NEW MUSIC....WHERE HAVE I BEEN?

When you reach a certain age and maturity, things are expected to change. However, I have always considered myself "young at heart". When did I change into this person who doesn't have her hand on the pulse of the new generation of artists cropping up???

I think I began to notice it a few years ago when I watched The American Music Awards. I didn't know half of the artists on the show. Good Charlotte, Maroon 5.....what the heck?? Yes, I keep up with more of the R & B entertainers, but I had always known who was hot every year. I can't say that anymore.

Since I've been watching MTV Tr3s, which is a Spanish version of MTV, I have seen some artists that I am not aware of. MTV Tres has a lot of Latin music but they also feature a lot of the regular American artists and shows that the other MTV show has. I watched Pimp My Ride and Cribs. So I'm glad I found the channel.

But the other night I watched two videos that I really liked, and I had NO IDEA WHO THESE PEOPLE WERE. I was like, "I'm waaay out of touch". LOL

The first group was Orishas, and they are a Latin Rap Group. They have this song called "Hay Un Son" and it is bumpin' (probably outdated expression too!). I loved it and you know when I love something, I'm all hyped up and ready to share it with everybody. I found out that they are France-based, and that they've been around since 2000. Wow, that's amazing I have never heard of them.


Here's a review of their 2003 album:

On EMIGRANTE, Latin hip-hop crew Orishas serves up a heady brew of aggressive, Cypress Hill-style rap combined with smooth Cuban vocals, old school beats, and sharp, minimalist production. A number of tracks also feature traditional Latin instrumentation, making the album a true fusion of North and South. Unlike many non-English speaking hip-hoppers, Roldan, Ruzzo and Yotuel are prodigious rhymers, reveling in the Spanish language's natural melodiousness, but adding a rhythmic virtuosity and biting edge usually only heard in the work of the best East coast rappers. By contrast, Orishas' lazy grooves often recall the West Coast G-funk jams of Dr. Dre. Despite the obvious touchstones, however, the presence of real instruments and the frequent use of vocals keep the record sounding fresh. Orishas' totally unique approach to hip-hop and their refusal to merely copy American artists makes EMIGRANTE one of the genre's, and perhaps 2002's, most important albums.

I don't speak Spanish, so I have no idea what they're saying, but the music is good and that hook "Hay Un Son" is nice. So, if you haven't heard of this group either, check out their video in the Video Post Section of this blog. The video is very creative and visually stunning.

The other group was called Gym Class Heroes. I think I've seen some posts about their song, "Take Your Clothes Off" but never saw a picture of them. This video is fun and the music is great.













I couldn't believe I had never heard of these folks either, but I like this song. I don't get the stuffed animal/mascot angle, but I missed the opening so perhaps there was a clue about why they chose to use them. Interesting....I can appreciate any video that doesn't have a lot of half naked men and women all over each other.

I've also seen this other video from Lil Mama, and she is just too grown for her little self. I don't like it when I see young girls, really young girls being sexual. I don't know how young she is, but she's in love with how her Lip Gloss is attracting attention. Uh yea...if that's what floats her boat! She looks like she's in the 9th grade or something and there is just way too much bumpin' and shakin' for me. I know, I know....that's what the kids do, but I'm one who has never liked it.

I remember some years ago when this song was out, "Hey Little Mama, how you get so freaky" or something like that....and these were elementary school kids doing all that rump shakin'. It was disgraceful and I'm glad it didn't stay on the scene too long, nor did the people make any follow up videos. The folks in the hood see a way to make some dollas, and they exploit our youth. Not anything new I know, but its just so unbelievable that the parents were in the doggone video chanting and egging these kids on. WTH?

So when did I become so out of touch? I think its because I listen to a lot more CD's than I used to. I also have my iPod and that's on most of the time when I'm traveling to and from work. At work I listen to my iTunes or Real Player from CD's I've downloaded 'cause my radio reception is bad. Also I don't have cable (BIG REASON), and I don't listen to the radio in the car like I used to. I used to know all the new songs. So up until I started watching this new MTV channel , I'd go online and see who was out there. But again, I can't know all of the new folks out there 'cause different sites have different genres of music.

It seems lately that I've found out about these new groups from watching TV. I did with Amy Winehouse...started seeing her trailers and liked what I heard. I also remember when I first caught wind of The Buena Vista Social Club. I happened to be watching PBS one night and caught the documentary. I was blown away!!! Not only did I love the story of reviving the careers and music from these old Cuban singers, I was thrilled to see they had an album out thanks to Ry Cooder who documented this story. As soon as it became available I went right out and bought it. Now, everytime I see Ry Cooder listed on albums or whatever, I have much respect for him. He is all about preserving music.

Since I do read a lot I have found myself coming across a few unfamiliar singers like, Cesaria Evora, because I'm reading an article in a magazine. I was reading a review of her music almost 8 years ago and she sounded extraordinary. I have yet to hear a lot of her music, but the reviews of her were amazing. Cesaria is from Cape Verde and is listed as a folk singer. When I read the review about her it was so fascinating because the reviewer said that she likes to perform with her shoes off, and that she's a woman who's had a troubled past...something about drinking, fighting, and other hard hitting tales she told him. She too has been around for a while, but I never saw any press on her until I read the article back in the early 2000's. So I'm glad I found these people.


