gotta give anthony david a shoutout for calling this quote to my attention in an interview. seeing the movie last night reminded me of it.
"I believe that one of the most sound ideas in dramatic writing is that in order to create the universal, you must pay very great attention to the specific. Universality, I think, emerges from the truthful identity of what is." -- lorraine hansberry
nuff said.
2.26.2008
10 Quotes from A Raisin in the Sun
last night I crowded around the television with my family and a couple of friends (hey ashley and carrie!) for the first black movie tv event in what seems like a long time. three generations watching something decidedly more substantive than dancing with the stars. my grandma talked about how the love of money is the root of all evil, my mom talked about why lena left her son the room to devastate her or make her proud by giving him responsibility over a portion of the family’s inheritance, my friends, my sister and I applauded asagai’s eloquence. so much so that I couldn’t even transcribe the quote about the calabashes because a sista got too caught up listening to write it down! did he say he wanted to bring her cool drinks from the calabash?!
phylicia rashad and audra mcdonald gave stellar performances. I was concerned about diddy at first, but he did emote well in a few key scenes. props to the cast and especially Kenny leon for a well-made remake of a classic. here are my top ten quotes from the movie.
1. I remember well the things that are important to me. – asagai
2. in my mother’s house, there is still God. – lena/beneatha
3. alaiyo…what’s that? African for beneatha? – lena
4. when a cat takes off with your money he don’t leave no map. – bobo
5. man, I’m a volcano, a giant surrounded by ants. ants can’t understand a thing giants talking about. – walter lee
6. how we get to be at a place where we scared to talk softness to each other? – walter lee
7. life is divided up between the takers and the tooken and some of us always getting tooken. – walter lee
8. you making something inside me cry, son. – lena
9. if you gone measure a man, measure him right. measure all the hills and valleys he been through to get wherever he’s got. – lena
10. goodbye misery! I don’t ever want to see your ugly face again. -- ruth
phylicia rashad and audra mcdonald gave stellar performances. I was concerned about diddy at first, but he did emote well in a few key scenes. props to the cast and especially Kenny leon for a well-made remake of a classic. here are my top ten quotes from the movie.
1. I remember well the things that are important to me. – asagai
2. in my mother’s house, there is still God. – lena/beneatha
3. alaiyo…what’s that? African for beneatha? – lena
4. when a cat takes off with your money he don’t leave no map. – bobo
5. man, I’m a volcano, a giant surrounded by ants. ants can’t understand a thing giants talking about. – walter lee
6. how we get to be at a place where we scared to talk softness to each other? – walter lee
7. life is divided up between the takers and the tooken and some of us always getting tooken. – walter lee
8. you making something inside me cry, son. – lena
9. if you gone measure a man, measure him right. measure all the hills and valleys he been through to get wherever he’s got. – lena
10. goodbye misery! I don’t ever want to see your ugly face again. -- ruth
2.21.2008
Childhood TV Shows
first of all today is Wednesday, actually it's almost Thursday which means a sista is late on her top ten Tuesday promise. dear readers, please forgive. ? for your reading pleasure, top ten shows from when I was a kid, dedicated to all the 80s babies. this blog is brought to you by the number 10 and the letter A.
1. the smurfs – question: was smurfette the only female smurf? did that make her the queen bee? was she reproducing all the other smurfs? and what does that say about papa smurf? was being a rolling stone in his ancestry?
2. the cosby show – once the cosby show came on television Thursday nights were reserved. I literally felt like rudy and I grew up together. favorite episode…what am I thinking?! trying to list your favorite cosby show episode is a difficult task…some honorable mentions: the one where cliff turned the house into the real world for theo, "night time is the right time"
3. teenage mutant ninja turtles – is it possible to have a crush on a turtle? seriously? how can a turtle be cute?
4. the care bears – do the care bear countdown, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1
5. sesame street – one two three four five – six seven eight nine ten – eleven twelve
6. mr. rogers – ok now that I'm grown, this show actually seems a little weird. I mean, that man in his house talking to kids inviting them to be his neighbor, taking off his shoes and stuff. I don't know. but at the time, I dug mr. rogers and the little village with the train. maybe it helped my imagination. check out this video of mr. rogers learning how to breakdance.
