WORDS OF WISDOM

Today's words of wisdom come from the incomparable, the indelible, the soulful, THE MIGHTY O'JAYS. Sometimes we have people in our lives who you think you know, you think you trust and who you think want happiness for you as you do them. But sometimes, unfortunately, your feelings are dashed. There are people out there who are so wrapped up in their own misery, suffering, pain, insecurities and unhappiness that they cannot see the forest for the trees. Those negative attributes sometime cloud the fact that you really love them and want the best for them. That is so sad. There is an old saying that 'Misery loves company', and no matter how cliche' you think it is, it is true. Insecurity and self doubt in my opinion are the root of most angst in the world - it breeds jealousy, envy, hatred, indifference, sabotage, rumors, etc. The reality is that these types take something that is completely internal and personal and visit it on those around them. They can have people around them who honestly love, respect and admire them, but that insecurity blinds them to their blessings. In announcing my good fortune of a new fab job (and I am by no means a braggart), I have had people who were suspect show their truest colors. But I just say 'God bless you and I pray you find true happiness and peace'. I know that is very Iyanla Vanzant, but it is very true. They WILL NOT draw me into their web of negativity. I will remain positive and triumphant and focus my energy on the many people who love, support and wish me the best. So, thank you to the O'Jays for their warning against these types of folks. They can be living next door, working in the cubicle across from you, sleeping in your bed or saying Hallelujah! next to you at church. Look out for THE BACK STABBERS.

(What they do)
(They smile in your face)
All the time they want to take your place
The back stabbers (back stabbers)....
........low down, dirty....
......Smiling faces tell lies (back stabbers)
They smile in your face...I don't need low down dirty bastards.



Y'all betta preach!!!!!!!!

HOMEWARD BOUND......

I have to first apologize for my absence on my blog. I appreciate all of the people who take time out of their busy lives to check in with the goings on of my life. I love this blog and am glad to have a vehicle to express myself and pay tribute to the inspirations that have and continue to shape my life. Life brings about so many unexpected changes, both good and bad. We have to try to keep up with the pace and not get left behind. I am a strong believer that we have to fill our lives with as much love, peace and happiness as we can to buffer the sadness, hurt and pain that life naturally brings to all of us. But, even in those bad times, there is a lesson to be learned. The old saying goes that "...every cloud has it's silver lining'. Well, I am putting on my mining uniform and praying for the Silver Rush of 2008!!!

I have had the privilege, honor and blessing to live a dream of mine. For the past two years, I was living abroad in Europe designing for one of the most well known fashion houses. I have met many new people, made some amazing friends, traveled to countries that I had never seen before and had the chance to experience brand new cultures. To me, this is what life is all about - a mutual exchange of love with our brothers and sisters everywhere. I definitely had my ups and downs in this experience, but it is something that I wouldn't change for the world. Professionally and personally, I have grown leaps and bounds. This is truly an experience everyone should have as it literally opens up worlds unknown. You learn things that enhance and fine tune who you are as a person. I have to credit much of my success abroad to an absolutely wonderful boss and two guardian angels that live across the hall from me. DB is such an amazingly creative, expressive, fair and funny person and he has inspired me in so many ways - I truly thank God for bringing him into my life. He is a special man and I have grown to love him as a boss and a friend. I will miss him greatly. God truly blessed me with 2 amazing friends that happen to live just across the hall from me. They have been my guides, friends, confidantes and hang out buddies for the past 2 yrs and I am a better person for knowing them. They have taught me many things they probably don't even realize and I love them dearly - CF &BC are friends and brothers for life. (They have also become surrogate parents to Weezie who loves them to pieces!) All of my wonderful colleagues - the designers, patternmakers, tech team, the couture department and all of the people that made it all happen made such an impression on me and I will miss them all.

This amazing experience has opened up a door back home in NYC. For the past month or so, I have been traveling back and forth between Europe and NYC all too frequently trying to organize, reorganize and make sense of my life. Part of this reorganization is being given the opportunity to be the Design Director for one of Seventh Avenue's premiere fashion houses. WOW!!! I have to pinch myself sometimes. I have one last trip to wrap up my European life before I return to NYC for good with a whole new life to live. I am super excited about the new position, it's potential and working with my wonderful new boss and team.

So in honor of my return, I have selected a rendition of HOME, sung by Ms. Melinda Doolittle, the hands down best vocalist ever on American Idol. This song was originally done by the great Stephanie Mills, one of the best vocalists EVER, in the Broadway musical THE WIZ. In thinking about this song, I truly realize that she isn't just talking about a physical place. She is also speaking of a mental, spiritual and emotional place of comfort, peace and love. On some level, HOME is our quest in life. Sometimes we have to readjust and reevaluate what HOME means to us. HOME isn't just about your home, your partner or your family - it is about finding a place of serenity so that no matter what life brings, you can keep going with the knowledge that nothing and no one can bring you down.



Please keep coming back as I will be back in full swing bringing you all more of the interesting experiences and influences that keep me on my toes.

God bless you all.

XOXOXOXO

MORE MISS MAYA

TOUCHED BY AN ANGEL

We, unaccustomed to courage
exiles from delight
live coiled in shells of loneliness
until love leaves it's high holy temple
and comes into our sight
to liberate us into life.

