Enjoy!

While this qualifies as a getaway, I realize I am well overdue for a full-fledged sight-seeing, foodsampling, sunbathing, jetskiiing, take-a-day-off-after-I get-home-because-I-barely-slept type of trip.

In thinking about where I would like to go, I also realize there has to be one of three things involved to make a destination worthwhile:   significant black history, the food, and if there is a beach. If I can get two out of three, I'm good. Three out of three, whoooo hah!

I've been to many U.S.and Caribbean destinations already. Excluding Chicago, I'd like to spread my wings even farther.

THURSDAY TEN SPOT

THE TEN PLACES I'D LIKE TO VISIT

The Chi - Ever since I saw Love Jones, I've been dying to go. The city seems to reek of history and culture, the Queen of Everything is there and our President still has a home here that I must see.

AUSTRALIA  Strategically, I'd like to make this trip when it is the DEAD of WINTER in NY! How cool is it to travel into another season?! Yes, the Caribbean is warm all year round, but another season. Where'd you go? To the Summer? Never been there! Exactly! I'll be sure to check out the Aboriginal history and visit all the tourist traps, but rest assured my friends, I'll be on the beach!

BRAZIL The excuse to be half nekkid on a beach, even moreso than usual, is so enticing! The language is sexy and from what I've had of Brazilian food here in NY, I know I will be in heaven.

JAMAICA Growing up in East Flatbush, I never felt the need to visit Jamaica. I was surrounded by its countrymen, the music and the food. I had my fill. But as I grew older I learned I had distant relatives from the island and most everyone who's gone has given it wonderful reviews. Having just read a Jamaican slave narrative, I am most certain I will visit there very soon.

EUROPE London, Spain, Italy, France and Greece. I want to eat, visit the Vatican,and buy see *sigh* buy the fashion in Italy; see the Louvre andthe Eiffel Tower, and sunbathe on the Riviera in France;visit Buckingham Palace and Wimbledon in London. In Greece, I want to visit the Parthenon, and again swim/sunbathe on the Mediterranean.

AFRICA 

Angola, Soweto, Zimbabwe, Tanzania, Zambia, Mozambique. And Botswana, so let us speak about the motherland....    -Stetsasonic

• Cairo, Egypt - In this lifetime, it is a must that I visit the pyramids. One of my Alumni Board Members just returned and was saying how amazing it was to see that the people who built the pyramids looked just like us. Aside from that, the pyramids are one of the greatest architectural feats in the world.

• South Africa

• The Gold Coast where the slaves were shipped to U.S. and Caribbean ports.

DUBAI We have no reason to be in the Middle East. None. At least, I don't. But this is the hotel at dusk. 

Awesome.

THAILAND Food, culture and the beach. I've always wanted to visit, but backed off once the tsunami hit. It's highly unlikely that it will happen again(that's what I tell myself.) Phuket*, I'm gonna do it anyway. (pronounced poo-ket, not phuck-et like I originally thought)

TIFFANY'S Yep, that's right. That is a trip that needs scheduling. It doesn't fit into any of my vacation criteria, but that's okay. I've never been in there and I am sure it will be an adventure. Souvenirs? Yes, one for myself in a little blue bag! :o)

And since we're on the subject of ice...

ALASKA There's a cruise that goes to Alaska in July. Glaciers, moose, and a potential Palin sighting? Not exactly my idea of fun. But if I have to add cold to the mix at any point, this would be the way I'd want to do it.

That's my dime folks!

Who here thought BET was going to put on a classy show because it was an MJ Tribute? Please raise your hand.

You? And you? And you?

Okay.

All three of you, go to the corner. You get an F.

BET is BET. BET's demographic is 14-29, which we haven't been for some time. Well at least I haven't been 29 for at least two years. Shut it.

