March 25, 2005

I got the news today, on my birthday, that my book was finished being printed and would be shipped to me ASAP!  What a lovely day to find out that a life task I'd embarked upon back in 1999 had finally turned into a dream come true in 2005?  I thought I was going to be able to hold off on telling people about it, but I told my mom.  She was as excited as I was!  Hopefully, I'll start to hear from you all more as the book makes its way around.  I look forward to the feedback.

April 1, 2005

TODAY I GOT THE BOOK!!  It's everything I'd imagined it would be and more.  BIG UPS to the staff at AuthorHouse.  I picked the right place...and J.R. Harris is just the absolute BEST Author Representative there!  The other day, I noticed that the page for the second book to be released soon, "Where Friendship Lies" is being constructed.  I'm on a roll!!  Most people think this is going to be the time that I sit back and start relaxing because the books are coming out, but this just means I am about to have to get REAL busy promoting and circulating not one, but two books, by the time summer gets here.  I'll definitely be needing my vacation come September!

April 4, 2005

I put in my first large order for books today!  Thanks to all the people who are coming aboard to help me get this show on the road.  In a week's time...the people who have put in pre-orders will have a hot little copy in their hands.  I will be an autographing FOOL this weekend!!

A month has passed me by without writing in the blog because BLESSEDLY, I have been busy, busy, busy!  Been advertising on www.BlackPlanet.com to young ladies between the ages of 26 and 35 and have received a lot of wonderful comments and an outpouring of support.  Several more shipments of the book are on their way to me and there never seems to be enough on hand to handle the demand.  If you have a Black Planet page, check me out.  My name on there is MIXEDEMOTIONS1.

July 25, 2005

July 27, 2005

July 28, 2005

August 10, 2005

August 11, 2005

August 13, 2005

August 14, 2005

September 2, 2005

 

September 10, 2005

 

           I found a nifty little website that allows you to create your own cartoons (www.stripcreator.com) and I've

           started my new strip.  It will serve to lament (and rejoice) in the times and tribulations of the writer.  In

           this debut strip, I show how so much time can be wasted sending out endless streams of query letters

           to agents and publishing houses. 

 

[Having Inclusion Difficulties with Cartoon # 1]

Go Here to See It Online:

http://www.stripcreator.com/comics/HouTxWriter/309733

 

     I got a note from a young lady named Dallas Woodburn.  She's a freshman in Creative Writing at the University

     of Southern California.  She wrote me after reading my NAWW newsletter interview and I visited her website. 

     For such a young lady, she's manifested a very impressive writing career.  She's got two books of poetry out

     (self-published) and is currently working on her first novel.  I expect great things from her.  Check her out at:

     www.zest.net/writeon, support her books and read more up on her work with literacy programs and scholarship  

     Fund, Writer's Contests and how she's trying to get young people involved with writing.  GOOD WORK, DALLAS!

 

September 18-27, 2005

 

     CRUISE TIME HAS COME AND GONE!!!!  But, I am here to tell you I had A BALL!!  I live in Houston, so during

     the time we were out enjoying the fun and leisure of our cruise, Hurricane Rita was approaching the Texas coast

     and reeking MUCH "over-expressed" hoopla for those in the general area of Galveston/Houston.  I heard people

     actually sat in traffic on the freeways evacuating for hours and hours on end only to find they'd traveled tens of

     miles instead of the hundreds of miles they'd have been able to cover in the same amount of time on any other

     normal day.  THAT IS MADNESS!!  We had access to CNN on the ship and the more I watched, the more I

     realized a lot of the panic was initiated by the fact no one wants to find themselves stuck out like the

     Louisiana/Mississippi/Alabama Hurricane Katrina evacuees, but in my opinion (as a viewer who not only got

     a chance to see the pandemonium on the screen but who also came back to shore to a nearly dry port with

     only scattered electrical difficulties -praise God!) the inconvenience of this almost unnecessary evacuation is

     going to end up being an example of why news media shouldn't over-inflate a storm's potential because what

     may end up being a situation in the future where we OUGHT to evacuate, we won't.  It'll be the Newscaster

     who cried Hurricane!  Fewer people will evacuate next time.  As people worried that we were stuck aboard the

     set of "A Perfect Storm" (being tossed and turned and capsized on turbulent, unruly waters), we kicked

     back on calm, blue waters and even got two extra days at sea to wait for electricity to be restored at the

     Galveston Ship Port.  We visited Jamaica, the Grand Cayman  Islands, Cozumel and Costa Maya.  During the

     cruise, we discovered two new drinks.  One, we called "Hurricane 'Rita".  It consists of a layering or swirling of

     a frozen regular Margarita and a frozen Hurricane.  The other drink is called a Miami Vice.  That's a swirling

     or layering of a frozen Strawberry Daiquiri and a Pina Colada.  FANTASTIC!!  I recommend everyone (21 and

     older only, please...drink responsibly) try one of these concoctions. 

 

     I was glad to get back to find my family, my home, my friends, my dog and my place of employment all no

     worse for the wear, safe, healthy, and intact.  We want to thank everyone for their profuse prayers which

     undoubtedly helped keep our boat afloat and for the act of worrying.  When someone worries about you...you

     know they truly love you.  I love you all in return.  Even though it looks like we might have been drunk and

     dancing to 50 Cent while y'all were stuck in endless traffic...(OK, so, for a little while...it looks exactly like that)

     ...we still had you on our minds and we were praying for you as well. 

 

[Having Inclusion Difficulties with Cartoon # 2]

Go Here to See It Online:

http://www.stripcreator.com/comics/HouTxWriter/309748

 

October 4, 2005

 

        It's pretty hard to get back in the swing of things.  Want so badly to get back in the swing of writing.  I think I

        am suffering from Post Cruise-Partum Depression.  It's hard to fall back into the grind of working and writing

        and cleaning and socializing and everything after being waited on hand and foot 24 hours a day for 9 days

        straight...not having to make up your own bed, wash your own dishes, or cook your own meals.  For those of

        you who know...I don't even have to mention the ice-cream cone withdrawal I am gong through.  Alas, I've got

        try to come to terms with the fact it's time to settle back into the ordinary.  I wanted to give a shout out to all

        the great people I met on the cruise.  Thanks for everything, Todd.  Having me on your Morning Show was

        "amazing"!  We've decided that next year, we will be heading to the Bahamas by way of Norfolk, Virginia.  I've

        already started to count down the days.  There are 370 days until next year's cruise.

 

October 9, 2005

 

         HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO SHAWNTE'...HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU.  HAPPY BIRTHDAY CO-AUTHOR,

         HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!!  Ladies and Gentleman, today is the day we commemorate the day the

         world was blessed with Shawnte' Henderson.  She's my co-author of 'Where Friendship Lies' and I love

         her dearly.  Congratulations on making another year. 

 

October 17, 2005

 

         Talk about a NAIL-BITER!!  Our city's baseball team is in the playoffs and tonight COULD HAVE BEEN

         THE NIGHT that the franchise won their way into the World Series for the first time ever!  Did it happen?? 

         No, but I certainly was one of the people who was left hanging on the edge of my seat with my fingers crossed

         wishing good luck would shine on the Houston Astros.  So, instead of happening that night, we have to

         wait and see what happens on Wednesday night.  I'm confident they will concentrate harder and realize

         how easily victory can be pulled from your grip if you don't plan more defensively.  In book news, good things

         have happened.  I got a burst of inspiration in regards to Tainted Relations, which is the sequel to Mixed

         Emotions.  I got about eleven or so pages written in the manuscript.  I was up until three in the morning,

         but I found it hard to stop.  When I went to sleep, I felt satisfied.  Something pretty interesting is happening

         to Myeisha's life right now in regards to DeAndre.  I can't wait until you guys get to check it out. 

 

October 18, 2005

 

         FINALLY!!  I will be able to update the website!  I've been having technical difficulties with SBC and my

         DSL service, so I was only able to update my pages, but couldn't post these updates.  I'll be doing that

         tomorrow night.  I want to try to work on what I got started writing yesterday evening.  Some pretty neato

         things on my plate in the near future.  Check the Tour Bus for book club meetings and spotlights in local

         newspapers.  Outside of book world, I've been invited to the NAACP Freedom Fund Gala on the 28th. 

