Notable and Quotable

"I don't fear insects or spiders. At great heights, I jump off, smiling. In the face of death I wink. But, when I look into your eyes, I'm in fear of how much I love you."
-Source Unknown

Lesson Learned: Bump Pillow Talk...

...Its about the pillow fight!

Ever had one of those days when you and your love are bickering over everything! Where to eat, what to watch, the weekend's plans, etc, etc. Those times happen and don't necessarily amount to relationship-threatening arguments. Its a result of spending time together. A great solution is the pillow fight. While in no way do I condone domestic violence, I do condone picking up the bed pillows and embracing some mortal combat. Be gentle. But its a great stress/aggression relief. Then you can kiss, make up and get to the pillow talk. Besides, at the heart of all that aggression...is love.

Off My Chest: White Lies

To lie to me is to disrespect me. I do not appreciate it and will not tolerate it. Why lie to me over something that means absolutely nothing? Had you told the truth, there would have been no argument--maybe even no conversation about it. But because you are too scared to face and to speak the truth, you lie. And how do I know that you lie? Well although Atlanta has over 4 million residents, its really a small place. I know people in your circle that you wouldn't dream that I know. I know where you're headed often times before you even do. As you form your lips to speak a lie, my mind is already wrapped around the truth. Not only do I know the truth but I know that about the truth you'll lie. White lies piss me off to no end because if you have the audacity to lie to me about little things, then I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that when big things get poppin' you'll surely lie to cover your a**

With that being said, you've got about 3 more lies before your whites make me fade to black...
...and that's the truth!

Sorry, I just had to get that off my chest.

ATL Celebrilove: Footballer's Wives

'Tis football season again. In honor of the pigskin I decided to highlight two of our notable Falcon's and their wives. If you're looking for Warrick's, well he's not married. If you're looking for Vick's, well not only is he not married, but he really is no longer a Falcon.

Alge Crumpler and his beautiful family (both UNC grads)...













And who knew that DeAngelo Hall was married? She's actually a working woman herself. I hear she's a realtor. Introducing...Jada Hall.

Peachy Date Ideas: The Mile High Club, well sorta...

Forget going to the movies after dinner. Instead, try a helicopter tour of Atlanta. I did a few months ago and it was quite the experience. Surprisingly it wasn't terribly expensive. Very romantic and oh so exciting! A true upgrade. Try the following sites:

http://www.airatlantahelicopters.com/
http://www.atlantaheli.com/
http://www.alphahelicopter.com/

Lesson Learned: Wedding Crashers

Is it just me, or have you noticed that everyone and their momma is getting married these days? Engagement rings are being thrown around like play toys. Every Saturday from the beginning of August until the end of October is clouded with another friend's wedding. I mean I'm ecstatic for the happy couples, but I'll be honest, occasionally the "why isn't it me" mentality takes over. Like many of you I've been planning my wedding since I was 8 1/2 years old. When will my dreams become a freakin' reality? In all of the selfishness, I must remind myself (and you too) that thou shalt not hate. In fact, remember these words to get you through those times when you're feeling green with envy:

To everything there is a season,a time for every purpose under the sun.A time to be born and a time to die;a time to plant and a time to pluck up that which is planted;a time to kill and a time to heal ...a time to weep and a time to laugh;a time to mourn and a time to dance ...a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing;a time to lose and a time to seek;a time to rend and a time to sew;a time to keep silent and a time to speak;a time to love and a time to hate;a time for war and a time for peace.
ecclesiastes 3:1-8

Don't worry my dears....our time will come. Until then hit up those registries, rehearsals, and receptions with a smile on your face and pure joy in your heart for the brides and grooms to be.

Cheers!

Love Don't Live Here Anymore: Juanita Bynum Update

Photo courtesy of AJC.

