tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-85806356603497467552024-03-14T10:28:59.235-04:00Kimolisa Was HereKimolisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16624029898830661332noreply@blogger.comBlogger1511125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580635660349746755.post-25436835723090014442017-03-01T18:49:00.000-05:002017-03-01T18:49:42.242-05:00I Was Split Going In: A Movie Review<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Let me begin by saying I was split in going to watch this movie. Part of me wanted to see James McAvoy, I view him as an amazing actor and was looking forward to him playing multiple characters. But part of me didn't want to see a movie by M. Night Shyamalan.<br />
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It Started With A Love Affair</h4>
It was back in 1999, my first semester at college and I went to see a movie by myself in NYC. The movie was the <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0167404/" target="_blank">Sixth Sense</a> and I loved it. I mean tell everyone I know loved it. I held Shyamalan in high esteem because he made this thrilling, thought provoking movie and I was like<br />
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Then he disappointed me. And I truly understood the meaning of there being a thin line between love and hate. Hell, he did <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1815862/" target="_blank">After Earth</a>!! I couldn't even make it through to the middle. Woosah.<br />
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But This Is Different</h4>
So my sister drags me out of the house and we go to see this movie and at first, I'm hating the opening credits. Then the movie starts and I'm getting into it. McAvoy is amazing, be on the look out for Hedwig and et cetera. Be prepared to laugh a little, have your mind blown a little. Be ready to feel the suspense and to yell at the screen. You know there has to be at least one trusting person that you are waiting for them to be killed.<br />
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It may appear like a single narrative, but there are two going on and as the movie continues you have an understanding of the female lead and why she is what she is and how it saves her. I must say in promoting the movie it wasn't given it away and I feel like Shyamalan has come full circle. Oh, and stay for the end because you might see an unexpected character.<br />
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Why To Watch Split</h4>
If you like to watch a thriller that is beautifully crafted and has you engaged, watch this movie. If you want to see an actor do his thang, watch this movie. If you are looking to watch an M. Night Shyamalan movie and not leave the theatre feeling lackluster, watch this movie.<br />
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Then again, this is my opinion, watch it for yourself and come to your own.Kimolisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16624029898830661332noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580635660349746755.post-48297959243605453482017-02-14T23:47:00.000-05:002017-02-14T23:47:02.109-05:00Resident Evil: The Final Chapter-ish: A Movie Review<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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So I just finished watching Resident Evil: The Final Chapter and I will be honest with you, this is the first Resident Evil that I've watched all the way through. Granted at various times during the movie I questioned why I went, especially as I haven't watched a suspense filled or jump scare movie in a while. Still, I watched it and I'm not mad that I did because at least I watched it, if I had watched it on Cable or streaming I would have switched the channel due to my being a chicken of sorts.<br />
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The Theatre</h3>
Now part of going to the movies is the audience, but what happens when some of the audience should not be present. For instance, the parents who thought it wise to bring their toddler to a <b>Resident Evil</b> movie. Or those individuals with their cellphone spotlights trying to get the right angle to take a selfie (we're in a dark movie theatre, you don't need to chronicle that ish). Or the lovely young lady who thought it wise to scroll through FaceBook during the opening scenes of the movie. Really, she got all dolled up, lace front wig, make up, tight-tight dress to scroll through FaceBook.<br />
Le Sigh.<br />
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Too Much</h3>
I love me some Ruby Rose. I even did a <a href="http://asilomik.blogspot.com/2015/07/girl-crush-ruby-rose.html" target="_blank">girl crush post</a>, but honey, you are wearing yourself thin. Between XXX, John Wick and Resident Evil, you are in three of the seven movies at the cinema. One of the others is about Black Women in the space program, one is Fifty Shades Darker and the other is a Lego movie. Love you, babe, but I'm getting tired of seeing you.<br />
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Movie</h3>
It ties up the story in a nice bow, giving me and others who are not Resident Evil fans an understanding of what's going on in well times flash backs in between explosive action scenes. Still some of the scenes were predictable and I'm not sure that is going to work on me as a movie goer.<br />
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Yes, a person loving a particular genre of movie or film would like to see it follow a particular formula, but it would be nice to give us a gasp, amazing. I guess that is why John Wick blew minds, or The Matrix. Not so much Keanu Reeves but giving movie goers something new, pulling them in to know what will happen next.<br />
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We knew the protagonist was going to live, then die. We knew, well, I knew, who was the mole, how the bad guy was going to die and that almost everyone is <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Redshirt_(character)" target="_blank">a red shirt</a>. But isn't that the case in all the Resident Evil movies?<br />
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I'm not mad that I went to see the final installment, that is why I went in the first place, but it's not something to say "Oh My God, I'm glad I saw this movie!" Oh, lest I forget, I did appreciate the medieval warfare in terms of the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trebuchet" target="_blank">Trebuchet</a> (not only a font) and the cascading wall of fire.<br />
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I will now end with my favourite phrase from the movie:<br />
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"trifecta of bitches"</blockquote>
Watch the movie to find out what that is all about.<br />
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<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Resident_Evil:_The_Final_Chapter" target="_blank">image source</a>Kimolisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16624029898830661332noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580635660349746755.post-37810293431513845992016-01-06T20:13:00.002-05:002016-01-06T20:13:43.409-05:00Star Wars Force Awakens - Movie Review<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I was tempted to title this post "When a Trekkie goes to watch Star Wars" but I decided to keep it simple so I stuck to the usual. Anywhoo, last night went to see Star Wars Force Awakens and on a whole I felt "meh". First things first,<br />
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<b>The premise</b><br />
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<span>Thirty years after the defeat of the Galactic Empire, the galaxy
faces a new threat from the evil Kylo Ren (Adam Driver) and the First
Order. When a defector named Finn crash-lands on a desert planet, he
meets Rey (Daisy Ridley), a tough scavenger whose droid contains a
top-secret map. Together, the<span class="_dgc"> young duo joins forces
with Han Solo (Harrison Ford) to make sure the Resistance receives the
intelligence concerning the whereabouts of Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill),
the last of the Jedi Knights.</span></span> </blockquote>
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<b>What I liked?</b><br />
I liked the action, I liked the droid, I liked the villain's hair. I liked Rey's pants near the end. LOL. What can I say, it was an action packed movie with humour and a leaning towards mysticism. Was it a bad movie? No, but it didn't leave me feeling as though I saw an epic movie like I felt after watching <i>John Wick</i> or <i>Her.</i> I felt lacklustre and as though Hollywood tried to do better than the previous movies instead of making it a damn good movie.<br />
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<b>What I didn't like?</b><br />
I didn't like that they didn't explore mature love. Here is Han Solo and General Leia meeting for the first time after he skipped out on her because he couldn't handle his son going over to the dark side. Hell, Chewy (I know I spelled that wrong) gave her a hug long before Han did. And the extent of their affection was a lacklustre hug. Memo to Hollywood, old people do kiss, it's not relegated to the young.<br />
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I know I'm nitpicking on this one, but Finn should have been dead in the scene when he was caught by the rolling octopus. I'm just saying, if these things killed the bad guys on first contact but gives the brother a tour of the ship, I call foul.<br />
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As for the brother, Finn, you are a very moist person. Sorry, I couldn't help but notice when you sweated. Also there was a point where you entered the realm of Kevin Hart when it came to your humour and it didn't work for me as it pulled me out of the movie. But I must say, I've grown to like storm troopers.<br />
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<b>In my last breath</b><br />
Star Wars is for the fans, they get the little nuances of the story and love to watch the dynamic between the dark side and .... the light side? For me, I went with an open mind and enjoyed parts of it but as a whole, I would rather have watched it at the end of a Star Wars marathon on cable. Oh, and I'm nitpicking again, but I felt the intro was a bit dated. I mean I recognize it for what it was but it didn't feel like new blood. It felt like the franchise hadn't moved on but promised the same old same old. That's my take on it.<br />
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<b>Should you watch it?</b><br />
Sure, if you are into Star Wars, space opera's, intergalactic dog fights and young people coming to terms with their place in the universe. Nope, if you aren't into those things. <br />
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Image Credit: <a href="http://www.ew.com/article/2016/01/05/starz-rights-star-wars-force-awakens">i</a><br />
Kimolisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16624029898830661332noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580635660349746755.post-69055058448149183612015-12-27T07:00:00.000-05:002015-12-27T07:00:02.113-05:00Getting Old or Just Over It<br />
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I'm not sure if I mentioned it before but I grew up retail. This means that to me Christmas was not only preparing and consuming copious amounts of food or exchanging gifts, it meant the lead up to Christmas Eve as people purchased gifts (and in the latter years personal effects to adorn themselves for the Christmas Eve lime or whatever fete has commandeered that night). One would find us staying up to the wee hours of Christmas morning selling to the last minute shopper who decided at hour 0 to buy their cousin a gift or their sister. But I've changed.</div>
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I don't know if it because I'm older or because I'm over it but the Christmas Eve experience has changed. It feels cheap and relegated to the young who now have an excuse to walk the streets of St. John's with abandon. I see women dressed in various levels of undress and I'm sickened. Don't worry, I've accepted I'm a prude and I don't see the sense of my fellow women wearing tops as dresses. </div>
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Of late, I'm envying my father who is at home sleeping as we sit around waiting for another customer to pop in and buy magnetic earrings or eyelashes (medium, of course). I feel myself yearning for a tradition where I spend the days leading up to Christmas reading Charles Dickens' The Christmas Carol, as I think of ways to re-write it with a Caribbean twist. Or curling up with lover, as the rain hits the window pane instead of slouching over gift sets that refuse to sell.</div>
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As a new generation hits the streets of St. John's, I see a lost generation, one that is looking for guidance. But somehow they feel so far gone. I know that the future leaders of our nation are at home in the embrace of their family but it doesn't deny the fact that there are so many who embrace the consumer culture to the degree that they will always be impoverished and at the mercy of their employer and the government, in some cases they are one and the same.</div>
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When did self-respect disappear into the cesspool of the desire to possess something that would make one look "cool"?</div>
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When did women want to out do the women of the night?</div>
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When did I stop having faith in the future generation and what they were capable of doing? But did I ever think of what they were capable of doing?</div>
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I am getting old and I am over it. I feel like this part of my life is turning, changing from a youthful green to the decaying red and browns. And for my life to flourish, I feel like it has to be pruned. What will Christmas 2016 bring? I'm not sure yet, but I'm hoping for a different venue, a full night's sleep, a chance for a new beginning, a new tradition.</div>
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Image Credit: <a href="http://nothingwillchangeart.blogspot.nl/">i</a></div>
Kimolisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16624029898830661332noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580635660349746755.post-53551098216215035532015-12-20T07:44:00.000-05:002015-12-20T07:44:35.400-05:00Worth More Than A Top Up<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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A few weeks ago at a get together, a friend was telling us about catching a female student performing <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fellatio">fellatio</a> on a male student. At the end of the act, the male student told the young lady that he has the number and went on his way (I'm paraphrasing). Now one would think that that meant he would be calling her at a later date to perhaps hang out or even perform another sexual act, the truth is he was going to top up her phone.</div>
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Now for those who don't know what "top up" means,</div>
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<i>Top Up: adding call credit to one's prepaid cellular phone plan.</i></div>
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<i>e.g. he topped up her phone; She got a top up on her phone</i></div>
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I wish I could tell you that this is an isolated occurrence, that this rarely happens, but this is a common practice of young women in our society and I would also say in our region. And this is where I think society have failed them and when I say society, I mean everyone, their parents, the government, the churches, the media and even these young women. They really don't know the value of themselves and their bodies.</div>
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The Female Body</h4>
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Throughout history, the female form had been heralded, from the Venus De Milo to the Mona Lisa to fertility idols, but somewhere along the lines, the female form has been used to sell products and to tell women that they are not enough. If they would use this product or that gizmo or that magic pill, they will be just like this woman who is the epitome of female beauty. But she's not.</div>
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In fact, female beauty exists in every woman, it's not found in the perfect symmetrical face or the pouting lips or rounded ass. In fact, all those qualities are but trends in the beauty industry. You never know, in the next decade or two, the ideal woman is not going to look like Kim Kardashian (yeah, I went there), she may end of being pale skinned, blue eyed and rail thin. Female beauty is all about loving what you possess physically and being confident.</div>
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Confidence</h4>
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How can we be confident when everywhere we turn there are heavily made up women, some of which have been digitally enhanced? From billboards to magazines to TV ads to internet ads, we are told that these people are beautiful and because we don't look like them, it is safe to say we are not beautiful. It's simple logic. And it robs us of our confidence.</div>
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I say robs us because there was a time when we were bursting with confidence, when we knew we the bees knees and we acted like that. But somewhere between Kindergarten and High School, some of us lost our shine or it was dulled. Sometimes in losing our confidence we turn to others to validate who we are, we crave people's attention, we want them to like us. If only we knew that the person we need to like us is ourselves.</div>
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Not only like, but love. When we love ourselves, we would never let anyone devalue our persons, our bodies. Sad to say, no one teaches self-love to children and pre-teens. Sad to say that some of these young women come from households where their mothers are too busy working to provide for the household or doesn't value herself in the end teaching their daughters not to value themselves.</div>
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The Solution</h4>
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The solution is not a silver bullet that will instantaneously change the way young women look at themselves. In fact, it would require a campaign approach over a period of time. This would include,</div>
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<li><b>Promotional material</b> - billboards and posters with catchy graphics and copy speaking to the value of the female form. Perhaps something like, you wouldn't toss a diamond into a pig sty, then why give your body away to a pig? That is pretty weak but you get the drift. </li>
<li><b>Television and radio ads</b> on music stations, again, with catchy phrases.</li>
<li><b>In school talks</b> - both targeting the girls and boys. Separate talks as well as integrated talks. Those with the girls would encourage them to hold themselves to a higher standard and those with the boys would focus on equating girls to women in their lives who they value</li>
<li><b>Speaking on radio and TV talk shows</b> - this is more for the wider community so they are aware.</li>
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All of this would not be a one time deal but continuous. Have you ever seen Coca-cola take a break from advertising? Their brand awareness is off the charts and wouldn't it be great if we could take that level of making people conscious of the idea that women should be valued.</div>
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Unfortunately, this is all wishful thinking. Or is it? Could a program be created using international funding and even crowd funding? Is it possible that we can change the course of the next generation of women that would carry on beyond our great granddaughters? Is it possible?</div>
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Image Credit: <a href="http://www.itsmilkandhoney.com/am-i-too-young-to-relax-my-hair/">i</a></div>
Kimolisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16624029898830661332noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580635660349746755.post-69343994135152001072015-12-13T15:04:00.000-05:002015-12-13T15:04:20.538-05:00Why He's The One<span style="font-size: x-small;">Psst! Come over here. Don't tell anyone, but I think he's the one. Yeah, the guy I'm seeing. For real though, but don't tell anyone.</span><br />
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Now on a serious note, let's get into this week's blog post. The other evening, a person who I think is the bee's knees said something that got me to thinking. I'm paraphrasing of course, but he said something along the lines that he's not into the concept of marriage as there was not guarantee that it would not end in divorce. And to be honest, I can't fault him on this notion.</div>
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If you look at all the information that is shoved in our faces, from the divorce rate being around 50% and more and more people are embracing the single lifestyle indefinitely, it asks the question why bother get hitched? And part of me is not crazy about the idea either, but there is a but. Let me dissect it for you like it's a frog in a high school lab.</div>
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Why I'm Not Looking Forward To Getting Hitched</h3>
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<b>It's a family thing</b>. My notion of marriage comes from the examples I saw growing up, i.e. the folks, the parents, those people who raised me. And although I love them to death, my memories of married life are those of misery and fatigue. Misery because things are not going a certain way in the point of view of one parent. Fatigue because they worked hard to provide. But I didn't see much of the lovey lovey stuff that the media tells us that marriage is all about. To me, marriage seemed as though it was something you wanted to get out of and something you regretted.</div>
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<b>The Wedding.</b> My mom, for a short period of time, was in the wedding business and when I saw all that goes into a wedding, I will kindly say "Thank you, but no thank you." In fact, what I will tell anyone is to have a small civil union/wedding, and after 5 - 10 years, have the elaborate affair for an anniversary or renewing of vows. Nothing much grieves my soul more than seeing people spend money they don't have to feed people they barely know and ending up going home to mommy and daddy because they don't like their spouse. At least stay with the SOB until after you pay off for the wedding, at least then you or them don't have one more thing to bitch and blame about in your union.</div>
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<b>One more person to monopolize my time.</b> There are 24 hours in the day, 4-8 of them are spent sleeping, another 8 or so are at work, let's say 1-3 for hygiene, commuting to work and eating, so you have 5-11 hours to yourself and now a chunk of that has to go to your partner. The only saving grace in the notion that your partner might be good company and the sex is great so it will be time well spent. The down side is your partner is human, just like you, and they have their fair share of good days and bad, emotional turmoil, hopes and fears, and when you are having a shit day, you might be needed to rub their heads because they are having a shit day, too. Then again, this is a great opportunity to get out of your head and be charitable. Do you get the drift? it can go any way and it's up to you which direction it can go.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>Are they really the one.</b> I had seen a TED talk some time back that explained why it's better to have less choices because it would make it easier for one to make a choice and feel satisfied with the choice. But when you have 7 Billion plus people on the planet, you have a choice of 3.5B to choose from (7B if you are a swing hitter), how sure are you that you've made the right choice? We are told that we have soul mates, but how do we know that he or she is the one? That's the thing you don't know, that why you do the best with what you got.</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">So how do I know he's the one?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://imageback.com/images/d0/0e/imageback.com_d00ee35278CPPBWYR34631bca80b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://imageback.com/images/d0/0e/imageback.com_d00ee35278CPPBWYR34631bca80b.jpg" height="333" width="500" /></a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">Well, I really don't know if he is, but I like what we've got going. And it's not the big outlandish things that blockbuster romcom's are made of, it's the little things, like</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">Him not getting into a hissy fit when I peed his bed. </span></b><span style="font-size: small;">And I blame the Asian chick in my dream who led me to a bathroom stall for that. When I became aware I was so embarrassed and he just brushed it off like things like that happen and told me to go back to sleep. Now I laugh at the memory, but I was mortified beyond belief.</span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Him not giving up on us when I got cold feet.</b> I was ready to break up and he came over and we had a good talk, a real talk. My fears were laid to rest and I saw that the relationship was worth exploring, especially as it worked. </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>We laugh.</b> I know it sounds simple but there is something about laughing with someone. Laughing is amazing in itself but when you are laughing with someone, it's like they get you, you are in sync and the experience is just right.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>My wanting this.</b> It may or may not lead to marriage, but for right now it feels right. It's not complicated, I am growing from it, and I don't want to see it end. And if it did, I would still be okay because at least I experienced it and that would be enough.</span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>My farting on him. </b>Let me explain myself, you ever had a bit of air in your body and you are holding it in. Then you fall asleep, and your body relaxes and before you know it pfft, a puff of air escapes and the person is right behind you. It is only when it's too late that you realise what happened, but you act as though you are sleeping when he/she rolls onto their back. I'm laughing while I write this like. Sorry about that, babe.</span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Him making me better.</b> I'm more compassionate, I'm more patient, I let things happen in their own time without me jumping in to try to make them just so. By being with him, I now know how to just listen without offering a solution. I'm better than I was before I knew him. </span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Will I Ever Get Married?</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1427477321886-abc24e8ce923?ixlib=rb-0.3.5&q=80&fm=jpg&crop=entropy&w=1080&fit=max&s=8663962e3a3a7a9c2284ba6952fa2aba" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="332" src="https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1427477321886-abc24e8ce923?ixlib=rb-0.3.5&q=80&fm=jpg&crop=entropy&w=1080&fit=max&s=8663962e3a3a7a9c2284ba6952fa2aba" width="500" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I don't know. I am in that funny place where the sets don't overlap. One set is what I've seen in my parents' marriage and the other is what the media (romcoms, romance novels, women's magazines) tell me and because they don't overlap, I reside in a space where one would think they would overlap. But I'm trying to adopt the notion that this crazy thing called love is not based on what people show and tell me but on what I feel. I feel a genuine connection with him and I feel that is enough.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Do I need a fancy wedding or a piece of paper to tell me that is real and tangible? No.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Do I need to create a sense of security for those around me because without a ring, it doesn't mean that he loves me? No.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Do I have to validate to the world that this man is my possession and all the other women better get to stepping? No, because if I have to do that it means that I don't trust him. And what is love without trust?</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Time will tell, but for now, I'm content in knowing that he's the one. </div>
