بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

As-Salaamu ‘Alaikum Beloved Asiatic Black Kings And Queens!

I don’t really have much to say except I was robbed last night. *gasp!*

I went through some donations to Goodwill last night and picked up a black pleather backpack and some other things I needed and went to sleep on the beach.

Fortunately, I had put on the items I really needed, so when I woke up and the backpack was gone, I felt more violated than taken advantage of.

I think Allah, no, I KNOW Allah Wants me to travel lightly and the added weight was really unnecessary. I knew that when I took it but I’m a hip-hop head and we like backpacks, for some reason, so I liked wearing it, even if after awhile the burden made itself manifest.

I wanted it; but I certainly didn’t need any of it. It’s just that I was just thinking about a change of clothes and then I see all of these donations. I really needed some shoes but there were about ten pairs of sneakers – all too small.

If that was a test, I failed. But Allah Will Have His Way.

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Did you see the Moon? It was aight. I mean, it was kinda full with the top right corner shaved off a little bit. Not nearly as amazing as the previous two nights, but still beautiful just the same.

Like I said, I slept on the beach, then I went to this Homeless Resource Center I had heard about. (I like to have options. I also never want to get stuck at any one place. Anything could happen and then where would I go?) They weren’t there but I found a couple giving free donuts and coffee to whoever needed it, so I helped myself.

The lady was even kind enough to Google the HRC I had been looking for and found their new address. However, when I got there it was like “under new management” and had none of the services I was in need of. Well, maybe one, but the people who offered the adult services were at another location while they had Summer Youth Camp.

So, I got the address and pushed to the Promenade.

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My GR finally came in (I always get benefits on the LAST day but I’m grateful. Allahu Akbar) and I had planned to buy some Skechers since my dividends are so low now.

I had met this Brother on the Row back in April and when I was in the market for some new sneaks, he recommended that brand.

Back then, I was almost offended. Skechers??? Don’t make me laugh.

I had planned to buy some Shelltoes but went with some Pumas instead.

So, now since my check has been cut by about 90 per cent, it seemed as if my only option was the Sketches.

They have a store on the Promenade and last week I reluctantly went in to see what they were working with.

I was repulsed by the inferior quality of the shoes but they were all only $50-$55, which was within my budget and I thought, Hey, at one time, Skechers were pretty hot. They are a recognizable brand and, well that’s about it.

But this morning on my way to the Promenade after the disappointment of the now defunct HRC, Zawji reminded of our own local favorite – CHUCK’S!!!

ALLAHU AKBAR!!!

I could get some decent shoes, well CHUCK’S are beyond decent, they are well-respected and even the shoe of choice for many (myself included) when budget is not a factor. Allahu Akbar!

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Now, the bullets…

• Go support the homie, Max, KPFK DJ and Event DJ at the Townhouse in Venice, CA Tuesday, August 15, from 9p-2a Right near the Boardwalk – Ocean Front Walk. It’s going to be nice to see him after all this time. Our sons used to participate in the Drum Workshop at the Stage BITD…
• So, I passed on the political music of L.A. talk at CAAM, but there are two related events that incorporate DANCE to this music. They’re both going to be held on the next two Sundays at 1-2:30. The first is 90’s dance and the following week will be the Lindy Hop. My Grammy told me she used to be really good at this. We’ll see how her grandbaby fares…

• Also, coming up in September at CAAM, there is going to be a screening and discussion on the history of Silent Race Films, of which I have a particular interest, so if the facilitator is not a devil, you will, In Sha Allah, find your Sister there. Wednesday, September 6 from 7-9
• There is an artsy venue in Santa Monica that I’ve been dying to visit, but every time I go by there, they are always closed. So I Googled it and found the schedule and In Sha Allah, I will visit the Open Craft Lounge that is open to artists to work on any project alongside other artists in an “Open Craft Lounge” It’s the second Saturday of every month at Camera Obscura from 11-2.
• Another venue that just looks so high class and beautiful that I thought I had to have an excuse (like some type of event) to visit is the Annenberg Beach House. They do have a lot of events scheduled, so if you have to have an excuse, check out the website, but I’m just going to drop by after I wake up on the beach…
• Another Literary Arts Center I happened upon this weekend during a ride through the beautiful city of Venice (whenever I hit up Venice it makes me feel that way)

• BEYOND BAROQUE
• Here’s what’s going on at the inimitable – UCLA CENTER FOR THE ART OF PERFORMANCE (CAP)
• Farmer’s Markets always offer a healthy alternative to the processed and packaged foods that most grocery stores offer. Try the West L.A. Farmer’s Market
• And you know, I don’t know what I like better, the fact that it’s LIVE Music or that it is FREE CONCERTS DOWNTOWN

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بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

As-Salaamu ‘Alaikum Ma Beloved & Beautiful Asiatic Black Kings & Queens

Al Hamdulillah! I pray Allah you had a chance to view the continuation of that Full Moon. I forgot usually it’s full for a couple of days. I didn’t see it when it rose, so it didn’t seem as beautiful as the night before but it was still AMAZING!!! ALLAHU AKBAR!!!

You know I’m homeless, so “going out” is not a big production for me like it probably is for you, where you have to “get ready.” You feel me? I’m already “out.” So much of my time is just spent, finding things to do while I’m out.

So yesterday, I had planned to go to this event at The California African-American Museum (CAAM) – one of my most favorite places to go. It was an event focusing on the political music of Los Angeles. I wasn’t all that thrilled about it, but at least it would give me something to write about. Plus, I’ve always been pretty political; I love music; and I’m from Los Angeles. Triple Threat.

Not to mention the fact that I had seen the facilitator’s name TWICE in different publications for two totally different things. So, I took that as a sign.

But when I arrived, I saw that the facilitator was a devil.

That is the only thing I don’t like about the museum. It’s too inclusive. I had to write them an e-mail once because I noticed that NONE of the employees were African-American!

They may have been Black but they were from other countries. Not up-from-slavery like we are.

That was so disappointing to me, because at the time of my visit, none of the visitors were Black (up from slavery in the United States) either!

So, who could I fellowship with or voice my sentiments with about these exhibits portraying or commemorating events in our unique history???? Thus the letter.

So, I was in L.A., and I still love it here, despite it’s unattractiveness when compared to Santa Monica. So, I decided to just hang out until it was time to go to this Jazz show back home. 😉

I had planned to go visit my old residence, the last place where I paid rent, whenever I was in the area, and this seemed like the perfect opportunity.

I was a little hesitant because all of my old friends are male and you know how it is…

So, I ostensibly, based my visit on the desire to see how this beautiful and wonderful kitten, that used to keep me company, had grown up.

He was sitting on the porch when I arrived and he is just amazingly gorgeous.

However, when I put Lulu up on the porch he ran away so I didn’t get to hold him. 😥

I probably could have gotten my “Nature Boy” neighbor to fetch him for me, but I didn’t want to hang around too long. …Males, you know…

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So, since no visit to L.A. is complete without a ride through Leimert Park, I made one more pit-stop. And, I am oh-so-glad I did!

There is a LOT going on. I picked up this newspaper called Los Angeles Standard and from what I imagine, (I haven’t read through the whole thing yet) it’s published by two Brothers (with the same parents 😛 ). It covers Crenshaw, Leimert Park, View Park, Windsor Hills, Ladera Heights, Park Mesa Heights, Jefferson Park, West Adams and Mid City. AKA My Old Stomping Grounds. And, I found out so many things so far. I’m going to have to continue this next time I blog after I’ve finished reading the newspaper. But In Sha Allah, I’ll bullet them at the end.

I just visited the website and it is just as good or even better than the newspaper because this newspaper I picked up is from July and the website seems to have more stories.

And OH MY GOD! Why did I stop in at the Fernando Pullum Community Arts Center and was completely blown away by the caliber of music coming from those youngsters?!?!? They offer FREE performing arts classes for Black youth. I didn’t identify the song they were playing, it was something by Herbie Hancock and I knew it, I just didn’t take the time to name it, and now I can’t remember it. But they were so good! Better than the adults at the World Stage, which I also visited.

