It's an Automatic Prince's Blog

The Worst Gaydar Ever

2009-06-24T15:14:00.000-04:00

Since I'm teaching and I can get free credit for some classes as a student, I'm taking this interesting pedagogy class during the summer session. My teacher is known to go off on tangents and talk about her personal life quite extensively. If you'd like to know about her high school years (both as a teacher and a student), or about 'this one time when she had mono', you should definitely think about joining the class. I'm not really complaining, because it's somewhat fun, and she's a good person (still, I'm not sure I need to know all that).
Today (I totally forgot what point she wanted to illustrate), she started talking about how, when she was in college,at party, a guy she had taken interest in wanted to try and cut her hair.
The relationship (over-)analyst that I am had to intervene; I simply couldn't help it.
'You know that if you're a girl and the guy that you're interested in wants to cut your hair, chances are he just won't date a girl'
'Well, we did date for six months.. but then it didn't work out because he found out that he was gay.'
Me, thinking. 'DUH!'

You didn't have to be gay (or be there) to figure that one out. It's so interesting and funny how some people have no gaydar whatsoever.
Is love (or lust) THAT blind?

The Young and the Witless : Say what ?

2009-06-21T14:12:00.000-04:00

Sex was good. Pretty good actually. As a matter of fact, I thought I was going to pass out for a quick second. Whether it was the intensity of the sex we just had or my empty stomach that made me ask for some chicken the very moment we were done, we'll never know.
Now we're both lying on the bed. I just found out that he's got a big family in the area and that I dated his nephew a few months ago. While I'm recuperating, sipping on some red wine and smoking a cigarette, I'm trying to decide what I'm gonna do with that. Does it really matter? He's cute, funny, and a good lover. Besides, we're in Ohio. Things like that are bound to happen at some point, aren't they? Should I let this one slide?
While I'm somewhere lost in these deep thoughts, he's decided to play a movie. It took me a few seconds to realize what we were about to watch.
He goes:
'I don't know if we should watch Finding Nemo. I mean, it's pretty sad'
'Oh really?'
What else could I say?

The Young and the Witless : The Importance of being Well-Read

2009-06-19T14:36:00.001-04:00

First date. He's really cute and well-built. I can't quite seem to decide whether his drinking vodka before dusk on a regular weekday means that he likes to have fun (a little too much), that he's got a lot on his plate today, or that he's just another drunkard. Somehow we (or just I?) start talking about that French author I love... to which his response was:
'OMG, I love reading.'
Me, thinking 'Really? Why is there no books in your room?'
'Reading is so important. I like books so much that I listen to them before I go to sleep'... as he shows me his audio book CD collection.

Tweeting

2009-04-12T23:40:00.004-04:00

Ever since I got a Blackberry a few days ago, I've been completely hooked to Twitter. I have to admit, curious as I am, that I used to spend a lot of time checking out people's status updates on Facebook. With Twitter, I get to do just that too, the only difference being that I, like thousands of twitters, get to "follow" celebrities as well as regular folks. I quoted the term as it makes me feel like such a stalker..
... but then again, isn't that what we are all doing? Stalking each other?
It's funny how we just realize it when the person we are "following" is a celebrity. All of a sudden we feel like a paparazzi, when doing the exact same thing to regular friends seemed pretty normal.
Well, guilt won't stop me from FOLLOWING people. No no no ! I enjoy reading Mariah's sagas too much for that.. Funny thing is,at times, you even get to chat with some of those stars.
Today, as Nicole Scherzinger started replying to my tweets, the simple mortal in me (that I silence most of the time) just freaked out. I just wanted to share the start of the conversation because it made my day (and she gave me permission to "brag" about it. hehe)

So yeah, this was just a light post before going to bed... or not.
Nicole made my day but my students' tests are about to make my night!

Just Breathe Through Your Nose ...

