Volume 10- Year In Review

I’m exhausted right now. Literally every part of my mind, body and spirit feels about as beat as a Naomi Campbell personal assistant. But that’s not going to stop the Fly Guy Express. There’s still work to be done before 2006 is officially dead and buried. It’s time I revealed exactly what’s hot and what’s not in the world of love and relationships over the past year. You won’t find better love advice out there. (You’ve got a better chance at prying the last drumstick out of Fat Joe’s hands.)

What’s Hot

Expressing Yourself
There’s nothing hotter right now than being expressive in your relationship. What’s the point of keeping secrets? There’s no time for guessing games…let them know how you really feel. A true relationship needs to be a partnership in every sense of the word. So unless you work for the CIA or are a member of the witness protection program, then you need to tear down those walls, and be fully exposed…kind of like Tyra Banks’ forehead. Don’t let a day go by without expressing to your loved one exactly how you feel. Now that’s hot.

Imagine That
Another hot relationship trait that needs to be carried into the new year is imagination. Don’t get so comfortable with your partner that you allow things to get stagnant (that’s where problems begin to creep in.) Use your God-given creativity to give your love life a boost like that time I helped Jermaine Dupri reach the top shelf (That might have been low…but so is his center of gravity…)

Sweat The Small Stuff
There are a few people who believe that meaningful relationships last by doing the big things. They are obviously as misguided as Nick Cannon’s film career. (What? I guess you didn’t see The Underclassman?) Now while a trip to Bermuda or some nice jewelry definitely helps, it’s the little things in life that show one’s true appreciation. So if you failed to do so last year, then open up your eyes and ears in 2007. You might actually learn how to really make your partner happy.

Honesty Is The Best Policy
Honesty is the name of the game in 2007. Of course it’s a given that you need to tell the truth, but I’m referring to a different brand of honesty. It’s time to be honest about your intentions. If you don’t want to be committed to just one person, then make it known….in the beginning. If you aren’t interested at all or just want someone for sex or money, then make that known as well. That way the other person can make an educated decision on whether they wish to continue on in the relationship. When you aren’t honest up front, things can become as confusing as Angelina Jolie’s family tree.

What’s Not

Blame It On The Pain
Attention ladies: Nicole Ritchie ratted you out. Following her latest DUI arrest, she blamed her behavior on it being her time of the month. Countless men have heard this same excuse. That’s not hot. We as men don’t get a pass to act out every time our team loses. So why should you? No excuses in 2007. That’s about as played out as Timbaland singing on the hook of a song.

Super Sleuth
Perhaps you think it’s cute to play an amateur Jessica Fletcher, but real life is not Murder She Wrote. So if you have to constantly play detective hoping to discover your loved one’s dirty little secrets, then you’re in the wrong relationship. That kind of mystery and intrigue is better left for the TV…not your love life.

Still Faithful?
Ladies. Ladies. Ladies…Over the past year, I’ve received countless emails from good guys who have been cheated on by you. So I have to ask…Is there really a lack of good men, or do you just make a mess of things like Monique in the buffet line? Do yourself a favor. If you find someone special, treat them right. Don’t always bank on finding someone better down the road. It doesn’t always work out that way.

Mamma May I?
Now fellas, I know you didn’t think I would leave you out. It’s definitely not hot to let your woman double as your mother. We all know what type of man I’m referring to: no job, no goals, no drive. They are about as useless as Arsenio Hall’s agent. So do your part in 2007 and beyond. Make it an equal partnership, and pull your weight man.

The Fly Guy Moral: This time last year, many of us made resolutions to make our love lives prosper in the new year. Some succeeded. And others…let’s just say you’re still searching for the right formula. Whatever your particular case may be, try to make 2007 your best year yet.