Day 27: January 27, 2016- #WCW- Erykah Badu

"Now usually I don't do this but uhhhhh...."

When it's really corny and you won't fake like it's funny...

I'ma gone and let Fran write this blog! She has to get this out of her system!! For those who haven't been keeping up with my blog or are starting with this post, Fran is the fan-girl that lives inside of me and tends to get a bit obsessive with certain celebrities she loves! It's embarrassing to admit that she's there, but I can't freakin deny her... So here you go guys.... Here's Fran! -Stix

So let's just hop into it!! Auntie Lo Down Loretta Brown!! Yes, she goes by a lot of names and yes you'll get to read about all of them! So lehhhggooo... 

Stix has been a fan... from the beginning!! There wasn't an album that her dad didn't have at his apartment! Every other weekend (that broken home life...smh) she would run and find his collection to see what was new in his cd case. You remember the huge one that you had to unzip and flip through the clear pages?? Yeah... He had plenty of those! He had the cd booklet and the CD in each compartment... You seeing it?! Dope... Lol Stix credits her dad for her love for music! The Rodgers' family are all singers and have a love for music that transcends simply listening to a good lyric or a dope beat! It's different... 

but back to She ILL... 

Stix totally remembers when Baduizm came out... Granted, She was only 10, but she remembers it! She listened to it from start to finish! "Next Lifetime" was her immediate fave! She wasn't really feelin' her head wraps (maybe she was too young to get it), but she loved her voice. She was a dope artist.



Stix has heard every album from beginning to end....

Followed every relationship...

She's pretty much watched her evolve into the Erykah of today!!

She wasn't a stan... but she was a young fan.

I mean... She didn't start purchasing albums herself until New Amerykah Part One (4th World War).... sounds about right though, by that time she was living on her own and making her own money... She could invest in her own collection by that point.... So there... I hope that clears that up!! I'm defending her right now for all those that's looking at her cray! Stix has been a fan since the head wrap days!

Now me on the other hand... I'm totally stanning!

And here's when it happened....

The love for her kinda snuck up on me! While on social media, I can't remember what site, I started seeing her pop up quite a bit. I think that's where it started...or wait... Maybe it was after I heard her cover of Drake's song, Hotline Bling when I got in the car from getting a pizza at PieFive. I don't remember, but I do remember she was everywhere. She was promoting for the Soul Train music awards because she was hosting that year. She also started talking about a mixtape that she was releasing on Black Friday! I was interested... I started doing my research, like I always do!!

Watching interviews...

listening to albums again...

catching up, basically!

I was learning more and more about her and falling in love with her character (NO HOMO!) Erykah is like me!! She is a huge fan of hip hop, loves wearing baggy clothes, a bit ballsy, assertive, got that southern-hood slang, can check (scorin' is what she says they call it in Dallas) with the best of them, and pretty down to earth! She's that big sister/ best friend that you need in your corner that's gonna call you out on your crap and love on you when you need it! I swear I slick just described myself... but anyway...

So in true fan- girl fashion, I started following her every move... not in a stalkery (made up word, obviously) kind of way... Welllllllllllllll.. maybe a little stal....naw, not stalkery! Bloggers do this crap all the time to keep up! I'm just a fan using the same techniques!! :-D! You like that?? Haha. So, I receive  alerts now when she tweets and goes on Periscope!! She's not the only one I receive alerts for... but we ain't talkin' about them right now.

So one night while I'm on my way home to Memphis, I see an alert that she was on Periscope! Long story short, she talks about a burner phone that she is going to have for a month and that she is going to give out clues to figure out the number... I almost lost my mind!! I knew I had to figure out this number!! 

I had to drop off my little cousin once I made it to Memphis, but once I made it home, it was on. I was writing down numbers, scratching off the ones that I had tried, until I found the ONE! It took me almost an hour to figure it out, BUT I DID... and 41 calls later, guess who was on the phone with Fat Belly Bella, herFREAKINself! Yo! 

I about lost my mind.... Scratch that! I lost my freakin' mind!! Stix thought she was talking to her, but it was really me... Stix is the most quiet, most star-struck chick in situations like this!! Not me!! Breh, I will talk your head off about how much I love and admire you! Lol Yep, I pretty much talked her head off! When she was able to get in a word, I realized even more how cool she is! She was very kind and sweet... made me feel like fam... Shoot even my Ma got to talk to her! She called my mom, "Sis" which is why I joke that she's my auntie! It was about a 3 minute conversation, but it meant the world to me! She talked about how much her fans bring her joy and make her smile... she just wanted to do the same! Dope!! 

