Traces of a Stream

Sade Has Been Sighted!

2010-02-10T00:19:00.005-06:00

Last year I was seriously looking for Sade, I missed her sound and her style. I wrote about my search at the time click here. In the midst of all this frantic, "drop it like its hot" entertainment, I was missing the smoother song stylings of a true artiste. The last time I saw Sade on television was back in 2002 when I was living in Missouri. She was on tour at the time ( I knew there was no chance of her coming to my neck of the woods). I actually caught the "Stronger Than Pride" tour back in 1988 at Pine Knob in Michigan and the show was absolutely spectacular.

Sade was on David Letterman last night performing the song "Soldier of Love" from the CD of the same title. Letterman announced that Sade had sold 50 million albums worldwide and I was literally shocked. Since she showed up on the music scene she has recorded only seven albums, including this one. Sade's performance was awesome as usual. When Letterman came out to thank her for appearing, you could tell they had a genuine fondness for each other. They hugged awkwardly and shook hands, both smiling shyly. I really hope she sticks around for a while this time.

Kwanzaa - Principle 7 - Imani

2010-01-01T11:59:00.000-06:00

The final day of the Kwanzaa celebration transpires on the first day of the new year. The guiding principle of Imani [EE-MAH-NEE] or simply "Faith" - To believe with all our people, our parents, our teachers, our leaders and the righteousness and victory of our struggle. (Green Candle)

"Keep the faith, baby." Adam Clayton Powell, Jr.

Kwanzaa - Principle 6 - Kuumba

2009-12-31T00:26:00.000-06:00

The sixth guiding principle on December 31st is Kuumba [KOO-OOMBA] and this principle represents "Creativity" - To do always as much as we can, in the way we can,in order to leave our community more beautiful and beneficial than we inherited it. (Red Candle)

"Potential powers of creativity are within us and we have the duty to work assiduously to discover these powers." Martin Luther King, Jr.

Kwanzaa - Principle 5 - Nia

2009-12-30T00:11:00.000-06:00

The fifth day of the Kwanzaa celebration on December 30th is represented by the guiding principle of Nia [NEE-YAH], or "Purpose". The purpose is to make our collective vocation the building and developing of our community in order to restore our people to their traditional greatness. (Green Candle)

"Policies change, programs change, according to time. But objectives never changes. You might change your method of achieving the objective, but the objective never changes. Our objective is complete freedom, complete justice, complete equality, by any means necessary." Malcolm X

Kwanzaa - Principle 4- Ujamaa

2009-12-29T00:57:00.000-06:00

December 29th is the fourth day of Kwanzaa or Ujamaa [OO-JAH-MAH] which represents "Cooperative Economics". This principle call on us to To build and maintain our own stores and other businesses and to profit from them together (Red Candle).

"I am not a millionaire, but I hope to be some day, not for the money, but because I could do so much to help my race." Madame C.J. Walker

Kwanzaa - Principle 3- Ujima

2009-12-28T00:25:00.000-06:00

The third guiding principle during the Kwanzaa Celebration takes place on December 28th, Ujima [OO-GEE-MAH] or "Creative Work and Responsibility". To build and maintain our community together and make our sisters' and brothers' problems our problems and solve them together, represented by a green candle.This principle recognizes that we are collectively responsible for the well being of everyone within our community. It is up to us to nurture and care for one another.

"I freed thousands of slaves, I could have freed thousands more, if they had known they were slaves." Harriet Ross Tubman

Kwanzaa - Principle 2 - Kujichagulia

2009-12-27T00:00:00.000-06:00

December 27th is represented by the second guiding principle of Kujichagulia [KOO-GEE-CHA-GOO-LEE-YAH] which stands for "Self-Determination"- To define ourselves, name ourselves, create for ourselves, and speak for ourselves, rather than to be defined, named, created for, and spoken for by others.

Independence, freedom of action, unilaterally, freedom of choice, freedom of thought, emancipation, self-expression, individuality, national status, autonomy, self-government, self-sufficiency, independent means, competence, and prosperity. This principle is represented by a red candle.

Instructions for achieving Kujichagulia During Kwanzaa and Year Round

Step 1

Plan and prioritize a list of goals that you hope to accomplish throughout your life. These can be short, medium or long term in nature. Begin the practice of Kujichagulia in relation to achieving your list of goals.

Step 2

Picture yourself achieving each listed goal in your life. Studies have shown that positive imaging in the mind actually allows goal seekers to obtain more confidence in the possibility of achieving their goals as well as physically relaxing their bodies and minds in preparation for that action.

Step 3

Learn from your mistakes by the results and outcomes of your previous decisions. The adage says that you can never learn from failure unless you have failed and you can never fail unless you have tried. Making decisions and learning from them is a part of growing and living and is also a key factor in learning self-determination.

Step 4

Grow in knowledge in a variety of areas and subject matters. You should continue to seek knowledge wherever and whenever you can. Knowledge is the root of all power and power within oneself is the root of self-determination.

Step 5

Keep your physical body healthy and active. A healthy body creates an healthy balance between emotions and intellect. To keep your mind sharp, you must consistently eat a healthy and stay physically active throughout your entire life.

"Up you mighty race, you can accomplish what you will." Marcus Mosiah Garvey

Kwanzaa - Principle 1 - Umoja

2009-12-26T00:33:00.000-06:00

December 26 - January 1 marks the celebration of Kwanzaa, a holiday founded by Dr. Maulana Karenga, a professor at California State University, Long Beach. The celebration is based on the "Nguzo Saba" or seven guiding principles, the first being Umoja [OO-MO-JAH] stands for "Unity" - To strive for and maintain unity in the family, community, nation or race. This principle is represented by a black candle in the center of the Kinara (candle holder). To visit the official Kwanzaa website click here.

"There is a battle to be fought, there are obstacles to be overcome. There is a world struggle for human dignity to be won. Let us address ourselves seriously to the supreme tasks that lie ahead." Kwame Nkrumah

Old School Friday # 90 - I Had A Crush On!

2009-11-20T13:41:00.004-06:00

My biggest crush when I was an adolescent was probably Jermaine Jackson. I look at him now and exclaim, What The Hell Happened??? But that is another "Old School Friday" segment. Oh yeah, I couldn't resist throwing Mike in the mix!

This meme was developed by Marvalus View and Ms. Grapevine. The rules are simple:

1. Anyone can participate; any music genre

2. Old School is defined as music created before 1999

3. No offensive words allowed, please use edited radio version

4. Post a video of your favorite Old School song to take us back down memory lane (two song maximum)

5. Add your name to the meme list so that others can check you out

6. Have fun & don't forget to leave comments for other participants

If you want to join in on the fun, click here.

Songs That Inspire

2009-11-06T06:24:00.004-06:00

The songs of the 60's were really inspirational to me so I choose two songs that I love from that era. Curtis Mayfield's "We're A Winner" and James Brown's "Say It Loud, I'm Black and I'm Proud".

This meme was developed by Marvalus View and Ms. Grapevine. The rules are simple:

1. Anyone can participate; any music genre

2. Old School is defined as music created before 1999

3. No offensive words allowed, please use edited radio version

4. Post a video of your favorite Old School song to take us back down memory lane (two song maximum)

5. Add your name to the meme list so that others can check you out

6. Have fun & don't forget to leave comments for other participants

If you want to join in on the fun, click here.

Sharona Returns to Monk

2009-10-17T13:58:00.004-05:00

I never thought I would see it, but Sharona, Monk's assistant for the first three season is returning for an encore next week in this eighth and final season. Bitty Schram was more of a nurse (or should I say nursemaid) to the obsessive compulsive detective, but she was an intricate part in some of the crime solving as well. This will mark her first appearance on the comedy-mystery since she mysteriously disappeared from the show halfway through the third season. Arguably the most successful show in cable history this should also make for an interesting close to the series. My only hope is that Monk solves his wife Trudy's murder before the show's final curtain call.

I really have missed Sharona, despite the excellent job that Traylor Howard does in her portrayal of Natalie Teeger, Monk's latest assistant. It is actually going to be interesting to see this two women play off of each other next week while Monk investigates Sharona's uncle's murder. I think the return of Ms. Scham will bring the show full circle and provide to a wonderful series, which experienced a great run. Monk is one of my most favorite television shows and I have never missed an episode so you know I will be front and center for this episode. Every since I found out Sharona was coming back I have been humming The Knacks "My Sharona".

The episode will air Friday, October 23rd at 9:00 EST.

Facebook

2009-09-19T03:08:00.006-05:00

I recently read and article boasting that Facebook ruins friendships because “it limits communication to typing and encourages people to share far too much information with their poor, unsuspecting friends”. I do not agree with this stance, in fact I think it is quite the opposite. I think the social network actually builds relationships to a certain extent.

Facebook currently has a membership of 300 million, which is a higher population than all but 9 countries. Impressive huh? And I feel it is just gaining momentum, I envision bigger and better things to come on Facebook. I just recently started seriously Facebooking in the last couple of months. I joined the social network last year just to see if I could by pass the powers that be at my workplace (the I. T. department had blocked all access to My Space and I wanted to see if all services in this vein were obstructed). I was able to get on Facebook with no problem, so I joined and then quickly forgot about it.

I do not remember what led me back to the site, I think I got a email asking that I verify a friend and it off and running from that point on. I was often surprised by invites from people in my past that I had not seen in years. One day I checked my email to find a note from my best friend in junior high asking if I was who she thought I was and if I remembered her. Quite fascinating, actually because I had not seen or heard from her in well over 30 years.

Another aspect that I really enjoy about Facebook is that young and old are coming together as friends. I am a middle aged woman and my youngest friend is 17, I mean how cool is that? I have connected with relatives and old school chums that I would not have if not for meeting up with them on the Internet.

I use Facebook to contact friends who may have long ago lost contact with and I wish this service had been around ten years ago. This application is excellent for looking at pictures of babies in your family that you have yet to meet. Facebook is excellent for finding out what high school and college classmates are up to. For instance, my son was able to find two friends from elementary school that he had not seen since his graduation nearly 20 years ago.

I must admit that there have been times when I spent more time on Facebook than I should have, but I'm not going to blame Facebook for my own procrastination/laziness. If Facebook wasn't there I would have found something else to waste time on (My Space, Twitter, Black Planet, etc). If I want to be distracted, I will find a distraction, trust me!

