Make a Difference

For evil to prevail, it takes good men to do nothing

That very straight forward statement has so much impact, and as humans we tend to succeed in this one arena where we do 'nothing'.

The end result:
1. We live with regrets
2. We complain about what others have 'not' done right about the situation
3. We criticise the work of others who have tried

Everyone who knows me will tell you that I'm a die-hard animal lover... Not to mention when it comes onto dogs. The majority of my heart is occupied with the caring need to look after an animal that cannot defend itself - one who depends on you to survive. And that always carry me to the point where I don't know how another human being could knowingly harm an animal.

This morning, as I was driving, I saw a puppy on the opposite side of the road wandering aimlessly. I watched with fearful eyes and my heart in my throat as he tried to cross the road. As I got closer to it, he had eventually crossed to my side of the street and was sitting down. I then realized that he was about 3 months old and looked very tired and frightened. A internal battle started to wage in my head, should I stop and pick up this dog and take it to someone who might need it or take it to JSPC? Then I looked at the traffic and thought about being late for work, I thought about getting my clothing dirty, I thought about the possibility of him having fleas or ticks and they would transfer to my dog when I get home. I felt guilty, thinking all these negative stuff when at the back of my mind I was also wondering what people would think if they saw me jump out of my car and started to run down this dog - on that final note, I drove past the puppy, all the while looking in my rear view mirror and hoping that he was ok.

Probably at the end of the day this dog would be ok, because he might end up in the bush where he would find some food or someone would pick him up.

I was not ok though, because I was a coward.

I'm not ashamed to admit being afraid of people's opinion and how I would look and also about my selfish reasons for not helping this poor dog. If I had passed back in the evening and saw him squashed out on the road, I'd be devastated. Luckily, I did not meet upon such fate that evening.
This just goes to show how a simple act that could've made a difference was not done.
Oftentimes, we sit back to watch the other person while at the same time that individual is doing the same thing - watching.
I solemnly vow, to try and make a difference from this day going forward. Can you say the same?
Minor Myers, Jnr couldn't have said it better:
“Go into the world and do well. But more importantly, go into the world and do good.”

http://www.goodreads.com/quotes/205932-go-into-the-world-and-do-well-but-more-importantly

I am yours faithfully,
The original DivaKnockoff
xoxo

We've got male

 How many times have we heard a man saying?

1.       The spice has gone from my relationship
2.       My girl don’t turn me on anymore
3.       If I had you, I’d do things to you that you cannot imagine
4.       Your man nuh have no sense if him a let you out of the house alone and not going places with you
5.       Babes, just give me one chance to prove to you what good loving is
Etc, etc, etc… the list goes on

One of my favourite genres of music is dancehall.  I just love how the lyrics are merged to form a song that’s not only sexy, but implies so much to let you turn up the heat in the bedroom.

My issue, though, is that these songs are ALL telling ‘women’ what to do, what positions to let you ‘hol the man’ and also how they love the skin out and dash out.  In the same breath that these songs give you motivation, I have to ask ‘what about the men?’

Are we still living in the days when women are the ones who are to please their men? While the women’s needs are placed on the backburner?

We have some ‘in-dependent’ women who will be at the front of the line that says “Mi nah go outta my way fi please no man” and they will have the attitude etched across their faces, but within a few hours of such blatant lie will find themselves in compromising positions trying to ‘please their man’ (whether theirs or borrowed)

With Cupid’s retreating butt being a speck on the horizon and a few days have passed since that fatal day where persons went about making or breaking someone’s heart, we saw a lot of storefronts advertising their wares showcasing the sexiest of lingerie for women. I know the female form is one of the best things even before sliced bread.  Especially when a woman has either good genes or has taken the time to look after her body, when that lingerie goes on her form it is a really appreciated sight.

However, I dare say that we women would love to have the men do something different for us.  Bring something new to the table to entice us, motivate us so we will want to do things for you.  Women do get bored with their partners and would like some spice in the relationship also.

There will be men who jump up to say that they are the ‘bedroom master’ or some ridiculous cocky term that they invented.  Sometimes it does come as a shocker when you hear the tales from the lips of their partners.  Unfortunately, though, we have seen where women are in relationships for years and end up not voicing their opinions or desires for the bedroom.  Why is this a touchy conversation piece? When at the end of it you will either get what you want or your partner will be oversensitive and end the relationship?

So, saying all that, it brings me back to my main topic… how comes when anything pertaining to the bedroom is being discussed, singed about or advertised, it all points to the woman?

It feels like we were brainwashed by society to continuously point finger at the female when it comes onto relationship failure due to sexual problems.  Over the past few years, though, we see more and more women speaking out about their failed relationships and we also see men speaking up about their ‘problems-in-bed’.  With this burning topic, doctors have come up with quick-fixes that sometimes come in the form of little blue tablets; this, however, does not solve the bedroom approach problem. 