So, the alleged wife beater, Bishop Thomas Weeks is now out on bond after attacking his estranged wife, Juanita Bynum in a hotel parking lot on Wednesday. He surrendered to authorities and spent about 6 hours in jail. He was ordered to have no contact with Bynum or her sister. AJC is reporting that Weeks released the following statements through his lawyers:

"He is extremely sad over the events that have taken place," said Edward Garland, one of the two attorneys representing Weeks. "I think there is hope on his part that the relationship can get past these difficult moments.
"He has never had any accusation of any sort like this from her or anyone esle," said Garland. "There are a lot of circumstances surrounding these events that will be explained at a later time. He is turning it over to the court system at this point.''
Weeks, Garland said, will meet with "a variety of pastors over which he presides, and with his father, who is a minister, and he's going to make a prayerful decision as to how he proceeds. He's dedicated his whole life to the ministry, and we're very hopeful that he will be able to continue to lead the ministry."

Bynum is attempting to make clear through her publicist that the two were not fighting, she was assaulted.

Off My Chest/Lesson Learned: On Your Mark, Get Set, Go...

What they say is true. Maybe sad, but nonetheless true. I'm sorry, but nice guys really do finish last. I attribute your place in line to the "it" "confidence" and "chase" factors.

The "It" Factor
To put it simply, the "nice guys" that I've met and/or tried to date just lack "it". What is "it"? Well, "it" really can't be described. It's a look, a feeling, a state of mind. I'm an outgoing, energetic and well-rounded person. Any man I date must be the same. Of course there is some level of stereotype included in what I'm about to say but nice guys just normally aren't that well-rounded or outgoing. Our interests just aren't aligned. For instance, it's great that you are a lawyer or doctor or computer specialist. Congrats on your achievements. But is there more to you than that? Must every dinner conversation be about politics, the latest medical breakthrough, or your last vacation to tour the Mayan ruins. I'm sorry, but sometimes (actually often times) I'd rather talk about who's sleeping with who in the celebrity world, who's going to win Sunday night's Making the Band, and whether Spencer really does have Heidi brainwashed on The Hills. My dream vacation may be to the Mayan Riveria as well, but while your off looking at rocks I'll be in the poolside cabana sippin' mojitos and listening to rap music on my ipod. Call me intellectually-challenged if you'd like, but I do that from 9-5. I reserve my nights and weekends for kicking off my shoes, taking off my "white collar" and having a good ol' time. I can network my way through a corporate crowd but can also kick it off Bankhead if I had to. I've read Les Miserables, but enjoy trashy romance novels. Why do you think they call me Ms. Three Sixty. I'm just so well-rounded, and you nice guys are usually one eighty.

The "Confidence" Factor
When a "nice guy" meets a girl like me he knows he's got a handful. Experience has taught me that he just can't hang. He can't handle my dinner parties with Grand Hustle, my out of the country trips with my girls, my recruiting of million dollar athletes. He's not secure enough to think that I'm actually feelin' him. This results in him being clingy…calling way too much and accusing me of unfaithful behavior. No one wants to be checked on and questioned all the time but because of the nice guy's insecurity that’s exactly what happens and you'll make me think I should've cheated.

The "Chase" Factor
Face it, we all love a chase. Yes, I do complain about why my man hasn't called me this hour or why he must go to the club tonight, but at least that stuff keeps me on my toes (as long as it doesn’t get out of hand of course). Predictability is good with my puppy, but not with my man. I enjoy a challenge and need a man who is confident enough to make me wonder and has enough "it" to make me put up a little chase (Lord knows I'm gonna do the same for him). Nice guys tend to make it too easy. They answer every time I call and will drop anything they are doing whenever I need it. Thanks, but too much, is too much. Have a backbone. Be the man in the relationship. Don't let my Citizen jeans be the only pants that are getting' worn in the relationship. For instance, I have this one "nice guy" that I could call at 4am to cry about how another man did me and he'd drive right on down to midtown from NORCROSS at the drop of a dime. Believe me, he's done it. He quickly got placed in the so forbidden "friend zone".


With that being said, I'd like to point out that while nice guys finish last, they still do finish! All hope is not lost for these brothers. You see there comes a time in every woman's life when she's been dogged out one too many times. When her biological clock starts ticking and she begins to re-prioritize. She's grown too tired for the chase and actually welcomes his "always there" behavior. That's when the "bad guys" get sent to voicemail and she clings to her "nice guy" for the rest of eternity. For some of us that happens at 25, for others its 40…but whenever it happens just hope you haven't pissed your nice guy off so badly that he's a good guy gone bad.

