Escape Concrete Jungles

Leadership Series Part 1

2011-08-22T22:10:00.002-04:00

If you can't follow, you're probably not a good leader.

That concept may be a hard pill to swallow, but it's true.

Before I go off on my spiel, let me tell you what entitles me to consider myself a great leader. First, I am an ENTJ on the Myers-Briggs personality scale. In other words, I am a natural born leader. We used to be known as the Field Marshal. Now we are known as the Executive.

Click here to learn about us. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ENTJ

Basically, even when I don't want the position of a leader, I am always selected for the role because people see these qualities in me. It has been my downfall more often than not, but it is what it is. I should also mention it is extremely rare for a female to be an ENTJ.

I have been in the workforce for 11 years. For only the first 3 of those years was I not in a leadership role. In fact, my promotion to supervisor at one of jobs was one of the fastest ascensions of that time. Now, they give out that position like candy. But when I got the position, there were many angry, bitter people who had been sitting around upwards of 7 years as a coordinator while I breezed in the door, and 2 years later, I was a boss.

It happens in every organization I'm in. I sat quietly at an election late last year. I was new to the org, and was eager to see who our newly elected officers would be. I had no desire to have a seat- after all, I was still trying to learn. Imagine my surprise when I was elected to a position that is 2 steps away from president...

And in my church group. Less than six months after joining the church I was elected vice president of a group. They rewrote the by-laws to state that vice president would automatically become president. I declined the position after a two year term as vice president, and asked not to be nominated for any more executive committee positions. Why? Because at the same time I held exec committee positions in no less than 3 other organizations- one of which had me in the role of president. Even natural born leaders have a breaking point. Plus it would be a great disservice to all the organizations to have my attentions divided so much. Jack of all trades, master of none.

Other people would accept all these positions like accolades, and even beg for more. The problem with today's society is that they are too many chiefs and not enough Indians.

Everyone wants to be the boss. Everyone wants that promotion. But most people suck at leadership.

The reason why I was such a good boss was because I first was a great employee. I was rarely late. I never complained about working long hours. I understood the big picture. Though I hate politics, as I matured I learned how to play the game.

As a boss, I was firm, but fair. I never held my employees to standards that I didn't hold myself to. I believed in employee development, and it was my sincere goal to mold my employees into leaders as well. Unlike insecure leaders who put as many positions as possible between themselves and their subordinates for job security, I actually wanted to create supervisor and team leader positions to give my crew something to work towards. When people feel like they are blocked with no where to go their performance suffers. And I have super high standards for my squad.

Want to be a good leader? First learn how to follow.

Want to be a good leader? Second build a strong team.

Want to be a good leader? Third learn that respect is earned, not given. Just because you're the boss does not mean that they owe you a shred of respect. Give them something to respect.

Want to be a good leader? Stay in your lane. Don't be so busy worrying about everyone else's role and what they are doing wrong and what they could be doing better that you forget your own responsibilities. This happened to me recently. Someone was so concerned with telling me how to do each and every facet of my position (as president by the way, you'd think the person you elected to lead has a little common sense, right?) that they forgot each and every facet of what THEY were supposed to do that day. Keep your own house in order.

Want to be a good leader? Delegate. When you allow people to take on more you allow everyone to develop a skill, and you don't tire yourself out trying to be a superhero. That cape is hot in the summertime.

I'll be writing much, much more on leadership. Not only do I have nearly a decade of various leadership positions under my belt, and not only am I a born leader, BUT I have also taken many professional trainings and development courses on the subject. I'm not saying I'm the expert- but you'll definitely pick up a gem or two. Stay tuned...

Natural Hair Video Uploads!!!

2011-07-09T21:49:00.000-04:00

Hey guys! I haven't forgotten about my blog. I've been super busy this year, but I have taken the time to make several Youtube videos with tutorials and product reviews to help my fellow transitioning and natural sisters on their journeys. Take a look. I do reviews on Kinky Curly Curling Custard, the Mixed Silk line by Silk Elements, and there are a few videos on 2 strand twists.

http://www.youtube.com/user/BrooklynEscapades

Please rate, comment and subscribe! I don't have many subscribers yet, but when I reach 100 I will do a giveaway, and then do one at each milestone (500, 1000, 5000, and gasp! 10,000).

I really think Youtube has been instrumental in helping me learn and love my tresses, and I want to give back some of the knowledge I have gleaned along the way! Happy hair growing!

-Escape Brooklyn

"Mixed Silk" Shampoo by Silk Elements

2011-06-09T21:05:00.001-04:00

I washed my hair with "Mixed Silk" shampoo by the Silk Elements line. Here is a video review. I give this product 2 big thumbs up! Hydrating, moisturizing, and non-stripping without leaving buildup. I definitely recommend this product to ladies of all hair types.

Natural Hair Care Can Be Expensive

2011-03-09T01:53:00.000-05:00

If you're trying to save money by skipping weekly visits to the hair salon or beauty salon, going natural won't aid you in the regard. Natural hair care is just as, if not more expensive than caring for relaxed hair. Good, mid to high range sulfate, salt and silicone free products can be costly so carefully consider the reasons why you are starting this journey.

Tangle Teezer to the Rescue?

2011-02-26T01:29:00.001-05:00

YAY! I ordered my Tangle Teezer tonight from Sallybeauty.com. I'll post a review once I get it!

My Hair at One Year Post Relaxer (Video)

2011-02-22T03:14:00.000-05:00

As promised, more of what you love. Hair care info! I thank God for Youtube and hair boards. They have truly been a friend to me on this natural hair journey. It's so much easier for someone to go natural now. I hope to be a source of support and info as others have been for me.

Look out for many more hair care videos to come. I have filmed dozens, I just need to post them. I also have videos coming up on Customer Service, and of course, my escape from Concrete Jungles. Stay tuned!

Big Red X on Ipod Screen (What Apple Doesn't Want You To Know)

2011-02-04T03:37:00.004-05:00

You know what they say. Arm yourself with knowledge.

So I'm up working on the late night tip and discovered that my ipod might be truly broken and beyond recovery. I started to cry some baby tears because this ipod is VERY well taken care of. It's my second ipod. The first one (a 30 gig) still works well but I ran out of space so I gave it to one of my teens. I then went out and purchased a 160 gig Classic. I keep it in a case that covers every centimeter of it except the click wheel. I have never dropped it or gotten it wet. I only use it when connected it to either the jack in my car or my Bose Sound Dock. So imagine my surprise when this ugly scary message wouldn't leave my ipod screen:

www.apple.com/support/ipod

After trying all the normal steps on apples website to the point of my thumbs hurting, I decided to search youtube. And voila! There were like 2 videos on the art of smacking an ipod back into shape. When I tell you I beat this ipod like it stole something (with open palm of course- and taking care not to damage the screen)... Anyway, the ipod kicked itself right out of purgatory and into the land of the living. I got a plug icon on the screen which prompted me to plug the ipod into my laptop to restore it.

Yes, I said RESTORE. Unfortunately you will have to restore your baby to factory settings if you ever see this nasty error. But it's a small price to pay as opposed to a brand new ipod or a trip to the Apple store for repairs. Wouldn't you agree? And though I have become an Apple FanGirl over the years and destest all Microsoft products, I am not trying to put more zeros in Steve Jobs bank account. I haven't even had this ipod two years. I am NOT trying to shell out hundreds of dollars on another one- or even one dollar on servicing this one. So I tried a simple method and had rousing success. Try searching apples website for any real answers and you'll end up with red thumbtips and a nice fat bill from "The Genius Squad" at your local Apple Store.

I would encourage everyone to try little remedies like this first before shelling out the big bucks at shops or replacing an item. I wouldn't recommend opening up the case and fiddling around with chips and wires- but if a good smack on the back of an ipod can save me some dough- I'm all for it. Of course I'll pass that knowledge on to you.

So faithful readers, always back up your music, movies, games etc. And when your ipod acts up- slap that sucka back in line with a few well placed pops.

Miami "Cold" Snap

2010-12-14T00:54:00.002-05:00

View outside my 3rd floor brownstone apartment in Brooklyn, New York after a snow storm in 2006. Yes, those are two cars next to him.

A friend just called me on some "Wooo Lawd" mess because it's considered "cold" in Miami. I guess, if you have nothing else to compare it to. Don't get me wrong- you need a jacket. But all this "Ooooo it's so cold" and calling on the Lord for 50 degrees and a little wind... Over the top.

Entire street outside that same window.

What do they know about cold so brutal you feel it with every fiber of your being? Wind that takes away your breath in your throat? Cold that makes your eyes water and turn your tears to ice on your cheek? Cold that freezes the tips of ears, noses, fingers and toes? Cold that cracks lips, skin and leather? Cold that makes every orifice in your upper body leak? And what of the snow? Snow that buries everything in it's wake? Including your front steps, your car, your legs up to the knee and your dog if you're silly enough to walk him? But wait. It gets worse! When you make it to a safe haven, away from the cold, wind and possible snow your body begins to thaw out, sending sharp needles of pain throughout your system as the blood begins to flow to those frozen limbs.

View outside my back window. THIS is a good gauge of how rough it was because unlike the front which must be shoveled and paved for pedestrians backyards are left to their own devices until the snow melts.

If you're not stomping snow off your Timbs upon entering a building, or rubbing your hands together while you blow on them to spark a 'lil heat, if you're not covering from toe tip to head top in boots, underarmor, tights, thermal socks, heavy jeans, a knee length or longer fleece lined coat, Isotoner gloves, a t-shirt, a sweater, a scarf long enough to wrap around your chest inside the coat, come up over the neck of the coat to wrap around your neck and come up over your lips right under your eyes which are covered with shades or glasses, replete with a hat, and ear muffs then you my friend ARE NOT COLD. Oh yeah- your little ipods/phones/pads would short out right in your ear if you try to have some tunes to keep your company on your trek ON FOOT through a North East Tundra. So run the 5 feet from your condo to your car that I'm sure has heat to go along with that AC, put on a jacket and suck it up.

Love,

A Nor' Easter.

RYNGRUPEVEF3

The Fleecing of America Part #1: High School Graduations

2010-11-19T03:51:00.003-05:00

Some of you may know that my oldest "baby" graduated from High School this past year. Friday, June 11, 2010 to be exact. To make a very long story short, I calculate that I shelled out close to five thousand dollars on her during the course of her senior year.

I know. You're sitting there with your mouth agape. And though I can't remember ALL the fees, I do remember getting a "checklist" when she was a junior. Many of those activities, events and items cost well over $500. There were at least ten things on the list. Now, even though she didn't do all of them, she did enough. Coupled with her cotillion which took place that Sunday, June 13, 2010, I can safely say I spent well over $4,000 on baby girl.

Now, I'm not a penny pincher. Though I am not living as glamorously as I did when I was working in corporate America and getting bonus checks that were 5 digits, I still like to have nice things. I drive a late model car, that I purchased brand new. In fact, out of the five cars I've purchased in my life, three of them were brand new. Though I maintain my hair at home now- it's mostly because I'm trying keep it healthy and getting it fried, dyed and laid to the side every week at Maria's Dominicana Salon or Bonita's Bump N Curl kinda counteract that goal. However, I get my pink and white manicures, pedicures and eyebrows done on the reg. I still shop, eat out, purchase gadgets, do a bit of traveling, tithe (yes, 10%. Praise God from whom all blessings flow). But I'm sorry, thousands of bucks for a graduation, especially in this economy is some bull.

