A Bit of Sunday Gospel

Enjoy this beautifully uplifting song:

Funky Fresh FreeStyle Fridays!

Get yo' boogie ON over at the Rich House - 'Most E'ery Friday!


*click image for its source

Wednesday Wisdoms & Wonders

Welcome Back for Wednesday Wisdom, vol. 18

Come in, set a spell and give us your take on the wisdom U dig in the selection:

“Genuine forgiveness does not deny anger but faces it head-on.”

~ Alice Miller

In light of yesterday's post, this is my goal and prayer. The ability to forgive and move on is an extraordinary feeling! Living Well truly is the best revenge;-).
I discovered this wonderful li'l gem of a book that I highly suggest (click on the image to get more information):

How would U feel?

The logical side of my brain says, "Let it go." And for the most part, I think I have. But, every so often, like a passing bad scent, a memory is evoked that "calls up" this unpleasant experience.

This is a true story. If you were on this trip and are reading this I hope you can understand just how hurt I was behind this. I'm not writing about this to call anyone out, but to get it out of me - hopefully, once and for all. I tend to be Happy Go Lucky, but on those rare occasions when my feelings do get hurt I am more puzzled than anything.

About four or five years ago some friends and I planned this fabulous trip to Jamaica! We were fairly frequent visitors of the island because it is so beautiful and not too expensive (at least, those were my reasons;-). We became comfortable ignoring the pleas to braid our hair, purchase ganja, or any number of items being forcefully sold, so we could really enjoy the sun, beaches, food, and wonderful people. But, what made this particular trip fabulous is the fact that it was our first trip back to Jamaica since I'd moved to NYC, so we were going to meet at our resort. That minor fact, made me feel extra grown and sexy! I had visions of me as Angela Bassett/Stella;-). We were even treating ourselves and staying at one of the newest and highly acclaimed resorts completed in MoBay that year!

Generally, I like to make my own travel plans, but one of our girls assured me that her travel agent could handle it. The flight was more expensive than I expected to pay, but in the spirit of the trip, I was going with the flow. "Everyt'ing would be irie!"

I arrived in Jamaica in the evening. Initially, that bothered me because I like to arrive at vacations as early in the day as possible and leave from the location as late as possible. That pattern of travel makes me feel as if I've earned extra vacation days. But again, "everyt'ing was irie!" As my plane landed I enjoyed some of the most beautiful colors I've ever witnessed naturally. The sky was shades of blue with streaks of deep lavenders and fuschias. There were also distant flashes of lightening and I love watching lightening storms, especially, since we were safely on the ground. I sent up thanks to the heavens for this evening flight that allowed me to witness such wonders.

I was shuttled to the resort, left my bags with the front desk, asked them to point me to their bar and just as I envisioned: my girls had secured a spot and the party was on! The rest of the stay was uneventfully cool. I did my best to take full advantage of the sun, the spa services and the delicious drinks;-). There was some tension in our group, but what do you expect when so many women travel together? This one wants to go to this place, that one wants to take that tour, etc. I was going with the flow, cuz "everyt'ing was irie."

Then we left to return to the States...maybe if we had different flights this would not have been an issue. But, I walked toward the long line for coach and my girls all head toward First Class, so I started thinking that maybe they had to ship something and they are walking past the First Class station. I notice that a couple of my girls got really busy looking in their purses or fiddling with their packages. And the one who made the travel arrangements began to "fast talk" me: we'll just tell them that you're with us and you need to change your ticket. I. felt. like. crap. I had been duped, hoodwinked, bamboozled and I stood there at the counter with "my girls" and was made to feel like they were doing me a "favor" by "attempting" to upgrade the ticket of their nanny, or maid or some shyt! The fact that I was dumbfounded and speechless made me really look like I was a non-English (or any intelligible language) speaking 'servant'. The ticket agent did allow me to board with First Class, saving me further embarrassment of walking to the back of that long azzzz line, but DAYUM.

