I Am Phenom

IT'S A BEAUTIFUL DAY OUT!!!

2010-03-06T13:46:00.003-05:00

It's a beautiful day outside....GET OUT & ENJOY IT!! Go to the park...Go to the city...or just go for a walk...take advantage of this wonderful weather. I know I will be out & about....so no more post until later....I don't want the day to get away from me...lol! See ya later...*wink*

QUOTE OF THE DAY

2010-03-06T00:17:00.003-05:00

By forgiving and choosing to move on, one takes the power back to morph it into POSITIVE energy

I WALK BY FAITH...

2010-03-06T00:07:00.002-05:00

Faith isn't something we can see, but it's something we feel. An innate rush that comes over us or that becomes a part of us. Faith is what gets you through difficult times. Faith pushes us forward when hope needs reassurance. When wishing seems useless & doubt sets in....Faith comes to the rescue. I walk by FAITH everyday & everyday I make it through. So when nothing else seems possible always have FAITH!

1 IS THE LONELIEST #!

2010-03-06T00:01:00.004-05:00

Have you ever felt alone? or just like noone understood you? Every now & then we feel a little detached & like we're the only ones who get "us"...but that's normal. It's ok to feel that way at times. This doesn't make you weird or different it actually makes you human. Noone's perfect & sometimes we feel like people just don't get it. Just know you're not alone....

BLIZZARD 2010!!!!!

2010-02-26T15:46:00.003-05:00

So we're SNOWED IN AGAIN!!! I don't know about everyone else but I'm tired of digging out my car!! Be Careful when traveling today...and bundle up & stay warm!!!

Happy Shoveling NYC!

THIRSTY THURSDAY SPECIAL!!!

2010-02-25T23:17:00.002-05:00

Ingredients
1 1/4 ounces silver tequila
1-ounce triple sec
1 1/2 ounces freshly squeezed lemon juice
2 ounces simple syrup or sweet-and-sour mix
3/4 cup partially frozen mango, unsweetened (prefer individual quick frozen or fresh)
Directions
Place all of the ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth. Pour the mixture into a hurricane-style glass.

SNOWSTORM # WHO KNOWS

2010-02-25T15:20:00.002-05:00

The Tri-State Area is getting hit with yet another snowstorm...YEA I KNOW! So everyone be safe when traveling today & tomorrow. Make sure to take your time & DON'T RUSH!!! And for those of you who were released from work early....SO WHAT!! LOL!

FASHION WEEK / ISAAC MIZRAHI

2010-02-25T11:31:00.001-05:00

Here are a few pieces from designer Isaac Mizrahi....he calls it "an Upper East Side camping trip..."sort of Field & Stream at the Carlyle". I actually love what he's doing for Fall....tell me what you think.

A FRIEND YOU HAVE IN ME....

2010-02-25T09:32:00.000-05:00

We all have a special "friend" or "friends" who we turn to for support. Take the time out today to thank those people in your life that help you get through tough times. We often take for granted the "little things" people do for us...like lending a shoulder to cry on, or an ear when we want to vent. Not everyone is fortunate enough to have a network of people who care for them. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all those people in my life who support me & genuinely care. Without them I would be a pretty "angry" person...lol. Just appreciate people for what they do & for who they are to you.....Don't let days go by without giving thanks. Remember tomorrow's not promised to any of us. Thanks for helping me find my way on the days I feel lost!

A CHANGE IS GONNA COME

2010-02-25T09:27:00.000-05:00

There is nothing like returning to a place that remains unchanged to find the ways in which you yourself have altered.
- Nelson Mandela

WAKE UP!!!!!

2010-02-25T09:14:00.000-05:00

Here we are people....we've almost made it to the weekend & we're still going strong! Enjoy your thursday & Stay Blessed! I'm gonna sip my morning delight very slowly to savor the taste!! Enjoy!!

TASTE THE SOUP.....LOL!!!!

2010-02-24T09:52:00.000-05:00

Haaaaaaaaaaaaaaa! Classic...I know you're laughing & if you're not...SOMETHING IS CLEARLY WRONG WITH YOU...I KID IKID...HAVE A GREAT DAY!

B.H.M FEATURE / AUTHOR JAMES BALDWIN

2010-02-24T09:48:00.000-05:00

Born: August 2, 1924
New York, New York
Died: November 30, 1987
Saint-Paul-de-Vance, France
African American author and playwright

The author James Baldwin achieved international recognition for his expressions of African American life in the United States. During the 1960s he was one of the most outspoken leaders of the civil rights movement.

Early life
James Arthur Baldwin, the son of Berdis Jones Baldwin and the stepson of David Baldwin, was born in Harlem, New York City, on August 2, 1924. He was the oldest of nine children and from an early age loved to read. His father was a preacher in the Pentecostal church, and at the age of fourteen Baldwin also became a preacher. At eighteen he graduated from DeWitt Clinton High School, where he had written for a magazine put out by the school. Baldwin then realized that he wanted to write for a living.

In 1944 Baldwin met another writer named Richard Wright (1908–1960), who helped Baldwin secure a fellowship (a writing award) that provided him with enough money to devote all of his time to literature. By 1948 Baldwin had decided that he could get more writing done in a place where there was less prejudice, and he went to live and work in Europe with money from another fellowship. While overseas Baldwin completed the books Go Tell It on the Mountain (1953), Notes of a Native Son (1955), and Giovanni's Room (1956).

Spokesperson for civil rights movement
Returning to the United States after nine years overseas, Baldwin became known as the leading spokesperson among writers for the civil rights of African Americans. He gave popular lectures on the subject, and he quickly discovered that social conditions for African Americans had become even worse while he was abroad. As the 1960s began—and violence in the South increased—Baldwin grew increasingly angry. He responded with three powerful books of essays: Nobody Knows My Name (1961); The Fire Next Time (1963), in which he predicts future outbursts of black anger; and More Notes of a Native Son. These works were accompanied by Another Country (1962), his third novel. Going to Meet the Man (1965) is a group of short stories from the same period. During this time Baldwin's descriptions of Richard Avedon's photography were published under the title Nothing Personal (1964). Four years later came another novel, Tell Me How Long the Train's Been Gone.

In addition, the mid-1960s saw Baldwin's two published plays produced on Broadway. The Amen Corner, first staged in Washington, D.C., in 1955, was presented at New York City's Ethel Barrymore Theatre in April 1965. Similar in tone to Go Tell It on the Mountain, it describes the strong religious feeling of the Pentecostal church. Blues for Mr. Charlie, which premiered at Broadway's ANTA Theatre in April 1964, is based on the case of Emmett Till, a fourteen-year-old African American from Chicago who was murdered by white people in Mississippi in 1955.

The assassinations of three of Baldwin's friends—civil rights marcher Medgar Evers (1926–1963), the Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr. (1929–1968), and the black Muslim leader Malcolm X (1925–1965)—destroyed any hopes Baldwin had that problems between the races would be solved in the United States, and he returned to France in the early 1970s. His later works of fiction include If Beale Street Could Talk (1974) and Just Above My Head (1979). Nonfiction writings of this period include: No Name in the Street (1972); The Devil Finds Work (1976), an examination of African Americans in the movie industry; and The Evidence of Things Not Seen (1985), a discussion of issues of race surrounding the child murders in Atlanta, Georgia, in 1979 and 1980. A volume of poetry, Jimmy's Blues, was issued in 1985.

Literary achievement
Baldwin's greatest achievement as a writer was his ability to address American race relations by discussing the effects of racism (unequal treatment based on race) on the mind. In his essays and fiction he considered the point of view of both the offender and the victim. He suggested that all people, not just one group of people, suffer in a racist climate. Baldwin's fiction and plays also explore the burdens society places on individuals. Two of his best-known works, the novel Go Tell It on the Mountain and the play The Amen Corner, were inspired by his years with the Pentecostal church in Harlem. In Go Tell It on the Mountain, for instance, a teenage boy struggles with a strict stepfather and experiences a religious awakening. Love in all of its forms became a key ingredient in Baldwin's writing. Later Baldwin novels deal honestly with homosexuality (sexual desire for members of the same sex) and love affairs between members of different races.

