Destiny's Child: Future Plans?

Well, well, well...We saw this coming years ago. Recently, Destiny's Child officially announced that the group would disband after their "The Destiny Fulfilled...And Lovin'It" McDonald's sponsored tour is completed. Their split does not come as a surprise to anyone. And I don't exactly think anyone including their fans are losing any sleep over their split either. I just sincerely hope that Michelle and Kelly have been investing their money wisely and have future projects lined up. I guess the group accomplished every goal that they set out to conquer. They became a multiplatinum group in the midst of drama. And they picked up Grammy awards here and there along the way. They weren't exactly the DreamGirls in terms of vocal power, but I guess they fit the bill for what the music industry was looking for at the time. Plus, I have to give them some credit for their effort.

All in all, they gave it the good ole college try. And all good things must come to an end. This is for the best. Have I used enough cliches yet? But the short of it all is that the Independent Women: Destiny's Child are closing this chapter of their lives. And I wish them well, since I have to admit that I enjoyed singing some of their catchy tunes as I drove to and from my concentration camp (my job) everyday.

Now that Destiny's Child's jersey is about to be retired, what's next? I heard that Kelly has been in the recording studio and is looking for more material. And she has called off her wedding to NFL football player Roy Williams. In the past Michelle recorded two gospel CDs, but I wonder whether she will be received with open arms by the gospel community after she appeared in Destiny's Childs' last video wearing nothing but strategically placed sparkles in some shots. Nevertheless, hopefully she'll be able to carve out some kind of career for herself. And I wonder whether marriage is on the horizon for Beyonce' and Jay-Z. They are a cute couple. If and when the time comes, I just hope momma Tina will allow Vera Wang or another designer to make Beyonce's dress. ;-)




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Songs of the Day:

Independent Women and Survivor by Destiny's Child

Taking The High Road

Today, I deserved to receive an Academy Award for best actress in a workplace performance scene. What am I talking about? Well, let me take it from the tippy top. I've been working for a particular supervisor off and on for the better part of 10 years. I'm surprised that I was able to take it this long. This brotha boss (BB) of mine has been a trip at times. However, my job doesn't always travel on the edge of insanity most of the time, but there were other times. *sigh* Since I'm new to this blogging thang, I still wonder how much infomation I should divulge or not. Oh well. Let's get on with it.

To make a very long story worth 10 years short, I'll just cover the highlights. In the very beginning things seemed to be going well in my office. I felt like I had a fair chance of getting prime projects and promotions. I worked like a dog as project officer before even receiving my official project management training. But at the time I felt like that's what it took to rise to the top, since I'm not afraid of a little hard work. As a sidebar, I have to say that in my 20's I use to have a very idealistic, simplistic, and sunny approach to life. I use to believe that if you put the work and the time into a project that some kind of way you'd be compensated. I surely thought that my efforts would be recognized...

Well fastforward to my 30's and the ShortEndOfTheStickville. In my particular office, it turns out that a little plastic smile-giving, backstabbing, project-stealing, cakebaking, and some other jive brought on promotions. Well, Miss Zee aint bringing no poundcakes to work and aint showing no mouthy smile full of teeth to butter up nobody's biscuits. I take my work seriously and try to show a high level of integrity and professionalism. But I'm not fake about things either. Flatly, I have to say, what you see is what you get from me. Some at my job say that I need to be more of a teamplayer (laughing at the big boss' jokes, being extra perky no matter how early in the morning, always agreeing with the boss even if he suggests that the sky is lime green, etc.) Shux. And I say that some of those folks need to focus on the quality of their work more.

The above was just the average rubbish that many people face. But what really got me going is that I've been denied a major promotion for a significant amount of time. I've been given smaller ones, but I deserve the "biggun." I was still trying to give my supervisior the benefit of the doubt by questioning myself a few years ago until others started to take notice. Then this just confirmed that I was being done wrong. I only asked my boss once why I was being overlooked. And of course, he gave me some mealymouthed response, which didn't make sense. Through all of this frustration, I've remained quiet at work and kept calm even when the brother boss called me an angry black female in the office for others to hear. I simply looked away and continued on with my work. He's steadily hired new people who know little about our agency. But in the meantime and the between time, I've been the one that they call when an emergency arises or a congressional letter has to be written or when there is an angry voice on a phone disagreeing with our stance. But I seem to never be on anyone's mind when it comes to a promotion. Hmm. I think I heard in church or by way of some church folks that the first shall be last and the last shall be first. Well, if this is the case, I should be first the next time around.

