I realize that this is a pretty random rant but--Why do some people think the rules don't apply to them?? Why are there folks that feel that whatever the rule/law/expectation is--it's not meant for them? What is that about?

I know people that are above the law. And it doesn't matter what the law is. It could be something as simple as--McDonald's doesn't serve breakfast after 11am. Why is there always some Bozo who waltzes in at 3pm and can't understand why he can't get an egg mcmuffin?? What about the rule that says--No smoking while pumping gas? There's always someone who is pumping gas with a lit cigarette danging right over the pump? And let's not forget the restaurant rule--Shirts and shoes required. Since I live in South Florida, there's always a group, just from the beach, who have neither. Why should I have to eat my meal with the taco meat on your chest in plain view? Why? Why? Why?

There are reasons for rules. It can not ALWAYS be about YOU!! Abide by the rules!! That is all.

Your comments--priceless!!

I've been watching the story about the woman up in New York, who was driving drunk with a car full of kids and ended up killing 8 people, including herself.

Let me first say--I am not a drinker. I don't drink beer, wine, champagne, mixed drinks, or anything else that contains alcohol. I simply don't like the taste of alcohol. But, here's my question--Is it possible to have an alcoholic in the house and one not know it?

I'm just not sure how that works. Even if they had presence of mind to try to hide the evidence before they started drinking, once they got drunk, wouldn't the jig be up? I mean--even if you didn't find bottles or empty cups/glasses, wouldn't you see that the person was drunk? or smelled like alcohol? or had a hangover? or was throwing up after a night of partying?

Again, I'm asking. I have no knowledge of how this is done. Please advise.

Your comments--priceless!!

Today is a very exciting day for you--rather than the regular ramblings from me, I've invited a special friend to ramble instead! She'll definitely bring you an angle that I never could, as she is a teenager. This is her first attempt at blogging and I think she's an excellent writer. I sure that years from now, I'll proudly say that I knew her "when." Here goes...


In my almost 16 years of life, a great deal of things (including but not limited to: my family, my friends, strangers, celebrities, and everyday life in general) have managed to make me extremely angry. But the latest offender to make it on to my 'Things to Get Revenge Against' list is Tide. Yes, that's right. A friggin' laundry detergent has managed further my progression into an angry black woman (the official countdown to September 8, 2014 has commenced).

You may be wondering what could cause me to be so angry at the Tide company. Did they test some new products on third world orphans and give them some terrible case of hives? Did their CEO say something racist? Well, that's entirely possible. I don't watch the news so all that could've happened and I wouldn't even know (if it did happen my, conscience can be clear because I don't even use Tide). No, what has me so enraged is their latest commercial; so, really, I guess I'm mad at their PR company.

In case you haven't seen it, the commercial is about their latest detergent, which is specially formulated to run in cold water and, therefore, use less energy. The inner child and music lover in me could really care less about the good-natured environmental benefits. They're more concerned with the song running in the background: 'Rebirth of Slick (Cool Like Dat)' by Digable Planets. The first time I saw/heard that commercial, I swear I died a little inside and every time since. It wasn't until ten minutes ago when I was sitting in a Chinese food restaurant when the doggone thing came on the TV again that I finally decided enough was enough.

WHAT WAS THAT CRAP?

Of course, I've already had my own vocal rant with my personal argument backboard (my mother) and she, of course, responded with, "Well, the song is 16 years old."

I, of course, responded with, "So?"

In blowing my poor mother's response clearly out of proportion, I come to the conclusion that, in a few weeks, when I turn 16, people are allowed to use me in commercials no matter how stupid it makes me look (love ya, ma). I'm waiting for the day somebody figures out a way to use Prince's 'Purple Rain' on a commercial so I can respond with, "Mom, it is 25 years old."

I'm not necessarily opposed to using songs in commercials. In some cases, like Bacardi's latest using Matt and Kim's 'Daylight', it's alright (let's ignore the fact that I'm underage and I’ve seen all the multiple edited versions of the commercial because I keep watching late night TV). I like the song, the commercial is artfully done, unlike the Tide commercial the song is edited well so it doesn't sound as choppy, and, most importantly, THE SONG IS NEW (relatively).

Using new songs in commercials allows the television viewing audience to hear songs that they may not have heard if their local radio station offers little-to-no variety (hint, hint, STL). Using older songs, however, only makes people like me who actively listen to music suffer for a month and a half while the thing is circulation. Need I remind you of 'This Will Be' and eHarmony (and the fact that you can’t hear that song without cringing)? I thought not.

I'd just like to point out that the minute I finished this, the music video just came on my TV. God must really love irony (and making me angry).

About a month ago, I was complaining that I wasn't sleeping well. Well, my tune has changed. Vacation helped my insomnia. I'm sleeping like a baby. In fact, I overslept for the first time in years.

I'm not sure if this is a blessing or a curse. But I'm going to let it flow as long as I can.

Your comments--priceless!

A few weeks ago, I told you all about the planned family cruise for next June. Next year. June. 2010. So, it may come as a surprise to you, but certainly not to me, that Dad needed to apply for his passport while here on vacation. This year. August. 2009. He had no sooner gotten off the plane, when he announced that he had brought his birth certificate, "the one with the raised seal," so that he could get his passport while here.

Nearly everyday, he reminded me that he needed to get his passport. He's heard that there is a backlog and that it could take a long time for passports. He wanted to be prepared for the cruise. June. 2010. So, yesterday was the day. Now, I've known my Dad all of my life, so I did my homework. I found a nearby Court House that took passport applications. I called and inquired about the wait. I was told that there is usually no wait after lunch.

