In the Mix with Aaliyah Miller

I'm not quite sure how Karim talked me into signing up for Warrior Dash  a few weeks ago, but he did and tomorrow is the big day. I hate running, not a fan of getting muddy, but I do like obstacle courses. Maybe it was the obstacle courses that he sold me on. At this point it doesn't matter why I signed up. I have a race to run. Oy vey!  I consider Warrior Dash to be a mini version of  Tough Mudder ,  an increasingly popular  hardcore 10-12 mile obstacle courses designed by British Special Forces to test your all around strength, stamina, mental grit, and camaraderie.  A participant from Panama City's race. According to Wikipedia, it's  the World's largest running series p ut on by  Red Frog Events , an event company based in  Chicago, IL .  I've been training off and on, but more off than on. I've been a little better the past two week's squeaking in a few outdoor runs, but I'm still not sure what to expect.  Lucky for...

Today kicks off the first day of summer.Yeah! Summer is my favorite season. I think the fact that I was born the day after summer officially begins is one key reason and I just love all the gifts this season offers. I relish long, warm sunny days and can even appreciate the wetness that humidity brings to the air on a hot day. Truth be told, the summer season is great for my skin. Dry skin loves humidity. I also enjoy summer because I feel Mother Nature is alert in a way that sets summer apart from the three other seasons. Tomorrow is my birthday and I'm looking forward to it. I don't mind being another year older (although I won't tell you my age either, lol). This year I plan to spend my birthday weekend engaged in a bunch of activities that will involve spending time with family and friends that I don't see as often as I would like. I've been counting down to this moment for a month. It feels good to know my celebration will kick-off in a few short hours. ...

There is no denying that progress on racism and bigotry in our country has been made. We can see aspects of it in our culture everyday and for that I'm grateful, but the recent online public backlash to the Cheerio's commercial, which features a biracial daughter with a Caucasian mother and an African American father is a personal reminder that a small minority in our nation don't want to recognize or accept that the fabric of our nation has changed and is continuing to change. This weekend, I was talking to my mom about this commercial and she was telling me how funny she thought it was. I was telling her that I thought the commercial was long over due. Our nation's president is biracial and there is a long list of biracial Americans that have contributed to our country. They exist and are in our neighborhoods and communities. Why don't we see more representation in our media? The Mad Men era still controls today's media. Cheerios is to be commended fo...

Although summer doesn't officially start until June 21, I finally feel like the summer season has begun.  It took a while for the warm weather to get here and stay here, but it's here. YEAH! I've been waiting all year for 90 degree weather.  The summer season is my favorite. I love the the heat. it's probably because I'm a summer baby and June is my birthday month. Outside of the warm weather and the flourishing trees and gardens, I also love summer because it's the best time of year to enjoy a lobster roll. While I enjoy it cold, my preference is hot and buttery. I love a good lobster roll and want to find the best that New England has to offer.  About four years ago, I was at my dentist's office getting my bi-annual cleaning and on the TV in the room was a NESN news story about the best lobster rolls in New England. I believe it was a "top five" list. Of course I've forgotten all of the restaurants that were mentioned in the news sto...