To all my "friends", If you don't feel like posting something, cruising profiles, or changing your status, don't do it. If you tire of my updates, hide them. If you don't want to partake in the latest quiz, leave it alone. If you fear big brother is keeping tabs on you, don't post your life story to your profile. If you are in a relationship, please don't be caught poking people all day :-D. It's a fun and innovative tool at your fingertips that can be used for both good or evil. If you don't feel like Facebooking, leave it alone. Well I got to run, I just thought of a friend I need to look up….

While I do that please enjoy some Facebook humor.

Old School Friday - Criminal Record

2009-09-18T08:49:00.004-05:00

Okay! Who doesn't have a criminal record these days? I think I will bring together the East Coast and the West Coast by going with my boys Tupac Shakur and the Notorious BIG (Biggy Smalls) or "Big Poppa" :-) I have not participated on this meme in a while and I have missed it.

This meme was developed by Marvalus View and Ms. Grapevine. The rules are simple:

1. Anyone can participate; any music genre
2. Old School is defined as music created before 1999
3. No offensive words allowed, please use edited radio version
4. Post a video of your favorite Old School song to take us back down memory lane
5. Add your name to the meme list so that others can check you out
6. Have fun & don't forget to leave comments for other participants

If you want to join in on the fun, click here.

My Trip to Michigan

2009-08-26T17:50:00.003-05:00

Hi Everybody, I just flew in from Michigan and boy are my arms tired :-) Seriously, I was back home in Michigan for ten days for my thirty-five year reunion. The festivities lasted all weekend, which was draining, but so much fun! I saw people that I had not seen in over thirty-five years. I also got to spend time with some family members (some who are shown above), including some that I had never met before this visit. My son (who resides in Long Beach, California) and my best friend (who resides in Las Vegas, Nevada) met me in Michigan to attend the event.

I was able to visit the Motown Museum for a third time. My son had never visited so myself, my Uncle Malcolm , Aunt Melody and my son headed over to 2648 W. Grand Blvd. for the tour. I always enjoy watching new people be introduced to the history of Motown. There were people in our tour from Tanzania. After leaving the museum we headed over to Detroit Metro Airport to drop my son off for his return to California...Bye Brian!

On Thursday we had a movie day over Malcolm's where we watched some classic movies, "Take A Giant Step", "Dirty Dancing", etc. and ate fresh popped popcorn. Finally last Friday I got a chance to go on Malcolm's radio show "Retro Mix" as a co-host. I had a ball talking about some of my favorite artist and learning a lot about how broadcasting works which was really an exciting experience.

On Saturday some family members and friends came over and we played spades. I was paired with my friend Alma, whom I have know since grade school. After a couple of stumbles we ran everyone we played away from the table. Needless to say I had a ball, I never get to do these kind of things when I am at home. Alas all good things must come to an end and I was happy to be going back home when I left on Monday.

Thomas Wolfe said that you can't go home again. I beg to differ, you can go home, but you just really should not try to stay indefinitely.

The Golden Ganesh: Episode 16

2009-08-02T00:28:00.002-05:00

Download:
http://www.divshare.com/download/7644576-a26

Cast:
Ricardo Lori (Detective)
Lauren Ash-Morgan (Dee von Zelle)
John B. (Detective Bob Toricello)
Jeannie-Girl (Lynn)
K9 (Felicity & Homeless Woman)
Foam (Diane)
Holy Cannoli (Jenny)
Rayke (Franklin & Sgt. MacBrian)
SJ (Criminologist/Futon Cop)
Boneman (Judge Ewing, the Mounted Cop & Smythe’s Answering Machine)
Crushed by Ingsoc (Lt. Fisher and the Angry Driver)
Pjazzypar (the Captain, the Caterer, the Hostess, Felicity’s old Professor, & FBI Agent) Malcolm (Essex County Deputy)
Pamela Ringgold (Machine Dialer & Rude Cop)
Yinyang (FBI Demolitions Expert & Lynn’s Old Friend)
Foam Jr. (the Music Student)
Mr. Foam (Homeless Man 2)
X. Dell (Mr. Johnson & Homeless Man 1).

Special guest stars: Ravi Khanna as Indra, Paul Weaver as Mountie Smythe, and Amy Helmsley as Col. Smith.

Written and produced by X-Dell.

Directed by Committee.

Dedications and Special Thanks to Monique Caddy, David Caddy, and the rest of our friends at Middle Ditch.

Music by Da Palm & Nurykabe

Additional sound effects by c97059890 of the Free Sound Project (www.freesound.org)

The Golden Ganesh by X. Dell is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial 3.0 United States License.

The Golden Ganesh: Episode 15

2009-08-02T00:25:00.002-05:00

Download:
http://www.divshare.com/download/7744197-7eb

Cast:
Ricardo (The Detective)
Amy Insley (Col. Michelle Smith/Sacred Mother)
JohnB (Detective Bob Toricello)
Foam (Diane)
Boneman (Judge Ewing)
Yinyang (FBI Agent/Demolitions Expert/”All Clear”)
X. Dell (Mr. Johnson)
Holy Cannoli (Jenny)
Pinetop Swamp (Announcer)

Music by Melophon & Da Palm

Additional sound effects by www.soundjay.com, and by batchku, addbicycle, Koops, Jhalkompwdr, lgarret, ngtv27, Freqman, freesound, scarbelly 25, Runey, acclivity, sagetyrtle, and Shades of the Free Sound Project (www.freesound.org)

The Golden Ganesh by X. Dell is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial 3.0 United States License.

The Golden Ganesh: Episode 14

2009-07-30T00:21:00.001-05:00

Download:
http://www.divshare.com/download/7744195-f64

Cast:
Ricardo (The Detective)
Lauren Ash-Morgan (Dee von Zelle)
JeannieGrrrl (Lynn/Wendy)
K9 (Felicity/Eileen)
Pamela Ringgold (Rude Cop)
SJ (Criminologist/Futon Cop)
Malcolm (Deputy Sheriff)
Pjazzypar (FBI Special Agent)
Pinetop Swamp (Announcer)

Music by Da Palm

Additional sound effects by www.soundjay.com, and by Han 1, NGTV 27, Herbert Boland, Freq Man, Anton, Splutta and LG of the Free Sound Project (www.freesound.org).

The Golden Ganesh: Episode 13

2009-07-30T00:20:00.001-05:00

Download:
http://www.divshare.com/download/7643128-430

Cast:
Ricardo (The Detective)
Lauren Ash-Morgan (Dee von Zelle)
Rayke (Franklin)
JeannieGrrrl (Lynn)
K9 (Felicity)
Crushed by Ingsoc (Irate Driver)
Pinetop Swamp (Announcer)

Music by Fireproof Babies, mInImAl ArT, Johnny SockHead & Da Palm

Additional sound effects by www.soundjay.com, and by hopflog, Runey, ReWired, lilliangorini, jackstrebor, dobroide, audible_edge, Franaudio, smidoid, Leady, Corsica S., and Freqman of the Free Sound Project (www.freesound.org).

The Golden Ganesh: Episode 12

2009-07-30T00:19:00.001-05:00

Download:
http://www.divshare.com/download/7629443-24e

Cast:
Ricardo (The Detective)
Rayke (Sgt. MacBrian)
Foam (Diane)
JohnB (Detective Bob Toricello)
Paul Weaver (Mountie Smythe)
Foam Jr. (Music Student)
Pinetop Swamp (Announcer)

Music by Pitx & Da Palm

Additional sound effects by spluta, Malonso, and Corsica S. of the Free Sound Project (www.freesound.org)

The Golden Ganesh: Episode 11

2009-07-30T00:16:00.002-05:00

Download:
http://www.divshare.com/download/7624145-36e

Cast:
Ricardo (The Detective)
Rayke (Sgt. MacBrian)
Foam (Diane)
JeannieGrrrl (Lynn)
Lauren Ash-Morgan (Dee von Zelle)
Pjazzypar (The Captain)
Crushed by Ingsoc (Lt. Pete Fisher)
Pinetop Swamp (Announcer)

Music by the jpfmnand & Da Palm

Additional sound effects by www.soundjay.com and by Guitarz1970, Brotherprovisional, samplecat, stijn, Erdie, AniCator, and Koops of the Free Sound Project (www.freesound.org).

The Golden Ganesh: Episode 10

2009-07-22T15:18:00.002-05:00

Download:
http://www.divshare.com/download/7797571-955

Cast:
Ricardo (The Detective)
Lauren Ash-Morgan (Dee von Zelle)
Pjazzypar (Hostess)
Pinetop Swamp (Announcer)

Music by jpfmband, Oprachina, & Da Palm

Additional sound effects by dobroide, Malonso, Handfan, morgant, .and addbicycle of the Free Sound Project (www.freesound.org).

Because of legal agreements, we must always include this code with any post of graphics and recordings related to the Golden Ganesh.

The Golden Ganesh by X. Dell is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial 3.0 United States License.

The Golden Ganesh: Episode 9

2009-07-22T15:17:00.002-05:00

Embed:

Download:
http://www.divshare.com/download/7797563-d47

Cast:
Ricardo (The Detective)
Lauren Ash-Morgan (Dee von Zelle)
Pinetop Swamp (Announcer)

Music by Da Palm

Golden Ganesh Creative Commons License (Embedding Code)

Because of legal agreements, we must always include this code with any post of graphics and recordings related to the Golden Ganesh.

The Golden Ganesh by X. Dell is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial 3.0 United States License.

The Golden Ganesh: Episode 8

2009-07-22T15:13:00.002-05:00

Download:
http://www.divshare.com/download/7615370-56e

Cast:
Ricardo (The Detective)
SJ (Young Criminologist/Futon Cop)
Foam (Diane)
JohnB (Detective Bob Toricello)
Pinetop Swamp (Annnouncer)

Music by Pitx & Da Palm

Additional sound effects by Edwin P. Manchester, Freqman, Robinhood 76, Malonso, sagetyrtle, Oberon81, and spluta of the Free Sound Project (www.freesound.org)

Golden Ganesh Creative Commons License (Embedding Code)

Because of legal agreements, we must always include this code with any post of graphics and recordings related to the Golden Ganesh.

The Golden Ganesh by X. Dell is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial 3.0 United States License.

The Golden Ganesh: Episode 7

2009-07-15T21:05:00.003-05:00

Download:

http://www.divshare.com/download/7623350-b39

Cast:

Ricardo (The Detective)

K9 (Felicity)

JeannieGrrrl (Lynn)

Boneman (Mounted Cop)

Pinetop Swamp (Announcer)

Music by Nurykabe & Da Palm

Additional sound effects by gyzhor, Freqman, Herbert Boland, ReWired, and themfish of the Free Sound Project (www.freesound.org).

