2007: Thinking of a Master Plan

So on this New Year's Eve you know I gotta reflect on another monumental year in my life. But first, please let me digress, my mojo has made a return with a vengence for like the last two weeks.

Back to reflecting, so

 these last few years have been action-packed. 2005 was my roughest year yet, followed by what is in the running for one of my best years so far. If 

I had to name 2006 (I love to name anything . ..speaking of that my mom let my plant Christophe wilt away. He is now on life support.), but if I had to name o6 it would be my Year of Chocolate Beyonce. 

I felt I became completely comfortable in my skin.

My 2007: The Year of Reflection and Vision

Since the new year began I have become much more critical of life and asking myself and others more questions than ever. Overall this has been a great year. Where 06 I bec

ame comfortable being me, 2007 was about getting to  know exactly who that was and becoming a young adult. Unfortunately with that maturity and accepting more of the realities of life

, I have become a little harder. I have always been optimistic but I do think a little light in my eyes has probably dimmed though I am still very much positive, or at least try my hardest to be.

Another big think for me this year has been realizing the power of vision. Man

y things in my life that have happened, I had already opened my mind and heart to.

07 Milestones . . .

My 22nd Birthday

I partied like a rock star with my bestest

Graduation

Oprah, my classmate. A culmination of an amazing four year experience.

My first job

*no link to that. Keeping job blogging to a minimum.  I am so fortunate to be working and

 doing exactly what I envisioned I would a year ago.

My first apartment

Craigslist rocks! Faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen. I was optimistic about finding a place when I got here (and needed to asap since I wasnt feeling so welcomed at my cousins). Well, the same day I flew to New York, the Wednesday after graduation and the day before my first day on the job, I checked out the first apartment on my list, and have been living here every since. Divine order indeed 

My first real blunder

I dropped the ball bad with something this year, a first for an overachiever like me. Taught me the importance of saying no and taking on what you can handle

My first retirement account

*Even sexier then jamming to Get Me Bodied on my bday and rent keeping the lights on. I'm going to be a fly retiree one day:)

Lost ones . . .

This year two people I looked up to a lot passed away, Crystal Harris and Mikel Husband. Both from health problems and in their 30s making me even more aware of the frailty of the flesh.

2007 forced me to grow up a whole lot and really taught me the power of vision. When I was home tearing up my room looking for my checkbooks I came across an assignment from School of C orientation freshman year with Dr. Byrd where we had to write our goals. 

I had put down to be a journalist, author, magazine editor and politician.

Continuing to think of a master plan.

Happy New Year!

08 is Great! We've already claimed it:) 

I wouldn't do that . . .

So don't know where my head was at with the last post. It was just a thought as Cee lo, excuse me, Gnarls Barkley, would say.  I thought about taking it down but it's already out there and in that moment my mind was really trying to wrap itself around wartime and what that meant for soldiers, families and countries, and this young Black man risky his life for_______.  

Nothing indeed. 

Alan Greenspan didnt beat around the bush in his book saying this was a war about oil. 

I'm guilty of being socialized in oversexed America and a society that looks to sex as a release. That's wack. Real wack. As I would have belted if me and C had performed at the office Christmas party: RESPECT YOURSELF!

l do.

And speaking of the holiday party, it's why I have been able to relax this holiday  and not stress about January's bills.

As a freelancer, not only will I tell you to be sure not to fall at my place because my minimal insurance won't cover it, that also means when I don't work, Im not getting paid for the time missed. So that holiday bonus was truly a blessing from God as I haven't worked for a week. Here's the picture from the party. Btw, did I miss the memo that bright printed clothes are out? Doing my soul searching over the break I also think it may be time for a style makeover. I won't be buying new clothes, but just reshuffling the ones I have. Let you know how that goes.

Sympathy Loving

It's a given you feel a certain way when a little kid is crying uncontrollably or a family is out in the cold.

But have you felt a little sorry for someone's situation, and wanted to give them something a little more special than money?
Like all stories, this one starts the same . . .

So, there's this guy. Yes he has a great back, but that is besides the point. We have been friends for years after he tried to holler at me at a club my sophomore year. He is in the military and has been in an out of the country since then. He was a great shoulder when I was going through hard times and I have tried to be the same.

The last few months he has been stationed in Iraq and is now home for the holidays for a few weeks. And I had to laugh out loud at myself for entertaining the thought of sympathy loving. Gives a whole new meaning to serving your country . . .

Merry Belated!

I am having a wonderful holiday. Sorry for the delay in posting. And I have been fighting it, but it seems I am officially a New Yorker. Or at least that's one my friends. family, church and anybody else Ive known most of my life have deemed me. Came home to Atlanta last Thursday. Friday I went to meet with my mom's financial advisor, who I am proud to say is now my financial advisor. So I now have an IRA and have started on the road of saving for retirement. I'll thank myself in 30 years:) He began the New Yorker talk letting his office know of my clip.
After that I headed to my mom's high school and spoke to their journalism class. I officially felt grown. Not old. Grown. the kids were cool and a few of the guys hitting on me was kinda hilarious, and ok, I admit, kind of flattering. The rest of the weekend I caught up with old friends and managed to make a few new ones, and was told I LOOKED like a new yorker.
At church Sunday I felt like a rock star and that feeling continued. Me and my mom then headed to South Carolina to see my family and grandmom on my dad's side, and boy did I get my fill of family drama stories. This pic of me in the red shirt is pre-new york days summer of '06. My lil cousin was a part of that family drama. sigh. But Christmas night watching Oprah's special with my little sister Deja put things in perspective real quick when she asked what AIDS was and why they weren't treating this little girl's mom.
Today my dad and her headed back to Atlanta and stopped a second at my mom's mom. Here is the street sign . .. Named for my grandfather. And with this being the least gifts I have gotten and most content I have felt at Christmas in year's past, I really feel grown. Hope you had a great holiday!

