TMI: Mirena

*TMI... this is a graphic post about my experience on the IUD Mirena. If you don't want to read about cramps, blood, and the menstrual cycle you know what to do. If you are curious about one woman's experience on the birth control, Mirena keep reading.*

 

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I debated about whether or not I wanted to write this post.  It is personal and private but maybe it will provide me with some insight or give someone else comfort.

This is literally my first month on the IUD, Mirena. How could I have enough time to offer an accurate account...but from day one I was miserable and I should share that.

The issue I have with my periods isn't an insane amount of blood flow. I have an insane amount of pain because of cramps and back pain. Even the back of my knees hurt when I have my period. I'm also one of those lucky women that get vertigo a few days to a week before my period. Birth control in general is supposed to help lessen some menstrual side effects.

Yes, cramps, heavy blood flow, and back pain are side effects of a menstrual cycle to me...Do I need all of that to let me know I have unused eggs?

Nope, I don't.

My sister is on Mirena and has had nothing but GLOWING, and I mean GLOWING reviews about this tiny little  T looking thing. I told her before I joined the Mirena club that she should be the spokesperson.

From her account the insertion of Mirena could have been difficult.

It was HELL. I don't know if it is the fact that I have a curved cervix (way TMI) or because I have never had children (so my cervix wasn't stretched) but I felt there were nails being imbedded into my uterus.  My doctor said things would get intense and I was all "whatever".

I was clutching the table, lifting my ass off, holding my breath, trying lie still just so it could be done and over with. It was maybe 5 minutes of sheer horror.

On a scale of 1 to 10 the pain was a 12.

I was sent on my way and told that I would have some mild cramping.

When I got back to work (surely I didn't need to take a half day. It was a 1, 2, 3 type thing...pffft) a friend/co worker asked what was wrong with me. I looked exhausted.  I felt exhausted. I was in my dr.'s office for maybe 15 minutes...and I came out looking like I hadn't slept for days. I shuffled my feet towards the table in the break room and flopped down, doubling over...The cramps felt like they were intensifying.

The cramping lasted a good week.

I expected some cramping. I didn't except this dull, twisting pain to assault my body in the afternoons like clockwork.

I quickly got online as day two was progressing. I read that other women had experienced the same thing. By day 4 I posted a question on Facebook. I just knew this device with becoming embedded in my uterine walls.  Nope...everyone said what I was experiencing was normal.

My sister thought (still does) I was (am) crazy. Her experience with Mirena has been like my experience on the pill WONDERFUL.

Week 2 after insertion I am having some spotting. Thanks to my trusty period app I know my period is due in the next week or so...

Once I got that familiar feeling of I hate everyone, crying because I see a lone flower on a bush, and that need to eat everything,  I knew my period was coming.

Please keep in mind cramps are my issue not heavy-I-have-to-wear-a-pad-and-tampon bleeding.

My period started on May 26th. The blood flow was so light (lighter than the spotting after insertion) that I doubted this was my period. My sister said "No, this is it...Just wait."

Even though this conversation was via text, the tone of it was supposed to convince me that my period would come and go within 5 days like it usually does and I will barely notice.

NO!!!!

The 26th was on a Monday and I was at work, sitting at my desk when all of a sudden my stomach got a punch  a twist from within that was on par with food poisoning. I lost my ability to breath and lift my upper body upright. The gut wrenching pain lasted maybe 2 or 3 minutes. When it stopped I looked up and let out a deep exhale. I continued doing whatever I was doing when not 5 minutes later...

POW!!!!!! I got hit with another gut wrenching, twisting grip of pain.

I thought to myself "WTF". I sent a text to my sister who said she never had anything like that and I should just relax.

One thing about me...I know my body. I know when things are off. At 16 I was the first to diagnosis myself as I diabetic because I recognized the symptoms. I know when something is working with my body or against.

Mirena appears to be working against.

From what I read what I am going through is the norm...

Gut wrenching contraction like cramps is a normal experience. Add to that my normal back and back of the knee pain and I was in a foul mood.

So I can't even attest to any mood swings because I was in pain...who the fuck is going to be happy when every 5 minutes it feels like their uterus is being ripped out?

I popped some Aleve and waited a good hour. YES an hour for the pills to kick in. The Aleve made a dent in the pain but not all was gone.