There is a lot going on there as well. Now keep in mind that it’s been about two years since I’ve really visited Leimert, and a lot has changed. I already told you how the Drum Circle has shrunk and although I didn’t see any, the devils are there now.

Well, the World Stage appears to be thriving. Many of the musicians who never made it to “stardom” are conducting workshops where they coach “aspiring musicians” for a small “donation.”

Last night, I spoke to a familiar face (Hey Baba Raka! 😀 ) about what was going on inside and found out that there is now a vocal workshop for singers. So, you know I love to sing Jazz, so I went inside, where I saw another familiar face (Hey Renee! 😀 ) and the workshop was in full swing.

There was an Asian lady on stage (which I really thought was not fresh, but the facilitators want money) singing (badly) “The Shadow Of Your Smile” which I always associate with Carmen McCrae, and although she supported the Nation, I just never really dug her.

So I got all of the fliers and In Sha Allah, I’ll list everything when I’m finished.

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Then I boarded the train back to Samo. I spent my last cash on some of those mini chocolate donuts, you know that come six in a pack, and went to the Jazz spot.

I knew they were going to be devils but I was hard up for some jazz. And I didn’t have anything else to do…

So, I see a Brother sitting with a devil on the flowerbed outside and I thought it might be doable.

But I found a place to park Lulu right in front and decided to eat my donuts outside before going in.

A devil with some guitars (acoustic) walks by.

Then I decided to wait until I heard the music before deciding if I wanted to go in or not.

But I finished the donuts and then walked closer to the building and, through the window, it looked like the band was already playing. So I listened through the door for a minute and it sounded pretty good.

So I went in.

It was a recording.

Everybody was white, trying to be hip.

So when I walk in, you know when Black people show up at an event it automatically legitimizes it, everybody started putting on their “look-how-jazzy-I-am” attitude.

I sat down in the first seat I saw – at a table with a devil man eating. But we were at opposite ends of the table so…

Then I check out the musicians. First I notice a Brother, but he was the sound man.

Then in the center front, there is a devil with a flute and an alto on the floor in front of him.

I saw a vibraphone on the floor in front of the stage but it wasn’t being manned by anyone.

Then I noticed the Congas and thought they might actually be pretty good.

So, I conspicuously left my notebook with the KJAZZ sticker on the front on the table (to save my seat, you know?) and went in search of the Ladies Room.

I get in there and it’s cool but I’m kinda like animals when it comes to where I leave my scent. And I wasn’t exactly sure I wanted to leave it there. So, I just took a minute to enjoy the solitude and privacy, which is so hard to come by when you’re homeless, and the band starts up.

They weren’t terrible but they weren’t good either. Somewhere in between.

But then the leader (I assume) starts singing and I decided to take my leave.

So, I went back out front, grabbed my notebook and bounced.

Then I hear one of the see-how-jazzy-I-am devils, “Excuse me, Miss?”

I turn around.

“I’m not sure, but I think this fell out of your notebook when you walked out…”

It had.

Trying to be gracious… “Yes, thank you! It’s mine.”

I HATE when that happens. That’s the third time I’ve been having a good time, content, and somebody comes and just throws salt in my game, for lack of a better expression. The energy! It drains from me and goes to them. But, trying to be Halim…

So, I decided to go back to this spot I rather enjoyed on Saturday night but I kinda knew, Tuesday night is a lot different than Saturday night, and just pushed to an old spot.

I REALLY wanted to sleep on the beach again, but I was tired or lazy or both, and excused myself by noticing that it was about ten degrees colder than it had been the night before and I didn’t want to freeze on the beach.

But it’s beautiful everywhere in Santa Monica and when I opened my eyes, I was greeted with Palm Trees, seagulls and flowing water, which is so lovely that there’s a name for it in Arabic – Hadira.

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• Where has this website been all my life??? Black Cultural Events
• One they don’t have… MARCUS GARVEY DAY – August 19, 2017 Sunrise Ceremony 5am, Free Black Family Breakfast 7-9am, Parade (Adams & Crenshaw to Leimert Park) 10am, Festival 12pm, Candlelight Memorial 7pm For more information MarcusGarveyLosAngeles@gmail.com (213)683-5711
• For some healthy food, join the movement! I am definitely going here when I get my GR check, In sha Allah.  iamaflowerchild Review forthcoming, In sha Allah

This has been on my mind for a minute that I just had to write about it, and I saw an article in the L.A. Standard about the NAMI (something about mental illness) office in Leimert, so I’m taking that as a sign.

Psychiatric Medications are not for the people taking the medication.

The medication is for the people whom the people who NEED the medication have to be around. Huh?

People who need psych meds would be just fine if we didn’t have to interact with others.

I could go live up on a mountain and live off of juices and berries, dressed in animal skins and be completely content for the rest of my life. And I’m sure some people do do that sort of thing.

Unfortunately (for me, kinda), I’m a Muslim and have all this knowledge that Somebody Very Important would hold me accountable for not sharing if I did that… So you know how it goes.

Fortunately, I’m NOT in a position where I have to be responsible for anyone else, so if I DO have a psychotic break, it’s not going to directly affect anyone but myself. Thus, no medication for your Sister Captain! Yaaaaaayyyy!!!!!!

Unfortunately, (to a certain degree) I ran into Zawji’s daughter and I really felt a sense of responsibility, for some reason, and thought about taking medication again. Never mind that she’s grown now and certainly doesn’t need me looking after her…

But, I digress, whenever you run into that crazy man putting on a show for the entire train, you think, If anybody needs medication, it’s him.

But who does he need medication for? Obviously, he’s happy! You are the one who thinks he needs to act more like you and everybody else on the train.

And who knows? One day, he may feel that way too. But, in the meantime… Don’t ask him if he’s taken his medication…

Okay, back to the bullets…

• Speaking of crazy people… If you want to take a picture or video of somebody but don’t want them to know, hold your phone at arms length (while you’re recording) and act like you’re taking a selfie (you know, fix your hair, check your teeth, &c.)… Granted it only works for a while, but I think Snapchat is only like 2 seconds anyway… I wouldn’t know, I’m too old for Snap…
• If I was gonna join another organization it would probably be this one Santa Monica Bay Women’s Club but dues, you know…
• So, I finally found out where I can get Lulu some lights for her tires in L.A. They have something called the Electric Light Parade in Venice that is supposed to encourage safety during night rides, but apparently the mysterious Brother I’ve only so far heard about, appears at these weekly rides and you can purchase them from him. They meet every Sunday at 6:30 at Windward Plaza.
• You know I love classical music, right? Well, guess what I just found out about??? Sundays Live @ LACMA
• EDITORIAL – Facebook is cool and all, but if you have a business or organization, don’t substitute a FB page for a REAL WEBPAGE…

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

As-Salaamu ‘Alaikum Ma Beautiful, Beloved and Asiatic Black Bebies

The Sister Captain is feeling really down right now.

I had a good weekend filled with good music, dancing, a lot of sun and relaxation but something very important, to me, at least, became very apparent this weekend.

All my life I’ve wanted people my age to dance together like my parents and their contemporaries danced together. When I was growing up, we danced together but not together. We stood in front of each other and each did our own separate moves. Unless we were slow-dancing but that’s not really dancing, it’s more like moving side to side while you’re hugging.

I wanted to dance with my partner leading me and twirling me around and pulling me close then spinning me back out again like the older folks used to dance.

Well, sometime between this weekend and the last time I went to a dance club, that is exactly what happened.

The popular way of dancing, it seems now, is for couples to dance together, like I’ve always dreamed.

I owe it to a combination of the movie “La La Land,” or whatever it was called and “Dancing With The Stars.”

I first noticed it when I went to the Central Avenue Jazz Festival, but that is usually frequented by older people anyway, so naturally they still dance like that. Admittedly, I did see a younger woman dancing like that but I just attributed it to being at the festival.

But Friday night, when I went to see The Boogaloo Assassins, ALL of the couples were dancing like that, and I was so depressed I could hardly stand it.

