Brookey's Cafe Blog

Happy Random Thoughts Thursday!

I was planning on taking the week off from blogging, but something amazing is happening on social media and I wanted to share it with all of you.

A good friend and fellow SU alum, Baron Hilliard, is a founder of the Together AsOne Foundation. Today, they are hosting a "Social Media-a-thon" to raise money to send a young, Black student to college. They are asking 2000 donors to pledge just $20 per year for the next 5 years in order to fund a young person's college education. How awesome is that?!

I know I throw $20 away weekly on nonsense...whether it's an overly expensive lunch in Manhattan or something in a store I can live without. Why not take that $20 and do something positive and uplifting with it?

Did you know that only 47% of black males graduate from high school? Only 37% of those black men who graduate from high school go on to college...and of those, only 35% graduate within 6 years. This is a statistic we can change for one, if not more, young black men if we simply commit to the Together AsOne Foundation Scholarship Fund. "It takes a village to raise a village."

We hear that concept all the time, but many of us have no idea what that really means. That phrase is based upon the principle that the consciousness of people of color can best be raised by working with leaders from the community who have a history and natural inclination to work best with the communities they serve. It means we all have a responsibility to educate, support and raise our children to be the best, most productive members of our community, and in the world, in order to uplift us all.

We should align our thinking with the principles that Together AsOne holds dear - principles based in culture, compassion, respect, kindness, and a commitment to excellence. Our community's health and social problems are rooted in our history and culture, and can only be solved by recognizing and incorporating knowledge of that history and culture in a program to solve these problems one child at a time. That's where you come in.

How many of you will claim to be one of 2000 strong? I know I will. I'm proud to be a part of this powerful movement. That small amount, $20 PER YEAR, will change a person's life forever. I'm committing to $100 a year, but we're only asking for $20. Think about what you spend $20 a week on. Think about what you spend $20 a DAY on. Now think about what $20 a YEAR can do for a worthy student in the next 4-5 years. It's not algebra people...it's simple, easy...and necessary. There's no reason not to.

If you are on Facebook, Twitter or any other social media site, pass the word to everyone you know. Go to the Together AsOne Foundation page on Facebook and suggest it to all of your friends and encourage them to sign up and donate. You can also follow them on Twitter @togetherasonefd - retweet this information to all of your followers and get them on board.

Visit the link and find out how you can become part of this monumental grassroots event!

TO DONATE, GET MORE INFORMATION OR VOLUNTEER
Visit: www.TogetherAsOneFoundation.org
Email: info@TogetherAsOneFoundation.org
Call: 908-755-8220

Let's get it people!

-b

Happy Random Thoughts Thursday!

- My mommy is coming tonight! Daddy is coming tomorrow! Christmas will be fun this year.

- Then I'll be in Philly for a week beginning Sunday - can't wait to see my babies!

- Have a few stocking stuffers to pick up, so I'll be running around a bit today...but I'm here!

- In case y'all missed it :-)



The Giants got STOLE ON! Made my whole week :-)

- Don't you hate it when something you love has been discontinued? A certain pair of Gap jeans, a lipstick shade? The WORST!

- I've found myself getting more into Real Housewives of Atlanta. I admit it. Reading the status updates on Witches' Brew on Facebook as I watch makes my night :-)

- Not too fond of Beyonce's fragrance "Heat." I need a new signature scent.

- I had bacon for dinner last night. Yes....I said bacon.

- I wonder if Deebo can fit me in today...I need a good workout before the holidays.

- I wanna try the Shake Weight....just to see what it feels like.

- Still haven't seen Tron or Fighter yet. Maybe over the break.

- I wouldn't mind going to see Wendy Williams' show. She looks like she's 7 feet tall on tv.

- Where has Domina*tricks been?

- I'm taking a poll: Who are your top five rappers of all time? This is Brian's experiment :-) Let's see if he's right.

- Speaking of...here's Brian's Xmas double feature!





Two more days til Christmas! Happy Holidays everyone!

Go!

-b

Happy Hump Day!


WTF Wednesday....leading into Random Thoughts Thursday...here we go.


- WTF is up with Cipha Sounds and his Haitian/HIV joke? If you can even call it a joke...


I never understood where these ridiculous stereotypes come from, but it's getting out of hand. HIV is nothing to joke about anyway, let alone targeting a specific group of people. Cipha Sounds is an idiot. Hot 97 loves this type of controversy, but it's divisive. It's bad enough there are people who actually believe this crap, no need perpetuating it any further.


- WTF man...Prince sang songs at MSG that he didn't sing at my show at the Izod Center. I'm not surprised though, it IS the Garden. Never go to the first show...especially if the first show is in Jersey.


- Why are people asking me to do stuff because their assistants are on vacation? Who do I look like? Kizzy?


