Beyonce, Girls Run the World? Maybe.

Beyonce’s newest single “Girls” has gotten a LOT of attention.  While most of Beyonce’s songs are mega hits that get tons of positive critical acclaim, “Girls” is mixed, at best.  Never before have I heard as many people flatout dislike Queen B’s music.  I know for myself, it’s had to grow on me and even then…ehhh.  I dunno.  The biggest thing I do appreciate however is the “girl power” message it pushes.  I find it to be a very inspiring thing amid a world that continues to tell us that women aren’t good enough, despite being the gender responsibile for birthing and nurturing humanity.

With that being said, I was caught off guard when I watched the video below.  I find myself not knowing whether to applaud this woman or to tell her to remove the stick out of her arse and lighten up.  Can I do both?  And if I can only do one, I’ll go ahead and go with the latter.

S/O to the homie, Antoine Edmonson, for getting me hip.  Also, if you have the time, go listen to his music…very inspirational young man and I’m proud to call him a friend.

You Had Me At… “Hello”

Ladies, have you ever encountered a man who’s presence and influence demanded such respect, such momentum, such awe that all you could do was sit back while you watched him like, “Dang!”  It also doesn’t hurt if this man looks absolutely delicious.  And the icing on the cake…he is yours?!

One of my absolute FAVORITE songs of Beyonce’s is “Hello,” which elaborates on the EXACT sentiment I just described above.  I have nothing BUT positive memories (and one day hopes for my future) from this song.  Every time I listen to it my heart is filled with overwhelming warmth and hope; warmth in the fact that the human heart can be capable of such strong, intense emotion and hope because I know that one day I will be married to a man who’s sheer being will perfectly exemplify this song in my eyes.

I can’t wait.

I love to see you walk into the room, Body shining lightin’ up the place;
And when you talk everybody stops, Cause they know you know just what you sayin.
The way that you protect your friends, Baby I respect you for that;
And when you grow you take everyone you love along, I love that stuff.

Don’t fly me away, Don’t need to buy a diamond key to unlock my heart;
You shelter my soul, you’re my fire when I’m cold, I want you to know…

You had me at hello, hello, hello;
You had me at hello, hello, hello.
It was many years ago, baby when you, stole my cool;
‘Cause you had me at hello, hello, hello.

I get so excited when you travel with me, Baby while I’m on my grind;
And never will I ever let my hustle come between me and my family time and…
You keep me humble out of this hype, Cause you know there’s more to life,
And if I need ya, you will be here, You will make the sacrifice.

Don’t fly me away, Don’t need to buy a diamond key to unlock my heart;
You shelter my soul, you’re my fire when I’m cold, Just want you to know…

You had me at hello, hello, hello;
You had me at hello, hello, hello.
It was many years ago, baby when you, stole my cool;
You had me at hello, hello, hello.

Gotta feel you, and be near you, You’re the air that I breathe to survive;
Gotta hold you, wanna show you, That without you my sun doesn’t shine.
You don’t have to try so, hard for me to love you;
Boy without you my life just ain’t the same, You don’t have to try so hard for me to love you….

You had me at hello, hello, hello;
You had me at hello, hello, hello.
It was many years ago, when you, stole my cool;
You had me at hello, hello, hello.

P.S. It’s rare that anyone is ever actually had right “at” hello, but it’s a nice thought, is it not?!

“Get Me Bodied,” Michelle Obama Style!

Our First Lady has been pushing a healthier lifestle initiative to fight childhood obesity since her and President Obama took office (yes, they did it TOGETHER! lol). Back in January perhaps you remember when I wrote on how she partnered with Wal-Mart to lower their prices of fresh produce.  Yesterday she joined forces with the modern-day phenomenon that is best identified by one word: Beyonce!

At Mrs. Obama’s request, Beyonce went back to the studio and recorded a new version of her hit, “Get Me Bodied” that features such common dance moves as The Running Man, The Dougie, high knees, shuffling to the right and left, jumping rope, et al.  She now has created a song that doubles as a fun, workout song.  A new music video has been shot as well that also serves as the workout tutorial.

This is Beyonce’s video that is very bright, colorful and friendly.

This is the flash workout routine that gives the viewer a better grasp of how (and when) to perform the dance/workout moves.

This video is DEFINITELY being implemented into my little workout routine.  My legs have been showing the fruits of my mediocre efforts of calf raises, squats and lunges.  I do my actual “work outs” anywhere from 2-5x a week (depending on how I feel and if I remember to do it) and this video will be the intense, 4-min dose of cardio that I’m missing from my current 3-min workouts.  And yes, I say all of the above in absolute seriousness (but you all should know me well enough by now to know that I’m dead serious lol).