Evolution: 1+1=2=1

Life=Evolution

We matriculate through grade school to middle to high school. Complete collegiate studies or progress in higher learning at trade institutions. Some have a passion to serve the country. Others hit the pavement and begin their careers.

We learn how to be responsible, to work with others, and to be independent. We work on our weaknesses and massage our strengths to be more productive citizens. We party hard. We meet and greet. Mix and mingle. Read. Discuss. Become politically involved. Form opinions on controversial subjects. Appreciate more than 2 genres of music. Form/Increase our relationship with God. Party some more. Bump our heads. Fall in Love. Lose love. Discover more flaws. Pray more. Learn how to love ourselves completely. Meet people where they are mentally. We begin to truly appreciate our parents. Discover everyone isn't as loving or works as hard as you. Learn how to trust through God's heart.

Evolution

We do all these things in our 20s and 30s and beyond. We know perfection is impossible, but we aim for it. Most of us treat our future with care as we reflect on the spiritual, yet oppressed lives of our ancestry.

Press. Push. Push. Press.

Just when we think we are on our way and have some of it together, accomplishments are made, some flaws have been improved, we are more forgiving and acceptable. We begin to learn from past mistakes and focus on how the near and distant future should be. We work effortlessly through the support of our faith and friends with like minds to make it happen. We refuse to be mediocre. Just when all this happens...when we make up our minds to do better and be better, in walks Love.

1+1 = 2

The Evolution of Love always seems to appear when it is not penciled in on the agenda. But, it's so magical and so apparent and so magnetic that we welcome the purity of it. It can be inconvenient. There are challenges. Some days are not as bright as others. But, don't we have those as individuals before others are involved anyway? As a wiser being with hints of residue from knocked down barriers, 1 evolves into 2. Not the player side of you from yester-year. No, that person faded to black. Been there and did it... time and time again. No desire to go back. Evolution introduces you to the stage of life where you genuinely wish to share the better you with another human being.

2=1

Here you are with Love. Trust is growing daily. Acts of communication are understood. Learning curve on existing as 1 is a daily walk, but worth the stretch. You completely understand time for healthy space and time for healthy affection. Respecting the right to disagree. God speaks to 2 on the paths to travel for success. 2 creates a wall of commitment that blocks lust and temptation from damaging God's purpose. 2 stands before 1+1...naked...raw...vulnerable...true. Prayer life increases to include guidance, wisdom, compassion, leadership, submission of 2. Layers of purpose continue to unveil as the 2 make strides for the future.

Your future is no longer exclusive. No, you have evolved. It's inclusive...the future of "We."

Throwback Tuesday-Maze feat Frankie Beverly

To all the X-Factors of the world...

It was
Something you said.
Something you did.
Someone you cheated with.
You didn't make enough time.
You just couldn't get it right.
You let family and friends interfere.
You couldn't let go of the past.
You took the one who loved you for granted.
You simply didn't know how to love.

This song is for you. Time heals. Honesty heals. Overcoming denial heals. Music heals.

From the lips of my favorite AARP crush of all time, the legendary Frankie Beverly....

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I Can't Get Over You
--by Maze featuring Frankie Beverly
http://video.aol.com/video-detail/maze-featuring-frankie-beverly-cant-get-over-you/4253738722

I know I brought it on myself
I owe no blame to no one else
And now I realize
I can't get over you
And though I do my very best
I just can't find happiness
And it's all because
I can't get over you

Hey baby why
oh why
Thinking of you makes me cry
Matter how I try
I'm gonna love you by and by
By and by
Baby

Ooh ooh ooh
Ooh ooh ooh
I don't know what to do I
Can't get over you

I guess you'll always have a part
Somewhere deep in my heart
It's just to hard to hide
I can't get over you
I tried to lose myself in song
But the ties are much to strong
What I'm I going to do
I can't get over you

It makes feel so bad
Messin up the love' we had
Theres one thing I know
I will always love you so
Love you so baby

Ooh ooh ooh
Ooh ooh ooh
I can't get over you
I can't get over you
I can't get over you
I can't get over you

Praise Concert: Sat., April 25th @ 5 p.m.

Changing a Generation Full Gospel Baptist Church

4185 Snapfinger Woods Drive, Decatur, GA 30035

www.cagmin.org

404.284.8865

Grants/Scholarships/Govt Aid

A random stranger shared this with me today. I wanted to pass this knowledge as far as I could. Use it as you please, and share with others. This pertains to high school students, college students, potential and current business owners.


www.Govbenefits.gov
www.EDgov.com
http://us.fulbrightonline.org/about.html
www.fafsa.gov
www.college.gov
www.grants.gov
www.ed.gov Obama Education Plan
www.us.gov
www.studentaid.ed.gov/

Throwback Tuesday- Jodeci

Remember meeting your friends at the mall to cop the black, combat boots? Mary J sported them. TLC wore them with their "safe sex" outfits. Don't act like you don't remember TLC wearing colored condoms from head to toe. But, you didn't wear the boots with style if the tube socks were not peeking from the tops.