There were some highlights, where we almost looked polished, but most everyone that was there in the crowd loved exactly what they got. And I can't lie, I was entertained. Jamie Foxx is silly as all hell. NeYo is amazing. Keri Hilson is bad. Idris Elba is fine for no reason. Chaka Khan pretends black isn't the least bit hot. Eddie Levert cusses. This is what he does! This is BET. This is what they does.

My problem comes in when we are supposed to be trying to pay tribute to the greatest entertainer in the world. Janet Jackson comes on the stage barely holding it together and thanks everyone for honoring her brother, not the icon. And directly after, Weezie and Drake are singing about 'f*ckin every girl in the world' with little children dancing with them on the stage. It was like putting ice in Henny. It diluted and changed the taste.

And then we close out with JayZ performing DOA, without nary a tribute to Mike. Yes. We all know Hov calls the shots and is King. But many tuned in to see the tribute to THE King. Would it have been hard to kick the "You Rock My World Remix"? That would have at least marked one of MJ's most recent contributions - says, I,  the backseat director.

Perhaps BET's timing/schedule of performers was just off, but I believe they owe us another a tribute: a grownup, well thought out one this time. I'll put money on it that MTV or a major network is going to take over the task. It's just that it would be nice to see us do it the right way for once.

 A sneak peek at Rabbit's Lucky Number's One Year Anniversary!

Check out more pics in the PHOTO GALLERY!

Rest in Peace, MJ.

I don't get a chance to read as much as I'd like to anymore, but there are ten books I could read again and again.

Thursday Ten Spot

My Ten Most Favorite Books

• Rabbit's Lucky Number Pearson Lee (surprise, surprise!)

Set in Brooklyn 1986, a young girl is raped by a family member and then forced to keep the ugly secret. 20 something years later, she learns he's raped another teenage girl and now she has to decide if the family breadwinner (who is now famous) should stay protected by her silence or if he should have to pay the piper. I love this book because it captures the essence of BK when hip hop was new and exciting, it shows Rabbit's transition from bubbly before the rape and sullen afterward; and how it affects all her relationships.  Funny, sad, poignant, and fast-paced. Just like how I like my books.

• The Book of Night Women Marlon James

A Jamaican Slave Narrative. The language and dialect is so engrossing that it was hard to not have an accent when I was done reading. The beauty of this book lies in the history, of course the language, and the complicated mindset of the characters: The cunning, the lies, the search for freedom, the cowardice, the self preservation, the survival, the strength, the cruelty of slavemasters, the confusion of being a slave, being made love to by your master or being your master's child, the obeah (black magic), and the acceptance and/or rejection of God. 

• Love in the Time of Cholera Gabriel Garcia Marquez

Subtlety is an art well practiced by Marques. Words like angry, sad, ecstatic are not present here. However I always knew what each character was feeling, where they'd been, their uncertainties and vulnerabilities never stated outright, but prepared as a feast for me to feed upon and savor. <--- prose, baby! Fermina chooses stability in Juvenal (could be translated as juvenile? though he seems the more stable and mature of the two) over the love of Florentino at a young age. Florentino is somewhat of a stalker, but his love is so pure, it's kind of hard to be mad at him. She ultimately goes back to him in their old age. Whether for true love, or need for companionship, is not exactly clear to me...I need a re-read!

•  The Red Tent Anita Diamant

The biblical (though fictional) story of Dinah (Jacob's daughter with Leah) told from a woman's perspective. The Red Tent was a place for women to congregate during their monthly periods and to give birth,and support one another. I liked the color of this book and the way the way the regular lives of the women are portrayed.

• Breath Eyes Memory Edwidge Danticat

Sophie, a new Haitian immigrant arrives in Brooklyn and has to figure out how to make this work. Struggling between her Haitian identity and American culture, she has to learn who her mother is, finds out she is the product of a rape, suffer through her mother's nightmares, and is also traumatized in the process. This book paints vivid pictures of the marketplace in Haiti, the apartment in Brooklyn, their relationships and the trauma of life when people have been dealt a bad hand. 

