Don't Know What You've Got 'Till It's Gone...

It's getting towards the end of the year, and I've been playing the oldie but goodie "Till It's Gone" by Miss Jackson ('cause I'm nasty...) on repeat. 

First off, the visuals are lush and luscious, the lyrics/production is at the right level of haunting...

But I really just was listening to the words (originally sung by the while-not-browngirl-very-much-gadfly Joni Mitchell) "not knowing what you've got 'till it's gone".

In other words, it's about time I took stock. What really inspired/challenged/enlightened me this year? What is it that I have right now that I should be aware of before it's gone?  Let the personal/cultural/sociological/political navel-gazing commence.

Talk Nerdy To Me: Watching 'The Mis-Adventures of Awkward Black Girl"

So I FINALLY have gotten around to seeing The Mis-Adventures of Awkward Black Girl, the award-winning web-series made by the lovely Issa Rae.  I have watched exactly six minutes so far and already have cracked up twice in recognition. (I can't help being a nerd, y'all!) According to Wikipedia:

"Issa Rae was inspired to create The Mis-Adventures of Awkward Black Girl in January 2009 while working at New Federal Theatre in New York City.  Experiencing difficulty in meeting people in an unfamiliar place, Issa Rae decided that it would be entertaining to depict uncomfortable scenarios one may experience when dealing with others....

I'm BAAAAAACKKK!

And pretty damn excited to see you all again!

Let's do this!

DL.

Worn Out: Santigold and Spankrock in New Alexander Wang Campaign

Santigold and Spankrock dance around in soft tees from T by Alexander Wang for the label’s fall campaign to a remix of Santigold’s new single “Go” that I've never heard before....Specially made for Mr. Wang, perhaps?
 Pictures from the campaign, shot by Dan Jackson and styled by Alastair McKimm, are currently going up over New York as part of what Wang’s PR department has called a “wildposting campaign.”  I don't know what that is, exactly, but I do know I want to be a part of it! Video after the jump!

Listen Up: The Afro-Punk Music Festival Makes Me Wish I Was A New Yorker

So, do you want to see Janelle Monet, Cee Lo Green, Gym Class Heroes, Das Racist, Santigold, Kenna and more?  Do you want to see them for FREE?  I do....Oh, I wish I lived in New York... Schmanks, Afropunk (tagline: The Other Black Experiance....), for breaking my heart.  For those that can go, the concert is the 27th and 28th of this month.

GoldenGirlGadfly: Vogue Profiles Ida Keeling, setting athletic records at 96 years young

Ida Keeling celebrates with her daughter, Shelley

While flipping through the new August Vogue magazine and noticing their new efforts to be more "current" and "colorful" (ie: fawning articles on Dakota Fanning and her little sister, Elle; cursory inclusion of 1 and 1/2 brown models in editorial), I came across an article that surprised me.  First I was surprised that it was about a brown woman NOT in entertainment or fashion; second, it's subject was Ida Keeling, a 96 year old who has SET THE WORLD RECORD for the 60 meter dash.  No, not the world record in her age bracket (she competes in the 95-99 age category)...the world record in track-and-field for the 60 meter dash, PERIOD.  She trains in her hallway.  Like, the hallway of her apartment building, while being coached by her daughter, Shelley.  Are you amazed yet? Are you ready to fire your mediocre-in-comparison grammie to BEG Ida to dispence advice and bake you cookies? Well...there's more..

In The News: WTF is the Debt Ceiling? Ten Facts To Help Make Things Clear(er)

For those of us who get twisted and turned around by all the clear facts rhetoric, incendiary language and other muddying-the-waters tactics by the folks on Capital Hill, here is what I have managed to glean through frantic googling and wiki-search.   Basically, we are in crunch time to decide what to do about the huge bill that the US has racked up...

 The ten facts are after the jump!

She's Crafty: Solid Perfume Pocket Watch

So I audibly gasped when I saw this tutorial, originally from Aftelier Perfume,was posted up.  The idea of using an old thrift store pocket watch, (or those little cheap ones from too trendy stores) to hold my perfume sounds hellamadwicked awesome, especially as I am known to lose things on a regular basis.  Since I can keep this little sucker handy, I'll be ready with a scent re-up when I'm running from my office to a rendezvous with the SO, and smelling a little OFF from my work day. Not to mention I'm weird about scents.  Ever since I heard that scent is a key component of memory, I want to have my own original thing going, so that my personal mix is completely distinctive and special....(Can you tell I was an only child...??) This tutorial allows me to create my very own scent, and store it in a way that means I can't just misplace it...Although let's not say NEVER...Difficulty: 1/5 Cost:4/5

She's Crafty: General Storage Cubbies

The welcome across Ana White's furniture blog is a little frilly for my taste, but do you know what's not?  Her badass homemade designs for tables, bed frames, daybeds, and more.  I ran across Ana White simply because I absolutely love my power tools (and any excuse to use them), and asked my SO for his oppinion.  "Go with the Farmhouse Bed", said he, rightly noting that the plans were detailed and easy to follow, as well as cost-effective.  Ana apparently makes most of the furniture for her family, and considers herself a homemaker, which she most certainly is in the most literal of senses.  My project for this upcoming month?  The General Storage Cubby. Difficulty: 3/5 Cost: 2/5

What's Cooking: Watermelon Aqua Fresca!

This Ah-MAY-zing watermelon aqua fresca recipe comes to us via Flaming Tortillas , who considers themselves dedicated to bringing the best of Latin cuisine, culture, and food news to your kitchen table. It features what’s in season right now,  favorite recipes from all over Latin America and fresh cultural Latin events around the country. I happen to really enjoy it, although I might add something EXTRA to this already delightful recipe, if you know what I mean *wink*