TheMusingsReport

Kicking with the Kindle

2011-12-26T15:42:00.000-08:00

I found a new addiction, besides my past one to food. As an avid reader, I heard about the Kindle last year but I shrugged it off and thought to myself, nope, not gonna convert. First of all, I love books, and I mean the book you snuggle with. The one you hold close to you, fall asleep with and find your fingers caressing those pages. I never thought in a million years, I'd get bit by the Kindle bug.

Most of it was because I was busy, always got my book from the library, and had room for books. But now that I'm living in New York, it's pretty hard to stack books when space is limited and so, I have in the last month and half started downloaded books by various authors in various genres. I must say it has been very interesting, including reading books by established and new authors. Right now I have been kicking it with Kindle on my blackberry and also Kindle on the PC. Also going to upgrade to the regular Kindle. I'm excited about the Kindle Fire and may upgrade at some point but starting off slow.

You might wonder why you should get a Kindle. It's a convenient way to read on your phone, your pc or the Kindle. The Kindle comes in a small package, no paper, no pages, no paper cuts, and if you have an Amazon account or a Prime member you can download several books for free. You can slid the Kindle in your bag, your purse and it doesn't take up much space. You can get sample of novels or other books and then decide to purchase the book. You don't have to lug around heavy books, unless you are really traditional and don't want to upgrade to this type or reading device. If you are a writer, you need to reformat your books. Don't miss out on the market. I will do a separate blog about how to use this digital technology.

Current titles I just read recently was: The Crossing by Serita Jakes, Chance Encounter by Earl Sewell, Love UnExpected by Shelia Goss, A Boyfriend for Christmas by Caedem Marquez and A Change of Grace by Marva Fuller. These titles were highly engaging, entertaining, and very enjoyable. I did a podcast recently that you should check out on my Literary Pizzazz show that discusses these books.

Until we meet again, happy reading and have a wonderful holiday season. Don't forget to slow down for a good story...

Fresh Like This

2011-06-12T08:22:00.000-07:00

My life has really zoomed off since January of this year when I decided once again to make life shifts to increase my health and to decrease my unhealthiness. Now don't get me wrong, I have always tried to put my health first but always got over whelmed by crazy things that has happened like my mother's cancer status. However, this time is different because I am no longer using life challenges as an excuse on how or why I won't put my health as a priority in this life. Six months ago, I made a committment to my health, asked for friends to be apart of my journey (my accountability partners have been so helpful in my journey on this, along with my fitness coach, Pamela Lobell, and my friends online at several websites and facebook groups). Lastly, using sensibility as a choice this time, and making substitutions that are reasonable has helped me a whole lot. I try to work out from time to time (in the beginning i wasn't working out at all, now I work out at least 4-5 days a week using videos, or hitting the treadmill hard at the gym). I'm not a person who uses classes, but I love to walk and that's what I do most along with drinking water ten glasses a day! I am feeling blessed and fresh after my hard work of getting down to a size 18 from a size 24. Lots of clothes I can't fit and i will donate to shelters or places (my really nice stuff); the other stuff is getting tossed unless it's something I can have someone amend to my new size. I have a lot of inspirers too. Many of my online friends have lost 100 or more pds! Even some of my close associates have lost 40-60 pds which i feel is a blessing. For me, it's good to just be in a healthier frame of mind. Even when I am stressed, I choose to write, to sing, to walk, shadow box, dance or use my resistance bands. Yes, there are days when I don't want to work out. I try to at least walk, drink that water, and if I get off track, I allow myself the occasional cupcake (which I had one last night at an event -- but I won't be eating that until my bday again). I think it's about a balance. You have to allow yourself to fail, then try again. To mix up your food and workouts. I don't like to get in a rut or get bored so I tend to try new things. I'm currently drinking protein shakes, eating protein bars, lots of fruit, unsalted peanuts and cashews. I can now eat a can of pringles over a week or two whereas before I would gulf it down in one night. I don't eat chips daily and I normally try to do my own smoothies, my own meals, versus eating out daily at fast food chains. Whole foods is not the enemy neither is a burger. You just have to choose lean versus fast food'ng! Use olive oil, and bake or steam your food. Those are a few of my things. My secret weapon is my resistance bands. I use them every day and do wallpushups and a lot of floor work now. Those are only a few of my approaches. I"m sure if you are reading this blog you might have your own that work so please share them. Life can be fresh as you want -- a sweet peach dripping inside your mouth if you allow it ! Don't confine yourself and define your own rules when it comes to this. Read all you can and then apply what you feel will work for your situation. I am currently a person who used to use my circumstances to define who I am; I now define my situations. Mastering my own path through a strength that comes from the one above. I am wishing you a productive and blessed week ahead.

Keeping the Faith

2010-12-01T08:07:00.001-08:00

This inspirational book will hit shelves in early 2011. I am honored to be one of the faith walkers who will be sharing personal testimonies. These stories are inspirational in nature and I felt blessed to share some of my own challenges and triumphs in real 'life' scenarios! Vanessa Miller edited the collection and you can do pre-orders soon. Check the blog for details on that. I keep the faith through god's grace and favor, wishing you all a wonderful day and week ahead!

Mocha Sistah

Reading This and That - April 2010

2010-04-30T10:32:00.000-07:00

Lutishia Lovely brings back the spiritual fire with a fiyah flame in between sheets of the eye alluring Reverend who has been 'covering' many women at his church, Gospel Truth Church. What you find is generational sensual affiliations with many women and if that hasn't gotten your tongues a wagging, the way the story goes down will. Because Nate has his pick of the flock, he didn't count on his heart falling for one special woman who has the cloth of the Proverbs woman within her spirit as she grows in Christ and away from his 'harem' so to speak. This is a engaging story that explores secrets, abuse of power, generational curses, unhealthy relationships and reality of some churches that some may not want to hear about but is a reality for some churches and their members. Reverend Feelgood is a contemporary story that shows what happens when a bonds are broken, when shocking sins continue to flourish, and explosions happen when the worse in human sensuality and behavior occur. Be ready for a wild ride.

Coming up next on my show this week will be poet Melissa Ewell Miller discussing her book, Love Notes. Tune in on Tuesday, May 4th at 9 PM ET/8PM CT time.

Til then, keep the pages turning!

Mocha Sistah

Reading This and That -- Feb 2010

2010-01-31T18:57:00.000-08:00

I just finished Sinsatiable by Shelia E. Lipsey. Supertalented Aisha Carlisle lives her dreams of owning her own dance studio but when a challenge gets thrown in her way, instead of waiting for god to lead her in the direction of solving the problem or the solution spiritually, she takes ownership of the issue at hand and totally gets sucked in a life that threatens to tear her world apart. At the same time, she meets a man who at the onset gives her the attention she wants and needs but then as things goes, she learns that not everything is as it appears. Her world is tossed here fro as family issues and her personal world collide. I give this book 4 mochas! The author took a lot of time to build a good story, subplots, and twists and turns with major characters that made this a great read. The title is published under Urban Christian Fiction, you can find it online at Amazon!

I also have a few other books to read including...

A Man's Worth - Nikita Lynette Nichols
First Comes Love - Shana Johnson Burton

I'll keep you posted as things goes along. I hope you have a wonderful week ahead,

Mocha Sistah

Author of the Month: T.S. Jones

2010-01-28T17:01:00.000-08:00

Atlanta native, T.S. Jones scripts a book that will move the soul and make you think about motivations of men, women and relationships. Is it more important for a woman to forgo her spirit in chase of the almightly marriage bed, the ring, or should she just focus on the finances she'll gain? There are many different ways this debut author could have written her book. However the fact that she chose to use many different elements in an entertaining way to create tension among her characters, create a dialogue for the sexes to discuss important elements of marriage, relationships, and listening to god's voice is the reason why I chose her as the Author of the Month to feature here on my blog. I love the way she crafted her characters, in a realistic way that gave good portrayals of both men and women within this world of secrets, lies, insecurity, and made this reader finish a book so quick it made my head twist faster than the speed of light. The reason why I asked T.S. Jones to be a feature on my show was the uniqueness of her story and the fact that I felt her book was different than most written in this genre. Not to slight any other authors out there, I felt Ms. Jones spent time developing her characters, plot, and pushed her subplots very well. I also loved the fact that the book felt fluid and realistic than many other christian books I've delved into the past few years. As an author she didn't write any cookie cutter characters. These characters felt real, layered, and diverse in really good ways that made you want to get to that next chapter. Her subject is real, and many women will feel the struggle of the three women on a quest to find love or being married. Some men will also find some good nuggets in here, as well, because this story isn't just about women and love. Its about finding what is real love is. What is committment? What is sacrifice? So many elements I could find in this book that made me want to pick it up again. By the way, I finished the book in 6 hours. Yes, it's that good.

You should pick up T.S.Jones because she has a fresh approach and perspective that will be enjoyable and make you want to call your friends up and have a discussion about the anointing of the word that is displayed in her work. To find out more about this author, please visit her publisher's websitehttp://www.nevaehpublishing.com. This book will have your tongue's waggling, your soul shouting, your head shaking, maybe a tear or two shed, and maybe just maybe you'll smile~

Also, if you want to hear T.S. Jones in action, she was featured on Literary Pizzazz on January 2th. Check the featured show.

Mocha Sistah

As We Come To a Close

2010-01-28T16:46:00.000-08:00

Lord, I cannot remember a month going by so fast. We opened the year fresh and anew. I have been literally humping since Jan 1st. On my plate this month as been volunteering with a senior center in the Bronx on Jan 15th and also helping to pack boxes for troops earlier in the month. Trips all over the 5 boroughs has resulted me in connecting services for youth and families between the South Bronx and Queens, Harlem, Manhattan, and Staten Island. It's be crazy but good.

On the book tip, I have been heavily reading a few books. I'm currently in the middle of Sinsatiable by Sheila E. Lipsey, and A Man's Worth by Nikita Lynette Nichols. I also have Tracey Bateman's Thirsty to finish before my next book club meeting.

I have a bunch of authors to interview for the show so keep yourself posted by checking out my show line up at http://www.blogtalkradio.com/literarypizzazz

I have been in the kitchen a lot lately shaving calories but cooking up a storm. Since last year, shaved off about 30 + pounds, and hoping to do more but in a very healthy way. I"m cool with losing 1 or 2 pds a week and nothing more. No crazy diets, just me eating god's green earth: 5 fruits and veggies a day! Lots of water, and if I want to eat some discretionary calories, don't go over board.

I'm getting comfortable in my place living here in New York, thus, I am now considering doing some writing and teaching gigs (volunteering my time yet again) with youth writers and in the community.

On the entertainment tip, I got a chance to see Book of Eli and was blown away. Still haven't seen Avatar yet... it's on my list.

Vocally, I want to get in the studio but waiting on god to present some opportunities for that. Until then I'm reading, writing, and working hard for the foster youth.

Hope this friday brings a peace your heart and soul can appreciate.

Talk with you on the 'next' go around.

With light and love always abounding,
Mocha S.

A Year In Reflection

2009-12-31T07:00:00.000-08:00

We've had our highs and lows, we've lost friends, family members, gone through trials and tribulations and we are still here. We are still standing. Now is not the time to feel remorse, or sadness about what happened because what is, WILL BE. Life is for living and each breathe of life must be enjoyed for we do not know when it will be our time to go. This year I've made a huge shift in my life by moving out of one career to another new one. A transition that I've been in for the last 6 months of this year. Moving to the east coast wasn't easy but it was the best thing God allowed me to do this year that actually made sense. Don't get me wrong, I do miss being in the class room, planning lessons, working with parents,and in schools in the Chicago Public System, but being in New York has given me more empowerment to do things in a different beat. Working with youth in the foster care system has been rewarding, and very freeing -- i'm seeing things with a new lens. A lens that has given me clarity in a different way to serve as I support the youth of the Bronx and encourage others to do the same.

I sit here all bright eyed and bushy tailed (locks all over the place), feeling that I am right where I need to be. I'm still writing, still singing, and still living well, learning how to budget effectively and be more healthier has been additional gifts bestowed on me and appreciated. My original goal of moving was completed by July (thanks god), and I lost 25 pounds before I left chicago, though my total weight loss is closer to 50, and I feel great. I'm cooking all the time, and learning new ways to support my balanced diet -- don't get me wrong, I love eating! and I don't miss any meals, but I do it in more of a very balanced way that lets me get all that I want in, but i don't miss eating a lot of bread or heavy (greasy meats). Last year at this time, I was an over worked teaching artist who didn't have time to cook or eat right, god fixed that when I moved here.

This year I was able to actually 'pen' a few things -- Psalms of Love -- which will be tweaked and released later in 2010 and my attempt at another novel, "Not Between These Thighs" which will be released in the Fall of 2010.

I find myself at a very peaceful place this year -- working on many shifts in my mindset, to mold myself to be a better virtuous woman, to allow real love to come into my life, to be bold in my doings, but more humble none the less.

I've had a heck of a year -- and enjoyed all of it! Glad god got me through the rough phase of my last teaching days -- and although I miss Chicago, being in New York has given me knew wings to fly higher.

Did I mention, I won two airplane tickets from Jet Blue, which I haven't used yet? I am still praying I used them in wonderful ways... god will tell me what needs to be done.

Although I'm still processing the lost of a few friends and an aunt who passed away recently, I am happy I was able to have positive exchanges with these people. Enjoyed them while they were in my life.

As I sit here on the last day of the year, I have no regrets, for I think everything has been put in place for me to rise higher and I encourage you to do the same. Whether you 'ring' in the new year quietly or with friends, wipe that slate clean and try to start the new year with new thoughts, a new mind frame, and energy to push on and claim more blessings. Don't wonder what it's going to be, just be open for things to happen and CLAIM them into existence. Speak words of kindness, and peace! Let serenity coast your spirit, and rise you higher. Do not look back, look forward to all the brightness before your soul. Wishing you a bountiful new year 2010, filled with many possibilities.

Mocha S.

New Days Ahead

2009-06-26T22:16:00.000-07:00

Osbey Books is moving to NYC! It's a time of renewal and change. Too much to process on this end and packing my life into boxes and rearranging myself as I relocate is very involved but I am excited. Hopefully I can update this blog by next week with new work.

Currently I am teaching literary classes at an elementary school (with parents). It is very fun and creative. As a group we are really having a great time. We are covering prose, poetry, creative writing, personal essays, and commentaries. We are working on using metaphors, figurative and descriptive language, similes, and concrete words. So far, it's been good.

Besides that a short appearance at this years Printer's Row Book Fair went fairly well. I am letting my non fiction title rest as I organize myself for living in NYC.

2 other novels are brewing and will be re-edited for release in late fall. Besides that, just enjoying the rest of the summer in Chicago.

I always thank God for seeing me through my new paths in this life. It is fulfilling and makes me feel like I'm walking in my purpose.

Be blessed everyone!

Mocha Sistah

Repeat This

2009-03-20T05:46:00.000-07:00

Often in class, I find myself repeating a lot of things. So I snuck and wrote a poem about it, using repetition basically.

Enjoy!

REPEAT THIS!

repeat this...is what i gotta say everyday.
repeating things as i stand at the front of the classroom
being tested by 30 students palming their grimmy pencils
and white paper with scrawled names
repeating abc's
repeating 123's of poetry
repetition is the name of a poetry teacher's game
and please don't be lame
cause kids will laugh in your face
sometimes i cannot think because i am constantly
repeating..
please-stop-doing-that!
repeating in my head (lord don't let me have to utter
that syllable again!)
repeating errands that i must do in my head like
memorizing math multiplications or substracting
the times i've had to stop class because of inappropriate
or distracting behavior...
i just don't want to forget... what i was teaching
what was i teaching?
anyway...
i repeat steps as i walk my walk
i repeat steps as i dial momma in between classes
and laugh about my crazy 3rd grade class at koz
i sometimes laugh inside at the kids...
they are like instant entertainment...
distracting little play performers on crack
jingling this way
wiggling that way
spotlight on the main performers as they keep me
entertained
this repeating days and moments feel like
lyrical mathematican's running a crazy conference
about lack of self control with behaviors that
tintinnbulate the verses of their syllables
that constantly tumble of their mouth sounding
so unephonic...
i rehearse my little spiel and hope they get something
from the lesson, close my bag, slid papers in them and
then return to the first time i entered the learning
tool box as i know... that lessons beyond poetry
are always shared and learned
and those will be repeated in future generations of
writers who experienced a little sharing of words
with me in a class somewhere in between the midwest
and south, so i retire my pen and my soul
even for a little while maybe the hungering for new knowledge
will have been planted by a forty minute session in a class
where language was the fore front, not just slight interruptions
of human behavior

(c) 2009 by Mocha Sistah

The Many Things of Mocha

2009-03-18T15:43:00.000-07:00

I know it's been a while, so I'm updating this blog! It's been more than a few months since I've blogged seriously, so here goes.

Although I do have my company, Osbey Books, I am quietly building a client base and revamping certain aspects of what I do. Focusing on providing the same services, I have a new site @ http://osbeybooks.webs.com/ which will be updated as things are progressing.

Current book projects for my author Onika Pascal, Collections of a See Through Soul Portraits, is now on sale at http://www.authorsbookshop.com/ and http://www.amazon.com/.

I am finishing up a few of my schools currently and in transition as I either head for Atlanta, Hawaii or Japan this summer. Yes, I said that! I have planted the seeds of change and going where the universe is sending me. I am leaving open the options and seeing where God wants me to plant new roots. All three locations would be very different and give me the curiosity i seek as well as something exciting to look forward to.

On my contracts I have four weeks of teaching left; and although it's one of those ending periods for me, I am happy that I am ending on good notes at all schools. The turmultous air that has followed us all during the recession has embarked in the murky waters of artists every where. Because of funding issues in the state of Illinois, I have decided this is my last go around in the schools as a teaching artist. However I have thoroughly enjoyed it. I believe God allowed me to spend as much time being an advocate in the schools to prepare me for other educational roles which I am qualified to do. Going back to school and getting my Masters in Reading and Literacy is a goal I hope to achieve in the next 2 years either here in Illinois or abroad elsewhere.

My trip to Atlanta was great (a few weeks ago) and I got a lot of information that will help me make some decisions regarding my summer trekking to Georgia if I do not decide to go to another location.

Japan and Hawaii may have to wait if Cobb County or Gwinnett offers me the opportunity to work with students and parents in Georgia. We'll see. Only time will tell.

I was speaking with a recruiter the other day and he wanted to know why I wanted to relocate or start over during a recession and my response was, "why not?" I'm single, strong candidate in any area that I've focused on, and have no other pressing responsibilities which would keep me in Chicago. So why not try? Why not explore? What is holding me back? ONLY ME! I know a few people are wondering why leave during a recession but my theme of the year is to keep pressing on despite challenges and to challenge myself to not be stagnant. If you want true change you must be willing to be the CHANGE you seek!

I'm off the air for a week and will return with great authors. You may want to check in with me and Juisee Da Queen next Monday on www.blogtalkradio.com/literarypizzazz. Next Wednesday I interview Chamein Canton and then in April I will be hosting some fabulous authors and poets during the National Poetry Month.

Performance wise, I am scheduled at a few venues, so check back for the updates on my locations.

Trying to catch up with me more and wanting to see new work posted weekly, check me out on Facebook. Wanting to know if I am still writing books, yes, I am. I will be releasing something during the summer of 2009, so thanks for that continued support.

I am hoping you have a wonderful day ahead!

Mocha Sistah

Change of Me...

2008-09-10T08:45:00.000-07:00

I have crossed a mile stone. I'm 40! I enjoyed a birthday that was special with those who love me. The dinner was awesome. The weekend was great and the weather was perfect. I couldn't ask for more.

For me it means.. a New number, different mind set. I'm happy. Things are okay and flowing the way it should. I'm deciding on some important matters. I'm making some transitions. I'm watching the political race and I"m involved.

I find that 40 (for me) is freeing. I'm more honest about things. I'm not as concerned with other's thoughts of me. I'm working hard on my goals and dreams. I'm focused more on family, and small moments of time...

I've taken more time out in the last 2 weeks to slow down and enjoy the little things. Laying out by the lake, writing in my journal, and breathing slow to enjoy time as it spins very serenely. Going to Millenium park, walking around town, taking care of my health is sooo important to me. That's it.

I find also that this 'age' has helped me to cut the fat in my life. Not fat but people. People who mean me harm, who have never really supported me who need to be out. So I've slowly begun to transition the not so good elements, cutting down to the ones that really are for me, and not against me. I really don't have the time or the attitude to have people around me who are negative spirits who PRETEND to be something they aren't.

My intuition is running things along with the spirit God has instilled in me.

So yes, I'm being very focused on what is working in my life and what isn't.

I'm excited about my background melodies (good things in progress), along with the radio show, new books, and other haps.

I challenge you to be the change you want to see in the world. As Ghandi said, because you'll be waiting forever for someone to change what you want to see. It's like Nike says, just do it!

Mocha Sistah

Over Kill

2008-05-31T10:44:00.001-07:00

Yes, I'm to the max. I always am. So when I woke up on Monday morning to no DSL service I was petrified, but it proved to be something of a blessing. See I spend countless hours online promoting, emailing people, updating blogs, contacting clients, etc. Having spent almost 6 days offline proved a few things -- I'm loved -- missed -- and of course, the time off was needed. I work hard. In fact the last month has been my most hectic. I'm lucky that I didn't have any health issues for I did push myself beyond my normal limits.

My cellular phone pretty much blew up when my primary account was inactive. People worried about me kind of surprised me but also was cool because it meant, some really did miss me. In my interim time offline I lost a family member; another reminder that life is important and that I don't have a lot of time myself, as I don't know what my 'number' is. God does though. The family member that passed away was only 57 years old, and I'm nearing 40, so that was startling to me.

On my flip side, this week wasn't all bad. I received an award from a school regarding my years of service as a Literary Educator, and two of my programs went extremely well.

I got rest, had time with my family (more time than I usually have), and that was a blessing in itself. As a great friend reminds me, that my superwoman cape has to come down sometimes (smile) and I'm allowing people to actually take care of me. I surely appreciate those who contacted me during my offline time , especially those who called or emailed me to just check in to say hi. That is very important. I know sometimes I don't seem to be available or that people believe I am too busy to slow down, neither are true.

It's just that I am more like my Grandmother (r.i.p "Ma Davis") who always keeps it moving. But learning to slow down ain't bad either.

With that said, I'm heading over to the Chicago Gospel Fest this weekend to restore my spiritual soul and hang with a few sister friends.

It's another nice day outside and as I smell the flowers in my house today, I'm reminded that quiet and solace is a blessed thing.

Here's to wishing you a bountiful weekend.

Mocha Sistah

Thinking of Many Things

2008-05-10T04:31:00.001-07:00

Well, I hope this blog finds you doing very well. It's almost Mother's Day, can you believe it? I've spent the last month hopping around doing this and that. Time spent at the Romance Slam Jam was pretty hectic but very good. It was the first time I ever spent talking to others about my short stories and pitching publishing houses. I got some great feedback and I'm working on sealing up several stories to get to the pub houses for review of possible contracts. I'm just excited that I can get some more short stories either in e-book or paperback format. I will probably have the books published under another pen name though.

I'm in the middle of a lot of planning for culminating events for several programs with Poetry Center of Chicago and Family Focus, Inc. Students are performing at schools on May 15, May 27th and May 30th. In addition, I am on stage during the week of May 21st with John Beer and his "poetry theatre series". I will only have a short amount of time to study and learn my lines before I hit the stage. Then there's Career Fair events on May 10, May 20th and May 21st. Let's not forget the Gwendolyn Brooks Poetry event on June 5th with the Words @ Play program. I hope I still have air in my lungs by the weekend of June 7th to attend the Sox game on June 8th.

And to think I thought I would be relaxing between April and July. Didn't happen.

There is also a book in production with O.B.I, and a few new projects from other authors during the summer of 2008 including, Loving Your Life.

I'm excited to say I will be attending a wedding of a friend in August 2008 in St. Louis, MO so that's going to be very nice. I cannot wait to see my friend and her fiancee seal the deal. It's such a beautiful thing to see black love in motion. It still exists folks.

Well, right now, I need to get ready to go to the Career Fair at Senn High School. I will be working with teen girls, some pregnant or young mothers. The workshop will focus on self love, self care and self worth through reflection and creative expressions. I hope they get a lot out of it, I am just excited to be with 25-30 women to dialogue about life and their world.

Don't forget to hug your mom, your sister, or your daughter's this weekend. This is a wonderful weekend to remember Mother's who are now in God's cloud of love. This is a time to enjoy mother's and what they bring to the world. Never forget to enjoy your Mom's while they are still in your world.

I am wishing you many blessings.

Mocha Sistah

Many Things

2008-04-12T19:03:00.000-07:00

It's been a while, so I thought I'd post something....here you go. An update of sorts. I'm working on balance (a constant thing with me...) There's never a shortness of work with me. Things are bursting all over but as far as balancing it out in real life, I have to do a mental check and make sure I am not shorting my self or my family. That's the most important thing for me.

It's been a quiet saturday, and yes, I'm late on my taxes. I normally don't even sweat it cause I know I will owe money because I am self employed and yes, that means my lil stimulus check will be applied to any owed taxes. In fact that works for me big time. Unfortunately us self employed folks have to pay out of pocket fees because of the way we are paid (untaxed dollars) but in general terms I am okay with it. At least I can sleep at night when I know I am able to work my schedule the way I want it and it flows right that I don't have to hit the grind 24/7 or work unlimited hours at a 9 to 5. My grind is my grind. 3 years gone by and I'm still standing (yeah yeah yeah). On to other things.

The next few months are huge for me in terms of exposure and community re-connections. I am performing a few times between April and June, and of course I am teaching community after school programs in parks and schools. I will be at the Romance Slam Jam, Senn & Simpson High Schools, and performing at the Chicago Park Library on two occasions. I also will be traveling to St. Louis to participate as a vendor in a Literacy Book Festival with fellow authors in the St. Louis, Missouri area. I'll try to post something so everyone can be aware of where I'm at. You can also checkout my show listings at www.myspace.com/dapoetess.

Writing grants is my new hobby. I finished up a grant a few weeks ago and I'm working on one for the Neighborhood Arts Grant. I'm hoping to get approved by the ASM folks by Summer 2008. If not, I may go back to the private sector for a few weeks during the summer. I am helping a few folks get their businesses off the ground and doing some consulting with other authors and publishers. Summer 2008 I might be able to get to the Harlem Book Fair for it's 10 year anniversary with my author Onika Pascal.

Yes, I know I said I'm slowing down and it's true. I have a special someone in my life who is my inspiration for such enjoyment of real life off the 'net. That's a good thing too. As I creep up towards my 40th year on this earth I am always reminded everything is not always about words, baby poets, teaching poetry or staying busy as a writer and publisher.

I plan to move into a new phase of my life, to include relationships, having a family, and maybe marriage. But I'll let God work all those details out. You know with me, you never know. I am extremely grateful though. As I think about the last few months of things that I had to deal with, I am happy that I can even breath and still know that God is who he is and that he's allowed me to exist in the space I do without drama and health issues. I am extremely favored and I will say it out loud, "thank you lord."

Many things continue to pull me in many directions, I know that I'm coming soon to a phase of life where things will be more simplicist. I cannot wait for that. It's not always about the "mocha sistah" thing either. Sooner or later I'll have to take a year off and just be 'pam' and I'm okay with that.

Anyway, I bid you adieu for the moment. I hope you have a nice weekend and enjoy whatever it is that makes your soul sing.

Mocha Sistah

Inspire Higher Feature: Author Lily L. Ratiff - 03/15/08 Show

2008-03-05T19:13:00.000-08:00

Author Lily L. Ratliff took out some time to share with the Musings Report on her book, The Life of a Lily. Please open your minds and souls to get to know this anionted woman of God through literary verses and more!

