I was lucky enough to score tickets to Aretha Franklin's show at Ravinia a couple of weekends ago. Read my review here. I wouldn't be one that would go out of my way to see her but I am really glad I did. She is kicking ass for 73; her voice was flawless and she still has that soul. 

My friend was in town that weekend and she is now into hip hop which is crazy because that was never her thing. She introduced me to Silento's Watch Me; it is the worst best song. All weekend that damn song was in my head and I have been whipping it ever since. 

It had me thinking about my music taste and how it really hasn't evolved much since college. I guess you could say I am into Indie music with a little bit of house/electronic/reggae/hip hop. Honestly, it is 95% Indie Rock. Ugh. I love Beck, Jack White, Coldplay, Kings of Leon, Jenny Lewis and the list goes on. I was listening to SZA who is awesome but she needs to release some new music soon, please. 

I need music to pump me up and I just can't do too much of hip hop/rap like I used to. I am not into the use of the "n" word. I just don't get it. With that being said, I am going to get a little into reggae. A really good friend of mine suggested some people: Albarosie, Damian Marley, Fidel Nadal, Gentleman, I Wayne, Richie Spice, Echo Sound System, and J Boog. I only have listened to a couple of the bands, jamming out to J Boog now and I am digging it. It's sexy and full of some good beats.

So this is a weak posting, light and airy. The next entry will probably be longer as I plan on talking about being Black in America from my perspective. I ordered Ta-Nehisi Coates' "Between the World and Me" and I anticipate it being a really, really good read. Be on the lookout as I will dig into my review of the book and my own experiences. 

xo, 
S  

I am excited to say goodbye to June. It was a really tough month for multiple reasons - some of which I will let you in on. 

I have been surprised with the number of issues many of my friends, family, and myself included have had with men lately. I mean, Mercury is not even in retrograde, y'all! We (women) put ourselves on the back burner and allow space and time for our parter. We nourish and care for them and want it to be reciprocated. It is pretty simple. However, I see that the women I am surrounded by are constantly giving and are not in turn taken care of.

Dating is not easy today. We are living in a hook up culture: think Tinder and Grinder. Men are expecting women to quickly have sex and then they move on. This is something I have experienced, mostly in my college days, but I still feel it today here in Chicago and places I travel. Why is it that we are allowing this to happen? Is it a need to fill a void? An expectation? The only way we can find a dude? 

Ladies, we need to know our worth. We don't deserve to be with someone who steps out on their partner, ignores us, or even those who just simply cannot commit. If your partner can't do the simple things of paying attention to us, show us affection, and being there than it is time to move on. We need to start thinking about our needs first. 

I was dating this really awesome dude. He was great: driven, smart, funny, affectionate when we were together, well traveled, and wanted more in life. At first we were just having fun but somewhere along the way we were dating. He didn't live in Chicago and he wanted us to see each other a bit more. Well, he never delivered; something always came up. I finally talked to him about it and he changed but it was short lived. 

He disappeared after a fun weekend together. I tried to get a hold of him and he just kept saying he would call but never did. I had to let him know how he made me feel so I sent an email. It was direct and honest. We chatted briefly after that email but I haven't heard from him since. The strange thing is, I don't hate him. Don't get me wrong, I was hurt, disappointed, and then mad. He seems like the type of person that can't handle when things get tough. He simply doesn't have time to date and I wish he would have just said it. Maybe our paths will cross again. 

I do know this: it is summer time in Chicago and I am ready for some fun!

Later gators!