You were in no way ready for war. You didn't have interest in joining the military. You simply saw how fly they looked on BET in the videos and had to have them. And we wore them with shorts, no less. Cross Color shorts. And Karl Kani shorts. Anything to be different, right? I strolled down that street in memory lane today.


The boots also reminded me of 4 brothers who created a new R&B sound in the 90s. 2 pretty boys ad libbing and playing instruments in the background. 2 average looking brothers tearing up the lyrics...singing their hearts out. Straight out of the south. Obvious training from the wooden floors of a country church house on a dirt road. Jo Jo bellowed with an expressionless face. K-Ci wallows on the floor without a shirt to show off the abdominal muscles slightly etched in his bird chest. His animation never overshadowed the Bobby Womack and Johnny Taylor soul emanating from his vocal chords. There was only 1 Jodeci. There will never be another.


Close your eyes on this classic...reminisce...Peace
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


My Heart Belongs To You
---Jodeci
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qh5h2hYMjbo (music only)



This is DeVante
Whatever you want, whatever you need
You know I got it
And I'ma give it to you
Jodeci
(Whenever you want it, want it)
Anything you want from me {Yeah...yeah...}
(I've got it)
Any time you want it
I'll give it to you
Jo Jo, check this out
2-3-4


You can have my love
You're the girl of my life
Am I all you're dreamin' of
Yes, you're my desire
I wanna give you so much
For the things that you give to me
Just take my love, baby
Because you are so dear to me


CHORUS
Whatever you want (Ba-ba-ba-ba)
Whatever you need (Woo, yeah)
My heart belongs to you
(Whatever you want, baby)
Whatever you need (Woo...)
There's nothing I won't do
(And I say whatever you want, baby)
I say whatever you want
My heart belongs to you
I say whatever you need (Woo....baby)
I'll be right here for you


Once in a lifetime
You will find someone like you
And now that I have you
Here's what I'm gonna do
(I'm gonna give you so much)
I will give you my all and all
Over and over again, lady, lady, lady
Lovin' you too much, baby
Is not, is not, is not a sin


CHORUS


Anything, anything, anything you want {Oh, yeah}
I'll do it for you
In the morning {Mmm, hmm}
Whenever you want it
(Makes no difference)
In the evening
(In the evening)
Whenever you need it {Oh...oh...oh...}
When the night falls {You know I got it}
You know that I've got it {Pick up the phone and dial my number}
So baby, just call me {Call me}
You know that I'll do it {Oh...oh...ho...}


CHORUS

Ace's B Day-Part II

It's Saturday morning. 7: 30 a.m. April 4th.

I suddenly wake to the buzzing of my cell. Who in the world is calling me this early? Oh, it's my boo responding to a random text I sent him early this morning. You know how we do. I respond to him as I lie very still in Ace's guest bedroom. Still in my clothes from the night before. Oh, but please believe I had the locs wrapped up. I don't play about my hair. Not at all. I try to reflect on the night before. Too blurry right now. I can't focus. It's only been 3 or so hours since I fell into a deep slumber. Oh, yes. I remember now. Ace, Fee Fee and I danced til the lights came on at Taboo 2. Ahhh, good times all around.

Let me get myself together. I have a meeting in 2 hours about the play I'm promoting. It's less than 6 days away. *smile* I'm elated about what is to come. Okay, but after the meeting, I have to dash home, dye my locs (this salt has to go), and take a much needed nap. Ace's dinner is at 6 p.m. It's 7:55 a.m. I have 10 hours to make this happen.

Ask me did anything mentioned above actually happen? Nope. I did tie those loose ends...which lasted 3 hours longer than planned. Which subtracted all time needed to cleanse the locs. It's fine. I will slap some mouse on this good "baby hair", tie a scarf around these edges for at least an hour...I will be good to go. No nap either. This won't be the first time I function off 3 hours of sleep. I arrived home in just enough time to make some last minute calls, take a shower, and get cute for the party. It was nice and warm so I put on a long halter dress, stiletto sandals and my signature big hoops. Yep, this is cute. My guy should be proud to have me on his arm tonight.

You know, this is the first time Ace and I will actually co-mingle with our guys and intro them to other friends/acquaintances. This should be very eventful.