I was too hurt to cry. I didn't even know what to say. I talked it over with one mutual friend a week after I returned home. It was suggested that I speak to my "best" friend of the group, ask her why no one told me that tickets were being up graded to First Class. Why wasn't I given that option? I may not be "paid" yet, but I've got good credit! I don't generally like confrontations. I tried to sound casual when I asked my "girl" what was up with the travel arrangements? It was "brushed off" quickly: "Oh, you know how So&So is." And that was the end of it - the conversation changed. No apologies or explanation for the fact that I was IN JAMAICA with these chicks for SEVEN days and NOT one of them could give me a head's up. Heck, I could've upgraded from the hotel, or something! At the very least, I wouldn't have stood there like BooBoo the DaYum fool.

I know it was years ago, but every time I get a reminding 'whiff' of that trip, my stomach aches slightly all over again. Needless to say, that is not one of the trips we recount fondly, nor have I ever let anyone else make my travel arrangements. Of course, it also crosses my mind that the reason my flight ticket was so expensive was because I paid for their DAYUM First Class Tickets. It should not cost that much to get from NYC to Jamaica round trip. NYC is dayum near a Jamaican annex!

I do hope that if I've ever hurt anyone's feelings who I consider dear to me, I would be woman enough to apologize if they asked me why I did it. Sadly, it has cooled my relationship with those sistahs. Or maybe I had done something that changed our relationship without my knowing it before the trip? If so, why didn't anyone say anything?

So, tell me, how would U feel?

Staying focused on the Road to Success

Last week's list:
*Arise by 6am, SunShine;-) - this was kinda rough, succeeded once!
*Read goals daily & Write daily lists - perfect way to start the day! Successfully done!
*Go thru all mail - sort, file & shred as needed. - this rolls over to this week.
*Organize home office. - Proudly ordered organizing "tools" - will complete this week once they're delivered.
*Complete and submit application for NY Public Schools. Successfully DONE!!
*In bed by 10pm EST (Sun. - Thurs. - rest up, Sweetie;-) - this was rough, succeeded twice, but the night owl in me fought hard;-)

Here's what's keeping me busy this week:
* Get into bed by 11pm (Sun. -Thurs.) - more realistic;-).
* Rise & Shine by 6:30am;-).
*Continue the winning habit of writing daily lists.
*Network and post the information to begin sales of my educational workbook.
*Write 2 hours each day.
*Complete last week's roll over items.


*click on image for source - great looking photography school!

Light & Lively Friday: Funny Driving Memories

It's been an emotionally draining week for me (Jena 6 AND personal stuff - WHEW!) So, it's time for some FUN!!

Now, anyone who's been reading my blog for a minute knows that I Love. To. Drive! I was reminded of these stories and thought I should share them here in blog land after seeing T-Dawg's ADORABLE, Baby-Girl behind the wheel. Enjoy!

Long Trips:
My Dad & I were talking and laughing recently about my passion for driving as a youngstah. My Daddy was holding down several jobs, so that my Moma could be a house-wife & full time mommy. His between-jobs gig was driving a cab. When he would get home in the evening I'd be waiting impatiently at the door, or on the porch if the weather was good. As soon as he got out of the taxi, I would brush past him, mumble my greetings 'cause I had places to go and he was slowing me down! I would jump into that taxi and DRIVE, DRIVE, DRIVE! I couldn't have been older than six or seven because I needed to sit on my left leg to see over the steering wheel (needed the right leg to stretch down to the pedals, DUH!;-).

Now, a casual observer may have giggled at the li'l fuzzy haired girl with pig tails in the stationary taxi going "nowhere". But, aaaahhhhh, if they were in the car with me they would've driven all over DC, maybe as far as Richmond, VA, or Baltimore, MD depending on where my fancy took me and the amount of time I had. See? In my head, I literally drove to specific places. I adjusted the mirrors so that I could see behind me. And I didn't just haphazardly turn the steering wheel back and forth like an amateur. I put on my signal when I "reached intersections" and carefully turned hand over hand until I needed to straighten the car. Sometimes, I drove with one hand and put my arm out the window to catch the breeze "on the road". Then when I "arrived", I would parallel park "expertly", putting my arm over the back seat, looking behind me - just like my Daddy "taught" me. I'd always arrive back home in time to join the family for dinner;-).

