Oriana lee

NIPPY NEWS

2012-02-14T06:56:00.006-08:00

three days after the transitioning of whitney houston, the mere thought of it burns as intensely as it did on saturday evening when the first facebook update scrolled up the screen of my mac pro. the heartache...the heartbreak comes from deep within a place that always hoped she would come back a champion. she was sure to pull a george foreman before it was all over & at least sparkle once more; that's how eye envisioned it just days earlier as my daughter & i comparatively discussed whitney & dianna ross in the very context of what they will continue to mean to generations yet to come.

she was so many things, to so many people: daughter, mother, sister, aunt, godmother, friend, vocalist, actress, and so much more...a beacon of light shining in so many places all at once. it is evident from the various testimonies from her family and friends that she was well aware of the greatest love of all & did her best to display that love to them.

ultimately, that's what this life is all about. how. we. love. she may have not always made the best decisions; none of us do. she may have not always been in pleasant spirit; none of us are. she may have caused her fair share of hurt and pain to the people she loved the most; all of us have or will...eventually.

to hear loved ones speak of how spiritual she was exposes the roots of her very nature - spiritual, here on earth having a natural experience...a temporary experience, from which we all benefit. because of that spiritual connection, i feel like i lost someone i knew. she was like me or any of my girls, living a very real life in a very major way. yeah, she was on another level, but it's all relative...famous people are still just people. being in the industry numbs the star appeal once you start seeing celebrities in their own element & realizing that they too put their pants on one leg at a time. with whitney, it was beyond the star appeal for me, there was a like-spiritedness to which i & so many other around the world could relate.

*sigh*

the blessing in all of this has been the opportunity to celebrate her life both face-to-face & virtually with so many of those 'others'.

this last footage of her singing with kelly price has to be one of the most beautiful displays of love i have ever seen one sister express to another. so intimate. so genuine. sure, whitney's singing voice could be criticized, but that moment was so much bigger than her voice. eye believe that the most high was using that opportunity to remind us that ultimately & in the end, what matters most, is how we love.

period.

Mac Mama

2011-12-18T10:12:00.000-08:00

Besides the library, the MAC store is my favorite place to spend my free time. Currently posting from one of their iPads. I set all of the iPad screens to my website (orianalee.com) so that anyone who looks at it sees me first...Lol Baby hacker...

Steve Jobs: How to live before you die | Video on TED.com

2011-10-05T21:46:00.000-07:00

Steve Jobs: How to live before you die | Video on TED.com

LIVE IN CONCERT

2011-08-01T13:13:00.000-07:00

The band had been introduced, and the final bow had been taken, yet even after Sade Adu & her 9-piece touring bunch had left the stage, the house lights in the FedEx Forum had not come up. As if that wasn't an obvious sign that the show wasn't over (imagine the lawsuits that could come from releasing thousands of patrons into the darkness), rows began to flock for the stairs & exit signs, apparently unaware of "encore etiquette". I felt for those who were about to miss out on the big finale due to their haste, because as a seasoned concert-goer, I knew what it was, so I waited with baited eardrums, like my life depended on it. After about 5 minutes of screams & cheers, she reappeared in a sleek red nightgown, as the music of Cherish the Day quickly filled the air. I was in sensory overload at this point, and was floored that I hadn't even missed that jam in the main line-up. It was the perfect ending, to the perfect show, as she stood on top of a skyscraper prop that rose about 10 feet from the floor, smoothly singing Memphis a midnight lullaby. She was so great o stage that I almost forgot the show started half an hour late. Once she opened with Soldier of Love, I was on the front lines (or at least on the front of my seat) for the duration.

That was pretty much how the whole show went, one surprise stage screen after another; one wardrobe change after another (thinking there were 5-7); one hit after another. What can I really say about Sade's performance other than it was a phenomenal show! I previously heard a few personal opinions from attendees in other cities about how remarkable her performance was, but it was truly something to be experienced. That's exactly what it was: The Sade Experience. The only thing that I would have requested if I had the chance would have been for her to play the guitar live. Other than that, I'm satisfied beyond measure.

And guess what? Someone loved you enough to upload the encore to youtube, so now you can share it with me! I literally screamed when I found this! HAHAHAHA! My kids came running to my aid thinking something was wrong. Not this time though, I was screaming because finding this means things are just TOO right!

Enjoy!

SABBATH TEACHING (PART TWO)

2011-07-26T09:24:00.000-07:00

As I was reading Psalm 119:35 (directed from my Jesus Calling devotional), I started thinking about the "commands" of YHWH. I went on to read the whole 119th chapter, and I was reminded about how our obedience is centered around the laws, decrees and commands of GOD, which led me to the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20). I began to meditate on how keeping the Sabbath is such a tough law to keep in our society, but it was revealed to me that it is most important to keep as ones who call ourselves "holy", as the scripture says it is the day that the LORD blessed and made holy. Seems the Holy Spirit has been dealing with me a lot on this issue lately (see my last post), and again, the LORD has instructed me to share it with the masses.

Just as I would encourage you not to lie, steal or commit adultery, I'm encouraging you to pray about how valuing this commandment along with the others might further bless your life. Not only is it important, but lawful to "keep it Holy", meaning, refraining from work on that day and focusing only on rest and worship. It is evident how our GOD loves us tremendously to build us in a break (you know you need one), so we have to be sure we don't let the world take it from us, and that we especially don't take it from ourselves. If we continue to allow the world to dictate to us how we are to honor GOD, we will never receive all of the riches that have been promised to those who obey (Deuternomy 5:29; 6:17-19; 11:13-15). I do not want to be in the wilderness forever, I want to cross the Jordan and enter the Promised Land. Don't you?

Beyond The Ten Commandments, the following scriptures are the root sources of the Sabbath law:
Exodus 31:12-18
Exodus 35:1-3

Here's a link to a kids magazine that I love to use to teach kids about the Sabbath. As believers, we are to be like little children (Matthew 18:3), so I believe that we too can benefit from this information - it's simple and concise, with lots of scriptures to help us understand that it's all throughout the "Good Book":

SABBATH FACTS & FUN

KEY VERSES:
“Do not add to what I command you and do not subtract from it, but keep the commands of the LORD your God that I give you.” (Deuteronomy 4:2)

“Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.” (Deuteronomy 6:4-7)

“He said to them, ‘Take to heart all the words I have solemnly declared to you this day, so that you may command your children to obey carefully all the words of this law. They are not just idle words for you—they are your life. By them you will live long in the land you are crossing the Jordan to possess.” (Deuteronomy 32:46-47)

SHABBAT SHALOM

2011-05-28T06:40:00.000-07:00

"Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a sabbath to the LORD your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your male or female servant, nor your animals, nor any foreigner residing in your towns. For in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but he rested on the seventh day. Therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy."-Exodus 20:8-11

Of all of the ten commandments, the passage on the sabbath is by far the longest and most detailed in explanation. So why is it the one that we revere the least?

Culturally, because of the way we structure our "work week", we casually recognize Monday as the first day of the week. Because we live in a capitalistic society, everything we do is centered around capital and earnings, as with how we structure our week. And even before the United States of America existed as the nation it is today, there was a historical shift which caused Saturday to become socially replaced as the sabbath. Around 200 A.D., Roman Catholics suggested that Sunday be kept to honor the resurrection. So until about 300 A.D., believers kept both Saturday sabbath and Sunday simultaneously. Because Sunday was also a day of sun worship among the pagan Romans (hence the name Sun Day), and was highly regarded throughout the city, Roman Christians began to favor the united front of worship on Sunday. By the 4th century, Sunday was the standard day for worship among Western believers, which eventually permeated the rituals of the traditional Eastern worshippers .

This information isn't hidden, it's quite obvious and readily available actually. Check your local library, or a variety or credible internet sources. Neither is it foreign to us that Sunday is the first day of the week. Look at any calendar and you'll notice that Sunday is the first day of the week listed. When we, as children (and even our children today) learned the days of the week in kindergarten it was even taught in song and rhyme with Sunday always as the first day. Here's a popular example:

Because our rest and worship is embedded in a state of sin in that we are being disobedient to the specific commands of YHWH, we are not benefitting from the power of the holy day. I'm not saying that the Most High does not show up in the midst of Sunday worship, for we know that the Word says, "where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them (Matthew 18:22)", but in gathering on the chosen holy day, we activate power and blessings that can be released only on that day. I know I want the full promise, don't you?

Many try to justify by saying that as long as they keep "a" sabbath, they believe that YHWH is pleased, so they keep a Sunday sabbath because that's what everyone else does, or they keep an "off-day" sabbath, meaning they consider the day they are off from work as their sabbath. But the YHWH wants me to remind you that your obedience is more valued than your sacrifice (1 Samuel 15:22). Others say that because it was under the old testament law, then it is dead since Jesus came to fulfill the law. It's important to note that there was not just a single old testament law, rather three different types of laws: moral, ceremonial, and civil.

Yashua (Jesus) came to remove the ceremonial and sacrificial laws that brought about curses (often death) upon those who didn't honor them. He is the lamb sacrifice who shed blood that we might no longer perform those types of rituals. However, because he came to redeem us from the "curse of the law", does not excuse us from the moral portion of the law (Galatians 3:13). The Mosiac law given to show us a moral standard applies today, just as much as it did then, only we tend to negate the laws that have been culturally omitted. Because we are no longer under a particular law, does not mean we are without law. But above all, as believers have been sternly warned against allowing the world to dictate our behavior. Can you imagine how choosing to be obedient to this the same way we we are to killing, stealing and tithing might change the face of our nation and ultimately the Christian face of the world?

The LORD wants you to know the value in the sabbath for your own benefit. We treat it as a handicap and even sometimes a curse, but it's a gift to us so that we not only have a day where we share in focused relationship with the Creator, but a day for us to focus on our own health and wellness so that we don't become stressed, overwhelmed, and run-down with life. This does not mean that we cannot worship or rest on other days, but it must be in addition to what we were commanded. I rest and worship on Saturday, but also worship on Sunday. Sunday is my own personal sacrificial way of giving back to YHWH my first-fruits, since it is the first day of the week. But I had to come out from under the spell of the Sunday worship cultural standard and become obedient to the sabbath commandment before I could add that additionally.

We say we follow (Yahshua) Jesus, and there are numerous scriptures that identify him as having kept the sabbath holy. Yes, he was questioned by the Pharisees about his lack of strict regiment in that he did service work on the sabbath, but he kept it nonetheless. When we serve on the sabbath as opposed to working, we are within the boundaries that the Messiah set for us. It's only if we are not keeping the sabbath at all that we are being disobedient to both what the Lord modeled, as well as what YHWH commanded.

I don't want to come across preachy, because I am not a preacher, but the Most High ordered me to deliver this teaching word to you today, so out of obedience, I must oblige. Don't get mad; and if you don't agree, exercise the freewill to do what you believe is right for you. Above all, pray about the matter so that you may hear from YHWH directly.

I hate to fuss, so this doesn't make me happy to step on the toes of so many people that I truly love and respect. Fact is though, because I love you, I must tell you not what you want to hear, rather what you need to hear. Trust, this is a word for me just as much as for you.

*FOR A MORE IN-DEPTH AFRICAN-RELATED STUDY ON THE TEN COMMANDMENTS, RESEARCH THE 42 PRINCIPLES OF MA'AT

Daylite

2011-05-24T12:42:00.001-07:00

FREE DOWNLOADDaylite by orianalee

MORE & MOOR POETRY

2011-05-08T12:33:00.001-07:00

For Mother's Day, I was granted the opportunity to do one of the only things I love almost as much as parenting, and that's being artistic. I was asked to perform, "A Negro Mother" by Langston Hughes and jumped at the chance. Even though I prefer to perform my own material, I can see where I am being humbled by reciting others' work, taking the emphasis off of me & teaching me to focus more on The Most High & how I'm being used for divine purpose. I am walking in my season & accepting all that comes my way, continuing to sharpen my tools for even greater works. For those of you who have asked for the lyrics to the poem, here goes:

The Negro Mother
by Langston Hughes

Children, I come back today
To tell you a story of the long dark way
That I had to climb, that I had to know
In order that the race might live and grow.
Look at my face - dark as the night -
Yet shining like the sun with love's true light.
I am the dark girl who crossed the red sea
Carrying in my body the seed of the free.
I am the woman who worked in the field
Bringing the cotton and the corn to yield.
I am the one who labored as a slave,
Beaten and mistreated for the work that I gave -
Children sold away from me, I'm husband sold, too.
No safety , no love, no respect was I due.

