A recent Glide Magazine contest sparked this answer from me to the question of "What's your favorite Living Colour song?"
Giveaway: Living Colour @ Highline Ballroom
Would it be cliche of me to say that my favorite track is Cult of Personality? This song is timeless and to me is a reaction to the media’s ever present impact on the way we view leaders of this world. It also speaks to the fact that we are all candidates as well as participants in the phenomenon.
I love them (Living Colour) and believe it or not they came right after Queen as my introduction to rock. A Black girl from the projects doesn’t win any popularity contests listening to this stuff ya know!
Monday, October 26, 2009
Saturday, October 24, 2009
Missed clues to fulfilling a dream
I think I've discovered the key to fulfilling one's life...one's dream of what you really want to be.
I started thinking about why I have such a deep and great love for music and the people that create it; in all forms, shapes, styles, and fashion. Many, many, oh so many, years ago when I was about four or five I had my first memorable chance to answer the question "What do you want to be when you grow up?" I remember my answer like it was yesterday because quite frankly, I've thought about my answer often ever since the words "I wanna be a drummer" popped out of my mouth.
The phrase "out of the mouth of babes" (which I discovered was derived from an excerpt from a bible verse actually) has always been one of my favorites because babies and children hold a knowledge and an insight that we as adults have forgotten or lost. So what if....What if my very first answer was a message to myself?
I think it's a bit too late for me to pursue career as a a musician, but I can certainly identify and recall the passion I had as a child for the idea, the wish, the dream. I'm also more inclined to think about asking a child that question with the goal to record it for them and relay it to them from time to time as they grow.
When I had this realization, I immediately ask my oldest daughter; now at the start of her college search, what it was that she wanted to be when she was much younger and she could recall three things. Interestingly enough, these are the same three things she's been considering for some time even in adolescence. I instructed her to pursue all of them and in time one (or more right? Why restrict ourselves.) would spark the passion she once had and has now lost.
I challenge you all to try this exercise. Try to remember your very first memory of what you wanted to be when you grew up. Any traces of this premonition appear periodically in your life? I'm curious.
I started thinking about why I have such a deep and great love for music and the people that create it; in all forms, shapes, styles, and fashion. Many, many, oh so many, years ago when I was about four or five I had my first memorable chance to answer the question "What do you want to be when you grow up?" I remember my answer like it was yesterday because quite frankly, I've thought about my answer often ever since the words "I wanna be a drummer" popped out of my mouth.
The phrase "out of the mouth of babes" (which I discovered was derived from an excerpt from a bible verse actually) has always been one of my favorites because babies and children hold a knowledge and an insight that we as adults have forgotten or lost. So what if....What if my very first answer was a message to myself?
I think it's a bit too late for me to pursue career as a a musician, but I can certainly identify and recall the passion I had as a child for the idea, the wish, the dream. I'm also more inclined to think about asking a child that question with the goal to record it for them and relay it to them from time to time as they grow.
When I had this realization, I immediately ask my oldest daughter; now at the start of her college search, what it was that she wanted to be when she was much younger and she could recall three things. Interestingly enough, these are the same three things she's been considering for some time even in adolescence. I instructed her to pursue all of them and in time one (or more right? Why restrict ourselves.) would spark the passion she once had and has now lost.
I challenge you all to try this exercise. Try to remember your very first memory of what you wanted to be when you grew up. Any traces of this premonition appear periodically in your life? I'm curious.
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Sweet and Sour Turkey Thighs
This flavor profile appealed to me because I wanted to experiment with using cinnamon in a savory dish. I must admit, I found the recipe in the package of thighs but the process they used was intuitively wrong to me. With the exception of baking, I don't measure so just deal with that.
Ingredients:
2 Humongous Turkey Thighs
flour
cinnamon
ketchup
cider vinegar
honey
cloves (i didn't have any so I used some nutmeg)
vegetable oil
1/2 large white onion chopped
curry powder (my idea)
garlic powder (my idea. fresh garlic woulda been better but I didn't have any)
Water
Season turkey with salt, cinnamon (not too much), garlic powder, pinch of nutmeg, and curry powder.
