The vocal ministry of the amazing Andre Washington! That's the only thing I can call it...enjoy!
Monday, August 23, 2010
Sights of Sunset Junction 2010...
I had a ball this weekend at Sunset Junction. The music, the people, the food, the energy. It was everything I needed. Everywhere you went people were dancing, smiling and socializing. I can't even tell you how much fun it was just to people watch. It was an experience. And, yes, The Whispers did Olivia during their AMAZING set!!! What a way to wind down the summer. Get there next year...
Thursday, August 19, 2010
You're how old? I'll have what he's having!
My mom and I ordered dinner from a new place tonight. Natural Soul Food Cafe. They messed up our order a bit & took great pains to drive back to us and fix it. I'm so glad they did! It gave me a change to speak to one of the employees and for for my mom to talk to the delivery guy. They're older, we knew that off the bat. But during his 2nd trip to our place, my mom told the delivery man that we really enjoyed the food. It was great and healthy!
His response sent me online to look them up. He stopped cold and said "I'm 70. I do 100 push ups on the classroom floor to motivate elementary kids to eat healthy. I got a letter from Michelle Obama!" My mom said, "wow, we'll be giving you guys lots of business!" He then informed her that they were a non-profit cafe. What? A non-profit? Ice seen there space for years but had never eaten at the restaurant. So, follwing a great meal and an eye opening visit, I looked them up...
They really are a non-profit, they really do have a program that serves our kids. And they really are committed to healthy food. It seems the delivery service is a small piece of their overall mission. So small, in fact, that when I called the woman answered "is this the lady that ordered the food?"
I'm in love with this place and these people. I am going to spend money with them because I belive in what they are trying to do. It's wide reaching, but with a serious focus on the community around them. Their sponsors have given them the luxury of using ingredients that are pretty much cost prohibitive in this economy, and especially in this area. And all if this so that they can provide healthier food to the lower income community around them. The only thing that disappoints me is the lack of spotlight on what they're doing.
So, if you're in the Crenshaw/Leimert/West Adams/Jefferson Park Area, stop by! Call and order something! Go to their "Community Sensitivity Dining Room" and over pay them. Their website says "pay what your taste buds say"...those of you that eat out all the time should stop by and give them what you'd give everyone else that's chasing a profit. Just look past the red, black and green militant looking storefront...they are lovely people, doing great work, that will serve you tasty food and use you money to give back. Check them out...www.naturalsoulfood.org.
His response sent me online to look them up. He stopped cold and said "I'm 70. I do 100 push ups on the classroom floor to motivate elementary kids to eat healthy. I got a letter from Michelle Obama!" My mom said, "wow, we'll be giving you guys lots of business!" He then informed her that they were a non-profit cafe. What? A non-profit? Ice seen there space for years but had never eaten at the restaurant. So, follwing a great meal and an eye opening visit, I looked them up...
They really are a non-profit, they really do have a program that serves our kids. And they really are committed to healthy food. It seems the delivery service is a small piece of their overall mission. So small, in fact, that when I called the woman answered "is this the lady that ordered the food?"
I'm in love with this place and these people. I am going to spend money with them because I belive in what they are trying to do. It's wide reaching, but with a serious focus on the community around them. Their sponsors have given them the luxury of using ingredients that are pretty much cost prohibitive in this economy, and especially in this area. And all if this so that they can provide healthier food to the lower income community around them. The only thing that disappoints me is the lack of spotlight on what they're doing.
So, if you're in the Crenshaw/Leimert/West Adams/Jefferson Park Area, stop by! Call and order something! Go to their "Community Sensitivity Dining Room" and over pay them. Their website says "pay what your taste buds say"...those of you that eat out all the time should stop by and give them what you'd give everyone else that's chasing a profit. Just look past the red, black and green militant looking storefront...they are lovely people, doing great work, that will serve you tasty food and use you money to give back. Check them out...www.naturalsoulfood.org.
Monday, August 2, 2010
32...
So, I'm now 32. Happy Birthday to me...again! And like every year round this time, I reflect, correct and grow a little more. This year, I really didn't feel like celebrating my birthday. Not because I don't like my birthday, but because 2010 has been a ridiculously busy year already. And a lot of fun! I couldn't think of anything I wanted to do that I hadn't done yet. Well, nothing I could afford anyway. I also didn't want to deal with the bullshit that happens every time I plan something for my birthday. People respond to the invitations with "I'm there!" Which really translates into "I'm there...unless something that benefits me comes up...or someone's throwing a more fabulous party than you...or I'm working...or I can't make a good enough excuse to leave my man/woman...or I procrastinate and miss the entire thing altogether."