Baldwin's writing is noted for its beauty and power. His language seems purposely chosen to shock and shake the reader into a concerned state of action. His major themes are repeated: the terrible pull of love and hate between black and white Americans; the conflicts between guilt or shame and sexual freedom; the gift of sharing and extending love; and the charm of goodness versus evil. He describes the rewards of artistic achievement among the problems of modern life, including racism, industrialism (the influence of large corporations on everyday life), materialism (the pursuit of material wealth above all else), and a global power struggle. Everything that lessens or harms the human spirit is strongly attacked.

Final years
Baldwin remained overseas much of the last fifteen years of his life, but he never gave up his American citizenship. The citizens of France came to consider Baldwin one of their own, and in 1986 he was given one of the country's highest honors when he was named Commander of the Legion of Honor. He died of stomach cancer on November 30, 1987, in Saint-Paul-de-Vance, France, but he was buried in Harlem. One of his last works to see publication during his lifetime was a collection of essays called The Price of the Ticket: Collected Nonfiction, 1948–1985.

WONDERFUL WEDNESDAY WINKS!!!

2010-02-24T09:20:00.000-05:00

So Today's addition to the YUM FACTOR is Mr. Eddie House our newest addition to the New York Knickerbockers...YaaaaaY!!!! And I'm super excited & can't wait to seem him play up close & personal. So take it all in ladies...and Hey House!

MORNING CUP!!!

2010-02-24T08:57:00.000-05:00

Here's our morning picker upper!! Just a good ole' fashion cup of java. I don't know about you guys but this Wednesday finds me groggy & lethargic....it could be the dreary weather, but anywho. So here's to getting through the day!

BE ENCOURAGED TODAY!!!

2010-02-24T08:51:00.000-05:00

Good Morning Beautiful People!! I took a little mental health break (you know folks always try to come against you, but the devil is a liar!! Amen!) But I'm back!!! Today is a day of courage! Do something you never thought you could do....Tell someone something you never had the courage to say....Just Do It! Don't wait for the perfect time (cause it'll never come) and stop making excuses! Take a chance & dig deep down & find the COURAGE! Even if it's the courage to NOT do something....maybe you just have to be strong & walk away from something today....Whatever it is know that you're strong & you can get through it....you at least have 1 person cheering you on....ME!!!

B.H.M. FEATURE/ ARTHUR ASHE

2010-02-22T16:11:00.000-05:00

Arthur Ashe Biography

Claim to Fame: Tennis player
DOB: July 10, 1943
Date of Death: February 6, 1993
Diabetes Type: 2

Arthur Ashe was born and raised in Richmond, Virginia. As a young boy Ashe was always very active in sport, including tennis, basketball and baseball. He was also an avid golfer. However, his love for tennis outweighed all the other sports. His passion and drive for the game made Ashe become a prominent African-American tennis player. Throughout his career he won 3 Grand Slam titles.

In 1963, Ashe not only received a tennis scholarship to UCLA but also was selected to the U.S. Davis Cup team. In his career at UCLA, Ashe won the NCAA individual championship and also helped his team win the NCAA championship. After graduating he went on to win the U.S. Open in 1968 and Wimbledon in 1975 when he unexpectedly defeated Jimmy Connors. Ashe went on to play for several more years but was forced to retire in 1980 due to heart complications.

Ashe was a quiet but dedicated athlete whose belief in his convictions gave him the quiet strength to become a force for change. He traveled to South Africa not only to compete, but in 1985 he protested South Africa's policy of apartheid along with his friend Nelson Mandela. He was arrested for this act. Ashe also spoke on the floor of the United Nations on World AIDS Day on Dec. 1, just months after publicly disclosing his HIV diagnosis in 1992. (In 1988 during a heart surgery, Ashe contracted HIV though a blood transfusion.) Ashe was also was part of a group whose members were arrested while protesting the George Bush Administration's treatment of Haitian refugees.

Ashe did not just take political stands. He was a role model for African-American tennis players everywhere, male and female. He helped create inner-city tennis programs for youths in Newark, Detriot, Atlanta, Kansas City, and Indianapolis. After retirement, Ashe went on to do a variety of other things - writing for Time magazine and The Washington Post; commenting for HBO and ABC Sports; founding the National Junior Tennis League; and serving as captain of the U.S. Davis Cup team.

Ashe struggled with HIV for many years, yet was a vocal advocate for AIDS awareness, until his death in February of 1993 at the age of 49. Two months before his death, he founded the Arthur Ashe Institute for Urban Health, to help address issues of inadequate health care delivery.

Today, Ashe remains the only African-American to win the men’s singles at Wimbledon, the U.S. Open and the Australian Open, and his name resides in the Tennis Hall of Fame, where he was inducted in 1985.

EDUCATION VS. LIFE EXPERIENCE?

2010-02-22T15:40:00.000-05:00

So the question at hand is...How do you feel about obtaining your degree versus life experience? Most people would agree that college is NOT an option & that a bachelors is now the equivalent of a high school diploma. It can also be argued that people need to further their education to post-studies & obtain masters & doctoral degrees. But there are many people who will disagree with this theory & who feel that a degree is not needed to be successful. These are the working class majority that may not have finished their degrees but have attended college or those who entered the workforce immediately after graduating high school. People who have moved up the ladder because of their work experience & not because of the degree they hold. I'm sure that opinions will vary in both directions, but I believe it all depends on who you are & the career path you choose.

QUOTE OF THE DAY

2010-02-22T15:37:00.000-05:00

My job is to take care of the possible and trust God with the
impossible.

HOW IMPORTANT IS GOOD SEX IN A RELATIONSHIP?

2010-02-19T13:56:00.001-05:00

Does the SEX really matter? This question always comes up & everyone has a different opinion about it. My thoughts are yes it does matter. Sex is mental & if it's bad it leaves you with negative thoughts about your partner. You may be able to deal with it for a while but you won't be able to pacify yourself with a lackluster sex life forever. I say communication is key...talk openly & honestly with your partner & let them know what you like & what's wrong. But the real question is what do you do when the sex doesn't get better?

Is that reason enough to end a relationship? Can sex ruin a strong foundation? Or should you just tough it out & make it work? What are your thoughts?

B.H.M FEATURE / SUSAN L. TAYLOR

2010-02-19T12:43:00.001-05:00

Susan Taylor was born in New York in 1946. In her early twenties, the young entrepreneur started Nequai Cosmetics, one of the first companies to create beauty products for African American women. Although her product line was well received in African American communities and in the Caribbean, Taylor was interested in expanding her career. She heard that Essence, a fledgling publication catering to African American women, was looking for a beauty editor. Taylor approached editor-in-chief Ed Lewis for the position and was hired in 1970.

Although Taylor had never attended college, she was a licensed cosmetologist who understood the specific needs and concerns of black women. Her monthly articles were popular with African American females who were historically undervalued and underrepresented by media companies. Taylor soon became responsible for fashion as well as beauty, and in 1981 she was promoted to editor-in-chief, a post she held until July 2000.

Under Susan's expert guidance, Essence experienced phenomenal growth. Its monthly readership soared to more than 5 million, reaching black women all over the world. Capturing the hearts of Essence readers was Susan's monthly column, "In the Spirit," which addressed themes such as family, faith, self-esteem and health. Her motivational features culminated in the popular books, In the Spirit: The Inspirational Writings of Susan L. Taylor and Lessons In Living. She also authored a third book with her husband, Khepra Burns, Confirmations: The Spiritual Wisdom That Has Shaped Our Lives. Taylor also became a popular speaker on the lecture circuit.

In March 1986, Taylor was elected vice president of Essence Communication, Inc. and became senior vice president in 1993. She was the host and executive producer of Essence, the country's first nationally syndicated African-oriented magazine television show, the Essence Awards show and the Essence Music Festival.

