Time Waits (for No One)

I’ll live like forever is now
Because time waits for no one
And tomorrow just may not come ’round
Because time waits for no one
When we’re gone
Only love goes on
~ Gloria Estefan, “Time Waits” from Unwrapped (2003)

Hello to all out in blog land! Hope all is fab in your world. It’s been so long! I’m good though. Guess you can say I’ve been on a blog sabbatical. Life has been moving so fast lately and I find myself increasingly busy. At this point, I’m just trying take some time and enjoy breathing. Today was one of those days where I didn’t feel like doing anything and that was my mission. Sit back, relax, and reflect….

I have to say that the last 8 or so months have been the happiest I’ve been in quite some time. My professional life is going well. My work has received quite a bit of praise and I was recently awarded with a merit raise. I was very happy about that. I hope to continue to improve and advance in my current position and whatever opportunities that stem from it.

Personally, my love life has never been better. My boyfriend and I have been together for about 8 months. And it just seems to keep getting better. We can’t get enough of each other. We are so very much in love with each other. Life would be so much different without him in it. And I can’t see my life without him in it. He’s the one! And I am so thankful, so grateful to have the love that I’ve longed for and searched so hard to find.

I’ve fallen in love with my friends all over again. They continue to amaze me, push me, inspire me, uplift me, support me, love me… And every chance I get I pay them back in kind. Since so many of my friends are several miles away, we don’t get to see each other (sometimes don’t get to talk to each other) that often. So the moments we do have whether they be in person, over the phone, text, IM, or email – are cherished. We’ve all been thru so much. And we’ve been there for each other thru it all. I couldn’t ask for better friends. I thank god for putting them in my life.

And I love my family. As crazy and dysfunctional as it can be, they’re my foundation. I can’t help but root for them. Even during the bad times. It’s unfortunate that we’re not as close as we used to be. I continue to pray for the day when the petty b.s. is no more and we all can get back to where things should be. I will always be indebted to them for their love, care, and support – my mother and my grandmother especially. They’ve been my rocks….

I guess I say all this to say that the events of the last few months have left me in a reflective, introspective mood. These are trying times for everyone. One of my best friend’s at work lost her dad on February 13th. My boyfriend lost his grandfather and an uncle on March 13th and an aunt less than a week later. My mother was diagnosed with another form of cancer and had to go into surgery on March 20th. Luckily, she made it through without any complications. Due to her medical history, we still have to keep an eye on everything. And hope and pray that after this go round the cancer doesn’t return. All we can do is hope and pray for the best. Play your part and then give it up to God.

Though I realized this before, as I get older it sticks more so now….Life is too short not enjoy it and live it to it’s fullest. It can all be gone in a flash. So you’ve got to give it your all. Love hard. Play hard. Dream big. Go after everything you want. Don’t let anything stop you from doing what you’ve been put on this earth to do. Own it. Own everything (as RuPaul would say….lol!). And I’m going to own everything! As Gloria Estefan sang, time waits for no one. This is our time. We’ve got to make the best of it…. And on that note, I wish you all well. Enjoy your weekend. Catch up with you later….

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Now playing: Gloria Estefan – Time Waits
via FoxyTunes

I Wanna Thank You

2008 has been a year of change, surprise, madness, happiness, craziness, and resilience. But I made sure I didn’t lose myself (or my sanity) in the midst of it all. I found balance. And I couldn’t do it alone. I thank the Creator, my family, and friends for being there through it all. I know that if it wasn’t for the wonderful support system I’ve had since the very beginning, I wouldn’t be where I am now. Though I may be independent, I know I couldn’t do it all alone. I am so thankful, so grateful for my family, my friends, a great relationship, my home, my job, food, clothes and the many others gifts and talents in this life I’ve been blessed with. I’m so happy to be here to share it with those that I love. I hope to continue sharing, living, loving, and experiencing. And I hope that I can continue to pay forward all of the great things that so many others have done for me. Hope you had a very Happy Thanksgiving. Be happy and be safe this holiday weekend. Peace, Love, & Many Blessings!

