find out what it means to me

Californians, (and Americans in general), with all your liberal confidence and carefree, supposedly all-accepting attitudes, learn to respect immigrants (& ppl who arent white), who, in many cases, happen to be the ones who do manual labor around you. Thethought behind that sentence may seem a little flustered, but probably because I have become flustered and frustrated with many Californians who act as if the above-mentioned people are invisible. I had the thought of writing on this subject the other day when I was talking to a friend about how some immigrants who move to California (the US) are not poor and uneducated refugees, rather, there are some who leave behind professional occupations in hopes of furthering their careers in a country that, unfortunately, does not recognize their earned merit.

Just a few minutes ago, a lady came in complaining about one of the janitors in the library who was "cleaning too loud" (he was dusting), and who wasn't being a gentleman??!??!!? What is this? --slavery times when manual laborers are persecuted for not upholding white standards of conduct?? I THINK NOT! I have seen on many occasions here at USC and throughout Los Angeles the mistreatment of Latino, Black, and Asian maintenance and other blue-collar workers, and it is senseless and disgusting. It makes no sense to me how blue-collar workers, who form the backbone of our amerikkkan society can be ignored and mistreated. It really brings pain to my soul to see the people who contribute greatly to (if not make up) the structure and order of things around us all to be treated as if they are nameless. I often go out of my way to speak to and recognize the people around me who are doing maintenance work just to maybe be an example to those around me of the simple civil & courteous mien that could exist. Until the day comes when I can force people to be nice, thats all I can do. So, in light of all that I have written, I urge you, my readers, to try to dispel the attitudes of negativity and the eminence of ignorance when dealing with those who are mistakenly considered lesser and do your part, whatever that may be, to recognize the equality of those around you and treat others as you would want to be treated -- it's simple y'all!!!

_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_let's take care of us+_+_+_+_++_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+

sweet sweet smell.

Friends and family alike are aware of the fact that I work in the library in the a.m. Yea, I usually always talk about how it's not pleasant getting up so early in the morning to go work for the low-paying white man, but Im gonna admit here and now that I actually am learning to like getting up in the damp dewey dark morning while most of yall are still slobbering away at the mouth in your plush warm beds. Some of the advantages:

1. I get to see some of the streets of Los Angeles with no cars em.

2. It's quiet when I walk outside.

3. I get to watch the sun rise everyday.

4. I gotta say I think the dewey air is good to my chocolate skin.

5. On my break, I get to actually hear the birds chirping, not cars honking.

6. If it rains the night before, the palm trees have a sweet sweet scent that I really appreciate. Sometimes this scent is there even when it doesn't rain. Im not sure what exactly it is, but I know it's a mixture of the palms and moisture, and it gets me everytime. Relaxing, soothing, and at the same time, a bit strong, this is truly my favorite smell in the world. Ok, I take that back -- the smell of my Grandmama's house is my favorite smell. But still, wet palm trees is where it's at homie! I can't emphasize enough how wonderful this smell is. For those readers out there who are SC students, I urge you, when it rains (or the day after), to walk beneath the palms on Jefferson on the northern side of the block between Denny's and Yoshinoya...the smell will hit you and your soul, and will bring a sense of newness to your life. G-d is o so good.

**the palm pictured above, and common throughout southern california and western mexico is called a "Washington Palm" -- I worked in horticulture in a past life.**

again....

Hey Friends,

This evening was El Cholo night for me again. Ive been to this West Adams establishment about umteen times and really enjoy the food and warm cramped up Old Mexico feel of the place. The portions are big, which I (as a Texan) enjoy, and the place is really clean. For the evening's particular meal I had some kinda tamale or burrito thing (not really well versed/knowledgeable of Mexican food) and chile relleno (say those two l's like a y -- yeah). See below:

Only drawback of the restaurant: They put too much ice in my water and usually (not tonight) they are a little slow on refilling drinks....Other than that, El Cholo has always facilitated joyous, festive times for the me and whatever group of people I go with, and thats cool wit me..

