"Dealing" by Eric Roberson & Lalah Hathaway

Someone told me about this song today. I heart it so I'm sharing with you...(and by the way it took me a hot minute to figure out how to post this video OK... lol... but I did it! ;)

GRAMMY WKEND..and the winner is...

Oprah? Well uhm no, she's not nominated for a Grammy but today is the mega-mogul's bday! SO? HBO! (Happy Birthday Oprah...lol...by the way, her company Harpo Films has an exclusive contract with?...yup, HBO).

Guess who? (Oprah images lol)

Oprah is known for her philanthrophy, her talk-show, being just about the RICHEST AFRICAN AMERICAN on...the...planet, her stellar performance in The Color Purple...and did you know she was Eudora, the voice of Princess Tiana's mom in The Princess and the Frog?!
Her childhood was certainly no walk in the park but she has become one of the most influential women of our time, PROVING yet again that it CAN be done!

And once again the Grammys are here! For as long as I could remember, this Award show has been one of my absolute favorite. I plant myself firmly in front of the tv, noone is allowed to speak to me, not even my child, ok MAYBE during commercial breaks lol, and I soak it all in.

My girl Lady Gaga, Bey, and Taylor Swift are all due to perform

(Billboard Image)

No word yet whether my girl AKeys will perform or not but trust to know I'll be firmly planted in front of a tv somewhere!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YA! HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YA! HAPPY BIIIIIRTHDAAAY!

Today is my aunt Sherry's bday. Y'all already know she can cook her butt off (read my previous blog entries if you didn't), she is cool, well sometimes (she's a bit of a firecracker a.k.a. hot mouth but don't tell her I said that lol), she is funny, stylish, we share a passion for eating and travelling, and I heart her!

My Sherry Amour

I am also gonna shout-out my Aunt Pat and Uncle Ricky, both of whom have had birthdays earlier this month (16th & 17th)...and today is also Shauny's bday (Lalita's sister) and Shaena from NARAS.

HAPPY birthday peeps and God's Speed for many more wonderful birthdays!

Run Jesse! Run like the wind!

Jesse Owens - American track and field athlete

(Sept 12, 1913 - March 31, 1980)

(Wikipedia Images)

Interesting facts about Jesse Owens:

• 
  
  He was actually born James Cleveland Owens, but when a teacher asked him his name, she misunderstood his southern accent when he said "J.C." and thought he said "Jesse". (Born in Alabama, moved to Ohio) Ever since he's been known as Jesse Owens.
  
• He set THREE World Records in 1935 (one being the long jump; a record that lasted 25 years!).
  
• He achieved international fame by winning 4 gold medals in 1936 for the 100m, 200m, long jump and 4x100m relay team.
  
• Owens received the first sponsorship for a male African American athlete from Adidas (shoes).
  
• President Eisenhower named him the "Ambassador of Sports" (prior to that both Presidents Roosevelt and Truman failed to acknowledge him).
  
• He "was allowed to travel with and stay in the same hotels as whites" in Berlin, but back in the States he "had to ride the freight elevator to attend his own reception at the Waldorf-Astoria".
  

"The only bond worth anything between human beings is their humanness" ~ Jesse Owens

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jesse_Owens

Within 3 decades on the same date...

On January 26th 1934, Huey "Piano" Smith was born in 'Nawlins' (New Orleans) Louisiana. He is "a rhythm and blues pianist whose sound was influential in rock and roll".

Huey "Piano" Smith

(Google Images)

Some of his famous hits are "Rockin Pneumonia and the Boogie Woogie Flu", "Don't You Just Know It" and "High Blood Pressure".

On January 26th 1944, Angela Davis was born.

Angela Davis was "a vocal activist during the Civil Rights Movement and a former Black Panther". Supposedly she joined the organization after the assassination of Dr Martin Luther King Jr in 1968. She

has been "an activist and writer promoting women's rights and racial justice while pursuing her career as a philosopher and teacher".

Angela Davis

(Google Images)

On January 26th 1958, Ms Anita Baker was born in Toledo, Ohio. The Grammy award-winning singer/songwriter is one of the first voices in which I fell in love.

Anita Baker

(Google Images)

I remember visiting my aunt in Long Island one Summer vacation, and she had Anita blasting in the house. I was waaaaaaay too young to know what love is, (ok I'm STILL too young to know what love is lol) but I remember being so touched by her music that I played her cds over and over and over and over.... "No One In The World", "My Funny Valentine"....Lord knows I searched high and low until I finally found her cd with "Fairy Tales" lol.

