Miracles

Stories like this keep me going. I know someone with a similar story. She died in surgery and woke up a while later and scared the bejeezus out of the doctor.  Loves it: Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the econo...

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Merry Christmas!

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Cabin Fever!

There is way too much snow outside and it just won't stop.  It's not so much that I hate snow; I just hate being TRAPPED by snow. Actually, I hate being trapped by anything. Every time I look outside, I'm torn between awe (snow is pretty amazing) and terror.  I actually made circles in the...

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God of Small Things

I recently had the privilege of attending a talk given by creative genius Willard Wigan. Described as the "8th Wonder of the World", Wigan grew up in England. Painfully shy and dyslexic, he was berated by teachers in front of other students and told that he would not go far in life. He could have given...

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New Alice?

How can this be? There are new Alice Smith singles, yet no album? Where is her album?? I need it now! Yes, NEED I'm really loving this song because it reminds me of some changes I went through a little while ago (and would have been really cathartic had I stumbled upon it at the time). Besides, it's nice to hear a song that could be about friendship (or other) challenges sometimes as opposed to the...

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Sade's New Single!

I heard a song on the radio last night and immediately turned it up (unfortunately for my dog who was riding with me). I didn't even realize it was Sade!  Check out "Soldier of Love" here. It's HAWT...

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Impatient Dog

Woooow If my dog did this, I'd be afraid to sleep at night. Since it's not my dog, I giggled a little bit. Actually, this reminds me of a story. My neighbor parked in a fire lane and ran into the store one day. He takes his dog with him everywhere so he left him where he always sat - in the passenger seat. While he's in the store, a police officer notices his vehicle in the fire lane. She proceeds...

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Will Resume Posting Next Week

I'm feeling a lot like this lately: (Poor Lauryn.) Rather than smear my face with clown makeup and step out the door looking mixed up, I listen to music and sing along, loudly and badly - usually in my car or bathroom where nobody can hear me (except that one dude who heard me in traffic once even though...

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Weep Not

I haven't posted in the past week or so because my grandfather passed away. I have been blessed to know all of my grandparents for many years, and it always hurts to lose a loved one; however, my grandfather was just shy of 100 years (1 year and 2 months to be exact) on this earth and I imagine...

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"Let the Good Times Ro...

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Miami Pt. II: Uhmaaaaaaah!

Since the point of heading to the beach was relaxation, I was forced encouraged to squeeze in some spa time. I'm not exactly a spa baby because - as I've said before - I don't like strangers rubbing me; therapeutic or not. But when someone is asking you every day if you're going to make a spa appointment,...

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Meee Ahhh Meeee! Pt. 1

I know I haven't gone into detail, but some bad ish has been going down lately in tbyrd's world. I was dragging and getting on everybody's nerves, so I took a break and went to South Beach for some much needed sunshine (it was rainy and 40 degrees here at the time). I honestly didn't think I would be able to enjoy myself but the sun really enhances one's mood. I also visited an amazing spa there;which...

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Vintage Fab: Cricket Match

I stopped by to visit my grandparents yesterday and flipped through a book on Bermuda's history, to this photo of my grandmother (second from left) and friends headed to a cricket match in the 1940s. I took her to a demo cricket match once on the National Mall and that's when I discovered her love for...

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Geeking

After managing to miss it the past few years despite my best efforts, I was finally able to catch the Department of Energy's Solar Decathlon on the National Mall. I was really excited to actually see modular energy-efficient homes up close and personal. The houses looked amazing - from the outside. Unfortunately, due to time constraints and long lines, I was only able to see the inside of three -...

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I've escaped to a warmer climate. Be back later...

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Praise Break!

Got some good news today that has given some serious anxiety attacks a breakSo I'm doing my happy dance now and rotating the following songs by one of my favorite gospel music groups (I know some folks won't understand what they're about to see, and that's okay):P.S. - They will be in Baltimore this Saturday at the 1st Mariner Arena. Sadly, I can't make the event. ...

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Cool Design

I don't know who designed this flier but it's hot. I want to blow it up and hang it on my wa...

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Innovative Ideas

The voyeur in me loves this website. Custom Media Labs, an interactive marketing and communications firm in Wayne, PA, gives you a peek at the inner workings of their office life - literally. Their homepage background streams daily from webcams around the office. How cool! Follow the link, be patient, and watch:Customedial...