Love & Life

Hello All! It’s been quite a bit of time since I last blogged. Life’s been keeping me busy – really busy. So much so that I had to take a step back, chill out for a bit, and re-evaluate things. After the world tour from work (we traveled to six different locations in three weeks in July), I fell ill in early August. All the traveling took a toll on me and I spent a brief period in the hospital and on sick leave from work. It was a combination of exhaustion, stress, and anxiety (which sent my blood pressure through the roof). And this is not a good combination of things to be suffering from. It may seem lightweight but when you think about how your overall health can be impacted – it’s not cool.

Looking at the amount of leave I’d accrued vs. what I actually used at work, I noticed that I had not taken off much at all. And in lieu my recent health scare, I figured I needed to rectify that. So whenever I feel I need to take a mental health day – I take it, without hesitation. I realize that end of the day – if you don’t take care of yourself, who else will? I’ve been trying to relax more, chill more, party and socialize more (I’ve been doing a lot of that lately-LOL!). Just trying to enjoy life more really.

Aside from that, I’ve been spending time with family and helping out when I can. My mother and my grandmother actually took care of me while I was sick. I was so appreciative and grateful for that. I’d do the same (and have done the same) thing for them. It’s the least that I can do for the many things they’ve done for me over the years. I recently helped them move into a new place back in late September. Due to the issues my mother’s been having with her left hip/leg and lower back, she’s unable to comfortably do a lot of walking and stair climbing. Her doctor told her she needed to move somewhere that didn’t have any stairs. Fortunately, she and my grandmother were able to find a one-level house and everything is good. They’ve settled quite well into it.

I’ve also fallen in love…. This thang is for real. So SERIOUS!!!! I’m so happy (or I should say happier). All of the b.s., drama, and games I had to deal with in my previous relationships were the perfect set-up for what I have now. Totally work of The Creator. I can’t say thank you enough! When you stop looking – good things do come your way. I do believe I’ve found my match. He’s a beautiful man – inside and out. We feel exactly the same way about each other – and it’s been that way seemingly from day one. Another reason to keep smiling…. 🙂

And I got to see Janet here in DC. Oh…. That show was one of the best shows I’ve ever seen. She brought the house down. They weren’t ready-LOL!! I rocked with Janet for 2.5 hours of non-stop unadulterated entertainment. Say what you will about the Jacksons – but they rise like the phoenix. And regardless of what’s going on – they always know how to put on an excellent show. Michael and Janet – two of the most influential and dynamic entertainers to ever grace the stage. Just look at all the reigning kings and queens of the industry now – you can’t help but notice the influence Michael and Janet have had on them.

Anyway…. Life is good. Love is good. So many things to be thankful for. Even during the darkest moments…. There’s always plenty of light shining when you come out on the other side. We often forget how fortunate we are. It usually takes a life changing event before we realize it…. Until next time… I wish you the best. Get out and vote. This thang is SO SERIOUS! DON’T PLAY!

Traveling, Traveling + 3rd Blogiversary!!!

Greetings! Hope you’re somewhere cool – trying to beat the heat. I’m chillin’. Just got back from Dallas. My team is conducting field research for a project and will be traveling for most of this month. Aside from Dallas, we’ve been to Chicago and Tampa. We’ll be going to Phoenix and San Diego next week. I’ve been to San Diego before (a beautiful place) but I’ve never been to Phoenix. I’m not sure I’ll be able to beat the heat in Phoenix (with 100+ degree temperatures – I can feel my skin burning now – LOL!) but I’ll enjoy it as much as our schedule will allow. Though, I am grateful to have a job that affords the opportunities to travel, I must admit – traveling is very exhausting. I feel like I’m going to need a vacation just to recuperate from living out a suitcase these last few weeks. LOL! But it beats being stuck behind a computer in a cubicle everyday. Change of scenery is always a great thing.

And I’m happy to announce BuddahDesmond’s Rapture is celebrating its 3rd anniversary this month! I can’t believe I’ve been blogging this long. So much has changed in my life both personally and professionally. And I’ve written about a range of topics and issues and still have much more to discuss. In honor of this celebration, I’d like to highlight some of my favorite posts over the years. Feel free to take a gander at these and any other posts:

  1. The P/H Factor – Phyllis Hyman: Tribute to a Sophisticated Lady
  2. I Walked Away
  3. 26 Y.O. + Still Learning
  4. Politricking
  5. H-A-P-P-Y
  6. Current Loves (of Music That Is)
  7. On Marriage
  8. When Hate Kills
  9. And Then The Music Slumped
  10. Luther Is Love

Other sites to checkout:

  1. Pictures and Frames Magazine (I have poetry and music reviews of Chante Moore’s Love the Woman and Craig David’s Trust Me.)
  2. Encore Status (This is the blog for an up-and-coming online magazine of the same name devoted to giving mainstream-like exposure to underground artists, musicians, fashion designers, and filmmakers.)
  3. Melange – the Encore Status Mixtape, Vol. 1 (Tired of Top 40 radio? Need something new and different? Then Melange may be right for you!)

