Where in the World is Missy Elliot?

Before Nicky Minaj was rocking her oversexed baby doll antics (no disrespect, love Superbass), there was Missy Elliot. If you grew up in the nineties and were a hip hop fan then you're singing one of her songs right now. Missy proved that smart girls could make it in in the rap game and be raunchy, keeping her clothes on while doing it. With hits like 'The Rain', 'Get Ur Freak On', 'One Minute Man' and 'Work It', it's no wonder that she's the only female rapper to have six platinum albums. I won't lie, I wasn't too enthusiastic about some of the singles she released toward the end of the first decade but I still like her music and haven't stopped wondering when her new album was going to be released. Well, I got my answer today by way of The Guardian. Missy didn't just slip into oblivion, she was recovering.

Missy is suffering from Graves' Disease. According to PubMed Health, this is an autoimmune disorder that leads to overactivity of the thyroid glands and is most likely to affect women over 20. The thyroid gland regulates the body's metabolism and the metabolic process gone awry can lead to a lot of problems, such as moods swings and hair loss. Another symptom, as Missy found out, is muscle weakness. Of this she says, "I was trying to put my foot on the brake, but my leg was jumping. I couldn't keep the brake down and almost crashed."

Having been diagnosed with the disease three years ago, the rapper has undergone radiation therapy and is a regular at her gym. "I'm 30 pounds lighter because I've been exercising. My thyroid is functioning, so I haven't had to take medication in about nine months. [But] you live with it for the rest of your life."

She has confirmed that her seventh album is in the works, no words as to when exactly but I anticipate that it will be soon. Here's to hoping that her condition continues to improve and that her new album brings it the way only Missy Elliot can.

A Lesson in History

I’m reading a non-fiction historical novel on World War I – “The Bitter Road to Freedom: The Human Cost of Allied Victory in World War II Europe” written by William Hitchcock.  I must say, from the first page I was appalled at what I read.  When we hear of any of the world wars, we often hear about German imperialism and Allied victory.  But we never hear much about what individual people suffered throughout this brutal war.  And this book explores this.

I literally shed tears as I read about millions of people practically being left to starve in Holland under German occupation.  And about the civilian lives lost in northern France from D-Day and afterwards.  Not all of them were killed by enemy Germans; some were killed by Allied air raids.  Dead civilians were a “necessary part of war.”  I read about the soldiers themselves faced harsh months on the battle fronts, hungry and freezing.  I honestly can’t begin to fathom the psychological effects of being surrounded by dead bodies and death.  The conditions under which these men fought are truly astonishing.

But, what hit me the hardest, where I shed the tears, was when I read about the brutality of the armies in their treatment of women.  The baser carnal man was revealed during World War II.  All the armies, not just the Germans, were involved in the raping of women across Europe.  Everywhere they went, soldiers took advantage of the female population.  No more so than in East Germany when it was conquered in 1945.  I read about an elderly woman found lying dead in an alley with a telephone receiver between her legs.  I don’t need to go into details here, use your imagination.

I also read about fathers who were forced to watch as their daughters were raped by countless men in succession.  And about the despair these young women felt, the emotional scars left by such violation.  One father even gave his daughter the noose to hang herself.  I didn’t read about this in the book, but I have learned elsewhere about Japanese “Comfort Houses.”  Women were forcibly taken from their homes wherever the Japanese conquered, and forced to provide sex for Japanese soldiers during the war.  “Comfort Women,” they call them.  And this didn’t only happen sixty years ago.  It happened in Rwanda only in 1994.

 I can’t wrap my head around the millions of women and girls whose lives were wrecked by ruthless soldiers.  It’s in the past, but even now, as I read, I feel enraged.  How could this happen? WHY would someone do that to another human being?  The way I see it, this war, and any war for that matter, reduces human beings to mere animals.  There is no other explanation for using vulnerable women and girls and forcibly taking what no man has a right to take without consent.  Women have suffered immensely over the years.  And war seems to bring the greatest tragedies for them.

