Project Line UP

Happy Tuesday! (I am out of B-Day celebration mode)

And it’s back to work!

I hope you all have checked out my new article on R&B singer Crystal Dove for On Wax Magazine. Get On Wax! (www.onwaxmagazine.com). It’s a positive music magazine, created by, young, talented Black people! So support us!
I’m working on a couple of projects right now. First, I need to survive registration. Back to school baby! This is my last semester. Thanks …. (pray for me)
Then I’m crafting a couple of stories on Trill Entertainment. Headlined by rappers Lil Boosie, Webbie and Foxx, Trill Entertainment is one of the biggest talents in the South right now. And it was cool and professional to work with TE. These guys have made major hits as, “Wipe Me Down,” “Adios”, and “Do It Stick It.” This is going to be another one of my fun projects. Check back for my article in the September issue of On Wax Magazine’s one year anniversary issue! And for a little pop trivia: Fiend graced the debut cover. And I appreciate you.
Also on my list of projects is completing my long awaited BOOK! Thanks to all you guys for your kind words and support. I am still working. This is my FIRST book, so I am learning a lot. It’s not like I am at a newspaper or magazine where I actually, kind-of-sort-of know what I am doing. …and what I have been trained to do. Writing a book takes a lot of time and patience (which God is blessing me with). :o)
I am also reading a lot of new material. Thanks guys for the suggestions on new books.
I have a lot of projects lined up and, yes, I’ll always nag the same people to read my art! I like to keep the energy.

This is just all what’s new.

It’s got to be funky!

~b.

p.s. Check out that new Vibe with Obama. Its a good look.

Special Thanks

To all my friends who made it out to my birthday dinner, to every Facebook message, to the Facebook monkey gift (Aliah), to the phone calls, cards, gifts, trips to Barnes N Nobel, shopping spree in the mall, to trying to be the first person to wish me a special day (Kyle, I see you baby!) to spending time with me, I most graciously thank you all!!

Of course I read and appreciate every kind word sent. I also posted pictures. There will be more, so check back soon!

Thursday (July 26) goes down as one of the best days ever!

You guys made my day awesome.

As sweet,

~brandi.

Book Worm

This weekend I slowed down. I wanted to savor the last 759 pages of Harry Potter (Deathly Hallows, book 7). Every page was just as exciting as the next.
J.K. Rowling really put her heart into creating the series. Her efforts showed. And she left her foot in book 7. I completed the adventure. ..and I am thoroughly satisfied with the outcome. Plus, I’m still excited! This has been a great experience.
Three Cheers for J.K!!

Now, I have to find something new to read. Plus, I’m taking suggestions.

My list includes:
- Ralph David Abernathy (I’m just researching this guy)
- The Secret by Rhonda Byrne
- The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey
- Freakonomics [Revised and Expanded]: A Rogue Economist Explores the Hidden Side of Everything by Steven D. Levitt and Stephen J. Dubner

An Amazing Journey

It has been a long run. But I will finally get my hands on the seventh and final golden copy of Harry Potter. I feel excited. I bought a cute Harry Potter shirt to wear to the book party. For the last several years, I have been in love with a wizard and Hogwarts. I have laughed and shed tears. I stayed up until midnight to watch the new movies, on school nights. I feverishly flipped through the pages over and over again.
I remember the one year I foolishly ordered the book to come to my house (to beat the long lines). Then I had to wait for its arrival. The UPS man did not show up until 3p.m. and already other kids had their books since midnight. Lesson learned. I attend the book parties now!
I have made friends with the most unusual people. Little people, big people, black people, white people, hippies, rockers and Christians. I once waited for hours in line with a 70-year-old doctor, who you would have swore that we were friends all our lives. I have taken my time and really trained myself to be a great reader.
This truly has just been an awesome journey. As a writer I am indebted to all the great authors before me. Before I knew God made to be a writer, I was a reader. When Chi Fa Lu penned Double Luck, I cheered and cried for him. I felt sorrow when Alice Walker walked me through the rough passages of the Color Purple. I sat on the clouds with Tupac when I read his poetry. And I walked through the slums of the ghetto with Iceberg Slim. Hey Amber, I’m saying it. “…I’m a book slut.”
When I first met Harry, I was a weird and creative 16-year-old. One who was hardly ever in the grasp of peer pressure. I made my own little trouble here and there. Yet, I choose my own path. One day on my round to in-school suspension I picked up the book. There I sat. Harry and I. Since that day in my 6X8 wooden cubicle, once an alone kid, I have never been the same. Harry and all those before him changed the course of my wild thinking and decision making for the better.
In my book, my younger self once wrote a note to myself today. Here is an exclusive peek at my note:
“Books saved my life.”
Thanks J.K. Rowling, for sharing your brilliance.
I will miss Harry Potter.