It just pointed out that my dream has come true but I don’t have a partner anymore.

And Zawji is such a good dancer, it just made my misery worse. The irony.

I wouldn’t think about letting another man hold and touch me in such an intimate fashion. Besides, Muslims are instructed not to dance with non-Muslims.

Then to make matters worse, (I thought maybe it was just the type of music [Latin] that prompted people to dance together like that), when I went to the Promenade last night, I was greeted with a dance party of about fifty or more couples dancing in that style. This is definitely a “new breed” of dancers.

All I could do was gawk and feel sorry for myself.

But I learned to just cry on the inside.

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So, I had a good time dancing at the Boogaloo show, but Saturday!

They kept saying their name, “The New Breed Brass Band,” and if you didn’t know, you would by the time they finished. And before the show, I kept forgetting the name of the band but I will never forget it again.

They put on such a good show!!! I danced from start to finish. I had to remember how to Second Line, but once I got it, it was on and poppin’!

I like how they played New Orleans Jazz but they infused it with Straight-Ahead AND Latin Jazz.

But the best part, by far, was when they started playing “Gin & Juice.” 😉

Sometimes it’s hard to recognize a familiar song when it’s played by a Brass Band, but for some reason, maybe because I’m such a G 😛 , I knew it as soon as they went into it. Then I had to show my you-know-what. LOL I started doing the C-walk, and throwing up the dub, shouting out “West Siiiiiiiiiiiiiiiide!!!!!!!!” ROFL

I was really showing out for my SET! And I was standing all by myself, in the middle of the crowd, with space around me to really get into it. I know the band loved my early enthusiasm! LOL

Then they started singing the hook and everybody knew what song it was.

I love dancing like gangsters. It reminds me of my firstborn because that’s how she used to dance when she was like four. Throwin’ her hands up in the air with her head down and doing a two-step. LOL I had a ball.

Then they started playing “California Love” and you know we know how to party.

I love when bands tailor their set to suit us. Like when Eric B & Rakim went on Soul Train. I would have preferred “Eric B is President” or “Paid in Full” but they chose “I Know You Got Soul,” undoubtedly because of its reference to Soul Train.

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But trip this! Saturday morning, I woke up happy and refreshed, basking in the aftermath of the show I had seen the previous night and set out for the Pier.

On the way, I passed what looked like the aftermath of someone who had stolen somebody’s bag, gone through it, and left the remains.

Naturally, being homeless and broke, I was intrigued.

I kept riding, looking around. I saw a crazy white man across the street, but didn’t think it was his, he was so far away.

So, I rode back and stopped in front of the booty.

I was checking it out, but two fellow members of the Homeless Society spotted me and thought they could get in on it too.

When they approached, one of them said, under his breath, “You f__k with that s__t?”

I was like “No.”

But I guess, like most salespeople, he refused to take no for an answer and repeated his question.

“NO!” I said emphatically.

Then his attention turned to the loot. Being members of the male sex, they quickly overpowered me and I was reduced to onlooker status.

Turns out the crazy white man across the street was the owner.

Then the bartering began.

“Ay, let me get those headphones.”

“Oh. I need my headphones.”

“Let me get that portable battery charger.” He takes it. “What’s this?”

“Oh, that’s my toothbrush and stuff.”

“Can I have your phone?” I ask.

“I need my phone.”

“Let me get those Nike pants.” (The crazy white man was wearing a matching Nike set.)

Then the drug dealer inquired if the crazy white man f____d with that s___t. He did.

“Okay, let me get those Nike pants.”

The crazy white man refused the pants, but they agreed on the shirt.

So, the drug dealer takes the phone I wanted and moved it right in front of where he had sat down.

So, I’m thinking maybe he’s going to steal it for me. Then he says to me, “You wanna be my girlfriend?”

And I’m flattered because he was cute and there’s something about drug dealers… I think it’s because they’re business owners and I’m really attracted to Brothers who do for self. But he was all of 22. SMH

I reply bashfully, “I got a boyfriend.”

Then he says something along the lines of “Where is he?”

And I’m left fumbling for an excuse. Meanwhile, he takes out a piece of a plastic black bag that he has stored his drugs in and starts biting it open. He takes out what we, who are used to following recipes, would call “a pinch” of cocaine and puts it on the phone.

So now, I’m like, “THAT’S what you wanted the phone for?!?!?” 

But he was unaware of my plot and goes on after the exchange is made, “You gonna hang out with me or what?”

And I’m like, “Nah, I’ma violate my probation…”

Then he was like, “I’m on PAROLE!”

And I was like, “Boy, bye.”

And pushed to the pier.

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So, when I was at the Boogaloo show, as I was leaving, I went past the food section and there was a catering truck called “Postcards.”

I’m really interested in food, so I stopped to have a look.

Every single entree was named after a famous Black person, most of them artists from the Harlem Renaissance! You know I loved that. Of course, the truck was Black-owned and I greeted the young man and woman, who appeared to be his mother, who were operating it, and kept on heading towards the exit.

The band was performing an encore and so I stopped for a minute to catch a little bit more of the show, and then comes the mother, with two tacos and hands them to me.

I was so moved by her generosity! I mean, she saw a poor homeless, probably hungry, Black girl and came and offered some of her vittles! That was so thoughtful. Allah rewards that type of behaviour and I implore each one of you to patronize her business if you ever happen to come across them. Okay, I just Googled them and found their webpage and although, they claim to serve “Soul Food with a healthy twist.” I really don’t think that’s possible and judging from the pictures I’ve seen, they think greens and macaroni and cheese are healthy. Anyway, here is the link to their website: POSTCARDSCAS

Oh, okay, I just checked out the menu and the “healthy twist” is that all of the meats are baked and the side orders have no meat products. I guess this is an improvement in the way most Black people eat, but we should be here.

You can find them every Tuesday at the Santa Monica Food Truck night at the California Heritage Museum from 5:30-9:30.

So anyway, unfortunately, the poor, homeless and probably hungry Black girl is also vegetarian but didn’t want to hurt her generous benefactors feelings, so she graciously accepted the offering and passed it on to what appeared to be a more poor, homeless and probably hungrier Black girl she passed sitting on a park bench on her way out.

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I thought about just spending the night at Macarthur Park. A lot of people do that. But then I thought about Santa Monica…

On Sunday, I witnessed an altercation there between two men, one of whom was holding knife. Another man was trying to break it up and eventually the man without the knife was able to get away from the other man.

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While I was at the park, I went exploring in the rec center and found a flier. They have Hip-Hop classes in breaking, graffiti (urban art), deejaying, emceeing/spoken word and music production on Saturdays from 12-4. JUICE I am pretty sure the classes are still going on because last year, they had the final show in December.

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Why was I at the show on Friday feeling a little bad about my attitude towards that would-be photographer, and about to write an explanation about how as Muslims, Our Beloved Messenger, The Honourable and Humble Elijah Muhammad (May the Peace and the Blessings of Allah Forever Be Upon Him) taught us not to allow Christians and unbelievers to photograph us, so that’s why I get so upset. But when I turned around to get my notebook out of Lulu’s basket, why was there a devil taking her picture??? See what I’m saying???

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I was so worried about what I was going to eat this weekend because I had $1.79 in cash benefits and $.75 in food benefits but I ended up getting so much food I made myself sick! LOL Allahu Akbar!

I pray Allah you all had a wonderful weekend and will have a wonderful week, month, year and lifetime. Peace and Blessings of Allah be upon you.

As-Salaamu ‘Alaikum!

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

As-Salaamu ‘Alaikum Ma Beloved and Beautiful Asiatic Black Bebies!!!

I pray Allah you had as “wonderful and marvelous” a Thursday night as I had! Al Hamdulillah! First, as if the anticipation of seeing The Soul Queen of New Orleans in concert wasn’t enough, we were greeted at the entrance with ROSES! You know how much I love ROSES! I got a red one, Beaux’s favorite for me. We got them last week too, but I just didn’t mention it…

Candy too! You know I have a sweet tooth! And I felt absolutely NO GUILT whatsoever.