1) What compelled you to write your book? I was awakened one late night in 2001, led to write down all that God wanted to share with me. In that time of reflection and self-discovery, one of the things that God shared with me was to write my testimony. It first started as a diary/journal until 2004.

2) What was your inspiration to write the book? In 2005, tragedy struck when my brother was killed by gunfire. It had already occurred to me that I was ready to turn my diary/journal to a full fledge book, but that terrible circumstance opened up a whole new chapter in which to write about.

3) What was the major themes that you explored in your writings? Adoption and the Foster Care System, Domestic Violence, Infidelity, Depression, Tuberculosis

4) How long did you know you were given the gift of writing through verse? Since 2001

5) What should people know about this book and how to apply it to God's words through their own lives? Relevant corresponding scriptures are in the book that people can go to for a reference study and/or to self reflect. Every time I approached different circumstances in the book, that for some people could be deemed as taboo or would otherwise be considered as “airing your dirty laundry,” God’s word is then placed for people to gather a sense of His promise to us as believers who have once fallen short, but can then regain His provision of a better tomorrow.

6) What makes this book stands out as a unique book in your writing genre? This book is very unique. Not too many people can or will tell a story and open up their hearts like an open book. Most non-fiction inspirational books only give stories from the bible and relevant scripture and try to relate it to our everyday “now” lives (not saying those books are neither meaningful nor powerful for what many need). However, my book brings home experiences that many can relate to for today, experiences that many people are afraid to share or admit to others. This book is like a mini-diary that people can look at themselves just like looking at a mirror. So many people will not only be able to relate, but see that no matter what you go through, God has an answer for it.

7) Where can people purchase the book? People can purchase by book via my website, http://www.thelifeofalily.com/ or http://www.cushcity.com/. After April 8th, everyone will be able to purchase the book at any book retailer near them, and online retailers, such as Amazon, Wal-mart, Borders, and Barnes and Nobles.

8) Do you have any upcoming events? Friday, March 21st, I will be at Nubian Bookstore in Atlanta, GA from 4:30-7:30 P.M. signing my books. Saturday, March 22nd, I will be at the All-Alumni Step Show at the Georgia World Congress Center, in Atlanta, 7:00P.M. as a vendor, selling and signing my books as well as introducing my business, “Everything That’s Lily, LLC”: inspirational jewelry with a message of Christ. April 4th-6th, I will be going to Dayton, OH, invited to a gospel play called, Pleading My Case. During the intermission, I will be selling and signing my books. April 8th is the release date of my book. April 19th-book release party (time and place forthcoming.) May 16-18th, I will be in Houston, Texas as a participating author at the National Black Book Festival-hosted by Cushcity.com.

(Check out http://www.nationalblackbookfestival.com/ and http://www.cushcity.com/ for more information about the festival and to purchase a copy of the book!)

9) What do you want people to know about you as a writer?

My passion as a writer extends into ministry for people who have lost hope, or feel that their dreams of ever succeeding in life are far fetched. The devil knows how to put a limit on your goals and desires, but there’s no limit on what God can do. Writing the book, The Life of a Lily: Growing in His Strength, Blooming in His Love displays the prime example of how one woman, who was given the command to tell her testimony, took years to complete it, but not by accident. God’s timing is not like ours. I am a writer that is pragmatic and can take the word of God and apply it on so many different levels for different individuals going through different situations, but all coming to one conclusion: God said, “My brother, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing….Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him” (James 1:2-4, 12). So even though it may have taken a while to publish this book according to society’s norms, according to God, is was right on time! God’s word is for his people right now!

Come join InspireHigher co-host Premonitions and I as we discuss Self-Love, Redemption and God's Grace on Saturday, March 15, 2008 with Author Lily L. Ratliff. Log on to www.blogtalkradio.com/literarypizzazz at 10: 30 AM Central Standard Time/11:3o AM Eastern Standard Time.

We urge readers to purchase her inspirational book which you can apply to any area of your life. God Bless and keep our sister of the verse.

Pam Osbey

Host, Inspire Higher Radio Show

Saluting an Oklahoma Favorite: Author Lucinda Thierry

2008-02-10T09:05:00.000-08:00

Oklahoma native Lucinda Thierry will be our featured author on Literary Pizzazz on Monday, February 11, 2008 @ 7PM CST TIME.

Lucinda Marie Thierry is a graduate of Oklahoma State University with a Bachelor of Science in Journalism & Broadcasting (Public Relations emphasis) and a minor in Spanish. As a college student, she wrote for the campus newspaper and received a Third Place Award for a Newspaper Series from the Southwest Journalism Congress. She also served on the university's Board of Student Publications. Lucinda works as a civilian courseware developer and trainer for the Air Force, and she serves as an enlisted mass communication specialist for the Navy Reserve. She is also an Air University graduate of Air Command & Staff College. Additionally, she owns Made By Me - parent company to Made By Me Greeting Cards, R.C.'s Art (her son's illustration business) and Beads By D. (her daughter's bead business). Made By Me Greeting Cards specializes in hand-made cards with calligraphic lettering and personalized poetry. Made By Me also offers a travel website where you can search all your travel needs with just one click, eliminating the need to utilize multiple search engines to find the best price. Just go to http://lucindathierry.worldventures.com.

Lucinda has been published in many civilian and military newspapers, magazines and online publications as a respected journalist. Just google Lucinda Thierry, and you can read some of her work.

Salutations, Christian Poems for Various Occasions is a compilation of poems written for clients from Lucinda Marie Thierry's Made By Me Greeting Cards business.

Are you big on holidays? Have you ever wanted to say something special to a friend but couldn’t find the right
words? Maybe birthdays are your forte, or you’ve tried your hand at poetry a time or two. Well, this is the book for you. There is a poem for just about every occasion, and you can even sketch out ideas of your own inside this very book. Whether greeting a friend, saying happy birthday to a relative or co-worker, or sending someone off at a farewell party, you’ll have an array of expressions to choose from.

So, before you put pen to paper or plan your next party, flip through the pages of this book. It just might inspire you.

To order books, email Lucinda Marie Thierry at made_by_me_creativity.yahoo.com. The cost is $10 per book. Add $3.99 postage and handling for the first book and $0.99 for each additional book purchased.

Excerpt

Longevity is a blessing
Allowing for another year to grow
We go from glory to glory
A truth that you’ve come to know
We hope you’ll enjoy this birthday
A blessing from God to you
We pray you’ll celebrate the next one
With the unified book club crew

Black History Month Thoughts - FAMILY

2008-02-02T17:46:00.000-08:00

Hello everyone,

It's that time again. I am posting my very first voice blog. Listen and post any comments as necessary.

I hope this month helps to strengthen the black race as a whole and continues throughout the year.

Reply | Copy This

Mocha Sistah

Literary Pizzazz introduces Mark Tomback

2008-01-15T18:04:00.000-08:00

Our featured guest on Monday, January 28, 2008 will be Mark Tomback. His book Spiriting Around: A Modern Guide to Finding Yourself. Its theme is life’s too hard but easier when we accept spiritual responsibility. Written with teens in mind it’s really for anyone. It’s a guidebook for growing up and who couldn’t use that—at any age. It describes work and responsible ways to make money.Then love: marriage, sex, friendship, and love for God—all from a spiritual standpoint. Then a unique chapter explains the paradoxes life forces on us as we make the compromises that frame our values. And the last chapter comes full circle describing God—and our future—in practical realistic terms.

Visit the author's site www.spiritingaround.com for more details on his book. Tune to his show on Literary Pizzazz, 01/28/08 by logging on to www.blogtalkradio.com/literarypizzazz.

Literary Pizzazz Introduces Author Brian Lynch

2008-01-11T20:10:00.000-08:00

Our second author of the year...is Brian Lynch. He is an author, radio host, and entrepreneur. His company Valson Writings, Inc., connects readers, writers, and other literary entrepreneurs.

Here's a little about him.

Brian O Lynch was born to Valerie Lynch a single mom in 1971. His deep conviction of relationships was deeply rooted by his Christian background. As a young boy he was taught the basic principles of what a relationship should be. Migrating to the United States in his late teens he was soon influenced by the wrong ideas and had soon turned to practices contrary to his Christian belief. Thanks to his mom and the spirit of God working through both of them he was set on the right path again. His deep convictions were once renewed into his way of life. Assuredly no one is perfect so over the years he has learned valuable lessons when he turned away from God. His Passion to find a relationship of love, romance and the quality of life has driven him to get deeper in the subject of relationship. He credits the guidance of the Holy Spirit as the source of his knowledge. His writings are based partially on his own relationship experiences and of numerous researches that were carefully conducted over the years. His passion to see a better life for single mothers was also a strong inspiration for his writings. His greatest hope is as you read his writings you will allow it to point out where you are in seeking your relationship of love, romance and a better quality of life.

Tune in to Brian's show "Quality of Life" on Blog Talk Radio.

Visit his site Valson Writings to connect, network, etc.

His interview on Literary Pizzazz is Tuesday, January 15, 2008.

Literary Pizzazz features author Nikkea Smithers

2008-01-10T17:54:00.000-08:00

It's that time again. We have been off the air for 2 weeks! We return with awesome author and poetess Nikkea Smithers who has crafted her novel, Keith's Story.

Keith’s Story is the long awaited prequel and sequel to the underground hit novel Gold Diggin’ Raped, abandoned, homeless and pimped (all before the age of 18) Keith is battling in a war with his mind vs. his heart. In part one, Keith is shown just how strong a young man can be when faced with challenges that are beyond his realm of control. Enduring more than a child should ever have to, Keith runs through life with the robust desire to just survive. What Keith doesn’t understand is, what is done in the dark must come to the light, no matter how long it takes for the day to break. In part two Keith must answer to his past (which may tear his new family apart) and face earth shattering revelations. Questions are answered as new relationships unfold. Taking stage after he has moved to a new town with his new wife and daughter, part two exposes him in a way he never thought was possible. Keith’s Story is raw, uncut and unapologetic. Jump in the passenger seat of this fast paced story as told by the lead character and let it take you away!

Visit the author's website @ http://ausetausarproductions.net/

Tune in to the show next Monday January 14th @ 8 PM CST TIME
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/literarypizzazz

Call into the show -- 646-478-5460 and hear her LIVE!!!! ASK QUESTIONS and FIND OUT HER INSPIRATIONS AS A WRITER and MORE!

End of an Era

2008-01-06T16:49:00.000-08:00

Well, it's been a while since I've blogged and much has happened. First, it's a new year! Second, I've been on vacation for a long time and actually rested. Two weeks is a long time not to work, worry about the normal grind. I spent most of my vacation resting, and cleaning house mentally and spiritually. You'll be glad to note, I am healthy - no real issues going on, even managed to have a half-decent relationship with my estranged father. It's not perfect, but I guess it's as good as it will get. As far as everything else, I'm revising my business plan, working on two books, and about to send my teen anthology to an editor to do some comprehensive editing so I can reprint the book this Spring. So far, great comments from the teens on the book. It's been very hard to get myself to do any adminstrative work, but I guess that will happen on Tuesday when I return to the schools. I am also writing a grant for a summer program that hopefully will be picked up by the city.

Besides that I guess it's life as normal. End of an era, beginning a new. I'm about to do a body detox program for a 1 or 2 to get myself refocused on balance in my healthy eating habits, but nothing too extreme. I'm also working on organizing my poetry that I have taught over the years. I envision some sort of poetry gallery where I can highlight all the youth's poetry. Imagine that -- poetry by children from K - 12, from 2001 until the present time. Poetry from youth in my programs litter my home and it's out of control so I'm gonna begin to batch the items annually and try to keep them all together and out of the way. Right now, I hate that I have little or no space to highlight them. The funniest poetry item I have is a little poetry tree made from poems written in my classes at one of the parks. One of the coolest thing I did last year was help the park present a poetry gift to Margaret Burroughs. I hope she enjoyed the poetry the kids wrote and gave to her with the gift.

The best thing I've done over my break was very simple. I stacked up on my THE WIRE , Seasons 2, 3 and 4. I know Season 5 (last one) starts tonight. I'll buy the DVD when it comes out late in 2008 or early 2009. I also like Dexter, a show from Showtime, and that is one of my favorite shows as well as the WIRE. Washing my locks twice a week during the break provided me with a relaxing way to be taking care of myself. Movies were my thing during the break, even though Chicago had some nasty weather. I hate snow, but I hate staying in as well. House music night was off the chain last wednesday and I expect do that again, Martin Luther King's weekend.

Planning for me this year is dealing with getting my pass port. I got invited to the Frank Furt Book Fair, not sure I'm going but it's in Germany. I also am working on a lot of details with my book company, new authors, mentoring them, and getting new projects on the ground running. Well, I only have 1 more day to enjoy before my real life creeps up and slaps me silly.

I hope you had a great holiday season, enjoyed your family, and rung in the new year with love and renewal in your heart.

Until we meet...

Mocha Sistah

Just In Case You Were Wondering

2007-11-10T21:14:00.000-08:00

Speaking Me, a Youth Anthology is....

in printing mode! 17 youth authors with amazing work - poetry, short memories of life, love, and other things...will be published shortly.

With funding from CAAP (Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs), we are excited to roll out this book in the next few weeks.

I was promised the books by early next week. I'm hoping to have copies by end of this month to writers and start the promotions by December.

I will keep you posted on this as soon as I get new information. Thanks to everyone for the progression of this project.

Osbey Books, Inc. will begin to seek new material for Speaking Me, Volume II between January 10 - Early April 2008. Good luck to all writers.

Mocha Sistah

Upcoming Features

2007-11-10T21:06:00.000-08:00

hey all...

it's been a while. Just dropping in to say hello. i have shows on www.blogtalkradio.com/literarypizzazz every tuesday and thursday. This week's feature is Dex from Michigan (novel, Not An Ordinary Life) and inspirational author of the book, Simply Elevate on 11/13 and 11/15. Atlanta's Hotep stops by on November 20th to school us on the Hustler entrepreneurship concepts and discusses his book. Then I host Philadelphia's "Mika Miller" - And God Created Woman on November 30th.

Come December, we will have a Womanhood show along with a few authors, including Lucinda Thierry who will discuss her book, Salutations. January and February 2008 shows brings a UK author and a few more American ones.

Until then, I guess we'll chat and I'll post some new things shortly here. Thanks for stopping by -- leave a little sunshine for me , why don't you.

Recommended books:

So Much Drama - Kenya Moss
Cimmerian City - Rae Lindley

To get booked on Literary Pizzazz, email osbeybooks@sbcglobal.net with a short bio, book description and jpeg of your book along with your availability and we'll set your FREE show up!

Speaking Me Anthology: Online Showcase June 5th

2007-06-03T17:30:00.001-07:00

What is "Speaking Me"? It is an anthology that will feature writers ages 10-18. Their words. Their emotions. Their world. Some of these writers share personal stories through lyricism, rhymes and poetry. Others share their gift of writing through prose and short stories.

The project is supported by a partial grant through the Illinois Arts Council and the Department of Cultural Affairs.

The editor is Pam Osbey, CEO of Osbey Books, Inc., a small press publisher.

The collection will feature over 35 youth writers and will be published in Late 2007. Expect a deluge of activities in Chicago, New York, and other cities where the poets reside beginning in early 2008.

Featured Writers on June 5th's show:

Mary Williams is 16-years-old, attends Ossining High School in New York. She enjoys all kinds of writing from screenplays to stories to poems. She has studied writing with magazine TeenInk in London and conducted an interview with Alicia Keys with TeenInk. She also studies at the Hudson Valley's Writer's Center with acclaimed poet Brenda Conner-Bey.

Sayre Mingan lives in Berkeley, California. He is a student of San Francisco School Of The Art's Creative Writing Program. This the first time his fiction is being published. His poetry had been published in the Cacaphony and The Advocate. He believes that all words are important and should be heard because everyone has a story to tell.

Jeanette Anderson finds herself most inspired by the city she lives in, New York City. She is 18 years old and hopes to major in Creative Writing. She has been published in the british publication, Magma.

Gabriel C. Tyler is a student at Walter Payton College Prep is 16-Years-Old and resides in Chicago, Illinois. His personal life motto in words: "Pro Education, Fighting Injustices, Compliance, and Ignorance, and Promoting Expression." He describes himself as an African American young male who is inspired by the environment around him. He is inspired by the earth, neo soul music, Christianity, Lauryn Hill, and most importantly he believes that the edification of one's mental being is their key to success. Writing is not only his life, but his passion and his peace of mind.

Log on to Blog Talk Radio with host Pam Osbey, author of several titles including Musings of a Mocha Sistah, and the highly acclaimed "Smoke Signals" www.blogtalkradio.com/literarypizzazz

Air time: June 5, 2007 at 4pm, CST time!

Call in to the show at Dial In Number (646) 478-5460

We look forward to any and all callers, but particularly any youth writers or poets with words to share. Thanks again, Literary Pizzazz
www.myspace.com/literarypizzazz

An Author to Know: Kamryn Donavan

2007-05-13T05:38:00.000-07:00

Kamryn Donavan and her debut novel is titled GETTING LUCKY--due in stores 9/4/07.

About the Author:

Kamryn Donavan is a native of Lake Charles, Louisiana. Despite her deep southern roots, she will always be a Midwestern Girl at heart. Raised in University Park, a south suburb of Chicago, Kamryn has had a love for writing since her first short story assignment in third grade. She now resides in Los Angeles, California with her two sons, and is employed with the Communications Division of the Los Angeles Police Department. GETTING LUCKY is Kamryn's first novel, which took an impressive two weeks to complete.

BOOK EXCERPT:
Unit 109

His name is Vernon . No, no…it's Victor. Or did he tell me his name was Vincent?
For all Peaches could remember, the strange man sleeping in her bed at least had a name that started with a V.
Peaches had never been good at remembering a guy's name, which is probably because she never stayed with one long enough to learn his name. A guy could introduce himself, but she would never be interested in any of that small talk. All she wanted to know was how much money he had in his pocket. From there, she would make up her own name for him. Like the man in her bed, his name was Mr. 1000. That is how much he had spent on her the entire evening. At least a hundred in tips and private lap dances…the rest is what he paid her to take him home.
Peaches called out to him, hoping the sound of her voice would jostle him from his sleep.
She stood at the foot of her bed, naked and fresh from the shower, ready to get this strip club trick out of her bed so she could go on with her day.
This was not Peaches' normal routine. She had brought plenty of guys home from the club before, and then after sex, she would quickly send them on their way. Mr. 1000 was different, though. He was the first one she had actually allowed to sleep over—mostly because he was the first one to spend so much money on her in one night. The sex had something to do with it, too. Mr. 1000 had worked her over so good that she almost felt obligated to reward him with a few hours of sleep next to her, but now his time was up.
This time Peaches used her foot as a wake up call. "Hey! Wake up, man! I'm not running a damn motel here."
That was enough to rustle him from his slumber. The man rolled over and smiled at Peaches, still rubbing sleep from his eyes. "Hey there, baby girl."
Peaches did not have a smile to return. "This ain't Motel 6. If you wanna sleep, you need to take ya ass home."
"You kicking me out already, baby girl?" the man chuckled as he threw back the covers to show her how he was arousing himself. "You sure you don't wanna take another ride before you send me packing?"
Peaches marveled at how such an ugly man could be blessed with such a large one, but she quickly figured that was God's way of balancing things out. Since his ugly face could not reel in the ladies, his big dick and overflowing wallet sure would. As tempting as it was to take another ride on Mr. 1000, she had to remind herself that he was for business, not pleasure.
"Do you have some more money?" she asked, keeping a straight face to let him know that she was serious.
The man laughed then jumped out of bed to reach for his clothes. "You sure are something else, baby girl," he said with a hint of laughter in his voice.
Knowing that he was watching, Peaches pranced over to the closet to slip into her robe, making sure to put an extra jiggle in her step.
"Damn, baby girl, having that much ass should be against the law!"
Peaches laughed to herself, wishing she had a dime for every time she had heard that line. When it came to her, God had certainly made the scales unbalanced; blessing her with good looks and a body that could make a grown man cry.
"So are you working tonight?" the man asked, attempting to kill the awkward silence between them.
"Of course I am. I'm there every night making that paper."
The man went into his wallet then handed Peaches forty dollars. "This is just a lil' something extra for you," he whispered in her ear as if someone else were in the room listening.
A smile spread across her face as she slipped the money in her pocket. She said thank you, trying her best to sound appreciative, but such a measly gesture is not what brought such a look of pleasure. She just found it hilarious that he was giving her money, not knowing that she had already lifted sixty bucks from his wallet while he had been asleep.

Check out the hot debut novel GETTING LUCKY by Kamryn Donavan,
due in stores 09/04/07.
Copyright © 2007 Urban Soul Books, ISBN-10: 1599830256

Road Trip: St. Louis, MO

2007-04-10T20:26:00.000-07:00

I took a short trip to St. Louis, MO this past weekend. Literally....left Chicago on Saturday night and boarded Megabus, took at $1.00 bus ride to St. Louis. That's right. I got a $1.00 bus ticket via the site and had to endure 5 hours on the road, but there was only like 7 passengers, so we all literally froze outside Union Station, but boarded the bus at 12:10 am on Sunday, April 8th and arrived in St. Louis at 5:10 am, at the Union Station in STL. I actually got a little sleep and then was picked up by my family (The Millers), when I got to the house in Florissant, MO, I went straight to sleep for a couple of hours, and then, logged online, but did not check any of my emails, and made some phone calls. I spoke with Fo Feet and confirmed the time that I needed to be at her venue for SHE-ISM's Sunday event at Legacy Books and Cafe, and then, relaxed for most of the day. 5Pm, I arrived at the venue and asked Charlie Brown (one of FoFeet's musicians from her dope house band) if he knew some Anita Baker tunes. I ended up singing, Sweet Love and Been So Long, however, I ended up messing up both of these songs during my 15 minute performance. The poetry was on point. The crowd had a good time, and so did I. I realized, I have not publicly sung since the days of singing in New Hope Missionary Baptist Church Choir (Chicago, IL), and although I sing sometimes with my poetry, it's not a full song. I was told by several people including Starlite that I need to get in 'the studio' to do a full CD. It's not a focus right now, but it's not the first time I've heard that I have a 'pretty voice'. I"m not full of myself, God has given me this as another gift. Anyway, after being at Legacy for a few hours, I went back to Florissant, for a few hours, and hung out with my cousin for a few hours on Monday (my train was leaving at 5pm - Amtrak). I decided to take a different route home, plus I planned to write poetry on the trip home and watch movies on my laptop. I got "Business Class" on Amtrak and it only cost an additional 14 dollars. My train ticket was 36 dollars total. Had I taken the plan, I would have paid double that amount along. Because I have lovely family, I didn't have to drive myself, they took me everywhere I needed. I'm blessed. Anyway, The train ride was longer than 5 hours, but I must say, Business Class is the bomb and I might have to do that again. You have a lot more room, and it's like Leather seats. I was in heaven. I enjoyed watching "Phat Girlz" and "Kill Bill" on my new laptop, and reading, "Riding Rhythm" while waiting to get home. I got home last night around Midnight, and took a cab ride home, which took me about 15 minutes from the loop. Even though I didn't eat breakfast this morning, I had a great Lunch after my class - and then, got to the business of getting my little writer/publisher life back into order. Total cost of trip: $37 dollars. I kid you not!!!!!

Next up: Another writer/poet...stay tuned to the Musings Report.

Hope your Easter was fulfilling.

-- Mocha Sistah

Introducing Poet Stacey Barlow

2007-04-05T20:40:00.000-07:00

Born Stacey Yvonne Barlow, December 18, 1968 to Juanita Barlow, she was faced with many obstacles dealing with her cerebral palsy. But by the grace of God and her mother saying to her, “You can do anything you set your mind to doing because the sky is the limit for you,” she didn’t realize that she would be lead to writing. Stacey has been writing for 28 years. Her first break came when she wrote the astounding poem, “Not A Broken Dream” (1985) giving homage to the late Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. She is a member of the Cedar Springs Baptist Church of Hooks, TX and sings in her church choir. A Hooks High School graduate of 1987, Stacey went on to higher education attending Texarkana Community College also East Texas State University where she received her Associates Degree in Office Careers. She also attended East Texas State University in Commerce TX majoring in Communications between the years 1988 to 1993. In 1992 “I Can’t Love You If You Can’t Love Me” was recorded by The Sound of Poetry through The National Library of Poetry. She has also received two Editor’s Choice Awards for the poems “I Can’t Love You If You Can’t Love Me“, (1995). In the winter of 1997, Stacey was elected into The International Poetry Hall of Fame. “My Name Is. . .” (1997) was recognized by the judges as being among the best 3% of all entries judged. She has been published in two anthologies, Walk Through Paradise and The Best Poets of 1997. Stacey has had the opportunity to see her work in print “Carry On” in her local newspaper Citizen Tribune, (1997). In addition, she has recorded her CD of poetry, produced poetry calendars, written several other poems, and has been heard reciting poetry on Baltimore Maryland’s WPCG 95.5. Stacey was a featured poet on well renowned poet, Michelle Pinkard’s website, www.michellejpinkard.com (1998-2001) She continued to hone her talent and gifts for the next couple of years. Stacey Barlow has written a poem for the volunteers of The American Cancer Society of Pittsburgh, Texas. “Celebration of Life” (2001). Wrote a piece for a church function, “Food For the Soul. . .Eat Well.” (2003). Stacey is the co-partner of the website Pleasure _X1 with well renowned HBO poet DJuna Blackmon. She has also added to her accomplishments, a spot at Timbooktu.com for the month of March 2004 as one of the featured writers. The author is writing a fiction novel and working on building a business in poetry. She is presently working on her third and fourth projects. Published a piece in “The Head Doctor Presents Punany: The Hip Hop Psalms III The Onliners Erotic Poems and Short Stories from People Just Like You” entitled “Punany Ritual” in 2005. She recently wrote a piece for the children in her church, entitled “Mirror” which received rave reviews. (2006) and “Oceans Tears,” in honor of the troops. (2006). She is presently working on her third and fourth projects.

The Musings Report introduces you to Stacey Barlow

What is your inspiration for writing poetry and when did you start writing? My inspiration for writing is God and things around me; I've been writing for 29 years.

Can you tell us more about your collection of writings that is currently published?
My collection of poetry is a description of different types or kinds of love ranging from God, family, friends, self and unrequited love. It's a vision of words to help people see outside of the box or see things they refuse to see at that particular time in their lives.

Are you working on any novels in progress? Yes, I am working on other novels. My second book is of poetry. The third book is a novella (unless changed) and it is finished and I am working on my fourth project.

What is the difference between poetry and spoken word (like Def Poetry Jam) and open microphone sessions? Spoken word is (to me) expresses words poetically by being onstage because that's where artists may feel comfortable, while poets express themselves by techniques of words, visualization, through the eyes and seem to have a quiet sense about them. But they do however share a common vision which is to be heard in a certain form or fashion, and letting people know what and how they are feeling.

What do you want people to get from your poetry? I want people look beyond what might be in front of them; to be able to see the bigger picture of what's going on in their lives, grasp it, understand that it's just a feeling that can easily be let go of. There is more to life than what's going on in their relationships, jobs, church etc.

Are you appearing on any radio shows or have any upcoming features? I've appeared on a couple of radio shows earlier in the year. A few of my pieces are being heard at a couple of New York radio stations. I'm looking to also appear on a London radio station within a few months. One piece that was written for the American Cancer Society will be featured at the "Relay For Life" event in Oklahoma City, OK in May and it will also be featured at a church benefit in Shreveport, LA. (April 1, 2007)

What other future projects are you working on and releasing later this year or in early 2008? As mentioned, I am working on my fourth project that I'm hoping to get out next year. It's also a fiction novel called "Broken." The poetry, I'm looking to get out by the end of the year if not by the summer. Same as to the third project.

