Black People Problems

Is it just me, or does anyone else notice how difficult WE can be in Business when it comes to answering calls, returning calls, leaving messages, retrieving messages, following thru on a Business proposal that WE initiate, reading emails and responding to emails?

Well guess what? It’s not just me! Today a white Colleague made it a point to vent to me about how “Black people have issues with cell phones.”

I was embarrassed because admittedly I don’t like OTHERS calling US out on our bullsh*t. The fantasy part of my brain always wants to take care of some of our problems in-house. But I agree with EVERYTHING he said:

“Every time I go to call a Black person, sorry, African American, they don’t answer or they Text back or their voice mail is full! These are business related calls and it just seems like African Americans come with too many phone rules. They never pick up. They don’t check messages. They don’t call back AND they want you to take too many steps to communicate. I don’t have time. I never have these issues with white Talent or Talent from other races.”

OUCH!

  

Now here’s the thing…I did NOT want to agree OUT LOUD. But I felt everything he was saying in my chest!

WE sure are some elitist mofos when it comes to communication. Why does it seem as if WE are too good or too busy to communicate effectively and thoroughly when OTHERS don't seem to have any issues doing it?

Don't get me wrong...I'm not saying WE all do it. Maybe it's just the Black people I encounter, that I'm related to, or are friends with or have done business with or who reach out to me with potential business opportunities. Well that's damn near everyone...except the OTHERS!

Yikes!

Not that OTHERS don't have their own quirks when it comes to communicating. But whether it's verbally or digitally, I haven't come across many non-Black piss poor communicators such as US.

Crazy, right?

What's wrong with US? Why do WE hate voice mail so much? Why is leaving pertinent information in a message so "annoying" to US when there could be money involved? Why instead of leaving a message, WE hang up to send a Text?

Why does it take sending the same fucking email 4 times before WE finally read it? But then WE don't really read it, do WE? Not when WE are asking for THE same info that's in the email WE are replying from. Smh.

Or...

WE get an email, need more information from the sender, then proceed to abandon the email that has a reply option to send a Text requesting the additional info. So you'd rather a bunch of business related Texts when you were just in the email?!

And while I'm still in the asking mood...Why do WE wait 6 hours for a Text response when WE could have called to ask for the same info WE are waiting 6 hours for? So WE won't make a movement until WE get a Text? I'm sorry but that's dumb.

A colleague once pulled her car over to not only send a Text but wait for a response. After 30 minutes, I suggested she call. She refused. After an hour I wanted to be dropped off. Why would I want to sit in a car waiting for a Text? She never got a response but that night at the event we were in town for, the person she Texted asked, "Why didn't you just call?"

On another relative note...Why do WE propose a business opportunity then disappear without at least saying, "I'm sorry, it fell thru"? Or, "the dates have been changed; will get in touch when I have an update." I don't get those correspondences from US. I get them from OTHERS.

What the hell is wrong with US?

And it appears that the new hotness in the streets is: After you call, send an email, text, Tweet, Facebook, Instagram and BBM, WE are STILL supposed to remind people about something business related. Why?

I don’t have to remind you to get up in the morning.

I don’t have to remind you to get a check you're owed.

I don’t have to remind you to get to work or to your business on time.

So why do I have to text, Tweet, Facebook, Instagram and BBM, and basically STALK you for a response?

Look...I realize none of US are perfect, but for some reason WE have extra rules when it comes to THE simplest shit.

I remember dating a guy who told me that if he didn't answer his personal cell or the business cell, then I should call his home phone...but only if it was after 10. Before ten I was to send a Text letting him know I called both personal cell and business cell.

Whaaaaaaaat?

I recently tried to connect with someone for business. She initiated, I followed thru. I called and left 2 messages and she replied back via Blackberry Messenger requesting that I call her back at a designated time.

Ummm...no. If I called YOU and left 2 messages, why not just call me back when you can talk? That's what return-calls are! Someone calls you, YOU call back. If you can't talk until a certain time then YOU should call back at that time.

Hello?