2009-04-10T20:18:00.003-04:00

I know all of the Sex and the City fans will immediately recognize this quote...
It was said in an episode that randomly brought up TEA BAGGING. For those of you who do not know what the term means, I suggest looking it up online before watching the following video.
I have a feeling that the meaning of this term is most likely to be known by people who are in touch with their sexuality, or simply like to go beyond the missionary position. And perhaps that does not include a majority of Republicans...
Some people in the Republican Party have been sending tea bags to Congress to protest President Obama's plan(s). This is an obvious reference to the Boston Tea Party when the colonies refused "Taxation without representation".. a parallel that could make sense in a somewhat literal meaning. But calling yourself a tea-bagger ? Really ?
While Rachel Maddow makes not-so-subtle jokes about the actual meaning of the expression (it had been a minute since I last laughed like this !), could it be that the so-called tea-baggers are actually out on the joke? What kind of world must you live in to not have a clue whatsoever ???

Anyway, this is a must-watch ! ABSOLUTELY HILARIOUS !
Let me know what you think...

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

McDonald's : Equal Opportunity Offender

2009-03-25T13:27:00.003-04:00

Vive La France

Hip-hop stars like Pharrell often expect special treatment from whomever they are dealing with, which could possibly be understandable at times. After all, like Janis would put it, you have to "Get It While You Can." This is probably in that state of mind that the singer / beat-maker walked into good old McDonald's that morning. But here is what he should have kept in mind :

1. Don't expect special attention from people in cheap stores and restaurants (even if people were paid by the commission, it wouldn't make a difference)

2. Don't be too hyper when the people in front of you are painfully trying to get their day started at the crack of dawn (because, actually, not "everyone nose"... If you know what I mean)

3. Even if you're a super-star in your country, you're in France now ! hehe

Make sure you check out the video, it's priceless. Especially when Pharrell starts dancing for a Big Mac, and the look he is then given by the cashier...

ABSOLUTELY PRICELESS

Hibernation

2009-03-25T13:15:00.000-04:00

The snow is gone.
Nature is no longer frozen and its smell has woken up my senses and my spirit. I'm slowly waking up from the hibernation state of mind I was in.
With sunlight and rising temperatures, sweet memories of Africa have also begun to resurface, almost like a slap in the face.
Talk about a wake up call...

I've been postponing and delaying any posting ever since I got back to the US, mostly due to lack of time, overload of work, and a decision to spend the time I had left trying to have a social life and being a butterfly.
Right now I'm on spring break, so I will be updating the blog with little stories and thoughts I kept in various places but never actually posted. They will most probably be backdated so that I can maintain a sort of coherent chronology, so be sure to look them up.

Letting Our Guards Down

2009-01-05T21:12:00.004-05:00

I guess she got me once again. I'm not a big fan of Beyoncé's personality, but her music found its way to me.. yet again. It's been in my head and on my playlist for a few days now. I just can't get enough of it, and this time around I have no one to blame, really.
I don't know if it makes me sad or happy. It's the song I wish I could sing at the top of my lungs and truly mean it. We are all so guarded these days - not because we like it that way, but because at times it seems as though it is the only way to protect what is left of our innocence.
Are we too careful with the pieces of our broken hearts ?
I wish I could let those barriers down and not be afraid because I have a feeling that everything can and will fall into place naturally. This song is not something I can relate to, I think, but instead something I long for.
Not that it would nor should make me complete, but it sure would be nice ...

Holidays in Bordeaux

2009-01-05T20:44:00.001-05:00

It's a strange feeling being back in my hometown. A sweet and sour feeling, actually. Every time I come back I get to see a city that is still going through a lot of changes; seems like it gets a little prettier each year, and now that it is on UNESCO's world heritage list, the foreignization of it all seems to be made a lot easier.
And yet Bordeaux still remains the city I grew up in, a city that makes me feel comfortable and tranquil, maybe a little too comfortable at times.
I believe that if you stay long enough, the city sort of swallows you. It makes you forget about your prior goals and the peace you experience slowly turns into oblivion.. or maybe that's just the way I feel. Regardless, that doesn't really help my quest for a home that will reconcile all the sides there are to me.

France has a lot of good sides, though. I won't even talk about the healthcare system. Quite frankly, I always pray that I can hold back whatever sickness I have until I get to France (for some reason I never felt quite comfortable getting sick in the US ...); Being in the south, I don't have to worry about humongous icicles slicing my head open as I step out of the house, or pipes freezing while I'm away for more than a day. I also get to see my friends, make new ones, hang out with family ... and God had I missed the delicious french bread and pastries !!!