More and more events are being held to focus on women satisfaction.  There you’ll find well oiled muscles of steel gyrating to the pulsing music of R. Kelly, Genuwine, Keith Sweat, and many other artistes who focus on singing about the pleasure of the female body. These promoters realize the missing element in a lot of relationships and have maximized on this to create an atmosphere where the Pineal Gland in the brain is constantly stimulated and the woman end up leaving the venue in an almost orgasmic state.  My confusion leans towards the fact that we, women have to go to these places to feast our eyes while the men in our lives are not meeting this need but expect go-go like qualities behind closed doors.  Men need to step up their game; don’t just focus on what you need from the relationship but think about creative ways that you can give.

I am yours faithfully,

The original DivaKnockoff

Xoxo

 

 

 

Simple Things Reminded

Today left a significant part of my heart looking like cooked mince, but at the same time it left me with a lesson that will never, ever depart. 

My morning daily routine:

Ø  Wake up and curse the alarm for disturbing yet another 4 hour sleep that I eventually bartered with caffeine and adrenaline and got some sleep

Ø  Sidestep dog while semi-sleepwalking for their morning feed and poop

Ø  Brush teeth, shower and breakfast while mentally preparing my outfit and makeup

Ø  Depends on time, either get dressed and made up in 10 – 30 minutes

Most times, I’d have on my slippers and have my choice of one or two pair shoes for the day in the car.  Today, I met a boy (aged about 4) who just needed one pair of shoes for school.

When I first saw this child, he had on a dirty pair of Clarks that had seen better days; the back of it was broken down as his growing feet could no longer hold within the confines of the shoes.  His socks were dirty and torn, but he was at school for the day and doing his lessons.  It touched my heart to see this community accept and understand this child’s situation and treated him no less than another child who was neatly dressed. 

My Kiwanian sister Georgette went and got a pair of shoes and she changed his attire.  Words could not express what I was feeling at that moment as I tried to capture the emotions on camera because I know that a picture is worth a thousand words and I can go back to these photos to remember this day and how thankful I am for what I have.

Kiwanis have given me so much and much more to look forward to.  If I can assist to help one life breathe easier or to see a smile as a result of the help I’ve given, that to me is happiness.

A major lesson I've learnt - You can't outwear a Clarks

I am forever yours

Xoxo the original DivaKnockoff

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No to FNO

You know how people have a ‘to-do’ list

Well, something drastic happened that had me starting a ‘things-not-to-do’ list.

I’m not sure what will be on this list, but what I know for sure is number 1 – Fashion Night Out a.k.a. FNO. This fiasco has been going on for a few years now in the month of September, right after back to school (how ironic). We see parents complaining religiously EVERY year about the lengthy book list and the high price associated with it, school fee, admin fee, uniform and stationery… all these puts a giganimous hole in the pockets of consumers who have to send their children to school. Now, these retail chains see/hear the plight of these people, and they’ve come up with a unique way for them to save money …. FNO. 
  
Whoopee, now you can buy that top you’ve always wanted when you were passing their windows on your way to the book store – hopefully they will have your size and it will be on sale. On top of it, you will get real bargains on things that you never wanted in the first place.
FNO is the place to be.

There are some stores that start their FNO from in the day. So if you are lucky and can sneak a few hours from work in the day, just run down to Classic Circle in the Springs, Baron’s Plaza or HWT Road (beside National Bakery) of you can pop into Collectibles in the Mall Plaza (Constant Spring Rd), they had some good steals.
My reason for not doing FNO are easily classified as ‘frustrated shopper’. The stores I wanted to visit started their FNO at 5:00 p.m., and this is the time when most business places close or they would’ve closed from 4:30.
By the time I reached the mall, there was absolutely no parking. I luckily found one in a plaza which was approximately ¾ miles (in both directions) from where I really wanted to go but I dared not try to even find parking close to each store that I wanted to patronize.

The first store I went to – Brit Bran (Beside Chin Yees) was to the left of my van. I, somewhat, found a few essential tops and the cutest long earring ever made. Here, I got some 1-on-1 assistance from this trainee (I could still see the freshness on her, which I’m sure would’ve rubbed off by around 7:00 p.m. when the shoppers start ransacking) and she was pretty helpful in choosing enough tops that went above my budgeted first-stop-shop for the evening.