         I'm looking forward to the break and the opportunity to network and connect with other people. 

 

October 19, 2005

 

         I'm watching my Astros playing while I am making these last minute changes to the website before I update

         it.  SO far, so good.  It's the fourth inning and they have gotten three runs.  I'm a baseball fan from way back. 

         People tend not to like baseball much...thinking it's boring, but it's always been a pretty interesting game to

         me.  My grandfather's love of the game introduced me to this game and to dominoes.  Of course, the way

         people feel about baseball is the way I feel about basketball.  Ooh, that is one silly game.  Hey, that brings

         up the fact that they introduced the new rules on the dress code for employees of the NBA.  Of course, some

         people, my brother, for one, thinks it's too much of a big deal being focused on something that shouldn't be

         of any consequence...but I take the stand alongside the team owners and league officials.  Lawyers, doctors,

         teachers, police officers, zookeepers, military personnel, and basically all corporate workers have some sort of

         dress code in affect at their place of employment.  What makes employees of the NBA immune to having to look

         more professional.  There has been a steady decline in the pre and post-game appearances of their players. 

         They all look like people we wouldn't much want to talk to to get their opinion on any topic other than rap

         videos and throwback jerseys.  Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, Patrick Ewing and Shaquille O'Neal have

         all displayed very stylish and professional looking personas when they were representing their employer's

         business dealings.  I care what they have to say; I don't care what Allen Iverson has to say about anything. 

         I get the impression the players who are against the change think they are paying the NBA and not the NBA

         who is paying them.  They also must assume that they are the only viable players in the world.  If the NBA

         was satisfied with its current roster of individuals across the board, there'd be no NBA Draft next year.  While

         a player might have game, they aren't THE GAME so technically, if your employer says jump, you need to

         say, "How high?" as long as they are giving you a check (a sizeable one, at that).  If you don't like the rules,

         you can quit and buy your way out of your contract and then go open your own basketball association.  Until

         then, you follow the rules or face disciplinary actions or fines for being insubordinate.  Basketball players are

         employees and products of a much bigger business than they are obviously aware of.  I'm glad they are

         finally going to make them look more presentable.

 

GO ASTROS!!!

 

 

PHOTO EXTRA

This is me and my family in Minute Maid Park watching the Astros play one of

this season's games that lead to them heading to the 2005 World Series!!

 

They are on their way to the WORLD SERIES!!!!!!!

 

         Congratulations, guys!!!  You have certainly played some ball this year and earned your spot in history. 

         On Saturday, I will look forward to rooting for you to start dirtying up the White Sox hopes and dreams

         of winning the 2005 World Series!!!

 

[Having Inclusion Difficulties with Cartoon # 3]

Go Here to See It Online:

http://www.stripcreator.com/comics/HouTxWriter/309878

 

 

December 12, 2005

 

       An update has been VERY LONG overdue!  It's been almost two whole months and you'd think I was up to

       nothing, but that is so far from the truth.  A lot of changes have occurred in my life.  ALL of them have been

       positive!  I moved into a new place and I am so excited.  It was the preparation for the move and the actual

       moving that took up most of November.  Therefore, the better portion of the early days in December were

       spent painting, unpacking and organizing the new space.  I'm not one to comfortably live out of boxes, so

       I wasn't going to be able to sleep at night if I didn't take care of that.  Aside from moving, I did a lot of writing

       on the sequels of Mixed Emotions and Where Friendship Lies.  I got in contact with my friend, and co-author,

       Shawnte' Henderson, who tells me that she's expecting.  I'M BLOWN AWAY!!  I'm so excited that another

       niece or nephew is on the way for me to love...but GIRL, YOU NEED TO QUIT SLEEPING AND PUKING

       and write your chapters. 

 

       This past weekend, I had a book signing at Classy Styles & Cuts in Austin.  I met a few nice people and

       sold some books.  One person of note that I met was the hilariously witty and fabulously adorable (he's a

       cutie pie, for real...but ladies, he's MARRIED...and Mrs. DJ Tazz ain't finta let it go down like that...so don't

       be tryin' to holla) David "Dj Tazz Daddy" Anderson.  He's the Mid-Day (10 a - 2 p) DJ for The Beat 104.3 in

       Austin.  He's an author, too, and you can find out more info on him or his book by visiting one of three

       websites.  At the radio station, check http://www.beat1043.com/main/tazz.htm.  His personal website is

       http://www.tazzdaddy.com/home2.htm.  You can also go to his literary website at www.lovemerightbooks.com.   

       I can't wait for our radio interview.  Thanks for the support and the airplay.  Let me know if your wife liked the

       book.

 

       When we got back to Houston after the Austin signing, we hurried and changed and got ready for the

       United Negro College Fund Annual Gala that was being held at the George R. Brown Convention Center. 

       I only have good things to say about the wine, the dessert, and the entertainment, therefore, I won't say

       anything about the outrageously dry chicken breast meal at all.  Before I digress, let me say their chocolate

       Tiramisu was delectable.  I could've eaten two of them, but I was still a bit full from the big meal we had

       at Fish Daddy's a few hours before that.  Their Merlot was excellent.  The entertainment for the night was

       "The Stylistics".  I WAS SO PUMPED UP!!  It was for the Stylistics that I hurried back to Houston.  I

       couldn't miss the opportunity to see them live and up close.  There aren't words for how crisp and good

       their performances were.  Every song sounded like it was fresh out of the studio and if they'd have recorded

       it for sale, there'd be little (if any) need for editing.  PERFECTION!!  I reminded me, of course, of how

       horrible music currently is...but before I digress...let's just say I am glad I didn't sit this gala out.  Here I am

       pictured with one of the members of the Stylistics.

 

 

For those of you who don't know nuttin' 'bout no real music...some of their notable songs include:

 

You Make Me Feel Brand New

I'm Stone in Love With You

Break Up To Make Up

People Make the World Go Round

Betcha by Golly, Wow

Stop, Look, Listen (To Your Heart)

You Are Everything

You'll Never Get to Heaven (If You Break My Heart)

Rockin' Roll Baby

Can't Give You Anything (But My Love)

You're A Big Girl Now

 

 

December 20, 2005

 

       Matisse got a new bed for Christmas.  She's already utilizing it.  I couldn't wait until the 25th to give it to

       her, so here she is modeling her new four-poster bed.  No, I am not crazy. 

 

 

 

 December 22, 2005

 

 

XpoZher

Yolanda Green

Appointments Preferred

(713) 707-3723

 

       I didn't INTEND to forget to mention this young lady (pictured above) back in October when I met her, but

       wanted to definitely make sure that I got her info out to you for the New Year.  She sales jewelry that is

       unique and gorgeous!  A few of the pieces she makes by hand but most of them are from a catalogue.  I like

       eclectic or outstanding jewelry and you are sure to find something exciting in her collection.  She was

       showcased right next to my table at The Breakfast Klub when I had a public book sale & sign and both my

       friend and I bought something before leaving that day.  That piece remains one of my favorites.  Mom bought a

       couple bracelets and she wears them all the time.  Give her a call to find out more about her availability or to

       schedule an appointment to go view her collection. 

 

 

 

Happy New Year

 

January 1, 2006

 

       HAPPY NEW YEAR, EVERYONE!!  It's already 2006 and I remember when we were preparing to party like

       it was 1999...but time keeps on slipping into the future and it's been an interesting ride.  I have evaluated my

       schedule and the things I want to accomplish during this year and my goal is to get three books out this year.

       The second of five books in the Mixed Emotions series, which will be called "Tainted Relations", is one of the

       releases.  Victoria is plucked from the first book as a minor character to become the major character in this

       follow-up.  She decides to accept the position in Texas with Trilogy Music and her life takes a new, serious

       turn as she meets some interesting people in Houston.  You'll keep in minor touch with some of the old

       characters, but the new set promises to be as exciting as the first.  Myeisha and DeAndre's love affair reaches

       a boiling point and with it comes a whirlwind of drama.  Victoria becomes fast friends with an entertainment

       lawyer named Tamyra who has a set of her own issues to deal with. 

 

       After that, Shawnte' and I plan to finish up the continuing saga of the women from Where Friendship Lies. 