Until next time…. Peace, Love, & Many Blessings!

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Now playing: Common – Southside (featuring Kanye West)
via FoxyTunes

I Walked Away

Slowly surely
I walk away from
self-serving
undeserving
constantly hurting me love
deserting me love
you said, I said, we said
but
~ Jill Scott, “Slowly Surely,” Who is Jill Scott? Words & Sounds Vol. 1, 2000

If you haven’t figured out from my previous posts yet, DP and I broke up. After 2 1/2 years, I had to walk away. It wasn’t the love that I wanted anymore. It wasn’t fulfilling my needs. After putting so much into it, I felt slighted. I felt shortchanged. I felt used. Because I wasn’t getting back what I was putting in. The effort, the support, the openness wasn’t being reciprocated. So I had to move on. The relationship was over long before it ended. I just had yet to open my eyes wide enough to see it. Though I saddened about our relationship’s demise, I was thoroughly relieved. Content that I’d finally let go of what had been bringing me down for some time.

While I prefer to be in a relationship, I can do without the suffering, the heartache, the longing, and the pain. Lately, I’ve been enjoying the single life. I’ve been enjoying this time of reflection and introspection. I know that the next time will be quite different. And most of all, I’m going into this next period of life and love with no expectations. That way I don’t get my feelings hurt too soon, too fast. And though it’s only been a few months, new love seems to be on the horizon again. But I’m taking my time with it. No need to rush it. I’m just letting it flow – slowly, surely, easily, naturally. There’s no hurrying love. A hurried love is one that will turn on you. It’s one that will let you down. One that you won’t be able to depend upon. Can’t be having that! LOL! Until next time — love, peace, and many blessings!

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Now playing: Jill Scott – Slowly Surely
via FoxyTunes

26 Y.O. + Still Learning

Wow, it’s been a while. You turn around and you find it’s been three weeks since your last post. Hope everyone out in blogland is cool. I’m good. Just been busy. Been doing a lot of thinking and reflecting. I recently turned 26 (on February 15th). It was truly one of the best b-day’s ever. I was taken out to lunch, had a surprise b-day celebration, and hung out with some friends at a cool bar & lounge in DC. I was tore up (and I mean tore up) for the first time in my life. I had a good time though (and that’s all that matters). The tickets for the MJB and Jay-Z concert also went on sale on my b-day. One of my friends luckily scored some the same day and I’ll be tagging along. I’ve never seen either artist live so I’m really excited about it.

Though I’m a year older, I still feel the same. I don’t have any qualms or issues with growing older. I embrace it. Seeing those numbers change each year is a blessing. Just being able to get up each day makes me happy. It’s as simple as that. Family, friends, good health, job, a home, food, clothes, etc. all make it that much sweeter. At 26, I know there’s still more to learn. I’m a student–in this life, for this life–for life. Still so many places to go, so many things to do, so many people to meet. Wherever the journey takes me–that’s where I’ll be.

Before I head out – please check out Melange, one of the hottest mixtapes online. Brought to you by Encore Status Entertainment (ESE), Melange features a range of music by some of the freshest independent artists around the globe. Tired of top 40 radio? Then Melange may be right for you!

More to come later. Until then…. Peace & Many Blessings!!!

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Now playing: Chaka Khan – Super Life
via FoxyTunes

Past, Present, and Future

I often wonder if our ancestors are pleased with our progress.
Looking down on us, would they hold their heads high in praise or bow them
down in shame?
Would they feel that everything they fought for was in vain?
Would they feel we are living up to the legacy they’ve left behind?
It’s a valid question, considering the disparities within our community.
There are disconnects between generations and classes,
Between faith and moral values,
Between the revolutionary and the righteous,
Between traditional and unconventional,
Between family and community.
Sometimes it seems like we are ghosts of what we were before.
The shades of greatness remain,
But the people have yet to figure out how to channel its power.
All is not lost, yet not all is fully realized.

