You Can Feel It All Over(Black Music Month)

My nephew CJ, (formerly known as Monkey Toes) is a teenager now. He refers to my beloved 90s music as old school music. Once I showed me being offended and asked, "Then, what do you call 60s & 70s music"? He said, "Oh, now those are The Classics". *sigh* He knows how to compartmentalized eras of music as a teenager. I am so proud.

So, when I watched this animated show called Motown Magic on Netflix, I constantly thought about CJ. If this show was out when he was little, I think he would have had fun watching it. Motown Magic follows a wide-eyed & imaginative, 8-year-old Ben as he uses a magic paintbrush to bring the street art in a fictitious town named Motown to life.

Young viewers will get to learn about family love, creativity, and embracing self-esteem & individuality with musical tunes like ABC, My Girl, and Superstition interwoven in each lesson. It is a colorful program for the whole family to enjoy. Seriously, adults can sing their memories as the little ones learn pieces of music history.

If you ever go on social media and see young people loudly wonder who Dionne Warwick is, you'll understand why a show like Motown Magic is important.

If you see a viral video of Smokey Robinson slow grinding on stage and see the comment, "Who's Paw-Paw is that"?, you'll understand why a show like Motown Magic is important. You'll understand why a show like Motown Magic is important, as soon as hear "Before I Let Go" as Beyoncé's song and not a cover of the Maze featuring Frankie Beverly classic.

Yeah, I use the word Classic. And would rather my nephew use it, also. That means to me, he understands some music came before his time. And he understands he should respect it. That's the kind of respect You (and I) Can Feel All Over.

As Always Talking to You in Adult Terms!

That One Dreaded Dating Question

Yeah, I'm back on the dating market. I don't despise 85% of it, because I understand there is a level of work that has to be done in obtaining and becoming a life-long companion. But that other 15% gets on my nerves because it's tedious and mundane. It triggers my snarky & sarcasm sides in the worse way.

"Why are you still single" is one of those things. It is a hard question to answer without sounding like a jerk. I can't even joke my way into a nice answer.

"Why are you single"

"You see this guy right here. I dated him when I was 20. Send him a message and ask him why".

"You know that every man is not into Christian, Black, Fat, Educated, Nerdy, Awkward women, right".

"Are expecting me to actually say I'm crazy".

And I dare not to ever ask that question.

Because I know the answers I won't get but should.
"I lack real communication skills".

"I hide behind working a lot".

"Because being lazy & living off of people makes me a real catch".

No, we have very PC answers or we pass the blame onto the others we have dated before. I know I use the PC answers, myself.

I say, "I just am" or "I take dating breaks. And some may have extended longer than they should". Those answers are my truth, but they are quick & easy. And for some odd reason, we think quick & easy is a good path to a successful relationship.

And it is Not.

But we still have this dreaded question to answer.

It would be very nice if "Why are you single" left the lexicon. That question should be abolished. But until then, I guess we answer it the best we can.

As Always Talking to You in Adult Terms!

Settling These Barbecue & Grilling Debates

Cookout season is well underway. I can grill, but can't barbecue. Before you ask, grilling is hot & fast and barbequing is low & slow. Either one, I have a what I think are bona fide barbeque & grilling stances on the best & worst foods to be on the grill. And yes, I said "Bona Fide".

17. Veggie Kabobs with Tofu

16. Grilled Fruit Not fan of hot fruit, except certain pies

15. Pulled Pork Number 3 should explain.

14. Grilled Desserts

13. Hot Dogs

12. Sausages & Hot Links I like them, they don't like me back

11. Steak

10. Veggie Kabobs

9. Burgers (Beef, Chicken, Turkey)

8. Grilled Fish

7. Grilled Chicken

6. Grilled Shrimp

5. Smoked Turkey

4. Ribs (Spare, Beef, Baby Back)

3. Brisket I am Texan. And truthfully, I don't want to hear your BBQ opinion if you have Never had it chopped, pulled, shredded, or sliced.

2. Smoked Chicken

1. Breaks/Rib Tips They are perfect nuggets of rib without all the bone. If Carters (Best BBQ in Dallas, Ever) were still open, a breaks basket would be so great.

I thought it would be good if I worked on this with a belly full of fruit. I was wrong. Can somebody bring me a smoked chicken sandwich with pickles? Preferably from Soulman's in Mesquite, but if you are a reader of this blog I think I'll trust your BBQ restaurant choices.

As Always Talking to You in Adult Terms!

Saturday Series Podcast

Fun Facts About Me!