       There is nothing simple and easy about the lives of Cheyenne Morris-Lewis and Ramona Shaw.  So far, it's

       jammed with drama and fun, so we can't wait to get that one out. 

 

      The third book I want to get out this year is really a smaller book that is a collection of erotic short stories

      that are weaved into the body of a completely other story.  It's called "Girls Night In: The Passion Party" and it

      is based around the business enterprise of Deidre, a sister who makes mad cash throwing Passion Parties in

      her basement studio.  The tales these women share while they view the items for sale are exotic, erotic, romantic

      and passionate.  Where some writers miss the romantic concept of eroticism, I am trying to put that back into

      our Ultra-R-rated reading.  It will be distributed on this website, through the usual online retail channels and

      through various real-life "Passion Party" providers.  So look for it or ask for it if you go to someone's home

      erotic party and want a little bedside reading to turn up the volume!!

 

 

January 7, 2006

 

       My girls (and Akilah's husband) and I went to Club Visions.  Let it be told, Club Visions is the end all be all

       of clubs in every city they are in.  Well, that may be the case in California or Atlanta or whatnot, but the

       Houston version SUX!  I don't like to diss anybody's hustle, but nightlife in Houston has gotten sorry.  Once

       you cut through all the smoke as you breathe shallow hoping you don't catch that last whiff that gives you

       first-hand lung cancer from second-hand smoke, you shuffle shoulder-to-shoulder with other people who are

       in fierce competition to look like they have more than they do and stand around in patches of open space so

       you can finally notice that NOBODY IS DANCING!!  Well, that's not ENTIRELY true.  The women are dancing,

       by themselves or with each other...and not out of any homosexual necessity...and the men are standing

       against the walls (upstairs or down, it truly doesn't matter, the scene is the same) nursing their one drink for the

       night and watching booty pass by.  There's always someone who has cordoned off the "VIP" area and make

       major productions out of letter everyone know they are in the VIP section.  No one cares, which is as it should

       be, and eventually, they get the DJ to make actual mention of the VIP area so people can all look over like

       something spectacular is going on over there.  Usually hosed within the velvet rope is a groupie or two and a

       few guys trying their damndest to bling your eyes out so more potential groupies can swoop over to swoon. 

       In any case, we had a good time (in our own company, of course, in our own private little VIP area we just

       made that up for wherever we decided to sit).  So, anyway, before I go too far off into my anger with this (and

       all the similar institutions) place, here's the self-portrait I took of me and the homies.

 

At Club Visions Downtown Houston

 

 

January 10, 2006

 

       Somebody pull my tired and weary fingers from the keyboard.  NO...not in conjunction with actually doing

       what I am supposed to be doing with it (working on manuscripts) but in setting up my page on MySpace!! 

       Daamon suggested I get a page on this uber-popular website so I could possibly network with other writers

       from all over the world.  HOW RIGHT HE WAS!!  I have met a couple really interesting writers and have gotten

       a few literary connections and have given out a couple of my own.  I've got a couple other photos on there and

       I've posted a couple articles from the UrbanThang archives and some short stories.  If you want to read them,

       check out my page.  If you've got a MySpace page, send me a MySpace note and I'll visit it.  I manage my

       own MySpace page, so if you send me a note, I am going to reply.  You can view the page without signing

       up, but to interact with me or read my blog or whatnot, you have to join and get your own free page.  Lately,

       MySpace has been popping up on the news as a haven for child predators, so please beware if you have

       children browsing through "The Space".  SHOUT OUT TO MY MYSPACE FRIENDS FROM ALL OVER!

 

Click THE PINK LINK BELOW to visit my http://www.myspace.com page:

 

http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendID=46053284

 

 

 

January 12, 2006

 

            One day I was shopping at Victoria's Secret in the Galleria and when I came outside, I was pleasantly

            surprised to see two young ladies sitting at a kiosk right by the stairs working with beads and such.  I

            stopped to see if they were selling handmade jewelry.  They said they were and then Candace said she

            was the designer of the pieces.  I looked over the things and they were such beautiful, high-quality pieces

            I instantly fell in love!!  These aren't your average, everyday string-some-beads-together-and-call-it-jewelry

            items, these are individual works of art you wear on your neck, ears and wrists.  I grabbed a card and

            knew I would want to spread the word on her because what she was doing is unique and has flair!!  This

            sistah's art is just as beautiful as she is and she's very nice and approachable.  I highly recommend you

            visit her website and purchase some of her creations.  There's a piece I have my eye on and I plan to

            purchase it in the near future.  For more information or to check out some of her line, the picture below is           

            hyperlinked to her website.  Or, if you live in Houston (or are visiting our great city), stop by The Galleria

            and check them out in person.  Her contact information is listed below the picture. 

 

 

contrAversy

Galleria Hours

5015 Westheimer # R 120 (Galleria I), Houston, TX 77056

(Between Victoria's Secret & Abercrombie)

(713) 621-2231

www.candaceviola.com  -  info@candaceviola.com

 

 

February 3, 2006

 

 

            In the spirit of "research", I went to a friend's F.U.N. Party.  For the book I am writing, "Girls Night In: The

            Passion Party", my story is based around a group of women who are attending this party where women

            are presented with and can buy intimate apparel and erotic devices (oils, potions, massage oils, etc.). 

            Well, that's not fiction, those parties actually exist, though they are called several different things

            (F.U.N. Parties, Dirty Hearts Party, etc.).  This party was a LOT of fun and I made a lot of new buddies

            in the process.  A couple very fun games were played.  I was part of the group that was crowned

            "Queens of the Condom". 

 

February 9, 2006

          

           So, I went to the 75th Anniversary celebration for The Houston Defender newspaper and had a fabulous

           time.  I'd like to thank them for the invite.  One of the best parts of the night was that they had free

           caricatures done by a guy named Dave Vandiver.  The business is called SHOW BUSINESS

           ENTERTAINMENT, INC.  Contact information is 1435 Heights Blvd., Houston, Texas 77008,

           (713) 869-6100 or (713) 869-9054 - Fax.  If you would like to hire him or another caricaturist for a party,

           give them a call.  I found out that one of my friends on MySpace (FutureVanGogh) works with this company,

           too.  What a coincidence!  I have that person's actual website showcased on my advertising avenue page.

           It's http://www.cecilroberts.com.  Cecil (FutureVanGogh) is a very nice guy (he's also a bodybuilder...and

           awfully well-built) who also does cartoon character development and general illustrations.  Check out how

           the artist who did my caricature drawing totally captured the BUFFNESS of my muscles!! 

 

 

 

February 19, 2006

 

 

 

 

February 21, 2006

     I don't watch entirely too many "reality" shows because of the fake factor, but there's a new show coming in

     March that is starring my friend and his family.  I'll be watching it. 

 

     Brought to you by executive producers R.J. Cutler, Matt Alvarez and Ice Cube, comes the potentially

     controversial, but hopefully insightful concept show Black. White., which is about taking two families from

     two different cities and two different races and getting them to swap races.

 

     Oprah recently had both families on the show to get more insight on what the show will be about and to see

     a few clips from the show.  To visit the Oprah Show write-up on the episode, go to the following link.  There is

     also a message board and video clips.

 http://www2.oprah.com/tows/pastshows/200602/tows_past_20060216.jhtml

     The show premieres on March 8th at 10 p.m. (Eastern Pacific...so that's 9:00 p.m. Central and 7:00 p.m.

     Pacific) on the F/X cable network.  There's a chat room on this site and more information about each of the

     executive producers and a way to register.  There are also free downloads.

http://www.fxnetworks.com/shows/originals/blackwhite/main.html

     In the first series, the two, average, middle-class families converge together under one roof in Los Angeles, as

     they prepare to go out in the world as the other race. The Sparks (Brian, Renee, and son Nick) are a middle

     class black family from Atlanta, GA. Brian is a 41-year old of Southern University at Baton Rouge and he is a

     contractor.  His wife, Renee, is a 38-year old graduate of Georgia Perimeter College.  She is an office manager. 

     Their son, Nick, is a high school senior.  The Wurgels (Bruno, Carmen, and daughter Rose) are a white family

     from Santa Monica, CA.  Bruno is a 47-year old graduate of Loyola Marymont University and is a teacher in the

     Los Angeles area.  Carmen is a 48-year old graduate of Northern Arizona University and is a location scout in

     L.A.  Their daughter, Rose, is an 18-year first year college student.  The Sparks applied to an online casting

     call and the Wurgels applied after being coaxed by friends to participate.

