Vocal Expressions

"Whitney Houston Dead at 48"

2012-02-11T18:43:00.000-08:00

The world will mourn this troubled award winning singer, actress, and mother. My condolences to the family.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/02/11/whitney-houston-dead-sing_n_1270889.html

"Connecting With Old Friends"

2012-02-05T19:48:00.000-08:00

Sometimes we can lose touch with our friends but it's such a joy when we can reconnect with them. A few years ago I lost contact with a friend and it was a pleasure to bump into her again and learned about her many life changes. We decided that we needed to grab lunch to catch up and I look forward to it.

This year I'll be making the effort to stay in touch with friends and not let my hectic schedule get in the way of sending emails or picking up the phone to arrange lunch or dinner. It's great when you get to revisit the friendship only to reconnect in a stronger and more positive way.

"January in Review"

2012-01-31T19:19:00.000-08:00

January was a very pivotal month for me. It started off with a bang with Marshawn Evans' Reinvent ME Live video challenges. These challenges were very insightful as they forced me to take an introspective view of what I wanted my life and pupose to be for 2012. Resoundingly, I decided it will be my abundant year to set new goals both personally and professionally and achieve them. I'll post more about the Reinvent ME Live video challenges in the upcoming weeks.

"2012 Chinese New Year Celebration in Washington, DC"

2012-01-29T19:32:00.000-08:00

This afternoon, I joined a crowd of folks in Chinatown in Washington, DC to watch the Chinese New Year Celebration parade. Although it was cold and chilly outside, everyone huddled and waited patiently to see the dragon dance, kung fu demonstrators, and the firecrackers. It was a great performance and one which I'll likely attend next year.

"Author Spotlight - Seriously Sensual, Blog Talk Radio"

2012-01-21T18:50:00.000-08:00

This evening I was the guest author on Seriously Sensual with hosts, Gabrielle Newsam and Nicole Brooks. I had a great time talking about my novel and what makes for a good novel. Here's the replay:

"Happy Martin Luther King, Jr. Day!"

2012-01-16T17:12:00.000-08:00

This day has great significance for us simply because of what Dr. King envisioned for us all which was captured in his infamous I Have A Dream speech. Interestingly, I just completed the 4 part Reinvent ME Live video challenge with Marshawn Evans today where she talked about realizing our dreams.

She talked about 5 dream shifters that will help us to recognize that our dreams should not be delayed and that we should walk into our higher purpose:

1. Deciding it's time.
2. Defining your WHY.
3. Upgrading your strategy.
4. Connecting with a Mentor.
5. Make winning your lifestyle.

With that being said, I leave this quote with you on this very special day:

"Now, I say to you today my friends, even though we face the difficulties of today and tomorrow, I still have a dream. It is a dream deeply rooted in the American dream. I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: - 'We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal.'"

- Martin Luther King Jr., Speech at Civil Rights March on Washington, August 28, 1963

"Girl With The Dragon Tattoo"

2012-01-15T19:10:00.000-08:00

Wow! This movie was awesome (the English-language adaption of the Swedish novel by Stieg Larsson). A lot of my friends told me about it and I finally saw it on Friday. I loved the entire concept of solving this mystery and the way that the main characters (Rooney Mara - who played the computer hacker/girl with the dragon tattoo, Lisbeth Salander and Daniel Craig - who played the disgraced financial journalist, Mikael Blomkvist) went about conducting their research. It was nothing shy of genius. When I get some time I'll have to check out the original of the trilogy - I don't mind subtitles :) Anyway, see below the synopsis of the movie and if you haven't seen it, you should definitely go check it out (David Fincher's version).

Synopsis

Forty years ago, Harriet Vanger disappeared from a family gathering on the island owned and inhabited by the powerful Vanger clan. Her body was never found, yet her beloved uncle is convinced it was murder and that the killer is a member of his own tightly knit but dysfunctional family. He employs disgraced financial journalist Mikael Blomkvist (Michael Nyqvist) and the tattooed and troubled but resourceful computer hacker Lisbeth Salander (Noomi Rapace) to investigate.

When the pair link Harriet’s disappearance to a number of grotesque murders from almost forty years ago, they begin to unravel a dark and appalling family history. But the Vanger’s are a secretive clan, and Blomkvist and Salander are about to find out just how far they are prepared to go to protect themselves.

Two Thumbs Up!

"Gleam"

2012-01-07T20:48:00.000-08:00

Tonight, a very good friend of mine and I went to Centerstage to check out Gleam, a play based on the novel, Their Eyes Were Watching God. It's been our yearly tradition for the past couple of years to see a play the beginning of each new year. And tonight was great since we both enjoy the works of Zora Neale Hurston. The actors were awesome, some of whom were making their debut at Centerstage but had done extensive work in television and in the movies. We thoroughly enjoyed the play and encourage others to see it too before it ends its run on February 5, 2012. Two thumbs up!!

The synopsis of the play which is directed by Marion McClinton and the cast of characters are detailed below.

Synopsis:

At 16, Janie faces a marriage of convenience and a life of quiet drudgery. Instead, she embarks on a journey that brings successes and losses enough for several lifetimes—a passage to fulfillment so singular that it manages to speak for all of our dreams. This soaring saga brings to life the vivid characters of Zora Neale Hurston’s beloved novel, a shining jewel of the Harlem Renaissance by one of America's literary giants.

The Cast (in alphabetical order):

Axel Avin, Jr
Jody Starks/Ed Dockerty

Stephanie Berry
Pheoby Watson

Brooks Edward Brantly
Tea Cake

Thomas Jefferson Byrd
Logan Killicks/Sam Watson

Christiana Clark
Janie

Erik LaRay Harvey
Hezekiah/Sop-de-Bottom

Tonia M. Jackson
Lulu Moss/Nanny

Celeste Jones
Daisy Blunt/Nunkie

Gavin Lawrence
Amos Hicks/ Johnny Taylor/Lias

Jaime Lincoln Smith
Lige Moss/Bootny

"Happy New Year"

2012-01-01T17:06:00.000-08:00

Greetings! I want to take this time to wish everyone a wonderful and successful New Year. As I sat home and made reflections of the year past, I was thankful for the people who came into my life and expanded my creative circle. I was also thankful for the many experiences that I enjoyed as an author. I learned from the ground up that promoting and marketing my book, Gotta Let It Go, which was published in December 2010, was not an easy task. However, I was eager to learn as I participated in the following activities throughout the year:

• Two Talk Books Blogtalk Radio Interview, March 12, 2011 – This was my very first blogtalk radio interview and the host, Starla Faye, made me feel very welcome and gave me some good exposure.

• Interview with Patrick Tandy, Maryland State Bar Association, April 28, 2011 – This was my very first print interview which appeared in the May 2011 issue of the Bar Bulletin.

• Taste N Books Event, May 15, 2011 – This was my very first event as a published author. I had a very good time and met a really cool group of fellow writers who gave me some great tips and advice for participating in upcoming events.

• My novel won a Finalist award in the multi-cultural fiction category of the Next Generation Indie Book Awards and I attended the award reception in New York, May 24, 2011.

• Harlem Book Festival, July 23, 2011 – I had an author’s table at this event.

• Baltimore Book Festival, September 24, 2011 - I participated as an author in the Authors' Tent.

• I was the guest author at a book club (Beyond Books Book Club) on November 19, 2011.

• I have another blogtalk radio interview with Seriously Sensual Radio scheduled for January 21, 2012 at 8 pm. More details to follow.

• Indie Soul: Music & Book Boutique Bookstore (2437 St. Paul Street, Baltimore, MD 21218) - I'm very excited that my novel will be available at this bookstore very soon.

• Baltimore Urban Book Festival, May 6, 2012 (The Frederick Douglass-Isaac Myers Maritime Park) – I’ll have an author’s table at this event.

So thanks again for supporting me and stay tuned for my next novel coming soon this year!

Peace & Blessings,

Deliah

"Merry Christmas"

2011-12-25T19:43:00.000-08:00

Tis the season for good cheer to all men and women. I always look forward to Christmas as it's a time of gathering with family and friends to celebrate the birth of Christ while partaking in a fantastic meal prepared by my mother. This evening, as 16 family members gathered around the table, and a prayer was said to bless the food, I was reminded of how much I'm grateful and thankful for. It's truly a blessing!

So with that being said, I want to wish everyone a happy, healthy and wealthy New Year. May 2012 be an abundantly great year for everyone!

