We’re off… On Our Next Adventure

We’ll I’ve very little time to post – I’m tickinig Jerry off as we speak – since I’m not packing – Next time we speak I’ll be married and you’ll have photos- unless they have internet connection at the resort – then you might get some spot posts but nothing detailed – I got beaches to attend to!!!

Peace
Mrs. Henderson

HBO Def poetry – needs a hearing aide

Lately since the recent season premiere of ‘Russel Simmons presents Def Poetry’ which airs Friday nights at 10:30 on HBO, as well as several rebroadcasts of the same episode several times that night as well as during the week and on any number of the HBO substations,(HBO2, HBOZone, HBO west coast ect…) anyway lately myself and several of my poetry counterparts and as well as people I admire in the poetry world, we have been discussing the quandary that is Def Poetry. As I stated in a friends comments section – Me and Def poetry have a love hate relationship – I love the possibility they hate living up to. It has been pointed out that the ratio of Poets to Celebrities has gotten out of hand- as if there aren’t enough good poets doing good poetry –(Because apparently going from the quality of poets performing you don’t have to be spectacular – just better than average.) to fill an half an hour. I digress at even the most mediocre poetry spot – we can fill 30 minutes with some pretty good stuff. Just a few of those poets featured on Def Poetry are good performers and average poets. This last episode I listened to – and enjoyed Dan Sully and Tim Strattford “Death From Below”, Bassey Ikpi “I Want to Kiss You”, Georgia Me “For Your Protection”, and Will Da Real One Bell “Diary of the Reformed”. My fiancée really enjoyed Alica Keys’ poem “P.O.W.” and I thought it was alright – I could tell she really believes in her poems the way she believes in her music – or she’s a great actress and needs to try out for some movie – that’s my biggest thing about spoken word in general- that performance is so much more the focus than poetry, how you say what you are saying in stead of HOW you SAY what you are saying – are you following me people?

I catch so much flack for feeling this way – but if you don’t read poetry – try and learn your craft how can you call yourself a poet? Alica Keys can call her self a musician because she studies and grabs the art of playing the piano, comics practice material and study comics before them – Because you expressed your self with a poem – that automatically makes you a poet? how bout no? How bout I’m gonna practice medicine but that don’t make me a doctor. There are a few other main stream poetry shows out there along with a countless numbers put together by public access channels. I have heard of one on Black Family Channel – and I never know when BET is gonna show Lyric Café (has anyone seen a accurate BET show guide –really?) so the shows are there, they just suffer from the same fate hip hop has become befallen to. Commercialization. When people figure out they can make money on something – its usually by making it look like something else. In this case – its easy to try an package Poetry like hip/hop or worse yet – Rap, to make money off of it.

I love poetry – I honestly do, and what people put on paper and call poetry hurts my little poet soul some days. And I watch Def poetry because it is such a step forward but like all things commercial Russell is more concerned with the bottom line than keeping it real. Don’t get me wrong I believe he believes in the potential of the art, that he feels like he is promoting poetry the way he promoted hip hop- but it isn’t the same. And it is sad that he can’t see the earning potential in poetry in its natural state , that he feels he must amp it up to retain viewers, sadly it may be the opposite.
Poetry is not hip hop. Rappers are not poets. Anymore than I can stand up and rap I don’t believe they can stand up and spit. I do admit there are poets who can rap – and rapper who read well; Dahlak Brathwaite: “Just Another Routine Check” from episode (29) i.e this seasons first episode is a prime example. But those are exceptions to the rule.
As much as I love him Mos Def is not a poet in all of his renaissance man theologian, broadway, hip hop Mc, Actor, movie star goodness – he’s not a poet, so why is he hosting? He’s not even good at it. And all in all isn’t that the point? Poets being good enough at poetry to warrant a show. You didn’t have celebrities on Def Comedy Jam or did I miss the episode where comics weren’t funny enough on their own they needs some celebrity push. I understand the finance of it, I know I spent more than my fair share of my income (more than 40% some years) putting poetry events together to try and further the poetry movement, and poetry don’t make money in most average sized markets. and that’s real – markets like b-more and NYC and LA that’s a bit different some marketing and promos and some phat poets and you can get 300 peeps weekly to come and shell out a cover – but that don’t stop me from loving poetry or spending my money trying to push it further still, or begging Def Poetry to be real about it. Def poetry could be something great just like Def comedy launched careers, Def poetry could do that – for more than the 8 to ten who did Def Poetry on Broadway. They could have a new cast every year, they could be the base that launched poetry tours like Kings of comedy – (I know there was one that did a show in BMore but I’m talking true tour in the realest most commercially feasible sense of the word.) Def poetry could be the venue that makes poets respect the form more, makes commercial media respect the art form more, But honestly that’s really the poets job isn’t it? If we don’t respect our art to demand more of the people using it – especially our selves – then we don’t have a whole lot of room to talk do we? I’m just trying some different avenues. Tell me what you think….

