I'm the KING

So three years ago this time the 6 disc changer in my Chevy Tahoe had 5 CDs in it. All of them were T.I. (Yeah, my man has been making good music long before y'all started buying it.) My girls hated from day one. They called this man country, crackheadish, and everything in between, LOL. But I kept telling them, "This nigga is the truth." I swore he was sexy, but they couldn't see it for the oversized wifebeater (I like my men skinny. What can I say?) and the "A" cap he wore on top (not on) of his head. I swore his first album was the hottest I had heard in awhile. They thought it was garbage. I swore he would become a hip hop legend. They didn't think he would ever be known outside of the A. The day his second album came out I was in the Library (no, not the one you think. There was no studying going on here.) singing every word. I even screamed out the window driving down W. Peachtree and told the trees to "go cop that T.I. CD," according to Sherilyn. (That's why I don't drink anymore. Was I driving or riding Sherilyn? Please tell me I was riding?)

About a two years ago I got a text from one of my girls. She had picked up a Vibe magazine, flipped to the back cover, saw a fine piece of a man only to realize it was T.I. A couple of weeks later I had to email all them heffas to say, "I TOLD YOU SO!!!" My baby had just been featured on AOL Music. He had arrived in mainstreaming. Now all them heffas want to list him on their facebook pages and stuff as one of their favorite artist.

I say all of this to say, don't nobody come at me talking about, "Yeah, T.I. is kinda hot." I knew that crap years ago. I supported that man before you knew his name. Now e'reybody want to jump on the T.I. bandwagon.

Moral of the story:

1. Kia knows the truth when she sees it. Stop fighting it and listen to me baby. Have I ever given you bad advice??? Ok, have I given you bad advice in the past two years?
2. I can see the greatness of a man before it comes to be. Give me a piece of coal, and I'll tell you if it will ever be a diamond. Hey, it's a great gift. So to the men out there, if I've ever told you that you were great (there really are not that many either), take heed. I see something that you may not see yet, but I promise you keep looking Up for your Guidiance and working at it, and it shall come to pass.
3. Good music will always triumph over music industry politics and B.S. They tried to hold my baby down but he prevailed. Where you at now Arista???
4. I'm a faithful girl. Once you're on my team, you're down for life. I'll stand by you through the thick and thin, and I'll always have your back. What can I say? I'm a ride or die chick.
5. Confidence and knowing your destiny are sometimes mistaken for arrogance. People swore T.I. was an arrogant know nothing when he claimed he was the King of the South on his first album and it failed to impressly sale. But he knew what we didn't know. He knew his destiny. He knew what was inside of him. Know what's inside of you and then claim that thing. Once you speak your destiny, nothing on earth or in hell can stop it from coming to past. I don't worry about what e'vrybody else is saying. They're just upset because you have destiny; you know who you are, and they don't have a clue. I know my destiny. How about you?

I feel like a proud momma. I've been telling people for years my "no good baby" would succeed and now he's doing just that. So y'all support my man. Go out and get the album, King, if you don't have it yet. In fact, get Urban Legend, Trap Muzik, and I'm Serious too. Grab the mixtapes if you can find them also.

And don't forget to go and see the movie, ATL. Just don't see it at any malls owned by General Growth Properties. They issued a statement asking malls to beef up security for this film. And I quote, "The movie could cause behavior problems among customers, and to prepare their staffs for the release of the movie." Mind you the freakin' movie is rated PG-13!!! More haters, but if they don't want me in there mall to see a PG-13 movie with an anti-drug message, cool. But I also won't be back in their mall for anything else. Not even a bottle of water. Here's a link to the news story: http://www.wsbtv.com/news/8207576/detail.html. And here's a list of the malls they own below. Oh, don't play. I told y'all, I'm faithful to those I deem deserving. And I hate nothing more than "the man" hating on someone trying to do good after they make it out the hood.

Smoochies, and in the words of Elder Bernice A. King (Dr. Martin L. King Jr's youngest daughter) "be a king" where ever you are.

