People! A sista is late on her top ten Tuesday promise again, so it’s top ten Wednesday this week. I am in the process of reading a few different books, which means it’s been a minute since I finished one. :O In honor of DOING HER THING month, I decided to pass on some quotes from Marianne Williamson’s A Woman’s Worth. I don’t agree with everything in the book but every few pages Marianne will write this nugget that is something I can take home with me. I pass some of these nuggets on to you. As always, kudos, comments, and opinions are welcome. :)
1. There is nothing Madison Avenue can give us that will make us more beautiful women. We are beautiful because God created us that way. Some of us know of our beauty and express it and celebrate it. But beauty itself is not given to us by anyone; it is a power we have within us from the gate, radiance inside us.
2. Don’t let another woman inherit your spoiled-brat lover like a pair of uncomfortable shoes you took back to the store. If he doesn’t get it, let him know. Walk on by.
3. A career grows out of who we are; who we are doesn’t grow out of a career. [Your] goal must not be to find a job but to become a magnificent woman.
4. A woman who cannot honor her own feelings will not find them honored by anyone else.
5. There’s a difference between a gentle man and a weak man. Weak men make us nervous. Gentle men make us calm.
6. We serve [God] to the extent that we have thoughts of purity. Purity means that we do not manipulate or seduce or preprogram or project hidden agendas onto anyone or anything.
7. No man can convince a woman she’s wonderful, but if she already believes she is, his agreement can resonate and bring her joy.
8. Everywhere we look we are presented with the idea that men toy with women, women toy with men – that’s just the way things are; it’s the way of love. But that is not the way of love; it’s the way of lovelessness.
9. There is a difference between getting a partner and attracting a partner. Getting implies that our hooks work; attracting means that our light is bright and appears like a beacon to one who is meant to see it.
10. Throughout our twenties and thirties, we care so much about what the Joneses think, even if we think we don’t. These two decades are the time when we’re most tempted to try to live for others. Around forty, it occurs to us that the Joneses have holes in their socks too, thank you, and that we have less control over what other people think than we ever imagined.
3.04.2008
10 Favorite Women Authors
the first book I read where I saw a clear reflection of myself was mufaro's beautiful daughters by john steptoe. it had rich, colorful pictures of two beautiful african sisters, one whose heart was good and one with ill-intentions, on their way to meet a prince. the pictures and story were so vivid I sometimes ran my hand along the pages as if I could physically touch the leaves and foliage surrounding each scene. there is something to be said for reading a work that reflects back to you who you are and the life you know. there is also something to be said for reading a work that exposes you to a world you've never known. the following women authors (and many more) have been that way for me. check 'em out and hit me up with any add-ons.
1. alice walker (the color purple)
2. zora neale hurston (their eyes were watching God)
3. toni morrison (love, sula, song of Solomon, jazz, the bluest eye)
4. maya angelou (I know why the caged bird sings)
5. nikki Giovanni (love poems)
6. sonia sanchez (full moon CD and any of her haikus)
7. lorraine hansberry (a raisin in the sun)
8. ntozake shange (for colored girls who have considered suicide when the rainbow is enuf)
9. gloria naylor (women of Brewster place)
10. gwendolyn brooks ("we real cool" and any of her sonnets)
1. alice walker (the color purple)
2. zora neale hurston (their eyes were watching God)
3. toni morrison (love, sula, song of Solomon, jazz, the bluest eye)
4. maya angelou (I know why the caged bird sings)
5. nikki Giovanni (love poems)
6. sonia sanchez (full moon CD and any of her haikus)
7. lorraine hansberry (a raisin in the sun)
8. ntozake shange (for colored girls who have considered suicide when the rainbow is enuf)
9. gloria naylor (women of Brewster place)
10. gwendolyn brooks ("we real cool" and any of her sonnets)
my life as a cover girl :)
LOL clearly I've been watching too much america's next top model! how often does it happen that in one month you get to be on the cover and write the cover story for two different magazines? march is just such a month for me. this month I am featured in Christian singles magazine. and no it is not a print version of eharmony! lol Christian singles mag is subscription only but if you see me on the street I just might have a copy. if you want to order a copy call 800-458-2772. I'll post an excerpt soon.
I gotta give a shoutout to amy jacobs for her patience and for writing a great article from all my scatterbrained quotes. :) also big thanks to jeff frazier for taking the pics and making a sista look like she knew what she was doing! lots of love to my stylist Solomon wilkes for such a fierce haircut. say that! big big thank you to Cassandra at urban grind for giving us a place to do the shoot. I also must thank melody at the lenox mall mac store for the makeup. I also want to thank my mom and dad for…ok I'm done now. :D
a couple of months ago I had the opportunity to interview danny swain, a south Carolina producer/emcee. check out my cover story on danny in the southeast performer magazine and be on the lookout for danny's new release "and I love h.e.r." and his digital ep on def jux records. also, check out my spotlight on hip hop group platinum souls, making their way up the billboard charts.
right now i'm listening to...algebra blessett's debut CD purpose. fav song: "at this time." erykah badu's new amerykah.
artists you need to check out: chris cauley and chinua hawk. had a chance to catch these two singer/songwriters at cafe 290 along with atl soul singer anthony david. the three soulful singers traded mic time song for song, collaborating and improvising on the spot. give their songs some play or at least give some kudos! ;)
just watched: life is beautiful and season 2 of in living color. i seriously love homey d. clown.
2.26.2008
in honor of lorraine hansberry
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.
"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.
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)
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