Although she recently stepped down from her duties as editor-in-chief, Taylor remains the chief editorial executive responsible for the overall vision, articles and images of the publication. She also maintains a high profile in the community, where she is a staunch advocate for the nation's poor. Taylor is an avid supporter of Edwin Gould Services for Children, a foster-care agency, and serves on the advisory board for Aid to Imprisoned Mothers. Many recognize her tireless work and charitable contributions. In 1988, Taylor received an honorary doctorate from the nation's first black college, Lincoln University, and a second honorary doctorate from the University of Delaware in 1993. She is a recipient of the 1992 First Person award from the New York City Mission Society.

FEEL GOOD FRIDAY- IDRIS ELBA

2010-02-19T12:29:00.000-05:00

Here's my Feel Good Friday pick for YUM FACTOR.....I just wanna call him Stringer Bell.

Hey Idris....I'm not usually a chocolate lover but suddenly I want a snickers bar.

FASHION WEEK- INTRODUCING ALEXANDER MCQUEEN

2010-02-19T12:13:00.001-05:00

Here are a few pieces from Alexander Mcqueen's collection (R.I.P) the fashion world lost an icon.

GROOVE THEORY- TELL ME

2010-02-19T11:47:00.000-05:00

Loved GROOVE THEORY!!! Your the first one to make me feel like this....

ALL THINGS MATTER

2010-02-19T11:44:00.000-05:00

"I've learned that people will forget what you said,people will forget what you did, but people willnever forget how you made them feel."

WAKE UP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2010-02-19T09:47:00.001-05:00

Wake Up everyone!!!! Here's a Caramel macchiato to get your day started....yum yum yum with a double shot of expresso...Let's Get It!!!

WISDOM IS A POWERFUL TOOL!

2010-02-18T11:24:00.000-05:00

"Wisdom is knowing what to do next; skill is knowing how to do it, and virtue is doing it." David Starr Jordan.

TASTY THURSDAY PICK

2010-02-18T11:18:00.000-05:00

So for today's addition to the YUM FACTOR...I have Darren Sharper from the SuperBowl Champs "New Orleans Saints". All I have to say is ENJOY LADIES!!! YUM YUM YUM!

FASHION WEEK / INTRODUCING TRACY REESE

2010-02-18T11:01:00.001-05:00

Here are a few contributions from designer Tracy Reese...I actually love her designs, but form your own opinion.

BRANDY / FULL MOON

2010-02-18T10:44:00.000-05:00

Remember be bold & confident....Just Say How You Feel! You may just meet your SOULMATE this month!

LOVE STRUCK!!

2010-02-18T10:36:00.001-05:00

In true February (Month of Love) fashion...This is for all my "Love Struck" folks out there. If you have a crush on someone... TELL THEM!! Don't wait till it's too late people...you never know! Be Bold, Be Brave, and GET IT DONE! The worse thing that can happen is they don't feel the same way, but that's the beauty of a crush....you can't have too many!!! LOL!

SO HAPPY CRUSHING EVERYONE!! CUPID'S WORKING OVERTIME THIS MONTH!!!

BLACK HISTORY MONTH FEAT / SAM COOKE

2010-02-18T10:20:00.000-05:00

Mini Biography

Sam Cooke was born in Chicago, Illinois on January 22, 1931. He was one of eight children of Charles Cook Sr., who was a Baptist minister. When Sam sang as a little boy in church, everyone made note that his voice had "something special". He sang in Church and in local gospel choirs until a group called the Highway Q.C.'s asked him to sing with them at various venues. By the time Cooke reached 20, his voice was a finely honed instrument and he was noted for bringing the spirit up in church-goers.

When Sam replaced R.H. Harris, the legendary lead singer for the extremely popular gospel group called The Soul Stirrers, it was the beginning of Sam's meteoric rise. Cooke sang with the group for six years, traveling back and forth across the country and gained a wealth of knowledge regarding how black people were treated. His refusal to sing at a segregated concert led to what many have described as one of the first real efforts in civil disobedience and helped usher in the new Civil Rights Movement.

After several Gospel Albums, Sam decided it was time to crossover from gospel (And against almost everyone's wishes.) to record some soul and rhythm & blues. Because of his good looks and intonation he was an instant success. His first single released in 1957 was "You Send Me" and sold over a million copies, which made Sam an "overnight success" in the business. He was on his way to becoming the biggest voice on the radio. Record producers vied to sign him to a contract. In 1960, Cooke became the first major black artist to sign with RCA Records. Sam was not happy with the deal and when the time was right, decided to start his own publishing company (KAGS Music) to keep control over his music and his own record company (SAR/Derby) to keep control of his money.

Sam married his high school sweetheart, Barbara Campbell, in 1959 and had they had three children. Tragically, Vincent their youngest, drowned in their swimming pool at age four in June 1964.

On the night of December 11, 1964, Cooke was set up to be robbed of Christmas money he'd withdrawn earlier in the day for gifts. After the robbery, he was murdered by Motel Manager - Bertha Franklin, who'd shot and killed a man six months earlier at the same motel. That night, Sam picked up Elisa Boyer, a call-girl (known for "rolling drunks" and escaping with whatever she could when they were passed out, or knocked out.) in a bar at a restaurant. They went to a seedy motel in Watts and registered as Mr. and Mrs. Sam Cooke. After going into the room, Cooke was clubbed in the head and knocked out momentarily. Boyer grabbed his clothes and ran to the motel office to split the money with Bertha Franklin.

When Cooke came to he was disoriented, pant-less and wallet-less. He stumbled to the motel office and saw Boyer and Franklin counting his money ($2,500. in 1960 dollars was a LOT) through the window. He demanded his pants, money and wallet back. When they didn't open the door, Cooke knocked on it as hard as he could and it came off the hinges. When he got up off the floor, Mrs. Franklin shot him then instructed Boyer to run down the street and call police from a phone booth. Boyer told them a phony story about a rape and left the scene and subsequently disappeared. Sam was dead when the police arrived and since Boyer had stolen his wallet they had no idea who it was and took it as a routine justified homicide in the ghetto.

The coroner's inquest was a slam dunk ... not one pertinent question asked by an investigator, or back round check of Bertha Franklin's shooting past. They simply took her made up story for what actually happened. Sam's murder was just chalked up to just another unidentified "rapist" killed in Watts. Until the next Monday morning when a reporter found out Sam Cooke was signed in to the motel registry as himself and that one of the world's greatest talents and a true human being was dead, under shady circumstances that might never be covered by the media, since it's been 45 years.

FASHION WEEK NYC!!! INTRODUCING RACHEL ROY

2010-02-18T10:08:00.001-05:00

So Fashion Week is going down in NYC this week & there are a ton of designers that will be premiering their lines. Here are a few of designer Rachel Roy's contributions to the fashion world. Tell me what you think!

MORNING JAVA!!!

2010-02-18T08:58:00.000-05:00

I don't know ab0ut everyone else, but I NEED my morning java to get the day started...I wouldn't say I'm addicted but I'm definitely convinced that it helps get me started. So here's to a productive day!!! Let's Get it Started!

JUST STAY IN THE RACE

2010-02-17T22:16:00.001-05:00

Hey everyone, before I call it a night let me leave you with these parting words...you can't win unless you're in the race. So if you want something bad enough (and it's being made accessible to you) then give it your ALL! Always remember it's not about how quickly something is done (all the time) it's about endurance & perserverance & just getting it done (remember the tortoise & the hare?). This can be applied to anything in life (finishing that degree, obtaining that dream job, buying that home, completing that task, or finally getting the love of your life) it all depends on your situation. Just don't give up! If it's for you it will be yours...and if not at least you tried. Until tomorrow...enjoy & On your mark...get set...GO!!!!!!!

SIPPING ON???

2010-02-17T22:03:00.001-05:00

•1 1/2 ounce vodka, like Ketel One
•3/4 ounce fresh lime juice
•1 ounce blueberry juice (easily found at Trader Joes and Whole Foods)
•3/4 ounce Simple Syrup
•lime wedge, for garnish

Into a shaker with ice, add the vodka, fresh lime juice, blueberry juice, and simple syrup. Shake well and pour into a highball glass. Garnish with a lime.

