The Swag Report » Fun Stuff

I got tagged by FoxyBrown

Knowledge — Fri, 13 Aug 2010 22:56:35 +0000

I got tagged [by FoxyBrown] so without further ado, here goes something.

1. What inspired you to start a blog and share your style with the world?

I started my blog because I have always loved to write, and I found myself writing way too much in my head. Journals have always provided an instant outlet, but blogging has provided a release that I’m content to share on a level I never really fathomed until a little over a year ago.

2. If you dumped your handbag right this second, what contents would fall out of your makeup bag?

I don’t own a handbag, or a make up bag, but if I dumped out my backpack the first few things to fall out would be my trusty swiss army knife, ipod, chap-stick, hand sanitizer, hand lotion, mini leather-bound journal, etc.

3. Which celebrity do you wish you had on speed dial to call for shopping dates?

Kanye West. I’ve always highly respected his fashion fresh.

4. Favorite Ben and Jerry’s flavor?

Strawberry Haagan Dazs when the mood strikes.

5. What are you most looking forward to pulling out of your closet this fall?

Sweaters, slacks, and button downs

6. Describe your personal style in three words.

urban, trendy, eclectic

7. What are you currently rocking on your iPod?

Mostly R&B (Alicia, Usher, Sade, Me’Shell, J. Scott, Erykah, Chrisette Michelle, Corinne Bailey Rae) Rap (Mos Def, Common, Talib, Dead Prez, Nas, Eminem, T.I., Outkast) Old School (Earth Wind & Fire, Simon & Garfunkel, Cat Stevens, Barbara Streisand) etc, etc, etc.

8. What’s your favorite way to mix high-end items with low-budget pieces?

Honestly, Macy’s, Banana Republic, Express, H & M, etc, all have one thing in common. Clearance racks. I splurge on shoes and designer jeans, but everything else comes from either one of those stores and one or two designer pieces each season to fill in with the more affordable items isn’t asking too much.

First Things First

My 2010 Chicago Gay Pride Events Guide

Knowledge — Mon, 21 Jun 2010 21:42:38 +0000

Featuring Chicago’s Gay & Black Gay Pride Events Tailored For Lesbians.

JUNE 25 – STREET FESTIVAL- “Chicago Pride Fest” by Northalsted Business Alliance, Waveland at Halsted; 4 PM to 10 PM. $7 suggested donation goes to Northalsted Business Alliance. Live music, food, arts/crafts, vendors etc. ( Two day fest continues June 26, from 11 AM to 10 PM). www.chicagoevents.com 773-868-3010.

JUNE 26 – PERFORMANCE & CD/BOOK SIGNING- Chely Wright, popular country singer/songwriter and Grand Marshal of this year’s Chicago Annual Pride Parade, will be at Borders, 2817 N. Clark St. 4 PM to 6 PM. Her new album is called “Lifted Off the Ground” and her new memoir is titled “Like Me.” 773-935-3909 (Borders).

JUNE 26 – OUTDOOR LESBIAN PARTY - “7th ANNUAL BACKLOT BASH” at 5238 N. Clark St. (right behind Cheetah Gym). Hosted by DJ Nikki from B96 & actress & comedian Niki Lindgren. Also: Chicago’s own Betty Fords & Crazy Rocket Fuel, Shy Violet, DJ KT and Black Betty headliner. Rain or shine. Age 21+. Tix at door: $10 cover before 5 PM ( $15 after). Thousands of women come out to this two day event each year (also on June 27). www.backlotbashchicago.com.

JUNE 26 – STREET FESTIVAL – “Chicago Pride Fest”by Northalsted Business Alliance, Waveland at Halsted; 11 AM to 10 PM. $7 suggested donation goes to Northalsted Business Alliance. Live music, food, arts/crafts, vendors, etc. (Second day of two day fest). www.chicagoevents.com 773-868-3010.