Three hundred years in the deepest South:
But God put a song and a prayer in my mouth .
God put a dream like steel in my soul.
Now, through my children, I'm reaching the goal.

Now, through my children, young and free,
I realized the blessing deed to me.
I couldn't read then. I couldn't write.
I had nothing, back there in the night.
Sometimes, the valley was filled with tears,
But I kept trudging on through the lonely years.
Sometimes, the road was hot with the sun,
But I had to keep on till my work was done:
I had to keep on! No stopping for me -
I was the seed of the coming Free.
I nourished the dream that nothing could smother
Deep in my breast - the Negro mother.
I had only hope then , but now through you,
Dark ones of today, my dreams must come true:
All you dark children in the world out there,
Remember my sweat, my pain, my despair.
Remember my years, heavy with sorrow -
And make of those years a torch for tomorrow.
Make of my pass a road to the light
Out of the darkness, the ignorance, the night.
Lift high my banner out of the dust.
Stand like free men supporting my trust.
Believe in the right, let none push you back.
Remember the whip and the slaver's track.
Remember how the strong in struggle and strife
Still bar you the way, and deny you life -
But march ever forward, breaking down bars.
Look ever upward at the sun and the stars.
Oh, my dark children, may my dreams and my prayers
Impel you forever up the great stairs -
For I will be with you till no white brother
Dares keep down the children of the Negro Mother.

Here's a summary as taken from enotes.com:
“The Negro Mother” is the title poem in the collection of poetry that Hughes wrote to reach the masses of black people. The twenty-page book and the poem were such an instant success that Hughes told his friend Carl Van Vechten that in Birmingham, Alabama, the book “sold like reefers on 131st Street.”

The voice in the poem is that of the black mothers through the ages. In the opening line, the narrator addresses her children. In the narrative that follows, “the Negro mother” depicts the capture and hardship of black slaves and speaks of the will to endure that kept them going. The voice of the Negro mother urges the children to transform the future so that they may live in dignity and freedom from white oppression.

The poem, often referred to as a heritage poem, is highly lyrical, employing both a regular rhyme scheme (couplets) and meter. It was Hughes's intention, he said, that the poems be pleasant to recite and easy to remember. “The Negro Mother” and the success of the volume show how keenly in tune Hughes was with his audience."

DEAR GRACE, LETTERS TO A SINGLE PARENT-WRITTEN REVIEW

2011-04-21T13:39:00.000-07:00

As a single-parent, I have to admit that I'm kind of biased to literature that reflects my own life story. Even still, certain material can be inspiring whether reflective or one's lifestyle or not. A couple weekends ago, I sat down with a book that a friend insisted I read, and in less than 2 hours, I had practically inhaled it. Was I ever glad that she shared it with me...talk about inspiring...

Dear Grace, Letters to a Single Parent by Temiika D. Gipson, tells the story of a single mother's journey to Christ, written through a series of letters addressed to a woman named Grace. It is a quick read, not only because it's a mild 70 pages, but because the story is so engaging that it's a one-sitter. The author's testimony regarding the challenges she has faced as a wife, woman, daughter, and single-mother universally crosses color, class, and faith boundaries.

While written from a Christian perspective and heavily cloaked in religious verbage and theology, most single-mothers from any walk of life will be able to see themselves in this story from one perspective or another. The material shared in the 7 letters depicts a real, raw, and relevant account of the author's circumstances of the 10 year span covered. Just enough details about varying events are offered to paint a clear picture of each particular situation, while not so much as to distract you from the author's overarching theme of God having the power to bring us through any situation, and ultimately for our good.

Each chapter begins with a poem, and concludes with a set of questions designed to prompt more thought about one's own beliefs and values. As a book including poetry, autobiographical accounts and single-mother self-help book all in one, the author has marked little traveled territory genre-wise and sets new and unique standards in the world of self-publishing. In my opinion, that's exactly what self-publishing is all about.

The poem, chapter, and questions could have flowed together more smoothly in the layout, but the overall attempt at this content design style is one to be applauded. As for the testimony itself - empowering, inspirational and motivating! A few more details about specific situations would have painted a more concrete picture in a few of the letters, but that the book is written as letters and not a straight-ahead autobiography, makes this point moot.

For the single-parent looking for light at the end of the tunnel, this is a work that will serve as a reminder that everything happens for a reason and that "trouble don't last always". From a religious standpoint, it stands as a reminder that God will never leave or forsake you. Any way you slice it, the work stands to enhance your perspective on life as a single-parent. Kudos to the author for this valiant effort and courageous offering. Finding this book won't be a problem either, as it is widely available on

amazon (paperback & Kindle), as well as from other major book retailers.

Learn more about the author and her endeavors

DEAR GRACE, LETTERS TO A SINGLE PARENT VLOG

2011-04-21T11:47:00.000-07:00

MORE & MORE LOVE...

2011-04-14T05:10:00.000-07:00

Welcome from Gary from Dr. Gary Chapman on Vimeo.

For more on The 5 Love Languages check out THE WEBSITE...very comprehensive & tricked out with free downlaoadable resources for professionals, such a counselors, pastors, and marriage educators. As a Marriage and Family Therapy graduate student, I was tickled to find free goodies that I can incorporate into my actual counseling, like:

-an informative Podcast

- Assessments for the various love languages and appropriate relationships that allow you to learn your own love language

Now, don't just take my word for it...check out the DVD Promotional Video that allows you to hear about the gist of the book straight from the horses mouth

The 5 Love Languages™ DVD Promo (DPTV) from Dr. Gary Chapman on Vimeo.

ARE YOU SPEAKING THE RIGHT LOVE LANGUAGE?

2011-04-13T21:42:00.000-07:00

Written by renowned marriage and family therapy counselor, Dr. Gary Chapman, The 5 Love Languages: The Secret To Love That Lasts offers an ideology that teaches 5 fundamental ways to express love in marriage and other significant relationships. The ideology stresses that people express their love for one another in various ways and that to identify them is to open the door to healthy communication. Taught from a Christian perspective and written primarily to help couples improve their marriages, the focus of the book is on loving more effectively, which can apply to any relationship. Chapman has discovered that we each have a primary love language, and often communicate our love to others from the perspective of how we prefer to be shown love. Loving from our own perspective contributes to dysfunction in the relationship because we are ignoring the love language of the spouse, or loved one, which is most likely different from our own. As a result of not loving one another according to the primary love language of each individual, our “love tank” runs empty, and this is what contributes to the discourse in our marriages and other close relationships.

Using a communication model, Chapman has termed the 5 love languages: words of affirmation, receiving gifts, acts of service, quality time, and physical touch. Words of affirmation concentrates on using words to affirm the other person, which will in turn increase their self- image and confidence. Receiving gifts is a universal act across all cultures that expresses to a person that they are valued and being thought about. Acts of service requires doing something considerate for a spouse or loved one that requires an investment of time and thought that will lead to that person feeling special. Quality time involves giving one’s spouse or loved one their undivided attention in order to show them how important they are to be with. Physical touch means giving physical attention, such as hugs and kisses, back rubs, massages, outside of sexual activity in order to awaken the love within one’s spouse or loved one. Often, an individual communicates using more than one of these love languages, however, Chapman resolves that there is always one dominate to the others.

According to Chapman, just as with spoken languages, each love language has a variety of dialects, meaning there are specific things that one can do that may speak to a spouse or family member more than another. Chapman believes that learning our spouses or family members love language will change the climate in the house and promote a more loving environment all around. Citing the divorce rates as 40% of first marriages ending in divorce; 65% of second; and 70% of third, Chapman makes a great case for why loving better might save more marriages.

Chapman’s ideology works from the assumption that all marital problems stem from a lack of speaking the effective love language, when in many cases there are more severe problems contributing to the marital breakdown. The model does not consider deeper issues like drug and/or alcohol problems or personality conditions that might prevent the spouse from being consistent with the love language behavior. That one’s love tank needs constant filling by our spouse reflects a more serious problem and Chapman’s ideology negates this core issue. There is a root “why” question that needs to be understood before one can effectively address the “how” question that will move a relationship in the area to be permanently healed in that area. A love deficit is typically indictive of a basic need not being met early in life. In order to change this within an individual needs more cognitive restructuring as to the individual core beliefs need to be addressed or the spouse is likely to run the risk of falling back on their old behavior.

Considering this is written from a Christian angle, my thinking is that Chapman would point out that only a relationship with Christ can truly fill our love tanks. While unconditional love from our spouse communicated in our primary love language will make our marriages more healthy, no one person can make us happier people - only we can accomplish that through our own submission to the joy from a life in Christ. Chapman points out that we spend a lot of time loving for ourselves when we should be loving for others, yet encourages a self-centered approach to giving love in order to get the love that we need.

From a self-help perspective, I think that Chapman does a great job showing the importance of recognizing that we do not all communicate the same in love and that we should be both conscious and considerate of that in our relationships. On the other hand, because family is the the core relationship in our world, I believe that in order to reverse the divorce rate, we need to investigate the deeper human issues that are affecting us individually before we can expect a simple model to revolutionize the way we love and communicate. All in all, it is a great read and a basic step that could help any couple or individual toward developing a healthier relationship.

TE QUIERO MEXICANO!!!

2011-03-30T12:21:00.000-07:00

Me gusto ensalada de taco!!! Besides Peanut Butter & Jelly, our family's favorite collective dish is Taco Salad. I've often thought that if I wasn't proud to be African then I'd gladly assimilate as a Black Mexican since I never tire of the ethnic dishes.

As a non-meat-eater, preparing food can be such an adventure, as we're always trying new things in order to keep our diet interesting. Sometimes though, we want what everyone else is having, so we find ways to modify the ingredients to fit our diet. We maintain a primarily holistic diet, which wouldn't traditionally include processed foods like soy crumbles, but we slip into the vegan, and even sometimes vegetarian range on occasion. So for all you soy replacement nay sayers, this recipe might be a turnoff, but to keep it similar you can use lentils or TVP (texturized vegetable protein) instead of meatless. We find it tastes just as good when we do so.

VEGAN TACO SALAD

organic vegetarian refried beans
vegan meatless crumbles (Boca)
(1 1/2) onion - diced
(8 oz. or 4 large) mushrooms - sliced
(1/3) red pepper - sliced
(1/3) orange pepper - sliced
(1/3) yellow pepper - sliced
(1/3) green pepper - sliced
(1) tomato -diced
baby greens lettuce mix w/ spinach
organic salsa
pepper sauce (optional)
(1 tsp.) olive oil
organic tortilla chips

1. Prep vegetables.
2. Heat skillet w/ olive oil on medium high.
3. Saute onion, mushrooms, and all peppers until vegetables are limp.
4. Add meatless crumbles to the vegetables and turn down to medium until heated throughout.
5. Preheat oven to 300 degrees
6. Heat refried beans in a separate skillet.
7. Place chips on baking sheet & warm in over for 5 minutes.
8. Build your taco salad the way you like it.

For today's lunch, we served it with fresh pineapple on the side & it was a wrap...not that kind of a wrap, it was still a taco salad, but what I'm saying is the pineapple made the dish complete.

Try it...you might like it!