I'm ready, now:
So, after all my "years" of driving practice I was finally tall enough to see over the steering wheel and reach the pedals with both feet. Surely, my Dad would let me take her on the road, now!
"Hey, Daddy? Can I drive?" I approached him one day when I must have been ten or so.
"When you get a li'l older I'll take you out, so you can drive." was his response. Cool, I was patient. I'd be older soon. I must've waited years (probably... weeks;-) until I approached him again.

While I waited I continued to practice, this time while the car was moving. My sisters argued for the front seat, but my position of choice was directly behind my Dad so that I could see the mirrors. I had a large plastic bowl top that was about the size of a steering wheel. I would "put" my back seat gears into 'drive' as we pulled off. I hand over hand turned when we turned corners. I put the gear into 'reverse' while parking and threw her into 'park' when I was done. Ahhh! I was more than ready to hit the road. Besides, I was older now.

"Hey Daddy." I approached him grinning, confident this time. "Remember you said I could drive when I got older?" I wasn't aware that his expression was holding in laughter. "Well, I'm ready." Boy, did I pout when he said I still wasn't old enough. How old ya gotta be anyway? Sixteen?! Why, I'll be married with kids of my own by then!

* * *
Now, gon' and have a FABULOUS weekend!
Here's wishing U all the chance to take a wonderful drive;-)

Kill your TV ...before it kills U

As I stated over at T. Stephens spot, TV is today's Trojan Horse (before it was known as a prophylactic or software, a Trojan Horse was a decoy "gift" / war tactic used to destroy a nation).

Why today's rant against TV?
If the fact that the following got little to NO media coverage is not reason enough:
*Jena 6
*Megan Williams
*Unjust acts in your area that go unnoticed (how many of our children are in jail for some pettiness? how many more need to go?)


Then is the following good enough reason to at least ease UP off a li'l TV?
*more time to follow a dream of yours - instead of watching other's dreams come true.
*more time to spend with your loved ones - including yourself.

I'm not the only one to feel this way. Check out:
http://www.turnoffyourtv.com/

Here's to wishing us ALL a more fulfilling REAL Life as active participants!

*click image for its source.

Wednesday Wisdom - Jena Six Dedication

I've been quietly observing the blogs and internet attention of the six young men being unjustly charged in Jena, Louisiana. The Jena 6 is another painful reminder to me of the historical struggle of my people here in the "United" States. I get so frustrated because similar incidents happen too often! I've also felt I wanted to DO more than sign petitions and can't afford to send donations to every cause that I feel strongly about. Besides, sending money doesn't really give me a sense that I've done anything. I happened to be in my car during the Michael Baisden show when he played this song dedicated to the Jena Six (by Jasiri X) and announced that on Thursday, Sept. 20th we should all wear Black in support of the Jena Six. Now, wearing Black (and "dressing" my blog in Black) gives me something to DO, especially since I am unable to attend the rally in Jena on Thursday.
Can you imagine an entire nation in BLACK on the same day? I'm looking forward to it.

Moral excellence comes about as a result of habit. We become just by doing just acts, temperate by doing temperate acts, brave by doing brave acts.
~ Aristotle

My prayers go out to all of my people who have been and continue to be treated unjustly by this "United" States "justice" system.

Click to read more about the Jena 6.

Staying on track

Putting some of my "bidness" out here, so that every time I log on, I'll have a reminder of what I need to focus on. This will also curb my blogging appetite. LOL!

If u don't "see" me, here's what's keeping me busy this week (will update my lists each week:-):

*Arise by 6am, SunShine;-)
*Read goals daily & Write daily lists - perfect way to start the day!
*Go thru all mail - sort, file & shred as needed.
*Organize home office.
*Complete and submit application for NY Public Schools.
*In bed by 10pm EST (Sun. - Thurs. - rest up, Sweetie;-)

*click on image for source - great looking photography school!