 

 

(This is my friend, Brian Sparks)

 

     In one clip from the show that they showed on Oprah, Brian, in his white make-up, got a job as a bartender. One

     day at work, he asked a white patron to describe the neighborhood. "This is one of the last somewhat unaffected

     bastions of middle class, Caucasian America," the man replied. "They don't want a lot of migration because

     they've seen what's happened in the peripheral communities, and it's taken the quality of life down."

     Brian says he was surprised by the turn the conversation took. "Inside, I'm just getting sick," says Brian. "But,

     hey, I have to do this. This is what I'm here for. This is what I want to find out. I want to be a fly on the wall."

 

(This is Bruno Wurgel)

 

     While in costume for Black. White., Bruno says he didn't personally experience any racism. "I acknowledge

     there is racism," he says. "I, personally, during the experience of the show never felt any."

     Made up as a black person, Bruno went to several car dealerships to see if he would be treated any differently.

     "It didn't seem to me that anyone was keying in on my blackness," says Bruno. "In general, I got excellent service

     and I'm finding that I'm treated exactly the same whether I'm black or white."  He also expressed his desire to

     actually be called a "nigger" since he says that it is his impression in his experience with Blacks, they always

     complain that they are constantly being called "the N-word" by everyone all the time.  He never was.

     Oprah makes a point on how the perception of one's class factors into the race debate. "It's not just about

     race," says Oprah. "It's also about the perception of class. … When you walk into a place and you're speaking

     a certain way, people treat you differently than if they perceive you to be speaking another way."

     Race became a hot button for Bruno and Brian during the course of the experiment. Bruno says, "If you're

     expecting to see something, you probably will. And if you're not, you probably won't."

Here's the rest of the families:

              

(Renee Sparks)                           (Carmen Wurgel)

             

 (Nick Sparks)                                (Rose Wurgel)

(Pictures and most wording along with pictures from Oprah's website.)

Watch the show or place it on your DVR or TiVo schedules to record it.  It's sure to be an eye-opener.

 

February 22, 2006

 

     I found a nifty little website that let's you create photo slideshows, so I tried it out by creating a few slideshows. 

     I want to share a couple of them with you.  If I make any more I think you'll enjoy, I will post them here in the

     blog.  The website is www.rockyou.com if you want to go create your own.  It's very easy to do.

 

     This one is some photos from the first night of All-Star Weekend.  Edward Rogers, Klenton and Brian Sparks,

     Glenn Montgomery, Tamara Paige and I all converged on The Red Rooster Club off Martin Luther King Blvd.

     to get our party on.  We had an absolutely AWESOME time.  The second one is an ode to my mother that I

     made of pictures of things we've done as we hang together.  Click on the following links to CHECK 'EM OUT:

 

 http://rockyou.com/viewslideshow.php?instanceid=10534120&refid=10534120
 

and

 

http://rockyou.com/viewslideshow.php?instanceid=10651345&refid=10651345
 

 

May 15, 2006

 

     It post Mother's Day 2006 and I hope each of you had a great day!  WOW!!  Where has the time gone??  It's

     been so long sine I've updated anything on here, it's unreal!  I've been in writer's hibernation, which means I was

     trying to concentrate on getting the next releases further along in production and I accomplished that to some

     degree.  I've got to buckle down and get a few more chapters cranked out for "Tainted Relations".  The progress

     of "A Lover's Deceit" has been slow because a lot of things have been happening in Shawnte's life.  I'd already

     announced to everyone that she was expecting her first child.  We figured we'd get those final few chapters

     written before her daughter (who will be named Taylor when she's born this month...very soon) was born, but

     a storm came through her life in the form of her dear mother suffering a stroke.  Well, prayer is powerful and

     God is good because her mother is getting better by the day, but the consuming activities of preparing for

     the arrival of a new baby and caring for an ailing parent has caused her to not have so much time to write. 

     Maybe Taylor will prove to be a good baby and not be fussy and let her mom do some writing.  HAPPY FIRST

     MOTHER'S DAY AS A MOTHER, TAY!  Congratulations and I love you both!

 

     I've gotten a year older since my last entry in February.  I turned 35 on March 25th.  I had an AWESOME party

     at The Red Rooster on Martin Luther King Blvd.  See my photo Gallery for pictures from the birthday celebration.

 

 

     I've been doing a lot of networking and meeting a great deal of interesting and purpose-driven people.  I've

     become acquainted with an emerging Houston singer named Scenic Woods.  Yep, you guessed it, she's

     repping the Scenic Wood community.  I always have a good time meeting with and talking to Punkin from Pluto

     a*k*a Peach Biscuit.  At a recent restaurant grand opening reception, I met with three artists of note.  One is a

     gentleman named Karim Alston and the other two are Anna Webb and Jamila John.  They co-own and co-run

     A & J Creative Consultations.  They do murals, portraits and other artistic endeavors that involve placing brush to

     canvas.  I'll probably put a few pictures here in the blog, but I will put their contact information in my business

     section.  Another artist I met is a gentleman name Doss Tidwell.  He is a photographer.  Look for his info in the

     business section.

 

            

 

      

 

     I've met with quite a few writers on MySpace and a couple want to collaborate on a project.  One seems like

     it'll be a go, but the other, we're at a stand-still because he's more into self-help and non-fiction.  I'm fiction

     ALL THE WAY!  In any case, I'll keep you guys up-to-date on that.

 

     I'm going to embark on the challenge of working with a professional personal trainer to try to get my PHINE on

     for the upcoming fall cruise to the Bahamas.  Lord, I just pray Hurricane Season is kind to us and allows the

     planes off the ground to get to Virginia and then get the ship off dock and keeps the Bahamas safe and sound.

 

     Well, I will go now, but thank you for stopping through and checking up on my updates.  Take care.  Have a

     blessed week.

 

May 22, 2006

 

      Today's an EXCITING DAY!  My niece was born.  This is the beautiful daughter of my friend and co-author,

      Shawnte' Henderson (we did Where Friendship Lies together, in case you guys forgot).  I made an announce-

      ment e-blast picture for her...and I'll post it here so I won't have to click off the birth information.  She's

      absolutely darling.

 

CONGRATULATIONS, SHAWNTE!

 

 

 

May 26, 2006

 

     I've been going through pictures and have decided that I need to catch you up in all sorts of activities that I've

     been to or people I've met and advertising the things they are pursuing in life...so I might as well get started now. 

     I've got this buddy named Dune-Micheli (Patten).  He's an accomplished and talented artist...so go check out his

     work on his website (http://www.dunespirit.8m.com) or if you're a MySpacer...check out pics of him, his beautiful

     wife, Jenn, their gorgeous daughter, Naomi, and some of his work by clicking on the link posted below:

 

http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=8949475

 

     This is from my personal collection of Dune pictures and this is from the day we went to hang out at the Cafe'

     Express at the Museum of Fine Arts in the Museum District (for you non-Houstonians).

 

            

Dune is one of the nicest guys you could ever meet. 

 

 

May 27, 2006

 

     Back in April, mom, some friends, and I attended the Pantene Total You Tour at the George R. Brown

     Convention Center.  Guest appearances included Susan L. Taylor, Eva Pigford, Myra J (my picture with her will

     be posted in the Photo Gallery), Latoya Luckett, Mrs. Richardson-Joyner (Tom Joyner's wife, the Fitness Guru),

     Goapele, Tyrese (pictured below) and a couple new groups coming out on the scene.  That was a very em-

     powering event, ladies, and I strongly suggest going when it comes around next year. 

           

This is me and my mom, then Tyrese during his performance, and then me with friend, Keidra Spivey.

 

     In the process of this latest writing retreat, I made a discovery.  There's a young lady trying to get into modeling

     in Houston named Trenicia.  While flipping through MySpace on my networking mission, I get this message from

     her asking for general assistance on if I had any knowledge of people or places who were looking to recruit models. 

