Black Diva History

I made a 60-song playlist to celebrate Black History Month. These are the most played songs from that playlist this month:

1. Aaliyah - Journey to the Past
2. Vanessa Williams - Save the Best for Last
3. Ultra Naté - Found A Cure
4. Whitney Houston - I Have Nothing
5. Debelah Morgan - Dance With Me
6. Toni Braxton - Spanish Guitar
7. Destiny's Child - Survivor
8. Janet Jackson - Rhythm Nation
9. Nina Simon - It Don't Mean a Thing, If It Ain't Got That Swing
10. Brandy - Almost Doesn't Count

I Live in a Mariah World

Choose a band or artist and answer only in titles of their songs.



Band or artist:
Mariah Carey

Say Hello:
Honey

Are you Male or Female:
Loverboy

Describe yourself:
Sweetheart

How do some people feel about you:
We Belong Together

How do you feel about yourself:
Hero

Describe your Ex-Boyfriend / Girlfriend:
You're So Cold

Describe Current Boyfriend / Girlfriend:
My Saving Grace

Describe where you want to be:
Underneath the Stars

Describe how you Live:
Make It Happen

Describe how you Love:
Open Arms

What would you ask for if you had just one wish:
One Sweet Day

Share a few words of Wisdom:
Shake It Off

Now say Goodbye:
I'll Be There

St. Louis Marathon: 6 Weeks Ahead

Week of Feb. 20 to Feb. 26
Goal: 28 miles
Actual: 1.5 miles + 3.1 miles = 3.6 miles

Well, marathon training was not a priority this week as I battled health issues. I got on the treadmill on Monday with the intention of getting a good start for the week. A few minutes into running, I knew I wasn't well. My steps were heavy, my motion was not smooth. I struggled to reach the first mile, and ended my run at 1.5 miles.

I was home sick for the next three days. I went to work on Friday, but my right shoulder, elbow, and wrist didn't work. I thought the tingling pain would go away by the time I reached work, but I had to go through the work day with only one functional arm. I considered checking myself into the ER Friday afternoon but decided to sleep off. Saturday morning a miracle happened: I was 95% fine.

I did a speed workout / 5K run on Sunday. I felt great being able to finish the 5K, but I knew I wasn't at my regular strength.

Lee Tamahori a cross-dressing prostitute?

B-list film director Lee Tamahori was recently arrested for allegedly soliciting an undercover police officer in Hollywood and offering to perform a sex act for money. He was arrested while wearing an off-the-shoulder dress and black wig.
I always suspected that there was more to Tamahori's sweet nature. During my brief stint as an entertainment reporter, I interviewed him in 1997 during his press tour for a movie called "The Edge" starring Athony Hopkins and Alec Baldwin.
Lee, you should do whatever that makes you happy. If you want to be a cross-dresser, there a plenty of gentlemen who would appreciate that. Eddie Murphy comes to mind! But please get back to directing. We all are dying for a comeback story. We all want another B-list mind-numbling thriller with a lot of explosions. Maybe a sequel to "Along Came a Spider"?

Sick Days

I haven't been to my office yet this week. Monday was a holiday. I called out sick on Tuesday. I worked from home today. I could have had a great time if I didn't have a host of unpleasant symptoms due to my illness. My co-leagues should be glad that I'm not taking my contagious body into the office.

I was mostly bed-bound on Tuesday, but I was quite productive today. I'd say that I worked about nine hours, reclaiming my franchise that I neglected for so long ... (a full day). I did all the work while watching TV shows that were so good (Project Runway) and so bad (MTV's Next!)

I want to go to work tomorrow. It's the monthly audit day which excites no one else but me! However, I probably will work from home to ride out my illness.

Science team finds 'lost world'

The Foja Mountains appear to be one of the richest sites for frogs in the Asia-Pacific region. More than 20 new species of frogs were found. (Image: Stephen Richards)

Along with the news story about Dick Chenney shooting a male companion in the face, the Foja discovery topped my list of amazing news events of 2006.

St. Louis Marathon: 7 Weeks Ahead

Week of Feb. 13 to Feb. 19
Goal: 25 miles
Actual: 25 miles

This week, I decided to take a break from weight training to free up some time.
Monday: Off
Tuesday: 6 miles on treadmill (52 minutes). I started to focus of my form to be a little more efficient. No more arm swinging from side to side!
Wednesday (evening): 6 miles on treadmill (47 minutes 50 seconds). Girl, I was fierce!
Thursday (evening): Madonnaerobics. Struggled through the dance moves to "Sorry"
Friday: Off
Saturday (noon): 13.1 miles on the treadmill in 2:00 hours. Hustled the last 3.1 miles to meet the nice round time. Girl, I was fierce!

No sex, lots of Mariah

No sex. No coffee. No alcohol. No soda. No junk food. Lots of endurance training, strength training, and

Oh, My Gay God!

Just when I thought my world couldn't get any gayer, I am jumping at a chance of participating in the Gay Games! I'll play soccer, party, and run a marathon this July. I'll march in the Opening Celemony with other LGBT athletes from all of the gay world. How crazy is it going to be!

Here's to Love

Someone recently told me that it's easier to win a lottory than to find love. Those of us who don't buy lottery tickets have zero chance of winning, but I truly believe that all of us can find love and stay in love. Like a lottery, love is a game of chance. There are ways you can enhance your chances, but there is no sure way to find success. You just keep going, and the journey itself makes life interesting.
Happy Valentine's Day!

St. Louis Marathon: 8 Weeks Ahead

Week of Feb. 6 to Feb. 12
Plan: 25 miles
Actual: 23 miles

Monday (morning) - ran 5 miles on the treadmill for 40 minutes 30 seconds
Monday (evening) - shoulders; abs
Tuesday (evening) - ran 6 miles on the treadmill for 48 minutes 10 seconds; chests / triceps / abs
Wednesday: Off
Thursday (evening) - ran 5 miles on the treadmill for 44 minutes and 30 seconds; swam 0.25 miles (34 laps)
Friday (evening) - delts / back; abs
Saturday: Nothing; the planned long run fell through since I was occupied with my new queen mattress
Sunday (mid-day; snow) - ran 7 miles on the treadmill for 64 minutes; swam slowly for about 20 laps

Just Me and My iPod

Me Time!
Originally uploaded by reflexblue.

As my iPod temporarily closes me from the world, it takes me on a magical journey. I am at peace.

St. Louis Marathon: 9 Weeks Ahead

Week of Jan 30 to Feb 5
Plan: 23 miles; Actual: 28 miles

Monday (evening): 5 miles on treadmill; 42 minutes
Tuesday: shoulders; abs
Tuesday (evening): 4 miles on treadmill (32 minutes)
Wednesday: off
Thursday (evening): 6 miles on treadmill (50: 45 minutes); swimming 20 laps
Friday (evening): chests only
Saturday: 13 miles. I did the Center City / Schuylkill River loop, an extra mile, and the Art Museum steps
Sunday: swimming 34 laps or 0.25 mile.

Keep It Together

Which of these crazy things happened to me the past week:

• spilling tomato sauce all over myself at work
• spilling coffee all over my kitchen counter
• forgetting wallet, train pass, and employee ID
• missing an important meeting
• tripping over the staircase
• making an obstacle course out of my bedroom

How about all of the above! The bottom line is that I'm stretching myself thin. I work 9.5 hours a day. 3 hours a day commuting. 1.5 hours working out or running. 1 hours for dinner. That only leaves 9 hours for chilling and sleeping.

Recognizing that I may be on a verge of a Mariah Carey meltdown, I'm doing my best to hold things together. Piece of cake, right?