Keep in mind, I just got married last September. We're still paying for something things from that event. Though we paid for a lot of things cash and many other things were gifted to us from family and loved ones- we still paid a pretty penny for our wedding. We had about 100 guests, give or take 5 or 10. We had an open bar at a restaurant that overlooks the water and has an amazing view of the Miami night sky line. We had a lavish buffet, a stretch Hummer... yadda yadda yadda. So yeah. We already paid out the wazoo for our wedding. After all, me and the marriage thing is a ONE time event. So fairy tale it had to be. But over the top graduations... No.

I'm going to her THIRD graduation this year next Tuesday. She graduated from basic training back in September. She graduates from AIT next week. I'm sure the Army will have another 5 graduations before it's all said and done. And of course, she'll graduate from undergrad, grad and hopefully post grad schools. So...

I guess what I'm ranting about is the fact that these companies are pimping the hell out of these kids and their parents. We are not rich. When I had my big corporate America job I was upper middle classed at best. Now that I'm doing my own thing I'm scraping along the fringes of lower middle class, and POOR. So imagine my surprise when my 16 year old junior called me yesterday to tell me that HER ring is pricing out at a cool $700? Her sisters, just last year was $600. Are they mad?

And then if you try to get yours done with another vendor, they bar your child from participating in the ring ceremony which is supposed to be the "official moment when juniors become rising seniors". I saw the sadness in my 16 year olds eyes when I said "Hell to the no!" Well, actually I said "Absolutely not!", but I was thinking the former. Of course, after thinking about it, I can NOT deny her what her sister had just last year. Especially when she's doing so well in school, and balances all her activities and studies to perfection. In fact, because she's such a super girl, she's being honored at an event this Saturday. She won't even be around to accept the award (I'm accepting it on her behalf). She'll be out of town at a weekend conference for one of her organizations. Did I mention she's also been tapped to be on the Board of Directors at a non-profit that mentors inner city youth? So yeah, she deserves to get the ring she wants. But why does it have to be so damned expensive?!

Last point- after my oldest graduated last year there was this vendor outside selling replicas of their diplomas at $35 a pop. I know how much it costs to make those little plaque thingys. En masse- probably about $5 each. So do the math. 700 graduating seniors x $30 profits = $21,000 at ONE graduation. These companies are coming up on us and pimping us for every dollar in our pocket and we just smile and ask may we have another. I promise if we have more kids we won't even get sucked into this mess. And they won't know any better because we never exposed them to any of it to begin with.

#END RANT#

Happy Anniversary! 1+ Year Post Relaxer

2010-10-11T22:32:00.001-04:00

As I stated in my earlier blog about Brazillian Keratin Treatments I am transitioning my hair from relaxed to natural, which for me will mean relaxer free. It has been a long journey full of self discovery and enlightnment, but it has also had some low points like close mindedness from others, setbacks (I lost about a sixth of my hair on one side due to someone who was doing my hair not taking the time to detangle properly) and just downright fatigue.

As I stated in another post It's Just Hair! Don't make it more than it is. Do what you want to do with your hair because at the end of the day what you put in yours doesn't hinder or benefit mine and vice versa. I am a very strong minded person and don't mind having a discussion about an issue, but make no mistake about it- once my mind is made up it's made up and nothing you say or do will change my opinion.

Unlike some women who have chosen this journey, I don't look down on women who continue to relax their hair. Shoot, everyone who knows me KNOWS I love a freshly done Dominican blow out. I loved the way my hair looked relaxed. The thing was, it was TOO relaxing. It gets boring after a while. There is but so much you can do with bone straight hair. Going natural means I can be bone straight on Friday and curly wild child tresses on Sunday. That's the versatiliy of it all. Also, I think we all know that any type of chemcial altering to your hair damages it by design. The actual process of chemically treating your hair means you are breaking down the hair strand to rebuild it into something else. Whether that rebuilding means straight to curly, curly to straight, keratin in gaps, dark hair stripped to apply a lighter color etc, your hair is forever changed. Eventually thinning will occur because hair can't withstand all that forever. And don't come telling me about your relaxed hair grandnana who still has hair to her butt. It may be to her butt- but is it full and healthy? I would never trade long hair for healthy hair. If my hair was a finger snap long but full, healthy and shiny as opposed to waist length and ratty with see-through ends I'll stick with finger snap all day long.

But yeah, happy anniversary to me! I had planned on blowing out my hair this week to see how much it has grown but I'm good. I really don't care. I wear it twisted most of the time anyway so it doesn't matter at this juncture how long it is. I just can't wait to trim off the last of these straight ends!

Here are some pictures I took the other night with my phone. Not the best resolution but you get the point.

Lata!

HAIR IN 4 SECTIONS. MAKES FOR EASY WASHING AND DETANGLING. I'LL EXPLAIN IN A LATER BLOG.

HAIR IS PAST SHOULDERS

NEED TO CLIP THESE SCRAGGLY ENDS! BUT STILL WANNA ROCK A PONYTAIL EVERY NOW AND THEN SO FOR NOW I WAIT!

CURLY ROOTS, RELAXED ENDS. CAN'T WAIT TO HAVE JUST ONE TEXTURE!!!

Church of the Open Door Women's Weekend 2010

2010-10-11T18:43:00.001-04:00

Living and Working to promote God's Will is the theme of this years Women's Weekend! Our featured guest speaker is the amazing Bernadette A. Morris, CEO of Sonshine Communications, Black PR Wire and Women Grow Strong. These workshops are FREE to the public and include continental breakfast and lunch. You may register on our website, http://churchoftheopendoormiami.org/ or by e-mailing secretary@churchoftheopendoormiami.org. See you there!

Nearly 1 Year Post Relaxer...

2010-10-09T23:48:00.007-04:00

I know, I don't update. But reading an article a friend sent me about the dangers of Brazillian Keratin Treatments, or BKT as some ladies call it, I felt compelled to say something.

First, I got a Brazillian Keratin treament earlier this year. I was convinced by my stylist and a good friend of mine that it would help me in my journey away from chemicals and into my natural haired state. The reasons why I took the plunge were:

1. I was having a lot of issues with my hair. To this day I think I had the urban myth of scab hair on my head. After I stopped using relaxers I thought that the full, thick, kinky curly tresses of my childhood that I would see in my new growth would quickly reappear. They didn't, and instead an ugly, dry tangled mat of unruliness adorned the top of my head to the point where I wanted to slap a perm in it and keep it moving. BKT seemed like a less caustic alternative.

2. I was told that BKT was made up mostly of keratin, which is supposedly healthy for your hair.

3. BKT was supposed to "fill the gaps in my hair cuticles" that had been damaged by relaxers, styling and heat.

4. Though my hair would still look beautiful when blown straight, it lacked shine. I was told that BKT would give me that glossy look that I had been so used to my whole relaxed life.

5. I like being the first among my friends to do stuff. I like to be the trendsetter, not the follower. ;)

Here are the reasons I STOPPED BKT'ing after that one time. No, I do NOT use BKT on my hair any longer and heres why:

1. It's too expensive! Who has $200+ to spend in one sitting? In addition to the regular visits to the stylist?

2. It's too caustic. I shouldn't be about to faint from the smell of my stylist applying it. Similarly, she should not be donning a gas mask and butchers apron with gloves up to her arpits either. If the stylist needs THAT much protection from the chemical during the application process why the heck should I put that mess on my HEAD?

3. It's still a chemical. Stopping relaxers and opting for BKT instead is doing nothing but going from one chemical dependency to another.

4. After you first get it done you can't get your hair wet for like 3 days. I live in South Florida. Sometimes I get caught in the rain. I also can't take a shower without the nape of my hair getting wet. $250 down the drain is not a good look.

5. Though my hair was fly afterwards, it wasn't fly enough to justify aallllll that stuff I just listed. I'll put up some pictures of my hair relaxer straight and BKT straight and you be the judge.

So there you have it. Ladies you make the decision for what is right for YOUR head. I'm not here to tell you how to live your life or to argue about what's healthy, cost effecient or whatever. But for Ms. Escape Brooklyn, I'll stick to the basics in hair care from now on.

She's Apologized, Let's Move On.

2010-06-22T17:41:00.005-04:00

You'd have to be living in a soundproof room in your mother's basement not to have seen or heard about the Seattle police officer caught on tape punching a teen who was resisting arrest in the face.

This blog will be brief. I agree that old girl was WRONG AND A HALF for resisting arrest. But the officer needs to be retrained. Punching a female in the face should never be an answer for any man unless his life is at risk. And don't get me started on the fact that this was a little girl and he's a grown MAN. I mean come on now.

I don't even want to spend too much time on the subject, because she's apologized and he's back on his beat. But word to the wise young world, when a police officer tells you to comply- just do it. You'll have your day in court later. And to officers who think that young black women are punching bags- find another profession. Next time you might not get to skate on the situation so easily.

It's Just Hair!

2010-06-15T21:59:00.007-04:00

Why are black people so caught up on hair?

It's a question I keep asking myself as I deal with the barrage of confusion that people feel towards me for deciding to go natural.

My entire adult life, and most of my childhood I have had relaxed hair. Last year, after my wedding I decided I had enough of caustic, toxic, dangerous chemicals. I stopped relaxing or "perming" my hair and went natural.

I am transitioning my hair as opposed to doing a "big chop", which means that I am simply allowing the relaxer to grow out instead of cutting all the relaxed hair off.

Transitioning your hair is not easy. Your hair is very fragile along the line of demarcation which is the point where your natural new growth ends and the chemically treated relaxed hair begins. If you aren't careful your hair could completely snap off along that line of demarcation. However, if you do the chop, you will lose inches and inches of hair, depending on how long your hair is.

So you have to baby your hair. That includes minimizing heat and manipulation. I have been wearing twist outs to protect my hair. That means that I wash and condition my hair, add some curl defining products and then twist my hair in straw sized twists. Once they are dry I untwist them leaving my hair wavy and curly. I, emphasis on I, think my hair looks BEAUTIFUL.

However, there are many people who don't like natural black hair. Anything but bone straight hair is considered ugly. You expect people who are not of African descent to think that our hair in it's natural state is unpretty. But unfortunately it's been my fellow black and brown people who have been the most discouraging about my transition. I have heard everything from:

"What did you do to your hair?"
"I like your hair better straight!"
"You had such pretty hair. What happened?"
"Are you trying to get dredlocks?"
"Why would someone with good hair try to get bad hair?"

And on, and on and on.

We are so brainwashed. We need to be educated on how to care for and love our hair, but never losing sight of the fact that...

IT'S

JUST

HAIR

!

In this instance, it's MY hair. I have made the decision to go natural. I remember a few weeks ago I brushed out my hair to put it in a curlytail aka a curly ponytail. It was the first time that I had felt that texture in my own head in years. I said "Hello hair! Long time no see!" And it felt good.