Afterwork Drinks

So last night I went to Tillmans and had a ball.
During that networking I mentioned I was doing at the Rush event, I met a guy who was cool and we exchanged cards. The next day he emails and invites me to go for drinks as some folks meet for one of his friend's birthday.
After i got caught up at work, found out my friends went to dinner without even a courtesy text and it freezing outside and the person I want to call not calling me like they said while others get through perfectly letting me know there is nothing wrong with my phone, Im feeling I wore my cute dress for nothing because all I want to do is crawl under the covers and sleep without setting the alarm.
And thats exactly what I planned to do until as Im walking out the office the guy at the front desk ask if Im heading out. Im too embarrassed to say I am 22 living in the capitol of the world and going straight home on a Friday night. So I say Im heading to drinks with friends. And that's exactly what I do - and boy am I glad I do. Since I had only met this guy once and he was the only person in the group I would know, I was happy my friend Gary was also heading to Tilman's with some work folks so I could always hang with him if the other crowd was a bust.
Well bust it was not. As Im walking in the door trying to remember what the guy looks like, Tia from In Touch taps my arm. I first met her when my magazine group visited Teen People years ago and she was the fly Howard grad who spoke to us. Since then she has been at Life & Style and now is senior editor at In Touch - and a regular on VH1. I saw her on the Cougar special a few weeks ago when I was on sweating on the elliptical machine (sigh, when was the last time I've been to the gym?) Anywho, we chat, she says she's here for a friend's bday and I mention the guy, and we are indeed heading to the same get together.
We head deeper into the restaurant and I realize this an actual sit down affair. I am feeling a bit out of place but the birthday girl quickly calms my nerves. She is so cool and as her and Tia catch up chat, gives me quick backgrounds on each of the character so I dont feel left out. We then all play 6 degrees and its scary how the circles overlap. She knows one of my editors from Vibe days and she is now at Lucky.
More cool folks join the table and I notice Gary's booth is right next to the one I am at. Me and Najwa are rolling the whole night and I remembered seeing her at Zandile's party, and the Black blogs that came down on her hard. The guy who invited me comes like two hours later:) Good think the world is so small.
Funny guy with the big coat joins our table and has me rolling the rest of the night. And six degrees is really one as he tells how he works in radio promotion at a music label, the same label my co-worker's niece works at and you know they know each other.
Make me laugh and I love you forever and this guy had me cheesing. I guess I was feeling good from the great convo and potent drinks. Somehow I go "You might win some, but you just lost one, like Jay Z" He hangs me up to dry for my fragmented thoughts.
Asking everybody at the table, "yo, who said you might win some but you just lost one?" They all say Lauryn Hill.
Im laughing too hard to defend how I wasn't saying Jay Z said that, just lost one made me think Lost Ones, you feel me?
Just dont butcher Lauryn Hill to a guy who works at the label she use to be signed to.
I give him my card.
Me and Gary ride back uptown together.
I get drunk dialed. Twice.
Afterwork drinks.

Miss a day, Miss a lot

That's how I feel about life, and yes I stole that from Wendy Williams. In the last week I have been on an emotional roller coaster. I'm still hanging out at the top of the hill for now and loving it!
Blame Whitney for the lack of posts as she came to town Sunday once and for all forcing me to deal with the mess I called a room.
This weekend I had lunch Saturday with my buddy Kristin. Check her shout out in the December Editor's Letter of Real Simple. Teacake Julee also did a fab write up on animal prints in the issue, pg 203.
Sunday I had brunch with Truc and Stephanie, my Conde' buddies. All the talk with fellow mag buddies had me feeling excited all over again to live in NY and work in magazines (though folks it's work, HARD work).
Monday was a great day. My article with Jaheim posted. My first work holiday party was a blast - and I even got called up with the 30 dates in 30 days group when they did special shout outs. I was so proud of Cynthia too. For a second we had planned to participate in the staff talent show with the prize being a $1,000 cash. Well, work didn't give me time to learn Salt N Pepa's 'Respect Yourself' so I pulled out. Things work out the way they are suppose to because we both ended up with a little bonus sans office embarrassment:) Watching my superiors and colleagues dirty wind and soulja boy was a sight for my tired eyes.

Last night I went to this Christmas party for the Rush foundation. I am interviewing Danny Simmons in this small dressing room and in comes his brother, Russell. I interview him as his pretty young thing sits on the arm of the chair and am really feeling some of the things he is saying. His nephew Diggy definitely is charismatic and those little girls were so cute screaming for the youngins. Fat Man Scoop hits the stage in a Santa suit and his wife Shanda hooked up this pseudo Ms.Claus get up. I was a lot better at networking then I have been at past events.

Today it was back to the dentist and continuing to keep my tentacles connected. Got some freelance work I have to finish and am finishing up my Christmas cards. Email me your addy if you want to be added to the list.

And oh yeah, Check page 77 in the latest Essence to see my byline for What Men Think. Gotta love approaching Black men to ask them about women!!

You're Gonna Love Me!

Love this look! I admit I was getting a bit nervous with those set pics from SATC of JHud and her red carpet choices haven't been as flattering as we know the curvy girls can do. But when I saw this my hope returned.

Much like many areas of my life.

Went to Madison Square Garden for the first time Saturday for the Big Apple Classic. Howard got SPANKED but is was so good to see so many familar faces. And I'll have you know I was most proud of how I conducted myself when face to face with an ex-friend. I'm talking old high school drama that you don't even remember all the details but you do know they are NOT your friend.
Well, sis was determined we speak (and I'm sure she probably reads the blog). No hard feelings but let's let sleeping dogs lie.
After the game me and Anna hit Canal Room (like I told one of my friends before I had even gone to the place, it was indeed small) I don't know when was the last time I partied that hard, we both sweat out our hair and didn't care. What really had us letting loose was . ..
. . . .Follow Me (the House Music CLASSIC . . .I'm hopinggg, to see that dayyyyyyy:)
.....Hey Ya, my baby 3000
......Cupid Shuffle
........Poision

Our HU NY Alum chapter Prez Chris was killing it at the dj booth.

Relativity

Everything in our lives is relative.

Sometimes we (me) get caught up in the small things that we miss the beauty of just being. I had a dream of my great grandmother Katie (where I got my middle name) last night and she was as alive as ever even though she passed away almost ten years ago. And yes she is who my family credits my stubborn streak to.

Was it something extra deep that sparked me to start to think a little bigger and reflect on how big this universe is? Not at all.

While I was south for Thanksgiving I hit up Walmart and its cheap Black DVD rack. One of the ones I scored this time was Mahogany (Waiting to Exhale was out yet again). As I opened the package to watch my new dvd for the first time I noticed the film was rated PG.

They show Diana Ross' nipples in the film and it's PG?? wasn't Shrek and some of these other animated films rated PG13? Well that got me to thinking sign of the times and yeah, I'm that weird.

But it's no surprise I'm weird living in a society that is more oversexed than ever yet is as prudish as they come in the light of day.

Black remains the new Black

So Wednesday I got to see all the episodes of this season's Project Runway. And no I didn't laugh at the big guy being the last one to get to the tent fabrics on the first episode. 

I know how that feels, and am proud to report I moved up from the worst person in cardio kickboxing. Last Sunday I was the second worst! Yay:)

But back to Project Runway, the Black girl on there Carmen wasn't doing it for me and when she broke down crying I wanted to give her a serious shake Chris Rock style. She just made me miss Mychael Knight even more. At the HU

Homecoming fashion show this year (you know my Yasmine put it down like the A-town's finest do:)

It was great to be registered as press and Shani and Arion made me use my power after the show to speak to Mychael and I did a lil interview. He had clothes featured in the show and I was just loving how Yaz kept Atlanta in the mix with him designing and my beloved Janelle Monae performed. Afterwards when me and Janelle were catching up she said how she had been sick all week and still feeling it. I let her know if that was her sick running all across the stage, I didn't think we were ready to see her well. All my friends thought I was holding out but I could have sworn I told everybody I know she rocks!

But back to Mychael. He's so Atlanta and has like a boyish quality that is adorable.

I even forgave him for saying Decatur people are weird.

He told us about some of his upcoming projects including a cologne called Magic and a lingerie line and performance band called Kitty and Dick. Yeah, uhm, guess being subtle is out this season:)

As I tried to call him on going Hollywood with changing the 'i' to 'y' in his name, he quickly schooled me that Mychael is actually how his name is spelled and the show switched it up. Learn something new everyday.

Black is still the new black:)

CJ

Perfect Fit

saidah said...
Queen to Be I have a question for you that was asked on my hair board and I thought I'd ask you since you work for Essence!