Coat in flour. Heat vegetable oil in pot. Add turkey and brown on both sides. Remove and add onions to pot and let them sweat it out. Add more cinnamon and garlic powder and saute some more until it smells like heaven in your kitchen. Add ketchup, honey and cider vinegar and stir. Add turkey back into pot and coat both sides with the mixture. Once coated, leave skin side up and then add enough water until it just almost covers the top.
Bring to a boil and then cover and turn down the heat to simmer.
In about an hour and 1/2 later, the turkey should be falling off the bone. Take the top off and simmer some more to reduce the sauce.
OMG. This is so YUMMY!
I'll either serve it with stuffing or mashed potatoes but I sure wish I had some couscous in the cabinet..DARN!
Ingredients:
2 Humongous Turkey Thighs
flour
cinnamon
ketchup
cider vinegar
honey
cloves (i didn't have any so I used some nutmeg)
vegetable oil
1/2 large white onion chopped
curry powder (my idea)
garlic powder (my idea. fresh garlic woulda been better but I didn't have any)
Water
Season turkey with salt, cinnamon (not too much), garlic powder, pinch of nutmeg, and curry powder.
Coat in flour. Heat vegetable oil in pot. Add turkey and brown on both sides. Remove and add onions to pot and let them sweat it out. Add more cinnamon and garlic powder and saute some more until it smells like heaven in your kitchen. Add ketchup, honey and cider vinegar and stir. Add turkey back into pot and coat both sides with the mixture. Once coated, leave skin side up and then add enough water until it just almost covers the top.
Bring to a boil and then cover and turn down the heat to simmer.
In about an hour and 1/2 later, the turkey should be falling off the bone. Take the top off and simmer some more to reduce the sauce.
OMG. This is so YUMMY!
I'll either serve it with stuffing or mashed potatoes but I sure wish I had some couscous in the cabinet..DARN!
Thursday, October 1, 2009
New "Nerdy" Headphones on their way...
I don't do earbuds and here's why...
Everything sounds like it was recorded in a tin can
Every time I chew gum they pop out
I refuse to share them with others in fear of earwax exchange issues
I can still hear the people talking
They stop working after 1 month
I became a convert to these that are now, as you can see, totally worn out down to the bone (or cord):
The features:
Reduce the level of noise around you with these noise-canceling headphones. They reduce ambient noise by 87.4%. The included adapter is compatible with in-flight sound systems for more enjoyable air travel.
The Price
Only $47.50
The alternative:
Monster - Beats by Dr Dre - I aint spendin $300 on headphones.
In Memoriam...Headphones...You did your thang; blocking out all the noise. Giving me all the sound that $50 can buy AND allowing me to share with others. Sure you didn't fit under my winter hats and you did mess up my hair on those fabulocity days, but you were worth it...I will always love you...
Just got my email shipping notification from BestBuy that these new babies below are on their way...CAN"T WAIT!
Same great sound. Updated sleeker look. Will I still look like a nerd? Probably. But will all the sounds I love to hear be heard? Ya damn skippy they will...
Everything sounds like it was recorded in a tin can
Every time I chew gum they pop out
I refuse to share them with others in fear of earwax exchange issues
I can still hear the people talking
They stop working after 1 month
I became a convert to these that are now, as you can see, totally worn out down to the bone (or cord):
The features:
Reduce the level of noise around you with these noise-canceling headphones. They reduce ambient noise by 87.4%. The included adapter is compatible with in-flight sound systems for more enjoyable air travel.
The Price
Only $47.50
The alternative:
Monster - Beats by Dr Dre - I aint spendin $300 on headphones.
In Memoriam...Headphones...You did your thang; blocking out all the noise. Giving me all the sound that $50 can buy AND allowing me to share with others. Sure you didn't fit under my winter hats and you did mess up my hair on those fabulocity days, but you were worth it...I will always love you...
Just got my email shipping notification from BestBuy that these new babies below are on their way...CAN"T WAIT!
Same great sound. Updated sleeker look. Will I still look like a nerd? Probably. But will all the sounds I love to hear be heard? Ya damn skippy they will...
Monday, September 21, 2009
I used to be a NewYorker
I used to be a New Yorker. Back then, I...