I finally got it together as my guy arrived. Let's call him ATL. At this point, he knows the drill. I might not have it all the way together, but he knows to come on in and chill out until I add the finishing touches. He is good like that...and I appreciate it.

We pulled up to STATS an hour and half late...and Ace was in rare form as she should be! It's my girls time to get down on it. She works so hard and deserves all the fun and good time and blessings the world has to offer her. Okay, let me stop before I get mushy. Any who, we walked into the back room, and greeting everyone at the table. Ace introduced ATL to everyone as I waked around and hugged all my good people. I ensured ATL was good before I joined in on the fun with the girls taking pics, sharing laughs, and taking collective trips to the ladies room. You know that's how the girls do. All the signals and subliminal messages we sent telepathically around the guys were verbally announced during the meeting in the ladies room. Okay, wait. That was my jam. "Meeting in the Ladies Room" by Klymaxx. In fact its the ringer that plays when my girlfriends and my sisters are calling.

ATL mingles well with the other fellas as they bond over the basketball games. I think sports for men is like shopping for women. If we can't talk about anything else, we love to chat about clothes and enjoy shopping trips. ATL and Ace's boo clicked well, which we were counting on. And he knew a few of my other homeboys in attendance. This is like a family reunion. Beautiful.

Ace makes an announcement when she feels its the appropriate time for the party to serenade her with the birthday song. Yes, you heard me right. Sis was running thangs, honey. The cake was cut, everyone was full, and we were ready to move on to the next spot to shake a tail feather. Everyone posses up, hops in available cars, and head to Utopia. This is my first time lounging there after Happy Hour. The DJ was not on point, which brought Ace down a bit. One of our homeboys tried to rectify that, but was unsuccessful. We made the best out of it, though. We took more pics, 2 stepped a little, the girls even traveled to the dance floor in attempt to replay Friday's nights fun. This DJ didn't compare. But, you could tell the brother thought he was rocking. He played songs you could not dance too at all. Joints that barely made the top 100 on the charts. Can you get to the top 20, please? Get it together! We have a birthday girl in the house!

But, I will say it was good to have ATL with me. This was the first celebratory function we attended together...and it was nice. Cooler than a polar bears toenails. He is such a grown man. Straight from the SWATS. Not one time was I worried about him or wondering if he was good. Of course I checked on him a few times. He was all about me having a blast with my girls. See? That is what I am talking about. I see you, ATL...I see you.

One birthday bash down for Ace...90 more to go. I can see it now. 80 year birthday party. Somewhere in the tropics. Fashioned in gold sweatsuits. Sporting gold hats with jewels and cute white t-shirts with the words "80 & Fly" designed with rhinestones. Yep, that's me and Ace. With our fanny packs...don't forget about the fanny packs. lol!

Peace

Ace's B Day-Part I

This weekend was another to write in the Buttafly Memoirs. If I ramble, forgive me. I am a bit delirious from the lack of sleep from the weekend. Yet, I felt the need to share before heading to dreamland.

Ace brought in another birthday in a banging way. It was pretty historical, if you will. Friday night was all about the ladies. We planned to dance like...well like we did Valentine's weekend. Therefore, we dressed in the fitted jeans, stilettos, and jazzy tops. I picked up Ace and Fee Fee as we headed just outside the A to bring in the weekend the only way we know how to...right.

We started out at the Velvet Room. It would have been a 1st for me at this spot since it is 800 miles away from my crib. But, Dougie Fresh, Biz Markie and Big Daddy Kane were scheduled to appear. Okay, for those who don't know me very well, Dougie fresh is my old school hip hop hubby. I don't know what it is about him. But, when he does his thing on stage...watch him. He tends to hit a little 2 step, and then he rubs his head while he rocks the mic. Wow, Dougie...don't do it to me like that.

Any who, so we arrive around 11:30 to find a long line wrapped in 3 layers of folks. Once we found our place in line and stood in the same spot for 15 minutes, I started talked to people next to me. A few ladies admitted they arrived to the line at 10:30. Ma'am? Are you kidding me? You have been in this same line, outside in this breezy weather for 1 hour? Oh, heck no. Time to go. We chalked up that $20 paid for parking and headed to Roswell Road to old faithful...Taboo 2 Bistro.

There is a story behind Taboo 2 that I must mention to you at a later date. It involves the singer, Tank, and the marriage proposal of 2 security guards. Yes, Ace and I had this adventure a few years ago. I still have pictures tucked away somewhere. Wow..the things you do in your early to mid-20s.