Everyone deserves to relax with a refreshing beverage..I absolutely LOVE this drink...and I'm an avid Ketel One drinker...ENJOY!

Drink Responsibly...of course..lol!

WHEN LOVE ISN'T ENOUGH

2010-02-17T21:31:00.000-05:00

So at what point do you decide love just isn't enough??? And the real question is..Who gets to decide? Do you exhaust ALL the possibilities? Or do you cut your losses & get out quickly?? February is the month of LOVE so I'll be asking all the hard questions...And this is for both the fellas & the ladies. When is a good time to WALK AWAY & MOVE ON??? I mean LOVE only gets you so far, RIGHT?? But to maintain a sound, healthy relationship aren't there other requirements?? Like Honesty, clear communication, chemistry, trust, and good ole fashion GREAT SEX!!

I may be wrong people, but if I am let me know....lol

MORE THAN LOVE- AMERIE /FEAT. F.A.B.O.L.O.U.S

2010-02-17T21:06:00.000-05:00

Love this video!! Absolutely love Amerie...C'mon ladies just cause he's unavailable doesn't mean he's always sneaking around...LOL!

MEN ON FILM......JUST LAUGH & ENJOY

2010-02-17T11:09:00.000-05:00

Haaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa! I figured I'd lighten it up a bit. 2 snaps inna circle!!!!

POSITIVE THOUGHTS ARE POWERFUL!

2010-02-17T09:55:00.000-05:00

A friend told me that you should only put out positive thoughts if you want positive results. So be thankful for all the blessings you're given people....and stop dwelling on the "unknown".....focus on what's at hand right now...ENJOY IT!! *WINK*

METHOD MAN / FEATUTRING M.J.B

2010-02-17T09:42:00.000-05:00

This is CLASSIC...loves Meth & absolutely loves MARY!!! Had everybody thinking about heading to the roof with their hats down low!! LOL!

FEAR NOT

2010-02-17T09:28:00.000-05:00

I was once told NEVER BE AFRAID to love because then you're just AFRAID TO LIVE. My advice is to take chances & don't be fearful of the outcome. You can never know what's on the other side of the door unless you open it. We are only human (obviously..lol) which means we will make mistakes & sometimes make the wrong choice....but we shouldn't be condemned for life. Love can be the most wonderful feeling that you've EVER known & then there's the downside of it being the most painful experience known to man. I've been on both sides of love & i still think everyone should experience it. The saying "You never know till you try" explains it all. So get out there & live, love, and do it while you can.

COMMERCIAL FLIGHTS RESUME TO HAITI

2010-02-17T09:22:00.001-05:00

American Airlines will be the first commercial carrier resuming flights to Haiti beginning this friday. They suspended all service in January after the devastating earthquake, but continued to fly in medical personnel for the recovery relief efforts. Prayers go out to Haiti.

FRIENDS ARE FOREVER

2010-02-17T09:15:00.000-05:00

"A friend is someone who knows the song in your heart, and can sing it back to you when you have forgotten the words."

2010 OLYMPICS!!!

2010-02-17T08:54:00.000-05:00

So the Winter Olympics are here....ARE YOU WATCHING??? So far the U.S is in 2nd place behind Germany with 8 medals....Let's GO!!! I mean I'm not a Winter Sport fan...because cold just isn't my thing, but party on OLYMPIANS!!! and make the U.S.of A proud!!

THIS IS THE YEAR OF THE LOVER?!?!? OR IS IT?

2010-02-16T10:58:00.000-05:00

So Valentine's Day was this past Sunday & the world was mad with lovely wishes & heartfelt sentiments. How did you spend yours? Well I spent mine with someone special in my life although we're not together (in that way). What's your take on that? Having people in your life who you just can't shake? Whether you're in a relationship or just "seeing someone" else? How do handle it? This one's for the ladies & the fellas...we all have that 1 person who we'll Love forever....no matter whi we're with or what happens in our lives....but why does it have to be from afar? Why can't we just make it work if the love is still so strong & the passion & chemistry is still there?

"OGRES ARE LIKE ONIONS"

2010-02-11T15:25:00.000-05:00

Haaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa...Gotta Love Shrek!!

WENDY INTERVIEWS SEXY TRIGGA TREY

2010-02-11T09:06:00.000-05:00

Boy O Boy......He is scrumptious & let me tell you.......actually I'll just keep my thoughts to myself..lol

JUST CAUSE....BUT NO MORE SNOW PLEASE!

2010-02-11T09:02:00.000-05:00

It seemed appropriate at the time

RECORD SNOWFALL TOTALS

2010-02-11T08:50:00.001-05:00

So if you're like the rest of us in the northeastern part of the country you were SNOWED IN yesterday (against your own will of course..lol). I know we were all happy for the impromptu SNOW DAY but equally UNHAPPPY about digging out cars for the morning commute. Snow totals were unbelievable even though they weren't record breaking for the tri-state area (Philly & Baltimore did break records however). Now we can look forward to weeks of old, dirty, slushy snow left overs.....Can you feel the love??? So here's to happy digging & for those of us who park on the streets..Good Luck finding a parking spot tonight...lol

A LOVE AFFAIR

2010-02-09T14:36:00.000-05:00

Are you in a LOVE TRIANGLE? If so, how does it make you feel? Do you want it to end? Or are you ready to have him/her to yourself? Most LOVE TRIANGLES happen because someone's cheating, but how do they end once real feelings start to surface? How do you break off something when it begins to consume you? And if you do break it off can you do it COLD TURKEY? Many of us have been in one of these situations (myself included), and believe me it doesn't get any easier to let go. I just wonder if men & women have different views about it? Love...You can't live without it & sometimes it hurts like hell. GO FIGURE!

"LIL DUDE FROM ACROSS THE STREET"

2010-02-09T14:05:00.000-05:00

A lil birdie told me that this show is HILARIOUS!!! Gotta LOVE Chris Rock!!

SATISFY YOU / DIDDY - FEATURING R.KELLY

2010-02-09T13:50:00.000-05:00

I can stimulate your mind & strengthen your spirit.......WOW! I can do ALL of THAT!

B.H.M. FEATURE/ NELSON MANDELA

2010-02-09T12:28:00.000-05:00

NOBEL PEACE PRIZE WINNER 1993

Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela was born in Transkei, South Africa on July 18, 1918. His father was Chief Henry Mandela of the Tembu Tribe. Mandela himself was educated at University College of Fort Hare and the University of Witwatersrand and qualified in law in 1942. He joined the African National Congress in 1944 and was engaged in resistance against the ruling National Party's apartheid policies after 1948. He went on trial for treason in 1956-1961 and was acquitted in 1961.

After the banning of the ANC in 1960, Nelson Mandela argued for the setting up of a military wing within the ANC. In June 1961, the ANC executive considered his proposal on the use of violent tactics and agreed that those members who wished to involve themselves in Mandela's campaign would not be stopped from doing so by the ANC. This led to the formation of Umkhonto we Sizwe. Mandela was arrested in 1962 and sentenced to five years' imprisonment with hard labour. In 1963, when many fellow leaders of the ANC and the Umkhonto we Sizwe were arrested, Mandela was brought to stand trial with them for plotting to overthrow the government by violence. His statement from the dock received considerable international publicity. On June 12, 1964, eight of the accused, including Mandela, were sentenced to life imprisonment. From 1964 to 1982, he was incarcerated at Robben Island Prison, off Cape Town; thereafter, he was at Pollsmoor Prison, nearby on the mainland.

During his years in prison, Nelson Mandela's reputation grew steadily. He was widely accepted as the most significant black leader in South Africa and became a potent symbol of resistance as the anti-apartheid movement gathered strength. He consistently refused to compromise his political position to obtain his freedom.

Nelson Mandela was released on February 11, 1990. After his release, he plunged himself wholeheartedly into his life's work, striving to attain the goals he and others had set out almost four decades earlier. In 1991, at the first national conference of the ANC held inside South Africa after the organization had been banned in 1960, Mandela was elected President of the ANC while his lifelong friend and colleague, Oliver Tambo, became the organisation's National Chairperson.

