Home Sweet Home

Milwaukee was a blast. Way better than I ever expected. But, as much as I love traveling, I love coming home even more. I love walking into familiar surroundings and sighing. And that is exactly what I did when I got home at one-ish this morning. Actually didn't want to leave the house today, but had to get food. You know how that is.

I'm planning for a busy week, lots of writing, lots of reading, a moderate amount of work, and of course, blogging. Hasta luego. (I hope that's correct. My Spanish is pretty crappy after years of non-use.)

Pork pic2.jpg

This sign was in the parking lot at the rib place where we had dinner. It cracked me up because my mind went straight to the gutter.
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Milwaukee

Ok ya'll. I'm on the road again. This time it's Mid-America for a little R&R with The Man and his family. So far, so good. The lakefront is absolutely fabulous. Who knew? LoL

So, we are sitting at Uno's enjoy the rest of our food when our server starts telling us why he only had an hour and a half of sleep the night before. To keep it simple- his ex- girlfriend whom he is still living with but they have broken up was upset ab out his current girlfriend and she took off and no one knew where she was and he went looking for her when he should have been cleaning office buildings for his second gig and his girlfriend was pissed that he was out looking for his ex. Got it? I have three other witnesses. I do not make this shit up. LoL. And that was just day one. I can't wait to see what happens next.

Enjoy the pic of the Milwaukee Art Museum. We spent a couple of hours there this afternoon. If I can't figure out how to get it in this email, I will send it in another.

More to come!
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Motivation

Today turned out to be one of those "angry" days. I expected something to happen, and it didn't, and so my level of pissivity rose. Not an all time high, but pretty high nonetheless. And when you are pissed, you can do one of two things. Wallow in you pissy-ness, or move on.

In an effort to move on, I decided that I really need to get down and dirty with some writing today. I have not been on the writing J-O-B the way I would like. I mean, I have been making notes here and there, arranging and re-arranging my writing gear, and lots and lots of "pre-writing" in my head. So, on my way home, and thusly to my laptop, I pondered what motivates people. Today, the control freak in me is so mad about not being able to control a certain event that I immediately look for something that I can control- my writing. And that led me to thinking about where other people find their motivation. (I know this is scary insight as to how my mind works, but hey- we all got something. I just happened to get some of my best work done when I'm mad about something else. At least it's productive. LOL)

Is it the Scarlett O'Hara Syndrome that motivates you? You know, her declaration of: "As God is my witness, I'll never be hungry again!" Personally, it's a favorite of mine. Even though I've never really been "hungry" the way she means. I don't want to work for anyone else ever again. And I need lots of moolah to make sure that does not have to happen. LOL

Any "I am my work" people out there? They so readily identify with WHAT they do for a living, it is almost indistinguishable from who they are.

How about the Good Samaritans? It's important to do good, be of service, help all mankind and all of that. Oh yeah, and let's save the planet while we're at it.

And let us not forget those motivated by the Almighty Dollar (a category in which I occasionally fall). Unless you are a Bush relative with some stock in their Texas oil company (don't act like ya'll forgot their asses are oil barons. Why do you think Congress has been unable to hit the US oil companies up for some of that loot they have been pulling down- in record breaking numbers, I might add. The current Prez is an oil man from Texas. Sheesh- am I the only one who remembers this stuff?) you know that you need to get your hustle on to ride the current economic wave in this country. And it's a rough ride for many.

As for me, staying self-employed is a must. I'm motivated by the freedom I have as much as the money. After ten weeks of this life, seven which have been full-time, I can't see going back to the same old, same old. But I also know that I have to have an approach that is multi-faceted. So that means, I've got to go write.

What motivates you professionally?

Pic Test

I took this pic with the Crackberry in Baltimore. Just testing my mobile blogging limits. :-)

Mobile Blogging

This is a test of my mobile blogging abilities. If this thing works, you guys can forget about peace and quiet for awhile. ROTFLMAO @ myself.

