Proud Godmother

Many of you may remember my goddaughter Kohl, who while a junior in high school wrote a poem "Your Perception, My Reality" for her school's literary magazine. The poem was about her personal feelings about prejudice. While her creative writing teacher praised the poem, and wanted her to submit it for publication, the faculty sponsor, backed by the principal, would not allow Kohl's poem to be published.

Needless to say, I was pissed! I don't want any one messing with any of my babies!!! At that time, I started a web site for Kohl, where many of you posted your positive comments and she received many accolades from extinguished authors in the African American community. She received world wide recognition for her poem and writing skills including media attention that resulted in the poem being published in many venues.

Since then, Kohl went on to graduate from high school with honors, and has since graduated from Hampton University.

I am proud to share with you that Kohl has been accepted to the Clinton School of Public Service, where she is one of 30 students selected to pursue a masters degree in public service. The Clinton School is a branch of the University of Arkansas.

I am always excited to see our young people do well as they reach for the stars. I am very proud of her, and so happy to share her good news with you.

Here is a little more about Kohl and the Clinton School:

• Kohl Fallin - A native of Huntsville, Ala., Fallin graduated from Hampton University with a degree in Public Relations and Political Science. For the past year, she has served as a staff assistant to Congressman John P. Sarbanes of the U.S. House of Representatives, acting as a constituent services specialist, among other duties. She has also worked with Congressman Bud Cramer of Alabama’s 5th district and been a legal service intern with the Washington, D.C. firm of Friend, Frank, Harris, Shriver and Jacobson. She received the Martin Luther King Jr. Profiles in Courage Award from the Huntsville Madison County Democratic Women in 2004.
  

• http://www.clintonschool.uasys.edu/news-events/detail.aspx?id=421

Divas For A Cure 2008

For the 3rd consecutive year I am proud to be a fundraiser and supporter for Divas For A Cure! Last year, we were able to raise $50,000.00 which was donated to M.D. Anderson Cancer Hospital in Houston, TX .

This year the goal is $100,000.00. Won’t you please help?

Please be a part of history in the making! Donate now to support this worthwhile cause. Every little bit helps; no amount is too small or too large.

Thanks So Much!

Pamela Walker Williams
Official Blogger for Divas For A Cure

Tech Talk: My New Gadget (and a couple of cool sites)

I recently had an ergonomic assessment. This is where they tell you everything that you are doing wrong in your work space, lol! Surprisingly, I got good grades. I was told that I had excellent posture (thanks Mama) and that the fact I like my keyboard in my lap turned out to also be a good thing. But what I did get out of the assessment was a semi-ergonomic key board and an Evoluent mouse. (http://www.evoluent.com/vm3.html).

Well, now I have the coolest mouse at NASA! I feel very “space-age, thank-you-very-much! Yeah, yeah it helps your wrist, yada, yada, yada.. but most important it looks good!

www.evoluent.com

Check out these Music Web Site -

Pandora: http://www.pandora.com

Last year one of my friends, Gloria Armstrong, introduced me to Pandora.com. This has got to be one of the coolest websites ever! What Pandora does is lets you create your own radio station(s). You select either your favorite genres or artist, and like magic you have your own radio station… and it is free!

imeen: http://www.imeem.com/

I am not really that big on social networks. I set up MySpace when it first started, and lost my userid and password, and never found them… oh well. I have never even seen a face book site, and I am still not sure about Linkin. However, I do like blogging basically because I have a record of really cool things I have done, or really cool things I have seen.

imeen is a really cool site and although it is also a social network, I just think the tools it provides are fantastic. It allows users to discover interact and express themselves
with media, including music, video and photos, and form connections based on shared tastes and interests. But what I like about it most is that it allows you to create online playlist. I am not an expert yet, but so far, I really like what I have seen.

Girl’s Trip 2008

"Friendships multiply joys, and divide griefs." --Henry George Bohn

Girl’s Trip 2008 is officially over, and I am worn out to prove it! This past weekend 12 phenomenal women convened in San Antonio, Texas for a weekend of fun, food, and most importantly friendship.

Girl’s Trip 2008 Participants

Anita (Atlanta)
Camille (Kansas City)
Dallas (Tampa,)
Debra (Houston)
Deon (Detroit)
Donsia (Greenbay)
Eddgra (Huntsville)
Keath (Atlanta)
Kim (Memphis)
Marshalle (Tampa)
Pam (Houston)
Paula (Houston)

Day One: Thursday, May 29th

I arrived in San Antonio early Thursday morning and was picked up by my good friend Nina and her lovely daughters. Nina was gracious enough to host a cocktail party that evening for our group, so she and I had a fun day plan with the preparation. Also, that day was her daughter’s Sydney’s birthday, so Nina, Sydney, Kai, and I went to TGI Friday’s to eat lunch and of course have the waiters sing an embarrassing birthday son to Sydney, LOL!

Nina then took me to the hotel (which is fabulous) to check in. Our group stayed at the fabulous Westin La Cantera Resort (http://www.westinlacantera.com/). The resort has magnificent views and fabulous beds!

Each room had a beautiful floral arrangement that was sent to us by Paula’s husband Ron. We also had a scented candle for the room, and we each had a gift bag full of goodies that included a beautiful cashmere scarf from Afghanistan. That was a pleasant surprise and the beginning of what was to be a wonderful trip.

After I checked in the hotel, I returned to Nina’s house to start cooking!

The “No Men, Amen” Menu

White Cranberry Martinis
White and Red Wines
Jalapeño Cheese Ball and Cajun Fire Crackers
Memphis Spaghetti Casserole
Jamaican Jerk Chicken
Cuban Style Broccoli and Squash
Garlic Bread
Jack Daniels Cake

Cocktails and Conversations with Best-selling author Nina Foxx -

At 7 o’clock that evening the other 11 lovely ladies traveled to Nina’s house for “Cocktails and Conversations to discuss her latest book “No Girl Needs Husband Seven Days a Week.” (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0061335274/thegoodbookclubt)

Paula was this year’s organizer and she welcomed everyone to San Antonio and thanked Nina for hosting us. Each lady was given a hand painted martini glass that had a charm with her name on it. We drank cocktails, ate dinner and then of course discussed Nina’s book. The book discussion was stimulating and thought provoking. It was a wonderful evening and a good time was had by all.

Hey…. but night was not over! We left Nina’s house and went to the midnight debut showing of “Sex in the City” at San Antonio’s Palladium Theater (http://www.santikos.com/palladium.html) For those of you who know me well, you know that 10 PM is my official bedtime. But in the spirit of sisterhood, I hung in there, and we all laughed through the movie! Of course in the car ride back was where everyone gave their official movie review and commentary on the lives of “Carrie and Big”, LOL!

Day Two – Friday, May 30th

Thank God we were able to sleep in, because I am definitely not used to staying up until 4:00 AM!!!

Our first stop for the day was La Margarita Restaurant and Oyster Bar (http://www.lamargarita.com/) , located in El Mercado a.k.a. Market Square. La Margarita is well-known for being the first American restaurant to serve sizzling fajitas. It is also famous for its margaritas, of which we tested quite a few! The manager even gave us a free round of our choice of margarita or a shot of tequila.

After a wonderful meal (and drinks) we decided to split up into two groups. This was some of the ladies first trip to San Antonio, and it would not have been complete without a trip to the Alamo! So, group one went to Alamo Plaza, while group two headed to San Marcos for the outlet mall shopping experience. We agreed to all meet in San Marcos in a couple of hours.

And shop they did! Much like the energizer bunny, they kept going and going and going! It was two darn hot for me. I opted for a nice spot in the shade while the marathon and well seasoned shoppers did there thing.

Eventually, everyone got tired… except for Paula, Camille, and Dallas who I am sure turned off the lights at the mall.

We all met back up at the beautiful River Walk. We drove around looking for a place to park, and poor Marshall was completely confused as to whereabouts of the river. We explained to here that it was at ground level, but below. Her look was priceless. Then she asked “how do you see down there?” We all cracked up!!!! Someone said there are lights, LOL! Well we finally parked, and made our way down to the River Walk, where I think Marshall enjoyed it most of all.

