Work

I may not understand many of the lyrics since she's saying them with a Caribbean accent, but I sure as heck understand the HOT BEAT!!!!!!!!!!!!

And for that reason, I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this song!!

Honestly, I can't stop listening to it!  I keep replaying it over and over again!

Damn, it's HOT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

#ThankYouRihannaAndDrake

Tooth Fairy @ 52

Well, I went to see my dentist today and he told me some not-so-great news.

I have to have a tooth pulled!!!

Yep, at 52 years old, one of my teeth has to be replaced.  A molar!

Lately I've been chewing on the left side of my mouth because doing so on the right side is hella uncomfortable.  You see, back in October 2015, I awakened myself out of sleep because I was grinding my teeth.  I had never noticed myself doing anything of the sort, but that morning, I felt it.  Later that day, my right, back molar didn't feel right, so I walked into The Saban Community Clinic and saw the dentist on duty.  She wound up cleaning my teeth and referring me to an endodontist.  I never followed up on the referral, so here I am some four months later FINALLY confronting the issue head-on.

According to my dentist, the tooth is a goner.  My grinding cracked it right in the dead center.  It cannot be saved.  Now, the bacteria that has infected it over the months has caused a pimple-like growth to form on the gum next to the bad tooth.  It's UGLY!  Well, nobody can see it except me, but it's STILL ugly!  

My dentist has referred me to an endodontist, and in just a bit, I'm gonna call that doctor's office and make an appointment.  I'd call now but my phone's battery is dead.  Just like my tooth!  My tooth hasn't turned darker yet, so I must still have time to intervene in some way.  At least, that's what I'm hoping!

I'm wise enough to know that as the years collect, my body will undergo changes.  It's simply my hope, though, that those changes are only primarily for the better!  Truth be told, I don't need this situation right now.  Nor ever!  But who am I to expect that I'll never be afflicted with less-than-marvelous health from time to time?  A wishful thinker, that's who I am!

After speaking to the endodontist, I'll do whatever he/she says.

But I don't have to like it!!!!!

Despite this temporary setback, I am still IMMEASURABLY THANKFUL for all I have.  All I am.  And all I'll one day be!!!!!!!!!!!!

This, too, shall pass.    

Hamilton Can Kiss My Entire Black...

Broadway's latest blockbuster musical is HAMILTON!!!

And if you wanna see it, you better take out a SECOND, THIRD, or FOURTH mortgage!!!!!!!!!!!!  Geez!

Ticketmaster only has resale tickets available; which means, some greedy bastards bought up the original tickets at one price, and are now reselling them for an ARM, BOTH LEGS and a HEART!

Greedy BASTARDS!

Say A Little Prayer

Over the past few weeks, I've left voice messages and e-mails for a friend.

She never responded to any of them.

Well, today, I called again.

And left another voicemail.

This time, though, she called me back.

And as I suspected: the news wasn't the best.

She told me that she had been feeling under the weather, and simply dismissed the feeling as pre-menopausal.  To add insult to injury, she then felt a lump in one of her breasts.

This week she'll have a test to determine if the lump is cancerous.

She told me that she has now been asking herself several questions about her life.  Is she professionally fulfilled?  Will she ever be married?  Will there ever be children?  She accepts that she will undoubtedly never give birth to any.  A flurry of thoughts invade her head these days.  Interesting how the thought of death compels a person to ask herself the hardest questions ever.

All I know is that I love her.  And that I wish her the best life any human being could possibly live.

After our phone conversation, I said a prayer for her.

And I'll keep saying them.

Until...

The New Normal Writing Contest

Issa Rae

Ahh, writer/producer/actor Issa Rae has teamed with Project Greenlight Digital Studios to create a new writing contest: The New Normal Writing Contest.

Guess who's gonna take a shot at it!!!!!

It's right up my alley, 'cause it's a contest in search of writers for mini-TV shows, no more than 10 minutes per episode!

Well, since working for Front Seat Chronicles, I've become a pro at writing five-minute pieces!  So, I'm good!  The contest's rules state that the theme of the contest is "Trophy."  And that means I have to come up with a series idea that revolves around someone or multiple folks working to win something.  And that something can be whatever my imagination can create!!!

Now, all I've gotta do is come up with my main story!

I tell ya, a writer's list of "things to do" is ALWAYS lookin' to add to it!!!!!!!

So, let me get to writin'!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

And The Nominees Are...

Last night, I attended a terrific discussion with NAACP Image Award nominees for writing, sponsored by The Committee of Black Writers (CBW).

The event was moderated by writer/producer Ali Leroi of Everybody Hates Chris fame.  What I enjoy about him is that he mixes humor and intellect unlike any other!  He makes you laugh and think at the same time!

Ali Leroi

And the WRITERS were...

ANDREA BERLOFF (Straight Outta Compton)

SHEM BITTERMAN (Whitney, Betty and Coretta)

AARON COVINGTON (Creed)

LATOYA MORGAN (Shameless, Parenthood, Turn: Washington's Spies)

JAMIE TURNER (Rosewood, Being Mary Jane, Lie To Me)

Each writer spoke candidly about their projects, about what they think of diversity in the writers' rooms, etc.  I truly appreciated their honesty.  And I loved the energy in the atmosphere.

As I looked around the room, I felt really good about the all the brown faces, listening attentively to the panelists.

I saw HOPE and AMBITION.

One of the highlights of the night for me was meeting writer, KIRK A. MOORE, who is one of my FB friends, and who just happened to write an episode of my current fave on TV: American Crime.

Speaking to writer/producer/actor LENA WAITHE (Master Of None, Bones) also made me feel somethin' special.  I mean, honestly, I hope the young lady truly knows how BLESSED she is.  She seems to embrace professional and romantic fulfillment in a way verrrrrry few manage to do.  BRAVO to her!  BRAVO to HER!!!!!

I look forward to attending future events sponsored by CBW.  I truly enjoyed myself!!!!

No Time For It

Fantasia is back with a catchy tune that makes it abundantly clear she has no time for idle gossip, nor anything else that doesn't put money in her pockets.

Okay, Fannie, I hear ya!  Heck, I'm gonna have to adopt some of that thinking for my dang self!

This is my new song of the month!  That means, I'll be playing it over and over again 'til I get sick of it!

Procrastination!  Insecurity!  Idle chit chat!  Naysayers!  All of you, BE GONE!

'Cause I've got no time for it!  :)