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Schedule...

I'm working on setting one. Seriously. Right after I get back from Wisconsin. I'm leaving Wednesday to visit Milwaukee with The Man and hang with his family. I've already got a list of places to see, things to do, and restaurants to chow down at. You know how it is. We'll be back in ChuckTown late Saturday night.

And, as you know from my previous travel experiences, I am sure I will have plenty of tales to tell.

Actually going to spend some time perusing blogger today so that I can figure out how to blog from the beloved Crackberry. Once I do that, it will be on and popping!!

Happy Sunday.

I thought this was funny as hell...

This is the video I wanted you guys to see. It's actually a commercial.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4dXGj_-orxw

Super Pissed...

Been screwing around on blogger for a while tonight because I wanted to add a you tube video, and I can't get the video to upload into the post the way it should. And I have followed all the directions. And I have done this shit before. UGH. Maybe I need to go read a book or write.

Flexibility

I'm loving this work from home thing. Meetings a couple of times a week, lots of conference calling and email. It's freakin' fabulous. Except when I have to change my schedule.

I'm not so good on the flexibility thing. Never have been. It's a wonder that I've made it these 41 years without major incident. I want what I want, when I want it. Sound like a toddler? Then you've got me pegged.

It's just that once I write something in my agenda, or log it in my Crackberry, I don't want any changes. (An yes, I still use paper- Damn it!) Yesterday during lunch and between meetings, I planned out what I was going to do for the rest of the week- especially today. It involved lots of housecleaning stuff. I won't bore you with the details. And by 6:00 pm I got a call from director of the program I consult for asking me to take care of a critical issue for her. Yes, it is much easier for me to handle since I am in the state. Yes, I get paid for every minute I talk to someone about work, let alone actually work, but see, I had these housecleaning plans, and I really don't need any excuse not to do housework.

Sigh, so, one thing led to another, and I found myself having to scrap the plans for today all together.

I know at this point you are probably wondering what the hell I'm whining about, I can just reschedule the cleaning for tomorrow. Yeah, but tomorrow was supposed to be a fun reading day for me, and Friday was going to be all about me wandering the library and bookshelves. The weekends belong to The Man 'cause DIT is gone for the summer.

Hard life, I know. Actually, I'll probably just end up working and writing. And to be honest, that is really not a bad thing. Two things I am really enjoying right now.

Got to jet for a conference call in two minutes. Anybody with flexibility issues out there, hit me up. We can commiserate together.

Interesting Op-Ed on Hillary

I was perusing one of my favs- The New York Times- and here is an interesting piece re: Clinton by Maureen Dowd.


http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/08/opinion/08dowd.html?ex=1370577600&en=468fe96554a56092&ei=5124&partner=permalink&exprod=permalink

Here We Go Again...

The first three and a half months of this year, I was in the gym on the regular. And then things changed for me professionally, and my exercise regimen got kicked to the curb.

As of tomorrow, I'm at it again. My plan is to lose 15 pounds by July 31st. I've got to give myself a deadline or it won't ever happen. Why 15 pounds? Because that will get me to the weight on my driver's license, which I haven't been for the last six years or so. Sigh.

Alas, running won't be a part of the plan right now. My left calf has decided to act like a byatch, and my left shin is sort of cranky. The jerks. At least my right hamstring has decided to act right. Who knew all these body parts would object to running at once. LOL

Anyway, I'm keeping it simple for the stupid (namely me). As of tomorrow, I intend to walk our bridge (which has a pedestrian path, as well as a bike path) EVERYDAY for the next six weeks. The walking path on the bridge is like 2.75 miles one way. Yeah- I know. But what can you do. Maybe my body is acting bitchy because it's tired of carrying these extra pounds. Sigh. I will also do yoga or Pilates every other day to stay limber and get in some good stretching. I'll get back in the gym for strength training the first of August. 'Cause once a sista drops the weight, she better tone the rest of it up. LOL

Why walking, you ask? Because it's easy. Seriously, it's as simple as that. And with my iPod, I'm in heaven. Music or podcasts- it don't matter to me. Whoever came up with the idea for that fabulous device should be crowned King (or Queen) of the World!!! (At least for a day).