Name 3 influential poets that inspired you. (1) Maya Angelou (2) Robert Frost (3) Nikki Giovanni (even though there are many poets that inspired me)

What has been audience response to your work? The audience response have been overwhelming! I'm still pinching myself. lol

I hear your work is currently abroad in London, England. What other countries would you like to expose your writings to? Where else? Hmmm, that was the only place that I wanted it to be exposed to. It has been exposed to Puerto Rico which I am very happy about that. But if I had to chose, it would be Japan, Africa, China, and Italy

Link to purchase: http://www.creativeenigma.com/Bookstore/Newbookstore_files/page0003.htm

Without No This, We Have No That

Children, my African pride of the earth
Have you ever seen a mother's smile
after seeing the first birth
of her child?

All, if any
that is a wonderful creation
Everything being around us
is of some kind of relation.

From the beginning
there were drums to make
the sweet music
the drums had an added volume
just to make a beat.

Your mother's mother is your grandmother
and your father's mother is the same
they shared together this thing called love
And then, from the womb
you came.

Listen to the heart of your lover
bringing back that which was lost
here and now you both will discover
but at what cost?

Falling in love for the first time
is where it's at
Without no this
We have no that.
~Stacey Barlow 2004)

Please support Stacey if you can. Stacey is another reason to celebrate the National Poetry MONTH!!!

We wish her many literary blessings.

-- The Musings Report

Introducing Kisha Green

2007-03-31T19:22:00.000-07:00

Kisha, you have several books, what started you off in the literary arena?

Well, it started off when I was about 11 years old and I always had a vivid imagination. I just wanted to tell a story but more so wanting the world to read my stories.

What book is your favorite book that you’ve written?

Dear Mommy- it is so personal to me since I am allowing readers into what I went through since losing my mom to a brain tumor.

Tell me more about your book company, DivaBooksInc, what do you really want to accomplish and what’s difference in your approach as a publisher? I am so passionate about writing so DivaBooksInc. (DBI) was created so that I could have total control over my literary fate but also allowing new authors on the literary block a chance to shine. I believe everyone has a story to tell. My approach with the authors I work with is that unlike the larger publishing houses I am willing to take that chance on the underdog.

How long does it take you to complete a work in progress and is there something specific you have to have while writing that inspires you or helps you during the process?

I do not have a set time frame, it is whenever the story comes to my mind and I gotta get it out of my head and on paper. My inspiration comes from life situations and sometimes I can even hear a song that will make me think of a storyline, and I will just go from there.

Give me 3 words that describe you as a reader?

avid, devoted and open minded. I love books and will almost anything and love to curl up on my couch or bed with a good book and be swept away by the author's words. I always tell myself if I can get that mini movie in my mind while reading, then the book is good!

Give me 2 literary giants that inspire you as writers?

Stephen King, James Patterson- there are so many more but those two take readers into the mind state of their characters and make you feel as if you truly know these people and are able to identify with them.

What’s the best thing about being a publisher?

I have creative freedom! I can take a risk with a new author and it is nothing more rewarding than seeing your work in print and it being well received.

What’s the hardest lesson you’ve learned being in the writing industry?

That everyone doesn’t always have your best interest at heart. It is sad but it is true especially in this industry.

Do you have any projects you’d like to share with our readers?

Yes, I have an erotica anthology being released next week titled Mental Seduction-Erotic Escapades and this is a compilation of sizzling short stories by some new authors who are definitely bringing fire to this anthology.

I also have an urban anthology being released next month titled On Da Corner and this collection is introducing some great writing talent and bringing a refreshing style to the street literary scene.

I am just so excited about these books since all of these authors definitley have talent and it is indeed a blessing that they will have the opportunity to let the world see what I already know!

For more information about any other upcoming DBI literary works please visit my website www.divabooksinconline.com

Thanks for taking the time out of your busy schedule. We wish you continued success.

Thank you Pam for this opportunity!

EXCERPT FROM KISHA'S WORK!

Give Thanks!
By Kisha Green

As a new year begins there isn’t a better time to reflect on where you have been but more importantly where you are going. Life is about choices and often times enough we tend to forget just that. As we get caught up in the things that we want to see happen, we forget that it actually requires an action better yet a plan to make that vision an definite reality.

We also forget the main person that makes any of these things possible for us. That is why it is important to give thanks and not just when good things happen to us but all of the time. Our heavenly father doesn’t just come around for the good with us; he is there through the good and the bad and thick and thin. Do we not owe him the same courtesy?

Some think to themselves “God knows my heart” and part of that is true but just think how you would feel as day in and day out as you care for your children night and day and no one would ever say thank you or any token of appreciation but instead “Oh mom knows my heart”. How would that make you feel? My point exactly…just give some thanks.

Today’s society is often over consumed with themselves to stop and take a minute and show some form of gratitude. Thanksgiving is not just a holiday in November or a reason to over indulge on high calorie foods. Thanksgiving is to give thanks but what better deserving person than the person who gave you life and allows you to wake up each morning. Fair enough right?

So let’s not sweat the small stuff but more importantly give thanks for the real things that matter instead of taking it for granted!

"Charm is deceitful, and beauty is passing, but a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised. Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her own works praise her in the gates." Proverbs 31:30-31

***

How To Find A Good Man!

By: Kisha Green

I knew I could grab your attention with a title like that…lol…Single ladies saw that heading like it was a flashing neon sign and immediately wanted to know how and where they could go and get one like a good man was a gallon of milk at your local convenience store just waiting to be brought. Only if it was that simple huh?

I have asked different woman on where were the good men? They all quickly replied that they were either liars, playas, broke, had bad credit, lived at home with their mama, in jail, homeless, secret drug habits, HIV+, on the “down low” or just had “babymamadrama”…lol… So seeing that what men are about these days I thanked the Lord I was married and not single because I too would be scared to date.

I thought to myself this couldn’t be true. Could it? I have been with my husband for nine years and I know my “boo boo” wasn’t like that. So I decided to conduct my own little investigation.

I spoke with a lot of different woman in various age categories who have been unsuccessful in finding a good man. Why? Was the question that plagued me?

I observed that woman made these mistakes when it came to dating;

Ladies that think they can find Mr. Right in a bar/nightclub.
Ladies who dress provocatively thinking this will get a man’s attention (It does just not the attention you are seeking).
Ladies believing that it is all right to go home with a man you just met and sleep with him.
Ladies that play too many games and or carry around baggage from past failed relationships.

Those were the most frequent errors that I had observed but it doesn’t just stop with that either. Something else just as troublesome was ladies wanting this all together perfect man, when they aren’t that put together themselves. I suggest putting the shoe on the other foot. Are you in the same situation that you are seeking from a mate? In some cases the ladies aren’t. What I am essentially saying is try to bring something to the table of mutual interest besides what is between your thighs!

Speaking of sex the numero uno mistake that I see is that a lot of ladies are willing to settle for being the sloppy seconds of becoming a booty call AKA “the jump-off”.

Believing that if you make yourself available to this man he will eventually realize that you are the “one”…NOT!!

The only thing he will realize is that you are the one to call for sex and if you keep trying to act as if you have anything more than a prearranged sexual relationship he will cut that off as well!

So what I am principally trying to convey is that before you step out into the dating scene of seeking a suitable mate. Check yourself first, in order to find a man and love him unconditionally, first love yourself unconditionally and with a formula like that you can’t lose. Now when you do step out you are putting your best foot forward!

OK…Stepping off my soapbox…until next time that is…

Peace & Blessings

Kisha

Kisha Green

Author...Publisher...Reviewer

www.divabooksinconline.com
Author of Novels -And Even If I Did,

Dear Mommy and If It Aint One Thing...it's Another

Introducing Author Crystal Bright

2007-03-25T12:19:00.000-07:00

My name is Crystal B. Bright. I have 3 books published with New Concepts Publishing, 1 in print and 1 about to go into print at the end of February 2007. My website address is www.CrystalBrightWriter.com I am the author of Revamped, a story about a vampire with obsessive-compulsive disorder.

Bio:

A self-professed nerd, Crystal B. Bright has been telling stories for as long as she can remember. After earning her Bachelors of Art degree in Creative Writing from Old Dominion University and her Masters of Art degree in Writing Popular Fiction from Seton Hill University, she became serious in pursuing her dream. To know more about this up-and-coming author, please visit her website at www.CrystalBrightWriter.com.

Snippet from Revamped through New Concepts Publishing:

Elaine felt there was something about him that was masterful, something deep-seeded within him that he hadn’t released, or maybe was afraid to release. His authority may have had something to do with the fact that he knew so much about her and her family and hadn’t explained how.

“Don’t you think I’ve been inconvenienced enough?” Mina’s words seemed to have another meaning the way they stared at each other.

Elaine could have sworn she heard a low, rumbling growl. She scanned the room to see if a dog hid in the shadows. To channel her fear, she bit the inside of her bottom lip.

Seth brought himself up to his full height. He lorded over his assistant, still seated. With the venom of a million cobras he said, “Know your place.”

The way he spoke to his assistant sent shivers up Elaine’s back. If this was Seth slightly peeved, she had no interest in seeing him angry.

Mina swallowed hard and with great reluctance from the way she exhaled accommodated his request and moved to the other chair.

When he started pacing once she sat down, Mina folded her arms again. Fear coursed through Elaine’s body making her head feel near explosion. She had to get her thoughts together so she could make a plan to get out.

“You don’t have to explain anything,” Elaine said, keeping her voice low and even. “Besides, I’m sure I have people looking for me right now so I should go soon.”

Since she lived alone in her cramped condo, she knew no one would go look for her. These two didn’t know that. At least she hoped they didn’t. Perhaps her party-animal grandmama or her hermit-like mother would try to find her. Or maybe she could count on her brother who was across the country right now.

Elaine muttered a silent prayer.

“Funny,” he said. “I like the way you think.”

Damn, she was playing this too aloof. Her gaze cut to the door then back at the duo. Maybe she had to play them against one another.

“Look at him.” Mina pointed. “He’s obsessed with cleanliness. He’s afraid of bugs and the small animals.” She folded her arms and huffed. “And spoons? I don’t get that. He has a ritual for everything. Now he’s got this germ-phobia that’s really killing us, and I do mean killing us!”

Mina jumped from her seat and sauntered over to Elaine. Preparing to be grabbed again, Elaine kept her fist at the ready on her lap. Instead Mina pulled up the hem of her shirt and exposed a large bandage on her side. After removing the gauze, she showed Elaine an oozing open wound. It looked like an animal had torn her flesh.

“Can’t really style in a two-piece anymore.”

Elaine felt her stomach churning and her throat closing. “You need help. Have you seen a doctor for this?” Seeing grotesque sores like this prompted Elaine into psychiatry instead of internal medicine.

“Why do you think you’re here?”

“I’m not that type of doctor.” Elaine’s voice quivered. “I could refer you to someone.”

Mina lowered her shirt. “Trust me. If he starts doing what he’s supposed to do and you help him, then I won’t need a surgeon.” She put her hands to her hips. “If he doesn’t feed soon, we’re all going to disintegrate into a pile of mush. But he’s afraid the next person he feeds on will have some germ or something.”

“Hold your tongue, woman.” Once he stopped moving, Seth said to Elaine, “for generations your family has assisted mine in our survival. One would not think that hunters such as our kind would need the assistance of anyone else, especially a mortal.”

Seth and Mina laughed in unison. The sound curled Elaine’s toes.

“As times changed,” Seth began, “your gift is needed again. I have not fed in several months.” Looking pointedly at Elaine, he said, “I need you to help me feed again.”

Clearing her throat first, Elaine tried digesting what he’d said. “What are you people?” she asked again.

“Sanguinarians. Life-force extractors. Human predators.” He adjusted his glasses on his nose.

“Vampires?” Elaine asked, deducing his politically correct statements. Sweat trickled down between her shoulder blades and for a brief moment, her gaze became blurry like she wanted to pass out.

Mina huffed. “Come on. It’s the new millennium. Call us plasma connoisseurs.”

Elaine sat in disbelief. These people claimed to be vampires, blood suckers in this day and age. She wrung her hands this time and tried swallowing down her sandy dry throat.

“You’re obsessive-compulsive and you want me to help you so that you feel comfortable enough to kill again?”

Moving to the edge of her seat, she prepared to leap from it soon and head to the door.

“It is your duty.” His tone made it seem like she couldn’t turn him down.

Seth appeared a little paler than before. A strange but instant pang in her wanted to help him, cure him of what ailed him. It had nothing to do with his sullen look.

She wanted to help him? She couldn’t be feeling this way. However, she couldn’t deny the stirring in her stomach and the guilty feeling that swarmed in her head. The feeling went beyond the empathy she would feel for her patients in need and in pain. It was as though his pain was now her pain. The hell she would feel that way for this cruel stranger.

Elaine shook her head. He and Mina personified evil. She had to worry about getting herself out of the house.

“I can’t do that. I can’t aid a serial killer to kill again. You all need help.”

In a whine that rivaled any child’s, Mina said, “I knew we should have fed from her. What good is she to us? And now she knows our secret.”

“Mina, not another word.” Seth’s voice echoed off the walls but even with his commanding voice he kept his arms folded over his chest.

“Or what?” Mina strolled to the fireplace. “What are you going to do to me?” She stretched her arms across the mantle and smirked.

Seth snorted and charged toward her. If Elaine didn’t know any better, she could have sworn he flew. She didn’t remember hearing footsteps pounding the carpeted floor but the throbbing in her head muted most sounds so she could have been mistaken.

When he reached her, Mina placed her hand flat on the mirror behind her head. The man split his attention between her and the palm print on the glass.

Mina.

Mirror.

Mina.

Mirror.

Then he directed his full attention to the mirror. He grumbled and darted from the room into another. For a big man, he glided. Elaine knew he would have caught her for sure if she tried running away. Didn’t mean she still wouldn’t try.

Mina slipped back to her chair and reclaimed her position. As soon as she took her seat, Seth returned to the room with a bottle of blue liquid cleaner and a roll of paper towels.

“The oils in your hand can ruin this antique glass,” he muttered as he cleaned the mirror. The scent of ammonia wafted over to Elaine as he sprayed the reflective glass.

She suppressed a sneeze, clamping a hand over her nose and mouth. The emission of her germs would probably send the man into a frantic tailspin.

“This came over from Mexico with the family,” he said. “It has managed to get through wars, burnings and customs. I want to make sure it outlasts you.” He sneered at Mina.

“Very funny.” Mina cocked her head.

Mexico. Elaine had been right about his accent. Good info to remember when she talked to the police. Holding her in this house against her will was definitely a crime even if she couldn’t prove his involvement in her father’s death.

As Elaine watched him she noticed something strange, something shocking, something unreal. The reflection only showed the paper towel moving over the mirror but nothing else. Not this Prince of Darkness. Not even Mina. The police wouldn’t understand that.

Mina must have noticed her observation. When Elaine glanced at her, the woman winked.

Elaine forgot about acting cool and found her breath to scream. She sprang from her chair, stumbled to the side, her hands grasping at air. Her otherworldly scream burned her throat and squeezed every bit of air from her lungs. She ran to the door, making it this time without Mina’s intervention.

“Why do they always run?” Mina screamed after her.

Elaine yanked the door open and a rush of wind almost knocked her backward.

“Do not walk out that door!” Seth pointed at her with yellow gloves covering his hands.

This man lived on another plane of insanity. He talked to her like she worked for him. Seeing Mina race toward Elaine like a gazelle gave Elaine the motivation to keep running. If she hadn’t closed the door in time, Mina would have had her.

As Elaine ran down the long driveway, she scanned her surroundings. Woods lined the path. Her car. Thank goodness she decided to park it in the street instead of inside his gated property.

In between the trees, she spied glimmering lights, or maybe they were eyes peeking through the leaves. She took a deep breath and inhaled the salty sea air with a mixture of a rose scent coming from the rose bushes that lined the perimeter of the expansive front yard.

“You can be food for me or something else!” Mina screamed from the open doorway as Elaine kept up her jog down the brick way.

As though the cryptic line cued it, something large sprang from the woods and pounced on top of Elaine, knocking her to the ground and pinning her already sore shoulders to the hard surface.

~Making your day BRIGHT one story at a time!~

www.CrystalBrightWriter.com

Musings Reports Exclusive interview with Crystal Bright:

I love Vampires, and apparently you do too. How did you come to write about the genre and who were some of your influences?

Believe it or not, I really don't read or write a lot of vampire books. Revamped, my vampire novel through New Concepts Publishing, came about after a weekend of watching back-to-back episodes of "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" and "Monk." The vampire in my novel has Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder. I thought about that idea and what it would mean to be a vampire and be afraid of germs.

Now I have read Lynsay Sands' vampire novel Single White Vampire and I enjoyed it. And I have every L.A. Banks books in her vampire huntress series but I have yet to read them. My man has and he loves them. Even my niece begged me for her books. So I understand how popular the genre is.

What does your writing process consist of? Do you use the outline method or build chapters as you go or something else entirely?

If I'm writing something short, less than 100 pages, I'm what we call in the writing community a "pantser." That means I write by "the seat of my pants" from beginning to end without notes. Now when I write a novel, I do break out my trusty notebook. The first thing I do is a character profile on my main characters. I talk about their looks, what they do for a living, where they live, if their parents are living or deceased, their internal and external conflicts, everything. I even write down the actor or actresses name who the character most resembles. For example in Revamped, my hero Seth Overkill looks a lot like professional wrestler/actor Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, and the heroine Elaine Shrink looks like Jennifer Lopez.

After that I do a brief chapter-by-chapter outline. I note what should happen in each chapter all the way to the end. This keeps me focused so that I'm not going off on wild storyline tangents.

What is one word that describes you as a writer?

My friends and family would say "prolific." I would say, "consistent."

Tell me about your characters, how do you create them or build them?

As I mentioned earlier, I usually draw from celebrities for my characters' looks. Sometimes the characters will come to me in my dreams like with the Casanova character in Kissing Casanova, also through New Concepts Publishing. Every time I closed my eyes to go to sleep, Casanova, the hero in the book who is a professional wrestler, kept saying, "You're going to write about me, right? I know you are. Come on. What are you waiting for?" At the time, I heard from other industry people that publishers do not like stories with characters who are athletes or actors, so a professional wrestler was a big double whammy. But I couldn't resist writing him so I did. With that character, I knew from the very beginning that he looked like pro-wrestler Stone Cold Steve Austin. And I knew the heroine would look like Ashanti, a young, beautiful African-American woman who is confident and very sexy---if not a bit spoiled.

Basically the characters come to me either in my dreams or when an idea hits me. Sometimes I'll see someone and feel compelled to write a story about that person.

How has your extensive education helped with your career as a writer?

Getting my Bachelor of Arts degree from Old Dominion University and my Master of Arts degree from Seton Hill University has definitely helped me structure how I write to make me a more efficient writer. I never used to outline my stories before and that prevented me from producing a lot of stories.

I also learned that rejection is not always a bad thing. I didn't submit my work for a long time because I was always afraid of rejection. Just like with a lot of other authors, I have enough rejections to wallpaper my house. To me, they are just tools for me to improve my craft.

And with the program at Seton Hill University, I made many contacts and learned so much about the behind-the-scenes process of publishing. I was a student along side multi-published authors Susan Mallery, Nalo Hopkinson and Suzanne Forster. One of my professors was award-winning and multi-published author Felicia Mason. And I got to meet agent Donald Maas and author Octavia Butler before her untimely death recently. I wouldn't trade my educational experience for anything. It's because of it that I even started submitting my work.

Tell us more about how you came to be an author under the New Concepts Publishing Company?

Before submitting my manuscript to them, I did extensive research. I checked out New Concepts Publishing's website and saw what they had to offer in terms of what stories they published and where readers can buy their books. I really liked the fact that New Concepts Publishing's books are stocked at Walden's and Border's book stores. I was so excited to see Kissing Casnaova on the shelves at my local Walden Books, so much so that I screamed like an idiot when I saw it on the shelf. The booksellers were kind enough to allow me to sign the unsold copies so that was thrilling for me.

So with those factors, I submitted Kissing Casanova. When they made me a contract offer, I submitted Gray's Anatomy, another novel with a professional wrestling backdrop. That got accepted. And when I saw they had a new line called Harmony, I submitted Revamped and that got accepted into that new line. Revamped should be out in print soon.

What would you tell aspiring writers not to do as they attempt to publish their first

Novels or poetry books?

Actually, I have two pieces of advice. First, don't sell yourself short! There are a lot of publishers out there, small and large, who will take advantage of the fact that you are a new author and willing to do just about anything to get your work published. There is one fairly large epublisher that now offers a contract where they want the full rights to your work for the lifetime of your work! For some authors this may not be a big deal to them. However for me, I wouldn't want to give up my "baby" to a publisher for the rest of my life. I work hard to write a story. I want that story to work hard for me. Just because they own the rights to your work does not mean it'll be on sale that way for the rest of your life. The publisher could release it right away, shelve it for several years, then release it again. They could release it after you die. It's their work so they own it. That's what I don't like. So if you're ever offered a contract, read over it carefully. If you have another author friend who has been published, maybe ask that person to read it over. There's a website called EPIC for electronically published authors and publishers that offers a great, short tutorial on the do's and don'ts of a publishing contract. Go to www.epicauthors.com Authors should also check out the National Writers Union at www.NWU.org if they suspect there's a problem with their contract.

My second piece of advice is to keep writing. A lot of authors, including myself, as soon as you type "The End" you sit back and bask in your glory that you finished your book or your last poem. That's great. Celebrate. But after you celebrate and while you're submitting that book, keep writing. I guarantee you that as soon as you publish that book, your publisher or agent will say, "What else do you have?" They want to make sure you're going to be a career author and not just a one-trick pony. So keep up your catalogue. Trust me. It'll pay off in the end.

What’s the hardest thing you had to deal with as an establishing writer in this field?

The promotions! Agh! Some days it's hard to write and promote at the same time. I don't have enough hours in the day to do it all. But this is what I want to do so I'm going to keep chugging along until I'm a household name.

I love how you blended two genres together – the horror with an health crisis of your character in Revamped. What inspired you to do that?

A "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" and "Monk" marathon. I wish I could say it was something deeper than that. I did find, though, that after writing Revamped that I discovered my own obsessive-compulsive behavior. They're not as bad as Seth's but it did help me get into his character.

Are you releasing any new works and where can we find out more about your books?

Revamped will be out in print sometime in March 2007. And right now I'm working on a novella for Parker Publishing called "After the Storm." It's for a proposed anthology surrounding interracial romance. Not sure of that release date yet. And I'm working on the sequel to Revamped that will be centered on Elaine's brother.

For more information on what I'm doing and how to buy my books, go to my website at www.CrystalBrightWriter.com

Thanks Crystal . We appreciate your time and efforts. Continued success as you write and publish more books. We applaud your efforts!

Thanks so much for agreeing to interview me! I truly appreciate this wonderful opportunity!

Introducing Author Mirika Cornelius

2007-03-19T07:53:00.000-07:00

So what was the inspiration for your writing, when did your writing bug bite you?

Inspiring me first is my Lord above. Gotta bless Him! Secondly, I have always had the desire to become an author from a very young age, so it has basically always been 'inside' me waiting to manifest outwardly. I do like to inspire and help situations through my talent as well as entertain through the many outlets of emotion that creative literature and imagination will allow.

With an extensive background in several things including modeling, optometry, and post-high school education, do you often find those experiences have either enhanced some of your novels?

Excellent question, yes! I haven't done everything but have been blessed enough to have had the opportunity to dip my hands into many different areas. As a very inquisitive person, I love to learn and when I finish learn incorporate all that I have gained into something special. Everything that I have accomplished from modeling to medicine greatly impacts my overall storytelling, giving me the ability to understand and generate better quality plots, characters, and realism.

How did you come up with the “secret” character from the novel Secret?

Secret, the protagonist...both her and her name comes from the multitude of taboos, hidden agendas and darkness surrounding the birth of this young female character. Upon writing the novel, there was nothing better than Secret because the whole story encompasses the reason for her being. The suspenseful nature behind the story was written to be unlike any other. Being very intense, no reader has ever guessed the ending, which is highly explosive while causing a deep sense of empathy.

What are some recent highlights relating to your writing career?

Highlights relating to my writing career are winning best excerpt for the Writer's Inn Top 10 Books for 2007 some months ago as well as continuing to get great reviews, and the book clubs who have interviewed me have been fabulous! That is the greatest really. Outside of everything else, even many students absolutely find my novels excellent for the classroom as well as the teachers due to the content and power that follows them. It is great to have the love from those I have come to know personally.

What is the best business tip someone shared with you about the business of writing and how has that helped you?

I honestly can use all the tips I can get! I am not too proud to beg, baby!

Mostly though, I read. Whatever I need to know, I find from somewhere and some of the greatest tips I get really haven't been through direct conversation. I learn through watching and doing. Honestly, at times, I learn faster through paying attention to actions.

I notice both of your novels are set in Louisville , GA , do you have a particular reason why they have been set in this town?

Louisville, Georgia was chosen not only am I familiar with the feel of the state because I used to live in Georgia, but the city of Louisville provided the vibe I needed for my story. After having selected the town, a couple people familiar with the city stated it was a great choice. It's a town that grew slowly and people still remember the days of racism and hardship and there are many reminders still there today. Finally, it's a place hardly anyone has heard of, and when you think of town, you don't think of a well known Atlanta, so the city had to be very small and not well known.

Are you working on any other novels set to print this year or early 2008?

Yes, yes, yeah! For the years 2007 and 2008, through the grace of God, I plan to release two books unlike my previous titles. They will be poetry and without releasing too much information, a "killer" novel that I am sure everyone will find great to chew on.

Where you find your ideas for characters or your stories?

I let my mind go! Most of my characters have some part of what I adore or like to be around or the complete opposite...attitudes I hate. These I create the with the most flair and enjoyment.

What is the weirdest idea of inspiration that cropped up while you were drafting a novel?

Honestly, the answer to that is dumb stuff. Whatever I believe is straight up wack and retarded whether it be when I am eating, driving or sleeping in a dream, hey...it might inspire me. Being a little over the edge type of person, my inspiration comes from things that will make you say hmmmm.

What’s the best book signing you ever attended and why was it spectacular?

Sarasota Festival of Books and Printer's Row in Chicago! Absolutely spectacular events, and everyone should go every year! It is just crazy how many people you meet and opportunities that arise just from two days of fun and signing! The amazing people of Chicago will get drenched just to take a picture with you and get an autographed copy in the rain, and in Sarasota...wow! That's all I can say. The schools turn out like crazy and they are absolutely ecstatic to learn and hear from African American authors.

Where can readers find out more about you?

All you need to know about me is a www.mirikacornelius.com.

With a simple click, move through the site to read previews of Colored Lily, Poppa Took My Innocence and Secret.

God Bless

More about the Author:

Mirika Mayo Cornelius is the author of two five star novels entitled SECRET and COLORED LILY, Poppa Took My Innocence. She also holds a Bachelor's degree from USC, a former model, and a certified optician. Mirika is married to author and scriptwriter, Rod Cornelius, who has written two books entitled Single Again and Ghetto Eyes.

About the book Secret

In the small, southern town of Louisville, Georgia, there is a
scorned secret that has ripped through homes. Accursed is the
whore that it came from, people around town say, but to a sassy,
country girl named Secret, that's not all to it. She asks herself, what
curse, and what does it have to do with me? That's when Secret takes
matters into her own hands and attempts to solve the terrifying
mystery of her family.

About Colored Lily

What would a daughter want more from her father than his love? However, in the
rural town of Louisville, GA, a teenage girl called by the name of Jocie, finds out how
the love she once adored from her poppa can become twisted and feel so much
like hatred, causing hell-grown wounds. Going on a search for the love that she
yearns so deeply, Jocie winds up with worse than she bargained for, and
without an escape, ends up in the midst of death, darkness, and a cold
conception while gripping the darkest secret that only God in heaven can know
and forgive!