This is just an excerpt "I just got my monthly Essence .........I got to the fashion section and the "perfect fit" section in particular stood out. I noticed that the holiday dresses they were showing were all really nice but the smallest size they show an example for is an 8. So I decided to go look at my last 2 Essence mags and sure enough the smallest size was a 6-8 and that was only in one mag, the other the smallest size was a 10 I think in this section. What about those of us who are smaller? Has anyone else noticed this in the magazine?"

I was just wondering your thoughts. To be honest I like the fact that Essence is doing this. B/c it is hard for size 8 up to find nice fitting trendy clothes.

Nov 20, 2007 8:45:00 PM

I LOVE it. Hi Saidah and anyone else who reads this blog and has a question they feel I might know the answer to. Let me know and I'll do my best. So on to the question. As a thick girl myself I loved the dresses this month. The red one with the green shoes was my fav. Check em out for yourself. Perfect Fit is actually a special fashion page in the mag that focuses on "real women" sizes each month. It is the one spot you are guranteed to see models who arent traditional "model" sizes. Often Essence and all magazines get the critcisim of featuring clothes and sizes that dont reflect real women, so Perfect Fit offers women with curves clothes that fit their body. In the January issue Perfect Fit takes on jeans for the curvy girl! If you are looking for great party dresses in smaller sizes check the Party spread in the mag that was shot at Tilman's, love that place!

Thankful Day

So I needed Thanksgiving bad this year. Real bad.It was great to see all my family and my busy body (and LOUD) mom. I flew to Atlanta then drove to my mom's mom in South Carolina with my brother and his girlfriend. Yep, he brought Crystal to meet the family. And my cousin and her boyfriend drove from NY. 

We getting old! When did we start bringing significant others to Thanksgiving? I almost felt I should have brought a date
*These pics I all stole from from my cousin Aisha from facebook

My cuz drove his CAB to Thanksgiving dinner! We were on the floor! It ain't a holiday if the family doesnt electric slide . .. as you can see I couldnt stop laughing. And next was Cha Cha but I just couldnt show how low i can go with grandma watching . . .

and, Im from Atlanta so you know we can go low.

Friday we went to Augusta (the closest "big" city in the area:). Got me a cute cover for my new mac book. Riding back we saw these cotton fields and had to stop. We were mesm

erized and full of weird emotions. I took all serious pics respecting the history of folks who look like me and cotton. Then I had to laugh thinking of the fashionistas I know (Kish . . . the lovely teacakes . . . Z . . .) and there closets full of cotton. Whoever said progress was a slow process wasnt talking about us. Hope you guys had a great holiday!! 

Hang on the Mistle Toe

Ok, I'm lying. Bring on the Mistle Toe!!!

This Christmas will definitely be a special Christmas for me.

I am so excited fot the holidays . . . even if I am having a few issues with a certain "Ho Ho Ho" in my life.


I kid. I kid. Seriously though, last Thursday I went to a screening of This Christmas and totally got in the holiday mood. That movie was SO funny and I just liked it. Me and my coworkers even put aside our uppity-ness in the loud theater with all these Chris Brown loving kids and their loud mamas. Gotta love the people.

Earlier that day we had our office pot luck so I was definitely feeling in the spirit - literally. That "special" punch was popping.



But what I love about the movie is it was so real and honest and I could relate, without it having a ounce of hood or horribly broken English (No offense to the real Frank Lucas). And y'all, I hate spoilers with a passion, but just know when you see the baby oil be ready to laugh.

Lauren London and CeCe From Dreamgirls (Keith Robinson) played a couple who went to Spelman and Morehouse. Keith's character Devon's explanation of attending an HBCU gave me goose bumps.

So this week I lost the Tina Turner 'do, am back to a sensible bun and working on a new attitude.

Who ever said life was fair?

This is Sean Bell and his daughter Jada after her swimming lesson. He went out with his boys the night before his wedding and you know the rest of that story. A good Black man marrying the mother of his children. Any innocent man being gunned down is a devastation but the early morning hours of your wedding day?
I was looking at pictures of him for an assignment and this picture just froze me. When will it end? Tuesday night I went to a screening of "The Great Debaters," a Oprah-produced film starring Denzel at an HBCU in Texas in the 30s. In one scene the debaters and Denzel roll up on a Black man being lynched.
The movie was a must-see, great wardrobe, acting and cinematography. But it also filled me with melancholy of how blessed we are to live in this era, when these people fought so I could laugh at Midget Mac.
But the 'whew' that you would think 75 years later doesn't come like I thought. Not when Sean Bell is a victim of a modern day lynching.
The movie talks about Willie Lynch and reminded me of the power of the words that his name is locked in history for the devastation he caused - and also the power of one, and in this instance one who used his power for some serious evil.
Jada Bell doesn't have her dad to hug after swimming lessons anymore. I am the queen of shielding myself from the tough facts but this is one I can't hide from.

Sunday Kind of Love

My fave Etta James song. And what women who seem to "have it all" have stumbled upon. I should be making final edits on an assignment that is past due but I'm up goofing off as I battle writer's block, just got finished watching Oprah and now am watching a 'Real Life Divas' profile on Lisa Price. Love her! If me and Whit thought hearing her talk was inspiring and how her husband was a major part of it, listening to this man talk about his wife, definitely was on a whole nother level. It was beautiful.
That's what I need in my life . . .one day.

Drinks on Dwele etc . . .

So yeah, tooth decay isn't the sexiest thing to post about. Just hope a certain someone doesn't read the blog. Well, after a rough week I felt things were coming back together. Thursday night I was able to go to a show with Dwele and took my book club buddy Eniola along (she just happen to find Teacakes when searching for a book club on facebook . . . sexy right?) I beelined to the bar when we made it and wouldnt you know it was an OPEN BAR. Feeling drained that two of my friends, well are saying things you wouldnt want a friend to say, I could really use a drink.
I got a reality check of how small my problems are when a producer came up and started talking and then shared how his girl for over a decade was killed a few weeks ago in a robbery.
Anywho, Dwele was great. His band was on it. I even forgave him for not doing my beloved "Flapjacks":)
Friday I was reminded again of my imperfections: I'm a sleepaholic. After my texas size drink with my shoot, waiting for the check, I start to nod off to sleep at the table. What can I say? I was tired . . .
Saturday was low key as me and Arion hung out, went to a NCNW meeting and grabbed some Make My Cake. I hit the gym and felt the burn.
Sunday I got up and was pumped to hit my first gym class: cardio kickboxing.
It was as intense as it sounds and all these in shape New Yorkers intimidated the hell out of me. And if you promise not to tell I will admit I was the worst in the class. lol. But that means I can only get better!!! They haven't seen the last of me.
With sore muscles, I made it to Abyssinian and had a flashback of the line at 2K9 for LaTex with everybody waiting outside. It was the church anniversary and the first service ran long making a crowd and ushers walking up to anyone who wasnt Black saying "no visitors today." The crowd lets out and Gordon, former NAACP prez walks by. Last time I was here it was Fonsworth. The service is amazing with a great sermon on "Hallelujah Any How," just what I needed to hear.
The service ended with a reminder just for me on why NY is so freaking grand. Up comes Ashford and Simpson to sing with the choir a special church anniversary song they wrote for this occasion. They are jamming to this song "Be Blessed." I love my church in Atlanta but celebs just dont roll in to sing for our anniversary. And you know Nick was shaking that hair;)

CJ
On a serious note, wasn't news of Donda, Kanye's mom death really sad? And the fact that is was so unnecessary that much more heartbreaking?

