Da Snobb Report

Well LAPD strikes again.  I would love to get ahold of their Procedures manual.  I would not be surprised to find kill Black Men on EVERY page!!!

LAPD kills another Black Man!

A promising young Black Man that the KTLA reporters have inaccurately identified as in his 30s, Reggie Doucet, 25 year old resident of an upscale beach condominium complex in Playa Vista was slain in that very neighborhood.  He was a well received football player at Middle Tennessee State University.  He was a model, personal trainer and club promoter who was in the process of opening his own gym at the time of his death.  He was also featured in Eye Candy on Essence.com.  Reggie, after having been out in Hollywood, took a cab home and got into an argument with the cab driver.  According to reports at some point during this argument he got naked.  The cabby and neighbors called the police.  As the story goes 2 cops tried to contain him and they got him to calm down a bit and put his boxers on, then when they tried to detain him again he would not cooperate and there was a scuffle and Reggie was shot by a Black male officer (17 months on the job).  There was also an Asian officer (5 yrs on the job) responding with the shooting officer.

Okay, lets talk shop for real people.  If you are sitting here saying RACE HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THIS ... hop the hell up off my site, because I am fine with respecting the opinion of those of us who live in the real world-all others, I am simply not interested in listening to nonsense.  The LAPD has long made it a policy to kill Black Men or at the very least give it a hell of an effort! It pisses me off to no end that on the eve of Martin Luther King, Jr's birthday that I am not talking about progress and uplifting each other, but rather on the bullshit that continues to happen in this country.  I swear I see a damn commercial to save a polar bear or some random ass pet every damn day, when the hell are we going to start saving Black Men.  I mean are polar bears more important than the Black Man? NOT TO ME!!!


Taking the story at face value, I need to know how shooting this man 2 times in the chest was the answer.  There have been no reports of this man being armed.  In fact they said he was naked, unless he was hiding the gun between his sack and his meat I would be hard pressed to believe that he was armed. The cops were taken to the hospital for cuts, scrapes and bruises ... how does that equate to a need to use deadly force to protect one's self.  Police have night sticks and tasers.  Why did they not taser him to take him down.  If he was scuffling with them why did they not use the baton to take him down.  (Of course I also mean for them to use these items within reason and not to Rodney King the young man) Why was deadly force THEE option?  According to his neighbors he had never been a violent person.  According to people who knew him personally he was never a violent person.  So what happened between him and the cab driver that caused him to 1) not want to pay, 2) get into a verbal altercation with him and 3) cause a disturbance in his own neighborhood????  Things that make you go hmmmm.  Further what prompted the police to utilize such a drastic response as deadly force.  The obvious answer is we are not getting the whole story and unless someone was secretly taping what happened, I feel confident in saying we will never know the whole story.

So seriously, when does it stop??? When does the LAPD stop using Black Men as target practice.  I have heard a lot of my peers say there aren't enough Black Men of our caliber around for us, well it seems to me if you let the LAPD have it their way, there won't be ANY AT ALL!

This story saddens me for a myriad of reasons.  I'm sad that someone I know has lost someone they valued.  I am sad that another young Black Man is dead.  I am sad that all the years of fighting, marching, protesting, advocating,  and supposedly realizing the dream has amounted to what? I mean look where we are..... we are in the same play with a different set director and different wardrobe.  It's clear to me that it is still okay to kill Black Men in the street.  It's sad.  It's also sad to see that even US (not all but without question some of us) when we put on that Gd forsaken LAPD uniform we lose ourselves.  We seem to forget we are Black and think that we are Blue.

Please don't misconstrue my words.  The police have to protect themselves ...but as I stated above there are non deadly ways to do this.  I have friends that are police officers and I would never tell them not to protect or defend themselves, but I would also tell them as the law tells me, you should protect/defend yourself with the equivalent amount of force you are being threatened with.  You should not use deadly force, when you can be effective with non deadly force.

I pray for Reggie's family and friends.  His young daughter and (from what I understand) son on the way.  <--------- that is the main reason why I am sad! There is another young man who will grow up without his father.  The lack of the Black Father is an epidemic unto itself without any assistance from the damn police!!! Contrary to what is too often the case, this man has not left his child behind, he was murdered by the LAPD.  Killed essentially over cab fare.  Wow!!!