Directory of Malls
Adrian MallAdrian, Michigan
Northbrook CourtNorthbrook, Illinois
Ala Moana CenterHonolulu, Hawaii
Northgate MallChattanooga, Tennessee
AlderwoodLynnwood, Washington
Northridge Fashion CenterNorthridge, California
Alexandria MallAlexandria, Louisiana
NorthTown MallSpokane, Washington
Altamonte MallAltamonte Springs, Florida
Oak View MallOmaha, Nebraska
Animas Valley MallFarmington, New Mexico
Oakbrook CenterOak Brook, Illinois
Apache MallRochester, Minnesota
Oakwood CenterGretna, Louisiana
Arizona CenterPhoenix, Arizona
Oakwood MallEau Claire, Wisconsin
Augusta MallAugusta, Georgia
Oglethorpe MallSavannah, Georgia
Bassett PlaceEl Paso, Texas
Oviedo MarketplaceOviedo, Florida
Bay City MallBay City, Michigan
Owings MillsOwings Mills, Maryland
Baybrook MallFriendswood, Texas
Oxmoor CenterLouisville, Kentucky
Bayshore MallEureka, California
Paramus ParkParamus, New Jersey
Bayside MarketplaceMiami, Florida
Park City CenterLancaster, Pennsylvania
Beachwood PlaceBeachwood, Ohio
Park MeadowsLittleton, Colorado
Bellis FairBellingham, Washington
Park PlaceTucson, Arizona
Birchwood MallPort Huron, Michigan
Peachtree MallColumbus, Georgia
Boise Towne SquareBoise, Idaho
Pecanland MallMonroe, Louisiana
Brass Mill CenterWaterbury, Connecticut
Pembroke Lakes MallPembroke Pines, Florida
Bridgewater CommonsBridgewater, New Jersey
Perimeter MallAtlanta, Georgia
Burbank Town CenterBurbank, California
Piedmont MallDanville, Virginia
Burlington Town CenterBurlington, Vermont
Pierre Bossier MallBossier City, Louisiana
Cache Valley MallLogan, Utah
Pine Ridge MallPocatello, Idaho
Capital MallJefferson City, Missouri
Pioneer PlacePortland, Oregon
Carolina PlacePineville, North Carolina
Prince Kuhio PlazaHilo, Hawaii
Centerpointe MallGrand Rapids, Michigan
Providence PlaceProvidence, Rhode Island
Century PlazaBirmingham, Alabama
Provo Towne CentreProvo, Utah
Chapel Hills MallColorado Springs, Colorado
Quail Springs MallOklahoma City, Oklahoma
Chico MallChico, California
Queen Ka'ahumanu CenterKahului, Hawaii
Christiana MallNewark, Delaware
Queens' MarketPlaceWaikoloa Beach Resort, Hawaii
Chula Vista CenterChula Vista, California
Red Cliffs MallSt. George, Utah
Clackamas Town CenterPortland, Oregon
Redlands MallRedlands, California
Coastland CenterNaples, Florida
Regency Square MallJacksonville, Florida
Collin CreekPlano, Texas
Ridgedale CenterMinnetonka, Minnesota
Colony Square MallZanesville, Ohio
Rio West MallGallup, New Mexico
Columbia MallColumbia, Missouri
River Falls MallClarksville, Indiana
Columbiana CentreColumbia, South Carolina
River Hills MallMankato, Minnesota
Coral Ridge MallCoralville, Iowa
Riverchase GalleriaHoover, Alabama
Coronado CenterAlbuquerque, New Mexico
Riverlands Shopping CenterLaPlace, Louisiana
Cottonwood MallHolladay, Utah
RiverTown CrossingsGrandville, Michigan
Crossroads Center (MN)St. Cloud, Minnesota
Riverwalk MarketplaceNew Orleans, Louisiana
Cumberland MallAtlanta, Georgia
Rock Hill GalleriaRock Hill, South Carolina
Deerbrook MallHumble, Texas
Rogue Valley MallMedford, Oregon
Eagle Ridge MallLake Wales, Florida
Saint Louis GalleriaSt. Louis, Missouri
Eastridge (CA)San Jose, California
Salem CenterSalem, Oregon
Eastridge Mall (WY)Casper, Wyoming
Sandburg MallGalesburg, Illinois
Eden Prairie CenterEden Prairie, Minnesota
Sikes SenterWichita Falls, Texas
Edgewood MallMcComb, Mississippi
Silver City GalleriaTaunton, Massachusetts
Fallbrook CenterWest Hills, California
Silver Lake MallCoeur d’ Alene, Idaho
Faneuil Hall MarketplaceBoston, Massachusetts
Sooner MallNorman, Oklahoma
Fashion PlaceMurray, Utah
South Street SeaportNew York, New York
Fashion ShowLas Vegas, Nevada
SouthBay PavilionCarson, California
Festival Bay MallOrlando, Florida
Southlake MallMorrow, Georgia
First Colony MallSugar Land, Texas
Southland CenterTaylor, Michigan
Florence MallFlorence, Kentucky
Southland MallHayward, California
Foothills MallFort Collins, Colorado