• Things Fall Apart Chinua Achebe

Okwonko is so proud and fearsome a warrior, however cursed with a son that is too much like his own father, who he believes to be lazy. he is then given an adopte son, but it turns out he must be killed (and it is Okwonko, who does it though he was instructed not to.) In the mean time, when exiled, he learns the whites teaching Christianity have permeated their villages. For all that he does and tries to control, trouble finds him and things do indeed fall apart at his feet. Masterful. 

• The Coldest Winter Ever Sister Souljah

This is the book that really let me know I could write a story in my time. I can't simplify it as a crack tale gone awry, as I would most of the other 'hood books' that followed. The characters were developed well, and I enjoyed the full circle of the story. Winter was headstrong in her convictions and paid for them dearly; Midnight was gallant, though flawed in his line of work; her mother was the quintessential crackhead, who used to have it going on.  As much as Winter loved her mother, her shallowness would not allow her to ackknowledge her especially in public. Real.  I also enjoyed how Sister Souljah put herself in the book and registered as a regular person doing extraordinary things. Not gloating or patting herself on the back. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

• The Kite Runner Khaled Hosseini

I love, of course, the setting in the Middle East during the fall of Afghanistan's government. But more than that, I love Amir's struggle to do the right thing, which he loses regularly; and Hassan's genuine and forgiving nature despite Amir's constant betrayals. A wonderful story of cruelty, class struggles, redemption and finding peace within oneself.

• The Autobiography of Malcolm X Alex Haley 

Again, the transition of a man from 'ordinary' Malcolm Little (though he never seemed to be) to greatness. Malcolm X's service to Blacks is exemplary. However his service to Allah superceded all he'd learned coming to Islam and produced an icon.

• The Jester James Patterson

A Medieval love story, (paralleling the Crusades) that I could read one hundred times and not be bored. Hugh is clever in disguising himself as a court jester to avenge his wife Sophie's supposed death, though he finds out she hadn't been dead all the while. All in all, he eventually finds love in Emilie (his social superior) and they live happily ever after. I'm a sap for happily ever after...:o)

The ULTIMATE STORY BOOK...

The Bible

There is not a story that has ever been told that is not found here.  Lies, treachery, robbery, sacrifice, honor, songs, advice, and love.

That's my dime plus a penny, good people! What are your faves?

Which is surprising because I was practically raised on D-Dubya.

From as long as I can remember, sometime during the St. Elsewhere run (1982-1988), my mother would always comment that that Denzel Washington was so handsome. I've only heard her talk about Smokey Robinson in the same way.***

However this raised an eyebrow with me. Why?

See picture left. To my pre-teen eyes...the lines (of how I defined cute) were blu-uh-rrry! However as I grew older, I began to see things more clearly. See picture right. :o)

I digress.

I loooove me some Denzel. For his fineness, HIS WALK!, and his acting chops. Except when it's time to turn on the charm, I find Denzel to be one of those rare actors who are capable of making themselves invisible and allowing the character to take shape. Pelham 123 is on my movie list this month, and just might bump one of my faves out of the top ten Denzel movie line up, which happens to be the Thursday Ten Spot.

Thursday Ten Spot

My Ten Favorite Denzel Washington Movies

1. Malcolm X  After reading the Autobigraphy upwards of six times, I felt I was actually able to spy Detroit Red with a head full of burning conk; Malcolm X as he courted Betty Shabazz; and El Hajj Malik El Shabazz praying in the mosque amongst his Muslim brothers in Mecca. His death on screen was painful and I cannot imagine what his family and followers were feeling at the time. I felt like I lived through this pivotal moment in history. I am Malcolm X. (PS. You're lying if you say you didn't laugh at the little African kids saying it at the end!)

