Sugar N Spice

I'll Trick YOUR Treat!

Halloween does nothing for me. Absolutely nothing. So, I never buy candy to hand out. After all, I live in an apartment complex and I wasn't really expecting any kids to show up. They didn't last year, so why would they now? I came home after a long day and I was trying to calm my nerves as I chatted on the phone with a friend of mine when I hear a tap tap tapping on my door. I had already been laughing and talking all out loud, so I felt kind of badly about just ignoring them. I hopped up and went into my kitchen wondering if maybe there was something I could drop in the bags of the kiddies who had thought to stop by my door...not such a good idea--heading into the kitchen. I mean, I hadn't bought any candy and the only thing I had in my cupboards was cans of vegetables, a big bottle of olive oil, some old ass Sunchips from one of those variety packs I bought about 9 months ago and various other sundries when I remembered. There, sitting on the top shelf was a big box of microwave popcorn.

I told my friend, "Girl, I found something! Some microwave popcorn!" She said, "I don't know about that one Sugar. You're gonna give them some microwave popcorn?" I told her, "Hell yeah! It's individually wrapped and this is healthier than some old sweet candy anyway." So, I grabbed a few packs and sprinted to the door. I threw it open and they had already started to walk away when they realized I had opened the door. So, they all doubled back--the Wicked Witch, Spiderman and Spongebob and pushed their bags in front of me. I smiled foolishly and told them, "I don't have much guys, but here you go!" The Wicked Witch looked in her bag in disbelief, smiled politely and said, "Thank you." I quickly closed my door, picked up the phone and told my girl how it went. She was laughing as if some shit was funny. I thought I'd just done a great thing, giving them popcorn instead of snicker bars and such!

That is until I went back into the kitchen and lifted the box to see just how old that popcorn was. The box read, October 2 2006. Damn.... Oh well! I'm a single woman and it ain't gonna kill them. Buying candy for trick-or-treaters was the last thing on my mind on a Hump Day in which I wasn't going to be doing any humping. They need to be glad I didn't throw some cans of cream corn in those bags!!! --SUGAR

SNS After Dark: Anita Baker

Anita Baker's, "You Bring Me Joy" is the epitome of how any person should feel in a relationship. Not aggravation, anger, pain and suffering. I'm not even going to waste any more of your time with my ramblings. On with the show. Enjoy. --SUGAR

SNS After Dark: Boyz II Men

What can I say? Boyz II Men is one of those groups that you just hate to see fall apart, but all good things must come to an end I guess. They are tonight's feature for SNS After Dark and in light of all of the Juanita Bynum drama and the new focus (in the Black community anyway) on domestic violence and being mistreated, I thought this song would be appropriate...."Pass You By".

Listen to the words and if you are in a situation that is not worthy of who you are, find the strength and courage to leave. You'll be better for it. I had to make a decision just a few short days ago and I feel like a new woman. No man is worth losing who you are deep down inside. Enjoy. --SUGAR

SNS After Dark: Mariah Carey

A hot classic for tonight's SNS After Dark. Mariah Carey singing, "My All". Grip that glass of merlot a little tighter or hell, head back into the kitchen and top it off. Then, sit back and enjoy as Mimi pours her heart and soul into this amazing rendition. Everybody feels that mind-numbing yearning at some point or another and it is a feeling that is strangely intoxicating and yet woefully paralyzing all at once. You know things are not quite right, and yet, you want so badly to just have "one more night" with that certain someone. That's life.... --SUGAR

SNS After Dark: Bruce Springsteen

Something a little different tonight. Spice hipped me to this song earlier today. "Thunder Road" is a Bruce Springsteen song, but in my searching, I'll be honest, I found it a little hard to understand what in the fuck he was saying. But, I decided to give it the old college try and keep searching when I found this version with him and Melissa Etheridge and she sings quite a bit of it, making it easier to understand.  Hell, maybe smoking a joint would make it easier too, but hey, that's not what we advocate here.

Anyway, after many strained attempts at hearing the words, I think I got it and the words are nice. It would appear that he's telling the woman that he loves, and who he is apparently estranged from, that he wants her back and they aren't getting any younger and he wants to give things a chance. He can't live without her and so forth. Nice enough idea right? So, check it out and let us know what you think if this was your first time hearing it. Also, let us know if this is the last time you want to ever hear it in your life. I have mixed feelings, but Spice seems to think it's great. Enjoy. --SUGAR

SNS After Dark: Anthony David & India Arie

I've stumbled upon yet another little treasure in the YouTube vault. Anthony David and India Arie offering up a super soulful rendition of his song, "Words". The lyrics are off the charts and his voice is like sweet, sticky syrup being poured onto my brain. Check it out and get to know this guy. He's going to make some singing dudes knock the dust off of their games and step it up. Enjoy. --SUGAR

SNS After Dark: New Alicia Keys

I was on my way home when I remembered that I hadn't posted an SNS After Dark when fate dropped one right into my lap. Baltimore's 92Q played a song that I'd never heard that caught my attention and I thought it was Alicia Keys, but I wasn't certain. So, I came in the door and did a little searching and struck gold. This new single off of her upcoming album, "No One" is HOT LIKE FIRE! She sounds a little different, but it works for me! Check it out! --SUGAR

SNS After Dark: Luther Vandross

I'm not even going to waste any words trying to talk about the virtues of this wonderful, wonderful performer. Again, another song that is very apropos in light of the Juanita Bynum drama. I think we need to all reflect on this situation as we embark on the journey to find our one true love. Forever is a mighty long time, so when a fool proves himself as such, well before any rings are even exchanged, that's the time to "get out". Rarely do they change. Very rarely. I'm pretty sure I'm dating one right now and I'm also pretty sure this week is going to seal the deal on the end of "this thing" because I'm not going to end up a statistic myself.

Be careful and be smart. Couples have disagreements and making up is such a sweet, sweet joy, but nobody, man or woman, should feel they have the right to hit a lover. Remember that. Check out Luther singing, "A House is Not a Home". Enjoy. --SUGAR

SNS After Dark: Dixie Chicks

I figured in light of the Juanita Bynum misfortune, this awe-inspiring song by the Dixie Chicks, "Goodbye Earl", which tells the story of a woman who suffers abuse at the hands of her husband is very appropriate for tonight's installment of SNS After Dark. This Atlanta Journal Constitution article sheds some new light on the situation, including allegations that Thomas Weeks III, Bynum's husband, was a mean, jealous bastard. Hmmph. Let me be clear, I am not an advocate of violence...but, I am also not an advocate of letting a man beat on you and get away with it.

I prefer to use live renditions for these mini concerts, but I couldn't find one that was of good enough quality. Besides, the video is great with it's soap opera feel, so enjoy and remember, you don't have to take that shit! --SUGAR

SNS After Dark: Bette Midler

Tonight, let the "Divine Miss M" inspire you in her rendition of "You Don't Own Me". I remember watching "Beaches" decades ago with my cousins and thinking, "Gosh, my cousins really love this movie," as they all cried and talked about how sad it was. Then, when I watched it years later, wtih Spice if I'm correct, I realized just how much my friends meant to me.

Even though the movie was about the friendship between Hillary and C.C., there was so much more to learn about how to maintain your sanity and some form of individuality as a woman trying to pursue a career and be a wife and a lover.

So, to that end, on with the show. While the song is short, it's definitely sweet and to the point. Enjoy! --SUGAR