Get Your Mind Out The Gutter

We’ve all heard the phrase “get your mind out the gutter” before. It’s usually said to snap someone out of dirty or insinuating sexual thoughts. Could it possibly be that the person telling you to get your mind out of the gutter is stuck there themselves? Lol….just a thought. But that’s another blog for another day. Our minds can be in the gutter for many more reasons than just a sexual nature. But the question is, how do we get out of that mental gutter once we’ve found ourselves there.

One of my favorite commercials is for Orbit gum. The Orbit lady says, in a stern monotone voice,  “Dirty mouth? Clean it up!” I don’t know why that’s so entertaining to me, but it is. With our minds, the same principle applies. A dirty mind will never get clean if we don’t attempt to clean it up. What constitutes a dirty mind? It could be anything from self-doubt,  a constant lack of trust, hanging with the wrong crowd, and just plain ole being too busy. It starts off with a spec that we say we’ll get to later. Then it sits a little while longer and becomes a mess that we just need to “tidy up”. We’re in still in control at this point….barely.  But then there comes a time where we wake up and realize we have nursed the creation of a monster.

So you may be thinking, “My mind is dirty and I like it that way”. I really hope that’s not what you’re thinking, but there are more than enough reasons why we should all take the time to cleanse mentally. When our minds are dirty, our creativity is stifled, we snap at people unexpectedly and have a poor sense of understanding. By no means am I saying my mind is clean all the time. Believe me, I have my own cleaning up to do. It was actually a dirty mind that kept me from coming up with a concept for today’s blog right up until last night. But here are a couple of things that have worked for me in cleaning up that sometimes filthy mind of mine. Hopefully these can help you too:

• Have 30 minutes of quiet time per day– This is much easier said than done, but you’ll be surprised how much just retreating to a silent corner will reenergize your mind.
• Engage in something you enjoy doing daily– Let’s try to make it constructive, lol. You’ll find those worries of the day seem to fade when we take even just a few minutes to do something we enjoy.
• Keep truth tellers around you- If you’re surrounded only by “yes” people, you’ll never get a true picture of yourself. Sometimes it takes a spouse, significant other, friend or family member looking in from the outside to set us straight.

What are some methods you use to get your mind out of the gutter?

Squeeze These and STOP That!

There is nothing new under the sun. But citizens of Tokyo, Japan, just may have defied this statement. When it comes to AIDS research and prevention, we have seen numerous creative an innovative ways to put an end to this disease. But during the “Erotica Will Save The World” event in Tokyo, Japan (hosted by Japanese porn channel Paradise TV), held on August 25th and 26th, there’s a new kind of fundraising that’s will make some people very happy…..especially men. 10 oppai momi models volunteered to have their breasts squeezed for cash that goes towards STOP!AIDS ( a charity that promotes awareness, treatment and prevention of AIDS). WTH? Something tells me a lot of money will be raised for this event though, lol. But the question is, how does it work?

Participants and models have to be 18 years of age or older to participate. The “squeezers” have to sterilize their hands, donate their money and get two squeezes per hand. Not satisfied yet? That’s ok because the squeezers can just get right back in line and pay more money to cop another feel. SMH….and in case you’re wondering what an oppai model is, it’s the practice of allowing people to squeeze your breasts for money. Although this practice has been a long-standing practice in Japan, this is the most it’s ever been put out into the open for the viewing (and squeezing) public to see.

So what do you think about this form of prostitution? It may sound harsh, but in a sense that is basically what this is. But then again, can we really get upset if this is for a good cause? At the end of the day, these people are raising money for a disease that has shattered the lives of many people. Is it really that bad for men to get safe pleasure and be able to contribute to a definitely worthy cause? Or are these models exploiting themselves to a point of no return? After all, I don’t really see them being able to get corporate jobs after this. There’s no confirmation on how much the squeeze fee is, but one thing is for sure….this fundraiser is sure to rake in some major cash!

What are your thoughts about it?

God Forgives, Pop Music Doesn’t

God Forgives, I Don’t. This is not a personal opinion or character trait of mine.  But this is the title of Rick Ross’s new CD. I’ve never been a big fan of his, but I must admit, I like a lot the music he’s done in the past couple years. I even downloaded his free mix tape, Rich Forever. But something about the title of his new CD just makes me not be able to go out and purchase it. I like a few of the songs on it, but does he really believe the mantra of the CD’s title? Don’t get me wrong. I probably couldn’t put my iPod on random in any setting and please everyone in the room. I like all types of music, and some isn’t as clean as it could or should be, but where is the line drawn?

During the first week of its release, God Forgives, I Don’t sold over 100,000 copies and debuted at #1 on the Billboard Top 200 Albums Chart. Could this be partly attributed to pure talent, or pushing the envelope. But even take Madonna and Lady Gaga. Both artists (Lady Gaga more than likely following in the footsteps of Madonna) have pushed the image, interview, performance and sexual envelopes way past the normal acceptance mark. But has the element of shock value become the new norm? Rappers like Eminem were treading on somewhat unfamiliar territory with explicitly violent and disturbing lyrics that had everyone in a frenzy in the late 1990s. But now, would it have the same effect? Have we really just become desensitized over time. Even Nicki Minaj can probably feel less of the heat being directed at her, from not having to pave the way like artists before her did. When Lil Kim exploded on the music scene in 1996, she took music to a place it had never quite been before. But now we want more and more…..and thus artists like Nicki Minaj are created.