Our Beloved Messenger, The Honourable Elijah Muhammad (May the Peace and the Blessings of Allah Forever Be Upon Him) Taught us in HOW TO EAT TO LIVE that we can eat sweets, just don’t make a meal out of them and eat them everyday.

So, just f.y.i. my ideal diet consists of bean soup, whole wheat bread, milk (and other dairy products such as butter, cheese, yoghurt and ice cream), fresh fruits and vegetables and SWEETS! Hey, you are what you eat! 😀

So anyway, I like to get there early just because I like to get everywhere early and get a feel for the place before most people arrive and the festivities begin.

But let me tell you, yesterday before the show, I was discussing with a colleague, something I had realized about The Soul Queen. This article said she had won a Grammy or something in 2000 or so, when she was sixty years old.

So, I did the math and figured that she must be about 77 years old now. But looking at the pictures I’ve seen, she looked really good to be that old.

But I just saw Congresswoman Maxine Waters (and just like you have to include the “A pimp named…” you have to include the “Congresswoman”… 😉 ) at the Central Avenue Jazz Festival, and you would be surprised at how many years a carefully selected wig will take off a septuagenarian’s age.

But, as I always tell my son, who would prefer to play sports than music, musicians often are able to perform until the day that no man can avert, so it is not really surprising that she looks so good.

But anyway, the show.

I knew it was going to be good when somehow, I ended up right near the backstage and saw her bandmembers. They reeked funk. I mean I could almost see it in the air around them.

So when Aaron Byrd (SMH  ) from KCRW (the first radio station I was ever on 🙂 ) introduced the band, and her drummer opened his mouth and greeted us with that amazing New Orleans accent, I was in Seventh Heaven.

They opened with “Uptown Funk” and I mean, you would have to be on crutches not to dance to “Uptown Funk!” So after the crowd was sufficiently hyped, and they began the intro into another equally funky song, the drummer introduced Mrs. Irmaaaaaaaaaa Thomas!

We heard her incredible voice before we saw her and believe me when I tell you, her title of The Soul Queen is not undeserved. I would even go so far to say that she is even more soulful than the Queen of Soul.

I’ve heard people try to describe soul, but it is like trying to describe jazz. How do you describe a feeling? Some people can deliver it and others, no matter how many hours of practice and study they apply to trying to acquire it, never will. (But their paid instructors will never tell them that… )

The Soul Queen gave me that feeling as soon as she opened her mouth. She has that kind of voice that is reserved for Black women who command respect.

Admittedly, I was a little skeptical because I’ve been disappointed before when artists have been hyped up to be more than they were. (Like the headlining act. Oh my God. She was terrible. And I don’t mean good & terrible. She was just terrible. And I don’t mean terrible like Miles used in his autobiography. Terrible, as in when I overheard her screeching, after I had already left upon witnessing her all-white band, I couldn’t unlock Lulu fast enough to RUN AWAY FROM HER “PERFORMANCE.” I would compare her to “Alfalfa,” but that would be an insult to “Alfalfa.”

I am cringing just thinking about how badly she sounded.

The only reason why people even give her a chance is because of her image, which I also deplore. She was on the cover of “The Argonaut” when I did finally pick one up and she does have an intriguing look, but she has a head full of too-long dreadlocks and that in itself is repulsive. All I see are germ-catchers in such proximity to her face and it creeps me out immensely.

But she is pretty, probably has a nice figure, and for some people that’s enough.

But I find it offensive that they would impose such a person on actual music lovers. I’m thankful that she performed after Mrs. Thomas.

But the show. She opened with a number that I could really dig. Something, like “Since you say you love me, I’m gonna hold you to that.” But more poetic. It was an uptempo number and I was really getting my groove on.

Then she sang a problematic love song. So I took my leave and used that as an excuse to go get some “boxed water.” Which is not better. It tastes likes metal pipes.

But then she did a recent number which was cool. I mean I dug it, but the bridge needed work. It was repetitive and didn’t have the buildup that I was looking for. It was fine and mellow though and more good than not so good.

Then she did some real bluesy numbers and if there’s anything I love, it’s LIVE BLUES. THAT experience makes me feel that way. I was lovin’ it!

But you know the Blues can be some of the filthiest music ever written and Mrs. Thomas is not Muslim, so she sang a filthy one.

I knew it was filthy just from the feel. So, I stopped dancing and started listening and was embarrassed. I just stood there and waited for her to finish.

And then, as if singing such filth wasn’t insult enough to the Almighty Lord of the Universe, they followed it with a number that sounded like they just changed the words to a church song. I also didn’t dance to that one.

But then they came back to my favor and did a audience request which she basically sang a capella, and it was absolutely beautiful.

She did a couple more songs from her catalogue. I loved them. I wished she would have allowed her trumpet player longer or “trumpet-only” solos. But some artists feel an obligation to let ALL of their bandmembers solo. Why? Unless you’re just trying to be fair. But they should understand the trumpet is the best and defer their solos to him for the sake of the audience and good taste.

It would have been nice and very New Orleans, if she had had a trombone. That would have just taken it over the top for me.

Oh yeah! Her Band! Why did they do this ending to this song that was Out-of-this-world!!! I mean, I was jumping up and down like “YEAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!” It was a typical repetitive ending but it was LONGER than they usually are and I so really dug it. I mean, I don’t want to curse (LOL) but DANG!!!!!!!!

She ended her set with a revisitation of a New Orleans Second Line, explaining that “Second Line” was a “dance.” I disagreed, but I guess.

She sang “Iko”

And that is my favorite New Orleans song, tied with Jambalaya.

And I “second lined” as well as I could in these size 13, men’s jail shoes I found one day. 😉 Hey, they’re better than the flip-flops I found that I had been wearing that the part between the toes kept coming undone.

I know, I know. I had some $150 Nikes but I got in the water and then almost got arrested again and the Pos made me take them off when they searched me and I couldn’t put them back on when they let me go because they were wet, and I was kind of having an episode and decided to just leave them.

I don’t know why sometimes I feel more comfortable going barefoot. When I was pregnant with my firstborn, I almost went everywhere barefoot. There is some truth to that saying. But, one of Beaux’s doppels gently explained to me the importance of shoes, especially living in the city, so I try to comply.

But after the show, I was sitting on my park bench giving running commentary on the passers-by (e.g. a woman and her beau are out for a nighttime run; She has on some booty biking shorts and a sports bra; flips her pony-tail braid when she gets in front of me; excuse me for not being jealous but; aloud, “You look like a ho!“; beau gives me the evil-eye; “And you look like a whoremonger!”) when I hear this homeless Brother addressing some devil teenage girls sitting near me but out of sight.

“Something something something BASKETBALL GAME… something something something…”

That’s all I could make out, but he gives them something that looks like an over-sized flier.

So, you know I love basketball and although I felt guilty because sport and play, you know, I said loudly, “Can I have one?”

So, I see him through the bushes bending over looking in his bag like he’s getting one for me, so I get up and go over to him to make it easier.

He reluctantly hands me a flier but I notice it’s different than the one he gave the devils.

Then he goes over to his bag again and gets out somethings that look like tickets and gives one to each of the devils, bypassing me.

I kind of block him and force him to give me one too. I can’t help being aggressive. Okay, pushy. But why wouldn’t he want to give one to his Black Sister? Maybe because I overheard him tell the devils he was trying to get his event televised and they, he figured, probably had more access to a television studio than his Black Sister who has nothing like he has.

So, I take my flier and go back and sit on my bench to give it a once-over.

I am trying to find the words to describe what I was faced with.

It was complete and utter nonsense.

The first thing I saw was a photocopy of the cover of “Hoop” magazine with the All-Star weekend photo. It was folded like a book but the cover was on the back. So I turned it over and there was some images of what was supposed to be a c.d. with his name, phone number, a copyright 2002, and “Gospel” “Hip-Hop” “Freestyle” and 17 MIN written on them. Then there was copy of a receipt from the Nike store for some $140.00 Air Zoom shoes, paid for with a Chase Visa card. There were photocopies of three of his expired Driver’s Licenses on almost every page.