The Golden Ganesh by X. Dell is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial 3.0 United States License.

The Golden Ganesh: Episode 6

2009-07-13T23:30:00.002-05:00

Download:
http://www.divshare.com/download/7623349-8d9

Cast:
Ricardo (The Detective)
Holy Cannoli (Jenny)
Ravi Khanna (Indra)
Pinetop Swamp (Announcer)

Music by Frank Stanton, hammerklavier, Steve Jones, X. Dell & Da Palm

Additional sound effects by SunnySideSound, Scarbelly 25, dobroide, addbicycle, batchku, stijn, and Jhalkompwdr of the Free Sound Project (www.freesound.org)

The Golden Ganesh by X. Dell is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial 3.0 United States License.

The Golden Ganesh: Episode 5

2009-07-13T23:27:00.003-05:00

Embed:

Download:
http://www.divshare.com/download/7807420-a7c

Cast:
Ricardo (The Detective)
Yinyang (Lynn’s Old Friend)
Pjazzypar (Felicity’s Old Professor)
JohnB (Detective Bob Toricello)
Pamela Ringgold (Robot Dialer)
Boneman (Smythe’s Answering Machine)
Holy Cannoli (Jenny)
Pinetop Swamp (Announcer)

Music by East of West & Da Palm

Additional sound effects by nicStage and Koops of the Free Sound Project (www.freesound.org)

The Golden Ganesh by X. Dell is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial 3.0 United States License.

The Golden Ganesh: Episode 4

2009-07-13T23:23:00.003-05:00

Embed:

Download:
http://www.divshare.com/download/7615605-a0e

Cast:
Ricardo (The Detective)
Holy Cannoli (Jenny)
JohnB (Detective Bob Toricello)
Foam (Diane)
SJ (Young Criminologist/Futon Cop)
JeannieGrrrl (Lynn)
Crushed by Ingsoc (Lt. Pete Fisher)
Rayke (Franklin)
Pinetop Swamp (Announcer)

Music by Geoff Duncan & Da Palm

Additional sound effects by nicStage, Erdie, Jonathan Jansen, Freq Man, pauliep83, Corsica S., LG, Herbert Boland, and nofeedback of the Free Sound Project (www.freesound.org).

The Golden Ganesh by X. Dell is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial 3.0 United States License.

The Golden Ganesh: Episode 3

2009-07-13T23:15:00.002-05:00

Embed:

Download:
http://www.divshare.com/download/7600184-7aa

Cast:
Ricardo (The Detective)
Pjazzypar (Caterer)
Ravi Khanna (Indra)
K9 (Felicity & Homeless Woman)
JeannieGrrrl (Lynn)
X, Dell (Homeless Man 1)
Mr. Foam (Homeless Man 2)
Pinetop Swamp (Announcer)

Music by CDK, Melophon & Da Palm

Additional sound effects provided by www.soundjay.com, and Corsica S, addbicycle, amione, samplecat, andriala, and freesound of the Free Sound Project (www.freesound.org).:

The Golden Ganesh by X. Dell is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial 3.0 United States License.

The Golden Ganesh: Episode 2

2009-07-13T23:14:00.002-05:00

Embed:

Download:
http://www.divshare.com/download/7615464-34d

Cast:
Ricardo (The Detective)
Crushed by Ingsoc (Lt. Pete Fisher)
JohnB (Detective Bob Toricello)
Pjazzypar (Humming Caterer)
Foam (Diane)
SJ (Young Criminologist/Futon Cop)
Pinetop Swamp (Announcer)

Music by landeros & Da Palm

Additional sound effects by Freqman, Corsica S., LG, and Herbert Boland of the Free Sound Project (www.freesound.org)

The Golden Ganesh by X. Dell is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial 3.0 United States License.

The Golden Ganesh: Episode 1

2009-07-13T23:05:00.006-05:00

Embed:

Download:
http://www.divshare.com/download/7787184-33c

Cast:
Ricardo (The Detective)
Holy Cannoli (Jenny)
Pinetop Swamp (Announcer)

Music by the jpfmband & Da Palm

The Golden Ganesh by X. Dell is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial 3.0 United States License.

From the Mind of X. Dell

2009-07-13T23:03:00.004-05:00

The origins of The Golden Ganesh, as a radio drama, were fourfold. First, I fell in love with radio drama because of Max Schmid’s WBAI show, The Golden Age of Radio. I especially liked the noir dramas: Nero Wolf, The Adventures of Sam Spade , Candy Matson (the only female detective in the bunch), and most of all, Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar.

The second origin of the project came in the spring of 2007, when JeannieGrrrl, a whiz at finding cool and interesting freeware, alerted me to an application called “Audacity.” I immediately put it to work, transferring as much of my music from analog to digital—with varying degrees of quality.

The third came May of 2008 in the form of an invitation extended to me by Monique Caddy of Middle Ditch. Superbly written, acted and directed, I immediately fell in love with this radio serial. Of course, I was a bit envious too. They weren’t just doing what I dreamed of doing. They were (and still are) kicking ass at it.

Upon hearing Middle Ditch, I began to fantasize about gathering all my friends, doing a radio drama, and posting it on the web. But I had a problem. Many of my old friends had left New York. Although we still keep in touch, they were no longer present. I then thought, “Well I have cyberfriends. Maybe there’s a way to....”

And then I thought, “It would never work.”

Even if I managed to get everyone to record their lines, there would be varying mic and recording standards. And because the actors weren’t together, I imagined that they would interpret the action and their lines so differently that they would sound as though they were reading different scripts, from different stories. Worse yet, how could I splice them all together so that they sounded at least remotely coherent?

And then I thought, “Audacity!!!”

It occurred to me the very same software I had been using for music, I could use for this. Instead of splicing mp3s together, I could multitrack the actors, as if they were musical instruments. And since Audacity lets you equalize, compress and cosmetically improve sounds, you can blend multiple standards together more smoothly.

And then I thought, “Nah. It won’t work.”

Supposing I could find a way to match recordings. I still would have to enlist the help of you, my cyberpals. It would be presumptuous of me to think that just because I wanted to do it, you wanted to do it. I imagined interest in doing a project like this would be lukewarm and non-existent—that is, until the fourth origin kicked in.

Following the disastrous post of June 6, 2008—an anticipated live feed from the COPA conference on the RFK assassination got cut off at the source (Los Angeles)—JohnB and I had a lengthy IM chat. I casually mentioned doing a radio drama, and I sensed his enthusiasm for it. IMing Foam a few days later, and getting a similar response, I thought that maybe, such a project might fly.

Academics by-and-large have the opinion that the Internet is primarily a networking tool, not one that actually builds communities. But I had already gone on record with my belief that cyberspace really mimics meatspace social interaction, and thus communities form nonetheless. I’d always said that people who had never met could develop emotional attachments to each other, and rally ‘round a central node in their own patch of WWW. They could do things that meatspace communities do. Whether it was a quilting bee or an I-gotta-barn type of production, they could produce cultural artifacts.

And then I thought, “It’s time to put your money where your mouth is, X.”

In July 2008, I floated the proposal for doing a radio drama, just to see if you guys would be interested. Some of you weren’t (which is cool too; somebody has to be in the audience, after all), but enough of you were. I still had grave doubts that it would ever become a reality. But at least we would give it a try.

Then something happened. I got the first mp3 from Pjazzypar playing the role of the Captain. Before reciting her lines, she deftly picked apart the scene, its significance, and so on. Needless to say, her performance was wonderful.

And then I thought, “That’s cool. Too bad her effort’s probably in vain.”

But then more recordings began to trickle in from JohnB, Holy Cannoli, Foam, Boneman, SJ and K9. I began playing around with them in Audacity to see if they had any continuity. To my astonishment, time-and-again the actors were on the same page, both literally and metaphorically. Without rehearsal, without talking to each other, they were eerily in sync.

And then I thought, “It would be cool if this actually worked.”

At the time, we still didn’t have a star. I was almost resigned to performing the lead role myself (which I didn’t want to do) when Ricardo stepped in. This was the critical step in the whole process. The role of The Detective serves as the glue that holds the drama togethe. And it makes a big difference when you have a trained actor in that part. I didn’t get my first recording from him until September 2008. When I did, I put together the first rough episode cut featuring Ricardo, and Holy Cannoli.

And then I thought, “This could really work.””

Pjazzypar did yeoman’s service in taking on additional characters. K9, first content to do a bit part, took on the additional role of Felicity. JeannieGrrrl then submitted her recordings for the role of Lynn. In the second rough cut made for The Golden Ganesh (episode seven) I heard a really neat chemistry develop between Jean and K9 as twin femmes fatales.

Still, we needed more actors for key roles, most importantly that of Dee von Zelle. In the novel that I cannibalized into the radio script, Dee was Australian because her prototype (who loved the character and the story) was Australian. After a certain point, enough actors had alluded to Dee and her nationality, that I couldn’t change her into anything else without issuing a second script and asking people to re-record (talk about a pain in the can). Then too, I had always had our friend down under, FATTY, in mind for the role. But the demands of academia prevented her from participating. Still, she helped us out in this mad search for Dee, along with Boneman, Ricardo, Crushed by Ingsoc, Monique and myself. Some good came out of this. I met Aggie through the search, and she’s a welcome contributor to The X-Spot. Still, we had no Dee.

Other actors bowed out for good reasons (meatspace pressures, technical issues, etc.), which I kinda expected. I finally decided to go to the high seas to find the players I needed. In cyber terminology, “the high seas” translates roughly into Craigslist.

I put an ad in the local (NYC) Craigslist. I didn’t find Dee, but I found an extraordinarily talented actor named Pamela Ringgold. Pamela will prove to you the old adage, “There are no small parts, just small actors.” After moving to DC, another found two veteran voice actors—Paul Weaver and Amy Insley—to take the roles of Mountie Smythe and Col. Smith. Both of them did an outstanding job—but then again, those two know what they’re doing. We also got an amazing performance from up-and-coming comedian Ravi Khanna. Still, we didn’t have a Dee.

And then I thought, “This is gonna work if it kills me.”

Lauren Ash-Morgan answered the DC Craigslist ad seeking a bit role. As a graduate student studying languages, however, she had a decent ear for accents. A very talented performer and gifted musician, she transformed into Dee quite nicely. It took some time. After all, she’s finishing up a master’s degree (some of us know what that’s like, right?), so she had more important things to do. But upon listening to her first submission (which she did over again, because of technical reasons), I decided to wait for her, and for good reason. To paraphrase a character from Seinfeld, she’s real, and she’s spectacular.