Cesaria Evora

Also, I've been in book stores and have heard unusual music playing over the intercom that I like, so I'll find out who the artists are. I did that when I heard "ManRay" for the first time. I soon found out that they have volumes of music. Never heard of them before, but I loved the fact that they had such diverse music from all over the world.

I guess you have to listen to Third World and/or Alternative music to know about these people. So I might not be out of touch, just not searching for what's out there.

And it seems that I am being drawn to more and more Latin music. I think that's natural, given the power of rhythms and music kept from Slavery. As a matter of fact, Orishas has images of African Masks and an Elephant, and Dia de la Muerte (Day of the Dead) Sculls in their video. And if you know your African/Latin Religion - Orisha is a Santeria God. It's very evident that the music lives on from the Africans who were dropped off in every part of the world. Who knew there were indigenous Blacks in the Netherlands, but they are there. It could be that since I'm back in "MexiFornia" I am influenced. Yea I said it, and ya'll know it's true. LOL The basic truth is that I like what I like.

Needless to say....I'm hoping I can get my groove back and stay on top of what's poppin', what's shakin', what's crackin' in the music world. I guess if the music isn't crossing over to my side of the fence....I'm just missing out on it altogether. Get it together girlie and look and listen up!!!

REED'S RIBS

My former high school classmate is making big news in Sacramento with his rib restaurant. Bill Reed has taken over the family business of BBQ'ing and has made a name for himself as having the best ribs in town!! I am so proud of Billy. He and his wife Tracy are representing their community in a big way.

If you are ever in the Rosemont area of Sacramento, please stop by and get some awesome vittles from Reed's Ribs. I hear the food is off the hook....well, don't just take my word for it. Check out the Video Post section of this blog and see him on the local CBS 13 newscast. His business is winning customers every day! YOU GO BOY!! Check him out online too! http://www.reedsribs.com/.

SLEEPLESS IN SEATTLE

This past weekend I had the distinct pleasure of singing at a church in Seattle, WA with my choir and pastor. The church was actually located in Renton, which is not too far from Seattle. The New Beginning's Christian Fellowship Church is doing big things in this little town.

My pastor, John Hunter, and the pastor of the church, Dr. Leslie D. Braxton, are dear friends and colleagues, so we came to support this dynamic leader as they celebrated their Second Anniversary. And Pastor Braxton has a lot to celebrate as he has secured an 11.5 acre of land that will house his new church home.

The Unity choir of F.A.M.E. was glad to come sing, and we had a wonderful time getting to know the members of the congregation. The best thing is that we had the best hosts. We were shuttled around town, taken to restaurants to fellowship, and enjoyed a boat cruise courtesy of our pastor.
And yes, it rained the entire time we were there, but that didn't stop us from enjoying the sights of the Market Place and The Pike. Everyone seemed to enjoy themselves and I look forward to going back to Seattle to visit and spend more time getting to know the city. It reminds me so much of Oregon.

We wish Pastor Braxton, his family and the congregation all the best. They are so deserving.









AHMET ERTEGUN






So another wonderful program came on PBS and I was fortunate to view it a couple of weeks ago. Remember in the movie "Ray" when Ray Charles was approached in his hotel room by Atlantic Records executive, Ahmet Ertegun? Well the true story of "The House That Atlantic Records Built" told this wonderfully delightful tale of how Atlantic Records became the little label that "could".

Ahmet told this story when I first tuned in. While visiting friends in New York, a 16 year old Ahmet decided to go uptown to Harlem and see a Cabaret show all alone. It seems, no one noticed this young man as he sat in and watched Cotton Club performers (dancers and musicians) and ended up staying out all night drinking and partying. Much to the dismay of his friends, they called his father after he was found to be safe. Ahmet said it was the first time his father hit him as he had worried everyone by not coming home.

Here is a timeline of how he began his musical career as a record exec and songwritter. When he was much younger, his older brother Nesuhi took him to see Cab Calloway and Duke Ellington at the Palladium in London in 1934. He moves with family to Washington, D.C., when his father becomes Turkish ambassador to the U.S in 1937. At age 14, Ertegun's mother buys him a record cutting machine. Taking a Cootie Williams instrumental, "West End Blues," he writes lyrics to it. With the instrumental playing on a record player he sings lyrics into the microphone as the record plays.

He graduates from St. John's College in Annapolis, MD, and goes on to graduate studies in philosophy at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. His father dies, and is buried at Arlington National Cemetery.

He co-founds Atlantic Records in New York City with friend and jazz fan Herb Abramson (a dental student and A&R man for National Records) and a $10,000 loan from Ertegun's family dentist. They pick the name after hearing of a label called Pacific Jazz. Atlantic's first office is in the condemned Jefferson Hotel on 56th Street between Sixth Avenue and Broadway. The living room is used as the office. (Taken from American Masters website. )

What was interesting about his story was that he hired two young songwriters that I was familiar with because I had seen "them" on a PBS special several years ago when their hit broadway show, "Smokin' Joe's Cafe" was at it's peak, reviving the music of the 1950's-1960's.

