Father's Day

You know, I couldn't find a good Father's Day card for my father this year. I found one from the kids, but couldn't find one with an adequate representation of my feelings or our relationship for that matter. My father always gets me and Hasana these really beautiful blank cards for our birthdays. I looked for a blank card but couldn't find one. My father and I are cool. Strange description for a father daughter relationship, but it's the best way to describe it. He's a unique person who's managed to basically live life as he saw fit. I do admire--and in a way envy--him for doing so. But the costs, wow the costs....

Inspiration

Last night, I was fortunate enough to be amongst 18 dynamic women-artists who were selected to receive the Leeway Foundation Art and Change Grant, myself included. Being in their presence was so liberating, inspiring, and just overall awesome. I was able to share my project, Raising Hasana, blog to come, where I interview parents raising African American children with ADHD and compile that information book and that my fellow grantees were very interested in the project. It also made me realize that I'd better start interviewing and writing!

I'm baaaack

Sorry I was gone for a bit. I got completely caught up with school ending and summer beginning. Anyway things are back to normal now.

I am completely lovin' Barack's visit oversees. He has received such warm welcomes and looks totally presidential. McCain, on the other hand, seems to be quite frustrated with the coverage. But, after all, I believe it was McCain that suggested that Senator Obama travel. Be careful what you ask for. I don't think that anyone knew just how well received Barack would be.

On another note, I watched CNN's Black in America series last night and was very impressed. I thought it would be another session of intellectuals pontificating about the plight of Black Americans. Instead, it was a well produced and thoughtful piece about real people--their struggles and their triumphs and what being Black in America has meant for the them. I look forward to the continuation tonight.

House Head

On Sunday, I enjoyed a very special, very fantastic trip down House lane. I went to a slammin' party at Bubbles on Samson Street. My friend Vashti invited me. Her boy Ian was spinnin'. I decided to go and boy am I glad I did. To my surprise, the party was for a friend of mine, Lisa Andrews. We go way back to CAPA (Creative and Performing Arts High School) and to my undergrad Lincoln University.The party came complete with some Lincoln House Heads. Shout out to Darian, Damian, and Tammy and Julani's friend ( I don't remember his name). Now to complete this wonderful trip was a cameo by none other than Tee Alford the ultimate House Head DJ this side of the globe. And, he was spinnin' at a party later that evening. Of course, Vashti and I hit that one up too. We clubbed like we were back in college.

First, the party at Bubbles ran from 5 to 10 pm, an hour reasonable for us 40 something -year-old mommies and wives. Tee's party on 18th Street next to Byblos, I think the place is called Venango or something like that, started at 10 pm. All in all, it ended up to be a doable Sunday night party. I was a serious House Head. I mean, while in grad school at Temple, I partied almost every night and still managed to get the second highest score on my comps and graduate with a GPA above 3.0. Partying was my reward for busting my booty (as my son likes to put) studying and attending classes. In undergrad, I partied as well.

Do you remember Catacombs, the Black Banana, Limelight, Phoenix, Sunday's at the Impulse, Mahorns, Allegro/A2, Smarts, Stars, After Midnight, the Garage in NY, Red Parrot, Silver Shadow, the Palladium, Bentley's, Nell's? The list goes on and on. So, I want to thank Vashti for getting me out. I remembered so many wonderful times. I often forget the person I was before I became a wife and mommy. It was so nice to see that Rhashidah again. Now, on Sundays, I'll have an opportunity to hang out with her and remember what made us tick.

P.S. I've included a link to Tee's website Funky People On Line.

Urgh, My Tummy!

My God sister, niece, God mom and I had dinner together last night. The food was okay, but most importantly, we had a great time. Today I'm sick. My stomach hurts and I feel very nauseous. Still it was all worth it. Shout out to Deb for taking Tee for me! I've been shying away from the news. I'm tired of hearing about the Democratic nomination practice. I don't have the stomach for it. I am happy that the Sixers have been doing there thing. Anyway, all of you folks home from college, congratulations on completing another year. And for Michael, congrats on your success at my undergrad Alma mater LU.

I have to say I was very proud of my daughter. She had her first guitar performance at Settlement yesterday. She did very well. Go Hass...

Beginning

Today is the first day of the rest of my life. I've decided I need to start doing things I like again which includes writing. Having a husband and kids, mortgage, day care, a special needs child etc. etc. often decreases one's ability to think about self. In fact, thinking about self almost becomes haram. A thing you just don't do because you will be perceived as selfish. I guess now that my youngest is turning three soon, and my husband has run for office, I think it is high time I start thinking about me again. I'm looking forward to it.

What I'd like to do with this blog is pontificate, but also offer useful information to folks about my areas of interest including Philly politics, ADHD, women, men, people of color, African Americans, music, parenting and my list goes on. In fact, this will be a hodgepodge of stuff, and I'll probably talk most about what others are interested in--as secured by posting--and my interests. So tell me. What are you thinking? What do you think about the Vick case, Kim Porter, Philly homicides?