Hammertime on her Toes

That line from Boomerang popped in my head while I was sitting in the dentist chair this afternoon.
Can I just say I love my dentist office? It's on 45th st and so New York with beautiful marble floor and romantic granite statues throughout the place.
Some smooth soulful music was playing the whole time I was being worked on with my dentist humming along, a Irish band with a guy named Damien. My dentist is so cute and cool. She can flip from dental and medical jargon to complimenting my sweater in lightning speed.
But back to why hammertime toes popped in my head.
I felt my imperfection.
Well, after she numbs me up, she begins my root canal that was started last spring back at my alma mater's (I love saying that word now:) and is drilling. I begin to smell this funky smell. I think it's just the combination of the drill, the metal and the plastic on my top lip. Well, she then tells me I received some less than stellar dental work that didn't take out all the tissue in my tooth so what I'm smelling is decayed tissue that was left in my tooth which was then given a filling, so now after taking out the fillling there is a little gangrene she has to drill out. Gasp.
Not sexy at all.
She cleans out the tooth and I have to go back next week for her to complete the procedure and am on antibiotics till then.




After that I ran over to a screening of Dirty Laundry, this movie with Loretta Divine, Lavetta Alize from the Steve Harvey show (can I just say I love his morning show), the guy who played the husband and family man with the kids on Soul Food, Sommore, bobby jones from BET gospel and the ultimate scene stealer Will's aunt from Fresh Prince who is always funny. I love Loretta!!
The movie struck a sore nerve seeing someone who lives and works in magazines in new york go home to Georgia to visit. I have been going through my own moment these last few days.
New York is indeed the center of the world
But Atlanta has always been the center of mine till now.

See ya,
Reah

*and for the record I don't have hammertime on my toes . . .

Still Wallowing

I still feel like my tail is between my legs or however that saying goes when you feel like crap for something you did (or in my case didn't do).
But as India Arie belted out, the only thing constant in the world is change.
Or as my mom the coolest Sunday school teacher ever would say, "this too shall pass".
Nothing reminded me of that more than when my Christmas songs came on the ipod today.

First time in about 11 months I didn't shake my head at my out of season carols. I love Christmas time and adore Christmas songs! And I let Gladys Knight's "Do You Hear What I Hear?" and Destin'y Child Christmas song go right along and play. Sidebar - my dad's new lady friend looks like Gladys he says. Get em pops:)

Just continuing with the random pics this week. When I get sad or need grounding I always turn to old pictures because I thank God for a great childhood. This one is me and my bro circa 1988. I've always been a tea drinker it seems:)

More than you can chew

So today my tendency to be super involved came back to bite me on the butt. Hard. It stings. I was so blessed to come into freelance work with someone I adore and somehow I managed to mess it all up. horribly. The hours in the day aint changing so it is time for me to do some serious house cleaning in my life and get organized with a schedule. I sent my first ever "I'm sorry" flowers and I hope they will be my last because obedience is still better than sacrifice. If you say you are going to do something, do it. (that's me preaching to myself. And this is me biting off more than I can chew at the School of C ceremony)

But me feeling like my hands are in every pot is nothing compared to Brian White, who dropped by the office today. He is soo intelligent and the ultimate multi-tasker doing his thing with a production company with Boris and writing scripts along with acting. I didn't realize he was in the NFL before, worked on Wall Street and definitely knows how to work relationships he made while at Dartmouth (my second choice!). He has a lot of plans for Hollywood and I'm not mad at it. For someone who is offered a lot of "mainstream" roles I had to ask what he thought of the tendency to cast Black leading men like Will and Denzel with their love interest not Black like Eva Mendez in Hitch (which I SO need on dvd. Really) and his answer was interesting. I guess I really have done a little growing up not even trying to sneak a peek at his back. lol. And I guess he and me apologizing are good friends as my post from last winter on Brian White shows after seeing Stomp the Yard.
living through the growing pains,
Reah

You ain't here it from me:)

You know I'm so humbled folks read the blog, so if you are so kind to come I better give ya what you are asking for. And Ive made a vow to post daily so come on back, ya hear. (and yes, that southern slang just gave me a flashback to when my mom would watch Beverly Hill Billies and me and my brother would do this hoe down in the middle of the den to the theme song:)





But back to the mandate for a lil juice on the 30 dates party. You know I'm conflicted on blogging on things work related so I wont just put it out there. You read the bachelorettes blogs so you know drama that goes down and I'm not sharing anything that isnt already public knowledge.

Well, I walk into the party with my editors just in time, right before the toast is made. First thing I notice is *Lay has brought a date. She is gorgeous with a cropped close hair cut and is hanging close so there is no doubt they are "together."

Hmmm, by later that night he is by bachelorette #1's side, who is being followed around by the controversial bachelor who was voted to get the second date and who is unfortunately not as cute as the screen let on.


Bachelorette #4 is with her match who we all say she better marry. She is def living the good life and enjoying the bubbly that is merrily being tossed around, as is most of the crowd including yours truly. By night's end she is laid out on the couch sleeping it off as her guy attentively cares for her.


The Siren is there with her guy L and they are cute together, even if he is a lil shorter. Hand holding, back embracing. Me and my editor/big sis talk to him for a second before leaving. He's a cutie up close and his drink is talking and telling all about how he does care for Bachelorette #3 and he was hoping whoever the online hater was to show up. Cyber drama is real.

But in all honesty, that party reminded me let's not marry any of these folks off after a date or two. The Romantic looks great and working the crowd and so is bachelorette #2 who still got it and was getting her dance on a little.


Being there got me reminiscing. Turns out I'm not the only one who's had a fab date in Baltimore! Check out Glo's and her shout out to Gary. Don't sleep on that harbor:) So I'm off to breakfast and prepping for the wedding that starts at 3pm. And dont tell my mom, but Im also going to buy a dress because I didnt really feel I had one I wanted to wear. I know, I know . . .
I absolutey love weddings so I need more folks to do it soon:)
And thanks for the advice Jameil: shorter posts, more often. Got it!!

Hodge Podge

I been slipping on the blogging but I assure you my pimp hand is STRONG. Can I just say my mojo has been popping like the last week?? is it the full moon?

And boy did I have a good weekend! Friday night I went to dinner with Arion and some other HU alum. Good times. Here's a pic from homecoming of me and my BFF. Random yes, but I just love us and this pic.
Saturday Charanna's Spa Party (Happy Brirtday girl!!) was just what I needed and I loved every second of it. It was great to be with a group of young Black women in a spa run and owned by Black women. On the train ride back from Long Island I was calculating in my head what I need to do to get a professional massage at least once a month. My toes and nails are uber fab!
I was suppose to finish the C Day festivites but a stop at one of my roommate's friends on my way downtown found me hanging with all these beautiful people at a GORGEOUS brownstone in Harlem and the cold wind punked me and I didn't want to make the hour train trek to the lounge. Met someone to finally teach me to play the guitar- the brownstone owner, an older white-haired white guy who would also like to be my sugar daddy:)

Sunday me and my photographer buddy hit Harlem looking for more attractive Black men to pick their brains. We started with the stylish guys of Abyssinian after service. I actually started feeling like a part of congregation as I reconized and spoke to people.

