Blessings, affirmations, grace, and reflection

I wrote about my friend Martha last year. She passed away in October 2005 but I didn't learn the details of her situation until recently. I found out that Martha had a choice to make at the end of her life. A choice that had odds about as good as a crap shoot in Atlantic City. Martha was smart, funny, and talented. She was a business professional, a proud mother and a doting grandmother. She was also highly ambitious. Martha was always willing to try something new and she never rested on her laurels. Even into her 50s and 60s she was trying new things --writing, directing, acting--Martha tried it all. Her internal drive was constantly taking her from a meeting to a play reading to a rehearsal and then back home to write. How she managed to squeeze everything into 24 hour period is beyond me. Then one day Martha received a diagnosis from her doctor. She was given two choices: live with the condition and eventually become wheelchair bound or have a surgery that offered a 50/...

Drop by and wish Hammer a happy birthday! Raise your hand if you've ever owned or wanted to own a pair of Hammer pants. Fest up now! MC Hammer Blog: It's My Birthday!!!

Nothing in life is free! Maybe not but here are some freebies that I have found. 1-800-FREE-411 - No more charges to get 411 information! [ tyra show ] Unclaimed.org - I actually found a claim through this site! [ dateline nbc] Free Master's degree - It is debatable whether the degree is actually free due to the long hours and bureaucracy you have to put up with in this program. [ nyctf ] Free web services for your non-profit [ grassroots.org ] Free online tax preparation [ blogcritics ] Free mp3s - This artist was definitely influenced heavily but Randy Crawford with some Nancy Wilson thrown into the mix [ nefertaribey.com] Free museum admission and partying in Brooklyn [ bma ] Free events in NYC [ freenyc ] Free movie premiers [ tony ] Related: Consumers Beware

S ince the blog has focused on the topic of etiquette the following article about tipping caught my eye. First of all, I think a wait person should be at least a 15% tip if the service has been good or a smaller percentage to none if they were rude or neglectful. It irritates me when I dine with someone who doesn't like to tip even when the service was good. One thing that bothers me the most about tipping is when people expect it. Tipping is not obligatory - it is a voluntary custom ,so when a waiter starts chasing behind you because you forgot to leave a tip on the table I find it a little excessive. Get over it, bub. It was only $2.00! Another tip that gets me is the driver's tip. I will tip a yellow cab driver but not a dollar cab because I feel the dollar cab drivers already overcharge. It probably doesn't make any sense but that is one of my tipping quirks. The bathroom tip is a weird one. I don't frequent places with bathroon attendants often but when I...

Next week I have some interesting issues to discuss. Be the first to know when I have posted by subscribing for email notifications. Have a great weekend! Enter your Email Powered by FeedBlitz

Dave and Busters in Time Square set to open 4/5 [D&B] Speaking of restaurants, Zagat wants to know about your favorite places to eat. Participate in their survey and get a free 2007 Zagat guide! Honey.soul is throwing it down weekly over on Projectvibe.net Don't have time to listen to the podcast at home? Subscribe Honeysoul.com to your itunes and it automatically downloads the shows into your ipod. [Copy url link and paste into subscribe to podcast in itunes] EJ Flavors is killing them softly "In Rotation" on Flowink.com and it sounds really good! After falling in love with Angela Bassett's twins I want a set of my own. Meet Bethlyn and Ariana . Aren't they adorable? When I saw Bethlyn in the window of this shop a couple of weeks ago I had to go inside and hold her. She looks and feels like a real newborn. So sweet. tags: Dave and Busters :: flowink :: projectvibe :: ipod :: lee middleton :: zagat ::

-I know that Angela Bassett 's set of twins are too de.licio.us for words! -I know that you can download free mp3s of jazz, world music and spoken word at Jazztimes.com I recommend spoken word artist Ursula Rucker [ official website ] who has performed with The Roots , Spyro Gyra for jazz and Ladysmith Black Mambazo for world music. -I know that there are new restaurants popping up all around Harlem faster than I can keep count. -I know that Vy Higgensen [foundation] ain't nobody's joke. -I know that Brother Buck needs to be filling in for McGruder while he is on haitus allegedly making a movie (shhhh, don't tell!) . -I know that Wal-Mart is unstoppable! -I know I am glad that Danielle didn't break anything on ANTM [upn] . tags: jazz :: uptown :: angela bassett :: restaurants :: harlem :: boondocks :: ANTM :: Wal-Mart ::

S elena J . is truly a blessing to my spirit. Terrence first made me aware of her "ministry" and it seems like every time I tune in to her radio show this sister freely offers some words of truth that touch me deeply. This week her message was one passed along from her pastor "the more you feed the flesh, the more you starve the spirit." That one statement spoke volumes. I was conversing with one of my friends earlier this week about how I have embraced bad behaviors that include seeking solace in food, alcohol, sex, and other diversions that ultimately feed the flesh but leave the spirit malnourished. The reality is that it is so much easier to satiate those desires than to go straight to the source and feed the spirit. When we try to take the easy way out we ultimately walk away still feeling empty inside. Our spirits are starving for love and peace. As my regular readers know I have been going through some struggles where I have been seeking a peaceful pla...

