(Not so) Late night finds for the sonically inclined-Ahmed Sirour

Unfortunately, I didn't get to make it to the Trombone Shorty concert tonight because I'm trying to be responsible with my funds. I had a pleasant time anyway though. On this rainy night I've been up thinking,reflecting, watching movies and just enjoying my silence before the work week starts. I've been listening to this man for months and if I ever have an opening of some sort, or when I have a house warming he will definitely be on the playlist. I love soothing music that makes you feel sexier just by listening to it. Ahmed does that for me. Enjoy the following clip. Support.

Repost- 10 Wonderful Ways to Embarrass Yourself

The following comes directly from a great blog call All the Many Layers. It is chock full of inspiration, style, and flair. I just happened upon it, but trust I'll be visiting it often. This particular entry stood out because I'm always on  the search of being my best self and have realized that includes doing things I've never done. The journey to fulfillment and self-love doesn't have to be hard work all the time. Enjoy life and laugh. So I'm passing this on to you, in hopes that you learn to embarrass yourself wonderfully.






“You gain strength, courage and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You are able to say to yourself, 'I have lived through this horror. I can take the next thing that comes along.' You must do the thing you think you cannot do.”  | Eleanor Roosevelt

1 – Confess. Declare your wildest dreams and your scariest nightmares. Admit what you’re ashamed of and what keeps you up at night. Talk about it, write about it; turn the emotion into creation. Get naked and do it often. Feel the sun warm your skin.

2 – Try something new. Don’t ignore your longings or play hard to get. Be a curiosity whore. If you like it, give it a chance. Say yes to yourself. Be easy. Give it up. If it’s good to you, if it opens you, come back for more.

3 – Be in love with something. Make love in public. Show off the stars in your eyes. Be a freaking genius at loving that thing. Love it without apology.  Wholeheartedly and passionately. Write love letters and share them with the whole world. Co-create with your love thing.

4 – Disagree. With conviction, without malice, in quiet or out loud. Believe in something. Love your differences. Carve yourself out. Dance all alone, with everyone watching.

5 – Admit you don’t know. Ask simple, basic questions. Be more concerned with understanding than being cool or all knowing. Humility is brilliance.

6 – Say What You’re Really Thinking. If it needs to be said, say it.   Expose the heart of the matter. Don't let nice become more important than real.  Claim the truth. Grab it by the balls.

7 – Disappoint someone. In order to be true to yourself. Make difficult decisions that teach you how to be your own advocate. Silence your "shoulds" and listen to your needs. Forget what you were taught. Be your own defiance.

8 – Make a mess.  Make a fool of yourself, a cluster of fumbles. Fall down, get dirty, get bruised. Let the world know that you are in the game and you won’t quit.

9 – Fall apart. Have a breakdown. Cry. Feel the burn. Let it cleanse you.

10 – Stand in the spotlight. Show all your colors.  Let them stare.

It ain't easy living green...

Yesterday, I attended the "Belle Butters Presents: Hey Fran Hey | Natural Living Hair & Health" event. It was held in downtown STL and we got to meet, mix, and mingle with the local business owner Tasha Burton of Belle Butters and popular YouTube personality and healthy lifestyle champion Fran. It was another opportunity to be around like minded individuals. I must say that I attend a fair amount of events and this was put together well. I met people I had never seen before. I'm glad Fran and Tasha's fan bases showed up and out. It had it's kinks, (insert rimshot) but mostly it was good. I do appreciate that while hair is what brought us together is was not the majority of the conversation. I was so glad there were no tutorials. There were vendors and light refreshments and entertainment. I enjoyed Thelonius Kryptonite but I felt that this wasn't his scene. Corey Black came through and delivered poetry that charmed and stroked the egos of the black women . While both talents were appreciated, I felt like the lady dj would have been enough. I must be honest, I don't purchase a lot of products for my hair and skin. I do really like Tasha's products, despite me being a burgeoning frugalista, I will occasionally buy her wares. Thanks to YouTube and sites like Fran's, I know how to whip some things up, but I don't know everything and the science behind it. That's where this chat was helpful. The ladies gave insight to living a healthier existence. They shared their stories and struggles. Fran gave the secrets to her physique, (and how while she no longer indulges, just the mention of Popeye's gives her goosebumps, lol) Tasha gave the scoop on how to keep your black from cracking and how combining their tips with your own research can help you build and maintain your regimen. Tasha gave out good business advice. She touched on perseverance, faith, and belief in oneself. Both ladies stayed after to take pictures and answer questions. I enjoyed myself and can't wait for the next event of this type.I think the turnout was good, it showed that Midwest wants more events like this and that when folk come into town, they see that we will support. Maybe it can/should be a series featuring other bloggers and social media personalities?  

