Bullet Proof Soul

From CNN: Evelyn Turner cries near the body of her husband who died during Hurricane Katrina. She wrapped his body in a sheet, laid him on a makeshift bier of plywood boards, with a little help, and floated him down to the main road.



This is absolutely heartbreaking.

I am obsessed with watching the coverage of Hurricane Katrina. I can't imagine what this feels like. How will they cope? How do they heal? I know the human spirit is strong but this seems like it is too much to bear.

I am praying for all the people who have suffered losses.

I don't know if I will be at this new blog location for long. It is a new blog community so they are still working some of the kinks out. I just needed a change of scenary, something uncomplicated and basic. I toyed with new templates on blogger but none of them sat well with me. I am still unpacking so things are a bit dusty, but come on over!!

So I am thinking about packing up my diva bag and going to a new blog community.

Be Back Soon.

I have worked in the mental health field for years and we normally don't like to use the word "crazy" when referring to patients. I still have a job back home at a psychiatric facility. Every time I try to quit, my boss makes me feel guilty so I hang in another year because I enjoy working in the crisis center.

I remember when I first started working on the unit as a counselor. There was a young girl that was admitted who was my age. She was diagnosed with Psychosis (induced by drugs) in college and had been in and out of facilities since that time. When I first approached her she was extremely hostile. She ridiculed my clothes, my looks, and constantly took jabs at me. She would have extreme mood swings though, and in the next few minutes she would act like we were old friends. Working in the mental health field, I learned that you never take it personally or return insults.

Well one day she gets a visitor. An extremely handsome, well-dressed man introduces himself to me as her fiancé. He asked me about her progress and wanted to know when she could be released. I began asking him a few probing questions because I was curious about the dynamics of their relationship.

He told me how they met when she was in college. He said she was beautiful, sweet, and smart. She was majoring in biology (like me) and had plans to become a medical doctor (just as I did in college). He said that she had a wild girl streak and would often party really hard on the weekends. One particular weekend, she consumed some drugs at a party that sent her spiraling. The sweet, smart girl became detached from reality, hostile, defiant, and out of control. She had started out hearing voices then things escalated to numerous suicide attempts. By the time she was at our facility, she had tried to kill herself and her fiancé on at least 3 occasions. I asked him how he handles all the stress that comes with loving someone who was mentally ill and he just looked at me and said, I don’t see her as being sick, I see the woman I love.

Wow. I was speechless.

I wondered how I would cope if I was involved with someone for a long time only to discover that they were mentally ill.

Would my fears and trepidation prevent me from being supportive? Could I stand by them while they grapple with their condition? I know that some medications could aid in managing some mental disorders, but would I want to contend with this all the time?

I hear all those tragic stories about women who died at the hands of their boyfriends, husbands, or lovers and I wonder how many of those same men were mentally ill prior to the tragedy. How many signs are missed that something was terribly wrong with the person that they love? How many women decide to stay after learning their man was unstable and fell victim to his violence?

I talked with my mother who works at the same psychiatric hospital. She said that the young lady was admitted again this past weekend. She actually remembered me and has been asking about me. Mother also said that she married that young man and he was with her when she came in. Clearly he is enduring the hardships and sticking with her.

Is this what it means to be crazy in love?

I felt like I was living out an episode of Six Feet Under: The Bama series.
I go home to attend the funeral of my mother’s Aunt. This particular Aunt was never that warm or sweet to my mother. She was quite manipulative and loved to play her children against each other. Prior to her death, she had convinced her youngest son to come get her because the 6 other siblings weren’t taking adequate care of her. She left the city and went to Buffalo, NY with only the “panties on her ass” (my grandma’s words) and didn’t bother telling any of her children that she was leaving. She basically gave them all the middle finger and left. Of course being hurt, disappointed, and upset, the children didn’t bother to visit or call her in NY this last year. When she passed away last week, all hell broke loose.

What is it about death that makes people crazy?

One of her sons had taken out a loan to do home improvements on her home because she promised him that she would repay him. This son didn’t come to the funeral at all. Another son had a burial policy that he refused to use. So her funeral was paid for out of pocket by the son that “mom-napped” her to NY. He also had to pay to return her body home for burial. Since the costs were mounting, her funeral was a basic, no frills casket. Personally, I think people pay way too much for funerals to impress the living. It’s a clear demonstration of opulence that makes no sense whatsoever.