Well, today he had his retirement party. Over the weekend, I went back and forth over whether I should attend. Honestly, I thought more about NOT attending. Afterall, he sure did earn the reason for me not to go. But my family and friends advised me to go and to be the bigger person and not hold a grudge. Say what? I really could have used a pity party with the cake, chips, and all, but the good people who are in my inner circle said that I would eventually feel better about attending. I'm waiting for that feeling, since I did show up for the party. One way or another I'm going to have to figure out how to take the highroad as a Christian, yet not be a lackey-yes woman. Although I was done wrong, I still wish my boss well in his retirement. ;-)

P.S. I still haven't finished that paper for the educational organization.

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Song of the Day:

"Ain't No Need To Worry" by the Winans. This song is dedicated to Ronald Winans who passed away last Friday, June 17, 2006, at the age of 48. Rest in peace.

All Hail The Queen Of Procrastination

Well, howdy yall. I'm back on the mic today. Today's got my wrapped mind wrapped around my bad habit ==> Procrastination. Yes, I'm the Queen of Procrastination. I'm not particularly proud of this. But this is the truth. I'm really suffering from it badly to the point that I'm late for work and appointments. My procrastination really stresses me out. I demand an explanation from myself as to why I choose to start projects at the last moment and have my back up against a wall sweating trying to finish things. It's a shame and I hate it. I really do. Usually, I end up acting like Florida Evans from "Good Times" in the scene where she drops the bunch bowl. "Darn...Darn...Darn!!!!!!" *sigh*

For example, this past Tuesday I volunteered to work for a local organization that encourages youth to pursue college and career goals. My friend and her husband created this organization a few years ago, and immediately I fell in love with the organization's concept to the point of me volunteering my time. When the organization's director called me last Tuesday, I had ideas bursting out of me. My mind was running at full blast. During my telephone converstation with the director, I proudly explained a few projects that I could oversee. And I promised to deliver a paper or plan to the organization by next Tuesday. After putting on a brave front over the phone, I quietly wondered to myself what I had gotten myself into. I know that I feel completely horrible when I give a person my word and don't deliver. And my goodness gracious, I hope this won't be the case next week. But in the back of my mind, I keep thinking that I could email my paper to the organization at 11:59 p.m. Tuesday night.

Well, what? I did try to work on the paper, but.......The other night I felt like I had to get into the right frame of mind to become creative. In my mind, ice cream makes me creative. So, I served myself one scoop of chocolate chip dough ice cream. I had to eat it slowly, because I only allowed myself one scoop. I savored it. Okay, I should have started writing my paper. Umm. Not yet. I needed to get comfortable. Well, a few Yahoo games usually do the trick. So, I played Jewel Quest, Rocket Mania, and Shape Shifter for a little while to loosen up. Unfortunatley, by the time I got finished playing my games, it was 11 p.m. That's time to go to bed.....Fastforward the next day. I thought about getting up early the next morning to at least brainstorm for my paper. But I first had to read my email from 4 accounts and read the news on the internet. After that, I felt compelled to answer CNN's Question of the Day, since they occassionally air my comments on tv. That night I tried again only to be sidelined by a telephone call from some guy that lasted about 2 hours. Bless his heart; he had a lot to say.

Well, I know one thing for sure. If I don't finish that paper by next Tuesday, someone will need to put a switch to my legs. I really mean it. But until then, I'm going to try to tackle my procrastination problem. Wish me well. ;-)

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Song of the Day:

"Hangin' on a String (Contemplating)" by Loose Ends

Sunrise

Hello, Howdy, and All That Jazz. Today represents the Sunrise of this blog. For a couple of months I have enjoyed reading the entries of blogs that belong to other people. Today, I have gotten brave enough to post my first entry. In making my decision, I went back and forth evaluating the pros and cons of posting a blog. The pro that convinced me to start posting is the option that allows us to delete entries. *weak smile* However, my blogging experience has been quite interesting. I have found many similarities and differences with the other bloggers, but that's okay, because the variety in our opinions makes life beautiful and keeps it interesting.

I chose the beach backdrop for my blog, because it represents peacefulness and relaxation to me. After a long, stressful week, everyone needs a place to just kick back and relax. When I am working to finish a project before a deadline and my supervisor is asking for my work every five minutes, I just come and gaze at the pictures on my blog to calm and recenter my mind in order to get the job done. So, basically this blog serves as my coping mechanism for my job. In addition, I hope this blog will be a place where I can come and air my thoughts. And it can be a place for others to read and provide comments. Please bear with me as I learn to use the blogger features.

Before leaving my blog, please check out my favorite blogs that I regularly read. Although I have never met or have had little contact with the authors of these blogs, they have inspired and encouraged me to start my blog. Enjoy! ;-)

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Song of the Day:

"Stars" from the "Surrender to Love" Cd by Kindred The Family Soul