A Great Deal for the Holidays

If you haven't heard about Groupon then you are missing out on having a good time at half the price (in most cases). What they do is offer deals in your city and others for Restaurants, Shopping, Trips, you name it. I have probably used about 7 of these Groupon coupons.

Keeping with the season I'm sharing with you all.

Click on the link above or the picture to either go to a new restaurant, get a massage or get your car detailed! Every city offers different deals...check out the deals in your city and have some fun this season.

Enjoy the holidays!

Colored

I am old enough to remember when people referred to each other as colored. It's funny how it didn't mean very much back then and Black people weren't offended by it. I also, remember when being called colored was not a good thing, and Negro was the thing to be called. Then came Afro-American, Black and African-American. Our name changes signified change in our psyche.

No matter what we've been called we've suffered. Men and Women.

I saw the movie For Colored Girls today. If you've never read the book of poetry you should so that you hear it in your own voice and let it give you a vision of what the women in the poetry are feeling. When the book For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow is Enuf was 1st published it was a voice for women who were in plain sight abused. I think if not for this voice Black women might see themselves differently than they do today. At least in their minds, if not in reality. In the past performances of this work the women do not interact. Personally I thought it was good to have them be connected in similar vein as the movie Crash.

Some reviewers will have you to believe that the story is dated and that some of the directorial choices are trite. See for yourselves and don't let others who have no reference whatsoever of some Black women's past that still exists but now covertly with subtle nuances that manage to hide the voices of Black women dealing with pain once again.

One might say that the poem and the movie paint a picture of Black men that we'd like to keep hidden not unlike our dirty laundry when company comes to visit. However, the images may offend and seem dramatic but in my opinion resonate a sickness that exists even today.

The performances in the movie were stellar. See for yourself before following a reviewer with probably no point of reference or color.

What can we do?

I know that there has been a lot of media coverage about teen bullying and suicide. However, there seems to be a lot of talk about it but I don't really see anything being done to prevent it. This horrible trend is increasing rather than decreasing.

I had written a post about a young black man that reportedly committed suicide. I have since found out that it was a hoax. On top of all the disturbing things regarding teen suicide people are now playing games about it...disgusting.

Interestingly enough I can not find this article on the LGBTNATION's website anylonger. Maybe it's true that this article was false or a hoax. However, my comments related to this subject still stand, whether Terrell is a real victim or not.

Every channel has coverage about this trend, it's sensational, is appalling, it's heinous. Talking to parents about it doesn't seem to be the answer as I see it. Oprah asking parents to pay attention to their kids is not working either. Somehow these kids need to feel empowered to take action and protect themselves without fear of retribution.

Think

Speak

Act

Woody

The new "Woody" winner of a West African Bodybuilding contest. I'm sure they didn't mean the same thing as we do here in the states when they came up with the name of this contest. However, I'm sure there is a lot of "wood" to see at these contests. LOL

Divas Simply Singing 2010

I attended Diva's Simply Singing again this year. For the life of me I don't know why this show is not on television. Then again maybe I do...that doesn't make it right though. View the youtube video below of little Harmony interviewing some of the Divas prior to the event. You'll also have the opportunity to listen to snippets of their performances. Some of my favorite Divas performed this year...Ledisi, Kelly Price, Chaka Khan, Shanice & her mother, Jodi Watley, Teena Marie & her daughter who performed (yes she can sang!), Debra Cox and more.

Enjoy!

So Glad It's Friday

Y'all! I'm glad it's Friday. Enjoy your weekend.

Happy Birthday Leo's!!

This is gonna be a good year for Leo's! Last year had some adventures but this year will be major! Hee hee Is that wishful thinking??

Do it your way

It's time to do it your way. I don't care what it is. Do it your way. Others may not like the way you do it. But it's you that you live for. It's you that you must please.

A Leo Day

A friend called me a couple of days ago and told me that he wanted to give me and a girlfriend of ours our birthday presents early. All 3 of us are Leos. So being the Leo's that she and I are we wanted more information. What should we wear, where are you taking us, what is the all about, etc. Well our Leo friend was not giving up any information except to be at his house at 2pm on Saturday.