JUNE 26 – DYKE MARCH – rally first, then the march at 2:30 PM at new south side location. Post-march festivities in the park . For location & more information: www.chicagodykemarch.wordpress.com.

JUNE 27 – CHICAGO 41st ANNUAL PRIDE PARADE- coordinated by PRIDEChicago. Line-up: corner of Halsted Street (800 West) and Belmont Avenue (3200 North). Step off from the Halsted/Belmont corner at 12 Noon, proceeding north on Halsted (to Broadway); then south on Broadway (to Diversey); then east on Diversey (to Cannon Drive) in Lincoln Park. Grand Marshal, country singer/songwriter, Chely Wright. www.ChicagoPrideCalendar.orgPrideChgo@aol.com 773-348-8243.

JUNE 27 – DANCE PARTY – “GIRLBLAST” annual event by Lynn Malec at Ann Sather Parking Lot, 909 W. Belmont Ave. Expanded this year, it will be hosted by comedienne Jessica Kirkson (Tonight Show, Comedy Central, Joy Behar show, etc.) with special appearances by Dani Campbell (MTV) and Natalie Garcia (afterellen.com, Nat& Meg Show, new L Word). DJ : All the Way Kay (Chicago Dirty Girls) & DJ Alena (dotbleep). Wet t-shirt contest w/prizes. Kissing booth w/ Natalie Garcia. Dance, eat drink: 2 PM to 10 PM. Twitter address is girlblastchi. Pre-sale tickets: www.chicagogirlblast.com.

JUNE 27 – OUTDOOR LESBIAN PARTY – “7th ANNUAL BACKLOT BASH”at 5238 N, Clark St. (right behind Cheetah Gym). Features a hot duel by DJ Kristin! and Deseree Fawn, Gina Glockson, DJ KT & Dot Dot Dot (headliner). Hosted by Mariah Hanson of Club Skirts/The Dinah & Flo from Bad Girls Club. Rain or shine. Age 21+. Tix at door: $10 cover before 5 PM ($15 after). Thousands of women come out to this two day event each year. www.backlotbashchicago.com.

Gay Black Pride Chicago 2010

JULY 3

JULY 3: Poetry Slam, South Loop Hotel, 11 West 26th Street, Chicago, IL., from 6pm until 10pm.

JULY 4: Park Festival, Sherman Park, 5440 S. Racine, Chicago, IL., from 11am until 7pm.

A Woman’s Touch Feels Oh So Good

Knowledge — Fri, 14 May 2010 20:34:29 +0000

image by Sally Cinnamon

Nothing compares to the touch of the woman I share love and intimacy with. I have a passion for sensuality that makes me a sexually intense person, but that intensity must be evoked before it can be untapped. Fortunately, my girlfriend pushes all the right buttons when it comes to physical intimacy. What her touch gives me is absolutely everything I desire in that moment. It’s not the kind that must always lead to sex, but it’s one of the primary ways I express my affection for her daily.

When two souls touch it’s enough to send a powerful sensation of shivers up and down spines, belly buttons, and other not so visible places. When we touch, it’s very easy for me to get lost in the moment, forgetting that the outside world even exists at times. In those moments, I want nothing more than to snuggle up with my babe and just cuddle.

Cuddling, stroking and caressing are my absolute favorite things and the prospect of that closeness is mentally stimulating and emotionally arousing to varying degrees. To feel her body next to mine, on top of mine, underneath, or anywhere near for that matter is something that I require daily. She understands this and feeds my physical soul accordingly. It’s the first thing I look for in the morning and the last thing I desire before drifting off to sleep. Her touch.

It’s the kind of intimacy that reaffirms love and solidifies passion for the woman I love. Affection is an addiction and she supports my habit. It’s one of the main areas in my love life where I won’t settle for less as emotional compatibility and physical comfortability go hand in hand. If the touch doesn’t affect then nothing else will. It has always been the key to sparking my fire works and I’ve been lucky enough to find women who know how to play with fire.