Some of us are lucky enough to have neither a nice guy nor a bad guy but instead what I like to call "THE SWIRL". You see he's the perfect blend of bad guy chase and confidence but good guy dependability and accessibility. He comes in first in my book.

No matter which type of guy you are, it is a race to the death. But remember, the race is not always given to the swift, but to the one who endureth to the end. So endureth nice guys, endureth!

Notable and Quotable

"Love is an irresistible desire to be irresistibly desired."
- Robert Frost

Upcoming Events

As an update to the Dave Chapelle events going on around town this weekend...Word on the street is he knew absolutely nothing about the party at Compound this Saturday hosted by he and Keyshia Cole. In fact he said, he'd likely be with his kids and not there. So if you were going for KeyKey--great. If you were going for the Dave---not so much.

He may also be adding another show for Sunday or Monday night. Tickets will likely go on sale Saturday am. Stay tuned to V-103 for more info.

ATL Celebrilove: ATL's Bonnie and Clyde

It looks like despite breakin up to make up and on again off again wedding planning, TI and Tiny are still hangin' in there. They were spotted in NY at a dinner party hosted by Kevin Lyles. Hey, if they like it, I love it.

...and maybe he wasn't playin in his part on Keyshia Cole's remix when he said his girl "got a 10 carat ring on"

Featured Articles: Are you too clingy?

We all know its true but hate to believe it. Women can be, at times, a bit clingy. We do it, and men hate it. Every now and then Yahoo features some pretty relevant relationship articles. Today's points out 4 ways a guy can tell that you're a clinger. If you:

1) call him more than 2 or 3 times a day
2) beg him to start a joint email account with you
3) update him on the latest celeb gossip
4) never hang out without him

then you might be a little too clingy.

I'll say, I agree with numbers 1, 2 and 4. But lord knows everyone around me stays up to date on the latest celeb gossip---boyfriend included. And do people actually do number 2? (no pun intended)

Enjoy the read:
http://health.yahoo.com/experts/menlovesex/59792/are-you-too-clingy

Notable and Quotable

"Love and electricity are one in the same, my dear. If you do not feel the jolt in your soul every time a kiss is shared, a whisper is spoken, a touch is felt, then your not really in love at all."
- C. J. Franks

Upcoming Events: Leaf and El Festival Latino

Tonigt at Harlem Bar, there will be a series of live performances including one by Leaf. Starts at 8pm and there is no cover. Thanks to The Donald Group for the info.

Grab your beau this weekend and head down to the Underground to take part in the 7th Annual Festival Peachtree Latino. Learn more about various Latino communities in our area, watch the parade, see the exhibits, and eat great food!

The event lasts all day Sunday. (10am-10pm)

Love Don't Live Here Anymore: The Bynum Attack

Early Wednesday morning Atlanta evangelist Juanita Bynum was attacked by her estranged husband after they met at a local hotel in hopes of reconciling. Click on the link below for more information. Lets pray that she is now safe and makes a speed recovery.

http://www.transworldnews.com/NewsStory.aspx?storyid=21412&ret=Default.aspx

She has since released a statement that is airing on Fox 5 and her myspace page:

"I am currently recovering from all of my injuries and resting well. There are so many great things happening for me in my future and so much to look forward to concerning my destiny. This too shall pass." --Juanita Bynum

Spotlight: Six Questions With Celeste

Introducing Love's A Peach new column: Spotlight.

In this section I introduce to you Atlanta's best and brightest--for networking and maybe even for love! If you'd like to contact this week's Spotlight, please email me at ncdecapres9900@hotmail.com. If you or someone you know would like to be featured under the Spotlight, please do the same.

Q: What's the hardest thing about dating in ATL?
A: The hardest thing about dating in Atlanta seems to be simply the numbers. There are way more women in this city and not enough men to go around. I know you always hear that about Atlanta but it is true!

Q: What's the most important love lesson you've learned?
A: Remember that your beliefs make you who you are, but you must be willing to compromise on certain things for the success of your relationship and your belief in one another. Also if God is in the middle of it, it will work out.

Q: What's the biggest no-no on a first date?
A: That should be obvious!

Q: What do you love most about Atlanta?
A: I love the fact that there are so many black folks making money in a legitimate fashion! There is always something to do and something new to try. I also feel like people are willing to help one another an give each other a chance.

