Pants Around the Thighs
Have you seen those young men with their pants down to the tops of their thighs actually trying to walk? Not only is it awkward looking, but have you also noticed how they have to have one hand, sometimes two, constantly attending the pants “pulling them up to the waistline” only to have them fall immediately back down to the tops of their thighs, while try to walk. In many cases, the bottoms of the pants are dragging on the ground, so are carting all manner of germs from place to place, probably into your home at some point. And can you foresee a nation of men that have severe spinal distortions (it is a societal phenomenon at this point), because they are attempting to use their thighs to hold up the pants, and as a result, completely destroying their posture. Maybe Bio-Mechanical Therapy (also known as Light Touch Treatment) or Chiropractic are the two most upfront professions of the future, because today, their clients are being developed today. But then again, maybe Mortuary Sciences may have a place on that list.
۩ss Crack
The opposite side of the waistline argument pertains to the young girls (and women), who swear that they cannot buy a pair of pants that are loose enough, and full enough to cover the cracks of their ۩sses. Have you been accosted while sitting on the bus by the woman who is sitting directly in front of you, who stands up to exist the bus, and then you are blinded with five inches of fresh, unadulterated ۩ss Crack. Damn!!!
And believe me, one size does not fit all!! Big ones, thin ones, thick ones – there is no telling when you may be attacked by the Crack. Walking down the street, right after lunch, it peers out from below the too-short blouse with frills and flesh – and Crack. Fashion designers are saving tons of money on fabric, but we are witnesses to the revealed tons of ۩ss Crack as a result of their economic savings. But everything in its place, as ۩ss Crack has its functional role in the needs of the body, but it is hardly a valuable aesthetic that has been foisted on the vision of the public.
And of course, in the role of runner up is ‘too tight Coochie View’. It is suggested that men wear boxers rather than briefs because it allows the genitals to breathe. Women need to heed this message as well. The tightness of the pants does not allow ‘that Girl’ to breathe. Dye from the material further complicates this situation, and the next thing you know, Toxicana Kitty Kat. Air; it is not just for Athletic Shoes.
Too Fat to Fit – It Was Not Made for You
Miss Helen always said, “Just because it is in the store does not mean that it was made for you to purchase and wear.” As the fattest nation on the planet, Super XXX sizes are an American invention. Yeah you have Sumos in Japan, and American Samoans (see that word American again), but it is recognized that this small class of individuals are an anomaly to that specific society. The Super XXX size is almost standard, and even this is too small for both men and women in this society. How do I know? I see them on the streets of Philadelphia, New York, D.C., Port of Spain, Boston, and there are comments made about this phenomenon in the newspaper and medical journals. Though the textile industry has attempted to keep up, and these larger sizes do exist, some things were just not made for everyone. Just because you can afford the outfit that your neighbors’ daughters wear, does not mean that it looks good on you. Now seriously, you may want to consider dropping about one hundred of those pounds before you make a concerted effort to redo your wardrobe. I don’t understand you say. Well, though Mo’Nique made a living on ‘Big Girl’ comedy, it seems that she has scaled back the pounds. Still a ‘Big Girl’, but probably a lot Healthier as a result of the size reduction. Can you say “Jennifer Hudson”? And I love me some “Queen”. But Latifah made the argument that she needed to “trim the Girls” because they were causing her Health concerns. Dress age-appropriate, and be elegant!!
Dishonorable Mention: Just because you are thin, does not automatically mean that you look good. A good meal and/or some heavy gravy may be your best friend. Are you listed here?
Cellular Telephone Talking and Personal Business
I really do not want to hear about Mookie’s attitude, and how he always givin’ you grief, but won’t stop comin’ around for the boote…’.
I could care less about how you are ‘…tired of these damn kids, and their teacher callin’ up to come get them outta school because they ain’t actin’ right in class; thas’ they damn job to handle that sh*t…’.
I am the least bit interested in knowing that ‘…your bills are so far behind that you are on the verge of being evicted, and nobody in your family is shoveling over the money to help you out, because the last time you disappeared for three weeks to the crack house and spent up all the money they lent you for the last episode of eviction scare’….
Kindly keep to yourself, that ‘…you had to leave town because they wanted you to murder tha’ boy, and you jus’ wasn’t down wit dat sh*t’; they crazy’….
Ever wonder how we got to know all of this stuff about the people around you as you travel through the city, supposedly minding your own business, but being encased in these conversations?
Two words: Cellular Telephones
With the explosion of affordable technology, we have been forcefully included in conversations that were in the recent past, none of our business. Most of the urban population uses this technology, and when they use it, they do it loudly. Thus I am an unwilling participant in the conversation. Very personal, and very unwanted information is being streamed to me on a regular basis as I attempt to avoid these steady intrusions from peoples’ lives that I do not (nor want to) know. Just like cashiers, cellular telephone use in confined quarters should be disallowed, and volume police probably need to be hired. Better yet, create the technology that monitors volume, and when you exceed the limit, you are duly reminded.