I for one refuse to put any more caustic, abrasive chemicals in my hair. I am accepting the tresses that The Lord has blessed me with. Yeah, my hair doesn't look it's sexiest during this awkward transition, but when all the relaxed hair is gone and my natural kinky curly qs are making up 100% of my hair I will be super happy!

This is probably my longest blog ever, full of digressions and ramblings, but here are three reasons why natural hair is better for me:

1) I can go curly OR straight! Relaxed hair can only be straight.
2) My natural hair has twice the volume than my relaxed hair.
3) My relaxed hair seems to have a terminal length. Yes, I keep it clipped and cut just under my shoulders, but I'm not sure it would grow much longer than that if I kept it going. Yet I am 8+ months post relaxer and my hair is growing faster than ever.

That's it for now. Stay tuned for more on my hair journey.

Doing Me

2010-05-27T23:55:00.003-04:00

It's a truly rewarding experience to work for self.

I punch no time clocks.

I answer to no one.

If I don't work, I don't eat. It's incentive stay busy and stay on my grind.

To that end, it feels so good to go that extra mile to the benefit of myself and my own family. When you work for others all your hard work is strictly for them. Yes, you may get a pat on the back. Maybe even a little bonus or a promotion. But nothing beats doing it for dolo.

I realize that I didn't mention that I am no longer with that large South Florida non-profit. Yes, I'm on my own now. My client roster is growing by the day. I realized something was wrong when I started turning down clients to keep my day job. It quickly dawned on me I could make more money on my own than working for someone else.

It's not just about the money though. Money isn't everything. As the greatest book in the world states "The love of money is the root of all evil." So I try not to base my happiness or lack thereof on whether I do or don't have money. As long as my family is "comfortable" and not wanting for anything I am good!

It's about being able to take vacations when I want.

It's about being able to work on my schedule.

It's about staying home to raise my children. I was never in daycare a day in my life. I have vowed that I would never put my children there either.

It's about being in traffic on the way to fun. Not because I'm in some cranky commute.

So stay with me as I take a leap out on faith. I can always go back to work for someone else if this doesn't pan out. But so far everything is looking beautiful!

Self Destruction 2010

2010-05-21T18:13:00.004-04:00

The following note was taken from my surrogate brother's Facebook page after we witnessed a mob inciting a riot near JFK Middle School in North Miami Beach Florida. Parents, WHEN WILL WE STEP UP AND TAKE CHARGE OF OUR CHILDREN SO THAT THEY NO LONGER BEHAVE AS BLOOD THIRSTY ANIMALS INSTEAD OF YOUNG KINGS AND QUEENS WITH THE WORLD AT THEIR FEET? ENOUGH!

Destruction of Generation Me-Me-Me

Today at 6:04pm

With each passing day, I realize that today's teens are like black holes with nothingness there and quickly need to find Jesus. My sister and I were driving and happened to see a literal mob of about 100 additional teens following one frightened boy walking like he was about to sprint away from them at any minute. We asked if he was okay and he said no. We told him to jump in the car to make a speedy get away from the mob. Apparently, the frightened boy was using the phone of a girl that was deep inside that mob. Once he jumped into the car, the dizzy girl yelled, "give me back my phone." He did that but by doing that, it stopped us for a second and some idiot from the crowd of teens threw a rock at our car. I stopped the car because I was about to wreck shop (but then my sister screamed to zoom off). I thought about it as I was dialing 911 to get this kid some help: Yeah, they were much younger than me but who knows what weapons they may have had and a mob is still a mob. We ended up calling the police. There was a delay in them finding us because I told them an address but gave the wrong street number, which was one block over because that was the last street I saw before turning off. When the cops arrived, they'd told us they came from the original spot from where that fight had taken place. That boy had already been beaten because he had a bruise on his lip that the cops noticed before we did. The cops took it from there and said they would handle it. But the fact still remains that a group of 100 were going to jump, stomp and possibly murder some 8th grader over some simple, silly bull-ish. Had my sister and I not been at the right (or wrong depending how you see it) place at the right time, that 8th grade kid would've ended up like Chicago's Derrion Albert, who if you don't know, was attacked and murdered with a 2x4 as he was walking home from school. We have to wake these teens up and the generation after them to see there is a future out there for them if they just keep their eye on the prize and not try to be the biggest thug on the block or else the world will end like the movie Children of Men.

I Got The Power!

2010-05-21T03:03:00.008-04:00

So many people are caught up in the struggle to gain power. They pursue power as if it were their lifes breath. And yet the reality of it is, there is no such thing as power. Only the perception of power. Absolute power absolutely does not exist.

I know you, my kinda faithful readers are shaking your heads while reading this blog. I know you guys are thinking I've fallen and bumped my noggin. But think about it. From your uptight boss, to your 8th period physics teacher to the state trooper giving you a ticket on the 95. None of those people have any real power. Everyone borrows clout from someone or something else. It may be the threat of being fired, or the risk of failing that big exam, or the $500 fine and points on your license that makes you submit to "authority". But at the end of the day your boss has a boss who has a boss who has a boss who reports to the board of directors who report to stockholders. Your teacher has a principal, who reports to the chancellor, who reports to the mayor who reports to the voters. The state trooper is a part of a bureaucracy that I won't even begin to break down. So in a nutshell, no one has any real power.

Then why do people toss their weight around as if their first name were Barack? Second name Obama? Maybe they're compensating for something missing in their lives. Maybe they get off on the perception of power. Maybe they are just truly evil cretins. Who can say? (It's interesting to note here that Mr. Obama may be the POTUS, but he can barely open an envelope without 38495950 Republicans jumping down his throat. Some power for the leader of the free world. But that's a whole nother topic.)

I'm not advocating cursing out your boss, flipping your teacher the bird or leading a state trooper on a 3 county high speed chase. No indeedy. What I'm saying is, don't be a jerk. If you are someone who is perceived as a person of power, don't abuse it. Don't trample on the little guy. Don't treat people as if they are beneath you. There's an old saying in the ruthless, cuththroat, go-getter lifestyle that is New York City Corporate America. It goes like this "The people you climb on to get to the top of the ladder will be the same ones you pass on the way down." So follow the golden rule. I know it's super trite but seriously, do unto others as you would have them do unto you.

Yes, I've had a crazy week with a bunch of crazy, power hungry individuals in different settings and all I have to say is you can't take it with you. We all serve a higher being, whether it's God, Yahweh, Allah or something that I won't even give space to in my blog. Know that you will have zero power when you meet that higher being. Simmer on that.

The 42nd Annual Pink Tea Concert featuring Alice Day, Internationally Renowned Jazz Vocalist and Miami Born Star

2010-05-15T18:42:00.008-04:00

THE CHURCH OF THE OPEN DOOR (UCC)

TO HOLD

42^ND ANNUAL PINK TEA CONCERT

FEATURING WORLD RENOWNED JAZZ ARTIST

ALICE DAY

Jazz Great Alice Day will perform many of her international jazz hits!

WHO: The Church of the Open Door (UCC) and Jazz Artist Alice Day.

WHAT: The Church of the Open Door (UCC) in Miami will hold its 42^nd Annual Pink Tea Concert with jazz artist Alice Day as headliner. The Pink Tea Concert is The Church of the Open Door’s annual fundraiser. All donations generated by the concert will benefit the church mission and wider church ministries supporting the local community, disaster relief, children, hunger, and homeless ministries.

WHEN: Sunday, May 16, 2010, at 4:00 p.m.

WHERE: The Church of the Open Door 6001 NW 8^th Avenue Miami FL, 33127

WHY: Brenda Wilson, President of Circle 1 of the Women’s Fellowship, Church of the Open Door Miami said “We are thrilled to continue our legacy of magnificent entertainment at our Pink Tea Concert with world renowned Alice Day as our guest artist. We expect this to be a fabulous event!”

The Church of the Open Door Congregational, United Church of Christ (UCC) is a steady growth church in Miami, Florida. Our church has a rich legacy and history beginning in May 1958 and spanning over fifty years. As we journey through the next fifty years we aim to continue to grow in membership, faith, and community outreach. The Church of the Open Door objective is to bind together followers of Jesus Christ for the purpose of sharing in the worship of God and making His will dominate in the lives of people, individually and collectively, especially as that will is set forth in the life, teachings, death, resurrection, and the living presence of Jesus Christ. Our vision statement, adopted in June 2003, proclaims that We shall be a Holy Spirit filled Church, obeying the Word of God, serving and advancing the purity, power and passion of Jesus Christ, while capturing and empowering God's Community. Our mission is to holistically empower the members of our Church and our Community, while serving as an Oasis of Resources for those who are in a Desert of Need. For additional information go to:

http://churchoftheopendoormiami.org/

Can anything good come out of Liberty City?

2010-05-15T18:03:00.009-04:00

Someone well versed in NYC real estate once told me that you could tell a neighborhood was gentrifying when the liquor stores and chicken shacks were replaced with fruit and vegetable stands and coffee shops. I didn't believe it until the local fried fish/seafood restaurant on Broadway near Kosciusko in Bed Sty was transformed into a fruit and veggie stand as more and more Caucasians stood shoulder to shoulder with me on the train to commute to work.

I was reminded of this today in a conversation about why District 5, which encompasses Liberty City, Little Haiti, Wynwood, and Overtown is so desolate. I don't live anywhere near that area. In fact, I live over 100 blocks away. I'm so far North in Miami I could walk across the county line into Broward within minutes. However, anywhere black and brown people reside sparks an interest in me.

We have to do more than offer lip service. It's high time someone gets up and makes the changes that are so desperately needed in District 5. In an area that's been littered with false promises, allegations of shady doings, court proceedings, arrests and the like, it's almost like a complacency has settled over District 5.

I am proof positive that out of heartbreak and pain can come positivity. Who would have thought that the little girl born to a teen mom in a lower middle class neighborhood in NYC would go on to do some of the things that I have done? Be the places that I have been? Work for the places I have worked? Have the dreams that I hope to realize? We need to foster that same hope in the generations behind us. It sounds so trite- but that No Child Left Behind slogan rings true- "We must lift as we climb to leave no child behind."

That also involves not becoming successful and running away from "the hood" into Broward County because we're so "above it all". Stay and help make some of those much needed changes. Convert the liquor and number running shack into that healthy fruit stand that sells snacks to the kids that will do the body good. Build a community garden in the vacant lot on the corner. Patronize black businesses- and if you ARE a black business offer something that seems to lack in our shops- GOOD CUSTOMER SERVICE. No, that's not an exception. It's basically the rule. There also needs to be some real revitalization, which means job creation. It's great that Walgreens and Jackson Hewitt have a thriving business, but what about health clinics? Book stores? A Whole Foods? A movie theater? A bistro? What about a good old fashioned jazz cafe? I'm just throwing some things out there. Don't say it can't happen. I'll point you no further than downtown Brooklyn, New York for evidence that it most certainly CAN happen.

I could go on for hours, but I'll close this by saying change is coming to District 5. I plan to put all my support behind it because I for one want politicians to put up or shut up. LIVES depend on it.