p.s the DVD’s of the show need to be better too, we all know everypoet gets up there and does at least two or three pieces – they need to do some real bonus material and some interviews and stuff fromthe show… Shoot the DVD was like twenty bucks for four shows… Russell you need to get real on that one fo sho!

Earning you Fathers Day off….

Cammy and Daddy as the Bear
Originally uploaded by raquita.

Jerry put it down at Cammy’s Birthday party. He dressed up like Bear in the Bear in The Big Blue House It was so much fun to watch the kids respond to Jerry – although most of the older kids thought it would be a good idea to take the bear out.

We cooked six pounds of hamburger, two packages of brats, 36 hotdogs, two mega bags of chips, potatoe salad, and baked beans. 5 – 24 packs of soda and 2 paks of bottled water It was all gone- vanished by the end of the evening, and pray tell when does a birthday pary last 6 hours?
How ever this was our first one and we are learning – next year – ChuckE Cheese!

Overheard on the internet

Some Bro’s discussing Michale Jacksons trial ending:

O.com: WHO BAD NOW MISTER
PROSICUTER!!!
TheKillaCal: How do you feel about his post trial reaction?
O.com: MAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! words can not express
my disapointment!
TheKillaCal: I expected at least a moonwalk myself
O.com: ME TOO!!!
TheKillaCal: maybe a spin,if we were
lucky a crotch grab
O.com: like he damn near
might as well have been guilty
TheKillaCal: that nigga didn’t do SHIT!!
O.com: i was that disappointed…. i mean… he went
nigga for the trail… he was getting there late n shit showed up in pj’s n shit
AND house shoes nigga, tell me that
aint some niggardly shit
TheKillaCal: all he needed was a bucket of chicken;
or some ribs
O.com: LOL you know?
TheKillaCal:
rib stains on his t-shirt
O.com: some chicken
grease on his glasses lol; but look tho if he was gonna go that niggarly for the
trail.. he could at least got his end zone celerbration on
TheKillaCal:
RIGHT!!!
O.com: walked out of the court room like
HHHHHOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!! like in the bad video running around n
shit
TheKillaCal: That’s like TO giving the ball to the ref and walking to
the sideline!!!
O.com: fuck yea!
TheKillaCal: I
thought he was gonna jump on the table and pull a crowbar out of his pants
leg

P.S One of the guys was listening to the Bad album and was particularly moved by the line “your butt is mine….” How about HELLZ NAW!!!

Michael…Michael….Michael

In the words of bitemerealhard’s blog

NOT GUILTY!!!! On everything…
Give homey his $3 million dollars back and get the fuck out his hair.
Ya heard?Please Mr. O’Reilley and friends. I hope you’re choking to death
on this startling revelation you fat biased bitches!
Wacko Jacko that. You too Nancy Grace, and Marsha Clark with your $2
clearance rack hair coloring kit! Martin Bashir with your back stabbing, two
talking ass, get back!
Go find someone else to fuck with and extend your eleven minutes in the
spotlight. Your journalism skills suck. So does your Geraldo Rivewhatever!
Still don’t have those Beatles rights either!

