I like this sign. It says a lot about how I'm feelin' right now.

IT'S ON AND POPPIN'!

It's the end of month and it sure has been an interesting one to say the least. Especially this week. I have been challenging myself to become more prolific in computer techniques/graphics as well as getting my products out into cyberspace.

I have been teaching myself how to create unique works of art in Adobe Photoshop since a friend did some creative work on the website. She inspired me to learn more and use all of these programs and software I've acquired over the years. Thanks Miss Emily Y.

I have even delved into making mini movies with a movie maker program I have. It's really quite ambitious when you think about it. Gathering footage, graphics, clipart and photos require just the right selections to tell your story. Sometimes it comes together nicely, but other times I have found myself just stifled.

My goal is to create a BANNER for my blog and other website venues. I have been struggling to come up with just the right images, and I haven't been able to pull it together yet. I just love the banners that I see on other sites and I am determined to come up with a few that mirrors my style and work.

And now I have an Etsy shop and that's great. You can sell your handmade items on there for a nominal fee. I have noticed that not only do a lot of "artists" have websites and blogs, but they also sell their products on eBay and Etsy. So, I have joined the ranks and pray that I continue to grow and expose people to my goods. I have even had a few "comments" on this blog....so somebody out there's reading. IT'S ON AND POPPIN! :0)

Much needed "R & R"

I remember the first time I heard that expression, the year was 1978 and a coworker said it. I didn't want to appear dumb, so I didn't ask what it was right out. She kept saying it, and I wanted to see how she connected "R & R" to what she continued to talk about....in the hood, we never say R & R...we say "GET OUT OF DODGE." Meaning...we're going away, on vacation, for a little Rest & Relaxation. LOL!!! R & R...yep I took a much needed mini vacation to my hometown of Sacramento.












First stop San Francisco. My mom, sister, and I took the Ferry from Vallejo into San Francisco on a mission to find a wonderful store that I found on the internet.




Tobie, Mom, Christine - Say cheese!














This store, Bell'occhio, sells wonderful and rare items such as ribbons, perfume, ephemera, candy and stationery.













This store is a treasure shop for people like me who just love romantic and vintage items.

I was sursprised by how small the space was, but it was gorgeous inside. Lots of beautiful signs, dress forms, and mannequins. They have the rarest of rare items you'd ever expect to see in a French inspired boutique.

I asked the shopkeeper if I could take photos of some items, but she wasn't hearing it. Good thing I snuck one picture of me inside the place. Otherwise how would you know what it looks like, and how would I remember all the beauty of Bell'occhio. What I loved about the store was the time and care that was taken in packaging my bought items. My goods were wrapped in tissue, and then tied with a gorgeous red bow. She even finished ribbons off by clipping them with rare pinking shears. This kind of luxury packaging is reserved for the well-heeled and its a time honored tradition. I just loved it.


The other cool thing about the store was their door. The shopkeeper walked us out and showed us this mechanical eye that's affixed to the door. She demonstrated to us that it "opened" and "closed" to let customers know if the shop was open or closed. It was really quite unique.

My sister, mom and I walked almost 16 blocks from the pier to the store, and it was great fun. However, my mom and I decided to take the trolley back to the pier. My sister Tobie is an avid walker, so she walked the entire way back.



What a great day we had, visiting the shops and boutiques at the ferry and then checking out the store. We plan to go back and spend an entire day just shopping in San Francisco.

Hi and bye Mom!!

THE ONE THAT GOT AWAY....

While I was visiting Sac. I had one other thing on my mind and I couldn't wait to get there...GOIN' FISHIN' with the family. My cousins Marilyn and Herman were members of a resort just outside of Sac. and a few of the family spent the weekend doing what we love best, Fishin' and Eatin'. :0) My sister Fran, and I took our great niece Alexis on her first fishing trip and it was a lot of fun. My dad and other cousins met us there, and we all had a wonderful time fishing, playing cards and eating....did I mention we love cooking and eating???


I hadn't been fishing for a couple of years, so this was going to be a treat. We got there on a Friday night, but no one was interested in night fishing. So we sat up and talked and ate snacks and nestled in for an early morning wake up call to go fishing. I got up about 5:30am and we were dressed on on the bank by 6:15 or so. This resort, Lake Minden, was beautiful and the weather was perfect.

My great niece Alexis did very well for her first time fishing. And she learned how to fish on a rod & reel, not an 'ole pole like we had when we were kids! It was fun to see her finally reel one in. Go Lexi!!