SouthShore MallAberdeen, Washington
Ford City MallChicago, Illinois
Southwest PlazaLittleton, Colorado
Four Seasons Town CentreGreensboro, North Carolina
Spokane Valley MallSpokane, Washington
Fox River MallAppleton, Wisconsin
Spring Hill MallWest Dundee, Illinois
Galleria at TylerRiverside, California
St. Lawrence CentreMassena, New York
Galleria DallasDallas, Texas
Staten Island MallStaten Island, New York
Gateway MallSpringfield, Oregon
Steeplegate MallConcord, New Hampshire
Glenbrook SquareFort Wayne, Indiana
Stonebriar CentreFrisco, Texas
Glendale GalleriaGlendale, California
Stones River MallMurfreesboro, Tennessee
Golf Mill Shopping CenterNiles, Illinois
StonestownSan Francisco, California
Governor's SquareTallahassee, Florida
Summerlin CentreColumbia, Maryland
Grand Teton MallIdaho Falls, Idaho
Swansea MallSwansea, Massachusetts
Grand Traverse MallTraverse City, Michigan
The Boulevard MallLas Vegas, Nevada
Greenwood MallBowling Green, Kentucky
The Crossroads (MI)Portage, Michigan
HarborplaceBaltimore, Maryland
The Grand Canal Shoppes at The VenetianLas Vegas, Nevada
Harborplace & The GalleryBaltimore, Maryland
The Maine MallSouth Portland, Maine
Highland MallAustin, Texas
The Mall at Sierra VistaSierra Vista, Arizona
Hulen MallFt. Worth, Texas
The Mall at SteamtownScranton, Pennsylvania
Jamestown MallFlorissant, Missouri
The Mall in ColumbiaColumbia, Maryland
Jordan Creek Town CenterWest Des Moines, Iowa
The Oaks MallGainesville, Florida
Kendall Town CenterMiami, Florida
The Parks at ArlingtonArlington, Texas
Kenwood Towne CentreCincinnati, Ohio
The PinesPine Bluff, Arkansas
Kings' ShopsWaikoloa, Hawaii
The Shoppes at Buckland HillsManchester, Connecticut
Knollwood MallSt. Louis Park, Minnesota
The Shops at La CanteraSan Antonio, Texas
Lakeland Square MallLakeland, Florida
The Shops at TanforanSan Bruno, California
Lakeside MallSterling Heights, Michigan
The Streets at SouthpointDurham, North Carolina
Lakeview Square MallBattle Creek, Michigan
The Village of Cross KeysBaltimore, Maryland
Landmark MallAlexandria, Virginia
The Woodlands MallThe Woodlands, Texas
Lansing MallLansing, Michigan
Three Rivers MallKelso, Washington
Laurel MallLaurel, Maryland
Town East MallMesquite, Texas
Lebanon Valley MallLebanon, Pennsylvania
Towson Town CenterTowson, Maryland
Lockport MallLockport, New York
Tucson MallTucson, Arizona
Lynnhaven MallVirginia Beach, Virginia
Tysons GalleriaMcLean, Virginia
Main Street at Seven BridgesWoodridge, Illinois
Valley Hills MallHickory, North Carolina
Main Street CommonsGilbert, Arizona
Valley Plaza MallBakersfield, California
Mall of LouisianaBaton Rouge, Louisiana
Village of Merrick ParkCoral Gables, Florida
Mall of the BluffsCouncil Bluffs, Iowa
Visalia MallVisalia, California
Mall St. MatthewsLouisville, Kentucky
Vista Ridge MallLewisville, Texas
Mall St. VincentShreveport, Louisiana
Ward CentersHonolulu, Hawaii
Market Place Shopping CenterChampaign, Illinois
Washington Park MallBartlesville, Oklahoma
MayfairWauwatosa, Wisconsin
Water Tower PlaceChicago, Illinois
Meadows MallLas Vegas, Nevada
West Oaks MallOcoee, Florida
Metrocenter MallJackson, Mississippi
West Valley MallTracy, California
Mizner ParkBoca Raton, Florida
Westlake CenterSeattle, Washington
Mondawmin MallBaltimore, Maryland
Westroads MallOmaha, Nebraska
Montclair PlazaMontclair, California
Westwood MallJackson, Michigan
Moreno Valley MallMoreno Valley, California
Whalers VillageLahaina, Hawaii
Natick MallNatick, Massachusetts
White MarshBaltimore, Maryland
Neshaminy MallBensalem, Pennsylvania
White Mountain MallRock Springs, Wyoming
Newgate MallOgden, Utah
Willowbrook Mall (NJ)Wayne, New Jersey
NewPark MallNewark, California
Willowbrook Mall (TX)Houston, Texas
North Plains MallClovis, New Mexico
Windward MallKaneohe, Hawaii
North Point MallAlpharetta, Georgia
Woodbridge CenterWoodbridge, New Jersey
North Star MallSan Antonio, Texas