Mirika Mayo Cornelius

Author of Secret and the prequel, Colored Lily - Poppa Took My Innocence

Visit, preview, and purchase the latest and greatest books at www.mirikacornelius.com

Also sign up for the newsletter while there...

*******************************************************

We thank her for stopping by the Musings Report. We applaud her efforts in the arena of literary publishing and wish her continued success!

Coming Soon: Mirika Cornelius

2007-02-24T15:02:00.000-08:00

Check back by February 28th! Visit the Author online at

www.mirikacornelius.com

Thanks for your support.

Introducing MsLovelieLadie

2007-02-11T14:16:00.000-08:00

I love your title, “Love Sweet Love.” What was the inspiration for this book? My feelings. I simply use what I’m feeling to write about.

How long have you been writing poetry and where do you get you inspiration? I started writing as a child. It was something I enjoyed that I was good at. My inspiration comes from what I am going through at that moment or what I’m feeling at that time.

Most of your poetry for the “Love Sweet Love” focuses on black love, romance and relationships. What do you think is unique about your poems and how does that fit in with the poetry genre overall right now?The realism in my poetry is real because it’s something I have experienced in some way. Anyone can place themselves into one of the situations that take place in my poetry. You can travel there while your reading it will take you there. I think that right now with all that’s going on around us people want to get away from it even if it’s only for a little while in a poem or poems. Poetry varies yet it has many commonalities that is what makes it beautiful it doesn’t have to be like anything.

When you aren’t writing poetry, who are your favorite writers and why? Whoo, well there are so many. The first poet that I really enjoyed was Ntozake Shange writer of “For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When The Rainbow is Enuf.” I fell in love with the poem “Sorry.” I was in grade school at the time and my sister gave me the book and told me to read it and I did. “Sorry” touched me, I related to it. When I read it I felt empowered. To a child this is just as important a feeling as it is to an adult. That feeling has kept me writing. I wanted to feel that power and give others that same feeling.

Can you remember the first time you got the “writing bug?” What was that experience like and how did that get you to the point where you now are getting published? Well, I first started writing seriously when I was about twelve. That’s when my parents separated. Writing helped me to deal with the hurt, anger and pain of the separation. I never saw it coming everything seemed so normal so it was a shock to me. I had no one to talk to that would understand what I was feeling so I began writing. The road to where I am now is paved by family and friends who read some of my poetry and stories and encouraged me to go farther with writing. They would request that I write a poem or story for them for different occasions.

What are your future literary projects? Are there any upcoming features where your work will be highlighted? Well I have “Love Sweet Love” of course. I have a short story that will be in Zane’s Chocolate Flava 2 in August of this year. That was very exciting for me to get into her book. Also, her publishing company Strebor Books is also considering publishing my novel “Why Isn’t Love Fair,” if they do it will come out next year. So that was also very exciting. I love Zane’s work so she was the first person I submitted my work to and it is paying off. So thanks not only to Osbey Books but also to Zane with the two of you I know I’ll do well. I also have two other books of poetry I’m trying to get published. One is titled “The Darker Side of Love” it’s very intense emotional poetry about when love goes wrong. My poem “Captivated By Your Lies” comes from that book. The third book is general poetry covering a spectrum of subjects. I also have completed a book of erotic short stories. That is where I took the story from that I submitted to Choc Flava 2. I’m in the process of writing another story to take that one’s place. So hopefully things will go the way I’m praying that they do and I’ll stay busy. This for me is a lifelong dream come true.

Where did you get your pen name from? Where does it originate from and how does it define you as a writer/poet? I have an old friend who always called me Lady and I liked the way it made me feel so I kept it. I added MsLovelie to it because that is also how I feel like a lovelie ladie who loves to write.

Tell our readers where they can get information on your work, upcoming features and activities.

They can look at my Myspace page: http://www.myspace.com/mslovelieladie or check out Osbey Books Myspace page for upcoming events.

True Love

Each time I think of you I smile

Each time I see you I laugh

Each time we touch I get chills

Each time we embrace

My heart beats at a faster pace

Each time we make luv

I’m takin to another place

Each time I wake up in your arms

I realize there’s no place I’d rather be

Everyday is made a new when I remember you

Everyone can see the happiness and joy

You bring out in me

Life is always worth living

But the living is easier when we two are together

When we’re apart I’m amazed at the loneliness I feel

Deep down in my heart

It’s always been like this from the start

Cause when we first met you captured my heart

I’ve always longed to be near you

Now I realize you feel the same too

I’ve always wanted to touch your heart

And open up the door

To your love, kindness and consideration

Now that I have

Together we can start a new generation

One that’s filled with love and tenderness

And bound for sure success

Now that I have you I’ll always hold you near

You’ll always know that my luv is sincere

Now that your heart has embraced me

I no longer fear the loneliness

That once was me without you

For in my life this has been a real breakthrough

It’s a blessing for anyone to find a love that’s true

For me this has been long overdue

But, I’m glad to have found it

In the love I share with you

All Rights to MsLovelieLadie and Osbey Books

No Reprints without expressed permission

WHO IS MS.LOVELIELADIE?

Jacquelyn A. Bryant a.k.a. MsLovelieLadie is a Philadelphia native. She has an Associates Degree in Early Childhood Education and is the mother of three. Writing has been her passion since childhood. She plans to continue to write and have more of her work published. Some of her poetry was published on the Pages in Black website. You can contact the poet by emailing her at mslovelieladiepoet@hotmail.com.

Introducing Author Adra Young

2007-01-27T16:19:00.000-08:00

Your book, The Everyday Living of Children & Monologues, seems to be a good resource for any young performers wanting to get into the entertainment industry. Why do you feel this book was important to bring forth? This book was important to bring forth because a need for a "Kids Based" acting guide was needed. In addition a guide was also needed to show kids what body movements to make. This book provides directives for body movements as well.

With an extensive background in the arts, how did you come to writing, or did you always write while acting in theatrical performances? This book needed to be brought to life because now more than ever the youth need a book that provide in-sights on what kids face in the inner city on a daily basis. I felt that kids would have an opportunity to see behind the eyes of another child.

With your book being published, what was the reaction from your peers and young performers alike? I have gotten some good responses and bad responses. Unfortunately people who are unaware of a urban school setting simply just cant relate. On the other hand, Reader Views of Texas stated that my guide should be on the desk of every teacher today. I was very proud of that. In addition, it brought tears to my eyes when a parent said thank you Ms. Young for telling "Our Story."

I commend you for taking your teaching strategies, tips, and learning abilities beyond the stage, and helping the youth. Where does this passion for assisting the youth come from? My passion comes directly from the students that sit in front of me everyday. Without my students, this book could have not ever came into existence.

Why do you feel it's important to empower them with this very important knowledge? Kids need to know that someone out here in this cruel world understands what there going through. Although I cannot agree with some of the choices they decide to make, I do understand why they feel they may be force to make so difficult decisions. Kids have it so hard. I feel sorry for a lot of them. A lot of them today don't get the opportunity to simply be just kids. To many adult responsibilities are being places upon them entirely too soon.

I like how you provide valueable knowledge with empowering the parents of young performers within your book. Why do you feel its important for parents to have different strategies with communicating with young singers, actors and actresses? In my opinion, "The Arts" since the beginning of times have served as ways for the youth to express their inner feelings. Whether dance, singing, or acting, these strategies can all work as great ways for kids and parents to communicate. I also conduct a workshop titled, How to Utilize Acting as a Healing Component for the Youth." This workshop allows individuals to read/dramatize acts to help the youth with solving their problems. I know as an adult myself how work and survival can sometimes overwhelm one with unintentionally overlooking to communicate with their kids. I have had parents read the book and tell me how they could relate directly to the act in the book. In other words they faced the same issue as a child.

Tell me about the impact of your program ARDANNYL. What does it stand for? How has this program affected the community as a whole? Ardannyl is simply my first and middle name spelled backwards. My name is Adra Lynn. I got this idea from Oprah. LOL This program has in my opinion through the utilization of acting assist kids not only with acting but fear factors as well. I had a student who took the class just to overcome his stuttering.

Please tell our readers if there are any youth showcases, book signings, or other events that you will be highlighted. If you would like to book me for a workshop, log on to www.schoolbookings.com. Just simply type in my name. I may also be reaches at 313-729-2573. On February 10, 2007 at 11:00 am. I shall conduct a guest speakers appearance and workshop at Macomb Public Library in Clinton Township, Michigan. You may also contact me at www.ardannyl.com or, www.myspace.com/ardannyl.

Title : The Everyday Living of Children & Teens Monologues

ISBN: 1-41205949-6
Author: Adra Young

The Acting/Social Skills Guide of the Decade for the youth ranging from ages 7thru12 and ages 12 thru 18

Things to consider as you read the excerpts.

When reading this guide it is imperative to implement the directive enclosed within the parenthesis. Please try to implement the directives while reciting the monologues at the same time. These are the actions that make the acts appear real.

A young lady expresses how it feels to end a relationship minutes before a date.

“HOW COME I’M BEING DUMPED?”

Friday after school, my boyfriend told me he’d pick me up from my place at six. We were going to the show. I re-curled my hair. I put on my favorite outfit. I even added a hint of lipstick and sprayed on a little of Mom’s perfume. While Spraying Mom’s perfume, the phone rang at 5:55. It was my guy. Surprisingly, he wasn’t calling to let me know that he was running late. He wasn’t calling to tell me that his mom’s car had broken down either. Individual shakes her head no.) When he said it was over, it felt as if my heart had been pulled from the inside of my chest and thrown to the ground. (Individual balls her fist up and imitates throwing her heart toward the ground.) I told him to have a nice life and quickly hung the phone up!

After a whole year of dating he’s not interested in me anymore. How could he waste my time? What’s his problem? Exactly what went wrong? I thought he liked me so much. Apparently not true! Because if he really cared about me he would have not
dumped me! States in a disappointed manner.) I bet I’m the only girl in the world to ever get dismissed by a guy on a Friday night.

Having a personal experience with acne this little lady catches a whiff of the “Stay Home Blues.”

“THE CASE OF THE DOTS”

I’m never leaving this house again! Everything was great until this year. Now that I’m twelve, my clothes are too little. (Individual grabs jeans by the waist indicating they’re too tight.) Looks like my hair has even stopped growing. Just last month mom and dad told me that I have to get braces. I thought that was the worse! Until two weeks ago.

Two weeks ago two bumps appeared on my fore-head. The day after that, three popped up on my jaw. By the end of the week my entire face was covered with pimples.(Individual points her hand at her face and moves it in circular motion.) They are so ugly! And now I am so ugly. (States depressingly.)

Mom and dad told me they would go away real soon. Well, how come real soon
can’t be right now? I hate looking at myself in the mirror. I can’t even see my own face due to acne. Well, I tell you, I just refuse to leave this house. And until these dot’s clear up on my face. I’m gonna remain right here! Right here at home!

About the Author
Adra Young is a native of Gary, Indiana. A teacher of eleven years, she’s also an Actress, Writer, and Actors Coach for youngsters. Graduating from Roosevelt High School in 1990 and, Central State University in 1995, she took her first shot at acting on the college campus in 1993.

Earning her Master’s degree in 1999 from the University of Detroit Mercy, she currently instructs Acting and Dramatization Strategies to the youth. In 2004, she took her first shoot at becoming a Play Wright and produced On the Scene Representing the Red Black and Green, a tribute to the Honorable Marcus Mosiah Garvey.

Some of Ms. Young most recent independent work in 2006 involves her direct involvement in the theater production of the play titled Sweets, and her film involvement with the movie titled Amsteroids in Ann Arbor Michigan.

About The Book

Her book, The Everyday Living of Children & Teens Monologues, is a realistic testament of situations that children, teens, males, or females of all ethnical backgrounds are faced with on the daily basis of their lives directly or indirectly. www.trafford.com/05-0850

The book is a performance arts guide for children and teens striving to become Superior Actors. It contains 51 real life acts of children and teens to implement for improvement of performing arts. Parents may utilize this book to address sensitive subject areas and establish stronger communication bonds with their kids.

Thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule. We wish you success in all your future endeavors.

THE MATERIAL ON THIS PAGE IS COPYRIGHTED AND PROTECTED BY THE COPYRIGHT LAWS OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. PLEASE DO NOT REPOST THIS ARTICLE IN ANY SHAPE, FORM, OR MANNER. THANK YOU!

Literary Flowings...

2007-01-27T07:19:00.000-08:00

It has been a while since I've actually blogged and that's because I am working on a few things.

My publisher hat has been on since january 1st and that means, I am reading manuscripts, line editing, reviewing and acquiring books for Osbey Books and promoting books by myself and MrTalley.

I have a pretty hectic schedule and plan to be everywhere I can this year. I might get whip lash, however it's important to market the books and connect with others.

I'm still new in the area and want to learn and not to humble to ask.

I'm excited about the novels and the poetry projects that are coming to me. I hope to have an Spring/Summer catalog of sorts and a new website for Osbey Books.

Mochasistahonline.com will have to be revamped as well.

Upnext will be the Celebration of African American Authors Event in Oklahoma City. It's been a while since I've traveled and I'm excited to meet other authors, connect, sell books and just meet readers.

Additionally, I will be seeking submissions for the youth anthology I am working on called Speaking Me, which will feature youth writers age 10-18, which I am also seeking funding for so I can really produce a beautiful book that everyone will embrace. I have plans to release the book nationally and locally, and also place on library shelves.

Currently my book is under consideration to be placed in Grambling State University's library. I am an alumni and also under consideration to be a presenter at the University. This is a very great time for me.

I'm humble enough to know where the blessings are flowing.

If you are interested in receiving my book, Musings of a Mocha Sista, it's in most of the libraries, just google the title with your local library you might find it. I have found that the book is here in Chicago and at least 6 other cities/states.

Again, thank you for your continued support.

I need it.

Be well,
Mocha Sistah

Be Grateful

2006-11-18T20:29:00.000-08:00

The amazingly great thing about life is that lessons come everyday and it's up to us to receive the lesson or ignore it. A few weeks ago (2 or 3) i got a message from a friend about a friend who had been sick but I wasn't able to get to the hospital to see that particular friend until Friday. When I went to the hospital, I was unaware of that his status would be something to remind me that...everything is a blessing.

Even the smallest things, like talking, can be a blessing.

My friend basically has been in a coma for 6 weeks, but I didn't know until he told me his story on friday. Basically over one month and a half he had been running on empty calories, eating unhealthy, and working very hard. So hard that he barely got sleep (he was working 20 hours a week).

One day he got sick but thought it was a stomach flu but it wasn't it.

When he got to the hospital, he said he wasn't feeling good, but it wasn't too bad. About a few hours into the hospital visit, his body buckled and he was in a coma.

He came out of the coma earlier this week, believe it or not. He had been asking to see me and other friends. I was glad to see him and to find that he had began talking on Wednesday was another blessing.

I was seeing myself in that bed, as I watched him. I know I do a lot of things. He's another driven Virgo like me. It was an epiphany and the lesson has not been lost on me.

I bet he'll never believe that me remembering the little things and blessings all came from visiting him in that hospital bed.

As we get close to Thanksgiving, I think we should remember it's not about the dressings and eating all the food. That our family, friends, our health, and our lives are extremely important.

Slowing down as become a very important thing for me lately. I know it's not popular for some who need me, but I need to stay focused on the little things. Talking is something we all take for granted.

What if you woke up one day and couldn't even speak a syllable. My friend could not speak for weeks on end.

Slow down, breath, and truly embrace your lives. You never know what is planned and being grateful can be something to add more abundancies to your lives.

Have a very beautiful Thanksgiving!

-- Mocha Sistah

BRING IT ON!

2006-09-14T11:27:00.000-07:00

I feel loved.
I miss being in the class room. I love teaching. And it's that time again to bring it on. Time for me to re-write my curriculum and get ready for the parks. I'm scheduled at three parks - one on the far south side, one in the middle of the south side and one in a latin community on the south west side. I also will be teaching lower and upper grades at three schools - 2 elementary schools and one high school. I am entering my fifth, I believe, year at South Shore School of Entrepreneurship. Hopefully I won't see any past students. Last year I taught one or two former students, because they had extra time, and one did not pass her Junior year and had to repeat. I love new blood and energy.

Today I have to attend an Open House at my old school, Kozminski, to meet and greet parents. I will hopefully be starting at all my schools by early October so I can at least get a check before Thanksgiving.

Normally, my park programs pay me every two weeks, but the school program, funded by the Poetry Center, pays on a different time schedule and it's waiting for that first check to hit you, 6 weeks later that bits you in the butt. But once you get it, everything is all groovy.

I am hoping to travel to Detroit in October. Also, working on my demo.

Decisions need to be made about which new poets I will add to my curriculum. I have so many poetry books aquired over the summer and I love to add more great poems to the list to be taught. I especially love to make sure that the high schoolers see conscious poetry on all levels.

The theme for the park program is "peace" and that will be good incorporate because of the times we live in and some of the communities I will be teaching in.

I have a lot of meetings next week, and then it's off to two days of park programming where I will work with 200-300 kids in workshops with other educators.

My time off laying in bed, chilling, watching Judge Mathis will be over. My summer vacation is almost over.

Any good ideas of poets I should add to the curriculum? Please let me know below in the commentary section.

God bless,
Mocha Sistah

Pre-Birthday Musings...

2006-08-26T07:06:00.000-07:00

This is the second year reading at the Chicago Poetry Fest...last year was a blast and I don't know why this year, would not be the same. It's a great event where you listen all day to all kinds of writers. Recently as I reviewed the updated book, Tears of a Woman: The Light Within, I got chills up my spine. I really enjoyed the fact that I have had some blessings relating to the book, not in book sales, but general feedback. A lot of people love the little book. All I wanted to do was to write something important. I'm currently waiting on two book reviews, one from a magazine, and one from a writer in the prison system. The last review gave the book four out of five stars,not too bad. I must admit, I haven't been too hard working on getting it into the stores, but after I finish formatting a few author books I will. God has given me a wide open schedule and I only will be working four days starting in October, as I start teaching again, so I will have time to go to some stores and drop off press kits, maybe this time will be different. My networks for marketing are different, as I am now a publisher and I have open channels that will get me where I need to go. Liquid Kisses is getting some love in Chicago and I need to reorder both books in September so I can be ready for literary events in the next few months. I want to move my novel out into the open next year, and hard at work to get that done as well. I will publish it in hard cover, and get a cover designed for it.

Summer 2006 travelling was fun, trips to Bradley University, Cal Poly, and Atlanta, all brought me into focus on my divine purpose. To empower, entertain, and inspire. I had a lot of fun networking with others. The Black Poetry Reunion (www.theblackpoetrycafe.com) was great. Meeting Mark Goggins and the crew (Starr, David Lockett, Ro and others...were great), next April we are going to converge in Chocolate City (DC)...so that should be fun.

Literary events are popping up for me in 2007 (yeah, already). I'm a confirmed panelist at the Brother 2 Brother Symposium, which will be in New Jersey next March 2007, I'm also waiting for confirmation on performing at Ladyfest South (in Decatur, GA) next January. Most likely will be at either the Harlem Book Fair, Printer's Row Book fair or Queens Book Fair in 2007. Need to promote a new title...from Osbey Books and that will keep me pretty busy.

This weekend all is great. I have 5 days to my birthday, family and friends keeping me busy as well as God. I am in a focus group this morning, then I have to interview an artist tonight for a magazine feature. Sunday I will be at the Chicago Poetry festival all day.

Thursday's my birthday, and I will have a 2 hour meeting, then several hanging outs with friends. Friday, a party in Gary Indiana for us VIRGOs, and the rest of the next weekend will be a blur, a mix between family and friends.

I have no time to feel "bluesy" about my b-day...as some might do. I am getting up there. But God's got this queen moving and grooving. I can't wait to get back into school I miss the babies.

Things I am musing on: leaving Chicago, picking a grad school and steps to get me to my ultimate goal by age 41. So I have a lot in my head. Also I want to get back into the studio and work on some tracks. I want to apply my song writing skills to some contests and also do some singing gigs.

All in the life of an ever evolving sister.

Anyway, have a blessed weekend. Do something special for yourself. Don't forget bout the village...they always need you.
\mocha sistah

Sights and Delights

2006-08-20T19:32:00.000-07:00

This is the unofficial, official, Mocha Sistah weekend beat report. Served up Sunny Style on a Sunday.

Friday, on a misty Friday night.........I attended the 25 High School Reunion of Hirsch High School....on the Spirit of Chicago with my cuzn's Kim and Sheree, as they met up again with old classmates, went down memory lane with classmates on a Two and 1/2 Hour Boat Midnight Cruise that left Navy Pier...and circled mostly around the Lake Michigan area. Sheree flew up from Kansas where she lives with her two kids, and Kim lives right down the street from me. Around 11ish we made our way over to Navy Pier and waited for a classmates of Kim's at the spot in front of the boat. It was damp and dreary but for me, a free ticket to hang out with the cuzn's and chill. Sheree was dolled up in her Cream Colored Two-piece pant suit, while I chose a Sheer Black and White top with my Jazzy Blue Jeans and Silver open-toed sandals...and Kim topped off our group with an Island influenced summer dress and sandals. Although we waited a while to get into the boat, it was a quick journey up to the second level of the boat and the first person I saw entering the spot, was an old friend/co-worker who just so happened to be the deejay (Fabian N.) and a few beats later I was in the drink line and bumped into Frank (another former co-worker) and some of his Omega Psi Phi brothers. As I got to the table back with my cuzn's, and twirling on my weak Apple Martini, I glanced up to see Dawn, a classmate of mine's from Kenwood Academy who so happened to be on the same boat. We joked about our class reunion's heavy price...and our non-activity of it. As the music kicked in, Mocha got her groove on doing the Cha Cha slidddd.....e and then left the boat with cuzn's around 2:40 or so.

Saturday.....with Mom's.
My mom and I attended the Ravinia festival highlighting the 80th birthday of blues legend BB King and the show was opened up by Mavis Staples, another bluesy legend. Since we were smart enough to take the Metra train up, we avoided most of the traffic and we were able to catch an early train, which enable us to scope out a better spot near the front stage although we had lawn seats, Ravinia is designed where you can hear the artist whereever you are sitting. The night was overcast but didn't rain and we had a great time laughing at the some of the slightly drunk listeners sitting near us. We sipped on White Zinfindel and Red Wine; nibbled on Chicken Breast Sandwiches and assorted snacks. And even though we left a little early from the concert, we were able to get back downtown around 11:30 pm (Ravinia is in Highland Park, IL); eventually creeping back to my side of town around 12:30 am.

Sunday...with Mom's and my gurls.
My mom and I went to breakfast...5 Loaves Restaurant, a South Shore staple, where I chowed down on Buttermilk Pancakes and Mom's had a traditional breakfast (scrambled eggs and green peppers/onions) with toast and creamy grits. Mom's took a nap (at my crib) and I surfed the web...and fielded phone calls midmorning. A client kept calling me unsuccessfully I add (I do have to have some rest so I did not answer my phone)....Midafternoon, Mom's on her way back to the South Suburbs, gave her a hug and kiss and took my own nap. Around 4pm, my gurls came calling and got me up out of the house to the Alpha Phi Alpha Picnic where we kicked it with some of the Alphas and I realized I knew one of them...Brandon, who I worked with last weekend in California. Small small world. Anyway, the highlights were one of us gurls got some digits....it wasn't me (rolling eyes), and we chowed down on some fantastic rib tips, and sweets. Side dishes were gone by the time we got up in there. The weather was absolutely beautiful.

As I enter a new week, I'm hoping to finish one book and start another project. I got some new authors and returning ones. It's back to the grind. Enjoy the rest of your weekend. I will.

-- Mocha Sistah

Stuck in the Past and More...

2006-08-17T19:20:00.000-07:00

I get this sooo often, "I know you." The statement dripped off this cute older patron at the Southside Seafood Restaurant on Tuesday as I stopped by there to get a bit to eat. She had curly hair, a jazzy black suit on, and those glasses that her brown eyes appealed to mines. I shook my head, trying to figure out where, did I know her from. As I sat and browsed magazines, she asked me again, "Didn't you go to Kenwood Academy?" I nodded acknowledging that I had graduated in 198_...U know Im not telling you, right. Anyway, she mentioned that I used to be the "coupon girl" and I laughed, not even remembering. I think as I went to KA, I was like my mom's assistant so I probably was clipping coupons in the class. Well, all this conversation was with...if you haven't guessed by now, my Senior High School Typing Teacher. I sucked at typing and I used to spend a lot of time talking in that class.

It was weird seeing her twenty years later...but she looked the same. She mentioned I was "skinny" then but was chunkier now. Okay, it was cool though. She was really impressed with my accomplishments. I was stuck in the past, remembering, I hated high school, but I got through it.

Isn't it funny how getting stuck in the past can hinder you. For me, that conversation was a nice through back. As I had a chance to talk with my former teacher, I realized, that I've done a heck of a lot with just a little - faith, love, and acceptance of my God-given abilities. I graduated with a 1.8 GPA, yep, that's right. And one year later when I transferred to Columbia College (don't ask how I got in with that GPA), I was an honor student with a 3.8 GPA, then I transferred to Grambling State University to finish off my journey.

I really didn't know what I was going to do in College, but I applied myself and quickly figured out English was the way to go. I began writing poetry around the age of eighteen and since that moment, could not stop.

I'm glad I didn't let my 1.8 hinder me, for I knew that I was not a "dummy" but I had allowed life issues with my past hinder me and stop my progression, sort of like most students I work with in the schools now.

I only use myself as a living testimony, that with a little you can do a lot. Life gets hard, and choices have to be made. All you can do is the best you can do and push on. Pray. Until. Something. Happens. Use your God-given ability and of course, your family, your community, your enemies, your energies, to do a lot.

It can help push you on. But staying stuck in the past, not dealing with your issues, or trying to figure out how to get yourself to the next level, can be something that keeps you glued to the negativity.

I hope you find this blog of use and if you have suggestions on how being stuck in the past...can hinder progression in life, please share below.

Be blessed,
Mocha Sistah

Tell Me Something:PHAT or FAT

2006-08-01T13:07:00.000-07:00

Question of the week: PHAT or fat.

I was receiving messages this week from a guy (internet dating...again) and he asked me what the difference between fat or extra pounds was. He told me how much he weighed and I thought this "foine" man is asking me...if it's okay to talk with him because he thinks he is FAT> yes, he described himself as fat. He's in the two hundreds but I like my men, thick so that was not an issue with me. I told him my weight and he declared, "you are cute...only a few extra pds".

So I wondered, what's the difference between fat, extra pounds, or phat. I consider myself pretty hot and tempting = phat with some extra pounds. I only had 2 guys in the last year tell me they don't like women with "extra pds". It don't matter to me. I feel comfortable in my skin. I don't have a problem if a brother wants to date some other eye-candy because i'm not "cute" or "fit enough".

I feel it's more than a person's weight anyway, but I know people have there preference.

What's your two cents on this subject? As for me, I can't tell you how many foine men, have approached me...or non-"cute" guys...because of my personality and how I carry myself. I am me. I don't have low self-esteem when it comes to my body. I feel very good about myself as a woman. I don't have to "throw" myself at a man..or anything like that. I know I'm attractive, however, I am not stuck on the mirror and my down to earth personality wins them over every time....like I said, I don't care to focus on "my size". I am who I am. I'm a thick gurl. I embrace that. I like it. And so does a lot of men who I come across daily.

The flip side of the body...are deeper things like a person's substance, and other things like personality, how a person carries themselves, what their morals are...are more important that some one just cute...or foine. Cuz...they could have an ugly personality, or way about them that would leave a bad taste in your mouth.

Please leave comments in the guestbook.,..Thanks!