All I do is win, win, win no matter what!

2010-05-08T11:52:00.007-04:00

Well, not really. But you're never too old for make believe. :)

I took a great social media course by Manny Sarmiento. To say that he's a guru would be an understatement. People, if you're looking to learn the nuts and bolts of this new world of marketing please track Manny down and sign up for one of his courses. If you think that you're on the cusp of social media simply because you have a facebook fan page and twitter page you are wrong! There's so much more to it.

For example, I was breezing through Facebook today and a friend of mine had yet another annoying sales pitch urging readers to call her 800 number to get into some MLM program she's in. She probably thinks she'll grow her business that way, and that's usually how people pitch their products. But honestly, would YOU call her 800 number when hit with a daily barrage of messages selling you something? No? Then don't do it to other people. There's a trick to lure in buyers but that aint it. Manny will tell you how it's done. To that end, this blog, and my church's blog will be updated more regularly. So no more months between posts. You'll get something fresh out the oven at least twice a week.

I can go on and on about Manny's courses (which will be offered as a full fledged certification program at Millennia Atlantic University soon). But what I really want to say is that I have so much I want to accomplish in 2010 and the year is half way out. Right now I'm working on completing the mba primer so I can attend graduate school. I just started a new job about 3 months ago. I am the Communications and PR manager for a large South Florida non-profit. That job keeps me plenty busy, along with my side business which is a fledgling media company that does film/photography/web. My 18 year old is weeks from graduating High School, so there's senior prom, her cotillion, and graduation coming up. I'm in the process of moving into a new house. My husband just had knee surgery. I am super busy on committees at my church- oh yeah, so stay tuned for tomorrows blog. We have a historic event coming up that I want half of Miami to attend!

My life is just so full. So if you look back at my old blog posts where my life was pretty sparse and fastfoward a few years to what's going on now... night and day. I thank GOD for all his blessings! God has definitely been working in my life so I will always give him all the praise, honor and glory! Amen!

Post Turkey/Black Fri Day Check In

2009-11-30T03:41:00.004-05:00

I absolutely have not forgotten about my readers, as dwindling as that number may have become. I guess I neglect this page for the same reason I can't get into twitter. Though I love to write, I just can't do it on command like that. And if I have nothing to say, I don't write. So much has happened since my last post and I would love to share it with the world- or at least the faithful readers that remain. I'll play with the privacy settings to go in about a few things that I don't want to necessarily be public right now. What I can share with the world is that I am almost finished with a portfolio that encompasses ALL my work. At first I had one that was strictly photographic in nature but since who I am is so much more than a photog I decided to pull together the whole kit and kaboodle. I'll post it here when it's done.

How have you all been? Feel free to bang back: escapebrooklyn[at]gmail.com . Besitos.

Good Customer Service is NOT optional!

2009-10-19T22:02:00.004-04:00

In a time where we need to stretch a dollar that's lost all it's elasticity, great customer service is the order of the day. Point blank, if you are giving lousy customer service, you need to shutter your doors because people aren't making much money, and for sure they will NOT be forking it over to you when your attitude and goods are crappy.

Case in point, LIMOS OF MIAMI. I just filed a complaint with the Better Business Bureau due to shady business dealings, unprofessionalism and a few other issues surrounding my wedding day. Oh and by the way, aside from LIMOS OF MIAMI our day was super amazing, beautiful, elegant, romantic and just downright INCREDIBLE. I have 500+ pics taken by family and friends, but I want to wait for the professional ones to come in before I create a slide show. Hopefully I'll have something to put up within a month.

But back to LIMOS OF MIAMI. Here is the complaint I filed with BBB. I'll wait to hear from them to see if we can forge an amicable solution to this situation. To date I've only posted this complaint here, and on a BBB affiliate website. But the internet reaches far and wide and there are PLENTY of other places that I'm poised to post this review. So LIMOS OF MIAMI, do the right thing. Admit your driver was unprofessional, tacky and out of order. Utilize excellent customer service skills and ask me, the customer, if there is anything you can do to resolve the situation. If not, expect your prom season calendar to be wide open. You WILL NOT do business in our communities if you don't respect us and our buying power!

Without further adeiu, here is my review on LIMOS OF MIAMI:

My wedding was on Saturday 9/19/09. The driver was to pick us up in a stretch Hummer at 6PM. He arrived at 637PM, long after most of the guests had left, thus defeating the purpose of us having a high profile vehicle. The driver did have the red carpet, as promised, but no disco ball, no complimentary champagne, no water or anything but hot club soda to drink. When I asked him about the drinks he told me it wasn't included in the package. I passed my blackberry up to the front for him to review the e-mail I pulled up between myself and one of their employees when we were working out the details of the day. The driver scanned the e-mail, and dismissed my request stating that the drinks came with a hourly rate package, not a transport. Nowhere in the chain of e-mail communique with their company did they specify a difference between the hourly rate and a transport. I told the driver this fact. He put the car in park on a busy Miami street, jumped out, opened up my door and confronted me in front of my entire wedding party. When I tried to diffuse the situation by telling him to forget it, and just to drive on, he demanded that I, the bride, produce a credit card for him to take an imprint of and sign it immediately or he would throw my wedding party out onto the street. He assumed that I would try to stop payment on the account, which was the furthest thing from my mind at the time. I asked was he serious, and he said "very". I didn't even think I had a credit card on me at first because what bride walks around with a wallet on her wedding day? Thankfully, one of my bridesmaids had removed my purse from my vehicle and brought it along in the limo with us so I had a card to give the driver. Humiliated, I signed the bill so we could stop the embarrassing display. He had second thoughts about what he did because after dropping us off at the reception site he tried to apologize. I didn't want to talk to him at that point but I e-mailed the company one week after returning from my honeymoon to find out why he did what he did. To date my e-mail has gone unanswered so it's safe to assume they take no issue with the unprofessional behavior of their driver and condone his actions.

City Crab in Miami, Florida

2009-06-24T16:57:00.008-04:00

People who know me very well know that I love seafood! I will tear up some shrimp, snow crab, crawfish, lobster and certain types of fish (fillets only, no heads, no bones, no catfish). I was recently introduced to conch by my male bff aka my little brother and I'm hooked! So imagine my excitement when my favorite blog on the web (aside from my own) bloggingblackmiami.com/ started bigging up a new seafood restaurant named City Crab Miami.

Here is my review, short and sweet:

I went there craving garlic crabs but had to settle for shrimp because they had run out. How do you run out of crab when you are named City Crab? I was instantly annoyed and thought to myself "This is why I go to chain restaurants" until I feasted on the shrimp. The owner put his foot in that meal! It was to die for. It left me wanting more so I looked up the number to call today to see if they had crab delivered so I could pick up dinner. Surprise! The phone is disconnected. I find myself thinking those chain restaurant thoughts again... Small business owners, especially black small business owners. We MUST do better. If you are going to start something up make sure you have enough to meet your supply and demand. And above all, make sure your utilities are on at all costs! It is VERY tacky to have a disconnected business number. I hope this gets squared away immediately because I would love to see them flourish and spread out into different cities. With food that delicious it's very possible!

After I posted the review on another site I realized that I might hurt the owner's feelings. I considered e-mailing the webmaster and having them remove my post. However, I thought twice about it. If you're in business for yourself you have to have thick skin, and you MUST have your business affairs in order. Me typing about these issues is nothing compared patrons experiencing them, stereotyping your start up as a hot ghetto mess and going to Joe's Crab Shack. So with that being said, I hope that this message reaches the business owners and that they take this how it is meant- a sincere concern for them from the heart in hopes that they take the criticism constructively and improve. After all, if I didn't care, I wouldn't waste a keystroke speaking on it. Nor would I attempt to return. It's all love! Now order an extra case of snow crab legs! :)

The 41st Annual Pink Tea & The Men's Fellowship Summer Music Series

2009-06-22T21:05:00.004-04:00

Host:	The Church Of The Open Door, Miami Florida
Type:	Music/Arts - Concert
Network:	Global

Date:	Sunday, July 26, 2009
Time:	4:00pm - 6:00pm
Location:	The Lyric Theater
Street:	819 NW Second Avenue
City/Town:	Miami, FL
	View Map Google MapQuest Microsoft Yahoo

Phone:	3057590373
Email:	pinkteatattler@gmail.com

It’s the concert event you won’t want to miss! On Sunday, July 26th, The Church of the Open Door will present the third and final concert in its 41st Annual Pink Tea and the Men's Fellowship Summer Music Series. Miamis favorite jazz and gospel sensation NICOLE HENRY will be blazing the stage with songs of praise and worship.

Tickets are $45 for one ticket, $80 for a package of two tickets, and $99 for a package of three or more tickets. Drinks will be available for purchase.

The concert kicks off at 4 p.m. at the Lyric Theater, 819 NW Second Ave. Call the church at 305-759-0373 or Kervin Clenance at 954-559-0927, or e-mail pinkteatattler@gmail.com for more details!

One Stop Shop

2009-06-17T13:24:00.005-04:00

Google is so cool! I love it's clean design and no fuss execution. Yahoo just has too much going on for me. Anyway, for those of you who are always asking for a calculator, or who wonder who won last nights game, or who want to know how far it is from Point "A" to Point "B", look no further!

Click here! I promise it's not porn, spyware, a virus or some annoying online quiz!

I think I'm in love! Bookmark the link if you feel the same!

Smoochez!

Moving Right Along...

2009-05-17T00:36:00.015-04:00

I may not have a lot of money. I may not be the picture of perfect health. I may not be exactly where I want to be in life. But you know what? i am HAPPY. For the first time in my life I can say I an truly happy even through all lifes trials and trips.

I think it has a lot to do with me going back to church. My grandmother begged me for years to get back active in church and I resisted her at every turn. In a nutshell I thought church was for losers. Yes I loved The Lord and considered myself to be a God fearing individual. But sit up in a holier than thou sweaty hot church all day on a Sunday when I could be napping, eating out, on the beach, or just staring at the four corners of my living room? No thanks.

I found myself walking through the open door at Church of the Open Door on First Sunday, March 1, 2009. I admit I was skeptical. I thought I'd find myself in the midst of naive old ladies pouring their life savings into some charlatans fat daddy pockets. Said fat daddy would be pushing a benz through the streets of Miami while the little old ladies tinkered around in 1987 Dodge Darts. Suffice to say I was VERY pleasantly surprised to be greeted with warm embraces, open hearts and kind words. I truly feel that my church- yes, MY church because I took my new member vows on Sunday May 2, 2009- accepted my girls and I as part of the family and I have never felt so tranquil. So at ease. So lovED and lovING. People warn me not to spread myself too thin in working for the church but I love servicing and doing the work of The Lord. As I pinned pink flower after pink flower, made pink bow after pink bow and toiled away to awash The Lyric Theater in pink my mind was in a calm state of nirvana. I was humming. ME, humming!

I could go on and on and on, but I think it's obvious that I an passionate about my faith and my church. I can't wait until tomorrow! We kick off our 41st Annual Pink Tea and paint the city of Miami PINK! I got the cutest matching outfits for the girls. One is almost 18 and the other is 15- far too old for dressing alike but the outfits were so hot that I had to get them for the girls. I will put up pictures of the event sometime next week.