So here's my story of the one that got away. My sister and I were standing near one another, and I finally got a great bite. Fran always catches the big ones, but I could tell that I had a nice fish on my line. Well, in my anxiousness to reel this nice sized bass in, the fish kind of took over and swam toward a large tree branch floating in the water. I was so busy reeling I wasn't paying attention, so it ended up getting hung up in that branch. My dad called right in the middle of us trying to get the fish and it was like chaos and panic!! I didn't want to lose the fish, but it was apparent that I was going to have to break the line. When I did, we noticed that the fish was still tangled up in the branch. So I threw down the reel, ran to my cousins RV and grabbed anything that would help me pull the branch within reaching distance.

After several tries, I grabbed the branch...and all the while, my sister was holding on to me as I reached and reached for the tree. It was so funny, as I'm sure passersby didn't have a clue what I was doing...all they saw was this "human chain" she and I had formed. I was determined not to lose that fish!!! So finally, finally I pulled that large branch out of the water, and me and my sister were so happy we had it....until further inspection of the branch showed that the fish was no longer tangled and had plopped right back into the lake. Doggonit!!! We were so busy pulling out that branch that neither one of us kept an eye on getting to the fish. So....I was left with my fish tale, and NO PICTURES either...of the one that got away. Later, as we were telling the story to my cousins, one cousin offered that she was in the club house and a few patrons were retelling what they had just saw on the lake...two women forming a human chain. Little did she know that it was us they were talking about. I didn't care...I was on a mission! I caught about a dozen or more little perch/bluegills...but had to throw them back since they were so small. I might have been catchin' the same ones over and over - who knows?? It was fun and that's all that mattered.


My cousins drove their Mobile homes and man, they have beautiful RV's! We ate and fellowshipped the rest of the day. What a nice outing for the family, and I hope to return soon to LAKE MINDEN. Thanks for a great time guys...Marilyn, Ebony & Big Will, Diane & Slim, Norman & Art, Dad, Fran, Alexis, Herman, Jr. & family, Anthony, Angie and families...we had a great time!

NIECES & NEPHEWS ARE GREAT...OH MY!

I also visited with a few of my great nieces and great nephews while I was there. These are my brothers Raymond and Robert's grandchildren from their sons and a daughter...Aaron, Bryant, Decia, Damont. Loves'em!



Chelsea, Darrius, and Coco!!!




Derrick Jr. on his way to the ballpark!







Niece Vanessa and her Aunt Francine!!





My man Frenchie. My nephew's so handsome!















"The recent Graduate" Iessa & mom Olivia

I even visited with my girlfriend in Stockton, and she treated me to a wonderful concert featuring Norman Brown. I really had an enjoyable trip!!

"HAVIN' MY BABY. WHAT A LOVELY WAY TO SAY HOW MUCH YOU LOVE ME!"

Right about now, that's what my nephew is saying to his fiance. On June 2, 2007, Ezekiel was born to Kevin & Cher. He's healthy and everybody is ecstatic! He's a cutie too! Yes he is...yes he is. This is my sister Fran's first Grandbaby, my little great nephew from the Burton/Brewer family. In a few short months, she'll have a second grandbaby to celebrate as her daughter Atija is pregnant too! What a way to expand the family!! Love is in the air....:0)

IESSA GRADUATES

This was the month for a lot of great nieces and nephew news! My great niece, Iessa, graduated from Sacramento High School on June 2, 2007. Here are some pics

Olivia, Iessa's mom, threw a wonderful Grad party. What a great time we had celebrating this young lady's achievement. She's studying nursing with hopes of becoming a Pediatrician. Way to go sweetie, this is my late brother Robert's granddaughter. Bryant (late) and Oliva are her parents. Most of the family, including a lot of my other great nieces and nephews were there also.

There's no place like home

A couple of weeks back I flew into Sacramento Airport for a little R&R (I'll post some pics of this trip home shortly) and there had been a wonderful renovation of the airport. New food court, news stands and souvenir shops. I hadn't flown in so long I was totally taken aback. There was once catch though. Here's what passengers had to endure to claim their luggage. Sac-o-tomates....ain't nothin' changed. LOL!!!!!

ART WALK AT THE BREWERY COMPLEX

Some months back I attended a wonderful Art Walk at The Brewery in Los Angeles. What a wonderful day to walk into the studios and galleries of artists in this beautiful setting. I was also there to attend a play at one of my choir member's playhouse - "KSLG Playhouse". Sharon Graines is the first black female to own a theatre house, and I support her whenever I can. Her playhouse is at The Brewery and me and my friend April enjoyed the whole experience.