After Pinetop Swamp knocked out the announcements, we finally reached the point where I can honestly tell you that the next post, here on The X-Spot, will kick off The Golden Ganesh. On behalf of the cast and myself, we hope you enjoy it.

~ X. Dell ~

The Golden Ganesh by X. Dell is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial 3.0 United States License.

Figure 1. The Golden Ganesh Trailer

2009-07-13T22:55:00.001-05:00

Embed:

The Golden Ganesh by X. Dell is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial 3.0 United States License.

Michael Joe Jackson 1958 - 2009

2009-06-26T09:04:00.004-05:00

I am too full and heartbroken.

This meme was developed by Marvalus View and Ms. Grapevine. The rules are simple:

1. Anyone can participate; any music genre
2. Old School is defined as music created before 1999
3. No offensive words allowed, please use edited radio version
4. Post a video of your favorite Old School song to take us back down memory lane
5. Add your name to the meme list so that others can check you out
6. Have fun & don't forget to leave comments for other participants

If you want to join in on the fun, click here.

This meme was developed by Marvalus View and Ms. Grapevine. The rules are simple:

Old School Friday - All In The Family

2009-06-12T14:19:00.003-05:00

Staying away from the Jackson, I am going with Gladys Knight and the Pips. The group consisted of Gladys, her brother Merald (AKA Bubba) and their cousins William Guest and Edward Patton.

This meme was developed by Marvalus View and Ms. Grapevine. The rules are simple:

1. Anyone can participate; any music genre
2. Old School is defined as music created before 1999
3. No offensive words allowed, please use edited radio version
4. Post a video of your favorite Old School song to take us back down memory lane
5. Add your name to the meme list so that others can check you out
6. Have fun & don't forget to leave comments for other participants

If you want to join in on the fun, click here.

Ko Ko Taylor Passes Away at 80

2009-06-09T09:57:00.004-05:00

I have not been blogging much lately, but I thought I should pay due respect to a true pioneer of the blues genre, Ko Ko Taylor. I once had the pleasure of seeing Ms. Taylor at the Blue Cafe in Long Beach, California. When she belted out "Wang Dang Doodle" I had never heard anything quite like it. Born Cora Walton on a sharecropper’s farm just outside Memphis, TN, on September 28, 1928, Koko, nicknamed for her love of chocolate, fell in love with music at an early age. Inspired by gospel music and WDIA blues disc jockeys B.B. King and Rufus Thomas, Taylor began belting the blues with her five brothers and sisters, accompanying themselves on their homemade instruments. Legend has it that in 1952, Taylor and her soon-to-be-husband, the late Robert “Pops” Taylor, traveled to Chicago with nothing but, in Koko’s words, “thirty-five cents and a box of Ritz Crackers.

In Chicago, “Pops” worked for a packing company, and Koko cleaned houses. Together they frequented the city’s blues clubs nightly. Encouraged by her husband, Koko began to sit in with the city’s top blues bands, and soon she was in demand as a guest artist. One evening in 1962 Koko was approached by arranger/composer Willie Dixon. Overwhelmed by Koko’s performance, Dixon landed Koko a Chess Records recording contract, where he produced her several singles, two albums and penned her million-selling 1965 hit “Wang Dang Doodle,” which would become Taylor’s signature song.

After Chess Records was sold, Taylor found a home with the Chicago’s Alligator Records in 1975 and released the Grammy-nominated I Got What It Takes. She recorded eight more albums for Alligator between 1978 and 2007, received seven more Grammy nominations and made numerous guest appearances on various albums and tribute recordings. Koko appeared in the films Wild At Heart, Mercury Rising and Blues Brothers 2000. She performed on Late Night With David Letterman, Late Night With Conan O’Brien, CBS-TV’s This Morning, National Public Radio’s All Things Considered, CBS-TV’s Early Edition, and numerous regional television programs.

Over the course of her 40-plus-year career, Taylor received every award the blues world has to offer. On March 3, 1993, Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley honored Taylor with a “Legend Of The Year” Award and declared “Koko Taylor Day” throughout Chicago. In 1997, she was inducted into the Blues Foundation’s Hall of Fame. A year later, Chicago Magazine named her “Chicagoan Of The Year” and, in 1999, Taylor received the Blues Foundation’s Lifetime Achievement Award. In 2009 Taylor performed in Washington, D.C. at The Kennedy Center Honors honoring Morgan Freeman.

Koko Taylor was one of very few women who found success in the male-dominated blues world. She took her music from the tiny clubs of Chicago’s South Side to concert halls and major festivals all over the world. She shared stages with every major blues star, including Muddy Waters, Howlin’ Wolf, B.B. King, Junior Wells and Buddy Guy as well as rock icons Robert Plant and Jimmy Page.

Taylor’s final performance was on May 7, 2009 in Memphis at the Blues Music Awards, where she sang “Wang Dang Doodle” after receiving her award for Traditional Blues Female Artist Of The Year.

Survivors include Taylor’s husband Hays Harris, daughter Joyce Threatt, son-in-law Lee Threatt, grandchildren Lee, Jr. and Wendy, and three great-grandchildren.

This Is Dedicated To The Party People

2009-05-22T00:18:00.005-05:00

Well it is Friday once again. I didn't know what to do with this theme, so I decided to do a disco/dance party theme. Who better than Donna Summer, KC and the Sunshine Band, and CC Music Factory (Martha Wash). So get your party on and have a Wonderful Friday Gang!

This meme was developed by Marvalus View and Ms. Grapevine. The rules are simple:

1. Anyone can participate; any music genre
2. Old School is defined as music created before 1999
3. No offensive words allowed, please use edited radio version
4. Post a video of your favorite Old School song to take us back down memory lane
5. Add your name to the meme list so that others can check you out
6. Have fun & don't forget to leave comments for other participants

If you want to join in on the fun, click here.

And The Winner Is...Kris Allen

2009-05-20T21:04:00.005-05:00

This makes the second upset in a row on American Idol. Last year David Cook was the dark horse when he won over the other David Archuleta. I have to say that I am actually pretty happy, because it might just be me, but Adam Lambert was a little bit too over the top! The crowd was star-studded, including numerous winners and runner ups of past seasons. I saw a slimmed down version of Reuben Studdard, Carrie Underwood, and even first season runner up Justin Guarini.

I enjoyed the teaming up of celebrity entertainers with the idols, including Keith Urban with Kris, Lionel Ritchie with third runner up Danny Gokey, and all of the contestants with the great Santana. Kiss and Adam took us back to an earlier time of Rock and Roll. What was up with Queen Latifah, the performance with Lil was wonderful, but what was up with the cat suit? She has a gut for heaven's sake.

Well it's confirmed, there will be an 9th season of Idol and the producers are coming back to the Dallas area to recruit. I was just thinking about something, has a northerner ever won the title of American Idol. Below is my favorite performance by Kris Allen. The video has been removed because of a terms of use violation, so just enjoy the audio.

Wayman Tisdale Dead at 44

2009-05-15T22:54:00.007-05:00

Legendary basketball player and guitar great Wayman Tisdale died today at about 8 a.m. in Tulsa. After three years at Oklahoma, the 6-foot-9 Tulsa native spent 12 seasons in the NBA with the Indiana Pacers, Sacramento Kings and Phoenix Suns, then became an award-winning jazz musician, with several of his albums making the top 10 on the Billboard charts.

Tisdale first learned he had cancerous cyst below his right knee after he broke his leg in a fall at his home in Los Angeles on Feb. 8, 2007. He said then he was fortunate to have discovered the cancer at an early stage. "Nothing can change me," Tisdale told The Associated Press last June. "You go through things. You don't change because things come in your life. You get better because things come in your life."

His leg was amputated last August and a prosthetic leg that he wore was crimson, one of the colors of his beloved Oklahoma Sooners. He made a handful of public appearances in recent weeks, including on April 7 at an Oklahoma City Thunder game, at which he received the team's Community Hero Award.

Also within the past month, Tisdale was honored in a ceremony at the Greenwood Cultural Center in his hometown and presented with the Legacy Award. During the ceremony, he spoke about his fight with cancer, saying "In my mind, I've beaten it." Last month, Tisdale also learned he had been chosen for induction into the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame.

Enjoy the smooth sounds of Tisdale.

Old School Friday - Who Is The Greatest?

2009-05-15T09:09:00.006-05:00

This is the toughest Friday yet! I mean, how do you pick the best of all time? There are just too many ways to go on this theme, but I am going with the person in which Johnny Mathis and BeBe Winans considered the best singer in the world, Gladys Knight. I can't wait to cruise the blogsphere and check out who the rest of the OSF bloggers are choosing. Happy Old School Friday to all and to all a good day!

This meme was developed by Marvalus View and Ms. Grapevine. The rules are simple:

1. Anyone can participate; any music genre
2. Old School is defined as music created before 1999
3. No offensive words allowed, please use edited radio version
4. Post a video of your favorite Old School song to take us back down memory lane
5. Add your name to the meme list so that others can check you out
6. Have fun & don't forget to leave comments for other participants

If you want to join in on the fun, click here.

Chuck Daly Succumbs to Cancer at 78

2009-05-09T17:32:00.005-05:00

Everyone who knows me personally knows that my favorite sport is basketball and the I am a die hard Detroit Pistons fan. I know that got swept in the first round of the playoffs (I digress). A huge part of my love for this team is because of their coach during the 80's and the 90's, Chuck Daly. Chuck passed away today, a victim of pancreatic cancer.

Growing up in lower Michigan we spent an abundance of time watching or attending sporting events. From the Tigers to the Red Wings, there is something magical about the teams and the fans of Michigan. Detroit had never been a real power house on the basketball front, but that all changed when Chuck Daly showed up on the scene and took a group of very diverse (some would call misfits) individuals to championships, not once, but back-to-back! Chuck accomplished with such style and grace. He was one of the greatest coaches of all time in my humble opinion. I mean after Chuck, nobody else was ever able to truly coach Dennis Rodman.

Not only did he coach the "Bad Boys", but he also coached the 1994 Olympic "Dream Team" to a gold medal. In fact he was the first coach to win both NBA and Olympic titles. Daly was voted one of the 10 greatest coaches of the NBA’s first half-century in 1996, two years after being inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame. Daly had a career regular-season record of 638-437 in 13 NBA seasons. In 12 playoff appearances, his teams went 75-51. He led Detroit Pistons’ in regular-season and playoff victories.