Our group took the boat ride/tour upon arrival, and eventually the marathon shopping group joined us and several of them took the tour as well. We finally made our way to Pesca on the River http://www.watermarkhotel.com/restaurant/ where we enjoyed our fellowship, a fabulous meal, and lots and lots of laughs.

Day Three – Saturday, May 31st

By now, my body just doesn’t know what the hell is going on! I stayed up past 3:00 AM two nights in a row. Completely zombie-fied my roommate Eddgra and I decided to order room service and eat breakfast in bed! We watched the heated Democratic National Committee rules panel's decision, and I listed to Eddgra fuss at Kohl for opting to get her hair done (which turned out fabulous by the way) in lieu of being present at the DNC. Eddgra and my commentaries were much more colorful that any that aired on TV.

This day was a free day. Many of the ladies had spa treatments, and some lay out by the pool. I was honored to be able to participate in Syndey’s (Nina’s daughter) Rites of Passage Celebration, which took place at another great San Antonio restaurant name Silo Elevated Cuisine - 1604 http://www.siloelevatedcuisine.com/ . Nina picked me up, and I was also happy to see her sister Lynda, her niece Brandi, along with the honoree. The luncheon was great, and I am thankful that I was able to participate in this wonderful time in her life.

I came back to the hotel, changed and searched for all my sisters. They were everywhere! I finally caught up with Keath and Eddgra at the poolside hotel, and we chatted and enjoyed a glass of VERY expensive wine.

After a short break, we all ventured to the hospitality suite for our final night of fun. We had cocktails, Italian Food (from Bravos), and games!!! We played Glamour Pot luck, which involved each of us bring 10 items (new or slightly used) to exchange in a fight to the finish. We also were given “pole dance” lessons, and learned all of Beyonce’s moves.

But most importantly we shared. We shared some of our innermost thoughts, struggles, and triumphs. We ended in prayer for everyone’s safe journey home, lots of hugs and lots of kisses.

Day Four – Sunday, June 1st

I had an early flight so I caught a taxi with Marshall and Dallas back to the airport. However, the remaining members of our happy crew headed over to another friend, Tracey’s home for a lovely brunch. I could tell by the pictures that they had a great time.

To my sisters:

Anita – I admire your freedom. You have more self-confidence than anyone I have every met.

Camille – You have always been a class act! How lucky are all your patients to have a physician as caring (and yes as crazy) as you!

Dallas - What a beautiful lady you are! I enjoyed meeting you and look forward to seeing you again (however it will not be at an outlet mall because you would wear me out!)

Debra – A lady of such grace. Thanks for sharing the words that the spirit told you to share with us. You were a true blessing.

Deon – You will always be my sister, I am thankful God put you in my life as a lifetime friend. Your family is my family, and vice-versa. Love you much!

Donsia – The disco queen, who knows all the latest moves! Congratulations on making partner continue to make us proud as you pave the way to justice.

Eddgra – Girl you know you crazy! I guess that’s why I love you so much. Whenever we are together it is as if no time has past. You are forever my sister-friend.

Keath – I have known you longer than I have known any of these ladies (since you were in the 4th grade) but it took this trip for me to know Keath the women. You are definitely your mother’s daughter, and I always admired your mom.

Kim - My little sister whose smile can light up a room. Your excitement is contagious, you are a true gem.

Marshalle – Who would think someone as beautiful as you could be such a nut! You are so much fun to be around, and I feel as if I have known you all my life. Thanks for your friendship.

Paula – Last but not least… Thank you for organizing this wonderful trip! You are another little sister. Be carful as you journey back to Afghanistan. Know that we all are praying for you while you are there.

Ladies you are my sisters. May the Lord continue to bless and keep you until we meet again.

Tech Talk – The Helio Ocean

I finally got myself a new cell phone to replace my T-mobile Sidekick II. I now am the proud owner of a new Helio Ocean Smart Phone. I really loved my Sidekick, so I really wanted to replace it with one of the newer ones. However, my son has the new one and he hates it, armed with that knowledge, I began my search for a “mo-better” device, lol!

I really like the iPhone (my friend Nina has one) but, I don’t like the touch screen, I am a push-button type of girl. I am a big Cnet.com fan, so I turned to them for reviews of several different smart phones. CNET gave the Ocean – 8.3 out of 10, which is an excellent review.




Pros: This phone does everything I need. First it is a good phone, second it is very easy to text, send and receive e-mail; and last the web feature is great. In addition to being able to use the Helio mail, you can use your POP mail, or multiple other providers (Yahoo, EarthLink, Windows Live, and Gmail). For those who are into MySpace and YouTube, these features are integrated very seamlessly into the interface.

There is an expansion slot where you can add 2 GB of memory, which you will need if you plan to play music and videos via your phone. The device came with a nice set of headphones, and the music actually sounded pretty good when listening through them. There is some free software available via the Helio web site that will allow you to add drivers to you PC so that it will recognize the device as a hard drive.

Cons: It is large, but not as large as the Sidekick, so I am use to that. I don’t like the QWERTY keypad as well as I liked the one of the Sidekick (the buttons are a little closer together) but I think I will eventually get use to it. It is not a great camera (neither, was the Sidekick) but it does do Video, which my Sidekick did not.

We got the family plan (Ruffus has a Helio Fin now ) and the price was about the same as we paid at T-mobile.

So far, so good… I will keep you updated on how I like the phone in the long term.

Be Blessed

Bishop Paul S. Morton - Be Blessed



Be Blessed my brother, Be blessed my sister, be blessed wherever this life leads you, let me encourage you, let me speak life to you, You can depend on God to see you through, You can depend on me to pray for you

-You might be hurting, you might be crying, you might be worrying and frustrated to, let me encourage you let me speak life to you you can can depend on God to see you through, you can depend on me to pray for you

-Pray im gonna keep on prayin, Pray im gonna keep on prayin for you, Pray im gonna keep on prayin, Pray im gonna keep on prayin for you you can depend on God to see you thru, you can depend on me to pray for you

Bridge: I see you in the future. and you look better, I see you walking in favor and prosperity too, let me encourage you, let me speak life to you, you can depend on God to see you through, you can depend on me to pray for you

-I pray for you, you pray for me, and watch God change things, Repeat 1x

-I pray for you, you pray for me and watch God change things Repeat 6x

What’s on my Night Stand/iPod

It’s been awhile since I last reviewed the books that I have either been reading or listening, or in some cases both. Here is a quick recap:

Book: Duma Key: A Novel

• ISBN: 1416552510
• Author: Stephen King
• Rating: 5 Stilettos
• Review: He’s back! Yes the Stephen King that was worth the long wait in line at the book stores just to get a first edition hardback copy is alive and well. I was kind of worried about my old pal Stephen because his last couple of books were both duds. I listened to the audio version of Duma Key in my car, and I couldn’t wait to get it the car each day to continue the story. He was a really good listen.
  
  Listen to Stephen King talk about Duma Key

Book: The 4-Hour Work Week

• ISBN: 0307353133
• Author: Timothy Ferriss
• Rating: 4 Stilettos
• Review: I first listened to this book on audio, and thought it was interesting enough to purchase a hardcopy of the book. You have to take the advise with a grain of salt, but there really were some great resources given, that I needed to see in print (or else I would have to keep rewinding so I could write everything down.)

Book: Magic Street

• ISBN: 0345416902
• Author: Orson Scott Card
• Rating: 1 old beat up tennis shoe
• Review: I purchased this book when it was first released back in 2005. Being an Orson Scott Card fan, I couldn’t wait to read his new book. I found it really interesting that this book took place in an African American neighborhood. Why the book had a few interesting parts, it wasn’t enough to keep my interest so I put the book down (for a couple of years.) I subscribe to http://www.audible.com/ , and as a legacy member I get two audio book downloads each month. One month I was having a hard time finding two books, so I said what the hell, let me try Magic Street on audio. I normally can listen to anything while driving. The results were the same. I got a little further, but decided it really was worth my time. This was disappointing to me, because I loved all of the books in the Ender series. I guess this was Mr. Card’s “experimental” writing. As my friend Trisha says he needs to continue to “write what you know.”