Mike Stoller and Jerry Lieber were hitmakers for Atlantic Records.

I watched and taped the story of Lieber & Stoller and it was fascinating to see how they created some of that era's most popular songs and worked with musical giants that we still listen to today. If you ever have an opportunity to see either one of these stories, you will be highly amazed that these White guys had their "ears" and "eyes" on the pulse of what was the next wave of great music for millions of music lovers.

They were instrumental in launching and sustaining the careers of Ben E. King, The Coasters, Peggy Lee, Ruth Brown, The Drifters and many, many more. They wrote songs you would "never" have imagained..."Charlie Brown", "Under the Boardwalk", and the list goes on and on.

I was so impressed by their musical genius. Here they were, two White guys who knew R & B music and lyrics that would become classics today.

What is always interesting to me when we're able to see the real history of musical artists, you find out who who recorded songs that other well known artists have become famous from. Take for instance, Willie Mae "Big Mama" Thornton. She was the first person to sing, "You Ain't Nothin' But A Hounddog". Her version was classic Blues rendition; raw with emotion. Well, years later, the song was covered by Elvis Presley and it became one of "his" greatest hits and signature songs. It's good to know the truth though, even though it's a little known fact. When I heard this question asked on television, "who was the original artist to sing You Ain't Nothin' But a Hounddog?", I knew the answer right away because of this documentary.

Anyway, let me get back to Ahmet Ertegun. He was instrumental in giving these two producers lots of acts to work with and they were very succesful. Ahmet believed in giving the artists support and freedom to do the music that was dear to their hearts, and not what was just popular. When he brought Aretha Franklin in to the studio, his intuitiveness told him that she was not just a great Gospel and Classic Standards vocalist. He helped her branch out and find her niche which was purely Soul Music. Aretha said that Ahmet and his producers were the best and they always had the best times in the studio.

Ahmet seems to be an unlikely resource for finding great Black talent, but again he did. He worked with Otis Redding, and believed Otis was the greatest Male singer of his time. The Atlantic record label was very diverse and signed all kinds of musical acts from R & B, to Jazz, Classic Standards and Rock & Roll. It's always interesting to see how these well known artists came to be, and there was vintage footage of Aretha Franklin, Bette Midler, Bobby Darin, Led Zeppelin, Ray Charles and others. So many, many great artists.

I found the story to be so facsinating because we don't often know who these record moguls are. I remember the first time I knew that Herb Alpert was the "A" of A & R Records. Not only was he a recording artist but he ran a record label. Back in the day, that was definitely a gutsy move, but in today's music business it is very commonplace. And most new Rap artists are producers and record execs before they become performers.

I am happy that I once again found a bit of history that was well worth watching, and that is crossed over to another great story of two songwriters who were virtual unknowns to the general public, but were the Kings Of Lyrics and Music in the industry. It's the same as Quincy Jones and his musical empire. It's not everyday we see how these people became the musical giants they are. PBS is always on the cutting edge when it comes to great documentaries and specials. I appreciate that.

IF THE SHOE FITS...DESIGN WITH IT

More very cool artwork found on the internet. This is a man after my own heart. Can you believe this? A chair made entirely out of women's shoes. The artist is Willie Cole.

I wonder what inspired this vision and how the heck he fashioned each shoe to form the chair. You definitely have to give him his props for being so ingenious.

I've seen those huge shoes that are actually chairs in the furniture stores, and would love to own one, but this chair is truly a masterpiece.

WHAT UP CUZ???!!!

Props go out to my cuz, Snoop Dogg. All over the internet, word is Snoop and family will have their own "reality show" on the E! network. Here's the write up.

Snoop Dogg, Actor. No, Really!

"In case you haven't heard, E!'s got the one and only big dog, S-N-double-O-P, in the family now. The living legend will have his own reality show on our network starting later this year.

With the news of Snoop Dogg's arrival sweeping through our offices like a cloud of, uh, smoke, it's time to take a look at Snoop's film career. Let's skip over, say, Soul Plane, his porn-producing years and the remake of The Wash with Dr. Dre, and get right to the highlights:

5. Half Baked (1998): Calvin Broadus made his big-screen debut in this high-larious comedy. Big Snoop didn't play himself, exactly, but a character billed as Scavenger Smoker. Now, that's the guy who always pops up right when you're about to light up—or so I'm told.

4. Baby Boy (2001): After a few wack hood movies, Snoop gave a tremendous performance as Rodney, a terrifying just-out-of-jail ex-boyfriend. Go back and watch the dogfather in director John Singleton's movie, and there's no chance you won't appreciate Snoop's acting chops. I recently interviewed Taraji Henson, his costar in that film, and she told me that nobody was nicer and more professional on set than Snoop.

3. Arthur and the Invisibles (2006): Known best for his distinct sound on the mike, the transition to voice-over work came naturally. Snoop lent his likeness to director Luc Besson's half-animated fantasy, for which I interviewed him. Snoop told me that once he heard Besson was involved in the project, he signed up. Plus, now he can say he's been in a movie with Robert De Niro—even if it is a cartoon!