That night, I FINALLY washed clothes after not getting a second in the last two weeks to do it (not cute) and now have all these clothes I forgot I had:). And then it was back to another work week. Genarlow Wilson is actually free!!! After a yelp of joy it is heavy to think of someone losing two years of their life like that. Heavy I say!

Last night I went to our 30 dates in 30 Days wrap party. Comedy! All the stuff Wendy Williams was saying on the show today was true, but you didnt hear it from me. I am sooo excited to be heading home tomorrow!!! A family friend is getting married and I am PUMPED to see my family and old friends. Thanks for all the kind notes, IMs and bathroom pats on the backs on the Masthead Ache post. Really! Hey BB and Tara:)

Today one of my all time favorite people said to me professor's Lambs name and it made me smile that two folks I adore had somehow discussed me. Humbled me. I had just faxed my fairy god mother Professor Lamb an application for a Hearst Award for this piece I did on Barack Obama and how he compares to the Black president we see in pop culture.

I know this post is everywhere, but sort of how my life is right now. Happy moments like those hot stones on my back and sad moments like hearing the unfortunate events that happened at Oprah's school (yes, I still would LOVE to work/visit/go there)

I feel sort of everywhere on this blog all of sudden. Any suggestions on focusing on anything? something you think I should talk about? Help:)

Love Me?

Click Here

So I am working hard on something at work and came across these and decided to share with you on my short lunch break. I have on my gold Steve Madden shoes that I thought I got for a good deal at Loehman's. Well, this morning as me and Pamela posted to her blog (the buddha necklaces are HOTT), she told me across from Rivington Hotel in the West Vilalge a Steve Madden sample sale is going on and you can get two pairs for $30 and she almost got these. Thought I'd share and if you're feeling extra cheerful click that link above and have them sent to 149th st. Doesn't hurt to ask, right;)?

Masthead Ache

The November issue of ESSENCE is now on sale. Get it if you want to read Usher talk about loving his wife Tameka Foster, Hillary Clinton's plan for Black America, some funky Natural Hair Styles (including one with these amazing locs that are actually weave), how Juanita Bynum and her husband's church feel about their first couple's collapsed marriage and how to make it big in real estate.

But if you are just looking for my name, you are forewarned, you won't find it there. Guess I should have posted this post earlier because after a long day at work today and trying to settle back in after being away for the weekend I got a text from one of my friends I hadn't spoken to in a while and was excited she had text me so I clicked the message. This is what it read:

"I'm upset! Why isn't your name in the essence staff box? It's not even under essence.Com"

Well, I thought. Hello to you too old friend. I almost felt like I was suppose to be upset or ashamed about her not seeing my name, but in my self assesment at 22, I feel I'm so blessed to have a job in a field I love, at a place I love, and am on track for achieving my dreams, whatever they are since they alter often, and well, I love am proud of myself. And if you love your friends and know they are working hard don't send them text messages like that on a Monday night. And if you do, at least start it with a "hey girl" or "read your article".

Stepping off the soap box,
CJ

Life Update

I'm not a groupie . . .

. . . I just got caught up in the moment:)

This is what John Kennedy told me after Jay-Z's impromptu concert at Howard last fall. It had me rolling as I replied
"Something a groupie would say."

Well tonight, I went to a fabulous benefit dinner for the MacDella Cooper Foundation.

I had a ball and met a lot of cool people though I should have networked even more.
Richard Parsons was the keynote speaker and the reason for my groupie-tude
But give me a break. This man is an icon. A LEGEND. . .

. . . So that is the post I started on Oct. 10th, one of many I have started and stopped in the last two weeks. I had a fab time and wanted to tell you all about how I spoke to Mr. Parsons again and the great convo I had. I wanted to post the next day and tell how I went to this screening of Salt N Pepa's new show and the small crowd could all vouch that the show is real as the rap legends watched and laughed with us and spoke to the crowd afterwards and were every bit the emotional and honest folks on the screen.

Then I had a bit of a breakdown Friday.

Mikel Husband passed away. I felt the serious struggle of paying for my medical insurance. Mikel Husband passed away. I'm overwhelmed with all the things I need to do.
Mikel Husband PASSED AWAY.

I took it rather hard. After my melt down, a good cry, some serious prayer and a little sleep (not rest, but sleep, there is a difference) I was still weary last saturday but as the cheesy Destiny Child song goes, I put on my happy face.

My new book club had a phenomenal first meeting, all these fab young Black woman who acually like to read, even with some very sad news coming to one of our members during the meeting. Afterwards I hit this 70s themed Birthday party with India and Omena. I see plenty of familiar HU faces. Professor Lamb shoots me an email and I know she is making sure I have heard the news of Mikel. I call her and we talked for a long time as I sat on the steps of the brownstone next door to the party. She tells me how she had been emailing him recently about meeting up and he wasnt replying quickly like his usual chipper self. She then says having no idea how sick he was she happen to google him and came across my post from Charter Day where he was the reason I got the nerve to speak to Mr.Parsons and even gave me things to say, and the whole experience and post had slipped my mind. It was so ironic I saw Parsons two days before Mikel passed, using our first meeting as a conversation starter. Made me so thankful I blogged about that amazing experience and just reinforced what a great guy Mikel Husband was.

So, no excuse for not blogging in the last week or so (And I was doing sooo good!!) I went to DC for the funeral and my first homecoming as an alum. I had so much fun with my bestest and really had a recharge I desperately needed;). Pics and post coming soon.

Sexy lady

I broke my camera this morning . . .
second time this morning I had to stretch my eyes really really wide so a tear wouldnt slip out.
All things work for the good of those who love the lord is one of my all time fav scriptures.

So me breaking my camera means I'm going to meet a cool guy when I go by another to get my brain off the ineligible guys in my life:)?

Not so much.

I was so pumped to be Marilyn (face it . . .I'm too busty for Madonna) for Zex's party. Then with my makeup all done with red lips and a fake mole I freaking nod off to sleep and wake up four hours later. I wanted to die.
I guess I was more tired than I realized hanging out with KLA.

But it's so cool to have cool friends. Which inevitably makes me cooler.

I dig that.

And I definitely dig my plans for today: Walk up to men and ask them relationship and things they like about women questions for mama E!

Wish me luck! So tell me, what do you think the sexiest part of a woman's body is?

Being Bad in Betsey

I was bad.
Betsey Johnson Sample Sale.
Four Dresses.
Count em.
One. Two. Three. Four.
A pair of black floral heels oh so Miami.
I was so bad last night.
And yes, it feels so good.

Then jetted to Hip Hop Honors screening and party.
Good Times.
I know hip hop is "in" but still feels weird when certain songs come on in a room where majority of the folks are white.
Weird.
Nelly, was killing it.

Mom called. Love her.
Thought of my grandmas in South Carolina.
If I'm lucky one day I'll be a grandma. Wow.
So sinc that day will come sooner than I think, one of my ultimate pet peeves remains.
Don't waist my time.
No, that's not directed at you. Just situations that waist my time.