Book: The New Earth

• ISBN: 0452289963
• Author: Eckhart Tolle
• Rating: Barefoot (Unrated)
• Review: This is still a work in progress. I purchased this book in paperback and downloaded the audio version from http://www.audible.com/. The original plan was my friend Wanda and I were going to go through the Oprah on-line class. Well, life happened. I got through the first chapter/class and my husband became ill. All of my energies focused on his healing so I got off-track. Well, he is doing better now, and my plan is to pick up where I left off. Luckily, Oprah has the classes available for download, so I will still be able to go through the classes as I read through the book.
  
  

Total Recall 2070

Somehow or another there actually was a sci-fi television series that slipped by me. Total Recall 2070 is very loosely based on two works by the author Philip K. Dick: his short story "We Can Remember It for You Wholesale," which was adapted into the film Total Recall, and his novel Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?, which was adapted into the film Blade Runner,

There are 22 episodes on hulu.com, if you are a sci-fi fan, you should check it out!

Tech Talk – Great Sites for TV Junkies

I am a self-confessed television junkie, I always have been. I love watching TV. I am great at multitasking, meaning the TV can be on while I read, work on my PC, or clean my house. I would even sleep with it on if my husband would let me. I love my Tivo (the real thing), we also have one of those crappy Comcast DVRs, and I have a Windows Media Center TV. So, I am always prepared to watch my favorite shows on one of multiple devices.

Both the Tivo and Windows media center can concert TV shows or movies for me to watch on my iPod. Technology is good.

Every once in a while Technology gets better. I was really thrilled when the major networks start streaming some of their TV shows online. This made catching up on shows I had missed during the season quite convenient. But it has gotten better.

Enter Internet TV- Online Video on Demand, first came Joost (www.joost.com); next Veoh (www.veoh.com); and now there is Hulu(www.hulu.com). All provide high quality online television programming, and get this… THEY ARE ALL FREE! (and you know I love a bargain).

I found the Joost interface quite intrusive, so eventually I removed it from my PC. But I really like the Veoh interface (and it will play Hulu programs). Both Hulu and Veoh will allow you to watch shows from their web sites. However, some full length movies on Veoh require you view them through their player (which is quite nice.)

If you have tried Veoh or Hulu, be sure to check them out. If you know of some other cool high quality Video on Demand Sites, please post a comment on my blog (pwsquare.blogspot.com).

Congratulations Alex!

I just want to share the fantastic news that one of my former dance students, Alexandra Lewis, just won Miss Lafayette!!!! She will compete for Miss Louisiana in November. Alex was a student at my dance studio Hip Bones In Motion, and also she was also a Bay Area Baptist Church Praise Dancer!

Alex is the daughter of Raymond and Pat (my friend, AKA Soror, & book club member) Lewis!!!

I love to share the news our youth doing great things!!! GO ALEX!!! We are so proud of your !!!!!

News Story: http://www.klfy.com/Global/story.asp?S=7995921

What’s On My iPod - Upstate: A Novel by Kalisha Buckhanon

Buckhanon. One of our sponsors L. Peggy Hicks of Tricom Publicity donated the books to the children for them to read and discuss. I must admit, I wasn’t excited about reading it as I am not a big fan of Urban Fiction so I ordered the audio version so I could at least take part in the discussion. Well, I missed that meeting and never took the time to read or listen to the book. But this past week, I noticed that the book was on my iPod so I decided to listen to it, and I am glad I did.

It is a love story, between Antonio and Natasha, and it grabs you right from the start! The narrators Chadwick Boseman and Heather Simms are outstanding, and this book is a rare audio find! Now I hate I missed the discussion, because I know that this was a treat for our teens.

There is some very strong language and sexual content; however with parental consent I think it is an excellent book for teens. It is a real story that tells it like it is. I highly recommend it.

Movie Bliss

So far I have seen several of the films that are nominated for this year’s academy awards, (2 of which are nominated for best picture.) Here is a quick review of the movies that I have seen so far.

Atonement - this movie has been nominated for 7 academy awards including best picture and honestly I just don’t get it. I think the acting was good, Saoirse Ronan did a great job in her role and I can understand her nomination for best supporting actress (which really should be best actress) but the story was about as boring as they come (my two cents). I don’t even remember the music, so that is how good the score was to me. Over all I give the move 3 stilettos.

Juno – I was pleasantly surprised by this movie. I don’t know what I was expecting, but I found the movie to be quite entertaining. It tackled a serious subject, teen pregnancy, in a sensitive manner while still having moments of humor. It is nominated for 4 academy awards (Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role ,Achievement in Directing, Best Motion Picture of the Year, and Original Screenplay) Ellen Page did a great job in her leading role, I give this movie 5 stilettos.

American Gangster – was nominated for two academy awards (Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role and Achievement in Art Direction). Where I love any movie that stars Denzel Washington, I still hate to see him play a “bad guy.” I enjoyed this movie as much as I can enjoy seeing a life of crime and violence. And I am glad to see actress Ruby Dee get her much overdue acknowledgment, for her role in this movie. I love you Ms. Ruby, and I give this movie 5 stilettos.

The Bourne Ultimatum – If you know me you know that this is my kind of movie! Action, More Action, and Even More Action!!! The movie is nominated for three academy awards (Achievement in Film Editing, Achievement in Sound Editing, and Achievement in Sound Mixing.) I really have no idea what the criteria for judging is in any of these categories, I can just say I enjoyed the film, and I hope they win something!

3:10 to Yuma – Talking about surprises, I really was surprised when I liked this movie! I normally “don’t do” westerns, but in a effort of world peace (watching a movie with my husband) ... I said "uncle." However, I really enjoyed this move (my husband on the other hand went to sleep.) It was nominated for two academy awards (Achievement in Music Written for Motion Pictures (Original Score) and Achievement in Sound Mixing.) Again, I don’t remember the score (it ain’t no Shaft), but I did enjoy the movie.

Ratatouille – I hate mice, rats and most rodents. But this movie managed to make them tolerable (but not adorable like Alvin and the Chipmunks.) It is a cute movie for kids with some sprinklings of adult humor. It was nominated for 5 academy awards (Best Animated Feature Film of the Year, Achievement in Music Written for Motion Pictures (Original Score), Achievement in Sound Editing, Achievement in Sound Mixing, and Original Screenplay.)

Transformers – I know you are thinking to yourself, she will watch any damn thing (my husband mumbles that to himself all the time.) Well, my son was a big Transformers fan in the mid 80’s (he even dressed up like one for Halloween one year.) So once it came to video, I said “what the hell.” It kept me entertained , although the premise t it was kind of silly. It was nominated for three academy awards (Achievement in Sound Editing, Achievement in Sound Mixing, Achievement in Visual Effects)

I plan to try to knock-out a few more nominated films before the show which airs soon. I don’t want to be totally out-of-the-loop like I was last night watching the Grammy awards - I just didn’t have a clue about most of those songs. Hey now …. that’s another blog.

Tech Talk: Digital-to-Analog Converter Box Coupon Program

After February 17, 2009, all TV stations must cease analog broadcasting and transition to exclusively broadcasting in a digital format, also known at DTV.

If you subscribe to cable or satellite, your access to broadcast channels should not change. However, if you currently rely on over-the-air signals via an analog television and an antenna ("rabbit ears"), you will need to act to continue to receive television.

You must either:

• Purchase a low-cost converter box to use with your existing analog television
• Purchase a digital television that can receive DTV signals
• Subscribe to cable or satellite

The Department of Commerce's National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) has launched the Digital-to-Analog Converter Box Coupon Program (Coupon Program), as authorized in the Digital Television Transition and Public Safety Act of 2005. Starting January 1, 2008, all U.S. households will be eligible to request up to two coupons, worth $40 each, to be used toward the purchase of up to two, digital-to-analog converter boxes.