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Image credits: <a href="http://imageback.com/3830" target="_blank">i</a>, <a href="http://imageback.com/4648">ii</a>, <a href="https://unsplash.com/spiritvisionstudios">iii</a></div>
Kimolisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16624029898830661332noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580635660349746755.post-58666793159243483112015-12-06T14:44:00.000-05:002015-12-15T13:35:26.857-05:00Hate on Me<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibQBjLPI_c-NNsikY9XKWCXmIg5d4xTrOvK8JvJOEYiByIBYcuP5hUmGTO08TUfUbL7Qyj7uNNELwUxKxA0joJo1Etq3_kJZ28hsFV2Cj233hasVzV2MABI4z5zLk82ipXbwmkRCElY6OM/s1600/hateonme.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibQBjLPI_c-NNsikY9XKWCXmIg5d4xTrOvK8JvJOEYiByIBYcuP5hUmGTO08TUfUbL7Qyj7uNNELwUxKxA0joJo1Etq3_kJZ28hsFV2Cj233hasVzV2MABI4z5zLk82ipXbwmkRCElY6OM/s1600/hateonme.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
A few days ago, I was taking part in a local event as a spoken word artist and this was the first time my mom had seen me perform live. And like a proud momma, she video taped it on her phone. The next day, she showed it around, even to my sister who was at the event, and while my sister was watching it, the woman who worked in the salon of my mother's store took a peek.<br />
<br />
First, she acknowledged it was me performing, then she pointed out that my hips looked broad. To this, my sister said that they were good, child-bearing hips. All the while, I was chilling in an alcohol-fueled buzz, that kept me cooler than a cucumber in a deep freeze. But then clarity came to me, as it normally does, a day later.<br />
<br />
Questions spun in my head as I did my work.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Why didn't she comment on my performance? </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Why was my whole existence on the stage reduced to the way I looked?</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Why was she hating on me?</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Couldn't she have at least said something akin to nice?</div>
<br />
In this time and space, I don't know if I'm pissed or sorry for her. The angel on my shoulder is mouthing off, saying that she is a reflection of a society that objectifies women. That our bodies and faces are used to sell everything from perfume to alcohol to condoms, so why is it a big deal that the first thing she notices is the way I looked. Also she is a hair stylist who just last year had liposuction to remove the fat about her waist and she bleaches her skin to a degree that it's hard to determine what true skin colour is, she looks at natural hair with disdain and her make-up can veer towards the clownish side. (Okay my angel is not a total angel) But why does what she think or say matter to me?<br />
<br />
<b>But still, I'm pissed.</b> Not so much at her, but what she represents, because I'm thinking she is the many in this particular economic scale. The many who think they need to 'tone down' their darkness, the many who will call you ugly behind your back and smile in your face trying to find something nice to say about you. Or they may be so bold faced as to tell you each and everything wrong with you as they prance around with eyebrows so severe it's obvious that it's not natural.<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Then I'm saddened</b> because now I'm pulling them down in defense of myself. Why can't we as women see other women not on their looks but on their actions. Think about it, if we were watching an Usher concert, we wouldn't notice what he's wearing. Hell, some rappers barely dress up on the stage, but God forbid if a Beyonce or any female artist didn't bring her A-game when it comes to the way she looks on the stage.<br />
<br />
Why can't we judge a woman based on what she has accomplished, by her character, by her contribution to society? Why should she be judged by the plumpness of her lips, the fullness of her backside, the tightness of her clothes?<br />
<br />
Plus what does this say to the young girls coming up? Yes, we as women are making strides in the workplace, we are leading in academia, but still all these accomplishments seem to disappear if we don't look "good". Or why do we have to lose our femininity to fit into what is classed as the professional world?<br />
<br />
It has taken a while for me to realize that I should be dressing for myself and not to fall under the rules society has placed on beauty. As such, how I look should make me happy instead of please others because others make a value judgement of us in a split second and that judgement is based on their world view as opposed to who I am and who you are. Those who harp on the way a person looks, doesn't have anything better to do or is picking on something they dislike in themselves. Plus, does what they think really matter in the bigger scheme of things?<br />
<br />
Here are some home truths,<br />
<ul>
<li>What people think is not going to put a roof over your head;</li>
<li>What people think is not going to put food in your mouth;</li>
<li>What people think is not going to keep you warm at night;</li>
</ul>
So at the end of the day, what people think, doesn't matter. What matters?<br />
<ul>
<li>Doing amazing sh*t</li>
<li>Having fun</li>
<li>Surrounding yourself with amazing people</li>
<li>Laughing your head off</li>
<li>And most importantly, loving yourself, from the broad hips, the budha belly to the blotchy skin.</li>
</ul>
As for the lady from the salon, I've got only one thing to say to her,<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Bless Your Heart. </span></b></div>
Kimolisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16624029898830661332noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580635660349746755.post-58637961406940866502015-09-27T08:17:00.000-04:002015-12-06T14:58:17.981-05:00Sunday Introspection - Who Are You?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://screencrush.com/files/2014/01/tumblr_lyezfmD49p1qaf93fo1_1280.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://screencrush.com/files/2014/01/tumblr_lyezfmD49p1qaf93fo1_1280.jpg" height="332" width="500" /></a></div>
<br />
No, really who are you?<br />
<br />
For the last couple days, I've been building up to this question. Who am I? I know that it looks like a simple question but I also know that it is a heavy one. One that stumps people, making them stop and really think about it. Sometimes they start the list. You know the list, for instance mine would be I am:<br />
<ul>
<li>A daughter</li>
<li>A sister</li>
<li>A friend</li>
<li>A freelancer</li>
<li>A paper pusher</li>
<li>....</li>
</ul>
This is all well and good, but those are in relation to others or to activities. What happens if you strip them away, who are you? Who are you before others placed labels on you? Who are you before you took on a profession? Who are you in a crowd of strangers?<br />
<br />
After much thought, I've come to the belief that when you have the answer to this heavy question, you have a solid core and no matter what is layered over it, the core remains the same. Don't ask me why, but I'm thinking it's like the earth. When the top layers shift and crack, the core sends up magma to fill the void created. And that magma is rich in minerals. So if our sense of self shifts, if we lose a job to which our identity is so closely attached, we can fall back on our core identity, recognise that we are not our job but something and someone so much more.<br />
<br />
So, who am I? Sometimes people like to throw that question like a right hook or a left jab, "Who do you think you are?", "Ah who she t'ink she be?" Well, to be honest, I don't know but I am working to find out. There are a few things I do know about myself, the kind of things that come from the gut that tells me I am happy or excited about something or that are hardwired into me as I've evolved, they are as follows,<br />
<ul>
<li>I love to dance</li>
<li>I love to laugh</li>
<li>I love to read</li>
<li>I like to travel, not so much reaching the final destination but the actual traveling</li>
<li>I find large bodies of water peaceful, I like being out at sea</li>
<li>I like to try new things, I am the first of my siblings to eat Sushi and thanks to my Chinese coworkers in New York, I've eaten eel (it tastes fishy)</li>
<li>I find peace in writing</li>
<li>I love talking with people over good food and wine</li>
<li>I am stubborn, that is hardwired</li>
<li>I stand firmly on principle even though I am trying to reduce my value judgement</li>
<li>I am an idea machine but I am working on being a doer as well as a thinker</li>
<li>I am a movie lover</li>
<li>I love good sheets, there is something about curling up under a sheet with a certain thread count, or a fluffy duvet on a cold day</li>
<li>I love independence, it is something I've always valued but I'm still working out what it truly means</li>
<li>I love and fear the silence where all the demons and angels come out to play and the rawness of who I am brings tears to my eyes</li>
</ul>
A lot of thought leaders (such a funny term) have been spouting the idea that we are spiritual beings having a human experience. And for the most part, I agree but it saddens me that we get so caught up in petty issues, that our humanity is our handicap. What if we were not limited by our fears of what people will say? What if we did amazing things in spite of our families saying don't do it because they are afraid we would be hurt? What if we became someone who is more than our job titles, our possessions, our relations to others, our hobbies and our capabilities?<br />
<br />
What if you knew that from the beginning, be it conception or birth, you knew that you were special, that you mattered, that you can be and do whatever you want without limitations?<br />
<br />
What if....<br />
<br />
image credit: <a href="http://touch1410.com/nbcs-saturday-night-live-adds-sasheer-zamata-to-cast/" target="_blank">The Touch</a>Kimolisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16624029898830661332noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580635660349746755.post-39081983424945178722015-08-11T08:00:00.000-04:002015-08-11T08:00:01.422-04:00Addicted - Movie Review<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://cdn.mommynoire.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/addicted-movie-poster.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://cdn.mommynoire.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/addicted-movie-poster.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Long, long time ago, in a land 15-20 minutes away from where I live now, I read <a href="http://amzn.to/1P2mg3V" target="_blank">Addicted by Zane</a>. At the time, I was exploring sexuality as my experience had been very limited. Okay, let's be honest, Zane is porn for black women, that is before Eric Jerome Dickey took the mantle away from her. I'm just saying. Anyway, I had the book for a while because I thought that even if you took away the explicit sex, the story was strong, and I would have still had it in my library if I hadn't lost it. On the real, it's a solid book.<br />
<br />
Then on the by and by, I found out that they made a movie based on the book. Although the <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4LErjzY_wKI" target="_blank">trailer </a>was interesting, I didn't have the strong desire to watch the movie. Then out of boredom and because the internet is slow in the evenings, I watched it and here are my thoughts on it.<br />
<br />
<b>Here I Stand Waving My Prude Flag</b><br />
I know I'm a prude when I keep thinking, "Are they having sex again? Gosh! Can we get to the story. Geez, more guys' asses." I wouldn't say I was made uncomfortable by it but I got over it quick. I know the movie is based on a book that is erotica true and true, but I felt like the story is strong enough that I don't have to suppress the desire to skip the sex part.<br />
<br />
<b>Reminder To Kim, It's based on the book, it's not going to be exactly like the book</b><br />
I had to stop myself from comparing it to the book. Although I can't give you blow by blow every chapter in the book, I know there were some things left out, like the main character being with a woman. The woman was there but she didn't get busy with her, which makes me make the assumption,<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Infidelity, no matter how extensive, is bad, but homosexuality is unspeakable.</b> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I guess not all sins are made equal.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>It had its good moments</b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
There were moments where they built suspense, but there were moments when they made me, as a viewer, want more. I think they glossed over her childhood by just tacking it on in the end. I question the loyalty of her friend, which she kept hanging. That is some friendship but she keeps letting down her friend and she stands by her. The ending reminded me of <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0111693/" target="_blank"><i>When a Man Loves a Woman</i></a> with Meg Ryan and Andy Garcia, which is understandable as that movie is about addiction as well, but it felt like it was easier to address addiction using an existing movie concept than figure out how to translate the true ending of the book. Oops, I was supposed to say the good moments here, they got the suspense and they built the core story. I'm resisting using a but.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>Would I recommend this movie?</b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I guess, if you want to watch something when you are suffering from insomnia and have nothing better to watch. I know that sounds bad, but it all depends on what you are up for. And movie watching late at night is not a bad thing, I've done it in the past and have come across some decent movies, not great but decent movies. If you've read the book and you are expecting to see the book on the screen, don't watch it. If you haven't read the book, go right ahead, then read the book, it will make you appreciate the book more.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I know the movie came out late 2014 and I'm reviewing it in 2015, but as they say, down here in Antigua, " 'llow me." More reviews when I watch something else, except After Earth. I tried to watch it twice and in the first quarter of the movie, I stopped it and deleted it from my computer. The hate is real. Wooosah!</div>