Sharon and company take their bows.

Here are some of the sights we took in at the complex. I just loved the complex because of the foliage and lots and lots of cacti and various succulents. It's amazing to me how beautifully designed the spaces are.

These are some outrageous (to say the least) designs from YOUR PSYCHO GIRLFRIEND clothing boutique.

What a stunning lady!

I just love the expression on this mannequin's face. I want to recreate the face (au Noir), and this is perfect. She has just the right amount of Sass & Class.

Isn't this alphabet tag lovely? This is from designer Anahata of PaPaYa!! I absolutely love their designs. I can't describe the style it is but for lack of a better description, I'll say it's "ethereal," that always covers the gamut of interesting work such as this.

Here is one more favorite thing. I was on the bus one day and saw a woman carrying a tote bag with a fabulous image of a woman's head on it. I had to know where she got it and she told me the store she worked in carried it...BUT...they had sold that particular bag and hadn't had it for months. Well being one not to be deterred, I set out on a mission to find the designer. If I could find the designer, I could locate a store, and perhaps get one. So I called the woman's store and spoke to the manager. I described the tote and luckily she remembered the designer/company. It was produced by a company called "FLUFF".........internet!!! I went straight to it and found several sites called Fluff until I saw her! Wouldn't you know it, they didn't have any more totes or handbags with her image, and they didn't even have a T-shirt with her image.....all these other images on the site except for her. I liked some of the other stuff, but she was the one I wanted. Oh well....here are a couple of items from their beautiful line of products.

What's so great about the day I saw the tote was that I had just begun to attempt designing my own kind of logo. I had been doodling on the train and came up with an image with a long neck just like this mannequin.

As you can see from my diary page, I had begun designing this and BAM! I see a truly magnificent specimen of the very thing I wanted to duplicate. The reason I had started with this long neck image was years ago I checked out a fashion illustratin book from my neighborhood libary, and I loved the images. The night before, I had found those illustrations, and decided that I would try to recreate something for myself. Thus...the mannequin head image. This is what freaks me out sometimes. I can't often tell other folks about these "coincidences/blessings", whatever you want to call them 'cause one might think I was a bit loopy, but I always document what I'm saying and ONE DAY, SOMEONE WILL BELIEVE...that I'm blessed and highly favored. :0)

Some people say there aren't any coincidences, it's just God talking to you - I can believe that. So anyway, these things happen more often than I'm willing to admit to anyone, but there you have it. I am always happy to share my insights, and viewings of all things ARTSY(and Fashiony- yes) because I love it so...and maybe you do too.

WHEN YOU PRAY IN PRIVATE, GOD ANSWERS PUBLICLY

I have so much to be thankful for this day...I awoke this morning and started another day's journey - Thank you Lord!

Sometimes we don't realize how lucky, or blessed we are until we measure another person's misfortunes or struggles.

This week my family suffered a terrible loss when 3 family members and a friend died in a head on collision in Sacramento. The 19th month old Grandson of my cousin Monroe Osby, Sr. was killed along with his mother, and his aunt. They were hit by a drunk driver.

In Memoriam....
Kamall Dino-Savant Osby (son)
Brizchelle Tacorra Rice-Nash (mother)
Brittanya Metchelle Rice-Nash (sister/aunt)

My cousin's son, Quentin, has another son by Brizchelle, Karell who's 4 years old. Both of the families of the deceased are dealing with this senseless tragedy as best as can be expected. My condolonces and prayers go out to them all.

PUBLIC RECOGNITION

I am happy to say that I have been blessed again with some wonderful public recognition for my artistry in sewing and arts & crafts.

First, two purses that were submitted to Haute Handbag are published in the May 2007 issue. I am thrilled beyond belief, as this has been my second attempt at submitting to any magazine ever, and I have been featured both times.

So this was one great surprise and awesome accomplishment. But oh...it gets betta! Last year I submitted an application to do some craft projects on "That's Clever", the HGTV craft show for undiscovered artists.

So I get an email...."we're ready to take your application to the next level.." AHHHHHHHHHH! They selected me to do the show and I'll be taping in 2 weeks. I'm so psyched, I can't tell you. And the bonus is...not only am I doing one major project (a patch on a pillow), but I get to close the show with a mini-project too!

You see, the last time I watched the program I saw this other girl do a mini project and that got me thinking...yea, I'd like to do that too. So when I submitted my application, I submitted several different ideas for projects. Now mind you, it's up to them to select what they want, so when they said....let's do the mini-project, I was like - "I'm in there baby!"

