Ke$ha - Blow

I like Lady Gaga, but I LOVE Ke$ha! This is the video premiere for her new single "Blow". The video is such a joke but I absolutely enjoyed it. James Van der Beek? I mean, come on. Joey might get a little upset over this...

Ke$ha killed it.

Credit Cards: the do's and don't fucking ever's...

I opened my first credit card with Bank of America in 2005. For what reason you ask? Because I wanted a Gucci messenger bag I couldn't possibly afford. And of course, one mistake led to another. I've not been interested in credit until recently due to reasons such as: frankly, I couldn't have cared less, it was way too confusing, and that I've been under the impression that it was safer not to know. But I've taken much interest in it as of late because, well, I'm growing up and it's about time to mature - financially!

My goal here is to help simplify and restore the importance of credit. Let's just hope you take interest and spend some time digesting the information I've set forth.

What is a personal credit score?

There are three national credit reporting agencies: TransUnion, Experian, and Equifax. These credit reporting agencies each mantiain credit information about you on a daily basis - information on your credit card accounts, store card accounts, mortgage. car, and other loan information. They do NOT evualate your information, they simply hold it.

A simple numerical measurement of your creditworthiness like those used by banks, credit card companies, mortgage lenders and other credit providers.

Most credit scores fall between 350 and 850. The higher your credit score, the better your chances of being approved for credit and loans. Best of luck, bitches.

What lowers my credit?

• Not using your credit card accounts at all may be considered a negative factor, because it does not provide lenders with information about how you typically use credit and repay your debts.
• Having had credit accounts for a long time is a positive factor. Let's say for example if your oldest account was opened up 7 years ago, your credit history may be considered short, and less than 3 years is often considered too little. The best scenario would be that you have accounts that were opened 40 or more years ago and have 2 or more reported payment history.
• High usage (balances above 50% of the credit limit) is usually considered negative because lenders worry that you may be using more credit than you can reasonably afford to repay. In fact, as little as 15% usage may lower your score. 
• Maxed out or overlimit on a credit card is particularly negative.
• Late payments - being late on many accounts is typically worse. 
• Applying for multiple credit accounts within a short period of time (such as 12 months) because they cannot tell wether you are "shopping" for the best offer or if you are desperately trying to obtain credit because of financial trouble.
• Having too few accounts maybe be considered negative.

What improves my credit?

• Make your payments on time. Lenders understand that many people occosionally pay late, therefore, being late with a single payment is typically not as harmful as being late with two or more consecutive payments.
• Don't take out a loan unless you really, really need it.

How do you cancel a credit card?

Before you decide to close your account, please be sure you avoid these following things! Do NOT close:

• Any cards that have a balance (pay it off COMPLETELY)
• Only credit card with a balance (it will decrease total available credit)
• Only credit card (you need it to add points to your credit score, duh!)
• Oldest credit card account (don't take a huge step back with your credit history)
• Credit card with the best terms (why let a good thing go?)

Once you've checked off that list, here is how you would go about closing a credit card account:

1. Call the credit card company and tell the representative you are requesting to cancel the credit card account. Make sure that they list the cancellation as a "request by the customer" and not a "cancellation by creditor".
2. Request for a statement through mail about the closure of your account. Most importantly, send a letter. Request a name and address to whom you are to send a written or typed statement about the cancellation of your card for added assurance.
3. Be patient. Wait a month or two for the creditors to process your request.
4. Follow up by checking your credit report. Check for errors because CREDITORS can and will make mistakes - it could be detrimental to your score. Be thorough with your report!

Be smart about credit or it'll bite cho' ass in the future. Y'all don't want that, do you?

Britney Spears - Hold It Against Me

I've unconditional love for Britney Spears. With that said, her new video for "Hold it Against Me" did not live up to the hype. It pains me to even admit this but it could possibly be one of her worst videos. All the elements and special effects could've been successful, perhaps if reduced to a trick here and there, but god - such overkill. Britney is lost in the hot mess that is Jonas Akerlunds work. As a Spears loyalist, I've realized that Britney doesn't have to try hard - she really doesn't. I'm just convinced this wasn't her element.