10 Things

I stole this. Feel free to do the same.
10 Favorites
Favorite Color: Pink
Favorite Food: Tacos
Favorite Singer: I don’t have one, but T.I. is definitely my favorite rapper
Favorite Song: “I Believe” by Marvin Sapp (I have promises attached to it) and “I Believe” by Fantasia
Favorite Movie: I can’t think of one right now
Favorite Sport: Basketball
Favorite Season: Spring
Favorite Day Of the Week: Friday
Favorite Position: It’s been so long…

9 Currents
Current Taste: none
Current Clothes: A Spelman T-shirt
Current Desktop Picture: A cartoon AKA lady with her pinky in the air
Current Location: home
Current Time: 12:18 pm
Current Crush: LOL
Current Thought: I wish it was still as simple as having a crush.
Current Enemy: My self-defeating thoughts
Current procrastination: This follow up call

8 Firsts
First Best Friend: Robin Waller in 6th grade. I’ve never been one to have lots of friends.
First Kiss: D’andre Green 6th grade. Please keep your comments to yourself.
First Screen Name: ksmtih0130
First Time: I’ll never tell
First Yearbook caption: It was probably something with class council in 7th grade
First Crush: I can’t remember. I was in kindergatern, he was in 1st grade, and his brother was in 3rd. Yes, I wanted both of them. As much as a kindergatern could want someone. Playa, playa. The sad part is, that wasn’t the last time I liked 2 brothers.
First Music You Remember Hearing: It was probably church music.
First Car: A gold 1989 Nissan 240 SX

7 Lasts
Last Cigarette: Senior year
Last Drink Alcoholic drink: November 2005, I had 3 sips of wine.
Last Car Ride: Yesterday morning coming from Wal-mart
Last Kiss: A little over a year ago. Yeah for real, it’s really been that long. But it was really sweet, so it’s sustaining me.
Last Movie Seen: Honey. It was on USA yesterday
Last Phone Call: My mom
Last CD Played: Grace and Mercy

6 Have You Evers
Have You Ever Made Love to One Of Your Male Friends: Yeah
Have You Ever Been Arrested: No
Have You Ever Skinny Dipped: Nope
Have You Ever Been on TV: Yes, a couple of times
Have You Ever Kissed Someone You Didn't Know: No
Have You Ever Said You Loved Someone and Not Meant It: In 6th grade, but since then, I’ve only said it a couple of times and I meant it with everything in me.

5 Things
5 Things You've Done Today: read my devotional, washed dishes, cooked, homework, blogged
5 Things You Can Hear Right Now: T.V., computer, me typing, my sister walking, and my thoughts
5 Things You Do When You're Bored: listen to the radio, sit outside, read, watch tv and talk on the phone

4 Places
4 Places you want to visit: Africa (I’m going in 5 weeks), Hawaii, Bermuada, Italy

3 People
3 People You Can Tell Anything To: Honestly, I don’t have 3.

2 Choices
Black or White: Depends on the season
Hot or Cold: Hot

1 Thing
1 Thing You Want to Do Before you die: Change someone’s life

A Different World

I was watching A Different World today, and I thought, “Dang, I miss the AUC!!!” There’s nothing quite like the HBCU experience: the good and the bad, the fun and the ig’nant (Yes, I meant to spell it that way. Y’all know you get ig’nant). The Friday before last was the first (and the last) warm day of the year. As I walked across the yard at Kennesaw State University, I noticed the students (predominately white) walking around campus in shorts, tank tops, and flip flops. No big deal, right? You see the same thing at Kennesaw State in the middle of December. You learn how to live with it. Cameron and I were just on campus Wednesday laughing at the people walking around in the freezing cold in shorts and flip flops. (Yes, even my six year old son thought it was funny.)

Anyways, that warm spring day made me wish I was in the AUC. If I was there I could guarantee you there would be a beer bash at Washington Park. All the greeks would be there decked out in ‘nalia stepping, hopping, spinning, and most importantly DRINKING!!! Guys would pull up in freshly washed rides and their newest fits, while the girls would be dressed to a T in capri pants, stiletto heels, and designer shades. Just when my mind was emerged in the AUC experience, I turned the corner and blew my high. There on Kennesaw State’s green were about 20 students barefoot in shorts and T-shirts playing Frisbee. I almost died laughing. “This is definitely not the AUC!!!” I thought. First, we aren’t allowed to walk on our green, let alone play on it. Secondly, the first warm day of the year is used to do many things, and Frisbee is never one of them. Wow, I really am living in a different world now!!!

Decisions

EVERY decision you make affects a whole lot of people. Did you really consider that before you made your last decision? Think about it the next time decision-making time arises, and I bet you'll make a different decision.

Guess Who's Bizzzack!!!!

Yes, it's me. I'm back. You know I couldn't stay away for long. Check back soon to see what's really on my mind.

--Smoochies