"My Soul Spotlight"

2011-12-18T19:07:00.000-08:00

This afternoon, I was the guest author on the show "My Soul Spotlight," with host, Biblical Jones. I had a great time on the show and can't wait for it to air on public access TV.

"Get Maximum Publicity In Minimum Time"

2011-12-11T16:41:00.000-08:00

A few days ago, I tuned into a webinar hosted by Steve Harrison. The first question that Steve asked the audience was "How committed are you to getting the word out?" He suggested that as authors or as someone trying to promote a product, you should get into a daily promotional habit of making at least 5 contacts to viewers, readers, etc. I thought this was a very tall order since my days are filled with other commitments. However, I did find the following strategies to be very useful and I'll definitely be using them to get publicity for my book.

5 Maximizing Publicity Strategies:
1. Give the media a hook. Give them something that they can use to "grab" their audience, tease folks into wanting to read their publication or watch their shows.

2. Avoid thinking, "I'll wait till my book comes out," approach. If you already have a list, use it to create a following both on and off line to talk about your upcoming book. Ask yourself: Who are the new "Oprahs" who could launch you?

3. Get publicity and exposure on blogs that reach your core audience. Offer to be a guest blogger, offer them the opportunity to interview you, offer them a free sample chapter, etc.

4. YouTube. You must have a strategy that includes YouTube. It's the #3 search engine and it allows you to broadcast yourself.

5. Expand your wardrobe. This doesn't mean changing your outfit but simply creating different hooks for different media outlets. Use different aspects of yourself, your life experiences and different information that you have.

I thought these were very helpful strategies that could give you great visibility.

For more information, you can go to www.specialpublicityoffer.com

"Want To Get Paid Giving Speeches?"

2011-11-30T18:36:00.000-08:00

Teleseminars are a great source of information. This evening I listened to host, Steve Harrison interview his good friend, James Malinchak, who shared several tips on how to get started giving paid speeches - even if you're a complete unknown in your field.

Here are 5 steps he shared for landing speaking engagements:

1. Determine what market is ideal for you.
* You can't market to everybody.
* You must target your market (teenagers, women between the ages of 30 - 50, college students, parents, etc).

2. Put together your positioning.
* You are the main ingredient, you make you different.
* Do you want to be a keynote speaker - speaking for 45 - 60 minutes? or A workshop trainer?
* Decide whether to promote yourself as a speaker or your topic.
* Incorporate "you" into your presentation - be yourself.

3. Put together a brochure.

4. Market your speaking availability to the people in your market.

5. Leverage your booking.
* When you speak for a group ask for multiple bookings.
* If the program that you're presenting is satisfactory, ask for a testimonial letter to go into your marketing kit.

The bottomline is that you need to think of yourself as a MARKETER who is marketing your speaker services. Great tips!

For more information, you can visit www.speakingformoney.com

Marshawn Evans Tele-Event: "The Power of Platform"

2011-11-22T18:28:00.000-08:00

This evening I tuned into Marshawn Evans, Attorney, Author, Reinvention Strategist and Owner of ME Unlimited, LLC tele-event about "The Power of Platform." I thought this was so pertinent to me as today is my birthday, a time of renewal and rebirth, a day which marks a year of me being older and wiser.

ME's focus in tonight's call was knowing the difference between a DESIRE and a DREAM. She stated that a DESIRE is rooted in a place of want whereas a DREAM is rooted in a place of worship (a gift from GOD which focuses on service). She pointed out that we're often led to believe that dreams are supposed to be far off. However, she said that this thinking is "warped, twisted and a straight up lie" because you should be able to experience your dreams today. Furthermore, joy should be tied to your dreams as you're supposed to feel strengthened, reinvented and rejuvenated.

In order to accomplish your dream, you should make sure that you're properly positioned and ready to take the leap into a new zone, a new dimension, a new territory, in other words it's time for a spacious place. A place where you're more capable of supporting and showcasing the God that lives within you. The following are some of the ways she shared that may prevent you from stepping into a spacious place:

1. Can't compare your calling/your success to others.
2. Can't overthink everything as dreams operate in a faith dimension.
3. Understand your companions - dismiss the haters and connect to a focused tribe.
4. Cluelessness - you can't be detached from wisdon. You have to be consistently equipped and tapped into a circle that's higher/deeper.
5. Clutching - holding onto something too tightly that it's choking the life out of your new season (2012).
6. Comfort Zone - becomes a danger zone.

So as we are fast approaching 2012, a leap year with an extra day, ME reminds us that the number 12 is an abundant number which marks the first experience, something new and different which will surprise you. I'm definitely looking forward to that experience and was thankful that I participated in this tele-event tonight!

For more information, you can visit www.marshawnevans.com

"Beyond The Book Book Club"

2011-11-19T19:08:00.000-08:00

It's funny how things can come together. I remember when I first met the founder of this book club back in September 2011 at the Baltimore Book Festival. She said that she was thinking about starting a book club and asked whether I would be interested in being a guest author. I responded "absolutely!" So I was very excited when we agreed upon a date and time to discuss my book, Gotta Let It Go.

When I arrived at the meeting this evening and met the members, they were all very welcoming. They had lots of questions about my book, the writing process and how to get a book published. I answered all the questions including my thoughts about going the traditional route versus self-publishing. At the end of the discussion, I got some great insights as to what they would like to see in the sequel.

Overall, it was a great evening and I enjoyed every moment of it including the sangria which was made by a member of the group and the delicious lasgana which was made by the host/founder. I wish the group much success!

"How To Create Your Own WebTV Show"

2011-11-17T18:32:00.000-08:00

Just finished listening to a very informative webinar on how to create your own WebTV show with Steve Harrison and Perry Lawrence.

Here are the 5 top reasons for doing so:

1. It's easy and effective (get a flip video camera to record your episodes) and build a relationship with people who have a list.

2. It creates exposure (allows you to develop multiple audiences and widen your social media footprint).

3. It sets you a part from others (what side of the mike do you want to be on - behind as part of the audience or infront as a speaker?).

4. It gives you celebrity and authority status (if you're consistent in posting your videos, you'll be seen as an expert).

5. Huge ROI (return on your investment) - add your audience to your database.

For more information, visit www.yourwebtvshowhow.com

"Girls Nite Out - GNO"

2011-11-12T17:05:00.001-08:00

I had a very, very long week! My friends could tell that my stress level was up and that I needed to get out the house. So off we went to the Half Note Lounge in Bowie where Style was performing. It's been awhile since I saw them perform and wow - they really rocked the house! After enjoying some wine and soul food (catfish and macaroni and cheese), I was on the dance floor like nobody's business. Sweating out my hair and just have a wonderful time. At the end of the night, my stress was lifted and I felt rejuvenated to tackle the week ahead.

Sometimes, a girl just need a GNO!

"For Sisters Only" - Washington, D.C.

2011-11-05T18:21:00.000-07:00

For the past couple of years, I've enjoyed attending the For Sisters Only ("FSO") event in D.C. So today, I was pretty excited about meeting a friend of mine at FSO to browse the vendors, get some goodie bags, play some games to win prizes, listen to the relationship chats and enjoy the line of artists: Bell Biv Devoe, Johnny Gill, Wale, Eric Benet, Tank, Estelle, and others.

We had a great time and left before it got too crazy - traffic can be a beast! So, enjoy some pics from the event!

"Fast-Track Strategies For Becoming A Well-Known, Well-Paid Author, Speaker Or Expert In Your Field"

2011-11-02T17:41:00.000-07:00

This evening I listened to a webinar by host, Steve Harrison who shared tips on how to become a well-known, well-paid author, speaker or expert in your field. I really enjoyed his tips for achieving these goals especially the 5 short cut tips he shared to make this happen: 1) clear action plan, 2) custom tailored support for your publicity (radio, TV, newspaper, pod casts, etc.), 3) concrete models and skills, 4) connections and 5) community.

"Just A Quiet Weekend"

2011-10-30T16:32:00.000-07:00

This past week was very hectic for me. So when Friday finally rolled around I simply couldn't wait to get home, grab a shower, and unwind with a glass of wine. It felt so good to be in the warmth of my home that I didn't look forward to running any errands on Saturday. Anyway, as I dragged myself out the door on Saturday afternoon, I was met with rain/snow which was a highly unlikely weather combination for October. But, I put my cap on and pulled up my collar, completed my errands and headed once again to the warmth of my home with the anticipation of staying in on Sunday as well. Sometimes that's all I really need to put things into perspective and to re-energize my mind, my body, and my spirit!