Dishonorable Mention: Foreigners seem to talk the loudest. I have no idea what they are discussing, whether they are from Africa, India, Poland, or China, but they have the discussion at such a volume that it is audibly disturbing. Know that it is a consistent pattern that I have noticed locally, and in my travels. If One put their mouth close enough to the transmitter, there is a high probability that it is unnecessary to yell at the device; just a personal observation.
Dishonorable Mention – Stupid Announcement: Older persons who are traveling on public transportation need to much intelligent about their telephone etiquette in such environments. For someone who is challenged by multiple maladies, including poor hearing, and less than agile movement, announcing on your cellular telephone that you are going to, or coming from the bank, is probably not the most beneficial discussion to have while on the bus, subway, or commuter train. There are younger, stronger, more desperate individuals, (male and female) that can use the money in your wallet or pocketbook for their own needs and wants. And in your compromised physical condition, you may b a candidate for making a sacrifice to the ‘Gank-Gods’ (crooks, thieves, and strong-arms). Not to mention that your frail person may be subjected to additional physical hardship in the process of donating to these financial relief experts. Save your conversation for when you are in the privacy of your own home; not public transportation (unless of course, these personalities live in your home; if so, mum’s the word).
Cigarette Smoke
It would seem that in today’s industrialized societies, where information is readily available about most things whether personal, professional, or social, that the reality that cigarette smoking (or any smoking that requires one to ingest hot fumes) is probably not the best thing for anyone’s Health to deliberately inhale. As I walk around the streets of Philadelphia, it amazes me that so many people still smoke (though I now know that the active narcotic in cigarettes, nicotine, is extremely addictive, and stimulates pleasure centers in the brain that make it even more difficult to discard). Nicotine is produces “free radicals” in the body and starves the system of oxygen. Free radicals damage the body’s DNA (DNA makes you you and someone or something else), which is the chemical structure inside the body that makes you you. Damaged or mutated DNA is a major contributor to cancer, which has its roots in free radicals generated by cigarette smoking. Note also that there are approximately six hundred (600) additives in cigarettes including ammonia, that further exacerbate the deteriorating characteristics of the nicotine, and become even more dangerous when burned. For example when a cigarette is burned chemical reactions produce hydrogen cyanide, carbon monoxide, and nitrogen oxides all of which are very toxic and/or carcinogenic.
But adults have an option to do as they please, so if you would like to be exposed to these proven toxins, you are welcomed to do so. But cigarette smoke is not static; it moves. Those persons who do not want this imposition are exposed to any of the related ailments associated with this smoke consumption. So for those restaurants that have a ‘smoking section’ I have to state that they are not really concerned about their Health or that of their non-smoking patrons, because smoke moves; again, it is not static. The importance of this Health hazard cannot be overlooked, despite its economic beneficial economic impact.
Dishonorable Mention: Montreal, Quebec, Canada, the site of the annual Montreal Jazz Festival is also the second worse city in Quebec behind Quebec City in terms of its cigarette smoking population. This activity in Montreal is always acutely displeasurable and takes some of the enjoyment out of attending the festival. There is a complaisance about it that defies logic, but maybe the complaisance is fueled by universal Health care for all in Canada. Unfortunately, smoking is linked to lung cancer, and cancer still kills.
Body Odor and Bad Breath
There are many sources for body odor and bad breath. Bad breath often starts in the mouth, but often is generated by putrefaction living inside the small intestine in the form of un-eliminated waste. If that bad breath smells like “poop” it is most likely “poop” in the gut; and old “poop” at that. Drinking water and eating a Nutrition regimen high in vegetables and fruits can address this challenge in the long-term. A series of high colonics may be the immediate fix for this challenge.
“B.O.” can also be the result of a poorly kept internal environment, but the more immediate remedy for this is “a bath”!!! This is not a drip on those whose living situation is extremely challenged and their ability to access proper lavatory hampers their ability to handle this bodily requirement. This is about those persons who work every day, have the means to bath regularly, but choose to avoid the activity, whether morning, noon, or night. I have walked by persons in professional environments who smell like goat-herders; not good!! We need to find a way to say to these persons that this is not a cultural entitlement; it is offensive, kindly change!! And if the discussion gets stuck in the cultural arena, remind them that the “cowboy culture” of bathing only on Saturday nights is no longer the norm and is therefore not welcomed in modern society.
Respect YourSelf
This is a difficult area. Many have no idea what it means to ‘respect One’s Self’. It is not just about One’s likes and dislikes. It seems that the key to this lies in the concept of Self-Esteem, which itself is intricately anchored to One’s level of Self-Confidence. Self-Confidence is feeling comfortable about One’s ability. Thus, these three states of mind (Self-Respect, Self-Esteem, and Self-Confidence) are intricately interwoven, and influence the general character of the individual. but when viewing Self-Esteem, this idea becomes more generalized to encompass One’s overall comfort in all aspects of One’s Life. And it should be noted that in respecting the Self, it is not necessary to denigrate others. Any attitudes or reflected behaviors (yes, attitudes and behaviors are different, though attitudes usually dictate how One behaves) that resemble non-appreciation of other Human beings is something other than Self-Respect. If people generally enjoy spending time with you because of who you are, and not because of what you have, or what you can do to or for them, it is likely that you have a decent handle on the Self-Respect/Self-Esteem/Self-Confidence locus. Therefore, for those who do not have it going-on in this arena, incorporating a Healthy dose of Self-Respect may be a great additional to enhance the quality of your Life. This can be easily accomplished by spending some quality alone-time with yourSelf to review this partition of your Life.
