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.

I'M A THREADHEAD

A few months back I was surfing the net and found a cool site called "ThreadBanger". It's an online video show that features interviews and instructions for "Do It Yourselfers." The show documents all kinds of DIY projects and events for those of us who love to sew and make things. The hosts, Corinne and Rob, are the perfect pair to host a show like this too. They have a unique look, style and wit.

I absolutely love this site because I have found lots of great tips and techniques, not to mention, it has raised the bar for a lot of projects I'm working on...and I realize I can do so much more with them.

There's features where you can send in your own video detailing your project, or you can just post items to the site. People ask questions and post answers in the "forum" section, and I love going through those because you learn all kinds of stuff.

Some guy posted a recipe for making microwave popcorn using a brown bag and loose popcorn kernels. I always buy loose popcorn because it lasts longer than the 3 mini bags I get at the store, so this really hit home for me. Imagine, now all I have to do is buy the brown lunch bags, smear some butter on one side, pour some kernels in, and let it POP, POP, POP. And I don't have to clean up my big old pan each time. Sweet! If you don't know...you don't know.

There was also this other young kid who makes these awesome T-shirts, and he's gotten attention from Rock Stars, Movie Stars and the like...and his creativity is awesome. The fact that he's making money, and was willing to share his techniques online is great...because it showed me that I need to think "waaaaay outside the box." I am being too conservative...so I need to really let go once in a while. I can at least have a little of both you know?

The other thing I like is that they have their own "Threadhead" language (will post when I find it again), and they sign off on every show with this hand gesture that resembles cutting the air with scissors. (Check out the ad above and you can see Corrine signin') :0) You know how we all want to "identify" ourselves with something cool? Well if I start doing that, perhaps I'll run into some other Threadheads and we'll greet each other with our secret hand signals....I know, it's whacky, but what else is new? Snip, Snip!!

A COUPLE OF QUEEN B'S

I recently had an opportunity to listen, really listen again to Miss Mary J. Blige on her "The Breakthrough" CD.

I was having a particularly rough night, very emotionally spent, and I had to settle myself down. So I put on my iPod, and I had forgotten that I had selected Mary J. the day before. So when I hit the play button, she began to immediately speak...to me...like I had never heard her speak before.

I remember when I used to see those video clips of the young girls crying back stage at Janet Jackson's Rythm Nation concerts and they were just going on and on about how she touched their lives etc. Well, I now felt that same way.

It was amazing because there were at least 3-4 songs in a row that had a message that I hadn't thought applied to me. You know how you just hear that bangin' beat, and you sing the words, but you're not processing them internally? Well that's what I had been doing up until this night. And the richness of her tone and voice were just incredible...she is a true singer in every respect. I thought I knew it before, but I really do now.

I tell you, I had my own Breakthrough that night and I couldn't believe it. I didn't go out and change how I was handling myself the next day, but it confirmed within me that what I have been doing was ok. The songs "Take Me As I Am", "Gonna Breakthrough", "Can't Keep A Good Woman Down" and "Enough Cryin" did it for me. WOW!!! I have loved Mary's transformation over the years, heard her stories, and watched her DVD where she gives more insight into her songs, and I just began to really appreciate her journey.

I didn't realize how much our lives were being mirrored until that night, and I'm thankful that now I do know it. You just never know how the message is going to be delivered to you. Not only do you not know by whom, but I believe God knew I needed to hear it right then and right there....there's no other explanation.

So I have to say thank you Mary J. for continuing to make such wonderful music. I definitely do feel you.

BEYONCE

My opinion of this artist has been changed. From the moment I saw her sing an operatic song on an Academy Award show a few years back...I knew Beyonce was a consumate performer. She really did sing her @ss off!

My opinion up to that point was that she was all show and little substance (a Janet Jackson type - sorry but Ms. Jackson is a featherweight in the singing dept.). So I stand corrected Miss B.

I have never bought a Destiny's Child CD, but a friend made a copy for me. It was the CD before their final farewell CD. Surprisingly I liked most of the CD, and found a few songs where I loved the music and lyrics.

I remember the first time I ever saw Destiny's Child, I immediately taped the video, "NO, NO, NO, NO, NO." I used to tape a lot of videos years ago from BET's video programs and this was one I had to have.

As I watched them through the years, I was like, "umph, they're doing their thing" - nothing groundbreaking or earth shattering...until "Bills, Bills, Bills" came out. I loved that video and the clothes (of course). So I taped that one too.

Their albums came and went and I liked a few radio hits. Fast forward to Miss B's B-Day album. I was watching MTV Tr3s a few weeks back and caught her on a show that was already in progress. Beyonce was previewing the videos from her album and providing commentary on how they were created. It was a very good show!!