NBA commissioner David Stern said, "Chuck did much more than coach basketball games, he positively impacted everyone he met, both personally and professionally, and his love of people and the game of basketball helped develop the next generation of coaches". Daly also made the right moves for the Pistons, who were notorious for their physical play with Bill Laimbeer and Rick Mahorn leading the fight, Rodman making headlines and Hall of Fame guards Isiah Thomas and Dumars lifting the team to titles in 1989 and 1990. Through it all Daly was able to take the team to the highest levels of play and taught his players what teamwork is all about. He laid the foundation for a style of play that still exist among today's Piston team.

With all of his accomplishments, one of the attributes that sticks out in my mind was Chuck Daly's style. His dress was impeccable. He wore the nicest suits and everything was always color coordinated down to the socks! Former Piston John Salley gave Daly the nickname Daddy Rich for his impeccably tailored suits. The National Basketball Coaches’ Association created pins with the initials “CD” that many coaches and broadcasters are wearing as it dedicates this postseason to Daly. The organization also established the Chuck Daly Lifetime Achievement Award, which will be given annually.

My heartfelt sympathy goes out to Chuck's family in this time of mourning. Rest in peace Chuck.

The SOOOUUULLLL TTTRRRAAAIIINNN!!!

2009-05-08T08:14:00.004-05:00

I watched this show in the pre cable days of my youth, when I had to dance while adjusting the antenna to keep the picture from disappearing. I use to fantasize about moving to California just to get on Soul Train. I wanted to hang out with Francesca, Little Joe, Fawn, Tyrone "The Bone" Proctor and Damita Joe Freeman.
Alas, I grew up. When I saw the show in the 90's it was but a shell of what it once was. I imagine that Don Cornelius' retirement had a lot to do with it.

I went with performances by Al Green and Joe Tex (the last performance has a dance solo by Damita Jo Freeman).

This meme was developed by Marvalus View and Ms. Grapevine. The rules are simple:

1. Anyone can participate; any music genre
2. Old School is defined as music created before 1999
3. No offensive words allowed, please use edited radio version
4. Post a video of your favorite Old School song to take us back down memory lane
5. Add your name to the meme list so that others can check you out
6. Have fun & don't forget to leave comments for other participants

If you want to join in on the fun, click here.

Fanily Reunions, Nicpics, and Barbeques

2009-05-01T06:34:00.003-05:00

As summertime approaches we start getting prepared for the festivities the season brings. Rather than go with the obvious I thought I would share a little J.T.

This meme was developed by Marvalus View and Ms. Grapevine. The rules are simple:

1. Anyone can participate; any music genre
2. Old School is defined as music created before 1999
3. No offensive words allowed, please use edited radio version
4. Post a video of your favorite Old School song to take us back down memory lane
5. Add your name to the meme list so that others can check you out
6. Have fun & don't forget to leave comments for other participants

If you want to join in on the fun, click here.

Old School Fridays - Blogger Appreciation

2009-04-17T08:24:00.005-05:00

Well another Friday has rolled around and what makes Friday the best day of the week? Why participating in the Old School Friday meme of course! Since it is my choice this week, I decided to go with my favorite "living" male singer, Jeffrey Osborne. He can "Woo, Woo, Woo" me anytime.

This meme was developed by Marvalus View and Ms. Grapevine. The rules are simple:

1. Anyone can participate; any music genre
2. Old School is defined as music created before 1999
3. No offensive words allowed, please use edited radio version
4. Post a video of your favorite Old School song to take us back down memory lane
5. Add your name to the meme list so that others can check you out
6. Have fun & don't forget to leave comments for other participants

If you want to join in on the fun, click here.

Has Burger King Gone Too Far

2009-04-15T15:51:00.004-05:00

I was perusing the Internet when I came upon this controversial commercial. It seems that the Burger King is "scatching, cutting, and dancing" to Sir Mix-A-Lot's "Baby Got Back". Burger King is using this latest marketing strategy to sell to the "Sponge Bob" set. In the commercial Burger King proclaims that he loves square butts! The advertisement is a partnership endeavor between the Burger King Corporation and Nickelodeon Television Network. Susan Linn, the director of the Campaign for Commercial-Free Childhood said: "It's bad enough when companies use a beloved media character like SpongeBob to promote junk food to children, but it's utterly reprehensible when that character simultaneously promotes objectified, sexualized images of women." When I saw the commercial I found it humorous, but then I don't have an impressionable six year old. Do you find the commercial offensive?

Old School Friday - If My Mama Only Knew

2009-04-09T23:02:00.004-05:00

Thank God it's Friday! This was a difficult theme because in my day there was not a lot of music around that we had to snatch off the turntable when our mothers walked in the room. This is a stretch, but I went with Marvin Gaye's You Sure Love to Ball. I cannot wait to roam the blogsphere and see what others have to offer :-P

This meme was developed by Marvalus View and Ms. Grapevine. The rules are simple:

1. Anyone can participate; any music genre
2. Old School is defined as music created before 1999
3. No offensive words allowed, please use edited radio version
4. Post a video of your favorite Old School song to take us back down memory lane
5. Add your name to the meme list so that others can check you out
6. Have fun & don't forget to leave comments for other participants

If you want to join in on the fun, click here.

Act Like a Lady, Think Like A Man

2009-04-09T19:22:00.005-05:00

I received the below email from Barbara P. Carson, who say that her copyrighted title of "Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Man" is the name of a book she wrote back in 2004 about empowering women. I don't know why she sent me the email, but I will share it with you. You can hear an interview with Ms. Carson by clicking here I urge you to listen to the interview, which I found very intriguing.

The email reads:

Original Author of "Act Like a Lady Think Like a Man" Says Steve Harvey is using her original title and theme to send a distorted message of empowerment to women.

Chicago, Ill. April 5, 2009 -- Author Sharon P. Carson of Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Man, says the Steve Harvey's book of the same name is a misrepresented take on her original work. Carson, who is pursuing her rights under unfair competition laws, secured a copyright for the title in 2004, and then established www.actlikealadythinklikeaman.com.

Harvey's book, published in January of this year, copies the title and theme of her work, says Carson, and takes some of her authentic thoughts and conclusions and contorts them into a detrimental message for women. Carson says his approach is a distorted view of her original vision.

Carson says her self-published book was written, "To encourage women to accept and appreciate who they are both inside and out and to respect themselves and demand respect from their male counter part." She also felt women need to be as tough minded as men are in relationships, which is how she created the title, Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Man.

Harvey has stated the title for his book came through an editor, but originally contained the word "girl" instead of "lady," a substitution for which he takes credit.

An excerpt from Carson's book discusses the unnecessary concept of women changing themselves physically for their partner: "Why should women become someone they hate in order to please someone they think they love? What if the relationship ends, will they have to change again to please the next man?"

An excerpt from Harvey's book, on p. 207, mirrors Carson's point: "But if you’re telling your man you want a nose job and he sees nothing wrong with the nose you already have then maybe you ought to think about leaving your nose alone. Why run the risk of something going wrong when your man is already happy with the way you look? Why lose the extra weight if your man is happy with you the way you are?"

In addition to reworking her original ideas, Carson objects to the anti-empowerment message of Harvey's take on a successful woman, per p. 182: "If you’ve got your own money, your own car, your own house, a Brinks alarm system, a pistol and a guard dog and your practically shouting from the roof that you don’t need a man to provide for you or protect you, then we will see no need to keep coming around."

Carson asks, "How does this message empower us as women? Should we prepare for success so that we can provide and protect ourselves or should we forgo that and wait for a man come along and do it for us?"

While Carson is looking into protecting her own rights as an author, she also is concerned about getting her message out there—that women are their own authority, they are complete with, or without, a man.

Fans of Carson's book frequently react with praise and the desire to pass on the book's message. One reader writes, "You were right ON point w/this book! I learned these things the hard way, but I am gonna give a copy to my daughters to read! And your insights really helped me build more effectively with my son! Thank you!"

For more information about Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Man, contact Sharon Carson or visit www.actlikealadythinklikeaman.com.

About Sharon P. Carson

Sharon P. Carson is a gifted author and poet, and has published four books in her lifetime, including the poetic volume Not By Bread Alone and Go Tell The Children. Carson, a State Certified Real Estate Appraiser, is the mother of two children, and lives in Chicago, Ill. With her husband of 41 years.

Contact:

Sharon P. Carson

773-568-2274

sharonpcarson@gmail.com

http://www.actlikealadythinklikeaman.com

Old School Fridays - Songs With The Word Baby In Them

2009-03-20T10:28:00.006-05:00

Hi Everyone! Glad to be back. It has been a while and I really missed blogging, especially my "Old School Friday" friends. Today I chose a double shot from the tempting Temptations, "My Baby" and "Since I Lost My Baby"

This meme was developed by Marvalus View and Ms. Grapevine. The rules are simple:

1. Anyone can participate; any music genre
2. Old School is defined as music created before 1999
3. No offensive words allowed, please use edited radio version
4. Post a video of your favorite Old School song to take us back down memory lane
5. Add your name to the meme list so that others can check you out
6. Have fun & don't forget to leave comments for other participants

If you want to join in on the fun, click here.

Old School Fridays - Song With The Word Heart In The Title

2009-03-06T00:17:00.006-06:00

Well it's Friday once more. I had a really hard time with this theme for some reason; however I came up with the perfect song. Anyone Who Had A Heart, originally performed by Dionne Warwick (unfortunately I could not find the original) and two covers of the song, one by Luther Vandross and the other by Dusty Springfield. I found Ms. Warwick performing the song (sort of) with Cliff Richards dubbed in.

This meme was developed by Marvalus View and Ms. Grapevine. The rules are simple:

1. Anyone can participate; any music genre
2. Old School is defined as music created before 1999
3. No offensive words allowed, please use edited radio version
4. Post a video of your favorite Old School song to take us back down memory lane
5. Add your name to the meme list so that others can check you out
6. Have fun & don't forget to leave comments for other participants

If you want to join in on the fun, click here.

I got a last minute add!

25 Writers That Influenced Me

2009-03-02T21:58:00.005-06:00

Sojourner tagged me! She wants to know twenty-five authors that have influenced me. Here goes in no particular order!