In the meantime here is a picture of our wedding cake tasting that took place today.

We decided on a 5 tier buttercreme cake with 3 layers in vanilla rum, the other 2 in amaretto. The picture to the left is what it will look like except with the extra 5th tier. The flowers on top will be baby pink and white. It's going to be soooo beautiful! The closer I get to our wedding day and the more we confirm details the more excited I become. I'm practically bouncing off the walls at 1 in the morning!

Miami Herald Spotlight: Pink Tea at Lyric Theater honors heritage

2009-05-10T18:48:00.005-04:00

Posted on Friday, 05.08.09

BLACK IN TIME | BY DOROTHY JENKINS FIELDS

Pink Tea at Lyric Theater honors heritage

BY DOROTHY JENKINS FIELDS

Special to The Miami Herald

History will be made when the historic Lyric Theater in Miami's Overtown hosts an inaugural performing arts series in the setting of ``the Pink Tea.''

The occasion is the Church of the Open Door's 41st anniversary Pink Tea and a celebration of the performing arts from 4 to 6 p.m. May 17.

Church history states ``the Pink Tea originated many years ago by the Church of the Good Shepherd in Chicago, Il. Other churches adopted the idea and held World Mission Pink Teas where ladies dressed in costumes of other countries.''

In Miami, the Pink Tea idea was introduced at the Church of the Open Door by Pastor Emeritus, Reverend Harold D. Long.

From the outset, the Pink Tea at the Church of Open Door featured outstanding concert artists and local talent. It began as an annual fundraiser and continued on the church's campus in Liberty City. Kervin Clenance, chair of the Pink Tea and the Men's Fellowship Summer Music Series said ``the decision was made this year to combine the annual Pink Tea with a performing arts series in Overtown at the historic Lyric Theater connecting us to our heritage and community's roots.''

The 2009 Pink Tea performers, Samuel Eudovique, tenor, and Marshall Davis Jr., tap dancer, will salute Sammy Davis Jr. Eudovique and Davis will bring back the genius of Sammy Davis Jr., who during racial segregation was equally at home on Miami Beach and Overtown in the 1950s and 1960s.

The great grandson of Overtown pioneer Bishop Randolph Williams, of the Church of God in Prophecy, Marshall Davis Jr. began tap dancing in Liberty City at the African Heritage Cultural Arts Center. His honors include the coveted 1991 Star Search Teen Dance Champion.

Samuel Eudovique was born in Barbados and was exposed to classical music at an early age by his grandmother. He has performed with the Coral Gables Symphony, the Miami Lyric Opera and the Opera Company of Brooklyn.

The Pink Tea will follow immediately after this performance. The ladies of Circles I, II, III; the Men's Fellowship; the Youth Group and Young Adults will host their respective tables competing for the title of ''Winner'' of the annual competition. Each table will contain pink pastries, tea sandwiches and the traditional pink punch.

According to longtime decorating committee member Shirley Archie ``both the outside and inside of the Lyric Theater and Welcome Center Lobby will be decorated in pink. Everyone is encouraged to wear something pink.''

The Men's Fellowship Summer Music Series is comprised of the John Hobbs concert on June 21 and the Nicole Henry Concert on July 26. Born in Miami, Hobbs grew up with his grandparents in Augusta, Ga. A self-contained performer, he plays guitar and piano; sings gospel, jazz, pop, and adult contemporary music -- from traditional to classical.

The performance series ends with internationally renowned jazz artist Nicole Henry. Born in Philadelphia and raised with a mom who played classical music, Henry is a singer/songwriter with a voice that combines jazz with pop to produce soulful music. She performs regularly around Miami.

Beginning at 4 p.m., each performance promises an afternoon of music, culture and fun. For ticket information, call 305-759-0373.

Dorothy Jenkins Fields, PhD, is a historian and founder of the Black Archives, History and Research Foundation of South Florida Inc. Send feedback, questions or news to djf@bellsouth.net.

Full Day

2009-05-07T12:28:00.004-04:00

Yesterday started out at snails pace. I took a Zyrtec pill at around 630am and I was super drowsy at work. I found myself passing out at my desk several times. I don't know how I made it but even with one of my feet in dreamland, the other in reality I managed to accomplish so much yesterday. I was so proud of myself I bragged to my brother, sister and fiancée about what a busy bee I was! I completed:

1) The first pre-martial counseling session with my pastor and my fiancée. It went very well and I was so happy that my man opened up to someone who, in essence, is a complete stranger to him. I see these next 4 meetings being very productive and I can't wait until next month to tackle more marital solutions. We also put the official date on the pastors calendar, and booked the church for the actual ceremony.

2) I was on the fence about which bakery I was going to choose to do our cake. In the end, the lack of a selection from Bakery A made me go with Bakery B, which is Cake Designs by Edda. I made an appointment for us to have a tasting next Saturday and let them know which cake I was leaning towards so that they would definitely have that sample available.

3) I took a power nap on my fiancée's lap. It felt sooo good! I don't require a lot of sleep to survive but I was crashing yesterday. I woke up charged and ready to go after 9pm last night and this is when I accomplished most of my tasks.

4) I FINALLY completed our first wedding guest list. There are 180+ people on the list. I pray that 80 people decline though so I can get the number right at 100. LOL! No seriously I wish we had room for every family member and every friend that we both have but we are paying per plate and as anyone who has ever had a big wedding knows - it can be very expensive. Most of the people we invited have to come from out of state to attend so there may be a lot of declines from NY, Jamaica, NC etc. But everyone in Florida will most likely make it so I know that a wonderful time will be had by all.

5) I sent out requests for physical addresses for all invited guests. They have started filtering in as of this morning. It seems like maintaing this will be a lot of work so I will probably ask my matron or maid of honor to keep the list updated for me.

6) Finally got my brother to take the HUGE bag of clothes out of my living room to be donated. The bag was heavier than a dead body and packed with brand new and gently used teenage clothes. I tried to donate them to my church by they keep their pantry small so it wasn't an option. My brother knows of a place that gives away donations to domestic abuse victims and of course I was happy to oblige. It felt good knowing that someone else can benefit from us.

7) Began working on a grass roots publicity campaign for our 41st Annual Pink Tea. You can click the link for details.

I think there is more, but that should be enough for now. I do know that I have made a comittment not to take on any more projects. So...

My wedding
Helping my grandmother get her fiances back in order
Preparing my 15 year old for her boyfriends senior prom
Readying myself for a prospect I have been working on for years
The 41st Annual Pink Tea.
Weight Watchers

Are on the front burner right now. Everything else will have to wait until after the wedding. My plate runneth over!

Reason #4080 To Eat Home Cooked Meals...

2009-05-06T00:30:00.004-04:00

Those who know me IRL (in real life) know that I recently joined Weight Watchers to shed these unwanted pounds. Now make no mistake, your girl is fly even though there's more of her to love than there was back in the day. But I definitely need to lose a lot of weight to be healthy and have more energy. The pictures below affirm what I already know- eating out isn't always the healthiest choice, and, can at times be straight up FILTHY, NASTY, AND DOWNRIGHT UNSANITARY!!! The pictures below are from New China Restaurant on 1805 Montana Avenue in our nations capitol, Washington DC!!! This is how they "prep" their fish for those fish and chip platters people eat up every day and probably scrape the plate afterwards. GROSS!

Catharsis

2009-05-04T00:27:00.005-04:00

It's been more than a minute. I said that I would update this blog regularly but did not keep my word. Sometimes we let life get in the way of living. As it were, I had two deaths in my family within a two week period that rocked the very core of my existence.

As some of you may know, both my parents have passed on. My dad died a violent death on July 4, 1995 in a Brooklyn basement. No one will ever know the truth about what happened in that dank and decrepit place where my father spent his last moments on earth. I obssessed about it for years until my mother died suddenly on November 12, 2001. She died in her sleep after having a grand mal seizure. And with that I felt a page turn in my life. Unless you've lost a parent, I cannot describe to you what it feels like. And we all know that it's natural for us to outlive our parents. But when you lose both of them by the time you hit 25... that's... devastating to say the least.

My paternal grandfather died in 2007. We lived right around the corner from each other and never saw one another. There's baggage there. Unresolved now, because the opportunity to work things out and forge a relationship has come and gone.

Then on March 30, 2009 my maternal grandfather died in his sleep from complications from colon cancer. My grandfather was the father I had when my biological didn't bother to quote Shaq. He was also a man of few words so I'll be concise here. He was a wonderful family man, a WWII vet who came home in one piece with honors. A retiree from UPS who raised 3 kids and had a hand in raising 8 grandkids. I am so happy he lived to see Obama in office. As an educated man, a Mason, a member of the Kiwanis club and a trained tailor my grandfather was the epitome of strong black man. Women today could only wish to get a scintilla of the man that he was and they would still have a mighty mighty good man on their arms. RIP Daddy!

My grandmother then lost her brother 2 weeks later. He too was such a solid man. They just don't make them like they used to. He was a Korea vet, a retired Federal government employee, a father to 3 children, a loving husband... I can go on and on. But I'd rather just celebrate their lives.

Because even in death, there can be a rebirth for those who are still among the living. If the passing of a friend or relative doesn't make you stand up and take notice... smell the roses... feel that ocean breeze kiss your chocolate cheek- then you, my friend aren't really living. And the only difference between you and those who have passed on are motor functions. So stop what you are doing. Close the laptop. Turn off the television. Go outside, whether it's day or night and gaze up at the sky. Marvel in the beautiful day or night that God has made and allowed you to see for a least one more day. You only have one life to live so live it to the absolute fullest.

The 41st Annual Pink Tea & The Men's Fellowship Summer Music Series

2009-05-04T00:12:00.008-04:00

The Church of the Open Door is presenting its 41st Annual Pink Tea and the Men's Fellowship Summer Music Series starting May 17, ending on July 26 at the historic Lyric Theater in Overtown.

The first show will be a tribute to entertainer Sammy Davis Jr., with vocals by tenor Samuel Eudovique and tap dancing by Marshall Davis Jr on May 17.

The second event features John Hobbs, Preacher and Vocalist on June 21.

The third and final event showcases the beautiful sounds of Nicole Henry, Jazz and Gospel Artist on July 26.

Tickets are $45 for each individual event, $80 for a package of two events, and $99 for a package of all three events. Refreshments will be served!

All three events begin at 4 p.m. at the Lyric Theater, 819 NW Second Ave. For more information call the church at 305-759-0373 or Kervin Clenance at 954-559-0927. Or send an e-mail to pinkteatattler@gmail.com

2009-05-03T23:36:00.004-04:00

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

MEDIA CONTACT: Richard Clarke Tel. 305.594.7615 ext 274 rclarke@SouthFloridaWorkforce.com

South Florida Workforce Launches Youth Employment Program MIAMI-DADE

COUNTY, Fla.) – In an attempt to mitigate the impact of youth unemployment in South Florida, the South Florida Workforce Investment Board (SFWIB) recently launched its Summer Youth Employment Program to assist young people between the ages of 14-24 gain an understanding about careers, the workplace and appropriate employment skills by linking students to employers for work experience and career exploration.

