gq:

The Man They Call Hov

As Jay Z returns to Brooklyn with a new arena and a new team, revisit our profile of the 2011 GQ Man of the Year.

Hey Bro -n-law!!! <3

billidollarbaby:

Ostrich Pillow

OSTRICH PILLOW offers a micro environment in which to take a comfortable power nap in the office, traveling or wherever you want.

I need this RIGHT NOW!!!

gq:

On the Cover: Denzel Washington

GQ’s Michael Hainey sits down with two-time Oscar winner and box-office giant Denzel Washington to talk about his first jobs, how his father influenced him, and why he won’t question his mojo:

What is the first movie that you recall?

King Kong. The Wizard of Oz was a big one. I remember Caged, these women in prison. I liked that one. But I wasn’t a movie buff. Never thought about the movies. When I was in my teens, it was movies like Shaft or Superfly. I wanted to be like those guys. But I never thought about being an actor, ever. I wanted to be Jim Brown or Gale Sayers, not Sidney Poitier. When I started acting, there weren’t any big black movie stars. There was a little Billy Dee Williams and some Richard Pryor. That was it.

Are there any roles you’ve turned down that you regret?

Seven and Michael Clayton. With Clayton, it was the best material I had read in a long time, but I was nervous about a first-time director, and I was wrong. It happens.

Read the full interview with our October 2012 cover star here.

Yes Gawd!!! That beard :D

egotripland:

Wyclef Jean reveals the actual reason the Fugees broke up: HERE

whoooooo chile…I will be investing in this book!

Ever had a dream that scared you so badly that you woke up clinging to the person laying next to you? I mean PowerPuff Girl sized eyes scared. Sweat on forehead, palms moist, and heart racing a 60 meter dash…

Yep, that happened to me last night. Only my dream wasn’t of someone chasing me with a shark-tooth-sharp dagger and a knock off Louis bag. It wasn’t about a close friend or family member that fell ill; nor did it involve the decline of my own health. In fact, at some point in time, I may have enjoyed this dream…Two men fighting over my love and attention… *flips hair and blows already set nail polish on left hand* But last night, in the mix of my heart stopping fear, I realized that I truly cared about someone. The possibility of hurting him, even in my dreams, made my stomach rear-end my toes.

“Hanging out” with someone consistently means you’re fond of them right? True. I don’t spend my precious golden time with people that I wouldn’t want my dog walking past. If missing one night with that individual means shortness of breath for a good eight hours, then get your asthma pump and understand that you’re really into this person.

Again, this has happened to me. RECENTLY. Seriously, I realized, in a two minute dream that felt like a lifetime, that I value the friendship that we’ve built, the time we’ve spent, the talks we’ve had, the…oh okay…and I’m okay with admitting that. I felt bad when I awoke and, even though it was only a dream, the thought that I’d hurt my friend was terrifying. I don’t necessarily like compromising positions and awkward situations but they build character and awareness.

I understand that these things happen and even in unrealistic instances, they make one think and come to strong conclusions. My spinich-eating-Popeye strong conclusion you ask? I sincerely adore this individual…

Dear dreams,

Thank you for making me see reality.

~kkBe- A Dreamer  

In school I was taught the importance of recycling. Learn to separate “trash” from things that can be changed into something new…

The compost pile is where I put old banana & orange peels, the big black trash can held crayons and broken stencils and the big blue box with the triangle is where I placed plastic bottles, old copies of The Washington Post, and my cardboard Barbie boxes…ahhhh childhood.

As an adult, I don’t recycle as I should. I sit the big blue box on the curb every Thursday but it’s never as full as it should be. The white trashcan with the foot pedal holds most of the plastic Dasani water bottles, the egg cartons, and coupons that I rarely go through but end up in my mailbox at least twice a week. The trash is much easier than recycling…

 ***TAKES A DEEP BREATH; LOOKS INTO MIRROR; STARES INTO SOUL & PULLS      OUT PERSONAL CHARACTER FLAW***

As a defense mechanism, I will simply throw away potential relationships just as easily as I do that “Save-A-Lot” coupon booklet that should be recycled and over time changed into something new.

Go ahead and dim your bright eyes as you read…you’re guilty of it too and I’m not judging…Think back to a potential friendship, relationship (remember all of those “ships…”) Look at those, I’m sure there are at least two that you could’ve salvaged if you took the time to “recycle.”

I’m not stating that if the guy/girl is a mass murdering, rabbit sacrificing, eye lid slicing, fish heel wearing fool that you should stick around and try to “melt” their flaws into priest-like actions…But you should, speaking from experience, give the “ship” a chance to get better. Talk it out. State your concerns and stand by them.

I don’t walk around wearing “track shoes” in my relationships, ready to run at the first sign of trouble. I do however, keep them tied and hanging around my neck for easy access…my mom says I’m no nonsense #ThanksMom but I think that’s one thing I should change.

I’m learning to give things time and talk. I know life isn’t always peaches and cream…strawberries and cool whip…milk and cookies…BBQ Pulled Pork sandwiches from Cookout and potato salad from Famous Dave’s… I know that I need to lessen my grip on “no nonsense” Perhaps a little nonsense is good for me…

kkBe~ a Recycle-ist

What happens when friendships die? I don’t mean you lose contact with someone or the two of you outgrow each other yet if you see one another it would still be all giggles and grins…NO -__- What happens when one of you have allowed negativity and jealousy to rob your humble friendship home? I mean bust the windows of your outer shell, enter through your mind, take your heart, and run out of the door of your soul with it…What then?