MAKING MEMORIES

2011-03-17T10:06:00.000-07:00

Being a very unique person, it was only natural that eye would also be an extremely unique parent. It wasn't anything eye planned, just came about that way. If we think about it, we can all find things are are unique to us as both parents and individuals. For me, this uniqueness has spilled over into the family & I'm noticing that we have created some pretty original family rituals/habits. These are things that the children greatly appreciate as staples in their lives that eye imagine might be carried over into their own families one day. Here are a few of the things we have established:

*Happy Plate Song
Once a child has completelyeaten everything on their plate during a meal, we all sing to them. We clap our hands, and with every clap we chant:

[Name] has a happy plate
[Name] has a happy plate
Plate, plate, a happy plate
Good eater!

Works best for children under 6, but I sometimes pull it out on my older kids just for fun. My best friend made this up for her preschool children at the YMCA & we have been using it since my oldest was a baby.

*$1 per behavior compliments
Until my children turn 14, they will be be beneficiaries of a dollar reward each time they receive a behavior compliment from someone in public. If the whole group gets a compliment, everyone gets paid; if it's just one, that's who gets the cash. This incentive does wonders when we have long waits or we're at a place that's not so child friendly. Sometimes they get 2 or 3 compliments on one outing, and occasionally, the kind patron will give them the dollar out of their own pocket once I explain to them what they have helped the children accomplish.

*Time to Shine
Whenever we randomly look at a clock & notice that the time reflects the month/date of one of our birthdays, we all break out in beat & rap. One person will beatbox, another bangs on the wall, while all the rest point at the person being acknowledged & kicks our rap while they dance & get wild for their minute. You can make up your own rap, but here's ours:

It's [Name's] time to shine
It's [Name's] time to shine
Go [Name], Go [Name], Go [Name], Go [Name]

It's [Name's] time to shine
It's [Name's] time to shine
Go [Name], Go [Name], Go [Name], Go [Name]

Get ya, get ya, get ya, get ya shine on
Get ya, get ya, get ya, get ya shine on
Get ya, get ya, get ya, get ya shine on
Get ya shine on

Get ya, get ya, get ya, get ya shine on
Get ya, get ya, get ya, get ya shine on
Get ya, get ya, get ya, get ya shine on
Get ya shine over

*Meal Grace
We do a lot of praying over our food, so the same ole' kiddie prayers got old to me really fast. For the past few years, I have encouraged each of the children to contribute new words for race, so here are a couple of my favorites that are very simple & straight to the point:

Creator of all things good
We thank you for our food
Today we pray we are in a great mood
Amen

Adonai, El Shaddai & Elohim, too
Once again we would like to thank you
For this food we're about to receive
So let us enjoy this food & eat
Amen.

Strive to create lasting memories with your children each day. As much as they appreciate new toys & fun outing, they will also enjoy doing things with you that are exclusive only to your family. Try it...you might like it!

READER'S CHOICE

2011-03-10T13:16:00.000-08:00

One of the most common concerns that parents of both public/private educated & home educated children present to me is a desire to see their children reading more. On a weekly basis, a parent explains to me the scenario of how they absolutely love to read, but cannot get their youth to read at all. In many instances, the parent interprets a child's unwillingness to read freely & passionately as a recipe for disaster later in life, which to a degree, is accurate. While reading regularly does promote better reading & understanding, the actual problem to be concerned about is the quality of their reading, otherwise known as reading skills.

Here are some startling statistics from the most recent U.S. Department of Education adult literacy survey:

-Nearly half of America's adults are poor readers, or "functionally illiterate." They can't carry out simply tasks like balancing check books, reading drug labels or writing essays for a job.

-50 percent of American adults are unable to read an eighth grade level book.

-44 million adults in the U.S. can't read well enough to read a simple story to a child.

-More than 20 percent of adults read at or below a fifth-grade level - far below the level needed to earn a living wage.

Even these outdated numbers show enough for concern, as we know that our educational system has only worsened over the almost 20 years, since this recording. Encouraging our children to read more will ultimately be reflected in their testing scores & eventually their success, so to go back to the beginning in which I stated that this is our greatest concern, as parents. I have a degree in English, certified to teach reading & have helped dozens of children learn to read over the years - but more than that, I have been an avid reader since as early as I can remember & know the life-changing benefits of reading first-hand.

Allow me to suggest a few simple steps that just might help your child discover or embrace a hidden love for reading:

*Read to your child at bedtime.
There's no age too young for a child to listen to a book. Kids of all ages love to cuddle with their parents, so make reading an excuse to share love & quality time. Frankly, I started reading to my babies in the womb (not sure if they were actually listening or not). This is as simple as you reading aloud, whatever you are reading. The key here is to get the child used to your voice, but it's a great reason to introduce reading to your growing fetus.

*Take children to the library frequently.

The Public Library is the single greatest free resource in the United States. Absolutely invaluable! Most are open 6-7 days of the week, operate on extended hours, accompany all ages, and have free activities weekly. This is a great place to introduce a child to both books & storytime, as well as to other people who love to read. Also, don't be so stringent at first on what they read. If it's comic books or magazines they prefer, encourage it. If it's a certain type of book (like for a while my son would only read books on animals), then that's okay. So long as the material is age appropriate, I say focus more on the fact THAT they are reading rather than WHAT they are reading. Once you get them hooked, then you can tailor their content & even throw in some of the classics.

*Suggest the child take a book to the bathroom when they're going to be there for a while.
Believe it or not, one of my children thanked me a few days ago for encouraging reading during bathroom "sit-downs". At some point or another, all of the kids have laughed at me for recommending that, but she told me that she believes that it fostered her love for reading. Who knew? It's backfired on me though because now when someone wants to get out of a chore they grab a book & excuse themselves to "go to the bathroom."

*Buy books as treats & gifts.
Instead of buying them candy or a cheap toy that's going to break before you evenget it home, get them a book instead. At any Dollar Store you can grab one for little or nothing; even at a full priced store, you can find a children's book for under $5. We have more books in our house than any other single item because that's all I have ever bought them. With 5 children, we have only one toy box, yet more than a dozen book shelves, baskets, bins, & such. There's not a room the kids can enter & not find an age-appropriate book.

*Schedule a quiet time for the whole family to read together.
You, the parent, are the biggest influence on your child. Children under the age of 12 tend to imitate their parents behavior - good & bad - more than any other person in their life. That said, what better way to get them to read then to make it an activity that everyone does together. Try it maybe one night a week at first...turn off the television & everyone cuddle up together on your bed or in the den, or wherever space permits. Set a time limit, maybe 30 minutes, & do nothing but read. No talking or playing, just reading. In my house, we have Power Hour every day for an hour. During that time, we all read (the younger kids take a nap after 30 minutes). Even if the child is not reading independently yet, he/she can look through a stack of books solely entertaining themselves by looking at pictures, with you reading to them for perhaps 10 minutes of the time.

If you enforce one, two, or all of these techniques, I assure you will see a difference in your child's attitude toward reading, over time. And then there's this one little monkeywrench in the whole system, some people just do not like to read. Period, point blank. But I assure you that this is the exception to the rule, & that you will find that most children say they don't like to read simply because they haven't learned the value of doing it.

RICH RICHES

2011-03-09T19:42:00.000-08:00

On Facebook, I posted about a devotion in God's Calling titled "Surprises". One of the passages from it reads, "As you love to plan surprises for those who understand, and joy in them, so with me. Eye love to plan them for those who see my Love and tender joy in them." Last night at church I received one of those surprises.

Someone blessing me with an anonymous gift, led me to think about how you never know know who's watching and understands your situation. It also exemplifies how GOD will use those you least expect to bless you. If the value of your life is determined by the quality of your living, then the value of your service is measured by your giving. Eye pray that my children learn this early & amass tremendous spiritual wealth from GOD pouring out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it. The same eye pray for you...

FIRST THINGS FIRST

2011-03-08T07:04:00.001-08:00

For the first time in our 11-year homeschool history, the children & I attended a convention - Midsouth Homeschool Convention- centered around the way that we educate. More than anything, being around others who share our same learning ideals felt comforting & natural, in a way that we don't feel on the everyday. Generally, homeschoolers are regarded as weird or cultish, so being surrounded by thousands of homeschooling families was a chance for us to be "normal" for a change.

One thing I learned that would be of value to any parent with a high school student is that the PSAT (Preliminary Standard Academic Test) opens the doors to scholarships, unlike the ACT and SAT, which colleges use primarily for admission purposes. According to Jean Burke of College Prep Genius, if taken during the 11th grade year & well-scored, a student will have so many scholarship offers that they will be turning them down (she said she threw away 7 bags worth of offers for her son). I hope that someone reading will take this information and run with it, that a young person in your life might benefit.

Actually, I took quite a few great classes, such as:

*Challenging Children Through the Study of Real World Algebra
*Building a Homeschool Transcript
*Secrets of the PSAT and Getting Free College
*Parental Rights Amendment: Is It Necessary? Is It Dangerous? (Understanding the Constitution)
*Microbusiness for Teens
*Writing from Home

Younger children were unfortunately left out of the planning for the scheduled activities, but the young adults were able to take advantage of the WorldView Teen trac where my teen took classes, such as:

*Young Lady
*Preparing Young Ladies for their Teen-Age Years
*Dreams, Desires, Decisions
*Biological Organisms and Structures That Evolutionists Won't Show You (Dr. Jay Wile)
*Come and Listen, If You Dare! Etiquette for Teens
*What to Do With the Rest of Your Life: Clear Thinking on Calling and God's Will

The convention rounded out the knowledge with a little entertainment, as well, where popular comedian & homeschool parent, Tim Hawkins had the attendees rolling in the aisles. Here's one of his homeschool skits:

During my interview with the journalist from the Commercial Appeal, I explained that homeschoolers have as many social outlets through our various associations, as children in the public school system. From athletics, to honor socieites, to dances, proms and graduations - our children lack very little in outlets in comparison to the traditional student.

As journalists have been known to do, she took liberties with some of my comments & especially in reference to my disappointment about the lack of diversity. She quoted me as saying I was displeased with the lack of diversity in regards to African-America history, when in actuality I stated that I was most disappointed about the lack of American-African representation all together - from vendors to lecturers to curriculum. While impressed by the breadth of resources and information, I was terribly disturbed at the lack of cultural & ethnic diversity. There was an array of alternative-Christian lifestyle options (i.e. vegetarianism, Amish, holistic health, etc.) represented, but nothing specific to the minority.

However, there was a single class offered, by Ken Ham, based on his book One Race One Blood that touted what we Pan-Afrikanists have known for decades, which is that all humanity comes from Africa & African people. I hate I missed his lecture, but I guess if there was going to be any African-related content, then it's great that it was very fundamental information that needs to be understood by all people before we can truly begin to turn things around in this country educationally, historically, and racially.

PRESS

2011-03-06T09:46:00.000-08:00

Parents, kids attend Christian-focused MidSouth Home-school Convention
More than 3,000 at 3-day event

By Linda A. Moore

Sunday, March 6, 2011

More than 3,000 parents and children came for knowledge, supplies and support at the three-day MidSouth Homeschool Convention, which ended Saturday at the Memphis Cook Convention Center.

The Christian-focused event included a broad range of workshops on academic subjects, etiquette for teens, sibling dynamics and college preparation. Speakers included family psychologist, author and newspaper columnist John Rosemond, whose column appears in The Commercial Appeal.

In the convention's exhibit hall more than 250 vendors offered religious materials, books, and curriculums in mathematics, social studies, music, art, languages, history and science.

"What is out there and available for home-schoolers, it's so overwhelming," said Mary Jo Dean, who with her husband, Brennan Dean, head Great Homeschool Conventions Inc. "You have to pick and choose what you want to do."

Academically, home-schoolers tend to excel, she said.

"Colleges now are seeking home-schooled children because of how they test," Dean said. "We are preparing our children for college."

The biggest misconception about home-schooling is that the children aren't well socialized, Dean said. There are sports, debate teams and in some cases special co-op classes with other home-schoolers, she said.

And for Kana Farrell, 13, being home-schooled has not resulted in mom overload.

"I think it's more of a bonding relationship. Most families don't have that. The kids are gone all day and when they come home they're alone and they don't have that time to spend with their families," said Kana of East Memphis.