I was so pissed that other women talked about how great this IUD was but for me I felt I was better when I didn't have it.

Now let's get into the nitty-gritty of things- like the cramps isn't enough-.

The blood flow that really isn't but kind of is; heavy.

Again I am going to say heavy blood flow was never a main issue.

My periods would start off heavy and decrease as the days passed.

When I was on the pill I would have heavy to medium to light flow but ZERO cramping the entire time.

For the past 10 days I have had a light to a medium flow. I can use a tampon for literally a 24 hour period. Super absorbency...Toxic Shock Syndrome notwithstanding...I have come pretty close to proving my blood flow isn't heavy.

Buuuuuuuuuut my blood flow is LONGER. 5 day periods have ALWAYS been my max. I am on day 8 and I am still bleeding, still having some cramping, and back and back of the knee pain.

The worst part is on the rare moments when I don't have the hellish cramps I'm thinking my period is over and I go pee...I look down and the toliet is filled with red water. Not even pink, I'm talking full red like I am on my first day.For the most part my super tampons have been super a pantyliner isn't needed...then again a pantyliner wouldn't work because of the steady but slow stream of blood.

I thought about calling my dr and asking to remove it. I'm not happy with it. But the only thing that stops me is the fear of the pain of the removal. Especially if it is anything like the insertion.

I don't like the idea of periods that last longer than 5 days with increasing blood flow each day. I don't want to be hasty...but I since I didn't get Mirena strictly to prevent pregnancy I'm thinking maybe I should get off it. In terms of preventing pregnancy I loved the idea of not taking a pill each day. I loved the idea of the hormone level with IUD's to be less than the pill. The last pill I was on (can't remember the name) was horrible, mood swings, weight gain, acne, headaches.

I have a pimple now but I'm not ready to blame it on Mirena. I sometimes get a monthly pimple.

Another thing to note...I did have sex, which the dr said was perfectly fine. It was a day, day and a half before the start of my period. Sex has always had moments of pain for me. My dr says it is because of my curved cervix.

HOLY...MOTHER...OF...HELL

I have never never never felt pain that intense during sex. It felt like (again) nails digging into my uterine walls.

I was curled up in the fetal position for an hour before I was able to move my body. My partner thought he did something to hurt me. Google provided some relief when I read other women talk about the same thing happening to them.

Sidenote- all of the not-so-great-remarks about Mirena list the same reasons as I have.

I will give the IUD 3 more months. That is more than enough time to see if my body needs time or if my body is rejecting the IUD.

Of course I will keep notes if only to let other women know that they too might be one of the 15% that don't love Mirena.

disclaimer: I made up that %. I'm too lazy to do the real research...I do believe the % of women who don't love it like my sister is small.

Have you had Mirena? What have your experiences been? Are you pro IUD or pro pill?

Let me know

Until next time,

Xo

Short 2 long...and back

I've colored, relaxed, shaved, and braided my hair...I wanted to experience a weave and get a true feel of whether or not I can handle long hair, or want to for that matter. I thought it about for a good 4 months before I took the plunge and made the appointment.

On May 10th I went to get my first weave with Fashion @ NYC Weave Studio. I did enough research that I knew what to expect in terms of caring for the hair, and washing and moisturizing. I spent months drooling over pictures on Instagram. I purchased the hair from NYC Weave Studio...

Two bundles of deep wavy hair, 16" and 18" and a closure with a side part.

Totally SEXY.

Totally HOT.

Yet right off the bat I wasn't thrilled with the closure and the color of the hair on the closure. The lace cap wasn't bleached so the hair knots were visible, making it look like there were black dots. No fault of the Fashion. The color of the was a mix of off black with reddish brown on top, right at the crown.

The closure wasn't made custom- my fault.

Annnnnd that unnerved me.

I can be a perfectionist about the most absurd things.

I could have done things to make it look more realistic but I wasn't comfortable doing that.

The 16" and 18" length

was nice but screamed fake IMHO. Of course any hair past my ear is going to feel fake to me. I wasn't really thinking about that, lol.

I felt that shorter the hair would have more body, give it the illusion of semi real hair.

So my sister suggested I go to her stylist and have it cut and layered.

The cut it's self I LOVED. I felt more comfortable...but fuck damn the closure piece annoyed me. Every time I looked at myself in the mirror I focused on the closure piece.

