It Ain't Bragging If You Can Do It?

     I picked up my biz mail yesterday and stopped for a quickie lunch of pasta, steamed chicken and baby asparagus. Yum!  While sitting I opened my new copy of Inc. and saw a quote from a "How I Did It" interview that blew my mind, "It ain't bragging if you can do it." I just love that.  Of course I had to do search for more information. I found that the quote is attributed to Dizzy Dean of baseball fame. Apparently Mr. Dean was not only outspoken, he also had a lot of confidence in himself. I read that he actually said, 'It ain't bragging if you can back it up'. Either way it is cool and food for thought.

It's A Sistah Thing

Work & Family at BellaOnline.com Interviews Monique R. Brown

 

I had the pleasure of meeting Monique Brown McKenzie in winter 2004 at a Professional Women of Color meeting that was held at the historic (circa 1860) Akwaaba Mansion in Brooklyn, New York. When I told her that I had her book It's  A  Sistah  Thing:  A Guide to  Understanding  and Dealing With Fibroids  for  Black Women, and was interested in interviewing her for my Work & Family at BellaOnline.com column, she immediately and graciously said yes.

Mrs. McKenzie (nee Brown) knows first hand, the difficulties of living with fibroids and decided to share her journey to recovery and healing to other women who have similar problems.  It's  A  Sistah  Thing:  A Guide to  Understanding  and Dealing With Fibroids  for  Black Women, is an important read for women with fibroids. If you are fortunate enough to be 'fibroid free', buy the book and read it to become an informed women. Mrs. McKenzie's careful research and dialogue with other women who suffer or have suffered with fibroids is clear,  easy reading. In addition to be being a well known journalist, Monique Brown McKenzie brings strong credentials to the table. 

McKenzie's biography includes an International Business degree, Baruch College, City University of New York; MBA, Long Island University;  Senior editor, BLACK ENTERPRISE Magazine;  Managing editor, SURBURBAN STYLES Magazine, Winner of two first-place awards  from  the  National   Association   of   Black Journalists.  She is the founder of Professional Women of Color. You will find the full bio on author's site. Additionally, you will be able to order her book from her site.

Read interview as it appeared in the Work & Family at BellaOnline.com column: It's A Sistah Thing - Interview with Author Monique R. Brown 

If you have read this book please comment in this journal. I am looking for several comments to use in my Work & Family column 'recommended books' library. You are welcome to add your business and URL. If I use your comments, your biz URL will be published. You can never have enough publicity. 

If your interest concerning Akwaaba is piqued, here is the URL http://www.akwaaba.com/  now has several B&B now. It is rumored that the owner and her husband will open a fourth one in New Orleans.

Are You Being Googled?

Do you know if you are being googled?  I am just tidying my May Mystery Movies newsletter for BellaOnline.com., and listening to TV which has turned into my personal radio now that I am typing for such long periods. Talk show host Tony Danza is talking my favorite weatherman Al Roker about Father's Day and other things, among them the Phenomina of the Google site and "Googling" a subject or person. Roker says that he 'googled' Danza. For some reason Danza's made me laugh out loud. He said to in a slightly belligerent voice to Roker, "Don't you be googling  me!". OK, maybe it's not all that funny.  If you are one of those who can be googled, it means that you have been online a long time. You don't have to do anything except have your name in articles, etc. If you are on a board or listed with a group with web presence you probably can be googled. I can remember the first time I saw my name. I was searching for some sort of networking site and as I clicked to another page I fleetingly saw my name--I was not able to find the page again. Since that time, I have gained "Google" presence. I have no problem with that because I need all of the exposure I can get.

The May Mystery Movies Newsletter has absolute nothing to do with Google or googling. But you are welcome to visit anyway. http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art31260.asp

Class Matters New York Times Series

I have been following an interesting series in the New York Times, titled Class Matters.  In Shadowy Lines that Still Divide, the Times states, "There was a time when Americans thought they understood class. The upper crust vacationed in Europe and worshiped an Episcopal God. The middle class drove Ford Fairlanes, settled the San Fernando Valley and enlisted as company men. The working class belonged to the A.F.L.-C.I.O., voted Democratic and did not take cruises to the Caribbean.  Today, the country has gone a long way toward an appearance of classlessness. Americans of all sorts are awash in luxuries that would have dazzled their grandparents. Social diversity has erased many of the old markers. It has become harder to read people's status in the clothes they wear, the cars they drive, the votes they cast, the god they worship, the color of their skin. The contours of class have blurred; some say they have disappeared."

