tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-51104347112189977502024-03-05T05:52:27.666-08:00A Diamond~Star's DreamDiamond~Starhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02301138869047152647noreply@blogger.comBlogger57125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5110434711218997750.post-53430464827921169662011-07-04T12:11:00.000-07:002011-07-04T12:19:09.229-07:00Happy 4th of July!!!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrJvrcHqd3G_g8Qrpds4OCkURLDAAk96vcUpx4gUs7qT-XIRcbeD-i-YdtPJEjK1o2cgYdFURSh52gaGD8Ufjhulmzpi1gXLsNHeGUNFLUqIVhK6LMkeqmtJARJYwvUBw-Xnyy05Dd8Vc/s1600/firework.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 295px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrJvrcHqd3G_g8Qrpds4OCkURLDAAk96vcUpx4gUs7qT-XIRcbeD-i-YdtPJEjK1o2cgYdFURSh52gaGD8Ufjhulmzpi1gXLsNHeGUNFLUqIVhK6LMkeqmtJARJYwvUBw-Xnyy05Dd8Vc/s320/firework.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5625577241444290418" border="0" /></a>Independence Day...4th of July....July 4th. A day for cookouts, family get togethers, fireworks, honoring those men and women who have fought and continue to fight in our nations military, and WORK!!! Once again, I am working (like so many others) on this holiday. I can remember when it wasn't even entertained for anybody to be open for the 4th. Now we are in an era where holidays don't seem to even matter. I wanted to go home this year, but I have to work this evening at my part time job. That has to suck because I am off all day from my full time job. It is what it is.<br /><br />For those of you who are off, enjoy your day. Have fun and be safe. Thank God for being able to celebrate another Independence Day, and remember if you are a drinker, please drink responsibility.Diamond~Starhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02301138869047152647noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5110434711218997750.post-91094409346930677122011-07-01T20:27:00.000-07:002011-07-01T20:38:50.383-07:00An Unpretty ResultParents, talk to your kids about eye care contacts. If you got a pre-teen or a teenager talking about wanting to wear contacts, take them to a licensed eye doctor so the he and she can teach the both of you how to wear contacts, the importance of getting a fitting, and taking care of them. Most kids want them to upgrade their look, and some have even venture out to get them at an easy access. This video here is a story about a young girl who bought contacts off the street. Now she is suffering from eye damage and have lost her sight in at least one eye. This is so sad.<br /><br /><object width="448" height="374"><param name="movie" value="http://www.worldstarhiphop.com/videos/e/16711680/wshhIM4p5564yJ8A3K81"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><embed src="http://www.worldstarhiphop.com/videos/e/16711680/wshhIM4p5564yJ8A3K81" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="448" height="374"></embed></object>Diamond~Starhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02301138869047152647noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5110434711218997750.post-17927895487243934992011-06-26T09:57:00.000-07:002011-06-26T10:07:46.927-07:00Well...Another random blog for today. So much has been going on. We wonder about all of the what ifs and what could we have change if we have done things differently. The fact that I had to go back into the workforce with a paycut still bothers me. The bills are barely getting paid, and the job market out here, while appears that more opportunities are becoming available, it's still slow. I am looking for another job now while still working my current job. Things have to get better.<br /><br />So for the most part it's work and home. On the weekends I do the motorcycle thing when time and money permits. I am also in grad school online, which I am about tired of but I am hanging in there. I can't wait til it's over.<br /><br />That's all I have for today. Until next time.Diamond~Starhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02301138869047152647noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5110434711218997750.post-16029275309530226932011-03-15T19:49:00.000-07:002011-03-15T19:56:54.902-07:00Arrrrrrrggggggggggghhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Week two of this marketing class and I am fed up! I am taking this marketing class that is required by all students who are working towards their MBA degree at Jones International University. The class would not be so bad if they didn't expect us to do an entire semesters worth of work in 8 weeks. Even my co-worker, who has a degree in marketing, says the amount of work and reading they are expecting us to do is way too much. If I can "C" my way out of this class, I'm gunning it!! I can't wait until I can finish up with this degree program so I can jump on getting my certification as a pharmacy tech. All my bases are gonna be covered on the full time job as well as the part time. Oh well, time for me to get back to work.Diamond~Starhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02301138869047152647noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5110434711218997750.post-32881579245641981642011-03-07T20:33:00.000-08:002011-03-07T20:37:22.429-08:00Check out Kimbi's blogspot pageWe got a new writer in town and her name is Kimbi. Take the time out and visit her page and read her work. I have known her for years and she is a very hard working, dedicated mother of one. Let's support her in her venture!!! Visit her page at <a href="http://www.kimbibrown.blogspot.com/">www.kimbibrown.blogspot.com</a>Diamond~Starhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02301138869047152647noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5110434711218997750.post-21807020069503699882010-10-19T19:07:00.000-07:002010-10-19T19:20:44.793-07:00My dayOh what can I say! My day was just...well I don't even know. I felt like I was doing things wrong and was not doing it to everyone else's approval, yet no one stop to think about what I have done to help them out. I get tired to being called on to help others when they don't appreciate the things that I do. I felt that way about my older sister today when she told me that don't ever include her in anything. <span style="font-style: italic;">I was ready to flip right then and there.</span> Here it is, me who is taking care of her youngest child, making sure that she is fed, going to school buying clothes (can you say I need to be filing her on my taxes???), not to mention making sure that she is included in her child's activities at school <span style="font-style: italic;">but I don't include you??