A "Luther" Weekend

2011-10-23T16:54:00.000-07:00

This weekend I finally took time to check out hottie Idris Elba in his role as DCI John Luther, in the BBC America drama series, "Luther." On Friday night, I watched all the episodes of Season 1 and on Saturday, I was caught up on the most recent episodes of Season 2.

I love the premise of this crime drama because the writing is so fresh and the criminals do things that test Luther's resolve. He is a man haunted by the death of his wife and while he can become volatile and unhinged at time, he is fiercely dedicated to those who are loyal to him and he'll stop at nothing to help those in need. So two thumbs up for Idris Elba in this leading role and I look forward to seeing what his character will do next.

Check out details of the show and its characters at:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/tv/features/luther/aps/luther.shtml

"Everything Shiny And New Isn't Always For You"

2011-10-16T19:28:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, I took my car into the dealership for some transmission issues. This wasn't how I had intended to spend my Saturday afternoon but I really didn't have much of a choice in the matter. Anyway, a salesman approached me and asked whether I'd like to test drive a new car. And I replied that I'm not in the market for a new car as my car still had a ways to go before I had to make that determination. Nevertheless, the salesman was very adamant that I at least test drive the car and that it wouldn't hurt to do so. When I got into the car, everything was shiny and new: the smell of leather seats, moon roof, keyless entry, nice CD disc changer, place for my iPod, etc.

I took the car out for a spin and while I really enjoyed the new features and the way it handled on the road, I couldn't bring myself to signing on the dotted line. It was a no money down, zero percent interest and quite enticing. But as I sat in the salesman's office, I looked him in the eyes and told him, I can't live in this new car, it can't pay my bills and I have student loans to pay for. He nodded his head and acknowledged where I was coming from. So, although the car was shiny and new, it wasn't for me to take home yesterday. But as the salesman told me that for every "no" he gets, he'll get one "yes"...and I wished him the best as I went to the waiting room, sat and waited for my own car to be serviced.

"New Year - Mentoring Program"

2011-10-09T12:40:00.000-07:00

The mentoring program began again for this upcoming school year. Fresh new faces (mentors/mentees) graced the opening and the blessing of the program. I'm excited to a part of a program that blends new concepts in reaching the young adults because they are indeed our future. So I look forward to learning from them while teaching them life skills to make them better role models to others.

"Dexter/Hung Premiere"

2011-10-02T18:13:00.000-07:00

Two of my favorite cable shows premiered tonight: Dexter and Hung. I've been an avid fan of Dexter since the first show aired on October 1, 2006. Each season gets better and better with new villains and this season, I was pleasantly surprised to see Edward James Olmos and Colin Hanks as Dexter's arch rivals. The theme this season centers around religion and viewers get to see Dexter questioning his faith or lack thereof. While he has a son to raise, he is very protective and fearful that his son will inherit some of his habits of taking the law into his own hands. So, we'll see how he struggles to reconcile his feelings this season.

As for Hung, what can I say? This show is so hilarious. I've been hooked on this show since it premiered on June 28, 2009. I can't seem to get enough of the characters' theatrics and motivation as to why they do the things they do to survive. I love the dark humor about a subject some would find taboo especially it has been always been the oldest profession for women and not men. So, to find that men are actually selling themselves to the highest bidder, viewers get to see women put in of power by paying for these services. This season Ray Drecker will have competition from a younger gigolo and I can't wait to see what happens.

"Killer Elite"

2011-09-27T19:14:00.001-07:00

After a long day at work, I decided to treat myself to a movie with two of my favorite actors, Robert De Niro and Jason Statham in "Killer Elite." This movie was based on real events that "pits two of the world's most elite operatives - Danny, an ex-special ops agent (Jason Statham) and Hunter, his longtime mentor (Robert De Niro) - against the cunning leader of a secret military society (Clive Owen). Covering the globe from Australia to Paris, London and the Middle East, Danny and Hunter are plunged into a highly dangerous game of cat and mouse - where the predators become the prey." Open Road Films

I thoroughly loved the action scenes and it was good to see Robert De Niro - I can't get enough of this seasoned actor - he's still got it. Two thumbs up for this movie in my book!

"Baltimore Book Festival"

2011-09-24T19:28:00.001-07:00

The Baltimore Book Festival ("BBF") features hundreds of author appearances (celebrity and local) and book signings, 100+ exhibitors and booksellers, non-stop readings on multiple stages, cooking demos by celebrity chefs, poetry readings and workshops, panel discussions, walking tours, storytellers and hands-on projects for kids, street theater, live music, and a delicious variety of food, beer and wine. This event took place on September 23 - 25, 2011 and I participated as an exhibitor, selling my novel,Gotta Let It Go, in the Authors' Tent on Saturday, September 24th. The Authors' Tent was buzzing all day with folks browsing the author's work, buying books, chatting with us and networking.

A very good friend of mine supported me all day by helping me to set up, meet and greet folks and keep track of my sales. I had a great time taking pics with fans who bought my books and made some great connections for future events. Overall, the BFF was great and I look forward to next year's event on September 28 - 30, 2012. For more information, please visit http://www.baltimorebookfestival.com/

Hope you enjoy the pics!

"My Fun In The Sun Vacation"

2011-09-18T11:48:00.000-07:00

My last vacation had me travelling all over the place, hopping from one train to the next, checking in and out of hotels, shopping and enjoying the sights. Don't get me wrong, I thoroughly enjoyed my European vacation, but nothing beats just relaxing on the beach with uninterrupted time. Well, my Caribbean vacation allowed me to do just that and I really enjoyed visiting the following locations: Winnifred beach, Reach Falls and Frenchman Cove. The food was fantastic, the folks were very warm and generous and I enjoyed the early morning breeze that rolled over the sea and wafted through the windows of my room. Aaaaah, perfect!

Now it's back to reality until the next vacation, I'll have to savor the moments captured in my pics!

"My European Vacation"

2011-09-04T17:46:00.001-07:00

All work and no play makes me a dull girl. Well, off to Europe I go for my vacation to Switzerland, Italy and Paris. After a long flight with no sleep, watching 3 movies non-stop and eating pretty delicious food on Delta Airlines, I arrived in Zurich, Switzerland. After going through customs and then getting my bags I was more than ready to fall asleep in my hotel room. After waking up and feeling refreshed several hours later, I headed out to explore the town and then had a bite to eat at a restaurant with outside seating. The next day I set out with my fellow travellers to Locarno, Switzerland to attend the Locarno film festival and check into another hotel.

The film festival was simply awesome. It was an open air movie theatre and the films they showed that night were a Japanese film by Hitoshi followed by "An American in Paris" starring Gene Kelly. It was a great evening. After the movies, folks were still having a party - it was 1 a.m. It was a fabulous affair!

The next day, off to Milano, Italy we went - another train and another hotel. Since it was a holiday in Italy where the majority of the stores were closed, only a handful of tourists were milling around The Duomo (the cathedral complex is located in the Piazza del Duomo - took 140 years to build), the square, the shops that remained opened and the restaurants. I must say, when in Italy do what the Italians do and enjoy the pasta, the sauces and all foods Italian. I really enjoyed the food, the shopping and the sights, including the beautiful architecture, water fountains, music and the fact it's the fashion capital made it that more exciting.

After three days in Italy, off to Paris, France we go, two trains, subways and yet another hotel. This time the hotel was strategically located very close to the subway for easy access to the Eiffel Tower, Arc De Triomphe, Champs-Elysees, the Louvre, etc. The next three days were simply fabulous. I enjoyed seeing folks enjoying themselves, feeling free to express themselves - I actually saw a man walking with only a t-shirt on while standing in line at the Eiffel Tower. The shops were fantastic on the Champs Elysees and the Arch De Triompe was a very humbling experience as this is the site dedicated to those who fought and died for France in the French Revolutionary and the Napoleonic Ward. The Louvre - what can I say except The Mona Lisa was really protected. After enjoying the sights, sounds, smell of great food (bread, wine, cheeses); it was time to head to Zurich for one more day until our departure back home.