Peace

Nothing beats it.

deep breath. All's right in my world. The second I start to doubt that something always reminds me. This time it was some remarkable women in journalism at the 2007 JAWS retreat and some fabulous new friends. That trip I told you about? GREAT. Reminded me of the power and need of journalism and also how far women have had to fight to be taken serious in the business. As a Black woman, sometimes issues of race weigh me down so I get stuck on the Black and never make it to the issues of the woman.

Peace. Me sitting on the dock of Sturgeon Bay.

I was so inspired by these women I was motivated to write a poem and performed it at the conference's talent show. I don't consider myself a poet but was definitely loving the love they gave me. Sheryl Hillard Tucker was phenomenal as the keynote speaker. But it wasn't her speech that did it for me which was great, but the fact each time she was asked a question she took the time to really think about it and was honest and candid, instead of telling people fluff answers they might like to hear. I always love a thinker.

I had a chance to interview her a few weeks before for MPA. She has an amazing story of success and feel free to read the profile of her that posted Tuesday and let me know what ya think. For anyone interested in magazines, while you're there be sure to join magazine mentoring, a new initiative Shaunice kicked off to get girls like me who are interested in magazines linked with successful mentors! Networking is always key . . .

Which is probably why I took the finding of Nailah Franklin's body extra hard last week. I felt like I knew her or would have eventually met her with how small this world is, especially for "us." Bisi from Heart and Soul actually went to high school with Nailah and they were on the track team. And it wasn't just that. Wednesday we got pictures in from her sister as they continued there organized search and said they knew in their hearts she was alive. I cropped and built our photo gallery with her pics. So Thursday morning when CNN says they found a body and were waiting on word if it was her my heart dropped expecting to hear the worst but praying for the best. Once the dreadful news was confirmed I was defeated and wondering what do I do with this gallery saying help find her. That moment made life, death and journalism all to real to me as I changed the captions to update the new news. Sitting in Chicago at my layover Friday she was heavy on my heart. But from all accounts she lived an amazing life and I pray for her restful peace and her family finds peace in the tragic lost.

Peace.

My peace was seriously disturbed Tuesday night with Konvict's Ray Lavender humping across the stage talking bout hitting it from the back and every side, and his "girl got a girlfriend" hit being the mildest of his lyrics. All I could think was what would my new feminist friends think. It was cool though to see Gabrielle Union, Terrance Howard, Bob Johnson, Irv Gotti and my new stalker Diddy:) in the crowd.

Tonight I hit Z's surprise bday happy hour and me and Tola were suppose to keep heading to YBF's party like my boss asked but we didn't make it:(. I put on my FB wall I felt like myself again earlier this week and seeing Z and J reminded me of last summers fun! All I need is Deja Vu on the radio and a soco lime shot:) Saturday Z's having a costume party and at the lounge everybody was talking about costumes. On the train ride home I was racking my brain for ideas and got the urge to do Madonna. Now all I need is a cone bra and a cabbage patch doll to be my Malawian baby. Ha.

Peace.

The Real Thing

I am. . . .
God is. . .
I like . . .
The Real Thing.
I'm listening to Jill Scott's and I LOVE it. Jameil was right as usual. I picked up the album after the freelance class me and Kish are taking. It was the second week and it was so good to see her (she was all fab in Paris last week celebrating her bday:). She walked with me over to the Virgin store in Time Square afterwards to scoop it up. Then at the N stop at 49th we had a life-job heart to heart for like a half hour both with heels on. The convo was that serious.

Power is the Real Thing.
Mademoiselle M, asked what was the big deal about my classmate I randomly saw yesterday who was a buyer for Vickie's. As someone who has a thing for power and loves me a powerful man (Barack, Richard Parsons, Ken Chenault, Ossie, Martin, need I continue?:) a buyer is important because they are a serious gate keeper for a big part of our lives - the clothes we wear that express the people we are. So being a buyer for Victoria's Secret means she probably decided the store would carry the undies and Betsey Johnson bra you have on now. Cool, right:)?
The freelance class has me so inspired to turn random thoughts like this one into stories which equal cash which mama desperately needs. If I don't post over the weekend, it's only because I'm heading to a retreat in Green Bay. I'm waay excited and looking forward to the R&R.

A Long Walk

Jill Scott's new album came out today. I LOVE her music. Planned to go get it on during lunch but forgot me and John were suppose to meet for lunch. Great to see him. He's working at King and we could definitely relate to life as an EA (freelance and all). Afterwards we're walking down the block when I spot Erin, who also went to HU with us, and I just have one of those moments when you really think about where you are in life and how much you've well, lived and changed. We were in the same freshman english class and here we are walking the streets of NY as young professionals. We life only a few blocks away from each other in Harlem. She then tells me she works at Victoria Secret around the corner as a buyer. We say are good byes and promises to connect, which I definitely am because I told ya I'm trying to expand my network in the area.
Walking I tell John how cool it is she is buyer for Vickie's.
"Yeah, I guess, so she just buys clothes?" he says. CLASSIC. Gotta love a straight manly man;)
After work I felt I had too much to get home to do to get the cd. And honestly, Im a bit nervous because listening to a few songs she played on the Steve Harvey show yesterday had me thinking the pain of a divorce would be in the whole cd. I know artist grow but I love ballad Jill, not heartbroken. Maybe it's my own fear of getting my heart broke that makes me not want to listen to one of my favs sing about it. Well, tomorrow I still plan to scoop it up. Anybody take a listen?

A Beautiful Day in The Neighborhood

I had a pretty great day, and weekend for that matter. Yesterday I hung out and started with brunch with India at Pink Tea Cup - got off at Christopher St. with a monsoon raining on what was forecasted to be 80 degree weather. The weirdest old white guy was trying to holler and followed me into the restaurant before realizing no still means no. The salmon croquettes were great though the biscuits were worse than canned ones
Ended the night with Charanna. What started as a bust at Mars 2112 and a last resort of 40/40 was the best move we could have made.
When we got there we both noticed they were letting folks in the back room instead of the main door. Well, we soon found out when we walked into the main room and were right before the door. The place is PACKED and in comes security, and the man himself, Jay-Z. And the crowd goes wild!
he makes it upstairs and the DJ plays his new song with Pharell six times straight. Yes, I counted before I even realized. Such a cool nerd:)
If that weren't enough to make the groupies on HIGH alert, Diddy gets on the mic and Jay introduces another song off the album that was produced by Diddy. Most folks are too star struck to dance (look at these guys looking up at the dj booth;) We party like the haven't partied in a minute girls we are . . .
today I get up somehow after a few hours of sleep from the early morning return. Im hurrying to church, when Paul, my new British friend, tries to holler. Instead of taking my Im late to church excuse as a hint he invited himself along, which I dont mind. The sermon was a GREAT one on the topic "A Mind is a Terrible Thing to Waste" based on Matthew 22: 36.
Afterwards, I guess I was feeling neighborly to invite Paul and his cousin who lives around the corner from me over for Sunday dinner. I had already invited India and her friend who is also from London over so it was perfect! I cooked macaroni and cheese, collard greens, corn bread and jerk chicken. I even planned to do the sweet potato smoothies but after baking the sweet potatos, I was ready to get out of the hot kitchen. You can see the sheen on my forehead with my London friends:) I've been itching to get out of the country (I'm way honored Z checks the blog out from across the world at school in Dubai). Between her, Zandile and Anthony, my Marshall Scholar, I have been inspired to make it happen. So if Paul and O could bring London to my Harlem apartment I'll take it. And I took great pride in making the first corn bread either ever had:) here's a pic of me and Yemi, the cousin.