Her mother, Oriana Lee, is on the board of Ebony Homeschoolers and the Memphis Homeschool Education Association and has been home-schooling her five children for 11 years.

"I home-school mainly because I felt the school system is not really serving our children well," Lee said.

Her only complaint with the convention was what she felt was a lack of diversity among the vendors, particularly with regards to African-American history.

"Fifteen percent of the more than 2 million home-schoolers are African-American. You would think there'd be a little bit more representation, especially in Memphis," Lee said.

© 2011 Scripps Newspaper Group — Online

P.E.A.C.E. UPON JAM MASTER JAY

2009-10-30T13:53:00.000-07:00

Hear the Headstone Rolling Toward the Sun
(Remembering Jam Master Jay)

during this eternal pause
we shed more than nostalgia
in mourning the void
left at the core of his technics

commonly known to rush transformation
as a mastermind perched in panorama
behind units supporting three to five

his spirits itch roams chafe areas
but no more scratch alive
to flip the evil that is
because it has to be
in spite of

when babies rouse
to comfort
papa will not
& neither run
to jock the box

just another brother pumped by another
rocked hard in the studio with heavy metal
all for the love of casualties re blends breaks & spins

bass sang the purpose in his drum at the last rattle
up until the downbeat fell thumping as godspeak
absorbed in ear candy for tricky talkers of much

baba sun has favored an architect worth less strain
truth be cold as it manifests human remains tagged

the twin tower rockers lay underground but a day
yet tupac, biggie, & jay lay in wake until

-Oriana lee
©2002 Writehanded Communications

*Hear the Headstone Rolling Toward the Sun (Remembering Jam Master Jay) was originally printed in Where Handstands Surprise Us/Pitchfork Battalion(2004)

Support the Jam Master Jay Foundation

WOMAN OF THE HOUR

2009-09-22T20:35:00.000-07:00

Introduced to her awesomely "REAL" writings back in the day, by one of my bestest girlfriends, asha bandele continues to get me open. She's been on my radar again for the last few months since eye replyed to a tweet in which, writer (& much more) dream hampton shouted her out on her born day.

There exists just enough online content for you to do your history if you're not already hip, but seems sister could use a website to boutique her works and goings-on. Some of us are still anal url-ing. An artist of any kind not having a website is like being virtually homeless. Still, seeing it more than eye care to these days. Maybe eye can find a way to make a difference. Maybe...

Anyway, ended up checking the following two part video in the pursuit. One more cool point for asha. NO ONE is more of a sucker for the library than moi. Ha! Right? She's the real deal literary appeal.

*REAL TALK 1*
Personal access to so many of the amazing, accomplished writers that have inadvertently mothered/fathered my style, absolutely BLOWS my mind! Dealing with short bursts of wanting to geek at times. Real talk.

LOVE BY EXAMPLE

2009-08-20T23:28:00.000-07:00

Nothing like true to life supporters. Great folks who exalt you in moments when you need that outsourced energy the most. Just because. No prompting. No prodding.

After finding myself in a situation where thinking will be the dominant activity of my next days, eye will have the time & opportunity to send many boosts of energy through thoughts & prayers. You all are on my mind & in my heart. Always. Know this in my absence from these virtual grounds.

Watch this video for your healthy heaping of daily bread. What an awesome display of love.

HAVE GRACE & MERCY

2009-08-01T11:29:00.000-07:00

First, Jay Dee. Now, Baatin'...
What's happenin'? Dark cloud over cats from the D rappin'?
Let us not forget Proof, too. Truth be. Who see what's going down in Motown? Wow!

Appears Twitter broke another big story. Where are the news reports? Only blogs & spots. Geez...journalism at it's finest...

AIN'T NOBODY GOT NOTHIN' TO SAY

2009-07-28T13:54:00.001-07:00

It pleases me greatly to announce that there are a few quality R&B gems in commercial radio rotation...right now at least. With past behavior being the best predictor of future behavior, it's to early to place a fair bet on this as the beginning of a paradigm shift, but hearing well-written songs certainly does make me nostalgic anymore.

Yeah, older folk say it all the time, "Back in my day, we had real music." It gets to be redundant when all you know is what you have to reference as music is what YOU know. But once you live & grow a little older, it becomes evident that the times really are a'changin'. "When eye was a child"...life was about maintaining a respectable quality in all things made, developed & created.

But not now...

Most of our manufactured goods are made in Asia or Mexico for cheap parts or labor. Most of the popular AND underground music comes from kids who are better at programming computers than they are real-live drum machines & fewer play real instruments.

Jennifer Hudson's single, Giving Myself gives me a reason to believe that the paradigm shift is in full effect. So many things about her make me think Chaka. The pipes. The swagger. The class. As far as female vocalists were concerned, Chaka Khan stood out to me even as a child as Every Woman, in her own way.

Would do these wayward & misguided young girls some good to admire an artist that truly shows them strength & resilience, God & love, & womanism beyond sexism. Kudos to Jennifer Hudson (& team for knocking this one out of the ballpark! Looking forward to the video!

On another note: Would be great if Jamie Foxx took a page out of her notebook on how to make quality & successful black music, but still maintain the Oscar poise. Looking forward to him finding himself.

Chaka Khan - I'm Every Woman
Uploaded by PeteRock. - Explore more music videos.

TAKING IT PERSONAL

2009-07-07T10:05:00.001-07:00

STEVE MCNAIR-R.I.P.????

2009-07-04T13:50:00.000-07:00

Breaking Nashville news of former Titan's quarterback Steve McNair having been murdered has me stunned. No ESPN coverage. Not even CNN. Wow!

Local News : Steve McNair Found Shot to Death

MICHAEL!

2009-06-25T22:29:00.000-07:00

You deserve every scream, holler & praise anyone ever gave. Is this really the end? Friend through rocky times & the thrills. Too bad it's dangerous to kill. Feel like eye wanna ring somebody's neck? What the heck? Who knew he could do it to me, too? Love me. Leave me. Through.

My husband & eye turned our daughter on to the King of Pop at age three (along with the Beatles & Carole King). Since then, our love for him has grown beyond the neighbors fence & well into the community. Having been a major force in my musical upbringing (Mom got to see the Jackson Five in concert as a kid), the news of his transitioning hits me like that of a fond, yet distant uncle would. Saying that he will be missed is way too cliche'. So how about, never a day in World History will pass where somebody doesn't see his footage or think about his legacy and say, "Damn! Eye wanna' be like Mike!" That's right! American Afrikan royalty!

Thanks to the CREATOR for such a blessing as Michael Jackson (even with his flaws...we ALL have them.) His passing...HUMAN NATURE...

One-Hundred Turnip Tennessee Pride Necklace

2009-06-17T10:35:00.000-07:00

Going home to rock the Exit/In with Blueprint, Illogic & Tunnel Clones (Hosted by Big Fella) this Friday, June 19. Usually don't get this excited about performances, but eye am stoked. Looking mad forward to giving & receiving the love!

Read more here

Nashville has more than Young Buck cooking on the Hiphop scene. Shouts to the homeboy, Big Fella!

UNDER THE SPELL

2009-04-21T19:54:00.000-07:00

Six years after her passing, Nina Simone continues to command listeners with her bassy, bossy tones.

OFF TOP

2009-04-20T20:01:00.000-07:00

Mom has always called me Missy
Palate know no sip of Crissy
Ms. Prissy piss me way off
Pray oft' here and fro to stay soft
Used to rock afro puffs being skuff
Nowadays wrap the naps, save the claps
for audience and rowdy crowds
Thinking aloud about how to resound
Repetitious attempt to pound profound
Whether gerund, preposition or pronoun

Planning to one day own the full collection of Oxford English Dictionaries,
but for now, this is a great resource.

SUPADUPAFLY

2009-04-20T14:33:00.000-07:00

The FlyyPaper Theory | A Live Social Networking Experiment
Saturday, April 25, 2009
Doors open @ 8p. Show starts @ 9p.
Precious Cargo- 381 N Main St

Featuring
Oriana Lee (Nashville, TN)- www.orianalee.com | myspace.com/orianalee
Lamar Harris (St. Louis, MO)- www.lamarharris.org | myspace.com/lamarharris
Tonya Dyson (Memphis, TN)- www.tonyadyson.com | myspace.com/tonyadysonmusic

$10 admission

LIFE SCARRY'S BEST LIFE EVER

2009-04-19T06:51:00.001-07:00

Still enjoying yesterday's gloomy morning.
Cloudy skies appeared more beautiful than ever.
Showers seemed inviting and refreshing.
Streams rushed past the sidewalks to the street drains exciting me.

Woke at dawn sure that this would be the best day since yesterday was the best yesterday.

Thoroughly enjoying the squeals of a loved toddler.
Clear blue sky more beautiful than ever.
Sunrays bathe my neck and eye lift my locks for full exposure.
Dreams manifest and new paths present themselves, exciting me further.

227-SPIT

2009-04-09T08:05:00.000-07:00

Turned up on the internet this morning after kiddies did a random search for my name. Had no idea! Wow! My first real video...

"227-SPIT", Ya'll!

Many thanks to Propaganda 13 Video for showing love on the filming. Count Bass D on the track.

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ADOBE, PHOTO, SHOP

2009-03-19T17:54:00.001-07:00

New Mexico looks like the pages from a social studies textbook.
Feels like calm in the middle of the storm.
Beautiful scenery! Super greenery! Good peeps all around.
Towns once underground, filled with earthly images & mountainous sound.

Off to the next gig. Performance poetry on the menu.
Thinking the 15-20 minute set list will be:

Netsanett Ahun
The Expose
Ghetto Soliloquy
Hear the Headstone Rolling Toward the Sun
Stuck on Passion Felt
Mingus Fingers
Living Out My Dream

Might change it up depending on the vibe though. Promoter told me it was cool to keep it loose, so hey...let's do it!

SUPER-HERO CELEBRATION

2009-03-13T16:10:00.000-07:00

After blindly participating in a mostly hidden pregnancy & then enduring a 24 hour labor phase, Oriana lee was born.

HerO-riana, Mama say, "She Rana!"

One of my favorite artists wrote this for me many years ago.
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FAMILY BUSINESS

2009-03-13T11:24:00.000-07:00

Eye know first hand what's it's like to grow in the family business. As a youth, my once obsessive passion for vehicles grew out of my grandfathers love for tinkering around under the hood. Such a fascination that for many years he owned & operated an auto shop that he built & had me help him manage well into my 20's.

Now having children of my own who are musically inclined & likely to end up following Dad & Mom into the business, it pleases me to see solid examples of what carrying on the legacy looks like.

See evidence of two incredible R&B vocalists passing on the torch. So sweet!

SANTA FE - HOORAY!

2009-03-12T21:21:00.000-07:00

Looks like eye will be in Santa Fe while everyone else does SXSW. Catch me if you're around. Austin next year this time. Promise!

OOPS

2009-03-10T11:57:00.000-07:00

We all know that sex between consenting adults is normal. No judgment here as to whether the participants should be married or not, that's a personal choice. What people decide to do specifically during their intimate moments, are, too, up to the individuals. But, when evidence of acts shared privately mysteriously 'go public', it can turn a loving moment into a 'freak' show.

As a person somewhat public, it makes me wonder just what COULD eventually turn up on the web. A high school photo of me surfaced out of nowhere this week. Even though eye was sure those pics died with New Jack Swing, unbeknowst to me, someone from my past was still holding on to the memory.

With that said, eye am curious to know who's leaking all of these private celebrity sex sessions to the public.

Is it a close friend? Family member? The help? Might the stars themselves be involved in some desperate ploy for media attention.

However it's going down, seems that such flicks & images are becoming increasingly more common. Keeping in line with America's double-standard, females are mostly the ones being exposed. With the exception of the ultimate PK, Ray J, who has constructed a whole new tier of fame from his well-publicized tape (so has his co-star), actresses and female MC's are among the most mentioned, and scrutinized.