1. Patricia Hill Collins
2. Assata Shakur
3. El Hajj Malik El Shabazz
4. Nikki Giovanni
5. Ida B. Wells-Barnett
6. Terri McMillan
7. John Saul
8. George Jackson
9. Angela Y. Davis
10. Joyce A. Ladner
11. Alex Haley
12. Henry Lewis Gates Jr.
13. Alice Walker
14. Gil Scott Heron
15. Langston Hughes
16. Maya Angelou
17. Sonya Sanchez
18. Ntozake Shange
19. W.E.B. Dubois
20. Dorothy Roberts
21. Zora Neal Hurston
22. Randall Robinson
23. Molefi Asante
24. Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
25. Lorraine Hansberry

Old School Friday - Songs From Sophomore Year

2009-02-27T11:10:00.004-06:00

1972 was a very good year. Check out the player below to find out why. This was a year of classic R & B music. Click here and you will understand the I make this proclamation. This week I am going with James Brown who WAS the 60's and 70's, The Staple Singers, and Al Green.

This meme was developed by Marvalus View and Ms. Grapevine. The rules are simple:

1. Anyone can participate; any music genre
2. Old School is defined as music created before 1999
3. No offensive words allowed, please use edited radio version
4. Post a video of your favorite Old School song to take us back down memory lane
5. Add your name to the meme list so that others can check you out
6. Have fun & don't forget to leave comments for other participants

If you want to join in on the fun, click here.

Idol's Four Panel Jury A Bust?

2009-02-26T07:59:00.003-06:00

I have been half-heartedly watching American Idol this year. One reason is that for the most part the talent has been mediocre at best and secondly, I do not understand the necessity for the fourth judge. When I first heard that there would be a new judge on the Idol scene, I will admit that I was curious. I wondered what type of personality the new judge would have and what she would bring to the table as far as judging is concerned.

I was really hoping that it would be someone with an extensive musical background that would be qualified to judge a contest such as this with impartiality and prudence. While the new judge, Kara DioGuardi does have a musical background (songwriter), I find nothing intriguing or exciting about her. Paula Abdul must agree with me because she has publicly stated that the fourth judge slows the show down and interrupts its flow.

Are there any fans of Idol still with the show in the 8th season and if so, what do you think of the addition of the fourth judge?

The Return of South Central

2009-02-20T12:51:00.005-06:00

TV ONE is broadcasting eight episodes of the series South Central on Monday, February 23rd at 1:00 AM CST. The series, set in South Central Los Angeles, dealt with the lives of an African American family, the Moseleys, and issues, such as gang violence, drugs, dating, sex, school, and employment. Joan Moseley (Tina Lifford) is a divorced mother, raising three children without any financial assistance from her former husband. The financial situation becomes even more complicated when she is laid off from her job at the neighborhood market. Her children include Andrè (Larenz Tate), Tasha (Tasha Scott) and foster son Deion (Keith Mbulo). Rounding out the casts was Joan’s friends, Dr. Ray McHenry (Ken Page) and Sweets (Paula Kelly).

South Central featured many guest stars including Jennifer Lopez, Shar Jackson, Michael Beach, and Maia Campbell. This show provided a realistic portrayal of urban life and was very popular among critics. In retrospect the series might have been too real airing not long after the Los Angeles riots. I remember one episode that showed Tasha outside in the yard singing under a helicopter (ghetto bird) spotlight. The show aired on Tuesday nights following Roc.

Due to a decline in ratings of the entire night of programming, FOX cancelled all of the shows on that night, which included The Sinbad Show and In Living Color. The cancellation of the series, which had a predominately black cast, prompted Jesse Jackson to call for a boycott of the network for what he called their institutional racism. FOX maintained that the series were low rated and the decision to cancel was not racially motivated. Thanks to TV ONE for bringing back a show that never really had a chance. I found this clip of Tasha Scott and a scene with her acting opposite CCH Pounder is contained here.

Old School Friday - The Jackson Family

2009-02-20T10:37:00.005-06:00

Well it's Friday yet again. This is probably my favorite family group of all times (sorry Sylvers and Debarge). We have been inundated with Michael Joe videos over the years, so I decided to go with The group as a whole. one by Jermaine, and one by Janet (sorry Latoya and Rebe).

This meme was developed by Marvalus View and Ms. Grapevine. The rules are simple:

1. Anyone can participate; any music genre
2. Old School is defined as music created before 1999
3. No offensive words allowed, please use edited radio version
4. Post a video of your favorite Old School song to take us back down memory lane
5. Add your name to the meme list so that others can check you out
6. Have fun & don't forget to leave comments for other participants

If you want to join in on the fun, click here.

Drunken Negro Face Cookies!

2009-02-16T21:30:00.002-06:00

Am I the only one to find the idea of a bake good named "Drunken Negro Face Cookies" offensive? I received the below video in an email and it made me angry enough to "chew bricks". The cookies in question were supposedly used to celebrate the Inauguration of President Obama. On that day the cookies were referred to as "Obama Heads". The Greenwich Connecticut baker who sells these cookies does not see why anyone would have a problem with these cookies and that the women (who happen to be Caucasian) who reported the story are overreacting. What do you think? Should all people find this appalling and racist or am I being overly sensitive?

Tyler Perry Wants Ms. Ross

2009-02-14T10:29:00.001-06:00

Tyler Perry is by his own admission stalking Diana Ross. According to Perry he want her in a new film he is producing entitled A Jazz Man's Blues. He has been sending flowers, e-mails to people who know her, and talked to the man who walks her dog. The film is set around 1947 and Tyler would like Ms. Ross to bring some of what she brought to Lady Sings The Blues. Tyler confessed that he would love to showcase what a powerful actress she is because we have not seen her in a long time. On a personal note I thought Ms. Ross was good in Double Platinum with Brandy Norwood, but she was especially compelling in Out Of Darkness in which she portrayed a woman diagnosed with schizophrenia. Below is a clip of her portrayal.

Update: Out of Darkness will be showing on TV ONE, February 18th at 12:00 AM CST.

Old School Friday: Everybody Loves The Blues!

2009-02-13T08:53:00.006-06:00

Both of my grandmother's had a love for the blues. I remember weekends filled with the sounds of B. B., Bobby 'Blue' Bland and what seemed to be my paternal grandmother's favorite, Lou Rawl's "Tobacco Road". As a child I did not want to hear that mess, I wanted to hear the Miracles, Temptations and the Vandallas, but I digress. Over the years I have gained more knowledge and insight about the genre and yes, a love for the blues! Last week my player did not work correctly, but I am going to try it again. My selections this week are Bobby Bland, Little Willie John and a live performance by Buddy Guy and B. B. King. Enjoy!

This meme was developed by Marvalus View and Mrs. Grapevine

The rules are simple:

1. Anyone can participate, any music genre

2. Old School is defined as music created before 1999

3. No offensive music allowed, please use the edited radio version

4. Post a video of your favorite songs to take us back down memory lane

5. Add your name to the meme so that others can check you out

6. Have fun and don't forget to leave comments for other participants

Click here to join in the fun!

Welcome to Dallas Kwame!

2009-02-12T22:09:00.005-06:00

Well according to local new cast in the Dallas area, Kwame Kilpatrick, former mayor of Detroit, Michigan, has taken a job in the Dallas area. The disgraced former mayor just completed a 99 day stint in jail. According to the Detroit News Kilpatrick still owes the city of Detroit a million dollars, yet he has leased a 3,000 a month, one half acre Southlake rental (an exclusive area outside of Dallas), where his family has been residing since December.

Push: Based on the Novel by Sapphire

2009-02-09T09:52:00.008-06:00

In Push: Based on the Novel by Sapphire, Claireece Precious Jones endures unimaginable hardships in her young life. Abused by her mother, raped by her father, she grows up poor, angry, illiterate, fat, unloved and generally unnoticed. So what better way to learn about her than through her own, halting dialect. Instead of being swallowed by depression, Claireece tries to break from the chains of ignorance by digging deep into her own resources. Push has won both the Grand Jury Prize and Audience Award in the U.S. Dramatic Competition at 2009 Sundance Film Festival.

Precious, in addition to her physical problems, lacks even basic self-esteem, and Push is largely about her journey toward normalcy. Things will never be super-awesome for her; the point is that she can learn to cope with life and find a semblance of happiness and self-respect. That feeling of hopefulness, not the awfulness that precedes it, is what you'll take with you when the film is over.

The film has a stellar cast with Monique, Mariah Carey, Paula Patton, Lenny Kravitz, and Gabourey Sidibe as Claireece Precious Jones. Here is a clip from the Sundance Film Festival.

Etta and Beyoncê Feuding?

2009-02-08T18:31:00.003-06:00

There is a new feud brewing on the horizon between legendary blues singer, Etta James and Beyoncê (who incidentally recently immortalized Ms. James on film in “Cadillac Records”). Etta, the originator of the classic love song “At Last,” has lashed out at Beyoncê for singing the tune during the first dance of President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama at last month’s Neighborhood Inaugural Ball. According to reports, Ms. James allegedly quipped at a Seattle concert, “You guys know your president, right? You know the one with the big ears? Wait a minute, he ain’t my president, he might be yours, he ain’t my president. You know that woman he had singing for him, singing my song–she’s going to get her ass whipped. The great Beyoncê. I can’t stand Beyoncê,” she spat. “She has no business up there, singing up there on a big ol’ president day, singing my song that I’ve been singing forever.”

Oh, oh, it seems that Bey has stepped on yet another legendary divas’ toes. Remember last year when she referred to Tina Turner as the “Queen of Soul”, which prompted Aretha Franklin to fire off a scathing email chastising the up and coming singer. Is Ms. James being sensitive or did Beyoncê over step her boundaries by performing the song at the Inauguration Ball? Or is this all just some sort of attention seeking publicity stunt?

Old School Friday - New Edition Members Songs

2009-02-06T06:08:00.010-06:00

I have always enjoyed New Edition since its conception. I had a chance to catch the original five back in the 80's when my son was a boy. What a great show. Anyhow when I started loading up my player for this theme there was just so many ways to go with so many great songs. I just couldn't stop, so I loaded up my player with four songs this time, one by the original group, one by the group sans Bobby Brown and with Johnny Gill and songs by Bobby and Johnny respectively. Enjoy!

This meme was developed by Marvalus View and Mrs. Grapevine

The rules are simple:

1. Anyone can participate, any music genre

2. Old School is defined as music created before 1999

3. No offensive music allowed, please use the edited radio version

4. Post a video of your favorite songs to take us back down memory lane

5. Add your name to the meme so that others can check you out

6. Have fun and don't forget to leave comments for other participants

Click here to join in the fun!

Old School Fridays - Original Vs Remake

2009-01-30T07:42:00.005-06:00

If you know anything about Motown, you know that practically every single was cut on more than one artist, "I Heard It Through The Grapevine" comes to mind. Anyhow I am going with two Motown heavyweights this time, the Jackson five covering Stevie Wonder's "I Don't Know Why I Love You, But I Love You". Little Michael definitely gives Stevie a run for the money on this one in my humble opinion.