I recommend this book.  It’s interesting; sad, but interesting.  

Must See: Dark Girls, the documentary

I don't know about you but going to the cinema is hardly a treat these days. I can't understand how so many terrible movies even leave the daydreams of some writers. Dark Girls, however, is something I definitely want to see. The ill-treatment of people of a darker complexion in the black community is a huge problem that stems from colonial times and shows no sign of change. It\s sad really but if the trailer is anything to go by this documentary will be interesting and moving.

Today in News...

A 53 year old man (and I use the term loosely) Isabel Chavello Guttierrez died while raping a 77 year old woman. He is a registered sex offender and at the time of the attack was out on parole for aggravated sexual assault and indecency with a child. He rode a bicycle two miles from his home to hers to commit the act. He broke into her house, held her at knife point and raped her. During her ordeal, her attacker complained about not feeling well and collapsed on top of her and died. The victim was able to pull herself out from under him and alert authorities. This poor excuse for a man has ruined so many lives that I cannot help but be pleased with the news of his death. I only wish that he had died before he had the opportunity to rape this woman.

When Are Words, More Than Just Words?

I've only just heard about this two days ago but was immediately intrigued by the story.  The concept was interesting, however there were a few things which did not add up and I wanted to see where the story would go.  This story made front page news in many newspapers, various TV stations and their websites. It all revolved around a young female (lesbian) blogger who was allegedly abducted.

*Cant Look Emoticon*

One size does not fit all. Just because it's the "in" thing doesn't mean you should wear it. This is my mantra, and I am sticking to it. I am no fashion guru nor do I pretend to be. I simply believe that one should wear clothes that fit them properly, suit their body type and age. I really hate seeing someone who is clearly an "L" squeezed into a "M" or even more horrific an "S". I'm not a fan of pantylines and visible undergarments (especially those on their last leg, you know yourselves) Neither am I a fan of mature women in mini skirts and six inch stillettoes.


As women (and men) we need to embrace our bodies, even though it may prove diificult at times. If you don't like something, work on it, don't ingore it or make it worse by wearing unflattering clothing. Dress in a manner that suits your personality and body type. It's understandable that we all want to be fashionable. Fashion though is not created equally, what looks good on one person may not neccessarily look good on you. Find what works for you and stick with that.

If He's Good He Deserves A Treat

I read a little article today on ways to make a man feel like a man (no judgement please). I thought it was an interesting article even though most of the advice I found a little bit silly. What made the largest impact on me, however, were the comments I accidentally read. Women were appalled by the advice the article deigned to give and many remarked that it wasn't their responsibility to make their man feel as such.

Listen ladies, I'm thankful that you're keeping the equal rights banner soaring high and I don't see how fixing my significant other's plate makes him feel like a man either. However, I am not averse to doing something sweet for the man in my life; not a grand gesture and not daily but just enough to let him know 'I got you.'

And why not? What's the big deal? If he is faithful, honest, genuinely listens to your office/family drama, does majority of the house work, is not intimidated by your qualifications/career/strength or just loves you and stands by you (even when you have PMS), then just for today let him have the last word--he'll find out you were right soon anyway. A guy I was involved with always cooked for me despite the fact that he hardly ever did for himself. So can you blame me for breaking out the massage oil?

I believe in repaying a good deed with another. If I have an outstanding friend, I'm going to be an outstanding friend. If you have a great companion, at least say thanks.

Orgasm? You Need It

orgasm addict, a photo by yaiza natural on Flickr.

Ah, the Big O. Like a potent drug, it could have you itching for your next fix. An orgasm, however, is so much better for you than anything a dealer can sell you. According to Dr Louanne Cole Weston, about 10% of women never achieve an orgasm. That is unfortunate because orgasms trigger many chemical reactions in the body that are beneficiary to your health, physically and mentally.

Are You Ready For The Male Pill?