I am truly baffled at this unnecessary homicide and I hope his family files a wrongful death suit as this story continues to unfold.  I will definitely be following this story to see if this ever becomes a criminal trial and/or civil trial.  If these officers are ever brought up on criminal charges I pray the jurors are not decedents of the Rodney King jury ... they clearly have the visual impairment gene!

I ask you all to pray for Reggie's family and friends and pray for our Black Men.

XOXO,
Snobby Gyrl

Hard to Say Im Sorry great song but bullshit.

Well we have passed that day of the year when people make a bunch of bogus resolutions.  I stop doing that years ago.  I make adjustments to my life whenever I see fit.  Whenever I see something not working for me... I change. I would advise alot of you make that your Resolution...to stop waiting for December 31st to improve your situation.  In fact may I suggest a book "Who Moved My Cheese" [You can click on my Amazon store at the top of the page to purchase the book]. Great book for dealing with change.

Anyway, I digress, so as we close out 2010, I don't know about you but it has been a tough one for me.  I have lost a lot of people.  I have learned a lot of lessons.  What I do know as I sit at my laptop clicking away is that I am still here.  That means this tough year was not in vain.  It was to prep me for the many blessings to come my way.  To keep me humble so when my abundance arrives I am able to handle it and not lose myself in the excess.  So I take 2010 as a lesson learned, a blessing and THE PAST.

Golden Rule
I have no intentions on dwelling on all the things that went wrong this year, but I do plan on making necessary adjustments.  I have always been a golden rule person - Do unto others.  So yes I am more blunt than tactful, because I would rather you hurt me with the truth than to have me looking like a fool living a lie.  I can get past a hurt feeling and forgive if I know the truth, because my respect for you will still be in tact. Such is not the same for an embarrassed and hurt feeling based on a lie. With that said... these last few months have been very interesting.  It has showed me that I am simply thru with the Golden Rule. I am going to just treat people the way THEY deserve to be treated.  *Shrug*  I have given people more leeway than normal because I have been working on my ability to forgive as part of my personal growth, but its over that.  I definitely have come a long way and I do know when to forgive and proudly I even know HOW to genuinely forgive now, however I'm putting stricter restrictions on whom and when I chose to forgive.  I have (in these last few months) really gone out my way to treat people the way I would want them to treat me, to have them pull some real shady ass shyt with me.  So rather than to remain on this "high road" as people call it, I am getting my ass back on the main road and treating these mofos accordingly. So don't be surprised if I speed pass you and flip you the bird on the main road-just giving you what you deserve.

Sacrifice
2010, the first year in my life since I started dating, that I did not date at all. I stuck to my celibacy but more than that, I stuck to my focus.  I made the decision 2nd semester of 1L that I would cut off that aspect of my personal life so that I could focus on law school.  Men and dating was just a stress I knew I would be better off putting to the side-temporarily of course.  I have to say, it was a worthwhile sacrifice.  Every minute not on the phone arguing about "Why you ain't answer the phone when I called earlier" was a minute put towards studying and every second not wasted on "Who you out with" was a second out enjoying my free time away from the books.  Truth be told, I expected to feel more lonely than I did. I can probably count on 1 hand the amount of times I actually WANTED companionship.  It was a busy year so I guess that helped.  The moral of the story is, I made a sacrifice that paid off huge.  We have to sacrifice for the things we really want in life.  Now I am less than 6 months away from my JD and my final semester schedule is exactly what I wanted.  More importantly... I am not happy ... I am ecstatic, I am exactly where I wanted to be when I wanted to be there, with a clear mind and heart so that I can enjoy every minute of it.
If you have yet to make a sacrifice for something you claim you truly want but haven't realized yet, that could be the reason.

Truth be told I could go on for days....but I wont

I wish you all the very best....

XOXO
SnobbyGyrl

So all you health nuts that insist the Turkey bacon is better.... I have always begged to differ! Now don't get me wrong. I eat Turkey bacon too and I understand if you just don't eat pork at all...but Pork bacon is always the first choice in my book!!!!

So Men's Health did an article "The Truth About Your Weight Gain"


The Key Portion of the Article:
TURKEY BACON
Pork bacon’s got a bad rap for wreaking havoc on your cholesterol. But is turkey bacon really any better?
 
