In My Write Mind

It’s been a crazy, crazy ten day period for me. At times, I didn’t know whether I was coming or going.

So much going on … so much still ahead. It’s as if I don’t know where to start. With that in mind, this may very well be my most random post ever. LOL

—> Two Thursdays ago, I had the privilege of attending the EBONY Magazine Great Women in Marketing & Communications luncheon. I sat at a table with two VPs from Disney, the lovely Vy Higginson (she’s written and produced many plays, including “Mama, I Want to Sing”) and her fine ass daughter, Desiree Coleman-Jackson (wife of ex-basketball player Mark Jackson and former star of “Mama … “), a legendary jazz singer (regrettably, I forgot her name) and my colleague Ricky. Just a wonderful event, from start to finish.

The lovely host was Linda Johnson-Rice, CEO of Johnson Publishing. Honorees and presenters included Deborah Roberts (ABC correspondent and wife of Al Roker), anchorwoman Brenda Blackmon, and the recently fired-from-CBS, yet stunning Shon Gables (yup, I was in heaven since she’s one of my crushes … lol). Special shout to Jeff Burns, Jr., for hooking us up with the great seats and the lovely company. I plan on making that an annual part of my schedule.

—> Two Fridays ago, got a chance to hang out with some friends at our usual spot in honor of Cinco de Mayo. Most of the crew left before the dancing began, so me and my boy Joel were left to go it alone. It didn’t stay that way for long, as these two girls of the caucasian persuasion tried to pick us up. Too damn funny. Always good times at the FBPC. LOL

—> Last Saturday, after much procrastination, I finally went to see “Akeelah and the Bee.” Yo! This right here … is a very good film. Keke Palmer, in her breakout role, charms as Akeelah … making you feel her angst as she makes her way to the National Spelling Bee in Washington, DC, all the while dodging peer pressure, a disapproving mother, and the enormity of the void in her life created by her father’s death. Laurence Fishburne, who fought to get the film made, was very credible as her spelling mentor, Dr. Larabee (seriously, did someone get lazy when coming up with this name? The film has the word Bee in it, and that’s part of his name, too?!?!?! Oy.) Angela Bassett does her Angela Bassett thing in this one as the mother. There were three things that stood out during the movie. Let’s run them down, shall we?

The youngster that befriends Akeelah early in the bee process, Javier, did a great job. He provided several light moments throughout the film. One of the best parts of the movie, which I won’t tell and spoil here, involves Javier cleverly stalling during the regional bee. You’ll know it when you see it. I promise. LOL

The bond created between Larabee and Akeelah. He turned into the father figure they both sought, which in turn, brought out the best in both of them. Made them stop living in fear. The scenes with the two of them were intense, filled with emotion … yet never creepy. Good stuff.

The other thing I loved about the film, which I saw in Harlem in the midst of a church group full of kids, was that it got the audience involved. Much like the neighborhood help that Akeelah received, the audience was in it just as much, helping her spell the words, cheering when she got them right … and shrieking in disappointment when she misspelled one. Needless to say, the film had the kids under a spell.

Umm, yeah … go see this film. For real.

—> I left the film feeling good, fulfilled. Glad that I got a chance to see such a worthy movie. And then, as it’s been happening with me lately, great levity entered my world. It was like a punch to the gut. I got a text from my cousin, telling me that I needed to call him back urgently. Of course, I did. He told me that my uncle, the same man who conducted the wedding ceremony of my niece and the funeral of my father, has been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. I was numb for the rest of the day. My mom isn’t taking it well at all.

—> Needed a pick-me-up, and as if he knew, a co worker called and invited me over to watch the Myorga-De La Hoya fight. I told him I’d be there, but I needed to watch the first half of the Lakers-Suns Game 7 first. Needless to say, that left me even more in a funk as the Suns blitzed Kobe n dem, up by fifteen at halftime when I left. Then, De La Hoya, who was targeted by Myorga in the months leading up to the fight as a punk and being less than a man. Myorga even went so far as to talk about De La’s wife and kid. Not.fresh. So I wanted De La Hoya to whoop his ass. And he did. Soundly. Knocked him down twice, and seriously, I counted 28 uncontested shots to the head by De La Hoya in the sixth round before the referee mercifully stopped the beating. Never, and I mean NEVER … talk about a man’s family. Ya dig?

—> Spent Sunday in Brooklyn at my uncle’s house. Hadn’t seen my aunt and cousins since my dad’s funeral in ‘04. As I was took the LIRR out there, I felt a calm come over me. I wasn’t sure how he’d look when I saw him, not sure how I’d feel going to the house where I spent a good portion of my childhood … so many memories. So much emotion.

He was alert, sitting up on the side of his bed. We talked sports — including him chastising me for being a Yankee fan, the Caviliers for looking so pathetic against the Pistons, and his sister for changing the channel during the sports report. LOL Same ole feisty uncle. I left him in his room to rest, spending time with my aunt, who had a house full of people. I knew it before, but she depends on him so much, him being the hustler that he was, always working from sun up to sun down, always taking care of things.

I saw the similarities between her and my mom, who also depended heavily upon my father. The difference is, my mom had ten years to learn all of the things my dad took care of. His long term illness gave her a chance to get her bearings, prepare herself for what was inevitable. Not my aunt. This cancer is a new development, and spreads quickly. No one is sure how long he will be able to deal with the inoperable disease. I’ll keep praying. Seeing all of them again reminded me how important extended family is. I love them.

—> This week saw me at the office late every night, making sure all is in order as I head out of town soon for our annual conference. It was a welcome distraction from all that’s going on these days. Felt good to be busy. Wednesday, I actually left on time, hanging out with a colleague who is a Boston Red Sox fan. We went to a bar in midtown and watched as the Yankees beat their Boston counterparts, 7-3. Glad we picked that night to hang out, since the Yanks lost the other two games. LOL

—> Today, I headed over to the Hue-Man book store, where my job, along with Scholastic, unveiled our new book for young kids, “Read and Rise.” The authors, Myles and Sandra Pinkney were there, as were hostess Cindy Hsu of WCBS and legend Doug E. Fresh. They all took turns reading books to the group of 25 kids in attendance. The kids were hilarious. Most were black, and in the 3-7 age range. Cindy’s daughter came with her mom, and provided one of the most hilarious moments of the day. Well, for me, anyway. When Doug was reading a book called “Shades of Black” to the kids, there is a mantra he had them repeat. It goes, “I AM BLACK. I AM UNIQUE.” I almost doubled over laughing as Cindy’s daughter Millie, who clearly is un-black, said the mantra with conviction. Just hilarious.

Another highlight of the two hour event was me reconnecting randomly with one of my good friends who I hadn’t seen in 15 years. Turns out that her husband and child were at the event, and she strolled in afterwards. I knew she looked familiar when she walked by. However, I continued my conversation with the Scholastic rep. Then, as if we both recognized each other at hte same time, we both turned around and smiled. Hugged. Caught up. Her husband is an actor. In fact, he’s starring in a play originally directed by Melvin Van Peebles in 1971. The same play that Alli sent out an email about a few weeks ago, and I missed, due to my never checking my Yahoo email. Funny how things even themselves out. LOL

So, there you go. You’re all caught up with me. It’s been a wild ten days. But I’m still standing … I’m still strong. And after seeing Doug and copping a book, I’m also rising to the top.

Much respect to you all. Happy Mother’s Day weekend!