But trip this. In the I.D. picture from 2005 and 2010, he had on the same shirt!

I haven’t even done that and I wear a uniform every day!

All over these papers (it was like a pamphlet with two papers inserted) there were “phone numbers” of various people whom I assume were all basketball players because Lisa Leslie was one of them.

So, the two papers inserted were like invitations to events held 4/1/17 and 6/19/17 (my birthday  ) Here is a description of the directions:

In front of Victoria’s Secret 1311 3rd St. Promenade, Santa Monica, CA 90401: 7 second walk to A.M.C. Santa Monica 1310 3rd St. Promenade Santa Monica, CA 90401: Across street from OAKLEY 1350 3rd St. Promenade, Santa Monica, CA 90401: 60 second walk to ADIDAS 1231 3rd St. Promenade Santa Monica, CA 90401: 50 second walk to PATAGONIA 1344 4th St. Santa Monica, CA 90401:

So now I’m looking at his I.D. trying to figure out how old he is. His birthday is 2-20-69. Which makes him 48. Around my age and almost exactly Beaux’s age.

So now, I’m really feeling sorry for him and wondering how I can help. I’m deeply engrossed, now examining the “ticket” I received from him and I vaguely become aware of some passers-by. There have been others but they were all a blur until these two. They’re semi-arguing…

“Go ask her!”

“Okay, I am!…. Excuse me, Ma’am…”

I try to ignore her.

A little louder now, “Excuse me… [pause] Ma’am?”

I don’t look up but raise my hand and wave it a little, as if to say, “Go away.”

She persists, “May I take your picture?”

I put my open hand over my forehead covering my eye.

Then her beau says, “Come on, Honey. She doesn’t want to be bothered.”

As he pulls her away, she blurts out, “You look AMAZING!!!“

Huh? I am completely baffled.

Look Lady, in case you haven’t noticed, I’M HOMELESS. What, exactly, about homelessness looks “amazing?”

In retrospect, maybe I should have let her take the photo. Then I could have had her e-mail it to me and maybe I could have seen what she obviously saw.

But I doubt I would have seen more than a middle-aged homeless woman, decked out in donated clothes and too-big shoes with a conspicuous bike (you know Lulu would have been in the picture too) laden with all her worldly possessions.

But anyway, other than having to change locations multiple times due to the increased activity because of TCS (Twilight Concert Series), I had a wonderful night. Woke up happy and refreshed to the sight of seagulls, sunrise and surf and am thankful to Allah for all of the bright possibilities of a new day! Allahu Akbar!

❤ ❤ ❤ ❤ ❤ ❤ ❤

On a side note, I think I discovered why the sound of basketballs bouncing hold such appeal for people like me and Miles and Black people in general – it is rhythmic.

Last night I heard what sounded like someone bouncing a basketball and it was so annoying because it sounded like they were bouncing it and catching it, waiting a couple of seconds and then bouncing it again. I wanted to scream! It was tantamount to scratching a chalkboard.

BASKETBALLS WERE MADE TO BE DRIBBLED!!!!

There is an inherent rhythm, similar to drumming in the dribbling of a basketball, and I believe therein lies the charm.

Not to mention the auxiliary sounds like the swoosh of the hoop and the squeak of the sneakers. And the dead air of the flow to the basket… All melodious and music to my ears….

❤ ❤ ❤ ❤ ❤ ❤ ❤

But anyway, I’m going to try and catch the laundry clerk……

Salaams

Okay, okay, I guess I can use regular soap to wash my clothes…. 😉

I went down to the beach last night after Irma’s set and happened upon the most intriguing music. It was so peculiar because I’ve seen his abandoned set up numerous times, but I always thought it was just a D.J. who had just finished playing music. I’d never seen the actual D.J.

So, last night, I see the person to whom the set up belonged and the music is what captured me. It was so funky and danceable. I couldn’t help but move.

So, I’m dancing and I notice some beach toys (bucket, shovel and other toys) on the ground. I love playing in the sand. So, I asked the men standing right behind them if they were theirs. Of course, they said “No.” So, I picked them up with every intention of taking them down to the beach and having a field day.

That happens all the time. Visitors bring their children to the beach for a day or a week and at the end of their vacay, they have no more use for the toys, so they just leave them at the beach. I have played with beach toys and left them there too for lack of a place to keep them.

But anyway, shortly after I pick them up, I see the most adorable little girls. One was maybe six and the other probably four. So, I offer the toys to the older one. She politely refused. So, I gave them to her little sister. The Big Sister insisted that the toys weren’t theirs and I said, “No, no, I’m giving them to you.”

By now the parents have walked up and the father looks at me and says, “Are you Muslim?” And I’m like “Yes, where are you from?”

He says “Yemen.”

And I tell them I know where Saudi is and I know where Oman is. Where is Yemen in relation to those two countries?

He says they are just South of Yemen and his beautiful Zawjati added that Oman is on the East of the Arabian peninsula. Women are so cute. 😉

So, by the time I finished talking to the beautiful family, the musician had finished his number and was talking to his Muse.

So, I started to go on down to the beach. But he started another number almost as good as the first. And I had seen he had blonde dreadlocks twisted up on top of his head, but I was like, “It’s dark and maybe he’s not white.”

So, I go over to his setup and he has c.d.s for sale. I look at the c.d.s and he looked like his picture should have been in the dictionary under D for Devil. And he had three of them. I very calmly and seriously backed away from the table.

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I found some flowers that I love, even though I’m not crazy about the name. I picked some and filled Lu’s cup holder with them. It’s so cool because they and Lu are the same fantastic shade of fuschia. Be sure to SMELL this flower, at the very least, if you ever come across them.

❤ ❤ ❤ ❤ ❤ ❤ ❤

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

As-Salaamu ‘Alaikum My Beloved and Beautiful Asiatic Black Bebies!

The Club was closed yesterday and I came up here for nothing. As there was only a small notification on the calendar and no other warning that they were going to be closed. Sometimes people can be so inconsiderate. Thoughtless.

But anyway, after I was turned away, I was left with the monumental task of trying to find something to do with the rest of my day.

Naturally, I decided to head back to the beach.

I had spent the morning there as usual and it was just as lovely as ever, but the crowds tend to annoy me, so I rather enjoy leaving before they arrive.

Nevertheless, Lulu took me in that direction.

I like to take different routes to the same destination. It makes the journey more fun and interesting and this day, although I have taken Wilshire Blvd. HUNDREDS of time to the beach, it has always been by bus.

When you take automobile or train, you miss out on A LOT of stuff.

So, as I was riding, I passed a store I’ve seen many times but always at a distance.

Yesterday, I happened to be, not even in the street, but on the sidewalk, and got a good look at the items for sale in this particular store.

It was an Iranian store stocked with items from that part of the world and I was in Seventh Heaven!

I have never seen a store like this in L.A. and I was thrilled.

I entered with nothing but SOAN PAPDI in mind. However, when I stepped through the door, my mind immediately opened to a whole new world of food possibilities.

I was greeted with rows and rows of nothing but HONEY! And you know how much I love honey. Then the whole back wall of the store was nothing but an array of different flavors and manufacturers of TEA! I love tea and now I’m thinking it has something to do with being Muslim.

They even had cans of BABA GHANOUSH! Which I had never seen before. Later on, I went to another store (I ended up just going into stores and “shopping” like Beaux is actually a billionaire, all day 😉 ) and they also had it but it was refrigerated and in glass jars. In sha Allah, I’m going to buy from there.

Usually, Mediterranean restaurants offer Baba, but they push Hummus because it’s more widely known. I’ve never liked hummus. Baba, being made from eggplant is better for you.

I have a sixth sense about foods that are good or not good for you. And chickpeas is high on my list of NOT good for you. So, I would recommend steering away from hummus.