     One look at her and I saw the face of my character, Tawny, who will be one of the central characters in Shawnte's

     and my WFL sequel that will be called A Lover's Deceit.  Some insider information is that the third and final

     book to the exciting trilogy of this series will focus on Tawny and it is in that mission that we needed a cover

     model.  So, I'd like you to meet the woman who will be the face of Tawny on the third book cover of the Where

     Friendship Lies series.

 

Trenecia Deville...for more info...check out her MySpace profile

http://www.myspace.com/treniciadeville

 

     DAMN IT...one of the bestest Public Relations / Event Planning chicks in America, Akilah Taylor (A Taylor Made

     Event) decided that she was going to leave me all by my lonesome and move to Atlanta to work for Macy's.  My

     loss is Atlanta's gain and I wish her and her husband, Titus, all the best...but rest assured, when I get ready to

     hit the ATL with book releases, I expect a red carpet affair because YOU OWE ME FOR MOVING HUNDREDS

     OF MILES AWAY!!!  Fun was always so much funner with you and Titus.  Several of us met up with them at "The

     Roost" (that's The Red Rooster on MLK and OST) to give them a proper send off.  I MISS YOU GUYS...

 

   

              (Left to Right) Me, Edward, Titus & Akilah                  (Left to Right)  Edward, Me, Akilah, Titus, and Marlon

 

     Well, I guess you're pretty much updated on some of the more memorable events that have taken place in my

     life over the last few months while I was deep in write mode.  I'll update even more over the holiday weekend.

 

 

May 29, 2006

 

     Today is Memorial Day and I don't have all that much to do.  I think Daamon wants me to BBQ some meat and

     I'll probably do that...but then again, it is thundering and such right now in Houston, so that may not be feasible

     as I don't barbeque in the rain.  Wednesday, however, is another special day.  My Godson, Jarion, will be two

     years old and we're just all so excited.  Here he is with his brother looking like a big boy with his serious self:

 

My Godsons, Jarred (corner) and Jarion (car seat)

 

 

June 18, 2007

 

     Has it really been this long?  Well, I guess it was around the time that Little Miss Taylor Henderson (who

     just celebrated her one-year life anniversary) came to be and started the literary hiatus.  I started working on a

     couple other projects and laying the foundation for the follow-up novels to "Mixed Emotions"...and write some

     short stories for the collection of erotic shorts.  Shawnte' was having weather issues in her city, a new baby, and

     then life just kept happening and every now again, we'd get a little something written to keep the dream alive

     (the dream being that we could continue the saga of the girls from "Where Friendship Lies")

 

     I got hold of her about four months ago and we set a goal to have the manuscript for "A Lover's Deceit" complete

     by June 1st.  MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!  "A Lover's Deceit" is now in its first editing run and we're hoping to

     have it out and on sale within the next couple months.

 

     A whole lot of other things have happened since we last talked.  Some time around late April or early May, I

     decided to switch hosting providers, so that's taken some time to maneuver, but now I'm back and will update

     far more frequently than once a year. 

 

     In the meantime, I've done a lot of traveling and hanging with my family and friends.  I guess now that we're back

     in the swing of things (Tay and I are four chapters into the third installment), I  might be about to slip back into

     my Creativity Cave.  I've been working on some other projects that I am pretty excited about.  I'll detail that more

     tomorrow.

 

 

June 19, 2007

 

     On the 30th, a phenomenal group of women I am affiliated with are launching our new venture called the HELP

     SISTER NETWORK.  This is an organization that will be a major networking database of women of every

     nationality, every career field, every age but of one accord...to uplift, assist, and nurture other women!  This For-Profit

     agency will soon give birth to my baby, THE HELP LITTLE SISTER NETWORK, a not-for-profit subsidiary that will

     cater to mentoring, shaping, and inspiring young girls and women to follow their dreams and be the success they are

     destined to be.  Come check out the website (www.helpsister.com) and register for this empowering event!

    

 

 

October 24, 2007

 

      Sadly, as temperamental as I know my laptop to be...you would think I would be more conscientious about

      my habits of saving my changes.  I made a terribly mistake by adding too much stuff and not pressing save at

      all...so I've lost it all!  I am devastated!!  However, I better get to trying to continue to make up for all that has

      disappeared during my total lapse in judgment.  [Takes a deep breath, wipes away river of tears that are blurring my vision

        and presses save just because I've typed seven new words]

 

     It's amazing how much time passes when you are totally ensconced and engrossed in something.  I came on here

     back in mid-June to update you and had fully intended to come right back.  FIVE MONTHS HAVE PASSED!  In

     the interim, I've gone to a lot of interesting events, have taken a lot of trips, and have completed a couple more of my

     pending projects.

 

     (Can I say, I am just so frustrated right now!  Trying to recollect what all I'd written prior to the computer freeze

     is really bothering me!)

 

Mom, my brother, Daamon (left) and I went to New York in June to visit my other brother, Christopher (right).

 

     Above, we were at Madison Square Garden taking in the infamous Cotto v. Judah PPV match.  Below are more

     pictures from our trip to the Big Apple.  I had the best time...but fear I can't go back because it's going to be hard

     to have a better time than we had this time around.

 

     

 

     

 

        

         (Top to Bottom - Right to Left) Me, and then both Mom and I, post our fabulous Laura Mercier Counter makeovers at Bloomingdale's. 

         Daamon and I at Club Plumm after the Boxing Match. Mom, Mark (COO OF Lord & Taylor, Family Friend), and I at Starbucks before we

         went to our late brunch.  My walk down Broadway heading to see The Color Purple, starring Fantasia Barrino (whom I am not a "fan" of,

         but thought she did a SPECTACULAR job in that role).  My brothers protecting me from that pesky paparazzi!  Us playing in the cab

         before heading to Ground Zero where I was going to collect my keepsake Travel Dirt.

 

 

     Shawnte' and I completed our much anticipated sequel to "Where Friendship Lies" titled "A Lover's Deceit".  It's

     currently in production.  We should have a finished product available by the end of November.  In the meantime,

     I put my fingers to the metal and managed to also complete my next solo project, a collection of erotic short stories

     called, "Girls' Night In: The Passion Party."

 

    

(A Lover's Deceit - Front & Back Cover Concept Design by Prose Pros Publishing Company)

 

 

Let me go back some and mention that my step father got remarried.  I call Lynette my Step-Step Mom.  She's a groovy lady.  Here are some pictures from the event:

 

        

     (Top to Bottom - Left to Right)  The Happy Couple, Rickey & Lynnette...with Me all in the mix!  My mother and me showing we can all be

      just as civilized as Will & Jada Pinkett-Smith and his first Baby Mama (LOL).  Errbody ain't enemies!  Me and my girls, Judy (left) and Leasha

      (right).  Me and Daamon chilling with libations.  :)  And then one of just me at the reception.  (BELOW)  This is me, my Step-Step Mom,

      Lynette, and my Step-Step Sister, Teeka.

 

 

Daamon recently celebrated his 30th birthday.  That was a big batch of fun!  We threw him a big, semi-private bash at The Red Rooster.  A man only turns 30 once in a lifetime and we wanted to make it memorable.   Here's some pictures from THAT event.

 

  

(Left) Daamon and Me Presenting his Birthday Cake from Alice's Unlimited Bakery.  (Right)  Me & My Sisters from HELP Sister Connect.

 

     

           

(Top to Bottom, Left to Right)  Me and Edward Rogers, my former promotions guy.  A gang of us friends.  Mom being her jazzy self!

Me and the Birthday Boy!  Me, Judy, Mom, and Leasha...The Tall Girl Coalition.  Me and my fabulous mother!

 

 

ISN'T THIS THE CUTEST THING??

 

 

     One day, I stumbled across a website for personalizing business cards with these really cute characters.  Accord-

     ing to the site, they'd been featured on several talk shows over the past few years.  They've gotten some new

     templates since I went to create the one above.  Go check it out!  (P.S. The link is on the Card!)

 

I'VE BEEN "SIMPSONIZED"!

 

  

     When the Simpson's Movie was coming out, the studio and Burger King came up with a gimmick to let people

     "Simpsonize" themselves.  So, here I am...all Simpsonized! 

 

     

     Back in February, me and my girls hit the All Star Game in Vegas.  These aren't all the pictures, but I just wanted

     to share a few.  It's easing up on 3:00 a.m., so I should probably be going to bed shortly.  It's been a blast and I

     think I covered all the things I lost in the aforementioned computer fiasco.  GOOD NIGHT!!

