BACK ON THE JOB

Just when I thought it was safe to sew my new design for the Bridal collection - the cell phone burped ( a no ring sound). I don't answer. Then the house phone rings - I ignore that one too. Checked the messages later that day. That was last Monday - a week ago. The message was from a not number I didn't recognize, hence why it did not ring on my cell phone. But there were two messages from the (INSERT HORROR MUSIC HERE) Census Bureau!

I swore to call them back the next day -- if they called me again.

The next day came. I breezed through the 8 o'clock hour, and just about half past the 9 o'clock hour that burp sound again. I did not answer it, I may seem anti-social by now to you, but I'm not. I was honestly trying to work on l'Amore Intimo. Then the house phone, and I thought it was time to confront the inevitable - I answered. To make this long story short...I'm back. I knew I should have sewn quicker. It's full time and in the office, not the scary trails like before. Maybe it won't be adventures in canvassing, but it will be adventures in something since I have two collections for l'Amore Intimo to debut by November.

Oh well. I consider this a blessing none the less.

Ciao Y'all.

The Day After Dodgertown

Today it's a hazy, cloudy day, a sit and watch "Project Runway" season 5 marathon because you have 50 million projects of your own to do and can't see past cutting out the design - kind of day.

But last night...
ROCKED!

Baseball does matter! My favorite little leaguer and I made ourselves comfy in Dodgertown last night! He had a Dodger Dog. I had nachos and garlic fries. We had cotton candy and peanuts and lemonade and a great time! Russell Martin hit a grand slammy just as I was taking a picture of the field. I think I got it. Cool. The Dodgers beat the Cubs, 7 to 2. Those are the best days ever.

Now back to "Project Runway" - I could so win this show - and completing the designs I'm working on.

Ciao Y'all

A Day After Gregorysms Day

This one can't go untold, because it had our whole table laughing out loud in BJ's.

As Gregory - the constantly finished off one - was sitting quietly listening while his sister Kelli was running her mouth about this new guy, then said something about taking a day off from communicating with the guy - Gregory remarked out of nowhere

"Whoa - I just got dizzy from the amount of ignorance from this table."

Since everyone knew he was referring to his sister, who he loves dearly - it was quite funny. What can you say? He's Greg. He checked into his new school today. Cal State LA. He's a hard hard worker, and smart too.

My birthday was special yesterday.

Ciao Y'all

Summer Ending Too Soon

As I posted on the wall of my Facebook, I am not thoroughly sure this is the most wonderful time for the year. I kind of like summer, and appreciate it a lot more now that my favorite little leaguer is headed back to school and won't be home to thread that dang serger for me. That machine is el diablo sometimes. I took for granted during the years of home school how much I would miss him when he was in school.

School sucks. Okay not really, but if the truth be know, I'd rather have my kid home with me enjoying the short childhood years. But I will herald him back to school on this Thursday and work hard while he is away so the hours will swiftly pass. I will champion him to embrace his elective - not art this semester. I will enjoy every moment of my time spent with him. Every parent should be able to say these things.

Enjoy life. Embrace love. Capture moments.

Ciao Y'all

The Biggest Exhibition

Yeah I missed yesterday gregorysms - but not actually, as I was fortunate enough to spend four hours with the chap as I re-twisted his locks. I don't get paid enough for this stuff.

Watching of course the Dodgers game. listening to Chick promo about the sleepover at Dodgers stadium on August 14th - Mr Gregory laughed and announced --

"You get to pay $100 to have the worst sleep of your life and in the morning you will be a part of the biggest exhibition ever!"

When you think about it that way - it kind of does sound pretty silly. And worst of all, the Dodgers won't even be there.

Ciao Y'all

Dodgertown

A fun time tonight at Dodgers' stadium outside of the 17 to 4 victory over the Brewers - there was a runner on the field. Probably saw a friend of his on the other side of the stadium from where he was sitting and thought the shortest route was of course - the field. KCAL 9 didn't show the perp but Chick commentated it well enough and I'm guessing the poor guy was thrown out and asked never to return. The poor guy probably lost a bet and that was the consequence.