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<div style="text-align: left;">
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Image Credit: <a href="http://mommynoire.com/269164/win-tickets-to-see-zanes-hot-film-addicted/" target="_blank">Mommy Noire</a></div>
Kimolisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16624029898830661332noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580635660349746755.post-39833170066184465562015-08-09T11:21:00.000-04:002015-08-09T11:21:14.558-04:00Thank You, But No Thank You<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://imageback.com/images/0f/cd/imageback.com_0fcdd229c9ILCDONM387d555515b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://imageback.com/images/0f/cd/imageback.com_0fcdd229c9ILCDONM387d555515b.jpg" height="510" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
For the first time in thirty five years being on this rock hurtling through space, I tried marijuana and I have one thing to say,<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Thank You, But No Thank You.</div>
<br />
Now there are many reasons why I've never tried Mary Jane, including effective drug use prevention advertisements and that little thing where I can't inhale. In the past, I've tried cigarettes and cigars and I just can't voluntarily inhale smoke. As this is the case, I've tried ingesting the weed, I've eaten:<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li><b>A Marijuana sugarcake</b> - Made me sleepy. I must say I slept well that night;</li>
<li><b>A Marijuana lollipop</b> - God, it tasted so bad that I could take only so much and I felt nothing.</li>
</ul>
<br />
Then over the weekend, I had Marijuana in cake. As one friend said, it doesn't appear as though it's working until bam, you are high, and trust me, she wasn't whistling Dixie. I think I had 4-5 1 1/2" X 1" cakes and it doesn't help my situation that I was drinking. Ladies and gentlemen, I was shitfaced and I don't want to ever be like that again. My symptoms that night were:<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>Major cotton mouth;</li>
<li>Hyper-awareness - it killed the chatter in my head and left my only perceiving things as they are;</li>
<li>Slow motor skills - although I was hyper-aware, I was sluggish;</li>
<li>A listing to the right - I would be walking and I would veer to the right;</li>
</ul>
<br />
Now the above may not all be attributed to the Mary Jane alone but it was a trip traveling home. I can understand why people take it like one would drink wine, but I didn't like losing control. I appreciated the hyper awareness because now I know what it looks like so I can work to get back to that place without drugs, but I like to be able to defend myself, to react quickly and that is impossible while under the influence.<br />
<br />
I also noticed that it brought out a base emotion. I noticed that I became anxious, I was anxious while my sister was driving, I was anxious about how I behaved at the get together, I was anxious about how people perceived me. I was uber anxious and that continued into the next day while at work. I had to calm my anxieties and remind myself to let go of decade old regrets. The drug brought forth my most primal emotion and proved that although I layered on positive points of view, the negative roots are still there and can escape through a crack.<br />
<br />
My first hallucinogenic experience was a double edge sword, I learned from it and still it was not all fun experiencing it. Would I try it again? No, it just isn't my cup of tea. I would rather read a good book, hang out with cool people, take in a great view or watch a movie than get high. Would I tell others not to try it? No, I think people should experience it so that they can have their own view point on it. I know it would be hard for me to do, but I would have my child try it in my presence so that they go through it in a safe environment. Then when they are proper wasted, I would make the experience awful (muhahaha).<br />
<br />
Now a day and a half removed from the experience, I can definitively say, "Thank you, but no thank you." If that is the alleged gateway drug, I won't be indulging in any drugs in the future thus making me even more of a prude. Ain't no thang, I'm a prude till I die. <br />
<br />
<br />
Image Credit: <a href="http://imageback.com/4703" target="_blank">ImageBack</a>Kimolisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16624029898830661332noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580635660349746755.post-57334274398733046582015-07-19T10:05:00.000-04:002015-07-19T10:05:36.128-04:00When Harsh Reviews Attack<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.technocrazed.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/Historic-photographs-must-see-42.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.technocrazed.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/Historic-photographs-must-see-42.jpg" height="520" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
You are standing in front of a crowd, waiting for a reaction of some kind when you here a crack like thunder. You fall back, the ground coming up to meet your back, the wind is knocked out of you and the pain to your chest is so intense you black out. When you come to, you are staring up at the star filled sky, you survived a gun shot to the chest thanks to your bulletproof vest but it still hurts like hell. Your only saving grace is knowing that you are alive.<br />
<br />
Now we, the public, are aware of bulletproof vests from movies, books, what may have you, and we know that they are meant to up one's chance of survival when one is shot. Well, shot in the vest which covers your widest area where a would be assailants would shoot at, your torso region. What people don't know is these vest are not bullet proof but bullet resistant and they do not ensure that you would survive a gun shot, but they do up the chances of survival.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>So what does this have to do with reviews and the writer's life?</b></div>
<br />
I'm getting there. While writing and publishing ebooks, I've been consuming a lot of content (books, blog posts, podcasts) on being an indie writer and during my education, I picked up a bullet proof vest for reviews. In knowing the following, I felt that I could take on any harsh review on the work I put out there,<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>a review is someone's opinion on your work and is colored by their life experiences;</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>some of the great novels out there have harsh reviews;</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>my books are not for everyone;</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>a review is done by one person and is not a reflection of the feelings of all who have read my book(s);</li>
</ul>
<br />
Because I knew the above, I felt that I could take on any harsh view that came my way then I got harsh reviews on the first book of a romance series I put out earlier this month, <i><a href="http://amzn.to/1CJDbaA" target="_blank">More Than Friends</a></i>. It started with a reader posting on Goodreads and sharing on Twitter that she was pissed with the main characters. Then they gave it a two star review and another person gave it three stars on Goodreads and the same was done on Amazon. The thunderous crack, the immense pain to my chest, I was down on the ground, and all the while I'm chanting to myself, <i>why am I defending my work to myself?</i><br />
<br />
<b>How I deal</b><br />
I won't say I didn't want to respond and defend my work by agreeing or disagreeing with their reviews, but I've read a lot of books over the years that have changed my ways of thinking. From Dale Carnegie's <a href="http://amzn.to/1TKlkVg" target="_blank"><i>How to Win Friends and Influence People</i></a> to Eckhart Tolle's <a href="http://amzn.to/1Svgpoq" target="_blank">books</a>, I've read my share and from what I've learned from them, I recognize that,<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li> <b>People are entitled to their opinions.</b> And if you argue with them, they will hold onto it with the ferocity of a mother defending her child. People have their thoughts on the matter and it isn't in my place to place a value judgement on their thoughts. Are the reviews really harsh? What can I learn from the reviews to make my upcoming books better?</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><b>Despite these reviews, people have been buying this book.</b> For the first time since self publishing books, this is the first time I've seen sales almost every day or multiple sales in a day. I've had a month pass and didn't see one sale. This genre of books are wanted and people will buy when they see a book that looks interesting. Plus, people have joined my email list to be notified when the next book in the series comes out, the book couldn't be that bad if this happened.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><b>I wrote a book that was messy.</b> Messy in that it portrayed people as they were not as we think they should be. A lot of times we read romance novels when people have their shit together, but really who do you know has their shit together? Who has the perfect set of values, beliefs and by extension, their actions are always right? In my lifetime (short as it is), I've seen people make foolish decisions that make you wonder what the hell were they thinking and still they go about their business because you know what, it's their business.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><b>There are worst books out there in comparison to mine.</b> I've read a few and I've felt robbed. From them being half of the stories (heck some of them were quarters of the stories) to me wondering <i>is that it</i>? I won't be reading any more from those authors but others will, and the same it will be when it comes to my books. What would be funny if the people who gave me harsh reviews reviewed the three other books in the series. Time will tell.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><b>Even professionals mess up.</b> Not everyone is perfect. I remember one incident ever so clearly that I use as a reminder. It is Beyonce's <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CGkvXp0vdng" target="_blank">"Video Phone" music video</a> with Lady GaGa a few years ago. Gosh, I thought that video was awful, but that one video didn't ruin either performers' careers. They didn't pack up their bags and said "I'm done," they moved on to the next thing and that is what I'm doing.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><b>The book got a reaction.</b> I'm sure writers know what I mean when they return to their book's page and see no stars and have to take that daunting step of asking for reviews. It's not that people won't review your book but they never get around to it and they need a reminder, but why does it feel so.... demeaning, like you are begging, (fill in what ever you feel is appropriate)? <i>Oh, yeah, if you've read any of my books, please leave me a review. Thank you, much.</i> In a way, it's better to get some reaction rather than no reaction at all.</li>
</ul>
<br />
Now that I've let my feelings have their 15 minutes of fame, I now can look at the reviews with the eyes of a person who sees her writing career as a business. I've shipped a product and now I can learn from my mistakes and make the next series of books better than this series.<br />
<br />
I looked at the reviews, and I try to see the positive like,<br />
<ul>
<li>Neither reviewer said the book was poorly written;</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>One said it had potential;</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>One said that they would stop at Book 1, which to me means that it was a complete book and not one that would leave the reader pissed that they have to buy another book to continue the story;</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>One had strong feelings towards a character, that means they got into the story; </li>
</ul>
<br />
Then I ask myself the hard questions,<br />
<ul>
<li>How can I make the stories better in accordance with these reviews?</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Do I want to change up my storytelling style to appease these reviewers?</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Should I consider learning how to write the standard romance novel so that I fall in line with the expectations of romance readers?</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>If I do so, what would differentiate my books from what is already on the market? Then why bother write if it is a mimicry of what is already available?</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>What should be my next move?</li>
</ul>
<br />
Reviews are a part of a writer's life, but one should not let positive or negative reviews impact one's writing career negatively. So far, I've seen positive results from publishing this particular type of book. I approached this series of books with a business mindset, checking the following boxes to the best of my ability,<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>Writing in a niche and marketing in that niche (BWWM romance)</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Writing a series with the final product being a box set (Friends and Lovers is the series name)</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Working to have a clean cover</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Working on the description and title so that it is keyword heavy, making it pop out when particular searches are made in Amazon</li>
</ul>
<br />
In the end I got sales, reviews and people on my email list. Yes, I got harsh reviews, but as the old adage goes,<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">You can't make omelets without breaking a few eggs.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">(yeah, I probably wrote that wrong)</span></div>
<br />