Babies Making Babies
“Youth is wasted on the young!!” As I watch the children of children attempt to make their way through the maze of Life with little or no valuable guidance, it is a sad reminder of how far we have come/fallen as a species by way of the modern creature comforts that have eroded our sense of, and actual Humanity.
All Guts, No Glory
There is a difference in seeing someone, male or female, in a shirt or blouse that shows off a “six-pack” of abdominal muscles, as opposed to ‘jelly’. So for those who only have ‘guts to display’, believe me, these ‘revealing’ tops on you are anything but ‘glorious’. Stop it!!!
Personal Space
When I get on the bus, I try to distance mySelf from others allowing them, as much as is reasonably possible, their personal space. So I am quite annoyed with the person who gets onto a near-empty bus and comes to sit right next to me. I always wonder if the individual is so insecure that they need to blend into my person to hide. Or alternatively, I wonder what their motivations are, and if they are trying to do something to me. I now try to avoid this conundrum because I often sit on the outside seat, which forces the individual to ask to cross over me, and more often than not, if they of the first personality mentioned above, they are not going to pierce that wall. Peace and quiet in travel; what a luxury.
Dishonorable Mention: At open concert events, I again try to sit away from the crowds and find a space alone. Invariably, someone immediately shows up and sits in my damn lap, like they cannot make a decision until I make one; that my location is the only one of thousands that look like the place to sit. Again, this personal space issue becomes unwieldy and confining because it seems that the public at-large has a difficult time standing on their own two feet, or sitting in their own personal space.
Fake Hair
This fashion service is not new. Ladies have been enhancing their persons with fake stuff ever since clothing became fashion, thus moving beyond function. Fashion developed out of ‘costumes’ and informs the general public as to trends in dress, especially as pertains to clothing, shoes, and accessories that extend the look of the person.
The primary function of hair is to protect the human by providing heat in the winter and cooling in the summer, but is more often thought of in a more social context. As a result, for centuries, hair has become an obsession in itself. Having long hair is often thought as valuable, and Chris Rock did an expose’ on the notion of “good hair” and the lengths that many go to to have hair on their heads.
I rant because like many obsessions, it has moved many from more substantial concerns, like Health and Wellness (though for some, it is become the key external vehicle to bolster their Self-Esteem), skills, relationships, and a lasting view of the world in which we all Live and breathe. There is so much more that can be explored concerning this topic, but as I have been told, “…It is my hair; I paid good (or not so good) money for it…”. Fling on!!!
Junk-Food Vegetarians
Fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, and grains are the components of a vegetarian Life-Style. Animals and their by-products do not truly qualify as plant-based items which, along with animal rights, may have fostered the need to identify as OneSelf as a “Vegan” to make certain that it is understood that no animals or their by-products are eaten, and if possible, used (like in clothing).
There are many that may not eat animal products, but continue to harm themSelves through the consumption of minimally Nutritious items, such as potato chips, candy, processed snacks and drinks. And let me remind those that know me, I have a fetish for potato chips and fine chocolate, but these are not my staple. Processed foods are processed foods, and their ability to provide what a body needs are limited to the level of processing of the item, and to the ability of the individual body to break it down and absorb what is useful from the consumption. I follow a “plant-based” regimen, and approximately ninety to ninety-five percent (90-95%) of what I eat on a daily basis are plants in the form of fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, nuts, and seeds; assisted by the periodic piece of fish, and plenty of water. Most of my juices are blended or squeezed at home, and ‘Voila!!!’.
So, I am not harping on the consumption of processed items to the point of ad nauseam. I am strongly suggesting that those who have stopped eating meat to become vegetarian, take it upon themSelves to also do some homework, and less that, eat some fresh fruits and vegetables, supported by a all-star cast of whole grains (not pasta and white rice), nuts, seeds, Sea Vegetables, and beans, and avoid the dairy (including cheese), alcohol, chemicals, and toxins to allow the body to make its necessary adjustments to this new approach to food consumption.
Health Takes Personal Commitment
To close, let me insist that the quality of One’s Health is a direct result of the care and attention that the individual pays to those things that are happening in their kitchens, outings, and Lives. Doctors and Wellness Practitioners will lead you to the door using their specific methodologies. But it is really up to You!!, the individual, to make certain that you are in optimal shape and consuming the best beneficial foods. You have to want and pursue a high quality of Life as a matter of Life and Death. Because in reality, it is a ‘…matter of Life and Death…’; Yours!!! (And just know that there such things as ‘the walking dead’; they are just too hyper to lie down.)
So straight up: you are the best person to invest in, and improve your Personal Health. Guidance comes from many sources, but it is really up to you to do the work once receiving the data, whether from reading or counseling or a medical advisor. And remember, “Bon appétit!!”.
