My Opinion: Under One Roof

Why?

Mary J. Blige's New Site

I know, it's been a lonnnnnnnnnnnng time since I last posted. I've been very busy. And lazy about blogging. Okay, more lazy than busy.

Just wanted to log in for a quick moment to say that I have exciting news: I'm joining the Mary J. Blige and Steve Stoute Foundation for the Advancement of Women Now (FAWN) as a blogger! Among other things, I'll be posting about self-esteem, family, and personal growth. All the things I love to write and talk about.

I'm excited about this opportunity! I believe in their mission and I'm grateful to be a part of the organization in its infancy stage.

So stop by the site every now and then and drop a comment to me and/or the other bloggers there. We always appreciate constructive feedback.

Just the Boost I Needed...

I just had such an encouraging conversation with Libby Gill, the Life Coach/Author that Lifetime TV arranged for us to speak with regarding our Clean Start Challenge projects. She gave me lots of things to think about (some of which I may or may not share on-camera...nah nah nah nah nah nah) that will help me stay on my current path of health and wellness, weight loss and emotional well-being. We even briefly discussed the direction my writing is taking. The whole conversation reinforced many of the thoughts that had been swirling around in my head already. And she also offered up advice on other things I hadn't quite fleshed out yet or even thought about at all. Stimulating conversation! I'm feeling further empowered and am confident that it will translate into something very positive for me in relation to this makeover...

Meanwhile, visit her site for yourself to see what advice she may have for you!

Review: A Raisin in the Sun

I wouldn't have missed Monday night's ABC broadcast of A Raisin in the Sun for the world. Three of my favorite actresses all in one movie? It's a film-lover's dream come true.

Phylicia Rashad was brilliant as Lena Younger. Just brilliant. Loved her as always. Audra McDonald as Ruth Younger, amazing. The range of emotions she and Ms. Rashad displayed were breathtaking and heartfelt. I honestly don't know how they do it. Sanaa Lathan was captivating in the role of Beneatha Younger, a character I believe was born well before her time. I loved her youthfulness and energy. And those little things she does: the eye rolls and the way she clips her words...those little things added a little something special to her performance.

And then there's Sean Combs. I have to admit, I watched him carefully because I wanted to clown him. But I couldn't. I honestly couldn't. No, I would not call his performance as Walter Lee brilliant. I think that's an honor reserved for actors with that special something. But I thought he pulled it off better than expected. I can't hate on him. I honestly can't. I read somewhere that he pulled from his own early experiences as a man on the grind to make his character believeable. I could see that in his performance. And I have to applaud him for his efforts. Offscreen, though, he's so....*sigh*

As great a movie as it was, I'm told I should see the original with Sidney Poitier (I've only caught bits and pieces over the years). I will do that because Mr. Poitier's talent is incomparable. And then I'll also get the 1989 version with Danny Glover because I'm curious to see what he brought to the Walter Lee role. I've always respected his work and I can't imagine anything less than brilliance from him as well.

So that's my take. And the only other thing I have to say is...can we please have more black movies of this calibre? Please?

Note to Self: Get on TLC's "What Not to Wear"

So I've started campaigning to get the attention of What Not to Wear, the popular TLC makeover show featuring fabulous stylists Stacy London and Clinton Kelly. I watch this show religiously and I jot down the rules that I think fit my body type, all in hopes of someday using them on a shopping spree to replace the disgustingly gross wardrobe currently hanging in my closet.

I'll admit it. I'm a fashion victim. I'm still wearing clothes from when I weighed 314 pounds (I'm currently at 260 and shrinking daily). They do nothing for me. They're misshapen, faded, worn, and in some cases torn. I'm embarrassed to leave the house in my clothes. So I don't. Leave the house, that is. As little as possible, anyway (I'm currently working from home so that's not too difficult). And when I do leave, it's mostly not until the nighttime, when there are fewer people on the streets that will be subjected to my style-challenged ways.

At least I recognize the problem.

So I've emailed thirteen of the show's casting people (I don't know the technical term). I hope that's not considering spamming (yikes). But a sista is desperate. Beyond...actually.