This has got to be one of the best public exposures I have had in years. I am one of those people who is in a movie, but never get any face time. Or I do some tv show, and the camera hits me once or twice and then stays on someone else for forever.

There's only been one other time that I did get a lot of play in a feature film, but it was in limited release so...whatever. However, I when I was a regular on a dance tv show years ago..I did get my share of face time.

But lately, it hadn't happened. I was in Chris Rock's movie, 'Head of State' - standing inches away from the stars. Did you see me in that movie? Noooo!! That's what I'm talking about. I taped the Kid's Choice Awards in 2005 with some of my choir members. The camera panned on my side of the stage once, and closed the show with the other side featuring the other choir members. I mean, what the hell is up with that? LOL Anyway...I have complained enough about it, so I prayed for God to do something big in my life. "Make me happy, I wanna be featured..." and he answered. God answered my private prayer in a very public way!

My family and friends are thrilled, and I can see that I am going to have to work all this exposure for every little ounce it's worth....oh you ain't seen a sistah do it like I'm about to do it. LOL. My time is now and I'm going to ride this 15 minutes into hours, days, weeks, years!!!

So that's what I've been dealing with lately, and I must say it feels damn good. I feel good to have people tell me I'm talented and that I deserve this. I believe I do deserve it too. Why not? If I wasn't talented...would I be getting this kind or recognition? I've had a problem over the years accepting certain things about myself, but no more.

I am learning to accept compliments, accolades, rewards and I believe it's going to serve me well. I will be able to sell my products, and represent myself with the confidence and professionalism that I need to. When I approach a business with my new credentials, I will feel confident that I can walk the walk as well as talk the talk.

Anyway, I'll tell you all about all the tapings and press releases and post more pictures when they become available. Thank you Jesus for answering my prayers.

IT'S THAT TIME OF YEAR AGAIN....THE TOYOTA GRAND PRIX IN LONG BEACH

Yep, the barriers are going up around my workplace because the Toyota Grand Prix will be here in April.

I have never gone before, but maybe I'll be blessed with a ticket this year. What's even better is that we get a day off the day before the races begin because when the trial runs start, the noise is just unbearable. The cars zoom around most of the day prior to the race, so that Friday we get to be off.

I love it though. The area is filled with excitement as you see the signs and banners of the sponsors go up. The race cars are awesome too. Even the Hollwood celebs have a day where they come out and test drive the cars. I have never seen any of them, but you always read about it in the paper the next day or see it on the entertainment shows.

BIKE SCULPTURE EXHIBIT

I also noticed that there is some art on the steps of the Long Beach Performing Arts Center. A temporary "Bike Art Exhibit" has been set up for the past few weeks. It's pretty cool because a lot of people do bike around Long Beach to get around. Whoever the sculptors are; they created some masterpieces, and that's why they're there!

This sculptor added moving parts. The top wheel rotates like a windmill. Pretty ingenious!Isn't this sea turtle the coolest?

I CANNOT BELIEVE IT!

I was on the internet reviewing different artistic sites today and came upon some cool "clothing" websites. First let me tell you, I "KNOW" God is guiding my hand and talents...because when I see what I see on the internet, it just blows my mind. He wants me to realize that I have been procrastinating, and that NOW IS THE TIME to get out there and do what I know I have to do....CREATE AND SHOW MY WORK! No matter whether my acceptance is good, bad, or indifferent....I've got to be out there, just like the people's sites I've visited.

Anyway, it's amazing how I select these sites that show me something, and teach me about what it is I have to do. Years ago I came up with an idea to attach accessories to clothing. My line would be called "Snap-To-It"(c) copyright. I never did the prototype, and never even discussed it with anyone. And that's what makes me even more upset....just like one other idea I had that someone created and ran with....today I saw where the designer created a shirt with a row of snaps on the outside of the item, a "Snap Shirt" is what she called it. The designer's name is Karly Hand, and I have to give her her props. She thought of it too, in her own way. I still have my way...which I intend to create and sell. She states the following - "The fantastic thing about this shirt is that it allows you to reconstruct on the fly with no sewing skills at all in the world. Snap a new goodie on or off on a whim!" DAMMNNIIITTT!! :0) Girlfriend did exactly what I set out to do. But you know....I'm not going to be discouraged because everybody's got their own vision of things. I mean, if the first person to make something unique stopped after he saw another designer create a unique item...where would we be?