On a side note, I found a restaurant on the Third Street Promenade that serves Babaganoush. It is a Mediterranean restaurant. There are two and I cannot think of the names of either one. Let me G it BRB

Okay, the one that DOESN’T sell Baba is Hummus Bar Express. The one that DOES is Greek Cuisine Stop n Cafe. I hate how the Greeks have taken credit for Muslim foods. Just because they’re white and their proximity to North Africa and devils run the world…

A couple other foods that are being pushed, which I don’t recommend are BOBA and POKE.

I could be wrong but Our Beloved Messenger (May the Peace and the Blessings of Allah forever be upon him) Taught us in HOW TO EAT TO LIVE that “Simple Foods Are Best” and not to be trying all of the devils’ new and fancy foods lest you be trying on a new coffin.

But this market, (and I must mention that the customers did not like my being there in the least – possessive about “their” culture, you know.  The proprietors, on the other hand, were curious, probably, as to my interest, but I’m used to being stared at  ), but anyway, this market had so many wonderful sauces and spreads!

And food, to me, is all about FLAVOR. So, In Sha Allah, when my food stamps come in (they take food stamps! 😀 ), I’m going to buy some whole-wheat bread and start sampling!

One thing I don’t eat of theirs is the flatbread, sometimes called Naan or pita or whatnot. Our Beloved Messenger, The Honourable Elijah Muhammad (May the Peace and the Blessings of Allah Forever Be Upon Him) Taught Us In HOW TO EAT TO LIVE that “Whole Wheat Bread is the Best.”

Then I looked behind the counter and there was a refrigerated section underneath, with nothing but cheeses, olives, and foreign dishes, many of which were vegetarian. I did not see one item in the store that contained the filthy, poisonous, and divinely prohibited flesh of the swine. Allahu Akbar!!!

Also in the refrigerated section, under the counter, was the meat section. Seventy-five per cent of the meat was LAMB. Which our Beloved Messenger, The Honourable and Humble Elijah Muhammad (May the Peace and the Blessings of Allah Forever Be Upon Him) Taught us in HOW TO EAT TO LIVE is better than chicken or beef. Although, “No meat is good for you.“

When I went to the Santa Monica Farmer’s Market on the Third Street Promenade, I bought some goat cheese that was SO GOOD. But I might not be able to wait until Wednesday or Saturday when they have the FM, so I will probably just go to this store when I have those cravings and the means to satisfy them.

Okay, okay, okay! I’ll tell you the name of the store. It is Tehran Market. Happy?

You know, I used to tell any and everything with no qualms, but sometimes it backfires in that I can no longer benefit because of the added popularity. But Allah Told me don’t be like that. He Always Blesses Me With Something New and Improved. 😉 Allahu Akbar.

So, I contemplated going down to the beach and getting in the water. It was an exceptionally nice day for the beach yesterday and the waves were very inviting. But Lu. It’s harder for me to cross the bridges that carry you over to the beach with her because they all have stairs and I didn’t feel like walking down to the pier.

So, I just sat in John’s spot on the grass and played with the squirrels, drank my “water chai” LOL from The Coffee Bean and took a catnap.

They were filming yesterday and since The Club was closed, I didn’t know where I was going to get my vittles. I haven’t fasted in so long, and wasn’t particularly interested in going on one impromptu, so I tried to come up on some Craft Services, especially when I noticed that the person in charge was a Brother.

He was kind of defensive though, because I opened with, “All you have are peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for the vegetarians? You should make some sandwiches with avocado, lettuce and cheese.” You know how I am.  I can’t help it though. I promise my intentions are pure!

So, he goes, “Is that what I should do?”

And I was kind of taken aback, but just smiled and took that as my cue that I wasn’t going to get any free vittles. And rode off.

He said, “As-Salaam-Alaikum!”

And I happily replied, “Wa Laikum Salaam!”

So, I had a banana, some plums and a couple apples. I thought about buying a loaf of bread because for some reason, I was craving bread. But I just ate my fruit and decided to keep my food stamps for the weekend and wait until today to get some real food at the Club.

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So, I visited a couple libraries and, you know, hanging around con-artists and thieves in New Orleans rubbed off on me, to my detriment.

I mean, TWO people, on two separate occasions, left computers right in front of me and LEFT! Out of SIGHT!

I couldn’t sit still, concentrate or get my mind off of those computers the whole time they were gone.

And you know I need a computer.

But I didn’t.

It just makes me realize that I’ve changed unwillingly.

They say “Birds of a feather flock together.” And that’s who I was with.

So unfortunately, some of it rubbed off of me.

But I found this amazing book!

It’s called “Miss Manners’ GUIDE TO A SURPRISINGLY DIGNIFIED WEDDING“

And I love it.

She is teaching the Sister Captain how to be a better Captain.

She has been married fifty years. And has the most sarcastic sense of humor. I was in the library cracking up!

She talked about the practice of pinning money on the bride which I agree is one of the most vulgar practices human beings could have resorted to. I don’t like it on birthdays either.

I will put it the way Miss Manner’s so delicately put it.

First, you would have to be very familiar with a person to get so close to them as to pin something on their raiment. But Miss Manner’s says that actually this is a very common practice.

At STRIP CLUBS!

LOL Just to give you an example of her humor and sarcasm.

It’s so funny because there are so few people who can relate to people like us, but if you think you can hang, I highly recommend the book. I’m not going to keep it to myself. 😉

I saw another book yesterday in my “shopping.” It was a book of album covers of just Black groups and it was about four inches thick! I wish I had written down the title. In Sha Allah, I will go back and get the title. Let me G it, BRB.

Can’t find it. But I go by the store all the time. The problem is going during business hours. Yesterday was an unusual day, but In Sha Allah…

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So tonight is the Twilight Concert Series and guess who is performing???

IRMA THOMAS – THE  SOUL QUEEN OF NEW ORLEANS

It is so ironic that I would be able to see her out here for FREE because when I was in New Orleans, I would have had to donate blood or something to be able to afford to see her perform. She’s as bad as Papa out there! But anyway, I’m just grateful…

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Okay, so let me write some stuff I’ve had on a list for a while.

• There is this Black-owned Contracting Company – DreamABuild. I looked at their photos and they were all high-class and you know I have high standards. Let me just tell you this; ALL of the showers had glass doors.
• I’m looking for sponsors… Blue Note At Sea.
• I took a mini tour of the Santa Monica Pier, we only toured the Carousel and Oh My God! Why are there apartments on the top floor!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! They were AMAZING!!! Can you imagine LIVING ON THE SANTA MONICA PIER!!!!!!!!!!!! First, the view was spectacular, but second, the very apartments are so airy and sunny and comfortable and just beyond words. I would give my appendix to live in one of those apartments. But they’re just used for offices now.

Speaking of the Carousel, rides are only $1 for children. So don’t pass it up just because it LOOKS expensive…. Let the chirren ride. 😉

• I finally went to FOOTACTION. I know I don’t have enough money for any of those shoes anymore. But remember, Beaux’s a Billionaire, so I went in and was surprised that I actually found something remarkable about the store.

I bought my son some Adidas boots (think Timberland) when he was first born, from there, because it was nearby – in the Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza. But lately, I’ve been kinda bougie towards them, favoring Foot Locker just because…

So when I went in, I just did so to critique them. However, I was pleasantly surprised at the uniqueness of the variety of shoes. Although Champs shoes were more aesthetically pleasing, FootAction’s were more suited to your individuality. In short, if you want a pair of shoes that no one else has… FootAction.