 

 

 

October 26, 2007

 

     I can't wait for HALLOWEEN!!  I'm going to be a vampire this year.  A few friends of mine, my brother, and I plan

     to try to make it out to quite a few city parties that span the course of the weekend.  Wednesday night (Halloween)

     you will find us club-hopping on Main Street downtown.  We're going to start partying tonight, so I better log off

     of here and go get dressed in my vampire costume.  LOL!

 

 

October 27 -- 31, 2007

 

 

 

HAPPY HALLOWEEN

 

Here's a bunch of our Halloween pictures from multiple events!

 

 

December 31, 2007

 

 

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

 

     I've been stuck in the Creativity Cave the last few months.  As usual, I'm behind on my postings here...but it's not

     due to any lack of desire...just lack of time to invest.  My 2007 was fun and eventful, but 2008 is going to be THE

     YEAR I really try to put my grind down.  I've got lots of projects to complete and put on the shelves, so I'll keep

     pumping and I hope you'll keep giving me this fabulous support.  Keep your eye out for "A Lover's Deceit" which

     will be out in January.  We've completed the editing process of "Girls' Night In: The Passion Party" so we're moving

     on to rewrites and corrections.  Once that's out, you can look for that in the first quarter of the year.  Let's hope I

     at least get that turned in for production before my late March birthday.  Shawnte' and I will be working on the last

     in the series of our trilogy.  Maybe, if we get our roll on, we can complete that by the end of the year.  I also hope to

     have "Tainted Relations" done by the end of summer.

 

     To all of you...I pray you the best in the New Year and that all of your goals are met and wishes come true!

 

 

December, 2007 - January, 2008

 

     "A LOVER'S DECEIT" went live this weekend!  I'm so excited!!  I got so happy to see the email from the printer

     that I would be able to put in my order.  It was pretty prolific because it added to the auspicious occasion of my

     going home to California to visit my sisters, nieces, and nephews.  The night before I left, I found out it would be

     available on both www.AuthorHouse.com and www.amazon.com.  I told my mom and since then, we've been

     preparing for the launch and first book-signing.  I've been trying to catch-back-up to my time zone.  I left a beautiful

     place and today, it's raining.  Weather reports said it was only supposed to be a 20% chance, but its rained all

     day!  I did get a chance to take a few new pictures while I was up there...and managed to even get one to put in

     place of the picture that used to be on the home page.  That first one was three years old.  Once I start setting up

     new locations for upcoming book signings, I will be back on here to update the tour page.  Be on the look out.

    

     P.S.  HAPPY NEW YEAR!  Just like I've been able to put one more check mark under my completed column;

     I hope and pray you can bring all your dreams to fruition.

 

 

January, 2008

 

     I spent most of January finishing the book's production, visiting my sisters in California (good LORD it was good

     to get some Cali air in my lungs after almost a year since my last visit...DEEPLY INHALES...and I can't wait to

     get back again) and meeting some of my younger nieces and nephews for the first time since their birth (but I met

     them all over AT&T, Verizon, and DSL).  I will eventually (maybe tonight) get to post some pics in my photo album

     of the trip...or you can go back to visit the home page and click on the MYSPACE link to my page (if you've got

     a MySpace page) to hit up the photo album and see more pictures there. 

 

     I also spent a lot of time working on preparing the first quarter of the HELP Sister Connect roster of upcoming

     activities.  I'm so proud to be affiliated with this company, I can't even put it in words.  It is an honor to be able to

     help other women to not only visualize what their dreams look like but show them how to reach out and touch  

     them...see them to fruition and find financial success at it so they can make a living doing what they love.  The

     CEO of the company just announced that this year will be the year we bring my concept of creating a non-profit

     sub-organization of the company called "HELP Little Sister".  I'm really psyched about that because I have two

     really big concerns...literacy in the youth of our country (hell, all over) and getting them to appreciate the act of

     reading for pleasure and also helping push the self-esteem of young minority women through the stratosphere. 

     Having high self-esteem as a woman helps to combat all of the societal evils directed towards women in general:

     abuse (domestic, emotional, etc.), misogynistic imagery infiltrating the airwaves, and any feelings or misconceptions

     of glass-ceilings when it comes to what they can accomplish in this world if they stick to it and focus.  I am really

     passionate about that and wanting to start that organization will give us all a place to direct our female children to

     help them realize THEIR dreams!

 

     So, that has been a lot of what's been keeping me away from being able to keep this blog updated as mush as I

     have wanted to.  I love you guys and truly appreciate the support.  Going forward, I will try to make monthly

     updates as opposed to trying to fall through on a daily basis to give you updates.  Hope you all had a blessed,

     prosperous and safe New Year celebration and that your January has been equally as fulfilling.

 

 

February, 2008

 

     Wanted to make you guys aware of the book launch and signing event I have coming up on the 16th of this

     month.  I'm super excited.  I will be throwing it at Beaucoup Wings.  It's a Woman/Minority owned business

     off of Elgin & Scott Street.  You can see more info on this location by visiting their MySpace page or website. 

 

     As a non-meat-eater...I love the variety they present on the menu.  They have seafood options that are delicious

     and a fantastic Boca burger (veggie burger).  The restaurant will be in typical operating hours at the time of my

     event, so there will be food available for purchase.  Please come and not only support me and my book(s), but

     this wonderful restaurant.  Here are the eBlasts I've created for the event...as well as to provide general information

     about the books.

 

(Click on image to enlarge)

 

(Click on image to enlarge)

 

(Help advertise on your website: Save the above banner and hyperlink it back to this site www.prose-pros.com !)

 

     I have received so many positive and wonderful reviews to the new book from the people who took advantage of my

     mom's pre-release purchasing opportunity.  I got one review in particular from a guy named Chris P.  He touched

     me by saying I am now one of his all-time favorite authors (I'm sure he'll add Shawnte' to that list because he says

     he's about to read Where Friendship Lies, so I can't wait to see his review of that one) after having read "Mixed

     Emotions".  I'll try to take a small clip of his review to put on the reviews page in the book store, but it was so long

     and detailed, it'll be hard to pick one particular section to spotlight.  I also heard from a few continuing fans who

     hurried and bought their copies.  I got three reviews within days of delivery of my books to a few fans I have on

     some male Prison Units here in Texas.  Prisoners who are real readers of all literature are very particular of whom

     they bestow real great reviews on, so it touches me that they always look so forward to my books and place me

     amongst the level of their other favorites like Eric Jerome Dickey and others.

 

     Shawnte' and I have just been really enjoying all the praise because it makes all the work that is soon to come in

     the writing of the last and final installment in this particular series of our collaborative efforts just that much more    

     important.  It means the world (I can't say it enough) that you guys really, really like us.  :)

 

     Aside from this upcoming book signing, I will be reaching out to more Black businesses to hold events at, so

     please email us if you would be able to accommodate a book singing in your establishment.  Go to the contact us

     page or send an email here with information on how to contact you.  One place I will be going to is the Jazz It Up

     Cafe' in Sugar Land/Missouri City.  I will likely try to do that in March (but that's my birthday month, so don't hold

     me to that) or May.  I hope to do it up a little bit this year to celebrate the joy I have in turning 37.  It's not a

     "milestone" age like 40 will be...but I learned from my now 96-year old maternal grandmother that every year is

     worth making a big deal about.

 

     Lemme see...what else has been noteworthy in my life and the lives of my equally talented friends and family

     members?  Oh, I recently found out I have two friends acting in the independent sitcom, As for Me and My House.

     Congratulations to both my homeboy Curtis Von Burrell and Jennifer Jermany...and I pray them success in this

     endeavor.  I hyperlinked the title to take you to the show's MySpace page.  Check it out and show your support.

 

     Well...I will continue to come on and update you on anything necessary as February continues.  Keep checking

     back for updates...

 

 

March, 2008

 

     Happy Birthday Month to Me!  It's that time, again, and I've posted a few pics from the birthday dinner festivities in

     the photo gallery.  Shawnte' and I are working on "The Best Revenge" and have gotten a good little start.  We are

     probably 1/6th of the way finished with the book.  For the trilogy's faithful readers, be on the lookout for what we

     hope will be another January release.  I'll keep you all up-to-date on the progress on the manuscript as it happens.

