بِسْمِ ٱللَّٰهِ ٱلرَّحْمَٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ

As-Salaamu ‘Alaikum Beloved Asiatic Black Akhawaat!!!

How Are You!?!?!?

I pray Allah, you are well and happy and blessed, as I. Al Hamdulillah!!!

I am in such good spirits! All praise is due to Allah. I woke up singing, for the past few days! 🙂

I was like Prince Akeem, but I was reliving the days when we used to sing T.V. theme songs, like Fat Albert, I did a montage when I got to the end, “Na, na, na, gonna have a…”

Then I belted out

Why I feel like breakin out my tambourine in the library? smh 🙂 Sorry about her skimpy fit! Put on some clothes, J! Jeez…

I also sang, the title of Barry Gordy’s book and I sounded better than expected. That is a really beautiful song. He wrote it about his children and I liked how I felt and sounded. Not as nasal as Jackie but really soft and meaningful.

It was also a slight drizzle. You can’t really call the watering we get rain. Except that atmospheric river we got last month. I WAS IN NEW ORLEANS ON OCEAN AVENUE!!! LOVED IT!!! ❤ ❤ ❤

And there is the new moon!!!

I love reading the Bible; deciphering its secrets is so fascinating! The Children of Isra El, used to celebrate on the coming of the New Moon. I was thrilled to learn the reason why I always get festive around this time! I used to always sing what Brandy referred to as her “Control…” 🙂

But it’s a little risque and please do not watch the video. This one is much better

OMG, why did the young brothers, who play straight ahead at the Farmer’s Market, play some Ellington! Hold your takbirs, I for one, jumped up as soon as the intro to Strayhorn’s “Take the A-Train” began. THRILLED. They’re young so they don’t know as much about jazz as ya girl, but they are getting better, as evidenced by the number.

But when the tenor came in, I rather they had waited until they could swing it! Believe, you do not want to hear a smooth jazz version of anything by Ellington.

They can bop, but swing is like fundamental jazz. I’m older and as much as I love Hip-Hop, I am finding myself slipping into the category of those “JAZZ PURISTS (typified by old white men )” that I have always derided.

My generation (THE HIP-HOP GENERATION) is actually unclassifiable 🙂 We are so cool. But very indescribable and musically bi-polar. LOL This Brother (Hey, Max!) told me he was doing some labwork with Mikah 9 and it was so smooth and mellow and he was digging the vibe, but the next day, when they reunited, Mike was on some hip-hop and Max was lost. He couldn’t dig it.

Me, I’m jazz, hip-hop and even more musically diverse because my MUSICAL “CRACK” is live symphonic orchestral…

On the Promenade, I loved this new angelic sounding Sister (Bri) who was there last Sunday, but not this past Sunday, to my disappointment. When I came in on her set, she was singing a song that has been in my internal playlist on LOOP!

I really feel this geek. I’m geeky to, so I guess…

But I was seven steps to Heaven when Bri went into L.O.V.E. but she smoothed it out! These babies have the love and the desire, the heart, the ear, but just not the ability!!!

Shawn on the tenor, was looking at me trying to swing him, like F.U. to my snapping and tapping… I guess, maybe that’s the neo-swing – SMOOTH.

But you know what they say…

I don’t believe I’ve said it here, but I feel this with all my heart ANY MUSICIAN WHO WANTS TO PLAY JAZZ MUST L.I.V.E IN NEW ORLEANS FOR AT LEAST SIX MONTHS OR UNTIL HE/SHE HAS MASTERED THEIR DISTINCT, INIMITABLE AND PERFECT SOUND!!!

I prefer W on the keys!!!! Sorry not sorry. Juslisen

B has it! I LOVE IT!!! He has New Orleans chops! Undeniable!!! He sat out on the Ellington, like out of respect, but I think he would have done him justice. And his cornet is reminiscent of NOLA’s Bolden…

Anyway, I am growing into my fifties and am becoming like, my son. He has this whatever attitude that is contagious and very handy!

So, I’m going to let you in on a little secret…. and get back to Ms. B: *bring it in…*

I have been to jail more times than I can count on both hands, but they still give you that one phone call.