Any way - How 'bout them Dodgers! Possibly the hardest thing about winning - being in first place - is the expectation to remain in first place. The boys in blue don't seem too fazed by this though - they keep on keeping on and I like that. Manny was in the game tonight - he hit a homerun and had a great double to knock in two runners. So that means my fantasy team should have lots of points today - Yay!

I wanna go to Dodgertown.

Ciao Y'all

One Word -- Depp!

I ventured out to see Public Enemies only to see that face. Well maybe to see how Depp - who portrayed John Dillinger - would do in a part once played by Warren Oates.

The story was jumpy and spotty in places but the action - if you're into action - was worth the ticket price. I frankly was taken by the love scenes. I do believe the best Hollywood love scenes by far, are the ones that are implied. Hats off to director, Michael Mann, who put together a wonderful film about the glory days of bank robberies.

Why see this flick? Let me make this very clear - Michael Mann directed Johnny Depp and Christian Bale (Melvin Purvis - the GI who took down Dillinger and eventually killed himself). If you haven't seen it - GO as I did to an afternoon matinee. What fun it was to sit there with my popcorn and dream about getting rich by knocking off a few banks. Then the movie was over and i remembered that the banks don't have any money. So I came back home and got back to work on l'Amore designs.

Ciao Y'all

Worth Forwarding

Go Hug Your "Michael" by Maya Angelou

Yesterday I cried watching the Michael Jackson memorial. I cried for a little black boy who felt the world didn't understand him.

I cried for a little black boy who spent his adulthood chasing his childhood. And I thought about all the young black boys out there who may feel that the world doesn’t understand them.

The ones who feel that the world does not understand their baggy jeans, their swagger, their music, their anger, their struggles, their fears or the chip on their shoulder. I worry that my son, may too, one day feel lonely in a wide, wide world.

I cried for young children of all colors who may live their life feeling like a misfit, feeling like no one understands their perspective, or their soul. What a burden to carry.

As a mother, I cried for Katherine Jackson because no mother should ever bury a child. Period. And I think about all the pain, tears and sleepless nights that she must have endured seeing her baby boy in inner pain, seeing him struggle with his self- esteem, and his insecurities and to know that he often felt unloved. Even while the world loved him deeply. How does it feel to think that the unconditional love we give as mothers just isn’t enough to make our children feel whole?

I wonder if she still suffers thinking, “What more could I have done?” Even Moms of music legends aren’t immune to Mommy guilt, I suppose.

When Rev. Al Sharpton (who always delivers one “Awesome” funeral speech), said to Michael’s children “ Your Daddy was not Strange . . . It was strange what your daddy had to deal with” I thought of all of the strange things of the world that my children would have to deal with. Better yet, the things I hope they won’t ever have to deal with anymore.

And as a mother raising a young black boy, I feel recommitted and yet a little confused as to how to make sure my son is sure enough within himself to take on the world. Especially a “strange” one. To love himself enough to know that even when the world doesn’t understand you, tries to force you into its mold or treats you unkindly, you are still beautiful, strong, and Black. How do I do that?

Today, I’m taking back “childhood” as an inalienable right for every brown little one. In a world that makes children into “booty-Shakin”, mini- adults long before their time, I’m reclaiming the playful, the innocent, run-around outside, childhood as the key ingredient in raising confident adults. Second, I will not rest until my little black boy, My Michael, knows that his broad nose is beautiful, his chocolaty brown skin is beautiful, and his thick hair is beautiful. And nothing or no one, can take that away from him.

Now, ain’t we Bad, ain’t we Black, and ain’t we Beautiful!

Maya Angelou
July, 2009

After two weeks of daily tears and then every other day and then no more sudden down pours, a month and some days later I proudly share this piece of inspiration from the wordful Maya Angelou. I hope it brings you peace.

Ciao Y'all