Girl, I forgive you.

Happy Birthday Fredo

I was fairly disappointed that I couldn't get my shift covered yesterday to attend Fredo's unusual "early" birthday party. But thank Britney, Ivy pushed it back to 6 PM. Hooray! As we normally anticipate, our arrival time was at 7 PM - so cal tardiness. She was originally planning to have it in the recreation room at the apartment complex but decided to keep it easy and have it at the apartment itself. Works for me.

Chillin' @ the apt, watching TV - a birthday boy request

It was also a potluck - something I'm all about! Food speaks to me. Everyone made an effort and brought a dish, except myself. My only excuse was having worked an 8 hour shift, and had little to no energy to get into the kitchen and whip something up. Thankfully, my boyfriend put his skills to the test and made a dish. The food was fantastic - unhealthy, but fantastic.

David's delicious corn, tomato, and marinated steak tortilla dip!

Ohmygod, so good. Tina's homemade eggrolls - they were an instant hit.
I kind of double dipped in that sauce on the right - twice. Oops.

Fredo's contribution. Ivy did not approve.

Salami and cheese. It doesn't taste as sad as it looks. Poor Misha!

CJ did a fantastic job with this spicy noodle stir fry. Everyone loved it!

Stuffed from this food, we kept wanting more but physically couldn't continue - well actually, I ate more. Instead, the quitters opted for the casual beer or wine. The night was simple, clean, and relaxing - perfect way to let loose before school this coming Monday. 

Tina and Julie smiling for my blog!

The trouble makers: David, Channy, Misha

Spades convention with Ivy, CJ, and Tina

Time to sing Happy Birthday to Fredo! Unfortunately, there wasn't a traditional birthday cake so we decided to use the readily available pies from the potluck. I mean, tradition is boring... why not blow out a banana cream pie from Marie Calenders? I say GO FOR IT.

Fredo cutting the cake... or cakes

Love birds Fredo and Ivy

'Twas a lovely time. And there wasn't a better way to end the night but to watch a mediocre to tragic scary movie. Yes, we watched Devil from M. Night Shamaylan. It definitely wasn't the Village good but it surpassed the Happening bad. Happy Birthday!

Oh, and of course I premiered yet another new hairstyle. I'm going to try it out for a bit. I've always wanted to experiment with curly hair. It took me months to get to a length that would allow my hair to shape, let alone curl.

Vanity in Ivy's bathroom mirror

January playlist - heavy rotation!

Britney Spears - Hold it Against Me

Britney goes dubstep! With a throbbing bassline and pulsating breakdown, Hold it Against Me is bangin' and is only a glimpse of what's to expect from her much anticipated album due mid March. Spears writes on her Twitter, "Don't hold it against me for coming out early." I, and millions of other fans, don't blame her. This is classic Britney but with age, and I've come to five plays of Hold it Against Me in the midst of writing this blog entry JUST to experience that very bit of nostalgia. She wins, again.

Adele - Rolling in the Deep

Revenge is delicious. Adele blows me away with Rolling in the Deep, as she takes us on this very roller-coaster, buckle-less and vulnerable. Her voice alone causes chills down the spine, let alone the thrill of the rhythmic piano and steady bass drum, as evident in her latest release. What sets Adele apart is that special human quality with her song that speaks to so many but remains restricted and confidential. Soul and sorrow? Please and thank you. I'll be pressing on this very bruise until the whole album can be heard.

Mike Posner - Please Don't Go

Who is Mike Posner? I'm still not sure, but I like this song - a lot. After releasing his first single Cooler Than Me and attaining global success, he proceeded by releasing Please Don't Go. Truth be told, I've avoided this guy since his first release but I was exposed to this song while listening to the radio. It's a pretty simple track but the electronic effects add such flare and spirit. His voice, intimate and slightly unusual for my taste, is tolerable upon repeat listens and at times, makes me gush like a thirteen year old schoolgirl. Sweet pop goodness - I'm sold.