</span> I was so through with that that I just sat at work quiet most of the day doing my work. I had to meditate on this thing here. Enough of the buffonary, get your game up! Do right, and things will be alright. I guess this was my day to vent. I have to get myself together. I miss blogging here on a regular. I got to get back into it. We bout to get this thing together.<br /><br />Oh I saw this thing on Facebook yesterday about a Blogalicious Convention and they are voting on the 2011 site. I have never heard of such a thing but it sounds interesting. Catch ya later!Diamond~Starhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02301138869047152647noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5110434711218997750.post-32240187071615913532010-08-19T18:45:00.000-07:002010-08-19T19:06:46.308-07:00Thirsty ThursdayIt's definitely been a minute since I have been on blogger. I am really getting back into the swing of things ( I have said this before), but finally after much adieu, I finally have a computer with internet access. It's a netbook, which works out well for me because I am always on the go, and wi fi is almost everywhere now. This year for me is the year of the gadgets. I have a desktop computer that I bought last year for $50. Everything works well on it, just doesn't have the internet access. I have the printer to go along with it (also $50). And besides this neat littlel computer I am working on, I also have a Gentouch pad on layaway. A Gentouch is something like the I-pad but a cheaper version sold by Kmart. Kmart sold out of this gadget within the first two to three weeks of putting it on the market. Seems as though I would not need all of this when I already have a touch screen phone by Samsung. Certified gadget freak.<br /><br />Don't get it twisted though, it took a VERY LONG time for me to get some of this stuff. By time I get anything, everyone else I know got the latest and the best. Samsung has a new phone out now but by time I get ready to get it (which will probably be obsolete) something else will come out. Shoot, I work hard for it, so why not get it? Besides these days and times, the internet is very mobile. You got to be able to have access at all times.<br /><br />I'm looking forward this time to much more entries ahead. As always I am on Twitter, Myspace, and Facebook. You can always hit me up. Later!Diamond~Starhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02301138869047152647noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5110434711218997750.post-56927777990293579502010-05-11T00:01:00.000-07:002010-05-11T00:05:57.643-07:00Blaque- Bring it all to me<object style="BACKGROUND-IMAGE: url(http://i3.ytimg.com/vi/rxJciF9zVX0/hqdefault.jpg)" width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/rxJciF9zVX0&hl=en_US&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/rxJciF9zVX0&hl=en_US&fs=1" width="425" height="344" allowscriptaccess="never" allowfullscreen="true" wmode="transparent" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"></embed></object>Diamond~Starhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02301138869047152647noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5110434711218997750.post-8930407775391946432010-05-10T23:55:00.000-07:002010-05-11T00:05:01.765-07:00Blowing off the dustI haven't been on blogger in a long minute. So much going on but I need to start back writing my thoughts out. I do miss it. I've been at my job for about a year now and my primary goal is to move up and get off the phones. I love helping people but all that griping folks be doing over the phone, no I am not with that.<br /><br />Anyway, I ran across Blaque's video, "Bring It All to Me", which is in the next post. That was a great song back then. Wonder what ever happened to that group? Be back soon!Diamond~Starhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02301138869047152647noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5110434711218997750.post-52040458667353314932009-10-07T21:06:00.000-07:002009-10-07T21:17:23.695-07:00Drive By PostHello people! Oh it's been way too long since I have been here. The beginning of a rough year in 2009 because most of my followers know I had been looking for a job since the layoff. Well July 2009 brought good news. I am now working full time as a customer service rep at a major insurance carrier. So far everything is ok, no complaints. <br /><br />I am also back in school pursuing my Masters in Business Communications at Jones International University. Things there are going pretty good too. So far I have an A average and I hope to continue that trend throughout my term.<br /><br />I wasn't all the way off from the internet world though. I keep up with most folks on on twitter (www.twitter.com/diamond85242). However I will be making regular appearances soon. It's time for me to get back on track.Diamond~Starhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02301138869047152647noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5110434711218997750.post-33060576130538214282009-08-02T17:46:00.000-07:002009-08-02T18:11:37.911-07:00Back At Work...and Loving It!I believe the last time I was on here I was still looking for a job. Well 7 months later, I have finally secure full time permanent employment! I am now working for the largest private owned business in the state of South Carolina. Believe me when I say it is hard to get in there and when you get there you betta HOLD on to that. They have very good benefits and great perks for their employees. I used to work for them two years ago through a temp agency but I ended up leaving there to take the job downtown. Now I am back and my plans are to move my way up accordingly.<br /><br />I was so happy I didn't even know where to start. I know I had to get my wardrobe in order. Because I am back in an office setting, I had to go out and get more casual clothes. Between the last job and this one I lost weight, so nothing I had fit.<br /><br />Then I had to get my body clock back in order, which is still a work in progress. I don't sleep very well during the night in the first place, so the first few days having to be in training at 8am was hell! I got to get myself back on track with the number of caffenated sodas I drink per day cause I had been popping at least 2 twenty oz bottles of Pepsi or Mountain Dew a day in order to stay up (I don't drink coffee and I don't mess with chocolate too much). I have my bottle waters ready to go in the morning and is currently trying to downsize the intake of soda back to one. I have to be realistic with myself. I am not eliminating that completely. I tried that some time ago and went through a withdrawal of some sorts. Another co worker and I had this thing about doing without for 40 days and 40 nights for the Passover....well lets just say I lasted one whole week before breaking down and getting that 20 oz.