Honestly, I don’t have an answer. I can’t tell you, “Girl slap a hoe” or “Make sure to tell everyone around so the nonsense is exposed.” I won’t tell you what to do because I’ve acted completely differently from the manner in which I thought I would.

Needless to say, I’ve been robbed. The mugger came in one unexpected day and took my love, joy, peace, and happiness out of my humble friendship home. At first I pretended as if it didn’t happen, I saw a mirage of what once was…shopping, sleepovers, tears, endless laughs, and stories galore! But as time passed I had to face reality; A BITCH HAD ULTIMATELY STOLEN MY TRUST. Holding my most vulnerable moments and intimate thoughts, she took them to a pawn shop of betrayal and exchanged them for a brand new shiny “LOL.”

What am I to do with that? ~NaliShrug as I’d normally say BUT for this particular instance…No words nor actions…I simply removed myself from the situation with the knowledge that…

Every smile is a potential sneer, every pat is a potential slap; Not every hug is meant to console and not every “friend” has my back…simple as that.

I’ve moved through my life with the sole purpose of becoming a better person than the one I was the day before. Every waking moment, I thank the Lord for my good health (and looks-lol-) as well as the people that love and support me and lastly the things that I have. A car is just a car; A bag is just a bag but I consider a friendship much more than a simple comrade. I know everyone doesn’t necessarily think like me however, I’d hope and expect that those close to me know how I think and why.

                                 Attack my actions…not my character

Remember that you’ll learn something new every day…be it beneficial to your life or others. Share those instances, harbor no hard feelings, and smile…

Besides it’s their problem, not yours…

kkBe- Aware

Exactly how long is too soon? (Don’t try to check my idiom just follow me) For Whitney Houston, 48 long years was too soon. Too soon are the thoughts of a mother whose one year old is clearly speaking, but to the folks at “Your Baby Can Read,” he’s a little behind…it took him too long. Or you broke up with your girlfriend eight years ago and all your married friends want you to at least date but every New Years you state, “It’s too soon…one more year.” How about this classic…  “I’ll get married and have kids and and and….at 30” -_____-

What insanely bored, pajama jean wearing, slightly mentally unstable creature of the earth created these timelines? And why is it sooooo important to follow them to the tee? The only timeline that will be perfectly executed is the one God has written out for you. I’m not about to go completely holy, BUT stop limiting yourself because of “time.” Quite frankly, you don’t know your time, so don’t gauge your life accordingly.

Now, I am NOT saying don’t set hair appointments for next week because you have no guarantee if you’ll be alive…I’m not the bearer of bad news nor do I think you should spend your life savings in three hours…

However believing that “starting” your life at 30 is as silly as a pit bull in couture. You’ll be surprised at how many people I’ve heard state that they’ll partake in relationships, child bearing, real careers, etc. from both men and women upon reaching the big 3-zero.

Who sets these time periods? And who told you it was ok?  My six months is not the same as my friend’s. Your year is not the same as my dog’s, in fact…she’s seven years ahead of you… So how can you say that at 30, you’ll start your life? What the flip have you been doing for the past 29.99999 years? Have you been on life support?

 Like the young kids on the Metro say “Yea I don’t got time…” FOR NONSENSE. I think it’s completely ridiculous and selfish! So while you’re “not living until 30,” are the people around you supposed to hold their breath till your “Over the Hill” birthday?

                                                            WRONG

My point is, time is a part of life…your life is based on time…But taking too much of it could lead to you missing out on good things 

              STOP placing these unnecessary “Statute of Limitations” on yourself

kkBe-Timeless

A few years ago I realized that empowerment comes from within. I awoke one morning, and as I usually do, kneeled beside my bed and thanked the Lord for doing so. I asked for blessings for my family, sanity throughout the day, and continued guidance in all aspects of my life. I threw in the element of my 2009 convertible Audi a5, just in case he wanted to replace my current “lemon” with it. I wrapped up my daily prayer with assurance that I would continue to place my God in everything I produced that day. As I rose to my feet, I was overcome with a feeling of strength and stability.

I hopped in the shower, dressed, made breakfast (toast, two scrabbled eggs, and grits), grabbed my keys jacket and purse…All in my best Jill Scott reference… Today would be a good day…

That day…was normal but I realized that normality need not be my life anymore. I did my job with ease, improving the writing of others’, I could do it in my sleep. So why was I content with that? I had the potential to be something great and I knew I should fulfill it by any means necessary. Please be advised that if you ever see me in the news for putting on wings and passing out samples of my writing, it’s all for the sake of my career and it means that I’m about to “take off!”

I have yet to make it to the big time…Elle, Essence, Cosmo, Jet…but I pay homage to those that believe in me: my thesis director Dr. Bockting, the staff at The Session magazine, those Line Sisters and Big Sisters that chastise me for not writing in every free moment of my life (dag can I watch Basketball Wives rolls eyes) and my followers/supporters of Tumblr. I truly love you guys!

I believe in sharing achievements, it provides a silver lining to stories. But more importantly, stories of trials and tribulations (current and past) have to be told as well. It makes you relatable and human. I am far from my dream job of writing from my Mac, cruising along the canals of Amsterdam with my Heineken Experience sweatshirt and exclusive pink and green Louboutin’s with kkBe-BADD engraved on the bottoms…but I’m on my way…I’m EMPOWERED

True empowerment comes from believing in you. Promotions, affiliations and interactions are all “fluff” on your personal resume however, loving and believing in oneself are methods in living and maintaining a healthy spirit.

kkBe- your own source of Empowerment