Cooking and Cleaning: Is this REALLY the way to a man's heart?

I've always heard that cooking and cleaning are the way to a man's heart from almost every female I've come across. This is what is taught to many daughters around the country, passed down generation to generation, and this has also become part of the desperate call of the "other woman". Now I understand that cleanliness is a great practice, because it's sanitary, it declutters your life, and it makes anything appear in a nicer way. However, does having a clean home really help you keep your man?

I know many females that are always bragging and boasting about cooking for men, or cleaning their houses because they're dirty. However, most of these women fall into two categories: They are either chasing someone else's man, or they are just a booty call to that guy and either don't know it, or won't admit it.

In my opinion, I don't think that either of those things will keep a man, or win a man's heart. I must say that my home can get cluttered at times due to having such a busy schedule, and not really favoring cleaning. I must also admit that I'm not the best chef, and after a long day of work, I would like nothing better than to have a dinner cooked for me already, which is why I tend to eat out more than in. However, the lack of being an expert in cooking and cleaning has never stopped me from a successful relationship. As a matter of fact, my significant other of 8 years knew my faults, and loved me past them. If he can do it, so can others.

I think that women need to stop singing the same old anthem of "I cook, I clean, I sex you real good". If cooking and cleaning were SO important to a relationship, then why are so many women that do so still single? Why are they chasing men that don't belong to them? Sure that man is coming over to get a meal, and sure he's going to give you something you can feel later, but after that what happens? More than likely, he won't even be spending the night. Ladies, stop boasting that you're someone's maid. Stop allowing your domestic qualities to control you, because if a man doesn't want you like that, you'll just be the jumpoff with the clean house where he can go to get a good meal. Just sayin.

We know who you are, don't fool yourself!

I remember back in middle school and high school when I used to walk around always using the phrase "in real life", to really relay a message about something that's really happening. It was my way of saying "in all actuality,", "Really,", or "honestly," just to give a good idea of how I used this phrase. I have realized over time that there are some people that really should use this phrase when they're talking to others, so that people know when they're lying or not.

This is a topic that is loooooooooooong overdue. Too many people are walking around pretending to be people that they really aren't. This is especially true on social networks. Apparently, social networks seem to be some people's outlets or escape doors into the world of their dreams. There are people that lie about whole lifestyles, from pretending to hit every hot celeb party, all the way to lying about making 6 figures and/or being married.

At what point does one stop and realize that there are people out there who REALLY know who they are, and what goes on in their life? If you are lying to half the people on your facebook or twitter page, do you ever stop and think about the other half that knows you are miserable, alone, broke, and obviously filled with self esteem issues? I mean, honestly, do people really think that they can inform everyone that they work at the mall or as an attendance clerk in a school district, and then post pics every week wearing a different pair of "Christian Louboutins" and "Karen Millen" designer clothes?

The truth is people know when others are trying to put on like they have a glamourous life, and it goes without saying that if you do have such a great life, you would not have to broadcast every little thing you buy, or do, in order to get approval from your social network "fam". My advice to those living lies out there is to:

1. Find something to do with yourself and your time. If you are busy doing productive things, you won't have time to make up unnecessary lies to tell others.

2. Start improving your life day by day in order to achieve the life you really want to lead.

2. Be honest with YOURSELF, because if you can't even begin to really come to terms with what's going on in your life, you can't begin to change the lies you tell using that second or third personality of yours....."in real life".

Alicia Keys......ummmm did you forget?!!!!!

I must say I'm pretty torn with Alicia Keys. I love her music, she's a very beautiful woman, and glows even more now that she is with child. However, I can't seem to get past the hypocrisy. Honestly, here you are, always empowering women, always talking about superwomen, and proving that real women do exist, just to end up snatching up somebody's husband and getting knocked up. I found myself in awe and disgust at the same time when she gave her awards speech and shouted out all the superwomen in the world.

It doesn't stop there. Alicia, did you forget you got a whollllllllllllle baby in your tummy?! As a mother, I have to say that she was very reckless up there on that stage, although I enjoyed the performances. From the Dolce & Gabbana mini dress that all but bared her cooter, to the sky high YSL pumps (red at that, sorry, I don't get the idea of matching that with purple) she wore walking seductively around stage. Does being knocked up make you feel sexier?And if so, why didn't I feel that sexiness when I was pregnant?!

Her "Adore" performance took the cake though. When is it EVER okay when you're 6 months pregnant to climb on stuff?! Not just climbing but rolling around! As my grandparents, parents, and any other old school folks would say, "Get somewhere and SET ya ass DOWN, Alicia!" Now is the time to get back behind that piano and just sing and play!

Here's the Prince tribute performance: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qV_Qn3fT4N8

What do you think?

Breakthrough Moment: Chris Brown

I know that I wasn't the only one going through many different emotions last night as I watched the Michael Jackson tribute. One minute I was sneering and making fun of Jermaine Jackson's hair (which he obviously paints on with a sharpie marker), the next I was tweeting @chrisbrown telling him "Dont be nervous, God is with you" right before he hit the stage, then I was stunned and in awe at how brilliant the tribute was. Chris Brown's moves are almost just as good as Michael's! See the performance for yourself: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vIvLGi2_mjQ

I honestly feel that Chris was extremely overwhelmed with this being his biggest performance since the Rihanna incident. I think it was a combination of all kinds of mixed feelings, from mourning his idol Michael Jackson, to mourning the loss of the world's admiration for a mistake, all the way to feeling the present love and forgiveness being gained in that one performance. People can say what they want, he is not the first nor the last celebrity that will put their hands on a woman, and although he has made a terrible mistake, forgiveness is long overdue for any of us that claim to be christians. I sincerely believe Chris Brown is back, still EXTREMELY sexy, and will not let his fans down. Team Breezy all the way!