Of course I was running a little late because I live on the other side of town and L.A. traffic was horrendous due to the warm weather we've been having. Everyone was out. So at 2pm when I called to tell him that I was approximately 15 mins away. He boomed into the phone, "You're going to ruin the surprise!" Ok I said, I'll hurry as fast as I can.

When I arrived at his house I noticed the that big picture window's curtains were drawn. I don't think I've ever seen these curtains closed. OMG what is he up to I thought. I rang the door and he opened up the 4 inch door within the door to peer out at me. What is going on??? He just said are you ready. Now if anyone knows a Leo you know that we do not liked to be surprised. Well I take that back we just don't like to know that there is a surprise waiting for us. If you're going to surprise a Leo just do it don't tell them you're going to surprise them.

He opens the door finally and he's standing there in a beautiful black and gold robe. As I walked in to the side of him was a Hispanic man with a chiseled body in black boxer briefs and holding another robe for me. He man put the robe on me and guided me into the next room. When I walked in I saw my girlfriend laying on a massage table being massaged by a very attractive brother dressed only in briefs. My mouth dropped.

My friend had paid for massages for the 3 of us. I was given a Mimosa, chocolate covered strawberries, cheese, crackers, salami slices and other fruit. I was to say the least in a state of shock. In fact I was finding myself nervous. I had never received a professional massage before. I'd always been a little fearful of someone other than a lover touching my body. As my girlfriend's massage was finishing it was my turn next. I changed into only my underwear and robe.

As I disrobed and laid on the table the massage began and my heart was racing. However, once this brotha began massaging me I felt a sense of relaxation that was far from what my imagination attempted to make me believe. I was nearly asleep by the end of the massage by this beautiful man. He was professional and I'm glad to say that my Massage Cherry was broken by a beautiful brotha.

Once he left we were lead to the dinning room that was decorated in choclate brown and white with a large vase full of boganvia floating in the water and cascading down the sides of the vase. We then were indulged with a light Chinese Chicken Salad and more libations. After we finished with our meal the 3 of us blew out the candles on our birthday cake.

What an absolutely wonderful surprise that I will never forget. Now I need to think what am I going to get my friend for his birthday! Lawd help!!!!

You Never Know How You Might Touch Someone

I've included a youtube video as an example of how just a kind voice can do wonders for a person. Imagine when you are feeling really down. You know kinda like Sophia when was feeling mightly poorly and Celie helped her out in the grocery store. Sometimes gifts from God come in a moment that can change your life with just a small gesture of kindness.

Ms Davidson is an example of this. Shouldn't we all strive to make each other feel good instead of working to feel better than others?

Delightful, Unassuming and Dignified

Delightful, Unassuming and Dignified is how I would describe the 3 authors that I met this evening. I attended a book reading at In The Meantime Men's Group discussion of Visible Lives - Three Stores in Tribute to E. Lynn Harris. In order of the characteristics mentioned above, Terrance Dean (Hiding in Hip Hop) , James Earl Hardy (B Boy Blues) and Stanley Bennett Clay (Looker) read excerpts from this piece of work.

It was a pleasure hearing them tell stories of their experience with E. Lynn Harris and what he meant to the literary world, the Black SGL community and to Black Gay authors like them and others. They wrote this book in tribute so that the memory of E. Lynn would not be just a tiny blurb in a newspaper or an insignificant footnote in our history.

I haven't started to read the book yet but from the excerpts I believe the book will be pure pleasure. The authors all read their excerpts in such a way that it left you wanting more. Just what a good author should do! If any of these authors are in your city please make an effort to go see them. You will walk away feeling proud and significant.

The host of the event described E. Lynn and the Authors of Visible Lives as Royalty. I beg to differ as I would describe them as legendary. They will all be celebrated in our future as pioneers. Being royalty doesn't mean that you've done anything but being born to a royal lineage or afforded privilege uncommon for most. It doesn't mean that you've contributed anything to the lives of anyone. These authors have done just that.