The program is a public/private partnership between the South Florida Workforce Investment Board, the businesses community, and the public sector. The initiative is being supported pursuant to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The program’s concept is simple: local employers (both public and private) are being encouraged to provide career exploration opportunities to young people within their organizations during the summer months and the SFWIB will cover the youth participant’s wages for the hours worked.

According to Rick Beasley, Executive Director of South Florida Workforce, “the Summer Youth Employment Program is a great opportunity for local employers to make a contribution to their community and help create a simulative economic impact on the local economy; at the same time providing career exposure to our future workforce. I encourage anyone who is in a position to provide a placement opportunity to contact us for information about the program. It’s a great investment in our youth.”

For more information about the SFWIB’s Summer Employment Program, visit the agency’s website at: www.southfloridaworkforce.com.

# # #

Kick The Truth to the Young Black Youth: Black teen STD rate needs our attention

2009-02-02T15:03:00.003-05:00

Black teen STD rate needs our attention

By Yolanda Young

Once again, a study has found a wide gap between blacks and whites, and yet again the news is not good for African-Americans.

The latest study, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, shows that an alarming 48% of African-American girls ages 14-19 have a sexually transmitted disease, compared with 20% of young white and Mexican-American females. The CDC analyzed data on 838 female adolescents who participated in the 2003-04 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. The researchers found that black teens had far greater rates of common STDs, including human papillomavirus (HPV), chlamydia, herpes simplex virus and trichomoniasis.

Sadly, this is not a new trend.

Though this study did not include syphilis, gonorrhea or HIV because of their low prevalence in this age group, these diseases strike black women in later years at strikingly high rates. In 2006, the rate of chlamydia cases among black women was more than seven times that of white women; the gonorrhea rate among African-American women was 18 times greater than for whites; and the rate of syphilis cases in black women was 16 times higher than in white women.

Why the disparity?

* STDs are concentrated in poor, segregated neighborhoods.

* Sexuality of teens starts earlier and earlier, heightened by music lyrics and images on television.

* More than 20% of blacks are uninsured. So without access to health care, more blacks with STDs go untreated while the diseases are often undetected.

The significance of this problem can't be overstated, as STDs also can cause infertility and cervical cancer.

What can be done? The CDC suggests sex with an uninfected monogamous partner and habitual condom use. Abstinence, of course, is the surest way to avoid STDs.

But advice isn't enough. With incidence levels already high among young black women, more emphasis should be placed on STD screening, treatment, and vaccinations at health clinics where contraceptive services are also offered. Ultimately, we must reverse this trend of early sexual activity. The CDC suggests that sex education delays sexual activity among teens.

What else might influence girls? Father figures who affirm them and women who demonstrate responsible sexual behavior that girls could emulate. This is not science, just my opinion based on what I've seen.

But one thing we should all agree on is that this is an issue that blacks can't afford to ignore. We need more talking and less doing.

http://blogs.usatoday.com/oped/2008/04/black-teen-std.html

Hands On Miami Hot Project

2009-01-09T09:58:00.005-05:00

Community Cinema Independent Lens is in Miami!

Hands On Miami in partnership with Independent Lens, Florida International University's Center for Leadership and Service, Channel 2 your local PBS station and Generation Engage are excited to present the Community Cinema series, showing on Friday, January 23, 2008 beginning at 7:00pm at Florida International University's University Park campus in GC 140. Join us for free popcorn and screening of Tulia, Texas.

About the film: A lone undercover cop moves into a small farming town. By the end of the blazing summer of 1999, 46 people are arrested for selling cocaine--nearly all of them African American. It was heralded as one of the biggest drug busts in Texas history, until a team of lawyers set out to uncover the truth.Please note: you may sign yourself up to attend this event as you would sign up for a regular service project, or you may just show up to the event.
For more information about the Community Cinema please click here! or contact Judie Stork at judie@handsonmiami.org or 305-646-7462.

New Policy for County projects

Due to a new county ordinance, beginning in January 2009, HOM volunteers will be required to provide a Social Security or Driver's License Number along with their name during signing in at all projects related to Miami Dade County Parks and Recreation. At present, that includes the Calendar projects Zoo Beautification and Pelican Harbor Clean Up. All volunteers will be asked to provide this information on a separate sign in sheet at all Parks projects. In addition, after having volunteered at any Miami Dade County Parks project three (3) times within six (6) months,

volunteers will be required to be fingerprinted and go through a background check with the County. Thank you for your flexibility on this issue and for volunteering!

Great Escape #3: Fort Lauderdale Beach

2009-01-07T14:55:00.005-05:00

I wrote this blog months ago. I want say like over six months ago and saved it as a draft. I'm publishing it now after another washup of a NYE. I swear I'm going to NYC to party this year. I just can't take another boring NYE.

Remind me- what is the allure of South Beach?

Don't get me wrong, I've had some really good times there. I broke my Miami teeth back in the days at The Clevelander (is it ever coming back)? Back when I could actually squeeze into a size 7 I strutted my stuff up and down the sandy shores, club soda in hand, perpetrating like it was vodka. But for me, South Beach lacks something. I think it lacks personality. Alas I divorced SOBE to marry FLLB.

People like lists. So I'll give the people what they want. Here are the top 10 reasons why Fort Lauderdale Beach trumps South Beach:

1. Less traffic: you can't park on the strip that runs along the beach. So traffic is far more free flowing than on Ocean in SOBE.

2. Piggybacking off #1, less pousers: I saw a man with a broken neck getting down at Fat Tuesday's on FLLB. No one would dare make a complete ass out of theirself on SOBE.

3. Parking is existent: There are tons of public parking lots and even a few paid ones sprinkled throughout the FLLB area. A stark contrast to SOBE where your car could easily become a liability.

4. More things to do: Along with a bigger Fat Tuesdays, which is free to get in to, there are a bunch of great restaurants that serve great food that won't put a dent in your wallet. Add in a bunch of nightclubs where people aren't afraid to dance and you're already miles ahead of the game.

5. The ocean is a lot closer to the FLLB shoreline than it is to the SOBE shoreline: How annoying is it to have to carry a heavy cooler, blanket, umbrella a mile down to the ocean? You don't have to worry about all that in Fort Lauderdale. The ocean is literally a few steps away from the sea wall. Bad for residents if a big wave or hurricane washes in. Good for visiting beach bunnies like us. :)

6. The beach is very family friendly: I wouldn't recommend taking your infant to one of the ocean front bars, but you could most certainly take them out on the actual beach for a day of fun in the sun. No worries that your child will see exposed breasts or booty meat hanging out of thongs. True story- I had my kids out on SOBE one Sunday afternoon and there were ACTUAL PORN STARS recruiting men to sleep with them on film back at whatever seedy hotel they had booked for the occasion. Said porn stars APPROACHED not only my brother but MY FIANCEE and I on camera while my kids were but a few feet away. So far that hasn't happened on FLLB and I doubt it ever will.

7. The drive down to the beach is scenic and beautiful: Las Olas Boulevard is spectacular. Water front mini mansions with yatchs docked out back is a dream life and it's nice to be so close to prestige and affluence. You don't have to crane your neck to see Fischer/Star Island while speeding down the interstate or pay $40 to take a boat cruise past mansions. You can drive slowly by and imagine yourself living in the lap of luxury. Aside from the opulent homes there is beautiful blue water, interesting wildlife and swaying palm trees beckoning you to enter into paradise.

8. Like USA Channel, characters are welcome. Self explanatory.

9. Cheaper airfare, cheaper hotels, just cheaper everything.

10. The Hard Rock Casino area. Nuff said.

Consider taking a vacation to Fort Lauderdale and skip Miami. It's your chance to do something different. Everyone does SOBE. But few can say they did FLLB.

Resolutions

2009-01-03T22:36:00.005-05:00

HAPPY 2009!

Resolutions. Each year we make em then break em but this year is going to be different. In some instances it's a matter of life and death. With that said, here are a few of the many resolutions I have made this year:

1) To lose weight and get healthy. I'm diabetic, my life depends on it.

2) To tell my fiancee and children something good each and every day. So often we are quick to let people know when they're doing something wrong. But everyone needs some positive reinforcement every now and then.

3) To let go and let GOD. I need to stop obsessing over things and just let Gods will come to pass.

4) To have a better relationship with God.

5) To stop cursing.

6) To learn patience.

7) To manage my money better; save more, invest in 401k again, clean up my credit and stop compulsive buying.

8) To stop being a control freak.

9) To develop better sleep patterns. Right now I'm late to bed, early to rise. It's killing my body and zapping my energy. I need to get a solid 8 hours every night. Well, at least Sunday-Thursday.

10) To learn how to ride a bike. (Don't ask)

Family Ties

2008-12-29T14:59:00.006-05:00

The older I get, the more I value my "blood ties".

Much as I am ashamed to admit it, as a teenager I shunned my family. I felt disconnected and wanted nothing more than to escape. My mother gave birth to me at a very young age and it shaped my views on the world around me- and not always in a positive way. I wasn't starving in the streets or anything like that. But I didn't have a Cosby type of childhood and I can't help but feel that if it wasn't for my grandparents my life would be the polar opposite of what it is now. I don't want to delve into details- but let's just say that teen parenthood, drugs and a short lifespan are just a few things that were at the end of the path that I would have been on had it not been for Miss Estelle and Mr. Cliff.

Fastforward to 2008. My grandfather is laying in a hospital bed fighting for his life. I am struggling to keep my sanity as the only real father figure I ever had withers away in front of my eyes. My kid sister who I vowed never to speak to again exactly two years ago has popped back up in our lives and the jury is still out on whether or not she can be trusted. My first cousin who has always been the shining white knight of the family has major chinks in his armor that is showing signs of rust. My fiancee doesn't have the luxury of a smooth, gradual transition into meeting my maternal family. He is thrust into face first- with all the drama, all the jockeying for power, all the animosity, the grudges- the EVERYTHING. The fact that he still wants my hand in marriage after that introduction into my family is... a miracle.

Yet through it all, I realize that family is the most important thing in the world to any of us. Instead of envying others it's dawning on me that it could be a lot worse. Though my mother would have never won any Mom of the Year awards- she didn't Caylee me and cut my life short before it even started. She did her best and I'm here. I am a good mother, a good fiancee and future wife. A fair and competent boss. A PHENOMENAL friend- even to those who don't deserve it. A spiritual woman who loves The Lord and doesn't let a day go by without connecting with Him in my own way. A wonderful though controlling family member to my relatives (I'm working on it). A solid, law abiding citizen when so many are out here getting theirs by any means necessary. Ok, I speed and break traffic laws but I don't litter, do drugs or steal. I volunteer on a regular basis, give to charity, vote, serve my jury duty, pay my taxes and haven't killed anyone. Yet.