• The other night I went to a symposium on hunger and there was a group there that collects surplus fruit from residential homes that have excess fruit on their fruit trees. If you live in Southern California and want to donate, visit Food Forward. They have trained and insured pickers that will come and pick the fruit.
• For the youth, there is an organization in Santa Monica where you can go. They have audio and video studio equipment if you’re into music or film, open mics, computers, Art and other fun stuff. Pico Youth & Family Center.
• I had planned to go see this Brass Band on Saturday but when I went to the website I found out that this other group that sounds really funky is playing tomorrow. Both FREE shows! New Breed Brass Band on Saturday

and The Boogaloo Assassins on Friday; Levitt Pavillion at Macarthur Park. 7:30

• I found out the name of this aromatic plant that I thought was only up on the Point Dume – California Sagebrush. It smells so wonderful. But I found it on the bike trail too. So, if you bike, take the trail, it’s in Santa Monica around Centinela. Look for it and smell for it. 😉
• Try easy-cooking.blogsky.com for some healthy recipes. Just click “translate.”
• I saw another book that I would buy in a perfect world VINEGAR SOCKS…
• And this just has been in my head for a minute

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بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

AS-SALAAMU ‘ALAIKUM MA BEAUTIFUL & BELOVED ASIATIC BLACK BEBIES!!! 

MUAH!!! ❤ ❤ ❤

Allah is the Greatest! That is what Allahu Akbar means in English!!! And Master Fard Muhammad, To Whom Praises Are Due Forever, Our Saviour And Deliverer, Who Came To Put Us On Top of Civilization and Redeem Us and Destroy Those Who Have Destroyed Us is DEFINITELY THE GREATEST GOD WHO HAS EVER LIVED AND WE FOREVER GIVE THANKS AND PRAISES TO HIM AND HIM ALONE FOR HIS LOVE, KINDNESS, MERCY, FORGIVENESS AND BLESSINGS. ALL PRAISE IS DUE TO ALLAH! HE IS THE GREATEST!!!

Okay, Beloved Brothers and Sisters, you know I “LOVE ALLAH,” right??? 🙂 Well, I just suffered the second most disappointing event of my life but Allahu Akbar!

Everything happens for a reason.

As the Sister Captain, I am learning that I have to suffer where others below me do not and Allah is the Best Knower and the Best Planner and it is written in Our Beloved Holy Qur’an Sharrieff that Allah Does Not Place A Burden On Us That We Have Not The Strength To Bear.

So, I first learned with my holistic remedies, that I have to suffer where those below me do not. My remedy worked on everybody else, but when I became afflicted with the same dis-ease, the remedy did not work. So, I just deduced that Our Saviour Wanted Me To Suffer.

The Bible speaks and Our Beloved Messenger, The Honourable Elijah Muhammad (May the Peace and the Blessings of Allah Forever Be Upon Him) Taught Us Himself, that he would have to suffer all the afflictions that WE have to suffer or else Allah Would Not Have Chosen Him to be the Good Messenger (Peace Be Upon Him).

So, I guess, in a similar fashion, I’m going through it too.

This morning, I went to court FINALLY, to change my name.

Now, I was a little worried because the Sheriffs stole my paperwork and I was afraid the judge would want me to present it. But I went and took care of everything. So before I went to court, I felt pretty confident that the judge would rule in my favor, right? Wrong.

I got to court rather early because my original forms said 8:30 but when I went today, the clerk told me my court time was 10:00. But I wasn’t trippin’. I was going to go to Law School at one point and when I was a pre-teen, I wanted to be a judge. So I rather enjoy court and the discussion of Law and decided to pass the time just listening to the other cases before mine.

While I was waiting before the court opened, a Brother Lawyer happened to get up and look at some paperwork posted on the wall. Above the paperwork, it said something like “Today’s Cases.” So, as I was unsure if the clerk had given me the correct information, I also got up and looked on the wall to see if my case was actually scheduled for that courtroom and time.

To my utter horror, my case was listed but it was highlighted. That worried me. So, I looked and read the highlighted comments. It read that the judge had planned to deny my petition on the grounds that I had a warrant, a restraining order and I’m on probation.

I felt horrible.

But, I remembered I took care of the warrant when I went to jail and the restraining order ends in October and my probation is only summary probation meaning I don’t have to report to a probation officer or anything.

So, instead of just leaving and giving up all hope I decided to wait and see if I could persuade the judge to hear my testimony and maybe change his decision.

I even remembered my little masonic secret. And I knew if all else failed, that would work.

So, I listened to the cases ahead of mine and decided the judge was really trying to be fair. But then he got to the name change cases and he was a jerk and mean for no reason except maybe that the court was in L.A. and they tend to be meaner than the courts surrounding L.A.

For instance, the first time I changed my name in Long Beach, I hadn’t posted a notice in the paper yet, but the judge gave me a continuance.

So today, a Sister with the same issue appeared before this L.A. judge and he told her he didn’t usually issue continuances, but I was praying for the Sister, and he gave her a continuance.

Then the other Sister who was there, the judge had tentatively ordered a denial too, but she presented her evidence and he granted it. Then she asked for another favor. Tomorrow is her birthday and her license is going to expire, so she asked the judge if, instead of waiting the typical week for her paperwork, she could get something right then to take to the DMV. I was silently praying and sending positive “vibes” for her too and the judge granted her request.

Then my turn came.

So, I open with, “As one traveler to another…”

Then the judge interrupts me, “What do you mean? I’m not travelling! I’m sitting right here…”

And I was like, “Okay, you don’t wanna risk getting your head removed…” I think the judges know I’ve been telling everybody what to say when they go to court, or it could just be prejudice against the Sister Captain…

But I went on to explain that I don’t have a warrant anymore and whatnot, but Allah interrupted me and Told Me to Mention that he was travelling again, but I was scared and didn’t. Sometimes Allah Makes me do stuff that makes me appear so CRAZY! IMO anyway. And sometimes, I get scared of what people will think or what will happen and don’t do it. I know that was the reason he denied my request.

When Allah Tells You to do something, if you show greater fear for something or someone else, you suffer the consequences.

And man did I suffer!!! I have not felt that bad in thirty years, when I was denied acceptance to UCLA. That was the only school I ever wanted to go to and it was the only school I applied to. Now you know, when you apply to college, you’re supposed to apply to several. But I didn’t want to go anywhere else and I was in the UCLA Partnership Program at my High School, so it was like GUARANTEED I would get in.

But alas, I was the only person in Program that didn’t get accepted.

I was also the only Black person… So you know how that goes…

So, when I got the heartbreaking news, I retired to a seldom-used staircase and cried my little eyes out.

I was comforted in the way only a Blackman can comfort a Blackwoman and he dried my tears and stood in for Beaux who, although I didn’t know it at the time, was a good friend of his.

This morning, I felt equally as bad, but thirty years maturer, and although I was able to stave off the tears, I did find comfort once again, in the solitude of a seldom-used staircase.

There was no “Prince Charming” (for lack of a better term) this time, but I had my handy-dandy notebook. Writing always soothes my spirit. And by the time I alighted, I was in the mood I began this blog with (or close to it 😉 )

So now, I’m going to just do what Our Beloved Messenger (May the Peace and the Blessings of Allah Forever Be Upon Him) and so many other Muslims did and do, and just do like the slavemaster did and change my name without going through the court system.

I mean, I saw my image after I left the court room and I look just like a “terrorist.” I mean, I have on all black and a hijab. So why would an American grant me anything?

But, at least my GOVERNMENT name is a Holy Name of Allah.

I think Beaux wants me to have a secret name anyway… But don’t tell… 😉

❤ ❤ ❤ ❤ ❤ ❤ ❤

Yesterday, at the Club…

There are three women here who I consider my antagonists.

Well, at dinnertime, one was in front of me in line and instead of just taking the plate like everybody (except me) does, she says, “Can I just have salad and rice?” That’s what I say everyday. You know I’m a vegetarian and that’s all I can ever eat. But I was like, pissed because it felt like she was making mockery of me. I tried to content myself with the saying that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. And deep down I think they want me to like them, but I’m like so far above them, it’s really difficult.

I’m trying to be forbearing. In Arabic, it is an attribute of Allah, Halim, but it is really difficult. I’ve been a leader all my life and it can be so frustrating.

Once when I was about ten or eleven, we went hiking and I was at the front of the pack, nearing the top of the hill and everybody started grabbing on to me, to help them up the hill. And I was only eleven or so and, I got so annoyed! In retrospect, and now that I’m an adult, I have to remember that I have a responsibility to help others who may not be as capable as I am.