I have a former Client who needs help every now and then but doesn't like the sound of his voice...Soooooo he does not leave voice mail. Huh? Who cares how your voice sounds?! It's business! You think how your voice sounds will affect my money?

And I was just introduced to a potential client via email and instead of replying to the emails that include ALL of the business related info and questions, he decides to Text a dissertation. Ummm. Why? His response, "Iphone users don't check email like that."

Oh.

I used to take all of these things personally until I realized that many people go thru the same thing with US. But this can't be a Black thing...can it?

I get returned calls, invoices paid, confirmations, email responses with the proper people copied in the email, ETAs when a deadline is missed, explanations as to why a deal fell thru, full information when it comes to an event or meeting, and voice mail messages from OTHERS. From US...not as much. But the irony is, WE don't always do OTHERS like that...but we consistently do it to each other...WE do it to US. All day! (With excuses as to why WE do.)

Let's be honest here...It's waaaaaack! Yet I find more and more of US having these rules, quirks and habits when it comes to Business.

Well it must be working fine because I don't see any changes for the better! If anything I see and hear more and more "woe is me" type complaints from WE who are "annoyed" by those of US who want to communicate.

Must be nice to be that busy or that rich. I don't have it like that! I have to check my voice mail and read and respond to my emails because the those who pay me don't play those games or have time for off-the-wall-rules. I couldn't imagine telling an Executive Producer that I didn't get his or her message because I don't check messages! 

Yeah, ok.

C.M.J

You. Are. Not. A. Robot

Dear Real-life Friends
(...and I'm not just talking to my Real-life friends!)
This goes out to your friends, my friends and my friend's friends:

You. Are. Not. A. ROBOT!

You're probably wondering where I'm going with this but be patient and read slowwwwly!

We need to take time out to be Human again. We're behaving without thinking! We've been programmed to be anti-social and like it. Kinda like Robots, right? Maaaaaan...these Social Media and Smart Phone companies have found a way to dehumanize us and it's starting to affect friendships and relationships. 

Some of you will probably say that it has already happened...Touché! But perhaps we need to bring it to the attention of those who don't notice how bad it is and how impersonal we've become so that we can all get back to being Human again.

Just recently a new acquaintance told me he "never" talks on the phone, then proceeded to continue chatting with me via Blackberry Messenger. I'm so used to that kind of second-class communication nowadays that I didn't realize how sad that actually is!

I don't know how you can get to know someone without talking. And I don't think I'd be able to go too long without hearing the voices of those I truly consider Friends. But we all dehumanize ourselves to a certain extent. We don't talk...we email, Tweet, Text or bump into each other at events.

But even that shit doesn't work out too well! Sometimes we're friendlier on the Internet than in real life or we forget how to converse in real-life because we've found a comfort zone and new level of confidence by communicating with our thumbs. And as for email...I know for a fact some of my peeps don't even read half the things I send because 75% of the time they email me asking the same thing I already sent in the email.

And we don't even thank each other for info. Job leads, interesting articles, sales, invitations. We just click and skip...promising ourselves to get to it later when in reality, whatever it is will get lost amongst all the other correspondences our inboxes. And if you don't put something attention-grabbing in the subject line or put a Celebrity's name in ALL CAPS...it may get deleted all together.

And speaking of invitations...what happened to the personal touch? We find out about parties via Facebook or thru Twitter. No one has time to let each other know about what is going on.

Are we that busy?

The economy is shitty! Rent, mortgages and gas prices are too damn high.  We don't have a lot of quality Television programming to choose from...and if you're Single, you may not be going out on dates because no one talks anymore!

So what are we doing?????? 

Why aren't we more supportive? Why do we say, "let's catch up" but in real life never do? Why don't we take the time to read between and what's in the lines? 

As usual, I have more questions than answers, but I do not have a problem holding myself accountable. I have to do better as well and I don't want to live the rest of my life strictly behind the computer screen. I need Human contact. I love laughter. I love the hearing good news and being there for my friends to comfort them if and when there's bad news. I don't like missing out on things because I forgot to check Facebook and I hate having conversations via text that could easily be had over the phone.