When I think of class lines, I think of my dad who set the lines for us, perhaps just for me. I clearly remember him praising the AF of L CIO, we certainly did not take trips to the Caribbean.  However,  I don't remember my dad being fond of the Democratic party. For one so clearly working class, he always posed the question "What have the Democrats done for you? Daddy was quick to point out that the person who finally signed the Civil Rights Bill in 1964 was Republican. But I do wonder if President Kennedy had not put pressure on for such a Bill and soon after was  assassinated, would the Bill have been signed with such expediency?  I have doubts.  I do know that my dad influenced my way of thinking. To this day, I vote for the man not the party.  

The NYT shows profiles of four people in Class Matters:

Caucasian female, age 67  widowed retiree with a high school education, strung beads for a jewelry maker, worked for sewage and coal companies, and owned a restaurant. Sees herself as lower class .

African American male age 37,  manages his family's septic tank company, earning up to $75,000 a year. "I hold the mortgage to my home," he said. "I have the vehicle I want." A high school graduate, he never married but has two sons. "I'm ableto raise my children in a manner so they won't be picked on or laughed at in school." Sees himself as working class.

Caucasian male age 39,   accounting manager for an electrical utility. He and his wife, a preschool teacher, both college graduates, earn $85,000 a year. They have two daughters in school and a son, a sophomore at M.I.T. "You always have the opportunity to try and move forward financially," he said. "For me, the American dream is to earn a reasonable living and to be able to spend quality time with my family and my friends in a community that cares. Sees himself as middle class.

Caucasian female, age 47   marketing executive, and her husband, a business owner, earn more than $150,000 a year. To her, the rich get "preferential treatment, where they don't have to pay for things." But she sees many opportunities to make money now, "in technology and health care and finance." Still, she said, America has changed since her parents' generation. "Sees herself as upper class.

I am not comfortable with the term "lower class", for me, it conjures up a type of person not a financial slot. I see the first woman poor or lower economic class rather than lower class. Yes, I know--it's all about semantics. I am not sure where I fit in those demographics, so I have made to my own category. I see myself as 'working middle class'. or maybe I am middle working class.

"The contours of class have blurred; some say they have disappeared." No way has this happened. I suspect it never will. Money and class often go hand-in-hand , though one does not guarantee the other.  There will always be subtle reminders of where you were before you 'arrived',  your ethnicity or the color of your skin. Money may not lessen the hurt but it does give you a certain power. One of my favorite stories is from an old issue of American Visions Magazine. A wellto-do black man wanted to dock his boat for a short time at Gardner's Basin in Atlantic City in a space owned by the restaurant he wanted to dine in.  He was not allowed to do so, he felt because of his color. He went back home, got some of his wealthy friends together, made an offer the owner could not refuse--he bought the restaurant along with the docking space.       

Emmy's 2005 Kudos to Henry Winkler and Ellen DeGeneres

I am not sure what it says about me that I am only really familiar with one show with an award winning character and that is Clifford's Puppy Days. Lovely to see that Henry Winkler who lends his voice to the Norville character on Clifford's Puppy Days won the 2005 Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Performer In An Animated Program!  I love Clifford the Big Red Dog and Clifford's Puppy Days. These shows make watching all of the the bad news on the news shows in the morning bearable. Sometimes you need a break from reality and the imaginary Clifford and his friends do it so nicely. When I was working, there was nothing I enjoyed more after a stressful morning was being able to watch a noon episode of Clifford or Arthur (and DW of course).

I read that Ellen DeGeneres received an Emmy for her show The Ellen DeGeneres Show. I have a friend who must be happy, she has been a fan of Ellen's show since its inception. I am sure that she was not surprised. She has a wonderful eye and ear.   

More on Time Share Meeting and other things.

After a series of false starts, bad timing efforts, all my fault for being a computer junky. I did get down to AC meeting with a few minutes to spare. It turns out that I did not need to bring Judy Holliday's Solid Gold Cadillac character with me. The TS meeting was disorderly on its own. Never, never attended such a board meeting like this, it was more like an open town hall meeting where some disorder is expected. Fortunately, my stays, my telephone contact   is always good with the time share powers that be. I never have to hold online for  15 to 30 minutes for anything--perhaps this is because I would not do it. Anyway, I left the meeting with a bad taste and decided that I needed water to bring me back to where I needed to be.

I went down to the wharf  for some water views and seafood, I am getting to be a pro at jitney hopping. Here I was not disappointed.  The water was calm, the birds were soaring. Since I had not eaten, I decided, but just barely, against a martini. Ordered the fried flounder--it was wonderfully moist and delicious, the cole slaw was creamy and the fries were--well fries ;-)  Fried fish and cold draft beer. MMmmm, I was in heaven. While sitting and eating, I watched a family across the water watching us. Very strange, but the distance was far enough so that it did not stop me from enjoying my meal. I just love the shore. Even though my head tells me that I don't need to live down there, my heart tells me something else. I know with my circumstances, it doesn't make sense to buy a condo there. BUT!?!     

