HERE TODAY, GONE TOMORROW

Another born day come & gone, yet the party continues. That's just how it goes when the event falls on Friday. Onward kicking, "cool in my way".

Last year, my day was spent in the studio with Van & Count. Again, they are both naturally sharing in this year's celebration as Van rolls into town today supporting the Anthony Hamilton/Heather Headley tour, as well as a headline set at 3rd & Lindsley at 11 p.m. Woo wee! It's on this evening.

As for the early part of the afternoon, to the studio to continue working toward the Something To Cope wrap-up. It's has truly been a long time coming, but we are closer to the end then ever before ;-). Is this the first time you have read this here? We'll just say, the first time this morning.

What a pleasant surprise to tear open my Cave Canem newsletter this week to find two of my long time Nashville colleagues showcased. Both Mendi Obadike (who eye have known since 7th grade) & Stephanie Pruitt (whose sister Christy eye have also known since 7th grade) were highlighted as former fellows. Today, Writehanded features them as poets of the day. Thanks for keeping art alive ladies. Thank you for representing Nashville in all that you do. Happy Poetry month!

LOOK MA, NO HANDS...

Don't act like you don't know what time it is folx. In the place to be...& the shine is mine! What better way to bring in my 32nd Earthlite with my peeps up in here? This is how we do it...together...all the way. You're with me...right?

It was right around the midnight hour that Oriana lee planted on southern soil. It's no wonder night's have always been my most creative periods. On that note, it's to the studio to finish up this audiobook. Oh, it's real out here! No doubt!

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CONNECTION CAPER

Greetings all! Tuning in from my local library. Not by choice, but by necessity. Nevertheless, we are together again. "By any means necessary!" What better place to meet up anyway?

Tomorrow marks another calendar year spent on Earth enjoying the complexities of day-to-day living. For the first time in many years, the day will be completely work-free. App! You've heard it before, but this too shall manifest. Wait until my next report. You'll see...

Besides the fireworks planned for midnight tonight, excitement brews within as the 29th draws near. It is on this evening that Van will be in town with Anthony Hamilton. Even though he's my boy, the anticipation surrounding his shows make me feel like a complete fan-girl. & this to a degree is true. The new record is amazing; the performance should be off the chain!!!

Thank you for breath, Mom. Happy Labor Day!

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AIN'T MISSIN' JACK

We, as mortals, have the ability to make ourselves believe exactly what we would have ourselves to believe. Even when it doesn't match up with reality. It's a form of denial, which we know to be a SELF defense mechanism.

In this very space eye find my SPIRIT.

Dreaming of a longtime friend, who has often comforted me, to nurture a friendship that never actually existed."In My Mind" exists a longing for his smooth-talking Southern-drawl. In my gut a burning from his warm & mellow character. No matter that our dealings leave a sour taste beneath my speak, the addictive nature of our relationship keeps me wanting more. The way that he arouses senses & deadens nerves keep me debating as to whether he is worth kicking to the curb. We all need relief. Quality is the key.

Happy Belated Birth/Earth Day Announcement Wishes to Kush! He counted 5 on April 23.

Also being the born day for William Shakespeare(Poet of the Day). Well known as a playright, literary scholars also revere Shakespeare for his sonnets, the most popular form of English verse.

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FROM TOKIO, WITH LOVE

Life is sometimes so beautifully miserable that one can't help but smile unconsciously at the surrounding circumstances. Love is love. Thank you all so much for your sustaining wishes, thoughts & prayers. Your response to my artistic offerings have been humbling. Smile!

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SITTING UP

One of these days (in the near future) will be spent doing nothing but blogging, exploring MySpace & responding to emails. If seems that there is never enough time for these aspects of my technological life. Phooey!

We're finally back in the studio for Something To Cope. "Gettin' It Crunk Up" is blazing!!! You all will be able to catch it on the worldwide version of the EP, currently titled "Another Oriana lee EP". We're looking to have this out by the end of the month if the artwork gets finished in time. New pieces have been added. A few have been removed. There has been so much anticipation for this collection in retail circuits. For a little black girl from the 'hood who just wanted to write, recording with anticipation already there for the product makes me feel like a superstar. At least a ghetto superstar.

You never really know how things are going to work out. Recording for myself was never a part of the original plan though, until Something To Cope. Being married to musician, it does seem that it would have happened long agoNow look. Requests come from all over the place now regarding my spoken voice as much as my written. It's a trip.


The first piece that eye ever wrote for vocal delivery was "Downfall of the Ibliys" for MF Grimm, back in 2000. It was to be the title track for that record. DOOM eventually pulled it from the final master, but it will be represented in/on Something To Cope. Eye am forever grateful to Grimm, DOOM & Count for the chance. Nuff respect!!! What had been a stagnancy in my confidence as an artist began maturing on that day.

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EASTER SUNDAY on Oakwood Avenue always provided a wonderful opportunity to dress anew, in the name of Jesus. As a child, we stayed up late night Saturday preparing our clothes. Getting our hair pressed. Picking the greens for Sunday dinner. Reciting our Easter speeches until we gained overwhelming approval from Granny. We knew when that streetlight shine radiated from her wide grin that we had mastered her rote technique.

Ahhh. Those were the days. Or were they?

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