According to the researchers at Columbia University in New York, this new breakthrough in contraception is nigh. The drug is suppose to temporarily inhibit the production of sperm without causing long term infertility. So far it has only been tested on mice but scientist have not yet recorded any negative or damaging side effects and normal fertility was restored after halting pill usage.

Baby on Board: Woman Gives Birth To Baby Boy On Plane

I'm willing to bet a large sum of money that Priscilla imagined giving birth to her second child in a hospital bed. However, baby Antonio obviously loves a bit of unconventionality. Things got extremely interesting on Airbus 319, when just an hour into the flight a very pregnant Priscilla felt her first contractions.

Rihanna's Man Down Gets Two Thumbs Up

I didn't see the video for Rihanna's 'Man Down' single when it first premiered, it was actually the cries of the outraged Parents Television Council that prompted me to view it on Youtube. After watching the video and singing along, I have to say I actually don't hate this video. I get it more than 'California King Bed', another of Rihanna's songs that I love.

The Parents Television Council has labelled the video as 'disturbing' and is calling on BET--the channel that aired the video-- to ban it, basically. BET has responded by saying that the video is well within the guidelines and standards set for content and will continue to be aired.

If They're Not Single, They're Not Available.

When you think of cheating, what comes to mind? For me it's the song If Loving You Is Wrong I Don't Want to Be Right by Luther Ingram & Little White Lie by Tanya Stephens.  It's the epitome of so many of the excuses that people give for cheating. It used to be a hushed topic, subtle references, the pretense that it isn't happening. It has since grown into something more main stream, glamorized and popularized by television, music and society in general. It, like many other things has unfortunately become the norm.

Little Boy Loses Family But Gains A Big Brother

In April 2011, Lashanda Armstrong drove her minivan into the Hudson River in an attempt to kill herself. She had had an argument earlier with her unfaithful significant other. It is absolutely devastating that she didn't have the strength to move on from this hurdle and stay strong for her four children but the most devastating of all is that her children were in the minivan with her. "If I die, you're all going to die with me," she said to them, ages 11 months, 2 and 5, as the minivan sank. Fortunately, 10-year-old Lashaun Armstrong broke free and, after his mother realized her mistake, swam for help. Unfortunately, he alone survived.

Someone especially moved by the tragedy of Lashaun's situation, was Ray Lewis, the linebacker for the Baltimore Ravens. As I do not follow American Football, I had to do some research on Ray Lewis and I found that he is human, i.e. not perfect, and hardly likely to be NFL's Mr. Congeniality. However, Lewis, having overcome some family issues of his own, forged a bond with Lashaun. "I looked at him and told him, 'I'm here for you man. I can't replace what you've lost. But I can tell you that I'm here to go forward with you.'" Although I didn't hear him say it, something about this struck an emotional chord and almost made me cry. True to his word, Lewis has become a fixture in Lashaun's life. Lashaun even told reporters on the Today Show that Lewis is like a big brother to him and considers him family.

Seeing them interact, I have no doubt about their bond. There is a kinship there that some consanguine relatives don't even possess. I love that other NFL players are also coming to the 10-year-old's aid, covering counselling and establishing scholarship funds. This is my feel good story for the weekend. I wish other children just like or worst of than Lashaun would get a chance just like this.

Break Out Your Mats...It's Pilates Time!

Some years ago I was extremely unfit. Do notice I said unfit and not overweight. Many people seem to think that only people above their average weight are unfit. That is hardly true. A size zero who doesn't exercise is just as unhealthy as anyone of a larger size who doesn't work out. Just thought I should clear that up. Now where was I...

When Everything is Wrong, We Move Along

I was watching the Oprah show’s last few episodes last week. It was really touching I must say, despite the fact that I’m not an avid Oprah fan. What really got me though was the number of people this woman has helped educate. If I remember correctly, it was over 60,000. Now that’s impressive. What I realized – and what was said on the show - is that if you help educate just one person, you help countless others. Some of the people she has helped gave testimonies of how they have taken it upon themselves to help others as she has helped them.