All I can say to you, fellow writer, is the same thing I'm telling myself right now and in the days to come,<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Keep writing, keep getting better at your craft, continue to build your catalog or books, your readers will find you, and just focus on the next step, it will get you to where you want to go.</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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Image Credit: <a href="http://free-stock-illustration.com/used+german+bullet+proof+vest" target="_blank">Free-Stock Illustration</a></div>
Kimolisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16624029898830661332noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580635660349746755.post-21516627708495839972015-07-15T20:16:00.002-04:002015-07-15T20:16:31.655-04:00Inside Out Movie Review<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://ia.media-imdb.com/images/M/MV5BOTgxMDQwMDk0OF5BMl5BanBnXkFtZTgwNjU5OTg2NDE@._V1_SX640_SY720_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://ia.media-imdb.com/images/M/MV5BOTgxMDQwMDk0OF5BMl5BanBnXkFtZTgwNjU5OTg2NDE@._V1_SX640_SY720_.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
Every now and then, I have the desire to be a kid again. Sometimes I would go to see a kid's movie (i.e. a cartoon) and I was way overdue for one. The last one I saw was Frozen, while the last one I saw on the big screen was How To Train A Dragon 2 (I came close to tears while watching that one.) This week, I went to see<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Inside Out</b></span></div>
<br />
Let me start off by saying that I love, no lurve Pixar. I don't know how they get these talented people to come together and deliver movies that are not only great entertainment but can tug at your heart strings like your heart is a bass guitar. Don't even get me started on the full range of humour they execute with such ease that it appears effortless.<br />
<br />
Now Pixar has a strong history, you know, Wall E., Up, could they keep up their winning streak with Inside Out? Hell yes. What I enjoyed immensely was the reality of the dynamic between the "good guy" and the "not so good guy". Although the built up the latter as the lesser of two evils, they were able to show that they were not perfect. Joy was not batting 100 when it came to being a good person. At times she was condescending and manipulative. While Sadness who came across as whiney and slow on her potential to harm had a good heart and at times was a voice of reason.<br />
<br />
I think the message of imperfection is good for kids in a school system that preaches black and white in preparing you people for a world which is more than 50 shades of gray. (tee hee). Inside out was heartwarming, funny and a great movie to see with the family be it your own kids or someone else's kids (well maybe not that)<br />
<br />
<b>What I liked</b><br />
<ul>
<li>That there was this ultra cute short movie at the start called Lava;</li>
<li>That although they had relatively big name actors voicing the characters, the story was so strong that you didn't notice that Joy was Amy Poehler or Anger was Lewis Black;</li>
<li>That Lewis Black was Anger, he is one of my favourite comediens;</li>
<li>The scenes in other people's heads were funny;</li>
<li>That I was so caught up in the movie that I don't know how long the movie was;</li>
<li>That I left the cinema feeling satisfied.</li>
</ul>
<b>What I didn't like</b><br />
<ul>
<li> Um....</li>
<li>Uh....</li>
<li>That....</li>
<li>That I can't think of anything I didn't like about the movie (Damn you Pixar!)</li>
</ul>
Overall, I loved it. Take your kids, take your siblings' kids, take your grandkids or go by yourself. I promise you, you will like Inside Out. <br />
<br />
Image Credit: <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2096673/" target="_blank">IMDb</a>Kimolisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16624029898830661332noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580635660349746755.post-91165660641396061782015-07-14T06:00:00.000-04:002015-07-14T06:00:02.964-04:00Girl Crush - Ruby Rose<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh52Zp2-1rKlxHu93QAxdihOEhyPeFrI4bplw0NcAhtko5M0dAaO-3ejZZxaZloJxaA6Z-nU1rsfLKxEvCexRhrxYC_kzLs1yfm5vJRu-wBCOou_MOvcZXIKtzjdn4rFrpEXdLn5EFM-Cg/s1600/RubyRose_OITNB4.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh52Zp2-1rKlxHu93QAxdihOEhyPeFrI4bplw0NcAhtko5M0dAaO-3ejZZxaZloJxaA6Z-nU1rsfLKxEvCexRhrxYC_kzLs1yfm5vJRu-wBCOou_MOvcZXIKtzjdn4rFrpEXdLn5EFM-Cg/s1600/RubyRose_OITNB4.png" /></a></div>
<br />
So I was surfing the internet when I came across a YouTube video about one thing which led to another and before I know it I was watching clips from Orange is the New Black. Then in the related videos they had a pic of Stella who is played by Ruby Rose. Now the pic is small, but I was drawn to the on point hair, so I clicked on it. All I can say is dayum, the woman is attractive.<br />
<br />
You know the type of attractive where you state, "I'm not gay but if I was......" And don't play like you don't know what I'm talking about. We've all agreed that Angelina Jolie is gorgeous, but I think what sets Ruby Rose, and even Angie, apart from other gorgeous women is the "fuck it, this is me" vibe. I'm not talking the Rhianna "fuck you, I'm me" vibe, but the "I'm doing me and it has nothing to do with you" vibe.<br />
<br />
It doesn't beg to be noticed, it just is. So yes, I got a girl crush on Ruby Rose and I'm cool with it. If anything, she's an inspiration to not let society dictate who and what you are, just walk your own path.<br />
<br />
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<a href="http://rubyroseofficial.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/videos.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://rubyroseofficial.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/videos.png" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://insidejamarifox.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/628-Ruby-Rose-April-2014-Instagram.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://insidejamarifox.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/628-Ruby-Rose-April-2014-Instagram.jpg" height="197" width="320" /></a></div>
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Image Credit: <a href="http://www.reddit.com/r/rubyrose/?ref=readnext" target="_blank">Reddit</a>, <a href="http://rubyroseofficial.com/photos/modeling/" target="_blank">Ruby Rose</a>, <a href="http://insidejamarifox.com/ruby-rose-got-all-the-girls-checking-another-box/" target="_blank">Inside Jamari Fox</a>Kimolisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16624029898830661332noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580635660349746755.post-71205987677736520492015-07-13T07:00:00.000-04:002015-07-13T07:00:04.092-04:00Music Monday - MnM Music<br />
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<a href="http://i.ytimg.com/vi/pb_YeDbOY0w/maxresdefault.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i.ytimg.com/vi/pb_YeDbOY0w/maxresdefault.jpg" height="360" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
I could wax poetic about this local group, but I rather leave that to others. What I will do is share a video of one of their hits for Carnival and a post from a local blogger who interviewed them.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/fyz3Tt5zJzE" width="560"></iframe></div>
<br />
<br />
Click <a href="http://introspection268.blogspot.com/2015/07/sweet-soca-with-mnm-music.html?m=1" target="_blank">here</a> to read the interview on the blog, In.tro.spec.tion. Enjoy!<br />
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Image Credit: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pb_YeDbOY0w" target="_blank">YouTube </a>Kimolisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16624029898830661332noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580635660349746755.post-41169947014098853162015-07-12T10:12:00.000-04:002015-07-12T10:19:42.471-04:00Ooops, I Did It Again<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
Despite my reservations, I attended Blue Jeans with my sis, and I must say, I didn't hate it. In fact, I pretty much liked it. Then again, Blue Jeans and I have history as it was the very first fete I've ever gone to and it didn't hurt that they had <a href="http://djprivateryanmusic.com/" target="_blank">DJ Private Ryan</a>, the most versatile DJ in the world (and my favourite DJ). But it's one thing to say I like a fete, let me break it down for yah.....<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Shots, Shot, Shots, Everybody!</b></span></div>
Okay, there were drinks other than shots, but you had to be blind to miss the shots bar as it had a neon sign with the word, 'SHOTS' tempting the daring alcohol drinker. Because it was an all inclusive, the liquid courage flowed, from sophisticated fare like spritzers to your good old rum and coke (Lawd, dem mek um strong!) to cocktails that had the bartenders looking like proud parents or maniacal geniuses. And when you didn't want to decide on the variety of liquor, there was a bar that comprised of a big grey tub filled with water and Red Stripe. But the shots were worth sampling, from the smooth, creamy good good to the one that burned on the way down to the one that I considered liquid dragon licorice (tasted like <a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=Sambuca&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a" target="_blank">Sambuca</a> but bitch slapped you to near sobriety.)<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Dance, Bitch, Dance</b></span></div>
Now, this is why I liked Blue Jeans, I just love to dance. Ever since I was a kid, I liked to bruk out on the dance floor. It didn't hurt that the DJs played a mix that showed my age but whateva! From old school to new school, from dancehall to soca to pop/dance, I was a satisfied customer. I must say I was a little surprised earlier in the evening when they were playing <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2qunog47EVo" target="_blank">Fadda Fox's Ducking</a>, all of a sudden a whole bunch of people were, well, ducking. But I did appreciate that there was a designated dance floor, which meant whoever was on it, was on it to dance instead of just stand. But when you walked around, you soon discovered that the dancing wasn't relegated to the dance floor as some people were doing a little t'ing when their favourite song played. By the end, the dance floor was packed and all though the body and spirit were eager, the space was limited.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>The People on The Stage</b></span></div>
After a long set with the DJs, <a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=Sambuca&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a#q=Claudette+Peters" target="_blank">Claudette Peters</a> hit the stage. Her outfit was not as daring as the one she wore at Stage, but her make up was amazing and she brought the usual energy and fun. In the middle of her set, Menace or is it MnM, whichever came to the stage and kept the energy up. Granted I vaguely know their songs with the one exception of <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fyz3Tt5zJzE" target="_blank"><i>'Old Time Something'</i></a>. You can never go wrong with a dance instruction song, ask <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elephant_Man_%28musician%29" target="_blank">Elephant Man</a>. As the morning progressed, Claudette Peters came back on and then DJ Private Ryan took the stage, but it was different. He had an MC, is this good? is this bad? I can't fault him as some DJs do talk through their sets and this guy did bring more energy to his set. The jury is still out but he was easy on the eyes. Oh and before I forget, <a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=Tian+Winter+&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a" target="_blank">Tian Winter </a>performed briefly during Private Ryan's set. He wasn't bad and I'm happy he did away with the hat. I know it's hard for male performers to differentiate themselves when it comes to their clothing, but we aren't there to look at them but to listen to them. And Tian delivered, dancers and all. We also had <a href="https://www.facebook.com/itsdrue" target="_blank">Ricardo Drue</a> who sounded great.<br />
<br />
Overall, I had fun, but not only that, I learned a few truths, like:<br />
<ul>
<li><b>No two fetes are the same.</b> Stage is a concert while Blue Jeans is a dancing thing. White fete is for people who want to dress up and Blue Jeans are for those who want to dress down. And one can't compare Power Rumble to LOL or White Fete to Red Eye, they are all different beasts and give everybody a chance to enjoy themselves.</li>
<li><b>Think twice about footwear.</b> My initial thought was to wear sandals but I plucked on my UPP converse and went, and boy an I happy that I did. Because it rained and because they recently cut the dry grass, the location was a little muddy. Seeing women's bejeweled sandals and pretty pedicures smeared with mud and dried grass made me feel happy, knowing when I get home I would just pluck off my shoes and hit the sack.</li>
<li><b>Jeans meant shorts or second skin.</b> Sorry folks, I missed the memo, but I left my bottle of shade at home and I'm glad I didn't need it.</li>
<li><b>Dancing trumps standing.</b> Unlike at Stage, I danced and moved around at Blue Jeans as a result my body does not feel like it's 90 years old today. I'm not 100% but I'm not wishing I owned a cane, nor do I look like an arthritic penguin walking around my house.</li>
<li><b>People don't like rain.</b> Earlier in the evening, it rained and people flocked to the limited cover. It was while in a crowd, I gave into my dislike of stationary crowds and walked in the rain. Thank God I have natural hair, it was just extra moisturizer for my drying twists. </li>
</ul>
Blue Jeans is my last fete for the season, I wish I could say ever but I don't know it I will be the good sister and attend another fete with my sister. If I do, I can only hope there is a dance floor. Next on the agenda is J'ouvert. Haven't done it in a while, but you never know. You just never know.....Kimolisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16624029898830661332noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580635660349746755.post-15177447061854324242015-07-09T06:00:00.000-04:002015-07-09T06:00:01.183-04:00July Reads - Musical Youth<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This month, I'm reading <a href="http://amzn.to/1dFS0Pg" target="_blank">Musical Youth by Joanne C. Hillhouse</a>. It placed second in the 2014 Burt Award for Caribbean Literature.<br />