I was intrigued by this site, so I read Karly's bio and she mentioned that she and some other women (I think they're Gay folks too-not that there's anything wrong with it :0) I just noticed it said "Dyke-friendly styles". Who else but Gay people would make that distinction? I'm jus' sayin'.), have banded together to create a "handmade" designer consortium of sorts. They have produced a fashion show called STITCH in Austin, TX and it appears to be a great success. She also has a show on TV called, Stylelicious, where she and her team of designers show the viewers how to create and construct items into garments. I am so with that idea. I have been doing this for years.....it's amazing when you actually see and hear of someone who is on the same page as yourself.

Anyway, this little discovery today just inspired me to do what I have to do...get busy and get out there....thanks to Karly and her Austin Craft Mafia.

IT'S MY BIRTH MONTH!! IT'S MY BIRTH MONTH!! I'M GON' PARTY LIKE IT'S MY BIRTH MONTH!

Yes, yes...with each passing year we get older, and this month I will age another year...ugh/yea! That's exactly how I feel too. I hate to get older in age, but I am damn sure glad to be alive!! LOL

When I look at my peers and the health issues they are having right now...yes, I am blessed because my azz has been doing all the wrong things for too long. OK you've heard it all before, and I keep saying "I'll change."

But yesterday I got online and found the top ten healthiest foods, and I'm going to try something. I'm not going to say another word on the subject. You'll have to just see the new and improved me...when I become new and improved. Yea I said it. That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

I have never, ever had a real birthday celebration as an adult. My cousin throws herself a party every year, but I never seem to have my Sh...together enough to do it. Where would I have it? Who do I invite? Geez...could I really pull it off and would people show up??!!

Most years, I just take the day off or celebrate after my actual day, or I just do something alone that makes me feel like I'm bringing it in with a bang! I'll be a lucky if I even feel like celebrating...last year was horrible...nothing felt right, and people reacted with little or no enthusiasm about it. I mean the people who really counted. I did something weeks after my birthday, but the actual day sucked. So since that was a milestone birthday and nothing happened, my expectations are low. But, I'm not going to have a pity party. I'll just thank God for my birthday and that will be that. Whatever else happens is really icing on the cake. So with that said....HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ALL US SPRINGTIME BABIES! March 21st, 2007 is Christine's special, spectacular birthday and I'm going to act like it.

JUST A TRAGIC TURN OF EVENTS

Finally, I have to make mention of this because it really hurt my heart so....I mean so many terrible things do, but this is the latest terrible event. A father deliberately crashed his Cessna plane into his ex mother-in-law's house, killing himself and his 8 year daughter...because he wanted to get back at his ex wife. What kind of person says to himself, that my daugher, my own flesh and blood is worth nothing to the world but to be used as a pawn in an act of revenge? Reports say that the man called his wife and said, "you'll never get her!" and that the little girl could be heard in the background crying for her mother to come get her. This man saw that he could hurt his wife for divorcing him, and just wouldn't let the fact that he had visitation rights with the daughter be enough. His ego, his pride, his self worth was so damaged when she divorced him, that he set about this plan to destroy her world, just like his was.

I am just so distraught about events like this - suicide/homicide. One of my little cousin's was killed like this and it is such a cowardly act. If this sick individual wants to kill themselves, fine - no one can stop them, but to involve someone else unwillingly, unknowingly, and so innocently is just appalling. Will this man burn in hell forever? Will this wife, and the grandmother, and their family and friends ever come to grips with this loss of life...this innocent child's beautiful life? God has all the answers, but I am praying for understanding. I am praying for peace and for acceptance, and that the mother will not blame these events on herself. How can people be so cruel? It's a sad and terrible world we live in sometimes.

HOW YOU DOIN? OH I'M SEW, SEW...

Oh my goodness, what a wonderful weekend I had. I could not have asked for more fun and adventure.

On Sat. my sewing buddy, cousin Dena, and I embarked on a day of sewing and creating projects because we've recently launched a website www.kissnkuznsdesigns.com and also want to get ready as vendors for the upcoming Jazz festivals that will occur in the summer.

However, before we got started sewing, she and I went shopping at a great Thrift Store in Inglewood, CA. Dena and I have similar tastes, but that day we each found very unique and wonderful items. And the best thing of all.....EVERYTHING WAS HALF OFF!

I found this awesome vintage dress in an iridescent green and purple. The collar is what caught my eye! This picture is good, but in person it's awesome.