I felt that's what people were staring at when they looked at me.

Totally paranoid...I know...but it's my head my mind and I wasn't getting around it.

Besides the closure piece I could not get the hair to hold a freaking curl. I didn't like the hair when it lost it's curl and had little body.

Now in all fairness the past 3 weeks in NYC/NJ has been filled with crappy rainy, windy weather.

I didn't want to admit that I was unhappy. But at the amount I paid I should freaking LOVE IT. No one would understand that while I liked the hair...I wasn't completely in love.

Comfort is a BIG deal with me and without having a therapy session within a blog post I simply wasn't comfortable with it.

Taking the weave out was impulsive to the point that I didn't know I was going to wash my hair, spend an hour drying my cornrows and then look in the mirror and want the damn thing out.

Good grief I did NOT expect that to happen. Yet once I got started the level of comfort I had been missing quickly returned.

Oh how I missed seeing my scalp and my curls, lol.

I don't regret getting the weave...not at all. I wasn't going to know whether I loved it or hated it until I did it. I *might* get another one ONE day, but I would definitely get kinky textured hair since I plan on keeping my hair natural. Other than the closure I liked the hair...but I didn't love it. It was too silky for my taste...Growing up all I wanted was smooth, silky my hair and FINALLY I had some silky hair and I hated it.

I did love and kinda of miss the styling options.

As my hair grows I am still obsessed with finding that "perfect" protective style. I'm aiming for at chin length as my first ultimate hair growth goal.

Another year of on and off protective styles and I will get there (fingers crossed).

Right now I have my hair pulled back in a tight teeny weeny ponytail (first ponytail in 15 years) and some kanekalon wrapped around as a bun. Depending on the weather I might keep this for the week...or not...After having a shaved head for 14 years I think I am allowed to switch things up whenever I want...

*Shoutout to Fashion, at NYC Weave Studio...regardless of my final thoughts this woman did a great job (out in two hours) and I highly recommend her if you are looking to get a weave and live in the NYC/NJ area*

Wanna know what I do next?

Stay tuned to find out ;-)

Until Next Time,

xo

 

Diluted- Shana Elmsford

I am a child of the 80's. As such I grew up watching some pretty cool cartoons...Josie and the Pussycats, Scooby Doo, Tom and Jerry, Smurfs. One of my all time favorites was Jem and the Holograms. I LOVED me some Jem with her hair and bright colors, and cool group of friends, her bandmates...Jem was a rockstar, an alter-ego of Jerrica Benton.

I even owned a



(I was never able to find all of them...especially Shana)

When I heard talks of a live version being made I was all smiles.

On Friday, the 25th the cast was announced. I quickly posted the link to an article on my FB feed and went about my day. It was a busy day. On Saturday I woke up to further investigate...i.e. I click on my own link and I read the article.

I couldn't wait to see who was chosen.



Everything is...looking...ok...wait!!!!

HOLD UP!!!

Why is the actress cast as Shana (the dark skin, purple afro wearing Hologram on the far right) about four shades  lighter than my cartoon version?

I know there are talented brown skin (cocoa, chocolate, hazelnut) actress that can sing.

Why wasn't one of them chosen? If not for talent for keeping honest to the damn cartoon.

Growing up Shana was one of the few ( I think of 3) characters that looked like me :-)

I have nothing against Aurora Perrineau. I can't I know nothing about her. Apparently she had a role on Pretty Little Liars ( I love and watch) but I don't remember her.

Her father is Harold Perrineau. Now him I know...him I love...He played Augustus Hill in Oz and Damon Pope in Sons of Anarchy.

Good acting runs in the family but my beef isn't about acting.

I'm pissed and so are some other people that here was a perfect opportunity to show true diversity while staying true to the original character.

My first thought when I saw her was "Is she mixed?" then I said "REALLY? You gonna do Shana like that!!!"

Integrity Toys got the memo that Shana is of the darker complexion.



The director, Jon M. Chu held an open casting call (social media at it's best)

[youtube=http://youtu.be/yzVnNVrunAE]

Not one of entries had a hopeful wonder that looked like Shana?

The director was wants to "reinvent" Jem for a current audience?

Current audience devoid of color? When the past audience did just fine with it?

I don't buy that Aurora Perineau was the BEST choice.

I do buy that Aurora Perineau is the Hollywood standard of the easiest and safest way to say "we have a diverse cast".