I saw one video in particular that nailed it for me...."Get Me Bodied." Ok, I'm a Theatre Arts major and I love musicals...and singing and dancing. That's why I get all hyped up about fashion, animation, and art & entertaining....I love performing.

As she began to talk about this video, I knew already that the theme was from one of my favorite musicals I had the opportunity to tape years ago, "Sweet Charity" featuring Shirley MacLaine, Chita Rivera and the awesome Paula Kelly. The dance sequences in that movie were choreographed by the late great Bob Fosse and they were incredible.

I had never seen this movie before, so when I happened upon it, it changed me forever because I realized that back then, Fosse was the king...or queen, :0) as it were. This movie made him a bad mutha (shut yo' mouth)!!!

Oh my gosh, the costumes, the sets, the dancers...PHENOMENAL. I have watched a number of Fosse movies, and this one was the best. This movie also starred a number of great male stars like Sammy Davis, Jr., Ben Vereen, Ricardo Montalban and Stubby Kaye...the old hoofers!

If you've never seen Sweet Charity, you might not have an appreciation for what Beyonce's people did. They kept the integrity of the dance number in tact while infusing what's popular in dance today. The clothing and bits of Sweet Charity's choreography were also used and it was done very well.

I enjoyed the commentary of each of the other video's too because it lets you know just how much work and technology is involved. I won't go into it because I can't remember everything she said...but it involves long hours and a lot of hard, hard work.

I have to give props where props are due....and they are definitely due to Miss B! I am amazed at her talent and her style. I felt that way when I saw her in Dreamgirls too. She held her own in my opinion although Jennifer ran away with the Oscar. Beyonce is very stylized. She has that "it" girl factor working for her and she's a triple threat...she sings, she dances and she acts (not in the dramatic, oscar winning category, but she's doin' the damn thang).

Thanks go out to Beyonce for bringing back a favorite musical with that video, and she has my vote for entertainer of the year. She is Beyoncelicious!!

DANCES FROM THA HOOD

Oh my goodness....this show is a hoot! I caught an episode on "what else?" - MTV Tr3s!! What can I say...there's some interesting shows on there if you catch them. :0)

I can remember my days being on The Dance Connection television show in Washington, DC, and when I saw this show, I was glad that we weren't in the least bit "Ghetto Fabulous" even with our low budget.

This show has a host who is very street savvy and she can move. She has her cast of regulars and they do all the latest dances from the streets and videos. So if you want to learn how to do the "Aunt Jackie"...you've got to watch "Tweetie" do her thang.

I was crackin' up at her....but she's got her tv host personality in tact. She's lively, she's funny, and she has kept this idea on tv where other shows like this have failed. They've had a couple of dance off tv shows and they just didn't last.

Gotta give props out to 'DANCES' FROM THA HOOD'. You've got to see it to believe it.

THE WORLD ACCORDING TO.....???

I've had a wild and wonderful few weeks preparing for yesterdays craft fair. On Sunday, Aug. 12th I set up the Kiss'n Kuzn's booth as a vendor at Craftivism. Yep I did the damn thang, and it was fun.

Here's a few pics of the booth.

The organization that hosted the event, AIGA Design, picked the site of L.A.'s new building of loft apartments - Santee Courtyard on 7th and Los Angeles Street.

Very beautifully decorated lofts and crafts go together like...I don't know, somebody thought they'd go together.

Each visitor was given two free drink tickets with their $10 admission. So one had to pass all of us vendors to get to the lofts and the bar. Very clever indeed.

The hosts said 400 people showed up. That's incredible. From my vantage point (and sales) I wouldn't have believed that many people were there, but it was a great experience and wonderful exposure.

The brother with the hoops is from Tanzania. I didn't want to ask him to take too many pictures, but he was dressed from head to toe in his traditional outfit. Click on the picture to enlarge it, and you'll see that he had a large disc under his nose and plates in his lips. My first time seeing someone like him up close.

I liked this purse this woman was carrying. It's my next project. :0)

Check out these interior shots of the lofts, the furnishings were exquisite.

It's amazing to me to see all these wonderful designers/crafters in Los Angeles vying to catch someone's attention and desires. That's what these events are really about. It's not so much whether you "need" any of the stuff - you see something and this desire kicks in...and you walk around and review everything everyone has to offer and then you make a selection. If the desire doesn't warrant a purchase, you take a flyer or a card and tell yourself that you "will" buy something at some later date. That's what I do anyway.