7. square one – I really dug this show. mathnet was like an educational predecessor to law & order!
8. reading rainbow – I want to not only thank levar burton for playing such a quintessential role in roots but I also want to thank him for hosting the show that encouraged me to become a bookworm. I so wanted to be one of those kids telling about the plot of their favorite book. james and the giant peach sucka! but you don't have to take my word for it…check out this video of run dmc on reading rainbow.
9. jem – the fellas might not feel me on this one, but jem was a rock star version of superman. she was a regular chick and when she touched her star earring she became a rock chick. ok so she didn't have super powers but still with one touch of a fingernail and showtime synergy, she went from day to evening, plain jane to superfly. if they sold her earrings, I'd buy a pair right now!
10. fraggle rock – let me start by saying that I had a fraggle rock mini LP that I used jam to on my grandma's JVC. who knew the doozers could create a city with radishes and crystallized sugar water?
1. the smurfs – question: was smurfette the only female smurf? did that make her the queen bee? was she reproducing all the other smurfs? and what does that say about papa smurf? was being a rolling stone in his ancestry?
2. the cosby show – once the cosby show came on television Thursday nights were reserved. I literally felt like rudy and I grew up together. favorite episode…what am I thinking?! trying to list your favorite cosby show episode is a difficult task…some honorable mentions: the one where cliff turned the house into the real world for theo, "night time is the right time"
3. teenage mutant ninja turtles – is it possible to have a crush on a turtle? seriously? how can a turtle be cute?
4. the care bears – do the care bear countdown, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1
5. sesame street – one two three four five – six seven eight nine ten – eleven twelve
6. mr. rogers – ok now that I'm grown, this show actually seems a little weird. I mean, that man in his house talking to kids inviting them to be his neighbor, taking off his shoes and stuff. I don't know. but at the time, I dug mr. rogers and the little village with the train. maybe it helped my imagination. check out this video of mr. rogers learning how to breakdance.
7. square one – I really dug this show. mathnet was like an educational predecessor to law & order!
8. reading rainbow – I want to not only thank levar burton for playing such a quintessential role in roots but I also want to thank him for hosting the show that encouraged me to become a bookworm. I so wanted to be one of those kids telling about the plot of their favorite book. james and the giant peach sucka! but you don't have to take my word for it…check out this video of run dmc on reading rainbow.
9. jem – the fellas might not feel me on this one, but jem was a rock star version of superman. she was a regular chick and when she touched her star earring she became a rock chick. ok so she didn't have super powers but still with one touch of a fingernail and showtime synergy, she went from day to evening, plain jane to superfly. if they sold her earrings, I'd buy a pair right now!
10. fraggle rock – let me start by saying that I had a fraggle rock mini LP that I used jam to on my grandma's JVC. who knew the doozers could create a city with radishes and crystallized sugar water?
2.12.2008
I Heart Coffee Spots
I'm a sucker for conversation. with strangers, with good girlfriends, with my cousin nem, with the cutie in the line at wal-mart. coffee spots are a den for conversation, which means I'm also a sucker for a good coffee spot. I have had some pretty pivotal conversations over chai latte and shortbread. I would catalog them here, but that would ruin the whole surprise element when my memoir comes out. :D
I'm not really a coffee drinker, but something about the steam, the sweet, the cool ambient music makes the conversation seem so much more pivotal and intellectually deep. :P here are ten of my favorite places to gather for a combination caffeine and conversation high.
