Day 4: The Ever-Dependable Public Transit


I thought this was funny yet so true.  I took this picture while waiting for the bus one morning on my way to work.  Ride On bus runs in Montgomery County, MD.  Not all routes throughout the county are created equally when it comes to convenience and dependability.  If you are trying to get somewhere on time you better leave your house 20-30 minutes earlier than normal (especially if you have to get on the train).  Otherwise you are going to be late.  Sometimes the buses are extremely late and so packed with patrons you can see the people before you actually see the bus.  Or the bus may not show at all.  It can be extremely frustrating, especially when it’s freezing outside and all you want to do is go home.  So I can understand why someone would say Ride On “SUCKS”.  Now with the American flag on the post, how would you interpret the photo?  Ride On Sucks America?  God Bless Ride On?  Or Only God Can Save Montgomery County Ride On Buses from Sucking?  LOL!

Day 3: Lady GaGa’s Latest – "Bad Romance"

Lady GaGa gets more and more intriguing with every release.  I recently saw the video for her latest single, “Bad Romance.”  While I don’t care for the song (even after several listens), I thoroughly enjoyed the video.  She’s a very creative artist who seems to take what she does seriously.   GaGa knows how to get everyone talking with her brand of performance art.  The bold imagery, the haute couture, the intricate choreography, the outlandish, wild wigs and hairpieces, in-your-face attitude, and the unique lyrical content, style and sound of the music – it keeps you glued to the screen.  Her videos and performances seem to be more extraordinary than the music (for example, her video for “Paparazzi” and the performance of the same song on this year’s MTV Video Music Awards).  She’s stepping out ahead of the class. And if she continues to push the boundaries (like many of those before her) and push herself creatively, the masses will continue to flock to her and follow her.  What’s your take?

Day 2: Autumn Leaves – Everything Must Change

When my bf and I were leaving my mother and my granny’s house last weekend, we noticed several leaves that had fallen in the driveway.  Many of these leaves were from two of the four sycamore trees in the yard.  I noticed one particular leaf and was taken by how beautiful it was.  The shape, the color, the stem, the veins – it seemed perfect.  I hadn’t seen a leaf quite this beautiful since I used to play with, make art with, and rake them as a child.  Or maybe I simply hadn’t taken the time to notice them as I got older.  Something that will never change is my love of autumn leaves (and the season in general).  I can attribute the rich colors of leaves (and autumn) to why I love earth tones.  It’s a wonderful, gorgeous time of year.  A sign that things are changing.  All symbolic of the cycle that nature follows every season, every year.  And it brings to mind a favorite standard of mine, “Everything Must Change.”  Take a listen to the late, great Walter Jackson with his breathtaking version of this tune.

Day 1: MJ’s This Is It

My bf and I had the privilege of seeing This Is It last month. I have to say that this was one of the best movies I’ve seen this year. I left with an even greater appreciation for the man behind the music. I had no idea what to expect. I didn’t know if it was going to be documentary, a performance film, or a combination of both. It turned out to be a spectacular combination of both. The film told the story of how Michael Jackson and his tour crew prepared for the This Is It shows in London. From the rehearsal of the first song “Wanna Be Startin’ Something” to the final, moving performance of the spine-chilling “Man In The Mirror,” it was clear to see that Michael Jackson was just as bad as he was in his younger years. Anyone who wondered whether he still had it (not me) would be floored by what they saw. The artistry, the moves, the voice, the stage presence were just as strong as ever. That’s the thing about true talent. It never leaves. It never goes away. Regardless of what happened, there’s nothing that could take away what was inside of him. And you could eerily feel his presenceso strongwhile watching the film. I cried at least 5 times while watching his performances. Almost didn’t think I was going to make it through the film because it was such an emotional experience. Michael Jackson was true genius. He’s still missed. With films like This Is It, his legacy will continue to live on.

If There Were No Song

Hello all! It’s been awhile – hasn’t it? I didn’t mean to be away for so long. But I’m back in school now and my schedule is like who done it and why. I’m in the dual IT/MBA degree program. Though the work hasn’t been exceptionally difficult – being up late damn near every night of the work week (and weekend) has been kicking me in the butt. I’m so tired and exhausted I’m delirious. I had three online classes this semester. One was a 6-week class. It seemed like I had more assignments and reading in that class than I had in my regular 12-week classes. I was very happy having successfully completed that class and lightening the load (ever so slightly). My grades have been pretty good thus far. At this point – balance is key. Cause working full-time and going to school part-time and not getting adequate sleep is not going work for the duration. I’ll get it together though. I have faith. With change comes adjustments. I’ll be fine.

Personally things are fine. My bf moved in officially last month. We’ve taken the next big step. And we seem to have adjusted quite well to this. We haven’t killed each other yet or had any blowout bash arguments. If something pops up or pisses us off – we talk about it right then and there. We get it out in the open and try to resolve it as best as we can. Our open-line of communication is one of the reasons why our relationship is so strong. We talk about everything. And we realize that we need to be on the same page if we want to keep things moving in a positive direction… Oh – how I love him! He’s been so good to me. He supports me like no other. He has my back. He respects, appreciates, and accepts me – completely. And he’s not afraid to go there with me or put me in place when I go off the deep end. And I lovingly, willingly, graciously, freely do the same thing in return.

