My Favorite Things... again

Well Oprah took the high road this year and probably had the most noble of all of her Favorite Thing Giveaways.

Over the years, Oprah has given away cars, homes and much more, but nothing compares to today's giveaway! "I can honestly say that every gift I've ever given has brought at least as much happiness to me as it has to the person I've given it to," Oprah says. "That's the feeling I want to pass on to you." Every member of Oprah's audience is going home with $1,000 and a Sony DVD Handycam…but there's a catch.

Oprah is challenging more than 300 audience members to donate their money to a charitable cause."You're going to open your hearts, you're going to be really creative, and you're going to spend it all at once on one stranger or spend a dollar on every person," she says. "Imagine the
love and kindness you can spread with $1,000." --- taken from Oprah.com

After working in the nonprofit world for over 6 years and I must say that my prayers to God often include the wish to be in the financial position to help others. I, like Oprah, believe that feeling of happiness is unmatched. However at this point and time I am in no way in that position right now. I will say it was hard to top most of the 14 items that made my list in 2005, so just consider this year's list a continuation with just a few changes:

1. The inconsistency of the iTrip made me seek out another saviour from radio... luckily the helpful and quite attractive salesgirl at the Dunwoody BestBuy helped me find the Belkin TuneFM for Ipod<>A>.

2. My new favorite cologne came from my best friend and when I tell you it not only smells great but it makes you feel good too... Bond No. 9 The Hamptons. After taking the last little corner he had left in his... I quickly made my way to Saks for my own.

3. We already know that I am not big on Christmas gifts, but on the rare occassion that I do give gifts I usually give something that could be considered a new family tradition started by my Grandmother when I was quite young. The Neiman Marcus Holiday Cakes, specifically the Liqueur Cakes. Now you can buy a single cake or what I tend to give the mini cake sampler of six individually-wrapped cakes which include Irish whiskey, apple pecan bourbon, chocolate champagne, lemon with vodka, vanilla rum, and amaretto cakes.

4. The JOQ Men's Spa in Midtown Atlanta. Early this summer I treated myself to the JOQ Bronze Spa Package that included a 50 minute massage, a facial and a manicure and pedicure. They successfully pull of a relaxing day spa for men without the 'girly' affects.

5. Grey's Anatomy is one of, if not the one, favorite show I must catch every week. It is great to see a show written and created by a black woman, with 4 main minority characters that isn't a bunch of joking and jiving or set in a ghetto with Shaniqua and her 4 kids.

6. After having a hamburger from 5 Guys... McDonalds and Burger King begins to taste like welfare food. They have the absolute best burgers I have had in quite some time. Currently only on the east coast (like most of the good stuff)... they definitely make my favorites list this year.

7. One of my favorite stores has finally made it to DC... Barney's Coop. Whenever I need a 'fit' for a function that is the place to go, without worrying about half the party having on the same shit.

8. Yellowman is definitely making some hot shirts that go perfect with jeans. They are called tattoo shirts because they basically look like very intricate tattoo designs.

9. Thanksgiving Day... by far my favorite holiday. Great food, family... and a day set aside to just to say thanks.