So far...study week has been a success...studied from 8 - 4 today...If only this roommate of mine would go SOMEWHERE, ANYWHERE would things be a lil bit better...please tell me why he starts his assignments at 10:45pm??? Lord help him ...and help me...

I kinda hate college!! No, like I really do sometimes! I would really like to focus on working and accumulating money rather than than and school! It's okay though, cuz when I get my brownstone in Crown Heights, Brooklyn with a special room for all of my Afrikan art, I'll be good. Im sure He doesnt put too much on us so that we cant bear it...woo, I had to get that out.

toast.

Great Mosque of Djenne

largest mud building in the world in present-day Mali...one of the remnants of the great empires that flourished in Afrika before the invasion of Europeans...definite Islamic influences can be seen in the style of design....peep it.

A centuries-old traditional festival is what keeps the mosque up to par in terms of maintenance. Since Djenne is situated on an island that is subject to serious floods each year, the mosque was built on higher ground to protect it from flood waters...which has so far been successful. Also, inside of each minaret is a spiral staircase that leads to the roof where on top of each minaret is an ostrich egg situated in the spire...

beautiful.

kernel stuck in my throat.

woke up a few days ago not feelin so well, woke up today not feelin well at all...coughin, sore throat, dizzy, headache, weak...but ive been treating it with echinacea and goldenseal and airborne, and gallons of orange juice and water....and prayer....i feel alot better. also, my good friend Sade brought me a plate of food....thank you Jesus and Sade.

now...if i can only stop this continuous pootin.

in other news, my USED-TO-BE BEST FRIEND hated on my favorite band Little Dragon....he's been demoted.

next week is Hell Week before finals...either there will be a whole new drove of blog postings or itll be a little slow. Studying will officially be a 60 hour a week job next week, there's nothing better than the feeling of conquering a final before you go home before Christmas...I need that feeling...also, I want to eat some Indian food before I go home...





... this is MY SONG! i heard it in my friends car while he was in a store a few hours ago, but the radio personality did not say who it was or the name of it...so i wrote the lyrics down in my trusty blackberry, googled em, and found the song on youtube!!!!!! makes me feel like im in this one section of pittsburgh i really like with these old brick brownstones......yea i said it, theres a section of pgh i like...

o and also, today was the last day of working with my kids this semester at the skool i work at....i always forget how important they are to me until i have to leave them for a period of time....dem my babies...they say some crazy things and seem to live in this separate but parallel society...i really wish i could see them each grow to be adults...




(still pootin)

felt on the streets.

Text message:

Lady T (mobile)
Dec 1, 2008 21:08:48
Cnn breaking news..it's official we r n a Recession. don't use credit cards if u don't have 2.

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I love my mama!!

76 DEGREES ON DECEMBER 1st IN THE NORTHERN HEMISPHERE (Little Dragon)

I AM OBSESSED WITH THIS BAND!!! Coming out of Sweden with an electronic -pop-soul sound, they are probably gonna be the next big thing on the music scene (i hope). I found out about them through a new friend of mine who mentioned them in conversation the other day. I have met some non-USC friends and it seems they are constantly introducing me to some new band or musician. Usually, i ignore their suggestions because they're always weird, but some divine intervention forced me to actually listen to Little Dragon, and im glad i did. I can not stop listening to their songs on youtube lol. This week, when i get paid, im gonna ride my butt on over to amoeba and pick up their cd, thats how devoted I am...i need the physical manifestation of this band's genius. Here are two of their pieces of art....ah, off the chain--the heavy steel chain! (Yukimi Nagano be gettin iiitt)




**one of my favorite songs by them is "Place to Belong", but I couldn't find an actual video for the song besides one of a collage of their images so i didnt put it up,, but I heavily recommend that you listen to it if you wanna delve deeper into your knowledge of the entity that is Sundiata, the cowboy in the boat of Ra, the descendant of Noah's son Ham, Solomon & Sheba, Mansa Musa, and most recently, Souanaffe Tustenukke. Yea, go deeper. I love you.