To Get Coupons - go to: https://www.dtv2009.gov/

You Got to Love the French...

I have a few friends who are quite the wine connoisseurs. I won't mention any names (Wanda, Nina, Pat, Belinda, and Deon) but wouldn't we love one of these cool USB devices? (Click the Arrow to Start.)

Happy New Year and Tech Talk...

I truly believe there is nothing like a cheap DVD player.


Cheap DVD Players will play any darn thing, unlike those fancy models. I had an APEX that I wore completely out, I loved it because there was no limit to what it was willing to play, lol! Well after a little searching, I finally found a pretty good replacement.


I purchased a "Philips DVP3960 Multiformat 1080i Upscaling DVD Player with DivX, MP3, Windows Media Support" from Amazon.com, and I really like it. It is not high def or blue ray, but it has a great picture and will play all type of movie formats.

I created a data DVD that has 6 DivX Movies on it, and I was able to navigate the folders to play the selected movies. So far, I am really pleased. I paid $69.99 for it, but I had some Amazon.com money (much like Monopoly Money), so it ended up costing me about $15.00 bucks.

This week Circuit City has a similar model on sale for $39.00.







Philips DVD/DivX Player - Model #: PHL DVP3140


Besides DivX, this DVD player also plays DVD, DVD-R/-RW/+R/+RW, MP3, WMA, JPEG and SVCD formatshttp://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Philips-DVD-DivX-Player-DVP3140-37/sem/rpsm/oid/174777/catOid/-12872/rpem/ccd/productDetail.do

So if you are looking for a inexpensive 'play-any-damn-thing' type of DVD player you might want to check this one out!

Breaking Tradition

Everyone that knows me knows that I am a Christmas-aholic!

There is no greater thrill for me that to find the perfect Chocolate Santa or Christmas ornament. Not just during the holiday season, oh no, for me the hunt begins the day after Christmas and continues throughout the year. So last year after Christmas, when I announced that I would be skipping Christmas this year, my family and friends gave a sly chuckle and said "um-hum, sure you will."

Well, here we are deep into December, and I have stuck to my guns. Instead of hosting my family for Christmas this year, I opted for Thanksgiving. While this holiday still involves the great cooking of the mighty feast, it doesn’t include the decorating and the mad rush for buying gifts.

There have been three major perks to my decision to "Skip Christmas" this year;
NO Decorating, NO Shopping, and No Cooking!

No Decorating…

There is no Christmas tree in my house. There… I said it.

I feel like this is a part of some twelve-step program. Not a tree, not a wreath, no lights, not a Santa. (OK, I am lying there are a few Santas, but they all are 2007 Santas.) None of the Santas that reside in the attic or closets were allowed to come out, lol!

No Shopping…

I purchased a lot of things during the after Christmas sale last year. Also, throughout the year if I say something fabulous that I wanted to put up for the holiday I got it. However, after Halloween, I made it a point to purchase all of my gifts online, especially for those gifts that needed to be shipped. No shopping malls… No Post Office, wow, I could learn to live with this.

No Cooking…

As I mentioned my mom visited me during Thanksgiving so I had the opportunity to share the kitchen with her, and eat some of her delightfully delicious dressing. I have had a LOT of dressing in my life, but no one comes close to my moms. I have some in my freezer so when everyone else is eating their holiday leftovers, I will break out mine from Thanksgiving.

Since my son "the big time New York Media Mogul" has to work both Christmas and New Year’s it wasn’t too hard for me to opt to go on a cruise. I can handle being queen for a day (well, in this case 5 days) and having people wait on me hand and foot!

While cruising (and thinking of you, of course) I will be reading some good books; listening to some great holiday music classics; and dancing the night away with my handsome hubby.

I am so thankful that I was blessed to live another year and have wonderful family and friends in my life, and I look forward to the blessings that await me in 2008. I wish each of you good health, a safe and happy holiday season, and a prosperous New Year!

Happy Holidays!!!

Tis the season to be jolly! Check out our holiday message:

http://www.elfyourself.com/?id=9626785100

No act of kindness, however small, is ever wasted. - Aesop

The holiday season is fast approaching and our family is "Skipping Christmas" this year! Not the spirit or the meaning of Christmas, but the all of the hustle and bustle associated with the season.


We welcome a card from you, but respectfully request that in lieu of buying us a gift please do a random act of kindness for someone. This won’t cost you a dime, and I guarantee it will make you feel good. Here are a few ides....

1. Say Hello


2. Visit a friend


3. Let another go first


4. Forgive mistakes


5. Share a smile


6. Open a door


7. Lend a hand


8. Be tolerant


9. Offer a hug


10. Do an act of kindness everyday

Divas For A Cure

Greetings!
I am very happy to support Divas For a Cure for the second year in a row. I am also excited about being their personal "Blogger" for the event. I hope that you decide to donate to this wonderful charity.

To find out where the divas are each day go to the official Blog at: http://www.divasforacure.blogspot.com/

To find out more about the organization to to: http://www.divasforacure.org

HELP FOR THE HOMELESS

The Harry Tompson Center is a day shelter for homeless guests to shower, do laundry, seek medical and legal services, etc. Because of Katrina, a new facility is being built on the grounds of St. Joseph church on Tulane. And they need funds!!

Don Thompson, who is director of the Center is asking us to participate in Burger King’s “Campaign for Your Cause”. The center is already in the top ten vote getters! Starting today and running through July 13 the center needs us to vote for them. We can vote once a day, every day, and on every computer we have access to, at home and at work.

This is how to vote:

- go online to www.campaignforyourcause.com

- click on line that reads “click here to vote for New Orleans”

- enter your birthday on the line (mm/dd/yyyy) and then click the circle next to the line that reads “Father Harry Tompson Center”.

- Finally click “vote”.

That's it!

Rebuilding New Orleans

Life's most urgent question is: What are you doing for others? - Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.




This past week I had the opportunity to volunteer at the Second Harvest of Greater New Orleans and Acadiana Food Bank. I along with 9 of my girl friends met in New Orleans and together we packed over 2,000 pounds of food for their emergency food box program (http://www.no-hunger.org/programs/emgencyfoodbox.htm). We were told that this would feed over 200 families.

Out of Pocket!

As you can see, I have been incognito for a few months! Nothing new and exciting has been going on, I have just been busy. Thanks to everyone who called to check on Ruff and I during the NASA incident. We really appreciate your thoughtfulness and well wishes. Last week was a bad one. My thoughts and prayers go out to everyone who was affected directly or indirectly by the unfortunate incidents at Virginia Tech or at the Johnson Space Center.

On a happier note….

There is a new "Pirates of the Caribbean" Movie coming out on May 25th. I am looking forward to seeing cutie pies Johnny Depp and Orlando Bloom in "At World’s End."

Here is a little sneak peak:

Holiday Edition of Getting to Know your Friends... ho ho ho

What are your holiday traditions? Here are mine, let us know yours!

1. Egg Nog or Hot Chocolate? Egg Nog

2. Does Santa wrap presents or just sit them under the tree? Sits them under the tree, except for one special gift. That one is wrapped in red with a white bow.

3. Colored lights on tree/house or white? White

4. Do you hang mistletoe? No

5. When do you put decorations up? I start the week after Thanksgiving. But it is a process still in work :-)

6. What is your favorite holiday dish (excluding desserts)? Candied Sweet Potatoes and Fried Turkey!

7. Favorite Holiday memory as a child: Getting a sewing machine for Christmas when I was 13.

8. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa? What do you mean the truth about Santa?

9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve? No.

