My Mother's on Facebook

The day I received a friend request from my aunt, (not so) disguised by using her maiden name, I really wasn’t sure what to think of it. Maybe she’s catching up with old classmates, using it to further her business. Just maybe.

But the day I received a friend request from my mother, I knew Facebook had taken a turn for the worst.

Not only is my mother on Facebook, but all of her friends as of now and from the military and high school. Getting a friend request from a 45 year old man, seems weird, but being that you’re known him since you were 3 you feel obliged to accept, although ignore is rather tempting.

A recent status of mine: "Dear Facebook: Sorry I have neglected you, but there are bigger and better things out there like twitter and blogging and blackberry messenger-ing. Our connection just isn't what it used to be. Don't be sad, I'll still be here when ever you need me. ♥ -Carmen"

And quiet honestly, it’s the truth. Facebook has truly shifted gears, ever since it lost its exclusiveness. I was actually excited when I received my college email address in the mail – that meant I could join Facebook. Could care less about registering for classes. Now I have my little brother’s friends commenting on my pictures, telling me how [b a d] I am – awkward much?

And to top it off my mother is friends with MY friends on Facebook – talk about censorship. Gotta really watch what you say or put out there now, or you may just receive a phone call. Even funnier – my mother oftentimes writes to ME on other people’s walls or statuses – come on now, let’s get it together people.

So for me, Facebook was fun and it still is a great networking tool – but the world has gone into Facebook overload. I have already spoken to a graduate of the William & Mary class of 1958 who not only has a Facebook but also a Twitter. So if my grandmother takes the plunge then I know that my time on ‘the book’ is nearing a close. 

You down with ODB?

No. Not me.

Driving from class one morning in the ‘hood’ of Williamsburg, VA, I stop at the red light at KFC. To my dismay, I look to my left and what a disturbing scene I am confronted with: the likes of Ol’ Dirty Bastard:

A young man, probably mid to late 20’s stands still in the middle of an accident. The police are there, the entire department, and the man with whom he was in the accident with (white male, middle to late 40s - most definitely a tourist), stands with his digital camera, slighting bent to get the perfect angle – capturing the prison stance image of the offender – a black male, loose white wife-beater, sagging pants and Jordans – fresh Jordans. 

The light turns green and I shake my head in disbelief and disgust. Passing Wendy’s now, I quickly glance over and two black males, also to the likeness of the late ODB are sitting on the tables in the front. Not eating, perhaps waiting for the bus, but still. WHY must you look like that? Seriously.

Now I understand that once, maybe not that long ago, it was cool to imitate the styles of famed rappers such as TuPac, Biggie, Snoop, Dr. Dre – their sagging pants, baggy clothes and tall tees were the thing of the times. But we often fail to touch on the origin of these trends.

SN:  Sagging pants was never meant to be fashionable. Prisoners wear their pants this low because belts are a popular way to commit suicide by hanging oneself, to hang others, or to use as a weapon in fights. Prisoners are also not allowed to have shoestrings for the same reasons. But there is an even more obvious reason why pants are sagging in prison. If the pants are below a man's bottom, it is to introduce to other men that he is homosexual. As Eazy E once said about women in skirts, "For easy access, baby." - Is this what they want to portray? How many times can you recall a father asking his boy where his belt was, and a mother telling her son to pull his pants up. Belts are luxuries. You better be thankful. lol

Currently, clothing is more tailored for men and women.

 

I have only ONE major pet peeve – don’t wear a loose v-neck. Like extremely loose – you look frail and sick and I’m always trying to determine if I saw you on a latenight/earlymorning, BET feed the children promo. You are defeating the purpose.

And like Jay said – “I don’t wear skinny skins, cuz my knots don’t fit." Whatever ‘knots’ he was talking about, it’s nothing more unattractive than a guy whose jeans are tighter than yours. 

Take heed gentlemen and thank you.