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The Washington Post's Good Hair Feature

Everyone wants to discuss the hair thing now:full article hereI found this young lady's view on Black hair particularly interesting. I have heard some White and Asian women make similar comments. Too bad most Black women don't have such a positive view of their own hair. A former colleague made the following comment once:"When I die, I hope I come back as a Black woman because you all have the most...

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I Want!

I adore these dresses by Red Prairie Press.They will be at the Crafty Bastards! Fair in D.C. (Adam's Morgan) this weekend. Given my instant gratification issues with things like this, I may have to stop ...

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Random Thoughts

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Today's Playlist

because I haven't done this in a while...Radiohead Dub via this cool video by way of ...

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Thought-Provoking Film

African Booty Scratcher-Short Film by Nikyatu Jusu from Nikyatu Jusu on Vim...

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No. 5

i call this one "digital conversion"since this is pretty much what every TVw/o cable looks like these days...

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Making a Collage

Please pardon the quality of this vid. I used two different cameras and had one on the wrong setting the entire time; and re-creating the collage ain't gonna happen.The finished produ...

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Don't Touch!

Bud woke up on the wrong side of the bed today. (Actually, he doesn't like feet to ever touch his bed apparentl...

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Cool Blogs

I Can Read(click image for more)We're Electric(click image for mo...

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Stylish Gal

I am loving Shingai Shoniwa's hair and makeup in this vid:The Noisettes - Never Forget You (Official Video) HQby wonderful-life1...

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Lately, I've been feeling a lot like this. *sigh*(art by Natalie D...

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The Serena Williams Meltdown: "You Cannot be Serious!"

Ummm, why are people making such a big deal over the Serena Williams outburst? She just had what I call a "McEnroe moment". I personally don't care for tennis but I could watch footage of John McEnroe lose his temper all day long. That's entertainment (poor sportsmanship aside). Serena is no different. I could go on, but this is my light and fluffy corner so I won't. All I will say is race and gender...

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Funny Stuff

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Art Therapy: My Doodles

Let me just say up front that I can't draw a lick. Nevertheless, illustrating your feelings can be quite therapeutic if I do say so myself. So I've added this little fellow to my repertoire of meeting doodles. I call him the Meeting Monster. And sometimes I call him Canc...

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Mundane Mondays: "Lapdog"

I had nothing better to do this weekend, so I made this video. Actually, that's not true; it was just too HOT to do much of anything, so I got bored.Anyway, this is my dog sitting on my lap. No biggie right? Maybe so, if he was a toy-sized breed...or a cat, but he's about 40 pounds (maybe more). He's a puggle and I adopted him from the shelter as a 4-year-old dog (no time to train puppies) so he came...

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Inspiring

"I made my first shirt when I was around thirteen. One arm was longer than the other, but I was so proud because it was something I had made all by myself."The talent of this young man is so inspiring. I would absolutely rock the dress pictured here if I had the gams for it!(photo by Astrid Riecken...

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Can't Wait!

I wandered over to a guilty pleasure I hadn't visited in a while (YBF) and saw the official trailer and release date for Chris Rock's "Good Hair" documentary is finally here. Marking my calendar now...Official S...

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Hiatus Over

Though the unfortunate situation at home has not been resolved, I have decided to press on with blogging. I'm beginning to feel like a vulture the way I'm peeking over my family member's shoulder every 10 minutes. I haven't stayed home since this ordeal began and was informed - as politely as possible - that I'm becoming a nuisance. LOL So it stands to reason that I should resume my life despite...

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On Repeat

In the meantime, I must find this song and put the iPod on loop:http://boxmp3.net/flash_player/flash_track.php?type=Michael%20White%20Featuring%20True%20Praise%20And%20Friends&id=4352...

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Hiatus

Because my family is going through a terribly difficult time right now, Mags & Choc is going on hiatus indefinitely. Hopefully, I will be back so...

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On a Negative Note

If you visit this blog regularly, you know I try to keep it all about positivity and inspiration, but recently life has thrown my family a huge curveball, so, try as I may, I'm not feeling particularly positive or inspired today and I can't contain it. Actually, I haven't been feeling too hot all month because of this family issue. I'm a praying person and try to hope for the best, but I also get...

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Cool Art: Dawn Okoro

I adore the vivid colors used by artist Dawn Okoro.Check her o...

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Cool Design: E. Spalding

I absolutely adore Esperanza Spalding's website desi...

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This article really warmed my hea...