Mocha Sistah

Freelancing or Not?

2006-07-25T20:41:00.000-07:00

So, this summer things did not exactly go the way I wanted them to...But I know one thing. When things go unplanned, sometimes it's a better result. Now, by August i will be Mocha Broka files - eating on ramen noodles and waiting for birthday gifts to roll in. Though I didn't get a chance to go back to the Youth group, I am happy I have had 1 month to relax, be lazy, and be on my own schedule. This has forced me to relax a lot more, hang with family, and have time for friends which I normally don't. I have been writing more freelance articles - I'm now on Associated Content, and will post that link where I get paid for articles. I'm a virtual assistant for two clients and it's hectic but workable. I hate email more than ever since I have to be online all day most days - not chatting but posting articles, reviewing books, and let's not talk about my eyes...I do have glasses and will need new ones by the time school rolls back in. I got a check from a poem that got published this month. I won't talk about what I ain't making. I will say that at least I feel that I'm doing my purpose. I am about to sip on some strawberry boons and repack my bag for tommorrow I"m going to enjoy a concert at Ravinia - Patti Labelle...with friends and my Mom.

I've been dealing with the low side of Self-Employed life - it ain't easy but I am hanging in there. I'm grateful for my parterships...and collaborations. I know at the end of the day I am doing what God designed for me to do. I am on the path he wants me to travel. And he continues to blesses me in ways that makes me know I"m where I need to be.

Freelancing has been very interesting. Writing harder than ever. Submissions all over the place. I'm toying with the possibility of rolling myself out as an artist. I have the voice. I know who to get to work on my material. Just haven't gotten my feet wet yet...I'll keep you posted on that.

If you get a chance, please go to the American Idol site and vote for my tracks My Temple and Misinterpretations - Station 111 and 112. My temple is currently at #5 and Misinterpretations at #30 out of 50 tracks. I added my favorite spoken word poem, Lowercase, which is now featured in "Songs of Hope".

I wish you a beautiful day and weekend. Stay cool.

Until then.....keep it going.

- Mocha Sistah

A semi-hair journey

2006-07-23T07:55:00.000-07:00

(April 2006)

Hair Chronicles

2006-07-23T07:37:00.000-07:00

At some point I will be posting a whole pic gallery but this one is a July pic, from a few days ago...

Enjoy!

Mocha S.

Hair Chronicles Part IV

2006-07-19T17:02:00.000-07:00

Hey allll....I'm just checking in. It's been a while since I posted about this subject. I love my hair. I had changed lock-tians.. because I had missed one appointment with the last stylist. I got a new stylist this week. I been maintaining my hair on my own. Basically using water, and my hair oils. Using my silk hair wrap. It's growing longer, and with my new stylist it will be much better. It doesn't matter that I used to have a ponytail....but i like the way my hair is growing. And it's been pretty much a work in progress, just like me. I will be posting some pictures soon.

Well, the real part of me doesn't want to tell the truth...but I'm gonna. When I went in to the first sistah, she didn't do much with my hair. I didn't know too much...until I got the 2nd sister who stated, my hair was not started right and that my parts were "messed up" and that my hair wasn't parted right. When I found out that I was a little disappointed the first young lady did not tell me - the truth and was just taking my money. I felt kind of stupid, but I guess it's a learning experience. The 2nd person to work my hair did the following:

Took each lock and retwisted it from the scalp, palming it.
Used some cream (lock cream) on each strand of my hair
Used pens at the end to secure it so each strand would be worked on individually.

Results - my hair looks like some of the folks I see passing. I thought because my hair is curly that it was taking longer with my previous stylist, but she did not do much but twirl my hair, not palm it as much as my new stylist. My new stylist did not use the hair dryer...either.

I like the way my hair looks. I'm not mad at the first person. I guess what I'm tryna say is that do your research when you go through this process. Talk with friends that might have dreadlocks and ask them what is involved. Know that it takes time for your hair to form and that the locks you see on tv on some stars are the "fake ones" that do not take that much time to grow over time like your own hair. Know that every one's hair is different. IN my hair I have hair in the back that is locking quicker. The hair in the front is more curly and has different textures.

Maintaining it is easy...so take that water, use it on your hair. Massage your scalp. Use your lock gel. Use your hair incense. Take care of your hair basically. I've taken more care of my hair now than ever.

I'm pretty satisfied. I got a stylist from a referral from a friend. I saw the client she works on and his hair is beautiful. So that was a good sign, plus she does house calls and came right to my home and she was very cool, kindhearted, and besides that she ran late, we had good results. I will be staying with her...because she's good. And cheap.

I spend under $100 every other month to maintain my hair. It aint' bad.

Anyway, take it light and we'll be in touch. Again, pictures will be on the way.

-- Mocha Sistah

Defining Success For You

2006-07-13T09:01:00.000-07:00

I always equated success with thousands of dollars, a Benz, and a fat bank account. But as I got along in life, I redefined my measure of success because it's not always about the materialistic things in life. There are things in my life that are much wealthier than a big bank account, and physical things I cannot take when I leave this earth.

Eleven months ago when I ventured into the Self-Employed lifestyle, I had no real goals. I was going along with what God gave to me. I was stripped from a nine-to-five job where I was very stressed out, and not feeling that I used my gifts fully. I was taken from a very secure situation to a more flexible lifestyle as an Educator and Freelance Writer. When I worked a regular job, I did not pay all my bills on time, yes, this is true. I was living beyond my means...and I was trying to play constant catch up with bills. When I started my new life, I got all my bills straightened out, and to this date, all my bills are pretty much being paid up. I haven't had any problems with anything. I just had to redefine my life in according to what matters.

What became a focus point for me was:

Family
Close Friends
Community/Volunteering
Assisting Artists

What's Wealth for me:
The way I treat my friends
The way I treat my family
Networking with people who I can help
and who can help me

A Successful day:
Did I treat people kindly
Did I have time for my family/friends
Did I have any valuable "me" time

Successful things in my life:
Inclusions in anthologies
Contributing Writing Highlights
Being able to share with youth
Positive comments from my musers
Praise reports from my friends who
were recently blessed
My peace of mind and spirit

I think it's important to plant seeds of positivity. If I walk this earth for years and never blessed a kind word or deed to another soul, all the book sales in the world means nothing. If I walk this earth for years and died tommorrow, if no one remembered a kind deed or word that I did, then all my living would be in vain. Success for me has more to do with my spirit and soul and what I've done in the world to be a positive loving human being.

What you choose to focus on - and being a success in life has to do with you. For me, it can be 2 books sold, or a new referral from a client. Or a conversation with a school that praised me on work I completed...

I'm wishing you well on your successful endeavors in life. Remember, it's what you do with your "dash" that counts. It's what you do on this earth NOW before you released from your earthly obligations...

Be successful always!
-- Mocha Sistah

Letting Go: Giving Back to Your Soul

2006-07-07T16:41:00.000-07:00

Don't you wish you could be this little girl with no problems, just laying around and enjoying without any real burdens? Yes, you do...but you can't. Sometimes the load of life can be a bit much. And I know you have heard the statement, "Let Go and Let God." But it's a little more challenging than just saying that out loud and hoping for the best.

Whether it's you getting out of a relationship, dealing with a difficult situation, or getting a divorce, it's hard to let go of something that meant so much to you.

Ask yourself a few guiding questions:

1) What can I do to be positive about the situation?
2) Why am I so mad about this?
3) How did I contribute to the situation?
4) Can I forgive or forget?
5) Will it matter that the person says, "I'm Sorry"?
6) Why am I "stuck" on the rage/pain?
7) Is it hard to say good bye to the memories?
8) How can I honor myself and the other person?

Part of letting go sometimes is dealing with the death of something. The stages of grief are apart of letting go of the situation. IN addition to that it's also feeling rejected, or that you have failed. Nothing in life is perfect. Do one favor to your soul, try to ease the load. Yes, it's harsh sometimes when dealing with life issues and unexpected situations, but you have to eventually let go and give back to your soul.

Find the courage to do what you feel is right for you.

Suggested ways to deal with this:

1) Find a way to speak to the person
2) Write a letter
3) Phone call
4) One-on-One visit
5) Do not blame or accuse them
6) Be accountable for your actions/contributions to this situation
7) Write in your journal
8) Try to sort out feelings before you address them
9) Find a friend/person who'll be non-judgemental that can listen
objectively; it's not all about advice. You need a sounding board
10) Stay true to yourself
11) Accept the person as they are: it's possible they may not be able to
say I'm Sorry or even take accountability for their actions
12) Take the high road

Be blessed and post any other tips on the blog. Your soul will truly, truly
thank you for taking that "load" away.

- Mocha Sistah

Fourth of July Celebrations

2006-07-04T11:08:00.000-07:00

Well...it's that time of the year again. Barbecues and celebrations. I spent part of my weekend in Saint Louis, Missouri with the family, enjoying the best in finest of southern cuisines. It was blazing between 90 degrees and 100! The kids were great. Family was in the house! Best dishes to die for: Roast Beef and Veggies, Fried Corn, Peach Cobbler, Seven Layer Salad. I also fell in love with Soy Milk - Vanilla...It was delicious and I don't even like Soy Milk. Go figure~

I got a lot of rest and relaxation, no internet for four days which might be a Mocha Sistah record.

I was talking with a family member who decided to keep family tradition by entering active duty. He's only 17, and I'll definitely be praying for his tradition from high school to active duty. He's in his last year of schooling in Kansas.

Mocha's July 4th Dinner:
Buffalo Wings
Potato Salad
Baked Beans
Spaghetti
Fried Corn
Fresh Pineapple

I decided to cook today and chill for the rest of this week.

July 4th FASHION DONT'S:
I saw some scary outfits yesterday as I rolled back into town - Fourth of July folks does not mean, SCARY FASHIONS. I love my sisters truly I do. But .....let's keep it simple. If you don't have the toned up thighs and stomachs, certain outfits should only be worn at home. For real... Got a stomach, hide it. Got flab, hide it. Doesn't matter what size you are, you can still be sexy without being TRASHY.

Keep it simple...
Keep it classy...

That's what Grandma told me.

Well, enough of me and my little update. I'll be eating in a minute or so.

Safety issues:
Drive...no drinking.
Fireworks...please be careful, read the instructions
and move those babies away from the sparklies.

Fourth of July Shoutouts: to those in Iraq and actively serving. Thanks for taking the bullets and serving and PROTECTING us all. Without you, we would be exposed, open and at risk. You may not hear it all the time, but we appreciate you. And prayer for those who've lost families in all American wars, the world wars, and current wars. God Bless you always.

Much love and spirit.

-- Mocha Sistah

Friday Ramblings

2006-06-23T17:47:00.000-07:00

Fire My Words

What's up family? What's going on a freaking friday? A terror plot foiled in Florida was what I heard this morning. I really don't have much to talk about today...I am working on a few books that are in print mode. One important one (hush...huge project that is hoooott to death) that will drop in a few literary beats. I'm going to relax this weekend, with family and finish up some projects. It's the last week that I have to myself before I have to be working in the community again. I'll be going to Saint Louis for a few days over the holiday break, then hit Indy for the Indianapolis Black Expo at RCA Dome...

I had a wonderful but short interview on Power Talk radio on Wednesday and setting up author interviews and booksignings, trying to get a distributor for my book company, and a lot of press kits going to stores, and stuff. Soon to be on the net...Liquid Kisses will be featured on www.oncewritten.com and 2 of my books will be raffled off in a July Book Contest. Don't forget to email me for book requests before I roll this fully out...autographed copies can be mailed to you. Just email me at mochachyna35@yahoo.com with subject line: Liquid Kisses Book and I'll take care of that for you.

I'm currently on a few more sites:
www.mochachyna.multiply.com
www.poetrypoem.com/mochasistah

I'm placed in Check Da Rhyme Anthology as published by Lit Noire Publishing out of New York City. It features female poets and emcees. I have a hip hop social commentary piece in there that got featured. That's cool. I'm also in Literary Divas one of 100 women writers featured in a book published by Amber Books.

Well, it's a nice and cool day in Chicago. It's been pretty peaceful this week and a lot going on that I'm not talking about on this space. But it's all good. I bid you adieu. Be careful with driving and dealing with any of your life issues. Be grateful for all you have in your life.

With love and life...
Be blessed,
Mocha Sistah

Loving Black MEN: ODES TO MY BROTHERS

2006-06-17T19:56:00.000-07:00

Soooo, in case you haven't noticed I'm a black woman...and I love black men. Yes, we hear all the statistics all the time, but when was the last time you praised them "any how." Not sure if you haven't seen a recent interview with Serena Williams who mentioned that she no longer dated black men because they are boys and that in ten years they will be obsolete. She made references to Oprah Winfrey's relationship with Stedman and made some allegations about Oprah and children. I know that it's easier to throw stones at our brothers when they are down and I have heard from a lot of black men that women just love to dog 'em out. I thought when I read the interview by Serena that I think it's awful to just give up on the brothers. I mean, I applaud her for finding her 'white' king, however, it's not that easy for me.

And even though I've lived without my father in my life, grew up without him, that has not twisted me to the point where I will flat out give up on them and just say I am not longer interested in them because they are all DOGS or that they are all MESSED Up. As we all go through life, we encounter people who have bags; emotional, physical, dysfunctionalites from childhood. I just think it's really sad when one of our own, says black men are not worth her time or energy. I believe she should have her opinion but I'm not quite through with ya'll yet.

And I am still a believer in my brothers.

Wanted to say a few wonderful things:

I love when you make me smile; when you know I'm pissed
I love when you call me just to say hi.
I love when you drop by the house to help with a project.
I love your strength, humility, creativity, romance, spirituality, and individuality.

Thank you for opening doors for me.
Thank you for being there when I need a 'pick-me-up'
Thank you for being great friends, fathers, mentors, teachers, bus drivers,
whatever gift God gave you.
Thank you for not giving up on yourself in a world that has put you
down sometimes.
Thank you for dealing with us (sisters) when we get a little emotional about
things.
Thank you for taking scraps of your life, and overcoming your challenges.

For those who feel down when they hear sisters say negative things:

Remember there are many more of us who adore you.
Remember there are many more of us who care for you.
Remember there are many women, not just black women, love some of 'you'.
Remember you are needed.
Remember we care about you, even though NONE of us are perfect, we surely appreciate you in our lives...we really do, even when we are 'cursing' you out. ************************************************************************

From my heart to yours...much love and energy
but mostly respect. Remember some of us still need you.
--- Mocha Sistah

Praise for Fathers (everywhere)

2006-06-16T10:10:00.000-07:00

So I guess we can start with Celebrity fathers...Beyonce's dad, played a leadership roll in her musical career, Denzel has provided for his family (in a nice quiet way, we never hear anything about him or his family and when we see them they look HAPPY), Tiger's dad helped to develop his career as a golfer, Serena's father, Richard Williams, also a vocal and strong Black man, made sure to have strong values for his children, and helped them grooming their tennis careers.

Of course, not all dad's are celebrities, but dang it, you can make them feel such this weekend. After all, if he's playing a roll in your life, giving you something like his TIME (which is valuable), providing you with life lessons, a roof over your head, coached you in a baseball game, or attended a function where you were honored or performed or were highlighted, then give you DADDY some love and appreciation.

The best daddy memories for me were:

- Him showing me how he worked on cars
- Him laughing at my singing at age 11
- Him telling me he was proud when I first got published
- Him kissing me, when I got stung by a Bee on Easter Sunday

I think it's easy to over look Fathers impact on the family when a society that praises Mothers more than Fathers. I think we should keep in mind that they (men) need that appreciation, and yes, it's expected that a father does certain things for his children but don't over look the small things:

LOVING your father spells, a home cooked dinner; he'll appreciate it.
LOVING your father spells, a home made card, or a store bought 1 with some
money, or cool phrases inside them to let him know you appreciate him.
LOVING your father could mean doing some chores for him, letting him
relax.
LOVING your father could mean making sure he has all his favorites: newspapers, libations, moments of quietness in the house, a surprise home made gift

You can do something SPECIAL to let him know that he's appreciated.

I know we live in a world where some fathers aren't up to par but all of them are not bad and like I said appreciation goes a long long way.

And if your father has gone on to glory, remember the beautiful good times.

Have a great and beautiful weekend with your FATHER.

- Mocha Sistah

Getting your five minutes...

2006-06-05T19:51:00.000-07:00

When was the last time you got five minutes of selfless time, just relaxing and maxing and doing things you like to do. In other words, slowing yourself down. Today, I slowed myself down, actually I was trying to go from one site to another site (schools and program stuff) when I was thrust into my own timezone. I went to a school but they didn't need me and instead of coming home, I thought it would be nice to take a train ride downtown, take in Millenium Park, and enjoy free things. The first thing I did was go find a lunch - Subway was my choice, and I grabbed a chocolate Dove bar, then I laid down on a nice shaded spot under a tree, where I enjoyed more than thirty minutes of peaceful bliss. I took in a few things - watching parents with their children, and leaving my very comfortable spot, I was able to enjoy children running up and down in the water (there are two huge water towers on Michigan Avenue at Millenium Park), where kids can play in the water, and splash all day long. I was wishing I had my flip flops so I could do the same. But I do have a plan to go back on later this week so I can dooo that. I absolutely loved more than five minutes. As I was relaxing, I didn't check my cell phone, and I just found myself sitting in quietness, enjoying the space and time. I ran into an old friend and we talked about the lies folks tell about themselves in "online relationships". That's another blog topic. Anyway, I did enjoy the quietness, and the beautiful sun, weather caressing me, and just breathing.

Getting your five minutes:

1) Take a journal to write
2) Take off the internet, go for a walk
3) Turn off the television, and put on some jazz or quiet music
4) Turn off the cellphone and just relax

- Mocha Sistah

Literary Highlights: Nikki Giovanni & The Printers Row Book Fair

2006-06-03T17:46:00.000-07:00

I was eighteen when I first picked up a pen, and got the book that changed, my literary view, "My House" by Nikki Giovanni, a book that was published in 1972, four years after I entered this earth. A mixture of soul, sage, mother, activist, the book called to my soul, especially the wonderful cultured poems about africa and governmental watching...So how befitting that I would end up a poet teaching poetry in the inner city and also using Nikki's work to inspire a generation, just like she did me.

So today, I take off to the Printers Row Book Fair with fellow road literary friend, Felicia Madlock, author of Sins of the Father (www.urbanbooks.net), because Felicia was going to read at the Book Fair this morning. Around 11:15, we got downtown, paid a little money for parking and walked over to the fair, found ourselves in the middle of literary heaven. There were booths, were authors, literary organizatoins, and book stores like Powell's Book Store, Borders and Barnes and Nobles. We grabbed a map and headed for the tent where Felicia was to read a selection. With her cam in hand, she taped performances of fellow writers in the Journal of Ordinary Thought.

My phone was on vibrate so I missed the phone call by FoFeet (st. Louis, native/spoken word artist) but I quickly called her back. We would meet later at the Nikki Giovanni reading. A few poets later, after Felicia read, "Spring", we headed over to the children's tent where Nikki would wear her literary hat #1 and read selected pieces from "Poetry Speaks to Children". In the hot sun, we walked past a few booths when we noticed Hill Harper (of CSI: NY), reading selected poems from his book, "Letters to a brother...MANIfest" and swore under our breathes, because we could not do both readings.

We found our seats for Nikki's first reading, and waited for the reading to start. I found myself staring at a neighbor from my building, who said, she loved Nikki too. Many calls later, Fo and I stated we would meet in the Harold Washington building where Nikki would read from her "Rosa" collection.

Felicia and I went to get a snack to eat at the fair- big juicy hotdogs, ummm, they were great before heading over to the auditorim to hear Nikki read again. Forty-five minutes later, we were entering the auditorium, after standing in the overflow line, and I purposely smiled, because I had some books in my bag. Books for Nikki~

During her presentation of the book, "Rosa", the audience was blessed with her cultural historical presentation about how the book was formulized and history about Rosa and general her Nikkisms. I am always reminded of why I love her so much. It's not just that she's a woman, an activist but as eloquently, she is a "woman of courage". She reminds us all that women are needed, we must have courage to "BE" and just use our voices, in all the ways we can use our voices. Be bold, unafraid, and not "ego-trip". It's a beautiful thing to be in the midst of a person who seems to know herself so well and not be afraid to speak her "peace".

I am not sure how long her presentation, took because she was so enthralling that we lost count of time. No one watched the time and personally, I could have stayed there all day to hear her and her thoughts on the world and her place in it.

We stood in line to give her love. We shook her hand, and I gave her my book, Liquid Kisses, and also told her I was a literary educator whose school she had recently visited and she remembered Michael Faraday where I'm currently in residency teaching poetry. I took the cam and took Felicia's picture with Nikki and ran into Fofeet during that timeframe at the same space.

3pm, we wound up in the Gwendolyn Brooks Tent listening to some of the Third World Press readers, Toni Asante Lightfoot, Nicole Shield, and others who really gave praise to Gwen's place in literary history. It was a great reading.

After the reading, we ended up going by Mello Yellow in Hyde Park for cuisine - and a libation. I had a Pina Colada (hey, sitting in the sun all day can be hard work).

Felicia and I headed back south to get some rest before the long night ahead non-literary related. For the House Heads....you understand when it's time to get down for a few hours of rest before going to a real music party. We're going to a midnight House Party....you know how we do it.

We'll return to the Book Fair on Sunday to hear more readers and some artists perform.

If you are ever in Chicago, you should try to check it out. It's free and everything is laid out for you. Plenty of chairs, parking spaces, bathrooms, just make sure to wear comfortable shoes, plan a budget of where you want to spend your time, bring summer chairs, and for little ones, snacks - fruit, juices, water. The basics.

It's a great time. Why not spend a weekend celebrating the written and spoken word?

SUM OF POETICS

2006-05-31T21:06:00.000-07:00

So it's a few weeks before the end of the 2005-2006 teaching poetry season for me. I've taught 2-3 parks, and six schools, and at one community center. I started back in August 2005 planning for a few organizations, and it started off with a blaze. I have added first grade, second grade, third grade, sixth grade to my roster along with my seventh and fifth graders and 11th graders. With all these grades I've had to step it up a bit, mixing in between traditional poems like "IAM" and seasonal poems, to non traditional poems like Eintous, Haikus, Cinquains, Lanterns, Foot Poems, Political Commentaries, Community poems. Some of the poets I taught were Saul Williams, Langston Hughes, Tupac, Nikki Giovanni, youth poetry from the parks, my own poetry, and local poets. I've had one confrontation (at the high school) and I had to write up five students at an elementary school. I've had to deal with some seriously tripped out behavioral issues, trying to mix up the poetry teaching with my own goal of empowering and inspiring students to write their stories with realness from their own souls. It's thirteen days away and that's it until September 2006. We've had students published online, some of my schools have honored me by having poetry boards outside the class room, and coaching students for performances, oratory contests, and other events. I have worked with over 300 students in 10 months. The best experience was returning to my elementary school to teach poetry and the refreshing class is the first graders. They have such wonderment.

I think most of my exercises were great, except the "alliteration" exercise. It wasn't well received and it's not the one I use a lot. My high schoolers dug the political/social poetry exercise that generated some wonderful commentaries about living in the hood. I'm stuck on which grade was best, but my fifth graders at Kozminski and Faraday were a tie. I loosened my straight laced poetry teaching this year a bit. I didn't focus as much on the form, and focused more on the content of the work. I also added some cool things like poetic chants at the beginning of class and using music for writing time in some of my schools.

The next two weeks, I am going to just chill. I have no more poems to teach. I literally have one week left at two schools and it's almost time to say goodbye. My fifth graders at Revere, my most challenging school, wrote me "goodbye poems". Oh, I didn't even expect that. Yes, I had to act real hard that day but it was very touching and I did appreciate their words. I'll visit them tommorrow to drop off some poetic gifts.

I'm still with my South Shore crew for a last workshop on tommorrow.

They say breaking up is hard to do, but when you are in the schools almost a full year, letting go will be hard to do. I will miss the "Ms. Osbey" and chants of "Ms Pam" while walking through schools, hugs from all my students, and having just general conversations with them about their lives. There are some amazing young writers and I have stacks of poems at home to prove it.

The count down is on and I'm happy but also a little melancholy. Children have definitely helped me as much as they think I've helped them. It's a two way street.

Enjoy the week folks~

Mocha S.

The Value of Fifteen Dollahs

2006-05-22T05:53:00.000-07:00

Two days ago, I got an email stating that author Nikki Woods and Malcolm Jamal Warner would be at Chicago's Hothouse. I wasn't sure, but I knew that Malcolm was into spoken word and so I quickly grabbed my credit card and secured my ticket immediately. The event was to highlight his band, The Miles Long Experience, an experience, I must say was out of my skin bubbling with hot jazz exploding on it. A whispering of the most beautiful type of neo-soul music, spoken word, and jazz entertained the crowded set at the event on Sunday night at the Hothouse, but I'm getting ahead of myself. Let's start at the moment I left home to go to the event. So it's like 8:04 when I hit the door of the event. Outside of the event I hear a sister vocalizing, she had a beautiful voice and later i would see her on the stage as one of the background singers. As I walk up the stairs to the lounge, I was pretty content that I deleted my favorite two shows - Cold Case Files and CSI for one night, so I could check out the set and soak up some good music. I quickly found myself seated at a table and was joined by another positive brother, John, who was visiting Chicago for the weekend, and lived in Champaign, IL where he works for the company, Frito Lays. As I sit and chat with him, I see my sister, from Prolific Writers, Miss Nikki Woods, a radio personality for WGCI, and we hug and chat about her experience at the Book Expo America this past weekend. She was decked out in a beautiful white diva top with jeans. She was setting up her booth with her book, Easier Said Than Done, and her business partner, Kim, was at the booth greeting people. Around 8:35 pm, the doors opened to the actual concert space and John and I found ourselves seated right in front of the stage, on the left side, an excellent seat and I ordered a Merlot (red wine) while waiting for the first band to open up the set. A great band, The David Boykins Band opened up the set, a saxophone player, with a tight band who really gave us six hot tunes to fill our souls. Half way through the set, I saw Def Poetry Jam's Redstorm in the house. He gave me a hug and told me had some new music for me. I told him I'd buy a CD before the night ended. Later in the set again, I saw one of my favorite poets, who I actually met before I became "MochaSistah" and that's my house head, poeticking, Khari B, aka "Discopoet" who's just a real nucca, and just as cool as he can be. He stays the same way, every time I see him. He's just the same. I love real folks first ya know. Anyway, he reminded me he has a performance at the Hothouse on June 2nd, so you know I gotta support my poetry brother, right? After David Boykins band performs its last joint, Nikki Woods comes up to introduce Lorenzo Owens, who was the winner of Oprah Winfrey's Pop Star Challenge in 2004. I remember seeing Lorenzo on Soul Train, and as I saw him on the stage belting out his music, I was reminded of like a very polished singer in the vein of many that have been out there, I mean, Lorenzo was enjoying his space and worked the stage very well and his vocal ability blew me and John away. It was like so perfect not one note was messed up. While Lorenzo was performing, I was on my second drink, a glass of White Zinfindel, when I saw Shawn of Qi Music Group, who just happened to be sitting on the Miles Long Experience Band Set later in the night. Anyway, Lorenzo sang mainly love ballads. After he finished his set, our lovely host Nikki came back on and introduced Malcolms band, quipping that he had "incense" going on upstairs and she told us that Theo Done Grown Up. Honey she didn't lie. At first as the band set themselves up I didn't see him because he had on jeans and a black shirt that stated, "Africa Needs Us" and his hair was back (it's locked) and he whipped out that guitar, but beneath it all I did notice the brother is definitely fine sisters. Yes, he is fine. Nikki didn't lie. The man was just as a chiseled bronze creature. He was too damn cooll. The band had Shawn on keyboards, two back ground singers, a female and male, and another guitarist, and David Boykin came back to play on that set as well as another chicago native, who played his trumpet. I can't remember all the names. But the set was filled with some interesting tunes, including a song about a stripper, yes, that's right a stripper song, that basically was about how a brother ummm, gets sucked in by the lap dance, but he goes home to his woman. ha ha. I really dug the song about long distance relationships. He talked about how him and his woman had to deal with him taping the show "Jeremiah" which he joked only four people saw it. It was a show on HBO and at the time, he was in the relationship with his lady, he was in Canada and she was in California. He talked about how the distant thickened the love he had with her. I thought that was beautiful. Anyway, the song, "Project Image" was an ode to hip hop and it was one of the many tunes that I really felt deeply. His entire set was over 1 hour close to 1 and 1/2 and we still wanted more. After ending the set, Malcolm ended up signing copies of the CD, "Miles Long Mix Tape" which I was third in the line to get signed, and he did greet us individually and with grace. He is on his way to Atlanta, dang, I wish I could get there to see the show again. He was excellent. Please support the brother. Visit Malcolm online at www.myspace.com/malcolmjamalwarner Soooo, the fifteen dollahs I spent on my ticket was well spent. It was priceless. It was really nice to hang out with positive spirits and relaxing before a huge week of work. So yes, i definitely did enjoy every note and my musical spirit was filled up to capacity. I'm still listening to the CDs I bought from Red storm and Malcolm. It was worth any dime I spent. What's the value of your fifteen dollahs?