Ever sense then... it's been a wrap! We're homies for life in my head and I pray that one day I'll know her as Erykah Wright aka Erykah in Amerykah aka Badula Oblongata aka Manuela Maria Mexico aka Annie the Alchemist aka Sarah Bellum aka She ILL, aka Analog girl in a Digital World aka my fave, DJ Lo Down Loretta Brown!!

I haven't been able to get through since then and probably never will now that the number is BLASTED all over her social media sites (not cool, Auntie)... but I will never forget that experience. It was the coolest thing ever and a story I won't stop sharing. Did I mention my little sister recorded the whole thing, so I have PROOF that we talked?!? LOL GET LIKE ME, BREH! I prepared her for that moment... I knew I would get through. I told her to have her phone ready... Y'all ain't fan-girlin' like me, breh!! LOL

But for real... although, I'm Fran and I'll admit that I'm a bit obsessed, I will say that I've learned quite a bit from her in the last few months. That's truly why she is my #WCW. In her interviews, periscope chats, and mini sermons on Twitter, I've learned to BE PRESENT in the moment and not allow experiences (especially moments like the one I just mentioned) pass me by. I'm not getting any younger. In order to remember and enjoy a memory, I have to first be present. I'm doing that now... when I spend time with my grandparents, when I'm at a concert...etc. I've also learned the art of being true to myself. No sense in being anyone else but me. I don't see too many Erykah's... maybe a few wannabe's, but nobody is touching THEE Erykah Badu. She's in a lane all by herself. It's obvious that she has a love for hip hop and artsy things, but she is finding herself in those different things... not becoming them... if that makes sense. I hope to embark on a new industry soon and my ultimate prayer is that people will one day be able to say the same about me. The picture above is my current lock screen on my iPhone. While it may appear odd, it speaks to me... It reminds me to be me, find myself in all things, and allow myself to evolve! That and it's a pretty dope picture!

One last thing in my art of fan-girling, I've discovered my own little min-#wcw! It's Erykah's youngest daughter, Mars! She's who I wish I could have been at her age. This girl is so outspoken, so true to herself.... She seems to march to the beat of her own drum and doesn't take crap from anyone! I could learn a thing or two from her! Another thing I love about her is that she cusses up a storm! It's freakin' hilarious. Sounds like she could hold her own with the best of them... Somebody get me a Mars please.. minus the cussin'! lol Naw... but 4real, I would love to meet her too!!

Well... I could go on and on... and on and on (that was corny, but necessary) but I'm tired and ready for bed soooo...

Passing the mic back to Stix real quick,

Stix: Smh... Before we go... No television for 27 days now! *drops mic, exits stage left*

Until next time, 

Stix! 

#day16- January 16, 2016: I liked today!

Let me tell you! Today was a good day! *in my Ice Cube voice*

Well... I could have done without going to work but hey... Gotta make this money.

After work, I participated in a free boxing class at Title Boxing Club! OMG!! Best workout I've had in a minute. The class started with 15 minutes of cardio and ended with a 15 minute ab workout! We hit the bag in between those workouts. Can you say killer?!?! I was pretty proud of how well I was able to keep up!! 

Between the kickboxing class that I took last week and this boxing class, the boxing class is definitely my favorite!  I have 9 more classes of the kickboxing class. I'll definitely finish that out. I was offered a $10 follow up class at title boxing club! I'm definitely taking that offer. With the way I'm feeling, I know this is just the thing to get me toned and back in shape while having fun! I met some pretty cool people as well. 

I've been looking into yoga too. Lol This is what not watching television will do to you!! It will have you doing all kinds of random stuff. 

I had a modeling audition for a fashion show an hour after my boxing class. I wasn't sure if I would be able to walk in my heels. My body was literally shaking when I left. We worked hard. Anyway, I felt something I've never felt before my modeling audition that I'm currently battling with...