 

        

 

     Here are a few more pics not in the Photo Gallery.  Thanks to all of me and Donna's friends and family who came out

     to usher in a new year of life with us.  Without question, a big shout out of love goes to Judy (far left, left picture) the

     make-up artist to THIS star (LOL) for always doing such a bang up job of bringing out the Inner Asian (otherwise

     known as my "Inner Kimora") in my makeup for my special events.  So, I'mma holler out love to Marlo, Demitrice,

     Tiffany, Judy, my brother, Daamon, Stephanie, Kesha, Sheirah, and the host of others who came through the Galleria

     Cheesecake Factory on March 28th.

 

 

April, 2008

 

     For only the second time since mom and I began our annual "Mother/Daughter" cruises, we set out early this year for

     our 2008 Carnival Fun Ship Cruise.  We're not likely to make that mistake again because we're used to going at the

     end of the year, but I must say this was one of the TOP THREE cruises, ever.  I'd have blame this one on God and

     say that He, again, placed me at the right place, at the right time, for maximizing my presence onboard the ship. 

     Todd Witmer, the cruise director from the first time I was featured on the Carnival Morning Show, was the cruise

     director, again...and he was still producing the Morning Show.  When we spoke to him at about the 1/2 way mark of

     the trip, he offered me a return trip to the spotlight.  TALK ABOUT GOD ORDERING YOUR STEPS!  So, here are

     some still shots from the show.  We tried to get a copy of the event so I could post it on YouTube, but this time, the

     Pursers Office wasn't as knowledgeable as the last one and they acted like, "It can't be done?."  If that were so,

     kindly explain why I have a copy from the first time I was on the show?  I digress...

 

   

   

 

     I had a super time talking to him about "A Lover's Deceit" and the upcoming "Girls' Night In: The Passion Party".  He

     said this was their last cruise in North America for a while and they'd be going to Europe.  I just want to tell Todd, one

     more time, "THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR CONTINUALLY SHOWING THE LOVE!"

   

 

May, 2008

 

     While flipping through a magazine (Cosmo, to be exact) on the flight back from Miami after the cruise...I found a

     Cosmo Quiz that I thought to myself, "Hey, Self...you should fill out this questionnaire," and I did.  Here's my Cosmo

     Quiz:

 

 

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!

 

 

     I don't even know which month this was taken in, but when I look at it, I think about the greatness of having a groovy

     and wonderful mother.  I have certainly been blessed and I love that my mother's and my relationship encourages 

     other grown daughters and their mothers to appreciate and honor their relationships as friends AFTER THE FACT of

     our youthful coming-of-age antics and their reign as female disciplinarians to our badass disobedience.  Pictures is

     me and my mom...my biggest fan and supporter, the undisputed, undefeatable crown holder of the female love of my

     life...to the left side and Sheila, the wonderful and wonderfully sweet mother of my friend, (and current project

     collaborator) Sheirah Wilson.  I know this was during the last Brunch Bunch gathering...now when was that?  Oh, it

     was taken on June 22nd.  I love you ladies!  And Happy Mother's Day to all the moms out there!

 

 

June, 2008

 

     Here's the story about three wild, wreckless, meatless women out on the town in a room full of meat-eaters called,

THREE VEGETARIANETTES AND A SPORT'S BAR BUFFET!

 

     Starring three of your favorite vegetable, soy and faux meat eating divas: yours truly, Raquel Eldridge, one of her

     BFF's, Leasha Lawson, and their gorgeous and financially savvy friend, Rathna Ramani (Financial Planner for

     Ameriprise) at her company's networking event.  We filled up on fruit and chips.  Well, that's better than some events

     that just don't take into account the needs and desires of potential non-meatie attendees at all.  We still had a blast. 

     Turns out, at the party with us were members of the Programming Team for the wildly successful "Rock Band" video

     game.  They played their own game and this event was held at the Fox and the Hound on "far-end" Westheimer.

 

 

 

    

 

☺☻☺☻☺☻☺☻☺☻☺☻☺☻☺☻

 

     On June 14th, I had a book signing event at Paciugo Italian Gelato & Caffe' located at 5172 Buffalo Speedway in the

     Kroger shopping Center...and we had a blast!  I'd like to thank all that came out to show the love and buy their books. 

     Here's some pics from the event.  Shawnte' and I decided to hold simultaneous events in both of our cities.  Even

     though we're in two different time zones, for a little while on June 14th, we were participating in the next best thing to

     being side-by-side at a signing...and that's signing our mutual releases at the same time.

 

     And...as an update...we are over 1/2 complete with the final installment in our "Where Friendship Lies" series, "The

     Best Revenge".  At this pace, we'll certainly be over 75% complete by the end of August.  Our goal is to get it into the

     editing phase by November to make sure it will be out to you in the beginning of the new year.  We've had many

     inquiries about folks being eager to find out what happens in the next book.

 

(Top)  Some of the attendees at Paciugo Italian Gelato & Caffe' in Houston, TX.

(Bottom)  The ladies of the Book Club that Hosted Shawnte' and our books, "WFL" and "ALD"

 

     

(Left) Shawnte's signing one of our books for a reader!  (Middle) Mom, Me, and Tabatha...my Sis-n-Law!

(Right) Sheirah, Tiffany and Tabatha came to show their sistah some support and get copies of the last release.

 

  

But...wait...it's not over!  When we were filing out after the signing's after party at "Fish City Grille", curious

customers on the patio inquired what we were celebrating and when informed about the books,

they asked for copies.  (Left) Two of the sweetest ladies both purchased a copy of "Mixed Emotions". 

Jacqueline, the lady to my right in the picture, is a beautiful "full-figured"

(though I would say she's curvy in some HOT places) model. 

You can check her out on her MySpace page: www.myspace.com/msjacquelinep.

When she's not being a STUNNA...she works behind the counter in Saks for one of my

favorite perfume companies, Bond No. 9.  Check their site out, too: www.bondno9.com

    

☺☻☺☻☺☻☺☻☺☻☺☻☺☻☺☻

 

     So, then, on June 20th, I attended my cousin, Dr. Janice M. Beal and her colleague, Judge Vanessa D. Gilmore's

     Launch and Signing Wine Sip held in the Heights to push off the release of their collaborative effort to assist the

     children of incarcerated parents with a coloring book titled, "A Boy Named Rocky: A Coloring Book for the Children of

     Incarcerated Parents".  Janice, (a psychotherapist who loves to focus on the care and development of young children

     with troubled backgrounds), along with Judge Gilmore, (whose courtroom is unfortunately the pit stop to what can

     become a lifetime filled with criminality and of troubles for a lot of Texas youths who travel the wrong path), decided to

     combine efforts to be part of the solution to stop the turnstile of dysfunction that is plaguing American families more

     now than ever.  With the staggering numbers of Black and Brown men in prison nowadays, you very likely know a

     child who could benefit from these women's purposeful and thoughtful work. 

 

     Visit their website: www.4theloveofkids.com and purchase a book for a child you know or for a ministry specializing in

     assisting kids of broken or dysfunctional families.

 

  

(Left, L-R) Janice Beal, Me, and Vanessa Gilmore.  (Right, L-R) Same as Left including Saundra Wiley

 

  

(Left) Janice signing a coloring book for a supporter.  (Right) Saundra Wiley & My Mom, Jeannette.

 

 

July, 2008

 

     My special angel...Samuel...would be 8-years old this month/year!  Obviously, no words can describe how numb a

     mother's heart becomes in the places and spaces previously occupied by her offspring...but I remain encouraged by

     the sojourn of the other's who've walked this path before me and I want to be an encouragement to those who travel it

     behind me...that you can survive, you can go on and you can smile, laugh, and succeed.  Contact me if you're a

     mother of a recently deceased infant and you need to hear about the light at the end of the tunnel of despair. 

 

♫ Featuring the lyrics to the song, "The Dance" by Dave Koz w/ BeBe Winans of the album of the same title. ♪

 

Rest in Peace, Dear Son!  You are Severely Missed and

Remain Your Mother's Greatest Accomplishment!

 

 

August, 2008

 

DESPERATELY SEEKING THIS NECKLACE!