And besides...if I couldn't hear Terrell's or my cousin, Lou's laugher, Dena's and Michelle's dating chronicles, Kevin's Jedi-mind-trick-isms, Rose's smile when I call for her birthday, (yes...you can hear a smile over the phone), Anthony's stories about his kids, gossip with Jamaal and Raedawn, catch up with Tracey and Finesse's Hollywood stories, Patricia's job hunting nightmares, talk about the family with Cousin Claudia, get wedding updates from Rachel, advice from Andre, find out what's poppin' in the fast and fashionably exciting lives of Alisha C. or Al in Chicago, talk sh*t in Patois with Chelan and Loni, go down "Memory Lane" with Love, share laughs with Wendy, or hear my nieces tell me they love and miss me...I'd eventually go crazy!

So let me go be human...or at least make an honest effort! And you...yeah YOU! Go be human! Call him or her! Meet up for drinks AND put the phone away! Go visit a friend and just vibe out in the house doing absolutely nothing! Support a friend's event regardless of who else will or will not be there! Make Birthday calls, not Texts! Get to know someone you may like by actually talking...with your mouth! Read his or her Blog post you said you'd read but never got around to.  (Hint Hint)

Goooooooooo!

Because we. are. not. Robots.

CMJ

A Letter To My Video Girl...

Dear Video Vixen, Video Girl, Extra...Model:

You want what? Huh? Advice about doing Music Videos for free?!

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!

...that was me screaming.

Now let me tell you what I learned, think, and know about doing Music Videos for free.

*Deep breath*

Some Indie or newer artists don't really have high budgets. I get that. And some veterans who've been not-so-popular lately may not have grand budgets either. We empathize.

However...

If the artist(s) is "big time", award nominated, platinum selling, on covers of various publications and is a Brand that makes their label money…they have a budget God Dammit!

Money goes to the Production company, (sometimes it's the Director's Production company) and the producer decides on how they allocate funds.

Now the Bullsh*t comes in when the money for Casting is low or damn near nonexistent...which again is Bullsh*t.

Let me explain why...

They need Models but won't pay. But if they have NO Models and the Treatment AND Artist(s) want Models, what will they shoot? Puppets?

Now here's the Okie doke: There's money for Casting but they don't want to spend it on you. That basically means…they don't respect your time or value your worth.

Or...

Someone pockets the money...

Or...

Several people pocket the money...whether it's the Director him/herself or the "Casting" person(s).

Or...

They just don't want to pay because they know they can get girls for free...especially if it's a big name celebrity.

You know how many Directors and Producers have said to me, "Naw, we're not paying them. We can just get some Bitches to do it for free. Trust me, they'll do it." (By the way, the "Bitches" they refer to are you...and the THEY they're talking about is also YOU.)

So they offer you "exposure" and MAYBE lunch? But you still have to get there! (That’s gas.) And...bring your own wardrobe and be camera-ready. That means do your own hair and make-up, but noooooooo wardrobe will be provided for you! That's for paid Talent.

*Tears*

So you really have to think about whether this "exposure" is worth it. Sometimes it is. But with Music videos? If you're the Lead, yes.

However!

How many channels play full Music Videos nowadays? And if you don't have a good Cable package, you won't have MTV Jams, soooo...I guess we'll have to check Youtube you to find you?

*Tears*

I'm just saying! You have to weigh the odds...the good vs the bad, the pros vs the cons. If you don't have anything to do anyway, sure! Roll out of bed and go be cute in a Video. But if it costs you more out of pocket to do the video for free, then don't.

Now IF you just want to do Extras work for your resume, cool! But if the video comes out and we can't locate you anywhere, then what? You can't even use it for your reel!

You did the blah blah blah video...but ummm, uhhhh, errrrr, hmmmm...they edited you out, huh? Then was doing it for free worth it? Don't get me wrong! Folks get edited it out all the time. But why risk it for free? I'd rather you get paid to take that chance.

You feel me?

So THINK 1st before just accepting any free gig. If they offer "exposure", look up the word and decide if it's worth it. Besides…if there are paid Models on the video set but you are free labor, what does that say about you?