1. Mocha Match – my favorite thing about mocha match is that it has a couple of nooks and crannies where you can sit and not be seen. I sometimes need to go to a coffee spot and work and not get distracted looking at every person that comes in. great coffee, chai, cider, and the staff and the owner are cool ta def (hey Sabrina and joie!) oh and FREE WI-FI (Decatur near agnes scott college)
2. Urban Grind – looking for the BEST open mic in Atlanta, stop through on Thursdays! with jon goode, blaqkharma, nukola, and spinxx alternating as hosts, Thursdays at urban grind are a guaranteed good time. I stand by it! urban grind's also got other fun stuff like a musician's open mic, game night, art night. come through and upgrade your social life. great drinks, great food, cool tees and music for sale, and the owner is the sweetest lady you wanna meet (hey Cassandra!) oh and FREE WI-FI with a purchase. (Marietta st/howell mill)
3. Octane – ok I rarely go to octane to talk. if I'm octane it's strictly for working and it seems that for most octane customers, this coffee spot has become their mobile office. if you need a place to get focused and finally finish up some work, try octane. oh and try the caramal coolant but be warned, drink one too late and you will be up all night! oh yeah and FREE WI-FI. (howell mill & 8th)
4. Sip – sip hands down wins the best décor award. it's got a very modern chocoloate look with some splashes of live green. they even have these cool, round, lime green chairs. I actually saw a grown man about curled up in one! 2 hrs WI-FI with a purchase. (Lindbergh, piedmont)
5. Cafe Intermezzo – I've been loving this spot since college. which was only two years ago. LOL try the Mexican hot chocolate and let me know if you can drink out of that big mug without getting whip cream on your nose. ahem…FREE WI-FI before 7pm (peachtree & perimeter)
6. Java Monkey – admittedly I've never been to java monkey except on Sundays for Java Monkey Speaks, which is one of the best open mics in town. I get down with their apple cider though and there desserts are necessary! believe it… FREE WI-FI (Decatur, church st.)
7. Starbucks on 7th – if you've been reading these blogs you know I'm a starbucks fan, even they are the establishment when it comes to coffee spots. my fav starbucks is on 7th, the one with all the windows. the view of the street from the window reminds me of new york. sorry ? no free wi-fi here.
8. QuikTrip – this is not a place for conversation unless you can squeeze that in while you're pumping your gas. BUT if you need the kind of coffee to keep you awake for the low low…a QT visit will do you right. it is especially helpful on road trips. I stand by it! I guarantee it! free wi-fi…n/a (a neighborhood near you)
9. Javaology – edgewood is happening in case you haven't noticed. my favorite thing about javaology is the loft space they have upstairs. I've been to quite a few cool events up there. nothing like some cool couches and a little exposed brick to create mood in a room. you guessed it…FREE WI-FI (edgewood shawty)
10. PJ's – I know, I know atlantic station has become the walmart of Atlanta social life, big box national restaurants and stores that don't give people any kind of feel for what the city is really about. I get it and I agree. doesn't stop me from going to the movies down there but I digress. pj's is my vote for most comfortable coffee spot. comfy couches with matching ottomans. and yes…FREE WI-FI (atlantic station)
I'm not really a coffee drinker, but something about the steam, the sweet, the cool ambient music makes the conversation seem so much more pivotal and intellectually deep. :P here are ten of my favorite places to gather for a combination caffeine and conversation high.
1. Mocha Match – my favorite thing about mocha match is that it has a couple of nooks and crannies where you can sit and not be seen. I sometimes need to go to a coffee spot and work and not get distracted looking at every person that comes in. great coffee, chai, cider, and the staff and the owner are cool ta def (hey Sabrina and joie!) oh and FREE WI-FI (Decatur near agnes scott college)
2. Urban Grind – looking for the BEST open mic in Atlanta, stop through on Thursdays! with jon goode, blaqkharma, nukola, and spinxx alternating as hosts, Thursdays at urban grind are a guaranteed good time. I stand by it! urban grind's also got other fun stuff like a musician's open mic, game night, art night. come through and upgrade your social life. great drinks, great food, cool tees and music for sale, and the owner is the sweetest lady you wanna meet (hey Cassandra!) oh and FREE WI-FI with a purchase. (Marietta st/howell mill)
3. Octane – ok I rarely go to octane to talk. if I'm octane it's strictly for working and it seems that for most octane customers, this coffee spot has become their mobile office. if you need a place to get focused and finally finish up some work, try octane. oh and try the caramal coolant but be warned, drink one too late and you will be up all night! oh yeah and FREE WI-FI. (howell mill & 8th)
4. Sip – sip hands down wins the best décor award. it's got a very modern chocoloate look with some splashes of live green. they even have these cool, round, lime green chairs. I actually saw a grown man about curled up in one! 2 hrs WI-FI with a purchase. (Lindbergh, piedmont)
5. Cafe Intermezzo – I've been loving this spot since college. which was only two years ago. LOL try the Mexican hot chocolate and let me know if you can drink out of that big mug without getting whip cream on your nose. ahem…FREE WI-FI before 7pm (peachtree & perimeter)
6. Java Monkey – admittedly I've never been to java monkey except on Sundays for Java Monkey Speaks, which is one of the best open mics in town. I get down with their apple cider though and there desserts are necessary! believe it… FREE WI-FI (Decatur, church st.)