<br /><br />I'm on my third week and I look forward to going to work everyday (seem odd). If you or anyone you know have been through the downsizing or elimination of jobs then you know exactly how I felt. We are still in training, and will be for at least another month or so, which is cool. I know I am ready for it and cannot wait to navigate the system on my own at my own desk. That's a good feeling. That's what's up.Diamond~Starhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02301138869047152647noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5110434711218997750.post-66706463359890513112009-07-24T20:24:00.000-07:002009-07-24T20:38:37.463-07:00E. Lynn Harris~RIP to a great writer<object width="425" height="344">I first saw the twitter blast about E. Lynn Harris passing and I thought it was a lie. I saw it again on twitter and I then figured it was true.<br /><br />Damn.<br /><br />I was just in Walmart on Thursday night, looking at one of his books and saying I need to get this one (don't quote me on which one it is, I just know I haven't read it). Now I need to make sure I pick them all up for my library collection.<br /><br />I have read "Just As I Am" and "This Too Shall Pass" and those were really good. One of the best African American authors, died while promoting his new book.<br /><br />Did you have a particular book by Harris that you read and thought was great? Feel free to share your thoughts here.<br /><br /><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/xYYkpTHEwz0&hl=en&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/xYYkpTHEwz0&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>Diamond~Starhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02301138869047152647noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5110434711218997750.post-77566065252268232142009-07-14T20:19:00.000-07:002009-07-14T20:21:16.860-07:00The Truth and Nothing But the TruthI saw this today and I wanted to post it. I thought it was funny. A good laugh for sure.<br /><br /><div> <div><b><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:180%;color:#ff8100;"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-size: 18pt; color: rgb(255, 129, 0); font-family: Arial;">10 Truths Black and Hispanic people know but </span></span></b><b><u><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:180%;"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-size: 18pt; font-family: Arial;">White people won't admit </span></span></u></b><b><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:180%;color:#ff8100;"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-size: 18pt; color: rgb(255, 129, 0); font-family: Arial;"><br /><br />1. Elvis is dead.<br />2. Jesus was not white.<br />3. Rap music is here to stay.<br />4. Kissing your pet is not cute or clean.<br />5. Skinny does not equal sexy.<br />6. Thomas Jefferson had black children.<br />7. A 5 year old is too big for a stroller.<br />8. N'SYNC will never hold a candle to the Jackson 5.<br />9. An occasional BUTT whooping helps a child stay in line.<br />10. Having your children curse you out in public is not normal. </span></span></b><b><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:180%;color:#a1a100;"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-size: 18pt; color: rgb(161, 161, 0); font-family: Arial;"><br /><br />10 Truths White and Black People know but </span></span></b><b><u><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:180%;"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-size: 18pt; font-family: Arial;">Hispanic people won't admit</span></span></u></b><b><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:180%;color:#a1a100;"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-size: 18pt; color: rgb(161, 161, 0); font-family: Arial;"><br /><br />1. Hickeys are not attractive.<br />2. Chicken is food not a pet or a roommate.<br />3. Jesus is not a name for your son.<br />4. Your country flag is not a car decoration.<br />5. Maria is a name but not for every daughter.<br />6. 10 people to a car is considered too many.<br />7. 'Jump out and run' is not in any insurance policies.<br />8. Buttoning just the top button of your shirt is a bad fashion statement.<br />9. Mami & Papi can ' t possibly be the nickname of every person in your family.<br />10. Letting your children run wildly through the store is not normal. </span></span></b><b><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:180%;color:#4141ff;"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-size: 18pt; color: rgb(65, 65, 255); font-family: Arial;"><br /><br />10 Truths white and Hispanic people know but </span></span></b><b><u><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:180%;"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-size: 18pt; font-family: Arial;">Black people won't admit </span></span></u></b><b><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:180%;color:#4141ff;"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-size: 18pt; color: rgb(65, 65, 255); font-family: Arial;"><br /><br />1. O.J. did it.<br />2. Tupac is dead.<br />3. Teeth shouldn't be decorated.<br />4. Weddings should start on time.<br />5. Your pastor doesn't know everything.<br />6. Jesse Jackson will never be President.<br />7. Red is not a Kool Aid flavor, it</span></span></b><b><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:180%;"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-size: 18pt; font-family: Arial;">'<span style="color:#4141ff;"><span style="color: rgb(65, 65, 255);">s a color. <br />8. Church does not require expensive clothes.<br />9. Crown Royal bags are meant to be thrown away.<br />10. Your rims and sound system should not be worth more than your car. </span></span><br /><br />Send this to someone who could use a laugh. </span></span></b></div></div> <div> <div><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:100%;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></span></div></div> <div> <div><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Arial;"> </span></span> </div></div>Diamond~Starhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02301138869047152647noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5110434711218997750.post-85339339823803346532009-06-16T11:55:00.000-07:002009-06-16T11:59:18.303-07:00Searching againWell the stint with the school supply company lasted for about a month. I am back to searching for full time work. It sucks that I am home almost everyday, either checking on these online job sites for employment or having to run around with my sister and her kids everywhere across the nation. I cannot wait to get back into the grind again.