After the funeral, the family gathers at the “house of pain” (grandma’s words) to eat and be evil to each other. The son that has been asking for the death certificate so that he can cash in on his policy gets irate. My guess is he was high, drunk, or medicated, OR he needed to be. So he comes in and pulls a GUN on his brothers. Threatening to “burn this muthafuckin house down” tonight if he doesn’t get what he wants. (smh).

Thankfully our family had parted ways with them at the cemetery and decided to eat lunch elsewhere. It was my mother’s birthday weekend so we didn’t want to be subjected to any more drama.

After decompressing from the funeral and the drama, we managed to have a wonderful birthday dinner. I treated my parents to a lovely Italian dinner which felt great. My dad says the food tasted a lot better being paid for by somebody else, LOL. Anyway, we started talking about death and wills over dinner. My sister and I agreed that there will be no fighting (hope this doesn't change)and my parents assured us that all their papers are in order. There will be no confusion on who gets what. It felt weird talking about this with them, but I suppose it is reassuring that they care enough to put their wishes on paper.

I just don't want to act nuts. Grief does weird things to humans. If you are already an unstable person then it can send you over the edge.

Ambitious, driven, determined. Sometimes I see these words and feel slight anxiety because they all connate expectations. My parents never verbally said to me: you must make six figures, have multiple homes, travel leisurely, own luxury cars. They never demanded that I marry a man with wealth/status. Although it wasn't said outright, it was inferred. I was exposed to a lifestyle that they are looking for me to continue to some degree. If I were to make minimum wage, had 16 roommates, never traveled outside my own zip code, and drive a hoopty, I honestly think my parents would think I lost my mind. Not because they think that is beneath me, but moreso because they feel that they sacrificed and worked hard so that I can have an opportunity to live a lifestyle that matches, or surpasses theirs. This is partly why I have a strong desire to be successful, spiritually grounded, well-traveled, well-dressed, and well-read. I have an innate yearning to constantly grow, learn, and evolve. This has created an internal switch in me to pursue happiness relentlessly. I associate this happiness with what my parents had/have: strong sprituality, lucrative jobs, vacation homes, traveling, etc.

Sometimes though, I wish I could be a trifling slacker. I would love to know what it feels like to be irresponsible, reckless, or spontaneous. What does it feel like to do something unplanned, something totally out of character. What is it like to completely deviate from the perception that you have of where your life should be going?

It's rare, but sometimes I feel the burden of success, ambition, and determination tightening around me like an invisible noose. Sometimes I just want to cut the rope and release myself from its grip. Perhaps this relates to my fear of flying.

I look at people I grew up with who are leading (seemingly) simpler lives and they don't seem pressed.Their lives don't include deadlines, responsibilities, or pressure whatsoever. Their goals seem a lot less complicated because they don't desire the same things that I do. In a way, I envy that. I also envy slackers. People who don't do anything, don't want anything, don't pursue anything in life. They just exist quietly each day.

I wonder what it is like to NOT be motivated. I doubt that I will ever find out. When you grow up in a family like mine you just understand that certain choices weren't really left up to you. I am expected to be successful, I want to be successful. Sometimes though, I wish I didn't.

It's awfully tragic that a beautiful woman had to die at the hands of someone she knew.



It is also really infuriating how long it took to get her story circulated to national media outlets. I heard about the recent developments at one of my frequent stops during the day. My condolescences to the family that has suffered the loss of someone so young.

I just want to know why is it that I can rattle off a shitload of details about cases like Lacey Peterson and Natalie Holloway? I mean with NO effort or research on my part, I have been inundated with information about the disappearance of these women. I end up just asking myself:

Why aren't women of color who are missing considered newsworthy?

Who decides what stories are more compelling than others?

Who greenlights the money, resources, and police force that gets allocated to search for missing persons?

If you were to compare investigation timelines, funds, resources, and media coverage of various cases across the world, you can easily see which way the scales of balance are tipping. I understand how the world works: money = power. I get that. What I DON'T get is why, despite blatant discrepencies, do we continue to accept it?

I was talking to my brother (god brother) who works in a newsroom. He gets frustrated with his producers about what stories they will cover every day. He says its the reality of the business that he has learned to contend with but it bothers him. He has heard producers say that the stories that captivate "viewers" are the ones they can relate to. Now this is clearly flawed thinking. People relate to what is familiar to them, just by human nature. Well, I count myself a human! If they are looking at demographics of people who view their newscasts, do they assume that we are of such a small percentage that the stories that are carried in their reports should reflect only one select group? Do they focus only on news that relate to the reality of THEIR world (they being the actual news producers) OR OUR world (referring to the rest of of schlups who are not sending out information to the masses).