<br />
Synopsis:<br />
Music, Discovery, Love.<br />
<br />
Can one summer make the difference of a
lifetime?<br />
<br />
Zahara is a loner. She's brilliant on the guitar but in
everyday life she doesn't really fit in. Then she meets Shaka, himself a
musical genius and the first boy who really gets her. They discover
that they share a special bond, their passion for music, and Zahara
finds herself a part, not just of Shaka's life, but also that of his
boys, the Lion Crew.<br />
<br />
When they all get roles in a summer musical,
Zahara, Shaka, and the rest of the Lion Crew use the opportunity to work
on a secret project. But the Crew gets much more than they bargained
for when they uncover a dark secret linking Shaka and Zahara's families
and they're forced to confront some uncomfortable truths about class,
colour, and relationships on the Caribbean island of Antigua. Kimolisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16624029898830661332noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580635660349746755.post-16459664341007733192015-07-08T21:51:00.001-04:002015-07-08T21:51:53.969-04:00Two-fer Tuesday - Terminator & Magic Mike<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFEdfw4z7CXRbw3G9LxTeLt48HLmeGYOBKEy5Xz7cHoIsEnspj_tAmn397SiZ5eh5HB2aYKd4i_ZdVezJbxiA3kZT17uEABBYME-CHtKab1JlL_fzoBLljty5vebXAEq5H-gMs2Ct0xPiU/s1600/Movies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFEdfw4z7CXRbw3G9LxTeLt48HLmeGYOBKEy5Xz7cHoIsEnspj_tAmn397SiZ5eh5HB2aYKd4i_ZdVezJbxiA3kZT17uEABBYME-CHtKab1JlL_fzoBLljty5vebXAEq5H-gMs2Ct0xPiU/s1600/Movies.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
It has been a hella long time since I've reviewed a movie and this is the first time I've ever reviewed two movies in one post so this will be long. If needs be, scroll down to the movie that interests you.<br />
<br />
Last Tuesday, the movie group I am a part of went to see two movies one after the other. Actually, the women went to see two movies, there was no way the men would have gone to see Magic Mike. The movies were Terminator Genisys and Magic Mike XXL.<br />
<br />
My thoughts?<br />
<br />
<h3>
Terminator Genisys</h3>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://ia.media-imdb.com/images/M/MV5BMjM1NTc0NzE4OF5BMl5BanBnXkFtZTgwNDkyNjQ1NTE@._V1_SX640_SY720_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://ia.media-imdb.com/images/M/MV5BMjM1NTc0NzE4OF5BMl5BanBnXkFtZTgwNDkyNjQ1NTE@._V1_SX640_SY720_.jpg" height="320" width="204" /></a></div>
<br />
I didn't hate, in fact I saw it as a fun time at the cinema. I got my action with a bit of the mushy stuff and there was some comedy to it. It was interesting to see Arnold again and having him do fight scenes, the near nakedness of Kyle Reese was a great prep for Magic Mike and the story line was interesting although it left a lot of holes.<br />
<br />
Now I'm not going to pretend to understand and by extension explain the time travel paradox and what may have you, but I would like to think of this movie presenting a possible time line that leads up to Judgement Day as opposed to the definitive time line. What this movie presented was what was possible when a terminators or people were sent back to alter the time line from different points in the future time line. As I said I prefer to see it as a possible time line as opposed to saying this is the time line we are running with.<br />
<br />
I would add more but I won't so as to not drop a spoiler, but...<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><b>What I liked</b></span><br />
<ul>
<li>Them giving us an old school action movie with a present day edge;</li>
<li>How they integrate our current technology, i.e. smart phones that sync to everything to the SkyNet coming online. It is somewhat foreboding, making one ask the question of is it possible?</li>
<li>Arnold not denying that he is old;</li>
<li>Making references to the better terminator movies, the liquid metal terminator, the 80's music, etc;</li>
</ul>
<br />
<b> What I didn't like</b><br />
<ul>
<li>The early CGI of Arnold after arriving to 1984, it looked faker than a Ken doll, I'm just saying;</li>
<li> It felt long, I know that our attention spans have shortened drastically but there comes a point when you feel like the movie should be wrapping up. Perhaps the movie had too much in terms of times - 2029, 1984 then 2017, each with their own action scenes etal.</li>
</ul>
<br />
Overall, I liked it, I don't feel like I wasted any money on the movie, but I must say the off screen ish is another thing. Scroll down to the bottom for more on that.<br />
<br />
<h3>
Magic Mike XXL</h3>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://timedotcom.files.wordpress.com/2015/05/magic-mike-xxl1.jpg?w=560&quality=65&strip=color&h=830" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://timedotcom.files.wordpress.com/2015/05/magic-mike-xxl1.jpg?w=560&quality=65&strip=color&h=830" width="215" /></a></div>
<h3>
</h3>
I'll be straight with you, I had low expectations. I saw the first Magic Mike and although it had its high points, its low points left me feeling sad and not too happy that I saw the movie. As such, I didn't expect that I would like this movie, but I did. To me, it was a great road trip movie with half naked men, well and a few near-naked men.<br />
<br />
The humor was endearing, the people they met along the way were interesting and fun. There were a few well known people up in this film, Jada Pinkett-Smith, Andie McDowell, Donald Glover and they fit in seamlessly into the story line. Oh and Lord, there was a lot of bromance going on.<br />
<br />
My only drawbacks were I didn't think the romantic angle was necessary. The guys were wavering in and out of caricatures of their characters as a result it veered in and out of being believable. Perhaps, that is why I think the women stole the show.<br />
<br />
Jada Pinkett-Smith nailed it as the MC, every time she performed that role, I sat up and noticed because I would love to be able to command an audience like that. Andie McDowell just oozed Southern charm and scorn with equal parts bourbon and honey. I would love to be that fearless. And there was one other woman, Elizabeth Banks, she was a little bit of both Jada and Andie.<br />
<br />
<b>What I liked</b><br />
<ul>
<li>The humour;</li>
<li>The characters they met along the way, from the drag queen to the women I mentioned before;</li>
<li>That it was a fun road trip movie;</li>
<li>The convenience store scene;</li>
<li>That Tatum attempted <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WDJHDdw-MOY" target="_blank">a death drop</a> (my favourite drag queen move);</li>
<li>That the private strip club scene was tasteful and it was more about moves and technique than the raunchiness of what the moves are trying to portray;</li>
<li>Half and near naked men, how can I leave that out;</li>
<li>The last three performances; </li>
</ul>
<br />
<b>What I didn't like </b><br />
<ul>
<li>That some of the main characters were over the top, I mean some of them made it work and others made me wonder why bother and why are you here</li>
<li>The romantic interest felt bleh, another why bother. It felt like it was tacked on.</li>
</ul>
Overall, it was a good movie to see with your girlfriends.<br />
<br />
Now, before I end this post, let me share my thoughts on the going to the movies on the day when the ticket price is reduced. Let's call this part,<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>I should have paid full price</b></span><br />
<b>The early movie</b>. Don't go.... Now one of the guys in the group hates going to the 6:something movies because of the children and I agree with him. Yes, we went into the cinema late. Yes, we arrived at the same 5 seats the exact time a couple and their toddler arrived, but why didn't the couple take the two seats leaving the other three for the rest of us? This forced the couple on the other side to move over to let us have three seats. Okay, you brought your little girl to the cinema, but can you at least sedate her, why is this strange child touching me? Why bother come to see the movie if 3/5 through it you have to pack up your kid and go? I'm not saying you can't take your kid to the movie, just be mindful of others who don't want to hear your kid bawling.<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>We are in the dark, </b>and still every Tuesday, Caribbean Cinemas becomes a fashion show of the tacky variety. Lord, I tried real hard not to judge but when my, ahem, sisters are showing up with dresses under their backsides or shorts that display the lower parts of their backsides, I have to judge. I almost broke out into prayer. <b>We are in the dark.</b> Sigh.<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Please light up the darkness with your phone.</b> Of course I want to know that you are messaging someone on Whatsapp. Oh, during this riveting scene, you have this strong desire to check your FaceBook? Really? You have an old school phone, what the buck are you looking at during the movie. Oh, you want to take a picture of yourself in the cinema while people are watching a movie? I don't know if people realize that they create a rectangle of light that distracts people from the screen. I sometimes make a point of speaking about people using their phones in the movie, pretty much dropping words because that is some tomfoolery.<br />
<br />
There are more things that tick me off but these are what ground my gears at the excursion to the cinema. <b>What grinds your gears when you go to the cinema? Leave your answers in the comments below.</b><br />
<br />
Image Credits: <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1340138/" target="_blank">IMDb</a>, <a href="http://time.com/3894577/magic-mike-xxl-poster-abs/" target="_blank">Time</a>Kimolisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16624029898830661332noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580635660349746755.post-2972987022306830022015-07-06T06:00:00.000-04:002015-07-12T10:21:13.086-04:00Black Country?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://d2uza3cs9or1cf.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/maxresdefault35-768x432.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://d2uza3cs9or1cf.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/maxresdefault35-768x432.jpg" height="360" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Excuse my ignorance, but I didn't know there were well known, national level country and western singers. Sure you have those who work the circuits, but the well known artists (and by well known I mean me sitting in Antigua would find out about them). Then I came across <a href="http://mickeyguyton.com/" target="_blank">Mickey Guyton</a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
And <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/2006/jul/16/folk" target="_blank">here</a> is an article from the Guardian about black artists in Country and Western.<br />
<br />
Pic: <a href="http://www.umgnashville.com/our-artists/mickey-guyton/" target="_blank">UMG Nashville</a>Kimolisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16624029898830661332noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580635660349746755.post-4091122948551044042015-07-05T07:57:00.003-04:002015-07-05T07:57:36.490-04:00Becoming Venus - You Ain't S#!@!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.astrobio.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/14730033038-049d402366-o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.astrobio.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/14730033038-049d402366-o.jpg" height="424" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Let me start off by putting things into perspective. Think about it, you are:<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>One person in a population of over 7 billion people;</li>
<li>On a planet in a solar system of 9 planets (yes, Pluto is in my solar system);</li>
<li>In a solar system in a galaxy of billions of solar systems;</li>
<li>In a galaxy in a universe that has billions of galaxies.</li>
</ul>
<br />
Now, the question I have to ask you is, why do you think you are so important? In the whole scale of things you are a speck on a speck in a speck in another speck. Think that little creature that is smaller than an ant, that's you.<br />
<br />
Then there is the fact that time is continuous, oh sure it seems to slow down when you are having a memorable moment, but it just keeps going like a lazy river. At one point you jumped into that river and then another point you came out. But think about this, do you know anything about your great-great-great-great uncle on your mother's side? Do you know anything about the shepherd in Ireland, the goat herder in Kenya, the opium farmer in Afghanistan who existed in the past or lives during your lifetime? And the reality is they know absolutely nothing about you.<br />
<br />
Think about it, the "famous" people, the Nelson Mandela's, the Beyonce's, the Hitler's are one in billions. They "won" the lottery through their hard work, good or bad, their consistency and single mindedness (but that is another blog post). And guess what? the rest of us didn't "win" that lottery, but even if we did, in a hundred years, a thousand years, these individuals will only be remembered by historians, replaced by people doing interesting things in the future. The day will come when the Kardashians will be forgotten.<br />
<br />
The reality is<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">You Ain't Shit!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
But.....</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Yeah, there is a but. But that gives you permission to do the things people tell you, the things you tell yourself, you can't do because at the end of the day it doesn't matter. So what if you don't write an international bestselling novel, but you do have a novel that is out there and like E. L. James (sigh) your novel can grow a readership that goes galactic. You can develop a program that would have Bill Gates and Mark Zuckerberg giving you the side eye. You could inspire a generation through your actions instead of inaction to do something more than just survive.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Do you really want your short stint on this planet to be about surviving, paying the bills and having the latest gadget? Or do you want to experience the natural high of achieving something that has been pricking the back of your mind? (Why do I sound like a drug dealer?)</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