QUOTE OF THE DAY

2010-02-09T12:23:00.000-05:00

Here's a quote for all the lovers out there......True Love Prevails....Or something like that.

B.H.M. FEATURE/ GREGORY HINES

2010-02-08T11:38:00.000-05:00

ActorBorn:February 14, 1946 in New York City, NYDeath:August 9, 2003 in Los Angeles, CA
Biography
Involved in show business since toddlerhood, Gregory Hines has grown up to be a highly acclaimed tap dancer, choreographer, dramatic and comic actor, singer, and director. Hines is the brother of actor/dancer Maurice Hines. When Hines was two, his father employed him in a dance act with his older brothers. The child honed his dancing skills with master tap dancer Henry Le Tang. He was five when his father teamed him with his big brother, Jake, to form the Hines Kids. The brothers spent much of their early careers dancing at the Apollo Theater and learned much from such famed fellow performers as the Nicholas Brothers and Sandman Sims. At age eight, he debuted on Broadway in the musical The Girl in Pink Tights (1954). When the boys reached adolescence, they were called the Hines Brothers. In 1963, they became Hines, Hines and Dad, and started a ten-year stint on the nightclub circuit and on television. They also went abroad. In 1973, he left his brother and father's act to form a jazz-rock group called Severance. He eventually came back to New York, where in 1973, he launched a distinguished Broadway career that garnered him a Tony (for playing Jelly Roll Morton in George C. Wolfe's musical tribute Jelly's Last Jam in 1992), three additional Tony nominations, and a Theater World Award.
Hines made his feature-film debut in Mel Brooks' all-star farce The History of the World, Pt. I, replacing an ailing Richard Pryor in the role of Josephus. It was actress Madeline Kahn who suggested Hines for the role. In film, Hines has proven himself a versatile actor and he has starred in everything from musical dramas in which he showed off his dancing ability (The Cotton Club and White Nights, in which he starred opposite ballet superstar Mikhail Baryshnikov), to straight dramas (The Preacher's Wife), comedy (Renaissance Man), sci-fi/horror (Wolfen), and action films (Running Scared). In 1994, Hines made his directorial bow with Bleeding Hearts. He released an album, simply titled Gregory Hines, in 1987. In 1997, he starred in the CBS family comedy The Gregory Hines Show as a single father who has trouble reentering the dating scene. Though that particular series was shortlived, appearances on such popular small screen staples as Will and Grace proved that the years had certainly not dulled Hines comic abilities. In addition, the prepetual entertainer also provided voice work for the Blues Clues adventure Big Blue's Threasure Hunt and the popular children's series Little Bill. Moving into the new millennium Hines appeared in such features as Things You Can Tell Just by Looking at Her (2000) and the made-for-television biopic Bojangles (2001), in which he portrayed the title role of legendary dancer Bill "Bojangles" Robinson. Following a supporting role in the television series Lost at Home, Hines made his final film appearance in the 2003 feature The Root.

On August 9, 2003, Gregory Hines died of cancer in Los Angeles. He was 57, and the lights of Broadway were dimmed in his honor three days after his untimely death. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide

B.H.M. FEATURE/ BENJAMIN BANNEKAR

2010-02-06T21:51:00.000-05:00

From 1792 through 1797 Benjamin Banneker, an African American mathematician and amateur astronomer, calculated ephemerides (tables of the locations of stars and planets) for almanacs that were widely distributed and influential. Because of these works, Banneker became one of the most famous African Americans in early U.S. history.

Early life
On November 9, 1731, Benjamin Banneker was born in Baltimore County, Maryland. He was the son of an African slave named Robert, who had bought his own freedom, and of Mary Banneky, who was the daughter of an Englishwoman and a free African slave. Benjamin grew up on his father's farm with three sisters. After learning to read from his mother and grandmother, Benjamin read the bible to his family in the evening. He attended a nearby Quaker country school for several seasons, but this was the extent of his formal education. He later taught himself literature, history, and mathematics, and he enjoyed reading.

As he grew into an adult, Banneker inherited the farm left to him by his grandparents. He expanded the already successful farm, where he grew tobacco. In 1761, at the age of thirty, Banneker constructed a striking wooden clock without having ever seen a clock before (although he had examined a pocket watch). He painstakingly carved the toothed wheels and gears of the clock out of seasoned wood. The clock operated successfully until the time of his death.

Interest in astronomy
At the age of fifty-eight Banneker became interested in astronomy (the study of the universe) through the influence of a neighbor, George Ellicott, who lent him several books on the subject as well as a telescope and drafting instruments (tools used in astronomy). Without further guidance or assistance, Banneker taught himself the science of astronomy. He made projections for solar (of the Sun) and lunar (of the Moon) eclipses and computed ephemerides for an almanac. In 1791 Banneker was unable to sell his observations, but these rejections did not stop his studies.

In February 1791 Major Andrew Ellicott (1754–1820), an American surveyor (one who maps out new lands for development), was appointed to survey the 10-mile square of the Federal Territory for a new national capital. Banneker worked in the field for several months as Ellicott's scientific assistant. After the base lines and boundaries had been established and Banneker had returned home, he prepared an ephemeris for the following year, which was published in Baltimore in Benjamin Banneker's Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland and Virginia Almanack and Ephemeris, for the Year of Our Lord, 1792; Being Bissextile, or Leap-Year, and the Sixteenth Year of American Independence. Banneker's calculations would give the positions of the planets and stars for each day of the year, and his almanacs were published every year from 1792 until 1797.

Communications with Thomas Jefferson
Banneker forwarded a copy of his calculations to Thomas Jefferson (1743–1826), then secretary of state, with a letter criticizing Jefferson for his proslavery views and urging the abolishment (ending) of slavery of African American people. He compared such slavery to the enslavement of the American colonies by the British crown. Jefferson

Benjamin Banneker.
Reproduced by permission of
Fisk University Library
.
acknowledged Banneker's letter and forwarded it to the Marquis de Condorcet, the secretary of the Académie des Sciences in Paris. The exchange of letters between Banneker and Jefferson was published as a separate pamphlet, and was given wide publicity at the time the first almanac was published. The two letters were reprinted in Banneker's almanac for 1793, which also included "A Plan for an Office of Peace," which was the work of Dr. Benjamin Rush (1745–1813). The abolition societies of Maryland and Pennsylvania were very helpful in the publication of Banneker's almanacs, which were widely distributed as an example of an African American's work and to demonstrate the equal mental abilities of the races.

The last known issue of Banneker's almanacs appeared for the year 1797, because of lessening interest in the antislavery movement. Nevertheless, he prepared ephemerides for each year until 1804. He also published a treatise (a formal writing) on bees and computed the cycle of the seventeen-year locust.

Banneker never married. He died on October 9, 1806, and was buried in the family burial ground near his house. Among the memorabilia preserved from his life were his commonplace book and the manuscript journal in which he had entered astronomical calculations and personal notations. Writers who described his achievements as that of the first African American scientist have kept Banneker's memory alive. Recent studies have proven Banneker's status as an extremely capable mathematician and amateur astronomer.

QUOTE OF THE DAY

2010-02-06T13:15:00.000-05:00

Don't compromise yourself. You're all you've got. ~Janis Joplin

WAKE UP TO THIS - LANCE GROSS

2010-02-04T09:24:00.000-05:00

Just a lil something to start the day out right....Now GET TO WORK. LOL!

QUOTE OF THE DAY

2010-02-04T09:15:00.000-05:00

Giving up doesn't always mean you are weak. Sometimes it means that you are strong enough to let go. ~Author Unknown

JANET JACKSON - AGAIN

2010-02-04T09:09:00.000-05:00

This was one of my favs....just going with todays theme. LOL

MOTTO TO LIVE BY/ I AM PHENOM

2010-02-04T09:02:00.001-05:00

PHENOMAL WOMAN

Pretty women wonder where my secret lies.
I'm not cute or built to suit a fashion model's size
But when I start to tell them,
They think I'm telling lies.
I say,
It's in the reach of my arms
The span of my hips,
The stride of my step,
The curl of my lips.
I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.

