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Where everybody knows your name…

January 26, 2009

Good morning, Dear Readers…

As we all know, I had to give up my daily Starbucks habit in order to pay the rent on my writer’s paradise here in Newark, New Jersey. I found a Cuban restaurant named Omar’s across the street from my office. The first day I went in, I ordered a coffee, took a sip and went straight to heaven.

It was dark, rich and extra steaming hot. (I always order my coffee “extra-hot” from Starbucks and it’s still lukewarm by the time I get to the car. Ick.)

When you order “coffee” at a Cuban spot like Omar’s, you’re actually going to get cafe con leche, coffee with steamed milk. And dear readers, it is good. Now, it doesn’t come in the soothing, aesthetically pleasing packaging that Starbucks uses.

Ahhhh. Soothing.

Ahhhh. Soothing.

(more…)

Posted in Random, Uncategorized | 24 Comments »

The Week In Review: January 24, 2009

January 24, 2009

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Dear readers: What have we learned this week?

We learned that it’s totally common to freak out over your friend requests. In my post on my phobia of requesting friends, I admitted that I seldom request friendships. I’m insecure and afraid of rejection. And in 2009, I’m getting over it! So I vowed to send out friend requests that very day. I started with Harve Pierre, the dude from BadBoy who was “suggested” to me. And so, what happened?

(more…)

Posted in Uncategorized | 8 Comments »

10 Honest Questions: The Obama Family

January 23, 2009

anotherobamafamilypicindesmoinesago

After September 11, there was this weird time period where you didn’t speak to anyone in the tri-state area without asking them, are you okay? Is your family all accounted for? I remember getting back to work relatively quickly after the tragedy. But there was this unspoken rule that you had to address it before getting to the business of business.

That’s kind of how I feel right now about The Obamas. I’m a critic, by nature and by profession. It’s my job to chin-stroke and watch what’s going on in pop culture and report on it.

So when can I keep it real on The Obamas? When can I break fool and tell y’all the randomness that goes through my mind when I see the First Family in the media?

The inauguration was a few days ago. I watched with glassy eyes, clutching TheOtherGirl as she cheered, “Yay, ‘Bama!” everytime she saw the president on the screen.

I felt hopeful. I felt helpful. I felt invigorated. I felt changed.

And now. Well, now can I have the all-clear to keep it real?

Thanks.

Here are the Top 10 things that run through my mind when I see The Obama family:

(more…)

Posted in 10 Questions | 31 Comments »

(Another) Guilty Admission: I am a thief.

January 21, 2009

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I don’t plan to double up my categories. I came clean with a Guilty Admission just last night. And I had a different post planned for today. But alas, I’m so guilt ridden, I must confess and move on with my life.

I’m a thief. There, I said it.

For the past month, I’ve been stealing internet access at my new office.

I’m generally an honest person. Really, I am. Aside from a brief career as a shoplifter in my bad-ass teenage years, I generally toe the line. I don’t even indulge in minor thievery.

Except for one incident in first grade, I’ve never been one to steal office supplies. (Unless they were Uniball pens. Or reporter’s notebooks with the white cover. Or that creamy brown scratch paper you used to get for math to work out your problems… Or the black and white composition books…)

Okay, so I’ve always helped myself to office supplies.

But usually, I’m an honest woman.

So why do I feel like it’s not really stealing when it’s the Internets? (more…)

Posted in The Guilty Admission | 19 Comments »

The Guilty Admission: I Hate My Name

January 20, 2009

king-cemetary

It’s true. I hate my name.

Not my first name. I love the name Aliya. It used to be unique. Until Aliya the singer came along. Then it seemed like every third girl I met was named Aliya. Still love it. I like the way it sounds and I think it suits me. And I love my middle name too. Although I only use my initial, it’s still a special part of my name. And my last name? King. How could you not love that?!

It’s regal. And of course, I’ve always wondered if I’m in anyway related to the Reverend Doctor.

So, my birthname: Aliya S. King. I love it.

It’s the butchering that happened a few years ago that I HATE.

(more…)

Posted in The Guilty Admission | 44 Comments »

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