<br /><br />That is my short stint for now. Will be back later.Diamond~Starhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02301138869047152647noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5110434711218997750.post-6074564393192267212009-05-05T15:13:00.000-07:002009-05-05T15:26:56.757-07:00A Diamond~Star UpdateIt has been a while since I have posted here. So much has gone on in the past few months. It's been crazy though.<br /><br /><br /><br />After 4 months of being unemployed full time, I finally got a full time gig.<br /><br /><br /><br />There are some people who have been (and still are) unemployed longer than that but I am thankful to be able to have the offer. It is only temporary (this job is supposed to end in June). I have been working there since April 22. Believe me when I say the pay is 4 steps down from what I have been making, yet at the same time, the bills have to be paid. I am still employed at Kmart part time. Just when I get the full time gig, Kmart decides to cut hours (how ironic). I only get 25 hours a week, so now I am cut down to like 10??? Oh well, you cannot win all the battles.<br /><br /><br /><br />The job is ok. I place calls to all the different schools who are getting ready for their awards and graduation ceremonies and update them on their orders. I have no backup person (blame it on recession maybe) I am currently swamped with callbacks from the time I get there to the time I get off. Right now I don't have to worry about anybody calling me to take them anywhere on an errand run.<br /><br />My weekends are still dedicated to the motorcycle and social club communities. I go out and support when I can. Our club has a anniversary party coming up, so we are promoting that. Feel free to visit our Myspace page at <a href="http://www.myspace.com/trinitymsc">http://www.myspace.com/trinitymsc</a> .<br /><br />That is it for now. I can't wait til my internet is up and running at home so that I can blog more. My sister's computer crashed yet again, with no ETA in sight, so I bought my own for my home. I have much networking to do and I feel that I am missing out on the action at this point.<br /><br />Until then, stay blessed!Diamond~Starhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02301138869047152647noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5110434711218997750.post-47700830346203533182009-03-30T22:58:00.000-07:002009-03-30T23:45:17.919-07:00Love Yourself Before Loving Someone ElseMonday's turn of events have encouraged me to write this blog.<br /><br />I got a call around 12:15pm today from my cousin, who said she was stopped by the police and she saw <strong><em>two other</em></strong> police cars coming up behind her also. She wanted to know if I could meet her on Charleston Highway. I told her I would.<br /><br />So I called my job to let them know I may be late and got on the interstate to head to the scene. Not even 5 minutes, I got another call, this time from her friend who was riding in the car with her. She tells me that my cousin is going to be taking to the county's detention center for driving without car insurance and driving with a suspended license.<br /><br />**((Thud))**<br /><br />I knew that could have possibly been the case before hand, because I know my cousin. Her money management skills are poor, even though she has a decent job where she can pay her bills on time.<br /><br />I got to the area where the police had my cousin in custody and she is so paranoid about the whole situation. Her friend and I told her we would come down to the sheriff's office to see what needed to be done.<br /><br />Meanwhile, her friend fills me in on half the stuff that I already know. Like how my cousin is busting her butt paying all the bills in her house while her so called boyfriend lives there for free, doesn't pay her any attention half of the time, and when she tries to hold a conversation he ignores her. Is this not enough reason that brotherman need not be in her house??? Let me also add that my cousin (although dude gave her the money to put down on his car) got his car and her car registered in her name, insurance in her name, so guess who are making the payments: her!!!<br /><br />Just hearing all of that had me pissed to the 10th power.<br /><br />Get to the courthouse for the bond hearing and before we could have sit down good, the judge granted bond at $2790 so 10% of that would have been $280 (Let me not forget that we found out later there where a total of 5 charges that were against her, all of them related to either driving under suspension or no car insurance). None of us in Columbia are walking around with that kind of money these days to pay a surety bond or otherwise.<br /><br />The kicker to this story is, when we called the so-called boyfriend to let him know what went down, he told us he did not have any money to get her out. He had gave her $60 earlier that morning for the car insurance and that was all he had.<br /><br />Nah, you just became the weakest link.<br /><br />He and everything he got would have been out of my door. Find ya own dayum place.<br /><br />As much as I have told my cousin to love herself first, she still thinks she needs to stand by this deadbeat. Well if she really think she needs to continue to stand by her even though he did not budge to try to get some funds available for her bond, then something is wrong with her!!!<br /><br />If you don't love yourself, how do you expect someone to love you back?<br /><br />I know there are people who do not like to live alone, that they must have someone in their lives as an companion. If you don't know how to live by yourself (and be happy) what makes you think you can make your mate happy?<br /><br />No one needs to go through emotional abuse because they think having someone in your life as a boyfriend/girlfriend is the only way to go. You can do bad by yourself.<br /><br />My opinion is this dude is just trying to milk her hard earned money from her to do other things with it. She will need to be the one to determine enough is enough.<br /><br />I guess that is why I am happy being single. Don't get me wrong, I do want to have someone in my life who is outgoing, respectful, supports my goals and I support his, if I am in a bind, then he comes and gets me out of that bind (and vice versa), someone who loves me for me and not for the materialistic things or just for a jump in the sack. But if I got to go through hell on high water trying to get a man to spend quality time with me or even help me when I am in a bind, then just go ahead and pass go, leave the $200 in place and keep it moving.