Don't get me wrong, these powerful, public sheros have the right to do what they will behind closed doors (even with the tape rolling), but obviously need to be more conscious about what happens after the recording stops. Ladies, remember:

1. Take care.
No one can or will protect your 'private parts' or your image like you can. Make sure the people around you can be trusted.

2. Be safe.
Sexual temptation goes back to the original humans, but unlike those times, there is such a a disease called A.I.D.S. that takes no prisoners.

3. Be smart.
A night of fun caught on tape could end up diminishing your funds in the long run. Protect your greatest financial interest - Self!

After peeping around the net for "research" purposes (lol), someone looking on my computer advised me to remember to clear my history before eye loan it out for use. Good advice, too. After some of the images eye came across (after having to change my search filter from moderate), eye am certain my little men are not ready for even a small taste of Kelis' milkshake.

NATIONAL WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH

TENNESSEE PRIDE

2009-03-09T12:54:00.001-07:00

How refreshing! Nikki Giovanni continues to cradle Hiphop as a true God-mother of the culture.

"Hip-hop Speaks to Children" (2008), shows Ms. Nikki's commitment to properly educating the youth of today about the positiveness often unassociated by the masses, but distinctly in her own voice, as always. She is really reppin' as we would hope any elder in tune with our generation would. Thanks for always remaining true Professor Giovanni.

IF EYE CAN'T SAY A WORD

2009-03-06T22:28:00.000-08:00

Karen Clark-Sheard is the BEST singer in the world. Pound-for-pound. Period.

Comes to me eye have written that here before. If so, then just consider this a reminder.

Our meeting this past July - completely divine ordering. Imagine tapping the first domino and watching every other domino fall promptly into place with no effort from you at all. Crazy like that.

Really though, as much as she had impacted my life through her music, and, especially the previous six months, eye always thought it better off not to ever have a spoken exchange. Of course, in this industry it was certainly possible we would cross paths, but eye never wanted to share more than a vibe...maybe a stare. (HA!) All coming from the school of thought that meeting would ruin the image, which would have ideally tainted the fantasy. That's all you have when you have not shared space with someone you admire. We cling to it for that reason.

Ironically, the experience was the total opposite. More pleasant and natural than ever imagined.

Eye am almost certain that my ex-step-father's mother took me to see the Clark Sisters live at a church in Philly around '80-'81. Not being able to confirm that with a family member is a clear examples of the detachments that occur when families breakdown. Stinks. Such is life.

As eye digress...whether or not we were reconnecting, or just current, it was a serious testament to the power of The Creator.

At that very church, eye first recall feeling the Holy Spirit. Tried to join the crowd of worshipers moving to the front of the church. Wow! Amazing how the past evokes as powerful an emotion as the future.

All eye can say - SHE. IS. THE. TRUTH.

Shakti

WHO TO KNOW

2009-03-04T20:27:00.000-08:00

If able to meet any five living persons in the world,
eye would meet...
[DRUMROLLPLEASE]:

1. Dad
2. Grandparents (if applicable)
3. Siblings (if applicable)
4. Dana Owens
5. Barbara Walters
(accused this week of causing a Twitter outage)

Actually, a biography about Ms. Walters propelled my love for writing. This is one of those "you would never guess it" facts about me. Still not sure if it was her story or great perspective by the book's author, but from that moment in second grade it was as if something was bestowed upon me bound to eventually come out in a book of my own. Sure wish eye could find that book in a library or at a used book sale just so eye can figure it all out. But thanks to those forces, Something To Cope will be available through Kindle Books. YEAH!! All digi-tal, baby!

CUCKOO

2009-03-02T11:08:00.000-08:00

While begrudgingly buttering toast (darn...after discovering no bagels), a classical piece coming softly, but forcefully through the radio speakers caught my attention. It's been a while since eye wanted to purchase music on first listen, but this one hit me in my middle digital download section. The instruments played like the soundtrack to my Monday & the movements naturally moved my mood in a more positive direction.

When the DJ finally broke to announce the playlist, eye listened eagerly for the name & felt comforted when it rolled off of her tongue. "How ironic?", eye thought while chuckling.

"On Hearing the First Cuckoo in Spring" couldn't be more fitting!

READY FOR MARCH MADNESS

2009-03-01T11:57:00.001-08:00

Usually, March 1 initiates an itch under my skin for springtime air. But, as today brings us the first real west Tennessee snow in the three years we have been here, eye am finding winter to be a welcomed seasonal guest. But ever since streaming the Super Bowl, eye have wanted to watch sports for the first time since not owning a television. Something about the healthy competition that stirs excitement in my own winning pursuit.

Gimme a sec to find a live feed & consider this afternoon a wrap. Putting on my fan robe. Toasting to the Sol inside & out! College basketball- count me in the pool. Got $5 on it!

2009-02-26T19:04:00.001-08:00

OPEN CASKET?

Much debated is the argument as to whether genuine Hiphop continues to grow or if it has become stagnant through commercialization, like Jazz, Blues & Rock - forever stuck in a past tense. While moot, scholars & die-hards continue to present evidence to show that the culture is alive & thriving, at least from their perspectives.

Shout out to author & English professor, Mickey Hess for continuing to challenge the theory & presenting facts that should indeed be considered before burying the movement in a 24-carat gold casket at Forest Lawn alongside Dilla.

Is Hip Hop Dead: The Past, Present & Future of America's Most Wanted Music dissects the elements of rap that make up what have led to the bastardization of the whole culture and places them under a magnifying glass for fine analysis. Filled with lyrics and quotes from some of your favorite MC's, his approach to getting to the bottom of the matter is well worth exploration.

SMELLING THE FLOWERS

2009-02-26T14:09:00.000-08:00

So...a few loved ones have been on my case lately about my lack of lack of visibility as a writer. Eye initially pulled back from journalism to write Something To Cope, but kept my chops up by creating the now defunkt, In The Know entertainment newsletter.

Once that phased out a few years ago, my commitment to blogging was a firm one that would surely help me stay on top of my game. But, due to difficulties both technical & some personal, that has become sometimey, with a post here and maybe a post there from time to time. We all know that's bullshit (def: Taurian mess) for someone mostly known as a writer. Here today eye am deciding to try the blogspot format, as eye have always used the original Blogger format that's embedded in the writehanded.com/orianalee.com site. With the support of my peeps, my own drive & motivation and your readership, eye am determined to get this back on track. Fo' sho!

On & poppin'!!!

SONY BOLOGNA

2009-02-23T13:35:00.000-08:00

In 2000, eye graduated from Tennessee State University with a degree in English. At the time, freelancing was my gig & eye was surely on my career path. My plan was to close the chapter with a graduation celebration (another story), but to start my new journey with the new Sony ICD-R100 digital recorder in hand. Talk about life-changing technology! For the past years, eye had recorded all of my interviews with an MC tape recorder, or on paper in rare instances where a recorded was prohibited. Eye was certain that this sleek device would put me on the next level as a journalist. Eye would be able to dump my audio directy into the computer with the aid of a connector and not have to clutter my office with micro cassettes. One less thing to buy. In a recession, that matters...eye guess.

Fast forward a few years to me finding it in my desk drawer today..piece of crap equipment. As it turns out, Kathleen Cleaver and Bobby Seale have been trapped in this device for a few years now, so it's basically serving as a glorified storage device for these valuable exchanges. Neither wanting to discard these precious moments, but wanting to use the contraption of it's intended purpose...eye fret. Between a rock and a hard place some might say. Hmmmmmmmmm... For some strange reason, the discs won't load. Weird, but true. Can you help?

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HEY MR. DJ

2009-02-18T09:47:00.000-08:00

Good looks to the homie Gee-O for including me in his latest
Podcast. Big up to all the other DJ's bangin' Oriana lee sounds on the net & airwaves. Looking forward to my next opportunity to blaze the microphone. Hopefully within the week.

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TWITTER VS IM

2009-02-14T11:06:00.000-08:00

Seems more & more people are offering me their IM info as an easier means of communicating than email. Admitting that it feels awkward, the practice of giving out screen names is increasing in the wake of Twitter. Go figure!

Considering your favorite celebrities (Shaq), musicians (Erykah Badu) & writers (dream hampton) are conversing daily right in front of the whole world, eye am left to ponder who really thinks that IM is the preferred choice anymore. Not to sound like a sales rep, but it just makes so much more sense to tweet, all around.

Unlike the various IM apps, Twitter does not require an internet bundle on your cell. So whether you are in the office or away at the beach, you have access to your base. On Twitter, you are everyone. We are all connected. Big up to Danyel Smith for making mention yesterday on Twitter. Wow! This medium is effortless to cite. Perhaps they have some sponsorhip dollars lying around..eye speak of the service all day already (cracking mysef up today). HA!

But on the real money tip:

We need computers people. Won't you please be...my neighbor? Help! Please. Techs & geeks alike welcomed. Apple hook-ups desired (more than anything). Real talk!

Valentine's Day passed as just another for me. Here's the motto eye held dear that day...
"Can't be with who you love,
love the one you're with."

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OPEN FOR BUSINESS

2009-02-14T07:58:00.000-08:00

Technically, it's out first day back in school from winter break. We decided to skip the traditional December/January break so that we could take off for our two January birthdays, the inauguration, and other early Feb. activities. We hit the library, Kinko's, and now proudly announce the first effort of our True School Academy fundraiser for new computer equipment. We run a technology based school, so it's really our most important tool in the classroom.

Currently, we're operating with a PC down, in addition to a G4 that won't boot, so we're down to a fairly functional laptop & my Powerbook. We decided that with all of the kids in the neighborhood, we would try our hand at pushing candy, cookies, chips & hugs to the other sugar fiends around the way. Feeling a little guilty about it, eye guess, but this is where we are starting nonetheless. Hopefully we can step our game up to more healthy treats in the near future. Sooner than later, as the babies are already acting out like crack addicts, downing hugs & dancing around chasing their tails.

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"E" IS FOR EVERYONE

2009-02-12T20:37:00.000-08:00

Eye have to ask myself, "What is so friggin' difficult about a post a day?" There was a time when being a blogging fool was right up my alley. It seems that over time, the frustrations that eye have come up against with using Blogger through my site & never converting to an actual Blogspot has slowed down my stride. Quite frankly, it has put a complete damper on my output & has diminished my readership greatly. Bad place to be as a writer. Terrible, actually. But, as Percy Shelley once said: "Fear not for the future, weep not for the past." & this is where eye am with the matter. Months of posting, as empty as my van fuel tank, will be no more. This evening, share my spirit of complete renewal & rededication to "the blog". If eye falter, then have your way with me loyal readers...well, within reason, of course. But leave this site feeling like you want to come back for more. Again & again. Please!

Tweeting up a storm though...so check it...Me on Twitter

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HAPPY DILLA DAY

2009-02-07T09:49:00.000-08:00

Remembering James Yancey today, along with the rest of the Hiphop world. Rumors that Ma' Yancey's battling a health condition have been circulating recently. Let us keep her uplifted with both spiritual & financial support.

Found some pics from February 7, 2008...

Exactly one-year ago, NickJr. debuted the Dora-inspired, Ni Hao Kai-lan.
Whereas we normally pride ourselves in not participating in the hoopla surrounding new commerical shows & products, this time around, we fully indulged. Our long time friend, Matt Mahaffey had actually superceded his Shrek scoring by landing a steady gig as the musical director for this show & the children were very excited. Me, too (actually)! Now the show's up for it's third season. Home run!

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MY MICHELLE

2008-11-13T11:30:00.000-08:00

Michelle happens to be a name of remarkable strength. Michelle has honestly been the most magnetic name to show up in my inner circle.

My middle-sister is Michelle (Ambiance). She, by the way, came over last night and single-handedly boosted our van so that eye could go to O'Reilly's to have the battery and alternator tested. Turned out to be a loose bolt.

My first BFF was Michelle in Harrisburg circa 1980. We used to sneak and ride our bikes to the back of our apartment complex and pick catkins from the pussy willow trees that grew near the stream.