At the end of the day, you and your actions don't matter, so why not do whatever the hell you want to do? Society makes everything so scary and although they push the idea of "out of the box thinking", it wants us to live in the box. But life shouldn't be so serious. It's short, it's messy but it can be fun and while you are taking that last breath at the end of it, you should have a silly smile on your face because you know it was an amazing ride. Not for the other billions of people on this earth or the countless life forms on our planet and the universe, but for YOU.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
So today, tomorrow and the weeks and the months ahead, choose that dream, that idea, that one thing that gives you a buzz, plan how to execute it and DO IT! (Mind you, not "Just Do It" because that makes it sound like it's easy, but DO IT.)<br />
</div>
<ul>
<li>DO IT because you want it more than anything in the world</li>
<li>DO IT because it is what YOU want to do</li>
<li>DO IT because it is part of your legacy, what you are leaving to the world</li>
<li>DO IT because despite the hardship, when it is done you feel on top of the world</li>
<li>DO IT because no one can do it like you</li>
<li>DO IT because you deserve it</li>
</ul>
<br />
And as added motivation, Shia LaBouef:<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/nuHfVn_cfHU" width="560"></iframe>
<br />
But also DO IT, because in the grander scheme of things it doesn't matter and that should be one weight off your shoulders, one less thing in your way along your path to personal greatness. But never forget,<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">You Ain't Shit</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
To learn more about Becoming Venus, click <a href="http://asilomik.blogspot.com/2015/06/becoming-venus-introduction.html" target="_blank">here</a>.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Image Credit: Nasa, <a href="http://primalcarnageforums.com/archive/index.php/t-38-p-5.html" target="_blank">Primal Carnage Forums</a>,</div>
Kimolisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16624029898830661332noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580635660349746755.post-56872441711637674752015-06-29T20:06:00.000-04:002015-06-29T20:06:00.285-04:00Music Mondays | Karmin<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://static.idolator.com/uploads/2014/10/Karmin-Amy-Nick-promo-photo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://static.idolator.com/uploads/2014/10/Karmin-Amy-Nick-promo-photo.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
Like many people, I came across this band when they did a <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=khCokQt--l4" target="_blank">cover of a Chris Brown song</a> and Amy nailed Busta Rhymes part. Since then I've been subscribed to <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCx26KtPU7eYKxyOblAxAkdQ" target="_blank">their YouTube channel</a> and as such I have seen their progress as an indie band and a <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDL8dRG10IJbTc0JB0pIp3g" target="_blank">signed band</a> and back to an indie band.<br />
<br />
For a moment, I think they lost their<i> it factor</i>, that thing that differentiated them from other bands. It is only recently that I've seen them come back to becoming the band they are supposed to be. That is why I have no problems sharing them on my social media out of support.<br />
<br />
Here is one of the songs that gave me confidence in Karmin<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ULhWnX5canw" width="480"></iframe>Kimolisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16624029898830661332noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580635660349746755.post-62651571887393630592015-06-28T09:22:00.001-04:002015-06-28T10:03:22.245-04:00Becoming Venus - An Introduction<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/86/Giorgione_-_Sleeping_Venus_-_Google_Art_Project_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="394" src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/86/Giorgione_-_Sleeping_Venus_-_Google_Art_Project_2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Of late I've been thinking of doing this series of post called <i>Becoming Venus</i>. In part it is my journey in becoming a woman and in part it is a guide for my daughter (when I have her) on her journey in becoming a woman. Among many things, it will visit the themes of self love and acceptance, finding one's path in life and tapping into one's inner wisdom.<br />
<br />
I know there are many blogs that speak on these themes and I questioned if I should even add my voice to the chorus. Then I figure what the hey, why not? If anything it will clarify my runaway thoughts and give structure to what I would share with my mini me or myself when I was younger.<br />
<br />
<h4>
Why Venus</h4>
Whenever I think of the goddess Venus, I think of this image,<br />
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<a href="http://www.ancient.eu/uploads/images/711.jpg?v=1431035676" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.ancient.eu/uploads/images/711.jpg?v=1431035676" height="409" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Granted this painting depicted the female body of that time as the ideal, and truth be told it is a true depiction of the female body today, despite what fashion magazines tell us about how we are supposed to look. The reality is we are supposed to have some flesh on our bones, a little pot of a belly and it does not take away from our femininity or our ability to be desirable.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
Then there is the mythology of Venus, according to <a href="http://www.ancient.eu/venus/" target="_blank">Ancient History Encyclopedia</a>,<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
In Roman mythology, Venus was the goddess of love, sex, beauty, and fertility. She was the Roman counterpart to the Greek Aphrodite.
However, Roman Venus had many abilities beyond the Greek Aphrodite; she
was a goddess of victory, fertility, and even prostitution. </div>
<br />
In this respect, becoming Venus is about cultivating love, embracing one's sexuality, beauty and fertility, as well as being victorious in one's endeavours. All of these is what makes a woman a woman, in my estimation anyway. I am all for equal rights, but not to the degree that we lose what makes us different from the other sex.<br />
<br />
Now I know that there are those who are not interested in cultivating their feminine wiles, those who accept themselves as they are, and to them, I say "Do you". But there are some of us who were just wondering around in the wilderness trying to figure out how to be a woman and/or trying to develop into the woman we were meant to be. Not a woman sculpted by the outer world but one developed by the inner being.<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>A woman who understands and loves her body, </li>
<li>A woman who continues to grow and develop mentally and spiritually.</li>
<li>A woman who meets and exceeds her expectations for herself</li>
<li>A woman who knows her strengths and weaknesses</li>
<li>A woman who can nurture and support her significant other and children, ensuring that they are assets to society, not liabilities</li>
</ul>
<br />
Now I don't have all the answers, I don't think anyone does. I'm still on my journey, and although in society, I am considered a woman, it does not mean that I am one entirely. There is still room to grow, to become the kind of woman that is not only beautiful, inside and out, but wise and confident. That is my personal aim. That is when I will become Venus. <br />
<br />
pic sources: <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rokeby_Venus" target="_blank">1</a>, <a href="http://www.ancient.eu/venus/" target="_blank">2</a>Kimolisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16624029898830661332noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580635660349746755.post-5486009062619904712015-06-23T10:08:00.000-04:002015-06-23T10:08:00.065-04:00Movies To Watch<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://blog.allmyfaves.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/foundd-what-movie-should-I-watch-tonight.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://blog.allmyfaves.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/foundd-what-movie-should-I-watch-tonight.jpg" /></a></div>
I used to post trailers of movies I would want to watch, sad to say most of these won't make it to the cinema down here. C'est la vie.<br />
<br />
The Intern<br />
Release Date: 25 September 2015<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Hotel Transylvania 2
Release Date: September 2015
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/G4ti9p-V-IU" width="560"></iframe><br />
<br />
Good Kill<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/7MQAHv_eSdo" width="560"></iframe><br />
<br />
Dial A Prayer
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/uNdkUYc_MTM" width="560"></iframe><br />
<a href="http://blog.allmyfaves.com/entertainment/foundd-from-movie-ratings-to-personal-movie-recommendations/">pic</a>Kimolisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16624029898830661332noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580635660349746755.post-44289961777733371772015-06-22T19:49:00.000-04:002015-06-22T19:49:00.039-04:00Music Mondays | Madeleine PeyrouxYears ago, I went to a local music store in search of music to buy and all though they had chart topping CDs, I wasn't interested in them. Then I saw this CD and without hesitation I bought it. It is great chillax music and every time I hear a song from it I can't help but smile.<br />
<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/7OvVlL4rxUA" width="480"></iframe>Kimolisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16624029898830661332noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580635660349746755.post-20636690673815890142015-06-21T08:26:00.000-04:002015-06-21T09:32:14.324-04:00Happy Fathers Day?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.urwallpapers.com/download/8541/hd_wallpaper_the_hand_of_father_and_child_black_and_white_photo.jpg/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.urwallpapers.com/download/8541/hd_wallpaper_the_hand_of_father_and_child_black_and_white_photo.jpg/" height="360" width="640" /></a></div>
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Every year, this day would roll around, a few weeks after Mothers Day and I would be reminded that men get no love. Let me first explain that I grew up in a retail environment, one that capitalizes on such holidays. There were times when Valentines Day and Mothers Day had almost the same action as Christmas, but even in those times Fathers Day got barely any love.<br />
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This Fathers Day, I took it upon myself to make up gift sets to sell. Out of 12 sets, 2 sold. As we tried to do the same thing we did on Mothers Day to get rid of them (standing at the side of the street and screaming at drivers), I discovered some sad truths:<br />
<ul>
<li>People did not consider buying their father a gift;</li>
<li>People don't think the fathers they know deserve a gift. As one lady said, her brother is a sperm donor;</li>
<li>People are not willing to shell out money for a gift, a couple people wanted gifts for $5 and $10;</li>
<li>Men would never give gifts to other men when it comes to something like Fathers Day;</li>
<li>People would not consider giving a gift to a man who is not their father but is a father, be it an uncle, a friend, etc</li>
<li>Mothers are more in the minds of people than fathers as evidenced by the fact that all the gift baskets we had on Mothers Day sold out while we only sold two for Fathers Day, and those two were the <u>cheapest</u> one.</li>
</ul>
But what does this say about us as a society? Now I must admit, for the week, sales have been lackluster and that particular day, St. John's was almost a ghost town. Unlike Mothers Day, no extra people were on the sides of the streets selling gift sets and baskets. In fact I only saw one table with gifts for fathers, but I have a strong feeling the woman went home with the bulk of her stock.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">But why no love for the fathers?</span></div>
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Is it that we have so many deadbeat dads, sperm donors and the like that people have no desire to give their fathers a gift of appreciation? Is it a matter that we, as a society, don't encourage showing affection to the men, even if they are our fathers? Is it a matter that Mothers have gone through so much that they expect something on that one day set aside for them? Is it a matter that there is a disconnect between fathers and their children?<br />
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Perhaps fathers, in general, have never played a major role in the upbringing of the child. As such their offspring don't have a positive emotional connection with them. Said offspring categorizing their fathers in to one of the following:<br />
<ul>
<li>Breadwinner</li>
<li>Disciplinarian</li>
<li>The man who passes by every now and then</li>
<li>The man who gives them sweets and other unimportant things</li>
<li>The man who sleeps at their house</li>
<li>Nowhere to be found </li>
</ul>
Then again, what example do men have on being a good father? How can they be a good father if they never had one? That's why I miss shows like the Cosby Show, where there was a great example of a good father, but now a days who do men or even young boys have as fatherly role models? And what makes a good father?<br />
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According to AskMen's article, <a href="http://www.askmen.com/money/body_and_mind_60/96_better_living.html" target="_blank">12 Traits of a Great Father</a>, a good father,<br />
<ul>
<li>is a good disciplinarian</li>
<li>allows his kids to make mistakes</li>
<li>is open minded</li>