The Truth: Stick with the pig. As far as calories go, the difference between “healthy” turkey bacon and “fatty” pig is negligible—and depending on the slice, turkey might sometimes tip the scales a touch more. Additionally, while turkey is indeed a leaner meat, turkey bacon isn’t made from 100 percent bird: One look at the ingredients list will show a long line of suspicious additives and extras that can’t possibly add anything of nutritional value. And finally, the sodium content of the turkey bacon is actually higher than what you’ll find in the kind that oinks—so if you’re worried about your blood pressure, opting for the original version is usually the smarter move.
 
Eat This Instead: Regular bacon. We like Hormel Black Label and Oscar Mayer Center Cut bacon for some low-cal, low-additive options.


The people rest!!! The swine is so divine!!!
P.S. For the Record.... I prefer and suggest Oscar Mayer Center Cut! Enjoy!!


XOXO,
Snobby Gyrl

Please check out and follow my new Tax Blog. Tax Talk With Tasha

No Worries... Da Snobb Report is not going anywhere. I will still be sharing my views and opinions on everyday life.

This post was inspired by the convo between Kat Stacks & Nelly on VIP Saturdays w/ DJ Self & Kimmi Cupcakes. If you haven't heard it and have about 10 minutes of your life to spare to hear some coonerific ish ...then give it a listen! Courtesy of Kimmi Cupcakes

Okay, now that you are up to speed with this coonery, I shall continue. Females, because I am not so incline to throw the terms ladies or women around, so FEMALES, if you are going to be smut, please get the basics down.  Now I am in no way shape or form telling any female TO BE A SMUT, however some of you have made a conscious decision to be a smut, in which case, hey its a free country! So, if you are going to be a smut you need to be smart about your smutiness, especially if you are going to be an "auntro-po-hoe" about the situation.  If you are going to try and turn a used condom into 15¢ and 15 minutes of fame, you should grab your pen and pad now.  I may not be a smut, but I have multiple business degrees -- let me help you with a few free pointers.

5 Quickies for Quickies [LOL]

1. Take Notes 
2.  Sex Tape
3. Speech Coach 
4. Co - Author
5. Aah - Haa 

1. Take Notes.  Kat Stacks really got aired out because she didn't know anything or couldn't remember anything [depending on who's story you believe], either way had she taken some clutch notes, she would have been able to avoid sounding like an idiot.  Okay, she can never avoid sounding like an idiot, but at least she wouldn't have sounded like a liar. If you want to sell a book about your smutcapades with celebrities then you need to come across as someone who is telling the truth.  Superhead's book made major waves because at any given time you could ask her about one of her encounters and she had her facts down, like she had her back down! No one wants to buy a book of lies. Besides there is already a venue for uncorroborated celebrity gossip, they're called tabloids.  So if the best you can do is what Kat Stacks just pulled out of her hat during this interview, then just try and sell your story to the Star or Enquirer.  So remember, taking notes will take you a long way, because it will build up your smutty credibility [for book sales that is, no one will want to smut around with you anymore after they find out you are taking cliff notes about the smutcapades].

2. Sex Tapes.  Okay maybe you can not write-for whatever reason [dyslexia, hand busy with a cock, whatever your situation is], there is another option for you-make a video.  Sex tapes have propelled many careers.  Kim Kardashian, Paris Hilton and even given rebirth to other's career like Pam Anderson. The sex tape is gold!!! You are an instant star with the sex tape - good or bad!!! I will caution you to not make an R. Kelly sex tape, stick to the 21 and over folk!  However, the sex tape has been time tested and bank account approved.  You pretend you didn't leak the tape yourself, you sue the distributor, settle for an undisclosed amount, work the tabloid circuit, then the radio circuit, and hopefully you'll make it to the talk show circuit-where you spend all your time explaining that you were in love and you had no idea this would get out, and how you really just want to be a better role model to young women everywhere.  Then you don't have to worry about remembering what hotel on Collins you were in, because you can just roll tape!

3. Speech Coach.  Once you begin to air these people out the media is going to want your story. Do not embarrass yourself.  The inability to articulate your smutiness can and will hurt your credibility, especially if you do not have a sex tape. You want to sound like an Auntro-Po-Hoe! Spend some of your smut money on hiring a speech coach.  It may sound trivial but it will take you a long way.  You will get better interviews, if there is a belief that you can carry on a conversation about your smutiness.  Better interviews means exposing yourself to a larger audience, in turn a bigger market.