If you see a tragic story on the news that involves a person of your particular race, gender, or religion, do you feel/react any differently than you would if it were someone of another race, gender or religion? What about sexual preference? I mean, if the media wants to establish criteria for who and what they report on, who is responsible for setting these particular standards? How do they weigh the potential impact or rank the importance? Wouldn't it be virtually impossible to make these decisions without imposing your own personal views, perceptions, and opinions?

Why do they believe that an heiress to a hefty inheritence or the daughter of a politician is more compelling to cover? How can it be that only the prettiest, smartest, blondest, wealthiest (their version) women who come up missing seem to be able to grab headlines, garner attention, or land on the fine print of CNN's Headline News scroll.

She matters to ME.




I am deeply annoyed at the line of demarcation that exists between women of color and our caucasian counterparts when it comes to portrayal in the media. This creates a chasm that most people don't want to even address. Not only is there a distinction made between how our stories are relayed or told, there is an indelible imprint that society has placed on the collective minds of America. This very imprint seems to be entrenched in sexism, racism, classism, and many other ism's that are all part of the ugly thread that is woven into the fabric of society. I don't know how to tackle this issue with any real fervor that makes an impact. I feel powerless at times to fight it. There are days that I yell at the television during the local and national news. There are times when I am disgusted at stereotypes that are perptuated in movies, books, magazines, and music. It's like there is an invisible hammer striking out at us, aiming for our self-esteem, self-worth, and self-pride.

How do we tell the powers that be that we matter?

Is it my responsibility to even do that?

*My head is hurting thinking about all this* ...guess I gotta change my name to CONDI so that if I happen to come up missing, I may actually have a chance of being found (just gonna hope I would be found alive).

Shifting Gears, Random Vixen tagged me for a cool meme:

List ten songs that you are currently digging ... it doesn't matter what genre they are from, whether they have words, or even if they're no good, but they must be songs you're really enjoying right now. Post these instructions, the artists, and the ten songs in your blog. Then tag five other people to see what they're listening to.

Alrighty, here we go:
1. Someday My Prince Will Come - Miles Davis, Compilation - Love Songs
2. Real People - Common, Be
3. Cursed - Vivian Green, Vivian Green
4. No Strings (I'm Fancy Free) - Ella Fitzgerald
5. Black Girl Lost - Nas
6. Maroon 5 - Sunday Morning, Songs About Jane
7. Catch 22 - Raheem DaVaughn, The Love Experience
8. Without You - Liz Wright
9. Dreaming Wide Awake - Liz Wright
10. Fortunate - Maxwell, Life: Motion Picture Movie soundtrack

Five other people: Tazzee, Icey, Mimi, Nia, and Mai..yea, I know, you can thank me lata!

Writing is turning out to be MORE fun and challenging than I thought. I will have to use some ole entries to get me through the first week, LOL.

My weekend was 50% work and 50% play. It's crunch time at my job so I had to be in the office for most of the weekend. I did manage to have SOME fun, thankfully so it wasn't all work.

Friday I FINALLY met X!! Me, X and Brown Suga all met up for drinks after work. I met Brown Sugar earlier this summer, and she was just as nice as the first time. It was so cool to hang out with these beautiful, HILARIOUS, smart women. I actually laughed so hard my stomach hurt. Whoo boi! I can't even remember what we laughed the hardest about but between us all swapping stories, one-liners, and witty responses it literally made my day and was the perfect beginning to my weekend. I just have to say that Brown Suga is extremely smart and driven, and talented, as evidenced by her blog. I can't wait till she writes her book so I can say I knew her!

As for the most Xquizzyt1 she really is cool. as. shit. She is almost like a damn enigma because she is sitting there talking all cool and laid back, and the next minute she has used some big ass word and said something so profound, and then she flips it back to cool and laid back. So you are sitting there like, hold up...did she just? *smh* I had a great time hanging with those cool chicks and I would love to meet up again. Good times!