Some songs just take you back in time...everytime I hear "Giving You The Best That I've Got" I'm taken back to a wedding I attended when I was younger (you know when you're young your family always volunteers you to be the friggin flower girl at SOMEBODY's wedding!) Well I remember the bride's sister singing this song to her and I thought 'THIS is going to be my wedding song!'

...of course years later I've changed 'my wedding song' ....millions of times lol

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ALICIA!!!!

Today's my girl's b/day so special shout-out to Ms Alicia Keys!!! Y'all KNOW how much I luv Alicia right?
Singer, songwriter, producer, author, news correspondent, award winner, philanthropist, actress and just plain ol' badass on the piano!!

Alicia Keys

 (Google images)

And here's another phenomenal person to celebrate: my girl Ana!
HERRRRR bday was yesterday and we already started the celebrations since last week but that's ok...she could do that!  lol
She's crazy, fun, candid, she's one of the few people who share my sometimes crude sense of humor and I absolutely luv her to bits.

Ana and I

Here's to another year ladies!

If you're like me...

...and didn't know why Black History Month was consigned to February, here's a little insight...

Dr. Carter G. Woodson (1875-1950) "launched Negro History Week as an initiative to bring national attention to the contributions of black people throughout American history". Prior to that many black Americans were not being recognized for their valuable contributions to society and history.
Dr. Woodson chose the 2nd week in February as an homage to Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln, not only because both their birthdays were in February but also because of their influence on African-American history. The week was later extended to the entire month of February.

Dr. Carter G Woodson

(Pic from Wikipedia)

There are innumerous African-Americans whom have all made considerable contributions to our history so I've decided why wait until February?

I did not know that William Potts should be thanked for the traffic light. This policeman from Detroit "rigged it from parts from three colors of railroad lights and some wire and switches". Later in 1923, Garrett Morgan was credited for it because he patented the invention and sold it to General Electric. (He also invented a hair-straightening prep & a respiratory protective hood, similar to a gas mask). He was also the 1st African-American in Cleveland to own an automobile.

Garrett Morgan 1877-1963

(Pic from Wikipedia)

As I learn more, I will share with you.

http://www.infoplease.com/spot/bhmintro1.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carter_G._Woodson

http://transportationhistory.suite101.com/article.cfm/who_invented_the_traffic_light

Somewhere around the world...

(souvenir from "HAIR")

Somewhere around the world...people are joining forces to help Haiti (sidenote: Trinidadians are donating their Carnival 'party money'.....next time Beyonce)
Somewhere around the world...Pat Robertson and others (who believe Haiti is "cursed" because of "Voodoo") publicly announced their ignorance
Somewhere around the world...I was stunned to meet people who weren't affected by the plight in Haiti
Somewhere around the universe...their Mothership is on the way to pick them up!

Somewhere around the world...families were broken (images and people's wails clenched your soul)
Somewhere around the world...families were re-uniting (my nieces, from Ethiopia, are coming home ~~ Congrats J&C! Luv u guys!)

Somewhere around the world...I finally saw "HAIR" on Broadway. (If the music or the n u d i t y doesn't interest you, perhaps Will Swenson will...drooooool !)
Somewhere around the world...a cutie told me I looked 25 and totally made my day! (who cares if he's lying?) lol
Somewhere around the world...I was introducing myself to raisin spice oatmeal - yummmmmm
Somewhere around the world...I was watching my son sleep peacefully.....and my heart ached for those mothers who couldn't do the same
Somewhere around the world...I became even more thankful for alllll my blessings

Somewhere around the world...THE Teddy Pendergrass passed away (I'll "Turn Off The Lights" and 'light a candle' for you Teddy)
Somewhere around the world...a co-worker thought Teddy was her boyfriend's uncle (sighing and shaking my head!)

Somewhere around the world...a cab driver in NY would rather have me use my credit card for a $6 cab ride than to short change himself ONE DOLLAR because HE didn't have change
Somewhere around the world...that cab driver should be thankful that God is working on me!

("HAIR" finale - audience invited onstage)

(pictured 'hair' with Krystal Joy Brown and Darius Nichols of "HAIR")

Special Thanks: to Elizabeth Healy, Candace Jones and the entire NARAS staff who made the event a memorable one

                        Also to Darius Nichols, Krystal Joy Brown, Jackie Burns, Allison Quinn, Hannah Shankman and Will Swenson (castmates of Hair) whom I met and were all uber-friendly!
http://www.hairbroadway.com/

Please help Haiti...