So as 2008 comes to a close I want to thank my mother and father for making me. I want to thank my grandparents for raising me into a strong woman of color. I want to thank my neighbors and family for molding me and giving me character. Thanks to all my friends who offered a shoulder when I cried and a gave wake up calls when I wallowed in self pity. I hope 2009 finds my grandfather in much better health if it's in God's good graces and I vow to continue to work on self so that I become a better person not only for myself but for those around me- especially to the man that I will marry in less than 9 months.

Fork In The Road

2008-12-20T01:45:00.005-05:00

A few months ago I watched a horrible straight to dvd movie with my fiancee called "Fork In The Road". It was produced by a Jamaican company and apparently gets a lot of love back in NY and in Jamaica. As a budding filmmaker I give props to anyone with the guts to get their work out there on the small or silver screens. But come on now. All I have to say is watch it. You'll be disappointed, but hey. It's cold out. You don't have anything else to do.

I digress. I feel like I'm at a crossroads in my life. After all the changes that came about in my life in 2007 I feel that 2009 needs to usher in even more CHANGE. Just call me Obama Girl out this bitch because it's gotta get better. I won't say it can't get any worse but GOD please give your child a break.

I know that with every life challenge I become stronger. I am a better person because of all the struggles I've been through. Like my cousin said on my wedding website. I'm a pearl. You have to get through the tough exterior to reach the beautiful jewel inside. It's deep down there somewhere. Not everyone can gain access though.

With that being said I know that I need to close some chapters in my life. Many people are taking up space in the prime real estate that is the pre-war Upper East Side condo called MY LIFE. Those people will soon come to find that I won't even entertain the them and all their petty BS anymore. Unless they've been fighting in Iraq, fighting for their life in a hospital or just plain fighting with themselves, everyone in my life knows that I have been through some MAJOR ish over the past month or so. Those who were there for me, thank you. I love you all very much and the blessings that I know God will rain on me in 09 will be yours as well. For those of you too caught up in your own melodramas to even notice that your girl was HURTING and that it took a lot for her to even reach out to you because she doesn't like to show chinks in her armor... You will find yourself on the other side of the locked door to my pre-war condo. Simply put, it's not all about you. And if you feel I'm talking about you, then I probably am.

I hit the road tomorrow, but I promise I will update more. My exploits in Miami are becoming legendary and I want to share. If nothing else this blog will be cathartic to me as I relieve some weight off my shoulders.

Til next time people. I know I lost many of you along the way because I suck I keeping this blog updated but again I'm working on it. :)

Praise God!!!

2008-11-04T22:48:00.005-05:00

CONGRATULATIONS TO BARACK OBAMA, PRESIDENT ELECT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA!!!

7 Long Hours In The Pouring Rain...

2008-11-02T23:10:00.005-05:00

^^^^
That's my ballot up above. Aint it grand? :)

I voted early today in Miami Gardens. I got there a little before 11 AM thinking I would beat the crowds by arriving two hours before the polls opened. WRONG. The line was already wrapped around the block twice. In the end it took me exactly seven hours to vote. But boy was it worth it. Now I can kick back on election day with my fiancee and watch the pundits go crazy.

Some crazy things that happened today:

1) A puerto rican family set up shop to sell t-shirts to voters standing in line. But at $30 a pop no one was buying.

2) Poll workers started handing out tickets to make sure that people who stood in line for hours would still have a chance to vote, even though the poll was supposed to close at five.

3) A fender bender took place right before my eyes because some dude thought he could stop in a six lane street to drop his wife off at the curb. Even though it was his fault he wanted to call the police because he was bumped from behind. There was no damage to either vehicle so the guy who hit him pulled off. When he tried to elicit pity from us in the crowd we shamed him so bad that he pulled off without calling the cops. LOL.

4) One of the few white voters out there tried to skip the line and got ratted out and kicked to the back of the line.

5) McCain had his shyster lawyers out in force trying to disenfranchise voters but we weren't having none of that!

Not the blazing Miami sun, nor pouring rain, nor long lines, nor snake in the grass lawyers could deter the thousands who poured out today no doubt in support of Obama. I could have voted in Aventura but I wanted to be amongst my people and I have to say I was very proud and moved to tears at the amount of people who came out today. Yes we most certainly can!

Team Obama

2008-11-01T19:14:00.006-04:00

I really hope Obama wins this election. I know the word CHANGE has been run into the ground over the last few months but that's exactly what we need.

But remember my fellow Floridians, we're not just voting for the highest and second highest offices in the land. There are a number of amendments and county issues on the ticket that need our careful consideration.

I've been doing some research and I found these two sites. Check them out and make an informed decision on Nov 4th!

http://www.kendrickmeek.com/Meek2008SlateDade_forweb.pdf

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/broward/sfl-1024amendments.explained,0,7879718.story

Consider This..

2008-10-22T22:38:00.004-04:00

Here's an interesting persp ective on Obama/Biden vs McCain/Palin. What if things were switched around?...ponder the following:

What if the Obamas had paraded five children across the stage, including a three month old infant and an unwed, pregnant teenage daughter?

What if John McCain was a former president of the Harvard Law Review?

What if Barack Obama finished fifth from the bottom of his graduating class?

What if McCain had only married once, and Obama was a divorcee?

What if Obama was the candidate who left his first wife after a severely disfiguring car accident ? What if Obama had met his second wife in a bar and had a long affair while he was still married? What if Michelle Obama was the wife who not only became addicted to painkillers but also acquired them illegally through her charitable organization?

What if Cindy McCain graduated from Harvard?

What if Obama had been a member of the Keating Five? (The Keating Five were five United States Senators accused of corruption in 1989, igniting a major political scandal as part of the larger Savings and Loan crisis of the late 1980s and early 1990s.)

What if McCain was a charismatic, eloquent speaker? What if Obama had trouble reading from a TelePrompter?

What if Obama was the one who had military experience that included discipline problems and a record of crashing seven planes? What if Obama was the one who was known to display publicly, on many occasions, a serious anger management problem?

What if Michelle Obama's family had made their money from beer distribution?

What if the Obamas had adopted a white child?

You could easily add to this list.

Would the election poll numbers be as close as they are? This is
what racism does. It distorts, rationalizes, and
minimizes positive qualities in one candidate and emphasizes
negative qualities in another when there is a color
difference.

Educational Background:

Barack Obama: Columbia University - B.A. Political Science with a Specialization in International Relations. Harvard - Juris Doctor (J.D.) Magna Cum Laude.

Joseph Biden: University of Delaware -B.A. in History and B.A. in Political Science. Syracuse University College of Law - Juris Doctor (J.D.)

vs.

John McCain: United States Naval Academy - Class rank: 894 of 899.

Sarah Palin: Hawaii Pacific University - 1 semester North of Idaho - 2 semesters - Journalism. Matanuska-Susitna College- 1 semester University of Idaho - 3 semesters - B.A. in Journalism.

Education isn't everything, but this is about the two highest offices in the land as well as our standing in the world. You make the call.

Miserable Miami Memorial Monday

2008-05-27T22:24:00.004-04:00

Try saying that three times fast.

Miserable Miami Memorial Monday/Miserable Miami Memorial Monday/Miserable Miami Memorial Monday.

One of the things that I've pledged NOT to do is to continually bash Miami like it's the worst place on earth. No one wants to read a blog full of moaning and groaning about how much better XYZ city is than MIA. Yes, it's a culture shock. No, people aren't as friendly and welcoming as they are in other cities. Yes, the sense of style is non existent. But Miami has many great things to offer which is why I moved here in the first place. It's also why I stay when there are jobs a' plenty back home if I ever want to gracefully bow out. I'm staying. For now.

But I must say, this past weekend makes me grateful that I will not be here for the next summer holiday- July 4th. The sheer ghetto, ignorant, just out right ridiculous crowd that descended upon Miami this past weekend was embarrassing. Shootings, rapes, macings, fights- you name it. It's no wonder most South Beach businesses close up shop for Memorial weekend and don't even bother. They won't make any money any way. 99% of the tourists don't patronize any of the local shops, so no money cycles into the economy. Why bring money when you can stand in front of the business, blocking customers who would actually spend a few dollars? While stopping the flow of much needed revenue, make sure to sexually harass every scantily clad female that walks by. Now THAT'S a party.

I'll end this post right here. I don't want to exert any more energy into rehashing Memorial weekend. Hopefully July 4th will be better.

Great Escape #3: Las Olas

2008-05-17T12:22:00.007-04:00

A mere 30 minute drive from the upscale pulse of South Beach lies Las Olas Boulevard, in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Those of you who want to get away from the oftentimes pretentious vibe of Ocean Drive can mosey on over to Las Olas and have a more gritty, seedy, but fun night filled with dance, cheaper drinks, and a more down to earth environment.

Las Olas reminds me of New Orleans, a city known for it's sizzling hot night life with an undercurrent of danger that can spring out at any moment. Upon entering Las Olas on a Saturday night we were immediately challenged to a fist fight and a drag race by drunken patrons who were too wasted to a) know what they were doing and b) follow through on their threats. After searching for parking for 20 minutes we strutted our stuff down the Boulevard and witnessed a huge melee by a group of drunk college boys. The scuffle was quickly broken up by a pack of police officers and who were a few feet away. That's the main difference between Las Olas and the N.O. The cops are just a devils breath away, waiting to slap a pair of handcuffs on you if you get too out of pocket.

It only cost ten bucks to enter the The Palace nightclub, which was dark, hot and had an even darker and hotter dance floor. The djs were from NYC which meant they knew how to blend their sounds to entice everyone to get loose on the floor. They played hip hop, both old and new school, and Caribbean music, both old and new. I teetered around in 5 inch stiletto heels and gave it my best, but after a while I kicked off my shoes and danced all night barefoot. I couldn't help it. Las Olas is not a place for the wallflower, prissy, poseur crowd. If you go to Las Olas come prepared to get down!

There was a raffle towards the end of the night and my fiancee won! To my surprise, the prizes were pretty nice. We won two 14k gold pieces of jewelry from Macy's, with the gift receipts attached so we can return them. I plan on keeping them though, because they are really nice and would look great with a little black dress, which is what I plan on wearing tonight when I party at my new buddy Darius' graduation party at Crazy Horse...

Been Gone For A Minute...

2008-05-11T19:12:00.005-04:00

Now I'm BACK with the jump off... :)

I've been seriously slacking on my blogging as of late, and I apologize. I've been super busy in my off-line life. What could possibly keep me away from writing about my Miami escapades, you ask? Well there is the small fact that I am getting married! Yes, oh yes, oh yes! My fiancee popped the question on Wednesday March 26, 2008 and I said yes! So I've been a busy little bee preparing for our big day. Of course this blog will double as a chronicle of my MIA exploits and wedding planning. So stay tuned because the best is yet to come!

In the meantime, check out this clip of the Queen of Blue Eyed Soul, Taylor Dayne rip it at Miami's Jazz on the Bay. So you can't say I left you hanging for a 30days+ and didn't bring you back anything. :)

Shout outs to SoHood305 and BriaMia for the e-mails. I promise to update at least once a week from here on out.