And that pretty much sums up the whole Michael Jackson thing for me. Lets elaborte a ‘lil bit. I think the man is guilty of something – just not the charges they brought him up on. I’m glad the justice system worked and i’m glad there were no black people in the jury at all – so we can’t be accused of using our Jedi mind tricks on the white people. Oh we have them. You should see my daughter use them on white women – its priceless. Anyway, without getting side tracked I think Mikey has had all the lost childhood he’s gonna get – he’s 46- its time to grow the F*ck up. He needs to move to Europe, or Asia whre people still faint at the sight of his beige ass and work on a comeback album – take about two years to record it – get R Kelly to produce it, get some guest spots from Snoop, Jay Z, Willie Nelson and is Kobe rapping yet? if so throw his ass on it and call it We’re free Bytches! Vol 1.
No seriously- ever wonder why there are never any black kids making these charges? Do I think he did it? Not these charges no- Will cammy be going to a sleepover at neverland? HELLZ NAW!!! Black mommas – even the dumb as hell ones (and there are some dumbasses of color who choose to reproduce – normally with other dumbasses) ain’t letting their kids any where near an over night with somebody there is even a whisper of that kind of rumor. Cammy can’t go play with kids if I haven’t done a complete background check on the whole house. I’m trying to be involved with the neighborhood association and the block unit and e’rything so I know just what the deal is in my neighborhood.
Michael Jackson got some issues. I hope he gets some help with most of them. I hope people get smart about sending their children into those kinds of stupid situations. I hope black people were rooting for Micahel becaseu they reviewed the facts and beleive he was innocent of these charges- I hope white people do the same. I hope court TV gets pulled off air – it does not lead people to a innocent until proven guilty mindset – as long as it puts the name of the accused into public record and protects the accuser. I think the accused should be affored that same annomity until proven guilty. Now Michael – If he hadn’t paid off the last set of accusers I firmly beleive he would be in jail now, and calling some man Bubbles. But that’s just my take on it – I’ve been wrong before.

She was right.. All this from some colored squares?

I found this quiz on a another blog I visit frequently – you just click on the squares picking the colors as you see fit and then it gives you a personality test results. I’m not sure how I’m feeling about these results – I would assume they are pretty accurate- i’d like to think I was better in a few of these areas but – I’m probably not. If you know me – let me know if you think these are accurate.

The Color Quiz

Your Existing Situation

Needs, and insists on having, a close and understanding relationship, or at least some method of satisfying a compulsion to feel identified.

Your Stress Sources

The tenacity and strength of will necessary to contend with existing difficulties has become weakened. Feels overtaxed, worn out, and getting nowhere, but continues to stand her ground. She feels this adverse situation as an actual tangible pressure which is intolerable to her and from which she wants to escape, but she feels unable to make the necessary decision.

Your Restrained Characteristics

Trying to calm down and unwind after a period of over-agitation which has left her listless and devoid of energy. In need of peace and quiet; becomes irritable if this is denied him.<P>Willing to become emotionally involved and able to achieve satisfaction through sexual activity, but tries to avoid conflict.<P>

Your Desired Objective

Hopes that ties of affection and good-fellowship will bring release and contentment. Her own need for approval makes her ready to be of help to others and in exchange she wants warmth and understanding. Open to new ideas and possibilities which she hopes will prove fruitful and interesting.

Your Actual Problem

(love how they point out my actual problem rather than the twenty or thirty or so I imagine.)

The tensions induced by trying to cope with conditions which are really beyond her capabilities, or reserves of strength, have led to considerable anxiety and a sense of personal (but unadmitted) inadequacy. She reacts by seeking outside confirmation of her ability and value in order to bolster her self-esteem. Inclined to blame others so that she may shift the blame from herself. Anxiously searching for solutions and prone to compulsive inhibitions and compulsive desires.

http://www.ColorQuiz.com/
Please recommend us to your friends. I’m still thinking about that part – if you blog it send me the results I’m dying to know how disfunctional my crew is!

Locked and Loaded

Okay it’s done and it cost too much to do. My hair is in the beginning stages of sister locks – a very very small version of a dread lock. Probably not the best thing to start a week before the wedding – but it will work. It was actually supposed to be a larger lock than I have, but you know how beauticians are – you get what they like. Reason #1 why I dislike beauty shops; it’s nice to know they haven’t changed in the 10 years I was in hair hiding.

