lisek,
whose father was a Gary business owner. Lisek is a member of the
Historical Society.
"I wanted to see what this was all about," Lisek said.
Dorthia Battle said she was glad to see the city come together for
the event. She sang with the Family Christian Center Choir, as a part
of the celebration.
The Rev. Dr. Stephan Munsey, pastor of Family Christian Center in
Munster, said his speech would span the past, present and future of
Gary. He also said Gary is an unusual city.
"Our society came in here 168,000 strong at the time of the
Industrial Revolution. No city or government can begin to understand
how to equip those many people. It was like fast money coming in one
day, going out the next," he said.
"We found ourselves in the 60s. The explosion began to come to a head
and we found we were really not ready as a city, when the winds of
the storm came. Many people disbanded and didn't know what to do. No
one is critical of the leadership--they did the best we could. I read
the history. We must do again what Mr. Gary did when nothing was here
and he said, 'something's going to happen.'" he said.
Some in attendance already had Mr. Gary's idea in mind. There were
vendors outside of the Genesis Center who had anything from snow
cones to memorabilia for sale. It seemed to show an appreciation for
the city's 100th birthday.
"I love Gary, Indiana. This is the start of something big. With the
influx of people we have from other communities such as
Chicago--that's generating a different kind of interest that people
thought we'd never have in this city. And I really love the Fusion,"
Eric Johnson, Public Affairs Director, WGVE 88.7 said.
###

It Was Almost Like A Religious Experience

Frankie Beverly poses with fan, Leslie McCloud

I had never seen Frankie Beverly featuring Maze live before tonight. It was almost like a religious experience. It was like getting your first choice in anything. It was like falling in love over and over again. It was like getting exactly what you
want and having it work out all right.
It was like a sigh. It was like tears of joy. It was like a Baby's first smile. It was like all was right without the world. It was Frankie Beverly and Maze. These guys have been around for 40 years and they still got it going on. Frankie got some chops. He gives love to the audience and of course, the audience loves him back.
It was the most amazing thing I have ever seen. And he's cute too.
I told Mr. Beverly that "I Can Tell By the Look in Your Eyes, That You're Falling In Love With Me." (ooh baby) He said, "Yeah" and nodded his head.
That is one of my favorite songs. He looked at me--I guess to see if he could judge my age or maybe that I noticed he didn't sing it or maybe that he sang everything else almost and I still mentioned that one. All of their songs are my favorites. People were at the outdoor concert Chicago Style Stepping and showing out with it and looking good too. Folks were doing the electric slide (a dance) in the grass--and doing it well.
But when they performed "Joy and Pain" Lawd we all lost it. He bongoed and keyborded and teased us with the intro. I wiped tears later, thinking about it. The crowd unleashed what ever they were holding back into one great big fury of Joy.

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