That happens more often than not because I have, what I'd like to refer to as, a large group of acquaintances and a small group of friends. I can count my real friends on one hand. And they were great this weekend! Most people land in the large group of acquaintances. Fine by me. My social circle is fun, entertaining, talented and sweet. But unreliable as hell. LOL So, for the last few years, I've been learning to expect exactly what people are capable of and no more. It's working out great actually. I feel selfish at times, but I think you need to be to get what you want. At least a little bit. Not to the point of treating people badly, but at least to the point that you take care of you and be ok with that.
At 30, I learned that it was ok to be exactly who I am. At 31, I learned that it's ok to say "no, I won't keep giving of myself and getting nothing in return". At 32...well I'm not quite sure what I've learned yet. Though, I've definitely accepted that I know more than I realize and see things in terms of what's happening below the surface. It's a great tool to have. But it's not life changing. Every year, I learn a lesson that changes the way I live my life. Even slightly. I look back at 07-08, I was 29 having the hardest year of my life. Then look at my life now, I know that even a slight change makes a HUGE difference. I'm looking forward to figuring out what the lesson is this year...
That happens more often than not because I have, what I'd like to refer to as, a large group of acquaintances and a small group of friends. I can count my real friends on one hand. And they were great this weekend! Most people land in the large group of acquaintances. Fine by me. My social circle is fun, entertaining, talented and sweet. But unreliable as hell. LOL So, for the last few years, I've been learning to expect exactly what people are capable of and no more. It's working out great actually. I feel selfish at times, but I think you need to be to get what you want. At least a little bit. Not to the point of treating people badly, but at least to the point that you take care of you and be ok with that.
At 30, I learned that it was ok to be exactly who I am. At 31, I learned that it's ok to say "no, I won't keep giving of myself and getting nothing in return". At 32...well I'm not quite sure what I've learned yet. Though, I've definitely accepted that I know more than I realize and see things in terms of what's happening below the surface. It's a great tool to have. But it's not life changing. Every year, I learn a lesson that changes the way I live my life. Even slightly. I look back at 07-08, I was 29 having the hardest year of my life. Then look at my life now, I know that even a slight change makes a HUGE difference. I'm looking forward to figuring out what the lesson is this year...
Sunday, May 23, 2010
Kitsch...and a little history on the black hand side.
I had heard she was an eccentric and that is no lie! But she is also a technology guru (especially when it comes to the arts), has spoken before congress, has one of the largest collections of pop culture memorabilia (a large part of it BLACK) that she rotates through her home and museum and she's got an alter-ego named Bubbles. Bubbles even went so far as to work with Real and Chance from I Love New York! The woman is a fascinating walking breathing history of entertainment and bank of genius. It is no surprise that she's also a bit mad scientist and wacky. I absolutely love her! I strongly recommend that all my entertainment minded friends spend hours on her website: http://www.alleewillis.com/. I'm going to just to learn from the woman...
Today's exhibit was art done by John Lloyd Young, who played Frankie Valley in the original Broadway cast of Jersey Boys. He took a food box and covered it in rhinestones to give to Allee as a gift, she in turn asked him to do an entire collection for sale. Her introduction of the artist included the following line, which pretty much sums up the afternoon, "I don't even mind that I lost the TONY to him...since he was so fuckin' brilliant in Jersey Boys."
Below are two slide shows of the pics I took today. The first includes the art, the second is of Ms. Willis' museum. When I tell you that she has a genuine love for black people that I've never seen before, it's an understatement. Her father wrote her a letter on his deathbed. In it, he told her to stay away from "the black people". Her embracing of the culture and working within it is a very, VERY deliberate thing. She's beyond dope!
Also, here's a REALLY GOOD LOOK AT HER FANTASTIC HOUSE!
Thursday, May 13, 2010
The Happiest Place On Earth...
Yesterday, my mom and I spent the entire day at Disneyland. We had free tickets earned volunteering for AIDS Project LA. Volunteering was fun, and Disneyland was a blast! It had been about 4 years since I’d been last and this time we planned out exactly what we wanted to see. There were some great highlights and, yes, a couple low lights. But, let’s start with the good stuff, shall we?
Monday, May 10, 2010
Since I really don't care...
Disclaimer: I'm venting. Bear with me.
When I was about to turn 30, a friend told me that my “whatever” attitude was going to get worse. Way worse. I was already one of those “I don’t give a fuck, I’m doin’ me” type of people, so according to him it was going to get a lot worse. And, he was right…
Don’t get me wrong, I love people. I love observing people, I love getting to know people and I especially love spending time with people. But with that I’ve had to learn not to give anyone anything they themselves are not willing to give. If I’m there for you and you’re there for me, we are golden. I don’t care if I only have a real conversation with you twice a year. As long as we’re both actively engaged in the friendship, we are and will always be friends.