 2. Training Day I loooove me some Alonzo like I loooove me some Denzel. This movie is an absolute detour from the do-good/feel good characters we love. Alonzo is the bad guy. A cop. A dirty one. But he's so damn good at being bad, thatI wasrooting for him just soI could see how far he could go! It's bittersweet to watch Ethan Hawke take him down, but we knew it was going to happen. And when the Russians clip his wings, it's all in keeping with one of my favorite lines of the movie...Whatever the f*ck ever.

3. Glory I love the story of Glory. I'm a littttle bit of a historyfan especially when it comes to our story. A freed slave fighting against the Confederacy but still subjected to the humiliations of being beaten as he innocently searches for shoes is captivating; just as fighting another black man about what he perceives to be Uncle Tom behaviors (in the midst of battle) holds my attention like a baby clutches a blankie. Some things just don't change.

4. American Gangster The crush of heroin in the 60's and 70's was real. Still, there was bit more compassion for the bad guy than deserved here. Is it that Denzel is just fine and I can separate the man from his deeds?! Or is it that the cop that was chasing him was flawed too and only seeking him out because his partner OD'd on the Blue Magic? Hmm. I assure you the Soundtrack had NOTHING AT ALL TO DO WITH MY CHOOSING THIS MOVIE. Even though itis a Hova love fest...;o) Hats off to Common, Chiwetel Ejiofor and IDRIS - only one name required.

5. Great DebatersA historical Black College sends its team of newbie Debaters out into the segregated population to spank that azzz! I love the underdog! Jurnee Smollett rocks in this film. And the chemistry between her and Nate Parker sizzzles!!!!                        

6. Deja Vu A flirtation with time travel/manipulating time,playing on the fears of a post 9/11 and post Katrina nation,and a chance to see Denzel get his suavemente on. (Salt and I dubbed him Georgy Porgy after he kissed Paula Patton. As kissing the girls is clearly in his contract.) The humidity of New Orleans seeps through the screen, while the Quarter is seedy and sassy at the same time. Jim Caviezel who played Jesus Christ, is convincing as the fanatic who aims to carry out Christ's work. Good stuff.

7. John Q. A hardworking family man goes to bat with hospital administration and then the popo and the SWAT team to get his boy a heart. Insurance and a twenty year bid be damned, he's gonna save his baby! Again, the underdog winnnnns!!

8. Out of Time The best thing about this movie is the first few minutes when my girl Sanaa Lathan describes her attacker to Chief Whitlock and it turns out it's only a lover's game and she's describing cutie pie Chief Whitlock as they fall to the bed!Of course when he learns he's been duped out of money, and tries to cover it up, it gets interesting, but the first five minutes....hawwwt!

9. Antwone Fisher A fantastic debut performance by Derek Luke. The scene when he found his mother was so heartfelt. I could feel his rejection and anguish, but also the peace of finally knowing. Sometimes all those emotions are hard to convey, but I thought it was a masterful job by Derek Luke and Denzel as a director.

10. He Got Game Brooklyn, Spike Lee, and Ray Allen with his beautiful smile as Jesus Shuttlesworth. Sold.

 Honorable Mention!

Mo Better Blues Brooklyn, Spike Lee, Wesley's scene on the balcony, and the term Mo' Better.

An Officer and a Gentleman  Ha. I know Denzel wasn't in 'Officer', it was Louis Gossett Jr. But couldn't you just see Denzel in the crisp whites?! Personally, I could see Denzel in Richard Gere's role: belligerent, fighting to maintain individuality, and getting his girl at the end. After all, he is Georgy Porgy.

That pose looks a lil suspect, but we're not going to talk about that.

That's my dime and two pennies folks!

Have a Happy Thursday!

***Actually she never said that about Smokey, she just always talked about going to see him at the Fox Theater Downtown Brooklyn. My mom is a Brooklyn Girl too! 

Like...

The smell of:

freshly cut grass, the asphalt after the rain (it's kinda bleachy), downy fresh sheets and towels, gasoline, gardenias, and a good cologne on fresh skin.