10. How do you decorate your Christmas tree? umm... you mean trees :-)

• Living Room Tree - The "Fu Fu tree, All Gold and Silver
• Family Room Tree - Chocolate Santas and Keepsake Ornaments
• Dining Room - The Shoe Tree (It is a white feather tree with shoe ornaments
• Office - The Star Trek Tree (Aluminum tree with Star Trek ornaments)
• Kam's Room - The Wizard of Oz Themed Tree

11. Snow! Love it or Dread it? Love to look at it, hate to drive or live in it.

12. Can you ice skate? Nope

13. Do you remember your favorite gift? My son Kam who was born in December.

14. What's the most important thing about the Holidays for you? Remembering the reason for the season and gathering with family and friends.

15. What is your favorite Holiday Dessert? Cookies and my late Aunt Met's pound cake.

16. What is your favorite holiday tradition? Cooking with my mom on Christmas eve.

17. What tops your tree? Angels

18. Which do you prefer giving or receiving? Giving.

19. What is your favorite Christmas Song? "Oh Holy Night" and "This Christmas by Donnie Hathaway"

20. Candy Canes! Yuck or Yum? I can take them or leave them.

21. What is on your wish list for Christmas? To have all of my family and close friends together once again for a happy occasion.

A Fun Time on a Not-So-Fun Ship

We recently returned from our annual October Cruise. This year we decided to do something different, so we booked our cruise on the NCL Dream (Norwegian Cruise Line). For the prior 6 years, we had gone on Carnival Cruise Line, the Fun Ship! In retrospect, I wish we had continued this tradition, because NCL was Not-So-Fun.

First, I must tell you, that we had a great time. This was due to the fact that we had an awesome group of people traveling with us, and we managed to make our own fun.

Here is a synopsis of our trip:

Saturday, October 14, 2006 - Embarkation, La Porte, TX

Five of us arrived at the cruise terminal in La Porte, TX about 11:00 AM. We were dropped off right in front, and Ruffus went to park our vehicle at the parking lot that was adjacent to the terminal (very close.) The embarkation was the fasted that I ever experienced (and this was my 14th cruise.) So, at this point we were very impressed. By 11:30 AM we were onboard and hurdled into the "Stardust Lounge" to wait for our cabins to be ready. We waited there for about 30 minutes when they announced that there was lunch being served in the "Sports Bar." Ruffus went to scope that out, while we waited in the lounge. He came back and told us that it was VERY crowded and the lines were out the door waiting to get served. (Also it was starting to rain, and there was very limited indoor seating.) So we continued to wait. Around 12:30 PM they announced that our cabins were ready. So we gather our junk and headed to our cabin 8014.

These were the smallest damn cabins I have ever seen! We had a balcony cabin, and it was MUCH smaller than the cabins on Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Princess or Disney. There was hardly any closet space, but we had to make due. Luckily, there was room under the bed for us to place our luggage or we really would have been SOL. After we settled our things in our cabin, we again tried to get something to eat at the Sports Bar. No luck, so we went to one of the main restaurants Terraces to eat lunch. Our food was tasty and the service was excellent. Little did we know that this would be the last time on this cruise for us to have such a dining experience.

One by one, our entire group arrived on the ship. Some of us had not seen each other since our last cruise, so the reunion was joyous and fun. We had planned some fun activities and looked forward to sharing this time together with family and friends.

Unlike other cruise lines, NCL has "Free Style" dining, which means you have no assigned time, dining room or seating. This works like a restaurant, first come-first served, or by reservation. The first night we all dined separately, as most of our group traveled from other cities that day, and wanted to rest. However, since we were traveling as a group and we wanted to eat dinner together for the remainder of the cruise, so we had to make reservations. Group dinning is only reserved for a 5:30 PM seating or 8:30 PM seating. We opted for 5:30 PM.

That night we had VERY rough seas, so most people remained in their cabins and many people got seasick.

Sunday, October 15, 2006 - At Sea

Refreshed from a rocky night's sleep we got up early and again tried to eat breakfast at the Sports Bar (top deck.) The weather was still bad, and the ship was rocking – big-time! Again, there was a long line and no place to sit indoors. We stood in line and finally got some food, then headed into one of the lounge areas to find a place to eat indoors. By this time we were really missing the Lido Deck on Carnival, and were beginning to regret our decision to go NCL.

Since the weather was bad, all of the on deck activities were cancelled, which is understandable. However, there were limited things to do inside. The Casino was calling everyone’s name, and I can attest to spending more money in this casino that any other one that I have visited. That still is not much, because I don’t normally even go into the casino. But being bored, I tried my luck, and I won over 200 dollars between the "Wheel of Fortune" and "Black Widow" slot machines.

That night we had a surprise birthday party for Ruffus, and we all wore Black and White formal attire.

It was so funny when we arrived at the dining room. Ruffus commented that everyone had on black and white. It was not until we were all seated and yelled "surprise" that he knew it was a party for him.

Again, we waited several hours for our food, but because we were in such great company, we managed to enjoy the evening. Which ended with a birthday cake and at the wait staff singing "Happy Birthday To You" and of course in the African American Tradition we sang "Happy Birthday to Ya" as song by Stevie Wonder.

After dinner, we all changed and went to our favorite, Karaoke. There was a very strong crosswind on the top deck as we fought our way to the observatory lounge. We were almost blown away, and we laughed so hard our sides hurt and the prospect of falling overboard or losing our "evening hair"!

Karaoke was a dud. Not much participation. I think mainly because it started so late, 10:30 PM. After our group performance of "Proud Mary" we left and headed to the Disco. The Disco was almost as dead as the Karaoke bar, however, eventually they played a few good songs that inspired everyone to get up and dance. Please note that there was a man shortage on that boat, so Ruffus and Winston had to do double duty dancing with all the ladies in our group.

Monday, October 16, 2006 - Progresso, Mexico

We purchased a shore excursion to Chichen Itza, Mexico. We had to meet in the Stardust Lounge at 7:45 AM where we were given a box lunch (tuna sandwich, veggie sandwich, granola bar, fruit cocktail, and a bottle of water) the trip to the Mayan Ruins would take two hours and our tour guides Jorge and Victor, told us about the Mayan Culture past and present as we were in route from the Progresso port.

The Ruins were beautiful, and I am glad I finally got to see them. It was very HOT, and we had to walk on gravel paths, so I was worn out by the time we returned to the ship.

Tuesday, October 17, 2006 - Cozumel, Mexico

We purchased a day pass at the Reef Club and Resort. It was absolutely beautiful. The pass included open bar, all you can eat buffet, all you could eat from the grill - a beautiful beach, swimming pools... movie stars... Well not the movie stars part, but everything else was included. he resort was on the beach and they supplied us with towels, beach chairs and use of water sports.

Today was Nina's birthday so we had reservations to eat at LaBistro restaurant. There is an additional $15.00 surcharge to eat in this restaurant. It was not worth the extra money, and the service was slower than the other restaurant. We had a 6:30 PM reservation and did not finish until after 9 PM. The staff continuously apologized about the delay because of the "new menu", but this was starting to get old as we were hearing this same old song in every restaurant.

Pajama Party - hosted by Nina and Lynda

That night at 10:30 PM Nina and Lynda hosted a pajama party in the NCL Conference Room! Boy did we have fun. The first funny thing that happen was we got locked in the room! What made this hilarious is that Ruffus was locked in the room with us; he was knocking on the glass windows asking for help, this was truly funny. Finally, someone came to his rescue and he and Winston left hightailing it out of there, not to be seen again that night!

We played games and read passages from "Tickle His Pickle"; I laughed 'til I cried. Literally. If laughter is a good cleansing for the soul, I was thoroughly cleanest.


Wednesday, October 18, 2006 - Belize City, Belize

You have to tender into Belize, which I hated, because it is a LOOOONG tender to port.
This was our third trip to Belize so we had done all of the tours. However, since it was the first time for a few people in our party, we got a taxi at the port and took a city tour. Our taxi driver did a good job of showing us around. He even took us to his wife's restaurant where a few of us sampled some authentic Belizean food, Rice and Beans, Stewed Chicken and Plantains. I only got a spoonful, but from what I tasted it was pretty good. After the tour, we walked around the port and purchased a few souvenirs and made our way back to the ship

Pokeno Night – Hosted by Sara and Tami

At 10:30 PM Sara and Tami hosted a Pekeno Party, where we each received cards and put quarters in 6 different pots; Pokeno, Center, Four Corners, Two of a Kind, Four of a Kind and Flush. We listed to oldies music and argued about the "official" rules of the game. We had a great time, and Jan was the biggest winner that night ($35.00!) She continued her winning streak at the Casino where she won a couple of hundred dollars.

