My interview with TimeOut for Kids

I love it when I'm quoted accurately...
I had the recent pleasure of answering some questions for TimeOut for Kids regarding Disney's The Princess and the Frog.  I have yet to see the animated feature but they wanted to get feedback from parents before the premiere.  Check out what I had to say...click here

Giveaway: Living Colour @ Highline Ballroom

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!

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.

A Skeptic's Guide to Love...An Update

One picture says it all...For the full background story click here

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!

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...

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