When I woke up this morning, there it was all over the news: The devastating effects of the 7.0+ Earthquake that hit Haiti yesterday afternoon.
It is still too early for them to tell exactly how many people have been injured, or sadly died, but millions have been affected.
My prayers go out to comedian Wil Sylvince who has family and friends there, as well as "neighbor Cathy" in Brooklyn who found out that her grandmother is okay but they are still searching for her dad.

You can help by texting "Yele" to 501501 and $5 will automatically be donated to the Yele Haiti Earthquake Fund, (the $5 will be charged to your cell phone bill) or you can visit http://www.yele.org/ and click on Donate Now. Yele is established by musician Wyclef Jean http://www.wyclef.com/

You can read more at http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/cb_haiti_earthquake

Shhh...Men are like Victoria's Secret ;)

Recently I met with some of my girlfriends for drinks and while we were catching up, the age-old topic of MEN came up. Now we've all heard a million times (or more) that Men are from Mars...well I am beginning to think that it's just all about perspective.
As I chat with my friends, I had an Ally McBeal moment (you know, where she steps outta her body and watches the scene unfold?) well that's what happened to me. As I watched these beautiful, independent women and heard their HORROR stories I thought, what.... da..... heck???? I mean you hear countless stories of men doing some craaaaaazy stunts and the men just seem to be getting more and more creative...or dare I say BOLD!
But this is my spin on things ladies; I look at it like this. Men are like items from Victoria's Secret. They're attainable, sexy, they feel good on you, you feel good with them. It's soooooo hard to choose sometimes because you want them alllllll. They smell good, you wanna sleep with them, you can lounge with them.....BUT one thing we tend to forget is that we have CHOICES!!
Do you really wanna wear the saaaaaame pair of panties allllllll the time? (I know I don't!) There are days when there's nothing more comfortable than a pair of granny panties, or you feel sexy with that lace thong on even though you KNOW any moment it's gonna clone you... literally! Sometimes a push-up bra is just what you need: support! But other days you don't even want to see a bra because there's nothing in the world like FREEDOM! There are some that you play sports with, some that are "cheeky" and some that have absolutely NO LINES (of communication!).
And we all know we put men into categories. There's the Very Sexy one, the BODY, the Angel, the Multi-ways (one of my personal faves) and the Sexy (or not-so-sexy) Little (chuckle) Thing! I mean, I'm like a kid in a candy store sometimes...well lingerie store.
They come in all colors and sizes and you could wear them all to your heart's content until you find that "Perfect One"!
So ladies, please keep your options open and remember, this is OUR little secret ;) lol

Please note: If you are married/committed and planning to be unfaithful, please do not tell your spouse THIS blog was the reason you cheated. I am in no way liable for yo' ass-whoopn!
Also, I am not promoting promiscuity (unless that's what you do for a living...hey, the bills gotta get paid right? ;)

Happy Bday Mimi !

She's 2 years old today!

I remember when Lala and I met (we used to work together) and our friendship just grew over the years. We would laugh, eat, talk, eat...lol
Time certainly waits for noone...and today, her baby girl is 2.......already!!!!

Here we are at our first Yankees game!

Lala (right) was pre-Mimi then :)

This was at her baby shower (still no idea who that little boy is lol)

Happy birthday Mimi and Blessings for many many years to come!

HAPPY 2010!!!!

My New Year started off BEAUTIFULLY!!! I am sooooo looking forward to the prospects of this year.

I found a new love too...SCATTERGORIES!

I first played it on Boxing Day (the day after Christmas) when I visited some friends. They introduced me to Scattergories and Taboo. I had so much fun that I was hoarse for a few days :) Well we played Scattergories again on New Yrs Day...fun, fun, fun, especially when you're with a bunch of crazy fun people! (Shout out to Charlene, Mindy, Donna, Tasha, all their peeps as well as mine.)

As for New Year resolutions, I don't make any. When I wake up every morning, I look at it as another chance to live my best life; to keep in touch a little bit more, hug a little tighter, love a lot harder and have wild rambunctious sex with every cute man I meet! (KIDDING!!!!!!!!!!!)

So HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! Dream big & go for it!

Why?...........Why not?!

Much luv,
Mandy