On: self-promotion begets happiness or an epiphany regarding blatant bragging

I've been challenged by my Sister-from-another-City to get into the practice of bragging. We had a great conversation recently about what it is to be positive, vocalizing one's blessings, and the laws of attraction. Apparently the key to this women's inspiring disposition is her gift of shameless self-promotion (!); her ability to brag about her flyness daily. She totally blew my mind!

Growing up, the best grades were never high enough. The sharpest church outfit was never crisp enough. That cute boy on the block spitting game at you was always somebody else's first, someone flyer than you. I learned to remember to be humble because someone is likely going to knock you down. The closer you are to earth, the less painful the swipe from above (even if it's just outwardly; I'm a dreamer by nature ;P). Remember to be modest because the good and the happy are never too proud. So for me, humility meant never being too excited about all the great things that happened and politely acknowledging a compliment then moving on quickly.  So imagine my simple mind trying to wrap itself around the idea of bragging as a good thing! That shouting your blessings from the highest peaks regularly will multiply your blessings! Word?

So I've been seriously ruminating on this idea. I've been Negative Nilly lately as I watch my peers being recognized and landing gigs left and right. The more praise people were getting, the more I felt like whatever I've got going on wasn't worth mentioning. I felt insecure and jealous. I just tried focusing on my own path and remembering to respect my time. But after this revelation of bragging, I began to see its value: (1) you have to let people know what's up for them to know what's up. People aren't trying to find you, they want you to come to them. When they see how fantastic you are they'll tell you so, but you've got to make sure they see; (2) reminding myself of my flyness, remembering to bask in my light, and putting into perspective all the greatness I'm creating will make me a happy, fulfilled person. UREKA!!!

****************************

I brag that I've finally and successfully kicked my PK habit.
I brag that I'm told that I'm loved daily.
I brag that I made good money last week doing something I love and I did it well.
I brag that I said "No, thank you." to something I didn't want to do even though it paid well, because it would surely be a mind-numbing, soul-killing gig.
I brag that I said no and I spent all day yesterday as I planned. I cleared the entire day so that I could stay at home and work on the shop and work on me.
I brag that I'm getting a raise.
I brag that I had the most decadent pistachio cupcake from Sweet Sugar Sunshine this afternoon and I nearly cried because it was just that good.
I brag that I bought four of those incredible treats and a slice of bundt cake to enjoy at home while I'm writing to you.
I brag that my googly eyes were returned last week... thrice!
I brag that I get to be creative all day everyday and that is truly a blessing.

****************************

The next time I see L, I'm giving her a big sloppy kiss.

View blog reactions

... are like tattoos.

I'm in love with Rihanna's tattoos. Not for their originality, but for their subtlety. They can be easily concealed, and they compliment her style so well--exactly what I aim to accomplish when I finally get my own set. Stay tuned :)

View blog reactions

Acquiring yin and yang or Meet Ceelo and Blue

I recently took in a pair of cats. One is gray and I named him Ceelo. He's nervous, timid. The other is Blue, the black one. He's more adventurous and outgoing. They're brothers. They sleep together. They groom each other. They are like yin and yang. I'm glad I was able to snag both of them. I wouldn't have had the heart to separate them. They remind me of my sister and me and they're exactly what I need in my life.


(please excuse my messy room... i'm still unpacking my haitian adventure... so?!)

View blog reactions

Roger Bonair-Agard & Linton Kwesi Johnson at the Zipper

I went to the Zipper Theater this evening to see two poets perform: the amazing Roger Bonair-Agard and the legendary Linton Kwesi Johnson. I'm not an expert on poetry, but I so enjoy it. I particularly enjoy these two Caribbean poets with they're distinct island drawls and their sexy delivery. Their stories are always beautiful and penetrating. I have a tendency to go out on adventures and to events solo and it's on nights like tonight, when I want to bounce and share with a friend, that I wish I wasn't so damn antisocial.

[Listen here]

View blog reactions

random chatter: matters of love, looks and mammaries

He finally materialized... out of no where mind you. I can't imagine ever doing that to someone... just up and disappearing. I know I agreed to let it be open, no labels=no disappointments, but it's not working too well for me. I'm so tired of contradicting myself. I want out for good. Now I just need to find the guts to say exactly that, mean it, and be happy with the resolution.

I have a casting on Saturday. Not through UGLY (a *whole* other post), but through Craigslist. I don't know what gave me the idea that I could possibly be a model of any sort. I'm super ordinary and I'm not particularly photogenic, but I like playing dress up and I like the idea of making money without actually doing anything adding any extracurriculars to my already insane schedule. It's for a Brooklyn-based clothing company. The posting said they're looking for "exotic models". I sent my vitals and some photos in, and I got an invitation to the casting. I have no hope of actually landing the gig. I'm not even sure if or how well it pays. But I figure I don't have anything to lose.

Right now I'm tired.

Doctor appointment at 9am tomorrow. I'm seeing the breast specialist. She's going to tell me that I can either take another course of antibiotics or have surgery. It's a dilated duct. I think I'll eventually have to get it removed anyway. I'm sad about that... mostly because I know I've done it t myself.

Bummer indeed.

View blog reactions

Deveaux&Co.

I'm working with a new modern dance company headed by Sasha Deveaux. The movement is incredible and the women in the company are becoming my sisters. Check out the new website at www.deveauxandcodance.org and come out and support.

View blog reactions

random chatter: where have all the good magazine's gone?

I like magazines. I tend to collect them. I was going through my collection when I found a few that are out of print now and I couldn't help but wonder why that's the case. Remember Suede? I bought the first issue with beautiful Alicia Keys on the cover back in 2004 (damn!) and the next two issues after. It was so great to see so many dark skinned beauties on the pages! The hair and makeup advice was actually relevant to a woman of my texture and complexion! And the style of the magazine was young and fresh and I was so happy to get my hands on it each month! Now, though Essence has a long and loyal history among the black media community, I've always found the writing to be sort of uninteresting and the photography to be just plain budget while Suede was on par with fly pubs like TRACE or Vibe. Yes, it's audience was much younger than it's parent pub (Essence), but I wish it were still around, because that Vibe Vixon nonsense just doesn't quit hit it. I miss Suede.

I also miss Russel Simmons' One World magazine. I was first exposed to so much art and music and fashion by flipping through it's pages. I couldn't believe it when I stopped seeing that one on the stand. So sad.

I get annoyed by this 'Go Green!' craze. I feel like it gives people a license to be pretentious and tell you what you need to be doing. It drives me bonkers! Despite that, I find myself picking up GOOD magazine every time I see a new issue on the stands. It's a really well designed and well written publication for, according to it's website, people who give a damn. 100% of its revenue goes to one of the twelve affiliated non-profit organizations chosen by the subscriber and it's printed on recycled paper. It's articles cover topics centered around environmental and socio-economic news. They reach out to several arts collectives and graphic designers to create a different feel for the magazine each issue. It's a great little mag that doesn't annoy me.

View blog reactions