Hair Chronicles III

2006-05-17T06:36:00.000-07:00

I'm in my third month of locking. It's been pretty stressless. My hair is locking fine. It has been interlocked but it's clear to me that I have to just let my hair do it's own thing. I'm not trying to get a certain look or anything like that because I like how my own locks are defining themselves. I like my lock stylist and if you want to view Shavon's online portfolio, I can post here later this month. I have a lot of my students wanting Shavon to work on their hair. Anyway, my hair is growing. It's a simple wonderful process. I visit with Shavon every 3-4 weeks for re-tightening, I maintain the locks myself in between using Carol Daughter's oil, lock gel, water and dry shampoos. My hair is very fine quality, not really thick but I have been noticing a few folks who have the same texture of hair I do - men and women alike, so there's hope for me yet. I'm hoping by the end of the summer, it will be much longer. But so far, it's all good. Have a great day~

Guns On a Monday

2006-05-15T18:50:00.000-07:00

Imagine a day that starts off with the sun blazing, the birds chirping, softness of your pillow against your face, and silence of a day God has blessed you with again. Imagine, you spend most of your day, enjoying your freedom, peace and space, and for most of the day it's productive until you brave the day...This is the beginning of my sunny day. It was 3pm, when I made my way over to West Haven to work with my youth IT group. The group center is located in the area of West Haven that is located down the street from the United Center where the Chicago Bulls plays their games. And in an area that is genetrifying, white folks living in an area that used to be mainly occupied by low income residents. An area that is still weeding out low income residents or forcing them out because manly of them cannot afford the high income requirements for the tree lined houses that occupy the area now. Two blocks away from the United Center, there are still projects, and gang bangers hanging on the corner, liquor heads, and drug dealers, and the occasional music bumping hooptie that flies through the streets near Washington where I am to head up my IT group. My gear of choice this day was athletic shoes, jogging pants, lady locks pulled back, and a blue and white warming jacket on, because of course, Chicago's winds were ruffling up a bit. At 3:30 pm, I stroll in the liquor store to grab some snacks for my youth group. At 3:40 pm, and I'm happy to see the motorcycle group practicing, mainly upper class white folks with nice Harley Davidson's. As I cross the streets and enter the Major Adams Academy, all appears well. The security monitor is asleep at the desk as I jump up the stairs, and I see absolutely no one in the hallways but I hear a choir of voices as I enter the Computer lab. The kids are having their fun, it's the younger baby computer group, ages five through eleven. They basically are on the internet, playing computer games, dressing up flexible Barbie-doll like images, and boys are on Cheater Codes or other game oriented sites. They are running around and playing, it's children being themselves, with a little ribbing from me because they need to go to the gym to do their running.

Closer to 4:30 pm, I don't have any students except Darious. It's an weird feeling that takes over me, because I know something is up. I'm worried. This is strange. My kids in IT normally call my cell phone or are in class on time, mostly. I called my group around 4:25pm, then around 4:45, my cell phone rings as though it's on fire. Students are saying there's shooting outside the building. I'm calm for the most part. Not really nervous but when Donisha calls me telling me the gangbangers are doing outside on Washington Street, I had to shut down my class. I told kids to get their butts home, walked them over to the side streets where they could cut home. The police was outside checking out the scene. Alonzo was dropped off by our Site Manager, and I cut out of there like Flo Jo. Thank god for the gym shoes. It's a Monday and the gangbangers already cutting up. What is a sister to do. I pray that none of my late students showed up for class. I tried to call kids, but most of my kids, would call the other kids to warn them of the situation, and I just had to put it in God's hands.

I made the decision to close my class down in five minutes flat. My students were worried about the stipend issue, because if they miss class, they get docked money, I told them I would not dock them. It was more important for them to get home safe than be in class. I gave the assignment as a homework assignment and hopefully things will cool down by Wednesday's class. If not, we'll have to go to plan B because our community workshop was scheduled for Thursday May 25th, but like I told them, we have to go with the flow and see what happens. Push come to push, it can be changed to another type of program, and as long as we all work on it, it's all good. Today's lesson: Some things are more important than others. Grace under fire is a great thing.

That's lesson #2 from my Mother. I have learned very well not to get nervous working in the community. I don't know if this has to do with dealing with serious life issues early in my life, or that I have thick skin. I just know it's okay. Eventually everything will flow back into the direction that I really wanted, but more importantly needed.

Oh, and I hope one day these gangbangers understand there are so many people who get hurt by what they do in the community. Putting down the gun can be a good thing. Stop getting locked up for no reason. Building your environment, not tearing it down, can be a beautiful thing.

Have a blessed week,
Mocha Sistah

Literary Entrees: Chef Walee & New Jersey

2006-05-07T19:02:00.000-07:00

You know the kind of taste you get off your tongue after you have consumed a great meal, or the kind of feeling you get when you have enjoyed the last of the favorite snack of yours? Well, that’s the feeling I got on my tongue after consuming the best meal Newark, New Jersey had to offer at Priory Restaurant. A nice little quaint restaurant nestled in the heart of Newark, NJ, has sounds of light jazz and vocalizing, and a great spread of breakfast and brunch items including, collard greens, macaroni and cheese, sweet yams, Carolina spicy wings, fresh fried fish, Baked Ziti, and assortment of desserts including Carrot Cake, Chocolate Cake, and Pound Cake, it has the nerve to provide on site staff that will create customized fresh omelets if you choose to get. It was at Priory that I was tasting the best Macaroni and Cheese, Turkey Breast, Collard Greens, and other tasty culinary dishes, as provided by my literary brother and guru, Walee of New Jersey along with poet Diamond and Austin Texas’s, Kennard. We had a great time after collecting our thoughts on Walee’s second literary helping, What’s On the Menu: All of Me, booksigning which will held last night at Sienna Visions Gallery in Plainfield, NJ. I felt so honored to be asked to read selected poems last night when all my intention was to get a few days of rest in lovely New Jersey. I so appreciated the warm welcome from all who attended and I encourage if you are in the area, please visit the Gallery and support the wonderful work of the owners, Alonzo and Cyndie Adams (http://www.siennavisions.com/index.html). Please support their wonderful work.

But before we continue to talk about the literary program I attended, I wanted to give you some highlights from the trip. My best relaxation moments came from Terminal A and Terminal B of the Newark International Airport. In Terminal A, I was able to get a foot massage. Now, if you know anything about me, I normally don’t even take that much time out for me, but I had to so I got a massage which was delightful. After getting my foot massaged, I went in search of nail polish, but ended up finding a great spa that would give me one of the best pedicures I have ever had. The spa is called d_parture Spa (http://www.departurespa.com/) and there I received good customer service, my toes were dipped in water with oils, ahhh , yes, it was so relaxing and yes, they looked damn good. See, I had to get the toes done because of my open toe shoes that I wanted to wear with my outfit for Walee’s event. I couldn’t go up in there looking all wild. After one hour of toes getting beautified, I also chose to get a wax and went to find some collectibles – some tee-shirts, authentic New Jersey Taffy, and a light lunch before meeting up with Diamond (http://beautifulredrose.blogspot.com/) and dashing to get myself ready for the event.

I chose five selected poems to share at the event, including, Dreaming (a bilingual poem that I actually recited off the ‘dome’), Blond Bomb Shell (praise poem for Diamond), Anticipation (sensual joint #1), Come Undone (from Exotica II – sensual joint #2), and another poem I can’t remember at this time. The event rolled off with TC Matthews Co-founder of Prolific Writers Network, a writers group I have been a member of for a number of years (join PWN for free here - http://groups.yahoo.com/group/prolificwriters/) , then a few New Jersey business owners of some cultural and employment opportunities that help artists, business owners and other positive individuals. Diamond read some very excellent poems that moved a lot of us, but my favorite was the stirring, Unpaid Mistress, joint that definitely made us all think…~

Walee turned heads with selected poems from his book, and the favorite I loved was “How Could You?” A piece that is a mystery in the way it is written because there’s a story that is being told and you need to listen up and keep yourself open for the shocking ending. Walee’s delivery of course is so real, so smooth that you forget where you’re at. Walee’s event was well organized and attended by New Jersey’s finest. A few out of towners, like me, and others from as far as Austin, Texas crowded the gallery. I believe I stopped counting heads after I was in the middle of my set. Books were sold, food was eaten and a good time was enjoyed by all. I had a few CD sales but a lot of love and feedback on my performances.

I got down to my toes during the set ~ For some reason, I just had to get comfortable, so my shoes came off but I don’t think it bothered anyone a bit.

I got a tour of New Jersey by TC on Saturday that was pretty cool. I saw Rutger’s University, Penn Station and a few other places of note.

I encourage you all to visit Walee’s website and please purchase one for yourself or a loved one. Get a glass of wine, and let the literary culinary session begin. You will get full of the offerings in the book. Note to the wise, this is a Grown UP folks collection that is mentally and emotionally satisfying. You will get full.

Walee’s site is: http://www.confessionsbywalee.com/

As for me, I am going to relax and enjoy the rest of my time off. I wish you well and a productive blessed week.

Thanks to all who attended the event, gave me love, bought CDs and gave me tons of encouragement. I’ll tuck those in with me tonight and always.

~ Mocha Sistah

Hitting The Ground Running

2006-05-04T06:06:00.000-07:00

I have tons of things to do today, but wanted to try to post something before I gather my wits, poems, and drag my suitcase on the plane tommorrow for the weekend trip to New Jersey. Let's recap this week. I had jury Duty, which was so boring that I can't believe I got out of there enough to miss the 400,000 marchers of the Immigration Rallies in Chicago on Monday. I count myself lucky because I know how crowded it could have been, but I saved myself by 1) avoiding regular transportation and 2) spending extra money and taking the Metra home. I understand that the United States might want to secure its borders, but why you wait until now to try to put a law that will make it a crime for those who have abided by the laws for a specific amount of years, with no crime background, who's had to pass a citizenship test, paid $330 per application per person, and tell 14 Million People they are going to have to go back from whence they came. How about the employers who chose to employ the illegals and made money off of them? How about the tons of children who are legal citizens but there parents aren't? Now we create broken families? And for those who say they are made that the illegals have taken american jobs. I know a few Americans who don't want to sit in no hot sun picking out oranges, and other fruits or vegetables, or sit in a hot factory doing work that is not pretty. Why wasn't a Guest Worker program put in place before September 11th. I don't think it's fair to cry wolf all of a sudden, and rush through a law that will affect millions. This is America for crying out loud~

One day we gonna get it together, but for today I guess I'll settle for us trying to have open conversations about this issue. It affects so many people, communities and businesses. If we are going to penalize those crossing the borders, how about those employers? Landlords who took their rent monies? Umm, just food for thought.

Why I'm so deep on a Thumping Thursday? We are doing community poems in my classes today. I'm hoping for more than the usual, "Community Is" poem. I hope to see some real issues raised in the poems today.

I've got a ton of things to do before I hit the road. Write an artist bio, umm, not sure that's going to get done. My house will be rocking tonight - CDs burning, poems printing, and my bedroom will be a wreck before I leave. You know it's so hard for ladies to find that perfect outfit. A sistah got to look somewhat good. I might have to go shopping tonight after my high school classes.

Anyway, I'm hitting the ground running. The sun is peeking through my windows. That tells me everything is going to be alright. Praying for a beautiful day and a healing nation, I bid you adieu.

~ Mocha Sistah

My Day with the Literary Babies

2006-04-28T16:35:00.000-07:00

I stayed with my literary babies all day today. The school had a celebration, called "Book-IT" which is a celebration of students reading and increasing their literary skills. Students received book and literary awards, trophies, and most importantly, were able to be apart of the program. Parents of the students, grandmothers, and other relatives were on hand to see the program as it unfolded this afternoon at 1pm. Before then, I taught my first graders this morning. They wrote voice poems.

Samples from class:

My voice is cool.
My cat's voice.
My dog's voice.
My mom's voice.
My cousin's voice.
My puppy.
My uncle's voice.
~~ D'Andre M.

I like my mom's voice.
I like my dad's voice.
I like my voice.
I like my auntie's voice.
~ Pilshae B.

I love to talk.
I love to speak.
To Jarod and my other cousins,
sisters and brothers.
~ Jalen P.

My spirits voice is about to catch on fire.
And I can not do anything about it.
My voice might be a bad thing in me
because my spirit's voice is on fire too.
~ Malik L.

The amazing thing about today's class was the sixteen line poems by two students. They consistently write long poems which tells me that they read and write a lot at home. I got a chance to meet some of the parents of the students. I showed some of them the work I have been able to do with students. Malik's father was very surprised about the deepness of his son's thoughts. I invited parent's to drop in my class. I would love for them to see what I do with the kids. It's amazing though, I normally run out of time in the class. I realize, students are really connecting with me. I got a lot of hugs from the kids. Especially the girls. I think it's important that I be who I am, a strong black woman, unafraid of being who she is. I love working with the kids, to hear their thoughts, and see such progression in my short time with them. I have four to six weeks left on my contract and will be finished at this particular school by June 11th. I will be sad to leave.

Because of the love, the committment of the student work, even with some of my hard headed seventh graders, it's a fresh breath of air to hear voices - young voices that are begging to be heard, even in the midst of behavioral issues. These kids shine~and they inspire me.

Mocha Sistah

Isn't it funny...listen up?

2006-04-24T20:09:00.000-07:00

When God sends a message, you better listen. So, today I was on my way home and stopped by my favorite Walgreens, to pick up a few snacks and just browse. Anyway, I saw a sister with this beautiful head of hair, and I thought it was my missing poetic sister, Pia, and God would have it that it was miss poetic. As we hugged and caught up on old times, she asked me what I was doing and I told her the usual mocha chatter. She asked me why "you haven't blown up yet." I laughed and told her my time was coming. We talked about a whole bunch of things, and she dropped a nugget in my head. She had shared that she was going to apply a while back to the Community Colleges in Chicago to teach poetry or writing. She said, "You need to do that Mocha>" and I thought about it. I wondered why I never thought of it. Then I started to muse on the fact that half of my poetry friends are Adjunct Professors. I just been teaching so long in schools that I never thought of that as my next level.

Now, the last time I saw Pia was 2 summers ago, as she transitioned to a Corporate Job, and left my Summer Poetry Workshop.

It's funny how God brought her into my space to drop a little something for me to muse on. I don't believe God did this to bring just a smile to my face, but to keep me focused on other opportunities for me to look as I transition deeper into my life as a freelancer artist/consultant.

A year ago when I joined the Black Poetry Cafe, I had several fellow poets in the Chicago area asking me when I would be teaching for adults. Once again, I was so busy that i never followed up with the stream of thought that was brought into me. Last summer, I had an idea to work with adults but I never pushed it. AGain, I was lost in my transition from my last regular working situation that I never even thought of it again.

But God pushes it in my face, again. Umm, wake up and smell the coffee, Mocha was what I thought today when I spoke with my fellow literary sister. I listened this time. When I got home I sent my resume to the CCC for consideration for Adjunct Positons and we'll see what will happen. In the meantime, I will keep a pushing.

Isn't it funny how things keep coming back? Do you think it's a just a happenance? Or that it was fate? Or a bigger plan? You choose.

I just know the divine is always on the case and sometimes, we need to stop, be still and listen.

~ Mocha Sistah

Mocha's Taste of Chicago

2006-04-23T09:55:00.000-07:00

I love to eat and cook sometimes, but when I'm not wanting to actually cook, I can just go down the street and find something great to eat. South Shore is my community nestled near the Lake Shore and in the middle of the South East side of the city.

A few of my favorites are:

1) Soul Vegetarian - Expensive but Good!
2) Cafe Trinidad - Excellent Curry Chicken, Sorrell and Callaloo
3) Harold's Chicken - Cheap and good chicken.
4) Baba's - best icy beverages...fast service~
5) Subway - Great Healthy Alternative
6) Turkey Burger Place (can't remember name); thirty minute wait for the best fresh turkey burger ever
7) L & G's - Cheap family dining: last time I saw Jesse Jackson Jr...

New places for me to adventure

1) 5 Loaves - Has been opened for 2 years, heard its good
2) Soul Xpress ~ Southern Cuisine

My Chitown Favorites not in South Shore:

1) BJ Markets
2) Garrett's popcorn
3) Italian Ice place on Taylor street
4) Dixie Kitchen
5) Redfish
6) Olive Garden
7) Dustie's
8) Ribs and Bibs
9) Leona's
10) Crate Barrell

Of course when I'm not eating out, I can throw down a little sumthing like red beans and rice, veggie lasagna, chicken and noodles, baked salmon with veggies or whatever. When i'm not teaching, I cook a lot more so I am looking forward to my off season so I can enjoy the summer and of course, act like a human being without a whole bunch of time spent teaching, reading poems, and typing reports. I'll be able to relax and enjoy my culinary delights. And in between bites, I will hit the gym, walk for 2 hours, or plug in my Taebo tape...

If you ever come, here, let me know and I'll take to you something for your culinary delight. Happy eating~

Mocha Sistah

Melt Down on a Friday

2006-04-21T15:45:00.000-07:00

Let's keep it real, one of my nicknames is "straight-no-chaser mocha" and I guess today I lived up to it. I been dealing with disrespectful students, and people who think they can "treat" me. Yesterday, I had to assert myself in class with a student who thought he could run my time. I basically asked the teacher to remove the said student, because 1) he was taking up poetry time with his drama overtures 2) he was not contributing to the learning experience 3) I have no time to waste time in my class on non-class activities. The fifth grade class, was in no better shape, as many of the students have behavioral issues and when they are "hyped up", it's like a trip and a half. When ever the teacher steps out, I have to over assert myself. I had students roaming the room, acting like fools, picking on other students, and generally, wasting valuable class time. Now, my options are one, to BLOW UP, 2) Lecture them (yeah right) or 3) refocus them and quickly. Now, I usually don't let it get out of hand, but when it's as chaotic as the last two days, all I can do is grin and bear it, joke while in class, and focus on the ones who are writing. Back to today's dilemma. I been dealing with a very unprofessional affilation with a client who basically owes me...money. I melted down. Couldn't take it no more. Pulled out my "no straight chaser" mocha who will not be nice, who will get her justICE NOW. I had to act a fool, and as a result, I got the situation resolved. My question is why you got to act like evil to get things resolved. Why? And why must we (black folks who we do business with and you know who I'm talking about) think we can treat folks any kind of way?

It's ridiculous. When someone is working for you, hard. The least you can do is Pay them, and communicate with them. Treat them well. The same goes for clients. I try to finish projects on time, and communicate when I can't.

I melted down with the particular situation because no communications were coming from the client. No emails. No phone calls. Missed calls. Most importantly, a missing check. Basically, I'm the sweetest person ever, but if you can't at least communicate with me, it drives me up the wall. There are too many ways to say what you need to say and be professional about it. I am self-employed and many of my freelance jobs, take care of my compensation. It drives me up the wall when I have to seek out the client. It is very disrespectful to play with someone's time and energy.

PAY to play. You can't get anything in this life for free. That's basically the bottom line. Even though I did melt down, I did speak with the client, didn't apologize for the melt down, they apologized for the communication issue and are resolving the current issue.

Attitude is re-adjusted. Angel wings clipped back on and crown shining. Can't be an angel all the time, I just know I won't allow any one to play with me, my talents, or my $$$. Let's keep it real, if you don't go to bat for yourself, who will?

Tips before melting down:

Try to think before you speak.
Five minutes of silence required before you email or call someone.
Try to speak with a third party who can listen with out judging you.
Try to communicate with the other party.
If that doesn't work, then work out in your "head" what you
want to address; then speak directly with the other party
and try to work it out.

Tips after the meltdown:

Don't bring it up again.
Start off with a new slate.
Walk, Pray, or Sing it out...

Good luck and have a great weekend,
Mocha Sistah

Breathing...Easy

2006-04-18T18:58:00.000-07:00

I went to my mailbox this afternoon, awaiting a very important check. So imagine my surprise when I noticed the dollar amount was not right. Instead of getting my attitude all bent out of shape, I dug in my work timesheets, to make sure I did send it, then I double, tripled checked the email to make sure I did send my work reports. And I had. But my employer made a slight error. I called in and asked if they could check their records. I guess, because i was nice, or maybe that I'm an organized freak, or maybe coz folks just love me, that, my check was cut, and they apologized. No attitude adjustment required. It's funny how if you take a situation and don't over analyze it, and just let the universe flow around you, that things have a way of taking care of themselves. On top of that check situation, I got an email about my status with American Idol Underground, stating, my track, "Misinterpretations" was ranked very high - 19 out of 89. I'm like what? That's mad crazy. The rest of my day went very well. I had classes with my baby poets this morning, and well, I had a great time. They wrote Praise Poems. From Praise God poems to Praise "Michael Jordan" poems. It was a very nice day, and I can't complain. It was a good day....and I'm breathing easy. Another blessing, is that I just got the title of Publicist, for a new client, Boogie Nite, a Chicago producer on the move. He's got six clients under his roster so I feel very blessed with this new consulting hat I'm putting on. Anyway, I am hoping you too are breathing easy, this day.

Good Hair, Good Friday

2006-04-14T08:04:00.000-07:00

It's a blessing today. I feel great. I hope you do too. I have been asked about my hair situation and it's growing longer and longer. My hair is currently interlocked because well, i have a fine grade of hair (curly stuff - basically we have indian somewhere on both sides of my family tree and I inherited it). Anyway, Shavon, my stylist says my hair is locking fine. I'm using some hair moisturizer, locking gel, water, and spend about 15 minutes a day massaging my hair and locks. It feels great~

I think this is a little over month and as you see my hair is really growing.

Anyway, hope your day and weekend goes well. Enjoy the Easter Blessings, church services, eating out with the family or whatever celebrations you are participating in. Be blessed and talk with you next week.

~ Mocha Sistah

Spring Employment Tips: Part I

2006-04-09T21:25:00.000-07:00

Spring Employment Tips, or better yet, tips to help those Self-Employed Writers/Literary Artists get ready for Summer. If you are like me and you actually depend on income from schools during the school year, you know that summer is fastly approaching. For me, it will be the week of June 13th. Fortunately for me, I do have one program that I will be working with throughout the summer, thru August, along with freelance writing, and consulting projects that will help me push through two months of none-school related months. So, what is one to do?

UPDATE RESUMES
Go through your current resume. Add skills, have someone other than yourself, update the resume. Have different resumes for different skills: Administrative, Performance, Publishing/Writing, etc. Make sure to have an updated reference list in case you do apply for positions that will require an reference.

ONLINE JOB BANKS/NETWORKING
Networking, works. Use all resources available to you. Call your artist friends for job leads, even those in different cities. Touch base with other writers in your online writing groups. Use Craiglist (city - Chicago, or whichever city you are living in). Post a resume on job-specific sites - NPO.net (for non-profit jobs), or Monster.com (Career Builder, etcetera). Network with former employers, or former co-workers. This is how I have gotten many of my part-time jobs. 80% of my consulting jobs have been from industry-specific colleagues.

THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX
You have to think about things that you normally wouldn't. Depending on which schedule you want to work, your approach should be consistent with that schedule. Don't look for a full-time job if you aren't interested in that. Why waste an employer's time? There are plenty of job opportunities that are flexible. Theatre clerks, sales positions, community-based positions, freelance writing positions - editors, typesetters, consultants, etc. Multiply your income by dividing your time into different skills with different time slots. Yes, it's a lot of work, but you need to set a budget for your summer NOW. If you want to have money for July, August and September, then get out your bills and construct a liveable budget. What can you live with and without?

LITERARY EVENTS
With your summer budget and part time jobs, you need to figure out which events you plan to go on during the summer time. How much money are you willing to spend? Which ones are very important to attend? Make a monthly calendar and figure out how much hotel, airfare, and book sales or possible stipends attached to each venue. Do you need to travel out of your state necessarily? Are there any close events that provide exposure? Check out local events, radio stations, and online writer groups. Figure out if you can simply do a couple of booksignings at local libraries and book stores. Also check out local reading groups to host you. Figure in the cost of postcards, online website fees, and business cards and of course your books.

BALANCE IS KEY
Balance your work with your literary needs and see what it totals to. Don't forget to put a little time for yourself between all the needs and wants. Try to save money - at least 1/2 of what you need now, if not all by the Summer month of June to be ready for July - September. Actually you should have 3 months of your regular salary saved, but if not, at least your minimal amount needed to survive. But I rather see you thrive, not survive.

Be creative and go for it. Got any good tips, share them in the comment section. Thanks!

~ Mocha Sistah

Where were you ten years ago?

2006-04-02T09:09:00.000-07:00

Do you remember how you felt, what you were doing, what you were eating, who you were dating, ten years ago? What styles did you wear? What were your favorite televison shows? Can you remember. I was thinking this morning about growth and change. As a creative being, I definitely don't remember my favorite shows, but I do recall being in a relationship over ten years ago. Me? Yes, I was in a long term relationship, and thought maybe I'd be married by age 28 but it didn't happen. I am not sad about it, I just think it's interesting to do a "go-back" check because I realize the person who I used to be is gone. My twenties were a period of time where I didn't feel comfortable in myself, had no self-realizations like I do now. I was working but not with any type of value in my life at the time. I used to live on the North Side of the City and wasn't as close with my family during that period in my life. I was just beginning my poetic journey and didn't even have a natural style. I had some perms that burned out my hair as I recall. But I loved living where I lived and I really wanted my relationship to work out but it didn't. I didn't cook for myself unless my boyfriend was with me. I liked being at home a lot more. I didn't use my voice or speak up for myself as much. I had a hard time in confronting people on issues. But as my own journey with my significant other came to a screeching halt, I began to break outside of that shell. At the end of that period of my life I began to search inside of me for my self-worth, love, and acceptance. It was more important for me to love me, to honor and cherish me. To be true to myself.

If you could change one thing about your self in the last ten years what would it be? for me, nothing. I think everything that happened, had to. I had to get burned by love, learn to let go, embrace my own Queendom. Create the positive being you know see through a series of changes. It was at age 28 that I began to question me being an enabler, and confronted my father about his absence in my life. I think those were important steps of change. I am glad I started to do my own self retreats. Take care of myself better and travel. As a young woman, I'd always be waiting for life to occur and I learned it's okay to rush life along too. So when I began to travel out of the city and country, I saw a bright bold world. I learned that it's okay to get outside your comfort zone. What's holding you back from living outside your comfort zone today? And are you willing to keep yourself at bay or live today? Because you know there's a difference between living and merely existing. Just think about it.