Saturday was spent in the office (grrr) then I went to a Pure Romance party. There were some lovely ladies there and the hostess was fabulous! She had food, games, and a presentation for the products. I had to leave early but not before I bought some much needed *ahem* items. LOL. For about a milli-sec I was sitting there thinking it would be nice to shop for couple items but..then I remembered, Sasha is living in no man's land, so it is up to me, and me alone to move her to Fantasy Island. LOL!! It's all good though. I will certainly be relishing in the new products *wink*

After that party, I hightailed it to Eclipse de Luna because my play cousin Keith was celebrating his birthday this week. I got there ON time, representing for the divas, LOL. Keith was laid back cool, as usual. He seemed to be having a great time, surrounded by his folks, so I was soo glad I made it. His girlfriend is sooo sweet, and cool, and pretty! They just look made for each other, aww! I appreciated her inviting me because I haven't had a chance to see Cousin KEIF in a long time. His crew were mostly FAMU alum and they were all really nice. We had a nice time and the food was pretty good. I had a mohijto that was strong enough to stop at one. I got to see one of my super Star sista friends. She looked fabulous, as usual, and she seems to be dealing with a lot of things that I just went through. It was sort of comforting to know that I wasn't the only one dealing with confused feelings. It reminded me that sometimes we all go through changes, and as long as you remain true to yourself, you should be alright. There was also another friend of ours that came through, Mr. Str8 Shooter, whom I haven't seen in awhile. It was really great to see both of them. After Keith's party, I was tired! I had worked all day so I took it on home and crashed. Then went back in the office and worked all day (grrr!)

All in all my weekend was 50/50. But the 50% that was play was fabulous!

Random Vixen tagged me for a meme and I was so busy with my new writing gigs that I had not read up on my favorite blogs. I am all caught up and of course I missed some great blog topics/discussions. The Kajuana Show, as usual, is the one that really made me feel like I missed out. I have to remember to MAKE time to stop and read her blog because you miss one day, and the comments start rolling, and then you have a lot to catch up on!

I will do the meme tomorrow. ...this is one tired diva, signing off. Thanks for ALL your support, encouraging words, and cheering me on. It felt GREAT and I won't ever forget it. You guys are the best!

I have noticed that television has begun to explore the real gritty truths that exist behind the white picket fences of America. I remember when Desperate Housewives burst onto the scene. There was so much buzz going on about the characters on the show and the portrayal of suburban America that you won't see on the news. The story lines of that show pushes the envelope on what mainstream America perceives itself to be sometimes. Nobody wants the dirty little secrets of what really goes on behind the picket fences to be revealed because that would mean that they will have to deal with it, honestly and openly. Their existence will become tainted with real life issues that don't always wrap up into a neat little package with a bow on top.

So I wonder is it a classic case of art imitates life or the other way around? Are there things being glamorized in media, television, etc that causes a pardigm shift in how we view certain issues?

I remember when shows like Dynasty, Dallas, and Knots Landing were the shows back in the day that portrayed the suburbs in way that wasn't white washed. What was considered taboo topics on these shows are now commonplace today.

Gone are the days of Leave it to Beaver, folks.

June and Ward are swingers now!

Wally is banging the pool boy.

The Beave and his boys are running trains on the middle school girls in their class and getting head from girls who proclaim they are still virgins.

It seems like some people still live with their head stuck in the sand. Content to think that their perfect worlds won't be permeated with what regular folks deal with every day. Whenever news break about something "tragic" or "dirty" happening in the burbs, its like people flip out and can't deal with it. It's like they felt immune to it. I always get so annoyed when I read or hear someone interviewed on the news after something violent has happened in their neighborhood or community. They always clutch their pearls and proclaim that "they never thought it would happen here".

Well why the hell not! Bad things happen all the time. Sometimes violence and evil find their way to the most elite zip codes. What makes them think that their address, bank account, good pedigree excludes them from being subjected to something bad?

I could be broadstroaking things a bit here but sometimes I think that the people who say this have the mentality that people who are of a different socio-economic class are the only ones who have to deal with crime, immorality, or violent behavior. It's completely ludicrous to believe that people with money and power are insulated from these things. Of course having money and power can help if you get caught up in these things, but really, there are plenty of things that go on in "good neighborhoods" that don't get splattered across the news every night or portrayed in stereotypical ways in films.

Enter Weeds!

Ohh this delicious new show has Hollywood showing another "no holds barred" look at life behind the white picket fence. There are all sorts of irreverent plots in this show. I have only seen one show but I already think the writing is quite compelling.

The premise of the show in of itself is enough to make you want to pay attention, from the title WEED to the characters and what they represent.