My girlfriend doesn’t know it, but my favorite part of the day is when we’re at home alone, curled up on the couch with our hands interlocked as we begin the familiar dance of becoming reacquainted all over again. Feeling her softness pressed against mine, tracing fingertips here and there, intertwined. I live for the moments when she starts to caress me out of the blue, giving me head, which is what I call it when she runs her fingers through my hair, playing with my tight curly ‘fro and making love to thoughts I have yet to explore.

When we are lost for words, physical communication becomes our language. It becomes a necessity. When we argue, fuss and fight, I’ve found that stowing my pride away and giving her what we both need is often the only way to make things right. Women feel with their feelings and those emotions can manifest physically so it makes sense that physical and emotional affection is so important to us. It is a form of intimacy that can be just as satisfying without leading to sex, and it should never be ignored if it cannot be helped.

With my love of touching comes a respect of boundaries however they’re established. The key to knowing what makes her feel good is watching closely to how she responds to the different ways I show affection.

I love it when she tracers her fingers across my back. It’s never hurried or fumbled, and she knows exactly how I’ll respond. In return, I stroke her gently, teasing, pleasing, spreading knees slightly apart so that fingers can fully explore its treasure, while pleasure increases. Sometimes I just hold her and we lie still in that moment and love flows like static jumping from clothes to skin and back again. Those times, I want her to feel safe and protected. Tiny gestures of love resonate so strongly that I’ll feel her trembling in my arms, placing kisses, nestling whispers into the sides and small of her neck. For it takes but a second to bring her face to mine and gently kiss her lips in kind.

When she’s laying in my arms, our touch allows us to love without limits or words. Everything that needs to be said is already being felt.

Hard Candy Calendar Update Plus

Knowledge — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 12:35:41 +0000

The Real Housewives of Atlanta reunion show is coming. Check out some video previews over at Black Gay Gossip’s entertainment blog.

The Hard Candy Calendar Update From the photographer/designers own pen:

The calendar is almost done. I’ve been hard at work trying to finalize everything. It won’t be long now.

That’s what she said. I’m definitely looking forward to the calendar’s completion. I’m gazing at the 2009 calendar right now and it’s looking bleak not having a 2010 version to replace it with. Please head over to the website to check out the new promo shots. There’s a new one of Kuni and I.

A Semenya Caster update: The Mail and Guardian’s website published a report by Harold Adams, ASA’s team doctor at the IAAF Championships in Berlin, claiming Leonard Chuene had reversed a decision to withdraw Caster Semenya from the 800m event after consulting senior ANC politicians.

This is probably bad news for Leonard Chuene if the reports are true. There is however dissension in the ranks. I’ll be following this story.

Peace, Love, Oprah and Black Eyed Peas

Knowledge — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 00:39:30 +0000

I love this video and it may be just the thing I needed to bring back my passion for the people of Chicago and the Black Eyed Peas. Eh, who knows. All I know is this video kicked more ass than the ass kicking my teammates and I got on the field today. We had so few players I ended up playing on the defense, offense, kicking and receiving teams. All in all, we played damn good. I got another intense workout and it ended in a very honorable loss (21-34). Anyway, I hope this video makes you smile, or more. Oh and if you start to watch it and are like wtf at first, just keep watching, trust me. Remember, happiness is contagious and so are smiles. Peace & Love

image: peace_by_s_AINT_15

The Dress

Knowledge — Sat, 12 Sep 2009 11:12:01 +0000

Last night proved once again that two attractive friends and former lovers can go out and have a night on the town and things remain platonic. We met at the bar & grill around 9:17p.m. We were both late, as usual, but it was cool because with you I don’t feel that constant pressure to always be on time. I can be myself and I sincerely hope you know how much that means to me. Sometimes it sucks, feeling so much for other people, being perceptive and picking up on emotional wants and needs and catering to them. Yet, getting nothing in return. It’s a blessing and a fucking curse, but I try with everything in me to use it to my advantage. Sometimes, so do you, but you get me and that’s all that matters.

