-
To Queen Aretha, You Are Appreciated. Rest in Power
Like many people, hip-hop was my entryway to a lot of the music I know and love today. Through the use of samples, I made my way into various genres of music and discovered the lifeblood of artistry on several continents. Similarly, it enabled me to become more well-versed in American treasures. One such treasure…
-
Somebody Jacked Almost $100,000 Worth of Ramen Noodles From a Gas Station in Georgia and It Made My Heart Flutter
I don’t typically smile at crime. In fact, I typically frown at crime. Crime, bad. Who’s bad? Crime. That’s how I feel, for real. But every now and then, some crime happens that doesn’t make me frown, it turns my frown upside down. The news about a ramen noodle heist in Georgia did just that.…
-
The 'Black Don't Crack' All-Stars
I was watching Set It Off the other day because there’s never not a good time to watch Set It Off. Watching Vivica, Jada, Kimberly Elise (looking as homely as they could possibly make her) and Queen Latifah rob banks and be overly dramatic is one of my favorite pastimes. Queen Latifah as Cleo, though,…
-
My Son Starts 'Big Kid School' Next Week and I'm Not Ready
It’s back-to-school time in America. Your Facebook timelines are full of pictures of back-to-school pictures of kids you may or may not know (depending on how many “friends” you actually have) preparing to Shiggy Dance on down the road to that fresh education provided by the state or sponsored by that employment you maintain. My…
-
You Know What? Taking Cell Phone Pictures for Random People on the Street is a Lot of Pressure
I hate taking pictures for people. There, I said it. You know what I’m talmbout. You’re standing outside, minding your own business, and then out of the corner of your eye you see a group start to get in formation of some sort, a few hushed whispers begin and then somebody breaks formation looking for…
-
6 Things I Learned About Myself During My First Trip to Martha's Vineyard
I recently wrote about my first visit to Martha’s Vineyard and some of my impressions. ‘Twas a splendiferous time. But what I didn’t share was the tremendous amount of new knowledge I learned about myself after spending roughly a week up yonder. I’d like to share, with you, some of my personal findings since sharing…
-
I Visited Martha's Vineyard for the First Time. Let's Talk About It
Because of reality television shows and the music and entertainment scene in Atlanta, I warn everybody who is going there for the first time. As a first timer, you might think that a gate attendant will hand you a stack of singles so you can toss them at the strippers waiting for you at baggage claim…
-
10 Things Easier to Do Than Work Remotely While on a Family Vacation
I just got back from a family vacation on Martha’s Vineyard. I tried to do some work. It was a fool’s errand for many reasons. In fact, trying to find any time to get actual factual, back to life, word is bond work done was pointless. It was one of the more difficult things I’ve…
-
Soccer May Be the World's Most Popular Sport and the U.S. Is Catching Up, But We Have a Lot More Work to Do
Last week, I had the opportunity to attend an event in Washington, D.C., called Soul Food Sessions. It was an eight-course dinner curated by black chefs that included passed appetizers, a fowl dish and dessert. It was a family-style dinner setting, so you were encouraged to sit amongst folks you didn’t know and make friends.…
-
The One About the Time My Parked Car Was Totaled When It Stopped a High-Speed Police Chase Through the Streets of DC
When I finished grad school and got my first job in 2003, the first thing I did was take the first two paychecks I got and put a down payment on a 2003 Honda Accord EX. It was beautiful. She had the black exterior with the caramel-colored seats and wood-grain interior. She drove like the…
