Today was a good day.

Today was a good day. Nothing exceptional took place, except that I lived to see it. So often we take life for granted, as if we will always have tomorrow. We take it so much for granted until we don't capitalize on and make the most of today. Today is full of promise, potential and possiblity. In fact, today is all that we have. We can't reach back into yesterday, nor can we rush into tomorrow. Today is our only gift, our only option.

I am grateful for today. Today, I have friends who love me. Today, I had a good lunch and outing with my sister. Today, I made time for someone other than myself, and then I made time for me. So, I thank my God for today.
Did you make the most of today?

Blowing off the dust

Whew!!!!
Damn, it has been a while since I’ve blogged. I guess I need a little break from the online world of blogging…

But I’ve missed you… I missed my people. Being able to chat, trip out, talk , connect, escape and just have fun…I’ve missed that. Not to say that I haven’t had a full life, but I know certain people I wouldn’t have met if it weren’t for being online and I am thankful for them everyday.

A lot has happened to me within the time frame of the almost end of the year and now both positive and negative. Well, let me not say negative, because I believe everything happens for a reason. I’ve always tried to remain positive about everything on the outside, even if things on the inside weren’t going so well.

Well, it is almost a new year , and a brotha is going to do things a little different, Since I have been online along with so many of my brothas and sistas I have come across from near and afar… I think that comes with responsibility. So I’m asking how can I be of service to you? Instead of me trying to get something, I’m going to do more giving in 2009 and you know it may just work. Starting in the 09 I’m going to post a motivational thought for the week. So be on the look out.

One luv my brothas and sistas.

It was Sunday Mourning The good old days

It was sunday mourning and I was sitting here trying to think of what I might write about today as I checked my e-mail. I opened this one and as if by magic my mind driffited back to some real happy times in my life. So i decited to share this with you all. It made my heart smile. What a way to start a new week.

feel_it

While I am not one for passing emails along, this one was a mental vacation...Enjoy--

Close your eyes...And go back...

....Before the Internet or PC or the MAC......

....Before semi-automatics and crack....

....Before Playstation, SEGA, Super Nintendo, even before Atari...

....Before cell phones, CD's, DVD's, voicemail and e-mail....

....way back....

....way.....way.....way back.....

I'm talkin' bout hide and seek at dusk

Red light, Green light

Red Rover....Red Rover.....

Playing kickball & dodgeball until the first...no...second...no...third

Streetlight came on

Ring around the Rosie

London Bridge

Hot potato

Hop Scotch

Jump rope

Duck....duck....GOOSE!!!

YOU'RE IT!!

Parents stood on the front porch and yelled (or whistled) for you to come home - no pagers or cell phones

Mother May I?

Hula Hoops

Seeing shapes in the clouds

Endless summer days and hot summer nights (no A/C) with the windows open

The sound of crickets

Running through the sprinkler

Happy Meals

Cereal boxes with that GREAT prize in the bottom

Cracker jacks with the same thing

Ice pops with 2 sticks you could break and share with a friend

...but wait.....there's more....

Watchin' Saturday Morning cartoons

Fat Albert, Road Runner, Smurfs, Picture Pages, G-Force & He-Man,

Schoolhouse Rock

Watchin' Sunday morning oldies (Abbott & Costello, Three Stooges)

Wonder Woman & Super Man Underoos

FONZIE.....AYYYYYYYY

Playing Dukes of Hazard

Catchin' lightning bugs in a jar

Christmas morning

Your first day of school

Bedtime Prayers and Goodnight Kisses

Climbing trees

Swinging as high as you could to try and reach the sky

Getting an Ice Cream off the Good Humor Truck

A million mosquito bites and sticky fingers

Jumpin' down the steps

Jumpin' on the bed

Pillow fights

Sleep-overs

A 13" black and white TV in your room meant you were RICH

Runnin' till you were out of breath

Laughing so hard that your stomach hurt

Being tired from PLAYING

WORK: meant taking out the garbage or doing the dishes

Your first crush

Your first kiss (I mean the one that you kept your mouth CLOSED and your eyes OPEN

Rainy days at school meant playing "Heads up 7UP" or hangman" in

The classroom, Remember that?

Oh, I'm not finished yet....

