“Anyone who came from that Def Jam era, from 98-99, they are probably the top music executives in the world.”

Cash Only: A Novel

Cash Only: A Novel

Cash Only: A Novel

Cash Only: A Novel

The Gray Area

Come with me, Tiffani, on my Wii Fit Journey

Ok, so I need to lose a few pounds.

You might not know his name yet, but I bet you a dollar fifty you will very soon. Shaun H. Mykals is a DC-based R&B singer with a sound that is reminiscent of Marvin Gaye and Luther Vandross and a look that is, well...tasty. Ok, putting my professional face back on, Mr. Mykals is on a mission to bring real singing to the radio and he’s doing it on his own terms –– on a computer near you. He’s “digitally independent” and he has a new album, Urban Sophistication, available online only (like your favorite magazine). Shaun tells GMO about his musical journey, taking the time to give us a few stories about the people he’s met on the way. Trust me, this is a trip you want to take.

Hi, where are you?
I been looking for you everywhere
In the dark corners of smoke filled rooms
In the back of alleys, under the rug and outside my window

It’s back. The one day on the calendar that makes women anxious or sad and men broke or indifferent. What day am I talking about? You know –– February 14 or as Hallmark likes to call it –– Valentine's Day.

Not one to call the holiday “meaningless” or merely a marketing scheme by Hallmark and the like to make lots of money, I do think the holiday causes undue stress to both men and women. As a woman, I am of course happy on this day when I have a real boyfriend who takes me to dinner and buys me flowers. However, if I am single or in one of those in-between type of deals where I don’t know if the guy I’m “seeing” will get me something or spend the day with me –– which is worse than having no prospect at all on this day if you ask me –– then I detest the day and think the calendar should go straight from February 13 to the 15.

Fellas don’t have it that easy on this day either. If you have a lady, then be prepared to drop some serious dough if you want to make her feel special (and get to open your gift later that night). If you have ladies (shame on you!) then you may also end up coming out of the pocket to make sure each one of them feels extra special on this special day –– unless you’re just planning on being a jerk and doing nothing for any of them, which may be the move since you’re a jerk for having multiple ladies in the first place!

Ok, scratch that last sentence. I’m not judging, I’m sure you have your reasons for having more than one Valentine, as the lady with more than one herself does (probably all those extra gifts!).  

So, it’s February 13 and you’re either a lonely girl or one with many suitors, or you’re a guy with one special lady or a few “friends” who you want to make happy tomorrow. What to do?

Well ladies, if you don’t have a man to keep you company on V-day then slip on your little black dress (the freak’em girl dress to be exact) and grab a few of your single girls and hit the town. I’ll tell you a little secret: Men know you and your friends are coming. That’s right, there is nothing new to my advice to hang out with your fabulous girls on Valentine’s Day. Single guys will be out in full force looking for “poor lonely” women to save from the torture of being single on this day of love. You know what? Let them “rescue” you. Take them up on their offers to buy drinks, hell –– the whole meal!

Are you a lucky lady with a few guys vying for your time February 14? Well stop being greedy and send one to me! Ok, seriously, if you have to juggle men on this day then maybe have a brunch with one, lunch with the other and a romantic dinner with the last. Sound too busy? Say you have to work and plan a date for the following or previous weekend.

Yes, I’m giving advice to those with more than one person in their lives. Not that I advocate this at all –– I am a serial monogamous, even when the guy I’m with isn’t quite as, what’s the word…loyal? Therefore, I would love to be that girl with her one true Valentine, just spending the evening together. Tip for the man with one lady: On Valentine’s Day, all she wants is you! The chocolate and flowers are just icing on the cake.

Now fellas, if you do have more than one, see my advice to the ladies juggling a few of their own. However, you may need gifts to get by. Yes, if you can’t afford more than one, then maybe you need to downsize! I suggest hitting a flower stand downtown and a local drugstore. You can buy candy in bulk and trust me the ladies will appreciate even a single red rose.

So the meaning of the season is love. If you are lucky enough to have a special man or lady in your life then celebrate it, not only in February but year round. If you’re between loves or just having fun with a few friends, then remember that February 14 is just a day like any other day. Make it your day by doing whatever you want to do, be it sitting on your couch with a pint of Jerry’s or kicking it with the fellas at a local bar. I think some famous person wrote the phrase “Live, Laugh, Love.” If you ask me, those are words to live by –– everyday.

Photography by Billy Montgomery.