While she may be half white (her mother) and half black most of the world sees her as Black.

That's all we need.

But it isn't because that isn't all there is.

Our First Daughters of the White House



are beautiful shades of brown.

Lupita Nyong'o



named People magazines Most Beautiful Person of 2014 (days before the cast was revealed) is gorgeous shade of chocolate.

Hollywood needs to let go of it's "safety net" and take the rose tinted glasses off.

What I see in that cast line up is NOT diversity. I see a group of young, beautiful women who kinda look the same, save for eye and hair colors...

I don't even think their hair textures are different!

Brown and dark skin women deserve to be represented in films and TV shows because we exist. Not enough is being done to show that.

We don't deserve a diluted version of us.

This casting choice is a diluted version.

People are going to say "It isn't that serious. It's just a movie...The girl is BLACK."

To quote a friend that posted a comment on my FB page regarding the link to the cast article, she said "Where is the Black girl?"

Sometimes what is seen on the surface is what matters.

~Until Next Time~

xo

 

 

Travel the rhythm

I'm quite envious of those that have gifted tongues and can speak more than one language. And I don't just mean speak as in get by...I mean speak, read, write...fully comprehending a language that is not your native tongue. I know if I really wanted to I can learn another language despite what my memories are of  10th grade Spanish.

My desires to learn aren't about function as much as form. Although when it comes to travel being multi-lingual would heighten the experience, true.

Compared to English every other language sounds beautiful, interesting, passionate, fun...lyrical...musical.

My first touch of music in another language isn't truly another language more a dialect. My dad is from Trinidad and my mother's family is Guyanese and Portuguese. I grow up listening to my fair share of soca, calypso music.

Sample of soca

Sample of calypso

At an young age I couldn't (still can't understand sometimes) much of what is said because of the heavy accents. But the sounds...AHHH the rhythms that infect you, get you on your feet. The basis for my love of music...period.

My first stop of this musical world tour is the Middle East. I became interested in Arabic music when I saw a makeup tutorial on a famous Arabic singer, Nancy Ajram



I think she is f'ing beautiful.  Interest piqued I did a Goggle search...I was mesmerized by her voice. One of my favorites is

Ya Salam

[youtube=http://youtu.be/Az1zgq1rF28]

There is something so beautiful about the Arabic language that I find sensual.

Alabina is a French based group that performs a mix of world music- ranging from Middle Eastern, Arabic, Hebrew, French and Spanish Gypsy.  If you like many different types of music I think you will like them.

My favorite song by is Yalla Bina Yalla.

http://youtu.be/mDhmKrW4F6Y

I found the group because the song was feature in the movie I Can't Think Straight

When I first listened I was jamming because of the Arabic sounds, then came the Spanish Gypsy influence and was HOOKED.

I have the anime Vampire Knight to thank for introducing me to the world of Japanense artists.

Kanon Wakeshima sang the ending credit song, Still Doll.

But it is her song, Suna no Oshiro, that I find utterly beautiful and haunting.

http://youtu.be/aFLM1NEkxf8

Kanon is a cellist and her cello is always a main component in her songs.

My next musical port is France. I found Coeur de Pirate's, La Petite Mort, in episode 10, season 1 of Orphan Black (HIGHLY recommend the show)

http://youtu.be/qDturpwxal0

From Coeur de Pirate I found Amel Bent and her song, Ma Philosophie

http://youtu.be/D38EUIll1pM

From Amel Bent I came across Amine's, Origines

[spotify id="spotify:track:19IFXhqrf6xOmSKVbvd4cv" width="300" height="380" /]

Shout out to Spotify and Pandora for helping me travel the world via music.

Until Next Time,

xo

Less is more

Another hair post...I was asked to do this one and even if I wasn't it is still a post I want to do.

It wasn't my intention to go natural. I fell into it by deciding to
grow my hair out. For the better part of 13 years I used Dax hair
grease on my shaved head.



As long as my scalp wasn't dry I was good.
But as my hair grew my needs grew. One month into it I was on the hunt.
I knew nothing about hair so I went to Google and YouTube to find info.
Once I decided to let my hair grow I put in a relaxer thinking that would make my hair easier to maintain...but with an inch or so of growth maintenance wasn't pretty. This is when I "decided" to go natural.