Anybody out there got any tips for entertaining myself for about an hour+ a day in a portable way- holla at me.

More Nasty Natti Out-takes

Ok ya'll, I gave Obama a separate post, but I could not let this day go by without giving you more true stories from The Natti Travels.

So, it's 5:19 this morning and I'm in a van being shuttled to the airport to begin my journey back to ChuckTown. Things start off innocently enough- two white males and myself being driven by a very talkative Cincinatti driver (white male) originally from New Jersey. It's cool. I'm good at tuning people out. Until he began to go into his verbal dissertation about why OJ Simpson is innocent. Uh- what the fuck? All I know is he started out talking about meeting his ex-wife at the grocery store, and the next thing I heard, was why OJ did not kill Nicole and how the forensics proved it and they didn't even need a trial. Stop laughing. I wish that my imagination were as good as the real life shit I come across. I really do. Of course there was dead silence in the van. What could anyone say. Funny thing is, the guy didn't even notice. Just went on to the next subject.

And then I get to Charlotte. I made for the restroom near my gate 'cause I needed to go. I'm taking a whiz when this booming voice announces:

"Good morning ladies. My name is Miss Mae and I'm the person who is responsible for keeping this restroom clean. I just wanted to ask that while ya'll are in the sky on those planes and traveling around, ya'll just remember Miss Mae and how hard she works. Ya'll have a good day."

So I finish my business and start washing my hands. And I notice that once again, aside from Miss Mae, I am the only person of color present. I looked around and noticed that indeed this restroom is one of the cleanest public restrooms I've been in. Hmmm. So, as I walked by Miss Mae, I told her thank you, and wished her a good day as well. And as I made my way to my gate, I offered up a prayer of blessings for Miss Mae 'cause all she wanted was someone to notice her hard work.

I think I am going to get my best material from airports, hotels, and restaurants. I'm just saying.

Anyway, holla at a sista when you get a chance.

Obama Did It...

Today is a good day.

Last night I was so filled with joy, awe, and wonder. And most importantly, I was filled with hope for the future.

Obama has a hard road ahead of him leading to November, but I will be documenting and commenting along the way.

Today, I am bursting with pride, and it is a wonderful thing.

Against All Odds 2008 Virtual Book Tour

From Dawn to Dusk
Niambi Davis
Parker Publishing, May 1st, 2008
$10.95 US; ISBN-10: 1600430368



Meet Bilal and Ayo, two people who are polar opposites in every way. He’s 32 and she’s 42. Bilal is ready to get married and start a family. Ayo, on the other hand, is a comfortably relaxed, in- her own skin widow with a 20 year old son. And she's certain her child-bearing days are over. Bilal is Muslim, and Ayo is most certainly not. Neither Bilal's father, nor Ayo's son are too happy about the relationship. These two, having nothing in common, would struggle to even hold a conversation, much less fall in love? And after their disastrous first encounter, you’d think it was impossible. Or is it?


Niambi Brown Davis, debut author of From Dawn to Dusk, has asked me this question, "Which of these issues - older woman/younger man, different faiths, disgruntled family members, late in life motherhood/infertility issues - has the potential to wreck the most havoc on Ayo and Bilal's relationship and keep them from walking down the aisle?"

Now, of course, you know that being the Diva that I am, I was more than up for the challenge. So, check out my heartfelt response below and watch how a Southern Diva smoothly sets the stage and then exits.

MY RESPONSE

Tina Turner asked the world "What's love got to do with it?" in the 80's. It became a mantra for many. She must have been talking about Ayo and Bilal. I'm mean really, how could she not have been? Getting to the love is just a small part of what these two characters have to deal with.