Coming home we ran into rain, traffic jams and heavier rain. It took me forever to get home.  I think the Preakness was held in Maryland Saturday, maybe there was closed circuit TV at the race track in Secaucus???   Cars were everywhere.   All in all, a pretty good day. Oh yes, everyone dining on the wharf was with someone--I was alone. MMmm, same as when I go to the theater. Starting to feel like the odd one out.

Timeshare Meeting

Going to my first ever timeshare owner's meeting. Still not sure that I want to travel so far for a 2 hour meeting, but just going hop in and do this. Maybe I will take my Solid Gold Cadillac movie with me. I'll get some pointer's from Judy Holiday's riotous character. I just love my portable DVD player--what an indulgence!! Those who know me understand what I mean when I say that is is a indulgence for me ;-)  I posted my review on Amazon April 24 and already 14 people found it helpful. See my all of  my Amazon  reviews.

Vannie the Jeweler?

Finally received my beads order. After I looked at them I realized that I did not order any tools (groan) I guess I was so caught up with looking at the pretty beads that I forgot to realness of making jewelry. Hoping to make some pretties for summer. Love the light green jade, maybe add some gold-filled textured balls? We'll see. I am not sure I am talented enough to move into the 'cottage industry' with jewelry making--but I won't know if I don't try.

I picked up my mail today and did what I know I should never do. I did not respect to my back and its troubles :-(   I was excited that the beads I ordered had arrived, but the package was heavier than I expected. I was surprised to find a book waiting as well, a big book, which made my bundle heavier. So why did I do the unthinkable and buy fruit?  Now I am suffering. I can't think of anyone who is usually more careful than I am concerning back care. Maybe a little excercise and a sauna will help? Out the door soon to see. 

OK, repeat after me,  no more large bundles, no more large bundles, no more large bundles.

The Movie CRASH. Is This How We Really Are? How Sad.

I went to see Crash the other day. I wanted to review it for my Mystery Movies column since it is a detective story of sorts. I am usually not at a loss for words, but this movie has so much going on I can't get a handle on it. It was definately not what I expected. The director should probably get some kind of award but I am not sure what that would be. If Crash is how we really are then we are in big trouble; if this is how other countries see us we are in bigger trouble.  You see race relations (or non-relations) at its ugliest. Intolerance, bigotry, anger, distrust, fear, nationalism at its worse, you name it's shown here. This is not a feel-good movie, but there is something about it that won't let you walk out--there is the scene where an officer who had earlier searched a woman in a very inappropriate manner, comes to her rescue when she is in an auto accident. The interaction between the two at this second encounter is very moving.  It seems that whoever we are and whatever are,  whatever we do, whether it's good or bad, we still have a bond, . An unsettling movie, I came away feeling  uneasy.

My review of Crash http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art31740.asp

50 Dollars for Fajitas

I am removing junk from my purse this morning and found a receipt from Chili's. One of my babies and I needed to talk so we went to Chili's Restaurant for a bite and ended up staying for hours. You do know that they serve margaritas there don'cha? Well many hours later after eating good n' spicy foods and cradling several margaritas in beer glasses with straws (very odd) the bill came to $49. No problem, I figure that included rent for the time we spent there ;-)

Speaking of good n' spicy, I am hopful that the cook book I ordered, Spices of Life, arrives by next week. No book review yet but it looks very interesting. It has 'recipes for great health',  that are 'simple and delicious'. That's a two-for-one deal.   

 

Newsweek's Koran Story Retraction and Other Stuff

Newsweek's  retraction of it's 'desecration of a Koran' article seems to fit into the category of too little, too late. People are dead, riots, further hate of the US up a notch. Not to mention Newsweek's credibility taking a beating. All bad business. Sometimes being first with a breaking story is not such a good thing.

Let's here it for some good news.  Women in Kuwait can finally vote and run for government office. This makes me feel lucky to know that I have had that privilege right along. I know that when I dislike a politicians' actions (or non-action)  not only can I voice my opinion, I can also take steps to vote him out of office. Let's here it for  US. And now let's here it for Kuwait, Cairo. "It has been 20 years of work, but at last we got our rights," said Lulua al-Mulla, general secretary of Kuwait's Social Cultural Women's Society, a women's advocacy group. "It is about time." Indeed it is. I will have to remember that, when I don't want to get out and vote because "I have a tight schedule".

Let's Hear It for Floppy Disks

WooWoo. Thanks to some of the posters in my forum I now have an external floppy disk drive for my laptop. I thought I would never be able to use my precious 3.5 floppy's again. That's the upside. The downside is I now have no excuse not to get on with long awaited projects. Now just where are those disks anyway?? 

Dead Celeb Money Maker's? You Betcha!