2. Training Day (2001): Snoop is a big dude. Six-five. Most leading men in Hollywood are shorter in person than you might expect (Tom Cruise, Robert Redford, Mark Wahlberg, etc.). Snoop is the opposite, one tall glass of gin and juice. In one of his best roles to date, the Long Beach O.G. plays a wheelchair-bound crack dealer in Antoine Fuqua's acclaimed film. Snoop holds his own opposite Denzel Washington, who got the Oscar for that very movie. Seeing Snoop slide down the streets of downtown L.A. in a wheelchair with crack rocks in his mouth, rocking a Rocawear tee, is one of my all-time favorite movie moments.

1. The Tenants (2006): Nobody except for Snoop and me probably saw this movie, but I thought he was incredible as the writer Willie Spearmint opposite Dylan McDermott. The two play novelists trying to construct their masterpieces while living in the same apartment building. I hope Snoops seeks out more roles like this and plays against type more often. A brave choice for the rapper who has now officially earned the title of actor as well.

So, when the new Snoop show drops this fall on E!, be sure to check out some of these Doggy Dogg movie moments—and don't forget his frat-party scene in Old School. Welcome to the family, big homey. Chuuuuuuuurch!"

THIS STORY WAS TAKEN FROM E! ONLINE

THIRST FOR KNOWLEDGE

As I walked into the Borders Book store yesterday, I realized how much I enjoyed relaxing and reading my favorite books. I also get pleasure from surfing the internet for information. I definitely have a thirst for knowledge that never seems to be quenched.

I am constantly reading the latest "free" circular newspaper (The LA Free Weekly, The OC Free Weekly, etc.) and am amazed at how much information I store (in my brain and in my resource files). I have so many documents, ads and clippings that I have run out of space!!!

I don't ever remember being this way until after I saw the movie, "Working Girl" with Melanie Griffin. I love this movie and its (cautionary) tale about living up to your potential and going after something that you want to achieve your dreams.

When Melanie had to defend herself against Sigourney Weaver and explain to the CEO how she came up with the idea to merge the radio and talk show idea...she referred to her habit of reading the daily society page in the newspaper. I know that I didn't intentionally begin to read more because of this movie, but I smile when I realize that I have become a voracious reader just like she was when it comes to fashion, celebrities and popular culture. I want to know what's going on and keep up with the trends.

I bookmark websites, download pictures, join online groups and I feel like I am keeping my eye on the industry that I hope to have a career in, in the very near future. While I can't possibly find everything that's pertinent to what I am doing, I have cast a wide net throughout my searches for stuff I find interesting and helpful.

I also love, love, love gardening so if I want to know about a certain flower, I'm on the internet searching, or asking knowlegeable people what it is. There's this wonderful vine that grows in my neighborhood and it has the most incredible flowers on it. What caught my eye is that the flowers look like curly seashells or snails. Sure enough I asked a coworker and she asked one of her friends and voila, I found out what that flower was.

SNAIL FLOWER

Or when I'm riding on the Metro train to work, I kept noticing these beautiful flowers growing on vines. They cover fences, stairwells etc. and I loved how exotic they were. I would never have imagined that these flowers would grow wild like this. It turned out to be the Passion flower (Passiflora).

PASSION FLOWER

Just beautiful!!

Since I've been back in California, I have noticed a lot more vegetation (flora and fauna) that I never noticed before. I think this is because these plants are indigenous to Southern California. It's just like the Bouganvillea flower. I had never seen these beautiful flowers when I lived here in the late 1970's...they're everywhere, like the Oleander.

In this "information age", I am appreciative of all of the people who do as I do and spend their energy blogging and providing valuable information that would usually cost a pretty penny to come by. So I love, that for the most part, I have been able to gather a variety of information "freely" from the internet.

There's a saying that "knowledge is power " and I agree because being well versed in a variety of subject matter does give me a feeling of being powerful. I know of what I speak and so forth. I'm no "know-it-all". I'm more like a "know-a-lot-more-than-usual." :0) So to all of you...thanks for sharing!

COLLECTING.....Hobby or Obsession?

Since I am an avid reader, I love going to the library to find books on arts & crafts, fashion and jewelry making. Or whenever I experienced computer problems, I could always use a computer at the local library. I have a total of 3 library cards for Long Beach, Cerritos and the greater L.A. area. And the libraries are so modern and beautiful too. The Cerritos and downtown L.A. Main branches are my favorites because they have awesome displays of art, they have ideal seating areas, and both have gift shops. :0) Love to shop!

I have found that I love collecting items that have to do with writing. I have a wonderful book which details how to write "Love Letters". My favorite poem is -

"The Monday Lover"

Couldn't sleep, thinking about you. Woke up, thinking about you. Brushed my teeth, thinking about you. Washed my hair, thinking about you. Made myself smell nice, thinking about you. I listened to the radio, thinking about you. Went into dark tunnels, thinking about you. Rode the train, thinking about you. Pretended to work, thinking about you. Drank red wine, thinking about you. Sat by the fire, stroking the cat, watching the embers glowing, reading love poems, thinking about you. Went to bed, thinking about you. Couldn't sleep, thinking about you. Woke up, thinking about you.