With that being said, I know I don’t have a lot of friends. I happen to think its better that way. I know a whole lot of people, but I can count my real friends on a hand and a half. My real friends are the ones who make an effort, who check on me, whose words are backed up by their actions. And I thank them for that. But you acquaintances have gotten it all wrong.
If your idea of friendship is to be inconsiderate, shallow, rude and selfish, I really don’t want you around. Everyone has their issues and a true mark of friendship is to accept others as they accept you. But in order for that to happen, you have to accept your faults. You have to be able to take personal responsibility for your actions. If you let someone down then ignore it and them, you’re basically the worst kind of asshole. You think you’re entitled to treat people however you want. And, judging by the precedent, you would probably be super hot if someone did the same shit to you.
People always give me the “she’s got an attitude” look when they get dry responses from me. But, I would ask folks to take a good long look at how they’ve treated people. That might not be my attitude you’re seeing, that look may just tell you how little I now value you as a person. Life is too short to surround yourself with people who make you feel like they don’t give a fuck about you. It just is. None of us should have people in our lives that don’t respect, value or care about us. If I’m in control of my quality of life, then I’m in control of how much bullshit I put up with.
I will ride or die for certain people in my life. They know it, I know it. They have off days just like I do, but I will never question their friendship. They’ve put up with my mess and I owe them the same. But the rest of you fuckers? I don’t owe you shit. And I’m not giving you shit. I’ve done my fair share of being there for people far longer than I should have. But after years of doing that and getting nothing in return, I finally got fed all the way up. Someone once told me that I couldn’t just cut them off. Oh, but it’s a skill I’ve gotten damn good at it. No more toxic people, no more users, no more risking my stability for folks who have none of their own, just NO MORE.
Now that I got that off my chest, I must say this…I have a small but mighty group of friends who push me to be better ,call me on my shit, sit with me when I cry, encourage me to take chances, and once in a while give me permission to be bad! LOL I love you guys very much. You know who you are…
When I was about to turn 30, a friend told me that my “whatever” attitude was going to get worse. Way worse. I was already one of those “I don’t give a fuck, I’m doin’ me” type of people, so according to him it was going to get a lot worse. And, he was right…
Don’t get me wrong, I love people. I love observing people, I love getting to know people and I especially love spending time with people. But with that I’ve had to learn not to give anyone anything they themselves are not willing to give. If I’m there for you and you’re there for me, we are golden. I don’t care if I only have a real conversation with you twice a year. As long as we’re both actively engaged in the friendship, we are and will always be friends.
With that being said, I know I don’t have a lot of friends. I happen to think its better that way. I know a whole lot of people, but I can count my real friends on a hand and a half. My real friends are the ones who make an effort, who check on me, whose words are backed up by their actions. And I thank them for that. But you acquaintances have gotten it all wrong.
If your idea of friendship is to be inconsiderate, shallow, rude and selfish, I really don’t want you around. Everyone has their issues and a true mark of friendship is to accept others as they accept you. But in order for that to happen, you have to accept your faults. You have to be able to take personal responsibility for your actions. If you let someone down then ignore it and them, you’re basically the worst kind of asshole. You think you’re entitled to treat people however you want. And, judging by the precedent, you would probably be super hot if someone did the same shit to you.
People always give me the “she’s got an attitude” look when they get dry responses from me. But, I would ask folks to take a good long look at how they’ve treated people. That might not be my attitude you’re seeing, that look may just tell you how little I now value you as a person. Life is too short to surround yourself with people who make you feel like they don’t give a fuck about you. It just is. None of us should have people in our lives that don’t respect, value or care about us. If I’m in control of my quality of life, then I’m in control of how much bullshit I put up with.
I will ride or die for certain people in my life. They know it, I know it. They have off days just like I do, but I will never question their friendship. They’ve put up with my mess and I owe them the same. But the rest of you fuckers? I don’t owe you shit. And I’m not giving you shit. I’ve done my fair share of being there for people far longer than I should have. But after years of doing that and getting nothing in return, I finally got fed all the way up. Someone once told me that I couldn’t just cut them off. Oh, but it’s a skill I’ve gotten damn good at it. No more toxic people, no more users, no more risking my stability for folks who have none of their own, just NO MORE.
Now that I got that off my chest, I must say this…I have a small but mighty group of friends who push me to be better ,call me on my shit, sit with me when I cry, encourage me to take chances, and once in a while give me permission to be bad! LOL I love you guys very much. You know who you are…
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