- knew not to put coins in the slot where the metrocard goes...sigh
- knew not to smile a strangers in the street
- would walk along 34st and not gaze into store windows like I neva saw clothes before...
- could walk crosstown from 3rd ave to 7th ave in 15 min or less...not 50min or more
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Old
Not really sure about what the moral of this entry is...
I was equally not really sure about what to title this blog entry, so I left it to simply Old.
Three stories in chronological order, by three different people. My story is called Mami. Each of them told from the perspective of a person from the hood with different degrees of "a past" in said hood. We have all moved on to a better life; mind, body, and soul. Oh! And we're all Old.
Good Samaritan - 1999 (??)
It was late at night (late late) and on a recent visit home to Bed-Stuy Brooklyn, 30ish year old K figured she'd do a walk/run home to her Mom's house. At the tail end of her work-out she spots a small group of young girls walking as well. In her mind, she figured these young innocents were in a hurry to get home and so naturally K's maternal instinct kicked in. She decided to start walking next to them keeping pace with their strides so that they would feel safer (seriously people). Oblivious to their stares (and rude observations about the @#$!%* following them), she stayed true to her mission until she saw the glimmer of a bottle whose trajectory was coincidentally pointed in her direction. Fortunately for her it missed, and she came to her senses. So she left her post as Guardian and considered ending her walk/run with a run for one more block. But just before she was about to come out of the blocks, she realized that those same girls would chase her down (like a pack typically would after it's prey) and decided that a nice late night stroll to her Mom's house was a better idea...
O.G. (2009)
Walking home late from a party, Dap was spotted by some young thugs with nuthin better to do. Without getting into details, it is no exaggeration and accurate to state that Dap was a seriously bad mofo back in the day...(nuff said). So needless to say, he knew these dudes were about to start some shit. He heard one say to his dude "Yo!.. hole up man. That dude is an O.G.!!!" Another replies "So!" They all proceed to chase Dap's ass for a number of blocks. I can't remember if they caught up to him and whether he had to duke it out or not.
Mami (Aug 30, 2009)
So this happened to me this weekend...
My friend Joe had his 33rd bday bash at Pop Burger in the Meat Packing District this year. Good times were had by all. Just before leaving, I went down to use the ladies room and I use this term 'ladies" lightly. It was the typical scene downstairs in the restroom hallway area; but seedier and grimier then I expected. No biggie. Been there; done that. As I proceed to push open the door to the ladies room, I felt some resistance on the other side and then this young Latino dude sticks his head out. Of course I'm like "Wassup with this?" Mainly because I have a habit of entering men's bathrooms by accident (heh heh) and also because he was hesitating letting me in.
When he finally allows me in, I see there's another young guy and girl in there. The new guy is having a fit about my comment and his friends are trying to calm him down...meanwhile explaining to me that they're gay and it's ok, I can use the bathroom...I'm nonplussed and bored. All I wanna do is get in and get out. As I walk further in, I notice another young girl sitting on the floor in one of the stalls; head in the bowl barfing her brains out. So I innocently state that I don't care what they are and I can plainly see that they're helping their friend while she barfs her brains out.
Well that sets off both new guy and barfin girl...they're verbally slammin me (him while primping in the mirror and her while she continues to barf) as the other two tell them to stop yelling at me. Remarkably, I'm still cool but I can feel the adrenaline creeping up my neck and as I make my way (finally) into the next stall, I start making preparations to come out swingin' if I had to. So I powder my nose (love that term), and step out of the stall ready for my scene from Warriors to begin...I get total silence; not a peep. New guy is all of a sudden demure and moves from his post at the sink and mirror and gives me space to wash my hands and even turns on the hand dryer for me. I'm at a lost for words...temporarily.
Most sensible people would have walked out and given thanks to whatever God they worship. And while I am "mostly sensible", this night I pushed the envelope and while drying my hands, I began to lecture new guy. What I said didn't matter. What did matter, however was his reaction. Total respect with a bit of "Yes Mami" here and "Yes Mami" there for good measure. The others were completely silent and as I exited, I could still feel the adrenaline in my heart, ears and throat and it stayed there pumping all of the way out of Pop Burger, across 14th St, and down into the A train station.