Thursday, October 19, 2006 - At Sea

African Healing Night - Hosted by Karan

Four Season's Restaurant

Friday, October 20, 2006 - At Sea

Terrace Restaurant Dining

Saturday, October 21, 2006 - Debarkation


PROS: Embarkation and Debarkation, the easiest and fastest that I have experience on any cruise line and at any port. The staff was very courteous and polite.

CONS: Our biggest complaint was dining. It took a ridiculously long time for us to receive our food in all of the restaurants. Our average wait time after dinner seating was 2 hours. This was the norm, not the exception. The quality of the food was OK. Better at the beginning of the cruise and declining thereafter. Also, we missed having formal nights. We enjoy the opportunity to get dressed up and be entertained by the staff. There was no singing or dancing in the dining areas (except for one waiter in the Sports Bar who did some sing-alongs during lunch.) The cabins are very small and there is not much storage (we had a balcony room.) The NCL Dream is an older ship. No elaborate atrium lobby, and a very funky layout. We were told that the ship was being retired in 2007.

Good! I think it should be.

Lost and Found

Recently, I broke down and purchased a black "Le Mystere Dream Tisha Seamless Bra." Why is that important you say? Well, that girl costs $66.00! And for me to spend that much for a damn bra, is a major investment. You see I am the queen of bargains. I pity the fool who stands in my way when I am in route to a sale. It HURTS me to pay full price for anything, because the truth is everything goes on sale eventually - but they might not have your size.

My girl Oprah went on and on about this bra, and how it made your girls all "perky." And since one of my pre-menopausal gifts was a blossoming bosom, I thought it time that I purchased myself a good industrial strength bra. I ordered it online at Amazon.com and a few days later it arrived in the mail. It certainly looked different than any bra I had every seen, and I am quite sure it can stop bullets. The important question is how does it feel?

It felt great, and it sure looked great underneath my clothes, so I decided it was worth the hefty price tag, and even considered ordering another one in white.

When laundry day rolled around, I decided that I was not putting my $66.00 bra in the washing machine; surely it deserved to be hand washed. And that is when all hell broke loose. I lost the damn bra.

I tore my house up from top to bottom trying to find my Tisha. I took everything out of every dresser drawer; went through each clothes hamper; looked behind the washer and dryer; and tore apart my closet. No Tisha.

This ritual went on for two days. Yesterday, I decided to go through everything again, this time I would do it like on "Mission Organization" (on of my favorite HGTV shows) I would create a pile to donate, a pile to keep, and a pile to throw away. I found bras that were as old as my 23- year-old son (these were 32 A 's by the way); how in the hell could I keep up with a 23 year-old bra, and lose a new bra within a week? Then it was obvious, there has got to be ghosts in my house.

Why then, did the ghosts decide to just take my bra? Well, ghosts are smart. They know that I am cheap, and the thought of loosing an expensive bra would literally drive me crazy. And they are right...I couldn't sleep. I keep getting up looking for the bra. Then I remembered I had just mailed Peggy her Santas, maybe I put the bra in the box. Ruffus looked at me like I had completely lost my mind, but I was dead serious. So when Peg called me last night to tell me she received the Santas I asked her "Was there a bra in the box?" After she stopped laughing she told me no, then she said she would double check ...no bra.

So now I have a huge pile of clothes to donate to the Goodwill, and a big trash bag of clothes that I didn't even know I had. But no Tisha, so I finally went to bed.

Last night I tossed and turned all night wondering where was my bra? I said to the Lord, "I know this isn't that important in the scheme of life, but I really hope you let me find my bra." I woke up this morning, and decided to take my own advice "just let it go!" I would just go on-line and order me another Tisha, and hopefully she would arrive before we leave for our cruise next week.

I took my shower, got dressed and got ready for work. I decided to take one more look;

I looked through my dresser...no Tisha.

I looked through my closet.. no Tisha.

I looked through Ruffus's side of the closet...no Tisha.

Then I decide to look at the area of the closet that I keep out-of-season-a.k.a-too-small clothes and there behind a file cabinet was Ms. Tisha Le Mystere!

All I could say was Hallelujah, thank-you Jesus!

But what I was thinking was, Ghosts I tell you. Ghosts.

When the Levees Broke: A Requiem in Four Acts

If you haven't had a chance to see Spike Lee's new HBO documentary, it is not too late. It is still being aired on HBO and is worth the disc space on your DVR (or video tape on your VHS) to record and watch at your leisure.

It is an in-depth look at the Hurricane Katrina Disaster and you are sure to learn something you didn't know. It is also a reminder that the survivors of this disaster are still going through some difficult times, and are still in need of much assistance.

For more info visit:
http://www.hbo.com/docs/programs/whentheleveesbroke/?ntrack_para1=leftnav_category6_show0

For upcoming show times visit:
http://www.hbo.com/apps/schedule/ScheduleServlet?ACTION_DETAIL=DETAIL&FOCUS_ID=633828





SYNOPSIS:

On August 29, 2005, the city of New Orleans was forever changed when Hurricane Katrina made landfall, breaching levees, flooding neighborhoods, and killing more than a thousand residents. One year later, acclaimed director Spike Lee presents this four-hour, four-part HBO documentary event that recounts one of the United States' most profound natural disasters through words and images. In addition to revisiting the hours leading up to the devastating storm, the film tells the personal stories of those who lived to tell about it while also exploring the underbelly of a nation where the divide along race and class lines has never been more pronounced.

Say What? Pluto is not a Planet?

I was already upset when I found out my favorite TV Show, Stargate SG1, was not being renewed after 10 seasons, then today I get the news that Pluto is not a planet. News like this makes you wonder, WTF?

There are some thinks that we think we know for sure... The earth is round, the sun rises in the east and sets in the west, and there are nine planets. Well so much for what we know!

That's right, Pluto's out!

Discovered by American Clyde Tombaugh in 1930, Pluto has been considered a planet my entire life. But today, the International Astronomical Union (who the heck are these guys?) voted to remove Pluto as a planet. You know you got a lot a clout when you can ban a planet.

Now our solar system consist of 8 planets (Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune) and 4 plutons or Pluto-like entities: Pluto itself, Ceres, 2003 UB313 and Charon.

Now Moms everywhere are scrambling to revamp those science fair projects (Not to mention all the textbooks and encyclopedias publishers.)

So now I sit Plutoless, watching Stargate SG1 reruns, and saving-up to complete my SG1 DVD Collection.

53 days to my next Cruise!

I am going through what I consider to be "cruise withdrawals." Considering I cannot swim, I have no idea why I enjoy being afloat for days at a time. But I really do.

It has been 8 months since my last cruise (last December); so I am actually longing for the pampering service that I receive on a cruise ship.

Each year, for the past 7 years, I along with a group of avid readers have vacationed together on the African American Book Club Summit at Sea. This October would have been our 8th annual literary adventure. Due to circumstances beyond our control, the event was postponed until 2007. So my cruise "Jones" really set in. Not to fear, many of my fellow cruise addicts (and AABCS participants) deciding to still go on a cruise, during our annual time slot, the third week in October.

So in 53 days we set sail for our Family and Friends Cruise and I can't wait!

Diva Blogging

No, I have not fallen off the face of the earth; I have actually been blogging for "Divas for a Cure."

For 23 days, my little sis Jan along with a great group of "Buffalo Soldiers" traveled across country and back, with one purpose - raising money for cancer research. They faced the elements of the universe (heat and rain); and of course there was a little "diva drama", but all in all (another EWF pun) they made it and raised over $25,000.00 in the process.