I walk into a room
Just as cool as you please,
And to a man,
The fellows stand or
Fall down on their knees.
Then they swarm around me,
A hive of honey bees.
I say,
It's the fire in my eyes,
And the flash of my teeth,
The swing in my waist,
And the joy in my feet.
I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.

Men themselves have wondered
What they see in me.
They try so much
But they can't touch
My inner mystery.
When I try to show them
They say they still can't see.
I say,
It's in the arch of my back,
The sun of my smile,
The ride of my breasts,
The grace of my style.
I'm a woman

Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.

Now you understand
Just why my head's not bowed.
I don't shout or jump about
Or have to talk real loud.
When you see me passing
It ought to make you proud.
I say,
It's in the click of my heels,
The bend of my hair,
the palm of my hand,
The need of my care,
'Cause I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.

Maya Angelou

B.H.M. FEATURE/ MAYA ANGELOU

2010-02-04T08:59:00.000-05:00

Writer, dancer, African-American activist. Born Marguerite Johnson on April 4, 1928 in St. Louis, Missouri. Angelou spent her difficult formative years moving back and forth between her mother's and grandmother's. At age eight, she was raped by her mother's boyfriend, who was subsequently killed by her uncles. The event caused the young girl to go mute for nearly six years, and her teens and early twenties were spent as a dancer, filled with isolation and experimentation.

At 16 she gave birth to a son, Guy, after which she toured Europe and Africa in the musical Porgy and Bess. On returning to New York City in the 1960s, she joined the Harlem Writers Guild and became involved in black activism. She then spent several years in Ghana as editor of African Review, where she began to take her life, her activism and her writing more seriously.

Maya Angelou's five-volume autobiography commenced with I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings in 1970. The memoirs chronicle different eras of her life and were met with critical and popular success. Later books include All God's Children Need Traveling Shoes (1986) and My Painted House, My Friendly Chicken and Me (1994). She has published several volumes of verse, including And Still I Rise (1987) and Complete Collected Poems of Maya Angelou (1995). Her volume of poetry, Just Give Me a Cool Drink of Water 'Fore I Die (1971), was nominated for the Pulitzer Prize.

In 1993, Angelou read On the Pulse of Morning at Bill Clinton's Presidential inauguration, a poem written at his request. It was only the second time a poet had been asked to read at an inauguration, the first being Robert Frost at the inauguration of John F. Kennedy. In 2006, Angelou agreed to host a weekly radio show on XM Satellite Radio's Oprah & Friends channel. She also teaches at Wake Forest University in North Carolina, where she has a lifetime position as the Reynolds professor of American studies.

Drawing from her own life experiences, Angelou published Letter to My Daughter in 2008. She wrote the work for the daughter she never had, sharing anecdotes and offering advice. Well received, the book earned several honors, including a NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Literary Work-Non-Fiction.

KAT WILLIAMS "ENJOY YOUR LIFE" (EXPLICIT)

2010-02-03T16:43:00.000-05:00

He does have a point about enjoying your life....you only get one so make it count & make the best out of it (cliche I know). Learn from mistakes & stop regretting them. You are who you are & you shouldn't let others dictate that. Don't keep people in your circle when they continue to be negative. Only surround yourself with positivity & you will contiune growing as a person. Love DEEPLY, laugh OFTEN, cry DAILY, and live like there's no TOMORROW! If you take anything from this...always know you can't get back time so stop wasting it on those who don't deserve it!!

YOU SEND ME (SAM COOKE)

2010-02-03T16:34:00.000-05:00

I absolutely love Classic R&B & I fell in love with this artist soooo long ago. This was a TRUE love ballad. You can't deny SAM COOKE. Look Nana I still love his music till this day. LOL

LET'S GO REGGIE! SORRY I HAD TO

2010-02-03T16:28:00.001-05:00

Here's a some afternoon YUM FACTOR for ya!!!. I'll be cheering him on from the comfort of my living room, but I'll be there in spirit...Let's make history SAINTS!!! and take it ALL THE WAY!!

SUPERBOWL SUNDAY!!!

2010-02-03T16:16:00.000-05:00

Superbowl Sunday is coming up this weekend...Where will you be watching it??? And who are you rooting for?? The "First Appearance" Saints & sexy specimen of a man Reggie Bush or the "Veteran" Colts & America's Fav Peyton Manning. Or maybe you aren't a fan of either team & you'll just be tuning in because you love the game itself or the "infamous" halftime show. Either way this sunday will have everyone glued to the screen..........and BTW I'm rooting for the SAINTS!!! And I'm sure it's obvious why....LET'S GO REGGIE! LOL

"LET IT BURN" USHER

2010-02-03T14:53:00.000-05:00

Just in an USHER kind of mood today...LOL

QUOTE OF THE DAY

2010-02-03T10:24:00.000-05:00

Don't look where you fall, but where you slipped. ~African Proverb

B.H.M. FEATURE/ BOB MARLEY

2010-02-03T10:19:00.000-05:00

Robert Nesta MarleyBORN: February 6, 1945, St. Ann, JamaicaDIED: May 11, 1981, Miami, FLIn the year 1944