Kool-Aid was the drink of the summer

So was a swig from the hose

Giving your friends a ride on your handlebars

Wearing your new shoes on the first day of school

Class Field Trips with soggy sandwiches

When nearly everyone's mom was at home when the kids got there

When a quarter seemed like a fair allowance;

and another quarter a MIRACLE

Phyllis Hyman

June 30th has become somewhat a day of melancholy for me. I'll never forget June 30, 1995. I was driving through downtown Atlanta. I was listening to a jazz station and remember hearing Phyllis Hyman and teh word "dead" in the same sentence. I literally had to pull over in a parking lot on Peachtree. Oh, no, no, no, it can't be true I thought. Not Phyllis! But alas, it was true. I actually did not discover Phyllis and that wonderful voice until the release of her album Living All Alone in 1986. I heard Old Friend on the radio and could not figure out who in the hell was singing such a beautiful song. I had never heard that voice before. It was so rich and smooth. Was it a male or female? I listened intently waiting for the DJ to announce the song and artist. Phyllis Hyman. Who? I had never heard of her. I called my Dad to ask him about her. He is the number one music man and I knew he could provide some info. "Oh yeah", he said. "Phyllis has been around a long time". A long time? Where? He then proceeded to break down a little of her history. From that day on, I have been a true Phyllis Hyman fan. I sought out tapes and albums, CD's were not that big yet. I know all of her music now. I have a copy of Sophisticated Ladies. And only went to see the movie School Daze because of her appearance.

Phyllis decided to kill her self.
On the afternoon of June 30, 1995, Phyllis Hyman committed suicide with vodka and an overdose of temazepam. She was found hours before she was scheduled to perform at the Apollo Theatre by her close beau Terrance Porter . A suicide note read, "I'm tired. I'm tired. Those of you that I love know who you are. May God bless you." It is thought that the last part of the message was for her family and fans. Phyllis Hyman was buried on what would have been her 46th birthday, July 6, 1995.
Phyllis was depressed and suffered a long life of being bi-polar. She never could get the right medicine. If only the doctors knew then what they know now. But since we do know, we need to be aware. If you have a friend or relative that is constantly depressed or seems to never be able to get it together, get them some help quick. Phyllis was depressed about her life and the hand she had supposedly been served. She just couldn't see that hand in a positive light. She was tall, thick and loud. Many things that I am myself. LOL! But she couldn't see it in a positive light. She is a constant reminder to me to love myself NO MATTER WHAT. It has to be done. This world will take you down if you allow it to do so. One cannot allow it to do so. Phyllis never got married, nor did she have children. If you are interested, I strongly suggest you read her authorized biography. It can be ordered here:
http://www.phyllishymanstory.com/
It is quite eye opening. And explains much about this wonderful tortured soul.

I also found this piece of interview footage on youtube. Check it out also:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vYKx28OOdws

And last but not least, check out Phyllis singing one of my favorite tunes:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O-lrqnEOMcs

So, I just wanted to share this with you all. Many of you may be Phyllis fans too. Light a candle and listen to a CD. That voice was pure magic. No one compares to it.
Phyllis I miss you and love you.
My hope is that many, many women will know your story and benefit from your sadness by loving themselves and getting help if needed. Your death will not be in vain. Rest in peace girl.

Nicole

Untitle

Hey Blog I know it has been a minute since I have done anything with you. The reason for that is because I would like to change you up, so I been thinking about deleting you and just starting over. I have not been true to you or myself because I say I would write something everyday and I have not done so. But untill I decide what I am going to do I will make sure that I post at least twice a week.

Dedicated to 2 natural sisters in my life.

Dedicated to (2) women in my life... Kimani’s and Ms.AngieB and also to the many Beautiful Black Women that I encounter daily who add to my day and re-mind me...

To The One Who Adds To My Day
Its amazing, truly amazing how one person miles away can add to one's day, and I am glad that person is you.

When I told the universe I was in search of a beautiful Black woman, with locks, with an Afro-centric appeal, someone I can talk "artist" talk to and so on and so on, the universe gave me you.

When I told the universe that I was looking for a beautiful Black woman, a lover of books, someone who I enjoy talking to on the phone, and so on and so on, the universe gave me you.

When I told the universe that I was looking for a beautiful Black woman, the universe gave me you.

Each day is a gift as it in these days that I am spending it with you albeit me in Dallas and you in Windsor Mill, Md and Houston.

I found a kindred spirit in you and for me that speaks to all aspects.

It goes beyond the physical with me as that is too simple. At times mediocre and I don't do mediocre.

I'm glad the universe gave me you as each day that I here on this Earth and with you on it, you add to my day.

It been a minute

WOW my new favorite artist, Chrisette Michele - damn this girl is BAD!!!!
I saw her in concert last night with Raheem Devaughn at the House of Blues. Chrisette Michele was awesome she had the house rocking last night I had such a great time and I would see her again. Raheem Devaughn wasn't bad either now he really had the women going through. Here are some of the pictures that I took last night

Happy Birthday to El-Hajj Malik El Shabazz (aka Malcolm X)!

Happy Birthday to El-Hajj Malik El Shabazz (aka Malcolm X)!He would have been 83 years wise today had he not been assassinated.