- This old lady almost knocked my ass over trying to get a seat on the train. Mind you, there were PLENTY of seats available...she just wanted THAT one. Like Chris Rock says, "there's a reason to kick an old person down the steps...just don't do it."


- Last night at my holiday party, a woman I work with said it was "stupid" that I only applied to one college, even though I got in. When I asked her what school she went to, she said she didn't attend college. What is more stupid - applying to one college (and getting into my first and ONLY choice) or not going to college at all? Hmmm....WTF? Bish please....


Go!


-b

Hey everyone!

Being back to work is a downer...but thank God for my job! As much as I could complain about late shows, pain-in-the-ass production companies and not enough hours in the day to deal with all the drama, I won't....because I'm truly grateful to not only be employed, but to actually have a job that I love.

As I was perusing Witches Brew on Facebook, one of their status updates asked this simple question: As the year comes to a close, what's been the highlight of your 2010?

I'm not sure I can narrow it down to just one thing, so I'll have to think about it as far as THE highlight is concerned....but I'd love to hear yours! What has been your most memorable moment(s) of 2010? And what are you looking forward to most in 2011?

Go!

-b

Despite losing my mother, “Marguerite Sauti Wills” to Ovarian Cancer on February 19th of this year, I could still be thankful. This holiday season, I asked Brooke if I could write for her blog because it was on my heart to show someone (if not some people) how a person like me is truly thankful during this holiday season for the gifts I, as well as my friends, already received. While some are stressing over buying gifts standing in long lines at Target; my friends and I can all stand and say we made it this year. Some want books for Christmas to stimulate their minds…we’re thankful we still have a piece of mind. Some want jewelry from their special one to warm the heart…we have started to receive healing for our hearts. Others want something expensive that they think will treat their spirits and soul…all we wanted was our spirits and souls to be restored after going through what we experienced.

Do you see where I’m going with this? Gifts are not just from a store or material items, they are from the heart and other sources in life. One guy I ran into asked me, “How can you still be so thankful after He took away your mother? What’s the deal with that…how can you still smile, perform, write…?” True statement.

Trust me, I have my moments and I let it out. I have no shame to cry, pray, go into deep meditation, talk to my counselor, friends, etc. It’s not a sign of weakness…it’s a sign of a person who wants the healing to begin and take over. If I don’t do these things, then I would be a basket case locked away somewhere or worse off…dead and gone because I took my own life. I have to be thankful because I’m still here and not going anywhere. I have reconnected with people that Mom and I lost touch with over the years, my heart is once again open for love, I can see a bright future in front of me, I finally have a job that I truly enjoy, became a co-guardian with my dynamic grandmother on December 10th to my sister Christina who is severely autistic, my writing is taking off and it's my therapy and have touched people through it, my family is being restored and we have reunited because of mom‘s doing from afar.

Today, share with a person that you love what you’re most thankful for as this year comes to a close - and don’t let it be material (ie…"I’m thankful for the 42 inch plasma babes"). No…we aren’t talking about that type of thanks. Reach down and know that there are so many people like me that made it through this year, can stand tall and say…thank you.

Make amends with that someone that is truly worth it…it’s been tugging on your heart to reach out to them. Whether it’s a friend or relative and even if it’s just a simple, “Hey…I’m thinking of you” - it’s a start. Call a friend or family member up that you haven’t heard from in a while and say, “I love you and just stopped by to say so.” Life is too short to keep things like a simple, “I love you” inside our hearts. Tomorrow isn’t promised, so just say it.

I’m also curious as to what you are thankful for - share with us on the blog and inspire all of the many readers!

When I chime onto the blog, I experience so many people that have such warm hearts, that don’t ask for much, just want their basic needs met, and can still smile despite what’s happening. Celebrating babies being born (I have 5 friends that are currently pregnant…very exciting), jobs created and businesses taking off, freedom from stressful relationships, love in bloom, health restored, dreams coming true…I see so much on this blog and I wanted to say from the bottom of my heart…thank you. Thank you for all of the compliments, prayers, good vibes, support, love and laughs. God bless and have happy holidays.

- Serena T. Wills - aka Divine Wryte

Happy Random Thoughts Thursday!

-Prince was AMAZING! However, he didn't sing When Doves Cry, 1999, Little Red Corvette or I Would Die For You. That would have taken it over the top. I don't know why he didn't sing those songs, but if he sings them at the Garden, I'm gonna be PISSED! But still, I had the BEST time, he killed it! I'd have a whole gang of his teeny, tiny, freaky deaky babies!

- Loretta and I chatted up ?uestlove before the concert - he was givin' the gas face! LOL!



- I wish they'd leave Michael Vick alone. If dude wants to have a dog, I see nothing wrong with it. He's not going to torture his pet. People need to stop being stupid.