Aren't you important? Didn't the Casting say, "Models wanted"? Aren't you a Model? Weren't you Booked as well? Were you given a Call-time? Are you there to work? Then why can't you get paid too?

If the Producer, Director, AD, DP, Craft Services, Drivers, Props, Wardrobe, Hair, MUA, Lighting, Sound, and PAs get paid, why not YOU! Aren't YOU going to be on camera? Aren't you what the Casting was for? They needed Talent, right? So if they need you, they should pay you.

Let me tell you something else...

Everything costs money and in these hard economic times...it all costs even more!

Time is money. Electricity costs money. Gas costs money. Food costs money. Baby sitters cost money. Grooming costs money...and did I say TIME is money?

So if you doing these videos for free while the others eat, pay bills, fill up their tanks and get their hair and nails done, what do you get? Exposure?!?!

Fuck outta here!

So I said all that to say...it has to really be worth it. Don't let "The Thirst" have you jumping in videos all Willy Nilly. The Pros MUST absolutely outweigh the Cons.

Pause. Think. Assess the situation then examine yours. Then decide what's best for you.

The end.

C.

10 Tips for Surviving Your First Audition

In no particular order....Here you goooooooooooooo!

Claudia "Mocha" Jean 

10. Be prepared! Go thru all related emails and voice mail. Follow instructions. Map out your strategy and directions to the correct location.

9. Read the Breakdown. READ IT! Determine if you are right for the part. If so, claim it and do everything possible to be ready to prove it.

8. Dress the part. If the role or show calls for a certain look, try your best to look the part. Don't do sloppy unless the role is sloppy.

8.5. Don't wear a hat unless the role calls for a hat! Casting Directors want to see your face...that beautiful wonderful talented face!

7. Be on time...As a matter of fact, get there early! Sometimes there's a change with the Sides or more than just a sign-in sheet to fill out.

Speaking of Sides...

6. Bring Sides with you if they've been provided ahead of time. You can practice while waiting or there might not be any extras available for you to use at the Casting. Yikes! Bring 'em!

5. Leave all negativity at home. Creative people feed off of energy. Be positive. Be confident. Trust yourself and do what you came to do.

4. Worry about 1 Audition at a time. Embrace each opportunity but don't dwell. On this day, you own your Audition and once you're done, on to the next!

3. Be encouraged, not discouraged. If you don't get a Call back, be proud you made it thru your 1st one!

2. Smile! (Even while waiting.) Casting Directors love good energy even if we aren't smiling. Slate your name, stand tall, give us eye contact, and smile :)

1. OMG you survived! Jump, scream, call a friend! You did it and you didn't die! Now learn from the 1st and get ready for next time! 

Congrats!

The Bullshit About The Truth!

Honesty is an Active Verb, not a Passive Noun. Go out of your way to be truthful, beginning with things that you say to yourself ~ Joe Tye

Easier said than done! So guess what? I've finally conceded! Yes...I give up. I quit. No mas! I've had enough! And sincere apologies to anyone who has ever argued definitively that people can't handle the truth. I think you may be right.

Truth is the most feared Noun in life...after DEATH. The truth is being dismissed, shot down, un-researched, unaccepted and given the middle finger to save lives, love, friendships and certain circumstances held together by lies.

But I actually still believe that the truth is better for me than being lied to. I don't like to have my options taken away from me. Let me decide! Give me the benefit of the doubt. Trust that even though it may hurt me, the truth is better for me.

And don't get me wrong...people close to me have spoken up about certain behavior or personality traits they've been uncomfortable with and have held noooooooo punches. I prefer it that way! I've been called bossy, stubborn, sensitive, brash, long-winded, some-timey, and other adjectives to my face. And even after humbly and hesitantly crawling into a hole just big enough for me and my bruised ego, I think about what's been said and observed and make honest efforts to adjust.

Pinky swear!

No one I know likes to be called out. No one I know likes to hear ugly truths about themselves. But sometimes it's necessary! Necessary for growth. How will you be a better person to yourself and others if you don't grow? Maybe it's that good ole fashioned excuse quite a few people use...you know the one, right? "You can't teach an old dog new tricks!" Or the militant and defiant, "this is how I am and I'm not going to change."