I hope that our ancestors have not given up on us, the way we have given up on
each other.
I hope they feel that we all can come together to believe and dream and fight to
win again,
Because it’s there—
It never left.
We were born to survive in even the bleakest situations.
There’s still time to mobilize.
There’s still hope and faith that we can get it together,
and bring everyone to the same place again.

We just can’t forget about what was.
We can’t forget about who fought the many battles and won.
We can’t forget about our ancestors.
We must think of them
Because they are why we are here,
And why we must go on.

© 2012 BuddahDesmond

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Now playing: Kenna – Daylight via FoxyTunes

Buddah’s Thoughts

Just some things that have been running through my mind.

  1. I don’t make new year’s resolutions. I make life changes. And there will be many changes made in the very near future.
  2. Well, it looks like DP and I may be living in the same state again sometime early next year. I’m getting excited! I’ve missed having him near dearly. Once the dates are finalized I’ve got to start planning for his return. I can’t believe we’ve been together for a little over two years now.
  3. Don’t you just hate office politics? They can put a damper on an otherwise satisfying work experience. I do my best to avoid them at all costs. I keep all my personal business to myself. Cause the worst thing you can do is tell it to the wrong person. It’ll spread around the office quicker than the speed of light. And people can use it against you.
  4. Considering recent events, is the nation (and the world) really ready for the U.S. to have its first black president? With all due respect to Barack Obama, I’m just not convinced that it’s his time yet. Of course, the primaries and the general election in November (and events thereafter) will tell the story.
  5. Hell, is the nation (and the world) ready for Hillary Clinton to be president of the U.S.? With all due respect to rapper/actress Eve, Hillary Clinton is the “real pitbull in a skirt.” Need I say more?
  6. I liken Huckabee, Romney, Giuliani, and even McCain to revolving doors. They swing more ways on issues than a bisexual in the bedroom. Now, there’s nothing wrong with changing your mind. There’s nothing wrong with broadening your perspective. And there’s nothing wrong with changing your opinions or views on certain issues. There is a problem however, when these things are changed to gain the support of a group people for votes. If people can’t except you for all of your glory, excess, foolishness, and pain, it’s their loss.
  7. After reading about Benazir Bhutto’s assassination, I had an eerie feeling that some real serious shit is about to go down. Everybody beware.
  8. If I hear about another celebrity being arrested for a DUI I’m going to go on vigilante campaign to exchange celebrity driver’s licenses for chauffeurs.
  9. Looks like Paris Hilton got cut off. Grandpa is giving 97% of his fortune to charity. See what happens when you show your ass and dirty up the family name?
  10. I love Mya like the next fan, but seriously, what’s going on? She’s been pushed back more times than a Kelly Rowland record. She called her new album Liberation and now she’s like a caged bird that nobody wants to hear sing. Now, her single “Ridin'” was okay (at best), but “Ayo” and “Lock U Down” were garbage. Come a little harder next time Mya.
  11. There were some really great releases in 2007 for music. I was really surprised. Some release days I just went for broke. I was like a kid in a candy store. I couldn’t decide whose album I wanted more so I just bought everything.
  12. If I had to tally my favorite R&B/Soul releases from male artists this year, the following would be on the list: Rahsaan Patterson (Wine & Spirits), Musiq Soulchild (Luvanmusiq), Ne-Yo (Because of You), Mario (Go), Trey Songz (Trey Day), Tank (Sex, Love, & Pain), Chris Brown (Exclusive) and Joe (Ain’t Nothin’ Like Me). Though they lean a little more on the jazzy side, I can’t forget about Will Downing (After Tonight) or Raul Midon (A World Within A World). Hope I’m not forgetting anyone….
  13. Aside from the singles already released on Jill Scott’s latest album The Real Thing, I love “Crown Royal,” “Epiphany,” “All I,” “Whenever You’re Around,” “Come See Me,” “How It Make You Feel,” and “Just Wanna Be Loved.”
  14. I love the new Janet song “Feedback”. It’s very different. Totally left of what’s expected of her. I must’ve listened to at least 100 times since I got it. Can’t wait to hear the new album Discipline, to be released February 26th.
  15. 2008 looks like it could be a banner year with new releases from Mariah Carey, Whitney Houston, Janet Jackson, and Madonna. Mary J. Blige has set the tone quite nicely. If all goes well, it’ll feel like 1993/1998 all over again. Looks like they’re about to put all the divas-in-training back in their place!
  16. 2008 will also mark the return of several other noteworthy favorites such as: Maxwell, Erykah Badu, Lalah Hathaway, Teedra Moses, Van Hunt, Lenny Kravitz, Faith Evans, and Mos Def to name a few.
  17. Isn’t it funny now how all the pop artists want to be down? Seems like every pop tart wants to make urban album with urban producers. I’m not hating but….YAWN!
  18. I absolutely love Phyllis Hyman (and I mean love!). She’s legendary. Which is why I was so happy when I came across the website for the book Strength of a Woman: The Phyllis Hyman Story. This biography was written by Jason A. Michael. I’ll be checking this book out real soon.