My current routine is very simple. I use three to four products every time on my 4c hair.

I wash my hair daily, or at least 5 times out of the 7 days of the week. If I don't wash I spray with with water or drown it in water while in the shower.

I have used moisturizing conditioners to co-wash but none left me feeling wowed. I have found cleansing conditioner work better with my hair.

My first staple was L'Oreal EverCreme Cleansing Conditioner



I LOVE this stuff. It leaves my hair buttery soft. Can't talk on manageability because...when I was using it I didn't have much.

Note past tense because I can't find it :( Every single drugstore I go to I come up short.  I refuse to order online. My product junkie tendencies dictate that I have easy access to my addictions.

My 2nd favorite is another L'Oreal cleansing conditioner. This one



is designed for curls whereas the EverCreme is all about the moisture.  I like how the EverCurl leaves my hair clean but not dry.

Both conditioners I would call thick, the EverCreme has more slip. Both have the same light powdery perfume scent. I can't tell if the scent last because

(a) I'm putting other scented products in my hair after.

(b) I can't smell my hair....

Sadly the EverCurl has not been seen on shelves during my last two shopping trips :-(

Once out of the shower I pat my hair dry a few times then I apply my moisturizer. S-Curl makes my hair soft, bottom line. It does nothing to play up my curls. In fact I "think" because of the glycerine my curls are a big flop if I use this alone.



I am in the market for a new moisturizer. Always on the hunt.

Depending on what styling product I am using that day determines how much I let my hair air dry.

If I am using my Shea Moisture Curl Enhancing Smoothie



I will use it on slightly wet, damp hair. Gather up product and run my fingers through my hair. This product makes my curls POP. It was the first product I bought for my curls and frankly had I not seen such amazing results I doubt I would have continued letting my hair grow.

If I am using my Eco Styler with Olive Oil



I have to have wet to soaking wet hair. Again I get POPPING curls with this. But when I first tried I didn't know that my hair needed to be soaking wet. My curls weren't popping and I almost wrote it off until I used my sister's



This gel is the bees knees but it is also expensive :-( Curl Enhancing Smoothie isn't  cheap when compared to Eco Styler, but it has better ingredients. Something I am learning to be more aware of as my hair grows.

Product is in, I let it set for a few while I go get ready for my day. As my hair dries I spritz with a mixture of water, castor oil, jojoba oil, and coconut oil.  To me the oils help soften my hair and make it less crunchy.

If I remember I put some Jamaican Black Castor oil on my edges. Relaxers and poor braiding left front edges invisible. The Jamaican Black Castor oil has helped bring them back to life.



I've read people using regular castor oil and having good results also.

To finish I might use a "finishing spray" to make my hair shine.  Some days I feel I need it, some I don't.

Once a week I wash my hair with a clarifying shampoo. My fave is



I do this once I week because I put a lot of stuff in my hair. The product builds up fast. In the last month I have been adding a deep conditioner to the mix. I haven't found one that I love. So I will have to get back to you on that.

I don't have a dryer (most deep conditioners recommend that you use while sitting under a dryer) so I use my shower cap. It is made from heavier plastic (think shower curtain) and leave on my head for 30 minutes...next time I want to leave on for an hour.

When I come home I don't comb out my curls. I put on my satin bonnet or tie with a satin scarf. Any combing that is done is usually done in the shower under water.



The collage is post two months but I look the same...just more.  Shrinkage is a major problem for me. When I get length I will play with techniques on stretching.

Below is me when I used a comb. I wanted to see if I had enough hair to get braids for the winter.



(I want major props for posting that photo, lol)

I'm hoping to have my protective style (i.e. braids) soon. I will do another post then on how I care for my hair and scalp.

If you are starting out on your own hair journey remember that less is more. You can always add more product(s) but you can't take away once you have applied.

What products do you use in your haircare routine?

Of course natural isn't easy

Despite what some might think I have been "natural" for 13 years...maybe with a hiccup here and there...but they don't count because when I did relax my hair when it got too annoying for me to handle I shaved that shit off.

In 2000...May 27, 2000 I had my hair relaxed in a cute Hallie Berry pixie cut. The upkeep of that cut was too much for my post-grieving mind (Mom passed away a week before) to handle. I went to my boyfriend, his clippers in hand and said:

"Shave it!"

