Just 4 Today...

I Look To You Listening Parties

"I Look To You"- W. Houston

Hey guys, in case you don't know... the Whitney Houston's new album I Look To You original release date was pushed up from September 1, 2009 to August 31, 2009 (not sure what the one day will do... probably just a media stunt more than anything because I am sure she has a slew of appearances lined up surrounding the original date, but I am not tripping. I will buy my cd on Monday instead of Tuesday! Still can't wait to hear "Million Dollar Bill" written by Alicia Keys and "Salute" written by R. Kelly!)

Check out footage from her two listening parties last week, one in New York and one from Los Angeles!

 

New York

Los Angeles

Also, don't forget to go to WhitneyHouston.com to download a free copy of the album's title track. Hurry because you only have until the 31st of July to do it.

You Changed My Life- E. Lynn Harris

E. Lynn Harris

June 20, 1955 - July 23, 2009

"Smile"- N. Cole

I am saddened to hear that last night, while promoting his latest book, "Basketball Jones," E. Lynn Harris was found unconscious at the Penninsula Hotel in Beverly Hills, California. He was pronounced dead at Cedars-Sinai Hospital. It is believed that he had a heart attack.

I admire many people in my life and E. Lynn Harris is one of those people.

I stumbled upon his first novel, "Invisible Life," by accident at an airport when I making a trip home to see my family after completing military basic training. I was 20 years old.

"Invisible Life," a book about a man who was stuck between two worlds, a straight one and a gay one, due to expectations from family, community and self, was instantly addictive and therapeutic to me.

Within the pages, I read my life. I could totally relate. I had yet to ever really talk to anyone about the way I felt on the inside prior to reading his books.

Honestly, E. Lynn Harris helped me loved myself a little more at a critical time in my life, a time when I had to make a conscious decision to live MY life or someone's idea of what it needed to be.

I went on to read every single one of his books because he quickly became my favorite author. I spent plenty of nights just me, some nice music and an E. Lynn Harris book in my hand.

I am glad to say that I reached out to E. Lynn Harris a couple years back to thank him for what he did for my life. To my surprise he responded back to me and we were able to keep in touch and even meet whenever he was in town. I got the chance to give him his flowers while he was still alive and for that, I am forever grateful.

E. Lynn Harris, I will miss you and thank you for everything. You touched my life.

A Day In The Life

"Be Myself Again"- E. Benet

Here is my horoscope for today:

Most of the world is in the mood to mingle now -- which is usually the exact same mood you're in. Strangely enough, though, you're not feeling that way at the moment. You're thinking about how nice it might be to spend some quiet time, either completely alone or with just one quality person. You won't have to look far for someone who'll want to spend it with you, so don't worry about being lonely.

I kinda' have to agree with this one.

I really want to just park it on my couch, read a book, watch Waiting to Exhale and just be to myself today.

I am not sad or mad at anyone. I just really feel good about getting back into the things that I once did just because I felt like it.

Unfortunately my alone time won't be happening today! hahaha I have two friends coming into town (separately) and both are going to want to see me.

Though I will hang out (because friends and loved ones are precious) I will definitely make some time for myself this weekend. It is a MUST!  

Don't Call It A Comeback

"Million Dollar Bill"- W. Houston

Anyone who has a heart or the gift of hearing sound with his ears should be excited about Whitney Houston's return to pop music with her first cd of original material in 6 years on September 1, 2009 with her cd, I Look To You.

Clive Davis, the man, in my opinion, who shaped what we consider popular music, held a listening party for Whitney last night in New York City.

Among celebrity attendees were singer/songwriter Alicia Keys, actress Vivica A. Fox, producer SwizzBeats, Whitney-proclaimed-number-one-interviewer-in-the-world Diane Sawyer, Oprah-gal-pal Gayle King, comedian Steve Harvey and ex-con Martha Stewart.

I would have given money to be there!

Davis unveiled 9 of the 11 songs off of Houston's new cd.

From the sound of reviews, everyone was immediately taken by the opening track, "Million Dollar Bill," that was written by Alicia Keys and produced by Swizz Beats. With lyrics like "If he makes you feel like a million-dollar bill, say, 'Oh, oh/ Oh, oh,' " and ""It's been a long time since love has come my way. I've been looking and searching for a man to touch this place" I already have a feeling that this might be my favorite song from the cd and I haven't even heard it yet! You all know I am sucka for those love anthems!

As I sit here and listen to her Greatest Hits cd on my iPod I am just reminded that Whitney tells a story, not only in the lyric that she sings, but more importantly, by the way she chooses to sing a song. There is meaning in her music. There is magic inside of this woman and I just can't wait until September 1st!!!!