I can understand that to a certain extent. Once you're comfortable with yourself, it can be difficult to start changing up to please others. But it's deeper than that and periodically not recognized as important enough. Why? Because egos are being put ahead of the feelings of others. But what if what you are doing hurts them? What if it hurts yourself? What if no one has ever "checked" you because it can hurt the relationship or friendship?

Or...

What if it's because you can't handle the truth...or you're too immature to receive it?

Ugh!

And now I'm STUCK. There are more truths I've found myself keeping to myself in the past year than ever before...because truth is killing relationships!

Lately, I've been about that, speak-now-or-forever-hold-your-peace way of life....and I've been holding it!  I can't tell the truth anymore. Doesn't mean I'm habitually lying, (that's not what I'm saying.) I'm saying that honesty hasn't been the best policy lately...no matter how softly I cushion the blow.

So like I said...I'm stuck. Has this ever happened to you? Do you suppress your opinions and solicited advice for the sake of peace? I'm not talking professional relationships or virtual bonds on Twitter and Facebook either! This blog post is about real-life friends and family you CAN'T tell the truth to.

My High School Bestie was a bit of a whore. Naw...she was a whore. My mom called it, my homeboys took advantage of it, my other home-girls hated it, and I knew it. But I'd always say, "no" when she'd ask me if I thought she was one. Damn I shouldn't have lied! But one of the reasons she's happily married today is because of how immediate she slept with her husband. He stopped her whore-ish ways but should I have?

More recently at an event, a friend told me that my breath was stinking and handed me some gum. Mind you, I had just brushed my teeth before leaving the damn office so I was perplexed...but grateful. My heart dropped a little when she said it but with the same nasty smelling breath, I thanked her for her honesty. Plus I would've been sooooo embarrassed if instead of hugs and kisses, people turned away because my breath was burning their eye balls.

That may not be a big deal to some, but I'll never forget that. You know how many bad breaths I come across? You know how many times offering gum does NOT work? It was a small gesture, plus she offered a solution; not just criticism followed by possible ridicule.

But again...I digress. This isn't totally about superficial circumstances like how slutty a friend looks in a dress that is too damn small or how you really hate your dude's haircut. (Even though you should be honest in those situations too! LOL!) I'm talking bigger truths that can lead to hurt, confusion and sometimes...resentment.

It's hellish being in situations where you can't speak freely! We are living in a society where being delicate is somewhat a waste of time. I used to be able to hit 'em with a preamble that would "break the ice" and allow me to be expressive without concern that once we were done talking, we might NOT be ok. I've even gone above and beyond by taking partial blame! I've also given examples of other people's plights just so the scenario could be a relatable segue to discussing the truth of the moment. But I don't live in that world anymore.

People are more stressed, emotional, angry, resentful, stubborn, selfish and CRAZIER than ever before. Blame it on the Recession, broken relationships, broken hearts, daily day-to-day struggles and of course...that EGO. So I find myself playing it safe. But is that fair? Is it fair to me or you or whomever else the particular truth may effect?

I won't drink or eat anything from a homey of mine because she keeps a nasty house. A friend once told me, "no one likes to hear anything about their kids because you're criticizing their parenting", so I say nothing about her kid's behavior. A colleague smokes cigarettes all the time and STINKS all of the time! Breaking News: Perfume, Cologne, and mints do NOT help Smokers. So I stand at a distance when I talk to her and I don't ride with her a-n-y-w-h-e-r-e.

My sister, who has NEVER been able to hold back her truths about me, just recently told a mutual friend that this year, she will be "more selfish than ever before." But the general consensus is that she is already abundantly selfish and often hard to stomach; but no one will dare say that to her face...and if they did, she wouldn't care.

I used to get into arguments all the time with someone I love because of how he treated me over the years. Instead of listening, he'd get extremely defensive, disrespectful and callous. So now I keep a distance because he is THE perfect example of, "this is how I am and I'm not going to change" with a dash of "deal with it" and a sprinkle of Kanye West Shrugs on top.

