Sunday, August 31, 2008

Moving Forward...

This week, I am embarking on the next phase. More writing for the web. More fiction writing. More, more, more, which requires necessary changes to keep up with the abundance.

I know this all sounds cryptic, but I'll give more details as events begin to unfold.

Now, I'm heading to read Pillars of the Earth. I'm only 190 pages in, and it's a BIG one.

Friday, August 29, 2008

Let The Games Begin...

Last night, I watched with pride as Barack Obama accepted the democratic nomination for president. There is nothing I can say that hasn't already been said, so I am not going to belabor the point.

On to John McCain and Sarah Palin.

WTF? Seriously. If I were a Republican female, I would feel pandered to. I would be sorely pissed off that he thinks all it will take to make me vote for him is a woman as his running mate. White male mentality at it's very best. I bet Romney and Lieberman are ready to spit fire.

But, I'm not a Republican, as if you couldn't tell already. So once I got over the initial shock, I got online and did some reading. And boy, have I been entertained today. Now, usually reading comments left on news websites and blogs makes me crazy. I'm always amazed at the hate and anger that people spew at one another. Folks no longer know how to engage in healthy debate. Today was no different, but amongst all the madness, there were two interesting points that I walked away with:

1. One writer stated that traditionally the presidential nominee selects someone who is strong where they are weak. In this case, McCain needed a "stunt double"-someone that the country could be comfortable with, knowing that if something happened to him, the VP would be able to take over the country in a seamless fashion. Obama, on the other hand, needed a "study buddy" or "tutor"- someone to sharpen his skills in areas where he is inexperienced. I wish I could remember where I read this, but I was all over the net today. Mea culpa. In the meantime, I think Obama hit it out of the park with his selection. McCain- not so much, but I still have much to learn about Palin.

2. The other interesting point that I kept coming across in reader's comments: when folks identified themselves as being from Alaska, they often warned readers not to sleep on Palin, or, in other words, underestimate her. Apparently her own party and the big oil guys have done so repeatedly, only to be defeated by her mercilessly. And this was the sentiment from those who were for her, as well as those who were against her.

With all that being said, this has been the most exciting presidential race for me in my 41 years. This beats sax-playing Bill on late-night television hands down.

I just hope that the Obama/Biden camp doesn't reign Biden in during the VP debates (you know, the old, don't hit a girl mindset) 'cause this chick is good with guns and she might flat blast him if he doesn't come out swinging. I'm just saying. The gloves are gonna have to come off for the Dems. Act like you want it.

Wednesday, August 27, 2008

Wednesday Thoughts...

So Hillary did it- made a great speech and challenged her folks to remember what it's all about. Yay! I just hope folks hear her and stop w/ the BS.

We get to hear from Joe Biden tonight (and we get to hear from his attractive attorney general son Beau- oh yeah).

And of course, Big Willy takes the stage tonight. Let's hope he behaves like a grown up- you know, follow his wife's example.

Of course, all this DNC watching means that I will have to record Project Runway and watch it tomorrow.

Which brings me to my final thought for the day- I can't FREAKIN' wait for the new tv season. I feel so shortchanged due to last year's writers strike. Grey's Anatomy, Heroes, Private Practice, CSI, Desperate Housewives, America's Next Top Model, The Game. I'm getting giddy just thinking about it.

Ok, this is really the final thought because I just thought of it- today I saw a couple of episodes of Living Single on Oxygen, and I swear, I felt like I had run into an old friend that I loved hanging out with and hadn't seen in years because life took us in different directions. I laughed at those folks just as loudly as I did all those years ago. When I was done (had to head to a birthday lunch, run some errands, and get my ass back home so that I could write before picking up the girl from volleyball tryouts), I realized how sad I was that there are so few shows about African Americans on television (I think The Game and Everybody Hates Chris are it. If there is more, please holla at me.) I loved Living Single because those were the stories of me and my friends. Who is telling our stories now?

Guess I better get back to work so that I can write things I like to read. I'm just saying.


9:30 Update: Bill brought his A game. I had flashbacks of 1992 and I now remember why folks fell in love with him. He reminded the Dems what we are supposed to be fighting for. But I noticed that near the end of his speech when he was giving accolades to the Obamas and the Bidens he sort of stumbled when he referred to Jill Biden as the "fabulous" Jill. I can't help but wonder if his mouth wanted to say "fine ass" Jill. I'm just saying. He is still Big Willy, afterall. OK, OK, I admit it- I crack myself up.

10:55 Update: In the south, we like to use the phrase "get it done". You always want someone on your team who can get it done. Joe Biden is that man in this election. His speech was not sexy by any means, but he got it done. He was on point by clearly outlining the the disasters of the last eight years and how John McCain will just continue the trend. Biden is scrappy, as evidenced by his childhood story of being sent back out to fight by his mom after coming home with a bloody nose so that he could hold his head up the next day in the neighborhood. Having grown up with a mother expressing the same sentiment, I can totally relate. Joe will be able to handle his business well. You know he gotta work 'cause he got a big family to take care of. LOL

Tuesday, August 26, 2008

I Wanna Work for Diddy

I don't. I just want to watch the show. It's the Kim "Poprah" chick that has me fascinated. She must have studied Machiavelli's work because that girl has got some serious evil game. Her confessionals are crazy- that girl scares me. I believe she would cut her own mother to get that job.