4. Co-Author.  If you struggled with the notes, lets keep it real, yo ass can not write a book! However, you grew up with someone who is intelligent, did well in school, etc. - Holla at that person.  Especially in the event that you are going to be shopping the book [meaning publishers are not coming to you, you are going to them]. You want to have your smutcapades as polished as you can have them. I mean you can even go so far as to hire a free lance editor, but definitely get yourself a co-author. No one wants to read babble.  Most people write the way they speak.  Now Kat Stacks clearly can not speak nor articulate a complete thought, without that annoying laugh or just out right effing up her own story.  So under no circumstances do I want to read something, that will read like that conversation.  However, when you link up with a co-author, now your smutiness has fluidity and marketability.

5. Aah-Haa.  This is the boomkat.  The no disputing this ish happened, that will push you over the edge with all media outlets and your book will make moves.  You need to get details that we can't get from a photo shoot, interview, or MTV cribs. It has to be something so private that the only way you would know is to have been apart of his private life in one way or another.  Secret rooms, special brand of condoms [due to allergies or some ish], moles, birth marks, I mean really go all out like a prom night to identify the boomkat.  Once you have identified it, you keep that as your ace in a hole for a moment such as this interview, so when a mofo try to back you in a corner, you hit him with the boomkat ... and then your Eddie Murphy from Coming To America as the old white dude voice .."Aah-Haa.... Aaa-Haa"! Then when they have no further rebuttal..consider your book a best seller, because it will likely go flying off the shelves.

Male smuts, I do not know if all of these will be as helpful to you, as women tend to be alot smarter when they are the "dominant" figure engaging in smuttery, but hey if you feeling lucky - go for it!!!

I am sure that is not the last of Kat Stacks getting aired out, so I look forward to who else comes out the wood works and ODs on her! But as for you Auntro-po-hoes best of luck in your smutty endeavors.

xoxo
SnobbyGyrl

I often get questions - legal questions- which I am not LEGALLY allowed to answer yet.  Even when I attain my bar card there will be many limitations to when and where and to whom I can answer.  However, I commend you all for the questions you ask because it is very important to know as much as you can about the industry you are interested in.  This is what inspired the Snobby Amazon.com Store.  There is a link to the store right under the header.  You can check out some of the books I selected that relate to music law, sports law, entertainment law, and literary law.  Those are the questions I get the most, so I started out with those.

Also, you will find selections from the author of my all time favorite book LADY BOSS-Jackie Collins.

There will be many more selections to come and if you have questions for me feel free to email me at SnobbyGyrl@gmail.com so that when I select more books, I may be able to select a book that will benefit you.

Stay Informed!

XOXO
Snobby Gyrl

Well .... If you havent seen on my twitter [twitter.com/snobbygyrl] or on my facebook page that I just participated in my first Triathlon, you are now up to speed. Let me preface by saying this, IT IS AS HARD AS IT LOOKS & SOUNDS. Today was filled with lessons learned, pushing the body and the mind and good times.

Honestly, for an entire 48 hrs before the race I was nervous as all hell...scared I'd drown in the open water or get bit by some water creature ...and people, lest we forget THIS IS FLORIDA....so you know what creature runs the water-hood out hurr...Dem Damn Gators!!!!!!

Tip #1: If you plan to participate in a triathlon be advised, this is a very organized sport and demands that you be just as organized, if you plan to be successful.

I woke up at 4am, packed my bag, with sweats & a tee, running sneakers, goggles & swim cap, energy & hydration supplements, ipod, towel, sweets and socks. This is not an inexpensive sport [not that one really exists], however this is not the arena for cheap equipment--the last thing you want is open water filth in your hair--YUCK!!!

By the way, did I mention I have mild OCD... that makes for an interesting mental battle when swimming in murky waters--but we'll get there.

I arrive at the start/transition point and I register, pick up my packet, get marked, get my token and set up my transition station.

Tip #2 AGAIN, organization, I can not stress this enough... set up your transition station so that you have the least amount to do in between sports!!!!

As Im setting up my transition station I am laughing at myself because I did not have time to pick up a bike helmet and I am literally the only person without one-keeping it so H to the double O - D!!! [pardon me I had to laugh at that]. Its the least of my concern though, I've never ever rode my bike with a helmet and I have managed to survive, so I move on to trying to focus on finishing the race. I am now stretching, listening to my ipod trying to summons the spirits of Michael Phelps, Lance Armstrong, & Usain Bolt!!! As time is winding down to the start they announce the waves and the rules. When I hear that I am in the second to last wave and I can not use my ipod for the bike or the run-I almost lost it. Im thinking -- great more time to build up anxiety and I can't run long distances without my music-hell I can barely run them at all.