I have another friend whose boyfriend annoys the shit out of everyone. She doesn't want to hear it and if the subject does come up, the interrogation process mirrors a deposition causing nothing but further discomfort and regret. So what do I do? Smile! You know why? Because the truth can become awkward and misinterpreted when spoken out loud.

But who can live like this?

I just wrote a "Dear John" or should I say, "Dear Joan" letter to a friend I could not tell any truths to. This was the 1st time ever in my life that I've come across someone who defiantly rebuffs the truth on all counts and blames EVERYTHING on EVERYONE else. Shit! Even when I'm defensive I find where I made a foul. Her belligerence, combativeness and foul mouth left no room for true friendship. But I couldn't even tell her this...I had to write it down and deliver it in a card like she was a man I was breaking up with. SMH. I was unhappy around her. My spirit was battered. So when the lies she was living began to effect me emotionally...it was time to go.

Nasty habits, stank attitudes, selfish behavior, questionable parenting, bad hygiene, gross misconduct, rubbing folks the wrong way, lack of respect for others, lack of home-training, and lies! Either I'm shitty at Casting my real-life friends or I'm more forgiving than I need to be. Or could it be that without lies, the ability to let things go,"sugar-coating", and the art of minding-your-own business, we would all be lonely and have NO friends who in essence deal with and regularly forgive our bullshit too?

So what say you? Would you tell a friend that you were uncomfortable sitting on their toilet or snitch on their child? Would you tell your lazy friend that she is lazy? Is sucking-it-up the best solution when friends bring outsiders you CAN'T STAND into your circle? And how comfortable and often would you explain to a friend who has no regard for feelings that how they talk to people is not acceptable? Could you keep it real with your friend about how putting random men before her kid might not be a good idea? What if you don't like your friend's music, blog, artwork or way of life....would you tell them? And do you accept family and not hold them accountable for the sake of Family?

Tell the truth! Would YOU want to hear the truth? It hurts and often cuts both ways. And I'm noticing that more and more messengers of the truth suffer worse than the actual offenders! So is it better to be hurt by the raw truth or be comfortably deceived?  And when you blame and criticize others, are you avoiding some truth about yourself?

Hey...I don't have all of the answers, but in college I was taught that all truth passes thru 3 stages. 1st, it is ridiculed. 2nd, it is violently opposed, and 3rd...it's accepted as self-evident.

Sounds about right!

But no cliches or famous quotes can erase that feeling you get after finding out you've been lied to. And nothing takes away that unnerving feeling you get in the bottom of your stomach when you hold back how you feel from someone you care about.

With that being said...in a not-so-perfect-world, I'd rather be hated for telling the truth than loved for feeding you lies. But in THIS world? This world right here? This cold, unforgiving, politically incorrect, sympathy deficient world....I think I may take it easy.

So in conclusion...I promise to tell some of the truth, not the whole truth and nothing but the Bullshit Truth....So help me God.

Sincerely,

Claudia Mocha Jean

Twitter Etiquette from the Church of @HelloMocha

I'd like to call myself a good Twitterer. Even though there is always room for improvement...I know I am engaging, thankful, informative, silly, and I try my best to respond to anyone who @'s me. However...there are days when rude Tweeps get on my nerves, or someone I know personally Tweets something prejudiced, callous, or selfish that makes me want to call them on the phone to tell them to go f*ck themselves.

But that isn't always cool. But what is cool is how Twitter has allowed us to have conversations with people from all walks of life. Some Celebs, some potential new clients, virtual BFFs, and even people you end up forming real friendships or romantic relationships with. You can also Stalk someone via Twitter. Yes...but the key is to do it without being noticed. Ha ha! I've had Twitter Crushes and have fallen for "Thirst Traps" via Direct Message. But it's all in fun...and it's challenging and a great way to help improve communications in real-life and in the digital world.

I love Twitter and want you to love it too...Even on bad days when a person who doesn't even follow me Tweets me their Music...I try my best to be polite so that they know that learning their audience is essential in getting the response they want from Twitter and its occupants.