13 years later I became bored with the look and the snide remarks of "You would look so pretty with longer hair" or "Are you gay? Your hair is so short."

1) I personally never thought I looked that great with longer hair.

2) What world is this where only women with short hair are gay?

I attempted to grow my hair out twice and couldn't deal with the work involved.

Remember I had years in between my tries of a carefree hair "do". No worries of the rain and humidity. I wasn't accustomed to "hat hair". I could wake up late, throw on an outfit and be out the door.

I have 4c hair.

Naysayers of hair typing...please go suck on a pipe because if there aren't different types of hair then no one would be a product junkie. Products would work for all and everyone's hair would look the same!

Type 4c hair is composed of curl patterns that will almost never clump without doing a specific hair style. It can range from fine/thin/super soft to wiry/coarse with lots of densely packed strands. 4c hair has been described as a more "challenging" version of 4b hair. Some say 4c looks identical to 4b except that the curls are so tightly kinked, there is seemingly no definition. 4c hair can shrink more than 75%.

You can go to NaturallyCurly to learn more about hair types. My mom had 3c hair; my sister has 4a, in my opinion.

My hair has always been a challenge- for my mom and myself. Growing up I often heard "I wanted boys because I don't know how to style hair." said mom, who herself kept her hair very very short.

I had choices of either a relaxer or braids. There wasn't going to be much variety of styles if I didn't choose one. And this was the early 90's...being "natural" wasn't something you would see a lot of.

I have spent Saturday afternoons in a hot salon, under a hot dryer for a style that would last a hot minute if I wasn't careful.

I have withstood the smell of the creamy crack.

I have sat patiently, digging my nails into my skin while the creamy crack burned my scalp because I "needed a few more minutes to get my hair straight".

I have woken up at 5am to get down to 125th Street before 7a, synthetic hair in hand looking for an African woman to braid my hair for 12-15 hours while other women sat around me in a large room, filled with chatter, doing the same thing...praying your braider wasn't fond of taking breaks.

Compared to being natural all that was EASY.  I wasn't doing anything. My biggest worry was the cost and time factor.

Now I think about the time factor, cost, and end results. I'm in control of it all.

It's a new pill to swallow.

I am 5 months into my new "growth" /natural hair. I think I have maybe 2 inches of hair. I wake up earlier than I should (Mon-Fri) so I can co-wash my hair, coat it with moisturizers(a mix of store bought products and coconut oil) then I run through my curls some curl enhancing products. I dress slowly so my hair has time to dry, perform magic -forming a tight cap of curls. I spritz my hair with a mixture of water, castor oil and jojoba oil liking the shine and softness the mixture creates.

I marvel throughout the day at my curls...never believing as a child, teen, young adult that this would be possible of my hair.

But the next day I wake up, pull off my sleeping bonnet and start the process all over again. Mentally counting down till I can do something else beside a "wash'n'go".

I'm in the TWA (tiny ween afro) stage. My hair for the sake of healthy growth will be in this stage till Spring. I pray. After that I can go around saying

"I have an afro of curls"

Then I will be able to experiment with twist and bantu knots. Maybe a flat iron once in a while.

I have tried enough products that I am going to give my wallet a rest and stick with what has been working.

In the beginning...whoa...honey chile...I  reached for every product that sounded like "as long as applied wet" I would have curls like



I have been lucky and have found a great group of products that I can interchange and still get results kinda like above. It was a slllllooooowwwww learning process.

I have learned that I am lucky that years of being "natural" HAS made my hair healthy. My hair is strong and hasn't shown signs of needing more moisture or more protein. There is a good balance that I am trying to hold on to.

Since I literally mess with my hair everyday I can't really see if there has been substantial new growth.  My sister saw me over the weekend and she said "It is growing in nicely." I have notice some slight shedding and I wouldn't even call it that when I comb out my hair or I'm in the shower. As your hair grows it is normal to shed.

Yet I can't complain about growth. I started with a shaved head...fuzz on my scalp.

2" within 5 months is pretty darn good.



Ok so I started out with a bit more than "fuzz". The pic on the right doesn't do new growth justice...as stated above at least 75% of my hair will shrink as it dries. No I am not brave enough to post a pic with my hair sans curling products...lol

My new looked has me going way back into my "roots" and I am wearing my glasses again...preferring them to my contacts.

In my mind I need something to balance the new feature of hair in the overall scope of my face.