By the time I was cashing from this location, the anxious shoppers were beginning to file in and you could see the agitation on the cashier’s face as she tried to get some assistance with overseeing her register plus monitoring the smaller (quick-to-drop-in-handbag) items.
I left with the intention of going to Carby’s, which is now in the opposite direction of both Brit Bran and my van. I don’t know why I looked to the left and ended up in Ammar’s… ; here, I found the sexiest beach hat ever, ever, ever. I just know I’m going to find the perfect shades soon to go with it. I bought the hat, even though I don’t wear hats to the beach or anywhere for that matter.
Finally, I decided to brave my way, walking through customers and traffic to get to Carby’s, which was my original destination pre-Ammar’s.
At this store, it dawned on me quickly that this wouldn’t be an easy transaction from entry to exit. I stood patiently while an estimated thirty-three persons exited the store, and as it is one way in, one way out, I didn’t have much choice. When I eventually reached upstairs to the women’s sections, because we all know that in a rush like this to get great deals the only way I’m picking up a male piece for my other half is if it is in the women’s section under the tops that I’m rummaging through, I quickly calculated the distance to the work-clothes section vs the casual clothes and evaluated that it was a matter of choosing ONE.
Twenty minutes, two pants, three vests and three tops later, I was standing at the back of a line that had me second guessing why I even came out to FNO in the first place. I stood in that line for one hour and fifteen minutes to cash these items and the only reason I did not leave the stuff and call it quits was because of the hassle it took to actually get to that point.

A few concerns about that night popped up while shopping:

1. Store owners push to partake in FNO but the manpower to get persons in and out of the stores in a timely manner is not there
2. Proprietors should plan better for this night, which happens once every year, and aim to please customers so they will come out every year to their one night sale
3. The sale should take place at a different time. There are so many persons who would like to patronize the stores, but the money is all tied up in back to school.
4. The stores should offer something extra to these customers who do brave coming out in this crowded time, for eg: a drink, a pen, a token… something to say thank you. A discount is just not enough.

Overall, although I’ve enjoyed my purchases, I know for a fact that I will never do this night again. I’d rather spend a few extra dollars and shop in comfort than be uncomfortable wasting time just to scrimmage on a bit of savings.
Time is money; the time I stood there in that line trying to save couple hundreds, I could’ve been with friends or family which is priceless or trying to make thousands.

I am,

The original DivaKnockoff

Xoxo

The Power of Vaseline

V A S E L I N E should be a girl’s BFF when it comes to all things beauty. This product is and always has been a cost-efficient way to improve your everyday beauty routine. Vaseline has natural remedies and is made up of natural oils that contain numerous healthy ingredients. The natural formula makes this a great multi-use product for everyday use.

•Perfect for removing makeup, petroleum jelly has a great formula that will easily wipe off your makeup. Here’s a plus: the petroleum jelly is great for your lashes as well. It acts as a moisturizer to help strengthen and repair lashes (therefore resulting in long and full lashes).

•Vaseline also substitutes for a great lip balm and conditioner. Apply a small amount before bed and you will wake up with smooth and moist lips.

•It is also a great lip scrub. Apply a small amount and use a toothbrush to gently scrub dead skin on your lip.

•Apply Vaseline on your cuticles for stronger, healthier nails!

•Use some as eyebrow gel and keep your eyebrows groomed and in perfect shape.

•You can mix some of this with pigments, lipstick, eye shadows to create a more cream based product.

•Apply some onto feet and hands for smoother, moisturized skin! It is easily affordable and found everywhere!

Pucker up

As usual, spectators will come down hard on a celeb, criticising their parental skills and inadvertently linking that to the manner in which their child goes on the road.  Who would dare to have a child/toddler go out with lipstick...OMG.  That is just the height of bad parenting.  Heaven forbid if that child should've chosen to dress his/herself that day. 

Now, while critics are firing upon the dress code of these kids and their 'stylist/makeup artist', most recent celeb being Heidi Klum (Seal's ex wife), my eyes are drawn to something a bit more serious. The report said that the child in her arms is  2 years old... I think that's a BIG 2 year old child right there... so while they harp about unimportant stuff, I'm just in awe of this mini giant.

As far as I can see, and we were all kids at some point (except for the ones who were brought here on the space shuttle just like superman), and we love to get dolled up or play dress up.  If a child is not harming themselves, let them have fun and play pretend.

Some of these critics need to take a trip to Jamaica and see the braids and hairstyles that the toddlers boasts at times.

Yours faithfully
The original DivaKnockoff
xoxo

Red Lipstick

http://omg.yahoo.com/blogs/goddess/vivienne-jolie-pitt-3-wearing-lipstick-200619985.html

It's always hilarious to see how people can react to simple things of an innocent person.
So, Angelina's 3 year old daughter went out with her mom and siblings to see a movie and was caught wearing red lipstick. Now, persons are unable to fathom the idea of a 'baby' girl wanting to wear lipstick to go out.
Are we so caught up in trying to talk down about celebrity's actions that we will stoop to any level, just to get at them.
What exactly is wrong with her lipstick? She wants to imitate mommy and do fun things, what is the crime in that?
I wonder what they would have to say if they saw Jolie's boys in that same lipstick "/