Know who and what you're dealing with. Overly aggressive behavior can be just as annoying as Passive Aggressive. So I came up with these 35 Twitter rules that may help you along the way to Twitter Greatness! I don't feel like I've achieved that status yet but I believe that who I follow is a reflection of what kind of Tweep I want to be. I've watched some of the best Twitterers handle situations I know in real life would have had different outcomes. I've also gotten some great advice, useful tips, wonderful opportunities, great links, and comic relief because of who I follow and what we all do for each other.

With that being said...I had to learn, so I want you to learn too!

So check it...tell your Tweeps to get with my Tweeps...and we can be Tweeps. We can do this every weekend. Aight? Is that aight with you? Yeah... keep Tweetin'  *Diddy Voice*

Twitter Etiquette...from My Tweets to your Timeline:

1. Tweet. Say hi. Let your presence be known but don't be overly aggressive. "Hello Tweeps" actually works!
2. Engage. Socialize.Twitter is about conversation though you can use it to vent...still try to use the @ to get Tweeps involved.
3. Retweet! Now this one is tricky because Retweeting is like a Cosign...so be careful and selective but do it a lot.
4. Don’t Retweet people who Retweet you unless you’re adding a comment to the Retweet! For ex: (@HelloMocha #WhatSheSaid RT: @mamachell And are THE best! RT:@HelloMocha #ScorpiosUnite)
5. Look at photos. Retweet photos. Leave comments. Let your followers know you're paying attention. Tweeps like to feel loved. 
6. Promote other Blogs and accomplishments of those you follow. They'll do the same for you.
7. Don't be a robot. Loosen up! But don't feel obligated to engage or Follow someone back if you feel disrespected or turned off.
8. Be honest! Don't lie about your whereabouts & use Google images to back up your story. Tweeps hate liars...especially CAUGHT ones
9. Don’t just follow people! Engage. There's nothing worse than a church-mouse-Twitterer! If you see something, Tweet Something!
10. Laugh along! Laugh out loud! Laugh at yourself. Have a sense of humor.
11. If you jump in the middle of a Twitter conversation, check the previous Tweets before you say something wack & presumptuous.
12. If you are a Newbie...Follow, Follow, Follow! Search key words of what interests you and Follow those types of Tweeps who talk about what you like and do what you like to do.
13. If you have their email, Facebook, and cell number...there is NO need to @ someone the same sh*t you sent them via email, Facebook or Text!
14. Tread lightly! If you see someone isn't giving you the attention or responses you want, keep it moving. YOU may be the problem or they may be having a bad day.
15. Never underestimate the power Twitter has! Deleted Tweets can be found. So Tweet without having to regret later.
16. Don't Tweet in 3rd person. You'll look like a crazy obnoxious person and will quickly turn off potential Followers.
17. Don’t follow someone expecting them to follow you back. Follow because you’re interested in what they have to Tweet.
18. Stop YELLING! Why are you so loud? Why use ALL CAPS to get a message across? Those Tweets get ignored THE most and are Retweeted the least. #Fact
19. Keep #TheThirst level down. We can see you! Take it to Direct Message or off-line. And if #TheThirst is not reciprocated, move the hell on.
20. Don’t be a STALKER. Once you are dismissed...log off and have a seat! You do NOT want to be ethered via Twitter or have your private messages exposed. They will be Retweeted and you will be ridiculed.
21. Don't beg Tweeps to read your blog or Retweet you. Tweet your content freely. Retweet yourself! Ask nicely, but don't beg.
22. Offer a service. Give advice. Post interesting articles, Coupon links and Event info. Contribute colorful commentary. Keep Tweeps wanting to come to your Timeline!
23. Please don't go off on someone for Unfollwing you. It's not becoming of a lady or gentlemen. Take the "L" and move on.
24. Understand that Twitter is some people's escape. So if a #RealLifeFriend Unfollows or refuses to engage you...Follow new Tweeps.
25. Please don't link your Tweets to your Facebook unless you don't Tweet a lot. Hasn't Facebook put us thru enough already? Don't do it!
26. Check your Timeline or GOOGLE before asking a question about something big that happened in the news. #DoItForJesus
27. Don't be afraid to share your wisdom and life experiences. Be personal yet private.
28. Check your location in your Bio! If it says "At your man's house" or "up in your girl's guts", who's gonna Follow you, Boo?
29. If you get into a Twitter Beef and are obviously losing...just bow out graciously. For real.
30. Don't Tweet vague Tweets about a private conversation you're having off-Twitter with #OOMF. Tell us about it or #STFU
31. If you have nothing to say, don't say anything. Keep scrolling! No LOLs needed either. Nothing more annoying than someone who Tweets a stupid response just so they can say something. Go ride a bike.
32. Stay away from Tweeps who ALWAYS have something negative to Tweet. Occasional Shade is allowed, (especially during times when Black-Twitter is watching Reality TV or an Awards show.) But constant negativity is frowned upon. 
33. Don't Follow someone JUST because they follow who you date or who you're sleeping with. No Ma'am! No Sir! You will get your feelings hurt. Follow and Tweet with no hidden agendas!
34. If you must bring drama to your Timeline, you will get Drama in return. So if you offend someone, don't get mad if they clap back. Tweet ignorantly and over aggressively with precaution. 
35.  If you are asked to not Tweet someone again, don't. Cyber-bullying is real and several Police Departments have Internet Crime divisions. #FallBack