Check out some of the reviews:

• New York Post
• People Magazine
• MTV
• Rap-Up
• Entertainment Tonight
• Inside Edition
• Bossip.com

One Foot In Front Of The Other

"One Step At A Time"- J. Sparks

It is amazing how different the world looks when you put a little effort into feeling good.

Sometimes paying attention to all of the nice little things instead of focusing on the not-so-pleasing big things makes a huge difference.

Appreciating the genuine smile of a friend who was glad to see me, finding a couple of dollars that I had no idea that I had and getting a compliment on the fit of my shirt from a co-worker only added to my already-committed good mood.

Is everything going smoothly right now? No, not at all.

Am I working on making things better? Most definitely.

When I look back on this time in my life am I am going to be glad that I decided to smile my way through this? You better believe it!

Get On Your Feet

 

"Get On Your Feet"- G. Estefan

You say I know its a waste of time
Theres no use trying
So scared that lifes gonna pass you by
Your spirit dying
Not long ago
I could feel your strength and your devotion
What was so clear, is now overcast
With mixed emotions
Deep in your heart is the answer
Find it, I know it will pull you through

Get on your feet
Get up and make it happen
Get on your feet
Stand up and take some action

I think its true that weve all been through
Some nasty weather
Lets understand that we're here
To handle things together
You gotta keep looking onto tomorrow
Theres so much in life
Thats meant for you

Get on your feet
Get up and make it happen
Get on your feet
Stand up and take some action
Get on your feet
Dont stop before its over
Get on your feet
The weight is off your shoulder

Get up and make it happen
Stand up, stand up, stand up and take some action
Gotta get on your feet, yeah, yeah
Dont stop before its over
Get on your feet
The weight is off your shoulder
Get on your feet
Get up, get up, get up and make it happen
Get on your feet
Stand up , stand up and take some action
Get on your feet

 

WEAKNESS is NOT an option. Life is what I make it.

When The Writing's On The Wall...

 

"I'm Here"- J. Jackson

... I am learning that sometimes it is just better to read it!

Admittedly, I am a LOT of things, but WEAK is not one of them.

God grant me the serenity

To accept the things I cannot change;

Courage to change the things I can;

And wisdom to know the difference.

Whitney's New Album Cover!!!!

 

"I Didn't Know My Own Strength"- W. Houston

Nippy is back you guys! I can't wait until her cd is released in September!

Say what you want about the change in her voice. There is no denying Whitney Houston's contribution to the world of music.

Hell, there is no denying what her music has done for my life and lives of those that I love.

Love her or hate her, EVERYONE has a reaction or an opinion about her when the music is played.

Bring it on Whitney!

Happy Jackie Washington Day!!!

 

"Love Goddess" - Jackie Washington

She's huge in Kinloch!

Can you imagine what her cd, "Tore Up From The Floor Up: Live in Compton- All Her Greatest Hits" would have sounded like? Especially with songs like "Yield (Before You Hit Me With Your Love)"; "Eye on the Motherland ...or Cleveland"; "Wednesday Night Fever"; "Take Your Jeri Curl and Go!"; "Love Goddess (from the movie 'Stacked Sister')"; "Coco's Theme (from the movie 'Whipped Creme: Coco's Revenge')" and "Look at Me."

The Love Affair Begins...

"Lock You Down" - Mya feat. Lil Wayne

Ladies and gentlemen, I have finally stepped up my cell phone game and purchased the new Palm Pre.

I love it so far. Hopefully I don't get addicted to the phone, because I can do so much on it.

This is a huge step up from the LG EnV that I owned for two years prior.

You couldn't tell me a thing when I first got my EnV. I thought I was the s**t just because it was orange!

I had no extra features on that phone. As a matter of fact, I thought I was ballin' when I upgraded to an unlimited text package!

The good thing about having the Palm Pre is it is the first time that I have had a phone with Internet capability (this will work out well since I have a new techno-crush on Facebook!).

Surprisingly, I am paying about $40 less a month for this phone plan and I get sooooooo much more than I previously had. Someone PLEASE explain that to me.

PROS on the phone: Easy to navigate, nice sounding speaker phone, awesome display, the Palm Pre OS is cool too.

CONS on the phone: Small QWERTY keyboard, does not video record (yet), a little bulky because of the slide out keyboard, no expansion slot (but it has 8GB of internal memory).

All in all, I am impressed with the phone. I will keep you guys posted on my progress with it.