How about being on opposite ends of the spectrum on just about everything?

She: 42
He: 32
(Ok-not OPPOSITE ends of the spectrum, but a serious gap, at least)

She: Christian
He: Muslim

She: Has an adult child who ain't trying to hear no mess about his mama and some man
He: Has a daddy who ain't trying to hear no mess about his child and some cougar

She: Not sure if she can have anymore children
He: Definitely wants kids

So, what is the biggest obstacle in this relationship? What will keep them from getting across the broom?

Age ain't nothing but a number. But they have to make the decision to not let it get in the way.

Religion is a way to express spirituality. They have to make the decision to respect one another's beliefs.

While their respective family members may not like the person they are choosing to spend the rest of their lives with, Ayo and Bilal have to make the decision to live their own lives and be true to themselves.

As for children, they need to know what their options are and decide upon a course of action.

In short, the biggest obstacle to this relationship is not fully committing to it in every way. Falling in love is the easy part. Deciding to live life on your own terms- now that's a whole 'nother ball game.

On The Road Again...

So, once again I'm traveling. This week, I'm in Cincinatti. Some interesting things have happened to me on my way to Cinci. I'll just share a few.

First of all, in the Charleston Airport, the guy serving me at the ticket counter pulls up my info and says "So, you are heading to the Nasty Natti". WTF? I simply said "Excuse me?" seeing as I've never heard it called that before. The young male just gets a wistful look on his face as if to say he's had some times in Cincinatti that will stay in Cincinatti, but that he will never forget. I kindly thanked the dude, even though he was lost in his reverie, and moved on.

Leaving Charlotte, I ended up on the plane with the Flight Attendant from Hell. She yelled at the pilots (accused them of trying to kill us while they were backing up from the bay), yelled at a passenger whose phone went off while we were starting to taxi down the runway (she was actually stomping through cabin yelling "Whose phone is that?" like the meanest third grade teacher on the planet). The worst was when we were landing in Cincinatti and the pilot managed to make a smooth landing with that little commuter plane (hard to do in my book) and she yelled- "Hot damn! Not bad for his first time!" I kid you not. I wish I could make this shit up. Needless to say, the majority of the passengers couldn't wait to get off that plane. Thank goodness I was in row three. LOL

So when I get to the Millenium hotel, I'm given my room key and murmurings of have a good visit. No problem. Until I get to my room and the linen are all over the floor. The bed was stripped bare, and it looked like someone thought about making it back up but then decided not to and went on about their business. At this point, it was 10:45 and I was ready to get some shut eye. That happened in another room. To say I'm not impressed by this place is an understatement. I will no longer complain about that high ass room in B'More again. It was an oasis compared to this place. And the sad part is, the surrounding hotels aren't any better. I know because I have friends staying in several different ones and we each have major complaints. Ugh!

Again with the unhappy people! Even my friend Chanda, the optimistic Northerner noticed it. So there.

And why in the hell do all the downtown shops close at 6 and 7? WTF? You can't make money off the conventioners if you are not open when they are finished with their business. Just an FYI.

There has been one bright spot in Cinci (or Natti,or whatever you want to call this place)- the sista at the front desk who hooked me up with the internet. I won't print her name 'cause I ain't trying to get her in a fix. She has saved me from having to pay .20 a minute. Yep- that's exactly right. And who do you know spends less than 30 minutes at a time on the internet? Even my mother, who is 62, spends more time than that on the net on any given day. Sigh. So I am grateful to this diva, 'cause ya'll know how I feel about having to pay for the internet at these high priced joints, but was gonna bite the bullet 'cause my internet jones was getting to me. Plus, I got some stuff I need to do and it can't wait until I get home.

I'm sure I'll have more tales from the Natti. UGH!!! And that does not make me happy. LOL