Once back in Zurich, we checked into our final hotel (number 5) and then hit the streets for one last stroll through the city. Dinner was at a chinese restaurant believe it or not - good food and drinks! So this was the end of my European vacation. I was jet lagged and had to get readjusted to the time difference and slept in for most of the next day.

Back to reality, gone are the trains - the best rail system ever, no more melodious sounds of different languages in my ears, the foods - wow! So, until my next European vacation, I hope you enjoy the pics!

"Becoming A Media Magnet - How To Build A Buzz Worthy Brand" Teleseminar

2011-08-02T19:10:00.001-07:00

This was my first teleseminar with Marshawn Evans, Attorney, founder of ME University and a media magnet. She shared her story of how she left the corporate world of "toiling" (exhausting with labor) to "tilling" (working for herself by cultivating a harvest that she could share with others). I liked that she opened and closed the teleseminar with a prayer to ground the listeners into a "higher" power. Her strategies on knowing your "gifting" and how to be magnetic enough to want the media to reach out to you were awesome. See below.

To Be A Magnet:
1. Right message - do you have a message that is important enough to the media?
2. Right messenger - are you trustworthy? why should people listen to you? are you credible?
3. Right moment - is your message something the producers want to know right now?
4. Right method - what is your multi-media platform (speaking, consulting, publishing, digital filling station, products, proprietary system - what are you known for?)

I also enjoyed the following nuggets of wisdom from her:
"Direction is what connects your desire with your destiny."
"Speak your vision."
"Link with those who know what they are doing?"
"Don't worry what people think about you."
"Never let someone's inadequacy impact your adequacy."
"Know your WHY."
"Entrepreneurs should speak for pay not for play."
"Those who show up, go up." (This is one of my favorite quotes because if you don't show up, you won't have to tools to play the game).

Pitching Strategies:
1. What should you be pitching? (what's your message, idea, etc.)
2. Where should you be pitching? (which media outlet is right for you?"
3. Who should you be pitching to? (producers, those who run a blog, etc.)
4. Why should they pay attention to you? (what makes you relevant, build trust and credibility)

Two thumbs up for this teleseminar!

For more information, you can visit www.meuniversitylive.com

"Crazy, Stupid, Love"

2011-07-31T12:46:00.000-07:00

Last night was a Girls Nite Out (GNO). We decided on having dinner at P.F. Chang's and then go to see the movie, Crazy, Stupid, Love with Steve Carell. Although it was a comedy, there were some lessons to be learned about love. Like how it can make you go crazy (acting jealous in a relationship), stupid (falling for the wrong guy or gal after a partner has broken the trust in the relationship), love (knowing that you have one true soul mate out there). Other lessons worth learning is that kids more often than not take their cues from their parents about how they interpret love (showing and receiving it).

The characters were great and I especially liked the son who was a hopeless romantic, pining away at a love (his babysitter) who wasn't into him but he felt that if he was persistent enough, he would eventually win her heart. Then there are his parents played by Julianne Moore and Steve Carell: high school sweethearts, married young, grew apart, the mother cheated, the father changed into someone he didn't recognize all in an effort in dealing with a betrayal of trust and loyalty in the relationship and an impending divorce. Also, rounding out the story is Ryan Gosling's character, a gigolo who preys on women's weaknesses to get them into bed and the person who changes Steve Carell's character into an older version of himself. However, when Ryan Gosling's character meets "the one" who turns out to be the daughter of Steve Carell's character, it becomes an interesting twist as to whether there would be any true trust in that relationship.

Overall, it was good to see that people can indeed change their ways (Ryan Gosling's character) and that true love could possibly conquer all through forgiveness and going back to the basics of how they fell in love (Julianne Moore's/Steve Carell's characters).

I enjoyed the movie although there were times when I felt that a few scenes dragged a bit. Anyway, I would give it two thumbs up!

"Harlem Book Fair": Saturday - July 23, 2011

2011-07-24T19:13:00.001-07:00

During the weeks leading up the Harlem Book Fair event in New York, I was running around getting things together: vendor license, skirting marterials, more business cards, post cards, etc. I wanted to make sure that nothing was left undone. So I was very excited as I double checked my bags and headed for NYC. It was a long ride and my mom and I didn't get to NYC until after midnight. Tired and exhausted, we hailed a cab to Harlem where we would stay the next few days with a family friend.

That night I set the alarm and of course, it didn't go off in the morning. But we managed to get up in time to get to the check in location (Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. and 7th Ave) so I could get my author badge. We then hauled everything to my table and chair location at G21. By 10am, I had my table set up with my books, and other displays - ready to go. At first, the temperature was not too bad but as the day went on, I was guzzling several bottles of water just to quench my thirst and wiping sweat from my brow with a towel. Thank God for the beach umbrella because the tree where my table was located hardly provided us with much shade.

Anyway, I met quite a few interesting people throughout the day, including fellow authors like Omar Tyree and some friends who stopped by to say hello. I also had a few folks stopped by asking whether it was best to self-publish or go the traditional route with a publishing house, whether I could read the first few chapters of their novels, whether I had considered writing about the impact of war on soldiers coming home to their wives to others who simply liked the title of my book but then proceeded to say they didn't read that genre (romantic-suspense) any more.

Overall, I made several sales (special thanks to everyone who supported me), met some cool people including book club members - some from Maryland and even snagged an interview with Seriously Sensual blogtalk radio on Saturday, January 21, 2012 at 8 pm. I'm really excited about that. So stay tuned!

Would I do this event next year? Hmm, yes but hopefully it won't be such a hot day :)

"The Weekend In Review"

2011-07-17T19:35:00.000-07:00

This weekend flew by so quickly like any other weekend since I've been preparing for the Harlem Book Fair on Saturday, July 23, 2011. I managed to get my Certificate of Authority to collect NY taxes and applied for my Temporary Vendor license sell my book, Gotta Let It Go. All the while, I made time to attend a planning meeting for the mentoring program and getting some writing done. On Sunday, I had to get my exercise in, grabbed breakfast in the cafe, browsed the Internet, read some submissions from other writers and still managed to fit in a hair appointment.

Now I'm all relaxed and geared up for the week. It'll be a busy one!!

"The Adjustment Bureau"

2011-07-09T20:41:00.000-07:00

When I saw the previews for this movie, I was really excited and looked forward to seeing Matt Damon in what I thought was going to be a thriller. It had the feel of the Matrix, and Fringe - a movie and a TV show which I thoroughly enjoy. But, I was really disappointed when I finally got the DVD only to find out that it was a love story involving a "love" the main character played by Matt Damon shouldn't have. All in all it wasn't bad but I felt I was tricked into thinking that it was something more.

Oh, well onto the next adventure!

"Happy July 4th"

2011-07-04T11:11:00.000-07:00

I started off celebrating my July 4th weekend by hanging out with friends on Saturday at the Half Note Lounge in Bowie, MD. This is one of my favorite spots where there is live entertainment that will keep you on the dance floor for hours. The next day I decided to sleep in and missed my kickboxing class but I deserved staying in bed on a Sunday.

Today, the official day for celebrating the independence holiday, a lot of folks are out enjoying a good barbeque with family. As for me, I worked out at the gym earlier in the morning, will probably have a light meal for dinner and spend the rest of the day writing. Some of my friends would say "how exciting." But I need to use the time that I have without any interruption to stay on target to finish my second novel.

So, Happy July 4th everyone and celebrate it anyway you like!

"Bad Teacher"

2011-06-26T15:24:00.001-07:00

Today, I saw Bad Teacher and it was so hilarious. Cameron Diaz plays Elizabeth Halsey, a foul-mouth, pot smoking, devious, non-caring junior high school teacher who would do anything to get money to get her boob job. Why? Well, after being dumped by her fiance who finally recognizes that she only wanted him for his money, she has to return to the job she hates...teaching. Down on her luck and living with a roommate she found on Craigslist, she has to find a way to make money to get larger boobs to snatch up another unsuspecting rich man. In walks Justin Timberlake who plays Scott Delacorte, a substitute teacher and Elizabeth has set her sights on him. However, Scott falls for Amy Squirrel, played by Lucy Punch, who is a bubbly, nosy, well-loved teacher and Elizabeth's rival.

The rest of the movie is nothing short of funny. It's light and a little over the top, but who wouldn't love to hate her!

P.S. I saw the preview for The Killer Elite and I'm so there! Robert De Niro, Jason Statham and Clive Owen...need I say more. Can't wait for the September 23rd release date in the theaters.