As I mentioned in my previous post, I have never missed a holiday season in France. I guess it is important for me to be with family for xmas, and with extended family for new year's. I think the way one enters a new year is very symbolic.. as stupid as it may sound, I like to see it as a sort of anticipated reflection of what the year has in store for us (a love of symbolism, maybe ?). I never really aim at anything, but instead I simply try not to be (too) pissy and allow myself to be surrounded by positive vibes. Think about it.. if within the first minutes or the first few days of the year you call your ex, for example, then this simply won't be the year that you finally get over him or allow yourself to consciously move on. And that's just one example.
Resolutions are something else.. and as a French procrastinator, I will give myself the whole month of January to think about it (and maybe come up with some) ...

For me, the new year's celebration was spent in an old submarine base, in which a countdown party (which, itself was part of an exhibit) was hosted by Zachary Quinto. It sounds and it IS very artsy. Very "French", I guess. So not my traditional chill home party. Very interesting nonetheless. I got to sip champagne, kiss friends on the cheeks (well, if I don't refer to her as my wife she will start a fight again) and chit chat with one of my favorite tv star. (I didn't dress up as a cheerleader and he didn't try to "steal" my powers, but it's all good). I like to think that there is some good symbolism there....

Thinking about that night. I think it's funny how Zachary Quinto was able to enjoy the party almost like a regular person. I won't say a lot of people didn't try to take a picture and talk to him for a while, but all in all, he didn't need a bodyguard and people gave him a break.
I wonder if it is because his show is not as popular in France as it is in the US, or simply because French fans just know how to behave....

Merry XXXmas

2008-12-25T19:11:00.003-05:00

Even though I've been traveling a lot the past few years, I have never missed a family christmas so far. This year is no exception as my parents flew me back for the holidays (ain't no shame in being a broke student, even though, I have to admit, I was never used to being treated like a spoiled brat).
Yes ! I am in France right now. Seems like I couldn't stay away from foie gras and other French delicacies.... or from my friends and family.
We always have the same rituals on xmas eve. Grandparents come over at 8pm SHARP, we sit nibbling a few crackers, have a few drinks, and give each other presents. We're all peaches and cream before the real talk begins. Every year, we then unfailingly start discussing politics (especially worldwide communism and corporate America), religion (or the lack thereof in one part of our family) before ending up with family matters and sometimes sexuality (my favorite part if it wasn't for their limited straight view on the matter).
This year I gave my sister in law a copy of "Next : New York's Gay Guide" that I picked up on Christopher St last week. I actually picked up a few of those because the issue includes a calendar featuring underwear models only, and I knew they could always serve as perfect extra gifts.
What I didn't think about when I put that magazine in her hands was that everyone else in the room would be so intrigued that they'd want to skim thru the whole thing.
It soon started to dawn on me that some of my relatives (or maybe just the older ones) didn't quite pick up on the fact that it was a made for (and also most probably by) gay guys. As my grandpa, despite his lack of knowledge of the English language, was trying to read through it all, he came across some naughty pictures ... he said that reminded him of the good old days !
He did, however, take that statement back when got to the more explicit "personal ads" at the end of the issue.

Ho Ho Ho. Fairy Christmas !!!

On the 3 Train

2008-12-16T00:46:00.002-05:00

On the 3 train going downtown, there is man trying to contain his son's energy. Although he's got strong mexican traits, he is not that attractive. When he gets off on 72nd St. a man looking exactly like him takes his seat.
What if that was some sort of actual pattern ? I'm starting to think that I'd love to see who might come for my seat when I get off on 14th.
When the cute guy in front of me gets off at Times Square, a man takes his seat almost instantly; he is livid, paunchy, and I can read his nasty thoughts through his gaze ...

Black Friday

2008-12-06T23:22:00.001-05:00

Let's pretend that I didn't forget about the blog for so long and that I don't get overwhelmed that easily, that I can actually write on a regular basis, as things happen.