This meme was developed by Marvalus View and Mrs. Grapevine

The rules are simple:

1. Anyone can participate, any music genre

2. Old School is defined as music created before 1999

3. No offensive music allowed, please use the edited radio version

4. Post a video of your favorite songs to take us back down memory lane

5. Add your name to the meme so that others can check you out

6. Have fun and don't forget to leave comments for other participants

Click here to join in the fun!

I Wish - An Original Poem By Latisha

2009-01-27T22:58:00.008-06:00

For many years I have worked with children and adolescents as a mental health professional. While I am an educator, I also work as a licensed chemical dependency counselor for teenagers from 13 to 18 years of age. The work is challenging, but rewarding and every now and then you come in contact with someone who is really talented. The young lady who wrote this poem is very talented 17 year old and this is only one of many of her offerings. She has allowed me to share this poem with my blogger pals and she would appreciate feedback both good and bad.

I Wish

By the time you get this letter I might be doing better
It's kind of hard trying to survive in all this crazy weather
Everybody wants my number, everybody's calling my name

But in the mist of this I can still hear you say

"Girl walk upright and straighten your life because you don't want one of

those good jobs to pass you by and don't act no fool cause I'll always be

watching you!"

And now that you're gone it stills feels like you're here!

I miss our walks one thing you use to say when things get hard get down on

your knees and pray and then our walks it's just those simple things I miss

We still do all of these but only in my dreams!

At night I pray to god and ask him why can't you still be here with me?

I look up when it's raining I try hard to live life the right way but it'll take

a couple more years for the world to see how I'm trying to stay strong but

barely moving on I know I'll see you again but for right now Rest In Peace!

And when I get to heaven first thing I'll say will be tell me have you seenMaybell Marie Johnson

Find out where you are run into your arms so you can wrap your wings

around me and whisper in my ear well done my child!

Granny I wish you were here to see the things I've done

I wish you were here you'd be so proud of this single loved one

I wish you were here to celebrate with me

I wish you were here!

Written by: Latisha

January 23, 2009

Solid As Barack!

2009-01-25T23:27:00.004-06:00

The singing, songwriting team of Ashford and Simpson have taken their early 1980's hit "Solid As A Rock" , reworked it and renamed it "Solid As Barack". A tribute to President Barack Obama, the catchy ode was released digitally on Jan. 20 – the same historic day he was inaugurated as the first African American President of the United States of America. This new version, complete with expanded lyrics for the entire song, is a reverential tribute to Obama.

The hit-making husband and wife team premiered the song on 'Larry King Live' during the inauguration weekend. That's where it was revealed that the demand for the remix has been overwhelming since a recent airing of a version of the song on 'Saturday Night Live,' which was performed by the comedic cast of the series.

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame 2009 Inductees

2009-01-25T01:16:00.009-06:00

On October 03, 2008, Malcolm of "Pop Culture Dish" wrote and posted an excellent piece on the 2009 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Inductees. He speculated about who would and would not get in and who should and should not get in. To read that story click here.

The nominees were Jeff Beck, Chic, Little Anthony and the Imperials, Metallica, Run DMC, War and Bobby Womack. In response to Malcolm's post I mentioned that although I am a huge fan of War, I did not believe they would get into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame before Bobby Womack. Bobby Womack, who was once a sideman for Sam Cooke, had a very successful solo career, and he is also a native son of Cleveland, which gives him a leg up, so to speak.

I also predicted that Little Anthony and the Imperials and Run DMC would be inducted. I remember Little Anthony and the Imperials being a huge draw, especially for the girls. They were also very entertaining with their dance steps and splits. You know the kind of guy that the girls want to be with and the boys want to be :-) Run DMC influenced a generation of hip hoppers, enough said!

Anyhow, the dust has settled and here are the 2009 inductees; drum roll please!

Performer Inductees:

Jeff Beck

Little Anthony & the Imperials

Metallica

Run DMC

Bobby Womack

Early Influence:

Wanda Jackson

Sideman Category:

Bill Black

DJ Fontana

Spooner Oldham

Of course I am a fan of War and Chic. I spent many a night in the disco during my misspent youth, and while I think that War is deserving, Chic as a group is not. I do have a feeling that down the line Nile Rodgers (Chic's guitar player) will be given consideration. Have a look at the inductees biographies and tell me what do you think about this year's inductees. While you ponder that thought enjoy a medley by Little Anthony & the Imperials.

Inauguration Day!

2009-01-20T00:01:00.002-06:00

Inauguration Day has finally arrived! I would like to give a shout out to the new first family and wish them all the best in the next 4 years. It has been a rough couple of years for Barack Obama. His background has been exposed, he was accused of not being a citizen of the United States, being a terrorist, and just plain scandalized. I am so proud of the fact that he and his wife Michelle were able to maintain their grace under a hail storm of fire. These folks have shown a class and style that is incomparable.

I have only one more thing to say about our new Commander-in-Chief. His name is Barack Hussein Obama, not Messiah, Jehovah, Jesus, Allah or The Holy Ghost! The mess this country is in was not made in 4 years and more than likely will not be resolved in one presidential term. Let us stand behind our President, give him the support he will need as he begins this difficult and challenging journey, and wish him Godspeed.

Diversity Ink

2009-01-19T12:40:00.007-06:00

Hello Everyone!

How apropos, on the day we celebrate the birth of Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. a new blog is being launched that will explore the issue of race from the perspectives of several contributors and You! Diversity Ink will include the personal experiences of the contributors along with writings on pop culture, current events, and other topics as they relate to race.

You are all invited to stop on by, kick your shoes off, get comfortable and become ready to take part in discussions that will sometimes be fun, sometimes uncomfortable, but always informative and entertaining. Please add Diversity Ink to your blogroll and we will see you there!

2009-01-16T10:17:00.005-06:00

The theme this week is television theme songs. I love television theme songs and there are so many to choose from. I chose the theme song from "Maude", which was song by Donny Hathaway and the theme from "Living Single".

This meme was developed by Marvalus View and Mrs. Grapevine

The rules are simple:

1. Anyone can participate, any music genre

2. Old School is defined as music created before 1999

3. No offensive music allowed, please use the edited radio version

4. Post a video of your favorite songs to take us back down memory lane

5. Add your name to the meme so that others can check you out

6. Have fun and don't forget to leave comments for other participants

Click here

Happy 80th Birthday Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

2009-01-15T23:12:00.004-06:00

Today would have been the 80th birthday of Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King. I posted these quotes last year, but they remain applicable. Although the national celebration is next Monday his actual date of birth is January 15, 1929. Born Michael Luther King, Jr., he later had his name changed to Martin. His grandfather began the family's long tenure as pastors of the Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta. He would have been 79 years old today. This year is also significant because April 4th will be the fortieth anniversary of his assassination. Although he only graced us with his presence for 39 short years, he left a legacy that is shared throughout the world by millions of people. Rather than dwell on the negative aspects of his death, I will celebrate his life by sharing some quotes from the man himself.

A lie cannot live.

A man who won't die for something is not fit to live.

A nation that continues year after year to spend more money on military defense than on programs of social uplift is approaching spiritual doom.

I look to a day when people will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character.

I refuse to accept the view that mankind is so tragically bound to the starless midnight of racism and war that the bright daybreak of peace and brotherhood can never become a reality... I believe that unarmed truth and unconditional love will have the final word.

It may be true that the law cannot make a man love me, but it can keep him from lynching me, and I think that's pretty important.

Freedom is never voluntarily given by the oppressor; it must be demanded by the oppressed.

Means we use must be as pure as the ends we seek.

Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.

The ultimate tragedy is not the oppression and cruelty by the bad people but the silence over that by the good people.

The quality, not the longevity, of one's life is what is important.

There is nothing more tragic than to find an individual bogged down in the length of life, devoid of breadth.

We must develop and maintain the capacity to forgive. He who is devoid of the power to forgive is devoid of the power to love. There is some good in the worst of us and some evil in the best of us. When we discover this, we are less prone to hate our enemies.

Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly. I can never be what I ought to be until you are what you ought to be. This is the interrelated structure of reality.

When you are right you cannot be too radical; when you are wrong, you cannot be too conservative.

Martin Luther King, Jr.

Obama: Reasons He Ran For The Presidency

2009-01-15T11:56:00.002-06:00

As you know I haven't been blogging much lately. My schedule is crazy and I just don't have as much time as I use to. Believe me I am trying to remedy this :-) Sometimes you run across something that you just want to share. Isaw this article and I thought it was worth blogging about because it talks about a brighter future for children and ultimately a better society in general. This is an open letter from Obama to his girls. Click here to read the letter in its entirety.

Old School Fridays: 1974

2009-01-09T14:59:00.007-06:00

I am going to take you back to 1974. It was a very good year and this was one of my favorite groups of all times, in fact is was my favorite group in 1974. Sit back and enjoy Chaka Khan and the band when they were new and fresh!

This meme was developed by Marvalus View and Mrs. Grapevine

The rules are simple:

1. Anyone can participate, any music genre

2. Old School is defined as music created before 1999

3. No offensive music allowed, please use the edited radio version

4. Post a video of your favorite songs to take us back down memory lane

5. Add your name to the meme so that others can check you out

6. Have fun and don't forget to leave comments for other participants

Click here to join the fun

Charles Barkley Arrested on Suspicion of DUI

2008-12-31T12:00:00.002-06:00

Charles Barkley joins the ranks of Diana Ross, Heather Locklear and Queen Latifah, all of whom have been arrested for suspicion of driving under the influence. He was arrested by an Arizona tasks force which specializes in targeting drunk drivers. Read the story here. All I have to say to celebrities is WHERE THE HELL IS YOUR DRIVER!!! It is not like you cannot afford to call a car if you have been indulging. I would like to know what others think about this trend and driving while intoxicated, especially on the biggest celebration night of the year.

United States Oldest Living Male Dies at 112

2008-12-29T08:17:00.002-06:00

George Francis, the nation's oldest man who lived through both world wars, man's first walk on the moon and got to vote for the first black president, has died. UCLA gerontologist, Stephen Coles, who maintains a list of the world's oldest people, said Francis lived 112 years and 204 days. Read entire story here.

Old School Friday - I Can Drink To That

2008-12-26T00:08:00.007-06:00

It seems that back in the good old days adults use to get together every Friday for fish, barbeque, beer and liquor. It wasn't a house party without the music of James Brown. I grew up listening to it at home and when I started going to quarter parties in basements, Brown was always on the turntable. Kick back and listen to "Sex Machine", enjoy the dance lesson provided by Mr. Brown and then groove to "Papa Don't Take No Mess" and "Gimme My Thang".