"Mama's On The Half Shell"

2011-06-24T18:57:00.001-07:00

Located in Canton, a neighborhood located in Baltimore, Mama's On The Half Shell is one of the best places for happy hour on a Friday evening. This place has two levels of seating capacity, with pictures of fishing paraphenilia and a picture of the late Governor of Maryland, William Donald Schaefer hanging on the wall on the second level.

The food and drinks - well, what can I say? Excellent. I ordered a Mojito and there was no skimping on the liquor. Then came my seafood chowder which was rich, thick, creamy, and delicious. When the server brought out my main meal, the salmon blt, the portion was huge and there was no way I could eat it all.

Overall, I had a great time hanging out with friends and I would definitely be back to this quaint location!

"Do The Write Thing"

2011-06-18T16:17:00.000-07:00

This week's motto was "Do the Write Thing." This meant that I would write something every single day. However, I got derailed on Wednesday to have dinner with a friend and on Thursday, I tuned into two webinars which covered different writing related topics. These two days that I went without writing creatively allowed me time to process new information and get back on the horse.

I gleaned a lot from those webinars which is a part of the writing and ultimately marketing process of getting your manuscripts ready for review. The first webinar dealt with how to prepare and present yourself for a radio and television interview. Brian Jud, the presenter, shared some excellent tips that I will use for upcoming radio and televsion interviews. He reminded listeners that you should always project a smile in your voice especially for a ratio interview. For a television interview, his main tip was to look at the interviewer and not at the camera, bring a copy of your book and be enthusiastic about your work.

The next webinar was hosted by Steve Harrision and presented by Ann McIndoo. She was simnply awesome in sharing tips about writing your non-fiction book within 90 days. Her 5 step strategy is golden: 1) set a deadline; 2) create the structure of your book; 3) learn proven successful strategies through a mentor; 4) get with a support group; and 5) create a special time and place to write.

Both presentations gave me great information which I'll use in maintaining my writing schedule and developing my marketing strategies for my novels! So, I didn't mind not doing the "write" for a few days.

"Just Do It!"

2011-06-11T17:20:00.001-07:00

This week I gave myself a motto to live by for the week. The motto was "Just Do It!" For some reason, I felt instantly engergized and empowered. I kept up my writing routine, went to the gym four times, entertained friends without a care that I would have to go to bed early to rise for work the next day, went on an unexpected adventure that completely took me out of my comfort zone,reviewed my marketing strategy for my novel and then topped the week off with pampering myself with a mani/pedicure and design.

It's amazing how pumped you can be when you set yourself a goal, create a dream, develop target dates to complete things and stay focused to accomplish them. This week I was on a roll and look forward to giving myself another motto to live by for the upcoming week!

"Mentoring Closing Program"

2011-06-04T16:48:00.000-07:00

Today, I attended the closing of the mentoring program which signifies the end of the program school year. I was very proud to see so many parents, mentees, mentors and others who gave support in some way throughout the entire program school year.

The theme for the ceremony was "Blending Old Traditions with New Ideas." This theme brought a lot home for me because I've been a mentor for the past six years and have had a few mentees who didn't quite understand the value of what we were trying to give them. However,the mentee that I'm currently assigned to is very much aware of what the program and fellowshiping with other mentees mean to her. It's a joy to have this understanding which is shared with the parent as well. To me, it's a collaborative effort on everyone's part to make the mentoring program the best that it can be.

With that being said, I look forward to the next program year with fresh new ideas to keep all the mentees and mentors engaged!

"2011 Next Generation Idie Book Awards" Gala Awards Reception

2011-05-24T04:16:00.000-07:00

My novel, Gotta Let It Go," was named a Finalist in the 2011 Next Generation Indie Books Awards (multicultural fiction category). On Tuesday, May 24, 2011, I attended the awards reception at The Plaza Hotel in New York City. I had a great time, meeting and networking with the other winners. Enjoy some of the pics from the event and my day in NYC!

"Jumping The Broom"

2011-05-20T20:33:00.001-07:00

This movie was hilarious! Take two families from different sides of the track and you get one helluva get together. Jason (Laz Alonzo), an investment banker from a very humble family in Brooklyn is set to marry Sabrina (Paula Patton) who's from a very wealthy family who lives Martha's Vineyard. The problem is they have only been dating for a few months and neither Sabrina or both parents have met each other until the weekend of the wedding.

I knew I was in for a fun ride when I saw that Loretta Devine was playing Mrs. Taylor, Jason's mother. She's a postal worker, loves the Lord and not very happy that these "bougie" people, the Watsons once owned slaves. Angela Bassett who played Sabrina's mother was right on time for Lorretta's character. Throw in some scenes with Jason's relatives (Mike Epps and DeRay Davis), Sabrina's cousin (Percy Romeo Milelr) who loves older women (Tasha Smith), the chef (Gary Dourdan) getting his groove on in the kitchen with Sabrina's friend (Meagan Goode) and you will have a good laugh.

In the end after secrets are spilled, tears are cried, and families are bonded, the movie culminates into a joyous celebration of jumping the broom. Two thumbs up for this lighthearted comedy that I think you'll enjoy this summer!

"Taste N Books" - Waldorf, MD

2011-05-15T19:15:00.001-07:00

On Sunday morning, I gathered up my books and other marketing materials and headed to Waldorf, MD. It was 8:15 am and I was excited to make the trekk out to some unknown territory. I got turned around while trying to get to the Waldof Jaycees Community Center but I stopped and asked someone for directions and they were kind enough to take me directly there.

When I entered the room I came face-to-face with other writers milling around and getting their author tables prepared. This was my first foray into being out in public as an author. I was greeted by B. Swangin Webster and Karen Minors, the two women who came up with the idea of matching the food that best depicts the author's novel. After setting up, I walked around the room, introducing myself to all the authors and collecting business cards, etc. I saw that some authors had coffee, because their main character is a coffee drinker, others had popcorn and peanuts because their book was about baseball, etc. I sat and anxiously waited to see what I would get and to my surprise, out came the chef with two displays of strawberries dipped in chocolate, peanuts and coconut...yummy!!

I was very pleased as I settled in and then waited for the public to arrive. When they did, I greeted every single one with a smile, introduced my self and handed them some promotional materials. I was also very pleasantly surprised when two of my friends stopped by to show support. One drove around for quite a while but she was very determined to show up and buy her book - I love her for that!

Overall, a good time was had by all and I'm very excited about doing this event next year. Here are some of the pics from the Taste N Books event...enjoy!

"Crime & Punishment"

2011-05-10T20:14:00.001-07:00

On a Tuesday evening when I should be relaxing at home, I was heading to pick up my mom and head to CENTERSTAGE in Baltimore to see "Crime & Punishment" before it ended the 2010-2011 Season on May 15, 2011. My mom and I thoroughly enjoyed the production and the actors were all awesome in morphing into different characters, all within 90 minutes with No Intermission. Overall, we had a good time and would likely to venture out again during a week night to see another of CENTERSTAGE's productions.

Synopsis:

Raskolnikov has a lot on his mind: Napoleon, Nietzsche, Darwin, and an axe murder. When a dogged detective starts putting together the pieces, he ignites a battle of wits in which the philosophical gets personal. This riveting, intimate adaptation gives a thrilling new look at one of the most vivid murder mysteries ever written.
(www.centerstage.org)

Runtime: 90 minutes with NO intermission

"Congrats to Gotta Let It Go"

2011-05-10T19:12:00.000-07:00

Today I learned that my novel, Gotta Let It Go ,was named a Finalist in the Multicultural Fiction category of the 2011 Next Generation Indie Book Awards.

This achievement will be published at www.IndieBookAwards.com along with the other Finalists and Winners in the next few weeks. Also, a press release will be sent out within the next month announcing the Grand Prize Winners and advising media and others where they can see a complete list of Winners and Finalists.

Additionally, my book will be listed as a Finalist in the 2011 Next Generation Indie Book Awards catalog which will be distributed at Book Expo America (“BEA”) in New York later this month to thousands of attendees including book buyers, library representatives, media, industry professionals, and others.