Tip #3 Treadmill does not equal outside! If you have an outdoors race -- get alot of outdoor runs in, you need to be prepared for the conditions and the terrain and see how your body responds.

I was a sprinter in my youth so distance running has never been my forte!

Closer and closer to start time, everyone is testing out the water and getting themselves warmed up. I walk over to the swim start to join the other athletes in a warm up swim and here is where the day starts to take a toll for the worse.

Tip #4 Warm ups. Do them, do not shock your body with a high exertion activity [especially in water] without prepping your body first. Remember water is always dangerous and can turn deadly at anytime so always take every necessary precaution with water from apparel to training.

As I approach the water, its so crowded on the lined portion of the entrance that I decide to use the side part, NOT BRIGHT--it was so slippery as soon as someone tried to warn me I was already sliding. I was quick to grab hold of the side, but struggled to get out of the water. Needless to say my anxiety at this point is approaching Monk levels at an expeditious rate. As I am fighting my way out of the water a fellow comes sashaying his way into the water, I proceed to tell him don't do it, its way too slippery. He continues in hot pursuit of his warm up swim and BAM. He slipped and fell on his back with his feet in the air. He fell so hard even the jerk in me couldn't muster a laugh, plus he was half under water when he fell, that could have gone really bad for him. I finally get myself out of the water and go down the appropriate entrance. About 2-3 steps off the lining and the water was at my shoulders so I begin to tread water. Unlike the other athletes I had no intention on swimming out to the buoys, I figured it would exert too much energy. Swimming takes alot out of me due to my respiratory issues, it is very hard for me to breathe unless I'm doing the back stroke or simply opting not to breathe and swimming under water. So I take an underwater and dip and decide to head back in, however the further out I get the more I start to panic. I am looking under water and I see nothing but green murkiness and I am like time to go. I hustle my way out of the lake and go stand off to the side of the lake and have a very long convo with the man upstairs. At this point all of my anxiety has been confirmed. Dirty, murky water, with seemingly no bottom seems like a recipe for disaster. Yet, Im talking to big guy and telling myself I can do this, all things are possible through him, and that I shall not be afraid. At this moment I realize just how many spectators came to support their friends, family, and co-workers and that I had no one.

Tip #5 Support! Especially for your first big event--its invaluable and really makes a difference.

Let me take this time to say thank you to all of you who sent me support, love, and well wishes via facebook, twitter, text, and bbm. It meant alot, in fact it was all the support I had, so I had to just keep reverting back to it in my mind to feel less alone. Over the course of my years being an athlete, I have never really made much ado about anything I am participating in and I have remained consistent in that practice, which is why I had no one at the event. However, had I known how much anxiety I would have about the open water I would have told my people to come.