So, we get there, park and go inside. Dad looked at the building and announced that it "looked like there was a jail in there." I'm not sure what buildings with jails look like, but he was certain. We go inside. Because it's a court building, we had to go through security. He forgot to take his phone out of his pocket. The officer with the wand found it. He had to go back and put it in the basket to run through the machine. He wasn't pleased--he ONLY wanted a passport.

We found the office, and sure enough, there was nobody there. I filled out his application, and we went up to the window. Wait--I forgot to say that he didn't have his pictures, but that they offer picture service. Anyhow, we go up to the window. The charges are posted on the glass--$75 for the passport, by check or money order. Then $25 for the processing, in cash or credit card. Dad didn't have his checkbook, I wrote the check from my checkbook. The woman then requested $35 for the processing AND picture. Dad kept telling me that she was cheating because the sign said $25. I explained that the extra $10 was for his picture. He still thinks she's cheating. They took his picture. They showed him the pictures. They had 2. Now, she DEFINITELY was cheating. She took TWO pictures. I advised that they would put one picture in the passport and keep one with the application.

So, all that's left is his signature. He had to sign in the clerk's presence. He did. But then, she bundled his birth certificate ("the one with the raised seal") up with the application, to send on to the Dept of State. He asked for it back. The nice lady told him that he would get it back with his passport in a couple weeks. He wanted it back now. She was confused. I stepped in and repeated that he would get it back in the same envelope with his new passport. He was clearly disturbed, but let it go. And he announced that he did NOT want to go through the metal detector on the way out. He didn't have to. It was over.

However, an hour later, sitting in Olive Garden, he told me that he HOPED he would get his birth certificate back, the one with the raised seal. I love Dad. He's a hoot.

Your comments--priceless!!

As vacation comes to a close, I must say that I had a great time. There were many things that we always do that we didn't this time. There are also things that we've never done, but have now been added into the rotation. I loved being with family and having a large group around. I hated being with family and having a large group around. It's so bittersweet! And there are tons of pictures so that I can forever relive it.

But now work looms. School starts later this month. College tours start in September. Back to the mundane routine. Summer is over.

What did you guys do this summer? Is it over for you or do you still have some fun left? Share your adventures with me...

Your comments--priceless!!

I have made some bad choices. Very bad choices. For the past week, with the family here, my food choices have been horrible. I've had everything from creamy dips to fried chicken to bread puddings. While they were absolutely delicious, I am going to pay for it.

DSM!! Which means--"Diet Starts Monday!!" Next week, I vow to make healthy choices(at least half of the time). I am going to be thin by the holidays. I see everyone snickering, but I REALLY mean it this time! I'm going to be slim and trim!!

I know that I always fall off the wagon early on, but laying around the pool and seeing those hard bodies have made me a changed woman. No more oreos dipped in chocolate. No more fried macaroni/cheese appetizers. No more Coldstone Creamery. Bring on the fresh fruits and veggies.

So, it's settled. DSM. Which means that for the next week, I have to have my last hurrah! Wish me luck!

Your comments--priceless!!

This week's FOJ(Friend of Jewel) is Rasheen Peppers. You may recognize him as one of the stars of the A&E Channel's Manhunters Show. He is a deputized US Marshal and a detective with the Newark, New Jersey Police Department-what I would call a true hero. Each time I talk to him, I am impressed with his humble character and his commitment to his community.

Rasheen was born and reared in Newark. His mother married into a family of law enforcement officers when he was a toddler. His grandfather and uncles were well respected, decorated police officers. From a child, he thought law enforcement was such a brave, admirable career--"to face your fears, so that others can live fearlessly."

He and his wife have chosen to raise their family in the same community that he polices. He thinks this allows him to be held accountable. He doesn't want to become one of those officers whose careers catapult them out of the hood and then they forget where they came from.


He's received numerous accolades, but the ones that mean the most to him, come from the citizens that he protects, including an anonymous nomination for America's Most Wanted All Star 2009. Although he didn't win, the nomination and subsequent votes from all over the world warmed his heart.

In a time where law enforcement is one of the most highly criticized professions in our society, Rasheen wears his badge proudly. He says that what policing needs most is community cooperation. So many times, information is withheld from law enforcement because there is no confidence in the justice system. He does realize that sometimes citizens are wary, but encourages those who have information about crime in their communities and can't come forth, to contact him and he will get the information to the right person. He also admits that the most challenging aspect of his job is dealing with internal politics on the job. Officers have to "play the game" or risk reassignment.

Pop star, Chris Brown, was to be sentenced yesterday, but the procedure ended up being delayed. Nonetheless, whenever the new date is set, he's expected to receive 5 years probation and six months of "labor intensive" community service in the case that stemmed from his physical assault of his then-girlfriend, Rihanna. He's made a public apology, although it was months later, and has been ordered to stay away from her. But here's my question--When is it ever "okay" for a man to hit a woman?

I've heard many opionions on this, ranging from "it's never okay" to "if she hits him first" to "if she gets in his face" to "if she deserves it." I have a son. Although he is not a teenager yet, he has been taught that it is NEVER okay to hit a female. NEVER. EVER. PERIOD. THE END. And just so that he doesn't get confused--slapping, shoving, and the like are included. Agressive physical acts, of any sort, towards women are NOT okay.

What's your take on it? When is it okay? And if there are scenarios that you feel warrant it, when do you notify the female? Does she know going in? Should he tell her on the first date? Or does she only find out after she's committed a violation? Im curious. Tell me.

Your comments--priceless!!