Michelle Lake was a BFF in junior high who split a boyfriend with me, hooked me up with another favorite puppy-lover and somehow drew her whole family into my life over time (her mother-the first librarian eye knew). We even met back up in college (freshman year).

There's the unique Mieachelle Cannon from one of my high school clics - my cut-up.

There's the Michelle eye fell for a few weeks ago in Dalton that immediately became a sister-friend for life. And there are others. Michelle Obama is no exception. Just recently eye have found myself three close degrees in reach. "Eye ain't braggin' or nu'in", but that powerful energy must be acknowledged. It makes me all fuzzy to see her so adorned with attention, admiration and adoration.

YOU GO GIRL!!!

[GIBRALTAR TYPED THIS GIBBERISH WHILE EYE WENT TO SETTLE THE OTHERS FOR NAP
;;;b;bbb;;;;;;;;;;;;;]

*TIDBIT: Jay Leno shares my born date.

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TIME WAITS FOR NO ONE

2008-10-23T14:21:00.000-07:00

So much has transpired since the site went down a few weeks ago. You know already, financial difficulty. Yep. It's true. Still broker that a bomb joke.

But here we meet again. Handful of new tracks in the can & all is lovely.

1. 227-SPIT (Prod. by Count Bass D)
2. Music For My Mother Dear (Prod. by J. Rawls)
3. The Write Way Remix (Prod. by Count Bass D featuring H2O & Lee Green)
4. You Gotsta (Prod. by AmDex featuring H2O)
5. Day Lite (Prod. by AmDex featuring H20)

Meanwhile...romantically, eye have stepped out with another. Outside of my relationship, eye am afraid. & yes! It's causing major eruptions.

Eye love Mic.

It's True.

We had a fling last week that might lead to something more permanent. Happiness? Gotta find out! & know that eye have always gone out of my way to distinguish what eye do as a writer as completely different than the category where critics place me. F.E.M.C.E.E. (What up, Starhh!) But to deny this chemistry, would make me born dead. & trust me. After a week AWAY, alive is no jive. THIS IS LIVING!

As for Mic, eye have known Mic for as long as eye can remember. Mrs. Dora Berkley (Sylvan Street Baptist Church pianist) had her way with me every Saturday night before Junior Choir Sunday in order to insure that my solo's were kneading halo's. Mic was always hangin around her organ.

It's all so coming to a head. My name has been in print on records since '95; voice recorded since Dwight Spit/Day By Day in 2001. Mic must be highly regarded as an old friend who has always shown up at just the right time. September 12, 2001 - out with Mic. After the Twin Towers conspiracy, relief & letdown was on my mind. For those of you who know the real goods, remember that eye almost lost...well, took my own life weekend prior. Whew! What an ordeal!

So...with all of these children & grown man kid running around me all day, eye lost focus. My vision became smudged & blurred. Stepping away from my life allowed me to see it for what it is, not what eye was imagining.

Shawne Bailey...
H20...
Kid Captain Coolout...
MY DRUNK UNKA...
YOU SAVED MY LIFE!
GIVE THANKS!

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STUCK UP

2008-10-10T20:00:00.000-07:00

For as long as eye can remember, Post-its have been clocking my dedicated dollars. Generic will not do. Stickies has to be one of my strongest addictions.

Eye use Apple stickies program faithfully. Then slap pink hearts filled with lyrics all over Macxie in additon. Small & large squares on walls, mirrors, desktops and cabinets. Multi-color notepads strategically placed all over the house for in my face to-do reminders. Sometimes eye even sticky notes onto my laminated organizing list.

This might just be out of hand, my friends. Just a tad bit obsessive. But for good reason. People get so frustrated when they borrow my laptop because the notes are everywhere but on the screen & keys. After an initial jolt of guilt, eye have to remember, they are borrowing MY computer...deal with it.

Wonder if Post-it digital notes are worth the investment. Thinking about at least trying it before taking the plunge. Eye know myself enough to know that it will probably be added simultaneously with my paper treats instead of using it to truly eliminate & streamline all of the clutter.

ALL DAY

2008-10-08T16:57:00.000-07:00

How long has it been since eye have had a nap? Months eye tell you. Months! It's rare that the night even permits sound sleep. But times are a changing. Getting better by the moment. Wondering if eye should pursue graduate school. Thinking about New Mexico, New York or Cali. Must be looking for something more liberal than what eye know. Fo sho'!

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ROCK MY WORLD

2008-10-07T13:10:00.000-07:00

Talk about shook! As much as the internet is access to all information, sometimes it can be too much. As much as eye love knowledge (Nolij was my first MC name; don't get it twisted), there are moments when not knowing may feel like a better option.

After job hunting for teaching work on the internet, eye was led astray by links, as usual. Eventually eye ended up at this article about a man wrongly charged with murder on his way to death row when charges were miraculously dropped.

Tommicus Joyce Article

Whoa! This is my...first real boyfriend! Death-row? Murder? What the bleep! This dude got me in so much mess at school & at home it wasn't even funny. We lived together at a motel for all of two weeks when eye was 16. My only visit to planned parenthood was because eye was scared that playing grown up was going to make me a teenage mother. What the bleep? Now be mindful that my Mom despised this dude (maybe that's not a strong enough word, but for lack of a better it will do), but my hardheaded Self was entranced by the good hair & green eyes. The relationship was very rocky. But that all said, would eye wish him to death-row? Hell, no. HELL NO!

Apparently he's on a better path these days. Above is a picture of him from August 2008...red shirt. Yeah!

We ALL lead Jerry Springer lives folks. Ask Michael Eric Dyson...

Michael Eric Dyson Article

Headed to court mySelf tomorrow. It could ALWAYS be worse...

Starting my own Gangsta Party to get ready. N.W.A. Ya'll...

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UNTIL TODAY

2008-09-08T23:59:00.000-07:00

Until Today!: Daily Devotions for Spiritual Growth and Mind by Iyanla Vanzant has been my A.M. reading for much of 2008 (Thanks, Sis). Having followed much of her career in print and on television, her "IT FACTOR" never before stood out to me; even to the point of passing up free and paid chance to see her in person. Timing really is everything!

"Game can only be gotten by one who can get it."

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EYE QUIT

eye quit
at the same time eye acquit
for charges accrued during
this amazing relationship
sharp nit-pick wit resonates
mostly hate, rare elation
please accept this measly poem
as sufficient resignation

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REAL OR MEMOREX

2008-09-05T21:45:00.000-07:00

With all of the music-related reality shows, there is no excuse for anyone trying to break into the business to be ignorant about "a day in the life". Even with the scripted scenes & editing, thick game is coming from the industry vets turned actors. Watching these shows (free online), has really helped me examine my own strengths & weaknesses as both an artist & executive. Twenty minute weekly tutorials in how to consistently step my game up can only serve me well. In order to maximize my gain, eye don't buy into the drama with the characters much, but watch the movers that really count - the moguls & henchmen. It's not all about the entertainment, but the edutainment. Try it, you might like it! For starters (in no particular order):

1. I Want to Work for Diddy

2. Luke's Parental Advisory

3. Run's House

4. Keyshia Cole's The Way It Is

5. DMX:Soul of a Man

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ALWAYS & FOREVER

2008-08-13T17:11:00.000-07:00

Pantherhigh.com has connected the link to those eye loved back in the day; Sherrie Betts, Ilya Clay. Some are gay, many married straight. Some profiles say happy, some devoid of pics. The internet - SICK! Relationships are now forever, never to miss a step. Bet!

TWO BABES, TWO DAYS, TWO CELEBRATIONS

2008-08-08T16:49:00.000-07:00

Preteen-dom has hit our home, as our preschooler gets closer to little big boy age and further away from the baby stage. Hallelujah! Another chance to reflect on our blessings. Night has come the last evenings before eye have had a chance to even rest my size 10's, but in the end, surely it's worth the sacrifice. One thing is for sure, the love that they give Mama Olee is beyond measure. & eye need it!!! Mothering, my pleasure!

FROM INNER SPACE

2008-08-04T21:26:00.000-07:00

These days, the Baby Sun's compete for every infinite moment of Mama's waking when we're alone without the larger stars to distract their incessant frenzy. Tonight, they are in opposition to anything that moves me - mop included. Numerous failed attempts to sit them still led me to finally encourage their natural busyness. Music came to mind as an aid, so eye frantically searched my iTunes for a winner. "Eureka! Let's try Sesame Street."

Two songs displayed, "Sesame Street (Theme)" & "1-2-3 Sesame Street" (Stevie Wonder).

After more than half an hour of repeat play, the lads are still entranced & singing as if they haven't heard this pairing ever before. As a benefactor of Jim Henson's brillance, my foyer tile & bathroom linoleum shine the Pine Sol glow. The smell of clean pervades our dwelling space. Fresh!

Ole' E[arth] anxiously prepares to welcome Jupiter into our evening (9:30 pm Central).

*Don't forget to cleanse your cosmological argument at the Annual Meteor Shower on August 12-13.

MEAN SLEEP

2008-08-03T07:09:00.000-07:00

When an inflatable bed deflates around your rest, waking on the jungle floor can be a very stiff experience. The stress impressed upon my deltoids might best be massaged out with meat tenderizer & cleaver. Call the butcher. Call the baker. Call the mattress maker. Mr. Sealy, please posture me better - a lucky summer six will suffice!

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HAPPY (BLACK MUSIC MONTH) PEOPLE

2007-06-11T08:19:00.000-07:00

Seems it was the legendary soulster Charlie Wilson who pointed out that R. Kelly never misses musically. When you look over discography, you will too notice this is true. While many of his tunes do not suit my particular taste, ain't no future in frontin' on his ability to produce a hit. R & B has been riding on the wings of his talent for the last decade. From one R & B head to another, if Teddy Riley is the O.G., then Robert is today's long-reigning King. No matter what personal mistakes, can you really argue that he's at least among the greatest in the genre? Some people will argue anything...but why?

BIRTHDAY PRESENT POEM

2007-04-28T10:00:00.000-07:00

The hole house smells like a party
There is power in the black one
Good friends tailor the tapestry
How fun to have a double fudge tongue
The little brother’s smile blooms
As he counts his half-a-buck
Disposable cameras focus zoom
Capturing the relic epoch

Take a pill & watch it grow
The ultrasound seals one below
Go, go, it’s your birthday!
In your name, we gather for earth day
Today marks the first of the rest
For your sake, we celebrate birth

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FOLX NAME FIND

2007-03-28T14:38:00.000-07:00

For all the positive feedback on Something To Cop:Abridged From the Book, Something To Cope, eye say "Word"! For all the constructive criticism, "Word"! Many thanks to all who hold me down on the regular.

Can you find your shout on the backcover?

Peace people...

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NEW ADDITION

2007-03-26T08:29:00.000-07:00

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IN THE BOX

2007-02-10T07:46:00.000-08:00

Look at the contents in Oriana lee's bedside box. Can you identify the following items?

Backup data DVD
Bulb syringe
Caramello candy bar
Cell phone charger
Cordless phone
Community Education Guide
Compositon Notebook
Earphones
Everything Mac manual
Idlewild DVD
Lime Green Sharpie
Mabook charger
MacBook remote
Neflix
Pink Journal
Saline nosedrops
Self-help paperback book
School-related library book
Writehanded Com promotional pen

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2007-01-10T08:07:00.000-08:00

ORIANA LEE:UNPLUGGED

Water has been most therapeutic as my physical self prepares for harvest. The temple has consumed as many showers as meals & two or more four-ozs of pure fluids have been guzzled daily in these last hours. While my waters may not have broken, they sure help heal aching emotions. Temporarily, at least.

**Had eye noticed the mispelling of "therapeutic" earlier, it would have been changed. If you see something like that before me, don't hesitate to reach out. It's all to the good! Even Oriana lee makes mistakes folx ;).

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2007-01-04T13:03:00.000-08:00

SUCCESS IS MANIFESTATION OF THE CREATOR'S DIVINE PLAN.