The race has started and I am watching from the swim finish. The first heat was the 50+ men and women and I mean this first guy swam the quarter mile open water like he was in his pool. I just knew I could do it and I said to myself, you can swim, just keep swimming. I know what technique I am suppose to use in open water for maximum speed and least exertion - keep swimming. I know when my chest gets tight resort to my preferred stroke-the back stroke, because I am most comfortable, thus able to control my breathing-keep swimming. When its time for my wave, I wait on the lining for the start, although we had an open water start [u start in the water]. The whistle blows and I start swimming. Immediately the merkiness makes me want to vomit. I decide definitely no underwater swimming in this lake, so I utilize the open water technique that I learned [but clearly is not the same w/o open water practice] and merky water got in my mouth -ANXIETY ON HIGH. I push through that and I keep swimming, however I am a bit freaked out at this point. I decide to back stroke because I feel the anxiety making my chest tight... its working for a bit...but I am not moving fast enough in my opinion. Keep in mind my goal was to finish, not to "do well" placement wise, but my competitiveness randomly kicked in [and continued to do so]. So now I go back to the stroke that seems most effective in this water but I am already getting tired from the 3 changes of strokes, the murky water getting in my mouth, the chest tightens and Im like oh hell no-I am out of here. I begin to tread water and I flag one of the rescue boats, because now I am in full Monk mode. I hang on to the side of the row boat talking myself off the ledge while I decide if I want to finish this swim. After a minute or two of feeling like I was even going to fall off the side of the row boat to the bottomless pit of nowhere, I decide for my own sanity if I do not get out of this water, I could seriously have a panic attack. However, at this point I have scared myself to where I am frozen. When I tell the rescuer that I want to get out of the water he gives me a floaty and tells me to lean on it and rest in the water for a bit, then decide. I tried that. I really wanted to overcome this open water foolery--more importantly I was feeling like a punk ass bitch and that was not sitting well with me -AT ALL! So Im leaning on the floaty but feeling apprehensive as all begeez. He tells me it holds 4 people and that I could relax, he was right. So as he leaves me there holding a floaty, the race around me is still kicking. Oh did I mention that he dragged me further out into the water though--which is why I felt like I would fall into a bottomless pit. Anyway, another rescuer came by and she asked me if I wanted to get out or try and make the swim [I am in the middle of the lake now, the lap went a lil further out around the buoys]. I looked at how far out it was and assessed how constricted my breathing had become and decided you know what.. Im going to wrap this up before they are wrapping me up-literally. I decide to swim to the finish from the middle of the lake. Its me and my floaty kicking and paddling for dear life. The woman was really nice and supportive and stayed with me the whole way until I could stand again. I swear it felt like I wasn't even moving, but 11minutes later I was back on solid ground. I didnt know if I would be disqualified and I have to keep it a hundred, I wanted to cry at the thought of being disqualified. This event really meant alot to me. So I get out at the swim finish, I am trying to catch my breath and control my breathing and catch a sign from event staff as to whether I can continue. They all start clapping and yelling, keep going good job, you can do it --and as corny as that ish is...it did help, I put some pep in my step and headed to the transition area.

Tip #6 Apparel. I think its best to get wet/dry apparel. So that you dont need to do wardrobe changes, especially if you are competing for placement, you want to limit the time you spend in transition.

I dry off quickly, put on my socks and kicks and snatch my bike off the rack, but rather than fly out like many others, I paced myself. I drank some water and decided to walk myself out. I was still coming down off of the water craziness and just wanted to do a solid job on my bike. I hit the line where I can get mount my bike and Im off. Just as I hit the street a spectator yells, you need a bigger gear, I yell back I know, she then yells, you need a taller seat, I yell, I know. At this point she has pushed me into full NYC riding the train attitude zone and I yell back to her, since you are so abreast of my needs go buy me a bike-BOOMKAT... she didn't say too much after that. I am riding along on the wrong side courtesy of the event lady telling me to stay to the left-false, the left is for passing. So now, people are yelling "on your left" non stop.

Tip#7 Stay Alert. When biking and running, people who will pass you will do so on the left, and so you need to hear when they are coming and when they announce themselves so that you can get out of the way. This is for the safety of everyone.

Finally another athlete tells me to stay to the right so people can pass on the left and that the event lady told me wrong. I appreciated her. So now I am in the right peddling my life away. I had to peddle for a mile without stopping and I was still getting passed by everyone-there goes that competitive nature again. I put that part of me back in check, but I am still a lil salty that this bike sucks azz. I knew it wasnt a great bike but it was all I could afford for the time being and it was my first race, what if I didnt like triathlons and had spent $300 on a bike-I'd be pissed. So as I am riding my heart out, sans ipod, I am noticing the array of schwinn, cannondale, nytro, etc bikes zooming past me and I knew right there I would be blogging about how you need a schwinn to win! Nevertheless I kept riding, kept riding and pushed it. On the way into transition I decided I am going to speed walk most of the run, because I had a cramp and my legs and arms were beat from the previous events. This way I can finish, run in intervals, and not need to be carried off on a stretcher.

I get to transition, drink my water as I exit the area and get ready for my run. I jog out onto the street and jog for a bit, but dehydration is still rampant so I stop drink my water and start brisk walking. I start to pick up the pace to speed walking. I am doing non stop intervals of walks and jogs. Oh let me back it up--on my bike ride I seen a lot of people with their mp3s, so I went and got mine. So now I am speed walking to Hova and a nice guy jogs up along side and says come on lets jog, I told him I would in a bit, so he smiles and jogs off-he had one arm and 2 prosthetic legs. He drank some of his water and kept running. I said well I'll be damned!!! I felt inspired. I start jogging again and then it all comes back to me- I HATE JOGGING- lets run dammit. My body does what it naturally prefers to do and Im booking it, but I know I cant RUN for 3.7 miles. I slow myself down to a jog, and go back into my medley. The funny thing was every time I tried to jog, I found myself damn near at a full sprint. I just kept laughing at myself. Then things got unfunny. I stopped at a gatorade station for a quick drink and my gludes began to itch insatiably.