Because she did it first: Your Nutritional Information: Servings Per Container: 1 x % Daily Value Sweetness: 18 g 36% Bitterness: 150 mg 14% Power: 32 g 91% Healthful: 58 mg 23% Excitement: 78 mg 7% x Deliciousness: 53% 'What is your nutritional value?' at QuizGalaxy.com tag: quiz :: nutrition

It's been a while so I will post one up: First grade teacher's name: Mrs. Allison Last word you said: You Last song you sang: "Killing Me Softly" Last thing you laughed at: Crying in the movies Last time you cried: Today What's in your cd player? Nothing...it's all about the digital. What color socks are you wearing? Barefoot as Britney Spears but had ladybug socks on earlier. What's under your bed? Dust What time did you wake up today? 6:30 Current hair: Braids pulled back in a ponytail Current outfit: Black sleeveless dress Current annoyance: Silly broads and my boss. Current smell: CD 's Lavender and Nettles Honey Puddin' Current longing: Him Current desktop picture: Billie Holiday Current favorite music artist: Luther Vandross Current book: The Wind Done Gone Current worry: Completion of goals Current hate: Silly broads and rude people Current favorite article of clothing: Pink argyle sweater Line from the last thing you wrot...

T here are a lot of bitter people out in the world. Granted some may feel justified by life's circumstances...parents and guardians who ruined childhood, former friends and lovers who betrayed... but one thing I can't stand is someone who is bitter just to be bitter. It can make the most physically beautiful person appear spiritually ugly. There are people in the world who actually thrive on negativity and seek out drama. Some are just ignorant and don't know any better but others think it is kind of cute to berate and down others. We are being accosted by this behavior everywhere we turn, television, radio and even by stepping outside the door of your own home. I feel like the negativity and bitterness out there is suffocating. I often take refuge in my apartment with the tv, radio and phones off just to give myself space from those energies. I find it draining and develop headaches or I get mentally tired from entertaining the drama queens. Lord knows, I am far fr...

A s promised I am following up on one my "cliffhangers" as they've been called by Mr. Grumpy . I still need to wrap up the poll that I posted a couple of weeks ago so I will try to get to that next week. I haven't been feeling well this week and now that Spring is approaching I am getting busier. So, with no further ado I present the wrap up of " Who (the Hell) are These People? " It was a bitterly cold, winter night. Although the theater was literally within walking distance, the icy winds pierced through my layers of clothing. I decided to hail a cab and shell out $6.00 to get out of the frigid elements before I lost an extremity. I arrived at the theater with a few minutes to spare so I waited in the lobby for my acquaintance to arrive. I called my her to see if she was running late but the call went into her voicemail. The house manager flickered the lights in the lobby to signify the start of the show, so I left her a message saying that I had her ticke...

W ell, it seems they are being called away from us one by one. What a year...and it is only March. I would like to acknowledge the loss of Dana Reeve, the loving wife of actor Christopher Reeve, who stayed by her husband's side throughout his medical struggles. May she be reunioned with the love of her life in her next journey. I had a feeling it was coming but I am sad to report that today we also lost a true renaissance man and American treasure, Gordon Parks . There is so much that can be said about this man. He live a full and passionate life. I studied his life in school but never had the opportunity to meet him. I will be posting a full tribute to him tomorrow complete with his long list of accomplishments and current exhibits of his work. Sleep well, Mr. Parks. Your life was lived to the fullest! Related Link : NPR Spotlight on Gordon Parks

M ost anyone who knows me and has taken an interest in my favorite books knows that Kindred is one of my all time favorite books. So, I was shocked and disheartened to learn of the loss of Octavia Butler, the author of this engaging story. A number of bloggers have already paid homage to her memory but today I discovered that there is an audio production* of this work available here . It features the voiceovers of Alfre Woodard, Lynn Whitfield and Ruby Dee . Naturally, their interpretation of the work is different from the one I pictured while reading the book but it's certainly worth listening to it if you have the time. Ms. Butler's impact on on the literary world is undeniably historical in nature. Her presence will be sorely missed. *Strong language used.

I 've been making some personal improvements to my life and now that my vision is clearing up I have been taking a hard look at the people around me. I wonder to myself, 'who the hell are these people'? Exhibit A: Going to the theatre This chick from college comes into town and emails me about 5 times wanting to get together and catch up. Although I didn't really care too much for her I finally decided to toss her bone so I invited her to see a show that I had an extra ticket. I asked if she wanted to meet somewhere and get tea or something before the show and she informed me that her money was funny (what's new) and that she hated spending money for tea when she can drink tea at home. She somewhat jokingly suggested we have tea at my place. I ignored her roundabout request because tea doesn't cost anything but a $1 or $2 in most of the places around here. I even suggested that she bring her own tea bag if she was that strapped for cash. Needless to say, the te...

Patient and ever vigilent readers, I really am going to wrap up the previous topic but in the meantime I had a few things on my mind. Perhaps I am getting older and stuffier but I have composed a short list of courteous things to do: If you see that there is someone in the elevator, subway or any door waiting to exit, please allow them to do so before you push your inconsiderate ass in around them as if they don't exist. Please come up with your own titles if you are going to "borrow" topics from other writers. A simple google search will turn up most anything you will ever need to know in life. If you picked up something in the grocery store that is considered perishable, please put it back in a location where it will not spoil so it will not drive up the prices for the other customers who will later have to pay for your selfish act of laziness. Give it to the cashier or simply put it in any refrigerator in the store. It's not that hard. If the traf...