"Happy Mother's Day"

2011-05-08T18:09:00.000-07:00

I'm thankful for my mother and all that she has done for me. She is the most unselfish person I know who is always willing to go the extra mile for everyone. So today, she received the royal treatment: dinner at one of her favorite restaurants, Ruby Tuesday and I showered her with gift. Love you mom!

yfrog Photo : Shared by

"The Lincoln Lawyer"

2011-04-30T17:59:00.000-07:00

I find that movies don't tend to stay in the theatre too long these days so I had to go see The Lincoln Lawyer this afternoon before it disappeared. Anyway, Matthew McConaughey played the unconventional defense lawyer, Mick Haller, who works out of his Lincoln. His clients are very interesting and if they don't pay, he doesn't play. So when a wealthy Realtor, Louis Roulet, played by Ryan Phillippe is accused of raping a prostitute, Haller is asked to defend him. This case becomes even more complicated when Haller and his investigator, Frank Levin, played by William H. Macy finds evidence that Roulet may be linked to one of Haller's old case.

Overall, it was a well casted ensemble including ex-wife, Maggie McPherson, played by Maria Tomei (it was good to see her), John Leguizamo, Michael Peña, Shea Whigham (as the snitch was too funny), and others. Good story with a few twists and turns - I loved it!

"A Week In Review"

2011-04-30T16:00:00.000-07:00

It's been a very busy week for me. On Wednesday, I left my yoga class early so that I could tune into a teleseminar by Steve Harrison to learn more about making more as an author/expert in any economy. He gave listeners some great tips including how to expand our income pool by hosting seminars, webinars, workshops and being a coach. In addition, he mentioned how important it is to revisit our marketing strategy to make sure that we're getting the most from it. Overall, it was very enlightening and I'll definitely be using some of these marketing tools to get the word out about my novel, Gotta Let It Go.

Then on Thursday, I had an interview with Patrick Tandy, Publications Manager, Bar Bulletin (Maryland State Bar Association). The interview was scheduled for only 30 minutes but we ended up talking about books, marketing, publications, all things Baltimore and then some for about 2 hours. I enjoyed the interview and I look forward to seeing the print interview in the Bar Bulletin in mid-May.

"A Writing Day"

2011-04-23T16:57:00.000-07:00

So finally I get to spend a Saturday at home, no meetings, no mentoring, no hanging out, just simply getting my writing swag on. It feels really good because it's been a while since I had interrupted time - it's a beautiful thing!

Later, I'll get to relax and catch up on some of the TV shows which I keep missing week after week because I've been constantly busy. Oh, this week my shoes (Guess, 4 inch heels) were featured on a blog by B. Swangin Webster, a fellow author. Check it out at www.booksshoeswriting.blogspot.com

Happy Easter to everyone!

"Girl's Shopping Day"

2011-04-16T15:44:00.001-07:00

My bff and I have been so busy for the past couple of months that we haven't had a chance to relax and have some fun. So we picked out this Saturday to go shoppiing at Annapolis Mall and then rest up and head out to our favorite hangout, Half Note Lounge later that night.

Well, we started out early in rainy weather and arrived at the mall at 9:30 am only to find the garage was pretty filled up. When we got inside there was an Easter egg hunt in progress and kids were all over the place. We grabbed breakfast at Chick-fil-A to get our energy going before hitting the stores. We started at Macy's and picked up the cutest shoes before going to Express, Victoria's Secret and some other stores to get some tops and other accessories. We almost shopped till we dropped! Then we headed home to rest up for a fun night.

Later, we arrived at Half Note Lounge a little after 8 pm and the parking lot was surprising empty for a Saturday night. We looked at each other and thought "wow, folks are staying home tonight because of the rain." No problem, we walked in and then settled into two seats at the bar and ordered two pink lemonades (these really creep up on you) before starting up conversations with other folks at the bar. The musical artist, Sharon Thomas, saxophonist and her band performed and we had a great time out on the dance floor, so much so that we left when the club closed. Now that's what I call having a good time - Can't wait until the next adventure!!

"Write Your Book in 30 Days" Teleconference

2011-04-13T20:34:00.000-07:00

Tonight was the last in the teleseries "Write Your Book in 30 Days." Host, Joy Farrington, president of Lit Diva, Inc. gave listeners great tips on how to prepare your author press kit including how to get reviews for your book and draw attention to you as the author. As the call went on, listeners were joined by Financial Expert, Ryan Mack who gave great insights on how to use the media to help build your author platform. One of the best advice that he gave the listeners was that "giving back was a prospect of benevolence." This is so true as the good work that you do come back ten fold to thank you.

I'll be checking out Ryan's website: www.livinginthevillage.com

"Crowns" Performance at Morgan State University

2011-04-09T15:14:00.000-07:00

This afternoon, I attended the Crowns Performance at the Murphy Fine Arts Center - Gilliam Concert Hall at Morgan State University with the mentoring program. The play runs from April 8th - 10th and appeals to a very wide audience. Crowns by Regina Taylor is adapted from the photo anthology book by Michael Cunningham and Craig Marberry. In 1998, North Carolina photographer Michael Cunningham began taking pictures of women in their hats. His friend, journalist Craig Marberry, thought they should put together a book of the photos and the stories behind them as he was curious why so many African-American women wear flamboyant hats to church.

Crowns, a church musical tells the story of six African-American women through the hats they wear to church. Taylor who adapted the story onto the stage tells the stories of these women over the course of a Sunday. We, the audience get to see the women getting ready for church, attend a morning service, a wedding, a funeral and a baptism. Five of the older women are joined by a visitor — a younger woman from Brooklyn who was sent down to the South to stay with her grandmother after her brother was killed. While there, she watches her grandmother interact with her church friends as they engage in the ritual of preparing for and going to church. The young woman also begins to get a better understanding of the African tradition of covering one's head and she experiences a spiritual journey along the way.

The performances by the actors and singers including the Singing Sensations Youth Choir were superb. While I enjoyed the stories the women were telling, I couldn't take my eyes off the church hats that they would constantly change into throughout the play. These hats were in different shapes, colors and sizes. Some were very elegant, brightly colored with sequins, very flamboyant with wide brims adorned by feathers, and others were less flashy and perfectly matched the outfits the actors were wearing.

I'm a lover of hats, but I can't say that I own such flamboyant ones...maybe one day! Anyway, please enjoy some of the hats I photographed on my way out of the play.

"Write Your Book in 30 Days" Teleconference

2011-04-06T18:17:00.000-07:00

Tonight is the second to last of a 5 part series of the "Write Your Book in 30 Days" Teleconference hosted co-hosted by Andrew Morrison, president of Small Business Camp and founder of the ‘Write Your Book in 30 Days’ program and co-facilitator, Joy Farrington, president of Lit Diva, Inc. During the past few weeks, the teleseries had top-named experts such as: E. Claudette Freeman, Clyde Vanel, Esq., and Barry Beckham. The topics for each call ranged from self-publishing and selecting the right printer for the job, protecting the intellectual property of your work and how to write a book proposal that lands you a publisher.

Tonight's guest speaker, Bro. Bedford gave the listeners some great tips on the power of e-books. At the end of the teleconference, he gave the listeners an offer we could not refuse, one of his presentation ($97 value) for just $10. So at 11:15 pm when I should be trying to get some sleep, I was reaching for my credit card to buy my copy of his e-book. I've been enjoying the teleseries and look forward to next week's guest speaker, Ryan Mack, who will be talking about using the media to build your author platform.

For more information about the "Write Your Book in 30 Days" teleseries, please visit www.litdiva.com

Happy Writing!

2011 Maryland Writers Conference

2011-04-02T21:00:00.001-07:00

Today, I attended the 2011 Maryland Writers Conference at the University of Baltimore's Thumel Business Center with two members from my writers' critique group. We arrived very early and grabbed some coffee before registration started at 8 am. Within 30 minutes, the entire venue was beginning to fill up. We were eager and ready to be engaged by the speakers of the day and to network with fellow writers.

The Conference touted a very good line up of seminars but I had my eye on two specific ones: 1)"The Business of Self-Publishing: Developing a Business Plan for Your Book," with guest speaker, K.L. Brady, author of Bum Magnet. It was nice to catch with Karla whom I met last year when she came and did a presentation on self-publishing at the Howard County Chapter of the Maryland Writers' Association. I walked away with great tips that I'll start using right away.; and 2)"What Does it Take to Make a Living as a Best Selling Author," with guest speaker, L.A. Banks, author of several best-selling novels. Ms. Banks gave us the "real" breakdown of the business of writing including the fact that writers need to assess their financial situation before making the leap to being a writer full time. She also stated that as writers, we should polish our craft, write everyday, and make our work the best we can before releasing it to the world.