The main character is played by Mary Louise Parker, who I have enjoyed since Fried Green Tomatoes. She plays a newly widowed mother of two boys who is trying to maintain her lifestyle that she had prior to her husband's death. She does this by selling WEED. The cast of the show seem to be well fitted to their roles. The drug supplier Aunt Heylia is hysterical and she delivers her lines with razor sharp wit and biting sarcasm. She reminds me of all of my aunts who have no problem speaking their minds, telling people off, and looking out for you. She has a crew that helps her run her business, including her handsome son, Conrad. I can already see now that there could be something popping off between Conrad and Nancy. That may end up annoying the hell out of me if it is written badly. It's too early to tell if the characters are portrayed in a real way, but so far, I think the writing is quite convincing.


I think these stories are going to be told more because more people are willing to take the chance on exposing what goes on in households. It's like they are finally trying to face the fact that the Stepford Wives are dwindling. Modern times have taken the American dream in a new direction.

I would like to see more shows like this that have diverse casts. Shows that don't run from our prejudices and preconceptions that we have about people in different caste systems and ethnicities, but instead face them head on. If it is done with honesty, realness, humor, and some kind of value then I think it is worth it to watch. At the very least, people may start to realize that white picket fences doesn't equate to a happily ever after existence.

You wear it well girl

That image you project to the masses

You let them think you have it all under control

You display your put together side as if you were up for some sort of inspection

You maintain your integrity only when the situation exemplifies your character

Few people get to see the side of you that craves attention so bad that you seek it in the wrong places, for the wrong reasons, using the worst methods

Nobody knows you have an inherent insecurity that is so deep rooted in you that it feels like a part of your internal anatomy

What will it take for you to wake up?

How many disappointments must you go through?

How long can the façade last before you deal with yourself honestly?

You are a soldier, with no soul..

Fighting a war that you have no business battling.

You are at war with yourself.

It's time to wave the white flag

Call a truce.

Declare a ceasefire on your self

Let go of the anger, the hurt, and disappointment

You don't have to live your life on somebody else's stage.

Raise the curtain, it's your time to shine.

So it happened like this:

4:45 pm. Arrive home

4:50 pm Decided to take a nap prior to studying for finals (didn't sleep much night before)


5:00 Lay down on comfy sofa. Set alarm for 2 hrs later. 7:20 to be exact.

**note: there are no more p.m.'s used, because apparently this is the precise moment I literally lost track of time and had a break from reality**

7:20 Alarm goes off and for some reason still unbeknownst to me, I think that I overslept from my nap and it is the next morning.


7:21 Dash into shower, throw on some clothes, and notice a message on my cell phone.

7:30 as I am brushing my hair, fully clothed, my voicemail moderator says "good evening" and a message from my mother plays. I listen to message, taking a mental note to call her from the car, on my way to WORK.

7:31 *thinking* did that voice mail just say, good evening?

7:32 Turn on television to see Girlfriends on UPN (syndicated show).

7:33 Realize it is the SAME DAMN DAY.

7:34 pm LAUGHED AT MY DAZED DELIRIOUS EPISODE

7:44 pm STILL LAUGHING *SMH*

7:45 pm TURN ON LAPTOP.

start IM convo with Kendeezy

KENDEEZY: hola
WISEDIVA: UM
KENDEEZY: um
WISEDIVA : ok so i take
WISEDIVA : a nap right
KENDEEZY: right
WISEDIVA : to get fresh
WISEDIVA: for evening studying
WISEDIVA: i set my alarm
WISEDIVA: for 7:20
WISEDIVA: keep in mind
KENDEEZY: ok
WISEDIVA : i went to bed at 5 A.M THIS morning after studying all night
WISEDIVA : and got back up and went to work
WISEDIVA : ok so
WISEDIVA : i know i am exhausted
WISEDIVA : alarm goes off
KENDEEZY : but?
WISEDIVA : and it is still light out
WISEDIVA : please tell me why
WISEDIVA: i thought the clock
WISEDIVA: meant A M
WISEDIVA: so much so
WISEDIVA: that i got my ass up and
KENDEEZY: shut up
WISEDIVA: started
WISEDIVA : getting
KENDEEZY : hahahahaha
KENDEEZY : hahaha
WISEDIVA : ready for work
KENDEEZY : hahahaha
KENDEEZY: hahahah
WISEDIVA: i swear
KENDEEZY: ha
KENDEEZY: stop
WISEDIVA: i just straight
WISEDIVA: had a trial
WISEDIVA: mock
KENDEEZY: wow
WISEDIVA: morning
WISEDIVA: ritual
WISEDIVA: hahhahhahha
KENDEEZY: you are losing it

I promise you, I am not taking any medication nor am I on any drugs (street or painkillers)...what we have here folks is a total academic-induced episode, a semi-detachment from reality, albeit a brief one. This is a diva's brain on books...this is a dazed diva, over-worked, under-f**ked DIVA..in dire need of a break DIVA. Thankfully one is coming. I'll be back.