Tagged by a Tennis Pro;-)

Sistah Edagowa tagged me, so I'll kinda play along.

This game of tag involves disclosing 8 things about yourself & linking to the tagger. That much I can handle.

1. I LOVE to READ!!
2. I've never bought a TV & refuse to pay for TV services (cable, satellite, etc.).
3. I prefer dancing or active play to working out - double-dutch or real tag, anyone?
4. I love expressing myself: writing, conversation, drawing, pottery, cooking & ;-).
5. I am thankful for my health, strength and beauty (inner & outer). Thanx Ma & Daddy for good genes & home training!
6. I hate chores & cleaning and am proud when I get them done!
7. I love it that walking into my home is like walking into a warm embrace.
8. I LOVE the fact that most of the time I see my "glass" as 3/4 full;-).

If you're reading this & like it - TAG, you're IT!
*click on image for its source.

Next Friday - BE there NYers;-)

Next Friday, September 21st - Organized Noise is urging all NYC Bloggers to gather for another meetNgreet! If interested - ask ON or leave a comment here indicating as much & we'll disclose the bat-cave;-).

I'm excited!

*click image for source

Pull Back Action's necessary!

**First, Let me wish my Muslim & Hebrew readers a Happy Holiday season (Ramadan & Rosh Hashanah/YomKippur, respectively).
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
When you were a child did you ever have the joy of playing with toy cars with pull back action? Do you ever have the opportunity now, as an adult, to join kids who still find joy in those cars? If you did, then return with me to those 'thrilling days of yesteryear'. If you didn't, then come go with me and live vicariously;-).

As a young girl, I was proud of the fact that I could make the best engine roaring sound in the back of my throat as my male cousins and I pretended to shift gears in our respective race cars. I am still proud that I can make that sound...though, now my "engine" purrs softly more often than she roars (but ... I digress;-). We competed over cars that we saw as we drove, uh, I mean rode with the rest of our family. "That's my car!" was the scream we'd release whenever we saw a sports car or a muscle car. We were serious! My heart would actually ache if my cousins claimed a sunshine yellow 'Vette, a fierce purple GTO, or a hot red Spider before I saw it! I had as many toy cars as I had dolls. Race tracks were cool, too. My eldest sister had a wicked, realistic 007 race track that I was too young to operate. But, I spent many gleeful hours salivating as I watched the cars fly through tunnels, past miniature trees and twisting around sharp mountain curves! Yet, with all of that...my favorites were the cars with the pull back action.

Cars with pull back action needed no batteries and were free to go as far as you could wind them up. Of course, the more you pulled it back the faster and farther the car could go! But, the pull back action required a special touch. You had to be careful not to pull it back too far or the mechanism would break and the car would get stuck.

This year in my life has taken me back to those days of pulling back. I've been blessed to have the opportunity to step off the fast track and really listen to myself. There were times when I thought I was stuck. I didn't understand it. But, The Creator reminded me that I never focused with worry on the pull back as a child car fanatic. I simply delighted in the fast forward result. Instead of fretting when a car broke, I became better at listening to my cars so that I wouldn't damage the replacements. He assures me that all my mechanisms still work and I am merely down shifting as I gear up. I can't wait to screech into the new curves, roll out then zoom around life's mountains. I'm not sure how fast or how far I'll go, yet - but I am SO READY to ROAARRR Forward! What a thrilling ride this life is! It's great to remember what made us smile as children;-).

Hey, I hope u can keep up! Haaa Haaaaa! I'll try to take periodic pit stops and update ya here on Blog Boulevard;-).

Vrrrroooom! Vrrrrooooooom! Sccccrrrreeeeeeeech!

And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. ~ Matthew 18:3, KJV

*click images for source & to find out where you can get the toy cars when u click top photo!