 

     Rihanna performed on The View when it was filming live from Las Vegas.  She worse this cute, dainty, gold hand-

     cuff necklace and finding out the designer or other information on how to find the necklace is proving to be more

     difficult than finding Bin Laden.  I don't want to lose hope, so I decided to post it here JUST IN CASE a friend of

     Rihanna's stopped through and could convince her to reply to the note I sent to the "Official Rihanna MySpace

     Page" (yeah, that's happening) or some friend of one of the women on The View could tell them to reply to the

     note I sent the Producer about it.

 

  

 

     Obviously, I'd also be open to having a jeweler simply create a replica for me...so if anyone knows of someone (or

     if you ARE someone) who can craft this little boogah for me, please let me know @ prosepros.com@gmail.com.

     'Preciate ya!

 

     In other news, I had the pleasure of joining my home girl, Moi Dame Spielberg, author of the novel, "Adventures of a

     Capital B!&@#: Don't Judge a B by Her Cover", (available at www.moidame.com), on a Book Selling escapade. It

     was at a venue I hadn't even considered before, which shows me that my girl is truly on the High Ballin' Hustla

     Highway!  I sure do thank her for sharing that information because a lot of us do not intermingle our knowledge of

     places to go and try to get your book hustle on.  We foolishly believe that sharing information somehow reduces our

     own blessings...but when we think that, we obviously doubt God's ability to abundantly bless each of us with what

     He has planned for our lives.  No one can take from you what is meant for you...so share your knowledge with

     another writer.  Uplift each other and we can all get on the shelves.  Trust me, there's enough room...and if there

     isn't enough room, they'll build some more shelves.  Where's this venue, you ask?  The Flea Market.  Ask your local

     flea market if there is a way to rent space by the day instead of by the week, month, or year.  Go get your BID-

     NESS!  Give them something else to purchase aside from bootleg products and cheap jewelry.

 

     Word on the street is that Denzel Washington is on the Advisory Board of Percy "Master P" Miller's next project.

     He plans to start a family friendly cable network called "Better Black Television".  You know what...I'm not sure

     of all the semantics...but if Percy Miller pulls this off and is able to make a positive, entertaining, and informative

     change from what is out there now, TRUST ME when I say I will be a viewer.  GO MASTER P!  This is some stuff

     that is gonna make some people say, "Uhhhhhh, na na na na!"

 

     I got news that I will be one of the spotlighted authors in the 1st Annual Black Literature 365 Calendar being put

     out by Shaun Mathis, author of "This Hurts".  For more information on the calendar, his books, and the author, please

     visit his website at www.aapribooks.com.  I'll be the March author (because that's my Birthday Month...you know how

     I roll)...so make sure you get a copy to keep track of all your 2009 happenings.  Once they have a cover completed,

     I'll post a link to it.

 

     I'll also be one of the spotlight authors on Nishawnda Ellis' newsletter.  She's the author of "Love Me Not" and "Wives

     and Girlfriends".  Check her out on her website www.nishawndaellis.com.

 

     I suspect I'd be remiss if I didn't mention the passing of two African-American Men of Legend this month, Bernard

     McCullough and Isaac Hayes.  Here's to the two of you kicking it in life and now, again, in death.  Rest in Peace!

 

 

 

  September, 2008

 

     Well, things have been really hectic here lately.  I have been working on getting all my marketing stuff together for

     the new book and juggle the day job and other miscellaneous errands and to do lists.  "Girls' Night In: The Passion

     Party" is officially through it's final editing run.  I found a few errors, so once I get those fixed at the typesetters, then

     it can go on to be printed.  HOW EXCITING!

 

     I just finished watching a documentary on Baghdad and the violence that is happening there.  After watching it, it not

     only makes me grateful that God delivered me to this Earth as an American, it gives me a little insight on how big of

     an issue it is that there is American Troop presence there.  Looks like Bush did a bad thing by finding, prosecuting,

     and hanging Saddam Hussein.  There's this one part where an injured woman was in the ambulance and she was

     talking to the camera that was filming, explaining that she would rather the known torture by Saddam than to deal with

     the unknown violence of insurgents and extremists.  Some of the men agreed that American forces at least keep a

     small cap on the battles, and to lose the troops would be to lose absolutely all order.  With an election coming soon, I

     am glad I saw this documentary.  While I do not agree with the war or that it should have been waged at the onset,

     now that that nincompoop has put the troops there, it seems like it would be visiting upon them a harsher fate if we

     were to swiftly remove them.  See the documentary for yourself and decide for yourself.  It's called, Baghdad

     Hospital: Inside the Red Zone.  My Lord...people are truly suffering in a lot of other areas of the world.  If you thought

     healthcare sucked arse here...watch this and your next wait at a hospital or emergency room might not be so bad. 

 

     Visit this link for more info:  http://www.hbo.com/docs/programs/baghdadhospital/synopsis.html

 

     Shawnte' and I have completed our individual chapter work.  We've moved on into the Epilogue section.  There will be

     five individual chapters within the epilogue.  I don't know, after seeing the success of the "Where Friendship Lies"

     series, I'm saddened to see this storyline end.  It must because it has run the gamut...but I'm hopeful that another

     plotline will be visited upon Shawnte' and I so that we can continue to create great books together.  So, I anticipate

     that we'll have THE BEST REVENGE in it's first editing run by late October or early November.  Keep checking for

     updates.

 

     (September 28th)   Well, we're at the end of September now and this part of the month has been very bittersweet. 

     The Gulf Coast has suffered a direct hit from a recent Hurricane and I am personally dealing with a pretty severe

     amount of damage.  To the naked eye, it looks benign...like maybe it's nothing more than a case of a collapsed

     ceiling or two...but the metastatic carnage goes far beyond what the eye can see.  There's mold forming, there's a

     long wait for our insurance adjuster and there's the inevitable displacement while just about every surface of my

     home is redone due to the water damage.  I blogged about it on my MySpace page, so if you want to read more

     about it, go here.  The Hurricane hit on September 13th - aftermath pictures, go here.  Well, that was the BAD

     NEWS of the month.  The GOOD NEWS of the month happened 5 days later...when Girls' Night In: The Passion

     Party went live and became OFFICIALLY an available publication.  Also, spoke to my manager and found out that

     I'll be hitting the studio by the end of the week to begin putting these books on wax (on CD, actually, but you get

     the drift).  So, for those who want to listen to the books, that's soon to come.

 

 

October, 2008

 

     It's the half-way mark of October and while I'm still stuck in a stagnant state of neutral in regards to the reconstruction

     of my home post-Hurricane Ike...and if I'm honest, I'd guess it'll be early next year before it even begins to resemble

     itself...but a few other great things have happened this month.

 

     The most exciting this is that "Tainted Relations" is almost through it's first pre-completion editing.  Also, Shawnte'

     and I are ONE CHAPTER away from completion of our book, "The Best Revenge," which is the third and final

     installment of the "Where Friendship Lies" series.  Hopefully, this time next month, I'll be telling you about how we've

     turned it in for its first editing run.  But...NEWS FLASH!!...we'd apparently been doing some synchronized

     brainstorming and we had the same storyline epiphany.  We've cemented on the concept for our next series.  We'll

     begin working on it in the late part of 2010.  We're going to focus on spending our creative time putting out our next

     big solo projects.  I'm going to finish and release "Tainted Relations" and Shawnte's going to finish and release "Love

     Gone Wrong".  Look for the segue of her book's heroine in the end of "The Best Revenge".  Anyway, I'll keep the

     concept under wraps until we're into the process and maybe I'll toss out a hint or two at that time, but for now, just

     know that you're sure to be in store for another tantalizingly dramatic read.

 

     We're closing in on election time and it's going to be an exciting time.  At first, I thought it would be great to go and

     vote early, but I'm nervous because the election is so important that I fear things will have too many bugs and issues

     BEFORE time.  Therefore, I will wait patiently for November 4th and go fight for parking and want to pull my hair out

     and scream a the top of my lungs with the angst that is sure to come from people who have never voted before but

     have been moved to come clog the halls on behalf of the candidate they have placed their trust in.  That's a change I

     can believe in!  GO ROCK YOUR VOTE!

 

     More to come...

 

 

November, 2008

 

WHO'S GOING TO WIN THE 2008 ELECTION??

 

 

 

 

 

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