This meme was developed by Marvalus View and Mrs. Grapevine

The rules are simple:

1. Anyone can participate, any music genre

2. Old School is defined as music created before 1999

3. No offensive words allowed, please use the edited radio version

4. Post video of your favorite Old School song to take us back down memory lane

5. Add your name to the meme list so that others can check you out

6. Have fun and don't forget to leave comments for other participants

To join in the fun, click here

Eartha Kitt Succumbs at 81

2008-12-25T23:20:00.005-06:00

Sultry sex symbol of the 40, 50's and 60's died of colon cancer today. She was one of the most versatile actresses of all time, winning two Emmys, two Grammys and having several Tony nominations. Her career spanned a total of six decades, from her start as a dancer in the famed Katherine Durham troupe to her work on stage, in film and on vinyl. She penned three autobiographies throughout her life and was once dubbed the "most exciting woman in the world" by Orson Welles.

Kitt came from humble South Carolina beginnings and was of mixed heritage. She made headline news for denouncing the Vietnam War while visiting the White House. This incident caused her to be blacklisted for many years. I first remember seeing Ms. Kitt opposite Nat King Cole in the film "St. Louis Blues". Younger audiences might remember her as the much older woman after Eddie Murphy in "Boomerang". Others may remember her as one of the Catwomen on the campy 60's series "Batman".

For years, Kitt was unsure of her birthplace or birth date. In 1997, a group of students at historically black Benedict College in Columbia, S.C., located her birth certificate, which verified her birth date as Jan. 17, 1927. Kitt had previously celebrated on Jan. 26. The research into her background also showed Kitt was the daughter of a white man, a poor cotton farmer.

Enjoy Ms Kitt spreading some holiday cheer.

Old School Friday - It's Christmas

2008-12-19T11:29:00.003-06:00

I am not a Christmas person, but I do like the music and films associated with the season. I have chosen two of my favorite old school Christmas songs. The Ojays "Christmas Just Ain't Christmas Without the One You Love" and the Emotions "What Do The Lonely Do At Christmas". No when you see the video for the latter song you may ask why Alicia Keys is in the video. I don't know why who ever uploaded the song dubbed it into an Alicia Keys video, but one thing for sure, this is the original song being performed by the Emotions. Enjoy the selections and I wish all who visit a Merry Christmas, Happy Kwanzaa, Happy Hanukkah, or just a very pleasant week ahead!

This meme was developed by Marvalus View and Ms. Grapevine

The rules are simple:

1. Anyone can participate; any music genre
2. Old School is defined as music created before 1999
3. No offensive words allowed, please use edited radio version
4. Post a video of your favorite Old School song to take us back down memory lane
5. Add your name to the meme list so that others can check you out
6. Have fun & don't forget to leave comments for other participants

If you want to join in on the fun, click here.

SEXTING!

2008-12-14T00:31:00.004-06:00

I do not have teenagers (thank the Lord), but I know what it is like to be a parent. I often think how difficult it is to be a parent and an adolescent in today's world. Let me tell you that I hate the news because it is all about the negative, rarely emphasizing the positive, however sometimes I do learn something by not switching the channel as soon as a newcast comes on the airwaves. Is anyone out there familiar with sexting?

From what I am told sexting is texting semi nude or nude photos to the object of your affection. In my day we use to pass notes (but I digress), but now in the technological age we are able to reach out in a more intimate way;-) Text-messaging, it seems, has become the communication mode of choice among teenagers. That has opened the door to growing abuses.

Apparently teens taking risqué photos of themselves is turning into a full-on epidemic. Researchers from Teenage Research Unlimited have finally put some hard numbers to the anecdotes about teens getting themselves in trouble with revealing photos. According to the study, commissioned by the National Campaign to Prevent Teen and and unplanned pregnancy and CosmoGirl.com, 22-percent of teenage girls and 18-percent of boys have taken nude or semi-nude photos of themselves and sent them to someone or posted them online. And a third of young adults (20-26 years old) have done the same.Young adults and teens view sending these photos and suggestive text messages as simple digital flirting. 39-percent of teens and 59-precent of those young adults say they've sent naughty texts a means of flirting.

Do you think this is harmless flirting or is it a growing problem among teens?

Cadillac Records

2008-12-07T17:01:00.008-06:00

I just saw the film "Cadillac Records" and I am rating two thumbs up! The reason this film rates four stars out four is because of the characterizations seem so real. Most biopics sugarcoat reality, but this one seems to tell it like it is, warts and all. The film tells the story of Leonard Chess (Adrien Brody) and singer Muddy Waters (Jeffrey Wright) and the founding of Chess Records in Chicago.

There are some standout performances, Columbus Short as Little Walter was my favorite depiction in the film, but all of the the performance were absolutely wonderful. Mos Def portrays an excellent Chuck Berry, duck walk and all. I was wondering if Beyonce could pull off a convincing Etta James and she does. Beyonce was also the executive producer of the movie.

I don't want to reveal the plot, but if you enjoy musical biographies I guarantee you will love this film.

Celebrate The Inauguration!

2008-12-06T21:37:00.003-06:00

On January 20, Barack Obama will be sworn in as president. I received an email from MOVE ON (an organization of which I am a member) and they have developed this cool inaugural t-shirt that all Obama supporters should be wearing on January 20. 2009. Even if we all cannot be in Washington DC physically on this auspicious day, we can be there in spirit and support our president elect.

Barack Obama has said many times that he can't deliver universal health care or a sweeping clean energy policy on his own. We all need to do our part.

MOVE ON has launched a campaign called "Real Voices for Change" to make Obama's progressive mandate impossible to ignore. We're organizing grassroots events. We're putting together a major ad campaign. And MOVE ON members are already out gathering messages of support from their neighbors.

We're going to make sure the voice of the people speaks louder than the HMO lobbyists and oil companies and purchasing this t-shirt will accomplish this goal. To get a t-shirt click here.

Old School Fridays - Actors Who Can Sing and Vice Versa

2008-12-05T09:12:00.003-06:00

There are too many in either category for me to name. For instance, Isaac Hayes, Gladys Knight, and Aretha Franklin come to mind as singers who from time to time have acted. Almost every old school actor can sing, a skill that is part and parcel of an actor. How about a dancer, who could act and sing. I chose the late Gregory Hines who was a true triple threat. I was astounded when I heard him hold his own with Luther Vandross. Here are the two legends singing "There's Nothing Better Than Love".

This meme was developed by Marvalus View and Ms. Grapevine

The rules are simple:

1. Anyone can participate; any music genre
2. Old School is defined as music created before 1999
3. No offensive words allowed, please use edited radio version
4. Post a video of your favorite Old School song to take us back down memory lane
5. Add your name to the meme list so that others can check you out
6. Have fun & don't forget to leave comments for other participants

If you want to join in on the fun, click here.

Old School Friday: Stevie Wonder Tribute!

2008-11-29T03:56:00.006-06:00

I have never met a person who did not love the music of Stevie Wonder. When I was a very small girl my teen aged uncle had the opportunity of seeing Stevie Wonder in one of his first concerts at the IMA Auditorium in Flint, Michigan when fingertips was all the rage. I recall being very jealous that I was unable to go. Some 40 plus years later I attended his concert last December. To read about the experience Click Here.

Since I never met a Stevie tune that I did not like, choosing a couple of songs was particularly difficult. I am going back to the beginning with "Fingertips" performed by a very young Stevie. The second song is one of my all time favorites by Stevie from the Music Aquarium album entitled "That Girl". My third choice is from arguably one of the best albums ever recorded by anyone anywhere, "Songs In The Key Of Life". The song "Knocks Me Off My Feet" shows a vulnerability that you do not hear in music recorded today.

This meme was developed by Marvalus View and Ms. Grapevine

The rules are simple:

1. Anyone can participate; any music genre
2. Old School is defined as music created before 1999
3. No offensive words allowed, please use edited radio version
4. Post a video of your favorite Old School song to take us back down memory lane
5. Add your name to the meme list so that others can check you out
6. Have fun & don't forget to leave comments for other participants

If you want to join in on the fun, click here.

Wal Mart Worker Trampled to Death on Black Friday

2008-11-28T22:35:00.006-06:00

Anytime you establish a day that appeals to human greed and graft, you have a definite recipe for disaster. A Wal-Mart worker was killed Friday when "out-of-control" shoppers desperate for bargains broke down the doors at a 5 a.m. sale. Other workers were trampled as they tried to rescue the man, and customers shouted angrily and kept shopping when store officials said they were closing because of the death, police and witnesses said.

At least four other people, including a woman who was eight months pregnant, were taken to hospitals for observation or minor injuries, and the store in Valley Stream on Long Island closed for several hours before reopening. According to witnesses people had been lined up at 10:00 pm the night before to take advantage of cheap merchandise, including 400 dollar flat screen televisions.

I do not go out on "Black Friday" because I expect this type of ignorant behavior from people. I am not a pessimist, but a realist. It's not that I don't like sales, because I do. I am just not willing to be maimed, dismembered and/or murdered to purchased an IPOD that has been marked down 20%. But that's just me!

Quote: Smokey on Michael

2008-11-28T22:30:00.004-06:00

Smokey Robinson provides some insight on Michael Jackson."He is the best who ever did it. The singing and the dancing and the records-the whole package. But somewhere ... he just got lost. It's easy to do."

-- Motown Records legend Smokey Robinson on Michael Jackson's legacy

Two Time Dancing With The Stars Winner Will Not Return

2008-11-27T10:14:00.007-06:00

Two time "Dancing With The Stars" winner, Julieanne Hough will not be returning next season. In an interview on Ryan Seacrest radio show, Hough reported that she will be leaving the show to focus on her country singing career. Her brother Derek Hough is this season's winner.

In the four seasons Julianne Hough has been dancing the show she taken top honors twice. In her first season with the show she won with speed skater Apolo Anton Ohno. She repeated the next season with race car driver Helio Castroneves. The only other two time winner on the show is Cheryl Burke, who won seasons two and three respectively.

I was talking on the phone while watching the show one night this season and I commented that the singer looked a lot like Julieanne, to which my friend replied, that it was in fact her. She is actually a pretty good singer whose hope is to be taken seriously in the industry. I wish her luck, but if things don't go as planned she can always come back to "Dancing With The Stars" season nine.

Here is a clip of Julianne and Derek Hough dancing the Jive.