All Matters of Dopeness (Musings and Comedy in Erie's World)

At a going away party some years ago you could feel the anticipation in the air as people wondered who would be showing up for me as a date. It was my party after all, and even though I did not move away (the absence of a relocation package will mess that plan up every time), I did manage to have some "movement" and that was demonstrated by the fact that I decided to have a date. For years my friends had been used to me talking about a certain man almost religiously, but that day had gone on. I had a new outlook and a few new beaus in my scope. That is what earned me the nickname Ms. Options ("Mrs" currently), and that is precisely what kept people wondering who the heck I invited as my special guest. Even though the special guest and I ultimately ended up just being friends. The nickname "Ms. Options" stuck because it was clear that I had choices beforehand and could decide if I wanted a couple of other guys to accompany me. Its good to have choices...

You know folk by the books they read. I am not sure if this statement is true at all but maybe there is some truth in it? Who knows? But several months back, while at a friend's house, I was thumbing through a book called "The Art of Manipulation" and I kinda looked at her crazy. I have to admit, though, the book was quite enthralling--at first. It was also scary. This book literally broke down the steps and gave "how to's" on manipulating people and playing mind games with folk so that they would behave and/or react in certain ways, and it also explained just why some people are so skilled at doing so. The truth is that outside of your everyday sociopaths and psychopaths, everybody has the capacity to manipulate, deceive, and play games. While most do it subconsciously (or at least use self deception to pretend they do no know its what they are doing), there are those who practice this "art" in very specific ways. At times there are peop...

"Anybody can fall in love, falling in love ain’t sh**. But somebody please tell me how to stay there....” (Love Jones) A crucial question is asked above for those of us who are married, involved in romantic relationships or desire to be in one. In the movie Love Jones, Darius is expressing to his best friend, Savon, his disappointment in the fact that Savon brought a woman other than his wife to a party his friends were hosting. Savon and his wife were only recently separated and he turned his affections to another woman. He was clearly acting out and Darius decided to confront him as any real friend would. When confronted and told that he was wrong for what he was doing, his response was filled with searching and questioning. Many of us, if we have ever had deep feelings for someone and they have hurt us or made us angry, may have had the same thoughts and questions as Savon. "Anybody can fall in love": is one of the truest statements ever. In fact, I am not sur...