I finally found a parking space and walked half a block to what has become our regular spot. I like it because this place holds so many memories for us. As it goes, some bad and some good, but with you, always good. I came in through the side door and looked around for you. No dice, so I made my way up to the front. I still didn’t see you so I sent a text message asking where you were. You said you were on your way inside and the next thing I know you came walking through the door. God damn girl, what’s the deal, I was thinking. You just had to wear that dress, didn’t you. I heard myself groan from deep within and then I sighed out loud, while keeping my smile at neutral. You knew the sight of you in a dress used to be my weakness. It’s why you usually wore jeans and heels and I unnecessarily demanded that you continue doing so whenever we’d hang out. The last time we were together you were wearing them and the time before that and. Just damn. You were smokin’, pretty and dainty and old school sexy. Plus you were wearing your favorite color and my second favorite. We always made such a good looking couple even though we knew our roles and played by the rules. At least up until that night when the dress changed everything.

image by rosário pinheiro

Afro Samurai

Knowledge — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 03:17:10 +0000

I had no knowledge that vividly detailed Japanese animated manga film titled Afro Samurai was floating around the Internet and onto a Spike TV time slot until the latter part of 2008. But, I’m not here to make excuses and besides it was well worth the wait and then some. It takes a truly special anime to overtake Fist of the North Star from my number one all time favorites spot. Although Afro Samurai’s coup was swift and decisive I must pay homage to Fist of the North Star before getting to the nitty gritty of some of what makes Samurai so pleasing to my senses starting with my sense of sight and ending with a taste for more. First things first, the cool factor is on over drive from Samuel Jackson’s convincing voice, RZA’s original music production, Samuel Jackson’s double voice action. Last but not least the subtle yet sweet hints of an underlying Blaxploitation Noir combined with western black and eastern Asian culture. What results is a violently dazzling yet familiar mix of high details and technical graphics that fuel this Samurai action flick. Every fight scene features sleek choreography and moves that more than make up for the tepid simplicity of the story line. Oddly enough, this only adds to its appeal and allows me to focus on Afro’s internal and external battles. As if I’m not gushing enough, I wish to convey that this bad boy is solid.

At some point I had to be honest with myself and admit that Afro Samurai quenches my thirst for ultra violent rays of blood splatter and glistening liquid swords. And soul searching, there is a lot of that going on. I can dig.

Dramatic? Not really, now on to the juicy bits. The plot is easy enough to follow, but it’s the action that keeps you anticipating the next move once it really revs into high gear. Afro is on a mission and his number one objective is revenge, more specifically, he aims to avenge his father’s death which he witnessed at a very young age. He watches his father sword fight a numbered head band wearing warrior to the death. The warriors name is Justice and from that moment on Afro’s search for Justice consumes him and will ultimately determine his future. You see, Afro’s father wore the number One head band and was subsequently challenged by Justice, the warrior who wore the number Two head band. After his fathers death Afro’s challenges and burdens become greater and heavier as he eventually acquires the number Two head band for himself and thus continues a family legacy brimming with murder and redemption. He seals his fate by making himself a target of every man who seeks to be number One. This seemingly untouchable “God”-like warrior who can only be challenged by whomever owns the number Two who, alternately, can be challenged by any and everyone. His past will haunt him from youth into adulthood and he will face an uphill battle that spans his life and forces him to face his past time and again while reconciling past choices that have led him to face his toughest battle yet. Did I mention he’s a weed toking Samurai with a super sarcastic “sidekick” who always keeps it real. If you’re an anime fan and haven’t checked this one out then please do; you won’t be disappointed. It is dope, no pun intended.

For now, enjoy a preview. Warning: Language and Violence

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gm99ftaD9XQ[/youtube]

Coming soon: Review of Afro Samurai Resurrection