Love arrives
and in its train come ecstasies
old memories of pleasure
ancient histories of pain.
Yet if we are bold,
love strikes away the chains of fear
from our souls.

We are weaned from our timidity
In the flush of love's light
we dare be brave
And suddenly we see
that love costs all we are
and will ever be.
Yet it is only love
which sets us free.
__________________

By the one and only, angel walking among us.....Ms. Maya Angelou. The way this woman speaks of my life is downright scary and a blessing all at once.

YEAH BABY!!!!

I know it is not much for experienced bloggers, but I hit the 500th visitor mark today!!! YEAHHHHHHH!!!!!!!! Thanks to everyone that reads my sometimes senseless musings about life and culture. I would love to increase my viewership, so do me ONE favor, make me one lil' ole' promise. I don't ask for much, so oblige me this, why don't ya?! Just send the link to this site to 10-15 of your favorite email buddies, friends, family, coworkers, employees, your boss, your church brethren, your choir members, fellow AA members, prayer club partners, internet hookup dates, the lady at the Chinese takeout restaurant, your bus driver, the lady who puts your weave in, your masseuse, e'erbody. Then maybe they will send the link to their friends and so on and so on.........There is plenty of pie to go around, share the love!

http://cultural-pie.blogspot.com/

And just to say thank you:

WORDS OF WISDOM

Sometimes you have to just say "Hell No!" Even if it means being slapped in the middle of the street, cold cocked with the butt of a pistol, harassed by an angry mob leaving your skirt to blow up to reveal all your goodness, in prison and then having to work for a spoiled racist, just say "Hell No". Well, life doesn't have to be so dramatic, but the sentiment is the same.

When you are stretched too thin by loved ones, just say it. When you are pooped, need a rest and people still want more from you, just say it. When your boss takes credit for your ideas, just go ahead and say it. When that telemarketer keeps asking if you want to participate in a survey, please, for you and me, just say it. When your family expects more than you have to give, tell them the same damn thing, too.

It is nice to be a giving person, but when it is to your own detriment, commence to serving up a big ole' slice of HELL NO PIE. When you have had enough of people taking and never giving, clutch your pearls, cock your head ever-so-slightly to one side, look them square in their beady little eyes and confidently tell them "HELL NO!!!!". Then turn on your designer heeled feet, and with the gait and confidence of Naomi on a runway, sashay off and say to yourself, "HELL YES!!!".

Miss Sophia, thank you for these indelible words of wisdom.

MAYA, BABY!!!!!

One of my favorite authors ever is the great Maya Angelou. She has a way about her that is regal yet down-to-earth; down home yet worldly; scholarly yet hilarious; stately yet a vixen at heart. Not only is she an accomplished writer/poet, but she has also been an actress, a dancer and a singer travelling and entertaining people all around the world. But her greatest gift to me is her brilliance with organizing words to elicit thought and emotion. She touches me in a way that few other authors do. She is a true American treasure and a living legend. I found this video which literally brought tears to my eyes:


David Alan Grier did a hilarious spoof of Maya from SNL several years back - check it out:


And in honor of Maya and autumn:

LATE OCTOBER by Maya Angelou

Carefully
the leaves of autumn
sprinkle down the tinny
sound of little dyings
and skies sated
of ruddy sunsets
of roseate dawns
roil ceaselessly in
cobweb greys and turn
to black
for comfort.

Only lovers
see the fall
a signal end to endings
a gruffish gesture alerting
those who will not be alarmed
that we begin to stop
in order simply
to begin
again.

WHAT KIND OF PIE DO YOU LIKE?

I really love all types of pie. Sometimes I like a chi chi poo poo French apple tart tatin and sometimes I love a down home apple cobbler. I can always go for a piece of sweet potato pie.

As with pie, my inspiration and enjoyment comes from a mix of opposites: the high and low brow; chic mixed with trashy; urban with a dash of country life. In our efforts to achieve and accrue, we sometimes forget that the most simple things can bring the most enjoyment. We forget that a little trashiness can sometimes add a bit of spice to our so-called cultured lives. We get so high falutin' sometimes that we forget the quirks and customs that shaped us and brought joy to our lives at one point.

So, you know what, I love French bread, but I will still enjoy my garlic cheese biscuits from Red Lobster. I will go to the theater, but I may just go to a voguing ball afterwards. I will watch the DISCOVERY CHANNEL, but an episode of AMERICA'S NEXT TOP MODEL will always entertain.

Find what you love, what brings you joy, what makes you grow, what makes you laugh and SHAMELESSLY enjoy it. Life is too short to eat someone else's slice of pie.

WORDS OF WISDOM

The first entry in my ongoing WORDS OF WISDOM series come from the iconic Dorian Corey, star of the classic documentary PARIS IS BURNING. Dorian Corey - drag Diva, house mother, showgirl extraordinaire, NYC legend, alleged murderess, designer and seamstress - was the griot and font of wisdom of the ballroom scene. Her words and spirit will forever be remembered. May she rest in peace. The clip where she is applying her showgirl makeup is at once hopeful and heartbreaking - hopeful because we have a shot; heartbreaking because she is no longer here and because some people never give themselves a chance. I hope she left this world knowing that she made her mark and inspired others. The READING clip is just plain ole' funny! Her delivery is classic - she was a born STAR.