The other thing about the show is this almost religious devotion to the elusive Sean Combs. It boggles the mind. I remember being starstruck with Prince and Michael Jackson (before he totally weirded out) in my twenties, and I can't say that Oprah doesn't bring out the fanatic in me, but not to the point where I would be running around buying her socks and applesauce. And has anybody stopped to wonder why Diddy has had so many assistants? I mean, they interviewed about four on last night's episode alone. I imagine that the burn out rate for being someone's lackey is very high.

Now, I'm not saying that the man may not need help, but sheesh, what exactly are these kids gonna learn about running their own business if their only job is to anticipate and care for his every need? That is not a mentor relationship, that is more of a sycophantic relationship. And these folks act like working for Diddy is going to be the Holy Grail for them professionally. Maybe it is, what do I know. I have never heard of any of the "former assistants" other than that Fonzworth dude, and it's not like I took him very seriously at all. Matter of fact, what ever happened to him with his plaid and the umbrella? Anybody seen him? Hello, anyone?

No matter. Like I said, I don't want to work for Diddy, but I will continue to check out the folks who do. It's all very entertaining.

And yes, I DVR all these reality shows so that I can watch them at my leisure, damn it! LOL

Monday, August 25, 2008

Democratic National Convention- pt 2

Thank God for C-SPAN. I can watch the convention without commentary and right wing bullshit. Of course, at the same time I'm surfing the net, CNN, ABC, CSMonitor, any and every website that may give me a different perspective. All it's doing is pissing me off though, every time a read a stupid ass comment from someone who claims to be a Hillary supporter and now they are going to vote for McCain. They are reminding me of middle school kids. This is a serious case of sour grapes. Hillary and Barack are so close in their ideas for this country, they are ALMOST indistinguishable on many points. If you truly support what Hillary stands for, you really feel that she would change the direction this country is headed in a way that is positive, opportunities being created for the many, instead of the few, why in the hell would you vote for someone on the opposite end of the political spectrum because your candidate did not get the nod? I'm just saying. You mean to tell me that people out there are going to vote against their own self-interests in order to prove a point to Barack? If that is the case, they will deserve everything they get. Dumb asses.

So, I'm just going to watch C-SPAN tonight. No more blog/website surfing, or the joy that I am experiencing watching history in the making (for real, not some political pundit's overuse of the term) will be marred by anger at the stupidity that abounds. If Barack had not gotten the nomination, my ass would be voting for Hillary, not some Republican who could give a shit whether my kid gets an education, or that I can afford to feed her, keep a roof over her head, or even have a job to meet these obligations to begin with. Maybe it's just me.

Democratic National Convention...


It starts today! That will be the only thing playing on the tube in my house this week. Oh to be in Denver right now. Sigh.

Wednesday, August 20, 2008

Pic of the day.

I took this pic with my Crackberry on my way to meet The Man and his niece for lunch. DIT and I laughed that it was a miracle I didn't drop my phone out the window. Of course, I'll be checking out the evening news. All jokes aside, I hope folks walked away from this.


Sent via BlackBerry from SunCom Wireless




UPDATE: The driver of this truck was not injured, and no other persons or vehicles were involved. Yay! The driver will be cited for driving too fast for conditions.

Monday, August 18, 2008

Luck...

I used to believe in luck. And I'm not saying that I don't, but I'm just not sure sometimes. What I do believe is that when you are ready to move in another direction, things will simply begin to happen. Seriously. There is so much positive going on for me right now that it is hard to keep track. OK, it's not really hard to keep track- I could run a tally right now if necessary. But the point is, I am on the cusp of some real life changing stuff. Actually, I'm not on the cusp, things are already in motion, and I am standing here with my mouth open trying to figure out what to do first. And this is just the beginning. Right now my recipe for change looks like this:

A leap of faith.

A bout of "Oh my God, what have I done?" even as you keep moving forward.

The thought that, ok, this isn't bad- maybe things will work out after all.

And then things start working out and more doors start opening up and you are left standing with your mouth hanging open at the sheer wonder of it all. Close your mouth and get moving, because there is more where that came from.

Saturday, August 16, 2008

I've Been Tagged!

By now, you guys know how this works. You receive an email with instructions, and you simply follow them. Sort of like Mission: Impossible for the blogosphere. So right now, I'm It thanks to my girl Yas. The tag is a list of current African American reads (07-09). Check out my list. There is some good reading to be had.