It's such an awesome book because of the graphics, samples of love letters and poems, and the techniques discussed - which include using the perfect writing instruments. The author stated that the best way to write a love letter is to use a fountain pen with black ink. So, I went out and purchased one. Little did I realize that there was such a movement to go back to using the wonderful writing instruments of the turn of the century. I found that stationery stores carried fountain pen kits...nibs, ink, wax and seals. It's a fascinating and beautiful art form. I find it very romantic and personal too. Because we spend so much time typing, emailing and texting one another, I truly can appreciate the time honored tradition of "writing" a personal letter and do so whenever can. I hope to own a kit one day, however, I will continue to feed my passion for....collecting stationery.

There never seems to be enough time to hand write a letter, but when I do, I do it with style! I find stationery and unique paper almost anywhere. Since I love Thrift and Antique stores, finding stationery here is definitely a treasure. Then there are the discount department stores like Ross, Burlington Coat Factory, Marshall's, and TJ Maxx. There has been such a resurgence of stationery products in these stores, I can never seem to get enough of them. They also have journals and all kinds of notebooks for everyday use. I just love it! And they're not that expensive which makes it really appealing....I couldn't resist buying a set for $3.99 and it has an address book, notepad, matching pencil and holder. I don't know who did the market research on these items, but they were on the mark. I LOOOOOVE this stuff. The image has animal print and soft pastel colors and there is wording on it "Fashion Kitty". Adorable! It looks like it's something right out of a 1950's boudoir.

There has also been a resurgence of products aimed at women with wonderful images and graphics that run the gamut to dress forms, mannequins, ceramic hats, shoes and purses, and anything associated with fashionable accessories from back in the day....Victorian era, the Mod era of the 1960's, and also the Pin Up Girls of the 1950's. There are always items that feature celebrities from the Golden Movie age...Marilyn Monroe, Elvis, James Dean etc. But these are very different.

It's all good because I pick and choose what I like...the rest "ya'll" can have! :0) So anyway, I'm hooked on everything that has images of a hat, dress, purse, dress form, torso or a shoe on it. I collect it all and it's crazy!

I also make arts & crafts projects featuring shoes, torsoes, etc. The references to these items are "girlie" items...so I am all "girl/woman" when it comes to loving this stuff.

I designed the journal cover and made the architectural shoe from pouring plaster of paris in various molds. I made a shoe mold from an old pump. :0)

I bought this same little Victorian Boot Charm. I've made polymer clay and plaster of paris pins with this metal charm. It's adorable isn't it?

I found the Corset and Boot images online, I didn't make them.

Just this weekend I went to this discount department store and bought two items for the bathroom that have these images on them. There weren't many left, so I "had" to get them before they were gone. If you can you believe this, I bought a toothbrush holder that is a replica of a dresser of drawers. It has the word "Theatre" stamped on it, and it has a long red evening gown laid across it. There are 3 holes to store your brushes. The other item is....shoe and purse shower curtain hangers!!! They are adorable!!!! I know this is way crazy, but I had seen these shower curtain hangers a week or so ago...when I didn't have any money. So I strategically placed the hangers toward the back of the boxes of other hangers....so that I could conceal them from other shoppers. OK SO I HID THEM SO I COULD COME BACK AND BUY THEM THIS WEEK. Isn't that awful?! Well, it didn't work...because someone browsed through them and there were my hangers FRONT AND CENTER on the shelf. LOL!!! But get this....there was a completely different set of hangers on the shelf that I hadn't seen, so I ended not even buying the set I had hidden. It was too funny....but I got my stuff. And that's just what it is too....stuff!!!! Lots and lots of stuff to make people like me keep buying it. Yes, my purchasing has gone from collecting to "obssessing."

I've been in stores where I've literally ran out the door because they just had too much stuff and I knew I couldn't control my urges. I buy shoe candles, cards, key rings, buttons, shoe post-it-notes, shoe hatboxes, signs, figurines.....and it goes on and on. And what the manufacturers are doing is very cleverly designing more than one style of the same image. I am pretty frugal when it comes to shopping so, even when I am collecting, I am not going to pay an arm and a leg for that item.

I happened to be in Michael's Craft store and I always check their $1 bins for little knick knacks. Well wouldn't you know it, they had all kinds of note cards with hats, shoes, purses on them. Yes they were a dollar only, but for all of the styles they had, you could end up spending six or more bucks for notecards, and I really don't need that many. But I did buy three different kind. Also, one day I noticed some Wine Tubes that had this awesome dress design on it that was the same as an address book I bought some months before. And after I got the address book, I found a hatbox that matched, so I had to get that. Then my girlfriend sent me a Christmas present, and lo and behold....it was the same design, but now the shoes and dress were RED!!! And this is the same image that is on the toothbrush holder. I don't know how after all these years I would find this same image on a bathroom item, but I did. Oh this is just insane, where will it end?

It doesn't. Because then I began to notice various canvas pictures with Parisienne fashion accessory images on them in the local Big Lot stores around town. And of course I had to have them. So I bought one here and there until I had four distinct images: a dress, shoes and an umbrella, a hat, and a purse. They were only $4.99, so I thought, "that's reasonable." I was happy. But then I saw some pillows at Big Lot with shoes and purse images on them....oh my goodness....what are you people trying to do to me??? LOL So, me being the frugal shopper I am, I had to put my foot down. These pillows were $8 bucks a piece and I just didn't think they were worth that. They were cute, but $8 bucks is $8 bucks. So some months later when I was buying a comforter set there, I saw the pillow with the purse image on it, so I checked the price...it was now $3.99!! Whoohoo, I snatched it up quickly.