El-Hajj Malik El Shabazz (1925-1965) was known as Malcolm X beforeleaving the Nation of Islam, renouncing his former teacher ElijahMuhammad and accepting Islam. Islam, as he himself was surprised todiscover is a universal religion inviting all people, regardless ofcolor, national origin or sex to come together as One people toworship One God.

Today, in celebration of his birthday, I'd like to share a fewquotations of our Beloved Brother Minister Malik El Shabazz that haveinspired me since I was a teenager and hold no less inspiration for metoday.

Malik El Shabazz was a master-teacher. He was not known (outside ofthe African-American community for fiery sound bites, but fordelivering powerful lessons to people struggling under the boot of anoppressor world-wide. His approach at the pulpit or podium wasprofessorial. He came prepared with diagrams, maps and other visualaids to help people understand the depth and breadth of all theknowledge, wisdom and understanding he wished to share with us.

We were SO BLESSED to have him even for a little while. I dare not askmyself the question where would we be without him. At age sixteen, hewas my very first towering hero (outside of my parents). His stance,his defiance of black people continuing to be victims of oppressionand horrific violence, political pawns and less than full Americancitizens were all compelling. His broad smile convinced me, as I'msure it did for many others as well, that this man KNEW SOMETHING thatmade him seem to stand more erect than most men. He was the closestthing to a father of generations of African-American people of allages. More than any other, this was the man I choose to emulate in myfirst wobbly attempts to walk like a man.

If you should leave a comment on this discussion topic today and youhave a quotation of Brother Malcolm that is not included in the (much)abbreviated list I've listed below, please post the ones you have. Letall who leave comments depart with the feeling that they have justleft a flower, a candle or some burning incense at this special placewhere we pay tribute to the Soul of this magnificent man.


Peace Be Upon the Soul Known as El-Hajj Malik El Shabazz Forever. MayAllah Bless him and Keep him.

This has been a hectic week.

So far this week it has been a bit hectic for me. When I woke up this morning I thought " Ugh, not another day." But I came across this passage of scripture in Philippians 4:8 that said Think about things that are pure and lovely and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.

So I encourage all of you to do the same. You have the power to make today whatever you want it to be. And as a very wise woman said to me awhile back " Don't just have a great day...BE A GREAT DAY!!!"

Damn it only Tuesday

Just a little up on today it has been busy and I am trying to keep a smile on my face before I go off on someone. I will add more to this later when I get home.

It's Monday and I wish it was Saturday.

It's Monday and I wish it was Saturday so that I could have slept late. I can barely concentrate today at work. I will definitely be going to bed early tonight.

Pictures from Friday nice

Pictures from Friday night at the Metro Grill and The Garpevine

Just Releasing

Sometimes I will get so angry about certain things or at people that it will keep me up all night long thinking about it. That shit sucks especially because I know I have to get up early in the morning for work. This happened to me last night.

The good thing about that is that if I write about it, then I can release it. I know that I need to talk or write in order to release tension and anger.

So, I was writing all last night. And I wrote again this morning. It's like a diary of sorts and I just write to 'you' understood and express everything on my mind. It's therapeutic for me. Maybe somebody will read it one day.

I know a lot of you guys feel the same way.

Last night was the start of my birthday celebration.

Yeah last night was the start of my month long birthday celebration. I was going to write last night.I don't have much to say about it because I got mad at a few people who I will not got out with them again. So I am going to move on from that.

To my mother and grandmother

As I approach another mile stone on May 8th I would like to thank my mother and father and God for giving me life. If it wasn’t for God and my parents I wouldn’t be here. As I look back on my life I can truly say that I have been blessed. I have really come along way in life growing and understanding of life in my life closure to one more year of my life, I have to look back and say “I am blessed.” I have grown to understand the true meaning of life and what it’s all about. There were many ups as well as many downs but I came through with more strength and will to strive for excellence and nothing less.

Growing up as a child, I knew I was loved and cherished without any reasonable doubt. I want to pay the utmost respect my Mother. You have given me a forgiving heart and a humble soul and for this I thank you. Thank you for allowing me to grow as a child and giving me the freedom to make my own choices; that for sure affected my life in a very positive way. This allows me to not be burden by peer pressure but make my own personal choices. I didn’t have to rebel because I could come to you for advice and you always show me the light. I love you.

To Grandmother I want to thank you for your passion for life and helping me to believe that all things are possible to the fullest extent. Growing up and being around you and you teaching me how to love as well had been great. I love how you taught each and everyone one of us that God is real. I want you to know that you are loved unconditionally and there is nothing in this world that I wouldn’t do for you. I love you with all my heart and soul.