Paying it forward

I enjoy volunteering, and working on fundraising efforts. Planning can be a little stressful, but it is very rewarding to see something come together, whether it be an event, a campaign, or whatever.

Which is why I enjoy supporting my friends in their fundraising efforts...because I get the reward without all the stress.

My friends Paige (who finally managed to talk me into starting my own Stella & Dot business - giving up one of her own best customers) and Abby are hosting Fashion Night Out - Albany on Thursday, September 12, from 7-10 PM at Taste in Albany.

This exciting night filled with fashion and fun is all to benefit the Alzheimer's Association of Northeastern New York. Tickets for Fashion Night Out are $50, or $75 for a VIP ticket, which gets you a little extra swag. Advanced tickets can be purchased at Albany Style. Come join us on the purple carpet!

From fashion to a 5K....

On Sunday, September 15, my friend Baking Suit invites everyone to participate in Run for Kohl 5K. Hosted by Mohawk Battalion on behalf of 1LT Jon Kohl, who was wounded in a helicopter crash while deployed in Afghanistan earlier this year. The race is being held in his honor, with proceeds benefiting the Wounded Warrior Project, a non-profit whose mission is to honor and empower wounded soldiers.

I'm not a runner, but I'll be helping somehow. First up - letting you all know how to get involved. Visit Run for Kohl for more information.


Do I have cool friends or what?

Morning commute

The shortest way for me to get to work is Consaul Road in Colonie. Locals know it's a curvy, 30MPH drive, but for me it's the most direct route.

For most of the year, it doesn't work because of school bus traffic. So I stick to Central Ave, a slightly less-direct route, but an easier drive.

But lately, someone (Verizon, Time Warner, or National Grid) has had the road down to one lane during rush hour. You know, that being the most logical time disrupt traffic.

So today, I thought I'd outsmart them, and go the other way. No school buses and no road work. I should be golden!

Nope.

I was less than 1/4 mile into my trip when I had to apply my brakes. We were slowed...then we were stopped. I could see a car with its hazards flashing, leading the parade. What I couldn't figure out was - why?

Then I saw. The lead car was being paced - by a dog running down the middle of the road. The driver was keeping his distance, probably hoping the dog would move to the side.

Eventually, cars coming from the other direction had to slow down. Then people started pulling off to the side of the road. A couple people got out of their cars to try and help. At this point, I was stopped, but not close enough to see much.

Then the dog changed directions, and ran back the way he came. When he passed my car I could see his hind-quarters were shaved, probably from recent surgery.

The man chasing him on foot looked determined. I'm not sure if he was the owner, or a friend, or just an animal-lover.

The dog moved off to the side of the road, out of harms way. I had to get moving, since I was in the middle of traffic, but I like to think the man was able to catch up to the fugitive and comfort him back to safety.

In the grand scheme of things, being on time for work really isn't that important.

BuzzFeed got it wrong

I love me a good Buzzfeed list. So when I saw that they listed the 51 Hottest Black Men in Hollywood, I was happy to review and see what they thought.

First, let me say, I agree with them - those are some hot men. Blair Underwood, Tyson Beckford, DB Woodside, Morris Chestnut...Taye Diggs... I'd never heard of Boris Kodjoe, but goodness, look at him. What would a list of hot men in Hollywood be without Denzel?

Tyrese Gibson

Prince...wait - what!? While we're asking questions, just who are numbers one, two, and three? And how in the name of all that is good and right with the world is Shemar Moore at number nine?!!

And where the Hell is Tyrese Gibson?!!

(I will admit, I thought they left off Ludacris, too - but I stand corrected. He's on the list - just not in the right spot.)

I'm OK with men like Morgan Freeman on the list - but honestly, if we're giving him props for being hot because of his voice, don't we need Dennis Haysbert (of Allstate commercial fame) listed too? And if we're handing out awards based on character and distinction (Craig Robinson) don't we need to add Forest Whitaker to the list?

I don't object to numbers one-four being listed, I just don't agree with their placement. I would propose a much different list. In the interest of space, time, and the fact that not as many people will read this anyway, I'm proposing a new Top Twenty:

20 - Will Smith
19 - Jamie Foxx

Number Nine?!! Not around here.

18 - Kevin Hart
17 - Lenny Kravitz
16 - Ludacris
15 - Duane Johnson (Missing from the first list???)
14 - Dule Hill
13 - Denzel Washington
12 - Chadwick Boseman
11 - Mahershala Ali (Who was also missing from the first list.)
10 - Morris Chestnut
9 - Taye Diggs
8 - Tyson Beckford
7 - Dolvett Quince
6 - Blair Underwood
5 - Isaiah Mustafa
4 - Tyrese Gibson
3 - DB Woodside
2 - Boris Kodjoe
1 - Shemar Moore (Because obviously!)

My honorable mentions for not-technically-Hollywood but I-don't-really-care are:

President Barack Obama
Derek Jeter

Jeter made a cameo in the 2010 movie The Other Guys. He has an IMDb page and I imagine a SAG card, but I suppose that doesn't make him "Hollywood." In any case, I can't create a list of hot men and not include him.