Tip#8 Lubricant. These wet suits and tri suits are not skin friendly material, especially once you have been in open water and then sweating in them. So be sure to purchase a good lubricant you can put on before you put on your suit and be sure to apply enough of it.

So, I guess I did not apply enough to my bum, because every time I stopped running I was itching so bad I was tempted to strip in the streets just to scratch but that is just not lady like! I kept up my medley while digging a hole in the palm of my hands every time I stopped running and the itchies kicked in. At this point I am thinking every portion of this race has had some trials for me and I am not even mad about it. I am just sticking to my medley game plan. Now coming down Robinson passing Panera, I know the race is almost over, because I THOUGHT the race ended at Lake Eola-FALSE. The race ended at Wall Street. That was another 2 blocks up and 3 blocks over. I decided scrap the medley and finish up strong... so I ran up those 2 Robinson blocks and jogged the last 3 blocks on Orange. Made sure I was looking strong for the camera man at the finish line and when they announced my name as I turned into Wall Street, all I kept saying to myself was OMG THIS ISH IS INSANITY.... AND I CANT WAIT TO DO IT AGAIN AND DO IT BETTER. I was greeted with applause, energy drinks, beer and smiles. I grabbed 2 vitamin waters and headed for the shuttle back to start for my car.

Tip #9 Talk to people. You all have just shared an awesome experience. Talk to people see how they feel about it and if they are a regular. It could inspire you to work harder and do better.

I met a dentist from Staten Island. He lives in FL now, been here since 85. He said NYC was just too much back in his days, which is why he never looked back, but that he knows its better and he's glad about that. Who can deny NYC in the 80s was an insane place. Well he grew up in the 60s and 70s so when he was done with Dental School in the mid-80s, he had seen things go from bad to worse and he made an expeditious exit-stage left. He was awesome. He just started triathlons last year and in his infinite wisdom he started with an olympic length event and in the Tampa Bay. He told me a great story. He said he went out to the Bay the day before and seen how calm the water was and figured he would be fine. Even I know how temperamental TAMPA BAY is, so I just waited for it...lol, he said the next day the wind and waves were insane and it took him 55min to swim 1500k -- still not bad I say for one's first time. He told me about great places to train in FL and suggested if I really love track & field to head out to Clermont to the NTC where Team USA and other National Athletes train. Needless to say I will be visiting that joint sooner than later.

Tip #10 HAVE FUN.

All in all I had one of the best times. I can not wait to train for open water, I hope to be in the open water within the next six months. Until then I will keep competing in runs and duathlons and training better now that I have found a tri club out here that meets early enough for me to not be late to school. I really missed the athletic world. It just keeps you healthier and I think it just makes you overall a happier person. Nothing gives you as amazing a feeling as completing something you did not think you could or would finish. I am hoping to get a better bike this week so that I can race in Miami next Sunday. I will keep you all posted.

XOXO
Snobby Gyrl

There are alot of no-no's going on and stifling swag as a whole. It is our duty as one nation, under the swag, to address these issues and hopefully remedy them.

Among the many issues plaguing swag is Diddy-yes a man who normally radiates swag is stifling swag as we know it. For the man who produced the 'NO BITCHASSNESS' tees to have the most BITCHASS male on the planet on his show acting BITCHASS and then ask us to go easy on said BITCHASS male on twitter [follow me @snobbygyrl] ... is so BITCHASS in and of itself. Diddy ... ya boy Que acts like he's bleeding from his urethra-he has got to get called out on it PERIOD!!!
So I implore to you good people of Swag Nation, when you see your friend acting BITCHASS call them out, do not let the bafoonery continue and stifle ya swag or theirs. Be a friend SAY NO TO BITCHASSNESS!!