• I bought my 1st TV in the late 1990s and always turn the Closed Caption on any TV I own.
• Not putting up non-refrigerated groceries as soon as they get in the house is probably my small "act of rebellion".
• I need a nap before going out on Saturday nights.

Want to know why. Go over to the Saturday Series Podcast and hear me talk my Saturdays growing up in the 1980s & 1990s.

Saturday Series is a podcast on the PodDealers Network. It is a weekly show where a new guest comes through to share their stories on growing up and all of the things that surround it on one particular day of the week, Saturday. 

This show is in its 2nd season. Great storytellers & podcasters, Stephany Lowe from the Dope Science Show & Dee Dee Sweets of the Two People, Two Podcasts Network were on Season 1. So, when the show's executive producer, Jae(also of the show, Just Say Words) asked for a story from me, I was glad to do so. Saturday Series is really a Great & Creative Podcast. But don't take my word for it, Tune In & Enjoy it on any of these three platforms.

Anchor

Spotify 

Apple

Also, you can follow The Poddealers Network on social media. You can find them on Instagram & Twitter under the name @poddealers. 

As Always Talking to You in Adult Terms!

Back in February... (Black Music Month)

...Alicia Keys played two pianos simultaneously during her Grammy performance. Shortly after, video of the musician she was inspired by popped up. Her name was Hazel Scott. When I saw it, I was reminded of the old jazz movies that had Lena Horne & her in them. My grandparents watched lots of those movies. And since February was so problematic in 2019, I decided to honor Ms. Scott during Black Music Month.

Originally from Trinidad and Tobago, classical and jazz musician Hazel Scott first started tickling the ivories at age 3 with her mother. Her family came to the U.S. in 1924. She started performing in New York City and receiving scholarships to study classical music at the Juilliard School of Music by age 8. With a warm singing voice, she became a club and radio star by the late 30s and performed with greats like Count Basie. Gaining some attention for her swinging versions of classical themes, Hazel appeared "Singing Out the News" and "Priorities of 1942" on Broadway. She played twice at Carnegie Hall.

Also being an actress, Hazel became a performer in musicals, including, "The Heat's On"(1943)(Hazel's dual piano playing skills are shown in this film), "I Dood It" (1943) and "Broadway Rhythm" (1944) while also releasing dozens of albums. Her most famous hit was "Tico Tico". Her catchy boogie-woogie style was popular during the 40s, while her versatility and Hazel's ability to shift from jazz to classical to blues was incomparable. She married the Rev. Adam Clayton Powell Jr., noted Congressman, preacher, and editor in 1945. Hazel Scott became the first black woman to host her own television show in 1950 but, the show was canceled months later.

Because she refused to perform in segregated theaters and had outspoken views on both McCarthyism and racial injustice, she was subsequently accused of being a Communist sympathizer. It took a toll on her family life. After a divorce from Powell, she moved to Paris. She performed and enjoyed racial freedom during the 1960s. Her return to the U.S. marked a second career on TV with guest roles on such shows as Julia (1968) and The Bold Ones: The New Doctors (1969). Hazel Scott continued to perform until her death from cancer in 1981.

That's a lot of history with the lady who inspired Alicia Keys. her career faded, looks like Hazel Scott’s initial success paved the way for many other entertainers like Sammy Davis, Jr., and Oprah Winfrey. Glad somebody found the movie clip and shared the clip to social media. Thanks for that.

As Always Talking to You in Adult Terms!

Well A Symphony to You, Too (Black Music Month)

If you don't like profanity or have boxed me in...LEAVE

I sometimes handle stress by listening to music. Most people do. I also have a few go-to songs I have to make me feel better. I have one non-Gospel number on that list. It is by one of my favorite proverbial aunties in the music business, Millie Jackson. In Dallas on the AM dial, there was a station called Soul 73. All of the older people in my world listened to Soul 73.

And guess who ruled Soul 73? She even had a show on there. Though she can use some rough language at times. Millie Jackson has given a lot of sage advice through her music. Most of you heard her sing there is "No Pain, No Gain" in life & relationships. My favorite lesson is "Never to Change Lovers in the Middle of the Night". But she also has used classical music to help tell off non-positive people & things in our lives.

Well, my biggest haters in life are the Storms caused Stress, Anger, Anxiety, or Grief. They don't want me to be great. Most times I can give them All the Jesus joy they hate to leave me alone. But there are a few times, fleshly me decides to talk to my storms in a language they understand. (Pray for Me. Don't Criticize Me.)