I'll keep you posted. And if you're not already watching the show...watch the show! Maybe you'll see me on there someday as part of my Makeover-In-Action Project. Meanwhile, you can still catch my little web reality show on mylifetime.com (Lifetime TV's online community) as part of the SC Johnson-sponsored Clean Start Challenge. See you there!

Make Me Over, Eb!

Found this online show today (archived at blogtalkradio.com). I'm hoping that I'll be able to chat with the hostess, Ebony Looney, on her next episode, which broadcasts live Sundays on WOIC AM 1230 (Columbia, SC) . I'm sure she'll have lots of great tips that will help me navigate this makeover project of mine. I'll let you know if I make contact with her.

If you're in makeover-mode too, then check out her personal website for tips that may help you in your own journey.

An American Idol Favorite: Joanne Borgella

So I'm excited about the new season of American Idol, of course. And I've picked my favorites, of course! I'll be writing about my other picks later, but right now Joanne Borgella is of particular interest to me. I've been a fan of hers since she appeared on and won MoNique's Fat Chance back in 2005. Apparently, she's had a steady career since then as both a plus-size model and a vocalist. I'm looking forward with great anticipation to see what she brings to the competition this season...

New Exercise Video Featuring Bonecrusher

I've never heard a complete song by rapper Bonecrusher (though I do now recognize the song AttenCHUN! from the badly-written/badly-acted IMX/B2K movie You Got Served), and I didn't watch him on Celebrity Fit Club, but I'm impressed that he put together this workout video for plus-size people trying to get in shape, so I think I'm gonna have to check this out...

Thanks For Watching the Show...Both of You!

Thanks for watching my little YouTube show! I know it's only a couple/few of you, but your words of encouragement make a sista smile. Oh, and sorry I haven't enabled comments yet at my channel. You know how people can be, and I just truly don't want to let any negativity into my space just now. Ever again, actually. You feel me.

Take care and I'll see you later. New video at Lifetimetv.com late Tuesday. Check it out.

And I Sing...Because...I'm Happy...

I decided that every time I lose a pound or more, I'm going to celebrate in song. Why not? This is to celebrate another two pounds lost last week. That's a total of 52! See why I'm singing?

P.S. I'm not a professional, so keep that in mind please. Oh, and ignore that lisp (gonna get that fixed soon, I hope)!

HOTGIRLS, Inc.

I love the work of this group: Helping Our Teen Girls In Real Life Situations. Founded by Dr. Carla Stokes, Ph.D., M.P.H., the purpose of this non-profit Atlanta group is to improve "the health and lives of black young women and girls by providing health education, youth development, media literacy, and technology programming".

I'm hoping to introduce my upcoming young adult novel K My Name Is Kendra to them personally.

Meanwhile, check them out here.

My New Laptop...And My Work Goes On...

Remember when I wrote that I needed a new laptop because I had been writing on a borrowed one for so long? Well, I got one! Not the exact one I was looking at, but the one I did end up getting (the Dell Inspiron 1520) is spanking brand new, comes with much of what I need (I can always add on the rest), and I've been happily writing on it ever since it came in the mail three weeks ago as a gift from a kindhearted woman who believes in my talent and my work.

I am so appreciative of the gift, Ms. B.W! Thank you once again for your kindness...

My Article for Venus Diva Magazine

Lots to do today, so this is just a quick note.

Wanted to post a link to my two-page Venus Diva magazine article. It's under the Lifestyle: Thriving In Your Curves section. Read the whole magazine, of course, because it's fabulous. But read my article first!

Enjoy. And as always, drop an email at my site. Oh, and if you haven't voted for me yet at Lifetimetv.com, please do so now at this address. I'm pretty sure Nancy (one of the finalists) is going to win because she's an educator and most likely has the whole PTA/PTO machine behind her in her town. But I'd like to at least get up in the double digits, if possible, so help a sista out!

More Art by Rene Dickerson

My friend Rene Dickerson is preparing to auction off this masterpiece (Berry Gordy has a copy of it in his home). If you think it's captivating in this size, you should see it in person at its real size of 48"w x 36"h! You'll be standing there forever studying it face by face by face. And now that it's been signed by a handful of the artists, its value has only increased. I can't wait to see where it ends up.

Stop by Rene's site to view some of his other work.