As of today, I’ll be starting a project that I’ll call my “101 Days Project”This project will consist of my musings on various things in my everyday life – be it the workday, home life, music, movies, books, quotes, current events… I may be responding to something I saw, heard, or read. My responses may be take shape in the form of poetry, song lyrics, images, drawings, free writing, you name it. Anything is fair game here. It’ll be creative but also be a learning experience for me (and maybe you too). And I figured BuddahDesmond’s Rapture is the best repository for the project. Another good thing is my “101 Days Project” will get me into the habit of posting on a regular, daily basis (something I have not quite been able to do since starting this blog a little over 5 years ago). So stayed tuned as the project progresses for the next 101 Days.

Life is music. Simple. Complex. And everything in between. We’re players in it. Musicians, singers, writers, producers, and executives. Each day is a song. Each has it’s own tempo, theme, mood, depth, feeling, subject matter… Some days we’re all singing the same song in unison or different keys. Other days we’re singing our own uniquely different tunes. They’re colorful. They’re bombastic. They’re jubilant. They’re melancholy. They’re all this and so much more. If there were no song – could we live? Could we be? If there were no song – I doubt hardly that we’d exist.

Until next time… Have a great weekend!

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Now playing: Pitbull – Can’t Stop Me Now
via FoxyTunes

Blogiversary + Interview + Reviews

Wassup Blogworld?!! Hope everything is cool. It’s been a minute since I’ve updated. Life has been keeping me busy personally and professionally. Things are going well though. I’ve been so busy I missed my own 4-year Blogiversary. Happy Blogiversary to BuddahDesmond’s Rapture! Can’t believe it’s been that long. Lots of life changes since then (all for the better – thank god). But one thing’s for sure – I’m much happier now than I was when I started blogging. I feel so much stronger, wiser, and better about various facets of myself and my life. It’s an ongoing process. The internal work is never seems to be done. Even when it’s all good there’s always room for improvement. As I reminisce, I may update this post with links to some of my favorite posts over the last few years.

Be sure to check out my interview on the Encore Status Entertainment website with indie singer/songwriter/performer Lafonda a.k.a. The Bronx Bombshell. Also, check out my review of Maxwell’s BLACKsummers’night and Vanessa Williams’s The Real Thing on the Pictures and Frames website.

Until next time, be safe. Have a great weekend!

~ BuddahDesmond

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Now playing: Chrisette Michele – Epiphany
via FoxyTunes

R.I.P. E. Lynn Harris


I was stunned when I heard that E. Lynn Harris died. I thought it was just another hoax. But sadly, his passing was in fact true. Harris was a tremendous talent. He was the voice of a community that had often been silenced, nonexistent, or unacknowledged in the literary world. Harris’ work inspired dialogue, and opened minds and hearts. His contributions helped pave the way for many of today’s black gay contemporary writers. He was a treasure and will forever be missed.

Thank you, E. Lynn Harris, for inspiring us. Thank you for sharing our stories. Thank you for helping me, and I’m sure many others, who–at a young age–was struggling with my sexuality but learned to accept and embrace it. 

E. Lynn Harris, rest in peace. We love you!

~ BuddahDesmond

Never Knew

Never knew I could feel this way about someone
I always thought about it
Always dreamed about it
Fantasized about it
Prayed for it
But never knew it would be like this

What I’m feeling far exceeds expectations
It trumps predecessors
It squashes competition
Smashes records
Wins every time
I had a feeling before but it doesn’t equal the real thing

Everything I’ve ever wanted in a man
I’ve found in you
All the wonderful things that dreams are made of
All the qualities to brag about
All the characteristics I find attractively appealing
Intellect and wit that keeps me on my toes
Handsome sexiness that I can’t resist
Tenderness, care and compassion that brings tears to my eyes
With flaws and all you are simply beautiful, inside and out

Never knew I could find everything and more
I always wrote about it
Always sang about it
Talked about it
Wished for it
But it eclipses all that I’ve ever hoped for

Didn’t know it would be like this
It’s better than I expected
And I’m glad to finally have it
I’m glad to be in this place
Glad to have this feeling
So glad to be this in love
And for this, I will continue to express my gratitude

~ BuddahDesmond

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Now playing: Chrisette Michele & Ne-Yo – What You Do (Single Version)
via FoxyTunes

R.I.P. Michael Jackson (1958 – 2009)

Legend.
Icon.
Innovator.
Trendsetter.
Humanitarian.

You were truly gifted.
An inspiration to many.
You were the greatest entertainer in the world.
Touched so many of us with your heart, soul, and spirit.

There will never be another like you.
So we are grateful that God kept you here as long as he did.
We are sad that you had to go so young.
But it was time.
You were called.
And now peace is finally yours.

You will truly be missed.
Your music and legacy will continue to inspire, uplift, and shape us all
You will never die.
You will always live on.
We will always love you, Michael Joseph Jackson!!!

~ BuddahDesmond