You see, I have several themes and collections that crossover into one another....I have a Parisienne theme in my powder room and bathroom. I have little guest soaps in the shape of shoes, and dress mannequins. I have pictures and words featuring the word "Paris", so that's another collection...anything with the Eiffel tower or the word or fashion images with one or all of the Paris theme. You getting the picture now? It never, ever ends....so I have had to ease up on my buying....well at least since my last purchase of those doggone bath products. So that will be it for a while.....until the next time I see a gorgeous vase in the shape of a woman's torso, or a shoe candle, or a hat, or a purse, or something with the word Paris, or with the image of the Eiffel Tower....yea, yea, yea!!

See, now I didn't even think this was possible.

Check it out....a cake server in the shape of a shoe...what will they think of next?

You know I bookmarked this site because I may buy it....one day.

THE "N" WORD IS DEAD AND BURIED...or is it?

Yesterday, the Detroit NAACP buried the word, "Nigg@"- hoping it will never be used again.

I was thinking about the "N" word's long and illustrious use in the heads and hearts of many African-Americans. (Which I'm still getting used to calling Black people. It doesn't feel natural so I use it sparingly.) I prefer the word "Black" to identify my race but sometimes I've used the "N" word because it was appropriate to the sitchiation....:0)

Our community uses this word to help us make a statement to the person we're communicating with, it's that simple. It's not about us as a whole. I can assure you that most Black people don't believe we're a bunch of low down, shady Nigg@s! We use the term to PUNCTUATE what we're saying to whomever we're having an issue with. That's how I've used it.

When we want the person we're dealing with to realize the brevity of the situation, it may come to me calling you the "N" word because you ain't hearing me or acting right. For instance:

1. "I know you ain't for real N!"
2. "You ain't sh..t N!"

3. "N who you talkin' to?" or the ever popular
4. "N pleeease!"
See how it punctuates the statement?!!!

OK, OK, well then how about how Bernie Mac, on the "Kings of Comedy Tour" broke down the use of the word "MF". Bernie's rationalization is the same for the use of the "N" word. It's for this reason we've kept the word in our everyday exchanges for so long. We know how and why we're using it, but little did we know that our days were numbered.

The thing is.... BLACK FOLKS LOVE TO MAKE UP WORDS!!! We love to use SLANG...and so we'll end up with a replacement, you can believe that. We always do Son, Dawg, Homie, Shawty.

When I was in Elementary school, those were the days of the Low Riders and the cool, tough guys in my neighborhood. Hell, my brothers were these guys. The popular names they called each other were "Ace Boon Coon"and "Homeboy". My brother Robert used these words exclusively. So as Blacks we understand our "need" to describe ourselves in terms OTHERS don't understand. Whites used Coon for many years, as much as they used the "N"word. But somehow the brothers made it cool.

Our words have soul...so we understand why everyone jumps on the bandwagon to use them. You can't be cool calling your boy, "Hey Pal!" "Uh, what's up my Dude!?" It's got to sound cool.

I don't believe non-Blacks are qualified to use the word because it doesn't come from a culture they have grown up in every day. Some might disagree, but its evident they don't understand the correctness and sensitivity associated with using the word. This kind of understanding runs through our veins. Yea, I believe it's that deep.

These kids made it a slogan, or some kind of badge of honor to be called one or to call someone else the "N" word. Back in the day, Blacks came to grips with the reality that it was acceptable to Whites to only call us this word. So we began to desensitize the word. We were determined to make it our own so we wouldn't feel so bad about people calling us this. It was in the 1960's when we all believed how beautiful and powerful we were as a Black nation, so we kept the word. We used it in comedy by Richard Pryor. We used it in literature by Dick Gregory, and we used it in our homes. Again, using the word was never about identifying all Blacks, it was slang and sometimes cool.

Who knew that it would become so prolific and widespread today that we'd have to kill it off, just to keep it from destroying a generation of practitioners.

Never in my wildest dreams would I believe that I could sit on a public train and hear two Hispanic teens use the word with such abandonment, that you know it holds no point of reference for them because the word has been transcended into the Hip Hop/Rap community and that's all they listen to. If Rappers do it, then it's the cool thing to do.

I thought about this issue enough to write this piece the moment I saw the story about killing off the "N" word. So I ask - "For who's benefit are we burying this word?" Is it that we're burying it because like everything else "stolen" from our culture....Blacks are able to use it without controversy, but let a non-Black get their hands on that thing and it becomes something else?!! Not only does it become something else in its use and intentions, but it defies logic to most of the world why we have embraced it, and why now we're denouncing it.

And its that same line of thinking when it was determined that when we're bad, we're really good! Weren't Blacks responsible for turning the word "bad" into "good"? And the masses followed along. Michael Jackson's hit, "I'm Bad", sold millions. Yea baby, I'm bad! It's ludicrous!!

