What Are You Going To Do For Your VD? Ilk, I meant Valentine's Day!

Hello ladies and brosephs; I hope your weekend and Monday were fly. This weekend was very productive; I completed my Daniel Fast (which was really invigorating), spent time with my family, and saw a movie that provided insight to African American history...the documentary of A Tribe Called Quest. Yes I saw "Red Tails", and I did enjoy the movie and the inspirational story that inspired it. I am disappointed, however, by the movie's eagerness to highlight the most successful and talented Tuskegee Airman as a man smitten, head over heels, INFATUATED with a Caucasian women. It served as a distraction for me, and while it's good to see an all-black cast on the screen, I cannot be as adamant in my promotion of the movie as others.

It won't get you everything on
Valentine's Day, but it will put
you in the right direction.

As most of you know we are nearing the end of January, which means Valentine's Day is right around the corner. To maximize both your success AND mine, I went out and did analysis, spoke with various experts, and compiled data to create strong suggestions to ensure a great fourteenth of February. 

Whether you are taking a special friend, a person you'd like to build with (aka "Bonita Applebum"), or an established beau, there are a few common themes to kick off your "Dia de San Valentin" (That's Spanish; y'all know I do the "Victor Cruz" dance!) Here is a list of essentials to have on V-Day for both the male and female:

Brothers (Pronounced "BRUH-THA"; spit when you say it):

• Hygiene (Gum, Chap Stick, Smell goods, and lotion)
• Nice Pants (Dark pants; don't wear them "Weezys")
• Haircut (and as Matt says, "Man-scape")
• Personal Mixtape (an assortment of mood music)
• Gift*
• Second venue (Surprise, i.e. chill spot)*

* Only for girlfriend/on the "cusp" of girlfriend

Ladies (Pronounced Laaaayy-dee,  like Shenehneh)

• The Drake Effect (Hair done, Nails done, everything did)
• A Gift (don't be selfish, ladies; you can get us some barbecue chips and we're happy)
• Matching undergarments (Not that yellow bra/green drawers stuff; well...you don't have to, but it'd be nice)
• Money (Just in case...)
• Lip gloss (Because we love the kisses)
• Open mind (You got to let our creativity flow, so we can have a great time)

"V-Day" is a time to capture the essence of love.

Once securing the essentials, it's important to have a good understanding of what level your relationship is at before you make plans and purchase outlandish gifts. Because I think Jheri curls are funny, my plan is called "Assess and Activate". This does not mean ask your date, "Hey, how much you spending on me? I need to know where I'M at!" 

Understanding your status before making purchases means the value of a gift or gifts falls in line with your current standing with your boo-ski. Ask yourself some questions: Do I ACTUALLY like this person? Does this person LIKE me? Have I ever kissed this person? When I tell jokes, does she laugh and lean on me extra hard, saying, "(Fill in the Blank), you are SO crazy!" Have we ever said "I love you" to each other? 

This is an important assessment. You don't wanna buy a girl a tennis bracelet, and she buys you a tennis racket. All jokes aside, know your status (all of them, if you know what I mean) and spend accordingly. There should only be good surprises on a day like this.

In closing, remember to have a good time, and if you plan on being intimate, wrap it up (Wrap it up like the "Wrap It Up" box on Chappelle's Show; "Wrap that joint up, B!") Valentine's Day is a great day and is symbolic of the special feelings you feel for a person, big or small. Be sure that you show that person how they make you feel. Don't hold back, and please, PLEASE do not dwell on past Valentine's failures. That is WHACK. Oh yeah folks, don't forget to get your momma, grandma, or auntie something. They want to know you love them as well. Peace and Boogie, y'all, and good luck! 

Ceddy P