I'm A Cover Girl!

Okay, so not really. All I did was upload my pic at the Figure magazine website and pick from their headlines to make a mock cover. I thought the idea was cute, and I'll never appear on a magazine cover, so why not fantasize a bit?

Meanwhile, I do love that mag. That one and Heart & Soul. And Essence. And Ebony. And Upscale. And Black Enterprise. And Jet. And Black Issues Book Review (of course). And so many others, actually...

What was the point of this post.....? Oh, yes, that I'm a (fake) cover girl!

My Gift Basket From SC Johnson/Lifetimetv.com

I gotta tell ya, I'm pretty excited about receiving this giftbasket from SC Johnson and Lifetimetv.com, the sponsors of the Clean Start Challenge that I'm part of for the next ten weeks at Lifetimetv.com. Lame that I got all giddy when I received it via FedEx just now? Not really, considering how much this stuff costs in the store!

I received Ziploc bags of various sizes, microwave-safe bowls with Snap 'N Seal lids, containers with Twist 'n Loc lids, a Glade Wisp Flameless Candle, and a Plug-Ins Scented Oil Fan. And the basket it came in is cute too.

I'm just too excited...

Updates All Over the Place!

I haven't posted in sooooo long...and I was doing so well for a while there!

Anyway, several quick updates:

I've been chosen as a finalist (under my legal name "Chela") in the Lifetimetv.com/SC Johnson Clean Start Sweepstakes, which means that I'll be documenting my weight loss/health & wellness journey over the next ten weeks by uploading a weekly video to their site for a chance to win $10,000 and a trip for four to Disneyworld. I'm excited! This puts me back on track with my eating (I was wildin' out there again for a while) and makes me more conscious of my health issues again.

Since it's only a weekly upload to their site, I decided to start a Youtube channel so that I can post more frequently and vent when/where I need to. Plus it allows me to do so much more as part of my makeover. More on that as details become available.

My upcoming young adult novel K My Name Is Kendra is coming along quite nicely. I'm completing the final pages, and I'm excited that the project is going to be edited by Katura Hudson, a freelance editor who is also Director of Marketing at Just Us Books, a 20-year-old New Jersey publishing company that has established itself as a leader in multicultural books.

Oh...and I almost forgot! I've written my very first article ever. Honestly, I can't even remember the title right now, but it'll appear in the February issue of Venus Diva Magazine. Should be available tomorrow. I was so excited to see my picture added to the masthead as a frequent contributor. I'm looking forward to a future with them.

I think that's it. Stay in touch! And thanks for all your emails.

Teenage Girls Bill of Rights

Found this at the Joyful Heart Foundation site (mentioned below). Every girl should follow this code for their personal safety.

Diggin' This Site: Joyful Heart Foundation

I learned of this site when I was doing research for the Resources section of my upcoming book, K My Name Is Kendra. I decided to include the section when I reached the halfway point in writing the book. After all, how can I tell the fictional story of Kendra and dedicate it to real-world sexual abuse victims but not include information on where these survivors can go to heal?

So the Joyful Heart Foundation is one of the several organizations you'll see listed in the back of the book as well as at my site. Its President and Founder is none other than actress Mariska Hargitay of Law & Order: Special Victims Unit fame, who started the non-profit in 2002 with the goal of helping "survivors of sexual assault heal their minds, bodies and spirits and reclaim their lives." As I suspected before even reading the rest of her statement, she was moved to do so after beginning her role on the show. Emails and letters from real-life survivors touched her, and from this was born Joyful Heart.

Take a few moments to visit the site for yourself, or pass the link along to someone who needs the healing.

Someday: Akwaaba DC

One day, when I've finally gotten to where I want to be in my writing career, I'm going to treat myself to a stay here at Akwaaba, a gorgeous luxury inn in Washington D.C. It's one of five locations opened by author Monique Greenwood and her husband, but I have a special affinity for this particular spot because it's decorated with a literary theme. Each guest room features the books of the author or genre it is named after. I do like the Zora Neale Hurston, Toni Morrison, and Walter Mosley suites, but I think my first reservation will be for the Langston Hughes suite (pictured above). Looks absolutely stunning, doesn't it?

Someday...