- This woman had a case of the giggles on the train platform this morning. Whatever she was thinking about had her giggling uncontrollably to the point where tears were streaming down her face because she was trying so hard to hold it in. I thought that only happened to me :-)

- Are any of you friends with your parents on Facebook?

- Who do you think should be the Person of the Year? or can there be only one?

- It seems money in NY can buy anything.........except Cliff Lee! Ha!

- Maybe Annamaria and I will be betting again on the World Series between the Phillies and the Yankees :-)

- Or maybe we won't, since she has YET to cook my food after losing the bet she and I made between the Eagles and the Giants. They play AGAIN this Sunday, so maybe she's trying to hold out to make it double or nothing ;-)

- I see the Knicks are tryna do a lil something....I like it :-)

- Sometimes I just want to say "shut the hell up!" to a few folks in my office.

- Mercury must be in retrograde - a lot of strange things are happening to me. People are coming out the woodwork.

- I haven't been to the gym in three days, so tonight is gonna hurt...real bad.

- Mailed out my Xmas cards! Do people still do that anymore?

- Serena texted me a pic of the snow coming down in the DMV...not a fan of snow. You'd think i'd be used to it after 4 winters in Syracuse. Not so much.

- I thank God for family, friends, health, sanity, warmth, shelter, clothing, food, employment and happiness. With so much going on in the world, I am truly blessed.

- Did y'all see when Jimmy Fallon and Justin Timberlake did the history of hip hop on his show?



Cracks me up every time!

- Sherri Sheppard is a walking minstrel show.

- Today we're doing "Secret Santa" in my department. One of my co-workers who is participating sees my wrapped gift and asks me what it is. Guess she doesn't know the meaning of the word "secret" huh?

- Brian's throwback!



Go!

-b

Happy Hump Day!

I haven't been blogging lately because I've just been so busy! I miss you guys! I'm looking forward to a couple days off this Friday and Monday - and then the week after Christmas. I'm also looking forward to the PRINCE CONCERT tonight! A very nice treat...I need it!

If any of you caught The View yesterday, you know that Diddy was a guest and sat down with the ladies to promote his new CD Last Train to Paris. He also answered some very personal questions thrown at him about his children and his stance on marriage. In case you missed it, take a look and then we'll discuss:



Now...

First let me say that I like Diddy. I don't always agree with his life choices, but they're HIS life choices. I don't love all of his music, sometimes I think he's a clown, but for the most part he entertains me. I think he's great at building a brand, marketing himself, keeping himself relevant and is a savvy businessman. And in his response in the interview, I like that he didn't back down from the question and I feel he was honest.

However, 6 children (he claims Al B. Sure's son as his own) with 3 different women always raises an eyebrow...especially in our community. I was discussing Diddy's interview with a friend last night and he said that Diddy should have married at least one of those women in order to make an "honest woman" out of her.

Now, who knows what Diddy was telling these women in any of the relationships he's been in. Maybe he promised to marry them one day, maybe he didn't. That Kim Porter seems to be holding on for dear life in the hopes that he'll wake up one day and put a ring on it. But then again, maybe she couldn't care less about a ring, so long as she and her family are provided for. Like Diddy said, their situation seems to work for his family. So who are we to judge?

Personally, I don't think a man can make a woman "honest"...whatever that means. I feel that if a woman wants to get married before having children, she should state what she wants and then stick to her guns. Some women don't necessarily believe that you have to be married to have children...especially if that child would be the child of a mogul. Child support will do them just fine.

But for those women who DO wish to be married, then the responsibility lies with them to make sure that they either keep their legs closed, or use some sort of birth control until they walk down the aisle. Most women I know who don't want to get pregnant...DON'T. There's a pill, a patch, a shot, a diaphragm, a foam, a ring...you name it. If you don't want to use condoms, you're still covered...so the whole "I got pregnant by accident" excuse is just that...an excuse.

I know contraception fails, but something tells me in Diddy's case, these women didn't accidentally get preggers. They allowed themselves to get knocked up - without a ring - which leads me to my question of the day:

Should Diddy have married any of them in order to make honest women out of them, even if he wasn't ready to be a husband? Or is he doing the right thing by not marrying women he knows he can't fully commit to?

Some would argue that being the father to a woman's child is a much bigger commitment than being a husband, so he might as well complete the unit. But I'd argue that a person is VERY capable of being a good parent, but a terrible boyfriend or spouse. Should people who want children be forced to get married first, even if being a husband or wife isn't something they can fully commit to? Or should people who don't want to get married never have children as well?
Do you feel that children can't grow up to be wonderful, successful, well adjusted children without two parents in the home, or does that simply increase the chances?

Or is Diddy a rare case where these women are simply looking for a come-up and they see Diddy as their meal ticket - so no ring is necessary - and Diddy is smart for protecting his neck? Let's hear it! Go!

-b