People think I'm crazy for saying that.

People also thought I was crazy for shaving my hair off every month for 13 years.

Without that crazy act I would never have understood the meaning of "confidence".

Walking around with no hair, being bold enough to walk around with no hair.

That was easy.

Coming to terms with actually liking myself with hair and the process of doing my hair isn't easy.

Being patient as growth takes it's sweet as time isn't easy.

Not being able to say that I wear my hair short as a way to honor my mom isn't easy.

But believing she is looking down at me, smiling at my curls...that is easy.

YMMV #1

*The YMMV category is about things that I've been into/obsessed with/in love/lust with for more than two days...Basically stuff/people/places that I can't get enough and want to share.*

The Civil Wars- a musical duo of singer-songwriters Joy Williams and John Paul White. They fall under the Americana, Folk, Indie folk genres.  I saw a USA network "Characters Welcome" segment with the duo and their song "The One That Got Away".  I was instantly hooked.  With good reason...They wrote the song "If I Didn't Know Better" featured on the tv show Nashville. One of my favorite shows and songs featured on the show. The country vibe is evident the moment songs start but the sounds that follow hit me with a slight edge that have me doing more than just wanting to tap my feet.

My top pick is - Barton Hollow

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ODOOo-R6kg8

Next up is another musical duo- MS MR made up of vocalist Lizzy Plapinger and producer Max Hershenow. I blame Pretty Little Liars for featuring four of their songs from the album Secondhand Rapture- "Salty Sweet", "Hurricane", "This Isn't Control", and "Bones".  Again I am going with an Indie Folk genre yet there are influences of Pop. There is something about Lizzy's voice that puts me under a spell. Haunting, melodious, just like the lyrics.

My top pick is- Bones- If the song sounds familiar that's because it was used in a promotional trailer for Game of Thrones Season 3,

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qDpdpE00rfI

Seedless Red Grapes and Pepperoni ...I know I know, hear me out though...at certain times of the month (like millions of other women) I crave something salty and sweet. This combo does it for me without spiking my blood sugar too high.  I pick up a lb of red grapes and some Homel Pepperoni and I am set for the duration of my emotional rollercoster called PMS. The grapes give the right amount of sweet while the pepperoni...yeah you get the picture. I did discover this combo during a PMS juncture but since I eat this any time of the month it is a qualifies as an of obsession for me.

Stream TV is a godsend for those that do not have cable or the time to watch cable. I don't have cable. I have basic, yet most of the shows I love are on non basic channels. In an attempt to watch The White Queen I found this site. You click on the title show you want to watch and you have a choice of picking an upload site to watch from.

YES BE WARNED pops will happen, but it's free TV and the site is UPDATED DAILY.

So far I have watched The White Queen, Luther, Ray Donovan, Pretty Little Liars and Son's of Anarchy and some of Strike Back.

They have past seasons. That means they can have complete series...it's like Netflix but without the cost and with added annoyance of broken links and slow page loads, and possible virus...but it's free. So far my netbook is virus free cause of Norton.

And lastly we have a big one for me...I've been into/obsessing over my hair since I decided to let it grow out. I've had it cut low for 13 years for 3 reasons:

1- I don't like doing hair.

2- In memory of my mom who wore a short afro or TWA (teeny weeny afro).

3- I think I look sexier with short hair.

This summer I got bored. Didn't want to color my hair because it never last as new growth comes in. My sister said "just let it grow a little. Let the curls come in. It will soften you up."

The short hair CAN be a bit harsh...

Thanks to sis...I am now obsessed with that very fact...the CURLS COMING IN. I stopped cutting my hair in June...I didn't have a pixie cut to begin with. I had a low fade.  Of course not much hair has grown in but enough that I see the CURLS. I can see the potential in the future.

I can play with the curls, twisting around my fingers.  I have an inch...maybe 1 1/2".  I spend money buying products that will enhance my "curls". (I'll do a YMMV on products next time ;-) ) I wake up an half and hour earlier so I can make sure I get my curls just right.

Below is a pic. Easy to tell what's what.



Personally I think I look smoking hot with no/less hair. Still I added my hair to YMMV because hair is my love now.  I have a "Hair Crush" board on Pinterest.  I visit hair care forums and I RSS to hair blogs. I marvel at curls that I never knew I had or could have. I'm using the "grow time" as time to learn how to care for my hair. However come tomorrow morning I might wake up and whip out my rusty clippers, buzzing away my curls. Sometimes my mileage only goes so far.