My Grandfather used to call me, “Grandma Moses” for some reason, I’ll never know. But it makes me feel kin to Sister Harriet and she was the founder of The Underground Rail Road, so all I can picture her doing and I feel now like I’m supposed to do, is make sure everyone else gets to the top of the hill and then I can go on up.

So, when my turn comes, I say “Can I just have rice and salad?” trying to be a little bit individual, but then the other antagonist comes and repeats the same thing. So, I’m like really wondering what they’re up to.

I think they want to be like me, but don’t know how to. So, they pick up little things I do.

It has been my experience that these situations never turn out in my favor because when I befriend them and tell them everything I think will help them, they just end up thinking they can do it better than the teacher.

Granted, this only happened once and SHE WAS BLACK.

One of these three is Asian, another is white and the third may be mixed Black and something but I think she is a tranny, so I’m going to treat “her” like the other ones.

I am so thankful I wrote this because sometimes, I forget that I’m not supposed to love everybody. I was actually thinking about trying to make peace with a peace-breaking devil and a tranny! The Asian I don’t think wants to be like me.

See how good it is to find your therapy?!?!?! 🙂 It helps you think and sort things out.

❤ ❤ ❤ ❤ ❤ ❤ ❤

I have to write a retraction. Yesterday, I called Ben “Baba” and I forget that he loves devils.

I, intentionally, arrived to the Artwalk late, because I knew the devils would have left by then, but Brother Ramsess told me they were there earlier and I know it’s because of Ben.

He let me use his equipment and mentored me when I was younger, but then I became a Muslim. And, when you become a Muslim, it opens your eyes to things and situations you were blind to before.

So sometimes, I forget I’m not supposed to love everybody. Especially when I see the person…

But ALLAHU AKBAR! 🙂

❤ ❤ ❤ ❤ ❤ ❤ ❤

So, when I left, I had planned to just go to the Library, but my phone died and I really didn’t have any reason, so I just ended up riding Lu and enjoying the Santa Monica area.

I decided to ride South towards Marina del Rey, since I had picked up this newspaper that I had been seeing since I first started coming out here, but the L.A. Weekly has so soured me towards newspapers that I stopped reading them altogether. It is so filthy.

Nevertheless, I ended up picking up a Santa Monica Daily Press from this Black Barber shop I pass everyday on Broadway and like 17th (it’s called “Cuttin’ Up III, I think) and decided I might as well read The Argonaut too.

I was hesitant to read The Argonaut because I don’t know what an Argonaut is. But after reading the paper, I’m pretty sure it has something to do with seafaring because it only serves beach communities. Let me G it. BRB

Okay, it has something to do with Greek Mythology, (typical of devils) but it is based on a ship, so I was right. Now, I’m kind of hesitant to read it again because this is a spiritual war and any god other than Allah is definitely something I need to avoid.

So anyway, this newspaper, kind of made me expand my horizons into the other beaches near Samo and I wanted to see how far I could get.

I went to the Marina and I used to work out there in the late eighties, right after graduation and it felt kinda good to go back. We used to go there in my twenties too. There was TGI Fridays, Aunt Kizzie’s Back Porch, The Cheesecake Factory, the movie theatres and a shopping center. There was also this club called “Pizzazz” that I was never able to get into. Fake I.D., you know… 😉 And their Bouncers were not having it!

I had on the same shirt these girls had on in this video and some jeans with black leather across the front and just knew I was getting in. But he asked me my birthday…. I felt like The Fat Boys trying to get in “The Fever” in Krush Groove. 😉 SMH

Okay, I can’t post the video with the shirts, because I just went to YT to look for it and those videos are so filthy…

There’s also a tennis center in the Marina that always reminded me of Beaux. But I’ve never been in it.

I went to this Ralph’s just because I used to go there and I really like Ralph’s and they had this ice cream me and Ibnana used to eat every day but they discontinued it. So, when I saw it again, even though my food stamps are almost gone, I had to have it. I hadn’t had it since 2008!

You know, I haven’t really lived off of my faith in Allah (swt) since I was in New Orleans and it feels really good.

I mean, I feel such a sense of accomplishment when I manage to score some food and it’s always GOOD food.

Like Sunday, I was going to spend my last f.s. but I came up on some really good French Fries, some soft dinner rolls and a bag of cherries! You know I love cherries. My parents named me Cheryce and that’s like cerise, which is cherry in French. It can also mean RED, which has always been my favorite color.

Then Saturday, I also didn’t have any food, but I was riding around Samo and came up on this neighborhood (Samo has some bomb houses) and there was a church that does food giveaways, but it’s difficult for me to go to food giveaways from Christians. So, I usually don’t. But I was there early and came up on a big package of cinnamon rolls on the other side of the church. ALLAHU AKBAR!!! So, I was good until Sunday night when I got the fries.

It’s just so interesting being able to live off of faith. It adds a whole new dimension to life.

The only thing I can liken it to is playing “fifteen-to-get-in” (Dominoes).  It’s a whole new game.

I was also surprised at the number of Black People there are in the Marina. It’s like the number in Samo and Venice combined. That felt good.

I came up on the Library too, so In Sha Allah, I’m definitely going back. There’s a Fisherman’s Wharf I was trying to get to too yesterday, with shops and whatnot, but I didn’t want to go that way.

I went the opposite way and found the bike trail, sat on a bench, ate my ice cream and paused for the Sunset.

Then I debated just sleeping right there. It was a wooden bench and those are much more comfortable than the metal ones. But I had court in the morning so I wanted to be near the train station so I wouldn’t be late.

So, I pushed back toward Samo.

I ended up going down Washington 🙂 and that leads to the Venice Pier.

How many of you knew there was a Venice Pier???

There’s a Malibu Pier too. FYI.

So, I rode down the Venice Pier and it was beautiful. The Sun had just set and the sky was lit orange and pink behind the Samo mountains.

You could see the ferris wheel on the Samo pier in the distance and it looked miles away. Everything on the coast looks faraway, but it’s not.

So, I reboarded the bike path and the waves were still mountainous like they had been in the morning and Lulu wanted to go to the water, so reluctantly, I took her.

I ended up getting all sentimental and missing Beaux.

I want to do couple stuff, you know?

And sometimes it really hits me.

I’m getting stronger though. Ordinarily, I would have cried, but I didn’t.

I didn’t cry this morning either. I didn’t want to give the judge the satisfaction of bringing the Sister Captain to tears. I’m stronger than I was the first time I felt such disappointment. ALLAHU AKBAR.

So, I just walked on the shore with Lu for awhile. She wanted to stay longer but I didn’t want to stay out too late and oversleep. So, I pushed back to the bike trail. It was just after crepuscule and the people who live in the beach houses had their lights on and for the first time I could see inside.

Man.

Some of those houses are thebomb.com. 😉 Hey Sister Shea! 🙂 ❤ ❤ ❤ ❤ ❤ ❤ How’s the blog coming???

I would rather live there on the beach than Beverly Hills. Beach communities are the Best IMHO.

So, I stopped a couple of places along the way, found a big hefty bag of recycleables but left them because I couldn’t do anything with them before I went to court, but ultimately pushed back to Samo because I had to get up early.

I passed a peaceful, pleasant night and woke up to seagulls and the sound of running water. What could be better than that?

❤ ❤ ❤ ❤ ❤ ❤ ❤

On the train ride home from court there were some foreigners speaking their language and I eavesdropped trying to place it. I knew it was German, but I don’t really like German and tried to make it French. But when I asked, I was told they were from Germany.

That’s about all I can think of. I have another sort of political blog I wrote in my notebook, but the passion for the topic has gone and it’s never fun writing about anything that you are not passionate about. Like this blog right now. I don’t have anything else to say, so I’m just going to pray the peace and the blessings of Allah forever be upon you all and I’m going to get back to trying to prepare a hardcopy for you.

السلام عليكم

الله أكبر

I just had to mention while I was proofreading this, Aunt Kizzie’s reminded me of this catering truck I saw one day. Across the back they had written, “No disrespect to your Grammy, but we got Grammy.” LOL