He moved from Nigeria three years ago and was so enthralled by my Jay-Z story because he's a big fan. Which had me completely thrown and he knew all the music. I learned his parents came over first and always brought CDs, including Jay-Z and other things when they would return to Nigeria. Cool right?

He and India might make a great match. I'm not a matchmaker but we all can use a little help every now and then. Let you know how that goes.

And as one of my friends reminded me, there's still a animal in the best of guys. Paul was doing good till he and the cousin were fighting the hint I was putting out there that it was time for them to go and he slide the massage offer out there. LOL. It wouldn't have been so funny had me and India not JUST discussed the infamous massage offer at brunch the day before. I guess wack come-ons are global:) Time to get ready for another week!
CJ

The Red Carpet

All the cameras come out for a Public Affair . . .
Don't front, I'm not the only one who has that Jessica Simpson song on the ipod(my crush from last summer, Johnta Austin wrote it;). And it's exactly how I felt when I was asked to be a stand in on the red carpet for the 10thVH1's Save the Music with Jay-Z, L.A. Reid and Mariah Carey among the heavy hitters expected on Thursday. So in my all black I scurry over to the tent at Lincoln Center Thursday and miss the first half of the red carpet.

It looks so glamorous from a far. Up close it's straight CHAOS. I get my badge and have to fight my way through camera crews and Access Hollywood personalities to get just a little spot.

First person I spot is AJ who I also saw at The View with Sherri. In my fav summer sandals (a Carlos Santana STEAL from Victoria Secret.com I got thanks to Miss Tia) I am rethinking this whole thing with my notepad, tape recorder and digital camera. next to five man crews for the smallest of NY networks.
Quincy Jones and John Mayer (love the Gap ads with him and Lucy Lui and the unstoppable Regina King) walk the carpet and it's a great experience to see how the segments we see on tv and red carpet pics we see on tabloids happen. And one, honestly, I don't care to have again anytime soon:). I started chatting with Bill, a middle-aged white guy, who does shoot audio for Entertainment Tonight and realized this was his life day in and out. he had also been at The View we learned. I was a little bummed when he said Jay-Z would probably not be doing the red carpet.

The highlight was definitely being able to hear the kids play inside the event and seeing the fierce Lola (formerly of NYTimes, now at CNN) work the carpet. When she got to Quincy Jones before everyone else as a print reporter, AJ was not a happy camper and let the folks handling the press coverage know and got things moving. But what made me the most excited is seeing such a seasoned journalist still using the good ole pen and pad. But seeing her and Quincy and John wasn't enough to make me want to stay. I tried to hold out for Mariah, but her "there in 15 minutes" soon turned to 45 and I had a life to live and the carpet wasnt it.

So I slipped from the madness and headed down the street. Walking down the block, I finally got the courage to call Randon and tell him how sorry I was to hear about his mom (thanks for the kick in the butt Jameil). He was doing just fine and had a maturity that sounded good on him. (Didn't hurt that he and Nick stroked my ego a little saying I was their most successful friend so far;) I definitely needed that because sometimes I wonder . . .

And Lincoln Center was gorgeous at night(this pic doesnt do it justice.) I hit the Barnes and Noble before heading home to see if they had this birthday book I want. You know I ended up with some magazines (I started my freelance class so its technically "research") and had to get this one called Audrey that's like Essence for Asian-American women with my latest girl crush Sharon Leal on the cover! Love her (and so over Kerry Washington and about to be over Thandie). She's half-Filipino. Was GREAT in Dreamgirls and is making her way to the black movie scene in Tyler Perry's "Why Did I get married?" which KB said was pretty good and "The Christmas Song" which Im excited to check out.

Well, That was my first red carpet. The broadcasters definitely can have it, and already have my respect.

CJ

A promise is a promise . . .

So I have noticed I have completely been breaking the standard blog rules by blogging when the mood hits whether that's once a month or three times a day. not good. Then my last posts have been EXTRA long with no pics to break up the text. Even worse.

So I will keep em short and coming often!

The Single Life

Dating . . .
So Im not the only single girl out here trying to get the hang of this dating thing! ESSENCE has kicked off 30 Dates in 30 Days Dating Reality Show and it has been fabulous. The second date happened last night and log on now to watch. We have 5 ladies who will go on six dates each with six different guys. Nice right? Me and some of the girls at work were saying we'd be happy to do 30 dates in 365 days;) Not only can you watch the dates, but YOU vote on which guy the ladies go out with, where they go and what she wears.
The first bachelorette is Nicole, the talent producer for the Wendy Williams show, and she is comedy. If she didn't hit it off with Bernard last night I might have had to scoop him myself;)
So yes, check it out ASAP. And not just to see my name in the credits . . .
Can you tell Im WAAYY excited about that:)?

Mating . . .
That's what the boy Diddy is about. India did a fab interview with him yesterday and it is comedy. He's all flirting with her. But if that Ciroc is all that, I may have to do some seducing of my own. And the journalist in me could ring her neck for not going for the zinger when he answered what he wanted for Christmas was to be with all his kids. Did that include the baby in Atlanta?? Be sure to check Kim Porter's interview in the Keyshia Cole issue with all the juice.
I've been really thinking lately I would enjoy specializing in relationships as a beat and have been telling anyone who will listen:) Maryann is already on her way with her Baltimore Sun blog BaltAmour! What a clever name:)

Waiting . . .
Being single requires a great deal of patience. And for some girls a whole lot more than others when their special guy is in jail:(
That's why I'm in my black dress today to show my support for Jena Six. It may not make a big difference but only takes one person and one spark for big change. Though, I'll be real, with these big gold earrings its more fly girl than progressive intellect . . .hmm. I thought it was cool to hear this morning how David Bowie can $10,000 to the Jena legal fund.
This morning at the corner of my blog the guys gave me the usual approval that the dress was a good choice (and yes, I admit I have been feeling a little cuter after dropping a few due to stress). One yells, "yo, I need to go get some black myself. That's looking good." Then another to me, "Yeah you know today is all black." I tilt my head to the side (inside thinking "No Sh*t") and just say "yeah."
But wearing Black for a place hundreds of miles away is not really a solution, just a small reminder to society. . Jozen's column actually made some good points for a change:) I've been a big believer of "Think globally, Act Locally" every since I saw the phrase on a car bumper sticker a few years back.

Yum!

So as usual in my life, when it rains it pours. Yesterday morning BB comes to my desk around 10:33am and ask will I take her at a press luncheon for General Mills' Serving Up Soul platform and B.Smith will be there. I am excited I am able to go, especially as I try and kick up my cooking and entertaining. After walking in and meeting the fab publicist for the event I'm quickly offer me a sweet potato pie smoothie.

Yes, it was as decadent as it sounds.

