"CP" Time is not just "colored" people's time. Zane

       Autthor Zane sent this to her list. As she reminds us, "CP" Time is not just "colored" people's time. I have also heard being chronically late as "Jewish people's" time. Maybe it's just an ethnic thing, huh? Anyway if lateness is your personal failing, or you have a friend who is always late? Zane asks, "Have you ever waited for someone to show up so long that you thought they had to be in danger", after reading send her an e-mail with your tale. You may be in J. L. King's new book.   

New York Times Bestselling Author J.L. King is working on a
ground-breaking book about one of the longest standing behavioral
patterns in American history: CP Time.

Colored People’s Time is a term that has been used since…well, since we
still used the term “colored.” For the first time, this will be examined
by one of the most well-known authors of this century. CP Time: You’re
Late will be published by Strebor Books/ATRIA Books/Simon and Schuster
in February 2007 and is destined to pique the curiosity of millions.

What excuses have you heard people use for being late? What excuses have
you used yourself? Have you ever waited for someone to show up so long
that you thought they had to be in danger? We want to hear your favorite
ones. Please send a quick email to CPTime@streborbooks.com with your
comments. This is not just a call for thoughts from African Americans
but from all races. We want to hear your honest thoughts, opinions and
humorous experiences that could only be attributed to someone being on
CP Time.

Thanks in advance!
Zane, Publisher
Strebor Books

Stuff 'n Things

      I am going to miss Charlie Gibson when he leaves Good Morning America. As I write this, he is saying his goodbye. Very sad. I saw Robin touch her face and knew she was crying. This is the one news show that does not annoy me. I am hopeful that he is replaced by like him. I heard this morning that Rush Limbaugh was stopped at the airport because he had viagra with him but his name was not on the prescription bottle. His attorney says it was for privacy--unfortunately, not too much privacy on early morning television. Also listening to all the talk about JK Rowling killing off two character's in the Harry Potter series. A newscaster said (not GMA folks) "she's killing off kids?" in disbelief--the irony is that is happening a lot in real life every day. Even though it seems drastic, I understand where she is coming from. I suspect that she did not expect to become rich, famous and stuck with little Harry overnight and forever. But that must be a difficult call for her. I have not read or seen any of the HP series, but I have other fav's in ongoing series and would be devastated if an author killed one of the main characters. Other people have stopped doing something that they became famous for, to move on to a bigger and better future and have sunk like big rocks--something else to consider. Yep, a real difficult call for Rowling.  http://www.scholastic.com/harrypotter/author/

Last night I was baseball's Joe Mikulik(?) tantrum on television. Actually, every time it was shown I watched in disbelief. Just wow! Looks like it's time for Anger Management 101.  I did smile because he reminded me of my all-time favorite bad boy Billy Martin. If  close my eyes, I call still see raging Billy shoveling dirt on the empires shoes. It was so long ago and still like yesterday.  I see that Patsy Ramsey  (Jon Benet's mom) has died. I can't say much, not quite sure how I feel, my thoughts are too personal and jumbled to even say out loud. I do know that everytime I see a picture of that little girl looking like a small street-wise woman my heart and head hurts. 

Early to Rise

     I have been up since 2:30am or so. There was no going back to sleep for me because I went to bed early Friday night. I figured I would get an early start on a couple of things, can't do much at this time of morning. Of course I can always work on my computer. I responded to a friend--I am hopeful that three of us can get together this summer. Fingers crossed. Also went ahead and got some things done that I would have normally done tonight. I was going to lie down, I am sure that I would not have fallen asleep, but I had turned the television on for noise. As I started to turn it off  "American Orient Express" eased across the screen and I knew I was up for the morning. This was a repeat that I had never seen from the beginning. Boy what a beautitul train (I am drooling) It was decorated 20's style, picture the movie "Murder on the Orient Express" and you on the train.

A Busy Couple of Days

    I have had a busy couple of days. It has been a tug of war between home and business. Pulling my hair out. This is my second day in the house and I have serious cabin fever. I do have outside things going on tomorrow, thank goodness. I guess should not complain because I have accomplished a lot.

A new attachment for my old Canon electric typewriter arrived today. I am estatic--I can do some much with this machine. I need to print on card stock and my printer won't accept it. I don't want to purchase a new one just yet so I started looking for old machines around the house. I can't believe that I found three and a sewing machine from Gimbles :-(  My face is red. I really do have to stop saving stuff and things--I will after this. On the up side, happy I found my old Canon. When I opened package, I realized that I do have the part somewhere here in my box of cords, wires, attachments and who know what else.  Oh well. I will do some typing and testing later this evening. 