Overall, the Conference was very informative and I look forward to next year's line up of speakers. In the meantime, I'll continue to network with fellow writers and others whom I met at the Conference.

I've attached some pictures from the Conference...enjoy!!

"Limitless"

2011-03-25T19:09:00.000-07:00

This evening I picked up my mentee and headed to the movies to see Limitless starring Bradley Cooper and Robert De Niro. We really enjoyed the concept of exploring 100% of your mind's capabilities - pretty cool. However, what wasn't cool is taking drugs to get to that point and worse still is the effect of not continuing to take them. The reality is that you could be in for a rude awakening like crashing and eventually dying. Yes, we got the message loud and clear! However, it was a fun ride and we really enjoyed the plot twists with the bad guys.

Two thumbs up for a great evening out and starting the weekend off right!

"Quite A Busy Day!"

2011-03-19T16:09:00.000-07:00

This was a long week and all I wanted to do is relax and sleep in late. Well, that didn't happen. I was up at 8 am, finished up the laundry and then headed to the vehicle emissions center. The line wasn't dreadfully long so I waited patiently so that I could get the slip that said that my car passed. Then off I went to get an oil change which took a little maneuvuring to pull my car into the bay nose first. As always, they try to upsell you on things you really don't need when you can get someone to do it for you at a fraction of the price they quoted you. No thanks! Basic oil change and new wiper blades was all I wanted today.

Whew, now that my car is taken care of, it was time to head to Copeland's for an appreciation luncheon for the mentors. I look forward to these luncheons every year as it gives the mentors and other leaders time to fellowship. My seat was assigned with my name nicely typed on a name plate and I sat with folks who were able to engage in varied conversations from the law to how stressed out young college students are in an effort to excel. Anyway, when the server came by our table, I ordered the crabcake and shrimp alfredo which I couldn't finished because I had already dined on a biscuit and the house salad. So I packed it all up along with my dessert (carrot cake - yum) to take home with me.

But wait, I didn't quite make it home as I stopped at Giant to do my grocery shopping. That was another hour and then I finally made it back home with bags and bags of "stuff" at around 3 pm. Still, I needed to relax so I watched last night's episode of Fringe and then I had work to do. However, I have no intention of being up all night working.

It's 7 pm and I just pulled a bottle of unoaked Sauvignon Blanc from the wine rack and placed it in the refridgerator - dunno if I'll get to it tonight though. Yes, it was quite a day! Lovely weather though :)

"Two Talk Books" Interview

2011-03-12T17:09:00.000-08:00

Today, I was a guest of Starla Porter, host of Two Talk Books on blog talk radio (www.latalkradio.com) to discuss my novel, Gotta Let It Go. I had a really great time talking about my novel, giving tips to new writers and talking about what's on the horizon for me. This was a great opportunity to introduce myself and my novel to potential readers and expand on my fan base. I look forward to other opportunities like this. Well, off to finding more avenues to market my book!

"Mentoring Program"

2011-03-05T15:15:00.000-08:00

Every first Saturday of the month we have a guest speaker for the mentoring program that I'm a part of. Today, our speaker was a lobbyist who informed the mentees that they should never let volunteer opportunities slip through your hands because you never know where that road will lead you. I thought it was an excellent presentation because so many of us tend to turn our noses up against giving back to the community if it doesn't involve some type of payment.

Incidentally, throughout the years I've met some very good friends through mentoring and volunteering and we keep supporting each other in various ventures. So, two thumbs up for giving back to the community.

"Contest Time!"

2011-03-01T19:51:00.000-08:00

Sign up and become a member of my website www.thewritepen.webs.com to get a chance to win a signed copy of my novel, Gotta Let It Go.

"Black History Month" - Day 28

2011-02-28T16:00:00.001-08:00

Well, today marks the end of Black History Month and the conclusion of my quotes for the month. My final thoughts are that we should celebrate each and everyday and cherish those who love us.

"Temples fall, statues decay, mausoleums perish, eloquent phrases declaimed are forgotten, but good books are immortal." William T. Vernon, Educator

"Black History Month" - Day 27

2011-02-27T10:03:00.000-08:00

"The guy who takes a chance, who walks the line between the known and the unknown, who is unafraid of failure, will succeed." Gordon Parks, Photographer

"Girls Nite Out"

2011-02-26T16:09:00.001-08:00

What better way to spend a Saturday evening other than hanging with good friends at a place where you're greeted with much love. This place - Half Note Lounge was jumping with loads of laughter, great music and fun. Looking forward to another adventure and very soon!

"Black History Month" - Day 26

2011-02-26T08:36:00.000-08:00

"The answer to injustice is not to silence the critic, but to end the injustice." Richard Wright, Novelist

"Unknown"

2011-02-25T19:49:00.000-08:00

This evening I checked out the new Liam Neeson movie, "Unknown." I enjoy a good action packed thriller movie and "Unknown" certainly delivered that.

Watch the trailer:

http://unknownmovie.warnerbros.com

"Black History Month" - Day 25

2011-02-25T19:46:00.000-08:00

"Knowledge is power,and power is the key to changing things." Jill Nelson, Writer

"Black History Month" - Day 24

2011-02-24T19:10:00.000-08:00

"Every legend contains its residum of truth, and the root function of language is to control the universe by describing it." James Baldwin, Writer and Activist

"Black History Month" - Day 23

2011-02-23T18:49:00.000-08:00

"We have a powerful potential in our youth, and we must have the courage to change old ideas and practices so that we may direct their power towards good ends." Mary McLeod Bethune, Educator

"Black History Month" - Day 22

2011-02-22T17:08:00.000-08:00

"Life doesn't give you all the practice races you need." Jesse Owens, Olympic Track Star

"Black History Month" Day 21

2011-02-21T15:50:00.000-08:00

"The language of faith is crucial because it affords human beings the privilege of intimacy with the ulitimate." Michael Eric Dyson, Scholar and Writer

"Black History Month" - Day 20

2011-02-20T11:04:00.000-08:00

"You don't have to be born with a silver spoon in your mouth to end up at the end of the golden rainbow." Dianne Wilkerson, Politician

"Black History Month" - Day 19

2011-02-19T16:25:00.000-08:00

"The movement in the '60's had so much drama and impetus because the targets were so clear. The pain is still clear, but the target is amorphous. How, after all, do you march against sin?" Samuel D. Proctor, Minister and Educator

"Black History Month" - Day 18

2011-02-18T19:41:00.000-08:00

"Every man got a right to his own mistakes. Ain't no man that ain't made any." Joe Louis, Boxing Champion

"Black History Month" - Day 17

2011-02-17T17:49:00.000-08:00

"The best lessons, the best sermons are those that are lived." Yolanda King, Actor

"Black History Month" - Day 16

2011-02-16T17:47:00.000-08:00

"Freedom is a state of mind: a spiritual unchoking of the wells of human power and superhuman love." W.E.B. Du Bois, Intellectual and Activist

"Black History Month" - Day 15

2011-02-15T15:36:00.000-08:00

"You lose a lot of time, hating people." Marian Anderson, Singer

"Black History Month" - Day 14

2011-02-14T17:35:00.000-08:00

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!!!

"Love means exposing yourself to the pains of being hurt, deeply hurt by someone you trust." Renita Weems, Seminary Professor

"Black History Month" - Day 13

2011-02-13T08:28:00.000-08:00

"Where there is money there is fighting." Marian Anderson, Singer

"All Work And No Play"

2011-02-12T15:59:00.001-08:00

Well, today was a very busy day. I caught up on some bills and other paperwork. I took a break to replenish so I could do some writing but ended up watching some TV and then got a call to hang out Half Note Lounge. So, off we went. When we got there a little after 8 pm the place was packed but we lucked out because we know people (lol) and got some seats up front and personal to the stage. Marcus Young was performing and he and his band, did some awesome renditions of Angie Stone, Rihanna and others. They certainly had the crowd sweating on the dance floor. Great night!