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Droolworthy

Ode to NutellaBeing the chocolate fiend that I am, you would think that I would have tried Nutella a looooong time ago right? WrongThough I've been meaning to (especially since I love the chocolate/hazelnut combo in general) I never got around to trying Nutella until yesterday. I was in the store picking...

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Stop motion is so co...

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Harem Pants Flashmob

I need a laugh today and this video certainly helped out in that regard.This is exactly what I envision every time I see someone wearing Hammer Harem pants. Why would such ugliness come back in style? Why?! LOL*I'm loving the enthusiasm of dude in the white dress shirt and t...

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Dog Days: Some Humans Just Can't Take a Hint

My sister tries to get my dog to roll over...ONTO his feet*sigh*(This is long so, if you must, fast forward to about 3:10 into the thing and watch him try to shake her by playing dea...

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Blast From the Past: Bernard Wright

Oh the 80s were so special. This Bernard Wright video is yet another reason I need more music channels in my life. I heart BET*J. Sadly, it won't wind up on my television any time soon in this economy.Anyway, this is the same song LL Cool J and Total sampled. I love this song and how Wright sung with such intensity. What I really adore, however, is the tumbling effect. It's sickeningly sweet...in...

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Weekend in the City

Here's another St. Germain song I love. If you've seen the most recent Yaz commercial (and can stand to sit through the string of side effects and warnings), you can hear this tune playing in the background. Yet another one to add to my Saturday drive through the city soundtrack. Have a stellar weekend. ...

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Cute Vid

Cool imageryGood songMe likey...

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New Dress

I love a good deal and while I was out this weekend, I stumbled upon this dress that I just fell in love with. Nevermind that my goal has been not to shop for anything I don't NEED. I'm usually good at the whole dying to self thing (as far as shopping is concerned anyway), so I don't know what happened...

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For the Grads

This is such a cool (and yummy) idea for the graduates in your life:(click photo for in...

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Food for Thought: Creativity Killers

"If you're not prepared to be wrong, you'll never come up with anything original."This video is a few years old so stop me if you've already seen this TED talk with Sir Ken Robinson. Even if you have, it's worth watching again. Do schools kill creativity? What say y...

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Starting Your Day with Randomness: Furry Weirdos

What in the Son of Sam hell? Is this cat saying, "Hello" or "Mother, I'm the Devil"? lolSeriously, this is sort of scary. I can't watch anymore.Talking Cat Says "Hello" @ Yahoo! VideoThis one is cute. Apparently, this...whatever it is (lemur??) loves to be tickled. Of course, it probably doesn't tickle to them. It just feels good. This little weirdo reminds me of my last dog, who loved to be gently...

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Random Question of the Day

Why do some birds insist on walking across the street when they could FLY?! I almost hit a little black bird that decided to RUN out into the street vs. flying across and this isn't the first ti...

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Be Still, My Greedy Little Heart

Click photo for more...

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Good Food: Detox Day!

I've been bad lately - lots of cheese, meat, and processed food, and no fruits and veggies in too many days makes Tbyrd a grumpy gus. When I have these junk binges (it's a binge now, but when I was growing up, I ate poorly 24/7), I do what I call a "detox day". I mosey on down to the vegan kosher joint...

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Early Daiquiris

I love this song, especially in the morning...

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Blah!

I know we need the rain but I'm having a hard time appreciating it right now (even if it did wash the pollen away). I can't believe just last week I was basking in the sunlight with my pup. Doesn't he look ridiculously content?(click to enlar...

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I don't know what it is about blurred photos, and rack focused film, but I can't get enough of either lately; so when I came across the blurred photography of Trever Hoehne (courtesy of designworklife), I swooned...which is funny because these photos are pretty much what life looks like without my glasses....

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Around the Globe

an Afro-Swede connection? Interesting...

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Blacks Without Borders

I first heard Blacks Without Borders mentioned on the Michael Baisden Show. I wasn't really tuned in at the time, but the phrase piqued my interest nonetheless. I made a quick note to look into what I assumed was a site with information specific to Black travelers, kept it moving, and proceeded to forget all about exploring what exactly BWB was until some down time last week in the country (AKA my...

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Structure?

So, I've decided that the format thing isn't going to work for me - yes, that fast. I've just come across far too many cool things that fall through the cracks in the meantime. Sure, I could wait until the appointed day to share, but it's just too hard!My latest exciting find is Hotel Fox. Located in...

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