Cammy busted her lip again – when that child bleeds its like it will never stop! She slipped and fell while I was on the portch and Jerry brought her to the door bleededing all over both of them. I surely almost lost my mommy mind. I don’t do well with her blood on the outside of her body. I’m pretty good at handling anybody elses blood but Cammy’s blood – we’ll all do better if it stays in her body. I yelled at Jerry cause he was in the house with her. He said she was right there, I always thinks he gives her way too much credit as to what she can get her self out of and whats gonna end up with her bleeding all over his shirt. I swear when I go to Dallas I’m gonna wrap her in teflon and steel. Daddy’s don’t anaticipate like Mommies do, they love just as hard but they think the kid can do what ever the Daddy can do – or rather thinks they could do if they were two feel tall. Shes a Daddy’s girl but i notice how she looks for me when shes mad or upset – she knows shes got me too. For further insight on the lip I think Jerry was working on a post – check out his blog here.

We got our rings yesterday too. I just absolutely love Jerry’s ring. Its is so perfect for him. Mine is simple and delicate while pretty and strong at the same time. It’s a lot of ring, makes me wonder if I should wear both my wedding ring and my engagement ring at the same time. Makes for a lot of metal on my hand at one time, probaly more jewelry than I have ever worn at any given point in my life. they are engraved and i like the idea of the thought on the inside of my ring – I wish you could have rings embossed so you can feel the words – but I can feel them anyway so thats alright.

Jerry’s first fathers day is aproaching and I think he may not have any faith in my ability to think up gifts for him. I’ll learn him!

Cammy’s first birthday is shortly as well! See jerry’s blog for tales of the Bear – as he will be dressing up and earning his worlds greatest dad ribbon the day before fathers day. She is getting too big too fast.

Anyway – As nervous as I am about the hair thing, I’m okay with trying it, and it can’t be any worse than the nothing I’ve been doing with my hair for years. Jerry seems magnetically attracted to it when he first saw it and I guess that’s always a good sign when they wanna touch it. I realize my posts have been a little less than enlightening but I’m tired and trying to get through this whole wedding/birthday/fathers day period I’ve got coming up. Pray for me; Its sure to be a doozie!

Fuzzy handcuffs and other tokens of love

IMGP0833
Originally uploaded by raquita.

I have put the photos up from the shower – feel free to take a look – you should be able to click on the photo to get to my Flickr account!

Countdowns, Shopping, Showers and love

It is a strangely peaceful time for me. My bridal shower was a few days ago. My mother, sister and aunt all put together a really cute fun afternoon with several friends and family members. I was surprised at some of the people who came, pleasantly of course. My friends made toilet paper stripper poles, dominatrix whips, purses and diamonds. It was a day to be remembered. I was honored to be reminded that these people love me. and we had a token male in To – Cam’s godfather he came but alas did not strip. Ah well. My Brother was there but he’s not quite the token male. He was mostly the caterer. My family makes the best rum punch on the planet and we will have to have it repeated at the reception. I give my word I will post pictures by the end of the week.  

The wedding itself is a week and four days away. I am not nervous. I’m feeling very sure about it, ready to go forward. Okay a little nervous. But I think that’s good, since this isn’t a small thing I am walking into, and it cannot be undone. I am so sure that this is what I God wants of us. Sure that this is what is right for us, what we want as well. I’m not excited about getting married - I’m excited to be his wife. So excited that I’ve taken shopping to a whole new level for us. I’ve lost my mind in the malls lately.Baby Gap should know me by name and I probably should have courtesy charge cards sent to me from 3/4th of the mall to ensure my total submission to the mall. I bought too many outfits for Cammy, not enough practical items for Jerry and my self and I still need to pick up basics like socks and underwear. Those things and a few pair of shorts and we should be good to go.

We bought luggage. A nice practical set of four pieces that should serve us well in the next few months. A very adult purchase as we are no longer packing in Adidas and Army duffel bags and JanSport book bags. Jerry was not convinced that it was a practical purchase – he also thought a old office desk from 1972 was going in my living room. Ummm…. how ’bout no?

Cammy’s birthday party is this weekend. We are looking forward to that. and I’ll post pictures of that too. Jerry’s dressing up like Bear in the Big Blue house -Priceless.

 

Found: one White boy in Japan

whteboy
Originally uploaded by raquita.

Well – he’s arrived in one piece in Japan thankfully!! He called today and sent e-mail and Jerry was so glad to know he was alright. He looks like he’s having a good ole time – Pictures of the roommate and stuff are in my flickr account – hopefully I’ll make a flickr account for him so you can see these in his blog.. Read the tales of his mishaps in the link to the right…