Since I have been estranged from my kith and kin, I always rely on my celebrity connects and this one never fails!

I USE MY ONE PHONE CALL TO CALL…. *DRUM ROLL PLEASE*

Everyone’s favorite doll BARBIE!!!!

Seriously, I’m always out sooner rather than later. She has the hook-up!

Now, if it’s been a few since you’ve called her. Don’t worry. She’s coolio! And her number has not changed.

She’s like old skool emcees! They still have pagers!!! Same number!!! No cap! LOL 🙂

I once found an old organizer (remember those? 🙂 ) and just for kix, I called up this old rapper, me and my friend used to go to the studio and kick it with them and do you know he called me back like, “Yeah, did somebody page Brandon?” LOL I was like, “Boy, if you don’t stop playing with me!” ROFL

I saw on fb that he got a baby mama with they six youngies, so it’s all good I failed the next test! LOL

Rappers do that kinda stuff to check your intellect. It was cool sporting with him for a sec. I found out what it’s like to talk to a Brother with some “brie.” 🙂 Oh, the possibilities!!! I’ll never be the same. 🙂

I ain’t messing with no broke-broke LOL This was my joint… from ye’s debut when I used to mess with him. He’s completed his cipher though. Back to Black! Al Hamdulillah الحمدلله

Anyway, back to Miss B… if you forgot her number, just ask a little girl 🙂 and try not to get gaffled up!

بِسْمِ ٱللَّٰهِ ٱلرَّحْمَٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ

As-Salaamu ‘Alaikum Ikhwan!

As Black People, we often refer to each other as “crabs in a barrel.”

This metaphor really struck a chord after watching a few videos of the above.

I am not going to post it because it’s negative and I’m not about that…

As someone who, technically, has ascended beyond the limits of the brim, I see both points of view.

I remember, several years ago, when I was still, “itb” 🙂 I ran into a former best friend (Fatima Robinson), who had preceded me out of the barrel.

I was thrilled to see her after watching her climb and successful exodus. However, I was floored when she looked at me with utter disgust and feigned not to know me!

Just yesterday I experienced a similar emotion when a Brother ignored me, after achieving a little ghetto fame…

My point is that some people should realize that not all crabs in the barrel want to pull you back down…

We may not even want you to help us out. We are sincerely happy for you, knowing that eventually, we will meet you on the outside. Just don’t be mean. 🙂

Also, if you are one of the crabs who have helped other crabs out of the barrel, DO NOT HOLD THEM IN CONTEMPT IF THEY DO NOT RETURN THE FAVOUR.

Your reward is with ALLAH.

As-Salaamu ‘Alaikum!

 بِسْمِ ٱللَّٰهِ ٱلرَّحْمَٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ

I need an F.O.I. – righteous, provider, protector, funny, and something else I can’t remember.

Good with children, maybe…

I refuse to get a phone or anytype of electronic device.

Yesterday I saw andre ben (AGAIN! ) and he played his flute for me, but being without the means to capture it and contain it in a box, made it more special.

Bolden went crazy due to the fact that they wanted to put him in a box.

I’ma see how long i can go.

I know i’m going down the rabbit hole…. as they say

Okay, I remembered! He has to be committed to physical fitness. I mean, like a lifelong commitment!

I am always physically active. Pushing a shopping cart with all my worldly possessions is a physical workout in itself!

BTW, if you skate, don’t if you haven’t leveled up to the new bigger wheels. OMG! I found one and tried it out. I don’t have one now cuz I’m tryna be feminine. But, if I ever backslide…

I saw someone use the word COMMISERATE, in such a wrong context. Sometimes, you have to look up the definition of a word, and when you do, you may be surprised.

I used to use the phrase, “for posterity’s sake” and had no idea that posterity means your children!

Anyway, that’s it, I think. I have a new blog to get to.

But as far as physical exercise activity. It can be cycling, running, hoops, tennis, step-aerobics (lol), weight training, volleyball (beach, preferably), surfing, skating, NO AMERICAN FOOTBALL, which is akin to Greek “wrestling” aka CAVE ACTIVITY, however FUTBOL is perfectly acceptable, water polo, swimming, snowboarding/skiing, &c…

Those are just a few of my favoritos… 🙂