TIJA'S BABY SHOWER - Sept. 2, 2007
My beautiful niece, Atija , had a wonderful Baby shower last month. All her friends and family came to help her celebrate the upcoming birth of her first child....Deylan .

Jamar, father-to-be, delighted in all the baby shower madness as well. It was a great day for all of us.

Jamar and Grandmother (Great Grandmother)

GRAMMY FRAN (Mother of Atija)

Grandmother Danielle (Mother of Jamar)

Cousin Diane and Great Grandmother Gerry (Grandmother of Atija)

Everyone brought such wonderful gifts and we played games...like guess what food made the baby "poop". Yikes! You don't want to see images of that. :0)

Tija's due date is Oct. 21st...which is rapidly approaching!! We're so very excited and I plan to be in the delivery room. I hope I can stay through the entire birth. God bless this family and their little one!

SHORT CIRCUITZ TV

Ok ya'll here's the latest fun site I've found from watching MTV TR3S! Nick Cannon has created a new (new to me) show call Short Circuitz TV and I caught an episode of it that had me falling out!! You can check out the website http://shortcircuitz.mtv.com/ to see all the various parodies, sketches, commercials etc. because some of them are really pretty good.

Here 's the official blurb about the show: Which I already said...

"Fans of Nick Cannon's earlier series, "Will N' Out," will recognize his signature comedy style in this unpredictable blend of celebrity impersonations, parodies of commercials, TV shows and news broadcasts and other comedy sketches."

The posted video clip, "No More Drama" was my favorite and stars actress Tamala Jones as Mary J. Blige. You know Tamala from "Two Can Play That Game", " Next Friday", "The Brothers"...she's appeared in every movie and tv show (the list goes on and on).

The subject matter is hilarious and so true for some women, and I'm glad somebody finally said it!! That's right....NO MORE STAINS...I can't take it no more.

The other posted clip I love is Simmons & Simmons. It features a Russell Simmons and Richard Simmons crime fighting duo that will leave you in stitches. This is adult comedy at it's finest!! I've never seen "Will N' Out" but I love Short Circuitz...good job Nick!!

Yea that's my boy, we be kickin' it like that......(yea right!!)

K-VILLE

Last night I had the privilege of attending a screening of the new Fox TV show, K-Ville on the Fox lot. There was a reception and then the screening. The event was short and sweet, so I was home by 9:30.

I half expected this to be a feast of New Orleans cuisine....wrong!! There was Chicken Satay w/ Peanut sauce, bread, crackers & cheese, fruit and mini bruchettas. Desert was mini brownies and lemon tarts and king size cookies.

A few of the Fox Diversity Development Department execs spoke, and I liked that they took the time to tell how and why the series was developed. They were especially proud of the fact that they took a chance and cast a well known comedian in a dramatic role...that's risky, but I think they'll get the ratings they're looking for. Anthony Anderson was cast in their other dramatic cop show, The Shield, and he did phenomenally well, so they built this series around him.

The show is pretty good, even though there were a few details that bugged me. The cast seems to be strong, a lot of unknowns thrown in with some recognizable faces. I really loved that you could hear definite New Orleans inflections in the dialogue. That rang very true for the characters. I don't like that the female cops are always so "tough" to the bone....but I guess that what makes a good cop show. I love CCH Pounder's character on The Shield...she's in a league of her own. But I don't care for Mariska Hargitay in Law & Order SVU. I don't know....she's compassionate and all, but she still seems too "Butch." Whatev! Overall the show will be worth watching. I want to support the creators of this "diversity development" project as well as support New Orleans and the Katrina victims.

After the screening we left with some nice parting gifts too. That always makes it worthwhile right? :0) So I'm wearing my exclusive K-Ville T-shirt and wristband today.

Oh and as I was leaving the Zanuck Theatre I saw my Pastor and wife there. I was in good company, lots of Big Wigs and Muckety Mucks were in attendance. VIP baby!! LOL.

The show premieres Monday, September 17h at 9:00pm pacific/8:00pm central.

"New Lives. New Rhythms. New Orleans..."

DUDE, WHERE'S MY NICHE?

When I recall the stories I've read in magazines that describe how certain entrepreneurs became successful, the one thing I keep reading is how each one found their "niche". Yea, that product or service that no one else thought to tap into....and now the world can't get enough of it.

Even though I've had great responses on the products I create, there isn't an overwhelming "need" to purchase certain items. I often ask myself why? Every one of my creations incorporates flair and style, and sometimes I even throw in a little whimsy. So who am I targeting with these items?

I believe I continue to create what I like, and haven't focused on what I'm marketing. Where's my niche? It' hard to know because when I look at what products and designs are out there...everyone is on the same page almost duplicating each other's items over and over again. And it sells, sells, sells.

But I don't want to be a cookie cutter designer. I want to be original with one-of-a-kind styles. My problem is, I need to know who wants what I have to offer. It's something that I need more thought and research on. I have to NAME IT and CLAIM IT.

There's so much to building a business, and even though I've read books on turning your passion into profits...seeing and doing are on opposite ends of the spectrum. I'm willing to put in the work though, so it's all about doing something the right way...the way most people believe suits them. I've got to find my niche. Perhaps then my sales will soar!

DIVA DIVINITY - Beyonce Part II

I picked up my usual free weekly this week and lo and behold, a very flattering story on Miss Beyonce by Johnny Loftus (OC Weekly). His title of Diva Divinity was followed by a sub heading stating..."Beyonce is more than just a curvy talented dollar sign - much more."

It was amazing to read this piece because it confirmed my review of her talent as a force to be reckoned with. If I believed it and now Johnny seconded it...then I was on the mark in my take on how she's manages to stand out and not just fit in. He calls her the queen of DIVADOM....I'm just sayin', I'm on board with it.