Something amusing. While typing I was listening to Judge Alex today, don't know time or channel, it never matters. A couple was suing another couple over bad rooms at a vacation spot. The plaintiff's said and brought proof by way of photo's, that the place was moldly, not clean, yada, yada. The other couple said that it was not true that their place, while not a 5 star place, was a good place to stay. The man and the wife said if the room was dirty it was because they did not clean it while there. Also, that Puerto Rican's were known not to care about cleanliness or something like that. The woman she knew for a fact if there was a choice between going to the beach and cleaning the room the PR would go to the beach. Other couple (white male, PR woman) were offended and the woman spoke up and out. The judge to the couple who owned that property that what they were saying was extremely racist. The woman tried to back down and explain "what I really meant was. . .". Unfortunately, her husband wasn't have any back-down problems--he kept right on talking. The Judge said that it seemed that the woman was trying to clean up what she said, but the husband just kept stepping up to the plate.  I think the wife remembered the Judge's last name is Ferrer (like Jose Ferrer) or that she remember his bio; the husband never got it. And he or she explained that there was mold all around the tub because they were in the tropics.

I know Judges are supposed to be impartial, but they are human. When you disrespect certain ethinic groups you are disrespecting their [ethnic] mothers.  (Judge Alex was born in Havana, Cuba, he and his family escaped from Fidel Castro’s Communist regime to America when he was a year old.) The Judge explained that he lived in Florida and nothing was more tropical than Florida, also that there was no mold on his bath tub.   Puerto Rican, Cuban, et al.--he knew the deal.  Needless to say, they lost the case. The big mouth guy will be in trouble on the way home.   

 

Thumbs Up for NJAWBO Diversity Networking Event

     I went to a diversity networking event Monday, June 19 given by NJAWBO (New Jersey Association of Women Business Owners). It was held at the Newark Museum and you guys know that I am a sucker for the Museum. Oh! Did I tell you that I think the plate I painted is just b-e-a-u-t-i-f-u-l? I have to shellac it to keep my masterpiece safe from color fade. LOL

I met a lot of really interesting women at NJAWBO, I  ended up buying a book, Defying the Odds, Triumphant Black Women of Newark, by Barbara J. Kukla. Kukla was editor of “Newark This Week" for the Star Ledger. She says she was at the SL for 40 years before retiring. And I became tired after 25 at UMD? This is such an interesting read, it honors 8 powerful and dedicated women of Newark, one is Senator Wynona M Lipman who died in 1999. There is a long list of ‘mover and shaker’ women here also. She lists them by profiles; the arts, business, church, education, etc. I was excited when I saw that I know a lot the women she listed :-) including my friend and ex-boss; and my first mentor. I'm almost finished reading DtO, but I am sure that I will read it again.

There is no web site but you can send an e-mail to Barbara Kukla at bjkukla@aol.com. Yeh, it's o.k. to say "Van sent me." (smiling)

Happy Father's Day

     Happy Father's Day to all the dad's  I know. And to all the mom's (and grandma's) who are raising their children alone.  Hugs and blessings to you all.

Well, I have already had my early morning Father's Day cry. As always, I did some early morning reading before starting my day. Last week I bought a heavily discounted book at Border's (these are called 'remainder's or something like that.) Patty James House of Curl is the name of the novel. I am a sucker for the chick lit tomes. Although someone needs to explain to the author of PJHoC that to be real chick lit you can't have people dying of serious diseases, etc. and lives cannot be painful.  I try to never assume--but I did when I bought Patty Jane's House of Curl, alcoholism, death, dying and families torn apart. No chick lit here, just a good read. 

I talked to one of my best friends last night, her dad died recently, that may one of the reasons we stayed on the telephone for such a long time. She was the first person I thought of this morning, I am hoping she will watch some bad TV or watch a favorite DVD and eat popcorn or Chinese food  if she feels low.  It's hard loosing a parent, especially, if you were very close.      

Morning Thoughts

  It's 7a, and I am having my morning cup of coffee. I'm drinking from my 'office' cup. I have spent time playing watch dog for my book club site. I had to wear my "no, no, no" hat this morning. I don't like when my day starts like this. On the positive side, group's Yahoo! sponsor ads are for book writing software and book publishing services and that really pleases me.

I am finally getting over my annoyance of being dragged into the whole UMDNJ mess. Very unhappy :-( I am hopeful that I will not be called again. I was thinking just yesterday (again) how odd it is that I don't miss the 9 to 5 thing at all. It just means that it was definitely time to end it. I am so grateful to my parents, whose thing was 'work' and 'save'; and advice from folks who took me under their wings to help show me the way. I especially thank my friend Carmen (sp??) who was what you think of when, I do know that this is sooo politically incorrect, you think of Italian mafia. He was so smart and knew much about many things, or maybe I thought so because I was not yet 25 years old. Whatever the reason, he passed on information that I use today. I do love the book "Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus", but it was Carmen who used to talk to me about men, life and money. I still see my friend and mentor Ann once in a while, she still looks wonderful. I wonder if she will attend the NJPAC Women's Luncheon, probably so.