Wednesday Wisdoms & Wonders

Today I am observing a "moment" of silence in honor & respect for the losses suffered on Sept. 11, 2001. See yesterday's post for a wise scripture. Thank you.

Stronger & better than ever - six years later

I mark my anniversary of living in NYC with today; the monumental day on which the most tragic event occurred in my lifetime. I moved here a month prior to the unfortunate loss (almost to the day). My heart and prayers go out to all of us - because we have all been affected in some way.

"Then I will command my blessing upon you in the sixth year and it shall bring forth fruit..." Liviticus 25:21 KJV


*click on image for source.

A reasonable request:-)

Inspired by a bit of banter Brother Sojourner and I had:

I don't have unreasonable standards. I just have ideal for me standards;-). The ideal for me Brother can go from the White House to the Out-house (if u don't know what an Out-house is - no need to apply. LOL!). If I can't take you to my church, the neighborhood where I grew up, functions for my job, or on my book tours then we are probably not compatible;-).

My favorite female MC of all time eloquently explains one side of my ideal Brother for ya!

Help Me, again:-)

I'm going really public with this fitness thing & even joined members of my church in efforts to get fit. Check it out: CAP's Challenge!

THANX!

*click image for source

Lovely Labor of Reading

This is inspired by posts at Jali's House (on early memories of reading), and Organized Noise's spot (on Labor of Love). I have always been fascinated by the people who did not "like" to read. Now, I understand if individuals don't know how to read. I'd gladly help them get over that challenge. But to know how to read and not like it?! I look at those people as anomalies. What exactly is that ailment: not liking to read? Where did they catch it from? Is it curable? If I could get paid to lay around and READ all day I would be in heaven!! So, if you know of any available positions like that give me a holla!

Whenever I took on a new tutoring client, I started with a "getting to know you chat" with the child's parents. Inevitably, the parent complained that the child was having trouble in school because they didn't like to read and their eyes would roll to the heavens. I would ask simply, "Do you or your spouse like to read?" It always took ALL of my energy not to laugh at the parent's reactions which ranged from: "What the hell are you asking me that for?" to "You're here to straighten out my child, not me!" Of course, these reactions were purely communicated telepathically through body language, but they may as well have said it aloud, because it was SO clear! LOL!

I don't really remember NOT knowing how to read...yea, I have memories of stumbling on new and bigger words, but I don't recall learning to read as clearly as I recall learning to write in cursive. Cursive looked like a secret language that only my sisters & other big kids knew...but that's another topic.

I love to hear my mother tell me how good I was as a child and easy to deal with as long as there were books around. She could go grocery shopping with ease because she sat me at the book aisle and I was there when she finished (this was in the hood - where no one wants an extra mouth to feed, so child snatching was not rampant. LOL!).

I ask U - how could u NOT like to read???

*click image for its source.

Wednesday Wisdoms & Wonders

Welcome Back for Wednesday Wisdom, vol. 17

Come in, set a spell and give us your take on the wisdom U dig in the selection:

“There is little success where there is little laughter.”

~ Andrew Carnegie

I also want to share about this wonderful oasis in Jamaica that I've had the pleasure to visit twice. Jackie's on the Reef is a true Wonder of Relaxation! I hope that all is well for Jackie in this awful hurricane season. Jackie is an incredibly interesting sistah who I feel blessed to have met and experienced. The massages at Jackie's are truly DIVINE and life changing!


And here's one thing I've been WONDERing about a lot lately. What do U think?

Mike Britt - comedian - funny as HECK

This Brother is FUNNY azzzz HaYLE!!! I've seen him live & this is NOT his funniest - but it was all I could find on YouTube. Yes, there's cursing, so don't watch this around bosses or children;-).

Check his myspace page for an appearance near you:-). http://www.myspace.com/mikebrittcomedy

Black Men Blogging....

