Letter to Mr. Kelly

Dear Mr. Ke.lly:

May I call you R? Well, R….it seems that you are in the spotlight, once again, for your behavior. One would think that after dragging out and avoiding your trial for a few years now, you would want to lay low and remain undetected.

Not you Sir. No, you decide to go on tour. During this tour, your Divo-like antics have already caused one of your headliners to leave. Did you really need seven dressing rooms, causing Mr. Lipgloss N.e.e-y.o and his dancers to have to resort to dressing in trailers despite the fact that he has had more hits than you this year?

All divo-ness aside, now your longtime publicist has resigned from working for you. In her resignation, she states that you “crossed a professional line” causing her to sever ties with you immediately. What did you do? Allegedly, you had relations with her 19 year old daughter. An individual you had known since she was 4. One who referred to you as ”Uncle”. *insert pearl clutching*

Now the parents of that child either REALLY turned a blind eye to your past behavior or they believed in you wholeheartedly. Either way, they probably regret both right about now.

Nineteen is not illegal, despite you being shy of your 40th birthday.  However, her growing up knowing you as Uncle but now thinking of you as “Daddy” is wrong.

To put it short, you got issues. The kind that only a few showers with “Bubba” at the State Pen will fix.  A few words of advice? Don’t drop the Soap.

Cordially,

Nineteen Sixty Nine

What the Fudge…Part 2

pictures courtesy of Go Fug Yourself and Stereohyped

What the Fudge?!?!??!

Britney Spears could be pregnant again? This chick hasn’t learned anything? Who in da hell is the daddy? WHAT THE FUDGE?

Leopard print leggings with lace trim around the ankles and RED pumps? Who told you that ish was cute? My retinas are burning? WHAT THE FUDGE?

Can you choose some dates for me that you think would work and give me some rates? Uh, aren’t you the salesperson? Isn’t it your job to come to me prepared to discuss what you plan on offering?  If it books, do I get any of your commission check? WHAT THE FUDGE?

“You look like you need a man in your life, shorty.” is NEVER a good pick up line. NEVER. Especially when shorty is taller than you. WHAT THE FUDGE?

Neither is “Oh so you’re married? You can have friends though right?” *sigh* WHAT THE FUDGE?

Having to write and experience all of this before 8am? WHAT THE FUDGE?

Still kicking…

Black folks have a good life. Yes, we are doing the darned thing in 2007.

Running for President, opening schools in Africa, dominating the Sports world, attending great schools and running corporations. We have indeed come a long way and we should be proud of ourselves.

Europeans should also be proud. Many of them are coming to regard us as “just people”, not always feeling a need to classify us into a category. They are accepting us as friends, loved ones, coworkers and embracing our heritage and culture.

However, every time we make progress…..something happens that draws us back. Makes me stop and realize that we are always one step away from falling back into those comfortable roles.

Yesterday, I was at a meeting with all of the managers in the region. Our Region leader was reviewing new hotels being built. As we ooohed and aaaahed over the gorgeous properties and fabulous decor and amenities, he put a slide up showing a property that was going to be built in DA HOOD of one of the nation’s cities.

This fool managed to say the location and then jumped in to say it was an “Urban” project that would help to revitalize the neighborhood. Now we have a lot of properties in the pipeline. Most are city properties. He never called any of those “Urban”.

Are you kidding me? That was so blatantly bogus……Why did he have to throw a disclaimer on that project? I don’t even think he knew he did it.

Say a prayer for me ya’ll……now let me go research “class action suit”……LOL

So Fresh and So Clean

I was watching an episode of T.im Gu.n.n’s show where he takes someone in desperate need of style help and revamps them.

He has a top ten list of items every woman should have in their closet. Here is his list:

Tim’s 10 Fashion Essentials,

• Basic Black Dress
• Trench Coat
• Classic Dress Pants
• Skirt
• Blazer
• Classic White Shirt
• Day Dress
• Cashmere Sweater
• Jeans
• Sweatsuit Alternative
• Bonus: One Indulgent Trendy Item Under $20

Ladies, do you have these items in your wardrobe? Do you buy investment pieces? Things that will continue to look good season after season? When purchasing these items, you should always buy quality. These are the key pieces that you can build a wardrobe around.

Fellas, here is a list of basics for your wardrobe:

1. A suit (navy or gray) -
2. Black shoes and belt
3. White dress shirt
4. Solid tie or a classic vertical stripe
5. Blue blazer
6. Khakis and jeans
7. Overcoat
8. Briefcase – A briefcase does not necessarily mean a hard case. It can be soft, or messenger bag style.
9. Athletic wear
10. Casual shirt
11. Deconstructed suit – A deconstructed suit is a relaxed look but is pulled together. The pants and blazer can be worn separately.

Are we all venturing out of our college attire? Are we now investing in our look, our style? Are we walking away from the $99 suit and purchasing a quality one that will last a few years?

How many items on these lists are you lacking?

Service with Style

I love my sorors.

Last night was our annual fundraiser, Phi.lly’s M.en Are C.ook.ing.

Our chapter raises money for scholarships for the young people in inner city Philadelphia. Many kids want to go to college but need a little help to get there.

The event was fabulous. We had over 200 gentlemen cooking for the event and it was a lovely display of culinary skills and yes, charm. Those cooks will charm the pants off ya.

So today I am totally recuperating but I want to congratulate my Soror Ta.ryn, who followed in my footsteps and chaired last night’s event. Not only did she do a great job, she looked fabulous doing it. Of course, she’s a number ten like me, so there was never any doubt!