E. Lynn Harris, rest in peace.

Thinking of the Joy

I have been thinking about my friend Marlon that passed away recently and felt sad. I thought about the many many others that have passed on as well. Then I thought about the overwhelming feeling of joy and excitment that I'd experience when I see them all again.

I know it's strange to say but I almost feel excited about that time. Just think of it. All the family members and friends that you love and have such good memories about all being in one place with no judgments, drama or issues. Just together having a good time.

Man what a party that will be! Just imagine being in one place with all the people that have held a special place in your heart.

I hope this makes you smile thinking about who you'll see.

Interview with Dwayne Barnes

I had the opportunity to interview Dwayne Barnes. Director and Producer of the Docu-Drama "Stranded in the Motor City" and here is the interview. Since I didn't like the sound of my voice I got a little creative check it out.

And if your in Atlanta check out the screening of the movie at the Atlanta Film Festival on April 17th. @12:15pm and April 21st. @ 3:00pm.

Marlon has gone Home.

I'm devastated.

Dr. Marlon A. Collins has gone home. 10/20/80-03/16/10

You are greatly missed.

Daddy

They say that you can blame who you are and how you behave on your environment. I'm not the closets in the world to my father and there's a lot that I could say to him. However, I don't think he would understand either why I felt the need to say them or what I said might hurt him. So I was just wondering if you could say one thing to your father what would it be?

I think I would say...You never REALLY paid attention.

Of course you can comment anonomously if you like.

Erykah is coming back

We Are The World

For some reason I think that this is the direction that Micheal Jackson would have preferred this song to go. So that not just celebrities do something for the world but all of us as individuals contribute to making a difference.

After listening to this how does it make you feel?

Jennifer Lewis

If you have never seen one of Jennifer Lewis' one woman shows you are missing out on a laugh filled night. She's going to be here in LA again all this month with new show. Here's the invitation that was sent out for the show.

And she means it at the end of the invitation...DO NOT BE LATE! Cuz she really will cuss you out!

Change

There is a cycle to any change. So lets say that someone feels love then finds out that the other doesn't love them..then that's the change that takes place and it's the dealing with the change that is difficult for individuals to manuever.

The 6 stages to the Change Cycle include:
1. Loss: Feeling of Fear, Thoughts are cautious, Behavior is paralyzed.
2. Doubt: Feeling of resentment, thoughsts are skeptical behavior is resistant.
3. Discomfort: Feeling of anxiety, thoughts are confused, Behavior is unproductive
4. Discovery: Feeling of Anticipation, Thoughts are creative, Behavior is energized.
5. Understanding: feeling of confidence, thoughts are pragmatic, behavior is productive.
6. Integration: Feeliing of satisfaction, thoughts are focused, behavior is generous.

The better you get at change the quicker you go through the 6 stages. The dangerous thing is that many people spend too much time between stages 3 & 4 which cause them to become stagnant and sometimes start back at stage 1.

The key is believing that you can get through the change.
A friends mother told me...there are 3 stroms of life...A storm is coming, your in the middle of storm, or coming out of one. Get yourself to get through these stages as quickly as possible. You'll be a lot better equiped to handle change without it affecting you adversely.

You'll observe in your own life that these stages of change happen in every change of your life.

Black History Continues

I know I'm a little early for Black History Month. I was emailed the attached video and if you can I think you should send it to all that you know as well.

I know that the brothas and sisters of the blog world are very conscious, take pride in our history and make differences in ways that they may not even know to this world. I'm putting this video on my blog to remind us of our strength, courage and resiliency. We as bloggers do make a difference. So lets continue that by using this video as a reminder of who we are and what we are capable of.

I remember in elementary school after Martin Luther King died singing...We Shall Overcome. We have overcome many things since then, but isn't it time that we come together and continue to grow remembering that there continue to be obstacles and forces that may be in place to stunt our excellence?

A War For Your Soul-Birmingham version from Erisai Films on Vimeo.