Dena found the dress and wasn't exactly thrilled with it, but what we sewing fanatics do sometimes is buy the item for the fabric, and that's what I wanted to do - utilize the collar on something. However, when I tried it on...I loved it so I kept it. I paid all of $3.00 for it.

Then, Dena found this great short peacoat in a Camel color. It has some gorgeous buttons on it and fit her to a T! She also found 2 skirts and a blouse.

I found a great patchwork purse (1.00), a patchwork halter ($1.00) and a wonderful beaded dress ($3.00). This dress was way too small, but the beadwork on the bodice was to dye for! LOL So I bought it and will cut away the dress and wear the upper half as a top.

After shopping we ate lunch, while watching a movie. We really didn't do much sewing by this time, but brainstormed on some names for our products. All-in-all it was a great day to shop, lunch and talk shop.

Our friend Lou invited us to her co-worker's performance in San Pedro, so we got dressed and headed to her house, and then to San Pedro to the La Conga Bar & Grill.

QUEEN OF THE SALSA...ONE-TWO..CHA,CHA,CHA!

The featured bands were Azteclan and one other band (we didn't stay)....but all were former members of groups like Tower of Power, War, Tierra, James Brown's band and Carlos Santana's band.

We ate chips, salsa, and guacamole dip and and danced. The band was really, really good. Some friends of Lou's came and that's when the excitement began.

This guy, Ramon (I think that was his name :0), came with two other ladies; Gloria and Marisol. Ramon was a dancing fool! He took Dena and me out on the dance floor and wore us out! Actually, Dena only danced with him once because when he found out that I could keep up with his moves ....I was his partner for most of the night. I mean he danced me into hot sweats and weak-kneed convulsions. Everyone was surprised that I did so well...but I knew I could hang....I'M A DANCER!! :0)

When we began dancing, Ramon asked every lady at the table to dance with him. They all declined. I love to dance, so I got on the floor with him. Little did I know that he would spin me into oblivion.

Here we are doing the damn thang!

Ramon and I danced so well together, the band gave us a free CD. I chose a "Mambo" CD.

While he and I were dancing, he would bury his head next to mine (and because he was shorter than me) and guide me across the floor at a steady pace....after watching the two of us doing that kind of dancing, his friends finally got up and starting dancing.

At one point the music was so good, Dena and I got up and did the electric slide, and this other woman joined us. Just the three of us danced and we had a ball.

Gloria finally got up and danced with him, but a few of us suspect that Gloria became a little jealous of us dancing, because before the band ended she was ready to leave.

Ramon and I hugged and promised to meet again one day...I hope that he comes alone, and I'll know to be ready for a night of Salsa dancing that will leave me sweating and breathless.

KEVIN WOMACK & FRIENDS

Sunday night was Oscar night. Jennifer Hudson and Eddie Murphy were both up for Best Supporting Actor/Actress awards, but only Jennifer won (WHOOHOO!).

We were invited to an event at the Celebrity Centre in Hollywood featuring the singer Kevin Womack, a friend of Dena's. When we got there, I realized I had been to this beautiful facility before.

My acting buddy, Ken Foster, invited me in 2005 to attend an awards dinner hosted by Mai Mai Ali, Muhammad Ali's daughter who is a rapper and singer.

It was the COLSAC awards, and Brock Peters was honored that night. Ken and I even took pictures with Mr. Peters.

This event was a charity to benefit Domestic Violence programs, and was basically a talent showcase for Kevin and his friends.

A comedian hosted the event, and then there was a couple of skits about Domestic Violence. Then an up-and-coming Female Rapper by the name of Rain performed two songs.

Another comedian by the name of Stixx performed too. He was pretty good.

Throughout the evening, prizes were raffled off. There were some good ones too.

Our friend Michele won a nice bath set. Shortly afterwards, Dena and I ran to enter our names into the drawings.

Michele and her bath set.

And when the next drawing came up, Dena won a certificate from Baker's Square.

Dena leaving stage after winning gift certificate.

She said to me that now I needed to win, and after a couple of other winners, my name was called too.

Smile for the camera Dena!

I mean it was amazing how quickly we won after we entered our names in the raffle. I won a gift certificate to Marie Callendars. The photographer rarely gets their picture taken. :0(

The entertainment was pretty good, but the production was a bit on the amateurish side. What really made us cringe was how the Producer kept walking on stage in the middle of Kevin's peformance. She would brought him water right when he was singing (and they were videotaping the entire event).

Then, she stood on stage next to his background singers and just danced and sang the song like she was part of the band. It was totally ghetto and unprofessional. We could not believe it! It was a night I will not soon forget.