Friday, October 31, 2008

Another Halloween

This was one long day. First of all, my children's school was canceled - who knows what for. So my older two joined me in a Halloween parade with my youngest two. God bless preschool teachers - the young women work SO HARD. They dress the kids in their costumes, organized them, and away we went...but one thing. I sent my son in a Transformer costume. He turned up at the parade in a ninja outfit. As long as he wasn't crying and fussin, I could care less. But my older two, who had picked out the costume for him, were fit to be tied. I guess the Transformer costume is higher up on the food chain.

After work I went to the grocery store for candy. Yes, I am last minute like that. Anyhoo, this poor women was in line with a screaming baby, while I was still shopping. 20 minutes later, when I joined the line, she and the screaming, screeching newbie were still there. The baby sounded colichy (sp?) and the mommy didn't have his head covered. Also, I bet she was new at breastfeeding and hadn't pumped any milk to tide him over. These are the tricks to a quiet child that a seasoned momma knows. I sympathized with her. She had a months worth of food in the cart and was stuck, without help. But the old folks around me pissed me off. Shaking their heads, peering at her with disdain, mumbling that if she would just feed the child their precious ears wouldn't have to be assaulted. It was ridiculous. And you know who talked the most trash - the workers. How about doing your job so poor new mommy doesn't get stuck in line for 30 minutes, instead of rolling your eyes and sucking your teeth. I was too through. Been there done that, but I stand up for my mommies in training. It ain't easy and you can't knock it till you've done it. So I told the clerk - who was childless - that people like her make it difficult for young mothers. Yes - she and I had words. What has happened to our society where mommies and children are held in contempt? Pure foolishness.

I digress....

My evening was made 100% better by the Trunk or Treat event held at Riverdale Baptist School, Upper Marlboro, Md. An event for the family - the children's ministry and volunteers back the cars in a neat row which creates a "main street effect and "tailgate" with Halloween candy. and the volunteers went all out - putting up Halloween decorations in the trunks with baskets and gadgets and lights and pumpkins and distributing candy trunk by trunk. The event was free - though it would be nice to contribute a donation. It completely eliminates the door to door stranger thing, without removing the fun, outside, walking with costumes and interacting with people, "neighborhood" feel. It was an absolute joy and blessing. We had such a god time, and it was such a parental relief, that I think I am going to send them a thank you card with Another donation.

We survived another Halloween - with minimal aggravation and actually had a great time.

Monday, October 27, 2008

Tibits - Blogging Return

Please forgive me, fellow bloggers, for the inexplicable delay. My senses are bombarded with Obama and McCain, the Wall Street crash and now Jennifer Hudson's family pain. The outer world is invading my inner world and I think I am experiencing sensory overload.

First things first. Has D.L. Hughley lost his damn mind? Now, I have been a fan and I assumed from the McClellan endorsement clip that D.L. was going to present a Bill Maher/Chris Rock platform of witty and clever commentary. And what did he do? Took the phenomenal opportunity of having a CNN platform and gave us lewd, crass, unfunny jokes playing off stereotypical humor. On his first show on CNN. 9 days before the most important election of our time, when we need to have on our "meet the new folks" face, he presents Black ridiculousness on an international scale. Thanks D.L., so happy you took one for the team.

And, I didn't want to get political, which seems impossible now a days. But, please folks, don't believe the hype. The "assassination" plot was two Neo Nazi fools, whose plan was ridiculous. This is the same tactic Hillary used several months ago, alluding to assassination to deter votes for OBama. Same as the Arkansas chick who carved B into her face and claimed she was assaulted. This is a wonderful time and a horrible time, because poor white america is losing its mind. Ya almost got to feel sorry for them. They are the ones being hit hardest by the economy, loss of jobs and opportunities, foreclosure, etc...but they just can't get past race. The one glint of hope of superiority. They would rather lose it all than recognize that BOTH CANDIDATES HAVE WHITE MOTHERS. OBama is not simply a black man, he represents us all. It's pathetic and disappointing.

Jennifer Hudson's loss devastated me today and last week. There are simply no words, no expression, nothing that can be said....

On my ride to school this morning I discovered my 3 year old daughter has the same taste in music as me. Which is bad, because she shouldn't even be listening to the same station. But I get tired of kiddy music sometime. Her favorite jam - Rihanna and T.I. get your paper. Seriously. She has Rihanna's part down. And I think its hilarious, but I know she is going to bust out singing it in church or somewhere equally inappropriate and I am going to die of embarrassment.

It feels good to blog again. I have other thoughts, many actually, that will probably begin to leak from me again. In the meantime I am gearing up for election day - getting ready to celebrate (God willing)

Sunday, October 05, 2008

Capital Book Festival

I had the time of my life this Saturday.

As some of you know, I contributed a letter to the Capital Book Festival's annual anthology - this year entitled How We Love: Letters. I read my letter in Borders at 12:35 pm before a sizable audience and for the first time felt like...an author.

The Capital Book Festival was well done, just a phenomenal experience, actually. Nikki Giovanni spoke. Tananarive Due participated on a panel and signed, along with numerous well respected authors. Donna Hill was there, Wendy Coakley Thompson, Collette Haywood, Breena Clark, Tina McElroy Ansa etc... I got a chance to meet and talk to so many authors whose work I have admired for so long.

The book festival is organized by Kwame Alexander, a respected poet who has the captivating Zhupendra line consisting of breathtaking pieces. While I listened to Tananarive Due and Christopher Chambers speak, my daughter was volunteering in a bubble blowing contest with Author Uncle E, author of the Diggle, Boogie and Lolo kids series. And although I missed her reading (because mine was at the same time) my fellow Hamptonite Sahar Simmons read her wonderful children's story "Briana's Neighborhood" at the Kids Zone.

What I learned:

1. There are some BEAUTIFUL BLACK FOLKS in PG COUNTY. I still love it here.

2. Grace: When I rushed to meet Tananarive Due she did not hide from me, like someone fleeing a pathetic fan, instead she greeted me with a pleasant smile and an open spirit. Such a wonderful experience. Please know that I will purchase everyone of her books from now until...Also, and more importantly, she didn't even flinch when I erroneously stated the title of her compilation with Blair Underwood - Its "In the Night of the Heat" and, of course, I stupidly said, "In the Heat of the Night." An error that I realized later. But she never even blinked. So much grace.

3. Professionalism: Folks were on their A-game. Authors, self published or not, presented professional, eye catching, engaging product. The children's authors came "for real." Sahar, Uncle E, Charisse Carney Nunes - they were engaging and fun and exciting. I had to DRAG my daughter from the Kids Zone to hear me speak, she had no intention on missing Ms. Nunes set (we own her "Hair" book). Under the tent, folks were networking and selling and promoting and giving advice like you wouldn't believe. Just a very positive vibe.

4. Making it work: The festival slated Donna Hill, Wendy Coakley Thompson and Collette Haywood opposite Nikki Giovanni. Those ladies just rolled with the punches, continuing the panel, recognizing that a small audience is still a purchasing audience who wants to hear what they have to say. Similarly, some people went over time while others didn't show, but the programs ran smoothly. Omarosa debuted her upcoming book and she brought folks in with her charm and personality, starting with a small audience to a packed tent. Making it work. It was an honor to watch.

5. Next year, I want to be in the mix with my product in hand.