5 MUST Read Books:
Don’t Ever Tell by Brandon Massey
Them by Nathan McCall
Orange Mint and Honey by Carleen Brice
Yellow Moon by Jewell Parker Rhodes
Conception by Kalisha Buckhanon


5 Books on the Nightstand:
The Shadows by LA Banks
Pig Candy: Taking My Father South, Taking my Father Home Lise Funderburg
From Harvey River by Lorna Goodison
Stand the Storm by Breena Clarke
Trading Dreams at Midnight by Dianne McKinney Whetstone


5 Look For These Soon:
House at Sugar Beach by Helen Cooper
The Hemingses of Monticello: An American Family
Midnight: A Gangster Love Story by Sister Souljah
Red Light, Green Light by Margaret Johnson-Hodge
The Ancestors by Brandon Massey, Tananarive Due, and LA Bank

Wednesday, August 13, 2008

Back To School

DIT came back from summer with her dad the last weekend in July, which left me with three and a half weeks to entertain her before school starts. Can you say enough already?

OK, it really hasn't been bad, but I am ready for the routine to start. I have spent way too much time trying to figure out ways to keep my thirteen year old busy. I'm running out of juice here. This afternoon, we are heading to get school supplies, and a couple of last minute clothing items that she probably really doesn't need, and then I'm done. They start school a week from tomorrow, and I can't wait. This is actually late for us, but thanks to a new state law, school can no longer start before the third Monday in August. Obviously, those politicians aren't parents who work from home. I need my space. And some quiet. There is a lot of singing and giggling in my house during the day, not to mention the mournful pluckings on her guitar. She can't decide if she wants to that bubbly chic Colby Calais or bluesy BB King. This has got to stop. I'm just saying.

Anybody else waiting for their kids to head back to school?

Monday, August 11, 2008

Quote of the day.

This morning, James Carville, noted strategist for the Democrats (especially during the Clinton heyday) was interviewed by Diane Sawyer on Good Morning America about the Edwards controversy. Always entertaining, and often irritating, Carville stated that sex and lies go together. But the best line in the interview was:

"I could be up against a brick wall, blindfolded, with a cigarette, and I will swear I didn't touch her!"

Now that is honesty. And the best quote of the day.
Sent via BlackBerry from SunCom Wireless

Friday, August 8, 2008

Me and my Blackberry

Today ahs been pretty busy, but before I put my head on my pillow for some much needed slumber, I have to express my love and devotion for all things Blackberry. Today I added two apps: TVGuide (yes, you read that right) and Viigo (an RSS feed). So now, not only can I read the TVGuide gossip about my favorite shows and scroll through the listings to see what is coming on, I can also read my favorite blogs about my favorite shows and other topics. This is portable entertainment at it's best. Some days I wonder how I lived without this thing. Sigh.

BTW, it appears that RIM/Blackberry may have it's own version of a touch screen smart phone coming out! Don't you just love modern technology?


Sent via BlackBerry from SunCom Wireless

Wednesday, August 6, 2008

Cleaning House...

A lot happens when you clean house, both emotionally and physically. I did some of both yesterday and surprise, surprise, I found my elusive writing journal that I started in 2002 that is like my security blanket. It was there all the time, but I was unable to acces it until I was willing to let go of some emotional and physical clutter.

That is definitely my lesson for the week.

Oh the places you will go (Suess)... when you learn to let it go (SouthernDiva).

Tuesday, August 5, 2008

Project Runway

Before I could get my ass in gear and get those creative and professional juices flowing, I had to catch up on two weeks of Project Runway. I love that show, but I usually can't wait for the runway segment. I am always anticipating what the designers will come up with. Forget all that drama/schmarma. Ok, the drama is good too.

So here are my favorite lines from the last two episodes:

"Well(...), this was intense." Tim Gunn after the judging on the "Green" episode with Natalie Portman.

"Suede loves Tia. He could never change, so Suede is gonna keep Tia." Suede on the NYC Night Life episode.

"Give me three yards and let's bounce." Terri Stevens- NYC Night Life Episode

I know, you are probably questioning my sanity at this point. These were the right words, with the right inflection, at the right time. And so I wrote them down to share with you.

OK- playtime's over. Back to the grind. I may need some music to help me focus.

Sunday, August 3, 2008

A Passion for Words

Last night I watched The Great Debaters. Yes, I just got around to it. If I miss a movie when it's in the theaters, there is no telling when I will actually get to it after it's release on dvd. My favorite parts were the debates.

I love words- written and spoken.

My favorite movies are those with lots of dialogue (noire films from the 40s and 50s, anything with Katherine Hepburn, Betty Davis, or Joan Crawford, and let's not forget When Harry Met Sally- the action in that movie is the dialogue). Witty dialogue on tv draws me in- Grey's Anatomy, Californication, Buffy The Vampire Slayer.

Words bring me joy. It's one of the reasons I keep reading Toni Morrison- her words are music to me.

Just my random thought for the day.

Saturday, August 2, 2008

Cliche...

Where has the time gone? It's August already and I feel like yesterday was the end of May. I'm beginning to sound like my mother. LOL