My Credit Inform

Money wise. Money matters.
I try to learn something new every day. It’s so many books in the world I have not read, yet, so I do not know everything.
But my latest venture is not necessarily more books or money, yet it’s about a name. {Money is not going to bring happiness. But I do know it’s a hell of a down payment. ;-) }
My current project is getting my brother’s credit right. Yup! You do not have to make a lot of money, but can have great credit. This is really important for him {and me}. First he’s young, Black, gifted, {holds a degree} and is in America. So all of that translates into; I have to look out for him. Plus he’s not a criminal. In this day he’s a rarity. He’s sweet too ladies. Hint. Hint. Plus, I’m getting his credit right.
I’m using big brother as an example for many others out there. Besides I’m tired of so many of my people unable to acquire wealth. {A great tool for your credit report: www.mycreditinform.com. They give you an update of everything you ever owed in your entire life, and a break down of how to get out of debt. You receive updates every three months. It costs like $6. A note to the wise, don’t pay over $10 for a report, most likely it’s a scam} Anyway. …The task is easy, it just requires consistency.
I did my research and this is what I came up with.

What is a credit score?
A credit score is based on variables in your credit file that help determine your creditworthiness. (Your name here) The number is based on various factors, including the number of trade lines you have open, the number of late payments, delinquencies.

In my research I also found:
6 Steps to Better Credit
1. Pay your bills on time. Creditors scrutinize your credit history. If you pay your bills on time, this reflects well on you. If you have a record of delinquent payments, you might want to consider credit counseling on how to better manage your finances.

2. Manage your debt. Your debt/income ratio — the percentage of your income that goes to paying off debt — is another gauge of your financial health. You can calculate this ratio by dividing your monthly minimum debt payments (excluding mortgage) by your monthly take-home income. If your debt payment absorbs:
• Less than 20% of your income, you are doing well
• Between 20% to 35%, consider reducing your overall debt
• More than 35% consider credit counseling or some type of aggressive debt-reduction strategy.

3. Don't over-apply for credit. Limit the number of loan applications you submit. Each bid shows up as an inquiry in your credit report. Even if you're just comparison-shopping for the best rate, too many inquiries can be viewed as a desperate bid to obtain credit to get out of financial trouble.

4. Shred your documents. Be sure to destroy any piece of paper with Social Security or credit card numbers. Thieves often go through garbage retrieving people's identification so they can use this information to commit fraud.

5. Don't give information away. Never include your Social Security Number on checks or driver's license. Be extremely cautious how you use your Social Security Number, it is your key personal identification number that is a gateway to your personal identity. If required to provide this information, always ask if there is another option.

6. Check your credit report on a regular basis. The only way to protect your name and credit is to be proactive. With the rise of identity theft cases, it is important to review your credit files, and to report any inaccuracies to the major credit reporting agencies.

…may this help us all into the quest of the “American Dream”.
Source: www.mycreditinform.com

Random Act of Kindness

A lot of times we remember the bad things that happened to us.
Like, everyone can name the teacher who was mean to them. Or everyone remembers that most embarrassing moment. Or the school bully, who made it happen. No matter how minuscule or groundbreaking the incident was, people remember.
Well, in my case, I have a crazy memory. It’s very selective. I can remember great moments in my life. But, a lot of times I have trouble recalling names and faces of people. I would forget a person who I met last week. (Awful, you think? ...I know.)

To fix my little problem, in my blogs I’m creating a Random Acts of Kindness list. It’s going to include every kind act, which touched my heart for the day. Though I remember the teacher who was mean to me in the ninth grade, I also remember the very nice ones. And I want to keep remembering the nice decent people and moments. Just to make sure I do and for a bit of inspiration here’s my first entry to the Random Acts of Kindness.

(First Entry)
The rain poured heavy at work. I had no umbrella and wore a brand new outfit. I looked like a fresh breath of air. Yet, the drops fell down in horizontal sheets. I had been at work since 7:50a. And the day was long and a little tough. So much that I was more than prepared to get soaked if it meant I'd make it to my car and away from the building. The trade off sounded worth it. My spirits were already defeated, so the rain could do me nothing more. Plus the mood around the building was sour. People rarely spoke to one another or shared a smile. It was just a bad day.
I slowly lowered my head. I needed to catch a second wind. Then I heard footsteps behind me and decided to not even look back. Because the sight of another sad soul would break me. Just when my right heel toe was about to step from under the covered walkway to make the half-mile trek to my car, an angel walked around the corner with a magenta umbrella.
She asked, "Where's your car?"
To my surprise all I could do was point.
I pointed my bony index finger towards the road. (I always park closer to the sun, far East to freedom than to the building.)
"OK," she said softly. “Just wait here and let me let my windows up.”
I nodded. I couldn't gather words. Someone actually did something so kind for me that I would have normally had done for someone else. It's just nice that that came back to me true fold.
Now, by the way the rain was falling, I thought the lady was walking to a hoopty. That’s just the way I’ve known people to treat old cars without a/c, “to let it cool”, considering it was hot too.
The Angel walked to her brand new car and I noticed the sunroof open. Thick droplets fell on the fresh leather. She closed it and pulled up the windows. She returned to me within a minute and though I couldn't find words, I thought quickly. I thought of anything that would keep her from going out in the chilly rain again.
"Instead of you walking me, can I use your umbrella, get my car and bring it back to you," I asked.
"Sure," she said.
"Cool," I smiled politely.
I made it to my car, dry and still intact. When I pulled up to the curb, my first initial reaction was to run out and bring her the umbrella back. But she beat me to the punch. She ran out from the cover to my window and grabbed the umbrella.
“Thank you,” I yelled over the weather. I felt special.
It sure made my day bright.
Because she didn't have to.