Here’s the annual picture of the Perfect Tens (Jacky Jack, 1969, Ta.ryn and Ms. Cooper)……..enjoy the weekend.

Happy Thanksgiving…..dinner is served.

Thanksgiving Dinner A La Nineteen Sixty Nine

Roasted Herb and Citrus Turkey

Brown Sugar Baked Ham

Nana’s Cornbread Dressing

Baked Mac and Cheese

Collard Greens with Smoked Turkey

Corn Pudding Casserole

Candied Yam Souffle with Pecans

 

 Dessert

Sweet Potato Pie (the GMo Recipe)

Chocolate Bread Pudding

Southern Comfort Cake (Thanks to CreoleinDC)

 

Hope you enjoy your holiday as much as we will enjoy ours.  We are extremely blessed this Holiday season and everyday.

Peace and Love to you and yours this Thanksgiving.

1969, Inc.

“1969, what is marriage really like? I am about to walk down that path and I need a married person’s insight.”

It’s like running a corporation. A business venture. You have to go into it knowing that it could fail or it could succeed beyond your wildest dreams and make you rich.

The company is only as strong as it’s employees. When they lose focus on the big picture…..problems arise. The only way to solve the problems are to sit down, have each side air out their differences and resolve the issues through negotiations. The parties will need to compromise when necessary, admit when they are wrong or recognize when the other employee has a better plan and accept it.

Things can run smoothly but you always have to deal with outside forces that can threaten to halt production. It could come from family, friends, job, stress, kids, money…..you have to be ready to face these issues as a united team. Always keeping problems out in the open and discussing them with the team. Celebrating successes and learning from failures. Never being defeated because one idea didn’t work. Moving forward always and getting excited and motivated by the next idea.

If the employees don’t share the vision, believe in the vision and work together…..the endeavor will fail.

If the employees start discussing their business with outside forces or competitors……it opens themselves up for takeovers, leaves their company vulnerable.

Some businesses will get rich. Some will barely make ends meet. Some will never make a dime. The money does not measure success. The sense of accomplishment will come from the daily struggle…..the love of what you do, working together day in and day out.

If you’re really blessed, you will raise others to one day follow in your footsteps with a sound business acumen and a plan that you taught them. They will have all of the knowledge to go forth and start their own companies and be successful in their own right.

Good luck on starting your company!

(c) nineteen69.wordpress.com

The Show Must Go On

Morning Neighbors.

I am at work and the “M” button on my keyboard just popped off. It could be worse right? It could be the “E” button. Let’s see how long it will take my I.T. Professional (who isn’t even in yet) to come up and fix this. Let’s also count how many “M”‘s I end up typing during that time. ( We’re already at 9…see?)

Anyway, this week is Thanksgiving week. We are all going to be forced to think of things we should be thankful for. Now I know you all say thanks everyday for what you have. Some of you, it may be harder to tell cause you always seem a tad bit angry (love you Zed) but I am sure that you realize, despite the daily trials and tribulations….your life beats a lot of other folks.

You already know the things I am thankful for so instead I want to name my current favorite TV shows that make me happy. My small pleasures if you will that keep me sane.

1. Pr.oject Run.way

I couldn’t love a show more if I tried. Every episode amazes me.

From the first episode where they had to make a cocktail dress  out of things in the supermarket. (I give you Au.stin Sca.rlett’s winning corn husk dress)

To the fierceness of Mi.cheal Knig.ht’s dress made out of coffee filters…

This show is about talent and skill. Creativity under pressure. If you love Fashion….this one is for you.

2. De.xter

If you have Showt.ime, you have got to check this show out. Dexte.r is a Crime Scene Investigator in Miami. His department is trying to find a serial killer named the Bay Harbor Butcher.

The catch? De.xter is the Bay Harbor Butcher. He’s a serial killer.

Does it get any better than this? Great writing, outrageous plots and can he continue to thwart his colleagues as they get closer to finding out who he is? Great TV.

3. LO.ST

I can’t even explain how long I will wait for the return of the best show on TV. All I can say is get your DVD’s and catch up while you still have time. L.OST is unlike anything else on tv. A show I can’t even explain…..LOL

What are your tv obsessions?

In Tribute…

I have so many women that I look up to. Of course, there is my mother. Hard working, intelligent and so much fun. She has taught me everything I know and sacrificed so that I could be where I am.

There are always my five fabulous aunties. These women have been my major influences for as long as I can remember. The cooking skills, the style and sophistication. I have emulated myself after so many of their traits.

There is my grandmother and my late great grandmother. Businesswomen. Entrepreneurs. Sharp and never intimidated.

But my work icon…..well, this woman had it all rolled into one.

She was beyond stylish. Always fabulous. She never had a hair out of place and looked good in everything from a power suit to sweat pants. She had a successful loving husband. She raised a family of five fantastic kids who all turned out to be successes in their own right. She had a high powered career. She seemed to balance it all. The best part was….she handled folks.

You  know when you get told the hell off but you didn’t even realize it until an hour later? That takes skill. This woman had that gift. She would cut folks to the quick without raising her voice. She had that “don’t mess with me fellas, this ain’t my first time at the Rodeo” demeanor while still maintaining that class and elegance.

Ladies and gentleman…..I give you my idol since I was a youngster…..

Yes, that’s right Claire Huxtable. I love me some Claire.

Not only was she voted America’s Favorite TV Mom of all time….she has always been what I strive to be…an impeccably dressed, sophisticated, professional, nurturing Superwoman.

And did I mention that Ms. Phylicia Rashad is my Soror…..you already know. LOL

Now go handle those folks in the office and on the street with your best Claire Huxtable. Never let em see you sweat.