Being here, I often forget I'm "abroad". At worst, I feel like I'm from a different state, not like I'm spending a part of my life in a "foreign" culture. I don't know if this culture is actually that foreign to me anymore. Over the years, I have pretty much absorbed it to the point of almost making it my own.
Unlike in Nigeria, few are the moments when I'm reminded of the fact that I'm from somewhere else. It did happen last week, though, when it was time for a nice US family holiday. I got my own little family(ies) here for those occasions, so it's not truly that aspect of the holiday that took me back to my frenchness; it was BLACK FRIDAY !

Like I did two years ago, I went on a real-life scavenger hunt alongside my partners in crime/ fellow buffalo crazy shoppers. The six of us got on the van at 4:30 am to accomplish several missions (we really were soldiers/ troopers) in Wal-mart and stores of the kind.
Comparing this adventure to the one we went through two years ago, I could definitely see a pattern there:

1st stage : the excitement of the first stores. Waiting in line while it's still night out, amazed that we're actually awake and full of energy after only 3 hours of sleep. Inside the stores, I fight and definitely nail it!

2nd stage : the slow-down of the 3rd store. By the time we reach the mall, I can barely walk and I can't wait for deliverance.

3rd stage : the regrouping of the troops around a solid breakfast (aka chicken finger subs).

4th stage : everyone is happy with what they got and pass out almost the very moment they get home.

I think I love being a part of this troop and shopping so early because it is absolutely crazy and "foreign" to me (and we're happy shoppers). I see it as a socio-cultural experiment.
I wonder if people would do that back in France if stores participated in this kind of operation. And if they did, would they go as crazy as people go here, fighting for the best deals, stealing from other people's cart, or, like it was the case in NYC this year, trample someone to death because he was not quick enough to get out of the way ?

Shopping very early for the best discounts can be a lot of fun, but it's really not that serious.... that's the part, I think, some people here really need to understand.

I hate this part right there !

2008-12-06T20:47:00.001-05:00

Yes I do. I hate this part right here when I am touched by something that sounds so commercial. The music doesn't move me that much, it's your typical girls band song that is sad yet still up-beat, because slow doesn't sell these days, does it? I love the Pussycat Dolls, though, but it's usually for their provocative (read sluttish) raunchy fun side.

I hate that I love it. Let me rephrase that : I hate that I am obsessed with it. I'm known to go from one obsession to the next, be it songs, movies, or men .. so it's not that much of a shocker. Let's hope it'll be a matter of days only.

I think this feeling is universal, yet I seem to be the only one that can relate to it right now for some reason. ("lol")
It's that one moment, right before the breakup. During that moment, time seems to be standing still. Nobody is saying anything, your heart is growing heavy because you both know what's happening... but saying it is accepting it.

I've been there before, like many other people, on both sides of the fence. My heart always seems to feel unbearably heavy in both situations, though. That is why I never understood people who seem to not be affected by this feeling at all. As a matter of fact, it may hurt even more when your pain leaves them cold.

Anyway, this theme is bound to touch anyone on a personal level. If you don't pay too much attention to the music, that is.

Just A (Scientific) Reminder

2008-11-11T15:08:00.002-05:00

Random Thought in Starbucks

2008-11-08T17:06:00.003-05:00

Is there anything more annoying than a loud loser who knows his condition (as does the rest of the world) but wants to convince himself (and the rest of the world) that he is (over)confident, talking about a girl he badly wants and is awkwardly trying to pursue ?
Having to listen to the loser sitting in front of him put his 2 cents in, maybe ....

Mimi Malone

2008-10-30T00:23:00.007-04:00

4th (and last?) single from E=MC². Not the best song from the album yet catchy enough (but I'm obviously very biased when it comes to Mimi), Mariah's low register always gets me, and the topic is something anybody can relate to ...

"And I try to front like 'oh well' each time you let me down"

After all, it sometimes seems like not being able to let go is Man's most predominant psychological trait (and I'm speaking from experience).

Also, I love love love the clichés; why is that car on fire again ? I must have underestimated the angry tone in this song.
And why do I feel like there is something missing in this song ? I can't put my finger on it, though...

Waiting for the Bus

2008-10-30T00:15:00.001-04:00

This morning I was waiting for the bus to go to KSU. I wasn't the only one standing at the bus stop; an old was there too and apparently, he was in a socializing mood.