<br /><br />Know somebody who is going through verbal/emotional abuse? Refer them to this link to check out the articles:<br /><br /><br />http://www.helpguide.org/mental/domestic_violence_abuse_types_signs_causes_effects.htmDiamond~Starhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02301138869047152647noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5110434711218997750.post-47414468537795333872009-03-09T16:35:00.000-07:002009-03-09T17:47:31.671-07:00BYOB<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvBjEwBA7c2LFUbS_-hE2a15bsxr2CUHanRsa7N_eHnnxWw54544UyCZB905CQAau4s2VPv0S6DrTo-9ejl9R1_kicxnaSkv_2H4BQ7u8qEsHp_2MG4C_9y5-u5bZ6V77bDqzlY7KTbB4/s1600-h/drinks.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 160px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 97px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5311354290772400050" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvBjEwBA7c2LFUbS_-hE2a15bsxr2CUHanRsa7N_eHnnxWw54544UyCZB905CQAau4s2VPv0S6DrTo-9ejl9R1_kicxnaSkv_2H4BQ7u8qEsHp_2MG4C_9y5-u5bZ6V77bDqzlY7KTbB4/s320/drinks.jpg" /></a><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Normally when you see "BYOB" it's usually indicated on a flyer at a party or a social gathering. Yet, never would you ever think to use that term at a place of residence.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Well now you can.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Someone I know fits the perfect BYOB status...my oldest sister. She can invite you over for dinner, telling you what time dinner starts and whatnot. Sounds good till you get there and see the meal but NOTHING to drink.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>The hostess is sitting down with her own glass of pink lemonade, while you and the rest of the members of the house are quenching for thirst.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Wrong, just plain wrong!!!</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>I ask, "Well what's to drink here?" and she answers, "Water". Hmm...while water may be the best choice of drink, it is not always what you want to drink. Can't we get some pink lemonade too, kool-aid, SOMETHING???</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>From that point forward, I had been bringing my own beverage. When I get the dinner invite, I just go ahead and bring my own kool-aid packs or grab a 2 liter drink so that the general public (that would be the rest of us) would have something to drink when we have dinner. I tell her, "This is for the general public, since you got to hide your pink lemonade from everybody else." The beverage issue is the main discrepancy. My sister hides her Chips A hoy cookies too.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>I will never understand...</div>Diamond~Starhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02301138869047152647noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5110434711218997750.post-78070449944987536722009-02-20T18:23:00.000-08:002009-02-20T18:46:49.501-08:00A Man Who PraysSomething struck me today while in conversation with a friend of mine. As usual, I was bored to death at my sister's house, sitting at the computer doing nothing. I decided to call my friend, since I hadn't talked to him in a couple of days.<br /><br />We chatted for a minute, asking how each other was doing, you know the usual stuff. I was telling him that the old company sent my severance so I was able to get most of my bills caught up. It's been two months and I am still searching for full time employment <em>somewhere.</em> I have a part time job, but it's exactly that. The hr department at the part time job said they could not make me full time because of budget cuts (right) but they will schedule me as many days as they can. That can really be anywhere from one day to 4 days, normally no more than 20 hours. That is better than nothing, but it's not really spelling relief either. The only time I may be able to get more than 20 hours a week is if someone calls out. Usually I am the first person they try to call.<br /><br />My friend gave me some words of encouragement and then he says, " I have been praying for you."<br /><br />I thanked him for that. I mean shoot, who don't need prayer? I need all the prayer I can get these days and time. He continues to tell me that there are women out there who don't believe he prays.<br /><br />What??? Tell me that's not really what some women think???<br /><br />I ask why and he said it may have to do with how people perceive him. He is a nice looking guy, dress nice, very nice truck, nice bike, has a stable job (in other words the bling) and he is a people person. Yet most women see $$ and not neccesarily the inner persona of someone when they first see them.<br /><br />Humph.<br /><br />Maybe I'm just one of those women that fit in the 1% group that aren't neccesarily wanting a man for their material possessions. All that is good. Yet I got sooo much respect for a man who prays, who knows that they are not perfect and they do need to pray to a higher power for guidance. I got even greater respect for those who not only pray for themselves, but they pray for others in the process.<br /><br />It just kinda had me dumbfound for a minute to think that there are some people that don't believe others pray, or go to church, or worship because of an image.<br /><br />So here is to my dear friend. Thank you for your continued prayers. Like the old church song goes, "Somebody Prayed for Me".Diamond~Starhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02301138869047152647noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5110434711218997750.post-26920955469372470082009-02-19T14:20:00.000-08:002009-02-19T14:42:17.800-08:00And Here Are Some Things......that I have been wanting to vent about for the longest but I have not had a chance to. I could probably write a book on some of the crap I had to go through the last several months.<br /><br /><strong>The toilet tissue theory</strong><br />24 rolls of toliet tissue (in my opinion) should be enough to last two bathrooms AT LEAST a month. That is 12 rolls upstairs and 12 rolls downstairs. But WHY the bathroom downstairs always ran out of toilet tissue within a week? My cousin was living with me at the time (she has moved out of my apartment about two weeks ago) and it would never fail after a week and after she has decided to sit her tail down in the bathroom would she yell upstairs, "Can you bring me some toilet tissue?" What? Is your butt eating the toilet tissue? What is really going on? Imagine someone just wrapping toilet tissue around their hands for days just to wipe themselves. This is what I think she does. That makes a sister want to go work for Kimberly Clark just to make sure tissue is in the house.