To check out what I have been blogging about for the past month please go to: divasforacure.blogspot.com

Farewell Tracey

This past Thursday, my friend Tracey Gibson lost her battle to Cancer. Tracey (Cracklin's as my husband called her :-) was one of the nicest people you could ever meet. Her smile would light up a room and her laugh was contagious. She will be missed by all who knew her.

We have got to find a cure for this deadly disease. If you would like to help, I urge you to support Divas For a Cure , and organization dedicated to helping in the fight against breast cancer.

Every little bit helps: http://www.firstgiving.com/pamwalkerwilliams

Tracey and her son Kemp.

FREE Make the Connection Bracelet Kit

By ordering a free Make the Connection bracelet kit, you will be helping to advance cervical cancer education and outreach. For every pair of bracelet kits ordered, Merck will donate one dollar to Cancer Research and Prevention Foundation, up to $100,000, for cervical cancer awareness and screening programs among medically underserved women.

https://www.maketheconnection.org/order_beadkit/default.asp
Kits can also be ordered over the phone 888-4-HPV-CONNECT (888-447-8266).

With every order of the FREE Make the Connection bracelet kit you will get two kits, so you can invite someone to join you in showing support against cervical cancer.

Divas For A Cure

Summer 2006, Divas For A Cure will take to the road, traveling from the San Francisco Bay Area to Florida, to New York and back, raising funds and awareness to aid in the fight to find a cure for Breast Cancer. Thousands of women annually are diagnosed with breast cancer, in California alone; more than 21,000 women will hear the words "you have breast cancer." An estimated 4,000 will die.

What I am Reading....

When a Sistah's Fed Up by Monica "Dr Moe" Frazier Anderson

SYNOPSIS

Faith Henry has everything a man could want...but she is not a man.
She's the first African-American mayor of Ulysses, Texas. She's married to her college sweetheart, and she has two "almost" perfect children. So why is she unhappy? And who attempted to kill her? Was it her jealous husband, Preston, who wants her at home full-time? Her vicious political rival, J.D. Person? Or was it the irate citizen who threatens her at every council meeting?

When a dark secret from the mayor's past is revealed during her campaign for re-election, she drops in the polls and falls into the arms of Raymond Hart, her charming administrative assistant. She's weary of well-doing, and tired of being taken for granted, but wrong is wrong. Right?

It's the test of a lifetime with no easy answers. Have you ever been fed up?

Click Here to order: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/142084895X/thegoodbookclubt

Review to come...

One of Those Days...

Today, I am having "one of those days." You know, the kind of day, that makes you wonder is it all worth it. My Mother taught me to work hard and have a good work ethic, and I would be rewarded, prosper and do well. Events that have taken place at my "day job" this past month has caused me to wonder, is that really true?

I decided to do, what I do, when I am having "one of those days,"

... I cried to the Lord for help.

Just like that, I got my answer! The words of one of my favorite hymns came to me crystal clear, this gave me a second wind, a glimmer of hope.

I would like to share the words of this song with you, just in case you need a lift today...

THE LORD WILL MAKE A WAY

Like a ship that's tossed and driven, battered by an angry sea;

When the storms of life are raging, and their fury falls on me,

I wonder what I have done, that makes this race so hard to run;

Then I say to my soul, take courage, the Lord will make a way somehow.

The Lord will make a way somehow, when beneath the cross I bow,

He will take away each sorrow, Let Him have your burdens now;

When the loads bears down so heavy the weight is shown upon my brow,

There's a sweet relief in knowing the Lord will make a way somehow.

Try to do the best in service, try to do the best you can;

When I choose to do the right thing evil's present on every hand;

I look up and wonder why that good fortune passed me by;

Then I say to my soul, be patient, the Lord will make a way somehow.

Often there's misunderstanding, out of all the good I do;

Go to friends for consolation, and I find them complaining, too;

So many nights I toss in pain, wondering what the day will bring;

Then I say to my heart, don't worry, the Lord will make a way somehow.

(Written by Thomas A. Dorsey)

Putting Things in Perspective

This month has caused me to reflect on my life and reevaluate just what is important.

Last week, a friend and co-worker passed away following a brief but courageous bought with Cancer. This past Monday, my father-in-law passed away. This happen the same day I was given the news that my job of 20 plus years was just going away, "deemed unnecessary" was the exact term. Had I been given that news a month ago, I probably would have been devastated. However, compared to losing a loved-one, this news seemed both trifle and of little significance. After all, the job has served it purpose. I had the opportunity to raise a wonderful child, provide him with a college education and send him into the world as an intelligent educated black man. For what more could a mother ask ?

I have never been the type of person to hold one job anyway. I really should have been Jamaican. I have done catering, floral arranging, written and directed plays, owned a performing arts studio, taught dance, sold clothes, designed greeting cards, and owned a successful web design business, all while holding down a full-time job. Perhaps, it really is time for a change.

I will probably be put into another position (Or out to pasture, LOL), after all I am a dedicated employee. But I will truly miss the comradely I have with my current coworkers. No one could ask to work with a more talented group of eclectic individuals. I will miss seeing their faces each day and the sharing of stories of our life's journey.

Well, I don't know what is around the corner for me, but I do know that God does not make mistakes. This means that there is something wonderful waiting for me, a new adventure, and I just can't wait to see what it is.

It's Hard Out Here for a P...

Y'all know the rest! LOL!!!

OK Y'all, what kind of Memphis girl would I be, if I was not be proud of my homeboys, even if the lyrics to the song appear to be a little foul. You must admit the tune is catchy and it is a fun song to sing.

With all of that said a big congrats goes out to Three 6 Mafia for wining the Oscar for Best Achievement in Music Written for Motion Pictures, Original Song, It's Hard Out Here For a Pimp from the movie Hustle & Flow (I hadn't been that excited since Isaac Hayes won for Shaft - They say that Shaft's a bad mother shut-yo-mouth!)

Didn't our girl Shug (Taraji P. Henson) clean up well for the show! Shoot I didn't even recognize her! You go girl!!!

Of the three choices, it really was the most "original" song, no doubt. I loved the movie Crash, but I swear, I don't even remember the song In the Deep. And although my other Tennessee home girl, Dolly Parton, was getting down sing Travelin Thru, you must admit the lyrics to that song are no way as memorable as "It is hard out here for a pimp!"

I was disappointed that Terrence Howard did not win the Oscar for his performance in Hustle and Flow, and I was equally disappointed that he was not nominated as best supporting actor in Crash. He did an outstanding job in both movies, and showed his wide range as a seasoned actor.

I was excited that Crash won for Best Motion Picture of the Year. It was an excellent movie, if you missed in on the big screen, be sure to check it out on DVD. It is a must see movie!

Now back to our song....

You know it's hard out here for a pimp (you ain't knowin)
When he tryin to get this money for the rent (you ain't knowin)

Goodbye Octavia

I have always loved science fiction, horror, and fantasy. Being an African-American child in the 60's, sometimes I was considered a little strange. Addicted to things like Lost in Space, the Outer Limits and The Twilight Zone, I think my mom thought me a little weird :-). It was nothing for me to me to stay awake all night to watch Fantastic Features (old horror movies) on TV. I still remember the host of the show ,"Sivad"(Davis spelled backwards) our Monster of Ceremonies. So, it was a natural progression that my favorite books would also come from those same genres.

I read my first Stephen King Book, Carrie, back in 1974 and became a Stephen King junkie at that point. During that financially challenging time of my life, all my reading selections came from the library, second-hand stores (a.k.a. The Goodwill) or mass-market paperbacks at the grocery store checkout. I managed to read a lot of very good books by a lot of great authors.

It wasn't until 1988 that I was introduced to the writings of Octavia Butler. The Book was named Kindred it was part of a Black Women Writers Series. I was absolutely enthralled. It was so exciting for me to see science fiction written by black women with a black heroine. I immediately knew, I had to find out more out this author, and I had to read everything she had in print. I was surprised and embarrassed that this author had so many books in print, and that I had never heard of her. Me, the bibliophile, me the scifi-aholic, had never heard of this queen of sci-fi.