That's Fran of  HeyFranHey and yours truly after we had a good chat about blogging.
She is sweet like agave nectar, lol

Back down memory lane...

This time of year always makes me a bit misty eyed. It reminds me of when I started college, and even more importantly when I joined the band. My bestie sent me a video of the yearly merge of freshman and upperclassmen bands and it inspired me to write this. If you don't know, being in a Black college band is like a full time job. Seriously. All night practices, road trips, intense training, etc. It started with band camp in August of 2005 with the full fire heat of the Mississippi sun beaming down on me. General meet and greet with the people who would be the only ones I knew for the next 4-5 months. Then our parents left and the craziness began. Now you must understand being in band in other parts of the country pales in comparison to being in one in the South. I went from being first chair and band president in my high school to last chair before the sun set. Next morning, it got real. I'm dressed in all white standing with my peers before dawn. It was still dark out and the next thing we hear is someone running and then another yells "YOU BETTER  NOT LET HER BEAT YOU!!!" So we take off running, and it begins. A month  full of military style physical training and intense musical rehearsals weeding out the ones not built for The BOOM. It was a challenge to say the least but I couldn't let them defeat me. My parents had allowed me to go school so far away from them and I had made the decision that I wasn't going down without a fight. It paid off, I made it. I had the ugliest and oldest baritone, but it projected every wrong note that I hit, LOL. I couldn't hide. With the help of my crab brothers and sisters I got better. I had to, getting worse and quitting wasn't an option. This time of my life was one of learning, living, discovery, and growth. I became stronger, both physically and mentally. Being in a section that is 99% male definitely changed me. I have so many memories that I could share with you all about this time but I won't, not now anyway. What I will share is a video that I found on YouTube of my first home halftime show against Texas Southern University. I was approached by the lead Drum Major to be apart of a skit and after a couple hours of consideration and discussion with one of my besties, I agreed. With much trepidation, of course. In the video, I'm the one in the middle dancing while the band plays David Banner's Play . My heart was beating so fast and we practiced that skit numerous times (s/o to my CS Bianca she's on the left). I distinctly remember one of the last practices before we performed, I was on the ground in a split and Mr. Murray was yelling and telling me to "BOUNCE IT! BOUNCE IT!" You can't imagine how strange that was. I can laugh about it now. I was only in The Boom one year, but that year changed me forever. I don't look at challenges the same, I don't listen to music the same and I'm not the same girl that walked into that band room so many years ago. Because of band, Jackson State, Mississippi, John Phillip Sousa, Secret Garden (Quincy Jones' version) and The Temptations' Get Ready will always hold a special place in my heart.


CHAIR!!

(You can watch the whole video, but the skit starts around 7:30)

That's me in the center, I didn't get permission from the other people in this picture. I posted this because you can't see my face in the video. They probably don't read this blog anyway though, lol.

Late night finds for the Sonically Inclined- Sohn

Another installment for those of you who dig good music. Check out this this group Sohn (English translation is sun). They're from Vienna/London and their sound is soulful.  Give them a listen, if you like them pass it on.

Intellectual thoughts since the verdict

Since the slap in the face of the Not Guilty verdict has been passed down there have been so many articles, posts, rants and raves from both sides. The following clip is of author Toni Morrison explaining the issue of White Supremacy. I find it to be a precise summation. You don't have to agree with her or with me, but listen and you might learn something.

For the sonically inclined...The Flatbush Zombies

'Sup, I know it's been a while since I've posted. I can't believe I let a whole month and a half pass though, I've got to do better. Black Music Month is well on its way so I'm go to throw this in. Anyway, today I'm introducing to some and displaying to others the hip-hop trio The Flatbush Zombies. They aren't your average rappers, and I mean that in the best way possible. If you're like me and always looking for what's next in music, genre be damned, then get into these guys. They're underground but not so deep that they can't be featured on Jay-z's website Life+Times. (I forgot his site was this good.) Enough of my chatter, get some newness into your life. Download.