By no means is any of this a cut or slight at any current day artists that I have mentioned here. But it is facing the reality that many of the concepts artists are putting out are not necessarily new, they’re just multiplied to the next level. What people think is so taboo now fits for the time, but when will we see that we’re pushing things a little too far? The main goal I see in current popular music is to get you (the consumer) to buy it. No matter what it takes to get there, if we purchase it, the artist’s job is done. Even some of today’s gospel artists like Mary Mary, Kirk Franklin and Lecrae have somewhat capitalized on what the younger generations are listening to. “The God In Me” sounds just like Jamie Foxx’s massive hit “Blame It”, so the general public is already predisposed to liking it. It’s all about what will sell and what won’t.

What are your thoughts? Do you think popular music is unforgiving of certain morals, standards and values? Or are we too uptight and it’s just all in the name of good fun and entertainment? Does real artistry still exist and what percentage of it is the artist’s personal expression or a ploy for sales?

Blow Up and Slow Down

We’ve all experienced it before. That racing motorist that speeds through our residential districts and nearly clips our heels from just walking across the street. Some people don’t even care about huge speed bumps that tear up their cars….nope, they just keep going at a neck breaking speed. Are they drunk, crazy or just in too big of a hurry? Although it may be funny to joke about these reckless drivers, it’s no laughing matter when someone gets injured or they injure themselves. Lin Chen, a Ningbo (in Zhejiang province), China resident takes matters into her own hands (and mouth) to stop the fast and furious drivers in her neighborhood. How does she do it? Let’s just say she uses some very unconventional methods.

67-year-old Chen had been complaining to police about cars that speed through her neighborhood. But after failed attempts with no action from the police department, she enlists a little help from someone. Well, not a real someone but a blow up doll. Yep, she actually went to the store, purchased the doll and dressed it up in sexy lingerie to deter drivers from speeding through her neighborhood. Her thought process was that if she bought a sexy doll to tie up to a tree by the traffic lights, people would slow down. Surprisingly, it has worked. Although police state that they wouldn’t have thought of this method (who would? lol), they admit that the number of accidents have declined since Lin Chen and her blow up side kick have carried out their elaborate plan. Chen says that if people have something to look at, maybe they’ll slow down. And she was exactly right.

As hilarious (and clever) as this is, can you imagine Lin Chen walking into the store to buy this blow up doll? LOL. And did she buy the lingerie too or was that in her private collection? Plus, exactly how fed up do you have to get to reach this point??? But I do have one thought about this whole blow up fiasco. What happens when the people driving slow down…..and collide into each other? I guess it’s better than an impact at 60 plus mph, but still a potential crash nonetheless. And although it may shock drivers the first time, what happens when they catch on that they’re really looking at a blow up doll? They probably won’t slow down the next time….just a thought.

What do you think about Lin Chen’s tools to stop reckless driving in her neighborhood?

Today Is National Go Topless Day

***So when you woke up this morning, I’m sure you weren’t thinking today is a holiday. And you’d be right, because it’s not but something very interesting is happening today. It’s GO TOPLESS DAY! This is the fifth annual Go Topless holiday and it just so happens to fall on Women’s Equality Day this year. The rally will take place right outside the White House in Washington, DC. Participants are able to go fully topless, partially topless or fully clothed. Although it is legal to go topless in New York City, you may want to check for your city’s guidelines before the tops come off. Check out the original post (posted on August 1, 2012, below).***

Vote Topless!

There’s been a lot going in New York City. First Mayor Bloomberg was trying to ban sodas larger than 16 ounces and now the tops are coming all the way off….

You may have heard of the Canadian rock band Barenaked Ladies. But Moira Johnston is putting a new spin on the term. She’s a 29-year-old Philadelphia native and a stripper that lives in New York City. But wait, don’t turn your nose up at her just yet. After all, no one should be surprised to hear of a woman using music and a pole as part of her workplace atmosphere in this day and age. But to top it off, or rather take the top off of it, Moira Johnston walks around New York City in the daytime topless! Is she doing this to drum up additional clientele at night?!?! If so, let’s be real….who would really pay to see her at night when you can see almost all of what you want for free during the day? But no. This is not her intent. This bare naked lady is doing it all for a good cause. And her first time going topless was during a yoga class in January. She hasn’t looked back or kept clothes on since….LOL. WTH?!

Moira says she’s doing this for a little payback so to speak. She is tired of women being subjected to sexism. Since men can walk around with their shirts off, why can’t she? Although she’s not the first to walk around in public naked (Erykah Badu also did a similar expression of art in Dallas, TX for her “Window Seat” music video), she has definitely helped gain major momentum for her cause.  On August 26, women in 22 cities around the world will be participating in Go Topless Day (something Johnston will surely be participating in). Go Topless Day is a gathering of women standing up for equality with their tops off and the twist is that men can attend too. But they have to wear bras and bikini tops. It’s a role reversal of sorts so men can see how women are constantly being objectified in the media for sex.

I’m all for equality and I see Ms. Johnston’s point about women being treated right. But how seriously will people take this protest from a stripper? And again, doesn’t this topless protest cut into her nightly income? Why throw money to the performer when you can see the show for free? She was actually arrested by the police, but was “somehow” free to go after not being held long. Perhaps Moira Johnston felt that this was ok because it’s technically legal to go topless in New York. But even though it’s legal, does it make it right?

Is your vote for the top on or top off???