I am proud to say that I own every one of Ms. Butler's books, except Survivor which is currently out of print. (However I have read it thanks to a LA cyber friend who checked it out from the library, fed-ex'ed it to me to read, afterwards which I sent it back to her :-)

If you have never read one of Ms. Butler's books, I suggest Kindred to get you started. This book is classified as sci-fi, but really doesn't have a lot of hard science. It is more a speculative work of fiction. However, once you start to read her other series, prepare yourself for a wild ride. Below please find a list of books by Ms. Butler you owe it to yourself to read at least one of these books.


Bibliography - Octavia Estelle Butler (June 22, 1947-February 24, 2006)

Patternist series (In the Series Intended Order)

• Wild Seed (1980) - Prequel to Mind of My Mind. Two immortals, one who changes bodies and another who has perfect control of her own, struggle to live together over generations, as one concentrates on creating a new race through his own breeding program. - James Tiptree, Jr. Award winner
• Mind of My Mind (1977) - An immortal's breeding program has created a society of networked telepaths that he struggles to control.
• Patternmaster (1976) - Far in the future, regular humans are dominated by a society of networked telepathic humans who, in turn, are ruled by the most powerful telepath: the Patternmaster. Also hostile to the remaining regular humans are Clayarks, mutant humans created long ago by disease unwittingly brought back to Earth from outer space by astronauts. The story revolves around the aging of the current Patternmaster, spawning a battle among telepaths to see who will become the next Patternmaster.
• Clay's Ark (1984) - A colony of people mutated by a disease that astronauts have unwittingly brought back to Earth from outer space struggle to keep themselves isolated enough that the disease does not spread throughout all humanity. (Butler was reportedly unsatisfied with this novel.)

Xenogenesis/Lilith's Brood series

• Dawn (1987) - After the near-extinction of humanity, a woman is resurrected by the alien Oankali as part of a plan to colonize the earth with alien-human hybrids.
• Adulthood Rites (1988) - An alien-human hybrid child is abducted by sterile human resisters.
• Imago (1989) - An androgynous being comes of age and integrates human and alien societies.
  The three volumes of this series are also collected into two omnibus editions, Xenogenesis (out of print) and Lilith's Brood.

Parable series

• Parable of the Sower (1993) - A girl with heightened empathy develops a benign philosophical and religious system during her childhood in a walled suburb in a dystopian anarchic future Los Angeles. When the suburb's security is compromised, her home destroyed, and her family murdered, she travels north with some survivors to try to start a community where her religion can grow.
• Parable of the Talents (1998) - As the U.S. continues to fall apart, the protagonist's community is attacked and taken over by a bloc of religious fanatics who inflict brutal atrocities like rape and murder. The novel contains a harsh indictment of fundamentalism and has been compared in that respect to Margaret Atwood's The Handmaid's Tale. Parable of Talents won the Nebula Award for best novel in 2000.
• Parable of the Trickster - Butler had originally planned to write a third Parable novel, tentatively titled Parable of the Trickster, which would have focused on the community's struggle to survive on a new planet. She began this novel after finishing Parable of the Talents, mentioning her work on it in a number of interviews, but at some point encountered a form of writer's block. She eventually shifted her creative attention, resulting in the novel Fledgling (see below).
  

Other

• Kindred (1979) - Often shelved in Literature or African-American literature, rather than with science fiction. Story of a modern African-American woman who keeps falling back through time to rescue her white, slave-owning ancestor.
• Survivor (1978) - With Earth being ravaged by the disease that was brought back from outer space, and telepaths now asserting control over what remains of humanity, regular humans are caught in the middle, and one group of them has decided to escape it all to a new planet, where they now, as aliens, must struggle to co-exist with the race that already lives there. Although this novel can be connected to the Patternist series, it is consider by others to be a stand alone novel. (Octavia Butler, herself, ultimately came to dislike this novel.)
• Bloodchild and Other Stories (1995) - A collection whose title story, "Bloodchild" (1984), won the Hugo and Nebula awards. The collection also includes four other stories and two essays. The pieces span Butler's career, the first finished in 1971 and the last in 1993. In 2005, Seven Stories Press released a second edition of Bloodchild and Other Stories, expanded to include two newer short stories copyrighted by Butler in 2003.
• Fledgling (2005) - A vampire novel. ISBN 1583226907 Although Butler herself passed Fledgling off as a lark, the themes of race and sexual permeate the novel. Although ostensibly about vampires, the novel is connected to her other works through the exploration of race, sexuality, and what it means to be a member of a community, and what it means to be an outsider. Moreover, the novel continues the theme raised explicitly in Parable of the Sower that diversity is a biological imperative.

The "Panic Annie" Mama's Club

I hadn't heard from my son this past weekend. While I was in bed watching the 10 PM news, they reported ice storms in Austin, and that there had been an 18 car collision. Surely, this had to be the reason my only child had not called me. So, being a card-carrying member of the "Panic Annie" Mama's Club, I did what we do best, PANIC!

I text-messaged him to call me right away (he was at work). As soon he got off from work (around 11 PM) he called. By now he too was panicking because he knew something must be wrong with his mother since it was way past her bed time!

I am happy to report; both mother and son are doing well while dad/husband slept right through all the drama :-)

FYI: My girlfriend Eddgra is the founding member of the PAMC Organizaiton :-)

A New Look

OK, I finally gave my Blog a face-lift. It wasn't easy seeing that I didn't know what I was doing. Hey, I have been a programmer for more than 25 years, surely I could figure this blog-code-stuff out.

I started with a blog template created by http://blogger-templates.blogspot.com. I modified this template to reflect my love for Egyptian Art, Stargate, and of course, SHOES. I wanted to add a tribute to Oprah, but it just did't fit (unless I could dress her up like Nefertiti or something.)



Now I need to get my friends to come visit. That's right, I am hosting a Blog Open House.

Relax, Sit a Spell.... Y'all come back now, ya here :-)

What I'm Reading

Right now I am reading "Fledgling" by one of my favorite authors Octavia Butler. I am also listining to to the audio version of "Christ the Lord : Out of Egypt" by another one of my favoirites Anne Rice.

My upcoming to read list include:

1. The Wave by Walter Mosley
2. Cell by Stephen King
3. Chasing Destiny by Eric Jerome Dickey
4. Changing Faces by Kimberla Lawson Roby
5. Nowhere Is a Place by Bernice L. McFadden

Since I got a new video IPOD for Christmas, I guess I will be updating my music library soon also. Check back to see what I am listening to!

Happy Birthday To Ya, Happy Birthday to Ya, Happy Birthday...

Twenty-three years ago today at around this time of morning, I was in labor. Little did I know that at 11:06 AM, I would meet one of the nicest people I would ever know. On December 2, 1982 Kameron was born. He was and continues to be a ray of sunshine in my life. Kam was the sweetest baby, the most adorable child, a decent teen, and has grown to be a wonderful man. I am proud to be his mother.

December 2nd is a special day for me. Not only is it my son Kameron's birthday , but it is my mother Marian's birthday as well. So today I want to wish two of my favorite people a very Happy Birthday.

Happy Birthday to ya... Happy Birthday to ya... Happy Birthday!!!

What Are the Odds?

My Friend Mark just introduced me to the next level of blogging – "Memes" and "Quizzes".

I took the plunge, why not? Memes are little surveys that you can add to your blog. The one I added below is called "Love." You type in you and your significant other’s name and it gives you a mini love story. Scroll down and give it a try.
Next, came quizzes. There is a company named QuizFarm who haz a gazillion quizzes out there. Well being the big SciFi Fan that I am, and also a Horror fanatic, the next logical step for me was to take the Vampire Quiz (I scored Akasha Queen of the Damned) and Star Trek Quiz (I scored Uhura). Both of these quizzes would tell me which charater I most closly matched. (What fun?)

Now neither of these quizzes had any race/ethnic nor gender questions, however, I managed to match an African American Female charater each time.

What are the Odds?

It is a lot of fun, give it a try!