I'm stumped. I have to respond to a reader about a Schezuan hot pot recipe. I have checked all of my cook books, what a chore; online and this morning I'll go to the library. I will answer his question this evening (deep sigh) It would have been so much easier if he had asked if I know of a good place to go for authentic Schezuan.

Last night I happened on a wonderful program on channel 13 called "The Power of Harmony". It was a about a gay mens chorus, 225 voices strong.  Since I started watching after the program had started I thought the title was also the group's name.  http://www.turtlecreek.org/aboutus/index.php?pid=main  but was wrong. Boy what a moving piece. It wasn't just singing, they talked about the trials (and joys) of being gay. One man wanted to talk to his parents after 30 years of no contact because it was their 50 anniversary. I can't even imagine not being in touch with my mom and dad--only death accomplished that.  His parents religion (formerly his) had no place for gay people. He said that he was quite young when he admitted his feelings for other boy. His parents told the church's powers and he was made to stand before the congregation and "confess" his sins, he was then banished. He could not reach his parents, so he called another relative, maybe an aunt. After all of these years she was so unreceptive and judgemental that I just cried. He kept calling his parents who had not changed much but did attend his concert. Before they left to return home, the mother hugged her son and his mate. Then his father did the same and said "We had a good time" and remarkably to the mate, "It was nice meeting you son."  The man telling the story was still so moved as he related the events. The chorus sang a song titled "I Ain't Afraid", it was so beautiful, I forgave them for the "ain't". (smile) One line of the song is "I ain't afraid...I'm afraid of what you are doing in the name of your God." I believe this will be on again June 23, I will be sure to watch the whole program. 

Oh yes. I am still loving NetFlix. I don't understand their process, but won't question it.  I am very anxious to see the movie, The Lake House with Keanu Reeves, Sandra Bullock and delicious Christopher Plummer. I hope it is as good as I think it should be :) I love the premise, two strangers connected by a house on a lake and a scoungy dog. The fact that they live 2 years apart is awesome. Oh yeh, I do expect to cry.  This movie reminds me of a book series I read in the 90's. Griffin & Sabine by Nick Bantock. This book may have been the beginning of the popularity of scrap booking; real envelopes with real notes that you remove and read. He lives in England, she lives somewhere in the South Pacific. He thinks she is a figment of his imagination.  Thanks to MAD to for introducing me to Griffin and Sabine so long ago.

Book Review Accepted :-)

I was delighted to see that Backspace accepted my book review. I was sent this book to read and review by the author, B.K. Mitchell, whom I met after posting a question in one of my forums. Since that time we have become cyber friends. I hope to see her in New York. She is attending a writing convention next month. I will not attend the convention,  but do hope to pop into the City to do lunch with B.K. and her hubby.  I have to keep my fingers crossed since she has not been well for the last couple of months. She is determined to get to the convention.

June of the Corn Huskers Ball
By B. K. Mitchell
Reviewed by: Vannie Ryanes - Editor, Work & Family at BellaOnline.com

The power of this book surprised and delighted me. Each character's life, in some way, is intricately intertwined with other lives in "June of the Corn Huskers Ball". While June learns about life and its complexities, she also learns about whispered family scandals and carefully hidden secrets. As June delves deeper into the past to get to the truth hiding behind family conversations she finds more than she ever expected to find. Sometimes it is more than she wanted to know. But June has her own secret that she must acknowledge and embrace.

"June of the Corn Huskers Ball" has a full range of characters that make you laugh and cry. Some are in denial, most of full of hope and all are passionate. There are countless visible and invisible boundaries that some will cross all for the sake of love.

A Good Forward message

      Every once in a while I receive a wonderful forward, I opened the one below from a good friend just this morning. Thanks Ell. It's title is Don't Break the Elastic!

"I've learned that no matter what happens, or how bad it  seems today, life does go on, and it will be better tomorrow."

"I've learned that you can tell a lot about a person by the way he/she handles these three things: a rainy day, lost luggage, and tangledChristmas tree lights."

"I've learned that regardless of your relationship with your parents, you'll miss them when they're gone from your life."

"I've learned that making a "living" is not the same thing as "making a life."

"I've learned that life sometimes gives you a second chance."

"I've learned that you shouldn't go through life with a catcher's mitt on both hands; you need to be able to throw some things back."

"I've learned that whenever I decide something with an open heart, I usually make the right decision."

"I've learned that even when I have pains, I don't have to be one."

"I've learned that every day you should reach out and touch someone.  People love a warm hug, or just a friendly pat on the back."

"I've learned that I still have a lot to learn."

"I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made  them feel."

Please send this to five phenomenal women today.