Now as much as I love a cruise and I love the Bahamas [shout out to my dudes Phil & Brian @ Kalik, my dude Ryan w/ da bottled water company and my dude Julian @ the Ritz-Carlton Corp], however PAH-VER-TEE people are using these cruises as opportunities to commit many crimes. The main crime is bootleg handbags. Ma if you did not walk up the block from the port to BAY ST and shop then you have a knock off. The wonderful market down by Senor Frogs does not sell real Gucci-STOP IT!!! They do a damn good job w/ their knock offs though, I will give them that-but thats part of the damn problem!!! There is no reason you HAVE to have a Gucci bag, you just WANT one; however if you cant afford it, just get a really great bag period-it does not have to be "name brand" to be hott... create your own swag, dont bootleg one!! Not cool!!! Also, yes the Bahamas is a foreign country but if you have ONLY been to foreign countries on a cruise YOU ARE NOT A STAMP COLLECTOR .. .they dont even stamp ya damn passport on a cruise -so by default you are not a stamp collector. Pls dont confuse me, I am not knocking cruises I love it, and yes you are damn sure a traveler if you have been to many countries by any means, but I am just informing you -YOU NEED TO ACTUALLY COLLECT STAMPS TO BE A STAMP COLLECTOR.

***Swag Update***
For those of you that do love to cruise, the passport card is available:: it is good for cruising and leaving the country by land (car or bus). It is small like a credit card so its easier to carry with you. However if you are leaving the country by air, you still need to carry the traditional passport. [see sample card above]

ALSO, look out for upcoming out of the country excursions from my event planning company :) Planned 2 Perfection:: The Western Caribbean Cruise was amazing, so we may have to host that one again!!!

As I embark on my 30th birthday, this has really been on my mind. Clearly a large group of my friends are also embarking or have recently had their 30th birthday as well. Now if you know me, you know I am all about celebrating birthdays, however at this landmark birthday I find myself asking some people what the hell are you celebrating. If you are turning 30 sans accomplishments and/or progress then you should save the birthday party money and invest that into your dreams and goals and lets get to work on making that a reality. Its time to venture into the world of real grown ups, cribs, whips, careers, vacations, etc... People turning 30 with nothing to show for 3 decades on the earth are stifling the swag of my whole birth year- I kindly request that you step it up!!! Thanks!!!

A new swag, which Im loving is moving abroad to teach :)!!!! I have a friend in Korea and a pal off to Thailand soon. LOVE IT. It not only gives you a chance to teach and share your knowledge, but it gives you a chance to immerse yourself in another culture. You would be surprise how different your view on life becomes when you leave your comfort zone. I love the updates from my friend about her life in Korea and I hope to visit her before she leaves. If you find yourself struggling in this tough economy and looking for work and a great experience you should look into teaching abroad. Its expensive upfront b/c you have to fly yourself there, but you get reimbursed with the good programs. This would be a good opportunity to collect a stamp, learn a new culture and get your gainful employment on. Simply google Teach English Abroad, and you should get a bunch of different programs-see which one works best for you. Also, my pal who is heading to Thailand in attempting to defray costs has gone about her expenses in an Obama like manner, and has created a donation page-so thats an idea if you thought $$ was going to be an excuse NOT to do it!!!!

Matrimonial Miss!!!! The most fooliando swag deficient move of all!!! People are jumping the gun (JTG) to jump the broom!!!! I am all for bringing back the "traditional" family. Thats great!! Most of my generation in the hood are accustom to a single parent home and we are trying to change that with our families. Thats fine but do it right! Dont marry the person you know has been cheating on you FOREVER. Don't get married because you got knocked up and decided to keep it, especially if yall never had a relationship to begin with. These things are not the reasons to get married. Truth be told love alone is not even a good enough reason!!! You need to go into a marriage with a loving heart and reasonable mind. Love is not going to help you when the IRS snatches that Married Filing Joint refund b/c you two didnt pull your credits and you didnt know your spouse owed this that and the third. I am pro-marriage and have a genuine respect for the institution and I really hate to see people get into such bad situations that they end up resenting marriage!!


As you can see the state of swag is troublesome right now, and it is all of our duty to aid and assist where we can. Don't let Swag Deficient (SD) people roam aimlessly-help them!! Lets all do our part to save swag!!!

Stay tuned to my Summer No-Nos and Restaurant Reviews... You know I also have to drop my Fashion report too.. its getting hot up top--its always hot down here, but dammit I need to rescue people from the muffin top and lycra!!


XOXO
Snobby Gyrl