I usually do not look at top 100 lists unless it  pertains to  women's biz. But how I can ignore something that is posted Forbes Magazines financially savvy newsletter. I was suckered in to checking out which dead celeb makes the most money? Elvis of course, and which of the celebrities who passed on this year will be the biggest moneymaker in the future? Again I was right in this very unscientific poll. MMmmm, I am pretty good at this ;-) It was Ray Charles. He received a 49% of the votes, while Rick (Super-freak) James received only 2%. That's the same as the 2% of  pollster's who voted "I don't know" or more to the point, "I don't care". 

Talking Heads

 Yesterday I met a woman who can talk as much or more that I do. It seems that she remembers me from a long time ago. She says that I have not changed in looks or weight at all--so of course I do like her (smiling). Although I don't remember seeing her before, (she does seem vaguely familiar) she does have all of the facts right. The names, the places, the time frame, are all on target, it seems that we travelled in the same circles 30 years ago. She seemed to need to talk and perhaps I did as well. She wished we could perhaps have a cup of coffee somewhere. I was the one who suggested the place, we had lunch and talked forever. A little later we realized that we were in the same bank earlier and I had tapped her on the shoulder to point her to the next teller. She did not remember that I was the one who touched her shoulder, that act of one hour ago, but she remembered me from 30 years before. The mind is very interesting.      

Too Much Time Sittting at Laptop??

Reading these posts this morning tells me that I am totally caught up in the internet, and don't have a real life. I have to do something about that. Of course not until I finish reading and posting.  I have made a promise to myself that I will stop saying no to invites. Ooops. I just remembered a birthday. Signing off.

 

Positive Response from Author Leonard Felder, PhD

I am still trying to catch up with things I should have done but did not. Still backlogged with Amazon.com review postings. I received a lovely e-mail from author Dr. Leonard Felder for my review of his book "Wake Up or Break Up-8 Crucial Stesp to Strengthening Your Relationship". That's always so rewarding. No time for preening though, I still have a backlog of reviews to post.

Read my Wake Up or Break Up-8 Crucial Stesp to Strengthening Your Relationship" review http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art30764.asp

Loews Movie Ads Suit

Before I retired I had not seen a new movie in years, for my Mystery Movies column at Bellaonline, I just reported which new mystery and suspense movies were being released. I have now seen three or four new releases. I was so surprised, everything is so changed. The movie theatres are like palaces. Then there is the high cost to get in, the foods they serve (Nachos, chicken wings? WOW!) and the cost of the food. What most disturbed me was the delay in getting to the main attraction--they must show five or more coming attractions. Very annoying. I just heard this morning that a class action suit has been filed against Loews concerning this. Hallelujah to that!  I found this online in the American Advertising Federation brief.

"Suit Filed Over Movie Advertisements
A lawsuit filed last month against Loews Cineplex charges that the theater chain's advertised movie times are false advertisements because commercials are aired prior to the movie. The suit seeks an award of $75 per patron for "lost time" and that theater movie times list the time of the feature presentation's beginning. The lawyer that filed the suit said he is seeking class action status for the case, adding that he would like to see all commercials pulled from the screen because "commercialization has gotten out of hand." A statement from the theater said, "This lawsuit is frivolous…the moviegoing public has come to expect this type of content prior to viewing the main feature."

The suit is a joke and can't be won, but  it will give the Loews folks something to think about. I will watch this and see how it plays out.  My article in April's Mystery Movies column addresses this same subject. In the words of Yogi Berra, it must be "deja vu all over again." All of this said, I saw The Interpreter at Loews last week and it was worth the 15 or 20 minute wait. Excellent movie.

Article concerning movie theater averts in April's Mystery Movies column.

An uneventful weekend

An uneventful weekend. Picked up my biz mail and had lunch. I received more books for review. I can't complain though, these publicists have gotten into my head and understand what  types of books I like for Work & Family. My Mr. Wong tapes were in the mail also. (big smile). Boris Karloff in no way looks Asian. In the 30's and 40's Asian's still called  by the politically incorrect term Orientals (like the rugs??). Karloff makes a better monster than he does a Asian super sleuth--still the movies are fun. The folks who read my Mystery Movies column will enjoy the write-up next week.

Speaking of 'olden days', while search for a birthday card I found a really great 'Remember When...' booklet at Hallmark. I bought several because--well, I'm not really sure why I bought them. The booklet for shows movie favs for 1941, The Maltese Falcon starring Bogie;  How Green Was My Valley was an academy award winner. Among the  favs in music, Amapola by Jimmy Dorsey; Elmer's Tune by Glenn Miller (mmm, never heard of these tunes). In 41' a new house cost $4,075, a new car cost $850 and rent was $32 a month. WOW!      

Back to lunch. A real downer. I headed to a shop with new owners and give it 5 stars in ambience and 1 star in food. Bad potato leek soup (salty, salty, salty); bad coffee. On the plus side friendly service.  Will I give them another chance?? Yeh, probably. I'm a sucker for ambience.