What are somethings that you are loving or obsessing over- food, clothing, shows, music, spots in your hometown? My mileage may vary but I want to know what's making you smile.

Until next time,

xo, Novelty

Twenties half of a perfect 10...

After yesterday's post on there being no predominately black cast drama shows I felt I should showcase what is being shopped around in Hollywood and why I think it it deserves the spotlight even though I think it falls flat.

I'm always on the hunt for new content to view and draw from. I'm a writer that one day hopes to see my words come to life on the screen- big or small. It is full on inspiration to see other writers, especially African American writers making waves being seen and heard.

I came across talk about a new Lena Waithe show, that Queen Latifah's production company is trying to sell to the networks. It's called "Twenties" about an African American female in her 20's.

Twenties- Part 1

In the article written for Clutch Magazine I learned that there are 4 parts i.e. scenes taken from the pilot and edited together to give the viewers a sense of what the show is about.

Great idea. I knew of Lena Waithe from Sh*t Black Girls Say. She wrote it. I was happy and intrigued to read she was behind this.

I clicked on the videos in the article and sat back.

Twenties is NOT slated or does it want to be slated to be a WEB SERIES!!!! Lena wants this on a network. That disclaimer is in the "info box" on YouTube- with every clip.

I was a little miffed by that. An audience is an audience. To me it felt that she was saying Twenties was too good for the web...I don't know this is my opinion.

I do know that Lena partnered with Issa Rae on The Michelle Obama Diaries.  I do know that Issa Rae is currently working with Shonda Rhimes on an upcoming sitcom, and is in development with HBO for a new comedy show...I do know that Issa Rae got her start with a web series... Awkward Black Girl

But I digress...

In the first clip Hattie (the protagonist) is uploading a vlog, and then exits her apartment to find an eviction notice. The last clip reveals that Hattie is gay and is staying with a friend because of said eviction. In between you are introduced to some of her friends at a birthday party where Hattie is "sitting court" as her friends flock around her listing what she is doing wrong in her life. There is a weird scene with her friends and a tampon. Nothing else caught my attention.

I wouldn't run home to watch this. The writing fell flat.  I can't tell if it is a comedy or drama...both. The acting was unnatural hence unbelievable.

Learning that Hattie is gay didn't register with me because in real life I wouldn't care. I wanted to know more about how this 20 year old got evicted because she "liked to eat out a lot". So do I but I still know to check my account balances and make sure rent is paid and I knew that at her age.

I'm one potential viewer...so what I'm not able to identify with a lesbian vlogger, in her 20's, sleeping on her friend's sofa.

I'm sure other potential viewers can identify. Most in their Twenties ;-) no doubt.

Pushing aside my reasons on why I don't love it... I do like that it was created (mainstream entertainment needs more gays and lesbians on TV- yes I said it.) and I want to see what it can become with the proper backing.

Already it has been dubbed as the "black Girls". I hate that type of association. I wish newly developing shows could gain a foothold without being labeled after what came before them.

I see where it can be thought of as a "black" version of Girls. But since the protagonist is gay and openly so networks have been shying away from the show, IMHO

Hollywood is barely ready for black cast dramas...throw an openly gay character in the mix...Oh lawd...

Regardless African Americans NEED a show that isn't Love & Hip Hop Atlanta. Or a show that doesn't place them as only the sidekick.

I know that Lena doesn't want her show to be a web series. But she is using YouTube to gain interest and asking viewers to share the clips via their social networks hoping that enough talk of the show will make it easier to pitch to the networks.

We can work the internet but not be on it....another topic for another day...

Check out the clips and comment below and let me know what you think?

Is Twenties a show you would tune in to watch?

Novelty...

Novelty

• "(derived from Latin word novus for "new") is the quality of being new, or following from that, of being striking, original or unusual. Although it may be said to have an objective dimension (e.g. a new style of art coming into being, such as abstract art or impressionism) it generally exists in the subjective perceptions of individuals."


• "something (as a song or food item) that provides often fleeting amusement and is often based on a theme —often used attributively."

This blog will serve as an ongoing platform for whatever my mind wants to spill out into the world about this world.

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