2007 + Wholistic Healthiness= Supreme Happiness

Dreams do come true. Akin to mares. So we should visualize our prayers as we do our risks to assure a positive outsome. Fear is not real. Eye am living out my dream.

We will be learning Supreme Alphabet & Mathematics this month once we wrap up our introduction to the Old Testament. Besides that we will focus only on Spanish and Arithmetic. With certain assurance, this schedule should stimulate growth & build synapses. Accomodating the new baby will be primary during this period so we thought it best to lighten our class load while strengthening our unit.

Zig Zag Zig.

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2006-12-30T20:41:00.000-08:00

Communication with the virtual world has been choice in these last weeks of this Gregorian year. Once this unborn manifests my physique will be as slim & trim as my social output, at least until Something To Cope drops. Until then, get acquainted with another dimension of Oriana lee through Something To Cop:Abridged From the Book Something To Cope (Digital Only). By any artistic means necessary!

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2006-12-16T21:37:00.000-08:00

'BOUT IT, 'BOUT IT

Many days have passed since stars filled my backyard ceiling. It takes being all the way out in no man's land to enjoy nature anymore. Even the little dipper in sight. Amazing! Transformation will take place with or without you. Dig?

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2006-12-16T15:23:00.000-08:00

ME...WACKO???

"The worse thing you can call a person is crazy. It's dismissive"
-Dave Chapelle

If my bank account allowed me the freedom to up & run away to Afraka right now, God only knows how fast my long legs would get me to the first available airline carrier. The last time that "a friend" called me crazy, eye hauled off and punched them square in the face. That was in two thousand and one in the midst of a revealing therapy stint that left me confronting the supressed molestations of my childhood. It would be years before eye could frankly admit that a raging nut is exactly what was brewing in my brain, though the guilty party had since changed their story to appear as though they had only said eye was acting crazy. Semantics; same difference. Lying can ease one's inner guilt.

For that same person to act out and call me crazy (no acting in there for certain) today bounces off my back and dead into the water because what does not fit simply cannot stick. It actually makes me chuckle at times because eye feel so fortunate to be so sane to even know the difference at this stage in my life. Empty words cannot hurt me, neither can they fill me anymore. Truth however, does hurt those who are unwilling to face it. If telling the truth makes me a lunatic, then nominate me queen, because that's what self-analyzation has led me to honor most within myself.

Love makes people do strange things. The lack of love leads people to show their true lack of compassion in strangely forced ways. Eye love my self enough to not want to continue to subject myself to the abuse that comes from the lack thereof. Eye love my unborn enough to want a healthy arrival in a safe and loving environment. Somehow, someway, without money or midwife, eye am certain that the creator has love for us. In this mindstate, eye await the blessings in store.

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2006-12-04T18:32:00.000-08:00

...BEING HONEST

Being married in the entertainment business is more of a challenge than the rigors of this industry itself. It's no wonder unions don't last more than a hot second with all the pressures. Plus, it's a complete fact that real artists are absolutely out of their minds, which makes it tough if you're a spouse with any square tendencies at all. The fact that they don't even know it makes the likelihood of a smooth ride nearly impossible.

Prior to this pregnancy, just how a woman could consider aborting her precious unborn baby always brought me to a point of judgement.

"How could she think like that?" How could she go through with it?"

Only during this, my fifth pregnancy, did that become an option that has crossed my mind on more than one occassion. When it became clear back in the Spring that eye was indeed expecting again, instantly eye thought of the many sister-girls in my life who have chosen this path. They always complain afterwards of an emptiness & guilt that never goes away. Even still, knowing just how unlikely that my financial circumstances would change during the course of this gestational period, it seemed like a logical step - for everyone's sake. Of course, now in the eighth month of pregnancy, we all know what the final outcome of those original thoughts, the struggle with my choice still lingers.

Having survived a series of infidelities (common in the business; common in a marriage) over the last years, in addition to a temper of my own that has gotten so out of control at times that my man could have easily had me hemmed up on spousal abuse charges, it seems almost wrong to bring another child into this roller-coaster relationship; this insane world. But as we all know, no matter how hard we try, we don't always control these things. It's so much bigger than our daily worries.

As my girlfriend affirmed a while back, "We all lead Jerry Springer lives." So damn true!

Some of you will gasp at my candor; others will judge & criticize. Hopefully all will be able to see the beauty in my brutal honesty to some degree as we could all stand a little more truth & reality in our day to day. My people won't even flinch, as they will tell you that this is just the type of REAL gal that eye am. No matter how you know me - as an artist, business-woman, friend or foe, my desire is that you too come to have a glimpse into this fantasy life called the music business understanding that we are one people in the end.

Your tail stinks when you purge your colon the same as mine. We all put on our socks one foot at a time. Let's love & support each other instead of tearing one another apart. Life is too short to do it any other way. Don't be skerred.

Much love to you & yours!

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2006-12-03T18:22:00.000-08:00

pack rat

noun
•a ratlike rodent that accumulates a mound of sticks and debris in the nest hole, native to North and Central America. Also called wood rat.
• a person who saves unnecessary objects or hoards things.

In moving from one residence to the next, it's imperative to recognize that purging is as important as packing. Just this season I have trashed a broken fan, a well-worn pack-n-play, several pairs of outdated shoes, too small clothing, bits of trinkets, pieces of toys & many other long held on to items. Many people hold on to things unnecessarily with no purpose in mind. That's a pack rat. To hold on to useful objects that are mendable or simply out of sorts is what us Black Americans call making due with what 'cha got. There's a big difference. Po' folk know the difference. Only the beholder can determine the value based on their particular needs & purposes.

It stings when someone regards your treasure as junk, not recognizing that we all have those collectables that only we deem important for a variety of reasons. As they [do not exist] say, "People are people" & "All around the world same song". Just days before Granny returned to the essence, she gave me an old change purse stuffed with 100 dollar bills & assumably junk jewelry. While the money has been long spent to the good of the family, the jewelry remains as my personal fortune. If it wasn't for Granny - an accused pack rat, eye wouldn't understand the contradistinction.

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2006-11-30T07:22:00.000-08:00

DIPPITY DOO OR HAIR GEL

Kana is participating in Metro's annual presentation of the mini-Nutcracker and in reading the costume requirements it's obvious that they know they have some black angels because it is worded that the girls wear "light lipstick and blush appropriate to one's skin color." Funny, huh? Granny would be so proud to see Kana playing her position the way she does in the performance. She always loved for us to be on stage or front and center in any capacity.

Granny...Granny...Granny...[heavy sigh]

Granny would always say to me "You have a life of your own to live. No one can live it for you. You need to worry about controlling you." Over and over throughout my youth these words would manifest at the end of a discussion or chastising regarding me minding someone else's business.

How does one maintain that viewpoint when someone else's life becomes your own to a degree? Like in marriage or parenting. Still trying to figure it all out.

Balance=key

It will be imperative that the ten hugs requirement be fulfilled today in order to soften this heavy heart. Being heavy with child only compounds what's going on emotionally. Prayer warriors, please remain steadfast.

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2006-11-26T07:29:00.000-08:00

SEEKING BFM

Gotta find Carlotta! Anybody know where my favorite midwife friend can be found? Please hit me with her info. My last cell phone was so toe' up that my contacts could not be transferred. Don't you hate when that happens?

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2006-11-24T18:53:00.000-08:00

CREDIT REPORT

Three Novembers ago, my career foci went from True School & Writehanded to CountBassD.com. For that long, this has been my primary job as a professional, in addition to the many years of part-time service. We have since added two children to the equation - this fifth being due January 8. As my run as full-time manager draws to a close, it's important for me to speak candidly to those of you who have helped make it all possible.

Of all of the pursuits in my life, artist management has to be the most thankless - honestly, downright graphically demeaning oftentimes. [This coming from a woman who sold automobiles at one of the grimiest lots in town and also co-managed a greasy car repair shop for years.] If not for the consistent encouragement of so many of our supporters (financial, spiritual & emotional), you would have wiped up the floor with my towel long ago.

As we continue to be thankful, allow me to extend special gratitude to those supporters who have taken an interest in championing the personal efforts of Oriana lee - as mother, wife, manager, educator and writer. Your encouragement does not go unrecognized. It's you who have let me live, so take a big whiff of your roses while you still can (in no particular order):

The Farrell Family (at large)
The Jackson/Williams Family (at large)
Papa
Shawne Bailey
Steve Balser
Mr. Merge
Roughian
Charles Kiskadden
Tee Little
Dee Little
Jazzy Sport Crew
Van Hunt
Shellie R. Warren
K. Danielle Rucker
D.J. Fisher
Shyria Coleman
Erika Reed
Menah Pratt
Tarrin
A.C. the PD
Adrian Constant
Biel & Cynthia Fuller
Hunter Brown
Alemah
Lady Jaz
Brother J
Cousin Chris
Corey Bloom
Seth
Donnell Floyd
M.C. Eades
Joyce Harris
Auntie Easterlyn
Sacha Williamson
Frank E.
Nep
Hajile
J. Millz
J.P. & Shellie
Jason Batog
Shiro
NLZ
Sheila Rawlings
Vanessa Vex
A to the L
Thomas Brown

Peace, people.

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2006-11-24T08:40:00.000-08:00

GET DIS MONEY

What 'cha say?
Get 'dis money!
If they say, "What 'cho gon' do today?"
Just say, "Hey, I wanna' get paid."

While most of my fellow Americans will be caught up in the spending storm this morning, yours truly we be holding the position as top earner. Retail stores aren't the only ones in pursuit of at this time. Count me in!

Something To Cop:Abridged From the Book, Something To Cope got lost in the system somehow. We'll be making things right with the digital distributor this afternoon. Thanks for your patience!

Payday, payday payday!
Payday, payday payday!

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2006-11-23T09:33:00.000-08:00

ROCK SOLID RECOGNITION

How does one praise creation for the ability to make another human being unhappy by just looking at, talking with and tending to emotion? Giving in this instance means turning that inner out then returning them wrapped up in a large sheet of your bullshit. Neither the heart to leave or love.

How does one explain to a five year young man who recently reverted to fussing, fighting and making it a habit to wake in a pool of piss because his guardians' arguments have developed in a him a fear about divorce that it is a fact of life? That what's real is real. That what hurts is pain.

How does one forgive the mother who last addressed her only girl and grandbaby as bitch just days before her drunkenness drowned due to a knock on the head which led her to bed - forever? Her only salute in 18 months - a soul teardrop from behind assisted breaths. Sore grows within.

How does one revere a wife who punches on papa then punishes her child for hitting out of anger or a husband who names his son a punk then corners him into cowering? Parents lack perfection in their performance which makes for a sorry show. Happy go lucky.

How does one thanksgiving holiday beget a series of losses with equal paying gains evermore? Jive turkeys stuff our spirit in this land of taxidermy. Chess squares fill Chester memories rich enough to help us poor people hobble on down the road until we arrive at the next stop. The pray in Gesthemane a continuum.

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2006-11-21T09:24:00.000-08:00

BUILDING BRIDGES

Quality songs should capture human emotion as deeply as well-crafted poetry.

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2006-11-19T17:14:00.000-08:00

JIVE ASS MUSIC MADNESS

Looking so forward to visiting the mistress. Therapy allows freedom to vent that's disapproved of in the natural environment. It's hard when situations & individuals have inflicted hurt, but then disallows a chance to grieve over the loss or situation that brings on such hurt. Frustrating to say the least. If not properly managed, the anger from that alone can lead to a world of problems that no one ever predicted.

TIP: When someone tells you repeatedly that they are not a team player, don't try to force them to work in a group just to round out the force. Only you will end up loser in the end. Then who's to blame?

Thanks to all for the positive feedback on Mingus Fingers. It's still one of my favs to date. If you still haven't previewed it, then what's the wait?

Simple enough!

Anyone know of a credible artist manager that might fit in well at CountBassD.com, please send contact info:

Hit me!

"Sarasvati knows the fool in it."

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2006-11-17T18:19:00.000-08:00

If you are in the Nashville area, go & check out an incredible musician playing in town tonight and tomorrow. One of my best friend's brother actually. Support!