7. Starbucks on 7th – if you've been reading these blogs you know I'm a starbucks fan, even they are the establishment when it comes to coffee spots. my fav starbucks is on 7th, the one with all the windows. the view of the street from the window reminds me of new york. sorry ? no free wi-fi here.
8. QuikTrip – this is not a place for conversation unless you can squeeze that in while you're pumping your gas. BUT if you need the kind of coffee to keep you awake for the low low…a QT visit will do you right. it is especially helpful on road trips. I stand by it! I guarantee it! free wi-fi…n/a (a neighborhood near you)
9. Javaology – edgewood is happening in case you haven't noticed. my favorite thing about javaology is the loft space they have upstairs. I've been to quite a few cool events up there. nothing like some cool couches and a little exposed brick to create mood in a room. you guessed it…FREE WI-FI (edgewood shawty)
10. PJ's – I know, I know atlantic station has become the walmart of Atlanta social life, big box national restaurants and stores that don't give people any kind of feel for what the city is really about. I get it and I agree. doesn't stop me from going to the movies down there but I digress. pj's is my vote for most comfortable coffee spot. comfy couches with matching ottomans. and yes…FREE WI-FI (atlantic station)
2.05.2008
10 Reasons to Vote on Super Tuesday
I'm getting ready to hit the polls and thought this would be a timely top ten for super Tuesday. It doesn't matter if you have to leave work early, take your lunch break, get up extra early…do whatever you gotta do to get up, get out, and do something by casting your vote today. here's the top ten to provide you with some extra voting motivation…
1. people gave their lives so you could have the right.
2. be a part of history, the first presidential election where either a woman or a black man will represent the democratic party.
3. nobody wants to hear a complainer who doesn't do anything about the issues they complain about. voting means you don't just talk about it, you are about it.
4. your vote gives voice to the issues you care about most.
5. voting channels your inner revolutionary.
6. the "I voted today" sticker is a really sexy accessory.
7. if you are a person of color or a woman, rewind less than a century ago and you would not have been able to vote because of your gender or skin color.
8. you can effect change in our country's leadership.
9. the people that came before you have walked miles, endured discrimination, and risked their lives and safety to cast their vote.
10. you don't have a good reason not to.
still trying to decide who to vote for? here's a pretty cool site that might help you align your candidate with the issues you're most concerned about. thanks for the link kimpossible!
1. people gave their lives so you could have the right.
2. be a part of history, the first presidential election where either a woman or a black man will represent the democratic party.
3. nobody wants to hear a complainer who doesn't do anything about the issues they complain about. voting means you don't just talk about it, you are about it.
4. your vote gives voice to the issues you care about most.
5. voting channels your inner revolutionary.
6. the "I voted today" sticker is a really sexy accessory.
7. if you are a person of color or a woman, rewind less than a century ago and you would not have been able to vote because of your gender or skin color.
8. you can effect change in our country's leadership.
9. the people that came before you have walked miles, endured discrimination, and risked their lives and safety to cast their vote.
10. you don't have a good reason not to.
still trying to decide who to vote for? here's a pretty cool site that might help you align your candidate with the issues you're most concerned about. thanks for the link kimpossible!
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