Send me your Random Acts of Kindness. There are still nice people in the world.

Basketball MVP

My moves were superb. I dribbled with ease from right to left. A crossover. Then through my legs and behind my back, just for a little extra show.
I’m great. I mean I could be the G.O.A.T. If I wouldn’t be doing this writing thing, I’d probably be a playmaker. My skills are so tight. So far one-on-one, I’m undefeated. And I’m playing against a boy. Just call me the Talent!
I only have a small advantage. I’m 5’11’’ and know how to use my strengths. I have championship tournament experience. I possess great court vision and shooting accuracy. Off the court, I know how to handle myself in an interview. Somebody give me the MVP trophy and some endorsements.
In the last game, some say I dismantled my opponent’s defense. Some say I owned the boards. Some say I’m underrated.
But then there are the critics. They say experience over youth. Speed over power. Skill over talent. Truth is, I really knew how to take my opponent out of his game.
Well, he’s going on 1 and stands 2’2’’. Now, some say it’s a mismatch. I don’t see what’s the problem. We might have a huge height difference. I’m thinking Devin will catch up. His muscles will get stronger. He really just stands, watching in awe of my moves. Or he’d throw his bottle on the court. (He’s going to start getting a technical foul call for that.)
Truly, I just think he needs to start being more of a hustler on defense. Or crash the boards for rebounds. Plus, instead of watching, giggling, and expecting me to pass while I’m preparing to drive or shoot over him, he should defend. So, for some jazz I add in an awesome dunk on the PlaySkool goal.
I know why he smiles and stares in awe though; it’s all because of my skills.

Final Goodbye

Editor’s note: The author would like to thank everyone for their condolences, thoughts and prayers.

Saturday, July 14, 2007

Sadly, everything felt so real. From the lonely tears in my brother’s eyes, who sat on the pallbearers’ bench to my mother silently weeping, we all sat sadly. I would have paid anything for anyone to just make it a bad dream that can be erased. Every blue moon or so, everyone has bad dreams. This one I wanted to wake up and just go back to normal. But it wasn’t a bad dream. There will be no normal.
This morning, I woke up with headache but my head was not in any physical pain. It was probably more my heart. I don’t know right now. I just can’t believe that I had to say a final goodbye to my uncle. No one came to wake me. As, you’d expect to get saved from a bad dream. My family and everyone were there. I went around to hug everyone. So I know it was a sad reality.
I wrote a special piece for him. Then stood and recited it to the crowd. I didn’t stutter, stumble, say “ummm,” or croaked. I felt it was a huge honor bestowed upon little me. My family is big, and I’m quite sure they could have had easily picked a better person. But I wanted to speak for him. I wanted to let people know that we had a lot of great times. In my uncle’s 86 years he taught us about the importance of family. He gave us strength. He made us strive for an education. In the past year he saw four of us earn degrees and the little ones got their diplomas. He wasn’t rich, but he always gave something to everyone (in school) at Christmastime. I’m not mad at anyone that he’s gone. Actually I can’t complain. Because in his 86, I enjoyed 23 years of great time with him and I learned so much. It was a blessing to know him. Can’t complain at all. Thankfully. Gratefully. I’m just sad because I’ll miss him.

--Dedicated to James Elwood, 1920-2007

Long Time

Lately, I have been working feverishly on my first book (HBCU, A Survival Guide).
Actually, I feel kind of shy writing this blog right now. I left you for a while. Excuse my absence. Charge it to my mind and not my heart.
Now, in my days off I have fresh material for you all. (All 10, who I know is out there watching me. I appreciate that!)
First off, make sure you check out my new article for On Wax Magazine (www.onwaxmagazine.com) about R&B singer Crystal Dove. It hits newsstands Monday, July 16. Pick up a copy for me. It’s some of my best work, so far. :-)
In other news, Hope is expecting her first (and last) litter. Devin stated walking and I’m really working on improving my financial knowledge about Keeping excellent credit and home ownership. (I plan to stay out of poverty.) I’ll write more on those topics later.
Also this month, my Uncle James passed. He was 86 and a great man. I am very glad I knew him.
In the music world, I got to see Beyonce’ live for the first time at Essence. That girl is a piece of art walking. More on her later.
And to round off my news briefs, I’ll be making an ant’s hop of victory. Friday, Dec. 7, I’ll be a Master of all Arts. (I’m jumping on the ant mound now). In the meantime I’m looking for a job to provide my bread and butter while I do what I love best, Read.

…well, & write too. :-)

May the Prince of Peace Bless You All.