<br /><br /><strong>If there are paper plates and plastic utensils in the house, why are you constantly dirtying dishes?</strong><br />There is a stack of 150 paper plates and a box of plastic forks but yet you want to go out and get a clean dish out of the cabinet and eat out of it, knowing good and well you do not like to wash dishes...<br /><br /><strong>And while we are on that subject, why must you use all the dishes, pots, and pans before you decide the dishes need to be washed?</strong><br />I cannot stand standing dishes in the sink and when I cook, I wash dishes as well. A kitchen needs to maintain cleanliness. One or two dishes, fine but the entire cabinet??? My cousin would eat out of a dish, then later she would get something else to eat and instead of washing what she used she would get another dish and use it. She would do anything just to keep from having to wash the dishes. I'm sorry but most of us learned how to wash dishes at an early age and were not subjected to using a dishwasher (that is if there was even one in the house). If you are over the age of 30 and your hands are able, then you should be able to wash the dishes. Period.<br /><br /><strong>And one more thing: must you know what I have in my carry out tray from my dining out experience? And why must you have to ask for some of my food?</strong><br />Maybe that sounds rude, but it's a different thing if I offered it to you you know like "Do you want some of the food I got from Zaxby's", but not "Ohh what you got in there. Can I have some?" That just irks me to the upteenth power.<br /><br />Some of the many rants I needed to let out. Believe me there is more, but I will stop right there for now.Diamond~Starhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02301138869047152647noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5110434711218997750.post-59997687154825622212009-01-28T12:47:00.000-08:002009-01-28T12:54:01.770-08:00Progress...After one month of not being employed full time, I think I just MAY have some progress. I was just contacted yesterday by a recruiter for a local company and they want me to come in for an interview. I immediately wanted to jump out of my skin at the offer.<br /><br />For anyone who can relate, sitting at home and not working full time and not having anything possibly to do is so annoying. It seems like this is when your friends and your family, especially your family, who have nothing else to do, seem to find something for YOU to do, like you really want to be bothered with their bull. <br /><br />I can see their faces when that day come and I say "I AM BACK AT WORK!!!" They will be happy, but then not happy, because I am not around to galivant them around the city. Humph, find something to do. Get a hobby. That's what most do when they have nothing to do.<br /><br />Call me a workaholic, but I just like being able to work a regular Monday-Friday job (along with the part time job that I have) and have the weekends to be free, chill out with friends, hang out with my motorcycle fam, you know whatever. <br /><br />So until I get back on steady ground, this is my spur-of-the-moment drop in on blogger. I got some things I need to get back to working on. See ya in a bit!!!Diamond~Starhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02301138869047152647noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5110434711218997750.post-2428694154640647032009-01-20T23:44:00.000-08:002009-01-21T00:04:54.870-08:00The People's PresidentJanuary 20 marked an historic day in the United States and all over the world. Millions of us were either in Washington, DC or had our television sets tuned in to see Barack Obama take oath as the 44th President of the United States.<br /><br />A very emotional moment and an exciting one.<br /><br />I know there are blogs all over that are talking about our new president. I probably would end up saying the same thing that everyone else said.<br /><br />Barack Obama is the People's President.<br /><br />Just about every single country around the world took notice, and most of them were just as excited as we were. Just this man's walk alone shows that he has the confidence to lead this country. Can you say "swagger"?<br /><br />Looking at all the different media outlets, I was really proud of the younger kids, the ones who are in middle and high school, even the elementary aged kids, who say they know they can do anything they want if they just believe.<br /><br />There was one little girl who was there with her grandfather. The grandfather is a judge from Illinois. He indicated that he have seen three different historic makings in this life time, with Obama becoming president as one of them. When he began speaking he started crying. Like a water bucket, I began crying too. They were tears of happiness. Finally, somebody is taking the stand to help fix some of this chaos we have experienced for the past 8 years.<br /><br /><br />Of course it is not going to be easy and it is not going to happen all at once. If we all come together and unite, things will slowly turn for the better.<br /><br /><br />On this day, January 20, 2009, Change has come to America. Now we all must get to work to put these changes in motion.<br /><br />As we keep the first family in our prayers, remember to pray for each other in these dire times.<br /><br /><br /><br /><embed src='http://www.cbs.com/thunder/swf30can10cbsnews/rcpHolderCbs-3-4x3.swf' FlashVars='link=http%3A%2F%2Fwww%2Ecbsnews%2Ecom%2Fvideo%2Fwatch%2F%3Fid%3D4740634n&partner=news&vert=News&autoPlayVid=false&releaseURL=http://release.theplatform.com/content.select?pid=hUzDoHSvUC6OFJDtDduQ5WIMl8YV_D_Q&name=cbsPlayer&allowScriptAccess=always&wmode=transparent&embedded=y&scale=noscale&rv=n&salign=tl' allowFullScreen='true' width='425' height='324' type='application/x-shockwave-flash' pluginspage='http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer'></embed><br/><a href='http://www.cbs.com'>Watch CBS Videos Online</a>Diamond~Starhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02301138869047152647noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5110434711218997750.post-84616901291454675822009-01-06T17:04:00.000-08:002009-01-06T17:18:55.971-08:00Still SearchingSo I haven't been on the blog pages lately. When I get online, I mainly do the job searching and if I have time I will go through the blogging sites. However my oldest sister just thinks that me not having anything to do means that she can plan my entire day based on her needs.