Well, I take that back. It was better than it sounds! A cinnamon stick in the glass added a nice touch and made me feel Fall had definitely made its way. And sweet potato smoothies are definitely now a part of my repertoire! Jonte at work (who sits right across from me and lives right across the street . . .freaky, we know;) already told me about this sweet potato cheesecake I want to master for Thanksgiving. So after two sips of the smoothie it was time to go inside and for the presentation to begin. I scurry to a table in the front and sit next to two guys from Sandbox TV. The setting was nice and intimate. There were fruit kabobs in the middle of the table and this tasty fruit dip that I know I could make with yogurt, brown sugar and a few other ingredients.

So the presentations begin. They talk about how soul food is alive in well in the Black community and Black woman want it to stay that way but just have two problems: it's unhealthy and takes too long to cook.

The whole time I’m like wow, this is stuff I have wanted to know and discuss and I am getting to come hear about it for work. They continue the presentation. Tell us about the Serving Up Soul website and how it is a great resource and I’m thinking this is just what I need! My whole sweet tooth, isn't just because my brother always supplied me with now and laters and got me hooked, but part of our culture. We like sweets! And one of the ways we get em is by fruit.

They also had interesting tidbits of info like enslaved Africans (I don't like the word slaves) bought watermelon seeds from the continent.
So they brought a course at a time and by the end of the hour we had cole slaw with cranberries, this chicken jambalaya (using chicken helper, who knew?) and these desserts. All the recipes used general mills products and the exciting part was they were all practical like the jambalaya and stuff I probably already have. Like this peach dessert that is basically a biscuit and crystal sugar with some whip cream.

I had to try the cinnamon fried ice cream! It was so good and something I could do. Did they spend an hour mixing up a cinnamon mix to use? Nope, they used Cinnamon Toast Crunch! That's what I’m talking about.

I loved Sylvia from General Mills view on cereal:
"If food were fashion, cereal would be Black"

Think about it. We eat cereal for breakfast, lunch, dinner, dessert and a midnight snack! And now it is my special ingredient for fried ice cream!

And B. Smith? Amazing and so cute;) She inspired me to start a supper club! She was charismatic and it’s easy to see why she has been so successful. She's gorgeous and has a daughter my age. Talking to her afterwards was kinda fab. But the best thing about her hands down was her husband in the back of the room. Comedy! When she was saying how she cooks and prepares for friends he yells out "I cook too honey" And for the rest of the time she was up there he kept her honest. I thought they might have been newly weds because of that spark they had that usually is so strong when a relationship is new. Then she goes, "my daughter, well, our daughter is 21" and I’m like wow, they've been together over 20 years and still got "it." beautiful!

So after snapping a few pics with B and Kenya we hustle back to work. It makes us all smile as we talk about how good the sweet potato smoothies were while waiting for the elevator and the kitchen assistant who made them happen to be standing by and is really touched. A genuine compliment is always most appreciated. I also caught up with Bisi from Heart&Soul who I met last week at Zandile's party. My network is growing I tell ya! And to think this weekend I was starting to worry I wouldn’t make new friends since I’m missing the ones I have like crazy.

5:56 pm

Justin called. She passed. Death is a part of life we all know. But damn, I hated to hear that. I'm a punk. I dont want to call my friend;(

One of my friends since 4th grade's mom is really sick. She's really sick! Life support sick:( I just heard the news. People have asked me in the last few weeks if I missed school. Im sure some part of me does (I love to learn like any cool nerd), but I have just considered that another part of my life. But hearing this news. And not being able to leave class or head to my room close by or go to the nurses office or call my mom and go outside and cry a little has made this whole "real world" thing realier than I ever imagined. I miss school. I miss the days when Mrs. Williams was just fine and had us all cracking up.

Get out the mustard

If you can't ketch up(I know Im a loser for that one:)
See, the thing when you don't post on a blog as things happen, is you have no idea where to start because so much has happened you don't know how to sum it up in 2.5. It's like trying to explain the Color Purple to someone who walks in when Nettie makes it home. I mean I could explain, but where to start? So though it's only been a week since I blogged I feel like so much has happened. I mean yesterday at work I was elated when one of the editors emailed the staff that Mychael Bell of the Jena Six had just had his conviction overturned. Though all the cases are far from over, it was a big step. A huge needed step. I must admit I was becoming resigned and accepting their case and Genarlow and other wrongs in society as "that's just the way it is." So I needed that conviction overturned more than I realized, to be reminded of the great power we have as citizens. I mean I think its a miracle less than 150 years after the legal ending of slavery and just 5o years after the legal ending of Jim Crow and segregation, that we even have the option to pretend racial injustices don't exist. If you just stop for a second, yeah, we still have a loong way to go as these recent cases prove, but they create a moment to reflect on the progress that has been made, even if some of that ground has been lost.
I know on this blog a lot of times it's all about me, me, me, but any true queen is only as great as the people she serves. I told one of my mentors how I was feeling restless not being majorly involved in any community service projects in the city. I promise to pull my weight in helping make this place better asap.
Wow. I hadn't planned this post to be a PSA, but just a week wrap up. I even planned Nettie and Celie's reunion to lead into The View and Whoppi/Celie saying to me in the middle of me asking her a few questions, "You have the greatest eyes, you have the greatest eyes. They're very rich." Before I could wallow in the compliment, KB said I was pulling a lot of girl on girl attention lately. hmmm.
The View was hilarious as all these soccer moms hooped and hollered and Sherri's first day was great. It was classic to see Marcus and the rest of the guys in the audience faces when Whoppi was getting sized for a bra on the show and everyone in the audience was told they'd get a free fitting and bra. I had a great quick interview with Sherri afterward and stumbled upon her closest friends of 15 years and that's what made me respect her more than anything. She made it to the top and her girls are along for the ride. Next weekend my girls are coming to NY and I can't wait!!! I admit I am feening a trip home so their visit will have to bring home to me.
And me and Sherri aren't the only ones with fabulous friends. Wednesday Zandile's, led by her fierce BF Julee who recently was promoted to associate fashion editor at Real Simple (nice!) threw her a surprise going away party and it was soooo much fun. I mean, Z's a fashion writer and one of Atoosa's Alpha Kittys so the fashion VIPs were out in full force. The brownstone of Candy Apple editor Latoya was phenomn. I am fighting not to be a name dropper. Much talk centered on Fashion Week and I will admit i was enjoying the company of so many fashion guys. I didn't go to any shows but my camera did as Pam borrowed it for her style blog. Check out the pics and my handy photoshopping;). And you know no young black event is complete without a sprinkle of HU folks. I met India and it was like we were friends forever both from Decatur, hitting Howard then NY. And you know Im always happy to find a new AIM buddy;) She was responsible for the infamous fashion show my freshman year with Venus and Serena. But what really made the party so right was the fact that Zandile's mom and aunt were there (pictured here) and her genuine surprise at seeing them there with all her friends brought tears to more eyes than just hers.
Yesterday before leaving work I helped BB with her blog a little and she has a great interview up she did with Michaela angela davis. Her definition of style is a good one. Later I went to one of my homie's who lives around the corner to play spades though I didn't even end up playing. I did have a good time though. A really good time. And am in the market for more friends that live close by as it cools off outside. Sorry for the looonng post. And I totally left the ABC offices without getting my free bra. Argh.

CJ