If you do, something good will happen: You will boost another woman's self-esteem.

If you don't...the elastic will break and your underpants will fall down around your ankles!;-)

Believe me, I didn't take any chances on MY elastic breaking....I sent it to a lot of special women I care for.

Life may not be the party we hoped for, but while we're here
we might as well dance.

All-in-All A Real Good Day

     The SPAM (more than 100 e-mails) I have been receiving from the Woman's Radio site has stopped (finger's crossed). The owner responded to initial my e-mail and claimed she knew nothing about the e-mail blitz. I do not believe this. Anyway, she asked that I send a sample of the e-mails I am receiving. I wrote back that I would blind copy her on each new SPAM e-mail that I receive, when I am forwarding them to the Feds--this morning my yahoo mail is squeaky clean.

 

Well, I received my first DVD's from NetFlix yesterday, just like they promised. I watched Flightplan again this morning to refresh my memory. After lunch I will write a review. I also have Memoirs of a Geisha to watch later this evening.

 

Yahoo! Groups is making changes to its groups pages. I keep hitting snags this morning. Will be glad when they are done with this upgrade. They sent moderator's a message a few days and ago. I read it and forgot it--the changes seemed minor, but I continue to get annoying glitches in member postings. Oh whine. Fortunately, I am home working from today so I can monitor the site closely. Yesterday the library was so crowded you had to find space to sit. LVA people and their clients were everywhere; that's a good thing, but, I will be glad when they finish the main floor so we can spread out again.  No e-mails please (smiling) remember I was an LVA volunteer and used the library also.

Grocery Shopping and Nosing About Town Today?

      O.K. you know for sure you must go shopping when your breakfast consists of a Matzoh and tea.

The problem is that I am in this odd work bubble and can't seem to stop typing long enough to get out and have a life. Maybe later I will walk head over to the Greek Fair in Orange. My gosh, I haven't to one in more than 20 years and I still remember the delicious pastries they used to sell. There was a time I would attend every year. I am so pleased that it is one of the consistent's  in this area. I find that very comforting. I just had a thought. I am thinking a lot about custard tarts and Greek pastries. I wonder what it is I really want? Maybe I will find out when (if) I go shopping today. It's funny,  I don't think about sweets for months and months and now images of sugar plums are dancing in my head. Yes. I understand that there really are such goodies as sugar plums. 

A Wet Saturday

 'afternoon Bloggie. I think that you will get a kick a out of this link. http://www.the39dollarexperiment.com/ I am sure that some will think that this guy has too much time on his hands, but I loved his "get free samples" experiment. Not sure if I would take the time to do it. Well, maybe I would write to the folks who responded with freebies :)

I had planned to go to the supermarket today, but changed my mind. I'll do it tomorrow instead. Boy, what weather this is a couple of days ago it was so hot I was sweltering and already hating that summer had arrived early. Today it looks we are approaching Fall. I have been in the house all day piddling around, which is something I seldom do when it rains. Usually I can't wait to get out and suck in all that glorious humidity, even though it plays havoc with hair. I think yesterday was so terrible, I was happy to be inside and safe from the crazy people out there.  My morning was just fine, I worked a little then went to pick up my mail. It wasn't as bad I as thought it would be. A few important pieces of mail, lots of junk.

I was supposed to go to a dance last night for one of my community groups so I figured I would pick up a pair of dressy saddles, my old ones are dead. Unfortunately, I ended up taking the bus ride to hell. I remember watching the Outer Limits or that other show, I can't recall the name right now (?), but I remember the episode so clearly, it was titled "Room For One More". My 'outer limits' bus was noisy, hot and slow. The bus driver contributed to much of the chaos. I was heading to the JG mall but decided to get off in the shopping center instead--when I looked up I had passed the center. Oh woe was me. The thing is that I was near my mom's old neighborhood so I got off the bus and bought 1/2  dozen Portuguese custard tarts--I had wanted them for almost 2 weeks. The return home took less than half the time it took to get half way to my destination. Now, does that make sense. When I got off the bus heading to the mall, the driver said, "I didn't know you were still on Mommy", I told her that I was going back home because obviously I wasn't meant to get to mydestination. She laughed (really loud) and pulled off.  I really felt like pulling my hair. While all of this is going on, I am acknowledging that I could be driving. Yesterday it seemed the lesser of two evils.

By the time I walked into my door, my head was pounding headache and it was pouring rain. I really did try to get to the dance, but I could not even get a taxi. Finally, I just gave up and decided it simply wasn't to be. I guess it was just as well. It would have hard to face bright shiny faces. So there was no dancing for me last night.  I put on an old "Simply Red" CD and I fell asleep early and slept through the night.   

I do hope I am forgiven for not attending the dance. But I did help the cause, I bought 5 tickets.