 Now go and Tweet something...and be sure to Follow @HelloMocha

#TheEnd

Random Act of Kindness and Yummy Awesomeness!

Soooooooooo…I just came back from getting some Pizza. (I know, I know!) I’m supposed to be on a quest to lose 7 pounds, but after having one of THE best plates of Spaghetti last night…I went back to the spot to try a slice or 2 of some good ole fashioned Pizza. I just wanted to see if they were consistent. *Wink*

While I’m waiting outside, reading my copy of the New Times, a homeless man walks up to me. I hate that! Not just because he’s a homeless man but I hate being ambushed. I also hate the idea of Homelessness and anyone who knows me personally KNOWS that I’m a sucker and will give up a dollar or 2 with the quickness.

Somewhere in the Bible…(Not sure where or how it’s worded) it talks about how we shouldn’t let people go hungry. I’m not ballin’. I closed my Savings account. And my clients owe me so much money that I have to always make payment arrangements with my cell phone company…but I digress. I won’t let someone in front of me be hungry.

So back to the dude...Homeless. Stinky. Smokers teeth. Hunched over. Asked me for a nickel. So I asked him what the fuck he was going to do with a nickel?! He said, “it adds up. Most people don’t want to give me paper money. They give me change and by the end of the night I usually can get a slice and something to drink.”

Okay here come the tears! Fact about me: I’m tolerant of NOTHING and sensitive to EVERYTHING. So I gave him a nickel and told him not to move. I went inside to get my food and a bottle of water and said FUCK IT!

I grabbed buku napkins and a tray then went back outside with the 2 slices of fresh-out-the-oven Pizza…NO TOPPINGS of course. I keeps it simple.

I gave it all to him. No questions. Didn’t even get his name. He looked old enough to be someone’s father…my father. I’d want someone to do that for him if he were alive and in this kind of trouble. He thanked me. Wanted to hug me but I just wanted him to eat. He already had half a slice in his mouth before I stepped off the curb.

But then this happened…some random dude runs up and grabs me by the arm. Whoah! I guess since I put my earphones back on that quickly…I couldn’t hear him calling me.

This guy…he was watching me interact with the homeless dude. That would usually creep me out but keep reading!

He saw me and said he was moved. Okay? Then he gave me $20.00 and walked away. Huh? I walked behind him and grabbed his arm. I told him that it was okay. He told me he really wanted me to have it and hopes that I go ahead and buy myself my own slices. He wished me a good evening and kept it moving.

WOW!

I went back and got 2 slices. Homeless dude was GONE! But I sat outside and ate with a huge smile on my face. Yup! That was awesome.

Yummy awesomeness!