It's going to be hard for a lot of folks to STOP using this word and I'm one of them. Can we be real for a minute? The word has been used by our community for more than 50 years and it was just for "effect". Can I convert to saying "Negro" now? The "N" word identifies us as a group among ourselves. I gave it the flow test, and it's not FLUID. Negro / Nigga@! Neeegroooeee!! Nigg@! Hmmmm....I gotta be honest, it's gonna be a challenge.

So, to the NAACP I say...it's a noble, but this is like getting a smoker to give up cigarettes. I may backslide. Can you provide me with an adequate alternative like a patch or some gum?Yuck yuck!

SEVEN-SEVEN-"O"SEVEN (7-7-07- 07-07-07)

This past Saturday was a record day for weddings because of the "lucky" date - the Seventh day of the Seventh month of the year 2007. I attended my cousin Eileen Christopher and Reverend John Miller's wedding.

THE BRIDE AND GROOM JUMPING THE BROOM!!

Purple...It's the color of Royalty.

It was a very nice event, and was well attended. The family wishes you all the best!

AUSTIN CITY LIMITS CONCERT SERIES FEATURES....

This past Friday night, I got home from choir rehearsal and decided to find something interesting on tv. About 5 months ago I had come across some PBS and Telemundo stations that I had not ever known was available on regular tv. So I made a list of all the stations and decided to see what was on.

I found a "Twilight Zone" episode that was just beginning so I watched it. It featured a very young Dennis Weaver in the title role as a man in court who continues to relive his sentencing and ultimate electrocution over and over again. I kind of remember it from many years ago. It reminded me of Ground Hog's Day with Bill Murray, but in this version, the cast kept changing roles....so Dennis Weaver had to keep retelling his story again and again to the people who were now different characters in the show. It was a good episode.

Anyway, around about Midnight...that's when either really good things happen, or really bad things happen :0) In my case it was a VERY GOOD THING that was about to happen. I switched channels and saw a preview for the concert series "Austin City Limits". It would be coming on next and the artist featured was Corinne Bailey Rae. Oh my goodness!!

Now years and years ago I remember watching this show and saw another person who's music I have come to appreciate - CJ Chenier, Mr. "Zydeco" himself. It was the very first time I had ever heard of Zydedo music and I was sold on the music back in 1992. I loved the way he worked the accordian. I recently saw CJ Chenier at this year's Bayou Festival in Long Beach. He put on a great performance. I was sick, but I waited for him to come on because I had remembered him from that very first time I saw him....I'm loyal if nothing else.






CJ Chenier with accordian








The Long Beach Bayou Festival was in a different venue this year, but everyone seemed to have fun. I wish I had felt better!

Corinne Baily Rae

I know I've been ranting and raving about Amy Winehouse, but I love Corinne!! As a matter of fact, when I went in to Best Buy electronics' store I wanted to get Corinne's CD, but the budget wouldn't allow it. Amy's was on sale, so I got hers first....however, after the concert Friday...I know I'll definitely be getting Corinne's.

Corinne's performance was stellar, and she's an accomplished guitarist. Her voice is very versatile and I like the lyrics of her songs. I think she sang about 6-7 songs, and each one was better than the one before. She did this one song that started out very slowly, and she had given a little background on the song. She used to play with this all girl group called "Helen" and they did some rock tunes, and one song in their repertoire featured a song by Led Zeppelin. So by the time this particular song ended, the guitarist was whaling Led Zeppelin and it was a great song.

She gave an interview at the end of her set and I hope this young woman has a long career doing what she does. She is a breath of fresh air and I believe she will have longevity in the music business if she continues on her patch.

KT Tunstall

So the next artist on the concert bill was KT Tunstall. They did a preview of this artist but didn't state the name. From the moment I heard her voice....I knew who she was. This young woman has two songs on two featured movies...maybe there are other songs out there too, but these two songs are very recognizable.

The first recognizable song is from the movie, "Man Of The Year" featuring Robin Williams. Robin and this woman are out on the dance floor hopping around, and the song is playing. The opening of the song's lyrics are "Whoohoo...whoohoo...whoohoo!! It's called "Black Horse and the Cherry Tree". The lyrics are hard hitting and moving at a steady tempo.

As KT and her group performed this song, they started out clapping and whoohooing. The song is very upbeat and it makes you want to get up and dance, or in Robin's case "hop" around. :0) I liked the movie ok, but I was really drawn to this song because it was funny to see them dancing the way they were.

Song number two is featured in my very favorite movie this year, "The Devil Wears Prada." It's the opening song called "Suddenly I See". To see her perform it in person was a treat. She is very accomplished on the rock guitar and plays percussion too. She has a Janis Joplin like voice and she's the first rocker - ok after Bonnie Raitt, that I would really consider buying a CD of.

I was thrilled to pieces to be able to see these two artists singing my favorite tunes and I just happened to be channel surfing. I'll be checking the Austin City Limits website so that I can check their schedule of performers. I want to download this concert or order it too. What a treat!! :0)

I'M KEEPIN' IT PUSHIN'...