<li>teaches his children to appreciate things</li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">accepts that his kids aren't exactly like him</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">spends quality time with his children</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">leads by example</span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">is supportive & loyal</span></span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">challenges his kids</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">teaches his children lessons</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">protects his family at all costs</span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">shows unconditional love</span></span></span><b><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"><b> </b></span></b></span></b><span style="font-size: small;"> </span> </span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-size: small;">There you have it, with all the information at our finger tips, why aren't there more great fathers? I'm not saying that one can have all the traits, but a few doesn't hurt. And if you haven't noticed, they don't cost a thing.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Maybe I'm being idealistic in believing that men should step up to the plate and be good fathers. Maybe I'm being a capitalist in hoping that children would want to buy their fathers gifts. Maybe I should accept that Fathers day will slip away into obscurity with a few of us still giving the men in our lives a token of our appreciation. Just maybe.<b> </b></span> Kimolisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16624029898830661332noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580635660349746755.post-39747651321933881382015-06-17T08:00:00.000-04:002015-06-17T08:00:03.095-04:00Entrepreneur Spotlight - Bi-Kai<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFUAPMF8b8zdvwiZgsVRdsOY81rPvJmq34Dn7u5-mGBsb7jkEL7XtjXpNyOxOmWCYUJXYnRotqRq6rf2Jcz1DJT7C52zWd9j0_208MvuARd7HRVznMWv4S-xI8VxVNZ81y-te95_w-vNBP/s1600/bikaiad1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFUAPMF8b8zdvwiZgsVRdsOY81rPvJmq34Dn7u5-mGBsb7jkEL7XtjXpNyOxOmWCYUJXYnRotqRq6rf2Jcz1DJT7C52zWd9j0_208MvuARd7HRVznMWv4S-xI8VxVNZ81y-te95_w-vNBP/s1600/bikaiad1.jpg" /></a></div>
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With the economy as it is and with no indication that it will be getting better, we are seeing individuals embarking on the entrepreneurial path. Be it a side hustle or those taking the plunge (or have no choice but take the plunge) into starting a business and putting in the hard work. One such business is Bi-Kai Cosmetics (pronounced Bee-Ky).<br />
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I found out about Bi-Kai through a friend who introduced me to the individual behind the new cosmetic brand, Melrose Boyce. In this post we find out how he got into the business of cosmetics, his newest product about to be launched and his advice for entrepreneurs.<br />
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<b>Tell me about yourself?</b><br />
I was born in the village of Tyrelle's and pretty much lived there all my life. As a matter of fact where I live now is exactly where I grew up. I work for the government teaching Chemistry to upper form students. I am married for 14 years and we have 3 children, three dogs and 4 cats. I am a Christian and enjoy music. I am also a musician and play several instruments mainly piano and bass guitar.<br />
<br />
<b>Where did you get the idea for Bi-Kai?</b><br />
Though I didn't have this particular name then, the idea for a cosmetics company started in 1994/1995 when in a chemistry class on organic compounds, I discovered how they made aromatic compounds. And through further research I learned that this is the foundation of modern perfumery.<br />
<br />
I started researching more but discovered that to get that started it is really expensive. So I began to experiment with extracting scents from many of the fragrant plants that we have. I made some scents and people liked it. I went on to work at the government Chemistry Lab, Dunbars where I researched more and found that it was cheaper to start with lotions.<br />
<br />
Made my first lotion in 1998 out of beeswax. However to bring a product to the market it must be properly preserved. By that time I was sold on making all natural products however all the preservatives at the time were synthetic. So I kinda shelved the idea for more than one reason.<br />
<br />
About 5 years ago I started looking at it again and found that a new company came on stream that was now making natural preservatives. So after many years of R&D here we are.....that's the loooong version<br />
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And many of the preservatives still in use today are known skin irritants! But its the lesser of two evils I guess<br />
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The name came form combining to <a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=Taino&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a" target="_blank">Taino</a> words, Bi means life and kai means nourishment. Nourishment for life.....<br />
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<b>Interesting. So Bi-Kai was in development for quite a while. How were you able to juggle developing the line and all your other commitments?</b><br />
I think perhaps that's why it took so long. It requires not only an investment of time but also money. So whenever I could divert funds from regular expenses and commitments I would buy small batches of the ingredients to experiment. Work on formulation...<br />
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Time wise, I am a night person so if I couldn't find the time in the day, due to time with the fam or anything else, there is always the night. I get my best ideas then anyway<br />
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<b>What is currently available for purchase?</b><br />
At present or at least when we launch we will have one product the Extrem Moisture Therapy lotion<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.allure.com/beauty-trends/blogs/daily-beauty-reporter/2012/11/01/woman-applying-lotion.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.allure.com/beauty-trends/blogs/daily-beauty-reporter/2012/11/01/woman-applying-lotion.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a><b>And what are some of the benefits of Extrem Moisture Therapy?</b><br />
One of the challenges that many people face is dry skin. And having bought products that are in both lower and higher price brackets the truth is that they just don't work. Our product moisturizes the skin for longer periods of time. It makes the skin soft and supple. It also offers entry level protection from the UV rays of the sun. I say entry level as one can certainly be more protected but it offers basic protection from harmful UV rays. In keeping the skin adequately moisturized, it also reduces the development of premature aging. There are 8 moisturizers in our lotion and not just any 8, but 8 that work together to uncover softer, younger looking skin.<br />
<br />
Also whether you have dry or oily skin, the skin still needs to be nourished<br />
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<b>You mentioned that you tested products on the market, can you name a few?</b><br />
My tests have been basic as in how they work on my skin and my family's. In addition I have also solicited reviews from other individuals about how the products work for them. Products like Jergens, Vaseline intensive. There are products on the higher end of the price scale that do work however none are 100% natural<br />
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<b>In your product testing what are some of the comments you keep hearing about your product?</b><br />
Well, I started with my wife who has been a tremendous support and partner in this venture, and who also has dry skin mainly her feet. She had often resorted to pure Vaseline to keep her feet from drying out. First test with the product, just one application in the morning before work she didn't require further application for the day. Other persons report the same thing.<br />
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Other comments are, in addition to being really moisturizing, it is also not greasy at all<br />
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Others have said it makes their skin really soft. Others said they tried other products that work for a short time and then had to be re-applied but when using our lotion it works longer especially on the difficult areas like the elbows and knees<br />
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Person have also commented that it smells good enough to eat smile <br />
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<b>Do you attribute the lack of greasiness to the natural ingredients?</b><br />
Its not just down to the ingredients... when I started formulating the lotion a lot of the formulations came out good but a little too greasy for some. So it really boils down to two things the choice of ingredients and also the synergy of those ingredients. This makes the biggest difference.<br />
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It takes a while to determine what will work with what to give the properties you want. And when you are working with 8 different ingredients it can get complicated<br />
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<b>So a lot of thought went into formulation of the product. Where do you get your ingredients?</b><br />
The ingredients are sourced from a company in Miami that imports from the various suppliers. I wanted and still want to use Caribbean suppliers but during formulation the quality that I got was not desirable. However, [if] that quality issue is sorted I will buy Caribbean.<br />
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<b>When do you plan to launch this product?</b><br />
The current launch date is June 30th. So pretty soon<br />
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<b>And where can people purchase it?</b><br />
So far a few. <a href="http://108direct.com/listings/trendciti-antigua-ltd/" target="_blank">Trendciti</a> beauty supplies, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Best-of-books-Bookstore/50192766187?fref=ts" target="_blank">Best of Books</a> in their Made in Antigua section and Loretta of <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Kinks-Coils-Locs/377413882307816?fref=ts" target="_blank">Kinks Coils and Locks</a> has shown interest. We do hope to be in a few more before launch but the final list will be revealed at launch.<br />
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<b>As an start up entrepreneur, what have you learned from the process of creating this product and bringing it to market?</b><br />
I have learned that it takes persistence and commitment. There is so much to deter you from going after your goal. But if you are focused and determined you can do it.<br />
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It also requires a huge financial investment. If you have to do it out of pocket as I have it will take longer but you will get there<br />
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The greatest feeling you will get is when you finally get there and look back at what it took, you get this overwhelming sense of achievement<br />
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<b>Sounds like this is just the beginning. What can we expect in Bi-Kai's future?</b><br />
Bi-Kai cosmetics will continue to develop a full range of natural cosmetics. More than just creating products, we want to develop a relationship with our customers where we can give to our customers exactly what they want<br />
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Eventually I would like to come full circle and get back to where it all started....Perfumes. Our customers can expect a full range of natural products<br />
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<b>How does the public get in contact with you? Is there a website, a Facebook page?</b><br />
The Facebook page is <a href="http://facebook.com/bikaicosmetics">Facebook.com/bikaicosmetics</a><br />
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The website address is bi-kai.com however that is still under development and will launch pretty soon.<br />
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Until the site is up and the email address is live persons can always inbox me on the page. While they are there they can also like the page<br />
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<b>In one sentence, how would you describe your business?</b><br />
Our slogan is Nature unleashed in the palm of your hand<br />
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<b>If could have one super power, what would you choose?</b><br />
My super power of choice would be healing. Lots of people need some kind of healing today<br />
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It took Melrose about 20 years to get to this point in his business but as you read, the sense of achievement made it worth it. The world is changing, no longer should we keep that idea buried in our minds as we work the 9 to 5. It won't happen right away, it may even fail, but at least you tried and you can always try again.<br />
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I would like to thank Melrose Boyce for granting me this interview. Be on the look out for the launch of Extem Moisture Therapy Body Lotion at the end of June 2015. Be sure to like <a href="http://facebook.com/bikaicosmetics" target="_blank">Bi-Kai's FaceBook page</a>.<br />
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If you are an entrepreneur living in Antigua and you would like me to spotlight your company, email me @ asilomik[at]hotmail[dot]com and put in the subject Entrepreneur Spotlight. I love getting to know people who are willing to take the risk in starting their own business.<br />
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pic 2 : <a href="http://www.allure.com/beauty-trends/blogs/daily-beauty-reporter/2012/11/the-best-moisturizers-for-fall.html" target="_blank">Allure</a> pic 3: <a href="http://madamenoire.com/192144/tlc-was-wrong-you-could-use-a-good-scrub-5-must-have-scrubs-exfoliants-for-summer/" target="_blank">Madame Noire</a> pic 4: <a href="http://edition.cnn.com/2012/12/10/living/health-fragrance/" target="_blank">CNN</a>Kimolisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16624029898830661332noreply@blogger.com0