<br /><br />I can't wait to get a full time job lined up.<br /><br />Yesterday was the worst. The day starts at 11:30am when she realizes she needs to withdraw her daughter from her old school so that she can start her new school today RIGHT BEFORE SHE GOES TO WORK. This takes about 25 minutes and now off to Kmart where she works from 12 noon to 5. After I drop her off I go to the nearest Wally World to go get a money order for my rent. I sit in line for a good 20 minutes just to find out the money order machine is not working. Dayum it to hell. So I leave there, call my sister's oldest son to see if he's ready to go down to the school district so he can get his records to go to adult ed. He is ready, so check it, I am there in 10 minutes. We go down to the school district. He gets his business done and we are done. That takes less than an hour. Now I like that. Do what you got to do and then let's go. No time to lali-gag.<br /><br />We get back to the house at 2pm. My sister's other son has to go to physical therapy at 3 so I meet him at the house. We leave at 2:45pm and he is dropped off for an hour. Meanwhile I go to the bank, then to the Wally World in that area. Thank goodness the money order machine is working. I get my money order, head back to the therapist and wait in the car. 10 minutes later he is out and we are back at the house by 4.<br /><br />I know my sister. She is supposed to be off at 5 but never gets to the car until 5:15. So I left exactly at 5, paid my rent, and was heading to Kmart when she calls my cell phone talking bout "where you at?" Ahh hell naw, don't time me when you don't even get off on time and I am sitting in the parking lot waiting on you. Today you wait on me. Humph. I felt like some kind of soccer mom or something doing all this running around.<br /><br />Other than the hustle, that is about it that is going on with me. I work at Kmart part time also, but I work on opposite days as my sister and I work there at night (something that I prefer because I don't want to get up in the mornings to go there). Everybody is cutting their budgets so I am only schedule two to three days a week.<em> </em>I have hopes that I will find something before the end of February. Usually things pick up at the beginning of the year. I need it to pick up really quick.<br /><br />Until then, I will keep on searching.Diamond~Starhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02301138869047152647noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5110434711218997750.post-89688939844327848912008-12-31T10:06:00.000-08:002008-12-31T10:25:25.888-08:00The Watch NightWell I am going to be in church tonight bringing in the new year. This is a tradition for many people. For me this will be my second year attending.<br /><br />Growing up, I have never been pressed to go. My mom and granddad (when he was living) attended all the time. I chose to stay at home and bring it in with Dick Clark and ABC.<br /><br />Last year, after going through some shuffling of jobs and not being able to go home, I decided that I was going to attend. Before that I had read some history behind the "watchnight". Snopes.com proclaims that Watchnight started with the Morovians (which may be true) however it primarily became an African American tradition. However, check out the website <a href="http://www.wsbrec.org/blackfacts/WatchNight.htm">http://www.wsbrec.org/blackfacts/WatchNight.htm</a> and you will find out that African Americans have been gathering together praising God for years before the term officially had been coined "Watch Night". So really we didn't need a particular name for something we have been doing for years.<br /><br />Back to the 2007 watchnight. I attended last year at Pine Grove AME Church (the church that I attend sometimes here in Columbia) and it was a packed house. Young, old and in between, you could see people filing in. I thought that was really cool. Some people have been going since they were kids (because their parents made them go). Others began going when they started college and was told this is what you need to do before going to the club on New Years. I will never forget one of my friends said a group of young people in their mid 20's attended watch night back home, and as soon as midnight hit, they passed their children to their parents and said "Off to the club we go!" WOW...that serious?<br /><br />I enjoyed myself though. There were those who had their testimonials. I am more into the singing, so if I knew the song I was definitely into it. Two minutes before the new year we prayed it in. I'm thinking "this is how it is supposed to be...really". I felt more at peace that night. People coming together, whatever their problems may be and rejoicing and celebrating...and then....running out of the church to get to the party (club, house party)...lol. For me it was going home but if there was a motorcycle party going on...I would have been there, after the watchnight.<br /><br />To all my readers and everyone on Blogger, have a safe and Happy New Year.Diamond~Starhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02301138869047152647noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5110434711218997750.post-50533567625146540702008-12-22T05:01:00.000-08:002008-12-22T05:34:26.332-08:00Be ResponsibleI chose this topic for my Monday morning blog because of my oldest nephew who needs to somehow "find himself".<br /><br />"Tay" needs to keep himself free and out of trouble for as long as he can...til infinity for that matter. In September,he got caught up with some older dudes and this girl and ended up being arrested for an attempted armed robbery that went bad. When I say bad, I mean the older ones pushed him up to go try to rob some dude who happen to be a big time drug dealer 90 MILES AWAY FROM COLUMBIA and then the dude was able to grab the gun from him and hold him up.<br /><br />(I'm going to wait on you to digest this bit of info).<br /><br />Continuing...<br />Tay was 17 at the time of the robbery-gone-bad scenario, which here in South Carolina you are considered a adult. Period. End of discussion. The other three (from what I am told) were in their mid 20's. One other girl was arrested, but he other two got away (those two never got out of the car). So now, these two are awaiting trial for this bullcrap, which could take forever to get on the docket.