As one ages, death is evident in everyday life. Relatives, friends, co-workers, neighbors, acquaintances school mates, and close family members will eventually die, but one of the most disturbing concepts relates to the Pop Culture figures identified with in my youth and young adults years.
Chuck Brown, the Bee Gees and Donna Summer all played an intricate role in my path towards adulthood. I can remember listening to the lyrics of "I Started a Joke", on AM radio at the tender age of 12, not quite understanding the message, but being able to hear the hurt and pain Robin Gibb's voice.
Getting down to Chuck Brown's "Bustin Loose" at Berts and Donna Summer's " Last Dance" at Hugos; these experiences and memories contributed to who I am today.R.I.P. Chuck, Donna and Robin. Join those who have gone ahead and jam until we meet again.
There is still time to get in on this great Groupondeal! The Jazz Fest is in full gear, not winding down until Sunday, April 3...still plenty of time to see some great shows. Check the deal out here!
Wherever they are, there's a good chance they're not working. That's right, because the leadership of the newly Republican controlled Congress has adopted a new rule. Work two weeks and have one week off. Yes, you read that correctly. Work two weeks and have one week off. What a gig...certainly would make my life a lot easier if I could afford such a work schedule.
The weeks off are called Constituent Work Week-- giving the perception that the week would be at home schmoozing--I mean talking, and meeting with constituents. Nice try, but is every third week really necessary? How much concrete work is accomplished in two weeks? Take the week of February 7, 2011 for example, already a short week, because no one worked on Monday. The remainder of the week was centered on bills voting to restrict abortion rights.
So much for the never-ending Republican mantra of “less government”. And what about focusing on and creating new jobs Mr. Beynore? Isn't that supposed to be your top priority? Vice President Biden is talking about getting Americans back to work and creating new jobs with a much-needed high-speed rail infrastructure system. China has one, Japan has one, South Korea has one, the UK has one, France, Germany, and Italy have one... and the best you can do to put America back to work is to vote on abortion bills?
Check out the 112th's Congress House Schedule. It looks like they filled it up with holidays, so people wouldn't realize when they're not working. But we're smarter than that. Get to work Mr. Boehner and Mr. Cantor. I'll be keeping tabs on you...and by the way, where are the jobs?
We've lost another legend yesterday - Ms. Lena Horne - singer, actress, dancer, civil rights activist, and one extremely beautiful, talented and confident lady. The strange thing is, two days ago I was driving home and saw an electronic bill board advertising The Wiz being performed on stage at one of the local theaters. I smiled and thought of Lena Horne, because I just love the song If You Believe.
Over the years, I would play that song in my head, when I needed some strength, guidance, encouragement, or just a little push to keep me keeping on, so I could make it to where I needed to be, to do whatever it was-- I needed to do. What a woman! She was such a fine, proud black woman that paved the way for us to follow.
What can I say? If you knew who she was, you knew what she was about. If you don't...do some research, learn the history of this remarkable woman and be ever so thankful that we were blessed to have her for 92 years.
Watch this video of If You Believe from the movie The Wiz
And check out this great clip of her in concert singing Stormy Weather/ If You Believe. Found by my hairdresser Crystal Issac, owner of Precious Gems Hair Salon.
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