I Have (Officially) Returned!

I know I've made several posts since I announced my hiatus, but since I never truly said "I'm back"... I'm BACK! So what Have I been up to while I took my little departure? Well...

• I've started working on a manifesto. Things seem so much more concrete to me when I put it into writing. I figured, why not do that with my declaration of who I am, what my goals are and my personal affirmations/philosophy. It's a work in progress and I'm sure it'll never actually be "finished." Rather, I'm sure it will be a "living document" and I'm interested myself to see how it will evolve.


• I have finally started my real estate course. Within about a month I'll be taking the test and on my way to helping people find a home! I'm excited!


• I took a much needed trip to see someone special. It made me realize that due to my impatience I made a mistake before, but I'm glad to know that his statement to me ("I'm a patient man, if you hadn't noticed") held true. I completely enjoyed myself, and his fam. But I am trying not to get ahead of myself. It's hard. I fall very fast.
  


• I've been doing a ton of writing. Some of it is just personal stuff, but a lot of it is poetry. Now I'm sifting through old and new pieces to decide what will make it into the book (that I may or may not try to publish).

• Been dealing with a lot of changes on the job. Some good, some not so good. Biggest part is that I got a promotion. I finally have some actual duties and responsibilities. It's crazy because instead of actually training, I'm having to learn as I go. Definitely a challenge, but I'm up for it! So I guess that means I'll probably be staying where I am until the end of next year (unless something too good to pass up comes along). Then after that I'm setting my sights east...

That's it as far as Tori D is concerned! I'm ready to get back into blogging (a little more seriously than before) and have some changes that I want to make pretty soon. Once this semester is over and I have a little more time, I will definitely be putting those changes into effect.
As of right now, it's getting late and difficult for me to form actual sentences, so I guess that's my cue to end it. Buona notte!

Since it's officially the holiday season...

BAH, HUMBUG!

Eff this holiday stuff...

That is all.

Tori D.'s Must-See Movie List

Yes, I am being lame by sitting in the house on a Friday night when everyone else is out and about. But I won't be a homebody forever! Over the next few months, I'm gonna be a movie-going fool! Let me let you in on my must-see list:

TAKERS
Fine men (seriously, how is the whole cast fine?!). Weapons. Crime. This has Tori D. written all over it! I'm hoping T.I.'s performance isn't as stiff as it appears in the preview, but even if it is I feel that the actual actors will make this movie great. Preview only says "coming soon" but I do know it's set for 2010.



BOOK OF ELI
Saw this preview when I went to see 2012. When it came on, the gentleman I was with and I both said "as good as seen!" Can't say I fully understand the premise, but I've seen enough to know that I wanna see more to know more. Denzel is scruffy-sexy. Meg, er, I mean Mila Kulis is kick-ass and cute (why is she not in more movies?). Due January 15, 2010.



SHERLOCK HOLMES
A slight deviation from my normal movie preference, but it looks funny and action-packed. Win-win! Supposed to be out on Christmas. Great, I'll have something to do while I'm avoiding the holiday crap!



LEGION
This movie just looks crazy! No words! The premise is pretty far-fetched, but I'm a sucker for action and the supernatural... Jan 22, 2010



ARMORED
More robbery! More action! (Anyone seeing a theme in my movie preferences? lol) And it's due in a few days (Dec 4)



NINJA ASSASSIN
Considering that I still think it would be supercool to be a hitwoman/assassin (don't judge me!) and the fact that I believe I may have been a Ninja in a past life, this movie is right up my ally. This is such a guy movie! I'm gonna have to grab bestie and make him go with me... LOL You can see this one on Thanksgiving



SHUTTER ISLAND
I'd go see it based off Leo & that accent alone! Psychological thrillers are (almost) always great. I feel like this one is gonna have a lotta twists. I'm excited! Feb 19, 2010

Dear Haley, Kiss Ass

This week Haley Barbour, governor of Mississippi, has proposed merging several of the state-funded universities as an answer to the growing budget constraints. He wants to merge Mississippi University for Women with the much larger Mississippi State University. He also proposed that Alcorn State University and Mississippi Valley State University be merged with Jackson State University.

Really, Haley? You just happen to want to shrink the number of public HBCUs in Mississippi from 3 to 1? And it just so happens to be the one school that has gone back and forth for several years about becoming "The University of Mississippi at Jackson"? Interesting...

Needless to say, students, alumni and even faculty are up in arms, and as an alumna of Jackson State University, I am too. Of course I have nothing against the other institutions (other than the rivalries during football season) but I could not think of a worse thing (other than completely shutting down) for either of these schools. Each institution was set up with their specific purpose. Each has their own unique history and culture that they identify with. Everyone who attended these universities has a special connection with that school. Why should that be taken away from students and would-be students of ASU and MVSU?