That's right I still take the subway late at night. Cuz I'm a New Yorker and that's how I roll...
I was equally not really sure about what to title this blog entry, so I left it to simply Old.
Three stories in chronological order, by three different people. My story is called Mami. Each of them told from the perspective of a person from the hood with different degrees of "a past" in said hood. We have all moved on to a better life; mind, body, and soul. Oh! And we're all Old.
Good Samaritan - 1999 (??)
It was late at night (late late) and on a recent visit home to Bed-Stuy Brooklyn, 30ish year old K figured she'd do a walk/run home to her Mom's house. At the tail end of her work-out she spots a small group of young girls walking as well. In her mind, she figured these young innocents were in a hurry to get home and so naturally K's maternal instinct kicked in. She decided to start walking next to them keeping pace with their strides so that they would feel safer (seriously people). Oblivious to their stares (and rude observations about the @#$!%* following them), she stayed true to her mission until she saw the glimmer of a bottle whose trajectory was coincidentally pointed in her direction. Fortunately for her it missed, and she came to her senses. So she left her post as Guardian and considered ending her walk/run with a run for one more block. But just before she was about to come out of the blocks, she realized that those same girls would chase her down (like a pack typically would after it's prey) and decided that a nice late night stroll to her Mom's house was a better idea...
O.G. (2009)
Walking home late from a party, Dap was spotted by some young thugs with nuthin better to do. Without getting into details, it is no exaggeration and accurate to state that Dap was a seriously bad mofo back in the day...(nuff said). So needless to say, he knew these dudes were about to start some shit. He heard one say to his dude "Yo!.. hole up man. That dude is an O.G.!!!" Another replies "So!" They all proceed to chase Dap's ass for a number of blocks. I can't remember if they caught up to him and whether he had to duke it out or not.
Mami (Aug 30, 2009)
So this happened to me this weekend...
My friend Joe had his 33rd bday bash at Pop Burger in the Meat Packing District this year. Good times were had by all. Just before leaving, I went down to use the ladies room and I use this term 'ladies" lightly. It was the typical scene downstairs in the restroom hallway area; but seedier and grimier then I expected. No biggie. Been there; done that. As I proceed to push open the door to the ladies room, I felt some resistance on the other side and then this young Latino dude sticks his head out. Of course I'm like "Wassup with this?" Mainly because I have a habit of entering men's bathrooms by accident (heh heh) and also because he was hesitating letting me in.
When he finally allows me in, I see there's another young guy and girl in there. The new guy is having a fit about my comment and his friends are trying to calm him down...meanwhile explaining to me that they're gay and it's ok, I can use the bathroom...I'm nonplussed and bored. All I wanna do is get in and get out. As I walk further in, I notice another young girl sitting on the floor in one of the stalls; head in the bowl barfing her brains out. So I innocently state that I don't care what they are and I can plainly see that they're helping their friend while she barfs her brains out.
Well that sets off both new guy and barfin girl...they're verbally slammin me (him while primping in the mirror and her while she continues to barf) as the other two tell them to stop yelling at me. Remarkably, I'm still cool but I can feel the adrenaline creeping up my neck and as I make my way (finally) into the next stall, I start making preparations to come out swingin' if I had to. So I powder my nose (love that term), and step out of the stall ready for my scene from Warriors to begin...I get total silence; not a peep. New guy is all of a sudden demure and moves from his post at the sink and mirror and gives me space to wash my hands and even turns on the hand dryer for me. I'm at a lost for words...temporarily.
Most sensible people would have walked out and given thanks to whatever God they worship. And while I am "mostly sensible", this night I pushed the envelope and while drying my hands, I began to lecture new guy. What I said didn't matter. What did matter, however was his reaction. Total respect with a bit of "Yes Mami" here and "Yes Mami" there for good measure. The others were completely silent and as I exited, I could still feel the adrenaline in my heart, ears and throat and it stayed there pumping all of the way out of Pop Burger, across 14th St, and down into the A train station.
That's right I still take the subway late at night. Cuz I'm a New Yorker and that's how I roll...
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