First of the Month Musings & More

Wake up wake up wake up, Its the first of the month, get up get up get up so cash your check and come up. Who remembers the fast flowing rhyme stylings of Bone Thugs & Harmony? They are the group responsible for one of, if not the only, best songs about the greatness that the first of the month holds for millions. I'm sure for some its the 15th and 30th that makes them excited, but that wouldn't sound right in a song now would it?

Last night I had a very interesting conversation about music. A good friend of mine let me know she checked out the new E. Badu video. I told her I was really looking forward to Erykah's return to the music scene because it needs a jolt of something new right now. Finding good music to listen to isn't easy. With the influx of weak rhymes and vocals flooding the Top 40 airwaves, we asked each other, "Who are we going to be listening to when we're older?" Who are those artists that will be able to sustain a career long enough to make it on to PBS for the annual fundraising specials? Which songs will be included on the 2028 version of 'Smooth Grooves' or 'Lets Dance'? Yesterday, it all seemed to make sense about why our parents still love the music of the 60's, 70's, and 80's. Its for the same reasons we hold dear our late 80's and early 90's Hip-Hop and R&B--Good music is hard to find. Sure it's out there, you just gotta dig for it.

Guess what month it is? Thats right boys and girls--Black History Month! Time for the libraries to display the books on our great Afro-Americans (yes, I said Afro! Someone said it to me the other day. An afro is a hair style, no?) Its time for profiles in newspapers and magazines on all the contributions we've made to society. What am I looking forward to this month? Henry Lewis Gates' PBS special on the genealogical history of some notable black folk. I'm talking real life Roots ya'll. I watched when this special last aired and it brought tears to my eyes. Imagine being able to learn who your people are through documents and pictures? Seeing the handwriting of someone who bought and sold your great great great great grandparents? Check it out if you can--its going to be good.

Last week week I had the pleasure of interviewing lesbian Hip-Hop group KIN for AHH and it turned out great. Both the group and I received a lot of feedback about the interview for obvious reasons, but these ladies really do have skills. Check out the interview here and read some of the comments too. I knew when readers saw lesbian Hip-Hop group in the byline it was going to bring attention, but who knew it would be this much. In addition, USA Today's popular Pop Candy Blogger Whitney Matheson chose me as the reader of the day. Check out my profile and read some of the comments.

I better be careful about what I write because last week Ireceived word from Jigsaw, that I got my life threatened. Two other writers from AHH also received threats, so I didn't feel alone. Initially I was a bit shook because I could only recall writing one piece that may have had the slightest bit of controvesy to it, but who knows? From what I've been told a police report was filed and I shouldn't worry.

I finally saw Juno last week and I really enjoyed it. The combination of acting and writing were perfect. Since I'm in one of those frequent movie watcher clubs, I earned a free ticket when I saw Juno, so I'll be checking out Atonement with my solo ticket as soon as possible. I'll probably go when the Superbowl airs; it will be like my own private showing. Or at least only filled with fellow football haters.

Will the Groundhog see its shadow? Does anyone still believe this has anything to do with season control? Winter will do what it do baby.

Until next time....