It's like a signal warning to tell them, "I see you lurking" or "Don't try me". I remember the time when I automatically started humming it one day. It scared me at first. But I calmed down. Sometimes the profoundly profane helps a bit. Hey, I've never cried while humming or listening to that song. That is a plus.

What are the secular songs you use to calm down? The comment section is a safe place. It doesn't need to whip out Phuck U Symphony by Millie Jackson on the negativity it may recieve. LoL

As Always Talking to You in Adult Terms!

She's Gonna Make Me Respect Her Reboot, Again

I have watched season 2 of She's Gotta Have It. It came out Friday before Memorial Day and I, a horrible binge watcher, watched it all Friday before Memorial Day. Sophomore seasons usually don't impress me much. I worried about this season. It doesn't have the original movie as a blueprint and Spike Lee doesn't give me the type to truly listen to fan & critic input.

I Liked It!!! And I enjoyed it enough to give you guys the Good, the Bad, and the Diva (Head Nod to Andre, the Black Nerd Comedy) thoughts about it.

The Good:

I learned the term, Individuation. It is the process of self-actualization. And like Nola, many including myself are in doing that. But I feel it is a task we should do all the time. Thank you, Dr. Jamison

I liked the very end. If She's Gotta Have It doesn't get another season, I will be okay with it. It felt final. And in an age where the next season is not promised, that was a smart way to end. This season we watch Nola lose her mojo & then gain it back. She has a secret final piece of artwork. I LOVED it. I won't spoil it with a picture, but I get politics about a black woman's hair & body in the USA message that it brought.

Nola

I also loved the differently honest reactions to it by everybody in her world.

This season left Brooklyn, New York, twice. The visuals of Martha's Vineyard & Puerto Rico are beautiful. But I mostly liked that Nola needs these places to individuate the most.

I agreed with everything Clorinda experienced. She needed the proverbial slaps. Maybe she could let down her walls and stop interacting with calculating & stiffness. And I kinda hope Mars & she could fully rekindle their rapport one day.

Mars sings in this season. Found out the actor has been Lin Manuel productions like Hamilton. He has a nice voice.

Greer & Reed

The Prince tribute festival was beautiful. I loved that we got to see the variety of ages performing.

Greer and his lady friend, Reed were good characters. Reed actually made Greer likable.

But my favorite couple was Shamekka & Winny. They need a spin-off.

Oh, Lady Maye is taken down. Here in Dallas, there was a lady named Wee-Wee who administered butt shots. Someone died and Wee-Wee arrested. And We still just go to someone else for them. Well, I don't. I just rock my raised square.

The Bad:

Nola & Olu

Did we need Jamie & Nola to interact? It just seemed forced and unnecessary. It was not as natural Nola with Greer and of course Nola with Mars.
And Cheryl Overstreet making sure we knew she still has some stereotypical Black women in her was just as unnecessary.

And Dean/Onyx comes back. I dislike his rhetoric when he talks. I reminds me of Donald Trump's tweets.

I like we saw Divine & Bianca talk, but the looking for & finding his daughter storyline was obviously thrown together quickly.

Tina

Oh, I also liked seeing Rosie Perez and finding out what happened to Tina after Do the Right Thing. But finding out Mookie was Mars dad was a quick jam in. And nothing was done with that info after that was said.

And well the infamous Black British Actors in American roles conversation was irresponsible. Neither Olu or Nola learned anything from the other's views. That conversation was opinions said for the sake of saying them. Other than a way for Spike Lee to double down how he feels, I didn't see why that topic even came up.

The Diva:

Raqueletta Moss, my favorite character returns this season. When I first saw her this season it was something somewhat relaxed about her to me.

Raqueletta Moss

And she didn't say her name as much. Her interaction with other women at Shamekka's product sale was comfortable. Then we find out why the change. Raqueletta Moss has an age-appropriate gentleman sweetie. Looks like she found someone to trust in. Get it, Raqueletta Moss!!!

Can we talk about one Skylar's hairstyles? That part bun up & natural hair down style reminded of my childhood. I almost got out the family photo books and found a picture of me with that style.

Skylar & Virgil

It's just a fun way to show a girl's hair. And bravo for whoever decided to have it be shown.

On a show where most of the cast is stereotypically black and beautiful aka thin & with curves or muscles, out popped a lovely curvy, plus size character named Dutch. She was talented, stylish, and seem to have her stuff together. She was refreshing to see. Because trust me, Representation Matters.

Nola

Whew! That was lengthy! Maybe I should have recorded & posted my thoughts. Oh Well! I enjoyed season 2 of She's Gotta Have It. Did you? Let me know in the comments.

As Always Talking to You in Adult Terms!