The feel of:

cool sheets against my legs in the summer, warm arms hugging me back, taking my feet out of my shoes at the end of the day, sunbeams on my face, a kiss that doesn't only touch my lips, but my soul, a laugh that brings me to tears, my toes in powdery sand, God's love.

The sound of:

babies laughing, a whisper, a child repeating his first word, a hot beat, an even hotter verse, a wicked tune (flatbush stand up!), a ballad, a kind word, a slot machine, Luther, the alarm clock when I'm already up and moving, ice cream truck bells, and those three words.

The sight of:

sunrise, spectacular pecs, fabulous shoes, the message light on my blackberry, words on a page that transport me, PAID OFF on a bill i didn't want to pay, an old friend popping up on Facebook, orchids and tulips, the needle on the gas tank at F, sunset.

The taste of:

pralines and cream, Popeye's biscuits with apple jelly, a Corona, and accomplishment. 

*inspired by J. McRae class of '90* ;o)

I've never shared this with the blog world, but my baby boy nephew Lil' Homie has been diagnosed as autistic. In addition to all that his parents have done, we're trying all we can to support them in getting him the most help.

Powered by volunteers and families with loved ones on the autism spectrum, this successful grassroots fundraising effort not only generates vital funds for autism research but also raises awareness about the increasing prevalence of autism and the need for increased research funding to combat this complex disorder.

 So my family and I are walking this Sunday for Lil Homie in hopes of a brighter future for him and other children just like him.  

As a child I enjoyed the innocence of playing for fun, though the win was always sweet when we beat the boys. I also enjoyed the many different ways we would use our imagination. We were never bored! We learned little things like pecking order, money talks and that you'd better be ready to rumble if you talk about someone's mother.

Still adulthood has afforded me a different type of enjoyment.

Enjoyments like knowing myself. Enjoyments like making decisions and being totally responsible for them. Enjoyments like realizing there is wisdom in being older. Not a whole lot of wisdom because as a wise man once said, 'The more I think I know, the more I realize I know nothing.' But enough wisdom to pass Go and collect my $200.

They're not conventional wisdoms, but they are wisdoms nonetheless: things I know to be true.

Thursday Friday Ten Spot

TEN THINGS I KNOW TO BE TRUE

1. Cleavage CAN work out the stickiest of situations. And it doesn't have to be yours! If your friend's got it, you're good. Let's put it like this: 96mph on the Jersey Turnpike at midnight heading to All Star Weekend in DC. Mine were laying low. But hers? On the glass....

The upshot: A warning and a smile from Officer Friendly.

This is not a get over mechanism. What this is, is the study of men and the simple way they operate. Allcan beforgiven once breasts are added to the occasion.

2. When in doubt ask. Texts get misread, words get jumbled, signals get crossed. And if you add assumptions into the mix, the probability of having a misunderstanding increases tremendously.

3. Do NOT ask a question if you really don't want to know the truth. Just don't.

4. A good shoe really doesn't hurt...til you take them off.

5. Men know what they want. Better yet, they know what they don't want. Better yet, they're crazy and they try to say it's us!

6. A TRUE friend will tell you: when you are not just wrong, but dead wrong;that it's time to buy the next size up; to put your big girl panties on and deal with it; when you're acting JUST like the heifer at your job that you can't stand; that you look beautiful.

7. The more you fight it the more you end up doing those SAME EXACT things that your mother or father did that you hated.

She picks through all the fruit in the market even though there's a line of people waiting. Guess who's going to have a long behind them in the market? Yep. You. And guess whose kid is going to be standing there pissed that they have to wait for you to do this? Yep. Yours.

8. Love MEANS having to say you're sorry. Yes, we are supposed to anticipate ways to shield loved ones from hurt, but we are not perfect. An apology will be in order at some point. It's just the way of the world.

9. Kindness and weakness are not synonyms.

10. There is only one thing that remains absolutely true. God loves you (and me).

That's my dime. Let's hear your two cents!

Have a great weekend!