No Planes or Trains- Just Automobiles

2008-03-23T20:34:00.007-04:00

As a New Yorker I must say I am disappointed in the public transportation Miami has to offer. Since trains and buses aren't really an option South Floridians take to the highways by the thousands each day to move at a snails pace and burn $3.40 per gallon for the privilege. Suffice to say, something must be done. I remember sitting in rush hour traffic for well over an hour to get from North Miami to the airport and longing for the easy, accessible, cheap, no-brainer transit system back home. No, it's not the cleanest in the world but it gets the job done. I would rather deal with an unpleasant smell every now and then, rather than sit in traffic for hours at a time with nothing but a dwindling gas tank to keep me company.

Speaking of which, why are there so many construction projects spread all over Miami? They only serve to make the traffic situation worse. Biscayne Blvd. becomes a nightmare after 96th Street. If you try cutting down any of those side streets you will run into construction site after construction site after construction site. Why would the City of Miami plan projects all around the same time in the same area, thus voiding Biscayne (AKA US-1, I-95s predecessor) as an alternative to the parking lot known as I-95? It bears mentioning that I have driven down I-95 in almost every state on the Eastern Seaboard and NO STRETCH of this interstate is as bad as it is in South Florida. Why is that?

I wonder if the meeting Miami-Dade Transit is having on Tuesday will make a difference. I can't go because I have a Hands On Miami meeting that I must attend. But I wish I could be there to voice my frustrations about the situation. If the trains ran up here in North Miami I would park and ride every day. Here's hoping something happens soon because this whole traffic thing makes me want to leave Miami on the first thing smoking. Obviously it would have to be Amtrak since who knows where the Miami trains are?

Please read the press release about the meeting below, and attend if you can. Let your voices be heard!

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
On Tuesday, March 25, 2008 Miami-Dade County Transit will hold will hold a public meeting to present the current status of the Orange Line – Phase 1: Miami Intermodal Center (MIC)/Earlington Heights Connector Metrorail extension project and to discuss activities projected for the next phase.

The public meeting will be held on Tuesday, March 25, 2008 with an Open House at 6 p.m. and a Presentation at 7 p.m. at Miami-Dade Transit’s Sheila Winitzer Central Administration Building Auditorium, 3300 NW 32nd Avenue, Miami, FL 33142.

The 2.4-mile MIC/Earlington Heights Connector Metrorail extension will run from the existing Earlington Heights Metrorail station to the Miami Intermodal Center (MIC) adjacent to Miami International Airport (MIA) and includes a new Metrorail station and bus terminal plaza. Direct access between the MIC Metrorail station and the airport will be provided by an automated people mover operated by MIA.

For additional information on Metrorail’s Airport Extension, please call 786-469-5550 or email mdtoutreach@miamidade.gov.

Yes. We. Can.

2008-03-18T22:05:00.002-04:00

True Grit

2008-03-18T13:28:00.005-04:00

I know I'm super late on this topic but like my grandma always says "Better late than never". As more news floods the national airwaves I find that I can do nothing but shake my damn head at the shenanigans and goings on in New York State.

Elliot Spitzer. Where do I begin? You made your career on the backs of others failures and shortcomings- perceived or otherwise. You attacked the hip hop industry with a fervor and vengeance that gave even the brashest, loudest mouthed in the black and brown music community pause.

In a nutshell, you acted like your crap didn't stink. But something else my wise old grandma always says is that "People in glass houses shouldn't throw stones." Well you threw bricks and they turned to boomerangs and came back to shatter your house into nothingness.

How can a man call himself ethical, just, and fair when he can't even keep his commitment to those who mean the most to him in this world? And if he can so easily cast his family to the side how quickly would he have tossed the best interest of the good people of New York State to the wayside?

I hope every second of pleasure you garnered from your seedy romps were worth the money spent. Because if you add up the price tag of your rendezvous that is what your family and the people you swore and oath to were worth to you. Was it half a million? A million solid? Whatever the price I can guarantee your face and place as a lecherous, immoral, unethical two faced hypocrite is printed on page 4080 in the history books.

New York has been through enough turmoil to outlast all of our lifetimes combined. Thanks for giving outsiders yet another reason to examine us under a microscope to look for grime and grit.

Great Escape #2: MRI's & Nerve Conduction Exams

2008-03-15T00:49:00.007-04:00

Thursday had to be singularly the worst day of my life.

Ok, I'm exaggerating. But you all get the point. Out of the 100 worst days of my life that I have had in my 30+ years Thursday March 13, 2008 ranks in the top 25. Yes, it was that bad.

I was in a car accident late last October that resulted in the total loss of my brand new car with less than 5000 miles on it, and of course, injuries to my body. The other guy went through his windshield but lived. It was one of those accidents that could have ended in death but thankfully all lives were spared. There was just a ton of money lost on my end since the guy was uninsured and I didn't have uninsured motorists insurance. Anything not covered by my basic insurance came out of my pocket.

So after going through the ringer with my former auto insurance company for months on who would pay for the MRIs I finally just went through my health insurance to have them foot the bill. I had been in pain needlessly for months. It was time for me to get some answers and treatment so that I wouldn't be hurting in my joints and muscles every time the temperature dropped past 60 degrees.

Yesterday I had MRIs of my neck and shoulder.

I am claustrophobic.

The machine was very narrow.

Because they had to get accurate pictures of my neck they locked me into a face brace type of contraption that severely limited my range of movement.

I felt like I was in a coffin.

I had to be blindfolded in order to tolerate the suffocating feeling of being buried alive.

But the fun didn't stop there.

After at least an hour in that tomb-like, loud, beeping, grinding contraption the technician rolled me out, stuck a needle with dye into my arm and pushed me back in for another 15 minutes of torture.

It was one of the most horrific feelings I have ever felt in my life.

I do not know how I got through it.

But now that it's over, I know that I will never put myself through it again.

Never.

Later that day I had nerve conduction tests at my neurologists office to see how my nerves respond to stimulus.

I was marked with pens, measured, taped down and shocked with volts of electricity through various points across my body.

After it was all over

I went to do my taxes.

Yes, my taxes.

Federal and State since I lived in NY for half of 2007.

Simply put

Worst day EVER.

My Day At The Historic Re-Opening of Virginia Key Beach (Part 3)

2008-03-08T22:59:00.010-05:00

Without further adieu here is the third and final part to my story about the day I volunteered at the re-opening of VKBP. You can read parts 1 and 2 in the archives.

My girls and I walked across the park. I was amazed at how big the park really is. It's huge and in my humble opinion it is going to take a lot of man hours on upkeep. That is probably why the VKBP Trust is asking for volunteers to make a commitment to help out for at least five hours on a monthly basis. If you live in the South Florida area and would like to be a part of something historic and truly rewarding please click the link that will follow this post in order to be taken to the VKBP website. You may sign up or request more information there.

Where was I? Oh yes. We walked across the huge park, being stopped every few minutes by park patrons who thought volunteer meant hauling trash cans over to their picnic area. We kindly told them that we were actually headed for an assignment but that they could head back over to the Trust building and make a request. We finally made it over to the V.I.P. tent. It was decked out beautifully and looked very chic. My two girls were quickly brisked away to the back of the tent to help out with the food. I, along with a young man whose name escapes me were stationed at the front of the tent to make sure that anyone trying to gain access to the V.I.P. area had a yellow wristband. And here is where the story goes south.

I come from N.Y., as you all should know by now. Maybe the meaning of V.I.P. is lost on some South Floridians. But in every state in the union V.I.P. stands for Very Important Person. Which means that you have done something, or paid some sum of money, or know someone and because of that you are in an area that is designated as nicer with more perks. It does not mean that you can stroll by, peek in and see wine and delicacy consumption, couches, lighting, etc and think, you can just mosey right on in.

To make a very long story short there was a serious misunderstanding between performers and those running the V.I.P tent. Every performer and member of the performers entourage were told they could come over to the tent after getting off the stage to eat, drink and mingle. That was not communicated to the people in charge of the tent. So when performers including singers, rappers, local djs etc would come to the tent and try to gain access we would tell them they couldn't come in because they didn't have the yellow wristband that must adorn the wrist of every V.I.P member. The people of course threw fits with the expected "Do you know who I am?" spiel. To which we had to call for two of the women who were vouching for people who could bypass us "bouncers" without the wristband.

I try to always exude class and behave like a lady in social settings. But once in a while people can push you to the limit. For the most part everyone was cool, respectful and friendly. But of course you always have the one or two who get what I like to call "extra". It's at those moments where you have to check a man/woman who thinks that a uniform, or in this case a yellow t-shirt means you are there to be talked down to, walked on and/or humiliated.

A few people found themselves on the receiving end of a breakdown. One of which was a member of a performer's entourage who will remain nameless. He was told by organizers that after the performer he was with exited the stage they could all come and eat. They had an entire clique with them including family. Said entourage member came directly up to me though there were two volunteers working the front of the tent at this point. He was full of bravado and bluster, but basically attempted to flip on me because one of his relatives was turned away at the door. I guess he is used to speaking to women in that manner in his usual interactions with them. Unfortunately for him I am not one of those women. I quickly nipped the situation in the bud and let him know a few things. One, that I wasn't the one who turned his relative away. He replied that he wasn't coming off on me, but he was frustrated. I told him to direct his frustrations elsewhere, and to take it down a volume. He rolled his eyes and asked me if I knew who he was. He stated he was in the entourage of a local rapper who again, will remain nameless.

South Floridians reading this blog will think I'm elitist and arrogant. They will take this as validation that all New Yorkers are this way. And maybe we are. But you all must understand. We are just used to moving through life faster and we have little time for b.s. After I told old boy that I was from New York where the real rappers are from and that unless he was exiting the stage with Biggie, Jay Z or Nas he really should come back to the world, he humbled out. He apologized for the disrespect. I guess he realized that wilin' out over a misunderstanding when you are a nobody in the clique of a still a nobody was very uncalled for. I saw him chilling in the tent throughout the night and he was very cool and down to earth after our disagreement. Sometimes it just takes a reality check for people to get their wits about them.

Needless to say this whole wristband thing caused a lot of unnecessary confusion. I think that performers at these types of events need to state how many people they are bringing so that organizers know in advance. Or they need their very own tent. It's that simple. I hate disorganization and the whole V.I.P. situation was all over the place. They definitely need to clean that up before the next big event.

The great thing that came out of working the tent that night was that I met one of the coolest sistas in Miami. She actually works in the same industry as I do and she's very well known in South Florida. We've been e-mailing each other back and forth since the event and have planned to hang out in the future. In fact we're meeting up tomorrow at a function in Coral Gables. I hope that as I come out of my shell I link up with many more accomplished women here. I really want to start building a network here that rivals the one I had back home.

One last tidbit- Jeffrey Osborne was the headlining performer and I didn't get to see one second of his performance because I was working. But I heard the performance and that man still has a set of pipes on him! I'm going to pick up one of his compilation cd's after hearing the great show that he put on.

Well that about sums up how my day went at VKBP. I'll be volunteering there again soon for beach clean up. I'll put up some pictures in my photobucket account for you guys to check out. Here is the VKBP link for the website if you guys want to sign up. Maybe I'll see you at the next event...

http://www.virginiakeybeachpark.net/volunteers.asp