Q: When you're not dating, what are you involved in...school, work, etc?
A: I’m a working girl, I have a 9-5 gig. I am also in school at Emory getting my MBA. I have a blog, check it out…gschooldiaries.blogspot.com. I also like to go out, work out and try new things. Soon I want to start taking some photography classes. I love photography!

Q: Around here we say love's a peach...what is it to you?
A: I would say it is a feeling you can’t explain. It makes you smile when you don’t want to and can cause a pain like no other, but in the end you feel like it was all worth it.

I couldn't have said it better myself!

ATL Celebrilove: UPDATES

Monica and Rock are expecting another boy in January (Courtesy of SandraRose.com)

BowWow and Angela Simmons were acting real "couple-ish" at the release party for her new magazine. (Courtesy of Mediatakeout) I still think they are just friends and he's lending his face/namesake to try to make her an A-lister. In fact, mtv.com is reporting the following from a recent interview with Bow:

About Ciara:
"Once you solidified what's gonna happen, let them live life," Bow said. "That's what life is all about. She's gonna go 'head and see other guys as she should, 'cause please believe, I'm definitely gonna get mine in. That's just how the cookie crumbles. I've been on these Web sites [in pictures] with about four [rumored girlfriends]. I'm living my life and having fun. It is what it is."
One of the ladies Bow has been linked to is Reverend Run's youngest daughter, Angela Simmons. Photos of the two at various events have been all over the Web.
"Yeah, what's up with Ang?" Omarion chuckled.
"We kickin' it," Bow said. "We go out, have dinner, lunch, little stuff like that. Breakfast. Nothing wrong with breakfast." He also urged us to "stay tuned" to see how that relationship develops."

Hey, maybe I'm wrong!

Notable and Quotable

"Sex is an emotion in motion."
-Mae West

Lesson Learned: Start Snitchin'

That’s right, I said it. Start snitchin’! (No, not necessarily on the dope boys and trap stars—that’s another blog topic) but on the multitude of married men who attempt to make us their mistresses. Since February I’ve been hit on by 6 married men—a comedian, 2 athletes, a doctor, a "community icon" and a lawyer. That doesn’t even take into account the dozens that probably were married but weren’t wearing their rings or chose not to tell me.

When I say hit on, I don’t mean casual and sometimes harmless flirting. I mean “send me X rated pictures come to my room after the party let me fly you to Cabo” kind of hit on. To put it simply, no, I’m not impressed, I don’t take it as a compliment and I’m not flattered. Try frustrated, disgusted, and offended.

We have to stop taking these come-ons as compliments. They are not. What this married man is really saying is “I think so little of you that I am going to attempt to fit you in the smallest and lowest part of my life—a dark and secret place that should never be discussed or publicized.” While he goes home to his wife for love and nurturing, he meets you at a motel or in the back of his truck solely to fulfill his lustful and physical desires. Who died and made him king granting your body as his living sacrifice? I will have no parts of it. I don’t know about you, but I deserve a man who wants me and only me. I deserve to be taken out in the light and the dark. I deserve to hear I love you in the day and the night. I refuse to be his secret—his play toy.

So long as married men have the mentality that what one woman won’t do another one will, they will always stray. Stand up for your married sister. You’ll want the same courtesy one day. If you don’t know whether he’s married, then ask. If you don’t believe his answer, then make your way down to the Fulton County Courthouse and ask somebody. If you do know he’s married, then don’t only tell him no, but tell him you’re offended that he thinks so little of you. Get it out of your system that he’s so in love with you that he’ll leave his wife and family. Really, he’s just not that into you. If he was, you’d be his wife—not his mistress. Oh, has he fed you the line that he’s gonna leave, he just wants to wait until the kids are older? Riiiiiiight. Save your self a lot of headache and heartache and tell his lyin’ a** to wait and call you when they are older.

If you are really down for the cause you’ll tell the Mrs. what a low down dirty shame she’s married to. What she does with the info is on her. At least you’ve done your part.

Snitch now my ladies, or forever have no peace.

Happy Monday Morning....Travelling for Work until Tuesday night....posts will resume as normal then. Until then...laugh, live, and most of all...love.