Ackee and Saltfish by Cecile Emeke

I discovered the web series Ackee and Saltfish from a visit to the Manrepeller website. After watching the featured episode "The Lauryn Hill Tickets" (see below) I had to watch more. Thus leading to me having to feature it on IWTH. The creator, Cecile Emeke was featured in The New York Times. The series "documents" the everyday lives of two friends and the bantering and realism of their conversation is hilarious. The concept of ordinary people having something to say - and worth being heard - is a concept that is rarely observed in television in the US. Of course television is normally scripted (as is the web series) but the situations are rather extreme and often times you wonder "Who actually does this?". The simplicity of the series of extremely enjoyable, so feel free to preview below:

Hope you laughed as much as I did, and look at the other videos on YouTube.

Diversity in Debates

(One of my favorite discussions was "Contemporary Art Excludes the 99%" - Listen in Soundcloud)

I'm a huge fan of Intelligence Squared debates. At work sometimes I listen to them on Soundcloud and they help keep me motivated - and during dull times entertained. And as I listen and listen to many podcasts, I couldn't really help but notice a trend: in a panel of four, three are men and one is a woman; especially in the debates held in America.

Review: The Wind-Up Bird Chronicles

(Photo found in Tumblr. I was a bit lazy and didn't feel like photographing my own book)

I finally read/finished The Wind-Up Bird Chronicles by Haruki Murakami. I know I took a really long hiatus from the novel, but I just couldn't help myself. At the time I started reading the book, I was in a state of mind that was not quite ready for a book so mind-bending. It wasn't the style of story I was accustomed to reading, and so I found it slightly difficult to continue. I was also at university - struggling through courses - and was already rather tired and unstable. The Murakami novel was only making my mind more messed up. So I dropped it, and finally this year I was able to finish it. I even have the commemorative date on my Instagram account as evidence. Yes. Yes, I did read all of it. And no, I never skipped to the last paragraph. I felt like an adult!

Reading List of 2015

If I excused myself for my absence (again), I doubt anyone would be listening at this point. So, I think I'll just plow on - as always - with the assumption that everyone and no one is listening.

Becoming Conscious

I have thought about the responsibilities I have as a human being to myself, to my species, and to the rest of the planet that I inhabit. It seems to me that the world appears to be in great - and perhaps at times, endless - turmoil. Turn on the news and you quickly hear of killings, robberies, and wars. But there are also truths we rarely see (especially here in the United States, with the media being so selective of what it portrays) and realities far more gruesome than we may like to acknowledge.

Merchant and Rhoades in Chicago

P.O.S.H. in Chicago

They Joined a Motorcycle Gang

Space519 in Chicago

Review - Freeman Avocado and Oatmeal Clay Mask

Don't be alarmed! It's just me, experimenting with face masks on the last day of summer hours at work (which means that last Friday I got out at 12:30pm!!). I prefer experimenting with masks and treatments when I'm alone, or when I can have free time away from the family, mostly because they - my mom especially! - aren't really accustomed to putting much on their faces (thinking about my mom's face now, smooth and acne free makes me think that she's definitely doing something right!) so I like to try them away from judging eyes.

For the Love of Metal

New addition to the ring collection (which is really quite non-existent, actually). Debated buying the ring for a while, and asked myself countless times if I was really going to wear it. Well, since I bought it, I haven't really taken it off. Serves me right for doubting myself!

Mission Blue - A Documentary

Such a wonderful documentary about the state of the Earth's oceans. It really tells us that just because the surface looks the same, it doesn't mean that the inside isn't dying. Maybe we should apply that to our everyday lives, and start changing the way we perceive nature and our connection to it. I would really, really, recommend watching this. It's on Instant Play on Netflix, or rent it somewhere. Worth watching!

The Little Things That Could - Part 5 (Final)

The fifth, and final installment in the series: The Little Things That Could (if you haven't read them: 1, 2, 3, and 4), let me give you a bit of insight about my hair. It's sometimes wavy, it's sometimes curly; and it is always frizzy. For years I struggled with my hair shape and texture, and a few butchered haircuts left me afraid of hair salons and brushing. I now cut my hair in the privacy of my own home, and if I fuck it up I have no one to blame but myself; brushing was left for hair-washing days.

The Little Things That Could - Part 4

The Little Things That Could - Part 3

The second second installment of "The Little Things That Could" is all about my infamously chapped lips and the two products that have helped make them less sandpaper-ish. Something that wasn't pictured here, but goes a bit with last post's theme, is exfoliating my lips. There really isn't much point in applying a bunch of lip balm to peeling and disgusting lips (mine can get pretty damn bad!), so I usually combine honey and brown sugar, or coconut sugar, to exfoliate.

The Little Things That Could - Part 2

Nails. I've talked about them several times here and here and needless to say, I like my nails to be in order. Chipped manicures give me a twitch, and I suffered for a while from peeling nails. As a teen, I used to have the habit of taking off my polish in the shower...by scraping it off...I probably don't need to tell you just how bad that is for your nails, since you end up scraping off the top layer of your nail as well. Then, the debacle with the no-chip manicure caused my nails to become brittle, peeling, and essentially awful. Aside from incorporating a healthier diet into my regime (I say this while I eat a coconut macaroon, but we're allowed cheat days, right? Right?!), I also incorporated the products above.

The Little Things That Could - Part 1

This series (with a total of 5 parts to be posted throughout this week) is all about the products that have been my saving grace for the past month or so. I have been trying to regain some semblance to balance in my life, as a major breakout had greatly affected my self-esteem - let's face it, it happens - and going to work with a blotchy, acne-covered face seemed really painful and made me self-conscious.

New Things Are Coming

Now, I don't mean to gloat....however, I have finally purchased a new camera! After a few years with a Nikon 70D, and using my Samsung Note 3 the past year for taking pictures, it was time to get a camera that could take IWTH to a new level (and of course, it's such a fun toy!). I didn't get a point and shoot, only because I am convinced that those cameras are nowhere near as efficient and cool as the SLRs. Plus, I really want to expand my lens collection, film some videos (new projects!), and try new techniques on photography. I might even consider buying the VSCO Film (please tell me if you have used it and think is worth the price!), but I'm not too sure yet. Below are some of the test shots I took with the camera.

What do you think? Since I am super excited about this camera, I'll be posting a several new things, even if it means doing most of the writing during the weekend, since it becomes a bit difficult at times during the week because of work. Get ready for lots in IWTH!

Downtown Disney - A Visit

Finally, some pictures from Disney Town! I had the most delicious seafood platter there, that genuinely made me rethink how I eat seafood - no need to fry it, people! And that cocktail at the top was by far the most delicious non-alcoholic drink I have ever had.

I'm going to take this moment to recall a time not long ago, where I could wake up at 10 (but not really) and live by the motto "hakuna matata".

Favorite Products

I'd apologize for my absence, and promise never to be gone for so long...but we have the kind of relationship where you can honestly call my bull. But in all seriousness, I have genuinely been busy! Now with a full time job, no internet access (recreational, anyway), or Instagram (that is definitely the saddest part about my lack of 4G at work!), I am left with very little time to actually work up the strength to come up with something interesting.

To start off my round of apologies, here are my favorite things this month. Call it a "Monthly Favorites", but not really.

Pictured above are: Chanel Imitable Mascara, RMS Beauty Living Luminizer, Elizabeth and James Nirvana Black, Revlon Colorburst (in a color I can't recall at the moment), Sephora Clear Mascara, and Lush Colour Supplement