~ Mocha Sistah

Hair Chronicle, Part II

2006-03-26T09:51:00.000-08:00

Not sure if this post, two or three. My hair is doin its own thing. I have great locking in the crown section of my hair, and the left side is still too dayum curly, but I've been told I must "leave" it alone and let it do its thing. I'm going back to my stylist, Shavon, on Wednesday and we'll discuss somethings like shampooing and other techniques. See the latest photos above. That by the way is my "editor" look. By the way, my hair on one side is very curly at the ends, that's frustrating for me. But one I am happy with the back so to speak. What am I using on my hair now? Amen hair oil from Carol's Daughter (www.carolsdaughter.com) and some lock gel, water, and some locking incense hair spray. I pretty much try to leave it alone, but moisturize it every other day. It looks and feels soft. I'm pretty content with it. Though one of the guys that says he likes me has a problem with my hair, that's a whole 'nother conversation. Let's say, Mocha wasn't impressed with his response. I am who I am. Take it or leave it. But anyway....

Have a blessed Sunday and we'll talk soon. Mocha must get back to her book work, and act as if there's nothing but books to do. right? WRONG. I'll be relaxing some of this day as well. I might bake some cookies, or cook some real food today..say what? Yes, I can get down that like.

Chat with you laters.

~ Mocha

Get the Funk Outta Here

2006-03-23T21:57:00.000-08:00

There's nothing more irritating than trying to edit or format a book and while you are in the middle of the process, the author gets a grand idea to add material to the book. Oops, but you got an editor who's been fine-tuning your manuscript. They are in the middle of doing technicalities like making sure the text looks uniform, and then bang, you want them to add something, don't give good insertion directions, and the editor is up to the crack of dawn with glasses pushed up on the face trying to scan a document, trying to find the space where the text needs to be added. Or better yet, you have images in the book that need to be modified. Or worse off, the dreaded table from Excel is inserted. It looks great as an 8 x 11 document but if it is going to publication as a 5.5 x 8.5 that is a different space on the page and can be soo irritating.

I know this personally. I'm currently formatting books and it's been pleasure and hell. I'm in emails all day (when I do work) trying to catch all types of little things like prices of the boook, is it right on the cover? If not, I need to request another cover. Asking authors to please get their copyrights, especially for images in the book. The last thing you want to do is get sued by someone because you did not get authorization to publish the image (get the approval, don't assume). I'm happy though.

A few of my literary babies (my name ain't on 'em) but they will be birthing in April. I did have one author give me kudos in their book (and they don't even know me, never met me) but they appreciate the hard work. Some nights I am up til 2 am, trying to block books as we call it.

I'm learning a lot of stuff that I will be using with Osbey Books come Summer 2006. I"m excited to bring some spanking new voices to the literary world. I have Liquid Kisses and No Candles coming out soon.

I'm the editor on two school publications. So, folks do trust me to do the damn thing. I'm blessed. Til later, I got books to format. See ya in the book stores soon. And if you aren't published, what are you waiting for?

~ Mocha Sistah

Value of Nothing and Everything

2006-03-21T19:45:00.000-08:00

While in my youth group on Monday, Khari, one of my IT students said, "you rich miss pam"..cause I was talking about travelling to Atlanta and Detroit in the month of April. He said that most of us can't just up and go. Well, I said, "I can up and go because I normally plan ahead and I have no children..." I mean, I know for sure if I did have kids, I probably wouldn't travel as much. Money might be a little tighter. Plus, as a business owner, I get my money back because it's a business expense. He did have a point. Isn't it interesting that we think of ourselves (sometimes) as broke? And I have been on the grind since I first went to this lifestyle as a self-employed girl, I wasn't "rich". I was BROKE. I had my mom laughing today when I said, "I have no ego." There was at time I didn't have that much money, had to hustle to keep my phone on, and got one of those pre-paid visa cards so I could pay my bills coz my bank account was a goner... Sister was straight BROKE with no ego. Shoot. Yes, I was even in one of the lines at the Currency Exchanges to cash my unemployment check.

During my non-rich time, I asked my brother for $200 which got me through one month if you can believe that. I was eating at the Dollar Store and the lowest form of groceries (no junk food, just veggies, ramen noodles, pork and beans, turkey burgers, chicken breasts, and fish). I didn't eat no snacks, didn't go out like I normally do. Six months down the line I'm definitely got more money. I never though of my self rich but lately I have been gaining a few more pounds cause Mocha is doing well financially and I do have money stacked in the bank. I even got piles of change around my house. This is a mocha secret (my whole family has this thing we do - I think my mom started it with her big ashtray of pennies). Right now, I have three different coin holders with everything from pennies, dimes, quarters, and nickels. That's how I know I'm doing alright. Khari is right, I'm "rich" by the kids standards.

Though technically I'm still on the bus, ain't rolling in no benz. Come summer, I will be travelling quite a bit, still paying my rent, and enjoying my life. I know the value of nothing and everything. Ain't afraid to ask for help, or say I need to make a payment arrangement coz I'm gonna be late for a payment.

This morning I woke up with no DSL cause AT&T took off my DSL - yep, I had to dig into the account to get this back on. But it's a blessing, cause Mocha had prayed for jobs. Everyday I get a new client or some type of work with compensation attached to it.

So I guess, I'm doing alright. For a small changer. I say it everyday, "grace of god". Sometimes when kids see me, they imagine my life is perfect, which it ain't. But it ain't half bad either.

Starving artists gotta have their days. Today's just one of my good ones. Maybe one day I'll publish the mocha broka diaries. What I want to say is be grateful for what you have. Some folks have it worse off that you. Believe that!

Wishing you blessings,
Mocha Sistah

Musings - new growth and change

2006-03-18T06:14:00.000-08:00

So basically this is day number five I believe. My hair is a trip and a half and has a mind of its own. It's doing it's own thing. Like I'm not even here. But anyway, I was in class yesterday and it's been interesting the comments I get about the new "do". One of my students said I looked like a Jamaican. Another student in my class at Kozminski asked if I was married to a former administrator. Hey, I got kind of excited with that question. I almost never get asked if I'm married. I told them the truth that I wasn't married. Awww~ I saw one of the students that used to be at the high schoool, he tried to rip on me saying, "she looks crazy", I just ignored that boy because he's a little kid, but it didn't really bother me. It just was funny as hell to me.

Thursday night I went to Three Brothers and a Mic poetry Anniversary (3 years), took a minute and a half to get the show started but it was nice, very packed over 20 poets represented, I recited, "Fireflies" in the Open Mic, and that was it. It was a three hour joint. Thus, on Friday when I had to get up to teach I was so tired. But I did do okay with my lessons.

Today, I plan on taking it easy (what?) no real work to be done. I'm taking myself offline for a few days so I can be "me" and relax and work on some things without being drawn in by the internet pressure. See, for me, I have to be online to update blogs, send emails, do research, update my listserve, yada yada yada. It's like so much to do, so little time, but I have five days off from the regular school teaching and I want to take advantage of it.

Anyway, take care and I'll talk with you soon.

~ With light,
Mocha Sistah

Hair Chronicles, Part I

2006-03-15T06:51:00.001-08:00

So,yesterday I began my hair journey, yet again. The last time i trusted some one with my hair, it had horrible results, but this was different. I have thought long and hard about what I wanted to do with my hair since 2004. I went natural back in 1998 I believe, and have not had perms since 1997 so it's been a while since I have sat in a chair and given my "locks" over to someone's care. But it was nice at ten o'clock when I arrived at Shavon's place to have her start me on my new journey. It was a simple process because she combed out my natural curly hair, and washed it, then began the process of taking each strand to mold in in a locking fashion. She showed me how to use my own fingers to continue this process at home. So, after two hours of having her work her magic on my hair, she placed me under a dryer and that was it. I was a newly locked woman. Hair felt very light and basically, I went from her place to the Beauty Supply place to get some Jamaican Locking Gel, and with the instructions of working with my locks (using water), and some gel, I was instructed to come back in 2 weeks for a tightening session. Shavon stated that I had some different textures going on throughout my hair. I laughed for I knew that to be true myself.

Yesterday as I walked down the street a lot of people said my hair was "cute" and thought it was a simple twist. Because I have a fine grade of hair, it looks like curly still but that's in the in between time for my hair. After day one, I noticed that the hair is locking better in the middle portion of my hair. IN the front, its very much different, but I promised to myself that I would give this a full try and do what I'm supposed to do - as Shavon instructs to have a lot of PATIENCE because it will take more than 6 months to completely lock.

My hair looks like a bunch of curls, but I like the feel of it and I feel free. This will be the first time in my adult life that I will be wearing one style. I plan on leaving locks in for a few years. I planned to have locks by age 40 so I'm a few year's early on that. Plus, I wanted to have them before I started to have children ~ that's far away, but I do plan to keep in for a while yet.

So with this note, I bid you adieu. I'll probably post some ways that I have to maintain my locks and for those interested in locking, I'll post some websites you should check out to research for yourself. Again, locking is a personal choice and requires COMMITTMENT.

Blessings,
Mocha Sistah

2006-03-15T06:51:00.000-08:00

With my new locks!

Know Thyself

2006-03-10T20:06:00.000-08:00

Like most people, I did not really know myself until life showed me a thing or two about my purpose, my soul, my spirit. I believe I was at a critical turning age of twenty-eight coming out of a relationship and having a good job downsized when I had to tap into my spirit to discover myself. During this period of my life, I struggled with my own insecurities as a woman and learned that it was ultimately up to me, to define myself, myself worth, and find my own knowledge and path. If I did not know myself, how could I relate to the world around me, and my family. So, I took time to evaluate myself by doing a few things.

KNOW BETTER, DO BETTERI began to study my life in depth, and got real with myself. Was I better as a woman, lover or friend when attitude was an issue, when my personality did not match what I felt I held deep inside? The resounding answer was no. So in order to do better, I began to invest in myself building my self-esteem by learning the value of loving me better (more on that later). I began to get real with my family, stop playing the perfectionist role, and got more assertive.

HOW DO YOU DEFINE YOURSELFWhat image you do want people to see? Where is your confidence? Take the time to embrace yourself by loving yourself first. Be positive and realistic with things in your life. My transition from the woman of twenty-eight to thirty something was so amazing as I began to take baby steps in defining myself. I began to do that by going outside of my box, you know, the box that I had drawn for myself where I would do what everyone in my life told me I should be and do. I cut my hair (1999) and became the woman I told my grandmother I would be. I freed myself by traveling the world and not being the typical single sister that stays at home, and doesn't see the world or connect with others. Not that there's something wrong with staying at home, it just is that I needed to see the world and get outside of my comfort zone. I began to define myself by challenging myself as a creative being, taking risks, and again, standing up for my rights.

FINDING YOUR SELF WORTHLoving yourself is the key to your own personal happiness. No one can give this to you but you. How you relate your value to yourself shows in the way you carry yourself, personal relationships, and interpersonal relationships. No one can give this to you. You must craft this out for yourself. Be bold. Be Brave. Unafraid to be and do "you". To live in your own skin. To go against the grain. In your heart of hearts you must have that great attitude that knows you are valued and are important.

What is your path?Where do you want to go in the next few years is up to you. The path will be littered with many beautiful flowers, some newspapers, and messed up cans of life. It will not be perfect, but if during your journey you learn a few new things, kiss a few frogs, and get a few angelic wings, why not enjoy it? Be unafraid to try new things. Get outside of your comfort zone. Find a new and exciting way to be bold. Try a new restaurant. Walk a different path. Go on a trip by yourself. Learn a new language. The list can go on and on. What I'm saying is that life is too short to live in your head all the time, so live out "loud".

Hope a few of these tips might take you to your next level. Hey Queen Writer, thanks for the inspiration for this one!

~ Mocha Sistah

Whatever

2006-03-07T12:23:00.000-08:00

So I start my weekend sick as a dog, umm hmmmm....lots of teas, lemons, oranges and cough drops. For some reason I got well, a little landlord issue on top of that, plus my body was soo tired that I had to sit my butt in bed for two days. My "landlord" issue was out of their control, but has impacted me...it rained and there was an internal issue which impacted a few of us, unfortunately my place is right in the sight of the actual problem and with many upcoming raining days I don't see how it's gonna change. Basically the landlord must do something before long or we all be "swimming" up a river. LOL. Literally. It's not funny, but I take this all in stride. Five days later I still have a cold, a nice hole in the hallway of my front, and trying to comb through tons of student work. I taught poetry today and felt like a slave to my work, or the inspiration wasn't there, or maybe it was the cold and me still being tired. Maybe I should stop trying to be super poetry lady because I normally teach 3 different lessons, sometimes they work, sometimes they don't. Today was okay. I know my first two classes were not totally there. We did alliteration, metaphoric poems and then the last class (fourth graders) did sports - but they couldn't name the sport. It was the best of the best, yet, at 11:30 am when I wrapped up my session, couldn't wait to get home so I could lay my head down. Of course, I haven't laid down since I got here. Because I'm on the computer, updating this blog! But I can breath today! And even though it hasn't been the best few days, I am doing better. It's a short week of poetry teaching due to the ISAT and I have a chance to breath, meet some clients, and work on my Booksigning stuff. I have books to go get before Saturday. Oh, my day is never done. But next week is a like a vacation, no teaching at all so hey, let's take it one day at a time. A day above ground is good any way you look at it.

I still have a few things I'm not happy about (personal issues that will iron themselves out). I know God will guide me. I just have to trust him and let him direct my path. But there's a part of me, ready still to attack like a lion. Don't you ever get tired of being nice? I mean, I think sometimes its easy for people to take other people for granted. A little appreciation goes a long way. Monday, for example, I ended up working with youth poets at a park I taught at over 2 years ago and they remembered me. They had a 15 minute writing session, and although their day was filled with many things, they came back to polish their poems, and record. I really love working with kids who get it. It's just a beautiful thing. Remember I haven't seen them since 2004 (early 2004) but they remembered me, even the park manager who said "when you coming" back to the park? That's a cool way to be appreciated it.

Don't get me wrong, but sometimes a "thank" you to someone in your life can be the push they need. You never know what someone's going through. Or just having those 2 words wash over them can be the light they need for the day. You never know! I try to even thank bus drivers, mail and other service folks. I even try to be gracious for my readers in class, my teachers, and those who have to deal with me, because everyone loves "thank you"...it's just my seed for the day. Plant and do what you will with it.

I'll talk with you soon and Blessings for a beautiful week, whatever...you do. Be real and enjoy it.

~ Mocha Sistah ~

La Diva Style (mocha'd)

2006-02-25T12:03:00.000-08:00

Someone called me a diva the other day (me looking innocently). I quipped back, "yeah, right!" This person said that I"m "spoiled". Yes, I am. By me. I don't allow others to really do much for me (self-sufficient part of me I am working on). I'm a queen, so if that makes me a diva, then so be it. I think in my mid-thirties I am more vocal than I have ever been in my life. In my twenties I went through that phase of trying to please everyone but now I'm older, I am kind of very set in my ways, and I have a lot of confidence. I can't help that. But this person had me laughing and chuckling at his observing the fact that I am very in your face once you get to know me. I'm kind of proud of me being BOLD enough to really tell people what I really think. I think the fact that I won't allow anyone to run over me like I'm nothing is shocking some folks. Recently, I had to put my foot down and vocalize about having my personal information sent to the wrong place (by a former employer who doesn't care that my social security number is floating out in the world). Then I had to threaten them with calling the IRS because I felt injustified plus the fact that I had to call them folks made me very upset. On top of that when I called the organization in question, they disrespected me. Queen under grace. I prayed my way through that. Fought back with documentation and paperwork. Got my new information in the mail one week to the day. Another situation cropped up with a place that hired me and it's one month to the day that I began my work. I had to email the coordinator to be assertive enough to hopefully get compensation for services rendered. I"m a nice person, but let's not get it twisted because I can get real gritty with whomever it is in question. I have two sides of me, and believe you me, it's not always the inspiring spiritual child of the world. Come under my skin and you might have to get bitten. I mean, I'm just like most folks. I like to be treated well and with respect. I don't like to be diva, but if I have to straighten my crown on, then I will. If you want to try me, go ahead and ask the two organizations who felt the wrath of me (professionally). In other words, time is money and I don't like either to be wasted. My time and my energy is very much like worth the world to me.

La Diva
signing out
Saturday, February 25th
2:17 PM

Road Trip: Dayton, OH

2006-02-20T04:59:00.000-08:00

So, I'm back from Dayton, Ohio where I had the opportunity to present at the Dayton Literary Festival with Dan Godston and Jennifer Karmin, two of my colleagues from the Poetry Center of Chicago and 2 people I consider literary geniuses in the line of work in which we do here in Chicago. We began our trip on Friday afternoon, when Dan picked me up and I slide into his car, meeting his lovely black dog, Gertie (aka "the poetry dog") in the packed car. The first few hours were spent updating each other on life events (they haven't seen me in few months) and we had a good time sharing poetry teaching techniques and just general funny moments as apart of teaching in the schools (some what of an impromptu meeting to prepare ourselves for the presentation at Dayton U.). We had a five minute meeting and that was about it.

I called my brother Kevin (aka "Andre") to let him know I would come by and say hi while in town, though my time was limited! It took us about six hours from Chicago to get to Dayton, because there was an accident on 75 but then, once we got into the city limits, we were able to slid by my brother's crib, say hi, hang out a bit, run over to the college, grab out registration packets for the event (around 7pm), then grab a bite to eat at a submarine sandwich shop (I had a Chicken Cheese Steak Sandwich that was off the chain) and then we dropped Andre back to his place, and had a chance to hear the Legendary Nikki Giovanni do her thing at the Victoria. I have never seen so many people in one place for a literary author. There were over 2,000 people in the place, old, young, white, black, it was a sea of faces that were glowing with the life she pumped into our souls. I really dug her storytelling and how she kind of segued way from the stories into the four bold poems she would read at the event. I was glad she read, "Nikki-Rosa" a beautiful poem that I have taught in a class before. She also read from the book she won an award - Rosa - also new poems from her book, "Quilting the Black-eyed Pea" which I picked up and also her CD which contains over 50 spoken word tracks. So that was pretty exciting for me. I wanted to have her autograph the book but it was so long (the line) and we had to get over to Cincinnati where we would be staying with Dan's family , so we left around 9:30 pm, where we picked up the poetry dog (from Andre's house).

Next day, we had to get up at six a.m. which was the earliest I have ever gotten up for a long long time. Jen and I did well, Dan was ready and we rolled out of Cincinatti back to Dayton, OH. After a little adjusting, we were on the road and ended up at the University on time at 8:15 a.m. where light breakfast was waiting for us. We set up our room for the presentation (testing the LCD player) and me testing the DVD equipment to ensure Dan's presentation and my audio would be able to work during the presentation. We had an early slot (9:00 am) and the presentation was about engaging youth in poetry with multidisplinary projects. Dan's part of the presentation dealt with some generational projects his students completed with senior citizens and students making rain sticks with poetry (cool); my poetry presentation was interactive with fun poetry things educators could do with their students - like the poetry pledge we do at the beginning or ending of each of my classes, "popcorning" poetry, and showcasing some of the student work that has been published or recorded and Jen's poetry presentation was very nice showcasing student work that was actually written and focused on teaching youth how to write free verse.

The rest of the day was spent at several workshops. Some excellent, some very boring, some very bad. There was one that sticks out in my mind - the one about Langston Hughes. Let's just say it was presented in a paper format and the person read Langston's poems "dead". I am like how can you read Langston's poems like with no feeling? That one was a struggle to sit in (imagine more than one hour in one place listening to a person talk about Langston's life as a Underground Communist. I wanted to hear more about his life as a writer, what make him a communist? And linking all of the pieces together poetically. But who am I anyway?

I did enjoy a short conversation with the legendary Toure, whose presenation was a few hours before we got to Dayton, OH. I had to pinch myself as I stood at the reception, having a general conversation with him about the Literary event.

I was happy we did get good response on our presentation, though the attendance was less to be desired. One of the attendees said she wanted our group to come back to present more about what we do with Undergraduate student teachers. I hope we do get to do that so I can come back and visit with Andre.

The other part of the trip was spent with Dan's family and we had a good time generally. Sorry no partying went on during this "working vacation" but don't worry. I'm slated to go on the HBCU trip to Ocho Rios later this year (late May) so I'm pretty sure that trip will be a no-sleep trip where I will be in all kinds of mocha madness.

Until then, ya'll be blessed and I'll talk with you soon.

Blessings,
~~Mocha Sistah

At Daylight

2006-02-15T21:12:00.000-08:00

I'm need deep in so many projects it ain't funny. Funny how time goes by when you are on the grind. I remember my first business, a few years ago I got the bright idea to create customized poetry and greeting cards, alas, it never worked. I didn't have the drive to push it through, or the business sense to keep up a clientele any way. At the time i was just a "poet". After years of working for others, I have learned to use my hard and soft skills as a counselor, writer, teacher, secretary, and other things to push my new business, PR Services For You, to the next level. I am most proud of all the wonderful folks taking a chance on me. I'm like so new at this thing but I'm blessed by the one above and I continue to work really really hard that maybe I'll be able to break my stride and see the sunlight. I'm currently writing bios for artists and that has been the most fun. I'm moving into editor and typesetting mode, learning how to format books has been the hardest thing I have ever done but once I perfect it, I will be someone to use as a resource of publishing novels and other short form books.

I'm going to exhibit this weekend in Dayton, OH and that will be the most cool thing I have done in a while. I am digging through poems, judging poems for a poetry contest, about to release another poetry book and hopefully will have an editor to firm up "When Rainbows Aint' Enough".

Last night's event at the Touch of the Past was the best Valentine's I have had. There were over 15 TOP LINE FEMALE ARTISTS in Chicago! Brenda Matthews, Reality, myself, Lady Z, WGCI's "Sundance", and other artists I can't name, were bringing the poetic funk in all kinds of ways. Brothers were out in full force including 3 Brothers and a Mic (Mo & Odyssey represented well), along with Carl Lewis who blessed us with some musicality of his saxophone.

Coming up next for me (whenever daylight comes I'll let u know) is a spoken word workshop in the Palatine, IL area (March 4, 2006), Tears of a Woman Booksigning at Scentuary mid-March and a possible trip to Atlanta to perform.

Shot outs to LEAZON and NEF Entertainment, which supplies the artists PR Services For You have been assisting, and the many mocha friends and fans who keep sending referrals. For those who don't know what I do, I'm doing bios, artistic statements, press kits creation and distribution, ghostwriting, and line editing of manuscripts. If you wnat to know more, just email me at prservicesforyou@sbcglobal.net.

Blessings to you. Hope you enjoyed your Valentine's day whether you had a Valentine or not. But I'm willing to bet you love you and there's at least one person who does feel the same. Believe that.

~ With Love and Light,
Mocha Sistah

This and That

2006-02-05T13:27:00.000-08:00

This past week I attended a funeral, and thought to myself, as we often do, how precious life is and how our time is not guaranteed. How many times have you done something that you wish you could take back? Several times, I'm sure. I have done the same thing. While at the funeral of a very good friend's family member (who died a little too soon for her liking) I was reminded that we have to live in the NOW. I mean, I love daydreaming, but reality is reality and that's something that we have to deal with. Now is the time to embrace your future, dreams, and desires and realize your purpose in life. Yes, I have to go there because we are always like wishing we could do this and that and I know (me included) that time is precious, nothing is promised and that we must do the best in the present to enjoy it and do what it is we think we are designed to do.

Friday in my class, I had a student tell me that they recently were introduced to a gang and joined it. It was something that surprised me. One, because my image of this boy is that he's clean cut, smart, and responsible. I never would have thought he'd join a gang, but I don't know his personal situation at home. He's just a student in one of my poetry classes. A very cool kid indeed. But I think he implanted a message in my brain, now my job is figure out what to do with the message he gave me. His response was very much laid back but he didn't seem to be very strong about why he joined the gang. He's in seventh grade and that notion of him living a life in a gang was something I couldn't wrap myself around. I'm still musing on it.

Saturday I attended the African American Read In sponsored by a local writers group. The event hosted 12 authors and spoken word smyths. It was well attended and held at Chicago's Malcolm X College. All the authors got a chance to read from their work, sell books, but most importantly share their words with the audience. I chose to read three selections - "I Want To Go Back" a fun poetic expression about the old days, "Beautiful One" a poem that I love to read that is an ode to women, and "The Congo" a cultural piece. A part of being at the event was having each author interviewed and performances taped for a local cable show hosted by Tacora Rogers, on Channel 19. The show will be aired on a future Monday show at 10 pm. Once I find out the airing, I will definitely inform my "peoples". I had so much fun yesterday. I ran into fellow Alabama poet "Marc Lacy" who recited some words (poetically!). Some of the people I saw that haven't seen me in a while were surprised because I looked a little different (as I lost more weight and let my hair grow).

My weekend ended with some friends at a party where we discussed politics, the state of the Chicago Public School System, while having tons of fun watching Apollo Showcase and re-runs of American Idol.

I'll have to update you next week or other happenings. I will most likely post my happenings for this month in the next blog.

Blessings and thanks for your continued support.

~ Mocha

Town Happenings and Observations

2006-01-29T08:20:00.000-08:00

Observations
So these past few weeks I have met a few brothers, trying to get my feet wet in the dating arena, and I now realize there's a reason why I normally don't date. One, is it me, or am I tripping about the fact that many of these brothers don't really want to meet an authentic sister such as myself. A lot of guys I'm running into want to expose their physicality instead of show their personality and really reveal who they are. I am a pretty conscious sister and many I have dated have had me laughing either inside or out. The old days of meeting folks are over, where is the romance? Where is the friendship part of dating? Anyway, yesterday I was supposed to hang out with this new guy but once again, he showed me how "shady" brothers can be by not following through on meeting up with me. My thing is this - I'm a Queen and my job is not to open my legs for just any guy, two, I ain't coming to a man's house if he can't meet me half way. If you can't spend time with me in a neutral environment, that tells me all I really know. And why are people so focused on the physicality. Just my observations. Needless to say, I am moving on to the next on my list (cause you know I got one). The one thing I've learned to take men at face value. If he says he's going to do something and he doesn't, then I"m moving on. No second chances. Life is too short to SHORT CHANGE yourself. With saying that, I'm saying ladies stop making excuses for people. If the man can't follow through on basic things, what are you trying to do with him? If you're not a priority at the beginning of the dating process, where can it go from there? Ummm, just food for thought. Yes, my momma ain't raised no fool. Though I have played the fool in the past, I have learned a few things. And I try to demand respect with many that I meet because hell, many sisters won't. IF that makes me difficult to work with , then that's okay too. The one whom I'm being prepared for, will enjoy a real woman, not a puppet.