And finally, have a very happy new year! May the year ahead be everything you want and more.

Peace, Love, and Many Blessings!

~ BuddahDesmond
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Now playing: Joss Stone – Bad Habit
via FoxyTunes

Relax, Relate, Release, Regroup!

It’s about that time. I feeling the need to get rid of some dead weight. I don’t need the start of the new year to signify change. It’s just a feeling that you get when you know you’re veering off track. You’ve been led astray and you’re trying to get back to where you need to be. Somewhere amidst graduation, the new job, the relationship, moving, traveling, and all of the family/personal drama – I got lost. I got caught up. I lost focus on what I set out to achieve. I let everything (and everyone) dictate what my existence should be. But no more! Never again. As the saying goes, “I may be down but never out!”

I know this is shorter than my average post, but sometimes being concise is the only way to get the point across. I’ll be back with another post within the week. Hope everyone in the blogworld is well. Until next time…. Peace, Love and Many Blessings!

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Now playing: Teena Marie – Ooo La La La
via FoxyTunes

If I Had My Way

Another month gone by as the summer of 2007 is jockeying for the title of “fastest summer ever”. Next thing you know everyone will talking about XMAS shopping. That is the very last thing I want to think about. So what’s been going on in Buddah’s world? Not a lot and I’m enjoying it that way…. Well, at least for this moment.

After being the dynamic duo at work, my supervisor and I, we are now a team of four. We’ve welcomed two new team members who are very intelligent, creative, and enthusiastic. I think they’ll do very well. We’ll be able utilize our resources better and accomplish a great deal more. I’m looking forward to the prospects.

After gallivanting through the streets nights and weekends for the last several months (like a gypsy with no home), I’ve taken reprieve. This is probably the second weekend in some time where I did absolutely nothing. Isn’t nice to chill out for a change? I’m sure all of that will change next month. The calendar is beginning to fill up with engagements. More on that as that in other posts.

I also spent some time at home. My mother has been experiencing a lot of pain lately due to osteo-arthritis in her legs and bone spurs in her lower back. I had to help set up the office so she would be able to work from home. She’s loving it and wishes she could work from home until she retires. If you had to deal with the b.s. from the cunts that she works with on a day to day basis you’d prefer to work from home too. She’s been working from for about a month now. She experiences some pain every now and then but she doesn’t let it stop her. She’s always in good spirits. And she’s been through a lot. She had her last chemo treatment at the end of April and the cancer is in remission now. She’s been a trooper through it all. If there is anyone I can look to for inspiration it’s my mother. Because of my mother and the example she’s set I know that anything is possible. I’m happy she’s still with us.

As for things between DP and I, they are a lot better than they were six weeks ago. We’ve worked through our issues and we’re going to be fine. I didn’t want to walk away from what we have and neither did he. We just had to get over ourselves and be honest with each other. Things happen. There’s always a reason. Nothing is ever perfect. And this was our latest test (many more to come I’m sure). Of course things would be better if he was here permanently. If I had my way – he would be here. We would physically be together. But anything worth having is worth waiting for. The date of his arrival is set for sometime in November. And the anticipation and excitement continues to build….

And here’s to two years of blogging! “On and on. And on and on. My cipher keeps moving like a rolling stone.” E. Badu couldn’t have said it any better. Until next time…. Be true. Appreciate what you have. Let the blessings flow.