Back to my Taboo 2. We arrive and the line is fair. We stand there for about 20 minutes before coming inside to a heatwave at the door. It was jammed packed, but the music was on point. We headed to the bar to get the birthday girl a sip of her fav...anything with Vodka. I was the designated...so I consumed responsibly. After walking around to scope the scene, we rested at a bar table near the dance floor. We didn't rest our feet, because we never sat down! The DJ was on point. I can only tell you I heard Keyshia Cole and Beyonce girl anthems, to which all the girls sang the words with pride. You know how we do. There were old Biggie and Jay Z tunes bellowing from the 808s. Then what comes on? The Stanky Leg. I have to admit to you, there is something about this song I like. It has no logical rhyme or reason. It is just a feel right, good ole ghetto track, with meaningless lyrics...but the beat is hittin. It was time to let loose on the dance floor.

The girls and I head to the designated dance floor, surrounded by couples, singles, and the old men looking for young women to be a trophy. Taboo 2 attracts the young, the mature, and the old men you see riding around town in the shiny red Corvettes.

Side Note: why do old men always buy the tiniest sports car that takes them 30 minutes to climb in and out of? Things that make you go hmmm....

Ace is doing her thing as she is a lover of some good music. And she has been known to cut a rug a time or 2 in our day. And it's he birthday, so she is really cutting up. Really, you have to see her on the floor...she takes no prisoners. I should flash warning signs to the fellas who approach her. She takes no mercy and leaves them all speechless. It's hilarious to watch if nothing else.

Just as I feel pity for this poor man trying to keep up with Ace, an AARP club member approaches me to dance. Sure, sir. As long as you give me my personal space and don't touch me...we can get our groove on. He is actually cool because he is not all touchy, feely like some can be. He clearly just wants to dance. Okay, cool. But tell me why Soulja Boy Tell Em (and why is his name a compound of 4) comes on, and AARP knows all the lyrics. Sir, you have to be 55. Yes, I see you with the diamond stud. I even see you with what seems to be a Rockawear polo. But, sir, you should not know this song. Even if you recognize the tune, you should not be flowing with the track like you wrote it! He knew every bit of "Turn my Swag on." That was hilarious because he was a straight D-Boy with it. Looking like Tip 30 years from now. I admit he had some swag in him. Somebody's grandaddy is in here doing his thing. Wow...

My girl Fee Fee met a brother who jonesed her from the time he made contact. He was not trying to let any other man meet her that night. Ace knew him from her hometown, so he got the green light. After the last song played, we chilled in the parking lot with Fee Fee and her new boo. They exchanged the digits and planned to meet up the next day. We finally got back to Ace's early the next morning, recapped the fab night had, and fell sound asleep as the sun prepared to rise.

Saturday would be a little different. It was the co-ed party had downtown. This would be the first time the guys would meet each other. This would also be the first time Ace and I partied together with our guys since the days of AAMU. This should be interesting...

It is so past my bedtime. Stay tuned for Part II...

Neglect

Forgive Buttafly...I have to do better...and I will do better.

I apologize to you. I feel like a mother with 2 full time jobs. It is not my intention to neglect the child at all...but with 24 hours in 1 day, it is difficult to juggle all 3. In essence, my life has become so full that I barely have time for myself right now. However, there is no excuse. No matter what is going on with me, I should never abandon my passion to write. Especially to you...even if its only temporary. And I have so much to say to you!

Stay tuned...

Throwback Tuesday-After 7

The fellas of After 7 told stories of romantic and charismatic love. Sure pulling the moon from the sky is embellished and stretches the imagination. But, isn't that the Lawry's seasoning that gives the relationship lasting flavor? Infinite promise? I just appreciate the brother for reaching towards the sky to put a smile in his lady's heart.

During the time this tune hit the airwaves, I could only imagine how I would feel when these lyrics applied to my life. Now, its becoming relative to me...right now...and its even better than I imagined all those years ago.

Happy Tuesday, my people...

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Ready or Not
--by After 7

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z7B8GQpqZs4&feature=PlayList&p=F57BE42324D85F3F&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=2


I'll give the sun
The rain
The moon
The stars and the mountains
I'll give you the world
And all that you wish for
And even more
Girl i love you more than you could know
And that's for sure


I'd climb the highest hill
Cross the widest sea
Nothin could discourage me
And i pray that you will be
Always there for me
Forever more


CHORUS
Ready or not
I'll give you everything
And more
All that i've got--it's yours
I'll give you everything
All that you're looking for


I'll give you my heart
My soul
My time
My love is a fountain
I will be your earth
And all that you need for
And even more
Cause girl i love you more than words can show
My love is pure


I'll walk a thousand miles
Sail a thousand seas
Nothin will discourage me
And i pray that you will be
Always there for me
Forever more


CHORUS