**STILL laughing**

No, unfortunately this post is not about my sexual life being that I don't have one. LOL. Sasha is living in No Man's Land and I don't see any relocation efforts going on either. I didn't have time to flesh out a creative post but I have been meaning to talk about this movie I saw recently called Sexual Life . This film was written and directed by Ken Swapis, who has written for the Bernie Mac Show. He also directed About A Boy, with that twit Hugh Grant (but I liked that movie).

Sexual Life caught my eye..... well I ain't gonna lie, the title caught my eye BUT because it had such a diverse, talented cast it kept my attention. There were 2 of the lovely ladies from Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood, Shirley Knight and Fionnula Flanagan. These ladies were wonderful in their roles: Shirley was Anne Hech's mother, and Fionnula played the grandmother of the female characters. The scene when Shirley is giving Anne's Heche's character marital advice is hysterical!

The film also starred one of my favorite actresses Kerry Washington:

Kerry & Husband (I think they are married now)

In the film Kerry's character is caught in a love triangle with her fiancé played by Dulé Hill:


Dule and his wife

and with a former lover whom she claims she is "friends" with, played by Eion Dailey



Now the story has quite a few subplots going on and it takes the six degrees of separation to a whole new naughty level. You have to keep track of how each couple is connected. It is not as bad as R. Kelly's Trapped in the Closet but only because they somehow manage to take showers after their rendezvous.

So the film opens with the "hooker with a heart" character played by Azure Skye. She was no Julia Roberts, but she did a good job in the role.

Sidebar:
I have to ask, is it just me or does Hollywood portray Caucasian women who are hookers, call girls, strippers, or maids as women with hearts that are doing what they do ONLY because of extenuating circumstances, yet when a minority (aside from JLo) is cast in these roles, she is just trifling and lazy?

Okay maybe I overanalyze things too much, but it is so weird how Hollywood can tell the stories of certain demographics in a totally different way. Oh wait, **thinking** I just thought of Player's Club and Best Man with stripper's who were portrayed with a heart, and those films had a predominantly African American cast, writers, and producers, so that proves my point that the majority of Hollywood skew their portrayal of women of color. Nothing new.


The thing that stood out about the film was how they explored the sexual behavior of all these interesting characters. Makes you think how our sexual lives rarely reflect the image we project to others....which I suppose, yea that's a good thing. I can't imagine walking around in a dominatrix outfit all the time..LOL..I kid, I kid! *ahem* anyway..

in the "Sexual Lives" of these characters:

- There was a guy who paid for sex because he was just that bad in bed.

- There was the guy who worked at a hotel front desk and regularly screwed guests (I won't divulge which characters he does this with).

- There was a married couple who was dealing with "the romance is gone" syndrome and wanted to spice things up.

_There was a single girl who was looking for love (and orgasms) in all the WRONG places, (at the j.o.b.)

There was an engaged young couple (Kerry and Dule) who seem to have different styles of lovemaking which may be the reason she ended up in the love triangle in the first place.

Oh and the happy hooker who sort of ties at least 2 of the subplots together being, well a hooker.

Very interesting portrayal of cheating throughout the film and it doesn't really come across as a cautionary tale to me, like I expected. You tend not to villify the characters for their behavior, even though you know what they are doing is very jacked up and selfish. Well, me personally, I could understand why the characters did what they did.

I thought it was a very interesting movie and there were a couple of things in it that I may expand on in subsequent blog posts.

Oddly enough, Dule's character reminded me of a couple of guys I grew up with. Rich, spoiled and sort of lost. There were other things in the film that struck me as odd so I want to watch it again and see if I can get clear on some things.

A lot of times, a film doesn't "explain" a whole lot about the character, and the viewer is left to imagine why they do/say the things that they do. I actually like that sometimes because I can have a pretty vivid imagination, along with my own perception that can figure out my own story, so to speak.

I liked the look of the film although the cinematography was sort of dull it managed to have some nice shots toward the end. The film is worth a look. Be warned that some of the sex scenes are racy, especially Kerry's scene.