Sunday, December 27, 2009

Kwanzaa - Principle 2 - Kujichagulia

December 27th is represented by the second guiding principle of Kujichagulia [KOO-GEE-CHA-GOO-LEE-YAH] which stands for "Self-Determination"- To define ourselves, name ourselves, create for ourselves, and speak for ourselves, rather than to be defined, named, created for, and spoken for by others.

Independence, freedom of action, unilaterally, freedom of choice, freedom of thought, emancipation, self-expression, individuality, national status, autonomy, self-government, self-sufficiency, independent means, competence, and prosperity.
This principle is represented by a red candle.

Instructions for achieving Kujichagulia During Kwanzaa and Year Round

Step 1
Plan and prioritize a list of goals that you hope to accomplish throughout your life. These can be short, medium or long term in nature. Begin the practice of Kujichagulia in relation to achieving your list of goals.

Step 2
Picture yourself achieving each listed goal in your life. Studies have shown that positive imaging in the mind actually allows goal seekers to obtain more confidence in the possibility of achieving their goals as well as physically relaxing their bodies and minds in preparation for that action.

Step 3
Learn from your mistakes by the results and outcomes of your previous decisions. The adage says that you can never learn from failure unless you have failed and you can never fail unless you have tried. Making decisions and learning from them is a part of growing and living and is also a key factor in learning self-determination.

Step 4
Grow in knowledge in a variety of areas and subject matters. You should continue to seek knowledge wherever and whenever you can. Knowledge is the root of all power and power within oneself is the root of self-determination.

Step 5
Keep your physical body healthy and active. A healthy body creates an healthy balance between emotions and intellect. To keep your mind sharp, you must consistently eat a healthy and stay physically active throughout your entire life.

"Up you mighty race, you can accomplish what you will." Marcus Mosiah Garvey


Saturday, December 26, 2009

Kwanzaa - Principle 1 - Umoja

December 26 - January 1 marks the celebration of Kwanzaa, a holiday founded by Dr. Maulana Karenga, a professor at California State University, Long Beach. The celebration is based on the "Nguzo Saba" or seven guiding principles, the first being Umoja [OO-MO-JAH] stands for "Unity" - To strive for and maintain unity in the family, community, nation or race. This principle is represented by a black candle in the center of the Kinara (candle holder). To visit the official Kwanzaa website click here.

"There is a battle to be fought, there are obstacles to be overcome. There is a world struggle for human dignity to be won. Let us address ourselves seriously to the supreme tasks that lie ahead." Kwame Nkrumah



Friday, November 20, 2009

Old School Friday # 90 - I Had A Crush On!


My biggest crush when I was an adolescent was probably Jermaine Jackson. I look at him now and exclaim, What The Hell Happened??? But that is another "Old School Friday" segment. Oh yeah, I couldn't resist throwing Mike in the mix!

This meme was developed by Marvalus View and Ms. Grapevine. The rules are simple:

1. Anyone can participate; any music genre


2. Old School is defined as music created before 1999


3. No offensive words allowed, please use edited radio version


4. Post a video of your favorite Old School song to take us back down memory lane (two song maximum)

5. Add your name to the meme list so that others can check you out

6. Have fun & don't forget to leave comments for other participants


If you want to join in on the fun,
click here.

Friday, November 6, 2009

Songs That Inspire



The songs of the 60's were really inspirational to me so I choose two songs that I love from that era. Curtis Mayfield's "We're A Winner" and James Brown's "Say It Loud, I'm Black and I'm Proud".

This meme was developed by Marvalus View and Ms. Grapevine. The rules are simple:


1. Anyone can participate; any music genre


2. Old School is defined as music created before 1999


3. No offensive words allowed, please use edited radio version


4. Post a video of your favorite Old School song to take us back down memory lane (two song maximum)

5. Add your name to the meme list so that others can check you out

6. Have fun & don't forget to leave comments for other participants


If you want to join in on the fun,
click here.