"Black History Month" - Day 12

2011-02-12T09:17:00.000-08:00

"If you can't count, they can cheat you. If you can't read, they can beat you." Toni Morrison, Novelist and Nobel Laureate

"Black History Month" - Day 11

2011-02-11T18:18:00.000-08:00

"The paradox in life is that one must be ambitious to be free from that ambition which corrupts and blinds and tempts and distorts." Peter J. Gomes, Minister

"Black History Month" - Day 10

2011-02-10T17:42:00.000-08:00

"We come out of a collective society and are forced to live in an individual society." John Henrik Clarke, Historian

"Black History Month" - Day 9

2011-02-09T17:56:00.000-08:00

"Standing ground for a race, as for an individual, must be laid in intelligence, industry, thrift, and property." Booker T. Washington, Educator

"Black History Month" - Day 8

2011-02-08T18:41:00.000-08:00

"It takes strength to remember; it takes another kind to forget. It takes a hero to do both." James Baldwin, Writer and Activist

"Black History Month" - Day 7

2011-02-07T18:02:00.000-08:00

"Individual ideas, like breaths, are waiting to be drawn from unlimited supply." - Margaret Danner, Poet

"Black History Month" - Day 6

2011-02-06T18:46:00.000-08:00

"Happiness is like perfume; you can't pour it on somebody else without getting a few drops on yourself." James Van Der Zee, Photographer

"The Second City Does Baltimore"

2011-02-05T18:10:00.000-08:00

The Windy City’s comedy factory–birthplace of legendary laughmeisters like John Belushi, Stephen Colbert, and Tina Fey–blows into Charm City with a customized creation, a wild and wacky show in Baltimore, for Baltimore, and about Baltimore. It’s a slice of hometown humor, with maybe just a scoop of spoof! This description by Center Stage was spot on. The actors and their improvisations had the entire audience laughing out loud. This is a must see play for those who know Baltimore and all that is Baltimore - lol.

Don't miss it - it runs from December 30th - February 20th.

"Passport to Financial Literacy"

2011-02-05T13:27:00.000-08:00

This is the 2nd annual event of Passport to Financial Literacy. This event was held at Howard Community College in Columbia, Maryland. It was a free event which is designed as an interactive experience for teens and their parents to simulate "real life" financial planning, goal setting as well as decision making skills.

The Director of the mentoring program thought it would be a great event for the mentors and mentees to attend. Since we were such a large group the creator of the group personally took the time to go through the program with us (there were 18 of us). It was to see the mentees make decisions about choosing a career and then see what their incomes will be based on their career and then see how "real life" comes into play with paying bills, insurance, owning a car, etc. It was quite an eye opening experience for them.

Overall, it was a great way to spend the early part of our day!

"Black History Month" - Day 5

2011-02-05T07:08:00.000-08:00

"The patter of protesters' feet as they walked through Jim Crow barriers in the great stride toward freedom is the thunder of the marching men of Joshua. And the world rocks beneath their tread. My people, my people, listen, listen, the battle is in your hands." Martin Luther King, Jr., Civil Rights Activist and Nobel Laureate

"Black History Month" - Day 4

2011-02-04T16:00:00.000-08:00

"Men must not only know, they must act." W.E.B. Du Bois, Intellectual & Activist

"Balck History Month" - Day 3

2011-02-03T17:50:00.000-08:00

"Jazz is the nobility of the race put into sound." Wynton Marsalis, Musician

"Black History Month" - Day 2

2011-02-02T14:16:00.000-08:00

"If the First Amendment means anything, it means that the state has no business telling a man, sitting alone i his own house, what books he may read or what films he may watch." - Thurgood Marshall, U.S. Supreme Court Justice

"Black History Month" - Day 1

2011-02-01T14:28:00.001-08:00

Today marks the beginning of Black History. So for every day of this month, I'll be featuring an African American quotation and other Black History events in and around the Baltimore-Washington area.

Day 1:

"The spark became the flame and it changed everything." E.D. Nixon, Civil rights activist

This link is a good place to start reading some Black History:

http://www.biography.com/blackhistory

"The Homecoming"

2011-01-29T20:32:00.000-08:00

This evening, I checked out the play "The Homecoming" by Harold Pinter at Center Stage in Baltimore. It was a packed house filled with enthusiatic theatre goers who were anxious to see Pinter's dark comedic genius at work. Well, he didn't disappoint. The characters were complex as they were funny, conflicted and unpredictable. It was a slice of life that made you take a step back and say, "Wow, could that really happen?" I loved it!

"Busboys & Poets"

2011-01-22T14:33:00.001-08:00

Another Saturday night adventure. Although it was freezing to the bone (lol), my homegirl and I ventured out to DC to none other than "Busboys & Poets" at 5th & K Streets. Luckily we were able to park across the street and quickly run into this eclectic venue. The atmosphere was very inviting with great music that kept you singing and bopping your head throughout the meals and conversations. The service was fast, the food was delicious and conversations were flowing. I'll definitely be back!

Check out the website: http://www.busboysandpoets.com/

"Mentor/Mentee Outing"

2011-01-16T05:18:00.000-08:00

Yesterday, my mentee and I had lunch at T.G.I. Fridays. This was our first outing together and we had a lot to talk about which I think slightly annoyed the waitress because we didn't order right away. Anyway, we caught up what we did during the week, what activities she would like to see at the mentoring program and for Black History Month and we gave our selves assignments. That should be fun!

"True Grit"

2011-01-08T20:59:00.000-08:00

My first movie of the New Year..."True Grit" - I enjoyed the remake of the 1969 movie which starred John Wayne as a tough U.S. Marshal who helped a stubborn young woman track down her father's murderer. This time around, Directors Joel and Ethan Coen did a great job at the adaption of this classic western by casting Jeff Bridges, Matt Damon, Josh Brolin, Hailee Steinfeld, Barry Pepper and Dakin Mathews to tell a compelling story. I really enjoyed.

Then it was time for food and drinks at one of my favorite hangouts - Houlihan's!

"New Year's Eve - Half Note Lounge"

2010-12-31T15:04:00.000-08:00

Half Note Lounge - what can I say but this place and it's management team sure know how to throw a party. The music was great, Style Band, performed their renditions of many songs for the grown and sexy. The food...hmmm, I can still taste the crab dip, the chicken wings, ham, black eyed peas for good luck :) Let me stop - the food, atmosphere, the people and the ambiance made celebrating 2011 a TREAT!

"The Best Christmas Gift to Myself"

2010-12-25T12:28:00.000-08:00

I'm very blessed this Christmas Day for my family and friends. But what I'm most proud of is that I've completed and published my first romantic-suspense novel, entitled "Gotta Let It Go."

Synopsis:

Moments before Deidre Hunter signs the papers that will end her marriage to her cheating husband, her best friend and divorce attorney gets murdered. Devastated by this tragedy, she sets out with one intent: to find the killer. In the midst of the investigation she finds herself attracted to Hill Harris, the handsome but elusive homicide detective assigned to handling the case. Despite his warnings to follow proper police procedures, she strikes out to uncover clues on the crime-ridden streets of Baltimore which forces her into dangerous circumstances and potential heartache.

Readers can visit my website at http://www.thewritepen.webs.com

Also, you can read an excerpt at https://www.createspace.com/Preview/1066321

HAPPY HOLIDAYS to everyone!!

"Symphony of Lights"

2010-12-24T20:34:00.000-08:00

This evening my family and I went to the "Symphony of Lights" in Columbia, Maryland. This is a spectacular display of 70 larger than life animated and stationary light displays which has been a long standing community tradition for 17 years. I felt like I was Alice in Wonderland :)

The festivities kicked off on November 22, 2010 and runs through January 2, 2011. It's a must see with family and friends!

"Tis the Season for Lots of Parties, etc"

2010-12-24T17:11:00.000-08:00

This past Wednesday, a group of friends and I hung out at Anabel Lee Tavern in Canton, Maryland. Although it's a small venue (most folks sit at the bar, others at the very tables they do have), we had a good time. The drinks was not watered down (lol). I had the Masque of the Red Death (Stoli Blackberi, Pama Ligueur, Peach Schnapps and Cranberry) - this drink was goood. For appetizer we shared the BBQ chicken and Applewood Smoked Bacon Nachos. I had the Crab Cake Platter (no filler here) for dinner and the Red Velvet Cake for dessert - yuuuummm! Excellent evening!

Check out the website:

http://www.annabelleetavern.com/

"In My Father's House" by E. Lynn Harris

2010-12-18T15:51:00.000-08:00

Well, Christmas is just a few days away and the hustle and bustle is still on. As for me, I relish that I can enjoy the comfort of my home and curl up with the last of E. Lynn Harris' books, "In My Father's House." So the far, the drama just keeps coming. Love it!