On to other things....Yesterday a few friends and I went to Sal and Carvao, a Brazilian restaurant (www.salecarvao.com) downtown Chicago. My good friend, SB, turned 36 and we all wanted to get drinks and hang out. Anyway, when I arrived with Raymond, SB's good friend, we should have known something was gonna be fishy. We walked up the stairs and there was a party of white folks up on the second level. It seemed as though the air changed and all heads watched the chocolate folks roll in. They seemed to have an issue with us being there too. After sitting down and meeting some of the other folks attending SB's soiree, it took forever for a damn server to get over to us. SB asked the manager when she would be able to play her music (she brought CD's and the event planner said she should have no problem in using that with the music system) however there was some old ancient dude on the ivory (piano) looking at our table with bugged out eyes and they seemed to swell with time. Anyway, he begins to play "happy birthday" to you reall really loud and my table started to trip the hell out. First of all the music was like storming over our conversation, and SB started cracking jokes. At some point I got a drink (Malibu and Coke) which was kind of weak i might add, and we all began an interesting conversation about sex and relationships. Plus I told the girls a funny story about a guy who e-stripped for me (hey, it's not my fault...!) Anyway, we were there for a minute and kept waiting for the server to come back over to ask us for additional drinks. The young server was white and young and he didn't come back to our table. So twenty minutes later as we still conversating and I'm eating the ice out of my glass (that's a bad sign I might add), he slides the check on the counter, not our table, motioning over to us like we're heathens and not coming to our table to bring the damn check. So me and another sister said, "We ain't going over there to (where he was standing) get the damn check." Basically the server didn't come to our table. Wanted us to get out of our seats to see the check (which was laying on the counter near him)... Now it's customary to bring the check to your customer's table. Anyway, chile we were mad at hell. So when we finally went out of the restaurant, we went over to the area where the check was laying and I simply asked the guy, "Why didn't you come back to our table. I wanted something else to drink" He looked dumbfied. Bland and stupid. I was queen and I didn't get too evil but then he goes and puts the money in his system and returns my change. ON the way out of the place, he says thank you. I'm like, "Yes, Thank you." Kind of sarcastically. Then I grabbed a card with the restaurant number. We all pretty much felt as though we were being ignored because we were the only AA's in the joint and they were rude. I am calling the Event Planner with my complaint, because no one should have to go through that. One of my friends guest said, "Aight, sweetie, forget it!" Bump that. I don't think so. Shit, they didn't know if I was an critic or someone of importance sitting up in that joint. You know! Oh, yes, I will be telling this story to someone and posting my review on Metromix.com. Don't mess with Mocha.

He he he. Anyway, have a great week. I promise I'll be good. Whew!

Blessings,
Mocha Sistah

Tour of my mini-office

2006-01-27T21:43:00.000-08:00

Let's see, I have to break the usual mocha chatter to give you an update on the mini-office. On my left (or to my left) is the fax/scanner/copier (HP Office Jet 5610) which does a pretty good job week to week. I just have to go ahead and keep the ink stocked to death cause I'm copying poems, tutoring lessons, and other stuff. I use HP paper which is to my left in the bundle of folders, poem folders, journals, and other stuff underneath the copier. Just so you know I was so on the grind this week that I didn't use the copier too much because I ran out of ink, yes, I did so I had to ask some of my schools to make copies there, but it's all good. They are very supportive.

To my center is my money maker, the DELL pc, which has a webcam attached to it (no, I hardly ever use the thingy, except to make cute head shots with it). Currently I'm typing on the keyboard which is centered as well. A microphone lays near the speaker (one of the speakers) that's on my left. A pen/pencil/marker holder also has business cards stuck in it, with some hair pens??? Stuck to my computer is this statement "If you haven't been taking care of yourself emotionally, spiritually, and mentally, of course it will show on the outside. Do yourself a favor and tend to your needs so that when you look in the mirror, you blush."

My dsl console is behind the little gray/black speaker. Stuck on the little area (i don't know how to describe this) are pens near the keyboard. you know that area between the Esc keys and the actual keys of the keyboard. Laying on my beige cabinet is a journal, some medical forms, a calculator, and a letter which is over due to be sent via mail for an event I"m doing next week. Yes, it's late. On top of the cabinet is a floetry Cd, client folders, and a stack of business cards, my birth certificate , and a brown clip board.

On the floor are four books, Smart Women Finish Rich, Totally HEROTICA, Sex and the Single Sister, and a novel by Eric Jerome Dickey. My mini-office supply drawers are filled with staples, floppy disks, paper clips, address books, and software disks among other things. Behind the wall (of the computer) is my "Desire Creates Power" holder, pictures of the girls I used to mentor, a brown candle, a pen holder from Mexico, old family pictures and a note from my 9th grade teacher (Earth Science Class at Kenwood academy) along with a good luck charm. My poster board on the wall has curriculum (poetry lessons) hanging on it, as well as timesheet times for all my independent work, cool cards, and reminders for upcoming events. A pink container holds the over 200 student poems in seperate "Hands on Stanzas" folders. Near the container is a brown drawer that has four candles (vanilla, strawberry, peach and blueberry flavors) as well as my African sister holding my pens and other whatnots.

A digital recorder( I done wrote some good jingles on the digital and some confessions which I had to erase...more on that later) and some bills, a lip gloss, an old cell phone and my tv remote on top of the drawer and underneath it are more poems, co-written with other poets, my bible (spiritual food), books, bills, more bills and more poetry books by other independent poets like myself. (Thanks Queen Writer for this idea this week!). On the floor a beige telephone, more student poems, and black slippers. (That's half the mini-tour) the rest is my bedroom - a bed, television, dvd player, dvds, and cds litter the rest of the room along with awards on my walls, a beautiful picture of an african american couple entertwined, a health calendar, and two "teary" eyed faces on the wall in the bedroom face me as I type this very blog. ON the floor a radio, more paper from my formatting manual, and a basket in the corner (I think it's betty boop, cause that's my favorite girl!) Geez, I can't type no more so I'll have to catch you beautiful folks later. I was going out tonight but a date got cancelled. But tommorrow's another day. Party at Sal & Cavaio's downtown on Clark Street and drinks with a few friends will rap up the weekend before I format 2 books and start a new one. All this before Monday? Yes, it's all in the life of Mocha Sistah. Take care and enjoy the tour.

I forgot to mention the old fashioned light is shining right by my left as I type these very words shining on my old 2005 pink and white journal that hold some very tasty poems from trips abroad.

Beautiful Happenings

2006-01-20T14:01:00.000-08:00

Whirlwind type of week for me, I didn't even have time to breath. I hit the ground running on Monday, just meeting with a new employer (i.e. One Economy) for a briefing on my role as Independent Consultant for training a group of youth in West Haven (Chicago's west side just near United Center). It was MLK's day and just reminded me briefly of what God has assigned me to do - be an advocate for youth, inspire and challenge them, so it felt so befitting to be entrusted with their care and development (sorry to be so deep, but after the fire last week my thoughts are even deepa than before). Tuesday brought a cool, crazy day! Now, it's really cold outside in Chicago and Mocha has no hat on, freezing, on the way to class, almost got there late because sometimes in the morning, I get a little lazy, because I don't work a regular job. And the traffic was back to back on South Shore Drive, but God got me there on time. My students wrote Haikus, some darn good ones, I might add. The lovely part of the class/school is the teachers and there support. Best class, it's hard to say, but I'd say Pettis' fifth and sixth grade class, because he also helps with the poetry programming. The third class wasn't able to fully get into the Haiku exercise, because there was a fire drill, and there was a substitute in my regular class - can you say, kids on "crack" cause they cracked jokes, acting all disrespectful, and I had a lot of "please listen". Trying to be calm, cause ya'll know I have a lot of fire in me, ha ha ha. But they were better after the drill, but it's nearly impossible to think you're gonna get a wonderful haiku poem in less than 20 minutes. Haiku, for those who don't know is a Japanese poetry format, 3 lines, with 17 syllables. It's a very focused writing activity that you have to critically think about the words you use and how many syllables that are used in each line. After class, I traveled through downtown, got my bus pass, yes, I"m still on the bus. Ya'll know I"m a regular woman. After that I grabbed a quick lunch at McD's (a salad and diet coke); and got to Parker Community, where I tutor third graders. By 4 pm, I'd be on my way home, to chill for a few hours, lay my head, check some emails, and get back in the poetry spot. My best friend, Steph. B is a doctor and she been taking me around to a few spots, so I read two pieces at the Touch of the Past, a nice spot in Bellwood. Dusted out some non-teaching material (a piece called, "nappy headed black gurl" and one sensual piece that was very appreciated by the brothers...) Just testing my waters. Quiet as it's kept, the last time I read was in St. Louis in August 2005. Thursday night I ended up supporting fellow writer, Nikki Woods, as she rolled out her new book, "Easier Said Than Done", at the Dusable Museum in Hyde Park. We had a good time (me and Steph.) Music was by the hot female deejay on the ones and twos, WGCI's, Sundance and nice positive energy. I'm glad we got there early because it got packed real quick. The funny thing about the event is that Nikki Woods, is also a radio personality on WGCI and on my writing list serve for Prolific Writers Network. She knows my name, but never got to meet me, and it was nice to see her, and support her. She's inspired me to drag out one of my novels and get it done, cause like she says, "I can do it, cause I want to!" Life is so short and precious, why wait? Like Queen Writer, I want to be able to push out my story asap, so more of it can be consumed by others! As you see, there's never a dull moment with me. I have a few books to format for publication (not mines); a couple of journals to type, but some fun on the plate for the weekend. It's snowing, but who cares! I love snow. I'll be on way again Saturday to a party and Sunday hopefully to recharge my batteries. Much love and peace to you all. May you continue to stay in the light.

A Day Above Ground

2006-01-14T06:27:00.000-08:00

You know i love Candles, I have them in every room of my house. I burn 'em every chance I get. Well, yesterday was a regular day. I burned candles in the bedroom, living room and bathroom. You know relaxing. It's a friday! So anyway, I was watching a movie in the bedroom, fell asleep, then I heard a slight crack, but didn't go no where, I just laid in my bed. A few minutes later, the smoke bellowed in, I jumped up, and ran to the living room, (no shoes ya'll), and saw little bity pieces of sharred glass on the floor and mini-fires on the floor. The damn candles on the living room floor was burning down. (THIS IS A TRUE STORY). I walked (calmly i might add) to the kitchen got a rag, and dabbed the little fires out, and started the clean up. I was pissed when I remember I put some candles in a my little "carnival" cup - which was made of PLASTIC. SHIT< DAMN AND FUCK where the words in my head when I remember this. Anyway, not only did I lose my table, got a cut on my foot, my college degree was half burned, oh yeah! But I can replace that. Again, I'm alive by the blessing of God.

The firefighters came way too late; and by the time they got there, I had the glass cleaned up and basically wanted to ask my building manager how to resolve the carpet issue (the carpet took a bad beating with the melted candle and glass on it) but besides that none of my magazines, poetry books, poems, or other paper items even got burned, except one of my little journals. My place still looks the same except I have to find a throw rug for the moment But I"m blessed.

The thing is if I hadn't woke up, I would have been DEAD. For real. I'm lucky I'm a light sleeper b/c it would have been a different situation.

You know I love so, ladies, please be careful with the candles. Please from my heart to yours.

--- Yes, I still love candles, and most of my candles are in glass containers, but it's gonna be a while before I get brave up in here - to burn 'em--- gracias!!!! i'm breathing.

Have a beautiful weekend
and blessings,
Mocha Sistah

Keeping it Simple

2006-01-09T17:44:00.000-08:00

Soooo, today was my last day off work before going back to school. It's been one funny situation after another. I'm making copies this morning (in my mini-office) and I run out of ink, had to go over to Staples and get ink to last me for at least two weeks. Of course, Mocha couldn't stop at the ink so I bought, new stationary, paper for the printer, and other things that will keep my office running smooth. Before I went to Staples, I ran over to the bank and deposited some checks (can you say HALLELUJAH). All the checks are for my work as a self employed artist. While at the bank, I"m talking with the young lady who's my teller and she tells me that the bank will be having a business seminar that I might be interested in attending. I tell her, I'm already booked for a Business Seminar in March by a company called My Success Academy. She tells me she has heard of those seminars and proceeds to give me some good tips on getting my business checking account. It was very good, because Mocha's mindset this year is to go ahead and organize both her companies, so the IRS won't be on her tail, and so she can be positioned better. Anyway! I was happy when I left the bank because it seemed like of course, things were flowing very well, except one of my clients still owes me some money for services rendered. The nice person I am, well, I'm keeping it simple, but bottom line I didn't have an attitude when I called her to inform her I need to know how she's going to rectify the balance due. We talked about it, and of course, things will be rectified pretty soon. My attitude in the past might have been very much different. But because every day I try to take a little spiritual medicine - prayer, meditate, and listening to my gospel music, helps to keep me balanced.

Flash forward to my house, after the bank and Staples. My bedroom/office was topsy turvy. I was faxing documents, checking emails, and preparing my bag for school for work on tommorrow. It's back to school. I have four schools to teach this week through June 2006, and just signed on for a youth program which will keep me busy. As a self employed artist never thought I'd be juggling all these projects, and at the same time, but I am. Never thought I'd have my own space to do everything I'm doing now, but see how God works it out. So, I'm saying, you'll never know what God has in store for you. So don't limit yourself.

I keep thinking out loud about my financial goals and other goals and I know that if I do everything I say I want to do, I will be in the driver's seat by June 2006. That's like D day for me. NO school between June and September, so I will have to hit the ground running with my other projects.

I'm a little nervous, so I won't lie about that. I mean, it's really cool to have my own schedule, and learning new things like managing a client base, working with artists, and organizing my businesses. But balancing my personal needs with the other things are going to be very challenging. I am not really in a "serious" relationship right now and that's okay. I know that sooner or later I will have to make a sacrifice and cut out some of the things I'm doing now. But for me, this is simple, though for most who know me, think I have an absolutely crazy schedule. I figure I can rest when I get 90.

And I know God won't put more on me that I can't handle. I'm just proud of my success and know without my family, God, and support system, I would not be here. And recently having made a decision to press on no matter what. I have faced some really interesting experiences which helped me to push on and define myself. Just want to let you know that... well, you can make it no matter what. Keep yourself balanced and things simple. What matters most, is your peace of mind, body and soul.

That's it. Everything else is "icing" on the cake!

- Mocha S.

i closed my eyes

2006-01-08T16:11:00.000-08:00

i closed my eyes

Denial like untasted fruit
under my bitter tongue
tastes very sweet
When coupled with
the pain in my soul.
Can’t blame you.
Only blame me.
Cause I can only free me.
I know you are who you
are.
I know that you are rage
underneath all your charming
smooth shit.
Oh, yeah.
I know and I closed my eyes.
Every time you came up
with excuses.
I closed my eyes.
Play pretended that
you really did want to
be with me.
I closed my eyes.
Daydreamed of things
that could never be.
Tricked myself.
Being hustled by love’s
wicked games.
Yes, I know.
Can’t blame it all on you.
One plus one, equals two.
Tattered lies I told myself
would smack me in the face
and my heart would be tore
But it would not be only
you at fault, but me.
I know. Cause I closed
eyes, denying the truth.
Now, I have to cry, bullshit
falling from my lovely brown
eyes, at night.
While you smile, tucking in for the
night ignoring this love’s plight.
Still, I shine, and continue my
internal fight.
For I, will be alright.

(c) 2006 by Mocha Sistah

Learning How to Fly

2006-01-05T13:28:00.000-08:00

May today there be peace within you. May you trust
God that you are exactly where you are meant to be.
I believe that friends are quiet angels who lift us
to our feet when our wings have trouble remembering
how to fly.

I'm a bonafide control freak. What does that mean? Basically I want to control every aspect of my life, and often, find myself in constant battle with the earth and universe. Of course, it's good to be control freak when you organize, plan, and run multi-faceted programs and aspects of your life, but not with some things. I recently had to learn the concept of giving peace a full chance to bloom in my life. See, when you are in constant battle with the world, and fighting against what God wants you to have, it often is a struggle that blooms as frustration, worry, stress and other things that are not exactly putting you on the positive side of things. For a long long time, I always worried about a lot of things I had no control over and used to do everything myself. From getting jobs, to dealing with heavy issues, I was a very independent girl who handled 100% of everything. However, in the last few months of 2005, I learned to embrace opening my space to allow others to share the load. One, because I'm not superwoman, and two, prayer is a medicine that can help, heal, and inspire. Many of friends know how anal I can be when it comes to my life. But .... I'm learning to expand my wings and fly in the wind, with some support from the air of friendship, support, and unconditional love that pours in. The main change I have embraced is to allow others to see my vulnerability and open my space to allow God to do his job as well. Ain't no need in killing myself with worry and stress. So, lately I have had a 365 turn around in my ability to let go, be still and let God do what he does best - BLESS. I'm still struggling with some aspects of this new concept, but not when it comes to peace. My body, soul, and heart is thanking me daily when I actually I have embraced a little peace and quiet into my day.

A few tips on learning how to fly:

Let go of the negative concepts that you cannot do it. Whatever it is, go ahead, dream outloud and say it to yourself, write it down, and meditate on the positive result. Plant a little seed of hope in your brain and believe it. Stay away from negative influences in your life - whether that means, changing a learned behavior, or getting away from negative people in your life. Think outside the box and challenge your "limits". Are you really limited, or are you scared that you might just make it? Do not allow yourself to get caught up in someone eles's insecurity. We all have people who want to see us succeed, and others who simply are afraid of what will happen when we succeed. Take care of yourself - eat right, sleep right, and relax (try a balance of the three). Take a leap of faith - yes, I said it. whether you are spiritual or not, there is a lot said of having faith and standing on your values and beliefs. Surround yourself with others that are on the same path of you - to give you support as you try your wings out. Brainstorm about how you want to get where you want, be specific, write it down in your journal, or speak it into a digital recorder, tape it on your refrigerator, or somewhere you will be reminded of why/how you will fly. Get to where you want to go, baby step at a time and don't be unafraid to be vulnerable, and take a few bumps on the road to your success.

- Mocha Sistah

New Beginnings

2006-01-02T14:24:00.000-08:00

Here it is, a few days into the new year and many folks are goal setting, or have long list of things they want to accomplish in the new year. Whether it is being financially free, debt free, losing weight, getting a new car, or other ones, folks are stressed out because they might be having issues with these "resolutions". It's great to have your goals, but I want you to think outside of the box in regards to your goals and how you want to accomplish them. Do you feel overwhelmed with these resolutions, and how many of these goals do you think you can complete? A few tips from the mistress of goal-setting. One, try to write down all your goals, then write alternative ways of reaching each goal. Which ones look feasible and manageable? Take the long list and trim it down to the most important ones that you can really focus on. Write your goal out, and when you want to complete it, but also write challenges that you might deal with to achieve those goals. Try to break down your goal in tiny baby steps. Take your time with your goal day by day and week by week. Don't get mad at yourself if it takes a while to get into the groove of completing steps to reach your goal. Everyday, every week, look at yourself in the mirror and chant out loud positive statements relating that goal. Find a good close friend and share that goal with them. When you are trying to reach that goal, I"m sure your friend will ask "how's it going with your goal of _____" Use this person as a listening board and brainstormer. Write down your goals, print out your own sheet that details your goal and little achievements you have in relation to the goal. Be realistic. If 10 goals for the year won't work, cut it down to 1 to 2 manageable ones. Just try to take your time to visualize your goal, say positive thoughts about achieving that goal to yourself and you can do it. Erase the past negativity of 2005 and say that 2006 is a NEW YEAR and go for it!

Highs and Lows

2005-12-30T04:49:00.000-08:00

In terms of Highs and Lows of 2005, there are far less lows, than they were highs. It was a phenomenal year in terms of professional and personal success. I opened the year by hitting my goal of losing weight, though I wasn't really trying to. When I got on the scale at my job and decided to join a "weight contest" where winners would get cash at the end, I just did it for a few measly bucks but the goal was set and I was ready to go. By Summer 2006, I would be 25 pounds slimmer. By the fall I would lose a few more pounds bringing me to my current total of 32 pounds shaved off my frame. The results of this high would make summer 2006 the first time I put back on a swim suit! But I wasn't finished yet. My health took a hit as I went through a series of tests to check a problem that I thought wouldn't ever be resolved but with God's grace, eventually was. That was a serious low, because when you are dealing with something that isn't really resolved, you get a little concerned. Flashback to all the great trips I took and you'll find I traveled between Wisconsin and the Bahamas. The high has to be meeting (again), author Zane and being able to be the only poet on the Literary Cruise while selling out my book, Black Orchids. The serious literary low was going to a literary event that I didn't sell much but gained some personal success as I allowed myself to completely enjoy the trip anyway, tossing the negative notions, and gaining a lot of holistic lessons along the way. I was slapped with ugly reality when my job started to go through severe changes during summer 2006. I lost co-workers I had been working with for four years, was very disappointed to find out that my job didn't intend on reversing my part-time work status, and for the first time ever, my financial situation was tight to say the least, and and other battles with this place came in my face forcing me to show the best of Mocha Sistah under pressure. But of course, that is where God comes in. Fall 2005 would bring me leaving abruptly, not being able to close out a successful period where I mentored girls, but working on my personal goals for the rest of 2005. If most of you are on my list, you know that for years I been talking about the notion of being a self-employed artist. BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU ASK FOR. God gave it to me on a plate. So, I had to fix a full one. After being laid off, immediately I called good girl friend/collaborator, LB, and we discussed what I wanted to do in a four hour conversation. She shared her tips (she's self employed - 3 years in the game!) and I gave her my list of top things I wanted to complete. Within one month, I would complete everything on my list. If that ain't God, I don't know what. There's also power in prayer and I did have a lot of that coming from folks who have been knowing me and supporting me through my transition. A month later from the laid off job, I was basically on the internet twenty four seven, posting my services, looking for part time jobs, and on the internet trying to get my business started. It would take 2 months to get my first client. It would take to December to get the financial picture a little brighter. Through my transition, I wasn't broke at all, and everything I needed (not wanted) was totally provided by family, friends, and God. I was able to keep my regular life but the focus was on different things. See when you are working a regular nine to five and got regular paydates, I think your mind set is so different. Like you know you have an extra check coming so you do overspend because you know another check will be in your account, well, not so for the self employed person. Checks come differently, most of them are not direct deposited and you have to budget yourself. I have mastered that quite greatly the last part of 2005 with a good financial plan for 2006. Going through my transition helped me to focus more on my faith and where I wanted to be in the next few years as a writer and entrepreneur. The highs of December were acquiring new business for 2005, taking on new roles as typesetting books, creating marketing materials, and not limiting my skills, which is opening up new avenues for me. I'm much more happier and calmer these days, not stressed like I used to be (working that other job). There's a pleasure in knowing you are creating change by working with youth, and helping people. That is what I love to do. I see the highs of 2005 elevated me to where I needed to be. I learned a lot about myself this year - like I do have a bite to me and when someone feels like they want to walk over my values and rights, then I will be a force to be reckoned with. I hit my goals and created new ones. My mini-home office is buzzing and I've gotten a fire wall set up on my computer with my anti-virus software. I'm still maintaining my weight and hope to hit the gym in early 2006 to lose a few more pounds. At the end of 2004 I said that 2005 would be my year and it was. I came full circle with a lot of things. I will say my prayer (between me and God) on Saturday the 31st and will hit the ground running on January 2nd, when I begin acquiring my new clients. No matter what will happen, I do embrace whatever the universe will bring because I know that where I'm at, is exactly where I need to be because God doesn't put you where you don't need to be. I'm okay with whatever lessons come this way and I hope that 2006 brings you all prosperity, health, and success. Be bold. Unafraid. Grab your future with your hands and go for it. Cause dreaming out loud ain't a bad thing.

Hotep,
Mocha Sistah

Reflections

2005-12-28T21:33:00.000-08:00

Today I had the chance to do a little volunteering at the Zoo of all places. Got a chance to slow down and enjoy the natural elements, a little chilled wind to my face, and all the holiday lights, meeting families and little ones, helping them with their little decorations at the craft table I worked. It was nice. It's just nice helping out folks. I think a lot of single women during the holiday season simply are overwhelmed, or beating themselves up for what they didn't do during the year, especially if they are in my age bracket. Women in the mid-thirties, if they don't have children, sometimes might have that torturous voice echoing in their head about lack of men, or children or both. For me, I'm in the middle ground. I'm not exactly sad about not having my children yet, but I would like to build a family with someone who is a good father, and will balance me out. I'm not rushing to have a child, nor do I feel a biological clock ticking around my ovaries. I do know that when it's time for me to make that sacrifice, God will tell me. I think it's important that many of us not rush, especially if we have family members chipping in their comments. I mean, folks are gonna say what they wanna say, especially when you are a mature sister, who has never had children. The same can be said of the fellas. I think it's important to just do "you" until you are ready to make that sacrifice and I don't think it's selfish.

I think waiting on child-bearing has made me a better person, especially experiences with community programs, mentoring youth, and teaching youth. I love children! Don't get me wrong, but there's a definite sacrifice. And I want my children to be loved and in a great foundation hopefully with a balanced home with a man that is there for the long haul. Maybe I'm a dreamer. I still am old fashioned girl who believes that can be.

Until we meet, I'll try to blog again before Sunday's new arrival of 2006! I have not even begun to reflect in my journal of the things that have transpired in the last four months. But I'll try to make up for lost time this weekend.

Be blessed,
Mocha Sistah

Music and Everything else!

2005-12-14T04:51:00.000-08:00

"Get yo self in the grind sistah"

Hey what's up. I'm in the midst of doing several roles in my life. Newest role is being a pr girl, sort of. I'm hitting the scene by advocating for artists, sending out press kits, and booking my client for appearances. Really learning things from the ground up. So far, it's been crazy. I am getting emails from Australia, New York and other cities, networking with producers for my artist is getting me in teh groove of a whole new world. It's kind of fun and breaks the schedule up. Before all this happened, I used to be sitting at home, chilling in my pajamas, watching televison while trying to decide what I needed to do, drink some tea, or try to write a poem or two. Now it's been hard as hell to write anything but i'm not complaining. I am really doing well. It's kind of fun because whatever I do, I will be thinking about using to help other artists and myself. Though I don't fancy myself in the industry, because I'm not a "out there type of girl" as far as performing ---- I know you are probably thinking "what mocha?" But really, I doin't want to be on the stage in that way, I like reciting poetry and such, but don't want to be on the stage as an artist. I rather love the back ground stuff much better. Just this week I found a great site (I'll share at some point) that had a lot of great information for new artists. I am learning so much I think my brain is gonna bleed over kill of info! Today's poetry day on PWN. I hope to bring at least a few pieces. I didn't write much last week. Okay. Well, love ya'll but I gotta go and get ready for my day. Stay blessed!

Best of 2005 - Musing TRIPS

2005-12-05T06:21:00.000-08:00

1) Los Angeles, CA - June 2005
2) Bahamas Cruise with Strebor Books - April 2005
3) St. Louis, MO - August 2005
4) Madison, WI - March 2005

When I was able to go to the Los Angeles Black Book Expo in June, I stayed with Zakiya, we had a ball in the hotel, the trip was not "economically" the best one, but I got a lot of rest and had a lot of fun. Maybe it was the lemon Margaritas in the hotel or the sighting of actress Lisa Raye, or maybe it was the jacuzzi in the hot blazing sun in June. Whatever it was, I want more of it. Backtrack to April's Bahamas trip with the Strebor Book Cruise (author Zane and her crew). I enjoyed the Bahamas, had an excellent roommate, author Felicia Madlock, and of course, sold out of my books on that cruise. We partied hard, and had lots of fun. It rained the first day there, but I got a lot of nice things on this trip, and came on home very happy. I was invited to the Spoken Word Expo by my good friend, Mr. Talley (www.mrtalley.com) and had a good time there. Saw some family, hung out for a few days, and I sold some CDs on that trip. I recited at Legacy, and another event hosted by Chill Da Playa, and that was a good trip too. (all my trips are good trips - smile). The beginning of 2005 I had a great opportunity to perform on the Higher Ground with Jonathan Overby and it was on the University of Wisconsin's campus in Madison, WI. I thoroughly enjoyed this. It was my family's first road trip with me. I was treated like royalty. Had an interview on the "couch" and performed along the side of other traditonal bands, guitarists, a theater troupe. I had too much fun. The way this show is set up, you are interviewed on the couch first, then you are performing in between other acts. I might be going back up there in 2006. It was sooo much fun and the crew that produces the show are excellent.

Now as far as 2006 goes, I will be blazing new trails but limited trips to incorporate the other important things in my life. A trip to Dayton, OH for the Lit fest in February is calling me. I do have other trips planned and once they get solidified I will post here. Until we meet, hope you have a great day!

- Mocha Sistah

2005-12-03T17:35:00.000-08:00

2005-12-03T17:16:00.000-08:00