Usually right before my auditions, I gain this weird confidence that I don't normally have. It's like I become someone else and I just go for it... Not today! I was fine right before I made it to the audition. Once I parked... something happened. I literally almost turned around. I had no confidence. I began to doubt myself... literally up until I walked into the room. It wasn't nerves... I think I didn't feel worthy of being in the show. 

I've been modeling off and on...working shows here and there, but this felt different. I've been to this particular fashion show before that I auditioned for. It's an awesome show. I think I believed in my mind that I wouldn't get it.

It was so weird... 

I walked into the audition... 

answered a few questions... 

I was told music would come on and I would walk twice...

Then it happened y'all...

Beyonce's "Blow" came on and I just knew... It was a sign from the Lord himself!! 

Bahahahahaha!!! Ok.... maybe it wasn't a sign, but it did put a smile on my face.

Oh wait... For all my new readers, Beyonce is bae! Know that! I'm sure she'll make one of my #wcw posts. (Now... back to my audition)

I walked twice, they clapped (which was weird), and I was done! They asked how tall I was and for my measurements (which I couldn't remember... Not good in the modeling world) and went on my way! 

I felt a bit defeated walking out because I wasn't prepared with my measurements! I beat myself up about it... kind of went back into my little bubble of self-doubt and idk... blah-ness! 

Thank God for my bestie-cousin, Lauren for the pep talk. It was just what I needed to get over it.... And guess what...

I got the gig! Haaaaaaaa! Boom!

A few lessons.... I gotta believe in myself more, be more prepared, and take this a bit more seriously! Oh and say no when one of my model friend's asks me to hang out when I know I've been up since early in the morning and doing the most all day. I am literally writing this blog while standing up on the top floor of ACME while she is somewhere in the middle of the dance floor getting her life! I'm cold and ready to go home... lol smh...

All in all though...Today was a good day!! I exercised quite a bit... Mind, body, and soul... Soul?? How did I exercise my soul?? I'ono! And to top it all off, I ended the day with 14,361 steps!!

 BOOM!

Until next time, 

Stix

#day15- January 15, 2016: Lame post.com II

Hey y'all! 

Another lame post ahead... You've been warned. 

I babysat for one of my favorite families from 7:30pm until 1am in the morning. It was the first time that I felt tempted to watch television!!! Like... who would have known?!!! Y'all wouldn't have. lol I'm committed to being disciplined in this area! I did NOT watch television!! Instead, I read a bit, wrote two lame blog posts to catch up, and talked on the phone!! 

I'm winning!

I recognize that if I don't start doing something interesting, outside of not watching television, then this blog could turn into the ultimate BORE! 

Working on it...

Until next time,

 -Stix 

#day13- January 13, 2015: I'm trippin'!

So here's what happens when you're really trippin':

•Day 13 doesn't get posted until Day 15!

•You hit the snooze button for an hour for two days straight

•Your bed no longer gets made

•Your on social media past 7pm! It was kind of important though! Apparently Adele is a Nicki Minaj fan and I needed to see it for myself!!

Guess what though!!!!!! 

Still no television!!! 

Oh and that kickboxing class nearly took my life! I survived and will be back for sure!! 

Boom!!

Until next time, 

Stix

#day11- January 11, 2016: Monday Numero Dos

I've decided that I'm counting every Monday because... They're important. Lol They, for me, are the hardest day of the week and usually sets the tone for that week. It was another bluesy Monday for me. I didn't hit the snooze button. I did something worse. I got out of the bed, turned on my light, went to the bathroom, and then got back in the bed. I literally set my alarm clock and got back in the bed, with the light on, for another 15 minutes. 

I know.... I'm judging me too!!

I have to do better. 

Remember that #wcw I mentioned last week, Myleik Teele?! She does something cool on Sunday's that I think I'm going to try. She celebrates week's end on Sunday with champagne and sets goals for the next week! It makes sense! It's like rewarding yourself for all you accomplished the week before and take that positive energy into the start of the new week. Celebrating the end of one week at the beginning of the next week with champagne is pretty darn genius to me! I'm doing it.. Try it with me?!

Another day of no television down though! I have yet to slip there! And I won't! I hardly ever think about it. I've been reading quite a bit! Right now I'm juggling Year of Yes by Shonda Rhimes and Grey by E L James! 

Can't complain...! 

Anywho.....

*Lifts glass* 

To a better start tomorrow,

-Stix