- Old man : You're going to school ?
- Me : Yes. You're going to work ?
- Old Man : No, I'm going to an AA meeting
- Me : Oh ok. Is that in Kent ?
- Old Man : A lot of shit has happened in my life, but I haven't drank in 14 years. Once I had 7 teeth pulled out in one time !

Nailin' Palin : VP Debate

2008-10-12T15:36:00.002-04:00

Real Debate (if you can bear that) :

SNL Spoof (much shorter and funnier, even though a lot of things were actually taken from the real debate... amazing):

Nailin' Palin : Little Overview

2008-10-12T15:14:00.004-04:00

Lately, my favorite entertainment went from checking out people's status updates on facebook to watching video clips of (or about) Sarah Palin. It's amazing the job those folks at SNL do ... (or is it ?)

Here is the first sketch that had SNL regain some long-lost popularity, where you see Tina Fey as Sarah Palin and Amy Poehler as Hillary Clinton

And here is the second sketch they had which parodied the Couric / Palin sets of interviews

At first I thought their sense of humor was hilarious... until I found something funnier : the original interviews. Seeing the parody and understanding the fact that some of those hilariously stupid comments were things Sarah Palin said almost word for word made those real interviews even funnier. Check it out for yourself ...

This is just a little mix of some of Palin's "best" moments. A plethora of other clips can be found on youtube, of course, and it's totally worth it.

A non-so-funny fact, of course, is that this individual could actually one day be "one heartbeat away from the White House" .

Racism in the Elevator

2008-10-02T23:46:00.000-04:00

Nailin' Palin : Homosexuality and Abortion

2008-09-30T18:26:00.001-04:00

"Homosexuality is a choice"

Oh no she did not use the "my best friend is gay" card !!!
I hope she can provide us all with the date she actually DECIDED to become straight. In her case, I also wonder if being an idiot is a choice...
Just a thought to ponder.

"Abortion should be illegal, even in a case of rape"

I don't even have words for this one...

Deafinitely Awkward

2008-09-15T19:00:00.001-04:00

My friend T. is deaf. I'm not that great with ASL but I do try.
I like spending time with him, learning new signs and trying to communicate as efficiently as I can.
I have to say, though. I really don't like being on the phone with him through the relay calls. Sharing an entire conversation with an operator can be quite embarrassing when they are the witness to a dull conversation (and they really don't help with their monotonous voices)

Back in the Midwest (ugh!)

2008-09-13T20:08:00.001-04:00

Today, on the bus back home from the supermarket, a girl was checking herself out using her pocket mirror. She was wearing about 5 different colors (none of which actually matched) in the plainest form, on the dullest type of material. This girl was simply classless, yet she spent the entire trip meticulously putting her hair together and that ... was priceless.
That scene kept echoing in my head the whole day as a "Welcome (back) to the Midwest, betch!!"

Orientation

2008-08-15T18:55:00.000-04:00

Today, orientation for international students started. We're all being taught about the "American way" and how to survive the KSU experience. We also have to go through the tedious task of filling out a plethora of forms. I got back from Buffalo last night and I'm exhausted but I'm trying to keep up with the program.
As we need to go from building to building and not all of them are in walking distance, someone is driving a group of us around. I find myself in a packed combi, just like in Nigeria or Botswana and I start to think the analogy is somewhat funny. This time, though, I am not surrounded by gorgeous men but by a bunch of "asian nerds"..
...not a bright start.

One City - One Story : Buffalo - Group Therapy

2008-08-11T17:51:00.000-04:00

As usual, I'm having the time of my life at camp. I didn't see how I could spend an entire summer away, which is why, even though I was in Nigeria most of the summer, I decided to come volunteer for a session before heading to Kent.
Tonight, we were setting up the Rec Hall for our evening program called "Stress Relief". It consists in a few relaxing activities like hand massages, which helps us regulate the kids' (hyper)activity level. We kept that a secret, though and all the kids knew was the name of the program.
As I was pulling up a few chairs, one of them came to me and asked: "Are we going to have to talk about our feelings ?"
That's when it dawned on me that adding group therapy to our camp activities list would not necessarily be a bad idea ...