Captain Norval Marley married a young Jamaican girl named Cedalla Booker. On February 6, 1945 at two thirty in the morning their son, Robert Nesta Marley was born in his grandfather's house. Soon after Bob was born his father left his mother. He did however give financial support and occasionally returned to see his son. It was now the late fifties, jobs were scarce in Jamaica, so Bob followed his mother from their home in St. Ann to Trenchtown (West Kingston) to seek employment in the big city. Trenchtown got it's name because it was built over a ditch which drained the sewage of old Kingston. In Trenchtown Bob spent a lot of his time with his good friend Neville Livingstone who people called by his nickname, Bunny. Also in the big city Bob was more exposed to the music which he had loved, including such greats as Fats Domino and Ray Charles. Bob and Bunny attended a music class together which was held by the famous Jamaican singer Joe Higgs. In that class they met Peter Macintosh and soon became good friends. In the meantime Jamaican music evolving and became very popular throughout the Caribbean due to it's invention of Ska music. When Bob was 16, he started to follow his dream of becoming a musician. Music to many young Jamaicans was an escape from the harshness of everyday life. One of those kids was Jimmy Cliff who at the age of 14 had already recorded a couple of hits. After meeting Bob, Jimmy introduced him to Leslie Kong, a local record producer. Bob followed his advice and auditioned for Leslie Kong. Bob's musical talents shone much more brightly then anyone else that day and found himself in the studio recording his first single "Judge Not". Unfortunately neither "Judge Not" nor his 1962 single "One more cup of Coffee" did very well. Bob soon left Kong after she failed to give him his pay. The following year Bob, Bunny and some other friends formed the Wailing Wailers. The didn't get off to a great start, after just a couple recording sessions two members, Cherry and Junior Braithwait left the band. The band continued on and were introduced to Clemet Dodd, a producer of the record company Coxsone. It was here where the Wailing Wailers recorded the first song "Simmer Down" which did quite well in Jamaica. To help with the recording of their songs the studio provided several talented Ska musicians. The Wailing Wailers consisting now of Bob Marley, Peter Tosh and Bunny were starting to become quite popular locally. Their audiences rapidly grew and they recorded several more songs on the Coxsone label which included "It Hurts to be Alone" and "Rule the Roadie" Bob soon took on the role of the leader, being the main songwriter and all. Bob's life continued to look more bright on February 10, 1966 when Bob Marley married girlfriend Rita Anderson. The next day Bob left for the United States to visit his mother who lived in Delaware. While in the US he worked to better finance his music and soon returned home. When Bob Marley returned the Wailing Wailers' music evolved from Ska to Rock Steady. This evolution conflicted with Coxsone who wanted a Ska band. So the newly Wailing Wailers left Coxsone to form and renamed themselves the Wailers. Instead of looking around for a new label the Wailers decided to form their own which they called Wail 'N' Soul. This coincided with the birth of the Marley's first born who they named Cedalla. They released a couple signals on their label such as "Bend down low" and "Mellow Mood" before it folded the very same year. The ending of their label affected the band greatly, it wasn't until they met Lee Perry that they got back on track. With the help of Lee Perry the Wailers produced such great tracks as "Duppy Conquerer", "Soul Rebel", "400 Years" and "Small Axe". 1970 saw the Wailers family grow with the addition of Aston "Family Man" Barret and his brother Carleton. The Wailers were now quite popular throughout the Caribbean but still internationally unknown. With this popularity a second more successful label was formed by the Wailers called Tuff Gong after a nickname of Bob Marley. The Wailers met Johnny Nash and soon Bob accompanied Nash to Sweden and London. When in London, Bob recorded "Reggae on Broadway" which was released by CBS. After this the rest of the Wailers arrived in London to help promote the single only to find that there were out of money and stranded there. With little options available, Bob went into the Island Records Basing Street Studios and asked to speak to the boss, Chris Blackwell with hopes of a possible record deal. Mr. Blackwell had already heard of the Wailers and signed them on the spot. He advanced them eight thousand pounds so that they could fly back home and record their first album for Island. This was a massive deal, for the first time a reggae band would have access to the finest recording facilities. The album they released was "Catch a Fire", it was very well received by critics and was one of the first reggae albums. Before the Wailers reggae was sold on signals or compilation albums. In the Spring of 1973 the Wailers arrived back in London to kick off their three month tour of Britain. At the conclusion of the tour they returned back to Jamaica where Bunny decided to quit touring. He was replaced by Joe Higgs. The Wailers along with Higgs travelled to the US were they were scheduled to open 17 shows for the number one black act in the States, Sly and the Family Stone. The Wailers were fired after 4 shows because they were more popular then they band the opened for, the crowd often chanted "Wail-ers" well into the Sly and the Family Stone set. Also they opened a couple dates for Bruce Springsteen. After Sly and the Family Stone axed the Wailers they found themselves once again without money and stranded, this time in Las Vegas. Somehow they found their way to San Fransico. While there they did a live concert broadcast for the radio station KSAN-FM. The whole experience boosted their popularity in North America. With 1973 winding down the Wailers released the much anticipated follow up album to "Catch a Fire" called "Burnin". On this album many Wailer classics appear such as "I shot the Sheriff" and "Get Up Stand Up". The Wailers popularity in North America grew even more when Eric Clapton re-recorded "I Shot the Sheriff", becoming a number one hit on the US singles charts.1975 saw the release of the Wailers's third album, "Natty Dread" with such great tracks as "Talking Blues", "No Woman No Cry" and "Revolution". On the down side though two thirds of the original Wailing Wailers, Peter Tosh and Bunny Wailer quit the band to pursue solo careers. This caused the band to change their name again. This time to Bob Marley and the Wailers. The departure of the two members created a hole in the backing vocal section, this hole was filled and then some by the I-Threes (Rita Marley, Judy Mowatts and Marcia Grittiths). That summer the band started a new European tour. Two of those shows were at the Lyceum Ballroom, both shows were considered among the top of the decade. Both shows were recorded and made the album "Live!" which included the unforgettable live version "No Woman No Cry" which was a world wide hit. The band underwent more changes with the addition of Al Anderson and Bernard Harvey who were later replaced by Junior Marvin and Tyrone Downie. The last time the original Wailers ever played together was at a Stevie Wonder concert for the Jamaican Institute for the blind. Bob Marley and the Wailers continued their roll releasing the incredible album "Rasta man Vibration" in 1976. This capped off a type of Reggae-Mania happening in the states. Rolling Stone named them band of the year. On the Rasta man Vibration album was the powerful track "War" which lyrics came from a speech given by Emperor Haile Selassie. Bob Marley decided to play a free concert at Kingston's National Heroes Park on December 5, 1976. The idea behind the concert was a peaceful message against the ghetto wars happening in Trenchtown at the time. Tragedy struck two days before that he get on stage, gunmen broke into the Marley home and shot at Bob, Rita, and two friends. Luckily no one was killed. Despite this Bob Marley went on to put on a memorable show two days later at the Smile Jamaica concert. Following the show the band left for the UK. While they were there they recorded 1977's "Exodus". Possibly their best album to date, it solidified the band's international stardom. It went number one in many countries including England and Germany. It was also one of the top albums of the year.During their European tour, the band did a week of shows at the Rainbow Theatre in London. It was at the start of the tour when Bob injured his toe playing football. It was later diagnosed as cancerous. Also during this tour Bob received a very important ring, who's previous owner was the Ethiopian Emperor. In May Bob was informed of his cancer. His cancer would most certainly be taken care of by amputating the toe but Bob refused. To do so would be against his Rastafarian faith. With this news the remainder of the Exodus tour was cancelled. His illness didn't prevent him from recording music though, 1978 saw the release of "Kaya" which had a much more mellow sound then previous albums. Bob was accused of selling out because many of the songs were love songs or tributes to ganja (marijuana). Rastafarians believed the smoking the holy herb would bring them closer to Jah (god).In April 1978, Bob returned to Jamaica to play the One Love Peace Concert. In attendance was Jamaican President Michael Manley and the leader of the Opposition Edward Seaga. It was Bob who got them on stage and even got them to shake hands. On June 15 he was awarded the Peace Medal of the Third World from the United Nations. For the first time he visited Africa going to Kenya and Ethiopia. On this trip he started to work on the song "Zimbabwe". The band also released their second live album "Babylon by Bus" with was recorded in Paris. The album which followed it was Survival in 1978. Throughout the album the theme of black survival was evident. The Seventies were now coming to a close, Bob Marley and the Wailers were the most popular band on the road breaking many festival records. In 1980 the band found themselves in Gabon to perform in Africa for the first time. Here Bob Marley discovered that there manager had defrauded the band, Bob gave him a beating and fired him. The Zimbabwean government invited the whole band to perform at the countries Independence Ceremony in April. Bob later said of the invitation to be the biggest honour of his life.After the amazing honour and experience Bob Marley continue to record, "Uprising" was released in 1980. Everything was looking bright, the band was planning an American tour with Stevie Wonder for that winter. Bob's health was deteriorating, but he still got clearance from a doctor to go on the road. The tour started with Boston, followed by New York. During the New York show Bob's looked very sick and he almost fainted. The next morning on Sept. 21 while jogging through Central, Bob collapsed and was brought to the hospital. There a brain tumour was discovered and doctors gave him a month to live. Rita Marley wanted the tour cancelled but Bob wanted to continue on. He played an unforgettable show in Pittsburgh but was too ill to continue so the tour was finally cancelled. It would be the last show he ever performed. Treatment prolonged his life somewhat but the inevitable was soon to happening. Bob was transported to a Miami hospital where he was baptized Berhane Selassie in the Ethiopian Orthodox Church on November 4. In a final attempt to save his life he underwent a controversial treatment in Germany. While in Germany he celebrated his 36th and final birthday. Ultimately the treatment didn't work. Bob wanted to die at home so he was flown back. Unfortunately he didn't finish the trip, he died on May 11, 1981 in a Miami hospital. He was internationally mourned for and thousands showed up at his May 21 funeral to show their respects. In attendance wereboth the Jamaican President and the Leader of the Opposition. Bob Marley now rests in a mausoleum at his birthplace. After his death he was awarded Jamaica's Order of Merit. The Prophet Gad insisted on becoming the owner of Bob's ring. However, amazingly the ring the disappeared and still has yet to be found. Bob's mother said that the ring was returned to it's place of origin.Bob Marley knew of his fate. Being a visionary he foresaw this, his words will forever be immortalized in the lyrics in which he wrote. "One bright morning when my work is over I will fly away home"

YUM YUMMY YUM!!! SAY NO MORE!

2010-02-02T11:30:00.000-05:00

It is the month of love.....whoooo weeeeee! You Go Trey Songz!

FEBRUARY IS THE MONTH OF LOVE!!!