Katt Williams is a very funny comedian. And on his comedy special he tells the audience that they need to keep getting betta, and betta, and betta. He says to "keep it pushin'!" - meaning don't get settled into the daily humdrums of life...push yourself to get better and do more, and be more! And that's what I am doing. As you can see, my blog looks betta!! You can watch the videos (give it a try) and I happen to LOVE THESE VW commercials with the German Guy, even though he's using some stereotypical Hip Hop language. It's funny though! Be sure to check out all of the videos as they are really quite entertaining....I've got the Simpsons, Pimp My Ride (game) some wild Monster Truck videos and more VW commercials! Plus I've added additional "pictures" on the sidebar and at the end!! I've got a few more things to add....like my cool banner...and I'll be a happy camper!

Yes I pushed myself to take a challenge and add a customized feature here and it looks pretty cool, if I don't say so myself!

I had to rename the blog too, even though I kept the blog address the same. C-TO-THE-B was alright for last year, but this is 2007 baby!!! I've got to step up my game and my look. I told you in my previous posts that I want to challenge myself about learning new computer skills and graphics techniques. So this is just another part of that. How you like me now???!!! :0)

Ezekiel & Deylan

On July 2, my new great nephew turned 1 month old bless his little heart. And oh my gosh...he's looking like a brand new baby every day. Every new picture we get, he looks so different. I LOVE MY NEPHEW.

Then there's Deylan Anthony Smith, who has yet to make his debut. That happens in October, but he's growing bigger and stronger every day....so in 3 little months - HE'LL BE HERE TOO! I LOVE MY NEPHEW. The latest pictures I've received were imports, so there's no file to download the pictures. Whah...:0(

JULY 4TH 2007

So yesterday was the Fourth of July. Independence Day! I broke bread with my "Christopher" cousins, and it was a fun time. The weather sucked though...very hazy and kind of cool. I was looking forward to a hot, hot, day. Oh well...you can't have everything. Everyone still loves their fireworks though...the streets were littered with all the firework remmants that went on for hours and hours last night.

WEDDING BELLS ARE RINGING FOR EILEEN AND JOHN

On Saturday, cousin Eileen will marry John. The date is 07-07-07....which is considered the "luckiest" day ever.

Here are some pics of their recent wedding shower.














Their wedding attire will be Afrocentric and it should be a nice ceremony. They'll be jumping the broom too! I admire people who really go the extra mile and add a bit of the old with the new to make their day special.

I haven't been to a wedding in a while, so I'm looking forward to the festivities. God bless you guys!

FEATURED ARTIST - DEEA MUNTEEN

Now this young female artist from Romania, Deea Munteen, is the BOMB....I mean awesome!! My favorite blog, ULLABENULLA, has her pictures posted, so I went to her page and read about her.http://dushky.deviantart.com/

I couldn't download the pictures I wanted, but here is a sampling...she's only just turned 19 years old. Her vision, imagination and illustrative detail is phenomenal. I love everything about her artwork. It's colorful, its HAUTE COUTURE FASHION, and the images are so original.















I've tried to resize these pictures but they tend to lose their definition. You can see what she does. The girl is bad, and I'm glad I know of her work. I'd like to own a print one day.

AMY WINEHOUSE

My pick for the vocal artist of the month is Amy Winehouse!! From the moment I saw her tv trailers for the debut of her CD, I just knew there was something about her I liked, and once I bought the CD...I was certain I liked her. She is young, but she has an old R & B soul....that's nothing new for White Soul Singers. What is new is that she goes waaaaay back to an era of music that you wouldn't believe could be fused with some up-to-date rhythms. The songs conjure up memories that I believed were long forgotten. Like the kind of music I heard playing when I was 3 or 4 years old. The kind of music my mom used to dance to when she got dressed up in her sparkly earrings and pin-curled hair.

I can't stop telling folks about her, and I can't stop listening to her CD. I have to play it loud too...'cause that way it gets all up in your soul and spirit. LOL...I'm serious, I love the way this music makes me feel. I don't care what anybody else thinks....I like her. I don't know what her follow up CD will be, but if it's in this vain, I'll be happy.

I also like Mr. John Mayer....I heard two of his songs on CSI: Las Vegas and I was like, "OK, I'm diggin' John Mayer." So I think I may check out his CD too.

Another group I heard about from one of my actor friends almost 3 years ago is Zero 7. Recently I heard one of their songs on the show "Grey's Anatomy" and it struck a familiar chord with me. I was like, "why does that song sound so familiar?" So I went searching for it and found the name and realized my friend Keith Tilque used to bring it to class and we always listened to it during our warm-ups.

IN THE YEAR 2032!

I just saw a very funny video that showed some celebrity babies and what they may look like and sound like when they're in their middle 20's early 3o's and it was so funny. Suri Cruise, Shiloh Jolie-Pitt, Sean Preston Spears, Blanket Jackson and Rocco Ritchie.

The actors they chose to portray these kids was pretty dead on looking like the aged babies, and their mind set in their conversations is a testament to how they're being raised by their famous parents. It's quite hilarious. Makes you wonder about our futures though. Where will I be in 25 years? Have mercy!! I wonder what I'll be writing about at that age?! LIVE YOUR LIFE TO THE FULLEST, THIS AIN'T NO DRESS REHEARSAL!