On top of that, the proposed merger just doesn't make good sense to me. If schools need to be consolidated, why not try to find a more reasonable solution? What I would suggest is dividing the state up into either the northern & southern halves or north, central and southern regions. Then, have a set standard that the separate colleges at each university must meet (possibly number of students that graduate from the program?). Leave the top two or three of each program in each region open.

For example, while JSU's College of Business turns out hundreds of graduates, one of the liberal arts programs may only have a handful of graduates. In comparison, USM may have a great English department but their science department may not be stellar. So in the southern half, there may be one less liberal arts and one less science program due to their discontinuation (temporarily, preferably) at these particular schools. (BTW, this is just an example. I can't speak for the performance of any other university or other programs at Jackson State. The College of Business is, however, on point.)

Forgive me if I didn't make my example clear. It's early and I haven't had my coffee.

My point is there has to be some alternative to completely shutting down these universities. Although Haley proposes that the schools will remain open as part of JSU, their unique heritage would be lost.

I do not believe this will pass. As I stated, many people are upset over this. We have determined that our schools will not go down without a fight. Numerous FB groups have formed, rallies are being planned/held, and a petition has just recently been created. Although this is not the first time an idea like this has been presented to the legislature, never have we been in a position like this where everything is being considered. If there was ever a time to put up or shut up, it's now.

Jackson fair, Jackson dear

Thee I love, My dear old college home

Thee I love wherever I may roam

Jackson fair, Jackson dear...

Links:

Petition to stop the proposed merger

Clarion Ledger article on the proposed merger (the comments about us "crying" and not needing HBCUs burned me up! There would be rioting if he even hinted at merging Ole Miss and Miss State!)

Save MS HBCUs

I will have my turkey and eat it too! OR, Why I will still celebrate Thanksgiving

Recently I had a discussion with a soror in regards to something she'd read about not celebrating Thanksgiving. The reason was one that I've heard before from many "I'm-blacker-than-you" individuals: "This is the white man's holiday. How can you celebrate them taking land from Native Americans, killing them, etc etc etc?"

Well, I'll tell you why I still celebrate Thanksgiving. Because I'm thankful, dammit.

I have my health, a good portion of my sanity, good friends and family. I'm not out on the streets wondering where my next meal is coming from. I'm not struggling to make ends meet. Even though I'm not where I want to be right now, I'm in a very good place and I know I've been blessed.

My celebration has nothing to do with White, Black, Indian, none of that. It's about what God has done and is doing for me. Really, how many holidays are still actually celebrated in the spirit in which it was originally created? Halloween? I doubt too many kids are worried about warding off ghosts who may come back from the dead to destroy crops. Christmas? Please, Christmas is all about who gets the best gift. Valentine's Day? How many people even know the story of St. Valentine? Cinco de Mayo? St. Patrick's Day?! IDK, maybe getting drunk and wearing green was the purpose of St. Paddy's. (sarcasm)

What's my point? It is simply this: If you chose not to celebrate Thanksgiving, that is definitely your prerogative. I'm not much of a holiday person anyway (long story). But Please know that on the fourth Thursday of every November, I will be with my family, eating turkey, ham, mac & cheese, greens, pecan pie or whatever has been prepared. And I will not feel guilty about it. Instead, I will be thankful that I'm in a position to do so.



(BTW, if you really wanna get technical--and I love technicalities--the Pilgrims didn't start Thanksgiving. Native American groups throughout the Americas, including the Pueblo, Cherokee, Creek and many others organized harvest festivals, ceremonial dances, and other celebrations of thanks for centuries before the arrival of Europeans in North America. But then again, maybe you don't like to concern yourself with facts, so you can pay this no mind if you so choose.)

"I'm Twisted"

a poem i wrote several weeks back. i wasn't sure about posting it then, but i'm in a sharing mood... LOL really i wouldn't mind getting feedback; i'm about to start focusing on my writing (poetry/music/short stories) again. here's one of my latest finished pieces.

I'm twisted.
Your love is wonderful and delicious
And I miss it,
But I need something different.
I need something instant;
Right now love
Or a right now fuck,
I need something now!
But you're not around...
You're a thousand miles away
And I'm alone in this little town
And I feel bad for wanting it,
Even thinking it.
I feel like I shouldn't be needing it like I do.
I really want you
But someone is here.
Someone is close.
Someone wants to stand as your substitute.
Now I know he's no you
But something deep inside is saying "Maybe he'll do..."
Damn, I feel bad again.
No, I don't want no other man,
I just want something instant.
'Cause I miss it.
I know, I know...
I'm twisted.


-Sept. 16, 2009