Ethnicity Within The Black Community

Light-skinned versus dark-skinned.  This war is centuries-old, beginning back in the days of slavery.  Thought of as resembling their owners because of their shade, the fairer-skinned slaves worked in the house while the darker ones toiled in the fields.  First initiated by Whites, a tradition carried on by Blacks. 

I was born in the time of "two hospitals."  There were only two hospitals which delivered Black babies in Seattle.  Though segregation was not openly practiced, there definitely were color lines wherein Blacks were not allowed to cross.  A quiet separation of Whites and Blacks.  Only a small amount of White doctors took Black patients.  The others simply didn't admit any into their practice.  That was a mere 50 years ago.

Back in the 60s, there was a definite color line:  a division between dark-skinned Blacks versus light-skinned ones.  Our darker brothers and sisters were often color coded:  being treated as though they were less worthy of the benefits fairer-skinned Blacks received.  There were even names associated with being of a darker hue (of which I will not mention here).  And of course, there's the matter of "good" hair versus "bad" hair.  I have two children, both of which state that the same old tune is still playing on the Victrola.  After all this time, it's hard for me to believe this is true. 

What is trying to be "White?"  What is trying to act "Black?"  Do you think if Obama was dark skinned that he would have won the election?  Your thoughts...

Debating With Self...

rainwriter jones

Dangerous Height-Challenged Son-O-Guns!

I have to tell you, this has indeed been troubling me for quite a time.  Those who are excessively limited in height can be excessively aggressive?  (note:  I said "can be").  I think this is a timely topic as I've had a recent conversation with a friend from another site who spoke upon the topic, and her experience with an aggressive checker who scares the hell out of her!  God bless her!  (LOL)

I remember attending a concert in Seattle with my sister in 2006.  We were all standing 'round singing 80s tunes, some folks somewhat inebriated, but all waiting for the performance to begin.  A clipper ship of a woman came cruising through the crowd, pushing intoxicants aside in a wave of drunkeness.  Folks were just about to start cursing her out, this lil' 4ft. x 4ft. mass wearing a fez, but the look gave us let us know that if you DARED say a single word to her, she'd let you have it.  Her ship cruised to the front of the crowd beneath the stage:  just where she wanted to be. 

I remember way back when having a boyfriend who was short.  He was a real son-o-bitch, with his conniving self.  Played me and many other women at the same time!  I think his lack of height and male appendage made him what he was, and he had to prove himself by being the Stud of Seattle.  The last time I saw him was at a barbeque with his ugly wife-y.  She looked like a pig.  (LMAO)

Please watch this film as a testament to the potential woes of short folks, and possibly why they act a fool!:





You heard him??  "Women don't give short men no play!"  (LMBAOOO)
As for myself?  I stand 5'2":  5'0" without glasses.  I, too, have a tendency to "act" taller than my actual height, pushing and shoving my way through life, sometimes with reckless abandon.  Maybe I should score a fez like the one above.  Then you know I've got to be crazy, and I will get my way without knocking you over!  (LMBAO)

Your thoughts?

Broadcasting With Elevator Shoes...

rainwriter jones

Partie Merlot Pour Deux

My husband and I had an intimate wine tasting party this Friday by the fireside. I was the host this month, deciding upon Merlot as our grape in its varietal form. There were five labels for consideration, two from Washington, and three from California:

2007 J. Lohr Merlot Los Osos
2007 181 Wine Cellars Merlot Clay Station
2006 Chateau Ste. Michelle Merlot Canoe Ridge Estate Vineyard
2006 Ghost Pines Merlot Winemaker’s Blend
2007 Charles Smith Merlot Velvet Devil

The bottles were allowed to breath for one hour prior to tasting. Britannia Crisps were used to clear the palate between wines. Korky’s meatballs were served along with a few other munchies.

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Impressions:

- J. Lohr: The attack was harsh, though flavor mellowed into a nice cherry with deep flavored richness. Overall, a delightful wine, especially during second round of tasting.

- 181: Cherry nose, buttery short finish. (note: with my palate if a wine is enjoyable, the finish is usually a “butter-flavored” one, and not in reference to the wine being a Chardonnay). Floral notes throughout. Another keeper!

- Chateau Ste. Michelle: Not very impressive, taste barely discernible; hollow. A blend of tangerine and oak perceived. Fairly flat; thin-bodied. With a 2009-2011 drinking window, I have to question the quality of the wine. Will not re-purchase.

- Ghost Pines: Cherry nose, a little bit drier than the other wines; less tannins. Pleasant backdrop of almonds. I may be a wee bit partial to Louis M. Martini’s wines as all I’ve tasted thus far have been very good. A re-buy for this one!

- Charles Smith Velvet Devil: Gasoline nose up front; very offsetting. Plum-y taste towards mid-palate, buttery backdrop. I’ve tasted this wine in the past and compared to the other three California offerings, it doesn’t measure up. Re-purchase only if on sale.

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Truthfully, the California wines fared much better than that of Washington state. I haven’t given up on our wine producers, but I need to taste a greater variety from different wineries.

After the first small samples, a break was taken to sufficiently clear our palates. Upon re-tasting, our favorite oscillated between J. Lohr and 181. J. Lohr got the tip of our fedora! A cigar to finish the evening, of course.


rainwriter jones

The Airline Industry (i.e., let's git nekkid!)

Do you think the world's gone crazy?  I mean, with all the mess going on with the airlines, and folks threatening our very lives with their radical views? 

Here lately, there's been a grip of threats and near distasters involving air travel.  I don't know if it's from a lack of sufficient airport staff, their lack of training, or just a lack-lusterness that I've been feeling for the past several years wherein nothing or no one matters.  All I know is that there needs to be an improvement in securing all places in which large amounts of people gather:  malls, theaters, amusement parks, and yes, airports.

And with that said, I've got a proposal which may be somewhat controversial.  I think everyone needs to be strip searched with body cavities probed to the fullest extent!  Yep, I said it!  Grandma Jenkins bent over a counter, with a gloved worker's hand up her coochie!  As indelicate as that sounds, it will keep all but the hard heads from flying.  Look at it this way, the airports won't be crowded with all those damned families trying to get to grandma's house as their dignity won't allow them to get nekkid in front of a crowd of people.  A true relief to the weary traveler that don''t want their flight-time sleep impaired by screaming kids.

I, for one, will be the weirdo who would be the first to volunteer!  (LMBAO)

rainwriter jones