D'Merlincasell - fabulous original clothing. Haute Couture baby! This designer had his own booth space at end of the courtyard - standing alone from the rest of us. Very deserving too.

There was food, an on site art gallery and of course the lofts and bar to take in. Quite a lot to digest in four hours, but everyone I saw was smiling and having a great time.

I heard other vendors doing well while some didn't do much. It was hot, the sun kept taunting us going in and out, and then before you knew it, the day had faded away and the event was over. I'm glad I was a part of it.

I LOVE THESE TORSOES......awesome aren't they?

The artist, Michel Beausoleil, said that he used discarded torsoes from Neiman Marcus. I want that hook-up! :0)

ANIMATION NATION

I don't know about you, but I am "hooked" on prime time television shows featuring animated characters. And they're not cartoons, because cartoons are a whole other genre.

From the moment I saw "The Simpsons" on The Tracy Ullman show years ago, I knew that I would tune in to watch these wacky characters. To date there has been only one other show that rivaled the Simpsons for me, Eddie Murphy's "PJ's". Unfortunately the show was so frought with controversy on it's political correctness...it was doomed before we really had a chance to see how far it would develop.

It was utter nonsense to me the way Black folks were up in arms about this show. "It's stereotyping people in the Ghetto." "He's making Black Folks look stupid"...and on and on. Hello!!!??? It was a ground breaking idea, as there were no characters in cartoons or any other animated show that were about Blacks. Why can't we just let people do their thing, and respect their creative ideas? That show was funny, I don't care what you say. And on top of that....Black actors were working at a steady gig! What's the problem here?

I am the first one to get on my soapbox and talk about being politically correct. But the PJ's was nothing more than "farce" and it was damned entertaining - plenty of laughs and it was also educational. I dont' live in the ghetto, so I appreciated being informed on the term "ghetto fabulous" or "crackhead"....it was the first time I saw those characters, and it was in this show. And again...IT WAS FUNNY! Sometimes we're our own worst critics. Moving on....

Adult Entertainment themes...

Last night I was exhausted from the craft event, so I just laid on the couch and watched the whole line up on Fox TV - The Simpsons, American Dad and Family Guy. I also catch King of The Hill when I can because that truly is a funny show about Texas rednecks.

As I watched the latter two shows, with it's Adult Content viewer warning, I began to wonder how these shows can be so successful with the violence, sexual innuendos and dysfunctional family life they portray. The writers are witty and clever, but some of the dialogue makes even me blush at times.

If you have never seen American Dad or Family Guy, you owe it to yourself to watch a couple of episodes. As hard as they try to always end on a positive note, it's getting through all the blood and gore and racy humor that makes these shows a hit. I can't say that I watch each and every week, but like last night, if nothing else catches my attention - I am more than eager to watch an episode of these shows.

American Dad did a take on "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf" and the Family Guy incorporated a very entertaining segment featuring a Hollywood Musical with Gene Kelly. It was a hoot! I enjoyed that sequence so much, I could not stop laughing. I also was in awe of the technology they used to digitize the baby, Stewie, into the scene because it was seamless. The show even ran opening credits like a movie studio movie would...it was sheer genius. Seth McFarlane, the creator of both of these shows has a team of creative people who really push the envelope.

American Dad had to grow on me at first as it features a talking fish (with German accent), and an Alien as part of the family. Even for animation, it was weird. But I watch and laugh "if" I get some their humor. It's that kind of humor that is pretty high-brow at times or just plain stupid.

I also like the idea of knowing that a lot of big name and unknown actors do the voices for these characters. They make guest appearances either as themselves, or some ludicrous character.

And even though you can count the number of cast "minority" characters on one hand, they are in these shows. Again, you never know who's working the voices, but it gives so many people a chance to make extra money doing voice overs and it's just plain fun I'm sure. Look at all of the feature films featuring famous actors? That in itself is testimony that actors enjoy this kind of work.

These shows have been on for years, and they poke fun at EVERYONE and EVERYTHING. And no one has any problems with it. People accepted it, and they watched these shows grow. I've always said, if you don't care for a television show, DON'T WATCH IT!! Instead, some people believe they wouldn't be exercising their constitutional rights if they didn't join in on the controversy. Now look what you're stuck with!!

I can't stand South Park, and I didn't understand why Beevis and Butthead were so popular. I watched. If I liked it I would tune in again...if I didn't like what I saw...I didn't watch. Pretty simple if you ask me.

So, if you think watching those cookie cutter sitcoms is really good television, think again. Tune in to Family Guy or King of the Hill, and you just might be surprised at what you find in Animation Nation. The world according to???.......indeed!

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!