Saturday, October 17, 2009

Sharona Returns to Monk

I never thought I would see it, but Sharona, Monk's assistant for the first three season is returning for an encore next week in this eighth and final season. Bitty Schram was more of a nurse (or should I say nursemaid) to the obsessive compulsive detective, but she was an intricate part in some of the crime solving as well. This will mark her first appearance on the comedy-mystery since she mysteriously disappeared from the show halfway through the third season. Arguably the most successful show in cable history this should also make for an interesting close to the series. My only hope is that Monk solves his wife Trudy's murder before the show's final curtain call.

I really have missed Sharona, despite the excellent job that Traylor Howard does in her portrayal of Natalie Teeger, Monk's latest assistant. It is actually going to be interesting to see this two women play off of each other next week while Monk investigates Sharona's uncle's murder. I think the return of Ms. Scham will bring the show full circle and provide to a wonderful series, which experienced a great run. Monk is one of my most favorite television shows and I have never missed an episode so you know I will be front and center for this episode. Every since I found out Sharona was coming back I have been humming The Knacks "My Sharona".

The episode will air Friday, October 23rd at 9:00 EST.

Saturday, September 19, 2009

Facebook

I recently read and article boasting that Facebook ruins friendships because “it limits communication to typing and encourages people to share far too much information with their poor, unsuspecting friends”. I do not agree with this stance, in fact I think it is quite the opposite. I think the social network actually builds relationships to a certain extent.

Facebook currently has a membership of 300 million, which is a higher population than all but 9 countries. Impressive huh? And I feel it is just gaining momentum, I envision bigger and better things to come on Facebook. I just recently started seriously Facebooking in the last couple of months. I joined the social network last year just to see if I could by pass the powers that be at my workplace (the I. T. department had blocked all access to My Space and I wanted to see if all services in this vein were obstructed). I was able to get on Facebook with no problem, so I joined and then quickly forgot about it.

I do not remember what led me back to the site, I think I got a email asking that I verify a friend and it off and running from that point on. I was often surprised by invites from people in my past that I had not seen in years. One day I checked my email to find a note from my best friend in junior high asking if I was who she thought I was and if I remembered her. Quite fascinating, actually because I had not seen or heard from her in well over 30 years.

Another aspect that I really enjoy about Facebook is that young and old are coming together as friends. I am a middle aged woman and my youngest friend is 17, I mean how cool is that? I have connected with relatives and old school chums that I would not have if not for meeting up with them on the Internet.


I use Facebook to contact friends who may have long ago lost contact with and I wish this service had been around ten years ago. This application is excellent for looking at pictures of babies in your family that you have yet to meet. Facebook is excellent for finding out what high school and college classmates are up to. For instance, my son was able to find two friends from elementary school that he had not seen since his graduation nearly 20 years ago.

I must admit that there have been times when I spent more time on Facebook than I should have, but I'm not going to blame Facebook for my own procrastination/laziness. If Facebook wasn't there I would have found something else to waste time on (My Space, Twitter, Black Planet, etc). If I want to be distracted, I will find a distraction, trust me!

To all my "friends", If you don't feel like posting something, cruising profiles, or changing your status, don't do it. If you tire of my updates, hide them. If you don't want to partake in the latest quiz, leave it alone. If you fear big brother is keeping tabs on you, don't post your life story to your profile. If you are in a relationship, please don't be caught poking people all day :-D. It's a fun and innovative tool at your fingertips that can be used for both good or evil. If you don't feel like Facebooking, leave it alone. Well I got to run, I just thought of a friend I need to look up….
While I do that please enjoy some Facebook humor.

Friday, September 18, 2009

Old School Friday - Criminal Record

Okay! Who doesn't have a criminal record these days? I think I will bring together the East Coast and the West Coast by going with my boys Tupac Shakur and the Notorious BIG (Biggy Smalls) or "Big Poppa" :-) I have not participated on this meme in a while and I have missed it.

This meme was developed by Marvalus View and Ms. Grapevine. The rules are simple:

1. Anyone can participate; any music genre
2. Old School is defined as music created before 1999
3. No offensive words allowed, please use edited radio version
4. Post a video of your favorite Old School song to take us back down memory lane
5. Add your name to the meme list so that others can check you out
6. Have fun & don't forget to leave comments for other participants

If you want to join in on the fun, click here.