Hmmm, here lately, I've heard it mentioned in conversation, then saw it on a blog that there are not many Brothers blogging. I like to think this is not true. So, I'm going to list most who I know of (listed in no real order -- I'm also adding as I am "introduced" to others;-):


i.am.malik
African American Dad
Mr. Slish
BygPowis
Morphological Confetti
Manchild
Ced it/Meant it
Charles - complex simplicities
House of Riches
PlezWorld
Jac's Window
EncourageABrother
G Sweet
G-Sweet's Buddy: one of the Smittys
Sojourner G
DC Speaks
Cortney Gee
Dezel's GrapeVine
Organized Noise - BlogMeet Host winner (in my book:-)
O.N.'s "introduced" me to: Knockout Zed and his boy Will
RawDawgBuffalo
Mat Johnson (mulattoes are Colored, too;-)
AfroSpear seems to have a slew of Brothers
Tony Stringfield's Media2Live4 (a Buddy of RawDawg's;-)
Journey of a Gemini - who is Swag-A-Docious;-)
Kyle's 12thplanet - will have u spinnin' outta this orbit;-)
TopMack - of Compton...
Moody's Bad Bananas Music

I know I missed quite a few, so I could use your help. If you're not mentioned or if u know some Brothers who need to be on the list - help a Sistah & her Blog Family out! Give a shout in the comments and hyperlink their site, if u know how;-). Thanx!

MizRepresent's additions, which can be found in her blogroll:
DJ Black Adam
Thinking Black Man
Blogzilla
Daves World
Emanuel Carpenter
Yeah I said it - Leon
JR Lamar - myspace
Insouciant Prince - myspace

Bruh MegaRich AND Sis Ms. Lee both added:
http://www.eclectik-relaxation.com/
Ms. Lee also added: http://www.listentoleon.net/ (he's the 'Yeah, I said it' dude that MizRepresent added:-)

Sistah Lola Gets added:
www.field-negro.blogspot.com
www.natturnersrevenge.blogspot.com

Sistah Shai added another "rack" (as the "youngsters" in DC say;-) and more can be found in her blogroll:
http://atruebeing.com/
http://vanthonyrivers.blogspot.com/
http://www.mindspill.bygbaby.com/
BygBaby added: http://www.thejosevilson.com/blog/
http://blackisms.blogspot.com/
http://babeemunkee.blogspot.com/(Knockout Zed)
http://bruthacode.com/
http://kojohnson.blogspot.com/
http://west3man.blogspot.com/(Questioning Semantics)
http://whatarementhinking.blogspot.com/

Brother DC Speaks added:
http://anointed1ne.blogspot.com/
And Brother RayRay's Suntimes can be found on his blogroll.

Brother Plez added a good number - please check the comments as he hyperlinked them;-).

Sistah GC adds:
http://www.nappydiatribe.blogspot.com/ (Humanity Critic).

Sistah Anali adds:
http://gunfightersview.blogspot.com/

Sistah Jali added:
http://listentoleon.blogspot.com/
http://jeremybiggers.blogspot.com/
http://www.jacksongtickle.com/
http://amadeo.blogsome.com/
http://bruthacode.com/?m=20070827
http://darkdamian.wordpress.com/
http://www.fantasybeyond.com/urbanknight/blogger.html
http://www.sunkingpoet.com/blog/
http://burnettiquette.blogspot.com/
http://www.izzonline.co.za/

Sistah LoveBabz added:
Brother Q's - Threading Roots


Thanx Family for verifying what I "knew" even though I didn't have the facts. Brothers ARE Blogging. I appreciate the input and being introduced to so many amazing minds. Feel free to keep 'em coming...

*click on image for source.

Which lucky Brother will run away with me?

Thanx to Jas who took the beautiful bear photo in my previous entry I was "introduced to" the African Beach house pictured here. I've not yet been to the Pacific Northwest. One of my dream trips is to drive cross country (or maybe around the country) to see all of this beautiful continent which my ancestors helped to build and develop. So, who's the lucky Brother who's willing to join me? I say Brother because a driving tour like that is bound to be quite intimate;-)

Click the image for its source and more information about that beautiful oasis!