<br /><br />Bond was set at $1000. You know me, I was like let his ass stay there. Tay was grown enough to leave home at 6am having this mom thinking he was going to school early (???) when in fact he was two counties away. Then on top of that, he didn't call his mama first to let her know where he was. Nah, he calls is then 15 year old sister on her cell phone at school. All the kids at school knew before his mama knew.<br /><br />(Giving you 30 seconds to digest that info).<br /><br />But you know mom wants her son at home so what does she do? Scraps up the first $500 to give to the bail bondsman so her son can be home. This was in September. He had spent three weeks and three days in jail from that time. Since then, Tay has had to appear for roll call three times for a 5 minute (or less) appearance which I had to drive them there, take off time from my then permanent job to go 90 MILES AWAY from Columbia for some bullcrap that he should have never been in.<br /><br />So my thing is, since you ain't locked up yet. You got to do something. Get on the bandwagon. Try to prove to these people that this was something that you weren't trying to get into in the first place, but you are correcting your actions because you don't want to repeat the offense. <br /><br />Tay turned 18 in November, which meant that he could try out for his driving permit on his own without being on anyone's insurance policy. He successfully got that after two tries.<br /><br />He then applied for jobs and ended up getting a job at Honey Baked Ham. Sounds like the road is paving away smoothly.<br /><br />The rocky part of the road: Today, Tay's boss calls him and ask him to come in a little later this morning. Ok fine. So he ask me what time to I have to go to work. I tell him I work this evening but I don't get off til midnight. He sighs. Now he's like he don't think he's going to work today because he doesn't have any bus fare to get back home and nobody to pick him up.<br /><br />I'm already heated with that line cause first of all, you can get a ride anyplace else you want to, the teen club, the mall, whatever but you not going to work cause you can't find a ride?<br /><br />I told Tay that his on him, but he need not be asking anybody for any money for anything because he could have been doing what he supposed to be doing.<br /><br />But 20 minutes later Tay is on the phone with one of his homeboy's and is about to leave the house.<br /><br />His brother told him he was on that bs cause if he had that job, he would work all the hours he could. He'll find a ride back home somehow. That's what I'm talking about.<br /><br />It's all about responsiblity. Mama, auntie, or whoever can't hold children's hands when they get grown. They need not to. Let their asses go!!! Most of us who are able to work are doing it because we got to. If I didn't have to pay bills I wouldn't bother getting up to go to anybody's office, retail store, or anything for that matter.<br /><br />I have my own place, so what's goes on here with Tay at this house, let his mama deal with it if she so please.<br /><br />Maybe it is just my frustration for today, but when you are 18, you need to be making most of these grown decisions for yourself, not waiting on somebody hand and foot.<br /><br />Ok, I am finished ranting for the morning.Diamond~Starhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02301138869047152647noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5110434711218997750.post-24392994859551853422008-12-15T10:31:00.000-08:002008-12-15T11:03:39.586-08:00Back from hidingI think I have been away from blogger for about a week. Alot has gone on since I last posted. My followers and others I network on blogger know that I would be on here every week.<br /><br />Well here is the scoop.<br /><br />About a week ago, the customer service side of our department got the confirmation that we were being let go and our 60 day working notice had begun (December 6). The "working notice" means that we will continue to get paid biweekly until February 3rd, however we will not be required to come back to the office. In other words, we want to get rid of you right now. We will pay you for your time just as long as you pack your things and get out. At least 10 of us were eliminated from our jobs. This does not include an additional 10 that were let go at the beginning of November.<br /><br />The only thing that irritated me about the whole deal was that they called us in for a 9am meeting to tell us this crap and then we would have to leave by 12 noon. Not to mention the big whigs were in Hartford, Connecticut when they decided to drop the 60 day bomb. I guess it was safe for them to to it there instead of South Carolina. The last time they were down here and they let those first 10 people go, I thought I riot was going to break out.<br /><br />So last week I picked up hours at Kmart to pass up some time and to make some extra money. Why Kmart have to have their Christmas items 50 percent off already? People buying lights and garlands out of the ying yang and we got like TWO cashiers open up front. I was so sick and tired of Kmart that week alone. I am so glad for this day off.<br /><br />This weekend I went to a motorcycle club party, which turned out to be pretty good. Sunday, I had to work till midnight at the Big K. I get a voice message from my friend who I am feeling but not trying to get wrapped around him cause just like Raymond, everybody in the motorcycle community loves him. He says (on the message) that it was unsual for me not to call and wanted to know what was up.**clearing throat** If you are into football, and you religously watch it every Sunday and you have already told me that you don't talk to anyone while football is on until afterwards, then why at 7:30pm are you calling with this message??? I had to listen to this 6 times to make sure I was hearing it right. Hell, since football is his "me" time between him and the television, why even bother him, especially if I am not interested? (Note: I do know the rules of football. I rather watch it live than in front of a television set). Lo and behold my friend calls me this morning and I ask him about it. His reply: "I know you don't usually call during football but you do text me sometimes to tell me have a good day so...I guess I got used to hearing from you all the time with something." YO!!!!! Is <em>he </em>getting his head wrapped up? I am not reading into that too fast but who would have ever thought I would have heard him say that.<br /><br />So now you know I am riding high off of that little comment for the moment. Monday is going pretty good. I am catching up on all my networking sites and check other blogger pages to see what's going on. Hope your Monday is good also.Diamond~Starhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02301138869047152647noreply@blogger.com3