Bernhard Gueller and Awadagin Pratt with Nashville Symphony

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2006-11-17T12:08:00.000-08:00

A MAZEING

People say the darndest things. Leaving it there for now. Giving thanks for the ability to work from home for nearly a decade now. What a blessing! To even think about joining the traditional corporate or blue collar workforce gives me frightful chills. Yuck! For those of you who put the sole/soul to the pavement everyday, kudos! It may not be long before eye become a part if things continue in this direction for us financially.

Think long and hard before entering the music business. Again, think long and hard.

Ironically, we got a call yesterday from the tv show Wife Swap. If you remember, Trading Spouses contacted us a while back. It trips me out how badly these people want us involved. Of course, there are so many concessions that we would have to make,that no matter how appealing the money, it just does not seem right. We're holding out for the right opportunity yet. There has to be something fitting for a Hiphop dad & family that allows us to keep our ethics in tact. Right?

We're looking for a major blessing on this move to Florida in the upcoming weeks. My mother in law is still fighting the good fight against cancer. As a gift to my husband, eye am bound & determined to fulfill this plan. Somehow. Someway.

Something To Cope will again be a dream deferred in order to bring this to fruition as all funds are being used for the move. To me, there is no sacrifice too great for life. Both my mum & spouse deserve this time together as Dwight left home at 13.

Missing Granny should be the strength needed to pull us through to the other side. Boy...do eye miss her! The pastor/friend that eulogized her tried to preach to me yesterday in the grocery store, not initially recognizing who he was recruiting. He thought to tell me about the power of Jesus. It lead to traditional fire & brimstone, which is where my ears took a break. In my thinking, it was Granny coming at me from another angle of reassurance that things will work out in the Lord's time.

My husband says that new viewers are going to think this a religious website because of all of the spiritual content. Eye guess it is in a way.

In God we trust. May the creator touch your life on this day. Thanks for your undying support.

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2006-11-11T13:31:00.000-08:00

POP, POP, POP, POP (GOES MY MIND)

Andy Warhol's Campbell Pop-art is currently on exhibit at the Frist Center for the Visual Arts. With the security guard looking the other way, my handy cell phone allowed me to snap a quick shot. Adrenaline rush!!!

Time after time, eye find self baffled at how small many of these legendary pieces happen to be. Perhaps the legend behind the work leaves the impression that the works are colossal, but they almost never are. Think : Mona Lisa. When Dwight finally had the opportunity to see it for self at the Lourve he was straight tripping at what hype can do for art.

"Perceived reality is reality."

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2006-11-10T12:10:00.000-08:00

BREAKING NEWS

R.I.P. Gerald Levert

Wow! Thanks for leaking this G!

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2006-11-08T09:31:00.000-08:00

WHEN THE GOING GETS ROUGH & THE HILLS HARD TO CLIMB

"Trouble don't last always!"

Tee & Dee...our hearts go out!

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2006-11-05T18:48:00.000-08:00

DREADED CATFISH

Most Consistent Pregnancy Foods
1. Salad
2. Broccoli
3. Fish

Catfish is desirably the least palatable seafood in my diet - usually. But man, oh man, my famed pregnancy dive has done it again. South Street has this incredibly meaty & lightly seasoned version that keeps me licking my chops - day in, day out - like a fine brothuh with long locks. Licking my plate was a childhood habit long past until this week. Eye caught self doing it last week after some of Dwight's West Indian styled pancakes. Eating never stops around here. Everyone in the house has taken up the pickle craving - except me. So much for the pickles & ice cream theory.

Kana discovered through a random "Oriana" Google search that a most inspiring wordsmith passed weeks back. In the haste of Act Your Waist Size, many current events apparently have gone unnoticed. Peace be upon namesake author Oriana Fallaci who returned to the essence in September. Following her releasing, The Rage and the Pride, the latter years of life proved trying. She was diagnosed with cancer & jailed in her 70's for standing on the word. A most stimulating figure in my life, her physical presence will be missed. Peace be upon her.

Oriana lee is the second most known Oriana, next to the renowned author.

H. Graphiks freshened up the Writehanded Dot Com logo. Thanks a million, Unka H!

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2006-11-04T14:03:00.000-08:00

Who the heck is Organs Les anyway? In the meantime, cop this free "Gettin It Crunk Up" download.

1.

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2006-11-01T11:58:00.000-08:00

TAG TEAM

MP3s of past singles and futuristic flavor are currently available to you:

4PROMOTIONALUSEONLY

If any of the songs move you please leave a donation for the site to help this music continue.

If the songs move you enough to donate at least
$15.00 I will send as a gift to you:

Some Music Pt. 4 [Vinyl Ain't Dead Yet]
[A simple, classic mix CD (slim line jewel case/2 panel color artwork)
in the tradition of a mixtape a la Kid Capri & Doo Wop]

If the songs move you enough to donate at least
$25.00 I will send
Some Music Pt. 4 [Vinyl Ain't Dead Yet] signed.

Shipping is included. Outside of North America? Please add $2.50

Hurry, supply is limited.

Thank you in advance.
--CountBassD.com
Count Bass D music on iTunesand eMusic

2006-10-29T05:46:00.000-08:00

GOOD GODSPEL MORNING

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2006-10-27T08:43:00.000-07:00

KNEAD THE DOUGH BASSES

Another amusing morning underway:

-Buster's lament about not being able to snap his fingers sounds like Bjork's trill?

-Fat Man Scoop and his miss have been delegated to hold court about marriage and relationships?

-Magnificent's tasty coco complexion smells just like chocolate chips?

Believe me, this life is nothing to fool with. That of an artist eye refer.

Big up to our modest, but thriving CountBassD.com message board! Cat's really have a good time there. Join if you like.

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2006-10-25T17:34:00.000-07:00

At some point in living, one has to come to know that every demon cannot be challenged outwardly. Some you just have to ignore. A less innate strategy than fighting it out, but not out of reach.

It wasn't until embarking on the "two's" with Kush that ignoring came second nature in parenting. Believe me, trying to match wits with a raging child lunatic who falls out in the middle of the supermarket aisle, limbs flying in every direction, screaming bloody murder...Humph! Something about me saying, "No" to a request for Fruit Loops cereal. How else could eye compete? Feel me?

Now to master those sub conscious activities. When my eyes close for REM, people & scenarios come out of every crevice. Lately the me weeds dominate night terrors, growing up all over the place. Some of the things that come with this business will have your head spinning. Freaks really do come out at night. Fo' sho!

I, too, despise long goodbyes.

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2006-10-24T06:59:00.000-07:00

WORDS WORTH

Blogger has been down since the weekend. Two incredibly long pieces to you, my people, lost in the world wide web. Choosing to move forward. A new day awaits!

Kana(9) & Hezekiah(7) have recently uncovered the iTunes Music Store. Having noticed that they had begun asking me to do tunes both before & after school, my assumption was that they were playing MP3's in our personal collection on the family computer. Next thing you know, eye hear Kana rejoicing over never before heard Michael Jackson with the music blaring from the speakers. Eye wonder, "What's going on up there?" Triumph!

Magnificent(2) discovered soy shreds during his mid-morning fridge raid and enjoyed them all over the floor on the heels of me replacing the broom to storage after the after-breakfast quick sweep. He rediscovered the power of two this week & terrorized our home in a way that would make us all aware.

Old Man Kush(5) has developed a big-boy appetite and has spent the last week eating up what will soon be the unborn baby's portion of daily grub. Five alive!

Following a month of live dates leading up to the release of Act Your Waist Size, Dad has finally been released from the sansukumi presence that has haunted him for years now. Someone slipped a me weed in his drink. Already, the King has embraced a whole new other beast.

Thoroughly displeased with the limited food options offered to a pregnant person with aversion to onions & garlic, the OleE[arth] has spent more time thinking about nourishment than any other task these last days. It's no wonder my slimline still works those pre-pregancy (size four) Apple Bottoms. Nelly as true to his word about craftsmanship as our creator. See me work those genes at a fieldtrip near you!

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2006-10-17T13:17:00.000-07:00

"THIS IS THE DAY THAT THE LORD HATH MADE"

As we pour out the neck of a Guinness stout onto the harlequin kitchen floor for all our dead downloads, we encourage you to download Act Your Waist Size legally!

If you already copped it "by any means necessary" in advance, then remember that you can leave a direct donation for your aural blessing here! We appreciate your sincerity in helping us achieve our family, artistic & financial goals in life. Our 4 plus children appreciate you, too!

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2006-10-14T21:49:00.000-07:00

Midnight.
Sleepy.
Rest well.

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2006-10-11T12:25:00.000-07:00

Remember to believe in the abilities of the EYE.
Makes all the difference.

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2006-10-08T12:32:00.000-07:00

PERFECT MATHEMATICS THREE TO ONE

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2006-10-07T15:25:00.000-07:00

THIS IS HOW IT SHOULD BE DONE, THIS STYLE IS IDENTICAL TO NONE

In case you didn't know already, our family is working to establish a model of living that we know will benefit the entire society. The primary tenant boils down to education, which we pursue through & with our seeds. Baby number five gets about 14 more weeks of gestation before joining this True Skool/CountBassD/Oriana lee movement. We put our jewels up against whips & chains any day of the week. That's Hiphop!

Future=children

Wouldn't you agree this the most soulful looking cup of Lemon tea ever? Coffee-black. No matter how unappealing it looks, many thanks to Hampton Inn staff for keeping it moving each & every morning of the tour. Honestly, some of the best, most consistent service ever.

A very mean, power-hungry man halted Some Music Pt. 4: Vinyl Ain't Dead Yet from being sold by the online retailers without my approval. This is the latest installment to the series that you have come to expect from CountBassD.com during the last 3 fall seasons. Never mind though. As they say, "One monkey don't stop no show." If you want a copy before our attorney can work this situation out, then you know where to find me for direct order.

Behind me devil! We rubuke thee!

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

Some really weird vibes have been coming my way today. Not necessarily bad. Just strange.

Artists are real people, too. Belie' that! Folks are going through it all throughout the industry. Most with both the label/distributor and on the home front, all at once. Know it or not - hell in the worst kind of way. It's difficult being a "real" person and a successful artist, all at once. People want you to be a jerk just to make them feel better about their own insecurities. Hence, insults & sly remarks or coy eyes are always coming in your direction hoping to bring you out of character. To hell with that - in the worst kind of way, know it or not.

"Land of the free, home of the brave."

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2006-10-05T18:50:00.000-07:00

EASY COME, EASY GO

Brother J has really big plans in terms of revolutionalizing the Black Amerikan mind in the upcoming months. He had me on the verge of tears a few times, as he kicked in my ear the Creator's master plan for his voice. He's such a blessed brother to know. A wise soul. Fo sho'! The Grand Verbalizer's prospective on the way that this society has promoted a disenfranchisement of our people falls in line with what conscious educators across the country have been trying to correct for decades Think: Miseducation of the Negro/Carter G. Woodson. Follow through makes all the difference. A girlfirend was building on the same thing last evening in the ATL. Something positive is going around...

Speaking of a round...

We've been told by supporters that the labeling is backward on the Count BassD "Internationally Known" 12 Inch. How typical? Right? You know how it is when you give over control of a post to others that you have traditionally guarded. Mistakes happen that are out of your reach in terms of preventing or correcting.

What you loyalists have come to know factually is that our product always proves worth more than the means to which it is recorded no matter whether a perfect means or not, so just try to keep that in mind in this instance. Forgive them for they know not what they do! Find perfection in the art. Huh, bruh!

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2006-10-04T12:25:00.000-07:00

Touring with our whole family in tow has been one of the most fulfilling experiences that we have offered to ourselves since in this business. Only after all of the typical label politricks came to play, did we derive the courage to actually put what has been a longterm dream in to effect. Geez...has it been worth it!

Big up to the Kid Captain Coolout for reppin' in Athens last evening! Chuck Brown (Stareanacha)...you are truly appreciated!

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