2010-02-02T11:03:00.001-05:00

So February is supposed to be the month where you express your undying love for your "significant other".....And Valentine's Day has everyone up in arms scrambling to find the "perfect" gift. Now don't get me wrong...I'm a fool for love..and I love the anticipation surrounding the day of LOVE....but do you think it's all hype???

IN HONOR OF B.H.M./BARACK OBAMA

2010-02-02T10:16:00.000-05:00

HERE'S A BRIEF BIO OF OUR PRESIDENT!!!

Barack Obama BiographyBarack Obama is the 44th President–Elect of the United States of America and the first African–American to be elected to office.

He was thrust into the national spotlight when he delivered the keynote address at the 2004 Democratic National Convention. His speech expressed hope for the future of the country, and echoed Martin Luther King Jr.’s famous 1963 “I Have A Dream” speech.

Obama was born in Hawaii to an African father and a white American mother, and raised briefly in Indonesia. His mixed heritage is often viewed as a representation of America’s diverse population, and a bridge between many viewpoints.

The young community organizer’s political career began in the Illinois State Senate in 1996, followed by the U.S. Senate in 2004. Despite a relatively short term in government service, Obama’s popularity during his presidential campaign was unparalleled. His election bid attracted an overwhelming number of African–American, first time, and young voters.

Obama has continually supported a number of social issues; advocated a decrease in taxes for middle to low-income families; and pushed for a transparency in government actions. His campaign slogans “Yes We Can,” and “Change We Need” became the rally cry for a new generation seeking to improve the deteriorating social and economic climate of the country.
Trivia
The audio book version of Obama’s 2006 biography Dreams Of My Father: A Story of Race and Inheritance won a Grammy as did his 2008 audio book The Audacity of Hope: Thoughts on Reclaiming the American Dream. The first law Obama passed as a U.S. Senator allowed Americans to view how tax dollars were being spent. Obama is only the sixth post–war president to be left–handed. Obama’s first name, Barack, means “blessed” in Swahili. He was nicknamed Barry as a child, “O’Bomber” in high school for his skill at basketball, and “Bar” by his late grandmother. The desk in Obama’s Senate office once belonged to Robert Kennedy. Barack Obama has six half–brothers and one half–sister on his paternal side, and one half–sister on his maternal side. Barack Obama’s presidential campaign raised a record $650 million, most of it coming in the form of small donations. Community Service
Public Allies, founding member of the board of directors (1992) Woods Fund of Chicago, board of directors (1994 - 2002) The Joyce Foundation, board of directors (1994 - 2002) Chicago Annenberg Challenge, board of directors (1995 - 2002)
*founding president and chairman from (1995 - 1999) Chicago Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, board of directors Center for Neighborhood Technology, board of directors Lugenia Burns Hope Center, board of directors Notable Biographies
“Dreams Of My Father: A Story of Race and Inheritance” by Barack Obama (2004) “The Audacity of Hope: Thoughts on Reclaiming the American Dream” by Barack Obama (2008) “The American Journey of Baraack Obama” by The Editors of Life Magazine (2008) “Yes We Can: A Biography of Barack Obama” by Garen Thomas (2008) Milestones1961
Barack Hussein Obama, Jr. is born on August 4th in Honolulu, Hawaii. His father, Barack Obama, Sr., is from Kenya. Mother Ann Dunham, is originally from Wichita, Kansas. The couple separates after two years, and divorces in 1964.
1967
His mother marries Lolo Soetoro, and the family moves to Soetoro’s homeland of Indonesia. Young Obama attends the Catholic Franciscus Assisi Primary School, and then a public school.
1971
He is sent to live with his maternal grandparents, Madelyn and Stanley, in Honolulu, Hawaii. He attends the prestigious Punahou School on scholarship. He joins the basketball team, and also experiments with smoking, drinking, and even drugs.
1972
His mother leaves her second husband and returns from Indonesia with her two–year–old daughter, Maya. Barack, his mother, and his new half–sister move into a small apartment. His biological father pays the family a visit in Hawaii for the first time since the separation.
1979
Obama graduates from the Panahou School, then moves to Los Angeles, California, to attend Occidental College.
1981
He transfers to Columbia University in New York City, and majors in political science.
1982
His father dies in a car accident.
1983
He graduates from Columbia and takes a job at the Business International Corporation as a research associate and writer for, a weekly financial newsletter. He quits to work for the New York Public Interest Research Group.
1985
He starts working with the Developing Communities Project, a Chicago–based program that helps to improve the conditions of public housing.

1988
He travels to Europe, then to Africa to visit his father's hometown of Alego, Kenya, and get to know his extended family. He later says the visit "helped unify my outward self with my inward self in an important way."

He is baptized at the Church of Christ and begins Harvard Law School in Ç¬

the fall.
1989
During his summers at law school, he works at the Chicago law firms Sidley & Austin and Hopkins & Sutter. At Sidley he meets Michelle Robinson who has been appointed his adviser. They begin dating and maintain a long-distance relationship when he returns to Harvard in the fall.
1990
In February he becomes the first African-American president of the Harvard Law Review.
1991
Barack Obama graduates magna cum laude from Harvard Law School with his Juris Doctor.

He signs with a publisher to begin writing his autobiography.
1992
He begins teaching constitutional law at the University of Chicago Law School. He also becomes the director of Illinois Project Vote, registering around 100,000 new voters mostly in the African-American community.

On October 10th, he weds Michelle Robinson at Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago, Illinois.
1993
He takes a job at the firm of Davis, Miner, Barnhill & Gallard in Chicago as a junior lawyer with the hopes of working on civil rights cases.
1995
His autobiography "Dreams From My Father: A Story of Race and Inheritance" is published.

His mother dies of ovarian cancer on November 7th.
1996
He is elected to the Illinois State Senate and is a Senior Lecturer at the University of Chicago Law School.
1998
His daughter Malia Ann is born on July 4th.

He is re-elected to the Illinois Senate.
1999
Obama loses the Democratic primary run for U.S. House of Representatives.
2001
His second daughter Natasha "Sasha" is born on June 8th.
2002
He is re-elected again to Illinois Senate.
2003
In January he becomes chairman of the Illinois Senate's Health and Human Services Committee and runs for U.S. Senate.
2004
On July 7th, he delivers the keynote speech at the Democratic National Convention in Boston, Massachusetts.

The poignant and inspiring speech is remembered as a pivotal moment in his political career, and propels him into the spotlight.

He is elected to U.S. Senate on November 2nd, becoming only the fifth African-American Senator in history.
2006
He publishes a second book, The Audacity of Hope: Thoughts on Reclaiming the American Dream. The title is a reference to his 2004 DNC keynote speech.
2007
On February 10th, he announces his candidacy for President of the United States.
2008
On June 3rd, he defeats Senator Hillary Clinton in the democratic primaries, and becomes the first African-American presidential nominee.

In July he travels to Europe, the Middle East, and Germany. In Berlin, he gives a speech to a crowd of around 200,000 that is compared to John F. Kennedy's famed "Ich Bin Ein Berliner" speech.

On November 2nd his grandmother Madelyn dies from cancer.

On November 4th, he defeats republican opponent John McCain and wins the election, becoming the first African-American President-Elect of the United States of America. His victory speech is delivered at Grant Park in Chicago, and attended by thousands of supporters.

On November 16th, he resigns his senate seat as he prepares to take presidential office in January 2009.

THE QUEEN AT HER BEST!!

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Will Always Love MJB!!!

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HAPPY GROUNDHOGS DAY!!!

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"Ex-Factor"

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Compliments of Bossip.com

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I absolutely LOVE this movie....Sorry I'm a sucka for a Love Story. I guess "True Love" will find me 1 day.

Loves Me Some Him....Hey Daddy!

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Usher - New Music - More Music Videos

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How many women do you know looking for love? Or recovering from "Love Lost"? Or does this sound familiar....Why didn't he choose me? What's wrong with me? This may not be the case for all women, but I know that some of us have said these exact same words......Give your opinion..or share your story...or just ask a question